In 2016, we created a spreadsheet called “Normanzar Guest List Lolol.” In 2019, we got our acts together and removed the “Lolol.” Here’s how it all came to be.
How We Met
Dana: Picture it: New York, 2013. Global humanitarian and my co-worker at the time, Jillifer* (* some names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved), invited me and another colleague, Meghan, to a charity karaoke event. I declined because I already had plans to hang out with one of the only good things to come out of my time at UVA can someone please pay off my loans my college roommate, Christine, that night. However, the seed for karaoke had already been planted and the fertilizer’s game was strong. I alerted fellow karaoke aficionado, Jazmin, who remained on standby. Christine is no stranger to public singing either. We’ve performed together in Mexican bars in Woodside, Queens, at our dorm suite’s karaoke night (fun fact: the name of our dorm was Balz and the dorm next to it was Woody) and on top of our desks at 1 AM.
After I rode the mechanical bull twice and drank enough to ride a mechanical bull twice at Jimmy Wyoming’s, Christine and I summoned Jazmin and headed to Planet Rose, a karaoke bar where countless absurd stories have taken place. Maybe when you’re older, I’ll tell you about some of them.
Julio: OK so as you know it is 2013 which is PEAK Julio degeneracy and also peak sideburns. We’re talking going out till 4am and showing up at work the next day with it having a minimal effect at worst.
In this era, Ricardo, Luis, Diego...
Dana: ...Richard, Lewis, and James...
Julio: ...and I would go play BINGO every Thursday at the Crocodile Lounge. You could show up with $10 and if you did well in BINGO and guessed a few songs you could go home wasted.
Anyway, on this particular night Luis forgot his ID. As a result, Crocodile Lounge wouldn’t let him in. No problem — we just went to Planet Rose. It is usually our second stop on Thursdays. We get to Planet Rose and have a few drinks. Ricardo points to the end of the bar and says to me “Yo check out that goddess at the bar. She radiates beauty. I can’t go on without her in my life.” That “goddess” was Jazmin. I take a look and I say “I got this.” I had absolutely no shame in my game back then. I couldn’t close to save my life but I was a great starter.
Richard: HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD JULIO THIS IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED
Julio: So that is when it happens... I walk over and then I see Dana. Me and her get to talking and she points out my shirt. Now I’m wearing this subtle anime shirt. Keep in mind I am a little drunk and I internally panic. I can’t possibly let this beautiful woman know that I like anime. I can’t just refer to it as an Evangelion shirt; she’ll just ask “what’s that?” and then I’d have to explain it. What am I gonna do? I got it — I’ll lie. “I work at this company called Nerv… as a headquarters commander.” Holy crap she is buying it.
Dana: Why would I think some random guy in a bar was lying to me?
Julio: I eventually came clean. As the night drew to a close I sang one last song. Dana stuck around to listen to my singing. She gave me her number and we have been talking in some form every day since.
Dana: I didn’t stick around to listen to his singing. I stuck around to get his number because, ladies and gentlemen, I am a closer. The next year, Julio attended Jazmin’s wedding as my plus one. Meanwhile, Richard might be alone forever.
Kayfianceelandra: Richard, why are your friends like this?