So, here I am, writing my second-ever Pacer opinion.

If you’ve ever read The Back Row, you’re probably wondering why I’m writing in here and not there. More importantly, you’re probably wondering why there haven’t been any recent issues of The Back Row out. Actually, most of you are probably wondering why I’m babbling.

Well, it’s all simple, really. The fact is, The Back Row is no more. Depression and personal problems amongst the staff sent the independent newspaper to its grave.

Just kidding! We staff writers just grew apathetic and stopped sending in submissions. Isn’t that funny?

I can’t speak for the other staff writers, but I, personally, thought The Back Row would just write itself until I felt like writing something again.

Surprisingly enough, our former editor, Steve Helgeson, never granted the newspaper sentience and made it autonomous before he left. What a jerk.

Deciding to start writing in here wasn’t my first step to filling in the void that was created when The Back Row stopped running.

It was a publication where I could ramble on aimlessly about my opinions and make important points on the world today. It was an outlet I was going to miss, but I wasn’t going to hop ship so soon and just start writing for The Pacer.

Too many people would assume I was just following Steve’s departure from The Back Row. Instead, I felt the need to make various other attempts at coping with the loss somehow.

First off, I decided that maybe what I needed was a little bit of inspiration. I thought I might be able to somehow clear my mind and be able to figure out what to do with this loss if I just simply dwarfed it by much more loss so that it wasn’t even a problem any more.

It sounded like a great idea, but you wouldn’t believe it – losing your girlfriend, gaining weight and failing German 222 do not make your problems go away or make your life any better. I know…it doesn’t make any sense to me either!

I began to realize that maybe writing would be able to fill in the blank. So, the first thing I do is get online, thinking that ranting along with everyone else on message boards might be pretty cool. I quickly changed my mind, though.

As it turns out, nothing really gets done on internet message boards. In fact, I’ve determined everyone online has to be around the age of 17 or so with the level of intelligence in conversation had on most message boards. At least all of the girls in the chat rooms I met admit to being of that age.

Another thing I discovered was what message boards seem to really be about.

Apparently, you’re not supposed to really make points but, instead, share erotic fan fiction of cartoons from the 1980’s and explain how your favorite political party or indie band or anime is superior to all of the rest in its category with such profound arguments as “Me > You” and “U Sux.”

I thought about keeping a journal, because that way I’d get to write and, years later, read and reflect on my life.

Unfortunately, I ended up spending too much time writing in it as opposed to actually going out and doing things. That proved to be a problem, but I absolutely refuse to just sit at home to make my entries short enough so that there’s also enough time for food and sleep.

After so many exhausted options, here I am. It feels nice to write in a publication again. I suppose I plan on continuing writing here as often as I did for The Back Row.

I promise to write more relevant, thoughtful pieces as opposed to rambles much like this.

It’ll be just like old times, except now my stuff will get read.

Rory Higgins is a sophomore Philosophy major from Martin.