W.W.M.D.?

Today my good friend Moose leaves for Afghanistan. That’s not entirely accurate, first he has to go to Madison, then to Texas and from there he’ll be leaving for Afghanistan. Regardless it’s going to be about four hundred days until I see him again which just seems strange. I’ve known a couple of guys from high school that have gone over for the Army but Moose is the first that I’m actually still friends with to go. Moose was one of the first people I met when I came to college all those many, many years ago. He was part of the frat and guys like him and Mat Brunell are the reason I joined and stuck around.
The thing about Moose is that he is absolutely the most approachable guy I’ve ever met. Anyone can talk to him at anytime about any subject. And while a couple people at the round bar may not have always appreciated hearing him talk I always looked forward to our conversations. He was also the definition of a good friend anytime I needed a place to stay after having a few too many his place was always open, whether he was home or not. I could go on and on about what a good guy he his but I think actions speak louder than words so instead I’ll just tell a story about one of the many great things he’s done for me.
March last year I told my friend Sarah that I was going to try a stand up comedy routine I’d written awhile back at Comedy Sportz and I wanted to know if she wanted to come and see it. She was excited and told Moose what she was doing.
“Dude, what the hell? Why didn’t you tell me you were doing this?” he asked me.
“I didn’t want to mention it to too many people, I don’t know if it’s any good yet.” I told him, which was true.
“You’re hysterical, you’ll do fine. I want to go to this.” He’s always been very supportive of me. I told him what time it was and that he was more than welcome to come. That’s not what makes this story worth noting. The reason I bring it up is because of what happened the next day before I went to Comedy Sportz. I got a text from a co-worker of mine name Maureen.
“I hear you doing stand up tonight, good luck,” it read. This really surprised me, not least of all because Maureen was going to school in Philadelphia at the time.
“How did you hear about that?” I asked her.
“Moose put it up on Facebook,” she wrote back. What? I immediately went over to school and got to the first computer I could find to sign on to Facebook. Sure enough, there it was. Moose had created an even, “Come See Scotty Do Stand Up At Comedy Sportz”. I couldn’t believe it; I had only intended to have one friend see it just for a little support, now it looked like at least twelve people were coming to see this thing. Twelve quickly turned into at least fifteen, which doesn’t sound like a lot but it sure seemed like I had the biggest crowed there.
The M.C. of the night noticed too. It wasn’t certain I was going to get up there that night but Moose talked to the guy in charged and told him how many people had paid to come out to see me and when the guy saw how many people were there he made sure I got on. Moose was then kind enough to tape my performance and post it on YouTube. If Moose hadn’t created that event page I might not have ever made it up there and I owe him more than he knows for that.
But enough waxing sentimental about the big guy, Moose wouldn’t want that. After all “W.W.M.D.?” stands for “What would Moose do?” (A phrase he coined himself). And I’m sure Moose wouldn’t want me feeling sad or worried for him, after all he’s going to be cooking for generals while he’s over there. What a great opportunity. Instead, I’m sure what he’d want us to head out to the bars have a few beers in a toast to him and then focus far more attention on the hotties at the table over there. And that’s exactly what I plan to do. Good luck Moose, we’ll all be thinking about you and they’ll be plenty of beers for you on us when you get back.
Feel free to talk about what Moose has done for you in the comments below. Whether it’s telling you not to be dumb (Will), cooked you dinner (Brunell), or sexed you up real good (half the Rhos) he’s known a lot of people, have at it.