So whether you need a phone background or the iPhone phone wallpaper, these should work perfectly! I think I am going to experiment with other movies I love. What should I do next?

As a movie enthusiast, I've always been drawn to films that stir my emotions, leaving me with a lingering sense of both joy and sadness. There's something profoundly beautiful about stories that resonate with the complexities of the human experience, and bittersweet movies excel in capturing that essence. Here are my top ten picks for films that effortlessly navigate the delicate balance between happiness and heartache, offering viewers a cathartic journey through a myriad of emotions.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Directed by Michel Gondry, this film follows Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) as they undergo a procedure to erase memories of each other after a painful breakup. As their memories unravel, they rediscover the depth of their connection, leading to a poignant exploration of love and loss.

Amélie (2001)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, this whimsical French film follows the enchanting journey of Amélie (Audrey Tautou) as she seeks to bring joy to the lives of those around her while grappling with her own loneliness. Filled with quirky characters and magical moments, "Amélie" is a celebration of human connection in all its forms.

Lost in Translation (2003)

Directed by Sofia Coppola, this atmospheric film stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as two souls adrift in the bustling streets of Tokyo. Their unlikely bond offers solace amidst the chaos of a foreign land, leading to a tender exploration of loneliness and longing.

The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Based on the novel by John Green, this poignant romance follows Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) and Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort) as they navigate the complexities of young love while battling terminal illness. Despite their tragic circumstances, Hazel and Augustus find hope and beauty in the fleeting moments they share.

Her (2013)

Directed by Spike Jonze, this futuristic love story stars Joaquin Phoenix as a lonely man who falls in love with an artificial intelligence system voiced by Scarlett Johansson. As their relationship deepens, the film explores themes of loneliness and intimacy in the digital age, leaving viewers pondering the nature of human connection.

Up (2009)

Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, this animated gem from Pixar follows the heartwarming journey of Carl Fredricksen, an elderly widower who embarks on an adventure to fulfill his late wife's dream. Along the way, he forms an unlikely bond with a young Wilderness Explorer named Russell, teaching us about the power of friendship and letting go.

500 Days of Summer (2009)

Directed by Marc Webb, this non-linear romantic comedy-drama follows the ups and downs of a relationship between Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel) over the course of 500 days. Through its honest portrayal of love and heartbreak, the film challenges conventional romantic tropes, offering a refreshing take on modern relationships.

La La Land (2016)

Directed by Damien Chazelle, this modern-day musical follows aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) and jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) as they pursue their dreams in Los Angeles. Filled with dazzling musical numbers and heartfelt performances, "La La Land" celebrates the joy of following your passions while acknowledging the sacrifices along the way.

Atonement (2007)

Directed by Joe Wright and based on the novel by Ian McEwan, this sweeping romantic drama follows the lives of Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) as they are torn apart by a series of misunderstandings and betrayals. Set against the backdrop of World War II, "Atonement" is a haunting exploration of love, guilt, and the power of redemption.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Based on a true story, this inspirational drama stars Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who finds himself homeless with his young son while pursuing a better life. Through his unwavering determination and resilience, Chris teaches us about the power of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.

These ten bittersweet films have left an indelible mark on my heart, reminding me of the beauty and complexity of the human experience. From tales of love and loss to stories of resilience and redemption, each movie offers a unique perspective on life's triumphs and tribulations. So, the next time you're in the mood for a cinematic journey that will tug at your heartstrings, consider giving one of these unforgettable films a watch.

What Does Tragedy Mean?

Tragedy, in a literary and dramatic sense, refers to a genre characterized by serious and somber themes, often involving the downfall or suffering of the protagonist. These narratives typically explore profound human emotions such as sorrow, loss, and despair, and they frequently end in catastrophe or death. Tragedy often reflects on the complexities of the human condition, exploring universal themes such as fate, morality, and the consequences of one's actions.

Ancient Greek playwrights such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides are renowned for their contributions to the development of tragic drama. Their works, such as "Oedipus Rex" and "Medea," continue to be studied and performed today, influencing the broader literary tradition of tragedy across cultures and time periods.

What Does Catharsis Mean?

Catharsis refers to the process of releasing, purging, or cleansing emotions, particularly through experiencing or witnessing intense or overwhelming feelings. In psychological terms, catharsis involves the emotional release or purification that occurs when individuals confront and express their deep-seated emotions, often leading to a sense of relief or resolution.

To define catharsis succinctly: Catharsis is the emotional release or purification that occurs when individuals confront and express their deep-seated emotions, often leading to a sense of relief or resolution.

Exploring Tragic Love Stories

Now that we have a clear definition of tragedy and catharsis, let’s view some examples in media.

La La Land

In the film "La La Land," the captivating love story of Mia and Sebastian takes center stage. Both aspiring artists with their own passions and dreams, they find themselves entangled in a romance that dances between joy and heartbreak. As their relationship unfolds, the stark reality of their divergent ambitions becomes apparent. Mia strives to become a successful actor, while Sebastian dreams of opening his own jazz club.

La La Land Trailer

Their inability to reconcile their individual aspirations with the demands of their relationship ultimately leads to a poignant and bittersweet climax. The sacrifices they must make become increasingly evident, forcing them to make choices that pull them apart rather than bring them closer together. This exploration of the complexities of love and the inevitable trade-offs involved evokes a powerful sense of catharsis within viewers.

Through Mia and Sebastian's journey, the film delves deep into the universal theme of pursuing personal dreams and the sacrifices that come with it. It invites us to reflect on the delicate balance between love and ambition, highlighting the painful choices individuals sometimes face in order to pursue their passions. The emotional impact of the story resonates with audiences, as it captures the poignancy of letting go of something beautiful in order to pursue personal fulfillment.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

In the thought-provoking film "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," the audience is immersed in the tumultuous love story of Joel and Clementine. After a painful breakup, both Joel and Clementine undergo a groundbreaking memory-erasing procedure in an attempt to erase all traces of their relationship from their minds. As the process unfolds, Joel, in his subconscious state, begins to relive the memories of their love, rekindling the emotional connection he had with Clementine.

Eternal Sunshine Trailer

Through this journey of rediscovery, the film delves into the profound complexities of human connections and the indelible impact of past experiences on our lives. As Joel revisits the memories he shared with Clementine, he realizes that erasing those memories cannot completely erase the emotions and connections he felt. The narrative explores the notion that our past experiences shape who we are, and even if we try to erase them, they leave an indelible imprint on our psyche.

As viewers accompany Joel and Clementine on their journey, they are invited to reflect on their own experiences of love, loss, and the profound impact of memories. The emotional release experienced through catharsis allows the audience to confront their own emotions and gain a deeper understanding of the intricate tapestry of human connections. It reminds us that our experiences, both positive and negative, contribute to our growth and shape our future relationships.

Normal People

In the compelling TV show "Normal People," adapted from Sally Rooney's novel, the narrative delves into the intricacies of the relationship between Marianne and Connell. Their connection is profound and intense, fueled by a deep love for each other. However, the circumstances surrounding them seem determined to keep them apart.

Normal People Trailer

Throughout the series, Marianne and Connell's relationship is marred by external pressures, societal expectations, and personal insecurities. They navigate a tumultuous journey, characterized by moments of deep intimacy and heartbreaking distance. Despite their mutual desire to be together, they tragically agree to part ways, recognizing that their separation is a necessary sacrifice for their individual growth.

Through catharsis, viewers are prompted to reflect on the intricacies and challenges of relationships. The emotional release offered by the narrative allows them to confront the pain and heartache associated with choices that prioritize personal growth over immediate gratification. It forces us to examine the complexities of love, timing, and the ways in which external forces shape our lives and relationships.

The Essential Role of Catharsis:

Catharsis plays a vital role in our lives by allowing us to process and release emotions that may otherwise accumulate and impact our mental well-being. It serves as a coping mechanism for difficult experiences or emotions, promoting emotional healing and personal growth. Engaging with tragic narratives provides a cathartic experience through which we can experience intense emotions vicariously, gaining clarity, perspective, and a sense of relief.

Ultimately, tragedy and catharsis intertwine, illuminating the profound complexities of the human experience. As we navigate these narratives, we are reminded of the enduring power of storytelling to evoke deep emotions and offer transformative insights. Through the shared journey of tragic love stories, we discover solace, growth, and a deeper connection to our own hearts and the world around us.

The Inspiration

Synthwave and Retrowave are some of my favorite genres! I started Synthwave and Chill as a way to practice making videos. Recording, uploading, color grading and so on. I used to only use Final Cut Pro, but when I decided to use Adobe Premiere, I decided I needed to do something consistent to learn it. And that’s one of the main reasons I started making reaction videos. I knew there would be an abundance of songs to listen to, which would result in constant uploading, which would result in continual practice. I am still going to keep making reaction videos for now, but I also need to start learning another aspect: Voice Recording. I don’t really think about my voice and how it sounds, but I have been told I have a nice one. In 2023 I was on a work contract in Iowa for three months and decided to start learning how to use my voice more.
And that is how KSWC Synth 98 was born.

Why KSWC, Specifically?

I was born and raised in Los Angeles. Growing up, we had a radio station named KFWB News 98. The Jingle is still stuck in my head to this day. When I decided to make this Synthwave Station, I chose to pay homage to the one radio station and sound that has stayed with my all these years. Since I already have “Synthwave and Chill” the choice for me was clear. KSWC for Synthwave and Chill.

KFWB News 98 Commercial

The Premise

Youtube started implementing podcast. And I realized there was no Synthwave radio type podcast on there. The idea was to make a long format video of me being a DJ with Synthwave, and make it into a podcast for YouTube. I would find and use old tv show and radio commercials as the commercials in the podcast. And curate and play a nice string of Synthwave that blended well together.

Software

I am choosing to use Adobe Audition Pro. I know the program a little, and It has been my go-to for making voice recordings. Plus it integrates nicely with Adobe Premiere Pro. I have a Blue Yeti that I bought back in 2018 that still works.

What I Hope to Accomplish

I would like to gain a better understanding for editing my voice in software and how to speak with inflections. I feel like I have a really monotone voice. And I want to practice giving it range.

I think it would also be nice to have snippets of interviews and do shoutouts to subscribers. I have an idea for subscribers to send in voice memos of what Synthwave means to them, and then play it on the show!

Check Out the Show!

If you are a fan of 80s Synthwave, this is definitely the show for you! Follow along on this vocal journey of mine, while listening to some great music as well!

Synthwave and Chill Radio

Chris Bailey's "The Productivity Project" is a practical guide that challenges conventional notions of productivity. It's packed with insights and experiments to help you maximize your time, attention, and energy – the three pillars of productivity. For influencers constantly juggling content creation, audience engagement, and personal life, this book is a godsend. It teaches you to work smarter, not harder, and to make room for creativity and rest in your busy schedule.

This book is more than just a guide to influencing others; it’s a masterclass in understanding human psychology. Carnegie’s principles are timeless – effective communication, empathy, and genuine interest in others. As an influencer, this book will help you build meaningful connections, both online and offline. It encourages you to listen actively, appreciate others, and create content that resonates on a personal level with your audience.

The 80/20 Principle, or the Pareto Principle, is a powerful tool for influencers. It suggests that a small portion of your efforts leads to the majority of your results. This book teaches you to identify and focus on the 20% of your activities that yield 80% of your success. By understanding this principle, you can prioritize tasks that have the most impact, streamline your content strategy, and balance your professional and personal life more effectively.

Sharma’s book is more than a call to wake up early; it’s a comprehensive guide to crafting a morning routine that fuels success. It covers the psychological, physiological, and productivity benefits of rising before dawn. As an influencer, mastering your morning can lead to extraordinary creativity, heightened focus, and improved well-being. This book offers practical tips on how to make the most of your mornings and how those early hours can set a positive tone for your entire day.

Carol Dweck's exploration of fixed and growth mindsets is crucial for influencers. A fixed mindset can limit your potential, while a growth mindset opens up a world of possibilities. This book encourages you to embrace challenges, learn from criticism, and celebrate others' success. It’s about understanding that talent and intelligence are just the starting points and that continuous effort and learning can lead to remarkable achievements.

James Clear emphasizes the compound effects of small, consistent habits. In the influencer world, where consistency is key, understanding how to build and maintain good habits is invaluable. This book provides strategies for habit formation, offers insights into behavior change, and helps you make small, incremental changes that lead to significant improvements over time.

Donald Miller’s approach to branding is essential for influencers. It’s not just about selling a product or a lifestyle; it’s about telling a story that connects with your audience. This book guides you in clarifying your message, understanding your audience's needs and desires, and crafting stories that are engaging and relatable. It’s about making your content not just seen, but felt and remembered.

Managing finances wisely is crucial for influencers, and Housel’s book provides profound insights into the psychology of money. It explores how personal history, ego, and environment influence financial decisions. Understanding these principles can help you make more informed choices about earnings, savings, and investments, leading to long-term financial stability and success.

As someone deeply immersed in the world of social media influencing, I can personally attest to the transformative power of these books. Each one has played a pivotal role in shaping my journey and enhancing my digital presence.

These books have been more than just reads; they have been mentors guiding me through the intricate journey of being a social media influencer. They have equipped me with the tools, mindset, and strategies to grow and thrive in this dynamic field. I highly recommend them to any influencer looking to elevate their game and achieve long-lasting success in the digital world.

**Disclaimer:** Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Each purchase supports my work in bringing you more insightful content. Thank you for your support!

I recently received the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Superman Edition chair and it is phenomenal! Secretlab did a collaboration with DC Comics and it looks amazing. This is my first professional gaming chair, and now I know what all the hype is about. From the box it got shipped in to the way I feel sitting in this chair, now I understand why people buy gaming chairs like these!

UnBOXING

Check out my first impression in this unboxing video!

Assembling the chair was super easy! I honestly thought I would have to go get tools, but nope! Everything was in the box it came in! And if I am being completely honest, I had a hard time throwing the box away. However, I did keep the poster with all the instructions on it.

Photos

Where to Buy

You can find the chair here

Final Thoughts

The Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Superman Edition is a stunning gaming chair that pays homage to the iconic superhero. From the blue and red accents to the embroidered Superman logo, every detail is carefully crafted to impress. But the chair is more than just looks - it's also incredibly comfortable and customizable, with adjustable lumbar support, multi-tilt mechanism, and memory foam pillows. Whether you're a die-hard Superman fan or just looking for a top-of-the-line gaming chair, the TITAN Evo 2022 Superman Edition is a worthy investment that combines style, comfort, and performance.

Thank you Secretlab for making this, it really fits my aesthetic!

I found the Vest here, it fits true to size

The Loki President Button I Got from here

The Loki Crown I got from here

I got the Tie bar here

Everything Fit extremely well. They also all photograph well. I found the green tie at a goodwill store, and I already had a black suit.

I sure do. All of the music I have is copyright and DMCA free. Synthwave and Lofi are the types of music I have so far. This is a fun journey for me honestly. I have many ideas for music and starting to get them out one by one is something that has been a long time coming.

Music is available everywhere, however here is a lofi album. This came about from listening to lofi as I birdwatch. I have some feeders in the backyard. I wanted to make an album heavily influenced with the ambience of bird chirps and sounds. My favorite bird is a cardinal, and there are many that come and go. So I decided to make it the mascot.

This album is Synthwave inspired! Gotta give a shoutout to everyone who helped me name these tracks! I went live on IG Stories and had kinda a listening party and asked people to help name tracks. It was pretty fun!!

This Album is satisfying my curiosity for chillwavee, space wave and lofi. Think Interstellar Vibes vs Lofi. I love the way it came out and it is perfect to read, study or relax to.

All the music is available on all streaming platforms! I’d encourage you to give it a listen!

Also, if you already have your streaming playlist, please consider adding some tracks.

The Time had finally come! I received my astronaut suit and was ready to go out into Chicago and take some pictures!. A friend of mine suggested to me a photographer in chicago named Craig Shimala. After checking out his instagram I reached out to him to see if he wanted to meet up and take some photos. I had wanted to take some at the Chicago Theatre, The Bean, and The Chicago Library. He said yes he would be down to shoot, so we planned out a day to shoot and met up.

Meeting Up

Driving from Ottawa to Chicago wasn’t that bad that morning. Finding parking at the Chicago Theatre wasn’t that bad either. I parked on top of a parking garage and changed into the suit. Took the elevator all the way down and found him. We started there and then made our way to the Bean and then The Library. We had a short window to shoot from 8am-11am. What I did not realize was that The Bean was gated up, so I couldn’t get close. Also Some teens asked me to be in a tiktok with them, that was kinda fun. I Put together a tiktok that summed up the day pretty much.

After walking around Chicago for three Hours, here is a gallery of the photos He took. It was awesome to have some help taking photos and I look forward to collaborating more with different photographers in different cities.

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What does this look like for you? Well this can look like a lot of things to a lot of different people. Whatever are goals or what we feel our purpose is here on earth, the circumstances can change. For instance, the pandemic threw us all off guard and disrupted a lot of our plans. Have you given yourself the time to regroup your strategies? Have you carved out some time to take a step back and say to yourself “I know what I want to do, the way I was planning it has changed. It’s time I rethink and focus on what I want again, and what route I will take to get there this time.” 

Making time to allow yourself to evolve your thought process is important.

And this is just one example.

Maybe you’re tired of work situations. Maybe there are certain health goals you would like to accomplish by the end of the year. Maybe there is a “better” frame of mind you would like to be in. Maybe you want to get better at finances. Maybe you want to be a better person.

All of these examples have one thing in common: You want change. Give yourself space to evolve. 

Give yourself the space to figure out the direction you want to go.

Resources:

Ways to Evolve When Facing Life Transitions

When Others Aren’t Ready For You to Evolve.

Both these articles are amazing and worth a read.

This year knocked a lot of us off track, and if you’re ready to get back, give yourself the space to do so 👽⚡️

Feeling really inspired lately to challenge myself going into the new year. There are 7 Mondays left for 2020. Hard to believe for a year that seemingly went by so slow, it is almost over. It is getting to that time of year where I start working on myself and my brand building a little bit harder. Not waiting until January 1st to start something new, but rather a couple months beforehand. The reason is because I like going into the new year a little bit better than I left it. I want to be more in shape January 2021 than now. I want my brand to be a little bigger January 2021 than now. I want to have more knowledge from books and tutorials now than wait for 2021 to get started.

Now, I am not saying I am going to write down a list of seemingly impossible goals and try to cram a ton of stuff in 7 weeks. That would be setting myself up for failure. What I am doing tho is writing down goals. Things I want to do and trying to hold myself accountable for them. Realizing that goals are guides , and that for the next 7 weeks I want to have a straight forward guide. I also had to say this sentence out loud today; “I don’t like discipline.” I really don’t. I like that I am able to do whatever I want, whenever I want to. That comes at a price tho (to a certain degree). For instance I know I want to get more stuff done these next 7 weeks. Obviously that means something has to give. Less time on playstation everyday. A sacrifice really. Now I am not going to give up playing, especially with the new version of Call of Duty coming out this week. But I do realize “Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes.” Another example, I want to start getting up earlier to have more time to write and edit. Which means I should go to bed a little bit earlier. And not even necessarily that, I should stop going to bed every night immediately after drinking. I feel better and properly rested when I sleep without drinking.

You folks know how much I like to drink. To be fair, I have not had hard liquor since coming to Kentucky (September 9th).
I am motivated now, and this is where the discipline kicks in. The ability and determination to stick with all the ideas that are swirling in my head at this very moment that I am feverishly trying to write down. I like challenges. I like goals. I like starting new and having a new mindset about things. I like progress reports and measuring success and victories. So I believe this will be fun and a nice challenge. 

“A fresh start isn’t always a new place, sometimes it’s a new mindset.”

The plan is to enter the new year better than I left the previous one. To start with a new mindset now, and not just wait for January 1st.

Thanks for reading!

November 2016

Quit Union Pacific. Drove to Reno, Nevada and stayed with my older brother and his family for about a week.
Drove to Eugene, Or and stayed there for about three weeks. Made it up to seattle December of 2017

December 2017

Started working at Pacific Regent as a dishwasher.

March 2017

Ordered my Superman Suit

June2017

Van broke down. Got a second job at Lucky Strike in Bellevue to save for another van. Finally bought one in July.

October 2017

Superman Suit came in the mail.

November 2017

Went to London for a week.

December 2017

Got two more part time jobs as dishwashers for a month to try to save more money. I quit both of those in about three weeks.

March 2018

Got a second Job as a pressure washer/ House Cleaner/ gutter cleaner.

April 2018

Quit The dishwashing job at Pacific Regent.

July 2018

Started working for a Temp Agency for Conductors. My First job was Montana for a year in a half. In this year and a half I stayed in a hotel room in Sidney, Mt. Paid all my credit cards off, bought a new van, paid IRS, got totally out of debt, bought a new laptop, new camera, new cosplays, and saved a lot of money.

January 2020

Headed out to Pennsylvania to stay at a friends house for a bit. While driving out I visited Cleveland, Minneapolis, and Chicago. Once I dropped off some stuff in PA I went to New York for a month. During this time the temp agency asked if I wanted to start a new job contract in Vermont. I said yes.

February 2020

Drove to Rutland, VT to start working on a contract that was supposed to last until September.

April 2020

Vermont contract canceled due to the pandemic. Went back to my friends house in Philadelphia. I stayed there for four months and house sat, while she was stuck in California. Also due to the pandemic.

September 2020

Got offered another contract in Lexington, Kentucky that was supposed to last for three months. Halfway in they transferred me to Alabama.

November 2020

Typing this from Sylacagua, AL

At some point. it seems like every creator wants to take YouTube a little bit more seriously. I’ll admit I have tried over the years and never really got into it. However, starting year four with my “Seattle Superman” Journey, I need to start taking into account ways to monetize and make money doing creative things I love to do. Even tho I have not really ironed that out yet, I do think making money from YouTube will help. I just need to find something I love to do. Although I think I found it now, lets take a look and see where I started.

Car Confessions

When I first moved to Seattle in the van, I thought it would be kinda cool to vlog about “whatever came to my mind” so I started a little series called “Car Confessions.” I would mount my phone on my dash or steering wheel and just talk from there. I think I only made about six episodes tho. I think I decided to stop doing that because I would rather use my time explore and taking Superman photos. So once I stopped, I just never started back up again.

Montana Life

In July 2018 I got a railroad work contract to work in Sidney, MT. One of the main reasons I took this job was because they paid for my hotel room for 18 months. While there, I got back into YouTube for a bit. I started another series where I would do Beer tastings. I think I did over 60 videos for this. Did not get a lot of views tho. So I decided to give this one a rest.

Next up in while in Montana I decided to Vlog about how my Seattle Superman progress was coming along in a weekly series titles “Wednesday Whatsup” I wanted to document all the different ways I was using social media and what I was doing to build my Brand. Nobody really watched this one either. Although, this was more for me to have videos to look back on, so that one day I can see just how far I have come. After about two months, I stopped doing it.

My Biggest Hang Up when It comes to Youtube

I love music, tv shows and movies. I love doing reactions. However, I was afraid to react to stuff I might not like, just for the views. I do not like voicing my opinion on things I do not find interesting to me. But I LOVE sharing my opinion on things I find enjoyable. So I was scared to Make a lot of reaction videos because I really did not want to “put down” something that did not resonate with me. I knew that if I wanted to Make reaction videos I had to find a way to make it work. And I Believe I did. I would just react to stuff I knew I would love. Problem was, what I like isn’t that that popular or trendy or not huge communities on YouTube. So I never bothered. Until now.

Vermont

March of 2020 I had another job contract that was to take place in Burlington, VT. During this time my favorite band (The Killers) Released a new single. And I thought to myself, I love this band, I am sure I will love this song. I should do a reaction to it. So I did. And it found its way around The Killers Community.

So I decided to just Make reaction videos to music and artist and trailers that were interesting to me. Not stuff I really did not care to see.

Pennsylvania

The Vermont contract got canceled early due to the pandemic. I wound up house sitting for a friend who was stuck in California. Wound up in a suburb area of Pennsylvania about 30 miles outside of Philly. During this time The Midnight (One of my favorite synthwave bands) released a new single. I figured “what the heck” I am going to react to things I like, even if it isn’t that popular. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Apparently There is a whole synthwave community on YouTube I never knew about. And Not really anyone doing reactions to that genre either. So I reacted to each of the singles before their newest album release. Then I reacted to the full album. This was July of 2020.

Kentucky

September 2020 I received another job contract to go work in Kentucky. They were going to pay for my hotel again and I was excited to start taking my Youtube Reactions a bit more seriously. After arriving at my hotel room, I bought some LED lights, went thrifting to find more retro clothes and retro props. Thought of the name “Synthwave and Chill” and decided to hit the ground running.

I downloaded a bunch of VHS effects for premiere and after effects to really sell a retro vibe as well. Gotta Admit, I am having fun with this. Listen to new synthwave music and music that I already love, on camera, for others to chime in and share their excitement with is pretty cool.

As of this writing, this is my latest video.

Somethings Gotta Give

This contract is pretty demanding. Started off 12 hour days 6 days a week, and it is barely slowing down. I have about another 6 weeks to go. Putting this much effort into Youtube Means more Time here and less time on other socials. I’ll admit I have been in Lexington for about 6 weeks now and have yet to go out and take photos of Superman yet. Trying to utilize this space to make as many retraction videos here as I can is cutting into instagram, twitter and tiktok. I found a little bit of a solution tho. This is really teaching me the power of scheduling my content. I admit I don’t use my Facebook business page as much as I should. And now, I will schedule my Facebook post for the entire week. So that kinda works out. For tiktok I have not been doing cosplay as much, because that takes time. Instead, I have been reacting to ASMR sounds. Even tho I have never done that before (and I am sure it threw a lot of people off) I decided to go that route because I can recored about 10 videos in ten minutes, and upload them throughout the day. Still putting myself on the platform and still being able to be “visible” on there. For instagram, my story post have shot waaaaay up. Because I have not been taking pictures of anything new to post, I have been using my stories more to still socialize with people.

What’s Next?

I have no idea. This Kentucky contract isn’t supposed to go past December. So that means I will be out of this hotel room and this set up, I will more than likely have to Make a whole new setup in my van or wherever I end up next. But I am excited, because I know what and how I want to do on YouTube now,

thanks for reading.

In my 8 years of taking levitation portraits, here are two valuable tips I have learned to help improve my photos!

Hard to believe these photos are 8 years ago! The lightsaber I took at a state park in Omaha. I jumped off of my car, then photoshopped it out.

Levitation Tip 1: How to look relaxed.

The best thing you can do posture wise to look relaxed is this, Jump with your knees. If you propel your body forward with your knees and legs, as opposed to your shoulders, You won’t look like you are making such an effort to jump. Check out this short video explaining what I mean.

@iamjonathanbelle

something I get asked a lot ##doctorstrangecosplay ##seattlesuperman ##photography ##photography101 ##levitation ##creativityfuel

♬ Flowers Lofi Beat - Nekoo

Levitation Tip 2: How to get more Height

Bringing the camera closer to the ground will give you the illusion that you jump higher, but what if that still doesn’t cut it? People tend to jump off of chairs, ladders, stools and cars (haha). I prefer to use milk crates! they are stable and usually one or two stacked will give you the height you need. For example:

@iamjonathanbelle

Another ##levitationphotography tip ##creativityfuel ##creativephotography ##moreyouknow ##photograhy

♬ Aesthetic - Jimmy Flatting

Editing out the crates are really easy as well!

Here is a more in-depth look at the “Milk Crate Process".”

I hope after reading this you have a better understanding or have some awesome ideas for levitation portraits! As always, If you have any questions, I would love to answer them!

I have decided to revisit a cosplay I did in 2008. You Guessed it, its Hancock. The first time I went to a comic con was in 2008 at the San Diego Comic Con. And it was so fun!! I went to goodwill to find a shirt and some shorts. Bought a grey beanie and an eagle emblem and glued it on. Then took a red sharpie and colored the red in haha.

Fast foward to 2020 and I remembered I should do this again. Because now I have the photography and the skills to take better pictures. So, I went to goodwills again to find my clothes. For the beanie I found it on etsy here.

I plan on taking levitation photos and portraits as “Drunk Hancock” should be fun to do this in a superhero suit that doesn’t involve spandex ahaha.

Anyway, I like to be a hero and understanding. I also like to drink. Realizing this is a character I can kinda related to is exciting to me because I can use this as a way to tell different stories with my art. It is something that I am really looking forward to doing. The inner struggle of trying to be a hero, all while having vices that don’t do you any favors.

I heard this song on my Spotify discover weekly.

I want to make a cinematic video as Hancock illustrating how this song makes me feel.

Until then, I took some photos in front of a Kmart I found in West Chester. This was fun because I actually went live on tiktok and showed and taught how I take photos.

So, this is the beginning of something new for me.

Thanks for tuning me.

I have had an idea for awhile to start a Community that involved creative people. And this is a blog post about how I am figuring that out. I also find it kinda of ironic to start a “group” because I actually don’t really like being part of groups. Well, I don’t like the groups I have been joined in so far. Take Facebook for instance. I have joined lots of groups on there, photography, cosplay… just to name a few. However I quickly leave after I find it more apparent people thrive off complaining and bickering and not uplifting others or finding ways to help. So I guess I am making a group because I want to bring to reality the type of group that is in my mind. A welcoming group that is supportive to everyone, people provide their input and resources when seen fit, and a safe space for help if they need it. So I started Creativity Fuel.

Creativity Fuel is a series I started on TIKTOK. Where for awhile I would give a piece of creative advice everyday. That took off really well and I wanted to turn that into something bigger, and Actually give it a definition. So I made this short video to explain what I wanted to do.

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👽⚡️ Now you know. If you’re a tiktok user, search the hashtag #creativityfuel something I started earlier this month and it is really taking off. ————- Also, if I had my own @quibi show I’d like to imagine this would be it. Going around making things and traveling. We shall see 🧙🏾‍♂️ #seattlesuperman

A post shared by Jonathan Belle | Superman (@jonathanbelle) on May 14, 2020 at 1:16pm PDT

Now I just needed to find a “Hub” for people to go to. There is a texting platform called Community that I signed up for, and I wanted to give that a shot. I made a couple videos and put the phone number on it. 22 people responded. And so it became something tangible. However, after a couple months I really felt I couldn’t get a grasp on how to make it or shape a creative community through texting. It was very one sided and I was the only one texting you, and you could text me, but it wasn’t a group effort. After trying to figure out what to do for a bit, Someone recommended me to try Discord. So I made a discord server and this is the current platform it is on.

After starting this one it is nice to see people interacting with each other on the server! although I must admit still I don’t really know exactly where this is going. Basically if someone wants advice on projects, they can ask in this non judgmental group, if you want to share what you have learned, this would be a place for it. If you want to share something you are super excited about or want to bounce ideas off of people, this is where I would like people to go. Obviously I need to put more effort into it. And that is something I am working on this summer. I DO NOT want this to be group where people try to solicit everything they do. And I know that seems like a fine line somehow. I still need to articulate that part.I guess “check out my instagram” post in this discord group is something I am not for. Because its not made for that, its made for all the creativity that would go into the post you would make for instagram. If that makes sense.

At any rate, thanks for reading. And if you have discord, feel free to stop by!

First, let me say I am making this blog post as a documentation.

I used to take piano lessons as a teenager. I turned that keyboard into a computer keyboard over time, however, I still like to think I am musically inclined. I have had ideas in the past to put out melodies or little pieces of music here and there to go With writings or words that i’ve thought of, or lines from movies. I just never did, partially because that was a time of CD’s. But now, we are living in a time of Lofi tracks and SoundCloud. Where little blurbs and bits of music are flourishing. Where a one minute track can perfectly convey a feeling. And because of that, It gave me hope that I can get these ideas out of my head, no matter how long or short the tracks may be. So, that is what I want to do.

So I made one. It is Superman inspired. Took awhile to find the right way to do it. Learning a bit of GarageBand. Finding drum samples, tutorials on how to work everything. I think from the time the idea popped into my head until the time I uploaded it to CDBaby, it was pretty much almost a year. Granted, life happened. I for sure have more downtime now to work on other projects, so that helps. Here is the finished product.

Gotta Admit tho, I have always pictured myself on Spotify as a Spotify artist. So seeing this on there is a great feeling. Sure I have podcast on there, but somehow to me it isn’t the same. I feel like I accomplished a Major goal. Part of me just wants to leave it up and not try to promote it that much. But, I did a little promoting already. I posted to everyone on all of my social media platforms I made a song and to check it out yada yada, and here are the results from the first 24 hours.

Yep. This is why I am documenting this now. I feel like people think I am more popular than I make myself out to be, and if people actually knew analytics and things on my end, they will see a different side of things. So basically, this is a message to everyone as well, who thinks their stuff isn’t getting seen or how much of a struggle it is for people to watch or listen to their stuff as well. It happens to me too.

This is kinda the reason I didn’t promote I had a tiktok either. I wanted to make one “under the radar” and see how big I could get it with a totally new audience. And It has been going quite well for me honestly. I mean by now people know I am on tiktok, so the cat is out of the bag. But at first, nobody knew. I have made some wonderful connections from tiktok and in fact I was a guest on a podcast last night, who discovered me from tiktok.

I don’t know why I went into that tiktalk.

Anyway, A year from now I will be looking back on this blog post and remember these first 48. And if you were part of that, thank you.