(Photo Source: The Cut)
I have an odd memory that I think of often. Let me tell you about it:
One day, I used to be friends with this girl Adia and both of us had glasses. This was in the 4th grade when I went to St. Paschal’s. One day, my mom was driving Adia back to her house and we all had on our glasses. We were driving in East Oakland and my mom had the windows rolled down and this guy was riding past the car on his bike. When the car stopped he said, “Damn. A car full of four-eyed freaks.” I laughed but I was embarrassed.
I say this all to say I’ve been having eye issues again and I think it’s a cause and effect of social distancing. I have noticed that social distancing is making me lose some of my social skills. The more I interact with people these days, the more I find myself rolling my eyes. I rolled my eyes so hard during a Zoom call the other day that my contact got stuck in my eye.
Social distancing has also helped me revisit and rediscover some music that I love. These days, we are constantly being inundated with so much music. There’s always a new album, song, or video to immerse yourself in (“WAP” (should be called WAG because it doesn’t say the p-word) is the latest). With so much content coming out, it’s no surprise that the typical music listener has a short attention span and moves on to the next project as the weeks go on. With the exceptions of John Legend’s Bigger Love and Lianne La Havas’ self-titled album, that’s where I seem to be fitting lately.
On the list of albums I am revisiting, is the album from my dad’s birthday twin - in case you care (March 24th, Aries gang) Cleo Sol and her album Rose in the Dark. Cleo’s voice is beautiful and this album is a solid listen from start to finish. The album came out in April and it’s a beautiful blend of soul and jazz with great lyrics and vocals. I can’t get over how great of a song “When I’m in Your Arms” is. I don’t feel like a song has made me want to simultaneously drink wine, sway, and light incense, but starting at the intro this song does it for me. Cleo’s tone on “Her Light,” with the sampled commentary and the lyrics is pure love:
Honesty is the rarest thing alive. I just need your belief.
In addition to revisiting Cleo Sol, I have been listening to the new albums from Full Crate In All Honesty, as well as his collaborator (listen to “A Storm on a Summers Day”) Gaidaa and her new project Overture. Both are the perfect soundtrack for a warm summer night, with wine on a patio – very specific but if you listen, you’ll understand what I mean. Not to mention, Gaidaa’s voice is beautiful.
You can hear my other picks in my new Summer playlist, and I’d also like to mention that I was on the News. Now. Next. Podcast with my friend Andrea talking about role models in Gen Z and social media. Listen to it here, and also read my interview with her here.
In other news, here are some of the other pieces of media that I’ve consumed that I think you should too:
Yes, I binged the third season of Selling Sunset and I have thoughts. First, Davina is the literal worst. Talk about someone who has no empathy. Christine is still pretty and has a great wardrobe but she’s still a jerk. Amanza and her children’s connection made me cry, and I also cried again watching Chrishell’s relationship unfold. Poor girl. Did you watch it? If so, let me know your thoughts.
Also in TV land, it appears that I’ve become addicted to cooking shows during this in the house life. My boyfriend and I always watched Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Fuck, That’s Delicious but now I’ve added tons to the list: Somebody Feed Phil, Taste the Nation, Huang’s World, and Street Food. However, my favorite one as of late has been the Kids BBQ Championship. Definitely my new guilty pleasure. These kids can cook our burn as my grandma would say. When I was their age, I was cooking eggs with hot dogs and think I was making gourmet food.
Found this episode of NYTimes The Daily on Cancel Culture to be very interesting, and this flashback episode of the Questlove Supreme podcast with Gabrielle Union. Also, on the Gabrielle Union front, this was a great conversation with her and Jemele Hill as well.
Porsha in Protest
This was a beautiful article featuring Porsha Williams from RHOA.
I think it’s really important for people to see themselves in the movement and know that you have a place. You’ve played a part, you have a place, and you can also be a catalyst for change. We are having a fight for ourselves, but it’s also really important for whites to say, I’m not going to take it anymore.
The Verzuz Effect: Why Iconic Artists - And Apple - Are Betting Big on Battles
The Verzuz battles keep getting better and better for me. From the Babyface and Teddy Riley battle with all the tech issues to the zen Erykah Badu and Jill Scott battle to my new favorite Rick Ross and 2 Chainz. If we never had the Ross and 2 Chainz battle, I would’ve never discovered my new favorite gifs:
How to Start Treating Your Feelings as Feedback
Feelings are information and provide feedback about what is happening in our environment at any given time. It is important to be aware of them, acknowledge them, and accept them for what they are.
‘Success Addicts’ Choose Being Special Over Being Happy
I really could relate to this article.
But success also resembles addiction in its effect on human relationships. People sacrifice their links with others for their true love, success. They travel for business on anniversaries; they miss Little League games and recitals while working long hours. Some forgo marriage for their careers—earning the appellation of being “married to their work”—even though a good relationship is more satisfying than any job.
Here are a few more reads worth mentioning:
Haha, I rememer the four eyed freak incident although you and I thought it was hilarious, Adia not so much she looked mortified and embarassed.