Life Sucks, Let's Party
This post is a reminder to myself that everything will be okay as long as I don’t lose my joy. I thought I was losing it for a minute, but I had to remember good things that happened to me recently, and I hope my post reminds you to do the same. Remember what makes you smile and let it resonate. Maybe even write about it too.
The US presidential election was already one week ago and it was incredibly hard to watch it play out; I know I’m not alone in feeling that way. On election day, I actually was not on my phone or computer much. I luckily had my boyfriend with me, who kept me distracted and entertained. Unfortunately, he ended up breaking the news to me a few hours before the race ended by accidentally reading a text from one of his friends to me, simply reading, “We’re cooked.”
I’m not going to get too into my reaction after finding out Trump won, but I was obviously upset and ended up crying to my boyfriend like he could do something about it besides comfort me, which he did a pretty good job at. Sidenote, if you’re a supposedly left leaning woman and your boyfriend voted against your rights, he’s actually not your boyfriend anymore and I don’t know why he’s still here.
The low low of the election came right after a very high high in my life. The TCS NYC Marathon was on November 3rd and it’s always incredibly euphoric to watch. I don’t run and don’t really plan on it, but seeing people run the marathon every year fills me with awe. The NYC Marathon is a celebration of diversity, people of all backgrounds and levels of ability from all over the world come together to achieve this one incredible goal. So many people, with maybe little in common, now have this amazing shared experience that’s all bigger than themselves. Growing up as a kid in Brooklyn, I used to love watching the marathon, and I now appreciate the convenience I had of just walking up my block to see all the runners cross the Verrazano, eagerly beginning their journey into the rest of the boroughs. Living in Staten Island now, I just watch videos of the marathon online because I can’t see shit. Luckily, the joy of crossing the finish line radiates to me through my screens.
The marathon is always exciting, but this year was different because I had someone to cheer on! My friend Xochitl ran the marathon and my pride in her is boundless. Marathons seem impossible, especially if you’re not a runner, so watching a friend do it in real time is like witnessing the miracle you’ve been having visions about. Like, I couldn’t do it, but of course Xochitl can do it, duh! Watching Xochitl run, cheering her on, and helping her cross the finish line with our friend Kap, made me feel like a part of something so much bigger. I obviously did not run the marathon, but getting to experience with people you love is unmatched.
As for other things that made me happy, I am thankful for Halloween every year. It’s the best holiday. I love making costumes and I will take any opportunity to make a costume. This year I was lucky enough to make three costumes and one wasn’t even for Halloween. My boyfriend and I dressed as The Kiss by Gustav Klimt for Halloween. I posted this costume already on the rest of my socials, so apologies if it’s your thousandth time seeing it already.
Couples costumes have a reputation of being corny, but I like them and think you should take any opportunity you can to do a couple’s costume. This might be dark, but if you’re in a relationship and you’re considering a couple’s costume, especially if you have an idea for one, do it because you might not get to do it next Halloween. I told this to a few friends and they thought I was being morbid which was totally not my intention. I’m just aware that all things end, not doing a costume is a stupid thing to regret, and couple’s costumes are usually low risk high reward unless your partner sucks, which in that case, your individual costume is so much better and couple’s costumes are overrated anyway!
One of my favorite Halloween pastimes is unintentionally coming up with a pretty good costume last minute. I went to a Halloween house party with a windbreaker, some cataract sunglasses, and a dream and somehow I was an 80s skier. It is surprisingly easy to make a costume if you have slightly above average makeup skills and some weird clothes lying around.
As for my non-Halloween costume, some friends were having a NYC wildlife themed birthday party. I decided to turn my costume into yet again, a couple’s costume. I dressed as a famous unofficial landmark in Brooklyn, the Bed-Stuy Aquarium. My boyfriend dressed as one of the firefighters that fixed the hydrant, which unfortunately destroyed the aquarium in its original form. Don’t worry though, the aquarium is back in a more permanent fixture than just a puddle.
So I know I spoke about stuff that happened already, to try and remind myself that I was in fact happy once, but what’s next? What is there to look forward to?
As for some fun events in NYC, Club 90s is hosting a 1D night/charity benefit at Webster Hall this Friday. On Sunday, there’s going to be a Zayn Malik lookalike contest at Maria Hernandez Park. If you’re not interested in a Zayn Malik lookalike contest, there will also be a Jeremy Allen-White look alike contest in Washington Square Park. So yes, there is stuff to look forward to. Incredibly silly stuff, but there’s nothing wrong with that.
There will always be reasons to smile, even if it feels like the world is burning around you. Everything will be okay. If not now, eventually. The government sucks and it will continue to suck, however, you will still have your friends at the end of the day. You will still have movie theaters, libraries, clubs, cafes, parks where you can commiserate and celebrate with your friends. Your favorite songs will still sound good. Yes, things will be bad, but joy is resistance. It’s important to talk to members of your community as a reminder that you’re not alone and you need to be here.
I love your costumes!!! (DO MOONSTRUCK NEXT)