“This meeting is being recorded” delivered by cold and robotic female voice has been a linchpin of the eight million or so Zoom work meetings I’ve taken over the last five months. Something about its abrupt volume and matter-of-fact tone feels intrusive, scrutinizing, and devoid of all humanity. When I hear those words, I know that swearing (a great past-time of mine) is off the table, and each word I say might as well be matter of public record; which pretty much forces me to choose my words more carefully than a mafia don at a RICO hearing.

“This meeting is being recorded” delivered by cold and robotic female voice has been a linchpin of the eight million or so Zoom work meetings I’ve taken over the last five months. Something about its abrupt volume and matter-of-fact tone feels intrusive, scrutinizing, and devoid of all humanity. When I hear those words, I know that swearing (a great past-time of mine) is off the table, and each word I say might as well be matter of public record; which pretty much forces me to choose my words more carefully than a mafia don at a RICO hearing.

“How's It Going to Be” is best song from the nineties (I should clarify, not just the 1990’s, I’m also including the 1890’s and 1790’s as well) and I’m going to explain to you why.

https://www.blackartfutures.org/donate/

Playlist Highlight: Archie, Marry Me, Alvvays

So I turned thirty this week. I’m still grappling with what that exactly that means, but so far it’s an age that reminds me of that old joke about how the suburbs are a place with all the disadvantages of the city, and none of the advantages of the country. And vice versa. By way of example, I have recently noticed some grey hairs coming in, yet for some reason I still occasionally get acne. (Jeez universe, pick a lane.) So yeah, I guess I’m now officially in the “awkward teenage years” of adulthood. Here goes nothing.

Have you ever heard of the “Denzel Test?” It’s pretty simple and goes something like this:

Imagine you’re at a party with your significant other and you’re mixing with some old friends and some new, and as you move around the room you find yourself outside a circle of people chatting and a guy you don’t know goes, “Jeez. I just can’t stand Denzel Washington. He’s awful. Terrible guy. Terrible actor. Whenever he’s on the TV, I change the channel. I can’t respect anyone who’s a fan of him.”