Just like good food and fine wine, certain combinations of classic sophomore Summer people, places and activities compliment each other perfectly. So educate yourself about some of these pairings, experiment and enjoy.
Canoes & Brews
As contemporary country music star Brad Paisley once sang, "All you really need this time of year is an ice-cold beer and a place to sit somewhere near the water." Well, Mr. Paisley's classic combination can be enhanced, particularly if you are sitting on the water, in a classic canoe-with-a-brew scenario. The key to this quintessential pairing is that you enjoy only one (or two) beer(s). This pairing, unlike the controversial going-out-and-binge-drinking combo, is about drinking for enjoyment and flavor. If you overdo it with the "beer" aspect, you might find yourself in the horrific the coupling of "lying face first" and "the Connecticut River," which should really never be put together, and is not, in fact, appropriate fodder for a joke.
Puppies & Frat Boys
The delicacy of a new puppy might initially seem to clash with the robust and often overpowering tones of the frat boy, but be warned: This yin-and-yang combination might surprise you, particularly the puppy's capacity to distract and cleanse the palate of that sour hint of basement. The puppy also notably highlights a frat boy's interest in caring for something other than pong, breaking the carefully built apathetic exterior. Girls & Sundresses
It's pretty simple: Girls like wearing them, and boys like looking at girls who are wearing them. The right dress brings out traits that have long been buried under winter parkas and sweatpants. But let's not be so heteronormative. Girls, boys, essentially anyone can enjoy that free, flowy feeling when one's legs are liberated from the constraints of pants! It's 11X, let's get weird!
Pong & the Outdoors
Self-explanatory. We really like pong. We really like warm weather. Two good things combined make one even better thing.
Pleasure Reading & the Green
Everyone knows that homework and the Green clash with one another, but if you miraculously find the spare time for personal reading, bring your book or magazine to the Green. The relaxing and refreshing qualities of reading are enhanced when your legs are in the grass and your head faces the sky. Just remember to keep your clothes on and not get hit by a Frisbee.
Night Swimming & Nudity
Not everyone is uncomfortable getting naked in public during daylight hours. But night swimming and nudity go together for better reasons than the fact that no one wants your pasty butt reflecting the sun's rays into his or her eyes. There is always an air of possibility and excitement on a warm summer night, and this feeling nicely draws out and enhances the exhilaration brought about by an activity like skinny dipping.
