trader joe.

in final fantasy xiv's third expansion, shadowbringers (2019), the player contends with deep societal issues, including wealth inequality and oppression. but one city, the crystarium, stands in complete contrast, with a communal system that makes goods available to everyone. can we, the player, learn from the allegory? all of this, and more, here:

the brooding white male protagonist, an underdog character with a *lesson* to learn, facilitated by every other character but himself. but what does he reveal about broader culture? and what does the relationship between the writers of these movies and tv and the fans reveal about our culture's relationship to women and people of color? all of this, and more, here:

sex and the city's most important, and toxic, relationship is of course, carrie & mr. big. yet, despite numerous moments of self-awareness and conviction, carrie still ends up with big in the end. why is that? an exploration into this, and more, here:

music journalism is bigger than ever, and has never been more controversial, or unnecessary. but when the genre turns to sensationalism and ignores empathy, can it actually turn to cruelty? in examining Anthony Fantano's (theneedledrop) review of Halsey's 2024 album 'The Great Impersonator' i ponder these questions, and more, all here:

people are always telling me about the hopes and dreams they left behind. what's stopping them from achieving what they want? in a world of existential inertia and adult responsibility, you still remain as the only person in control of your own destiny. you can read about this and more, here:

napoleon dynamite is a cult-classic indie film from the early 2000's that simultaneously has a lot, and very little to say. but with the recent popularity of the "liminal space," no better can a film whose settings of vast nothingness tell us more about who these spaces can not only accompany a film, but become a character/spectator, than this one. all of this and more, here:

'clearblue" - a poem by Peyton Westwood.