A Birthday Miracle, High School Musical Style

Oh wait, do you want to talk about what you did for your birthday?

Okay, this story is like so insane and so ridiculous and I and this is a

very good. It was a little bit of a birthday miracle. Yeah, it was a birthday

miracle. It takes a little time to set up. But can I set up the beginning? And

then you I'm going to set up the very, very beginning of the context. Okay,

I have a husband. Uh-huh. And his name is Nikaselini. I already don't like how

you're setting this up. And since it came out. No, you're not telling the

story right now. Let me tell it. Can I tell it? Can I tell the beginning part?

Please let me tell it. Please, please, please. He loves this movie called

High School Musical. So this is what made Zach Efron and Vanessa

Huggins like take off and start a huge with the preteen crowd. Nicholas was

not a preteen when that movie came out. But there was something that spoke to

him about it in terms of the what what what did you love about the

movie? Well, yeah, because it's a trilogy that I don't even remember. I just

was like, Oh, damn, these go hard. Like there was clearly like a version of

ironic there was an ironic detachment to it, you know, right? I would consider

them to be like guilty pleasures. However, I really did think they were brilliant

actually. I think you did. And they were just like really well structured and

just sort of inventive and perfect in their own little weird way. And like

didn't ask to be taken seriously, but also like really over delivered. I mean

he's a huge fan. I love those first three movies. It's like I think like

Godfather, Toy Story, and High School Musical are like the best

trilogies of all time. Star Wars can eat it. Okay, so that's that is really

funny to me. And I love it. And I also love movies. But for me as as your

partner, I really got a huge kick at all the things in the world that you're

like, you got to watch high school musical. I brother Joey was like, I don't have

to watch high school musical. I was like, bro, I think you kind of do. He's like, I

trust me. I don't. And then later he was like, you were right. Those movies go

hard. And they're all like super campy. And there's like great musical

numbers. And it's all about being in high school and like being in love and

playing basketball and baseball and doing drama. And they have all like the

archetypes of the weirdest characters that are all very funny. Actually, what

I'm realizing right now, am I messing this up? I could be messing this up.

Ashley Tizdale. She's the one who just went viral because she wrote a big

piece about toxic mom groups. Oh, really? And published it. But it was like

really clear. She was in groups with like these other celebrities that were

like, gosh, now I can't remember. Oh, so she's like, oh, toxic mom groups suck.

And everyone's like, oh, clearly so and so that your other famous. It was like

your all other celebrity famous from I think I think one of the duff's like

Hillary Duff was in a mom group with her and like a bunch of like, you know,

moms, other adjacent very adjacent kind of actually Tizdale figures. But maybe a

little more famous. I think I mean, gossipy, but I think maybe a little more

famous. And so she didn't name them by name. But then they kind of came out and

like a few of them you could see obviously were in her mom group. And one of

their husbands came out with like, yeah, man, if you don't like it, just leave.

Don't spend your time pounding because you think it's like, yeah, I knew they

were toxic. And then eight months later, I decided to exit the group chat.

After I was really mad at nobody noticed, I'm not actually, I actually take that

back to Tizdale's school in my book. She plays a part in the story that's about

you're about to hear. And also, I don't know, right? Like I followed it very

peripherally. So it could be no, no, it's actually Tizdale, but I think it could

be that they were really mean. Like who knows. She's great. She's great at

playing Sharpay, who's the like bitchy hot one who like sort of expects

Zach Efron to be into her. But then of course, he's more into like the emo,

like the Vanessa Huggins, who's like kind of a book nerd. Or I don't remember

right? Take up the glasses and she's hot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then

okay, so in the movie, the Sharpay has this song. What's it called?

She has a song called I Want It All. And it's starring her. I think it's the

characters Ryan. And I think Ryan's actually her brother in the movie.

It's I think it is her like, but yeah, they might even be twins or something, but he

basically plays her kind of like sidekick who he'll be like, oh my god, you're so

annoying. But then also like does what she wants. So she's like, he's like kind

of a lackey, but like has a heart of gold. And like will do some of her dirty work.

He's like kind of like a reluctant villain.

Incredibly, I mean, they're an incredibly charming duo. And she just

super shines. She's such a fun character. And then he just is so fun. He's such a fun

character. And just for the record, these movies came out in like 2000 or like

2004 or something. Yeah, something like that. I don't know. It might be

no later. No, because we were way out of high school. I think I don't know

whatever 2008 or some shit. I don't know. I mean, it was before we moved to Chicago.

Oh, was it? Yeah. So I think it might have been like literally 20 years ago,

something in whatever it is. Yeah. Yeah. And so what? Oh, yeah. So anyways,

she has a song called, they have a duet called, I want it all. And it's like,

I want it all. I want the world. Nothing less. So the glam and the press only

giving me the best reviews. I want it all. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it.

Like really? My name and lights in Carnegie Hall. And then they're like,

and then the Ryan characters like, when the part, she's like, think bigger.

And the Oscar goes to that's better. That's bigger is better and better is bigger.

And a little bit is never enough. It's just like this. It's just great. And then when

Miro and I were living in Chicago at the time. Yeah. And it just occurred to me that it's sort

of structured exactly perfectly like a hit rap song. So I'm with our friend,

Davey Blue, my brother Mario, who produced the beat. Oh, Davey, you might be listening. Hi.

Oh, I should send her. Well, she's going to hear about it now. I should have told her about it

when it first happened. Anyways, we recorded a rap version of that song where I play the,

the Sharpay character. And then Davey plays the Ryan character. And it's on a really good beat.

And like we incorporate, I'll put a link to it in the show notes because it's still on SoundCloud.

And we act out like at one point, there's like a little skit where she's like speeding through

the town and a cop pulls her over, but then recognizes her. It's like, sorry. It's like,

Oprah's calling. You're gonna have to get back to you. And we like included all of that in the

song. We really paid homage to the song. And you know, the point of it was like, you're creative.

That's a part of the point. You're being very creative. And the point of it was to do with like

a completely straight face, right? And also not to be like the joke of it was like not that like,

it's a bad rap song. But the reason it's funny is because it's actually a really, really good

rap song. Yeah. Yeah. There's layers and layers,

layers, comedic genius. No wonder Saturday Night Live couldn't didn't hire me because they were

like, you're way too much for our. You're too good. Yeah, you're too good.

Okay. So just that's all. And that came out. So that song came out like 15 years ago.

You released that song. Yeah, that's right. That song meaning our single, the cover,

of I want it all came out 15 years ago. Okay. So that exists. You could just put a pin in that

part of the story. Okay. So now, we're approaching my birthday. I'm about to turn 42.

Muriel's leaving my birthday is it does happen to be on a Saturday night. And I don't know what I'm

going to do. I'm sort of playing with different options. I don't know. Well, then one of our very

dear best friends from our Chicago days, she also then moved out to LA. Her name is Shara. We love

Shara with all our hearts. She was like, I'm going to be in town. Yeah. Because sadly, she's

cleaning out all of her final belongings from LA and moving out of town permanently. So it's sort

of like a bittersweet thing. And she's like, you know, but I'm having friends. We're going to

hang out on Saturday night. Yeah. And I was like, yes, that's what I want to do. Like I know some

of her friends and they're super cool. And then like I would consider them friends of mine,

but I don't really see them outside of that relationship. But then I was like, it'll be other

people that I don't know. But that's fine. Like that's a great way to spend my birthday is with

our dear friend, Shara. So she's like, we're going to this bar. And then we're going to go do

karaoke in North Hollywood. Anyways, I wasn't in time for the bar. So she's like, okay, we're

going to just meet us in North Hollywood. She's like, go to this dive bar. Oh, it was a really

good one. I didn't even tell you about how good this bar is. Yeah, you didn't. That's okay.

Maybe I'm not even going to say it. It's a, it's like a dope little gem of a dive bar. She's like,

go to this bar because my friend lives like a block away from there. You'll beat us there. But like,

get a drink at this bar. I'll let you know. And then just like walk over to his house. And I was like,

what? So anyways, it's like, oh, we're doing karaoke at this guy's house. It's like a house party

karaoke thing, which whatever it just wasn't I was as expecting as cool. So finally, I meet up with

there. I come outside, you know, she comes outside of this house. And she's like, have you met my

friend Lucas? And I was like, I don't think so. Like, would I? She's like, you probably remember

because he's like kind of famous. Like, he's been in a bunch of movies. He was in a bunch of

Disney stuff. Like, he was in all the high school musical movies. I was like, cool, tight. That's tight.

Like, I don't like, I love those movies, but I don't know. Like, I'm not a fan. Like,

what stats and shit? Like, I'm not going to know like, oh, there's an actor named Lucas who is

in high school musical. That therefore he must have played so and so. Yeah. But you do know,

like, kind of some of the main actors. I mean, I get it. Yeah. Also, like, you were hella into

those movies. So then it was we walk in. And I'm like, that's Ryan. That's our

page, brother. That's fucking Ryan. And at this point though, you hadn't told anyone it was your

birthday. Yeah. And like, you didn't when she said he's in all the high school musicals. You

did not tell her like, really? No, I didn't say anything about your family. I wasn't like, oh,

yeah, I love those movies. And I made a song based on, you know, whatever I didn't say,

that shit. So then anyways, we go. And he and it's like, it's his house. Yeah. And it's like,

he's really, really, there's he's so welcoming and so cool. And then his girlfriend is like,

so cool. And we're hanging out. And then like, our friend Tim is there. Yeah. And it's just,

it's like really, really good vibes. And I'm texting my brother who was the one,

Joey, who was like, I don't know why that shit. No, no, not Mario. Joey, who I'm like, bro,

I'm kicking it. Ryan's house right now. Because also Joey lives in Salt Lake City very close to

the high school where they shot the film. Yeah. Anyways, so every once in a while, host

sent me a picture of that. And he was just, they had just done, oh, it's 25 years ago. I

know that because they had just done the 25th anniversary production of high school musical

at that high school with actual high school students. See, and that makes sense to me because

I remember part of what was funny about you getting into high school musical way after

the fact that you like got it on DVD. I just, I don't know, I don't have no idea why I saw it.

That's, I, that's how I remember is like, we got it on Netflix. I zoomed, I zoomed, it was

through my sister. So I was talking to Sophie. And I was like, oh, I was going to tell her this

story. And I was like, oh, Sophie, like, remember high school musical. And she's like, yeah.

And I was like, but she said it away. I was like, like, she doesn't even remember high school musical.

No. And I was like, I, I don't know how I, anyways, you were the super van. It was, it really,

I'm saying like, I guess to me, I love this story because from what I remember, this is how I

remember. It was already old, completely out of the theater for years. Oh, yeah, I definitely

didn't see them in theater on Netflix where they used to mail us the DVDs. And when we were first

living together. So Nick and I had this apartment in Seattle before we moved to Chicago. And

it was like our first time living with this significant other. And we were pretty young, like

23 and 24 or something like that. And we were constantly baffling each other. Like, it's just,

like, I guess we're just peeing with the door open up. I know, like, that was like, like, we've

Nick was in the shower. And I peed out like, why did that one diver Nick was like, whoa, whoa, whoa,

I mean, like, there's a lot of like, cohabitating, like, like, just wild. So like, what are we doing?

We've tried to figure, and that was, and you used to do stuff that I was just like, I was just

getting to know you. And I didn't, I, we had been friends for a long time. But I really didn't

understand, like, how curious you were about the world. Yeah. And also how, like,

you're very passionate. And there was just stuff like that where you'd be like,

screenplays. And like, you were like, kind of getting me into musical. So I was like,

we went to go see cabaret. And it like moved me to tears. Like, I was, I didn't know where to go

stand in an alley because you were like, solving it. I had like, never been in a musical. So yeah,

I was, I was, you know, just like, experimenting out there in this wild world. I know you were like,

learning musicals for the first time. Well, your mom was really into musicals. But, you know,

that made, if anything, that drove me further from. Right. Because you're a rebel team.

Right. But now, like, we're living together. And I'm, we're doing this thing. And then you're,

like, you have to watch this DVD from 2001. Is that everyone? It's four children. You know,

and I just was like, you showed it to me and actually it was really great. But it was just,

it was like, in the realm of baffle, like, it was like, oh, like, it's the tower of baffles.

Really up there. Yeah. Anyways, so okay. Okay. So we're at the house and we're chillin. And then

so I do avenge. So then we're hanging out. And like, some time goes by and him and I have already

had like three conversations or whatever. Yeah. And we're vibing. It's all very good. But you still

haven't told him you're a fan. I go, I go, I was like, Hey, man, I don't want to be weird, like,

whatever. Like, I know who you are. Like, I love those high school musical movies. And like,

I know, like, I'm like a fan of that shit. He was like, really? I was like, dude, I was like, I

was like, there is some ironic detachment there. Like, obviously, but like, I actually do think

those movies are really good. I was like, I go hard on that on that original trilogy. Like,

they rebooted it as a TV show. Like, I've never seen it. Yeah, right. I gave him, I gave him,

like, the dude, like, bro, bro, like, I'm not obsessed with you. Yeah, but like, you're the shit.

Dude, I know you're tight. I'm not gonna get weird on you. I was like, but do you like, I was like,

not weird, but also do you like rap music? I didn't put it like that. I said fan art. I was like,

do like fan art. And he was like, oh, yeah. He was like, I love looking at it. I was like,

I was like, yeah, yeah. He was like, why? I was like, because I made some. He was, oh, yeah,

I love, I like looking at a man. I was like, no, no, sorry. I covered. I wanted all from high school

musical, which was like his. I was like the one of his songs. Yeah. No, he's like a sidekick in

that song, but it's definitely a banger. And he's definitely in it. And he was so cool about it.

He was so pumped. He was like, oh my god, they just did the 25th anniversary at the high school,

where we filmed it. I was like, I know my brother lives right there. And he was gonna go. And I was like,

dude, you don't need to be a grown man. But watch actual high school people do this to you know,

he was like, and then Lucas was like, dude, I went down there. And I like workshop with the kids.

Like he actually got involved with the kids putting on the show. Oh my god. And he was like,

and he was just like so, so cool about it. And I was like, bro, I'm not going to ask for your

number. Like if I, but I am going to send it to share it. Oh, because by this time, I had already

found it on SoundCloud. I had like Google, I just like, Google like the whole thing, like ugly and

delicious, presents high school musical. I wanted all SoundCloud, like some long-lasting and it

showed up. So I already had it. And, and, and he was like, dude, we're playing right now.

I was like, no, bro, I don't want to like, I don't want to show this in front of everybody.

Like I did this 15 years ago. I don't know. It's a very serious rap song. So I don't know how

it's going to play this audience. So he was like, he was like, all right, all right. I was like,

but I'll, I'll send it to share as she can say to you. So that was really great and really fun.

Then I'm outside smoking a cigarette with share in Tim. And Tim, I get it, bro. He's hell

at all. But he just kept like being like, well, I'm older than you. And he kept saying I'm older

than you. I'm older than you. And I was like, am I getting sunned here? Like, what do you mean?

How old are you? And he goes, well, you know, he was like, what does that mean to get sunned?

Oh, like if you treat someone like you say, okay, sun. Oh, okay, okay. Yeah, like SON.

And he was, uh, he just, and I was like, bro, what are you, you know, what's going on here?

And he's like, well, I'm 83 and you're 84, whatever. So I'm already, I'm 42 and you're, and I was

like, I'm, I was like, Tim, I'm 42. And he goes, what if you're born 84, like, how are you 42?

Like, and I was like, because literally today is my birthday. And him and share were like, what?

And, uh, they were like, anyways, and of course, they were so sweet and share. It was like, happy

birthday. They were just, and they were like, we got to tell everyone, like, let's all take a

shot for your, but I was like, don't tell anyone like, I don't want to know. They're like, come on,

we got to. And I was like, no, they're like, why? And I was like, cause it's weird. Like, it's my

birthday. I'm here. I don't really. I already made this rap song with this guy. I told him, I love him.

And now I was like, got too into it too fast. Yeah, it's like all going too fast. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And they were like, okay, okay, okay, we're not gonna, we won't tell anything. Okay. So then Tim

goes inside or whatever. And then we go back inside. And something is, but then now, um, karaoke

has started in like the other part of the house. And I just hear over the microphone. So I'm going

to be like, is there a birthday boy in the house? Can we get Nick to the stage? And I walk in,

I look at Tim, he's got this shit. He look at his face. And Lucas is like, happy birthday, Nick.

And then he put on, I want it all. And him and I sang the care, I sang it karaoke together,

where he played his part. And I was sharp. And he was like, I've never done this. I got to

sing. I want it all with Ryan, my school musical, my 42nd birthday. And everyone, it was like,

and the other thing about it is like, share it knows me really well. But like none of those other

people knew I did comedy. Like, I don't know anything about me. Nick, I'm gonna really like lay it

out there for you. The people who know you really well still wouldn't expect that that would be

the connection. And then you would go in like, drill, crush Ashley Tisdale's part in a high school

musical song. Like nobody who knows you would think that, like, that's the beauty of who you are.

I don't understand what you're doing half the time. Like a lot of them, I'm like, where did that

come from? You know, man, because you contain multitudes. And that's a cool thing about you.

No one's expecting you are left field. I just am left field. I am, I am only left field.

It comes from left field. It stays in left field. No, man. It's like a, yeah, left field generator.

It does not always stay in my field, but it definitely comes out you. Okay. So as opposed to

like it would revolve around home play, it's like left field is where the power hitter is.

That's tight. So anyways, that was really, really. That was great.