Ra's Roundup #34
When I want big things, I ask the big guy
Audio Editor’s Note transcription:
What’s good everyone its a beautiful day in the life of me and I hope its a beautiful day in the life of you too.
You know I’ve realized lately that I am getting older and that’s because I noticed that the things I’m hearing from younger people, its hitting me different. Like when I hear I’m 25 &… I’m like honey I am ten years older (11, actually) than you. How’s that supposed to make me feel? but I am ten years older than these kids I know a few more things, just a few. And sometimes when they say things like, I am 25 and I haven’t got to where I want in my life yet…I think about myself and I’m just like yeah, I was there but getting to that place is more about holding onto a feeling. not trying to catapult yourself into fame and glory. You got to be realistic about your expectations. Just because something happens for someone else, doesn’t mean it’s in the cards for you. Only about 1% of basketball players ever make it to the NBA. Only about 1% of the people on the planet have billions of dollars. You see how this works?
We are not all given equal opportunity, equal access, equal money even. So you really have to not compare notes, don’t think about your age, don’t think about how long it’s going to take. People like Tina Turner have had major success in their 40’s. Some have been nominated for Nobel peace prizes in their while judges and presidents have been elected in their 70’s. So that’s all to say take your time and stop measuring things to your age. Cause it’s not going to help you get things done any faster. if you say by the time I’m 30 I want this done well, God may not have it in the cards for you.
You know and someone asked me if I thought that people who didn’t believe in God had the same access to good life that people who do believe in God do? I really am not the person to be answering that. but, I think the access is always there but I think prayer is so powerful and if you don’t know how to pray or don’t pray–– I don’t know if you access the same feelings, and grace. God for some people is like a drug so I don’t know if people who don’t pray experience the magnitude of faith and prayer and the overwhleming abundance of energy that comes with that.
Personally when I want big things I ask the big guy… lol
Let’s get into this month’s roundup.
p.s. let me know if your an atheist and have insight or want to graciously share your perspective :)
Articles and Intel
A 2016 Article about the drug like effects of believing in God you know i’m getting high on the supply but unfortunately, as with all drugs, some people take it to extremes.
An interview with artist/poet Chia Amisola on their process which, immediately had some words that inspired my thinking.
“When I perform, my screen, terminal, and operating system are all exposed, so my personal computer becomes a public stage. If Ursula K. Le Guin described technology as the “active human interface with the material world,” I also attempt to become a technology myself.”
Van writes a lengthy social media post about their fears of AI and what it’s doing to society. I’m not into apocalypse theories anymore but, I thought this post, while bleak, was insightful, deep and valid.
Learning outside the classroom
This year for me has been about continued education outside of the classroom. I’ve been very slowly advancing through the lessons in Alfred’s adult all-in-one course for piano. While I play piano by ear pretty well–– I’ve found that my playing has improved with the help of these lessons. I also am finessing my DJ skills now that I have purchased the equipment I need to spin some tracks. But learning I’m finding is tough shit. One needs to really carve out time for lessons, I have to put hobbies and such on the backburner while I attempt deep learning. That’s probably been the hardest thing for me to do but once I commit to and complete a lesson I am often pleased by the results.
Marcus Garvey
I listened to several chapters of “Message To The People” by Marcus Garvey [a Black nationalist and leader of the Pan‑Africanism movement] and it’s got some interesting lines like, “when God says thou shall not kill, it means thou shall not kill the soul because the soul is the personality of man” and how, “nothing ever dies it just becomes other matter.” It’s meant to be a manual for living really; what we would now call a self help book.
Watching
Rosanne: “She’s from Iceland and he’s chillen here’s Coolio and Bjork. MTV literally put these two on stage together because of their similar hair styles… and surprisingly it was cute.
A snippet of this Tina Turner Interview was posted on IG and I really felt this message about food for the mind, meditation and prayer. The theme of this newsletter is really strong this month haha.
The Gram Slam
okay so, these are archives –– I’m not on the gram as much as I used to be but hey, maybe these will peak your interest.
Two women hero’s develop a 3D printed key that takes boots off cars. They save drivers a ton by only charging $50 to remove the boots from cars, much cheaper than the fees charged by the original boot guys.
Simpsons writer shares a tip for finishing scripts/essays.
I’ve been exposed to so many different kinds of biscuits thanks to chef Sophia Roe’s instagram account. This month I found out why, the south has something to say as per usual! LMHO (laugh my head off)
Her video above features blueberry biscuits –– I think she might have brainwashed me cause I now want to try this recipe. Also, someone remind me to stay out the comments. The comms are how I usually get in trouble.
4.Dancers, Devin Neal and Dremoni Watts
A word about tacos and falling apart.
Lil ikea hack using their floating shelves.
Expanding on a color story
I needed a little extra direction for my own personal shopping habits, so I did like I always do and created a mood board. The colors were inspired by Tekla blankets that came in three colors, sage, brown and off white. I’ve been distancing myself from my all black wardrobe and moving on from olive greens, these colors feel perfect for fall/winter vibes.
The blankets were inspired by Swiss/French architect Le Corbusier who developed “colour keyboards” for use in their design work.
“Le Corbusier’s 12 colour keyboards from 1931 are made up of 43 shades, which in combination give each room a certain atmospheric effect.”
I want this same effect not for dressing a room, but for dressing myself.
Image Bank
Fingerprint Dog Tag
The foot of a Buddhist statue, …8th century… 1980 by Bruno Barbey
A woman praying at sunset
Sound Bank
That’s all I’ve got for ya’ll this month! Election Day is fast approaching, stay blessed y'all!