1) Light and heat. The two most fundamental problems proved actually the easiest to solve. The simple rigging of an industrial wattage light source and a hair dryer (or two) creates the idyllic illusion of a Caribbean sun and a tropical breeze. To block out the gray skyline, we simply propped up a large umbrella, obscuring the sky and furthering the blissful illusion. Very large umbrellas cost about $35 at any local store.
2) Attire. Also an easy one to accomplish, simply dredge up a sarong, a few shell necklaces and some flip-flops from that long-sealed drawer of summer clothes. Due to an as-yet-unexplained psychological process, beach clothing is an integral part of the false-summer experience. Top it off with a pair of large sunglasses, about $15.
3) Ambiance. This aspect proved rather difficult and multifaceted. First, of course, you should put down a beach towel to protect yourself from the cracked and dead grass of the Alaska spring. Depending on the atmosphere you'd like to create, you can either spray paint your lawn a verdant green or "borrow" some sand from a local beach. In Alaska, the sand appears more like dirt, but it will suffice for the sake of illusion. Sprinkle that sand around the edges of the beach towel, then round up some sports equipment -- we chose badminton and Frisbee -- to decorate your "beach." Throw in a pink flamingo ($7) for good measure. To really establish the mind-set, plug in "Sounds of Hawaii" and crack open a travel guide. Take the lid off a bottle of suntan lotion and allow the aroma to fill your corner of paradise and purchase some lemonade, about 25 cents, from the kid down the street.
Now, all there is left to do is sit back, relax and enjoy your own personal summer!
Erin Britton is a recent graduate of East and eagerly awaiting real summer.
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