Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely LOVE going to concerts. And when I say love, I mean it! To the point where you can find me sitting on the sidewalk for a solid 12 hours so that I can be in the front row for the concert. And yes, even in December which I will be doing in a few weeks when I go see TØP. 

While popular bands are great, those that are less well known can be even better. Just think about it, bands like Twenty One Pilots, or Khalid have amazing songs. But when you go see them in concert, they are more than likely going to be selling out huge venues like the United Center where you pay hundreds of dollars to sit in the nosebleeds where the artists appear as small as sticks. However, when you see bands that have not yet gotten popular, you can see them in very small venues where tickets are often less than $20. 

As a music enthusiast, I would love to say that I have a pretty good taste in music. If you are like me and are always looking for great new bands, I’ll tell you my top two new bands you should look into this year. 

#1: Yungblud

Yungblud is a 22-year-old English singer, songwriter, and musician. His style of music falls between punk rock, alternative rock, and hip hop so he truly has a variety of types of music. I would say that his career started to skyrocket when he began dating Halsey (which sadly has ended). This helped boost his career because she is a very prominent person in the music industry right now. Other people he has collaborated with include Machine Gun Kelly, Dan Reynolds (lead singer of Imagine Dragons), Halsey, and in his most recent song Marshmello and Blackbear. 

I love him because of the concert atmosphere. The past few times that I went to see him, it was insane! This is one of those concerts where everyone is singing to every single song, belting at the top of their lungs, and I love it! Besides the concerts, I am in awe of the sound of his music. His voice is great, and there is an added bonus because he has an accent! 

You will love him because his songs always have a deeper message. While a lot of popular music today seems to only be about sex, money, or drugs (lots of rap songs) Yungblud’s music always talks about bigger issues. For example, one of his songs is about rape culture, while others are about LGBTQ+ issues and mental health. Another reason to love him is because his whole persona is about positivity. At his concerts, he always encourages you to be yourself and not care about what others think of you. This is one thing that I truly admire about him, and you should too! 

Want to check out a few of his songs, here are some of my favorites: 

• Tongue Tied 
• Polygraph Eyes 
• California 
• Parents  

#2: Melanie Martinez

Melanie Martinez is an American singer-songwriter, actress and director. Her style of music is a combination of alternative rock, pop, and indie-pop. She got her start in music in 2012 when she auditioned for the third season of “The Voice” where she got three out of the four coaches to turn for her (Adam Levine, CeeLo Green, and Blake Shelton). Although she did not win the competition, she made it to the top six which really helped her to gain confidence in her abilities. 

Although Melanie often dresses like a doll, don’t let her childlike persona fool you. Her songs are often dark and mysterious. Her debut album, Cry Baby, has underlying messages about dysfunctional families which often stemmed from her own experiences in life. Within her music, she is always trying to tell a story about a bigger picture. For example, her song Mrs. Potato Head is used as a metaphor for plastic surgery, while her song Dollhouse, is about a seemingly perfect family that hides behind walls of dysfunction. 

One reason that I love her is because she knows how to put on a show. I recently saw her in concert a few weeks ago and let me tell you the show was amazing! With backup dancers, choreography to every song, and obviously an amazing voice, the concert was definitely one of the best ones I have seen in a while. Another reason that I love her music is because she has a very unique voice. Tons of artists today all sound the same and it’s refreshing to hear someone who doesn’t sound mainstream. 

One reason that you should listen to her is that she is never afraid to be herself. She has always said that she has been the oddball in the group, and I admire that she is very real. This is really something that many people can relate to. Just like Yungblud, Melanie Martinez is a huge supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, and she is all about acceptance. Besides her amazing personality, her voice is amazing! 

Here are a few of my favorite songs by her: 

• Crybaby 
• Class fight 
• Alphabet Boy 
• The Principal

If you are someone who likes music with a message then these two artists are a must-listen-to in the future! Even if you are not big on this type of music, it is still important to realize what different artists are trying to show through the lyrics of their songs. I encourage you to find some artists that always push to fight for a political or social issue because music has the power to enact change! Have any suggestions for what I should listen to? Leave a comment and I’ll be sure to check them out!

Ahh the glorious red and black (which by now is no longer asking me, “are you still watching?”), is an amazing service that I am sure all of us will be eternally grateful for. After a long day of school, Netflix has given us a place to unwind. Somewhere where we can embrace our true self (the couch potato inside all of us) and binge-watch an entire season of our favorite show. 

While Netflix brings us tons of joy, there is that dreaded moment when you finally finish the last episode of a series. You know, where you then search through the deep sea of TV series continually asking the question, “What should I watch next”? If you are in this situation and trust me, it’s not a fun place to be, don’t worry, I’ve got you. 

Here are my top five Netflix series for your next TV marathon: 

#5: Scream (the TV series)

I’m sure most of you have heard of or seen the “Scream” movies. It’s pretty obvious from the title that this show is a spin-off series of that movie. As a fanatic for all things mystery, I was immediately drawn to this show. I would have to say that murder mysteries are hands-down something everyone should get into. 

One of the best aspects of a murder mystery is the fact that you get to play along. I would say the best part of these shows is guessing who the killer is. Although my guess tends to change throughout the show, it’s fun to see if you are right in the end. 

In short, “Scream” is a series that follows the lives of a few teenagers who are being stalked by a masked serial killer, Ghost Face. The show follows the life of a teenager, Emma Duval who lives in Lakewood and is tied to the town’s dark past. A string of murders occur in the present and when Emma’s friends and family are put at risk, she sets out to reveal the identity of the Lakewood Slasher.

With plot twists and cliff hangers around every corner, “Scream” is a must-see for anyone who loves a good murder mystery. At the end of each episode, you will want nothing more than to watch another episode (even though you should probably get back to your homework). 

Disclaimer: the murders in this show are a bit morbid and grotesque, so if this kind of thing makes you queasy it might be best to skip this recommendation. 

#4: Pretty Little Liars

Similar to “Scream”, “Pretty Little Liars” is also a mystery oriented series (catching a trend here). This show is most definitely a drama, and I am all for it. Sorry boys, this one for sure leans more towards a girl’s interests. 

It has been one year since Alison, the queen bee of a group of friends goes missing. The remaining main characters; Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily begin to drift apart after the disappearance of their friend. They reunite after they start to receive mysterious messages from a person referred to as “A”. The person threatens to expose all of their secrets (and trust me their list of secrets could go on for miles), both past and present.

Who is “A”, and how do they know the girls’ twisted secrets? Find out in the thrilling tale of “Pretty Little Liars”. This show will always keep you on your toes as there is never-ending mystery throughout. So if you are someone who loves suspense and being an active detective, (trying to figure out who “A” is) then this show is perfect for you!

#3: Jane the Virgin

For a show that received a rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, it must be pretty amazing right? Yes! Just to put this into perspective, “Friends” has a 78% rating on the same site. “Jane the Virgin” is a soap opera/telenovela depicting the life of Jane Villanueva. Before I start, let me preface this by saying, “Jane the Virgin” is extremely dramatic, but that’s what makes the show so enticing.  

To start off the show, Jane gets artificially inseminated by a drunk doctor, and hence gets pregnant. And that’s not all, she later finds out that the procedure was meant for the patient in the next room, which happened to be her boss’s wife! One more thing, the doctor happened to be Rafael’s (Jane’s boss) sister. I know, dramatic and pretty out there, right? 

Jane is most definitely a Type-A personality but this event throws her life into shambles. Her life begins to unfold like the telenovelas she has grown to love, and she must face a ton of complicated decisions throughout the rest of her life. If you love dramatic TV, “Jane the Virgin” is a perfect show for you! With tons of plot twists and a thrilling chain of events, “Jane the Virgin” is a great show for you to watch next! 

By watching “Jane the Virgin” it will leave you with endless feelings of love as you see how close-knit the Villanueva family is. It also teaches you a ton about relationships and how to show love and appreciation for each other while also being quite exciting for the viewers, this show will not let you down. 

#2: Glee

If you are looking for a more uplifting show, why not try out “Glee”? I’m sure the majority of you have heard of “Glee” and for good reason. While it is focused on a group of high schoolers in a singing group, it is filled with so much more! It is full of complicated relationships, heartwarming teachers, and blossoming new friendships! 

The show focuses on the life of the New Directions, a singing group at William McKinley High School directed by the beloved Will Schuester. Mr. Schuester is one of those teachers that everyone adores, he is kind, caring and always has the kid’s best interest at heart. He is someone who is always there for his students and will help them through just about every problem they encounter. 

The New Directions dream of making it to the Nationals competition and they work tirelessly every day to pursue that goal. Yet this is difficult for them since they have cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester attempting to derail them at every corner. 

Besides the content, “Glee” will leave you feeling inspired as you see every character in the show working to achieve their dreams, and absolutely nothing will stop them. It also teaches you about self-confidence because it shows you how labels don’t matter, as a member of the glee club the kids weren’t exactly in the “popular” group. For example, some members are cheerleaders, another is the school’s quarterback and they often got picked on for being a member of the glee club. However they don’t let this get in their way, you should never stop doing something you love because you are scared of what others may think of you!

#1: The Flash

And my number one TV series on Netflix, with a rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes is, “The Flash”! If you are someone who loves anything with superheroes then this show is a must-see for you. 

The show focuses on the main character, Barry Allen. At only 11 years old his life is flipped upside down when his mother is involved in an accident and his father is wrongfully convicted of his mother’s murder. 

He is now a crime-scene investigator working for the CCPD (Central City Police Department) and is dedicated to learning the truth about his mother’s death. Barry is heavily involved in the sciences and one night, the particle accelerator (meant to be a world-changing invention) explodes and Barry gets struck by lightning. 

Waking up nine months later, Barry now has super speed, and hence becomes the superhero we know to love, the Flash. Knowing that other people have gained powers from the explosion yet use them for evil, he dedicates his life to protecting the city and the innocent people living in it. 

“The Flash” is packed full of cliffhangers that will leave you wanting more, it is by far one of the best shows I have watched in a while and I strongly suggest you do too!

“The Flash” is so much more than just a show about a guy who runs super fast. One of the most important things it teaches you is that family is everything. A recurring theme throughout the show is that they put family over everything, each character always has the other’s back. Other than family, it also teaches us about persistence. In the show, Barry is constantly saying that there is always another way to fix the problem at hand. He always perseveres through every obstacle and it will inspire you to do the same.

Now that you have seen my top five Netflix series, I hope you try them out for yourself! Got any other suggestions, leave them in the comments and I’ll be sure to check them out! Happy binge-watching!

Have you ever been completely blindsided by a situation? You know, where you go in thinking one thing is about to happen but turns out you are in for a completely different turn of events?

Well, if your answer is yes, then I can assure you that you’ll be able to relate to Patrick Maloney in Roald Dahl’s, Lamb to the Slaughter. Even the title of the story gives insight to the reader about the plotline of the text. The phrase, “lamb to the slaughter” is often used when a person goes into a situation completely unaware of the dangers that lie ahead and therefore acts calmly in the situation they find themselves in. 

The Author

Roald Dahl is best known as a fiction author and most popularly known for writing, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Dahl takes a slightly dark turn and instead of his normally upbeat fiction works, he wrote the short story, Lamb to the Slaughter. He often uses crude humor throughout his works and there is often controversy surrounding his works from parents. But it is up to you to decide how to interpret his various works of fiction. 

The Story

By the title of the story, I’m sure you can tell this is not going to be the happy-go-lucky children’s stories you may be used to from him. 

Lamb to the Slaughter details the life of a pregnant woman, Mary Maloney and her husband, Patrick Maloney. Mary is the typical housewife, cleaning and cooking for Patrick to show that she cares about him (which are normal roles for women in the 1950’s). However, one night Patrick gives her some unfortunate news; news that is just too much for Mrs. Maloney to handle. Her frazzled actions lead to a whirlwind of bad decisions including killing her husband with a frozen leg of lamb. The events that unfold next show how Mrs. Maloney decides to deal with her actions. 

Dahl’s inspiration for writing the short story is rather funny. It all started over a simple dinner with his friend, Ian Fleming (writer of James Bond). Their dinner had been ruined by a poorly cooked leg of lamb which had frustrated Fleming so much he said that the cook should be shot. Thus Dahl’s inspiration for Lamb to the Slaughter. 

Big Picture

Lamb to the Slaughter is a MUST read and I would give it 5/5 stars. While it engages the reader throughout the story building suspense and plot twists around every corner, it also shows important life lessons to them. 

One of the themes in the short story is about the imbalance of gender roles in society and how women are often overlooked in a man’s eyes. I think it is important to think about the time period in which the story was written to truly grasp what Dahl is trying to show to his readers. 

In the 1950’s it was very common for women to be the caretaker of the family. Mary Maloney is the perfect example of a housewife. Mary’s initial description goes as follows; pregnant, caretaker, cooks for her husband and occupies her days waiting for her husband to return home from work. Dahl sets the scene by showing the reader that the main purpose Mary has in her marriage to Patrick is to take care of him (sadly this still happens today).

Mary clearly lives in a patriarchal society where her husband is free to have his job, and roam the streets while Mary is left to take care of the house and eventually, her child. Her entire life is centered around that of her husband. Before he returns to the house, she tidies up the house, and from the moment he walks in the door she hangs up his coat, offers to get him a drink, as well as cook him dinner.

Dahl is also able to highlight the imbalance of love and affection in their relationship when Patrick never reciprocates the feelings that Mary puts forth. All of the minor details that happen in their relationship, begin to add up over time. Mary has a load of pent up frustration (and rightfully so) over Patrick and eventually lets out her anger on her husband. 

Throughout the story, we see that Patrick often views his wife as less than him in that she always prepares dinner and does the chores around the house. These preconceived notions that Patrick holds against his wife ultimately blindside him, and he underestimates the powers of his wife. 

While Mary goes to the extreme with killing her husband, Dahl is able to highlight these gender roles that are still present in today’s society. Even towards the end of the story, the detectives only enhance Mary’s role as the caregiver when they refer to the murderer only using words such as “he” or “him”. 

Although we may like to believe that these gender roles are no longer present in our society, we can not overlook the fact that they are very much still there. It is important that we bring these issues to light and fight for the rights of women because it is the 21st century and it is way past the time where women and men should be treated equally in all respects of life. 

While Lamb to the Slaughter is a suspense-filled story that many will enjoy reading, we have to take a deeper look into what Roald Dahl is saying about women and ultimately how we can change these preconceived notions about women. 

Check out the video rendition!

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x70l4os