diff --git a/content/posts/first-post.md b/content/posts/first-post.md index 6d9fcb4..34993f1 100644 --- a/content/posts/first-post.md +++ b/content/posts/first-post.md @@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ I've never been good at writing about myself; I always either leave out or say t I'll keep things short; hopefully I find a balance this time: -> Who are you improfessionally? +> So, who are you? I'm a Canadian computer engineering student that likes to wonder what things would be like if I pursued the humanities instead of STEM. @@ -17,24 +17,26 @@ This is me in first year wearing a banana costume: ![me](/images/first-post/me.png) -I specifically mentioned history, trivia and music on my home page. I've had a obsession with trivia since I was very young. I'll never stop being proud of being able to name all the flags of the world when I was five. +I specifically mentioned history, trivia and music on my home page. I've had a obsession with trivia since I was very young; naming flags and reading any atlas I could get my hands on. As I grew up that progressed into history; I keep up through random researching and Wikipedia rabbit holes. More recently in my life, I've become quite attached to music. I believe music is the greatest form of media. My favourite artists, songs and albums have become integral to who I am. -Here is my Topster, as of July 20: +If you're interested: here's my Topster: ![topster](/images/first-post/topster.png) > What is all this? -Back in my second term of uni (January - April 2024), some friends of mine were making a [webring](https://ece.engineering/) for our program. This finally gave me an excuse to stop procrastinating and make a website for myself. +Back in my second term of university (January - April 2024), some friends of mine were making a [webring](https://ece.engineering/) for our program. This finally gave me an excuse to stop procrastinating and make a website for myself. -I didn't always like writing. Until grade 11, I was firm on the idea that English being a mandatory course in high school was a bad idea (horrible take). I don't know what switch flipped in me the next year, but all of a sudden I had a newfound love for writing, reading and analysis that extended beyond my essays for english or history. Music became exciting, I wanted to read again for the first time since grade 5, and I now had a lot more to say. +I didn't always like writing. Until grade 11, I was firm on the idea that English being a mandatory course in high school was a bad idea (horrible take). I don't know what switch flipped in me the next year, but all of a sudden I had a newfound love for writing, reading and analysis that extended beyond my essays for english or history. Music became *really* exciting, I wanted to read again for the first time since grade 5, and I now had a lot more to say. -I don't plan on using this in the same way other people would use their personal website; hosting their projects and acting as a portfolio of sorts. For that, go back to the home page and open my GitHub. I want an outlet for whatever I feel like writing about. +I don't plan on using this in the same way other people would use their personal website; hosting their projects and acting as a portfolio of sorts. For that, go back to the home page and open my GitHub or resume. I want an outlet for whatever I feel like writing about. > In that case, what are you gonna write about? Mostly media, but generally, whatever I feel like talking about. Could be recent events in my life, could be talking about some project I've undertaken. But I want all the options. Hopefully that was a good introduction. Regardless, welcome. + +![sky](/images/first-post/sky.png) diff --git a/content/posts/mm-ending.md b/content/posts/mm-ending.md index f9d865b..8afc2c2 100644 --- a/content/posts/mm-ending.md +++ b/content/posts/mm-ending.md @@ -15,25 +15,25 @@ Kanye was the first artist I gravitated to after that. I fell in love with *Kids Unbeknownst to me until years later, Kanye was in the midst of a complicated rollout at the time for his album *Yandhi*. Although it would never see the light of day, transforming into *Jesus Is King*, I feel regretful that I was never into music enough to experience these moments; to be able to see the rollout of my favourite albums and watch the creative process unfold in real time. -This was all true until May 13, 2022. Kendrick Lamar released *Mr Morale. & The Big Steppers*. +Then on May 13, 2022, Kendrick Lamar released *Mr Morale. & The Big Steppers*. {{< spotify type="album" id="79ONNoS4M9tfIA1mYLBYVX" width="100%" height="375" >}} -Everything about this album is special. The announcement on his website, the feature run on his cousin's album, announcing the album in reply to a tweet saying he'd retired-there's endless sources. But above them all, the album reigns. +Everything about this album is special. The announcement on his website, the feature run on his cousin's album, announcing the album in reply to a tweet saying he'd retired-there's endless sources. But above them all, the music itself reigns above it all. -For a second, let me go back to my grade 8 english class. I've said that I didn't always like writing or a traditional english curriculum, but I did always appreciate some parts of the class. I always liked the classic narrative conflicts that you learn about in these classes; man vs. self, man vs. man, man vs. nature, etc. They are simple, but so effective in telling a story and communicating a message. Of course, this depends heavily on execution. +For a second, let me go back to my grade 8 english class. I've said that I didn't always like writing or a traditional english curriculum, but I did always appreciate parts of the classes. I always liked the classic narrative conflicts that you learn about in introductory English; man vs. self, man vs. man, man vs. nature, etc. They are simple, but so effective in telling a story and communicating a message. Of course, this depends heavily on execution. I like to envision Kendrick Lamar's albums as embodying these classic conflicts: * *good kid, m.A.A.d city* is man vs. world; Kendrick navigating life in the gang-dominated, violence-stricken world of Compton. * *To Pimp A Butterfly* is man vs. society; Kendrick faces constructs beyond tangibility-systemic racism, the pressures of leadership, etc. -* *DAMN.* is man vs. world; Kendrick adapts to a new societal position and seeks to reconcile with his humanity. +* *DAMN.* is man vs. world; Kendrick adapts to a new societal position and seeks to reconcile with his humanity. Although I find it incredibly difficult to pin *DAMN.* to a single conflict-this might need its own analysis. -Kendrick is, arguably, the benchmark of our generation-a transcendentalist. His work has already proven its timeless status in his relatively short studio career. This rapid accession explains why title after title is casted unto him; "the saviour of hip-hop", "the greatest rapper of all time". +Kendrick is, arguably, the benchmark of our generation-a transcendentalist. His work has already proven its timeless status in his relatively short studio career. This rapid accession explains why title after title is casted on him; "the saviour of hip-hop", "the greatest rapper of all time". This brings us to Kendrick's newest studio album. -*Mr. Morale* is about understanding Kendrick Lamar the person. Not Kendrick the artist, Kendrick the rapper, or, most pivotally, Kendrick the saviour. It is an album about understanding, hatred, breaking perpetuated cycles and self-forgiveness. But like other albums, I believe it encompasses a classic conflict-perhaps the most important of them. +*Mr. Morale* is about understanding Kendrick Lamar the person. Not Kendrick the artist, the rapper, or, most pivotally, the saviour. It is an album about understanding, hatred, breaking perpetuated cycles and self-forgiveness. But like other albums, I believe it encompasses a classic conflict-perhaps the most important of them. **Man vs. self**. Kendrick turns inwards, facing the internal grief and trauma that has dominated his life up to this point and breaking past it. Society casts Kendrick as a flawless individual; our role model; our **saviour**. In his search for self-forgiveness, he casts himself as the opposite-a flawed man. @@ -41,11 +41,11 @@ There is a well known quote from Nietzsche that may best encompass the thesis of > There is a false saying: 'How can someone who can't save himself save others?' Suppose I have the keys to your chains. Why should your lock and my lock be the same? -The conclusion of a story is perhaps the most important aspect. In most narratives, a lacking ending is detrimental to the whole, but a great one is perennial. +The conclusion of a story is perhaps the most important aspect. In most narratives, a lacking ending is detrimental to the whole, but a great one is perennial. Think *Breaking Bad* vs. *Game of Thrones* for example. -*Mortal Man* concludes the long poem that narrates *To Pimp A Butterfly* and resolves the album as a whole through its central influence: Tupac Shakur. *DUCKWORTH.* tells the story of a chance encounter that ultimately led to the career of Kendrick. +This holds true in music and especially so in the discography of Kendrick. *Mortal Man* concludes the long poem that narrates *To Pimp A Butterfly* and resolves the album as a whole through its central influence: Tupac Shakur. *DUCKWORTH.* tells the story of a chance encounter that ultimately led to Kendrick's career, and splits *DAMN.* into two entirely separate narratives. -Ultimately, there's a lot of value in a concluding track. In the case of *Mr. Morale*, there are two that can be examined: *Mirror* and *The Heart Part 5*. *Mirror* was the final track on release, while *The Heart Part 5* was released as a part of *The Heart* series a week prior, and was later added as the 19th and final track. +There's a lot of value in a concluding track. In the case of *Mr. Morale*, there are two that can be examined: *Mirror* and *The Heart Part 5*. *Mirror* was the final track on release, while *The Heart Part 5* was released as promotional single in *The Heart* series a week prior, later added as a bonus track. ![still](/images/mm-ending/count-me-out-still.webp) @@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ Above all, *Mirror* confirms that Kendrick has achieved his breakthrough, forgiv > I want you. -*The Heart Part 5* is a message from a post-epiphany Kendrick to 'the culture'. We've seen Kendrick tear himself down to reveal the universal; all of us are flawed, including himself. Accepting that no one man can be a saviour, Kendrick has gained perspective. *The Heart Part 5*, at its core, is a beautiful relay of *Mr. Morale*'s core messages: +*The Heart Part 5* is a message from a post-epiphany Kendrick to 'the culture'. We've seen Kendrick tear himself down to reveal the common truth: all of us are flawed, including himself. Accepting that no one man can be a saviour, Kendrick has gained perspective. *The Heart Part 5*, at its core, is a beautiful relay of *Mr. Morale*'s core messages: * "By tomorrow, we forget the remains, we start over / That's the problem" * "Sacrifice personal gain over everything / Just to see the next generation better than ours" @@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ The culture is a cycle that can only heal if those part of it can break the patt ## What is the better ending track? -Let me be clear: both are amazing songs independently and within the scope of the album. *Mirror* succeeds at what it seeks to do, that is, resolving the narrative of *Mr. Morale* and affirming the messages. *Mirror* doesn't need to be multifaceted, in this regard. But as a result, *The Heart Part 5* is allowed to be a more grandiose and fulfilling ending not only to *Mr. Morale* but to the story of Kendrick that began with *Section.80*. +Evidently, both are amazing songs independently and within the scope of the album. *Mirror* succeeds at what it seeks to do, that is, resolving the narrative of *Mr. Morale* and affirming the messages. *Mirror* doesn't need to be multifaceted, in this regard. But as a result, *The Heart Part 5* is allowed to be a more grandiose and fulfilling ending not only to *Mr. Morale* but to the story of Kendrick that began with *Section.80*. This might seem a bit anti-climatic, but if it wasn't already clear, I think *The Heart Part 5* is a greater conclusion to *Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers*. Beyond this, I believe it may even be the best song in Kendrick's discography, and one of the greatest songs in the canon of hip-hop. diff --git a/public/images/first-post/sky.png b/public/images/first-post/sky.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9c90eb9 Binary files /dev/null and b/public/images/first-post/sky.png differ diff --git a/public/images/me.png b/public/images/me.png deleted file mode 100644 index 5d17ac3..0000000 Binary files a/public/images/me.png and /dev/null differ diff --git a/public/posts/index.html b/public/posts/index.html index 1148db9..97544ec 100644 --- a/public/posts/index.html +++ b/public/posts/index.html @@ -116,26 +116,26 @@

-

Two songs +

Two Songs

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is the most important album in the discography of Kendrick Lamar. What song concludes it the best?

July 22, 2024
- +
-

Another introduction +

Another Introduction

If you thought the nine lines on the front page were interesting.

March 31, 2024
- +
diff --git a/public/posts/index.xml b/public/posts/index.xml index 5835d6b..5ffe3a0 100644 --- a/public/posts/index.xml +++ b/public/posts/index.xml @@ -9,14 +9,14 @@ Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 - Two songs + Two Songs //localhost:1313/posts/mm-ending/ Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 //localhost:1313/posts/mm-ending/ Mr. Morale &amp; The Big Steppers is the most important album in the discography of Kendrick Lamar. What song concludes it the best? - Another introduction + Another Introduction //localhost:1313/posts/first-post/ Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000 //localhost:1313/posts/first-post/ diff --git a/public/posts/mm-ending/index.html b/public/posts/mm-ending/index.html index ee3fa10..370e3d9 100644 --- a/public/posts/mm-ending/index.html +++ b/public/posts/mm-ending/index.html @@ -152,7 +152,7 @@

There is a false saying: ‘How can someone who can’t save himself save others?’ Suppose I have the keys to your chains. Why should your lock and my lock be the same?

The conclusion of a story is perhaps the most important aspect. In most narratives, a lacking ending is detrimental to the whole, but a great one is perennial.

-

Mortal Manconcludes the long poem that narrates To Pimp A Butterfly and resolves the album as a whole through its central influence: Tupac Shakur. DUCKWORTH. tells the story of a chance encounter that ultimately led to the career of Kendrick.

+

Mortal Man concludes the long poem that narrates To Pimp A Butterfly and resolves the album as a whole through its central influence: Tupac Shakur. DUCKWORTH. tells the story of a chance encounter that ultimately led to the career of Kendrick.

Ultimately, there’s a lot of value in a concluding track. In the case of Mr. Morale, there are two that can be examined: Mirror and The Heart Part 5. Mirror was the final track on release, while The Heart Part 5 was released as a part of The Heart series a week prior, and was later added as the 19th and final track.

still