After 30 years of insignificance, the Seattle Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl -- and no, that isn't a typo. The Hawks are heading to Detroit.

After coming to grips with this incredible fact, the next logical thing to do is throw a party. Super Bowl bashes are an excellent opportunity to abandon one's everyday self and adopt a new persona.

Forget healthy eating and civilized personal conduct -- the average Super Bowl partygoer can easily justify morphing into a binge-eating, green-and-blue sporting, raving ball of joy.

With just two days until kickoff, the hype surrounding the big game has reached its peak.

According to the National Retail Federation, around 44 million Americans attend 7.5 million Super Bowl parties on game day. Eleven million pounds of potato chips will be devoured and, according to nubella.com, a health and nutrition Web site, a person's average caloric consumption reaches around 1,200 calories during the party itself.

Here at Washington, there will be a Super Bowl celebration of some sort in virtually every nook and cranny of campus for all who wish to partake in the festivities. Come Sunday, green and blue will invade the UW, from the Greek community to the residence halls.

"Every single dorm is hosting at least one party," said Michelle Murray, the resident director for Hansee Hall. "We're focusing on one main party in the Terry Hall lounge, where we'll have a large screen projector. We'll have snacks and door prizes, and we should expect around 200 people to attend."

The excitement continues in the Greek community. Senior Darren Lattel said he is helping organize a party for his fraternity, Zeta Psi.

"We're going to have a large-screen projector about eight feet, and your typical Super Bowl snacks: hot wings, pizza, chips and dip and beer," Lattel said. "Everybody's pretty excited -- we expect around 60 people there."

Murray said her residents are extremely excited about Super Bowl XL, especially because of the local significance.

"This is really huge -- our residents are absolutely thrilled about it," said Murray. "There's a lot of energy going around the dorms these days. And there's something very exciting about watching it on the big screen."

Senior Danny Sheed, a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, said he thinks the big game will be particularly significant for his house.

[img1]"It's a very special occasion for us," he said. "The house is extremely excited, especially since many guys had season tickets. It's a lot more meaningful for them than it would be for those 'fair-weather' fans."

For those who prefer to celebrate outside the campus vicinity, there are several sports bars in downtown Seattle that plan to host their own Super Bowl-viewing extravaganzas.

Sport Restaurant -- a sports bar in Fisher Plaza -- is planning to hold a lottery for tables this Sunday, said head manager Paul Gould.

"We're going to have around 200 spots inside, and 60 on the patio, and we'll have a full menu of snacks," Gould said. "We'll be giving away four prizes each quarter, and all money raised will go the Moyer Foundation. It will be a spectacular event."

For the perfect Super Bowl party, the consensus is clear: bring all of your closest friends and family members and place them in front of the largest TV screen you can find. Plasma and flat screens are preferable -- combined with High Definition (HD) television, they provide the ultimate viewing experience.

Make sure there is a plentiful supply of football fare -- think hot wings, nachos and pizza. (Bonus points for added spice -- when it comes to the Super Bowl, nothing is ever too hot). Start things off with a quality, well-stocked selection of beer, and soda for those who plan to drive home.

Oh, and for luck, make sure that green and blue heavily adorn the surroundings.