JAZZY LADYBUG Ft. EJ Marcus

There would be like a glass, like a window, and you would see all of the, like, where the fish had laid all of their eggs. Oh. And then eventually you're like so grossed out. I feel like I low-key have tripephobia, so I'm like, I'm actually it. It being a lot of dots, and unfortunately, it was a lot of dots. Yes, I bet. It was a lot of dots. That is kind of the line. I bet. I fucking knew it. And I'm so sorry. Yeah, cut the cut this off. [Music] Hey everyone and welcome back to another episode of the comment section show. Sorry me. Your favorite everybody knows me. Care is about me. On to the guests today. We have another all-star and icon allegion, the hilarious EJ Marcus. Woo! Oh my gosh. Thank you. Oh my god. Welcome back, King. Thank you so much for having me. Oh my gosh. I'm so happy to have you. You're one of my favorite people to follow. Oh, that's really, really nice. And likewise, of course. Yeah. This episode is presented by Sephora. So, what are you getting your mom this Mother's Day? It's hard to find something that says, "Hey, Mom, I think you're amazing and thank you for everything, right?" Because flowers that turn up wilted or a home appliance that feels too practical just won't cut it. The solution is simple. A beauty gift from Sephora is more personal and lets Mom know she is loved and celebrated. With gorgeous Mother's Day gift sets filled with skincare, fragrance, makeup, or hair products, Sephora makes it easy to find the perfect gift for her. Shop Mother's Day gifts at Sephora. And I have to say too recently I've been loving especially the the videos you've been making with your partner about two people doing like they're like crowdfunding or they're like doing yoga yoga in the park. Some of my favorites. They're very special. Those are very rooted in like a deep understanding of that culture. A very community. Lived in. Yes, of course. How have you been, King? How's life going for you? It's going okay. Yeah. Yeah. How's it being so adorable and hilarious? Stop. It's good. Although I did it on my when I was coming here, this is like not that interesting. I just haven't talked to anyone about it. I was trying to parallel park and the person behind me like wasn't letting me in. And it was just like one of those moments where like we were so physically close. And I actually and it was kind of like I don't know. I guess you saying that I'm adorable maybe made me think of this where I'm like I looked them in the eye and was like, please. Like I was like, you know, and they were just so mad. No, yeah, the Arcuti Portuni didn't do any of this. It doesn't work in those. It didn't work in them. Contexts. So grappling with that currently. What's funny about that I have a similar story to that where I was like going to the gym and my fiance was driving. So we were waiting like because there was about, I don't know, 10 or 15 spots that are like 15, 30 minutes. But then once if those are all full, you have to go behind the little barricade thing and you have to pay for parking. Yeah, obviously. So there was someone in front of us and we were waiting and they kind of were blocking both lanes. So we were trying to go around them. But I think they thought we were trying to steal the spot they were pulling into. Yeah. And it was like they were so close like they were in the spot was angled like this that when she started backing up like this, she was going to hit our car. Yeah, that's just how committed she was to not giving us that spot, which I wasn't going to take it. Right. So then I literally had to roll down my window and I felt like I was in a movie looking New York. I'm like, I'm locked in here. I literally was like, are you fucking kidding me? You're going to hit my car. Yeah. And then the girl did not say anything. She didn't roll her windows down. She was in the car when we drove around her going like this. Oh, don't know what that meant. Okay. Don't know what that meant. Was it like an EMDR tapping thing? Yeah, I think it was like her going everybody's yelling at me. That's what it looked like. Everybody's yelling at me and I'm like, because you're about to hit my car over a spot. Right. It's so wild when people act fully crazy and then I like, why is everyone upset? And I we drove around and went in parked. And then I was like, that girl better have been late for work or I swear to God. Yeah. I was like, I really hope like I was like telling myself I hope there was a reason she needed to do that. But she almost hit my car. It's so crazy though. Almost I know because people really, I don't know if it's now, I feel like it's a little bit of an LA thing. It has. It's like crazy drivers, but like people will it's like a threatening like they're like, I'll do it. And it's like, whoa, no, you shouldn't want that. It's like a costering thing. It's like a big dogging. I'm like, please don't. That's what I don't want. I don't want that. I agree. It's actually, yeah, the driving here is pretty nasty, awful, terrible, but I think like, it sucks too because you have to be an aggressive driver also. Like you also have to big dog, which I don't want to do that. No, but you're in such a weird headspace. And I also like, so my car is bright orange. Any particular reason or just so I did that on purpose. I thought it would be cool. It didn't really occur to me that it was like anything but cool actually. Like I just kind of was like, this is going to be awesome. And I thought it looked really nice. Like it didn't really occur to me that it would be anything except for cool until I was telling people about it and slash showing people the car. And I got a lot of responses that were like, okay. Orange. Wow, you know, and so we love orange here. I mean, listen, I love orange. I love orange and that's actually a problem too because then I'm like wearing orange often and I'm getting into the orange car and I'm like, oh, I've become this person. The Lorax. Yeah, look, yeah. Whatever this is, it's now me. Yeah. Orange is my thing. Orange is clearly my thing. But yeah, my partner will often like, if I'm driving kind of crazy, they're like, you need to be careful. Like it's not like your subtle. Like it's like, you got a bright orange car. They're like, yeah, and that dumbass orange car. Like it makes, I do think it makes people actually angry. So maybe it wasn't your cutie-potuity face. Maybe it was your orange car. I made that parallel parking situation a little more difficult. It might have been tense because of that. I also go to a place where I think the orange is so cool and like people are jealous. People are in a way. And that's okay. You know why? Because that is, it's essential to gaslight yourself sometimes. Yes. I think so. I'm a huge proponent of that. You have to. That actually reminds me though when your partner is saying, maybe you should chill because you're driving an orange car. I, one time for Halloween, my partner and I were the Hulk and she Hulk. Which did warrant a lot of comments of like, um, their cousins. To which I said, oh, they're also not real. Right. So we can go off that. I didn't know they were cousins. Neither did I believe it or not. I was in a big dork. Right. Right. Didn't know a lot of us in my mad. Right, that's my little business. You were just dressing up as a fun costume. It's all right. And um, cousins still marry off and I think so it's definitely. Definitely. Either way, we were, we were the Hulk, but when we originally got painted because like, my mom's like friend at the time recommended this woman to me and God bless her. I hope she's doing well. But that painting experience was was less than favorable. I gave her a lot of pictures. I sent them to her ahead of time. I like asked her like, can you do this? And I told her to because she was like, oh, do you need like beauty makeup on the face? Because obviously when you paint one color, you just look really flat. Yeah. And I was like, no, honestly, I don't. Um, my cousin's going to help me like glam up the face. I just need the like body paint like in the neck more than anything. Yeah. She's like, okay, great. And then I said, and my fiancee, she's like, okay, great. And when she paint, I'm actually going to look for a picture. I'm not even getting scared. I'm going to look for a picture because this picture is actually still the contact photo of mine in my cousin Adams. And it's fun. It's amazing. That's how you know. It stays the contact photo. Yeah. When he's like, I'm going to make that your contact photo. It was actually so, um, god awful. But either way, when we left, I, there was a part two in the middle of her painting me where she was like, I wasn't facing a mirror either. Yeah. Which was also probably on me. But she was like, painting and it just didn't feel great. Like, I was like, I feel like I looked terrible. Like I just had the feeling. You can feel it. Yeah. And then she, at one point, she goes, close your eyes. Close my eye. I've had makeup done. Close my eye. Like I thought she was going to show me something. So I went, okay, close my eyes like that. And then she goes, um, and literally flex of like glitter going on my lips. Like her, her breath and the glitter all over my head. Like you can hear that ASMR. And I was going, flinching. And she was like, well, even before that, which she said close your eyes, she goes, now my favorite part. Oh. But that wasn't for me. That was just her soul. Like now my favorite part. Oh no. And she blows that glitter on my face. Either way, I looked a fucking mess. When I left, when I left that place I was at, both my, you know what I'm saying? I looked insane. Like we looked awful and terrible. Is the glitter a part of Hulk? Oh yes, she put it on my lips. So she made my lips. Like almost like an aqua green teal. And then blue silver sparkles onto my lips. But obviously there's no way to like accurately aim when you're going like that. So it just all over my face. So it's just glitter all over my face. So I'm giving low-key blue man group. But also I was like giving Elphaba with no green paint on the face. Just the lips. Oh. And so when we left, we were driving and we were sitting in silence. 'cause we both were like, we looked terrible. - Like both of us were like, "Oh, yeah." - And then my fiance was driving, and then he had to kind of like flip around, like make a eutern really fast, and then we cuts a couple people off and had to get over just 'cause it was the traffic was weird at the time, and he was like, "Ooh, that was a close one," and I go, "Yeah," and then he goes, "I probably shouldn't be driving crazy "when I look like this." - Yeah. - I was like, "Yeah, probably." They were gonna have us arrested, if we get pulled over, and they open, we roll down the window, and that's what we look like. - Right, driving crazy, and yeah, 'cause I mean, the assumption would be, I mean, I don't know, I guess substances would be involved, I guess, but you sort of would notice it. - I would arrest us. - Yeah. - If I saw how we looked at that moment, I would arrest us. - I'd be scared. - Yeah, I'd be a little frightened. I would. - I love Halloween. - I do love Halloween. - What's your favorite Halloween costume that you've done, you say? - I gotta say, I think my favorite was when I was doby. - I really felt, 'cause I love when I have a costume that requires a little bit of like, you're embodying the character. - I got you. - A pageantry. - Yes, yeah. - And it's like, doby, I was wearing a pillowcase, of course. - Yes, of course. - And had the ears and the bald cap and everything, and it felt like I was just like, like running around the part, like I had to be like running around the party. Like, I am really getting into the character. - I'm really getting into the character. - Yeah, I get it. - And then I was also, I was donny from the Wild Born Barriers, did you ever? - That's a great one. (laughing) - And did you speak gibberish the whole night? - Yeah, I mean, I had moments, you know, I would, I would switch, but yeah. - And we were like, we need to get you away from that. - The costume, you're just can't let it go. - Yeah. - Like, do hyper. - You're awesome about learning Elvis. Like, you still have that, that like months after. (laughing) - I was like, so we can't understand you. - Yeah, they're like, we can't understand you and you need to stop. So how do we get there? (laughing) - So what is so funny? - But with the Hulk, like, did you, you got to a place where it was amended? - Oh yeah, I literally had, when we got back to the house, I had my cousin, like, 'cause I had texted him and I was like, while it was happening and I saw myself for the first time, I said. - Yeah. - And then I texted and I said, "Bitch, that's what I texted him first." And then he goes, "Oh my God, I'm so excited. Send me a pic." I go, "No, that's a bad bitch. That's a bad intro." And then I sent him this picture and this is the picture that's. - Yeah. - Yeah. - I don't know if you guys can see this. - It's, I'm pretty good. - But do you see the glitter on my lips? - I definitely see the glitter. - Is that your favorite part? That was mine. That's why I literally was like, "Oh, it's very. " - It's so interesting, 'cause looking at that photo, I'm realizing there's so many subtleties in green characters. 'Cause I see that and I guess the green doesn't feel quite hooked to me. - No. - I feel like that's a deeper green. - No, it's giving. - This is what's on the outside. - That green is a little, I'm gonna say Shrek. I feel like that-- - It's giving Shrek, which is different. - Yes, a different kind of green person. - Different green vibe. - A different kind of cool of Shrek, of course. - But it's, what's it going for that photo? - No. - That would be different. - And literally this one was even funnier because my fiance has very prominent eyebrows already. And she drew even more prominent eyebrow on top of big eyebrow. - Oh, so really cool. - Why not big eyebrow, eat little eyebrow? Like, that's really where she, and then we got in the car. My fiance was like, "I don't think I've ever looked worse." And I was like, even like when we got there, he was like, "I look like a monster. "This was a striving home." - Oh my god. (laughing) Oh my god. - This was a striving home. - I can't just say it's like, it's so bad. - For those who have never had the experience of having full body paint. - Right. - That is a really intense experience in and of itself. - Yeah, it is really bad. Like, it's genuinely so terrible and awful. And I don't know where, like she just drew darker green lines on us too. - I know, I'm like, what are the, I think it was meant to be dimension. Like, I think it was meant to be like contour. - Almost. - Oh my goodness. And I, that's what we looked like while we were driving. He's like, "I should probably fucking chill." I said, "Yeah, if we get pulled over something bad, "it's gonna happen." - Yeah, and people are just, you know. - And this is where it ended. Okay, you see how different it looks. - Isn't that, wow. - I mean, and you really, - This is your cousin, this is my cousin fixing. - Amazing. - So he really had to rework. But when he saw us, he went, "Oh, oh." (laughing) - No. - And it was funny too, 'cause we were like, my fiance goes, I look like a monster. And we were laughing, it's technically speaking the whole is monster. - I guess. But then my cousin goes, "No, you don't look like a monster. "You look like those green pigs from Angry Birds." - Okay. - I said, "Oh, oh perfect." Okay, I was so worried. - It looked bad. - Right, I was worried for a second. - Yeah, yeah, but that's great. I mean, perfect. I feel gorgeous. - Perfect, that's what I was going for. I was going for Angry Birds. I needed that really badly. - Wow. - You ever had bad costumes? - Bad costumes. - Or ones that were embarrassing. Looking back. - Well. - The only time I looked like awful, awful, I would say. - I'm trying to think. I mean, this is like different, but the thing that came to my mind was like, I transferred into a new school district basically when I was in sixth grade. And I remember the Halloween of sixth grade. Well, first of all, I was like, like not the coolest sort of kid. I was really passionate and I had a lot of zest for life. - Gotcha. - But in terms of middle school, not super successful there. So that's a preface, but when I transferred into this new school, there were the cool kids and I started learning the landscape. And for Halloween, I for some reason got fixated on being a jazzy ladybug. It was just something. I think it's like, it was like things that I found around the house. - Like a ladybug that loves jazz? And also really used to be like not playing jazz music, but just like a lover of jazz. - Just a lover of the art. - Yeah, I think it's because I had these ladybug wings and then I also like found like a top hat. And I was like, perfect. I have a vision. I don't know, I felt gorgeous. - Right. - So I was just like, that's all that matters. - And when I came to school, like all of the popular girls were actually also ladybugs. - What? - But they like-- - You guys were having a diva off. - But this was the crazy thing was like, and this is like, I don't know, maybe cut this. (laughing) Maybe, I don't know. Like, middle school is a really interesting time. I will say like their costumes were like from the like sexy Halloween section. - Got you, got you. - Like they were doing like a sexy thing which feels insane to say, but it's like that is when that kind of starts happening. - Right, right, right, right. - I got you. - It was just like, like optically, like, very different costume contest. And they were sort of like, they're all, there's a bunch of ladybugs this year, but like one is like really different. - But one loves jazz. - Jazz and he's like really, like, not just fully clothed, like extra clothes. - Like, all the clothes. - As many clothes as part, like very layered. - If ladybugs could wear all the clothes. - Yeah. - And love jazz. - Yeah. - You got your guy. - Yeah. - So that was kind of my vibe. And I just remembered. So it was like one of those moments that as a kid, you're like, I like, I didn't have the language for it, but I was like, something is happening here. Like a dynamic that I'm like, I feel like this will come up again. I don't know what it is, but I'm just gonna, something's going on. - This is gonna be one of those moments in my life. I read this thing. - Some. - I'm gonna come back to this. - For better or for worse. (laughing) - I was just talking about that with, something similar to that with my fiancee last night because we have recently been rewatching the high school musical movies. - Oh, for you. - For you, the fan of those movies. - I wasn't at the time, but I have since come to the pre- - Since grown and appreciation. I'm a musical theater girl, so I love, I was a high school musical girl down. But like we've been watching, we've been rewatching the movies, and I like remember so much about like when they premiered and stuff, so I've been like, obviously I'm talking during the entire movie, giving my fiance all the backstory, the lore on everything. And as we were talking about, for some reason, like, 'cause we were talking, I think it's 'cause we were talking about movies filmed like based in high school, and then Greece came up. And I was like, yeah, Greece is so funny because Greece is like everybody's at least 42. And they're all playing high schoolers, which is so funny. And then he goes, really? I go, yeah, they were all so old. And then he was like, I don't know, I've never seen Greece. And I went, are you fucking kidding? And the only reason that is like shocking to hear to me, not that my husband hasn't seen it, like it's more so the fact that he like, he hasn't seen a lot of things. Like, many, many, many, many things that are like pop culture-y. But I had a very intense Greece phase when I was in middle school. I was so cute. I was so ball-steep in that movie. I have told stories on this pod many times about like listening to the, the luck CD that my parents got me. And like, belting every single day in the car with my dad, 'cause at the time my sister was in a different school 'cause she was older than me. So she would go with my mom and I would go with my dad. And I said this too last night, but I was like, I also was, that was the first time I ever listened to a book on tape, was with my dad and the first time I ever did, it was the DaVinci code. - Interesting. - We kind of have you material for, like, you know, my dad was like, we're gonna listen to this and we listen to the entire thing. So when people tell me, have you read the DaVinci code, I always say yes, even though I can't remember a goddamn thing. - Because it was like, on the way to school, you were listening to it. - Yeah, I was listening to it. Yeah, I was absorbing it into my brain. I was just like, wow, wow, what a way to trust it. - I'm gonna wake up in the morning. - I know, when my dad, like, if you knew my dad too, that also is kind of strange that my dad wanted to listen to the DaVinci code, but you know. So one of the things though was like, I, when I got a CD player, I was like, oh, listen to my music in the car, and then my dad could listen to the radio, and that was like, I would belt, grease songs all the fucking time. And then one time my dad, my dad would sit and traffic and listen to that, at the same time, God love him. And then one time my dad reached over, and he's like, hey, I can't do it today, bud. I can't do it today. Can you sing a little bit? I can't do it today. - Yeah. - And I was like, oh, my God. - And it's so funny, 'cause when I told that story to me, Beyonce, we were laughing about it, and I go, I think the funniest part about that memory in my head is that I distinctly remember it happening. And I remember at the time, even though I was like 10 or 11, I was like, that's funny as fuck, that you would ask me that. Like, it didn't hurt my feelings at all. I was like, oh, word, my bad. - Yeah. - I just, I can't do it. I can't do it. You're like recognizing, this is a funny situation that you had to tell me that. - That's what I was thinking. I was literally telling him last time. I was like, I really do think I was like, that's funny as hell, but you're like, hey, can you shut the fuck up just for one day? - Yeah. Well, 'cause it's just for one day. - Just for one day. Teachable moment. You remember that, and it was also probably for you a little bit of like, oh, boundaries. - Yeah. - Oh, like, morning time, maybe not screaming singing. - Right. Maybe my dad's going through a lot. Like, I was singing my dad's, sitting in traffic, going to a job he hates. My dad's like 28, no, no, at the time, I think my dad was like in his 30s, like early 30s. - Yeah. - Oh, man, I can't even imagine. - I know, being a parent, I'm like, you, oh my God. - See, you wanna be a parent? - I don't know. - Yeah. - I'm really un, like, fully, fully undecided. - Well, that's good. You have time. - Yeah. - I'm young. - Yeah, you're young. - I also feel like if I did, I don't think it would be for a while anyway. - Like, I feel like I could be 40 having my first. - Why not? - Why not? Like, if I was going to, 'cause I'm like, well, I'm not ready anytime soon for sure. - Yeah, financially or otherwise. - Yeah, yeah, absolutely. - Do you have kids? - I actually don't want kids. - You're hard now. - Yeah, and I found that out. I found that out like, I would say officially in like 2020, but I was always kind of on the fence. I was kind of like, hmm, I guess. But it was never a like, yes, that sounds awesome. - Yeah. - Which now I know for me was my answer. - Yeah. - I was so convicted about every single thing that like for that to be like, I guess, I'm never like middle of the road on anything. - Totally, especially something as serious as that. - I also feel like with like women in particular, there's like like people, I'm sure, obviously you've gotten so many different responses about it, but like there's the thing of like, oh, you're unsure now about one day. - No, yeah. Honey, just you wait, you're gonna wake up and say, give me a baby. (laughing) And it's so, so, would you say it on so? - Yeah, so many levels, 'cause it's like, right, like you're saying it's like, well, if you're undecided, I think you should listen to that. - Right, right. - And like, or if you're at least give it pause. - Yeah, like, even if you're kind of like, I don't really know how I feel. It's like, well, it's gonna change your life forever and ever. - Right, right, and it's kind of something you can't opt out of. - Yeah. - It's a forever thing. - Yeah. - And fundamentally changes like, - At your relationship. - So you start to, like it's like, it's, yeah, the biggest decision one could make. - Right, I agree. And I literally think the same, I always think too to myself, I'm like, you know, it would be, I think in everyone's best interests overall for people to be very fucking sure they wanna be a parent. - Yeah. - I think that would benefit everybody greatly. - It definitely would. - Especially children. - Yeah. - Yeah. - Especially them. - Especially them. - Yeah. - They're sort of the recipients of those. - I think it's a complicated thing. - I think it's a beautiful thing though, when you're like, actually, even if you're not sure, you're like, I need to focus on me right now. I think that's a beautiful thing. It's actually to me a really selfless thing to do, because you could procreate, and that could, you could really, really, really, if you really wanted to. Like, and you weren't that sure, like emotionally, you could always just do it. But when you choose not to, 'cause you're like, I'm just unsure, I think that's a really beautiful thing to do. 'Cause you're like, I wanna be able to give a child a wonderful life if I do decide to have a child. - Thank you. Yeah, I think that is kind of my, that's beautiful. - That's beautiful. - That's beautiful. - Because it is like, I also think there's like, so many people have kids and actually expect to be able to control whoop, like how that goes. - Right, right. - I feel like what they do, how they turn out. - How they turn out, who they are. Like people want like a mini-me or whatever. And it's like, that is so wild. - Right, I agree. - 'Cause it's like, you can't, you can't like control anything in life. - Right, and you shouldn't want to either. - And you shouldn't want to, but like, we're alone like another human being. I'm like, I don't know who the kid's gonna be. They could want, I don't know. - Yeah, you could do everything right and they could turn out to be a murderer. - Absolutely. - You could do everything wrong and they could turn out to be awesome. Like it's really, it's really not up to you, ultimately. - It's really not. - I know. - And it's terrifying, obviously. - Yeah, that's extremely horrifying. And I am contributing to the world by putting PPP poopoo time on the internet. That is my contribution to this world. - I mean, I feel like a lot of people would say that you actually have many children. (laughing) - That's true. - I am mother-in-you every day. - I am giving mother. (laughing) - Just say the least, you know. - Well, thank you, I appreciate that. Euphoria Calvin Klein just dropped the new Elixir collection by Calvin Klein featuring three perfume intense sense inspired by a unique orchid accord paired with vanilla. Each one has its own distinct attitude, its own universe. Bold Elixir is sensual, woody and addictive. Magnetic Elixir is sweet and romantic, like a lingering touch. And solar Elixir is bright and radiant. Joy in a bottle. They're ultra concentrated for a scent that really lasts. Find your euphoria with the euphoria Elixir collection by Calvin Klein. But we'll do a pivot to comedy, to stand up, how is Santa going? You're one of my favorite sand ups, but how is it going? - Thank you. - I've done a lot of really cool things in the last year. - I've been trying out on yourself. I mean, I think I sometimes take a break. I'm coming off a bit of a break from stand up 'cause I feel like sometimes you just gotta and you don't have time, but also I try to remember why I love it so much. - Yeah, you gotta rebuild the cup. - You do. - And then there's also, I was just talking about this with someone, there's also the crazy vulnerability of 'cause I'm building a new hour right now and it's so crazy when you start to do that and you're like, okay, what am I gonna talk about? - Yeah, and you have to look at your life and be like, oh, these are the things that are sort of coming up continuously. It's like a weird self-expiration kind of moment. - But it's so interesting, that's so true, especially a different phase of your life too. Like you're seeing how things are shifting and evolving. That's so interesting. - It's interesting, it's also like kind of humiliating too. 'Cause it is like, at the end of the day, certain themes just prevail. Like no matter how new I think material is, it's like, I don't know, I'm going to talk about like how people perceive me as being much younger than I am. Like that's like something that always comes up 'cause it is like a theme in my life that feels like it relates to other things. - Yeah, totally. - And then it's like-- - And it's consistent too. - It's consistent. It's just like, yeah, I don't know, but it's kind of funny like what, yeah, what feels like it always comes out. - And I know you wrote for I love LA. - I did. - Yeah, and how was that? - It was awesome. - Oh my gosh, first of all, congratulations, how fucking cool. - Thank you. - How was it? How was the experience of writing and writing for the show and everything? - It was so fun. I mean, I really, really, I love writing and being in a writer's room. Being in a writer's room is so fun. You're like basically just like talking all day long and especially 'cause I was like, it was my first room and I was like, I was a staff writer so that meant that I'm like, the baby writer basically. My job was just like essentially to come in and be like, what if they do this to that? Like what if they go to the beach? And then like kind of like, bye. Like it's like this sort of like, you're like invested in there but also you like don't have to deal with all like the heady things that like the upper levels do. - Yeah. - So it was awesome. I mean, it's so fun and like, you know, met great people. I love other writers and knowing them and so it was really, it was great. - I know your picture in front of your TV with your name on there is so fucking cute. - Yeah, it was really fun. It's like, yeah, writing's awesome. - What would you say is your ultimate goal? - I feel like you would do so well writing a show like for real like a broad city or something like that or even like, what's another one? Oh, like Abbott. Like something like that. Like what is your like dream in the writing world? - My dream in the writing world. I mean, I do, I love TV. I feel like right now my heart is a little bit with movies honestly. - Really? - I love that. - Which I don't really, I mean, maybe it's also like, you know, right, the industry is like in the toilet or whatever but like, I think it's also like movies. The space of like indie film right now is just like such an exciting place, especially with like queer stuff and like stuff that I think is like, you know, hard to sell. (laughing) For some reason no one wants to sell. - Yeah. - Whatever like I think it's like a really exciting place to be because it just feels like there's a little bit less of like guardrails of what you're supposed to be writing about to make it interesting to bigger audiences or something. - Right, right, totally. So yeah. - You don't have to cater or pander really. - Yeah, exactly. - Or even like you don't have to like, like I think for many reasons, writing for TV, consists of like there's so many people at different levels that are being like, this works, this does, you know, whatever, networks and all those things. - That's true. - And a lot of times, I mean, Hollywood is like in the stone ages, like it's like kind of crazy how behind a lot of things. - No, you're actually so right. - It's actually fucking insane. - It's really crazy because I think. - Yeah. I I assume, do I feel like many people assume that it's like, you know, progressive. I mean, progressive and it is in some ways, but it's also like truly, I think people are still like, I don't know, like, can you have two gay characters? Is that like two minds? It's like two minds. Then it's the gay show, you know? You can't even then gaze everywhere. Right. Like that just feels like, I don't know if people are going to quite get what we're doing here. Like it's like truly those conversations that happen. Well, if there's two, then they're going to get them confused. Right. And you're like, well, they look completely. And then their stories are going to be like the same because they're both just, I mean, well, they're just gay. And all gay people do the same things. They do the same thing. And they're going to be at the same, I don't know, bar. Like it's like, wait, it's so crazy. So I feel like lately I've been kind of dreaming of like, yeah, in the movie space. And like, I don't know. Love. Yeah. I think that's amazing. Do you have any like current projects that you're kind of working on? You don't have to spoil anything we don't like to, but this is the place you manifest. If you really want to get something off the ground, let's talk about it. Maybe. Okay. Okay. I'm going to manifest because I did actually just finish writing my like first real feature. Oh my god. How cool. Congratulations. That's so amazing. Thank you. I love that. It was really fun. It's like so hard to, I don't know, writing a movie. No, I'm fucking sure. I can only imagine. It's really interesting what your brain can do in those situations. How like you can sort of like overcomplicate things and whatever. Right. Yeah, it's basically about this trans guy who gets a job working at a senior living facility and puts on a play with the residents there. Oh my god. Okay. There's a lot of, you know, there's like a sort of like other like sort of, you know, there's like a rom-com element with him and like this other person. But like I do feel like I'm like truly I am manifesting. Like I feel like it will get made. I believe that. I believe it. It will get made. Absolutely. I say it now and in this shirt, that's the chair you manifest. Absolutely. Yeah. I am so excited to see it. I can't wait to see it. Did you write yourself into the starring role? Because that's what I do. Yes. Yes. Yes. I did. I know. I call that my lineman, well Miranda angle. Yeah. I'm like, you can have it. I'm just, I'm principal talent. You have to. Yeah. Yeah. Unfortunately, you can't make you without me. Yeah. You know, it's already your voice. So it's like, no, like truly you can't make it. Right. Absolutely. There can no one else can play. That one has to be you. Do you have stuff you're working out? Have you written stuff? Yeah. Well, I'm writing my next few books. So I'm writing two more books right now, but they're fiction books. So I'm writing more like fantasy romance kind of book. Oh my god. Yeah. Very cool. Honestly. I know I'm super excited about it. I literally got back into like fiction reading a couple years ago. And like I used to love reading like fiction, Romantic, Dostopy and stuff. Like I love the Hunger Games. I love Twilight. Like I love to those books. So like as an adult, you just kind of stop reading. Or you, or you only read memoirs, which I was like what, or like things that help grow your brain, which I have been doing as an adult. When I wrote my, my book, like the one that's already out, I stopped reading like any sort of feminist theory or anything. So that nothing, because I have a photographic memory. So I've always like live in fear that it will imprint in here and then I'll just like write it without realizing that it doesn't belong to me. So there were certain things I was like googling to make sure that I didn't belong to anyone. I was like, okay, no, that's my thought. Yeah. Because sometimes I just absorb shit. So I'm like, I need to be chill. Which I feel like is good to just be doing in general. Right. But like, yeah, that would be stressful. Yeah. And like during that year that I stopped reading like nonfiction, I started, I was like, well, I still want to read something. So I started reading fiction. Yeah. It's so fun, like adult fiction, so fun, loving it. And I know the girls go crazy for it on TikTok. The book talk girls take that shit serious. I mean, yeah, also like, I think so brilliant for so many reasons to be, for you specifically to be like the fantasy romance base because I feel like, first of all, yeah, people love those books. It's also like this market of like, I mean, I haven't read a ton of them, but I also feel like you're so, you have such a strong voice, especially like as like with women. Yeah. I mean, sometimes like the female characters in those books can get a little like forgotten or something. No, yeah. I'm estimated. Yeah, it's very like, I'm so small and human like, oh, how am I supposed to? I know they're, they're always tiny. They're also tiny and 17. Why are they tiny? It's my 18th birthday and I have these huge tits. Oh, my God. They're like bouncing their tits. I know, yeah, the description of like, you're like, wait, is this a whole paragraph about her boots? Yeah, it's just a lot of motion in there. Yeah. So, she's bouncing her tits. I literally, I said the same thing when I was like, I think maybe I could write fiction because I read a ton of them. I read them all across the board, different spanning different kinds and genres of romantasy specifically. And so my book series is going to be based on like, like the inspiration for it is coming from like Polynesian, like mythological, like, lower. So there's like so many like legends and fables about how they explained like the wind and the trees and the sun, like they were polytheistic prior to being colonized. So I'm like kind of pulling from that to write something because I haven't read anything like that. And then also I was like, I made my girl 30, my main girl. Absolutely. And I'm in shape. Looks like me. Yeah. Who are we going to cast? Yes. Oh, who? Oh, my God. I'm so excited to read it. And I have like, I also also have a trans character in my cast. And I also have a lesbian in my cast. So look at that. Yeah. But see, I'm having two gaze and I don't think anyone will confuse them. No, I don't think so. There's many types. At the end of the day, there's many different types. Yeah. So I'm very excited. I think it's going to be really fun. But I remember when I was meeting with publishers about it, there was one that I met with. I can't even remember the name. But the girl had asked me on the meeting. She was like, oh, I'd like love it. Love the proposal. Super interested. Just curious, like, are you interested in making her 23? Stop. I said, who? And she's like, the main girl, are you interested in making her 23? And I go, no, I'm not. She's 30. And it's 22 because she's actually a fucking fairy. So like, she's actually 700. So it's really all relative, isn't it? Like it's all relative, isn't it? Like, and the way we wrote it too was very like, she is 700 or 70. I don't even remember me not even remembering. She's like 700 years old or some shit. So like, she just looks 30. That's like what we wrote. So no, I don't want to change that to she looks about 17 years old. Yeah, yeah. Would you mind having her be as tiny as a little sh-- Dude, where will we make her tiny? And can she just be so petite? I know. I literally was like, no, I have zero interest in that. She's 30. And technically speaking, she's 700 and everybody else is older than her. So I think it's okay. Yeah. Yeah, like her mate, like the one of the dudes, he's only like a, he's like a couple hundred years older than her. I think it's all right. Yeah. I think that age gap. Yeah, they're not real. And it's all fiction. And then there's a lot of magic. The most unbelievable part is that she's 30 and hot and young and turn. Oh my god. Not the fact that they have magic in the world. That's not the most unbelievable part. It's, but it's of course, of course that's the note though. But that's why it reminds me what you were saying earlier about like it being, they've been stuck in the stone ages. It's a very, like, well, she's not like, hmm. Yeah. How's anyone going to read it? And I'm like, mostly women read these. So it's going to be fine. Most, I know that's the interesting thing about that genre is it is like the fan base is largely women and yet I'm like, what is going on? Yeah, it's very, I said I saw that hole in that market. I'm going to plug it. Yep. So, and I, I made her older and everybody's brown. Perfect. There you go. And I was like, and if any, why people show up, I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him off. That's what I'm going to do. Yeah. I'm going to give him a walking dead death. Like, when they, when they, what was the, what was that guy's name when they hit his head with the bat? Was it Glenn? Did anyone watch him? Uh, the walking dead. I didn't. Wow. Like, whole crew. Nobody's seen the walking dead. I, I've never seen anything. I was like, dude, are you a huge fan? I was talking all that shit. I've all seen Glenn. I was like, okay, what's right? You're right. Glenn, a lot of people, okay, walking dead fans will laugh at that, but like they were so pissed off when he died and they like beat the fuck out of him, like with his head. So, Annie who, I forgot what my point was. I was just going to go. That's what you're going to do to every way person. Yeah. If they do show up on the island dead, yeah, yeah, I guess that's kind of my point, but I'm very excited. Yeah. Look at us. Two worker bees. Yes. Manifesting. Yeah, we're manifesting, writing ourselves roles. Yeah. And you know what? That's, that's actually, I'm so glad that you did that because one of my, a lot of my friends too, who are also in the same business as us, they've been like, honestly, you've got to write your own shit. Yes. If you're not, if you don't look or appear as shakeable already or Sydney, sweetie, yeah, you got to write your own shit. You do. Yeah. And it's going to be so much more interesting than I would try to write for you as well. I agree. Like different perspective. Different perspective. Like, I'm like, I mean, I have and I am happy to play like the roles that go out to me, which are like, you know, like gay, barista or whatever. Like, or like, you know, like crazy friend who's like kind of dumb, but along for the right. And literally like, I have fun in those roles and we'll play them. And also, I'm like, I just know that I have to write though, if I want to play like a complicated complex character. Yeah. I mean, what do you like that? And it just like, it is like that exists in universe that, um, the powers that be certain times don't know that it exists. Absolutely. Or that it will work. Yeah. Like with audiences, which I'm like, you're, you're so real for that too, where it's like, I got to write my own stuff because for better, for worse, like they, they don't see the vision. so you have to like create. create it yourself and get it funded. - Yeah. - And I believe in you. I am so excited. I can't wait to, I imagine your movie looking like the movie, sorry baby. - Oh, yeah. - Like I imagine it looking like that. I feel like I loved that movie too. I thought it was wonderful. - He's wonderful. - He's gorgeous. - What are the movies are you loving? I know you said you've been really into movies lately. - I am. I am an AMC A-list. (laughing) - So it was my friend Carrie. - Okay. - She does love her AMC A-list. - I mean, I love it. Honestly, most like, I mean, I love it for a million reasons. A big one being that it is like, well, okay, no, two big reasons. One, when I'm like at my broke list or like not wanting to spend money, it's always like the thing that I keep because I'm like, okay, what it's such a great way to still hang out with people. Go out. - Yeah, cool boy. - They raised the price today. - I bet they raised two days. - They raised the prices today. - I bet they'd say that. - To what? - For $30 dollars. - For $30 dollars. And I will say like, it makes me worried about what movie past, like I wonder if they're in a similar kind of like movie past situation. Do you remember? - What the hell? It lived and died and it was like such a moment. And I'm trying to take your guys's Boba, which is AMC A-list. - It's literally. - I'm trying to take Boba. - I was an early adopter. I mean, like it was like kind of the, anyway. But it also is the kind of thing we're like, I'm seeing movies that I never would have seen otherwise 'cause I'm like, why not? You know? - Yeah, that's true. That's a really good point. - That's a good point. That being said, the movie that I'm gonna now name drop is not one that I saw AMC. (laughing) 'Cause sometimes they don't show the really interesting stuff. - Yeah. - But this movie, it's called Griffin in Summer. - Okay. - Or Griffin in Summer. Do you know it? - Oh. - It's a me, to me. Okay. - Film buff. - It's a beacon for many reasons. One, it was made very cheaply and then it premiered at Tribeca, I think. And then now it got distributed and whatever. But it's like a beautiful, beautiful, sweet movie. It was inspiring for my movie as well, where it's like about this like really cute little kid putting on a play in his mom's house, basically. - Oh, thank you. - But there's like other elements, no spoilers, but it's just, it's so sweet, it's so well written, it's so well acted. - Very cool. - And it just makes me excited for the world 'cause I'm like, that movie got made and people are now watching it. - Yeah. - Hopefully it just only leads to more. - No, absolutely. I love that. That's how I felt when I watched "Sorry Baby." I was like, this is such. And I'm someone too, like who can't trigger warning. It is about assault. I'm someone who cannot watch stuff that depicts assault in any regard because it truly will haunt me. It'll give me nightmares, it'll make me throw up. So I like, I literally cannot watch anything like that. Which is why a lot of times I'll have my sister watch stuff ahead of me and let me know. If I, if I'm fearful that something bad might happen in it. And then she'll be like, no, nothing happens in it. I'm like, okay. But that one I knew, the way that a lot of people online were talking about it. I was like, I feel like she is able to talk about it in a way that's not harmful to people watching. And it's true, it was done in such a beautiful, respectful way and like allowed her to tell the story as she experienced it. Which allowed me to not get too like scared watching and enjoy the film. And it was such a beautiful film. - Yeah. - And it was so well written and well acted. Like it was honestly amazing. - It was beautiful. - 10 out of 10. So I get your perspective of like wanting to watch movies like or amplify movies that more people should go watch because they're so fucking awesome. - They're so awesome. I mean, I just love going to the movies and just being in like a fully different world for that little period of time. - Yeah. - And just like, like I went, okay, also train dreams. - Oh yeah, I haven't watched train dreams yet. - I went alone and watched that movie and literally it's solved from two minutes in until the end. (laughing) But it was like me, it was like a weird like middle of the day, screening at this theater and I was like, everyone that was there was seeing it alone. Like it was like all of us were like unemployed and seeing people. And I, but it was so beautiful 'cause I think you just feel connected to all these people but also that movie. I mean, that was such a deep hit of me of like leaving and being like, I am changed from those two hours. And it's just awesome. - I know. And you know what? I love the fucking movies. In fact, Carrie and you have now inspired me to do the AMCA list. I haven't been to the movies in a while because like where I lived for a long time, them it was a smaller town and there was only like two movie theaters and every time I would go to the movies, it would be a lot of like if you were the movie or you're me in the movie. And I'm a person sitting in front of you. It was a lot of this. (laughing) - No. - No, I think that's her. I think that's her. - Oh God, nightmare. - And there was a lot of churning and staring right at me during movie. - That's, guys. - Okay, PSA, that's inappropriate. (laughing) - It's also not very good movie etiquette. - Movie etiquette. - Yeah. - Life etiquette. That's just like, that's not how we should be doing. - Right, I was like, I want to enjoy the movie. And I was like, also this is how to train your dragon. It's fucking fine. You guys don't need, yes, I went to the movies to go see how to train your dragon. - God forbid. - I did. - Yeah. - God forbid a girl wants to experience whimsy. - God forbid. - God forbid. - No, yeah. - No, you won't have that issue at AMCA. - I know. (laughing) The AMCA list honey, they don't blame on that. - Oh my God, no, that would not lie at AMCA. - Well now I know about the $30 up charge. What the hell? - Yeah, that does suck. They know, they know, they're on to us that everybody's enjoying it. - It's that or they're like going bankrupt. 'Cause they also raised the prices like not that long ago. I think it was like maybe 10 or 11 months ago. - Damn. - They raised the price up to $2. 'Cause when I started, I think it was $24.99. - Shit. - So times are tough. - Times are tough. - Even the AMCA is experiencing it. - I never thought I'd see the day. (laughing) - Okay, I do have some fun facts about you. - Oh. - If you'd like to go over them. - Yeah. - So we have switched it up a little bit since the last time you were here. - Okay. - Okay, so this first one says growing up, EJ went on school field trips to fish hatcheries. (laughing) - Oh my God, yes. (laughing) - What the hell is a fish hatchery? - Okay, well they're honestly amazing. I didn't appreciate them enough at the time. But 'cause I grew up in Portland, Oregon. And so-- - PNW. - The PNW, you know, salmon. Like we were very much, and I think this is awesome. Like I feel like we learned a ton about salmon in school, obviously, because they're really cool fish. But also like because that's just kind of, I don't know if there's a state fish, but I feel like it would be salmon. - Not sure, but it might be salmon. - Yeah, that's an untapped market. But branding for, I don't know, state fish. I don't know what I'm gonna pronounce. But yeah, so we would go to the fish hatcheries. Basically, okay, now there's gonna be, like, I'm gonna get some of this wrong. But my memory of it is like we would go and it was usually near or a part of a dam in like a river. - Oh, okay, okay. - And that would be, and there would be like a glass, like a window, and you would see all of the, like where the fish had laid all of their eggs. - Oh. - And then eventually you're like so grossed out. - Well, I'm imagining, I feel like I low-key have tripophobia. So I'm like imagining it, it being a lot of dots. - And unfortunately, it was a lot of dots. - Yeah, I bet. - It was a lot of dots. - That's kind of the line. - I bet. - I fucking knew it. - And I'm so sorry. Yeah, cut this out. You bleep out everything that I'm saying. But yeah, it was like a lot of fish, like eggs, and then, yeah, depending on what time of year you would come, it would depend on when, what stage the eggs were in, like, hatching, and stuff. And now I'm like, I should like do Google this and figure out, like, actually what was going on. 'Cause my memory is them being like, okay, here are the eggs. And then we're all like standing in front of the eggs, and they're like, this is really important. But like you're a kid, so you're like, how could this possibly be important? - Okay, I saw the eggs. - I saw the eggs. - Not what. - But the whole thing about salmon is that they leave where they are born, and then they swim downstream. - Yes. - And then I think they lay their eggs, no, no, no. Then I don't know what they do downstream, but then they come back to where they originally were born. They know the exact place of it. - Oh, interesting. - And that's where they lay their eggs. - Gotcha. So you did that several times throughout school? - Definitely more than once. I wanna say, yeah, I wanna say three, at least. - Interesting. - And it was kind of like, 'cause we had a lot of field trips that were sort of in that vein where it was like, in retrospect, it's like adults being like, we live in this really, really interesting place. The environment is very fascinating. It's like a rainforest, essentially. There's all these interesting things that animals do here that they couldn't do anywhere else, and then we were kind of like dragged along to be like, okay, so I appreciate it. - Don't die. - Yeah, could be. - The exact talk now. - Like, oh my god, that's what they're doing then. - Yeah. (laughing) - When I was a kid, we went to this, on this field trip, 'cause I grew up in Southern California, but we went to this place called the Kellogg House, which like, when I think about it now, I genuinely don't know why we went there. Like, it was just like a fancy old house. Like, it's just an old house. Like, it was a house built from like the 20s. - I feel like I've heard of it. - Yeah, it hasn't really been updated. Now, you can like get married there and stuff. Like, it's like one of those places, but we went on this field trip and like, I just loved being on a field trip. - Yeah, so fun. - Obviously, everyone's like, yeah, we get to leave school. And I remember my mom had gotten me these shirts, and I wore, like, these shirts I loved. It was like a sweater vest with like a collared shirt built into it. - Oh, yeah, yeah. - And then I had like a flare pan on, and my mom got me two of them, and I wore one for picture day, and the other one I was like, I'm saving that for the Kellogg House. So I wore that outfit and I was like, look at my fucking outfit. Like I felt so t, I was like, oh my God, how fun. We walked through this house. I don't remember shit at all really. I just remember them, this is old. So just like these are it. It'd be awesome. - Yeah. - And then there was like these parts where they were like, oh, they were taking like photos of us. And they had these old timey phones. And I have thatitis about me where like if I see a phone or a button, I have to press it. Like if it doesn't explicitly say you should not, you don't press this, I will go press it. So I'm like, I just have to go touch. And then they had these old phones and I loved old phones. Don't diagnose me. I know someone's gonna diagnose me. Don't, I already know. - Do you have like a prediction of what the diagnosis would be? - Autism probably. - Yeah, probably. - Yeah, if I had to guess, that's typically what they give me every time I tell them about me. My whimsy is a child. They're like, I have that too and now I have. - Okay. - So, hey, I know. So like, I'm aware of trust me. So I like loved phones and they had these old timey phones and they had ones that were like on different levels so you and your friends could like go, like someone would bend down and like use one and then they were like taking pictures. So I was bending down a lot to like use and press all of the buttons that I could. And then I remember they printed out the photos and they put them in these little like, almost like organizers when we got back to the school the next day and we went to school the next day. They were like, oh, if you guys want photos, like just take them, they're from the Kellogg House, which is I thought was really sweet. They like developed all of them. Girl, in every single photo of me, where I was like, my back was in the picture, like I was like bending over to like use the phone with the exception of me facing forward in one of them. You, my underwear was sticking out of my pants in every photo. In every single photo I was like bending down and my big ass chonies were sticking out and they were also like a magenta pink. And I remember this so distinctly 'cause I remember going, 'cause I was thinking, I was bending over pressing buttons and not one person told me. - That's what, I mean, that is a moment that I think as the adult, the teacher comes over to you, normal way, just says, hey sweetie. (laughing) Like I'm like, come on. What, you know, 'cause the alternative is, you're gonna find out, they're taking photos. - Yeah, for real. And honestly, that's how I found out my underwear sticking out the whole day and what's even funny about that is like, someone could have told me, but I was so concerned about pressing the buttons. I didn't hear anything. - I always do. - I always do. - Yeah. - And I was like, I just like eyes wide. And then they were like, well, let's not ruin her. (laughing) I told her about the underwear thing, which she needs to go. - She's clearly focused on something else. I think it might be autism. (laughing) - And now I'm thinking, I don't think that helps my case of beating the autism allegations. I don't think that helps my case. - You were so nervous. - Tunnel vision. - Well that, and just like I didn't care that my underwear was out. 'Cause I really feel like someone might have told me. - Yeah. - At the time, I was like, I think none of you guys told me. But now when I think back, I'm like, well, someone might have told me. And I might have not heard it because I was like, buttons, buttons, buttons, buttons, buttons, buttons. I mean, it's like God, being a kid is so crazy. Like, you literally weren't used to having a body yet. (laughing) - You just fine-shed out and you're like, oh my God, I didn't realize that that's what I was feeling. Like maybe there was a little more air on your butt. And you're like, oh no, like that's just how it feels. - I know you're just trial and error. - Yeah. - I'm trial and error a bunch of humiliating shit that's happening to me. - Okay. - Okay, more fun facts. Okay, it says that you used to work at a preschool as your day job. - Yes. - Oh my gosh, how was that job? I'm sure it's so difficult. - It was difficult. It was honestly so fun. I mean, I love working with kids. That was like before being whatever I am now, I was like, most of my resume was like being a barista and working with kids. And which both of them I love. - Yeah. - Honestly, being a barista is really fun. But yeah, working at the preschool was really awesome. It was the kind of job where like, I have no degree in child development or anything like that. I, my degree is in creative writing. I was 24 and I was kind of like, I'm a human body that can sort of supervise what five people are doing. - And they're like perfect. - And they're like great. We're gonna pay you $18 an hour to really take care of people's children. - Sorry. - I don't even know she was sorry about that. - To like people sending their kids to preschool, I don't know. But no, I mean, we had a lot of fun. I was basically like an assistant to the teachers. Like I would kind of like, - Oh, that's right. - to different classrooms. And like the teachers would be like, I'm going on lunch and I'd be like, totally and then I'd be like, they're with the kids. But it was awesome. I mean, kids are so fun. - They are and they're hilarious. - They're so funny. - They're also unintentionally funny. - Oh my God. They're just, yeah, they're living in, especially like when they're like five years old, like they will enter into imagination. They'll enter into a different universe with you, like at the drop of a hat. Like it's like, you can be like. - And in out of conversation. - Oh my God. It's like everything is so that you're like, oh my God, and did you know the floor is all snakes? And they're like, yep. Yeah, I did. And they're like miles ahead of you somehow in this thing that you're like, - Improv, improv. - It's all improv. - Yeah, I guess that's the answer. - Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. - Very, yes. - You're your workshoping improv. - Oh, you're in there truly. - It's, yeah. - I need a place. - Come on, who's got a word? What's our job? What's our job? - Yeah, yeah, it's awesome. - That's so funny. I know I love when kids do that shit when they're like, they do a cartwheel and then they come up and they're breathing hard and they're like, my dad's got a divorce. And then you're like, oh, okay. And they're like, yeah. And then they flip away. - Yeah. - Yeah, it's so fun. - I love when kids just say shit. 'Cause it's like at our core, like, are we ever, did we ever actually evolved from that? - For real. - We are actually all still that, but we're just masking it really. - Yeah, we're just able to mask, yeah. That's the only difference. My brother is a running joke honestly, like, machine because he just does things that make us laugh so hard constantly. Like my younger brother, he's nine years younger than me and 11 years younger than my sister, but when he was a kid, he was the most like, imaginative, like, colorful child. So even like something, he would just add so much pageantry to where it did not need to be. And I remember one time he like got in the car of your football practice, like it was like Pee Wee football. So he's young and he was like, okay, just so you know, like to my sister, he was like, grandpa cannot come to my games anymore. My grandpa, who had only gone at that point to like maybe a couple of them, 'cause he's a hundred. So she was like, what? And he goes, he just can't, he just can't. And she was like, why? 'Cause he had missed practice earlier that week for like a family thing. And then when he was going to practice, he goes, what am I supposed to tell? The coach and the teammates when they ask me, like, and then my sister's like, just say we had a family emergency, like that's it. That's it. And then he was like, okay, okay, okay. So after that practice, he was when he's like, he can never come back to my games. And he was like, well, because one of the kids asked me and then I was like, oh, I had a family emergency. And they went, okay. And then he's like, I guess there was just too much silence. So then he was like, my grandpa broke his leg. He slipped in, he broke his leg, and then my dad had to go pick him up and then I had to go there to help. Like he created this entire story with characters and plot points, drama. And then he was like, so like, if he does come, he has to like pretend to have a broken leg. And my mom, my sister's like, he's not gonna do that. Like, we're not doing that. And then he was like, I'm just saying, I'm just telling you, that's what I told them. - Yes, I have a broken leg for the rest of me. And at least until I'm off this team. - Yeah, yeah. - I just like go, what will people say? - Oh my God, that's so awesome. - Yeah, it's like, there's, but that is also, like I'm like, I feel like my partner does that when they lie to. Like, sometimes I'm like, you don't know when is asking follow up questions. Like everyone like, oh yeah, like I was late. Like, you know, whatever, you're running late or something. It's like, because my car's tire flew off. It flew off in one bullet. - And then we stopped her. And it's like, no one actually really cares, but now they do. (laughing) - You like, you snared them with this book that now they created to care. (laughing) Now they're kind of fucked up if they don't care. At the way you described that. - They're gonna remember it now forever. (laughing) - That's actually my brother-in-law, my fiance's brother. He is the most colorful storyteller in the history of time. He's also the most dramatic person I've ever met in my life. And even like, my mother-in-law, like, there were two peas in a pod, like, my fiance's brother and her. They are the exact same person. And like, I always joke, like, her name's Lisa, Shouts out Lisa. I love telling her things, like, anything at all, because she'll be like, you're kidding me. You're fucking kidding, Nidru. You're lying to me. That's how she, anytime I tell her anything, she'll be like, you're fucking lying to me. - Yeah. - And I'm like, if you can believe it, no. - No. - That's the truth. - That's why sometimes I'm like, I can't wait to tell your mom this story. She's gonna freak out. - It's so epic when people are like, amazing audiences. - Yes. - You know, we give you exactly the reaction you want. You're like, thank you. Yeah, it is that big of a deal. - And you know what's funny is on the flip side of that? Like, I obviously love to talk. And I love to tell stories especially. One time on my other podcast with my sister, a fan wrote in and asked, like, what are your favorite stories to tell? Like, crowd-pleasing ones. And I'm like, oh my god, what a fantastic question. I have a role in it. - It's a good question. - I have so many. But I remember, there's a few stories I have about dogs. I've had growing up. And like, I would say objectively funny, but like, if you do love dogs to a point where like, it's almost clinical, it may not be as funny. I love my dogs that way. But like, this story I've told, this was the first time I ever went out to dinner with like my fiancee's family. And like, his family, it was kind of, talking to me because my family will sit in fucking yap at a meal. Like we will chat a bitch down. We love to talk. Yeah. And that's like half the fun of going out to eat. That's what is chatting. The point of food is to gather upon it. Exactly. So I literally, like we love to chat. And this is my first time ever going out to dinner with them. They don't really chat. Like they talk a little, but then they mostly just eat, which is kind of strange. It's tough for me. So of course for me, I'm like, this audience needs a purpose. Yes. You're like give me the mic. Give it to me. So I was like, I need to tell a story. Of course. So I was like going down my list of all my heavy hitters and I was telling one about a dog and like normally, you know, you like when you workshop a story so many times that you have all your your points where you hit. Yeah. And you're like, this is where they die. Then I close with this. Like that's how I like measure story. And I get to the point where typically people are busting at the seams. I'm gut busting everybody. Yeah. Not one laugh. And I was like, I was so shocked by it that I literally was like, and he lived and everything was fine. So I just like wrapped it up after that. Normally it goes for another 10 minutes. I cut it short. They oh my god, I have so many questions. Okay. Well, first of all, were they like looking at you? Like was it like silence? Like they were just kind of like eating not really reacting or was it the kind of thing where they were giving you like a were they like concerned? They were concerned about the story. So they were all lissie. Yeah. So they were listening. They were just like, oh, they were having like that's like I the worst noise I can hear when I'm doing stand up is the audience going, oh my god, just take me up. Do you mean? Like like no, no, no, sorry, I can't do it. I cannot do that. Like it's so like when you're waiting for laughing people go, I'd rather you not laugh. I'd rather you not laugh at all. I'd rather be stone cold silent. I'd rather you call me a slug. I'd rather you be a big hit towards me. Mad at me for something like anything that's actually so real. Anything but I feel the same thing. Now I'm bummed out for the rest of the night. No, no, no, no, I'm okay. Yeah, if I'm laughing, you should be laughing. Please laugh. Yeah, if I'm saying it, please laugh. Yeah. And they were concerned why because the dog died or something? No, the dog, in the story. So I'll give you the truncated version. Essentially, my sister had a bulldog. Okay. All right, he is past now, but he did live to like be like 11 years old. So which is a very long time for an English bulldog. So basically in this story, my dad tried to take him out of walk, but it was too hot. So he didn't even really get that far before he was like, I got to take him back. So when he started walking back, he actually didn't want to walk anymore. So my dad picked him up and was like walking him back. And my mom was with him. And my mom was like, hurry, we should go like cool him off, because I think he's just hot. Yeah. As he's like walking a neighbor comes out on the lawn and is like, Hey, like, what's up guys? My dad's carrying my the dog that's like, you know what I mean? Like, like, like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, like kind of needing an emergency help kind of situation. And so he's like, Oh, my dad stops to talk, right, is holding the bulldog like this. My bulldog started like shitting himself like like in constant is like literally he's releasing his balls because he's about to die. Yeah. And it's black tar shit. Oh, just going down my dad's white shirt. My dad's holding the dog still talking. Oh, he's like, no, no, no, he knew he could smell it. He's being polite to the neighbor. Yeah, he's being polite. My dad is so afraid of like, perception and hates being talked to. So like when he's being talked to, he's like, walking in. So he's like, mind you, the dog's like two X's over the eyes, like a cartoon character. And literally black shit going down my dad's white shirt. My mom goes, I'm so sorry, we have to go. Like my mom literally had to interrupt and be like, we have to go because they were two steps from the house. Oh, my god. So then they they take him inside. They put him in a little pool. That's the part where I lost them. When I said he's he released his bowels. Okay. That's where I lost the word. Yeah, because they went and I went, but it's okay because they laid him in cold water and he came back to life. It's okay. Yeah. He's fine. Oh, it's also like, I mean, yeah, the story would be really different if he had fully died. Yeah, that's why I was like, I wouldn't I wouldn't be telling this story with such fervor if like the ending was the end of the thing. But it didn't matter because I lost the room. So I literally was like, and then you know what? He came back to life. And by the way, I love animals. I think I love them. I love them. I love them. I love them. I love them. They're family members. You know, like they're like really found family chosen family. That's one of them who rescued who? Yeah. I know. And I also felt like, well, I guess that's kind of on me. I did pick quite a Vadoozy of a story to open with at my first dinner with this family. But you feel good about you've gotten good responses. You know, you've been workshopping for a while. Typically I've been making the rounds with the story. So I thought maybe bet my bad bad read on my part. That's you. And I think it's because I didn't really know my fiance's mom that well. And like she lives and dies by dogs. Like dogs are like her favorite animal. That's her favorite. So I should have known there to my credit though. His brother was laughing. Oh, okay. But then he stopped laughing when he sensed the like air gets sucked out of that room. That's on him. Yeah. Yeah. I was like, yeah. I was like, okay, no loyalty. Yeah. Like, all right. Thanks for leaving me. You want to laugh and you're not going to. Yeah. Yeah. There are there are those people that like that love dogs in a way where it's like if you even like mention truly that like a dog died or something. Yeah. It's like they they can't handle it. Exactly. We're just kind of fascinating to me on sort of like a I don't know like a scientific level or something like our psychoanosis. But like a neuroscience. Yeah. It's very interesting. Like the animals do die. Yeah. That is one of the things unfortunately that they do too. Not great. But it's not awesome. I'll tell you that. You know what's funny is speaking of animals like I have two Frenchies. And one of them is deaf. And my other my other Frenchie has alopecia. But only on his butt. Okay. And like just his butt. I'm not kidding. Like it's all both sides of his butt bald. It's like his butt cheeks if they're worried. No, not even it's like the sides of his butt. So it's like his flanks. It's like sure. Yeah. So he's got he's got bald flanks. And he recently took him to the vet just to check on it would just to give him like a physical yeah my alopecia dog his name is squid. So I was like we took squid to the vet to get him a little check on the alopecia. Make sure everything's cool. And the doctor was like honestly like unless you guys care like aesthetically he's fine. And we're like I don't care. I just want to make sure there's not something else going on in there. Like I do have to tell people like he has alopecia. It's a thing. Like unless you guys care aesthetically they're like so your dog's butt ugly. Yeah. It looks really bad. Your dog's cosmetically gross to look at. Yeah. But you guys don't care because you're free. It's then fine. If you're cool with this ugly bitch living in your house. I mean I can't stop you. Everybody's happy. They also told me to about their like she said he could lose a little bit of weight. Which like I will say like my friend. She's our massive like they aren't and I don't mean fat. I mean like they're huge. I don't know why every time I see a Frenchie in the wild. I'm like that one is so much smaller than mine. I don't know why I'm minor amorous. They're long legs or something. They're just like very long boys and they're like thick. So they're heavy. Like they're heavy to carry. Okay. And so my dog's squid is almost 50 pounds. We're just fucking cute. I did. I did not know they got that big. That is that is they don't. That's what I'm saying. Like he's about 47 pounds. So they she said he could lose a little little bit of weight. And we're like okay. She goes if he loses like gets down to maybe like 43 42 he'll be good and we're like okay. So we're we gonna have to kind of work on that with him. Okay. So you're gonna die at or something. Yeah. He we just cut back his wet food a tiny bit because he gets kibble and wet food. Both my dogs are on vegan kibble. Okay. If you can fucking believe it. I can't and and is that like your preference? Or yeah. I'm raising them in a like preservative freehouse. That was going to be like really. I would be like okay. I'm yeah. You look at me again and I'm miss group. Yeah. Yeah. I see your shirt is like a pizza shirt. Yeah. Oh yeah. I'm like sponsored by Goop Kitchen. Yeah. No. He's there. They have vegan kibble because my dog squid has this like stomach thing where basically he's allergic to protein. But he you need protein to survive. Yeah. So I had to take him to six different specialists. I found one that finally took me seriously and prescribed him vegan kibble and it's literally something you cannot get anywhere except online with an updated prescription which is fucking crazy. That's so wow. I mean I'm so glad that he is living in this day and age. Right. And literally to get what he's living in LA. No better place. No. Truly. Like vegan kibble than here in LA. LA in 2026. He is I mean he's exactly where he should be. He's exactly where his feet are. Okay. Okay. More fun facts about you. It says that you submitted to be a writer on I love LA and then randomly ran into Rachel's Senate on a walk around your neighborhood. That is true. You talked and then got the job soon after. Yeah. Look at you. I love that. I do feel like it was yeah the universe like being kind to me or something. It was that was meant to be. Yeah. Oh my gosh. I love that. I love that. She was vibing with you. Yeah. It's crazy because I was being really weird. Like I was like I was kind of I mean I think I was like I evidently not as weird as I felt like I was but it was like one of those walks where you're like I really hope I don't run into someone like I was just in a weird headspace. I was wearing a weird outfit. It was summer. It was like a million degrees. Like I was just like let me just walk in peace. And then of course I ran to Rachel and she's delightful. And you know it was like no. and we're more in fine, but in my mind, I'm like, just, just, don't be weird. Just, like it was like, I couldn't be cool. - Yeah, be cool, just be normal, just be normal. - And then I walked away and I was like, well, I don't even know what I said, but I'm sure it was weird. - And hopefully, hopefully it stays with her. - Whatever weirdness I put out, hopefully it stays. - I guess I'll be top of mind either way. (laughing) - And did you mention having submitted? - I didn't. - I didn't. - I didn't. - Oh, look at you, that's wonderful. - You know, I thought about it and then I was like, I kept a chill, I was like, congrats, by the way. Sort of vaguely, ominously. (laughing) - On whatever it is, whatever we're doing. - On whatever we're doing, I know I need you. - And sort of faded into it. - In my mind, yeah, evaporated. - You just like, backed away slowly and disappeared. (laughing) - Okay, last one fact, it says that your club penguin username was Jazzy Jaz3, and he played the Jazze saxophone. In real life or as a penguin? - Wow, Jazzy's a recurring theme for you. (laughing) - Wait, that's so awesome. - Jazzy Ladybug, Jazzy Penguin. - Oh God, it's so funny, 'cause in my mind, I know that I've spoken to people about Jazzy Jaz3. It's amazing that it's findable out there. (laughing) - Yes, that is-- - Amanda's gonna find it. - That's so amazing, like beautiful. (laughing) Yes, my name is Jazzy Jaz3. Yes. I think maybe he did play a saxophone, but I also did play the alto saxophone in real life. - Okay. - That's the gay instrument. - It really-- - The saxophone. - My sister played the saxophone. She's the last one. - She's the last one. - Yeah, yeah. It is the gay instrument. I mean, like the brass section was definitely for the like, you know, I wasn't gonna fit in with the girls who played flute for-- - And I played the flute. - And okay, I was gonna say-- - Straight girls play the flute. - Straight, beautiful. Like honestly, like they were gorgeous. And so just like they were like little fairies. Like they were playing the flute and I was like, that's so awesome. I actually could never physically-- I don't know. Again, it was the kind of thing that, I think this was like fourth grade, where I was like, I don't know why, but it's just not gonna work for me. - Yeah, just, that's not my journey. - Even if I tried. (laughing) I couldn't do flute. I would say the more like, the girls that played clarinet were like similar to flute girls and that they were like very like, like doing femininity correctly. But like they were a little bit more like, I don't know, like they were more like, hardened or something. - Right. - They had like more life experience. (laughing) - More edge. - Yeah, they had a bit of an edge to them. - Yeah. - And then the brass section was for, I guess you could say the misfits. (laughing) At least at my school was sort of where we found one another. - Found family. - Speaking of. - Yeah, that was a brass section. - And the brass section was in family. (laughing) And I loved playing the saxophone. I would sit out on my front lawn and play it. (laughing) - That's such a Portland thing, a PNW thing. Take your brass thing. It goes sitting the grass and playing. - I am like, why was I doing that? I'm also the neighbors are like, oh great. - Here we go again. - Oh my God. - The kid is back with the saxophone. - Oh no. - We're good. - No, I mean, I never really like, like I feel like I stayed in the zone of like, doing the things in the book and like playing the songs I was learning at school, but I never like, took off in a different direction. - Yeah, you just kind of clocked in when you needed to. - Yeah, but I really like the identity of it. I loved it. I was playing the saxophone. - I loved that too when I played the flute. I loved like, carrying my instrument to school. - Ah, yes. - I loved like the thought. I think it's probably because like, naturally, I'm not like musically inclined. Like I don't, I can't sing and I don't really play instruments at all. Like I can play maybe two songs on a piano, but like I cannot play an instrument at all really. So I think the flute gave me, I like wanted the performative aspect of it. - Yeah. - I was like, oh, my instrument. - Right. - You're like trying out an identity kind of and like, is this mine? - Yeah. - Not really. - Like why, I like like the weight of the case and I like, I feel like it makes me look like I have like serious hobbies. - Yeah, yeah. - I think it's because I at the time I didn't know that I wasn't, I don't really have that many hobbies. I'm working on an therapy. But because I think because I've been so like, result driven and things that I do outside of like school, work, sports, whatever. So I think that's why the instrument gave me a lot of power because I was like, this is like my hobby. - Right, this is like the random like quirky thing. - Yeah, this makes me different. - Yeah, is it, are you the kind of person that's like, you only like to do things that you're really good at? - Yes. - Kind of, yeah. - Or that per cure result that will prove I'm the best at something. That's like really how I choose. So like if, if when I've like gotten a journal, I've already announced it on the show and I'm still not for real actually about it yet. But I got a journal because I was literally like, I am gonna do a junk journal. - Okay. - And I'll be honest, I've seen junk journals many times, but like I was never really moved. And then I saw this girl I follow showing her junk journal and she had like a page for Popeyes. And she just cut up a Popeyes order and like decorated it and I was thinking, I should get a journal. Like I literally bought a journal. I swiped out of that video and I went and I put a journal and now I have it and I haven't used it yet, but you know, I'm getting there. - And what is a junk journal? Can you divide that for me? Is that crazy? No, I'm just laughing because you're, hmm. - Now what is, I was waiting for it to click in for me to be like, oh, I know what a junk journal is. So then I kind of like the things you said. I'm like, well, actually I know. - It's essentially like a lower lift scrapbook. - Oh, okay. - So you just have a journal that you can carry everywhere because the idea is to like, you don't need all the bills and whistles that you need typically to scrapbook, but you can do it inside a journal. And so like you just put like essentially it just like things you like and you like glue them to the pages and like just like scrapbooking. - That's fun. - But it's like lower lift and then I saw this girl say like, oh, like I do it for like memories. Like I do it for like, oh, this is like a, a pivotal memory for me. I really want to take like mostly trash or like things around and like make a memory of it. So it's like scrapbooking essentially. - I love that. - I thought so. And like it's one of those things I feel like one of those people where I'm like, I just want to be known as someone who loves something like that. But I like, I just like haven't been moved to actually follow through. - It's that's all that makes me so hard. - Yeah. Do you have hobbies? Do you have any hobbies? - I was trying to think, I mean, I do, I guess this counts. Like my partner and I do like camping. - Oh, that's nice. - Which is kind of like, - That makes sense for you for you being from the PNW too. - Yeah, outdoorsy. - I do feel like in a way, because like I grew up around like a lot of rich kids, but I wasn't rich. Like we don't really have much money. But the culture in the Pacific Northwest is very much like the rich people hike in camp. And so. - Oh, interesting. - It's very, there's a lot there. - Yeah. - I'm sure people have written these about it. But it's like, yeah, the way you kind of like display your wealth is like the nicest hiking boots and like the nicest. - Interesting. - I guess that makes sense. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense for organ. - Yeah. - And it is a lot of like a North Face. - Yes, yes. It's very much the aesthetic. And also it's like, it is interesting 'cause those sort of like simplistic, like back to nature kinds of things. Like they do, there are a lot of the like gear and stuff around them is really expensive. Like camping is expensive. If you want to do it in a way that like the gear is like nice gear, whatever. - Yeah, for real. - Anyway, so I grew up in this setting where like I felt like my family did not camp. Oh my god, I did not hike. Like that was not our vibe at all. - Yeah. - It was just not that kind of thing we would do. And but I went to school with all these kids that were like doing it constantly in it. I wanted that to be my vibe so badly. But I was also getting slightly traumatized by the fact that like when we would do those things like with school or whatever, like I didn't know how to do it. And like I did not have the right gear and it was so embarrassing. And so I feel like in my, I know it's actually, it is real, there are like moments where I like remember something from that period of time. It's like I'm sure you have this with your fiancee. You're like I'll bring it up and be like, oh my god, I just had this memory of like everyone had like, the newest like nicest sleeping bag for the overnight trip and like I brought mine in like a bit trash bag or whatever, like literally, you know, in my mom's like it's fine, it's back. - Yeah. - You know, like what do you do? And I was like, but it's like those memories where you just like remember being like, oh I've done something so uncool. Like this is so embarrassing. And I like bring it up to root my friend, or root and they're like crying. - Yeah, they're like, no, no, no, no. And I'm like, oh I guess that's not a funny story. - You're all that great. - Okay, well, yeah. And I'm like, oh yeah, sorry. - I didn't mean to upset anyone. - Yeah, like no, it's okay. But I feel like now is an adult. I'm like kind of, it feels like a little bit of like a reclaiming kind of thing where I'm like, I do love it. - Yeah, that's so beautiful. - 'Cause I love being outside. - Yeah, I love that. - It is like a way to do it that's like fun and not annoying. (laughing) - Yeah, yeah, yeah. - So yeah, we do that. - No, that's real, 'cause my sister went to the University of Oregon. So she lived in Eugene for a long time. - Yeah, she stayed up there a lot. And I remember she was like, everybody has fucking bikes here. Everybody bikes everywhere. And so my mom was like, oh, like, I'll, you can take your bike next time you come home. And my sister, we only had beach cruisers 'cause we're from here. And my sister was like, I was humiliated, riding that fucking bike. And it was like a bright yellow orange. - Oh, no. - So like back to your orange car. - Yeah. - That was her orange car. - Yeah. - She was like, I need a new bike. I can't ride this thing anymore. - Yeah. - It's so crazy too. 'Cause it's like, that was probably so awesome to have down here. So cool. It sounds like really cute. And yeah, for, it's this weird, like, the status. - Yeah, there are very close ranks up there about like the outdoorsy stuff. They have a very specific vibe. Like even, uh, Dase, what was the name of that water bottle? You got me? - Nal Jean. - Nal Jean. - Yeah. - Yeah, like Dase and I, was like, oh, like she had a Nal Jean bottle and like I lived in Hoy because that's where I went to college. And she was like, oh, okay, you wanted these like. And everybody put stickers on it. And it's like the most and honestly to kick ass water bottle, like especially for camping. But I took it to the beach one time in Hoy. And when I went to the water came back, I was probably gone for like five minutes. My bottle steaming hot. It felt like the all the water inside was so fucking warm. I was like, oh, okay, so yeah, no, up there. Yes, that's so funny because yeah, exactly that does not come up in Oregon. So I was like, okay, so this is a PNW water bottle. Yeah, we're like temperate. 60 degrees all the time. No, for real worth raining constantly and cool. But the air is so fresh and clean up there. That's when I actually crazy. Like as an adult, because I have a lot, you know, it's a very complicated place. But the air and the water are the things that I think back on. And I'm like, okay, that is something that like I as an adult. And like that's really special. My god, the water thing, especially because I remember when I visited my sister at school, she'd be like, you just drink out of the sink. It's so clear. And it tastes amazing. And it does taste amazing. I literally it does. I was like, really? Because I saw her doing it. She goes, no, do that's what I do. I fill up my water bottle like that. Because most places you don't want to be doing that. You should not do that in most places. Yeah. Unless you want to get sick. Yeah. Well, you know what? I'm so glad to hear that you're reclaiming camping. And honestly, a really kickass hobby. That's, it's hard. It's hard to camp. It is hard to camp. And I will say like, it is not fun all the time. Like, there would be known. Let it be known. Like, it's not all like people who listen are like, yeah, obviously that's why I don't do it. No, it sucks a lot of the time. But like, it is one of those things that like I think especially living in LA where it does feel like sometimes, you know, things can, it can feel like it's coming from all angles. No, totally nature. Like you need to get out. You need to get out. It's so landlocked. And truly just be like, okay, like I'm alone out here or like, there's nothing to do except for like, sit. Yeah. And with myself and my own thoughts. Yeah. Which is horrifying sometimes. Really scary stuff. Which is why we need to do it more. Yeah. And also the trees. Do you love the trees? I love the trees. I love I talk to the trees all the time. Oh my God. And they do listen. Absolutely. That is true. I mean, they are older than you could ever imagine. Girl, that's what I'm saying. That's why I'm like, the trees listen and they hear it. If anything, that would make camping worth it. Yes. To me is getting to be with the trees. Have you been to Sequoia? No, I haven't. You got it. Is it like unbelievable? It is magical. Oh my god. Those trees. I got chills. I mean, it's so to be among those trees. It is like, it's the most humbling experience. Yeah. And it is also you're like, you can't be next to a Sequoia tree without just grappling with all that's come before you know, seriously. You're so me. I feel so connected to your especially when I'm around things like that in nature. It's so important. It's because it's unnatural for us not to be. I know you should be around. We should be around more nature. Yeah, less halogen lights more trees. Yes, that's what we need. Yeah, that's what we're rooting for in 2026. Yes. Well, I am so unbelievably happy that you came back. Thank you for having me. You're one of my favorite creators and I mean that's so literally and you are one of the funniest people on the internet. Thank you so much. I am rooting for you so hard. And I'm stamping my card now before you like my card of I was an EJ fan before you have a hit show, a hit movie and all of the things. Like, I am so fucking excited for you and the future for you. Thank you. You're amazing and I can't wait for everything that you've ever wanted in this industry because I really do think you have such a unique perspective and comedy especially. And it's like it's especially hard now I think in comedy or writing or all of it to be funny and away. That's not harmful. Be funny in a way that's not reductive. Right. And it's not punching down like you're so funny in a way that is like welcoming, accessible and hilarious. So I want to thank you. And I really want to like I want to I want to give you flowers, but I want to fill your cup because I know that whatever it is that's coming down the pipeline for you is going to be like amazing and I'm so happy for you. You deserve it. Thank you. You deserve everything you've had now. That's why I was really excited to see you a part of I love LA because it's the first of many and I'm so happy to have you back. Thank you. Yes, of course. I'm so excited for your romance novel. Oh my gosh. Thank you. I'm obviously I'll invite you to the premiere where I will be the star inevitably. Yes. And then you have to invite me to the premiere of yours. Maybe I'll do carpet stuff on the premiere of your movie. Oh my god. I would be honored. I would love that amazing. And then you'll come back again when you're a star in a movie and then we can talk about that. Yay. But thank you so much for coming back to the show. I fucking love you. I love you. You're the best. And for maybe the 10 people that don't know where you are and have never heard of your genius where can everybody find you. Um, you can follow me online. My name on Instagram and TikTok is EJ having fun. Yes. And EJ is always having fun. Oh, always. So you got to pocket. Thank you so much to all of you for tuning into this episode of the comment section. Don't forget new episodes. Drop every Wednesday. Constream the audio and all streaming platforms. The video right now is on Spotify. But we'll be on YouTube maybe very soon. So don't forget. Lock that in. Okay. Thank you so much for my amazing guest. EJ Marcus. Please make sure you guys check out everything he's doing. He's incredible and amazing and so talented. And thank you so much for tuning in. I'll see you next week. Bye.