Lo-fi Hip Hop has become my favorite thing to listen to when studying and doing homework. You can say that these soundtracks have allowed me to focus on my work and prevented me from distraction throughout my years at Marist. These sounds, produced by so many throughout the world, has taken the academic community by storm. The ambient and peaceful soundtracks allow for complete focus and clarity when you need it the most. These songs have provided me with the drive to focus and allow myself to remain in control of the task at hand. Even during these quarantine times, these tracks have allowed me to remain calm and even engage in a meditative state of mind when needed.

https://www.foodandwine.com/news/guy-fieri-diners-drive-ins-and-dives-takeout-edition-coronavirus

To say that my family has become obsessed with Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives would be an understatement. This show has dominated the airways and seems to always be running marathons on the Food Network. It is the perfect show to binge, hours upon hours of airtime covers a variety of amazing eateries to visit once the quarantine is over. In a sense, it gives some hope for the future, while making you always hungry while watching it. An interesting special that they recently aired was a version that included takeout food, to make a more suitable episode for the current conditions. This shows the variability of the show, along with how networks are attempting to cater to the audience during this unprecedented time. It is nice to see them producing shows as such, as it provides the public with relatable content while enjoying some of their favorite shows during this time. Flavortown is always open!

I decided to share with you one of the videos that I made last year. This covers a family vacation that we took in Summer 2019 to one of my favorite places to visit, Colorado. We hiked while sharing many laughs and created countless memories. With the recent Pandemic, I have realized how lucky I am to have the people in my life that I can call family. Looking back at this video, this shows how lucky we are to have each other, along with appreciating the world we have around us. With Earth Day being yesterday, it is good to reflect how simple and wonderful the world is and how important it is to treat the Earth with kindness and compassion. It’s times like these that help us appreciate what we have and what we can still enjoy, no matter how simple it may be.

Here Is Everything You Need to Know About the All In Challenge

https://www.fanatics.com/all-in-challenge/x-12589906+z-9713580-3838082054

Celebrities and athletes from all over the country have been doing their part to assist with people suffering from the recent Pandemic. The “All-in Challenge” was started within the last few weeks and includes a number of VIP packages as a reward for those who donate to feeding those struggling during the Pandemic. These packages range from batting practice with Aaron Judge to driving through Flavortown with Guy Fieri. Donations start at $10 for 10 entries and the increments increase based on the amount paid. This is a very effective means of donation efforts, as people are itching for these experiences once the Pandemic is over. It is something to look forward to, while paying it forward to those who need it most.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2886872-mlbpas-tony-clark-says-players-are-open-to-playing-games-in-empty-stadiums

MLB commissioner and the MLBPA representative are open to a start to the MLB season with empty stadiums. The players and organizations are open to this option to continue on without fans in the stands. This would be a great thing for fans, as some return to normalcy with entertainment will help in these trying times. There is a lot to consider with this option. There is still the risk that players could continue to transmit the virus, so it would need to be clearly nonexistent within the MLB population. However, this would be a favorable option to continue on in this quarantined society that is eager to seek some form of entertainment and enjoyment. Being a baseball fan myself, this would be a great move, as long as safety is of the greatest concern.

Personally, I think “Locked Up” by Akon is the perfect anthem for the Covid Quarantine. Although discussing prison life and contact with law enforcement in this song, it can also represent the isolation experienced in not only prison but quarantine as well. We are stuck inside for now, some feel like prisoners in their own home. Everyone is locked up inside of their own homes. Some may even feel isolated from others. Akon says, “I can’t wait to get out and move forward with my life” and I think that can speak for many of us. He also says “I’m locked up, they won’t let me out” and everyone is feeling this to some extent right now.

The film Man with a Movie Camera encompasses stylistic differences compared to the conventional perception of the movie industry. This early experimental film focuses solely on the shots used and the juxtaposition of music. Instead of following a plot or narrative, the director uses the shots from everyday life and basic activities, such as conversation between people and rush hour, to convey the common man and basic activities. The shots that are used create its own narrative and does not necessarily have a main focus or principal to follow. These are not necessarily random either. The footage used is purposely induced to provoke emotion and feel the environment as a whole. It is as if the director wants the audience to feel the hustle and bustle of the shots, such as the scenes of the city and rush hour. He wants one to feel as if they are experiencing the intensity and swiftness of the trolleys and people moving throughout the streets. By observing the actions of the people and the environment as a whole, the audience can feel the intensity and rapid movements of everyday life. On the other hand, he uses shots of basic conversations between people in a more personal type of way, a personal connection to the audience. The movie is what the title says, a man with a camera basically observing society as a whole. 

One specific scene I would like to focus on is the rush hour scene. This highlights the intensity of this specific time of day that most people can relate to. The director switches between a shot with a speeding car, then back to the crowd along the sidewalk, then back to another high-speed shot. This shows the drastic intensity that one can feel during this time of day. The rush to get to work or even to get home after a long day can be felt by the use of the shots, something that everyone can relate to. Along with the shot is the fast tempo music. The rapid switch between shots and the use of fast tempo music allows the intensity to be felt, with no words whatsoever. The way in which this scene is edited allows for these feelings and emotions to be felt so simply. He provides the shots side by side to feel the rush of these individuals. This scene provides evidence to the importance of editing and the use of sound. These help to encompass the exact feelings of the scene, which does not require words. 

Is it true that “I can’t believe that it’s not butter”, is not actually butter? It looks like it, tastes like it, and feels like it, but it’s not. How did these people come up with such a thing, it is unbelievable. I sit here thinking why is it this way, is it a mind trick? Is it all a lie? What if it is butter, but they say it’s not? These are all of the questions that will never be answered, but need answers to. I guess some things need to be left unanswered, or don’t need to be answered at all.

Nothing better than photoshopping next to a burger building with scaffolding