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Shaquille O’Neal has always managed to stay afloat in whatever he chooses to do—probably because he lives by a self-defined code.
The former LSU Tiger took time out of his busy schedule to chat with People.com. During the interview, Shaq Diesel said he separated himself from the “celebrity” title decades ago.
“I denounced myself from being a celebrity thirty years ago because a lot of celebrities are a-holes… Celebrities are obnoxious and often rude to people. I don’t want to be in that category. I’d rather demote myself to being just a regular person before you call me a celebrity and put me in the category of those jerk-offs,” Shaq said to People.
The TNT analyst also said he’s also picky about who he decides to work with. For instance, Shaq told the outlet that Bad Luck Brian, the internet star who appears next to the former Los Angeles Laker in the latest General Insurance commercial, is a pleasant guy.
“I don’t like to work with celebrities because celebrities are crazy, so I just like to work with people,” Shaq said during the interview. “He was a very nice guy,” O’Neal said of Brian. “People are saying ‘internet celebrities,’ but I don’t want to use those terms in this. He was nice, I was nice, and his story is an amazing story, how he became the sensation that he is.”
In the interview, the NBA champion told People that General Insurance would become the NBA G League’s official sponsor. Shaq’s son, Shareef, plays for the G League’s Ignite.
“As part of the collaboration, The General and the G League are launching a docu-series titled The Break presented by The General, which will showcase stories and personalities from across the G League with a behind-the-scenes look at players’ path to the NBA,” People writes.
With Witch Hat Atelier, I started a new series here at BNP about the manga series you should be reading. I aim to write about manga series that are highly acclaimed, manga series that are finally getting anime adaptations, and hopefully manga that will move you the way that they have moved me.
At heart, with these entries–major spoiler free–I hope to give you a good feel of the series and why it is so loved and poured over. This here is a manga series that I did not catch the very beginning of but quickly caught up and devoured it for good reason. My friends, you should be reading the brilliant The Apothecary Diaries!
The Apothecary Diaries
Story and Art by: Natsu Hyuuga (Author), Nekokurage (Artist), Itsuki Nanao (Compiler), Touco Shino (Character Designer)
Publisher: Square Enix Manga & Books
Available Formats: Print & Digital
Ongoing or Completed: Ongoing (7 volumes as of April 2023)
Localization Team: Julie Goniwich (Translator), Lys Blakeslee (Letterer), Andrea Miller (Cover Designer), Tania Biswas (Editor)
What is this Manga About:
Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is kidnapped and forced to work as a lowly servant in the inner palace. She is just trying to keep her head down. She intends to work off whatever contract she’s been sold off with and make her way back home to her apothecary father and extended family. The Rear Palace is a place she never wants to see again with its perfumed halls and snobbery. Yet, it is a place where the emperor’s favorite consorts and their offspring live and how Maomao’s troubles begin.
The Apothecary Diaries is the manga adaptation of a light novel series that follows seventeen-year-old Maomao and her secret that pushes her into being indispensable to the palace! While she looks just like an ordinary girl, Maomao is quick witted and has an extensive knowledge of medicine. She also knows how to read and has fine deducing skills. When the palace is in an uproar, she ponders what to do to help anonymously and attracts the attention of the head eunuch, Jinshi. This high-ranking official assigns the anti-social teenager as a lady-in-waiting to none other than the emperor’s favorite consort.
Maomao is not quite sure what to make of this newest job of hers when she learns that she has been placed to taste the lady’s food for poison; however, it is her making a scene brewing potions and…solving mysteries results from this career change. At her lady’s side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the Rear Palace—not all of it is what is seems. Can she ever return home and back to her quiet life? Or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, new allies, and even more dangers?
Recommended for:
- For those who love detective stories
- People who like their light novel tie-ins
- Fans of the historical, romance, and mystery genres in manga
- Readers looking for recent manga series with female protagonists
- Manga readers who want stunning, detailed artwork to compliment an engaging story
Can My Kid(s) Read the Source Material:
The publisher’s website labels the manga as “TEEN.” So this manga is for readers roughly ages 13 – 17 years of age. The protagonist was raised in a brothel in pleasure district, and she ends up serving the ladies in the harem for the emperor. I would recommend this series be to be held for the older teens. Maomao does mention and discuss sexuality and bodies–as it is part of her world, but there is no nudity and no graphic imagery to be seen in the volumes that I’ve read so far. There is also some cheeky humor from time to time that certainly hits in a way that would go over the heads of younger readers.
Where Can I Read It:
In print, the manga series is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-million, and Indigo. Digitally, the series is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Indigo. (The light novel series which I am told is a superior one, that I haven’t had the chance to start reading yet is available digitally by J-Novel Club through Amazon, Kobo, Nook and Bookwalker.
Who are Some Important Characters You Should Know About:
Maomao: She’s not a people pleaser, but she sure can read them. Our teenage protagonist is a bit of an anti-social person, who would rather spend her time collecting precious herbs for medicines than make small talk. The daughter of an apothecary, she picked up on her father’s work and found it was something she enjoyed. She’s quiet but not dim-witted, and this comes in handy as she comes to live in the Rear Palace that caters to the consorts of the Emperor. Thanks to Jinshi, she finds herself caught up in mystery after mystery with new dangers and clues popping up at every corner. She doesn’t fawn over the handsome official and keeps him at an arm’s length as she doesn’t care much for nobility and those of higher rank who could abuse their power.
Jinshi: The good looking, popular eunuch who takes a liking to Maomao and sees beyond the facade she places up in the palace. He usually has lots of free time on his hands and moves freely in the place, seemingly to oversee the inner palace. He has no shortage of admirers and yet he seems to hold an intimate connection to the emperor, himself. Maomao has speculating for a while that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to him, and she’s right! He often pesters the young woman for his own amusement yet still manages to shield her with his protection when she needs it.
Why I Believe You Should be Reading it:
The Apothecary Diaries employs a narrative about challenging the status quo which is always an interesting theme in the media we consume. Here in a historical setting, not just Maomao feels the pressures and tensions of navigating her workplace, the palace, and the road back home. Jinshi, shrouded in all the mysteries and infamy of his high ranking position, also feels out of place at times when orders from above test his loyalties and his morals. Everyone from the maids to aides of officials to the doctor assigned to one of the high-ranking concubines are all working their lives away attempting to do their jobs to the best of their abilities, whether they are truly good at their jobs or not. Some seek out nefarious means, too. With each volume comes new information about the factions and different motivations of the people entering the home of the Emperor and his favored ones.
Maomao is a refreshing protagonist to see moving around and out the inner palace. She is a disrupter, making waves as she goes. She is not obvious to her station in life, born in the pleasure district, she’s eked out a good life catering to her interests and talents of handling herbs and medicines. The upheaval of her life to the palace means she’s aware of the limiting class and gender structures of her day and knows she must be careful in how she proceeds in completing her tasks. Whether that’s making sure not to be arrogant to a male palace doctor as to not lose access to his office to catering the higher rankling consorts to make aphrodisiacs to win favor of the emperor, it is insightful to see her plan her next moves.
The Apothecary Diaries is a manga that speaks to the ways that girls and women made a way for themselves in a time and place that may have not always cared much for them. From young women in the pleasure districts who wished for their freedom one day to concubines in the palace who lost their babies and fell from the emperor’s thoughts, I loved that the more I read the more layered the stories became. The cast of supporting characters grows and grows and readers will start to see how lives are impacted by small and big news. They all do their best to survive given their circumstances.
I think of the young palace maids being illiterate solely dependent on trying to recognize correct signage on visuals alone or by asking those they trusted not to ridicule them. Or the ladies in waiting assigned to a beloved consort for years and seeing a new maidservant enter her service made them feel their position was in jeopardy. There are layers to the many characters, most of them women, and all the ways their places in society at every level were fragile and worth fighting for. On that note, Maomao’s complicated backstory and family lineage is absolutely worth reading and becoming emotionally invested in, several volumes in. It is masterful as piece by piece is revealed
Is there a curse targeting the heirs of the emperor or is there a scientific reason why the babies and their mothers are falling ill? Is there really a ghost out dancing at midnight scarring all who see her or is there a crafty young woman out there attempting to change public opinion of her to better her fate? The Apothecary Diaries pulls some fantastic “cases” with Maomao at the heart of them with her sharp mind and detective work, often doing overtime.
Sure, sure of the first few mysteries run too episodic and are solved a little too cleanly. Yet the more volumes of the series that I read, the more and more the never-ending work for our little apothecary-turned-maidservant-turned-beloved servant-of-the-concubines-turned-detective revealed a much bigger picture that is not to be missed. The political intrigue runs hand in hand with lots of little surprises and conspiracies that boil to the top and make it perfect for fans of thrillers and crime.
It was announced this year that the manga is receiving an anime adaption via TOHO animation! The Apothecary Diaries has quickly moved its way up my reading list with its engaging narrative about using your talents to weed out corruption and better the lives of others. Yet, I was not aware that I would come to cherish Maomao and the growing number of friends and allies she gains as she solves the cases and survives the dangers brought to her. You should be reading this series as it is a great time to read up before the manga adaptation ends and before the anime arrives on the scene!
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The post Manga You Should Be Reading: ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
April is financial literacy month, and although you could continue avoiding your finances, this month is the perfect time to refocus. Fortunately, Secret Deodorant has launched a financial empowerment initiative to educate 1 million women about finances by providing free resources. Instead of promoting lectures from rich white guys who work on Wall Street, they have brought together Women of Color to share relatable and helpful information about money.
One of the women apart of the initiative is Jamila Souffrant, founder of the blog and brand Journey to Launch, which helps individuals launch into financial freedom. BGN met with Souffrant over Zoom to discuss how financial freedom and independence are possible for every woman.
What does a life of financial freedom look and feel like to you?
A life of financial freedom looks like confidence and resilience regarding your finances and money. There’s a misconception that to obtain freedom and security, you must always feel confident. Yet there are so many things outside our control that we can’t change.
The journey to financial independence means you have options and the ability to choose what you do for work. You’ll go through different stages and make mistakes to get to that point. Financial freedom is when you can feel confident even when you have debt or are still figuring things out.
Financial freedom is also being confident in yourself, having a growth mindset, and knowing that you can get past the economic issues you’re currently experiencing. Sometimes financial independence means standing still in confidence. Not all progress is noticeable. Trust that you are where you’re supposed to be, doing the best with what you have, and learning how to do better.
Why did you share your financial journey on your blog?
My blog was initially called Mrs. Budget Fab, and I started it because I was stuck in a career I didn’t love. I realized I needed a way out when I got pregnant with my first child. So I started googling how to quit my job and create financial freedom, leading to other blogs and podcasts discussing financial independence. Listening to those podcasts and reading those blogs inspired me to share my journey. I was determined to reach financial freedom, and my blog, now called Journey to Launch, was crucial to my success.
When you left your 6-figure job to focus on your blog and pursue your dream, how did you know it was the right move financially and energetically?
Building a financial foundation and having resources were very helpful. Budgeting was a huge and important factor in my confidence to leave behind my 6-figure job. I was pregnant with my third child when I quit my job. In addition to budgeting, I learned about investments and managing my money. I focused on building a financial foundation.
This partnership with Secret means so much to me because now I can provide my Budget Boot Camp — the same process I used when leaving my job, and how I began understanding the inflow and outflow of my money.
If financial independence was a toolbox, what are some essential tools in this box?
First, we have to decide on a vision. What does your version of a financially independent life look like for you? Understand what you want for your life.
Next, a budget is important. It may feel like a restriction, but it is liberation, a way to spend without guilt and within bounds.
Along with a budget, mindset, and habit, which aren’t typically associated with money, are also important. Consider how you feel about your money and how you consistently use it.
Lastly, two powerful tools are income and expenses. Understand your job, and be aware of how you can optimize your expenses to create the lifestyle you want.
What was one of the biggest lessons on your journey to financial independence?
It’s ok to change your mind and do things differently. When I first started, I thought I would invest aggressively and put in the hours, and eventually, I changed my mind. I wanted more balance in my life. One of my biggest lessons was to pivot and follow what would work for me. You can veer off the path if you stay true to yourself and use tools and resources to guide you.
What do you think is stopping most people, particularly women, from reaching financial independence?
A significant barrier is a lack of access to financial education, especially for Women of Color. In addition to the wealth gap, we’re often raised not to talk about money. When women have free tools, it allows women to learn and receive the support they need.
Finances don’t have to be boring, which is why representation matters. For example, whenever I listen to a podcast and someone mentions something about Jamaican culture or going to brunch, I connect to that. Women must know that they can still have fun and be financially empowered.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Since April is financial literacy month, I want to remind women they can have financial freedom and be financially empowered. Whether you are older or younger, you can start today, and this initiative is a great way to get started.
In addition to the great food and cocktails at your next party, entertain with beautiful coffee table books. They definitely keep a conversation going, and make perfect gifts for friends and family.
Coffee table books are meant to inform, inspire, or engage the reader on a particular subject. You’ve probably even seen people use them as decorative objects, which means they can add to the design of a room. This also makes them great conversation starters in a living room setting.
What better way to honor the Black community, spread the word of our well-deserved triumphs, and even learn more about our history along the way. With thought-provoking anecdotes, essays, and illustrations, these 7 gorgeous hardcovers centering Black artistry are guaranteed to keep everyone talking and entertained for hours.
AphroChic: Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Family Home
Jeanine Hays
This book invites you into the intimate spaces of actors, artists, executives, and curators. It’s a powerful, visually stunning celebration of Black homeownership, told through glorious interiors, along with actual stories of family, community, and history. What I love is that AphroChic provides history behind Black people’s efforts to achieve the goal of homeownership. It speaks to our generational creativity, including the use of treasures from flea markets, family heirlooms, and the African diaspora to create a beautiful, comfortable, safe space.
Black Hollywood: Reimagining Iconic Movie Moments
Carell Augustus
Chronicling Black actors from leading roles in Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster films, this gorgeous anthology is a love letter to all people who rarely see themselves in their totality on screen. It includes a foreword by Forest Whittaker and afterword by Niecy Nash. I read this because I truly love looking at photographs and I loved growing up watching pretty much all the movies showcased in this book. Carell Augustus has an amazing eye for the way he blends these movies with just the right actor to pull off his creative take on iconic movies of the past. The photographs are beautifully and unapologetically Black. This book is what I would’ve loved to have had growing up.
The New Black West: Photographs from America’s Only Touring Black Rodeo
Gabriela Hasbun
Bay Area photographer Gabriela Hasbun captures the joy that happens at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, which honors the historic accomplishments of Black cowboys and hosts a vibrant community dedicated to continuing their legacies. This book is packed with high quality photographs of California and its Black cowboys. I’m almost pressed to say that this is a fashion book as well, with the amazing outfits, boots, hats, and saddles. Even the horses look designer. It was amazing to take a glimpse into a culture I didn’t even know existed.
Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party
Stephen Shames, Erika Huggins
This is a beautiful collection of historical photographs and contemporary conversations with female members of the Black Panther Party. It will absolutely stir up conversation about race, politics, and the ongoing journey of female empowerment in the fight for Black freedom. Did you know the majority of the Black Panthers were women? This is a collection of photographs with notes and reflections from everyday women of the Black Panther Party who were running testing centers for sickle cell, teaching classes, taking care of babies at rallies, running food drives, making art. This is one of those coffee table books that is more than a coffee table book. It is a history lesson. The photographs are organic and hold such beauty. These women are from all over the world. They are resilient. They are the movement.
A Time Before Crack: Photographs from the 1980s
Jamel Shabazz
Hip hop fashion photographer Jemal Shabazz shares photographs of stylish Black men and women on the streets of New York City from the mid-’70s to the mid-’80s, before major municipalities were engulfed in the crack cocaine epidemic. It felt like I was stepping back through time to a period where style and colors looked so amazing. Of course, in seeing this I couldn’t help but feel sad knowing this is a precursor to the crack epidemic. This is a book of photographs but it takes you just as long to get through it as a non-fiction book. In my opinion, the photographs are an act of resistance, and remind you that we can be that way again.
Doris Berger, Rhea L. Combs
As Black artists continue to carve out their own spaces in the entertainment industry, this book sheds light on the impact Black performers have had in perfecting the craft of American film. A curation of essays and academia, the book is a monument to 70 years’ worth of Black cinema and highlights Black filmmakers and creatives. This book accompanies a first-of-its-kind exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Amplifying this underrepresented history in colorful and striking detail, the book features an in-depth essay and case-study on topics such as early Black independent filmmaking, Black spectatorship during the Jim Crow era, and home movies as an essential form of Black self-representation. There are also interviews from contemporary filmmakers. This is an essential resource, especially if you are a movie lover.
Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen
George McCalman
Artist George McCalman provides the stunning artwork of 145 portraits celebrating Black excellence in politics, science, literature, music and more. Featuring writers like James Baldwin and lesser-known names like Madeline Anderson (who produced I Am Somebody, an ode to the 1969 strike of mostly female hospital workers), it’s a true celebration of Black achievement. This book is both beautiful and extensive. I learned about people I had never heard of before and also learned new information about people as well, not to mention the gorgeous art work. This is a great overview of Black history and the people who make up that history. It also is really cool how the author created art for each of the people who were spotlighted. This art really makes this a book that I could see having as a reference. It’s one of those books you may not return if you check out at the library because it’s that gorgeous.
All of these beautiful books are available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Consider purchasing from Bookshop.org. The platform gives independent bookstores tools to compete online and financial support to help them maintain their presence in local communities.