IT'S OVER

It began September 7th, 2004 when I walked into SPAN 212 @ 10am in Gordy Hall. It ended when I walked out of the Convo @ 11:29am on June 14th, 2008. My college career has come and gone and man, it has gone quickly. 4 years of memories, challenges, triumphs and failures culminated into this moment of graduation from Ohio University and punching my ticket into the proverbial "Real World".

So now that I am an alum, how does it feel? All week, I've been struggling on what it would feel like. Would I be happy? Would I be sad? Would I smile with satisfaction or cry my tears out when I drove away from the ATH for the last time? Well, now that the time has come and to answer the question of how it feels, I have one simple word: Weird.

I know it's not the most intelligent or impressive word but honestly, it's the best word for my feelings right now. All day, I have been more reserved than usual, all because I have been reflecting on not only my past but the future that lies ahead. No longer do I have that stalwart answer of "looking forward to summer break and heading back in the fall". No, instead I have a lot of unknowns. One known fact is that I am going to be working in Augusta, GA. Other than that, I don't know much. I have no place to live. I still have no credit card. I have zero furniture and I'm pretty sure my phone just crapped out on me today. I don't know what days I will work or if I'll even be able to be home for any holiday.

Now all of this sounds awful but with my lack of knowledge also comes this great feeling of being able to begin my career. I have 4 years of great experience from a great station. I am confident that I can step right in and do well. Just watching the U.S. Open this weekend has me jacked for the Masters already...and yea, I already marked my mental calendar for April 6-12. Beyond my career, I am excited to get away from the familiar faces and places of the Buckeye State and try to "rough" it on my own. See what I'm made of. Get to know people from many different backgrounds and make many more friends. Learn how to monitor finances and cook my own food. Learn how to balance a professional career and personal life. This kind of stuff should make me nervous but instead, gets me excited to see just how well I can do.

But even though I have tried to force myself to think about the future from now on, I can't help but slip into thoughts of the past. Whether it is because my family keeps asking me about it or every time I log onto Facebook, I cannot help but think about the good times and friends I am leaving as I depart OU and head to GA. I mean, I am really gonna miss them. And it's not the fact that I will not have many more new ones, but it's the fact that when in college, those good times were every day. They were at work or in my apartment. In the classroom or at the establishments. Some were planned but most were spontaneous. No matter what though, I always had a good time and man, those will be missed....big time.

So as the title of the post says, it's over. The 4-year journey called college. You know what's funny is I overheard someone earlier in the week say "I can't wait to graduate". I thought about that today and thought, you know what, the past 4 years flew by so fast. There is no wait. I've been known to compare college to a roller coaster. If I use that same metaphor, your college career starts on the takeoff, not the long wait in the winding line. And just like any good roller coaster, there are ups and downs, twists and turns, cheers and tears...just like your years in college. For me though and many others, the train has reached the station. The lap bar has been released and seatbelt unbuckled. It's time to get up and go. Where? Who knows...but we'll always remember the fun ride we had.

So as we all worry or get anxious about our impending jobs or grad school orientations, just remember the great advice of that wise meerkat and his warthog friend. HAKUNA MATATA. It means no worries for the rest of your days. I hope somewhere in the rest of my days I get to see you again but if not, thank you for joining me for the ride.

WHAT IF?

Ever think about that? What if I didn't make that decision? I think about it every now and then, especially as I get set to graduate. Instead of the "What If's" that sounds more like regrets, I decided to look at the decisions that I made that worked out great. A lot of my assumptions of what would have happened are probably wrong but hey, I don't know and neither do you.

WHAT IF...I did not choose Ohio University? Well, I would probably be at Syracuse or Northwestern since those were the only schools that I applied to and were accepted. Both would have cost me well over $20,000 a year so the choice would not have been a financial one. I would have probably gone to Syracuse since NW just gave me this preppy vibe, a la Miami. I would obviously not be getting paid to go to school so money may have been a bit more lean. I also would not be guaranteed a spot in the dorms my sophomore year at SU. They simply can't guarantee that...odd to me. I wouldn't touch a camera until junior year so I probably would have been terrible at shooting video. There would be no Promise commercial or Gridiron Glory but there would be better college basketball. The college football would still suck. I would be further from home so less trips to CBus and odds are, wouldn't be reffing or at least traveling to extramural tourneys. Never seen SU anywhere. I might have had more connections coming out of college, especially with ESPN but I also would seen a lot (and I mean a lot) more snow.

WHAT IF...I did not meet Kevin Hunt and Luke Florence? Well, first of all, there would be no Pizza Hut Lunch buffet every Friday, which in turn would have made my Fridays more open for tours. Also, I might be 10 pounds thinner. I also would not have Taco John's or McHappy's every quarter. Bromley 310 may never have happened nor the many lists that I have made in 4 years. I can assure you I would have never visited Tiffin unless my car broke down. Black History Month would be much less fun and I would playing Guitar Hero by myself a lot. My intramural teams may have won a championship when I was a freshman or sophomore and I probably never would have been a fan of Keystone or Coors Light.

WHAT IF...I did not ref intramural sports? Well, I would get another job, probably at a dining hall or personal training for Ping as I originally planned. I probably would have devoted more time to the TV station and done more tours. I would have never been to places like San Francisco, Arizona, Pensacola, Dallas and my favorite, New Orleans and Bourbon Street. I would have met the likes of Devin Simpson, Matt Rinaldi, Sunshine and many, many others. Others I have worked with may have only been acquaintances instead of great friends, including the guy I was afraid of for no reason freshman year. I also would not be traveling around SE Ohio being screamed at in middle school gyms.

WHAT IF...there was no Promise? Well, life would be a lot easier. Less texts for sure and facebook wall messages from people who either saw the commercial or billboard. Less people at church calling me a superstar when I didn't even have a job yet. Less people calling me "The Promise" everyday. Less pictures of me on the website, though I had been getting my fair share already. The President would just see me as another black student on this nearly all-white campus. You know, I actually enjoyed all of this. Glad it happened.

WHAT IF...there was no Gridiron Glory? Well, there is no Promise. There is no random SE Ohio citizen coming to me, asking me about the show. There is no mom coming to me to tell me about how much her kid loves the show or even the fan of the week shirt I gave him. There would be no consuming of beverages with high school football stars from the area. I would have more eventful Friday nights....at least, early Friday nights. I would not know the schools in this area as well as I do. There would be no Emmy. And above all this...there is probably no job in Augusta, GA starting June 30.

WHAT IF...there was no PreCollege? Well, my 21st birthday might have been a lot different. The Bob Fenner and the Soup Can Experience would be lacking diversity. "Good to go" would not be THAT much fun to say. I would never know what a "snap" is. There would be no peer advising this year. There would be $3300 to be made somewhere else (but where?). Coed softball games the past three years may have been more competitive. Many friends I have made may not have been. Wine and Cheese would just well, wine and cheese. And Rick Linn would just be another staff member at OU.

There are probably many more "What Ifs" but these stood out to me. I challenge you to do the same. Odds are not only will it be fun to think about but make you feel better about all those great decisions you have made in your life. Hakuna Matata

THE COLLEGE MOMENTS

This is the 3rd part of a 7-part series of posts before I graduate.

So I'm no expert on this college thing. I mean, I think I know a few things but in no way am I the perfect person to talk to about how you spend your college career. But one thing that I will remember the most about college that I hope others will too are to cherish those moments that I like to call "college moments".  It's those moments that made you laugh and smile. It's the reflection back into when were naive freshmen or just that look back at something last week.

So what are some of my college moments? Well, let me start in freshman year. Moments such as my first night shadowing a reporter for Gridiron Glory and a girl from Logan asking for my phone number (I gave her a fake one). There's also that moment when the ball rolled into the hoop, sending the Bobcats to the NCAA tourney. All I remember is running out into the hallway, screaming and clapping the hands of fellow 'Cats, ecstatic that the school we went too would get a little national attention. I began playing the fight song and the CBS NCAA song over and over to set the mood too. There's also that moment of Lawrence Welk Kings...believe me, it was great. Oh, and of course I couldn't forget that moment of drinking with my future best friend in his dorm room during finals week. Door wide open and people walking by stunned at our bravery/lack of caring. Best part: RA walks by and doesn't care at all.

Sophomore year had its moments as well. Actually, it had a ton and most of them involved the fun in Bromley 310. There were the many late-night chats with Luke, talking about random stuff. There was Kevin snoring loudly. There was the item we left behind the futon that we left as a gift on the door. There were made-for-tv movies, Love Monkey and the two-TV system that will never be matched. There was waking up as my loft rocked through the night. There was also the party of all parties: 40 people, one dorm room, 9 cases bought...and not one can was left. Oh classic. There was also the day that I got two jobs in one hour. The moments on the 6th floor and the many Wheat Thins consumed. And one of my favorite moments: guessing the name of the new Pope and then betting on when he would die (terrible, I know).  

Over the summer, there were moments. Watching Falcon Beach religiously and making up a drinking game to make the show even better...though it was entertaining enough. Then, in an effort to keep the fun going, turning "Whose Line Is It Anyway" into a drinking game as well (I was always Wayne Brady). Going to countless Copperhead games and getting paid for it. My unfortunate event in the apartment across the hall. The fun that was PC2K6. Winning the inaugural IM Amazing Race. And the first of many parties at 79 N. Congress...and the phone call that almost sent me to Nelsonville to bail out my best friend.

Junior and Senior year had a ton of moments but I've chronicled those in blogs of old...so there's no need to go crazy in-depth. Plus, I'm tired of writing about this subject because of how wordy it gets me. So I'm gonna stop...but man oh man, those were some moments. If you're reading this and not graduating, just remember to enjoy the moments you have left in college. Even the ones that don't seem like they are memorable then just might be later. Hakuna Matata

THE FRIENDS

If you missed the previous post, this is the 2nd part in a 7-part series of blog posts before I graduate from Ohio University.

If you couldn't tell by the title, this one is all about friendships. And trust me, I've made a TON in my four years here. Some were strong and some were small but you can bet that all were special and important to me, especially as I am about to embark on the next chapter of my life. But what made them so great? Or even better...how did they even come about? Well, some were crazy. Others just happened. Regardless, friendships are a big reason for how I got through four crazy years of college.

Freshman year was tough on me at first because I came into this place not knowing many people. But within 36 hours, I had already two of my best friends and it just kinda happened. During our "mandatory" floor meeting in Read Hall, we all went around and introduced ourselves. I heard another person say they were in my major and at the time, thought nothing of it. But when it was time to head to the College of Communication welcome, I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask if we could walk up there together. So we meet up outside his room and he tells me he is meeting his friend from high school. We meet up with him outside our hall and go on up. Let's just say, within 30 minutes of meeting these two, a great friendship was struck. I knew it when they were already willing to make fun of me before they really even knew me. That's a great characteristic of a friendship. When you feel comfortable enough to make fun of someone without them feeling bad about it. Let's just say since that first meeting, there has been pizza consumed, movies watched and arguments had for four years and hopefully, many more to come even after we graduate.

Other friendships came due to work. Through intramurals, I became great friends with certain refs, PA's and others. Through tour guiding, I stayed friends with my 4-year guides up until my final tour. And through PreCollege, I made friends that saw sides of me that many have never seen.

So I began looking back at some of them and I began laughing because some of these friendships started in weird ways. The guy who I was afraid of my freshman year to the guy who is my drinking buddy now. The girl whose mom was initially afraid of a guy living next to her daughter freshman year. The guy who left Michigan stuff on my door knowing that I was an Ohio State fan. The girl who enjoyed RENT just as much as I do. The roommates of a friend who let me crash at their house time and time again. The summer of 2006 crew that welcomed me through Falcon Beach and Entourage. The PC2K6 and PC2K7 peeps who let me be me and didn't judge (I think). The freshman who challenged me to a beer pong game that never came about. The psycho Packers fan who put up with me as I put him through "Gridiron Boot Camp". The guy who has been my twin for the past 3 years. Oh, and how could I forget the many freshmen I corrupted through PC. Yea, they probably hate me actually....

No matter how I created these friendships, they all have had an impact on my 4 years. They will all be missed somewhat as I graduate because the frequency of seeing each other will diminish but hopefully, through tools like the Book, we'll keep in touch. I know I plan on doing that....being that I will be a lonely, single working man in who knows where America. So to all my friends out there, thanks. It's been real. We still have a little bit left so let's get a drink or go out for lunch or something. As long as you pay for it.

HAKUNA MATATA 

THE BEGINNING OF "THE LASTS"

I graduate college in 7 days. Seems odd. I mean, 4 years ago, I thought this moment would take forever to get to but instead, it feels like it's just flown by. I know, this all sounds cliche but really, 4 years have never gone faster. I have seen and done more than I ever imagined in these past 4 years. I have met friends that I will never forget and (hopefully) keep in touch with after June 14th, 2008. With 7 days left though, it's time to for me to not only enjoy every day that's left but also enjoy every "last".

You know, the "lasts". The things I did many times during college that during these final weeks I will be doing for the last time. Now some of these things, I probably will do again but it won't be the same...or at least feel the same. I can't tell you how many times I've seen an alumni come back to OU and try to replicate the thing they used to do when they were a student. Though they do their best to get that same feeling, it just isn't there. There's just a special feeling when you are a student. And now that I am about to lose that feeling, I better get to all my "lasts".

So what are some of my "lasts"? Well, some of them I have actually experienced. Just this past week, I gave my last tour. For something that I thought would be very sentimental, instead it was just routine. The families stunk...I mean zero personality. It was about 92 degrees and humid outside and I sweat through my shirt. It wasn't the worst tour but for the final trip walking backwards around the campus, it was less than stellar.

My last IM supervisor shift was rather uneventful as well. I mean, most supervisor shifts are already so it wasn't anything new. I had a great crew to work with so that made it fun. Again, the heat was a factor but man, thinking back on those cold, rainy nights on those fields, a little extra sunshine and humidity wasn't all that bad. And though I have worked for IM Sports since freshman year and been a supervisor for 8 quarters, trust me, there were no feeling of sadness here. Onward.

My last news TV reporting and anchoring were mixed. The anchoring was fun as usual, getting a chance to work with the people I love working with. The reporting flat out stunk for it being my last gig. Covering the funeral of a 22-year old US Army soldier who died in Iraq two weeks ago. I never volunteered to be a news reporter to see cover events like that. I hated the fact that I had to do it. Looking back, I am sort of glad I did experience the event because I know nothing could be worse. But man, what a way to go out huh?

Now those are just three of the many "lasts" that are to come over the next week. "Lasts" such as my last shuffle, last Pub pint night and aquarium night, last Big Mamma's gringo, last $3.95 Chinese, last DM at USD, last Pizza Hut Buffet, Taco John's and McHappy's with KHunt and Luke, last sportscast, last final exam, last walk on College Green and yes, that last drive leaving Athens towards Columbus.

Some of these "lasts" are gonna be tough on me. Some of them won't be tough at all. All of them though are gonna be special because they all have meant something to my college career. My plan right now is to write a different blog post for the last 7 days until graduation. Obviously, this is post number 1. I don't really know what I'm gonna write about but I can tell you this, it will come from the heart. For now, I'm gonna get ready for my "lasts" and as usual, I leave you with my motto for life: HAKUNA MATATA