It’s Rameses

“I like your friends, Aaron, but I don’t know what Rameses thinks about me. I’m kind of scared of him.” Said the boy I was dating years ago. “You’re right to be.” I said in response.

I was introduced to Rameses through our mutual friend Steve, who has somewhere between 75 and 124 close friends. They were teammates from kickball or dogeball or some other super legitimate adult sports league. Steve had tried unsuccessfully to get me to join, but I instead just lapped up the social benefits of the league by attending the after-game drinks or team celebrations. I had been in the orbit of Rameses at least ten times before venturing out on my own one night to our usual karaoke gathering, probably around 2018 or something. Steve wasn’t there, but the rest of the guys were. “What’s your name again?” Rameses asked. “I only know you as Oldermodel.” That was my chance to establish my own rapport with Rameses, which has fully blossomed since then.

Rameses is one of my favorite people. He’s brilliant and technical, which makes him a great attorney, while also being immeasurably silly. He’s also an encyclopedia of obscure 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s pop culture, making for some very enlightening conversations in the middle of a loud bar.

This Texan is as intimidating as he is loyal. He has looked out for me and sharply vetted every boy I’ve dated since knowing him. “Aaron is psychotic” he told one suitor, in an attempt to test the seriousness of this boy. He knows that I’m a sensitive guy, and regularly says to me “Goddamnit Aaron, why you always crying!?”

He willingly saw up-and-coming artist Claud at the Troubadour and mega-producer A.G. Cook at the Viper Room, but also brought me to Sofi Stadium for ILLENIUM, and came along with a group of us to Alanis Morissette at the Hollywood Bowl. He’s down to clown, but also appreciates live performances from a technical perspective, careful to mind the choreography, costuming and effects of whatever show we are at.

There’s nothing more satisfying than impressing Rameses. We get along about food, fashion, and especially music. Over the years we’ve discovered that we share the same favorite song from countless artists and bands, regardless the genre or decade. These are three of those songs.

Coldplay – Strawberry swing

We found this one out years ago. I used to believe that this obscure track from Viva la Vida was relatively unknown, but I’ve learned that more people remember it than I’d assumed. I brought up Coldplay at his house while we were pregaming with his siblings once, and he shouted out “I just love Strawberry Swing!” I thought I’d misheard him, but responded “That’s weird. That’s my… favorite Coldplay Song.” Years later we’d see Coldplay together at the Rose Bowl. Of course they didn’t play this song because they never do, but there was a audience member in the pit holding a sign that read “Play Strawberry Swing!” Those who know, just know.

Lady Gaga – Eh, Eh

This silly little song from early on in Gaga’s career is all but forgotten. When I tell people that it’s my favorite, they usually think it’s just a bit. He stated out loud at a club once “I wish she’d perform ‘Eh, Eh'” while discussing her touring habits. “That’s actually my favorite song of hers” I responded. “That’s MY favorite Gaga song!” He insisted. We agreed to share it.

The Supremes – I Hear a Symphony

This one really took me out. I’ve been collecting records for a few years now, and after a while of his brother and I trying to get Rameses in on it, he caved and finally started buying a few to listen to at work. He’d mostly focus on soundtracks and scores, because he could work while listening to them without the music being a distraction. Bit by bit he’s built his collection to include some of his favorite artists too. Recently he told me he was going to go to our favorite record store to find a Supremes vinyl. “Which one?” I asked. “I’m gonna see what they have, but I just need it to have ‘I Hear a Symphony’ on it because that’s my favorite.” I’ve learned to stop being surprised when this happens with us at this point, but I just shook my head and said “Yeah, mine too. Of course.” And we laughed.

Whether we’re going to a show somewhere, pregaming at his house or actively partying in the streets with all of our friends, I always have the best time with Rameses. He’s mean as hell and funny enough to throw me off my game in any conversation. His facial expressions, voices and sharp delivery make him magnetic. You want this guy on your side, and badly. The most common tagline we have is when I make him laugh at something stupid and he says “You stupid bitch!” because he didn’t want to give in. It’s one of my favorite things in the world.

Happy birthday Rameses! Thanks for everything, and I’m sorry I’m like this.