In recent times, a semi-new and interesting reason for the war in Ukraine has been posited in mainstream foreign policy circles. The theory goes that the post-Soviet Ostpolitik of Western Europe, and primarily Germany, was fundamentally flawed in its dealings with Russia. The theory also contends that rather than deepen economic ties which could have…

The new Knight of the Seven Kingdoms show has reinvigorated my love for GRRM’s universe. After over a year of not really touching it, I have been reading a lot more of the mainline series and the Dunk and Egg novellas (many hundreds of pages, which constitute a drop in the bucket). This second wind,…

Of late I have found myself rewatching Parts Unknown, Anthony Bourdain’s show that aired from 2013 until 2018. Like his other show No Reservations, the intellectual aim of the show is to explore unknown or changing places with a focus on the cultural and culinary points of view. The thing that prompted me to write…

It appears, as one might say, that I have remembered my password finally. During all this time I have mostly been reading long books. Amongst other things I have been barreling through Dune and Lord of the Rings, which will be forthcoming semi soon. But now the promised continuation of the James Bond saga, featuring:…

Recently I found myself craving a return to the James Bond universe. For my whole life the movies were a staple of movie nights and just general family culture. They are all mostly great, with some major exceptions. But it was only recently that I learned that they were books first. I guess I just…

I recently went home, to the place where I was born rather than my real home. Upon my arrival there I found out that my favorite childhood burger place was closing the closest and most famous location to me the next day!! I knew it was closing but I had thought that it was going…

Last week I found myself wanting to feel patriotic and decompress somewhat, so I watched a classic, Lincoln. Other than being Daniel Day Lewis’s best role, the film makes an interesting point about American History. The movie revolves around Lincoln and his administration trying to get the 13th amendment passed in order to abolish slavery…

Hello friends (imaginary or otherwise). First, I must apologize for being neglectful in my duty of constant self expression. These last weeks have been hectic and tedious, and I have been unable to even read a signifigant amount of personal literature which is a tragedy of incredible proportions. I have begun to read the James…

This is certainly a different tone than previously, but that is okay since we can not let this all be doom and gloom can we? Bioshock is one of my favorite video games ever made. It was made by 2K games and published in 2007. It is a first person shooter, but unlike games like…