In early January 2024, I started piecing together this playlist. I was feeling peak levels of existential anxiety. I tried to focus on music that helped me explore my feelings in a way that felt constructive. I wanted the sounds to complement each other.

I attempted to create a frequency that helped me focus on the present moment with joy and strength. This playlist is called, “Saturnian”. This playlist is available on Spotify and Apple Music, (available on other streaming services upon request).

FEATURED SONG:

“Children of the Internet” by BADGER

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Shalom, Ricky Lake, Bktherula, Jadu Heart KROOKS, Odysseys, Radkey, Noah Kwid, astrodamus.

Apple Music

Spotify link

When the news dropped around the release of the Apple Vision Pro, I was still in the process of attempting to wrap my mind around the Oculus and Meta Quest virtual reality (VR) headsets.

I’ve had riveting conversations with people from all walks of life about virtual gaming and virtual reality. I’ve read countless think-pieces about the rapidly developing “metaverse”. From time to time, I enjoy a livestream of virtual gaming.

Prior to testing the Apple Vision Pro at one of the Apple store locations; my only experience with VR was using one of my younger brothers’ first-generation Oculus headset. I could only use the Oculus headset for a couple minutes because I felt nausea, mild confusion, and over-stimulation.

I heard about the Apple Vision Pro’s release in late-December. I was underwhelmed, however, I immediately wondered if people would have an opportunity to test out the headset without buying it. In March 2024, I was at an Apple store for an overly-emotional MacBook Air repair.

Upon the conclusion of my MacBook repair, I looked around the store to see some of the latest technology. My eyes wandered to the Apple Vision Pro’s. I honestly thought they looked like snowboarding goggles, and I was drawn to how low-tech they can look to someone who never used them before.

One of the workers at the store asked me what I thought about the product. I said I didn’t really care. Then they asked, “well, what have you heard about them?”. I said, “honestly, I’ve heard people talk trash about how bulky they are”.

The Apple Store person quickly pivoted, and asked me, “how can this product help you in your daily life?”. I responded by saying something about how I thought the product could help me explore creative expression.

The Apple Store person was excited to hear me respond this way and they asked me if I wanted to test the Apple Vision Pro headset. I said, “sure”.

I got all set up to test the headset in the store at one of the product tables. I put the headset on, and the headband automatically adjusted to my nose and head to fit comfortably and securely.

Once the headset was secured, I calibrated the headset with hand movement and eye movement. After the system became familiar with my eyes and hands, the system walked me through a small series of hand gestures and eye focus points- in order to control the system’s operations.

After performing the system’s calibration and set-up, I viewed the first product feature. We opened the photo and video app. The photo app on the Apple Pro Vision introduces a unique portal to memories and moments. The photos and videos featured in the products test-trial included portraits and landscapes.

The photos and videos sounded and felt like happiness. Mind you, the pictures and videos were a family celebrating a birthday. The landscape photos made me feel like I was outside in a different environment.

Next, we reviewed the internet browser features. The main internet browser feature I was impressed with; the ability to zoom in and out of text. Zooming in and out of text with this product gave me a completely different perspective of the information I was processing. I saw a lot of potential with how productive I could potentially be with the product.

Upon the conclusion of testing the internet browser, I took a look at some of the movie and live-nature visuals. The movie that was featured was Super Mario Bros (2023). I wasn’t as impressed with Super Mario on the Apple Vision Pro, only because I really loved seeing the movie in theaters.

The live-nature visuals on the product were breathtakingly beautiful. I saw several different locations at different points of the day, and even some live-nature visuals with accurate weather and time data.

At this point of the product trial. I was fully invested. Very curious to see every possibility within the product.

The last component of the product trial was basically a highlight reel of product functions. I loved the live and recorded sports feature; you can be court-side or on the field of any sport you can think of and it feels like you are there. One of the clips featured someone slacklining on a massive cliff.

The functionality highlight reel also included more nature visuals from different regions of the world in various climates. Some nature visuals even included wildlife and marine life.

Lastly, the the functionality highlight reel featured a studio recording session and performance from Alicia Keys and her band.

Ultimately, I was impressed by the Apple Vision Pro headset. Did I pay $3,500 (plus tax) to buy one? No. Do I low-key want one? I won’t say. I will tell you that I haven’t stopped thinking about the visual and sensory journey I experienced with this product. I will admit that I have thought of at least 10 ways to use the product for creative projects, job opportunities, productivity, innovation, and connection.

Even with all the excitement of my experience, I recognize a lot of questions and inner-conflict. The product raises a lot of flags in regards to morality and ethicality. The product is the epitome of inaccessibility (although some features are better at promoting accessibility in comparison to other vessels of advanced technology).

We know that the company it comes from is notorious for sourcing materials inhumanely and inequitably. We know about various controversies within the company. We are increasingly more aware of how Apple has monopolized so many markets. Anyways. The product is one of those things that I never imagined as a kid, and at the same damn time… it’s a product that could prove to be a costly distraction and vessel of division.

To say the least.

The 30th San Luis Obispo International Film Festival will be taking place from April 25th through April 30th in San Luis Obispo, CA.

One of the featured films is 4DWN (2023), produced by Gnarly Bay in collaboration with Dickies & Earthx. 4DWN is described by Gnarly Bay as an “unconventional and deeply personal” story focused on the confluence of food security and skateboarding.

4DWN is a skatepark and community initiative in Dallas, Texas. Mike Crum and Rob Cahill are co-founders of 4DWN. Kareem Campbell is a legendary skateboarder from Harlem, New York; and Campbell is regarded as a foundational part of 4DWN.

The 4DWN short-film will be screened at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, CA on Sunday, April 28 at 6:30 PM. Kareem Campbell, Mike Crum, and Rob Cahill will be in attendance. Prior to the film-screening; Kareem Campbell, Mike Crum, and Rob Cahill will be at a Meet & Greet from 5 PM to 6 PM at nearby skate shop, Ceremony.

Freedom Ring secured and advocated for Black community members to have access to complimentary tickets for the 4DWN film screening in SLO. Freedom Ring recognizes the beacon of hope that skateboarding provides for people worldwide.

Freedom Ring recognizes the past and present occurrences of anti-Black harm, hate, and hardship in San Luis Obispo, CA; in the Central Coast, in California, throughout America, and all over the world. Freedom Ring recognizes ongoing Indigenous and Native erasure, genocide, and forced-assimilation- in SLO, in the Central coast, in the state of California, all over America, and all over the world.

Freedom Ring recognizes that for some Black women, Black men, and Black LGBTQ2IA+ people; skateboarding is a key component within our ability to survive and advance.

Freedom Ring recognizes the intersectional experiences of identity-based- oppression and systematic violence.

Freedom Ring is the Institution of Free Yourself. For complimentary ticket inquiries contact us.

No words from me this week. Just an edit of Bill Reid sitting by a piece he made in 1994 called “The Raven and the First Men”. “The Raven and the First Men”, is on display in the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology.

Spirits of the West Coast Art gallery says this carving depicts the story of human creation according to Haida legend.

Gunalchéesh, Bill.

No word just mountain pic I took in early Spring 2024. And here, have a quote. Be well, y’all. Sending love

“To seek is to suffer. To seek nothing is bliss.”

-Bodhidharma

On Valentine’s Day in 2021, I wrote a poem called, “Space for Love”. You can read the poem on my Substack page- by clicking the link below or by visiting LoniumStonium.Substack.com

astrodamus. is a solo music project that I started in 2018. The project is personal and raw. I thought it would be more self-explanatory than it has proven to be… which is humbling, humanizing, and honestly kind of a trip.

I’m still in the process of communicating this music project because I feel like the foundation is still taking shape.

Alas. I released a new single under the “astrodamus.” project this week. This track was written in Los Osos, California in October, 2023; and recorded at Studio Greenhouse in Austin, Texas with production and engineering by Nigel Brown and Kevin McCann.

“Bruce Wayne” by astrodamus. is out now all streaming platforms. You can listen to “ Bruce Wayne” by clicking the streaming links below or by clicking the cover art. Cover art by Tanóok.

Greetings! I took a brief unannounced hiatus from the Weekly 1 Step feature of Freedom Ring due to quite a few reasons that I won’t disclose at this time. Moving forward.

This week I want to make a book recommendation! Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm (2022) is an extraordinary biography of J Dilla written by Dan Charnas. In recent years, I saw a lot of artists share how excited they were to dive into this book.

I went to a vinyl set at a vinyl bar recently and there was a copy of the book floating around in the space. I was very impressed by the layout of the book, the historic context, regional context of Detroit, history lessons of Hip Hop, and a true introduction to J Dilla’s heart.

I’ll leave y’all with one of my favorite Dilla tracks and I promise we will talk soon. Be easy

Hey, team. This week I would like to share an inspiring project. A group exhibition in rural Southwest Colorado called Nameless Narratives presented by Legacy Unbound.

Legacy Unbound explains, “The Nameless Narratives project aims to weave together the minimized stories of Communities of Color. We journey through historical texts, first person narratives, and archives, and assemble new stories through the lenses of contemporary artists of color”.

Nameless Narratives is a group exhibition currently based in Durango, Colorado at the downtown Smiley Cafe.

The featured artists are:

Allyssa Pacheco, Chad Yellowjohn,

Chelsie Nicole Begoody, Cristen Alexandria, Destiny Morgan, Hope Gamble, Jaycherie Little, Regena Benally, Tanóok D. Neal, Tizrah Camacho, Venaya Yazzie

One of my featured works in this exhibition is a painting called “Current Frequencies”. The title of this piece is very much inspired by a music project I really dig called Current Joys. As I was submitting my art for this exhibition, I was heavily under the influence of the latest Current Joys Album, “LOVE + POP Pt 2”. I’ll share a song from this album below!

The Nameless Narratives group exhibition will continue in Durango, Colorado until July 12, 2024.

Title: Current Frequencies

Materials used: canvas, acrylic paint

Year Made: 2024

Sale Price: Not for sale.

For this piece, I originally planned to capture heartbreak in Durango, violence in Durango, and substance abuse in Durango. These are real feelings and associations I have with durango… but, when I worked on this piece all I could feel was love and joy and acceptance and truth. Growth. I am being present with the love in my life here and within my spirit.

Pink House is a media project based in Atlanta, Georgia. Pink House showcases different artists and gives a unique perspective to hand-picked songs by featured artists. Pink House began in 2022 and is unfortunately coming to an end this year. Pink House captures the vibrant, rare, and timeless expressions of ATL. Pink House has featured artists like Tony Shhnow, Sir Michael Rocks, Robb Banks, and Hunxho.

I recently shared a Chat GPT response to an unspecified question regarding m*litary discourse in the divided states. You can read this offering on my Substack page- by clicking the link below or by visiting LoniumStonium.Substack.com

“Quietly and seemingly out of sight, governments, private investors and mercenaries are working to seize food and water resources at the expense of entire populations.” Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.