Sunday is here once again so it’s time to review my pop culture highlights of the week. Plus, a look at an amazing birthday gift! Enjoy.

BOOK, ARTICLE, or STORY: I didn’t have time to read much this week but I did come across this thought provoking Valedictorian speech from Erica Goldson, a graduating senior from Coxsackie-Athens High School. If you’ve ever questioned the American educational system then read this. If you haven’t, then still read this. (Thanks to Jack Smith for posting this.) Read HERE.

MUSIC: Thad Cockrell’s latest album “To Be Loved” is available for free download over at NoiseTrade. Download HERE.

MOVIE: Inception – Finally got to see this film and it lived up to 100% of the hype. If you haven’t seen it yet get off the couch and go check it out!

PICTURE: Check out The Minister’s Treehouse in Crossville, TN. Built by 60 year old Horace Burgess, the tree house has taken 14 years to build and he plans to keep adding on. Wish I would’ve had this back in the neighborhood growing up.

(Photo by Chuck Sutherland)

BIRTHDAY BONUS: Yesterday was my 25th birthday and I received one of the most amazing gifts of my life. I have been searching for about 5 years for one of my favorite childhood snacks, Dunkaroos. And not just any type of Dunkaroos. Chocolate fudge Dunkaroos, which are far more rare. To my surprise, my amazing girlfriend tracked down a bulk size pack of them! I was in total shock. It’s the small things in life that make my days and years. Thanks Kaitlin!

So that’s my list of favorites from the past week.

What were yours?

Hello all! It’s time to recap my favorites in music, food, tv, movies, and more from the past week.

Music: I’m really loving Arcade Fire’s new single “Suburbs” from their upcoming album by the same name. LISTEN HERE.

I also spent a good amount of time listening to the new (old) album, “The Medicine“, from John Mark McMillan. Great, honest stuff.

Books: I haven’t had too much time to read lately but I have been slowly moving through Seth Brogan & Julien Smith’s book, Trust Agents. Highly recommended for anyone working in social networking and online media.

TV: Mad Men returned tonight and was without a doubt the TV highlight of my week. I also spent time catching up on my favorite cooking show, Dinner With The Band. DWTB airs Tuesday nights at 10:30 p.m. on IFC

Food: I swung by Twin Oaks in Bridgeport after a friend’s wedding for an amazing pizza. I went with the pepperoni and sausage. Always amazing.

Picture: Here is my favorite picture from the week. Unlike the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, do you dislike the font comic sans? If so, then this picture is for you.

(via Passive Aggressive Notes)

So what were your highlights from the week?

Leave a comment and share your favorites.

Check out the trailer for the new David Fincher-directed Facebook film, The Social Network. Film is based on the founding of Facebook and it’s controversial history.  The script was written by Aaron Sorkin based off the book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding Of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Monday, Genius, and Betrayal by Ben Mezrich.

No matter what mood I’m in or how many times I’ve seen it, I can always watch Forrest Gump.

The stories draw you in and the characters feel like old friends.

It’s beautiful to see how one life can influence so many others.

Easily, we forget that we have the potential to be a positive influence in the lives of those around us, and for me, this movie reminds me of that fact.

James Truslow Adams said, “The great use of life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.”

How are you spending your life?

Will people feel the reverberations of your existence when you’re dead and gone?

Or, Will your influence end when you are six feet under?

With less than five days until the release of “Where The Wild Things Are” here is a sneak peak into the making of the soundtrack for the film.  Thanks Starbucks.

WOW…I say that a lot but not much else can sum up this trailer for “Gentlemen Broncos”, the new movie by Jared Hess (the man behind Napoleon Dynamite & Nacho Libre).

Just watch and enjoy.  I know you will have some thoughts on this, so leave some comments.