A final indulgence: More senior goodbyes
January 28th, 2005
C. Price Jones
News Editor
Best moment: “We don’t need photo ... umm, where is photo?” “They went on strike.” “Oh, sh. I guess we have to break in and get cameras.” “Ok, now we have to go to the hardware store and buy a new lock. Where’s the power drill?”
To all friends I made since September 2001, freshman year, you made my college experience. Leaving the building would not be hard if you were not the best of friends, here for me in spite of my arrogance and attempts at bravado and assholishness. Remember the past three Jeopardy parties, Meijers trips after editor elections, late nights arguing with Louie, terrible grammatically accurate and topically inconsistent reads, and pink polo shirts popped pre-popularity.
To Jordan, Berkowitz, Tyler: Sept. 11, our first glorious day. To Jen: Freshman English and “Franny and Zooey.” Props to Kylene and Shabina, who left too early. To Carmen, Emily, and Tomislav: you should have been an editor instead of me. To each of my Daily points: you are hot; please more fine young writers. To Andrew McCormack and Andrew Kaplan: you never met deadlines, and I’m glad we’re friends and not coworkers related to government reporting.
To youngins: learn to respect the South and The Sound and the Fury. Journalism is only a test for you; write your novels, short stories, poems. Come visit me in Alexandria, Egypt, when you graduate. Most need interviews: you just need to come. To Adrian and Donn, you are the next Daily point takers. Lay it down.
Zac Peskowitz
Editorial Page Editor and Film Editor
Truman Capote, Norman Mailer and Tom Wolfe made me do it.
A fair number of people wander into the Daily believing that they will make the revolution. For some reason these intrepid staffers equipped with their pet cause tend to coalesce around the paper’s edit page. Both leftists and rightists have launched various gambits to turn the Daily into their echo chamber. Neglecting the fundamental truth that the fuel of a newspaper is prose, these efforts have been singularly unsuccessful.
Each of us had a unique motivation for walking into the Student Publications Building. For those of you who have ever felt shivers pass up and down your spine when paging through the heroic prose of the new journalists, join the Daily right now. You’ll have the privilege of working with the most decent people on campus.
Eric Ambinder
Sports Editor
It was Joe Smith’s welcoming demeanor that gave me the nerve to walk into my first sports meeting. It was J. Brady’s encouragement and friendship that kept me interested. John Lowe’s guidance, wisdom and companionship ignited the pilot light.
I haven’t spent the past two and half years at the Daily because I love sports, or writing or seeing my name in the paper. It’s been the people I’ve met and the lessons I’ve learned. I found the perfect challenge.
I can’t possibly thank everyone who deserves it. If you know me, you know I appreciate you.
But I will give a special shout out to my buddy Jim Weber, the Realest, a Daily alum. He’s doing what I really want to be doing right now. I just need to find the courage to do it too.
My only regret was not finding the Daily as a freshman.
Sam Woll
News Reporter and Edit Board Member
I first stepped into the glorious building that is 420 Maynard three and a
half years ago as a curious freshman who never stopped asking questions.
Sitting here, years later, in front of this illustrious, crystal white
Macintosh screen, the questions have not stopped and the corresponding
experiences have been profound and invaluable.
Radical people with radical ideas have the power to change the world; I
have been blessed at the Daily with good karma and beautiful friends and it
is with great love that I thank you all. At the Daily I met those who would
join me on my first DC road-trip, experienced my first large-scale protest,
first trusted and challenged my writing, found a life's passion, found
friends, found a deep respect for the written word and an even deeper
respect for those capable of unleashing its secrets.
Even though the color orange pulled me away for a short time, this building
called me back, enchanting me to pursue, inquire and forge ahead. Long ago, there
were orators and poets and my friends, we are still here. Words inspire
and enchant. Odysseus and Joyce were among to pave the same way and Neal,
you share the same gifts.
Learn, live, love and let go. Listen.
What a long strange trip it's been. Neal, John, Ari, Rob, Enders,
Livshiz, Grass, Roth, Andrew, Berkowitz, Spurgeon, Jenny, Devin, Monica,
Hundertwasser, Hertzl, this one's for you. Cheers.
Peace in the Middle East.
Sravya Chirumamilla
Weekend Editor and Associate Editorial Page Editor
I showed up at 420 Maynard like most others on this page, a disoriented freshman due to some urging from a departing senior who had “some personal attachment to the paper,” much like I find myself three years later.
Would I have done better in my classes had I not stepped into this building?
Yes. Could I have gotten a better education than at the Daily? No.
Zac, Aubrey, Manish, Louie, Todd, Scott, Charles, Rebecca -- My teachers, my mentors, whom I will always admire.
My summer 2003 staff -- We covered one of the most important stories of this university’s history and should remain proud of our achievements.
I am confident that the incoming editors will continue the Daily’s tradition of excellence due in large part to their extraordinary leaders, Jason (Sparky) and Alison.
LANS, 120, IHOP, roundtable, etc. -- We’ll always have the Link, the diag, kidnapping, Hindi movies, NYPD, mafia, DRAMA and so much more.
Joel -- I’ll be home soon.
Mostly, I need to thank my parents who have allowed me to explore that which was novel and unknown. Your support and guidance is invaluable.
Katie Marie Gates
Arts Editor
I can’t believe I’m a senior! Chance landed me in the Daily Arts room two years ago and I found out that I could get paid, albeit little, for doing what I love best, watching television. Interestingly enough, as my career took off, TV programming deteriorated over the past couple of years. But I guess it is a good sign that my life turned out to be better than any of those television melodramas I was infatuated with during freshman year. Never the less, thanks to Katie, Jill and Leslie for watching “Dawson’s Creek” and “Felicity” with me over the years and not laughing when I cried during the corny scenes. I couldn’t ask for better friends.
Even though I was stressed out with deadlines at times and annoyed by never-ending elections meetings, I learned a lot at the Daily and got a lot of free stuff in the process. Thanks to everyone for making my stay a memorable one, especially my Daily TV staff, Ryan Blay, Luke, Jeff, Todd, Scott, Jason Roberts, Jordan, Joel, Sravya, Niamh, Adam, Sarah, and Melissa. Oh...and Doug too, (remember that everything you know you learned from me.) Best of luck to Daily Arts and the future staffs of The Michigan Daily.
B. Harig
Arts Writer
I would like to thank every jerk, asshole, bitch, and overall lameass on this campus, nay city, for making me hate this place at times. Without these folk, it would be nearly impossible to appreciate just how amazing the “good guys” have been.
Thanks to various Daily Arts staff for making me at least feel semi-welcome as the stranger I am to this building. Thanks J-Ho for getting me into this building and sorry Andrew for sucking at everything to do with correct format. Doug, Steve Cotner, Jason, Benton, Jordan and others have been just swell. Sam Butler is my favorite drinking friend ever. Props to the underclassmen who came to my party and gave me a mixtape CD. Little matches Daily Elections and Jeopardy and I thank the staff as a whole for that.
As for the little people, I love everyone in the “Harig Needs to Drink Less” Facebook group. To anyone who reads this and goes, “Oh, I know him,” mad props. If anyone who reads this and goes “Oh, I hate that kid,” fuck off, same back at ya buddy* and your music taste sucks. I want to give a shout out to Bill Clinton, we miss ya B. I would like to thank the great Labatt company for such an amazing Light product; Captain Morgan deserves a national holiday. I spell family Eason, Messing, Kienman, Siytugdwitz, Mokris, Kolarik. Rachel. You know. And Colin, my wonderful little dog, even you kick a bit of ass.
Kevin Hollifield
Arts Writer
Thanks Michigan for being better than okay for most days.
I’ve only been here two years, but in that short time, I feel that I’ve learned so much. I feel that I am a much better person now because of it. I am also much better at writing about mediocre to terrible TV shows.
Since I don’t want to leave anyone out, I won’t thank anyone here by name. I will thank them all personally later. In any event, thank you to all at the Daily who have helped me hone my skills and write about my second favorite subject, which is television. A special thanks to the TV staff that liked to discuss “Saved by the Bell” and other shows that allowed me to justify wasting all those hours watching them during my elementary school years. I would also like to thank the paper for holding my beautiful words. Also, thank you to my editors that made me sound coherent and logical, changing everything in the article except the byline. I am also grateful for the DVDs of mediocre movies that I’ll never watch again, but fill up my shelf.
Honestly, this has been a great experience. I have so many memories. Remember that time with those people where that thing happened? Yeah, that was awesome. I’ve also had other opportunities to improve my writing skills and have made friendships that will be ever-lasting, relationships that I hope to exploit when I look for a job. Now, looking back, I’m starting to get all teary-eyed. Damn you, Daily, you’ve made me an emotional person.
Hell, I can’t go out like that. Seriously, thank you to everybody who has helped me, made me laugh, laughed at my stupid jokes, not called me names, or just found it best not to say anything. I appreciate it and will not forget you.
Ellen McGarrity
Sports Night Editor and Weekend Columnist
It was quite by accident that I began to write for the Daily sports section. My sophomore year, I was fortunate to run into sports editor Chris Burke - an old high school friend - who encouraged me to try it out. I didn’t even like sports then ... but look at me now. One trip to the Rose Bowl, over 100 sports articles, and many sports roadtrips later and I am a changed woman.
It’s amazing to think back on the hundreds of hours I’ve spent in the ancient Student Publications Building. People have told me that they actually think we throw this paper together in something like two hours! What a myth. Many a night, I have spent from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. finishing the sports section.
But those hours were not wasted. I will always remember playing “shelf ball” with the great J. Brady McCollough and Jim Weber. I will remember the trips to Taco Bell with Chris Burke and Dan Bremmer. I will remember catching up on all the Daily gossip with one of my best friends and fellow sports editors Megan Kolodgy. I will remember the crazy soccer video game tournaments at Bob Hunt and Brian Schick’s apartment. I will remember the roadtrips and women’s basketball press conferences with Eric Ambinder and Josh Holman. I will remember passing notes and giggling too loudly during Daily elections.
I will remember all those classes of writers above me who gave me such inspiration. In turn, I hope to have inspired a few younger than me.
When I look back on my college years, the Daily will undoubtedly be the thing that overshadows most of my other memories. Thank-you to everyone who has touched me during my years here.
Josh Holman
Sports Editor
Just recently, someone asked me what worth comes out of sports writing. I didn’t really have an answer at first. I have the greatest job in the world. I get free passes and free food to all the sporting events I could dream of. I get paid to venture out on road trips and watch basketball games. Sometimes, I’ve felt like the luckiest guy in the world. Have I really been helping anyone but myself?
But after realizing my days at 420 Maynard are numbered, I started to look around. I’ve made some friends that have affected my life, and I can only hope I touched theirs half as much. Sometimes the best feeling is to watch these young writers grow and teach them a skill they will carry with them wherever they go. Nothing is stronger than the pen.
So thanks to the person who made me think about it. Thanks to my Michigan Marching Bandsmen for letting me disappear here sometimes and to Lindsay for understanding why I had to. Thanks to John Lowe for your river of wisdom. And to Ian and the rest of the crew I leave behind, GID.
Andrew M. Gaerig
Music Editor
Per most of my work here at the daily, I thought the following space would be best used for self-aggrandizement, calling people out, disfurbulating about topics over which I have no authority, and pissing off my mother by swearing in print, using the family surname. As such:
Fuck Mom and Dad, for always reading. Fuck Luke and Jeff for teaching me to be an asshole. Fuck Scott for liking Pavement and Joel for abandoning the Tigers. Fuck the guys from Spoon for laughing at me. Fuck Alexandra and Niamh for working with me for a whole summer. Fuck Evan for being so excitable; fuck me for encouraging him. Fuck Jordan for hating MF Doom, fuck JZ for always forgiving me, fuck Jason for always ensuring that the layout was better than the writing. Fuck Adam and Doug for taking my poker money. Fuck Jared for liking jam bands, and fuck Horowitz, whose friend assaulted me. Fuck Forest for putting up with my shit. Fuck Chris for never letting me off easy. Fuck everyone who didn’t read my weekend columns. Fuck the girls on campus who gave me the pervert look. Fuck Miles for knowing how to tell a joke, and making me listen to CCR; fuck Dan for finding the humor in everything, telling great stories, and for making me listen to Jay-Z. Fuck commas in a series. Fuck Sara and Lauren for always reading. Fuck Cy for scaring me, and Katie for always being scared. Fuck Beyer for his evil sense of humor, fuck Ryan for being a better musician than me. Fuck Annora for calming me down, and for smiling and laughing at my jokes. Fuck the music staff: You humored me more than I ever imagined or deserved. Fuck me for putzing around for a whole year before finding the Daily. Evan: That corner belongs to people like you, Joel and me. Fuck ‘em up, kid, and then give it to someone else who makes lists. Last year Scott Serilla told me and a few others to “keep it real.” Fuck keeping it real: I’m the only one still around. Evan, Alex, Punit, Jacob, Lloyd, Forest and especially Chris: Know your shit, and walk around like you own the building. Sometimes I wish I could’ve spent my entire four years with you guys. Fuck everyone else who let me scream at the top of my lungs and act like an elitist dickhead. Fuck you all for making it absolutely impossible for me to sit in my room and do nothing but listen to deleted Songs: Ohia single.
Andrew McCormack
News Reporter
It’s strange, really, to have spent two years of your life working at something, and be left at the end with nothing to say. As most of you know, I have no desire to be a journalist at all. To be perfectly honest, there was a point when the excitement I felt by being at the Daily declined into boredom, then a sense of tired responsibility, and finally almost complete apathy. Consequently, my work at the Daily means little to me. What means a great deal to me are the people that I spent so much time there with. Wherever you walk in these next many years, know that my good wishes walk there too. God bless you all.
Carmen Johnson
News Editor
People who write for the Daily are always saying, “The Daily saved me.” Well, it’s true. Writing for a student paper can save your life — or at least make it much more rewarding. Although staying up late to put out papers ultimately switches your nights into days and your class work into mush, seeing others reading the Daily the next day is the best feeling, even if it’s only doing the crossword puzzle. Goodbye news staff I love you guys, your dedication, your goofiness... Thanks to the editors and reporters who inspired me to stick around.
Naila Moreira
News Reporter
The Daily is the most tremendously relaxing place in my life. No matter what angst I’ve suffered in my day, I walk into this big, open hall and it all falls away.
I listen to the chatter of the reporters around me; someone’s hip-hop or jazz always seems to be tinkling away in the background. Sometimes the television’s on, with a small knot of people gathered round it to watch a sports event or take notes on a presidential speech. There’s no such thing as “quiet” here. The sounds float up toward the tall ceiling and seem both small and important simultaneously, multiple and organic and busy. Even when I’m struggling with an article, I feel more and more energized rather than more dejected and frustrated as I while away the hours.
I spent two years here as the token grad student and the token science writer, but I always felt part of it all. Science writing at the Daily has become way bigger than my contribution. Thanks especially to Alison Go, science page queen – have faith in yourself and you’ll go far. Thanks to all the science page writers and Michael, the new research beat guru. Tomislav and Emily and Kaplan and Carmen – you all rock for helping making it happen. You’ve been awesome editors. Same goes for yayteam.
After two years, I can only wish I’d been here longer and more often. Thanks.
Brian Schick
Daily Sports Editor
First of all, this isn’t goodbye — I’ll still be writing basketball stories though the end of the season. But I’m still going to get sappy and sentimental. I know how much I've bitched about spending so much time here over the past four years, but it’s been the highlight of my Michigan career. I can’t believe it’s been four years since I covered women’s tennis — my first event — four years ago.
I want to thank all my fellow editors for putting up with my B.S. for the past semester, as I know I’m not the best person to work with: Brem-den, Sharrizle, Bob and Burke. Thanks for Gennaro for being a good boss and a good person to argue with. Thanks also to the night editors who had to deal me on my nightsides: EMcG, Megology, EA Sports, Gabe, Holman and Ian. And thanks to all the other staff writers for their hard work over the years. I don’t know what I’m going to do with my Sundays next year.
A bit of advice: find something you love to do on campus and stick with it. Dive in headfirst and don’t worry if your grades go south. And always remember: Schick happens.
Joel Hoard
Arts Editor
I’m tired of editors making me write more than I want to, so I’ll make this short and sweet:
Arts: You’re by far the hippest and most enjoyable crowd at the Daily, and probably at this whole University. Plus, you’re the only section that paid more than $0.13/hour, considering all the CDs, DVDs, and video games I stole. Rock on.
Opinion: You’re like Arts, but twice as smart and half as cool. Thanks for letting me swear in my columns and piss off conservatives.
Sports: I got nothin’ against you.
News: You have bad taste in music, and I never liked you very much.
Photo: I never really considered you a real section, since all you did was take pictures. Whatever.
Now for the more personal goodbyes. If you don’t find your name here, it’s because I don’t know you or I don’t like you.Thanks to: All those who came and went before me: Luke, Jeff, Andy, Scott, Todd, Aubrey, Joey, Hussain, Jess and Ryan.
All those who are bustin’ out with me: Steve, Andrew G., Zac, Dan, Sam, Jordan, Jason, Andrew McC, Andrew H., Jared and Katie. All those I’m leavin’ behind: Jay-Z Pesick, AliGo, Adam, Doug, Evan, Ashley, Sarah, Melissa, Donn, Forest and Niamh.
Special thanks to Larry Brown, Ghostface, George W. Bush, Cliff Huxtable, David Cross and George Steinbrenner. Extra special thanks to Mom, Dad, Christian and Sravya for their love and support.
Andrew Horowitz
Daily Arts Writer
If there’s one Daily section that knows their shit (besides sports), it’s music. We fucking rock. Seriously. Very hard. Spending all my time around music, I tend to be a music snob. But in the company of fellow Daily music staff, I’m sometimes put to shame. Sure, they may not know the lineup on Somethin’ Else or the contrapuntal motif in Art of the Fugue, but they sure as hell know their rock history. Challenge them. They’ll eat you up and pour burning tea down their throats. They’ll yell the lyrics to The Queen is Dead until your ears bleed. They’re unrelenting experts, the snobbiest of the snobbiest, some of the smartest minds on this campus. And I feel privileged to be in their company. Goodbye and best wishes for future success. Thanks for everything.
Jared Newman
Daily Arts Editor
Rarely does one get the opportunity (via my Furious Five) to tell 40,000 people that his alias is “The Pimp Of Sound” and that his favorite caps in Beirut are Bell’s and Dogfish Head. I want to thank Jeff, Scott, Todd, Joel, Jason, Adam and Andrew, not just for giving me that opportunity, but for letting me interview my favorite musicians, acquire a tall stack of free video games and develop a serious passion for writing. And since every year some music editor will inevitably knock Phish, I’d like to encourage young jamband-inspired writers to show up at the Daily, write well and continue to piss off Wilco fans.
P.S. It took me three months freshman year to realize that this is a free college paper.
Bob Hunt
Daily Sports Editor
When I decided to come to Michigan, it was because I decided that I didn’t want to do journalism as a career. Little did I know that not only would I spend my entire four years here, but that the Daily would become the bane of my college experience. But, after covering a National Championship, a Frozen Four, an NIT Championship and one of the best Rose Bowls ever played among many other things, it has truly been a great ride.
I’d like to give thanks to all the people I worked with, which is what made these four years possible. To Brian, Burke, Gennaro, Sharad, Bremmer, Megan, Ellen, Brady, Weber, Naweed, Rosem, Kyle, Courtney and John Lowe, it’s been a pleasure.
Just remember to always hype it and give it your all.
Sharad Mattu
Daily Sports Editor
When my sophomore year began, I realized two things: 1.) I’d really done very little my freshman year, and 2.) That needed to change.
So I stumbled into the Daily, and now, even though I just spent the last term working 50+ hours a week for pennies in an asbestos-filled chamber, I can’t imagine leaving this place. In fact, I’m not quite sure when I’m leaving. But anyway ...
Thanks to Naweed and Brady for getting me here and then keeping me here, and thanks to my beatmates and fellow editors — Gennaro, Burke, Bremmer, Schick, Eric and Bob — for making everything about this job feel like anything but a job.
I’ve followed the wrestling, ice hockey and football teams to places like Kansas City, New Hampshire and California. I’ve spent a summer calling Al Montoya to find out if he’s leaving going pro. I’ve ... well, I could go on and on. But the point is, I loved it all, and I hope all of you who’ve just joined stick around, because you will too.
Kristin Ostby
Daily News Reporter
I spent the first two years of college really wanting to write for the Daily before I finally got the guts to step inside 420 Maynard. I’m not sure why it took so long. I guess I was scared, which was silly, and thank goodness I got over it. Some of my favorite college experiences here in this newsroom. I’ve never been surrounded by so many warm, funny, and incredibly brilliant people all at once. Thanks especially to Jordan, Tom, Ali, Carmen, Kaplan, and Emily for making me feel at home here. Your dedication to this place is nothing short of impressive. I’m really going to miss this place. Goodbye, Daily. Love, Kristin.
Sam Butler
Daily Cartoon Editor
Ever since I stumbled into the Daily, blindly looking for a job as a cartoonist, the past four years have brought laughs, tears and an enormous array of complaints. There is a special personality trait student journalists possess, a necessary asset needed in order to convince oneself to forego good grades and an active social life in order to spend countless evenings toiling over newspaper pages.
What at first may seem like a strange genetic defect, or masochistic tendencies, is initially a commitment to interacting with the community in the hopes of leaving a lasting impression. However, these lofty goals are quickly disbanded the first night you find yourself working at 2 a.m. with a looming 8 a.m. midterm for which you haven’t studied – at all.
Despite the numerous doubts and affirmations to quit, I find myself coming back again. It’s amazing how the love for the Daily overcomes you. I of course place the blame for my contracting this sickness on a few key people whom I will thank in person. They know who they are.
Looking back, a strange phenomenon occurs. Instead of regretting the things sacrificed to the Daily, I am wishing that I had spent even more time here. You can’t partially give yourself to the Daily; it will only lead to dissatisfaction. But nevertheless, I am grateful for the cherished memories and opportunities the place has given me. I can only thank everyone at the Daily and our many readers for making my experience so rich and enjoyable. The times will be missed.
Printed from www.michigandaily.com on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:24:14 -0500