I’m Going to Miss It

Today as I walked out of Gordon-Palmer after the last class of my undergraduate career I was thinking about it. I mean, I’ve been here for a while. A long while. It’s become home. I’m not unique in that — a lot of people feel a strong affinity for their alma mater, but I’m not sure I’ve ever left any place I’ve missed. That might not have been true when I was really little, but I learned pretty quickly that you leave and don’t turn back. I sure as hell didn’t miss Lexington when I left.

I’ve said it many times, and I mean it. I’m going to miss this university. But… wow. It’s been such a great experience. So here’s a post on some of the things I’m going to miss… in no particular order. No names mentioned, because that gets sticky, but this one is dedicated to Kelly… because she likes these posts, and I’ve known her pretty much as long as I’ve been here… and she’s awesome.

1. The 60+ degree days in January
2. The hilarious panic of an approaching snow storm
3. Dreamland BBQ
4. I’m going to miss the hell out of some Alabama Football
5. Alabama Girls
6. Walking on the Quad
7. The combination of the two above
8. Fridays before game days
9. Saturday night after a big win
10. Saturday night after a tough loss
11. A shared hatred for that damn cow college
12. ‘Bama Fans - even the ones who’ve never gone here
13. City Cafe
14. Southern Hospitality
15. The Rammer Jammer
16. The Houndstooth
17. Adding lyrics to Sweet Home Alabama
18. Adding lyrics to Dixieland Delight
19. Hearing bands playing those songs, no matter what
20. “Home of 12 national championships, 21 SEC championships, and the greatest tradition in college football…”
21. Southern Fraternity House Parties (not kidding)
22. Late nights finishing CS Projects
23. Religious debates with devout Southern Baptists
24. All of the Greeks vs. GDI retardedness
25. The Bear on the Jumbotron before a game
26. Parties on 13th St.
27. Having nothing to do because classes are so easy
28. The pace of a Sunday afternoon here
29. All the great people I’ve met
30. Some of the not-so-great people I’ve met
31. Even a few of the folks I despise

I guess when it comes down to it, there’s not much that I won’t miss. Mark my words, come hell or high water, I’m coming back for a football game next year. You can take that to the bank. I was thinking about homecoming… but it might be fun to come back for a big game, instead. Hell, maybe I’ll come back for two.

I’ve still got a few months of bumming around Tuscaloosa and working, but in a few weeks campus is going to die and it’s going to be boring. I’m really going to miss this place… but it really is time to go.