 |
| John King is a graduate student and writes 'King's Eye Land' for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper. |
Absolute lunacy descended on Muncie again
Residents from as far away as Yorktown devoted last Saturday night to the greatest source of debauchery this town has ever known.
Indeed, the event was not simply bigger than any we've ever seen. Organizers wanted the greatest achievement in the history of Indiana -- possibly the United States.
Let us not sell it short, though.
This event was the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Root and the Offspring of David Baker, and the bright Morning Star.
Let it be known in song from the rooftops: This rousing success, not really near the banks of the White River (this Earth, this Realm, this Muncie), shall propel the lives and careers of generations.
Imagine the rock power of the first four Led Zeppelin albums coming to the land of the ice and snow, descending on Delaware County.
For one night, anarchy and hedonism were not only perfectly legal, but encouraged (local morals be damned).
Let's just shoot the moon -- this was the most important festival in the history of time.
As a former participant, it was exactly what I expected, and a side of me was overjoyed. In fact, my heart soars like a hawk today.
I speak of the Bestival Midwestival Improvisational Comedy Festival.
Absolunacy, Ball State University's Premier Comedy Troupe, organized its fifth annual festival, featuring five comedy troupes recruited from the Midwest.
As a former member of Absolunacy, I'm biased -- but I don't feel guilty. After all, our nation was built on conflicts of interest. By golly, I'm proud.
Few student organizations set out to entertain people (oddly enough, not the Student Government Association). Absolunacy does it every time, and better than anyone in Muncie.
Over the weekend, Absolunacy brought help -- and old friends. Just like old times, Pruis Hall was the center of the universe.
For one night, Muncie got a breath of life through vision, imagination and laughter, and I said to myself, "This is what gives Muncie life."
In 1999, Absolunacy created the BMICF. I was a cast member, and we spent days thinking of what to call it before someone proposed the cumbersome name.
We laughed sadistically and agreed.
We invited three other troupes, made friends, had fun, played games and best of all, we made people laugh.
Nothing feels better than making people laugh.
We had high expectations for the first BMICF, but as Absolunacy co-founder David Baker once said, "We never thought it would be as successful as this. We never expected Absolunacy to be what it has become."
My year in Absolunacy was one of the best of my life. We did shows, festivals, and recorded an album called "Iraq!"
I still wear the shirts.
I graduated (the first time) and moved on to other interests, but once you're an Absolunatic, you're one for life. Absolunacy changed me -- not like a near-death experience, but like a birthday party gone wrong (in a good way).
I look back on my Abso days whenever I see new troupe members carry on the tradition of debauchery, hedonism and humor. I just have to smile.
Absolunacy makes me proud to be from Muncie. Detractors call it "low brow," "sophomoric," or worse.
With two defiant middle fingers, I call it beautiful.
Write to John at kingseyeland@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
