It's OK, I'm a Chemist

Monday, October 17, 2005

Sometime about a month ago I received an email from a friend, Raveen, informing everyone of an upcoming show by Jason Penalosa, a guy I went to Elementary and High School with. It was to be his first show as a solo performer and my friend was trying to get the venue jam-packed. Since I tend to be a reflective person (often to my detriment), this message got me thinking of days gone by.

Anyone who has been blessed to hear me croon (and of course make the ladies swoon) would no doubt suspect that I too used to have a burgeoning singing career. In fact, I had a solo performance during Good King Wenceslas for the Junior Choir Christmas Show at Jubilee Elementary. I tell you I was like Tom Jones up there with the ladies (or rather the 7 year old girls) tossing their undergarments, often soiled, in my direction. Now before the rush for autographs consumes the rest of my free time, you should be made aware that this show marked not only my debut but also a tearful farewell tour. And like Cher, it was a one-shot deal and I was never to be seen on the stage again.

Now what many do not know, and what is the essential story behind the story is that this shooting-star-like performance was the culmination of a dream hatched on the rough-and-ready playgrounds of Jubilee Elementary during Grade 2. Now to understand the story you need to understand the times. It was the late 1980s, the world around me was changing and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it. My peers were going from velcro shoes to laces, the multiplication table was becoming an ever-growing presence and my bountiful mop of hair was shaved down to a rugged buzz cut. In order to survive these winds of change, I forged a quick friendship with one Jason Penalosa. Together we would roam the playground, composing and singing songs and plotting our ascension to the top of the pop world as a duo. This in of itself would have revolutionized the pop world of the late 1980's dominated by the likes of New Kids on the Block and Boys II Men (groups which included more than two members). Side note: anyone know how many members of Boys II Men there were? Double points are awarded to anyone not named Chris Gregg who answers correctly. Our songs were epic, our dance moves crisp, our look daring. He was to be the playboy of the group and I would be the brooding passionate one. Alas, like too many of these stories end, our union was torn asunder by a woman. Nay, not a woman but a siren beckoning our friendship into the jagged rocks of pre-pubescent lust. That's right, I speak of Judy Brosseau. And like the roles we decided to play in our defunct pop group, Jason was indeed the playboy and I was left to brood and be passionate by my lonesome.

And so when I received that email from Raveen telling me of our mutual friend's upcoming show, I couldn't help but reflect upon those days and think how things might have been different. But you can't hold on to yesterday, and where I am right now is where I ought to be and where I want to be. So to you Jason Penalosa I say best of luck, congratulations on all your achievements, and when your throat feels a little parched or you're just not quite hitting the right notes, think of the playgrounds of Jubilee and sing one, damnit just one, note for the old days and for me.

7 Comments:

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    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Mon Oct 17, 09:51:00 PM  

  • anonymous is an asswipe!

    Man that elvis has the biggest camel toe ever!!

    this story is sweet, i had no idea you held hands with penalosa back in the day... im so jealous. jealous with envy.

    although i would like to congratulate jason for achieving what he always wanted to do.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Mon Oct 17, 10:30:00 PM  

  • Jason finally came out?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wed Oct 19, 02:16:00 PM  

  • I believe Boyz II Men had 4 members.

    I love the pic of LL Cool J as Chris. How...ironically appropriate. Haha. Sorry Chris. Our rap career will launch soon.

    Nice Scarlett pic. 2 of the pix were blocked at work though. The "lonesome" one and the "Cher" one. I'm dying with anticipation to get home and check them

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wed Oct 19, 02:17:00 PM  

  • Whatever happened to Funky V and The Other Guy?

    By Blogger Glen, at Thu Oct 20, 11:09:00 AM  

  • FANTASTIC POST!!!

    Funky V and Masta will make a comeback. Recently Vrej made a cd filled with old show tunes, one of them being I Dream of Genie. For all you Masta/funkyphiles, you remember our hit single, Turbo Pelvic Thrust samples that song. Vrej has all the raps, tell him to post them or something!

    By Blogger Masta, at Sun Oct 23, 10:55:00 PM  

  • I just checked the Boyz II Men website (www.boyziimen.com) and there are three members.

    By Blogger Glen, at Mon Oct 24, 10:47:00 AM  

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