Hello world. It’s Harry.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. I have a strange rash on my body right now. It appeared a few days ago, and after several minutes of painstaking research, I have diagnosed myself with scarlet fever. I expect to be bed-ridden for several weeks, wherein I will be prone to fainting spells and excessive sighing. There is unfortunately no cure for my affliction other than sleep. That’s what I’m planning on saying to the doctor tomorrow, anyways. Medical professionals have no sense of humor when they’re at work. I remember I used to be unsure as to whether mouthwash was a scam or not. Maybe I’m just a moron, but it always seemed like one of those things that some toothpaste executive came up with to convince people their breath smelled like shit. Anyways, a few months ago I went to the dentist armed with this dilemma. After the usual cleaning, I took the opportunity to ask the hygienist whether or not mouthwash was just some kind of marketing scheme. I wish I had taken a picture of her face. It turns out that not only is it not a scam, it is an integral part of keeping your teeth clean and something that I should have been using for the past 21 years. Lesson learned.
I just finished my seven week Art and Hip-Hop course last night, approximately a week ahead of schedule. Realistically, it could’ve been finished in week one, as my professor made every quiz and exam available from the first day of class, but I was scared of being exposed for doing absolutely none of the readings nor watching any of the lectures. If you’re gonna have no grades in a class other than multiple choice two attempt unlimited time Blackboard quizzes I’m gonna do absolutely nothing other than those. As it stands right now, I have earned my first ever A+ in college. Good work Harry.
Other than that, classes are chugging along. I’m being responsible and doing all of my readings, which is something absolutely foreign to me. Standard practice in years prior was skipping all the readings, averting eye contact in class, and then reading entire books in one sitting the night before the paper was due. I understand now why most people in my classes actually had fun studying English. It’s dope to take these books just a few sections at a time. When utilizing my cramming methods, you really don’t retain much of what you’re reading, mainly just storing enough in your short-term memory to bullshit an essay. Now, I’m actually enjoying having a little sampling of these different books to read before bed. I love that it took me until my final semester of college to figure this shit out.
Work is work. My change to eight hour days is a poor omen of the life awaiting me after school. I am not built to sit in an office from 8 am to 4 pm. I don’t know, maybe it’s different once you don’t have school and shit to worry about, but I am really not enjoying this schedule. It’s only twice a week, too. It’s not even like I’m actually working full time. In fact, I’m actually working about 8 hours less a paycheck than I did last semester, so I’m having less fun for less money. Dope as hell. To be fair, I do have more time during my shifts to do what brings me an incredible amount of joy: perusing the strange ancient boxes of files stored in my office. Last Thursday, I crept down into the basement and pulled a box labeled “Mayor’s Office 2004” off the shelves. Most of it was boring as hell, save for a few folders. There was a whole tab dedicated to thank you notes addressed to the mayor at the time, and damn there were a lot of them. I wonder if people still write thank you notes to their local politicians. In this political climate, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that it is less common. It made me realize that I absolutely need to write notes to my coworkers and my boss when I leave. I hold letters such as those so dearly to my heart that I feel I owe it to my friends and family to write them more often. Oh yeah and also on Thursday I got CC’ed on a series of emails documenting human excrement flowing out of a broken sewer pipe on someone’s house. The beauty of life!
I was in Kent last weekend and I got to see so many of my friends whom I love dearly. It’s hard being down here in Athens all the time! For as many amazing people as I interact with here, there is something so refreshing about returning home and feeling completely comfortable. Zephyr Pub and Spirits is essentially my holy site at this point. I suppose my distance adds to Kent’s allure, but fuck if I don’t feel great every time I go up there. My little aside regarding thank you notes in the last paragraph is indicative of some strange sentimentality I’m feeling tonight, so I just want you to know if you’re reading this (regardless of where you live!), I have a great amount of love for you. Thank you for caring about my dumb bullshit.
Ok now music:
Babyface Ray, 42 Dugg – Ron Artest
I saw Babyface Ray two weeks ago in Athens and it was by far the worst large concert I’ve ever attended. However, almost immediately afterwards, this masterpiece was released. Featuring fellow Detroiter 42 Dugg, Ron Artest combines a stripped back instrumental with Ray’s effortless flows and excessive lyrics in one of his best singles in recent memory. Also, if you’re like me and somehow didn’t hear Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy with Lil Durk off MOB, check that one out too.
Island of Love – Songs of Love
London-based quartet Island of Love has done nothing but impress me so far in their relatively short career. Songs of Love represents about 10% of their released discography, and fuck is it good. Check this track out if you’re in the mood for something pretty.
TV:
Look, I’m probably exposing some fucked up part of myself by even mentioning the existence of this show, but I was rewatching it last night and can’t help but feel the need to spread the word. I don’t know how to explain it, I don’t know if you’ll like it, and I don’t know if it’s something meant for human eyes. The show is animated like a late 2000s video game cutscene and has the dialogue to match. I don’t know. Watch one minute of the first episode and I guarantee that you’ll form a strong opinion. Just don’t complain to me if you’re traumatized.
Until next time,
harry's site 