The Agrinautica

   Yesterday, Saturday, was "Picnic Day" here in Davis. I saw some official publicity literature proclaiming it "a giant open house party." Presumably that was intended to be read as "open house party," but it could just as aptly be read as "open house party." It is by far the biggest holiday in Davis.
   Among college students, if you are not drunk by 11am, you are way behind the curve. The revelry continues throughout the day and into the night.
   This year I didn't get very many photos, but some others did. Here's a selection of photos of different aspects of the events, by various people:

   My friend Mara happened to be visiting from SF. Reportedly she was impressed by how friendly everyone in Davis is and how fun picnic day was. I only saw her for a short bit on campus while the ska band was playing and later at a part off Radcliffe & Anderson though, as she had her own contingent of ruckus causers to hang out with. She also continued her undefeated poker-sharking habit by annihilating her friends at poker, apparently.
   Otherwise, adventures of picnic day can by summarized as the usual picnic day shenanigans.


Related
   Picnic Day 2005: Photos - and some of the best ones were reposted to flickr.
   Picnic Day 2005: Official Entry
   Picnic Day 2004: Official Entry
   Picnic Day 2003: Field Report


In Other News
   I actually missed an MUN conference to be here, which illustrates how important picnic day is. However, I sent my assistant, Vice Chief Justice Harney, to the conference in my place. Unfortunately it seems he wasn't prepared for the full PAXMUN experience properly, and had an unfortunate incident with some pear cider. He was also suprised to learn that I hear and see all that occurs at MUN conferences even when I'm not there; because you see I have transcended to become one with MUN.
   Pyramids in Bosnia: there's a hill in Bosnie which is strangely angular and well, pyramid shaped. An archaelogist who has just spent the last 15 years studying pyramids in central America has proposed that this hill is actually a pyramid ... a pyramid 33% taller than the great pyramid of Giza. Now anyone can make saucy hypotheses like that, but preliminary excavations have revealed several ancient man-made tunnels, and what appears to be man-made blocks just below the surface of the hill!! (Sources: BBC Article, AP Article, Yahoo News Article)


Previously on Emosnail
   Two Years Ago Last Thursday: Picnic Day 2004 - The Sterling Riots - (Same link as above) Picnic Day 2004 was a riot -- if by riot we mean the riot police have to storm in with riot control guns blazing. But thats Picnic Day Eve actually, Picnic Day itself was unmarred.
   Two Years Ago Last Thursday: Cooking With Jalepenos - Kristy makes corn chowder. Hardcore corn chowder!
   Two Years Ago Yesterday: Pizza Bagels - I discover pizza bagels, complain about my ECN162 professor, and announce that I'm about to leave for the San Diego conference (mentioned supra)

   Apparently a number of persons, notably Peter Hernandez have come out in protest over the cow milking demonstration that traditionally accompanies Picnic Day. Traditionally the ASUCD President milks a cow, and I don't know what their beef with it is, but they've persuaded new ASUCD President Caliph Assagai to forego his divine right of cow milking. Others would have the tradition continue however, so former ASUCD President Kalen Gallagher will be milking the cow in his place. The real question I have however is when will former president Gallagher cease milking the ceremonial priviledges of ASUCD president?


   In other news, a peace rally on campus went terribly awry last Thursday when it became apparent that a significant number of participants weren't actually at all interested in "giving peace a chance." Chad van Schoelandt reports.


In A Rush
   On Monday (yesterday) I attended the first rush event for Phi Alpha Delta. Today I'll be going to the second. Yes I am rushing Phi Alpha Delta.
   PAD isn't just the prefix of Kristy's favourite Thai dish, it is also the acronym for the national pre-law co-ed professional fraternity.
   Mondays event was competitive mingling. After a brief period of introduction about the society and relevant details we were instructed simply to get to know as many members as we could, as at the end of rush week they'd be voting on who they wanted to induct. There followed about two hours wherein the rushees tried to meet as many members as they could. After questions about the society were exhausted, questions of "whats your major?" and "where are you from?" got old fast. I resorted to asking every member if they preferred their orange juice with pulp or no-pulp. I'll probably become known as "the orange juice guy." Also at least one of the members recognized my name from edits on Daviswiki.

   Today's rush event is titled "testmasters LSAT seminar." Also I've heard rumours that the pledge events (after rush week the accepted rushees become pledges during the "pledge period" -- terminology I learned last night) include more LSAT preparation and possibly tests on case law or something. I'm optimistic that this won't bring me into contact with poison ivy or the toxic waters of Putah Creek like the Phi Delta Epsilon rush did for my roommates freshman year.


Picture of the Day