When I was little, my Dad played in a rock, rhythm & blues, and Irish band by the name of Stone Clover. They used to practice every week in the barn next to the house I grew up in. Being the theatrical, creatively inclined, little show-off that I am, I would always crash practice to sing and dance around until they told me I had to go to bed. I didn't realize just how much culture I was soaking up back then, but I guess it might explain a lot about who I am now.
Every St. Patrick's Day, Stone Clover would pack up their gear and roll up to the pub downtown. They would set up the stage before any of the hard core celebrators showed up. I would help of course, rocking a t-shirt that said "I'm with the band," as if the fact that a little girl was walking around a pub with musical instruments wasn't enough of a hint already.
Once the pub was full of irishmen, clad head-to-toe in green, the band would play and I would take on the role of hype man. I would sing, clap, and even Irish step dance in front of the stage. Honestly, it's a miracle I never accidentally tripped the staff members who where always running around with trays full of of beer.
A lot has changed since those days. Half of the band has moved on and the pub has changed hands, it's not even a real Irish pub anymore. Irish music is no longer the main act, but rather the opener for different band. I don't dace around and I've I come to realize I actually know very little about my Irish heritage.
A lot has also stayed the same. I still go to see the band every single year. Everyone still comes dressed in the best kelly green they have. I still sing at the top of my lungs. I still know exactly what to do with a drunken sailor early in the morning (if you do too, then I'm impressed). I still couldn't be prouder to be Irish.
As many of you know, I go to UMass Amherst, otherwise known as the zoo. Since it is Massachusetts, naturally the students dedicate an entire weekend to celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Most students use it as an excuse to walk around in green shirts with puns on them and to drink excessive amounts of alcohol. I, however, don't partake in this "Blarney Blowout" as many students do.
Never mind Blarney Blowout, I've been celebrating St. Paddy's Day since Valentine's Day. When the clock changed from February 14th to February 15 I turned on some Irish drinking songs and I haven't turned them off since. Yes, seriously.
Recently I found out that I'm even more Irish than I thought I was. I've decided that it's time I learn about this culture that I've already spent 20 years celebrating like a pro. I'm taking a Literature class full of Joyce and Beckett, I've been listening to The High Kings non-stop, and I'm embracing the color green in daily life (not the most flattering color for me, but I've been making it work).
I don't know if I'm lucky, but it's safe to say I'm proud to be Irish. How can I not be? My name is Erin for goodness sake. Happy St. Paddy's to all my fellow Leprechauns!