Reading “They” from a Bird's Eye View

While lounging at the Delta Sky Club and waiting for my flight, I picked up a copy of The New Criterion—a conservative publication not typically on my nightstand, but hey, travel invites a bit of curiosity. An article by Joshua T. Katz caught my attention, especially as a parent of a transgender daughter. The piece? A critique of children’s books centered on gender pronouns.

Going in, I reminded myself to keep an open mind. Katz, a new father himself, shares concerns about books like The Pronoun Book, which introduce pronouns that don't align with traditional notions of biological sex. He worries these stories mix imaginative play with ideology and muddy the grammatical waters too early in a child’s development.

And from an education standpoint? I get it. Teaching sentence structure is tough enough before throwing neopronouns into the mix.

Katz’s broader point is about language itself. He argues that personal pronouns are critical building blocks of communication, and sudden shifts—especially those driven more by culture than linguistic evolution—can complicate things unnecessarily. One compelling example: changing “Do you live here?” to “Do they live here?” might sound inclusive but could confuse young learners trying to pin down grammar basics.

I don’t agree with everything Katz says, but I respect his call for balance. He urges parents to be mindful—not dismissive—of the materials they put in their kids’ hands. Respect and inclusivity matter, yes, but so do clarity and developmental readiness.

No matter your politics, it’s worth a read: https://www.aei.org/op-eds/pure-episcopalianism/

Andy Landorf and John Colquhoun, 2019

Sara Bareilles - Love Song

Music Appreciation

Sara Bareilles’ Love Song, released on June 16, 2007, wasn’t initially written from a place of romance—it was a response to pressure. Epic Records had been urging Bareilles to write a marketable love ballad for her debut album Little Voice. Frustrated by the creative interference, she penned Love Song as a pointed refusal. 

The lyrics—"I'm not gonna write you a love song 'cause you asked for it"—are a witty and defiant retort, cloaked in a catchy pop melody. Ironically, the song became the very hit the label had been demanding, propelling Bareilles into mainstream success.

Musically, Love Song is built on upbeat piano chords and a strong melodic hook that belies its rebellious message. It blends pop and soul influences with a conversational tone, allowing Bareilles’ voice and piano to carry the emotional weight. The composition remains straightforward but effective: its dynamic rhythm and directness reflect her refusal to compromise. 

The music video, directed by Josh Forbes, complements the song’s theme of constraint and self-determination. It features a miniature Sara Bareilles playing piano inside a coin-operated jukebox, visible only when listeners insert coins. As she sings and plays, the camera cuts to various people trying to get her to perform, underlining the transactional nature of commercial music. The visual metaphor underscores the song’s message: art created on demand loses its authenticity. 

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sara-bareilles-not-writing-a-love-song/

https://www.billboard.com/artist/sara-bareilles/chart-history/hsi/

Bailey Soogs

Modeling Appreciation

It all started with that one post -- Bailey Soogs, casually rocking a Marcus Rashford jersey, socks, and a strategically placed soccer ball. That was it. I was intrigued. Who was this effortlessly cool, undeniably gorgeous girl? And why was I suddenly so captivated?

Naturally, a little social media deep dive was in order. Before I knew it, I was following her on TikTok, checking out her content, and well, subscribing to her OnlyFans (purely for research purposes, of course).

Standing at 5'4" with striking green eyes and signature bangs, Bailey isn't just an adult model -- she's a cosplayer, a gamer, a TikTok star, and an all-around bundle of fun. There's just something about her playful energy and expressive personality that makes her stand out. Maybe it's the way she lights up every video, or maybe I just have a thing for bangs. 

Either way, watching her evolve has been nothing short of entertaining. Here's to hoping she keeps serving up the same mix of charm, creativity, and killer looks -- because, let's be honest, she definitely stimulates the visual appetite. 

Sources:

https://www.instagram.com/soogs__x/

https://x.com/soogz1

https://onlyfans.com/soogsx

https://www.tiktok.com/@soogsx

Glazed Muffin

A few days ago, I celebrated my 49th birthday—the final lap of my forties. Since it fell in the middle of the week, I chose a quiet dinner at home when my wife asked how I wanted to spend it.

When I got home from work, she was already in the kitchen preparing a birthday meal. She greeted me with a smile and told me to head upstairs and get comfortable. When I came back down, I noticed a few wrapped presents waiting on the dining table. She then pulled blueberry muffins from the oven and, with a mischievous grin, began slowly drizzling glaze over them. “I have a surprise for you,” she said.

Then came the letter candles—arranged carefully to spell out: “ASK ME.” I raised an eyebrow, confused. “We’re already married,” I said.

“No,” she laughed. “Ask me.”

Grinning, I asked, “Can we have sex?”

“After you open your presents,” she replied, smirking. “Then we can go upstairs for some... quality time.”

Doing my best to play it cool, I opened two beautifully wrapped shirts—classic Tommy Bahama button-downs. Perfect for future date nights or beach days.

Soon after, we headed upstairs and enjoyed a much-needed, intimate moment together. An hour later, we returned downstairs where she finished preparing a delicious dinner. Afterward, as we shared the glazed muffins, she asked how I liked my birthday.

I couldn’t help myself. “Best birthday ever,” I said. “You made me glazed muffins… and I got to glaze your muffin.”

ai generated

Album Cover: Alice Cooper - School’s Out

Album Cover

Album:  Alice Cooper - School’s Out

Released: June 13, 1972

Cover Art Design: Craig Braun

Sources:

Wikipedia

Henry Scott Tuke

Art Appreciation

Henry Scott Tuke was born on June 12, 1858, in York, England, into a Quaker family. His father was a physician and a supporter of the arts, which helped nurture Tuke’s early interest in painting. 

In 1870, the family moved to Falmouth, Cornwall, a seaside town that would later become central to Tuke’s artistic identity. Surrounded by coastal scenery and a vibrant harbor community, young Tuke developed a fascination with the sea—a theme that would appear repeatedly in his work. His formal art education began at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where he trained under prominent figures like Alphonse Legros.

Tuke’s early career was marked by experimentation and travel. In 1880, he received a scholarship that allowed him to study in Italy and France, where he was exposed to Impressionist techniques and classical themes. 

By the mid-1880s, he returned to Cornwall and became associated with the Newlyn School, a group of artists focused on plein air painting and working-class life. Tuke’s early works were traditional in style, often depicting maritime labor and naturalistic seascapes. He also began to paint portraits, gradually gaining recognition for his sensitive and realistic portrayals.

In the 1890s, Tuke's reputation grew significantly. He settled in Falmouth permanently and converted an old fishing boat into a floating studio. During this period, his most distinctive work emerged—scenes of young men bathing or lounging by the sea. 

While these works were admired for their technical skill and light-filled naturalism, they also carried an undercurrent of sensuality that would later lead to both praise and controversy. Tuke was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1900 and became a full Academician in 1914, affirming his place in the British art world.

Tuke’s style is best described as a fusion of Impressionism and Victorian realism. He worked primarily in oils and watercolors, favoring natural light, outdoor settings, and fluid brushwork. His subjects ranged from coastal life and portraiture to male nudes in idyllic maritime settings. 

Though often interpreted through a homoerotic lens today, Tuke’s contemporaries largely viewed his work as innocent and romanticized depictions of youth and nature. His technical mastery and emotional subtlety earned him awards at international exhibitions, including a gold medal at the Paris Salon.

Two of Tuke’s best-known paintings are August Blue (1893–94) and The Bathers (1888). August Blue depicts four young men diving and lounging in the blue-green waters of a calm bay, capturing a moment of harmony between body and landscape. It remains his most celebrated work and was purchased by the Tate Gallery in 1894. The Bathers, painted a few years earlier, helped establish his reputation with its bold composition and luminous treatment of flesh and water.

A Soldier (possibly T.E. Lawrence), 1921

Return from Fishing, 1907

Rounding the Manacle Buoy, 1888

August Blue, 1893-94

The Bathers, 1888

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/henry-scott-tuke-555

https://artuk.org/discover/artists/tuke-henry-scott-18581929

https://outstoriesbristol.org.uk/people/biographies/henry-scott-tuke/ 

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Charles "Chas" Addams - The New Yorker June 14, 1958

Cover art by Chas Addams