Though you wouldn't think so, goldfish die immediately when swallowed (peristalsis crushes them). It is unquestionably still part of the ritual for thousands of boys each year.
When they brought out ours, we saw twenty five of them, each swimming in its own crystal water glass. A senior stepped forward and quickly gulped one down, to prove to us it could be done. The older men peered at us intently. Minutes went by. The class president suggested a toast. We stood up and raised our glasses and drank 'em down. It was by far not the most disgusting part of my initiation.
But xowie, I saw someone regurgitate a live goldfish on Jackass the other day!
(Yes, I watch Jackass. Yes, I'm ashamed of this. Really, the only reason I watch it is to see Party Boy scare the crap out of people by dancing up to them in a silver thong.)
What are those rights called that you can't forfeit, even if you try -- like by signing a contract or something? And why isn't the first amendment one of them?
xowie: Something tells me they didn't swallow this goldfish. It was a 50+ years old koi, 3 ft long, and weighed over 20lbs. Though it might have been more interesting if they had tried, afterall frat boys are much more expendable then koi.
I think you can forfeit your right to speech. People do it all the time when they sign agreements with devious bosses who pay them off not to blab about how devious their bosses are.
Comments
Though you wouldn't think so, goldfish die immediately when swallowed (peristalsis crushes them). It is unquestionably still part of the ritual for thousands of boys each year.
When they brought out ours, we saw twenty five of them, each swimming in its own crystal water glass. A senior stepped forward and quickly gulped one down, to prove to us it could be done. The older men peered at us intently. Minutes went by. The class president suggested a toast. We stood up and raised our glasses and drank 'em down. It was by far not the most disgusting part of my initiation.
Posted by: xowie | June 7, 2003 1:46 PM
But xowie, I saw someone regurgitate a live goldfish on Jackass the other day!
(Yes, I watch Jackass. Yes, I'm ashamed of this. Really, the only reason I watch it is to see Party Boy scare the crap out of people by dancing up to them in a silver thong.)
Posted by: lia | June 7, 2003 4:20 PM
Really?
Now I don't feel so good...
Posted by: xowie | June 7, 2003 6:09 PM
What are those rights called that you can't forfeit, even if you try -- like by signing a contract or something? And why isn't the first amendment one of them?
Am I naif?
Posted by: sudama | June 9, 2003 12:30 AM
xowie: Something tells me they didn't swallow this goldfish. It was a 50+ years old koi, 3 ft long, and weighed over 20lbs. Though it might have been more interesting if they had tried, afterall frat boys are much more expendable then koi.
Posted by: kellan | June 9, 2003 12:56 AM
I read 18 inches, but that might have been on a Fox News ticker or something
Posted by: sudama | June 9, 2003 1:04 AM
adam, 3ft was from memory of visiting the fish pond last time I was in Santa Cruz, but the local paper seems to corroborate:
link
Posted by: kellan | June 9, 2003 10:28 AM
I think you can forfeit your right to speech. People do it all the time when they sign agreements with devious bosses who pay them off not to blab about how devious their bosses are.
Posted by: nedlog | June 10, 2003 3:41 PM
You mean "unalienable rights", but those are life, liberty and property (& not free speech, sorry).
Posted by: xowie | June 10, 2003 5:28 PM