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Awesomely Awkward – Jumprope

Sometimes, my Oreo-ness is totally validated when someone says something to me that they totally wouldn’t say to a regular black

Wondering if what's on the tip of your tongue is odd or offensive? Say it anyway! It might just be a compliment in disguise.

person (You know, like the n-word!). When someone looks at me and says something…odd or potentially off-putting about race and then stare back at me with eyes wide open and blinking sweetly, it makes me feel like I’m doing my job at making those around me forget that my ethnicity of origin.

Today’s gem came to me last night at the gym. I was in the middle of a two-hour boxing workout (20 mins of running then 20 minutes of shadow boxing then 12 minutes of jumproping then 120 pushups then 20 minutes of mitt work then 20 minutes of abs then an hour and a half of recouperative sobbing). It was the jumprope section and the girl next to me kept catching her rope with her feet and whipping herself in the back with the rope.

After a few of these began to bring up tiny red marks on her back, she turned to me and said: “Man! Now I know how the slaves felt!! That must have sucked!”

It probably did suck, I thought. But not as much as you not being able to share that with me.

I have pilates tonight. Here’s hoping someone compares the resistance band to leg irons!

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This anecdote aside, it’s inevitable that awkward stuff just slips out sometimes! What’s a convo you’ve had that still makes you blush? Let us know in the comments!

Black Guy or White Guy? See if you can tell!

For Valentine’s Day, i I thought I’d tell some fun dating stories. Some good, some not as good. And I thought I’d make it interesting.

As an Oreo, if I’m on a date now, you can be pretty sure it’s not with a black guy. But that wasn’t always the case. True enough, I’ve never had a black boyfriend, but that doesn’t mean that once or twice, I didn’t dip my toe in the water. The cold, cold water.

Below are some dating stories, names of course withheld to protect…me from retribution. 🙂

See if you can guess the guy’s race. Answers are below.

1. 1 + 1 = 2 dates that didn’t go anywhere.  The fact that when I was young, I had crushes on Ferdinand the Friendly Bull, Lambert the Sheepish Lion, Valcor the Luck Dragon and Jesus demonstrates that I have always been drawn to squishy, emotional, sweet, artistic guys who like to tell stories and hug.

I will always hold a candle for you, Mr. F.

But this one time, I decided to break that mold by going out with a rough and tumble, snowboarding accountant.

He made reservations at an adorable Spanish restaurant, showed up smelling delightful, bought a round of wine before dinner, ordered a ton of apps and plied me with three or four martinis without once not being a perfect gentleman. He told me stories about his work that actually made accounting seem exciting, took me to the movies the next week…then never called again.

So what do you think? White guy or black guy?

2. Prohibition. Dinner was at one of my favorite LA eateries: Cole’s. Cole’s is a mahogany and maroon French Dip place steeped in history and that serves an amazing Manhattan. We had dinner there, then snuck into the speakeasy in the back for a couple of fancy drinks in old tymey atmosphere.

Say fella, don’t get in a lather, take a guess on what this dude looked like or go chase yourself!

3. Montage. This one was seriously like something out of a movie. We met at a party. Couple weeks later, he said that he had a day planned and that I needed to bring a couple of changes of clothes. Now, I normally am not a fan of surprises–a lot of pressure to have the right reaction to questionable stimulus.

No, really! I love that you redecorated my apartment in a totally new color scheme and bought me a Doberman!

But this date was full of great surprises! I drove to his place by the water. He drove us to a Soul Food place, but then quickly made up for that infraction by taking us to more anglo-tastic spots like an airplane museum, a surfing lesson and a beach-side cantina. We fell asleep watching a movie on his couch and the only reason we didn’t end the night…differently…was b/c the day before he had had surgery on his mouth. A week later, he left for France and never called again.

Opening this weekend! The answer to the nagging question…was he white or black??

4. A Classic Tragedy. We met at a bar where instead of bumping or grinding me, he told me that he loved Hemingway and The Secret of NIMH. He also told me that he wrote poetry and the next day, he invited me to come over and hear him read some. Here’s the thing about poetry, if you’re going to use it as a second impression, it better be pretty darn good. His…rhymed. He left to go home to Seattle the day after that ( I was living in Yakima, WA at the time). I told him I was going to be up in Seattle for a Shakespeare Festival. He said he would love to go.

On the drive up, I called him and mentioned I was hungry.

“Do you know the Space Needle,” he asked.

“Um…yeah!” I said, excited that I might get to eat lunch in a nice restaurant way up high.

Romantic.

“Great,” he answered. “There’s a McDonald’s right down the street. Let’s meet there.”

I thought maybe we’d meet there and go up to the Space Needle. Nope. We ate a McD’s. And went Dutch.

Not romantic.

We went to the Shakes Fest and I was going to ask him if he was bored by the brilliant version of Troilus and Cressida we were watching. But I was unable, as he was sleeping. I tried to sneak away, but my steps woke him up in time for him to ask me if I wanted to spend the night at his place.

Who did I not shack up with that night? A white dude or a black one?

5. Comedy and Cocktails. The alway-suited son of a chef got VIP tix to a comedy show and then took us to a trendy Hollywood eatery for lots of yummy apps and a $35 shot of whisky that I still think about. After dinner, we snuggled at his place for about an hour before he dropped me off at my car….and then didn’t talk to me for a year.

It would be funny if it wasn’t the 3rd time in this quiz game. Who do you think did it this time?

ANSWERS

1. WG. Though he did smoke a lot of weed and he liked hip hop.

2. WG. And I don’t know where there aren’t more people of color at this 1920’s nostalgia fest. Maybe because in the time when alcohol was illegal, racism wasn’t. Oh well, more Oreo points for me! 🙂

3. WG. Don’t think I didn’t think to myself “hmmm, maybe gum stitches aren’t *that* bad.”

4. Totes RBP.

5. Trick question! This one was a half-black. By some accounts, that would make him an Oreo, but according to the Oreo FAQ, that’s just not the case. Either way…seriously, what’s up with the great dates followed by no follow up??

What are your fave date stories? Tell us in the comments! And for reals, if anyone can explain the radio silence phenomenon, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

3 Reasons I Love Reality TV

The black friend I'm not embarassed to have.

As a professional writer, people are often shocked that I watch as much reality TV as I do. When I come home from work, I’m more interested in checking in with the Real Housewives than I am with the Desperate Housewives and I’d often rather watch Dirty Jobs than watch scripted lawyers or doctors do their jobs (though I’m really warming up to Fairly Legal right now!! And Archer is a new favorite, too!)

And when I started thinking about it, it makes perfect sense! Here’s why:

1. It reminds me of why I’m an Oreo. Let’s be honest, black folks rarely look good on reality TV. From back in the day with angry Kevin on MTV’s first Real World, crazy Omarosa on the premiere season of The Apprentice, anyone on Flavor of STDs Love or the dearth of people of color on higher end reality shows where people are actually showcasing actual talents (apart from Idol, I suppose), reality TV reminds an Oreo why it sucks to be of color and why we must escape it.

2. My brain gets to shut off. Because I often write for my living, it’s hard for me to watch scripted shows without analyzing how they’re doing what they’re doing. I often can’t just wait patiently to find out what crazy hijinks Michael Scott is up to without guessing how they’re going to quietly set up the second act turn.

3. Free education! I actually learn stuff! Here are some of my fave shows and what I tend to glean from them.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – my current dirtiest pleasure. First, it definitely satisfies the Oreo element as the only black person I’ve seen so far is the limo driver. Second, these self-dubbed “alpha women” must be doing something right, right? Apparently, one of those things is eye contact. While I look away several times during an average conversation so as not to appear too aggressive, these ladies go for it and stare directly into the pupils of their conversation partner with no breaks and often without blinking. Maybe that’s how they’ve risen to the ranks they have. What do you think? Is it the botox or a true conversation tactic?

Hell’s Kitchen – First, I love me some Gordon Ramsay. British, handsome, a rogue with a heart of gold! Second, this show has given me new fun Oreo-tastic things to say. Like when I have dinner parties, I have stopped saying that “dinner’s ready.” Instead, I say that “dinner has been plated,” and add in other fun words from the show like like “pancetta,” “creme fraiche” and “donkey*#&(*))(#$&”

Intervention – First, this is a real downer of a show, but can actually teach a lot about effective and efficient communication–something I’m kind of a geek for. Second, this might be the only show that doesn’t fit my first rule for liking reality TV. Because even though this show is about drug addicts who have often turned to lives of crime and poverty to feed their habits–it rarely, if ever, features black people.

How do you feel about reality TV? Fave shows? Hated shows? Let us know in the comments!

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For Mor-eo! Follow The Oreo Experience on Twitter (@oreoexperience)
Leave a comment here or at any of the above and let us know what you think!

*Shameless Oreo Plug. 1) SmartyPig is a totally cool $-savings tool! I highly recommend it. b) So I have the opportunity to meet with an actor who I love love love in the UK this summer. Trying to make it a successful working holiday and take some other Brit talent out for a pint with the hope of writing for them one day. Should anyone feel inclined to help an Oreo purchase one of those pints, it would be totes appreciated. You can learn more about my trip, and SmartyPig at this link.

It Hurts So Good, II

So after my poplock debut this weekend, I had to get back to my Oreo ways and content myself with some anglo-tastic stuff post haste!

To erase any unintended ethnic affect, on Sunday, I  bought some crossstitching, picked up my new guitar to learn some Neutral Milk Hotel and made a Quiche.

Hot.

And between the needlework and my first time playing the guitar, my fingers are killing me!!!  Seriously, I washed my hands this morning and it burned! How long does it take guitar callouses to form?

But good things will come from that pain. And it got me out of thinking of other things that were painful in just the right ways.

Relaxer It goes without saying that a relaxer is on this list. Sure, the salve that’s spread on my scalp once a month is expensive and burns like a thousand angry suns. But for that pain, I get pretty straight hair to whip back and forth.

Dressage Training – Making a 1400-pound horse dance by controlling it with the muscles at the top of your inner thigh makes it nearly impossible to walk the next day. But if you do well enough and you get to competition, you get to wear such pretty hats!!

He's whipping his hair back and forth, too!

Spin ClassGoing spinning immediate after dressage is especially painful…but bathing suit season is only 6 months away. Ladies…am I right!

Blue Valentine – This movie is one of the best I’ve seen. Painful to watch (especially with the $14 Arclight ticket!!) but Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling are also beautiful, urgent, truthful and memorable.

Also hot.

That one break up – We all have one. The one that was so spectacularly awful that we were pretty sure we’d never be able to put ourselves back together. But not only did we get back together, all that scar tissue fused strong. Stronger than it was before. We learned more than we could have imagined and made promises to ourselves that this time, we intend on keeping.

*ahem* Now back to your regularly scheduled snark.

Shots – Burning and painful all the way down. But often delicious and always socially freeing! F u, inhibitions! Ladies…am I right?! 🙂

What do you do that’s painful but good for you? Let us know in the comments!!

And check out this vlog that details my journey toward poplock domination.

For Mor-eo Oreo: Follow The Oreo Experience on Twitter (@oreoexperience)

Envelopes, Red Carpets and Self-Loathing, Oh My!

Few things bring out the Oreo in me like Hollywood’s award season! Looking out over the crowds, you see who the image makers are, who the folks are who are getting their stories told and getting to tell stories on the regular.

And who are they? Here’s a hint: They’re not RBP. And that’s a big reason why I work so hard not to be one!

Just look at these pictures from Variety, Hollywood’s most influential daily trade.


But…just so we of colors didn’t feel left out, Variety did include this photo on page 1 today:

Yup, just when you thought we had seen the last of the RBP dude in a dress movies, they’re back!

Did you watch the Golden Globes? What did you think? What are your thoughts on the Awards Season? Let us know in the comments!

The Oreo Experience ft. Rhianna (VIDEO)

So I went karaokeing last week and really did try to sing something normal…but then defaulted to showtunes, natch. Off my friends’ requests I have tried to get some regular songs in my repetoir…but they’re confusing. Like is “What’s My Name?” (Rhianna ft. Drake) as misogynistic as I first thought it was, or is it a sneaky feminist rant that Erica Jong would be proud of?

Lemme know what you think!

When a White Thing Goes All Black – Spin Class

I love how exercise makes you love and hate yourself simultaneously. On one hand--yay physical activity. On the other--boo, I need more physical activity!

Curse you spin class for making me dance!

Gym activities can be trick territory for an Oreo. On one hand, RBP are pretty athletic–I’ve seen sports games!

On the other hand, there are a few classes available at most gyms where an Oreo can be in safe company: Belly dancing, gymnastics, hot yoga, Tough Mudder training and spin classes to name a few.

I was in spin class last night and having a great time cycling to Pink, MCR, Daft Punk and a little Blue Man Group.

And then they started the uphills.

For those unfamiliar with spin classes, here’s how it goes. You strap your feet into a stationary bike that has an evil crank on the low bar part. Depending on which direction you crank the crank, you will either add resistance or take it away. The instructor leads you through a routine designed to mimic different types of bike riding environments. Less resistance and lots of RMPs and you’re speeding along a highway. More resistance and fewer RPMs and you’re headed up a mountain.

And that’s where things got wonky.

At one point during that uphill, I had so much resistance on that I had to move my body to get the pedals to go. Suddenly, I my upper body was bouncing in time to a rhythm. My shoulders were dipping in a really hip hoppy sort of way. My torso was twisting with each bounce and it looked like a dip and step. And with the way I had to whip my head back and forth to distract myself from the burning in my quads, I might as well have been an extra in a Rhianna video. 😦 *sigh*

Luckily, I’m headed out to get my box step on at Lindy Groove (an LA swing dance club/event) tonight!

And this isn’t the first revelation I’ve had during spin class. Check out this post to see what else goes through my head on that bike. Or this post to see why the wrong dance moves can be disastrous. Or this post to see what happened the time I actually tried to dance.

I’m also seriously considering doing an endurance race next year. Tough Mudder might be a bit too tough–they run through a field of live wires–but I’d like to try something. What do you think? If you’ve done one, tell us what it’s like! What is the most interesting physical thing you’ve endured? Let us know in the comments!

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And subscribe on youtube! (Check the youtube page for the brand new music video “White (on the inside) Christmas!”
Leave a comment here or at any of the above and let us know what you think!

Celebrity Surgery to Change Ethnicity and Launch Careers!

My pursuit of whiteness has been once again validated.

Courtesy of Cracked, check out this list of celebrities who, through surgery (–mind you, some of these procedures were done in the 1930s when anesthetic was sketchy at best) , adoption (why not bring some kids into it!) and all out lies (or faux-truths as some of us like to call them), changed their original ethnic heritage for one that made them way better.

Check out the link for the full story, but here are some photo teasers.

I, like every other good American female, have thought about plastic surgery a few times…but I never realized just how much good it could do!

Who doesn’t want to change something about themselves? If you could, money and social stigma being no object, change something about you through surgery, what would it be? Let us know in the comments!

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Leave a comment here or at any of the above and let us know what you think!

Trailer Talk

Not sure what movies to check out this weekend? Well, you’re gonna want to check out the trailers and find something that’s

Can you buy it by the cord instead of just the yard?

inspiring, well-crafted and choc-o-block full of shots that reinforce your beliefs…especially the ones about how crappy it is to be black…if you’re even called upon to appear at all.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – The beginning of the end of Harry’s journey

Things non-colors do in this movie: Speak ominously, stare longingly, remember their parents, pose a wicked threat, sit on a council, fill the streets of England, attend parties, use their now powerful and precise magic skills, speak out of turn,  ride a Pegasus, stake their claims.

Things of colors do in this movie: Do not appear.

Hmmm, I guess if you want to play Quiddich and have cool powers, the first thing you need to do is to make that nasty pigment problem disappear.

The Next Three Days: Russel Crowe inflicts pain

Things non-colors do in this movie: have adorable moments with their sons, look beautiful first thing in the morning,start a raid, raise suspicion, state the theme, provide expertise, act hapless with a gun, make a daring escape, defy the odds.

Things of colors do in the movie: Arrest the heroine, stand in the background.

I want to do way more than beat up on the person we like…and fade into the distance like I did at my senior prom (and junior prom and sophomore homecoming…)

And for you limited-release film fans, there’s:

Made in Dagenham – Would be a Rom Com if it Were “Maid in Dagenham”

Things non-colors do in this movie: Speak snappily, be snarky to the opposite sex, sew, create a leader, be a leader, serve orange juice to their families, use sex to make a point, be the prime minister, have a dog, put their families in danger, ride bikes, win over their husbands, put their feet down, give fantastic soundbites.

Things of-colors do in this movie: N/A

White Material: How Could I Walk Away from This Title??

Things non-colors do in this movie: dance like nobody’s watching, speak French, warn of impending doom, insist on perfection, save a man from being speared to death, have awesome tattoos, need to rescue their son,

Things of-colors do in this movie: carry rifles, put a rifle in a woman’s face and demand money, aim spears at a sleeping man, hide in shadows, smell a white lady’s hair, start some sort of rioting,

Some people will say something along the lines of: “Of course there aren’t any black people in these movies. It’s not realistic to drop some of colors in the middle of Hogwarts or Irishy NYC neighborhoods or in 1968.” And I guess that makes sense. Flying horses, wizard boys and women who look 100% amazing 100% of the time are all way more realistic than an of color of note. These are movies after all, not total make believe.

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Leave a comment here or at any of the above and let us know what you think!