Reflection on Zonk Media

My 52nd Birthday Didn't Go As Planned And It Left Me With One Wish

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Summary

I turned 52 on September 12th, and while the day didn’t quite go as planned, it ended up being the catalyst for something more meaningful. Rachel and I had this beautiful day mapped out in Carpinteria with an old friend from fourth grade—wine tasting, sunset, dinner, the whole thing. Some of it happened exactly as imagined, though not without some unexpected allergic reaction drama thrown in for good measure. But here’s the thing: I didn’t get enough footage to make a proper vlog about it, so instead I’m sitting in my dimly lit room the next day with a 3D print of an Atari 800XL running in the background, trying to articulate something that’s been weighing on me.

The 80s Movie I Avoided as a Kid - I Finally Watched Labyrinth

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Summary

I finally sat down and watched Labyrinth last night, and I have to admit—I’m kicking myself for avoiding it all these years. Back when it came out in 1986, the whole thing just didn’t appeal to me. Goblins, puppets, all that mystical fantasy stuff? Not my jam as a kid. But watching it now, 40 years later, I found myself completely captivated. There’s something about David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly’s performances, combined with the practical effects and earnest 80s filmmaking, that just works. I get into why I think I needed to wait until now to appreciate what Jim Henson created, and honestly, it’s made me rethink some of the other movies I dismissed back then.

I Dreaded This Goodbye. Then I Understood Adam the Woo.

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Summary

Yesterday, I drove up to Bakersfield for my friend Claire’s celebration of life, and I’ll be honest—I really didn’t want to go. I carpooled with Ryan, my best friend since first grade back in 1980, and the drive gave me plenty of time to sit with my feelings about it all. When we got there, Claire’s parents said something that completely shifted my perspective on why I was even there. They asked me to speak, and even though I didn’t feel like I nailed it, standing up in front of everyone and sharing about Claire ended up being one of the better things I’ve done all year.

Justin Scarred Got Vulnerable -- And I Realized I Was Wrong About Everything

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Summary

This weekend, I did something I’ve been putting off for a while—I really sat down and watched Justin Scarred’s content, the whole catalog of it. And I have to be honest, I’ve been completely wrong about how I’ve been approaching this whole thing. For months now, I’ve been trying to understand Adam, trying to figure out what made him so special, why his loss resonated so deeply with so many people. I thought I was getting somewhere with my theories, getting closer to the truth. But watching Justin open up about losing his friend—I mean really vulnerable, raw in a way that felt completely different from anything else he’s put out there—it completely shifted my perspective.

Reflecting on Unexpected Attention #shorts

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Summary

Reflecting on the unexpected attention my recent memorial event brought has been a humbling experience. As I’ve grown my vlog community, I’m deeply grateful for each new subscriber who chooses to join me on this journey. But the heightened viewership of that particular video has prompted me to pause and thoughtfully consider my past actions and how I can continue growing with greater humility. It’s a powerful reminder that our choices, even in the most intimate moments, can have a lasting impact on others. Moving forward, I’m committed to leading with compassion and using this platform to foster meaningful connections within our community.