It took me a year and a half to be lured into this crazy thing called The D.O., and it will take me a year and half to recover. Within a couple hours of sitting in that messy house, as a wide-eyed and eager-to-please freshman, I realized that this thing, this community, this intellectual hub, this cage, this keeper of raging professionalism-for journalism-friendship and hormones, was my safe haven at SU. For a year, I was awed and intimidated by the staff. Once I became a part of that staff, simply for being there all the time anyway, I became a part of something far greater than a student newspaper, something only those who have ever worked there understand. So here are my words to you all, not nearly as much as I’d like…in no particular order.Dana: You were super cool from the second I met you, but little did I know how close we would become. I could not have survived this past semester with out you, professionally and personally. You are incredible source of support, and I love our dirty chats and reminiscing…ha. From your dinnertime disaster areas, to London, to our late night walks…I rarely laughed so hard than when I was with you. You mean so much to me, we must not grow apart this semester. Love you!!Amy: Wow. I feel like you are right down the street, and I’ll see you any moment. I am so beyond glad we both realized within a month that being jealous of each other for our D.O. work wouldn’t fly…and it would be much more productive and enjoyable if we just became friends. And girl, did we. I can’t imagine SU and now life without you, you understand everything about me and you never judge me…even in my darkest hours (which only you have seen). And you can always count on me. Love you!

Terry: Remember you told me that we deserved to write much better stories than the crap they were assigning us freshman year? Like Amy and me, you were sucked into the fold. It was so fun to work with you under the Stech reign. Though I never leapt from a moving vehicle-and you helped give me more confidence to be a no-shit reporter. And I am perpetually bruised from your random assaults, hair rufflings, and intellectual arguing. See you in class….Pete: What an insane semester. We literally laughed, cried, screamed, threw things…. but we survived, and I really respect you and I think you’re a great guy. You definitely have a soft side and I am always surprised by how much you understand women…sort of. Have fun with IFC…don’t forget about us!

Katy: Yes, I am sorry, I didn’t know what to think of you the first time I met you, but I am so glad we became friends. You are an incredibly generous and thoughtful person, and as much as we tease you, we all respect your enthusiasm. You were the best boss too; never harsh, never angry, always supportive and pushing us to do better. So glad you are back!!

Rob: You have an amazing grip of everything you try, you seem to know everything-or you’re damn good at bullshitting. Your love and complete dedication to this newspaper will improve its quality 10 times more than it already is. I know I’ll read your name at the top of some masthead someday, Maxim? who knows…and thanks for giving me my most favorite nickname. You’re awesome!Lieber: I am so beyond glad that I got to know you. I almost choked on my tofu when you said you were considering being vegan/vegetarian, and I was estastic that you (a sports guy!) shared my liberal beliefs. You’re a great friend; we must hang out soon. Let’s go to another march!

Elyse: God, without you and Amy to cackle with in newswriting, I think I would have jumped off a cliff. I had a wonderful time visiting you in New Hampshire, and London-well, I can’t even begin to describe how that was. But I know that you are a refreshing person, honest, considerate, with no-holds-barred intelligence and strength. No one pushes you around….keep representin. Snowflake (OK, Eric): Working in the same room allowed me to get to know you so much better. You are seriously one of the nicest, most considerate guy I know, whenever I was feeling awful you always picked up on it and wanted to talk. Who does that? Our chats rock…thanks for the tons of advice and for indulging me in my various moods and rants. Yay!Jared: It’s bizarre how we came in and out of each other’s lives since freshman year…thank god we came to our senses and left UUTV…ha. You’re so much fun to talk with, and I completely admire your talent, your drive and your ambition. You will be a star in your field. And when I am president, you can design my campaign. Let’s hang out more, you’re a great friend.

Becker: I never knew you at all until this semester, yay for NEWS 345, and I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that you are kind, intelligent and far more sensitive to others than you would ever admit. And although you called me a flash in the pan, I still think you are awesome. I hope we stay friends, you rock.

Ryan: We began together, you the editor, me the reporter. We learned together too. How much you made up as you went along, I don’t know, I couldn’t tell. And somewhere along the way, we became good friends. I missed you in London!

John (OK, Jippy): I thought you were an obscenely cool guy within five minutes for knowing you. When I made all my feminist arguments, you were so cutely politically correct. And you turned into a kick-ass, no bullshit reporter. We miss you!

Tito: You seemed like some sort of D.O.-deity, holed up in management, playing at the computer-or working? But during our lovely jaunt to Massachusetts, I realized how truly dedicated you were to your work, the DO…esp. when you tried to convince me to forget about classes and focus on getting internships. I finally took your advice, ha. Thanks for being such a warm, considerate friend. We miss you here! Come visit!

Gorman: You crack me up. Thanks for inviting me to visit Tim Gorman’s house, I really enjoyed myself and I realized you were also a hilarious and sweet person. I hope to harass you in Shaw and here at The D.O. for many more nights.Janella: I wish we hung out more! You are a great listener, sweet and funny… and a D.O. writer with tons of potential, have you ever tried writing for feature? Licker: Although you drive me crazy with your rants about the female body or women in general, I know half of it was just to rile me up and the other half….well, I know you’re a good guy and a great reporter. You’ll serve the D.O. well.Geordie: You have an incredible talent and incredible passion. I never understood half of what you were talking about when we did my damn recipe column, but I had so much fun with you and you always humored me-thanks for telling me everything was good. You’re so kind and quirky and fun, I hope we hang out. Keep it real, man.Finley: You’ve been a supportive friend to me…believe in yourself, know that you are amazing. Girls love you for a reason…no not that reason! Ha. Keep being your sweet, bizarrely great self. I will def. see you soon!Design girls, Mike: Leyla, I am so glad we were able to become friends this semester and I learned how truly kind and awesome you are. You are a great designer and a strong person, don’t forget that. Meg, your confidence and zaniness always impressed me, I have always admired your complete individuality. You are so passionate and dedicated, you also will be (are) an amazing designer. Anne, I wish I knew you better, but you as well are incredibly sweet and fun to be around. Laney, I cannot get over how considerate you are. Always ready to listen, always bringing baked goods…you are a rare person. Kristen, you are your own person and you don’t take any shit (OK, none of you ladies do). We def. need to hang out at dinner more! Mike, I had so much fun on our trip to South. Nicky: You are a beautiful and extremely intelligent person, keep writing, we need you! I’ve loved harassing you. See you, for sho!Steve: You are a lifer, I can see it in your eyes. You have grown immensely, and you will be a force to be reckoned with. I am glad that such a strapping young lad is representing the next generation of D.O.-ers…ha.Meredith, Heather and Eddie: I know you will do an amazing job-call me for stories anytime. Ladies, don’t let the guys push you around, we need some strong women!Poster: You have unbelievable writing skills, and you’re a great guy. Thanks for being there for me and being so rockin!

Meredith G: You have been an insanely awesome mentor and friend. I am so glad I met you. Soul mates? Eh? cue JT!

Justin: You seemed like you had been there forever, I was shocked to realize you were only a year older than I. You have an uncanny common sense and knowledge of everything going on in the world around you. Whenever anyone was upset, or angry, you handled it with more finesse than anyone else could. I felt completely comfortable going to you with any of my in-house concerns, and you never brushed me off. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. Have you considered diplomacy? I can’t imagine the D.O. without you.

Published on January 27, 2005 at 12:00 pm