Heyo! Happy Wednesday! This post is a bit personal, but I hope you'll stick with me and read it!
When I was a kid, I LOVED to read. I would read entire books in one sitting sometimes. I was at a college reading level when I was only eleven years old. Reading was my life at that time, however, school sucked all the enjoyment out of reading for me, and I stopped reading as a teenager. As of writing this post, I have not finished a book since 2011. Sure, I've started a few but never stuck to it and finished any that I began.
Now that my mental health is the best it's ever been in forever, I thought why not get back into reading. I talked to my best friend about it and she suggested I start by re-reading a book I enjoyed. Following her advice, I am starting with The Book Thief by Markus Zusak because I remember it leaving a mark on my soul after I read it.
I am keeping up with my reading progress on a sideblog on Tumblr, but I wanted to also post an update here every once in a while. I plan to update that blog at least once a week and maybe I'll write a post once a month here about my progress.
My goal for 2026 is I want to read at least 6 books. A small number, but hopefully attainable. I feel like I'm starting with baby steps again. I think the first few books I read will be ones I remember loving when I was younger.
I look forward to sharing my favorite books and exploring more literature. I've got a hefty list of books I'd like to read. We shall see if I get through all of them. I will be tracking the number of books, pages, and words - if possible - on a spreadsheet. If you know me, you know I love my spreadsheets. Some of the books on the list are based on films and shows I've enjoyed. I do plan to read the entire Bridgerton series.
I guess the goal is to rediscover my love for reading. I need a new hobby that's not just scrolling social media.
Please feel free to recommend me books! I have no clue what I am going to like as an adult. I know as a child I loved historical fiction, mystery, and once in a while historical non-fiction. Nothing is off limits. Not even spicy books. Every genre is welcome!
A lot of people dream of flying. They can achieve that dream in various ways including getting their pilot license, being flown in an airplane, bungee jumping, or even skydiving. Have any of them considered attaching helium balloons to a lawn chair? One man considered exactly that. How did a truck driver from California soar 16,000 feet in the air in just a lawn chair?
Larry Walters with Inspiration I
Ever since he was eight years old, Larry Walters, or Lawnchair Larry, dreamt of flying. At thirteen years old, he spotted weather balloons in a military surplus store and began using those balloons to achieve his dream. Larry had tried the safest most sane way to fly, which was trying to enlist for the United States Air Force, but due to his poor eyesight, he was turned down. Instead becoming a cook in the Vietnam War. Despite his dream seeming harder to achieve, he never gave up.
In 1982, at 33 years old, Lawnchair Larry finally achieved his dream. After some careful planning, Larry along with the two people who funded this endeavor, Carol Van Deusen, Larry's girlfriend at the time, and Ron Richlin bought about 43 weather balloons to tie to his Sears lawn chair. They also attached several gallons of water to stabilize the chair. The craft was called Inspiration I and one was all they needed. According to Larry, the entire project cost about $1,500 at the time which is almost $5,000 today. The original plan was for Inspiration I to soar to just 100 feet above and maybe fly over the Mojave Desert then Larry would shoot himself down with a BB gun until he was back on the ground.
That did not happen. After the tether tied to keep him ground snapped, Lawnchair Larry quickly picked up speed and height. He stated that he traveled about 1,000 feet a minute and ended up at around 16,000 feet in the air. It is reported that he was seen by at least two commercial flights after Inspiration I unintentionally flew over LAX. Being so high, Larry began shooting a few balloons to begin his descent, but he ended up dropping his BB gun.
Eventually, he descended enough for the weather balloons to entangle in some power wires, causing a twenty-minute power outage in Long Beach. Lawnchair Larry was finally lowered back to Earth and he was unharmed. On the ground waiting for him were his friends, girlfriend and police. Unfortunately, he was arrested and fined thousands of dollars for violating Federal Aviation Regulations. As he was being arrested, a reporter asked him why he did it, and he responded, "a man can't just sit around".
The flight earned him a Guiness World Record for the highest altitude reached by a chair attached to ballons. He would also go on to win the title of "At-Risk Survivor" and get an honorable mention at the 1993 Darwin Awards. After the flight, Lawnchair Larry appeared on David Letterman, who he shared a short clip of his initial ascent. He briefly became a motivational speaker, but he made it clear that he never made money off his fame.
Inspiration I lawn chair on display at the National Air and Space Museum
Sadly, Larry took his own life in 1993 at just 44 years old. He will forever be remembered as a brave soul who achieved his dream even after it seemed impossible. The lawn chair that was once Inspiration I is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.
If you found this as interesting as I did, let me know! If you would like me to research and write about anything in history, feel free to comment.
Heyo! Happy Wednesday! This week, I thought why not focus on a brand-new album released by one of my favorite artists.
Nick Jonas
Of course I am talking about Nick Jonas's new album, Sunday Best, which released this past weekend. If you're new here, I am a BIG Jonas Brothers fan. Know to call myself a Kevin coded Joe girl with a PhD in Nick's filmography and Franklin's biggest fan. I adore all four brothers with my whole heart and have been following their careers for the past twenty years.
Despite being a Joe girl, I am a big fan of Nick's solo music. I do not partake in ASMR, but I imagine the "tingles" is exactly what Nick's voice does to my brain. He is so incredibly talented. I absolutely love this album and will inevitably ramble about how much I enjoy each song in this post. No apologies.
Disclaimer: I am not a music critique. Just someone who enjoys listening to music and writing about it. So, this post is just going to be me rambling about what I enjoyed about the album.
1. "Sweet to Me"
It's giving "Jersey" and From Your Hometown with a twinge of The Album vibes. I love the sound of the acoustic guitar. It's got a very sentimental feel to it. I love when he starts vocalizing. The things this man can do with his voice is insane. The tone and sound of his voice capture me even when he's not even trying. Also let's shout out that choir at the end. Our boy sure does sound good when backed by a choir. I do want to turn his "ba-da-da-dum-dum" into the text tone for my phone. It's just so lovely. The beginning of the song is a memory and then he compares the "sweet" memories to being in love. He is cherishing the woman he loves like he cherishes those memories. I need to point out that he made a nod to one of my favorite Nick memes. Unsure if it was on purpose or just by chance.
2. "Handprints"
When I first got into the Jonas Brothers 20 years ago, Nick was thirteen turning fourteen. Practically a baby - I say as if I wasn't nine. With that being said, it still blows me away that he is married and a dad. I knew about this song before the album was released and finally getting to listen to it makes my heart happy. This song is about how he wishes he could slow down time to spend more with his daughter, Malti Marie. He very much conveys how much he relishes being a father. He's been really open about parenthood and spoken about his favorite parts and some of his struggles. I love the lines "We could get there faster if we took a car / So we don't," because it demonstrates how precious every moment with his daughter is. He doesn't take advantage of his time with her. Every moment is special to him. It's a very sweet song. We love a girl dad. The strings in this song are beautiful. It's a perfect song for father-daughter dances at weddings.
3. "I Need You"
We knew Nick was taking us to church with this album, and he sure did. This track is a beautiful gospel tune where his vocals shine through with the support of the simple piano and the gorgeous choir. This is what I imagine heaven sounds like. It's another gorgeous love song. We love a man who is completely consumed by his love for his wife. I think if I was married to Priyanka Chopra Jonas, I'd also write love songs for her. This song gives praise and worship at church. Between Nick's vocals, the piano, and the choir it is angelic. He sings about the love he has for his wife and how much he needs her, even saying "she's proof of Heaven". I love the religious themes of this album without making it a flat-out religious album. He has executed it so well.
4. "You Got Me"
Another beautiful love song because the man is rightfully obsessed and in love with his wife. As we all are. He appreciates how she has become his safe place, singing "Look at what we found, don't know where or how / So much safer now" and later on sings, "They were parts of me I thought no one else would ever see / But you got me". He is unafraid to be himself with her. He feels safe with her. And they fit together perfectly. The song demonstrates that he is in absolute awe of her. It's so sweet and makes my heart so happy that he's found a love like that.
5. "Gut Punch"
I LOVE THIS SONG WITH MY WHOLE HEART! Man had it stuck in my head months before he finally gave it to us. If you haven't seen the music video, give it a watch. You will always be famous, Jick Nonas. This song is near and dear to my heart because I also deal with anxiety and negative self-talk. It's actually something I've been working on in therapy and something the Jonas Brothers have helped me with. It's a song about self-compassion which is something we ALL need. My dad always said "you're your biggest critic" and it is true. It's easier to be mean to yourself than to say something positive. Nick is so vulnerable in this song, but I am so grateful to him for trusting us with it. So, thank you, Nick. Can we please get you on The Muppet Show now that it's back?
6. "Hope"
As of writing this post, this is my favorite song off the album. In this song, he speaks directly to God. If you're unfamiliar with the story, Nick and his brothers were raised Pentecostal. Their father was the pastor of a church, and they often sang at church. They ended up getting ousted from the church due to the Jonas Brothers making secular music. It's a whole thing that they get into in their documentary, Chasing Happiness. I only bring up this context, so you better understand the song. He starts explaining that his soul was on fire when he was a kid, but as time progressed, he finds his faith waning and he is reaching out to God for some hope and some proof. I know this song might rub some people the wrong way, but as some who also grew up in church and has been having a question of faith, I appreciate how real it is. Besides that, the song sounds amazing even without picking apart the lyrics, the lyrics make me feel seen. My family is still religious and still attends church and reads the Bible and that's what I was raised on, but I don't agree with their agendas behind their beliefs. So, it's nice to know I'm not the only one battling my faith. With this song he was able to articulate what I have struggled explaining for the past eleven years. Hilariously, two years ago I joked to my mom that the only people who could get me to go back to church is Joe Jonas, but who knows maybe it's Nick.
7. "Seeing Ghosts"
New drinking game: take a drink every time Nick Jonas is obsessed with Priyanka. This track has a GREAT sound that compliments his voice very well. He sings about how being in love his almost supernatural and even "metaphysical". It does continue with the themes of the album, except this time it's more of a spiritual experience. I absolutely love this song. It's definitely a bop that'll get you moving. The man is so down bad for his wife, and I respect it because I am too. "Take my soul out of my body for you, I do so much more than most" can be interpreted in different ways whether it's romantically, spiritually, or sexually. Either way man got the lovebug, but does not need a cure.
8. "Aphrodite"
The vibes of this track are immaculate. I'd say it feels reminiscent of Nick's last solo album, Spaceman. Yet another song about being down bad. This one we get more of Nick vocalizing which is ALWAYS a great time. Man has more talent in a fingernail than I will EVER have in a million years and that is why I will never shut up about him. The lyrics tell a story of perhaps someone becoming smitten that they are willing to pay the price to be with the person they desire. He compares her to Aphrodite. It's a very chill song compared to the tracks before. It's probably his weakest song on the album, but that's not saying much because it's still a great song.
9. "911"
I remember when he posted a clip from this song and I was HYPED! I believe that's how he first teased this album. It was probably last year or 2024, but it feels like forever ago. It's giving independent artist on SoundCloud. We have another contender for my text tone in his "wee-ooh-wee-ooh". Another track with a chill vibe musically, despite the lyrics being about heartbreak. It's giving his brother, Joe's song "Heart By Heart" with the feeling of the person you love moving on with someone new. I really enjoy this song and it's reminiscent of his R&B days which he's moved away from, but he will never shake it completely. His voice in this song truly scratches my brain. We need to talk about the guitars in this song. Anytime a Jonas releases a song with some rock influences, I am happy. Will forever be waiting for the return of the pop-punk Jonas Brothers.
10. "The Greatest (ft. Jonas Brothers)"
As the resident Joe girl, OF COURSE I was hoped to have "Selfish" part two electric boogaloo. Loved Nick's collab with Jonas Brothers on Spacemanand loved this collab too. Anytime I get to hear new vocals from Joe, I am happy and he did not disappoint on this track. I love the opening piano plus the little instrumental moment between Nick and Joe's first verses. This one seems like another song about break up. They sing about how despite all the pain and heartbreak they've dealt with in the past, this one is "the greatest". I need to applaud the part where Joe sings in his lower register. We rarely get those moments, but I cherish them every single time. I love this song and it's a great addition to the Jonas Brothers discography.
11. "Princesses"
Why am I crying in the club? There is something so beautiful about the Jonas Brothers all being girl dads and I will never shut up about it. This song is so beautiful. It's another song about how much he loves being a father and how much he adores his little girl. The song is about how he wouldn't want to be anywhere else but playing princesses with her. He asks her to stay small and not to grow up. It's so sweet. It makes me so happy how much he adores his family and that he doesn't take any time with them for granted. He's been open about the difficulty with Malti Marie's delivery and I think that adds to why he cherishes every moment with her. I am dad Nick's biggest fan.
As I was finishing up this post, Nick decided to drop the deluxe version on Spotify with two new songs and a live version of "Gut Punch" the DAY before this is supposed to go live. So, here is my thoughts on the new songs because I already wrote about "Gut Punch" I don't have to write about the live version.
12. "London Foolishly"
The song starts with audio from an old video of Nick from when he was still a teenager, I believe. I don't think I ever saw the original video where he played this song or if he ever posted the video to the public, but hearing him from years ago made me nostalgic, even though I hadn't heard this song before. In the intro audio, he explains he wrote the song after not being able to sleep and that the song was inspired by the city of London. If you didn't know, Nick has spent his fair share of time in London as he performed in the West End production of Les Miserables in 2010, and also performed in the 25th anniversary concert at the O2 the same year. The way the lyrics are put together is reminiscent of how Nick wrote songs when he was younger. He could have released this song the exact way it is in 2010 and I would fit in with his discography at the time. It's a very mellow and pretty song. I understand why he left if off the album, but I am glad he included it in the deluxe version!
13. "While You're Gone"
Another great song with a great sound. This song feels like it could have been included on the original album, but for some reason he chose to save it for the deluxe, which I am NOT complaining about. Something about this song is making me thing of "Rose Garden" from Who I Am. It very well could have been a rejected song from that album. His voice is incredible, but we already knew that. It's a great pop track and is reminiscent of the pop I grew up with in the mid and late 2000s, however it is also fresh and new. I am very happy with this song and see myself listening to it a lot.
Overall, I absolutely love Sunday Best. If you haven't listened to it yet, I HIGHLY recommend giving it a listen. I think it's about time we finally recognize Nick for the incredibly talented songwriter and producer he is. He is not just another pretty popstar with a killer voice; he is so much more than that and needs to be celebrated for his talent.
This album very much displays his voice, songwriting, producing, and the love he has for his family and in my opinion is his best album to date.
Heyo! As you saw, I haven't posted in a few weeks. I was planning to take a short week or two off, but THEN life spun absolutely out of control. My mom ended up in the hospital. I went to the emergency to find out I have really bad tonsilitis. I had to move and just now things are starting to settle, so hopefully by next week I'll be able to get back to posting normal.
My mom is out of the hospital now and doing a lot better. I am still fighting tonsilitis as of writing this, but it seems to be clearing up and my voice is coming back little by little.
I would usually post this on a Wednesday, but I have a treat on Wednesday so it's going up Monday instead.
Hope you're all healthy, staying warm, and doing well.
Another Friday, another person I adore. This week's post is about a fictional character again. He is an often ignored character, so I am giving him the spotlight today.
Daniel Henney as Matt Simmons, Criminal Minds
Matt Simmons is a fictional character from my favorite show, Criminal Minds. He is portrayed by the incredibly talented - and awfully pretty - Daniel Henney. He is my favorite character of the Criminal Minds franchise and ranks very high in my ranking of fictional character of all time.
Matt is introduced in season ten, in the episode "Beyond Borders" which was the backdoor pilot for the spin-off, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. He started as an International Response Team (IRT) agent and partnered with the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) on a case in Barbados. From his introduction, we learn that he has four children under three years old - which is later retconned to make the kids older. One of his fellow agents, Lily Lambert jokingly calls him "quite the breeder".
Matt Simmons in "Beyond Borders"
Matt would go on to appear in all 26 episodes of CR:BB. We meet his family throughout the series. He is married to Kristy and together they have Jake, David, Chloe, and Lily. In an episode of CR:BB, Matt meets his maternal grandmother for the first time while visiting South Korea. It is revealed that he was raised by a Korean mother and a white father - similar to Daniel Henney. He admits facing racism in his childhood from his father's family. He is from Carson City, Michigan, just like his actor, but his first law enforcement job was in Detroit.
Matt appears again in Criminal Minds in season twelve when he helps the BAU get Spencer Reid out of jail in Mexico. He doesn't become a main character until season thirteen following the death of Special Agent Stephen Walker. Matt remained on with the BAU for the remainder of the original series.
In the episode, "Saturday" Matt is seen losing his mind trying to fix up the nursery for his and Kristy's fifth child that is on the way. Kristy and Matt share with David Rossi that they are having slight financial trouble raising four - soon to be five - kids and anticipating having to pay five college tuitions. Dave learns that while with the IRT, Matt would come home and tell his children stories from his travels and wrote the stories in notebooks. Having published a few books of his own, Dave offers to help Matt publish his book to help make more money. Kristy and Matt go on to name the fifth Simmons child, Rose Mary because it's the closest they could get to "Rossi".
It is mentioned that Matt was in the US military, but there are two contradictions to which part he served in. I believe he or someone else directly mentions he has a connection to the army, but later in the Criminal Minds episode, "Ghost" he mentions the Marines' creed. In the same episode it is revealed that he played basketball in high school and in college.
Matt does not appear in Criminal Minds: Evolutions, but he is mentioned as being away on an assignment.
Matt Simmons in the bullpen
In Criminal Minds: The Mobile Game it is revealed that like Dr. Tara Lewis, Matt likes classic cars and fixing them. I have not completed the game, but I hope it drops more lore for Matt.
Not that you've gotten the low down on Matt, allow me to ramble about him! I have been a fan of Criminal Minds since it started airing. It is the reason I love fictional detective and true crime shows. HOWEVER, I was not a fan of Matt when he initially came onto the show or even when I caught a few episodes of Beyond Borders when it aired. It wasn't until I was on my second rewatch of Criminal Minds back in 2023 that I became attached to Matt.
Matt Simmons, Criminal Minds
I immediately fell in love with him upon hearing his voice again. He has a very soothing and beautiful voice in my opinion. I hyperfixated on the character and Daniel Henney. Being that I had already watched all of CM before, I was able to focus on Matt. I got to appreciate Daniel Henney's subtle acting choices and that is why he became one of my favorite actors.
I love that Matt seems to be one of the only male characters in the show with a healthy balance of work and family life. He is happily married and in love with Kristy - so am I - and he always makes time for his kids. In a season fifteen episode, while Kristy is pregnant with Rose Mary, Matt is on full time dad duty with the four older kids. He wants to cook with them but opts for ordering pizza instead. He makes up a board game with them. The episode ends with him enjoying a glass of wine while listening to Madame Butterfly which he tried to explain to one of his daughters, but she did not grasp it. He is incredibly dedicated to his family and doesn't let work take him away from them emotionally, even if it does physically.
Daniel Henney and Kelly Frye as Matt and Kristy Simmons in "Ex-Parte"
We see Matt's love and devotion to Kristy in "Ex-Parte" when a group of terrorists break into her work and threaten her life. Let's be honest, a man going wild to save and protect the woman he loves is SO hot.
Thanks to Daniel Henney's performance, Matt is such a fun character to watch even if he's not talking. In subtle body language and smiles, you can see his friendship with Penelope Garcia and Tara. In the subtle expression on his face when he sees Spencer in jail in season ten, you can see how deeply he cares for Spencer. You can even see him contemplate hugging Spencer for a quick moment.
In "Ghost" you see his friendship with Luke Alvez as they both work together to survive being kidnapped and tortured. There's a scene on the plane at the end of the episode where they exchange creeds or mottos for their respective military branches.
Daniel Henney and Adam Rodriguez as Matt Simmons and Luke Alvez, Criminal Minds
Matt cares for everyone he works with and Daniel Henney's performance really illustrates that. If you're a fan of CM like I am, I highly recommend giving some attention to Matt on your next watch and notice the little things.
Matt is severely ignored or "accidentally" left out by most Criminal Minds fans in discussions or even memes. I understand it to an extent because the writers did very little with him once he joined the main show. However, despite Matt being in the show longer than a few characters that do get mentioned in discussions and memes, he continues to be ignored.
Please stop ignoring Matt. He's a great and fun character. Thank you for letting me ramble about this fictional man I am in love with. Have a great weekend!
Welcome to the first Kinda Review of 2026! The album I am focusing on today is one that is near and dear to my heart and played a vital role in my life. I listened the hell out of this album when it first came out and it will forever have a place in the opened tabs of my mind.
Who I Am album cover and track listing
Of course, I am talking about Who I Am by Nick Jonas & The Administration. Personally, I am a really big fan of the Jonas Brothers and with that comes a love for all three brothers. NOW let's be clear that Nick Jonas & The Administration was an actual band. Not just Nick going solo. So let me shout out the incredible musicians that made this album happen.
Nick is on lead vocals, but he also played rhythm guitar, drums, and piano for the band both. John Fields who played bass and gave backing vocals. Three members of The Administration worked with Prince and are former members of New Power Generation. Michael Bland played drums, percussion, and backing vocals. Tommy Barbarella played synthesizers and keyboards. Sonny Thompson who did not work on the album did play lead guitar and gave backing vocals during live performances. David Ryan Harris, Michael Logen, and Nick's father, Kevin Jonas Sr. also gave their talents to the album.
Nick Jonas & The Administration (John Fields, Michael Bland, Nick Jonas, Sonny Thompson, Tommy Barbarella)
I love Who I Am because it was completely different from Nick's work with his brothers, but the vibe fit him and his voice so well. And let's not forget he wrote every single song on the album and he was only seventeen when he recorded it. He was a teen when he wrote these songs and to me it's an incredible feat. He was able to work with the band and record the album in just 8 days. I am not going to use this to rant about Nick's talents. Maybe he needs (another) Fangirl Friday post before his new album comes out.
Who I Am was released in 2010. It came out right before my 13th birthday. I remember watching every live performance I could on TV or find on YouTube. I was OBSESSED which is wild because I was (and still am) a Joe girl and Nick has always been my least favorite Jonas Brother - someone had to come in last, and it was him. The album was just that good to me. Still is that good. I think I appreciate it more now as an adult who has listened to far more music than I did at 13.
Disclaimer: I am not a music critique. Just someone who enjoys listening to music and writing about it. So this post is just going to be me rambling about what I enjoyed about the album.
1. "Rose Garden"
Can we talk about that opening? The guitar is phenomenal! This was the first song written for the album. Said to have been inspired by a difficult break-up. I won't speculate who it is about, but if you know anything about Nick's dating history, you probably know who this song was about. The lyrics tell the story of a young girl with a working-class background. She is the eponymous "rose" in the song, but the rose garden can also refer to the White House rose garden. The chorus goes "Yeah, in the rose garden / Where the rain is falling / And the thorns are sharpened / Rose garden, yeah". Honestly my interpretation was always that the "rose" in the story was someone who might have been hurt by the narrator or "main character" of the album. Perhaps she is his daughter or even the woman mentioned in "Olive & an Arrow". I love the bass and guitar of this track. It's quite the vibe.
2. "Who I Am"
THIS SONG! Picture little 13yr old me singing this at the top of my lungs in my room through tears. Because I do think we all want someone to love us for who we are. This song encompasses the yearning for belonging and for love. It mentions the fear of not being able to be strong alone. I strongly believe most if not every person can relate to this song and the emotions. Nick's vocals truly deliver a beautiful performance. It is full of honesty and vulnerability. The music Nick makes with his brothers always makes me feel seen, and this song continued that tradition. I don't know how to put this song with the presidential theme of the album, but I don't think this song can ever be excluded. Musically, this song matches the energy of the other tracks on the album, and I am so glad Nick blessed us with it. To think he wrote this at such a young age boggles my mind.
3. "Olive & an Arrow"
My interpretation of this song is the narrator is falling in love with someone he knows will hurt him because she's done it before. He sings, "I'm just another photo / That made its way on her page / Somehow I stayed but it won't be long." This song is slower and gentler than the two before it, but don't let that fool you. It's still a powerful song as shown with the incredible guitar solo. The chorus goes "She leaves me hoping / That my love won't show / 'Cause I know she'll give me / An olive and an arrow" and goes on to explain it's an arrow through the back. The composition of this song is just SO good. A chill vibe while the narrator sings his heart out about the woman, he's falling in love with but is afraid to show. Let's not forget the organ on this one and the backing vocals. Take me to church!
4. "Conspiracy Theory"
The vibes of this song are immaculate, and Nick's vocal performance is absolutely incredible. It's high energy throughout. Feels a bit hectic like the subject of conspiracy theories. The song continues with the presidential theme. Every single president in office has inspired a few conspiracy theories during their terms. Once again, the organ comes in and just hits in the best ways. Another phenomenal guitar solo because why not? I love this song, and it is one of my favorites off the album. I need to shout out Nick's scream at the top of the song. He doesn't do vocals like that anymore and I MISS it. But I understand why he doesn't do that. The guitar and drums carry this song more than the lyrics do. It's a very fun song to listen to.
5. "In the End"
THE GUITAR! Again, I need to talk about the composition of this song. All the instruments come together SO well. Plus, the chimes. I'd like an entire album with this vibe. Once again Nick gives an incredible vocal performance. He gave us a taste of his falsetto before he went solo. I hope who ever said he'll never make it with his falsetto is kicking themself. The music is incredible while the lyrics tell the story of a thief. What did the person in question steal? That is unclear, but what they've done will come to haunt them "in the end". Could this be "rose"? Or the woman from "Olive & an Arrow"? The world may never know because I didn't watch any interviews before writing this. So, I have no clue if Nick has ever spoken about this album in length.
6. "Last Time Around"
Hands down my favorite song off the album. The dramatics of my brain always interpreted this song being about a prostitute or ex-girlfriend in the story being told. The narrator has met this person before and is attracted to them. He is "a man on a mission" because this person is "all that [he's] after". Could it be "rose"? Perhaps. The vibes of this song are immaculate between the guitar solos, instrumental bridge, incredible drums, thumping bassline. It's all amazing. It's a well-made song both in the composition and the lyrics. I do think this is some of Nick's best work as a songwriter. It was also co-written with Greg Garbowsky, and PJ Bianco and I have to applaud them for what they created seventeen years ago.
7. "Tonight"
HONESTLY, I enjoy this version, but not more than the original. Though it is a complete 180 from the Jonas Brothers' version. I honestly don't have any strong feelings about it. I do enjoy the piano and Nick's soft vocals, but other than that I don't think it's as noteworthy as the rest of the album is.
8. "State of Emergency"
The song is very Stevie Wonder-esque and I wonder if that's what they were going well. Not just the piano, but also how Nick sings. At this point its safe to assume all these songs is about the same woman and the same relationship that is tumultuous to say the least. This one Nick co-wrote with John Fields and boy is it executed well. During this entire album the lyrics have told a story but so has the music in it's own way. I think my favorite vocal performance of Nick's is on this song, but he really gave this album his own so it's a close call honestly.
9. "Vesper's Goodbye"
I want this song played at my funeral as I am being cremated. Bonus points if they can book Nick and The Administration to perform it live. It's a somber song that can come across as exactly what it's titled, a goodbye prayer. Though it's truly about heartbreak using the metaphor of being shot in the chest. Though with the last three lines, "Now I die / And kiss your tender lips goodbye / Pray to God who hears my cry" does sound a bit on the suicidal side, but if the narrator died, we wouldn't have the next song, now would we? It's a beautiful song and it very well could have been the closing song of the album, but it is not.
10. "Stronger (Back on the Ground)"
This should be the anthem for coming out of a dark situation. Finding strength in support and love. It's a great uplifting way to end the album, especially after "Vesper's Goodbye". The organ returns plus the backing vocals take us back to church which I am all here for. The bass and guitar go so well together and let's not forget those drums! Can't get enough guitar solos on this album. Can never get enough of Nick singing with a choir. It's just a great song.
I'd love for Nick to release "Oval Office" even if it's just the demo. I BET he just thinks it's bad, because everyone is their own worst critic, but it might actually be good. I don't believe Nick Jonas is capable of writing a bad song. We do not talk about DCMFTC in this household. It does not exist to me. Though he has denounced that song.
I would give just about anything for Nick and The Administration to come back with another album. They did release a live show which you can find on YouTube, I believe. I haven't watched it as of writing this post, but I definitely will because after listening to all these songs on repeat for a few hours they're all going to be stuck in my head for weeks.
Nick Jonas, 2010
Hopefully Sunday Best gives me new songs to get stuck in my head.
I am planning to post Kinda Reviews every other week so if you would like me to "kinda review" an album, let me know!
Today's post deals with mature sexual themes. Please read at your own discretion. I have other posts that you can read instead.
Cynthia Albritton
Cynthia Albritton, also known as Cynthia Plaster Caster, was an artist and self-proclaimed "super groupie". She was born in Chicago, IL on May 24, 1947, and would go on to be one of the most fascinating artists of the classic rock era.
In 1968, during her final semester at an art college, she was tasked with an assignment to make a plaster cast of something. In a 2012 interview, she recalled, "When my art teacher told me to make a plaster cast as my homework assignment of something that could retain its shape. Something solid. And I'd heard through the grapevine that penises got solid, although I had yet to see that happen." That assignment led to what she is most famous for: plaster casting rock stars' penises.
Cynthia called the penises "packages". Describing herself as a "shy, fledgling, virginal, goody girl that wanted to get laid by cute British boys with long hair and tight pants" she found it difficult at the beginning to find the right subjects. She didn't feel she was "experienced of seductive" saying, "the only way I could go about getting zippers down was, it had to be in a goofy, funny way."
Her first intended subject was Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders. However, Cynthia was ill-equipped to cast his "package" because she was told to use sand and water to make the negative impression. That led to Cynthia creating a sort of dental dam mixture to protect the "packages" from the plaster. The dental damn could easily be removed at the end of the process.
Jimi Hendrix's plaster cast
One of Cynthia's first casts was of the incredibly talented Jimi Hendrix, but he was definitely not her last. Some of her casts went hand in hand with her self-identification of being a groupie. She participated in a 1970 documentary called Groupies, however, she disagreed with the way she was characterized.
At some point she met Frank Zappa, who was entranced with her work. He did not pose for her, but he did support her work, becoming a patron of hers. He's spoken of her work with her former partner, "It was the most fantastic thing I ever heard. I appreciate the work they're doing both artistically and sociologically. Sociologically isn't really heavy. I'm their advisor to see that they're not mistreated." He supported Cynthia by moving her out to Los Angeles, CA. After her LA studio was robbed, he even helped her find somewhere to put her work and protect it.
Pamela Des Barnes, Frank Zappa, and Cynthia Albritton, 1988
Throughout her career, Cynthia casted more than seventy "packages". Among her subjects are Jello Biafra, Peter Shelley, Anthony Newley, Gene Simmons, and Jim Croce. She didn't only cast "packages" in 2000, she began casting breasts. Among those casted were Suzi Gardener, Karen O. and Peaches.
Her work and relationships inspired several songs about her. Gene Simmons wrote "Plaster Caster" that he released with Kiss. Pacific Drift released "Plaster Caster's U.S.A.". Jim Crose released "Five Short Minutes" about his experience. In 2001, a documentary about her and her work was released titled Plaster Caster. It included interviews from a few of her subjects. Cynthia also inspired Miley Cyrus' character in the 2024 film, Drive Away Dolls.
Cynthia would go on to run for mayor of Chicago in 2010 and is quoted saying, "I am not a politician. I am an everyday citizen that is sick and tired of seeing the problems of our city escalate, and I believe we all need to participate in helping to make our city the best it can be." Unfortunately, she did not win the election.
Sadly, Cynthia passed away in 2022 after a battle with illness. However, her memory and her work will live on for a very long time. The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University required her collection in 2023. The collection includes the casts, original art, memorabilia, and personal effects. Among the personal effects are her diaries that hold descriptions of all of her casting sessions.
Sally Timms of The Mekons said about Cynthia, "She chose a very unusual path. And then as a person she was such a sweet, gentle person. You imagine you're gonna meet this very raunch woman who's super sexual and pushy and everything else and she would emerge as this socially shy, gentle, funny woman who was just dedicated to try and cast rock stars' penises, but the image of her and what you think she would be is very different to what she was. She's a total one off, and there won't be any more Cynthias."
I couldn't agree more with Timms. Cynthia first appeared on my radar when I was a teen. She fascinated me as I was a young classic rock fan. There was a time when I remember I wanted to be a groupie. She inspired me. I never did become a groupie, but she inspired me to put more of my writing online. Especially some of the raunchier stuff.
She will never be forgotten, and her legacy will live on in the hearts of fans of her work.
Happy Friday! As we do every Friday, I focus on someone I love and admire. Most of the time it's real-life people, but once in a while I'll write about a fictional character I absolutely adore. Today is one of those days!
Nick Jonas as Nate Kulina, Kingdom (2014-2017)
Let's talk about fictional MMA fighter, Nate Kulina. Nate is portrayed by Nick Jonas in the show, Kingdom. I'll be honest, Kingdom is not a show I would have watched in a million years had I not gone through Nick's filmography, but I did end up enjoying the show. Mostly for his performance. Please keep in mind I have not watched the show in over a year so I may get details wrong or forget to mention a plot or two.
WARNING: Mentions of drug use, overdose, drugging, sexual assault, violence
Kingdom SPOILER AHEAD!!!
Jay (Jonathan Tucker), Nate, and Alvey (Frank Grillo) Kulina
Nate is introduced as the second son of Alvey Kulina who owns Navy St. gym where a handful of local MMA fighters train. Alvey is Nate's trainer. Nate is a fighter and a pretty good one at that. I believe he wins a big fight in the first episode before getting jumped by a gang for something Alvey had done at the start of the episode. Nate is brutally beaten, needing stitches in his head and is out of commission from fighting for a few weeks if not months. During this time, we see his very sweet relationship with his older brother, Jay, and his complicated relationship with his mother, Christina who is a recovering addict and prostitute.
We also get to see Nate's relationship with his dad's girlfriend, Lisa - played by the incredibly talented Kiele Sanchez. Nate and Lisa's friendship is my FAVORITE thing about the show. All of their scenes together are my favorite. Nate lets himself be vulnerable and soft with Lisa. He clearly cares about her a lot and their friendship is one of the strongest on the show - second only to Nate and Jay's relationship. There is a scene where Nate is helping Lisa pack her car before going on maternity leave. Neither of them has to say the words "I love you" because it comes out in the way they speak to each other and the way they care for one another. It's in the hug they share. It's in the mouth guard he gifts her that says "MAMA". It's in the way Nate promises to water her plants and the way she tells him he better call and bother her. Nate and Lisa clearly love each other in a platonic or even a familial way.
I really do hope Nick and Kiele get to work together again in the future because I really loved the way they played off each other with their characters. I have much more to say about their characters' relationship later in the post.
Christina (Joanna Going) and Nate Kulina
Nate's relationships with both of his parents are rocky. He clearly loves and cares about them, but it is SO complicated. Nick's performance both in how he delivered his lines and his body language very much captured the complexities within these relationships. Nate is closer to Alvey both because that his trainer and Alvey was a single dad to Jay and Nate for quite a long time. Christina had abandoned them when Nate was young. When Jay brings Christina back into their lives, Nate is extremely hesitant to welcome her with open arms. She's practically a stranger to him at that point and she also came with a long list of problems. His walls are up for a very good reason and who could blame him.
One night, after Jay wins a fight, the brothers come home to find Christina having overdosed on heroin. Fortunately, they are able to bring her back from the brink of death, but not without Nate giving her a very real and honest speech. He tells her that he's "not gonna lose [my] brother over [her]." It's one of Nate's most vulnerable moments because he clearly is hurt, but he continues to be cautious with her, and he is just honest. He does eventually make up with Christina and the two mend their relationship.
Nate is the glue that keeps the Kulina family together. He is the middleman between Alvey and Jay for a large part of season one. He tries to mend their relationship and eventually does. Nate and Jay need each other in such a strong perhaps even co-dependent way.
Jay and Nate Kulina
Nate is raised in a hyper-masculine world and that goes on to play into his main storyline of being a closeted gay man. He struggles with his sexuality in the beginning of the show and is almost outed by a girl he is sleeping with. Yes, there are quite a few sex scenes in the show. You're welcome, Nick girls.
Despite Nate being the most endearing character with the best intentions, he has his fair share of back luck in the show. I'd even argue that some of the worst things happen to him. He is what I'd like to call the writers' punching bag. He ends up becoming a fitness trainer and begins training an older gentleman. Said older gentleman invites Nate to a party. Nate ends up being drugged and sexually assaulted. I do not care for any other interpretations of that scene because no matter how much you try to explain it away, it IS a rape scene. He was too drugged up to understand what was going on. The next morning, Nate is woken up by the older gentleman's assistant, Will, and Nate gives his most vulnerable monologue of the show and ends up threatening the older gentleman before leaving the house more of a broken man than when he entered the night before.
Unfortunately, the writers made Nate fall in love with Will. I strongly believe it was a poor decision of a love interest, but I got into the show a decade too late. Nate doesn't come out until much later in the show. He comes out to Jay in a very sweet scene. He asks Jay if he's upset that Nate didn't tell him sooner and Jay's response is apologizing for Nate not feeling safe enough to tell him. The scene captures their relationship as brothers so perfectly.
Nick Jonas as Nate Kulina
In the penultimate episode, Nate finally comes out to Alvey who takes it about as bad as you can imagine. Alvey almost immediately calls his son the f-slur leading to the two getting into a fight outside a bar. The fight culminates in the bar's bouncer shooting and killing Nate. I was obviously devastated because if there is anyone on this show who doesn't deserve to die - especially like that - it's Nate. Not only did the show kill such a decently written, well-performed character, but it also killed everything he stood for. Nate was hope not just for the Kulina family, but for all the characters.
After his death, Lisa gives a speech before a big fight about Nate, and it is very sweet and makes me cry every time I watch it. In said speech she said, "there were days where his smile saved my life".
Nick performed Nate with such vulnerability and sometimes a softness. I do think it's his best performance on his filmography so far. I do recommend giving Kingdom a watch. If you've already seen the show, let me know who's your favorite character!
A new year means new music! Music is one of the great loves of my life. I used to make a post annually about my favorite singers because it often changes. So now I'm starting a new annual tradition where I get to ramble about my top artist on my SpotifyWrapped! So here are my top artists of 2025!
Demi Lovato in her music video for "Fast", 2025
5. Demi Lovato
I adore Demi Lovato with my whole heart. They have been part of my life since their Barney days. I've loved everything they've released since their debut album. This past October, Demi released It's Not That Deep. As opposed to the last pop-punk albums they released, they returned to pop and while I adore pop-punk princess Demi, I LOVE popstar Demi. I will have to dedicate a post to the album. My favorite song off it is probably "Ghost". Demi is the only person on this list who is not a Jonas and they have definitely earned their spot in the midst of my Jonas fixation. Demi also got married last year!
Jack Lawless, Joe Jonas, and Jinjoo Lee of DNCE
4. DNCE
One of the most important things to know about me is my love for Joe Jonas. So, of course I am a big fan of his band, DNCE. It is made up of Joe on vocals, Jinjoo Lee on guitar, and Jack Lawless on drums. Bassist Cole Whittle used to be in the band but has since left to follow a solo career. Unfortunately, DNCE did not release any new music in 2025, but I am HOPING they drop something new this year. Joe has teased a song that I believe is titled "Blacklight" and I am sat, waiting for it.
Nick Jonas
3. Nick Jonas
Just because I am a Joe girl, it does not mean my love is exclusive to him. I also adore his brothers. Hence why Nick Jonas made it my top five artists. He did not release solo music in 2025, but he does have a new solo album called Sunday Best coming out in February. I am so very excited for the new album. As of writing this post, he's only released "Gut Punch", and it made me feel so seen. I have heard a few snippets from the new album and it's going to be so good, and I will be so unwell about it. There definitely will be a Kinda Review of it.
Joe Jonas, 2023
2. Joe Jonas
As stated, I am a Joe girl. He is my favorite Jonas and holds a special place in my heart. So when he began teasing his second solo album way back in 2023, I was HYPED! He originally announced the album to be released in 2024 but then pushed it to 2025. When we finally got Music For People Who Believe in Love, I knew it was going to end up being my most played album of the year. It quickly became a favorite. My favorite song off the album is definitely "Velvet Sunshine" which features his youngest brother, Franklin Jonas. Looking forward to more solo music from him.
Joe, Kevin, and Nick Jonas, 2023
1. Jonas Brothers
I have been a Jonas Brothers fan since 2006. The band is made up of brothers, Kevin, Joe, and Nick. No, they are not a boyband and that is the hill I will die on. In 2025, they didn't just release one album, not even two albums. They released THREE albums. Plus, it was the twentieth anniversary for the band. The first album they released last year was Live at the O2 London which was a night of The Tour. Though I must admit my disappointment that they didn't include any of the album medleys on this recording. Then they released their seventh (or eight if you count V) studio album, Greetings From Your Hometown. It is a great album and they've got three features on it. I enjoyed the album and am already dying for new music, even though it just came out in August. The third and final album they released last year is the soundtrack for A Very Jonas Christmas Movie. The movie was absolutely as cheesy as a Jonas movie is usually. They did not write the songs for the movie, but they sure did perform. We even got a Kevin verse in the song "Time". It was a great year to be a Jonas fan. We also got our first official Kevin Jonas solo song. Cannot wait to see what 2026 has in store for them.
Feel free to share your own top artists! I am always open to checking out new music.
As a lover of history, I am constantly reading articles and watching documentaries about various wild things of the past. This story is one I've been curious about for a few years. A moment in medical history, it is an incredible feat.
Leonid Rogozov speaking with a friend
At 25, Leonid Rogozov graduated from Leningrad Pediatric Medical Institute - which is now Sait Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University - in 1959 as a general practitioner. He had the intention of becoming a surgeon and even began training to specialize in surgery shortly after graduation. However, Rogozov took a break from his studies to join the sixth Soviet Antarctica Expedition in 1960 as the medical doctor for 12 researchers. The expedition established the Novolazarevskaya Station in early 1961.
In April 1961, Rogozov began feeling ill and pain in his abdomen. Being the only doctor at the station he had no choice but the self-diagnose. It became clear that the young doctor had appendicitis. Appendicitis is when the appendix becomes sore, swollen and diseased. It often leads to the appendix bursting which can cause death. With the closest Soviet station being a thousand miles away and stations from other countries not having aircraft available due to the raging blizzard, Rogozov had no option but to operate on himself or face death. In his diary, he writes:
"I did not sleep at all last night. It hurts like the devil! A snow storm whipping through my soul, wailing like 100 jackals. Still no obvious symptoms that perforation is imminent, but an oppressive feeling of foreboding hangs over me...This is it...I have to think through the only possible way out - to operate on myself...It's almost impossible...but I can't just fold my arms and give up."
Rogozov had enlisted a driver, meteorologist, and a third scientist to assist him. One held a mirror to show him what he could not see, another had positioned a lamp over where the surgery would take place and the third was only there in case any of the first two could not stomach the surgery at any point. Rogozov had even instructed his assistants on what to do if he was to lose consciousness in the middle of the procedure.
On May 1, 1961, around two o'clock local time, Rogozov performed an auto-appendectomy in a semi-reclining position. He realized that the mirror was hindering him, so he performed the procedure by touch with ungloved hands. As every surgery may have complications, he accidentally cut the cecum and had to suture it. Pacing himself, he took pauses throughout as to not overexert himself. The surgery took about two hours to complete. He wrote about the surgery and even described it.
"My poor assistants! At the last minute I looked over at them. They stood there in their surgical whites, whiter than white themselves...I was scared too. But when I picked up the needle with the Novocain and give myself the first injection, somehow I automatically switched into operating mode, and from that point on I didn't notice anything else....The bleeding is quite heavy, but I take my time...Opening the peritoneum, I injured my blind gut and had to sew it up...I grow weaker and weaker, my head starts to spin. Every four to five minutes I rest for 20-25 seconds.... Finally here it is, the cursed appendage! With horror I notice the dark stain at its base. That means just a day longer and it would have burst...My heart seized up and noticeably slowed, my hands felt like rubber. Well, I thought, it's going to end badly and all that was left was removing the appendix."
After the surgery was finished, Rogozov did not let himself rest until he instructed his assistants to clean the equipment and tidy the area. Only then did he take antibiotics and sleeping tablets to finally rest and recover. He was able to remove the stitches in a week and returned to his regular duties a week after that. The surgery was photographed and documented, and he would go on to be awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour. He also caused the Soviet government to reform safety policies for all personal at the Antarctica stations and facilities in an attempt to make sure history did not repeat itself.
Leonid Rogozov
Rogozov would go on to publis a dissertation Resection of the Esophagus for Treating Esophageal Cancer in 1966 and became the head of the surgery department of Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Tubercular Pulmonology from 1986 until his death in 2000.
Leonid Rogozov died on September 21, 2000, of lung cancer. His legacy and contributions to medicine live on. His auto-appendectomy is still talked about to this day.
However, he was not the first surgeon to perform that exact procedure. In 1921, Evan O'Neil Kane did an auto-appendectomy on himself to better understand the perspective of the patient. However, Kane was in a sterile operating room, and it was not an emergency surgery as it was for Rogozov.
If you found this as interesting as I did, let me know. If you would like me to research and write about anything in history, feel free to comment!
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