I was a late-bloomer to Buzzsaw because I was too nervous to go to any meetings freshman year. Sometimes, you just need a little time. But I can say with full certainty that Buzzsaw has been one of my most favorite things at Ithaca College.
I went to every meeting not because I had to, but because I love it. Laughing as other editors make jokes, listening intently to the latest news on campus and chatting with writers always, always made it worth it. Especially the writers. Certain ones would come along with a pitch they so obviously cared about, with passion shining through in their drafts over the weeks. That passion is why I originally started to write for Buzzsaw too, so seeing it in others is an emotional experience.
Thank you to the writers of MOC for keeping me in the loop. Though I pitched review ideas each cycle, many of my favorites were ones I didn’t know anything about. Because of them, I’ve been introduced to so many new shows, films and music. It’s a good reminder that you can’t expand your mind without getting out of your bubble.
Even on Zoom, Buzzsaw was a highlight of the day. As a journalist, it’s in my nature to be a listener and take notes. My phone has a very lengthy page full of quotes I’ve overheard from people, Buzzsaw friends included. Here are a few Buzzsaw highlights, both from our virtual meetings and in-person:
“This is like the third time you’ve been canceled at Buzzsaw.”
“There is no class solidarity at Camp Rock!”
“This is like an era of history and we’re all just trying to vibe through it.”
“Who’s not indebted to a capitalist raccoon?”
“So I’m like ‘what’s for dinner?’ and she’s like ‘the Great Depression.’”
The Buzzsaw gang are the kind of people who are always thinking, on levels big and small. They have compassion for people, they’re intelligent and informed. They want to raise voices who need help and aren’t afraid to critique things society has (sometimes blindly) accepted. But also, they’re just really really funny.
To those aspiring writers who are unsure and feel a bit unsteady about their skills: you may question whether your writing is good enough, whether you can write something you’re proud of or whether you’re an “expert” on a topic. If you’re a bit of a nervous perfectionist like me, I can tell you that you’ll never know until you try. I didn’t think I’d get the chance to be a part of that group of editors in front of Williams, so thank you to Mateo for giving me that opportunity. And best of luck to Emily as the MOC editor—I trust you to protect our Spotify with your whole being. Buzzsaw—thank you for pushing me and making me better in so many ways, because we all know that you don’t get better by being comfortable.