Character Development
Taking a Different Approach on Birthdays. Top Story - November 2025.
Hello November! It's my birthday month, meaning that I'm a Scorpio, if you're into that sort of thing. One of the best traits about my zodiac sign is that I'm competitive and want to succeed in life. I love celebrating my birthday, which happens to be on November 13. In case you're curious how old I'll be. I'll be turning 38 years old. If you look at my profile picture on here, you must be thinking that I don't look my age and you're right. I've been mistaken for a high school student and a college student. I'm fine with that and looking youthful works to my advantage. You've heard the saying, "Black don't crack." It's another way of saying that black people don't show any signs of aging. As I near 40, I've since outgrown birthday parties. The last time I had a birthday party was at home after school and 14. Nearly 25 years later, someone throwing me a party, while the gesture is admirable and with good intent, I don't feel the need to dress up and attend my own party thrown by someone else. I turned 18 in 2005 and my friend at the time took me out to miniature golf, then had my birthday dinner at Olive Garden. Besides, who doesn't love their endless breadsticks? The staff surprised me with a chocolate cake. After that, my friend and I went to Best Buy, and I chose my first country CD. That album was Toby Keith's Honkytonk University. I couldn't wait to go home and listen to it. I wore that CD out on a daily basis, because no songs from that album were skippable. It was so good and had since fallen in love with country music. Unfortunately, I ended my friendship with my long-time friend and classmate in 2021 after nearly two decades, due to his anti-gay views. I came out to him in the summer of 2012, several months after I came out of the closet. We're no longer friends, but that was one of the best birthday memories I've ever had.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 3 months ago in Critique
🇨🇳🤝🇺🇸 Trump in China: A New Chapter in U.S.–China Relations?
Donald Trump’s latest visit to China has sparked a wave of global attention. The former U.S. president, known for his bold diplomacy and unconventional style, has arrived in Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. Their meetings, reportedly centered on trade, economic cooperation, and regional security, are being viewed as a potential turning point in U.S.–China relations. But beyond the photo opportunities and handshakes, the real question remains—can Trump and Xi truly bridge the growing divide between Washington and Beijing?
By Filmon Ke Raaz | Movie Mysteries Explained3 months ago in Critique
The Man on Fire: A Story of Love, Sacrifice and Redemption
The Man on Fire, released in 2004 by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington, is much more than just an action film. It is a poignant dive into the twists and turns of the human soul, where violence mixes with raw emotion and redemption takes shape in the simplest gestures. But at the heart of this gripping thriller, what stands out above all is the unique relationship that develops between bodyguard Creasy and young Pita, a kidnapped girl.
By Baptiste Monnet3 months ago in Critique
I rewatched Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012) serves as the conclusion to the massively popular franchise based on Stephenie Meyer's novels. Directed by Bill Condon, the film attempts to provide closure to the supernatural romance while delivering the spectacle audiences expected from a franchise finale. However, its execution reveals both the strengths and significant weaknesses that defined the series.
By Parsley Rose 3 months ago in Critique
Truth Demands Proof
I saw a post on Facebook where a man shared a letter he had sent to his elected officials calling for the impeachment of the sitting president. He claimed that the offenses were “so obvious” and “so well documented” that he did not even need to include them. That single assumption captured everything wrong with modern political thinking. When someone says “the reasons are obvious,” what they often mean is that they cannot defend them. Emotional conviction replaces evidence. The appearance of certainty replaces truth itself.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast4 months ago in Critique
Thunderbolts Movie Review
Let’s be honest... When I first heard about Thunderbolts, I didn’t think much of it. The marketing was practically nonexistent, the trailer didn’t shake the internet, and the cast didn’t seem to scream blockbuster. In fact, the characters themselves didn’t fit the usual Marvel mold, no overly polished, Hollywood handsome superheroes. Just gritty, damaged people. It felt… average.
By Louise Noel 4 months ago in Critique
Indigenous Voices in the Age of AI
🌍 Introduction: A New Digital Frontier In the twenty-first century, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the new frontier of human innovation. From self-driving cars to predictive healthcare, from facial recognition to generative art, AI has redefined how societies operate and how knowledge is stored, processed, and shared. Yet, while the promise of AI feels universal, its impact is not evenly distributed.
By Esther Sun4 months ago in Critique
Finally Sat Down to Watch Midsommar (2019)
Ari Aster's 2019 film Midsommar represents an ambitious and polarizing entry in contemporary horror cinema. Following his acclaimed debut *Hereditary*, Aster crafts a folk horror experience that deliberately inverts the genre's visual conventions while exploring the dissolution of a toxic relationship against the backdrop of a Swedish pagan festival. The result is a film that is simultaneously beautiful and disturbing, meditative and visceral, earning both ardent admirers and vocal detractors.
By Parsley Rose 4 months ago in Critique
Mobile Phones: The Double-Edged Tool of Modern Life
In today’s fast-paced world, mobile phones have become an inseparable part of our lives. What once started as a simple device for making calls and sending text messages has now evolved into a powerful tool that touches almost every aspect of human activity. From communication and education to business and entertainment, mobile phones have transformed the way people connect and function. However, like every tool, they come with both advantages and disadvantages.
By Zeeshan Ali4 months ago in Critique
