So, apparently I was the only one on this campus that didn’t know the Lakefill was the place to be. Let me be clear, I knew what and where it was, even though Dillo Day is still a little hazy. I simply was not aware that people go and hang out on the Lakefill after classes and during the weekend. I’ve been told I should be embarrassed.
Anyway, last weekend I met up with a friend to hang out and we were trying to decide what to do. She suggested we go to the lakefill and I thought, “oh wow that’ll be so relaxing…” Wrong. I imagined there would be a few hipsters sitting alone reading a book and looking out on the water contemplating the meaning of life. Again, wrong.
Oddly resembles the Lakefill, am I right?!
There were many things that should’ve tipped me off. As we approached the Lakefill, I heard music blasting and there were groups of people passing by me on their way out. When we finally approached the scene, I stood there, quiet and confused, while repeating in my head, “Abandon ship. Abort. Abort.” Pretty sure I stood there staring for at least 5 minutes until someone hit me in the head with a Frisbee.
Me.
I didn’t even know this many people even went to Northwestern. I quickly decided the Lakefill was a fraternity of it’s own. Its members collect upon their common higher-than-average cool factor and their ability to get tan and walk around without shoes. Just so you know, none of those can be used to describe me. I would say I am slightly less cool than the average human, literally burn after 10 minutes of being in the sun and I am concerned I might be allergic to grass. But I decided to go with it. Play it cool.
This was basically it.
Some people were passed out in hammocks, laying on towels like human pretzels, and others were just standing, looking slick holding a cup of “coffee”. The friend I was with saw some of her friends, so we walked over to them, while dodging all the Frisbees. It was a battle zone and I felt like a ninja. A few people had strung a line between two trees to make a tightrope. Without shoes, they would walk across the line, balancing and turning, making the whole thing look easy. So, of course I thought I could do it. I think that was my biggest mistake of the day. I still have a scar from the rope burn I got after losing my balance and dignity. It’s a rough life for the uncoordinated.
In sum, if you didn’t know the Lakefill was the place to be either, try it out! Just bring a helmet, Neosporin, and a full body protective suit.
Done.