Four star review, originally posted here on February 6th, 2024. I added this book to my to-read list years ago not because I had any actual interest in reading it (I did not), but because it was one of those books that was just appearing everywhere, that everyone seemed to just absolutely love, and that … More Goodreads Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Every year* I attempt (with varying degrees of success and effort) to watch as many of that year’s Oscar nominees as possible. For the past few years* I’ve posted reviews of these movies here on this blog. At some point before the awards ceremony, I usually write up some sort of over-analysis and maybe some … More 2024 Oscar Nominees: Anatomy of a Fall
I live outside DC, which I believe is one of the best cities in the world where museums are concerned. Of course everybody knows the Smithsonian, the federal institutions, the monuments and memorials, and the historic sites. Plus countless private museums, plenty of which (Spy Museum, Holocaust Museum, etc.) are as extensive and famous as … More Museum Review: Planet Word
Every year* I attempt (with varying degrees of success and effort) to watch as many of that year’s Oscar nominees as possible. For the past few years* I’ve posted reviews of these movies here on this blog. At some point before the awards ceremony, I usually write up some sort of over-analysis and maybe some … More 2024 Oscar Reviews: Killers of the Flower Moon
Three star review, originally posted here on February 2, 2024. I was so conflicted on this book. There is so much promise here. The story is so imaginative. At times the storytelling is very engaging (for example, when Dracula’s ship arrived in England and the captain has slashed himself to the wheel with a crucifix.) … More Goodreads Review: Dracula by Bram Stoker
Every year* I attempt (with varying degrees of success and effort) to watch as many of that year’s Oscar nominees as possible. For the past few years* I’ve posted reviews of these movies here on this blog. At some point before the awards ceremony, I usually write up some sort of over-analysis and maybe some … More 2024 Oscar Reviews: Saltburn
Four star review, originally posted here on February 2, 2024. I wanted this book to be a 5 star review. It started off so great. There was so much amazing history to learn here. I relished the pouring on of details about life in post-colonial New York City. I think most history I’ve learned about … More Goodreads Review: The Sewing Girl’s Tale: A Story of Crime and Consequences in Revolutionary America by John Wood Sweet
I have tons of stories, thoughts and photos/videos from my tiny stint at summer camp, but here’s the #1 main takeaway, which is a MESSAGE TO CURRENT AND UPCOMING NOMETNES VECAKI: The camp directors are absolutely incredible people who are working suuuper hard to do everything in their power to make sure your kids have … More Facebook Post: July 12, 2023
In memory of one of the coolest guys I’ve ever know, I am sharing a brief bio I wrote (in both LV and ENG) 5 years ago, after I had the honor of interviewing Andrejs Jansons in preparation for Baltimore Dziesmu Svetki. AJ (as he was affectionately nicknamed by some of us kids he inspired … More Facebook Post: July 26, 2022
August 16, 2022 DONATION UPDATE!!! First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated, and to everyone who helped out! THE RECAP: We were supposed to go to Latvia in July, and hoped to fill our checked bags with diapers and feminine hygiene products that we were going to drop off directly to … More Facebook Post: August 16, 2022 and October 28, 2022
Helga without the H 