Pat Stansik

Before You Write “Happy Birthday” on my Facebook Wall Tomorrow, Please Read This

I’m not really that old, but I’m not that young. 

In case you weren’t aware, I will be turning 24 at midnight. This might come as a shock to some of you who don’t know me personally; maybe it’s because I still live in a college town and I make videos interviewing drunk students before football games, or maybe it’s because I currently live with kids who are juniors in college. Regardless, ever since I moved back to Ann Arbor last fall I’ve been asked constantly about my class schedule, my plans for after graduation, and other questions that don’t apply to me at all, because I graduated last year. At first I was embarrassed about lingering in the same town I grew up and went to college in, but now that I look back on this time I realize that I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it anywhere else.

Freshman year shenanigans. 

When I look back on my time when I was actually in college one of my most vivid memories is being stressed out, sleep deprived, and hunched over in the stacks while watching comedy videos on my laptop. Sketch comedy groups like Derrick Comedy, BriTANick, and Good Neighbor got me through a lot of long nights when I was in the library questioning what I was doing with my life. I would watch their videos endlessly during these library sessions as a way of avoiding my work, but now that I look back on it, all of this procrastination set the tone for what I’m currently doing. 

I enjoy making videos for a lot of reasons, but the best part about it is people letting me know that they enjoyed something I made. Whether it’s through telling me in person, liking/sharing on Facebook, re-tweeting, or re-blogging the video link, there’s nothing better than knowing that something I’ve put a lot of time and effort into is being watched, appreciated, and shared. I’ve had friends tell me that they saw random people watching my videos in the library, which to me is surreal. It’s still hard for me to comprehend that there’s a chance some kid out there who was having a rough night watched one of my videos, got a laugh out of it, and was able to set aside some of their problems for a couple of minutes while watching something I made. Just like the 18-year-old Pat, the 24-year-old version still has no idea what he’s doing, but it’s pretty cool that people take the time to watch my videos and share it with their friends.

Washed up.

I question myself constantly, and although I’m never going to give up on trying to make a career out of this, I doubt myself all the time. You guys have no idea how much it means to me when you help me in any facet of what I’m trying to do. I know it might not seem like much to you, but when you do something to help spread the word you are exposing my work to an entirely new audience. I wouldn’t be making these videos if I didn’t want a lot of people to see them, but it all starts with you.  

Even though my first love was athletics and I never thought I’d be able to top the rush of making a big play on the field, I’m about to release a new video tonight at midnight and I seriously cannot fucking wait... the feelings aren’t even close. This is so much better. I am so excited, and I have no idea how people are going to respond, but I can’t even put the feeling into words. Just knowing that all of you have been so supportive and helpful makes me feel amazing and makes me want to continue to create content. I fucking love you guys, and I can’t thank you enough.

My time in Ann Arbor as a college graduate has been incredible, and I’ve met people and received help from friends who, without them, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this. If you’ve ever been in one my videos, been handed a camera and told to “hit the red button,” or donated clothes (that I will eventually return, I promise), I am so grateful and I hope I haven’t embarrassed you too much. My experience here has taught me that life isn’t about where you are physically; it’s about what you do with the resources and people around you. These people know who they are. Thank you for putting up with me.   

In case you weren’t aware, I’m a multi-thousandaire. 

This year for my birthday I don’t want you to write “happy birthday” on my Facebook wall. I know this seems like an odd request, but since I’m releasing a music video at midnight about my upcoming age I’m asking for a different kind of “birthday present”:

All I ask is if you enjoy the video that you click the “share” button when I post the video link on my Facebook at midnight. 

I’m sure a lot of people won’t read this or will choose to disregard it, but please know that regardless of what you do, I will try to continue to make stuff that is worth watching. Thanks for allowing me to convince my parents that I can eventually make money doing this. Feel free to tell me how old and washed I am next time you see me. 

Thanks again,

Pat