How do I start this? I don’t really think that I have anything particularly exciting, inspiring, or insightful to talk about, and it’s not like Fun Page was the harbinger of social change or controversy. Furthermore, with all due respect to any other senior columns, no one’s is gonna top Katie Dowd. In fact, if you haven’t read Katie’s, go read hers and every other one of her greatest hits on the Pipe Dream website and you’ll get enough inspiration and wisdom for years. But I’ve been on production staff for two and a half years so indulge me for a little as I produce a random smattering of thoughts.
Everyone’s winging it. I stole this from a Times advice article, but it makes people, even the shittiest people, far more tolerable once you cope with this truth. The most confident kid in class, the kid who gets too messed up at parties and especially the girl or boy who breaks your heart are all people who make mistakes, just like you. Find a way to forgive them because chances are they’re scared shitless of something out there, and chances are you are too.
If there’s one thing I learned from doing improvisational comedy these last four years it’s to just say “yes” to as much as possible. Yes, exactly like the Jim Carrey movie. When people say make the most of your college experience, this is what they mean. Leave judgment at the door whenever possible and do things like join the lamest club, hang with weird nerds or shitty jocks, swipe right, swipe right, swipe right. It won’t work all the time, but you’ll surprise yourself sometimes.
Similar to the last one, but if you’re ever somewhere you don’t want to be, just lean in. I know that’s a total misrepresentation of that phrase, but it’s what I think every time there’s a “Mr. Brightside” sing-a-long at a lame party. It’s way more fun to sing along than to stand alone in a corner moping.
If you’re reading and you’re anything like a younger version of me, please, for the love of God, stop worrying about girls. Trust me, it’ll all work out. Someone out there thinks you’re hot, or at the very least “I guess he’s cute.”
As far as “thank yous” here’s the list: Suite 2C, 73 Leroy, 63 Oak, the Pipe Dream Staff, Pappys, WHRW, the Telefund, Binghamton Stand-Up, all of my professors, my family, my girlfriend (see, told you it works out) and anyone else who deserves a personal shout out, I love you, sincerely.
As a send off, and my last piece of advice, a surprising number of people ask me how to get involved in comedy. The best answer is “do it,” which is a cop out, but applicable for any dream. Go write your screenplay, join your frat, paint your painting, whatever, I don’t care what you want to do, but it’s a lot more impressive to say “I do blank,” than “I want to do blank,” because as you get older people care less about what you want to do then what you’ve actually done. How do I end this?
Benjamin Moosher is a senior majoring in English.