Roto Ergo Sum
I spin therefore I am
The Weaponization of Therapy Speak: When “Self-Care” Becomes Cruelty
Modern interpersonal relationships increasingly feature what many critics call the weaponization of therapy speak, and similarly, the weaponization of clinical psychological terminology. For instance, terms such as boundaries and self-care often serve as linguistic shields to sanitize emotional betrayal; consequently, they help avoid accountability during breakups. Ultimately, this practice replaces messy, honest human connection with a sterile, diagnostic framework, which, in turn, isolates the partner being left. The adoption of therapy speak enables individuals to prioritize personal narratives of growth; however, it often disregards the impact on others. Consequently, this clinical facade suppresses genuine grief and prevents authentic relational healing.…
A Pilgrimage to the Pinnacle of Modernism: Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye
Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye in Poissy, France, remains a definitive example of modernist residential architecture. Constructed between 1928 and 1931, the structure reflects the architect’s functionalist philosophy. Its elevated form…
The Sacred Floor: Melancholy and the American Gym Dance Battle
The school gymnasium serves as a pivotal cinematic setting for resolving adolescent conflict through dance. Starting with Jerome Robbins’ aggressive grace in West Side Story, these battles evolved from stylized…
Wicked Dark Frozen Hot Chocolate
Wicked dark frozen hot chocolate combines premium cocoa powders with ancho chili powder for a spicy summer dessert. High-quality ingredients like Valrhona and Guittard cocoa create a rich flavor profile.…
The Bitter Orange and Cardamom Tart: A Dinner Party Masterpiece
Key Takeaways/Summary This Bitter Orange and Cardamom Tart is an absolute showstopper. The dessert balances bright citrus notes with warm spices. You will love the incredibly velvet-smooth texture. Guests will…
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…
Cooking Passion: Finding (and Losing) Myself in the Kitchen Through Food
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes Key Takeaways Cooking passion once served as a sanctuary for expressing creativity, facilitating joy and connection with others. Mindful cooking transformed simple meal preparation into…
Elegant Chicken Liver Mousse Recipe for Gatherings
Chefs create chicken pâté to evoke a quiet elegance. This dish has roots that reach deep into cultural traditions, yet it adapts well to the modern palate. Once considered a…
Central Park Dissected: The Hidden Plumbing of an Engineered Oasis
Key Takeaways I have always been fascinated by the invisible systems powering New York City, especially the Central Park plumbing that keeps this urban oasis thriving. Central Park looks like…
A Pilgrimage to the Pinnacle of Modernism: Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye
Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye in Poissy, France, remains a definitive example of modernist residential architecture. Constructed between 1928 and 1931, the structure reflects the architect’s functionalist philosophy. Its elevated form…
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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 Weaponization of Therapy Speak: When “Self-Care” Becomes Cruelty
Modern interpersonal relationships increasingly feature what many critics call the weaponization of therapy speak, and similarly, the weaponization of clinical psychological terminology. For instance, terms such as boundaries and self-care…
Same-Sex Relationship Dictionary Loss: The Year of Heavy Silence
David initiated our divorce over a year ago. The deepest pain is forgetting our private language. The silence of same-sex relationship dictionary loss forces me to confront shattered memories in…
The Silent Erasure of a Childless Queer Divorce
Key Takeaways / Summary My twenty-year marriage to David ended in a devastating silence. Because we had no children, our shared community completely vanished from my life. I am left…
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.