Graham Downs

South African Christian, husband, Software Developer, and author of the urban fantasy novella, Memoirs of a Guardian Angel.

Visit my website at https://www.grahamdowns.co.za/ for a free book.

Public Key

npub1q8hnju2crm5r4fu7ystcdfav2r8etmx45nsur4le5ljjmhwj5yzs9a5w8f

NIP-05 Address

GrahamDowns_at_mastodon.africa@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsqrmeew9vpa6p6570zg9ux57k9pnu4an26fcwp6lu60efdmhf2zpgpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dshn074l

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1q8hnju2crm5r4fu7ystcdfav2r8etmx45nsur4le5ljjmhwj5yzs9a5w8f

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Last Notes

2024-08-07 07:47:25

Wordle 1,145 5/6*
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#wordle #wordle1145 #puzzles #games

2024-08-06 12:19:32

I just completed the DM Crossword in 1 minute and 50 seconds! Can you beat my time? https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-06-mini-crosswords-6-aug/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica #crosswords #puzzles #games

2024-08-06 11:57:36

More on the whole #Multichoice "monopoly" on #sport rights in #SouthAfrica: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/broadcasting/553894-bad-news-for-ending-dstvs-sports-monopoly.html?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
Look, the man has a point. Somebody has to pay. Whether it's Multichoice or the SABC or government itself, the rights cost what the rights cost. Nobody can order them to be free.
Still, it leaves a sour taste in one's mouth.... #TV

2024-08-06 06:57:08

Wordle 1,144 4/6*
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#wordle #wordle1144 #puzzles #games

2024-08-06 06:39:38

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Oh, one more thing. It's actually pretty important. Like me, he's visually impaired, and like me, he can't live without the Windows Magnifier. I have heard that accessibility can be an issue on #Linux, so please keep that in mind when considering your recommendation. Must be able to press WIN++ and WIN+- (or a similar key combination) to zoom the entire desktop in or out at any time. :-)

2024-08-05 12:30:42

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@npub1m8y…3ku9 Thanks. :)

2024-08-05 12:25:12

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@npub1m8y…3ku9 Have a wonderful Monday, Lisa. And an even better week! :-)

2024-08-05 08:49:35

"InkubaLM" is #Africa's first multi-lingual #LLM, which aims to make #AI more accessible to people who speak underrepresented #languages: https://gadget.co.za/lelapaaimodel474m/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica

2024-08-05 07:32:30

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@npub1d3h…nxw9 Morning! Have a wonderful day, and an awesome week. :-)

2024-08-05 06:57:50

Banking breaches are on the rise in #SouthAfrica (probably elsewhere too). Both physically, where people either steal your phone and access your #banking app, or kidnap you and force you to transfer money, but also digitally with things like #phishing and #smishing. As always, be ever vigilant. https://businesstech.co.za/news/banking/785248/criminals-are-after-your-bank-accounts-in-south-africa-what-you-need-to-know/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica #scams

2024-08-05 06:01:38

Wordle 1,143 5/6*
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#wordle #wordle1143 #puzzles #games

2024-08-05 05:54:16

I just completed the DM Crossword in 1 minute and 51 seconds! Can you beat my time? https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-05-mini-crosswords-5-aug/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#crosswords #puzzles #games

2024-08-05 04:41:16

Morning all! Happy #Monday. Let's all have an amazing week. :-)

2024-08-04 08:52:10

Wordle 1,142 5/6*
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#wordle #wordle1142 #puzzles #games

2024-08-03 14:44:53

Taking the foster daughter to see #DeadpoolAndWolverine tomorrow. :-) #movies #marvel
https://cdn.mastodon.africa/media_attachments/files/112/898/619/663/134/290/original/170dc9bb2174d271.jpg

2024-08-03 14:07:37

Tips for improving concentration :) #jokes #funnies
https://cdn.mastodon.africa/media_attachments/files/112/898/474/573/795/754/original/f6e864e3f433b24c.png

2024-08-03 13:13:38

Wordle 1,141 3/6*
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#Wordle #Wordle1141 #puzzles #games

2024-08-02 21:43:19

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@npub1cxy…vryr thanks, Katie. I'll remember that. :-)

2024-08-02 11:06:48

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@npub1cxy…vryr Good luck, Fraggle! (Or do you prefer Muppet? 😉)
I hope everything goes well for you! I know how daunting a visit to the eye specialist can be.

2024-08-02 06:22:46

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@npub14v7…gh4f Boo! Hard luck!

2024-08-02 05:59:40

There's going to be an official #esports Olympics next year. Get practicing, gamers! :D https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-enters-a-new-era-with-the-creation-of-olympic-esports-games-first-games-in-2025-in-saudi-arabia?utm_source=Mastodon #gaming #Olympics

2024-08-02 05:51:18

Wordle 1,140 6/6*
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#wordle #wordle1140 #puzzles #games

2024-08-02 05:48:37

I just completed the DM Crossword in 59 seconds! Can you beat my time? https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-02-mini-crosswords-2-aug/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#crosswords #puzzles #games

2024-08-02 05:01:02

Morning, everyone. Happy #Friday! :-)

2024-08-02 04:34:48

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@npub10pn…engt Whoop whoop!

2024-08-01 19:29:26

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@npub1ws0…0jhw yeah. I think that one's a bit more clear cut, at least. Our biscuit is their cookie and their biscuit is our... Scone? Sort of. Maybe. I don't really know. 😜

2024-08-01 15:57:05

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@npub1hx5…ju7f lol hammer and nails situation there! 😆

2024-08-01 11:45:09

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@npub1323…s0ps I do agree with you... but I already sent them a message a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully yours reminds them of mine. But I agree: Let's spam the crap outta them. They gotta come to the Fediverse! :-)

2024-08-01 11:33:36

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@npub1n76…dl3s hehe THAT'S the spirit! 😁

2024-08-01 11:31:17

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@npub1n76…dl3s Morning, Peter! I hope your morning gets better, and that you end up having an amazing day. God bless! :-)

2024-08-01 09:47:35

The average #DataBreach in South Africa apparently costs around R53-million. That's... pretty staggering. https://gadget.co.za/r53mdatabreach215/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#SouthAfrica #security #infosec

2024-08-01 09:39:54

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@npub1ge7…h972 Ah, in your case it's just the tip, so it should be fine. In hers it was further up, and also the underside.

2024-08-01 09:38:22

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@npub1ge7…h972 Happened to my wife about 15 years ago. She still doesn't have full feeling in that finger.
No to scare you or anything.... :-P

2024-08-01 09:34:40

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1. The Afrikaans word for banana is "piesang".
2. Rama is a popular brand of margarine in South Africa
3. Margarine is so common as a butter replacement here that many people refer to it *as* "butter" even though it actually isn't.
4. Therefore, "piesangbotter" = "Banana butter".
5. But "piesang" is also a euphemism for "penis", so "piesangbotter / piesang butter" is... I think you get it. :-)

2024-08-01 09:31:24

The presenter on the #radio just back-announced #Bananarama's "Cruel Summer" now, and unbidden, the word "Piesangbotter!" popped into my head.
That's what the late, legendary South African radio presenter, Jeremy Mansfield, used to call them.
*sigh* Oh, Jeremy. We miss you. 🥲
#SouthAfrica #music
(For anyone interested, I'll post a CW'd definition/explanation of Piesangbotter in reply to this toot. It's quite crass)

2024-08-01 09:09:53

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@npub1ge7…h972 LOL
No nerve damage though, I hope?

2024-08-01 09:03:59

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@npub1ge7…h972 Eish! Sorry, George. I hope it's not too serious, and that you feel better soon!

2024-08-01 08:54:06

Did you know that there is a rare species of tree snail named after Steve Irwin. It's called the Crikey steveirwini: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crikey_steveirwini?utm_source=Mastodon
(h/t @npub1kvn…hm73)
#nature #animals #TIL

2024-08-01 08:22:54

If you have a problem, and you solve it using #regex... now you have two problems.
#jokes #programming

2024-08-01 08:13:47

What do you do with your old #smartphones?
It's fast becoming a real problem, and #ewaste is a thing. How many old phones have you got lying around at home? :/
https://techcentral.co.za/trash-treasure-upcycling-mobile-devices/248895/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica

2024-08-01 05:49:33

Wordle 1,139 3/6*
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#wordle #wordle1139 #puzzles #games

2024-08-01 05:39:03

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@npub10pn…engt Morning, Gavin. Have an amazing day! :-)

2024-08-01 05:01:22

I just completed the DM Crossword in 3 minutes and 21 seconds! Can you beat my time? https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-01-mini-crosswords-1-aug/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#crosswords #puzzles #games

2024-08-01 04:44:40

Morning, dearies <in his best Rumpelstiltskin voice>!
Happy #Thursday. It's #August. And here in Joburg, it smells like #summer is on the way. :-)

2024-07-31 10:10:49

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@npub1d3h…nxw9 Morning! 👋

2024-07-31 09:50:07

The 2024 Telkom #Radio awards are now open, and the annual #MyStationCompetition is running. Vote for your favourite radio station, and you'll be entered into a draw to win R40 000: https://upload.radioawards.co.za/MyStation?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#SouthAfrica

2024-07-31 09:48:24

The 2024 Telkom #Radio awards are now open, and the annual #MyStationCompetition is running. Vote for your favourite radio station, and you'll be entered into a draw to win R40 000: https://radioawards.co.za/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#SouthAfrica

2024-07-30 19:33:01

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@npub15dd…d66c Oracle offers free Linux VMs for playing around on. Go make yourself one, install some crap, break it beyond repair, then delete it and start again. It's fun. :)

2024-07-30 11:21:26

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@npub1cax…rldl Oh yeah, I can do tab completion in the CLI on Windows. In truth, it's more like "cd ~\D<tab>\f<tab>\b<tab><enter>"
More if there are multiple D's, f's, or b's on each level. :-)

2024-07-30 10:06:30

People who appear to be allergic to the CLI: typing is quicker than clicking, and remembering a handful of commands you use every day (and Googling the one or two you occasionally need, which you DON'T use every day) requires less cognitive load than remembering sequences of clicks.
Same applies to keyboard shortcuts. Get your hand off that mouse! :P

2024-07-30 09:56:15

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@npub1n76…dl3s Have an amazing day, Solus. God bless! :-)

2024-07-30 09:25:07

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@npub1w9d…u9zy Meeeow!

2024-07-30 09:15:25

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@npub1cu9…6829 You too? It used to drive me up the wall.
These days, it's when people refer to a screenshot as a "screen grab". :P

2024-07-30 08:58:29

Apparently #DeadpoolAndWolverine grossed $205-million in its opening weekend. That's... actually not terrible. ;) #movies #money

2024-07-30 08:54:43

The future is here: nowadays if you want to #sabotage a country's infrastructure, #Internet is the way to go.... ⁠https://techcentral.co.za/internet-cables-severed-olympics-attack/248813/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica #France #Olympics

2024-07-30 08:00:03

CRS Technologies, a company I used to work for many moons ago, is looking for a Fully Remote software engineer. Just thought I'd pass it on, in case any of you fine people are looking for work (they're in the GMT+2 timezone, so I'd imagine being in or near that timezone would be a plus): https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3911193832/
#JobSeekers #OpenToWork #SoftwareDevelopment #remotework

2024-07-30 07:45:53

What's your favourite #pizza, South Africa?
Mine's actually not on this list. It's a local place called Pizza Pug here in Alberton. Another one, Solo, makes a mean calzone (and I am quite partial to a good calzone). ;-)
https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/784407/we-taste-tested-south-africas-top-pizza-chains-and-the-winner-was-clear/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#food #SouthAfrica

2024-07-30 06:55:18

Wordle 1,137 4/6*
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#wordle #wordle1137 #puzzles #games

2024-07-30 06:53:13

I just completed the DM Crossword in 1 minute and 1 second! Can you beat my time? https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-30-mini-crosswords-30-july/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#crosswords #puzzles #games

2024-07-30 05:36:33

"You can #give without #loving. But you can never #love without #gving."
#AmyCarmichael #quotes

2024-07-29 17:28:38

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@npub1scf…h5dd yeah I did know about Spar. Spar as in save (I know the actual word has two A's). Could've gone either way. But I was quite surprised when I first learnt that. :)

2024-07-29 16:26:20

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@npub1cax…rldl Bah. To. Good catch. ☺️

2024-07-29 12:34:07

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@npub1p93…rd82 That's actually really cute!

2024-07-29 12:07:31

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Similar to "your" and "you're"; I just don't think they sound similar at all. Your sounds like "yore" and you're sounds like "you-er".

2024-07-29 12:06:48

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Similar to "your" and "you're"; I just don't think they sound similar at all.

2024-07-29 12:01:29

"Theiyr're" <- That THAT, #grammar police! 😆
Although I must admit, I've never convinced Their, There, and They're. I know it's helluva common, but I just don't see it. I guess because I've never thought they were pronounced the same. "There" and "Their", yes. But not "They're". That one sounds completely different from the other to, in my opinion. #English #funnies

2024-07-29 09:21:54

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@npub1scf…h5dd Welcome home, J. ;-)

2024-07-29 09:03:21

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@npub1scf…h5dd Yeah. We're a very opportunistic people. It makes me proud to call this place home sometimes. :)

2024-07-29 09:00:32

*sigh* Is nothing sacred? Really? Why would you specifically target #deaf and #blind people? 😢
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-28-eastern-cape-extortionists-target-deaf-and-blind-people/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#crime #SouthAfrica #disabilities

2024-07-29 08:57:34

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@npub1scf…h5dd Oh, does that not happen anywhere else? It's an institution here. :)

2024-07-29 08:56:47

From my Daily Maverick "Facts of the Day" today: The UK exports #cheese to France, #tea to China and #boomerangs to Australia.
That is freaking HILARIOUS! 😆 #TIL

2024-07-29 08:19:10

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@npub1fxu…z70u The converse is also true. Lots of things used to be perfectly acceptable in the past, some which now attract hefty prison sentences. :P

2024-07-29 06:57:03

Wordle 1,136 3/6*
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2024-07-29 06:55:30

I just completed the DM Crossword in 1 minute and 16 seconds! Can you beat my time? https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-29-mini-crosswords-29-july/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica #crosswords #puzzles #games

2024-07-29 06:15:59

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@npub1jkg…npsp 🫶

2024-07-29 05:14:32

Morning, all! It's #Monday. Let's go out there and do amazing things this week. :-) #MondayMotivation

2024-07-28 09:42:30

Wordle 1,135 6/6*
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*phew!*
#wordle #wordle1135 #puzzles #games

2024-07-27 11:18:18

I just heard that my nephew-in-law has been awarded his Springbok colours in #shooting. He will be representing #SouthAfrica in the #Africa Champs in September. And not juniors either (although he's under 18); men. That's amazing! 🎉🇿🇦

2024-07-27 09:32:45

Yes, #English can be weird.
It can be understood through tough thorough thought, though.
#funnies

2024-07-27 09:20:15

Reminds me of when my parents used to take me #camping as a child, in our folding caravan with the canvas walls, and we had to lug around our portable black and white #TV (I have no idea what size the screen was. Probably no more than about seven or eight inches. But it was obviously a CRT, so it was quite bulky and heavy).
Ah, good memories! :-)
https://techcentral.co.za/skyworth-portable-google-tv-versatility/248679/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#nostalgia

2024-07-27 08:28:37

Wordle 1,134 5/6*
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#wordle #wordle1134 #puzzles #games

2024-07-27 08:24:03

Morning, everyone. Have a wonderful #Saturday! :-)

2024-07-26 15:11:58

Indeed. #worrying #positivity #inspiration #motivation #peanuts #cartoons
https://cdn.mastodon.africa/media_attachments/files/112/853/419/732/303/892/original/cd5cb2019f8a5d2a.png

2024-07-26 14:56:28

Pretty good review of #DeadpoolAndWolverine. Daughter's been anxiously waiting, so we're going to see it next weekend (NOT on opening weekend; are you mad?! 😛). Should be pretty good.
https://gadget.co.za/deadpoolmovi125f/?utm_source=Mastodon #Marvel #MCU #movies

2024-07-26 10:02:17

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@npub18yh…5uzq I recognise a few of those. Fond memories!

2024-07-26 09:58:49

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@npub1ge7…h972 😆

2024-07-26 09:51:21

How many people grew up with Zam-Buk in #SouthAfrica? I did, but #TIL that it actually originated in Leeds, England. :-O

2024-07-26 09:48:36

Wow, #Ticketmaster just acquired #Quicket in #SouthAfrica. That's a pretty big acquisition! https://techcentral.co.za/ticketmaster-acquires-quicket/248636/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica #business

2024-07-26 08:55:04

I really like what they're doing with the 2024 Gold Dragon design!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO7VghUqebw
#DnD #TTRPG

2024-07-26 07:51:50

Did you know that the oldest known recognisable recording of a human voice was made in 1857, long before Edison released his phonograph?!
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0j7x5f7/listen-to-the-oldest-known-recording-of-a-human-voice?utm_source=Mastodon
#history #science #sound

2024-07-26 07:37:39

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@npub1d3h…nxw9 Morning, CD. Everything you just said, right back at ya! :-)

2024-07-26 07:36:55

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@npub1ktc…5seh I've always thought it was pronounced "Engine X" :)

2024-07-26 07:02:32

Wordle 1,133 4/6*
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#wordle #wordle1133 #puzzles #games

2024-07-26 06:54:08

I just completed the DM Crossword in 1 minute and 7 seconds! Can you beat my time? https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-26-mini-crosswords-26-july/?utm_source=MastodonAfrica
#crosswords #puzzles #games

2024-07-26 06:53:00

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@npub14v7…gh4f Woohoo! Have a wonderful weekend, Mal! :-)

2024-07-26 06:40:49

Hey, everyone. Guess what?! It's #Friday! :-D

2024-07-25 07:58:45

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@npub1d3h…nxw9 Thanks, man. You too! :-)

2024-07-25 07:46:59

If you have an electric fence around your property in #SouthAfrica (Most free-standing homes in suburban areas do), you might want to make sure it complies with all the new standards: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/security/545747-big-changes-for-electric-fences-in-south-africa.html?utm_source=MastodonAfrica #crime #SANS

2024-07-25 06:50:09

"#Emotions aren't noise. They're #data" - Sigal Barsade #quotes

2024-07-25 06:30:34

LOL Mix 93.8 just played "Weird Al" Yankovic's "Eat It" (Parody of Michael Jackson's "Beat It"). It's been a long time since I've heard song. Classic! 😆 #music #parodies