Dina Hashem (2:18)

was cancer now,

Stavros Halkias (2:21)

by the way, it gets sad. That game gets sad because, like, the ones the us that's had of, like, the ones that achieved their dreams. Our lives are bad.

Dina Hashem (2:31)

Oh, totally. Right.

Stavros Halkias (2:32)

Compared to, like, okay, my life is good, obviously, compared to most. If you. Compared to, like, a fat idiot from Bolt. Like, if you take my stats, my life is good. But when you compare it to, like, the other people making this amount of money, I have the worst life. Like, that's the thing about comedians. We will be the saddest, worst whatever. Whatever we achieve in the room. We're the biggest loser of whatever room we're in.

Dina Hashem (2:56)

Right.

Stavros Halkias (2:56)

You know what I mean? Like, except maybe. I don't know, there's probably some, like, honestly, maybe going full circle. Maybe those open micro. Like, maybe some of them have achieved a certain Zen happiness.

Dina Hashem (3:11)

Oh, I know people who left comedy, and they're the happiest they've ever been. And I'm like, I need to do that. I need to just start a family.

Stavros Halkias (3:21)

I know.

Dina Hashem (3:21)

I think Jordan Peters is right. I think I just need to start a family. I'm so sick of pursuing ambitions. It just gives me anxiety. It just upsets me. Like, I don't know if you ever feel that, but, like, oh, of course. Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (3:33)

No. Cause, like, for me, it's the opposite, where it's like, I'm like, wait, every time I succeed, I'm more depressed than ever.

Dina Hashem (3:41)

It's never enough.

Stavros Halkias (3:42)

It's never enough. Like, it's like everything's repeating itself. Cause it's like, I feel like I learned this lesson. And then you get another round of opportunities that you don't say no to. And then you're like, wait, I thought I knew not to do this, but.

Dina Hashem (3:56)

Because it feels like if you say no, it's never gonna come again.

Stavros Halkias (3:59)

Exactly. But who cares? That's, you know, that's where I'm at.

Dina Hashem (4:02)

You know, I just want to be like. You know what I mean? I've totally changed. I'm like, I'm a drummer now. I really came here to say I want to transfer my career. And if you have a transfer credit, I am. And if I could, I. I am so honest with you. If I could transfer all my comedy credits into a drumming career, if anybody has, like, a successful, moderately lucrative band and you need a drummer, I'm here to be like, I can play Toxicity now.

Stavros Halkias (4:27)

Oh, hell, yeah. Doing my rudiments. Toxicity. Nice.

Dina Hashem (4:30)

It's not. Yeah. Thank you.

Stavros Halkias (4:33)

What about the drummer for, like, what if you went, like. Because I've been playing a lot of casinos this year, and I think maybe the most successful the only successful bands are cover bands.

Dina Hashem (4:44)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (4:44)

What if you were like, in a. Like, like whoever's doing Prince cover band. There's a guy that. We've seen his poster on like five different casinos.

Dina Hashem (4:52)

Oh, my God.

Stavros Halkias (4:53)

So I don't know, maybe you could.

Dina Hashem (4:54)

Or maybe depressing. But.

Stavros Halkias (4:55)

But listen, you're trying to get a. You're trying to become blue collar. No, you try to become a blue collar drummer. You're too good for fudgeing Casino.

Dina Hashem (5:03)

No, I take it back. I'm so sorry. It would actually be my dream to be in a Prince Casino cover band right now.

Stavros Halkias (5:08)

Be Prince.

Dina Hashem (5:09)

Okay.

Stavros Halkias (5:09)

Well, and in fact, maybe if you did some kind of gimmick, like there was that all girl. All like, girl, lesbian Led Zeppelin band called Les Zeppelin.

Dina Hashem (5:19)

Oh, my God.

Stavros Halkias (5:20)

You know, that's good. It's. So if you do, like, gimmick wise, I don't know, is there like a girl Muslim angle?

Dina Hashem (5:25)

I think there could be. Well, so right now, I mean, me and my boyfriend, we. I mean, the most fun thing in my life right now is playing under the arches in Grand Army Plaza for nobody.

Stavros Halkias (5:35)

Oh, wow. Like, we. Oh, man, you've lost it. We haven't talked in a while. You're busking with your boyfriend. Do you guys have a up dog that you. That lives outside? No. Are you. Are you. Are you living in train cars? Dina. We say your name is Dina Hashem, by the way. I didn't say. I was like, hey, have you ever said. Have you ever. And I just didn't introduce you.

Dina Hashem (5:59)

That's.

Stavros Halkias (5:59)

That's. That's how pro this show is. So wait, wait, wait. What you do for fun. I started on a snare drum.

Dina Hashem (6:12)

He has a full drum kit. I mean, when I tell you about his life. He's a true. I mean, he's an. He is. Okay, so he's a jazz musician. You know when you go to the park and you see the jazz trios, he's interesting.

Stavros Halkias (6:23)

I like this because last time we. When you know and everyone check out Stavi Solves yous Problems, the forerunner to this show. But I think you. Is this. Is this a new boyfriend? Right?

Dina Hashem (6:32)

This is a new boyfriend.

Stavros Halkias (6:32)

You also had a weird. I feel like you've had a series of strange relationships where, like, you had, like, a longest relationship with somebody from, like, a weird place. Norway. Yes, yes. You know that classic New York to Norway fudge direct flight you can just catch.

Dina Hashem (6:47)

I've buried the memory of that entire relationship. And I'm so triggered that you brought that up.

Stavros Halkias (6:53)

Damn. Sorry to bring it up, but it's just very funny that, like, every time I check in, it's like you're, like, on a. In a long distance relationship with someone across the country world. And now you've met a jazz drummer. Who? And where did you guys meet?

Dina Hashem (7:07)

Yeah, the apps, you know, but. But he's domestic. He lives in the same city as me, and I love that about him.

Stavros Halkias (7:17)

And now how much do you know that you like him or is it just that he's in the same city as you?

Dina Hashem (7:23)

Well, he is trapped in the city because he needs the park to. To make a living, so I love that. I know he's not going over here.

Stavros Halkias (7:30)

You can't find him. You just go to every, like, public place in New York. You're like, what? Subways have the best acoustics. Maybe my boyfriend's there. Okay.

Dina Hashem (7:42)

It's actually a real thing. You need a permit to play on the subway. He gets them and program. Listen. No, I think I really respect what he does. No, no, truly. I don't want to seem like I'm making light.

Stavros Halkias (7:53)

I know you're not. I'm the one. For the record, Dina is supporting her boyfriend. I am the one who's laughing at how. What is going on in her life. But at the same time, I'm not saying you haven't found happiness. I'm just, you know, it's just a fun development.

Dina Hashem (8:06)

Yeah, no, I mean, no, he's really. I love it. I really love playing outside. And like, just people come and they really like it.

Stavros Halkias (8:13)

Yeah, yeah.

Dina Hashem (8:14)

Follow. I created a page.

Stavros Halkias (8:19)

Holy fuck. You're plugging your fucking outdoor drumming. This is fudgeing dark.

Dina Hashem (8:26)

Oh, my God, this is really dark.

Stavros Halkias (8:28)

I don't know. It's hilarious. I actually, it's not going back to our discussion of like. Of, like, you know, just doing stuff. That's awesome. I do think playing music outside is more with somebody that you love is much more fulfilling than, for example, putting a bunch of fucking lights in your living room and being in your. Being sitting here with your best friend and cycling out your friends, like, one after the other. I mean, today we're only doing this podcast, but there's days where it's me and Eldis in here for 11 hours.

Dina Hashem (8:58)

Oh, my God.

Stavros Halkias (8:59)

And we're doing, like, three podcasts, 10 ads, a meeting, and we just want to blow our brains out.

Dina Hashem (9:05)

So natural.

Stavros Halkias (9:06)

No, that is darker than that. That's what's sick and twisted about our world is that me and podcasting is. Is rewarded when Going outside and playing music with your loved ones. I scoffed at it, but I'm actually, now that I'm saying it, I'm actually very jealous.

Dina Hashem (9:21)

Oh, good, thank you.

Stavros Halkias (9:23)

And now I'm like, now I feel like I've gone. I've overcorrected too far and I've hurt my own feelings. I'm like, wa. A piece of shit.

Dina Hashem (9:29)

Oh, excellent. No, because he's gonna watch this and I don't want him to feel any way better.

Stavros Halkias (9:33)

And I actually do respect, I have. This is maybe some like, aging into a dad without having kids, but I, like, I have started appreciating jazz. Whereas, like, when I was younger, I just was like, that's fucking, you know, you don't know about it either. You don't listen to good jazz. But I was just like, I don't know, there's something about almost being 40 where I'm like, if I'm gonna go see something live, I'm not going to a fucking concert, right? And like sitting in a pit and like. Or just going to a outdoor thing and just like a festival. It's like, I'm too old for that. Jazz is sort of like, you know, it's like buying a fucking suit, you know, it's like, it's like, it's like, yes, this is like a little bit of a grown up sophisticated. And it is nice. I mean, you just enjoy, you know, being out and fudgeing, listening to some motherfuckers.

Dina Hashem (10:22)

I'm so dedicated to it. I mean. And just he. He started as a rock just regular drummer, and then he got into jazz just for the challenge of it. But that made him like jazz and, you know, just. I just feel like I need to defend him a little. He's been in. I'm sorry, I know we're all having fun, but he's not a comedian and he doesn't, you know, he's going to.

Stavros Halkias (10:41)

That's true, that's true. I did, I did immediately light him up the way I would you. It was like he caught strays because I was lighting you up so much. He's collateral damage in a certain way.

Dina Hashem (10:51)

He's been in very successful bands. He's toured all over the world. But this is. What?

Stavros Halkias (10:58)

No, that is awesome. Yes, yes, I get it.

Dina Hashem (11:00)

Anyway, follow Moose.

Stavros Halkias (11:01)

But why are you drumming? So I get all of that, right? And that's awesome and I actually respect him. But now that you said it, why are you. Why do you think you could just do what he's done? He's Dedicated his life.

Dina Hashem (11:12)

Okay. Well, no, not jazz. I can never drum jazz.

Stavros Halkias (11:18)

And did you play drums before you met him?

Dina Hashem (11:20)

Yes.

Stavros Halkias (11:20)

Oh, so that was like a common bonding.

Dina Hashem (11:23)

Exactly, yeah.

Stavros Halkias (11:24)

Oh, that's cool.

Dina Hashem (11:24)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (11:25)

I didn't realize you played drums.

Dina Hashem (11:26)

Well, I didn't. It was an accident. Like everything else that's happened in my life. I was in L. A and I was so depressed. And there's the burp. Have you been to the Burbank mall?

Stavros Halkias (11:38)

Maybe there's no reason to go on there, but I've been to some malls in that part of la, but maybe not the specific Burbank mall.

Dina Hashem (11:44)

Well, they have this place called the Round One Arcade, which is originally a Japanese arcade. And they're only in, like, some states in the country. And I could probably name every state that.

Stavros Halkias (11:54)

Okay.

Dina Hashem (11:54)

Because I've tracked them down and they have this machine. So first of all.

Stavros Halkias (11:59)

Okay.

Dina Hashem (12:00)

I grew up playing DDR, so, like, my brain is wired to be addicted to, like, rhythm games and, like, hitting the beat.

Stavros Halkias (12:06)

Okay, so you were a DDR kid.

Dina Hashem (12:08)

Yeah. Totally.

Stavros Halkias (12:09)

Interesting. Where did you grow up? Which?

Dina Hashem (12:11)

Central Jersey.

Stavros Halkias (12:12)

Central Jersey. Okay, nice. Hell, that actually checks out a lot because it's like that part of that, like, no man's land part of Jersey. That's not. Because, like, I feel like all of Jersey is either a Philly suburb or a New York suburb.

Dina Hashem (12:24)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (12:25)

Central Jersey is kind of its own thing. Right.

Dina Hashem (12:27)

It's just malls.

Stavros Halkias (12:28)

Yeah.

Dina Hashem (12:28)

And so. Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (12:29)

So that feels right that you would. That you would know about arcade. Like, that's sort of like how the polar ice caps are melting. Like, Central Jersey is like. As arcades were disappearing, it's like the one place with no culture or anything to do where kids would still go to the mall even into the 90s.

Dina Hashem (12:46)

Oh, totally. You know, the mall was the thing we did. The mall and the skating rink, which is actually where DDR was at the skating rink.

Stavros Halkias (12:52)

Ah, okay.

Dina Hashem (12:53)

There was a mall arcade, but it shut down kind of quickly anyway.

Stavros Halkias (12:56)

Right, right. So you would go to the skating rink both to roller blade and no blades.

Dina Hashem (13:01)

Oh, yeah. We were. Every weekend. That was the thing.

Stavros Halkias (13:04)

Big blade or blading and.

Dina Hashem (13:08)

And DDR.

Stavros Halkias (13:10)

Yes. And you didn't. You weren't into anime or you were.

Dina Hashem (13:14)

DDR to me, is scary. No, I'm a total weeb. I really am. I mean, I studied Japanese in college. I went to Japan a few times.

Stavros Halkias (13:20)

It's.

Dina Hashem (13:21)

I know. It's everything.

Stavros Halkias (13:22)

Yeah. That we're seeing a different, much different side of you. This. This. Five years later, I Feel like everything is shameful.

Dina Hashem (13:28)

I've said so far.

Stavros Halkias (13:29)

No, no, no. This is not. I mean, come on. Who are you talking to? What the fuck? What do you think I was doing when you were playing DDR? You think I was being cool when I'm in, like, when me and Eldest are in the Baltimore suburbs, just not getting pussy, not going to parties, and just not talking to anyone but ourselves. Yeah. That's like psyching each other up to talk to one girl for four minutes and then being like, okay. I was okay. That wasn't bad. She's fogging. Making out another guy immediately. We really never even. Not one of us picked up a woman in high school, like, once.

Eldis (13:58)

No, I said. I said it before, but, like, it didn't even, like, cross my mind to even really try. I think in my. I think in my head, it was like, I'll fuck in a few years or something. I'll. I'll learn how to get girls in,

Stavros Halkias (14:12)

like, four or five years.

Eldis (14:15)

Maybe during college.

Stavros Halkias (14:16)

Right now, Mommy's made me a peanut butter jelly with bananas in it. Yeah. I have to go play wwe. No mercy with my friends. Yeah.

Eldis (14:25)

I was like, I'm having fun out here with Stav and the elusive and mysterious Big Be Right a party. I'm gonna get drunk behind my parents.

Stavros Halkias (14:32)

Drunk. One of us is gonna drive drunk through a Wendy's drive through, and then we're gonna call each other gay.

Eldis (14:39)

That was good enough for me. I'm like. I was a wholesome kid, but I'm talking about, like, 17 through, like, 24. What my mindset was.

Dina Hashem (14:46)

I know I grew up Muslim, so I was an incel as well. I mean, I really had the same life as you guys.

Stavros Halkias (14:51)

Muslim Weeb is awesome. That's kind of a rare. That's kind of a rare setup.

Dina Hashem (14:56)

You know, actually, that's true. I don't know anyone else.

Stavros Halkias (14:59)

You know, I was gonna ask.

Dina Hashem (15:00)

I actually don't really know any Muslims.

Stavros Halkias (15:01)

Okay. Really? Central Jersey, not a hub.

Dina Hashem (15:04)

Well, sort of, I guess. Well, it was.

Stavros Halkias (15:07)

Did you have a. Like a. What is it? It's not a temple, is it?

Dina Hashem (15:11)

Mosque.

Stavros Halkias (15:12)

A mosque. Yeah, actually. Wow. Famously mosque. You're right. Church. You didn't have a Muslim church, did you?

Dina Hashem (15:23)

We did, but thankfully, my mother didn't really have time to enforce that.

Stavros Halkias (15:26)

Okay, nice.

Dina Hashem (15:27)

So that was one blessing, because.

Stavros Halkias (15:29)

Also famously, deadbeat Muslim dad.

Dina Hashem (15:32)

Yeah, right, right.

Stavros Halkias (15:33)

You had. You know, you had.

Dina Hashem (15:34)

Deadbeat now just dead.

Stavros Halkias (15:36)

Oh, yeah. Really? Did they just get him? Is it. Was he in the rubble? Oh, my no, he was in Iraq. Right? No, no, I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

Dina Hashem (15:48)

Oh, my God. I was. I was about to do this. I don't know if there's a. I don't. I don't know if there's a Muslim thing for that.

Stavros Halkias (15:55)

Oh, yeah. Do you guys have a cross? No.

Dina Hashem (15:57)

In that situation, I would say a stuffer a lot, which means. God forgive me.

Stavros Halkias (16:01)

Gotcha. Gotcha.

Dina Hashem (16:02)

Not that I believe in anything, but so. Yes, that's right. Deadbeat. Dead.

Stavros Halkias (16:08)

Yeah. Yeah. So it was just you? Just you and moms in central Jersey, or do you have stepdad? Stepdad.

Dina Hashem (16:15)

But, you know, he and I, we got into a scuffle when I was 6 years old and never spoke again.

Stavros Halkias (16:23)

Wait, what? You argued with a grown man at six and he cut you off? What was the argument about?

Dina Hashem (16:32)

Okay, so we lived in a one bedroom apartment and. Or two bedrooms. Sorry. My parents got one. My older brother, of course, got the bedroom to himself. So I got.

Stavros Halkias (16:40)

So in some ways it was a traditional Muslim household.

Dina Hashem (16:43)

Yeah, totally, totally. I got sectioned off into the living room. You know those, like, dividers, like Chinese dividers we got from the flea market, the Mood 18 flea market.

Stavros Halkias (16:52)

That's so funny that you just live that way. Like, that's how when you move to New York, people like. Like, that's me. I was like, I had to live in the living room. It was so depressing. And I was poor, by the way. I grew up poor. It's like I had money, but that you had as a fucking 7 year old. Had the, like, just moved to New York to make it bedroom, but in central Jersey with your family. Okay, so there's some real environmental signs. Who the favorite in the family is?

Dina Hashem (17:18)

Well, he was the boy, of course, and older. First older and boy. And so I just had, you know, this area. It was my area, my space. And my stepdad. I came home from school and I found him like, rifling around my space.

Stavros Halkias (17:33)

Wow.

Dina Hashem (17:34)

And, you know, I'm like, you know, a kid and like, this is all I have. And I'm like, get out of my room or whatever. And he was just like, you don't talk to me like that. And that was like it.

Stavros Halkias (17:45)

And that was it. And you never. Have you spoken to him since?

Dina Hashem (17:48)

I lived with him for the rest of my life up until, I guess I moved out at 22. And I'm not kidding when I say the only words we ever exchanged was, hey, Mo. Whenever he would get home and he would say, hi, Dina.

Stavros Halkias (18:03)

20 years that's fucking insane.

Dina Hashem (18:08)

I never thought about how crazy it is until I brought it up to somebody once, and they were like, that's crazy.

Stavros Halkias (18:12)

No, I mean, it's one of the craziest things I've ever heard.

Dina Hashem (18:15)

Really?

Stavros Halkias (18:16)

Yes. Okay, so we were joking about the drumming stuff in the beginning being crazy. This is legitimately insane that your father, for all intents and purposes, I know he's your stepdad, but it's like the dad that was in your house since you were six didn't speak to you because you were mad at six that he was going through your fucking, I don't know, unicorn porn stickers. Like, what the. Did you even have to hide back then?

Dina Hashem (18:39)

I wasn't hiding anything.

Stavros Halkias (18:40)

Yeah, it was just a. A breach of trust.

Dina Hashem (18:43)

Yeah, it was just like, this is my, you know, space.

Stavros Halkias (18:45)

You mo. Get the. Out of my.

Dina Hashem (18:46)

Exactly.

Stavros Halkias (18:47)

Yeah. And did he talk to your brother? Yeah, he just wasn't a very chatty guy.

Dina Hashem (18:55)

He's a dark household. There was a lot of silence.

Stavros Halkias (18:59)

Yeah.

Dina Hashem (19:01)

And now I'm realizing it's explained a lot about my life. Totally my personality.

Stavros Halkias (19:06)

Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, there's no way that doesn't fuck you up when what you think family is, is like, essentially just Craigslist roommate. Like, you had the. You have the most craigslist roommate setup that I've ever heard. A little sheet in the living room with a guy named Mo that you only spoke to. You just say, what's up, man? Like, that's. That's class. That's. Best case scenario, Craigslist roommate. Like, you basically got a neutral Craigslist roommate. Not positive. Not negative, right?

Dina Hashem (19:35)

No, negative.

Stavros Halkias (19:35)

Oh, negative.

Dina Hashem (19:36)

He and my mother would say scream and fight every.

Stavros Halkias (19:39)

So you got the worst setup possible.

Dina Hashem (19:42)

Oh, yeah. Oh, it was not good.

Stavros Halkias (19:45)

Not good. Damn. And how long did you just have the sheet room?

Dina Hashem (19:52)

I guess maybe like seventh grade or sixth grade. We. We moved into a proper house, and I don't know how because they didn't have any money, and I just don't.

Stavros Halkias (20:03)

What did they do? Like, what was.

Dina Hashem (20:05)

Well, you know, they're both, you know, immigrants. My mother, like, was a Montessori school teacher, but, like, it was not well paid at all. And then my stepdad worked in a deli, and I don't really know.

Stavros Halkias (20:20)

Worker named Mo. Is your stepdad. I mean, that is, like. That's, like, classic. Like, if somebody. Like. Again, that's one of those things that's so hack that it's like you had a. Was he fat? No, no. No, yeah, unfortunately. That would have been awesome. I'm honestly just thinking of, like, yeah, big fat guy, apron. Like, I'm thinking of him dressed for the deli, you know, he didn't look

Dina Hashem (20:42)

like a class A typical deli worker. No.

Stavros Halkias (20:45)

Okay, but that's something.

Dina Hashem (20:48)

Yeah. What was it?

Stavros Halkias (20:49)

Yeah, the house. You move into the house. Anyway, sorry, but this is all dd. We're all. We're circling the DDR talk. We'll get back to it. Don't worry. I'm a professional.

Dina Hashem (20:58)

Okay.

Stavros Halkias (20:58)

We've got a lot of very interesting friends here. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. The three man weave.

Dina Hashem (21:04)

So. Oh, yeah, I got my own room then. But. But it was bittersweet because the fucking door. There was carpeting and the door wouldn't shut all the way because the carpeting was too thick. So even then, my mother could just burst in whenever she wanted.

Stavros Halkias (21:17)

No lock.

Dina Hashem (21:18)

No lock. Couldn't lock. The bathroom was my favorite place because it was the only place I could lock the door.

Stavros Halkias (21:23)

How many bathrooms in the house?

Dina Hashem (21:25)

One and a half.

Stavros Halkias (21:27)

That second one would have been that full. Two would have been nice.

Dina Hashem (21:30)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (21:31)

That's all right. What are you gonna do? So, yeah, I mean, that's. I mean, I know what that's like, too. Cause it's like I grew up in a house with. At any point, it was me, my brothers, that's three of us. My parents five, and my grandmother, six, plus my cousin for a couple years. And my grandma would come in and out of Greece, like, for when she was still healthy. She would, like, she would come here for the winters. And so, like. And we had. We had two with like six people. And we're talking. Me and my brother, we're talking some big shitters in this family. There's like, that. That. That bathroom got re. Those bathrooms got fucking abused and abused and especially the fucking. The one on our. On our bedroom floor was like, me, my brothers, and my grandmother. You get in, like, teenage boy activity. So it's like. And then my. I know my brothers are beating off in there because they share a room. And then you got old lady shits plus fat teenager shits. It was just a real tough zone to be in. Luckily, I got. I got my own room kind of around the same age. Maybe, like, maybe eighth grade for me. But the funny thing is we just had. We just had a. Like, upstairs, there was like three bedrooms. One of them. My parents just had stuff in there for the first 10 years of my life. And it's like they had. Me and my brother shared A room into middle school because my dad didn't feel like cleaning out, like, his coats from the 70s, like, which now I'm fucking sad because I bet there was some heat in there. Like he had like a fur, like a faux fur coat that I think they threw out. I wish if we had waited till I was 16 to go through that stuff, I would have had a. But, yeah, that's. You have to find. You have to find your little, like, little solace in a crowded house like that. And yeah, there was like, you know, I was a big base. We had our kitchen, had a little fucking TV with a vcr. And that became my hangout zone because when everybody would go, like, you know, most of the day, it's like, everybody's in there. But after hours, the kitchen, that's where you want to be.

Dina Hashem (23:34)

Oh, that sounds nice.

Stavros Halkias (23:35)

Throw on a little vhs, fucking make yourself a couple grilled cheeses. Some of my fondest memories of growing up are in this fucking linoleum floor. Fucking basement. But yeah, you got a claw. So I get the bathroom being like.

Dina Hashem (23:49)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (23:49)

The bathroom being salvation.

Dina Hashem (23:51)

Yeah. There wasn't a lot of competition for it. Not that much.

Stavros Halkias (23:54)

Okay.

Dina Hashem (23:56)

A lot of fasting, so not that much.

Stavros Halkias (23:58)

Oh, yeah. Ramadan, nice place to hang out during the toilet. The bathroom. Nice place to hang out during Ramadan so I can clean. Yeah. A lot of shitting going on. Although I bet you when it happens, it's all at once probably. I think everybody's timed up because everybody has just one big ass meal in the morning. Yeah, everyone's got to sing that. You're like, huge meal in the morning, huge meal at night, Whenever that bill comes due. That is fucking tough. Did you have to fast? Like, were they. Were they. That was the one thing they like your parents were not the one thing. Oh, they're enforced things, but they were just tired. Your mom was just too tired to enforce.

Dina Hashem (24:35)

She didn't have time to take us to mosque. But the praying, Praying every day, fasting for sure. And just generally.

Stavros Halkias (24:42)

Right, right.

Dina Hashem (24:43)

And I've never asked her about it, but I am.

Stavros Halkias (24:45)

So now's the time. Do you think at your wedding you could ask. Yeah, you're right. Yeah, you're right. Well, who knows, you know, outdoor wedding maybe.

Dina Hashem (24:55)

I've been watching Love is Blind a lot and part of me, like, maybe that'd be nice.

Stavros Halkias (24:58)

Oh, interesting. So is it now you not wanting to have a wedding is because why? Because you were just talking about. You just opened up the podcast kind of beautifully supporting your boyfriend In a way, really going to bat in a way that is like. Does feel like real love. And you've even talked about how much you want to now drum. So why, what do you think? Do you just not believe in love because of your upbringing?

Dina Hashem (25:21)

No, I believe in love. Love is the only. Like, I've always been obsessed with love. Like the Disney propaganda. Totally, totally. I feel like everything I've is to, like, cast a net out to, like, find the person who's gonna, like, respond to my art. Like, I feel like that's driven every artistic thing I've ever done.

Stavros Halkias (25:37)

I'm also. I fully agree where it's like, that's the whole reason anyone gets into the arts. I really think it's like, it's. I mean, on some level it might be just you want to be understood. So you're like, what if I put this out there and if somebody really connects on some subconscious level, I think it's like a search for understanding. But also on a base level, it's like, I did comedy so that I could. So girls would fuck me. Like, on the absolute basis level, it's like, yeah, you do something that gets you notoriety because. Or even just makes you more interesting person so you have fucking something to talk about on the basic level. And then at the absolute highest level, I'm like, yeah, I. I definitely feel that where I'm like. I do think on some level, I've always wanted to someone to get me for lack of a better. Because it's like, especially when you're coming, when you're growing up in. In like a very hectic family, where it's like, you know, for me, I think. I mean, I got lucky. I got immigrant dad. That was like, you know, a little dicey. But my mom was like, the best. So I got very lucky in that sense. But it's like I had a mom who I think wanted to get me and just was too overwhelmed. And I was also weirder compared to, like. I think me and my brothers were much weirder than my mother was ready for.

Dina Hashem (26:51)

Oh, interesting.

Stavros Halkias (26:51)

Because, you know, everyone's kind of like, we were smart. Like, my mom just wanted me to be a lawyer, right? And even my brothers, who. My brothers are both pretty. Like, one of them has a straight. He runs a gym and he has like a family. He's got a little kid. It's awesome. And the other one, my other brother also, he's a visual artist. And we're just odd guys. And I think my mom very. I think my parents are both Weird. But when you grow up in a society that just like everything is so, in my mom's case, patriarchal and just top down, you just do what the you're told kind of stuff. And then from my dad's side, it's like, I don't think he's ever thought deeply about like, about who he. Like, I don't think there's a lot of self reflection going on. There's just like, you just do the things do we have to do, you know, like he didn't believe. Like church is a great example. He didn't believe in anything. But it's like, well, I had to go to fucking church as a kid, so you assholes have to go to church. He wasn't going ever, but he was like, he made sure we went.

Dina Hashem (27:57)

Oh, really?

Stavros Halkias (27:57)

Oh yeah, yeah. He didn't fucking believe. Like. And I'm sure on some level he believes in it the way like, yeah, everybody just believes in God because like, you know, God's real because they tell us he's real. And so I went to church when I was a kid. Now I don't because I, I rather watch Greek soccer with my boys, you know. But all. So I don't know, I just, I, I think so anyway. I am with you in that. But I think, you know, when you, when you're drawn to that kind of artistic pursuit, there is like a, you're. It's connection which if we really boil it down, that's what, you know, real love is just connecting on a really turbo level. So anyway. But why no wedding then? Or you just don't think I just

Dina Hashem (28:36)

fear that, like just getting paperwork involved. I feel like psychologically maybe it would feel like take the romance away, I don't know. But then sometimes I'm like, maybe actually bring us even closer together.

Stavros Halkias (28:49)

Maybe.

Dina Hashem (28:50)

I just don't like the word husband though. It feels so like I'm old now.

Stavros Halkias (28:53)

This boy. Boyfriend.

Dina Hashem (28:54)

That's cute. I like boyfriend.

Stavros Halkias (28:56)

No, I think it is until a point.

Dina Hashem (28:58)

Oh yeah, maybe when I.

Stavros Halkias (28:59)

10 years old, boyfriend spoils boyfriend girlfriend. When it's like, it's like, come on guys, what are you. You got a knee brace on? You know what I mean? It's like, it's like, you know, it's, it's, it's cute for a second and then it's like, you know. Yeah. I just feel like we're at the age where it's like that sounds. I almost feel the opposite where I'm like, should I just get married? Cause it'll Be embarrassing to say, here's my girlfriend when I'm a fat 48 year old.

Dina Hashem (29:24)

I didn't think of it that way, and I actually think that's true. Once the crow's feet start settling in a little more, I think that'll be the wedding day. That'll be time for the wedding.

Stavros Halkias (29:34)

Yeah. It'll be a purely visual.

Dina Hashem (29:36)

Well, right now we both still look, like, youthful. Like girlfriend and boyfriend still make sense, I think.

Stavros Halkias (29:39)

Totally.

Dina Hashem (29:40)

Are we the same age, right?

Stavros Halkias (29:41)

Yeah. What are you? I'm 37. You're in the mid-30s?

Dina Hashem (29:44)

I don't know. I think I'm 36.

Stavros Halkias (29:46)

Yeah.

Dina Hashem (29:47)

Oh, God. I might be 37. 89. What's that?

Stavros Halkias (29:49)

37. Depending.

Dina Hashem (29:50)

No way.

Stavros Halkias (29:51)

Depending. I think you still get. You're turning 37. I'm February, so you got a couple more. It is funny, though. 37 does feel like because you're just so much now, it's undeniable. You're close to 40.

Dina Hashem (30:05)

Oh, yeah.

Stavros Halkias (30:06)

You're way. You're closer to 40 in a major way. 36, you're still like. It's like 35 junior. You know what I mean? It's like a little bit. You're still at the. You're at least touching your mid-30s. 37. It's like you're about to be 40.

Dina Hashem (30:20)

Oh, man.

Stavros Halkias (30:21)

But you know what? That's. I see it now as these three years. My 30s are over, and it's like I have to get a head start on 40.

Dina Hashem (30:29)

Okay, that's good.

Stavros Halkias (30:30)

That's how I'm looking at it. It's like I have three years to be who I want to be at 40.

Dina Hashem (30:36)

Wait, so what else do you feel like you have to do to be who you want to be?

Stavros Halkias (30:39)

Just not be eligible to die at any moment? Like, that's. That's the thing. It's like I really. I really could die at any. Like, I'm better now, but it's like, man, have I lived a lot of my 30s where if somebody heard I died, no one would be shocked.

Dina Hashem (30:58)

Oh, right.

Stavros Halkias (30:59)

Like, you know what I mean? Like, if. If four years ago, subs. You see a bunch of fucking black and white pictures of me on Instagram, would you be like, what would you be like, oh, he ate and pilled himself to death on the road. Like, that's. That's what everybody would have thought. And they would have been right. I was eligible to do that. And now it's fucked up because I've actually cleaned up my habits, but my body is breaking Down. Like, it's almost like I'm healthier now, but I'm still as busy. And I think my body started being like, all right, you fucking idiot. If you're not gonna take time off, we're gonna force. Like, my back is so fucked right now. My shoulder flared up out of nowhere, like, I've been going to. I had two days off this week, and I went to PT in the. Like, got like, an excruciating massage. Like, those massages that aren't. They're like a. It's like a procedure, right? It's like some guy just pressing on your shoulder hard as for nine minutes, and you're like, gritting your teeth. You're like, I don't want anything. I'm a. I'm gonna. This guy think I'm a. Keep going. And it feels better afterwards. But. But anyway, enough complaining about. About how fat. So, yeah, it's mostly just physical stuff.

Dina Hashem (32:10)

Okay.

Stavros Halkias (32:11)

You know?

Dina Hashem (32:11)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (32:11)

And spending time with my family and, like, you know, my brother, like, my. I have a nephew, and he's cute as hell, and I was seeing him a lot, but this. The last three months, I haven't gotten to see him, and I'm like, fuck this. I can't be doing that shit. Like, I need to make time. There's very few things that are actually important.

Dina Hashem (32:27)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (32:27)

And it's like, you know, comedy's not important.

Dina Hashem (32:29)

It's not.

Stavros Halkias (32:30)

It's just our. It's. It should just. Just become, I guess the. The, like, philosophical thing is, like, when you put your whole being into what? Like something like, comedy is your whole identity. It's like. Then you get to be almost 40, and you're like, well, that's lame and pathetic.

Dina Hashem (32:47)

Yeah, I think about that a lot. Like, because we're not.

Stavros Halkias (32:50)

Yeah. Sorry to cut you off. It's like, we're not. That's not that different from pouring your life into being a investment banker. It's cooler. But at the end of the day, you have poured your life into your job, and that's pathetic. And that's a big problem with America and our culture, where it's like, we think that's. You have value for doing that. And actually, I would argue it's the exact opposite. The more you pour your life into it, the actually more stunted you are and the barely a fucking person you are. And you put just monetary stuff over because, like, what do you really want to do if you're successful? You just want to hang out with your family. Chill.

Dina Hashem (33:24)

I think about that. I Feel guilty all the time because I'm just like, like, I mean, social media has really ruined my enjoyment of what we do because every day I'm just like, I should be posting. Oh, my God, I feel so guilty. I haven't posted. I haven't posted. And then I sit back and I'm like, well, I haven't posted because I just want to live life and I'm enjoying just living life. So it's like, if I'm doing that, then, like, what's the point of like, like the whole purpose of the career should be to enjoy life, but instead it's like my enjoyment of life is getting in the way of my career. It's like, that seems backwards. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Stavros Halkias (33:55)

But whatever, who cares? No, nobody wants to hear us complain about how much easier our lives. I mean, our lives are so easy. We have philosophical problems.

Dina Hashem (34:06)

Oh, no. I don't know. Every day I feel disgusting. I scroll Twitter and I see the horrors in the world and I just like, I. I mean, like, my big problem these days is like, how do I. I don't know how to make that funny. I feel so bad about everything in the world and I feel like a failure as a comedian because I can't make it funny. And then I'm like, how disgusting of me to like, that's the problem. Not like, how do we stop the genocide.

Stavros Halkias (34:29)

Right, right, right, right, right.

Dina Hashem (34:31)

Like, well, my art is like, yeah, my art's not gonna stop it. And it's like, I just. I don't know, maybe if I get

Stavros Halkias (34:36)

the perfect one liner, they'll stop bombing hospitals.

Dina Hashem (34:42)

Totally.

Stavros Halkias (34:43)

I know, I know, exactly. Yeah. It is, like, useless in the face of, you know, but at the same time, you gotta do something, I guess. Folks, this episode is brought to you by Visible. Let's be honest. Wireless can feel like a world of traps, expensive bills, tacked on fees and promises that just don't hold up. You start to feel stuck. Don't fall for the trap. Escape to Visible, the ultimate wireless hack. Get unlimited data and hotspot. Powered by Verizon. One line, all for just 25 bucks a month, taxes and fees included. You heard that, right. Just $25 a month. Get great coverage and a reliable connection with Visible. Switch today@visible.com and start saving on wireless terms. Apply see visible.com for plan features and network management details.

B (35:32)

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Stavros Halkias (36:01)

Who knows? Let's talk. Let's go back talking about DDR.

Dina Hashem (36:03)

Sorry, we really got.

Stavros Halkias (36:04)

So we're. So you're at this Japanese fucking arcade in.

Dina Hashem (36:14)

Right.

Stavros Halkias (36:15)

And actually. Okay, actually, before we get to Burbank, when you're. When you're a. A kid. A skate rink kid.

Dina Hashem (36:23)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (36:24)

Right. I assume that's kind of like the social. Is that kind of like the social epicenter?

Dina Hashem (36:28)

No, not at all. It was just me and, like, my core group of friends, and this is like, ages.

Stavros Halkias (36:34)

What?

Dina Hashem (36:35)

Oh, man. I feel like we started at, like, 10 and, like, through, like, 18, because we got jobs there eventually. Like, this is like a huge.

Stavros Halkias (36:43)

Okay, so that's what. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. It's like. So this is basically like this. If your life as a teen is a sitcom, this is the second location. Other than your shitty one bedroom.

Dina Hashem (36:53)

Definitely. Yeah. No, definitely.

Stavros Halkias (36:54)

It's like school, your shitty apartment, this place. And then occasionally for. For a change of pace. Mo's Deli.

Dina Hashem (37:04)

Never been there. I never ever said that. Why would I. That would be so awkward.

Stavros Halkias (37:08)

That'd be so funny. If all your only conversations were, hey, what's up, Mo? And, like, turkey on. Turkey and Swiss on a roll, please.

Dina Hashem (37:18)

Yeah, no, it was too far away. It was like, several towns.

Stavros Halkias (37:21)

Okay, okay. Oh, that. Definitely. You're definitely cheating, by the way, if you're. If you're a deli worker and you're like, it has to be 40 minutes away. There's no other delis in our shitty. I have to make. I have to make $10 an hour.

Dina Hashem (37:35)

I never thought about that.

Stavros Halkias (37:36)

Yeah. Classic. When deli workers pretend they're like doctors. Like, no, I got stationed here. This is where. This is where I had this. This is where I was assigned.

Dina Hashem (37:46)

I never thought about that. But no, the deli would not be part of it.

Stavros Halkias (37:50)

Sure, sure. I'm just trying to figure out the sitcom settings.

Dina Hashem (37:53)

The mall, the. The rink.

Stavros Halkias (37:56)

Yeah, love that. And what's the. So you and the crew. What's the. Are you eating that shitty skate rink pizza? What are you up to?

Dina Hashem (38:04)

I remember.

Stavros Halkias (38:05)

Are you potheads at the time? Are you. Are you scared of drugs because of religion? Because I really, weirdly was like, I went to Sunday school and shit. And most of that shit didn't stick. But weirdly like, there was a general morality that just made me scared of drugs. I mean, I still smoked weed when I was like, you know, 13, 14, but.

Dina Hashem (38:22)

Oh no, no, I didn't try that until like at the rink when I

Stavros Halkias (38:25)

was like, the rink is sounding. You know what, write a show about the rink.

Dina Hashem (38:29)

I did. I wrote a pilot about the rink. But I have to go. It's not good.

Stavros Halkias (38:34)

Well, I think it's. It sounds. I think you got the bones of it. I think it could be good.

Dina Hashem (38:37)

There's like several zones. There's like the, the ice rink where like the jocks play hockey and then like the nerdy arcade part and then, I don't know, the cafeteria. I worked in the cafeteria of the rink.

Stavros Halkias (38:47)

So you, you're very familiar with the snacks at the rink.

Dina Hashem (38:49)

Totally. Yeah. We got, we had pizza. We had the pretzel bites.

Stavros Halkias (38:52)

Is it the little pizza with the little. You see the individual squares of cheese?

Dina Hashem (38:57)

Oh, yeah. That's what it.

Stavros Halkias (38:58)

That's a really low grade pizza. Yeah.

Dina Hashem (39:00)

Yeah. I remember not like being tormented by the hot dogs because I knew they had pork in it so I couldn't eat the hot dogs. That was, that was the thing.

Stavros Halkias (39:08)

Turkey dogs, huh?

Dina Hashem (39:09)

No.

Stavros Halkias (39:10)

Yeah, yeah. Are you still not eating pork?

Dina Hashem (39:13)

I mean, I will, but I still. Weirdly, it's. Yeah, I just. I'm like. I feel weird about it.

Stavros Halkias (39:19)

I of like when, when people pick a thing for religious reasons, I'm like, like that's the one that most clearly aligns with. I feel bad for pigs. Like cows. It's like, listen, man, that thing doesn't. It's sad, but one to the back of the head and it's quick and done and the cow doesn't know it's happening. But a pig is smart as.

Dina Hashem (39:39)

No, I think cows. No, cows are really friendly and sweet. You should feel bad about cows too.

Stavros Halkias (39:42)

I can't.

Dina Hashem (39:43)

I'll send you some videos.

Stavros Halkias (39:46)

I promise I won't. I'll be like, oh man. As I'm just eating short ribbon pork too. I've gone down on pork, but I'm scared of it. But anyway, so okay, so the rink gives and there was. Now let's get to this Burbank drumming machine.

Dina Hashem (40:02)

So they have this game and it's made by the same Konami, same company as dvr and it's a real Yamaha electronic drum kit. So it's like more advanced than Rock Band. It's like a full kit.

Stavros Halkias (40:12)

Yeah, it Ain't that Rock Band fucking nothing?

Dina Hashem (40:15)

Rock Band is nothing.

Stavros Halkias (40:17)

Fuck. Rock Band's fun as hell though.

Dina Hashem (40:19)

I've actually never played it.

Stavros Halkias (40:20)

That's a really fun like again, you want to talk about activities we're doing and not getting pussy. I remember me and the fellas. You weren't involved in this eldest, were you? You never. You never played Rock Band, did you? With the crew?

Eldis (40:32)

Not really, no.

Stavros Halkias (40:33)

No. There was a. Because we also had a friend who he. His family was fucking hilarious. He. And there was just a weird. There was just like a weird summer where we spent a lot of time in his basement with his like. I don't know if he was on heroin yet or if he. If it was just like big whippets. Like they had. They had so many cans of whipped cream in their downstairs fridge because his brother was doing whippets all the time and I was just fatly drinking the like flat whipped cream. Yeah. And I'm playing bass on pretending you're doing drugs. Like.

Dina Hashem (41:07)

Yeah, this is.

Stavros Halkias (41:08)

No, I'm doing the whipping and eating the thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I just, just. I would do the whip and then be like. I mean we got all this flat cream. It seems stupid not to eat it. But yeah, that's. It's actually pretty fun. And I bet. I think that would be a fun. We should. Future ideas. A streamathon of us playing Rock Band for like eight hours I think would go crazy. That it's pretty fun.

Eldis (41:32)

I remember seeing that friend play and he was like. He was really nice with the guitar and he was just like yeah, yeah, yeah.

Stavros Halkias (41:39)

Dead eyed nice with the guitar body

Eldis (41:41)

when he had a wiggle.

Stavros Halkias (41:42)

No other artistic, athletic, social skills of any kind.

Eldis (41:47)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (41:48)

But weirdly nice at the guitar. So you might have a good time. I know you. You look down on it as a. As a true drummer now.

Dina Hashem (41:54)

I do. Especially knowing that you can also set up this other drum game at home if you. With a lot of effort. If you get like a real E kit and you can download the game.

Stavros Halkias (42:04)

I like that it would be cool if there was a version of Rock Band that you could actually learn the thing.

Dina Hashem (42:09)

That's what this way.

Stavros Halkias (42:10)

So that's what this was. So you're going to a real. This is arcade. You're putting in coins.

Dina Hashem (42:15)

No, you have to buy the card and you refill the card. I swear I've. I spent like a thousand dollars on this machine. But as a result I could play the drums.

Stavros Halkias (42:24)

So you're just depressed. You've moved To LA for like comedy, I assume for a job. Okay. A writing job. That's so funny. So you're supposed to. So what you did in la, because by the way, that's a successful reason to move there. Like moving with a writing job is not pathetic. That's why you want to move. And it's like you were still like channeling, just depressed Jersey teen.

Dina Hashem (42:45)

I was just.

Stavros Halkias (42:46)

Something in your bones wanted you to get into an arcade.

Dina Hashem (42:49)

I was just, I went. I was lonely. I didn't really know anyone in la and I was, I don't know, I was full of anxiety over the job. So I just went to my safe space, the mall. And yeah, the machine, if you get good at it. There was this guy there. I mean, I made so many weird arcade freak.

Stavros Halkias (43:05)

Yeah, yeah. Hell yeah.

Dina Hashem (43:05)

So I was the only woman on this machine and.

Stavros Halkias (43:08)

Oh my God, I can't even imagine people like, huh, what the hell? Like the first two, the first time you're there, you're like, they're like fat guys around. They're like fluke. And then like three times you're like, m', lady, I see you are a fan of the drumming arts.

Dina Hashem (43:24)

I am not kidding. There was a guy that came up to me, he must have been like 17, and he was watching me play.

Stavros Halkias (43:31)

Yeah.

Dina Hashem (43:32)

And then he was like, I really like your nails. And I was like, oh, this is just a gay kid. Oh my God, thank you. And then he was like, has a man ever, ever said that to you before?

Stavros Halkias (43:44)

He's like, he's like, he's read is in his, in his like pickup artist message board. They're like, what you're gonna want to do is give them some under underused approaches. And like he, now he, not only did he do that, but he was like, he wanted credit from you for it. That's so fucking funny.

Dina Hashem (44:01)

I was also just like, I'm like 30. I know you wouldn't expect that. I'm like twice your age. So. Yeah, so there's this guy, there's this one guy there who was like so good at it. And he became my like idol. And I was like, how did you.

Stavros Halkias (44:17)

I was like, by the way, you are being. You're a successful Hollywood screenwriter at the time. You have been. You have been. Someone moved you across the country to write for a TV show, I'm guessing. And you're like, man, this guy that hangs out at the fucking arcade and is good at this drumming game is my idol. The fuck is wrong with you, man?

Dina Hashem (44:42)

I don't Know? I don't know.

Stavros Halkias (44:45)

That's so fucking funny. That's what depression does to someone, though. I get it. I get it.

Dina Hashem (44:50)

I don't know.

Stavros Halkias (44:51)

And you're so locked in on a thing. I. I mean, I'm obviously mocking you, but there is. I also do get when you have these weird obsessions that you can't. And it's an escape. It was like an escape for you because also, those rooms are fucking. Those can be nerve wracking jobs too.

Dina Hashem (45:06)

I'm still.

Stavros Halkias (45:07)

I.

Dina Hashem (45:07)

It gives me more anxiety than anything. Except maybe if you're podcasting, like. Like, it all gives me anxiety. It's like, okay, time to be, like, funny and witty on demand. And I'm like, no, I like to be funny in a very rehearsed, structured way on stage.

Stavros Halkias (45:21)

Lucky for you, we don't got to do that on this podc. This body is what we like to call. Just fill in a contractual obligation. We got it. We got to get 90 minutes and our advertisers are happy. And don't worry, Dina, we'll. We'll have you on your way in about 45 minutes from now.

Dina Hashem (45:38)

Is that how much is left?

Stavros Halkias (45:40)

No, no, we got time. We up. Yeah, you're. I don't mean to. I don't want to get you. You're doing great. This is very fun and very funny, but.

Dina Hashem (45:47)

No, no, but I know you mean this is great. So, yeah, so I'm like, you must be a real drummer, right? And he's like, yeah. And I'm like, so if I keep playing this game, do you think it, like, really teaches me the drums? And he's like, oh, this is the best drum teacher you'll ever have. And that's all I needed to hear. And I spent, like, so much money on this machine. But you feel yourself getting better because, like, have you ever tried playing the drums?

Stavros Halkias (46:10)

I mean, very briefly. I have no. I honestly have very little musical acumen at all. No, like, my. You know, I've tried a little bit. I took, like, guitar lessons, and I like it, but I just don't even. I've tried playing the drums, and it's like, that, you think would be kind of intuitive. Just like a classic beat I can do for, like, you know, 10 seconds. And then I, like, I'm off beat.

Dina Hashem (46:31)

It's. You need to, like, practice the limb. Independence. It's a whole thing. And, like, I loved that challenge. Like, I just felt like, oh, now I can, like, move my foot without my hand doing the same thing.

Stavros Halkias (46:40)

Yeah, yeah.

Dina Hashem (46:41)

I got really really addicted to it. And probably because of the DDR already engraved, right. I was set up.

Stavros Halkias (46:46)

The pathways were ready to go.

Dina Hashem (46:47)

Konami just had ye boo on my neck.

Stavros Halkias (46:50)

What. What are the Konami properties? Do they do Tekken? Maybe El do a little producing. Would it kill you to have that ready to go?

Eldis (46:59)

They got some bangers. Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, Castlevania.

Stavros Halkias (47:03)

Okay.

Eldis (47:05)

Contra.

Caller 1 (47:05)

Yu Gi oh.

Stavros Halkias (47:06)

Contra is awesome. Yu Gi oh.

Eldis (47:08)

Some modern titles. E Football, Super Bomberman.

Stavros Halkias (47:12)

R. So I think I've played Super Bomber man actually. Shout out to Konami. That's a nice one. That's. I like when a brand survives. That's kind of like a little niche like video game. Cuz it's like everything just becomes you know, Nintendo or PlayStation. It's like everything always gets subsumed and even Sega is like just barely exists. But I like Konami still sticking around. Didn't fucking fold into the big guys quality products. I fucking. Yeah. Shout out to them. I had no idea they were. They did DDR.

Dina Hashem (47:43)

Unless I'm wrong. I'm not wrong. It's Konami. Right? I can't be wrong about this.

Stavros Halkias (47:46)

Oh that would be devastating. If you're wrong. Who created DDR?

Eldis (47:49)

It's Konami.

Stavros Halkias (47:50)

Okay. All right. Yeah. I felt you get actually nervous. Well okay. So we've got. We've gone through. You are the type of person that gets addicted to multiple Konami Arcade in person games. Knowing that, why don't we go into. It's time to solve some problems here Dina. Oh yeah. So why don't we take some calls and at the halfway point, is there anything particular you'd like to plug here? People follow, you follow.

Dina Hashem (48:16)

Mushkill, that's my boyfriend and I, we play sometimes in Grand Army Plaza. Moosh. M O L S H underscore kill.

Stavros Halkias (48:26)

I like this. I'm actually going to institute a rule where you cannot actually plug anything helpful to your career from now on. And you have to pick. You have to pick. Like actually you know you could do one but you have to also do another completely random just personal project. Check out Moosh Kill everyone.

Dina Hashem (48:41)

When's this going to air? I guess I'll be in raw on the headlining Raleigh Comedy Festival at the end of this month.

Stavros Halkias (48:46)

Oh this. This has already happened. Everybody had a great time in Raleigh. You have a special. Look, I'll do a little for you. You have a special.

Dina Hashem (48:55)

Actually I do want to say don't watch it on.

Stavros Halkias (48:57)

Okay. Don't watch. BLEEP out where? I said where it was.

Dina Hashem (49:01)

I'm gonna upload it to punch up. I really want people to follow me on punch up, okay? Because I don't want to post on social media anymore. So please just follow me on punch up and I'm going to post a very edited version of the special. That's a lot better. That's already out there.

Stavros Halkias (49:14)

Okay? Damn. All right, check it. All right, so we will link to punch to your punch up when this comes out.

Dina Hashem (49:19)

Okay.

Stavros Halkias (49:21)

All right, Elders, play us a couple. Give us some calls, little buddy.

Caller 1 (49:24)

Hey, what's up, Scavi? Yeah, I was just wondering. I'm so. I'm a 26 year old guy. I'm a PhD student. I'm a biologist working on my PhD at Harvard. I'm gonna be honest, I don't know how the fuck I got here,

Stavros Halkias (49:44)

but

Caller 1 (49:44)

I'm in my fourth year. I'm supposed to be graduating next year. And last time I met with my graduation committee, I could tell they didn't really think I was on the right track.

Stavros Halkias (49:57)

Nice.

Caller 1 (49:57)

Gave me a plan of attack, you know, to figure out how to move forward. But I'm gonna be honest. I'm kind of a piece of shit. Spend my weekends, you know, getting drunk and playing video games and stuff. And it's like, I want to finish this thing. I want to really knock it out, but I don't know, I can't really.

Stavros Halkias (50:20)

This guy's.

Caller 1 (50:21)

Find the motivation, get off my ass and do it and. Yeah, you know, I was just wondering if you got any tips for like, how can I, you know, kick myself in gear here and finish this thing out, you know? Hey, like, I think I got it in me. But

Stavros Halkias (50:39)

struggling to find PhD for four years. No one has done a PA. If you're a PhD for four years, that means you've been good as at school your whole life.

Dina Hashem (50:48)

That's a longer program.

Stavros Halkias (50:49)

And what. Yeah, yeah. And what do you say?

Caller 2 (50:51)

He.

Stavros Halkias (50:51)

He's studying biology.

Eldis (50:52)

He said he's a biologist.

Stavros Halkias (50:54)

That. I mean, I can see that being much harder. I don't know, man. This because the lack of specifics and him saying Harvard.

Dina Hashem (51:02)

Do people often make things up when they.

Stavros Halkias (51:04)

I don't know. I mean, look, maybe the guy's for real. Was that his whole question? Is there anything else?

Eldis (51:09)

Yeah, he's asking for, you know, direction on basically being a fucking loser in this PhD program. And his committee doesn't believe in him.

Stavros Halkias (51:19)

Well, that's tough because you are a loser just by even. People who graduate with a PhD are losers most of the time. They have wasted their lives. Like people that have been in academia in there until they're 40.

Dina Hashem (51:32)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (51:32)

It's like, at least you're a dot if you're a doctor or if you're like, like, but if you're. I mean, maybe a biologist, maybe you're doing something good for the world, but, like, I don't know if you're a philosophy PhD.

Dina Hashem (51:47)

I wanted to waste my life, and then I found Stand up.

Stavros Halkias (51:49)

Yeah.

Dina Hashem (51:50)

And I wasted it in a slightly different way. Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (51:52)

But, yeah, Louis had an old joke about PhDs where he was like, he's the. They're like the dumbest people because they've spent their whole life thinking about one thing forever. So I will say you're kind of fucked. And if you're telling the truth, I just don't respect anyone that goes to Harvard. I think the Ivy Leagues are so clearly. I mean, they're so clearly designed to just launder rich people's reputation. Like, some of the dumbest people in the world go to Harvard. And even some very. On paper smart people, they think in these very. They're training them to just be part of the ruling class at those fucking schools. So it's like, at May, at least you're in biology, but it's like, if you went to, like, Harvard for, like, fucking political science or some shit, then you're a fucking idiot probably. You know, for the most part, I had a. I had a friend who, who went to, like. Who went to. I think it was Harvard. But then he was like, this is bullshit. And then he just like. And now he went. And then he went to med school somewhere else. And then he, like, was a teacher. And, like, he was an actually good person who was like, the Ivy Leagues are bad. And like, he was a poor kid, like, black guy from Baltimore. So it was like, they're stacked against you. If you're poor, they treat you like when you get there. And he was smart as obviously. So I don't know. I'm a little dubious about this question because there's a. There's a. There's a lack of specifics. But having. Now that I've. We've aired all my. The negatives, let's pretend it's a real question. And some guy is having Trouble finishing his PhD and he goes to bars on weekends and video games and plays video games. That I do believe. See, here's where he's lying. It's one or the other. If you're a PhD that plays a lot of video games, you're not going to. You don't have a social life.

Dina Hashem (53:40)

That's true. It's weird to be a passionless PhD. Like, right, that's. It's like this is the one thing you're super interested in.

Stavros Halkias (53:49)

Yeah.

Dina Hashem (53:49)

So.

Stavros Halkias (53:50)

Yeah. Why are you doing this? Why have you lost. I mean, I. Obviously, I'm just going to tell you, do whatever it takes to finish it,

Dina Hashem (53:57)

just not to waste the money. Like.

Stavros Halkias (53:59)

Yeah, I mean, that's another thing. He didn't mention money. Are you there? Are you there? I mean, he must. Are you a ta? This just feels fake to me. I don't know what to tell you. Did he do. Did he ever. Did he do any other call calls? Sometimes he'll do multiple calls.

Eldis (54:13)

I didn't see one.

Stavros Halkias (54:14)

All right, all right. Let's just say now at the same time. All right, fine. Let's transition to giving him advice. Fits. Real. I know what it's like to be super burned out. Right. Like, I kind of feel like actually right now I feel like, fuck, I have so much to do and like it when this comes out. I think we're probably in the middle of the bus tour. Come check us out on the. On the bus. And I'm about to do my. I'm about to shoot my special. And so I get. You know what I do get? Being burned out. And I could see being at the same school for fucking four years or whatever. Same program for four years. And maybe they're telling you to take a little longer. I could see getting burned out. But I do think if you're getting burned out, you just have to have a re. You have to be honest with yourself. You might have to take a little bit of a reset. Maybe you need a little vacation. Maybe you need just some time away from your fucking bad habits and just realize, like, this is stopping me from the rest of my life. The longer I'm in this limbo, the worse it is for me. And you just got. Dude, I don't know. You just need to fucking nut up and just shut the fuck up and do it. Especially if your advisors want. Are telling you what to fucking do. Like, that's the thing, like with academia, they tell you what the fuck to do. And that's why I'm a little. Again, I'm a little dubious because it's like, academia is bullshit. They just tell you what to do and you fucking do it. There's not that much fucking. There's not that much creativity in thinking. And if you're the kind of person who's been in a PhD program already. You know what the fuck to do. I don't know. This. Something about this is just. Something's off here. But if I'm wrong, I apologize. Maybe you're just a bad storyteller. You're not. You're. You're in biology, so you're not in the arts, but go ahead, Elvis.

Eldis (55:55)

If you're presenting like this to the committee, I can see where they're coming.

Stavros Halkias (55:58)

Totally. No swag, no charisma.

Eldis (56:01)

There is. There is a lack of specificity. I do just like the thought of, like, someone in an accomplished program, like biology, PhD at Harvard, just being, you know, very lackluster, mediocre and just kind of like. I don't know. I could see it because I just. I just think back to college and that I felt like this. Obviously, I wasn't getting a PhD in biology, but I don't know. College looking back is like the stupidest, easiest thing. You can just breeze through.

Stavros Halkias (56:30)

Yeah.

Eldis (56:30)

But it feels, like, so insurmountable at the time. And this guy says he's 26. I could see a world where he's just a fucking, you know, dumbass who just got on the fucking educational treadmill, and now he's like, what the fuck?

Stavros Halkias (56:44)

That's a fair point. If. If what's stopping you is, like, being like, oh, I'm at Harvard. Harvard's bullshit. If that's the thing that's like. Because he even said it's the only. The only, like, moment of humanity is where he's like, I don't even know how I got here. It's like, dude, it's a fucking school. You got in. All schools are. Fuck are this. At the end of the day, it's a school and you're just fucking there. Right? You just have to do what you need to do. If that's the thing that's stopping you from finishing, being, like, overwhelmed by it, just realize it's just a fucking school. It's the same as every other school you went to finish it. And you know what? You're right. Think about my own college career. I. When I was sure I didn't want to be in. When I wanted to do standup, I was like, I don't give a fuck. My grades tanked. I did a shittier job at the end. But you know what? Well, I guess I didn't technically finish because I don't have my language credits. But I graduated. I walked.

Dina Hashem (57:33)

Oh, you did?

Stavros Halkias (57:34)

I walked the people. I tricked them into letting me walk because they they let you take your credits on this in the summer if you're. If you're like a certain number under.

Dina Hashem (57:43)

Oh, I did that exact same thing.

Stavros Halkias (57:45)

Really?

Dina Hashem (57:45)

You didn't finish a summer class?

Stavros Halkias (57:47)

Oh, you did take it, though.

Dina Hashem (57:48)

Oh, yeah, I took the summer.

Stavros Halkias (57:49)

Oh, I didn't take it.

Dina Hashem (57:50)

Oh, I just told you, graduated.

Stavros Halkias (57:51)

No, no, I didn't get the diploma, but.

Dina Hashem (57:52)

Oh, you didn't. Oh, okay.

Stavros Halkias (57:54)

Because I was like, ah, a diploma.

Dina Hashem (57:57)

Oh, no, I. I got it.

Stavros Halkias (57:58)

I don't need this. And then I was a paralegal. I just lied about having a diploma. No one chose. No way.

Dina Hashem (58:03)

That is so funny. I knew you could get away with that.

Stavros Halkias (58:06)

You definitely can. You just have to find the kinds of companies where two years after they hire you, one of the principal partners blows his brains out because they're all stealing money from each other.

Dina Hashem (58:18)

Did that happen?

Stavros Halkias (58:18)

Oh, yeah. Oh, it was a really hilariously, like, a more immoral place to work. Everyone was a piece of shit. The whole company was stealing, like, even though it was during the subprime mortgages and they were, like, taking people out of their houses. So I was just a very bad employee. When I figured out we were doing, I was like, well, I'm going to be bad at work for political reasons. It's my morals are the reasons I'm not. Not. I'm playing Kingdom Rush or whatever that game was, like, 10 years ago. Or it's like, I have to get my Viking stats up so I can raid another village anyway. All right, whatever.

Dina Hashem (58:58)

I don't know.

Stavros Halkias (58:58)

Did you. Any thoughts for this guy?

Dina Hashem (59:01)

I just don't really. I don't get it. If he's already at the end of the line, what's the big deal? Just do it.

Stavros Halkias (59:05)

Just do it. Shut the up.

Dina Hashem (59:06)

Or, you know, be like, stop and just don't do it. And follow your true passion if you're gonna keep gay.

Stavros Halkias (59:13)

No, he needs to do it.

Dina Hashem (59:14)

You think so.

Stavros Halkias (59:14)

You can't at this point. It is. It's just like, look, dude, just get it done. Who cares?

Dina Hashem (59:19)

That's what I. I think so.

Stavros Halkias (59:20)

Who cares?

Dina Hashem (59:21)

I lost passion at the end, too. Just get it done.

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Stavros Halkias (59:53)

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Caller 2 (60:26)

Hi, Savvy baby Elvis. Esteemed guest. Okay, I'm gonna try and make this quick.

Stavros Halkias (60:33)

Okay.

Caller 2 (60:34)

I have a friend. I've only known them for maybe like, two, three years now. I'm done hanging out with them. They're the kind of friend who always, like, puts me down. They think I get, like, way drunker than I am when we go out.

Stavros Halkias (60:48)

Awesome. Pause this. Incredible. She said they think I get way drunker than I am when we go out. I'm just going to tell you, sister, you're on thin ice with that comment. It's like. It's like you still might be not a fucking piece of shit. But every person's like, I wasn't even that fucked up, dude. Very rarely are they the reasonable party when there are two people have fallen out. But we're gonna. We're gonna take the cautious approach. We're gonna give you the benefit of the doubt. Keep playing. The. Keep playing.

Caller 2 (61:20)

Elders, when you go out. And then they'll start telling everybody, like, my sexual conquest stories from my whole face. Things that I've done that are maybe embarrassing or private. And they're a big fan of putting me down in front of other people. Right. Also, there's things. It's always when there's other, like, single guys around, they love to make a fool out of me.

Stavros Halkias (61:49)

I see.

B (61:49)

Okay.

Caller 2 (61:50)

I'm done hanging out with them.

Stavros Halkias (61:52)

Fair.

Caller 2 (61:52)

My thing is, do you think I owe it to them to let them know their behavior? Like, have we done this call before? They already know the kind of person they are. Caveat to the story is they've told me about almost every single friendship group they've fallen out of over the past, like, 10 years. They haven't remained friends with Mary one group of people. Because they're a fucking bitch. I guess that's my question. I feel like we've, like, grown close enough where I kind of feel Like, I owe it to them to let them know, like, hey, do these things that upset people.

Stavros Halkias (62:28)

This why no one want they're doing

Caller 2 (62:30)

or, I don't know, maybe they know well about who they are already. Of course, any advice would be appreciated. Yeah. Love the show. I love Albanians. I grew up around them, so.

Stavros Halkias (62:45)

Okay, well, that's your pro. Bad judgment. You love Albanians, and this is one of your close friends.

Eldis (62:51)

Albanians do like to do shit like this.

Stavros Halkias (62:53)

That is true. This actually is old world hazing.

Eldis (62:55)

This is petty little immigrant shit where. Yeah, I could see this kind of.

Stavros Halkias (63:00)

That's true. Oh, look. Yeah, you're around, like, four hot girls. Like, look. Oh, remember when fucking eldest shit his pants? That is true. There's a lot of, like, stabbing your friends in the back and bullying. She's talking about getting bullied by your friends.

Dina Hashem (63:12)

Yeah, she's being bullied. That just made me think of a problem I'm facing right now. I can't even think about helping because.

Stavros Halkias (63:19)

Do you want to. Do you want us to weigh in on your issues? Because we can speak about it and you don't have to get as specific or general as you want, but let us know situation.

Dina Hashem (63:30)

But, like, I. I made a friend, like, a while ago, and, like, he actually started talking about a similar problem this woman had where, like, I have this friend. He, like, kind of sucks, but I don't know whether to tell him, like, listen, you suck.

Stavros Halkias (63:41)

Right?

Dina Hashem (63:41)

But then later I found out that this friend, like, sexually assaulted this girl.

Stavros Halkias (63:46)

Oh, my God.

Dina Hashem (63:47)

And then I stopped hanging out with him, but without. And then I would just ignore, like, his text. And I just didn't know whether to, like, tell him why.

Stavros Halkias (63:56)

Yours is a little different. She's. She's in a, like, frenemy situation. You befriended a rapist. Unbeknownst to you, you befriended a rapist. And I think that's actually much more open and shut than my friend gets. Is kind of rude to me. So. Okay. I'm glad we fixed your problem.

Dina Hashem (64:25)

Oh, should I tell him that he's a rapist?

Stavros Halkias (64:29)

I don't. Oh, okay. I mean, that is actually up to you. I don't think you need to. It's actually what you feel, right? I think, like, like, you know, you're not. You've done what you needed to do by cutting this person out of your life if they really. Because it's like, it's not like he's one of your closest friends, right? No, no. If it was somebody close to you where you actually were, like, cared about Them you would. I think the right moves would be like, you need to make like you up in a major way. You need to repent, whatever that means. Make it whatever. I mean, I don't know what it is. In whatever way you need to make up for this. And you know, but. And then maybe you're like, if you have a friend who does something horrible, then you just have to be like, dude, fix. You have to fix this. Or else, you know, not just me, but everybody in your life you're going to be, you know, people are going to ban you. And by the way, it's not about you. You need to fucking fix the thing you did. But if he's like, if it was like you made a friend and they're a general friend and then you hear that they did something fucked up, it's like, like to me, if someone's already on thin ice or if like I'm just not that close to them and then they do something insanely fucked up, it's like, I'm not, it's not my fucking job to fix them. I just have to get them out of my life.

Dina Hashem (65:42)

Okay, good.

Stavros Halkias (65:43)

And I just don't support them. And yeah, just not supporting them, I think is the main, the main thing, especially if they're just like not upfront about it or if they're lying or whatever the fuck. Now in this girl's case, I think it's the kind of thing where yes, this is kind of classic. These are the kind of friendships that are childish. This is like shit that is from high school, middle school. Like when you don't know to just be like, hey man, don't treat me like that. Yeah, like I had friends like that growing up. You just. And especially, I'm gonna guess our caller here, I, I hear it. It's something I'm familiar with. She's probably a little people pleasing, right? Like that. This is, that's. I know this because I would fall into this trap of being in these kind of like fucked up relationships. And I'm gonna guess she had a fucked up parent or two fucked up parents. Cause like to me this is classic. For me. All this shit stems from like my relationship with my dad where it's just like you just want to fucking. It was always easier to make an unreasonable person to bend towards them because then life is just easier if you just like instead of standing up for yourself. And that's a hard pattern to break. And I think that's what our friend here needs to do is just be like, is to just cut them out of their. Out of their life. Now, I would say you're. You're not gonna accomplish anything by being like, you have hurt my feelings. And the way you behave is not acceptable. Right? But because what's good, here's what's good. I know exactly how that person's gonna react. They're not gonna be like, whoa, have I really been doing that? I should change? And even if they pretend they don't know, in the back of their fucking head, they know. Or even in a more sinister way, it doesn't. They're the kind of person that's going to make themselves the victim. They're going to pretend like, oh, that's so unfair. Oh, I just. I had a couple jokes, but it wasn't the worst thing. You're never going to get a satisfying. These people live in their own reality, you know, because if. If they were honest with how they're mistreating people, they would. Would feel very bad. But they convince themselves of what they're doing is just normal or it's just hazing or this is what being friends is, right? Having said that, for you, it would be a good exercise to set a boundary and be like, this is unacceptable. You've treated me like this, this, and this. Get ready for them and be like, no, I didn't. And then you're like, you actually did. And this is another problem, is that you're a fault. You lie to me. You're like, what? You don't understand reality. And until you apologize for everything you've done and are realistic, we just. We can never be friends again. That's. If that's. You can do that for you as a type of personal growth for stay. Almost like practicing standing up for yourself to somebody that doesn't matter. Somebody you've already written off and who deserves just, like, talking to. But if you're. If you don't feel like it and your ide. Your thought is like, do I owe it to them? You don't owe them shit. You could just walk away. And if they're ever like, hey, why aren't you hanging out? It's like, oh, remember the fucking 15 times you pretend. And by the way, I want to apologize. I see what she means where she accuses her of getting too drunk. It's not that our friend here is too sloppy. It's that this person just like, oh, you should have seen fucking Michelle last week. She was fucking falling out of the cab. You know, like, just making her. Just making her seem like a piece of shit. So that's my, that's my. I think this is a classic situation. A lot of people go through this. The earlier you get these kinds of people out of your life, the better. And so, yeah, just move forward. And at the root of this problem is your nature. Is you being a people pleaser, is you attracting the type of people that. Because look, you might cut this girl out of your life, other people will come back. That's how human psycho. I don't understand why. But we just are, we are over and over again attracted to kind of the wrong people when you grow up in a fucked up situation. So this is gonna happen again. And it's, this is good for you to just have your fucking antenna up. But you know, we're rooting for you. Good luck.

Dina Hashem (69:45)

Great advice.

Stavros Halkias (69:46)

Thank you. Thank you. I've definitely felt, I mean, I've dealt with that shit too. I think it's hard.

Dina Hashem (69:50)

A lot of people, I always want to feel like I think of like the other person's position. I'm like, well, if I were them, I would really want somebody to tell me like, hey, I'm acting fucked up. Like I always fear like, am I like doing something wrong? No one's telling me. So like that part of me would want to like tell. But like you're right that they would.

Stavros Halkias (70:07)

You would never treat a person like that. And by the way, if you, if somebody told you something, you would listen and like because to the, you know, or at least you would like hear them out.

Dina Hashem (70:16)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (70:16)

Or you would at least consider what they're saying is real. Whereas like I think these people live in a kind of fake.

Dina Hashem (70:23)

Yeah, they just rationalize.

Stavros Halkias (70:24)

They rationalize things and sometimes I'm jealous of it because I mean, they're too selfish. But like I'm, it's, it's not a bad thing to look out for yourself first. And I think it's important to look out for yourself first to have your bases covered. But that doesn't mean you can't be kind to other people. And in other times, in specific instances, put others first. That's like community, that's friendship, that's love, whatever. But sometimes I'm jealous of people who just like, no, I don't want to do that. Fuck you.

Dina Hashem (70:52)

Just never any self doubt.

Stavros Halkias (70:53)

Yeah, yeah. Or just put the, you know, I think like people that doubt themselves could use a little more of that and they could use a nice dollop of self doubt.

Dina Hashem (71:01)

Exactly.

Stavros Halkias (71:02)

So not even self doubt. Maybe just a little self reflection. This whoever is like Mean to her is not thinking, is not considering what she's doing wrong for people. She's like, oh come on, don't be a baby. And then she'll try. And her husband or whatever. This girl's like, oh, okay, it was Mardi Gras. Is that that big a deal? I sucked your husband's dick for two minutes. God, you're a. Next question, Mr. Sula.

Caller 1 (71:31)

Hey, stop. Eldest Steve guest. Love the show. Can't tell you how much I appreciate all the laughs and good advice for background. I'm 40, never married, no kids, don't really want them, and I generally have my shit together. I'm recently out of a relationship and have been casually dating around for at least a few months now. Let's say I live in New York City and I'm not red pilled or addicted to Kelsey or crypto. So I've been doing pretty well on the dating front.

Stavros Halkias (72:00)

It's that easy, boys? It's literally that easy. I'm sure he looks okay too.

Caller 1 (72:06)

The girl tonight, she's pretty awesome. First date situation, late 20s, really cute, great sense of humor, smart, cool job, politically aligned, all that. Go back to my place, start hooking up. And the chemistry was great. But here's the issue. She has a very hairy ass. Cry back like full on backside bush. Don't get me wrong, I'm an adult. I'm good with a regular bush. I've seen a lot my day. But the fart forest is a lot to handle. Especially when I'm going down on her from behind myself.

Stavros Halkias (72:42)

He paused to read his and her from behind. That's so funny.

Caller 1 (72:48)

No develop keep is expensive and time consuming. But what do I do here?

Stavros Halkias (72:52)

What do you do?

Caller 1 (72:53)

I hope she takes, you know, just hope she takes a cue from like my own hygiene habits. Do I tell her I want to your blower? Do I offer to pay for lasers? Help me out. Thanks guys.

Stavros Halkias (73:07)

This is a tough. I mean dude, I'm confused.

Dina Hashem (73:10)

Yeah, there's no bush that is interfering with the back.

Stavros Halkias (73:16)

What? He's talking about her ass crack.

Eldis (73:19)

He said her ass crack.

Stavros Halkias (73:21)

So her like between her cheeks. She's got her very hairy between cheeks. Is that what he's saying? Is she have.

Eldis (73:28)

I think so.

Stavros Halkias (73:29)

We're talking lower back into ass crack is what I'm imagining.

Eldis (73:32)

I think so. I'm imagining kind of like a my ass situation.

Stavros Halkias (73:35)

Of course. Well that's the thing. We're talking. We're talking to Greeks, Albanians and Muslims. So we know. We know a thing or two about women. With hairy lower backs. You're not gonna get a very sympathetic.

Dina Hashem (73:50)

This is the wrong episode.

Stavros Halkias (73:52)

This is the wrong girl.

Eldis (73:53)

Sounds beautiful to me.

Stavros Halkias (73:55)

Crew. They would have made her fucking princess of Eldis village. She's the least hairy Albanian. She'd be the least hairy Albanian. Look, brother, I don't know what to fucking tell you. You know what I mean? It's like, if this is her shit, if that's how she wants to keep her up, that's up to her. You know what if, like, it's literally like. I think this is just another. A lot like, in terms of saying something. I don't think he can say anything. This is like how she want. When you say upkeep your own body, it's like, do you wax exactly? Like, do you wax between your ass cheeks? You probably don't. You know what I mean? That's one for one. And so it's like, you know, some people like to have a full crate. Some people prefer having a big crazy bush, and that's how they want to live their life. And you can't as a sexual partner of. What do you say? First date? Yeah, dude, you don't even fucking. You haven't. Like, maybe you could have this discussion if you're in a committed relationship in the way that's like, hey, what are some of your preferences that I might. And then you feel her out, right? She might be the kind of person who's like, I don't care either way, but if it matters to you, I'll. Yeah, sure, who cares? Or she might be like, that's really fucking annoying. Or it wack. You know, I waxing it hurts me more. Whatever. I'm allergic to certain. And I just would not do it. And that's really her choice. But right now, I don't think you have a leg to stand on. There's no way to bring this up early into dating and not seem like a dickhead. Like is the rest of her. She, like, is like, that's just one. Like, the. She's talking about her. His hygiene. Is her hygiene bad? Nothing. He said she has bad hygiene. She just has a hairy crack. Which, you know, you see from time to time. Certain people have a hairy. They have their. You know, their cheeks are hairy in between. What are you gonna do?

Dina Hashem (75:54)

I'm jealous of her that she's late 20s and already has gotten over the shame of a hairy ass. It took me to be like 34 to be like, oh, this is stupid. And I don't care if a guy doesn't want to me because of any kind of hair situation. It's like you're gay.

Stavros Halkias (76:13)

Yeah. Unfortunately, it is eligible for a Paul a pause situation. This is like a paw. This is pause worthy. We're being like, you won't her because you know, she has a little hair on her cr. But it's like again, I think think. I think pubic hair in general is a per. Like you can again, if you're in a relationship and you want to. And you guys can talk about everything and you want to bring it up, that's one thing. But as a hookup, you got no leg to stand on here in my. In my opinion. And yeah, maybe you want to. You want to make it a little again until it's more serious. You just have to either it's part of the whole package and you have to decide if you like it or not. That's how I view it. But yeah. Dude, what's the big. Also what's the big deal? Who cares?

Dina Hashem (77:00)

There's no deal.

Stavros Halkias (77:01)

She's great. She described a great. She's awesome. And it is. This is. I know you're not cal. She'd red pilled. Whatever. You're a little in the zone with this particular take that. You know, it's like just a beautiful woman. And if she's got a hairy. If she's got a hairy cheeks, like, whatever. You know what I mean? That's.

Dina Hashem (77:21)

That's her all the problems in the world right now. How dare you.

Stavros Halkias (77:27)

Also it's like, yeah, man, that. That part of the human body has hair, you know, like, what are you gonna. Is it really about how it looks? Is it aesthetics when you're fucking someone?

Dina Hashem (77:38)

That's all it is. Who doesn't like looking at it?

Stavros Halkias (77:40)

It's like, who cares? It's more about feel a feeling than it's. And it's almost like you're really taking a. A very specific look at the crack when you're in like fucking from the back. That's nuts. Aren't you just enjoying the overall. Isn't it more about the whole body? Am I. I'm not really looking at the ass crack when I'm fucking from behind. I'm trying to sneak a side view of a titty. I'm trying. You know what I mean? I'm. You know, I'm looking at myself in the mirror and flexing. I just have a mirror set up just for me. The girl is not a picture here. I've. I've designed it so the woman's not appearing A single mirror. It's actually very hard to do to not get a. To get her in any reflection. But I've. I figured it out. Yeah. Good luck, bro. Just accept. Either accept or if you can't deal with it, then you can't. Then it's just like a deal breaker. But I. I don't think you should live your life where that's a deal breaker.

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Caller 1 (79:34)

LD hey, stuff. Love you. Big fan here. I'll try not to ramble, but. So I'm going through this thing with my fiance. She had a bunch of stuff on her phone, you know, involving like her exes. She had a bunch of pictures, their contacts, a bunch of messages and she did delete. Only because we got into like, fights about it. Not fights, but like arguments. Sense. But, you know, stuff still comes up. She confessed to her sister one day that she had thoughts of one of her exes that, you know, like, what her life could be now and like in the future if they were still together. And she thinks of them every day.

Eldis (80:26)

Every.

Caller 1 (80:27)

We kind of argued about that. And she tried to reassure me that.

Stavros Halkias (80:30)

A little worried that in her private moments with her sister, she confessed to thinking about her ex every day. This wasn't like, like, look, whatever everybody. You can't help those thoughts, even if you're in a happy relationship sometimes, like, the human mind has a real talent for nostalgia and for remembering things way better than they are, right? So in moments when things are hard, everybody kind of thinks like. And sometimes your brain picks out someone you forgot about. You're like, maybe I should have married her. And it's like, what, the alcoholic you dated when you were 22, you think that's who you should. That was your true love. But so, okay, from time to time, if somebody pops into your head and you're like, that's stupid. That's not the end of the world. But every day is one of the most fucking insane things I've ever heard. But let's. There's more to the call.

Caller 1 (81:22)

You know, we're spending our lives together and she's over him. Him. I don't know if I buy it.

Stavros Halkias (81:28)

I don't.

Caller 1 (81:30)

You know, she still has a bunch of guys on her Snapchat, you know, that she obviously has talked to in the past. To be fair, I haven't seen her talk to anybody on Snapchat besides, like, her girlfriends. So I don't know, am I overreacting or, you know, should I tell her? How old is she deleting this stuff? You know, especially if we're spending our life together.

Stavros Halkias (82:00)

He's so cool.

Caller 1 (82:02)

She doesn't have time.

Stavros Halkias (82:07)

He's so defeated.

Caller 1 (82:08)

You know, she is constantly on her phone. To be fair, I don't know, some advice would be helpful.

Stavros Halkias (82:15)

Thanks. Oh, no, dude, you're. The advice is you're chief.

Dina Hashem (82:23)

I mean, yeah, the sooner you end this, the better. I. That really hurts me.

Stavros Halkias (82:29)

I know.

Dina Hashem (82:30)

I have nightmares about, like, finding something like that out about the person I'm with. Like, it just shatters your world.

Stavros Halkias (82:36)

Of course. Yeah, yeah. And like, dude, he sounds young. I don't know, maybe he's not.

Eldis (82:41)

He sounds young. He also said it's like his fiance. That is tough. I. I could see it being like a. Been together since, you know, maybe high school, 18s or something, and they just ended up getting engaged and it's clearly white trash.

Stavros Halkias (82:57)

Fiance is like, that's less secure than girlfriend. If you're white trash. Something happens with white trash once the ring is out. Where they. The cheating. It's like, it's like when you really turn up, it's like the mini boss is harder than the boss. It's like if white trash can survive an engagement, they can probably get married. But there's something about fiance where it just kind of. Maybe because it's French, it makes you want to cheat more that title. But yeah, dude, I'm sorry. You're fucked in every way here.

Dina Hashem (83:28)

It sounds so unhealthy because he's clearly going through her phone.

Stavros Halkias (83:31)

That's another thing. It's like, okay, let's take Things step by step. Why do you have so much information about her phone? How did you learn about the conversation with her sister?

Dina Hashem (83:41)

Yeah, who.

Stavros Halkias (83:42)

Who let you in on that? The sister. Because if the sister did it, that means it was so bad that somebody's flesh and blood was like, I owe it to Jeff to let him know. You know what I mean? Because if the sister confessed, that's bad. That's her trying to be like, you're a nice guy. My sister's gonna ruin your life. Or the sister's a meddlesome whore who's trying to be like drama or whatever.

Eldis (84:07)

That also seems like a little white trash detail as well. Just like. Like the sister with the loose lips.

Stavros Halkias (84:13)

Oh, my God. What if I just stayed with Bill? Sure, he had a heavy right hook, but everything else was awesome. Oh, he wasn't a. Like Michael, always asking me about my feelings. Shut the up. How can I be attracted to you when you care about me as a human being? Yeah, I mean, dude, that's tough. I know. You're right. Her sister. No, he is. Look, he's a good kid, but I see what you're saying. And there's like, maybe I shall fuck him. I'll tell them about this. And they have some rivalry that they're. You know what I mean? You're a pawn in their white trash game. Yeah, buddy. So that's number one. How are you getting all this information? Are you. Have you been. Did you accidentally find something? And this is. And this is her damage control. Is this her. Her lie? Her halfway truth to make you feel better? Because this is devastating. If it's the worst of it. If this is like, she's actually been fucking her ex, she's like, oh, no, I didn't fuck him. I just. I told my sister I think about him every day. Like, you know, like, I'm sorry, man. I have no read of this. I'm trying not to be this fucking harsh, but there's no read of this, like, knee jerk. Where the. Even if she's not right, let's say she's not cheating. And these. This is stuff that she's hung up on. Whatever, whatever. And she hasn't done anything untoward yet. The clock's ticking. Oh, yeah. And it's the kind of thing where, best case scenario, she's the kind of person who is trying to get a rise out of you. She's behaving like, best case, she's doing all this because she wants you to be like, who the. What? How the. She, like, thrives off of a little like being scolded or like, you know, you having to step in, whatever. Like, I don't know know. That's. To me that's the only. And that's not good. But I think it's like somebody who wants drama in their relationship is the best case scenario. Worst case scenario is she is right now cheating on you the middle way. Is she probably. She maybe isn't yet, but if these trends continue, it's going to happen. So to me, get the fuck out of there fast.

Dina Hashem (86:23)

Get the ring back first. Make sure you get the money back.

Stavros Halkias (86:26)

Get the ring back. Claire's will take the. Your.

Caller 1 (86:29)

Your.

Stavros Halkias (86:30)

If you kept the receipt, they'll give you back whatever fucking pawn shop you bought it from. You can get back your lawnmower that you gave them for in exchange for it.

Dina Hashem (86:41)

This is a mindset I cannot relate to. I've gotten out of relationships for so much less. Like I can't imagine like having to ask for advice about this where like I would have been gone so long ago.

Stavros Halkias (86:52)

And how would you. Do you have like breaking up? Is that a problem for you or do you feel energized to do it or do you just leave and let them figure it out?

Dina Hashem (86:59)

Out.

Stavros Halkias (87:00)

When you say you leave, like it's not a problem.

Dina Hashem (87:04)

Yeah, I mean I think I need like a period of processing and to like figure out it's. That's what I really want. And then it just like, yeah, it's. Yeah, it's over.

Stavros Halkias (87:13)

That's good. Yeah. I have, I mean any big. I think going back to the people pleasing thing. Any big conversation where somebody's feelings get hurt. It takes me a little while to. Unless I'm like emotionally in the moment and like just need. I'm trying to get better at just reacting to my emotions instead of just like, you know, feeling something and being like, no, no, don't do that. That people get mad when I can do it right away. It's freeing. But then if I don't do it immediately when I realize it, it just. The longer I wait, the harder it is. But yeah, sorry to this kid. I just don't. Look, maybe the people will disagree with me, but this is one of those where I've just. My spidey senses are going crazy. Crazy dude. So yeah, brother, good luck, you know, get back out there. Start your life over. Do not get married to this woman. That's. That's one thing I can say. Don't get married to her, whatever you do. Tough poor. How defeated he sounded I've been there. I've definitely been there when I was really young. It's just like some. Somebody just hurting your feelings. I mean, this is close. This is kind of similar to the girl whose friend was bullying her. It's just romantic versus platonic. Any mistreatment over time. It's like, you gotta stand up for yourself.

Dina Hashem (88:30)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (88:30)

You don't want to be in the kind of relationship where this, where somebody just does this, behaves this way. And again, we're really bearing the things about her ex every day thing. That's nuts.

Eldis (88:41)

It is just really sad to hear a guy with that voice, like, imagining him in the room with her, like, trying to get angry and stern, but he can't even get.

Stavros Halkias (88:49)

He can't get there, look through your phone, why do you have so many people on Snapchat?

Eldis (88:55)

And he just kind of knows.

Stavros Halkias (88:56)

He knows I know. Asking questions, you know the answer.

Eldis (88:59)

She doesn't give a fuck.

Stavros Halkias (89:00)

Right? And eventually, like, it's like, it's like at certain point what you want is like, to be treated like the Iraq war where they at least lied to you, they at least cared. They at least right now you're in the Iraq war, part of this relationship where she's gonna go at length to cover up and she's gonna lie and it's gonna sound plausible at first. And very soon you'll be at the Iran war where it's like, before you know it, it, you just open your fucking Scion TC and she's sucking dick in there and you're like, oh, what the hell? And she's like, oh, get out. This is my private time. You know, like, you know what this is? You know what it is? Shut up. I'm not even cheating. And you're like, really? Like, no, go back inside. I'll be in in 20 minutes. So. Yeah, dude, get the fuck out. I'm sorry, man. I'm sorry to be so blunt. We just. I completely misread the situation. I ruined his life because he's a bad storyteller with a flat affect. Give us one more little ld.

Caller 1 (90:03)

Hey, Stab Eldest Steam guests. I don't really have a question, but it's more of a, I guess, insight based on your latest podcast with Rupa.

Caller 2 (90:21)

You talk about what is 16 and 20.

Caller 1 (90:23)

Like, you know, if you get at that age, you talk about how your whole personality is just like trying to get pussy the whole time. I lost my virginity at 16.

Stavros Halkias (90:36)

Like expert ways with never really having to pause this.

Caller 1 (90:40)

I don't know.

Stavros Halkias (90:41)

I didn't actually, I know what it's like, man. You don't have to explain it. Like it's fucking like it's going like what's, what's it like actually being in Beijing? It's like I, I have a feel like I, I think I know what it would have been like, but go ahead, man, brag about getting pussy at 16 without having to try. You really are better screening calls.

Caller 1 (91:01)

I lost my virginity at 16. I guess you could say I was blessed with never really having to see the humble brag. I don't know, working hard to get Py.

Stavros Halkias (91:11)

It was blood. Yeah. Octave jump.

Caller 1 (91:15)

16 to 20 looks the same. You're always trying to get.

Stavros Halkias (91:20)

Even if you didn't get no it,

Caller 1 (91:22)

you're still trying to get all the time.

Stavros Halkias (91:24)

Like it's not the same.

Caller 1 (91:26)

I'm a 35 year old man, I have a wife, a beautiful one year old child. Wife expecting. But you know, I think, think with the birth of my son, that changed my life and I finally decided to

Stavros Halkias (91:42)

like, stop thinking about cheating on my wife with 16 year olds.

Caller 1 (91:45)

He's always thinking about it, bro. So it would have been the same even if he got laid at 16.

Stavros Halkias (91:50)

No.

Caller 1 (91:51)

I don't know.

Stavros Halkias (91:52)

This is a horrible call in every way. Eldis, not only did you let him slip through just bragging that he got pussy at 16, but he didn't even offer an interesting counterpoint. He's like, oh, it would have been the same. He's like, no, it fundamentally would not have been. And you don't know that this guy doesn't know just because he's like, yeah, when ok, the guy who had a big meal, right, is, let's say, a guy who has breakfast. Is he sure he'll have dinner, but is he as hungry as a guy who didn't have breakfast? No, man, it's that fucking simple. It's so. And you don't know, you don't know the existential dread of being like, am I just going to be a virgin forever? That hanging over your head. Head is crazy also. It's like one of those things that immediately is gone the second you have sex, it disappears. And it was, it dictated your whole life, your whole identity is like, am I just a loser that's never gonna get pussy? So you. All due respect, man, you have no fucking idea what it's like 16 to 20 if you don't get pussy. All right, Just because you also. I didn't say you would fuck once and stop wanting to fucking, but it just would stop Being a central part of your fucking identity, I guess, is my. Is my point.

Dina Hashem (93:01)

You'd have more confidence.

Stavros Halkias (93:03)

More confidence. It wouldn't be a big deal. You know what I mean? Like, just because you're a simpleton who didn't get past wanting to get pussy. I am that way for psychological reasons. Okay, all right, Maybe. Coming around to maybe. I see what he's saying, that we're all just base animals that are going to want to fuck no matter what. But still. Still, there's just something about that being a loser shit that you're also like the social and you're scared to get fucking exposed. As a virgin. You have all these. You obfuscate. You never say. You're like the hardest thing in high school. Everybody grows up together, they've known each other, it's not a big deal, whatever. But when you go to college and you just don't say you're a virgin, you know, and you just have to kind of pretend. Or you just like, you just kind of. You never want to be on the record. It's like a. Now, it's like politicians, whether they've taken money from AIPAC or not, you know what I mean? It's like they don't want to now. They can't exactly. They're like, well, I, you know, I'm a friend to our allies, you know, they. They talk in general. That's me talking in general terms. I'm like, oh, dude, yeah. Just going to parties, chicks are around, you know, it's like. And it's like, you never admit you didn't get pussy. But then you're like, what if I'm exposed one day? Or if somebody, or God forbid, someone just directly asks you, hey, have you ever. And they'd be like, huh, What? Duh. And then you're forced to lie for real, for the first. That's tough when you have to just lie and you have to keep straight. Like, who have I lied to? Who knows?

Dina Hashem (94:39)

I had a guy confessed to me while we were having sex that he was a virgin.

Stavros Halkias (94:43)

Wild.

Dina Hashem (94:44)

Yeah.

Stavros Halkias (94:45)

That's crazy.

Dina Hashem (94:46)

It was cute.

Stavros Halkias (94:46)

Yeah, I think it's. Yes, that's the other way thing. Like, dudes, it's all in your head that you're a loser. But I do think it would be endearing to the right person, you know, because it's like. Because it's. It's kind of classically rooted in the, like, a lot of straight behavior and you see with all the manosphere stuff now where it's like some of the Very like toxic straight stuff is actually incredibly gay activity. Like homo social activity where it's like. Like not the people you're afraid of is the scorn of other men about being a virgin. It's like the way other guys see you. Whereas women. I don't think some women would think you're a loser obviously, but some might actually find it cute or endearing. So anyway, fuck you, man. Shut the fuck up. You don't know what the fuck I went through, man.

Dina Hashem (95:37)

What a weird call.

Stavros Halkias (95:38)

I know. Elder, just a bad producer. Now this is part of what else is new folks. We're all we know the podcast is one of the signature elements is that it really sucks dick some of the time. But I think that's gonna do it for us. Dina, thank you so much. This is so great. Super fun. Yeah. Check out. We'll. We'll link to the punch up. Check out the special. See us on tour if we're still on tour or if you're in Baltimore. The. We've probably at this point released a couple la. Actually I don't know when this comes out, so I won't. I won't say anything. But listen, keep an eye out in Baltimore. We're gonna. We're gonna try and get the special tapings as full as we can. So we might be releasing last minute tickets if you haven't gotten them yet. We'll see. But in any case, thanks for listening and we will talk to you next time. Bye. You gonna play us out or what? The. Tyler Redick and Chumba Casino. A winning combination. Another checkered flag for Tyler Redick in 23xi racing this time at Cota in the Chumba Casino Toyota Camry. That's three wins this season. Talk about a lucky strike streak. Chumba Casino, proud partner of Tyler Redick and 2311 Racing. Play for free at chumbacasino.com let's Chumba. No purchase necessary. VGW Group voidware prohibited by law. CTNC's 21+ sponsored by Champa Casino.