Siblings are a mixed bag. Brothers and sisters both have redeeming qualities. Unfortunately, a lot of us never get to experience both. Did you know, only 28% of Americans have siblings of both genders.* I only have brothers, but thanks to social media and my generation's nasty habit of oversharing, I can see how different it would be to have sisters. And now, for the low, low price of clicking the ads to the right of this text, so can you!
First of all, social media affection among siblings takes many forms. I think we've all been guilty of stalking a guy we're into because we just can't tell if that's his girlfriend or his sister. That's pretty much the single defining activity of my Friday nights. Sisters communicate via social media with a sweetness that is physically sickening. Any given birthday post sister to sister is likely to read "Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister who inspires me every day. Thank you for being my best friend.". Heart emoji, dancing rabbits emoji, hashtag love you. Meanwhile, if I were crafting a birthday post for one of my brothers, it would sound slightly different. "Glad your rash cleared up. Remember, you can be tried as an adult now. Hbd.".
We also have some differences when it comes to food. I will often hear of sisters cooking together or see sisters sharing food. Sisters split meals at restaurants and will tell each other things like "You HAVE to try this, it's amazing! Pumpkin spice mac and cheese! Delish!". With my brothers, it's eat or be eaten. Nothing too crazy we just literally hide food from each other. I'm 22 years old and I'm not ashamed to tell you that I will hide candy, cookies and Chex Mix from my brothers. I've been known to play "see how may Famous Amos I can fit into my mouth at once" in order to eat them all myself. Luckily, we've evolved to avoid conflict. We used to get into physical altercations over brown sugar cinnamon Pop-Tarts but now we all like different flavors. As long as our mother buys the same amount of chocolate fudge, chocolate chip cookie dough and hot fudge sundae, nobody gets hurt.
If I had a sister, I think I might have watched Gossip Girl. I can't explain it, it's just something I feel very strongly about. Sisters become best friends by watching Real Housewives together, women bond through reality television. I don't care who you are, if you will watch all 13 seasons of Bad Girls Club with me you are a maid of honor contender. All my brothers ever want to watch is the NBA rewind channel. Every time I ask to watch Little Women: LA, they say they would rather watch Clippers and Celtics game from 1849.
I have no definitive proof of this (much like everything else I post on this blog) but it stands to reason that it is easier to play with siblings that share your chromosomal composition when it comes to Xs and Ys. I know sisters who grew up with an entire village of Polly Pockets. Sisters who could have 83 hour Mary-Kate and Ashley movie marathons with their collection. Sisters who had Disney princess costumes for dress up and all the stick-on earrings and body glitter a girl could ever hope for. What did I get growing up? I have exactly 2 Disney princess movies while my brothers own every Batman and X-Men movie ever made. Instead of playing dress up together, my brothers and I played beat the crap out of each other. But to be honest, the black eyes often looked better than the play makeup I tried in vain to apply.
Growing up I always thought that having a sister was like having a sleepover every night. After living with girls, I know that to be a fact. Some might think it's hard to share a bathroom with another girl, but I would rather share a bathroom with 7 other girls (which I did for 2 years) than 1 boy any day. When getting ready together you can blast Taylor Swift, sharing sink space and makeup. With brothers, there's no sharing. If one of my brothers is in our bathroom, it becomes a men's room. If I'm in the bathroom, it becomes my sacred temple for a quick shower or lengthy spa treatment depending on the day. Sometimes I'm reading a magazine and my bath takes all of 10 minutes, other times I'm reading Rainbow Rowell and I'm in there for the better part of Titanic.
There have to be some parts of life that are just easier with brothers. For instance, I've never had the problem of a sister constantly stealing my clothes. I have worn my oldest brother's clothes on occasion. I'll borrow his t-shirts or basketball jerseys and he would never deign lower himself to wear his sister's clothes, so it's a win-win for me, or as my parents call it, "inconsiderate".
So I guess we all just make do with what we get. I think that having younger brothers has helped mold me into the bossy, demanding (somewhat boyish) girl I am today. Brother or sister, we figure that whatever specimen our parents bring home from the hospital is between them and God. Then we do our best to push the boundaries of normal human interaction until someone moves out.
May the odds be ever in your favor.
*I 100% made that up.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Taylor Year or Die
I am in the middle of my Taylor Year and honestly I don't think I'm doing it justice. I currently have no disgruntled ex-boyfriends, no friends who are models, no cute pajamas and no cats. What I do have is ex-boyfriends who forgot I exist, friends who are model citizens, at least one pair of pajamas with only 1 major tear and 2 pairs of cat socks. Not to mention the knowledge that of Taylor's cats, I am more like Olivia. Take the Buzzfeed quiz for yourselves, I can only hope that the results will be as life-changing for you as they were for me.
My point is, there are some big milestone birthdays that everyone recognizes as special. When you turn 13 you're no longer a teenager, when you turn 16 you can drive. The year you turn 18 you become an adult and on the day you turn 21 it's only 4 more years until you can rent a car. But eventually, our birthdays stop becoming special and instead of being excited for 22, people celebrate the 2nd anniversary of their 21st. Then 22 became the official Taylor Year, 23 became the Jordan Year and we can now wait until the ripe old age of 24 to stop getting excited about our birthdays.
What if almost every birthday became special in some way? Like how there's a theme for almost every wedding anniversary, except this is enjoyable for old maids like myself as well. Here are my thoughts...
7 - Beckham Year
Spend year 7 playing football and getting tatted. For some unknown reason you will spend most of this year listening to the Spice Girls. Possible side effects include walking around in your underwear because you think you're an Armani model.
10 - Carli Year
This year is like having a 365-day supply of felix felicis. All you do is win. Everything you touch turns to hat trick. You buy one soda out of a vending machine and get 3. 1 guy asks you out and 2 more follow suit. Welcome to paradise.
12 - Brady Year
Whenever the other kids ask you to play you deflate all of the sports balls and deny any wrongdoing.
21 - Adele Year
You spend this year with a beehive bouffant and talking in a British accent. Unfortunately, during your Adele Year you cannot come into contact with rain or you will involuntarily set fire to it.
22 - Taylor Year
Collect cats and boyfriends. Form your #SQUAD. You begin to transition into a sleeker, more adult style while remaining a kid at heart. Don't be afraid of bangs, you will rock them.
23 - Jordan Year
What does one even do during their Jordan Year? You'll wear a lot of rings and a lot of Nike. Maybe dabble in baseball.
24 - Kobe Year
For your 24th year, anytime someone asks you to hand them something you ignore them. For added effect, pretend that no one else exists ever.
26 - Roosevelt Year Pt. 1
At 26 you will basically be Ron Swanson with a dash on conservation. Horseback will become your preferred method of transportation and you may develop an unexplained penchant for carrying a big stick around.
30 - Tina Year
During your 30 Rock Year, the world is your stage. Tea length dresses and quirky glasses abound. Get ready for a lot of Mean Girls quotes, but isn't that every year?
32 - Roosevelt Year Pt. 2
In your FDR Year you will become unable to say no to anything referred to by an organizational anagram. If someone asks you to donate to the ASPCA, GOP, UNC whatever, you just can't say no. You will also develop an odd obsession with radios.
33 - Bird Year
33 is the year of the short shorts. You like the average suburban father, but play basketball like one of the greats. You also get irrationally angry at any mention of magic.
43 - Polamalu Year
The only thing special about this year is that you have fabulous hair with remarkable strength, curl and growth, but isn't that enough?
44 - Beyonce Year
4 is Queen Bey's favorite number, so your 44th year will be #FLAWLESS. You suddenly wear a lot of sequin bodysuits and every picture taken of you looks even better than the last. An interesting thing about this year, anytime you are with 2 other individuals, you will become the only person visible to the rest of the world. Hmm.
59 - Kuechly Year
First of all, you will be insanely attractive at 59, some would even say...mighty fine. Additionally, you're so cute.
99 - Jay Z Year
Unfortunately, the Jay Z Year is riddled with problems, 99 to be exact. But come on, you're 99 years old, what did you expect? The good news is, you will never have women trouble.
100 - Benjamin Year
It's all about the Benjamin Year baby. Once you reach 100, what can't you do? Work as an inventor, writer, scientist, politician, diplomat or ophthalmologist take your pick and pick your wig.
My point is, there are some big milestone birthdays that everyone recognizes as special. When you turn 13 you're no longer a teenager, when you turn 16 you can drive. The year you turn 18 you become an adult and on the day you turn 21 it's only 4 more years until you can rent a car. But eventually, our birthdays stop becoming special and instead of being excited for 22, people celebrate the 2nd anniversary of their 21st. Then 22 became the official Taylor Year, 23 became the Jordan Year and we can now wait until the ripe old age of 24 to stop getting excited about our birthdays.
What if almost every birthday became special in some way? Like how there's a theme for almost every wedding anniversary, except this is enjoyable for old maids like myself as well. Here are my thoughts...
7 - Beckham Year
Spend year 7 playing football and getting tatted. For some unknown reason you will spend most of this year listening to the Spice Girls. Possible side effects include walking around in your underwear because you think you're an Armani model.
10 - Carli Year
This year is like having a 365-day supply of felix felicis. All you do is win. Everything you touch turns to hat trick. You buy one soda out of a vending machine and get 3. 1 guy asks you out and 2 more follow suit. Welcome to paradise.
12 - Brady Year
Whenever the other kids ask you to play you deflate all of the sports balls and deny any wrongdoing.
21 - Adele Year
You spend this year with a beehive bouffant and talking in a British accent. Unfortunately, during your Adele Year you cannot come into contact with rain or you will involuntarily set fire to it.
22 - Taylor Year
Collect cats and boyfriends. Form your #SQUAD. You begin to transition into a sleeker, more adult style while remaining a kid at heart. Don't be afraid of bangs, you will rock them.
23 - Jordan Year
What does one even do during their Jordan Year? You'll wear a lot of rings and a lot of Nike. Maybe dabble in baseball.
24 - Kobe Year
For your 24th year, anytime someone asks you to hand them something you ignore them. For added effect, pretend that no one else exists ever.
26 - Roosevelt Year Pt. 1
At 26 you will basically be Ron Swanson with a dash on conservation. Horseback will become your preferred method of transportation and you may develop an unexplained penchant for carrying a big stick around.
30 - Tina Year
During your 30 Rock Year, the world is your stage. Tea length dresses and quirky glasses abound. Get ready for a lot of Mean Girls quotes, but isn't that every year?
32 - Roosevelt Year Pt. 2
In your FDR Year you will become unable to say no to anything referred to by an organizational anagram. If someone asks you to donate to the ASPCA, GOP, UNC whatever, you just can't say no. You will also develop an odd obsession with radios.
33 - Bird Year
33 is the year of the short shorts. You like the average suburban father, but play basketball like one of the greats. You also get irrationally angry at any mention of magic.
43 - Polamalu Year
The only thing special about this year is that you have fabulous hair with remarkable strength, curl and growth, but isn't that enough?
44 - Beyonce Year
4 is Queen Bey's favorite number, so your 44th year will be #FLAWLESS. You suddenly wear a lot of sequin bodysuits and every picture taken of you looks even better than the last. An interesting thing about this year, anytime you are with 2 other individuals, you will become the only person visible to the rest of the world. Hmm.
59 - Kuechly Year
First of all, you will be insanely attractive at 59, some would even say...mighty fine. Additionally, you're so cute.
99 - Jay Z Year
Unfortunately, the Jay Z Year is riddled with problems, 99 to be exact. But come on, you're 99 years old, what did you expect? The good news is, you will never have women trouble.
100 - Benjamin Year
It's all about the Benjamin Year baby. Once you reach 100, what can't you do? Work as an inventor, writer, scientist, politician, diplomat or ophthalmologist take your pick and pick your wig.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Thoughts While Checking Into American Horror Story: Hotel
This whole post is one big spoiler, so if for some reason you have yet to watch the premiere of American Horror Story's 5th season, no judgment. I understand, some days I'm super productive and watch an entire season of Parks and Rec and then other days I get sidetracked and end up Instagram-stalking the youngest Kardashians all the way back to 2011. But Lady Gaga stars in AHS: Hotel so please get with it sooner rather than later.
And once you've caught up, read this! My initial thoughts during AHS: Hotel episode 1. In a very particular order.
1. "No refunds. Welcome to America." Tbh...accurate.
2. I think we all know the foreigners will die within the first episode. Something about them, they def. lack staying power.
3. This place will grow on you."...yeah that's not creepy at all. That's pretty much AHS character speak for "you can never leave." I'm calling it now. Hotel California.
4. No wifi AND it's a dead zone? The viewer discretion warnings weren't kidding. I'm a viewer and I'm discressed. They could end the season right here honestly. What could be more horrifying? AHS: No Reception. Starring Sprint.
5. 100% no. 50 shades of over those kids. I am hopping on the first train straight out of Doneville. Buh bye.
6. Who travels with candles? I feel like this needs further explanation.
7. I have never been more terrified of a mattress. And half of my furniture was picked up from curbs in Chapel Hill. I've seen things.
8. I automatically turned the volume down because that makes it less scary right? That seems logical.
9. Dude is that thing coming out of the mattress me going to the beach for the first time after a long winter? How did they get footage of that?
10. I don't think any title sequence image will ever be more terrifying than that smiling nun from AHS: Asylum. But that could stem from my deep-seated fear of Catholicism. I blame the Kennedys.
11. Room 64 I feel like that is important. After years of watching TV like it's my job, hobby and only friend, my powers are telling me to remember this.
12. Note to my closest friends: if I ever find myself in this position, if I am this guy with no eyes or tongue, please just kill me. Literally begging you.
13. Y'all are making more assumptions about this crime scene than an English professor at a literary metaphors convention.
14. That's why no one born after the formation of the Spice Girls answers the phone when there is no contact for the number. Because it's almost always an unknown killer pretending to be your somewhat estranged wife Chloe Sevigny.
15. I recognize Schmidt from the jawline alone.
16. This seems out of character for her right? Just handing over keys like that with no money.
17. Yeah room 64 again. Nothing good is going on in there.
18. For some reason I doubt that the elevator is even out of service. I don't think it's terribly important I just don't believe her and I want that on the record.
19. YASSSSS Queen Sarah how I've missed you. Is it too late to change my Halloween costume to Hypodermic Sally?
20. This maid has seen (and cleaned) too much. Also I wish she was Moira from AHS: Murder House.
21. I'm confused, you're confused, we're all confused. That's the AHS I know and love.
22. Why would you run TOWARDS these blonde children?
23. GUYLINER. That is all. It appears all caps is becoming a thing in this post. I'M NOT SORRY.
24. Wait, what are they wearing? Are they matadors? I can't tell what this look is supposed to be.
25. But also YASSSS GAGA YASSSS SLAY.
26. She's probably actually gonna slay someone.
27. Tbh I haven't been on a date in so long this might be normal.
28. Oh hey girls I forgot about you. They're not gonna give America a good Yelp review.
29. I recognize that this is disgusting, but have these girls ever seen AHS? Obvi not, because this is like the least cruel thing Kathy's character could possibly be doing. They're lucky she's not dismembering them. This is honestly not that bad. I've accidentally cooked things that tasted worse, I'm sure.
30. Cannot wait to learn about why Iris and Sally have beef.
31. What's in room 33?!
32. Sorry girl I am 100% leaving you. If you make it back to Slovakia or wherever we can fight about this then.
33. This is like a baseball player looking at the ball he hit when he should be running to 1st, drives me crazy. You deserve to get thrown out. Or...that.
34. Really starting to wonder what they're using for the fake blood. It's a recurring theme here.
35. Just what every little girl wants, to be left alone at the scene of a possible crime involving my mother at night.
36. His kid is so gonna get abducted. List of people who know this kid is getting napped: the kid, the napper, Pepper, all bystanders, Lady Gaga, Delphine LaLaurie, people 3 counties over, Sister Mary Eunice.
37. His kid is totes a baby vamp. Baby vamp that sounds like the name of a Harajuku girl.
38. Marcy! Hey girl!
39. This Lachlan kid kind of looks like an Olsen.*
40. Okay Lachlan is annoying. If your dad doesn't want you talking to strangers, then why did your dad leave you alone with a stranger? Huh Lachlan?
41. Holden! Oh he's so cute and is he talking weird? And did Lachlan smile creepily? I do not feel good about this AT ALL.
42. Okay this is a flashback. Gotta get used to recognizing those.
43. BAD. This is BAD.
44. We gotta work on this lipstick girl. That hurts my heart. Miranda Sings called. She got lipstick all over the phone.
45. Real talk how is she walking in heels rn?
46. Standing by the window is probably the worst idea ever, can't really feel sorry for her. As long as she stays on the show I don't care if she's dead or alive.
47. Hotel California, there it is. (See #3)This explains so much.
*Did some research. No relation.
And once you've caught up, read this! My initial thoughts during AHS: Hotel episode 1. In a very particular order.
1. "No refunds. Welcome to America." Tbh...accurate.
2. I think we all know the foreigners will die within the first episode. Something about them, they def. lack staying power.
3. This place will grow on you."...yeah that's not creepy at all. That's pretty much AHS character speak for "you can never leave." I'm calling it now. Hotel California.
4. No wifi AND it's a dead zone? The viewer discretion warnings weren't kidding. I'm a viewer and I'm discressed. They could end the season right here honestly. What could be more horrifying? AHS: No Reception. Starring Sprint.
5. 100% no. 50 shades of over those kids. I am hopping on the first train straight out of Doneville. Buh bye.
6. Who travels with candles? I feel like this needs further explanation.
7. I have never been more terrified of a mattress. And half of my furniture was picked up from curbs in Chapel Hill. I've seen things.
8. I automatically turned the volume down because that makes it less scary right? That seems logical.
9. Dude is that thing coming out of the mattress me going to the beach for the first time after a long winter? How did they get footage of that?
10. I don't think any title sequence image will ever be more terrifying than that smiling nun from AHS: Asylum. But that could stem from my deep-seated fear of Catholicism. I blame the Kennedys.
11. Room 64 I feel like that is important. After years of watching TV like it's my job, hobby and only friend, my powers are telling me to remember this.
12. Note to my closest friends: if I ever find myself in this position, if I am this guy with no eyes or tongue, please just kill me. Literally begging you.
13. Y'all are making more assumptions about this crime scene than an English professor at a literary metaphors convention.
14. That's why no one born after the formation of the Spice Girls answers the phone when there is no contact for the number. Because it's almost always an unknown killer pretending to be your somewhat estranged wife Chloe Sevigny.
15. I recognize Schmidt from the jawline alone.
16. This seems out of character for her right? Just handing over keys like that with no money.
17. Yeah room 64 again. Nothing good is going on in there.
18. For some reason I doubt that the elevator is even out of service. I don't think it's terribly important I just don't believe her and I want that on the record.
19. YASSSSS Queen Sarah how I've missed you. Is it too late to change my Halloween costume to Hypodermic Sally?
20. This maid has seen (and cleaned) too much. Also I wish she was Moira from AHS: Murder House.
21. I'm confused, you're confused, we're all confused. That's the AHS I know and love.
22. Why would you run TOWARDS these blonde children?
23. GUYLINER. That is all. It appears all caps is becoming a thing in this post. I'M NOT SORRY.
24. Wait, what are they wearing? Are they matadors? I can't tell what this look is supposed to be.
25. But also YASSSS GAGA YASSSS SLAY.
26. She's probably actually gonna slay someone.
27. Tbh I haven't been on a date in so long this might be normal.
28. Oh hey girls I forgot about you. They're not gonna give America a good Yelp review.
29. I recognize that this is disgusting, but have these girls ever seen AHS? Obvi not, because this is like the least cruel thing Kathy's character could possibly be doing. They're lucky she's not dismembering them. This is honestly not that bad. I've accidentally cooked things that tasted worse, I'm sure.
30. Cannot wait to learn about why Iris and Sally have beef.
31. What's in room 33?!
32. Sorry girl I am 100% leaving you. If you make it back to Slovakia or wherever we can fight about this then.
33. This is like a baseball player looking at the ball he hit when he should be running to 1st, drives me crazy. You deserve to get thrown out. Or...that.
34. Really starting to wonder what they're using for the fake blood. It's a recurring theme here.
35. Just what every little girl wants, to be left alone at the scene of a possible crime involving my mother at night.
36. His kid is so gonna get abducted. List of people who know this kid is getting napped: the kid, the napper, Pepper, all bystanders, Lady Gaga, Delphine LaLaurie, people 3 counties over, Sister Mary Eunice.
37. His kid is totes a baby vamp. Baby vamp that sounds like the name of a Harajuku girl.
38. Marcy! Hey girl!
39. This Lachlan kid kind of looks like an Olsen.*
40. Okay Lachlan is annoying. If your dad doesn't want you talking to strangers, then why did your dad leave you alone with a stranger? Huh Lachlan?
41. Holden! Oh he's so cute and is he talking weird? And did Lachlan smile creepily? I do not feel good about this AT ALL.
42. Okay this is a flashback. Gotta get used to recognizing those.
43. BAD. This is BAD.
44. We gotta work on this lipstick girl. That hurts my heart. Miranda Sings called. She got lipstick all over the phone.
45. Real talk how is she walking in heels rn?
46. Standing by the window is probably the worst idea ever, can't really feel sorry for her. As long as she stays on the show I don't care if she's dead or alive.
47. Hotel California, there it is. (See #3)This explains so much.
*Did some research. No relation.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
SIGN UP TO DANCE
There's this widely held belief that as you get older, you outgrow some things. When you learn to walk, you stop crawling. When you start college, you quit reading The Baby-Sitters Club (at least that's what my mom told me). When you get a job, you outgrow your parents' health insurance plans. For the past 5 months since I graduated college, some people have been waiting for me to outgrow Carolina For The Kinds Foundation and UNC Dance Marathon.
That is simply never going to happen. I just signed up to dance for the 5th year in a row. People who have never participated in a dance marathon ask me how I do it, standing for 24 hours year after year. It's not about standing. It's about believing.
I believe in the magic that happens for 24 hours every year in Fetzer Gym. I believe that every decision we make says something about the world that we want to live in. I want to live in a world where others would stand for me. I believe in the goodness in others. I believe in service over self. And I believe Kid President, it's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance.
So I don't stand so I can raise money, or see great performances or eat delicious food (you're welcome). I don't stand to make friends, it was just a happy coincidence.
I DANCE because spending 24 hours a year thinking about others is the least I can do. I DANCE because it takes a village. I DANCE because a 30 second dance party can erase 30 minutes of stress. I DANCE because Carolina For The Kids, and every soul I have had the pleasure of meeting through this organization, has changed my life. The love that this organization has shown me, and allowed me to show others, is miraculous, transformative and endless.
And now, some words of appreciation to some of my very best friends:
SNL
My very own committee, thank you for letting me test my stand-up on you every week last year. Thank you for cutting bagels and throwing mayonnaise packets and calling every restaurant in the great state of North Carolina. SNLove for SNLife.
Morale
My spirit committee. Thank you for being you. I'm happy to be the wind beneath your freak flag. Thank you for the social media stalking, the candy, the gifts, the cards and most of all for pretending I'm funny.
Be weird. Be freaky. Be yourselves. Be me and Jean-Luc.
Exec 2014
Thank you for believing in me and giving me the chance to give back to the organization that has given more to me than I could ever hope to repay. I've loved every second spent trying to even the scales.
Exec 2015
My best friends. Thank you for the hot cocoa, Kit Kats, memes, parties, my birthday pinata, therapy sessions, Cards Against Humanity, pageviews, sporting events, social media posts, meals and crazy love. Thank you for filling my senior year with love, laughs and Landon's goat noises.
Exec 2016
Thank you for keeping the magic alive and for the countless hours you have in store. I can assure you that it is all so very worth it.
The Kids & Families
Thank you for fighting. Thank you for giving us something to believe in. Thank you for sharing your time and your stories with us. Never give up.
Now go to carolinaftk.org/dance and SIGN UP TO DANCE!
If you're still not convinced, here are links to some videos that I rewatch at least once a month to revel in all my former glory.
2016 DRW
What do Danny Green and I have in common? We both look great in black and we're both for the kids! Go Spurs go!
Stand By Me
A fantastic video by a publicity rockstar. If you've never been to UNC Dance Marathon, this is as good as it gets until you sign up to dance at carolinaftk.org/dance.
2015 DRW
Come on, come on, come on and sign up to dance!
2015 Exec Introductions
Yes, that's me eating a grilled cheese. Thank you Jacob for this cinematic masterpiece.
2015 By the Numbers
This gives me chills every time. Also you're welcome for the duct tape. 2015 committee members, I'm sorry you don't have any fingerprints left after set up but now you're prepared for an international life of crime.
2015 Total Reveal
Now my chills have chills. The single greatest moment of my life. If you think I'm exaggerating then you obviously don't know me.
I all my life, I will never be prouder of anything than my 2015 CFTK superlative, Most Likely To Do Anything FTK.
That is simply never going to happen. I just signed up to dance for the 5th year in a row. People who have never participated in a dance marathon ask me how I do it, standing for 24 hours year after year. It's not about standing. It's about believing.
I believe in the magic that happens for 24 hours every year in Fetzer Gym. I believe that every decision we make says something about the world that we want to live in. I want to live in a world where others would stand for me. I believe in the goodness in others. I believe in service over self. And I believe Kid President, it's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance.
So I don't stand so I can raise money, or see great performances or eat delicious food (you're welcome). I don't stand to make friends, it was just a happy coincidence.
I DANCE because spending 24 hours a year thinking about others is the least I can do. I DANCE because it takes a village. I DANCE because a 30 second dance party can erase 30 minutes of stress. I DANCE because Carolina For The Kids, and every soul I have had the pleasure of meeting through this organization, has changed my life. The love that this organization has shown me, and allowed me to show others, is miraculous, transformative and endless.
And now, some words of appreciation to some of my very best friends:
SNL
My very own committee, thank you for letting me test my stand-up on you every week last year. Thank you for cutting bagels and throwing mayonnaise packets and calling every restaurant in the great state of North Carolina. SNLove for SNLife.
Morale
My spirit committee. Thank you for being you. I'm happy to be the wind beneath your freak flag. Thank you for the social media stalking, the candy, the gifts, the cards and most of all for pretending I'm funny.
Be weird. Be freaky. Be yourselves. Be me and Jean-Luc.
Exec 2014
Thank you for believing in me and giving me the chance to give back to the organization that has given more to me than I could ever hope to repay. I've loved every second spent trying to even the scales.
Exec 2015
My best friends. Thank you for the hot cocoa, Kit Kats, memes, parties, my birthday pinata, therapy sessions, Cards Against Humanity, pageviews, sporting events, social media posts, meals and crazy love. Thank you for filling my senior year with love, laughs and Landon's goat noises.
Exec 2016
Thank you for keeping the magic alive and for the countless hours you have in store. I can assure you that it is all so very worth it.
The Kids & Families
Thank you for fighting. Thank you for giving us something to believe in. Thank you for sharing your time and your stories with us. Never give up.
Now go to carolinaftk.org/dance and SIGN UP TO DANCE!
If you're still not convinced, here are links to some videos that I rewatch at least once a month to revel in all my former glory.
2016 DRW
What do Danny Green and I have in common? We both look great in black and we're both for the kids! Go Spurs go!
Stand By Me
A fantastic video by a publicity rockstar. If you've never been to UNC Dance Marathon, this is as good as it gets until you sign up to dance at carolinaftk.org/dance.
2015 DRW
Come on, come on, come on and sign up to dance!
2015 Exec Introductions
Yes, that's me eating a grilled cheese. Thank you Jacob for this cinematic masterpiece.
2015 By the Numbers
This gives me chills every time. Also you're welcome for the duct tape. 2015 committee members, I'm sorry you don't have any fingerprints left after set up but now you're prepared for an international life of crime.
2015 Total Reveal
Now my chills have chills. The single greatest moment of my life. If you think I'm exaggerating then you obviously don't know me.
I all my life, I will never be prouder of anything than my 2015 CFTK superlative, Most Likely To Do Anything FTK.
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