We're looking forward to Andrea Bocelli's concert tonight. With careful planning, I found us a hotel just across the giant parking lot from the Allstate arena. At 9 degrees above zero tonight, it'll be a brisk walk.

The gentleman seated behind us in the dining car brought his own raw steak and asked the dining staff to cook it for him. That did not work out as he had hoped. Amtrak was not amused.

The murder of United Healthcare CEO in NYC will force companies to consider adding a private security detail to external meeting planning. An added (but necessary) expense which highlights the time we live in.

Iowa map, 1844

I need this machine.

Tough decisions ahead. Egg nog made with bourbon, with scotch, with rum, or make all three of them?

This is why I will never engage in online betting. www.nytimes.com/athletic/577...

Laser pointer lust.

Season 2 of the Ultra podcast is like listening to a prophecy of what we are facing now. In 1956 the McCarthy forces did not win the White House, but they tried the same tricks that we see today. This time they were successful. We have to be ready for a fight, because it’s coming.

It is so easy to think of athletes as chess pieces on the board. It’s so easy to forget that they are young men and women who are working hard and doing their absolute best. When we say that athletes or coaches need to do better, we should start with ourselves.

@audacityofgoats.bsky.social After seeing Auggie's pic on your Substack, I decided to share one of Roxy's. She found her laser pointer where I had hidden it and loved it to death. A crime of passion for sure, but no punishment is planned.

We have a trip to Ireland planned for 2026. Based on the rhetoric of the incoming administration, we might want to extend our stay until 2028.

We had ordered a new Christmas tree and storage bag from Amazon. When it the tree arrived it looked like Charlie Brown's tree, so we sent it back. The storage bag arrived last night. When I tried to send it back, Amazon refunded me but told me to keep it. So, I am left...holding the bag.

Our old man, Arlo Pug.

Best buddies. Opal Pug and Roxy Rottie.

In this era of heightened password security, I believe I have hit on the perfect, unbreakable password. Four lower case "L", followed by four capital "I". Then (I suppose) you could add an exclamation point of you want to show off. It would look like this...

llllIIII!

You’re welcome. 😉

Recently, I got a postcard stating that a red light camera had caught me and that I had ignored their letter. I was certain I had not run a red light, but I paid the fine because...pictures.
Yesterday a letter came informing that this was a mistake and that I would now be receiving a refund. 🤪

This place seems much more welcoming. X did not mark the spot where I wanted to spend my time.