“Above All, Don’t Lie To Yourself. The Man Who Lies To Himself And Listens To His Own Lie Comes To

Weekend.

How cool is this?? The front wheel powered engine used by @craigrodsmith on his latest build for the @haasmotomuseum. . Check out the full build with images by @grantschwingle on @bikeexif. . . #croig #caferacersofinstagram #bikeexit #haasmotomuseum #inspiration https://www.instagram.com/p/BvCiLS0AwuW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=g4c5qb0l680a

What “Ghetto” Names Really Mean

“Tinashe” -  Means “God is with us” in Shona ( An African language spoken by nearly 80 percent of people in Zimbabwe.)

“Lakeisha” - A Swahili name meaning “favorite one.”

“Ashanti” -  Name of a powerful African empire in West Africa.

“Tanisha” - Hausa of West Africa name meaning “born on Monday.”

“Zola” - Means “quiet, tranquil” in Zulu.    

“Amandla” -  Zulu and Xhosa word meaning “power”. The word was a popular rallying cry in the days of resistance against Apartheid.

“Zendaya” - Means “ To Give Thanks” in Shona

“Latonia” -  A Latin name. Latonia was the mother of Diana in Roman mythology.

“Lulu” - Swahili and Muslim name meaning “pearl” or “precious.”

“Ciara” -  Means “dark-haired” in Irish Gaelic

“Lateefah” - A North African name meaning “gentle and pleasant.”

“Mercedes” - Means “Gracious gifts/Benefits) in Spanish

“Kaya” -  Ghanaian name meaning “stay and don’t go back.”

“Amara” -  The Swahili word amara, meaning “urgent business.” Also the Hindu name meaning “immortal.”

“Shanika” - African Bantu name, meaning “young one from the wilderness.

“Zuri” - Means “beautiful” in Swahili.

“Onika” - Word of African origin meaning “warrior.”

JUST BECAUSE A NAME SOUNDS DIFFERENT DOES NOT MEAN IT’S “RATCHET” OR “GHETTO” THEY HAVE BEAUTIFUL MEANINGS.

DON’T BE IGNORANT, LEARN.

20 Television Shows That I Enjoyed Watching In 2020

Television was so good in 2020. Last year is not going to be known for many good things because of the seriousness of the pandemic and the way it has affected people’s personal, social, economic and health experiences. For this reason alone, sometimes unwinding and enjoying some art was even more necessary for me and television is a part of that art. 

My favorite television shows (and limited TV series) list this year looks so much different from previous years because some usual favorites (e.g. Queen Sugar, Pose) had no season air in 2020, some favorites had a series finale last year (e.g. Suits) and some new favorites (e.g. The Morning Show, Succession) also had no season air in 2020. However, this opened up space to explore quality shows that I did not get into at first, but glad I gave a second chance, such as Westworld, which is my number one favorite show that I watched in 2020. Thandie Newton and Tessa Thompson are incredible Black actresses who did the damn thing in this brilliant show, along with the rest of its strong cast, storytelling and world-building. I watched all 3 seasons back to back last year, though its original airdate is before 2020. I really enjoyed other roles by Black actresses in 2020 including Kerry Washington, Anika Noni Rose and the young talented Lexi Underwood in Little Fires Everywhere, Xosha Roquemore and the legendary Cicely Tyson in Cherish The Day and Aja Naomi King as well as the legendary Viola Davis in the final season of How To Get Away With Murder. While The Queen’s Gambit is a fave watch of 2020, I did critique the writing for Moses Ingram’s character Jolene as I feel the writers did not do well with her characterization despite her clear acting skill. Honestly, if Jolene was written better, this series would be significantly higher on my list as I think it is pretty good otherwise. Still good enough to make the list though.

Peaky Blinders is another show which I watched all the seasons of the show in 2020 and it quickly became a favorite, as did Ozark and Breaking Bad, the latter of which long ago had its series finale. I am late to the train but glad I hopped on. Schitt’s Creek truly surprised me as I tend to gravitate towards dramas not comedies, but its brilliance cannot be denied. The show crosses my mind at least twice a week now and it seems to have made so many people so happy. The Last Dance is one of those limited series that will leave a mark on me forever; long live the legacy of the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan in the 90s. That was a fuckin’ era and I lived, hunny! Chernobyl came out last year, but I only watched it this year. It is brilliant, though painfully heartbreaking. But it is a must-see, nonetheless. Going back to watch slightly older dramas such as Rectify and Luther was definitely worthwhile; both are incredibly well-written and well-acted.

Below are the top 20 television shows or limited series that I enjoyed watching in 2020. Next to each title, I list the air dates and where they rank in my 2019 list (a top 20), 2018 list (a top 20 list),  2017 list (a top 25 list), 2016 list (a top 20 list), and 2015 list (a top 25 list) if they were included in previous listings since I started Cinemacked in 2015. (My lists include shows that had a premiere prior to 2020 as the list is about what I enjoyed watching in 2020 regardless of when the actual show or series first aired.)

Westworld (2016-current)

Peaky Blinders (2013-current)

Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)

The Last Dance (2020)

Chernobyl  (2019)

The Mandalorian  (2019-current | ranked #3 in 2019)

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Ozark (2017-current)

The Crown (2016-current | ranked #10 in 2019; no 2018 season; ranked #5 in 2017)

Rectify (2013-2016)

Defending Jacob (2019)

Luther (2010-2019)

Little Fires Everywhere (2020)

Lucifer (2016-current | ranked #13 in 2019; ranked #11 in 2018; ranked #12 in 2017; ranked #8 in 2016)

Cherish The Day (2020-current)

The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

Hollywood (2020)

The Undoing (2020)

HTGAWM (2014-2020 | ranked #16 in 2019; ranked #10 in 2018; ranked #7 in 2016 and 2017; ranked #5 in 2015)

You (2018-current)

The links for the television shows connect to tweets; some are over time and some are a specific tweeted review per show that I published after streaming a show in its entirety. 

Of course these are not the only interesting television shows available to watch in 2020. This is a personally curated list of 20 TV shows that I enjoyed watching in 2020. Though there are some popular TV shows that rank highly on other people’s lists and on other mainstream publications’ lists, this is my listing in an indie space so it means it is about TV shows that I like and regularly watch, not necessarily what is the most popular worldwide.

I really enjoyed television in 2020. Not sure what 2021 will hold as the pandemic impacts art creation and many 2020 shows were actually filmed prior to the initial shutdown. I truly hope that people stay safe and healthy and that matters more than anything. But also, being a part of TV casts and crews is some people’s livelihood as well. The situation is complex. I truly hope the best for everyone and I am glad that art provided a small reprieve for me in 2020. (The photographs above: Thandie Newtown as Maeve in Westworld; Kerry Washington as Mia in Little Fires Everywhere; Xosha Roquemore as Gently in Cherish The Day; Viola Davis as Annalise in How To Get Away With Murder.)

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"Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness."

Alejandro Jodorowsky

Dieter Rams' 10 Principles of Good Design

Good design is innovative

Good design makes a product useful

Good design is aesthetic

Good design makes a product understandable

Good design is unobtrusive

Good design is honest

Good design is long-lasting

Good design is thorough down to the last detail

Good design is environmentally friendly

Good design is as little design as possible

things to do on sundays to recharge and make the upcoming week awesome

• clean ya room (just do it). also, check those pinterest boards you save for “one day” and actually go through them and draw some inspiration, even if you just end up rearranging the books on your bookshelf or putting some flowers from your garden in a mason jar on your desk. this is your home, make it feel like it is.

• do your laundry (also, don’t forget your bed sheets). if you’re in the mood, look at next week’s weather forecast and think about what you’re going to wear. go through your drawers, check the back of your closet. that hat you bought some time ago and forgot about because you didn’t dare to wear it? well… new week, new you, right? 

• call a friend/family member you haven’t talked to in a while, tell them you miss them. tell them you love them. remember and appreciate that they are a part of your life even if it doesn’t feel like it all the time.

• draw, paint, journal, write or make some music. something you know you love doing but “never find the time”. sunday is “finding-the-time day”. if you’re not feeling creative, read a book or watch your favorite show. or watch a new show. a scary show. a funny show. laugh as loud as you want. listen to music. listen to your favorite songs, or listen to new songs. even a new genre if you dare. turn the volume all the way up. take a second to consciously feel the music. you can always get up and dance. or sing. or both.

• the great, but still really effective classic: take a bath or a really long shower. if you have this special face or hair mask you’re saving up for a special occasion: congrats, you’re the special occasion today. use it. also, body lotion. we all know you’re going to be running late during the week and skip it one too many times. make yourself feel like the goddess you are. 

• sit in silence for a few moments. listen to your breath. listen to your heartbeat. for the love of god PLEASE listen to your thoughts for once in your life. don’t make them feel like they are wrong. or bothersome. they too just want to be heard once in a while. what are they trying to tell you? what could be soothing for them? be compassionate to yourself. it’s okay. you are okay. you are okay.

• think about things you can be grateful for next week. even if you feel like your life sucks atm, think about the small things you take for granted in a different way. for example: “next week, i will have access to clean water. CLEAN. WATER. 844 million people don’t have that.” or “next week, my legs will take me wherever i want to go. not everybody has two fully functioning legs, so i’m lucky in that way.” you’re allowed to feel bad about your life, but you’re also allowed to feel good about things. 

• if you’ve stayed home most of the week, go out. go for a walk. go swimming. go to a party or dinner with friends. even if you feel like you don’t need to see the outside world, chances are you’ll feel great after you do. if you feel like you’ve been running around all week, maybe you’d like to stay home today. put on your ugliest sweater, comfiest leggings, and fluffiest socks and curl up under a thousand blankets. you a sloth today and it’s okay. 

• eat. i mean honestly: eat THE THING. i don’t care if you’re on a diet. if there’s something you’ve been craving all week that has turned you into the veiny-neck-dude meme just trying to resist it: EAT IT. you deserve it. not because you worked out or ate salads or did well in school, but just because you’re a human and you love to eat and life is short and you should be allowed to eat yummy things. it’s okay. you won’t gain 5 pounds or lose your brain cells no matter how unhealthy it is, i promise.

• plan plan plan yo week. it doesn’t matter if you use a planner, bullet journal, the calendar on your phone or the notes app: write everything down you have going on next week. appointments. events. coffee-dates. when are you going to the gym? what are you going to eat? (meal prep if necessary) also, create reminders on your phone for everything. “i won’t forget it!” is a sweet thought, but oh honey you will. schedule reminders for every event. let your phone remind you that you need to buy toilet paper when the store is nearby. schedule daily reminders for your medications. (once you’ve done this it honestly feels like you just cleaned out 38GB of your brain, you simply don’t have to worry about that anymore, space for more important info, like your new favorite pun to annoy everyone with)

• most importantly: listen to what your mind and your body need today and next week. daily life is so full of “should-do”s that it’s important to find a healthy balance between the “should”s and the “need”s. you will be much more productive, healthy and happy that way. nobody knows you better than you do, take advantage of that and plan accordingly.