journalism – Page 2 – Artistic Apathy

How Anime Has Shaped Me

I’ve been watching anime ever since I was just starting out in elementary school. I still distinctly remember the first series of Naruto being aired on Cartoon Network.

Before that, it was series like Pokemon and Digimon that first introduced me to anime. And also an oft-forgotten series: Medabots. There was also the programming block late night on Cartoon Network: Toonami that aired re-runs of anime like Inuyasha, Ruroni Kenshin and Cowboy Bebop.

Anime was an integral part of me growing up and even inspired my own works of fiction. Not only was it a staple of my childhood but each anime along the way has shaped my ideals and morals to a point worth noting.

It was in Naruto, the hated underdog that was desperate for love and connection that I found part of myself in.

When I was younger I wasn’t always the most popular kid in school but I related to Naruto’s mission and journey. He was out to prove something but along the way he became someone he could be proud of. A true friend and hero to the people he cared about. He no longer needed approval from people because he found acceptance in his friends and colleagues. Naruto got his happy ending but it wasn’t without struggle and perseverance. And I think that’s something you just can’t knock.

Naruto had to literally conquer his demons to be able to gain victory in life. The metaphors in this show alone go over some people’s head but there are life lessons here.

Later in life, I decided to check out an often recommended anime: Welcome to the NHK. It was in the character Satou, that I found representation.

I had never seen a character with social anxiety represented before. I related to this character on so many different levels. His ending was not so much a happy ending but a realistic one. He didn’t achieve everything he set out to but he found something that worked for him and he got better.

It was in Ryuko, a high schooler at a brawling academy that I became to believe in girl power fully.

Needless to say, I took a lot of lessons away from anime and without it maybe I wouldn’t be who I am today. It’s entertaining but also relates to real life and there is an anime for any point and time in your life. I think more people should give it a chance.

Last post

Artist Profile: KOTA The Friend

Over the course of this week I had the pleasure of getting to know a rapper by the name of KOTA The Friend. It all started as I was on a quest to search for new, cutting edge lyrical rap.

Let’s just say Kota was a breath of fresh air. Everything from his delivery to his lyrics, wordplay and aesthetic.

Kota has a series of videos up on his YouTube channel. They all have a similar format but that’s what makes it so digestible. All you see is a regular looking dude with an amazing background spitting nothing but bars. There are usually some yellow subtitles at the bottom so you can follow along.

Let me tell you this dude is clever. He touches on topics from baby mommas, being a father, his hometown to mental health issues. Dude is honestly versatile and a breath of fresh air for Hip-Hop. His raps are often delivered by this calm, non-threatening tone that makes each bar connect and you never miss a beat.

Still, you can tell that he is delivering with such honesty and sincerity you can’t help but to feel it. A part from his song ‘For Colored Boys’ I personally enjoy goes like this:

And do not be afraid of change
It could be a segue way
To a better something
But have patience
And always make time for family and celebration
And every good thing in life requires dedication
Like career, wife, kids, and it’s spiritual
The point of our existence isn’t physical

I think I may have found a new favorite rapper of mine. I’ll post some recommended songs below so you can check him out:

Tips for Concert Goers

In 2019, I went to more concerts than ever before. I learned quickly some survival tips to help any concert goer have a good time, care-free. Here’s a list I compiled of tips that are sure to help you. Most aren’t genre-specific.

1. Only wear your nice shoes if you want them to get trampled.

2. If you just want to stand and watch, avoid the front center of the stage. That’s where all the shit goes down.

3. If you feel like a sprinkler turned on suddenly, it’s usually just someone spraying water.

4. Talk to people! If you are at a show, chances are the people have the same interests as you. And they normally don’t bite.

5. If someone is hyping you up, don’t be a stiff. Just go with it.

6. Finish that beer fast because chances are its getting spilled or knocked out of your hands very soon.

7. If you bought a standing room ticket, prepare to stand on your feet for hours. Yes, your back will probably hurt in the morning.

8. The opening act is usually someone you don’t know who the headliner wants to shine a spotlight to. Even if you don’t know the lyrics just go with the flow and have a good time!

9. If you see people moshing, don’t be afraid to jump in. Mosh pits are usually quite safe unless we’re talking like hardcore underground shit. It’s all in good fun and about turning up with your neighbor.

10. If you slip and fall in the mosh pit, don’t let that turn you off. Usually others will offer to help you up and its just a normal part of the fun.

11. Like with anything, there will be pretentious douchebags. If you encounter one of these, don’t let them ruin your good fun. Either ignore them or politely tell them to fuck off.

12. If you like a spot on the concert floor, try to stay there. Maneuvering through the crowd is a hassle and people are usually uptight about it.

13. Charge your phone to 100% before you leave home. Nothing sucks more than not having enough juice to record your favorite song or worse: leaving the concert early because your phone is on 1%.

14. Save money for buying merch after the show. Usually the musical act will have merchandise that can’t be purchased anywhere else or sold out on their site available for purchase after the show. You don’t want to miss out on copping that CD or band shirt!

15. Prepare for all types of sensations as you are jamming out. I’ve had hair in my mouth, touched strangers’ butts on accident and I’ve even felt sore afterwards. It’s all part of the package.

16. Lastly, release those inhibitions and have fun! Don’t give a @$?! about anyone else (within good reason) and just turn up.

Thank you for reading my concert tips. If you have a show coming up I hope these tips are somehow helpful to you or maybe you’re a seasoned veteran. Who knows. Anyway, until next time!

Is Life Mundane or Can it be an Adventure Everyday?

I used to find the reality of life to be rather boring. Painful even. In real life you’re put through school in a pipeline fashion since you’re physically able to speak and come out as an adult and suddenly you’re supposed to know what you want to be forever.

If you choose the wrong career it could mean failure, so you better choose wisely. Thinking this way can make life seem like it’s all a game of survival. We have to constantly protect ourself from “threats” like back stabbing friends or people holding us back.

Yeah, life can appear rather boring and dismal. After all you can’t fly, you don’t have superpowers and you can’t teleport anywhere at whim. Sigh.

This is why from a young age I’ve always been drawn towards stories of fantasy and adventure. Journeys across strange worlds in search of treasure or power. It seemed a lot more exciting compared to my real life and oftentimes I wished I could live in these fantasy worlds but… this is reality. And in the real world there are no superpowers, you can’t fly…

But wait! That’s not entirely true. In the real world there are superpowers. They just don’t involve laser vision and invisibility.

For some, a superpower can be the ability to walk up to a cashier and order food in a concise manner without stumbling or stuttering over your words.

A superpower can be asking that girl out that you’ve always dreamt of dating but never had the courage to do so until now.

A superpower can simply be the courage to follow your dreams and not be worried about failing or letting anyone down.

So can life be an adventure with superpowers and flying? Well… maybe not flying like a bird in the literal sense but absolutely!

We’ve all heard of adventures like climbing a mountain, spending a retreat in the woods or traveling the world but what about right here in your hometown? Can you make your adventure there?

More and more life is becoming like an adventure for me. Even things that people see as mundane I see differently. I see everything almost as a game and there are levels. Every-time you try something new or face a fear, you expand. That’s a level up. Every-time you do something you’ve done a million times but with a different attitude, that’s a new level. It’s a new you.

Yes life can seem dreary and dull but it will stay like that until you start doing the things that excite you, make you happy and bring you satisfaction.

There’s a million opportunities a day. Don’t plan anything, just go where the wind takes you. But follow your heart and everyday will seem like an adventure.

Human Suffering

I’ve been meaning to make this post for a couple of days now. I just had this feeling that I had something to say. As I type this, I’m still not sure what it is. I suppose it will come naturally.

Recently I finished a very good book and watched a very impactful movie that brought to my attention struggles from the past I was unaware of. In school, I learned about several atrocities but just seeing these events unraveled in such detail really opened my eyes.

These peoples’ struggling hit me particularly hard and made me wonder about my own situation. These are my brothers and sisters going through a hard time. It made me realize just how fortunate I am to lead the life I lead.

I’ve never had to eat out of the trash to survive. I’ve never had to eat bugs to survive. I’ve never watched my mother or father die before my very eyes.

All these thoughts brought up in me a conviction. I felt that I had a duty to help alleviate suffering however I can.

We all suffer the same. Doesn’t matter what color, creed, or flag you are. Anyone suffering out there is a brother or sister in need. If I could help them in any way I’d be happy.

I guess that’s what this post is about mostly. I wanted to write about it so I wouldn’t become passive and go back to living my middle class life in a first world country.

I want to be of service.

A question. Why do people seek peace through violence? It seems that it would be common sense this is counter-intuitive but history shows it doesn’t come naturally to everybody.

Thank you for reading.