On multiple occasions I've observed the power of a tight, black t-shirt with the word TEXAS prominently displayed across the, uh, chestular area to spark conversations with random strangers. It's prompted guys to talk to me on buses in Hawaii and grocery stores in Champaign, with the added bonus that the guys are usually young and fairly cute. This weekend I discovered a corollary. A shirt that says ILLINOIS in the same region will attract conversation from middle-aged men and women who will either

1. Engage you in a 5 minute long conversation about this year's final game, the emotions prompted thereby, and how they themselves were hoping for a different ending, OR
2. A quick "Go Illinois" almost whispered in passing. Sort of a drive-by cheer, if you will.

So, the lesson here? I'm not sure, but I do think it would be fun to test this further. What kind of conversations would you get with a shirt that said ALASKA, or SOUTH DAKOTA, or IDAHO?

Heh. Idaho.