Friday, February 24, 2023

Exploring Black History Month Via Books Part 4


Supporting Black Authors through exploring their books and hearing their stories feels like something meaningful to do for Black History Month. I plan to read a combination of nonfiction, fiction, and short works. Each Friday in February I plan to post here about what I have read. I hope some of these stories pique your interest and inspire you to support black creators this month.


10. Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen by George McCalman (Nonfiction)

This is a great over view of black history and the people who make up that history. It also is really cool how the author created art for each of the people who were spotlighted. This art really makes this a cool book that I could see having as an reference book (if I had not gotten it out of the library and therefore have to return it LOL) Over all both a very accessible book and a very gorgeous  book.

 

11. Champions, vol. 1: Outlawed by Eve L. Ewing (Short Work Graphic Novel)

This was an interesting volume about the challenges when society responds to a tragedy with draconian laws and an exploration of what it means to have teenagers on superhero duty. 

 

12 Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds (Short Work Graphic Novel)

A story about the interconnected reverberations of gun violence 

 

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Happy/Meaningful Ash Wednesday/Lent


Today is Ash Wed or the start of the 40* day period referred to as Lent. 
(*It really is more than 40 if you count Sunday's etc.)

I will say I am someone who looks forward to the season of Lent. There is something about the ritual and the pattern of the season that I really enjoy. It feels like a good time to add/modify a goal. But this year I am playing it a little differently. I am throwing away the plan LOL. 

  • On Ash Wed I typically go on an epic walk and do some church hopping getting to as many services as I can.
  • This year today is supposed to be a wash out so I plan on getting to one in person service which I will either walk or take public transit to since I really don't want to go on an epic walk in the rain

  • For Lent I typically work through "Eastertide: Prayers for Lent Through Easter from The Divine Hours" by Phyllis Tickle
  • This year I am choosing to do one activity from "The *more or less* Definitive Guide To Self-Care" by Anna Borges instead

  • For Lent I typically am all about quantity over quality. How many Lent based activities can I fit in over the season? How many different services in person and virtually? How many daily devotionals can I work though? How can I Win the most activities for Lent? LOL
  • This year I am choosing to try to focus on what will bring me joy. So I am doing one short morning devotion via an app via the Church of England, going to my normal church on Sundays, etc. but not going over the top to the point where lent activities become stressful.

Lent is a wonderful time where we all can reflect on our lives (like a 40+ day new years eve lol) it is a good time to add a practice what helps us get closer to ourselves. I hope if you celebration Ash Wed and Lent that you have a Happy and Meaningful Season.

Friday, February 17, 2023

Exploring Black History Month Via Books Part 3


Supporting Black Authors through exploring their books and hearing their stories feels like something meaningful to do for Black History Month. I plan to read a combination of nonfiction, fiction, and short works. Each Friday in February I plan to post here about what I have read. I hope some of these stories pique your interest and inspire you to support black creators this month.


7. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (Fiction)

This book is part of a book discussion group at my local branch of the library. I am glad that the library picked this book because it was good but probably not the type of story I would have picked up otherwise. (Also means this review is a bit longer)

I found the character I most related to was Briar who to me felt like she was neurodivergent (while there was no official label given it appeared she was dealing with sensory issues, struggled with changes, and needed to understand why she was being asked to do something.)

Next I related to Emira in often being at a different stage of my life compared to my peers, not wanting professional relationships to get too chummy, and in general not being sure where I want to go in life

While I am a white female identified individual I really struggled with the character of Alix and her treatment of Emira. She seems to feel like she could get away with almost anything because she thought she was looking after the best interests of Emira but if it had been the husband that pulled half of what Alix did it would have clearly labeled as gaslighting and emotional abuse by everyone.

Your babysitter is not your property, you do not control them when they are not working, you don't get to judge who they are dating, or refuse to listen to them because you think you know their story better than they know their own. And the pièce de résistance when someone tells you No, you listen to them and don't think well they are 25, not enough of a go getter, and I would want x so clearly I need to do x even though they said NO. NO means NO (in all aspects of life) 


8. 1919 by Eve L. Ewing (Short Work: Poems)

This was a fascinating collection of poems based on a 1922 government report about the 1919 Chicago race riots. The collection also included photos from the time.  


9. Content Warning: Everything by Akwaeke Emezi (Short Work: Poems)

This was a cool collection of poems. I especially liked "What if Jesus was my big brother", "But why did you feel you had to kill yourself, baby lobe?", and "What if Magdalene seduced me?"

Monday, February 13, 2023

Why Is Love Being So Commercialized?

 
I will start with:
  • I Love "Love" in all its forms philia, pragma, storge, eros, ludus, mania, philautia and agape. 
  • I Love that February is a month where we focus on love including focusing on self love, loving our communities, and yes even loving other individuals.
  • I love purples and pinks, candy and chocolate, stuffed animals and candles

So to be clear I am not against Love. BUT as I have been wandering the last few days the fact that many stores look like they were taken over by "love tribbles" who have eaten all the quadrotriticale that they could ever want feels somehow.

Now typically I don't wander in until the great 1/2 of candy day on the 15th but this year feels like valentine's day has gotten really really commercialized. Not just a chocolate cover strawberry display or two etc. but taking up multiple aisles with flowers, balloons, candy, and expensive stuffed animals. 

Now if this is how you want to celebrate love go ahead. There is nothing wrong with going big, going wild, or going bold. But this Wentworth Miller quote from a speech years ago at oxford does get to the fact that self care, self love or any other type of love can be done in small but meaningful ways too

Another thing is self-care. Just moments where I am doing what I need to do to make sure that I vibrate at the right frequency that might look like burning some sage, that might look like dinner out with a friend, that might look like a bath with Epsom salts – just the things that I need to do for myself that are small, doable, affordable, that nourish me. I think often we neglect ourselves, we focus on things in the external, but there’s a lot here (gestures towards his chest) that needs attention.

Love is wonderful and Love does not have to be commercialized. Love does not have a price tag. Love does not mean more if it is brightly colored. So I am wishing you all more Love in what ever form would be the most comforting, the most empowering, the most meaningful for you.


Friday, February 10, 2023

Exploring Black History Month Via Books Part 2

 

Supporting Black Authors through exploring their books and hearing their stories feels like something meaningful to do for Black History Month. I plan to read a combination of nonfiction, fiction, and short works. Each Friday in February I plan to post here about what I have read. I hope some of these stories pique your interest and inspire you to support black creators this month.

4. You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi (Fiction)

This was a powerful exploration of the complexities and depths of both grief and love and just how hard it can be to find joy and love after such pain. I loved the characters Feyi and Alim and loved the setting. Also considering it was a romance personally I really appreciated how so much of the story was focused on romantic relationships and not only on sex. While none of the characters happened to be Ace most of the passion and heat was of an nonsexual nature which I really appreciated. (The passion of connecting with someone who has shared your experiences with in this case grief but could just as well have been an experience of mental health struggle or neurodivergence)


5. Ironheart, Vol. 2: Ten Rings by Eve L. Ewing (Short Work: Graphic Novel)

I enjoyed this second Ironheart vol. Loved getting more of my Chicago as well as the trip to Wakanda. 

6. Best Barbarian: Poems by Roger Reeves (Short Work: Poems)

This was an interesting collection of literary poems around life and death and making meaning of both.

Monday, February 6, 2023

Celebrating New Grammy Categories

(Shervin Hajipour Best Song for Social Change "Baraye")

Last night was the Grammys but most of the awards were given before primetime. This morning I happeed to see J. Ivy from Chicago won one of the 5 new categories this year so I wanted to hold up those categories and share what each one is celebrating.

Best Song for Social Change

Before we get to the 5 newly created categories, I need to mention the anthem of Iran's protests won Best Song for Social Change. As others have stated Social justice and the power of music were put center stage when Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour was awarded the new Best Song for Social Change for his powerful song "Baraye", which became the anthem of the Mahsa Jina Amini protests in Iran. 

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical

Added after the Recording Academy initiated a Songwriters & Composers Wing, the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical award is intended to honor a songwriter for the entirety of their writing credits, across any genres, over the given year.

Nominees included:

Amy Allen (who wrote or co-wrote songs for Lizzo and Harry Styles, among others)
Nija Charles (writing credits include Beyonce, City Girls, Megan Thee Stallion)
Tobias Jesso Jr. (Harry Styles, Adele, FKA Twigs, Orville Peck)
The-Dream (co-writer of more than half the songs on Beyoncé’s “Renaissance”)
Laura Veltz (Maren Morris, Demi Lovato, Ingrid Andress)

The Winner Was: Tobias Jesso Jr.

Best Alternative Music Performance

The Grammys have long recognized a Best Alternative Music Album (sometimes even calling the category “Best Alternative Music Performance”), though there will be two separate categories at the 2023 ceremony. The latest iteration honors a song in the Alternative genre, rather than a whole album.

Nominees include:

Arctic Monkeys – “There’d Better Be a Mirrorball”
Big Thief – “Certainty”
Florence and the Machine – “King”
Wet Leg – “Chaise Longue”
Yeah Yeah Yeahs featuring Perfume Genius – “Spitting Off the Edge of the World”

The Winner Was: Wet Leg – “Chaise Longue”

Best Americana Performance

Part of the American Roots Music slate of categories, Best Americana Performance is intended to celebrate the personnel and performers behind a single song in the Americana-genre — which itself includes American Roots, Bluegrass, Blues and Folk music.

Nominees include:

Eric Alexandrakis – “Silver Moon (A Tribute To Michael Nesmith)”
Asleep At The Wheel featuring Lyle Lovett – “There You Go Again”
Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Black Violin – “The Message”
Brandi Carlile featuring Lucius – “You and Me on the Rock”
Bonnie Raitt – “Made Up Mind”

The Winner Was: Bonnie Raitt – “Made Up Mind”

Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media

A self-explanatory category, the Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games of Other Interactive Media was created to honor music composed specifically for such games or media.

Nominees include:

Austin Wintory – “Aliens: Fireteam Elite”
Stephanie Economou – “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok”
Bear McCreary – “Call of Duty Vanguard”
Richard Jacques – “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy”
Christopher Tin – “Old World”

The Winner Was: Stephanie Economou – “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok”

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album

The Spoken Word field previously consisted of only an award for Best Spoken Word Album (now known as Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording). The new poetry category was reportedly added in response to requests from the “spoken word and poetry communities,” according to the Recording Academy.

Nominees include:

Ethelbert Miller – “Black Men Are Precious
Amanda Gorman – “Call Us What We Carry: Poems”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner – “Hiding in Plain View”
J. Ivy – “The Poet Who Sat By The Door”
Amir Sulaiman – “You Will Be Someone’s Ancestor. Act Accordingly.”

The Winner Was J. Ivy – “The Poet Who Sat By The Door” 

Friday, February 3, 2023

Exploring Black History Month Via Books Part 1


Supporting Black Authors through exploring their books and hearing their stories feels like something meaningful to do for Black History Month. I plan to read a combination of nonfiction, fiction, and short works. Each Friday in February I plan to post here about what I have read. I hope some of these stories pique your interest and inspire you to support black creators this month.


1. Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World by Wil Haygood (Nonfiction)

This was a fascinating look at the intersections of black films about black characters, how white films have portrayed black characters, and how Hollywood, racism, and civil rights have intertwined over the past 100 years. 

I learned about so many films I never heard about and gained a deeper understanding about why certain movies and certain awards meant so much to so many. I also learned that several people I had herd of vaguely actually were in movies. 

This book is a reminder about why we need to really look at our institutions and explore who is marginalized, who is being kept out, and what stories are not being awarded (or even deeper what stories are not being allowed to be told in the first place)

 

2.  Ironheart, Vol. 1: Those With Courage by Eve L. Ewing (Short Work: Graphic Novel)

Ok I loved this graphic novel for a whole host of reasons. I really love the character of Ironheart and as someone who has lived in Chicago for a while I love love love that we get a superhero too. 

3. Bluest Nude by Ama Codjoe (Short Work: Poetry)

This was a collection of clearly very personal poems about what it feels like to be alive in a world that is complex and what love in all it forms (self love, other love, past love, future love, ...) can look like.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

February A Month Of Self Love ...


While the calendar always says that February is the shortest month I tend to find it feel like one of the longest ones. 

So this February I am focusing on self love and staying busy so the month does not feel as long. The theme self love also makes sense for February since it is already a month dedicated to love in all its forms.

I plan on

  • Working through tea
  • Working through various lotion samples
  • Reading a wide range of books by black authors each week*

*For the month of February my plan is for my Friday blogs to be sharing some of those books.

I want February to be a month where I both love myself and love life itself. So a month where I "Love life like Hob Gadling," where I set up myself for lots of little surprises and joys, where I let myself dream big and bold dreams. 

(If you need a theme song for February some songs that have spoken to me recently include Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard On Yourself and Andy Grammer - Love Myself and Sandman and Hob | I Won't Give Up | The Sandman Tribute)