Now I don’t want to brag to you guys, because being obnoxious and overly dramatic about things is obviously not my style, but I’ve got a pretty exciting development lined up for the near future. It’s not really a big deal or anything, but it could potentially be a life-changing event that forever alters who I am as a person, a Homosapien, and even a Buzzfeed-confirmed distant member of House Lannister. This Friday, in the booming metropolis of Philadelphia, I will gather with my very good friend and fellow comedy enthusiast Liza Jane Fryman ’16 in the iconic and majestic halls of the Wells Fargo Center (Upper Level 212, Row 8, Seat 9 to be precise) to see and hear the comical genius of the one, the only, Aziz Ansari.
For those of you either thinking, “Who?” or, “Huh?” or “Gesundheit,” let me enlighten you. Aziz Ansari is a comedian and actor, best known for his role as Tom Haverford in Amy Poehler’s “Parks and Recreation.” Now, if you still aren’t sure what I’m talking about as you do not watch the magic that is “Parks and Rec,” please respect my wishes and just stop reading now. I don’t have the time to deal with you ignorant peasants and I’d rather focus my energy solely on the worthy people.
The point is, this is only my second time going to a comedy act so I’m clearly very excited for what lies ahead. My first experience was seeing Tracy Morgan in New York at a comedy club this past winter, and let’s just say that was…interesting. I especially recommend seeing him with your parents and their distant friends from grad school who you’ve just met an hour before—somehow it makes the forty-minute segment on oral sex that much more delightful.
What is it about a room full of people (or in this case, an arena) gathered together to listen to one person speak for two hours that is so exciting? Why am I willing to pay the generous sum for a ticket, drive the hour and a half to Philly from school, and lose the Friday night of a promising weekend just to listen to a speck of a person on stage all the way up from the nosebleed section? Because for me, there is nothing better than sitting back and just listening to people, especially those who make me laugh. Comedy is my personal indulgence; when it’s good, you never need to work at loving it—it’s just effortless.
After a long and hard week, I’m going to go see me some Aziz and have me some laughs. As for you all, I hope you’re able to find some time this weekend for your own effortless indulgences. Whether it’s listening to a new album, breaking out a new pair of shoes or treating yourself to a Wawa quesadilla with all the fixings give yourself a reason to smile today—you won’t be “ANSARI.”
Get it?
