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This Day In USC History September 29, 1971 - Eric Dahl, teacher of transcen I dental meditation, gives introductory lecture in the Russell House. Wednesday, September 29,1999 UtllC (53fflCCQtk Page 9 Bt B ^B |B ^^B] ^Bk ^Blk JBk '^| ^ B ^B BB Hfl ^B|^B^^BBHBJB BBBi B y IB ^H HEBB B| ^B ^B BB HI IHiBH^BHlBalfif B9ft> BB SB 1 BS M ':--'-^9fM?"M^ W B B S 1 ff 1 i^^Bl B ■ A I 1 f B q # \jM fekl ' ' v ; ■ ’ttc\ fiff- -Ti litt^^gFftCMyflffig-lflsK^y -f-.-^A-' t-4^ t-t - : •by Sarah Schoener Staff Writer “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor” is a saying known by many tequila drinkers across the country, especially on college campuses. ^ As one avid tequila drinker says, “Tequila is the liquor of college "relents because it is cheap and easy to shoot. You can even use it in a variety of mixed drinks.” Tequila is probably most famous, however, for its legendary worm, but most college students don’t stop to consider how the worm got in the tequila in the first place. There many sites on the Internet devoted to tequila and its forms. According to “Mr. Tequila’s Cantina,” the tequila doesn’t actually contain the worm. In reality, a liquor called mezcal, which is made up of half tequi i la and half com liquor, contains the worm. And the “worm” is not actually a worm. It’s a type of butterfly larvae found only in the agave plant, from which the mezcal is made. The presence of the worm is what signals the tequila’s quality. According to the site, “The survival of its body, intact in the bottle is said to be a sign of the spirit’s high alcohol content.” Another idea about the worm’s purpose is that it serves as an aphrodisiac. One source says the worm must be eaten because, “it sets free the spirit for celebration.” But despite this alleged benefit, many students believe tequila is not for the faint-hearted. “Tequila gives you the worst hangover,” said one student. Another student agreed, saying tequila is “the best way to get sick from a Mexican product.” When students were asked how many drinks they must consume before they will eat the worm, only one had a concrete answer: about five. The others weren’t sure how much tequila it would take to get them to eat the worm, or whether they had actually eaten the worm before. Because of this lack of sureness, the students had trouble de | scribing what the worm tastes like. “I probably have eaten the worm before, but I really can’t re member now. Tequila is kind of a last resort for me when I drink,” said one student. Another student agreed, saying, “By the time you get to the woim, it doesn’t really matter what it tastes like.” . —■ I 5 | | a | i | | : \ HP Tequila tells many tales nn m Kevin Langston ®,s a junior journalism major and is co-news editor of The Gamecock.He can be reached at 777-7726 or gcked@sc.edu If there’s a message I’m trying to convey, it is: “Don’t drink tequi la!” Yes, this is a public service an nouncement from me to you. Leave the stuff alone. The following anecdote might help you reach a similar decision. Of course, the names are all left out to protect the image of all involved. I. of course, have no image to protect, so I have dived headfirst into this story. When I returned from winter break ore year, some floormates and I decided to splurge 1 a bit and buy some liquor to celebrate an other semester together. My roommate had the brilliant idea of making margaritas. He bought the blender, and we were all set to buy the mixing supplies. Between the four of us, we bought han dle and a liter of tequila. To mix, we bought two handles of mar garita mix. Any scholar of proper drink mix es knows this isn’t the right balance. This bal ance was our ticket to doom. But as naive freshmen, we paid no mind. The four of us kicked back in one room. “Scream” wasonthe television, and drinking was on the agenda. The first batch was probably the most well-balanced. I hardly tasted the death liquid But it was inside me, working its evil on me. The cups started running together, and after a while, I had a nice buzz. 1 remember looking over to the blender, and one of my friends was pouring the tequila into the pitcher. He wasn’t paying any at tention to how much he was pouring, so that batch was probably mixed with a ratio of three parts tequila to one part mixer That batch put me out. I knew, after finishing the next cup, that the next time I opened my mouth, something other than words would be pouring out I dismissed myself from the room and entered the restroom. Here, I sat on one in the stalls and tried to aim the projectile between my legs. This was my first of two alcohol-induced throw-up sessions, so I was a novice. I missed horribly and succeeded in painting the re stroom floor. I knew I had messed up, but I was too out of it to care. I took off my shirt and began wiping up the vomit. I would lunge forward off the seat and try to get everything in one wipe. After about six wipes, I realized this was futile. I grew tired and was ready to go to sleep. Was I going to get up? Nope, the restroom seemed like a nice enough place to rest for the night. It must have been a considerable amount of time later, because one of my floomiates came looking for me. He woke me up and guid ed me to my room, where I proceeded to fill a moving box full of tequila-induced vomit, I was ready to count the sheep. Six hours later, I woke up feeling thirsty. I got up to get some water and to assess the damage. The resident adviser had closed off three stalls in the restroom, which smelled of rancid puke. I quickly left the restroom and got some water. It took me a couple minutes to get back to sleep, and as I wait ed for sleep to catch up, I vowed never to drink tequila again. I have held myself to this vow since then, with the exception of two very horrid shots. My floomiates who drank with me were all sick, as well. Not one of them escaped that night without throwing up. In the time it took us to watch “Scream,” we polished off a handle and a liter of tequila. Some people are killed in Third Wirld countries for lesser crimes. I awoke with no hangover, I was just thirsty. No headaches. I thanked my maker for letting me survive that experience. Needless to say, I didn’t drink anything for the next couple of weeks. I don't miss tequila, and I doubt I ever will. There are much, better liquors in the world than that putrid stuff. Hell, drink beer. It’s so much more sociable than liquor. Liquor gets you drunk faster. Where’s the fun in that? If you drink tequila, you are begging for a gut-wrenching expe rience like mine (no pun intended). Campus Notes Hurricane Floyd relief needed People who want to help the victims of Hurricane Floyd may drop off items be ginning at 7 a.m. today at Hamilton Col lege. The disaster relief project, spon sored by the Student Association of the College of Social Work, will be collect ing bed linens, washcloths, diapers, baby bottles, towels, pillows, pots, pans, dish es and plasticware. Donors are asked to bring items in plastic bags or boxes. For more information, call Melissa Reitmeier at 7794614. Phi Beta Sigma to hold doughnut sale The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma frater nity will be selling doughnuts this week. Donuts will be distributed Mon day. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds will go to a local charity. Golden Key to hold open house Golden Key National Honor Society will have an open house from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in RH 309. All current and prospective members are welcome to come for food and fun. For more infor mation, call Timothy Clardy at 544-1161. African-American Greek Showcase to be held The Fraternity and Sorority councils will be sponsoring a showcase to allow stu dents the opportunity to leant more about Greek life, particularly NPHC groups. The showcase will start at 8 p.m. 3\fednes- - day in the RH Ballroom. For more in formation, call Troy Felder at 544-0528. AMA to have guest speaker The American Marketing Association will be holding a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday. Michael Witkokski, from Ferillo and As sociates, will speak on “Public Policy, Marketing Techniques and Special Ref erendum.” For more information, call Gwen Davison at 794-8102. Sorority to hold information meeting Sigma Gamma Rho will be holding an in formation meeting at 8 p.m. Monday in Nursing 502. Participants are required to wear business attire. For more informa tion, call Marisa Molnar at 544-0824. Contra dance to be offered Columbia Old Time Music and Dance is offering a Contra dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Hugh Dimmery Memo rial Center. Traditional dancing from New England with caller Seth Tepfer and live music by Cabin Fever will be provided. A workshop will also be offered at 7:30 p.m. for new dancers. All dances taught, no partner necessary. For more information, call 796-8935. Rape Crisis Network seeking volunteers The Rape Crisis Network is searching for responsible people to respond to survivors in local hospital emergency rooms and on the 24-hour crisis line. Concerned people over 18 who have access to trans portation are encouraged to apply. For more information or to interview, call Cecily Whtkins at 252-8393. a uh ill sa^j m AOA AKA KA*F irP OBI ZOB Q>FO Do you want to learn more about the traditionally blackgreek-letter organizations? Bring your questions! Wednesday, September 29th @ 8:00 pm Russell House Ballroom (Light refreshments will follow) AOA AKA KA^ IXP OBZ Z0>B OTO -i-(-t---T FINE CLEANERS 'Welcome ‘Bacf^Students SBei &,in& ^oleaneMv taAe^ca/ie/cMy&u/i/ dty/ cletMtintjfi awcf/aM&icitictv tieetlfr! fyBhew you/choose/ jk £Fine/ ...tf4Mt/’v&chc6€MMte/foMe<bt'. 830 Harden Street in the Heart of Five Points • 13 Columbia Area Locations • Same day Service • • Fluff and Fold • Student Accounts Welcome •