Remember Those Student Parties?
I'm in Glasgow tonight and have just driven between and listening to Bryan Burnett's Get It On show. His theme tonight was 'student parties', which is timely because so many students across Scotland are sitting the last of their term exams and some are saying goodbye to campus life forever. That's bound to leave some of them feeling tired and emotional and, well, in the pub 'till chucking oot time.
I seem to have met quite a few students recently. Indeed and Lewis sent me links to their blogs which you should have a look at if you want an insight into undergraduate subcultures. Or a reminder of the things students will do to avoid going to the library and cracking some books.
All of this had me feeling nostalgic for my own years of academic study in Glasgow and Cardiff. My long and winding route into radio production took me through courses in Public Administration, Psychology and finally Journalism. Yes, you can tell I had a really clear career plan, can't you?
There were also many, many nights in the pub which ended up back at my friend Colin's flat off Byres Road. One hot summery night I remember someone sleeping with their head in the fridge. Another night someone arrived with a bag full of mushrooms claiming they had hallucinogenic properties. This was unlikely since he'd bought them at the Safeway supermarket. Student parties always seemed to end with a girl sitting on the stairs crying, or else someone playing obscure rock tunes on a guitar.
Which brings us back to Bryan's programme and musical memories. I have two tunes in my head when I think of my student days. One is Billy Joel's Uptown Girl which I associate with the Warehouse Disco in Glasgow.
The other memory is set in a ground floor flat on the south side of Glasgow - Calder Street, I think - and at a three o'clock in the morning someone decided to play an entire Chris de Burgh album while insisting we sat in silent appreciation.
And before you ask, let me explain it was December, four inches of snow on the ground, no taxis available and no escape.
So what are your memories?
