another retro thread

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

LOL. No, I wouldn't do that to the poor, unsuspecting rum...

Trust me. Don't!

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

LOL. No, I wouldn't do that to the poor, unsuspecting rum...

Hey Tab is STILL good!

[SWTXBelle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDBJ2ktSZpI

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDBJ2ktSZpI

LOLOLOL!!!

"Be a mind-sticker."

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by WarEagle07

The Princess Di, the Dorothy Hamill, and the Farrah......those were some high maintenance hair do's! I was successful at none of them. Please update soon!

All three... HOT!



Some fine examples of late '70s early '80s hair.

[oncegreek]

On a hot August day, my dad and I made the long drive to my university, and I moved into the dorm that would be my home for rush week.

Before I continue, I will list the chapters present on campus in 1981, and the code I will use. I chose a mix of eighties references- musical bands, cultural icons, movies, and clothing labels. My mom’s sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, was not at my university.

Here are the chapters:

Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Alpha Theta
Pi Phi
Delta Gamma
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Chi Omega
Alpha Phi
Alpha Gamma Delta

And now, dear readers, the code:
Nancy Reagan
Izod
Members Only
The Big Chill
Pat Benatar
Billy Squier
Princess Diana
Endless Love
Berlin

I met my roommate, a cool blonde with the sort of long, luxurious hair I dreamed of having. Well, my short hair was blonde too, thanks to Lady Clairol! My roommate was a debutante from a major city, and she was confident that she would pledge Nancy Reagan. The other girls in my rush group were quite congenial. After dinner, we went to an orientation in a lecture hall, where the whole process was explained to us. Later, we played an ice breaker game. We had to give our names, and an appropriate adjective. For example, our rush counselor dubbed herself “Anorexic Antoinette.” (!!!some one had some body image issues!!!) I dubbed myself “Lovable L___” in an excess of self -confidence. The first two days were open houses, with house tours on day 3, and theme day on day 4. Preference was on day 5, with bids being handed out the following day. (If some of this sounds familiar, perhaps from another recent retro thread, it is. That's all I' m gping to say for now!)

[micky80]

Wonder what retro thread she could be talking about?

[momofpnm]

LOVE the cheer picture! I had Farrah hair to the max. My roommate had a Dorothy Hammill. We were some kinda hot. It's a great source of amusement to our kids. I have to admit, though, the Dorothy looks better in old photos than the Farrah. Whatever. I was still hot.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by TSteven

All three... HOT!



Some fine examples of late '70s early '80s hair.

I bet the girl on the far right was made fun of because of her flat hair.

[oncegreek]

I met my roommate, a cool blonde with the sort of long, luxurious hair I dreamed of having. Well, my short hair was blonde too, thanks to Lady Clairol! My roommate was a debutante from a major city, and she was confident that she would pledge Nancy Reagan. The other girls in my rush group were quite congenial. After dinner, we went to an orientation in a lecture hall, where the whole process was explained to us. Later, we played an ice breaker game. We had to give our names, and an appropriate adjective. For example, our rush counselor dubbed herself “Anorexic Antoinette.” (!!!some one had some body image issues!!!) I dubbed myself “Lovable L___” in an excess of self -confidence. The first two days were open houses, with house tours on day 3, and theme day on day 4. Preference was on day 5, with bids being handed out the following day.

The first house, Members Only was far from campus. I wore my Kelly green Izod tee shirt dress, and navy blue espadrilles. I had no idea what to expect, and waited in anxious silence with the other members of my rush group. The doors burst open, and a huge of group of clapping, chanting, girls emerged. Beautiful girls in matching Hawaiian shirts, singing about their sorority greeted us, and ushered us into their house. I don’t really remember the conversation from this house, but I do remember feeling overwhelmed and intimidated. I know that Members Only was not a place where I felt that I belonged.


Next stop was Berlin. This chapter had only colonized the previous year. The girls sang nervously, but welcomed us warmly. I was so relieved that they were nervous, too! This group was smaller, but I felt comfortable with these girls, and hoped to return.

Nancy Reagan was up next. These girls sang a cute song about their chapter, and wore denim skirts with matching blue oxford shirts. Very preppy, but all I could think was that their outfits resembled uniforms! The girls were nice, but again, I was intimidated. Lots of conversations about vacations. I recall a rather tepid response when I discussed my various part time jobs!

Pat Benatar was the next stop on the rush express! This group struck me as being really well put together. The girls were athletic and enthusiastic, and seemed to be more diverse. They also seemed to get along well with one another. I enjoyed my time at Pat Benatar, and wanted to see more.

Endless Love came next. The house was beautiful, and the sisterhood here felt genuine. I remember good conversations. This, too, was a diverse group. I felt comfortable here, and knew that I wanted to return.

The ladies of Billy Squier were upbeat and friendly, and I had good conversations there that day. Anyway, I hoped to return to Billy Squier, too.

After lunch, we went to The Big Chill. This house was amazing! The girls were gorgeous, and happily sang about their sisterhood. A top house, but I did not feel at home there. I don’t remember the conversation.

By this point, I was getting tired of talking. I don’t remember much of Diana, but after the first day, I was looking forward to returning.

Izod was the last house of the day. A high school classmate whom I admired had pledged this chapter at another school, and I was really looking forward to visiting here. The sisters burst forth wearing pastel eyelet sundresses in different colors, chanting loudly. I was paired with another PNM, and the active spent most of the time talking to her. I felt very left out, and decided that Izod was not for me. (Remember, I was an awkward eighteen year old, with an unfortunate tendency to judge both people and groups quickly)

[honeychile]

We had a sister who won a Farrah Fawcett look-a-like contest - she honestly could have been her double! Do I have to tell you that we ALWAYS made sure she was one of the first sisters that the PNMs saw?

There's more to her, but I won't bring down this (great) thread!

[Leslie Anne]

I'm absolutely loving this thread! Yay for the 80's.

Can't wait to hear more. So far I think Pat Benatar sounds promising.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by oncegreek

I
Pat Benatar was the next stop on the rush express!

What a great theme for a party!

[oncegreek]

Day 2 of Open Houses rolled around. I wore a blue and white striped shirt dress, with a contrasting collar. The sleeves were short and puffy, and made of the same material as the collar. (Note: puffy was popular in 1981. Remember Princess Di’s wedding dress?) Shoes: trusty blue espadrilles. (Also big in 1981) Today, there would be skits that told a little bit about the houses. I do not clearly remember all of the details of the day, but I will post the highlights.

Members Only was first on the agenda again. Lots of enthusiastic, beautiful girls spilled forth again. I was paired with an active who was friendly and funny, and sat down to enjoy the skit. The Members Only skit had a “Gidget” theme, and was really funny. One of the members complimented me on my dress as I left. I hoped to be invited back.

Berlin came next. These girls were not as polished in their presentation, but they seemed real, and their sisterhood was genuine. I enjoyed talking to the girl I was paired with. I wanted to return there also!

Nancy Reagan was after that. I don’t remember all of the details of their skit, but I do remember that it specifically referred to a potential member “having enough money to buy a Nancy Reagan badge.” (I can’t say what the badge is without giving away the name of the group) I didn’t think I would be returning here.

The Big Chill was amazing, again. I talked to a transfer student from up north, and had a great conversation. This was a very prestigious house, but I knew that I did not fit in here. (In hindsight, I should not have been intimidated. I just did not see myself as attractive, but looking at pictures of myself from those days, I looked adorable! Live and learn, I suppose!)


I don’t remember specifics of Pat Benatar, Billy Squier and Diana from day 2, but I remember enjoying myself at all three places.

I thoroughly enjoyed Endless Love, but I no longer recall the details of their skit. These girls were friendly, and seemed to have a great sisterhood. I wanted to come back here. Endless Love was a place that I could see myself.

Izod was the last stop, again. Their skit was touching, and related to their philanthropy. One of the sisters told me that they had been taught how to sit on the floor wearing skirts. For some reason, I found that to be off-putting. I thought that figuring out how to sit properly in a skirt was common sense, not something one had to be taught! This chapter struck me as being aloof and unfriendly, although their sisterhood was genuine, and they had a great reputation. I suspected that I would not be returning.


Day 3…. Drumroll… Rush counselors came to your room if you did not receive any invites. There was no knock at the door, so I set out to collect my invitations for the day, which was house tours.We could attend a maximum of seven parties.
I was invited to five houses:

Billy Squier
Pat Benatar
Endless Love
Berlin
Diana

I was happy with my invites. The only one of these five that I was unsure about was Diana. For today’s round, I wore my favorite sundress. The fabric was a sort of jungle print of leaves of leaves and palms, in shades of gold and green, and the straps laced up the back. The skirt was long and swirly. Shoes: beige espadrille sandals that laced up the calf.

First stop was Billy Squier. The house was beautiful. The girl I was paired with explained how their Big Sister program was structured, which I thought sounded like lots of fun. The house also had a deck, which I liked. I hoped to be invited back to Billy Squier.

Endless Love came next. The girls were warm and friendly, and I got a sense that they really cared for one another. The house, too, was magnificent. Their stairway was in the shape of one of their letters. I clicked with the active I was paired with, and had a good conversation. The individual rooms were spacious and nicely decorated. My tour guide pointed out that they stored all of their formals in a large walk- in closet. (This detail stands out in my memory, because I did not own any formals….I was also insecure because I did not come from an affluent background) Nonetheless, Endless Love emerged as my favorite after this round.


Pat Benatar came next. I remember very little from this house, but the girls were friendly, and very put together. The house was nice, and had three stories. I thought that I could fit in here, too.


Diana came next. This house was not my favorite, but I was still happy to have been invited back. I was paired with another rushee, and an active. After the tour, we sat down, and treats were offered. Yay! I was hungry, and happily accepted some M and M’s. Next, some cheese treats were passed around. Hey, I liked those, too, and happily chowed down. Big mistake. The active made a face, and said something along the lines of those foods not going together. The other rushee agreed, and I sheepishly swallowed my snacks, knowing that I probably would not be returning here.

Berlin was a refreshing change. The president came out, and welcomed us to their home. Berlin was a new chapter, and the prospect of being part of something new really appealed to me. There were fewer girls at this party, which was also kind of nice. (I’m claustrophobic, and don’t do well in crowds) Berlin had a diverse membership, and many of the girls did not conform to sorority stereotypes. Their sisterhood was tentative, because they were new, but it was genuine. I wanted to be invited back, and could see myself in this group.


At the end of day 3, here were my faves:

Endless Love
Berlin
Pat Benatar
Billy Squier
Diana

[honeychile]

WOW! I'm trying to figure out what shape that stairway is! How could you begin to make a choice?!