In Mike Birbiglia’s “ Error at First Base” he describes his first make out session but in a comedic form. During his Jr. High years his friends and others he knew were generating a new fashion trend. Making out, getting to first base, or whatever you would like to call it, was happening to everyone but Mike. He describes himself as unattractive or just plain ugly compared to everyone else. All he wants is his first kiss with someone so he can “fit in” with all the others. But after many attempts he was able to score his first kiss! His first “oral atrocity” (as he explains it in his story) experience gave him the confidence of belonging. Creating an overall feeling of acceptance in his young, teenage world. The usage of his appropriate, colorful language helped me visualize his story in a fascinating way.
While listening to his comedic act, I started to remember my times during Jr. High. Whether it was trying to wear the right clothes or be in certain cliques, I, like everyone else, felt those awkward moments during our Jr. High years. Even though Mike’s conversation was filled with bad jokes and silly punch lines, he was still able to make me laugh and still keep me aware of the point he was trying to make. We all at some point in our lives want to feel we belong with others or have been accepted in our community.
But who describes a make out session as an oral atrocity or compares it to a dog eating spaghetti? Apparently 7th graders making out for the first time is not the best sight to see, according to the young mind of Mike. Just picturing everything going on made me crinkle my nose. It did not create the most pleasuring experience in my head. It actually made me think of a situation my friend had; who could possibly relate to the awkwardness Mike had when he had his first kiss.
My friend, Kaitlyn, was a little more shy than most people; especially, when it came talking to boys. Young and innocent, she still hadn’t had her first kid like her other friends. When her and this guy started “talking” she would get nervous just from reading text message that asked her to hang out with him. She was afraid she would not know how to kiss “properly”. She would reach out for advice from her friends, who had already had this first time experience. Like 7th grade Birbiglia, Kaitlyn was in the “non-make out club.” But like the ending of his story, she was able to get her first kiss, but I don’t think she would describe it quite like he did. But Kaitlyn felt she belonged and could relate more with her friends, just like Mike had.
