#but these are my honest thoughts on Fawful's motivations | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

scribblewriting65 · 5 years ago

Text

Top 5 YouTube Channels

Intro

Communication is a powerful and ever-changing force; especially with the rise of the Internet in recent decades. And no online service knows this better than YouTube. Hosting thousands of channels and millions of videos, no website has sucked away our free time quite like Big Red.

Today I would like to acknowledge 5 of the platform’s strongest creators, in my eyes. Whether it be for their intelligent content or the sheer fun they bring, to me, these guys are some of the best of the best; and proudly hold some of my greatest respect.

Quick disclaimers: This is my first writing like this, and as you know, opinions can change over time; so please lower your pitchforks and know that there are plenty of channels I love. Also, when writing this, I don’t have a particular order in mind (Except for #1). Whether you find your favorite on the bottom, top, or nowhere at all, know that these guys deserve a watch (if my digital mouth has any impact on your choices, that is).

Enough talk though. Onward, to appreciation!

#5: JT Music

Art is mankind’s most unique unifier, and no art brings people together quite like music. Whether it be country, funk, or rap in this pick’s case, you can look just about anywhere for a good time. And while rock star NateWantstoBattle is a close second in this regard, no musician really does it for me quite like JT.

While most would look at the genre “Video Game Rap” with an upturned nose, those that stick around won’t find anything quite like what Skull and Pat bring to the table. Their weekly tunes always bring a fire to my subscription feed, whether they’re putting me into the role of a badass superhero, or dragging me into the darkest abyss, I can just about always have a good time nodding my head to the beat.

Not only is their work consistently fun, but it’s also wide in diversity, and constant in quality. Hits like Follow Father, No Hero, and Hungry for Another One capture their source material perfectly within a musical context. Even their cameo appearances in tracks like DAGames’ We Want Out and Zack Boucher’s Ultimate Super Smash Bros. Rap steal the show with their wild energy. I always find myself smiling when I find their newest song; getting a small amount of enjoyment even in my less liked tracks.

Consistent fun and passion can be felt in the notes, and I can’t help but rock my skull out when JT Music starts playing.

#4: GameXplain

Games offer a wide variety no matter where you look. No matter if you’re looking for a deep insight into 30 second clips, latest updates on a title, or general thoughts on an event, you can always find something, or someone, explaining the perspective for you.

I’m a funny guy, aren’t I?

GameXplain has certainly explored over the years. From Cool Bits and Missing In Action in the past, to their famous modern Analyses and Discussions, Andre and friends have always hosted an approachable place with a variety of outlooks from its diverse crew, like Andre’s obsession with Stunt Race FX and Ash’s knowledge and love of Mega Man.

Even if you aren’t super into any of their interests, you’ll still find a laid-back but insightful pool of content. Their discussions are a personal favorite of mine, bringing fun, thoughtful ideas to events or ideas occurring in the gaming industry. I can’t help but get caught up in their hype, especially for Nintendo Directs or the annual E3 Show.

Even if I don’t quite understand the excitement that something is receiving, I can always go to these guys for a solid explanation and platform to join the hype train.

#3: Mithzan

It seems that no matter where you go, Minecraft can be found there. Games, books, plushies, animations, even an entire convention; those familiar blocks pervade some space of modern culture. While this space has hosted some incredible creations, simplicity also has its own beauty.

Mithzan uses this simplicity to great effect. With his buddies Ross, Pooki, Jerry and frequent guests, Max is always there to give me a laugh. And while Minecraft holds a variety of fun games like Would You Rather and Never Have I Ever, Mithzan also offers experiences outside of the blocks, like Uno and Dead by Daylight.

Along with the wide content, the experiences and humor are also varied, sometimes employing puns or old-fashioned smack talk, to name a few. Even with the different conversations and games, the fun and heart are always there. Whether he’s playing a wacky or horrifying game, Mithzan is approachable and honest with his style of play.

#2: Mother’s Basement

Appearances can be deceiving, no matter where you look. Assumed bullies are victims themselves, ‘loner’ people are simply introverted, and the most stubborn ones find themselves lost in an unexpected niche. All it takes is a little looking around, and you’ll find a new lesson or friend more often than not.

And what better place to look for insight than in a Mother’s Basement?

While not all people can see the artistry that anime brings to the table, Mother’s Basement brings its potential to the limelight. With weekly insights and discussions on things like how animation enhances an atmosphere or what makes a fight extraordinary in Animelee, the ideas and thought put into these discussions is top-notch.

Along with this, Geoff (the host)’s voice is great support, staying calm but strong, adding great emphasis on major points. He even provides touches of comedy and actual life advice into his videos. I find myself especially entertained with his analyses on My Hero Academia and Fullmetal Alchemist, but Geoff also covers topics like best romantic partners and essential shows to watch (and avoid), and pointing out his reasons why. Even if anime isn’t your style, there are some videos dotted in discussing topics like the nuances of binge-watching in “Is Binge Watching Bad for Us? (Netflix vs. Disney+)” and other media like movies (“Spider-Verse: The Ultimate Spider-Man Movie”) and video games (“Insomniac’s Spider-Man is Truly Superior”).

While it took some time to grow on me, I’m glad to have been welcomed into Mother’s Basement. With plenty of insight and care put into each video, Geoff is just about always a good choice for fun education on how artistic Japanese animation can be.

#1:Fawful’s Minion

The world is full of stories; they’re simply part of human nature. Whether it be fantasy, drama, or comedy, all of us have the potential to weave tales that inspire. And none have inspired me on YouTube quite like Fawful’s Minion.

This mean bean gaming machine has the mouth of a divine artist. His videos always bring a bright smile and incredible awe to me for just how much quality and care goes into each video. Fawful’s Top 10’s have never let me down with their fun, reasons, and pure passion that is tangible in every project.

Not only are the videos fun, but they’re also inspiring too. Fawful’s linguistics is beyond captivating, even partially motivating how I speak and write. Along with constantly being a good time, I’m always inspired to write or gain a storytelling voice whenever I watch an FM video.

And the touches of insight into his personal life give Fawful an air of relatability. Now, I realize I may make him sound like some sort of Shakespearian poet, but he also dispels this through his more colorful language, bringing in modern terms (and curses) and joyful, nearly maniacal at times, laughter and emotion into his speech, making himself grounded and relatable.

Most of all, Fawful’s storytelling skills were, and still are, a big reason why I write and tell my own stories. I want to enrapture others with my words like Fawful does, so he gets a big thanks and respect in my book. Balancing fun, humor, emotion, and creativity, Fawful’s Minion has made a goon out of me, running towards the goal of becoming a true storyteller.

Outro

If you made it here, thanks for sticking around! I wanna maybe try these sorts of blog/list posts more often, so tell me what you think! If you like this and want to see more, feel free to check out my AO3 Page: https://archiveofourown.org/users/ScribbleWriting65. I hope you enjoyed this little list, and I’ll see you next time!

#scribblewriting65 #top 5 #list #jt music #mithzan #gameXplain #opinion

15 notes · View notes

the-record-columns · 7 years ago

Text

June 21, 2017: Columns

Green Stamps and a mother's love...

By KEN WELBORN

Record Publisher

Among my most treasured possessions in the eclectic collection of things here at the offices of The Record and Thursday Printing are items from the old Wilkesboro grocery store owned and operated for many years by Clegg and Dessie Culler. When I learned of their plans to close, I went by mainly to get the sign off the building which proudly read Culler's Specialties with an “Enjoy Coca-Cola” panel on each end. It still hangs proudly on the wall above my office area.

As time went on and the closing sale began to wind down, Clegg gave me a beautiful Sauer's Spice display rack, some clocks, a couple of beer signs, and a wooden boat oar that he said belonged to Daniel Boone. When I cautiously asked him how he knew the oar actually belonged to Daniel Boone, he smiled his little half-smile as only Clegg could, and said, “Why Kenny, he told me so himself.”

Well, that certainly settled that, didn't it?

But on to today's column, the sign on this page is a two-sided electric S & H Green Stamp beauty which also was a gift from Clegg and Dessie. Many of you remember S & H Green Stamps, a premium given away when you bought groceries, gas, and some other retail items. The gummed stamps were then placed in premium books and could be saved up and traded in for merchandise listed in the rewards catalog.

S & H really became big business, at one time claiming to print three times more stamps than the Postal Service, and that their rewards catalog was the largest publication in the United States. By the late 80s, the stamp redemption business was basically gone, but much memorabilia remains.

And, better than that, memories.

S & H had many competitors as the years went by and the one I remember around here was the Family Stamp program which was in the Lowe's Food Stores when the chain was being expanded by its owner, J. C. Faw. There were several Lowe's Foods locations in Wilkes and apparently that qualified us for a redemption center, which was located in the space now occupied by Teresa Allred's Carousel Cafe. In those days, there was a Lowe's Food right next door.

I looked through the premium catalog all the time and had spotted a basketball and goal set that I thought might be in reach for the number of complete stamp books we had. When I checked with my mother, Cary, I was right, and my brother, T. A., took me over to the redemption center (sounds like a tent revival, doesn't it) to get my ball and goal. Mark Goodman and I had already cut a tree and built a backboard out of scrap lumber, so, in no time, we were playing basketball. Before that summer was out there wasn't a blade of grass alive in the yard around our goal.

Some time later I was again looking through the Family Stamp catalog when I noticed a page corner turned down and an electric frying pan circled, It took two more books of stamps than my ball and goal. My heart sank as I realized that my mother was saving up for that frying pan and instead gave me the stamp books go get what I wanted. When I asked her about it, she hugged me and said she had plenty of frying pans and that I didn't have a basketball.

It is all I can do not to cry as I type this.

The year I was 15, 1964, I got a job working at the Thrift Super Market for the Ball family. A guy came around with the Thomas and Howard Wholesale Company and he had an electric frying pan in his big catalog. I saved up and ordered the best one he sold for my mother's Christmas present. An odd memory of that present is that it cost $19.16—which I never forgot because my mother was born in 1916.

I honestly cannot remember what other presents I may have given my mother throughout her life, but none touched her like that one. She remembered the story about my ball goal, and she remembered me feeling guilty about her not getting her electric frying pan. She used that frying pan as long as she lived—literally—and every time it would need repair, she would call my brother, T. A., to fix it. He once told me he had rewired the control on that old frying pan five or six times, but mother would never let him buy her a new one.

It is always something different that will take you back 40 days or 40. Today it was an old S & H Green Stamp sign given to me by two of the kindest people I have ever known--Clegg & Dessie Culler.

Thanks guys.

Endurance

By LAURA WELBORN

Romans 5:3 “We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us… “

I would like to share a story my son, Jake, told me about his trip to Nepal .

He has a volunteer project (as a side hobby) that had worked for several years and received a grant to put solar panels and computers in a small isolated village in Nepal . The village was a 14-mile up mountain hike that they would have to travel by foot. So 16 Sherpa’s and volunteers headed out expecting to reach the village in five or six hours. They took no supplies with them expecting to reach the village by nightfall.

As they say the best laid plans can go array and they did. The altitude began to affect one of the volunteers and after climbing about seven miles straight up hill. They were a long way out with no supplies. So they found a small group of huts and asked to stay the night. At first the people refused saying there was no place to put 16 people. The ailing volunteer became hysterical, so after much talking, one of the tribe’s people agreed to lend their hut. The hut had the animals downstairs and a “loft of sorts” made of slates.

The sick woman again became upset, unable to hike anymore, sick and tired she still refused to stay and was becoming even more hysterical. Jake, who loves hardships and sleeping under the stars, tried and tried to calm her down.

Finally he said, “Look you have been working years on this project, and you are only seven miles from achieving your goal of getting these solar panels and computers to these children. This is only one night out of the hundreds you have spent working on this. You can do this for one night.”

She looked up at him and calmed down. She settled down with 15 other people in the hut designed for animals and then hiked to the village the next day.

My take away from this…The group had to stay together for them all to make it.

When we are brought back to the mission (bringing the internet to a school) the mission then drives us beyond what we think we are capable of doing. And when there is a “shepherd” who can look out for the good of the “flock” and not leave anyone behind, the flock can survive.

As hard as we try sometimes things seem worse than they are. Jake reported the night as magical on the side of the mountain with the stars out, sitting around a fire with the huts people. Sometimes we think we can do it alone and fix it by ourselves, but we need to remember that it is much safer with the flock and the sun will come out tomorrow. We can do the unexpected and endure a lot more than we think we can, but most of all the hope of another day will not disappoint us.

Laura Welborn is a Mediator and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. Laura works with the Justis Group in North Wilkesboro doing individual/family and group therapy. Contact her at [email protected]

How about social justice for Israel?

By EARL COX

Special to The Record

The attainment of social justice has been a utopian goal throughout history. While God created all equal, there is no society in the world where this actually exists in a pure form. There have always been advocates and champions for the poor and downtrodden so the call for social justice will always be with us. It is right to want to help those less fortunate but we must not be deceived into believing a lie over the honest truth.

On university and college campuses across America, students are particularly attracted to causes and activities which call for social justice because they are looking for something worthwhile and meaningful in which to invest their energies. This is laudable but before signing on to support a particular cause, some investigation is in order. Sadly, too many are too quick to hang their hats on the peg labeled “social justice” without analyzing the underlying facts or motives or closely examining those people and organizations who are leading the way. America’s students are being influenced by liberal professors and radical Islamic activists whose true agenda is not actually social justice for all. Islamic activists are working diligently on our campuses of higher learning capturing the hearts and minds of vulnerable students. They are motivated not by a desire to achieve social justice but rather by the ultimate goal of unraveling and dismantling the principles and values upon which America was founded. By preying on the naiveté of America’s youth, they are working on changing America from within. Once accomplished (and they are making significant progress) the consequences will be negative for both America and Israel. Remember, radical Islam openly declares their intention to destroy the “Great Satan” which is the USA and the “Little Satan” which is Israel.

Misinformation and fabricated “truths” are two of the tools in the arsenal of radical Islam which is the power source fueling the engines of terror and jihad around the world. The widespread call for social justice for the so called “oppressed” Palestinians has become a hot button to stir up strife on campuses in order to create a hostile environment for Jewish students. Israel has been painted as an evil pariah and solely to blame for the unfortunate plight of the “poor, oppressed Palestinians." In reality it is the corrupt Palestinian leadership with their misguided values which places jihad (holy war) with Israel above the need to elevate the standard of living for the Palestinian people.

Yes, despite what the Palestinians would have the world believe, Israel and the Jews are not the cause for their oppressed state of existence and Israel is not an illegal occupier. In fact, because of the historic Jewish experience, Jews feel a deep moral obligation to stand up for the downtrodden. Because Israel bashing and Jew bashing are in vogue, it’s doubtful that any of our young has ever heard this from one of their left-leaning professors. Today’s atmosphere of political correctness does not leave room for positive speech about the Jews and Israel. This is dangerous and it must stop. If Israel and the Jews were removed from the earth, the Palestinians would still be poor and desperate and there would be no social justice in Palestinian society.

If those crying out for social justice really wanted to see this become a reality, they would be on the side of Israel – the one country in the world constantly and unfairly condemned by the U.N. and others and always held to a different and higher standard than any other country in the world. Thank the good Lord the United States now has an ambassador at the U.N. who is not afraid to stand up and be counted as a friend of Israel.

Even so, the Jewish people are the subject of open hatred and hostility but who is seeking social justice for them? There was little to no outcry for justice when Jewish cemeteries were being desecrated and synagogues spray painted with ugly words and messages reminiscent of the dark days leading up to the Holocaust. The atmosphere today is much the same as it was in the 1930s and 1940s when Hitler unleashed his program of ethnic cleansing but without knowing history this would be difficult to discern. Ignorance and indifference led to the deaths of millions of Jews and others. Could it happen again?

Efforts to achieve social justice will produce positive results if rightly placed. We must not accept or condone acts of terror, incitement of hatred, or genocidal or brutal acts against humanity. We must know and stand for the truth. If our schools won’t teach our children, then we must teach our schools. Israel and the Jews are here to stay. They have a long and rich history which pre-dates all of us by thousands of years and they have a very wonderful habit of making significant advancements and contributions to the betterment of the world from which we all greatly benefit.

To Brunch or Not to Brunch

By Carl White

Life in the Carolinas

I like brunch because it’s a mid-morning activity, you don’t have to get up early and you don’t have to wait too long to enjoy it. It’s often, but not always with friends or family and you can have anything you want with your eggs.

I remember a brunch visit to Proper Restaurant in Boone NC. The drive up the mountain was relaxing, it was a good 10-15 degrees cooler and the air seemed cleaner.

I took advantage of the free meter Sunday parking on King Street. It was around noon when I arrived and a good number of people were already seated. I chose a table which provided me a front row seat for a talented guitar player who provided a nice balance of soothing music with a nostalgic feel.

My waitress was knowledgeable and colorfully charming which added even more to the experience. After hearing the specials, I ordered the quiche of the day with oven roasted potatoes. She highly recommended the collards as my second side. To which I said, “are you serious?” With a confident smile she said without hesitation, “trust me, you will love them”.

What could I say but yes. She also told me about the Biscuit Baby of the day, which was a rolled pastry with figs, strawberries, and covered with an orange zest glaze. I had to at least taste it, so I said, “yes please”.

The room was filled with a diversity of happy brunch people of all ages, an acoustic guitar version of Oh Happy Day was playing when my coffee and Biscuit Baby arrived. It was warm with a nice presentation and smelled wonderful. I also knew I had a full meal still on the way. I could foresee a to go box in my not too distant future. However, after the first bite, I could tell I was going to have a problem. The flavors were blended perfectly and well suited for total consumption.

Soon after, the main event arrived and it was even more impressive. The quiche was tall with a flaky crust. A delicate well-balanced flavor where each bite prepared you for the next. The roasted potato’s we nicely seasoned with a side of homemade tomato sauce and then the much awaited perfectly prepared collards. She was right, I loved them, they were a perfect side. I lingered with the music, another cup of coffee and casual conversation with fellow brunch folks just long enough as to not need a to go box.

I drove away with a feeling of gratitude and satisfaction.

Brunch is by no means a new thing, from what I can tell it was first written about in 1895 by Guy Beringer in the “Hunter’s Weekly” a British publication that has long been out of print. Brunch would make its way to America by the late 1920’s. Over the years brunch would evolve, after World War II Sunday morning brunch become even more popular.

Many people enjoy a mimosa or two. For others it’s a Bloody Mary with all sorts of pickled garnish, such is the case with friends Bruce and Bonnie Julian in Charlotte who perfected a blend that so pleased people that it has become a commercial business. I’m not surprised.

Some say that brunch is for certain people.

Well if you ask me, and someone did. I think brunch is for anyone who likes the idea of eating sometime between the traditional breakfast and lunch times. If you like collards with your eggs, like I now do, you my friend may be a brunch person. There are many fine places for brunch in the Carolinas, all you must do is ask a friend or google.

See you at brunch!

Carl White is the executive producer and host of the award winning syndicated TV show Carl White’s Life In the Carolinas. The weekly show is now in its seventh year of syndication and can be seen in the Charlotte viewing market on WJZY Fox 46 Saturdays at 12:00 noon. For more on the show visit www.lifeinthecarolinas.com, You can email Carl White at [email protected].

A Midsummer Night’s….. Contradiction

By Heather Dean

June 21 marks the summer solstice. Traditionally a day of celebration and even the fairies are at their merriest. Shakespeare wrote a little ditty about it- you may have heard of it- A Midsummer Nights Dream is a tale of enchantment that takes place on midsummer, a seasonal transition that was thought to be a time when supernatural beings caused widespread mischief and some plants were thought to possess magical healing powers.

Fun fact: Shakespeare is also credited with the first-known citation of the phrase “midsummer madness,” Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southward again. In ancient cultures, the fires were to drive away dragons, evil spirits and witches that would poison the wells.

The word midsummer comes to us from Old English, Dutch and Scandinavian origins.

Across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Scandinavia, The British Isles, The Faroe Islands, and both hemispheres of the Americas, people over the world people still celebrate the ancient holiday. Midsummer’s Eve is a national holiday in Sweden and Finland.

Modern day traditions, like those held in Iran, include lighting the fire, thanking God for his blessings and crops, and praying for the peace of the souls of the dead were parts of this ancient Iranian tradition. This ceremony coincides with harvesting, and newly wed couples who have married in the past year, are given white horses to ride up to the foot of the mountain. As the brides and grooms reach the mountain foot, a yellow cow is set free, as a sign of happiness and abundance for the new couples

The science behind the celebrations, are thus: solstice occurs when a planet's rotational axis, or geographic pole on either it’s northern or its southern hemisphere, is most inclined toward the star that it orbits. This happens twice each year (once in each hemisphere), when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the North or South Pole. For instance: on the east coast (NYC) the sunrise will be around 5:24 a.m. and the sunset will occur at 8:30 with a copious15 hours and 05 minutes of daylight. In

Fairbanks Alaska, which is closer to the Arctic Circle, they will have a glorious 21 hours and 49 minutes of daylight. So much daylight, in fact, that part of their midsummer celebration includes a midnight game of basketball.

You’re all dumb:

But Heather, what's all this "midsummer talk? June 21 is the first day of summer. Right?"

Saying June 21 is the beginning of summer is, in fact, contradict

Astronomically, the summer solstice is considered to be "mid-summer", because it is technically the longest day of the year.

Meteorologically, the summer-solstice is the time of year when things are just STARTING to warm up, so it makes sense, from that cultural perspective, to refer to the solstice as "the first day of summer", rather than "mid-summer".

Culturally, our conceptions of "summer" are the time of year when things are warm and sunny. (As if you needed something else to wrap your head around, consider that this is the WINTER Solstice for Australia, and that they celebrate Christmas in their summer season.)

In our modern world, we tend to focus on the seasons as they apply to us or our particular region, and not on the astronomical reality which few pay attention to these days. In the processes of evolving into a more urban society versus rural, the true meaning behind the dates, as has happened with so many of our holidays, has become lost. Read: Our modern calendars and mass media have misled us. And most are not remotely interested in correcting this error. So, here you are, going about your lives, never knowing you've been wrong this whole time, because the glossy paper calendar on the wall says "first day of summer", and why would you ever doubt them?

Put down your cell phone and think about it....

One has only to consider the scientific fact that the Solstices mark the MID POINT of the seasons via the course of the Sun. One of the world's oldest evidence of the Summer Solstice's importance in culture is Stonehenge in England, a megalithic structure which clearly marks the moment of the June Solstice.

Even as children, we were taught Summer Solstice was the longest day of the year, that the sun seemed to stand still, and that the days get shorter from here on out. So how could it be the beginning of anything, if in fact it begins waning after this?

It doesn't.

Summer actually begins May 1. Thus the thousands year old May Day festivities celebrating the sun becoming stronger, and brighter the closer to the earth it gets. Around June 20-22, this solar strength begins to reverse course and the days grow shorter paving the way to fall. The Autumnal Equinox occurs when the sun crosses the equator on its journey southward, and we experience a day and a night that are of equal duration is mid- harvest season. Winter as a season begins on November 1, after the all hallows eve bonfires marking the coming darkness of the Earth until the rebirth of spring. December brings The Winter Solstice, or midwinter, which like midsummer comes around the 21/22 of the month, and we experience the shortest and darkest day of the year. The Spring Equinox sees the hours of daylight and darkness again in balance, but getting warmer. And we soon find ourselves back at May Day, when summer actually begins. Not that this really matters in the grand scheme of making beach plans, but I like to think people would prefer to have the knowledge, given the chance.

Still can’t wrap your head around it? That’s ok. Let’s take a page from Shakespeare, via theatre major and Heather style.

“If this writing has offended, slip on your flip-flops, grab your fairy wings, think but this, and all is mended, that you have but rested here while these words did appear.

Gentle readers, do not reprehend: If you pardon, we shall commend: And, as I am an honest Heather, if we have pretty summer weather, to 'scape the hot sun's tongue, we will swim all summer long. Else this Fae a liar call; So, good night unto you all.

Give me your hands, if we be friends, and the goodfellow shall restore amends."

Heather Dean is a theatre major working in journalism. She keeps pinky promises, and never turns down shenanigans. You can reach her at [email protected]

0 notes