2004-12-21
Wednesday night, I turned in my essay final, walked out of Promotional Communication class, slipped my blazer over my shoulders, stepped outside and took my first breaths of the air commonly breathed by those who have also finished college. It was 19 degrees outside, but clear.I'm not done yet, officially. I've still got my senior overview film to finish, but the important thing is that I've walked out of my last classroom. No more endless lecturing. No more academic deadline panic. No more Indian summers spent gazing longingly at the tip of the buttcrack belonging to the girl in front of me. Nope. I'm a made man now.
But you know me. I’m a traditional guy. Nostalgic. I’m looking back before I move forward. And now, on my 400th entry in this diary, I can finally post this list:
THE TEN MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE OF MY COLLEGIATE UNDERTAKINGS: 2000-2004
NOTE: I should point out why my parents aren’t on the list. We all know that they’d be #1, right? So where’s the suspense in that? In the manner that the Beatles top every best-band-ever list and "Citizen Kane" tops every best-film-ever list and Sting tops every most-hated-man-in-rock-‘n-roll list, putting Carol and John at #1 on this list should be absolutely no surprise. Just like John, Paul, George, Ringo, Charles Foster, and Gordon, my parents know that they’re number one. They’ve laughed at me when I've fallen down drunk, given me money when I was at my lowest lows, never failed to (occasionally begrudgingly, which makes it all the more commendable) encourage me, and openly accepted the choices that I have made, and continue to make with my life. I can only hope to be as good a parent myself someday. So that's why they’re not on the list. To exploit the fact that they're the indesputable most important people in my life would only make such a fact equal parts easily dismissible and less special. And I'm too humbly grateful to want that to ever happen.
Now then. So it's...
10. CHRIS VOSS, because you're the prime example of hoping to preserve a friendship by bridging increasingly different lifestyles. Because you fucking rock. Because you hung your balls out and followed your dreams while I settled for a satisfying yet half-assed version of my own. Because of wildly fun nights spent among friends in St. Louis from the youth class' latest gig to the intense camaraderie of Megan's and Decker's apartment, times that I will fondly remember as some of the happiest in my life.
REMEMBER WHEN: I filmed us getting stoned in the fall of 2002? I still have that video, and it never gets any less funny.
9. JOE PARMELEE, because you are not only a salesman by trade, but a salesman by nature, and will unrelentingly sell me on every damn point you make whether I give a shit or not. You have no idea how much I admired such tenacity. Because to you, I was always a cousin first, and an employee second, even when I shouldn't have been. Because you, for whatever reason, were patient and forgiving, yet stern when I fucked up, and it could've been personal or professional reasons (I'll never know), but I'm still enormously thankful. Because you brought out the conservative in me. Because you remain my model for success.
REMEMBER WHEN: You drank too much Wild Turkey and mooned your entire family during the Hobin Rib Cookoff? Man, I love the fact that you'll never live that down.
8. ADDIE JOHNSON, for the most gut-wrenchingly beautiful 72-hour episode of my waning youth. Because you instilled upon me the beauty of sadness, so much so that to this day, hearing your laugh is nothing short of a well-earned reward. Because you helped me through my most difficult days in ways that you still may not understand, although these days you might. Because I just want to take care of you. Because I don't ever want to forget about us, because you and I - in some unconventional way - are the goddamn template for how to do it right, and I KNOW you can't deny it either! I love you!
REMEMBER WHEN: The wind chimes erupted the first time I kissed you on your back porch?
7. THE SQUIRREL PATROL (JAKE "THE SNAKE" HUSTON AND MIKE "RIPPLE" RIOPELL), because mostly of Ingersoll Scout Reservation Staff, 2002, one of the most all-around profound experiences of my life. Because whenever I come home, I can always count on you two to make it feel like home. Because ISR 2002 was the ultimate resurrection of a long-dormant friendship. Because of 3 months that brought 15 years of memories screaming back to life. Because of the refueling of our bond over beers and meat at Dayvo's, and for the many such meetings to come.
REMEMBER WHEN: We woke up every morning of the summer, and within eight second were ruthlessly berating that douchebag "Tribond" guy on the light rock station running through my alarm clock? I'm still mildly pissed that we never won that goddamn game, and I'm sure you are too.
6. LIZZ MILLER, because of everything I've learned. Because you're bar none the most twisted relationship in which I've ever been involved. Because nobody forgets their first. Because of the ways that I hurt you, and the ways that you hurt me. Because I wronged you, and despite how I act, and how much you'll scoff at such an admonition, I'm sorry. Really. Because I still think the world of you and yes, always have. Because of some of the most unforgettable sex of my life, which seems superficial, but never fails to stir my soul.
REMEMBER WHEN: What happened September 8, 2001, a mere three days before the towers fell? I do.
5. ROB EDGECOMB, because you're brilliant! Because you stuck by me professionally when you had no reason to. Because seriously dude, if you weren't such a good friend, I would've changed majors by now. Hey, maybe I'd have dropped out altogether. But I'm still here because you single-handedly saved my ass. Because really, somehow, with our talents combined, we make great film together. Because, all professionalism aside, you're a remarkable friend. Because you're the dedicated, passionate archetype of what a film major should be, and a part of me is world-historically envious of your accomplishments. Because you're the number one college friend (with Char following a close second) that I'm sure I will have to keep up with and still hope dearly to stay within contact.
REMEMBER WHEN: You literally ran over my car after finishing my Film I project and you left those big-ass dents on my roof? I was reminded of that every morning after it rained for the following three years when the memory of you spilled down my windshield. You big-headed fuck.
4. AMBER LOFINK, because to me, you are synonymous with the phrase, "college love" and any variation thereof, whether you like it or not. Because 2003 was the happiest year of my life, mostly because of you. Because we saw the best of America. Because nobody has ever given me a greater warrant for self-worth. Because I have been feeling the repercussions of hurting you, and they still feel as fresh as if it all happened yesterday. Because of eyes that always get what they want. Because of the way that you bent over backwards to make me happy, and the way that I realized that my burn scars prevented me from making you as happy. Because of how I wish things could've been different, but apparently the good Lord had different plans. Because of how leaving you remains the most painful night of my life. Because I'm grateful for you every day.
REMEMBER WHEN: We dressed to the nines and made it to the top of Clayton on the Park? Hell of a view, wasn't it?
3. CAROLYN EWALD, because here comes all the shit that you hate to hear: You're the love of my life. ...Actually, everything after that statement pales in comparison. Because you brought out my rage. Because you brought out my compassion. (How's that happen?) Because you broke me. Because there is a part of me that will always love you. Because we I might come crawling back, but hopefully not. Because I will never never never never never stop caring about you.
REMEMBER WHEN: You told me you loved me?
2. RYAN LOUIS, because you were my best friend. Because you exemplify the best and worst of the Democratic party, thus being instrumental in the achievement of my political consciousness. Because you're the archetype of unafraid, balls-out politics. Because of three shared forensics national championships. Because you were my best friend. Because of extending a hand to join you after college. Because of an inimitable wit. Because you make me sympathize with liberals - something that no other liberal has even come remotely close to making me do. Because - against all odds - you were my best friend. Because you were my best friend. Because you are my best friend.
REMEMBER WHEN: We stood over that gorge in Oregon and shouted out the lines to "Scooter Thomas Makes It to the Top Of The World," and then went on to win Duo with that very piece at the Linfield college tournament? I rank that among my most satisfying forensics tournament victories of my college career.
1. SCOTT AND GINA JENSEN, because you were my coaches, there for ever year of college to realize that my major didn't matter for shit, and that as long as I could articulate myself, I could do whatever the hell I wanted. Because you made me a six-time forensics national champion. Because you brought me from "vapid" to "astute." Because you showed how to make a marriage work, which I one day hope to emulate in my own way. Because you were nothing short of my collegiate mentors. Because every great opportunity I've had in the last four years can be attributed back to you through very few degrees of separation. Because you not only developed but encouraged my passion. Because you were the biggest reason that I stayed at Webster University, and because of you, I don't regret a single second. Because you made me.
REMEMBER WHEN: You turned to us right before awards at the 2003 national tournament, and - knowing that the team would pick up a total of eight national championships that night - managed to not make us suspect a thing when you said, "You guys are gonna enjoy the hell out of it," in regards to the ceremony?
Thank you.
See you in '05.
-Andy