memory: October 1997 Archives

There are things I will miss about college. I dont think any of them have to do with class. I did learn a few things, but I coulda done that anywhere.

But here are my friends. For the first time in my life I could say that an mean it. People who cared about you, people who where there for you.

"A friend is someone who has seen you at your worst and still likes you"

Where else will I:

• be awake at 4 in the morning, discussing the benefits of playdough.

• go for a walk to the supermarket (wegmans) at midnight.

• get to decide I am just too tired to go to that 8 am meeting or class.

• talk about religion for hours and actually remain interested in the conversation.

• trade racist jokes and insults with my friends (who are Korean, Chinese, Hispanic, and Japanese).

• be able to eat something called a garbage plate.

• be able to feel im not staying up late until I see the sun rise.

• mention anything about computers without getting a blank stare in response.

• have someone yelling at me one day and crying on my shoulder the next.

These are my family, my friends, my life. Its all Ive known for the last four years, a time when I did a helluva lotta changing. I am no longer the person I was at home, and dont like it there. So I am off to make my fortune ($1.25) in the real world.

I never expected anything normal at college. Everyone has seen Animal House, or some other cheesy frat/college/20something movie. In fact, I revel in the notion that I am far from normal. I find no greater comment than when people tell me I'm crazy.

But some things are just nuts.

Take my nickname for example. Sometime around my sophmore year, I aquired the nickname "Bitch". This might be fine except for the fact I am a 6'3", 180 lb. male. Hardly femanine. However, (thanks to Matt Williams) I will forever be known to many as a female dog.

Like I said, I love being abnormal. But a nickname like this does cause some strange situations:

Sam is walking down the walkway to class and thought he saw me ahead of him. So he yells out "Hey Bitch!". Oops...not me. But suddenly a very annoyed stranger who is ready to fight. Needless to say, Sam doesnt talk to me until I get close enough to identify now.

I love to pick on Lea. Sweet, innocent girl. I was holding some money for her one day. I refused to give it back for a little while, when she started getting annoyed. So out of her mouth comes: "Gimme my money, Bitch!" (Can you say cheesy 70's pimp lingo? I knew you could.)

Or try explaining to your female supervisor at work why someone just said "hey Bitch" as they walk past the two of you in the hall.

And every year, the freshman have the worst time. They are nervous to begin with, and someone then tells them to call this guy Bitch. Takes 'em weeks to get used to it. Personally, I refuse to tell them my real name.

I just know someday I'll walk into a job interview for an executive position, only to be greeted by "Hey Bitch!"