[Media Meandry] Top 2020+ Albums

If I were to summarize the 2020 albums as I heard them, as I did in 2018, even though everything went to shit, at least we got some good music in many genres. The year started off like any other, with my earlier meandry reviews implying a mindset of getting out in life more to random concerts and such, but after COVID closed concerts and my health problems, well, at least I heard 193 good albums released in 2020.

WANNA CONSIDER HOW I’M BALANCING HOBBIES LIKE LISTENING TO MUSIC NOW? CLICK HERE TO KEEP ON READING!

[Downsizing Zeal] CDs I Want?

What if material objects like CDs had expiration dates like bread or canned food? Would we still want to buy as much as we do? As I’ve considered the logistics behind downsizing a box of CDs I’ve grown out of appreciation for, I realized that those CDs have passed their expiration date, except instead of growing mold or botulism, they grew out of favor. They’re not bad albums, just ones I don’t care to own.

WANNA CONSIDER HOW BREAD MAY HAVE A SHORTER SHELF LIFE THAN A CD, BUT BOTH HAVE EXPIRATION DATES? CLICK HERE TO KEEP ON READING!

[Media Meandry] Shirt/CD Combo Intentionality

On my first day of being able to walk around any supermarket after surgery, I went to buy S&M2, and also soak in the excessive capitalism materialism. While passing through the apparel section, I impulsively bought a Nirvana shirt that I’ve probably spent years deciding to buy. I enjoyed wearing the shirt and love S&M2. While my days of randomly buying things are done, I think I’ve achieved a good balance between excess and satiation.

WANNA CONSIDER HOW OWNING THINGS SHOULD BE BECAUSE THE OBJECT WILL IMPROVE YOUR LIFE? RATHER THAN OWNING IT TO MERELY SAVE IT FROM THE DUMP? CLICK HERE TO KEEP ON READING!

[Tripping On…] Trapped In Body

For roughly twelve hours after my surgery, my body was completely numb. I couldn’t move my fingers or toes and the healthcare providers that I had trusted with my care were more willing to insult than help me. That is no situation for keeping mementos, yet here I am, writing about my experience. I stared a lot at this ceiling. I had to find my own meaning to life and I did; dissenters be damned.

WANNA CONSIDER HOW THE MOST ECCENTRIC SITAUTIONS IN MEDIA COULD EASILY HAPPEN TO US? CLICK HERE TO KEEP ON READING!

[Rowing Machine] 2020: Week 42 {211.5} “Deception Of Physicality”

There have been moments throughout this process of spinal degradation where I’ve slept well enough or rested long enough to where I feel like I’m able to take on what I once could even four months ago. The need to fulfill an errand. The desire to clean up around the apartment-mansion. These thoughts are deceptive because while I might be able to get partway there, when my body invariably tears, I’ll be left aloft, unfair.

WANNA CONSIDER HOW THE MIND HAS A WAY TO TRY TO OVERCOME THE BODY BUT HOW THAT CAN BE HARMFUL IF IGNORED? CLICK HERE TO KEEP ON READING!

[Tripping On…] How This Feels

I just woke up from overwhelming spinal pain. How do I feel now? My body mostly feels numb, but I prefer this feeling over what forced me away from consciousness for a few hours. Being trapped here, in a sense, in this body that is so numb and yet with the occasional fury of pain, beats any furious outright pain. I expect pain after surgery, but it shouldn’t be anywhere as life-draining as this pain.

WANNA CONSIDER HOW I FELT AT NEARLY THE WORST PART OF MY SPINAL CONDITION? CLICK HERE TO KEEP ON READING!

[Career/Confidence] Týr (2018)

Týr might never become as popular as Metallica or Slayer. Not even Amon Amarth – arguably the most popular band among any of the ‘underground metal scenes’ – is likely to sell generic merchandise at your local supermarket. Should that be their (and our) measure of success? Týr is the biggest band from the Faroese Islands. That’s something! What if you’re similarly successful in your career? That’s also something! Let’s not compare our careers to The Beatles.

Týr Rating: ★★★★☆ [4/5]
Openers Rating: ★★★☆☆ [3/5]
WANNA READ A NOT-QUITE-REVIEW ABOUT WHERE WE SHOULD PLACE OUR FOCUS IN ORDER TO ACCURATELY ASSESS OUR SUCCESS? CLICK HERE TO KEEP ON READING!

[Concert Reviews] Summer 2017 Review Compilation

Just as my writing focus shifted away from thrifting, I’ve lost some interest in long-form nonfiction narration under the guise of concert reviews. They’ll still happen occasionally. Over the past month, I’ve written little more than thinking up an introduction to a hypothetical Metallica review: “Without exaggeration, I’ve listened to Symphony and Metallica while writing over 50% of the material I’ve uploaded here. Did they disappoint?” So let’s briefly cover this backlogged batch of 5 concert reviews.


Swag booth décor

Average Rating: ★★★☆☆ [3/5] [53 stars out of a 100 possible star rating]
Adjusted Rating: ★★★★☆ [4/5] [some excellence]
WANNA CHECK OUT THIS SET OF CONCERT REVIEW EXPERIMENTS? KEEP ON READING!

[Applied Psychology] Differing Opinions Converging

Most people shy away from differing opinions. I embrace them! Nirvana is my favorite band, IDKFA dislikes them, and our debate fortified my opinion. Our differing opinions on Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica’s recent tour opener, converged in a civil way. They were someone I once knew’s favorite band, IDKFA thought they were below average, and I’d see them again. Since “all opinions are valid,” let’s consider the psychology of opinions, especially: why get offended over opinions?

Zombiepaper’s Rating: ★★★★☆ [4/5]
WANNA CONSIDER WHY WE SHOULD EMBRACE DIFFERING OPINIONS? KEEP ON READING!

[Rowing Machine] Two Four Seven

The mind, for most, has taken priority over the body. The advantages are plenty. Technological activities are sugar-rushes of cerebral entertainment infinitely more exciting than our drab world. Those with physical impairments can now join in, whereas even 20 years ago, social ostracization was normal. The disadvantages are also plenty. The ailments some encounter could result from our sedentary lifestyles. The mind/body imbalance. The wasted potential. The body, for most, has become a rusty tool.

WANNA SEE HOW I’VE BEEN AVOIDING BUILDING UP RUST? KEEP ON READING!