#125: They Strike From Space!
On Fridays, we listen to music!
(Avengers #125, July 1974. The first appearance of some random character named Thanos in the Avengers comic book series. The character debuted a year previous in Iron Man #55. They should really do something with that old character…maybe a movie?)
A REMINDER:
Go back and read Monday’s newsletter if you missed it.
MUSIC THING:
Happy Friday! If this is your first Friday newsletter, today is all about the music. Fridays also means ALL-NEW PLAYLISTS!
(The Summer Jam at Watkins Glen, 1973)
Scenario: You miss live concerts. You don’t miss the crowds.
Playlist: LIVE COOL SHIT.
Simple enough, right? 3 straight hours of live music from some of the greats. As a fun bonus for any rap nerds who subscribe, listen to this live Rick James song (it’s on the playlist, too) and skip to 6:09. You’ll recognize it as soon as you hear it.
(The best moment in 2010’s music journalism history)
Scenario: You did your fair share of partying between 2010 and 2019, including a couple of uh, blurrier points in there. For the last month, you have a tune stuck in your head but you have no idea where you heard it from.
Playlist: Songs You Forgot from the 2010’s
I can’t lie, I forgot about 40% of these and I made the playlist.
UPDATES:
Last round of updates for July! Thanks to everyone who’s reached out and shared kind words about the playlists!
Older Millennial Instant Party Starter
Cool Men’s Boutique
Cool Dive Bar
Cool but Overpriced Sushi Fusion Restaurant
Stoned in the Shower
HOW TO HELP BLACK LIVES IN 30 MINS OR LESS:
When it comes to taking the steps needed to create a racially equal America, I’ve heard from many well-intentioned non-Black people over the last two months that one of the most daunting things for them is trying to figure out what they can personally do make things better.
Some folks see these massive issues as a significant problem that cannot be defeated, so they struggle to figure out what one person can do, which leads to them not doing much other than posting to IG. Some of that is not wanting to seem like you’re doing too much, some of that is fear your intentions will be misunderstood.
What if I told you that for only 30 minutes a week, you can help black lives no matter where you are or how much money you make? Here’s how:
Carve out 30 minutes in your calendar this week. Call it “Being A Better Person Time” or “Set a Good Example for my Kid” Time, whatever works.
Click a link and make a call or donate or sign a petition. Just do one thing in that 30 min window.
This weekend, share the above link with your three closest friends and say, “Hey, I’m (calling/donating/signing a petition). I’m worried about how things will be for future generations, so I’m doing something about it. If you’re interested, here’s the link!” If you have a group chat, drop it into your group chat!
Repeat the following week for as long as you can. Do it while you online shop, do it while you’re on an annoying call, hell, you can do it while you poop, I genuinely don’t care! Whatever it takes! It is the absolute least that you can do, but you’ll get a sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that you at least did SOMETHING to help. You have a vision of who you want to be, right? That ideal version of yourself that does the right thing when given a chance and leads by example? This is that chance. You can do it!
BONUS: You won’t have to lie to your kids or grandkids about being on the right side of history! You can be all like, “Children/Grandchildren, we don’t tolerate that racist shit in this house. If anyone says otherwise, send them to me.” and you’ll sound all tough and cool, and your kids or grandkids will respect and love you and not want to be racists…guess what? That means less racist people in the future!!!
Look at that. It turns out you had a bigger impact than you thought the whole time!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Yesterday, I gave opening remarks for this virtual chat with Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddleof Comedy Central’s South Side and IFC’s Sherman’s Showcase for FREE. Worth a look if you’ve never seen me without a beard before (aka 99% of you). It’s too damn hot!
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Office Hours is written and created by Ernest Wilkins.
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