Films & TV
- Cold Fish, Sion Sono (2010). It's odd to say because this film certainly is strange taken by itself, but compared to Sono's other work, I feel like this played out a lot more like a straightforward thriller. Sono does it well, it's quite disturbing and tense, I expected nothing less. But at a certain point, I began to feel uneasy with how certain acts of violence toward the end seemed to be portrayed as like... a natural result/consequence of the male protagonist's "submissiveness" to the women in his life. I don't know, it just seemed a little bit off, and kind of cruel in a way that I haven't found Sono's other work to be... normally he weaves a strange and horrific tale that ultimately has a very tender heart to it, but this one is just, well, cold.
- Real Genius, Martha Coolidge (1985).
"This commitment to accuracy, to perfect replication, is a commitment to the status quo. We are expected to leave it untouched, or, if it must be altered, then to do so as little as possible. Access, then, is akin to nonreciprocal assimilation, with its two possible outcomes: death by fitting in or death by failing to fit in. The Protactile movement is the latest pulling away from replication. [...] Of course, the problem isn't accuracy, per se, but whose accuracy."
- John Lee Clark, "Against Access"
.Assigned Reading & Research for Personal Projects
- "'Something that feels like a community': the role of personal stories in building community-based participatory archives," Ana Roescgket & Jeonghyun Kim, Archival Science, Vol. 19 (2019), pg. 27-49.
Books
- The Empusium, Olga Tokarczuk (2022). ♥︎ It got off to a bit of a slow start but it was more than worth it. Tokarczuk nails the form of the Gothic novel. I recommend going into this one knowing very little and letting yourself be surprised.
"When people ask us why we don't use it as a bike trailer, we can also answer differently: why the rush? Deciding to travel with the slowest vehicle possible is subversive because it questions values we take for granted in the modern world, such as speed and utility."
- Kris De Decker & Kozimo, "Rediscovering the Handcart."
On the Web
- "Against Access" by John Lee Clark (2021), McSweeney's 64 ♥︎
- "Rediscovering the Handcart" by Kris De Decker & Kozimo (2026), Low-Tech Magazine ♥︎ This was actually so inspiring and empowering to read as a non-driver... I know I talk about my pedestrian lifestyle a lot but it truly bleeds into every aspect of life when you live in an American city. The thought that, while it may take more time and effort, I could still move my belongings by myself or even transport another person utilizing simple physics, handiwork, and a little ingenuity, makes me quite happy. Kinda obsessed with the idea of building a handcart now lol.
- "Another Way of Knowing: Resisting Eugenic Propaganda Through Community Archiving," Jess Petrazzuoli-Gallagher & Ashten Vassar-Cain (2026), In the Library With the Lead Pipe ♥︎
Albums
- Is It Now?, Automatic (2025) This is going to sound mean but this album is literally the same song 11 times. Your mileage will vary based on how much you like that song. I thought it was just okay, therefore, the whole album was just okay.
- CONFLICT DLC, HEALTH (2025) ♥︎
HEALTH makes the exact kind of music that I'm always a sucker for, always a pleasure to hear new stuff from these guys. So many great music videos released with this album as well.
Favorite tracks: "THOUGHT LEADER," "SHRED ENVY," "DON'T KILL YOURSELF" - SWAGGOT! (B SIDE), ISSBROKIE (2026)
"Y'ALL LIKE CHARLIE KIRK, WE SHOOTIN' NECK AND UP"!!!
This album is just constant whiplash from some of the worst stuff I've heard this year to some straight up BANGERZ. So in the end I don't know how to feel but overall I can't help but be endeared to whatever this is, exactly.
Favorite tracks: "Y'ALL DON'T KNOW MA BODY!," "UP THERE!," "BINGO!" - Punk Tactics, Joey Valence & Brae (2023) ♥︎ 🗘
Everyone start listening to JVB now!!! They are so fun!!!
Favorite tracks: "Delinquent (Teen Titan)," "Hooligang," "Gumdrop" - Like Swimming, Morphine (1997) ♥︎
Okay, well, I've officially listened to everything Morphine released, not counting archival releases after Mark Sandman's death. Not sure what to do with myself now. Feeling very morose over the fact that I never got to be in the world at the same time as Sandman. Do you ever get that feeling?
Favorite tracks: "Wishing Well," "French Fries W/ Pepper," "Empty Box" - Strictly 4 The Scythe, The Scythe (2026)
I loved all of the singles released in the lead-up to the mixtape so my expectations were quite high, but I feel like they kinda played their hand too soon, because none of the other tracks really lived up to what had been released beforehand, resulting in a somewhat disappointing, though still solid, listening experience. I do think I ought to go listen to BKtherula's solo stuff though.
Favorite tracks: "Mutt That Bih," "The Scythe," "Lit Effect"
Fragments
- IDEK what I've been doing all month. Hardly anything, it seems like. Sleeping, working, sleeping, working, plenty of time in between, but what have I been doing with it...?
- The above statement is extra funny because I've been journaling more consistently than usual this month. I should have an idea of what I've been up to.
- Oh, got diagnosed with Autism + 2 bonus surprise disorders this month. Might write a blog post about that soon if I get the time. We'll see.