Magic In LA

The past Monday morning, I was again reminded why LA is like no other city in America. I was getting into the elevator at the building where I work and right behind me walked in Tommy Lee from the band Motley Crue. He got on with a bodyguard and some "suit" type of guy. They chit chatted for the 10 seconds or so that it took to get up to the 5th floor. Being the gentleman that I am I let them get off first and when I followed them around the corner, there was Nikki Six from the band as well. Apparently there is a radio station on the same floor as my work and they do interviews there every now and then. Later on, Tommy and Nikki were joined by Mick Mars as well. All three looked like they had been doing some hard living. But it was Monday morning so I am sure that I didn't look so hot either.

I laughed so hard

I was doing laundry tonight, when I discovered that I was 1 quarter short to dry my last load. I keep quarters in my car for meters so I went out to my car in the lot next door to get one.

As I approached my car I heard voices in an apartment above me. I don't know why but I stopped right by my drivers side door and turned to look where the voices came from. I was standing there turned to my left and looking at the 2nd floor of the apartment building. I guess I kind of zoned out and must have been there staring motionless for a few seconds, when all of a sudden I heard automatic locks click. I looked at the passenger side window of the car parked next to mine and there was a person sitting there looking at me. It is dark in the lot so I couldn't see what they looked like, and they in turn couldn't see what I looked like. So from their point of view, some strange guy walked up near their window and began staring at them. Probably freaked them out a bit. I got spooked when the locks were clicked and I knew I probably scared them, so I gave them a good natured wave and walked back inside my apartment laughing at the ridiculousness of the the situation. Then I realized that I hadn't gotten the quarter out of my car. If I had opened my car door, it probably would have calmed them down a bit. But I didn't. Cause I am an idiot. So I just spent 10 minutes looking for 1 quarter in my apartment. I found one in the bottom of my bag, thank God.

But I can't go back outside until morning.

Introducing, the 25th Century Heroes

I mentioned in another post that I have been writing a show with two friends of mine that have recently moved out here from Chicago. Our group is called "25th Century Heroes". We have been plugging away for a few months now, and I am really excited by what we have come up with. I have been nervous because I was not sure if we would have a chance to perform our stuff in front of a crowd before our show in the spring.

But I am nervous no longer.

25th Century Heroes will be performing 2 shows at the 2006 Chicago Sketchfest in January.

I will have more details up for anyone who would like to come see us perform.

Right now I am just excited.

An Open Letter to African-American Men

Dear African-American Men,

I am writing to alert you to a disturbing trend that I have recently noticed and I feel could become dangerous. Over the past six months or so, I have witnessed numerous accounts of white men referring to other white men as "brother". Two such examples are when I have gone to a bar, the bartender will say "What can I get for you brother", and when you do something nice for a complete stranger they thank you by saying "thanks, brother". Now I know I am not the only one that is bothered by this, but I think I am the first one to speak out against it. There are a lot of things that white society has usurped from the African-American culture. Things such as music, fashion, dance and Eddie Murphy. Indeed it is becoming clear that the African-American culture is the most imitated culture on the planet, but I say that this "brother" trend has got to stop. This is yours. You started it, you own it. Young white males might feel that they are cool or hip when saying this, but I think it comes from a place of insecurity. Young white culture today has really nothing groundbreaking going for it. So they leach onto whatever is thought of as "cool".

However, this is not only a young white male problem. I worked a catering event not to long ago for an insurance company. The average age of most males was around 40 or so. Now I know that insurance companies are thought of globally as being trend setters, but a lot of the older white males referred to each other as "brother".

"Profits are looking good, brother"
"Thanks for the gin and tonic, brother"
"Brother, you are never going to believe who I tagged last night"

I for one am sick of it. So I am calling for all African-American men to let white America know that this is unacceptable! Say that it is racist or something along those lines, you know how we shy away from that. Make it as scary as using the "n" word. See, I can't even type it in this scientific plea! I for one will applaud you and support you in any way that I can.

Another trend that is not prevalent yet, but could become so, is the pronunciation of the word "bro" as "bra". "Bro" is another word that has been stolen from you, and now is being bastardized by the white man. Perhaps the new pronunciation gives some white men a feeling of ownership, since it is new. I am not sure. I do not think this is as big a danger as "brother", since the word "bra" really just makes people sound stupid. Perhaps this was the plan all along? I do not know, but thought I would draw your attention to it.

You are welcome for the heads up, and I look forward to your action

Sincerely yours,

Sydewynder

P.S. While you are at it, can you make a final judgment on the Black vs. African-American thing? I would really appreciate it.