CRUX.

déjà vu is such a weird feeling. i don't get it often, luckily. i've had to tell my kids that often. they're feral and would prefer being out on their dirt bikes than stuck in a class. i'd much rather be doing that then the school run but an education is apparently important. they need to go back to teaching life lessons. now that makes me sound like an old granny. they're always so angry as well. like they're mad at you for existing in the same place. they come into your space and then blame you for it. i swear they get bigger every year, in a few years they're going to be the size of our heads.

Really? I feel like I get it all the time, but that's a rabbit hole I won't go down with you right now. You're a good dad for encouraging them to stay in school. But I get wanting to be out on a dirt bike and living life. Hey, education is key or whatever these adults are saying. I couldn't agree more with you about life lessons. Look at us, just two old grannies talking about life and shit. They are and it's insane when they want to take owner ship of spaces around your home or apartment. Like out of all the places on this great big and beautiful world, you chose to build a nest on my property? Rude. Yeah, lets not speak that into existence, please and thank you.

"We can save the praising the friends until after the date because they will do one of two things if we do it now, ask us why we're on our phones instead of enjoying the date and two, but utterly unreasonable with how smug they are for pulling it off. Both of which I think we don't need to listen to right now." Chuckling because her friends had definitely surprised her, she wasn't sure who was going to show up but this had been pleasant as ever. "Though seems like this was a joint effort of multiple friends, I am curious how you got tossed into the mix." she admitted, "Not that that's a bad thing!" Quickly she said, "Trust me, it's not at all.." A soft noise from her lips, "Did your friends warn you I am definitely not as smooth as the media is wonderful for making me out to be."

"Oh, they're not going to hear from me for a few days, trust me. As much has I love my friends, I also love giving them a hard time whenever I get the chance to. However, once those few days are up? I'll tell them all about how great the date went, because I don't foresee this going terrible. Unless you tell me that you dislike my music or acting." Of course, Joe was joking about the last part of his statement. Joe was also wondering how he got tossed into the mix and why exactly they thought the pair would hit it off. "I'd love to know how I got thrown into it too, but hey, I'm not complaining." He said as he raised one hand up. Shaking his head at her comment, there was much details that were given to him aside that she was an actress. "No actually, they didn't tell me that at all. I was just told that you're an actress and that you're beautiful, which both are correct." He finished his sentence with a wide crocked smile.

which is why we are in the industry that we are! i guess that is dedication? i feel like i don't do as much as i used to. you get so used to having something to do or somewhere to be. a day or two is fine! but weeks? it makes me feel stir crazy.

It certainly is dedication, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, Ari. Getting out there performing is enough. Believe me. Such is life as a workaholic, right?

right? it's something that people should be excited and passionate about. it really is! i am dancing, not quite as elaborate as what my back up dancers are doing, but i'm trying! breaks always do feel so weird, don't they? you feel like you should be doing something and you don't have to be.

Yup, you and I are thinking exactly alike. Hey, if you're moving up there and have to memorize certain moves then that's dedication. It's not easy at all. They do feel weird. I mean, I like it when I have a day or two for myself. But if it's weeks, I just can't do it.

does it feel like one of those fever dreams where you're never quite sure if it happened or not. this is exactly the reason why we go to school, for moments like this. because i surely haven't had to use much of the stuff i learnt. which is why bees are better than wasps, because they only sting as a last resort. wasps just sting for sport. i guess maybe they believe they're going to die anyway so might as well do it while fighting back. it's quite noble of them.

That's exactly how it feels like. Or even like a little déjà vu. But mhm, I couldn't agree more. This is why I tell kids to stay in school, and then I'm reminded just how I sound like an old granny tell her grandkids to stay in school. Majority of the stuff I learned? Rarely used. Wasps are little demons, I swear. They're also so damn big and for no reason either. Don't wasps sting like multiple times too? Little fuckers.You're probably right now. They're like either I do it myself or the human does it.

Meeting someone new was normally something Zendaya thrived in, she enjoyed getting to know other people. Getting set up on a blind date by friends who wouldn't tell her anything about the person she was meeting. Zendaya didn't even know if this was a person who was in the industry, but she imagined given who had set her up it would be. Fingers settled on her glass as she took another sip, hoping the alcohol would calm her nerves - anyone who said Zendaya didn't get nervous, really didn't know the woman. The hostess returned and she shifted, finally glancing up to spot who was being brought to her table. Wait - she did know him. Not personally, but she knew of him, of course. Stranger Things had pretty much the whole world in a chokehold for the last several years right up until it ended. If someone didn't know Joe, she'd be surprised. Though he seemed even more surprised to see her sitting there. "Hi! I mean fair I didn't know anything about who my date was, our lovely friends found it more fun to keep it a true blind date." Giving a shake of her head.

Her reaction was telling that she wasn't aware it was going to be him who was coming out for the blind date. The friends that had managed to get them both out was quite fascinating to him. Especially since it was Zendaya — Joe was well aware that she had been quite busy over the last couple of months. Despite being busy, he didn't live under a rock and was up to date with most pop culture things. The only thing that he wasn't exactly aware of was that she was newly single. Hopefully there'd be a way to talk about that, considering everyone who had know of the actress assumed she was seeing Tom Holland. "We have to give them all kudos for managing to pull of such a secretive blind date from us." He said with his smile turning into a smirk.

After a several year long relationship had crashed and burned, Zendaya had thrown herself into work. Between Euphoria premieres, the press that The Drama brought, and gearing up for the other movies that were bound to keep her busy well into the end half of the year. Only her friends had been insistent that she needed to get out, that she needed to meet people. How was it that had ended in them allowing herself to be convinced for a blind date? The dark haired woman would never know. Combing fingers anxiously through her now short hair, she fidgeted slight in the seat of her Uber that was bringing her to the established meeting point. Simple enough, a restuarant, what could possibly go wrong? With promises of privacy in a table that was tucked into an area from prying eyes, that did sway her nerves a tiny bit. The press had all but had a field day when they had found out Tom and her were no longer together, and she wasn't looking forward to the flashing lights and people figuring she was out on a date - a blind date, but a date nonetheless.

Over the last year or so Joe had thrown himself into his work, working on a new album, releasing it and then came the end of 'Stranger Things'. The main reason he had thrown himself into work the way that he did? It was because of his failed relationship that had ended right before the release of The Crux. She had cheated on him and that alone messed with his head in a way that he didn't exactly expect. It caused him to reserve himself and not put himself out there to date again. Of course though, his friends and family would occasionally tell him that it was time to move on from Maika and put himself out there. He had even got a pep talk from his own father telling him that just because there was one failed relationship that the rest or the next one would be as so. However, he couldn't help but let the fear consume him. Truthfully? He didn't mind his own company or of his band-mates, it made life a little less hectic. But, that didn't stop his friends to seat him up on a blind date. One that he wasn't exactly keen on, but once they had told him that they would get along? He couldn't help but let curiosity get the best of him. Although he had asked for a hint of who it could be, he didn't get single one. Aside from that she was also in the business and that they would get along.

i actually just looked it up because i didn't know and apparently their stinger can still remain functional after a certain period of time of being dead. so i guess you're right, you don't want either if they're freshly dead. my older brother asked me this okay and i figured i needed to share it so i wasn't the only one forced to think about it. you're welcome.

See, I remember learning about that when I was kid but wasn't exactly certain if it was something I made up. But who would have guessed science would have been useful in high school. I also remember learning that once they sting a person? They die. Which tragic. Imagine being an idiot bee who's like, "i'm going to sting this human bitch and kill myself while at it." What an interesting mind your older brother has.

exactly! if someone wasn't nervous? i'd be wondering why they were still performing. the passion probably would be fading. i hope that's true! the rehearsals have been intense! i will keep that in mind. i really do, but if i didn't stay busy? i might not stay sane.

You and I both, honestly. That's like one solid feeling one might have when it comes to something they're excited about or just passionate. I'm sure it is! Since I'm sure you'll be dancing and such, right? I know that feeling all to well. I took a small break during the holidays and it was...kind of boring.

It does seem to have gotten really popular in the last little bit of time, hasn't it. I've been making it for the last... I don't know, good handful of years now. Honestly, I'm partial to making my own just because I can control what kind of bread I have in the pantry at any time. The amount of cheddar jalapeño I go through in a week is obnoxious. Ah, the poptarts, those are one of the things people really love. Typically they're for good friends but if asked I can be persuaded.

It really has been and I've gotta give those giving it a go a big kudos. Oh shit, so you've been doing it for awhile now then. That's really admirable though. If I was home more often, I'd probably give it a go, but I'm sure I'd end up killing my starter. Cheddar jalapeño sounds so good. If you're ever feeling generous, I'd love to have some of your leftover poptarts. I'm not picky, promise.

i loved you in stranger things but i'm glad you have more time to perform with your band now. which do you prefer acting or singing?@joekeeryfmtalk that

Oh man, thank you so much for that! Honestly? That's a tough question to answer. I love them both. But right now, the muse for music making is just a lot stronger than the acting bug. However, I wouldn't mind getting back into it for a film.

it is a lot! i think some level of being nervous makes sense? if you weren't, i'd think that something is wrong. i just hope that i remember how to get on that stage. it starts in june and goes into august. it'll be ending in london, actually! plus, you know...my album release is smack dab in the middle of it.

Of course, I think if you're nervous to do something then it means you still have a love for it. If you don't get nervous...then maybe that passion for whatever it may be is fading. I'm sure it'll be like riding a bike. You never forget about to do it. Sounds like you've got a jammed pack summer ahead of you!

they're alive. where's the danger in them all being dead? my thinking is, your mouth is one of the quickest places on your body to heal. just one sting in the rear end probably means no going to the toilet for a week.

Even if they're dead they still have their stingers right? I mean, I don't know if it can still sting if they're dead, but I'd assume so? That's something I definitely didn't think about, the rear part..but huh, what an odd thing to think about.

a little! i figured that you might ask me that! i think it's just seeing you the crowds react to you and that kind of thing. i think it's just because it's been years since i have been out there like that. oh! i would say that i might try to make it, but i'll be touring! maybe some other time.

Truth be told, it use to terrify me going up on the stage and performing. I always thought that I was going to mess things up, but as I got more comfortable and as the crowd sang all my songs? There was just something comforting about it. When does your tour start?