[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , fair use   When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy  (REBT) with client X recently, I used the analogy of how one’s life is similar to cake. As well, I engaged professional use of self  (a psychotherapist’s intentional and skillful use of one’s whole self as a tool for understanding ).   For context, I’m not typically fond of lemon-flavored food items. As an example, I enjoy cake quite a bit. However, I dislike lemony foods to the degre

[ DISCLAIMER ]   I recall listening to rapper Lil Wayne ’s ninth mixtape, No Ceilings  (2009), and hearing the track “ Sweet Dreams ” which featured vocalist Beyoncé and rapper Nicki Minaj . Thus, it was around the time of hip hop label Young Money Entertainment ’s reign that I became familiar with Minaj.   Personally, Minaj is a rapper and not a lyricist. For context, a lyricist concentrates on the art of storytelling, devotes attention toward written lyrics, experiments wi

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Too Bad   On the 2024 EP She. , rapper ARDN  featured the track “ Too Bad ” in which he stated, “Too bad I… too bad, I know. Too bad I know. Too bad, I gotta get going. She too bad, I know. Too bad, I know. Too bad, I gotta  get going.” Considering the cited lyrics, definitions may be helpful.   The phrase “too bad” may be used to show that one is sorry or feels  bad about something. For example, when departing from a location in which his romantic partner

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When recently listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set  by DJ Ellika , I heard her spin the track “ How I Feel (Am I Wrong) ” by Faul & Wad , Nico & Vinz , ALTÉGO , and Old Jim . Lyrics include the following:   So, am I wrong ? For thinkin’ that we could be something for real? Now, am I wrong? For tryna reach the things that I can’t see? But that’s just how I feel  (ooh) That’s just how I feel  (ooh) That’s just how I feel Tryna reach the things th

[ DISCLAIMER ]   On lyricist Vinnie Paz ’s album Burn Everything That Bears Your Name  (2021) is the track “ Digital Veil ” that features M.A.V. and a vocal sample of an origin unknown to me. The man on the snippet appears to be speaking to a group of people, as the introduction of the song states:   Everything, as far as I’m concerned, everything is predestined . Everybody’s scared shitless of that word—predestined. It’s all predestined. Everything’s…this is predestined. We

[ DISCLAIMER ]   When I was a child, my late mom visited a fortune teller  (someone with the supposed ability to foretell future events and especially the details of a person’s future). While my sisters and I weren’t allowed to enter the fortune-telling establishment, my mom shared what she learned.    “She told me that [my older sister] would be married and have children,” my mom gleefully stated as we sat in the parking lot. When my younger sister asked what was in store fo

[ DISCLAIMER ]   Earlier, when looking through video content from my time in the Marine Corps (1996-2007), for a Veterans Day  blogpost, I came across footage of my first time ice skating. In 1998, when stationed in Okinawa, Japan, I found that there was no exception to gravity’s force when on ice.   The memory of that subjectively humorous event reminded me of a Passport Rav song from his 2021 album Sand in My Carry On , entitled “ Ice Skating ”. For those who are unfamilia

[ DISCLAIMER ]   The above photo was taken during a Marine Corps noncommissioned officer (NCO) Mess Night , which is a formal, traditional dinner and ceremony that fosters camaraderie and celebrates Marine customs. In the picture, I’m featured with two of my friends (persons XX and XY).   Individuals who remain familiar with my blog are likely aware of the fact that I experienced significant administrative and legal issues  when in the Corps, as I ultimately received other th

[ DISCLAIMER ]   *Spoilers for Tron  (1982), Tron: Legacy  (2010), and Tron: Ares  (2025) contained herein.   The Tron Franchise   I saw Tron  (1982) in childhood, though I couldn’t remember much about it aside from how the Light Cycles  turned at sharp angles. Similarly, I watched Tron: Legacy  (2010) upon its release, yet I couldn’t recall much about the film other than Serinda Swan ’s depiction as Siren #2.   Given how forgettable the Tron franchise  has been to me, I didn

[ DISCLAIMER ]   It isn’t necessarily easy to discuss one’s own past mistakes . Yet, here I am addressing my historic error in judgment ....

[ DISCLAIMER ]   I make no secret  of or apology  for the fact that I’m a fan of lyricist and hip hop producer Kanye “Ye” West ’s music...

[ DISCLAIMER ] Photo credit , property of NBCUniversal, fair use   A number of friends and I used to send text messages to one another...