Ghouls, Goblins, and Transvestites

Saturday saw the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonsville, Florida. Except that, since 2006, the SEC has asked TV networks to stop using that nickname becuase it glorifies the binge drinking that tends to occur. But tradition is hard to stop, and two years later, everyone still knows the Florida - Georgia game as the Cocktail Party. Memo to the NCAA: changing the title of the game will not suddenly end binge drinking associated with this or any other football game. You should see the number and complexity of beer bongs here at the Hawkeye games!

Similarly, the Texas-Oklahoma classic at the Texas State fair was known as the Red River Shootout for 100 years until 2005. I suppose the stuffed shirts of the NCAA found "shootout" to be a little too violent. To heck with 100 years of tradition. But on Saturday night, sprayed across national television, were the mascot, fans, and even coach of Texas Tech with their hands in a gun shape, proudly waving on their gun slinging Red Raiders on to victory over Texas. This "Guns Up" hand sign was developed in 1961 to counter the very common "Hook em Horns" sign, flashed throughout Texas all year long. Will the NCAA crack down on this one too? (interesting side note: the gorgeous black stallion rode by the "Masked Rider" of Texas Tech is probably the oldest of the current live horse mascots in the NCAA, dating back to 1954. Others include Chief Osceola of Florida State, the mounted Cavalier of Virginia, and, of course, college football's greatest mascot: Traveler, the Trojan Horse.)

Political Correctness is the principle of public relations that avoids offending anyone. This, of course, can easily become an exercise in futility. In an attempt to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one. Think of elevator music or the color beige.

Halloween is one night of the year that PC takes a back seat to libido. Sure, there is still plenty of innocent fun among children dressing up and begging for candy (Sophie wore an adorable penguin costume). But Halloween has become a predominantly adult holiday, especially on college campuses where risque apparel is now the norm. Downtown Iowa City, blessed with record high temperatures this weekend, was packed with superheroes, pirates, and nurses, all trying to outdo each other for outrageousness and offense to Midwestern sensibilities.

We made it out on Halloween night for a treat: a showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the local art house theatre. This is a film that revels in shocking sensibilities, purposely challenging conventional social mores. The point of the movie, I think, is that everyone can be corrupted by giving in to their natural sexual insticts. Either that or its just a silly sexy romp in drag with some good songs but a patheticly bad plot.

As a veteran of the Rialto in Pasadena, Balboa in Newport, and the Nuart in West LA, I am pleased to report that the Rocky Horror fans in Iowa are sophisticated, enthusastic, and knew all the classic shout out lines. And they added a few more audience jokes I had not heard before. The best costume by far was a spitting image of Tim Curry's Frank N Furter, right down to the garter belt and nylons. It was a glorious 100 minute bachnalia before we all returned to our quiet, unassuming corn and pig farmer lives to watch some great football.

Fight On,

Hans