"Survivors Guilt" | Blog #3

Hey guys! Glad you're all back and well. Today is going to be a little bit sadder than normal, but I want to talk to you guys about one of my favorite sequel albums, 2000 by Joey Bada$$. Okay, more accurately, I want to talk to you all about a song from this album that I find to be one of the most emotional songs in alternative rap.

Source: Amazon Music

"Survivors Guilt," the sequel song to "Survival Tactics," is the most personal song from Joey Bada$$'s discography, as it pays tribute to his late friend Capital Steez and talks about how Joey felt throughout his grieving process. It contrasts the original song because instead of being an upbeat hype song between two friends, it's a song about what it's like to live in a world where a piece of yourself is forever missing.

The song's title, "Survivors' Guilt," is in reference to how Joey feels about his late friend. Joey and Steez had a close bond throughout their youth. They grew up together, not only as music partners but as a genuine friendship. They made music, hung out quite often, and even talked about how they would live lavishly if they ever made it to the top of the music industry.

   They both finally got the buzz they always wished for, Joey being the bigger star of the two. Both Steez and Joey began to focus on getting bigger; sadly, this led them to two different paths. In Joey's case, his hyperfixation on his musical journey, wanting to take his current level of fame into new heights. However, for Steez, this was the beginning of his downward spiral that eventually led him to commit suicide.

Source: HypeBeast

Joey wasn't fully aware of Steez's path, we can see this in the line "I caught a little wave and headed back to shore, and that’s when he (Steez) started drowning". This is one of the many eerie metaphors Joey uses throughout the song in order to help the audience visualize his view of the situation. In order to express his guilt through confession, he uses self-deprecating language to help the audience understand how he feels. 

    Going from reminiscent to sorrowful very early in the song, you felt remorseful for Joey all throughout the song, not to get too personal, but I, too, have lost someone dear to me and felt as if I could've prevented it. Joey encapsulates the feeling of survivor's guilt perfectly. He uses the song to get this year's long weight of his shoulders as well as answer some questions fans might have on him and the matter. 

    At the end of the day, Joey, being only 17 years of age when he lost his best friend, broke. while not truly being his fault, he blamed himself for steezes death. Thinking if he tried just a little bit harder, his best friend would still be here with him today. he uses the song to finally confront his feelings about it. it's clear he's still distraught about it all. Joeys goal of the song was to mainly take off years of unresolved baggage from his shoulders but it was also to encourage others going threw similar events as him to not be afraid to let their emotions show. By letting go of that weight, a large part of that healing journey is now complete, and Joey can now blissfully continue his journey to peace. 

Survivors Guilt Lyrics 

Wide Receiver University | Blog #4

    Wide Receiver University, or more casually known as WRU, is a term that football fans created to describe the college football team that constantly produces wide receivers who are NFL level talents. While the term is unofficial and is more of an opinion than a definitive fact, football fans, coaches, scouts, and even former players have had many debates on which school deserves the title WRU. The main criteria used when determining WRU are as follows: the Number of receivers drafted to the NFL, how long said receivers are in the league, and how good these receivers are when in the league. With these criteria in mind, only three main Universities can truly be considered WRU; however, only one can have the title. Let's go through the two main schools to determine which one deserves the crown.

    First up on the list is Alabama. Notorious for its strict yet winning culture, it obtained the most national titles throughout the 21st century of any other team. It is a top destination for young receivers to want to go to while in high school. That being said, it shouldn't be shocking that Bama has produced an abundance of all-pro receivers during their reign. in the 21st century alone, they have produced over 30 NFL caliber receivers,2 Biletnikoff Award winners, and even a Heisman winner, the best player in football for the year. Notable players include Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle. Alabama's case is a strong one, to say the least. Their perfectionist ideology has led to many great talents ending up here; no other school has produced as much talent as Bama has.

    

profootballnetwork: RollTide

Next Up is Louisiana State University, better known as LSU. admittedly, I am a little biased towards them. I have family in Louisiana, and, aside from the Cardinals, I refuse to support any Arizona team, so LSU is my college football team. Rightly so, LSU's case for WRU is a simple one; they produced the most notable receivers in today's league. Justin Jefferson is one of the biggest names in football today, with multiple records under his belt and many different accolades to go along with it, most notable being his offensive player of the year in 2022. Jamar Chase, during his time in college, held the SEC record for total yards and touchdowns. when he got to the league, he was an immediate factor who helped his team to the Super Bowl in his rookie year. regardless of who you believe is better, they are, at worst, the top two best players in the league. Other notable names are Odell Beckham Jr., Kyren Lacy, Brian Tomas Jr., and Malik Nabers. All of which were highly valued first-round picks. Even though LSU doesn't have the Numbers like the other two teams do, they without a doubt have the best top two players to come out of a college of these teams.

LSU Receiver Duo

    So, which school is WRU? The question essentially boils down to a quality over quantity argument. LSU has the better overall players, but Bama has the depth and history that LSU doesn't. However, since this is a discussion, there has to be an individual winner. so the title Wide receiver university goes toooooooooooo... Alabama, as much as I love LSU receivers, the term WRU refers to many notable players, not just a couple of great players. Alabama, while not having as many stars, has time and time again produced multiple star-caliber players. Bana gets the title of wide receiver university because they are essentially a factory for star talent on top of their Hall of Fame level alumni.

Refreshing Nostalgia | Blog #5

 

Source: Google

   

 What do you think when you see the first image? You most likely don't pay it too much mind, and that's normal. Many don't think too much of them and underappreciate the magic in them. Such a seemingly unimportant facet of childhood becomes a pillar of one's life when you look back on it. The unmatched glee a child gets from being able to look in their bag, being Christmas, Halloween, or even just an extra treat the fast food worker gave out, and see those wonderful tablets with the white and red swirls. Popping them into their mouths and having all their worries melt away. 

    They hold quite a sense of nostalgia, taking you back to a simpler time in life. One where your biggest worries were minuscule compared to now. Where the laughter of your friends at the park is now only an echo. 

    Whether it's in a container or a wrapper, once you hear the pop of the lid or unravel of the foil, you know you're in for a wonderful experience. Not many things bring out one's inner child like these. For instance, when you first take one, you feel exhilarated. The cool chill that runs throughout your body, that takes you back to winter. The heartwarming feeling you get when you know it's shared with your friends. 

    What makes them so special is the fact that you can feel it. From being the main flavor of toothpastes to the first scent that was put into soaps, there's a reason our minds associate this feeling with cleanliness. It's refreshing, a symbolic feeling of rebirth felt in every tablet you consume. Giving your breath as well as your body a new feel every use. 

Refreshed 

    So Next time you unwrap one of those little red-and-white swirls, I don’t want you to just eat it. I truly want you to experience it, let the melt your sorrows as it cools your breath, because even the smallest things can have monumental effects.

The Revival of the Colorado Buffaloes | Blog #6

 

   Colorado Buffaloes Logo

    Colorado had been in much turmoil before Deion, with only 2 winning seasons before he came in. Deion was expected to make a lasting impact on Colorado's culture, bettering the future of Colorado Buffaloes football and its players. He brought in many wonderful talents to help achieve his goals. Shilo Sanders was a 3-star recruit out of high school who was the safety on Prime's Southwestern Atlantic conference-winning team. Shedeur Sanders was the 4-star quarterback who was on most of Prime's winning teams. However, the most notable talent Coach Prime brought in was Travis Hunter, the two-way 5-star WR/CB who switched commitments to play with him. overall, He brought in around 50 players, 9 of which being from the team he previously coached. 

    With this new revamped roster, many critics didn't have high hopes for the Buffalo. They called the team a circus with a very low ceiling, and if everything goes right, they can MAYBE be bad instead of horrible. Prime let the players know how the media expected them to be and used it as fuel for the players. 

    The season came, and Colorado immediately exceeded expectations. first up against the runner-ups for the national title, TCU, going into the game, if the Buffaloes kept the game close, it would have been seen as a win. However, it would be enough for Prime. In a high-scoring shootout out the Buffs beat the #17th-ranked TCU Frogs 45-42. This stunned the college football world, shocking all the naysayers and turning many undisputed haters into fans eager to see what they have in store next week 

    The next week came and, even though many still hated them, more and more people were anticipating what was to come next. Will the Colorado Buffaloes keep their winning streak going, or are they a one week wonder who got lucky? Win or lose, many people waited in their seats to see the result. Unfortunately for the haters, they one once again. they won big at that. it was by a blowout, the first one in the school's history.

Colorado beat Cincinnati 34-23

   Throughout the next 4 weeks, Colorado ends up 4-2, their only two losses coming from #10 Oregon and #8 USC, USC being the team they lost by one score. Prime in only 6 weeks has killed every possible negative narrative revolving around the team. The team that was only expected to get 2 wins all season now has 4 before the halfway point. The players who were, for the most part, nobodies have made a name for themselves and are now household names. 

    The Buffalo's season did have a lackluster ending, I'll be the first to admit that, but to call the season a failure is far from the truth. Prime in his first year had the best year of the school's history, not only building the foundation for years to come but also reigniting the spark within the fans of Colorado College football. This is reinforced by the fact that the very next season, they went 7-2 and had multiple players get drafted to the NFL.