Update: We are SOOOOO back!

This is unrelated to the post (kinda). I just like this song and found out about it today. I hope you guys like it! :)))

    

    Dudes, I have to be honest; a lot of shit has been happening behind the scenes for the past few weeks. I've been cruising through life and just enjoying my own company for a while, but I'm back! I've had a few things happen that have given me moments of inspiration. 

1. I got my hair done for the first time in a year!
   I've talked about this a few times on YouTube, but I had a really rough year in 2025. I wasn't able to get my hair retwisted for a multitude of reasons; it was mostly my hospital trip that messed me up. I also had a lot of things going on mentally, so I was never able to do my hair until last weekend. I have people in my life that I am so thankful for, and they helped me do my hair, and I feel a lot better. I will say that last year also helped me embrace my hair in its most natural state. It doesn't always have to be done, and that's okay. Anyways, I feel better knowing I can start back maintaining my hair. It's one less thing for me to worry about. 
   
   
2. Stepping outside the box with my style
   I don't know what made me want to do it, but a few weeks ago, I got this random urge to cut up and upcycle my shirts. Literally, one day I was about to head out, and I thought, "Let me just cut the neckline of my shirt really quick," and I loved it. Now, I'm cutting all of my shirts...it makes me feel like I'm tailoring my own clothes. I feel like a fashion designer or something LMAO. Anyway, I would say it's made me more confident too. I took a selfie for the first time in a longggg ass time. It's like I can literally feel myself coming back out, and I love it. I'm 1,000 times more comfortable with myself compared to last year...really, the past few years. 
   
   
3. Writing, writing, and writing
   Dude, I have been writing sooooooooooo so so so so much, it's not even funny anymore. I've been in my journal pages and writing for you guys. I have a lot of things in my drafts, but I don't want to talk about them. Don't get me wrong, I love and appreciate you guys for the support. I just feel that when I tell people my plans out loud, my goals are less likely to be accomplished. I'm learning that as a creative, I kind of have to be secretive. I know not every creative person moves like that, but that's how I have to be, if that makes sense. Also, lately, the things I've wanted to get done are getting done. As someone who is not good at pursuing my goals, it always feels nice to actually accomplish something. I want to put out more stuff for you guys, but I think it's best if I don't talk about it. The next time I talk, I want something to already be DONE, you know what I mean? I also think I'm doing a bit better in terms of creating and brainstorming ideas...hopefully I get to show it off soon!

    I'm so glad I got that off my chest. I want to go ahead and work on the announcements for my TikTok and try to post on there again. Other than that, I am happy to be back, and I just wanted to let y'all know I feel great. I'll see you guys soon! o(≧▽≦)o

April Announcements: Album & Film of the Month, Content Updates, & More

This video is somewhat related to today's post. It's also nice if you want to hear Noname perform! :))

    Hey everyone! I hope everyone is doing well. I have a few announcements for this month that I wanted to share. 

1.  For album of the month, we decided to go with Room 25 by Noname. I remember getting into her music a few months ago, and I was introduced to the song Montego Bae. I love that song. Absolutely my favorite song from her. I felt I had to listen to the whole album...which is how we got here lol. In my opinion, the album was super experimental and calming to listen to. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did. 
2. When it comes to the short film of this month, I picked Unbraided by Caroline Renard. For some reason, I wanted the theme of this month to be "Weird Black Girl," and I felt that Noname and the short film I picked fit the theme perfectly. I liked the story, the acting, and the comedy. I think this is the first comedy film that's being featured on here? I love it and I hope you guys like it. I want to try and have themes and be intentional with what projects I showcase...and I think I'm doing well so far. 
3. I want to make a small admission: I struggle with balance. March was a fun month for me, but I was mostly focusing on my YouTube channel and my video content. I'm not going to say I forgot about the blog, but my mind and attention was definitely in other places. Now, I have the time to write again, so there will be more projects coming out soon. The first things that I want to handle is the fashion journal and I want to write at least one album review. I don't know, I'll update you guys soon about those things. 

    Alright, that was all I had for this month. Sorry, it was so short! I'll update you guys another time. 

♡ (⇀ 3 ↼)

Small Changes ✧*:

     Hey everyone! I just wanted to come on here and let everyone know I'm still working on some content for y'all. Along with that, I've been taking mini breaks. My bad lmao! Right now, I have my first gaming video for the YouTube channel coming out. I just have to edit it, but it should be out later on this week. I also have a chapter for the Fashion Journal in the works. To be honest, I just have some projects that need to be finished lol. Those projects will come out soon, and I'll let you guys know when it happens. Anyway, I'll talk to you guys later!ヽ(・∀・)ﾉ

2026 Women's Tiny Desk Performance

Welcome to CD THE NET's first Women's Tiny Desk Showcase! Over here, we want to highlight women and their artistry by showing their live performances. I feel watching people live is more intimate in a way. Like, it gives you an insight into who we listen to daily. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy the performance I picked for this year!ヽ(*・ω・)ﾉ

Showcased Performance

H.E.R.: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert (2018)

CD's Backstory: 

I remember seeing this Tiny Desk concert when I was in high school. It was also around the same time when I started collecting vinyl records...and her debut album was one of the first ones I collected. Honestly, one of my favorite performances so far. I think this was also my introduction to NPR with their Tiny Desk performances. After this, I started finding all of my favorite artists and searched to see if they had their own Tiny Desks. Seeing artists perform their art has to be one of my favorite things to do regarding music. I love sharing my favorite things with you guys, and I really hope you guys enjoy the performance I picked this year. <3

March Announcements: Album & Film of the Month, Blog Updates, & More

 

This video is somewhat related to today's post. It's also a nice watch if you would like to learn more about Aaliyah and her story. :))

    Hey everyone! I hope you guys are doing well, and I just wanted to say happy Women's History Month! I wanted to start some new traditions here on CD THE NET ★ to celebrate women this month. Well, really all fucking year, but not the point. It's more special this month LMAOO. Anyway, I have a few announcements for everyone and wanted to share some things. 

1. For March, the album of the month is Aaliyah's self-titled album from 2001! Honestly, I really loved this album and feel more people should talk about her music, even though she's no longer here. I really loved the sound of her album, and you could tell it was partially jazz-influenced. I don't want to say it's her best work, since I haven't listened to her first two albums yet, but I can definitely say her self-titled album is my favorite. I hope you guys enjoy it too! 
2. The film I picked for this month is actually a visual poem called To Brooklyn and Back by Samba Films. I think it's the first poem to ever be showcased on the blog? I could be wrong about that. I loved everything about the film: the cinematography, the music, and the fact that they managed to make it into a short visual film. Everything about this project was done with intention, and I appreciate it. Anyways, I hope you guys can check it out! 
3. I realized that I kinda wanted to start traditions on CD THE NET ★. Like, when I picked two albums to showcase for Black History Month? I decided I wanted to create a mini tradition for all of the cultural months. For Women's History Month, I decided I wanted to showcase women's live performances. So, that's what we're doing for this month! I picked my favorite Tiny Desk Concert of all time, H.E.R. I really loved her performance, and she was the first introduction to NPR's Tiny Desk. The showcase will be uploaded right after this post, so I hope you guys enjoy it! 
4.  For my film lovers, there's an extra link added to the Check This Out! tab. It's called Black Film Archive. Over there, you can see archives of every black film from the years of 1898 - 1999. So, if you're into that kind of thing, I would love for you guys to check out the website! 
5. I'm focusing a bit more on my YouTube channel! My podcast, Skate 6 Radio, officially has its first episode, and it'll be published in a few hours! I'll upload again here when everything is finished. I also decided that I wanted to do gaming again, and I already have a game picked out. Honestly, I really miss gaming and recording my gameplay, so I want to try and go back to that. I'll give more updates on that another time, though. You guys will also be getting more posts on the blog lol.
6. After everything is done, I do have to focus on my personal life for a tiny bit. Considering I am now 20, I want to try to get my life together a little bit. Okay, not get it together, but I want to be further ahead in my life. Right now, I'm proud of where I am and how far I've gotten, but I do want more out of my personal life, and I will be pursuing that for the next few months. I have no clue if this will make me more or less active with the blog; I guess we'll see!

    Alright, those are all of the announcements for the month! I hope you guys enjoy yourselves with the projects I picked this month, and I will talk to you guys another time! :)))