So when we first started dating around 4 months ago, I got to know her kpop obsession. As we were laying together in her bed, she was scrolling through instagram reels and her fyp was full of kpop singers, and she was like "omg look at him he's so cuuuute" everytime she saw one. At that time I was like "alright cool" because it's completely normal to find celebrities cute, especially kpop singers, also I valued that she was telling me that knowing that I won't judge. Then things started to get a quick turn, when she started to express some symptoms of parasocial relationship with them, as she was saying things like "I wanna marry him (some kpop singer) so baaaad" and "my love for life (addressed to kpop singer)" as a "joke", but that kinda hurt me a bit, because I felt like she would instantly leave me to be with any of them. Also she has her phone gallery full of them, and some of these pictures are very sexy. I value that she is so comfortable around me and I don't want to seem insecure, that's why I haven't talked about it, but now I wonder if I really should. Also will that kpop obsession be a problem in a long run? Because until now everything was perfectly fine with a relationship and she's overall an amazing girlfriend besides that kpop part.
TLDR: I suspect my gf having parasocial relationship with kpop artists, but I'm not sure if I should talk about it since I know that those are celebs she probably wont even have a chance to talk to in her lifetime and I don't want to seem insecure.

I am quite angry and depressed. I was really looking forward to AU Season 6 this year! Just what is happening? We need to make Network 10 reverse its decision on canceling The Masked Singer AU. I managed to find a petition on this, so anyone out there go out and sign it.
https://www.change.org/p/bring-back-the-masked-singer-australia-tv-show

The singer is a young 20ish women who sings about her mental state and that she hopes that the new prescription pill will make everything right.
I think she is a one hit wonder ... in the video we see her flaoting a bit, dancing a bit and it ends with her being in her car and finally picking up her phone to reconnect

We didn't have to win. 5th place with the current climate is an incredible place to be. Eden Golan is an incredible singer and I, as an Israeli, could not be more proud to be represented by her! Am Israel Chai 🇮🇱

Shipping is $5. Orders over $35 ship for free. Willing to do bundle deals. No digital codes or slipcovers unless otherwise stated. I accept PayPal Friends & Family, can do Venmo Friends & Family if needed. Open to offers and/or trades. I can provide Pics of whatever you're interested in. Thanks for looking :)
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4K

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• Black Hawk Down $old Case has some scruffs, case doesn't close at bottom
• The Guns of Navarone $old The 4K disc has a scratch; it didn't affect playback on my player, but YMMV.
• Jack Reacher $6

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Blu-ray

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• Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy $3 Rich Mahogany Edition
• Blood Work $old
• Flight $2 No DVD
• Gone Baby Gone $2
• Invincible $2
• Little Nothings $7 Arrow Academy. Brand New & Sealed
• The Rebirth of Mothra Trilogy $50 Long OOP
• Robocop 2 $old Scream Factory Collector's Edition
• Snake Eyes (1998) $3
• The Stand (1994) $old

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DVD

DVD's are $1 each unless otherwise noted. DVD's are buy 2 get 1 free.
DVD's free with any purchase, just ask :)
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• (500) Days of Summer
• Anger Management
• Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
• Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
• Dallas Buyer's Club
• Fast Times at Ridgemont High
• Fever Pitch w/slip
• Justified Season 1
• Munich
• Reservoir Dogs
• School of Rock
• Transformers Steelbook
• The Wedding Singer
• Zoolander

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Kino 4K Slips ONLY

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Shipping for slips is $4. Free shipping if you order at least $35. A majority of the slips have wear on the corners, but are in good shape for the most part. If it's a foil slip expect scratches. I'll send pics of whatever you're interested in.

• 12 Angry Men $7
• 3 Days of the Condor $7
• Cujo $5
• Death Wish $5
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• Eastern Promises $7
• High Plains Drifter $7
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Vinyl

Prices are shipped. Records are in great condition and have only been listened to a few times. Each record comes in MoFi inner sleeves. I've included links to each records Discogs page. Please note that Vinyl prices do not count towards the $35 free shipping threshold since vinyl has to be shipped separately.
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• Michael Giacchino – The Batman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) $40 Mondo web-store exclusive
• King Gizzard and the Lizard Gizzard – Changes $40
• King Gizzard and the Lizard Gizzard – Infest The Rats' Nest $60
• King Gizzard and the Lizard Gizzard – Murder Of The Universe $35
• King Gizzard and the Lizard Gizzard – Polygondwanaland $60
• John CarpenteEnnio Morricone – John Carpenter's The Thing / Lost Cues: The Thing $70 Waxwork release
• John Massari – Killer Klowns from Outer Space $30 Waxwork release
• Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats – Blood Lust $30

Looking for guitarist and possibly bass player to rejig our lineup after parting ways with our frontman/guitarist , so ideally someone who can sing, not set on a specific dynamic kinda thing, the style is obviously gonna change with new members coming in but previously we where a sort of indie/grunge style band but open to differing styles as long as we click
Im basically looking for people who are keen to get stuck in, who wanna put their stamp on a completely new setlist we'll write together, and hopefully soon we can put our heads together and get a tune recorded an get some shows booked
So any lead/rhythm guitarists and or bass players, even singers drop us a message an I'll set a jam up soon!

As we move through 2024, I've been reflecting on the books that have not only informed but also transformed my understanding of personal growth and consciousness.
Here are six standout reads that have offered me new insights and practical advice.
Whether you're a lifelong learner or just beginning to explore this space, these books might be something you'll enjoy.
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1. Power vs. Force - by Dr. David Hawkins
Thoughts/Insights: Dr. Hawkins uses kinesiology to explore how energies manifest as power or force. This book provides a compelling argument that living at higher energy levels (power) can greatly influence one's ability to live harmoniously and with integrity.
Who's it for? Anyone interested in the psychology of human behavior and spiritual growth.
Brief gist: Introduces the concept of different energy levels affecting human behavior and life outcomes.
Key takeaway: Understanding the difference between 'power' and 'force' can lead to a more enlightened existence.
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2. The Map of Consciousness Explained - by Dr. David Hawkins
Thoughts/Insights: This book is a detailed guide that builds on 'Power vs. Force', designed to help readers navigate through various levels of consciousness and emotional states to achieve greater enlightenment and understanding.
Who's it for? Those interested in a scientific and spiritual analysis of consciousness.
Brief gist: Further explores the concept of energy levels and their specific impacts on life.
Key takeaway: By understanding where you are on the map, you can chart a course toward higher consciousness.
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3. The Surrender Experiment - by Michael Singer
Thoughts/Insights: Singer provides a personal account of his own experiences with letting life unfold naturally, demonstrating how surrender can lead to opportunities and successes beyond what the controlled mind can imagine.
Who's it for? Anyone feeling stuck or controlled by life’s circumstances.
Brief gist: A memoir that explores the beauty and peace of living life by surrendering to what is.
Key takeaway: Letting go of personal resistance can lead to unexpected and fulfilling paths.
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4. The Power of Intention - by Dr. Wayne Dyer
Thoughts/Insights: Dyer eloquently argues that intention isn't something you do, but rather a force that exists in the universe as an invisible field of energy that we can access.
Who's it for? Those looking to harness their personal power to create a life they desire.
Brief gist: Changes the common perception of intention from a forceful energy to a co-creative power.
Key takeaway: Aligning with the positive energy of intention can help manifest your deepest desires.
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5. Outwitting the Devil - by Napoleon Hill
Thoughts/Insights: This book takes a unique approach to understanding the pitfalls that hold people back, offering compelling dialogue and solutions on overcoming these obstacles.
Who's it for? Individuals struggling with internal barriers to success.
Brief gist: Hill conducts an imaginary interview with the devil to uncover the reasons behind human failure.
Key takeaway: Overcoming negative influences and fear is crucial to personal and professional success.
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6. Prometheus Rising - by Robert Anton Wilson
Thoughts/Insights: Wilson uses a variety of exercises and thought experiments to encourage readers to see beyond their conditioned reality and explore new possibilities of thought and awareness.
Who's it for? Those who enjoy questioning and challenging their own perceptions.
Brief gist: Explores how our minds create and manipulate our perceptions of the world.
Key takeaway: You have the power to change how you think, perceive, and interact with the world.
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Would love to hear your thoughts or any other book recommendations that have transformed your life!

I (35m) and my wife (36f) have four kids. I have always been immensely into video games. One of the first games I ever played was super Metroid for the NES and ever since then I was hooked. I played video games whenever I could, when I was a kid I skipped school, sporting events, family outings to play video games, mostly shooter and competitive games. All the way up until I met my wife freshman year of college, which coincidentally happens to be when the greatest video game of all time released. Halo 3. I was obsessed. It got to the point where I was bargaining whether to play halo or do my classwork. My Wife at the time who was my girlfriend would just sit in my dorm room with me while I played and just hang out with me her main love language is quality time, so just being in the same room was more than enough for her. I barely scraped by through college while also being an extremely competitive low level pro player for Halo. I had played Halo CE and Halo 2 but Halo 3 really grabbed my heart. anyways, a few years passed and I am still playing every video game that I can while keeping my relationship extremely positive whilst having no issues whatsoever. A few years later my first daughter was born. We thought long and hard about the name and I recommended Sierra (as in Sierra-117 which is Master Chief’s callsign). My wife loved the name and I honestly do too. Half the time, I’m not even thinking that she’s named after a video game character. But having a child named after one of my greatest childhood heroes was too exciting to pass up and I had to keep going. My son who was born two years later we named John (which is master chiefs real name). and we had my daughter a year after that which we affectionately named Halsey. A little bit of a risky pick considering Halsey is a very unique name and now there’s a singer songwriter named Halsey, who everyone thinks that we named her after. But Halsey was the creator of the Spartan program in Halo. and finally we have my other son which we named Thomas after Thomas Lasky who was a prominent figure in the halo universe being an officer in the film adaptations and games. My wife has no idea that I’m doing this and honestly I don’t know if she will have a problem with it, but she’s not super into video games and she thinks that I came up with all these being creative and thoughtful but in reality, I just named them after some pixels on a screen that I like. I told my brother about the whole situation and he thinks it’s funny but he went and told my mother and my mother said I’m an asshole and I should come clean about why our children are named the way they are. We are due another child in January, should I stick with my guns and name it after one of my favorite heroes or let her pick the name? Am I an asshole? I don’t feel like what I’m doing is really affecting anybody negatively and my wife likes the names.

I liked a lot Jon's whole arch in ADWD, and specially after realising how George has filled the whole "Jon rescuing mission of FArya", which will be the main topic of this post, with references or parallels to other events in ASOIAF and specially, to other Targ events. Let's begin:
Jon sends Mance, disguised as "Abel the singer", to Winterfell in a rescue mission of Arya. It's a straightforward parallel to Bael the Bard myth, since Jon has learnt this story from Ygritte and later Mance. Mance is specially interested in the whole Bael story:

A ranger of the Shadow Tower, Mance often sang of Bael the Bard after returning from rangings beyond the Wall

Mance goes to Winterfell disguised as Abel, which is an anagram for "Bael" with 6 companions disguised as relatives, to snatch a Lady of Winterfell from the Lord of the Castle. It's obvious Mance was trying to recreate a story he has been fascinated with. But the interesting thing is that Bael the Bard is strongly tied to The Tower of Joy Event.
In the original Bael story, we have that Bael is deeply upset with the Lord of Winterfell for calling him a coward. So he disguises as a Bard to enter Winterfell. To reward him for his great music, the Lord of Winterfell offers him whatever he wants, and he chooses the most beautiful blooming flower. The next day, he has disappeared, kidnapping the daughter of Lord Stark, and leaving in her stead a blue winter rose. They searched for them for a long time, until the daughter appeared again with a baby boy, when House Stark was near extinction.
The reason why they never found them was because they had stayed hidden in the crypts, and she was really in love with Bael. Lord Stark raised the boy himself, and never revealed his true parentage. Said boy grew up to be Lord Stark and fought his biological father Bael who had became King beyond the Wall. Bael, who knew he was his son coudn't kill his child, and let the new Lord Stark killed him in battle. When Lord Stark's mother discovered what had happened, she threw herself from a window since she was still in love with Bael, and Lord Stark was slained by some Boltons.
This is clearly a reference to Jon's parents: Rhaegar was known for his love of music and deeply admired for playing the harp and singing. He alledgedly kidnapped the Lord of Winterfell's beautiful daughter Lyanna, who has been linked over and over again to blue roses, though we have reasons to believe Lyanna wasn't truly kidnapped and was in love with Rhaegar, same as Bael and his lady Stark. Jon was raised also by the Lord of Winterfell as his own, without knowing the truth of his real parentage.
Ygritte said this to Jon (which reminds me so much of the comment of Plumm in The Mystery knight btw when he proclaims they were all bastard Targs, I am so sure Maynard Plumm was really BloodRaven disguised)

Ygritte: So there it is—you have Bael's blood in you, same as me.
Jon: It never happened.
Ygritte: Might be it did, might be it didn't. It is a good song, though

Yes, Jon has Bael's blood (Rhaegar's blood).
There is a direct wink to ToJ in FArya rescue mission:

At the end of Robert's Rebellion, Lord Eddard Stark and six of his companions (Howland Reed, Lord Willam Dustin, Ethan Glover, Martyn Cassel, Theo Wull, and and Ser Mark Ryskwell) approached the tower.

Mance also went to rescue FArya with 6 companions

Mance infiltrates with Frenya, Holly, Myrtle, Rowan, Squirrel, and Willow.

Curious fact: Squirrel is one of Arya's nicknames, and Willow is the name of a girl Brienne suspects to be Arya.
The thing is I believe Jon is himself mirroring Bael's story and Tower of Joy's scenario as Rhaegar or Bael. George makes it seem in a more obvious way that it's Mance the one to mirror those two, but the one to send Mance, the one that is "stealing a Stark bride" is Jon. And that's what Ramsay directly tells Jon is his letter.

Your false king's friends are dead. Their heads upon the walls of Winterfell. Come see them, bastard. Your false king lied, and so did you. You told the world you burned the King-Beyond-the-Wall. Instead you sent him to Winterfell to steal my bride from me. I will have my bride back. If you want Mance Rayder back, come and get him. I have him in a cage for all the north to see, proof of your lies. The cage is cold, but I have made him a warm cloak from the skins of the six whores who came with him to Winterfell.
I want my bride back...Keep them from me, and I will cut out your bastard's heart and eat it.

In the bold sentences, Ramsay not only accuses him of stealing his bride. He also accuses him of being a liar. So, a thief and a liar. Funny how Jon said the same about Bael.

Jon: Your Bael was a liar. Ygritte: No, but a bard's truth is different than yours or mine.

Technically Jon may be a liar, but he didn't know the truth of Mance and Rattleshirt until later when Melisandre reveals the hoax.
Also, Jon is called a thief a lot, specially by wildlings for stealing women, though he didn't intend to "steal" Ygritte, he did it unintentionally. Here he is just trying to save his sister, but he is accused by Ramsay of stealing his bride Lady Stark, In a similar way, Rhaegar probably just eloped with Lyanna, and in Rhaegar's dumb lovesick mind he was "saving" his loved one from her fiancee (not comparing really Robert with Ramsay though, Rhaegar fucked up and Jon is just trying to save Arya from a monster).
Theon's quote reminds me a little of Rhaegar, too:

Abel had doomed them. All singers were half-mad. In songs, the hero always saved the maiden from the monster's castle, but life was not a song.

In the same way, Rhaegar ("the hero") eloped because of love with his maiden, but since life was not a song, he died and thousands suffered in the country,
All three: Bael, Rhaegar and Jon have the same ending: they die because of their most beloved person.

Bael died because of his love to his son.
Rhaegar died because of his love to Lyanna
Jon died because of his love of Arya.

There's also a deeper parallel between Jon's death and Rhaegar's death. The last thing they thought of is of their loved one (Rhaegar of his woman, Jon of his sister Arya).

Rubies flew like drops of blood from the chest of a dying prince, and he sank to his knees in the water and with his last breath murmured a woman's name

George confirmed the name was Lyanna.

“Jon fell to his knees. He found the dagger’s hilt and wrenched it free. In the cold night air the wound was smoking. “Ghost,” he whispered. Pain washed over him. Stick them with the pointy end. When the third dagger took him between the shoulder blades, he gave a grunt and fell face-first into the snow. He never felt the fourth knife. Only the cold

Yes, the last word was Ghost, but the very last thought was a sentence he associates 100% with Arya, the person that indirectly caused his death (because of his love for her, he broke his vows and his brothers in the NW killed him), same as Rhaegar died against Robert because of the actions he had commiteed in his love for Lyanna.
But (finally) after talking about ToW and Bael the Bard, there is also a parallel between the Pink Letter and a Targ event which, to be true, we don't know almost nothing: The famous mysterious letter Aegon the Conqueror received, and that made him change his mind completely and admit Dorne was indepent.

Deria indeed suggested the peace, and it is said that King Aegon was about to refuse, when she handed him a letter from Nymor. King Aegon read the letter on the Iron Throne, allegedly clenching the bladed seat so hard his hand started to bleed, burned it once finished, and flew to Dragonstone on Balerion without a word. When he returned the next morning, he agreed to the peace and signed a treaty.

Let's see Jon's reaction to Ramsay's Letters. The first one:

Ramsay Bolton, Lord of the Hornwood, it read, in a huge, spiky hand. The brown ink came away in flakes when Jon brushed it with his thumb. Beneath Bolton's signature, Lord Dustin, Lady Cerwyn, and four Ryswells had appended their own marks and seals. A cruder hand had drawn the giant of House Umber. "Might we know what it says, my lord?" asked Iron Emmett.
Jon saw no reason not to tell him. "Moat Cailin is taken. The flayed corpses of the ironmen have been nailed to posts along the kingsroad. Roose Bolton summons all leal lords to Barrowton, to affirm their loyalty to the Iron Throne and celebrate his son's wedding to …" His heart seemed to stop for a moment. No, that is not possible. She died in King's Landing, with Father....... By now she’d be eleven, Jon thought. Still a child. “I have no sister. Only brothers. Only you.” Lady Catelyn would have rejoiced to hear those words, he knew. That did not make them easier to say. His fingers closed around the parchment. Would that they could crush Ramsay Bolton’s throat as easily. (Jon VI, ADWD)

Both Jon and Aegon receive a letter from the biggest enemy House (House Bolton, House Martell). The letter shakens both of them deeply, Jon clenching the paper in anger and Aegon clenching the throne till he bleeds. Jon feels deeply upset with this letter, but it's the Pink Letter that gets the biggest reaction out of him.

Jon flexed the fingers of his sword hand. The Night’s Watch takes no part. He closed his fist and opened it again. What you propose is nothing less than treason. He thought of Robb, with snowflakes melting in his hair. Kill the boy and let the man be born. He thought of Bran, clambering up a tower wall, agile as a monkey. Of Rickon’s breathless laughter. Of Sansa, brushing out Lady’s coat and singing to herself. You know nothing, Jon Snow. He thought of Arya, her hair as tangled as a bird’s nest. I made him a warm cloak from the skins of the six whores who came with him to Winterfell … I want my bride back … I want my bride back … I want my bride back … “I think we had best change the plan,” Jon Snow said.
"The Night's Watch takes no part in the wars of the Seven Kingdoms," Jon reminded them when some semblance of quiet had returned. "It is not for us to oppose the Bastard of Bolton, to avenge Stannis Baratheon, to defend his widow and his daughter. This creature who makes cloaks from the skins of women has sworn to cut my heart out, and I mean to make him answer for those words ... but I will not ask my brothers to forswear their vows.
"The Night's Watch will make for Hardhome. I ride to Winterfell alone, unless ..." Jon paused. "... is there any man here who will come stand with me?"

Both Aegon and Jon have a complete change of heart after reading the letter's contents, and both take action: Jon intends to save his sister, leaving Castle Black where he is the "ruler", to Winterfell, the ancestral seat of his family. Aegon leaves KL where he is King of the IT to Dragonstone, which is the ancestral seat of his family. Now, from here pure speculation:
I think if one of the most extended theories about the content of Aegon's letter ends up being right (Rhaenys being alive and tortured by the Ullers) it would make the Pink letter a very good parallel of Aegon's, since in both Aegon and Jon discover their beloved sister is alive, and that she is in the hands of the enemy, a House famous for torture and being sadists terrible people. So they would both had given up one of their biggest oaths and beliefs (for Aegon, conquering Dorne; for Jon, not breaking his vows) to save a beloved sister.
I for sure feel George is a genius for drawing so much parallels between stories within ASOIAF.
Aditionally, Bael the Bard and his son Lord Stark's endings are for sure infuenced by Greek's mythology: Bael's son would be Oedipus, who killed unknowingly his own father Laius, King of Thebes. After discovering this, his mother Jocasta killed herself (though in the Greek there was incest also in the tale, since Oedipus had married Jocasta without knowing she was his mother, weird that there was more incest in the original story than in ASOIAF story lol).

I’ll preface this post by saying this: I am already in love with the Andrew era and it’s gonna be great, I can’t wait to see what the guys do from here on out. If it’s anything like the new singles then i am hyped for a new album with Andrew as the lead!
Now we all love a hypothetical; if DGD did bring back a previous singer apart from Tilian, what would you rather from these options?
(This is just for fun)
View Poll

(I am a bandwagon fan, but my husband has been a lifelong fan and we’ve been together for 7 years) He told me to mentally prepare yourself because this band is cursed 😂 But lowkey I love Speed Demon. I love how heavy it is and how much is sounds like their first albums. I just wish they would give Jonny another chance because of all the drop dead amazing music they would make. They haven’t done anything since 2011 👀 and that’s my small hope I’m holding onto. I think Andrew is great, don’t get me wrong. Buuuut he doesn’t have the range that I feel like can really put DGD over the edge. Looking at Reddit, there is alot of hate on the songs and Andrew and you know what guys fuuuuuckkk youuuuu. I’m sure they put blood, sweat, and tears into their songs. and you know what if you are an OG fan, a new singer is nothing to us, right guys? I will be a fan until I ‘Die Another Day’

I wish we could make polls, but anyway... How is the music at your church? Instruments or acapella? Is there a designated choiband, or is the singing done by anyone and everyone. If the latter, do you participate?
At my Church, the whole congregation sings, either accompanied by piano or acapella. I'm no good singer, but I find that it sounds best when a bunch of people join in, especially if it's a song we all know by heart. However, here lately it sounds like fewer people join in, which makes it sound worse. Has anyone else with congregational singing noticed something similar?

People have spoken about 'whataboutism' as a way of derailing conversations about mens' issues.
I'd like to propose a new term, whatdoyoumeanism.
Speaking of North America, I believe that the division we're seeing in society and the toxic activism these days is rooted as much in our history and our culture as it is in any present-day issue. Our society has changed enormously and I believe that too many activists today still behave as if the moral context has not changed since the 1970s.
This is the first of three essays critiquing Moral Absolutism on the Left. I want to illustrate this change in morality through three uses of the term 'special snowflake.' This relates to Men's Advocacy because of a serious paradox in the supposed association between masculinity and rationality. I hope to show how much of a problem this is in our society today.
Setting the Context: the Colonial Era
To set the backdrop, we need to go back to the 19th century and talk about colonialism. The beginning of the 19th C in Europe was the end of the Enlightenment which brought with it a very strong faith in scientific research as the true source of knowledge. The control the Church had over society was weakening. This is the era of Scientism and especially of a Positivist view of sociology - one where only rigorous scientific research can reveal the underlying, absolute truths about society. It's the idea that you can study human psychology the same way you study physics.
Over this century the colonial empires, especially the British, were very focused on Structure and Order, and they sought to erase the cultures and "outdated" traditions of the people they conquered. They thought they were doing good by imposing their language on others; they thought they were civilizing people by forcing them to speak English. They wanted to make the world more rational. They were self-justified in their behaviour because of their belief in the Cult of Progress - Freud was a Positivist and he said essentially that the people who weren't on board with it ought to accept what's coming for them.
The mid-19th Century is also known as the Romantic era in Western art. Composers wrote grandiose operas about fantastical and mythological heroes - this is significant because of the enormous division between Science and Art at the time. The artworks were expressing the part of humanity that Positivism excluded; with so much cultural focus on Science the 'human factor' was pushed into the realm of imagination and fantasy.
Stage 1: Anti-Positivism and Postmodernism in the mid 20th Century.
By the end of the 19th Century and the first half of the 20th in Art it was the era of Modernism. Modernism brings that 'scientific', 'rational' way of organizing things into the artworks, with an emphasis on questioning default assumptions and making innovative new structures. For instance, this is the beginning of atonal music and the 12-tone serialism works of Arnold Schoenberg. Today broadly speaking the general public has a hard time with art from that era. This is also the time of Futurism, looking forward to what Science is yet to bring us.
About futurist architecture:

Baroque curves and encrustations had been stripped away to reveal the essential lines of forms unprecedented from their simplicity. In the new city, every aspect of life was to be rationalized and centralized into one great powerhouse of energy.

But, that scientific, dehumanizing and categorical mindset forged ahead and there was catastrophic violence in the form of two World Wars. By the '60s and '70s, the younger generation had understood that Positivism leads to nothing but the nuclear bomb. There started to be a really major change towards accepting human lived experience as its own valid source of knowledge. See Antipositivism. There started to be much more exploration of cultural heritage and the importance of oral traditions and ancestral wisdom.
There also started to be major Postmodern philosophical arguments about the limits of Science. For instance, Roland Barthes wrote about 'the grain of the voice', the idea that the vocal chords of a singer and the sound they produce is so complex and uniquely textured that it cannot be adequately described scientifically. By this argument, an artwork or the singing of a traditional song can communicate something beyond the reach of Language - that music and human self-expression can communicate something unspeakable and unnameable. For instance, the philosophers Deleuze and Guattari famously said, "We've been criticized for over-relying on literary sources, but it is not our fault that Samuel Beckett understood madness better than the doctors of his age."
And this is where I get to Special Snowflakes. Another major critique of science is about Pluralism and Ephemerality. This is the concept that everything that exists is temporary and unique, and this is a big problem for science's attempts to categorize. There are no two galaxies in the universe that are the same. And, likewise for human lives. The metaphor of the special snowflake is that every snowflake is unique. They are tiny little crystals and every last one is different.
The answer to these limits of Science lies in a better appreciation of human intuition. It's kind of mind-bending: If every human is unique, and every snowflake is also unique, then the only way for a human to interact with a snowflake is through the person's experience of the relationship between two undefinable things. A human understands what a snowflake is based in how it feels. And, with this came an enormous focus on subjectivity and the wisdom of the human body. There's a shift in social sciences towards Phenomenology, and of course the rise of second-wave feminism and the social justice movement.
This eventually leads to the popularity of Moral Relativity. Because human experiences are diverse, we need to deal with Morality on a case-by-case basis and use our human senses and not only categorical notions when passing moral judgment. This is where it gets complicated, though, because culturally there is a strong association between rationality/science and masculinity, and intuition/empathy and femininity. This is taboo - I've been yelled at and called sexist just for saying that this association exists in our culture. But the feminist movement is deeply rooted in these antipositivist concepts and the importance of the "feminine intuition". I believe this is what is at the core of the "women are wonderful" effect. I will explore this further in my next essay.
Today, 'whatdoyoumeanism' is when feminists refer back to these sorts of paradoxes, but without any intention of empathizing or trying to feel out the intuitive aspects of the relationship. They will tell you that they are all so diverse and different that it's out of line to try to describe them collectively, but at the same time they broadly categorize men as a group. They will tell you that everyone's perspective is different, but they have no interest in understanding yours. When you give an opinion, they'll ask you where it's written down. They will tell you that meaning is relative and that words can't be clearly defined, but really now they have become Moral Absolutists and they are the ones who want to civilize the rest of us and impose their language.
They are self-justified by the fact that they serve oppressed minorities, but it's the attitude that is the problem, not the goal of social progress. I wish we could separate one from the other! Now they are the ones imposing their pseudo-rational, categorical structures - the postmodernists have moved into a position of power and now they have become hypocrites. They have become corrupt, and they have turned into their opposite, as always happens, over and over again in human history. They will disregard and devalue your opinions by saying that meaning is relative, but that should be the beginning of the conversation, not the end of it.
I believe that a big problem with feminism and social justice activism today, speaking broadly, is that the mainstream still relies on ideas of Moral Relativism but they have lost the feeling of empathy that needs to go along that, and they've become very binary in their morality. They have become Moral Absolutists.

from the website
"We are thrilled to present Jazz Originals at The Westdale, hosted by local jazz singer-songwriter Karen Thornton. Join us in our art deco jewel for an evening of inspiring jazz music and stories from Canada’s best jazz musicians!
From having over 500 million streams, to being named Canada’s “Guitarist of the Year,” to winning eight “Best Album” awards, to seven top-ten US Billboard charting albums, and winning the “People’s Choice” award in the UK, Johannes Linstead has become recognized internationally as one of the best selling guitarists in the Instrumental, New Age, Jazz and World Music genres.
Johannes’ vibrant music brings together musicians from many diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Cuba, Greece, Palestine, France, Canada, Australia, Iran, and the Dominican Republic. Upbeat rumbas and emotional ballads are fused with Latin percussion, and the occasional violin, piano, and accordion add distinct spices to his colorful albums."
Event link

For the people in Europe (and maybe even outside of Europe), we have a song festival here called ‘Eurovision’ with quite some countries participating in this event. Today the singer that represents the Netherlands (Joost Klein) got disqualified. They say he threatened someone and/or hit someone. But now the official story came out and he just told someone ‘If you say that one more time, I will hit you’, because someone joked about his dead parents. He is absolutely allowed to say that. But getting cancelled for that? Seems a lot. I think there is A LOT more to it. I have heard rumors that he wanted to expose Israel on stage and they couldn’t let that happen. Does anyone know what is ACTUALLY going on here?

Ladies, gentlemen, and interstellar enthusiasts of all ages, buckle up! Today, we're cruising through the cosmic playground where the science of the heavens crashes the party at the art studio. I'm your host, the verbal alchemist who makes Shakespeare and Snoop Dogg sound like old school chums. Grab your space helmets and a tub of popcorn because we're diving headfirst into the wacky world of astrological soundscapes. It's like mixing a Spotify playlist with a NASA mission—bizarre yet brilliant!
Imagine, if you will, a universe where Beethoven meets Neil deGrasse Tyson at a rave. That's right, we're turning the esoteric, I mean, astronomical data into sick beats that even your grandma can jam to at bingo night. Composers today aren't just messing around with violins and pianos. No, sir! They're using the actual movements of planets and the frequencies of starlight to compose tunes. This isn't your average music theory class; it's a full-blown cosmic concert.
Let’s take a stroll down our solar system. You know how each planet has its own orbit? Well, some sonic genius decided to translate those orbits into musical scores. It's like assigning each planet a DJ turntable. Mars drops the bass, Jupiter thumps the percussion, and Venus? Well, she's all about that high-pitched electronica. Together, they're not just a solar system; they're a band on a galactic tour!
But how do they do it, you ask? It's all about data, baby. Scientists use telescopes and other nifty gadgets to snatch up all that juicy cosmic info. They measure the light, the speed, and even the 'moods' of these celestial bodies. Then, our maestro composers take this data and turn it into a language we all understand: music. It's like translating alien speak into human bops.
Now, let's get specific and talk about one such project that’s as viral as the latest dance challenge on TikTok. Picture this: a composer sits in a dark room surrounded by screens showing graphs and numbers that look like the stock market on steroids. This isn't just any composer; think of a figure as iconic as Hans Zimmer wearing an astronaut helmet. He's not scoring for a blockbuster; he's scoring the universe. The project? Turning the rhythm of planetary orbits into a music album titled "Galactic Grooves."
Each track corresponds to a different planet. Mercury’s got quick, snappy beats—think techno on a triple espresso. Venus is more sensual, with a smooth, flowing rhythm like silk on skin. Earth is the baseline, literally, with grounded, deep tones that resonate with anyone sporting a heartbeat.
But wait, there’s more! Ever heard of the Starlight Frequencies project? It's where starlight becomes the lead singer. Scientists measure the frequency of light from distant stars—their color and intensity—and our composer turns these into melodies. If a star is pulsing with a red light, you might hear a deep, jazzy saxophone wail. A bright blue pulsar? That’s your high-energy, electronic synth.
Imagine you're listening to these tracks on your headphones. With every note, you're literally hearing the universe. It's a soundtrack composed by nature itself, refined by human creativity. It’s like catching the whispers of the cosmos—oops, almost slipped with the "W" word there! Let’s say it’s like eavesdropping on the universe’s private conversations.
And why stop at music? This mashup of science and art isn’t just for the ears; it’s a full sensory overload. Think about live shows with laser lights synched to the music, mimicking the pulsations of the stars themselves. You're not at a concert; you're at a cosmic exhibition.
But here’s the kicker: what if we throw in a few extraterrestrial sounds? Yeah, you heard that right. Imagine weaving—dang, there’s that word again—incorporating some alleged signals from potential alien communications. Now, that’s a track that would have even the most stoic scientist throwing hands up at a rave.
So, there you have it, folks. Astrological soundscapes are where the vastness of the universe meets the creativity of the human mind. It’s not just about listening to music; it’s about experiencing the rhythm of the cosmos. From the spinning of the planets to the twinkling of stars, everything in the universe has a beat, waiting to be transformed into a beat you can groove to.
As we wrap up this interstellar jam session, remember: the next time you look up at the night sky, you’re not just star-gazing; you're previewing the biggest concert of the millennium. And who knows? Maybe in the future, we'll all be jamming to the sound of a black hole at the club. Now, wouldn’t that be something to tweet about?
So keep your eyes on the stars and your ears on the ground because the universe has more secrets to reveal, and trust me, they’re bound to be music to your ears.

¡Hola estudiantes! Buenos días! Welcome to Spanish Saturday! It's the day of the weekend where we deepen our Spanish knowledge a bit more than before. How was your week? I hope it went fine. Today, we're reinforcing our class on descriptions of persons. Let us begin.
Search online for a photo of the singer Pitbull. How would you describe his face in English? I would say that he is of average weight, bald, with small brown eyes and average ears.
To refresh your memory on descriptions of persons, below I have the vocabulary we learned last week on descriptions.
alto/ alta - tall
bajo/ baja - short
mediano/ mediana - medium
delgado/ delgada - thin
gordo/ gorda - fat
guapo/ guapa - handsome/pretty
bonito/ bonita - handsome/ pretty
lindo/ linda - handsome/ pretty
feo/ fea - ugly
joven/ joven - young
viejo/ vieja - old
Now here are some adjectives on hair:
castaño - brown
pelirrojo - red
negro - black
rubio - blond
largo - long
corto - short
liso - straight
rizado - curly
ondulado - wavy
trenzas - cornrows
rapado - shaven
Here is some vocabulary to describe eyes.
pequeños - small
grandes - large
negros - black
marrones - brown
verdes - green
azules - blue
grises - grey
Here are some other descriptors of the body.
las orejas - the ears
la nariz - the nose
los labios - the lips
la frente - the forehead
la mejilla - the cheek
el hoyuelo - the dimple
Okay.
Below is a link to a website where you can make your own avatars. You are to create the following-
-Una mujer - pelo corto, pelo negro, ojos azules, labios grandes, orejas grades.
-Un hombre - pelo largo, pelirrojo, ojos marrones, labios grandes, orejas grandes.
https://avatarmaker.com/
Ensure to save your avatars, as you may be called to present your work in front of the class.
Now it's your turn. Make two avatars of your own, and include descriptions of the persons that you created.
To describe someone else's features, you say "El/ Ella es ..." or "El/ Ella tiene ...."
For example:
El tiene unas orejas grandes. - He has big ears.
Ella tiene un frente grande. - She has a large forehead.
Ella tiene una nariz larga. - She has a long nose.
For an interesting exercise today, you are to pretend that you are a witness to a crime. One of your avatars is the bandit that you saw rob a store. You are to pair off and one person is to be the witness, and the other, the police. The witness is to describe to the police in Spanish what the bandit looked like. When each witness finishes their turn, the police is to create an avatar and confirm whether you both are referring to the same person. Each person gets a chance to be a witness and a police officer.
For an evaluation today, some students will come to the front of the class and describe one of their avatars in Spanish, as well as show the class the person they created. The class will decide whether the features given are reflected in the avatar presented.
To close out today's class, we can describe persons' facial features. We can describe our own facial features. Knowing how to describe someone's facial features is important in many circumstances.
For today's Culture Corner, we're learning about balsas, or makeshift boats that Cubans use to flee their country and head to the United States. A video on balsas is attached below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjHVvde8wUw An American Immigration Story: A Raft Used by Cuban Balseros
And for home-work, you are to craft and post a Facebook status in Spanish describing yourself.
And that does it for today's Spanish Saturday. I hope it went well. I hope you left this class with more information than before you took it. Remember, it takes 40 minutes of daily Spanish practice to improve your knowledge. So get to it. Until next time, ¡Vámonos!