For Christmas I got a $25 gift certificate for Barnes and Nobles (Thanks, Laurette!!) and though bookstores are becoming rare (though not extinct like Blockbuster Video stores) I found one and bought Mindy Kaling's book.
A REALLY MILD BUT NOT REALLY SPOILER ALERT!!
I've just started the book and (without giving much away) came across a part where Mindy is showing her high school friends Monty Python videos. It's a small incident that may or may not have a profound effect on their friendship.
THAT ALSO TOTALLY HAPPENED TO ME.
When I was in 8th grade, I was at a sleepover with two girls who, in the following year, would be crowned the most popular girls of high school. I will call them Anne and Blane. We were about to hit the sack when I decided to share a tape of Robin Williams' stand up.
Me: "You guys HAVE to listen to this!". (I can barely contain my snorting laughter)
I pop in the tape into a radio and am ready for them to die with laughter along with me.
Anne: (Yawns and rolls over) I don't get it.
Blane: Yea, it sounds like he's some pirate or something.
CLICK! THE LIGHT IS TURNED OUT.
It wasn't just that they didn't like it or understand it, it was how they dismissed it and were not even open to it.
It was an omen that our friendship was not meant to be. For the next four years, they would become gorgeous, blond and would talk about parties in front of other people who were not invited. I would go into theater and drawing making me even more lame than being Korean in a small town in Maryland.
Some days in New York City, when an old lady rams my heels with a shopping cart or I'm groped on a crowded subway and get MAD, I remember where I grew up: a lovely but boring and provincial place where I felt out of place and suffocated.
An acting coach recently said: "You didn't come to New York City for it to be easy." This is true. And I thank my two blondie friends who shot up to high school super stardom while I sat in my room listening to rap songs and making skits of their videos in my mind. I thank them for giving me a large clue that I didn't belong with them and giving me hope that there was something bigger outside of our small town.
They are probably with five kids and divorced at least once and have gained a lot of weight. And look at ME! I'm in NEW YORK CITY, working random odd jobs and struggling to make it as an actress! Sometimes my bank account dips into scary amounts and there is no hope of me ever owning a home. HA HA, IN YOUR FACE ANNE AND BLANE!
In conclusion, if you love comedy, check out Mindy's book. She is LOVELY, SMART and HEELarious. And unlike the many self improvement books on my kindle and iPad, I'm proud to read Is "Everyone Hanging Out Without Me" on the subway.
I'm a comedic actress and writer. Please check out my web series, SuperTwins!
This sums up the story of the SuperTwins! Unfortunately this weekend its just myself (Karin) that is attending the con, but hopefully in New York Karin and Kai can unite!