Dumb & Awful

People think I'm arrogant and have a superiority complex when I snap at them for not being/doing better. But it's like... I'm dumb and awful AF, how can you be EVEN MORE DUMB AND AWFUL THAN ME, OMFG?!
Are we this DOOMED? 😫

What are The Odds?

Sometimes I don't know what's crazier, something extraordinarily exceptional happening by mere chance or by thorough planning...

Low Key Still Here

I have been far from in the mood of showing up in the flesh, and it’s looking like much of this year will continue to keep me in that state, but I’d rather not miss out on having a couple of ‘proofs of existence’ and markers of the passage of life, capturing what currently is and what later has been.

So, tired as I was (and still am), I pushed myself to do it, to go through the strenuous task of taking more selfies (hate to take them, love to have them). And also get to say Hi again!

I’m here, I’m around. Stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, but still on this unbelievable ride that’s making me learn whether I like it or not. Much to process, but ignorance isn’t an option I’d take or recommend. Being a dummy? In this economy?! Can’t afford that!

Hello from your sleep-deprived student, dorm-room neighbor, self-proclaimed culture critic…

Reasoning The Evidence

I kid a lot. But the truth remains that I'm simply agnostic, all around. There's much that I can neither prove nor disprove. So I ought to roll with some variation of "Cool story, bro. Would be [something] if it were really the case!" Else, I'd be paralyzed or go insane.

The Artist's RPG / Components: Puzzle

PUZZLE

INTEGRATORS

OVERVIEW - DETECTION - MATCHES

This existence is but a giant puzzle. Made of countless puzzles more. And if you’re lucky, you stumble upon the pieces, notice them, pick them up, and can place them where they belong. It is not about forcing them to fit into a vision, but about letting them reveal the vision. What picture are they painting?

“It is a mystery until it is not. Inconceivable until not. Impossible ’til not.”

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Intrigue and fascination are ever-present. There is more to see, more to catch, more to put together. And far too often, something just seems off. Not quite right. Or not quite as simple. Can’t put your finger on it, not yet. And might not rest until you do.

There are trees, of course, beautifully intricate leaves too, but don’t miss the forest. Take a step back, or several, and realize how limited your point of view is or has been. Furthermore, how looks can be deceiving. Can you really be sure that you are seeing what is truly there?

All you know is that there is a, perhaps secret, order in the chaos of confusion, of all that has not been made sense of. And every now and then, here and there, you get a clue, you figure something out, it clicks into place. And it can be euphoric. It is all coming together in astonishing ways.

This existence is but a giant puzzle. Made of countless puzzles more. And if you’re lucky, you stumble upon the pieces, notice them, pick them up, and can place them where they belong. It is not about forcing them to fit into a vision, but about letting them reveal the vision. What picture are they painting?

The pieces may be laid in front of you, waiting for your attention and some organization, or scattered around, for you to search and hold on to until you are finally able to tell where they go.

How many times did you encounter a piece of a puzzle, ignore it, and later go back for it? They aren’t always so obvious. And even while getting a tingling of suspicion, you might choose to brush it off. Only to then be surprised by how relevant it ultimately was.

Overstimulating, So-So, Understimulating

Easier said than done, but you must always remember your ability to make the most out of situations. It is not always possible, granted, and often you can only do so much, but adopting a ‘How can I work with this?’ outlook goes further than a ‘Why won’t this go my way?!’ attitude when it is not within your hands to immediately change your circumstances.

Yes, things can be frustrating. And worse than that, they can be debilitating. Harmful and destructive even. And in such cases, you must fight to get to where you’re as safe as possible as soon as possible. Then, once there, you can get to work.

What is going on and how is it affecting you? Is it too much all at once? Is it too little all of a sudden? Or is it a happier medium in between? Though you can (and likely should) strive to set and maintain your ideal levels of stimulation, within some favorable range, it is not guaranteed that you’ll have control over what does or doesn’t happen for and/or around you.

You are not necessarily stuck, though. Chances are that this, too, shall pass. And while it is on, believe it or not, it could be a bundle of countless opportunities for you to do what you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. So take advantage of it while you still can!

Overstimulation? There is a lot happening? This is your chance to look and spot all the raw materials that can be useful to your craft, with an overwhelming amount of options, and ultimately select what you will be turning into art.

So-so? Something is somewhat happening? This is your chance to have a balanced approach between picking and packing what pertains to your field, with minor or no adjustments to your pace and approach, just doing some of this and some of that here and there.

Understimulation? Nothing seems to be happening? This is your chance to search within, into what you are already carrying with you, or to dive into what the past or the future may hold, via research and reflection, so that you can bring it forth as it deserves in your own manner.

It helps to keep in mind that, regardless, there is inspiration to be found and to be had. It’ll be on you to get yourself to where you can catch it, rather than be consumed and defeated by the irritation that comes with being overwhelmed or the boredom that comes with being underwhelmed. But nonetheless, things are probably not as helpless as they can intially come across. And who knows? Maybe you will later see, in hindsight, how it was in your favor.

The Death of Slim Shady (Live Performances)

I'm wrapping it up! Watching him perform is something else. I have to limit my exposure to Eminem’s live performances because I don’t wanna be, let’s just say, pathetically starstruck by his awesomeness. But it isn’t a complete day without these theatrics. He did make a full comeback! 

PS: I was in awe of the sets at other concerts, too, featuring more of a graveyard. Absolutely nothing was half-assed, huh?

The Death of Slim Shady (In Conclusion...)

I wanted to open a can of worms, and a can of worms was opened. Surprisingly, can even directly quote some of the lyrics going, “Just opened the biggest can of worms on the whole planet Earth.” But to be fair, it could have been worse.

Boys are dumb, I still cringe and get grossed out witnessing and/or listening to Slim Shady’s antics, tons is rotten, and I’m confused af about what a lot of it meant or was referring to. I tried to go at it in order, but it doesn’t seem very chronologically organized. Maybe there’s a different sort of arrangement to go by. I don’t know. I’m expecting I’ll have realizations over time, to further comprehend it all, when more dots manage to connect (or I come across the answers).

At this point, what I can firmly say is that I sincerely appreciate all the work that went into giving Slim Shady a funeral. Or something like that? It is unclear! But, I mean, how it was so on theme and how imaginative and creative it came out as. If I weren’t such a blatant admirer of artists’ abilities, I’d be envious. ‘Cause, jeez, what a show!

Personally, I believe I can declare Temporary as my top favorite track. I hated it so much. But then loved it so much, too. Death (and moving on) is always a heavy subject, but oughta confront it nonetheless. It was also such a magnificent time-capsule-message embedded piece that it blew my mind. Then, against my will, I fell in love with Guilty Conscience 2. (Don’t get me started about how much Guilty Conscience stood out for me and what a treat a continuation of it is for someone like me!)

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Though the King of Controversy is sorely missed, that’s one hella demanding job. Besides, I want to see Marshall, the “chopped liver”.

The Death of Slim Shady (Tracklist)

A mere few days definitely aren’t enough to take this album in as thoroughly as I would like to. Thank goodness that it is not the end of it (it remains there to be revisited) and it is only the end of my current reviewing. I AM listening to all of the tracks, though, and trying to piece them together. But for now, just emoji-coding them!

. Renaissance (intro) 💣

. Habits 🚩

. Trouble (short) 👥

. Brand New Dance 🎈

. Evil 👿

. All You Got (skit) 👥

. Lucifer 📓

. Antichrist 📓

. Fuel 🥊

. Road Rage 🚩

. Houdini 💣

. Breaking News (skit) 🚨

. Guilty Conscience 2 👥

. Head Honcho 🥊

. Temporary 💔

. Bad One 🚩

. Tobey 📓

. Guess Who’s Back (skit) 💀

. Somebody Save Me 💔

. Steve Berman (skit) 🚨

. Fuel (Shady edition) 🔥

. Like My Shit 🔥

. Kyrie & Luka 🔥

The Death of Slim Shady (Lyric Video)

Okay, I’m not even gonna attempt to grasp everything that’s going on here. But there’s wordplay to catch, a ride into and through that side of town, and what seems to be an ongoing fight between Marshall Mathers and Slim Shady - including zombie Slim Shadys (and both of them swollen, pfft).

Possibly the craziest Lyric Video in existence, but I’m mostly captivated, and humored, by how it’s done in a retro pixelated video game style. Plus, comic books’ flair. And just so shamelessly absurdist that I realize all over again that Eminem’s the sort of guy to name himself after M&Ms. And that’s… brilliant. To say the least.