Admitting this is much like the break in character that we featured on twitter when Steven Colbert couldn’t stop laughing at his own joke. We feel compelled, probably because of the upcoming V-day bonanza that takes place every February 14th, to share the real story behind the conception of project hilarious. It’s a sad yet romantic story – much like a Woody Allen movie – full of awkwardness, hilarity, romance, and an adequate dose of neurotic nervous energy. But more like a typical Hollywood Rom-Com, our story has a very happy, almost fairy tale-like ending.
Project hilarious was honestly and truly born out of grief. We are two lab mates who until recently had nothing in common or any real friendship. We were both were suffering tremendously because of the demise and failure of our respective long-term relationships. Because of this pain, we were instantly drawn to one another and found a great friendship. It started out with excessive drinking, dancing on bars, out until the wee hours on a Wednesday night, cute boys buying us drinks – hey, we are hot, smart and super fun, newly single ladies after all! We leaned on each other, provided a shoulder to cry on, a smiling face, and a person to turn to when some perspective or declaration about f-that-bastard was required. And slowly but ever so surely, laughter replaced the sorrow. The isolation, the loneliness, the insecurities, the feelings of smallness and sadness and failure, all gone. The quiet secret tears shared over coffee evolved into peals and reams of laughter. The refrain “You’re hilarious – yes, I’m hilarious” replaced “do you need a hug, or better yet, a French 75?”
So, on this Valentine’s Day, we find ourselves in totally new and refreshing places in our lives; one half of project hilarious has spiralled into the depths of new love and the other (down boys, especially hot European boys with useful bodies) is in a wonderful place. We’ve come to understand, at least in hindsight, our previous pain was a stepping stone to the path of present happiness, laughter and love. We are reminded of the fact that the real hero on Valentine’s Day is love of all kinds. Friendship, familial, romantic – any and all love brings joy, brings laughter and brings happiness.
What do we have now? Well, we have new best friends because of breakups and sorrow. We have a worldwide geopolitical movement (project hilarious) that we created out of fear, insecurity, and misery. And if we say so ourselves, it’s pretty awesome. Let us be perfectly clear. Our goal isn't to achieve the poetic prose of Sylvia Plath, James Joyce or The Bard. And we do not anticipate being as ridiculously hilarious as Sarah Silverman, Ricky Gervais, Rick Santorum, or Paula Poundston. But we will continue to enjoy project hilarious and we hope you do too!
Feel the love – feed the hilarity – it’s there, we know it, belly-deep laughter and all. If you feel like it is hiding French 75s are excellent seekers.
Hide-and-seek anyone?
Week night French 75s really are danger bay and laughter really is the best medicine! This is dedicated to all of those we've loved and cared about who also had a tough year this year. And if you haven't found IT already, may this be the day you find your project hilarious
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