The long national nightmare is over. I got my new work laptop today. It’s the most bureaucratically locked down machine I’ve ever used. And I’ve used military computers. But it’s also brand new. Trade-offs!
Last day in California visiting my mom before the big move. We of course had our last meal proper. In-N-Out.
Took all day to load the trailer. One last family photo before we left for good. Lot of tears. We’re going to miss this place.
An hour left in 2025 and we’re almost done packing this house. Friends coming early to help load the trailer.
What a year. Missing Paco, but very much looking forward to new beginnings in 2026.
Turned in my work laptop and signed out of the university email/calendar servers. Today was my last day at Arizona State University. Six and half lovely years, with great colleagues.
Finished reading: For the Time Being by W. H. Auden 📚
Def rereading next Christmas when I’m not distracted with grief. But even in grief, this hits hard and good.
🎵 Christmas Cookin' - Jimmy Smith - ★★★★☆
Last year, I took this snapshot of Paco while we waited in line for Santa at a farm that does holiday events. It was a moment of peaceful calm for my otherwise very energetic boy.
This year, my wife took the kids to the same event last minute. My oldest had his siblings recreate it for me.
🎥 Trailer for The Oddyssey, with a surprise glimpse that Tom Holland is playing Telemachus.
Drafts—App of the Year
Many, many congratulations to @Agiletortoise for app of the year with MacSrories. I forget when I first learned about it, but it was probably within the first year, and probably from Merlin Mann. I still dumbfound otherwise “powerusers” when I share Drafts with friends and colleagues. And while we’re at it, pay for Pro and thank me later.
Arizona in December…
… where it’s sunny, 80 degrees, and the city pool event is Swimming with Santa.
I just picked up frozen burritos at an abandoned Taco Bell. It was a like drug deal, but for crazy good eats.
Hi Professor,
Thanks for an awesome semester, I learned a lot in CEL 200 and you were a great professor! Thank you for helping me understand my voice better as an American.
This is what it’s all about, folks.
🗞️ The Full Text of Marco Rubio’s Directive on State Department Typography, Re-Establishing Times New Roman, Daring Fireball
Good on @gruber@mastodon.social for getting a copy of the memo and introducing me to the word detritus.
Out of the blue, my soon to be five year old (next month) started sobbing about Paco. Man does it hurt that I cannot take this hurt away.
I had my second jiujitsu competition yesterday; I lost both fights but I wasn’t there to win, I was there for Paco.
The bracket with small groups works out that I still got bronze. My friend/mentor from the academy snapped this one for me.
Paco’s been gone nine months, today. Miss that kiddo so, so very much.
I was supposed to give my last final at ASU today… but the student worker accidentally copied every other page. Importantly, I failed to double check the exams when I picked them up. Now I have half a dozen time slots scheduled for students to come in and take their final. (I have to chuckle.)
