media · Personal updates

What it was like to publish my own book

The good, the bad, and the ugly! Click here to buy my book: The Captain & the Mermaid: A Mystical Conquest by Laura Cyrena Kellogg How it began How far back should I go, exactly? I could go back to elementary school years, when I used to spend my playtime writing stories with a pencil and… Continue reading What it was like to publish my own book

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media · philosophy

My Gratitude For Music, Books, and All Forms of Art

I love music. I love books. I love all forms of art — and I’d like to express my deep gratitude for it all. I’d like to consider myself a minimalist. But when it comes to certain things, like vinyl records and books for example, I’m a bit of a hoarder. You hear people gush… Continue reading My Gratitude For Music, Books, and All Forms of Art

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Decoding “Born to Die” by Lana Del Rey

"Born to Die" is the opening track for Lana Del Rey's debut album, "Born to Die" from January 2012. The song was recorded and released as a single in late 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bag1gUxuU0g I see this song as having dual meanings, and that is what gives it so much depth. There are two ways to look… Continue reading Decoding “Born to Die” by Lana Del Rey

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“Midnights” by Taylor Swift | track by track review

Taylor Swift released "Midnights" on October 21st. I wasn't sure what type of sound to expect, since she is known for switching her tune on almost every new album. I prepared myself for something totally different; a lot of people were suspecting a rock record. The promo photos had a 70s, vintage aesthetic, which sparked… Continue reading “Midnights” by Taylor Swift | track by track review

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Decoding “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey

I'm going to be "decoding" Lana Del Rey songs -- beginning with her most popular and going from there. Much of her music has been misunderstood and quickly judged by critics with closed minds. Also, there are many little details, including the music videos, that many may have missed out on. And I will also… Continue reading Decoding “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey

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Book review: “How to Survive in Ancient Rome” by LJ Trafford

“How to Survive in Ancient Rome” is a humorous yet enlightening, and certainly gruesome at times, look into ancient history. The time period mainly covers the Roman Empire. The book is divided into chapters that cover one topic at a time — housing, clothing, diet, religion, politics, etc. It basically serves as a how-to guide… Continue reading Book review: “How to Survive in Ancient Rome” by LJ Trafford

media · mythology

Book review: “Venus and Aphrodite – A Biography of Desire”

“Venus and Aphrodite - A Biography of Desire” by Bettany Hughes is a nonfiction look into the history of Venus-Aphrodite. The goddess of love, known in Greek as “Aphrodite” and in Rome, as well as more commonly in today’s western society, “Venus,” has always had an impact on humanity. But she is far more than… Continue reading Book review: “Venus and Aphrodite – A Biography of Desire”

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NEW MUSIC | Calvin Harris, Imagine Dragons, Bastille, Britney, Taylor Swift, and more…

Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 2 It only took Calvin Harris five whole years to follow up "Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1" with the much-anticipated volume 2. Shortly after the prior album's release, in an interview Calvin Harris alluded to scrapping the project completely, making us believe that we would never see a volume 2. Now,… Continue reading NEW MUSIC | Calvin Harris, Imagine Dragons, Bastille, Britney, Taylor Swift, and more…