The Virginia men's club rugby team, the Virginia women's club rugby team and the Charlottesville men's rugby team all won their respective state tournaments last weekend. That's really no big deal compared to the real news, though: I got to touch Andrew Fiscella's right pectoral muscle. Let me tell you, ladies: very nice.
"What's this all about?" you outraged readers scream! Why write about Mr. Fiscella's right pec? (I know it is pec, not peck, because it was in the crossword puzzle the other day.) I write this because Mr. Fiscella reads my column on a regular basis and comments on it to me. Not that his comments generally compliment me -- he usually tells me I suck at life or that his grandmother could write better. I don't take it personally.
I do take it very personally that he reads my column regularly. I work hard on this column. Writing this witty and creative does not grow on trees, my friend. Show me attention, and I'll show you a happy columnist. Believe it or not, though, this column isn't about me.
"What's this all about?" you outraged readers scream! I know you all love to hear about my life and times, but sometimes I must branch out -- I must talk about others.
We all excel at something, whether it is rugby and having great right pecs, writing columns or running student governments. That's what makes this University so great blah, blah ... While we all run around and excel at life, we do not always make time to enjoy the products of our classmates' hard work.
We attend college not just for the education but for the experiences: the friends we make, the relationships we hold and the lessons we learn. Those lessons include knowing how to keep those friends and how to let them know how much they mean to you. You can tell them once in a while when you have had too many glasses of wine. Actions speak louder than words, though.
While we live somewhat similar lives here at the University -- same age group, academic excellence -- we are all the MTV generation. What I find more important, though, is we have huge differences in interests, background and opinions. I have a friend from Saudi Arabia who blames her bad driving skills on her nationality, sorority sisters who spend all day in the hospital delivering babies and classmates who bring home sports trophies when they're not at the library.
They impress the poop out of me. Still, all these accomplishments look a lot better in real time than they do in recounted stories or in (blasphemy be damned!) Cavalier Daily stories.
Going to games, to performances, reading my column -- these all reaffirm our friendships and acknowledge our awesome (writing) skills. What could be better than that? Even Matthew Broderick's family and friends will go see "Deck the Halls." If they can do that, we can go to club lacrosse games and the plethora of events set up by hardworking friends and classmates.
For my more pragmatic readers, think of this: Every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. I attend a seminar for my internship where I learn important things like how my TA thinks our generation has no upward mobility and anyone without motivation for a career is a "loser." Another tidbit I picked up is networking makes or breaks your entire life. Now, if you couldn't pick this up already, I find my TA a bit pessimistic. But there isn't any harm in supporting those who may, in some small way, er, get us jobs.
Later in life, when our biggest moments will be tantrum-throwing 7-year-olds or presentations for stick-up-the-butt bosses, we won't want an audience. Right now, however, when we are hyphen-free, we have shows and concerts and really good Thai food for any college student who takes advantage of it.
So, while I appreciate with all my heart you reading the beginnings of a passionate writing career, I hope you take the opportunity to make the most of all your friends and classmates' talents and activities.
And ladies, I am sure Mr. Fiscella would be more than happy to let you feel both pecs.
Clare's column runs bi-weekly on Mondays. She can be reached at ondrey@cavalierdaily.com.
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