Category: Uncategorized

  • ODDS and ENDS: The MET, Spring, and Knit Blazers

    (4 out of 5 dentist recommend…)

    The kid is on Spring Break, which translates into Dad needs to keep the kid occupied. That’s not a complaint, I do enjoy the time we get to spend together. And when she has extended breaks, I make a point of taking her to a museum. This time it was The MET’s turn. I have been there at least half a dozen times in 15 years, and if you’ve been then you know it’s too big to cover in one day. Though me and the kid do try to see it all. I hope these excursions help broaden her perspective and understanding of the world. When my dad took me to museums when I was her age, they really did feel like a treat, and a chance to experience, or at least see, the world outside of our suburban surroundings. It had an impact on me.

    I know Spring is on its way, and right on cue, and I’m ready for it. The first set of flowers are popping out, as are the buds on the trees. I’m looking forward to ditching my winter coat, and opening up the windows. And the old men pot smokers have returned to the park benches. The cycle continues.

    So, my new fashion obsession is the “knit blazer.” I have no logical reason to obtain a knit blazer, as I rarely have any formal occasions in my life these days; even casual formal occasions like going to work. But I can’t shake this image of myself as a casual formally dressed middle aged man who is about town. Maybe the marketing has worked on me, or maybe I really do need to wear a blazer while I do laundry and make dinner.

  • ODDS and ENDS: Goodbye VICE, WONKA Disaster Documentary, and Disc Golf

    (Locks clipped nightly)

    I never trusted VICE. I remember watching an interview of Shane Smith, the co-founder, on Charlie Rose of all places. The two things I took away from his word salad answers was that HE was the only person who could save media, and HE was the coolest person on the earth. (You know, “He’s hip! He’s cool! He’s 45!”) Turns out VICE was never profitable, though it was valued in the billions, and all Smith was good at was convincing VC’s to give him millions over and over again. As for the media, they did what everyone else does; the C-Suite got paid millions while the staff was paid virtually nothing, and they put out tons of content- quality be damned – to drive up traffic. I do feel for all the people who lost their jobs, just like everyone over at BUZZFEED, and all the other writers at all the media companies. In the end, Shane Smith got what he really wanted; he’s rich.

    I’m not here to dog pile on that Scottish “WONKA Experience.” There are tons of great takes out there, so I won’t embarrass myself in trying. But I have started to wonder; How long until someone produces a WONKA Disaster documentary? I think it took two years for the Fyre Fest to get the treatment, so my guess is that in nine months we’re gun’na hear from the Oompa-Loompa bartender lady about what really happened. (UPDATE: The Fyre-ing of this has started)

    For me, it’s almost disc golf season. I have no idea if there is an official disc golf season, my guess is there is, but I view March as the start. I’m looking to make par this year, as I have never done that, it seems like a reasonable goal.

  • Making a Point with This Post

    Today has been nuts. Even though I got up early and tackled the day, seems like something kept popping up and cornering me from getting to what I wanted to do. That stuff stopping me was my responsibilities to my family.

    Like right now, I am on the couch helping my daughter with her homework as she has a big test at school tomorrow. I want to be there for her. I mean, I am here, literally sitting next to her, trying to make sure she understands that I am behind her, support, and believing in her to do well. Because she is working hard, and I want her to know that I see how hard she is working.

    But, I am supposed to write everyday, and damnit! That’s what I am going to do.

    I did write in my journal this morning, but that’s different.

    It’s about the habit; creating the habit, keeping the habit, sustaining the habit… If I don’t put something out, then I feel like I have let myself down.

    That’s the point of this post, to make the point that I did something. I didn’t give in and say that I will make it up tomorrow, but I pushed through it, and got it out.

    I’m not sure about much anymore. The older I get, the more I understand that I never really understood as much as I thought I did. I thought by midlife, I would have some wisdom and clairity on a few things. Maybe have an insight or two. Really, I know a couple of things.

    I know I want to be a good father. I want to be better at it. I want to be dependable, so my daughter knows that I will be there if needed.

    And I want to keep the promises I make to myself. If I say that I will post five times a week, then I will posy something five times a week.

  • Happy New Year

    Happy New Year, Everyone! Here’s to a good and prosperous 2024!

    I’ll write something funny tomorrow. Maybe about Steamboat Willie going into the public domain…

  • Merry Christmas

    From the Greatest Christmas TV Special… Ever!