Who doesn't look forward to the weekend? As soon as Friday hits, everyone is excited. For some it means no work, others no class, but for everyone, it means time to have fun.
Ever since freshman year, I have been real pumped for the weekend. Parties, girls, and more parties. But as the year went on, I began to be excited for weekend nights. Not the days. And especially not sundays. Not Sunday mornings, not Sunday afternoons, non Sunday nights.
You see, when people go out on the weekends to concerts, the movies, and parties, they get done up. They try to look 'nice'. Guys put on the button down shirt they got at Macy's with the fresh kicks they "only break out for specail occasions". The girls get the makeup on, make the eyelashes longer, and roc those heels.
When one starts drinking a little bit, people begin to look a little better. When a dance party ensues, people start to look hot. When the lights go off, Everyone is attractive.
I just remember sitting in the dining hall at Sunday brunch scanning the area. I would be talking with some people bout the two nights before while people walked back and forth getting food. I would bring up a name or describe someone and a friend would point and say "You mean her?" And sure enough, the damsel of the night before was suddenly looking like The Bride of Frankenstein.
The tank top from the night before was replaced by an oversized Wesleyan T-Shirt. The jeans that made her legs look great are gone. Now, a pair of worn navy blue sweatpants. The heels are now some old navy flip flops that are at least 3 years old.
The guys aren't too much better. The nice button down from the night before is replaced by just a tank top or cut off shirt. (Apparently the need to show off the guns is heightened during brunch hours). The jeans are gone and now we are looking at size XXXL basketball shorts. And slippers or rainbow flip flops replace the fresh new kicks.
Now, I'm fine with being comfortable in what you wear. Wear whatever the hell you want. But don't go from one extreme to the other in a matter of hours. I can't handle it. I get to know you as Person A on Saturday night and I see you as Person T Sunday afternoon. It makes it harder to recognize you. It makes it harder to get to know you.
"Weekend One-Eighty" is a reference to 180 degrees which I experience throughout the course of the weekend. When people go from one thing one night to something else the following day.
With your help, we can end this epidemic which is plaguing campus' nationwide.
Spread the word
Friday, September 19, 2008
By Myself
So I went to go see Iron Man last night. This was my second time seeing it and I was still as excited as the first time. Although I will admit that going to see it after I got back from Italy, and going to the Grand Lake with the free popcorn, and going with mom made it a little more exciting the first go around.
The movie was playing at the campus film center and I had cleared my evening so I could go. My man Zach had a meeting and my boy Yuki had an econ meeting so they couldn't go. I made no attempt to invite anyone else.
You see, I like doing things solo. I like going to the movies by myself. I like eating by myself. I don't need nobody else. People ask how I can go to the movies by myself and I reply that it is easy. When you watch a tv show or a movie at home, do you need someone else to be there? No
But my reasoning goes beyond that. We have all been on dates to the movies or just gone with friends or family. Is there anything else worse then trying to decide where to sit. I mean honestly. You turn the corner with popcorn in one hand and candy and a soda in the other. You are already late and most of the seats are taken. You are standing there looking up at everyone trying to figure out where to go.
You might need to walk all the way across to the other side, you might be with someone who, although not tall and thus possessing short or normal legs "has to have an aisle seat", or you might be with the "I don't care where we sit. You pick". By the time you settle on two or three seats together, all that is left is the seats in the second row which leave you with a neck ache comparable to that of the aftermath of a roller coaster at Six Flags.
So, I roll solo. I leave my house when I want to. I don't need to wait for anyone. I don't need to get the tickets and have someone pay me back after. I can choose anywhere to sit. There are countless single seats available, and I can get aisle or center or whatever I want. No sharing my water, or candy. Anything and everything is my decision.
Going into the campus theater I knew there were going to be some wack people. What I didn't know is that fools were going to bring in beer and act stupid. I happened to pick the row right in front of some ass-clowns who talked throughout the whole movie. I kept turning my head around and looking at them and after the third time one guy said "Hey Brum, shut up!" They got the point. For the record, this guy lived on my hall freshman year and the name 'Brum' is the actual name this kid goes by. His real name is Abraham but somehow he derived Brum from that and thought it was a good idea to go by it. You can probably assume I don't kick it too much with that guy.
It is just awful when people talk in the movie. "This is confusing." "What did he say?" "That was stupid. Why he do that? I wouldn't have done that" It is also horrible when someone in the audience has seen the movie already and they are whispering what is to come. "Watch this move he makes" "Oh, this scene is crazy funny!"
Equally bad is when folks want to bust out the cell phones. And with the iphone and blackberry, people love to show them off. When someone breaks their phone out during a movie, the screen lights up and eyes are distracted. I was missing the quick wit of Tony Stark cuz this dumb girl couldn't keep her thumbs to herself. "Click click click click". After the second time she started to text I turned across the aisle (I was sitting on the aisle in the middle, she was aisle on the right side) and said: "let's text after the movie". This chick put her phone away quicker than Yosemite Sam draws his gun.
The guys behind me continued to open beers and whisper to each other and since I was outnumbered, I decided to do nothing. They were already speaking in hushed tones instead of that whisper which is actually louder than the normal tone. And that girl didn't look at her phone until the credits began to roll.
Going to the movies is a unique experience. Comfortable seats, air conditioning, big screen. We can do without the cell phones and talking. I understand if you are in a fight with your significant other or someone is about to go into labor. But, if something else is that important, your ass shouldn't be at the movies in the first place.
Turn off the phone. Keep your mouth shut. And enjoy.
The movie was playing at the campus film center and I had cleared my evening so I could go. My man Zach had a meeting and my boy Yuki had an econ meeting so they couldn't go. I made no attempt to invite anyone else.
You see, I like doing things solo. I like going to the movies by myself. I like eating by myself. I don't need nobody else. People ask how I can go to the movies by myself and I reply that it is easy. When you watch a tv show or a movie at home, do you need someone else to be there? No
But my reasoning goes beyond that. We have all been on dates to the movies or just gone with friends or family. Is there anything else worse then trying to decide where to sit. I mean honestly. You turn the corner with popcorn in one hand and candy and a soda in the other. You are already late and most of the seats are taken. You are standing there looking up at everyone trying to figure out where to go.
You might need to walk all the way across to the other side, you might be with someone who, although not tall and thus possessing short or normal legs "has to have an aisle seat", or you might be with the "I don't care where we sit. You pick". By the time you settle on two or three seats together, all that is left is the seats in the second row which leave you with a neck ache comparable to that of the aftermath of a roller coaster at Six Flags.
So, I roll solo. I leave my house when I want to. I don't need to wait for anyone. I don't need to get the tickets and have someone pay me back after. I can choose anywhere to sit. There are countless single seats available, and I can get aisle or center or whatever I want. No sharing my water, or candy. Anything and everything is my decision.
Going into the campus theater I knew there were going to be some wack people. What I didn't know is that fools were going to bring in beer and act stupid. I happened to pick the row right in front of some ass-clowns who talked throughout the whole movie. I kept turning my head around and looking at them and after the third time one guy said "Hey Brum, shut up!" They got the point. For the record, this guy lived on my hall freshman year and the name 'Brum' is the actual name this kid goes by. His real name is Abraham but somehow he derived Brum from that and thought it was a good idea to go by it. You can probably assume I don't kick it too much with that guy.
It is just awful when people talk in the movie. "This is confusing." "What did he say?" "That was stupid. Why he do that? I wouldn't have done that" It is also horrible when someone in the audience has seen the movie already and they are whispering what is to come. "Watch this move he makes" "Oh, this scene is crazy funny!"
Equally bad is when folks want to bust out the cell phones. And with the iphone and blackberry, people love to show them off. When someone breaks their phone out during a movie, the screen lights up and eyes are distracted. I was missing the quick wit of Tony Stark cuz this dumb girl couldn't keep her thumbs to herself. "Click click click click". After the second time she started to text I turned across the aisle (I was sitting on the aisle in the middle, she was aisle on the right side) and said: "let's text after the movie". This chick put her phone away quicker than Yosemite Sam draws his gun.
The guys behind me continued to open beers and whisper to each other and since I was outnumbered, I decided to do nothing. They were already speaking in hushed tones instead of that whisper which is actually louder than the normal tone. And that girl didn't look at her phone until the credits began to roll.
Going to the movies is a unique experience. Comfortable seats, air conditioning, big screen. We can do without the cell phones and talking. I understand if you are in a fight with your significant other or someone is about to go into labor. But, if something else is that important, your ass shouldn't be at the movies in the first place.
Turn off the phone. Keep your mouth shut. And enjoy.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
No More Of That
It is weird, indeed. Back on campus after a year away. I'm feeling like a freshman all over again. We have a new campus center, a new president (bout as cool as joc itch), and a bunch of new faces.
I'm slowly getting back in the groove but it will take some time. I'm in a house now which is nice and having my own room is just great. I'm starting to realize I just don't like to share. Plain and simple. I don't like sharing. At least I can admit it, right?
Although I was here for two years, there were some things about this school that I forgot about. Mainly I forgot about the people. Aside from having to pretend to be interested in how people's summers were, I had to answer the same question over and over again.
jackass #1 "Hey, how was being abroad?!"
Me "It was good"
jackass #2" Where were you again? Spain?"
Me"No, Italy"
jackass #1"How was the food? Was the pizza so good?"
Me "Good. All good"
See, my feeling is this: if we were cool to begin with you would have already known. I would have sent you an email or you would have contacted me in some way. All my good friends already know I had a fantastic junior year in Italy. Now, I have to answer to the tweener friends...oy vey
But the main thing I'm noticing is how the guy and girl interactions go down. I am two weeks in and am already tired of seeing the New England guy with the backward Red Sox hat, J. Crew shirt, J.Crew khaki shorts, and J. Crew sandals.
I'm tired of seeing some chumps from Boston throw the football in one hand while sipping some brewski's in the other. But, I can hang with it. That is the way it is out here. If it wasn't for them, folks like me from California wouldn't be as cool. No, the one thing I can't stand is the guy to girl high 5. That has to stop.
Its the uneasy greeting or farewell when a guy doesn't know what to say or do when talking to a girl
Guy "So you have all your classes?"
Girl"yep"
Guy "Cool (gives high 5) See ya later"
Some guys will put their hand way into the air before they are even 10 feet from each other and hi-5. I assume this is one way to engage in some physical contact but come on. Hi 5's should be kept to sports related events only. Handshake or hugs and kisses only.
You think James Dean ever hi-fived a lady? You think Shaft told a female to give him 5? HELL TO THE NO
Nobody in their late 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's does the hi-5 outside of the arena. Unless your are from Mass, New Hampshire, or anywhere in New England.
Apparently, if you are from there, you can act like a jackass and get away with it your whole life.
I'm slowly getting back in the groove but it will take some time. I'm in a house now which is nice and having my own room is just great. I'm starting to realize I just don't like to share. Plain and simple. I don't like sharing. At least I can admit it, right?
Although I was here for two years, there were some things about this school that I forgot about. Mainly I forgot about the people. Aside from having to pretend to be interested in how people's summers were, I had to answer the same question over and over again.
jackass #1 "Hey, how was being abroad?!"
Me "It was good"
jackass #2" Where were you again? Spain?"
Me"No, Italy"
jackass #1"How was the food? Was the pizza so good?"
Me "Good. All good"
See, my feeling is this: if we were cool to begin with you would have already known. I would have sent you an email or you would have contacted me in some way. All my good friends already know I had a fantastic junior year in Italy. Now, I have to answer to the tweener friends...oy vey
But the main thing I'm noticing is how the guy and girl interactions go down. I am two weeks in and am already tired of seeing the New England guy with the backward Red Sox hat, J. Crew shirt, J.Crew khaki shorts, and J. Crew sandals.
I'm tired of seeing some chumps from Boston throw the football in one hand while sipping some brewski's in the other. But, I can hang with it. That is the way it is out here. If it wasn't for them, folks like me from California wouldn't be as cool. No, the one thing I can't stand is the guy to girl high 5. That has to stop.
Its the uneasy greeting or farewell when a guy doesn't know what to say or do when talking to a girl
Guy "So you have all your classes?"
Girl"yep"
Guy "Cool (gives high 5) See ya later"
Some guys will put their hand way into the air before they are even 10 feet from each other and hi-5. I assume this is one way to engage in some physical contact but come on. Hi 5's should be kept to sports related events only. Handshake or hugs and kisses only.
You think James Dean ever hi-fived a lady? You think Shaft told a female to give him 5? HELL TO THE NO
Nobody in their late 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's does the hi-5 outside of the arena. Unless your are from Mass, New Hampshire, or anywhere in New England.
Apparently, if you are from there, you can act like a jackass and get away with it your whole life.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Bellbottoms & Afros & Pat
As I'm sure y'all have figured by now, I'm into acting. I had this internship in the costume department of this movie this summer and met someone who told me bout this website for actors. I went on it and joined.
It was mainly background or extra work. But it was with legit shows: Law & Order, Ugly Betty, etc. I submitted myself for everything just cuz I wanted to throw myself out there. I was chilln late night watching TV when I got a call on my cell phone. It was a number I didn't recognize so, naturally, I didn't pick up.
It turned out to be a a woman who wanted me to be part of this TV show tomorrow up in Queens. It was a cop drama show and this episode was the pilot for HBO. Well hot damn, I'm there.
I took the subway uptown at 6 in the morning and took the bus they provided from 96th and Lexington. I found out I was going to be playing a "detainee" once I got on board. As I was walking to my seat, I noticed it was chalk full of black guys. No problems there, just interesting. Once we got to the set I figured out what was going on. No, no, no, this wasn't the sequel to Roots, but rather a show that took place in 70's and all of the suspects for this episode were of some minority.
Once I checked in and sat down it really hit me that I knew absolutely nobody. Everyone here was trying to "come up" or "make it" in someway. I sat down at an empty table and wished I had my iPod more than ever. As more people checked in, some folks came over to my table. I introduced myself and was pleasantly surprised at those at my table.
We sat in the holding area all day. Literally. We were in a middle school gym all day and didn't once make it to set. Apparently the scenes were getting delayed so everything was pushed back. I wasn't really worrying though because they kept feeding us and we were getting paid. Me and the other guys I just met were just chatting it up about movies, TV shows, and everything in between. The two older black guys were just telling all kinds of stories ranging from some gangsters they knew back in the day to absurd adventures they have had at dunkin donuts.
I was in holding for about 11 hours when they finally told us to go home and come back tomorrow. The following day was a whole lot better. I got to go to wardrobe and was given grey bellbottom slacks and a knit blue and grey shirt. I kept my chuck T's on. They picked out my 'fro and I was ret to go. I got called to set along with some other guys and we were handcuffed to desks for a scene. At one point, a main character comes over to me and uncuffs me which prompts another detainee to say some lines. I'm thinking I got some good face time in front of the camera so stay tuned.
That scene was shot over two days because of camera angles, scene re-writes and what not. I was cool with it. I got paid and was getting my grub on at the craft service table. The funniest part no doubt came when we back to holding for a break. I was yukking it up with one of the older guys when we noticed somebody lying on two chairs asleep. This person was in one of those extremely awkward positions where you ask yourself "how the hell did the fall asleep like that?"
When I approached this person to get something out of my backup, they woke up. No lie, they looked like a unknown gendered gremlin. I backed up immidealty and sat back down. Once this person got up, the guys at my table noticed him/her too and one guy said the funniest thing I've heard in a long time as he/she passed. He turned to me and said "Its Pat"
I started rollin'. He hit it SPOT ON. This was a real life ' Pat' character from the old SNL. Legit short black hair, no sign of breasts, semi baggy/loose pants. It was seriously Pat. For the rest of the day 'Pat' could be seen walking around and not doing much at all. I never figured out why it was there but I didn't care.
Someone asked her some questions and she gave vauge Pat-like responses that didn't give any hint to who or even what she/he/ it was.
It was a pretty fun overall experience. I got to relive the 70's by wearing a fly outfit and seeing cops in leather jackets and thick mustaches. I got to eat like no tomorrow. And I got paid. And I saw Pat!
I only wish I got a picture... well, there is always google images.
It was mainly background or extra work. But it was with legit shows: Law & Order, Ugly Betty, etc. I submitted myself for everything just cuz I wanted to throw myself out there. I was chilln late night watching TV when I got a call on my cell phone. It was a number I didn't recognize so, naturally, I didn't pick up.
It turned out to be a a woman who wanted me to be part of this TV show tomorrow up in Queens. It was a cop drama show and this episode was the pilot for HBO. Well hot damn, I'm there.
I took the subway uptown at 6 in the morning and took the bus they provided from 96th and Lexington. I found out I was going to be playing a "detainee" once I got on board. As I was walking to my seat, I noticed it was chalk full of black guys. No problems there, just interesting. Once we got to the set I figured out what was going on. No, no, no, this wasn't the sequel to Roots, but rather a show that took place in 70's and all of the suspects for this episode were of some minority.
Once I checked in and sat down it really hit me that I knew absolutely nobody. Everyone here was trying to "come up" or "make it" in someway. I sat down at an empty table and wished I had my iPod more than ever. As more people checked in, some folks came over to my table. I introduced myself and was pleasantly surprised at those at my table.
We sat in the holding area all day. Literally. We were in a middle school gym all day and didn't once make it to set. Apparently the scenes were getting delayed so everything was pushed back. I wasn't really worrying though because they kept feeding us and we were getting paid. Me and the other guys I just met were just chatting it up about movies, TV shows, and everything in between. The two older black guys were just telling all kinds of stories ranging from some gangsters they knew back in the day to absurd adventures they have had at dunkin donuts.
I was in holding for about 11 hours when they finally told us to go home and come back tomorrow. The following day was a whole lot better. I got to go to wardrobe and was given grey bellbottom slacks and a knit blue and grey shirt. I kept my chuck T's on. They picked out my 'fro and I was ret to go. I got called to set along with some other guys and we were handcuffed to desks for a scene. At one point, a main character comes over to me and uncuffs me which prompts another detainee to say some lines. I'm thinking I got some good face time in front of the camera so stay tuned.
That scene was shot over two days because of camera angles, scene re-writes and what not. I was cool with it. I got paid and was getting my grub on at the craft service table. The funniest part no doubt came when we back to holding for a break. I was yukking it up with one of the older guys when we noticed somebody lying on two chairs asleep. This person was in one of those extremely awkward positions where you ask yourself "how the hell did the fall asleep like that?"
When I approached this person to get something out of my backup, they woke up. No lie, they looked like a unknown gendered gremlin. I backed up immidealty and sat back down. Once this person got up, the guys at my table noticed him/her too and one guy said the funniest thing I've heard in a long time as he/she passed. He turned to me and said "Its Pat"
I started rollin'. He hit it SPOT ON. This was a real life ' Pat' character from the old SNL. Legit short black hair, no sign of breasts, semi baggy/loose pants. It was seriously Pat. For the rest of the day 'Pat' could be seen walking around and not doing much at all. I never figured out why it was there but I didn't care.
Someone asked her some questions and she gave vauge Pat-like responses that didn't give any hint to who or even what she/he/ it was.
It was a pretty fun overall experience. I got to relive the 70's by wearing a fly outfit and seeing cops in leather jackets and thick mustaches. I got to eat like no tomorrow. And I got paid. And I saw Pat!
I only wish I got a picture... well, there is always google images.
Lady, You've Got To Relax
As my acting class was coming to an end, were encouraged to become very passionate and "really get into the role". I took this advice to heart and wanted to put my skills on display but I was NOTHING compared to that one older lady.
I wrote about this woman before. She was the one who told the class about her "coked out sister" and I'm not talking the cola baby. She said she was a writer and my guess would be in her early 50's. She was friendly but always talked about how she "needed her caffeine".
There was a small amount of people I would look forward to getting up in front of the class and acting: Sam, the oldest person in the group who always had a joke to make no matter what the circumstance, Jeff- the slightly overweight dad of two who would sweat through his polo shirts on the regular, and this woman Susie-the crazy.
When Susie went up with her partner (don't remember who it was cuz my attention was on Susie) I was hoping for something special and I was not dissapointed.
I don't recall what the scene was supposed to be. Only what it ended up being. Susie wanted her partner to "submit" (that was our word of the day) to her request. It was to be something minimal but Susie took it down a whole other road. Susie started asking her partner about something but it turned personal within a minute.
"You need to pay! Why don't you support your daughter?!"
I froze. I was excited but also scared. I knew this was gonna enter a danger zone. Susie's partner opened her mouth but had nothing to say. She was speechless. I think this might have made Susie even more angry.
"I've been asking you for months." She began to weep slightly and talking in a calmer voice. "I know you have the money. I've seen the accounts. Please, please"
I was completely freaked the f*ck out. I mean clearly this woman has issues. Susie's partner looked at us, the audience. Susie looked up from her hands that were covering her face and just unloaded.
"Pay the F*CKING MONEY!!! Pay it! Pay it! Pay it!"
I literally had my hands over my mouth looking at everyone else to see if they were on my level. Half of me wanted to run out of the room for fear of being killed and the other half wanted to begin laughing hysterically. Our teacher cut in at this point and stopped the scene.
He gave the obligatory "Good job. Good job". I wanted someone else I really knew in the class with me that day more than ever. At the time it was completely ridiculous to be there in person. Looking back, it was funny as all hell. Top 10 most outrageous moments of my life so far. The teacher told us to take a small break while he continued to congratulate.
Wheter or not he thought Susie was homicidal or not, I don't know. All I know is that she is one crazy woman who needs to call a help line ASAP.
I wrote about this woman before. She was the one who told the class about her "coked out sister" and I'm not talking the cola baby. She said she was a writer and my guess would be in her early 50's. She was friendly but always talked about how she "needed her caffeine".
There was a small amount of people I would look forward to getting up in front of the class and acting: Sam, the oldest person in the group who always had a joke to make no matter what the circumstance, Jeff- the slightly overweight dad of two who would sweat through his polo shirts on the regular, and this woman Susie-the crazy.
When Susie went up with her partner (don't remember who it was cuz my attention was on Susie) I was hoping for something special and I was not dissapointed.
I don't recall what the scene was supposed to be. Only what it ended up being. Susie wanted her partner to "submit" (that was our word of the day) to her request. It was to be something minimal but Susie took it down a whole other road. Susie started asking her partner about something but it turned personal within a minute.
"You need to pay! Why don't you support your daughter?!"
I froze. I was excited but also scared. I knew this was gonna enter a danger zone. Susie's partner opened her mouth but had nothing to say. She was speechless. I think this might have made Susie even more angry.
"I've been asking you for months." She began to weep slightly and talking in a calmer voice. "I know you have the money. I've seen the accounts. Please, please"
I was completely freaked the f*ck out. I mean clearly this woman has issues. Susie's partner looked at us, the audience. Susie looked up from her hands that were covering her face and just unloaded.
"Pay the F*CKING MONEY!!! Pay it! Pay it! Pay it!"
I literally had my hands over my mouth looking at everyone else to see if they were on my level. Half of me wanted to run out of the room for fear of being killed and the other half wanted to begin laughing hysterically. Our teacher cut in at this point and stopped the scene.
He gave the obligatory "Good job. Good job". I wanted someone else I really knew in the class with me that day more than ever. At the time it was completely ridiculous to be there in person. Looking back, it was funny as all hell. Top 10 most outrageous moments of my life so far. The teacher told us to take a small break while he continued to congratulate.
Wheter or not he thought Susie was homicidal or not, I don't know. All I know is that she is one crazy woman who needs to call a help line ASAP.
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