Everyone’s “hood” is different. In certain contexts (like the one I’m using now), it’s a label we place on neighborhoods which are impoverished to a degree and/or contain some element of danger. Whether or not you came from one can be a matter of opinion and the last thing I care to address are questions … Continue reading The struggle is real

Hello, and welcome back to Truth in Jest Studios. Pardon the hiatus; our field researcher/chief editor/reporter/founder was conducting weeks’ worth of interviews and fact-checking so that we could bring you a little something different this time around: a brief documentary of one remarkable young man and his life-altering discovery. Thank you for your patience and … Continue reading What’s breakfast?

I knew this day would come: the day I alienate half of my readers with a personal opinion. I’ve had a good run though – I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for a year; I’m so grateful to anyone who’s read or enjoyed any of this nonsense. And, to half of you: so sorry … Continue reading Don’t worry. I haven’t been kidnapped.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while now or (gasp) from the beginning, you may have noticed a subtle shift. Early on I was all about pure, unbridled ridiculousness, one of my favorites being my review of ice cream sandwiches. And I started there for one simple reason: those are the most fun … Continue reading Escaping the friend zone

For a long time, during my adolescence through my teenage years, I thought I was a hood guy. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t live in an affluent neighborhood, my family didn’t have much money and there were certainly hood guys in close proximity – all that is true – but if I’m being honest … Continue reading Embracing white people stuff

I took today off from my day job. I had a few minor errands to run which wouldn't really warrant a full day off but the idea of productivity at my own pace was too alluring to resist. Other than the errands, there is plenty for me to work on, as seems to be my … Continue reading After the “yes”

I’m a notoriously awful movie reviewer. Maybe “awful” is the wrong word; I’m notoriously lenient with my reviews. That is to say, if you’re on the fence about whether or not to see a particular movie, but deep down in your soul know that you’re really just looking for a nudge forward, come talk to … Continue reading Shut up and watch the movie

Some guys have that effortless way about them. You know what dudes I’m talking about – the type whose presence you sense as soon as he enters the room. Somehow, he already has a drink in his hand even though he just got there – some dope shit that’s probably not on the menu. In … Continue reading When you ask her out and she says “no.”

I’m bad with faces and names. Typically, you’ll hear folks admit to being deficient with one and excelling in the other. Not me. If you’ve just introduced yourself, I have absolutely no idea what your name is, three words into your next sentence. None. If you turn around in a circle, that’s like you just … Continue reading When they recognize you but you don’t recognize them

The word “no” has a bad reputation. I get it; it’s inherently negative. “No” is literally the epitome of the negative response. “No” is prohibitive and exclusionary and saturated by the weighty remnants of our bigoted past – a resurgent past, no less, if a past at all. Socially, the connotation is present, especially, in … Continue reading The art of “no”