"All Black Everything Ain't About Me"

Overdue Payments of Props When Props Are Due – The Legend of Nate Black

FOR NATE

While writing about the Bones & Butterflies chaos, I always need to remember to tip my snapback hat to Nate Black, an ally in both chaos and creativity, and the visionary behind LionsDenU.com. Nathan Holder, hailed as a legend at Western University in London, and beyond, departed too soon, yet left behind a legacy that continues to ignite inspiration. At times, we navigated life’s absurdities, echoing the very essence of a Californication episode. 

His one big smash hit (of many) that boosted the views on his site for quite a while as I recall, was something about “Where To Watch Free Movies & Shows Now That NinjaVideo Has Been Taken Down”. A true “IDGAF, here’s one for free” move. I want to say the answer was IceFilms, definitely not Netflix. I mention that because the post drove traffic to his site – I remember talking with him at some point after all of this, about getting some funding for the site with even a beer sponsorship, because lots of people were visiting his site, you could see it all.

Nate had a knack for slicing through the mundane, infusing every interaction with his unique blend of humor and insight. Same with other contributors to the site, but there was a team – AMQ , Corinne – really, I don’t know who else and when at this point.

Point being, I wanted to write at the time, but I was too scared to write about anything because it could suck, and other various “irrational thinking”. The LionsDenU Blogs were the first ones ever that I would read right away – but usually I was far too focused on hustling or chasing chicks during University to open or read a textbook until the night before an exam.

A birthday message he shared – “Here’s to another spin around the sun” – simple, and it could have been his stock birthday post for everyone, but it was different than anyone else’s to me for sure. That still resonates with me, a rare gem among today’s social media platforms, covered with the typical “paid ads” nobody wants to see, and automated, similar looking posts that just don’t hit the same way. Today, it’s hard to tell when someone genuinely took the time to write it at you, for you, or about you for that matter on any platform it seems.

I believe he would’ve loved my whole “chaotic, yet controlled, and super calculated” narrative, seeing himself in its celebration of life’s quirks and quests. Nate lived by the “Know Your Lane” ethos, charting his course with the confidence of a seasoned author, and leaving me with a few good tips on how to build a great sitemap, to embrace life with gusto and a hint of rebellion. 

(Queue “Gold Dust” by DJ Fresh (Flux Pavillion Remix) – I still love Dubstep.

Here’s to Nate, a true pocket companion on this unpredictable journey, immortalized in our collective memory, reminding us to cherish every orbit around the sun – and also to celebrate little wins relevant to you, even before your “Friends” can afford to pay attention.

FOR CONTEXT

Remember, Nate’s LionsDenU blog about NinjaVideo would have posted almost 14 years ago, to a completely different audience, with a completely different attitude, with different Google search console rankings. But it got recognition because it was good content. Jobs like “Content Creator”, “YouTuber”, “TikTok Influencer”, and “Only Fans Entrepreneur” were not yet a possible means of paying the bills. People didn’t silently judge creativity behind a keyboard they barely type on, blocking people wasn’t a move to silence someone and piss them off at the same time. Cancel culture didn’t exist, but silently scrolling by posts with legitimate business content seeking feedback or looking for support – you reacted usually if you knew the person. I mention this as a trend reference, not a poor me story. I’m guilty of it too.

LionsDenU wasn’t the first online blog, but it got hits, I’m probably writing the billionth, but at a different point in time – read it or don’t this is published somewhere. 

As for Facebook, maybe we’ve just seen too many GoFundMe campaigns of a random who’s story last week was them in Costa Rica – but this week, there is an urgent plea for $3000 for vet bills because their pet bird has the sniffles. I don’t trust y’all either, trust me on that at least!

We didn’t pay for streaming in 2010 either, because who wants to pay for anything anyways? My initial idea for B&B was to give a ton of sh*t away for free to everyone – seriously, it’s a “Burning Man” thing. But although I aspire to do that, and will always be a fan of those who can go all out Oprah, I am not Kirill’s ALF/ Linda Finegold, and I am definitely not Ye’s recent $20 YZY site.

Before Nate, the digital world was uncharted territory to me; he was the guide who illuminated the paths of Blogging, Google Analytics, and WordPress. Those are lessons that, lately, have me “flying through” this modern digital expanse with a little more grace and a lot more confidence.

Like a… wait for it – like a f*cking butterfly. 

(Queue “Supernova” by Ryan Caraveo, TeZATalks)

FOR REAL

Shameless self promotion of my own content and brand is not my typical “thing”, I’m usually rocking with some other new hype apparel brand because it’s already cool, and I can get the good knockoffs easier. Paying resale prices? For anything other than a used car? You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you dumb? 

I mean realistically, I personally didn’t even support MY OWN ideas until recently, so I get the cynicism.

Who else supports me? Well, my older sister Meagan has always been good for that, and my Mom loves showing her friends that I write stuff now. And to whoever else so far, who has communicated interest, faith, or supported me with the paper to fund the hustle — Thank You. 

If I’m working on a collaborative project with you already, or you require design services, if you want, or need (or don’t), some of the apparel I’m making – Up front payments are preferred, but I am willing to accept deposits in some cases.

shop@bones3butterflies.com

Grants? Go nuts elusive government people. Likes are cool, comments, shares, telling me to shut up is even OK. Feedback is essential, but never will I be accepting the “pity love’ version of any of that. Don’t lie for me, don’t cry for me – I won’t.

(Queue “Vultures” by Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign)

Felt like I’d reminisce for a sec, won’t delete later. Sent. 

XX T.J. XX