Paul's Ponderings

                                                                                My Fairbanks Favorites and Beyond! There’s truly no place like Alaska. I had the incredible opportunity to live in Fairbanks for a few years, and I can tell you firsthand it’s a state like no other. Whether you’re chasing the midnight sun in summer or watching the northern lights dance across a dark winter sky, Alaska offers unforgettable experiences all year round. Here are a few ideas if you’re planning the ultimate Alaskan vacation! One spot that will always stand out to me is HooDoo Brewing Company. If you’re in Fairbanks, it’s an absolute MUST visit. It’s the kind of place where the beer is strong, the drinks are cheap, and the atmosphere is always buzzing with fu...

In N Out Instagram Ad   It’s 2025, and let’s be honest, everyone’s thinking more about their health. Whether it’s trying new diets, hitting the gym, or just attempting to eat less junk, health is definitely trending. So when I saw this fast food ad talking about how “natural” and “fresh” their burger is, I had to laugh a little. They’re calling out things like fresh lettuce, real cheese, and no preservatives like it suddenly makes their burger healthy. It’s what people are calling “Health washing” basically slapping health terms onto something that’s still not actually good for you. The ad also leans hard into nostalgia. They make a big deal about how their house sauce hasn’t changed since 1948, and how their burger is “classic” and “simple.” It’s smart, because it taps into that whole vintage, authentic vibe that people love right now. But let’s be real. just because something hasn’t changed in 60+ years doesn’t mean it’s suddenly healthy. It might not be full of fake ingredients...

  My Unforgettable Experience at the 2023 Power Trip Festival As a long-time fan of rock and metal music, I’ve had my fair share of concerts, but nothing could have prepared me for the sheer intensity and unforgettable experience of 2023’s Power Trip Festival. Held in the iconic Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, this festival was an absolute dream come true for me! Power Trip festival 2023 lineup  The Lineup: A Dream Come True The festival was essentially a celebration of rock and metals golden era, and it felt like a time machine. The lineup alone made my heart race. Here’s a quick rundown of the bands that made this festival one for the books: Friday :              -Iron Maiden.  My absolute favorite band in the entire world! So much that Ive seen them live 8                     times already! Nothing can beat their amazing stage theatrics, The triple guitar d...

 Since we’ve been talking about food lately, after watching Fresh, I decided to check out another documentary called "Food Inc. And honestly? My brain feels like it got flipped upside down. I had no idea the food industry in America was this messed up. If you haven’t seen it, the film basically shows how a lot of our food is made behind the scenes, and it’s not pretty. Food Inc . breaks down some pretty shocking stuff. It talks about how meat is mass produced in horrible conditions, how big corporations basically control farmers, and how the government just kind of lets it happen. One thing that surprised me was how much corn is used in our food, it’s literally in EVERYTHING. Like, why is corn in soda? Food Inc. (2008) The part that hit me the hardest was how animals are treated. They're packed into tiny spaces, treated badly, and then killed in really upsetting ways. And it’s not just sad it’s also kind of gross. We're eating food that comes from places with almos...

  I recently just watched the 2009 documentary "fresh", and wow, I've never thought so hard about where my food actually comes from. I mean, we all know our food comes from farms, factories, or who knows where, but have you ever really stopped and actually questioned it? Fresh takes a hard look at the industrial food system in the U.S. and spoiler alert, it’s not pretty. Factory farms, overuse of chemicals, and animals crammed in horrible conditions. But what hit me hardest was how normal all of this has become. Fresh (2009) But the film doesn’t just show the bad part of it all, it brings in people who are doing things differently, like Joel Salatin, a farmer who works with nature instead of against it. Watching his animals roam freely and his land actually improve over time? That was surprisingly hopeful. The whole film made me think why don’t we ask more questions about our food? Who grows it? How were the animals treated? And is it even healthy? Honestly, Fresh mad...