On Going Alone

I make an effort  to do things alone, though seldom in their success. 

Effort I say, because I recognize the various benefits of existing alone and remaining in one's solitude, not out of necessity but in pursuit of self-knowledge and what-not. Seldom because it is both so hard to find a moment alone in a bustling life and because relying on comfort is a hard instinct to kick.

Going out alone, or an 'exercise in solitude', or taking yourself on a date—no matter what you call it, the time we spend alone is invaluable yet underappreciated. 

I recently tried to deny my instinct and my wallet's sanity, and I bought concert tickets on a whim to go alone. It was also to see the band play (because who doesn't love live music?) but mostly I thought of it as a little self-challenge. I waited alone in line for an hour, went in alone, and came out alone. 

Potentially anticlimactic, but there was no revelatory moment in which I was either praised for my bravery or shamed for my loneliness. I chatted with some other concertgoers, bought a CD, complimented a girl's shoes, and watched a very good performance.

When the concert ended (and somebody else got the set list), I walked out and drove home. 

If any other college students or other demographic consider the place of going out alone in their lives, then I would encourage them to try it at least once, if only to know what it was like. Or maybe many other students find the task easily surmountable or simply don't find it at all. 

 Regardless of circumstance, these are some relatively non-strenuous nights out (or nights in) to consider doing alone:

1. A concert (and get a good spot!)
2. Make a special dinner (Light a few candles, string a few violins)
3. A movie (bring your own snacks without having to share...)
4. A picnic (read a book, take a photo, or people-watch!) 
5. A walk (around sunset is the perfect time to get a short exercise with a view) 

Comment if you have any 'date' ideas you use or have seen! Stay safe!

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2023 - The Real Horror

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights, also known as HHN is the most popular Halloween event in all of Southern California. The event runs from the second week of September to the last week of October. Every year HHN sets up a theme for the scares that season, along with scare zones that consist of 'scare actors' whose responsibility is to scare people who are walking in and past that zone. 

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights Promotion Advertisement

The main attraction of Halloween Horror Nights are the scare mazes. There is so much hype around what these scare mazes will consist of, and so many people on social media even put out conspiracies on the future theme of the mazes. For the year of 2023, HHN had the following haunted mazes:

1.    Stranger Things

2.    The Exorcist Believer

3.    The Last Of Us

4.    Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count

5.    Universal Monsters: Unmasked

6.    Evil Dead Rise

7.    Monsters of Latin America

8.    Holidayz In Hell

9.    Terror Tram - The Exterminatorz

Sounds pretty scary, right? 

Well, I attended HHN this year on September 16. The TRUE horror of HHN was how horrendously long the wait times were for the haunted houses, rides, entrance, and quick service food!

Long lines for Haunted Mazes

My partner and I got in line for security at 7 p.m. and did not get into the park until 8 p.m. We waited about one to two hours for every maze and only had the chance to get on 4 mazes the entire night.

One of the most popular mazes was 'The Last Of Us' and the line for that maze was INSANE!! It stretched twice around the backlot area with a whopping wait time of four hours. At almost $100 per ticket, you would expect to not wait four hours for a haunted experience. 

Overall, Halloween Horror Nights 2023 is almost exhausting and a waste of money if you do not invest almost $300 for a fast lane ticket. The real terror of Horror Nights were the wait times.

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie Premiere

In 2023, Taylor Swift embarked on a 6-month long North America Tour called “The Eras Tour” which brought fans on a journey through each era and album of her career. While this tour proved to be of high demand, many were stuck watching it through livestreams on their phone and keeping up with the setlist on social media which inspired Swift to bring her nightly routine to the big screen for everyone to enjoy.

On Wednesday, October 11th, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour movie premiere took place in Los Angeles, California. This premiere completely took over The Grove outdoor mall, shutting it down for the day and restricting access to the general public to provide privacy for attendees.

According to fans who attended the premiere, Swift and the Taylor Nation team hand-picked each person from across the United States and invited them to be among the first group of individuals to watch the film. The fans, Swifties, were given an opportunity to walk the red carpet, take photos, and were even surprised with an appearance by Swift herself who took the time to interact and meet her fans one-by-one along the carpet.

A total of 2,200 fans received invitations for Wednesday’s premiere event.

Taylor Swift, being the strategic mastermind that she is, went as far as to pricing the tickets for her film nationwide to $19.89 as an ode to her upcoming album re-release “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” coming out October 27th. 

The Eras Tour Concert film grossed $100 million in advance ticket sales, but it gave an opportunity for those to enjoy the show who may not have been able to attend the tour.

If you’re looking to sing, dance, or simply enjoy the thrill of Taylor Swift’s concert then this film is for you. I know I’m looking forward to it!

Happy Libra Season!

Happy Libra season! Libra season begins September 23 to October 23. An air sign and symbolized by the scales, a Libra is known for being communicative, fair-minded, and charismatic. Even if you don’t believe in astrology that much, it’s always fun to look at their characteristics and fun facts.

Some well-known Libras are Kim Kardashian, Will Smith, Snoop Dogg and Jimin from BTS. Libras love the arts, therefore you can always find a Libra working in entertainment, art, and media. The grace and beauty of the arts captivate this Venus-ruled sign. Libras tend to see things with rose-colored glasses, which can be both a gift and downfall. If your career calls for creativity such as: writing, drawing, or acting, Libra will find this second nature for them. The downfall is being too idealistic and neglecting the reality.

Another characteristic about Libras are their diplomacy and love for justice. Many Libras are interested in social causes because of our love for people in general. Another career that Libras are known to pursue is law. Libras try to view situations as rationally as possible. They are natural peacemakers and mediators that know right from wrong. Balance is incredibly important to them, hence the scales, and will fight to make sure everything is equal.

Libras are also claimed to be indecisive. I would say this isn’t true, but I have also changed my major four times and would cry if you asked me where to eat. Libras tend to not want to cause any trouble or frustration within a group setting and themselves, therefore they’ll try to rule out all possibilities and will consider another’s decision before making their own. This can take a lot of time and patience which isn’t everyone's cup of tea. 

Another huge trait of a Libra would be people-pleasing. This can affect a lot of Libras when they haven’t developed this characteristic positively. Libras are known to be extremely non-confrontational and would much rather suffer and go through something they don’t want to if it means avoiding trouble. The love for peace can go that far, but it’s important for Libras to understand that they are doing a disservice to themselves and everyone involved by doing so! So, speaking up when they need to and standing up for their own feelings is a huge challenge Libras have to overcome.

Libras are also known for loving love! They are openly hopeless romantics that will always give the best relationship advice. They know love like the back of their hands and will have the best romance movies on deck for you! They have a reputation for falling in love easily and fast. But, can be extremely non-committal and indecisive because of it. For a planet ruled by Venus, the planet of love, you would think they wouldn’t struggle with relationships, but it definitely happens!

Lastly, Libras are highly compatible with: Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, or Aquarius. If you want to get deeper into astrology, I would definitely say it would depend on your entire chart. The sun sign is usually the only planet people look at, BUT I would look into your entire natal chart to see why you may be bickering with signs that the internet says you should be besties with. I have personally found myself making friendships with these signs because fire and air signs tend have a mutual understanding of each other.

That’s all I have for this wonderful Libra season. This is a perfect time to tap into your inner Venus. Whether that means pampering yourself, changing up your room to match your aesthetic, or doing whatever beauty means to you - enjoy the rest of the season!

10 Pop Culture Halloween Costumes We’re Going To Be Seeing A Lot Of This Year

It’s officially October, which means halloween is only a few weeks away. I have always loved halloween. Orange, black, purple, scary movies, monsters, costumes, and candy, I love it all. It’s the perfect holiday to hang out with friends and get creative with your costume without the pressure of gift giving or seeing every member of your family.  I think about Halloween approaching all year, planning costumes in my head.I love seeing everybody else’s costumes almost as much as I love dressing up myself.

The classic ghost, vampire, zombie, witch, football player, cheerleader are fine, but let’s be honest … boring. And it’s no fun when your costume is so obscure you have to explain it to every person who looks your way. My favorite costumes are pop culture references related to something that happened in the last year. Movie and TV characters are a great place to start. 

2023 has seen many year-defining pop culture moments. Here are the costumes I predict will be a common sight this spooky season.

1. Barbie and Ken

I could not possibly start with anyone else. Barbie is MY 2023 person of the year. The $1.4 billion blockbuster was the event of the summer in my opinion, especially in conjunction with Oppenheimer’s release. You have so many recognizable outfits to pull from (stereotypical barbie, roller skating barbie, cowgirl barbie). Dressing up as best friends or a couple, go as Barbie and Ken. Or go a little unconventional and be Weird Barbie or Allan! 

2. Oppenheimer 

Go 40s with an Oppenheimer suit look. A decade from now we’re going to look back on 2023 and say “Remember Barbenheimer day?”. It was a cultural phenomenon, highly anticipated by millions. How funny would it be dress up in a pair as Barbie and Oppenheimer. 

3. Wednesday and Enid 

The Wednesday era might feel like a long time ago now, but it was released in November of 2022, so it didn’t get to have its Halloween moment this year. I expect to see a lot of best friends as Wednesday and Enid. In a group you can even do the whole Addams family. Raid your closet for all things black, put your hair in two braids, and ditch the smile for a last minute Wednesday costume!

4. M3GAN

M3GAN became one of the biggest horror hits of the year. If you are going to go all out, be prepared to do M3GAN’s iconic (and moderately disturbing) dance. 

5. Little Mermaid

Adapted from the 1989 classic Disney, 2023’s The Little Mermaid will go down as a generational classic. The representation Halle Bailey brought to this role will be costume inspiration for little girls for years to come.

*Prince Eric optional

6. Eras Tour Taylor Swift

In 2023 Taylor Swift embarked on the tour of all tours. The 3+ hour shows spanned all 10 musical eras over her career. There’s an era for everyone.

 

7. Ghostface

Ghostface is a timeless halloween costume, but even more relevant after the release of Scream IV, the sequel to the franchise’s revival. Scream is my personal favorite horror franchise, spanning four decades. If you don’t feel like sweating underneath a mask and robe, another recognizable costume would be Drew Barrymore as Casey Becker, the opening kill from the first movie in 1996.

8. Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, the animated Marvel became the blockbuster of the summer. The art style makes the movie what it is, and I expect to see a majority of the superheroes this Halloween dressed as Miles and Gwen.

9. Super Mario Bros

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a huge hit among everyone nostalgic for the old games we played on Nintendo. I’m anticipating lots of Marios, Luigis, and Princess Peaches this year among friends, siblings, and couples. 

10. Daisy Jones And The Six

70s music and fashion fans are going to go crazy over their Daisy Jones costume this year. The series was adapted from the Taylor Jenkins Reid Novel and was an instant hit following its release in the Spring. It’s loosely based on the story of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, and that shows through Riley Keough’s wardrobe in the show. 

I can’t wait to see these costumes come to life this Halloween. Comment any costumes you think I missed! 

IS LAS VEGAS THE NEW SPORTS CAPITAL OF AMERICA?

    I traveled to Las Vegas two weekends ago to experience the Raiders' home opener! The electrifying atmosphere was a testament to how Las Vegas has transformed itself into one of the biggest sports capitals of the world over the past few years. 

    Six years ago, Las Vegas embraced the NHL's Golden Knights, capturing the hearts of locals and hockey enthusiasts nationwide. Now, I went to the magnificent Allegiant Stadium, the stunning home of the Las Vegas Raiders, who have made the city their own since moving from Oakland in 2019.

    The buzz doesn't stop there. Las Vegas is gearing up to host the Super Bowl this coming February! The city is investing heavily in infrastructure, with nearly $2 billion dedicated to upgrading the airport, hotels, and entertainment venues to ensure a spectacular Super Bowl experience.

    Las Vegas isn't content with just football and hockey. The city plans to relocate the Oakland A's to the strip as well. The current bid would see the city build a $1.5 billion ballpark where the Tropicana is. However, recent whispers indicate Oak View Group, an entertainment investment company, is proposing a possible $10 billion sports complex. The hope would be to lure the A's and a new NBA franchise.

    Now, let's delve into the big question: Is making Las Vegas the new sports capital of America a good idea? The desert location and the prevalence of sports gambling does raise interesting points. While the city's infrastructure and entertainment options are top-notch, some wonder how the rapid expansion will affect the locals. Will it lead to increased economic opportunities and a stronger sense of community, or will it come at a cost to the city's unique identity?

    One thing is for sure: it's going to generate an insane amount of money. So, it's happening whether the people like it or not. Beyond the traditional sports, the city has seen a surge in sports-related entertainment, from major boxing events to world-class MMA competitions. Las Vegas is not only a destination for sports enthusiasts but also for those seeking the ultimate sports entertainment experience.

    As for the Raider game. They lost -- no surprise there. The passion and excitement in the stadium palpable from both Raider and Steeler fans. I actually went live on TikTok before the game going around asking fans their perspective on how Vegas' transition is impacting both the city and its residents. Most of them were four beers in and couldn't care less, but it was fun to engage with the Raider fans before they all threw a fit after the game.

    It is a thrilling new chapter in this city's history. As Las Vegas continues to make its mark as a sports and entertainment powerhouse, the outlook for the city appears promising, with a future that's as vibrant as the lights that adorn the iconic Las Vegas Strip.

Hot Girl Walks in a Hot Girl World

 Hot Girl Walks: A walk where you listen to music, keep up the pace, and feel hot. You are also typically alone, walking around your neighborhood, staring suspiciously at every person you pass by. 

Hot Girl Walks started trending this past year on TikTok, becoming the new workout trend for the girlies. It started to become the best way to slim down. The best way to build muscle. Becoming a form of therapy is better than journaling. Self-improvement. Mindfulness. And in 8 months maybe it will be Hoppy Girl Skips instead that will slim down our calves and re-invigorate a new sense of meaning to life. 

As you can tell, I am becoming a little too cynical about each and every self-mind-body-soul-improvement trend that has come out of TikTok. 

However, I feel like the concept of a Hot Girl Walk can be great! Coining a term for getting outdoor time, listening to music or a podcast, and taking time to be with yourself while getting light exercise is great! It’s something humans have been doing for centuries in order to come to a clearer mind and generate more creativity! 

That all being said, I think our reality clashes with this goal quite often. We have all heard the horror stories from our mothers and the news. From girls being picked up right off the street on their way home to being followed by men on hikes. Women don’t get to be alone in public and let their guard down. We don’t get to mozy around the neighborhood without being alert. It is a constant feeling of impending doom that keeps us walking at an above-average pace. 

We have been told our whole lives about the dangers of being alone as women. “Don’t go to the bathroom in public alone,” or "text me the second you make it home."

We have had the buddy system ingrained in our minds since day one for one reason only: survival. 

So how do we begin these solo hot girl walks? As someone who recently broke up with her boyfriend of four years, the thought of solitude sounds exhilarating. All I want is to be alone, stare at a wall, and eat smores. Occasionally, the desire to be outside becomes overwhelming and what better way to clear your head than taking a brisk walk outside? 

Wrong. 

That is how you can get murdered. 

Well, according to every woman I tell this too. 

And I find myself living in fear of it too. Walking alone the 20 minutes to Starbucks and I began to realize that the world is male. Men take up space, they are always alone or in packs of men, and when they are in their cars they get even bolder! I was 12 years old, the first time I got cat-called. Shocker? No, it's a common story now. Probably for all of human history actually. However, put 21-year-old me out on the streets holding my Starbucks and listening to Taylor Swift and I practically want to slash the tires on the next car of a man who stares for too long. 

So what can we do about our Hot Girl Walks then? 

Half of my friends have cute pepper sprays. Some of them have the “sharp” and not-so-legal key chains. I have sharp elbows. But are we meant to live under the constant stress and hesitation of being alone, walking down a street, as a woman? 

Groups have been started in order to promote sisterhood and safety, which is fantastic! But then does that negate the mindfulness of a Hot Girl Walk? Should we keep our mindfulness constricted to our rooms where if we lock all the doors and keep our phone within eyesight we are safe?