One of the OG bloggers, political or otherwise, Kevin Drum has died. I loved reading his blog and have for decades. But, my son died two days before and so his death hits especially hard. I know how hard his family is grieving. RIP, Kevin.
My son, Francisco Alfred, or “Paco” as we called him—he died today at 7 and half. He was the light of our family, so full of energy and love for the world. Whether being defiant or bringing the full… he always took it to eleven. My heart will have a hole until I die and see him again.
A mix of good and not good (though not bad) news on my kid’s progress today. Ventilator might stay in until Friday, or longer. But he briefly woke up, looked at me, and held my hand. He was agitated until he did, then calm. One day at a time.
A stoic lesson during a family medical crisis
My seven year-old has been in the hospital since Thursday night (wee hours of Friday, to be precise). He has parainfluenza that triggered a full respiratory crisis. We needed an ambulance because he was non-responsive. ER docs needed to sedate and intubate him to help him breathe.
The wife and I are taking shifts with him. He’s making great progress but it’s slow and steady. Every medical specialist coming through is very glad with his vitals and the direction they’re all moving. That helps reassure his mother and I who are concerned for our little boy.
It are crises like these that stoic principles are tested. Remembering that anything could be lost without our choice hurts. But that pain reinforces the gratitude we have for every moment with him (and our other children). Last night I read his favorite bedtime stories to him. He couldn’t respond like he usually does to his favorite parts, but it was a cherished moment for me to hold his hand, and read aloud to him.
I woke up early this morning to the update that he improved a few points on important vitals. Nothing big enough to warrant removing the ventilator or anything just yet, but crucially, they’re all going in the right direction.
On re-watching, I am of the opinion that K Dot’s halftime show was a work of art deserving of another Pulitzer for literature.
Finished reading: The Book of War: Includes The Art of War by Sun Tzu & On War by Karl von Clausewitz by Sun Tzu 📚
Another go around with the Prussian.
Hell hath no fury like a toddler who didn’t nap long enough this morning.
🎥 I bought an UNUSED 70-year old Rolls-Royce crate engine, YouTube.
Yup. Get some popcorn and settle in. This is going to be good.
🗞️ I’m a 17-year-old TikTok junkie. I need this ban
There are other, stronger reasons, for the ban. But she’s not wrong.
🗞️🏈 One more, then forever, by Jack Sawer
“We have our whole careers to play at the next level — and our whole lives to be Buckeyes. But we only have one more shot to be national champs … and being national champs is forever.”
🛬 and back. San Juan was fun, edifying. Made new friends among my profession, so that’s a win. And I trolled, and was trolled, about college football. Good times for a work trip.
Jack Sawer. 🏈
🛫 First work trip of the year.
A beautiful few short days in California over new year. Complete with a Rose Bowl win.
And of course the beach.
And of course, Gram and the kiddos.
Happy New Year
Magnus Carlsen knows the rules regarding dress code. To pout over a longstanding rule shows how classless he really is. He had a bad game and responded by doing something that made him look like the victim. What a baby. (At least he didn’t falsely accuse another player of cheating again.)
🎵 Her first time with Ella… ★★★★★
This is how you round out Christmas Day.
