#5 January Roundup
January Roundup
Hey everyone. We made it through the first month of 2022.
Welcome to the first roundup of the year. I'm a big fan of list making and this will essentially be a list of all my favorite things I listened to, read, played or otherwise engaged with during this month. If you read my first article you'll know that my taste is all over the place and that there's a lot of mediums I love. I want this to have the spirit of an anthology, as in collecting the best of January with some sense of cohesion in themes and vibes, but as with all things it will be a learning process.
Camaraderie
Goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends; comradeship; a spirit of friendly good-fellowship
I am known amongst my friends for declining nearly whenever I'm asked to go out somewhere with them. I often declined or later flaked because of my introverted nature and because it was the simple and easy thing to do. Now, don't get me wrong, I definitely still do this and will continue to do this because I like to stay right where I am a lot of the time. But, feeling inspired last year to make the most of the time I spent with my good friends (who were also my roommates) I started saying yes more. In particular, I would say something like, "I'll go for the camaraderie" when I didn't really want to do whatever it is they were doing but wanted to spend time with them anyway. Camaraderie and "doing it for the bros" were staple sayings in the Gouse (Gamer House) circa 2020. What is probably no surprise to you is that this was something I should have been doing, but some lessons can't be taught. Nowadays, with me in a different state than most of my friends we need different ways to experience camaraderie and fellowship and we often aim for doing so in the form in our shared interests.
Bungou Stray Dogs (Bungo)
Bungo is a manga series a few friends and I decided to start reading together in a book club fashion, meeting once a week to discuss the volumes we read. Bungo is a really fun series (with 4 seasons of anime if you're into that). In Japanese, Bungou (文豪) directly translates to "literary master" which I initially thought just made for a strange title. That is until I learned that every character is named after an influential writer and given a super power named after and based on one of their influential works. My two favorite characters and abilities so far are Osamu Dazai ("No Longer Human") and Ranpo Edogawa (Super Deduction; technically not an ability just his brain but he's hilarious so he gets a pass).
Attack on Titan
If you know, you know. Attack on Titan will solidify itself in the golden gates with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood after this final season. I shall say no more for folks trying to stay spoiler free. Friends and I are watching this weekly together and having a great time doing so.
Recontextualize
To place or view (a work of literature or art, for example) in a new or unfamiliar context, especially in order to suggest a different interpretation.
What if I told you, you could recontextualize some of your favorite things by changing the medium through which you experience them 🧐? All I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more.
Vinyl
I was recently gifted a record player by someone extremely skilled at gift giving. I've have been steadily increasing my record collection for about 4 years now as an aesthetic in the purest sense of the word. I literally did not have the means to listen to them until I received this gift to hear some of my favorite albums in a brand new way. This has made me a full believer in the analog renaissance as it pertains to music and has been a treat to myself when working or relaxing. Some of my favorites are:
- SalSoul by Joe Bataan (literally salsa + soul, it is awesome)
- Walking in Space by Quincy Jones (when you flip to side two and Killer Joe starts playing... indescribable joy)
- Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star (this has been my favorite rap album for a long while, and despite Talib Kweli's current insanity on the blue bird app it will remain there)
The Promised Neverland and Invincible
These are two of my favorite shows due to how they are constantly building intensity, raising the stakes and playing with my emotions. For those in the know, The Promised Neverland's anime adaptation has of course got the worst end of the stick adaptation wise and is never going to be as good as the first season while Invincible will likely never go down that dark path. Regardless, after watching the first seasons of both, I needed to know what was going to happen next and I started by reading their original material from the beginning. In The Promised Neverland I literally knew everything that was going to happen and I was hooting and hollering all the same in my room. Reading Invincible from the beginning made me greatly appreciate the pacing of the show, as opposed to the comic and the challenges of adapting comics/manga which start out with the unease of cancellation looming over them.
Erudition
the understanding and information gained from being educated
Alright, I'm reaching with this one. Can't think of a better word, but overall these are the things I learned something from.
Mob Psycho
Mob is such a lovable guy, its awesome to watch. When I first started watching I was cynically thinking, "what's he gonna do, make himself a better person to the best of his ability?" and then he went and proved me wrong and I fell in love with his character. This video is more effective than I will be in the short space I have left as to the things I appreciate about Mob and Mob Psycho.
The Bluest Eye
Toni Morrison books often offer a look into someone's life that you really wouldn't have asked to hear about because often its just so traumatic. The Bluest Eye is no exception to that as it explores the effects of society's obsession with whiteness on young black girls especially but also black folks in general. This book shows how internalized racism and desire for whiteness develops starting at a young age and before anyone may have told one any different. Definitely looking forward to reading another Morrison book this year.
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
This movie was heartbreaking, heartwarming and lovely all at once. The movie felt like what awful slam poetry wants to be. I always thought I didn't like romance driven plots, but between you and me, I think I just needed to see some black romance in order to understand what makes people like the genre. My stomach was turning throughout the whole movie in preparation for some traumatic event, but unlike so many stories involving black folks this one ends optimistically. Seeing love through this lens inspired me to start reading James Baldwin this month, specifically Giovanni's Room.
Glengarry Glen Ross
On top of Jack Lemmon and Al Pacino giving world class performances, Glengarry Glen Ross delivers a strong message akin to Death of a Salesman that working into old age (especially as a salesman) is an untenable prospect due to the nature of capitalism. Whether it be the "American Dream", a "Cadillac Eldorado" or simply keeping your job, it is intensely challenging when so many forces conspire against you and your means of survival. Excellent film and highly recommend.
Sheesh. This was supposed to be a short one. I got carried away a bit I suppose. Thanks for reading and catch you next week, same time, same place. -- Kevin B.
monologue/quote/speech of the month
obligatory playlist of the month
obligatory picture of the month (me listening to a vinyl for the first time)
