What to Do With These Scattered and Orphaned Thoughts?
I’m quite the optimist when it comes to the potential of ideas. I feel like many of my best ideas haven’t been fully actualized in word form just yet. Within my hyperactive creative mind, unwritten thoughts often meander like untamed rivers, branching off into tributaries, eventually leading to a great ocean of inspiration. Sadly, most […]
AUDIOPHILES: Reveling in the Genius of David Bowie’s “Quicksand”
“I’m sinking in the quicksand of my thoughtAnd I ain’t got the power anymore” – David Bowie, “Quicksand” (1971) “Quicksand” may be the greatest song that David Bowie ever wrote. This song is the 6th track on Bowie’s December 1971 album “Hunky Dory.” Bowie often explored the boundaries of identity, reality, and artifice, and “Quicksand” […]
Never Underestimate the Power of Media
We must never underestimate the profound influence of media. While it’s easy to dwell on its negative aspects, it’s crucial we acknowledge the positive contributions it makes to our society. Media is a dynamic force, not only reflecting our values, but also giving people the power to shape and redefine them. So, how can we […]
Life is Not a Grade
In 2003, for a junior year high school English, I wrote many short essays as part of a weekly homework assignment. One of these has hung around in my archives for many years, a more substantial piece called “Life is Not a Grade,” a whimsical yet insightful expedition into the notion that our existence cannot […]
AUDIOPHILES: An Appreciation of No Doubt’s “Spiderwebs”
No Doubt is that rare band which skillfully skates across the thin ice of mainstream success without falling through into the icy waters of sell-out accusations. They emerged from the Southern California ska scene in the late 1980s, injecting a vibrant, punk-tinged energy into the airwaves of the 90s. With Gwen Stefani at the helm, […]
Literature and Tenderness
“Literature is built on tenderness toward any being other than ourselves.” – Olga Tokarczuk This powerful assertion from Olga Tokarczuk’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech once stirred the literary world. It’s a profound statement that I identify with deeply, along with many other lovers of literature. After all, literature is more than a mere arrangement of […]
Creating a (More) Perfect Sentence
The concept of a “perfect” sentence is as elusive as a mirage in a sprawling desert. We chase it, knowing full well it recedes from us with each step we take forward. As a writer, I’ve come to recognize that while there may be objectively bad writing, the art of composing sentences is profoundly subjective. […]
How to Gain Momentum in Life and Get Things Done
You may have read a lot about how we need to build up momentum in our lives in order to find success. What does it mean to gain momentum? Once we do, what benefits does having momentum give us in life? Why We Need Momentum in Life Think of momentum this way. Say you’re riding […]
My Fascination With Bridges
I have long been a fan of bridges. Their construction, their architecture, and their beauty are an art form. More than anything else, they stand as permanent examples of making connections. After all, bridges are for crossing. Bridges are some of the most beautiful structures in the world. When you drive, bike, or walk over […]