Stories I Waited Too Long to Tell
Recommended
Relater
~ October 13, 2020
Relater is relatively new to the social media scene. Launched in April of 2020, Relater serves as a one-of-a kind platform where creative individuals have the opportunity to share their time and talents with each other and the world. Founded and spearheaded by Troy Baker (The Last of Us), this unique YouTube channel hosts creative writing sessions, podcasts with intriguing people from all walks of life, music collaborations, movie discussions, and more. Although Baker himself is well-established in the entertainment industry, his mission is to connect with fellow creatives and not just celebrities.
I came to Relater right off the heels of binge watching Retro Replay’s videos and definitive playthroughs during the long weeks of quarantine. Retro Replay revisits video games from the last four decades and while I’m by no means a traditional gamer (and also hadn’t heard of Troy Baker), I still found the series refreshingly original and, quite frankly, immensely entertaining. But what I found most intriguing was Baker’s hyper-focus and his passionate nerd explosions which popped up sporadically throughout the channel’s videos. And it was also great fun listening to Baker divert from the conversation to enthusiastic tangents about anything from the art of storytelling to the little-known facts of the history of movie and video game development. That kind of ardent (nerd) intensity is something I can very much identify with. More importantly, it was Baker’s commentary during the definitive playthrough of The Last of Us (Part I) which captivated me completely. It felt like a storytelling workshop and it became, to my surprise, the catalyst that got my own rusty creative gears turning again….and I wanted more of it.
In some respects, Relater is the next level to the Troy Baker I got to know on Retro Replay. What I find appealing is the fact that the channel is geared towards bringing a community of creative strangers together rather than striving to gain followers and fame. One aspect of Baker’s project that I specifically gravitate towards is the “Prompt” series. Similar to a creative writing class I had in college, this weekly series challenges viewers to experiment with their preferred artistic medium (fine art, photography, writing, music, etc.) by applying their talents to a selected theme or topic. It’s an exercise that I’ve been craving for a long while but haven’t, until now, found a person or platform that I trust to provide genuine and applicable content.
Calm, collected, and well-spoken, Troy Baker’s Relater project is one I follow closely. It is unique in style and genuine in its endeavors. Nothing feels scripted or staged. I may not agree with all of the views and opinions expressed on the channel, but I nonetheless consider Relater to be an invaluable resource for creative writing inspiration.
I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story by Anthony Daniels
~ October 14, 2020
I received this memoir as a Christmas gift in 2019 from my sister and brother-in-law. As a huge Star Wars fan since childhood, this was a perfect gift. I promptly nestled myself comfortably in the green rocking recliner next to the Christmas tree and delved excitedly into the pages of the hard-cover book. I finished the memoir in three days and couldn’t wait to tell others about it.
It’s no secret that C-3PO has been an integral part of the Star Wars universe since its inception in the 1970’s. But what many people may tend to forget is the fact that the Star Wars phenomena almost didn’t happen. There were complications with the production, tension among the crew and executives, and an uncertainty of success. But miraculously, the world was gifted with access to Star Wars beginning in May of 1977, and the galaxy “far, far away” continues to captivate new fans to this day. And C-3PO has been through it all.
Anthony Daniels provides readers with an in-depth look at what it was (and is) like to portray such an iconic character. Daniels tells it all, from working with actors such as Mark Hamill to the struggles with suit mechanics; from the frustrations with C-3PO receiving more recognition than the actor playing him to the incredible kindness and love from fans.
With sincere and heart-felt writing that is wonderfully British, I Am C-3PO showcases Anthony Daniels’ thoughtful reflections on his more than forty years of experience playing a beloved character who is cherished by millions and is uniquely his own. I Am C-3PO is one of my favorite memoirs and is a literary staple for any Star Wars enthusiast.
Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum
~ October 15, 2020
I came across Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast about a year ago when I was looking for something different and new to listen to during my daily walk. I’d grown tired of my music playlists and even my favorite comedy sketches were beginning to lose their charm. So I took my chances on YouTube and began searching for decent material to keep my active mind occupied while I walked. I don’t why exactly, but Tom Welling’s interview on Inside of You was one of the clips that popped up on my recommended videos list and I eagerly gave it a try.
I grew up with Welling and Rosenbaum’s characters on Smallville and was excited to hear a friendly exchange between two actors who played iconic comic book characters. Initially, I thought I’d watch a short bit of the seventy-five minute interview. But once I started the video, it was too engaging not to finish. What I loved most about this podcast was how relaxed and genuine the interview was. There wasn’t pressure on the guest to promote their latest project nor were there cliché questions from the interviewer such as “what was it like on set?” or “who was the biggest prankster in the cast?” It was just an honest conversation between colleagues. And this approach applied to other guests as well, such as Brandon Routh, Tara Lipinski, and Ben McKenzie. I quickly came to like Rosenbaum’s philosophy: talking is free therapy, and we can all learn from the experiences of others. And it’s true. People come from all different backgrounds and walks in life, and yet, there are some things we have in common: anxiety, stress, concern over one’s future, insecurity, and living with the scars of the past.
Inside of You maintains a relaxed atmosphere allowing both host and guest to delve into a vast spectrum of topics from the impact of anxiety to the experiences of working on a film set. What I find most engaging is listening to the raw, unfiltered reflections from the people I’ve grown up watching on the screen. For me, the dialogues are humanizing. So often, people in the public eye are seen as having no flaws, problems, or insecurities. This belief, of course, could not be further from the truth, and Inside of You proves that, but not in a demeaning or condescending manner. Rosenbaum does an incredible job of creating a comfortable and safe platform allowing guests the freedom to open up…and they do.
Honest chats. Unfiltered exchanges. Raw conversations that will make you laugh and cry. Inside of You gives you a glimpse into the unique life experiences of well-known individuals, how they handle anxiety, and how they navigate life.
(My favorite episode to date is the interview with Kevin Conroy)
Pick Up Limes
~ October 24, 2020
If you’re looking for a relaxing and exceptionally eye-pleasing food show, look no further than Pick Up Limes! Founded by Sadia Badiei, a Canadian dietetics graduate, Pick Up Limes serves as a platform where you can find vibrant and nutritious recipes that are geared towards a more wholesome dietary lifestyle. Although Sadia herself follows a vegan diet, she encourages viewers to adjust her recipes to their own personal preferences.
Cooking is a keen interest of mine and learning about how different foods support the body has always fascinated me. I’ve been on the lookout for resources that demonstrate how to creatively combine my love of cooking with my desire to pack as many flavorful nutrients into a single dish as possible. But what I commonly found in my search were methods that scarified flavor and texture with indigents (and ideologies, often) that were lackluster. However, this isn’t true of Pick Up Limes. Recipes are vegan but they’re easily adjustable to accommodate diets that are inclusive of meat and dairy or ones that exclude gluten or processed sugars. What I find most appealing is that Sadia never pushes viewers to switch to a vegan diet. Rather, her goal is to provide tasty foods and digestible information. And with eight years of culinary training, Sadia’s website is a perfect resource for me to use.
Pick Up Limes is calming, informative, and deliciously attractive in its overall presentation. Nothing is complicated, and alternatives and substitutes are always included in each video. Whether you’re interested in adopting a new diet or in incorporating more colorful foods into your meals (or if you just want to enjoy a great food show), the Pick Up Limes website, blog, and video series on YouTube is the perfect place to start.