You Only Live Once - Flail On

Funny thing you may not know about me.

Back in high school, I was royally, absolutely, over-the-top obsessed with Saturday Night Live. 

If you knew me in high school, you know this. Many Monday mornings were spent chatting with whoever would listen in the basement girl’s washroom about the host (good or bad?), the sketches (good or bad?) and how many times Jimmy erupted into a fit of giggles (always.) Jimmy was my absolute favorite. Followed closely by Chris Kattan, Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph and Chris Parnell.

Yes kids – these names may seem foreign. This was before there was Kristin Wigg, Andy Samberg and Bill Hader.

I was the girl that left high school parties on Saturday nights to be home for 12:35am for SNL. No matter how great the party was.

So naturally, when I met Jimmy Fallon two years ago – I lost my shit.

I’m not talking, innocent puppy eyes, “omg.”

I’m talking full-blown I don’t even really remember the experience and post-experience snot sobbing and flailing in Studio 6B.

I also swore never to wash the hand he held. Until we rode on the NYC subway a half an hour later and I realized, it was either savor Jimmy’s touch on my hand a little longer or contract the flesh eating virus from the hand bars on NYC transit.

It was a hard decision – but I chose to keep my flesh.

But last Friday, when I had the AMAZING opportunity to not only see Chris Kattan, Rob Schneider, Horatio Sanz and Cheri Oteri live but also MEET them- LIFE CHANGED. 

And maybe it wasn’t to the degree of the Jimmy experience – I honestly don’t think that could be rivalled unless it was George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio or Rob and Kristen. All of whom I’ve loved for years. But this experience was UNREAL.

I also went from normal to panic attack mode in 0 to 60.

This was afterwards – but you get the drift.

I mean, I hadn’t even seen them yet but once I heard Chris and Cheri’s voice I lost it. I’m talking instant tears. Cause I’m totally cool and normal like that.

Again, I’m pretty sure some of the moment was spent in shock. But a few things I do remember. And I’m sharing them not because you may need these tips in case you ever meet this crew.

Because these three pieces of advice should be top of mind and used every chance you get.

1) Go Balls Out – Always

As soon as we saw the first couple meeting the cast – she went ALL out. She praised them. She told them how much she loved them. And my mother, who is extremely wise, looked at me and said “You go all out girl.” (or something along the lines – I was busy crying at this point.)

But I listened to her. I could have quietly shook their hands. Introduced myself. Smiled for the photo. I could have not left any more of an impression than the girl bitting her bottom lip and trying not to sob on each of them. (Ok – that probably would have left an impression but still.)

I took every second I had and I made the absolute best of it. How? By….

2) Embrace What Makes You Different

I could have just said ‘I’M A HUGE FAN’. But that wouldn’t have articulated the truth of it. No. I told them the honest truth. Not even the hottest jock could hold me at a high school party on a Saturday night past 12:20am if SNL was live that night. Because that’s how much I loved these guys.

Of course, Horatio asked, “How’d that work out for you?”

And I proudly replied – “Single all through high school.”

But you know what? I got a “right on – high five!” from Rob Schneider. So clearly I did something right. My parents also never had to worry about me coming home pregnant. High five again.

Lastly,

3) Flail Like No One Is Watching

So what if I cried. So what if I went into shock at Rockefeller Center and Jimmy Fallon probably still wonders to this day, “what was up with that girl the night I had Morgan Freeman on?” Alright, so he probably doesn’t remember me. But let me tell you this. When he was high-fiving and fist bumping the crowd in his studio that night, when he saw me and my tear filled eyes, deer in headlights face  - he not only took one hand in his but he covered it with the other and gave me an extra moment. I remember this only because I have my mother re-tell the story on the regular. I was in shock remember.

Flail people. You only live once. Don’t waste a breath worrying what others will think.

So I’ll end this little Life Lessons from the former cast of SNL with that photo from the night and a reminder that when it comes to life – you really do only live once. 

So enjoy every freaking second of it and flail on. 

C xx