Friday Playlist
Just enough songs this week to put together a playlist, with a little help from a couple seasonal tracks. This is likely the last normal FP of 2025. Also, I think I finally figured out how to embed Apple Music playlists. With Spotify becoming more and more problematic, I think it is important to offer than option even if most…
Reader’s Notebook, 12/11/25
The Poet’s Game – Paul VidichVidich’s books have been hit-and-miss with me, perhaps because they lean more towards proper literature than pulpy, exciting spy works. There’s a dryness and darkness to them that feels very Russian, and for me difficult to connect with. Honestly I could flip a coin on this one to determine whether it was a hit or…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 121
Chart Week: December 1, 1984 Song: “Valotte” – Julian Lennon Chart Position: #18, seventh week on the chart. Peaked at #9 the week of January 12, 1985. When Julian Lennon released his first album in the fall of 1984, there was no mistaking his genetics. His voice was eerily similar to that of his late father. Hell, I was 13…
Weekend Notes
A HUGE sports weekend in our house, for a lot of reasons. Border War I’ll start with the best part of the weekend, for me at least, KU pounding Mizzou in Kansas City. And Darryn Peterson was back! Well, kind of. That’s a whole other deal that I’m not going to get into today. The Tigers battled gamely for 16–17…
Friday Playlist
Apologies for there not being a playlist last week. I intended to post one but didn’t get around to it before I had to take C and her friend to the airport. That leaves me with a lot to share this week. We’ll see if I am able to edit or that means you get a super-stuffed edition this week.…
NFL: Down The Stretch They Come
As NFL week 14 begins tonight with a massive game between Dallas and Detroit – Are the Cowboys for real? Can the Lions salvage their season? – it reminds me I’m due for my monthly collection of thoughts on the league. Sadly the NFL remains as inscrutable as it has been all season. Two weeks ago it seemed like Philadelphia…
Wednesday Notes
A couple quick notes before an emergency high school basketball update. Weather We had winter storm #3 of the young season Monday evening into Tuesday morning. The heaviest snow of the event fell right during Monday rush hour, meaning both S and L had to drive home in it. They made it here safely, if slowly. Once again we were…
November Media
Video Slow Horses, season five A bit slower to start than some previous seasons, but a pretty fantastic ending. And plenty of Roddy Ho meant this might be the funniest season so far. At least one more season to come. A- The Lowdown Lots of critical praise for this, which turned out to be pretty accurate. Other than a lull…
Holiday Weekend Notes
Thanksgiving week 2025 is in the books. It was mostly good. Other than me thinking Friday was Saturday all day. Lots happened, so here’s a lengthy breakdown to wade through as you ease back into your routines. Thanksgiving We hosted this year, only having 15. We could fit everyone at one (big) table! I feel like I have the food…
Tuesday Links
This whole Olivia Nuzzi thing is wild. I remember reading one of her pieces a few years back, when she first rose to prominence, and thinking she was trying too hard to make herself part of the story. Little did I know! Another example here of a writer who only dabbles in politics cutting through an issue better than the…