CHRIS' QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DAY (5/29/20): RELAXING OLD FOOTAGE WITH JOE PERA

CHRIS' QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DAY (5/29/20): 

RELAXING OLD FOOTAGE WITH JOE PERA

by Chris La Vigna (@Chris_LaVigna)

Leave it to Joe Pera & co. to be able to take a bunch of b-roll & make a work of art...


Welp, not only does the general chaos we're experiencing right now seem to be continuing at a steady pace, there are now new issues unfolding to compound all the anger, fear, and frustration. And while we all have a right to be upset, to be demanding change and committing ourselves to direct action, it is still important for each of us to find time to decompress and give our hearts and minds a rest, if only so we can continue to fight the good fight. So take a deep breath, relax. and watch some RELAXING OLD FOOTAGE WITH JOE PERA.

If you're unfamiliar with the works of comedian/filmmaker Joe Pera, you should probably first check out his [adult swim] show JOE PERA TALKS WITH YOU, wherein Joe plays a fictionalized version of himself,  a mild-mannered choir teacher living in Michigan who likes to talk about everything from rocks and minerals to growing bean arches and how much he loves the song "Baba O' Reilly" by The Who. It's a sweet and understated show that disarms you with its relaxed pace and earnest desire to connect. It's pretty much the last thing you'd ever expect to air on [adult swim], and that's part of why it is so great. It's an oasis of kindness and decency in an otherwise maddening media landscape.

The show's second season wrapped up earlier this year, but like many creators, Joe has clearly been restless during this lockdown, so he's released this special, which is comprised of unused b-roll of aquariums, forests, and cityscapes that Pera himself narrates over. Nothing too crazy, just a guy rattling off his thoughts, sharing everything from his opinions on the AUSTIN POWERS movies and his desire for an-all tree footage TV channel ("TreeTV: No People, Just Trees"), to his recipe for "maple syrup toast."  



If you find yourself thinking "man, this is gonna make me fall asleep," that's okay! That's half the point with these videos. Joe knows that a lot of us have our brains going full blast 24/7, and need something to watch and/or listen to that is deliberately designed to help us slow down and rest. The man's really out here doing us all a great public service. Between him and whoever started that "lofi hip hop radio - beats to relax/study to" channel on YouTube, there's some great work being done in the realm of art designed to create a steady hum of peace and tranquility in our lives.

So if the world is bearing down on hard on you, as it is for many of us, then I recommend you watch these videos, or even just let them play in the background while you read a book or lay down in bed and let your thoughts drift while you stare absentmindedly at the ceiling, whatever works for you. I just hope that you find some good feelings today, and let those positive vibes carry you into the weekend. Keep on keeping on.


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