At long last … we can begin. You and I … we are going to do such beautiful things together, Reader …

Whew! Sorry! It’s Tess, again. To be honest with you, I just wanted to test out the whole meta-humor thing. Stranger Things 5? Vecna? Mind control? Anyone?

Whatever.

I’m really excited about this issue, you guys. Not like the SNL writer’s room after Trump began ballroom construction, kind of excited, but still really excited.

I may not show it through my writing, generally “mid” personality, or (as I’ve been told) ditzy appearance, but I am a HUGE comedy buff. I thank my parents for exposing me to such inappropriate media from such a young age. Believe it or not, I eat, sleep, poop, and breathe comedy.

My brain is like the guys from "Inside Out," except instead of different emotions, it’s just a bunch of mini comedians running around with one-liners and bits. Sometimes, it’s a “That’s what she said” day, and it’s a tiny Michael Scott running around pressing my brain buttons. Other days, I’m preserving the iconic legacy of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. It’s sort of like the shoulder angel and shoulder devil. Of course, in my case, when I’m questioning if I should flip someone’s backpack inside out for a quick and easy laugh … they’re both telling me to go for it.

I was recently reminded of my senior year Instagram post on the ND decisions account. My fun fact was something along the lines of “My biggest dream is to be on SNL one day.” Humble, and super unrealistic brag, Tess. No wonder no one liked you freshman year.

At a football game this year, a younger girl whom I didn’t know super well was talking to my friends about me, and I actually heard her ask, “Is Tess always like this? Every conversation she has is like a performance.” Since ‘04, baby. You don’t fake a limp for two weeks in kindergarten or pretend to need glasses all of elementary school just to lose your flair for the dramatics.

Truth be told, I think fewer outlets are more effective than comedy. It allows for poignant commentary on genuine societal issues, without ostracizing parties into their belief systems or making the conversation too uncomfortable to be had. I’ve spent the past seven months trying to prove this in my senior thesis, and the past 21 years embarrassing myself with my attempts to make my friends laugh.

So, for all of the people who laugh in uncomfortable situations, find humor in others’ misfortunes, and/or have a sneaky feeling their publicly-liked Instagram Reels may potentially interfere with their job search … This issue is for you.

Anddddd scene,

Tess Reinhart