Long live, Taylor Nation.
It’s been a long time coming, but it’s true that I don’t write about T-Swizzle as often as I used to. Here at the Swift Agency, just an old guy who forgot where he left his keys… Ok here they are. Where was I? Yeah, it’s been a minute since I wrote one of these posts. It’s Taylor Swift’s birthday so I guess I owe you one.
So, what is new… Well, I’ve learned a little about parasocial relationships. I’m sure I’m not alone there. However, after the blurry years of a certain pandemic, a few hits to my personal health and the most recent global economic situation, we’ve scaled down our trips to the very essential and our events to local festivals. Of course that doesn’t excuse me for blogging less, but you know what… Life does get in the way after all. It all adds up.
But let’s get to the real reason for the diminished time writing here. There was a time in wish I wanted to give a different point of view to all the usual think pieces written about the Enchantress. She’s been the inspiration for several articles, but a few just got it wrong every time or just wanted to quote (or misquote, cringe) one of her songs (usually You Belong With Me). So I wanted to show how someone who takes five minutes can come up with something slightly more insightful.
But, as I got caught up in the fandom, I also realized that I had to accept I was biased. I’ve never denied that I’m on her side, but I also feel that as a writer, and even as a fan, it’s always smart to use critical thought. Swifties have been compared to a cult before, and I know it’s never nice to bite the hand that feeds you. However, I pride myself in thinking this blog does not have followers but readers. Taylor is now at the top of her game and the world is her oyster. She’s not the underdog anymore, and this is the part where it gets tricky. She’s got a lot of privilege and a very, very powerful platform to push almost anything she wants. She’s a brand name.
To address the parasocial elephant in the room, I’ve realized that in a way I’ve become addicted to doing this a little too much. And this is why I have been spending my time writing about other things. It’s been a way to make sure I can expand horizons and write about something different AND differently. But it’s also a way in which I can break this pseudo-addiction a little because… It’s no good to just listen to one artist. It’s no good to just read one book. You need to diversify your interests to keep them fresh.
This is not to say that I have stopped keeping T’s music in my favorites’ list. I know the word eclectic gets thrown around a lot. I’m not going to use it here because I’m just a little more random. No, this is not the part I give you a list. What I want my readers to take from this is to give that music that seemed to vibe with you a closer listen and see if you like it. You gotta refresh your playlist once in a while and the obvious result is you have tastes from different genres and hardly a pattern. Honestly, I rarely can get Spotify to guess what I’m in the mood for, and that’s ok with me. People are not algorythms.
I guess what I’m saying in this strange wild rant, is that there are no promises nor decisions regarding taste. I will listen to what I want to listen and I will write what I want to write. Occasionally, I do think I’ll still write here whenever it strikes my fancy. You’re welcome to read it or if you prefer to get only the news and not my insane babbling, you’re also welcome to browse for them elsewhere. Like what you like, and if you don’t move on (no ninjas, I promise).
It’s the holiday season, so I hope you and your loved ones have the best of holidays this year. Don’t hope for crazy gifts and go spend time with your family may they be related to you or just close to your heart. You’ll treasure that time more than any other gift. Okey, get these onion ninjas away from me now.
The Sparkly Dressed has been named Person of the Year 2023 by TIME magazine. Does that mean Benjamin is Cat of the Year? We’re still waiting on confirmation from that. TIME is not returning our calls.
And yes, she could bring her cat. That’s Benjamin, of course. I don’t think Olivia could do that without falling and Meredith does not do pictures.
On the other hand, award season is coming soon… Am I going to regret posting this? Time will tell. No, not the magazine, come on! Now go watch the Eras Tour Concert.
Coming up in the Calendar!
- December 13: Happy Birthday, Taylor Swift! Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Concert is now available to rent online on Prime Video, Apple TV, Xfinity, Vudu, Google Play, YouTubeTV and SkyTV Premiere.
(Sources: Magazine Photograph by Inez and Vinoodh for TIME. Featured photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images)
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