ROTO ERGO SUM
{Watch me spin around the world}
The Vodka, The Dog, and The Architecture of Us: Why Rituals Save Relationships
Key Takeaways Relationship rituals are an important part of building strong partnerships. This article explores how personal rituals—like pre-flight vodka or nightly dog walks—act as the glue in long-term relationships. It examines the unique burden and freedom same-sex couples face in creating these traditions without a historical script. Finally, it parallels the loss of these rituals to a loss of religious faith, signaling a deeper estrangement. Rituals are the invisible architecture of love. They provide rhythm, stability, and a shared language that defines "us" versus "the world." Same-sex couples often build stronger intentional rituals. Without a historical heteronormative script, gay…
“My Favorite Things”: How John Coltrane Reimagined a Broadway Classic
Key Takeaways John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" revolutionized jazz by transforming a simple Broadway tune into a profound spiritual experience. He utilized its repetitive structure and emotionally neutral melody to…
Why We Are Still Dancing to “Apache”: A Musical Odyssey
Key Takeaways "Apache" is arguably one of the most fascinating case studies in modern music history. It is a song that has lived many lives: starting as a moody instrumental…
The Ultimate Chocolate Bourbon Cake Recipe (And Its Surprising History)
Let's be honest. There are chocolate cakes, and then there are chocolate cakes. I'm talking about the kind of cake that stops conversation. The kind that's "amazing dark rich decadent ultimate…
Classic Dark Chocolate Frosting
A Moment of Pure Indulgence: The Classic Dark Chocolate Frosting There are certain flavors that feel like a return, a whisper from a half-forgotten memory. The profound, enveloping richness of…
Stop Guessing: The Ultimate Wedding Gift Calculator Guide
Key Takeaways The "Cover Your Plate" Rule is Dead: Stop trying to estimate the cost of the lukewarm chicken cordon bleu. Your gift should reflect your relationship, not the catering…
Camping on Greenland’s Russell Glacier
Camping on Russell Glacier is a profound journey into nature’s raw beauty, blending preparation with reverence. Amidst ancient ice, you'll find tranquility and adventure, an invitation to disconnect from chaos…
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Lions kill zebra, hyenas eat zebra, game drive in Masai Mara Kenya
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
African Safari in Sabi Sands, Kruger National Park - South Africa
Spinning at Lake Victoria
Caldor Fire approaching Kirkwood, CA - time lapse from the meadow
Greenland Ice Sheet
Spinning Around The World - the 2020 Mega Cut
Alex Westerman Spinning Around The World
TWA Flight Center and TWA Hotel at JFK Airport
The Vodka, The Dog, and The Architecture of Us: Why Rituals Save Relationships
Key Takeaways Relationship rituals are an important part of building strong partnerships. This article explores how personal rituals—like pre-flight vodka or nightly dog walks—act as the glue in long-term relationships.…
The Discarded by Family: Anatomy of a Sudden Social Death
Key Takeaways & Summary Summary: This article explores the emotional journey of being discarded by family and how one finds the strength to overcome it. This article explores the painful…
The Ivy League Wall: When Intelligence Becomes a Weapon in Divorce
Key Takeaways and Summary Summary: Intellectual weaponization in divorce is a tactic some individuals use to gain an upper hand. This article explores the painful intersection of high-conflict divorce and…
About The Writer
Alexander Westerman has worked as a creative director, and has always been fascinated by how visual design can elicit powerful emotions from people. There is something truly magical about creating connections between individuals and the brands they consume. As Alex transitioned into writing, he channeled that passion for vibrant, vivid details into crafting stories that would captivate readers. Through his novels, he brings to life characters who are complex, dynamic, and utterly compelling, all within the context of richly-drawn worlds that are equally as vivid as the people who inhabit them. For Alex, writing is all about turning beautiful, fleeting moments into stories that will last a lifetime in fiction and IRL.