Station Eleven - A Complex Series

 

"I am at my best when I am escaping"

BY C STONE | THE SUPER HOT /||' ENTERTAINMENT '||\

The decline of society and decimation of the human race due to an aggressive illness that kills 99% of humanity. It's a joy to watch, with each episode carrying a tale of what happened to them before and after the "event".

Reaction after hearing about Netflix's price increases

It's a great show - but certainly not for any children. This show has violence and harsh language. Not all the characters are likable and quite frankly, I wanted to yell at a few of them. The slow decline of society reminded me of Fear The Walking Dead - but without zombies. 

I made a surreal joke after watching the first few episodes. "Our heroes descended upon the data centers, took the parts from the A.I. servers to resurrect Youtube." I want to believe something like that would happen in real life. In a real-world turn of events, I'll use A.I. to explain this complex narrative - mainly because I'm too busy to write out all the crap that's happened over the 10 or so episodes. So here we go.

One hero stands alone, surrounded by lunacy and madness

Station Eleven is a post-apocalyptic novel by Emily St. John Mandel (also adapted into an HBO Max miniseries). It explores the aftermath of the "Georgia Flu," a pandemic that wipes out 99% of the global population. The narrative shifts between the collapse of society and the lives of survivors twenty years later.

"So, we're fucked?"

The Premise

The story revolves around the sudden death of Arthur Leander, an A-list Hollywood actor who suffers a fatal heart attack on stage in Toronto during a production of King Lear.

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 His death coincides precisely with the outbreak of the highly lethal Georgia Flu, which quickly dismantles global infrastructure and civilization.

Key Characters

The narrative jumps through time, weaving together the lives of several individuals before and after the collapse:

A strange man asked him if he wanted to "Hang out"

Kirsten Raymonde: A child actor who was on stage when Arthur died. Twenty years later, she travels with the Traveling Symphony, a troupe of actors and musicians preserving art and music across the Great Lakes region.

This is what happens when mom drinks too much.

Jeevan Chaudhary: A paparazzo turned EMT-in-training who unsuccessfully attempts to revive Arthur on stage.

"She's SHOCKED at the price of coffee"

Miranda Carroll: Arthur’s first wife and an aspiring artist who spent years writing and illustrating a personal graphic novel titled Station Eleven.

Stranger danger!

Clark Thompson: Arthur’s closest friend. After being stranded at an airport during the outbreak, he goes on to create the Museum of Civilization, an archive of remnants from the "old world.

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"The Prophet (Tyler Leander): Arthur and Elizabeth's son, who grows up in a post-apocalyptic cult and becomes a dangerous, charismatic antagonist.

"Is this the Cabin in the Woods?" she asks

Major Themes

The Endurance of Art: The novel's central motto, adopted by the Traveling Symphony, is "Because survival is insufficient," emphasizing the human need for art, community, and culture.

A woman discovers her Ticketmaster tickets are worthless.

Memory and Connection: The narrative illustrates how the lives and possessions of these interconnected people (such as a rare comic book and a paperweight) bridge the gap between the world that was lost and the world being rebuilt.

He upgraded to Windows 11, 30 years after support ended.

But honestly, I won't spoil the series for you. I encourage you to watch it with an open mind, and preferably with 1-2 beers. Trust me, you'll need it.

The cinematography, audio, and video are spot on. The cut scenes are something of legendary skill here. 

Honestly, few shows are as well made and edited as this one. The fact that the story revolves around characters in a group of actors who only play Shakespeare is something remarkable. 

It's a very good series. 10/10

-CS

2026 Calgary Stampede

 

BY C STONE| THE SUPER HOT /||" 2026 CALGARY STAMPEDE "||\

The 2026 Calgary Stampede is just around the corner, and I thought it would be nice to list out the new food that will be present at the event. 

On behalf of The Super Hot website, I will be attending during the first week - and possibly more than once.

HISTORY:

The Calgary Stampede, famously known as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", traces its roots to 1886 with the formation of the Calgary and District Agricultural Society. 

However, the iconic rodeo and festival as it is known today was founded in 1912 by American promoter Guy Weadick.

The Early Years (1886–1913)

The foundation of the Stampede stems from early agricultural fairs and exhibitions that occurred in the growing city of Calgary. In 1912, Guy Weadick envisioned a massive, spectacular celebration of cowboy culture and frontier life. To finance his dream, he secured funding from four wealthy local cattlemen known as the Big Four: Patrick Burns, George Lane, A.J. McLean, and A.E. Cross. 

The first event featured bronc riding, chuckwagon racing, and a parade, and saw remarkable success, though it was initially intended as a one-time celebration.

Becoming an Annual Tradition (1919–1923)Following the success of the 1912 event, Weadick organized the "Great Victory Stampede" in 1919 to honor soldiers returning from World War I.

 In 1923, the festival merged with the Calgary Industrial Exhibition to create the combined Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.

 This merger cemented the event as an annual summer tradition.

And now, the midway food.

Cheesy Saddle Slice

A gooey cheese slice dipped in corn dog batter, dusted with Cheetos seasoning and deep-fried to golden perfection. Choose from classic, creamy garlic and pickle, or creamy garlic and pepperoni.

Bacon Lasso'd Mars Bar

We took the Mars bar and gave it the full rodeo treatment. Thick-cut bacon wrapped around the classic Mars bar, deep fried until golden brown perfection. Drizzled with chocolate & caramel then topped with bacon bits. Giving you the ultimate sweet & savoury experience.

BBQ Rib Cokoie

Our iconic cookie stuffed with a piece of BBQ rib, served with a side of BBQ sauce to dip.

Big Buckin' Lemonaid

$55 Big Buckin’ Lemonade. Six litres of pure, fresh-squeezed goodness. Loaded with real lemon, ice, and bold flavour-perfect for beating the Stampede heat with your crew! Saddle up to the biggest drink on the midway!

Blue Cocunut Cloud Matcha

The viral matcha moment your camera roll needs. This dreamy dessert sip layers earthy matcha beneath a fluffy blue coconut cream cloud for a candy-sweet, creamy treat that’s as iconic as it is delicious.

Brazilian Whipped Lemonaid

On a global food expedition, this refreshing summer drink was hand-picked by world travellers from the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Similar to your favourite whipped lemonade, this ice cream beverage blends soft serve and lime juice with a whole lime-farm to blender. Fresh, bright and full of flavour.

The Brumby Wrangler Drink

The Brumby Wrangler is named after the wild Australian horse. This untamed blend of Sprite, smoky chipotle pineapple syrup and vibrant dragon fruit is topped with Tajín for an added kick of spice. Sweet, spicy and wild at heart-just how we like it.

Buldak Grilled Stuffed Cheese

Sweet, spicy, cheesy chaos. This Buldak-stuffed grilled cheese brings the heat with every bite. Loaded with saucy, spice-packed noodles and wrapped in crispy, golden bread. When the heat kicks in, the gooey cheese cools things down-before the spice builds again. It’s a roller-coaster you’ll want to ride again.

For more food, please see:

Calgary Stampede Midway Food

What Colors Say About You

 

BY C STONE | THE SUPER HOT /||" COLOR AND FASHION "||\

What do colors say about your style, and the image you are projecting? Let's dive into the interesting and controversial topic of color psychology!

Color psychology suggests that the colors you gravitate toward or wear reflect your personality traits and values. While personal connections to colors vary, certain traits are commonly associated with specific hues:

Red: Bold, passionate, and driven. You are adventurous, energetic, and unafraid to stand out.

Blue: Trustworthy, calm, and dependable. You value stability, peace, and make others feel secure.

Green: Balanced, loyal, and growth-oriented. You are grounded, practical, and have a strong connection to nature.

Yellow: Optimistic, creative, and enthusiastic. You are a joyful, youthful thinker who loves to learn and share knowledge.

Purple: Creative, unique, and mysterious. You appreciate artistry, spirituality, and hold a sophisticated or regal presence.

Black: Independent, strong, and powerful. You are a deep thinker who values control, elegance, and privacy.

White: Peaceful, organized, and logical. You appreciate clarity, simplicity, and a fresh perspective

Of course, I haven't really scratched the surface of color yet. But which one is your favorite - even if it wasn't mentioned?

Gold. The color that reeks of power and authority. When you wear gold, it sends a message: You own it, this is you, and how dare anyone question your individual authority. 

Pink - whether a person's name or a favorite color of celebrities like Paris Hilton - is polarizing. 

The color elicits confusion and hatred for some people. For me, this color is something I never strive for, and to be honest, never fitting for today's men's fashion.

A thin, slinky top with no undershirt? Whaaaaaat?

I'll have more color commentary in the next few months. 

Stay tuned.

Peace

Celebrating HOTNESS: Oregon Cheerleaders

 

BY C STONE | THE SUPER HOT /||" CHEERLEADERS "||\

I doubt anyone could resist the pretty Oregon Cheerleader squad. It was just dumb luck I stumbled on them while browsing instagram. 

Here are some fun facts about them:

The University of Oregon cheer squad is a massive 42-member powerhouse split into 14 dynamic dancers and 14 co-ed stunt couples. 

Known as the “Ambassadors of the University”, they travel to all away football games, bowl games, and postseason NCAA events alongside the beloved Oregon Duck mascot.

Pioneering History: The University of Oregon played a massive role in cheerleading history, being credited as one of the first programs to use flashcards to direct crowd participation during the 1920s.

No Days Off for the Duck: The cheer team often performs alongside "The Oregon Duck," who has become one of the most famous, athletic, and viral mascots in college sports.

Intense Tryouts: Making the squad is highly competitive. 

Tryouts feature a grueling three-day process where hopefuls are rigorously evaluated on intricate choreography, stamina, and advanced stunting.

High-Octane Energy: The cheerleaders perform at Autzen Stadium—famous for being one of the loudest venues in college football—and Matthew Knight Arena for basketball and volleyball games.

Professional Pipeline: Many of the program’s top dancers and stunters graduate to join professional cheer and dance teams across the sports world.

The University of Oregon Cheer and Dance program recently wrapped up their tryouts in April, introducing their official 2026–27 squad. They act primarily as a high-energy spirit and sideline squad, and members balance demanding collegiate schedules with cheering at premier athletic events like Oregon football, volleyball, and basketball.

The program features several key branches:Co-Ed Stunt Team: Dynamic athletes who support the football team at Autzen Stadium and perform at postseason NCAA games, including CFP appearances.

Dance Team: High-impact dancers who perform jazz and hip-hop at games and events alongside the beloved Oregon Duck mascot.

Community Engagement: They frequently host clinics, participate in local parades, and run annual fundraisers to help operate the spirit program.

The Super Hot wishes them the best season, ever!