When I was given the opportunity to perform stand-up at Delta Kappa Alpha’s Serious Comedy for Serious Fun, I cried. I found out around 2 a.m. and was so sleep-deprived and excited my hilarious demeanor quite literally melted into uncontrollable emotion. It was one of the most validating things to ever happen. Fast forward to the night of the five minutes that would make or break my ego, I was terrified, excited, and needed to be sedated. It went by so fast and I was so unsure of what I was saying, I couldn’t even register whether or not people were laughing at anything I was saying. It was like being part of a cruel social experiment that I later found out went extremely well.

If there’s anything one needs to know about my humor it’s that I make fun of myself constantly, not because I’m bringing myself down. I’m fully aware that I am coolest and funniest person you’ve never met, and that’s ok. I love laughing at myself and want people to laugh with me at the punch line that is my life.

So doing stand-up. I knew I was doing well when I was actually standing up on the stage. Check that off the list. What made the experience even better was people were laughing, so the rumor goes. Regardless if people laughed because I was actually funny or because they felt bad for the unfortunate, privileged, white girl who was trying to be funny is irrelevant. Laughter is laughter, plain and simple.

For all intents and purposes I would say my first round with stand-up went well. Considering I neither defecated nor vomited on stage, I would consider it an all around success. It was a great break out of my comfort zone and a great way to hone my funny bone. I look forward to the next time when I get to make people pity me once again for looking like a sad little black-haired porcelain doll trying to make jokes.

Even though it was for five minutes I had such a good time and now have a story out of it, not a funny story, but a story nonetheless. Thanks to those who came out and continuously encourage people who think they’re funny to keep being funny!