#jen in her healing era

[ditto180]

Dawson's Creek 4x18 ✨EASTERN STANDARD TIME✨

GOSH I LOVED THIS EPISODE.

Is so beautiful and pretty, specially this scenes where Joey and Jen talk in the rooftop ✨

[youngerdrgrey]

Teen's Little Inquiries // agatha all along (mcu), coven fic

about: Teen missed the initial bonding night with the coven, but he uses his recovery time to get to know the other witches. First up, he asks Jen how she came to know Agatha. Was it through her midwife work or the centuries of rumors about the witch killer? + read on ao3

notes: Jen’s up first, and I may do the others. I love our coven a lot. Want to see everybody bonding and speculating and having a good time. Naturally, Agatha's the subject of conversation, but so are the lives of our beloved witches.

This includes a pre-canon flashback that alludes to infant/child death; it's at the end of the chapter.

⋆ ⁺₊ ✧

Jennifer Kale doesn’t normally doubt herself. She’d had centuries of practice as a rootworker (and, yes, a witch) before she’d been bound. She trusts and believes in her abilities to heal those around her.

It’s just been a long time since she’s been entrusted with the life of someone as innocent as Teen. In fact, it’s good medical practice to follow up on a patient. She’s practically required to check on Teen the morning after his near death experience.

He smiles at her with more life than any of them have seen. A literal bed of flowers rests beneath him, and Jen’s eyebrows furrow before she can help it.

“Did Rio do that?” Jen asks.

Teen glances down at the flowers with a beaming grin. “She wasn’t lying when she said she was the green witch. Her power’s amazing, isn’t it?”

Jen nods around the envy in her chest. The Road has enough residual magic that she’s been able to feel that hum beneath her skin again. She’ll have power of her own soon enough. She doesn’t need to be envious of Agatha Harkness’ ex-girlfriend.

Jen sits down on a stump near his bed. She scans Teen’s body for any signs of jaundice or pain.

“How’s your wound? Let me see it,” she says.

He lifts his repaired jumper easily. The wound’s stitched back together pretty well. No sign of infection.

“It might scar,” Teen says. “But at least I’ll have a cool souvenir from The Road. Better than a t-shirt.”

“Rio may be able to heal it farther,” Jen tells him. “If she’s as good as she wants us to believe, she should have other healing properties.”

Teen cuts his eyes down The Road where Rio’s twirling a flower in a bed of dirt. She doesn’t look as terrifying like this. Contemplative maybe, as she sits in the quiet of the trees under the endless moon.

Still, Teen shakes his head.

“I’d rather not ask her too many questions.”

Jen’s got a few questions for the other witch. Like what Rio meant when she referred to them as ‘her bodies?’ Is she more than just an ex-girlfriend? Is she Agatha’s ex-partner in witch crime?

“There were rumors once,” Jen finds herself saying. “About the witch killer playing house with someone as twisted as she was. I always thought they were just, well, era typical homophobia.”

Teen nods. “How long ago was that?”

Jen can’t quite remember. “A lot of time blurs together after your first few centuries.”

“Right, of course. I can’t wait to get there,” Teen says. His enthusiasm is a little inspiring. Then his eyes narrow just a smidge. “How, uh, long have you known Agatha?”

Jen shrugs. “Everyone knows the witch killer. It’s hard not to hear about her.”

“Yeah, I heard plenty when I started researching, but the way you two go back and forth, it seems personal.” He stares expectantly at Jen. “Like you really knew each other once.”

Jen doesn’t know what to say to that. She can spread rumors easily enough. Warn the kid from getting close to someone who has a reputation for killing as easily as she breathes. But getting into the heart of how Jen knows Agatha feels like crossing a line somehow.

Teen clears his throat. “During the trial, she mentioned keeping you alive because your work was important. So, did you… know each other… through your work?”

His eyes are so earnest. Hesitantly so, since everyone has shot down his questions more than he’d like.

Jen hasn’t been around teenagers in a long time. The ones that come to her shop aren’t trying to get to know her. They want free products in exchange for TikToks and to know if they can counteract aging that hasn’t even happened yet. For all his goth aesthetic, this teen doesn’t even try to cover how much he yearns for knowledge. How much he cares about this makeshift coven and this journey that he coerced them all into.

“Why are you here, Teen?” Jen asks him.

His eyes flash before he blinks away his panic. He chuckles in a mask of that teenage awe.

“The Road is, like, the ultimate witch adventure. It’ll tell me everything I need to know.”

“About your sigil,” Jen surmises.

“About everything,” he whispers. His eyes drop down to the ground around them.

Jen’s spent long enough feeling like an intruder in her own life and body. She can recognize the emotion on someone else. She sets her hand on his shoulder.

“You’ll get your answers if you make it to the end. I don’t know if you’re asking the right questions though,” she tells him. “But yes, Agatha and I did cross paths, through my work. If you want to know more, you’ll have to ask her yourself.”

Teen scoffs under his breath.

“You try getting anything out of her.”

Jen can’t help but grin. “Oh, I have. That’s how I got a different scar.”

Teen looks at her, confused.

Jen waves him off. “Right, you missed the story circle last night. We’ll have others, don’t worry. Get some rest, alright? Answers can wait until you’re ready.”

“What if…” His sentence trails as his fingers brush along his lips. “How will I know when I’m ready?”

He won’t, but that’s not the kind of answer he needs right now.

Jen summons every bit of measured guidance in her, and she lies. “You’ll just know.” Then she leaves before he can ask her anything else.

.

.

Over a century ago, there was a particularly painful birth where Jen knew that the child wouldn’t make it. She coached the mother through, and once the baby was cradled in the woman’s arms, Jen told the mother to make the most of what time she had.

As soft cries from mother and child filled the cabin, Jen stepped outside to give them privacy. The door barely closed before she spotted someone, propped against the trees. Agatha Harkness.

Jen stiffened. She didn’t raise her voice, so as not to trouble her patient inside. Her words carried over well enough.

“You’re not welcome here, witch killer. She’s been through enough.”

Agatha didn’t scoff dismissively. Didn’t brandish her magic or assert her power. If anything, she sounded wary as she replied.

“I’m not here for either of you,” Agatha said.

Jen didn’t know what to make of it, but Agatha’s eyes skirted across the landscape without seeing anything. There was something else she was after then.

A realization chilled its way down Jen’s spine. “You seek Death.”

Agatha’s lips twitched. The first true sign that Jen was onto something.

“We have unfinished business,” Agatha said.

Jen frowned. “You should know better than to intervene.”

“Unclench, High Priestess. I couldn’t intervene if I tried. Now do us both a favor and head back inside. You’re not welcome here.”

Jen heard the threat at the tail end. A grave promise that Agatha would have to hurt Jen if this meeting was interrupted. It was more warning than most witches got.

Jen turned back into the cabin.

The mother had started sobbing. The grief grew heavier in the air by the moment. Jen couldn’t help but notice a few flowers on the water that hadn’t been there before.

.

.

a/n: what's up? what do you think Agatha wanted at that house? who do you think will check on Teen next? how'd you like Jen's POV?

[exceptionalcameo]

1750: the year Nicky was born

Knew when she spotted Rio what it would mean so either:

A. She only ever visits Agatha when there's a death (Agatha's murder spree enables plenty)

B. Rio avoided Agatha during the pregnancy because they were worried it might effect the baby

Either way...Agatha went through that pregnancy on her own. It could have been a sudden one day type of deal but I like to think it was the full 9 months. She seems too normal about it...not freaked out a baby just grew in there one day.

Wandering from town to town. Aimless, covenless outcast. In a time when a pregnant woman with no husband or family would be more likely to meet disdain than assistance.

‐

Rio was the first person to show Agatha love. But it was conditional: nothing but conditions. Rules....and bargains.

Nicky was the first person to show Agatha unconditional love. He didn't agree with what she did, but he still loved her through it.

-

"I spoke no spell. I said no incantation. You were made from scratch."

-

Sickly since he was born.

-

The forest witches had protection spells up. They LET her in but...had word been getting around about the 'witch killer'? Is that why the spell was up in the first place? Had the legend of Agatha Harkness already gotten big enough to fear unknown witches amongst their own kind?

-

She so attacked them first to get them to attack her.

-

6 years old (was that bell he stole the one she uses in episode 2 in the basement?)

-

I really do think she kills them because she doesn't trust witches after her coven's betrayal (instead of just as a means of keeping Nicky alive via bargain or distraction)

So sparing the Salem Seven really was a choice. She was more than happy to kill others: not them though. At first maybe because they were innocents or because the first time left her a wreck and was an accident and she hadn't hardened into her serial killing era lol but then after? Why not? Did she not think she would have the power to kill them or that they knew the secret to how she kills?

-

Will never be over the fact that Nicky and his mom made up the ballad...it was theirs. Their coven of two.

And then it was a lure, a tool to gain more power and kill more witches. Her ultimate con.

-

"I cannot HEAL you. I cannot PROTECT you from what is coming. And I cannot DIVINE w..when she will return." Bruh. The one thing that could have saved him was the thing she kept destroying...oh the tragedy of it all <3 excellent. She needed her covennnn

Side note that kid has no magic at least not yet

-

ONLY SURVIVOR OF THE ROAD

Because...she's the only one who ever survives her con lol because she moider dem

-

Rio you big sap you. You made sure he kissed her goodbye <3

-

"There's more. I want all of it." (Or something along that from Wandavision)

"I want more time"

"I need more time"

More. More. More. Unquenchable. Never sated. That giant hole inside her.

-

But if this was the con all along WHY did she warn Lilia in episode 2?

-

(Do not shimmy you frigging cutie damn it)

-

goddamn. This means Sharon was just there to shut them up, witness their murders and more traumatic witchcraft...then what Agatha lol were you just going to be like okay get lost Hart. Lol don't need ya anymore

Glorious

-

A: wtf?! *picks up dirt- not an illusion* spontaneous creation mother f...

Lol that look when he comes down the stairs like "Bitch! Are you for real right now kid?"

-

"Can you dig it?" I love her so

"Who? Yes the gardening lady..." pftt

-

The way she's still kind of trying to soften the blow though. I killed Alice - Lilia: that was her choice!

JEEEENNNN GO JEN GOOOoo

-

"Because I can't face him!" Ohhhh definitely going to chew that one over for a bit

Lol the face she makes when he pulls the spellbook through her

Also...moment of real big feeling...is when she can finally touch stuff

Hmm all those repressed feelings are the only way for you to have power now you say...muahhaha that'll force her to face them

-

Also she is so bound to that as her item now.

-

Finally got his name right lol.

[biglisbonnews]

Sound Off: 10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now It's impossible to be across all the new music out each Friday. Luckily, PAPER is here to help you out: each week, we round up 10 of our favorite new songs from artists — emerging and established — to soundtrack your life. From the surreal to the sublime, these songs cover every corner of the music world. The only criteria: they all have to absolutely rip.Caroline Polachek — "I Believe" Of all the euphoric, ecstatic moments on Caroline Polachek's second solo album, "I Believe" might be the most resonant — it's a heady appeal for reunion imbued with all the ecstatic feeling of 2000s radio pop. Lana Del Rey — "A&W" Is there any pop star currently working who does it better than her? "A&W" is catchy and it's cursed, totally haunting lyrically but a pure nail-biter when you listen to it, whether on the first or fiftieth listen. 100 gecs — "Hollywood Baby" 100 gecs have been playing this song in their boisterous, ridiculously fun live sets for a minute now, and its recorded version doesn't disappoint, combusting in a cascade of crunchy pop-punk sparks. Related | Skrillex Interviews 100 gecs About the Future of MusicDon Toliver with Kali Uchis — "4 Me" This brilliantly gooey-eyed love song has a surprising, chiptune-y palate, which only serves to make its head-over-heels lyricism seem more profoundly real. Omar Apollo — "3 Boys" Omar Apollo's latest is a lovely doo-wop inflected ballad, the kind of warm and meandering love song that feels drawn from totally private moments. beabadoobee — "Glue Song" This gorgeous ballad features horns and strings, recalling peak-era Belle and Sebastian and Jens Lekman, with a little Gen Z earnestness thrown in for good measure.Skrillex with Missy Elliott and Mr. Oizo — "RATATA" This highlight of Skrillex's long-awaited second album features a sample of the immortal Missy Elliott, who sounds surprisingly great pitched-up and twisted around a house beat.Princess Nokia — "closure" Brooklyn indie rapper Princess Nokia goes full Y2K revival on this sweet, amped-up ode to writing songs as a way of healing after a breakup. James Ivy — "Involved" The latest James Ivy single is serrated and lush at the same time, like a shoegaze-inflected take on electro-pop. It's a single to play over the end credits.Bryce Xavier — "Blue Valentines" This heartfelt piano ballad is a Valentine's Day ode to queer love and equality. Xavier says it was inspired by a need for visibility when it comes to mainstream holidays — and he certainly succeeds.Photo by Aidan Zamiri https://www.papermag.com/sound-off-caroline-polachek-2659433643.html

[shadowcatgirl09]

BBHCWeek Day Three: Childhood/Family/Ancestors~

The Bennetts are a matriarchal bloodline of dominant and influential mages. They all descend from Samanya who lived during late Prehistoric era. Samanya was a stalwart warrior who would later become an obscure figure in mage history. The one thing she is remembered for is she made werewolves via healing mishap. Later Qetsiyah, creator of the Perfect Immortality Spell, the Cure and the Other Side would be born. The Bennetts are unique in the fact they are not a coven though they are many. Creators of many powerful talismans. Have been the rulers of the Mystic Falls domain since escaping the Salem Witch Trials and settling there. Bonnie Bennett is the last in line to rule the Mystic Falls domain when she turns eighteen.

For those who can’t read the small print. I apologize about that.

The Bennett Family

Prehistoric Era

Samanya~The true progenitor of the Bennett tribe. Has a more obscure history. Existed around the Prehistoric era. Created the first werewolf. Birthdate Unknown. (FC: Lesley-Ann Brandt)

Nene~The daughter of Samanya. Birthdate Unknown. (FC: Naomi Janumala)

Zakor~The son of Samanya. Birthdate Unknown. (FC: Jasmeet Baduwalia)

Iron Age/Ancient/Colonial Era

Qetsiyah~The most famous of the Bennett ancestors; creator of the Perfect Immortality spell, the Cure and The Other Side. Born Apr 29th, 65 BC. (FC: Janina Gavankar)

Menelik~Younger brother of Qetsiyah. Was originally against Qetsiyah because of her creations but sided with her once the Dark Wars began. Born Aug 30th, 61 BC. (FC: Manish Dayal)

Shiloh~Daughter of Qetsiyah. Born Nov 1st, 39 BC. (FC: Cindy Kimberly)

Ayana~An extremely powerful healer and the woman who raised the latest descendant of Isgerd Volvadottir. Born Oct 1st, 958. (FC: Maria Howell)

Diarra~The famous witch who created what would become the Brotherhood of the Five to combat the increasing vampire infestation. Born June 10th, 1042. (FC: Jen Harper)

Nuru~A witch born in the Bennett bloodline. Great-great-granddaughter of Diarra. Born Jan 29th, 1139. (FC: Morgana Van Peebles)

Eshe~A witch born into the powerful Bennett bloodline. Born Dec 3rd, 1217. (FC: Yaya DaCosta)

Jelani Bennett~The Bennett to first grace the family with their last name and the one to stop the Blight from spreading in the New World. Born Nov 29th, 1364. (FC: Kylie Bunbury)

Cleophas Bennett~The witness of a mass wolf slaughter when in search of a rampant werewolf. Killed the hunters and befriended the werewolf that would go on to spawn the Lockwood bloodline. Born Feb 5th, 1422. (FC: Melanie Liburd)

Miriam Bennett~The first Bennett to perform an allyship cermony with the Gemini Coven after years of strife. Born Oct 31st, 1508. (FC: Aleyse Shannon)

Ana Bennett~The young leader of the Bennett family that fled the Salem Witch Trials with them and settled in what would become Mystic Falls. The Bennett to begin the practicing of Obeah that future Bennetts would use. Born May 21st, 1668. (FC: Laura Harrier)

Imena Bennett~The mother of Beatrice and the only Bennett to ever survive and escape the Faelands. Born May 8th, 1752. (FC: Naomie Harris)

Beatrice Bennett~The daughter of Imena Bennett. Stopped the Sirens from taking over Mystic Falls with the help of her family. Born Dec 25th, 1770. (FC: Jaz Sinclair)

Terah Bennett~The daughter of Beatrice Bennett. Mother of Josephine. The first ever Bennett to intermarry with a member of the McCullough clan. Born Sep 13th, 1795. (FC: Chelsea Tavares)

Josephine Bennett~The mother of Emily and Erzah. Quelled the restless spirits that began violently possessing the animals and humans in the area. Born June 24th, 1820. (FC: Ashley Madekwe)

Emily Bennett~A Bennett ancestor and the creator of the Bennett Talisman and the Tomb Sealing spell. Born Mar 20th, 1838. (FC: Bianca Lawson)

Erzah Bennett~Brother of Emily, started his own family and unsuccessfully tried to dilute his bloodline after seeing what the craft did to his family. Born Sep 20th, 1842. (FC: Ukweli Roach)

Naomi Bennett~Daughter of Emily and mother of Marie. Born July 7th, 1860. (FC: Jessica Sula)

Henry Bennett~Son of Emily. Born Jan 2nd, 1861. (FC Jordan Fisher)

Effie Bennett~Daughter of Erzah. Very proficient at purification spells. Born Mar 31st, 1864. (FC: Sherri Daye Scott)

Ailene Bennett~Daughter of Emily. Born Nov 12th, 1864. (FC: Ella Balinska)

Ernestine Bennett~Daughter of Erzah. Born May 23rd, 1867. (FC: Kerry Washington)

Rose Bennett~Daughter of Erzah. Born July 28th, 1870. (FC: Gugu Mbatha-Raw)

Marie Bennett~The granddaughter of Emily and mother of Amelia Bennett. Born April 13th 1880. (FC: Alexandra Metz)

20th Century/Modern Times

Amelia Bennett~Mother of Sheila and Sloane. Born Jan 14th, 1919. (FC: Nichelle Nichols)

Sloane Bennett~Older sister of Sheila, mother of Pauline and Nadira. Born Apr 2nd, 1936. (FC: Lynn Whitfield)

Sheila Bennett~Daughter of Amelia Bennett. Current Sovereign Priestess of the Mystic Falls domain. Born Sep 22nd, 1956. (FC: Jasmine Guy)

Nadira Bennett~Daughter of Sloane, mother of Joanna Bennett, and grandmother of Lucy. Born Nov 17th, 1952. (FC: Wendy Raquel Robinson)

Pauline Bennett~Daughter of Sloane. Born Feb 26th, 1955. (FC: Taraji P. Henson)

Joanna Bennett~Granddaugter of Sloane, daughter of Nadira and mother of Lucy Bennett. Born Oct 19th, 1968. (FC: Merle Dandridge)

Abigail Bennett~Daughter of Sheila and mother of Bonnie. Desiccated the tainted vampire Mikael Mikaelson. Born Aug 16th, 1972. (FC: Persia White)

Lucy Bennett~Daughter of Joanna Bennett. Born July 20th, 1985. (FC: Natashia Williams)

Bonnie Bennett~Granddaughter of Sheila and daughter of Abigail Bennett. Born Feb 5th, 1993.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Joe Biden: Inauguration Jan 20, 2021

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

January 20, 2021

Heather Cox Richardson

“Where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” America’s 22-year-old poet laureate Amanda Gorman asked today as she spoke at the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States: Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.

For the past four years we have lived under an administration that advanced policies based on bullying; a fantasy of a lost, white, Christian America; and disinformation. We have endured the gutting of our government as the president either left positions empty or replaced career officials with political operatives, corruption, the rise of white supremacists into positions of power, the destruction of our international standing, an unchecked pandemic that has led to more than 400,000 deaths from Covid-19, an economic crash, and unprecedented political polarization.

“And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it,” Gorman reminded us.

That light was us.

In these terrible years, our politicians often failed us… but the American people did not. Our national guardrails often failed us… but the American people did not. Many of our neighbors often failed us, but the American people did not.

Beginning on January 21, 2017, when women marched on Washington in the largest single-day protest in American history and dwarfed the new president’s inauguration numbers of the previous day, more and more of us worked together to keep the dream of American democracy alive. Last November, more than 81 million of us braved the coronavirus pandemic and voter suppression to reject a divisive president who seemed bent on turning our nation into an oligarchy. By more than 7 million votes, we elected Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to take the highest offices in the land.

Today, President Biden and Vice President Harris took their oaths of office in a ceremony that was sparsely attended because of the pandemic, in a city that was locked down out of concerns of violence from those who tried just two weeks ago to overturn the election.

Trouble, either in Washington, D.C., or in state capitals across the nation, did not materialize. Over the past two weeks, law enforcement officers have tracked down and arrested the people who stormed the Capitol on January 6, and the realization that committing federal crimes brings consequences might have taken some of the wind out of rioters’ sails. Today, one of the riot’s organizers, Joseph Biggs of the far-right Proud Boys, was arrested in Florida. For their part, the Proud Boys have turned on the former president, calling him “extraordinarily weak” for leaving office, and “a total failure.”

Kamala Harris took the oath first today, becoming the first woman, the first Black person, and the first person of South Asian heritage to become a vice president. She was dressed in purple in honor of Shirley Chisholm, the seven-term New York Representative who was the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress and who ran for president in 1972. Chisholm used the colors purple and yellow in her campaign, and Harris picked them up for her own presidential bid.

Biden came next.

After taking the oath, Biden delivered an inaugural address that was not simply the call for unity that he has been making for the past year. It was a call for Americans to come together to rebuild America, one that echoed that of President John F. Kennedy in 1961, when he told us: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Biden recalled the Civil War, the Great Depression, the World Wars, and the attacks of 9/11, noting that “[i]n each of these moments, enough of us came together to carry all of us forward.” He urged today’s Americans to do the same in what he called “a time of testing” that brings together great crises: “an attack on our democracy and on truth. A raging virus, growing inequity, the sting of systemic racism, a climate in crisis.”

“Are we going to step up, all of us?” he asked. “It’s time for boldness, for there is so much to do. And this is certain. I promise you, we will be judged, you and I, by how we resolve these cascading crises of our era…. Will we master this rare and difficult hour?”

If we do, he said, “we shall write an American story of hope, not fear. Of unity, not division. Of light, not darkness. An American story of decency and dignity. Of love and of healing. Of greatness and of goodness…. The story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history. We met the moment. That democracy and hope, truth and justice, did not die on our watch but thrived.”

After the ceremony, the new president and vice president and their spouses visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, and then Biden headed to the Oval Office. "I thought there's no time to wait. Get to work immediately," he said.

Biden began the process of signing more than a dozen executive actions, most of which either take us back to where we were four years ago or address the coronavirus pandemic. The executive orders will enable the United States to rejoin the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords, and revoke new oil and gas development at national wildlife monuments. They reverse Trump’s own order not to count undocumented immigrants in the census, and call for a path to citizenship for the “Dreamers,” about a million undocumented immigrants brought here as children. Biden ended the travel ban that restricted travel from Muslim-dominated countries, one of his predecessor’s signature issues. He also stopped border wall construction.

Biden established a mask mandate on federal property and by federal employees, and reorganized government coordination on the coronavirus response. He revoked his predecessor’s limits on diversity and inclusion training and took down the partisan 1776 Report that attacked progressives and whitewashed our history that was issued just two days ago.

Tonight, Press Secretary Jen Psaki held her first press briefing. She began by saying: "I have deep respect for the role of a free and independent press in our democracy and for the role all of you play," then went on to answer questions. She will hold another press conference tomorrow, saying that Biden wants to bring truth and transparency back.

“Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished,” Amanda Gorman said today. And then, she concluded her inaugural poem with a reminder of the lesson that many of us have learned over the last four years: “[T]here is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.”

—-

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[dherzogblog]

songs/20

Happy Holidays Everyone! I started making these yearly playlists in 2001 as an attempt to connect with friends in the wake of 911. It was just before the dawn of ITunes, and way before social media. We were not in touch like we are today. I burned dozens of individual cd’s one at a time, printed up customized jewel case covers and snail mailed them all out. It was an annual month-long labor of love. Over the past few years, streaming music has made it much easier and faster to compile and distribute, and frankly much more fun. I still look forward to putting the playlist and blog together and sharing it with all of you. Particularly this year as it gives me a chance to connect with so many friends I haven’t seen in quite some time. It was a tremendously challenging year for all of us. I was grateful to have had my family here in LA the entire time, we remain healthy and well. The west coast Herzogs know just how lucky we have been. The next year will not be without its own challenges, but I'm hopeful we are able to move past this pandemic and the exhausting events of the past 4. More than that, I look forward to seeing each and every one of you in 2021. Until then, be safe, be well, and be good to one another. Enjoy the music.

ox peace, dh

Los Angeles CA. December 2020

Khruangbin - Time (You And I) Don’t ask me to pronounce the name of this eclectic trio from Texas, but this dubby disco tune had me returning to its chilled out groove often during the last few decidedly “un-chill” months. Dreamy and funky, the groove takes me back to NYC’s early 80′s club scene and Ze Records releases from the likes of Kid Creole and Coati Mundi.

Anderson .Paak- Lockdown Scenes from the front, June 2020

.

Bill Withers (1938-2020)- Use Me The legendary Bill Withers left the playing field at the top of his game in the early 80′s, hardly heard from again. And while he didn't pass from Covid, his healing pop hymn Lean On Me seemed to be everywhere as people found music to help them cope with the challenges of the pandemic. Withers left behind a legendary and enduring group of hit songs that moved easily from soul to folk to pop, not to mention the subtle rolling funk of this one.

Black Pumas- Fire Strong debut from an unlikely Austin duo that garnerd both buzz and grammy nods. The critics are calling it “psychedelic soul”. Not quite sure that nails it, but like the artists coming up next, they’re carving out new ground while drawing inspiration from classic sources.

Gabe Lee- Babylon

Marcus King- Wildflowers and Wine

Charley Crockett- Welcome to Hard Times

Three artists that are literally changing the face of Country and Americana music. Soulful, authentic and diverse, reaching back for inspiration but always looking forward. If you like this sort of stuff they are all worth checking out. Each album is filled with quality songs.

Low Cut Connie_ Private Lives Philly’s Low Cut Connie are back at it with a double album that plays like the soundtrack to a boozy night at your favorite bar. Sweaty, funky and not a little bit messy. If Peter Wolf and Bruce had a kid it would be this blue eyed soul boy. Adam Weiner grew up in the shadow of the Jersey shore and can't help but have a bit of that E Street hustle.

Willie Nile- New York at Night One of New York’s beloved adopted  son’s dropped this love letter right into the jaws of a battered metropolis driven to its knees by the pandemic. It was heartbreaking to listen as the “city that never sleeps” came to a full stop. Somehow I still found myself coming back to it, imagining night’s ahead, when NYC is back on its feet and I’m roaming its streets. Looking for music, a beer, or maybe just a slice, and fueled by the irreplaceable energy and promise of the greatest city on earth.

The Long Ryders- Down to The Well Americana pioneers the Long Ryders reunited last year for a surprisingly solid album. This single sounds like it could have been recorded during their 80′s heyday featuring their trademark Byrds like jangle and harmonies, but the lyrics mark this song as unmistakably 2020.

The Speedways- Kisses Are History UK power pop outfit reach back to the the 60′s on this sweet slice of retro pop perfection.

Billie Joe Armstrong- That Thing You Do

In the early days of the pandemic we had all our kids (+ a significant other) at our house for a few months. It worked out great and we were luckier than most. The biggest issue was keeping enough food, weed and wine around.  There were some great nights with amazing meals, followed by gathering around the TV together. We re-watched The Sopranos, binged Billy On The Street, and revisited some of our favorite movies. One night we went back to a old family favorite, Tom Hanks’ underrated love letter to the one hit wonders of the post Beatles era, That Thing You Do!  I’ve seen the movie several times and it never fails to please. A true feel good film and a perfect Kodak snapshot capturing a simpler time in American pop culture. 

While we watch the unlikely chart topper’s The Oneders  fizzle as fast as they rose to fame, its not really the point. The movie is really an old fashioned love story. Playing like a perfect hit song you can listen to over and over, full of both hooks and heart. I always thought the title track, written by Fountains Of Wayne leader Adam Schlesinger  (who we lost to Covid), brilliantly captured the British Invasion sound every group wanted after The Beatles stormed America. Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong must agree. During the pandemic he cut an album’s worth of cool covers including a faithful version of this one.

Gerard Way (W/Judith Hill - Here Comes the End A tale of discovering music in 2020:  Heard this on a Netflix trailer for the series The Umbrella Factory. Turns out it is performed by Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance) who also writes the comic book the series is based on. (got all that?) He’s joined on this searing garage/psych rave up by the talented and versatile Judith Hill doing her best Merry Clayton.

Hinds- Spanish Bombs I’ve been following this Madrid based, all female outfit of punky garage rockers for a few years now. I think they are pretty great. This track, recorded for a Joe Strummer tribute bursts with an unbridled joy the stone faced and politically minded Clash could never muster. I bet Joe would love it though

The Secret Sisters- Hand Over My Heart Have enjoyed their harmonies for some time now. This one gives me vague Wilson Phillips vibes and I don’t really mind. 

Tame Impala- Breathe Deeper I know I’m supposed to like this guy, all the cool kids do, I’ve even seen the band at Coachella. Over the years very little of the music has stuck to me, but the pandemic offered a bit more free time to dig into this funky dubby, chilled out jam, and it stuck with me. Not to mention that 2020 was all about deep breaths.

Ledisi (feat.Corey Henry)- What Kind of Love Is That Ledisi is back with some slinky, sultry R&B and jazzy vocals

Dinner Party- FreezeTag An R&B/Jazz collective featuring Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder and Kamasi Washington use sweet soul on heartbreaking and all too familiar tale..

Toots and The Maytals- Time Tough  I’ve written an awful lot about my love for Reggae over the years. Right after Bob Marley kicked the door down for me, Toots showed me around the house. Ska, rock steady, and roots. He was true reggae royalty and sadly we lost him to Covid, just after he released what would be his last album. Check my Toots tribute blog and playlist.

Mungo’s Hi Fi- The Beat Goes SKA! These clever UK roots reggae collective never fail to surprise. This kitschy Sonny & Cher cover managed to make me smile every time I heard it. No mean feat in 2020

Stone Foundation (feat. Durand Jones)- Hold on To Love Frequent collaborators with Paul Weller  (he appears on a track on the album), Stone Foundation are back with another batch of their UK soul revival stylings. This one features Durand Jones ( of Durand Jones & The Indications) on vocals and some great reggae style horns at the top.

The Pretenders- You Can’t Hurt A Fool Can’t resist a good torch song, especially sung by the smokey voiced Chrissie Hynde. Was kind of shocked at how many good songs were on this album.

Shelby Lynne_ Don’t Even Believe in Love Sultry country soul and one of her strongest albums in awhile.

Jaime Wyatt- Neon Cross Outlaw country has a new bad girl. And in case you didn’t think she was serious, she enlisted producer Shooter Jennings (and his mom Jessi Colter on one track) to help make her point. 

Daniel Donato- Justice 25 year old guitar prodigy call his music “cosmic country”.  Ok, now I’m listening. You should be too.

The Jayhawks- This Forgotten Town 30 plus + after their debut this Twin Cities alt country group led by founding member Gary Louris continue to deliver. They find their inner Neil Young on this one.

Lucero- Time To Go Home God I wish I was in a bar right now listening to this, even if I might be crying in my beer.

John Prine (1946 -2020)- Lake Marie We lost so many this year, but this one really stung. A true American songwriting treasure, who was still making great music against all odds right up to his untimely passing. His songs are known for their simplicity, and economy of words. but this one goes against the grain. I’m still not exactly certain what it’s about. Sorrowful and haunting, yet somehow uplifting and redemptive. I heard him perform it live here in Los Angeles a just over a year ago and it has stuck in my head ever since. There is surely a place in heaven for the great John Prine.  He sang about it on his final studio album in 2018. Ironically it became the last song on his last record.

Thanks for making it this far....

***Play the entire songs/20 Spotify playlist HERE!***

[crazy-loca-blog]

Personal thoughts on… 2019 releases (Part I)

Note: As the title says, these are just personal opinions on Choices books and chapters. Of course, you may agree or disagree with them, I only use this platform to express my thoughts on what I read every week.

After dealing with a lot of work and stress (to the point I ended up being sick in bed for a few weeks and now after a few months I still haven’t fully recovered), I’m finally back!

I’ve been playing Choices for over two and a half years now, and I honestly can’t remember a busier year than 2019. We’ve had the chance to read over 30 books! So I wanted to take some time to give my personal opinion on these releases. As there are so many books to talk about, this will be a three-part post and I will also include current releases and books that were released during 2018 but were finished in 2019. The list is organized in alphabetical order and it doesn’t include the VIP Books (as I don’t have access to the feature) or the seasonal books (as I’ll talk about them in another post, after all of them have been fully released).

A Courtesan of Rome (November 14, 2018 - June 12, 2019): I have a feeling that ACOR was one book before the hiatus and a completely different book after the hiatus. At first I found the story interesting, but it wasn’t like I was waiting every week for a new chapter to be released (honestly, those “8 years ago in Gaoul” scenes killed my mood so, so badly during half of the book!). However, after the hiatus, things seemed to move faster and that caught my attention. Overall, I really liked this book and I enjoyed reading it. I have a soft spot for these MCs that are super smart, so I loved to see our badass girl using her beauty and her brain to reach her goals. The LIs were awesome, too. I don’t think it was one of those “They’re all so good, I don’t know which one to choose” situations, but it was nice to see how every LI represented a different point of view of the conflict, so kudos to the writers for it. Of course, after the final chapter it was pretty clear that we won’t be having a second book, but I’m not that sure if it was actually planned to be a series. Sad.

Across the Void (August 20, 2018 - May 13, 2019): This book has probably one of the best graphics in Choices… but it also has probably one of the worst plots and some of the most hated characters in the app. We got this nice MC whose only mission was to be the captain of a luxury spaceship in the middle of a civil war. Of course, we got caught in the middle of it. And what does our MC do? He/She throws parties so the passengers and the crew can relax! We also had these annoying siblings who didn’t even think about making our job easier, a male LI that we shared with our brother, a male LI that hid very important information from us (and we got to know about it at the end of the book), and a male LI that we barely saw in the book. Thank God for the female LIs in this book! On top of that, we had to choose if we supported the Jura or the Vanguard without even knowing what their role in this conflict was. Thankfully, the hiatus helped to improve things a little and the final chapters were way better than the first ones where nobody seemed to have clear what was going on with this war. Of course, the fact that we had a choice to kill our MC at the very end of the book means that there is no chance to have a second book, but I wouldn’t mind revisiting this era with a better story in the future.  

America's Most Eligible: All Stars (January 16, 2019 - May 1, 2019): Have you noticed how reality shows that are pretty successful in the first season tend to become lame, boring and repetitive in subsequent seasons? That’s exactly what happened to me with AME. I enjoyed the first book, even though I don’t think it has super memorable characters and there is nothing like “wow” in the plot, following the story was easy and (don’t deny it, because you know it’s true) it definitely made our competitive side to blossom. But in Book 2, things became repetitive and boring. Sure, we got some new characters, such as Vince and Slater. Sure, it was nice to see Mack, Jen and some other familiar faces once again. But Carson continued being Carson, Ivy continued being Ivy, and Bianca was denied as a LI (again). So, overall, we got nothing new or refreshing in this book… and we ended it with a proposal? After dating out LI for like 2 months? We just didn’t need another wedding book.

America's Most Eligible: Wedding Edition (September 18, 2019 - Present): I seriously think the only reason why AME got a third book is because of us, the fans. The whole series has been about competitions and winning… and of course, we have to spend A LOT of diamonds to win. So I assume the first two books were very, very profitable for PB because of course, we all want to win. However, as we’ve learned this year, having a wedding book may actually end up “killing a series”, and AME is not the exception. From the moment that the writers turned our wedding special into a competition, I knew things were going to be weird. In my very personal case, having Slater in my party made no sense at all, because my MC has never trusted him, so they’ve never had a good relationship. Then, having to compete against Vince and Ivy, our biggest enemies in the competition is so… basic. I’m kind of tired of the dynamic with them… it’s been two books already. And then we have all these super weird storyline with Jen. I mean… how is it possible that she is the showrunner, but at the same time she is a contestant… or even our fiancée!?!? The only thing I may rescue so far is that finally all Bianca and Slater lovers got a chance to express their feelings (and I’m so waiting for drama if you reciprocate them!). But that’s all.

Baby Bump (December 9, 2019 - Present): I know this book is on the list of the “most hated books in 2019”, but for some reason I can’t explain, I still haven’t found anything that truly disgusts me about it (maybe I’m lowering my standards?). I know and I understand that some people feel uncomfortable because we didn’t have a chance to choose our baby’s dad, or because our baby’s dad acted like a total freak by proposing in the second chapter, but I have a feeling that things will improve, especially because our own MC seems to be a grounded person overall. Probably my main complaint goes to how some stuff seems to be repetitive from other books (besides those Big Sky Country vibes all over the place). I mean… why is the evil girl always a bitch? Why do we always have to choose between an insanely rich LI and another LI who’s not so wealthy? When did the MC, both LIs and Luisa become “a gang”? I know there are too many things that seem out of place now, but I have faith. It won’t become a masterpiece, but it won’t be a complete disaster either.

Bachelorette Party (July 18, 2019 - October 17, 2019): Humor, fun, romance, but above all, friendship. I really liked this book at the very beginning because it was a light story, but at some point I felt the writers ran out of ideas right in the middle of the story and started dragging things. They tried to add a more serious touch with the case plot (I even thought we would be having some plot twist as we did in the Perfect Match series), but I think they failed. I kept waiting forever to see a connection between the case and some characters such as Reed or Skip, as everyone seemed to be connected with it in some form, but that never happened. Also, we had Aisha, a trans character who most of us loved at first, but who became annoying after blaming everyone but her for losing the case and not telling the truth behind it (even when she knew we could have been killed she didn’t say the truth… come on, girl!). Finally, I missed our MC having her own self-healing plot after breaking up with her boyfriend/girlfriend… there were only mentions and a few questions about how we were feeling, but that was all. I would have loved to see our friends doing some things for us. At the end, I got a bittersweet feeling about it. I enjoyed the story overall, but there were so many things that could have been explored within the plot, that I’m not fully satisfied with the story.

Big Sky Country, Book 2 (July 27, 2019 - November 9, 2019): I never, ever in a million years would have thought that Big Sky Country would have a second book. Even though I love all these beautiful characters in the story, I thought the plot was pretty lame and boring overall. I can perfectly remember how criticized it was. So I was prepared to read the second book just because I had already finished the first one. But I’m soooo glad that PB proved me wrong here. Not only we had a second book that was much better than the first one, but we also got a story where the writers did a fantastic job trying to balance the screen time of all the LIs and they succeeded when trying to blend all the different plots in one single story. In my opinion, the weakest point of this book was actually the final chapter… Asha won, Clint died, and we became official and got engaged to our LI in like 10 minutes… it just felt too rushed for me.

Bloodbound, Book 2 (May 17, 2019 - August 30, 2019): Even though it’s not one of my personal favorites (and probably that’s why I don’t understand all the hype for it), if I had to choose between the first two books, the second one is the one I like the most. I feel a lot of things improved when compared to BB Book 1, but my special mention goes to Lily… she annoyed me so much in the first book, for some stupid reason I can’t explain, I barely could stand reading her lines… but she definitely grew (A LOT!) in the second book. Also, we were introduced to some new characters, such as Serafine or Nikhil (I’m pretty sure that there’s more about him that we don’t know yet). Sure we had some fantastic moments, such as the crossover with Nightbound (I hope to see more of it in Book 3) or discovering who was behind the Order. But there’s no doubt that my favorite part of this book was when the gang went to the Order headquarters and discovered that the only one who could access was the MC… realizing that the real power of our MC (at that point) was simply to be human, and not a vampire, blew my mind. That’s why I wasn’t rooting for her to become a vampire.

Bloodbound, Book 3 (November 9, 2019 - Present): One of the biggest complaints made by Choices players is that the writers seem to have problems trying to make a series attractive over time. We see unnecessary content that doesn’t add up to the plot, and a tendency to drag things in general. By the third book, people seem to be struggling with the series more than enjoying them. Well, this is not the case of Bloodbound. The series not only had its biggest plot twist by turning our MC into a vampire, but also we may notice the writers have not stopped to impress us. Of course, this book is the darkest one in the series, and after 6 chapters I still have so many questions… should we trust Rheya? Is she good or bad? What’s the real power of our MC given the fact that she’s also the bloodkeeper? Will our MC end up being the villain of the story? So far, I’m pretty happy with this book. If things will continue to be like this, I would LOVE to have a fourth book (especially if it’s said that this is the last book in the series).

Desire & Decorum, Book 2 (December 17, 2018 - April 8, 2019): Even though in my opinion this is the weakest book in the series, one of the things I value the most about it is how the writers managed to create this powerful MC in an era where women actually didn’t have much power and they were basically expected to get marry and obey their husbands. Of course, the whole plot where we were forced to marry Duke Richards was the main focus of the story, but seeing our girl standing up by herself, being helped by her friends and her true love, and saving the queen (and England) was an absolute pleasure. However, it wasn’t enough to fully convince me. The duel between Duke Richards and our LI, Duke Richards becoming Mr. Richards and getting arrested, and Briar’s happy ending are probably the best moments of the book, but even though I enjoyed it, it’s far from being one of my favorites.

[wellpresseddaisy]

So, I posted a little while ago about my issues with the costuming in Little Women. Admittedly, I was really cranky while posting, but not wrong. :) (If you know more than me, though, and would like to correct me on anything, I’d be happy for the feedback.)

It got me thinking about mid-1800s dress reform and Louisa May Alcott’s relation to it. I spent some time poking through Louisa May Alcott Her Life, Letters, and Journals, but she didn’t speak directly to dress reform (at least in the excerpted and editorialized offerings there).  

She was definitely in favor of dress reform or correct dress (if you’re Annie Jenness Miller), given some of her other writing. Eight Cousins in particular is extremely severe on the going styles and decidedly pro-dress reform. And we know her publisher also published at least one dress reform book, which Alcott used when writing Eight Cousins. (I was ridiculously excited to learn this, as the volume is available on the Internet Archive. I’ll provide links to my sources at the end.)

But what would the March sisters have worn? Little Women begins in 1860 - what was dress reform like then? Mostly, it seems to be variations on The Bloomer Costume. And Bloomers were A Problem for eastern US society. Women could be barred from joining a church, etc. if it was known they wore Bloomers. There also weren’t really any patterns, so how yours looked was mostly up to your taste, your sewing ability, and potentially your dressmaker. You can see the problem.  

Another issue - no mass marketed reform foundation garments. Most women who wore Bloomers seemed to just leave off the corsets (circa the 1850s, at least). That would work if you were small busted, but could be pretty uncomfortable if you weren’t. Interestingly, many of the Bloomer advocates went back to wearing regular dress when the cage crinoline came about. That technology made clothing significantly lighter if somewhat more prone to clothing malfunction.

Yeah, the March girls are not wearing Bloomers. They were poor, but still seemed to be considered part of the upper class set. Meg’s not getting invited to fancy parties at the Moffats’ if her family is known for wearing that. They likely dressed in a fairly quiet way and not at the height of fashion. Meg’s wardrobe is considered rather young by the Moffat sisters, so it’s likely she wasn’t wearing any kind of heavy foundation garment. 

What I’m positing is some kind of light foundation, with cording used over boning if it had any kind of structural support, with a chemise worn under and drawers worn over. Heavily boned corsets and tightlacing were on the decline in the 1860s, mostly due to the big skirts, so generally lighter foundations would be correct. The main foundation might look something like the corded waist or the Emancipation waist (these are both later, but the general shape is correct):

Petticoats would have been worn over that to provide some shape to the skirt. It’s possible they could have worn a corded hem, especially for an evening dress. No crinolines. Meg needs a lesson in how to manage a crinoline and trailing skirt at the Moffats, so this is definitely something she didn’t wear. And not every woman wore a crinoline in the 1860s, whether for practicality's sake or due to finances.

But what would the outer clothes look like? Enter Laughing Moon Mercantile patterns (sidenote: if you need good Victorian era patterns try Laughing Moon or Past Patterns).

For day wear, something like this would be appropriate:

And for evening (please note that women wore short sleeves in the evening. No bare upper arms, Meg):

For around the house:

And for pregnancy (the middle option):

And now I want to figure out how to make a bunch of the dress reform undergarments, because as far as I can tell, most of the patterns no longer exist.

Books consulted were (thankfully) pretty much all available on the Internet Archive.

Dress-reform : a series of lectures delivered in Boston, on dress as it affects the health of women edited by Abba Goold Woolson

Illustrated Catalog of ladies and children’s underwear: constructed on dress reform and hygienic principles by Mrs. A Fletcher

Manual of Hygienic modes of under-dressing for women and children by Mrs. O.P. Flynt (Mrs. Flynt also created a reform corset)

Annie Jenness Miller’s correct dress system looks pretty interesting, but none of the periodical she published are digitized.

[abiheywood]

The Moonstone – a novel about stealing, drugs and sex. Sounds like a cracker!

‘The Moonstone’ by Wilkie Collins

3 min read

I consider myself to be a somewhat ‘spiritual’ person who is fascinated by the healing powers of crystals. I believe in the ‘magic’ of them so to speak. Therefore, I was of course curious to discover what the properties of the moonstone were when sitting down to read Wilkie Collins’ 19th century novel entitled ‘The Moonstone”. I discovered that the moonstone is a crystal known to be the stone of reflection (which seems symbolic seen as the entire novel is composed of different characters reflecting on what they can remember regarding the mystery of the missing stone). The stone is known to also have benefits such as helping you to heal and recentre yourself, especially when recovering from trauma.

📷

If you are interested and want to learn more about the healing properties of the moonstone watch this video here.

Unsplash image (by Renee Kiffin)

Collins’ novel is set during a crucial period of world history where us Brits were very powerful on the world stage indeed. Of course, you guessed it, I’m talking about the history of the great British empire. The colonisation of India is a key theme to the narrative and there are many symbolic references throughout that hint to Collins’ own views on imperialism. I mean the diamonds symbolic significance couldn’t be any more blatantly obvious if it tried. A diamond stolen from its origin by English forces, is in the hands of the British, where it gets lost, goes missing, and causes upset amongst society, only for it to later be returned and find its way back to its rightful Indian owners decades later. In hindsight, it seems as if Collins was predicting that India would eventually regain its independence, which it did in 1947. This prompts us to view the whole novel as an anti-imperialist work, where the stone is symbolic of Collins’ own political opinions. Perhaps the novel as a whole is in fact an allegory for anti-imperialism all together?

Attitudes to British imperialism and how we should talk about our past have changed a lot throughout the modern era. A 21st century view of Britain’s imperial past is discussed here.

Okay so we have spoken about stealing and so as promised, I’m going to talk about sex, drugs and rock’n’roll (minus the rock’n’roll part!)

Our authors drug of choice is opium or rather opiate. Oh, and I’m not just talking about the drug he chose to write about in his jaw dropping plot twist at the novels resolve. Collins himself was a heavy user of opiates throughout his lifetime. Opium in the novel is symbolic of the medical advancements made during the 19th century and the changing attitudes towards drug use within society. Opium was frowned upon, readily accepted (opium dens and all) and then legislated by the government and used in medical practise as we still see today. Ezra Jennings in the novel is an advocate for the useful benefits of the drug and symbolises a modern perspective, whilst Mr Candy represents the views of the older physicians of the Victorian period. The novel showcases the interface between the recreational use of opium and the restricted medicinal use of the narcotic drug within pharmacology.

The highly addictive nature of opiates is demonstrated clearly through the character of Ezra Jennings -a self-proclaimed opium addict. Fun fact: the same way that Franklin Blake in the story cannot remember stealing the diamond, neither can Collins remember writing about it! (Well, at least parts of it).

Not only is all of this relevant but the trade of opium was key to the survival of the British empire. The plot thickens!

On a less upbeat note, it is though that the diamond being stolen from Rachel on the evening of her 18th birthday could be symbolic of her virginity being taken from her. The optics of the situation aren’t a great look for the men in the novel by any means… A women’s innocence on display around her neck in the physical form of a diamond all evening, which is then stolen from her bedroom that very night whilst she is sleeping… it’s not looking good. Not only that, but femininity and virginity were often described in the Victorian era to be a women’s ‘jewel’. Perhaps a jewel which men felt entitled to once a woman turned 18, transitioning from childhood into adulthood.

Wow that was a lot of symbols for one novel! I mean after all can we really be surprised when it was in fact one of the first and best modern detective novels. What’s a crime mystery without some symbolic clues, ey?

[timespakistan]

Joe Biden takes office, reverses Trump era’s Muslim ban Standing on the steps of a US Capitol that was ransacked exactly two weeks earlier by pro-Trump mobs seeking to overturn his victory, Biden swore the presidential oath on a bulging century-old family Bible moments after Kamala Harris officially became America’s first woman vice president. “Democracy is precious, democracy is fragile and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed,” Biden said before a National Mall that was virtually empty due to the ultra-tight security and a raging Covid-19 pandemic that he vowed to confront swiftly. “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts, if we show a little tolerance and humility and we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes,” he said. “Together we shall write an American story of hope, not fear, of unity, not division, of light, not darkness. A story of decency and dignity, love and healing and goodness.” But Trump, who falsely said that he was cheated out of a second term and egged on his supporters before their deadly rampage at the Capitol, broke 152 years of tradition by refusing to attend his successor’s inauguration. Biden pushed through a flurry of orders the moment he entered the White House, starting with rejoining the 2015 Paris climate accord, from which the US withdrew under Trump, an ally of the fossil fuel industry. “We are going to combat climate change in a way we have not done so far,” the new US leader said in the Oval Office as he signed papers on the Paris deal, which was negotiated by Barack Obama when Biden was his vice president. Biden’s spokeswoman Jen Psaki said his first call to a foreign leader would be on Friday to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — after Biden blocked the Keystone XL pipeline fiercely opposed by environmentalists but backed by Ottawa. Biden also halted the US exit from the World Health Organization, stopped construction of Trump’s cherished wall on the Mexican border and rescinded a ban on visitors from several Muslim-majority nations. “As a nation built on religious freedom and tolerance, we welcome people of all faiths and those of no faith at all. It is who we are,” said the new State Department spokesman, Ned Price. – ‘President for all Americans’ – In his inaugural address, Biden appealed to supporters of Trump, who shattered political norms by ruthlessly belittling rivals, denouncing entire ethnic groups and trying to cast doubt on basic facts. “I will be a president for all Americans,” the veteran Democrat said. But Biden confronted head-on the rise of domestic extremism, as evidenced during Trump’s presidency by the Capitol assault, deadly attacks on synagogues and immigrants, and a violent march by neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Virginia. The United States faces “a rise of political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we must confront, and we will defeat,” Biden said. “Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear and demonization have long torn us apart.” At 78, Biden is the oldest-ever US president, a job he first sought in 1987, and is only the second Roman Catholic president after John F Kennedy. Harris, the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, became the highest-ranking woman in US history, and the first Black person and first person of Asian heritage as the nation’s number two. She and her husband Doug Emhoff — America’s first-ever “second gentleman” — were escorted to the inauguration by Eugene Goodman, a Black police officer at the Capitol who became a hero by luring away the mostly white mob away from the Senate chambers. Thanks to the new vice president’s tie-breaking vote, the Democratic Party regained control of the Senate, which confirmed the first of Biden’s nominees, national intelligence chief Avril Haines. – Empty Washington – Washington took on the dystopian look of an armed camp, protected by some 25,000 National Guard troops who sealed off the city center. With the public essentially barred from attending the proceedings, Biden’s audience instead was 200,000 flags planted to represent the crowds absent from the National Mall. Biden, who has vowed a major escalation in the nation’s Covid vaccination drive, warned that the “toughest and deadliest period” was still ahead. So far, more than 400,000 people have died of Covid in the United States, more than in any other country. “We must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation,” he said, striking a new tone after Trump’s mockery of mask-wearing and business closings meant to halt the virus. While the public crowds were gone, Biden brought in celebrity power — absent four years ago with Trump. Lady Gaga, in a dress with a black bodice and a billowing red skirt, sang the national anthem and Jennifer Lopez gave a pop rendition of “This Land is Your Land,” ending by exclaiming the final words of the pledge of allegiance — “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” — in Spanish. The new first lady, Jill Biden, invited a 22-year-old poet, Amanda Gorman, who became a star of the day with verse on how democracy “can never be permanently defeated.” In lieu of inaugural balls, Biden joined a prime-time television broadcast from the Lincoln Memorial that featured Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, a number of Broadway stars and Justin Timberlake — some live at the monument, but many of them appearing from remote locations. Biden and Harris started their administration by jointly paying respects to fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery followed by an inaugural parade — without spectators — that featured both an Army fife and drum corps in the red coats of George Washington’s time, and a drumline and dancers from Howard University, the historically Black institution that counts the new vice president as a graduate. – Trump vows to be back – Trump left Washington hours before the inauguration, walking on a red carpet on the White House lawn with his wife Melania into the Marine One presidential helicopter, which flew near the inauguration-ready Capitol before heading to Andrews Air Force Base. “This has been an incredible four years,” Trump told several hundred cheering supporters at a campaign-style event with cannons before leaving for his Florida resort in his last trip on Air Force One. “We will be back in some form,” vowed Trump, who retains a hold on much of the Republican Party despite being the first president to be impeached twice. In a first hint of graciousness, Trump wished the next administration “great luck and great success” — without saying Biden’s name. Biden said that Trump left him a traditional letter that was “very generous” but declined to reveal the contents. In the middle of his last night at the White House, Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of 73 people including close allies and lifted a ban on his administration’s officials serving as lobbyists — an order he had issued at the start of his presidency as he vowed to “drain the swamp” of Washington.   https://timespakistan.com/joe-biden-takes-office-reverses-trump-eras-muslim-ban/9793/

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Essay Writing Service This can release your thoughts to manage your feelings and address the stress that would set off a relapse (Provencher, Gregg, Mead, & Mueser, 2002). If you might be grappling with an consuming dysfunction, journal writing could be a huge supply of reduction and healing. Keeping a journal can help you cease distancing yourself out of your issues, encourage you to confront your problems head-on, and scale back the obsessive element of your dysfunction . There’s merely no higher approach to find out about your thought processes than to write them down. ” Consider what you could do better or what is holding you back, and write about it. It also can assist you to kickstart your journal entry if you’re feeling stuck. Simply write about the people and features of your life that you are grateful for. NPS photograph by Chelsea J. Kennedy.Along with the entire teams talked about above, students of all ages can benefit from journaling as nicely. BNED owns the copyright in the selection, compilation, meeting, arrangement, and enhancement of the Content on the Services. These Terms of Use and the Additional Terms are topic to change at any time, so we encourage you to periodically evaluate all terms and circumstances posted on the Services. Your journal is for you and you alone, and keeping this in thoughts could make you are feeling impossibly free to pour your authentic self onto the web page. Gain access to humanity’s collective understanding concerning the craft of writing. Despite data moving to the Web and most folk using it daily for school and work, many nonetheless use Desktop Era methods to work with it. Use the Chrome Extension to work with on-line articles whereas searching the Web. Read what you've written and take a second to reflect on it. Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same factor. What’s important is you’re having a relationship with your thoughts. obtain our 3 Positive Psychology Exercises for free. All you must lose is a couple of minutes of your time, and also you already know all you can acquire. Here are eleven worksheets for self-expressive writing created by Seph and Craig. Journaling every single day is a good habit to get into. Of course, any time you can carve out for effective journaling is time well spent, but one of the best practice is a daily, daily journaling session. If you need to actually up the influence of journaling in your restoration, consider writing with gratitude. If you might be struggling with a debilitating psychiatric condition, journaling can help you get your thoughts down on paper and cease ruminating and worrying over them. Performance Analysis – Whatever your work, pastime, or activity of alternative, write about your performance. Write about how you probably did, the way you felt, what you could have carried out higher, or where you prevented pitfalls that brought you down earlier than. This can help you retain track of your progress and lead to priceless insights. Critical Self-Analysis – If you’re feeling particularly blue, this one may be risky, however it may be really useful in figuring out your next steps. In the second session, she discusses scientific language and style and invitations members to follow revising texts, cutting phrases and enhancing clarity. Whether you need a distraction-free surroundings, some chill stress-free sounds or a pomodoro timer to manage your time we obtained you coated. While it can actually be helpful for these purposes, journaling just isn't completely for “women,” teenagers, and tweens—it’s for anyone who can write! It is a form of self-expression that can raise and empower folks to know they’re complex feelings and find humor with it. When you consider “journaling,” you might picture a tween girl, laying on her bed along with her toes waving lazily by way of the air and writing about her crush in a diary. In the first session, Jen De Beyer talked in regards to the steps to get from the idea for a analysis paper to a submitted draft. Subscription fees are NOT refundable should you request to cancel or terminate your membership. Should a refund be issued by us, all refunds might be credited solely to the Payment Method used within the unique transaction. You hereby additional authorize us to charge your Payment Method for any and all additional purchases of Services and Content. One-time purchases of minutes to be used for actual-time tutoring periods offered through Bartleby Tutor have to be used inside ninety days from the date of purchase. Any unused minutes thereafter are nonrefundable and cannot be redeemed for any credit score or other worth.

[atrayo]

Jewels of Truth Statements and Favorite Quotes of the Month of May x2

Hello All,

Although I've been under lockdown for the past 10 weeks here in sunny and now rainy Sarasota, FL. The angels are motivating me to post more often on my blog and other social media sites. These three "Jewels of Truth" spiritual wisdom statements were channeled just yesterday taking around an hour and a half to complete. The topics will be on Empowerment, Healer, and Tough Love. Many of the topics at times mirror needs I'm struggling through personally at any given time. 

Since being under lockdown as I said for the past ten weeks in part it has been an Ivory Tower experience with the angels. With other moments like being in a dungeon of my own making of personal torment. Even "Jesus the Christ" had his 40 days and nights in the desert so long ago in antiquity accomplishing his version of soul searching. My version isn't as miraculous yet still, it is sublime at times in whom I connect with spiritually in loving faith. 

May you find today's topics refreshing if not touching to your spirits. Amen. 

Empowerment:

2914) To the one filled with fright feeling alone and withdrawn from the world. Quiet your heart gently by not thinking at all. Just simply be still with your presence for a mindful moment. Do not fight incoming incessant thoughts just send them each affection and let them go. Picture grabbing a wild butterfly insect of a beautiful garden of your very own making. As you catch the butterfly gently in this metaphor you send it love and launch it ever higher away. Treat every intrusive thought in such a manner in becoming the peace that you each seek.

Now focus on your breathing in a calm approach. By placing your one palm of either hand over your chest where your heart resides. Now listen deeply to your life force beating with a rhythm all its native own. Allowing such tenderness to overtake you bringing you at a soothing relaxed state of being true.

Where once before perhaps your thoughts disturbed you here now 5 to 20 minutes later you are gaining your self-composure through gentleness. Now realize that false prior opinion of yourself filled once with fright was merely an incorrect assertion. You only out of ignorance encroached with fear onto your worst self-image that is all. However, now you have taken a different empowered tact of self-fulfilling grace in action through mindful inner focus. Such a simple interactive meditation is all that the soulful doctor of the holiest self has prescribed from within your beautiful divinity.

You may not have the power to fully modify your present surroundings for the best outcome to yield at your behest. But, in due time things can change for the better. You need only to choose to be stronger with health in mind versus weak debilitating thoughts. Causing all manner of unwanted stressors and conjured fears making your heart and mind ache, unfortunately. 

Be the better one when your sense of self has gone astray by strengthening your awareness to arrive at a well-collected mind's eye instead. This is where you can proverbially flip the intended internal light switch to illuminate your entire human soulful being. Taking respect in how you care for yourself with diligence in order to climb out of the pits of elected self-despair. 

Always be the better one since we the Angelic Host truly do appreciate each of your unique graces of God(dess) you each exemplify. Be that again versus the turmoil of the world as a fallacy of the human temporal mindset of fears. Choose better and sooner rather than later you'll be naturally in a greater threshold to overcome the world one kindness of self at a time. Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo.

Healer:

2915) All that are natural healers of the inner divine being through life itself have a precious gift of God indeed. This isn't just the healing scientific medical arts we are speaking of in elaborate truth. There are other spiritual modalities of alternative medicines of the living heart, mind, body, and Spirit of God in all lifeforms. 

Those with such a remarkable grace know they may have an inkling of raw talent in the world. Other's yet still have a deep abiding burning instinct to make a vital good difference in this era of time globally. Lastly, there are others further afield still that delicately know what and how they can make a difference. But, lack the fullest courage by motivations and other resources material and so forth to make such a dent of an impact on a regular basis. 

There are many methods as pathways to pursue in the world it only takes the Healer to find his or her first one and evolve from there. The simplest under a spiritual guise can be truly considered as a psychic gift of being an Empath. Being a human vulnerable sponge of everyone's emotions for better or certainly for the worst uncontrollable reasons. This is in its kernel beginning a living lining of a filter of one's sense of self out and about in the world. 

Only by gaining self-respect through wisdom can one begin to function with the strength of viable character as such an entity Soul of God. To encapsulate the power to heal by means of a laser-like mindful focus one's personal misgivings and then others distress. All the while honing there native own truthful godly angelic skills of blessed self-expression. In order to find the thumbprint of God upon your psyche and spirit. Keeping in check avoiding becoming a dysfunctional open loose book allowing others to manipulate you as reckless vandals out of a sense of selfishness. 

What this means is not to become everyone else's muddy doormat as a weak-willed person. That is out of sorts in terms of responsible inner balance without a backbone of necessary convictions. Cultivate the ideals of personal shielding through the spiritual aura of the self. As your metaphysical force field as the output conduit to affect holy wonders upon the needy. Wherever you encounter them with respectful moderation to your temperament and good health. 

The other avenue to realize that one is a spiritual social healer in life at large. It is naturally to have the ability to bounce back from whatever sort of travesty and/or hardship life throws at you. You take your licks and keep on ticking returning back to your native good-natured disposition. Going back to your regular composure akin to a factory default setting of the self sooner than most others. Yes, you may have suffered inadvertently in the process but it didn't knock the stuffing out of you.

This is a tell-tale sign that you are a Healer of the human condition of whatever sort as a blessed Gift of God. Your attitude may also be sunnier than most. When shit happens you roll with it maintaining your rock-solid convictions in check. You stand your ground without reverting into a deranged animal. This is a shining beacon to us the Angelic Host that you are a healer of whatever modality. Whether you consciously consider this an odd discovered talent already. Or you are struggling to entirely cope with a clueless outlook what it may require of you via self-discovery. 

Do not ever please we the Angels implore you to forsake your Holy grace of God(dess) in this world. If you do then the world breaks your spirit sooner rather than later leaving you as a shadow of your former best self. To be angelic in the world includes sacrifices that matter to you and God in a united fashion with harmony for all souls. Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo.

Tough Love:

2916) To the person with confidence able to say to others the word "No" for a good reason for and by the calming inner self. Has cultivated a blessing instantly each and every necessary time. In order to accept the burden of knowing what does not belong to them alone. No matter if it frustrates someone else who happens to be ego-prone in their immature sensibilities. This typifies a strength of positive character at work when others out of fear or otherwise poor choices say "Yes" to what they don't want or need. 

When all others can be more so manipulated out of guilt to go against their better interests. A Patsy by any other name is such a person not able to say a required "No" without a much-needed backbone. No matter if this person behaves like a saint outwardly in the world. Internally they are at odds with their personal dignity and are heading eventually to burn out of the psyche be it to one degree or another of a nervous breakdown at its miserable climax. 

Those with a mighty sense of conviction are able to declare by an independent means that "No Means No". As leaders able to make tough choices where others balk or pass the responsibility elsewhere. Haphazardly these individuals are practicing a form of generosity often not spoken of as a blessed form of integrity. To be able to give grace by withholding an action of one sort or another when the moment dictates it. It is a paradoxical twist of fortune often called "Tough Love" in the world. Oft not recognized after the fact and at other times not respected but despised with insults by the receiver who is sick in spirit or otherwise feckless. Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo.

Sorrow is how we learn to love. ---Rita Mae Brown.

Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond. ---Robin Wall Kimmerer.

We live on the brink of disaster because we do not know how to let life alone. We do not respect the living and fruitful contradictions and paradoxes of which true life is full. ---Thomas Merton.

And suddenly you know; it's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings. ---Meister Eckhart.

It's precisely the people who are considered the least "likely" leaders who end up inspiring others the most. Everyday people and everyday acts of courage eventually change everything. ---Ai-Jen Poo. Ivan "Atrayo" Pozo-Illas, has devoted 25 years of his life to the pursuit of clairvoyant Inspired automatic writing channeling the Angelic host. Ivan is the author of the spiritual wisdom series of "Jewels of Truth" consisting of 3 volumes published to date. He also channels conceptual designs that are multi-faceted for the next society to come that are solutions based as a form of dharmic service. Numerous examples of his work are available at "Atrayo's Oracle" blog site of 15 years plus online. Your welcome to visit his website "Jewelsoftruth.us" for further information or to contact Atrayo directly.

[suchagiantnerd]

54 Books, 1 Year

2018 was my first full year back at work after my mat leave, and thanks to all the time I spend on the subway, my yearly reading total is back up to over 50 books!

2018 was a dark year, and I made a conscious effort to read more books from authors on the margins of society. The more those of us with privilege take the time to listen to and learn from these voices, the better we’ll be as friends, colleagues and citizens.

You’ll also notice a lot of books about witchcraft and witches in this year’s list. What can I say? Dark times call for resorting to ANYTHING that can help dig us out of our current reality, including putting a hex on Donald Trump.

Trigger Warning: Some of the books reviewed below are about mental illness, suicide, domestic violence, sexual assault, and violence against people of colour, Indigenous people and people in the LGBTQ community.

Here are this year’s mini reviews:

1.       The Lottery and Other Stories / Shirley Jackson

Jackson’s short stories were published in the late forties and fifties, but their slow-burning creep factor holds up today. The stories involve normal people doing normal things until something small gives, and we realize something is really wrong here. As you read through the collection, take note of the mysterious man in blue. He appears in about half of the stories, always in the margins of the action. Who is he? I read him as a bit of a trickster figure, bringing chaos and mayhem with him wherever he goes. Other people have read him as the devil himself. Let me know what you think!

2.       The Ship / Antonia Honeywell

I was excited to read this YA novel about a giant cruise ship-turned-ark, designed and captained by the protagonist Lalla’s father in a dystopic near future. The premise of the book is great and brings up lots of juicy questions – where is the ship going? How long can the passengers survive together in a confined space? How did Lalla’s father choose who got to board the ship? But the author’s execution was a disappointment and focused far too much on Lalla’s inner turmoil and immaturity.

3.       The Hot One: A Memoir of Friendship, Sex and Murder / Carolyn Murnick

My book club read this true crime memoir detailing the intense, adolescent friendship between Carolyn, the author, and Ashley, who was murdered in her home in her early 20s a few years after the girls’ friendship fizzled. Murnick is understandably destroyed by the murder and obsessed with the killer’s trial. The narrative loops back and forth between the trial and the girls’ paths, which diverged sharply after Ashley moved away in high school. Murnick (the self-proclaimed nerdy one) muses on the intricacies of female friendship, growing up under the microscope of the male gaze, and the last weekend she ever spent with Ashley (the hot one). This is an emotional, detailed account of a woman trying her best to bear witness to her friend’s horrific death and to honour who she was in life.

4.       The Break / Katherena Vermette

Somebody is brutally attacked on a cold winter night in Winnipeg, and Stella, a young Métis woman and tired new mother is the only witness – and even she isn’t sure what she saw. The police investigation into the attack puts a series of events in motion that make long-buried emotions bubble to the surface and ripple outwards to touch a number of people in the community, including an Indigenous teenager recently released from a youth detention center, one of the investigating officers (a Métis man walking a fine line between two worlds), and an artist. This is a tough read, especially in the era of #MMIW and #MeToo, but all the more important because of it.

5.       So You Want to Talk About Race / Ijeoma Oluo

Probably the most important book I read this year, I will never stop recommending this read to anyone and everyone. This is your Allyship 101 syllabus right here, folks. Do you really want to do better and be better as an ally? Then you need to read every chapter closely and start implementing the lessons learned right away. This book will teach you about tone policing, microaggressions and privilege, and how all of those things are harmful to people of colour and other marginalized communities.

6.       The Accusation / Bandi

This is a collection of short stories by a North Korean man (written under a pseudonym for his protection as he still lives there). The stories were actually smuggled out of the country for publication by a family friend. The characters in these stories are regular people living regular lives (as much as that is possible in North Korea). What really comes across is the fine line between laughter and tears while living under the scrutiny of a dangerous regime. There are several scenes where people laugh uncontrollably because they can’t cry, and where people start to cry because they can’t laugh. This book offers a rare perspective into a hidden world.

7.       Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen / Jazz Jennings

Some of you will be familiar with Jazz via the TLC show about her and her family, “I Am Jazz”. I’d never seen it but was inspired to read the book to gain a better understanding about what coming out as trans as a child is like. Jazz came out to her family at 5 years old (!) and her parents and siblings have had her back from the beginning. If you are still having a tough time understanding that trans women are women, full stop, this book will help get you there.

8.       A Field Guide to Getting Lost / Rebecca Solnit

When it comes to the books that gave me “all the feels”, this one tops the 2018 list. Solnit is everything - historian, writer, philosopher, culture lover, explorer. Her mind is always making connections and as you follow her through her labyrinthine thoughts you start to feel connected too. Her words on loss, nostalgia and missing a person/place/time actually made me cry, they were so true. For me, an agnostic leaning towards atheism, she illuminated the magic in the everyday that made me feel more spiritually rooted to life than I have in a long time.

9.       I Found You / Lisa Jewell

Lots of weird and bad things seem to happen in British seaside towns, don’t they? This is another psychological thriller, à la “The Girl on the Train” and “Gone Girl”. One woman finds a man sitting on the beach one morning. He has no idea who he is or how he got there. Miles away, another woman wakes up one morning to find her husband has vanished. Is the mystery man on the beach the missing husband? Dive into this page-turner and find out!

10.   The Midnight Sun / Cecilia Ekbäck

This novel is the sequel to a historical Swedish noir book I read a few years ago. Though it’s not so much a sequel, as it is a novel taking place in the same setting – Blackasen Mountain in Lapland. This story actually takes place about a hundred years after the first novel does, so it can be read on its own. Ekbäck’s stories dive into the effect of place on people – whether it’s the isolation of a harsh and long winter or the mental havoc caused by the midnight sun on sleep patterns, the people on Blackasen Mountain are always strained and ready to explode. (Oh, and there’s also a bit of the supernatural happening on this mountain too – but just a bit!)

11.   After the Bloom / Leslie Shimotakahara

Strained mother-daughter relationships. The PTSD caused by immigration and then being detained in camps in your new home. Fraught romances. Shimotakahara’s novel tackles all of this and more. Taking place in two times – 1980s Toronto and a WWII Japanese internment camp in the California desert – this story of loss, hardship, betrayal and family is both tragic and hopeful.

12.   Company Town / Madeline Ashby

In this Canadian dystopian tale, thousands of people live in little cities built on the oil rigs off the coast of Newfoundland. Hwa works as a bodyguard for the family that owns the rigs and is simultaneously trying to protect the family’s youngest child from threats, find out who is killing her sex-worker friends, mourn her brother (who died in a rig explosion), and work through her own self-esteem issues. Phew! If it sounds like too much, it is. I really did like this book, but I think it needed tighter editing and focus.

13.   The Power / Naomi Alderman

In the near-future, women and girls all over the world develop the ability to send electrical shocks out of their hands. With this newfound power, society’s gender power imbalance starts to flip. The U.S. military scrambles to try and work this to their advantage. A new religious movement starts to grow. And Tunde, a Nigerian photographer (and a dude!) travels the world, trying to document it all. This is an exciting novel that seriously asks, “what if?” in which many of the key characters cross paths.

14.   Milk and Honey / Rupi Kaur

Everyone’s reading it, so I had to too! Kaur’s poems are refreshing and healing, and definitely accessible. This is poetry for the people, for women, for daughters, mothers and sisters. These are poems about how women make themselves small and quiet, about our inner anger, about sacrifice, longing and love.

15.   Tell It to the Trees / Anita Rau Badami

In the dead of winter in small-town B.C., the body of big-city writer Anu is found outside of the Dharmas’ house, frozen to death. Anu had been renting their renovated shed, working on a novel in seclusion. As we get to know the Dharmas – angry and controlling Vikram, his quiet and frightened wife Suman, the two children, and the ghost of Vikram’s first wife, Helen, we feel more and more uneasy. Was Anu’s death just a tragic accident, or something else entirely? There is a touch of “The Good Son” in this novel…

16.   You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life / Jen Sincero

This book was huge last year and my curiosity got the better of me. But I can’t, I just can’t subscribe to this advice! All of this stuff about manifesting whatever you want reeks of privilege and is just “The Secret” repackaged for millennials and Gen-Z. Thank u, next!

17.   All the Things We Never Knew: Chasing the Chaos of Mental Illness / Sheila Hamilton

Shortly after a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, Hamilton’s husband, David, took his own life after years of little signs and indicators that something wasn’t right. Her memoir, in the aftermath of his death, is a reckoning, a tribute, and a warning to others. In it, she details the fairy tale beginning of their relationship (but even then, there were signs), the birth of their only child, and the rocky path that led to his final choice. Hamilton’s story doesn’t feel exploitative to me. It’s an important piece in the global conversation about mental health and includes lots of facts and statistics too.

18.   This Is How It Always Is / Laurie Frankel

This is a beautiful novel about loving your family members for who they are and about the tough choices parents have to make when it comes to protecting their children. Rosie and Penn have five boys (that this modern couple has five children is the most unbelievable part of the plot, frankly), but at five years old, their youngest, Claude, tells the family that he is a girl. Claude changes her name to Poppy, and Rosie and Penn decide to move the whole family to more inclusive Seattle to give Poppy a fresh start in life. Of course, the move has consequences on the other four children as well, and we follow everybody’s ups and downs over the years as they adjust and adapt to their new reality.

19.   Dumplin’ / Julie Murphy

While I didn’t love the writing or any of the characters, I do need to acknowledge the importance of this YA novel in showing a fat teenager as happy and confident in who she is. Willowdean Dickson has a job, a best friend and a passion for Dolly Parton. She also catches the attention of cute new kid, Bo, and a sweet summer romance develops between the two (with all of the miscommunications and misunderstandings you’d expect in a YA plot). This is an important book in the #RepresentationMatters movement, and is now a Netflix film if you want to skip the read!

20.   Kintu / Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

This was touted as “the great Ugandan novel” and it did not disappoint! The first part of the novel takes place in 1754, as Kintu Kidda, leader of a clan, travels to the capital of Buganda (modern day Kampala) with his entourage to pledge allegiance to the new Kabaka. During the journey, tragedy strikes, unleashing a curse on Kintu’s descendants. The rest of the novel follows five modern-day Ugandans who are descended from Kintu’s bloodline and find themselves invited to a massive family reunion. As their paths cross and family histories unfold, will the curse be broken?

21.   The Child Finder / Rene Denfeld

I bought this at the airport as a quick and thrilling travel read, and that’s exactly what it was. Naomi is a private investigator with a knack for finding missing and kidnapped children. This is because she was once a kidnapped child herself. The plot moves back and forth in time between Naomi’s current case and her own escape and recovery. There was nothing exceptional about this book, but it’s definitely a page-turner.

22.   Difficult Women / Roxane Gay

Are the women in Gay’s short stories actually difficult? Or has a sexist, racist world made things difficult for them? I think you know what my answer is. The stories are at times beautiful - like the fairy tale about a woman made of glass, and at times violent and visceral – like a number of stories about hunting and butchering. Women are everything and more.

23.   My Education / Susan Choi

I suggested this novel to my book club and I will always regret it. This was my least favourite read of the year. I thought it was going to be about a sexy and inappropriate threesome or love triangle between a student, her professor, and his wife. Instead it had a few very unsexy sex scenes and hundreds and hundreds of pages about the minutiae of academic life. I can’t see anyone enjoying this book except English professors and grad students.

24.   Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities / Rebecca Solnit

This series of essays was a balm to my soul after Ford won the provincial election. It reminded me that history is full of steps forward and steps back, and though things look bleak right now, there are millions of us around the world trying to make positive changes in big and little ways as we speak.

25.   The Woman in Cabin 10 / Ruth Ware

Another novel in the vein of “The Woman on the Train”, that is, a book featuring a young, female, unreliable narrator. Lo knows what she saw – or does she? There was a woman in the now empty Cabin 10 – or was there? And also, Lo hasn’t been eating or sleeping. But she’s been drinking a lot and not taking her medication. I’m kind of done with this genre – anyone else?

26.   My Brilliant Friend / Elena Ferrante

After hearing many intelligent women praise this novel (the first in a four-part series), my book club decided to give it a try. I didn’t fall in love with it, but I was sufficiently intrigued by the intense and passionate friendship between Lila and Lenu, two young girls growing up in post-war Naples, that I will likely read the whole series. Many claim that no writer has managed to capture the intricacy of female friendship the way that Ferrante has.

27.   The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard / Kristin Schell

This is Schell’s non-fiction account of how she started Austin’s turquoise table movement (which has now spread further into other communities). Schell was feeling disconnected from her immediate community, so she painted an old picnic table a bright turquoise, moved it into her front yard, and started sitting out there some mornings, evenings and weekends - sometimes alone, and sometimes with her family. Neighbours started to gather for chats, snacks, card games, and more. People got to know each other on a deeper level and friendships bloomed. This book is a nice reminder that small actions matter. A small warning though – Schell is an evangelical Christian, and I didn’t know this before diving in. There is a focus on Christianity in the book, and though it’s not quite preachy, it’s very in-your-face.

28.   Sing, Unburied, Sing / Jesmyn Ward

This was hands-down my favourite novel of the year. It’s a lingering and haunting look at the generational trauma carried by the descendants of those who were enslaved and lived during the Jim Crow era. One part road trip novel, one part ghost story, the plot follows a fractured, multi-racial family as they head into the broken heart of Mississippi to pick up the protagonist’s father, who has just been released from prison.

29.   Full Disclosure / Beverley McLachlin

This is the first novel by Canada’s former Chief Justice, Beverley McLachlin. As someone who works in the legal industry and has heard her speak, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this. But, with all due respect to one of the queens, the book was very ‘meh’. The plot was a little over the top, the characters weren’t sufficiently fleshed out, and I felt that the backdrop of the Robert Pickton murders was somewhat exploitative and not done respectfully. Am I being more critical of this novel than I might otherwise be because the author is so intelligent? Likely yes, so you can take this review with a grain of salt.

30.   The Long Way Home / Louise Penny

This is the 10th novel in Penny’s Inspector Gamache mystery series. As ever, I fell in love with her descriptions of Quebec’s beauty, the small town of Three Pines, and the delicious food the characters are always eating. Penny’s books are the definition of cozy.

31.   In the Skin of a Lion / Michael Ondaatje

Ondaatje has the gift of writing novels that read like poetry, and this story is no exception. Taking place in Toronto during construction of the Don Valley bridge and the RC Harris water treatment plant, the plot follows a construction worker, a young nun, an explosives expert, a business magnate and an actress as they maneuver making a life for themselves in the big city and changing ideas about class and gender.

32.   The Story of a New Name / Elena Ferrante

This is the second novel in Ferrante’s four-part series about the complicated life-long friendship between Lila and Lenu. In this installment, the women navigate first love, marriage, post-secondary education, first jobs and new motherhood.

33.   The Happiness Project / Gretchen Rubin

In this memoir / self-help book, Rubin studies the concept of happiness and implements a new action or practice each month of the year that is designed to increase her happiness levels. Examples include practicing gratitude, going to bed earlier, making time for fun and learning something new. Her journey inspired me to make a few tweaks to my life during a difficult time, and I do think they’ve made me more appreciative of what I have (which I think is a form of happiness?)

34.   The Virgin Suicides / Jeffrey Eugenides

I loved the film adaptation of this novel when I was a teenager, but I’d never actually read it until my book club selected it. Eugenides paints a glimmering, ethereal portrait of the five teenaged Lisbon sisters living a suffocating half-life at the hands of their overly protective and religious parents. The story is told through the eyes of the neighbourhood boys who longed for them from a distance and learned about who they were through snatched telephone calls, passed notes and one tragic suburban basement party.

35.   Time’s Convert / Deborah Harkness

This is a supernatural fantasy novel that takes place in the same universe of witches, vampires and daemons as Harkness’ All Souls trilogy. The plot follows the romance between centuries-old vampire Marcus, who came of age during the American Civil War, and human Phoebe, who begins her own transformation into a vampire so that she and Marcus can be together forever.

36.   The Saturday Night Ghost Club / Craig Davidson

Were you a fan of the TV show “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” If yes, this novel is for you. Davidson explores the blurred line between real-life tragedy and ghost story over the course of one summer in 1980s Niagara Falls. A coming-of-age novel that’s somehow sweet, funny and sad all at once, this story delves into the aftershocks of trauma and the way we heal the cracks in families.

37.   Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right / Jamie Glowacki

I hoped this was the book for us, but I don’t think it was. Some of the tips were great, but others really didn’t work for us. The other issue is that the technique in this book is much better suited to kids staying at home with a caregiver, not kids in daycare.

38.   The Witch Doesn’t Burn in This One / Amanda Lovelace

This is a collection of poetry about women’s anger, women’s long memories and strength in sisterhood. It’s accessible, emotional and a bit of a feminist rallying cry. As someone who is obsessed with the Salem witch trials, I also loved the historical backdrop to the poems.

39.   The Rules of Magic / Alice Hoffman

I love to read seasonally, and this prequel to “Practical Magic” was a perfect October book. Remember Jet and Franny, the old, quirky aunts from the movie? This novel describes their upbringing, along with that of their brother Vincent, as the three siblings discover their powers and try to out-maneuver the Owens family curse.

40.   Witch: Unleased. Untamed. Unapologetic. / Lisa Lister

This book has a very sleek, appealing cover. Holding it made me feel magical. Reading it really disappointed me. From Lister’s almost outright transphobia to her unedited, repetitive style, this was a huge disappointment and I don’t recommend it.

41.   The Death of Mrs. Westaway / Ruth Ware

I liked this novel a lot more than Ware’s other novel, “The Woman in Cabin 10”. Crumbling English manor homes, long-buried family evils and people trapped together by snowstorms are my jam.

42.   Weirdo / Cathi Unsworth

Another British seaside town, another grisly murder. Jumping back and forth between a modern-day private investigation and the parental panic around cults and Satanism in the 1980s, Unsworth unpacks the darkness lurking within a small community and the way society’s outcasts are often used as scapegoats. The creep factor grows as the story unfolds.

43.   Mabon: Rituals, Recipes and Lore for the Autumn Equinox / Diana Rajchel

And so begins my witchy education. I have to admit, I really liked learning about the historical pagan celebrations and superstitions surrounding harvest time. I also liked reading about spells and incantations… ooooOOOOoooo!

44.   From Here to Eternity: Travelling the World to Find the Good Death / Caitlin Doughty

In North America, we are so removed from death that we are unequipped to process it when someone close to us dies. But this doesn’t have to be the case. In this non-fiction account, Doughty, a mortician based in L.A., travels the world learning about the business of death, the cultural customs around mortality, and the rituals of care and compassion for the deceased in ten different places. It seems that the closer we are to death, the less we’ll fear it, and the better-equipped we’ll be to process loss and grief in healthy ways.

45.   Samhain: Rituals, Recipes and Lore for Halloween / Diana Rajchel

Did you know that Samhain is actually pronounced “Sow-en”? I didn’t until I read this book, and felt very intelligent indeed, when later, while watching “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” on Netflix, the head witch pronounced the word as “Sam-hain”, destroying the writers’ credibility in one instant. I am a witch now.

46.   See What I Have Done / Sarah Schmidt

This novel is a retelling of the Lizzie Borden murders, illuminated through four characters – Lizzie herself, the Borden’s maid Bridget, Lizzie’s sister, and a mysterious man hired the day before the murders by Lizzie’s uncle to intimidate Mr. Borden (one of the murder victims). I knew very little about the murders before reading this book, but this version of the tale strongly suggests that Lizzie really is the murderer. Unhinged, childlike, selfish and manipulative, I hated her so much and felt awful for everyone that had to live in her orbit.

47.   The Nature of the Beast / Louise Penny

In the 11th installment of Penny’s Inspector Gamache mystery series, she sets the story up with a parallel to the boy who cried wolf and introduces us to her first killer without a soul. Crimes of passion and greed abound in Penny’s universe, but a crime of pure, cold evil? This is a first.

48.   How Are You Going to Save Yourself? / J.M. Holmes

This is a powerful collection of short stories about what it’s like to be a Black man in America right now. It’s about Black male friendship, fathers and sons, outright racism and dealing with a lifetime of microaggressions. Holmes makes some risky and bold decisions with his characters, even playing into some of the harmful stereotypes about Black men while subverting some of the others. This book really stayed with me. One disturbing story in particular I kept turning around and around in my mind for days afterward.

49.   Split Tooth / Tanya Tagaq

This is a beautiful story about a young Inuit girl growing up in Nunavut in the 1970s, combining gritty anecdotes about bullying, friendship, family and addiction with Inuit myth, legend, and the magic of the Arctic. The most evocative and otherworldly scenes in the novel took place under the Northern Lights and left me kind of mesmerized.

50.   Motherhood / Sheila Heti

Heti’s book is a work of fiction styled as a memoir, during which the protagonist, nearing her 40s, weighs the pros and cons of having a baby. I’ve maybe never felt so “seen” by an author before. I agonized over the decision about whether to have a baby for years before finally making a decision. The unsatisfying, but freeing conclusion that both the author and I came to is that for many of us there is no right choice (but no wrong choice either).

51.   The Mistletoe Murder and Other Stories / P.D. James

This is a short collection of James’ four “Christmas-y” mysteries published over the course of a number of years. It was a perfect cozy read to welcome the holiday season.

52.   The Christmas Sisters / Sarah Morgan

Morgan’s story is a Hallmark holiday movie in book form. A family experiencing emotional turmoil at Christmas? Check. Predictable romances, old and new? Check. A beautiful, festive setting? Check. (In this case, it’s a rustic inn nestled in the Scottish Highlands). This novel is fluff, but the most delightful kind.

53.   Jonny Appleseed / Joshua Whitehead

Jonny is a Two-Spirit Ojibway-Cree person who leaves the reservation in his early 20s to escape his community’s homophobia and make it in the city. Making ends meet as a cybersex worker, the action begins when he has to scrape together enough cash to make it home to the “rez” (and all the loose ends he left behind there) for a funeral. The emotional heart of the novel are Jonny’s relationships with his kokum (grandmother) and his best friend / part-time lover Tias.

54.   Yule: Rituals, Recipes and Lore for the Winter Solstice / Susan Pesznecker

Do you folks believe that I’m a witch now? I am, okay? I even spoke an incantation to Old Mother Winter while staring into the flame of a candle after reading this book.

55.   Half Spent Was the Night: A Witches’ Yuletide / Ami McKay

Old-timey witches? At Christmas time? At an elaborate New Year’s Eve masked ball? Be still my heart. This novella was just what I wanted to read in those lost days between Christmas and New Year’s. You’ll appreciate it even more if you’ve already read Ami McKay’s previous novel “The Witches of New York”, as it features the same characters.

[fearsmagazine]

The Jim Henson Company has partnered with McFarlane Toys on Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal.

The Jim Henson Company has partnered with McFarlane Toys, which will harken back to its roots of “Movie Maniacs” to create figures of classic characters from two of Henson’s most well-known features Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal.

Directed by visionary Jim Henson and executive produced by George Lucas, Labyrinth is a fanboy favorite and wonder of puppetry. Stuck babysitting her brother, teenager Sarah, resentfully wishes The Goblin King (memorably portrayed by David Bowie) can take him away. When her wish comes true, Sarah must head into the Labyrinth herself to save him. Since its 1986 release the film has garnered a cult popularity and is still reveled in today’s era as a timeless classic.

The Dark Crystal, directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, brilliantly weaves a timeless myth of good and evil. In another time, The Dark Crystal, a source of balance and truth in the universe, was broken, dividing the world into two factions; the wicked Skeksis and the peaceful Mystics. Now, as the convergence of the three suns approaches, the crystal must be healed, or darkness will reign forever. The Dark Crystal’s fanbase has only risen since the film’s debut and has also developed a cult following of fans across the world.

McFarlane Toys has produced highly detailed figures and construction sets for various entertainment properties and this collaboration with The Jim Henson Company will give fans of these iconic films new and unique action figures that are “true to life” replicas of their on-screen personas.

The upcoming toys will include a 7-inch figure of Labyrinth’s Jareth The Goblin King, and for The Dark Crystal, fans can look forward to figures of Jen and Kira. Each figure will be highly detailed and come fully articulated to recreate infamous movie scenes. These figures will also debut in new window box collector packaging and will come with Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal branded detailed bases.

“Fans of both Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal continue to grow, while both brands also enjoy the passionate and loyal support of committed followers for decades,” said Vice President of Global Consumer Products for The Jim Henson Company, Federico San Martin.  “We are looking forward to McFarlane toys introducing the characters that defined these classic adventures to our legions of fans around the world.”

“Jim Henson was one of the most visually creative minds, and these incredible movies are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Todd McFarlane, Owner and CEO of McFarlane Toys. “We pride ourselves on our creativity and attention to detail, and to be able to make figures of these iconic characters is something pretty special.”

McFarlane Toys’ Labyrinth Jareth The Goblin King figure will be available at major retailers this November carrying an MSRP: $19.99 (and now available for pre-order, HERE).  The Dark Crystal Jen and Kira figures are slated to release Spring 2018.  For more information about The Jim Henson Company visit www.henson.com. For more information about everything McFarlane Toys, fans are encouraged to check out www.mcfarlane.com as well as the McFarlane social media channels for updates and news.

[bethebean66]

Best Albums of 2016

Allllright friends! That time of the year is finally here! Or, well... It came and went really. But, I was sick at the New Year, and my family was busy bumping our holidays, so my schedule was all out of whack. Now though! Is finally the time... My year end list of the best albums of 2016!

This was a pretty strange year for music for me. One of my favorite albums came out right away. One of them was released basically out of nowhere. A handful of top albums I never would have put on there any other year. And, another chunk just completely surprised me and have to be mentioned here.

No real use chatting away. Getting right into things, here's my top 25 albums of the year; with a quick rundown of my 25-11:

25. Béyonce — Lemonade 24. Conor Oberst — Ruminations 23. NxWorries — Yes Lawd! 22. Kaytranada — 99.9% 21. Blood Orange — Freetown Sound 20. Angel Olsen — My Woman 19. Wilco — Schmilco 18. Run the Jewels — Run the Jewels 3 17. Kamaiyah — A Good Night in the Ghetto 16. Flume — Skin 15. Leonard Cohen — You Want It Darker 14. James Blake — The Colour of Anything 13. Car Seat Headrest — Teens of Denial 12. Radiohead — A Moon Shaped Pool 11. Bon Iver — 22, A Million

Trust me, ordering those wasn't the easiest. Some real random albums on there, for me at least. A lot more smaller names than I ever list. And, a lot more music from the hip-hop world. Also, I'm pretty sure I've never placed Radiohead, Bon Iver, or James Blake outside of my top 10. With these fifteen out of the way though, onto the good part of the list! Here we go folks, my top ten albums of 2016...

10. A Tribe Called Quest — We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service 18 YEARS. Eighteen years it had been since we last got an album from one of hip-hop's great acts. Drawing from formulas Tribe has proved successful, We got it from Here demonstrates why this group has remained in the upper echelon of artists, even in their absence. With deep influences of East Coast hip-hop, classic jazz undertones, guests spots from both long-time Tribe friends Busta Rhymes and Consequence, as well as current kings like Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Andre 3000, Anderson .Paak—Even a perfectly placed drop from the late former member Phife Dawg—this was arguably the best hip-hop album, and best surprise album of the year.

Favorite Tracks: We the People..., Dis Generation, Kids...

9. Vince Staples — Prima Donna This one is sort of sneaking onto the list. I typically don't include EP's. But, Prima Donna had to be on this list. You get five seconds into War Ready, and you'll understand exactly why (hint: it has to do with a brilliantly used sample of Outkast/Andre 3000). Just seven tracks and twenty-one minutes long, this albums comes with a heavy punch right to your chest. Vince is a force to be reckoned with in this game. If you don't know his name yet, you're going to soon.

Favorite Tracks: War Ready, Smile, Big Time

8. Solange — A Seat at the Table Yes, Solange made the better album of the Knowles sisters. Every year has an album that takes a political stance, covers our current events, touches on topics at hand—This is that album. A Seat at the Table brings funk, soul, and R&B blended together to deliver a message of empowerment, grief, healing, and weariness. We brush on prejudice, and struggles with racism in the current culture—in a way that truly speaks to you as a listener. Solange changed her sound and style, and she landed in a space I hope she plans to stay.

Favorite Tracks: Cranes in the Sky, Don't Touch My Hair, Don't You Wait

7. Anderson .Paak — Malibu Okay, yes, I'm going to get flack from the crew over at VNYL for placing this so low (really, is 7 even low?). But, it still made the list! Put it this way, .Paak had one of the best years of anyone not named Chance or Donald Glover. He was everywhere (including earlier on my list). This dude not only has one of the most soulful voices, best bands, and killer features—he appeared on practically every big album of the last couple of years. .Paak and Malibu have drawn similarities to both Stevie Wonder and Kendrick Lamar. The most difficult thing to do to this album is categorize it. Blurring more lines than a horrible 2013 pop hit, Malibu reaches Funk, R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop, and a number of smaller sub-genres. This is an album for music fans, even if you doubt you'd like it. Put this on, and play it loud. You'll be dancing to it before the end of the opening track.

Favorite Tracks: Am I Wrong, Silicon Valley, Heart Don't Stand A Chance

6. Sturgill Simpson — A Sailor's Guide to Earth A lot of people first heard Simpson's name from his beautiful cover of In Bloom. I so hope that you dove into this Grammy nominated album (Album of the Year and Best Country Album). Described as a "modern Waylon Jennings," Simpson is making country music for non-country fans. A more personal album than I ever expected, A Sailor's Guide is a letter written to his wife and newborn son while stationed away for the Navy. Singing over Sharon Jones' Dap-Kings, Simpson wrote and performed one of my favorite concept albums in recent memory. If this is the future of country music, consider me sold.

Favorite Tracks: Breakers Roar, Sea Stories, In Bloom

5. Chance the Rapper — Coloring Book Another sort of cheat on the list, as I don't typically include mixtures either. But, when the mixtape is better than most everything else released that year—on the list it goes! With elements of hip-hop, gospel, and rap, Chance has never shined so bright. Put it this way, while recording, Chance was able to get the following artists on board: Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Francis and the Lights, Justin Bieber, and Ty Dolla Sign. He even locked down Kirk Franklin and the Chicago Children's Choir. There's a reason he played for President Obama so many times. Honestly, there isn't a lot to say about this album. It's a must listen. So, just go do that.

Favorite Tracks: No Problem, Blessings, All Night

4. Gallant — Ology From the opening note of Ology, you can tell you're in for a treat. And then... And then you hear Gallant's falsetto. That incredible falsetto. Truthfully, I don't know if I've ever heard a more impressive introduction to a debut album. Gallant is a force. A voice this big, yet it feels as though you're peering into a room of just him and his pains. This album starts on a high note (figuratively and literally), and just builds and binds as you listen. Drawing the attention from artists such as Frank Ocean, Seal, even Prince, Gallant finally found his voice and gifted us the album he's waited his entire life to make. And we couldn't be more thankful.

Favorite Tracks: Bourbon, Skipping Stones, Bone + Tissue

3. Frank Ocean — Blond(e) Yes, I attached/didn't attach the "e." Debate as you'd like. Is this a digital vs physical release thing? Is it a deeper gender rooted one from Frank himself? Right now, it's because whichever version you take, I'm talking about that one. This year, we were not only graced with the long awaited follow-up to 2012's phenomenal Channel Orange, but we were given TWO albums from Frank. Because Endless was never officially released in anything but video format, I'm not going to cover it. Blonde though... This album was everything we waited for and so much more. Full of twists and turns, loose ends and sprawling melodies, there are so many elements here that seem out of place, yet work as strengths. Carefully crafted landscapes weave us through the deep emotions Frank seems to shelter from everyone. We get a glimpse at the romantic, at the beauty, the depth that makes Frank Frank. This album was vastly different than his previous. This album is sparse, it's vacant, but not hollow. You're in an empty room, but there's so space to move. Pitchfork said it perfectly, stating, "These songs are not for marching, but they still serve a purpose. They’re about everyday lives, about the feat of just existing, which is a statement in its own right."

Favorite Tracks: Solo, Pink + White, Nights, White Ferrari

2. Childish Gambino — Awaken, My Love I've been a fan of Gambino for the very beginning. The nerdy hipster that raps about Freaks and Geeks, and Sufjan Stevens—so different, and so relatable. Queue 2016 Gambino. When Glover decided to reinvent his musical persona and punch us all in the gut when he decided to channel his inner 70's and give us the record nobody ever saw being made. The rapper we knew is gone. No more Adele samples. Instead, we bring in R&B, psych rock, soul, and funk. With the lead singles Me and Your Mama and Redbone, a new era was upon us. Name drops of Prince, of D'Angelo, of Sly and the Family Stone, of George Clinton! Glover reinvented himself in a way that shocked the music world. Redbone was arguably the best song of the year. The retro fusion created, with the absence of rap altogether, is a treat. Hearing Glover sing, actually sing (and with no vocal manipulation), makes this album what it is. Yes, this is a different Childish Gambino. Yes, I miss the old. But, I'm not the slightest bit worried with where he is going. Glover was finally cast in a Spiderman. He created, directed, stared in his own new Golden Globe winning show. He was cast in a new Star Wars film. Then he wrapped the year by releasing one of the most groundbreaking records in the last few years. Needless to say, Donald Glover and Childish Gambino handedly won 2016.

Favorite Tracks: Redbone, Me and Your Mama, Have Some Love, Boogieman

1. David Bowie — Black Star Look up here, I'm in heaven / I've got scars that can't be seen...

A true gift to the world, from the legend that is David Bowie, on his 69th birthday. A heartbreaking and beautiful farewell to his fans, just two days before his passing. Bowie's swan song, his departing gift. He had recorded the entire album over the previous year in complete secrecy. Upon its release, the world was shocked. Applauded as one of his best works—becoming his first, and only, number one record in the States.

Touching on genres from industrial rock, hip-hop, jazz, and art rock, influencers ranged from Kendrick Lamar to Boards of Canada. This is not a pop album. But, this is a Bowie album through and through. He experiments, he hides messages, he reaches out to touch those lost and confused.

Bowie was a star, a Spaceman, an anomaly. He gifted us with music that will last forever. This collection of songs is breathtaking. It's hauntingly beautiful, and uplifting. He will forever be missed, and forever be loved. Leaving us with some of his best work was a move that only he could make.

Sean O'Neal, of the A.V. Club, perfectly stated, "a sonically adventurous album that proves Bowie was always one step ahead — where he'll now remain in perpetuity."

Thank you for everything. Rest in peace, Mr. Stardust...

Favorite Tracks: This album is seven songs long. Listen to it all. Bowie deserves that.

---

What a year of music. Truthfully, I wish I had spent more time with it. There weren't as many big albums as years past. But, so many more gems. There were albums from favorite artists of mine that I basically completely overlooked (Sorry Jimmy Eat World, Thrice, Regina Spektor!!!). I'm surprised as many of you with some of spots on my list. But, these were all amazing albums. Very excited to see what these artists have in store for the future.

Looking past these, and into 2017, I want to list my five most anticipated albums to come. Some we may not get (I see you Brand New), but hopefully these are all in the coming months.

Japandroids

LCD Soundsystem

Gorillaz

Fleet Foxes

Spoon

Then, just because I'm not adding any honorable mentions to my best of list this year, I'm adding five more to my most anticipated. HEY, it's my list, I can do what I want!

TV on the Radio

Chromatics

Grizzly Bear

The xx

Arcade Fire

Okayyyy... That's it! That's my wrap up. 2016 is done and gone. And I'm already diving into 2017. I'm excited to see what music is to come. I'm excited to expand my ever growing vinyl collection. I'm excited to see better and better concerts. And, I'm excited to experience those incredible musical moments with the my favorite friends and loved ones. Follow me on Discogs, Spotify, or Last.fm. Happy New Year everyone.