If I don't die by Thursday, I'll be roaring Friday night.

It's the calm before the storm. The "kids" are showering, getting costumes ready, doing what "kids" do and waiting for the sun to go down.

There are flashing signs at every entrance to Isla Vista: "All Laws Strictly Enforced." Two story tall Halogen lights are in place to light up the party streets. The police have warned every resident and guest (to the best of their ability) that they will be out in force with DUI checks and will patrol I.V. on foot, bicycle, horseback and squad cars. Of course that won't stop the kids from getting completely smashed.

Almost every year someone falls off one of the area cliffs too blind drunk to see the danger. Often they are sent home in a coffin. That's the really scary part about Halloween at the University of California Santa Barbara.

Last night I drifted off to sleep to the sounds of revelry and fire trucks, ambulances and police cars. Tonight will be 120% worse, or so I'm told. This is my first I.V. Halloween...