#<- YOUR FRIEND IS SO REAL FOR THAT uzi cat is just how you are in my brain no human form just kibty ^^

[yuugurenomi]

HIHIHIHIB AYGAAYAYAUAAYAYAYIPEEE YOUR HARD TO DRAW BUT ITS ALSO FUN AND !!!!!!!!!! PURRS

WHY ARE FLUFFY CATS SO HARD TO DRAW DYNAMICLY

[crisscolferfanforever]

Milwaukee Law after Shock

We see the wapuan correctional facility we see a man named Larry Edwards who was found guilty 2 years ago of a murder of a boy that he raped in

Milwaukee country a case that peters and Megan prosecutor and ray and his detectives investigate we see him eating his breakfast she has a

conversation with another rapist

MR. Scott  

“Heard you did okay last night”.

Larry Edwards looks at Scott

Larry  

“Meatloaf and mash”.

 Scott  

“A couple of Dr Peppers”.

Another man name Jeff who is serving a 25years to life for a murder in

Merrill Wisconsin  

Jeff  

“I would've gone with a pizza, sausage and pepper”.

Larry looks at the guys  

Larry  

“I am not on death row “

Jeff  

“Maybe I should start over”.

Scott  

“I bet you get a real kick out of that.

Now's not a good time to go crybaby, Mickey.

Yeah, right.”

Larry leaves to go back to his cell  

Larry  

“In your dreams”.

He goes to his cell which he is approach by a guard  

Jason  

“You sure about the priest?”

Mr. Edwards goes to Church every Sunday trying to find his faith  

Larry  

“I’m sure”.

Jason  

“How about the curtain? “

Larry  

“What about it?”

Jason  

“It's your choice, Mr.

Edwards. Open or closed?”

Larry  

“What would you like?”

Jason  

“Closed.”

Larry  

“Then close the sucker “

Jason  

“Fine.”

Jason leaves as Larry meets in his cell with a priest as they began his

service

Larry  

“Like a damn fish in a barrel”.

Eric  

“Want to say anything?”  

Larry who is dying of aids drops his pants in front of the priest and he

snaps  Larry  

“Do it.”

We approach Ray’s office Ray is talking to Jerry and char on a case that

end when the phone rings  

Ray  

“Curtis here”

Ray looks at Char and jerry

Ray (counties)  

“Thank you, MR. Stone, “

He hangs up the phone  

Ray  

“that was Mr. Stone at appoxirity 8:00 am guards at the Green Bay Prison

Larry Edwards was found dead in his cell they believe he killed himself

after he forced himself on a persist “

Jerry  

“ok after that I need a bit to eat “

He leaves  

We see Megan and Peter driving on Water street in a traffic jam  

Peter  

“They should ban cars in Milwaukee “.

Megan looks at him  

Megan  

“What”

Peter drinks  

Peter  

“no pithy response”  

Megan  

“You leave me speechless”.

Peter  

“Nobody forced you to watch it”.

Megan gets stop on Wisconsin Ave

Megan  

“I can't imagine what it must be like, staring at a clock, knowing the

exact moment”.

Peter  

“Adele Saunders thought she was going to work.

She ended up dead.”

Megan  “Your pity's misplaced.

I'm tired of arguing, peter “.

Peter  

“Good.”

Megan

“You know, I'm not feeling too well.

Must be the flu.”

Peter  

“Yeah, The flu.”

Peter  

“Want to take the day? No, I've got Silverman”.

Megan  

“I'll cover”.

Peter  

“What? You sure? Okay, fine”.

Peter gets out of car  

Megan  

“I'll drop you off at the office”.

Peter  

“No problem”.

Megan  

“And you've got Schwinger”.

Peter  

“She'll wait. I’ll take a cab.”

Megan  

“Maybe you'll feel better”.

Peter  

“I'll call you later.”

We go back to Ray’s Office we see char and ray  Char

“Hell, of a way to spend your day off.”

Ray sits down  

Ray  

“He just twitched”.

Jerry  

“his eyes were wide open, case closed.”

Char  

“What did you expect, a dozen archangels strumming their harps?”  

Ray  

Well, Larry Edwards going to have nothing to do with angels.

Who knows? Maybe somebody somewhere will learn something from this.

Yeah, the 30 friends and neighbors that cheered when he ripped off Greg

Boyce pants and raped him.”

Jerry  

“You want to get some Chinese, char? I guess death make me hungry.”

Char  

“Actually, I've got some files I've got to finish up.”

Jerry  

“Hey, watch out, Lieutenant.

This kid's gunning for your job”.

Ray  

“Yeah, well, it doesn't get her any overtime.”

They go outside to their office where the clapping begins  

Steve  

“So, where you are going, to Disneyland?”  

Jerry

“Knock it off, Profaci.”

Mike  

“What's up with him?”

Char sits down  

Char  

“He lost the lotto.” Ray  

“Takes it personal.”

Steve  

“Beginning of a new era, huh, Ray?”  

Jerry  

“We're just lucky that Edwards kept his lawyers out of it until the

bitter end.”

We go into Peter’s office where they are discussing a plea deal and

talking about today  

Kim  

“So, what's it like, man? What? was the guy green when you saw him? Does he lose control of his bodily functions or what? That would be cruel and

unusual.”

Peter  

“Yeah.”

Johnny gets his brief cases out

Johnny  

“For the poor SOB who had to clean up the vomit when they found him.”

Peter gets to business  

Kim  

“Man, two peters? Three-to-nine?”  

Peter  

“Not a chance Man one. Five-to-15.”

Johnny  

“Is that the best you can do? A bird in the hand, David.

Right.”

Peter  

“My mistake.”

They look at Peter  

Kim  

“you guys give us a moment “

They leave  

Kim looks at her friend from Law school  

Kim

“what’s going on”

Peter  

“I don’t think I should have came to work “

Kim  

“is it because of your father “

Peter  

“just a little bit “

Kim  

“I forgot how easy this job is for you when you don't have any choices.

Marissa and Kevin Mandalay.”

The come back in  

Peter  

“Nothing to talk about, Man one all around.”

Kim  

“Come on, peter.”

Johnny  

“Marissa's an honors student, a member of the math club.

Who likes to hold up bodegas?”

Peter  

“Oh, that was Kevin.”

Johnny  

“Marissa just thought they were going in for Ding Dongs.

With an Uzi?”  

Kim  

“She's a good kid, peter.”

Johnny  

“Give her aiding and abetting.”

Kim  

“Kevin, he goes the distance.”

Peter  

“Sorry.”

Kim then calls Peter out of the office  

Kim  

“I love as a Friend and as college friend and co-worker please what’s

going on “

Peter  

“I am just not in the mood “

Kim  

“did you call Stacy”

Peter  

“she won’t help”

Kim  

“I get it you hate losing and I know she needs take reasonability for

her actions so let’s talk about it on Monday “

Peter nods  

Kim  

“when is Megan going to be in the office “

Peter  

“she’s thinking of quitting “

Kim  

“so that’s what’s bothering you “

Peter  

“yes”

They walk into peter’s office

Peter  

“I will make you an offer on one condition”

Johnny  

“were open ears peter “

Peter  

“we wait until Monday morning “

Johnny looks at Kim  

Johnny  

“deal”

We see Jerry eating lunch without char with a bunch of guys  

Buddy  

“So, me and Jerry are still in uniform.”

Jerry eats his Chinese  

Jerry  

“yeah and in 25 years on force in Milwaukee I have never seen a dumb

crime “

Buddy  

“tell them about the case that happen 3 years ago “

Jerry  

“oh, so we had a simple assault case and the mother came to bail him out

and “

Buddy  

“the bail was 650 and she paid all of it “

Jerry  

“in Nickels “

They all laugh  

The waiter comes in  

Glen  

“so, do you guys want any more “

Jerry  

“I am leaving I got go see my son”

Glen  

“that will be 12.50”

Jerry  

“here’s a 20 and keep the change handsome “

They all laugh  

We approach the 2-9 where Ray and Char are working on the Larry Edwards

case for paper work  

Char  

“I can’t do this anymore”

Ray  

“what’s the problem “

Char  

“why are we still working on this “

Ray  

“unknown victims “

Char  

“I can’t take this right now”

Steve comes in  

Steve  

“what’s the matter “

Ray  

“let’s go home for the day and come back later I think this whole day is

getting us where we are now “

Steve

“ok”

They leave  

we approach the DA office Ryan comes into peter office  

Ryan  

“I got to do a news conference to do and I don’t want to do it “

Peter  

“It will be fine “

Ryan  

“it’s not New York city where it’s a death sentence “

Peter  

“I know my Father was the DA there for 25 years “

Ryan

“ok, where is Megan”

Peter  

“she’s got the Flu “

Ryan  

“alright what are you doing “

Peter  

“I am going have lunch with J.K and Liz “

Ryan  

“ok”

They leave the office  

We approach Peter who is at a lunch with the two  

Olivet  

“so, they found him hanging “

Peter  

“yes “

J.k comes in sits at the table

J.k

“well how is the family of Greg Boyce and John Kohler doing “

Peter  

“I spoke to Linda and James and they don’t want to talk about it “

Olivet  

“well I can see that after 3 years you think they got the courage to

talk “

Peter drinking his water  

Peter  

“no “

J.k

“how many killings was he suspected of “

Peter  

“30 Killing , 60 rapes , then these are all boys  “

Olivet  

“well I got a patient at four about this “

Peter  

“what’s good here “

J.K

“the pasta is “

Peter  

“good I’ll have that “

Olivet  

“oh speaking that , I got the Kimberly Neweman file for you “

J.K

“that is brutal “

Olivet  

“she kills her husband simple because she didn’t get what she got in the

Divorce “

Peter  

“sounds Like Diane Brochardt “

J.K  

“copy cat “

Peter  

“can we just eat”

They look at peter  

Olivet  

“you saw a man dead and you were supposed to do nothing “

We approach Jerry eating Lunch with his son at Beans and Barley where they talk about life in general starting with the Whitehouse  

Jerry  

“Can you believe Richie? “

His son James looks at him

James  

“I am voting for Bartlett “

Jerry  

“I am too”

James  

“well my basketball season went well “

Jerry  

“tell me about it “

James  

“well We lost in the Sectional Finals to Pewaukee finished 20-6 “

Jerry  

“they should add two more games “

James  

“ha-ha, I miss when Division 1 Had three days at Madison “

Jerry

“same “

Jerry keeps on eating  

James  

“what’s going dad “

Jerry looks at his son  

Jerry  

“this morning I was called to Dodge County and I saw a body of an inmate that I arrested, and I wasn’t supposing Invest age my Job is to see dead people daily and then fine the son of a bitch who did it and today I

didn’t “

James  

“dad don’t feel bad “

Jerry  

“thank you “

We see Peter at a bar on Milwaukee’s Brady Street where he is still waiting to hear from Megan he talks with the Bartender  

Peter  

“it’s a Bitch? who the wife the husband, the kids, and then he’s like

yeah all of those things”

Mike  

“you Ben Stone’s son “

Peter  

“yeah “

Mike  

“I have never seen you before here but only on tv “

Peter  

“My old man was a DA in New York for 30 years he has worked notable cases like the case involving Frankie Boy Jordan “

Mike  

“the Mob of New York”

Peter  

“yes, and his down fall was the mob”

Mike  

“tell me about it “

Peter takes a drink and starts talking  

Peter  

“he was trying a case that had a wittiness that was in fear for her life and when he return after the not guilty verdict came in the men that were on trial went after her and shot her so I was about 16 my mother was home and she heard the door slam my father was down stairs drinking he did not come up my mother was worried it was 11 pm she found him dead

“

(the Music gets tense)  

We approach the 2-9 where we see ray on the phone with Steve wife

Ray  

“hey how are you doing I am good, he left but I will check and get back

to you “

Ray walks out and see Jason  

Ray  

“hey Soderberg where did Steve go off too “

Jason  

“I think he went get away “ Ray  

“well his wife is calling “

Jason  

“I will call him “

Ray  

“Thank you “

We see Steve out in Bayshore Mail just reading a book and eating a

pretzel where he gets a call on his cell  

Steve  

“hello”

It’s his wife  

Steve

“hey what’s, I am in Whitefish Bay right now you want to come up,

alright see you in bit “

He keeps on reading  

We approach Jerry and his son walking in Walker’s point  

Jerry  

“so, who are you playing for non-conference “

Ken  

“we play two games in New York then we play Tosa West , Tosa east ,

Wisco , and Milwaukee Washington”

Jerry  

“you trying to get a one Seed “

Ken   “yeah”

Jerry  

“do you know who your playing in New York “  

Ken  

“We are playing Buffalo East and La Luleuime “  

Jerry  

“wow “

Ken  

“I get back to work if you need anything just let me know “

Jerry  

“thank you “

We approach Marquette Law School where Megan’s Brother Max is teaching

she enters as  

Max  

“how is it possible that DOMA and Prop 8 where struck down in the courts, while other cases had the react opposite holding? Miss Johnson?”

Johnson  

“the 14th Amendment “

Max  

“you are partly correct “

Johnson just looks dumbfounded

Max  

“remember class what did the people that were fighting case want, Miss

Johnson try again “

Johnson  

“Equal protection “

Max  

“that is correct, class the people wanted to be treated just like everyone eles it wasn’t about a social event that they were going to

remember that now “

Class is dismissed  

Megan waits for her brother

Max  

“you here for a re do “

Megan  

“some things never change, you pulled equal rights stuff on me “

Max

“no, we are talking about the 14th Ademenht, what do you want to talk

about “

Megan  

“Larry Edwards “

Max  

“I heard he committed suicide”

Megan  

“I still wish Wisconsin had the death plenty “

Max  

“I can tell you why I am not for it and why I am here instead of the

court room in Chicago “

Megan  

“why are you against it “

Max

“let’s go up to my office “

We approach the Bar where Jerry comes in  

Jerry looks at the bar as peter is on the phone probably to Adam  

Jerry  

“is this seat taken “

Hank  

“yes, my friend “

Jerry  

“who is your friend “

Hank points  

Jerry turns around  

Jerry  

“oh great, this guy is trouble you do know that “

Peter  

“Jerry how’s it going “

Jerry  

“I need a Club Soda “

Hank  

“long day”

Jerry  

“no depression “

Peter  

“hank Cheer him up “

We go back to Max’s office where he and Megan are discussing Larry

Edwards  

Max  

“so, he died “

Megan  

“yes “

Max  

“why do you care “

Megan  

“because my Boss and I had a fight”

Max

“your fighting with Stone “

Megan  

“yeah “

Max  

“remember what Penn taught you, and you will be fine “

Megan  

“yeah, “

Max  

“your mother and father want you to come and visit “

Megan just looks and leaves

We approach Ray and Megan at the 2-9  

Ray  

“man, I order way too much “

Jake  

“well what do you want to do “

Megan comes in  

Ray  

“hey you what’s up “

Megan  

“not much “

Ray

“I order the orange Chicken and general Tso with Pancakes do you want

any of it “

Megan  

“sure, Death makes me hungry “

Ray

“what do you want you pick “

Megan  

“give me that general “

They start eating  

Ray  

“so, how’s the office “

Megan  

“I am good “

Ray  

“it’s a mess trying to get Larry Edwards confession in writing for the

court it’s so brutal”

Megan  

“Ryan did a Press conference “

Ray  

“I saw that “

Steve comes in  

Steve  

“hey sorry to bother you but Kate is doing a press conference “

They turn it on  

Ray and Megan watch the confessions  

Ray

“ok change the channel “

Megan  

“it’s so brutal “

Megan eats a pancake

Megan  

“how’s Jess doing “

Ray  

“busy with the kids they so adorable “

Megan  

“I had a reunion today”

Ray  

“with who “

Megan  

“my Brother Max he teaches at Marquette “

Ray  

“how did that go “

Megan

“very Painful “

Ray  

“I am sorry to hear that “

Megan  

“I went to Law school at Penn and he went to Law school at Marquette “

Ray

“I went to Uw-Milwaukee with a background in ASL,what is the difference

”

Megan  

“he always thinks I am better “

Ray  

“I know give it time “

Megan  

“my mother was always struck towards him”

Ray  

“why”

Megan  

“cause he’s Hard of hearing “

Ray  

“well maybe I can sign back and forth to him “

Megan  

“you have deaf family members “

Ray

“my Mother and my mother In-law”

Megan

“he tried taking ASL and tried being in the deaf community but everyone

rejected him”

Ray  

“yeah it can be a tough journey “

Megan phones ring  

Megan  

“I got take this “

Ray  

“you know Jerry needs a driver “

We approach Ray and his wife Jess ray is just tired after a long day and

writing a letter  

Jess  

“hey Darling “

Ray  

“hey”

Jess  

“what are you doing it’s almost midnight “

Ray  

“writing a letter to my mother “

Jess  

“read it for me “  

Ray  

“Hey mom it’s almost midnight and I don’t know why I am up it was a day like not many happen expect the state of Wisconsin got it’s wish when an inmate killed himself he deserved what happen to him , a 16 year old boy walking down the street he raped and murdered him I suppose I should feel great about the man’s death or bad or guilty I don’t know  “

Jess  

“don’t lie to Dorthey “

Ray  

“I am not trying to lie “

Jess  

“darling “

Ray just looks at his wife

We returned to the bar where Jerry and hank are playing pool Megan walks

in  

Hank  

“man, you guys should quit your job and join the pool team here “

Jerry  

“I like my job “

Hank  

“you do “

They laugh  

Megan walks in  

Hank  

“hey you know her “

Jerry  

“let me see “

Megan  

“you know me don’t play me”

Jerry  

“oh yes consular what’s up

Megan  

“Peter called me.”

Jerry  

“Peter? peter turned into a basketball.”

He sits his drinks down  

Jerry  

“Can I buy you a drink, Counselor?”  

Megan  

“No, thanks”.

Jerry  

“Okay

I got one for you.

Jerry  

“How come California has the most lawyers, and New Jersey has the most

toxic dumps? Because New Jersey got first pick.

You don't get it.”

Megan gives him the look  

Megan  

“Look, why don't you get your coat, and I'll drive you home?”  

Jerry  

“Home”

The drunk jerry keeps going

Jerry  

“Where in the car Where to? I used to know”.

Jerry and Megan in the car jerry is still talking  

Jerry  

“So, this morning really bummed you out.”

Do I look bummed out to you? You know, it wouldn't be so terrible.”

Megan looks over at jerry

Megan  

“What's that?”

Jerry  

“If you were my kid.”

Megan sort laughs it off  

Megan  

“I guess I should take that as a compliment.”

Jerry keeps rambling  

Jerry  

“Hey, you're smart, you're pretty, you got a good job, and you don't

hate my guts.”

Megan looks at her passenger

Megan  

“Jerry, I doubt your son hates you.”

Jerry sighs  

Jerry  

“No, you don't know. You don't know him.

I don't even know him. I never will”.

A car droved by drunk driver slams into Megan’s Car as it honks at her  

Ray (voice over)  

"A crowd of people stood and cheered when he raped him.

"They were supposedly good people, "and they didn’t do anything.

"Then he beat him to death with a baseball bat.

"And today the state of Wisconsin and the city of Milwaukee got its

revenge. "It's not enough, and it's not too much”

.

"  

Jerry just watched as he injured and a dead body lays in the car  

End of 1.8  

[theliterateape]

Birthday Reflections of a Year in Lockdown

By David Himmel

I read a meme or a post or some kind of thing on the Faceborg the other day that said, “Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people.” It struck me because, like many of us, tradition was a big thing in my house growing up. Often used as a guilt magnifier to help hone good behavior. And I like it because if this past year has showed us anything it’s that the only tradition really worth maintaining for whatever possible reason is change.

Things change. Things need to change. Evolution > Tradition.

That said, I also like the tradition I lifted from Don Hall, which is to write an essay on one’s birthday about the things one has learned on their most recent trip around the orange fireball at the center of our lonely little solar system. And Don Hall is not dead. Yet. So, I guess this is less tradition and more, um, inspired peer pressure.

I’ve been at this shit for forty-two full years now. It’s been mostly fun. There were those three years at the tail end of my twenties that nearly killed me but I came out of them with a novel and the ability to shoot tequila. So, you know, win. And, I managed to forge a few really solid friendships despite the alcoholic and depressed cloud that surrounded me much like Pig-Pen’s cloud of dirt. I’m long past those Dark Days, and yet, I still manage to bring them up in casual conversation or pre-dawn essay writing. And that is a perfect way to dive into the things I’ve learned this past year.

I am extremely and arguably absurdly emotionally attached to things This is more of a reminder, or a reinforcement of what’s blindingly obvious to me. This personality quirk—or defect, depending on who you are and how you choose to look at me—is flexing pretty hard right now as we plan to move from this apartment of eight years to a new house in a new Chicago neighborhood. Moving is the perfect time to purge and I’m just not sure I can bid farewell to things I know I’ll have to leave behind. Yeah, yeah, I know all about the Marie Kondo thing of items sparking joy. But I go one deeper: Keep items that spark reference. Maybe I should have been a museum curator instead of a writer and creative director. Because to me, just about everything is worthy of historical preservation. That includes a pair of boxer briefs I bought over twenty-one years ago. (More on that in another forthcoming essay.) It’s not that I’m incapable of throwing things out, it’s just that it’s harder for me than most. But when I reach the stage of acceptance that some history is best preserved in one’s mind and the time comes to put something behind me or on the curb, I do so with abandon and a swiftness unmatched. Done is done. Maybe I’ll write about it. Maybe it’s the next novel.

Writing takes a different kind of energy now When the idea of being a writer was a goal, I could churn out typed pages for days all while wearing a big smile on my face. Then I started to get paid for it. Then work got busy. Then the kid woke up. Then the dog had to go out. Then… then… then… I’ve spent the last year or so retraining myself to be a writer. Yes, I can still do it and I do, but it has since come to feel like another responsibility, another piece of accountability I lug around like Marley’s chains. Inspiration fits differently on this overtly domesticated body.

I really like He-Man But not in the gay way. Although there’s nothing wrong with that. The Masters of the Universe was my favorite cartoon and my favorite toys when I was only slightly older than my son is now. This year, Mattel released all new Masters of the Universe origin figures. I saw He-Man and Skeletor hanging on a shelf in Target one day and just about lost my mind. These figures are now fully poseable and, well, I needed them. I took a photo and sent it to my good friends Dr. Jarret Keene and Don Hall teasing them with, “My birthday is coming up!”—it was, like, February. The next day, an Amazon box arrived at my place. In it was He-Man, Skeletor, and fucking Battle Cat! Jarret sent me an early birthday present. Do I play with these things? Yep! It’s a great way to procrastinate. It completely removes my mind from the work at hand, the horrors of the news, and the blood-boiling stupidity of social media’s doom scrolling.

Shortly after I received these toys, I realized that He-Man has been a constant all my life. I own the entire series on DVD and have for decades. My favorite dish in the house is a plastic Masters of the Universe plate that’s older than my baby brother and is completely dishwasher safe. I have a Lordi band t-shirt stylized like the Masters of the Universe logo. I still think Evil-lyn is hotter than Teela, and I’ll argue to my death that the 1987 live-action Masters of the Universe film starring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella as He-Man and Skeletor respectively is the greatest project Courtney Cox has ever participated in. Speaking of…

Friends still sucks The jokes, most storylines, and character developments beyond season four do not hold up. It’s almost like those episodes were written by out of touch white baby boomers. Oh, yeah, they were.

I need to pause and be proud of myself every now and again I’ve never been one to rest on their laurels. And I’ve never been one for daily affirmations or being really proud of making little steps toward a big goal. I’m not that shallow or weak. But being asked to write for The Atlantic and the President of the United States is pretty cool—and kind of a big deal. 

Our marriage should be good There’s never really a good time for anyone to put their marriage on coast, but I think we’ll be okay. At least for a little while, the need to panic over the state of our affairs is behind us. Katie and I managed to get through (most) of a global pandemic going into it a little burned out from parenthood and personal failings, but here we are, getting along better and generally pretty excited for the future of things. Maybe Katie has a different perspective on things. I don’t know. We don’t talk much. 

I do have Hollywood looks Despite how much I dislike my big nose and my twisted, bony frame, I always felt I was at least mostly good looking. Maybe even good looking by Hollywood standards. Tell me I don’t look like Adrian Brody or Steve Carrell or Mr. Bean or the new Elliot Page. I swear, I saw this photo of Page and my first thought was, “Holy shit, Elliot page has a picture of me in a Las Vegas pool in 2003. That’s weird.”

I’ve become almost perfectly comfortable with my discomfort with my American Judaism Too much to unpack right here right now. But I’m confident by age forty-three, I’ll have no problem telling American Zionists to fuck themselves in the face with an Uzi with the same passion I’d tell a Trump-supporting, Capitol-storming racist to fuck themselves with their stupid Confederate flags.

Paying attention pays off It’s easy to pay close attention to my son growing up. That’s the warning everyone gives new parents: pay attention because the time goes by so fast. I keep a good eye on the kid and his development and I try to appreciate all of the little moments. Thankfully, I have the Literate ApeCast as a solid documentation of this very thing. But paying close attention to your children makes it real easy to forget about yourself. And your partner. I’ve had to learn to pay better attention to everyone’s development in my household. Myself included. Keeping one eye on yourself helps keep you grounded, focused, and on task to be the Master of the Universe just like you always wanted to be.

 Keep going, kid, you’re not an old man yet.

[david-was-here]

Songs of 2017

So like last year I’m listing my favorite songs of the year in no real particular order. And this year I think I listened to more music than I have ever for this entire year! So expect this to be BIG!!! The critera here is songs released in 2017, which includes singles and deep cuts, as well as songs that were released in 2016 but are hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and songs that were technically released in 2016 but are singles in 2017. Link to a playlist I made on Spotify. So without a further adieu...

Little Bubble, Cool Your Heart (feat. Dawns), Death Spiral, Up the Hudson, Work Together, I See You - the Dirty Projectors

(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano, Plastic 100°C, Kora Sings, Under, Blood on Me, Reverse Faults, Timmy’s Prayer, What Shouldn’t I Be? - Sampha

Hot Thoughts, WhisterI’lllistentohearit, Do I Have to Talk You Into It, First Caress - Spoon

Dangerous, A Violent Noise, Replica, I Dare You, A Violent Noise (Four Tet Remix), Say Something Lovely, Lips - the xx

Pure Comedy, Ballad of the Dying Man, Total Entertainment Forever, Leaving LA, WHne the God of Love Returns There’ll be Hell to Pay - Father John Misty

Avalon, Mrs. Adams, Trauma - Foxygen

In a Body Like a Grave - Japandroids

Things Are Right with You, Enter Entirely, Strange Year, Up to the Surface, Internal World - Cloud Nothings

My Old Man, This Old Dog, For the First Time, One Another, A Wolf Who Wears Sheeps Clothes, On the Level, Watching Him Fade Away - Mac DeMarco

That’s What I Like - Bruno Mars

Scared to be Lonely (feat. Dua Lupa), There for You (feat. Troye Sivan) - Martin Garrix

Call Casting, Bad and Boujee (feat. Lil Uzi Vert), Get Right Witcha, Slippery (feat. Gucci Mane), T-Shirt, Big on Big, Brown Paper Bag, Stir Fry - Migos

Nyakinyua Rise, Enigma - Jlin

Show You the Way (feat. Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins), Friend Zone, Uh Uh, Lava Lamp, Where I’m Going  - Thundercat

Thinning, Dirt, Slug, - Snail Mail

So Close - Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

Doomsday, Shiver and Shake, Anything I Say to You Now, Breakdown, Outbound Train, Broken Anyway - Ryan Adams

Undercover, Keep On, Advice - Kehlani

Big for Your Boots, Cold - Stormzy

Minnesota, Country Song, Tour, Virgo - the Courtneys

BagBak, Big Fish, Love Can Be..., Homage, Crabs in a Bucket, Party People - Vince Staples

Leila 20, Nothing Feels Natural, No Big Bang, Nicki - Priests

Sleepwalker, Melting Grid, All the Land Glimmered - Julie Byrne

For You (DJ Koze Mbira Remix) - Michael Mayer and Joe Goddard

Slide (feat. Frank Ocean and Migos) Heatstroke (feat. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams, and Ariana Grande), Holiday (feat. Snoop Dogg, John Legend, and Takeoff), Feels (feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, and Big Sean), Cash Out (feat. ScHoolboy Q, PartyNextDoor, and DRAM) - Calvin Harris

Love, Change, Get Free - Lana Del Rey

Green Light, Liability, Homemade Dynamite, Sober II (Melodrama), Supercut, Perfect Places, Homemade Dynamite (Remix) (feat. Khalid, Post Malone, & SZA), Sober - Lorde (really just the album Melodrama but still...)

Bleeding in the Bus - Code Orange

Not This Time, Anything Could Happen, Breathing Room - Bash & Pop

Chanel, Biking (feat. Jay-Z and Tyler, the Creator) - Frank Ocean

Third of May/Ōdaigahara, Fool’s Errand, Cassius, -, Kept Woman, One Another Ocean (January/June), Mearcstapa - Fleet Foxes

Slip Away, Otherside, Go Ahead, Wreath, Braid, Every Night, Choir, Die 4 You, Sides - Perfume Genius

Tellin’ Lies, Midwestern States, House on Fire, After the Party - the Menzingers

Shake Em Off - Syd

Pleasure, Get Not High, Get Not Low, Lost Dreams, Any Party, A Man is Not His Song, Century (feat. Jarvis Cocker) - Feist

Kinda Bonkers - Animal Collective

Free Smoke, Get it Together (feat. Black Coffee and Jorja Smith), Madiba Riddim, Passionfruit - Drake

The Heat Part 4, HUMBLE., ELEMENT., FEEL., LUST., XXX. (feat. U2), FEAR., DUCKWORTH., DNA. - Kendrick Lamar

Crazy Crazy (feat. Charli XCX & Kyary Pamyu Pamyu) - Yasutaka Nakata

Ran, Cave, Time on Her Side, Through the Roses, North Star, Ancient Water, Day Glow Fire - Future Islands

Ascension (feat. Vince Staples), Andromeda (feat. DRAM), Strobelite (feat. Peven Everett), Momentz (feat. De La Soul), Out of Body (Kilo Kish, Zebra Katz, & Imani Vonsha), Let Me Out (feat. Mavis Staples & Pusha T), Sleeping Powder, Garage palace (feat. Little Simz), Saturnz Barz (feat. Popcaan) - Gorillaz

Daisy, Animal, Exercise, Dreams of Grandeur - Wavves

This is the World of the Theater, Whiteout Conditions, Colosseums - the New Pornographers

Limerence - Yves Tumor

Seaweed, Ravens, Swims - Mount Eerie

Sugar for the Pill, Slowmo, Star Roving, Don’t Know Why, Everyone Knows, No Longer Making Time - Slowdive

Cold Cold Cold - Cage the Elephant

Don’t Take the Money, All My Heroes, Dream of Mickey Mantle, I Miss Those Days - Bleachers

Stay (feat. Alessia Cara) - Zedd

iSpy (feat. Lil Yachty) - KYLE

Sign of the Times, Two Ghosts, Sweet Creatures, Ever Since New York, From the Dining Table - Harry Styles

The Cure - Lady Gaga

FOR MY PEOPLE, TEMPTATION, RING THE ALARM (feat. Nyck Caution, Kirk Knight, & Meechy Darko), AMERIKKKAN IDOL - Joey Bada$$

‘71: I Think I’ll make Another World, ‘88 Ethan Frome, ‘92: Weird Diseases, ‘01 Have You Seen It in Snow?, ‘05: Never Again, ’66: Wonder Where I’m From, ’67: Come Back as a Cockroach, ’68: A Cat Called Dionysus, ’69: Judy Garland, ‘73L It Could Have Been Paradise, ’77: Life Ain’t Bad, ’98: Lovers’Lies, ’04: Cold-Blooded Man, ’12: You Can Never Go Back to New York, ’14: I Wish I Had Pictures - the Magnetic Fields

Broken Halos, Either Way, Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning, Millionaire, Scarecrow in the Garden - Chris Stapleton

Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe), Nightmare Logic, Waiting Around to Die - Power Trip

Minneapolis, 100 Years, Cleaning House, Cold Apartment, Alive and a Well - Vagabon

The Bus Song, 1 Billion Dogs, Take It - Jay Som

Halfway Home, Skyline, Stay Happy, Hug of Thunder, Towers and Masons, Victim Lover - Broken Social Scene

Truth, Humility, Integrity - Kamasi Washington

Want You Back, Nothing’s Wrong, Little of Your Love - HAIM

In Cold Blood, Adeline - alt-J

Hungry Ghost, the Navigator, Rican Beach, Pa���lante - Hurray for the Riff Raff!

Feel it Still (even though I grew sick of it by the end of 2017) - Portugal. the Man

French Press, Julie’s Place, Fountain of Good Fortune - Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever

Gone, Gone, Gone, Time Will Tell - the Feelies

Wedding in Finistere, What’s That Perfume That You Wear?, How We Met, the Long Version, How Can I Tell Him - Jens Lekman

Thinking of a Place, Holding On, Up all Night, Pain, Strangest Thing, In Chains, You Don’t have to Go - the War on Drugs

call the police, oh baby, other voices, tonite, emotional haircut, american dream - LCD Soundsystem

The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness, Day I Die, Born to Beg, Guilty Party, Carin at the Liquor Store, Turtleneck - the National

Close But Not Quite (feat. Sampha) - Everything is Recorded

Symphony (feat. Zara Larsson) - Clean Bandit

Heavydirtysoul - Twenty One Pilots

Love on the Brain - Rihanna

Wild Fire, Nouel - Laura Marling

Mildenhall - the Shins

Renato Dall’Ara (2008), Here’s to the Fourth Time!, For Whom the Belly Tolls, Hung Empty - Los Campesinos!

Yer Killin’ Me, Art School, Crash Test Rating, Strawberita, Trying 2 Fool U, I’m My Own Doctor - Remo Drive

God Bless Ohio, Window Sash Weights - Sun Kil Moon

Darling, Serve the Song, Stained Glass, White Light - Real Estate

3AM (Pull Up) (feat. MØ), Roll With Me, Boys, Backseat (feat. Carly Rae Jepsen), Femmebot (feat. Dorian Electra and Mykki Blanco), Out of My Head (feat. Alma and Tove Lo) - Charli XCX

Lucid, Anxi. (feat. Jenny Hval), Evolution, Bird - Kelly Lee Owens

Paradise, Ricochet - ANOHNI

Cut to the Feeling - Carly Rae Jepsen

Golden Cage - Nilüfer Yanya

Bad Liar - Selena Gomez

Can’t Help It - Baba Stiltz

Forever Young (feat. Diplo), Better (feat. Stefflon Don), Dirty Mouth, All Around Me (feat. YG and Kamaiyah) - Lil Yachty

Run - Foo Fighters

Everything Now, Signs of Life, Put Your Money on Me - Arcade Fire

Strangers (feat. Lauren Jauregui) - Halsey

Met Gala (feat. Offset) - Gucci Mane

J-Boy, Ti Amo, Goodbye Soleil, Tuttifrutti, Fleur de Lys - Phoenix

Hard Times, Told You So, Forgiveness, Idle Worship, Rose-Colored Boy - Paramore

Open Water, Melting, Billabong Valley, Anoxia, Doom City - King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

Something Just Like This (feat. Coldplay) - the Chainsmokers (I’M SO SORRY)

You Never Loved Me, Rollercoasters - Aimee Mann

Alexys, Crushed Glass - Freddie Gibbs

The Call, Wondering, At Last, At Last - Xiu Xiu

Castle on the Hill - Ed Sheeran

Chelsea Hotel #2 - Kyle Craft

My Old Man, All the Best - Zac Brown Band

Build You Up - Kamaiyah

Praying, Let ‘Em Talk (feat. Eagles of Death Metal), Rainbow, Hunt You Down, Boots, Spaceship, Bastards - Kesha

911/Mr. Lonely (feat. Frank Ocean and Steve Lacy), Foreword (feat. Rex Orange County), Who Dat Boy (feat. A$AP Rocky), Pothole (feat. Jaden Smith), Boredom (feat. Rex Orange County and Anna of the North), I Ain’t Got Time!, November, See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis) - Tyler, the Creator

New York, Pills, Los Ageless, Happy Birthday, Johnny, Fear the Future, Slow Disco, Sugarboy - St. Vincent

Trees on Fire (feat. Amber Mark and Marco Mckinnis) - DJDS

Exhumed, Siphon, Veka, Wiseblood, Remains - Zola Jesus

Never Been Wrong, 8 Ball, Silver, Brass Beam - Waxahatchee

I Promise - Radiohead

I Don’t Wanna Die in This Town, Bad Luck Charm, She Hates Everybody - Old 97′s

In Undertow, Plimsoll Punks, Not My Baby, Lollipop (Ode to Jim), Foreget About Life - Alvvays

Cario and Southern - Son Volt

Magnolia - Playboi Carti

I Don’t Like You, Jucebox Baby - the Regrettes

Give me a Reason, Quiet - Ibibio Sound Machine

Speakerbox, Bait Face (feat. Scratchy), Laptop (feat. Manga) - Wiley

If We Were Vampires, Cumberland Gap, Anxiety, Molotov, Hope the High Road - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

One of Us - New Politics

Saunter, Urchin, Castration, Whip, Desafio - Arca

If You’re Here – Cornelius

The World’s Best American Band, Judy French, Little Silver Cross, the Satch, Party Next Door, Another Day – White Reaper

The Violence – Rise Against

G.K.A.C., I Only, Bangladesh (feat. Heems), Help (feat. Edan and Wiki), You Can Do It! (Give Up) – Your Old Droog

Nickelodeon Girls, Meme Machine, I Do It for My Hood, She’s So Nice, Uber Pussy, High School Blink193, I Will Get a Vasectomy – Pink Guy (RIP)

Sixteen, Bite Back, Leo, Barf Day, Tummy Ache – Diet Cig

Forrest, Birhtdays, Song for You, Shine – the Smith Street band

Misery, Black Rain – Creeper

Long Time, Fragments – Blondie

123, Sleepless, Your Heart, Powerplant, It Gets More Blue – Girlpool

Proud, Bobby, Witch, Judge, Powerful Man – (Sandy) Alex G

Déjà Vu, Picture That, Broken Bones – Roger Waters

The Great Debate, Lost Without You, Wandering Boy – Randy Newman

Street Power, Knuckle Up – Ho99o9

Love Galore (feat. Travi$ Scott), Drew Barrymore, Prom, Garden (Say It Like Dat), Broken Clocks, the Weekend – SZA

Shark Smile, Watering – Big Thief

Lights Out – Royal Blood

Cry of the Martyrs, the Underside of Power, Cleveland, the Cycle/the Spiral: Time to Go Down Slowly, Walk Like a Panther, Death March – Algiers

Crybaby, Tin Can – Kevin Morby

Da Next Day (feat. Big Rube), Order of Operations – Big Boi

No Halo, A Portrait Of, Disappeared, Second Letter from St. Julien, Leave the Fan On – Sorority Noise

Met me in the Street, Just Can’t Get Enough, Rank and File, Turn it Up, Milk and Honey, Pure desire, Can’t Play it Cool – Sheer Mag

Boyish, 12 Steps, The Body is a Blade – Japanese Breakfast

The Moth, Lead, SD, the Wolf – Manchester Orchestra

SHC, Static Space Lover – Foster the People

Just Like Love, Weakness, Wild Woman, All American Made – Margo Price

Dean’s Room – Allison Crutchfield

S.A.D., Bravado – Kirin J Callinan

For Cypresses, Three Rings, Systole – Grizzy Bear

War is Coming (If You Want It), Beach Life-in-Death – Car Seat Headrest

The Way You Used to Do, Domesticated Animals, Feet Don’t Fail Me – Queens of the Stone Age

Call it Dreaming, the Truest Stars We Know – Iron & Wine

Less Than, the Background World – Nine Inch Nails

Nomadm All I C is U & Me, NVR 4EVR, Holy Books – Death from Above

No Fear – DeJ Loaf

Four years and One Day, Blue Train Lines (feat. King Krule), Audition, Delta, You Look Certain (I’m Not So Sure) (feat. Andrea Balency), SP12 Beat – Mount Kimbie

Delta, Feels Like Heaven, Dedicated to Bobby Jameson, Bubblegum Dreams, I Wanna Be Young, Dreamdate Narcissist, Acting (feat. Dâm-Funk), Santa’s in the Closet, Time to Live, Another Weekend, Kitchen Witch – Ariel Pink

Half-Ligth (feat. Kelly Zutrau), Gwan – Rostam

Mi Gente (Remix) (feat. Beyoncé) – J Balvin and Willy William

The Man, Run for Cover, Out of My Mind, Have All the Songs Been Written? – the Killers

Don’t Delete the Kisses, Space & Time – Wolf Alice

Righteous Woman – Torres

Prey, Say it First – Sam Smith

Lush, Daughter, Planet – Four Tet

Frontline, Take Me Apart, LMK, Onanon, Waitin – Kelela

I Wanna Be Like You, Numb – Ibeyi

You’re Dreaming, Flies on the Sun, Baby Blue – Wolf Parade

Roots Remain – Mastodon

Medicine, Flowerchild – Citizen

Up All Night, Colors, Seventh Heaven, Square One – Beck

Over Everything, Blue Cheese – Kurt Vile & Courtney Barnett

Biscuit Town, Dum Surfer, Vidual, Half Man Half Shark, the Ooz – King Krule

Processional, the Spaniards, the Long Goodbye, Half-Life of an Autodidact – William Patrick (Billy) Corgan

You Used to Say (Holy Fuck), Grand Finale, Vacation Town – the Front Bottoms

WE KNOW WHERE YOU FUCKING LIVE, Saturnalia – Marilyn Manson

Gone, Double Helix, Want Me Around – Knuckle Puck

Laila’s Wisdom, Power (feat. Kendrick Lamar and Lance Skiiiwalker), Pay Up, Nobody (feat. Anderson .Paak, Black Thought, Moonchild) – Rapsody

In the Morning, Tinseltown Swimming in Blood, Saw You at the Hospital, A Light Travels Down the Catwalk, La Regle du Jeu – Destroyer

16 Psyche, Vex, The Culling, Scrape – Chelsea Wolfe

Little Dark Age – MGMT

Happy Hour, Weekend Woman, Mexican Fender – Weezer

Appointments, Turn Out the Lights, Sour Breath, Televangelist, Even – Julien Baker

Mustn’t Hurry, IDK About You – Fever Ray

Pills – Joji

90’s Kids, Blooming, Cloudy, Float, Straight Boy, Astral Plane – Shamir

Should I – Little Dragon

Mirage, Labyrinth – Toro Y Moi

Do U Love Me, For Y’all (feat. Jacquees), Liger (feat. Carnage)– Young Thug

Sylvia Says, Rest – Charlotte Gainsbourg

Lemon (feat. Rihanna), Voilà (feat. Gucci Mane and Wale), 1000 (feat. Future), Don’t Don’t Do It! (feat. Kendrick Lamar), Rollinem 7’s (feat. André 3000), Secret Life of Tigers, Kites (feat. Kendrick Lamar and M.I.A.) – N.E.R.D.

Jupiter, Ode from Joyce, Quintessence – Benjamin Clementine

The Gate, Body Memory, Courtship, Losses, Tabula Rasa, Claimstaker – Björk

Red Flag Day, You’re the Best Thing About Me, the Little Things That Give You Away – U2

Sky Walker (feat. Travi$ Scott), Banana Clip, Told You So – Miguel

GOLD, STAR, TRIP, SWEET, FACE, GUMMY, QUEER, SWAMP, JUNKY, BOOGIE, RENTAL, ZIPPER,JOHNNY, BLEACH, ALASKA, HOTTIE, HEAT – BROCKHAMPTON

Another Sad Love Song, Young Dumb & Broke – Khalid

Highway Tune – Greta Van Fleet

Gucci Gang – Lil Pump

We Were Beautiful, Sweet Dew Lee – Belle & Sebastian

All I can Think About is You, A L I E N S – Coldplay

Havana (feat. Young Thug) – Camila Cabello

Unforgettable (feat. Sway Lee) – French Montana

Rain in Soho, Andrew Eldritch is Moving Back to Leeds, Unicorn Tolerance, Paid in Cocaine, Abandoned Flesh – the Mountain Goats

Walk on Water (feat. Beyoncé) – Eminem

Strange or Be Forgotten – Temples

Runnin’ Outta Luck, Country Figs, Strangers Kiss (with Angel Olsen) – Alex Cameron

Tonya Harding – Sufjan Stevens

The One to Wait – CCFX

Crossifre/So Into You – Nai Palm

Still Serving – 21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin

Neon Guts (feat. Pharrell Williams), XO TOUR Llif3 – Lil Uzi Vert

Mask Off (Remix) (feat. Kendrick Lamar) – Future

Lay It on Me – Vance Joy

Perplexing Pengasus – Rae Sremmurd

Midnight – Jessie Ware

Blanket Me – Hundred Waters

The Pathways of Our Lives – Mark Barrott

Find Me – Porches

Kill Jay-Z, Smile (feat. Gloira Carter), Caught Their Eyes (feat. Frank Ocean), 4:44, Family Feud (feat. Beyoncé), Bam (feat. Damien Marley), Legacy – Jay-Z

Global (feat. Ilovemakonnen) – Lil B

[kyliejennerpoland-kkjpl-blog]

2.    Khalid - Location 

3.    Migos - Pretty Little Lady

4.    Russ - Pull The Trigger

5.    Russ - Losin Control

6.    Gnash - I hate you, I love you

7.    Lyfe Jennings - S.e.x.

8.    Lil Wayne - Drop The World

9.    Rihanna - Consideration

10. Beyonce - All Night

11. Beyonce ft Kendrick Lamar - Freedom

12. Beyonce - Love Drought

13. Drake - Child's play

14. Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy

15. Drake - One Dance

16. Beyonce - Hold Up

17. Jeremih ft Tink - Don't Tell Nobody

18. Dreezy ft. Jeremih - Body

19. Fort Minor - Where'd You Go

20. Harry Hudson - Stop

22. Sorry Not Sorry — Bryson Tiller

23. Come And See Me — PnD ft. Drake

24. Still Brazy — YG

25. One Dance — Drake

26. Work — Rihanna ft. Drake

27. Waves — Kanye West ft. Chris Brown

28. Don't Let Me Down — The Chainsmokers ft. Daya

29. Panda — Desiigner

30. Too Good — Drake ft. Rihanna

31. This Is What You Came For — Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna

32. Sorry — Beyonce

33. Never Be Like You — Flume

34. Needed Me — Rihanna

35. Champions — G.O.O.D Music

36. That Part — ScHoolBoy Q ft. Kanye West

37. LUV — Tory Lanez

38. For Free — DJ Khaled ft. Drake

39. Pick Up the Phone — Travis Scott ft. Young Thug & Quavo

40. All the Way Up"— Fat Joe ft. Remy Ma & French Montana

41. Oui — Jeremiah

42. Born in the USA — Bruce Springsteen

43. American Idiot — Green Day

44. American Woman — Lenny Kravitz

45. Living in America — James Brown

46. American Pie — Don McLean

47. Made in America — Jay Z, Kanye West & Frank Ocean

48. Made in the USA — Demi Lovato

49. Party in the USA — Miley Cyrus

50. American Boy — Estelle ft.Kanye West

51. American Woman — The Guess Who

52. Surfin USA — The Beach Boys

53. American Girl — Bonnie McKee

54. American Girl — Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

55. Firework — Kate Perry

56. Born to Be Wild — Steppenwolf

57. God Bless America — Lil Wayne

58. Don't Stop Believin' — Journey

59. Summer of 69 — Bryan Adam

60. Summertime — DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

61. American Badass — Kid Rock

62. "STOP" — HARRY HUDSON

63. "UNTITLED 02" — KENDRICK LAMAR

64. "HOME" — TINK

65. "WHAT THE FUCK RIGHT NOW" — TYLER, THE CREATOR

66. WIZ KHALIFA — "UP"

67. "UBER EVERYWHERE" — MADEINTYO

68. "FADE" — KANYE WEST

69. "BODMON" — RAMRIDDLZ

70. "CIGARETTE SONG" — RAURY

71. "CONSIDERATION" — RIHANNA FEATURING SZA

72. "HOW I FEEL" — ROY WOODS

73. "NO RUSH" — ELLA MAI

74. "MY LOVE (REMIX)" — MAJID JORDAN AND DRAKE

75. "MILEY CYRUS" — FRENCH MONTANA AND FUTURE

76. "REAL ADDRESSES" — TORY LANEZ

78. Kanye West – "Waves"

79. Nicki Minaj – "Truffle Butter"

80. Frank Ocean – "Godspeed"

81. Nicki Minaj – "Save Me"

82. Kanye West – "Famous"

83. Tyga - "Faded"

84. Migos - "Pretty Little Lady"

86. P.I.M.P. - 50 Cent

87. Hard For You - Tyga

88. Rich $ex - Future

89. Do It Again - Pia Mia Feat. Chris Brown, Tyga

90. Fuck Up Some Commas - Future

91. Blow a Bag - Future

92. Watch Me (Whip / Nae Nae) - Silento

93. Cha Cha - D.R.A.M.

94. White Iverson - Post Malone

95. The Worst - Jhene Aiko

96. Fun - Pitbull

97. Stick Talk - Future

98. Exchange - Bryson Tiller

99. Party Favors - Tinashe

100.             Here (Lucian Remix) - Alessia Cara

101.             Ten Nine Fourteen - Bryson Tiller

102.             Overtime - Bryson Tiller

103.             Come Get Her - Rae Sremmurd

104.             No Role Modelz - J. Cole

105.             Let 'Em Know - Bryson Tiller

106. ��           Superwifey - Tyga

107.             Dope'd Up - Tyga

108.             Again - Fetty Wap (covered by Pia Mia)

109.             My Love - Majid Jordan

110.             How Deep is Your Love - Calvin Harris

111.             Take Ya Tights Off - Problem

112.             Ice Cream Man - Tyga

113.             Drama - Roy Wood$

114.             Liquor - Chris Brown

115.             Jugg -Fetty Wap

116.             Drama - Roy Woods

117.             Come Get Her - Rae Sremmurd

118.             Come Thru - Drake

119.             Thirsty - PARTYNEXTDOOR

120.             If I Can't - 50 Cent

121.             Exchange - Bryson Tiller

122.             Sorry - Justin Bieber

123.             Been That Way - Bryson Tiller

124.             Say It - Tory Lanez

125.             Weekend - Mac Miller

126.             IV. Sweatpants - Childish Gambino

127.             White Iverson - Post Malone

128.             Shot For Me - Drake

129.             Been That Way - Bryson Tiller

130.             Slum Anthem - K Camp

131.             Liquor - Chris Brown

132.             My Driver - Skate

133.             Antidote -Travi$ Scott

134.             F**k The Summer Up by Leikeli47

135.             I Won - Future Feat. Kanye West

136.             Here - Alessia Cara

137.             I'm Yours - Justine Skye

138.             Rack City Bitch - Tyga

139.             Anaconda - Nicki Minaj

140.             I Don't Mind - Usher

141.             Drama - Roy Wood$

142.             Doped up - Tyga

143.             Ice Cream Man - Tyga

144.             Right Now - PARTYNEXTDOOR

145.             On & On - Justine Skye 

146.             Sorry Not Sorry - Bryson Tiller

147.             So Listen - Cody Simpson

148.             Where Ya At - Future Feat. Drake

149.             The Hills - The Weeknd

150.             The Feeling - Justin Bieber

151.             7/11 - Beyoncé

152.             Bartender - T-Pain

153.             Skrt - Kodak Black

154.             In Vein - Rick Ross Feat. The Weeknd

155.             You're A Thot - K.E. ON THE TRACK Understand - Legacy Feat. Tyga

156.             Phone Down - Erykah Badu Woosah - Jeremih Love Yourself - Justin Bieber Workin - Puff Daddy Facts - Kanye West Days In The East - Drake Runnin - Kehlani Panic Cord (Hucci Remix) - Gabrielle Aplin Ratchet - Borgore SKRT - Kodak Black Party At 8 - PARTYNEXTDOOR Slow - Lido Feat. Halsey Addiction - Kanye West Real Friends - Kanye West Bad Boyz - Shyne Top - Lil Uzi Vert Like Dat - Kodak Black  Woosah - Jeremih Party At 8 - PARTYNEXTDOOR Drunk On The Mic - Mickey Shiloh IN2 – WSTRN

157.             Tuscan Leather – Drake

158.             King Wizard - Kid Kudi  Super Rich Kids - Frank Ocean Bodmon - Ramriddlz Uber Everywhere - MADEINTYO Different Hos - Blackbear

159.             Hella Os - Lil Yachty

160.             Top - Lil Uzi Vert

161.             Just Another Interlude - Bryson Tiller

162.             Let 'Em Know - Bryson Tiller

163.             Self Righteous - Bryson Tiller

164.             Girls Like You - Miguel

165.             502 Come Up - Bryson Tiller

166.             Consideration - Rihanna

167.             Needed Me - Rihanna

168.             Hella Os - Lil Yachty

169.             Pilates - DonMonique

170.             1Night - Lil Yachty

171.             PILLOWTALK - ZAYN

172.             Famous - Kanye West Feat. Rihanna

173.             Where Ya At - Future

174.             Potty Mouth - Tyga

175.             FML - Kanye West

176.             Heartburn - Wafia

177.             Worthy - Jeremih

178.             Yeah, I Said It - Rihanna

179.             Ice Cream Man - Tyga

180.             Planez - Jeremih

181.             Pass Dat - Jeremih

182.             Impatient - Jeremih

183.             Famous - Kanye West

184.             Waves - Kanye West

185.             f**k Up Some Commas - Future

186.             Make It Nasty - Tyga

187.             Highlights - Kanye West

188.             Same Ol' Mistake - Rihanna

189.             Ultralight Beam - Kanye West

190.             Feedback - Kanye West

191.             Waves - Kanye West

192.             Highlights - Kanye West

193.             What The F**k Right Now - Tyler The Ceator

194.             Stop - Harry Hudson

195.             Panda - Desiigner

196.             Men - Tink & DJ Dahi

197.             Don't Tell Nobody - Tink Feat. Jeremih

198.             Stimulated - Tyga

199.             Kylie Jenner - YOG$ Feat. Elwood

200.             Come And See Me - PARTYNEXTDOOR

201.             Slow - Lido Feat. Halsey

202.             Minnesota - Lil Yachty

203.             Like A Drug - Ty Dolla $ign

204.             So High - Doja Cat

205.             Candy - PARTYNEXTDOOR

206.             Real Friends - Kanye West

207.             Wolves - Kanye West

208.             I'm Different - 2 Chainz

209.             Drunk on The Mic - Mickey Shiloh

210.             Been That Way - Bryson Tiller

211.             Deja Vu - TWENTY88

212.             Ayy Ladies - Travis Porter Feat. Tyga

213.             Work - Rihanna

214.             One Dance - Drake

215.             Ba-lon - SZA Feat. Kendrick Lamar

216.             Baller Alert - Tyga

217.             Myself - Nav

218.             Birthday Sex - Jeremih

219.             Candy Shop - 50 Cent

220.             I Know - Big Sean

221.             Wrist - Chris Brown

222.             Top - Lil Uzi Vert

223.             Stop B**chin' - Kirko Bangz

224.             Yeah, I Said It - Rihanna

225.             Down In The DM - Yo Gotti Feat. Nicki Minaj

226.             Panda - Desiigner

227.             Drama - Roy Woods

228.             Sorry Not Sorry - Bryson Tiller

229.             Don't - Bryson Tiller

230.             Come And See Me - PARTYNEXTDOOR

231.             Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1 - Kanye West

232.             6 Inch - Beyoncé

233.             Girls Love Beyoncé - Drake

234.             Drunk On The Mic - Mickey Shiloh

235.             Treat Me Like Something - Tink

236.             Love Drought - Beyoncé

237.             Without U - Spooky Black

238.             Myself - Nav

239.             Feel No Ways - Drake

240.             Controlla - Drake

241.             Shot For Me - Drake

242.             I'm Yours - Justine Skye

243.             Beautiful Day - Burberry Perry

244.             One Dance - Drake

245.             No Rush - Ella Mai

246.             Don't Tell Nobody - Tink

247.             One Dance - Drake

248.             Losin Control - Russ

249.             U With Me? - Drake

250.             Girls Love Beyoncé - Drake

251.             Consideration - Rihanna

252.             Location - Khalid

253.             Heartburn - Wafia

254.             Pull The Trigger - Russ

255.             Too Good - Drake Feat. Rihanna

256.             Pretty Lady - Migos

257.             Talk That Talk - Rihanna feat. Jay-z

258.             You Was Right - Lil Uzi Vert

259.             Mixtape - Chance The Rapper

260.             Love Lockdown - Kanye West

261.             Back To December - Taylor Swift

262.             Boss - Tinashe

263.             Vulnerable - Tinashe

264.             Ecstasy - Tinashe

265.             Too Good - Drake feat. Rihanna

266.             Been That Way - Bryson Tiller

267.             Rambo - Bryson Tiller

268.             Ain't Ready - Tinashe

269.             Hype - Drake

270.             Circles - Pusha T feat. Ty Dolla Sign & Desiigner

271.             Offended - Meek Mill feat. Young Thug & 21 Savage

272.             Litty - Meek Mill feat. Tory Lanez

273.             Make It Work For You - Juelz Satana

274.             Girls & Guitars - Tyga feat. Kirko Bangz

 275.             source: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmFnE7p5vkyH9u-5bIz4vQg

276.             ♪ French Montana (ft Quavo) - Migo Montana

277.             ♪ French Montana (ft Future) - No Pressure

278.             ♪ French Montana (ft Travis Scott) - Jump

279.             ♪ Playboi Carti - Magnolia

280.             ♪ Travis Scott - A man

281.             ♪ Rae Sremmurd - Do Yoga

282.             ♪ Belly ft Future - Frozen Water

283.             ♪ SZA - Supermodel

284.             ♪ 2 Chainz ft. Travis Scott - 4 AM

285.             ♪ Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own

286.             ♪ Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good

287.             Russ - What They Want

288.             Migos - Slippery (feat. Gucci Mane)

289.             SZA - Normal Girl

290.             Bryson Tiller - Don't 

291.             Bryson Tiller - Rambo

292.             Daniel Caesar - We Find Love 

293.             Migos - Kelly Price (feat. Travis Scott)

294.             Madison Beer - Dead

295.             Travis Scott - Butterfly Effect

296.             GoldLink feat. Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy - Crew

297.             Lana Del Rey feat. The Weeknd - Lust for Life

298.             Bryson Tiller - Somethin Tells Me

299.             DJ Mustard (feat Quavo & YG) - Want Her

[sinceileftyoublog]

Hyro the Hero Interview: Pits Where There Shouldn’t Be

Photo by Mark Adriane

BY JORDAN MAINZER

Let’s get it out of the way: in the critical sphere, rap rock has a bad connotation. Rarely, if ever, do artists tastefully combine the two genres, or even produce something that touches the spirit of both. Enter Houston’s Hyron Fenton, who goes by Hyro the Hero. Following a series of mixtapes, his 2011 debut album Birth, School, Work, Death was a revelation, blending punk and post-hardcore with rap, featuring contributions from some of Fenton’s biggest influences, namely At The Drive-In/The Mars Volta’s Paul Hijonos. Last year, he finally followed up his debut with the more rap-oriented Flagged Channel. His mixture of styles lands him on tours with bands like P.O.D. and festivals like the Rockstar Energy Drink Disrupt Festival, which comes to Tinely Park’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on Friday, and the Vans Warped Tour. But his loyalty to black music and culture nabbed him a spot on this year’s Afropunk lineup, too. 

Last month, over the phone, Fenton (who now lives in L.A.) spoke to being the outlier at many shows and festivals and how the history of his across-the-board influences helped him navigate the terrain. He also shared some wisdom about the contemporary music landscape and its increasingly blending notions of genre. Read below, edited for length and clarity.

Since I Left You: It’s been a year since Flagged Channel came out. How has your relationship with the album changed over then?

Hyron Fenton: It’s more of a live feel with the album now because now I’m performing it. I feel it on a different level. I get to push the energy a little bit more. When I’m in the studio, I try to capture that vibe, but it’s nothing like being on the stage.

SILY: It was a few years between that and your debut.

HF: Yeah, it was a whole learning process. I was just trying to get myself together, learn my craft a little more. I got into rap a little bit more, learned structure, different choruses.

SILY: Is your background more in rap or rock?

HF: I come from a hip hop background. Growing up, I was listening to Tupac, 50 Cent, Cam’ron, Eminem--one of my favorite rappers ever. I was the guy who flipped the channel. I started listening to Nickelback and shit like that, and thought, “Okay, this is rock.” And then there’s deeper than that. I got into At The Drive-In, Rancid, and Bad Brains. A little bit more punk rock. I was learning my roots: The Judgement Night soundtrack.

SILY: Were you influenced a lot by the Houston rap scene?

HF: Oh yeah, man, the Houston rap scene is what got me. My sister used to rap with DJ Screw, who was the man in Houston. He died. She knew him before he blew up. To see him start a movement and turn into a whole thing. In Houston, we were kind of snobby about our music--all we would listen to was Houston music. But I decided to venture out a little bit. I started rappin’, and when I rapped I would scream all the time because I would listen to Tupac and try to imitate him. He wasn’t really screaming, but I thought it was so I would scream. I think that’s what helped me out in rock.

SILY: When was the point where you realized you wanted to combine rap and rock?

HF: It was when my ex-girlfriend in high school left me and I got real mad. So I wanted to make a song about it. I didn’t want to rap, because I couldn’t get the emotion out of it, so I took a rock song and I sampled it. I was screaming on that, and it took off from there. I put it up on Myspace.

SILY: Is it still up, or did it get lost when Myspace lost a bunch of data?

HF: I can’t find it! I think I deleted it. I put that one up and a song called “Punk Rock” where I sampled a Soulja Boy beat and sped it up. I was saying, “I’d rather be a punk rocker than a hip hopper, ‘cause y’all just doin’ the ringtone shit.” I was dissing a lot of people back then. [laughs]

SILY: Were you ever into other bands that combined rap and rock, like the Beastie Boys or Rage Against the Machine?

HF: Oh yeah, man. Limp Bizkit. Especially when it came out when they had a song with Method Man, and Eminem had a song with Kid Rock. I saw it becoming cool in a sense. I saw how much respect rock had for rap, but I didn’t see it the other way around so much. Rap was kind of scared of guitars, so it was cool how they blended it.

SILY: I’ve talked to friends who only listened to rap and then the Jay-Z/Linkin Park mashup came out, which turned them on to rock.

HF: They did it right! Jay-Z has such a cool voice, so they really nailed the chill hip hop vibe with it. The music with Linkin Park is so good and respectable. It blended it perfectly.

SILY: Do you feel like you’ve established your own sound beyond your influences?

HF: Yeah, I think I’ve got my own sound going. I’m always compared to Rage no matter what, but the way I rap is a little different. I put in more words. The way Zack [de la Rocha] did it, with little small sentences that were so powerful. That’s a hard thing to do. I got a lot of stuff to say, which is why I rap a little fast and make my words poetic. What they did was so special, though, so it’s cool to get compared to them.

SILY: Looking at the types of shows you’re playing, you’re with a lot of pure rock bands.

HF: The cool thing about me is I can do rap, I can do metal, I can do punk. They can put me in anything. My music blends all categories.

SILY: When you go to the Disrupt Festival versus something like Afropunk, do you cater to what the crowd is gonna want to hear?

HF: I used to do that, but I felt like that didn’t work for me. Now I just do my own thing. I’ve turned some places into pits that shouldn’t have pits. Especially Afropunk--I can’t wait to bring my vibe there. Same energy I bring everywhere.

SILY: Have you gained a lot of new fans at festivals where you’re the genre outlier?

HF: Oh yeah, man, especially in this day and age. Back then, it was a little different. People were a little bit wary of it. Now, everybody is into everything. If you look at rap shows, they’re trying to be like punk rockers with mosh pits. It’s really no different.

SILY: Trap has mosh pits, but then there’s also emo rock rap like Lil Peep.

HF: XXX[Tentacion], Lil Uzi [Vert], and all them. They’re doing stuff I was doing when I was young. [laughs] I was just a little ahead of my time.

SILY: The rise of the Internet really allowed that to happen.

HF: It’s a gift and a curse. It’s open for everybody, so everybody thinks they’re a rapper and they can do music. The special feel of it has gone. Truly talented people don’t get heard. It’s just if someone makes an ear candy song. At the same time, people are able to express themselves and it makes everybody work harder to get heard.

SILY: And people who previously didn’t have an in or money can get heard.

HF: I was like, “Damn, man, I didn’t have these opportunities when I was young.” I had a crew, but I didn’t have YouTube or Instagram. It’s a gift right now. 

SILY: Do you feel like you have to anticipate trends or what people are going to be doing so you can stand out?

HF: I just do my own thing. I don’t pay attention too much. I listen to music, and it inspires me, but as far as the waves go, I’m a little too old to know what’s up. By the time I hear a song, I’m like, “Oh, it’s a big song?” People got dances to it and everything, and I’m already late on it. [laughs]

SILY: How do you listen to music these days?

HF: Spotify playlists. I love YouTube. I like looking at old live shows. If you look at my Instagram stories, I call it homework. Looking at live shows from Queen, Bob Marley.

SILY: Have you heard anything lately that’s blown your mind?

HF: Lately, I’ve been into this band from Flint, Michigan, King 810. The song “Alpha & Omega”. It’s real dark and heavy. I don’t know if it’s old, but I jam that album. [Editor’s note: It’s from 2016.]

SILY: Are you a big metal fan?

HF: Oh yeah, I’m into metal. More punk rock, but I fall into metal because I love the metal sound. But I couldn’t tell you any new metal bands. I’m into old school metal. If you look at lineups, the old school cats still headlining.

SILY: I saw the Slayer farewell tour at the venue you’re playing here.

HF: Oh man. For throwback Thursday, I was gonna post a picture I had with Kerry King. It’s from back in 2012.

SILY: Sounds like I need to follow you on Instagram!

HF: I have tons of cool stuff there, especially with the lyrics I spit. I’m not political--I leave that up to everyone else. Everybody’s super political online and “woke”--I just like to be fun. [laughs]

SILY: Changing gears--does Houston still feel like home?

HF: Oh yeah, I was just there with some homies for 4-5 days. Went out to the club, partied hip hop style with bottles and stuff--shit I don’t normally do, but it was fun--I ain’t gon’ lie.

SILY: My girlfriend has family near Houston in Humble, and we go to the rodeo every year.

HF: The rodeo is fun, man! I haven’t been to it in a while. I remember when Destiny’s Child did shows there before they were super famous.

SILY: Increasingly, they’re booking a lot besides country. This past year, Cardi B broke the attendance record, before first Los Tigres del Norte and then George Strait broke it again.

HF: That’s crazy! They’ve been booking all kinds of acts now. And even if you look at country--look at Lil Nas X. Hip hop goin’ country. There’s another song going viral right now, a young black kid doing country with a trap kind of vibe.

SILY: Do you like “Old Town Road”?

HF: I love it. I hope he got another one, because it’s so good. It’s kind of hard to top it. [Editors note: Yes, it is.]

SILY: I loved Billy Ray Cyrus’s post-Billboard charts “Is this country enough for you now?” flex?

HF: [laughs] I get it. They probably looked at it and thought, “You’re making a parody of country.” But he’s really sticking with it.

Country already had some hip hop aspects to it, like Florida Georgia Line. I’m from Texas, so I know a little bit about old country, like “Mama Tried”. It’s cool to see the hip hop aspect of it.

SILY: Why did you change your name from Hyro Da Hero to Hyro The Hero?

HF: “D-A” was a little too hard--I always had to spell it out. People just said “The” anyway. So I thought I’d change it. Maybe some Mandela Effect type of way. But I didn’t realize I had so much stuff that said “Da,” so it messed up my merchandise. [laughs]

SILY: It’s probably really valuable!

HF: Yeah, and I have a lot of it.

SILY: Do you have any new music you’re thinking about or recording?

HF: I’ve been working on some dope stuff. I can’t really speak on it, but when people say it’s kind of hard to do the next album--this one might give Flagged Channel a run for its money. Some of these songs, I’m just so excited to do live.

SILY: Are you going to do any of them on upcoming shows?

HF: No, we haven’t learned them yet. A lot of them I don’t even know if they’ll make the album. I have a few for sure with some really cool people. Artists like me--I’m a rapper slash rocker, so I can move around with different bands and musicians and have an all-star cast.

SILY: And introduce people who haven’t met or worked with each other.

HF: Exactly. That’s what’s so dope about it.

[limjaebum]

rules // write 92 truths about yourself then tag 25 people 

tagged by natalie aka nat aka @marktuansflip aka the best person ever

LAST…

[1] drink: water

[2] phone call: my siblings school 

[3] text message: my stepmom

[4] song you listened to: ive been listening to lil uzi vert on repeat for like 30 mins now

[5] time you cried: today

HAVE YOU EVER…

[6] dated someone twice: kinda lmao i “dated” a boy when i was 12 and then again when i was 17

[7] been cheated on: no

[8] kissed someone and regretted it: lmao yes basically everyone i’ve ever kissed i take them all back especially the people i kissed while under the influence

[9] lost someone special: yes

[10] been depressed: lol 

[11] gotten drunk and thrown up: yes

LIST 3 FAVOURITE COLORS:

[12] dark red

[13] dark grey

[14] taupe

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU…

[15] made new friends: yessssss im so happy  

[16] fallen out of love: no

[17] laughed until you cried: yes

[18] found out someone was talking about you: lmao yes

[19] met someone who changed you: yes 

[20] found out who your true friends are: no ?? i’ve had the same one friend for a couple years now

[21] kissed someone on your facebook list: technically no since he’s blocked lmao

GENERAL…

[22] how many of your facebook friends do you know in real life: all of them

[23] do you have any pets: kinda, there’s a cat here but i don’t claim him because i don’t like him

[24] do you want to change your name: just my last name so i have my dads too 

[25] what did you do for your last birthday: when i turned 21 i was at school for 12 hours then i came home and had a late dinner and cake with my parents and siblings and then i cried about how underwhelming it was lmao

[26] what time did you wake up: 9ish

[27] what were you doing at midnight last night: sleeping lmao i knocked out after i ate dinner

[28] name something you cannot wait for: my parents wedding !!

[29] when was the last time you saw your mother: yesterday,, for like 2 minutes and my stepmom earlier when she called me downstairs to eat

[30] what is one thing you wish you could change about your life: i wish i could change my mental health for literally a million reasons 

[31] what are you listening to right now: im still listening to lil uzi vert

[32] have you ever talked to a person named tom: yeah, i have a relative named tom

[33] something that is getting on your nerves: myself lmao i keep overthinking and im making myself feel nauseous and i have a headache 

[34] most visited website: tumblr probably lol or youtube

[35] elementary: i went to like 3 different ones, all okay

[36] high school: i also went to 3 different ones, i disliked them all 

[37] college: i love listening to lectures and learning,, just not being forced to read or write things or take tests and exams 

[38] hair color: arctic fox purple rain

[39] long or short hair: my hair is longish

[40] do you have a crush on someone: no

[41] what do you like about yourself: i like that i like stuff

[42] piercings: 3

[43] blood type: i’d actually like to know too i never found out lol

[44] nickname: mars and like 3 of my relatives call me maris 

[45] relationship status: single i dont see this changing until im like 28 lmao

[46] zodiac sign: scorpio

[47] pronouns: she/her

[48] fav tv show: i never watching anything anymore but i love the mindy project

[49] tattoos: none for now !! i want a small rose on my wrist

[50] right or left hand: right

FIRST…

[51] surgery: none

[52] piercing: my nose 

[53] best friend: rhea lmao we were friends for like 13 years but she f**ked that right up

[54] sport: soccer lmaooo

[55] vacation: kenora, ontario ?? lmao i guess it was a vacation or minnesota was idk i dont count either lmao

[56] pair of trainers: ???

RIGHT NOW…

[57] eating: nothing

[58] drinking: water

[59] i’m about to: idk lmao sit here at my desk for a couple more hours 

[60] listening to: lil uzi vert - xo tour life

[61] waiting for: idk

[62] want: company lmao

[63] get married: id like to

[64] career: i wanna teach

WHICH IS BETTER…

[65] hugs or kisses: both are nice

[66] lips or eyes: both are great

[67] shorter or taller: taller 

[68] older or younger: older for sure

[70] nice arms or nice stomach: neither of these are a thing to me,, i like nice thighs lmao

[71] sensitive or loud: both lmao

[72] hook up or relationship: the former

[73] troublemaker or hesitant: both

HAVE YOU EVER…

[74] kissed a stranger? yes

[75] drank hard liquor? yes

[76] lost glasses/contact lenses? yes

[77] turned someone down: yes

[78] sex on first date? yes

[79] broken someone’s heart? yes

[80] had your own heart broken? yes

[81] been arrested? nope

[82] cried when someone died? yes

[83] fallen for a friend? yes lmao dont do it kids

DO YOU BELIEVE IN…

[84] yourself? honestly no lmao im the worst

[85] miracles? i think so

[86] love at first sight? no

[87] Santa Claus? no lmao

[88] kiss on the first date? yeah

[89] angels? yes

OTHER…

[90] current best friend’s name: amber 

[91] eye color: dark brown lmao like black basically

[92] favorite movie: this is too hard to answer i am a big movie person

tagging: @jjjoonie, @jaxslauj, @milkboyjjk, @min-yoongle, @hobisjaan, @imeightout, @heizee, @s1eepy, @sadradmom + @jinyounguie

[guccidenze]

Rube a big thot for tagging me

Rules: Tag 9 people you want to get to know better. I was tagged by @just-a-drawing-cat heres goes Questions: What is your age? -18. What is your current job? -I make pizzas and I sometimes deliver them What are you talented at? -Shit man idk, I can start riots I guess...... but for real tho I can sew and know how to work with resin which is cool What is a big goal you are working toward, or have already achieved? -Not going to lie, owning a big ass fur coat and whipping a Maserati in a big field with all my friends while blasting hard trap music What is your aesthetic? -Low res polygon, those anime vines where they have low temp vaporwave music, sunsets with Japanese written on them, when its night and you look up and there are stars and it's chilly outside and you're like "damn b, the world is kinda cool" Do you collect anything? -Shoes, I own so many pairs of shoes it's unreal. Major sneakerhead What topic are you always talking about? -I go to work and usually talk about eating ass :U What are your pet peeves? -When someone tells a lie and it's just the worst lie ever and they just continue to stick with it Good advice? -Perform great self care yknow take a bath with soothing bath salts.. skin cream, treat ya self once in a while do what makes you happy Three songs you recommend? Ima post them -(DJ Carnage-WDYW) https://soundcloud.com/djcarnageofficial/carnage-wdyw-feat-asap-ferg-lil-uzi-rich-the-kid -(Tory Lanez-Dimelo) https://soundcloud.com/snakehips-1/dimelo -(Gambino Ting) https://soundcloud.com/parkinson_white/childish-gambino-3005-parkinson-white-flip-1 I tag
Anyone else who wants to do this, just say I tagged you <:U

[rathony321]

LBC Cypher from 👷 oYster ✌️ on Vimeo.

"LBC CYPHER" DOWNLOAD LINK: usershare.net/b10eck55ftop

This is a lil cypher i put together w/ some of my homies from the L.B.C. (Long Beach, CA). Everyone involved is from Long Beach, CA including the producer "R-Productions", recorded by "Fish" @ Relapse Recording Studios", the director "Oy" & the video editor "Phillip". This was to showcase all of our talents from artists, music production & film.

INTRO: It's Joanlee…on the cypher w/ my boyz from Long Beach…Get 'em!

MARIO C. : Yeah! Look, im 22 now, still alive// cant deny that im happy, boy my city on fire// see the ashes on my car, it's so filthy when i ride// i swear i knew my fuckin streets before i learned to drive// hah but now i'm fly straight swurvin in the sky, dumb wasted off of liquor smoking herb until im dry// fuck fuckin with one strand im sure theres more to try// so high loookin down, like im nervous or sorta shy// but ego is mean tho, i am all that// you not hot summers over sun, i tell em falls back// like im fobbin, but really saying give ninja space// man they hate that im ballin, and they bitches sac// spit a verse for em all i got em going ball sac// gettin pisssed while you gettin schooled take a hall pass// reppin shit that i dont thinks is coo, ya squad's whack// so far, they below par, me i go hard

myspace.com/mariocmusic youtube.com/user/mariocmusic twitter.com/mariocmusic

KAYEM: long beach reppin, kayem checkin in full court pressin ever since i got my second wind of course i expect to win the greats im right next to them these motherfuckers visitin the top well ima resident my steez is excalabur the only one that can pull it they want to shoot me in the magazines like a bullet these special ed mother fuckers man they sort of slow i got that sushi rap show yall how california roll you know i got that fire im california grown never followed any paths cuz i explore my own these cats lookin for a seat i shoot for the thrown dont be compared to me man feel sorry for my clone i dont follow any trends so ima outsider never been a boy scout but im about fire im so fly club promoters can't hand out flyer robin williams flow man dont doubt fire

myspace.com/kayem31 youtube.com/kayem31

SHAME FACE: i do it for the homies gettin caught w/ convictions in a jail cell spitting bars from a prison i'm on a mission to slaughter u competition like a shooting star, w/out media attention (Blaow!) i punch bars but be socking out lines i be bustin' i ain't talkin' about a hard core nine (10mm) a dime piece, said she lookin' hella fine she could fuck the whole world where the sun don't shine my criminalistic image, got me harassed by pigs, they asking me, what i'm banging and why's my pocket so big i told 'em nothin' pulled out something, stabbed me right in the ribs now tell me, if that's a story i should bring home to kids i don't mind dippin' a Tacoma, as long's i'm feeding my daughter and when it comes to my daughter, i'll in the back of the pick up and haul ya, mutha fucka, it's all over, Shame Face aka lost child…1..

myspace.com/shameface562 youtube.com/user/shameface562

CHEDDA 3000: CHECK! My dirty mouth spits clean verses, what a contradiction/ You couldn't see me with prescription x-ray vision/ My only mission is diminish all my opposition/ Til all competition turns into non-existent/ Since a youngsta I never cared about the loose change/ My friends wanted to be Batman, I wanted to be Bruce Wayne/ Cuz on da real, being broke ain't the shit for me/ So if I'm at your door wearin a mask, it ain't trick or treat/ And all that flashy gun talkin' doesn't even spook me/ You wouldn't shoot me with a uzi playing call of duty/ I ain't cocky, I'm convinced, homie that's the truth/ I'm so damn sure even my vodka is Absolut/ And don't be thinkin I'm just talk with no action/ I'll fuck your face up, I'm da opposite of Pro-Activ/ It's nothin when I'm bustin', couple shots you gone/ I put Eight in your stomach like the Octomom (it's Chedda!)

myspace.com/chedda3000 youtube.com/chedda3000music

SNEEZY TWEET: It's Sneezy Tweet, I'm on the mic and in some cypher shit/ and i don't really give a fuck if you don't like it bitch/ i'm on that raw status, leave my foe's jaw shattered/ leave his mouth wired shut, make his nose fatter/ hit him dead in the stomach, damage bladder/ pull out that black tech nine, watch 'em scatter/ i'm bout mines, 10yrs on the frontline/ i go hard for my peeps when it's dinner time/ and i ain't asking you for shit, gimme mine/ i need that, pile it up by the big stack/ it's Sneezy Tweet, I'm here to bring the real rap back/ so mutha fucka duck down when the hammer's snap/ hallows fly, penetrating, make yo spine crack/ i'm high as fuck, chop it up, no swisher wrap/ I'm the real deal, go and holyfield that, i got the blue steel right where my hands at!

myspace.com/sneezytweet12 youtube.com/sneezytweetTV

JOANLEE: Coming off a screen w/ a clear shot like the Silver, (Patron) told em they better recognize me, w/ "Get Familiar", where to begin, the haters said i wouldn't fit in but i'm tryna make to the Majors like Jeremy Lin, (Ugh) i stepped away from the limelight, worked on my game to return like MJ when the times right I'm in my zone, low key like a baritone, i never left, i was just in the lab developing like a negative Been on tracks w/ my pen, working on placements w/ these artists songwriting for them (ugh) just cuz i sing & i rap they tryna say i'm late, but i was Lauren Hill way before there was even a Drake, they swore it wouldn't be done, but why is "Like A G6" sitting on billboard at #1, said Asians couldn't do it, well we proved it, now that's what i call a real "Far East Movement" Ahhhh!!!

myspace.com/iamjoanlee youtube.com/iamjoanlee twitter.com/iamjoanlee

R-PRODUCTIONS: myspace.com/rproductionslbc youtube.com/longbeachproductions twitter.com/R_Productions

RELAPSE RECORDING STUDIO: myspace.com/relapserecording

PHILTHY OYSTER: For inquires on filming/editing by Phillip or Oy: EMAIL: Info@philthyoyster.com is our email

[smokeybrand]

Welcome To The Jungle

It's odd seeing this debate about gun control all over the media. We've had 18 school shootings in this country SINCE THE FIRST OF JANUARY and everyone is pointing fingers. Cats on the left calling for stricter gun control. Cats on the right trying to blame everything under the sun except for the access to guns. I'm of the mind that cats should be allowed to reasonably armed themselves for protection. What do you need a goddamn AR for? We're not at war! Sh*t's insane, man!

The thing is, i hear what these kids in Florida are saying. They SURVIVED a terrorist attack. 17 of them were not so lucky. It feels so disgusting that their loss, that their trauma, is being politicized by everyone in the media, particularly the right. Trump out here decrying the FBI for not doing more, blaming their investigation of his own "alleged" collusion with Russia as the reason the Florida shooter slipped through the gaps. Nah, son, they did their jobs. He said some wild sh*t online but who doesn't? Bro had no history of mental illness. He passed that background check. this 19 year old, murdering, terrorist, was well within the law when he bought his WMD; Laws that the NRA lobby heavily pushed. Bro still murdered 17 people. You can't guard against crazy. Sh*t happens and sometimes, that sh*t is atrocious.

I grew up in the ghetto. I've personally owned pistols WELL before the legal age. I've known cats who owned uzis at, like, 10 years old. The first time i had a gun pulled on me, i was walking to school. For third grade. Most cats who grew up the way i did will say to you sh*t like that happened all of the time. We grew up in war zones. Chicago is Chiraq for a reason. When i was in high school, a couple of cowards from the block literally stormed my school, firearms in hand, looking to shoot my cousin and i. That happened. It wasn't on the news and i don't begrudge the fact it wasn't but that was my reality. That's the reality of a lot of kids from my demo.

What happened in Florida, and the other 17 times since the new year, are tragedies. You can't stop random acts of terrorism. By their nature, you can't plan against them, you can't defend against them. However, the ease of access to the ridiculous carnage causing weapons can be mitigated. I know this sounds like a cry for gun control but it really isn't. Cats are going to get their hands on whatever they want, regardless of how well policed things are. I had a pistol before i was 16. Some of my friends had semi-automatic weapons at their disposal before they were 12. A few high schools in my district had metal detectors at the entryway to specifically weed out concealed firearms because the ease of access to get them illegally was insane. The thing is, that ease of access shouldn't be so forthcoming when you obtain your firearms legally.

I lived in Texas for two years and there, you can walk into a goddamn Wal-Mart and walk out with a shotgun that same day. My chick was given a pink one for her 12th birthday. They have year round gun shows that allow them to circumvent background checks and due process. Cats will tell you that those loopholes aren’t real but i’ve seen that happen. I watched a guy walk out of the convention center with an assault rifle while sipping mimosas with my chick at brunch. I watched a video a man from Iowa posted, talking about how he walked into a gun store, a gun store within 5 minutes of 8 f*cking schools, and almost by an AR15 with 100 rounds of ammo. For 400 dollars. When the dude said he needed to talk to his wife over cost, the goddamn gun shop financed him for 1200 dollars! In less than an hour, bro could have walked out of that store with one of the most deadly firearms ever created, with enough ammunition to wage a small war, for free. Within 5 minutes of 8 schools. How ridiculous is that! When you can get a weapon designed specifically for war, specifically to take the most amount of human life, in the most efficient way possible, legally, with the same ease as getting a side arm illegally, something is broken in the system.

You shouldn't be able to walk into a gun store and walk out with a goddamn AR15 just like i shouldn't have been able to get a hold of that pistol when i was a kid. In a lot of ways, it was easier for dude to get that assault rifle than it was for me to get that pistol. That's f*cking insane! I don't think new laws are necessary. I don't think more restrictions are going to help. What i think needs to happen is a closing of loopholes. I think the laws that are on the books, need to be actually enforced. I think those people who swear if everyone was strapped, we'd all be safer, should look at the human toll that may take. I think all of the gun-mongers and NRA enthusiast who are out here buying their 30th firearm in preparation for some imaginary conflict, need to pump their brakes a little bit and actually stop trying to point fingers and circumvent safeguards because "Muh guns." and "Muh rights." There is a process on the books to weed out those unfit to carry. We just need to actually follow those rules.

This ended up being an novel but, my point is, you can't guard against crazy. Terrorism happens. The ease of getting weapons illegally is a reality that we all have to take into consideration. However, being able to walk into a reputable dealer as someone completely ignorant of guns and walk out an hour later with a goddamn Rambo-esque arsenal is f*cking ludicrous to me. We shouldn’t be able to do. We can’t allow that. What we can do is agree to make it tougher for the crazy, to terrorize. We have already made it difficult for crazy to arm itself. We already have a plan in place. How about we actually follow it instead of trying to make it easier for the crazy to be crazy, in the name of amendments and rights? Those 17 people had a right to life. My nephews have a right to life. My eventual kids have a right to life. Your gun rights don’t outweigh that, homey. If it means my kid gets to breathe another day, then your ass might have to pass on that full metal jacket you want to pimp out so hard.

[kslamz]

ALL Plssssss

fuck dude ok only because i literally have nothing better to do

1. Who was the last person you held hands with? lol my neighbor from my vacation home

2. Are you outgoing or shy? shy but I'm great at faking that I’m outgoing

3. Who are you looking forward to seeing? my friends emma & holly

4. Are you easy to get along with? i like to think i am

5. If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you? i don’t like anyone

6. What kind of people are you attracted to? people who don’t want anything to do with me

7. Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now? probably not

8. Who from the opposite gender is on your mind? my neighbor from my vacation home

9. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? no unless it’s with my mom

10. Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with? my therapist but idk if that counts so my neighbor from my vacation home

11. What does the most recent text that you sent say? add me on house party 

12. What are your 5 favorite songs right now? light san holo, let you go the chainsmokers, call on me starley, bounce back big sean, erase your social lil uzi vert

13. Do you like it when people play with your hair? fuck yes

14. Do you believe in luck and miracles? yeah

15. What good thing happened this summer? my relationship with my ex

16. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? oh god no

17. Do you think there is life on other planets? yeah of course

18. Do you still talk to your first crush? no

19. Do you like bubble baths? fuck yea

20. Do you like your neighbors? in miami no, in my beach house sure

21. What are you bad habits? putting myself last

22. Where would you like to travel? the bahamas would be great

23. Do you have trust issues? yea

24. Favorite part of your daily routine? showering

25. What part of your body are you most uncomfortable with? my thighs or stomach

26. What do you do when you wake up? masturbate

27. Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker? darker

28. Who are you most comfortable around? myself

29. Have any of your ex’s told you they regret breaking up? no

30. Do you ever want to get married? yes ma'am 

31. If your hair long enough for a pony tail? yet

32. Which celebrities would you have a threesome with? gigi hadid and megan fox

33. Spell your name with your chin. kattfrfhbas

34. Do you play sports? What sports? netflix

35. Would you rather live without TV or music? TV

36. Have you ever liked someone and never told them? duh

37. What do you say during awkward silences? i ask about school or their kids if they’re an adult

38. Describe your dream girl/guy? good listener, funny, loyal, likes girls, good in bed, clingy in a good way, won’t fuck me over

39. What are your favorite stores to shop in? urban outfitters and victorias secret omg

40. What do you want to do after high school? I am out of high school and i took a semester of college and today i just dropped out

41. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance? fuck no

42. If your being extremely quiet what does it mean? I'm thinking, I'm sad, I'm mad, I'm hungry, or I'm uncomfortable

43. Do you smile at strangers? yea why not

44. Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean? space duh

45. What makes you get out of bed in the morning? my parents lol

46. What are you paranoid about? never finding anyone that gets me

47. Have you ever been high? yes

48. Have you ever been drunk? yes

49. Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about? yep lmao

50. What was the colour of the last hoodie you wore? black

51. Ever wished you were someone else? all the time

52. One thing you wish you could change about yourself? my looks

53. Favourite makeup brand? too faced

54. Favourite store? victoria’s secret!!

55. Favourite blog? mine ;-)

56. Favourite color? blue

57. Favourite food? nutella omg

58. Last thing you ate? a salad 

59. First thing you ate this morning? a starbucks panini 

60. Ever won a competition? For what? not any i can come up with on the top of my head

61. Been suspended/expelled? For what? no

62. Been arrested? For what? no

63. Ever been in love? yes

64. Tell us the story of your first kiss? i asked a guy if he wanted to smoke with me at a party and he kissed me

65. Are you hungry right now? no

66. Do you like your tumblr friends more than your real friends? i don't really know anyone on tumblr lol

67. Facebook or Twitter? twitter

68. Twitter or Tumblr? tumblr

69. Are you watching tv right now? no

70. Names of your best friends? gabi, kat, emma, holly, katie, my dog

71. Craving something? What? someone who cares lol

72. What colour are your towels? white

72. How many pillows do you sleep with? two!

73. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? jes

74. How many stuffed animals do you think you have? at least 50 omg

75. Favourite animal? puppies!

76. What colour is your underwear? red

77. Chocolate or Vanilla? chocolate

78. Favourite ice cream flavor? phish food is da shit

79. What colour shirt are you wearing? none

80. What colour pants? black

81. Favourite tv show? the walking dead prob

82. Favourite movie? why him, crazy stupid love, or palo alto

83. Mean Girls or Mean Girls 2? numbaaa 1 duh

84. Mean Girls or 21 Jump Street? 21 jump street 

85. Favourite character from Mean Girls? regina george is bae

86. Favourite character from Finding Nemo? crush the turtle

87. First person you talked to today? my dad

88. Last person you talked to today? my mom

89. Name a person you hate? myself

90. Name a person you love? myself

91. Is there anyone you want to punch in the face right now? yes

92. In a fight with someone? yeaaaaaa always

93. How many sweatpants do you have? so many

94. How many sweaters/hoodies do you have? like 15

95. Last movie you watched? some war movie my brother made me watch

96. Favourite actress? jennifer lawrence is bae

97. Favourite actor?  liam neeson is AMAZING

98. Do you tan a lot? occasionally 

99. Have any pets? yessss 2 dogs, 2 cats, a fish, and a bearded dragon

100. How are you feeling? tired

101. Do you type fast? jes

102. Do you regret anything from your past? of course

103. Can you spell well?  ye

104. Do you miss anyone from your past? of course

105. Ever been to a bonfire party? yes! love them

106. Ever broken someone’s heart? i don't think so

107. Have you ever been on a horse? yes i love horsies 

108. What should you be doing? showering

109. Is something irritating you right now? hell yes omg

110. Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt? happens every time

111. Do you have trust issues? yes yes yes

112. Who was the last person you cried in front of? my mom

113. What was your childhood nickname? kslay is my high school nickname 

114. Have you ever been out of your province/state? yeeeee

115. Do you play the Wii? not anymore :(

116. Are you listening to music right now? no

117. Do you like chicken noodle soup? yes

118. Do you like Chinese food? fuck yes

119. Favourite book? every day by david leviathan 

120. Are you afraid of the dark? kinda

121. Are you mean? sometimes 

122. Is cheating ever okay? no

123. Can you keep white shoes clean? sometimes

124. Do you believe in love at first sight? idk it’s never happened to me 

125. Do you believe in true love? i would like to

126. Are you currently bored? yes

127. What makes you happy? my dog

128. Would you change your name? yeah

129. What your zodiac sign? leo baby

130. Do you like subway? no

131. Your bestfriend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do? this is my current situation and i just dipped

132. Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with? my neighbor from my vacation home

133. Favourite lyrics right now? “I'm tired of feeling like I'm fucking crazy” by ma girl Lana

134. Can you count to one million? probably 

135. Dumbest lie you ever told? “i don't care”

136. Do you sleep with your doors open or closed? closed

137. How tall are you? 5″6

138. Curly or Straight hair? wavy!

139. Brunette or Blonde? both

140. Summer or Winter? winter

141. Night or Day? night

142. Favourite month? december rocks

143. Are you a vegetarian? nah

144. Dark, milk or white chocolate? dark or milk

145. Tea or Coffee? bothhhhhhh

146. Was today a good day? no

147. Mars or Snickers? snickers

148. What’s your favourite quote? idk

149. Do you believe in ghosts? yé

150. Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page? no

[posijeff-blog]

Chapter 2, Young, Poor, and Jewish In my initial year at UWM  I took two semesters of Biblical Hebrew language under Dr. Bernard Grossfield. Some of that era of the tongue translated to contemporary conversational Hebrew which I was able to use in my daily dialogue with an elderly Palestinian coworker. I went on in the Religious Studies program to study with Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan who I became friends with. At the time he was writing a book called, American Reform Judaism: An Introduction ( Rutgers University Press) which was to become highly esteemed in academic circles. I never wanted to move from Milwaukee but I knew it was time to travel. I narrowed my destinations down to India and Israel. Israel won out. I met Dana for lunch at Shaharazad restaurant to talk about it. He thought it was a great idea and cool that I had no plans and just a few loose contacts in The Holy Land.  At the time I had very little money. Dana told me exactly what to do. "Go to the old city. People are going to ask you if you are Jewish. Just tell them your mother is Jewish. You know more about Judaism than most Jews." "But I have tattoos. I don't even look Jewish." "I didn't say you were a good Jew" I knew he was right. I needed to turn this head knowledge into experiential knowledge. Without doing so there would be no insight into first hand experience as a Jew. This was education and investigative journalism at once. The more I gave whole heartedly of myself as a Jew, the more I knew about being a Jew, and the more of a Jew I became. Believe your own bullshit. Dana told me some very specific things that came to manifest in Israel. For example, I would meet a guy at The Wall named Jeff Seidel who would ask if I would like a place to stay and I could stay with a religious family and study with them. This came to pass and so did some other interesting things. My first stop was in Tel Aviv where I'd to stay with a punk rocker I met in a punk chat room. Our connection was a n anarchist punk band whose 1994 record I had by some Jewish Israeli's called Nekhei Na'atza AKA Renounce Judaism. Like  a lot of American punk bands, I thought they were fast and thought provoking but if they believed in what they politically espoused they were painting with some broad strokes. To a large degree it was just another shock tactic, one that got them recognition in Israel and on talk shows where religious Jews tried to "deprogram" them. Believe it or not, pre-911 Israel didn't have a lot else going on as far as a hardcore scene.When I arrived the guys at the squat treated me like I was some sort of ambassador. They really rolled out the cat haired red carpet for me. These guys were so crusty one dude's deadlock fell off. I got up from the chair at the kitchen table after my NesCafe and my butt had a mustache. Their record collections were really small and they were stoked to get some presents I had for them  them from the States like the new Shelter, a Sensefield/Jimmy Eat World split 7", EVEL (from Milwaukee), and the Destroy LA 7" from Pressure. They liked the Pressure 7" right away and were pretty open to the other music as well. After taking a walk one of the guys took me aside and told me seriously that that the world would be a better place if the US were blown off the face of the Earth. He wanted me to meet with this guy who he said was the king of the punks in Tel Aviv. I wasn't interested.   There was a lot of partying going on that night in the streets because The Maccabees professional basketball team ( part of the European league) just won a big championship title. I slept for a few hours then sneaked out with all my stuff. I slept on a jungle gym and wound up getting this rash called "wrestlers back" from that or the squat: a bunch of gross boils all over my back. I was low on money from the start so I decided to walk to Jerusalem and hitch hike if need be as I heard it was safe to do so. I calculated in my mind that it was only 40 miles which was way off. But the major roads were lined with grapefruit trees and orange groves. I didn't want to steal so I was eating warm, sun drenched oranges and grapefruit that fell off the trees. I hitched a  ride in a van after the first 15 miles and got into an argument in Hebrew with the driver. It seems hitch hiking in Israel is safe because you are expected to pay. I told him I wasn't going to pay him one shekel since we were going to the same place. He was pissed but didn't kick me out. The kids in the back seat were cool. An orthodox family, one of the young boys asked if I liked Tu Pac. No matter where I seemed to go on this journey Palestinian and Israeli kids seemed to share a love and excitement for Tu Pac. When I got dropped off I found a grocer and bought a bottle of water. I started walking toward sights I'd seen in books: the mosque with the gold dome (which holds the slab of rock Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac on), The Wall. A conservative guy with a yarmulke, white shirt, and black pants was coming home from work to his apartment and asked me in a New York accent if I was lost. I told him I wanted to get to The Wall before sundown as it was Friday. He invited me up to their apartment where I got to meet his young wife and baby son who I got to hold and play with. He prayed over me and gave me a yarmulke which was not real effective because I had a shaved head. It turned out he knew my friend Raphael's relatives in New York and our mothers were both from Sheboygan. He showed me a a haunting photo of his mom's dad visiting his home town in Latvia that was totally reduced to rubble by the Nazi's. I'm not sure why the guy felt compelled to return. My mother's family is Lithuanian, from that same region of the Europe I knew next to nothing about at the time. The couple sent me on my way with a bag of groceries, mostly native oranges and Israeli chocolates. I was so happy to have food. When I got to the wall it was as predicted I met Jeff Siedel. I wanted to go pray but he wanted to talk to me about the Chicago Blackhawks who were not doing so well at the time. There were so many cute girls there. I looked kind of awful, like a sun burnt skinhead. But the girls were all really sweet and nice to me. Most of them wore long conservative dresses. A few of them kept asking me about my tattoos. There was a group of men praying with some old scrolls. This guy with a beard who was about my dad's age asked if I was married. I told him no. "Well maybe you just haven't met the right girl." "Yeah, well that's the whole trick isn't it." These people were OG. Seidel wrote a name and address on a piece of paper for me of an elderly man and woman who I would have dinner with and stay with. I got to the apartment which reminded me of a clean early 20th century apartment in NYC except cobble stone streets below, less sirens, and more sounds of people praying and singing. The meal itself took hours. I turned down the boiled chicken that was sitting out for three hours. But the wine was delicious. I was really poor at reading from the prayer books in Hebrew but they were patient with me, like loving grandparents. I asked the  man why in earlier times miracles occurred like parting of the red sea. People, as he explained were more in touch with nature, with God then. Even the most depraved person had a sense of reverence for that which could not be explained. Today we credit meteorology as a logical science, more believable than God even while fifty percent of people complain about the weather man getting shit wrong half the time. Perfect Deity, developing science. When it came time to bid farewell the next day I wanted to give the matriarch a hug but there seemed to be some rule against it. But I got a strong sense of love from them and some solid handshakes. They even gave me money. I hit the streets and saw the sights. The hottest chicks around were the Israeli Army girls. All these girls were my age and wore grunge styled army fatigues and held Uzis that were attached to a strap that went around there necks. I guess I have a little Ted Nugent in me. I don't know why but if you put a gun on an already hot girl she becomes totally hot. It's a weird phenomenon. I'm weird. I figured I may as well do something positive with my time. I saw a sign that said "Emergency Clinic" in English then something in Arabic outside the City's Jewish quarter. I had just gotten a CPR and first Aid certification from the American Red Cross before I came over. Maybe they could use some help with all the fighting. I didn't see any bloodshed but there was a really high tension in the air as Jews  interacted cordially yet cautiously with Palestinians and vice versa. I can imagine it was a similar "in the air tonight"  feeling prevalent during the American years of segregation down south. I saw some Arab kids playing with guns, hiding around the corner and shooting at one another. I wondered how long before they would be carrying guns for real. The thought bummed me out. I got to the clinic and it appeared to be run by Muslims because I didn't see anybody there except some shoes on what looked like a Moroccan rug. Out of nowhere two guy ran out of the clinic in white robes pointing Uzis at me. The head guy from the clinic (I was later lead to assume) walked up to me with a Chinese AK and pointed it at my forehead. Realizing I didn't speak their native tongue the head honcho asked what the fuck I was doing there. I told him I was just seeing if they needed any help. It was confusing to him. He grabbed my wrist and asked me what the Hebrew tattoo meant on it. I told him it was one of the Hebrew words for meditation from the Bible. Ironically I got it done in NYC by Tee Schwartz , a skinhead from Milwaukee. Honcho told his buddies to go back in the clinic and started talking to me about meditation. He said his brother was into meditation. He told me to be more careful  because he was about to shoot me. It was all good. To be honest, I did not feel scared for one second. I was on Holy ground. One of my last stops that day was at the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. I saw Reggie White from the Green Bay Packers there which was awesome and I got my picture taken with him. Nobody else knew who he was. A few Israeli soldiers thought I was getting my picture taken with him because he was a black giant. They told me there was an even bigger black guy there a few days earlier. What the hell is wrong with these people? It's Reggie White! Seeing him made me homesick. I was already missing Milwaukee, my apartment, and my 13" TV set. I was leaving Jerusalem with more money I had arrived with on account of the nice people I met. I got a shuttle to Tel Aviv and flew to Amsterdam, then home.