The Observer, October 5, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 6
Top 10: Reasons to stay in on a Saturday night
I won't lie. I love a good night out with my pals. However, sometimes it's more enjoyable to just stay in. There are lots of things to do by yourself, or with a friend or two at home. Here are the top 10 things to occupy your relaxing night in.
10. Watching a movie. Pop some popcorn, get some chocolate, maybe a tissue box and some blankets. There are a million movies on our lists to see, but we never get around to watch them.
9. Catching up. It's hard to actually get good conversation in at a party. Having a heart-to-heart with an old pal takes some time, which we usually don't have during the week. Catching up and reminiscing about old times can be more fun than going out together.
8. Going to bed early. It's true that we have all day Sunday to sleep, but staying up studying during the week and then staying up late on the weekends isn't very healthy.
7. Reading. At Case, we all have our secret nerdy passion. Mine is reading, but I don't get to do so during the week. Curling up with a good book and reading into the evening hours is emotionally fulfilling and gives time to reflect on the book and yourself.
6. Being thrifty. Going out means spending money. Either buying dinner, or putting in money for gas in a friend's car to go off campus adds up. This is money that no starving college student has. Take a break from burning a hole in your wallet and stay in.
5. Poker night. This time-hnored tradition has leaked from the secluded apartments of the young bachelor, and become mainstream. Maybe there will be no cigars, but this classic pasttime can be played college-style, betting with CaseCash and dares. No matter the spin, poker night can be turned into a regular evening with roommates and friends.
4. Video games. Ahh, an old Case pastime. Either alone playing WoW, or having a Wii or Guitar Hero competition, video games are typically adolescent, and totally fun.
3. Cake night. My friends and I make cake every Sunday, and after a hard hour of cooking, we eat it. Maybe it is cupcake Saturday, or ice cream Sunday weekend. Have a bake-off with friends and see who is the best. No matter who the top chef is, you all eat. Turns out you can have your cake and eat it too.
2. R-Kelly's Trapped in the Closet. A drama beyond any classical opera's status, this "hip-hopera," as R-Kelly states himself, is hilarious, quotable, and over an hour long. Please go to youtube.com and watch all 22 episodes. Maybe even tack on a parody or two to relax in the aftermath.
1. Doing nothing. This is the one time during the week when there is no work to be done, or activities to partake in. We almost never just sit back and relax. To take a deep breath and just do nothing might be the thing to give you sanity for the next week. When all you feel like doing is going out on a Saturday night, maybe staying in will be the solution you were searching for after all.
