Latest posts
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Beyond the Stage: The Secret Lives (and Brilliance) of Backup Dancers and Session Musicians
Somewhere just behind the spotlight, outside the camera’s frame, or beneath the roar of the lead vocals, there’s someone else doing the heavy lifting. They don’t have solo albums. They’re not signing autographs outside the venue. But they’re the reason the magic happens—and frankly, it’s time we gave them their flowers. Backup dancers and session
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The Paradox of Travel: Finding Connection (and Disconnection) on the Road
There’s something sacred about a suitcase half-packed and a playlist that starts with longing. For me, travel has always been both an escape and a reckoning. It’s the act of physically moving through space while emotionally sifting through the weight I’ve carried from place to place—from a trailer in West Texas to a crowded train
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The Gameplay Pollen Patch: Stop Putting NFTs and Microtransactions in My Single-Player Games – A Plea to Preserve Artistic Integrity
The digital realms we inhabit are meant to be immersive, captivating, and often, profound escapes. As a lifelong gamer, I cherish the meticulously crafted narratives, the challenging gameplay loops, and the sheer artistry that developers pour into creating these interactive universes. But lately, a deeply unsettling trend has begun to cast a pervasive shadow over
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The Comfort of the Rewatch: Why Matthew Revisits His Favorite Shows When the World Is Wild
For most of my life, I’ve been a one-and-done kind of TV viewer. Watch it once, maybe cry a little (or a lot), file it into the “Emotionally Wrecked” section of my brain, and move on. I’ve never understood people who rewatch shows over and over again. There’s so much new content out there, why
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The Erosion of Expertise: Why We Trust Influencers More Than Scientists
There was a time—not long ago—when having a degree, years of experience, and a peer-reviewed body of work meant something. When we turned to doctors for medical advice, climatologists for climate science, and historians to explain history. Now? We’re in an age where a TikToker with a ring light and a well-timed lip sync can
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The Science of the Perfect Bite: Why Texture Matters More Than You Think (Especially for Me)
There’s a lot I miss about having a sense of smell. Freshly brewed coffee, sizzling bacon, the way the world comes alive in a bakery — it’s like music for your nose. But thanks to a particularly rude visit from COVID-19, that entire symphony has gone radio silent. My anosmia was supposed to be temporary.
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The Art of the Perfect Side-Eye: A Masterclass in Non-Verbal Communication
Some people wield words like weapons. Others prefer subtle daggers of silence. Me? I’ve got the side-eye. Not just any side-eye. I’m talking about a calculated, well-seasoned, generationally perfected look that says everything I don’t need to vocalize — with just a flick of the eyeball. My abuela had it. My mother could do it