Well, it looks like hell has officially frozen over and pigs are now flying, because Oasis have re-united after a well-publicized, tumultuous 15-year separation. To be completely honest with you, I’m absolutely shocked this is happening. I honestly thought that *IF* Oasis would ever re-unite, I’d be in my 50’s and Liam and Noel would be in their 60s/70s, respectively. To be facing the reality of actually attending an Oasis show within the next year or so is truly a dream come true. In terms of “dream concerts” or “bucket list shows”, this was by far #1 for both, and if I never see another concert again after Oasis (but who am I kidding right? lol) I would be ok with Oasis being the last show I ever see, and that’s no hyperbole.
So you’re probably thinking why is Oasis so important to me? First, Oasis aren’t just important to me, they’re one of the most important bands in modern music history. I mean, how many bands could disappear for 15 years and then completely take over the internet/world at just the hint of reuniting. I won’t bore you with the argument of why Oasis is the most important band of the 90s and one of the greatest bands of all-time, I would just highly suggest that if you’re not familiar with the band’s full story (or only know a few of their songs) to hop on HBO Max & watch the documentary Oasis: Supersonic to get a little more backstory on the the Gallagher brothers/the band itself.
But back to me; Oasis was the first band that really felt like they were mine (& no one else’s) and they’ve been with me every day since the Summer of 1996…..
One of my older brother’s was sick a lot as a child and required seeing specialists in the New England region. These trips were obviously not too exciting, but my parents tried their best to make them as fun as possible. I can still remember my parents giving me a few bucks to buy a CD at a local music store up in Providence, Rhode Island in 1996 and walking out of that store with Oasis’s second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory. I knew absolutely nothing about the band and I hadn’t yet heard any of the songs. I also didn’t know at that time that they had already released one of the best debut albums of all-time (Definitely Maybe) two years prior. All I knew was that the CD was in the staff picks section and the cover caught my eye, so I bought in on a whim and it changed my life.
Up until this point, most of the music I listened to didn’t feel like mine, but Morning Glory changed that. My parents both had incredibly diverse taste in music, so I heard a lot of great music from both of them. Also, both of my older brothers introduced me to some really amazing music too (even if I was too young for some of it, like when Teddy Ruxpin started to rap explicit NWA lyrics at me. Thanks, Morgan!). I can also remember as a 9 year-old discussing with friends in elementary school the artwork of Green Day’s Dookie like it was some classical painting hanging in the Louvre. However, I didn’t know anyone who was openly listening to/a fan of Oasis at the time I bought Morning Glory, so they were my first true music discovery and I feel in love with the album and the band. But like any obsessive music fan, I also now needed more!
So, a few weeks after purchasing Morning Glory (my favorite song from the album has always been Champagne Supernova, by the way), which I would eventually play so much on my Walkman that I had to replace the CD twice (thank you to The Wall’s lifetime guarantee program), I decided that I was going to walk 2 miles, the furthest I had ever walked at that time, to Toones (a legendary Allentown CD store) to see if they had anymore of this Oasis. I walked into the store with my little Velcro wallet filled with leftover birthday and Christmas money, and asked if they had ever heard of this band Oasis and if they had any more of their music. Of course they had , and that’s when I discovered their debut album Definitely Maybe. And yes Definitely Maybe is one of the greatest albums of all-time (debut or otherwise), but to me, it will never be as important as Morning Glory.
So ever since 1996, I’ve been hooked on any and everything Oasis and they’re second only to Prince on my personal music Mount Rushmore. Like Prince, Oasis has been the other constant through all the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have every CD that they’ve ever put out (this includes Beady Eye, and Liam & Noel’s solo projects). However, unlike Prince, I was never able to experience the Gallagher brothers live on stage together. I’ve been able to see Noel and Liam separately, but not together. One way, or another, that will change in 2025. I know that there are also some people that are upset that it doesn’t look like it’s a “full original band” reunion, but rather just Liam and Noel. And while I respect their opinion, this is still an incredible day. (Also, I’ve seen Bonehead perform with Liam, and Guigsy and Tony McCarroll haven’t play music live for many years – so I’m good with it being the brothers)
Quite honestly, this is my Super Bowl of music, and if previous concerts are any indication (I’ll post the full Knebworth 96 concert below for reference), it’s going to be one of the most memorable events of my life. It’s also an incredible story of two brothers, who have put each other through hell physically and emotionally, that have come together again to share their magic with the world. If you have an opportunity to see them, do it, you won’t regret it!
“The Guns have fallen silent.
The stars have aligned.
The great wait is over.
Come see it.
It will not be televised” – Oasis, August 27, 2024
Wow, I really can’t believe it’s been nearly two years since I last blogged, and A LOT has happened since February of 2022 both personally and professionally. Currently, I’m recovering from another back surgery so I thought now would be a good time to start writing again while recovering and waiting for my next professional adventure. And since it’s the holidays, why not a top 10 Christmas song list? So if you’re tired of the same songs that seemingly get played everywhere each year, give the list below a listen!
“Here It Is Christmastime” by Kevin Bacon & the Old 97’s – In November 2022, Disney+ released a 42-minute Guardians of the Galaxy holiday special which was so much more fun than I expected it to be. The special has become a new yearly tradition for me, & the soundtrack is incredible (which is to be expected from Guardians). Rhett Miller & the Old 97’s are featured in the movie as a band called Bzermikitokolok and the Knowheremen, & their re-recording of their song “Here It Is Christmastime” alongside Kevin Bacon (who stars as himself in the movie) is incredible & has quickly become one of my favorite Christmas songs.
2. “Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End” by The Darkness – Released 20 years ago in 2003, this song is exactly what you’d expect from The Darkness: Justin Hawkins’s amazing falsetto, some great guitar playing, & some hilarious double entendres. This fall, I was able to see The Darkness live on the 20th-anniversary tour of their debut album Permission to Land, & they’re still as incredible as ever & don’t nearly get the love they deserve as a band.
3. “Fruitcake” by Fred Schneider & the Superions – This song isn’t your average Christmas song, but you should expect nothing less from the B-52’s Fred Schneider. It’s weird, it’s fun, it’s got an incredible bassline, and it’s just one of those songs that grows on you. When I first heard it, I honestly wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, but then I caught myself randomly saying “It’s fruitcake!”
4. “Come on! Let’s Boogey to the Elf Dance!” by Sufjan Stevens – Indie musician Sufjan Stevens has released a lot of traditional Christmas music, but my favorite is one of his originals. It’s a joyous tune that continues to build as the song goes on. It’s also quirky with a timeless feel, and if you enjoy it, I would suggest checking out Sufjan’s vast Christmas discography.
5. “Carol of the Bells” by the bird and the bee – Yes you’ve heard Carol of the Bells before, but I’m certain that you’ve never heard it arranged/produced like this. Out of all the versions of this song that I’ve heard i my lifetime, indie pop duo the bird and the bee’s version is my absolute favorite & I think it’ll be one of yours too.
6. “Bringin’ Back Christmas” – Ryan Reynolds – I could almost include every song from Apple TV’s 2022 musical Spirited starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, but as a public relations guy, this is my favorite Christmas tune from the movie (sidenote: I think Good Afternoon is the best overall song from the film, but it’s not really a Christmas song per se). The movie/soundtrack suffers in popularity a bit due to the film being on a streaming platform that not many people subscribe to.
7. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Hannah Waddingham featuring Phil Dunster & the Fabolous Lounge Singers – Another Apple TV song? Yup, sorry! If you’re a fan of either Ted Lasso or Game of Thrones, I’m sure by now you know that Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca/Septa Unella) is an incredible singer, but did you know that Phil Dunster (Jamie Tartt in Ted Lasso) can sing as well? This holiday special should be much bigger news, & there’s a lot of good stuff on Apple TV.
8. “Love This Christmas” by Rick Astley – No trolling here, Rick Astley released a true Christmas bop back in 2020 and I’m really surprised that I don’t hear this song more often than I do. It’s a great new holiday classic that should be added to playlists across the globe, and Rick’s timeless voice is as strong as it’s ever been!
9. “How Christmas Is Supposed To Be” by Gary Barlow featuring Sheridan Smith – You may know Gary as the lead singer of legendary British pop group Take That, but his first solo Christmas album released in 2021 featured this original song that also deserves to be an instant classic. Barlow & Smith’s voices go so well together in this refreshing holiday pop song.
10. “Christmas Dance” by Darren Criss – You likely know Darren from either Glee or American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace and in 2021 he released his first Christmas album featuring this catchy new holiday tune. From TV to Broadway, Darren is a very talented entertainer and this song should also be included on your annual playlist going forward.
Honorable Mention: “Fairytale of New York” by the Pogues – Shane MacGowan’s recent passing is what got me thinking about this list. I’ve always been a huge fan of the band and this song, but I felt that it never truly got the wide mainstream love that it deserved. It’s listed here in honorable mention because I think with Shane’s passing it’ll get a staying boost in popularity (in addition to it being covered by Jason and Travis Kelce in this year’s Philly Special Christmas album)
It’s been quite a while since I’ve blogged, nearly 11 months to be exact, but it’s something that I want to get back in the habit of doing since it hits a creative itch that needs to be scratched from time to time. So, I figured that now would be a good time to get back into it, especially since I’ve got some personal news to share.
On Monday morning Feb 28th I’m having surgery on my spine. I’m scared and anxious, but I desperately need this surgery to hopefully return to a pain-free life. I’ve never had surgery before, but I’ve completely run out of options and it’s now necessary to try to get back to the old me, both physically and mentally.
So, what happened? Well, I’m not quite sure exactly. I know what my diagnosis is (Herniated disc in the L4/L5 region causing spinal stenosis) but I really have no idea what caused it. What I do know is that I really began experiencing moderate pain that would eventually turn severe in my back/left leg sometime in May 2021. I just “dealt with it” until July of 2021 when upon walking to work on the Atlantic City boardwalk one morning I realized that my left foot was numb. This is when I finally decided, way too late I must add, I must seek medical attention for whatever was going on.
First, they made me try oral steroids and then physical therapy, which resulted in me ending up in urgent care unable to put any weight on either of my legs. At urgent care, I was given an X-ray, which would enable me to get an MRI quicker from my family doctor. After my MRI (the photo above), I could understand the results enough to know it wasn’t good. Friends and family I know who are doctors basically told me that it was just a matter of “when” not “if” I would eventually need surgery, but I still held out some hope that this wouldn’t be the case.
After following up with an orthopedic doctor, I was told that doing physical therapy alone wouldn’t solve my issue and that my next steps are to meet with a doctor who could give me a steroid epidural injection and a spine surgeon to get the ball rolling in case the injection didn’t work. I made an appointment for a steroid injection, and still held out hope that it would, at the very least, buy me more time (and give me some relief).
The injection was an interesting experience. They injected my spine in two different parts and while five minutes of the procedure was a breeze, there was one minute of pure hell. When they got close to my spine for the final part, it felt like someone was stabbing me with a burning hot iron from my brain all the way down to my left foot. It was absolutely excruciating and I told myself that if this injection didn’t give me relief for a good period of time, that one minute of hell was absolutely not worth going through again.
When I got home from my injection, I felt no pain for the first time since July, which had me on cloud nine. On day two, I slept 14 hours which felt great because up until this point, I’ve only been sleeping an hour or so at a time for the past 6 months due to pain. But then on day three, I started to feel the hitch in my step return, and then a few days later my pain was completely back to normal, if not worse. So then I knew it was time to make the call to get on the schedule for surgery.
Anyone who knows me knows that I’ve got a touch of hypochondria in me. So when you add that to the fact that my mom passed away from complications due to surgery, it makes me extremely nervous for Monday. However, I know just how much I, and everyone around me, need this surgery to happen.
I truly haven’t been myself the last many months, but chronic pain will do that to you. Imagine every single step that you take for 6 months feeling like someone is literally cutting the muscle off your leg. Now also imagine that by the end of a normal workday, you’re completely hunched over barely able to get into your car and make it home. Then when you finally make it home, you’re in so much pain that you can’t sleep through the night and spend many nights sleeping on the hardwood floor just to get any sort of relief.
It has been a trying time for me, but I absolutely would have never gotten this far if it wasn’t for the love and support of everyone around me. My wife deserves all the credit in the world for supporting me when I’m not even close to being my best self. It’s definitely not easy having chronic pain, but it’s just as hard living with someone with chronic pain, so I can not truly express just how much I appreciate all the love and support she’s given me when I needed it the most. My friends and family have also been great through all this as well, but I would be remiss if I didn’t give a special shout-out to my coworkers at Hard Rock Atlantic City for their support as well. From helping to pick up boxes, getting me Starbucks so I don’t have to walk there myself, covering events that require too much walking, or just being there to talk to, I’m truly blessed to be surrounded by so many caring, supportive individuals in the workplace.
I also apologize to anyone who I may have hurt or offended over the past few months because of being distant or just not being my best self. One example that sticks out to me is that every year in October I have so many wonderful people reach out and wish me Happy Birthday (be it on Facebook, text, phone calls, etc) and every year I make it a point to thank each person individually and check-in and see how they’re doing as well. This year, I just didn’t have the strength to do that, so I’m sorry!
While I’m still very anxious about surgery, I am excited to have finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel. After a few weeks of rest and physical therapy, I look forward to slowly getting back to my old self. Thanks for listening and I’ll see you on the other side!
Legendary rapper (and actor) Earl Simmons, better known as DMX, passed away Friday April 9th, 2021. He was a legend of his craft and at one point my favorite rapper, so I felt compeled to write a few words about him.
Thanks to two older brothers, I listened to hip-hop music at a very young age. While I listened to a lot of my brothers’ music, it was DMX who felt like MY first real hip-hop superstar. His debut album, It’s Dark and Hell is Hot came out right before the summer of 1998 and it quickly became 12-year-old Justin’s album of the summer. I played that album on my Discman almost my entire trip to Cape May that summer, so of course when I was on the Wildwood boardwalk and saw a shirt that simply read “DMX – It’s Dark & Hell is Hot” I just had to buy it. Little did I know that a few months later this shirt would have me sent home from school because of its explicit lyrics. I went to a very diverse public school in Allentown, PA and I found it absurd then and even more so now as an adult.
In March of 2000, DMX and his Ruff Ryders Entertainment labelmates’ tour with Cash Money Records (Juvenile, Lil Wayne, BG, Big Tymers) came to Philadelphia and I begged my mom to take me. None of my friends’ parents would let them go to such a “dangerous” concert, so as a 14-year old I went to this show alone while my mom and her boyfriend hung out in the city. It was an incredible experience, and 21 years later I still have the Ruff Ryders beanie that I bought at the show. I was so into DMX during this time that I bought his first 6 albums on the day that they came out and would wind up buying other artists like DJ Clue and Dragon’s albums just becuase DMX was on a song or two.
However, as I got older, I started to enjoy other hip-hop acts much more than DMX. I think that part of my maturity process meant that songs with super violent, aggressive, and even homophobic lyrics honestly just didn’t interest me as much anymore. DMX was an imperfect human and it really showed on his albums. You could have a song like “Where the hood at?” which features extremely homophobic lyrics like “How you gonna explain f*cking a man? Even if we squashed the beef I ain’t touching your hand.” followed by a heartfelt prayer to god a few songs later. Also, while DMX has taken a lot of heat in the past for his homophobic lyrics, he also has tons of lyrics that could be considered very homoerotic including a line a few verses later in “Where the hood at?” where he talks about one man holding his private parts while another man performs oral sex. DMX was a talented yet extremely complicated artist.
DMX’s lyrics across his career are full of contractions and imperfections. He was a self-proclaimed religious child of god who committed a bible’s worth of sins. He was a loving, fun human being filled with incredible anger stemming from terrible childhood trauma. He knew that addiction was a terrible thing but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t escape those demons which ultimately cost him his life. When it comes to celebrities, DMX was truly as “real” as they come and that’s what made him so popular. He was an honest man with just as many faults as you and I, and he wore his emotions on his sleeve. For a period of time, he was the top dog in hip-hop and he brought a level of intensity to the genre not seen before. Even though I still don’t listen to his music as much as I used to, when a song of his pops up on a playlist or in my car, I’m still taken back to a very specific period of time and filled with nostalgia. Rest in peace DMX
Movies have helped many of us get through the craziness of the past year. Looking for something new to watch? I decided to compile a list of 14 movies that I feel are underrated (or not enough people have seen) and why you should watch them. Enjoy!
Sing Street (2016) – While this list isn’t in any sort of order, out of all the films on this list, Sing Street is my absolute favorite. This coming-of-age comedy-drama musical is written and directed by John Carney, who also wrote/directed the movies Once & Begin Again. I love both of those movies as well, but Sing Street is his masterpiece and it’s about a boy in Ireland who starts a band to impress a girl that he likes. Fans of 80’s music/culture will especially love the look/feel/sound of Sing Street.
The movie is funny, heartwarming, and has some really great music. Sing Street is the movie that I’ve recommended the most to people and literally everyone that I know whose taken me up on that recommendation has wound up loving it, including those who don’t really love musicals! (There is also a Broadway version that premiered right before COVID that I hope continues once Broadway re-opens, because I’d love to see it!)
Attack the Block (2011) – Before he starred as Finn in Star Wars, John Boyega made his film premiere as the lead in this British sci-fi/comedy/horror film. Attack the Block is about a gang of youngesters in the South London projects who stumble upon an alien invasion and have to defend themselves and their neighborhood. It also stars Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) as a nurse who winds up working with the gang to help fight the creatures.
The movie was filmed on a small $8 million dollar budget, but it looks much better than that. It’s the directorial debut of Joe Cornish, who would go on to write 2015’s Antman along with Edgar Wright. Attack the Block was featured on many critics’ best movies of 2011 lists and has become a cult hit, but still not enough people have seen this fun movie!
The Florida Project (2017) – The Florida Project is not a happy movie, but it’s impact stays with you long after you’ve watched it. The Florida Project is a drama about a 6-year old girl and her unemployed mother who live in a rundown motel called The Magic Castle which is located down the road from the happiest place on earth, Disney World. Williem Dafoe should have won an Academy Award for his incredible performance as Bobby the motel’s manager. The rest of the main cast is so talented that you’ll be surprised to find out that this was the first film appearance for the majority of them!
While the movie itself is fictional, there really are thousands of people living in absolute poverty all around the area that Disney World made famous. The Florida Project is an eye-opening, uncomfortable watch at times due to the subject matter. It’s one of those movies that you’ll likely never want to watch a second time, but you’ll still be glad that you experienced it once.
The Foot Fist Way (2006) – Looking for something lighter? The Foot Fist Way is a low-budget martial arts comedy that will have you laughing out loud. The movie was filmed for a mere $79,00 but is the launching point for both its star/writer Danny McBride & its other writer/director Jody Hill who would both go on to work together on HBO’s hilarious comedies Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals, & The Righteous Gemstones.
The Foot Fist Way feels like a movie you’d find on local cable around 2 am back in the early 90s, but that’s part of its charm. The movie is about the life of a black belt Taekwondo instructor with a big personality in a small town. Will Ferrell was so impressed with the movie he had his production company buy the distribution rights to this now cult comedy. It’s mindless and silly in all the best ways.
The Edukators (2004) – The first but not last foreign subtitled film on this list, The Edukators is better known as Die Fetten Jahre Sind Vorbei in German which means “The days of plenty are over”. It is a German/Austrian crime drama about young anarchists who break into the homes of wealthy people. They never steal anything, but they do send a message to the wealthy in other different ways.
One of the stars of this movie is Daniel Bruhl who would eventually become well known globally starring in films like Inglorious Basterds, Rush, and Captain America: Civil War. Bruhl’s most well-known foreign film is probably 2003’s Good Bye Lenin! (also worth a watch), but The Edukators is my favorite German-language movie of his. Don’t let subtitles scare you, this film makes some interesting political/social statements that should make people of all ages really think.
Undisputed (2002) – If you’re looking for an underrated sports action movie, look no further than Undisputed. It’s about an undefeated champion boxer, played by Ving Rhames who is sent to prison for rape where he eventually has to fight the reigning prison boxing champion played by Wesley Snipes.
It’s written and directed by the legendary Walter Hill (The Warriors, 48 Hours) but it’s easily his most underappreciated film. It’s a “B” action movie in all the good ways: it’s fun, short (96 minutes), and has great action & suspense. There’s no “deeper” meaning to the movie, it’s just a really solid movie if you ever need of a quick solid action flick.
The Founder (2016) – Michael Keaton stars as Ray Kroc in this biographical drama about the rise of McDonald’s as a national fast-food chain. Keaton, who has long been one of my favorite actors, is absolutely dynamic in his role here. The film also stars Nick Offerman (Parks & Rec) and John Carroll Lynch (The Drew Carey Show) as the McDonalds brothers. It’s directed by John Lee Hancock who is well known for directing other bio-pics including The Blind Side, The Rookie, The Alamo, and The Highwaymen.
The story itself provides a very interesting look at success and how its can be related to the darker sides of American capitalism. I always knew a little bit about the story of how McDonald’s became a national chain, but I learned a lot more from watching this film. Some biographical dramas can suffer when it comes to pacing, but this movie stayed engaging and entertaining throughout its entire nearly 2-hour run time. We’ve all eaten McDonald’s, so we should all know and watch this story!
Tsotsi (2005) – Out of all the movies on this list, I’m sure this is the movie that the least amount of people have heard of. This South African crime film is about a hardened young gang leader named Tsotsi who shoots a young woman and steals her car only to discover a baby in its back seat. Instead of harming the baby, he decides to take it home and attempts to care for it.
This movie, which stars all South African actors, is a breath of fresh from your typical Hollywood-made movies. It’s also one of those rare films where we get to see a truly bad person attempt to redeem himself. How will this baby completely change this cold-blooded killer’s life? You just have to watch it to find out!
About Time (2013) – Writer/Director Richard Curtis is known for his classic romantic comedies (Love Actually, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones) and yet it’s rare that I hear anyone talk about About Time. Maybe it’s the time travel? Or maybe it’s because Domhnall Gleeson is an unlikely leading man? Whatever the reason, this film remains vastly underrated and that’s a real shame.
Rom-coms are usually hit or miss for me, but About Time is really good. It’s a beautifully sincere and sentimental movie that I think too many people might have skipped over. The movie also stars Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy as the lead character’s love interest and father, respectively. There is also one emotional scene with his father that absolutely gets me every single time that I’ve seen it. As far as underrated rom-coms go, this is at the top of my list!
Beasts of No Nations (2015) – Today, Netflix is filled with tons of its own original movies, but Beasts of No Nation was the streaming platform’s first and is still remains one of its best. Beasts features Idris Elba as the Commandant who leads a group of guerilla soldiers, many of them children, during an African civil war. One of those children is Agu, and this movie follows his fall from innocence. The movie is a bleak, powerful look into the life of a child soldier.
Given the subject matter, it’s one of those movies that you have to be prepared for, but don’t let that turn you off. While this film is fictional, many real-world atrocities like this movie happen every day. As Americans, we like to turn a blind eye to what’s going on in other countries, especially the poor “unimportant” ones, but this film helps play a small part in opening our eyes to the brutal horrors happening elsewhere.
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) – If you ask the average person what their favorite Coen Brothers movie is, they’re likely to say something like Fargo, The Big Lebowksi, O’Brother Where Art Thou, or No Country For Old Men. My favorite Coen Brothers movie? It’s Inside Llewyn Davis, and it’s not even close! Set in the early 1960s, the movie stars Oscar Isaac as the title character who happens to be a down on his luck, melancholy folk singer looking for his big break. Most people will think my man crush for Oscar started with the new Star Wars trilogy, but it actually started with this movie.
Did you know that Oscar Isaac is also a really good singer? If you didn’t, you’ll find out very quickly that he is. The incredible soundtrack was produced by T Bone Burnett and also features the likes of Justin Timberlake, Marcus Mumford, and Adam Driver. This movie was nominated for two academy awards, and yet it somehow still remains vastly overrated. It is the Coen Brothers most soulful movie by far!
Seven Samurai (1954) – You may be asking yourself how can a movie that has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is ranked #19 on IMDB’s top movies of all-time be considered underrated, and I’ll answer that in a form of a question. Have you seen all 207 minutes of it? The answer, unless you’re a film buff or took a few film classes in college, is likely no. But you should!
Kurosawa’s epic Samurai masterpiece is one of, if not the most, influential movies of all-time. It’s about a village in Japan that hire seven ronin (masterless samurai) to protect them from bandits. Does that sound familiar? It should because it’s the basis of both The Magnificent Seven movies. Every director from George Lucas to Quentin Tarantino has been influenced by the Seven Samurai and its influence can be seen in movies like Mad Max, Lord of the Rings, the Matrix, The Three Amigos, Justice League, Infinity War, and many, many more! Outside of being in black & white, the film still feels extremely modern especially when it comes to photography/directing. If you’ve never watched one of the single most important movies of all-time you should finally do so.
Idlewild (2006) – Did you know that Outkast, one of the greatest hip-hop groups of all-time, made a musical set in the prohibition-era south? Well, they did and it’s a lot better than you realize. It was also one of my late mother’s favorite newer movies and she was never a big fan of hip-hop. The story follows childhood friends Percival (Andre 3000) and Rooster (Big Boi), speakeasy musicians who run into issues with some local gangsters.
The real star of the movie is obviously the musical numbers. Some of the songs in the movie were previously featured on Outkast’s Speakerboxx/The Love Below double album, but there’s also a soundtrack of new songs made just for the movie. The new songs mix modern hip-hop with jazz/blues from the 1930s and the results are truly incredible (my favorite songs are “PJ & Rooster”, “Idlewild Blue”, “Chronomentrophobia”, & “When I look In Your Eyes”) You absolutely do not have to be a fan of hip-hop to enjoy this underrated gem, and if you go into it with an open mind I think you’ll come out pleasantly surprised.
A Goofy Movie (1995) – I know that a lot of people my age watched A Goofy Movie when it came out, but how many have since seen it again as an adult? A Goofy Movie may just be Disney’s most underrated movie of all-time, and that’s really saying something. The cross-generational connection story between Goofy, a single father just trying his hardest, and his son Max, your typical angsty teenager, truly doesn’t get the credit it deserves. When you watch it as a kid, you’re totally on Max’s side but the older you get, you start to understand where Goofy is coming from as well.
The movie also features an incredible soundtrack. Tevin Campbell’s (aka Powerline) “I2″I & “Standout” are fantastic high energy pop-songs that still hold up today. “After Today” and “On the Open Road” are humorous and “Nobody Else But You” is the movie’s emotional “father & son” song. I really think that out of all the Disney movies, A Goofy Movie understands the complexities of a parent/child relationship the most, and that’s what makes it so special. Not many movies touch on male bonding/learning from a father figure as well as this one does!
So that’s my list! I really hope that you find some new-to-you movies on here that you wind up really enoying!
At the time of writing, there has been over 490,000 deaths in the United States and more than 2,400,000 across the world due to COVID-19. As I wrote about here on my blog previously, I know people who’ve lost their lives to this terrible virus. I also know many more folks who’ve either lost their businesses/jobs to COVID, including myself.
So it really was a no-brainer that as soon as I had the opportunity to get the vaccine that I would take it. Getting the vaccine will help end the pandemic sooner and with fewer lives lost. The vaccine will also help our economy rebound and help us all get back to the things we love like travel, concerts, sporting events, dining out, and even just being able to see and hang out with our loved ones!
Now that I’ve had both doses of the Moderna vaccine, I felt that it was necessary to write up a little post about my experiences, good and bad, with each shot. So here is my full experience with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Shot 1: I received my first shot on a Friday around 4:50 PM. The shot in my left arm was honestly painless, and I waited 15 minutes to make sure that I had no allergic reaction before I drove home. On my way home, I noticed that my arm was starting to hurt and by around 8pm that night it was really sore. Around 8:30 I was extremely fatigued and went to sleep. I jumped awake 2 or 3 times during the night which almost felt like a mini anxiety attack, but I now think that it might have just been caused by the pain in my arm.
On Saturday, I woke up feeling like I had a small head cold and was still just really tired. My left arm was completely killing me at this point (I couldn’t lay/sleep on it or touch the injection site) so I took some Motrin and just basically spent the day in bed watching TV.
On Sunday, I had a temperature of 99.9 and some chills and fatigue. I had another lazy day, but I was totally fine when I woke up on Monday.
Shot 2: I received my second Moderna shot exactly 28 days later this past Friday (Feb 12th) around 4pm. Once again the shot itself didn’t hurt at all but my arm almost started hurting immediately after this time. I waited the 15 minutes again and drove home.
This is where things started to become a different than the first shot. I felt pretty sick around dinner time, so I figured it was just best to go to bed early. I fell asleep from like 9PMish until around midnight but then it became way too uncomfortable to sleep. I spent most of the late night/early AM just trying to get warm as I was freezing cold and eventually I was able to get two more hours of sleep in the early morning hours.
Saturday was, no hyperbole, one of the worst sick days that I’ve ever had in my life. My fever peaked at 102.9 and all day long I had joint pains in what felt like every single joint in my entire body. I was also even colder than earlier, so I spent most of the day wrapped in many blankets and with all of the heating pads in our house. At one point, I even took a bath and turned the hot water to max and still could barely get warm. I alternated between Motrin & Tylenol throughout the day, which at times helped take the edge off slightly.
In addition to this, I also was pretty dizzy throughout the day on Saturday. The only time in my life that I can ever remember feeling this bad was when I had the flu a few years ago and had to go to the hospital with a 105 fever and dehydration. It wasn’t a great day, but it wasn’t COVID and I just kept reminding myself that it was for the greater good.
On Sunday, my fever stayed mostly around 100 during the day but it again rose beyond 101 at night. I still felt pretty sick (joint paints, dizziness, etc.), but the intensity of it all was definitely decreased from Saturday. If Saturday was a “very sick” day, then Sunday was just “normal sick” day.
My temperature was around 99.9 all day long on Monday, but my joint paint and dizziness had basically subsided. Stomach discomfort/issues popped up in their place, but it was still an improvement over the previous two days. I stopped taking my Motrin/Tylenol since my fever felt like it essentially was gone.
On Tuesday, I started feeling sick again just doing basic things around the house, so I checked my temperature and saw that it had spiked back up to over 100. The highest my temperature got to on Tuesday was 100.6, so I started my Motrin/Tylenol regiment again for the day. In addition to this, I still had the stomach discomfort from the day before.
Finally on Wednesday, I began to feel like myself again. My temperature was completely gone as were all the aches/pains/stomach discomfort/etc that had popped up the last few days. Wednesday I was just mostly really tired from having no full nights of sleep since Friday. I slept really good Wednesday night into Thursday!
In conclusion: I feel extremely lucky to have already received both vaccine doses, even if it did make me feel pretty awful for a few days. Out of everyone that I know who has gotten it so far, I had the most harsh reaction, though I did see some other people on Twitter having an experience similar to mine.
Most of the people that I know who’ve gotten their 2nd vaccine shot had a bad 12-24 hours and then were fine. It also looks like young adults are having harsher reactions to the 2nd shot than older adults because of their stronger immune systems, which makes sense. I’ve been told from people in the know that if this becomes a yearly thing (where you’d need a booster shot each year) that the booster wouldn’t be nearly as high of a dose as this 2nd vaccine, so the effects won’t be as harsh either. So that makes me feel better about getting it every year, if necessary.
While I had a bad few days, it’s absolutely nothing compared to being in the hospital fighting to breathe infected with COVID. If being sick at home for a day or two (or a few days in my case) means that we’re able to destroy COVID and get back to whatever our “new normal” looks like, I’m all for it. The vaccine, even at its absolute worse, is really nothing to be afraid of. I do hope that everyone who reads this gets it when they have the opportunity to do so. And if you have any questions about it/my experience, feel free to reach out!
“There is a park that is known for the face it attracts Colorful people whose hair on 1 side is swept back The smile on their faces it speaks of profound inner peace Ask where they’re going they’ll tell you nowhere They’ve taken a lifetime lease on Paisley Park
The girl on the seesaw is laughing for love is the color this place imparts Admission is easy, just say U b-lieve and come to this place in your heart Paisley Park is in your heart”
For my 35th birthday back in October, my amazing wife gifted me a trip to Minnesota to finally visit my own personal mecca, Paisley Park Studios. For those who don’t know, Paisley Park is the late, great Prince’s 65,000 square foot personal studio and live music/rehearsal space right outside of Minneapolis. It opened in 1987 and then also eventually became Prince’s home as well. In addition to being the place where Prince created many of his masterpieces, Paisley Park was used by other musicians, companies for TV commercials, and its soundstage was used to film movies like Drop Dead Fred & Grumpy/Grumpier Old Men.
Before Prince passed away at Paisley Park on April 21st 2016, it was always my dream to get to Paisley and see one of the infamous private shows. While that never happened, my first trip to Minnesota was still one of the best experiences ever. Minneapolis shaped Prince into the man and the artist he became, and he always remained close to his roots even when he grew into a mega star. As Prince once said, “I like Hollywood. I just like Minneapolis a little bit better.”
Now you might be wondering, “If you visited back in October why are you just writing about your experience now?” and the reason is quite simple. I real wanted to really sit with my feelings about this important trip, which ended up being way more than just a trip to Paisley Park, before I wrote anything about my experiences.
I started this trip by leaving Philadelphia early in the morning and driving all the way through until I reached Chicago. Since I left on my actual birthday, I absolutely had to have Giordano’s deep dish for my birthday dinner. Being that COVID was at a high level, I had the pizza sent to my hotel room where I ate entirely way too much and then fell asleep before I started my next leg to Minnesota.
I left Chicago and made my way to Minneapolis. On the way, I made a quick stop at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. I’ve always wanted to visit the MOA since I was 9 years old and first saw Charlie Conway, Jessie Hall & Lester Averman rollerblading through it during D2: The Mighty Ducks. Again due to COVID, I only briefly stayed inside, but I would absolutely love to visit again sometime when it’s safe. Their amusement park looks incredible and they’ve even have two Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle rides!
Before I stopped at my hotel near Paisley Park I figured that I would make a stop at Electric Fetus, Prince’s favorite music shop and just a really cool spot. On my way driving to EF, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a few blocked off streets to my right & then it immediately hit me where I was. I knew that I had to pull my car over right then and there.
My journey just so happened to take me right past the scene of George Floyd’s horrific murder a mere 4 and a half months prior at the hands of local police officers. This was not at all planned and I had no idea my path was taking me in this direction, but it was clear that the universe was speaking to me and telling me to pull over.
Quite a few blocks around the area had been blocked off for this impromptu community memorial. I’ve been to cemeteries across the country and world, and none of them have ever felt as heavy as the site of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue did. There were many other people there paying their respects by visiting the place where the the spark that lit the Black Lives Matter movement happened.
As I stood in this infamous spot, I honestly couldn’t help put think of Prince. I wondered what he would have done if he were still alive, not only for the Black Lives Matter movement but also for his local community that was suffering. Prince was great humanitarian, and I know that he would have helped his beloved Minnesota with as much support as it needed. He probably would have created some incredible art from this pain as well.
My last time seeing Prince in concert was in Baltimore at his “Rally 4 Peace” benefit in 2015 following the murder of Freddie Gray by the Baltimore police. This was and will always be the best concert that I’ve ever attended. The benefit helped the community to heal and also provided money to local youth-based charities. I know that Prince would have created one of the greatest concerts ever for Minneapolis/BLM, and it saddens me that we never got to see it.
If you’re ever in Minneapolis, I urge you to all to stop by this site and just take it all in. I hope that it stays preserved forever because it’s importance can not be overstated.
I visited Electric Festus afterwards. It’s a pretty eclectic and fun record store, and its easy to see why Prince loved it. I picked up a beanie for the winter, and headed back to my hotel to get a good night’s rest for the excitement that was to come tomorrow.
The next morning, I arrived at Paisley Park ready for my “Ultimate Experience” tour. There are three tours at Paisley: Paisley Experience ($45), VIP ($85), & Ultimate ($160). My wife got me a ticket for the Ultimate because well she knows that I’m a huge fan who would appreciate it. If you’re a fan of Prince, without a doubt take the ultimate tour because it’s absolutely worth it. You get access to more of his studios, get to see private footage, and get to hear exclusive music (more on that later).
The tour had 23 participants, all of whom were spaced out and wearing masks the entire 2 1/2 hours. I felt that health & safety protocols for COVID we great and I never once felt at risk since we were kept far apart. Our tour guide was Tommy, a local fan who attended many paisley park concerts, including Prince’s last at the park. Tommy is a VERY knowledgeable volunteer who you can tell loves Prince as much as anyone. He told us that Prince gave him so much joy in his life that his way of paying it forward was to volunteer on these weekend tours.
The first part of the tour takes you through the lobby/kitchen area which also houses Prince’s office and a few other display rooms. Photos are only allowed during the final part of the tour, so everything that you’re seeing here is from that final section. Your phone is locked away in a smart bag that is not unlocked until you reach the final part of the tour. The downstairs has an absolutely beautiful cloud motif that is enhanced by glass skylights. If I could make my house look like that, I would in a heartbeat. The elevator area, where Prince passed, is down in that area but it has since been walled off out of respect and a large Prince poster hangs where the entrance once was.
After the tour of the downstairs, including Prince’s diner-style kitchen, we were off to an editing suite where we watched exclusive video footage while being told stories about Prince’s grueling rehearsals. It was awesome just sitting in his editing suite and imagining what that must have been like being in there with Prince at 5am still working after a show that night. After this, you’re headed off his different recording studios
While getting a look at Prince’s recording studios if you’re on the Ultimate tour you’re also given a Paisley Park purple USB drive which is used to save the photos they take of you inside the studio with Prince’s guitar in the foreground and his piano in the background.
Experiencing Prince’s recording studios is nothing short of incredible. Listening to his music, in his studio, with his speaker setup is an experience that will make all Prince fans hearts fill with joy. His main studio is still set up exactly how it was when he was alive, and you really can fill his presence in the room, just like you can throughout the whole tour. It’s weird to say, but while on this tour it really does feel like Prince could just pop out and say hi at any moment.
The last little part of the tour studio tour gave us the chance to listen to an exclusive snippet of a Prince music project that has never been heard in public before. The music comes from a reported jazz-fusion album which Prince was working on days before he passed. Hearing unfinished music that quite possibly will never be released to the general public was a special feeling.
After the studios you head to the purple rain room. This is Prince’s old basketball court which has now been turned into a room highlighting the movie. From there, you head to the infamous sound stage where Prince hosted his legendary concerts. Here is where they unlock your phone and you’re able to take pictures once inside. The area is huge and there’s a really cool introduction, which I don’t want to spoil, that happens before the lights go up.
The sound stage has all kinds of Prince props including instruments, awards, promotional materials, outfits, and even some of his cars. You get a lot of time in this room to walk around, take photos, and just enjoy the music and video show happening on stage.
I would absolutely love to come back and visit when a concert or party happens at Paisley again. The space is incredible and I’m sure makes for one hell of a party!
After the sound stage, you head to the smaller performance space/café. It’s a relaxing, chill room that eventually leads to the gift shop. They allowed us to take drinks from the refrigerator, and I opted for a bottle of water that had a Paisley Park label. The gift shop was a lot smaller than I expected. Don’t get me wrong, there’s some good merch there, but the space is quite small.
We were told that during COVID they started cleaning out some vaults and found some old merch that you were only able to purchase there in person. I was lucky to pick up a rare original, unopened promo-only cassette tape single of The New Power Generation’s “The War”. That incredible find alone was worth the trip! (I also got a t-shirt, some pins, and a Paisley Park tambourine)
Before heading out, I made sure to walk along the road to the right in front of Paisley Park which takes you to the tribute fence/tunnel. Fans from all over the country have left their mark in all different forms, and it’s really quite the sight to see just how much he meant to so many different people.
So the question I’ve been asked the most is, “Is it worth visiting” and the answer is 100% yes! I know that if you’re a Prince fan I really don’t have to convince you of this, but I think that all music fans would really enjoy a trip to Paisley Park in the same way that people still enjoy Graceland to this day.
In the future, I would love to see the estate expand the tour a little bit. You don’t get to see any of the upstairs, which I understand to a point. I assume that Prince’s bedroom has very likely been untouched since his passing, and I’m ok with leaving that part out. However, from the first floor you can see the pet doves and his fitting room, so I’m sure there’s some room to expand on the top floor to get a look. Also, Prince’s tour bus sits out in the backyard and I’d love it if they would eventually allow you to step in for a quick look. But these are all minor suggestions and I will absolutely visit Paisley again at some point in my life regardless if they make them or not.
After Paisley, I met up with a friend who until this point I knew only virtually, Amy and her daughter Erin, and they showed me around downtown. Obviously they took me to First Avenue (where the concert portions of Purple Rain were filmed) and get a picture with Prince’s star! Another reason I have to return to Minneapolis is because I still would love to see a show at First Avenue, one of the most legendary clubs in the country.
After First Avenue, my tour guides took me over to the iconic music-stave mural parking lot. Just as Prince was becoming a star, he posed for what would become an iconic photoshoot here. Lizzo, who early on in her career was featured on Prince’s 3rdEyeGirl’s song “BoyTrouble”, stood in front of the same mural for her music video to her 2018 hit “Boys”.
We then walked around the Mill Ruins Park area and that’s when I realized how stunning of a place Minneapolis was. I’m sure that it’s wicked cold/snowy in the winter, but on this fall day it looked great. I had lunch with my friends and promised myself that I’d come back and visit again sometime. As a foodie, I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about the Minnesota State Fair (especially the chocolate chip cookies), so yeah, I’ll be back!
On my way home, I checked my GPS at the right time and realized that I was driving right past Gary, Indiana. Gary is popular to music fans for two things: the song from The Music Man & home of the Jackson Five. I put the Jackson’s house in my Google Maps and pulled off the highway since it would really only add 10 minutes to my trip.
I first became aware of the importance of the Jackson family home from the 1992 ABC miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream. It is even smaller than it seems on TV and it’s absolutely crazy to consider that at one point all 11 family members resided in this tiny house.
The house has a gate around it and its windows are covered, so there’s not much going on. There is a little MJ memorial plaque in the concrete, but outside of that there’s nothing else to see. It’s a cool, quick photo opp, but nothing more. Gary, Indiana also has one of the highest murder rates in America, so just be careful if you travel there.
I’m glad that I was able to spend my 35th birthday knocking some things off my bucket list with this awesome little road trip to Minnesota. I can’t thank my wife enough for this amazing trip, which I hope that you’re all able to experience sometime as well. Thanks for reading!
“I will always live in Minneapolis. It’s so cold, it keeps the bad people out.” – Prince
I’ve likely spent more time on YouTube these past few months than I ever have before in my life, so I thought it would be a good idea to share my Top 10 favorite channels (plus one honorable mention).
Check this list out and I guarantee that you’ll find some great new content to watch!
Mark Rober: Mark is my favorite person on YouTube, and while you may not know him by name, you likely recognize some of his videos. He’s probably most famous for his two videos involving glitter bomb traps for porch package thieves. His videos range from the science behind carnival game scams to creating the world’s largest Super Soaker. Mark previously worked at NASA and his videos are both wildly fun and educational. Pre-Covid, it was announced that Mark would be hosting a show on Discovery called “Revenge of the Nerd”, but I’m not sure what the status of that show is now. Here’s hoping it’s still a go. But at least he’s still making videos on YouTube, his most recent being a squirrel ninja obstacle course. It’s a dream of mine to be in a future video somehow because they all look like an absolute blast.
BrewstewFilms: According to his bio, “I make crappy cartoons about my real-life experiences” and while BrewStew’s animation is pretty shoddy, the humor and stories told are fantastic. The crude animation actually has become part of the channel’s charm too. Tyler Rudolph is the creator/narrator and I really relate to his comedy and stories because he’s around the same age as me and we’ve had a lot of similar experiences as kids it seems. He’s done videos on the Pokemon Card phenomenon and trips to Blockbuster, two of my favorites! If you were an 80’s/90’s kid, I think that you’ll really enjoy his channel and the stories that he tells.
Steve1989MREInfo: Steve Thomas has been described as “The Bob Ross of Food Reviews” and it is a very fitting title. Steve eats and reviews military rations (MREs) from armed forces across the globe, including some VERY old meals. Recently, he ate a 1906 US Army ration . Previously, he’s also eaten rations left over from the Vietnam War and World War II. It may sound “disgusting”, but the videos are really anything but. The majority of these rations have actually held up pretty well over the years, and Steve’s videos are just a very calming, enjoyable watch. Like Bob Ross, Steve just seems like a genuinely nice human being who just really enjoys eating and reviewing MREs. His excitement for some of this food is contagious and he has me wanting to ordering MREs to try. (Just don’t watch this channel late at night or you may get hungry)
Defunctland: Defunctland is a fascinating channel on YouTube that started out documenting amusement parks and attractions from around the world that are no longer up and running. It has also expanded to include discontinued television shows. It’s easily one of the highest quality shows on YouTube in terms of production and research. It’s so good that when you’re watching it you’ll be surprised that it isn’t on the History or Travel channel. This channel is an absolute must for anyone who loves amusement parks like myself. My favorite videos are the histories of Disney’s old 20,000 leagues under the seas ride, Nickelodeon’s Legends of the Hidden Temple, and Universal Studios Earthquake ride.
The Vista Group: The Vista Group is the newest channel on this list as they only began uploading videos about a year ago. However, they have quickly become one of my strange favorites. Vista Group uploads forgotten and rare VHS and broadcast content, including some really odd videos. My favorites so far include a Jason Priestly Gun Safety video, Richard Simmons Sweating with the Oldies, and a Ringling Brothers Be A Clown instructional video. The channel really is just an archive of random old videos, but there’s some interesting content here for everyone. They’re another channel that I think 80s/90s kids will especially enjoy exploring.
OSW Review: OSW Review stands for Old School Wrestling Review and it’s a channel started by three lads from Ireland who chronologically critique old school pro wrestling pay per views (PPVs). They’ve since expanded and have some other reviews up, but pro wrestling is obviously their bread and butter. I grew up loving pro wrestling as a kid and this channel gives me a nice fix of nostalgia. It doesn’t hurt that Jay, V1, and Mr. OOC are pretty damn hilarious and have no problem making fun of some of these old wrestlers/storylines. This channel is perfect for anyone who used to enjoy pro wrestling but feels like today’s product just isn’t as good. And I mean who doesn’t want to revisit the good ol’ The Lex Express?
Inside The Magic: Everyone knows that I love Disney World, but allow me to tell you a little story from our last trip. My wife and I sat down for lunch at Woody’s Lunchbox in Toy Story Land and seats were at a premium so we let a grandmother and her severely autistic grandson share our table. We befriended them and stayed there for a bit just talking with them. The grandson couldn’t go on most of the rides since they were too stimulating, but he knew almost all of the rides inside & out and could tell you all about them. The reason is because he watched them on YouTube on Inside The Magic which allowed him to enjoy the rides even though he physically couldn’t ride them. This channel, and others like it, are great for anyone who wants to experience Disney rides without actually being there. Want to experience Norway’s Frozen Ride? You can! Did you miss the Yeti on Expedition Everest when you rode it? Here he is! ITM also has other great theme park content videos as well. My only suggestion would be to not use this for rides that you haven’t experienced in person yet, especially Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, unless you think that you’ll never actually get on them. Those rides are extra special and deserve to be ridden in person first!
Pat the NES Punk: Pat’s channel started out as all things related to the classic Nintendo Entertainment System. It is a great channel for all the gamers out there who grew up playing the original NES. He eventually branched out a bit and now also includes commentary on modern games as well, but Nintendo remains his bread and butter. He’s written two guide books on the NES and Super NES libraries, so the guy really knows his stuff. He’s often now joined on camera with Ian Ferguson, his podcast co-host. The channel has new gaming related videos up each day, and most have a real morning radio show vibe with Ian & Pat. He has been uploading videos for 12 years, so there’s a lot of content to go through, and his older videos remain my favorite. My two favorite Pat videos are his review of the very rare Flintstones Surprise at Dinosaur Peak game and his review of the old WWF NES games.
Tom Scott: My friend Zach put me on to British Youtuber Tom Scott only recently, but he’s already in my top channels. Tom’s channel is filled with fun, educational videos on topics such as history, science, tech, and more. One of my favorite videos of his is called “Why You Can’t Buy Dasani Water In Britain” which talks about the interesting flop of Coke’s bottled water product in the UK. I also love his “If Educational Videos Were Filmed Like Music Videos” post. He has series on his channel including “Things you might not know”, “Amazing Places” and “Built for science”. His videos aren’t too long either and you’ll likely learn tons of random knowledge from them. Tom also has a channel with his friend Matt called “Matt & Tom” which has some good content as well, but is updated less often than his main channel.
Major Wrestling Figure Podcast: Started and run by pro wrestlers Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder) and Brian Myers (fka Curt Hawkins) this channel is for all the kids who grew up playing with/collecting wrestling action figures. Not only that, they’ve begun branching out to include non-wrestling figure videos such as a review of NECA’s TMNT line. This channel brings back all the feelings of walking into a Toys”R”Us, Kiddie City, or Kay-Bee and searching the aisles for the figs you needed for your collection. They’ve got some LONG videos that are absolutely filled with nostalgia and great information, like the history of the wwf hasboro figures and the history of wwf ljn figures. They also do some pretty entertaining fig hunt videos as well, where they take trips to toy stores in search of action figures.
Honorable Mention – I Am Skippy: While on tour working for the band Chester French back in 2009 my Blackberry Curve trackball broke right when we got to Orem, Utah for a show on the Blink 182 tour. Outside of the venue, I found a very nice, quirky Mormon fella who volunteered to give me a ride to the mall to get my phone fixed. I gave him a ticket to the show as a thank you, and we’ve remained in contact ever since. That guy is Scott “Skippy” Jessop better known as IamSkippy, Skippy the Virgin, or Sundance Skippy. Skippy is the real life 40+ year old virgin whose channel can best be described as “cringe” videos. Skippy posts cringey videos of his dates on his search for love, and let’s just say that he hasn’t had much success yet. People can be a bit harsh on Skippy for his dating interactions, but deep down he’s truly a nice guy who honestly just isn’t great with the ladies/dating. Skippy also has a hobby of meeting celebrities (which he sometimes films as well) and has also been featured on TLC, Chelsea Handler (Hosted by Dave Grohl), Jamari’s YouTube (I subscribe to Jamari, and he’s just outside my top 10), & more! I didn’t think it was fair to include him in my top 10 since I’m a bit biased and I have also played a role in helping out with some content ideas for his channel.
Today, April 21st 2020 marks the four year anniversary of the death of the greatest musician to ever walk the face of this earth, Prince Rogers Nelson.
For those who don’t know, he is also the inspiration for the name of this website. His song “Computer Blue” off the Purple Rain soundtrack is one of my favorite Prince songs. If you’ve never listened to it, do so today in his honor because it features one of his best guitar solos & ahead of its time drum programming. Purple also was Prince’s color, and it’s also my favorite as well (It doesn’t hurt that I’m also a Lakers fan!). So that’s how the name Computer Purple came to be!
Prince’s music has always been a shining light through any sort of darkness that life has brought me. When my mom passed away, Prince was there. If I needed to cry, I put on “Sometimes It Snows in April”. If I wanted to laugh I’d put on “Batdance”. Prince’s music has always been there to help with any sort of emotion that I was feeling or needed. From sad, gut-wrenching lyrics to happy pop records, his genre-less discography truly has something for everyone and every mood.
About a year before Prince passed away, he announced he was holding a Rally 4 Peace in Baltimore, Maryland to benefit Baltimore-based youth charities in the wake of the controversial death of Freddie Gray. I knew that I had to get down there to see this show, so I got a ticket and spent the day alone in Baltimore preparing for what would wind up being the best concert that I’ve ever been to.
Prince played for what seemed like forever (he had four encores) and brought out special guests including Miguel, Estelle, and Doug E. Fresh. If you’ve ever attended a Prince show, you know that going to one was like attending spiritual service with strangers who would quickly become friends. I spoke with easily 50-100 people that night that just wanted to share their stories about what Prince and his music meant to them, how many times they’ve seen him, and more.
I never would have guessed that was the last time I would be able to see him live. Prince had a very strict “No Camera” policy which was being enforced throughout the show, but I did manage to get one very quick/blurry photo (see below). While I selfishly would have loved to have more photos/videos of the show, I do understand the experience that Prince was hoping everyone would get to enjoy without their phones. I remember it like it was yesterday, and I’m sad that he’s not around to experience it again.
“We have lost our greatest living musician. But his music will never die” – Justin Timberlake
“When I saw Prince do the Super Bowl, and how he conducted not just the people but the rain. I thought to myself that’s God’s child” – Cindy Lauper
“Prince is king to me” – Robyn
“He was and is our #1 idol. Without him we would have never picked up instruments, started writing songs, or become a band. He is and will always be the most inspiring musician in our lives.” – Haim
“He was singular in his music. He was his own genre ” – Questlove
“I was watching the greatest living performer known to man sing my song to 100 million people as if it were his own (and, it goes without saying, much better than I ever could)….. It is my life’s greatest compliment.” – Dave Grohl
Nothing Compares to Prince and tonight CBS is honoring him with a tribute concert that I highly suggest checking out. The Foo Fighters, Beck, John Legend, Gary Clark Jr, Chris Martin & more will all be paying tribute to the most talented musician that we’ve ever seen.
We’ve reached the point of our COVID-19 quarantines where many of us are searching for new shows to discover. I’m here to suggest that four of the best shows that you can watch right now revolve around either soccer or professional wrestling….. And now I’m sure many people have now stopped reading due to the shows featuring two divisive sports, but I promise that you don’t have to be a fan of either to enjoy these four shows (including one the whole family can enjoy). So just hear me out!
Sunderland ‘Til I Die – The second season of this Netflix documentary series premiered a few weeks ago and it follows Sunderland Association Football Club as they try to rise back to the top of English professional football. Sunderland is an historic championship club that has fallen on tough times and the less you know about what has happened, the better.
Why should you watch it? Well quite frankly because it is the best documentary series that Netflix has ever produced. Sorry Americans, but English football fans are the most passionate in the world and this show actually gives you a look into that world. You truly understand just how much this team means to its city and the people who reside there. Also, you really can’t even make up the drama that happens during these two seasons. It features the highest of highs and lowest of lows, and this show is a masterpiece of sports documentary storytelling.
Any sports fan who needs a sports fix right now, this show is absolutely for you. Anyone who also “never really understood” or “doesn’t like soccer”, this show is also for you. It is edge of your seat, real life drama from the front office to the pitch (soccer field). You’ll leave not only wanting more, but also caring about this town & it’s club. You’ll also appreciate the beautiful game a little bit more as well. Maybe you’ll never be a “soccer fan”, but I promise after watching this you’ll understand the love fans have for their teams.
The English Game: From the creator of Downton Abbey comes Netflix’s miniseries The English Game, which takes a look at the early days of soccer in England. It’s a quick 6-episode series, so it’s an easy one to tackle.
Why should you watch it? First, it’s a beautifully produced show that rivals Netflix’s other great show The Crown in terms of the look and feel of its era. Soccer used to be a sport just for just the wealthy in England, but this shows gives you a glimpse into how the working-class began to change the game on and off the pitch.
Let me first say that there are quite a few historical inaccuracies in this story (which is actually quite common for many dramatizations), but ultimately those inaccuracies do not take away from the bigger picture. Sport has always had the power to unite us all, especially during hard times, and this miniseries shows that. Fans of Downton Abbey will enjoy familiar-feeling dramatic side plots that will keep even non-football fans engaged in the story.
Dark Side Of The Ring: ViceTV’s documentary series is in the middle of it’s second season and it explores all of professional wrestling’s most controversial stories. For those who don’t have ViceTV as a channel, you can find most of these episodes elsewhere on the internet for free (shhhhh!)
Why should you watch it? If this show were on Netflix, more people would be talking about it than the Tiger King, because it’s that good (100% score on Rotten tomatoes). You don’t have to like professional wrestling to love a good mystery and these stories have it all: drugs, murder, mysterious deaths, Shakespearean family tragedies, corruption, and more!
Take it from my brother Morgan who hasn’t watched professional wrestling since we were kids, “I love/hate you for introducing me to this show.” The show really does suck you in and winds up touching on every single emotion. Each episode tells a different story, and all of them are engaging in their own right. VICE has created something very special with this show and it deserves way more recognition than its currently getting (I blame that on anti-pro wrestling bias to be completely honest).
Growing up in Allentown, PA (a hot bed for professional wrestling for those who don’t know) there’s also a local connection as its most recent episode explored the death of Jimmy Snuka’s girlfriend in a Whitehall, PA motel. As someone who used to work in the Morning Call’s Sports Department, I loved all the local shout-outs. This is a show worth seeking out, even if you dislike professional wrestling, like I know many people do.
The Big Show Show: And finally, this 8-episode sitcom premiered on Netflix on April 6th and is something the entire family can watch and enjoy together. It follows a fictionalized version of Paul Wight aka pro wrestler The Big Show as he retires and settles in at home with his wife and three daughters.
Why you should watch it? When I first saw a tweet about this show a few months back, I thought it was a joke. I also thought this show would be an unwatchable disaster, but wow was I wrong!
This show really is a throwback to the old TGIF programming on ABC and it would have fit in perfectly there back in the 1990’s. It’s the rare type of show that the entire family can truly sit down and binge together. I watched all eight episodes in one setting, which is not something I ever thought I would have done.
The Big Show is better in front of a camera than I thought he would be. The show also has a nice TGIF nod by casting Jaleel White (Urkel) as Show’s best friend. The breakout star of the series is Juliet Donenfeld, who stars as Show’s youngest daughter J.J. She plays a character that is one part evil genius and one part Sophia from the Golden Girls. Upon release, the Big Show Show became a huge hit which found itself in Netflix’s top 10 in countries all across the globe.
So there you have it folks…. Yes all four shows involve either soccer or pro-wrestling in some form, but I promise you that if you give them a chance you’ll wind up thanking me for it later!
