Within the borders of every state waits a monster. Some states have multiple. While all are dangerous some will not let you escape. We have each ranked on a survivability index. The higher the number, the better chance you have of making it home. Alabama – The Fouke Monster is a Bigfoot-like beast that stalks…
Category: Culture
The Dreamlike Power of Hitchcock’s Iconic Redwoods Scene
Here I was born, and there I died. It was only a moment for you; you took no notice. These immortal words reflect the cyclical nature of life, destiny, and finding meaning in it all, visibly shown with rings in a tree. They also capture the essence of some truly iconic scenes in cinema history, which…
Finding Hidden Treasures in Kids’ Picture Books
There’s usually way more going on in kids’ picture books than just what the story is about. Many clever illustrators hide little objects and “Easter eggs” in the artwork for young readers to find! I used to get a kick out of searching for these concealed gems with my twin sons. It’s become one of…
Reservation Dogs – A Miracle of a Show
Reservation Dogs burst onto the scene in 2021, a new comedy series on FX created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi. On the surface, it may seem an odd show – focusing on four indigenous teenagers living on a rural Oklahoma reservation as they commit petty crimes while dreaming of escaping to the glamorous promised…
LSU vs. LMU 1990 – My 30 Year Obession
I stopped watching college basketball after having kids. I had tapered off to just the tourney at that point anyway but in the 90s. I was fully invested. I saw all the big moments live as most did back in those days, Christian Lattener’s impossible shot, Chris Weber’s time out. They are seared in my…
Finding Inner Happiness: Tim Ferriss and Arthur Brooks Discuss the Art and Science of Wellbeing
Earlier today I listened to Tim Ferriss’ conversation with Arthur Brooks. (Listen to it here) Much of the conversation was about happiness. Brooks is a professor at Harvard focused on the science of happiness. Happiness eludes me but I find pleasure enough to distract me. So I took notes. The two explored many insights into…
Why Jackie Brown is Tarantino’s Best Film
With his unique style and over-the-top violence, Quentin Tarantino has crafted some incredible films over the years. But in my opinion, his most nuanced and compelling work is 1997’s Jackie Brown. Now available to watch on Amazon Prime, Jackie Brown stands out for its restraint and subtlety compared to Tarantino’s other films. I’ve always liked…
Should You Self-Publish Your Book? My Journey to Making a Decision
Deciding how to publish my book has been one of the biggest decisions I’ve faced as an author. I wrote a compilation of short stories set in Kansas, which can be a harder sell than other genres or settings. After researching my options, I realized self-publishing made the most sense for my book. As a…
The Man Who Hates Good Movies: Armond White
Among the most infamous contrarian film critics is Armond White, who seems to take particular pleasure in defying critical consensus and panning beloved movies. White pulls no punches when reviewing Oscar contenders and box office smashes alike.
Neill Blomkamp: The Director who Disappeared. (But he’s back)
I first discovered the work of director Neill Blomkamp back in 2005 when his sci-fi short film Alive in Joburg took the internet by storm. This was pre-iPhone and just at the inception of YouTube. Even today, over 15 years later, I still remember being utterly captivated by that 6-minute short. The innovative CGI, the…