Nothing to do this weekend? SIOC's got you covered

By Eric Horowitz

Your guide to the weekend -- SIOC style

FRIDAY

James Brooks -- the producer of 'The Simpsons' -- will speak at USC on Friday.

No Pants Day!

The University of Texas will hold their usual all-day celebration (last year there was an anti-pants protest in front of the Austin state Capitol building), but this year Boise State is joining in the fun with a full day of music and pants-less high jinks. There's never been a better time to show off your lower thigh tattoo.

StrawberryFest, NYU

I can't think of a better reason for a celebratory street fair than strawberries. They're healthy, they're delicious, and they go well with dessert. This year's fest will include carnival games, live music, and New York City's longest strawberry short cake.

James L. Brooks Lecture, Southern Cal, 1 p.m.

As a producer (The Simpsons, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Big, Jerry Maguire) Brooks has won so many Emmys his dog uses them as chew toys. On Friday, he'll discuss creating comedy and the effect of O.J. Mayo's departure on the Trojans basketball team. (Ok, maybe not that last one.)

In Theaters: Iron Man

Here's the dilemma for this weekend---Is it worth taking a two hour break from your 48-hour Grand Theft Auto IV marathon in order to see yet another comic book movie (or study for finals)? I say no.

SATURDAY

Oregon State Pet Day, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This makes the Primer purely because it's the weekend's only campus event where you can pet a llama. What's not to like about that. OSU's Pet Day also includes a dog Frisbee contest, "pet portrait booths," and the grand opening of a new $12 million large animal and diagnostic imaging facility.

NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship, Penn State vs. Pepperdine, 4 p.m.

Penn State's 1994 National Championship is still the only men's volleyball title won by a school outside California. On Saturday the top ranked Nittany Lions will attempt to win the second. The Waves (No. 2 in the country) stand in their way.

SUNDAY

An Evening With Al Gore, Ohio State, 6 p.m.

The former Vice President will discuss global warming, environmentalism, and the things people can do to take action. Of course we all know the No. 1 way to help the environment: Stop Man Bear Pig.