College

My aunt was recognized last night by the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges as the 2011 Volunteer of the Year, proving yet again the value of Coens to the world.  I heard a lot of speeches from dignitaries about their experiences in college and the advantages of a liberal arts education.  They also waxed philisophically on their decisions to attend their respective institutions.  Maybe I am way different, but college wasn’t really some life changer for me like that.  I went to Muskingum College (now University) b/c I got a full ride (yes, I’m a genius) and my Dad told me if I turned it down he would use the Ranger chokehold he learned in the Army on me if I didn’t.  I even delusionally played a year of football as a 201 lb. offensive lineman, even though at that point I was smoking half of pack a day and had as much chance of seeing the field as Sean Astin had of suiting up for Notre Dame (in the 70’s, now who knows?).  I heard stories tonight like “I remember walking the lake at (said college) with my future wife.”  My college stories were more like, “One time I put on a mini skirt for $12 and walked through New Concord.  Then I mooned a cop.”  I hated school and almost transferred until I joined a fraternity and started drinking like most people breathe.  In all fairness, I drank like that before I pledged, but I went home every other weekend to party in my buddy’s abandoned trailer w/ no heat outside of Zanesville.  I was awarded the XXX award (Tri Chi, not dirty) which went to the pledge who was the craziest young punk in the class for streaking a sorority and in general being a psychopath.  I would parlay this experience in real life by not adjusting to responsibility and having several run-ins with many police officers and authority figures.  I did get some great stories, however, and thanks to Justin Camp, my roommate of three years, eventually got into stand up.  Thanks college.