WillgasM

I’m really not sure how this happened. Like usual, I blame the Internet. I don’t watch “traditional” TV. I watch a couple shows on Hulu, I have a Netflix account for most things, and everything else I get from the randomness of the Internet. I spend a good bit of time stumbling through all sorts of videos, but recently one caught my eye. It was a music video for a Reggie Watts song dubbed over a clip from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Actually, here’s a link to the video (warning: it’s crude/hilarious). I was already a fan of Reggie Watts, but I had no idea what was up with these colorful little ponies. I thought nothing of it and kept stumbling. Time passed. Weeks, months, who knows how long went by; but I eventually found myself curious. I went back and started googling. I came up with all sorts of clips from the series. Most were just short sound bites, little snippets from various episodes. Some were funny, most were cute, but then something happened. I met Fluttershy, and I fell in love. She’s just soooo cute. Her soft-spoken voice is angelic. Her flowing pink mane is ethereal. Her love of animals is touching. I’ve always found I have a soft spot for a shy girl, but she was just perfect. So I started watching the show because I have a crush on a cartoon pony. That’s probably one of the strangest sentences I’ve ever typed. Nonetheless, that’s how it all got started. As I’m writing this, I’ve just finished watching the entire first season. With each episode, I fell more and more in love. Not just with Fluttershy, but with everypony. The show truly is magical. I can be a pretty harsh critic of movies and television. I routinely tear apart programs for bad acting, predictability, or being just plain lame. This show does not disappoint in any way. The story revolves around Twilight Sparkle, the personal pupil of Princess Celestia. Twilight is a very apt student but somewhat socially awkward. On royal orders, she is sent to Ponyville to learn about the magic of friendship. Twilight becomes fast friends with a a group of ponies; and together they have many adventures, defeat powerful enemies, and learn important lessons that are reviewed in Twilight’s correspondence to Celestia at the end of each episode. The lessons learned are those you would expect from a children’s program, but almost all of them revolve around the value of friendship. I can say that this show has had an impact on my life. I’ve been reminded of some very important values, laughed along, almost cried, and fallen in love with six little ponies. The second season is just starting and I’m already hooked. So I’m a little late to the game, but I’m now a full fledged brony. I find absolutely no shame in my love of this program. Granted, this is coming from a guy with a Hello Kitty toaster; but I don’t see any reason why every guy shouldn’t step outside the social norms and give these ponies a try. You have every reason to. On the surface you’ll enjoy a great children’s show. Underneath you’ll find a subtle, dry humor. You might see some parallels and group dynamics within these ponies that apply to your own circle of friends. Maybe some life lessons will be reaffirmed. Maybe you’ll even learn to love. I encourage everypony to give them a try. At worst you waste an hour or two of your life; but if you’re lucky, you may find that you’re a brony just like me.

You know me, I’m pretty much always at the front of the line when crazy adventure presents itself. Recently though, I find myself more hesitant to hop aboard the crazy train as it pulls away from spontaneity station. Maybe I’m growing and maturing as times progresses, or maybe my rut has gotten deep enough that I can no longer see over the edge. Either way, I don’t like it. I’m not ready to settle into my ways and wait for death’s cold embrace. I’ve still much living left to do. Just as these feeling coalesce into a 1/4 life crisis just waiting to burst forth from the deepest regions of my being, I get an email. Not even a real email but a message on facebook. Perhaps by chance or some strange cosmological alignment, this message speaks to my predicament. It reads as follows:

“I am currently CASTING for a huge project with an Academy award winning producer and director Chris Bell from Sundance Winning Doc “Bigger, Stronger, Faster”.Looking for awesome people ages 18-26 that are totally connected through their social networks. We want people with a diverse, wide ranging group of friends and family. The more different each one is the better. Over 6 weeks in March/April we will take them on an amazing journey/road trip/experience they will never forget. They will be compensated upwards of $30,000 and will become an icon among people in their demographic. Potential candidates will be adventurous, fun, confident, attractive, the type of person that everyone just cant help but liking. We are moving fast with casting so if you know someone you think would be great for this, have them get in touch asap!”

I get these type of messages somewhat frequently (thanks Ashton), but rarely do I give them much thought. They’re usually looking for Identical twins or newly pregnant couples; next top model contestants or wannabe hip-hop icons. Most ask for a specific make and model of a person and usually end with ‘LA area only’. So when I read this latest casting call, I thought “well yeah, that sounds like me.” I’m all about the social networking. I definitely have a diverse group of friends. Some of you are my friends on both Facebook and Myspace. I’m sure a few of you follow me on Twitter. I was on Gaia for a short stint back before it was a joke. I’m not that into webcams otherwise I’d spend my day on Stickam. I’ve been searching for new friends on Google Wave and that shit hasn’t even really gone public. And when all that still wasn’t enough for me, I decided I needed my own website. Arguably I even meet the rest of the requirement. I’m definitely fun and adventurous. I’m inexplicably confident and drunk girls find me attractive. And of course everyone likes me; just try not to. It’s like trying to hate a puppy. Of course, crazy spontaneity always has its price. Unless I can convince them to give me maternity leave, this will almost certainly cost me my job. But, as a wise man once told me, “fuck it.” I say it’s worth it. I’d have enough money to hold me over until I once again find gainful employment. Also, it’s about damn time someone made me an icon among my demographic. I’ve been headed in that direction for as long as I can remember.

So, it sounds like I’m gonna do it. Either I’ll get rejected and find another way regain my recently waning enthusiasm for life, or I’ll have yet another wacky adventure that my grandchildren won’t believe until I provide video evidence. So, obviously I’m not undecided on the matter, but I would like to hear what you think. I hope to hear from you.

-StaY GasmiC-