June 4, 2021 – Just Another Gay With A Blog

Y2K’s Back, Alright!

In case you haven’t heard, The 2000s (Y2K, The Aughts; I will refer to them as all 3 henceforth, from here on) are back, baby! And while an Austin Powers 4 hasn’t been announced yet, it has to be just around the corner, right? 10 years ago today, I published my first column in Mizzou’s student paper, The Maneater. I haven’t written much since. During my time there, I wrote a column about how the 90s were back swinging. History only repeats itself. It doesn’t have an original bone in its body, but as a total nostalgia junkie, I don’t really care.

If you’ve listened to the radio, or a hits station on Spotify or Apple Music lately, you probably couldn’t help but notice that the sound of the Aughts is back in full force. Obviously Olivia Rodrigo is the major touch point here. Good 4 U sounds like it was written by Hayley Williams in 2008, and I mean that as complimentary as possible. Even if you listen to Drivers License for the 2,000th time (See what I did there?), you notice it’s A Thousand Miles for a new generation. (Also a giant compliment). The whole album could have been released in 08 and not even be nominated for Album of the Year, this year? It’s the current front runner to win.

It’s not just Olivia though. Machine Gun Kelly should truly get the shout out for bringing Pop Punk back to the mainstream. But isn’t just rock music. Kiss Me More by Doja Cat and SZA sounds like it came out of the early aughts as well. It hits that Rap/Sung sweet spot made so popular by songs like Dilemma, Over and Over, and anything else Nelly ever released. Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga brought dance pop back full swing last summer, and it’s only gonna get “dancier” from here. Lil Nas X, well, I can’t gush about him enough. He knows this trend too and is doing exactly what he needs to do.

Movies are starting to look reminiscent of the Y2K Era too. The Rom Com is making a comeback, but with a twist. Movies like Together Together and Here Today take the formula we all know and love so well and make the story about a platonic love instead. And yes, both Patti Harrison and Tiffany Haddish would be fantastic Golden Globe nominees if the Globes weren’t canceled. Even horror movies are looking like they did in the 2000s. A Quiet Place II is the best movie M. Night Shyamalan never made and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It looks to be a Horror/Courtroom Drama hybrid on par with The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Jungle Cruise looks like it will hit that Pirates of the Caribbean sweet spot. They even rebooted the 2002 flop Sprit: Stallion of the Cimmeron. It comes out this Friday. And finally, and most importantly, the movie musical is BACK. Starting with The Prom and going straight through In The Heights, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Dear Evan Hansen, Tick, Tick… Boom!, Cinderella, and last but certainly not least, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Honestly, Cats walked so these films could run!

It would be easy to trace The 2000s resurgence in TV to the Malcolm in the Middle tribute episode of WandaVision, but this trend can actually be traced much further. The HBO Limited Series is in its hey day, just like Y2K era. American Idol is great again. SNL is funniest its been since in at least 15 years. Why Women Kill on Paramount+ hits that Desperate Housewives spot (Thanks Mark Cherry). All is well. Now it’s just time for VH1 to reboot The Surreal Life and Best Week Ever and we’ll be good. (Look for a post about my dream casts for both, this week).

Lastly, video games are completely nostalgic for the Aughts right now. Nintendo has been releasing anniversary editions of their games for years now and games like Grand Theft Auto, Tomb Raider, and Uncharted continue to release new titles that make you think of the good ole days.

Well, I beat my deadline by just one minute. It’s time for me to get some sleep. I hope whoever read this got some enjoyment out of it. Til next time, David.

Why I got back into being a creative

I’ve been doing a ton of self reflection lately, and it’s taken me a few months to figure out why, but just the other day, I realized it’s because of all the media I consume. I have always been the type of person that is heavily influenced by what they watch, read or listen to.

Take for example, all the shows that I recently watched or are currently watching are: Hacks, Shrill, Girls5Eva, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Younger, Top Chef, and Mare of Easttown. Ok, I have no desire to be a detective, so maybe Mare wasn’t the best example. But all the other examples completely hold up.

Hacks, Shrill, and Younger all have main characters who are writers, comedians, or marketing execs. Subconsciously, I must have gotten so excited to write again because of some absolutely amazing characters. I am especially loving Hannah Einbinder’s character in Hacks. She plays a millennial writing and comedy savant, who has been canceled for one bad tweet. She begrudgingly accepts a job as Jean Smart’s Joan Rivers sequel character’s assistant, and the chemistry between these two is just simply off the charts. I can really relate to many aspects of Einbender’s character, Ava. She’s queer and can sometimes get in trouble for saying exactly what she’s thinking. If that ain’t me, I don’t know who is.

Girls5Eva, HSM: TM: TS have also lit a different kind of spark in me, a spark to perform again. I haven’t acted in over 7 years until this summer. I am going to be in a production of Freaky Friday the Musical that will blow everyone’s minds. I have discovered I can actually match pitch and pick up choreography easily, two things I always thought would be impossible. To say I’m excited to get back into acting would be an understatement.

Top Chef has inspired me to order Door Dash drastically less. I’m not making too many gourmet meals or anything, but I’m utilizing my air fryer and other new cookware drastically more than I ever have. Working in a grocery store certainly helps me want to cook more as well. Like writing and performing, I always used to be pretty good at cooking, and am discovering that I still might be. I will probably be using this blog to post the occasional recipe or cocktail. And I PROMISE, I will never make you scroll down 50 pages to get to the actual recipe. It will always be right on top.

Finally, I know I’m about 8 years late, but I’ve recently discovered that I love audiobooks and podcasts. The only things I’ve listened to so far are Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, and Tiffany Haddish’s memoir, The Last Black Unicorn. Both made me laugh awkwardly loud while wearing my mask while I shop Instacart orders. I am completely and utterly convinced that Bowen, Matt, and I would be the best of friends. We have entirely too much in common when it comes to literally every opinion they voice. If you ever read this; Bowen, Matt, I want to come on Las Culturistas sometime.

Like I said earlier, I have done so much reflection about the last 10 years or so of my life. It’s been an incredibly cathartic process where I have learned to not only utilize my talents again, but to recognize all my mental health triggers and then act accordingly. It was my intention to make this post, shorter than my first, but again, the words just flew out of me. Until tomorrow, David.

A brilliant scene from the first episode of Hacks

Best Frozen Foods for the AirFryer

Like I said in my last post, I’ve recently entered into an all-consuming relationship with my Air Fryer. It truly is the perfect accessory for cooking for one, or simply for portion control. Since I shop for Instacart, the Frozen Food aisle and I have gotten very close as well. So here goes: The top 10 Frozen Foods that are perfect for an Air Fryer. This list is 50/50 how to eat like a child again/how to feed a more developed palate.

1. Crab Cakes: Just today I decided to buy SeaPak Budweiser Beer Battered Crab Poppers, aka mini crab cakes filled with jalapeño and cheese. And oh my, were they delicious. I used 4 of them to make a crab cake sandwich with toasted Sara Lee Artesano Bakery Buns. And Louisiana Remoulade Sauce, in which the horseradish gives it a little extra oomph! I honestly felt like I was somewhere on the East Coast while eating this delicious dinner.

2. Soup Dumplings: Another item I decided to buy today, bibigo Steamed Soup Dumplings: Beef Pho Flavor. I haven’t actually tried them yet, but c’mon, who doesn’t love a good Soup Dumpling.

3. Dino Nuggets: Do I really need to explain any more?

4. Naan: Preferably Trader Joe’s Garlic Naan.

5. Fried Shrimp: The same brand who made the Crab Cakes also make a delicious Budweiser Battered Fried Shrimp. The beer taste is definitely stronger than in the crab cakes, but if you like beer and shrimp, they are delicious.

6. Pizza Rolls: Taking these out will instantly inspire a memory of your mom taking them out of the oven, only to immediately remember the pain of burning your entire mouth.

7. Frozen Fish: I’ve tried both, Gorton’s classic Fish Sticks and the Parmesan Crusted Fish Filets, and both are oh so good with a little lemon, herb Tartar sauce.

8. Bagel Bites: See Pizza Rolls

9. Fries: My personal favorite are the Rally’s seasoned fries.

10. French Toast Sticks: Really any frozen breakfast food will do. I have also tried Toaster Strudels and they were great.

Well that’s it. I never really thought of myself as a food writer, but I’m open to any avenues this little blog will take me. I hope you all have a great weekend! Until tomorrow, David.