It's our last column and Spring Quarter is on the horizon. For us, that means facing the prospect of having to graduate and enter the real world. In that spirit, we're ready to focus on the positive side of things (for once) and share some of our fondest OU memories.
Doug
This time in my life, like so many others, can be summed up best in the words of Jerri Blank. If you're unfamiliar, she's a 46-year-old high school freshmen (a former boozer, user and loser) who was portrayed on the Comedy Central show Strangers with Candy. We named our column after her, and she continues to inspire me to do all the wrong things in the right way. I can remember clearly the way she used to turn toward the camera with her yellow teeth visible beneath her dark lips and whisper: Changes.
But I've no intention of dwelling on the nature of change. Instead, I've prepared a list of the good things; the things I'll miss.
1. College naps ' they're the most satisfying, guilt-free naps you'll have in your entire life.
2. Class with Dr. Jeremy Webster ' his gay and lesbian literature class continues to forge bonds between LGBT students and allies.
3. Hanging out in Matt Mossman's apartment ' it has no doors, two spiral staircases and beanbags everywhere. Think M.C. Escher.
4. Walking across College Green at two in the morning on a foggy spring night ' it's Ohio University at its most beautiful.
5. Asking strangers if they're OK after they narrowly avoid getting a mouthful of brick ' it happens to the best of us.
6. Playing bootleg OU-opoly with Stephanie Thompson ' let's just say that Central Classroom equals Mediterranean Avenue.
7. Hearing Mickey Hart, Assistant Director of Campus Life for LGBT Programs say we need to talk ' you'd be hard-pressed to find an administrator who cares more about OU students than Mickey does.
8. Fridays Live, OU's notorious late-night talk show ' show up at Studio C in the Radio-Television Building at 6:45 on a Friday, and you'll see what I'm talking about.
9. Spending an entire summer in Athens ' if you can, I'd highly suggest spending at least one of your summers here. It's a more relaxed atmosphere and, best of all, there's parking everywhere.
10. Watching freshmen move into the residence halls ' it's the kind of experience that makes you want to grab one of them by the shoulders, shake them and say relish it!
Matt
Unlike Doug, and many other students, I didn't spend my whole career here. I only got two years here at OU, but I made up for it. I'm still not certain how some of these adventures came about, but they've made it a memorable ride.
1. Being kidnapped by drag queens while they forced me to drink beer. You have no idea. You really just can't understand unless you've experienced it. Do yourself a favor and experience it.
2. Building a snowman on the Howard Hall Site at midnight on a Monday. It only lasted an hour before someone demolished it, but he'll rise again someday.
3. Learning that there is another human being who worships the Thin White Duke, David Bowie, beyond a level that is in any way considered appropriate by other mortals. Thank you, Stephen Reese.
4. Living in Athens over Winter Break. You only have a few weeks, but those weeks will bond you closer than you will ever guess. There is something about having no one else in town and being stuck indoors together because it's too cold to go outside, at least until it snows.
5. Doing something utterly college and dying my hair blue. Or, attempting to at least. The closest it ever got was teal. I just kept telling myself it was a fun shade of teal.
6. Learning that you can become friends with your professors. I never really considered that professors might enjoy my company just as much as I do theirs. Just remember, keep the idol worship strictly under control in their presence.
7. Having every other person in a crowded room walk out, simply because they are afraid Doug and I might start talking about politics. Maybe talk isn't the best word ' they usually compare it to nuclear warfare.
8. O'Betty's. It gets a section all to itself. If you don't understand why, mosey on down and order a Dixie shy with a half order of cheese fries. Everything will make sense.
9. And, of course, throwing a completely successful house party when the decision to have a party was made that same afternoon. It's life affirming.
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Doug Cloud
