Welcome to the Random Student Interview, where you’re always our favorite person in the whole wide world.
- Illustrations by Megan Mulholland
So, let’s go back to the basics. I’m talking what everybody used to ask each other by the monkey bars in kindergarten. What’s your favorite color?
Purple.
No way! That’s my favorite color! You’re my favorite person! Why purple?
I don’t know why.
Well, purple is my favorite color because …
It’s pretty.
Yeah. How did you know what I was going to say? This is freaky. Quick. Who’s your favorite celebrity?
That’s a hard one.
It shouldn’t be that hard. There’s no wrong answer.
I don’t know. My favorite celebrity? I can’t tell.
You can’t tell? Like it’s a secret? Or you held an election and it’s too close to call?
Umm … not really.
Don’t you feel like you could just be buddies with anyone?
No.
Personally, I feel like Kid Cudi understands me. Have you ever listened to Kid Cudi?
Yeah.
OK. Then you might know what I mean. I feel like he just knows what my life is like and we could chill and it wouldn’t be weird at all.
I like The Fray.
The Fray? Do you feel like their songs are about your life?
No. Not like that. I just like their music. I play the piano and I really like their use of piano.
Oh, nice. Do you ever play the piano in the Union?
Not yet. There’s one in West Quad I’m going to check out though.
Are you going to put out a top hat for tips? If I could play piano, that’s what I’d do.
No. I’d just do it for myself.
What an artist. What if everyone boos you? What would you do?
I can accept criticism.
What if there’s a round of applause? Would you consider dropping out and pursuing a career as a pianist?
Not really. I’ve always considered it as like a backup career.
Backup career? Most people are like “I’m going to be a pianist or an actress or a painter, but if that doesn’t work out I’ll go to school.” You’re like “Meh, that’s my backup.”
Well, I just do it for myself, so it’s not something I want to do for the world.
Oh, OK. Well, my backup is waitressing and writing prose poetry on the sides of buildings. It’s very down-to-Earth. Then again, you’re a freshman, so you’re full of hope and goals.
Yeah.
It’s OK. You’re still my favorite.
—Vamika is an LSA freshman.