function show() { $timings = Timing::orderBy('artist_name', 'asc')->get(); $select_timings = Timing::lists('artist_name', 'artist_name'); $title = "Plan by Artist"; $user = Auth::user(); $already_selected_timings = []; // if logged in then set this to an actual array if ($user !== null) { $already_selected_timings = $user->timings->lists('artist_name', 'artist_name')->toArray(); } return view('byartist', compact('timings', 'select_timings', 'already_selected_timings', 'title')); }