This week, we waited until after the election results to run Brandon James Singleton’s latest entry in Tex’n the City. Why? Because this week has been too much drama … and Brandon is trying to be drama free before his 30th next month.

Let’s just get straight to it. We’ve all said those words before: “I. Hate. Drama.”

So why is it that we always seem to end up in the midst of it?

This Halloween was a great example.

Unbeknownst to me, I got off the train in Hollywood to the sounds of cop cars and ambulances. There had been a gunfight. (I know it’s rare to hear about public spectacles in such a laid back, quiet area as Hollywood, but I swear, it happened.) To get to my friend’s place, I had to walk the opposite direction. Head north three blocks then double back around before I could even reach his apartment.

Along the way, I witnessed a few more fights than I would have cared to. And no matter which side of the street I chose to walk on, I kept finding myself just barely dodging one.

When did it become so difficult for a twenty-something man, dressed as a four-year-old kid, to go and hang with a bunch of prisoners and mythological creatures, dancing and drinking the night away?

I felt like the drama was just following me wherever I went. Like I was the drama-filled destination locked in on everyone’s GPS.

I wish I could count how many times in my life I’ve felt that way. You plan for a good time, but somehow it all goes downhill.

Once we made it into what almost seemed like the Million Gay March that was West Hollywood I finally started to relax. Well, as much as one could relax with giant half naked people wearing animal masks coming at you from every direction.

I walked up to the bar, and before I could even get my order out, an older gentlemen dressed as a cross between Mr. Rogers and Bill Cosby (but with blood coming out of his neck) decided to order me a drink. After watching the bartender make my drink — a girl’s gotta eat, but mama didn’t raise no fool; I prefer not to end up the missing case on the 6 o’clock news the next night — Otto and I raised our Grey Goose-filled glasses to the evening.

I started telling him about my dramatic night. And he gave me some really good advice.

“Get over it.” (Ha ha. So simple, right? But true.) “Drama feels like it follows you, because you allow it to follow you. Don’t.”

And he was right. Take this one “friend” I’ve known since high school. I’ve known some of the nasty things he’s said behind my back. And even know about some of my friendships he’s sabotaged. Yet I chose to keep him in my life. For what purpose? Is it just because I was used to him being there? Yes. Hence that feeling drama seems to follow me around.

You can sweep stuff under the rug but that doesn’t mean it’s clean now. If you don’t eliminate the problem, it’s only going to continue to resurface.

So it looks like it’s house-cleaning time. Phone contacts. Facebook. My new favorite obsession, Instagram. It’s all a must. If I want to move into a new stage in life, it’s unfortunate, but if you’re intentions are to pull me back into the past, you’re gonna have to find another ship to jump on.

I truly feel empowered when I have positivity around me. How can that not be appealing?

It’s amazing how sometimes a stranger can be the one to bring you such clarity.

Thanks, Otto. Every time I turn to PBS at 5:30 in the morning while drinking Grey Goose, standing next to a couple dressed up as “chicken and waffles,” I’ll think of you.

Peace out xoxoxo

@The_HugoBoss

#TXNTC