Go Macalester

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At the moment neither of my children is high on my fan list. 

1. SPRING BREAK ISSUES

As airplanes fill up and prices increase, CJ, who was raised in a family of compulsive travelers, refuses to make definitive spring break plans.  And even if he has come up with an itinerary (which he says would involve "remaining on the East coast", even though it would incorporate a visit to Wisconsin), I would have no way of knowing it because he has lost his Blackberry.  I suggested retracing his steps, but on the evening the device went missing there were many steps indeed: he frequented four off-campus Greek events, three friend's dorm rooms, two taxis and the private car of a friend of a friend of a friend.  

2. TOO MANY ACTIVITIES ISSUES

We won't go into the reasons that I have a bone to pick with BH, because he has only 18 months before he applies to colleges, and I want him to have the best blogosphere personae possible.  But suffice it say that he has suddenly become interested in yet another extracurricular – to supplement his two sports, his two leadership positions, his love of the great outdoors and his commitment to online FIFA and three fantasy teams. 

3. A HAPPY NOTE TO CONCLUDE ON: A NEW COLLEGE TO ADD TO YOUR LIST

Juniors, please note: I am delighted to report that I have a new favorite institution of higher learning – Macalester College in Minnesota.  After seeing this video, I am tempted to donate to their annual fund, just because I wish I had gone there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpEcCjpbm5w

Frattiness

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How stressful it is thinking back to all the time management issues related to the college admissions process: tours, essays, apps, interviews, etc.  Just over a year ago it seemed impossible that our son would ever be able to keep track of his obligations and get them all accomplished in a timely fashion. 

I am pleased to report that he has grown up.  He has managed to successfully "rush" four fraternities and maintain a complicated schedule with multiple semi-formals, bowling parties, beer pong tournaments, date functions and all sorts of other events with traditional and bizarre dress codes…sometimes three or four in a single night.  Toward the end the recruitment process seemed to have been coordinated by Korn Ferry.  He was wined and dined – and even invited to play basketball in his school's stadium.  After 21 days of nonstop action, he was accepted (regular decision) into his first-choice fraternity, along with a dozen of his closest friends.

But now comes the part every parent dreads…at worst, life-threatening pranks, anti-feminist values, mandatory alcohol consumption and waning GPA's…and at best, a chance to be an extra on Girls Gone Wild.  And we will never find out what truly transpires because he says he took not one, but two vows of secrecy (oops – was he even supposed to tell us that?)

All this when Mr. NP and I both spent our college years backpacking, protesting the war and making homemade granola.  Could CJ have been switched at birth?

A Greek in our Midst

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CJ, my darling son, suddenly has 100 new brothers.  He has entered the realm of misogynist animal-house inhabitants who torture their new members and cause GPAs to slip.  How concerned should I be? Can I relax knowing that present-day fraternities are kinder, gentler and hipper and will provide my son with lifelong bonds with the offspring of investment bankers from New Jersey?

Found and Lost

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A month ago, my tenth grade son, BH, and I attempted the impossible.  We made a pact to devote the month of January to screening 103 episodes – all five seasons – of Lost, in preparation for the new and final season set to air on Tuesday, February 2nd. The good news is we have managed to see 86.5 episodes, but you don't need BC Calc to know that means we still have 16.5 to go before February 2nd. 

This endeavor has promoted quality mother-son bonding, but hasn't left me with time to blog.  I have much to report: feedback about a Yale acappella concert I attended, news about my lunch at the Polo Lounge with a Real Admissions Dean, CJ's adventures in rushing a fraternity, and an update about all the qualified seniors we know who are biting their nails. 

But until I find out whether the Oceanic 6 return to the island, I will share links that everyone has been forwarding to me.  The first is a piece from the Chicago Tribune describing the not-so-rare home-for-winter-break species.  The second is Yale's new Glee/Bollywood-inspired admissions video. 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-talk-brotman-college-studentjan11,0,2609232.column

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGn3-RW8Ajk

Poll for Readers – Important

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Thirty pages of this blog will soon be published in a book of essays, due to hit the bookstores on July 21st.  Although I am not making the big bucks, or even the small bucks, this is my chance to be an essayist…to be showcased with such accomplished individuals as Anna Quindlen and Janet Maslin.  Fame is just around the corner.

So…My question to readers: Should I use my real name – and risk BH's higher education opportunities? What if he applies to Cornell and they read what I said about their ugly bedspreads?  Or should I stick with the mysterious and compelling "The Neurotic Parent," in the hopes of turning this into a huge franchise?