For all who arranged their schedules with no classes on Tuesday and Thursday (and for any Big Lebowski fans out there), take a trip to Lanes and Games, a monster bowling alley which also features pool tables and a wild video game room. As you step into this futuristic world with your friends, all guilt about that Chaucer reading will disappear into a desperate need to beat the world at bowling or at least score in the triple digits. 9 a.m. to midnight, 195 Concord Tpke off Rt. 2 (Alewife T-stop). 876-5533. $3 to 4 for games, depending on candlepin or full size. And you know what they say about a guy who bowls candlepin.
Head down Mass. Ave. to West Coast Video and partake in their kooky scheme of "Two for Tuesday" video rentals. For every title selected, a free one can also be rented. Get Who's Harry Crumb AND Teen Wolf at the same fucking time! Limited time only. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., 950 Mass Ave. 876-9268. $3.77 per video.
If you get hungry during your double feature, don't fret--you can just ring The Greenhouse Pizza delivery service. They offer small and large pizzas Monday through Friday. A minimum order of $10 is required, so add some nachos, cookies and Nantucket Nectars for tomorrow's all-nighter. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. 496-6520.
Go intellectual and check out a book reading. It's about what is going on at college campuses. Alan charles Kors and Harvey A. Silverglate read from their work The Shadow University: The Betrayal of Liberty on America's Campuses. 6 p.m., Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, Copley Square. 536-5400, ext. 336. FREE.
Stop being such a cheap bastard. Withdraw all your money from BankBoston and go to the brand-spanking new Diesel Store. 30 JFK St. 354-5258. Expensive, but trendy.
Stay home. Waste time. Enjoy yourself. That new show, Felicity, on WB--it's really that good. Trust us. And the Real World's right after. See if Steven is going to bitch-slap any more roommates. 9 p.m., in your room. FREE (after purchase of TV)
WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER
Go check out the author who's been hailed as "the best American writer of his generation." Tim O'Brien, winner of the Pulitzer Prize (among other honors), reads from his latest work, Tomcat in Love. 6 p.m., Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, Copley Square. 536-5400, ext. 336. FREE.
Don't you think that it's time to overcome your clown phobia? Now's your chance to face your fears. Go and see the Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey Circus, where the four corners of the earth come together in three rings. 7:30 p.m., Fleetcenter (North Station T-stop). 931-2000. $25-35.
At the kingdom Fine Art Gallery this month is an exciting exhibit featuring paintings, sculpture and mixed media works by some people you may have heard of and others you will pretend to have heard of. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 153 Mass Ave. 266-1997. FREE.
Take a break from dining hall cuisine and a go for a stroll down to Central Square. The "other square" boasts a number of affordable ethnic restaurants:
If you're in the mood for Middle Eastern dining, go to the aptly named Middle East. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., 472 Mass Ave, 354-8238. $10 to 25, including a cover for suprisingly entertaining bands.
Rhythm and Spice has a Caribbean menu best known for its jerk cooking. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., 315 Mass. Ave., 497-0977. $10 to 15.
Pho Republique will delight your taste buds with its Vietnamese Soup and all around wonderful Southeast Asian food; 5:30 to 10 p.m., 468 Mass. Ave., 576-2111. $8 to 12.
Not quite so adventurous? The Miracle of Science offers New American food like veggie burgers and goat cheese quesadillas. 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., 321 Mass Ave. 868-2866. $5 to 12.
If you are more interested in the beverage selection, try The Plough and Stars, which offers you food and good beer. 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., 912 Mass. Ave. 441-3455. $2 Bud to $3.25 Guinness.
Whichever way you go with this solid selection of grub, it will sure beat the shitty chicken lomaine in Annenberg.
It's time to get some new CDs, and Tower and HMV, the best selection of new music in the Square, are open until midnight tonight. They're open to midnight every night. HMV's at 1 Brattle Square. 868-9696. Tower's at 59 Mt. Auburn St. 876-3377. $7 to 16.