#its approved by like 4/7 alters lol

[katbug666]

say thank you very much for blowing smoke in ur face! 🤭

[bigprettygothgf]

Why would u id as a commie when places North Korea exists lol. Are u that dumb or are u just being performative on tumblr to be relatable

Rabies is the fifth studio album by Skinny Puppy. It was released on November 21, 1989 through Nettwerk. The album notably features Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen (credited as Alien Jourgensen) who performed electric guitar and vocals on several songs. The album spawned two singles, "Tin Omen" and "Worlock", the latter of which becoming one of the band's most recognizable songs. The cover art was made by longtime Skinny Puppy collaborator Steven R. Gilmore. In 1993 the CD edition was reissued by Nettwerk to correct mastering errors in the original release.[1]

Rabies was a commercial success for the band, but received mixed reviews from critics upon release, several of whom drew parallels between the record and Ministry's style, both favorably and unfavorably. A joint tour with Ministry, KMFDM, and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, dubbed The Mutants of Rock Tour, was planned but ultimately cancelled when Skinny Puppy ended its commitment to the project.

Recording and production[edit]

Most of the band's previous albums had been mixed and produced by the group's "fourth member" Dave "Rave" Ogilvie. For Rabies, lead singer/songwriter Nivek Ogre brought in friend and Ministry frontman, Al Jourgensen. Ogre had met Jourgensen during the recording of the PTP song "Show Me Your Spine" in 1987. Ogre later toured with Ministry (Ogre can be seen and heard on the In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up video and CD) and would also go on to provide vocals for Jourgensen's side project Revolting Cocks.[2][3] The other two members of Skinny Puppy, cEvin Key (drummer) and Dwayne Goettel (keyboardist/synthesist), did not approve of Jourgensen's takeover, creating a "glacial coldness" between the band members.[4][5] A couple years following the release of Rabies, Key mentioned to Alternative Press that he believed Jourgensen's motive for assisting in the album's production was to try and break up Skinny Puppy.[5]

Much of the album had been written before Jourgensen was officially involved, though Key has mentioned that the process was influenced by the notion that Jourgensen might join them in the studio to "jam." The group took into consideration what type of music Jourgensen would be interested in making, thus writing guitar heavy material such as "Tin Omen,"[5] a song which makes reference to the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.[6] "Fascist Jock Itch," also written with Jourgensen in mind,[5] was inspired by an incident between Ogre and a few skinheads. Ogre states that he had been approached by the skinheads who then proceeded to question him regarding his "loyalty towards communism" (prompted by a small Red star on his pants). Feeling threatened, Ogre pushed one of them away and a short scuffle ensued.[3] Other songs on the album, such as "Worlock" and "Choralone," have been described as being more "pure" to previous Skinny Puppy material.[5] The song "Hexonxonx," a song which criticizes the use of oil (written in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989),[7] has been described as being an exemplary mixture of "twisted humor and Throbbing Gristle-like experimentation", while other entries from the album have been noted for their novel use of sampling.[8]

The song "Worlock" has been played on every tour after its conception. A Roland Harmonizer was used to create the vocoder-effect during the chorus. Samples of the song "Helter Skelter" by the Beatles are mixed with an excerpt of Charles Manson singing the song;[9] the excerpt comes from the 1973 documentary Manson.[10]

Release and promotion[edit]

The original CD release on Nettwerk (and the licensed version on Capitol) was mistakenly mastered with Dolby B noise reduction, which resulted in a muffled sound. In 1993, the album was digitally remastered and re-released on Nettwerk.[1]

Only one promotional video was produced for Rabies. The "Worlock" video was primarily a rhythmically edited string of horror movie clips featuring outtakes and clips from the band's earlier video, "Stairs and Flowers" (from the album Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse). The video, which opens with a "Rated X" graphic, was intended to be a critique of the concept of censorship in America.[3] Many of the movie clips featured in the video were from films made by controversial Italian filmmaker Dario Argento, whose work has a reputation for being heavily censored by US distributors in order to gain "R-Ratings" from the MPAA.[11] For the "Worlock" video Skinny Puppy included footage deleted from the US versions of such Argento films as Deep Red, Suspiria, Tenebrae, Phenomena, and Opera. Other films included in the music video include, The Beyond, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Bad Taste, Dead and Buried, Luther The Geek, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, From Beyond, Death Warmed Up, Eraserhead and Altered States.

Due to the graphic violence of the horror film clips used in the video, and also copyright violations, "Worlock" was subsequently banned by MTV, and did not receive any television airplay.[12] In 1992, Skinny Puppy released a compilation of their music videos, but "Worlock" was noticeably absent. According to Nettwerk, the video was omitted partially due to copyright problems and also because of concern the video would be banned by other countries which might find the video's content obscene.[citation needed] However, in recent years the video has been widely bootlegged among fans on the Internet. "Backing" videos for "Tin Omen" and "Choralone" were produced for the Too Dark Park tour in 1990, and have also been spread on the Internet.

A limited run of promotional mechanical pencils were made and sent to college (and possibly other) radio stations along with the album. Shaped like a syringe the pencils were white with black lettering "SKINNY [PUPPY]" and white on black lettering "RABIES". They were approximately 4 inches in length.

The Mutants of Rock Tour, which was to include a quadruple bill including Skinny Puppy, Ministry, KMFDM, and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, was to begin on December 27, 1989. However, according to Key, the tour was called off when Skinny Puppy collectively decided to pull out, citing concerns regarding the band's then uncertain situation. Key suggested a potential line of shows for the summer of 1990, but expressed little faith in any tour supporting Rabies ever happening.[13] Ogre ultimately joined Ministry's tour for The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste.[14]

Critical reception

Since the album's release, reception from both critics and fans has been mixed. Alternative Press said Rabies was more of a Skinny Puppy/Ministry hybrid and was not representative of the group's best work.[5]

Tim DiGravina from Allmusic stated that Rabies was a solid release, even though he felt the band was not performing "at their peak". He goes on to praise the album's implementation of movie dialogue, particularly commending its use in the songs "Worlock", "Tin Omen", and "Rivers". DiGravina was, however, less impressed by Jourgensen's contributions, asserting that the same qualities which made The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste a good album were not suitable for Rabies.[8] Trey Spencer from Sputnikmusic was less favorable, calling the record one of the group's "low points". He was critical of the album's use of simple (and sometimes "formless") song structures and claimed that the sampling brought nothing meaningful to the table. Spencer was more receptive to the song "Worlock", calling it the band's "defining moment", but concludes by saying that "the rest of the album consists of two good Industrial Metal songs, three average songs, and five songs that aren’t worth wasting your time on".[18]

Beth Fertig of The Boston Globe panned the album as "just another festering collection of noise", but pointed out the use of humor on songs such as "Fascist Jock Itch" as a positive element of the band's music.[15] Daniel Lukes of Kerrang! said that despite a "handful of undeniably classic tracks", the album comes across more as a collection of "Ministry B-sides" than a typical Skinny Puppy record.[16]

In a positive review from the Los Angeles Times, writers Jonathan Gold and David Kendrick list Rabies as an essential industrial album, calling it a "slightly atypical" offering that "also rocks a little harder".[17] This sentiment was echoed by CMJ's Brad Filicky, who called the album "a masterpiece of the industrial genre".[21] Jean Carey of the Tampa Bay Times praised the album, calling attention to the use of sampling, the song "Worlock", and Ogre's vocal work, which was compared to a "crazed Jimmy Durante". Carey concluded by saying that "Skinny Puppy's willingness to experiment and change makes [Rabies] well worth a listen".[19] Mark Jenkins of the Washington Post thought the album was less theatrical than their previous efforts, but concluded that the album's "groove is as solid as any the Puppy has ever fetched".[20]

Personnel[edit]

Nivek Ogre (vocals)

cEvin Key (production, engineering, mixing, various instruments)

Dwayne Goettel (production, engineering, mixing, various instruments)

Dave Ogilvie (production, engineering, mixing, backing vocals)

Al Jourgensen (production, engineering, mixing, guitar, additional vocals)

Greg Reely (additional engineering, special thanks)

Marc Ramaer (additional engineering, mixing)

Ken Marshall (additional engineering)

Cyan Meeks (vocals and lyrics on "Rain")

Keith Auerbach (mixing on "Fascist Jock Itch")

Jeff Newell (mixing on "Fascist Jock Itch")

[vivien00u5059391-blog]

" Buttonless" Reserve On IOS Gamings.

Update: After revealing the service back in February, our company now know that the brand-new service will certainly be actually launching globally on June 1, with early get access to for Xbox Live Gold participants accessible coming from today. This implies that the game is going to observe our triad in their undertaking of the 7 Guardians from Illumination to plan for their ultimate showdown versus Master Xehanort. Rhythm activities have actually been down in the dumps for a couple of years, however the landing from Thumper confirmed that the style has however, untrained ability. These activities will definitely possibly view a show at the upcoming E3 2017 pc gaming program, therefore stay tuned for more details soon. For the UK dealing with activity community, it might just be one of the most necessary opportunity from the year. I need to discuss Smith for a second since although this was actually certainly not HIS account, he participated in such a terrific duty within this book. They have 2 kids right now and also have performed blog on each nurseries/bedrooms ... they may have the ability to provide some practical DIY concepts. Is there a possibility that the provider will definitely stop creating ps3 activities just because ps4 is today did that to psp after ps profile emerged. This cloud-based streaming solution enables you to participate in PS3 video games on your PS4 by streaming them over the internet, with remittance handled a rental or month-to-month membership basis. Off Harry Potter and also the Purchase from the Phoenix metro right via to Deathly Hallows Component 2. Gamers get to tackle 24 details Account Occasions, cast brand new Incantations, utilize brand new Dueling Skills, acquire brand new Beauties as well as communicate along with all-new characters. Board games include a limitless wide array of styles and also subjects, thus let a student decide this, then have this approved by the instructor. The update conveniently adds an entire brand new game's well worth from content to the smash hit bottom structure game. All 3 participants of the team could be observed doing the song at Joffrey and Margaery's wedding ceremony in time 4. LOL, trigger when Christmas comes Sony shoppers will actually havea bunch of brand new video games to buy, and also some real brand new components to take pleasure in as well. The greatest stick you could defeat Infinite Warfare along with really isn't that it's certainly not as strong as Combat zone 1 or even Titanfall 2, this's that this is actually simply miles away from also the activity that's packed with it: Modern Warfare Remastered. Among the bundled games are actually every Sonic name launched for the system, as well as the three authentic Deadly Kombat names. And also GBAoid (likewise referred to as GameBoid) manages these portable video games without damaging a sweat. The first personality will cast a spell as well as disassemble the brick package, you are going to have to put the little bit of bridge with each other and also possess a sensation all around, when you shatter around there are going to be actually a number of products you are going to must create. At a show when most of Sony's cubicle was concentrated on participating in DVD duplicates from The Matrix, this activity definitely stood out and also singular handedly added to the increasing hype for the PS2's upcoming launch in The United States and Canada. Just before independence the part from video games as well as sporting activities in educational institutions was actually confined. Our experts found out about how the video game is actually played in Taking Transforms, our team discovered of Rochelle and her leaving behind the activity quickly, however our company do not acquire any sort of response to what irritated her to leave - until now. Acquire the affordable juices flowing with the add-on from Apple's Activity Facility as well as Amazon's GameCircle for leaderboards as well as accomplishments. I have never ever read a book that is actually ever affected me through this or even stayed with me regardless of the years that pass. That word will perhaps be ... wondrous if I possessed to explain this book in one word. For those who haven't read this set, this manual focuses on Finn Mannus, NFL quarterback, as well as Chester (yes that's her label) Copper, a digital photographer that has been hired to picture Finn and also some of his colleagues for a naked calendar shoot. Your blogging site has actually altered my lifestyle through offering plenty of DELICIOUS and allergy helpful dishes. Matt Barnes (correct ankle/foot sprain), and also Shaun Livingston (correct index finger sprain) have not participated in either and also might be out for Activity 4. Whenever I go over a corny book that I actually suched as when I was actually a little one this creates me intend to provide the writer a buzz and ask exactly what the heck is actually g I was fretted as heck about reviewing this manual again. After Agbonlahor's objective, Birmingham must chase after the video game and when alternative Greg Stewart sent in a fantastic cross towards the late-arriving David Davis, Alan Hutton made a fantastic conserving header. They are actually normally more complex in comparison to typical board games, with long play times as well as progression/upgrade components evocative computer game. The group responsible for Activity from Thrones has also verified Ed Sheeran will certainly help make a visitor appeal in the 7th set from the show. If you cherished this short article and you would like to obtain far more information concerning Additional Info kindly pay a visit to the site. Nevertheless, if you're willing to purchase the PS4, you'll experience far better settlement pc gaming and also its own game collection is actually receiving more powerful each week. What attracts attention regarding this trailer still today is the way in which it illustrates the purposes from the programmers. William Chyr's activity resembles a lithograph, its own building drawing as well as brutalist paradise spun in to one. That choice, made in the heat from a second, showed the company as inevitably unprepared to eliminate this ideological struggle on the social stage, functioning as a multi-million-dollar preventive for game developers intending to exemplify sex in their games. Currently, sex was the all-natural" progression, as he put this to Kolbe, an important topic for video games to deal with if they were to state the creative flexibility managed literary works and movie house. An effective player or even an athlete can easily participate in also the game from lifestyle properly. I can't await this manual to come to be a flick Don't receive me incorrect, I appreciated this substantially, however I simply recognize I'll adore this more on the silver screen. I was actually talented your first recipe manual by a pal and I LIKE this. Expecting seeing your brand-new recipe book. The activity containers, baseding upon reviewers that have received the console early, taste abhorrent. I played Destiny for virtually two years solid, tuning in weekly to the hinderance of trying out new video games. In the nostalgic prelude Wenger don't forgot disallowing Mars pubs just before his first game accountable, in the past in 1996. You view, this is what I like regarding Salinger's thus frequently disputed work - its capacity to stir thoughts and also opinions that go beyond the plot and the book record and make you assume, and perhaps -merely perhaps - be actually a touch rebellious, also. I constantly considered pre ordering as a procedure to get an activity as well as you gone on a finances.

[skincare-us-blog]

The Tom Ford Cleanse

New Post has been published on http://skincareee.com/the-tom-ford-cleanse/

The Tom Ford Cleanse

A variety of things come to mind when I think of Tom Ford. A heady over pour of virility. A languid transatlantic (???) drawl. An almost lifelike brow. And that’s just appearance. By now, his dogmatic convictions are almost as sentient as he is. He’s condemned everything from wearing shorts in the city, and his son’s “tacky” dinosaur shoes, to chewing gum in public. He is as deft as he is fastidious, and it seems every photo I see of him has him sprawled out, spread eagle, and on a chaise lounge.

I’ve always found this network of information compelling because, typically, unrelatability has a direct correlation with appeal. It’s universal. This curiosity is the basis of why Shark Week, serial killers, and the concept of childbirth are all enthralling while Ryan Reynolds, pants with an elastic waistband, and marketing emails that address me by my first name bore me to death. This intense curiosity drove me to gain insight into his lifestyle, because who wouldn’t want to live like Mr. Ford?

I started with the most accessible window to his soul: his diet and daily regimens. For structure, I looked to another ITG cleanse centered around folding a successful person’s habits into yours—The Oprah Cleanse. After reading every interview with him the internet had to offer, I ended up with a week-long crash course. I present to you the Tom Ford cleanse.

The general parameters:

–Punctuate a very healthy diet with junk “I try to stick to a diet of fish and vegetables, but my one remaining vice is cheap candy and baked goods… Hostess Donettes are my weakness.”

–Cold beverages only “I don’t like warm drinks of any kind.”

–Only consume scentless foods “I don’t eat onions or garlic. Ever. Fresh breath is important.”

–Take baths instead of showers “Yes, I still take my baths all day long. They’re meditative.”

–Only use Tom Ford Beauty products “Naturally, I use my own beauty products.”

–Look your best in order to be your best “Put on the best version of yourself when you go out in the world because that is a show of respect to the other people around you.”

DAY ONE The folklore surrounding Tom Ford purportedly taking five baths a day has been around since, well, Tom Ford. While the exact number of baths he currently takes is unknown, I make it my goal to take at least two baths a day (but bonus points for more!).

6:30 AM Tom Ford said in Harper’s Bazaar that his day starts at 4:30 a.m. I set my alarm for this time and, after snoozing my alarm for two hours, give up on waking up that early for the remainder of the week. I begin drawing my first bath.

I make a giant iced coffee and lower myself into the water where I sit in cannonball position until the water reaches my chest. The feeling is as unfamiliar as it is initially unpleasant. I briefly wonder if I will get heatstroke.

8:00 AM I drain the tub, brush my teeth, shave, and draw my second bath. This time with soap. I am running late for work because I have taken more baths this morning than I have in the past decade. I bolt to work.

9:20 AM For breakfast, I have a scoop of bran cereal, half a banana, and several slices of pineapple. An archetypally Tom Ford breakfast. I almost never eat breakfast because I am always nauseous for the first several hours after waking, but I enjoy taking the time to collate the ingredients into a bowl and pick at it while I begin work.

9:45 AM Second breakfast: two Hostess Donettes. In case you haven’t had one of these recently because you don’t grocery shop at gas stations—they are soft, delicious, and taste nothing like doughnuts. Here, the word “donettes” is used to indicate that they are not real doughnuts in that way that the words “cheez,” “froot,” and “Cap’n” are used to distinguish between real cheese, fruits, and Captains.

I get powdered sugar all over my slacks.

12:00 PM Lunch is catered at my office today, so I stand in the lunch line and sniff each platter looking for entrees that don’t have onions or garlic. I end up with a scoop of dilly orzo, potato nubs, three balls of mozzarella, and several florets of raw broccoli.

6:50 PM I prepare for a bath the second I get home. This time, I shower beforehand. Cheating, I know, but I am unable to mentally surmount the idea of atmospheric grime seasoning tonight’s bath.

9 PM I drink a banana, peanut butter, and almond milk smoothie with a bendy straw for dinner.

Total bath count: 3

DAY TWO

9:15 AM Breakfast: a half-banana smile with two Donette eyes. I fashion a nose out of a pineapple chunk.

12:20 AM I order an expensive vegetarian burger for lunch. I throw out the onions and eat in complete silence at my desk. I chase it with a shard of dark chocolate.

6:30 PM Tom Ford’s sixth grooming commandment, according to GQ, is “get a pedicure.” I’ve put this off for years as I am a germophobe, and am truly terrified by the idea of fungal infections. A friend recommends the ITG-approved JinSoon Natural Hand & Foot Spa’s Tribeca outpost, so I heed his advice and go after work. After checking in with the receptionist, I am offered a glass of prosecco, which I politely decline. (Tom Ford told Esquire that “becoming teetotal completely altered [his] life.”) I might as well give it a shot this week.

The experience is blissful start to finish. It involves me alternating my hobbit legs in and out of warm water dyed blue, droppers filled with fragrant tinctures, delicate trimming, and fervent sanding. I’ve been missing out! At some point, I have an out of body experience. I see myself, posturing like Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII in Showtime’s Golden Globes-nominated drama, The Tudors—shirt unbuttoned to my navel—without even a hint of irony! I lean into this tableau, and when the technician offers me my choice of essential oils, I pick lavender.

9:15 PM For dinner, I eat poached arctic char with peppers, plums, and eggplant.

11:00 PM I graze my feet against each other until I drift off into a full night of uninterrupted sleep.

Total bath count: 5

DAY THREE

8:30 AM On my way to work, I exchange several messages with Emily Ferber, and we talk shop about Tom Ford Beauty.

An excerpt: Emily Ferber: I have a skin illuminator that I don’t use but can’t get rid of The dry body oil— I use it in my hair. Or Gotham: Is there an actual difference between the body oil and the dry oil? EF: The dry oil is a spray. OG: Oh, like Pam!!! EF: Lol like Pam. I hope I get a cameo in your piece. OG: I’ve already taken several screenshots.

10:00 AM I pull my bare feet out of my loafers and interrupt my coworkers’ productivity to show them how pristine my feet are. They all coo at my wiggling toes as I do slow motion fan kicks in my desk chair.

12:30 PM I plate several pieces of salmon sushi and get up to take a lap around the office. My coworkers question this behavior.

“For lunch, Tom Ford sometimes wanders around his office eating salmon sashimi off of a plate,” I explain to them, slinking off into the office’s atrium.

I don’t catch their reactions, but I assume they react to this statement with unbridled understanding and acceptance.

7:00 PM I decide to try out Tom Ford’s Intensive Purifying Mud Mask. I wash my face with the Purifying Facial Cleanser which leaves my face feeling very clean. I then spackle on a thick layer of the mud. Its light citrus scent is pleasant. I smile, like the Babadook, at the mirror and sink into the tub. It is now Friday night, so for the first time this week I enjoy my bath with all the urgency of a glacier. I play Abel Korzeniowski’s score for A Single Man. A lit candle sits irresponsibly on the edge of the tub, filling the room with Neroli Portofino. I feel dour and cinematic in my nakedness—quintessentially Tom Ford. I soak long enough to let the water get cold and wash the mask off.

Spoiler alert: my skin looks very clear the next morning.

Total bath count: 7

DAY FOUR

10 AM I sleep in because it’s Saturday. For breakfast, I have a sugared doughnut and two iced coffees. I spend thirty minutes doing calisthenics half-heartedly, start the crossword, and take a three-hour nap.

1:30 PM I eat four pineapple spears and get indigestion.

6:00 PM I begin preening before a friend’s birthday party in the East Village. Tom Ford directs us to use “cold packets” to get rid of eye puffiness. I have no idea what a cold packet is, so I rub two ice cubes around my eyes instead. I brush my eyebrows with Tom Ford for Men Gelcomb. Using a magnifying mirror and Tom Ford for Men Concealer in Medium, I begin covering my imperfections. I swipe it over my dark undereye circles, a broken capillary I obtained by abusing Bioré strips last winter, my eyelids, and the sizable area of pores flanking my nose. Checking my work in my bathroom’s catastrophically unflattering light, I realize I have screwed the pooch. The color is entirely too pale and very full coverage. I look casket-ready. I, however, was supposed to be there an hour ago, so I spray Neroli Portofino “everywhere” (Ford’s mandate!) and leave the house as is.

On the subway, I pray that people assume I am a RealDoll, rather than a highly-perfumed corpse.

7:30 PM Luckily, the bar is dark, so no one comments on my appearance.

Total bath count: 10

DAY FIVE

11 AM The sheer number of baths I’ve taken this week has dried my skin out considerably, so I counteract this by squirting several streams of Neroli Portofino Body Oil directly into my bath water. I immerse myself into the very expensive scented water and try out every repose depicted in The Land of Cockaigne by Bruegel. Immediately, I feel like a 1990s mogul.

Scented baths are one of the several commodities (along with limousines, the sweater department at Barney’s, two-day shipping, and mint Milanos) that were once regarded as luxuries and have lost their clout over time. In the December 2008 issue of Details magazine, Tom Ford says “time and silence are the most luxurious things today.” His statement holds up. It becomes clear that the multi-bath ritual was never about compulsive cleansing but rather about the accommodation of those two indulgences.

My bathtub remains dangerously slippery for the next day and a half.

1 PM For lunch, I eat two poached eggs over a frisée salad in the West Village. The waiter comments on my fragrance neutrally, which I attribute directly to the fact that I am wearing too much.

“Tom Ford?” he not so much asks as broadcasts, sniffing the ether above me.

I nod uselessly and vacate the premises.

10 PM I forget to eat dinner entirely and put on Nocturnal Animals before bed.

Total bath count: 12

DAY SIX

8 AM I skip breakfast and get an iced coffee on the way to work.

6 PM I get an email that the Fruit of the Loom undershirt I had tailored to make my arms look more attractive is ready for pick up. The sleeves were hemmed just above my triceps to mirror Tom Ford’s “off-duty” uniform.

There is a strong correlation between successful people and people who get their clothes custom-fit. It’s the kind of permanent adjustment that balks in the face of 30-day return policies. One of the reasons successful people look, well, successful is that their clothes fit them exactly. There’s no cuffing, or bunching, or billowing. Simply going to a tailor is a status symbol within itself because it says “I can spend $20 getting this $3.58 undershirt professionally altered.”

7 PM I change into it the second I get home and study myself in a full-length mirror. Any improvements to my appearance are imperceptibly mild. (My arms, however, are unremarkable to begin with so I write it off as user error.)

7:15 PM I keep my bespoke Fruit of the Loom shirt on and plaster the mud mask on my face.

8 PM Dinner is grilled branzino with radish and parsley.

Total bath count: 15

DAY SEVEN

9:10 AM I arrive at the office, sweating profusely because I am wearing a turtleneck. I head to the restroom and give myself another spray of cologne in case I smell like a damp ox.

11 AM For lunch, I eat sushi. I’m exhausted by the amount of fish I’ve consumed in the last week. I’m sure Tom Ford doesn’t face this problem (because he doesn’t get sushi from the cafeteria-style “premium” lunch hubs that pop up around New York City like gophers) but I’ve had a low-grade stomachache all week.

7 PM When asked about his last meal, Tom Ford said it would be salmon with “Hostess Donettes around the outside of the plate.” (It is in this same interview that he says Hostess sends him a box of their confections every time he mentions them to the press, his eyes gleaming behind his Snuffaluffagus lashes.) I decide to have this as my last meal of my cleanse. Rather than cook the salmon myself, I order it on GrubHub. It arrives an hour later. I plate it and encircle it with Donettes before squeezing lemon onto the ingot of salmon. Its appearance is grandiose and frightening like a TOILETPAPER magazine spread. I eat all of the salmon and six of the doughnuts.

10:30 PM I take my last bath and my stomach is lurching.

Total bath count: 16

11 PM I have an early meeting tomorrow morning, so, I end my week like Ford (who relies “completely…on sleeping pills and tranquilizers”) and pop two OTC non-habit-forming sleeping aids.

In an interview with CNBC, he’s described himself and, through transitive property, the Tom Ford Man as international, multilingual, well traveled, and possessing disposable income. This week, I didn’t even remotely get closer to obtaining any of those traits. I did, however, gain a deep sense of respect for his obsessive level of discipline, even without wearing his trademark suit. But, the way I see it, if I’m not a Tom Ford Man now, I was never one to begin with—or at least that’s the story I’m sticking to.

—Or Gotham

Photographed by the author.

Ready or not, here are 30 Tom Ford fragrance reviews.

[mumuonmission]

Joyce

Because she’s extra, I’m extra, & I don’t want to wait for a memorial service to share what Joyce means to me.

Spring 2016 me: what was your name again? I only remember your IG, Barbie or something.

Joyce: my name is Joyce but you can call me Barbie, people call me that!

Eventually I found out that nobody actually calls her that. LOL

I first remember meeting Joyce at Resurrection Houston in the middle of our #lifetøgether series. But to really break down what Joyce means to me, I must reflect on who I was before I got to know her.

The #lifetøgether series went over the importance of Christian fellowship with the slogan, “Everything in Jesus is better together.” I was very comfortable with my close small group of friends, but I’m a very social person, so I was always around lots of people. I was complacent in how I was living in community, because I equated going to events with living life with one another. The #lifetøgether series changed my life. It showed me what it was like to love, forgive, and bear with one another. It showed me how uncomfortable but how necessary it was to speak truth to one another. It showed me the joy & power of singing to one another. It showed me what it meant to serve my family. #lifetøgether showed me what Gospel-centered community is supposed to look like. God was pushing me to make friends and build authentic community, but it was hard. I didn’t know how to make friends. I can be very loud and talkative. I can be very inviting and fun to be around. I can be relatively transparent. I can be all things loud, fun, rude, awkward, and annoying, but I couldn’t tolerate the discomfort of conflict resolution or hearing correction. I didn’t hang around people who didn’t accept me. It was simple. lol My friends accepted me, loved me, and corrected me (sometimes). But to branch off and build deeper-than-the-surface relationships and face people having an issue with me made me uncomfortable. God was showing me what it was like to build relationships and I was so confused and annoyed at God like, “Why do you want me to be around these people who are trying me? They don’t know me. They’re disrespectful. They need to get to know me before they come at me like this. This is why I don’t care to make friends. I’m good.” & of course the sovereign & loving God we serve, convicted me & brought me to humility on what this Christian fellowship was about, while sanctifying me into the image of His son.

That’s my brief testimony of how the Gospel transforms through life together. It’s important for me to share that because Joyce used to always tell me I was one of the nicest people at RH, when for a while I didn’t even care to meet new people. lol We were in cross train together. I would see her at family time with my missional community and at our summer Hebrews Bible study, but we were still very hi-bye-ish. lol It wasn’t until Courtney, Joyce, Yewande & I started going over Christianity Explained that I really got to know Joyce.

Joyce taught me how to be a nice person. She is seriously one of the nicest, happiest people I know. The kinda of joy that makes you wonder if she understands life. LOL. She has this weird, self-proclaimed, bubbly, personality with the heart to serve others. Her personality is so strong. I know how much she loves to eat, sleep, and all things fashion, but it never compromised her love for people. Of course this is my perspective and from what I’ve witnessed. This girl thought a lot of herself, but I’ve never been around Joyce to where she thought of herself more than others.

“God did not make this person as I would have made him. He did not give him to me as a brother for me to dominate and control, but in order that I might find above him the Creator.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Joyce showed me how to see God deeper. I’ve had several conversations with random people about my faith. I’ve taught a couple of people Christianity Explained. Nobody has ever challenged me to see God deeper like this girl. We would meet up for our weekly lessons. I would usually spend half of the time on the lesson, half of the time socializing and eating. Joyce would spend the majority, if not all of the time talking about either the lesson, random questions about God, or sharing her life in hopes that all things would be reconciled to the Gospel. She would read and hear things and ask, “why?” & most of the time I would think, “Idk because the Bible says so?!” But reply, “oh I don’t know. I’ll look that up for you & get back to you.” After a while I started to wonder why didn’t I ask these things. I admire her desire to know the truth, not only to believe but to share. I started reading my Bible more. One because I knew I had to get ahead of her and these questions! Lol. Two, because I desired to see God deeper than a lesson.

I’ve known Joyce for less than a year & she’s seriously one of the best friends I never asked for. Her love for God & desire for mission encourages me like crazy. We started off learning how to share the Gospel, and end up sharing our lives. Every time we got together we would talk for hours about life. She allowed me to be me. She allowed me to be a teacher with all respect, grace, and love. She never judged me or made me feel unqualified. She allowed me to share the ugliness in my life with no fear. She never allowed me to stay in my sin and always asked the challenging questions in gentleness and love to understand why. She loved me for me.

“It is not experience of life but experience of the Cross that makes one a worthy hearer of confessions. The most experienced psychologist or observer of human nature knows infinitely less of the human heart than the simplest Christian who lives beneath the Cross of Jesus.  The greatest psychological insight, ability, and experience cannot grasp this one thing: what sin is.  Worldly wisdom knows what distress and weakness and failure are, but it does not know the godlessness of men.  And so it also does not know that man is destroyed only by his sin and can be healed only by forgiveness. In the presence of a psychiatrist I can only be a sick man; in the presence of a Christian brother [or sister] I can dare to be a sinner.  The psychiatrist must first search my heart and yet he never plumbs its ultimate depth.  The Christian brother knows when I come to him: here is a sinner like myself, a godless man who wants to confess and yearns for God’s forgiveness.  The psychiatrist views me as if there were no God.  The brother views me as I am before the judging and merciful God in the Cross of Jesus Christ.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Joyce had all of the right qualities in a disciple. She was faithful. She understood what kinda commitment discipleship took. She was available. She made the sacrifices needed to learn, study, and teach. She was teachable. Joyce loves to learn. I’ve never met someone so humble and so hungry to want to share the Gospel and make disciples. Even this past Tuesday, we were meeting for our last brunch and she thought we were going to discuss Chapter 2 of Mike Breen’s Building a Discipleship Culture. I was like “Joyce, you’re leaving. Let’s talk about life!” She wanted to learn as much as she could before leaving, so that she could be equipped to make disciples. She was my partner for the advancement of the Gospel. We would tag team in our weekly discipleship classes. I’ve watched her teach and share the Gospel. I’ve watched her serve her brothers and sisters in humility. I had all these dreams about how we would serve side by side reaching all these ladies in Houston and just like that she’s gone.

I’ve shared a lot about Joyce and her impact on my life, but I understand that this is only the grace of God. Joyce is clear evidence to me of the power of the Gospel. If this was about us, then I would be upset and discouraged. This goodbye of course is bittersweet, but the Gospel makes it beautiful. I thank God for Joyce’s life and all of the ways He has used her to sanctify me. I thank God for the boldness He has given her to be on mission where her life exists. Paul says it so beautifully in Philippians. Of course this letter was to the church in Philippi, but with a few alterations it is my prayer, gratitude, and hope for sister’s life.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Love you so much Joyce! Can’t wait to hear about how God is challenging you and molding you into His image. He will be your strength and comfort.  He will be your joy as you pursue this next chapter. He will be your hope when the distance, the classes, and life overwhelms you. In Jesus name.