#making jam or in other words jammin

[suspectz]

Day 18: Make your own jam

After looking through several recipes earlier this week, I settled on a basic strawberry jam recipe that I thought looked good. However, as with most things in my life, I made a game time decision whilst in the grocery store yesterday and changed the recipe to the one below.

Unfortunately for me, I didn’t realise that this recipe called for raspberries rather than strawberries until…literally the moment when I started making the jam. Nevertheless, in the words of the great Denzel Curry, “I keep on walkin'” and made the jam with the strawberries. When I measured out all the sugar to use, I was genuinely shocked by how much was required; Even though other recipes explicitly told me that jam takes a lot of sugar, it’s one thing to read it and another to see it in person. Never have I understood the 18th century French peasant class more.

I bought a cute glass jar to put my jam in after it had gelled. There were some details linked in the recipe regarding “canning”, but I don’t think they apply in this case? I still boiled some water and tried to sterilise my jar before ladling out my jam, but anything more than that seemed overkill.

I shall see tomorrow as to the actual taste and consistency of the jam.

[jmdbjk]

Kim Taehyung

Yes, just finished watching Tae’s vlog where all he did was drive around and listen to music. Got a few things to say...

From the moment he sat his butt down in that car, I was totally mesmerized, totally enamored, 100% DOWN for him! When he is just Kim Taehyung he is just a normal dude jamming to his tunes while driving down the highway with the window down on an incredibly beautiful day. JUST LIKE US. Except he can call his dentist and without any notice whatsoever, zip in and get a chipped tooth fixed. Yeah, that’s not just like us but anyway. 

Just to get some perspective on his drive, this is one of the points I noticed:

How far he drove past the tunnels? Who knows, but the driving time between the middle of Seoul, say, the HYBE building for instance, and somewhere past the Semiwon Garden is probably an hour and a half or so? We don’t know where he began, all that is just a wild guess, but the tunnels are recognizable.

His choice of music is outstanding. Going from Troye Sivan to Bing Crosby...please hahahahaha!!! So eclectic. And when Procol Harum started playing, that’s when I totally lost it ...THAT. IS. MY. JAM!!! Well, before BTS that was my jam. That makes me sound much older than I am but I can’t deny my rock music roots. It is what it is. 

The person who writes the captions...seriously...I am coming for your job. You better watch your back. You are me, I am you. Especially when you pointed out the bird poo on the railing. If I was a YouTube reactor, I would be hitting stop and rewatching that moment and going berserk repeatedly...so just be glad I’m into writing this Tumblr blog and not that.

Just driving around, stopping for a snack then lunch, probably charming the shit out of the restaurant people, stopping for a game of virtual golf and then capping it all off with dinner and an impromptu game of ‘name that tune.’ So if you were sitting in traffic that day and looked over at the car next to you and you see Kim Taehyung jammin’ to his music while driving do you just shit your pants right there and have to turn around and go home or .... we will never know will we?

That was definitely a lot of fun. I am certain the rest of the vlogs will be just as fun to watch. Yes, absolutely cannot wait for Jimin’s. 

When I watch Tae in various content like during this vlog and in other situations like concerts, during other performances and all the variety shows and interviews, I see his personality shine through and I just love him. 

So...here’s the part where I go off the rails...of all the crazy discourse in this fandom, the segment we call the <<cult>> just becomes more and more of an unacceptable aberration to me. It already was very much out of hand with the whole attack on that model dude and the jewelry maker, but looking at the big picture, how can anyone claim to be a fan of Kim Taehyung and treat him the way they do? You can say that it was just a few bad actors in that group but no...they enable each other, they allow their incredibly deceptive intentions to flourish and they are 100% not wanted in the fandom. What they do is beyond shipping. It is destructive manipulation. Anywho...got that out of my system.

That’s not what I was shook about. I was shook about watching this incredibly [did I already use that word? I did, oh well here it is again] incredibly (x4) captivating man just be himself for a little over 52 minutes.

I have to admit...and this will not sit well with some but here is a little TMI... after Jimin and Jungkook, I have an informal and somewhat uncongealed order of preference for the rest of the members: Hobi/Namjoon, Yoongi, Jin/Tae. BUT I LOVE THEM ALL DON’T COME FOR ME.

I absolutely adore all of them. It’s just that my attention is drawn by them in that somewhat fluid order. Tae is in last place a lot. Because of the cult. See what I mean? They are destructive.

[Apologies for being shook momentarily in teh middle of watching it... normally I am a very calm and collected little bean with a very discerning eye.]

[drawing-way-outside-the-lines]

Leo Jinx *Supporting character

Voice Claim:(Trevante Rhodes) https://youtu.be/9oawYFumodg?t=79

Partner(s): Single. Parents: No longer living. Kids: None. Siblings: Reena Jinx Age: Immortal, quite possible at least a few 100 years. Height: 188cm (6.1ft) Body type: Muscular. Eye color: Golden honey, but purple around the iris Classification: Herbologist/medicine man/healer - Immortal/supernatural

About: ~ Adaptable, Charismatic, Adventurous, Helpful, Charming, Amiable, Considerate, Friendly, Humble, Appreciative, Balanced, Fair, Cheerful, Lovable, Clever, Relaxed, Confident, Imaginative, Cultured, Forgiving, Honest,  Outgoing, Intuitive, Open-minded, Genuine, Logical, Protective, Playful, Spontaneous, Tolerant and Patient. ~ Always very helpful, and great at giving advices. ~ Sexuality: He doesn’t bother much with that stuff, he’s more attracted to personalities. ~ Long brown thick dreads. ~ Great guitar player. ~ Chills around with a blunt, jamming, relaxing, cooking up some good herbs for people in need. ~ Always up for something fun. ~ Sees the best in everyone. ~ Wholesome boi. ~ The kind of person you want to be best friends with. ~ Always has your back. ~ Warm soul. ~ Calming presence.  ~ Doesn’t care much for the buttons on his shirts. ~ Always helping the elderly. ~ Charity level on max. ~ Great listener. ~ Good dancer. ~ Smiles a lot. ~ Infectious laughter.  ~ Chain {weed} smoker. ~ Paints happy motives or inspirational words on stones, and leaves them around nature/town for other people to find. ~ Smells like: Weed.... and incense. ~ Pretty good cook. ~ Lover not fighter. ~ Hates arguing. ~ Always have some sort of incense going in his home. ~ Lives with a couple of roommates. ~ Considering opening a coffee shop. ~ Doesn’t sleep much, he feels refreshed after just 4-5 hours of sleep, so he rather be awake and spend more time enjoying life than laying in bed. ~ Does a bit of part time modeling, just for fun/the experience. ~ Bakes cookies to cheer people up. ~ Rarely gets stressed/sad/angry. ~ Drums on stuff when he gets restless. ~ Likes to skip stones on any large watery surface. ~ Makes and sells braided/beaded bracelets, all profit goes to various organizations. ~ Is very environmental friendly. ~ If he’s bored, he likes to take long strolls, and pick up any garbage he finds on the way. ~ Has his own little garden, where he not only grows his own food, but also plants flowers, bushes and trees that are beneficial for the local bird- and insect life. ~ Vegetarian. ~ Has a good sense of humor, and often makes people laugh. ~ Loves helping, weed, incense, cooking, chillin, hot sauce, grilled salmon, spending time in nature, animals, homemade berry juice, sundown/sunrise, nuts/seeds, making people laugh, swimming, anything caramel flavored, insects, pumpkin pie, sex, dancing, studying herbs, meeting new people,  baked potatoes and raspberries. ~ His style is casual/comfortable and usually with some flowy shirt and sandals. ~ Is just a very loving person - loves everything and everyone.

Leo’s tag Leo’s house/home Leo’s moodboard Handwriting/ask answer pic:

One gif to describe him:

One song to describe him: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Three Little Birds Personal Playlist: 1. Bob Marley - Jammin 2. Ziggy Marley - Love Is My Religion 3. Jimmy Cliff - You Can Get It If You Really Want 4. Toots & The Maytals - Spiritual Healing 5. Bob Marley - Sun Is Shining 6. Inner Circle - Sweat (A La La Long) 7. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Redemption Song 8. Skip Marley - My World 9. Eek-a-Mouse - Ganja Smuggling 10. Bob Marley - One Love 11. Inner Circle - Rock with You 12. Toots & The Maytals - Funky Kingston 13. Shaggy - Oh Carolina 14. Bob Marley - Iron Lion Zion 15. Stephen Marley - No Cigarette Smoking (In My Room) 16. Julian Marley - Awake 17. Bob Marley - Wait In Vain 18. Toots and the Maytals - Pressure drop 19. Damian Marley - Road to Zion ft. Nas 20. Bob Marley - Stir it up

[rockettransman]

Rocketman Watch #4 Thoughts

i have so many MORE thoughts can you believe it wow here we go

(i wrote these as i watched it so they’re in order im p sure)

man, his intro monologue during group therapy is just as gripping as it was when I first watched it. And the transition to the bitch is back is so fuckin good. My palms are sweating.

There’s some commentary about forgiving and loving your inner/past child, but I don’t have the words for it at this moment. In the beginning he’s staring down, confused and scowling at his child self, but at the end, he embraces him in a way his father and loved ones never did.

Was he in therapy/rehab WHILE touring and doing music? Stomping into the room in his regalia would have me believe so. I know group therapy was a medium for storytelling. Was it just signaling the very beginning of his story, because we go through different stages through his actions and clothing changes?

Lmao I imagine it must take some pretty cool parents to allow their, like, six or seven year old child to be in this movie. He said bitch so many times.

Took me a hot second to realize the orchestra he’s conducting is playing Rocket Man. The violins are so pretty. Imagine being picked to be in the orchestra on set and getting smile up at the tiny little kid who played Elton. My heart would absolutely swell seeing a little kid being so fantastic at this really intense job.

Kit Connor did amazing in his role. He’s fifteen and he’s already done so much! Imagine growing up knowing you played Elton John as a kid. Getting to work alongside him and his husband and the dozens of incredible actors. Wowie. I’d never shut up about it.

I LOVE how 12 year old Elton is playing the piano SO HARD and is trying to rock out as hard as he can while playing classical music. The boy wanna ROCK dammit.

HE GLANCED UP THE TINIEST BIT WHEN THE MAN ASKED IF ANYONE HAD A FAG (slang for cigarette)

SATURDAY NIGHTS ALRIGHT GIVES ME CONSTANT CHILLS FROM THE START TO FINISH

WOOOW SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD ELTON IS CUTE AS HEEELLLL. The hair, glasses, and front tooth gap fit Taron so well. Goddamn I hope I look like 17 year old Elton some day.

The choreography for this number is absolutely breathtaking. You have to get that many people all in sync! We followed Elton running through the crowd and AAHHH it was a lot! The athleticism! And they did it in the rain! Wow I’m blow away.

Elton is JAMMIN in the back of the stage. It’s really sweet to see his smile and enthusiasm and his brain thinking and working.

That guy in the back peed a LOT lmao

I was wondering where thank you for all of your loving came in.

Charlie Rowe plays Ray Williams, and he also plays LEO ROTH from Red Band Society!!! The first time I watched the movie, I KNEW him from somewhere, but I couldn’t place it and it was driving me nuts. Man. RBS was a big crutch during the worst lows of my ED. Had no idea he was English.

Love to see how shy Elton was as a teenager. It’s a hot ass mood. Also, those silk scarves? Ascots? idk but they’re a LOOK.

“One frothy coffee, no froth.”

The acquaintances-to-best-friends montage set to Border Song *chefs kiss*

Rock And Roll Madonna Is A Perfect Song Send Tweet

Lmao Elton is NOT phased at all when he gets accused of being gay. He’s just like. “Nah. I’m like. Not.” Not overly defensive and surprised, like I’m sure other people would be lmaooo

STUMBLING HOME DRUNK WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND IS A MILESTONE IN TEENAGEHOOD!!!!!!!

“You are a ssSSHHIIIITT HOT piano player—”

So delicate of Bernie the way he politely denied a kiss from him. It wasn’t weird or tense at all. Just a gentle “love you, but not that way. It’s okay” Some people may not be able to handle it that well even today.

Taron’s got nice thighs. That robe & underwear getup is a nice look.

Love love LOVE hearing him experiment with Your Song on the piano to find a melody that worked.

Honestly what the shit do these songs even mean. Bernie sometimes these words don’t make any sense. Don’t worry, they still slap. “See I’ve forgotten if they’re green or they’re blue” like what

AMOREENA IS A PERFECT SONG SEND TWEET

Doug flirting with Bernie makes me snort every time. “Oh, really? That’s.. cool.”

THE TROUBADOUR OUTFIT IS GOOD AS SHIT!!!!!!!!

“NO, BERNIE. YOU ARE UNDERREACTING.”

Taron was right. The overalls do make his ass look massive.

A week ago before this movie I was sick and fuckin TIRED of crocodile rock but now I can’t get enough of it. The movie transformed a lot of old songs I was sick of for me.

Imagine being a kind of shy, nervous kid, terrified to go on stage, but two and a half minutes later the entire venue is LOSING IT because they love the jam YOU WROTE. how cool for Elton.

I want a best friend platonic cheek kiss :(

Hmmmmm I’m wondering if they used the studio recordings that went on the album for the movie or have different movie-specific recordings. Tiny Dancer sounds a teeny bit different in the movie version.

Goddamn I sure hope Taron got to keep that jacket.

“So you liked the song, then?” “Not as much as the singer” *Elton glances away in gay panic*

LMFAO John said some weird colorful words to Elton that barely made sense and he was like OH FUCK GOTTA KISS HIM GOTTA KISS HIM

I’ve talked so much about the sex scene I don’t need to go on about it here. Go search the rocketman tag on my blog for my extensive gay thoughts about it.

Now I know glasses come OFF during sex

oh oh oh I was wondering where Hercules fell in the movie. I love how the songs he’s writing or getting notoriety for is played over the transition scenes.

Elton’s hand on his hip, knowing smirk as John enters the studio. “Hello.”

Bernie is like “HELLO are we RECORDING or are y’all gonna FUCK in the CLOSET?”

*vibrating* Honky Cat Honky Cat Honky Cat Honky Cat

Damn, the flowy white button down with the red pants really is a LOOK

The gestures, staring up at each other, leaning into each other, hands on each other’s chests, damn it makes me feel some typa way. Maybe their love WAS good and fun and exciting while they rode the high of everything before it all went so so bad.

Elton searching John’s gaze while he’s talking and looking like he’s not really paying attention, just looking for a kiss on the couch.. GOD I remember the honeymoon phase of my relationships. So much fun.

His dad going “N-Not really my thing.” That was a metaphor for his SEXUALITY TOO, huh.

Damn. He went to his dad’s to come out to him and he never even got to get to that part. He was just like “....nice shoes....” and even after all this time, didn’t show any interest in his music. If he never was into what he did, how could he even talk about being gay? I’m sure during that scene there were a lot of metaphors to sexuality but I didn’t bother to think much about them.

The eyebrow quirk after his dad says “ah—no. Could you make it out to Arthur?” DAMN Elton was like .. “really. This is what’s happening? Okay. Awesome.”

“What do you have to do to get a fucking drink around here, eh?” *cuts to Elton drinking straight from a bottle*

“Elton—” “Elton!”

John saying “don’t you ever put your hands on me” when he was the one who yanked him from the phone booth AND directly after punching him... woof man. What a shitty dude.

Damn, just noticed John talking very quietly and closely to another man right before he goes on and plays Pinball Wizard. Was this the first sign of him having fun with other men when Elton was indisposed?

Pinball Wizard is absolutely intense and loud and fun, but it DOES carry the tone of “god im SO miserable” under it all. You knew Elton wasn’t having fun.

“It is next week.” Jeezus.

LMAO I just caught the “mom, you’re ON my GOWN” when he reluctantly complies to give the Anderson’s a tour.

Damn, flowy, loose dress shirts with the first few buttons undone is a LOOOOK.

How did they do the overdose scene, you think? Surely the pills Taron took had to be like. Empty. Or placebo affect drugs? Idk. He did take a big drink directly after stuffing his mouth with them. I don’t think he spit them out.

God, there is SOMETHING symbolic about how he meets his child self at the bottom of the pool. Rock bottom? Apologizing? Wishing he could be better? Telling him he’ll never be better?

OH I watched a behind the scenes cut about the pool scene, and none of it was CGI. Taron was weighted under his robe and a SCUBA diver was on standby to provide oxygen. The singing and bubbles coming out of his mouth and stuff underwater was all real.

Dying to know about the choreography around the second chorus, about the undressing and twirling and dressing and injection and handing off of the bat and stuff. That sequence was incredible.

Bennie and the Jets. Damn. It fucks. I listened to it almost the entire time on my run today. (Five miles; I felt like garbage the entire time but it was good anyway.) The scene is wild. He’s in the middle of a drug induced haze orgy. He SHOULD be having the time of his life but he’s so goddamn miserable. (Also, the juxtaposition between Chris Fleming’s Bennie and the Jets is so funny.)

Part of the problem was that John never understood Elton. But, Elton broke it off with John, not the other way around like he said it was. He wasn’t the victim in that regard. John did treat him like shit though.

Victim of Love plays right after that lmao

Renate and he aren’t even close when they do the duet to don’t let the sun go down on me. They’re separated in different rooms, mirroring literally how closed off their relationship was.

The shot with them waking up in different rooms.. damn

His shirt is so LOUD I’m going crazy

Watching Taron down that orange juice made me a little nauseous I gotta say

“Not really I’m gAy”

It’s CRAZY to watch Elton and his mom interact at the dinner scene. He gets accosted and accused of so much by his mom, claiming SHE’S the victim of his actions, making it all about HER and then he turns around and does and says the exact same shit to Bernie.

He yells “Oh, don’t be so dramatic!” at Bernie as he gets into a taxi. THE PROJECTION!! THE DEFLECTION!!!!

I know there’s only so much they can put in two hours, but I wish they showed more of Elton’s eating issues. He had bulimia for sixteen years before he got help. It’s Absolutely the Man With Anorexia in me, but seeing that even men deal with eating disorders quells the lonely aching something in me. I feel that much less alone, you know. Eating disorders aren’t a “woman’s disease.”

How do you think they did his hair? A wig adds more hair, not take it away. He didn’t get his hair cut for it did he?

Seeing Elton’s first love fall apart because John was such a selfish, heartless prick in reality makes me sad.

Elton hugs his inner child when he reconciled with everyone in his past. Goddamn. He found peace and forgiveness for himself, who he was, even after all that time.

When Elton asks him not to go, Bernie refuses, saying this is something he had to do on his own. Healing comes from within alone. No one can help you do it. People can guide you, but you have to work at it. It’s fucking lonely sometimes, but it’s so, so worth it.

I used to loathe I’m Still Standing since i heard it so much at work, but the movie changed my entire perspective on it. I love the slow build up as he exits the rehab center. You don’t get thrown into something so happy and fast paced and fun after a cathartic climax you need to drink in. And the pan to his hat with the rainbow stripe to his smile. I get chills every time. Elton feels so right and secure and happy in himself. At first I thought it was a bit cheesy, but accepting your sexuality, especially after all the hell he went through during his life, grappling with unresolved trauma and fear of abandonment, he absolutely should wear it loud and proud. It’s easy to think times are much easier now being gay, and it shouldn’t be such a big deal. Relative to 1975, it is easier. But it doesn’t mean it’s not such a rough personal thing to work through if you’ve been spit on and resented all your life. Being gay, coming out, and accepting and being comfortable with that fact must’ve been such a HUGE milestone in Elton’s recovery and self-esteem.

Love me again after I’m still standing is perfect. The credits make me tear up every time. Jeez. What a good movie. What a good movie. Hit me up if you wanna talk about Rocketman because I absolutely will with you.

[t-underneaththeradardancing]

post performance post mortem anyone ?  minimal wine pairing - im tired the weary kind but ok - so much paddling below the surface  - so much going on around - anyway 

played - liam came - we practiced 2 or 3 minutes outside - rough idea wat we gonna play - goal still fun  ( and healing  - i have totally sucked more than once playing w liam  - and it was still healing for both of us - mere presence sometimes but not always and not as deep - so a jam on message of luv pretending w lalala’s from the passenger and anything else i can get outta my mouth - simple chords - liam is playing around w sound he brought a pedal he wnted to get to know more  - then idk wtf but not wat we discussed :)   insted of jammin on g dead new speedway boogie - shakedown st which i dont know at all except i herd it thru a grapevine - i mean i know the main line of the song and sorta its sound - lol - it morphs if for no other reezon liam no im confused - it dont matter - i keep wandering away from the guitar mic forgetting - and vocal - finally morphs into down the drain which tbh still confused me when we start - i get a handle - then confusion then get it totally together and flowing for the end - evry fucking time - liam sez its cuz we never actually hav practiced it - but i nail a surprise background vocal - leaning over and singing into my guitar mic lol - kevin comes and adjusts - we end - liam asks if we hav any time left - 2 minutes - he starts playin something - i hold my guitar up to the adjusted mic which is too high - but it forces me to stay in place - oh yah i trip over a cord earlier and knock over a mic stand which kevin picks up - i dont stop playing even tho maybe no one can here me  - lol - imma thinking all this - trynna play - trynna figure out if we inna key or a mode - out of the 15 or so minutes - we prolly played 4  or 5 when we had 2 left  - we kind of sputter end - theres been applause - much of the audience haz heard variations of me - a couple have heard me hundreds of times - i sucked way worse - but yah i sucked mostly and had fun and healed a little  - and played w a whacky confidence cuz in my head case imma rawk star  - maybe a faded 1 hit wonder - i shuld b so lucky - btw we starting a record label cuz wat im good at is taking chances - losing $ - and failing and all 3 are possible maybe likely - t failing iz not a pretty sight no - despite the frequency it always comes as a surprise unlike sucking which i do less and less - tonite an exception but i wuz trynna get rowb or rob or wobb to plaze kazoo just to keep things loose - its like a bassoon but smaller - so prolly the only magic and transcend dance was 2 ppl on stage - desperately trying to stay connected and act in love in the best way we know how - in public on stage playing music  - after we start to find the words we havent said - mostly to make sure the feels were more or less wat was in fax - it is strange - never hav i played w someone so often who so often confuse me musically  - we offen have trouble connecting when we improvise - like we never play together b4  - but when we mesh its like one guitarist with four maybe 5  hands and arms  - an octopus anyone tho tentacle porn - uh 

so love wins a round maybe 2 

bye black dog  - tho every actual black dog i can think of that i have know was a good boy or a sweetheart 

yah this aint poetry - not really a review 

its my fucking life yo 

like i sez - and often - im wrong - sometimes a lot - if something i say dont seam wright brothers  or isnt helpful fuckin ignore it 

it is a sad wonderful world where t is so often these daze the adult in the room 

oh yah and i started saying  - just cuz im old as fuck dont mean im wise  - and im prone to confusion maybe a bit of delusion  but

i do know my good points btw 

all too well cuz u know ego 

laterz 

love 

[houseofvans]

IN THE STUDIO | BOSS DOG 

Artist Mike McKennedy aka Boss Dog recently moved from the comforts of his Portland, OR studio to a new creative space situated in Twentynine Palms, CA. We’re stoked to check out what his newly set up studio space is like, what his typical day in the studio is like, and what projects he’s currently working on.  Find out more about Mike McKennedy in our more in depth –Art School interview with Boss Dog! 

Photographs by Samantha McKennedy

Where your space is located: On the border of Joshua Tree National Park in Twentynine Palms, CA

Can you describe to folks a little about your studio or creative art space? Well, it's weird because I just moved in. I moved from Portland, OR to Twentynine Palms, CA just outside of Joshua Tree National Park. My old space was covered in artwork and posters by my favorite artists, but I haven't put much up on the walls here yet. I am excited for a new beginning and just want to accumulate new stuff naturally. My wife Sam helps me run Boss Dog and we do most of the work that pays the bills from home. It works for us. We like each other and our dogs and kinda just like to chill and do our own things so it's nice.

What’s a typical day in the studio like for you? Right now I fluctuate between balancing commissions, working on my own stuff as Boss Dog, contributing to the animated movie The Planet of Doom, and being a part of a new restaurant called Black Seed Burger Cult. I use the word balance lightly because I don't know if I have figured that part out yet. I am way behind on deadlines for Planet of Doom, but I am getting close to finishing my part. 

Check it out @theplanetofdoom –This year I am trying to do less commission work and focus only on Boss Dog. I have stuff coming out with Zumiez soon and Boss Dog is ramping up more and more. I am currently trying to figure out if I am more of an artist or a graphic designer or what they call a "brand" or some permutation of all three!!!! It's all growing pains. I am also super busy with Black Seed Burger Cult in Portland, OR. Myself and a gentleman named John Black (@barelyhumanart) are doing the design and there are two other owners named Mikey Williams and Donovan Collins who are the creative chef geniuses who will run the joint. So, I bounce around between all that. Whatever is causing the most stress at the moment is what I try and put some work in to!!

What type of things do you keep around the studio to inspire you ? What art are on your walls? I like tchotchkes. I'm not Jewish but I sort of believe in Golems. I like having things around that symbolize protection from another realm. My wife would tell me to cut the crap and just admit that I love toys. But, if you come to our house every room has a golem in it somewhere. It's usually a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure haha. They are protectors. My brain is usually preoccupied with a world that has strong magical protectors in it. So my art room has a lot of stuff in it I see thru that lens. As far as art goes I love old He-Man, Snoopy, old biker shit, Frazetta, and of course the millions of current day artists who inspire me! As I type this on the wall behind me is a huge tapestry by Jason Cruz. That dude rules.

What are you currently working on in your studio space? What are you jammin’ to while you work? Today I am doing a hand drawn font for the burger place I mentioned. The magicians behind @kern.club are going to make it a working font. They are rad. I listen to an equal amount of music to podcasts. The last five bands I played on Spotify are: 2 Chainz, Nipsey Hussle, Credence Clearwater Revival, The Band, and Megadeth; last five podcasts I listened to are: Jalen & Jacoby, The Jump, The Nod, Heavyweight, and Reply All.

What art materials would we find on your desk? I usually do a lot of messy gestural drawing in non photo blue pencil. Everything I do is with the intention of eventually transferring it over to a computer. So, I use a lot of blue pencil or use a light table to ink over my pencil drawings so there's no graphite. I don't know how to use an iPad. So I draw on paper, use a light table to draw and redraw my images on new pieces of paper to my eventual liking, then scan the final in. I clean the linework up in Ai and then switch over to photoshop. I am too stubborn to try it any other way so that's just how it is for me now! So besides non photo blue pencils I use almost exclusively sharpies, regular pencils (nothing fancy, just whatever I can find at the grocery store) Micron .08 and Micron .03 and Uniball white pens from Japan. Those are all my jams. When I paint -- which I haven't been doing too much of lately -- I use liquitex acrylic paint and Molotow acrylic paint pens. Also he's not a material but my dog Bud is always at my feet when I draw. He says he wants to be an artist too but all I ever see him do is sleep. So we'll see about that one.

Whose studio would you like to peek into?  I absolutely love Skip Class as an artist. I think his process is rad. I can never figure him out and that's a good thing. He's present as fuck and just lives it. Check him out @skip.class. Also John Black (@barelyhumanart) isn't just a friend he's a co conspirator and just someone whose process I really enjoy. Lastly I think Matt Kerley is one of those genius minds that inhabits weird places and does a ton of different things well. He’s an incredible fine artist, tattooer and he makes rad clothes. He is on Ig as @mattituder​.

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[chelociraptor]

I just want to take a (privacy-respecting) moment to give a shout out to the precious kids on the spectrum in our preschool/ABA therapy transition program (of the naturalistic/play variety, not the stark compliance-training Lovaas variety :|) for Autism Awareness Month. I’ve discovered there is some tension about this month out there in the world, so I want to preface by saying I mean this with celebratory love for the kids I see every day, not as a matter of sugar-coating or anything weird or parade-y. Just want to send some positivity out into the void. <3 (Letters are not attached to actual names, for privacy purposes.)

To my littlest baby A’s tiny butterfly-esque skips across the room, her beautiful art projects, her lively renditions of the “I love this roller coaster!” song (among a zillion other songs - chickadee loves to sing, girl after my own heart) even though it's the middle of circle time xD, and her adorable twirls.

To my musical buddy B’s love for drums, the way his hands flap with excitement when we help his mom cook breakfast during our home parent meetings, our “Cat Party” jam sessions, his seriously legitimate love for cleaning, and his enthusiasm for communicating with us, even if we're still trying to find the method that suits him best when vocals get difficult. I will respond every time I hear “Essy, cummere!” - e v e r y. t i m e.

To my active buddy C’s “flap and kick” dance, games of chase-capture-tickle around the therapy center until I am exhausted (because this kid is never exhausted), the “mouskatools” he makes with tiny objects, the way he imitates a British accent in the second verse of the “Oh, a Milkshake!” song, finding just how many different and fun ways we can count to 20 because this child loves counting, and how delighted he gets when we find ways to incorporate his favorite scripts into play or conversation skills.

To my queen of the scene D’s ability to communicate epic sass without saying a word, her love for flipping through picture books, her loud and giggly laugh when she's in a goofy mood (often accompanied by pretending her bones are jelly and she is incapable of doing anything asked of her - we are onto you, girlfriend), her mischievous smile, and her big hugs.

To my thoughtful buddy E’s sweet humming, to that adorable distant/furrowed look that makes me wonder what he's thinking about, the way he comes to life when we go out to play exercise ball soccer, his jammin’ tunes (classic rock, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, and epic instrumentals, usually as a background to various animated clips on YouTube), and that look of absolute wonder when we hosted a marionette/puppet show for his birthday when he isn't normally very interested in toys (his mom was a sweetie to arrange it for all of the kids).

I know the individuals will change over the years as they grow up and move on to bigger and better things, but I love these beautiful kids and their beautiful brains. This is one of those things that I know it’s not just about One Month of awareness and love and appreciation for neurodiversity, but it’s a good excuse for some love, nonetheless.

<3

[fadeoftheinternet]

Fall Out Boy Mania, 1 Listen Review

Guys, I’m not gonna lie, I was a little worried about Fall Out Boy after Champion came out last year. I didn’t think the album was sounding as good as it could be. When they announced it was being pushed back to make a better product, it was as though my heart could beat again. I’ve heard the singles and was a little bummed when the album was only 10 songs. That’s short and to the point without a lot of room for error. So how did they do? 

Below is my Mania 1 listen Review!

Young and Menace. I understand why it’s so divisive in the fanbase, but I freaking LOVE THIS SONG. It’s a jam. Patrick Stump definitely is beginning the album with the same opening pomp as the last two fall out boy offerings. As an opener, it makes total sense. The placement gives you the feeling that this album is going to be a journey. For a song that’s nearly a year old, it sounds fresh. It’s not dated even though it probably should be. The Patrifications during the last minute of the song sound even better with the context that this is a palette cleansing album while also giving you vintage fall out boy. Plus, I love Andy’s drums!

Next up is Champion. Now, those of you who heard my first reaction know that I wasn’t a really big fan of Champion when it first came out. I felt like it was an easy ESPN pick up. I understand it’s place. It sounds natural coming after YAM. It keeps the energy. I still love the champion for the people who don’t believe in champions line. I can’t listen to the song without imagining it being retroactively added to a Rocky montage. Sylvester Stallone, this is the Balboa anthem you’ve been waiting for. For all you gym junkies and those that are just trying to reach 30 steps without breaking into a sweat, Champion is for you

Third song and first non single. Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea. Now that’s a title. I was like, am I missing something? Is this like a Sugar Honey Iced Tea situation? I was like SFRMT doesn’t mean anything. Oh well, lemme listen to the song. WHOA!!! I wasn’t ready for that intro. Holy crap. Early favorite. The vocals sound like Brendon Urie was in the studio and Patrick was trying to show him who’s boss. ARE YOU SMELLIN THE ——. Okay this chorus meant to be screamed by fresh faced teenagers who still believe in emo. “ALL MY CHILDHOOD HEROES HAVE FALLEN OFF OR DIED!” GFD PETE YOU KILLT EM THAT’S A DISS TRACK. This nigga Pat is singing in French. oh shoot. This song feels like, OH SHOOT BREAKDOWN, it feels like what I imagine elevator music on Planet Cybertron sounds like. Man, don’t let Michael Bay hear this song or it’ll be in the next ill fated Transformers movie. Dang, freaking jam.

Hold Me Tight or Don’t. OK. By far my favorite of the music videos released. Oh wait, Wilson is dope AF though. I like the bounce to this album. Initial reactions are I was right about this album sounding like Infinity on High mixed with ABAP. OF YOUUUUUU OF YOUUUUU. Dang, thats a freaking chorus. I imagine white girls everywhere singing to their friends, heads bobbing side to side, “Hold me tight….or don’t.” Yeah this song feels like the one that made the label believe again. BUT WE ALWAYS BELIEVED BECAUSE BELIEVERS NEVER DIE! Dang I took too many hits off this memory is a bar. Pete you haven’t lost your pen game. Nigga out here penning Drake songs nowadays. This song is anthemic. These dudes just know how to craft a sing a long. PATRICK IS THERE NO NOTE OUTSIDE OF YOUR RANGE GFD DUDE. Andy, you are a star with the drums, but let me not sleep on Joe’s guitar work. This song has you singing the chorus before you’re even done with the first listen. Definition of an ear worm. I imagine this is going to be a bonus song on Pixar’s Coco

Halfway through and FOB drops my favorite of the pre album singles. This song makes me feel like I’m driving in Las Vegas with college friends and making memories we’ll look back on. Dang. Windows are definitely down. That bass. Pete’s not just a writer, he’s got the groove on this song. CAUSE YOU’RE THE LAST OF A DYING BREED I WONDER IF YOUR THERAPIST KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT ME. Oh man, is this a love song in the most FOB kind of way? Don’t let anyone tell them they don’t use real instruments anymore. I am a collapsing star with tunnel vision, but only for you. What does that even mean? No one knows what it means but it’s provocative. Patrick, you can’t expect to be singing all of these live right? Like your voice will be shot. That guitar riff has me like, “nananananaaaaa” The bridges on this album have me like, “ooh issa bop.” I can’t even sing a long to fall out boy songs anymore. I just gotta shut up and hear Pat wail.

Wilson. Okay, have ya’ll seen the video? It’s great. such a meme. now honestly, i hate the way that this song begins. I just hate the vocal melody. But after the second talkin about i’m all in. This song was meant to be put in a California Hot Topic, you know the kind where it’s all emo but everyone is West Coast beautiful? That darker color line is going to be some angsty teen’s senior quote. Do people still need to find someone to teach them how to Dougie? Because this song has that level of groove to it. It’s the same type of style as like an America’s Suitehearts, in the sense of a dense chorus with a great rock to it. Man, after this album, i gotta say, it might be time to bust out the black eyeliner again. Man, i gotta find my skiniest jeans and shrink them again. This album, upon the first 6 songs, is better than ABAP. Wow. HITS. And then the ending is gorgeous

Church. TAKE ME TO CHURCH MAKE ME CATCH THAT HOLY GHOST. They got the organs. Ooh is this a love song? WHOA OKAY PAT. Okay, this song is big but probably my least favorite of the ones so far, however that may be due to the familiarity i have with the previous 6. Just not a lot of lyrical change. But this is Patrick pushing his voice to it’s limits. Okay the second half isbetter OH MY FREAKING GOSH THE INSTURMENTS JUST WENT OUT AND PATRICK SNAPPED AND SINGLE HANDEDLY SAVED THIS SONG I WILL COME BACK TO THIS SONG WOW. PATRIFICATION CONFIRMED THE FALL OUT BOY MACHINE AIN’T BROKE IF YOU WERE CHURCH I’D GET ON MY KNEES CONFIRMED

Heaven’s Gate? Hmm….they must have ran into some of them LDS missionaries. Ooh we got ourselves a what a catch slow jams patrick soul song. have ya’ll seen the meme of the woman jammin? imagine Leslie Knope jamming at a black church. That describes how i feel about this song. This song could have been on the end of a SUPER strong episode of One Tree Hill. Like it’s a coda where a bunch of stuff happens. I like the guitar pan to the right ear. It’s good. I’m not really sure what pat is singing, but I am enjoying it. Patrick sings like a baptist confirmed. PATRICK WHAT DO YOU NEED LET ME GIVE YOU THE BOOST. Oh man, is this a choir coming??? Oh yes, ya’ll are going to be listening to Heaven’s Gate for a while. This is the one that is gonna get you through hard days in the future. This is a song to save someone’s life.

Sunshine Riptide (feat. Burna Boy). Rap feature? Maybe? Lol the opening line made me laugh. Nigga hit a missy elliot. you’ll get it. There’s a lot of things going on auditory wise. Okay, this song was made during the same time as Hold Me Tight or Don’t. Actually it also gives me the same vibes as Champion too? Whoa, it’s a rasta feature. Oh man, YA’LL NEED TO GET CHANCE THE RAPPER ON THE REMIX GOOD GOD THAT FEATURE JUST PUT ME IN THAT MOOD I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY THAT OH SHOOT, THESE NIGGAS TRY BE FALL OUT THE BOYS. I’m a fan of this one. Ya’ll tryna get a nigga to find his XD emoticons and band tees for the last warped tour. Too bad all the singles have been released because this song feels like it’s begging to be put on a CW show like 90210 or Arrow trailer. HIT.

Bishops Knife Trick. Okay Fetzer, what you got for us? It’s the final song and I feel like I’ve been on a nonstop ride the whole time. Soulful pat? Wasn’t ready for it. It’s also the longest song on the album, clocking in at 4:23. This song sounds like, I can’t believe I’m gonna say what i’m gonna say, it sounds like the album that would have been made in between IOH and SRAR if the others didn’t exist. It’s like both. You won’t get it until you hear it. This is a thoughtful song. I need to listen to the album again with the lyrics so i can appreciate this song more. Patrick’s voice is an instrument. He’s not a singer in the conventional sense. Sometimes his words don’t sound like words. Dang, don’t let this album end. Don’t let it end. Don’t let it end. The last song flows into Young and Menace. Wow, ya’ll did you fast. Fall out boy, is the knife trick ya’ll revitalizing your sound and your fanbase? Because you most certainly have.

8/10 album. Church was the weakest song on the album, Heaven’s gate was the most meaningful and arguably the strongest

[qorillas]

a comprehensive humanz listening experience

henlo friends i wrote this as i listened to the entire humanz album for the first time. here are my thoughts and revelations written in real life as i went through this life-changing and at times harrowing experience. i hope you enjoy

intro: i switched my robot off

is that russel’s voice

that FUCKIN TRANSITION INTO ASCENSION??? damn

7/10 im fuckin ready

ascension

gets me fuckin pumped as always

BE A PUPPET ON A STRING HANGIN FROM A FUCKIN TREE

9/10 after like 50 plays over the past few weeks it’s still great 

strobelite

oh this is a cute intro. very bouncy

sounds like a hip and trendy remix of the seinfeld intro. im digging it

this is the type of song you go swaggering down the street to wearing ur fancy new 70s disco duds

just had a mental image of murdoc dancing disco to this

i feel like this is gonna grow on me in the coming weeks

noodle’s falsetto is so cute she’s going so hard i love her

7/10 i like how happy it was

saturnz barz

honestly after how joyful strobelite was this tempered the album really nicely

i still can’t listen to this song without thinking about murdoc’s dick. minus one point

honestly i’m only four songs deep and the album already has got a really strong electronic pulsing haunting vibe going and i love how well it all goes together

death by 2d. those vocals? WHACK and by whack i mean i want to cry it’s so beautiful

6/10 always a classic and gave us THE BATH but honestly i’ve always liked the other singles a bit more and i don’t want to think about murdoc’s dick

momentz

what is happening

MOMENTZ that scared me

HOLY SHIT

HOLY SHIT HHOTLY SHIT

THEY’RE GOIN OFF

DAAAAAAAMN 2D

dirty

im gonna SCREAM THIS IS SO FUCKING GOOD THIS GOES SO FUCKING HARD GOD FUCKIN DAMN

whose voices are those?? the high voices saying plastic on the ceiling

is that 2d and noodle omf

honestly the fact that this is in a major key makes it like. really psychedelic party hard i can see people headbanging and on hella drugs listening to this

i think i liked the intro part more than when it got all dreamy at the end

7/10 kind of petered off at the end but the intro was really amazing

interlude: the non-conformist oath

i promise not to repeat things other people say lmao

4/10 obligatory weird shit from damon

submission

ohhhHHHHhh the vocals

OOOHHHHHHH THE BACKING VOCALS

ohhHHhhHHHHHHHH fuck fu cku fucK i love the backing choir it’s so gorgeous 

all the choir backings make me think of the whole band just singing quietly together in the back and. idk it’s such a good image of them all being so deep into their music and jamming together and on the same wavelength

what the hell kind of noise is 2d making in the background of this

i feel like this is gonna get stuck in my head in the next week 

HOLY SHIT THE RAP i like his rap style very erratic 

the choral vocals behind the jumpy rap is so good

this is honestly something i think of when i think of the word celestial

8.5/10 this is gorgeous but i’m saving 9s and 10s for things that really knock me off my feet 

charger

is this the orange juice lady

super tough leather jacket vibe murdoc def wrote this

fuuuuuuuuuuck stu’s lil breathy speaking voice. honestly im weak for high pitched breathy stu voice he’s so cute fuck me up

a cha cha cha

i feel tough listening to this like walking into a gritty bar and smirking at everyone. the beat is really stalky

idk normally i don’t really like songs without very much melody but its p well done 

OHHHHH the electronic whistles that’s good

murdoc probably was fuckin his bass for this one

okay more melody at the end!!! choral backing vocals are back too i like it more now

6/10 2d’s vocals got me wet ngl

interlude: elevator going up 

wait that was so short

uh 5/10 because the guy says going up like gooOOOooing up which is nice

andromeda

ohhHHHh okay honestly with the interlude before it it’s nice it feels like im taking a fast glass elevator up to space 

OH I JUST GOT WHY THERE’S LIKE AN ELEVATOR SOUND AS THE FIRST NOISES

this like. cleansed my palate and calmed me down after charger. 

the drum? ??  poppin. smooth backing instrumentals. noodle’s little humming in the background? adorable. 2d’s falsetto? magnificent

the little melody right before take it in your heart now lover always gets me it’s so dancy i always bounce around to it. so great

andromedaaaaaaaa (andromedaaaaaaaa)

when does damon cry

8/10 another hit single and it reminds me of like neon signs and retro roller rinks

busted and blue

OH FUCK IT TRANSITIONS

OH FUCK THIS IS THE ONE THAT MAKES EVERYONE CRY ISN’T IT

ohhhHHHHHhhhhh god oh god this is gonna fuck me up 

FUCK

death by 2d 

ohh. oh my god. fuck. fuCK. fuck the vocals. fuck. the vocals. 

my heartstrings

is it about 2d? because if it is. oh god that’s so sad

amplify the sirens more like amplify my sobs because there are tears

so deep and ethereal i feel like i’m sitting on a roof staring up at the stars about to fall into space

I CAN’T GET BACK WITHOUT YOU

this is another love song on par with to binge or on melancholy hill

murdoc niccals or stuart pot or SOMEONE IN THIS BAND is in LOVE WITH SOMEONE and it’s BREAKING THEM APART 

THE BACKING VOCALS oh noooo oh noo oh no

fuck i’m really actually tearing up i [note: i had to stop here because my breathing was getting funny and i was tearing up and my rommate is asleep so i had to calm down]

he sounds like a lost little child looking at the stars through his window 

the deep bass sounds and the minor chords and the gentle snapping. im floating

THE SLIDING NOISES this is what it feels like to be in space my heart is so cold and empty but so full 

the ending satellite. the gentle rain noises. the setting down of the music. goodbye i am dead tell damon albarn that he has killed a person on this day

10/10 this song is one of those rare ones that catches me by the heart and reminds me of dark blue and stars. thenks damon albarn for my life and someone please comfort 2d 

interlude: talk radio

why are there so many interludes in this damn album

wtf

uhhhhhhhh

is this guy okay

2/10 what the fuck

carnival

what the fuck

oh okay that opening beat was cool

is someone knocking on a door. let them in

the keyboard in the back is cool i guess

someone please let whoever’s knocking in 

very bobby womack-y vibe. pretty intense between the dark instrumentals and the KNOCKING WHICH DOES NOT END

hyeAUp

3/10 i didn’t really like it. very spinny tho and it goes well with the rest of the album as like a filler song

let me out 

MAMA MAVIS OH MAMA THEY TRY MY PATIENCE

OH OH OH IT’S GONE WHO IS LEFT TO SAVE US

OH OH OH WE MOURN IM PRAYIN FOR MY NEIGHBORS

THEY SAY THE DEVIL’S AT WORK AND oh IS CALLIN FAVORS

honestly the little electronic oh oh oh’s in the beginning are what i live for

plus they bleep out trump which is hilarious drag him damon

let me out let me out let me out it’s DEL LET HIM OUT

fuck this was my favorite out of all the singles i listened to it 15 times today

2d’s vocals are adorable yeah yeah yeah 

the whispering gets me SO MCFREAKING PUMPED im ready to OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT

the build up gives me legitimate shivers. the whispering and the choral vocals ugH i love it

you gotta die a little if you wanna live

the ending is so haunting

let me out 

9/10 i love this song so much please let del out. my only problem with it is that i sound dumb when i try and sing the first lines with the electronic oh’s 

interlude: penthouse

REALLY ANOTHER ONE

damn someone’s goin hard

ding

5/10 sounds like one of those audio posts where people do some song but heard through the wall 

sex murder party 

just looking at the title i know murdoc wrote this

oohhhhh nice beat

this is like going to a cool underground house party with lots of smoke and colored strobe lights somewhere in germany

is someone playing the kazoo

idk i don’t think 2d’s sleepy sad vocals really go with this it sounds like he’s mourning while walking down a runway

on that note: model 2d walking down a runway. he would fall off the stage almost immediately

this sounds like something that would play in forever 21

the deep voice has some cool lyrics 

why are they whimpering the words sex murder party 

the kazoo is back

murder murder murder muuurder 

4/10 didn’t love it but it was better than carnival and it had a kazoo 

she’s my collar

ohHHH i like this very punk pop

oH SHIT damn stu those vocals tho

wait what is he talking about a collar

DID HE JUST SAY SHE’S MY FURSONA

i likE IT IT’S VERY DARK AND BOUNCY AND ETHEREAL BUT UHHHHH IS THIS A REFERENCE TO ALL THE BDSM AND FURRY SHIT GOING ON THIS PHASE

the panting .. . . mmmmmm

2d’s tryna get some 

KALI DAAAAAAAMN

this is a really sexual song but i really love it 

i really love when 2d speaks quickly and semi-raps 

kali’s vocals are gorgeous. also her snapchats were great

she’s my collar she’s the one i’m running with 

im jammin out this is gonna be my new jam 

FUCk the panting came back i. wasn’t expecting this

9/10 2d’s into some kinky shit but i’d still let him fuck me 

WAIT THE PANTING IS A REFERNECE TO DOGS FUCKING SHIT IT’S A PUPPY PLAY REFERENCE WITH ALL THE 2D DOG STUFF THIS PHASE FU ck

i am. kinkshaming. minus one point for making me suffer through this realization

interlude: the elephant

COME THE FUCK ON THEY’RE NOT INTERLUDES ANYMORE IF THEY TAKE UP THREE QUARTERS OF THE GOTDAMN ALBUM

uhhhhh again. what the fuck

2/10 these are getting annoying

hallelujah money

so unsettling and weird but that’s what it’s going for i guess

ben clementine’s voice is so good and it sounds like a sermon esp with the choir in the back i love it

idk it makes me sad because it reminds me of the night of the election and how everyone cried and was so scared

i love the chord progressions

haaaaaaallelujah moneeeeeeey 

again 2d’s vocals kill me i have been slain thrice

we are still humans, how will we know, how will we dream, how will we love

what fantastic lyrics. the crux of the album tbh i feel like i’m being told a story

this song terrifies and creeps me out but makes me feel warm and strong like i can face the scary things it brings up??  i don’t like it as a song per se but as a piece of art with a message it’s absolutely amazing

HALLELUJAH MONEY

where is my spongebob scream

8/10 i never loved this song but i appreciated the chord progressions a lot this time around and it adds a lot to the message of the album. also it fuckin destroys donald trump lmao damon what is ur damage i love it

we got the power 

honestly it’s upbeat and i like that but it’s a little bit too cheesy for me

the claps in the back remind me of that shitpost where it’s like the people in the 80s doing that weird dance yoga

this is a good song to do jazzercise to. imagine murdoc doing jazzercise

 never mind don’t do that

“on the m1″ is that a reference to m1a1?

oh oh oh stu ur so cute

the backing instrumentals are so powerful i feel like i am being propelled through the stratosphere on russel’s back

5/10 it’s cute and happy but i never really ever got into it even after having had time to

interlude: new world

P L E A S E N O M O R E I N T E R L U D E S 

this sounds like an electronic soap opera intro theme song

the elevator? ? i guess the elevator is the new thing this album

oh fuck this is creepy 

yikes yikes YIKES 

honestly it has an actual uhhhh music ish thing going on so?? ? i guess there’s that

i just wanted to be close to you BITCH NO GET THE FUCK AWAY 

2/10 because i don’t want to be close to whatever’s whisperin in my ear and also because apparently damon albarn does not understand what an interlude is 

the apprentice

so great. so jazzy. so cool and suave. 

clap clap clap cla-cla-clap i love the beat 

I AM A BROKEN SCREEN I’M A MAP ROUTINE

this is also going to get stuck in my head isn’t it

I’M INSIDE YOUR HEAD ya u are

oooohhh the electronics are so bubbly

THE FEMALE SINGER’S VOICE? ? ? SO SMOOTH SO GOOD so gorgeous im dead

this song reminds me of a lava lamp 

YO NEW BLACK KING NEW YORK DREAM 

IM THE FIRST BLACK PRINCE OF A NEW WHITE KING

god this rap is so great 

normally i don’t like slower songs but this one just. takes its time and jams out and knows exactly what it’s doing. what a bop

8/10 a solid addition to the album and holds its own really well 

halfway to the halfway house

this album is so long but i’m not complaining. actually i am a little because i have a writing sample due in an hour and a half and my computer is dying but this is more important 

nice spaceship sounds

2d’s really jamming out on those bloopy keyboard sounds isn’t he

it’s like floating in a pool of static kinda

i like the chorus esp since everyone in the band is singing together which i still think is so cute

everyone singing on it has really good voices but idk the fact that there’s no real melody kinda distracts from that 

it sounds like a congregation or a gospel choir which is super cool 

3.5/10 it was pretty cool but a little too aimless for me

out of body

pipe down pipe down

tHIS IS CREEPIN ME OUT

oh SHIT WAIT THIS IS SO COOL DAMN

i don’t know who’s rapping right now but i love her and her voice

THIS GOES OFF DAMN

i love it. i love this song this is so bouncy and cool and it’s so cute too with the lyrics telling you how to dance

noodle wrote this. noodle 100% wrote this

i feel so cool listening to this 

this is definitely going to be in a commercial for like. fashion or makeup or something 

this is the new runway song

this is something you listen to right before going out to some fancy european club with like models and weird plastic architecture

oH SHIT OH SHIT 2D’S RAPPING IM SCREAMIGN

FUCK 

FUCK IM YELLING his voice is so high im screeching

they made this fucking dork into a suave motherfucker 

9/10 i was briefly transformed into a european model and stuart “two-dents” pot makes his debut as a falsetto rapper and also establishes himself as the coolest baddest hippest raddest mofo out there despite not being able to tie his shoes 

ticker tape 

it’s almost over :(

very dreamlike and chill 

awwww the way he sings ticker tape is so cute 

the whistling!

okay this one’s cute it’s like. very dreamy and sweet

cauterized and beautiful wow i like those words 

i can see stu or russ singing this gently under their breath while just doing work. what a cute and sweet song 

it’s about healing? maybe they’re healing their relationships with each other. i hope so

a sudden draft and quick chill, a single snowflake falls and that is all damon your imagery is fantastic as always

ohh the acapella is so nice. this means murdoc had to go buh buh buh in the back which is cute 

the sudden stops are so quirky 

again i love the crackling of vinyl at the ends of some of these 

7/10 super cute and not what i expected at all from such a dark album

circle of friendz

the final song? ?? i hope it’s good i wanna give it a 10

ohhhh what’s gonna happen with this buildup

who’s breaking shit

aw these lyrics are cute even though they’re a little juvenile 

a circle of friends :))))))

the growing instrumentals in the back are so sweet 

stu and noodle singing my circle of friends as the last thing in the album rotted my teeth and gave me diabetes

a cute ending!!!! even though it didn’t wow me it made me smile

7/10 they are a happy family 

faves: ascension, saturnz barz, momentz, submission, andromeda, busted and blue, let me out, the apprentice, out of body 

overall: not going to give it a numerical rating because i would just give it a 10 because i was so excited for it. honestly i think it was a pretty solid album there weren't any breakout hits like feel good inc. or whatever but they did a really solid job on it in total. thenks damon albarn for my life please tell 2d and noodle and russel and murdoc i love them 

[familymusicnarts]

Can’t Miss Music n’ Arts this Spring in the DMV

Spring is here and outside, D.C.’s  cherry blossoms are blooming, while indoors, some of the area’s favorite venues are also coming alive with kid-friendly music and arts options that wow.  Chicagoland Kindie favorite, Justin Roberts and his band The Not Ready for Naptime Players heads to Jammin Java, and Strathmore’s got Black Violin, The Impossible Tour 2019, a performance with edge featuring two young stars delivering what is described as “classical boom” to the stage.  Read on for dates and more information about these and other top picks for you and the kids this Spring!

March 29 – May 26 Winnie the Pooh at Adventure Theatre 

One of the most recognizable bears around the world, second perhaps only to Paddington, Winnie the Pooh and his adventures with Piglet, Rabbit and other forest friends are memorable no matter the generation, and no matter how many times Pooh stops for honey breaks.

April 9 -10 Black Violin at Strathmore 

Go see this duo of classical performers, and collaborators with the likes of Wutang, Wycleaf Jean, and Alicia Keys, and your kid may want to run away and join the orchestra! Playing together since high school, violist Wil B. and violinist Kev Marcus tour for an average of 200 shows per year with a focus on educational outreach.

April 13 Here Comes Trouble at the Pie Shop

You’ve got enough little troublemakers of you own to deal with but if you don’t bring them to see this local kindie band at this rocking new joint, you’ll reallt be sorry.  Also known for serving “dangerously delicious” crusty plates of triangular shaped food items, both sweet and savory, this place has a brand new vibe, and an outdoor patio too!

April 27 Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players at Jammin’ Java 

These guys out of Chicagoland’s Evanston area are so great, we don’t know how anyone would be ready for naptime when they come to town!  Fun and upbeat tunes and high energy performances are their signature, and Justin Roberts newest album Lemonade was a GRAMMY nominated childrens’ album last year.  They’ll play two shows at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm.

Look for NYC’s Moona Luna in Rockville at AMP by Strathmore on June 16

April 28  International Day of the Book  

Founded by local bookstore owner Elisenda Sole, this small town version of Barcelona Spain’s hundreds year old tradition, is more than just your average street festival.  Look for authors representing every age range and genre appearing for readings and signings, along with poetry and storytelling, three music stages, and a childrens’ stage headlined by the indomitable Great Zucchini, plus Groovy Nate and other performances just for kids.

May 11 Takoma Park Porch Music Fest  

Now a Takoma tradition at first borrowed from towns in North Carolina and elsewhere around the country, this celebration of local music and “musicavores” (not sure its a word), makes for one terrific way to spend the day with family and friends, where you will no doubt discover music for both young and old.

May 11 - 26 The Reluctant Dragon at Keegan Theatre 

Visit the Village of Guildermere where the milk has gone bad and the crops are failing.  Could it all be the fault of a tea drinking dragon, or does it turn out they just need a little peace and understanding? From  Keegan's Play Rah Kah, this show is part of a series of young audience productions helping to empower young people and support emerging artists.

June 16 Moona Luna @AMP by Strathmore

The loft-like AMP above Rockville Pike in the Pike and Rose shopping center, is a great venue that rocks with Kindie performers now populating its Pajama Jams playbill this season.  Tops on the list is Moona Luna, headed by powerhouse singer Sandra Velasquez out of New York City.  Their beautiful music off their newest album P A N O R A M A chronicles a family bus trip through South America and will have everyone dancing in the aisles (including maybe Dad).

[rhiminee]

DavidArchie’s Orion EP appreciation post!

So. This might come as a shock to some of you on this blog but I kinda like David Archuleta. I mean, I think I’ve posted about him here a time or two... 

WELL. He has just released his first collection of new music in 5 million years and it’s freaking brilliant and I wanna talk about it. Gird your loins.

There are only 4 songs on this EP but there are 2 more EPs planned to be released this year. So I won’t get too salty about only having 4 songs to rave over right now. But really my people -- it’s the quality not the quantity 😉

Numb - watch the video here

This song was released as a single last year so it feels kind of weird to be talking about it as part of a new EP but it honestly deserves all the love. Going through and listening again and I’m still blown away. This song has my favorite overall lyrics that David has ever written. There is so much meat on these bones you guys. Random favorite lines in no particular order:

~I think I’ll take a second chance, I won’t be passing by the waters again.~  ~I wanna feel redemption’s hand.~  ~Everybody needs time away, to wake up with the sun on their face.~  ~Love this life only for what it is.~  ~I hear the whispers in the stars.~  ~It hurts to live so wide awake but it’s a chance I can take.~  ~Falling over all of my shadows.~  ~Open soul in an open sky.~  ~I don’t wanna feel numb.~ 

Like. At this point I should just write out the lyrics of the entire song. IT’S JUST THAT GOOD. This song is about David’s struggle to find himself and get his motivation back for making music. About coming from a lost place and being unwilling to remain lost. It has such a strong beat and an intensity that matches the words. I love it. 

Invincible - listen to the song on yt

BRAND. NEW. SONG. I posted the lyrics here a couple weeks ago so you already know how I feel about that. This is the song that I was most uncertain about before the EP came out; it’s also the one we knew the least about. You guys. Super surprise: I love it. The beat, the tempo, the catchiness is like woah you didn’t think you were gonna jam didja?? And yet here you are, JAMMIN. Omg I can’t stop smiling while listening. I started a war, I sent out the battle cry. Fighting me, myself, & I. David. Why do you sing the lyrics to my heart. Take a breath, look at how you’re trying to think it to death. YES DAVID YES. You guys. David Archuleta is the gift that we don’t deserve. He’s just so good. This song. You need it. Go listen. I promise you need it. Don’t forget that you don’t have to be invincible. There’s even some kinda child choir or something busting out in there omg unicorns and purple hearts are actually flying out of my eyes. I’m done. I. LOVE. IT.

Say Me - listen to the song on yt

This song just about put me 6 feet under the first time I heard it. David premiered it live for the first time anywhere at Tuacahn last November and I cried strongly. He talked about how the song is about being willing to say ME, to value yourself and your own voice. Have we talked about how we don’t deserve David Archuleta? I mean.

Everyone ...sees the rust when I see shine, you need someone to take your side, say me

That right there. Possibly my favorite single lyric ever. Everyone sees the rust when I see shine. I get teary just typing it out. Y’all. This song is so impossibly beautiful. A ballad, real-ass strings up in here like so dramatic. Omg. This boy’s voice. His heart. The sooner we start this life living as we’re loved. Freaking heart eyes all over the world tonight.

I cried listening to this studio version the first time. That very rarely happens. I’m a big live music crier; not much of a recorded music crier. But this one got me. So moving. Bless this boy.

Up All Night - watch the video

A joyous end to this gorgeous EP. Honestly I feel like Numb and Up All Night are perfect bookends to this collection because they’re like a continuation of each other, describing a time in David’s life when he was working to find his voice. And did he ever. The danciness of this song is insane, it’s so upbeat and celebratory!! Nowhere else that I’d rather be, no greater gift than what you’ve given me. Listen to that tone, my lord. This guy’s voice. Our ears are blessed. I can feel David’s joy in finding a place to belong, a feeling of inclusion, of home. It is a thing of such beauty. And it’s just a fun song!! I’m blown away with all these feelings inside <3

And as long as we’re here talking about Up All Night I just want to say how completely in love I am with the video. I wasn’t sure what to expect but it sure wasn’t what we got. Joyous is right because David Freaking Archuleta is dancing. D.A.N.C.I.N.G. Like. Busting a move type dancing. What universe is this? And the message of the video is such a lovely representation of who David is a person. People invited him in and helped him find the way to himself (irl) and so he wants to help others find themselves. The message of inclusion and diversity and just caring about each other because we are all connected is so freaking sincere and GOOD. You guys. What did we do to deserve David Archuleta. That’s our lifetime motto now. What did we do to deserve David Archuleta.

Final thoughts

Overall, this EP is so gorgeous and worth your time to listen to. David has a voice and message that is so needed. To see where he was at 17 years old on American Idol and then see who he is now at 26 years old...I am thankful that he continues to share that with us. To share his struggles and vulnerabilities and his joy and hope. I am verklempt. All the praise hands in the universe ALLLLL OF THEM (JUST IMAGINE ALL OF THEM HERE NOW BUT I’M JUST GONNA PUT ONE BUT REALLY IT’S ALL OF THEM ONE IS ALL THAT’S OUR MESSAGE DON’T FORGET) 🙌

You can buy Orion at iTunes or Amazon or stream it on Spotify!! Do it.

Thanks for reading my feelings!! I love you all ❤️

[warninggraphiccontent]

26 June 2020

We're jammin'

Back in 2018 (remember 2018? simpler times), a number of us from the IfG, some of our friends from Full Fact and Nick Halliday spent 90 minutes trying to map the government data ecosystem. That is, we had lots of pinpoint cards and scribbled the names of organisations that had some sort of responsibility for data in government on them.

You can find that original effort here. It was a bit rough and ready, we never turned it into anything beautiful, but it was useful for understanding the data landscape across government (and more than supporting our hunch that one of the challenges of data in government is the multiplicity of meanings of 'data' and the proliferation of players involved).

Just over two years on, and with a National Data Strategy expected later this year, I thought it was time to revisit the map. Since we can't physically come together around some post-its, I've turned the old 'map' into a series of slides using Google Jamboard (the first time I've used it). Please do take a look - and add, copy, edit, remix, amend as you see fit (within the parameters suggested on the first slide, of course).

We know lots of people found the original helpful for navigating government data - I hope this one can be even more useful.

And if you're in a collaborative mood, I'm always looking for additions to the following open spreadsheets:

Reports related to data in UK government

A 'data' reading list

Data-related developments in the UK's coronavirus response.

Briefly:

If you can't get enough of the words 'jam' and 'data' being juxtaposed, then you must check out DataJam North East...

...and if you can't enough of public sector-related data meet-ups, then we have a fantastic Data Bites for you this Wednesday, 1 July at 6pm. Register here. Previous events here. It's an admin data special courtesy of ADR UK.

Have a good weekend

Gavin

Today's links:

Tips, tech, etc

Will Covid kill off the office?* (The Spectator)

Don’t expect a flexible work revolution (HR Magazine)

Make video conferencing tools work across government (GDS, via Oliver)

#dontgobacktonormal

Graphic content

Viral content

COVID-19 VACCINE TRACKER (Milken Institute)

How the Virus Won* (New York Times)

An expanding epidemic (Reuters)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK (GOV.UK)

Coronavirus: How does the UK's death toll compare with other countries? (BBC News)

Revealed: data shows 10 countries risking coronavirus second wave as lockdown relaxed (The Guardian)

Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count* (New York Times)

How Somalis in east London were hit by the pandemic (FT)

Understanding excess deaths: variation in the impact of COVID-19 between countries, regions and localities (Health Foundation)

Rainy days (Resolution Foundation)

Air pollution rebounds in Europe’s cities as lockdowns ease* (FT Data)

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Only 59% of Britons know all three (YouGov)

The government's daily Coronavirus briefings (Oliver for IfG)

Viral content: consequences

Summer brings hope and fear to Britain’s beaches and seaside towns* (FT)

Corona Shock – June* (Tortoise)

Prospering in the pandemic: the top 100 companies* (FT)

Scandinavian and Asian countries are on the way to normal everyday work - economic recovery in real time (Neue Zurcher Zeitung)

The last three months of Citizens Advice data (Gemma)

UK government and politics

Labour councils in England hit harder by austerity than Tory areas (The Guardian)

Dominic Cummings could face inquiry over special advisers (The Guardian)

Freedom of information; civil service staff numbers (IfG, now updated)

Environment and energy

UK and global emissions and temperature trends (Commons Library)

PIPE DOWN: How gas companies influence EU policy and have pocketed €4 billion of taxpayers’ money (Global Witness)

AMAZON GOLD RUSH: The threatened tribe (Reuters)

Sport and leisure

Why Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool are on cusp of Premier League glory* (FT)

Pyramid scheme: This should have been the week of Glastonbury at 50 – will music festivals ever make a comeback?* (Tortoise)

Everything else

Seventy-five years after the UN’s founding, the world order is at risk of collapse* (The Economist)

The Human Genome Project transformed biology and medicine* (The Economist)

The N.Y.P.D. Spends $6 Billion a Year. Proposals to Defund It Want to Cut $1 Billion.* (New York Times)

Where Banks Don’t Lend (WBEZ)

Mapping London’s ethnic diversity (Niko Kommenda - though note this)

Aid Transparency Index 2020 (Publish What You Fund)

Thread (David McNair)

Trump vs Biden: who is leading the 2020 US election polls?* (FT)

What to consider when visualizing data for colorblind readers (Datawrapper)

Meta data

Viral content: contact details

Coronavirus recovery - six data protection steps for organisations (ICO)

The data rules for reopening pubs and restaurants... (me)

Concerns raised about pubs collecting data for coronavirus tracing (New Scientist)

Businesses face privacy minefield over contact-tracing rules, say campaigners (The Guardian)

The UK needs a track-and-trace system we can trust with our data (Institute for Global Change)

Viral content: I call app Britain (and elsewhere)

Google and Apple's diktat to governments on coronavirus contact-tracing apps is a troubling display of unaccountable power (Tom Loosemore for Business Insider)

The UK’s contact tracing app fiasco is a master class in mismanagement* (MIT Technology Review)

Tracking and tracing covid-19—what are the promises, limitations and risks? (Babbage, The Economist)

Apple 'not told' about UK's latest app plans (BBC News)

Does any country have 'a functioning track and trace app'? (Full Fact)

NHS Covid app didn’t pass the test but it still points way to the future (Evening Standard)

The public inquiry... (medConfidential)

No, the government hasn’t installed a coronavirus app on your phone (Which?)

Coronavirus: Ireland set to launch contact-trace app (BBC News)

French give cool reception to Covid-19 contact-tracing app* (FT)

Viral content: local data for local people

Whitehall not sharing Covid-19 data on local outbreaks, say councils (The Guardian)

Local data for local places can help save lives (ODI Leeds)

City-wide data in London: pandemic response & recovery (Part 1); Where we want to get to (Part 2) (Smart London)

Viral content: everything else

“Agreeing to do it in four weeks must’ve been a moment of madness”: Inside the team that built the UK’s furlough scheme (NS Tech)

Covid-19 has made me rethink how I publish, share and coordinate UK food data (UK Data Service)

This open source project is using Python, SQL and Docker to understand coronavirus health data (ZDNet)

Coronavirus: Artificial intelligence to 'rank' NHS patients to help clear post-COVID backlog (Sky News)

Covid-19: The Disaster Automation Was Waiting For (Tribune)

'We're using data during this crisis like never before' (via Sir Chris Ham, via Graham)

How coronavirus reshaped the NHS* (Wired)

Covid-19 and lack of linked datasets for care homes (BMJ)

Uber, WeWork, Airbnb – how coronavirus is bursting the tech bubble (The Conversation)

International Public Health Identity Systems Monitor (Ada Lovelace Institute)

Viral misinformation

Damian Collins MP: Social media firms must take responsibility for harmful Covid-19 disinformation (Press Gazette)

Coronavirus misinformation, and how scientists can help to fight it (Nature)

Countering Disinformation (Cardiff University)

Canaries in the Coal Mine: COVID-19 Misinformation and Black Communities (Shorenstein Center)

UK government

Digital Secretary's closing speech to the UK Tech Cluster Group (DCMS)

The UK’s digital strategy should be the wholesale elimination of administrative burden (Richard Pope)

Helping service teams make decisions about authentication and identity assurance (Technology in government)

Home Office faces court challenge over 'discriminatory' visa algorithm (Civil Service World)

Amazon UK executive to advise GDS on gov.uk (NS Tech)

We’re creating a DfE Service Manual (DfE Digital - discussion here)

If government is mostly service design, is most government service design databases and rights (Richard Pope)

Making it easier to access and use earth observation data (Defra digital)

Questions: Data Strategy (House of Lords)

Big tech

Andrew Yang is pushing Big Tech to pay users for data (The Verge)

CEO of Open Technology Fund Resigns After Closed-Source Lobbying Effort (Motherboard)

Why on Earth did Facebook Just Acquire Mapillary? (Joe Morrison)

Data justice

Data Justice Lab publishes guidebook on data literacy tools (Data Justice Lab)

If the idea of tech not being neutral is new to you, or if you think of tech as just a tool (that is equally likely to be used for good or bad), I want to share some resources & examples in this thread... (Rachel Thomas)

Wrongfully Accused by an Algorithm* (New York Times)

Everything else

Data sharing, US style (Wojtek Kopczuk, via Tom)

Data-informed/enabled vs data-driven (Amanda)

Combining Crowds and Machines: Experiments in collective intelligence design 1.0 (Nesta)

360Giving’s Datastore: a coming-of-age story for open data infrastructure (Open Data Services)

Why ‘digital’ is not separate from organisational resilience. (Cassie Robinson)

WHO DO THEY THINK WE ARE? Political Parties, Political Profiling, and The Law (Open Rights Group)

Tool (Open Rights Group)

How the BBC’s Shared Data Unit teaches journalists to find the news 'hiding in plain sight' (The Drum)

Dealing with rejection (FOIMan)

Opportunities

EVENT: Data Bites #12: Getting things done with data in government (IfG)

JOB: Head of (or Director of) Advocacy (Open Contracting Partnership)

JOB: Grade 7 Developer (MHCLG)

JOBS: Big Brother Watch

JOB: Data Engineer (The National Archives)

We’re hiring engineers! (EBM DataLab)

JOB: Ethics Research Scientist (DeepMind)

JOBS: Ethics Team, Public Policy Programme (The Alan Turing Institute)

JOB: Senior Data Scientist (Business Intelligence and Analytics) (Ordnance Survey)

INVITATION TO TENDER: Demonstrate the impact and value of tools developed within the OpenActive initiative (ODI)

CALL TO ACTION: Audit reform (Luminate)

And finally...

#dataviz

Body language... (Wired/Reuben Binns)

While listening to council meetings in Montreal, local mayor Sue Montgomery decided to knit in red when men spoke and in green for women... (#WOMENSART, via David)

19 Data Graphs All About Disney That Are Beyond Fascinating (Ranker, via Heather)

Coronavirus in Florida (Dare Obasanjo)

Watch the impact of the internet in 3 mins (V1 Analytics, via David)

Everything else

Cryptography... (Josh Glendinning)

Stickers (Andrew Newman)

A Woman On TikTok Sang A Song Calling Out People For Using Racist Statistics, And It's Gone Super Viral (BuzzFeed)

[carolinemckennajones123-blog]

Soundtrack to my Life

Music has always played a huge roll in my life. It’s made good days better and it’s made bad days bearable. The soundtrack to my life would be a good one.

1. Lovesong by The Cure 

This song played on repeat in my mom’s suburban from the earliest days I can remember. I knew the words to this song before I knew how to form a complete thought. It is not so much the actual song and the lyrics or meaning behind it, it is more the musical melodies that I relate to. When I hear Lovesong, I immediately go back to being strapped into a car seat heading to the grocery store with my mom.

2. You’re the One that I Want from Grease

This song takes me back to riding up to Athens, Ga. for Georgia Football games as a kid. My family had season tickets and my grandparents would pack us all up in their car and hit the road. My grandparents used to say that this was the only movie they had in their car, but looking back, I definitely think it was my grandmother’s favorite movie or the only one they could tolerate listening to from the front seat. 

3. Mississippi Girl by Faith Hill

I used to want to be a country singer when I was little. It was because of Faith Hill and this song, this whole album honestly. I rememeber listening to it on the way to church on Wednesday evenings with my mom. She hated the song, but loved that I loved it so much, so she tolerated it.

4. Some Beach by Blake Shelton

Another country song... I was OBSESSED with this song in 4th grade. I don’t know if I thought it was funny or Blake Shelton cute, but I LOVED it. Actually, it was definitely because the love of my life at the time a.k.a. my 4th grade boyfriend liked it. Wow, if I could go back and tell myself not to do things only because of boys!!

5.  Toxic by Britney Spears

Moving on to my “trying on mom’s makeup” and “obsessed with pop music” stage, Britney Spears was my life. i had her CD and would listen to it on my portable CD player. It was silver and I’m proud to say I still have it!! This is the kind of music I would listen to laying on my bed, ignoring my little siblings, trying to act like I was angsty way before my time to. Then she went crazy and we parted ways... It was for the best. 

6. Low by Flo Rida

As embarrassing it is to admit, I used to LOVE jammin’ to this song. It reminds me of my friends in early high school. We wanted to be driven around by whoever’s mom was willing and we wanted to blast Low on repeat. It was a time of changing stages in life for me and my friends. This song made it fun and less serious than life was at that time. 

7. Bouncing Around the Room by Phish

This song reminds me of when I first started listening to jam bands. It was my dad who first shared his love for Phish with me and I haven’t been the same ever since. I have a really good memory of the two of us sitting on my back porch, not saying a word, really appreciating the song. I was trying to be cool, but by doing that, I honestly did fall in love with bands like Phish, Widespread Panic, Grateful Dead and others like them.

8. Fix You by Coldplay  

 This son get to me every time I listen to it. I saw Coldplay for the first time in 9th grade and ever since then, I have loved their lyrics, melodies and the voice range of the lead singer. Hearing a band live really makes you enjoy and appreciate the music they make so much more than just listening to prerecorded songs. 

[istherehopeforthemad]

I can’t quite explain my feelings so I write

I have felt this way for as long as I can remember, but at first it just started as some sort of eating disorder where I thought I was the fattest person in the whole planet, I felt even bigger than the planet, but it has become much more complex. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Maybe I already know that I have severe depression and anxiety, but I don’t want to. I am not trying to be sad, I am trying. I really am. I spend money to try to make myself happy and change my hair and put makeup on all of the time and it just DOESNT SEEM TO WORK. I don’t seem to feel at all. I tried reading a book about a girl who had, and may still have depression, and it only “triggered” me further (I hate how mainstream that word has become). I dont think I can ever feel again. I am at that point where I question myself about being happy. Like when I am with my friends and I am having a good time and laughing, I think “Is this what happiness looks like for me? No feeling but emotion being shown? No real, true laughter exploding from within me? I dont understand. Maybe I never will. I have tried therapy and pills (prescribed to me), and they dont seem to help. I have tried to boost my confidence and I just can’t. I don’t understand. I WANT TO BE HAPPY SO BAD I COULD SELL MY SOUL (not really devil please dont read this and think I will because I wont. My soul is the only thing making me have hope okay). I used to really enjoy making myself get all dolled up just to look in the mirror and say “DAYYYYUM YOURE A BAD BITCH”, but I don’t get that anymore, at least not recently. I used to dream about having my own car and having the windows rolled down and jamming to some bops, but now, I have my own car, and I keep the windows rolled down to allow the smoke from my vape to exit the car so my parents wont yell at me for foggy windows. And now, music just sounds like noise. Sure, I will find a fricken jammin song every now and then and play it on repeat for about an hour, but after that hour, it goes into the library with the rest of my songs and is only played on shuffle or when I am sick of listening to music and feel the need to play anything. I know this is long and wow here I go. I ALWAYS say sorry or feel bad for what I say or do, even if its not a bad thing. I can’t seem to help it. Currently, I feel sick to my stomach (I change topics hella fast so be ready) and it’s because I am so fuckin hungry, but I am telling myself that I am not and that I cant be because its late as fuk and, I CANT GAIN WEIGHT HELL TO THE NO CHEERIOS. I hate it. I hate caring what people think or say. I hate caring about shit that doesnt matter. I hate that I say the word hate when I hate nothing. I love everyone and everything in the world, even myself (this is not a self hate post to clarify, even if it sounds like it is, idk maybe it is, idk anymore), but I dont like the way people are treated and ugh. I just hate how depression is a “thing” and people think that if they snap their fingers all of the pain and sadness and anger and numbness and anxiety and hurt will go away. It doesnt, at least not for me.. On the bright side, I love movies. They make my soul and heart SO HAPPY. If I could sit in a theater forever I would. Maybe I should become a movie critic. 

New dream job: Become a movie critic and eat free pizza and mac n cheese plzzz (Kraft only). 

I don’t even know what I want to do for my future. I always felt that I was destined for something big, but I believe that is my 6 year old, want to be princess and singer, self talking. I’ve always wanted to become anything and everything. EVEN AN EXPLORER WOAH. I literally never go outside... except for when I do and I kind of sort of enjoy it

I wish I had hobbies, or even A hobby. I have none. Maybe writing can become a new one. Even if nobody ever reads this, I can make this something that I share with me, myself, and I to keep forever (or until tumblr shuts down in the year 2300 because it was abused by generation Z) jk) maybe).

I totally just looked up millenials to see if it was the right word to use in that sentence and it wasnt so I changed it. Thats the other thing. I feel like I have to prove that I am smart because I feel like I am not. At least not in schoolish types of things. My mind races a million miles a minute so I change topics easily. Just let it happen. Please.

I always wish and hope and comment that I would like to be rich so that I can help others and be a good person. Which, yes, I can be a good person and help others without money, but I feel that my stress would go away and I would be happy. Although, I know many people would disagree, I dont care. That sounded mean and confident wow. Not at all how I wanted it to come off. It felt kinda good though. 

I have a friend named G. I feel like she doesnt understand me. I get lonely when im alone, and irritated to be with people when I am not alone. She is normal. She has no depression. NOT ONE DROP OF DEPRESSION RAIN FALLING ONTO HER. I wonder what that is like.

I could type forever.

Do you ever wonder what would happen if you died?

WOOOOOW that turned dark VERY quickly. I am not going to kill myself, so all of my zero readers, dont fret. I am only wondering. 

If anyone does read this, please know that although I am a sad soul, I am caring and kind and would be intruiged to read any comments or messages to brighten my day, or visa versa. I want to make others happy and motivated, even if I cannot do that for myself. Maybe it will make me happy to help others without paying for a meal that they cant afford and being that awkward stranger that offers to pay because I have a job and can and I dont know their lives at home. 

I miss J. This guy i think that I like?? I am unsure. Again, no emotions to shine in on this predicament. HMMMM

SOMEONE READ THIS AND LET ME HELP YOU BE HAPPY SO I CAN LIVE THROUGH YOU>

Unless you dont wanna read this... thats cool too!!!!

Anyways... i am gonna reblog some things so my blog isnt naked like a newborn shooting outta their moms wonder hole. 

EW IM GROSS 

Please please be safe and happy my zero readers. I hope everyone gets food and water and stays sane. You are wonderful

goodnight 

[growthvue]

Find a Way to Laugh: Funny Mishaps and Misunderstandings in My Classroom

Day 36 of 80 Days of Excellence

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Part of loving life is learning to laugh. The harder life is for you right now, the more you need to laugh. And I’m not just talking about watching a comedy but finding funny moments.

So, today, think about the funny things of life. Here are a few that I’d like to share with you. And I hope you won’t judge. Something funny to me may not be funny to you.

I think part of being a teacher is not to take things too seriously. Here are a few you might find as amusing as I did:

A Robotic Interruption

A student borrowed a friend’s phone and Facetimed with it. Then she put it on the Wonderbot (a little robot you can drive around). Then, she drove it around the school visiting classrooms.

So, basically, you had a little blue robot with 3 wheels. IN the front, you had a tray with a phone and her face was on the robot talking to people. Back in my room, the students were driving and looking at the other phone which they had hooked to my Monster TV to see the people they were talking to throughout the school.

One teacher misunderstood what was happening. She came outside her room and the little blue robot turned to her and said, “hi, are you having a good day?”

The teacher grabbed the robot and started fussing at it. She closed her door as she fussed at the person on the robot. What she didn’t know is that her face was really large on my big screen in my room where the students were “driving” and facetiming. The students started calling me for help.

Even worse, when it lost connection, the Robot itself started saying “help help.” The further away it got, the louder and more frantically it yelled.

The teacher got very unhappy and I had to apologize on behalf of my robot. She put it in detention and wouldn’t give the robot back until the end of school. I still think it is funny but do tell this story (without naming names) to share with my students the importance of being responsible when driving robots around the school and how we are not to interrupt other people’s classes.

Building a Building on Someone

When my students built in Open Sim, a tool similar to Second Life, two students built a building around their friend and wouldn’t teleport him out. He didn’t find it funny and I had to get involved.

This shows kids will do not so nice things in any environment. It wasn’t an over the line case of bullying but there have been cases of bullying in virtual environments.

Throwing a BBC Reporter into Outer Space

In the early days of Open Sim, my students had helped build a virtual world to explain digital citizenship. It had all kinds of objects teaching about how to be responsible online. A BBC reporter wanted to come in the world and see what they had done. So, we set up Skype so we could talk and helped him set up his avatar.

My students had built an underground aquarium but I hadn’t toured it yet. The BBC reporter went through the world and the kids said they wanted to take him to the aquarium. They asked him to come sit down on a bench, but as he was sitting, my student got out the words,

“No, not that seat….”

Too late!

Well, the reporter had picked an ejection seat that a child had installed as a joke. He was thrown into outer space. We had to help him and teleport him back in so we could continue the tour.

There aren’t many who can say their kids launched a BBC reporter into outer space.

Google Chrome Hacks

Probably the worst things happen when students forget to log out. Every student has their own ID, so this slows down the next student who comes into class if the previous student hasn’t logged out. Plus it is a security risk and I want students to learn to log out.

So, they’ll often change each other’s screensavers, flip the screen sideways or do other hacks. A recent hack that made me smile was when an annual-staff student sat down and said,

“No matter what I search, everything turns into Nicholas Cage.”

The previous prankster had installed nCage, a Google Chrome extension. Then, they logged out. When the annual-staff student had logged on the next day, this extension took over and turned every image on every web page into a random picture of Nicolas Cage!

Autotext Pranks

Another popular prank if a student doesn’t log out is to go into the autotext in a person’s Microsoft Word and to set it to change words automatically.

Perhaps the worst I’ve seen is a person had the word “the” turn into the word “idiot” over and over. I believe they found the prank online.

So, every time the person typed the word “the” it would autocorrect into the word “idiot.” Another one changed the person’s name into “learn to log off.” That was perhaps the best reminder!

Either way, we had to learn how to fix autotext those days but I did have to smile.

Fighting Modern Procrastination

Another funny one is the “just do it” Shia Lebeouf motivational app extension that gives a little motivational speech from Shia Lebeouf. In this extension, someone cut out the greenscreen so Shia appears in front of whatever task they’re having to do at that moment.

I had some procrastinators install it. When they would procrastinate, they would play the speech before I could get to them and encourage them to “just do it.” We all thought it was funny but I only let them play it once and then they had to get started. (Otherwise it was just annoying.) Here’s the screen and you can see how funny it might be on a sleepy Monday morning.

Naming Things

So, when I got my Infocus Lightcast Board, I was setting it up. As I did, some students named it John Cena. I left it on the board. If they want to cast their iPhone or Computer screen to the board, they look for “John Cena” to send it.

The other named item in my room is Bob Marley. Many years ago, before my first 3D printer was working properly, it would smoke and jam. A student said,

“Let’s name him Bob Marley because he be jammin’ and he smokes.”

We still call our 3D printer Bob Marley to this day although he never jams or smokes anymore.

Encouraging Kids to Code With a Well-Placed Fight Song

One of the earliest things that happened was my own joke on a student. We had just started with Lego Mindstorms and the kids were programming.

One group refused to even try.

Well, in the group two of the three students who wanted to go to the University of Georgia. If you know anything about colleges in Georgia — Georgia Tech (my alma mater) and the University of Georgia do not like each other very much. (understatement)

So, after another day of them refusing to program in a meaningful way, I took the robot and programmed it to sing “I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech” after class.

When they came in the next day and started operating it, they were furious and wanted me to take it off. I told them the only way to remove it was to program it out of the robot and to program in what they wanted.

They became my best programmers!

Double mouse trick

Plugging in a second mouse can let you do many things as a prank. I’ve had students wait half a class period before randomly moving the mouse on the screen.

The person with the second mouse will move the mouse every so often and make the person think their computer has a hacker on it.

Find a Way to Laugh

Now, I can go on and on. Pretty much every single week there are several things that are “gutt busters” and me and my students laugh hilariously. We have to live life this way. We need the laughter and the levity!

Sometimes it is pranks but most often, the things we laugh at are just funny moments in time when something hilarious happens and it strikes us as funny.

As we talk about excellence, let’s remember not to take ourselves too seriously. The easiest and perhaps best person to laugh at is yourself.

Are you finding times to laugh? Are you looking for little moments when something is funny? If I asked you about something hilarious that happened recently, could you tell me at least one thing?

Some of the most awesome people tend to be very funny people, not necessarily because they can tell jokes but because they just look for funny things and find them.

Have a laugh this week. You’ll be glad you did and so will the people around you.

This post is day 36 of 80 days of excellence. I’ve created an email list below for those of you want to be emailed the full posts written as part of this series.

The post Find a Way to Laugh: Funny Mishaps and Misunderstandings in My Classroom appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

Find a Way to Laugh: Funny Mishaps and Misunderstandings in My Classroom published first on https://getnewdlbusiness.tumblr.com/

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Find a Way to Laugh: Funny Mishaps and Misunderstandings in My Classroom

Day 36 of 80 Days of Excellence

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Part of loving life is learning to laugh. The harder life is for you right now, the more you need to laugh. And I’m not just talking about watching a comedy but finding funny moments.

So, today, think about the funny things of life. Here are a few that I’d like to share with you. And I hope you won’t judge. Something funny to me may not be funny to you.

I think part of being a teacher is not to take things too seriously. Here are a few you might find as amusing as I did:

A Robotic Interruption

A student borrowed a friend’s phone and Facetimed with it. Then she put it on the Wonderbot (a little robot you can drive around). Then, she drove it around the school visiting classrooms.

So, basically, you had a little blue robot with 3 wheels. IN the front, you had a tray with a phone and her face was on the robot talking to people. Back in my room, the students were driving and looking at the other phone which they had hooked to my Monster TV to see the people they were talking to throughout the school.

One teacher misunderstood what was happening. She came outside her room and the little blue robot turned to her and said, “hi, are you having a good day?”

The teacher grabbed the robot and started fussing at it. She closed her door as she fussed at the person on the robot. What she didn’t know is that her face was really large on my big screen in my room where the students were “driving” and facetiming. The students started calling me for help.

Even worse, when it lost connection, the Robot itself started saying “help help.” The further away it got, the louder and more frantically it yelled.

The teacher got very unhappy and I had to apologize on behalf of my robot. She put it in detention and wouldn’t give the robot back until the end of school. I still think it is funny but do tell this story (without naming names) to share with my students the importance of being responsible when driving robots around the school and how we are not to interrupt other people’s classes.

Building a Building on Someone

When my students built in Open Sim, a tool similar to Second Life, two students built a building around their friend and wouldn’t teleport him out. He didn’t find it funny and I had to get involved.

This shows kids will do not so nice things in any environment. It wasn’t an over the line case of bullying but there have been cases of bullying in virtual environments.

Throwing a BBC Reporter into Outer Space

In the early days of Open Sim, my students had helped build a virtual world to explain digital citizenship. It had all kinds of objects teaching about how to be responsible online. A BBC reporter wanted to come in the world and see what they had done. So, we set up Skype so we could talk and helped him set up his avatar.

My students had built an underground aquarium but I hadn’t toured it yet. The BBC reporter went through the world and the kids said they wanted to take him to the aquarium. They asked him to come sit down on a bench, but as he was sitting, my student got out the words,

“No, not that seat….”

Too late!

Well, the reporter had picked an ejection seat that a child had installed as a joke. He was thrown into outer space. We had to help him and teleport him back in so we could continue the tour.

There aren’t many who can say their kids launched a BBC reporter into outer space.

Google Chrome Hacks

Probably the worst things happen when students forget to log out. Every student has their own ID, so this slows down the next student who comes into class if the previous student hasn’t logged out. Plus it is a security risk and I want students to learn to log out.

So, they’ll often change each other’s screensavers, flip the screen sideways or do other hacks. A recent hack that made me smile was when an annual-staff student sat down and said,

“No matter what I search, everything turns into Nicholas Cage.”

The previous prankster had installed nCage, a Google Chrome extension. Then, they logged out. When the annual-staff student had logged on the next day, this extension took over and turned every image on every web page into a random picture of Nicolas Cage!

Autotext Pranks

Another popular prank if a student doesn’t log out is to go into the autotext in a person’s Microsoft Word and to set it to change words automatically.

Perhaps the worst I’ve seen is a person had the word “the” turn into the word “idiot” over and over. I believe they found the prank online.

So, every time the person typed the word “the” it would autocorrect into the word “idiot.” Another one changed the person’s name into “learn to log off.” That was perhaps the best reminder!

Either way, we had to learn how to fix autotext those days but I did have to smile.

Fighting Modern Procrastination

Another funny one is the “just do it” Shia Lebeouf motivational app extension that gives a little motivational speech from Shia Lebeouf. In this extension, someone cut out the greenscreen so Shia appears in front of whatever task they’re having to do at that moment.

I had some procrastinators install it. When they would procrastinate, they would play the speech before I could get to them and encourage them to “just do it.” We all thought it was funny but I only let them play it once and then they had to get started. (Otherwise it was just annoying.) Here’s the screen and you can see how funny it might be on a sleepy Monday morning.

Naming Things

So, when I got my Infocus Lightcast Board, I was setting it up. As I did, some students named it John Cena. I left it on the board. If they want to cast their iPhone or Computer screen to the board, they look for “John Cena” to send it.

The other named item in my room is Bob Marley. Many years ago, before my first 3D printer was working properly, it would smoke and jam. A student said,

“Let’s name him Bob Marley because he be jammin’ and he smokes.”

We still call our 3D printer Bob Marley to this day although he never jams or smokes anymore.

Encouraging Kids to Code With a Well-Placed Fight Song

One of the earliest things that happened was my own joke on a student. We had just started with Lego Mindstorms and the kids were programming.

One group refused to even try.

Well, in the group two of the three students who wanted to go to the University of Georgia. If you know anything about colleges in Georgia — Georgia Tech (my alma mater) and the University of Georgia do not like each other very much. (understatement)

So, after another day of them refusing to program in a meaningful way, I took the robot and programmed it to sing “I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech” after class.

When they came in the next day and started operating it, they were furious and wanted me to take it off. I told them the only way to remove it was to program it out of the robot and to program in what they wanted.

They became my best programmers!

Double mouse trick

Plugging in a second mouse can let you do many things as a prank. I’ve had students wait half a class period before randomly moving the mouse on the screen.

The person with the second mouse will move the mouse every so often and make the person think their computer has a hacker on it.

Find a Way to Laugh

Now, I can go on and on. Pretty much every single week there are several things that are “gutt busters” and me and my students laugh hilariously. We have to live life this way. We need the laughter and the levity!

Sometimes it is pranks but most often, the things we laugh at are just funny moments in time when something hilarious happens and it strikes us as funny.

As we talk about excellence, let’s remember not to take ourselves too seriously. The easiest and perhaps best person to laugh at is yourself.

Are you finding times to laugh? Are you looking for little moments when something is funny? If I asked you about something hilarious that happened recently, could you tell me at least one thing?

Some of the most awesome people tend to be very funny people, not necessarily because they can tell jokes but because they just look for funny things and find them.

Have a laugh this week. You’ll be glad you did and so will the people around you.

This post is day 36 of 80 days of excellence. I’ve created an email list below for those of you want to be emailed the full posts written as part of this series.

The post Find a Way to Laugh: Funny Mishaps and Misunderstandings in My Classroom appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

Find a Way to Laugh: Funny Mishaps and Misunderstandings in My Classroom published first on https://medium.com/@seminarsacademy