Katie

When some people speak, their words and passion are on such a different level than the average person that you become completely immersed in what they say.  Katie is one of those people.  She was friends with my roommate Kirsten, and while I've only met her maybe two or three times, I heard a story about how she turned almost her entire seventh grade class against her, some conversation about Malnourished Cambodians which led to a quote about how they "neck break like twigs," then my personal favorite: the guy she was dating at the time whom she dubbed "The Super Bowl Jew" because, you guessed it, he's Jewish and she met him at a Super Bowl party.

I don't even know this girl's last name, but she sure as Hell knows how to leave an impression, and that's something I can respect.

Cheers,
Andrew

Sonny

Sonny, or Sonjamin W. Franklin as I liked to call him, was my dog for about 15 years, until he died today: August 17, 2013.  I got a call from my mom earlier today and she told me that they had to put him down because he was so weak he couldn't even stand on his legs.  It's only been a little over a week since I left home and moved to Grand Rapids, and the last time I saw him he was his usual, crazy, energetic, going after dogs four times bigger than him self...so it came as a bit of a shock to hear that he wasn't even able to jump from the floor to the bed last night.  Sonny had a long and from the way he reacted whenever he saw me and my family, I know that he had a joyful and loving one...but it's kind of sad how quickly things can deteriorate when living things hit old age.  I wish I could have said goodbye to him, but part of me is happy that the last memory I have of him running up to me when I get home as if he weren't but a fluffier, more rugged version of the dog we brought home all those years ago.

Love (bark translation),
Andrew

Brice Struthers

Brice and I became good buds while we were in Australia for a trip with International Student Volunteers.  There are seriously too many memories to count with that kid and the rest of my ISV group, but the memory that I'm gonna have to go with here was the moment that we really became friends.   It's the first night of the trip, we're in our bunks, Brice is listening to his iPod, me just lying back with my hands behind my head thinking about things, and we're about to go to sleep after a grueling day of nonstop travel.  It's like any other uneventful bed time until all of the sudden Brice sits up, looks over to me and says "What if these ear bud chords got wrapped around my neck while I was sleeping and I didn't notice then I died."  Hell of an ice breaker.  I started cracking up, and we made a deal that if it sounded like he was dying, I would wake him up.  And you bet your ass I would have saved him too, because not only were he and I the only men in that house, it was also clear to me that a guy this absurdly funny was a guy that I wanted around while having the experience of a lifetime in Australia.

The last time I saw Brice was when I visited him and his family in Happy Valley for the Penn State v. Michigan State game in 2010, and it was a blast.  Him being at James Madison and me at MSU we've kind of lost touch over the last couple years, but we still chat here and there and as far as I'm concerned he'll always be a buddy of mine and I'll always be there for him if he needs someone to save him from dying to headphone strangulation.

Cheers mate,
Andrew

Mila Kunis

Surprisingly, Kristen Bell wasn't the only lovely actress I saw on that trip of a lifetime to Turtle Bay Resort.  I also got to see someone I'd adored for years from her work on That 70's Show: Mila Kunis.  I saw Miss Kunis getting a snack after swimming, no make up, and let me tell you ladies and gentlemen...she's exactly as gorgeous as you would imagine.  Getting a smile from her was probably the most star stunned I've ever been in my life, I remember my jaw dropping, snapping up into a smile, most likely a blush, and undoubtedly a blush.  I'm sure I'll never forget being a 16-year-old kid seeing a star crush as much as she'll never remember that stupid looking kid in the hat by the snack stand.

And just so it's known, Mila yelling "Dracula Musical!" during that bar scene with Jason Segel makes me laugh every damn time.

Cheers,
Teenager at Resort

Sean Varicalli

Sean is one of the most naturally funny people that you'll ever meet.  He's one of those guys who not only makes people laugh with his words and mannerisms, but also has a laugh that is so genuine, that even if you didn't find what happened funny, you'll find yourself joining him.  I met Sean while taking a Theatre class my junior year of high school and liked his vibe immediately.  The funniest memories I have of him are from that class, most often when the class had to do some improv and he would pull this stuff out of his ass that just had me cracking up.  I wish I could get more specific, but unfortunately I can't, all I know is that I remember a coupe occasions where I had to wipe away tears of hilarity. 

I haven't seen Sean for a couple years, the last time I saw him was actually randomly at Buffalo Wild Wings back home and he was as great a presence to be around as ever.  While I may not be in touch with him anymore, I have taken note that this man is making moves.  In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm listening a live broadcast of him DJing a music channel and let me tell you, the dude has skills.  Having a job that drove me around Metro Detroit all day for the last five summers, I know good radio when I hear, and Sean has a future.  I would like nothing more than to one day have him making me laugh on my morning drive to work.  Good luck, my friend.  And thanks for all the times you made me laugh.

Cheers,
Andrew

Lucas Rosner

Lucas is one of those dudes that I don't know really well and who don't see often, but when I do see him, I always wonder why I don't see him more.  He's just a cool guy and whenever a group of friends are hanging out, him being there always brings a little something to the table that we don't usually have.  Maybe it's his funny mannerisms, maybe it's that he has certain recreational talents that I envy, but whatever it is, I can't say I've ever been bummed out to see this kid. 

My favorite memory with Lucas is one of the most recent ones when we were out at the bar with a big group of people, one of, if not the, last night we would all be out at the bars at MSU together.  It was me, him, and our other buddy Tim hanging out having a couple drinks and shooting the shit when somehow Game of Thrones got brought up...so naturally we went into what must have been a ten to fifteen minute conversation about theories of what the Hell was happening on that show.  And I must say, regardless of how nerdy that sounds, I don't give a damn because I laughed more in that conversation than I probably would have trying to convince someone I can't even hear to come home with me. 

I'm not sure what Lucas is doing after graduation, last I heard he was leaving the state.  All I can really say is that the next time I run into him, I'll be remember just how fun it is to have him around.

Cheers,
Andrew