The Hell's a Karaoke League*

You know how there are club kickball, softball, dodgeball etc. leagues? Well imagine something like that for chorus and theatre nerds. Earlier this year, my roommate heard about a karaoke league starting in Baltimore. We've competed in three seasons since then.

Originating in DC, the league welcomes six teams of eight performers to a bar for ten consecutive weeknights to sing their hearts out against each other. Drinking is encouraged but not enforced. The first eight weeks are head-to-head matchups featuring two soloists and a group number with themes ranging from decades, locations, and gender-swap. It's then followed by semi-finals and finals. You might ask how that works with six teams, but you'll have to come out sometime to figure that out.

As a lover of karaoke and the spotlight, I couldn't pass up this opportunity. For me, it's kind of like that college athlete that never made it to the pros, so he waits in the park for a game of pickup basketball. Not everyone goes in with that mentally; most of the people there are just there to enjoy karaoke. Or at least that's how they start out.

While the league is meant to be fun and supportive, it's still competitive karaoke. There are gift cards, glory, and honor on the line. Rivalries form. Costumes and props are purchased. Mics are dropped! [Not really, they'll disqualify you for damaging equipment.]

While they don't have every song out there - I'm still waiting on some Janelle Monae (cough, cough) - the selection is still pretty choice. I've performed Super Freak, Call Tyrone, Luck Be A Lady, Used to Love You, Heaven on Their Minds, and Lose Control just to give you an idea of how diverse my repertoire - I mean, their library is.

Honestly, my favorite part of the karaoke league is the rivalry. The first season, my friends and I called ourselves Songs Against Humanity. Our biggest competition was Black and Purple Rain, the team led by the guy who told my roommate about the league. We had been floating around the top two spots all season, waiting for our opportunity to face off in the last round. Unfortunately, in the round prior, we were both knocked out by the sixth and fifth seeded teams. A moment like that reminds you to never underestimate your opponent. The first season ended up going to those gotdamn Honey Badgers.

The season following I decided I wanted to lead my own team, create a three way rivalry. We had enough attention seeking friends to make it work. My roommate's team The Basic Pitches ended up winning that season with their show-stopping Proud Mary number. There are tiny trophies littering our house to remind me of that every day.

But through the rivalries I've met very interesting people that I probably wouldn't have come across any other way. Artists, filmmakers, teachers, retired veterans, etc. I suppose this is how adults make new friends. I'm not sure if it's because of the league or because I'm older, but people five years or older no longer intimidate me. We all just fellowship as one. Don't get me wrong, my friends and I are definitely the youngest in the league, but it doesn't really matter. We still get our asses handed to us every now and then.

If any of this sounds appealing to you, I recommend you come out to Tin Roof on Tuesdays at 7pm. We'll starting our semi-finals for the 3rd season. And to toot our own horn, but my team MeloDEEZ NUTZ is pretty good this season. You can also check out United Karaoke's official website to see if they're in a city near you. The next season'll be starting soon. I'd love some new competition.

Word


*This is not a sponsored post. ...but I wouldn't mind if it became one.

The Appeal of Known Gays

Last week, Passion Pit lead singer Michael Angelakos come out as a homosexual. Upon seeing this information on the right ticker of my Facebook, I googled images of him. I proceeded to post a deep cut from Gossamer as my "song of the day" and looked into his other work. Did you know Passion Pit dropped an album earlier this year, because I didn't. It was only as I looked at the album art that I realized I had done it again: I was obsessing over a celebrity because they were now a Known Gay.

Going from acknowledging their existence to knowing their life story is nothing new. During the summer of 2015, around 10 Youtube vloggers revealed their as LGBT status. While I'm sure they lost a few subscribers, most of them have gained notoriety. I haven't completely followed the bandwagon myself, but I will occasionally watch Shane Dawson videos when they appear in my suggestions. Last year, he was one of the worst people ever, and now I'm falling for his clickbait titles.

Why does this happen? For one, these people are finally being honest with not just the public but with themselves. If there's enough documentation, you can see the despair in the eyes while they were closeted vs the relief after they come out. Plenty of recently out people have even talked about their battle with depression and other mental illnesses because of all the stress it caused them. There's something compelling about that.

Of course, relatability is also a factor. I "discovered" Frank Ocean and Sam Smith way before my friends. [casually flips headscarf like hair] They earned my favor before their debut albums. However, when they opened up about their sexuality publicly, they instantly become members of Charles' Favorite Artists Club. Being able to sing along to a song about a man sung by a man allows me to connect with the lyrics on a level I was unaware existed.

Lastly, visibility. Here's a list of shows I'm a bigger fan of because they feature gay characters or actors: Shameless, How to Get Away With Murder, Glee, Happy Endings, Gotham, Scandal, Modern Family, and I'm sure there's more. At this point, I'm aware that having a queer character on a show is a marketing technique, but it's one I will gladly fall for if it means more characters for the younger generation to look up to.

Kindred's* ending, so I suppose I'll wrap this up by saying keep coming out, all you closeted actors and musicians. I'd love to support your work more than I already do. But if you lie about your sexuality just to gain LGBT fans, so help you we will find out and send Gandalf the White after you.

Word.


*Kindred is Passion Pit's latest album. I'll reserve my review for later... if I deem it worthy.

Ranger Living

I think I'm going to turn Mondays into fiction workshops for myself. In that vein, please enjoy this excerpt from a script I'm trying to write (and it's not even the best scene).

~~~
Editors note: none of the characters featured in this scene are Caucasian.

Greg and Bast are drinking rum and coke at the dining room table.

BAST

Ok. Who's your favorite original Power Ranger?

GREG

Billy, duh. He's the reason my favorite color is blue. I mean, I was smart in kindergarten and I knew it, so I was obviously gonna go for him. Who woulda guessed we’d both wind up gay? Or maybe that was just the first time my gaydar worked? I dunno, I just know it hasn't worked since. (pause) I bet your favorite is Zach.

Bast looks away.

BAST

No.

Greg gives him a look as to say "C'mon."

BAST

Ok, fine. Those dance moves, yo! [Bast gets up and mimics the 90s dance choreography.]

GREG

I'm just mad his fighting style was basically capoeira. He danced as he fought.

BAST

That's what was so ill about it. Shit looked effortless.

Greg gets a text and looks at it while Bast continues to dance. He goes outside and returns with Chet.

BAST

Chet! I didn't know you were coming over, mothafucka. How's it been?

CHET

Not. Bad. (to Greg) Is Bast drunk?

GREG

He's not not drunk.

BAST

Hey, fuck you, mothafucka, I'm just feeling the Malibu.

GREG

You got work tomorrow?

CHET

No.

GREG

Then you need a drink. I think we still have some Natty Boh unless you want some Malibu.

CHET

Boh, please.

GREG

So what's up?

CHET

Nothing much. Lovely is putting an end to singing next season.

GREG

Who are they, the mayors from Footloose or something? Mayor? Official? I don't know, I've never seen Footloose.

CHET

Ugh, really?

GREG

Hey hey. [Greg points to himself] Black household. [He points to Chet.] White household. What do you expect from me?

BAST

Hey hey, I've seen Footloose.

GREG

Yeah, but you're gay.

Bast flashes Greg the middle finger as he continues dancing.

CHET

What is he doing?

GREG

Being Zach from Power Rangers.

CHET

Oh.

GREG

Wait... did they have last names? Yeah, right? They never flashed them during the opening credits.

CHET

I dunno.

BAST

Shut up, Trini.

GREG

Hey hey. If anything, Chet is Kimberly, let's be real here.

BAST

Oh right. No racist, no racist.

CHET

Anyway, so I think I'm gonna look for a new job.

GREG

Woo, job hunt! My least favorite game!

BAST

Woo! I already have my career path laid out before me!

GREG

No one wants to be a teacher anyway, Bast.

Bast flashes another middle finger.

GREG

I feel like you need a shot. Would you like a shot, Chet?

CHET

You know what? Why not? It's been one of those days anyway.

GREG

Right, and it's only Malibu; it's not that strong.

BAST

Hey, you bought it, mothafucka.

GREG

Cause I was treating you, bitch! (to Chet) Anyway, help yourself. I'll probably just stay with this for now.

CHET

[Chet begins pouring himself a shot] But yeah, so I'm looking for a new job. Also, my lease is up soon.

GREG

Really? Yeah, I guess it has been a year since you graduated. Thought you found that last July.

CHET

I did. [Chet raises his shot glass and clinks with Greg mixed drink. They drink together.] But we signed in August. Anyway, I don't wanna live there anymore. You wanna live together?

GREG

I dunno. That one summer we lived together was pretty awfu- of course I wanna live with you, fool. It's gonna be the best time ever.

BAST

What's going on?

GREG

Oh. Hey, Chet, can this one join us?

CHET

I mean, I was gonna ask him, too. It's a lot easier to find three bedrooms than two bedrooms.

GREG

I mean, he's fine sleeping on couches either way, so.

BAST

What are you guys talking about?

GREG

Wanna live with me and Chet?

BAST

Oh yeah, I'm so down. That'll def be better than tryna find my own place solo.

GREG

Awesome. I'm gonna be living with two of my good friends. Dare I say, maybe best friends once this experience gets under way? This calls for more shots.

CHET

More shots!

GREG

That's the spirit! [Greg pours shots and hands them out] To a mighty morphin' good time.

Word

Exposing Private Racism

As someone of the non-Caucasian persuasion, I'm very aware that racism is still alive: from the outright Confederate flags to the lowkey micro-gressions that happen every day. However, as a person of color, you can't stumble through life assuming every white person harbors ill will against you. Occasionally a few will slip up on Facebook or Twitter, but people are clever enough to wear metaphorical hoods these days.

I originally that about this while watching Aziz Ansari's new Netflix original Master of None over the weekend. It's a little rough around the edges, but overall it's a great show with outstanding content with topics ranging from dating to a woman's everyday struggles. In the episode* "Indians on TV," Aziz' character Dev doesn't want to portray Indian stereotypes for acting roles. Soon he gets a shot for a buddy sitcom, but the network execs exchange emails expressing how they don't think the show can succeed with two Indian actors and want to see which one can "curry their favor." The email chain is mistakenly sent to Dev, who then confronts the exec who wrote the "curry" line only to be treated out to a wonderful night out in the hopes that Dev will keep quiet. His conscious eventually catches up to him and he leaks the email that results in the exec's termination from the studio.

So I found much humor this past Monday when Tim Wolfe, [former] president of the University of Missouri, resigned after student protests spurred by his indifference toward racial tensions and threats. However just two days later, the campus faced death threats against its black students. I also read today that students at Howard University in DC are facing the same threats. It would seem that the resignation did the opposite of healing, but instead inspired radical racists to expose themselves.

So, what can we do? Well, for one, everyone on any college or work campus facing such threats, stay safe. But we have to keep this racial discourse going. We cannot stop talking about racism and other issues facing our society. Silence just allows the hatred to lie in waiting, quietly poisoning our society. As dangerous as it may become, we have to remain vocal in hopes that we'll educate the masses and expose racist behavior until its eradicated. Keep the protest going, my dear friends and associates. May we all truly be equal some day.

Word.



*Anytime someone starts a sentence with "In the episode,"  you should be fully aware of the spoilers ahead. However, I do apologize if you've feel I've ruined the episode for you. Watch it for the jokes anyway.

**This post was originally intended for Wednesday, but after hearing the story develop, I needed time to process the information. Thank you for bearing with me.

Fuckboi-ism & Fall of the Pumpkin Spice Fairy

And now, two impromptu poems:

Fuckboi-ism

You shack up in a committed relationship
or stay single long enough to become a fuckboi

You think it can't happen to you
you have morals but morals are shit
when it comes to carnal desires
Logic goes out the window

Drink that bottle of whiskey
Wallow in self-pity
Lie to yourself
Message that person that likes you
for a reasons you can't begin to fathom

Use them
Neglect them
Discourage them
Wait two months
Draw them back in
Repeat

Before you realize what've you become
it's too late
It's been three years
It's habit

You are fuckboi
Fuckboi are you
Never to be trusted again
until you put on that sheep's clothing

~~~

Fall of the Pumpkin Spice Fairy


Every September 22nd
after weeks of anticipation
the Pumpkin Spice Fairy awakes from her slumber
to grace lattes and baked goods with her presence
She scoots around on the Great Pumpkin
leaving nutmeg trails in her wake
She dons custom orange cardigans
inspiring fashion designers' creations
She hums Danny Elfman scores
while watching foliage land on the lake
She dines with Oprah
for the October Favorite Things luncheon

But this November 1st,
her nationwide tour of the States
was snipped by a cold breeze
scented by peppermint from the North
Jacqueline Frost appeared early
to answer the cries of those
yearning for Christmas
The fairy pleaded for one more month
to at least make it to Thanksgiving
but Ms Frost turned a deaf ear and cold shoulder
pushing the Pumpkin Spice Fairy back
until you knocked her head against a tree
banished until next year's Autumn.



Word

The Benefits of Onesies

The last few years, onesies have been coming back into popular culture. Or maybe I just think so because I spend too much time on the internet. Anyway, here's a listicle.

1) Nostalgia
Listen, we're all millenials here. Trust me, I hate that term, too. But 90s kids just doesn't accurately describe people between 18 and 34. [I feel generations are more of a seven year stretch, but that's an argument for another time.] Fact is, many of us in that age bracket are reminiscent as all hell. We love to fetishize our favorite 80s and 90s TV shows and movies. Some of the terrible fashion of those times have returned because we wanted them to. So why not welcome onesies back into your heart? Feel their warm embrace and be transported back to the days of being seven, watching Saturday morning cartoons, and eating cereal.

2) Cold Weather
You know what's better than getting under the covers during the winter? Wearing a damn blanket during the winter. Onesies are warm, warmer than some sweaters - because it's all one piece. Zip it up and all that fine body heat stays trapped inside. Besides, you know what's cold when you first hop in it? Your bed. You know what's not? That onesie hanging in your closet. Now put it on and hop around like a bunny.

3) Cuffing Season
With cold weather comes cuffing season. If you're unaware, cuffing season comes about every Autumn/Winter. Having spent the summer being free and promiscuous, plenty of single people find themselves wanting a companion to share the winter with so they don't have to face the harsh conditions of the winter. Well, sometimes you fail at finding someone to cuff; so why not get yourself a companion you can step into like a Tauntaun and listen to this fine playlist I curated. Onesies: they'll always be there to cradle you into the night.

4) Outside's Overrated
As previously explained, no one wants to go outside during the winter. Stay inside with your onesie. You can wear it with clothes or go commando. Who cares, because technically you're still wearing something. And you know what, if you really want to, you can go outside in an onesie. Check your mail. Go to the corner store. Sit down and write a memoir at your local coffee shop. If you get a dark colored onesie and throw a jacket over it, no one will be the wiser. Trust me, a former roommate knows from experience.

5) Parties/Costumes
Onesie. One piece. One item. That's all your costume will consist of. Easy to put on; easy to keep track off. And it's always machine washable if you get a stain. If enough of your posse has them, you can throw annual parties where you daydrink and stay warm. Doesn't that sound like the best thing ever? I know, because it is.

6) F*** Snuggies
Self-explanatory.

7) Stylish
You think onesies just come in cute animals and cartoon characters? Wrong. They come in cute patterns, too. That means you can look cool around the lodge when you take that skiing trip I won't be accompanying you on.

8) Affordable
You can go to Amazon right now and find adult onesies ranging between $15 and $45. Some of you pay $37.26 for a sweater. This is a whole outfit. Some of them even have feet! Hoods! Pockets! BUTTFLAPS! You don't even have to disrobe. You're paying 30 bucks for the warmest poop of your life. You just can't beat that.

I hope I've convinced you all to purchase onesies so that I can wear my rotation all winter without fear of ridicule. Stay toasty, my dear friends and associates.

Word.

Kim Kelly is My Friend

By the time we reach our mid-20s, we've realized that outside of work we don't have to be around people we don't like. Why not spend it simply around those we deem worth of wasting days away with? But sometimes our close friends have others they deem worth and try to integrate them into the group. And sometimes these people are just the worst.

You find yourself wondering how you share a mutual friend with this horrible person. Maybe you need to cut off your friend so you don't have to hang around their friend. No, that would be dick-ish. So you attempt to see what your friend sees in them, but all you realize is that they're as swallow, selfish, overly-opinionated, unconsciously racist/misogynistic, and heavy-footed as you thought they were. They even borrowed your roommate's favorite shirt without asking and stretched it out. Not to mention they're the worst kind of drunk: loud.

If I'm being honest with you, I just described a combination of horrible people I've had run-ins with. More recently, I've garnered the drunk confidence to tell one to their face all the ways they piss people [read: me] off. I felt like a champion of the people: I rid the evil cursing the land by making the beast cry and run to the bathroom. In hindsight, I was terrible for that, but it felt so good in that moment.

Oddly enough, that did not repel them from our friend group. It actually made them come around more often, and for a while I couldn't figure out why.

Then I remembered one of the best cancelled yet cult classic TV shows of our time: Freaks and Geeks. It's on Netflix if you've never seen it. [Not a sponsored blog... yet.] In the show, one of the protagonist Lindsay joins the "Freaks" of the school. In this group of Freaks is a girl named Kim Kelly, girlfriend to the boy Lindsay kind of has a crush on. Obviously they don't get along, but the animosity is mostly from Kim's side.

About halfway through the season, Kim begins to cling to Lindsay, much to Lindsay's bewilderment. Soon she finds that Kim Kelly's home life is nothing like her own. She basically lives in a shack compared to Lindsay's house. Kim's mother yells at her daughter and tells her she's nothing. Relatives are passed out (presumably drunk) on furniture. Eventually, Lindsay realizes how one's environment can shape a person to act crass, rude, and like everyone's out to get them. The girls' friendship blossoms from that point.

It reminded me that everyone has their backstory, some darker than others. Soon I learned the loud drunk's past struggles and hardship. We bonded over similarities I was unaware we shared. I grew to understand and like this character. My blind rage was replaced with compassion.

This is not to say they don't annoy me anymore; they still have their moments. I tease them any opportunity I get to balance it out. It's my way of making them pay for their past transgressions. They're about caught up.

It is at this moment that I am proud to announce that.... Taylor Swift is my friend. I know, I know. I've been #teamKanye for years. But she's proven herself to not be all bad. I mean, we have the same taste in TV shows so that helps. (Except Doctor Who. Who has the time, am I right? Oh, you do? Well, never mind...) This doesn't mean I listen to her songs, though. Her taste in music is still trash, but we've found ways to overcome this.

So open your hearts, my dear friends and associates, to that person you can't stand. There's a reason they're so crazy. Perhaps you'll become close friends. Or not. Sometimes people are a little too messed up. Know when to back away. Stay sane.

Word.

Repurposing Failed Work

It's no secret I've been missing in action from the creative writing world besides the few periodical moments my blog came back to life. I want to thank you all for baring with me these past few years. Sometimes your confidence just takes an unexpected hit, and it takes longer to bounce back than you could have ever expected. But after a while you find a way to reproach situations in your life.

During this time in my creative life I shall henceforth refer to as the Dark Ages, I saw a number of my peers furthering their careers and brands, both professionally and recreationally. While they inspired me, it also depressed me that I couldn't find the same self-starting initiative they had. I felt broken with no cheap mechanic to tune me up, because we all know psychologists cost an arm, leg, and a brain. Am I right? You've never seen one? Well, moving back to what a sad sack I was.

It wasn't until I noticed an old friend asking for writers to produce articles for his website that I felt I could successfully hop back into the double-dutch game. In all honestly, my Best Albums of the Year posts that have graced this page were mostly attempts at getting his staff's attention. (I also like bragging about my taste in music, so it really wasn't a stretch for me.) Even digitally, I can still be a bit too shy to say what I want. Given some of my past posts, I'm sure that's surprising.

When I reached out to him, he seemed excited to have me on board. All I had to do was prove I was actually committed and write a review or opinion piece. Figuring any nobody could write a review [see: Yelp, Facebook, my Twitter feed], I decided to voice my opinion on a matter I felt of the utmost importance: that the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack paled in comparison to those of Running With Scissors and Watchmen. That's right. I wanted to start off my opinion piece career with an unpopular opinion. So daring. Much opinion. OPINION!*

Let me spoil the end of this story for you: my piece never saw the light of day. I never even bothered to tell my friend that I didn't have anything for him because I, in fact, am the worst. But it's not as if I didn't try to write something. I got three paragraphs deep before I realized I was writing garbage. My argument was a year late and weak, so weak I even started to doubt it. I hid under my desk because it was bombing. Ok, it wasn't that bad, but it felt like it. I still wouldn't say I love the GotG soundtrack, but I can see the mass appeal it has.

That was seven months ago. It wasn't until last month that I was able to pull myself together and realized I could have written an entirely different piece on the relation between soundtracks and their movies and how they strengthen each other.

What I'm saying is, don't be me. Don't give up, especially on yourself. If you fail at something, try it from a different angle because you probably approached it wrong the first time. Turn those flops into hits. Sometimes you're more clever than you think.

Does this mean I'm going to rewrite that article? Maybe in the future, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I'll be too busy turning this ghost ship back into the Titanic. ...meaning, it'll probably die once it gets too cold out. Or maybe it won't! I'm trying to rebrand myself. Which is why you may have noticed this isn't in the typical Wacko Monologues stanza format you've grown to accept. I want to try something new and long form this time around, because change can be good, right?

As of now, I'll be posting three times a week: Mondays, Tuesdays/Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I figured having the Tuesday/Wednesday flex spot could be useful for when I anticipate Humpday being too much for you all [aka when Tuesday is too much for me]. I hope you're all excited to have me back. Because without your applause I just fade away. ...and that's my court mandated gay joke for the week. Til my next post, my dear friends and associates.

Word.


*Occasionally I have to call myself out for using the same word too many time and being too lazy to synonym it up. I like to think it adds to the humor of my writing if I'm self-aware.