When a creative partnership crumbles, it's not mere heartbreak; it's the obliteration of identity. The loss saturates existence with profound emptiness, compelling one to navigate the unsettling shadows of a muted, uncreative life.

https://alexwesterman.com/same-sex-divorce/divorce-and-loosing-your-creativity/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

After 17 years of love, divorce left me feeling forgotten and unseen. This profound grief resonates within the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting shared struggles. We must acknowledge our emotions, finding solace and strength in our collective experiences.

https://alexwesterman.com/same-sex-divorce/unseen-and-alone-navigating-long-term-lgbtq-divorce/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Fosse and Robbins’ contrasting choreography in “Cool” and “The Rhythm of Life” ignites a dialogue on control versus surrender, exploring how two masterminds transform a shared space into evocative expressions of their cultural eras and philosophies.

https://alexwesterman.com/performing-arts/the-coolest-debate-fosse-robbins-and-the-rhythmic-connection-between-west-side-story-and-sweet-charity/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Weddings demand more than mere attendance. They challenge witnesses to actively support the marriage beyond the ceremony. Are we trapped in a culture that merely celebrates the show, ignoring our duty to uphold love?

https://alexwesterman.com/same-sex-divorce/the-responsibility-of-wedding-witnesses-beyond-the-i-do/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Over 35 years, the author reflects on their evolving relationship with Marcel Duchamp's Bicycle Wheel. This iconic piece challenged traditional art concepts, shifting focus from craftsmanship to ideas, making viewers active participants, and questioning the very essence of art itself.

https://alexwesterman.com/visual-arts/sculpture/spinning-through-time-my-35-year-journey-with-the-marcel-duchamp-bicycle-wheel/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

In times of conflict, architecture undergoes a profound transformation. It becomes a primary weapon for attackers and a vital shield of pride for defenders. This article explores how buildings in Ukraine have become central to the war, fueling defiance & suffering targeted destruction.

https://alexwesterman.com/architecture/architecture-as-weapon-and-symbol-cultural-resilience-in-the-ukraine-war/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Why should I respect a husband's decision to divorce when society praises his choice while leaving me to grapple with heartbreak? This post challenges unfair expectations, questioning the narratives surrounding empowerment, grief, and mutual respect in relationships.

https://alexwesterman.com/same-sex-divorce/understanding-divorce-should-i-respect-his-decision/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Discover the transformative experience of the Ridiculously Chocolate Bourbon Cake, where premium ingredients like rye flour, Valrhona cocoa, and quality bourbon unite to create a decadent cake that elevates any occasion into a celebration.

https://alexwesterman.com/food/recipes/the-ultimate-chocolate-bourbon-cake-recipe-and-its-surprising-history/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Songs are emotional time capsules, constantly reshaping with our experiences. When a beloved melody twists into pain, it's a fierce reminder: we don't just listen to music; we live it, co-authoring our own heart-wrenching narratives.

https://alexwesterman.com/performing-arts/music/from-anthem-to-elegy-how-songs-change-meaning-and-why-it-hurts/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

A-frames are the rock stars of vacation homes: great for Instagram, but terrible for everyday living. They have all the charm of a triangle but leave you wondering where to put your couch or hang pictures.

https://alexwesterman.com/architecture/the-a-frame-paradox-why-the-perfect-looking-home-is-a-nightmare-to-live-in/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Love isn't a finite battery needing recharging; it’s a powerful generator fueling forgiveness and healing. This piece confronts the harsh truth of conditional love's transactional nature versus the strength of unconditional love's enduring essence.

https://alexwesterman.com/same-sex-divorce/unconditional-love-and-forgiveness-how-to-heal-when-your-heart-is-broken/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

The Chrysler Building, New York's artistic crown jewel, faces an architectural eclipse as towering neighbors obscure its glory. This gradual loss symbolizes the tension between progress and nostalgia, sparking passionate discussions about preservation in a transforming skyline.

https://alexwesterman.com/architecture/famous-buildings/chrysler-building-disappearing-view/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

After two decades of love and struggle, the absence of empathy shattered my marriage, revealing painful truths about connection and emotional survival, inspiring a journey of self-discovery and resilience.

https://alexwesterman.com/lgbtq/the-empathy-chasm-surviving-the-lack-of-empathy-in-a-relationship/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Brutalism: the ultimate architectural "tough love" style! It’s like concrete giving you a bear hug while saying, "I want to be your minimalist friend." Cold, yes, but beauty lies in its unapologetic honesty!

https://alexwesterman.com/architecture/brutalist-architecture-the-raw-concrete-poetry-of-minimalism/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

In the face of personal upheaval, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, art and activism emerge as powerful anchors, reflecting resilience, defiance, and beauty. Through creation, individuals reclaim identities and transform pain into hope.

https://alexwesterman.com/visual-arts/lgbtq-art-and-activism/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Losing a mother is devastating; it's the first fracture in our sense of home. When divorce follows, the already shaken foundation collapses entirely, drowning us in a compounded grief that leaves us untethered and painfully vulnerable.

https://alexwesterman.com/same-sex-divorce/the-unmoored-heart-navigating-the-compounded-grief-of-losing-a-mother-and-a-marriage/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Nicktropolis was a cool, complex online world for kids that blended gaming, social connection, and marketing. It prioritized safety while fostering community engagement, influencing today’s digital spaces.

https://alexwesterman.com/digital/virtual-worlds/surprising-truths-about-nicktropolis-nickelodeons-lost-digital-world/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

The Miss Havisham Effect: Coping with Unwanted Divorce and Obsessive Fantasy

In the midst of an unexpected, non-consensual divorce, the logic centers of the brain simply shut down. Divorce grief and denial are part of this painful process. For the one left behind—the one who did not choose the ending—the experience doesn’t reflect waning affection, but instead reveals a perverse, inexplicable tightening of the bond. All the easy wisdom of friends, therapists, and…

https://alexwesterman.com/same-sex-divorce/the-miss-havisham-effect-coping-with-unwanted-divorce-and-obsessive-fantasy/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Theater profoundly mirrors life, illuminating personal relationships through various playwrights’ insights. It fosters understanding, empathy, and personal growth, ultimately serving as a catalyst for societal change and self-discovery.

https://alexwesterman.com/performing-arts/theater/learning-from-theater-to-develop-life-skills-and-understand-relationships/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Divorce shatters lives while legal systems treat it as a mere transaction. The emotional toll? Overlooked. As partners leave, the weight of unreciprocated love turns gifts into debts. Healing demands acknowledgment, a personal reckoning, and reclaiming self-worth after profound loss.

https://alexwesterman.com/featured/when-loves-ledger-doesnt-balance-reconciling-the-emotional-cost-of-divorce/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social