#she has so much good music and the internet chooses one impactful song to beat like a dead horse until there’s no impact left

[faeparrish]

ppl will listen to a single kate bush song because it featured on a tv show that isn’t even good anymore and then slap the nightcore version of it over the most bland and irrelevant videos on tiktok for more views

[taylorissoswiftie]

Hi, today is my 20th birthday and I was inspired by Taylor’s Elle article. I’ve learned so much about myself and life the past 20 years. These are the things I hope to always remember whenever I feel down or need some simple reminders.

1. There’s no place like home

Home is where the arch is at (look at me slowly becoming a walking UGA advertisement). But seriously there is nothing better than being home where you have that one char that perfectly contours to your butt and having a place that holds so many memories.

2. Music Serves a Purpose

Music for me has become something that brings forward many memories, so many friendships, so many moments that have become part of the song. Let’s Get Married? My heart starts beating so fast and I remember Taylor’s face when she told me she knew I was the bleachers fan. This Love? rep Tour Atlanta. Bad Blood? Crippling my back.

3. Food is the Spice of Life

I’m lucky to have parents who really have encouraged me to try all different cuisines and new flavors. Mediterranean, Turkish, Green, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, and everything else in between makes life interesting.

4. You never know who’s watching

Online and in real life. Potential employers, Taylor Swift, Taylor nation, radio stations, classmates, friends, teachers, the lady who’s serving your food. Everyone is watching and in a way what you give to the world makes an impact and affects how people see you.

5. Kitty snuggles

Animals make just want to be loved and want your attention and affection. I’m here to give all the snuggles and belly rubs.

6. Remember where you come from

Your parents lived through struggle and hardship and worked so hard to give you a life

where you can have nice things. Don’t take that for granted.

7. Aging is fun

Your body is 20 years old and all the aches and pains are starting.

Knee pain, back pain, carpal tunnel. Yay!!

8. VITAMINS!!!

See number 7. My body needs some help and some reinforcement! I make look like an old granny with my pill case at the dining hall- but I don’t care because they help out so much. Vitamin C for immune health (let’s be honest college campus is a breeding group for germs), Fish Oil to keep that heart healthy, biotin to keep my hair on my head, multi vitamin to fill all the gaps, vitamin e for energy, chondroitin to help my joints, lutein for my vision, and turmeric to reduce inflammation. Yeah it’s a lot, but I feel so much better.

9. You always wanted to grow up.

Yet now you are “grownup” in a sense and it’s weird because you still feel 13 and living your best life playing Red in repeat.

10. Fuzzy socks

I mean need I say more. A good pack of fuzzy socks during the cold winter months is a must and makes great gifts because socks will just disappear on you.

11. You can’t bake

Cook, yes. Bake? HARD NO

12. Politics

The P word. Politics are tricky and not everyone is going to align with my own views, and that is OK. What can I personally do to share my own viewpoints?

13. Taylor Swift

I think my parents never really knew the full extent of my love for Taylor until I can running down the stairs screaming “OMG I’M GOING TO MEET TAYLOR” and they were really confused because they didn’t know about my social accounts. I ‘ve learned that if I truly love and support something, just go for it. And I do now proudly on my forehead.

14. Hard work pays off

Sports and school have really taught me that I am a person who needs constant practice and problems to overcome to get better. Putting forth the bad work and effort is something my parents have instilled in me since a young child. Everything I do I hope to always give it my best.

15. Failure is okay

It’s okay because failure brings forth so much learning and self-learning how to move forward and strive to do better.  

16. Journaling

Journaling has been a way for me to remember so many important events, thoughts, etc. It’s an easy way for me to vent and go get ideas off of my chest.

17. Lipstick gets on your chin

It happens every time I eat and tbh it is because I have a big mouth.

18. You can’t fight genetics

Not so great skin hehe thanks Mom and Dad for that. Weak ankles, thanks Mom. Smooth hair thanks genetics! I can’t really stop these parts of me, but I can do things like taking extra steps towards skincare and wearing ankle braces to help out.

19. The internet is as safe as you want it to be

I choose what I share and what I don’t share. I block the people who appear to have not the best intentions. The friends you make are amazing.

20. Work, work, work

In a couple of years I’ll be working like a full time adult job. I don’t drink coffee on the daily  in the morning but who knows what the future holds!!

@taylorswift @taylornation

[oursexualexperiencesarewith-blog]

The Dark Side To Sex Work

I think we can all agree that free things are a major plus!? The word “free” has this positive connotation to it and most people love to hear the word. However, free isn’t always a good thing. What if something being free could do more harm than good? 

This weeks content helped me come up with the topic of this blog post. More specifically the two videos from Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot Act, Sarah Jaffe’s article on The Rise of the Digital Proletariat, and the readings on piracy..Hasan discussing how companies take advantage of talented workers and then disregard them when the work was finished sounded very familiar to me. In a Vox article on the damaging effects that free porn has on the industry has been very eye opening in the matter. “More specifically, The Butterfly Effect is a four-hour, seven-part exploration of the impact of the tech industry on the porn industry. It’s about the way free porn sites, notably PornHub, have made it very hard for porn workers to make a living.” (Bisley)

“So a lot of people are making a lot less money and are working much, much longer hours to make that money. That’s happening a lot. Whereas the people in charge of PornHub are making so much money they don’t know what to do with it.” (Ronson)

It’s easy for people to say “Well, having their content on such a popular porn site would help their career!” Let’s think about it for a minute. When you have the option of getting the same/similar content for free, why pay for it? I am sure they get a few people who end up buying content directly from the workers or actually clicking on their name and trying to interact with them directly without the porn site, but it rarely ever leads to much more financial gain for them. Especially when these sites offer unlimited free content on anything you can imagine. This reminds me of the music industry (I am studying Music Business so this is something I can really relate to) and how they suffer through similar things. 

“The music industry has gone through similar upheaval, but musicians get more sympathy than porn actors (and can make money doing live gigs), Ronson says.” (Bisely)

With streaming sites like Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, and Soundcloud to name a few where they offer a subscription based plan which is cheaper than buying a song or album every-time you want to listen to new music. However, why buy music if you can get it for cheaper or free? It’s not completely identical to what the porn industry is going through like Ronson mentioned. Bands have touring and merch to help them aside from the revenue of music streaming. 

“David Simon, creator of the sex work–themed television show The Deuce, believes a big problem with porn and sex work is poor labor rights.” (Bisely)  

This reminds me of the Video Game episode of Patriot Act when Hasan begins to talk about how they are starting to unionize the workers which is a huge win for those making the games. Would a union help sex workers in the porn industry? That might lead to less free porn which would be a huge win for sex workers, but what’s in it for the consumers? Better porn! When people are put in better work conditions, better safety measures in place, have more money to make a better production, and consists of happier workers can make a huge difference for both producers and consumers. 

Piracy is something that plagues the sex worker community and is something that can cause severe damage to ones career. By having your content stolen and posted elsewhere can put the sex worker(s) safety and anonymity at risk. Of course, you know going into this line of work that this is a downside but you rarely ever believe it will happen to you. 

As a person who works for themselves or an agency that gives you a lot of freedom, you set your own hours, rates, etc. you hold all the power and freedom. However, if someone uses your own work against you, you lose your power. You can choose to post to forums and sites that you trust but piracy takes this same content to places you may be unfamiliar with and the repercussions could be massive. Someone you don’t want knowing could find out. 

This leads me to internet trolling and harassment within the sex worker industry. With technological advances as well as being bold due to hiding behind a screen this has become a huge issue within the industry. Scarier than a STI/STD for some. 

Trolling/ internet harassment within the sex worker industry is exactly what it sounds like and is malicious in all forms. It is usually a person who sets out to find and leak all information about a sex worker. There are people out there whose only mission is to find out your legal name or personal info and then leak your work to future employers. Some have gone as far as to send your family members proof of your work. A lot of people who get in this line of work keep it a secret from their friends and loved ones due to the stigmas attached to it. Having them find out that way would be extremely traumatic and detrimental for a lot of them.

“There was this hope that you could be anyone you wanted to be online. That you could pick an avatar and be totally liberated from your offline self. That was a real animating fantasy. That, too, was really misleading. Minority groups and women are often forced back into their real bodies, so to speak. They're not given equal access to the supposedly open space of the Internet.” (Jaffe)

Astra Taylor made a really great point when she said that. I think it can be related back to the porn industry. Minority groups and women are are often pushed to the side or shown as a stereotype in the industry. The porn industry thrives on keeping with the backwards thinking and stereotype. When you search porn you will mostly see a ton of content from blonde, skinny, tall, and fair looking girls. You will see them with a tall, buff, tan, white male. Representation in this industry is slowly (like turtle speed) getting better.

https://www.vox.com/conversations/2017/10/6/16435742/jon-ronson-butterfly-effect-internet-free-porn

https://longreads.com/2015/03/16/why-the-porn-industry-cant-beat-the-pirates/

https://abovethelaw.com/2017/12/porn-piracy-forbidden-to-settle/

[nikkifinnie-blog]

Meet The Bolokos

The Bolokos are a punk band formed in 2009 in Goyave, Guadeloupe (F.W.I). They are composed of Océ Cheapfret (vocals, guitar, bombard, mandolin,) Edy Caramello (vocals, guitar, harmonica, bagpipes,) Mister Fridge (drums, vocals) and Ben O'It (bass, vocals). Pioneers of Punk Rock in Guadeloupe, the group started out playing small clubs on the island as The Sleepwalkers, but quickly renamed themselves the Bolokos. (More on what a Boloko is below!) The band is a fusion of punk, country, ska, Celtic and Creole music. They cultivate a particular style both visually and musically. In December 2014, they released their first single, "Love You As Before" on the Bokit Production label. The band is known to incorporate other instruments not commonly found in punk such as gwo ka, melodica, banjo, and trumpet.  They are releasing their first LP sometime in 2018 produced by Martinican artist Kali. They are native French speakers, but wanted to do the interview in English and I found them to be a group of really funny, very independent and free thinking, extremely talented individuals.  Read on! Photo credit: Lala Von Schwartz (L to R: Ben O’It, Ocè Cheapfret, Edy Caramello, Mister Fridge and Woody the bird!)   Erin: Hi guys!  My first and most pressing question is what the hell is a Boloko? Océ Cheapfret: Hi Erin, thank you very much for this interview! To answer your question, a Boloko is a creole term for someone with a completely extravagant odd outfit and rude manners.  In the West Indies it’s a very pejorative term.  He has no conscience about the lack of good taste or he simply ignores it.  It’s someone who is daring and ignores fashion codes. I see him as an anti-conformist. Edy Caramello: Yeah, it’s kind of an insult. The closest thing I can think of that would translate into English, is a misfit or a bumpkin.  When we began we had a different name but my eldest sister used to call us Bolokos because that’s what we were haha!  So we finally changed it, thinking with a name like that it can permit us to do anything and everything.  But it was a mistake, because at the beginning nobody wanted to hire us because of the name. Here we don’t have that culture of depreciating names for bands. Mister Fridge: We don’t care about what people think.  Even if it’s a denigrating word in Guadeloupe, we choose to laugh at it rather than take it seriously. Erin: Tell me a bit about each one of the band members; where you are from, what made you want to play music, what instruments do you play? Mister Fridge: Let's start with the only woman in the group, Océ Cheapfret!  She’s a bit like our mother, because without her we would forget a lot of things for concerts haha.  But otherwise, it’s this unique, sincere, melodious voice that thrills the audience.  An unforgettable character for the public, everyone remembers her.  Then we have Edy Caramello, the first fan of punk in Guadeloupe, our songwriter without whom none of this would have been possible!  Obviously, without us, it would be nothing, but he gave much of his persona for the band.  And myself the drummer, the oldest, “el padre”.  I originally come from Normandy.  I have lived in Guadeloupe for 10 years.  Music is vital for me.  I also love trying new instruments.  I literally live music, I beat the rhythm everywhere I can. Edy Caramello : Very poetic!  For a shorter presentation, hum hum, I was born and grew up in Guadeloupe.  I think it was listening to Bob Dylan with my father which really gave me an interest in making music rather than only listening or dancing to it.  In the band I do some barking and play guitar, harmonica, bagpipes and banjo. Océ Cheapfret : I do lead vocals and play guitar, mandolin and bombard.  Like Edy, I was born and grew up in the French West Indies (Martinique and Guadeloupe).  After we completed  our studies in France, we decided to reform our old band and spread the punk message louder than the first time.  Punk rock in theWest Indies seemed a risky business at the time.  You know zouk is the predominant music with dancehall and you have other Caribbean music which fills the empty spaces, so rock ‘n’ roll is nearly inexistent.  But we really wanted to share this music which make us so happy and after a lot of gigs and perseverance the audience got bigger. Erin: When did you start playing music and when did you decide or realize music was the path you were going to take? Mister Fridge: I started playing music at 13 with saxophone, but I quickly changed to percussion and it has remained a passion ever since. Océ Cheapfret: My taste for rock music developed at adolescence with Californian bands like The Offspring and Red Hot Chili Peppers. I immediately wanted to play guitar.  At 12, I got my first guitar from my uncle who previously got his first guitar from his uncle!  It’s a kind of a family tradition! Punk music came later with more happy times. My friend Edy introduced me to this very particular scene.  It’s with him that I learned how to sing when we started to play traditional tunes that inspired us so much. Edy Caramello : I was kind of late to start music compared to the other band members.  I was maybe 14 or 15.  I began with piano and my father taught me how to play the harmonica, but it’s Océ who taught me how to play the guitar.  I don’t really know how to explain it because it’s a passion, you know?  It’s when I see people dancing, shouting and singing our songs that I realize that it really worth doing it. Erin: Who are your major influences? What or who inspires you today? Océ Cheapfret: For me, traditional country music (Kingston Trio, Carter Family, etc.,) but the music that is inspiring me the most right now and makes me happy is ska!  Bands like The Selecter and The Specials. Mister Fridge: I listen to a lot of Ska-P, The Offspring, but initially I'm a big fan of ska/reggae music like Toots & the Maytals or Jimmy Cliff. Edy Caramello: My biggest influence will ever remain Bob Dylan, but also The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, Hank Williams, Carter Family, Kali, D.O.A, Subhumans, UK Subs, The Damned, TV Smith, Goldblade and of course The Clash to name a few. They had a really huge impact on my musical path, and personnal developement. It’s the same people that I was listening to when I was a kid who still inspire my today but also new bands and but not exclusively in the punk scene. Erin: Living on an island, how do you think that affects your music and creativity?  Do you feel isolated or are you better able to develop your own style of music and scene? Why? Edy Caramello: Very interesting one! I think living on an island (reminds me of the Cock Sparrer song!) influenced who we are because we don’t have the same culture and access to Western culture is sometimes difficult.  But, Guadeloupian culture and Caribbean culture in general are dearly beloved by us.  If we would have grown up in another country, we would probably never have started a band.  One of the reasons we did is because nobody played the music we wanted to hear.  There were some bands who played classic rock and the same boring shit we’d hear over and over again, but we wanted to hear bands like U.K. Subs or Sham 69!  Sometimes we feel isolated, but we’re also proud to live here and who knows, without this distance maybe this conversation would have never happened! Océ Cheafret: Cultural mixing is very fascinating. It was very important to us to cultivate this very rich Caribbean culture and mix it with punk music. Though this association seems easy with ska, an adaptation like “Bel Aw,” was the occasion to really show our cultural plurality and give our tribute to traditional Guadeloupian music like Gwo Ka. Mister Fridge: I will add, that in Guadeloupe nobody had been as boloko as The Bolokos haha!  So we try to surprise our audience at each show, change the set list etc. Erin: Do you currently have a record label you are signed with? Océ Cheapfret: No, we are a DIY band. We choose to produce ourselves.  The inconvenience is we don’t have a lot of money, so things take time to happen, but the good part is we don’t have any pressure or someone who tells us what to do. Erin: Where in the world have you played shows? Edy Caramello : For now, only in the Caribbean islands, but our dream is to play at the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, which we go to every year for our dose of punk rock!  I think that after that I could stop making music and start raising chickens haha! Erin: What is the band currently working on right now?  Tours? Albums? Videos? Océ Cheapfret: We are constantly playing gigs throughout the year where we can.  The next one will be at a festival in Marie-Galante. We’re currently working on our début album which will be out by the end of this year.  It’s already recorded, but now we have to do all the promotion ourselves until the outing. It’s times like these we realize that a label can be helpful haha.  And we start filming a new video clip next week! Erin: Personally, which form of music does each member prefer? Vinyl, CD, cassette or digtal music?  Why? Mister Fridge: Vinyl for the vintage side. Edy Caramello: I would like to say vinyl without sounding like a pretentious twat like Mister Fridge, but I do dig this format.  It’s a sort of a ceremony when you are playing it. You’re really paying attention to what comes out of the speakers.  Now it makes me sound more pretentious than him hahaha!  I also still buy a lot of CD’s to support bands I like.  I don’t use Spotify, Deezer or any digital platform.  If I do it’s for pirating to discover bands, because I don’t have enough money to buy everything I like, but if I really appreciate them, I will buy their music in physical form. Océ Cheapfret: Vinyl has something magical and sounds alive.  Although CD’s are still convenient (more choices,) and cheaper. Erin: Do you think the internet enhances or destroys the creativity of the mind? Mister Fridge: For me, it destroys the creativity of the mind.  Internet influences us too much. Edy Caramello: I have a different take on this one.  You know if the internet didn’t exist I would probably never had developed an interest in music, especially in punk, because we don’t have access to this music here on radio, in shops, shows, etc.  But I get your point that sometimes we spend too much time on it and it can be inhibiting seeing people like a 4 year old little girl playing 1000x times better than you ever will in some YouTube video hah! Océ Cheapfret: The internet is an open door to the world and a source of inspiration, even more for us islanders.  Its content can be a source of inspiration but it also can make you forget your singularity. When you look too much at the others, you forget to live and be yourself. Erin: What guitars/amps/pedals do you use? Mister Fridge: Mapex, Zildjian. Edy Caramello: I use an old telecaster that Océ’s uncle who lives in Lyon gave me few years back. (Thanks Gilles !) I’ve just replaced my first Fender amp I bought in high school with an Orange one but I don’t remember the exact model.  I don’t really use pedals except for a tuner and a boost for solos. Océ Cheapfret: I’m currently using a not well known Canadian brand called Galaxy which was used by Joey Shithead for the last DOA album (last extravagant gift from my friend Edy.) So I couldn’t resist the luxury to play it with a good Orange amp! I haven’t used a pedal since, I just plug in and play!   https://www.facebook.com/thebolokos/ https://www.instagram.com/thebolokos/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdKospwBCKc Read the full article

[theseventhhex]

The Koreatown Oddity Interview

Dominique Purdy

Photo by Theo Jimison

The Koreatown Oddity aka Dominique Purdy was born and raised in Koreatown, Los Angeles. His first hip-hop influence was his own mother, who made jewellery and hung tight with Ice T, the Rhyme Syndicate, and Grandmaster Caz. Purdy moved from corner to corner through Koreatown his whole life, drawing, writing, and developing his own brand of experimental hip-hop, fused with comedy, and impromptu performance. As The Koreatown Oddity, rocking a wolf mask he bought back in high school for 70 bucks, he's been doing captivating crowds constantly with his enthralling creativity and charismatic presence. ‘Finna Be Past Tense’ is Purdy’s latest incredible offering, a record oozing matchless dexterity and is based around a loose concept of Koreatown Oddity reckoning with life, death, and the passage of time… The Seventh Hex talks to Dominique about experiencing various cultures, video games and classic cartoons…

TSH: Is documenting time gone by still at the heart of your musical expressions?

Dominique: Yeah, totally. Sometimes I think what else is there to express, you know? Every single moment that I progress, things get a little deeper for me. I know that whatever I put out, it’s going to be out there forever. It’s not just about making a song that’s hot or something that people can dance do - if it comes out that way, then that was the right mood and the right expression for it, however, my music is simply documenting my time in life because it’s all personal to me. I’m not going to talk about things that I can’t relate to and I won’t talk about a bunch of shit that I know nothing about.

TSH: Is the vibe and pattern of a beat an essential aspect when you form new music?

Dominique: Absolutely. When it comes to my own beats I know exactly what type of pockets they are going to be in. Each beat always has a certain flavour and feel that allows me to know what to do with it. Also, at times, the beats are colours to me - I may have like a blue or a grey type of visual or vibe attached to a beat and then the words that accompany the beat just come out of me. Usually I just write in my head, because it stays in there better. I also like to come back and revisit my beats later in the day too, simply because something in the world that I see or experience will inform the words I choose to include on top of the beats. I just attach the words to the beats and everything goes hand in hand.

TSH: Having had a while to digest your excellent album ‘Finna Be Past Tense’. When you look back at this album now, what stands out most?

Dominique: For me, what stands out most when I look back at this album is that it’s something that’s real to me. I’m glad I can look back at it and that it reminds me of some meaningful memories. Also, knowing people have got something out of it - that is cool. I’m proud of that because every song and every detail on this record was super-important for me. I don’t say stuff for no reason. I use metaphors and punchlines, but I only insert them in if they are necessary for the point I’m trying to get across.

TSH: Was it a natural approach to delve into one’s reckoning with life and death with this body of work?

Dominique: It just made sense. To be honest, the title itself ‘Finna Be Past Tense’ is what everything will become. It’s not really hard for me to talk about death; it’s actually quite natural given my character. There’s a murky lifestyle that’s been embedded in me since I was a kid. I’ve seen people broken and lost, as well as near death type of experiences too.

TSH: Talk us through the incentives that you drew on for the track ‘Mood of the Grind’...

Dominique: I specifically like the darkness of that track. I felt like I was on a mission with that track in trying to get certain points across whilst also incorporating a specific state of mind. You’ll notice that this track has certain inflictions in the beat, and when I felt those infections it would make me say ‘now you feel me’. I said that line with so much conviction because the infliction of the beat made me do so and the raps perfectly fed into this vibe too. That track has a lot of levels to help you take it in and it’s not meant to fall on deaf ears. I felt like I was expressing gems that people had given to me and there are several point of views going at once with that song too.

TSH: What resonates with you most when you overlook a song like ‘Yesterday’s News’?

Dominique: That’s a track that will always have a place in my mind. For me, it’s a specific post-it note from my head about how I feel. A lot of the rhymes in that track are quotes from conversations that I’ve had with my dad. When my dad heard that track, he was really happy to see how I’ve documented our discussions - he knows I’m a deep thinker. My dad realises that when he talks, I take it all in and turn it into something that other people can get something out of.

TSH: The ethics, lessons and morals that your parents have instilled in you remain very beneficial to you?

Dominique: Definitely. I still live with my mum and see my dad occasionally. My mom and dad were never married and they didn’t live in the same household when I was born either. However, separately the morals that they instilled in me have been so valuable. My parents have never been liars; they’ve always kept it real. As a kid you don’t really think about it, but when I think about it now I’m so grateful for what they taught me. They never shielded me from anything that was supposed to be adult, which includes me driving around with my mom during the riots.

TSH: Your mother is also very influential when it comes to your hip-hop roots...

Dominique: My mum is from Ohio and she came out to California when she was 19 - she just wanted a better life so she moved to California to find better opportunities. Both of my parents are hustlers on their own. My mum had an entrepreneurial business selling to all the rappers; she sold jewellery and gear, so she was always coming up on hip-hop. In fact I know so much about hip-hop because of my mom.

TSH: Dropping knowledge is always in play when you meet your father...

Dominique: Totally. We don’t meet that much nowadays, but when we do, there is so much energy brought into that one experience. One day with my dad feels like half a year. My dad is a street dude; he didn’t have a father so he learnt through living on the streets.

TSH: Where you’re from there are so many cultures to experience: Ethiopian, Indian, Greek, Korean etc...

Dominique: I’m impacted greatly by my surroundings. I don’t even have a passport, even though I’ll probably get one this year. I’d like to go to other places in the world, but if it never happens, I won’t be disappointed. When I’m here in Los Angeles, I have pockets of all the cultures you can think of and I can experience them all. I stumble across other cultures all the time and I’m always learning about them.

TSH: Film also influences how listeners receive your words and sounds...

Dominique: You know, I like films from all eras, but I’m definitely into abstract and crazy type of movies. I especially love how movies back in the day were shot, including the unique things they did with the credits and dialogue back then - I’m into that. I recently watched The Hustler with Paul Newman - I’d never seen it before, but I thought it was great. I like movies from that era because you can tell the actors were serious about acting. The actors back then were not throwaway in any way. Today’s acting is a throwaway thing, people become actors just because they want to make money and be famous. Back then people were looking to make people feel something, they took it seriously. But yeah, film is a huge influence, which is why my albums tend to have a theme, much like its own movie.

TSH: Was playing and getting lost in videos games back in the day a special time for you?

Dominique: Ah man, I loved playing the NES, the SNES and SEGA Genesis. Back in the day I used to play arcades all of the time. We’d play games like Contra, Ninja Turtles, Double Dragon, Kung-Fu Master, Sonic the Hedgehog and all of the Mario games. Oh, and I’m a massive fan of Mortal Kombat too. I remember going to play it at my boy’s house when it first came out on a system because it was only on arcades before that. We’d always be trying to figure out the codes, there was no internet back then to rely on, ha! Also, I remember when Mortal Kombat II came out and my mom got it from work. I don’t know how she got it, but everyone was flocking to my house and playing until late in the night. I play video games once in a while now but it’s not like how it used to be. Video games are an influence on my music as well, especially the creativity of the gameplay and the music.

TSH: Judging by your Instagram, you also admire animation from yesteryear too...

Dominique: Ha, I’m glad you noticed that. Yeah, I love animation man. I especially love the older stuff because I came up on that stuff. I used to watch Huckleberry Hound, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. The animation of the old cartoons is so good because it’s so on point, even the music that accompanies it too. The whole Hanna-Barbera age is definitely a huge influence on me. I could just put that stuff on and watch it for hours.

TSH: What are your plans with your future musical ambitions?

Dominique: I definitely want to put myself on a bigger platform. There are a lot of unique personalities in hip-hop, but when you look more towards the mainstream and the bigger platforms, there’s only a certain amount of voices that are there. I feel like when I’m able to get to the higher platform, that’s when I’ll be able to do a whole lot more. I want people to know that when they come to my show they cannot be offered this kind of experience anywhere else, they have to get it from me. I want to be able to fully bring my mind out of my head and onto the stage for people to see. I want to bring audiences into my world, both on record and onstage. With my next record I want to take people on a journey with me and give them a further insight into my state of mind. Underneath it all, there’s a spiritual connection with everything that I do and I hope I can share this with the masses.

The Koreatown Oddity - “Fuck Dinosaurs”

Finna Be Past Tense

[gemini-62-blog]

How to be more productive in the morning

I feel like no matter how much you work, and how good you are at managing your time, you can always do better. I have heard many successful people saying something like “We all have the same 24 hours everyday, use them well”. Just think about it! All of us, rich, poor, men, women, we all have the same time to do whatever we wanna do with our day. So it comes as no surprise that most people want to spend their time in the best way possible. Some have more will power than others, but I’m gonna give you a few tips on how to be more productive in the morning, so you can finally do what you have been saying you’ll do when you have some spare time, or just so you’ll be more efficient in managing your studying/working time. It will be some kind of a morning routine, since you’ll know what I do everyday. Spoiler Alert: It is all about energy, but let’s just get into it.

It all starts the night before. Yeah, I know you are probably aware of that, but if you go to bed earlier the day before, you will wake up with way more energy the next day. If your sleeping schedule is really unorganized, try your hardest to go to bed a little earlier, even if it is still not that early. Don’t expect to go from a worm who does absolutely nothing all day to a Steve Jobs (before he died obviously). So start to go to bed earlier and earlier. And no excuses! If you keep “forgetting” about time or something in between those lines, you will never feel better with yourself and you’ll never be able to have more energy. Another thing you should do the night before, is writing down what you want to do the next day. Be realistic. Write things down that you can actually achieve, and go slow. It takes 21 days for you to incorporate a habit into your routine, so if you can stick with something for that long, you will probably be able to keep on doing it. Now, if instead of going slow you decide that you want it all at once, you will probably be back to worm mode after less than a week. So depending on how unproductive you are now, you might not want to follow all my advice right away, maybe start incorporating one or two of these things into your every day life every week. Keep in mind this are tips that actually work, someone as hard working as Benjamin Franklin used some of them to be able to get more things done.

Moving into the morning, it is kinda obvious what you have to do. Set an alarm. Again, you shouldn’t go crazy! Try waking up 2-3 hours before yo usually do, it all depends on how your schedule is looking now. Make sure to set several alarms, every two or three minutes. It doesn’t matter how tired you are, you’ll end up waking up. You can then start setting your alarms earlier and earlier. Don’t forget that your body will take some time to get used to it, but eventually you will start to wake up early naturally. Immediately open the windows at your place. Letting natural light and some fresh air inside your home will make you feel rejuvenated. Making your bed also works, I usually only do this after breakfast, though.

After using the restroom, it should be time to get to the kitchen. The first thing you should do is drinking two glasses of water. Never forget that you are what you eat/drink, so you need to stay hydrated. The first thing in your stomach in the morning should be water, try to go for warm water, or at least not cold water, since it can be kind of a shock to your body. You may wanna add some juice to your water, this will speed up your metabolism, which is always great and can help yo lose weight if that is what you want. I usually have around 0,5L right when I wake up, the equivalent to around two glasses. but start slower if you can’t handle that. I still remember how hard it was to drink a single glass. Even if you are never thirsty, you should drink at least 1,5L of water a day. Don’t give me that bullsh*t that if you are not thirsty you shouldn’t drink water. 1 month ago I was never thirsty. Now I drink at least 2L a day, and it is not because I force myself, it is simply because my body learnt that it is fine to ask for what it needs. If you don’t drink enough water, your body will store it in your body, which means that you will appear a little out of shape. And don’t forget that cellulite is caused by water that you have stored in your body, so even if you don’t change anything in your diet, you will lose some weight simply by drinking water, plus it will make your whole body work way better, since it doesn’t have to worry whether there is enough water for simple everyday tasks. And it will be nice to see that skin finally shining and not thanks to your oily skin.  Another thing that will impact in such a big way the way you feel, is what you eat in the morning. Healthy food will make your body work way faster. Stop feeding your body with refined sugar, instead give it something it can work with. I personally believe that a big breakfast that makes you feel satisfied has a huge importance in your productivity. So try to eat some some oats, with some milk or a 100% vegetable option, if you prefer. Add some cinnamon since it will help you feel full and adds an amazing flavor. Top that with some nuts (go easy on the nuts, they are highly nutritious), some berries, fresh or frozen (blueberries, raspberries, whatever you prefer, you can even mix some) and if you want you can even add a peach or an orange. You can change things up every day. You can add to your oats a banana and some 100% pure peanut butter or almond butter instead. What is important is that you stay away from a cereal bowl that will only give you energy for one hour, while surpassing the amount of sugar you should have in a day. I usually take some time preparing my breakfast, I like to take my time instead of being in a hurry, that way I can wake up slowly, and just spend some time thinking without any distraction. If you feel like you need to, just sit back in a chair, relax, and ask yourself how you feel. Are you cold? Are you hot? How do you feel? Maybe focus on your breath or on the sounds around you. It’ll help you prepare for your day. You can either enjoy your delicious meal quiet, or, if you really want to, watch a little bit of TV. But plan ahead how much time you’ll spend watching TV, and stick to it. You can already have that planned from the night before. I recommend staying away from the internet since I believe it is easier for you to lose control there. In my opinion, you should only use the internet if you’ll be getting inspired to be more productive. You know those people who are basically a Pinterest board? They are on Instagram, on YouTube, and of course, Pinterest. Always so aesthetically pleasant, and seem to have everything under control. Those should be the ones you should follow and maybe check in the morning, they’ll help you keeping you motivated.

There are some things you can do in the morning that will help you a lot in your worm transition. You can do them before or after breakfast (I tend to prefer after). I am talking about things like like brushing your teeth, go through your skin care routine, do your hair, washing your face or even have a shower. There is nothing like spending some time taking care of yourself! If you decide to o for a shower, have one before breakfast so you can use cold water, it will cost at first but you’ll get used to it, and even fall in love with it. I rarely have hot showers now. This will not only make you feel clean and fresh as it will make you feel better with yourself.  If you are really brave, you can go for a run right when you wake up, or do a body weight workout, maybe even some yoga. I tend to prefer to do this things at night, since I'd rather shower at night, but trust me, there is nothing that helps you getting some energy as some exercise and stretching. Doing this with nothing in your stomach makes you feel less heavy and in a more natural state. Don’t worry, your body will have enough energy.

Now it is time to start working. First thing’s first, go somewhere where you can comfortably do whatever you have to do. If your task involves writing, reading, drawing, using a computer, or something in between those lines, go sit at a desk or table. There is nothing like a great posture to help you focus, therefore, being way more productive. Don’t forget that natural light is your best friend, so make sure you choose to be somewhere with a ton of that. Try to clean your work place as much as you can, avoiding all distractions. Keep a full glass or bottle of water near you, so you can sip it every once in a while. There are definitely a few things you can do to make work a little less painful, and one of the most efficient is music. Sometimes when I work, I prefer silence, every song seems inappropriate in those situations, but often times music helps lift up my mood and work way harder. In the morning, it is my hack to feel fresh and full of energy. At night music is my caffeine and helps me stay awake and have a ton of energy. I do have preferences of albums/playlists/artists for each situation. For example, at night, I usually either listen to a jazz playlist if I need something just in the back of my mind to keep me focus, or I go for some Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé, if I really need a boost of energy. Of course a lot of times I end up listening to other stuff, but those are my go to’s, I know they “work”. I started writing this post on Friday, the 21st so I ended up listening to the new Lana del Ray’s new album. I obviously don’t already have a full opinion, I wanna listen to it a few more times, pay attention to the lyrics, etc. But overall, I liked it! Seems a lot “lighter” than Honeymoon, her previous album, and I love how for the first time she is smiling in the album cover. I don’t have a bunch of go to’s songs for the morning. Usually I just listen to something happy and energetic, with a nice beat, but if I were to pick an album that I think is great for this time of the day, that would be Yours Truly by Ariana Grande. The songs are really refreshing and that little princess’s vibe just reminds me of a peaceful Sunday morning.

So that is pretty much it! I’ll now remind you of the most important things I’ve said:

- Plan your day/morning the night before and go to bed early.

- Wake up early. Let natural light inside your home from this moment on.

- Stay hydrated and make sure to eat a big healthy breakfast.

- Spend some time in silence and connect to yourself.

- Spend some time taking care of yourself.

- Run, workout, and/or do some stretching if you can.

- Choose a good work place, with little distractions. Use music to stay focused.

So that is it! Hope this tips were somewhat helpful. They work for me, hope they work for you too. Bye

[taylorissoswiftie]

Hi, today is my 20th birthday and I was inspired by Taylor’s Elle article. I’ve learned so much about myself and life the past 20 years. These are the things I hope to always remember whenever I feel down or need some simple reminders. 

1. There’s no place like home

Home is where the arch is at (look at me slowly becoming a walking UGA advertisement). But seriously there is nothing better than being home where you have that one char that perfectly contours to your butt and having a place that holds so many memories.

2. Music Serves a Purpose

Music for me has become something that brings forward many memories, so many friendships, so many moments that have become part of the song. Let’s Get Married? My heart starts beating so fast and I remember Taylor’s face when she told me she knew I was the bleachers fan. This Love? rep Tour Atlanta. Bad Blood? Crippling my back.

3. Food is the Spice of Life

I’m lucky to have parents who really have encouraged me to try all different cuisines and new flavors. Mediterranean, Turkish, Green, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, and everything else in between makes life interesting.

4. You never know who’s watching

Online and in real life. Potential employers, Taylor Swift, Taylor nation, radio stations, classmates, friends, teachers, the lady who’s serving your food. Everyone is watching and in a way what you give to the world makes an impact and affects how people see you.

5. Kitty snuggles

Animals make just want to be loved and want your attention and affection. I’m here to give all the snuggles and belly rubs.

6. Remember where you come from

Your parents lived through struggle and hardship and worked so hard to give you a life

where you can have nice things. Don’t take that for granted.

7. Aging is fun

Your body is 20 years old and all the aches and pains are starting.

Knee pain, back pain, carpal tunnel. Yay!!

8. VITAMINS!!!

See number 7. My body needs some help and some reinforcement! I make look like an old granny with my pill case at the dining hall- but I don’t care because they help out so much. Vitamin C for immune health (let’s be honest college campus is a breeding group for germs), Fish Oil to keep that heart healthy, biotin to keep my hair on my head, multi vitamin to fill all the gaps, vitamin e for energy, chondroitin to help my joints, lutein for my vision, and turmeric to reduce inflammation. Yeah it’s a lot, but I feel so much better.

9. You always wanted to grow up.

Yet now you are “grownup” in a sense and it’s weird because you still feel 13 and living your best life playing Red in repeat.

10. Fuzzy socks

I mean need I say more. A good pack of fuzzy socks during the cold winter months is a must and makes great gifts because socks will just disappear on you.

11. You can’t bake

Cook, yes. Bake? HARD NO

12. Politics

The P word. Politics are tricky and not everyone is going to align with my own views, and that is OK. What can I personally do to share my own viewpoints?

13. Taylor Swift

I think my parents never really knew the full extent of my love for Taylor until I can running down the stairs screaming “OMG I’M GOING TO MEET TAYLOR” and they were really confused because they didn’t know about my social accounts. I ‘ve learned that if I truly love and support something, just go for it. And I do now proudly on my forehead.

14. Hard work pays off

Sports and school have really taught me that I am a person who needs constant practice and problems to overcome to get better. Putting forth the bad work and effort is something my parents have instilled in me since a young child. Everything I do I hope to always give it my best.

15. Failure is okay

It’s okay because failure brings forth so much learning and self-learning how to move forward and strive to do better.  

16. Journaling

Journaling has been a way for me to remember so many important events, thoughts, etc. It’s an easy way for me to vent and go get ideas off of my chest.

17. Lipstick gets on your chin

It happens every time I eat and tbh it is because I have a big mouth.

18. You can’t fight genetics

Not so great skin hehe thanks Mom and Dad for that. Weak ankles, thanks Mom. Smooth hair thanks genetics! I can’t really stop these parts of me, but I can do things like taking extra steps towards skincare and wearing ankle braces to help out.

19. The internet is as safe as you want it to be

I choose what I share and what I don’t share. I block the people who appear to have not the best intentions. The friends you make are amazing.

20. Work, work, work

In a couple of years I’ll be working like a full time adult job. I don’t drink coffee on the daily  in the morning but who knows what the future holds!!

@taylorswift @taylornation