Welcome to Willy Week. #IGTR

Happy Holidays! If you've just stumbled across this blog, you may be wondering why I am wishing everyone a merry Christmas in March.  But if you go to Rice, you likely know that I'm referring to an event affectionately referred to as "greater than Christmas."  Walking around campus, you've no doubt seen signs in college commons or on various windows proudly counting down the days, gradually watching as "63 days" turns into "24 DAYS!" and then into "8 DAYZ TIL BEER BIKE!!!"

Yes, Beer Bike.  Even the name itself sounds wonderful, doesn't it?  And many of us Rice students truly do cherish it as a second, bonus-round of Christmas.  You may have even seen Beer Bike trees affectionately decorated with cans of beers past (yes, at least one of these magical trees does exist!).

But the fun begins way before Willy Week even arrives.  One of the things that gives your college's beer bike such spectacular flare is that awesome theme you voted for.  Part of the fun includes turning regular cultural icons into witty alcohol-isms.  Hit Youtube video? Beer Intruder: Hide yo' kegs, hide yo' wine.  Iconic cartoon? Scooby Brew: Where Am I?  Most cherished book series of our generation?  Expecto Patron! Favorite childhood movie? Hakuna MaTaaka: What a wonderful case!

And of course you can't make it inside your college doors this week without being pelted with water balloons.  Having a backpack or electronics on you is (quite unfortunately) not a valid excuse.  You learn it's better to join in on the fun than spend an entire week avoiding it. You fill more water balloons in three hours than you have in your entire life.  Being outside with members of your college, listening to some jamZ, and filling balloons can be strangely therapeutic and relaxing.  Which is a good thing, because your college's freshman balloon captain has mandated that all "free time" shall henceforth be known as "balloon filling time."

Willy Week is like a giant vacation/celebration/festival in your college.  Schoolwork is irrelevant. (Okay, so maybe not.  But maybe, yes.  Do your homework though, kiddies.  But fill balloons and don't miss any awesome Willy Week events, either.  ... Figure that out and get back to me.)

Cases of beer randomly appear for dedicated water balloon fillers and at any time, some one may plop a drink in front of a member of the chug team and yell "CHUG PRACTICE!"  (Not sure if that was already an official thing, but it is now.)

And of course, who could forget about the jacks?  (Well, depending on the college you're from, it's quite possible you forget about jacks.  What are jacks again?)  Ranging from honestly not that impressive to seriously awe-invoking, jacks are a chance to vandalize another college and get away with it ("It's an approved jack!").

While Beer Bike is the main event, there is so much happiness to be found all Willy Week long.  The races are only fraction of the phenomenon (despite what any Will Ricers might tell you).  ...Fuck Will Rice.

Happy Willy Week!

Photo: Adara R.