123 Mizzou Memories

Carrie reminded me of some of the fun memories of Mizzou, which is even better because I'll be in CoMO for Homecoming this weekend. Can't wait!

Some of these I remember all too well, some I honestly don't recognize at all, some I've chosen to forget, and some just bring a smile to my face.

1. Bought a bottle of Riverboat wine at the grocery store, just because it reminded you of the winery
2. Realized how much you missed spending all your Thursday nights (and yet very little of your money) at Harpo's
3. Know that there's no HoCo like the HoCo in CoMo
4. Don't capitalize the K in kansas because you still don't think it's a proper place or a proper noun
5. Remember going to the Hearnes for Men's Basketball, and not just blood drives
6. Still think Brad Smith was robbed of the Heisman
7. Will argue about which dorms by the football field were the best (Lathrop! No, Laws! No, Smith and Donelly!)
8. Spent meal points on take out pizza at Schurz or Eva J's
9. Have driven down Rollins during class hours and bitched about almost hitting someone
10. Have almost gotten hit by a car (or a crazy biker) when trying to cross Rollins
11. Drank beer at a frat house when it was 'damp' to do so
12. Have gone back for a football game as an alum and were shocked when you actually left the tailgate to watch the game
13. Didn't help whitewash the M as a freshman, but brag about the tradition as though you were there
14. Were more scared of Dry 2K than Y2K
15. Tried to do the Mizzou-Rah cheer in a bar, and then had to explain it to your non-Mizzou alum friends
16. Have checked in or out of the Jones Motel
17. Justified mid-20s alcoholism with the phrase 'I did go to Mizzou, you know'
18. Drank beer from a can at B&G
19. Have argued whether it's called 'Beruit' or 'Beer Pong'
20. Sadly remember the day you took 'drunk bus' out of your cell phone speed dial
21. Got all dolled up for ladies nights at George's
22. Have ever used the phrase 'It's okay, I'll just student charge it' to justify buying Mizzou scrubs, CDs, and Clinique make-up at the bookstore.
23. Realized you have no t-shirts or sweatpants that aren't black & gold, or that have something to do with a blood drive.
24. Knew to never wear flip flops to parties at McBaines
25. Crossed College Avenue at Rollins without using a sky bridge
26. Have cheered the Tigers to the Elite 8 in basketball
27. Have gone back to Columbia wanting to go to Flat Branch, Addisons, Sophias, Shakey's, Shakespeares or the Bistro just as bad as Harpo's and Shiloh.
28. Drank dollar pitchers at Big 12 Campus
29. Realized you can no longer pull off wearing tiger ears and/or a tail to a football game
30. Have had a heated debate about St Louis vs Kansas City, even if you were an out-of-stater
31. Sold your books in Brady, and then promptly went into the bookstore to buy Christmas presents for your family with your book money
32. Student charged those Christmas presents when your book money ran out 5 minutes later
33. Know the difference between Red Campus, White Campus, and East Campus
34. Knew whether you preferred the country side or the techno side of the Alamo house the best
35. Can tell stories about where you were when Mizzou beat Nebraska for the first time in 24 years
36. Get very irritated to see the quad torn up for the J-School expansion
37. Still don't pay any parking tickets you get on campus
38. Hung out at the Berg before the fire
39. Have gotten aboard a big yellow school bus to attend a party miles and miles from campus
40. Remember when Subway and the McCampus were your only fast food choices within walking distance of class
41. Fight a wild urge to rub the noses of statues when you walk by in the off-chance you have a test coming up
42. Wondered why there were so many Greeks at the annual GDI parties
43. Have seen the Brad Pitt composite at Sigma Chi ... and think he still looks hot even with a mullet
44. Wanted to live in Mark Twain or Johnston because they were the only suite style or ac'ed dorms on campus
45. Partied in Foxfire, Rock Quarry, and Juniper Ridge without actually knowing anyone that lived there
46. Have visited the dry bar at the Vu
47. Tried to explain pomping and fling to your friends and coworkers
48. Get defensive when people from other schools try to brag about their school's homecoming
49. Wonder how those guys got so good at Dance Dance Revolution at Brady Commons
50. Tried visiting Harpo's in STL or KC but know it's just not the same
51. Hung out at the Sigma Chi house before it was Lambda Chi (or at Lambda Chi before it was back to Sigma Chi again)
52. No longer think waking up at 6 am to tailgate is such an awesome idea
53. Still can't part with your collection of cups from Shakespeares and Harpos
54. Have a picture of yourself and your friends sitting on Thomas Jefferson's lap, hanging out with Beatle Bailey, or riding the tiger
55. Still have some form of M-I-Z, Mizzou-rah, or go tigers in your aim profile
56. Are reminded of pomp sauce every time you eat yogurt
57. Still find yourself asking people what house they were in ... and judging them by it
58. Know that 'Mizzou' is actually spelled M-I-Z-F*CK-k-U
59. Can remember where you were when the KA cannon got fired into the international student house ... or you laugh just thinking about it
60. Wonder if you'll ever find a gym that's as nice as the Rec Center
61. Refuse to acknowledge Missouri State University as anything but SMSU
62. Have kept your FB profile just to keep up with Mizzou gossip (and have started a conversation with the phrase, 'Today on facebook...')
63. Still associate Thursday's with Harpo's, Fridays with Fieldhouse, and Saturday's with Big 12
64. Considered volunteering for STRIPES just so you could make fun of the drunk people you drove home
65. Get upset when people talk out loud when walking under the Memorial arch
66. Ever shouted something out in Speaker's Circle, just to test the theory that it could be heard all over campus
67. Can remember the Tiger Spot before it was broken and had to be renovated ... wait, no one can do that
68. Crave El Rancho after 2 am
69. Don't think the walk from Harpo's back to campus is so bad after last call
70. Were outraged when Tonic went VIP, or just really smug because you were on the list
71. Know the value of extra swipes, and why you can't use them on just anyone
72. Studied at Ellis just for the face time
73. Think that Christian Moody is the only worthwhile basketball player to come out of kU
74. Have been accused of being a 'lustful sinner' just for wearing shorts walking through Speaker's Circle when Brother Jed was around
75. Swam Brady Fountain, streaked the Quad, rode the bronze Tiger, shouted 'I love Mizzou' in Speaker's Circle, and attempted to climb Jesse dome before you graduated ... or are a little disappointed that you didn't
76. Own more plastic cups from Columbia bars than actual glassware ... and you still use them with fond memories (or smile when you see a coworker using one even older and more faded than yours)
77. Are convinced that G&D Steakhouse was run by the Russian mafia
78. Still aren't sure why Tiger Stripe ice cream is so good
79. Think that it is perfectly normal to wear (or see someone wearing) basketball shorts and high heels together for an early morning weekend stroll
80. Know that Marathon Weekend has nothing to do with running
81. Get a craving for a Silver Bullet/Tiger Paw at the mere sight of a red straw and a white foam cup
82. Have had your night ruined when Jesus turned down your fake ID
83. Voluntarily ate at places you referred to as Dirty Dobbs and the Dud
84. Know better than to drink the AG Rho's soy beer
85. Tailgated at Reactor Field and Frat Pit before they were parking lots (and are a little outraged that they've now been paved)
86. Think that whichever famous alum graduated from your Greek house is obviously the best and most famous Mizzou alum on the planet (what do you mean you've never heard of Jann Carl?!)
87. Never stop to wonder whether or not it's silly for college-educated 20-somethings to agonize over the results of lip-synchs contests and/or skit competitions because after all, it's for philanthropy'
88. Are an LA Lakers or NY Jets fan just out of principle
89. Still think it's funny that the Greek Week blood drive got international press coverage for cheating on eligibility requirements
90. Have a piece of goal post on proud display in your home from a glorious football victory
91. Learned the hard way (or laughed at a friend who learned) why you never wear flip flops on campus in the rain
92. Wonder why employers aren't impressed that your resume lists multiple steer co's, blood committees, or skit and dance participation as leadership activities
93. Plan to do the Missouri Waltz at your wedding (and think the Tennessee Waltz is super lame)
94. Have stolen someone else's cab, sober ride, or STRIPES car outside of Fieldhouse
95. Can guess what someone's major was by whether they were in or out-of-state
96. Know that you will only see guys in Greek Town awake before 8 am (and most likely playing football in the front yard) during the first two weeks of August
97. Thought that the Tiger Walk was a little cheesy freshman year, at least until you did the Tiger Klaw as a senior and got free beer
98. Perfected the art of 'Pre-Party'
99. Bypassed the Freshman 15 and headed straight for the Mizzou 22
100. No longer look both ways to cross the street because you just assume pedestrians have the right of way everywhere
101. Wonder why no one throws Divorce Parties in real life
102. Are waiting for Santa to bring you a Border War victory this Christmas
103. Have yelled the phrase, 'Gary, ready in Plum!'
104. Saw more people from Mizzou on Spring Break in PCB than you did going to class every day
105. Get bothered around the Fourth of July because you just don't like seeing that much red and blue together
106. Would rather jab your own eyes out than send one of your children to kU
107. Know the night is not over until someone invites you to After Bars
108. Spend at least 20 minutes trying to figure out who you may know in common with other Mizzou alums/students when you first meet them
109. Have an adamant opinion for or against popping your collar
110. Fight the urge to chug a beer any time you hear something that could be a cannon firing
111. Were outraged when your STRIPES driver didn't believe that you actually lived at the address where the After Bars were happening
112. Know what a Pokey Stick is and why you want a middle one
113. Suddenly developed severe allergies as a freshman so you could request an air conditioner
114. Think that nothing makes a skit, serenade, or lip-synch better than a pledge in drag
115. Still think of yourself as a badass for being able to drink an entire large Silver Bullet at a tailgate or pre-party
116. Went to Brady for one reason, and one reason only: Chick Fillet
117. Miss dressing up like a prostitute/ pimp/ angel/ devil/ shool girl/ slutty nurse/ doctor/ 80s rocker/ golf pro/ tennis ho, etc for all those theme parties
118. Get lists like this emailed to you from coworkers
119. Suddenly possess a vast and in-depth knowledge of Mizzou football facts, stats, triva, play-by-plays, and history
120. Harbor a secret jealous of the kid in the motorized wheelchair because he had a soundsystem
121. Know the only real exercise you got was from doing the Walk of Shame
122. Have partied with Larry Eustachy and have the pictures to prove it
123. Fell in love with Chase Daniel in 2007 ... Brad Smith, who???

GO TIGERS!