Parda in Brazil Part 2: Understanding Racial Identity and History
Brazil has one of the most complex racial classification systems in the world. At its center is the term Parda — a census category that reflects centuries of colonization, migration, and cultural blending. But what does “Parda” mean, and why does it matter today? In this article, Gin explores the origins of Parda identity in […]
Are You Ready for Football? From SoCal Sunshine to Seahawks Nation
Are You Ready for Football? From SoCal Sunshine to Seahawks Nation For some people, the seasons are defined by the weather. For Gin Hammond, they were defined by football. Growing up in sunny San Diego, autumn didn’t bring orange leaves or chilly nights — it brought Chargers game days, touchdowns, and the sound of cheering […]
Exploring Brazil’s Bizarre People Labels — You Have to Hear These!
Exploring Brazil’s Bizarre People Labels — You Have to Hear These! After surgery, Gin has had plenty of time to sit, think, and dive into fascinating cultural topics. One that stands out? Brazil’s unusual racial classifications, known as pardas. Since the 1940s, Brazilians have been able to describe their race in their own words on […]
Why NYC in the autumn Is Made for Gingers (+ My NYC Fall Obsession)
Why NYC in the autumn Is Made for Gingers (+ My NYC Fall Obsession) Autumn just hits different. For Gin Hammond, fall isn’t just about cooler air and turning leaves — it’s the season where gingers glow. The warm golden sunlight of autumn makes red hair come alive, giving it a fiery brilliance that no […]
The Shocking Romeo & Juliet Parallel You Missed in this Summer 2025 Blockbuster Movie
The Shocking Romeo & Juliet Parallel You Missed in this Summer 2025 Blockbuster Movie When Gin watched Sinners, the tragedy of Mary and Stack hit with the same inevitability as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. They weren’t destined for a happy ending — not because of personal failure, but because of the cruel world they were […]
Making Art Under Fire: Stories from Conflict
Making Art Under Fire: Stories from Conflict In times of crisis, art doesn’t disappear — it becomes even more essential. For Gin Hammond, recent conversations with friends from Iran have been a sobering reminder of how creativity becomes a survival skill under fire. These stories aren’t about distant headlines. They’re about courage, identity, and the […]
Morning in Belize: Coffee, Mosquitoes & Gecko Surprises
Morning in Belize: Coffee, Mosquitoes & Gecko Surprises What’s a morning really like in coastal Lucencia, Belize? For Gin Hammond, it’s a mix of laid-back charm, unexpected wildlife encounters, and the kind of small travel mishaps that turn into great stories. From coffee hunting to practicing a few words in Garifuna, mornings here offer a […]
I Went to Belize Part2 — What I Found Changed Everything
I Went to Belize to Invest in Real Estate — What I Found Changed Everything Belize Part 2. Why’d I go? Mixed people and real estate. It’s hard for actors who survive off gig work to buy homes because mortgage lenders want to see a two-year employment history, even if you have the money. So, […]
TERRIFIED of the Michael B Jordan movie Sinners — And It’s Not Just the Horror 😱👀 from Gin Hammond
TERRIFIED of the Michael B Jordan movie Sinners — And It’s Not Just the Horror 😱👀 from Gin Hammond So I’ve seen two trailers for Sinners and I’ve heard some buzz and from what I know about it, A: I’m terrified. And that’s partly because it’s like the same way I was extra terrified way […]
The Summer They Said We Weren’t Family… What Happened at La Costa Changed Everything, Gin Hammond
The Summer They Said We Weren’t Family… What Happened at La Costa Changed Everything, Gin Hammond The Summer that Changed me, and Brought Me Closer to the Truth, as remembered by Gin Hammond So when I was a kid, my family would go to the Del Mar Fair. There was this timeshare and we’d hang […]