by Darrin Johnson | Mar 28, 2024 | Ruelon
It was supposed to be a routine visit to the barbershop. A bi-weekly beard appointment that’s always an experience, to say the least. My barbershop is no different than the average black male safe space I’ve known since childhood. A Dutch oven of homemade stew...
by Darrin Johnson | Jan 6, 2024 | Lifestyle, Ruelon
My love of YouTube is strong and well-documented. I lose myself most weekends gouging on travel vlogs, creative lifestyle brands, and documentaries just to name a few. I have, however, become frustrated at the lack of representation of content from black male...
by Darrin Johnson | Sep 13, 2023 | Events, Lifestyle, Ruelon, Travel
Your vacation has been approved. You’ve packed a luggage full of fits, toiletries, and a pair of crisp, non-creased Jordans. Your direct flight from JFK was on time and chartered a seamless journey from New York City to the shores of Bavaro, a beach in Punta Cana...
by Darrin Johnson | Jun 25, 2023 | Events, Ruelon
The long, narrow, wooden staircase led me to my personal hell. How did I get here? Why am I here? These are the questions I asked myself while trapped at the Ugly Mug bar in Washington DC. It was Memorial Day Weekend, Black Gay Pride, and to quote the amazing Loretta...
by Darrin Johnson | May 22, 2023 | News, Ruelon
Hey you! It’s been a minute. My last post was September 7, 2021. I made a conscious decision at the time that I was going to focus on starting a new chapter. Ruelon.com would have to take a backseat to my peace and overall mental health. What have I been doing? I’ve...
by Darrin Johnson | Sep 7, 2021 | Lifestyle, Ruelon
You have no control over the family you’re born into. I was fortunate to have an amazing childhood with loving and supportive parents. My sister, to this day, is one of my best friends. We’re cut from the same cloth and our similarities are uncanny right...
by Darrin Johnson | Jun 21, 2021 | Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Ruelon
The world is slowly reopening. I’m fully vaccinated and the mid-Atlantic states have already experienced their first heatwave of 2021. Now that Covid-19 and her oppressive hold on how we live and connect appear to be lifting, everyone I know is breathing out a...
by Darrin Johnson | Mar 27, 2021 | Events, Ruelon, Sports/Entertainment
A former acquaintance asked me to write about him three years ago – I declined. There was no evidence whatsoever at the time that he was gay. I heard the rumors, but outing anyone regardless of proof was then, and still is – unacceptable! There was,...
by Darrin Johnson | Feb 24, 2021 | Fashion, Lifestyle, Ruelon
Twitter isn’t the most forgiving place. Whenever I see some poor soul getting dragged over the proverbial coals on the fickle platform, I ask two questions. Is the dragging warranted? If yes then proceed with popcorn and sit back and enjoy the show. Is it...
