Miscellany: 9/21/21

I just discovered the annual dance videos comedian Demi Adejuyigbe releases on September 21st, set to Earth, Wind & Fire's immortal classic "September." They've gotten increasingly elaborate over the years, with today's iteration featuring multiple sets, backup dancers, and even anti-grav special effects:

Miscellany: A look back at Dragon Con 2013

We didn't go to Dragon Con this year (the convention was famous for getting you sick even before the pandemic), so I thought I'd look back at 2013's con, where we all coordinated to dress up as the Young Avengers.  Yours truly donned a Wiccan costume whilst scrambling through the myriad ballrooms and hallways of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.  Fittingly, the hotel was later used in the filming of Marvel's streaming series Loki.

Of course, some people had more elaborate costumes than ours:

One interesting pic from my archives - the old Armory exhibit, back when they displayed firearms:

Music: Every Summertime

My friends and I really enjoyed Marvel's latest blockbuster, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The movie did a good job of righting some of the MCU's questionable casting decisions, not just with an all-Asian cast, but also with a bopping soundtrack produced by Sean Miyashiro and 88rising.

This was my first time hearing the many fine musicians featured, and my favorite was Indonesian singer NIKI. Her dreamy track "Every Summertime" combines a funky riff with wistful vocals.  I love the music video, set conspicuously in an Asian supermarket:

Twenty Years Ago

Standing around in high school TOK class, watching the morning news.

Stunned murmurs and uneasy speculation from my classmates.

Our teacher, on the phone, frantically trying to reach her daughter in the NYPD.

Sickened wail from everyone when the first tower falls.

Not sure how anyone could ever forget.