I love Valentine’s day. It’s my favorite holiday of all time specifically because it celebrates love. I’ve never understood why that love has to be romantic, so instead of celebrating a significant other, I use the holiday to be thankful for the people that I love, those who make me feel loved, and things that bring me joy! So, welcome back to my first ever wholesome Hateful Eight!
1. Ricky Jamaraz
Ricky Jamaraz is a 17-year-old artist from Nottingham who has been in my number one Spotify spot for two years in a row. He has made over seven albums since 2020, and each one improves, showing how the genre of music he makes and listens to is changing. His most recent album was made entirely on a four track cassette, and it’s incredible in both the pure music and in the lyricism that showed his admiration for the 90’s.
2. Arguing
Now, technically, I’m arguing, but I like to call it an aggressive conversation. I love a good argument with another mature person where we both can agree on loving each other in the end, one where we argue to learn the other person’s point of view. I will never understand people who say “I’m not political” or “I don’t like to argue” because how are you doubling down on your beliefs without understanding the other side?
3. Brittany Broski’s Podcast
I love podcasts so much. Comedy, political, true crime, educational, I’ll listen to anything. As I’m writing this I’m listening to “The Broski Report” with Brittany Broski, one I found only recently but immediately became addicted to Broski’s charm. It is only her, a light blazing in her face, and a computer, yet she screams and laughs as if we’re on the phone. It’s a little pick me up each Tuesday morning on the bus to see her singing her favorite song or laugh at a joke that she made.
4. Hugs
When I’m tired the only thing that wakes me up is a long hug, and when I’m awake it’s all I long for. After COVID, physical touch has become a hard thing to come by because many people got used to just not really hugging each other. BUT I NEVER GOT USED TO IT. Sorry I’m not some unnatural psychopath who can walk next to someone and not hold their hand. Whoopsies for being normal.
5. Hallmark Movies
I found out about the beautiful thing called Hallmark two years ago, and now it’s my dream to write a script. The man is always an engineer, business man, or farmer, and the woman is either a journalist, writer, or baker. The white main girl always has some diverse sidekick: they either have a strange accent, are gay, or are a group of really old people. At first, the love interests hate each other, then they kiss, and in the last fifteen minutes of the movie the guy makes some big mistake that is quickly patched up with him abandoning a part of his life. It never strays from the beaten path, and when I think about incredible acting, storytelling, cinematography, my mind goes straight to Hallmark.
6. Typewriter ASMR
The soft sound of a keyboard next to a rainy window is one of the best sounds in the world. If you want some recommendations for the nicest sounding keyboards check out Mmd Matcha Switches v3 or Lofree Dot Foundation keyboard. They sound like when an espresso pours into the cup, the soft creamy taste of the electric energy.
7. Old selfies
I love looking at photos of women with long skirts and shirts of cotton, where they hold a chunky camera up to the mirror with both hands in a pose. It’s the cutest thing ever because you know they felt like they looked really good, enough that they put in all the effort and used limited film.
8. Old People
I love when old people tell me their life stories. When all you have to do is nod your head and ask simple questions every now and then for them to give you some solid advice or tell you a life changing story. And in the middle of an emotionally charged conversation about the intricacies of their childhood, they ask you to get up and grab them peanut butter and crackers.
