“It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners.”

“Show me that the good life doesn’t consist in its length, but in its use, and that it is possible - no, entirely too common - for a person who has had a long life to have lived too little.” - Seneca, Moral Letters

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’ve never met Monica Queen but I fell in love with her when I first listened to “Lazy Line Painter Jane” in 1997. And any time I listen to that song it’s like seeing an old flame that can never be extinguished.

Another Sunny Day by Belle & Sebastian may be the best song in the world. Tonight. You know who you are and why I think this way. Tonight.

“Criticize yourself, but do not feel desperate about it.” — Epictetus

“We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and privacy, and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.” - C.S. Lewis

“The worst mistake which was ever made in this world was the separation of political science from ethics” - Percy Bysshe Shelley

#KhargIslandFestival Boe Dylan

#KhargIslandFestival Rage Against the Machine set: Barrels on Parade Drilling in the Name

“Atreus: Who would reject the flood of fortune’s gifts? Thyestes: Anyone who has experienced how easily they flow back.” —Seneca

Was discussing this movie yesterday with a friend who bought a “historic” home. He had never heard of it… now he is about to live it.

“Slavery resides under marble and gold.” - Seneca

On this day in 1959, Buddy Holly died in a plane crash. Read our story on the Lubbock rocker whose influence on pop music will not fade away: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/the-real-buddy-holly/

🔥 Enduring wisdom from Seneca: “A man who suffers before it is necessary, suffers more than is necessary.”

🏛️ Philosophy from Epictetus: “Circumstances don’t make the man, they only reveal him to himself.”

Here’s something I love about information democracy: there’s 3 million open source Epstein files out there right now. Almost everyone, 99.9999% of people, are like “eh, I’ll let someone else look for me” Journalists have such a great opportunity right now.

2021 Trois Noix Lovely Bordeaux blend from Napa (Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot). Loads of red fruit & spice. #BQWines

“Americans, while occasionally willing to be serfs, have always been obstinate about being peasantry.” - Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Pals, it only took us 28 years, but Wait Wait finally has merch! Pick it up here or when you come to see us, and Represent. shopnpr.org/collections/...

“On Bullshit” by Harry Frankfurt is a book that is incredibly pertinent, interesting, and enjoyable. The idea that bullshit is more dangerous than lying is something so necessary for people to understand right now. press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...

President Trump wants more U.S. oil companies to "go in" to Venezuela. But there are economic, historical, and climate reasons that may not be easy. Here's what you need to know about oil in Venezuela. n.pr/4sp63PX

The Philosophy of Cheese by Patrick McGuigan is a fun, interesting, and informative book to start 2026. However it is also making me hungry.

“The difference between real material poison and intellectual poison is that most material poison is disgusting to the taste, but intellectual poison, which takes the form of cheap newspapers or bad books, can unfortunately sometimes be attractive.” - Tolstoy

2012 Salmon Rosé for ringing in the New Year. Always a great wine. Cheers! #BQWines

“Many times an old man has no other evidence besides his age to prove he has lived a long time.” —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind

“You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire.” —Seneca

You kind of have to repost this, right? Right?

Trump: "We have a fool at the Federal Reserve. I mean, Biden reappointed him. It's too bad. You would have thought he wouldn't have done that." (Jerome Powell was appointed by Trump)

“This is our big mistake: to think we look forward toward death. Most of death is already gone. Whatever time has passed is owned by death.” —Seneca

“What a strange prejudice, that wealth brings happiness. Will people ever banish this notion?” - Schopenhauer

As people start to think of resolutions for 2026, this quote always strikes me as one to help with resolutions: “Aren’t you ashamed to reserve for yourself only the remnants of your life and to dedicate to wisdom only that time can’t be directed to business?” — Seneca, On The Brevity Of Life

“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” —Blaise Pascal

🏛️ Philosophy from Montaigne: “I make no doubt but that I often happen to speak of things that are much better and more truly handled by those who are masters of the trade.”

“A man’s shortcomings are taken from his epoch; his virtues and greatness belong to himself.” —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Cheers!

“Madness is something rare in individuals—but in groups, parties, peoples, and ages it is the rule.” —Friedrich Nietzsche

Sunday Night Football & small producer Pinot Noir. Great combination. 2020 Anthill Farms Anderson Valley. Cheers!

Looking for something different to listen to for Christmas? Here's a great playlist put together by David Byrne from a 2023 Fresh Air episode (Terry Gross is a national treasure). www.npr.org/2024/12/24/g...

NPR's Scott Simon explains why The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York" is a holiday song for those who have troubles and heartache.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Gandhi

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” - Marcel Proust

“But I am not Enron”, oil on canvas

“If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer, "He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.” – Epictetus #stoic #philosophy #wisdom

“Captain Badass” by Songs:Ohia is so good… glad that today I randomly heard that gem of a song from 1999. It will be on repeat all day tomorrow.

We all cry when listening to Belle & Sebastian? Right? Right?

“Priests and Paramedics” is both one of the best early 2000s songs and an amazing title… sometimes that title is how business/life feels in general.

Anyone else listening to Rage Against the Machine more than usual lately?

Dinosaur Jr. cover of “Just Like Heaven” isn’t solving all my problems but it it sure is helping my coping.