The Midterm Elections are coming up and if you’re based in North Carolina, like Plucky Media is, Early Voting has started. That means it’s time to hit the pavements canvassing or phone-lining, make time to vote, and get excited about it! The past 2 years have been less than delightful, but as a long-time lover of elections and political action, it could not be a more exciting time!

There’s a lot at stake, so here’s a quick guide to make sure you have everything you need and media to consume to get you pumped up!

1. Figure Out What You’re Voting For BEFORE You Get There

When it comes to going to the polls, it’s not as simple as remembering which political party you want to vote for. There are also often votes on nonpartisan officials, knowing more about the reps you’re voting for, and votes on local amendments and laws that you gotta know your stance on. That’s why it’s important to do your research before you get there.

Some Resources:

• If you’re based in NC, I definitely recommend Jeff Jackson’s Medium Article that breaks down all the Amendments up for a vote, so that they’re a bit more understandable. He’s my favorite Politician on Twitter (if you remember, he kind of broke the HB2 news as it was happening on Twitter/Facebook).
• Whenever I have political questions, Ballotpedia is probably the most helpful. It’s a great way to research candidates. You can also look up your ballot and get information on each of the choices.

But it’s your vote, use your best judgment! There are tons of resources out there!

Once you know what the plan is, go out and do it! I’ve never not Early Voted for any Election I’ve voted in (yes I’m a baby) and if it’s something that’s available to you, go do it now! In addition, if there are any crazy laws preventing your vote that you need to know about, figure out your situation ASAP (it sucks but racist voter id or even address laws are a reality). That way, on Election Day, you can just watch the news all day, filled with dread, without worrying about the polls closing on you.

2. Get Involved!

If you’re like me, you get phone calls every day asking you to come out and help with phones, canvassing, or whatever. Though, there are tons of ways to get involved! Hit the pavement, call some people, drive people to the polls, and there are even virtual opportunities as well.

With Crooked Media’s Vote Save America campaign, you can learn about your ballot and get involved. You can browse all the opportunities here.

3. Become Inspired

We are an entertainment blog, so what would we be if we didn’t offer you some TV shows, movies, and Podcasts to pump you up for the election? It’s not required, but a great way to have fun and get inspired:

• Election– It’s Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon, need we say more? It has all that student election drama plus some other stuff that we don’t know if it aged well or not, to fill you with all the intensity of Tracy Flick for getting to the polls.
• Parks and Recreation– Leslie Knope is perfect and she’s perfect for filling you with hope of what passionate public servants could do to improve the future. It’s just sweet and I think we need that.
• Veep– You know the opposite of what Parks and Recreation makes you feel? You’re snarky and dirty and you hate everyone but we’re all part of this machine together? That’s the itch that Veep scratches.
• Keep It– Keep it, like Pod Save America, is under the Crooked Media umbrella. It’s one of my favorite podcasts that happens to cover everything that happens in the week. It’s not all politics but it’s a great injection of current events to keep you ready. Listen to it here. 
• Hamilton– Okay, I’m basic, we know this— but when’s the last time you listened to Hamilton? With the Mix-Tape also around, it’s the perfect time to listen to all the songs about politics and get re-invigorated.

Those are just a couple ways to get started! We hope to see you at the polls and that you’re as excited about the election as we are. Let’s do it! 

Fall is here! Though, living in the South, it doesn’t always feel that way. It’s still hot and humid out most of the time and the leaves are trying their best to change, but it isn’t really happening. When your Pumpkin Spice Latte makes you feel sweaty and weird, it can be hard to get into the Autumn spirit. That’s why it can be a great reason to turn to video games to get that crunchy leaves, orange everything feeling you need. With that in mind, here are some free and paid games to help get you in the mood.

Paid Games

 

The best things in life aren’t always free. Sometimes, you can support developers and studios that made some really great games with Fall experiences. Here are some of my favorites:

1. All the Farming/Resource Management Games

I love playing farming/foraging/resource management games because they all have beautiful fall seasons. Since there are so many similar ones, for the same reasons, I’ve lumped them all together here:

• Stardew Valley– By far, I think Fall is the most beautiful season in Stardew Valley. The color palette, the foraging, all of the fall festivals— it’s a beautiful way to wander around and just relax. You’ll just need to make sure to have a save file in the Fall season.
• Animal Crossing: New Leaf– Because it takes place in real time, if you open up your Animal Crossing game right now, it’s gonna be fall. The trees are cute, you can talk to your friends about sweaters, and even run errands for the Pumpkin-headed Jack. It’s sweet and relaxing and just cute.
• Harvest Moon: More Friends in Mineral Town– This is a nostalgic one because it is one of my first favorite games but Harvest Moon in the fall is delightful. Of course, ideally you would still have a GBA, but it can be played on emulators or Play Retro Games online (if you want- it’s a little less than ethical but I’ll keep your secret if you’ll keep mine). Because of the emulation thing, it’s kind of free but kind of not, so I’m gonna keep it in this category.

2. Graveyard Keeper 

This one is a little bit in the Farming/Resource Management column but also, it’s so much a different experience than the above games. The seasons never change, you’re stuck in some sort of purgatory, and you’re managing the most unrealistic/unethical graveyard business ever. For that reason, it just feels kind of Halloween-y. There is so much to do in this game, it’s the perfect way to feel a little spooky and really grind to craft as many things as possible. There’s also the fun of selling burgers made of human flesh at Witch burnings. The season never changes, but it’s definitely a seasonal mood.

3. Night in the Woods

It’s hard to not keep coming back to this game. The whole game takes place in fall and it really captures the “I’m completely lost, don’t know what to do, and back in my hometown in Fall” feeling. There are leaves everywhere, the sky is always beautiful, and even in creepy moments it’s great to run around and f*ck sh*t up as Mae.

Free Games

Sometimes the best way to have a fall escape is to play a small, sweet game about fall. Some of these great games on Itchio and Mobile devices are perfect for doing just that.

1. Cauli’s Night

This is a great pick from the Harvest Jam, which has a ton of fall-themed games. It’s just a perfect way to spend a cool fall night, as a dog talking to worms and running around.

NOTE: Make sure to head to the Harvest Jam page for more great picks! One of the reasons I had a harder time with this section is because there were so many great fall games in the Harvest Jam that I didn’t wanna overwhelm this section with!

2. Ghosts in the Garden

For a spookier pick, play as a cat witch trying to catch all of the ghosts in a garden. It’s definitely a quick and easy way to have some Halloween fun.

3. The Arcana

Definitely more of a Halloween Vibe, but The Arcana is an interesting visual novel mobile game, where you as a Fortune Teller to get to know people and make choices in a magical world. It has a beautiful design and definitely a great way to kill some time and learn more about Tarot.

4. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery 

I don’t know about you, but I do get some serious fall vibes from Harry Potter. I always imagine Hogwarts as a sweater-y place, where the leaves are always orange, though I know that wasn’t the case. It’s a great way to escape and live out your Hogwarts fantasy.

5. Pocket Camp 

Animal Crossing has already been mentioned once before, but there’s nothing like Autumn in that world. With Pocket Camp, it’s available whenever you want. I fell out of the game, but I have been into it once again, with the Fall season update. It’s a great time and a fun way to experience fall.

 

Those are just a couple fall gaming choices! Of course, the possibilities are endless. Let us know what your favorite games are in fall! 

Hocus Pocus is charming, don’t get me wrong, but there is a whole world of witchy movies we can be watching this Halloween season. It doesn’t have to be all Hocus Pocus all the time. With that in mind, here are 3 witchy movies that you can add to your October Watch-List.

1. The Witches

It’s a mood. The glamour of a fancy hotel setting, menacing women sculking around all wearing beautiful dresses, the body horror of the mouse transformation sequences— it’s a complete package. It’s like Stuart Little plus all your worst nightmares and your October fashion mood board combined. Watch it to re-live some 90s/2000s movie nostalgia and live your best life.

2. The Witch

The Witch, is definitely more creepy than the campy children’s movie that is The Witches. With beautiful visuals and an accurate to the time period script, it’s definitely perfect when you want some real historical witch content. In addition, the ending makes all of the dread you feel the whole movie worth it.

3. Kiki’s Delivery Service

Kiki’s Delivery Service is perfect and it’s not just because she has an adorable black cat and a giant bow (and not because I used to watch it every single night on VHS). She’s trying her best and no matter what the season, it’s important to remember to take care of yourself and not burn yourself out doing the thing you love. It’s perfect and sweet and just a wholesome witchy way to get into the season.

Extra Credit:

Those were just a couple of witchy movies, there is so much more witch content to watch and a lot of series with the same theme. Here are some other options:

• The Love Witch- This 2016 movie was written, edited, directed, produced, and scored by Anna Biller, who I love following on Twitter for her content on the female gaze in film. It’s about a witch that uses her magic to make men fall in love with her but she ends up killing them with her love. It looks beautiful, it has a retro style, and it’s been on my list forever. I haven’t gotten a chance to see it yet, but check it out!
• The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina- This show is coming out on October 26th and is sure to be a dark and cool new manifestation of the franchise. It looks really cool and it’s just around the corner!
• Macbeth- For me, watching a version of Macbeth is always peak witch content. My favorite stars Kate Fleetwood as Lady M, if you wanna check it out!

Those are just a couple suggestions to get you started after you watch Hocus Pocus for the gazillionth time. Let us know what your favorite witchy movies are!