Iris Apfel is a name not many people know. Born Iris Barrel on August 29th, 1921, in Queens, New York, she was a businesswoman, fashion designer, model, and interior designer. Her father’s family owned a glass and mirror business, and her mother owned a fashion boutique. Raised on a farm and as an only child, she quite often took the subway to spend the day exploring Manhattan, where she spent her time shopping in antique stores at Greenwich Village. She fell in love with the eccentric jewelry, beginning her collection while still a child. When the Great Depression hit, her entire family was able to drape, sew, glue, and paint, and they all had a flair and style that could fit even the tiniest shoestring budget.

“Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There’s no how-to road map to style. It’s about self-expression and, above all, attitude.”

Iris Apfel

She was known for her flamboyant style, eccentricity in the best ways possible, and her outspoken personality. I fell in love with Ms. Apfel when I first saw a video as I was scrolling on Instagram, of a little old lady, draped in the most colorful fabrics I’ve ever seen, with bracelets and necklaces that could ground the lightest of birds. I could’ve sworn I saw a crown on her head in that video. I became obsessed. She is one of my idols. From her style to her attitude, she is everything I want to be when I grow old. And yes, this blog will be filled with quotes from her.

“When you don’t dress like everybody else, you don’t have to think like everybody else.”

Iris Apfel

She lived to be 102, passing away two days after the first half of 102 years. While she was alive, she collected accomplishments like jewelry. As a young woman, she worked for Women’s Wear Daily as a copywriter. She worked for interior designer Elinor Johnson, flipping apartments, and creating a talent and eye for sourcing rare items. She married Carl Apfel in 1948 and two years later, the pair started the textile firm Old World Weavers, which ran until 1992, when they both retired. They specialised in reproducing fabrics from the 17th to the 19 centuries and frequently traveled to Europe in search of fabrics that were unavailable in the States. During the tenure of Old World Weavers, Apfel took part in numerous design and restoration projects, including a contract at the White House that lasted for nine presidents! She found that the Oval Office was her easiest client, seeing as they only wished to restore what was already there.

“If you don’t learn constantly, you don’t grow and you will wither. Too many people wither on the vine. Sure, it gets a little harder as you get older, but new experiences and new challenges keep it fresh.”

Iris Apfel

In 2011, Apfel was a visiting professor at the University of Texas in Austin’s Textiles and Apparel division. She was the face of an australian brand called Blue Illusion. In 2019, while she was 97, she signed a modelling contract with global agency IMG. She mixed both high and low fashions, desginer bloses paired with trousers bought at secondhand stores. In 2005, the MET Costume Institute showed an exhibition title Rara Avis [Rare Bird]: The Irreverent Iris Apfel. This exhibit displayed many designs from Apfel, most of which I couldn’t view online. sadly. 

1. Steve

Steven Anita smith is a 14-Year-old perv which is a revolving door when it comes to Adult swim. He along with his comedic partner roger bring entertainment and laughter to the show that you can get in most places. He isn’t that much of a pervert to be honest but he does a weird fantasy about his mom.

Steve Smith singing “Is She Not Hot Enough For You Dad?” (American Dad) – YouTube

that’s your mom man. Overall, for me he is a 10/10 character because when i say he can sing I mean he can sing.

2. Francine 

 

Francine smith a Modern Housewife to Stan smith (Bottom of the list) she has the absolute patience of a goddess for dealing with stan and his antics. People say that she isn’t a good mother because she is dumb and doesn’t care about them. Francine is anything but dumb she is a marine biologist and zoologist and has some experience in astronomy. Plus, whenever we do get to have then Mother daughter or son duo or trio its always the funniest and you can feel the love between them.

Overall 10/10

Steve: Mama? The man said someone died upstairs. What if I see a g-g-g-ghost?

Francine:  I don’t know, Steve! You’ll probably p-p-p-p*ss your pants

3. Jeff Fisher 

Jeff Fisher Married to Haley smith is an unemployed pot head with no goals or ambitions. He is a really funny character though and interacts with everyone in the family most of the time unlike other members of the family. To be honest he knows pretty much everyone in the serious and they all seem to like him except stan and his father but who likes them. I wish we could see more of him but unfortunately, I don’t think that will ever come to past, so we get what we get.

Jeff Fischer:
[to Hayley as he lies in bed with her] So babe I’m just curious, I’m not really sure how you feel about us right now

Hayley Smith:
[appearing to talk to him in a childish manner] I love you, you’re my best friend

Jeff Fischer:
[breathes a sigh of relief] That’s so great to hear, I love you too Hayls

Hayley Smith:
[pan to reveal Hayley is talking to an Anna doll from Frozen] It’s so awesome you’re a princess, what’s that Anna, there’s a stinky, hairy ogre in the room? [turns towards Jeff] you and your pee-pee are gross!

10/10

I’ll be back next time 

I have currently been working on a story in a format similar to this blogspace feel free to read and leave helpful critiques or ask questions about my characters upcoming entries!

Day 38 entry- 

“Stop” one of the researcher’s says to me sternly as I stifled a gag. “How the hell do I just stop it’s natural to want to hurl or cry at a situation like this” I say with bile still tickling the back of my throat. I wish I never took this job. All I wanted to do was explore new places, preferably places where everyone was still alive. “Oh my God James snap out of it it’s already our third week at this site can you stop crying over every- body we come across” I hate Charles so much I swear the dude is a psycho “Well sorry Mr. Sociopath not everybody is used to seeing dead children and just moving on” he looks at me with a pissed faces and storms off “good riddance” I huff as I go to examine the toys left behind. Now this is where I am serious where I give a fuck about my job. I carefully put it into one the special containers we have for contaminated subjects I still hold it as far from me as I can I remember Malisa used to handle the objects without a care. That was until we discovered the hole in the glove of her hazmat suit that was until she died a week later. I try not to think about that though or how dangerous my job is I just think about how I’m in Korea and how I have good pay. “Would you hurry up and stop staring at that creepy fucking doll” God I hate everyone on this team I know they are just probably desensitized as they’ve been on this mission much longer than me. I could never be like them. I’ve made it my mission to honor every-body and subject I come across. “Yeah, yeah I’m coming no need to be so rude” I quickly zip the bag and run to catch up with team.  

Day 50 entry- 

Things are going to hell in the lab, and I don’t know why. I remember waking up, getting zipped into my suit and then getting knocked out by something red. I don’t know why I’m logging right now but it’s the only thing on my computer that doesn’t require some form of outside service. I’m also really fucking scared right now not going to lie everyone is missing well most of them at least the ones I found were dead. I feel bad obviously but all of them had no respect for this place anyway, so I hope my nice teammates are somewhere safe. I need to log off though and go examine the area. I hope I can either get a cell service or at least find someone living. 

Day 52 entry- 

I got some communication services back online, but I still feel like I should journal to keep my sanity. I don’t know what’s more unsettling, the fact that I found all my teammates’ bodies or the fact that all the victims are gone. I also feel like I’m being watched but I also haven’t slept in two days. I’ve been pouring over our protocol manuals but there isn’t any part in the manuals you can flip to that explains where to find what to do when you find all your team dead and mauled. I also really need to know how to clean my suit because it’s starting to get dirty, and Rob was the only person who got trained on how to sanitize these bulky things.  

 

 

Trigger warning: Mentions of cuts and blood..

-This is a scene from a short story I’m writing, it’s called a summer with lily!

 

We were flawed people. Our skin, tattered with old marks that held time, sunken to the bone, all hollow and empty- looking. The only time we ever glowed was at night, when we would visit the desolate road. The cracks in its pavement were evident signs of its labor. It was full of missing spots and deep holes mauled by horse hooves and wagons. Pieces of it were scattered over the sidewalk, torn off from the force of gripping wheels and pure malice. We would wait for the day to put away its flesh-eating whip and find the road finally at peace, away from the cruel practice of daily transportation. It was like a big breathing grandma, just worn out. It seemed I could watch it breathe up and down; I could feel its tired sighs through the wind. Calling me and lily like a whisper; something only the two of us could hear.

 We’d climb out the window, our shoes would be kicked off. Our nightgowns blowing in every direction. Our feet would have more cuts and bruises by the time we’d reach the road. We didn’t seem to care as long as we were in its presence, harkening to its call. Lilly would watch the night for a bit. As though this moment was too good for us to catch it as well. It surprised us how two beautiful things could work together to create something that surpassed this universe. It was heavy in the air anytime either of us stopped for a moment to catch some wind. We imagined the road and the night to be husband and wife, complimenting each other’s faults and powers. It was magical and serene when we thought of the road and night like that.

  We would feel a tousle in our bellies, a swarm of butterflies pattering against our stomachs like urchins trying to get out. It’d make us pick up our feet and jump around, all crazy and messy. Our hair bonnets would slip from our head and land on the road, we would lift our arms to the sky, to God. Like a prayer to never end this moment if he could help it. Our hips were nonexistent but if they found a way to sway then they may as well have done it here. Our bodies were in tune with the whole earth. We were dancing and blind to everything but the night and the cool, rough pavement against our feet. Even Lilly was under the influence of the roads glory. Her skin became extraordinary. The streetlights illuminated her like a queen, a dancer on the center stage stealing away the attention for the night. Our tattered skin illuminated; our sunken bones highlighted against the broken road. We became something beautiful.

Frank Ocean is a music artist that has been making alternative R&B music since 2010. He has won two Grammy’s and one Brit award. His last release was back in 2020 when he dropped two singles. I cannot wait until he finally drops again. In this blog I will be listing my favorite Frank Ocean songs. 

5. Pink+White

This song was featured on an album of his called “Blonde.” This is a slower song that focuses on the music in the background and how they work together. The music mixed with his voice make a beautiful, harmonious mixture of soft melodies that are pleasant to the ears. This is a more calming and positive sounding song. The song is about his cousin that passed away. This cousin was more of a role model for Frank and taught him a lot of things in life. This song memorializes his cousin and shows how much Frank misses him. This song is at fifth place due to the slower pace and the repetition of many parts. This song is still one of my overall favorite songs, as is most of his songs.

4. Super Rich Kids

This song was feature on his album called “Chanel Orange.” This song focuses on Frank’s voice and is mainly telling a story. It is about a rich boy who feels as if he was given too much, and he just want to have a normal life with someone to love. This part of the song repeats multiple times to show his longing for that life. In the middle of the song, he sings about getting that love and hanging out with them while drinking his parents’ wine. Because he is drunk, he ends up joking too much while they are sitting on the roof. He jokes to his love about jumping off the ledge and almost falls, but she catches him. When she catches him, she scolds him. But then his sleeve rips and he fall off the multiple story roof. The part about longing for a normal life then repeats one more time, as if his life is flashing before his eyes. Frank’s tone of voice throughout this song and the background vocals does an amazing job at making you feel his longing for his normal life. This song is in fourth place due to the imagery in this song and the amazing and sad story that is told.

3. Pyramids

This song is also in Chanel Orange. This song focusses on both the background and lyrics. The lyrics are telling a story like many of his other songs, and the background music also has moments where it plays and give the listener more feeling. It tells the story of how black women used to serve a huge role in power in history back in countries like Egypt, and now they are people who get walked are over and mistreated. He compares this story to the tale of Cleopatra and how she became Marc Antony’s mistress and her whole empire lost respect for her. He then talks about a girl in the story who is just a common stripper that “Frank” dates. He tells how she makes him money and she is objectified. I’ve put this one at three due to the message it gives and how pleasing this song is to listen to. This song is ten minutes long, so I put it lower due to that.

2. Novacane

This song is the lead single form his album Nostalgia, Ultra. This song is pretty inappropriate, so I won’t go into detail of what it’s about. I will say it is about the use of drugs and how he feels using them. But this song really amazing. It is one of his most catchy songs that I’ve heard so far. Every time I listen to it, I get it stuck in my head and can’t get it out. Though the premise of the song is inappropriate, this song is very upbeat and really makes feel it, sort of like a drug. This song does a really good job at portraying the drug part through the sound. The catchiness and the Rythm were made to feel like a drug, and it does a really good job at doing that. This song is only at number two because the last one beats all of these combined in my opinion.

1. White Ferrari

This song is also featured on Blonde. This is probably one of his most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. There are so many sounds in the song that work together to make a beautiful melody that I think sound like Heaven. These sounds are hard to put into words, but they do such a good job at portraying the raw and emotional tone of the song. The song is about a past relationship and the pain he feels from it. The lyrics are extremely raw and painful. So much so, you really feel the emotion flowing through you so much, it makes you really want to cry. He travels through the song showing how it feels to love, lose, and grow. This song will be ranked at number one due to the emotions it’s able to convey and the beauty of the lyrics. This will forever be my number one song.

In Overwatch there are countless numbers of characters, but only a few have been added since Overwatch 2 came out and I will be talking about them!

1. Juno- Support

 

Juno was just added in season 12, the most recent season! She’s from mars and is currently the only alien in the cast. She levitates and has a speed boost and uses a burst gun that can heal and do damage. She also has an ability called pulsar torpedoes that auto locks onto everyone and either heals or does damage. Her ultimate orbital ray heals the teams and increases their damage.

2. Venture- Damage

Venture was added in season 10 of overwatch. They are the first non-binary character; they are also an archeologist! Venture uses a drill and has an ability to go underground and pop up near their enemies. They also have a drill dash which pushes them towards whichever way you’re aiming. Their ultimate tectonic shock sends shock waves towards the enemy team.

3. Mauga- Tank

Mauga was added in season 8 and he’s probably the biggest tank on the cast. He has two guns, one that shoots regular and one that shoots bullets that set you on fire. One of his abilities is called cardiac overdrive which causes nearby allies to gain health when they do damage. His other ability called overrun makes him run into the enemy team, and stomp! His ultimate cage fight traps everyone around him in a big circle, if you walk into it your trapped and you can’t do damage if you’re outside of it because it’s a big shield. 

4. Illari- Support

Illari was added in season 6! She has a gun with the ability solar flare that can shoot rapid fire or charge up and do more damage. She heals a decent amount with it, but has to reload frequently, but she has a healing pylon which she can throw out and it can heal until it’s broken. She also has an ability that makes her launches her away and enemies back. Her ultimate is called captive sun, she goes into the air and if she hits you, you’ll get sunstruck and explode!!

5. Lifeweaver- Support

Lifeweaver was added in season 4 of overwatch and he’s pansexual!! He has a healing blossom that heals about 70 or 80 health back at a time, he also has thorn volley where he shoots thorns from his hand. He also has a dash, and an ability called petal platform where it lifts you into the air. His main ability is a life grip where he could pull you out of battle. His ultimate is called tree of life, anyone standing near the tree gets extra health and is healed. The tree can be broken.

6. Ramattra- Tank 

Ramattra was added in season 2, and he’s one of the few omnic characters. His weapon is called void accelerator which shoots a stream of projectiles. He has a really lame barrier that last like six seconds, and another ability called ravenous vortex. It slows you down and if you fly it pulls you to the ground. His main ability is his nemesis form where he just starts punching you. His ultimate is called annihilation where he goes into nemesis form and has a deadly swarm that attaches to nearby enemies.

7. Sojourn- Damage, Junker Queen- Tank, and Kirirko- Support

 

All three of these characters were added in the first season of overwatch 2!! Sojourn has a rail gun, that can shoot a high impact shot that can pierce through enemies. She has a sliding ability, and another called disruptor shot that launches an energy burst and deals damage if you stand in it. Her ultimate is called overclock where her rail gun takes less time to charge up. 

Junker queen has a pump shotgun called scatter gun, an ability called carnage where she hits you with an axe that gradually does damage, and a jagged blade that she can throw. The blade hooks onto enemies and can pull them in whatever direction. She has commanding shout which buffs allies near her. Her ultimate is called rampage, and she charges forward and prevents everyone from being healed while doing damage.

Kiriro has a weapon called a kunai where she can shoot long range shots, and she has healing ofuda which is a burst of healing talismans that seeks for low health allies. She can teleport with swift step and has an ability called protection suzu which heals you and can also cleanse you of negative affects other characters cause. He ultimate is called kitsune rush where she summons a fox spirit that rushes forward, increasing movements and decreasing cooldowns of allies in the path.