I lost my virginity this weekend, not in the traditional sense mind you, but by going to the Starvation Gulch bonfires for my first time ever. With four years at UAF under my belt, it was a liberating experience, kind of refreshing, and also a little scary.

When I told people that I was a Starvation Gulch virgin, the obvious questions were "Why?" and "What's wrong with you?" and "Are you Mormon?"

As the first non-Mormon Sun Star editor since 2003, I can assure you that religion was not to blame for my abstinence, and (I hoped) it was also not because there is something wrong with me. You see, there was always something else going on during Starvation Gulch weekend that kept me from attending the time-honored tradition of watching huge piles of well-placed pallets burn and milling around in an endless sea of students.

The birthday of a very good friend of mine often falls on the same day as the Starvation Gulch fires, and we would usually celebrate with a bonfire and a few carbonated beverages of our own. By the time the fires on campus were well lit, so were we, and driving was out of the question.

But this year things were different: I was ready to lose my virginity.

When I showed up at the Taku parking lot, my dog Jupiter jumped out of the truck in a flash. He bounced back after reaching the end of his leash and that's where he stayed, keeping the rope taught all night as he sniffed hands, feet, butts and crotches. Never before had he seen so many people in one place at the same time, and there were even a few other dogs mixed in!

Juper wasn't the only one surprised by how many people were there; I was in shock too.

"Where did they all come from?" I asked myself. "How could I have missed out on this for four years? Is there something wrong with me?"

I never realized what a huge event Starvation Gulch was until Saturday night. Like any good bonfire, I spent the time chatting with friends, acquaintances and even a few complete strangers, which I guess is what it's all about. Mostly though, I let the dog drag me around, just going with the flow of things.

The mass of people, their faces glowing in the fire's light, reminded me that UAF is about more than going to class, more than the surface of things. We don't go to college just to read books, do homework and take tests. It's just as much about the social aspects of college life.

College is about exposing yourself to new experiences and ideas. You could say it's kind of like losing your virginity.

Thanks to everyone who made Starvation Gulch such a huge success.