March 22, 2025: The Free Stuff

Tonight something happened at our house that only takes place 1-2 times a year.

Jake hauled a bedroom TV outside and placed it on top of the deck table. Beside a crackling fire pit and under a starry sky, the backyard became an outdoor theater for sports and movies.

A simple pleasure.

Which reminded me of another free and fun experience back in college: blackout night.

About once a semester, late at night, three or four of us would pile into a large dorm room. The ritual began with someone switching on a loud fan to drown out any noise. Then the air conditioner temp would get cranked to an arctic setting.

After pulling the curtains shut, the edges were taped to the wall for no gaps. Next, a towel was stuffed beneath the door to keep out hallway light.

Then everyone found their own bed, burrowed under thick blankets, and vowed not to get up until we couldn’t sleep another wink.

Finally, we'd kill the lights. It was so pitch black we couldn’t see our hands inches from our faces. Laughter and conversation filled the darkness until we drifted off.

These events often turned into marathon 12-hour hibernations, stretching into the mid-afternoon. A marching band could have stormed through campus unknown to us. Our group usually emerged just in time for an early cafeteria dinner, like patients waking from a coma.

Some of the best sleeps I’ve ever had.

Ah, life's simple pleasures. Here’s to decks and dorm rooms.