We Have Our Reasons
Art by Anthony Ventura
November is cool so far. No complaints. I attempted to play around with the social media site Mastadon, but it’s not that user-friendly depending on what your interests are. They have multiple servers that are meant to serve different communities, which seems cool on paper. However, I could only find one writing server and that was closed for registration. And the front page showed me a server for Glasgow and a few other places that have nothing to do with my location or my personality so I said fuck it after that. I’m all about expanding and spreading my wings, but this is one of the most asinine social media sites I’ve ever experienced in my life.
I watched Barbarian from the comfort of my bed engulfed in the darkness on my laptop. I love how it subverts expectations, and it had my nerves on edge the entire time. It has mostly positive reviews, but there’s a large group of people who hate the characters’ decision-making, and the overall reasoning was deemed stupid. I have a bone to pick with this…
Being a writer, I think about imaginary characters A LOT, and try to figure out plausible reasons, motives, drives, etc. within the narrative I’m working on. Probably the biggest complaint I hear especially when it comes to horror flicks is the stupidity of the characters’ decisions. People are welcome to their opinions but this drives me up a wall. I think this hubris and superiority in the moment is all ego. Of course, you wouldn’t go down that basement in theory, but you see what’s going on. You have an omniscient view of the narrative. Let’s say you have someone you care about go down there or your moral code won’t let you just dip out, guess what? You’re going into that scary ass basement.
When people get emotional, they tend to make dumb decisions. They’re not thinking clearly. Matter of fact, I have tarot clients, friends, and family who I see make dumb decisions all of the time. Sometimes they even know they’re making a bad decision, but still go through with it. Even I’ve made bad decisions purely based on passionate emotions. It’s part of being human to err and falter, especially in frightening moments.
Just had to get that off my chest. Shoutout Zach Cregger. I wish I wrote and directed a movie this good. *Throws heaps of validating flowers on Cregger’s home*
Looks like performance art is still alive and thriving….This Philly man ate a whole rotisserie chicken 40 days in a row. That’s day 40 photographed above where a pretty good turnout of people came through to cheer him on and see him complete this absurd goal. I respect the dedication and commitment.
On the writing front, I’m so damn close to being done with Project Bullet Baby. Then it will be sent off to the secret society of beta readers. I put together a little mood board to entertain myself, but also evoke a certain mood. I’ve been playing a lot of depressing rap to get the vibes right i.e. XXXtentacion, Lil Peep, Yung Bruh aka Lil Tracy, $uicideboys, etc. Pt. 1 is above while pt. 2 is below. Think analog horror, depression, Chicago drill rap, lots of bullets, and you’ll get a good idea of this literary experiment I’m conducting.
Currently Watching: Moon Knight & Ozark Season 1 & Atlanta Season 4
I finished season 4 of Atlanta last night and it’s so damn good, it almost made me cry. I’m am sad that the show is over. I feel like Donald Glover and company pulled off some amazing feats.
Currently Reading: God Damn Chainsaw Murderer by Sean M. Thompson & Nudes by Elle Nash & Blame! by Tsutomu Nihei & To Rouse Leviathan by Matt Cardin & Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
I have no idea what the hell is happening Blame! but the art is badass…
Currently Smoking: Cat Piss
Currently Listening to: Black Tapes Podcast & The Danny Brown Podcast
Joseph Chilliams is Saba’s brother and an essential part of Pivot gang. He’s usually pretty funny, but this is a rare occurrence where he gets vulnerable and introspective about a lost love in his teenage years. Poignant Chicago raps…
The first lady of Buffalo, NY, and the only woman in Griselda records, Armani Caesar flexes her lyricism and romantic leanings in “Diana.” Kodak Black comes through with a nice verse that complements Caesar’s gangster prowess. I need more tracks with these two Geminis together.
Lou From Paradise is a volcanic force in his latest single “Hot Head” and drops bar after bar. He’s been sitting on a lot of music and if this track is any indication of what’s to come, the album’s about to be fire.
It makes me feel good to see Da$h doing well. “U.N.I.” is vibey. Da$h calls your bluff, vents, and unapologetically lets you know he feels behind a graffiti-laden background. I fuck with it.
Until next time…here’s a throwback pic of me back in my Navy days. I believe this is in Seoul 2016. Crazy times. Anyway, eat something warm, and succulent. Tell someone you love them.
That throwback pic of you doesn’t even look like you! If you didn’t say it was you, I would have not even recognized you!! So darn young! And I could never have imagined you with straight hair!
No need to work about the instance of Mastodon u join, as u can read, follow anyone's. I joined a quiet one and then follow ppl elsewhere. I didnt understand at first either.