The End is Here

PROLOGUE: So here we are. The end of the Semester and as long as I pass my chemistry class my last semester of college. It seems like the end of an era, after a long five years of college, I'm finally going to be forced to grow up. Sadly, at this time when I should be worrying about getting a real job, taking finals and doing term papers, I'm more worried about writing the perfect dorktower to round up the semester. At first I was going to write about my college experience and list some non-traditional Graduations songs. Then I was thinking about writing about how hard it is to be a white kid in the suburbs. I even consider writing about how no matter how depressed I get in my life, for some reason, the Muppets can always cheer me up. I still haven't really decided how to finish this column, I decided to end with some thoughts. I hope these words find you well.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN A GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY:  For as long as I can remember I've always loved to write. A lot of people don't believe me when I say this but I've been wanting to be a screenplay writer ever since I was five years old. It was when I came to college that I first started working my craft and signed up for my newspaper. My freshmen year I really wanted to be an editorial columnist... but not about political issues or even anything serious, I wanted to lighten up the mood. Sadly it took until this year to finally see this goal begin with dorktower. And now, it might be over. Hopefully I will be able to find time to continue writing these post-graduation but if I don't please know that it's been fun and I appreciate every reader I have.

MAKE 'EM LAUGH: As a child I never had very many friends. My best friend was my grandfather. When he was taken away from me after a long battle with cancer I was absolutely devastated and spent months crying myself to sleep. It was in retrospective that i started to think about all the messages that he had given me. The most important message being that no matter what is going on in the world, no matter how depressing or stressed out you might be we (as in the collective we) need to be able to laugh. If I could leave this campus and give anyone a message, it's this. During finals week, or projects and term papers... don't forget to give yourself some time to laugh. In these days of Old School, Zack and Miri make a Porno and American Pie it's easy to forget how perfectly touching the classics are. Rent some old films like Duck Soup, It Happened One Night and Some Like it Hot.

SOME DAY WE'LL FIND IT THE RAINBOW CONNECTION:  One of the best examples of a classic comedy that can always cheer me up is watching reruns of the Muppet Show. Perhaps it's because when I was growing up my grandfather would sing me Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog but I've always and will continue to have a soft spot in my heart for the Muppets and everything Jim Henson. Another thing I've picked up from my grandfather is my taste in music, while I love to listen to lots of new music (I just picked up The Streets album as well as the new Punchline album both which I highly recommend) I always tried to take time to listen to some Louie Armstrong and Johnny Cash.

A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES:  A question I've gotten very often from fellow students, friends, family members and random strangers is "what do you plan to do after college?" Before I used to jokingly answer "well I'm liberal arts so I guess work at Burger King", or be slightly honest and say "I have no clue but I want to make movies." Over the last few months I've really started to simply say, "I want to follow my dream." I think it's important for every person who reads this to understand something. No matter what happens in your life, never let go of your dream, follow it with all your heart. Even if you want to be a rock star and instead spend your life working a nine to five, don't ever forget what you desperately dreamed of growing up to be. Nothing is more attractive than someone who doesn't let go of their childhood dreams and goals. I still watch old cartoons and home movies dating back to 1990 because i don't ever want to forget those fantastic memories.

REMEMBER GEORGE NO MAN IS A FAILURE WHO HAS FRIENDS: Recently my girlfriend broke up with me. Just one day after our break up, she had a new boyfriend. I learned a giant lesson from that which is this. Relationships come and go... but your friends will be there forever. Don't ever forget that friends are more important than anything else (I even include family, work and money in this). Never allow work to take away your time from your friends and furthermore never let drama destroy a friendship but also be careful to not allow people who claim to be your friends take advantage of you.

EPILOGUE: So this might be parting words or maybe I'll be writing this column next semester (hopefully as an alumni and not a chemistry failure). I want to leave you with this final quote from the Jimmy Stewart film Harvey (released in 1950): "Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, 'In this world, Elwood, you must be' - she always called me Elwood - 'in this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."