Darn it, Daniel: I am again…

Almost two years in the past, I wrote an article titled, “Why OU isn’t fun.” For some motive, a lot of you, the readers, took offense to my assertion. I imply, I critically can’t perceive why a bunch of Ohio University college students and alumni could be offended by such a title. Very hardly ever do writers obtain letters to the editor, however I did.

In “Letter to the Editor: Dear ‘Darn it, Daniel,’” the author addressed issues from the outside to the outside, and much more of the outside. Let’s simply say this cat is an inside cat. Just kidding. 

The letter is gorgeous, and I counsel everybody learn it. I agree with the author Autumn Warren on a elementary degree. I like the individuals right here, I like the issues I’ve executed and created right here, however I worry the purpose I made in my column was missed. 

“But, I urge you to cast your gaze wider than the Ohio University campus and the ruins that are Court Street,” the letter mentioned. That’s precisely what my subject is, my good friend. 

My level of writing that column was by no means to belittle the neighborhood of Athens, however extra so to empathize with the underclassmen who’re cooped up in dorms and don’t discover the enjoyment in committing a federal offense to go to a bar. 

I’m sorry, however as a freshman getting into school, you don’t have the identical alternatives as a junior or senior, or perhaps a sophomore. It’s exhausting right here; it is exhausting to hook up with individuals, regardless of how social you might be. It’s even exhausting to get groceries. Things start to vary for a pupil once they could make a meal for themselves in their very own kitchen. 

Seriously, although, I’ve been to round 75 band exhibits at The Union Bar, the place you possibly can enter at 18 years previous, 30 OU-run occasions, 10 totally different organizations and golf equipment and each bar up and down Court Street (legally, by the way in which). 

Here’s what I’ve to say: I want it have been simpler for college kids to attach with golf equipment or organizations. I want it have been simpler for them to entry a home-cooked meal. But actually, I want it have been simpler for college kids to entry straightforward, harmless enjoyable. 

I’ll by no means be one to disclaim the very fact there’s nothing fairly like sitting in a sales space with pals sipping on an Angry Orchard, as that’s a few of the most enjoyable I’ve ever had, however you don’t should drink to have enjoyable. 

Now, since I wrote that column, I’ve discovered issues which can be fully native to OU, no automobile wanted and pure enjoyable. 

Take your mates to The Star Chamber Arcade. Drop $20 or so, go for an hour or two to play arcade video games and have time with pals. 

No matter what sort of an athlete you might be, I urge each single particular person on campus to go to Penn Ultimate Frisbert Phun Thyme. Frisbert is a non-competitive Frisbee membership for people who find themselves searching for straightforward train with out the worry of health club bros whose biceps are greater than my head. Ultimate Frisbee is each Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Walter Field House. It’s stunning. You ought to go for the title alone.

If you don’t know learn how to throw a Frisbee, don’t fear. You will be taught, and nobody will decide you. If you need to, you possibly can stroll up and down the sector simply speaking and never even contact a Frisbee, however go for the neighborhood alone. 

Sure, a few of the individuals there are approach too aggressive for a membership that’s fully about non-competitive, no-score Frisbee. But I promise you, Dave Deibi, the coordinator, or no less than somebody in your crew will likely be good sufficient to speak to and you’ll no less than have some form of enjoyable.

Go to a Union Bar occasion that caters to you, and even higher, one which fully doesn’t. If I had a nickel for each Variant journal occasion I’ve been to and made a whole idiot of myself dancing with my girlfriend, I’d have fairly a number of. 

So, dance your butt off. As my dad as soon as informed me after I first got here to OU, “You gotta dance.” Dance with the woman you want, dance together with your greatest good friend, it doesn’t matter, simply dance. If you might be terrified of embarrassing your self or wanting like a idiot, you most likely will, so do it anyway. You’re not the one one on the market who’s embarrassed. I hate dancing, and I nonetheless do it. 

Finally, in the event you don’t care about anything, I say get on Bobcat Connect. I promise you will discover a membership or group you’re feeling comfy in, even when it takes a few tries. Don’t be afraid to do one thing and fail, don’t be afraid to make a idiot of your self doing it, and definitely don’t be afraid to snicker exhausting whereas doing so.

I’m sorry for my absence. Throughout my time writing for The Post, there was one factor that I’ve tried my greatest to do and that’s to supply an genuine illustration of the Ohio University expertise and one that individuals can join with and even closely disagree with. That’s why I used to be extraordinarily honored for Autumn Warren to write down to me. It’s nice to be again! 

Daniel Gorbett is a junior at Ohio University. Please notice that the views and opinions of the columnist don’t mirror these of The Post. What are your ideas? Let Daniel know by emailing him at [email protected].