Laura Sorensen
@this-be-the-verse.bsky.social
It's me, hi, I'm the problem.
Music: Mono Neon plays for Jam in the Van, Los Angeles. Fun, funky-jazz sound -- and I would love to sit down and quiz him about who crochets his balaclavas. It must be him, right? Where does he get the yarn? Anyway. They are fabulous.
MonoNeon | Jam in the Van | Avant-Funk Music (Full Set 2025)
YouTube video by Jam In The Van
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Music: Mono Neon plays for Jam in the Van, Los Angeles. Fun, funky-jazz sound -- and I would love to sit down and quiz him about who crochets his balaclavas. It must be him, right? Where does he get the yarn? Anyway. They are fabulous.
Alice Wong: disability advocate, MacArthur Genius, and wonderful writer -- has died. This post is dedicated to her.
Please read any of her books: "Disability Visibility," "Disability Intimacy," or her biographical memoir, "Year of the Tiger."
Please read any of her books: "Disability Visibility," "Disability Intimacy," or her biographical memoir, "Year of the Tiger."
Year of the Tiger by Alice Wong: 9780593315392 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • ONE OF USA TODAY'S MUST-READ BOOKS • This groundbreaking memoir offers a glimpse into an activist's journey to finding and cultivating community and the continued fight...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Alice Wong: disability advocate, MacArthur Genius, and wonderful writer -- has died. This post is dedicated to her.
Please read any of her books: "Disability Visibility," "Disability Intimacy," or her biographical memoir, "Year of the Tiger."
Please read any of her books: "Disability Visibility," "Disability Intimacy," or her biographical memoir, "Year of the Tiger."
Video: Little Simz with Obongjayar, "Lion," live on GN Show. Her new album "Lotus" is fire. And she looks so good here!! "We don't care for what they say, that's our superpower."
Little Simz feat. Obongjayar - Lion (Live on The Graham Norton Show)
YouTube video by Little Simz
www.youtube.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Video: Little Simz with Obongjayar, "Lion," live on GN Show. Her new album "Lotus" is fire. And she looks so good here!! "We don't care for what they say, that's our superpower."
Youtube: Playing for Change. They always do such great videos featuring incredible world talent. This older one, though it is mostly USA-centric, got me in the feels cuz of all the musical kids. Just look at 'em being so hopeful. Could I be hopeful too? (Unlikely)
Love Train feat. Jason Mraz, Chad Smith, Yo-Yo Ma | Turnaround Arts | Playing For Change
YouTube video by Playing For Change
www.youtube.com
October 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Youtube: Playing for Change. They always do such great videos featuring incredible world talent. This older one, though it is mostly USA-centric, got me in the feels cuz of all the musical kids. Just look at 'em being so hopeful. Could I be hopeful too? (Unlikely)
Book: "One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This," by Omar El Akkad. It finally helped me understand why just "being a liberal because it's better than the alternative" doesn't morally work and isn't convincing anymore. Watch an interview with the author here:
“One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This”: Omar El Akkad on Gaza & Western Complicity
YouTube video by Democracy Now!
www.youtube.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Book: "One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This," by Omar El Akkad. It finally helped me understand why just "being a liberal because it's better than the alternative" doesn't morally work and isn't convincing anymore. Watch an interview with the author here:
Fiction: "Through the Machine" by PA Cornell, in Lightspeed magazine. Try as you may (and you can't try hard enough), you'll never be as hot as your AI counterpart.
Through the Machine - Lightspeed Magazine
“Steve, over here! Turn to your right. Can we get a smile?” He falls back on his training easily enough, turns to the cameras, gives them his famous crooked smile, tilts his head just so as the flashe...
www.lightspeedmagazine.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Fiction: "Through the Machine" by PA Cornell, in Lightspeed magazine. Try as you may (and you can't try hard enough), you'll never be as hot as your AI counterpart.
Book: "Ben and Beatriz" by Katalina Gamarra. Enemies to lovers romance? ✔️ Slick banter? ✔️ Shakespeare in the mix? ✔️️
Video: Laura Jane Grace shows off her Rickenbacker collection. She's extremely cute.
Song: "Black Me Out," by Against Me!, featuring my favorite fellow Laura. 11 years old this year.
Video: Laura Jane Grace shows off her Rickenbacker collection. She's extremely cute.
Song: "Black Me Out," by Against Me!, featuring my favorite fellow Laura. 11 years old this year.
Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace and Her Rickenbacker Guitar Collection | Interview
YouTube video by Reverb
www.youtube.com
August 12, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Book: "Ben and Beatriz" by Katalina Gamarra. Enemies to lovers romance? ✔️ Slick banter? ✔️ Shakespeare in the mix? ✔️️
Video: Laura Jane Grace shows off her Rickenbacker collection. She's extremely cute.
Song: "Black Me Out," by Against Me!, featuring my favorite fellow Laura. 11 years old this year.
Video: Laura Jane Grace shows off her Rickenbacker collection. She's extremely cute.
Song: "Black Me Out," by Against Me!, featuring my favorite fellow Laura. 11 years old this year.
Music: Black Sky Over the Projects, Public Enemy. I LOVE a cranky old rapper. "What the fk is a sexagenarian, Chuck?"
Site: Unofficial Hugo Book Club Blog's list of SF-depicted unions. Infotainment. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Site: Unofficial Hugo Book Club Blog's list of SF-depicted unions. Infotainment. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Public Enemy - "SEXEGENARIAN VAPE" Official Music Video
YouTube video by Channel ZERO
youtu.be
July 15, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Music: Black Sky Over the Projects, Public Enemy. I LOVE a cranky old rapper. "What the fk is a sexagenarian, Chuck?"
Site: Unofficial Hugo Book Club Blog's list of SF-depicted unions. Infotainment. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Site: Unofficial Hugo Book Club Blog's list of SF-depicted unions. Infotainment. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Music: First Aid Kit with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. As I was listening, I swear I felt my heart stand on end. As if there was too much music for my body to handle (not a feeling I feel, like, ever).
First Aid Kit möter Sveriges Radios Symfoniorkester - Berwaldhallen
Återupplev konserten First Aid Kit möter Sveriges Radios Symfoniorkester, inspelad live i Berwaldhallen Stockholm januari 2025.
www.berwaldhallen.se
July 9, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Music: First Aid Kit with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. As I was listening, I swear I felt my heart stand on end. As if there was too much music for my body to handle (not a feeling I feel, like, ever).
"Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future." -- Frederick Douglass
What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?
The speech shows the moral outrage that powered the abolition movement and made it so threatening to Southern slave holders, but also to anyone willing to tolerate or ignore slavery.
teachingamericanhistory.org
July 4, 2025 at 8:56 PM
"Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future." -- Frederick Douglass
And by the way, here is the start of "Kids Who Die," by Langston Hughes. I'd post the whole thing, but ....
This is for the kids who die,
Black and white,
For kids will die certainly.
The old and rich will live on awhile,
As always,
Eating blood and gold,
Letting kids die.
This is for the kids who die,
Black and white,
For kids will die certainly.
The old and rich will live on awhile,
As always,
Eating blood and gold,
Letting kids die.
Kids Who Die by Langston Hughes at Allpoetry
Comments & analysis: This is for the kids who die, / Black and white, / For kids will die certainly. / The old
allpoetry.com
June 5, 2025 at 10:13 PM
And by the way, here is the start of "Kids Who Die," by Langston Hughes. I'd post the whole thing, but ....
This is for the kids who die,
Black and white,
For kids will die certainly.
The old and rich will live on awhile,
As always,
Eating blood and gold,
Letting kids die.
This is for the kids who die,
Black and white,
For kids will die certainly.
The old and rich will live on awhile,
As always,
Eating blood and gold,
Letting kids die.
In Langston Hughes's poem called "Kids Who Die," I noticed a mention of Angelo Herndon, who I hadn't heard of. When I looked him up, turns out he was a Black labor organizer in the South. He wrote a beautiful account of his efforts called "You Cannot Kill the Working Class." Read it here:
"You Cannot Kill the Working Class" | Angelo Herndon (1937)
www.historyisaweapon.com
June 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
In Langston Hughes's poem called "Kids Who Die," I noticed a mention of Angelo Herndon, who I hadn't heard of. When I looked him up, turns out he was a Black labor organizer in the South. He wrote a beautiful account of his efforts called "You Cannot Kill the Working Class." Read it here:
Song: "Self Esteem," by the Offspring -- look, this song still has one of the best opening lines ever. And the bass slaps. "I wrote her off for the tenth time today...."
Video: Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis doing Sunset Blvd. revival on Tiny Desk. WATCH IT WATCH IT NOW
Video: Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis doing Sunset Blvd. revival on Tiny Desk. WATCH IT WATCH IT NOW
SUNSET BLVD.: Tiny Desk Concert
YouTube video by NPR Music
www.youtube.com
May 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Song: "Self Esteem," by the Offspring -- look, this song still has one of the best opening lines ever. And the bass slaps. "I wrote her off for the tenth time today...."
Video: Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis doing Sunset Blvd. revival on Tiny Desk. WATCH IT WATCH IT NOW
Video: Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis doing Sunset Blvd. revival on Tiny Desk. WATCH IT WATCH IT NOW
Music: "Me, Myself, and I," De La Soul - I'm seriously obsessed with De La Soul (almost 40 years later).
Podcast: "One Song," - takes apart songs and traces their influences. <3
Website: Bookshop.org - it's bookstore day! And Amazon sucks, and Bookshop has free shipping today and tomorrow.
Podcast: "One Song," - takes apart songs and traces their influences. <3
Website: Bookshop.org - it's bookstore day! And Amazon sucks, and Bookshop has free shipping today and tomorrow.
Bookshop: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.
An online bookstore that financially supports local independent bookstores and gives back to the book community.
Bookshop.org
April 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Music: "Me, Myself, and I," De La Soul - I'm seriously obsessed with De La Soul (almost 40 years later).
Podcast: "One Song," - takes apart songs and traces their influences. <3
Website: Bookshop.org - it's bookstore day! And Amazon sucks, and Bookshop has free shipping today and tomorrow.
Podcast: "One Song," - takes apart songs and traces their influences. <3
Website: Bookshop.org - it's bookstore day! And Amazon sucks, and Bookshop has free shipping today and tomorrow.
Song: "Shooting Into Space," Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Movie: "The Two Popes," 2019. I don't endorse systemic Christianity; however, Pope Francis fought hard to advocate for peace and human rights. He was a real one.
Movie: "The Two Popes," 2019. I don't endorse systemic Christianity; however, Pope Francis fought hard to advocate for peace and human rights. He was a real one.
Gaza’s Christians ‘heartbroken’ for Pope who phoned them nightly
CAIRO/BEIRUT: Members of Gaza’s tiny Christian community said they were “heartbroken” on Monday at the death of Pope Francis, who campaigned for peace for the devastated enclave and spoke to them on t...
www.arabnews.com
April 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Song: "Shooting Into Space," Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Movie: "The Two Popes," 2019. I don't endorse systemic Christianity; however, Pope Francis fought hard to advocate for peace and human rights. He was a real one.
Movie: "The Two Popes," 2019. I don't endorse systemic Christianity; however, Pope Francis fought hard to advocate for peace and human rights. He was a real one.
Book (Graphic novel): "Bingo Love," by Tee Franklin
Music: "Time Travelin' (A Tribute to Fela)," by Common, feat. Vinia Mojica, Roy Hargrove, and Fema Kuti
Music: "Time Travelin' (A Tribute to Fela)," by Common, feat. Vinia Mojica, Roy Hargrove, and Fema Kuti
Bingo Love OGN
From TEE FRANKLIN (NAILBITER’s
imagecomics.com
February 24, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Book (Graphic novel): "Bingo Love," by Tee Franklin
Music: "Time Travelin' (A Tribute to Fela)," by Common, feat. Vinia Mojica, Roy Hargrove, and Fema Kuti
Music: "Time Travelin' (A Tribute to Fela)," by Common, feat. Vinia Mojica, Roy Hargrove, and Fema Kuti
Nina Simone was born on this day, 92 years ago. My favorite song of hers is "Little Girl Blue," because she always takes the opportunity to go full classical. Eat your heart out, Curtis Institute. #younggiftedandblack
Nina Simone - Live At Montreux 1976 Little Girl Blue
YouTube video by GUI OLIVEIRA
www.youtube.com
February 22, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Nina Simone was born on this day, 92 years ago. My favorite song of hers is "Little Girl Blue," because she always takes the opportunity to go full classical. Eat your heart out, Curtis Institute. #younggiftedandblack
Made in 1945, includes no women with a speaking part, but (un?)surprisingly still apropos today, if you still have a 23 minute attention span. "We must guard everyone's liberty, or we can lose our own." #thismachinekillsfascists
Don't Be a Sucker
YouTube video by US National Archives
www.youtube.com
February 21, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Made in 1945, includes no women with a speaking part, but (un?)surprisingly still apropos today, if you still have a 23 minute attention span. "We must guard everyone's liberty, or we can lose our own." #thismachinekillsfascists
Let me 100% recommend "Clean Slate" on Amazon Prime, which stars the fabulous Laverne Cox and a slew of really funny actors including George Wallace, Telma Hopkins, and DK Ozoukwu. I seriously belly-laughed when I watched it (which I almost never do. A "ha" is pretty good from me).
Clean Slate - Official Trailer | Prime Video
YouTube video by Prime Video
www.youtube.com
February 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Let me 100% recommend "Clean Slate" on Amazon Prime, which stars the fabulous Laverne Cox and a slew of really funny actors including George Wallace, Telma Hopkins, and DK Ozoukwu. I seriously belly-laughed when I watched it (which I almost never do. A "ha" is pretty good from me).
Black history is American history. Or conversely, American history is also Black history. Are we going to pretend it doesn't exist? I'm not.
Book: "The Tunisian Crochet Handbook" by Toni Lipsey
Music: "reincarnated," by Kendrick Lamar (obvy!)
Website: Black Crossword, created by Juliana Pache
Book: "The Tunisian Crochet Handbook" by Toni Lipsey
Music: "reincarnated," by Kendrick Lamar (obvy!)
Website: Black Crossword, created by Juliana Pache
Black Crossword | A free daily mini puzzle | Play online now
Black Crossword is a free daily puzzle with a focus on cultural references from across the African diaspora. Available online and in book format.
www.blackcrossword.com
February 10, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Black history is American history. Or conversely, American history is also Black history. Are we going to pretend it doesn't exist? I'm not.
Book: "The Tunisian Crochet Handbook" by Toni Lipsey
Music: "reincarnated," by Kendrick Lamar (obvy!)
Website: Black Crossword, created by Juliana Pache
Book: "The Tunisian Crochet Handbook" by Toni Lipsey
Music: "reincarnated," by Kendrick Lamar (obvy!)
Website: Black Crossword, created by Juliana Pache
Subscribe to 28 Days of Black History at www.28daysofblackhistory.com and you receive a short newsletter in your inbox every day of February. It's a great way to learn about people who haven't been on the radar but who have contributed positively to society.
28 Days of Black History
28 days of Black history delivered in your inbox each day of February.
www.28daysofblackhistory.com
February 10, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Subscribe to 28 Days of Black History at www.28daysofblackhistory.com and you receive a short newsletter in your inbox every day of February. It's a great way to learn about people who haven't been on the radar but who have contributed positively to society.
Book: Eyeliner - A Cultural History by Zahra Hankir
Music: Funeral For Justice (Injustice Version) by Mdou Moctar
Music: Funeral For Justice (Injustice Version) by Mdou Moctar
Mdou Moctar - "Funeral for Justice (Injustice Version)" (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Mdou Moctar
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Book: Eyeliner - A Cultural History by Zahra Hankir
Music: Funeral For Justice (Injustice Version) by Mdou Moctar
Music: Funeral For Justice (Injustice Version) by Mdou Moctar
You will know it's me because I talk about nerdy stuff like books and music.
Book: Go Ahead In the Rain by Hanif Abdurraqib
Music: Steve Biko (Stir It Up) by A Tribe Called Quest
Book: Go Ahead In the Rain by Hanif Abdurraqib
Music: Steve Biko (Stir It Up) by A Tribe Called Quest
January 30, 2025 at 4:27 AM
You will know it's me because I talk about nerdy stuff like books and music.
Book: Go Ahead In the Rain by Hanif Abdurraqib
Music: Steve Biko (Stir It Up) by A Tribe Called Quest
Book: Go Ahead In the Rain by Hanif Abdurraqib
Music: Steve Biko (Stir It Up) by A Tribe Called Quest