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hccn-overseer · 2 years ago

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Issue 5, 5/17/2023 - The Overseer

Issue Masterpost About the Overseer

This week has shown the Hermitcitizen Hub settling into a rhythm, with an art compilation being created for the lovely ZombieCleo's birthday! Citizens are also encouraged to apply for mod, as more are welcomed! Please check announcements for more details. On to the news!

The Employment Guide to Season 9 and What to Put on Your Resume to Get The Job

By Winter

You may be wondering like I did a few months ago, “How do I get paid? Will I have anything to retire on?” The answer to all your financial questions will be answered by someone who did a little bit of digging to find the answer to the eternal question. So here is a step by step guide on what businesses will pay you.

At Number One we have Az’s bakery. You help her bake, and just generally help out. The one caveat is that you cannot eat the batter. Under no circumstances.

Coming in at Number Two we have Grian. Grian will pay you to work at any one of his many Un-Grianproof areas. You do have to be able to not be afraid of the dark, possibly perishing, and overall weirdness. You will be paid in life insurance and grian orbs.

Coming in at Number Three we have SUS. Scar Unsafe Services will pay you to mess with SSS, SUS pays you in whatever you can find in SSS’s chests. A quote from one of the members reads “We do not claim responsibility for anything that may happen if you choose this payment option”. They also pay in free mob farms.

Coming in at Number Four on the opposite end of the spectrum you have SSS who will pay you handsomely. Yes I repeat, HANDSOMELY to light up very dangerous things. The pay rate will go up depending on the difficulty.

Coming in at Number Five we have The Hermitcraft Recap. As a member of the recap filming team, the recap definitely pays you. You have the ability to live on sight and you are given 3 meals per day. If you are like me and don’t live in the recap housing units, then you get compensated in what you may ask, Health Insurance, and a diamond a month.

Coming in at Number Six we have Beef’s TCG shop. You get paid in TCG cards and learn the skills necessary. That’s pretty much it.

Coming in at Number Seven we have Impulse’s Mega Base. You will not be paid at IBuy. At the mega base you will be paid in the diamonds you dig up. You may also get some cool ores.

Coming in at Number Eight we have Mumbo K(illsalot) Jumbo. As he is the richest hermit you will get paid, in what who knows. You get paid in diamonds, and A LOT of work holidays. Last this writer heard the Mumbo Affiliates went on a BIG biking holiday.

And finally The Overseer. This writer can confirm….

…

THAT YOU DON’T GET PAID.

In all honesty, I have been paid in the experience of a lifetime, and we also get baked goods so pretty nice. You also do get paid in fun times.

Now onto other news below the cut!

Weekly Weather Report

By Virtual

Note: If any of our readers are rich and generous, we ask for assistance in paying Rainy’s ransom. The kidnappers' identity is still unknown, but leaving a pile of diamonds on the doorstep of the Overseer offices may be enough to reach them.

Thursday - STORMS, hail expected between 3 PM and 5 PM (GMT). Helmets are suggested for all those working outdoors.

Friday - PARTLY CLOUDY, 75% chance of Doc messing with Grian and Scar. Citizens near Scarland and Grian’s rocks advised to watch for anvils and charged creepers.

Saturday - CLOUDY, fog expected around Zedaph’s base between 1 AM and 10 AM (GMT). Reduced visibility may obscure ledges, increasing risk of death by fall damage.

Sunday - RAINY, hordes of Drowned expected around Spawn Town. Watch for tridents from every direction.

Monday - SUNNY, high temperatures expected to reach 36 Celsius by 11 AM (GMT). Dry areas at risk of wildfires.

Tuesday - SUNNY, high heat continues. Citizens advised to carry water and watch for signs of heatstroke.

Wednesday - WINDY, elytra flight may become unsustainable at high altitudes.

Additional Notes: Increasingly strange copper structures expected to appear around Grian and Mumbo’s bases throughout the week. Citizens are to continue working around them as normal. Do not attempt to wax the copper.

Astrology Corner

[The Horrorscope Theme - Intro]

WINTER The Overseer Presents The Horrorscope Edition 5 [The Magnus Archives Theme – Intro - Continues]

WINTER Test… Test… Test… 1, 2, 3... Right. (Sounds of Winter clearing her throat) My name is Winter. I work for the Horrorscope, Astral Library, an organizsation dedicated to academic research into the esoteric and the Paranormal.

I work for the Horrorscope and have been asked by my superiors to record my thoughts on the coming week. I have been working at the Horrorscope for a few weeks and have not got to voice my thoughts so far. As of current we have ten cases still ongoing.

Statement begins.

(Pause)

Our first case is of the star sign Gemini… While searching through the previous weeks records I noticed that star sign was advised to invest in (disgust) Etho Heads. While this may seem merely harmless, it seems foolhardy to invest in something that multiple people already have invested in. While Etho Heads may make great gifts for family members off server, this reporter suggests ridding yourself of these interesting collectables, if anything give a few to the Hermit known by ZombieCleo.

(Pause)

(Sound of Winter taking a breath)

Our second case is of the star sign Cancer. Cancer was suggested previously to fight GeminiTay. The same week an obituary was released of one of the Cancers. A suggestion for the Hermit Citizens under the star sign of cancer is to invest in life insurance.

(Pause)

Our third case is of the star sign Leo. Leo is often associated with the symbolism of a lion and the colour red. According to one record, Leo was described as “Lucky” for this year. I doubt the likelihood of that occurring. To improve the chances of this happening, it is suggested to obtain a lion, and then set it free in a friend's house.

(Pause)

Our fourth case is of the star sign Virgo… Virgo was advised previously to follow a Joe Hills certified beauty tutorial. While this was previously suggested, it is now suggested to spend time away from the entity, and other paranormal beings.

(Pause)

(Sounds of the newsroom, brown noise if you will)

The crew seem up in arms about something, however that is not my business, my business is delivering this to the listener.

(Pause)

Let’s get back to business.

(Sounds of Winter taking a breath in and out)

In the case of Libra it has been written down that they should bring an umbrella with them and open the umbrella up in inconvenient moments. The rest of the suggestion is scribbled out, with some words, which are indistinguishable.

(Sounds of Winter flipping through pages)

(Beat)

For Scorpio it seems as if they are suggested to start pooling diamonds?? together. So sorry for the confusion but I cannot understand for the life of me what is written here.

(Sounds of Winter flipping through even more pages)

For Sagittarius it is suggested that they have-

(sounds of a wet being squelching up beside the recording device)

(Sounds of a thud before the sound of Winter slumping onto the ground)

(Static)

Editor's Note: This transcription was not written by the editor. Due to its disturbing nature, the editor would like to exclude it but it is above her pay grade (the pay grade being nothing at all). Sincerest apologies.

The Birdhouse

By Azure

Citizens may have taken notice of many avian and bird-adjacent persons flocking to a treehouse in the forest near the shopping district. One of our interviewers, Azure, has spoke with some of the avians who often use the birdhouse for more information on this new gathering area.

1. What is your favorite part of the bird house? Z: I'd say its how inviting everyone I've met here so far have been! Budgie: Similarly, I like the closeness of it. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, an avian is an avian Raven: Definitely [the living room], it so comfy and I may or may not have not left it in weeks except to necessities due to that

2. Who built it? Z: I don't actually know that one, do you know who built it? Budgie: Well, when I got here, nobody really knew, either. It just kind of… existed. A lot of the accommodations and decorations you see were brought in after we settled. We’ve built crash-landing pads around the entrances, we’ve put ladders for those who can’t fly… I believe we changed some of the glass to stained glass so nobody would run into it. While it doesn’t change how I view the Birdhouse, I would certainly like to know who to thank for this building, it’s provided such a welcoming community Raven: No, not really. It's just kind of always been here.*

3. How did you find the bird house? Z: I just got here recently, and after getting a home set up i just- went looking for some community, and heard there was one for avians. I’m glad i looked into it Budgie: I was on my way home from working when I flew past it, I saw what looked like an avian-based build, so I got curious. I wanted to explore, but I didn’t know others were inside until I stumbled upon them. I believe it was Pen and Nerd I found… Raven: Oh, I was out flying a while back and it caught my eye. I went it to check it out and I haven't really left since than

4. Roughly how many citizens are living there and how big is the Birdhouse? Pen: None of us live here per se, at least I don't think so! We all just come around to hang with each other, this is a space to meet other Avians after all. The birdhouse is quite big, that's for sure, quite accommodating too. Can't tell you the exact amount of avians that come by, the amount varies everyday and I'm personally sure I haven't met them all yet Budgie: I’ve so far met… maybe 10 other avians? I’m not sure how many of us actually live here, but many of us will stay the night on occasion! We have a designated ‘comfort’ area for nests and other sleeping arrangements. Z: I’ve only met about 4 so far, 6 counting these two (referring to Pen and Eagle)

6. Is there anything else you'd like to mention about the Birdhouse? Eagle: Well it’s a very nice community space and we’ve kind of formed a flock here. I won’t name names, but some of us can be very bad at remembering to preen or have never learned how, so a lot of times another avian will offer them help. And the avians here are always welcoming, even if I haven’t quite met all of them yet. Budgie: The Birdhouse is always open— I don’t think there will be a time where anyone would be turned away, We’re a welcoming community. As I’ve said before, an avian is an avian. It doesn’t matter if they’ve got full wings or lost or damaged ‘em, they’ll always be welcome to settle in. Pen: I'd say that the Birdhouse is a great place for everyone, especially the birds, it's... I'd have to admit, it's very nice to have a place filled with others that can understand you, ya know? Still working things out and hopefully more things could be added for the others, like how the stairs are a recent addition for those that are grounded. Can't wait to see how this place grows honestly. Z: I've only really been here a very short while, but from what i've seen and heard from the others here, the birdhouse seems like a sort of safe space, and i'm just really glad i joined here

*Editor's Note: The Birdhouse was designed by Morph and built by Redfeather. Canonically, whoever built the basis of the Birdhouse is not definitively known but many other avians helped make the Birdhouse what it is today. You can find a tour of the Birdhouse here.

Lost and Found

By Virtual

The following items were brought in from across the server this week. As nobody knows who they belong to, they have been categorized as lost. If you recognize any of the following, or would like to report a lost item, do reach out to us at [email protected]*

*not a real email address

Item 1: An iron sword that has rusted up to the hilt, found buried in the desert. The sword was excavated by a citizen collecting sand for a mega project. Despite its poor condition, the sword appeared to have full durability and whistled when swung, as though it was extremely sharp. Tests have shown that the sword is exactly as sharp as it sounds, and it is now being kept safe in a leather scabbard in the Lost and Found office, where it has temporarily become a coat rack. If the sword belongs to you, we hope you are up to date on your tetanus shot before you come collect it.

Item 2: A book with a yellow cover, found in Welsknight’s base. Nearly imperceptible patterns weave their way through the fabric cover of this book. The pattern seems to have no beginning or end, and when we attempted to find one, we found the shapes repeated infinitely, like fractals. This cover appears to have been layered over an older leather binding, which peeked out when the book was opened. The inside cover did contain a bookplate, but the name of the library it came from was too smudged to make out. The book itself contained no words, only a series of impossible mazes that bled over onto each consecutive page, creating a hundred page long infinite spiraling puzzle. If this book belongs to you, perhaps you can show us the solution.

Item 3: An amulet in the shape of a stylized eye, found in the Overseer Offices. The sound of running tape spills from the amulet at a steady volume. When a citizen listened closely, they could hear a voice layered beneath the static. They reported an unmistakable feeling that, whoever this is, they are talking directly to the listener. Their words are faint and unintelligible, but their tone and repetition strikes a sense of urgency. They are trying to tell you something. Can you hear the whisper? Come to the Overseer offices, and listen closely. Maybe you can pass on the message.

Spectating Science: Ravagers and Environmental Behavior in Decked Out

Recorded by Cirrus, the Shoebill

Scientific studies of the Hermit Citizen Hub have been steadily developing over the course of the past month, allowing insight into subjects that have drawn both applied researchers and their fellow citizens towards a dedicated journey of curiosity. These growing developments include but are not limited to observing mob behavior, the radiation of The Perimeter, the transformative effects of The Rift, the fungal nature of the Sculk and its symptoms of infection, the possible existence of The Watchers and their relation to their citizens, and experiments related to the enigmatic Zedvancements.

This edition of Spectating Science focuses on the behavior and care of Ravagers, several of which are heavily integrated into the up-and-coming dungeon crawler game, Decked Out, and features an interview with its highly experienced laboratory technician and beast keeper, Redfeather.

Redfeather, a researcher who specializes in the fields of mob biology, health, and behavior, also keeps watch over a variety of experiments focused specifically on animals and has been working as an applied scientist for two seasons. After several months of assisting other prominent figures with their experiments, Redfeather conducts his own calculated routines of Ravager observation, care, and experimental study.

Ravagers play a vital role in Decked Out, as they are used to increase the game’s difficulty and instill a fearful sense of urgency in its participants. Originally herded by the creator of the dungeon, Tango Tek, these creatures are known to be aggressive towards players and notoriously bloodthirsty, making them a perfect addition to the intended pulse-pumping chases of Decked Out. Despite their brash demeanor, those who are persistent enough to study their instinctual reactions to an ever-changing internal environment have brought an intriguing perspective.

The following interview with Redfeather was recorded on May 12th, at approximately 8:45 AM in The Birdhouse by Cirrus, the Shoebill.

“Good morning, Feather! Have a seat and tell us where your work hails from. How long have you been an applied scientist?”

“Well, I’m just a lab tech, I work odd jobs here and there, mostly taking care of experiments and other captive mobs, feeding them, recording any growth, monitoring health issues, and recording their behavior in studies! I’ve been working as a scientist for two seasons.”

“Please, elaborate on what makes you passionate about your work. Our listeners [and readers] and I are enamored with any enthusiasm.”

“I’m especially passionate about studying mob behavior. For example, the way Ravagers react in a controlled environment is fascinating!”

“Ravagers, such rambunctious creatures. Have you made any particularly notable discoveries about their behavioral changes, perhaps related to their environment, in this case, or their keepers?”

“Well, for example, their varied reactions can depend a lot on different variables! Depending on the keeper, their past experiences, how hungry they are, the space they’re in, temperature, the presence of other Ravagers, they can be wildly different in their levels of aggression! Sometimes they can seem downright cuddly! Of course, you must always still exercise caution with an unpredictable animal. Illagers may ride them, but they are far from tame.”

“Bulls of their own unruly destiny, they’re not to be tamed by those who dismiss their spirited minds. You say they can be quite affectionate, yes? What are the ideal conditions that could bring them into such a state?”

“I’ve yet to arrive at a precise conclusion, however, I can draw a pretty confident line between docility and whether you have food. Also, if they have recently quenched their bloodthirst, they seem to enjoy a bit of ‘celebration’ so to speak. Other Ravagers treat them with more respect for having won the hunt. Also, while not great for their general mood, a Ravager in a smaller space is less likely to attack right away, granting you the opportunity to distract it with food. Thus, why letting them out of the stable right at feeding time is the perfect time to sneak in pets. They also love a good brushing, providing you can get close enough.”

“Bloodlust for Ravagers, it can’t be removed any more easily than a decaying body seven feet into a bog, after all. A sociological development of a hierarchy among these creatures must be more intricate than those of mere slow cows and sheep if respect for victors is considered imperative to their moods. You have an observant instinct about you to notice such previously undiscovered details. Now, you’re also affectionate towards them from a domestic pet standpoint, just a smidge, from what you mention about brushing them. What is it about them that draws you in with such a sensitive approach?”

"Yes, well, I am one of the keepers as well and have taken on the job of making sure their health is well as they live in Decked Out. I have grown fond of them, though they, I think, feel less towards me and are fonder of the food I bring. Nevertheless, they enjoy their pets and brushes at least as much as a picky cat enjoys being pampered. And that prickliness is what draws me in, I suppose. It's lovable in a way to see them go after their prey so enthusiastically!"

“Cats, what an intriguing comparison. Chasing and devouring their prey gives them a common ground with many, I suppose Ravagers included. Being in such a controlled environment as this ‘Decked Out,’ I suspect, requires Ravagers to relearn their instinctual routines to freely roam. Did you and the keepers work to build a Pavlovian response to their controlled living quarters?”

“For right now, I can say that the Pavlovian response is clearly observed when bringing food, however, for their bloodlust, no additional training is needed! They will go after the keepers or testers or developers alike.”

“Listeners [and readers], take note. Feather, have you recorded any developing changes in the behavior of any other mobs?”

“The only other mobs in the dungeon are the Vex, and they are very instinctual, familiar with Ravagers, and are only let out on occasion when the runner is out of time.”

“Decked Out runners, your time is fleeting from the moment you enter, in that case. Now, if you were to attempt to socialize these controlled Ravagers with other mobs, do you think that they could co-exist in that same environment in Decked Out?”

“I believe other mobs would adapt quickly, given they don't have any natural hostilities aside from Villagers and Iron Golems.”

“Excellent for them! How about if they were to live among each other in the wild? Are they too far changed in this environment to readjust to living in the wild, say, if Decked Out does not last forever?”

“I'm unaware of any extant wild Ravagers aside from their cousins, the cows, but given their natural herding instinct, they would likely do just fine on the plains. The future of Decked Out after the game is currently quite uncertain, but I'm certain we could free the Ravagers at the end for some fun."

“The release of these capricious Ravagers will certainly receive quite the fanfare! […] Each and every second of your time in this interview is one I am grateful to have shared with you. Those are all of the questions I have for you at this time, though I have no doubt that another interview will come along your way in the future.”

“Pleasure to have you! Yes, I can't help but invite you back when you please, not for work, but as a fellow avian! This place is both for the community as well as for avians to be themselves. Have a good day!”

Spectating Science would like to thank Redfeather for providing such a detailed perspective on the idiosyncrasies of these bull-like creatures! We invite any applied researchers to bring forth any growing developments that they would like to share in this segment and look for Cirrus, the Shoebill, for an interview about themselves and their work. In addition, tangents and rambles are more than welcome. No discovery is too small, and it is never too late to teach your fellow citizens something new!

[If you would like to be interviewed for Spectating Science, please look for Cirrus’s Citizen I.D. Card in the Discord server and leave a note for them.]

ADVERTISEMENTS

By Jamie

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The most magi-cal place on the server is opening soon! In just a few days, the Calnival will be opening in the south side of the shopping district. Opening night will have half-off ticalets and exclusive acts! All members of the Calition will be present for the show of a lifetime. Staff positions are open.

—————————————————

To honour Mi Amore, the Garden Club is hosting a meeting at Bdubs’ new Horse Mountain. Guests are expected to bring Pink Carnations, Marigolds, Roses, or Rosemary in his honour. Hopefully things go down less explosively than the last time Bdubs’ pasture was used.

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Have you accidentaly created a mob farm in your empty interior? Don’t worry! The Scar Safety Services is happy to come in, clean it up, and light up your base! While we can’t help build your base, we can ensure that you won’t die trying! :)

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Fun and Games

This week's fun and games are brought to you by Roo, Snuffy, and Azure!

Word Search by Roo

Crossword by Roo

Coloring page by Snuffy

Brain Teasers by Azure

And that’s all for this issue folks! Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful week!

#hermitcitizen #issue #hccn weather #hccn astrology corner #hccn lost and found #hccn advertisements #hccn fun and games

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deadcactuswalking · 4 months ago

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REVIEWING THE CHARTS: 03/08/2024 (Post Malone/Luke Combs, Central Cee, Calvin Harris/Ellie Goulding)

For a fifth week, Sabrina Carpenter remains atop the UK Singles Chart with “Please Please Please”, and welcome back to REVIEWING THE CHARTS!

content warning: language, lesbian sex, confusion

Rundown

As always, we start the episode with our notable dropouts, those being songs that exit the UK Top 75 - which is what I cover - after five weeks in the region or a peak in the top 40 and first of all, that Eminem album really crashes out this week as both “Habits” featuring White Gold and “Brand New Dance”, only lasting a single week, make their exit. As for the rest, well, Charli xcx switches out “Girl, so confusing” - helped by its Lorde-featuring duet version - with another song we’ll get back to, but other than that, we say farewell to “the boy is mine” by Ariana Grande (also helped by a remix with Brandy and Monica), “Addicted” by Zerb, The Chainsmokers and Ink, “Illusion” by Dua Lipa, “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay and, though it’s not notable, just for fun, we say goodbye to a brave soldier, “Pink Lemonade (Str8 Reload)” by LeoStayTrill. Song of the Summer indeed.

One thing you may notice this week is that older songs had a particularly nice lift, and this shows in our re-entries, as other than Ariana Grande’s “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” returning to #66, we see a massive resurgence for *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye”, so massive and manufactured that the song now claims to be “from” the Deadpool and Wolverine soundtrack. Yeah, okay, Justin, anything to recover your world tour. Timberlake’s boy band debuted at a #3 peak with the song in 2000, with the #1 on that week also being a debut for Madonna’s derided cover of “American Pie”. “Bye Bye Bye” only lasted 10 weeks on the chart but definitely made itself a cultural staple due to its ear-worm chorus and iconic music video, leading Anne-Marie to interpolate it in her #3-peaking “2002” from 2018. That song’s uninterrupted five-week run at #3 saw #1s from Calvin Harris, Jess Glynne, Clean Bandit and George Ezra pass it by, and I reviewed all of that back when I was just starting. The *NSYNC hit is back thanks to the release of the aforementioned superhero movie that has high enough praise on aggregate sites like Rotten Tomatoes as well as genuine fan push evident from how high this song is, that it might help the declining Marvel universe. Why am I pretending to care about that?

As for our notable gains, we see plenty of hefty boosts this week for “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” by Luke Combs at #56 off of the continued success of its film, Twisters, “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat at #55, “You & Me” by Disclosure featuring Eliza Doolittle at #51, “WILDFLOWER” by Billie Eilish at #45, “The Door” by Teddy Swims at #25, “Move” by Adam Port, Stryv and Malachiii at #18, “Apple” and “360” by Charli xcx at #14 and #12 respectively (more on her later) and finally, making their first entry in the top 10 for whatever reason, BL3SS, CamrinWatson and bbyclose - all clearly household hitmakers - are at #7 with “Kisses”. The song’s not bad at all, but I just never would have expected it to be this successful, even if ACR might be paying it some favours.

As usual, our top five should look pretty standard, aside from a decent jump for Dasha as the already long-lasting top 10 “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” - yes, it’s been renamed for easier clicks - is up to #5. Otherwise, we’re all familiar with “Stargazing” by Myles Smith at #4, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish at #3 and “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan reaching a new peak of #2, and of course, Sabrina at the top. What should be much more interesting though is our mixed batch of fascinating new song a bit lower down on the chart, which we’ll have to get through now.

New Entries

#71 - “Gold Mine” - Aitch and D-Block Europe

Produced by AoD and Jacob Manson

Damn, what other way to start an episode is better than to begin the new entries with my boys Young Adz and Dirtbike Lb? …and some white guy. Okay, Aitch isn’t awful and has displayed a degree of personality over the years - though not often as a lead artist - but one thing I’ll never care to hear from him is relationship drama, especially with one of the laziest beats I have ever heard on this show. A singular acoustic guitar line that already cuts out abruptly is then cut in a rush that makes it sound like flipping paper, then we have some of the cheapest trap drums available - I hate that snare - and it’s way too stagnant to go for the West Coast swagger it clearly attempts, though Aitch’s personality-void vocals aren’t helping matters. For some reason, Youthful Advertisements, going for a sing-songy flow and incomprehensible sense of flow on the chorus, is way louder than everything surrounding him and decides to croon about having his tongue in a woman’s ass - classy - whilst Dirtbike Lb seems to not understand he’s on a relationship song until the end of his verse. Aitch is the only one on topic, but he’s my least favourite presence on here - it’s insane just how better this nearly objectively terrible beat sounds with Dirtbike on it instead of Aitch. There are some vaguely cool lines but nothing special, and his flow isn’t new for him, but there’s something so effortless and liquidy to how Dirtbike appears on a track nowadays that appeals to me. And yes, though this may not be the song for it, I agree that I hope the situation in Palestine turns around. I have no faith that it will and whilst this is a throwaway line in an otherwise unrelated song, it should show how much the youth care about the genocide that a pop-rapper is bringing it up so casually. Wait, isn’t this an Aitch song?

#67 - “Lonely Road” - mgk and Jelly Roll

Produced by SlimXX, BazeXX, Charlie Handsome and Travis Barker

Okay, I’ll bite: who’s this new, abbreviated figure of mystery who goes by the simple three litters, mgk? I wonder who could be hiding behind there. Jokes aside, it makes perfect sense for Machine Gun Kelly to take his awkward, triple-barrel name and shorten it down to what everyone was calling him anyway - especially for him, as his name is long enough for it to be very noticeable in Spotify and YouTube titles. Hiding as “mgk” makes it much clearer and easier for you to see “Jelly Roll” on the title for this YouTube video, which could be obscured if he used his full name, which would be a massive turn-off for any Jelly Roll fans with taste. Given that Mr. Jelly has songs with Falling in Reverse and HARDY, I would assume this is not an issue, but part of me does find it amusing how this guy had a song with Eminem just three weeks back and is now hopping on to duet with mgk.

This is actually Jelly Roll’s first time charting and whilst he has a history in underground country rap, he’s recently brought a belting presence to country and rock stations in the US through his rougher but mostly accessible country rock and soul tracks that have gained him a slow-burn following Stateside, yet - perhaps unsurprisingly - he’s yet to crossover to the UK. We love our big, gruff rock belter guys though so I don’t supect it’ll be long, and this track seems to be the UK’s first taste of the J-Man. Is it a good first impression? Well, given the Travis Barker production credit, this seems to be more the first impression for whatever mgk’s next album will be but unfortunately, if you thought that maybe country and rock would be safe from nostalgia-bait sampling, you will be devastated to know that our story starts in 1971.

John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is one of the most iconic country songs of all time. Whilst Denver always associated himself with Colorado, the ode to West Virginia became so famous that it’s now one of their state anthems. A pop song becoming raised to even that standard is really honourable, though perhaps expectedly, the late Denver’s version never crossed over to the UK charts, though it has of course appeared in various alternate versions because everyone and their mother has covered it… and I mean everyone and their mother: literal mother Olivia Newton-John took it to #15 in 1973 (the #1 was “Blockbuster” by the Sweet) and a mother to many online, Lana Del Rey, covered the song just last year as a way to signal the start of her country era. The West Virginia anthem didn’t return to the charts until it found its way there in the year 2000 in possibly the most bizarro world way: Melky Sedeck sang a brief parody of the song in the bridge to Wyclef Jean’s hilarious #3 hit “It Doesn’t Matter” featuring, of all people, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The #1 the week of its peak was Modjo’s “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” but please, I beg of you, take a listen to that batshit song that to this day, is the highest-charting rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in the UK and I’m not even joking. The next year, a Dutch Europop group Hermes House Band would make a more standard cover that peaked at #7 in 2001, whilst the #1 was Daniel Bedingfield’s “Gotta Get Thru This” and the #2 was “Murder on the Dancefloor” - funny how those things turn out - and another straggling cover by the Revellers hit #86 the week before. Now, once again, Denver’s anthem is back on the UK Singles Chart thanks to… Machine Gun Kelly and Travis Barker. 2024, ladies and gentlemen.

Now, you may be wondering: was all that background history worth it for mgk and Jelly Roll? And the obvious answer to that is, “No, but it was more interesting than telling you the obvious fact than an mgk song sucks, right?”. Turning “country roads” into “lonely road” in the intro of the song, pushing the chorus ahead to catch your interest due to the sample, is just pathetic and cynical in a way that I should probably expect mgk to be now, but still hits a sour note, especially given the verses seem to use reference humour - except without the humour - to rock bands like Taking Back Sunday and The Devil Wears Prada who are… decidedly not country, these are punk bands. The Taking Back Sunday reference made me sigh and nearly turn it off, but when the fake snap beat came in, I knew that this was going to a bro-country-rap fusion that, surprisingly for two people who came up in rap, is surprisingly awkward! I like Jelly Roll, but I’d prefer if mgk weren’t showering his echoed backing vocals behind him for no reason, let alone that shitty trap beat, but that southern, gritty texture in his voice is at least much more preferable to mgk’s nasal drawl. I honestly think the song if it were just Mr. Roll and the female backing vocalists would be somewhat salvageable… oh, what am I kidding? A country-rap-rock hybrid interpolation of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” produced by Travis Barker is horrible basically on principle. There’s some comedy in it, I suppose, but it’s otherwise a gross attempt at a monogenre comeback for a guy who’s not respected in a single one of the scenes he’s fusing together… and I’m starting to think he doesn’t respect any of those genres either, because this is sad.

#63 - “365” - Charli xcx

Produced by A.G. Cook and Cirkut

It’s… kind of weird that this is charting, right? It’s a tad extraneous: a book-end song intended to close off the BRAT album by calling back to its opener and most successful single, “360”. Charli will have a fuller song debut next week as Billie Eilish cameos on the new version of “Guess”, so this’ll be one week where “360” essentially deposits two similar but not identical spaces on the chart. That’s not to say “365” isn’t good or is just a remix because that is far from the case. After a rollercoaster array of different beats, hooks and emotional progression, we return to the glitchy buzz of “360”, one that’s almost quaint by the end of the record, with the “bumpin’ that” mantra ending each line in what is essentially a singular, continuous verse building up for the whole song, with the funnelling switch early on bringing a thundering bass and acidic rhythm to the song that separates it absolutely from “360”, if the new inclusions of less playful or even likeable lyrics, painting the image of the “it girl” from that first track being way too far gone, didn’t already do that for you. The original song takes a lot of restraint to make it an opener that doesn’t alienate you with its sonic palette, whilst bringing you some signature ugliness in the back of the mix, but Cook goes fully wild on here, especially in that disgusting drop by the end that drowns out every melodic element, filtering it behind a slodging hardcore bass that eventually fuses with the vocal lead to an unrecognisable, inhuman slush… yet Charli still gets the last laugh, even in pitch-shifted form, reminding you at the last second that she’s still “bumpin’ that”. It may not make much sense as a single, which it isn’t trying to be, but it’s a brilliant production and inspired way to close the album. Sure, it wouldn’t resonate nearly as much if it weren’t for the fact that “360” existed, but that’s so much of the song’s appeal in its distortion and looping of some of that track’s core elements, so “365” doesn’t really need to stand on its own… and given “Guess” is coming, probably for a top 40 placement, I doubt it will need to stand on its own on the charts for very long.

#53 - “Sailor Song” - Gigi Perez

Produced by Gigi Perez and Noah Weinman

Gigi Perez, according to her website, is on tour in October and is signed to Interscope. She… she doesn’t tell me anything else, what’s the point of even having a website nowadays if it’s only links to your social media accounts and music videos? We don’t even get a bio, but thankfully on Spotify, she gives us this detailed description of her music and her backstory. It reads, ahem, “Sims 2 emo lesbian love story but in the medium of music”. So… Little Miss Buzzwords here actually went semi-viral back in 2021 with the sleeper hit “Sometimes (Backwood)”, which boasts over 100 million streams on Spotify and is a largely structureless, lo-fi song, wherein the vocal mix echoes itself into crossing gender boundaries a little, whilst also telling a full story of a relationship, singing about some of what made them work, what made them break up, and the sexually-charged intro the song’s subtitled after. I’m not that big of a fan of the song’s undetailed writing or demo flavour, but I can see the appeal, even if her vocals on that track are really not great, but it is a debut and it shows some ambition and a unique sound that I figured would be expanded upon in “Sailor Song”, released a year after her debut EP, and yes, this is more like it.

Weinman brings a cleaner production to Perez’s acoustic racket, with a warped jazz sample occupying the back of the mix, smoothly texturing the fast-paced indie guitars and that wonderful falsetto chant in the intro that is incredibly catchy in itself without even getting to the verses. “Sailor Song” is similar in tone to the first part of “Sometimes”, being an awestruck sex song where, in her unique, imperfect vocal recording and tone that reminds me of maybe a Left at London, but many others I can’t quite put my finger on right now, she gets down and dirty with a girl that reminds her of Anne Hathaway. For a song without much in the way of bass or production, there is a swagger and groove to it that makes the sexual lyrics not come across as awkward as they could have, with that chorus not only giving a wistful touch through the clever ending lyric, “I sleep so I can see you ‘cause I hate to wait so long”, but also justifying the “sailor” comparison by getting pretty raunchy, including blasphemy and admitting that she’s covered in, well, glistening girl juices… on the second chorus, it’s the other way around, in a subtle twist of perspective. The general tone of secrecy surrounding their rendezvous is emphasised by how she may burst into a louder delivery but it’s tempered with softer crooning, even if it’s the same lines being sung, and frankly, it’s been a while since I’ve heard a sex song this poetically written whilst still getting as horny as it does. I’m surprised I like it as much as I do but this is a brilliant song and I hope that within the recent wave of sapphic pop songs led by Chappell Roan, that the charts can find a place for this too.

#42 - “Somedays” - Sonny Fodera, Jazzy and D.O.D

Produced by Sonny Fodera and D.O.D

I see that Mr. Fodera actually produced this one, or at least didn’t forget to add himself to the production credit on Spotify like on “Mind Still”. Regardless, this seems to be a new trio assorted through recent UK chart recurring characters, particularly in EDM, with Fodera joined by fellow house producer D.O.D, whose work I consistently enjoyed and can be seen on best hits list for last year, as well as Irish singer Jazzy who may have surpassed her sketchy breakout with Belters Only in the eyes of the public but has yet to prove herself as much of interest outside of being a relatively anonymous dance-pop vocalist for me. As far as this goes, she doesn’t need to be much more, as that is exactly her role, even if it could have been played by the marginally more interesting Clementine Douglas, who co-wrote the song, and sadly, this is very much a generic house-pop song, fine-tuned to fit all audiences. It’s got flat yet anthemic pianos in the pre-drop, a rote four-on-the-floor beat, even flatter future house bass synths as a lead for much of the build and enough reverb to mean amateur remixers only need to put “(slowed)” above this one, yet despite that, the drop still lands on a weirdly dry, anti-climactic note. The composition is fine, it’s sequenced as you’d expect a song like this to be, and Jazzy’s performance is okay even if that lead vocal reminds me of Flo Rida’s “I Cry”, almost distractingly so. It’s just that it’s all so processed that it’s hard to fish much personality out of me for me. I kind of like the farty bass they introduce in the final drop but not only is it not exactly atypical for this song of song but it’s also too little, too late. Sure, it’s serviceable, but when EDM, including house-pop, has been breaching more genre boundaries and delivering great pop music over the past couple years on the UK charts, including from people involved in this very track, I don’t think I’ll settle for the more generic leftovers. Sorry.

#36 - “Free” - Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding

Produced by Calvin Harris

If this song debuted nine spots higher, I’d be five pounds richer. Anyway, this is the latest collab between the duo of Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding, coming really not that long after “Miracle”, and going for a… surprisingly very different approach, probably because Harris already rettried the formula with Sam Smith on “Desire”. Instead, Harris goes for an anthemic piano hardcore track that I felt the need to check WhoSampled for since it is so clearly referential, if not a straight throwback, to that era of 90s breakbeat rave with diva vocals. What’s wonderful about this modern revision, however, is not just the inclusion of webby synths to elevate the song to cosmic textures amidst the piano stabs but also how much Goulding is not a diva. She doesn’t belt as much as she careens smoothly through the mix, becoming a very breathy presence as she holds that “free” in the chorus, taking it to a really interesting, nuanced delivery that could have just been held in one note but was taken to more interesting levels, similar to how she could have punched in “free” to the “when I’m with you, I…” take but let herself fall short of the full line to not only get a more organic take but also to ensure the resolve of that line, when it’s finally completed, hits satisfyingly. Goulding brings a really unique and subtle approach, furthered by the lack of much in the way of lyrics, that textures Harris’ always top-notch production. The actual lengthening of the “free” vocal in the drop to hold the note before breaking down in a glitchy stutter behind the pianos and drums is a sick way to distinguish the chorus from what follows, and whilst I’m not exactly a fan of the muddier mix the factorial drums take in the verse afterwards, especially given the subtle, angelic melodies are the best asset this song has so covering them doesn’t do wonders, I appreciate the risk taken in regards to the progression of the song. It has a build-and-drop structure, but the two parts play off of each other and are placed within a more nuanced composition instead of just being there for clubs’ sake. What I’d really love to hear, however, are some remixes as, to my surprise, none exist yet for this song! Extended, five to eight minute edits of the fantastic foundation this song lays down, by other producers and DJs in breakbeat scenes, could turn what is a good song executed carefully but not perfectly, into something I adore if you bring the right guys on, especially if the remixers can trace their roots back into those classic 90s rave scenes. For now, this is good, but it can - and knowing Calvin Harris, probably will - be expanded upon into something genuinely transcendent with a little time and care.

#34 - “gen z luv” - Central Cee

Produced by Ambezza and Peter Iskander

…Excuse me? Are we doing this? Sigh, okay. The increasing memefication of a clearly talented and interesting Central Cee into a zoned-out crossover novelty rapper digs him deeper into mediocrity every time he releases some new gimmicky single, and “gen z luv”, as you may expect from its title, is no exception. It’s not just “gen z luv”, it’s “FYP love”, “IG love” and God, I have never felt older listening to a song. Hell, I feel second-hand embarrassment for Cench as whilst I’m sure the millions and easy access to Ice Spice helps for now, but if I were 40 years old looking back at my life accomplishments, and I saw “gen z luv”, I think I’d rediscover my relationship with the big guy upstairs. There’s a certain ugliness to parading the idea of having kids with his current relationship when he just ditched his long-time partner, who he previously referenced in “Doja”, for a viral pop-rapper, especially when above this garish production mixing cheap, muddy loops with half-finished drill percussion and an almost eerie key note reminiscent of Kanye West’s “Say You Will” more than anything actually loving or “Gen Z” for that matter.

The line “Usin’ words [that are] not my usual language” may be more telling than Cench thinks. He’s basically just rapping buzzwords and trendy phrases in about as smooth a way as someone in a board room taking algorithmic phrases they see spread on TikTok and Instagram would - for someone who is seemingly a part of the generation he’s “celebrating” on this song, there’s a lot of “how do you do, fellow kids?” energy to how he constructs the bars. A few highlights include that in the chorus, he bemoans that people call their love “childish”, and that he must agree because she’s his “baby” - gross! - and that he starts the first verse by basically giving a middle finger to the audience that he started out with, by saying “My crisis ain’t from cost of living”… man, fuck off. More than anything, this song just renders as sad and boring, but maybe I’m just not in tune with the youth of today or something because I saw how people older than me reacted to mid-2010s trap with a similar distaste. Cench just finds new ways to disappoint me and alienate anyone who either doesn’t understand or doesn’t give a shit about the kind of social media “aura” he surrounds himself with. When it comes down to it, this debuted lower than it should have for Cench. People want to hear bars, man. I don’t know what this really qualifies as but I’m damn sure a lot of the audience for his harder street drill cuts, or even a more general audience who found him through “Sprinter”, won’t care for this one at all, if it’s not just genuinely incomprehensible for them. And yes, I’m very much included in that last section.

#26 - “Guy for That” - Post Malone featuring Luke Combs

Produced by Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome and Hoskins

Posty’s fishing for another hit through the third of these country duets, this time with American megastar Luke Combs, who has charted decently in the UK before with his “Fast Car” cover. As I said before, the UK may not like country music too much, but it likes its big, gruff, rough-and-tumble singer-songwriters, and Combs fits that bill more so than, say, Morgan Wallen. Combs’ more homegrown and honest position in country worried me as it could be less of a neat fit for Post, who even in his country songs has his foot clearly embedded in the pop rock sphere, and yeah, this is evidently his weakest country track yet. This is Post’s third ode to bromance in this album cycle - which is of note when there’s only been three singles - but the detailed lyrics here give it an edge that not only is reminiscent of the same 90s and 2000s country he has in his “country forever” playlist on Spotify but also places it even further into Luke Combs’ territory. He’s been writing about fatherhood recently, so it’s fully in his wheelhouse to evoke the dad trope of having a “guy for that” - a friend you can call up or drive to for each and every little problem he may have. However, this may be Post’s least convincing performance thus far, as he stumbles on the wordiness of the verses and practically murmurs some of the chorus which fills so many words in and is so unnecessarily lengthy that it honestly confused me… and that’s because it tacks on relationship drama to the song for no real reason. Post hasn’t got a “guy for” fixing his relationship, but this seems so pointless when it’s only part of a song mostly preoccupied with listing near-comical situations. This sitcom of a song has Post so desperate to prove his fumbling warble over honestly stale country pop that he refuses to even let the fiddles have room to breathe - what does that tacked-on post-chorus riffing do other than muddy the momentum of the track, which is barely there in the first place?

Even Luke Combs performs bizarrely here as whilst his vocal tone makes more sense, he’s talking about knowing a guy who has a time machine and flexing about his brand new AP watch... what?! You’re Luke Combs, is that supposed to be a brag rap? I can accept being silly but when it comes in tiny flashes in an otherwise stale song, it stands out as tonally unfitting or just desperate. The duo really took the 2000s country pop throwback to its slightest detail as well, as unsubtle Auto-Tune is quietly smothered on some of Combs’ overly patched-up vocal. Why get Luke Combs on to practically take over the track, which ends with some cinematic petering off instead of an actual bridge or narrative resolution where the two can display any chemistry, if you’re going to take the soul out of his performance?

“I Had Some Help” was catchy enough to convince me somewhat on Post’s reinvention but the two following singles have demonstrated some wide open holes in how he approaches this genre, and how awfully the guest vocalists have been implemented. Part of that may be Louis Bell, whose production is fine but he and Post have yet to write any of these songs to have any impact or feel like anything more than a simple, breezy sing-a-long you don’t like but put up with when it plays on the radio during a road trip. Post’s uniquely ambivalent take on the country genre clearly comes from his history in pop-rap, but the last-minute clean-up has been slowly wearing thinner as more music from this album is released, and I am honestly worried that this upcoming album, which I was excited for previously, will end up just as faceless and subtly dysfunctional in the mode it wants to perceive itself in as this track was, purely for the sake of pushing Post headfirst into a trendy movement whilst sticking with songs short enough to gather virality, jeopardising the genuine chance it has to tell a story. I don’t like this song at all, and it has me really concerned if this malformed “duet” is what ends up being the last-ditch attempt at not having the Morgan collab overshadow the rollout entirely.

Conclusion

Yeah, it’s obvious who’s getting Worst of the Week here, though Central Cee’s “gen z luv” has genuine challenge from the Dishonourable Mention, “Lonely Road” by mgk and Jelly Roll. There was a lot this week that was pretty bad, though, but at least it was in an interesting way this time around, and there was a lot to balance it out: Charli xcx gets Best of the Week for “365” whilst Gigi Perez is trailing close behind with “Sailor Song” as the Honourable Mention. As for what’s on the horizon, Charli of course is coming with Billie but the rest may be a bit of an unexpected jumble of tracks - I can pray for Jamie xx and The Avalanches but it’s more likely we see some bubbling under songs get a good week to break through. For now though, thanks for reading, long live Cola Boyy and I’ll see you next week!

#pop music #song review #uk singles chart #post malone #luke combs #central cee #gen z luv #calvin harris #ellie goulding #sonny fodera #jazzy #d.o.d #gigi perez #charli xcx #jelly roll #mgk #aitch #d-block europe

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televinita · 5 months ago

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This is a GIANT sale, probably even besting the Big One from April. Very reasonable prices: $2 for most books, $1 for CDs and teen/juvenile or mass market paperbacks, 50 cents for the really skinny ones. Some older books individually priced higher but very fairly for their condition and scarcity, and they always have a nice selection of them. This is a community fundraiser sale so they lease out space wherever they can find it, and this year it filled half a vacant warehouse. The sale also runs every day for two weeks straight, but due to its distance and various commitments I didn't get to go until day 11.

And still, there was TONS (albeit not a lot in the way of books less than 10 years old). I would actually like to have gone back, because I ended up only being able to spend 3 hours there and it was NOT enough time to thoroughly rake the place over or make sure I had made the very wisest purchases, but alas, more Commitments and a dash of weather got me. >:(

As for what I actually got -- oh shoot, I keep moving them around; I already see I missed photographing at least one -- a few of the children's books above are replacement copies of beloved titles in nicer condition than the beat-up ones I have, but most of these are new to me and I'm very excited. The level of general interest increases as you get farther, I promise.

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1. Happily After All - Laura C. Stevens: replacement copy. I didn't read this until adulthood, but it's from my era and I LOVED it and I know I would have loved it had I come across it as a kid, too.

2. Babysitters Club Super Special #2: Summer Vacation: look i wasn't GOING to collect these but this one looks practically brand new so maybe I can have one more rep as a treat (maybe even relinquish that other one in Bad Shape from the last sale)

3. Animal inn #7: The Pet Makeover - Virginia Vail: this series I AM collecting and I am THRILLED to have one that is both in great condition and that I'm not sure I've read.

4. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens: I told you I was going to replace my ugly copy someday, and the bonded-leather-with-gilt-edges Barnes & Noble edition is one of the prettier ones I know about.

5. A Horse For Mandy - Lurlene McDaniel: look, it's very short & silly but it was kind of a literary bucket goal to read her very first book (originally pubbed 1981), featuring horses instead of sicklit, having already grabbed another early one, Where's The Horse For Me?

6. A Horse For X.Y.Z. - Louise Moeri: another replacement of a childhood fave. My copy isn't bad but old paperbacks are such poor quality in general that I figured I might as well own the nicest available.

7. Silver - Thomas C. Hinkle: not in great shape, but by an author whose 1920s & 30s animal stories I am always looking to read more of. I'm excited to have a Comet Books edition because they have the coolest color graphics on the back (you can see an example on Goodreads here), and honestly condition isn't bad for a pulp paperback pushing 75 years of age.

8. Mayday! ... Mayday! - Hilary Milton: a random grabbed-to-read survival adventure, two teens seeking help after the plane they're on crashes into a forested mountainside. Probable read-and-release, unless the small size tricks me into keeping it along with my 200 other mass markets.

9. Touch The Moon - Marion Dane Bauer: maybe my favorite by her, a girl who longs for a horse is disappointed to only receive a china one...but at night he temporarily transforms into a real horse. Who can talk. Magical adventure time!

10. Summer of the Wolves - Polly Carlson Voiles: replacement copy of one of the all-time best middle grade novels I've ever read as an adult.

11. Lucky Lady - Susan Saunders: replacement copy of a short horse book for preteens that I nevertheless read and loved in high school. I wanted it so bad that I've literally kept a crappy paperback copy with teen marks and a torn cover from a Little Free Library...until now!

12. Cliques, Hicks & Ugly Sticks - K.D. McCrite: guess who is SO THRILLED to have found the 2nd book in this middle grade quartet (not available at local library) only two months after reading the first one and falling in utter love!

13. Almena's Dogs - Regina Woody: one of the few uncommon books in the Grosset & Dunlap "Famous Dog Stories," I've never seen it before. Probably was unpopular because I'm pretty sure it's the ONLY one that features a girl, let alone a Black one. A Goodreads friend read this recently so I was really excited to find my own copy! From 1954 originally, so it seems ahead of its time. Already read half of it and I'm so in love. I am also now interested in a bunch more Regina Woody books, having never heard of her before, but damn. They are scarce.

14. All Dogs Go to Heaven - Beth Brown: I was literally two steps away from joining the checkout line when I spotted a box of old books under a table I hadn't looked at before. This was the third one down. Since I was out of time, I just SEIZED without even enough time to open the cover and make sure it was actually dog stories -- but it definitely is and I could not be more thrilled.

(P.S. This is illustrated by a Mr. Carl Cobbledick. They simply do not make names like that anymore.)

15-16. A Separate Peace + Peace Breaks Out - John Knowles: the exact editions I've checked out of the library, too, lol (though I hate the latter because the back cover is just a giant jump-scare of the author's face. i pray this horrid 80s trend never returns). I think I mentioned before that I was idly thinking of reading them this year; I ended up not doing so but Mom did, so might try again this fall.

17. The Stillmeadow Road - Gladys Taber: the very first book I ever read from her, which would eventually kick off a deep appreciation for her work! one of several books featuring musings & anecdotes on a quiet life as a writer in the countryside, residing in a late 17th century (American) farmhouse, with plenty of pets.

18.Ranch of Dreams - Cleveland Amory: I've been idly meaning to read this one for a while. Don't know if I'll keep it 'cause it's a BIG hardcover, but his Cat Who Came For Christmas trilogy was one of the first pet memoirs I read waaay back in the day, and he just did incredible things with his money (i.e. set up an animal sanctuary. this book was published in 1997, a year before he passed, but the sanctuary still exists!).

19. If Wishes Were Horses: The Education of a Veterinarian - Loretta Gage, D.V.M., w/ [her sister the writer] Nancy Gage: vet memoirs were also some of the earliest adult nonfiction I read, starting in middle school -- I literally read every single one the library had. I don't read them nearly as much anymore, but I'm still interested, especially older ones like this (released 1993) by women when they were still fighting to be taken seriously in the profession, especially in large animal practice. We're talking 1970s and even 80s here.

20. Wild Voice of the North: The Chronicle of an Eskimo Dog - Sally Carrighar: this book is in rouuuuuugh shape, but I simply could not resist him face.

And for the final wrap-up of random books... (also featuring: the one I forgot)

21. Martha's Vineyard: Isle if Dreams - Susan Branch: I FINALLY FOUND THE FINAL BOOK IN THE MEMOIR TRILOGY!!!!!! Actually found them all in a 7-month period, come to think of it, which is wild because I have been keeping an eye out for 8 years (I do actually still need a replacement copy of the last one w/ a dust jacket, but at least I could read it if I wanted to). Reminders of how pretty they are inside, the closest you will ever get to finding a real journal:

moving on...

22. Inside Dunder Mifflin: I don't love the illustration style but I do love that it was published after the series ended, so it is able to address everything up to and including the finale. It's just such a fun novelty item I don't even really know how to describe it yet, may not keep forever, but sure fun to have now!

23. How Far You've Come - Morgan Harper Nichols: I gather she's some sort of influencer; have not heard of her or this book but I am a SUCKER for a smaller-than-average hardcover-with-no-dust-jacket gift book full of text interspersed with pretty drawings and poems.

24. [CD] Skye Dyer - Letting Go (2014): Dunno who she is, picked solely on the basis of "young and pretty white woman on cover = good enough odds I'll like it to gamble $1". I've only played through it once, but this time my instincts appear to be on point.

And the silliest find of all...

25. Dawson's Creek: The Official Postcard Book: mostly because it's in like-new condition and I simply know, I KNOW, that this kind of nostalgic novelty item cannot easily be had for $1 anywhere else.

I still haven't even ever seen an episode of the show. This would be a greater find if I could sell things online, TBH, because the true value is I'm pretty sure I could flip this for at least $10; the binding is so tight that I can't really see all the postcards well without dismantling it, and if I do that I kill some of the value, which I'm not ready to do.

Nevertheless I'm having fun looking at what I can see of all the senior-portrait-style photos; Katie Holmes in particular is simply stunning.

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And there we go! Biggest bummer was that despite this sale being a RESPLENDENT repository of 70s-90s teen & children's paperbacks, not a single Lynn Hall book to be found. Where did all of her books GO, goddamn. Also kind of surprised not to see any Marguerite Henry, not even the heavily reprinted paperbacks (most of which are still in print).

But the Susan Branch book -- which I forgot to actually look for, and just happened to spot by chance on my way out of the biggest room for the last time -- and the vintage animal books were definitely worth the trip.

#used book sale #long post

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rogueemmy · 10 months ago

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My anxiety is PINGING right now and I need to talk rationally - so scroll on if needed.

I am getting up and going to the gym tomorrow to take an aerobics class. It's my first since high school some #!$* years ago. I feel like I'm willingly walking into middle school where someone will call me fat. I feel like there will be a conga line of judgy gym people turning up their nose at someone who doesn't belong. I feel like each item I'm wearing or carrying will be judged and found wanting. And I fear that taking an aerobics class is the silliest waste of time I've ever come up with. Bonus! This class occurs 2 hours before my second-shift self usually gets up.

Rationally - 20, 30, heck, 75 pounds needs to come off, but each and every pound is a win all by itself. Lose 5 in the next six months? A win!

Rationally, I've played every mental trick I have to get to this point. I've paid money (it was $20 for the whole year!) and I don't want to waste it. I bought new, properly fitting clothes so I'd feel my best while there. I found a class at a set time 3 days a week so that "someone" is counting on me to be there. I've set it up so that, if I'm late, I have to take the next class that involves weights I don't want to bother with. I've told people who care about me that I'm going and several want to know how it goes. I also took some very good advice!

I was venting about the cost of gyms and the types of classes to a friend. He suggested a mutual friend become my trainer. She's a super-fit, heavy gym user who would literally kill me in 15 minutes purely accidentally. This was a GOOD JOKE - and I went to tell her. She said, hey! The community centers are super cheep - they are a great place to get started and get comfortable. Coworker uses this one, and other coworker uses that one, and I stop by this other one if my gym is closed. You don't even have to be a Senior to use them. And she's right, and a genius. When I went last week to pay the fee, everyone I saw was super nice, made me feel really young, and I left feeling confident that I could do this.

So tomorrow I'm getting up early to potentially be the youngest person in the room, sweating to the oldies, as it used to be said, and trying no to pass out from lack of oxygen. I'm currently obsessing over a water bottle and a hand towel that I don't even know if I need. If you are so disposed, please fling encouraging thoughts my direction.

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amarantine-amirite · 10 months ago

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Ripple Effect

Eleanor was the last person to exit the school on the last day before Christmas break. Or so she thought. Two tenth graders hid in her blind spot, followed her, and then shoved her into a locker.

Those two dipshits had marked days off on their calendars as they eagerly counted down the days to the week before Christmas, the week they could be as naughty as they wanted. One of them found a loophole in the Naughty And Nice List. If Santa checks who's been naughty or nice all year, there is a seven-day grace period before Christmas where you can be as naughty as you want and get away with it.

Only the threat of getting coal in their stockings kept those two kids in line. With the fear of not getting gifts gone, both of them metastasized into complete psychopaths.

And the result? When the holiday break ended two weeks later, the school custodial staff had to remove Eleanor’s cold, lifeless, emaciated body from the locker. The family couldn’t host a funeral until the first week of February due to a simple condition known as a lack of money.

Eleanor’s funeral left much to be desired. They had the funeral in the auditorium at school because it was the cheapest place Eleanor’s parents could afford. They had Eleanor cremated ahead of time. Her ashes sat in a Murano glass vase. Other than a minister, speakers included Eleanor’s mother, those grad students of hers who never knew what they were talking about, a few teachers, and all 72 kids in tenth grade. Their attendance was mandatory.

Yolanda showed up wearing a black and green dotted mermaid dress with a high slit, feather hemline, and frilly halter corset top, a four-layer necklace with an oversize cross, fishnet stockings, and black vinyl boots. Her boobs nearly fell out of the dress and it fit tightly enough to grab her rolls of fat. She also brought her guitar with her.

Lily-Anne may have arrived in a more tasteful outfit than Yolanda, but she was definitely in a worse state of mind. Even though she showed up all cried out, she was so upset over the loss of Eleanor but she had trouble walking and couldn’t keep anything down. Adelaide had to help Lily-Anne to her seat, but she couldn’t go anywhere near her until she was empty. Waiting until Lily-Anne stopped throwing up took way longer than it should’ve.

Yolanda looked around and saw the kids pull out their notebooks and go over their speeches. Penelope tapped Lily-Anne’s shoulder and asked, “Lily-Anne, what happened to your notebook?”

Lily-Anne sat there in disbelief. “What?” she gasped quietly.

“You know, after these guys are done, then we have to give speeches”

Lily-Anne shook her head. “That's a joke, right?” she asked tensely.

“No joke,” Yolanda reacted, “It's like 75% percent of your English grade, too.” She gestured to her guitar. “I’m already covered because I’m doing that thing with Eddie, Penelope, and Adelaide.”

Not only were the speeches or musical performances worth 75% of the kids' English grades, but the school would live stream the student speeches on the internet for everyone in the world to see and possibly laugh at. The teachers received instructions from Eleanor's family to factor online responses into the grade.

“That's just not right,” Lily-Anne whined, “It's bad enough that my best friend just died, but now they made her funeral into a homework assignment? That is beyond wrong.” She then made a beeline to the champagne bucket because she felt like she was going to barf, but only got as far as falling out of her seat.

“Hey, you're lucky, Eddie whispered, “I still have to go up there and play the violin. I'm so nervous.”

“But you play the violin well, you don't need to be nervous,” Yolanda commented, completely ignoring the fact that Lily-Anne still lay on the floor. Thankfully, she just dry heaved.

Eddie blinked. “Uh…no. I don't. If my dad finds out I can't play the violin, he'll kill me.”

Sadly, Eddie had a point. He can't read a note of music and most likely never showed up for a single lesson.

Meanwhile, Adelaide had a problem far bigger than Eddie’s incompetence. Everybody would see the frets on her upright bass.

After sound waves go in your ear and bounce off of your eardrum, it goes into something in your inner ear that looks like a snail shell. The snail shell converts it into the signal your brain registers a sound. However; Adelaide’s brain isn’t connected to the snail shell. As a result, she’s completely deaf.

Because of this, she has frets on her upright bass. People who play string instruments in the violin family freak out if you have frets. They go on and on about how "it ruins the sound", "if you have frets, you'll never learn how to play properly" and so on.

The frets are an assistive device, not a crutch. It’s like a blind person having a screen reader on their computer. She didn't have time to tell a crowd of edgy strangers to stop fretting about frets.

As the event progressed, Adelaide realized she didn’t have much to be concerned about as she thought. Her classmates gave terrible speeches full of garbage not even remotely related to who Eleanor was as a person, or even how she died. Nearly all of them had read the Wikipedia page for some random court case, didn't understand it, and panicked accordingly. Someone well-versed in law would have responded to them with OK, English is not your first language, you don't have a law degree, you're 16 years old, and you wrote this at 2 AM when you couldn’t sleep, shut up.

Only one kid didn’t do this. Kevin somehow thought the funeral was a theater audition. Nobody knows what kind of play he was auditioning for as his “audition” consisted of juggling invisible fruits.

The other thing you could do for this assignment was a musical performance. Only 11 kids took this route. The five solo performances, duet, and quartet were slightly better than the speeches, but not much. The bulk of the kids couldn't sing, nor could they play instruments. They all played either “My Heart Will Go On” or “Over the Rainbow”

Yolanda, Eddie, Adelaide, and Penelope took the stage. Had Eddie worn something better than denim shorts and a tuxedo T-shirt or Yolanda‘s outfit had been less ostentatious and fit better, they would’ve looked exactly like a Celtic Woman knockoff.

They played “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles. Or at least, just Yolanda and Adelaide did. It became obvious that Eddie couldn’t really play the violin. Penelope gave him a bad time.

Penelope shot Eddie a glare comparable to a cat who wants his litter box cleaned out. "It's not that hard, Eddie. C, D, and G," she uttered with an edge of disgust, her frustration evident.

She glared as Eddie continued to watch SpongeBob SquarePants on his phone. "Your father said you played beautifully,” Penelope barked, “What gives?" Her patience with Eddie wore thin.

Eddie's eyes darted around. He quickly realized that this was the moment everyone could see through his lie.

Out of nowhere, Adelaide uncorked this hilarious rap during the bridge:

death blow

when someone blows you up, it's not you

it's something else entirely, like puking on the laundry

death blow, we're gonna miss the death blow

I'm a soft banana, yo

please to make me feel like something

feel like absolutely nothing

what the hell was that?

You’d be forgiven for not understanding why Adelaide decided to do that. It probably didn’t matter. Only a handful of people reacted to it.

The drama teacher shrugged his shoulders and mouthed "What?" The chemistry teacher looked down at his hip flask and wondered what the hell he just drank. One of the parent chaperones tried not to laugh. The superintendent shook her head. What the hell was that, indeed.

Everybody else either felt excruciating emotional pain because someone so young had died so suddenly or felt fed up with being force-fed blustery rhetoric interspersed with awkward renditions of so-called “important” songs like "My Heart Will Go On" and "Over the Rainbow".

Thanks to Kevin's disastrous “audition”, the video of the funeral went viral. Some record executives saw the music performances. By some miracle, the duo and three of the soloists got signed to a record label. As for Yolanda and Adelaide, they got the opportunity to write the theme song for the next James Bond movie.

@lyralit

#writing #writers #writers on tumblr #Short story #Short fiction

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prettypurpleponies · 1 year ago

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We went to our first show on Friday!

The pony was good, rider mediocre and it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either. I think we started with a too high of a height and we’re just over faced and struggling the whole time. We did the .7-.75 and we just have to be so perfect at that height and I just couldn’t do for that many jumps in a row. It didn’t help that there was a lot of confusion about when to go schooling first and then going back and then being told oh you’re going soon oh just kidding it’s still like an hour. So I think I had a tired and sleepy and over it pony even before we started.

She still listened super well and tried her best for me and I’m very proud of her. I was tense and scared and sucked back at all of the jumps especially on the first round. So we had a refusal in the first round, but we’re able to get it the second times

The second round was longer but I did my best to really push her around although we fell more to the running side than the forward and energetic side. And we had two rails. But still our best one.

And then for our third course we had another refusal at that same jump from the first round. And then didn’t get it on the second time and so we’re eliminated. Which was a really bad way to end the day and made me feel like I set my pony up for failure.

There were still some good jumps in there and she really did try her best for me. It was just a long tiring day at a height that’s challenging for us and I really should have started with the .6s. I had asked my trainer the week before if I should do the .6 or .7s and she said if just do the .7s, .6 is so so small. But then when she would talk about who was what doing what she kept saying I was doing the .6s. So idk maybe that got in my head a bit. Andy friend kept being like oh you should just do the .7s. That’s what we’ve been doing in lessons. And lesson course had been going well.

But you should really jump lower at shows especially your first together so I’m feeling bad about my choices. Not the actual riding so much because I think me and my horse both have our best efforts. But the height decision and all of the warm up and schooling decisions. So hard to feel good about that. And it means we didn’t place in any of the classes. Which is fine, but I did really want a ribbon to commemorate the day. And it’s just nice to have something to take home to show for your work. I wish they gave out score sheets. I’d feel better about a last place score sheet than nothing.

But it’s a multi day show and Sunday we dropped down to the .6m and I feel good about that. I just want to give me and the 13.3h pony a little bit more room for error and a hopefully a better round. And if it goes really well we can add one .7-.75 m class. And tomorrow I know that I don’t want to school before hand, I’ll just do a short warm up and hopefully all of that will result in a better day

#riding journal #luna #our first show #jumpers #I still really love my pony #and riding #but I’m not feeling very successful at the moment #and I am bummed about it #feeling sad but it’ll be okay #mostly annoyed about my decisions #I tried my best #and my pony tried her best #I just hope I haven’t over faced her with the multiple refusals #and ruined her confidence #but only up to go from here #I did stay on #which was goal number one #and I remembered the course #which was goal two

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marcholasmoth · 1 year ago

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OSRR: 3377

last night i did in fact cuddle with joel. i cuddled with him all night. i know this because i was also awake all night. i got bouts of maybe five minutes at a time. but most of the time i simply couldn't breathe. but he was high and it made me happy so i went with it until i had to get up and he reached after me 🥺

once i leave bed he gets cold. he wanted my warmth back. i also imagine he simply wanted to cuddle me more. i love him so much. he's a cuddle bug when i'm back after being apart from him for a while. yes, when that happens i don't sleep much, but i enjoy being cuddled by him. he is gentle and i love him so much and i am more than happy to be cuddled and uncomfortable to be close to him. i'm just glad that he can sleep.

i know he doesn't sleep well, and his sleep isn't good because of his restlessness, the insomnia, and his back pain. so when i get up i try to make sure i don't wake him. also, when i get into bed after he's asleep, its the same thing. and when he decides in the middle of the night he needs to be warm, i deal with it as best i can to extricate myself from it or simply get comfortable. i don't sleep much because the balance i need of temperature, fresh air, and specific spots of comfort is difficult to achieve. it's a problem. hopefully a new mattress will help.

anyway.

today was great! but we basically were weathermen as we sent out notification after notification after notification about a storm in europe along the english channel. bunch of warnings, bunch of health and wellness checks, bunch of emails back and forth, and a high-level briefing.

my coworkers were so happy to have me back.

��

because i'm the resident grammarian of the gsoc, having me out for any period of time is difficult for the quality of write-ups that go out. so my return meant that everybody was better off, even when i left the room to go bake cookies. i made some cookies in the toaster oven to have some fresh ones for tom. he enjoyed them. i ate most of them. i also enjoyed them. freshly baked cookies? that's my shit, dude. fuckin love that.

anyway, cookies and write-ups aside, i was so happy to be back at work today. the four of us did typing tests to see who types the fastest, and i proved twice why i'm the one who takes notes in meetings. i beat the next person by an additional 50%. there's 30, 45, 50, and then. 75. at least. like shit. okay. if i do other ones that number should go up to about 100 or so if we don't count accuracy. i can type notes lightning fast with about 80-90% accuracy, and even if some of it is fucked up, i can still read what it says and correct it to have properly written for later distribution.

(thanks mom! i got that from you.)

anyway, that's all funny to me.

after work, i met kristen for dinner at olive garden! i REALLY needed some good carbs and im happy that i was not vegetable-d out after eating a pack of tomatoes today. (i started eating them at like 7:30 this morning which confused the shit outta me.) but it was all good, and i ate enough and was happy with it all.

it was also really nice to see kristen again after having not seen her for a few weeks because i've been sick. she's the sweetest.

after dinner, i went over to walmart for a few things, most of which i found. i got tissues and blister because my nose and lips are chapped from the sinus infection, and i got myself a new purse and a new wallet for the fall season. i got a triangle bag that's leather which is brown and is WICKED cool, and a burgundy wallet that fits EVERYTHING and i even have a pocket for my gift cards! it's amazing and it fits SO MUCH. i quite enjoy it.

and once again, anyway, i now find myself in bed, desperate to sleep. i hope i can sleep well.

#molly rambles #operation srr #osrr #3000s #3300s #sunshine boy

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fiftytwotwentythree · 1 year ago

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Wellness Wednesday:

Picture Me Rollin'

We are officially 186 days into the year - Only 179 days remain - The Year, My Challenge, is half way complete.

I cannot see/feel the metaphorical light at the end of the tunnel, but I feel confident I will still travel ahead full steam.

In other news - I had a banger of a week. Lots of PTO from work, took 2 massive - but - highly needed day time naps (truly reset my brain), hung out with family and friends, some awesome fireworks and...

I saw Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny.

I've been waiting a long time and... I was not awed - but - I wasn't upset either. It was a okay flick with some nice moments - just not "Wow-wah-wee-wah!" moments. It's a movie that wasn't need, but I enjoyed because it removed some of the stank that was Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Lastly, I treated myself to (aka signed up for a free trial) Comixology Unlimited - in this last week I have been tearing into some comics. Never felt so satisfied.

27th CHECK-IN:

Current Goals:

Lose 52 lbs

Completed as of 4/12/2023

New Goal: Maintain or Continue on The Weight Loss Path

Avoid "Junk Food"

Minimize Take-Out / Fast Food Consumption

Short Term:

Vegetarian-ish Diet: Completed

End Date: 4/09/2023 - 46 Days Total

Stats from June:

Food:

Salads: 21

Bags of Popcorn: 18

Oranges: 15

Leftover Meals: 6

Cans of Soup: 1

Take Out: 0

Candy/Sweets: 0

Workout:

Jumping Jacks: 6,000

Push-Ups: 3,000

Glute Bridges: 3,000

Assisted Push-Ups: 3,000

Reverse Leg Lifts: 1,500

Leg Kickbacks: 1,500

Sit-Ups: 1,500

Plank (mins): 75 mins

Squats: 0

Weight Loss:

Weightloss This Month: -10.8 lbs

Average Weightloss per Week: -2.7 lbs

Total Weightloss: -76.2 lbs

Entertainment:

Movies Watched: 12

Favorite from the Month:

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse

Hours of Television Watched: ~ 19 hours (The Bear; Clone High; Ink Master; Samurai Jack; The Righteous Gemstones; Crime Scene Kitchen)

Reading

Books:

Books Completed This Month: 0

Book Title(s) Completed This Month: -n/a-

Book Total for the Year: 2

Comics:

Comics Completed: 5

Trades Completed: 6

Comic/Trade Titles Completed:

Afterlife with Archie Vol. 1: Escape from Riverdale

Afterlife with Archie (Issues 6-10)

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Vol. 1 (2016-2018)

The Umbrella Academy Vol. 1: Apocalypse Suite

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 1: Squirrel Power (2015)

Doom Patrol (1987-1995) Vol. 1: Crawling from the Wreckage Vol. 1

Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection Vol. 1: Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection Book 1

Magazine(s):

Magazine(s) Completed: 1

Magazine Titles:

Readers Digest July 2023

Meal Tracker:

THURSDAY

Lunch:

(2) Hotdogs on Sweet Hawaiian Hotdog Buns

Large Plate of Buffalo Chicken Fries

- Nacho Cheese

- Sour Cream

(2) Glasses of Chocolate Milk

Snack:

(4) Bowls of Smartfood's White Cheddar Popcorn

(2) Handfuls of Sahale Pomegranate Vanilla Flavored Cashews Glazed Mix

(2) Handfuls of Sahale Pomegranate Flavored Pistachios Glazed Mix

Supper:

Chicken and Pepperjack Cheese on a Toasted Everything Bagel

FRIDAY

Lunch:

StarKist Deli Style Tuna with Pepperjack Cheese on a Croissant

Handful of Wonderful's Smokey BBQ Pistachios

Snack:

(4) Bowls of Smartfood's White Cheddar Popcorn

Supper:

StarKist Deli Style Tuna with Pepperjack Cheese on a Croissant

(2) Small Oranges

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

SATURDAY

Lunch:

American Pasta Salad

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

Snack:

(2) Large Bowls of Wonderful's Shelled Salt & Pepper Pistachios

Supper:

(2) Johnsonville Chili Cheese Smoked Sausages on Hawaiian Buns

(2) Scoops of Macaroni Pea Salad

(2) Spring Pasta Salad

SUNDAY

Lunch:

Santa Fe Style Salad

Handful of Wonderful's Salt & Vinegar Pistachios

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

Snack:

Bag of Orville Redenbacher Ultimate Butter Popcorn

Supper:

Cesaer Salad

(2) Small Oranges

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

MONDAY

Lunch:

Spinach Dijon Salad

Handful of Good & Gather's Tex Mex Trail Mix

Supper:

Chef Salad

(5) Slices of Smoked Pork Loin

(2) Scoops of Potato Salad

(1) Scoop of Spring Pasta Salad

(5) Cubes of Watermelon

(2) Small Oranges

TUESDAY

Lunch:

Chef Salad

(1) Small Orange

Snack:

(3) Cups of Smartfood's White Cheddar Popcorn

Supper:

Santa Fe Style Salad

(1) Small Orange

WEDNESDAY

Lunch:

(1) Johnsonville Chili Cheese Smoked Sausage on a Hotdog Bun

(2) Scoops of Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad

Snack:

Bowl of Smartfood's White Cheddar Popcorn

Supper:

(8) Pieces of Rana's Chicken & Roasted Garlic Ravioli

- Prego Roasted Garlic Alfredo

- Black Pepper

- Crushed Red Pepper

(6) Rich Farm Mozzarella Sticks

- Michael Angelo's Marinara Sauce

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

(2) Small Oranges

Workouts:

THURSDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

FRIDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

SATURDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

SUNDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

MONDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

TUESDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [5 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 set of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

WEDNESDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges[4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 Sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

WEIGHT TRACKER:

Starting Weight (Noon, 1/01/2023): XXX.X lbs

Weight at Last Check-In, 6/29/2023: -3.0 lbs

Weight As of Noon, 7/05/2023: -1.0 lbs

Total Weight Loss: -77.2 lbs

Closing Thoughts:

The Good:

Had a good time chilling with family and friends this week.

Also had some awesome R&R, which quelled my sleep hunger pains.

The Bad:

Although I caught up on some sleep - I feel like I headed down a rocky yet again.

The Ugly:

After the 4th July festivities I was truly hit with devastating cravings. Missed out on a lot of good looking food. My dread expanded thinking of Thanksgiving and Christmas that are yet to come.

#52 in 23

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