The Values of Anti-Socialism

Not the government type of socialism.

I was crossing campus today and found myself walking ten feet behind a friend from Writers' Theatre. (It's one of those people who you don't hang out with during free time, but about whom you could say "We're cool.") We're cool.

So I walked and walked, a few steps behind him all the way, and I thought maybe I should say Hi. It wouldn't take much effort, but could begin a conversation that I was perhaps not in the mood for. Just say it, I thought. Hi, Chris. What's up? Not difficult by any means, and perhaps with a pleasant outcome of human interaction.

Finally, after mulling and passing by several buildings, I paused to fill my lungs and prepared to say, "Hi-"

It wasn't him. The guy turned around just as I was about to make him do so, and alas it was not him. It wasn't anyone I know. It wasn't anyone I truly desired to call Chris, whether it was his name or not. It just looked like him.

I shut my mouth and continued to follow silently.

Later, I saw Chris and told him this story. I said "Hi" and we had a conversation. It was pleasant.

Mystery Team: I Want a Piece of This

I am not a huge fan of internet videos. They're typically boring, stupid, or at least poor quality. I avoid viral videos because of the nature of their existence--it's just hype.

But the sketch group Derrick Comedy has a collection of shorts (brief videos) posted online that you could not tear me away from. These NYU alums met at NYU have been doing improv and sketches together for years, and they've nearly perfected the art, as evidenced by the million-plus hits on their many videos.

Last year they took the film making to the next level by fully producing their own feature-length movie, Mystery Team. It's about three teens who have been part of the same mystery solving club for ten years. They have the mindsets of eight-year-olds in a much more mature world. Their newest case? Solving a double murder. Let hilarity ensue...

Their work is so brilliant because it's not just people acting silly, but believing the situations they create. It's just a slight enough twist on reality that you can't help but love it. Note that they are 20-somethings, so the humor is typically R-rated in terms of language and some subject matter. But it's all hilarious.

My friends and I are excited to see that Derrick Comedy has kept this high level of straight-edged sillyness in the movie, as you can see in the trailer.
Mystery Team premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, much to my delight, and it has been picked up for distribution, much to my great delight. Right now the five Derrick Comedians are touring the U.S. with limited preview engagements. The film will open nationwide in October, and we have been counting down the weeks. Of course, the local theatre is lame, so probably will not get it, so WE ARE PREPARED TO DRIVE and find it!

Dear Mystery Team, please come to the Baltimore/D.C. area! We eagerly await your antics.

For those interested in seeing more Derrick Comedy, check out the movie trailer, and some of their classic shorts: "Girls Aren't to be Trusted," "B-Boy Stance," "Self-Defense," "Keyboard Kid," and a personal favorite, "Fraggle Rock: Alternate Theme Song."