sick days, pizza red flags & the McDonald's in budapest salad dressing saga

catching up with me (your best friend) from my bed

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

It's 3 a.m. Uh actually let me take my phone and tell you the exact time. It's 3 14. So I've been sick for the last week. This whole week I've been sick, like really sick. Uh so first of all, the the way my sickness started is that so I decided this one night. I was like, mmm, I read somewhere. And when I say I read somewhere, I actually read somewhere. It doesn't mean that I watch like a video about it, right? Yeah. Because I read. Anyways, so it's like I read somewhere that like if the temperature in the room is not that high, you're gonna have better sleep, right? And I mean recently I've started taking supplements, so I got supplements and I got magnesium, I got zinc. The one with magnesium, I think also has B1, B2, B12, something else. I also got iron supplements because I prefer to eat more vegetables than meat. So sometimes I'm like, am I getting enough iron? But like the real reason I got iron supplements is because I'm always feeling cold. I'm always feeling cold. And I was like, someone told me it was like, well, you the reason you're always feeling cold is because you don't eat a lot of meat. And now it they told me that when I was like still eating meat. And like now I've made like different choices about like my when it comes to like nutrition. And I actually don't want to talk about it because oh my god, people always feel like they have like something to say when once it comes to like people's life choices, anyways. So I was like, I I'm gonna start taking iron supplements. So I also got iron supplements, so I was like, I read about the benefits of the supplements I'm taking, and they were like, oh, magnesium helps with your sleep, blah blah blah. And I was like, why don't I just make things better, right? By opening all my windows. Oh my gosh, you guys, oh my god, I have three windows. I opened all of them. I opened them not fully, I mean a little bit, and then I slept, and then I woke up with the driest throat ever. Ever, and I was like, Yep, I'm gonna get sick. I just knew it. I mean, I started getting sick. I mean, I think you can still hear it in my voice, but I'm better. I I I got this medication which you have to take every after like six hours. They say four to six hours, but I've chosen six. So it's safe to say that I really for the past week, there's really not been like day and night for me. There's just been just sleeping and waking, sleeping and waking. That's why I can I'm recording at like 3 a.m. right now. Cause like I I'm not waking up for the medicine, but then also I feel like I'm kind of like not sleeping because of the medicine. Because I'm like, I really want to feel better. And I don't know, I don't know if you can still hear it in my voice, but I think you can. So yeah, that's how I got sick. I got this medication. Let me tell you the let me tell you a story about the the medication that I bought. So I got this medication called Gripex, right? I had just come from rehearsals, the place where we're doing rehearsals for the for the theater show that I'm about to do, and I'm like, mind you, I'm like sick. I'm like really sick. I have a fever, I have like a headache when I sleep. I'm like have like fever dreams, and I can feel my bones. I can like I'm fully having like a like common cold, you know? And I'm like, I'm not feeling great, but then I'm like, I missed the last two rehearsals because I was traveling. I need to be there. So the rehearsal. Also, we are really, really close to the premiere. And and the thing about acting is that it's kinda, it's not kinda, it is selfish not to be there at rehearsal sometimes because it's like the other person can really understand the whole scene if you're not there, if if like all members of the scene are not there, you know. So I don't like missing rehearsals, and the the the the two times that I missed, I had no choice, and those were the only times that I've ever missed rehearsal. Anyways, so I go and I'm doing all these scenes, and this in this particular rehearsal, we were working with a choreographer, so like we do the scene, and then the choreographer is like, Okay, stop. We're gonna add the choreography is gonna be this, this, this, and this, this, this, and this, this, this, you know, theater. Now, this choreographer is good. I actually, oh my god, anyways, and so we're working with a choreographer, and I am doing, I can't really tell you what I'm doing in the scenes, but I'm like doing some scenes are like a little bit demanding. That's like for the lack of a better word, I would say. And like I am moving and I can feel my head moving, and I'm like still hugging people, and I'm like, I tell them, and I'm like, hey, I have flu, I probably shouldn't be hugging you, but they still reach out for the hug, and I'm like, Yeah, I guess that's what we're doing. And then I saw I finish rehearsals, and then I'm like, I'm gonna get myself some medication because I didn't leave the house that I left the house for the rehearsals and never left the house that many times this week. And so I go to the to the to the store. By the way, there I'm telling you this story as if there's like a big reveal at the end. But, anyways, uh life is full of the mundane and there's beauty in the mundane, and I'm trying to learn that. That's why I'm trying to be like very free now. I don't wanna have like a specific topic, you know, because like we're human beings, right? We need to like let loose and like just talk about the everyday. Anyways, I go into this store, I start trying I'm not even kidding, it's a grocery store. I start, I go to the medic medicine section because otherwise you need prescription and it's a whole process. And I I go, I start translating the medications one by one. And a lot of these medications are like pain medication, and then I see this one because I had taken it before, but I was like, maybe there is something else that I need to try that doesn't involve me. I was I was kind of feeling like I don't want to take the medication that I've been taking, and I didn't know why, but now I know why. It's because I feel like I feel like I can kinda remember the struggle of taking the medication that I'm taking, where it's like every six hours, every six hours, and in my head I'm like, I don't want to miss it. Anyways, so I keep translating the medications and I just end up taking the same medication that I mean, which is the average shopping experience. I I I take the medication, I pay for it. And then on my way home, sometimes when I am like at the stop, when I take a bus, and I'm at the stop where it's like, oh, this is my bus stop. I it's it's either I have to go right to the grocery store or left to home. And I'm always like, hey, it c I kind of feel wrong to just go home straight. I'm like, I always be like, let me just go to the grocery store. I mean, who knows? Maybe I might need some sorgummies or whatever. And then I go to the grocery store and I see the medication section again. And I am like, obviously, I have to stop because I'm like, I need to see how much this medication costs. And I check it, and I'm like, what? I'm like, I should have just waited. I should have just waited because I got the medication and then I got water and then I I drank. I took like I took my medication like on the sidewalk before taking my bus home. And I was like, I should have just waited. Mind you, the difference is like uh at the place that I got it, it was like $17.99, which is basically $18. And I was like, mm, that doesn't, I don't remember that price, because I always remember prices of things, which is why I was like, let me see. And here it's like $14.49. And I was like, Oh, yeah, that's cheaper. I was like, I should have just bought it here. I mean, hear me out. Some people are like, Well, I don't care. I'm like, uh listen, a difference of like uh let's say, let's just approximate both of them, right? 18 and 15. I'm like, that's how much? That's three, right? I'm like, a difference of three? If you're like, I don't care, and you do that for like 10 items in a day. By the way, I don't think people are shopping 10 items in a day. You do that for 10 items in two days, that's 30. In a week, that's how much? Hey, I love to have fun, that's why I care. I love to have fun, to be like, I'm gonna get that and I'm gonna get that, and I'm gonna get that and I'm gonna get that. And then I'm like, tomorrow I'm gonna get because to me every day is special. I'm not one of those people who are like, I only do that on special days. I'm like, hey, I woke up today and I I make my bed every day and I arrange my room, and my room is always arranged. I mean, I'm like, I deserve this, and sometimes actually I've been meaning to talk about this. Sometimes you know, sometimes when you like you like see things okay, hear me out. This is the thing. I am very like uh I am a very like today is a special day, I'm gonna get it, I'm gonna do it. I have so much faith of like hey, I believe that like I'm like I believe that God will keep providing for me, so I'm like, I'm gonna get it. Not in a way that is like not responsible, no, I have my limits, but I'm always like, I'll get it, I I want it, and sometimes when I stop myself, I'm not saying I don't have self-control, please understand me. But like sometimes when I stop myself from things, I actually end up doing more than I'm like, for example, the simplest example is like if I am feeling like, oh, I don't have to take an Uber home, I can just wait for the bus, right? And then I do that, right? I do that, I get home. Let's say it's like nighttime, right? And like this would would this would happen if why am I saying a lot of rights? I'm like, right, right, right? This would happen when I've already had like my steps for the day because I refuse to go outside and not walk enough. So I let's say I take a bus home, I get home, right? Oh, I say it right again. I get home and I'm like, I can't cook right now.

unknown 10:57

I can't cook right now.

SPEAKER_00 10:59

By the way, my cooking rate has gone really, really down in 2026. And it's probably for the better. I feel like I might get to a point in my life where I'll be like, I'll only cook in like special occasions or whatever. I get home and I'm like, I'm not cooking. I will I am not about to start peeling potatoes right now, and I know this this might sound actually I don't care how it sounds. I'm just I'm just telling you the truth of how I feel sometimes because we all feel like that sometimes. And I'm like, I am not about to peel potatoes right now. I waited, I was feeling cold at the bus stop for I don't know how long, and then I took the bus and I got into the bus and the bus was it was basically full. And when I say full, it's like everyone was sitting alone in a seat where it's like there is no one next to them, and I'm like, I don't wanna ruin your like your moment right now, because like in a bus, we all have this feeling. We always you always look for the seat that there is no one in the seat, right? And then that's where you sit because you're like, I don't wanna invade your privacy right now. You're having your little moment, I don't want to be the guy that sits next to you in a bus that is full of like because like if you pick one person and you sit next to them, they're gonna be like, Why do you pick me? Why didn't you sit somewhere else? And maybe I'm overthinking it, but like I feel like that sometimes. Like sometimes I'm just like, I don't want to deal with the fact that there's somebody next to me, and now like my my stop is is about to be here, and I'm like, Do I get up? Like, do I get up right now, or do I like get up when the stop is here? Because if you get up too early, you're like, Oh, am I too early? Oh blah blah blah blah. And like I know these are very like fast world problems, these are very like, hey, you should be grateful that you're you like you can get on a bus, and that's the way to handle it. I'm just gonna go ahead and put it out there. Like, once you find yourself in situations like this, like the way to to get out of it and be like bring yourself, shake yourself back to reality is by gratitude. And so I get home and I'm like, hey, I just went through a lot, and by that time, I don't even know what I went through because I'm just like, I just need to, I just need a breather, and so I'm like, I'm not about to peel potatoes, I'm not about to even make a salad, I am gonna order food. Oh, which I don't order food that much unless I'm sick. This week, when I was sick, I've been ordering in a lot of times, but most of the times I would be like, I'll be like at the bus stop and I'll be like, I am gonna go get something. So I'll get myself something and I won't cook. That's how it is. Actually, that's not the best example. I'm gonna take all that back and give you another example. Let's say I'm let's say like it's like after school, right? And I'm like, I could either go to Old Town and get myself something to eat, or I could just go home and eat food because I have food at home, and then I go home and I eat food, right? And then later on, I'm like out in the evening. I'll be like, hey, I I could have eaten out in the afternoon, but I didn't. So guess what? That leaves space for me to do more things this evening because I'm like, I'm already here, so I was gonna spend this money, I was gonna, I was gonna do these things regardless, right? But there's like a stash of like extra money to spend, money that would have been spent in the afternoon, but didn't because now I have more freedom and now I'm like I'm gonna get a drink and I'm gonna get ice cream and I'm gonna eat and I'm gonna be like guys, let's go somewhere else, and I'm gonna because I'm like, I'm like, hey. Actually, actually, when I was in Serbia, I was talking to a friend about like this this same topic because I was like, I can't be the only one who feels like this. And this friend of mine was like, there's actually like a video about it online where it's like you you save money on like the yeah, I was talking to this Italian girl. By the way, let me tell you, this I met this girl, we were in Serbia, she was one of my favorite people to talk to on the trip. Oh my god, I enjoyed talking to her. We would laugh. So, first of all, the way me and this girl would talk is like so we have a specific way of talking, which is like uh the best way for me to describe this to you would be Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner, the way they talk. And I'm sh like maybe you don't know these people, but let me I don't know, let me find a way to like describe. I have this thing, hear me out. I have a specific way of adapting to everyone. You understand? It's like if I talk to you in the first few minutes, I can already figure out which way is the best way to talk to you. Because also, let's say for example, sense of humor. I don't have the same sense of humor for everyone, it's different. Even the sense of humor that I have on this podcast is not the same, you know, it's not the same for everyone. I have my I have friends where I'm like, for me and you to laugh, I have to speak both Kiswahili and English. And I have people where I'm like, for me and you to laugh, I have to talk to you as if all I do is scroll on TikTok. And then I have people where I'm like, for me and you to have a great time and laugh, I have to talk to you like I am the most judgmental person ever. And then I have people where it's like for me and you to to have fun and laugh, because like I I try to every conversation to have fun with people. I'm like, for me and you to have fun and laugh, I have to talk to you like I am like, let's say I'm like very out-of-touch Nepal baby who lives in LA, and their idea of a bad day is going out to brunch, and then the waiter messing up their order, and then they just like make that their whole personality. I hope that makes sense to you. That's the way me and this girl talk, right? And like I I was even making jokes that I had never like made before. I was talking to her and I was explaining this to her. She was like, Yeah, that's me when I pay when I pay for the 4 a.m. flight because it's cheaper, but then now I have to pay for an Uber to get there, and now it's basically just the same thing. I should have just taken the expensive flight and and and and have and I would have gotten more sleep. And I'm like, yeah, and like and I'm like, yeah, and then you get to the airport and you're like, well, that was a lot. I then you're like, I just can't walk into the plane without a drink. And then you're like, I'm gonna get a coffee, because what? And and like this girl, she's like the she's oh my god, she's one of the best human beings I have ever spoken to. Because like I fully, I fully remember this part, and I'm like, I I told her, I was like, and then you walk into the plane, and when you're walking the plane and you're like, I just can't walk without a drink, I need a coffee, and she's like, cause it's 4 a.m. It's like she's just like, oh my god, because we just finish each other's sentences, and I'm like, I would talk to her all the time. Like we would be walking down the streets of Serbia, mind you, everyone is looking at me because there's not a lot of black people in Serbia, and we were in like a small city called Shabbat's. Oh my god. Every time last episode, I actually said the name of the city, but like if you listen to the final cart, I'm only saying Serbia because I kept on saying Shabbat's It's not Shabbat, it's Shabaz. Shabaz, right? Right? Like I keep my god, that's like mm-hmm that's like okay. Let's it's Shabazz. Is it Shabaz? Sh pronunciation Shabaz. What my god, you guys. For let me tell you something. We don't care. For example, in Tanzania, no one cares if you mispronounce their name. It's not a big deal. There is there's there's certain ways. Like, for example, you'd have every teacher, every teacher would have a way that they pronounce your name. And then I came to Europe. I don't mean to sound American by saying Europe, and then I came to Poland, and the teacher would be like, the professor, the professor would be like, Oh, is is this how I pronounce your name? Oh, please tell me if I'm pronouncing it wrong. Oh, is this how and I was like, I don't think you're able to be able to pronounce everyone's name correctly in the whole world. We have different languages. Do you know that? And I'm like, it's okay, it's not a big deal if if you can't pronounce my name correctly. Even if I don't think it should be a big deal, but people it think it's rude. I remember that one time in class, this one girl was like, uh, her name is like there's like two ways of saying it. You can say it the English way, or you can say it the way that it's in her language. And the teacher was saying it in English, and she was like, No, it's not that, it's this. And I was like, relax, relax. So that's why I'm so concerned right now about pronunciation, because I'm like, I really love to respect people. I'm not the guy, I am not like, guys, can I be honest? Let me be honest today. I am not, I'm gonna give a real life example. For example, okay, I just thought of the example and I was like, I wonder how that will sound. And you know what I said? I'm like, if you're really thinking about how it's gonna sound, maybe you shouldn't say it. So I won't say it. But the whole example is that there are some cultures where it's okay to be very loud, right? It's like that's the culture of everyone, and um, that's how their the life is, like it's normal. People are loud, but then they get to like, you know, another country uh in a place with another culture, and they're still being loud, and it's considered rude, and then like you know, and then people call them out, and then they're like, Well, we're always loud. Well, that's how we are, blah blah blah blah. I'm like, yeah, and like this is another culture, it's just about like being respectful. If like something is like not liked in a certain area, I don't think we should do it. For example, the thumb, showing the thumb, it means like okay, right? In some cultures, that's an insult. So you can't go to a place where showing the thumb is an insult, and then you're like, ha ha ha, okay, okay, okay, okay. It's rude, right? So that's why I'm really struggling to know the pronunciation of this city. Okay, okay, okay. Pronunciation. Shabbat. Wait, I was actually. Correct. I don't like when they write it for me on the AI overview. I wanna see the press, the place where I can press and the thing like says it. Let me put it in into Google Translate. Let's put Serbian, right? It's a Serbian word, I guess. Serbian. Okay. Shabbat. Shabbat. Shabbat. Wait, I was actually correct. It's that sometimes I have a hard time when it's like two things where it's like it's either this or that. And so every time I say it, even if it's correct, I'm like, is it the other one? Or I say the other, I'm like, it's a I'd rather have three choices than two of things that sound the same. So yeah, we would make it was just so fun. And I was talking to her and she was like, Yeah, and then you get a coffee because it's 4 a.m. And then you're like, hey, I can't have coffee on an empty stomach. And she finishes my sentence, just like, and I'm gonna get a sandwich. It's so fun. Oh my god. And that's the thing. I was I've been listening to a lot. I've been watching a lot of like Tom Segura stand-up comedy this like week that I was sick, and I just discovered that Tom Segura is a famous comedian. In one of his like stand-up comedy, he's he was like, I've been watching a lot of stand-up comedy in 2026 actually. I love to laugh. And I have something to say about people who go to stand-up comedy shows. These people love themselves. That's an act of self-love. They're like, I tonight, I'm gonna go sit on a chair. I'm gonna buy a ticket to sit on a chair and listen to a funny person talk to me and laugh all night. That's an act of self-love. Anyways, so his uh Tom Segura is so famous. I see some of his videos and it's like 10 million views, and I'm like, uh, I guess I've been living under a rock. He was talking in one of his shows and he was like, Oh, Brad Pitt came to see my show, and I'm like, uh, excuse me, that's iconic. That's very iconic. And yeah, so I've been really right now. I feel like I'm at the place where I'm like, I have watched half of actually I I can't say that because he started doing stand-up comedy long time ago, and I'm just enjoying. I've just been laughing, and I feel like it's played a part in my recovery because laughter is very important. Please try to find opportunities to laugh, and yeah, and also I've been listening to a lot. I discovered, like, I would say like a month ago, you know, I was on uh Apple Podcasts, right? Because I I have like some podcasts that I listen to, and I was like, I need to discover new podcasts, and I saw in one of the suggestions there was a podcast called Giggly Squad. I was like, okay, and the title was very like unserious, and I was like, I really wanna hear what these people have to say. Mind you, I had no idea who these girls are at all. I clicked the podcast and it was when I was like doing my laundry. And I have something to say about doing your laundry. Good things happen when you're doing your laundry. When you're hanging your laundry, good things happen. You're gonna get like a phone call with like a good message, you're gonna get like a you're gonna discover a good podcast, good music, good this. You're gonna be like, wait, this song is actually great. Yeah, that's my experience. Good things happen when you're doing your laundry. Maybe that should be your new slogan. Every time you're dreading laundry, just be like, good things happen when you're doing laundry. But for me, I feel like good things happen when I'm doing anything. I'm very positive. And today I was thinking, I was like, I think it's actually helpful that I'm very positive. And I realized this because like I was sitting and I was like, I'm like, when I was in Shabbat's, somebody wrote because we had this like segment where like people would write things about you, like good, you know, good things about you. One person had written, one person had written, like, you're amazing, like it was a very good message, and then it ended with like despite uh no, it ended with like don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And I was like, wow, that's amazing. That's such a sweet message. But then I was remembering that, and then because today I opened one of like the messages from like from Exerbia that I had not opened and it was very sweet, and I it made me very happy. And so I it reminded me of like some time ago when somebody told me something like you're amazing regardless of what people say about you. And I was like, What are they saying? Um I was like, I was like, Yeah, maybe I'm too positive. There is no such thing as being too positive, but like I had that thought, and I just every time I get I let me tell you this just because a thought falls into your head doesn't mean you have to think it, you have to judge it, you have to pass it through the baptism of fire and being like, Oh, hey, is this good for me? It's not, no, you argue with it and you're like, no, that's not the case, and I will not think about that, right? Like that. Speak out loud if you have to, yeah. And so I was like, maybe I'm too positive. And I was like, no, there's no such thing as being too positive. I am actually supposed to be positive because like I walk away, oh my god, it's actually it's actually morning 3 49, and it's like sunrise. Wow, yeah, the sunrise, and there's bird sounds and everything. Yeah, so what was I saying? I was like, speak out loud if you can, and let me get back to what I was saying. So I was I've been listening to this podcast, Giggly Squad. That's very funny. I mean, Hannah Brenner is like a stand-up comedian, and like they're very I love these girls so much. I just found out about them, and now I'm like in this whole other world where like I just listen. I love hearing people talk about random things and people taking life less seriously and being funny, and they actually inspired me to to be like, I don't have to have a topic, and that's okay. I'm concerned. I'm concerned about the amount of uh of fourth world that I'm breaking, anyways. So they said something and they were like, they were like, I actually think it's amazing, and I related to them as a podcaster because they were saying something about like they, you know, every time people ask them about their podcast, they feel like they can't really explain. People are like, oh, they don't know what their podcast is about. And I'm like, that is exactly how I feel every time someone asks me and they're like, What's your podcast about? And I'm they're like, I'm gonna show up at your house at 1 a.m. That's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna show up at your house and I'm gonna knock at your window and I'm gonna be like, get up. It's time to pay for your sins. That's what I'll do. Every time someone is like, and I understand why people ask this, but then I'm like, it's it it could be about anything because like explaining it sounds like explaining it sounds like oh, so you're stupid, right? That's how it sounds because I'm like, let me try, right? Let me try. I can be like, oh, it's about like uh conversations, like I I talk about different things, like uh, like things I'm reading, things like I'm watching, or if if if something inspires me and I talk about like I tell stories, and someone is like, oh, so you're basically dupid, right? And I'm just standing there like oh hello. I I am ready, I'm just there like I'm ready for the ground to open up and swallow me. Yeah, that's what I want to happen, actually. I I'm gonna call the police and tell them that you are harassing me. That's what I'm gonna do, that's how I feel. And sometimes I meet people and I'm like, I don't wanna tell them I have a podcast. Cause first I want to be able to observe them and be able to like talk about the experience freely, right? Knowing that you know they won't hear about it. And even if they do, I mean, I'm like, even if they do, it's not an issue, but then also it's like me just knowing that they might listen to it might change the way I talk about it. I don't know, but then sometimes I'm like, I just am just not today's not the day. Actually, I was watching the Renaissance film. I did a lot of things actually when I was sick, when I was sick. This has been kind of like a productive week in terms of watching things. I I'll re-watch the Renaissance show, the Renaissance film by Beyonce, and there was one time they were like recording her and she was like, today is not the day. And I was like, Yeah, I can relate to that. I can relate to that. And I'm like, mm-mm, mm-mm. This is not this is not the group of people to tell them that I have a podcast. Sometimes somebody brings it up. Actually, somebody brought it up at rehearsal, and it was like kind of like in a jokey way, because you know, like people have this joke nowadays where it's like, oh, people need to like men shouldn't have a podcast, blah blah blah. And you know what? It's usually about like the men who go on a podcast and be like, the problem with today's women is that blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. Well for me, it's like anyways. So I related when I was listening to the giggly squad, because it's like funny. Every time you listen to but like it's not for everyone, it's not for everyone. You have to be like a pop culture stan almost, I would say. I can't explain it. You either get it or you don't. And so they were saying, and they were like, every time somebody's telling a story and it's so direct, they're like not going on tangents. I am like they're like, I can't stand it. And I was like, ah, me too. Because I feel like there is so much opportunity to know you as a person or to know many other stories. That's why in a movie you have like flashbacks and this and that. And like I love when somebody's telling me a story and they go off on a tangent, and then they're like, okay, back to the story. I love that, and I do it all the time. And for some time I used to feel like, oh my god, maybe this is a flaw. Maybe I should be able to talk. And I'm like, hey, people get lectures everywhere, they get lectures at work, they get lectures at school. They they don't want to get into a podcast and get a full-on lecture, like sprinkle some fun on it. And so I really related to when they said that, and I really related to when they were saying that they usually don't know what to say about. And they say that like this podcast is an escapism, and I was like, that's how I wanted my podcast to feel. And like, for when I was doing season one, I felt like I was really putting myself in a box where it's like, oh, what's the what's the moral of the story? What's the lesson? What's the this and that? What's the this and that? And I'm like, you know, all these things. And I got to a point where I was like, if I keep on doing this, I might not enjoy this. So I let lose season two. I really let lose. I mean, I even had to change some things like because I I had to like I would like run topics past people in my life to see what they had to say about it. But then I'm like, hey, I have met the lamest people in a dive bar at 3 a.m. and I've learned something from them. You can definitely learn something from 30 minutes of me talking. I don't care what it is. And I have the privilege to have friends who listen to my podcast and and and like give me like live reactions, and they're like, Do you remember when you said this? I really related to that, and it's like the most random thing. And I'm like, that's what life is about. That's what life is about. Life is about hearing somebody. We all want to connect. Tom Segura said that in one of his stand-up comedies. Like, life is about connection. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and it's okay. Life is also about like hearing somebody say something, and it gets you like banging on the table and being like, me too, me too, me too, me too. That's what life is about. In that moment, you're one, right? And like I wanna give myself more freedom to talk about things, right? I love talking. Let me tell you something. I have always like been like this. Like, you hear this episode, the way I'm talking about like the most random topics. That's how I am. That's how I am, and like that's my gift, take it or leave it. Uh, and people would always tell me things like I was talking to my mom about you, I was talking to my mom about you, I was talking to my mom, and I would be like, um, hi, excuse me, what did you tell your mom about me? And they're like, because like in my head, I'm like, I don't really know what she said. What did you tell your mom? Were you like, hey mom, I have a classmate, his name is Nick. Because I'm like, what did you say? And they're like, I don't, I can't really ask because it's like at that point you just have to be like, oh really? Because like it's usually like they're telling you something like my mom loves you, my mom says hi, or my mom says this and that. I was telling my mom about you, and like you can't really be like, Really? What did you say? Blah blah blah. Like, you know, you just have to be like, you know, I usually don't really ask because like the conversation is going on. I'm like, I'm gonna find out eventually what they were saying. And they remind me of a story that I said, I'm not even kidding, six months ago. And I'm like, you still remember that? It had an impact on you. Like, I am I brought joy into a home that I was not even there, right? That's powerful. That's why film is powerful, TV is powerful, storytelling is powerful. That's why the first page of Michael Jackson's memoir, Moonwalk, which I happened to own an original copy that was published in 1989. He talks about storytelling and about how there's not that many books written on the art of storytelling. And that's the thing. Because sometimes I would sit with myself and be like, I am like my mom would talk to me, and my mom would be like, Nick, I think you need to cut down on some things. Like you have a lot going on. And I would be like, What's the thing with me? Because like some people would have just one thing and that's their thing, like the only thing. And I'll and I would be like, which is crazy. Like, shouldn't I be happy that like I have the privilege to be able to do so many things? But then I would be like, like, does this mean like I don't know what I want? Blah blah blah blah. Like, we all have these thoughts. It's important to just bring yourself back on track every time. And this is something you're gonna have to do probably for the rest of your life, and that's okay. And I came to realize one day, I think I saw like a random video, and they were like, you can have one thing that really like branches out into so many different things. And I've realized like storytelling is always with me. I did it in video, I've done I'm doing it in audio right now, I do it in theater, and then I do it in like conversations with people, and then I would like sometimes like there's so many aspects of my life where you still find storytelling. Oh, photography, hello, and I'm like, it's amazing. I love to be able to show you, like to be able to be like, hey, this is what happened, or to be able to be like, hey, this is what is gonna happen or may happen. I love that. I love that. Yeah, actually, let me tell you why. Let me get, I'm probably gonna make this the title. Let me get to what I wanted to talk about. The reason why I got up from my bed, I paused watching the Amy Paula podcast with Paige DeSobo and Hannah Banner. I love Amy Paula, by the way. I've been watching a lot of Amy Paula in 2026. By the way, I was talking to my friend today and I was like, hey, when I was talking to them, I was like, we're gonna go into the other half of the year, which I later realized that the other half, like the other six months, won't start until like we're done with June. And this is like the fifth month ending. And I was like, can we take a moment to be grateful for all the great things that happened? So many good things happened. And my friend was like, I actually feel like for you, it's been a year, and I was like, Yeah, I actually feel like it's been a year. That's why I'm like, hey, let's take a moment to see what happened. So many good things happened to me this year. I mean, there were some rough patches, yeah, but there was a lot of good. And I choose to focus on the good, and there was a lot of growth opportunities for me too. And I'm happy, and I'm really happy, I'm really grateful. And so I was talking to my friend. When did I even start telling you this? What was what story was I aiming for? There was a story I was aiming for when I was telling you about this call with my friend, anyways. If I end up saying it, it was meant to be said. If you don't end up saying it, this is what I believe. If you don't end up saying it, you you were not meant to say it. And I'm like, thank you, God, you really maybe I shouldn't have said that. Like, you know, like sometimes I record an episode and I reach the end and I'm like, wow, that wasn't recording. And I'm like, I wasn't, it wasn't meant to be out there, and that's okay. Anyways, let me just get to what I wanted to say. So I got up to go and get my microphone and and sit on the bed and record. Because I ordered food, right? I ordered pizza. I've been ordering in. I ordered pizza. I've been eating a lot of pizzas lately. Yeah. I went to when I went to the 2000s party, I had a pizza, margarita. And then uh somewhere before I had been having pizza in Serbia. Like one day in Serbia, one day they were like, for lunch, we're gonna have pizzas. And then and then they were like, we apologize to the Italians in advance. And I was like, yeah, Italians don't play about food, they don't. It's actually a story that I want to tell, but I'm like, hey, maybe I'll have a perfect day to tell it some other time about Italians and food. And so I was like, I need to talk about like this pizza. Because like I've been really enjoying all the food that I've been ordering. Yesterday I ordered from like I saw this like like vegetable wrap from McDonald's, and then they had actually the reason I went to McDonald's is because they had a really short waiting time and I was very hungry. Like I was at the point where I was like, if I don't eat in the next uh three seconds, I'm gonna faint from hunger. And so I ordered from McDonald's. Actually, it's because most of the times it's a I can't eat McDonald's. When I eat McDonald's, I get sick, but I do love their salad, I do love their salad. So I ordered like this the salad from McDonald's, and then I ordered like this, like there was like this wrap, it was like this vegetable wrap, and then I was like, it's a wrap. Plus, I've never tried it, and I was like, hey, and I am hungry, and I was like, it's a wrap, it's vegetables, and and Totia, what could go wrong? So I get a wrap, I get and then I'm like, I get I get this like passion sprite, which is really good. Oh my god, go to the nearest McDonald's McDonald's and get the passion sprite. I can't believe I'm telling you to go to McDonald's. Personally, when I eat McDonald's, I get sick, and I think there's a reason for that. Not like fully sick, but I feel really bad and my stomach really feels like disoriented, all that. And so I got that, and like they were like this, like some potato thing is, and they came because like most of the times, every time, oh my god, I hate this, but every time I travel with people, at some point people are gonna be like, let's go to McDonald's. And I'm like, hey, we're in a foreign country, let's not go to a McDonald's, let's go to somewhere and eat something from here. But then it's like everyone is also like I want a McDonald's right now because like other people can eat McDonald's. So I have learned what things I can honor from McDonald's. Fries, I can eat the fries. I don't feel as bad, you know, when I eat the fries. I can eat the fries or like the potato thingies, I can eat their salad. Their salad is actually great. Ironically, they have like fresh food. I never thought they they have not fresh food, they have like the a fresh salad. I never thought they would have that. You know what pissed me off the other day in Budapest? I ordered a salad because we we were like we had like to set a camp where like this is where we all meet because we are there's a lot of us traveling, and it was at a McDonald's, by the way, the most beautiful McDonald's ever. It's really pretty. And I was like, you know what? I am actually not mad sitting here because this is a pretty McDonald's, because this is my problem with McDonald's and malls, though there is too much light, it's not like chic, like a restaurant or like a coffee shop where there's like lamps, and there's like okay, maybe there is not always lamps, but it's like it's not chic, it's very like there's too much light, it's too much like if the word I would use to describe is like I would say artificial, yeah, that's how it feels to me. That's the word I would use. So, like, and every time I've traveled with people, every time without fail, we would get to a point where people would be like, Let's go to the mall, and I would be like, Hey, I'd rather the ground open up and swallow me. But then I'll be like, hey, it's six against one, so I'm gonna go. And so I would go, and you know what? That's love. Sometimes it's you know, doing things that the other person or the other people like that you don't. I don't think you should we should go to a mall if you're in a foreign country. All malls look the same everywhere in the world. The only thing you do in a mall in a foreign country, Countries being like, oh, they also have this here. Oh, they don't have this here. It's basically the same thing, just in a different language. Oh, I don't like the moles, like the light is too bright, and like I just like everyone is wearing gray sweatpants and ags, and everyone is if it's summer, everyone is wearing like a white shirt and denim. And I'm like, oh my god, there is no personality in here. What is going on? I'd much rather walk and see trees and see like a nice building and see like nice people and see like restaurants and be like, oh, what's going on here? And like that's I would much rather do that. And when you're in a foreign country, I'm like, I don't think you should waste even uh 30 minutes in a mall. I'm like, get in, get something, get out. I don't care if you like, you know, that's how I feel. And so, you know what pissed me off the other day? Back to the story now. I was like there and I was like, guys, I'm actually really tired. I'm not gonna walk that much. It was in Budapest. And so I I order an iced coffee. And then later on, I'm like, I'm gonna order a salad and fries, because that's the basically the only thing I can eat in McDonald's. And now this wrap that I tried yesterday, which I'm actually not really sure how I feel about it, because I'm sick now, so I'm like, yeah, I can't really tell, but I don't think I will be having it anyways. It was very like I didn't enjoy it that much. Anyways, uh I order a salad, and then the salad comes, it's just a salad with the utensils, and I'm like, hey, so what's going on? I'm really hungry, and I am gonna flip all the tables in the next three seconds. And I'm like, hey, and I'm like, the guy just puts my salads in and leaves, and I'm like, there is no dressing, there is no salad dressing. And my friend goes, open it, maybe the dressing is inside. And I was like, uh, first of all, if the dressing is inside, I'm gonna lose it. Because why? It's the dressing is like if you if you've been to a McDonald's, the salad dressing is like in this like plastic thing, plastic like uh thing that you open, like packet. It's like a ketchup packet, but bigger. You open it and you put the dressing on top. And usually, like you have like a vinaigrette dressing or this other dressing that you can choose from or olive oil. And I'm like, why would you take that plastic? That's like if somebody put the ketchup packets inside your fries. I open my salad, there's no dressing, and I go, hey, so what am I supposed to do? Why didn't they give me my dressing? Mind you, in Poland, when you order, first of all, when I was ordering, I was like, hmm, they didn't ask me to pick a dressing. So I guess maybe they only have one dressing, which is probably the vinaigratte, vinegarte dressing that they give you, that they give everyone who orders a salad. It was a garden salad. And like they had like that and like other salads. And so I was like, oh, maybe that's like the dressing that they give you. And then I was like, yeah, actually, they don't give you a dressing. And it's so weird because they didn't even give me the option to be like, do you want a dressing or not? They just assumed they were like, Oh, you wanna eat a salad? Go ahead and eat a dry salad. Mind you, this is not like a sophisticated salad with like a bunch of stuff. No, it's like a plain garden salad, it's just like lettuce, tomatoes, some like thin slices of beetroot. By the way, I need to eat more beetroot because I was reading my iron supplements the other day and they were like, oh, we made this from beetroot. I was like, hey, I'm gonna start buying beetroot and like making my own salads at home. And so I go up to the counter and I'm like, oh, they've clearly forgotten, right? Because like that's not the case in Poland. In Poland, we pick the dressing and it's not even, we don't even pay for it. It's free, it's part of ordering the salad. I go up to the counter and I'm like, hello. By the way, this is a ginormous McDonald's. I'm like, hello, I think you forgot my salad dressing. And I'm and and the the lady's like, oh, you have to order that separately. And at this point, I wanna go, yeah. I would have done that if there was an option for me to do that on the screen. I was ordering the salad, they didn't give me the option to do that. They were like, You want a salad? Great, pay for it. I paid, and then it shows up. Where was I supposed to order that? How is that the system? And I'm like, I kind of feel like I'm being scummed right now. I'm like, but this was such a big thing for me when I when I was traveling, like when I was in Budapest and Serbia. I would like every time before paying, I would be like, can't like the card machine, I'll be like, I would like peep to see the amount. Because I saw this video where it's like uh it's like this guy was supposed to pay like $75, and then this woman put in the machine the the the you know the machine that you the card reader, this woman put $750 and he realized it later because like you know, you just see the same numbers and you think it's the same, and this is a whole other currency. And I'm like, they could add a single zero and I wouldn't notice, and later on I would be like, guys, I either need to check myself into rehab for shopping problems, or I've been scammed, you know, and then later you're like, oh my god, I've been scammed, you know. So I was very like, I was like, but I was like, this is a McDonald's, that's what I was thinking, but like quickly in my mind, I'm like, oh, so these people are, by the way, allegedly, allegedly, this is from my head the assumption I came up with. I was like, oh, so these people have removed the the option for you to to pick the salad, and now they're making you pay for it on the side, and all that money, they're splitting it amongst each other, or it's just one person doing this, right? Or maybe this is how the manager became rich because he's getting all the the salad dressing money because this is supposed to be free. And I'm like, maybe that's how they do it in Budapest, Nick. Relax. Maybe that's how they do it in Hungary because the the McDonald's are different everywhere, right? I mean, when I was in German, we had to go to a McDonald's again. Oh my god. Anyways, but when we were there, they had a German croissant. No, not croissant, they had a German, what are those like thingies with cinnamon? Oh, they had a German cinnamon roll. I was like, I didn't know there was a German cinnamon role. I guess that's just for and I guess that's like if I'm being really positive, I can be like, oh, that's the fun part of traveling. Like, you get to see what other McDonald's have. Me saying that while I'm almost like, you know, almost losing it. Anyways, and so I pay for that. It was not a lot of money, it was really little. I pay for it, but then I I go back and everyone is like, that's weird. Why do you have to pay for the dressing on the side? And that's like it's like it's it's like the way they're like, you want a drink, you can you pay for the cap. And I'm like, at least that makes sense because like some people come with their own caps. By the way, can I be honest? I care for the environment and everything, but I feel like if you come with your own, like, I don't know, you come with your own like cap that you walk with for drinks. I'm gonna judge you a little bit. Unless, unless your reason is like truly, truly, truly, truly environment. Otherwise, I just feel like you're it's like one of those people who are like, I'm actually better than all of you. Anyways, you know you are thinking the same thing. I hate when people like hear things like that and they're like, I actually don't think that I'm like you think that. You suck, you're the lamest person I've ever met. Anyways, so I was like, no, so the reason why I wanted to taste is because I had enjoyed the the the the the passion fruit sprite so much, and the day before I had ordered a pizza from some other place and I had enjoyed that, and I was like, today I was like, I am actually feeling better. I was like, let me go for a walk, and so I shower in the evening and everything, and I'm like trying to change my mindset about like the amount of time that things take because sometimes I'm like, for me, I always say this showering is the first step to getting better. So if you want to feel better, go take a shower. But for me, I'm like, there are some non-negotiables that have to happen before and after I shower. So that's why sometimes I can be like I'm getting into a long process of showering, which is really not long. And I usually realize it's not long when I'm playing music and I'm like, hey, that was just two songs. Because I'm like, if I shower, now I'm clean, I have to make everything. Like before I shower, I'm like, I just can't spring up from bed and just go take a shower. I have to make my bed and leave. And if there's things on the bedside table, cups, blah, blah, blah, I have to take them to the kitchen. And if the dishwasher, if I take those cups to the kitchen, I can't just leave them to the on the sink, right? I have to put them in the dishwasher. If there's clean dishes in the dishwasher, I have to take them from the dishwasher into the cupboards and put all the dirty dishes into the dishwasher. And then, you know, now I can go and shower. But then if I come into my room and I'm like, hey, there is some things on the floor, I'm gonna vacuum the room, right? And then I will go shower. And then after showering, I'm like, I just can't do that. I I just can't like shower and just sit and eat. I have to go, not have to. I like you know, moisturize and everything, and like do my skincare and wear clean cloths, and I'm like, oh, now I have to like make sure my hair looks great and everything, and all these things have to be done. And so sometimes I'm I can like start like dreading, and I'm like, I have no reason to dread. I'm very I'm very grateful I can even do all these things, anyways. And so yeah, I just remind myself because like we're we're human beings, we're not naturally like I'm so grateful. No, we have to like remind ourselves every time. I'm like, hey, there is people somewhere that have to walk for nine hours to get water just to shower. And after I tell myself that, I'm like, yeah, I'm actually happy, you know? And so sometimes I can like want to shower and then I sit like an extra hour because I'm like collecting myself because I know once I start, I have to go all the way through with everything. Yeah, so I do that because I was like, I refuse to eat my meal while I'm not feeling clean. And so today I showered and everything, and then I went for my walk, but like I was like, I want to go for my walk before it gets dark, and then I end up having like 20 minutes where I'm looking for my keys, I can't see them anywhere. And I'm like, at one point I took out the trash and I'm like, Did I forget the key on the door? I'm like, no, I didn't, because if I check the door, the door is locked from the inside. I'm like, so I locked it from the inside. I'm like, oh, maybe I left the key outside and then somebody else locked the door, and now I'm like, and I'm like, and I'm like now, and now I'm like, so where are these keys? And I'm looking everywhere, everywhere, everywhere that I've been. And then I start being like, oh god, Jesus help me. I need to find these keys. I need to find these keys. Cause like I I I I'm ready for my work. Now I'm starting to sweat because I'm like, I'm looking for these keys, and then I'm like, oh, let me just check in the pockets of the robe that I've been wearing this whole time when I was inside. I go check, I find the keys, and so I go for my walk and I come on my walk. I think I was on a call with my friend. Yeah, I was on a call with my friend. I went, and like in this particular walk, there were a lot of things that were like making me go, like, you know? And I don't know because I had been inside for so long, and like I had not been in Lublin. I feel like I've not been in like Lublin for a very long time because like I was in Serbia, and then I came back and I've just been inside. So I was like, wait, I actually live here, and I was like walking around and this and that, and then I I there was this restaurant near my house, and I went to that restaurant to get a pizza, and I was like, hey, I went there, I checked the menu, which reminds me of one time I went there, I checked the menu, and I was like, Oh, I actually don't think I want a pizza because it's I actually don't think I want anything from this menu. And I did my trick, which is to ask for something that you know they don't have. Like one time I was like, I went to like this matcha person and I was like, Do you guys have passion matcha? I know there is nowhere that has passion matcha, and they're like, No, we don't have that, but we're gonna try to put it. I'm like, No, you won't, no, you won't. And like, because I was like not impressed by anything they had, and so I was like, Do you have passion matcha? And they're like, No, we don't. I was like, oh, that's what I was looking for, and then I leave. And so I went there and I was like, Do you guys have cranberry pizza? By the way, I love when there's cranberries on pizza. And the lady goes, Yep, we have that. And we are actually you can say any toppings of your choice and we can put them on the pizza. And I was like, uh, yeah, I'm just gonna head out because that didn't work. And he went out, and so today I was done the lady's like English manual. I was like, Yeah, and they gave me the English menu, and I ordered and I took the pizza and I came back. I I got some juices because you know when I'm sick, I got like a multivitamin drink, and I got this like cactus juice, and I came to my room and I was eating. And as I was eating the pizza, I was like, I'm not really enjoying this. I was like, I'm not I'm not enjoying this. I don't know, because I warmed it up a little bit for the cheese to melt, but it was very like really like stiff, and I was I was like, I don't know, like most pizzas when you warm them up, like you can see like the cheese bubbling up, and it's like it's I was like, anyways, and I ate it and I'm like I'm not really having fun with this pizza. I will give it to them though. They gave me a marinara sauce on the side, and the marinara sauce is really good because I don't know if it's the it's a tomato sauce, but it has basil in it, and I love when I can feel when I can like smell the basil, and I was happy, but I was like, it's it's not hitting the point, like this pizza is not great. And then I ate and then I put it in the kitchen, and then I was like on my bed watching Tom Segura comedy, and then I go and I was like, you know, there's something so weird about that pizza, and I'm like, I see it now when I was eating because like I have there's like a way that I love the pizza crust to be. So I don't know if you've ever eaten pizza, you see the texture of pita, or you see all like a brick-oven pizza, or like do you know, do you know the pizza when like the dough is almost like it's not like bread, it's like stretchy in a way. I really hope you understand what I'm saying. Stretch is not the right word, it's almost like the dough is um it's not bread like like dough. You know when they've actually like made the dough and it's there. I don't like it to be. I hope you get what I'm saying. And I'm like, you know what was so weird about that pizza today? As I was eating it, my hands were not getting dirty. For me, when I am eating a pizza, I need to feel I want to look at my hands and see some flour. Like I need to see some flour that they want. You know when like they need, they need when they're like making the pizza dough, there's like some flour they put and then they they do that, and then you touch the pizza, and then you can see there is like some uh some flour on the bottom, some flour on the bottom, like you touch it and your hands have flour. I love that. I like that's how a pizza should be. If it doesn't have that, that means like the crust is almost like bread, and I don't like that. And I was like, that was the weird thing about this pizza. That was the weird thing. I was like, how comes like I have one right in front of me right now, and I'm like, oh, and you know what? And I'm like, almost every time when it's like that, I'm thinking it's either because I once tried to make my own pizza at home by using like the pre-made dough, and that's how it looks, because they don't need to put like the the flour on it because the dough is like pre-made, and I was like, Oh, so they made this pizza with pre-made dough, or even if it's not pre-made dough, it's not the it's not fresh, it's not fresh. I was like, This is not a fresh pizza. This might as well just be from a box because even the way it was cut, it was cut in a way that's like I had to take my own like that pizza slicing thing to like finish cutting up some of the parts. It was very like I'm very disappointed by that pizza, and I'm very disappointed that my hands are not getting dirty as I'm eating this pizza. Like there is no flour on my hands, there is no flour on my hands, and I'm pissed, and I'm pissed, I'm really pissed. Should I write a review? Should I be like a full-on Karen and write a review? Anyways, so that was the whole reason of me taking up this uh microphone, is for me to tell you that I want to feel the flour, I want my pizza to be fresh, and I speaking of pizzas, I have a new role right now where it's like if I am walking down the street, right? Wherever it is that I am, if I'm walking down the street and there's a place that is saying pizza slices, you know those places where you get like one slice of pizza and it's usually like there's like usually there's like hardworking guys wearing white with like some like tomato sauce on it, and they work so hard to make these pizzas all the time and they put it and it's sells out. If you walk by a place like that and there is a line, there's only one thing to do join the line. You join the line because like I noticed this every time I saw a line and I joined it, I was never disappointed. I was like, there's a reason why these people are making a line. There's actually a bakery in Warsaw, I don't really know its name, but it's everywhere. It's everywhere in Warsaw. I mean, if you're in Warsaw, I really wish I could tell you the name of it maybe some other day. Remind me, send me an email. They have great pizza slices, they have great fresh orange juice. I mean, I would recommend you to go there. And um, and I love Dua Lipa and I love you for listening to me, and I hope you enjoyed. And thank you so much for spending time with me. Bye.