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chicago-marlena · 5 years

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Trip I: Exploring Chinatown!

This past Friday, September 6th, a group of friends and I from my Global Chicago class had the opportunity to venture to Chicago’s Chinatown! While I had been a regular visitor to the area’s popular restaurants and bakeries, my previous experiences in Chinatown were extremely limited; this gave me all the more reason to look forward to exploring the area’s rich cultural history, architecture, and overall lively community. For this trip, our group of 3 constructed a small itinerary, keeping in mind to explore Chinatown’s rich history, as it is notably among Chicago’s most culturally authentic neighborhoods, and differs significantly to other Chinatowns; Chicago’s continues to grow as its community continues to preserve cultural values and traditions (Ecker, 2019). With these thoughts in mind, we set off.

Welcome to Chinatown Map. This is the map that is shown in various areas of Chinatown, this one specifically found close to the nearby Redline exit, readily available for new or returning visitors. Most notably, the sign appears in both English and Traditional Chinese. This foreshadows a common theme observed later in the trip. | Original photo

As my group members and I began our adventure to Chinatown, we decided to take the LaSalle and 33rd street bus, as we noticed the bus route took us directly through 2200-2500 S Wentworth Avenue, leading us right to Chinatown’s many shops and businesses. We exited the bus right in front of the Chinatown gate, and what instantly caught my attention was the abundance of people, walking, conversing, getting into vehicles, or selling goods, occupying the streets. To be completely honest, I had only been to Chinatown a handful of times, most of them being late-night food runs with friends, but this experience was very different! Going to Chinatown at night, most of the people I typically saw had been tourists, doing the same as me; simply there for food or something quick. Contrasted to what I was seeing then, Chinatown during the day was illuminated by the areas shopkeepers, workers, and everyday people living in the area. (As you can see in some of these photos, I was trying really hard not to accidentally photograph anyone, people were everywhere!)

You are beautiful sign. This was the first thing that stuck out to me as I exited the bus. A very pleasant welcoming, accompanied by the area's abundance in people, as seen in the bottom corner of the photo. | Original photo

Making our way further down the commercial street, I noticed the wide range in products being sold by various vendors, with overall themes of gift shops, cosmetic stores, beauty salons, restaurants, markets, houseware stores, the list seemed to go on and on. From medications to souvenirs, the street was filled with fast paces customers and what appeared to be lots of family-owned/independent businesses. The shops are well acquainted with their clientele, as I noticed many advertisements and signage were both in native languages, specifically Traditional Chinese, and English as well. Although my group and I didn’t get the chance to step foot into these shops, we still felt well accommodated and welcomed; generally, I was filled with excitement and lots of curiosity walking down this street.

Herb shop among many others on the commercial street. While in-store photography was prohibited, the outside storefront was the closest I could get to photographing the ginseng. Notably interesting way of storing/selling the herbs. | Original photo

Specifically, one thing I was eager to see being sold in these shops was ginseng, after my professor had mentioned the product’s popularity and abundance in the area. Ginseng is very popularly sold in Chinatown and is known for its ability to act as “an adaptogen, balancing bodily functions” (Chinatownreport, 2018). To my surprise, however, every ginseng carrying shop we attempted to explore had large signs showing that store photography was strictly prohibited. It made us question the overall reasoning behind this; is ginseng really that popular of a commodity? Is it rare? I may never know, but respect the potential of cultural significance being the reason behind its mild secrecy.

Herbs in storage up close. The size and presentation were very interesting to me; I had never seen herbs like this before in my hometown. | Original photo

Before exiting commercial street, the Pui Tak Center was the next stop on our list. Off first glance, I was able to note the building greatly contrasted with the street’s abundance in shops. Although I wasn’t able to enter the building out of the sake of time, allow me to paint you a picture (before showing you actual photos) in an attempt for you to understand the state of awe I was in upon first glance. Exterior wise, the building was significantly taller than its neighboring shops, characterized by all-brick walls and detailing colors of red, teal, navy blue, and tan. Standing outside of the building, I noticed the architecture was unique, including traditional roofing and accents, and many pillars. Being surrounded by sounds and sights of busy customers, workers, and general people, the Pui Tak center serves as a “church-based community center” that provides the Chicago Chinatown and surrounding communities with programs concerning adult education, youths/children, music, technology, and immigration services (puitak.org).

The Pui Tak Center, front-facing/left corner view. | Original photo

The next landmark our group went to view was the Nine Dragon Wall. This wall is the first piece of art seen by visitors when exiting the red line station, and most evidently the first large piece of art we saw after passing through the commercial street of Wentworth Avenue. The wall itself was modeled after the original Nine Dragon Wall constructed in 18th century Beijing, and is actually one of the only three existing replicas made outside of China (chicagochinatown.org). The Chicago Nine Dragon Wall is characterized by 9 dragons in the center, including the colors red, gold, and blue; in traditional Chinese culture, dragons are chosen to represent a mascot of powerful status, while the 3 colors are chosen to represent focus and good fortune. Symbolically, the number 9 is chosen to signify yang, as Ancient Chinese texts “categorized numbers into yang numbers and yin numbers”, yin and yang serving as a symbol for balance and 9 being the highest and largest yang (Oakes, 2017). Seeing the wall up close was comparable to viewing a work of art in a museum. The vibrancy of the colors and the details in the dragons is refreshing to see anytime I take the Redline to Chinatown, I can’t help but marvel in its beauty; I haven’t seen anything similar to it before. Learning the history behind the wall makes me want to visit it once more, now knowing that every component is symbolic to the areas of cultural origins.

The Nine Dragon Wall. | Original Photo

One of the final landmarks on our list was the Ping Tom Memorial Park, a historic park that was originally created around 1999 to memorialize and honor Ping Tom, the most notable civic leader in Chicago’s Chinatown (chicagochinatown.org). Specific components of the park including the large orange plaza, the river, the playground, and the memorial area all provide a calming and therapeutic space, essential for community members to come to the park and reflect on the area’s cultural history. During my time at the park, I had felt extremely relaxed and calm. The park had a nostalgic touch, reminding me of parks in my own hometown. With the various aspects of nature along with the city in a clear view, it’s hard for one not to reflect on your environment and just generally speaking. This was my favorite thing we visited, and am planning to return soon.

Ping Tom Memorial Park. The large plaza is the first thing that can be seen when first arriving. | Original photo

Memorial statue of Ping Tom, explaining the park’s significance to the community. | Original photo

A mural located under the bridge of Ping Tom Memorial Park. The cool blue tones of the mural add to the calming and reflective environment, and images of butterflies and flowers allude to the importance of nature and roots. | Original photo

To end our trip, my group and I decided to get lunch, leading to us venturing to Joy Yee Noodles, a popular restaurant known for their noodle cuisines and bubble tea. We decided to order two larger style dishes and share between the three of us. (Additionally, before you continue on to my food experience, I would say if you haven’t eaten here before, or it’s your first time dining in Chinatown, I solidly recommend Joy Yee! The staff was incredibly accommodating and their menus provided a wide range of fan favorites for first-time customers!)

Special fried rice dish, ordered to share between our travel group. Delicious and plentiful. Couldn’t get over the creativity in the dish’s presentation. | Original photo

Even as a frequent Chinatown food-enthusiast, I have to say this rice definitely topped any rice dish I had tasted in the past. (Served out of a pineapple skin as well! Wow.) I had never had a dish like this, and I thought the “pineapple bowl” was an extremely unique conversation starter, and easy to share with friends as well.

Before heading out and venturing back home, I made it a goal of mine to order bubble tea as well. I ordered a lychee-strawberry smoothie with tapioca pearls, which was refreshing and new to me as well! Having only ever tried milk-based tapioca tea before, this fruit-based drink introduced my tastebuds to something I’m excited to try again in the future.

Boba rating: 5/5 starts | Cuisine rating: 6/5 stars (Extra credit for the pineapple bowl. Very innovative.)

Overall lunch break verdict: fair prices, decent portion size, and overall a very refreshing way to end my trip.

Ultimately, this trip to Chinatown was very eye-opening to the rich cultural history and experience the area has to offer outside of just its food restaurants. It excites me that Chicago’s Chinatown continues to grow, and has avoided the effects of gentrification because of the community’s morale and their general sense of belonging to the area (Eltagouri, 2016). Although this is my first documented trip in Chicago, I definitely had a moment during this trip where I realized how much I had been missing out on; the scenery, the architecture, the symbolism, the community, the lively people, the culture, all just one bus ride away from me. This trip excites me for the next to come and encourages me to get out of my comfort zone more often, to explore what the city has to offer.

City skyline view from Ping Tom Memorial Park. The park’s natural foliage contrasts the city skyline, a factor I thought contributed to the location’s beauty and overall balance between city view and nature. | Original photo

Sources:

(2018, October 9). THE BEST HERBS TO BUY IN CHINATOWN. Retrieved from http://chinatownreport.com/best-herbs-to-buy-in-chinatown/

District, C. P. (n.d.). TIP on Tour Finalist Party at Ping Tom. Retrieved from https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/tom-ping-memorial-park

Ecker, D. (2019, May 10). The battle for Chinatown's future. Crain's Chicago Business.

Eltagouri, M. (2016, May 13). Here's why Chicago's Chinatown is booming, even as others across the U.S. fade. Chicago Tribune.

Our Building. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.puitak.org/about/building

The Meaning Behind the Nine-Dragon Wall in Beijing's Forbidden City. (2017, October 15). Retrieved from http://www.visiontimes.com/2017/06/23/the-meaning-behind-the-nine-dragon-wall-in-beijings-forbidden-city.html

Resources – Landmarks & Tourism. (2015, July 24). Retrieved from https://chicagochinatown.org/resources-landmarks-tourism/

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sundownunited · 7 years

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ay 9, the final day of SXSW. I’ve averaged 8.5 miles of walking for the past 8 days, not even including the hours upon hours of standing, jumping, half running/trotting, biking, and at one point, climbing. And even though my body feels as sturdy as wet cardboard, I’m a SXSW veteran and have ate well/nutriotious enough, drank enough non-alcoholic hydration, squeezed out enough shut eye, and drank enough caffeine to finish strong on this final day.

The sessions have been sensational: • Dean Baquet Editor of the New York Times • Mark Cuban on disruption • Joe Biden on cancer cures • Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Ron Howard for National Geographic • Senator Corey Booker call to civic engagement • Buzz Aldrin on sending humans to Mars • Garth Brooks on the saving the art of songwriting

The Day Parties, Peerless: • Canada House at Sidebar • New York Times the Belmont • Media Temple at Rustic Tap • Betches/CapGenius at Concrete Cowyboy • MDC and iHeartMedia at the W Hotel Rooftop • WeWork Recharge Lounge

The Night Events, Everything: • WuTang Clan • Aloe Blacc • Robert Glasper featuring Bilal • Talib Kweli unplugged • LiL Wayne • Jermaine Dupri • DJ Jazzy Jeff • Third Eye Blind • Wyclef and Prince’s band The Revolution • Marian Hill • Yoonmirae

There were still countless sessions and shows I missed out on, though very few the Domination Team as a whole missed. The SXSW experience has been truly epic, but alas, all things come to an end… AFTER today, that is, because there’s one last day of SXSW left! That said, I have never been strong enough (or foolish enough, considering my sx bed time hours) to hit one of the best showcases of SXSW, the Rachel Ray Feedback party. This event goes from 10am – 6pm, and includes some of the best food, drink, and shows (Weezer headlining this year) the festival has to offer, all for free with an RSVP. There’s one catch, however, that gets me every year: the line pre-sunrise at 5am. Sure, you can probably arrive before 8am and still get in eventually, but considering how I’m not out of bed most SX days until 10am, let alone out of the house, Rachel Ray Feedback party may never be for me. There are usually a few ambitious Domination Team early risers that make it in, however, this year had many distracted by a surprise morning necessity…

An email goes out from SXSW Saturday morning that two major showcases will now require wristbands for entry that can be picked up at the Austin Convention Center starting at noon. Mass Apeals showcase “Make Trap Great Again” at Stubb’s and SXSW’s public show at Auditorium Shores with Garth Brooks are the events in question. Those not choosing to sleep through the morning rush to get one or the other of these wristbands, which sell out by 230pm.

By early afternoon, myself and most of the Domination Team (#domteam) are back in action attending daytime music shows, conference sessions, and promotional events. Rapper Souljia Boy was spotted at Cedar Street handing out “free” $150 headphones (with payment of shipping/handling, so not free) that the #domteam’s tech expert described as not worth the $15 in shipping and handling.

For sessions, a criminal justice panel featuring Snoop Dog covered topics ranging from mental wellness, police brutality, and race relations. Fellow rapper T.I. was featured in a fireside chat and audience Q&A where he answered questions about how he can influence rappers to be better by just connecting with them, being present, and being engaged with them personally and professionally as a veteran artist.

Soulja Boy handing out headphones at Cedar Street. #domteam gadget expert Paul inspected headphones and determined the free “$150 valued” headphones for paying $15 Shipping and Handling were cheap and not worth $15 , let alone $150.

Others of the #domteam found the open bar parties of the day at the British Music house at Latitude 30 and Chive TV party at the Westin hotel.

A few of the #domteam ventured a few miles outside of the downtown epicenter of SXSW to hit Urban Outfitter’s Space 24 venue sponsored by Fujifilm. The event featured a music showcase with R&B/HipHop band The Internet headlining. The show was so good, not only was the event at capacity, but people could be seen packed into the upper floors of nearby parking garage watching/listening to the show below.

Finally, some of the #domteam are DJs playing official and unofficial SXSW events. Several of them happen to be supporting each other at a DJ event for the final day of SXSW. #domteamlove

I start my day late, knowing I have just one goal for the night: The Roots show sponsored by Bud Light at the 800 Congress avenue event space. This venue barely has a capacity of 600, which, after the band, special guests, staff, and the guest list probably leaves 350-400 spaces for SXSW badge holders and those with artist wristbands.

This number is a problem when you consider thousands will be trying to get into this show! I plan out my day and evening accordingly, and after a late lunch at the rooftop sushi bar Ra and some time at the Camel House drinking and writing, I head to jump in line at the Roots near 6:00pm. The line for The Roots show is already long, 80 people in front of me with nearly 3 hours before doors open. I plop down in line, take a seat, and begin making friends of my neighbors while continuing to do some writing work. Meanwhile, a handful of the #domteam make their way into the Garth Brooks show, from right up front to backstage. Brooks doesn’t disappoint and his show goes down as one of the largest shows ever played on Auditorium Shores for SXSW.

A small number of the #domteam make it into the elusive Fader Fort for Saturday as well. They catch closing acts by BJ the Chicago Kid, Youn Ma, and surprise closing shows from Mase and 2 Chainz!

At close to 9pm, doors open for The Roots show and I’m quickly inside! I’m not alone, however, as many of the #domteam find their way in as well, with or without a badge or place in line. The long in length but short in width, rectangular venue is awkwardly setup with the stage against the wall in the middle of the venue with the sound booth directly opposite it on the other wall. This leaves a very shallow crowd of 7 or less deep across the entire front of the stage, with the rest of the audience flaring out on either side of the stage. Up to 4 alcoholic drinks are provided person, but being a Bud Light sponsored event, Bud Light and bottles of water on the only beverages available in the entire house.

I grab a beer and a bottle of water, then quickly swim my way to about 3 people deep of the front stage. The show opens ups with a few smaller acts, like Frinship, before the entire band of The Roots takes the stage. Excuses me, blesses the stage! The amazing thing about The Roots show at SXSW (and this is their second year doing the show), is the amazing number and level of special guests they bring to perform their songs with The Roots as their band, which this year included: • Rae Sremmurd • Nick Grant • Cyhia the Prince • De La Soul • Shakey Graves • Cloves • Jidenna • Brandy • T.I. • And closed out by Method Man and Redman

The show was like every night so far at SXSW packed into one single, continuos show! The music quality overall was simply amazing from the special guest artists being well prepared for their performance to the band playing any and every song their guests threw out. The Roots band itself took time between guests to do their own songs, finesse a few jam sessions, and even do a Chuck Berry tribute lead by their shredder lead guitarist. The show went on for 2 and a half hours, with each artist playing a few of their hits or medley mashups before rotating out. It was worth every 180 minutes of sitting on the unforgiving concrete floor in line outside.

As with any night, there’s more than a single headliner. Although Garth Brooks ended earlier (10pm or so), the Mass Appeal show at Stubb’s was on until 2am and many other lesser headliners going for buzz were still out there to be discovered. A few incredibly determined #domteam go-getters rushed from The Roots concert after it ended to Stubb’s (a half mile jaunt with a sharp hill half the way) and managed to finesse their way in even at the late hour, to catch headlining rapper Gucci Mane and Meek Mill with others of the #domteam already there. The Stubb’s show had many other notable rappers such as Meek Mill, LiL Uzi Vert, Ty Dolla Sign, OT Geasis, Kyle, Cardi B and more.

I ended the night passing by Stubb’s and catching HarHar Superstar, a soft rock yet upbeat band that puts on a zany yet entertaining show. I then bounced over to Empire Control Room to catch the closing headline set of Denzel Curry, just to say I saw at least one show of Trap music to keep some street cred.

Thus ended, the final day of SXSW, a final headlining day that ended up to its promise. SXSW 2017 was one of the best experiences and adventures of my life, and yes I do say that every year, and every my own experience just gets better and better. However, experiences are always better shared, and I give a huge nod and show of love for The Domination Team (#domteam) who truly dominated SXSW, collectively catching and reporting on nearly every major (and many not so major) events of SXSW. They are not just my SXSW partners, colleagues, associates, or even friends…. They are family!

2017 SXSW CHRONICLES: The Conclusion // DAY 9 D ay 9, the final day of SXSW. I've averaged 8.5 miles of walking for the past 8 days, not even including the hours upon hours of standing, jumping, half running/trotting, biking, and at one point, climbing.

#art #commentary #games #inspiration #lifestyle #movies #music #news #sxsw #sxsw2017 #sxswfilm #sxswinteractive #sxswmusic #technology #travel

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gradventures · 5 years

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What happens at SfN stays at SfN

Neuroscience’s Event of the Year, the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, is a giant conference (I think there were close to 30,000 attendees this year) which circulates its location between San Diego, DC, and Chicago. In a surprisingly perfect-for-me aligning of stars, its location in the past two years happened to be as close as possible to my location at each time (that is, last year, when I was in undergrad in North Carolina, SfN was in DC, and this year it was held in San Diego). Next year, if I go, I won’t be so lucky because it’ll be held in Chicago and I will still be in LA.

My program gives every first year class financial support to attend SfN just to check it out, so my cohort piled into two cars and drove the 2 and a half hours down to San Diego early on a Saturday morning. All 10 of us shared an AirBnB for 4 nights. The program director, upon hearing about this plan, skeptically said “I hope you don’t all hate each other after this,” but I’m happy to report it actually went pretty well.

Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, I had been to SfN last year, but my experience this year was wildly different for a number of reasons:

Last year, I was presenting my first-ever poster, so I was nervous and jittery about preparing for my presentation and potential questions.

When I wasn’t worrying about my poster or actually presenting it, I was using the conference as a way to network my way into grad school -- setting up coffee meetings with PIs and current students at programs I was applying to. So that was another source of pressure.

I also went alone to the conference -- rather than having a group of pals crammed into a house, I was holed up in a hotel room. So between the stress and isolation of last year, I didn’t make much of an effort to explore any other aspects of SfN.

This year, I wasn’t presenting anything, didn’t need to worry about applying to grad schools anymore, and had other people to hang out with, so it was a completely different experience. Not to mention, San Diego is a heck of a lot nicer than DC in November.

First, let’s talk about the science side of SfN, then we’ll get to the social parts.

SfN is freakin’ wild. It’s an overwhelming mass of human beings -- as an avid comic con attendee, that’s the closest analog I’ve found. Except that SfN is even bigger than most conventions I’ve been to, with the notable exception of San Diego Comic-Con, the largest and most well-known con, which happens to be held in the same convention center as SfN was this year.

I spent a solid chunk of my time this year going to talks and lectures on various aspects of neuroscience that are outside of my personal research areas but that I think are super interesting, like evolution of social behaviors, language networks, processing of facial expressions, and psychedelic drugs. There’s something for everyone! I think that’s one of the most exciting parts of such a huge conference -- while more specialized conferences might provide better resources and networking opportunities within your specific field, a conference like this lets you explore wildly different areas and hear talks from people who are the experts in those fields.

Then there are the vendor booths: a maze of scientific equipment, software, and publishing companies all hawking free gifts in efforts to lure you in to hear their pitches. It’s like trick-or-treating, featuring a high dose of sensory overload. I made off with a pretty good haul this year -- free t-shirts, reusable bags, postcards, pens, pins, stickers, a puzzle, etc. -- but unfortunately for me, I didn’t claim any of the ‘best’ items I heard about through the grapevine (fanny packs, plushy brains, and hoodies) because they all ‘sold out’ too fast. Gotta plan my trick-or-treating better next time!

At least I got a photo with a giant plushy neuron.

Now for the social side: you may or may not be surprised to learn that when 30,000 neuroscientists descend on San Diego, there’s quite a bit of after-hours fun. I think I both drank more alcohol and ate more tacos in the span of those five days than I had in the past five months.

One professor at UCLA is also the co-founder of a scientific equipment company that makes custom two-photon imaging rigs, called Neurolabware. As such, he’s freakin’ loaded and, apparently, hosts a giant dance party every year at SfN. This year, the Neurolabware party rented out an entire nightclub on a Monday night, and Things. Got. Lit.

Here’s the cohort, minus a few members who headed over to the party earlier, looking badass in our AirBnB before departing. And here’s the club.

The last time I went clubbing was during my semester abroad in undergrad, and if you’d told me then that my next nightclub experience would be with a bunch of scientists at a neuroscience equipment-sponsored event -- and that I would actually enjoy it -- I would’ve laughed. It was an absolutely surreal, but incredibly fun, night.

It also resulted in the sad fact that my first ever hangover occurred at a neuroscience conference, which is unfortunate but I think also very on-brand for me. Luckily, I had nothing pressing scheduled for the following day, other than attending some lectures in dark rooms and meeting up with an old friend for, yes, more tacos.

All in all, stressless SfN was a fantastic experience, and one I probably won’t ever get to truly have again because I’ll likely only get funding to go again if I’m presenting something. But even if I’m giving another poster, I’ll make sure not to skip the social stuff again, because neuroscientists party with the best of ‘em.

#balance #phd life #Neuroscience #gradlife #science

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gossipgirl2019-blog · 6 years

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A guide to Beyonce and Jay-Z's surprise joint album 'Everything is Love'

New Post has been published on http://gr8gossip.xyz/a-guide-to-beyonce-and-jay-zs-surprise-joint-album-everything-is-love/

A guide to Beyonce and Jay-Z's surprise joint album 'Everything is Love'

There is arguably no couple better at controlling their own press than Beyoncé and Jay-Z. When a video surfaced in 2014 showing Bey’s younger sister Solange attacking her brother-in-law in an elevator, rumors of a strained marriage proliferated. Rather than battle the tabloids, the spouses used the gossip to fuel two critically beloved, commercially successful records: “Lemonade” and “4:44.” And, in them, they offered just as many details as they chose.

They continued their domination of the pop music world on Saturday, when the couple surprised the world by releasing their joint album “Everything Is Love,” something of a sequel to those two solo records. Though they have collaborated for at least 15 years, this marks their first joint album, which they dropped under the name the Carters.

It dropped like a bomb in the midst of Kanye West’s (fairly problematic) roll out of several new records, including a solo record, one with Kid Cudi, a Pusha T album and a Nas album. In fact, “Everything is Love” may have benefited from the contrast between Kanye’s release strategy (which included several Twitter rants, an embracing of President Donald Trump and a public declaration that slavery was a choice) and the Carters’ (which simply included a worldwide stadium tour).

The record is a victory lap from a couple who have mined their relationship for universal truths and then presented them as art. It’s a fierce love letter to success, to family, to blackness – but, most of all, to each other.

Here are a few early takeaways.

– The album

The record follows a recent trend of shorter run times, clocking in at 38 minutes and 17 seconds across nine tracks. The song titles also employ brevity, most of them being one word in all caps, such as “Summer,” “Boss,” “Friends” and “Lovehappy.”

Several producers contributed to the album, including Cool & Dre, Pharrell Williams, Nav and Dave Sitek from the rock band TV on the Radio. They have crafted an album of towering horns, racing synths and booming 808s – but one that puts Beyoncé’s and Jay-Z‘s vocals at the forefront.

Migos, Pharrell and Ty Dolla $ign all have guest spots, but the most personal feature comes at the end of “Boss,” when the couple’s 6-year-old daughter Blue Ivy addresses her twin siblings (who recently turned 1), saying, “Shout out to Rumi and Sir. Love Blue.”

– The lyrics

The album primarily focuses on two aspects of the Carters: their marriage and their overwhelming success.

Much like “Lemonade” and “4:44,” “Everything is Love” is filled with details of Jay-Z’s infidelity and the couple’s subsequent reconciliation.

“If me and my wife beefing, I don’t care if the house on fire, I’m dying … I ain’t leaving,” Jay-Z raps on “714.”

The two, meanwhile, have a difficult conversation on the album’s closer “Lovehappy.”

Beyoncé: “You” messed “up the first stone, we had to get remarried.”

Jay-Z: “Yo chill”

Beyoncé: “We keeping it real with these people, right?/ Lucky I ain’t kill you when I met …”

Jay-Z: “You know how I met her/ We broke up and got back together/ To get her back I had to sweat her.”

Closing the record, Beyoncé offers this meditation on their union: “The ups and downs are worth it / Long way to go but we’re working / We’re flawed but we’re still perfect for each other, yeah yeah / Sometimes I thought we’d never see the light / We went through hell with heaven on our side / This beach ain’t always been no paradise.”

But many of their lyrics are straight boasting.

“My success can’t be quantified,” Beyoncé sings on the expletive-laden “NICE” adding that if she cared “about streaming numbers, would’ve put ‘Lemonade’ up on Spotify.”

Jay-Z – in a line that cannot be printed in a family newspaper – complains that he didn’t win any of the eight Grammys he was nominated for in 2017. He also raps that he “said no to the Super Bowl/ You need me, I don’t need you/ Every night we in the end zone/ Tell the NFL we in stadiums too.”

Woven throughout are references to police brutality and systematic racism, such as the chorus of “Black Effect”: “Get your hands up high like a false arrest / Let me see em up high, this is not a test.”

The album’s also full of classic hip-hop references.

On “Heard About Us,” Beyoncé belts out the famous line from Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy”: “If you don’t know, now you know.”

And in “713,” the two rap: “I’m representing for the hustlers all across the world. Still, dipping in my lo-los, girl. I put it down for the 713, and I still got love for the streets.” The lines are a play on those by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on 2001’s “Still D.R.E.,” which were written by Jay-Z. The main deviation from those lines is the mention of “the 713,” which refers to the area code for Houston, Beyoncé’s hometown.

Finally the pair seem to throw a little shade at Kanye West when Beyoncé raps, “Hova, Beysus, watch the thrones.” In 2011, Jay-Z (Hova) and Kanye, who calls himself Yeezus, put out a record called “Watch the Thrones.”

Beyoncé seems to be implying that she’s taken Kanye’s throne.

– The video

Accompanying the album was an opulent music video for “APES-.” It was directed by Ricky Saiz, who also directed the video for “Yonce” in 2013. It finds the couple lounging, wandering and finally partying throughout the Louvre in Paris, alone save for a group of dancers in nude bodysuits.

As the couple delights in their surroundings, the camera wanders to various museum works, such as those by Jacques-Louis David. These paintings mostly feature white people, though the camera finds and zooms in on the few black and brown faces it can find.

Eventually, the video cuts between the paintings, the Carters and images of people of color in the real world – a couple making out on their bed, teenagers kneeling in the same way the NFL will not allow its players during the national anthem.

The video is a study in juxtaposition: A juxtaposition between the fluid movements of the couple and the still paintings and statues. A juxtaposition between the black and brown dancers and the white faces lining the walls. A juxtaposition between art and reality.

– The timing

Perhaps it was just coincidence – but the Carters don’t traffic in coincidence.

The album dropped the same weekend as Nas’ Kanye West-produced album “Nasir,” which is particularly notable for a couple reasons.

It seemed for a while that Kanye and the couple had a falling out, though it’s unclear why. Both parties have discussed it obliquely during the past two years, skirting around the issue.

Nas and Jay-Z, meanwhile, had a long-running beef during the first legs of their careers. It resulted in Nas’ “Ether,” one of the cruelest diss tracks ever recorded. The two supposedly buried the hatchet in December 2001 (on the insistence of Jay-Z’s mother, Gloria). They’ve even collaborated on a few songs since.

But … maybe there’s some lingering resentment.

This fact was not lost on rap fans, as evidenced by a cavalcade of Twitter memes suggesting that beef might still be on the menu.

MORE COVERAGE: Jay-Z, Beyonce release surprise album ‘Everything Is Love’ »

Jay-Z and Beyonce’s ‘On the Run II’ stadium tour stops in Chicago in August »

Who bit Beyoncé? A guide to the most bizarre celebrity mystery of 2018 »

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getyourgossip0-blog · 6 years

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A guide to Beyonce and Jay-Z's surprise joint album 'Everything is Love'

New Post has been published on https://getyourgossip.xyz/a-guide-to-beyonce-and-jay-zs-surprise-joint-album-everything-is-love/

A guide to Beyonce and Jay-Z's surprise joint album 'Everything is Love'

Here are a few early takeaways.

– The album

– The lyrics

The album primarily focuses on two aspects of the Carters: their marriage and their overwhelming success.

Much like “Lemonade” and “4:44,” “Everything is Love” is filled with details of Jay-Z’s infidelity and the couple’s subsequent reconciliation.

“If me and my wife beefing, I don’t care if the house on fire, I’m dying … I ain’t leaving,” Jay-Z raps on “714.”

The two, meanwhile, have a difficult conversation on the album’s closer “Lovehappy.”

Beyoncé: “You” messed “up the first stone, we had to get remarried.”

Jay-Z: “Yo chill”

Beyoncé: “We keeping it real with these people, right?/ Lucky I ain’t kill you when I met …”

Jay-Z: “You know how I met her/ We broke up and got back together/ To get her back I had to sweat her.”

But many of their lyrics are straight boasting.

“My success can’t be quantified,” Beyoncé sings on the expletive-laden “NICE” adding that if she cared “about streaming numbers, would’ve put ‘Lemonade’ up on Spotify.”

The album’s also full of classic hip-hop references.

On “Heard About Us,” Beyoncé belts out the famous line from Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy”: “If you don’t know, now you know.”

Beyoncé seems to be implying that she’s taken Kanye’s throne.

– The video

– The timing

Perhaps it was just coincidence – but the Carters don’t traffic in coincidence.

The album dropped the same weekend as Nas’ Kanye West-produced album “Nasir,” which is particularly notable for a couple reasons.

It seemed for a while that Kanye and the couple had a falling out, though it’s unclear why. Both parties have discussed it obliquely during the past two years, skirting around the issue.

But … maybe there’s some lingering resentment.

This fact was not lost on rap fans, as evidenced by a cavalcade of Twitter memes suggesting that beef might still be on the menu.

MORE COVERAGE: Jay-Z, Beyonce release surprise album ‘Everything Is Love’ »

Jay-Z and Beyonce’s ‘On the Run II’ stadium tour stops in Chicago in August »

Who bit Beyoncé? A guide to the most bizarre celebrity mystery of 2018 »

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munchkinxcop-blog · 6 years

Text

Lacey

It was the second birthday that she was spending without her ex-wife. The last two years had been hell for the mother of the three young children. She was frustrated with the feeling of loneliness. The constant empty feeling was something that relentlessly ate her soul. Lacey understood that she was loved by her family; her children, Taylor but she missed the comfort of a lover. She was empty without the unity, without the partnership, without the mutual love. Romance was something she craved and she hated that it defined so much of her life. The blonde had much success but felt like it wasn't worth a thing without having someone to share it with. She hated the vulnerable feeling so she decided she was going to remedy it by taking a trip to see her friend Erin in Chicago for her birthday. It was going to be a few days but it was something she felt she needed. Erin was her sense of logical thinking, and someone she trusted with her whole heart. The detective was full of solid advice and one of the best sounding boards she knew. Lacey was eager to catch up with her and get to know the latest on her life as well as tell her about her own. This was the productive solution to remedy the endless loneliness she was facing.

After careful planning, Lacey was all set and ready to go. She was spending the Sunday before her birthday with Taylor and the kids and football and leaving that night. She knew that her family wasn't thrilled with her decision but she needed the break. Football and family time came to an end and Lacey began her temporary goodbyes. Both of her girls got upset. It broke the blonde's heart to see and tell them that she wouldn't be able to spend her birthday with him but as much as she was a mother she was a woman that needed to heal her own heart. After apologizing to Taylor for leaving him with such a mess, she got into her truck that was already complete with her bags and headed to Los Angeles International Airport. Next stop, Chicago O'Haire Airport. This was needed is what she kept telling herself. It was the only way she was getting through the guilty feeling of leaving her children behind on such a notable day.

“Ladies and Gentleman, thank you for flying with Jet Blue, we'd like to welcome you to Chicago. The time now is 9:00pm. Please remember all of your belongings and exit in a safe and timely manner.”

Four hours and one minute later, Lacey had arrived in Chicago. The hour was already late so she didn't want to chance bothering Erin. Pulling out her iPhone, she found a hotel on her travel app and took a cab to get settled. Once she was checked in and settled, she decided to at least text the Detective. “Hi girl! I just got to Chicago, I found a hotel close by in case you were working and busy. I'll see you tomorrow! Xo,” she wrote before hitting send and laying comfortably in the king sized. The alone time felt shockingly peaceful.

Erin

When Erin and Lacey made plans for Lacey to come for her birthday, Erin was ecstatic. Their friendship had surprised Erin in a world where very little seemed to. Erin wasn’t very good at the female friend thing, finding females to be more catty than anything. She’d always done better with the boys instead, even when it came to friendship. There was just something that normally happened when women got together and it just wasn’t something of interest to Erin. She didn’t have time for the jealousy or the antics of pitting women against other women. So she simply always steered the other way. But there was something about Lacey that wouldn’t allow it. Lacey never came off to Erin like the others. Lacey was different. Supportive, kind, and a voice of reason, which more times than not Erin needed from her as much as it seemed Lacey needed it from her.

The day Lacey was to arrive, Erin was all set to be off, ready and waiting for her friend’s arrival. But when there are plans, there are things that will change plans. It was midnight before Erin saw the text message. An eighteen hour day working a case that would shatter the hearts of everyone on the team. Once she and C.J. headed out of the district, Erin drew her phone from her chest, finding Lacey’s text on it. She grumbled a complaint, having gotten so wrapped in work that she completely forgot that today was the day of Lacey’s arrival. <i>Hey, babe. Just got off work. I’m going to try to sleep a few hours and I’ll see you first thing in the morning. Coffee around 9?</i> Erin sent the text, instantly switching to her alarm app to set alarms for 7:30, allowing her enough time to get from the home she shared with C.J. to the hotel to meet Lacey.

The next morning, the detective woke early, minutes before the alarm sounded. She reached over, turning off the alarm before it rang, then turned back into C.J. “I gotta get up. Lacey’s in town.” She explained, to which she was met with a kiss and a swat to her ass, something mused her direction on how she better get a move on. The relationship between them had taken Erin by surprise, perhaps more than her friendship with Lacey had. She couldn’t have asked for a better man to share her life with. This was what she wanted for Lacey too. If anyone deserved it, it was Lacey.

A half hour later, Erin was slipping out the front door of the house as quietly as possible. It was rare for J.J. and Bash to sleep in, yet this morning, she was the only sound moving through the house. Successfully getting out of the door, she headed out towards downtown Chicago, imagining Lacey had probably booked where she normally did, a few minutes from the district. It was a twenty minute drive from the area of Chicago where the Luciano home was. When she breeched those lines into downtown, she withdrew her phone, calling Lacey as she headed to the standard hotel, though not positive where Lacey had booked yet. When the phone connected, Erin couldn’t help but smile through the phone.

“Laceyyyy.” She laughed, shaking her head, clearly excited for a girl’s day for her friend’s birthday. “Happy Birthday, hun! I’m heading your way! Where are you staying this time?” She asked, making the turn into the hotel parking where Lacey ordinarily seemed to book, waiting to find out if her gut was right.

Lacey

Due to the late hour Lacey didn’t expect miracles when it came to her arrival. In the business in which Erin was in, Lacey knew that work would have to come first even if they made their plans already. Being a detective was a 24/7/365 endeavor and it was something Lacey understood completely. Luckily, Chicago wasn’t a foreign city to the blonde. The Tiny Dancer had made many a trips to the Windy City in her time. First, it was to see her best friend Jagger Matthews and now more recently to spend time with Erin. It wasn’t a likely occurrence to meet people let alone someone to consider a good friend in a cemetery but somehow they managed it. Ever since that day, the pair of ladies found themselves in each other’s highest of graces. Texts, calls, e-mails and now the occasional visits were all the foundation of their rock solid friendship they carried on with today. Lacey was relieved to have such a source of sanity away from Los Angeles. She loved her hometown but the kind of people within its lines weren’t always the most logical or selfless for that matter. It was hard to make friends in a town full of people out for themselves and a town that was swarmed by the entertainment industry.

Eventually once Lacey got settled in with her things, she made herself a cup of tea and drifted off to sleep not even hearing Erin’s text when she got off of work. The late Chicago evening brightened into the early crisp Chicago morning. The blonde awoke feeling rested for the first time in a few weeks. She was excited to greet the day and spend time with her dearest friend. Pouring herself some coffee, she turned on the news for the weather and local area happenings and relaxed for a few minutes before getting herself ready for the day. Like clock work, her phone went off and she spotted the texts from Erin signaling she was on her way.

“Coffee sounds awesome!” she replied, laughing at her caffeine indulgences. She was on vacation, it was totally allowed. That’s what she was telling herself, at least. Hopping in a fast shower, she got cleaned up and dressed and waited to hear from Erin. Her final ensemble was a simple one; a long sleeved purple t-shirt and a pair of skinny jeans. It was nice to be out of work clothes for a change and a more casual attire for the day. The phone began to a few minutes before 9 AM. Answering her iPhone, she smiled bright. “Thaaaaank you!!” she replied with a laugh. Erin’s high energy was contagious this morning and something she appreciated very much so. “Same hotel as usual,” she confirmed. “Are you close by?” she wondered. These next few days were so needed for the dancer. The lonely months had taken their toll so she needed the recharge with her very own voice of logic.

Erin

Erin had been in work and family mode for so long now, adjusting to life living with two boys, C.J., and C.J.’s mother. This meant very little time when she was completely alone, which is what her life looked like before the tailspin of events that landed her in the Luciano home permanently. She wouldn’t trade it for the world, but some time alone with Lacey sounded like perfection. As Lacey asked if she was close, she was already pulling up into the guest parking area. “You could say that.” She teased as she shut her car door and started that walk towards the lobby entrance of the hotel. She was greeted with a good morning from the concierge at the door, to which she returned with a brilliant smile that was only ever present anymore when she was off duty.

“I’m in the lobby, so when you are ready, I’ll meet you down here and then we need coffee, like pronto.” A laugh was there to follow, as normally by this time she was already on her third cup, but this being a day off, the bed was her friend for longer than usual, then she was out the door to meet Lacey, so there had been no time to grab her first cup, let alone her third. “I’ll see you in a few. Take your time!” Erin concluded as she hung up the phone, tucking it away into her pocket as she awaited Lacey’s arrival off the elevator.

In the meantime, Erin found a seat in one of the overstuffed chairs, taking a seat and crossing her legs across one another. She didn’t blame Lacey for always choosing to stay in this location. It was convenient to the city, yet held a charm within its walls. It was this very hotel that she and C.J. had found to be their staycation location, finding an oasis of peace and quiet for the two of them in this very location on two different occasions throughout the long summer. The first, after the Annual Gala held for the Officers and Detectives. The second, the weekend about a month before. She glanced down at the piece of jewelry sitting upon her left hand that had been given to her that night, before they went to this hotel to spend a weekend together, celebrating their engagement. Each time the elevator doors opened, Erin’s eyes shot in that direction, her anticipation only growing as the two had been apart for quite some time at this point.

When the doors finally opened to reveal Lacey stepping off the elevator, Erin’s smile was the first reaction. It was an honest and true expression, one that held a light behind her eyes that would tell her friend that she was genuinely happy in all ways at this point in time. Lacey had seen the downsides to Erin, but this would be an entirely different woman who wasn’t afraid of the future, or settling down, or failing. This was a genuinely happy and confident woman before her, rising from her seat, crossing the vast space from the seating to the elevator to wrap her arms around her dear friend. “Happy Birthday!!” She exclaimed, though she had already offered such a sentiment over the phone, it just wasn’t enough.

-September 18, 2015

#lindsayxquitxlollygagging #2015 #gueststarring

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mediafocus-blog1 · 7 years

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'It was like meeting a cowboy': Ed Harris, Kathy Burke, and others take into account Sam Shepard

New Post has been published on https://mediafocus.biz/it-was-like-meeting-a-cowboy-ed-harris-kathy-burke-and-others-take-into-account-sam-shepard/

'It was like meeting a cowboy': Ed Harris, Kathy Burke, and others take into account Sam Shepard

Ed Harris: ‘His performs will let you pour it out’ Sam had just gained the Pulitzer Prize for Buried Child and become already a chunk of an icon when we first met. I did Cowboy Mouth, which he wrote with Patti Smith, in a touch Theatre in LA in 1979 and he came around to rehearsals. Then I changed into in his play True West, and we went for a few beers, played some pool.

Fool for Love, which Kathy Baker and I did in 1983, was a simply amusing time. That play lets you to just go out there and pour it out. I turned into a quite younger man and we were kicking ass each night time. For a younger actor, the part of Eddie is a pleasure. He’s a rodeo cowboy, in the problem with the lady he loves and seeks to win her again. You learn how to use a rope, positioned your spurs on, and go out there and wail on it. There’s plenty taking place inner that guy. Most of Sam’s plays are quite autobiographical in terms of managing his personal internal maelstrom. His last book, The One Inside, is a group of episodic little testimonies tied collectively. It’s the most intimate component he wrote. Read that and it’s such as you’re conserving the essence of Sam to your palms.

Sam changed into a person who did not relinquish energy, however, in his paintings he allowed himself to be inclined and unsure. He checked out lifestyles understanding it’s transitory and full of surprises, and he understood what a labyrinth the human psyche is. It became a joy to work on his plays because of the poetry and rhythm of the communication. Exploring his characters is like a bottomless pit. We just did a hundred twenty-five performances of Buried Child in London and had been nonetheless discovering things about those people on the top of the run.

I suppose he trusted me. Sam sincerely appreciated actors. He’d cast people he knew could inhabit these characters and he’d say what became vital to manual you to find the truth. I best saw him on a degree as soon as, in Caryl Churchill’s A Number in 2004. I usually felt he believed in simplicity and stillness and simply let the language paintings for him. He had a superb presence. In his later years, he started out to play a few notable individual roles, like in Mud (2013). He knew he changed into getting old and didn’t have that matinee idol seems any greater, and performed those characters that had been a type of quirky and ordinary. It was fun to look him inhabit them.

As a without a doubt personal man, Sam didn’t communicate loads approximately his feelings. I’m satisfied I turned into able to spend a while with him when we were rehearsing Buried Child. He’d been recognized with ALS [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis]. When he observed out he became seriously sick, he has become greater open and reachable. A kindness crept into him. It allowed me to experience the character of our friendship, and I’d want to suppose it become the same for him. He changed into a big have an impact on in my existence. I loved the guy and I’ll miss him big time.

I was given to speak with Sam on the telephone a few times after I directed The God of Hell in London (famously he didn’t fly or have the internet). A couple of calls stand out in my mind – first of all, my ringing him to apologize for the terrible opinions the play had received.

ME: I’m so sorry I’ve let you down. They hate what I’ve performed with it here. SAM: Please don’t apologize, Kathy, they hated it over here too!

The following week, he referred to as me:

SAM: I desired you to know I’ve simply had a name from a pal who saw the show closing night. The notion you did a top notch task. He stated it changed into such as you KNOW me, so thank you, Kathy, I admire your tough work.

He shouldn’t do this. It changed into fascinating and beautiful of him to reassure me.

Lynn Nottage: ‘He instructed me to very own all of my words’ At a time while human beings had been writing performs set in residing rooms and gardens, Sam Shepard’s were set in backyards and inns. He took us to an extraordinary sort of landscape that hadn’t been explored on the American degree. More than maximum, he figured out a manner to speak to the restlessness of a technology in the 70s and 80s.

I had a one-off come upon with him in Utah. I’m a playwright, no longer a lot of a performer, and I had decided to perform a number of my personal writing. I picked a totally far away setting in which I figured nobody would understand me. It turned into at a bar at about 10 pm. When I was given there, I changed into the simplest character of coloration. My piece was approximately all of the times in my existence that I’ve been known as the N-word. People were quite drunk. It became almost like doing a comedy night. I was extraordinarily nervous however I muscled thru. When I become executed, I was sweating profusely. I went straight away to the bar and ordered a drink and a person stated: “Can I give you a piece of recommendation?” I regarded up and it changed into Sam Shepard and I turned into like, Oh shit! It’s Sam Shepard – of the path you may supply me a piece of recommendation!

I bet he changed into there due to the fact he was creating a movie. He offered me a drink and we ended up putting out till 3 am. He said he should tell I turned into definitely anxious and he becomes like: “Fuck these human beings. This is your writing. Next time you do it, you have to stay every unmarried moment and personal all of your words. And now not be intimidated, not be scared.” I’ve continually clung to that advice.

When I directed True West in 1994 at West Yorkshire Playhouse, I alternated the roles of the 2 brothers. Sam heard approximately it and despatched a message to me enthusing about the concept. Then, when I was getting ready to direct the film model of Simpatico, I met him for the primary time in an eating place in New York. He changed into sitting there – leather jacket, windswept hair, ruggedly appears – and it becomes like meeting a cowboy.

When I changed into a teen I had watched True West on TV, sitting on the sofa at domestic in a village in the middle of nowhere in North Yorkshire. I don’t suppose I spoke for approximately 48 hours after seeing it. On one degree, that world of the American West was an extended manner from my personal bleak, arable landscape. But I felt this weird, sturdy connection to it. And Sam became interested in England and with Europe. So we had been pretty distinct to every other however had an awful lot in not unusual. Like me, he loved Yasmina Reza’s performs. There is lots of wildness in her writing, which appears on the catastrophic breakdown of civilized behavior. He located extremity and folly to be funny inside the equal way that she does. He turned into continually chortling – he had an awesome feel of humor.

Sam spoke with a drawl. Talking to him, it became as in case you were out tenting someplace collectively, sitting with the aid of the fireplace. He as soon as sent me a notice saying perhaps we ought to join up and “smash some bread” – I’ve by no means heard all and sundry else use that expression. When the studied from his very own work, there’d be an incredibly specific, articulated voice jumbled in with that draw and he’d use that once he changed into analyzing girls. His voice could be quite high-pitched. He read girls certainly fantastically, which I continually found extraordinary for someone as snaggle-toothed as he becomes.

I once visited him at his home in Minnesota. It becomes on Sept. 11. My then lady friend (now spouse) and I were journeying to Bismarck, North Dakota, however, were stranded at Chicago airport. We got the ultimate apartment car and began using. Twelve hours or so into it, I notion, this is a very Sam Shepard element to be doing on such a terrific day in American history. And I realized we weren’t some distance from in which he lived. I referred to as him and said I concept we had been near his domestic. He gave me guidelines and we pulled up at his suburban house. We went up the garden direction, met him and Jessica [Lange, his partner] and the TV become on showing the twin towers. We sat there looking at and drinking English tea.

Unlike a few writers who balance theatre and film careers, his formative experience with the theatre become off-off-off-Broadway. He changed into certainly a part of the underground and alternative motion. Almost all of his theatre-making became like that. That’s a complete distinction between the world of Hollywood.

When I turned into preparing Simpatico, we talked plenty approximately horses. That changed into one in all his brilliant loves – together with riding long distances. He’d absolutely light up on the one’s topics. Sam turned into a drifter: he’d seen for some days in New York, hover behind a performance, chuckle and drink and circulate on.

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