Just saw a pack of 3 coyotes on my walk from the train to my apartment. Being a lifelong city dweller it’s pretty rare to see any wildlife greater than rabbits, birds, or squirrels, so that was cool.

Tonight’s the night. One last party to send Bonzo Squad into the sunset. Sad to say goodbye but excited for the next band up. Spare Parts, The Heard (featuring a young Neal O’Hara on keys/vocals), Low Spark, and now Bonzo Squad is 4 hits in a row. I trust the powers that be to pick a winner again.

I have usually a procedural drama and an animated show and a sitcom in rotation as background noise for cooking and cleaning around the apartment, and Boston Legal is the procedural right now. I watched all this long ago and I forgot how excellent and hilarious this show is.

The writing was on the wall for the last year but I think my dog and I are finally at the point where he needs to be carried up and down the stairs pretty much every time now. I don’t mind carrying him, I hate that I have to. He sprinted up and down those 2 and a half flights so fast for 11+ years.

Current jeopardy champ seems like he’s in for a really long streak. He’s already 17th all time in $$ winnings

If moe doesn’t post their soundboard from Saturday soon I’m going to lose it. Yes there is a tape. It doesn’t hit like a soundboard does I’m sorry

Motivation today at work is hovering around 0%

My 2.5 year old nephew is apparently now into trains like Thomas & Friends, and this pleases me greatly. Easy Christmas and birthday gifts. This is where I get to be the fun uncle and instill an early love of public transit. Wish I had a container stored somewhere of all my childhood trains for him.

Every episode of the chair company leaves me more confused than the last one

4 wins in a row since I switched to wearing my Cutler navy and dark orange throwback. Not saying it’s a reason, but we can’t rule it out.

I don’t really trust a grocery store if there’s not a huge Asian and middle eastern/mediterranean section where the packaging has no or minimal English written anywhere on it.

Your 8-3 Chicago Bears

There was a shooting at a jammy brewery/music venue in the Chicago suburb of Aurora last night called . 1 dead, 2 injured. Two Brothers Roundhouse. Fucking guns man. It’s the guns.

My favorite newer wholesome IG account is @ dinewithkent where this old southern guy is just going around to different ethnic restaurants that he’s never tried before and diving in. He doesn’t like everything, but he is trying and discovering a ton of great stuff. Lebanese food knocked his socks off

Today I learned about Idiopathic Vestibular Disease and that it afflicts old dogs and is mostly harmless but looks like the scariest thing imaginable when it’s happening. Glad my little guy is doing better (just a little wobbly when he walks), but that was a lot to go through at 8 this morning.

Joelseph is streaming on nugs on a grand piano right now FYI @umphreys.com @goldlikejoel.bsky.social @nugs.net

The president called for the executions of several Democratic members of congress this morning and it’ll barely even be a blip on the news because that’s just how we roll in 2025.

One week from tonight: Bonzo Squad plays their final show of their 6-year, weekly residency at Chicago’s best live music bar, aliveOne. It’s a bittersweet time, expecting a massive crowd tonight and next week to send them off. A lot of musicians have come out of aO. Neal Francis is the big one.

The Stormlight Archive series continues to stare at me on my bookshelf. All 5000 pages of it. It’s very intimidating. And that’s only until the 5th one comes out on paperback next year and then it’s like 6500 pages. I will get to it. Maybe I’ll start in January. Until then there’s plenty to read

Having friends in Portland and Seattle who like drug bands really makes doing a PNW drug band run very affordable. Lodging arranged and Portland & Seattle Umphrey’s is now on the calendar ✅✈️🎫

445pm and it’s completely dark outside I don’t understand why we subject ourselves to this insanity when we have the option not to

West Coast & mountains March ‘26 @umphreys.com shows! Where will we see you?

UM’s first ever Wyoming stop on deck for March. State #49. All that’ll be left is Hawaii

Thinking Umphrey’s west coast dates drop today. Hoping for a 2-nighter in Seattle to visit friends too but that might be asking too much. 2x2 Portland/Seattle would be ideal. Probably looking at Eugene, Portland, Seattle, Boise/Spokane. Then a cali run of Sacramento, SF, LA, SD

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Hello old friend. It’s been quite a while.

🏈 TB 32 - 44 BUF FINAL ✅ That's Scorigami!! It's the 1095th unique final score in NFL history.

Colston Loveland is going to be a problem for defenses for a long time. Loving this dress pick more and more as the season presses on. Guy is a beast.

Tonight in Chicago: Eggy @ Thalia Hall Lotus @ Bottom Lounge Big Gigantic @ Salt Shed Wood Brothers @ The Riv New Mastersounds @ Garcia’s

Instant pot is back out for the first time in a while for some dal makhani this evening. Already smells amazing in my apartment.

Dang. Confirmed. RIP Todd Snider.

78k people in the TM queue for Masayoshi Takanaka at a 5k capacity venue in Chicago.

Common Side Effects is a really great new show and anyone into the idea of a conspiracy/paranoia show involving psychedelic drugs should watch. The first season is streaming on HBO.

Breaking my “I will never see a show at Aragon Ballroom ever again” rule to buy a Masayoshi Takanaka ticket for next April. Sigh.

The Edmund Fitzgerald posting will continue until morale improves.

Dogs in a Pile higher on the lineup than Lotus is wild to me

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I am once again listening to the studio album Blueprints by the progressive rock jam band Umphrey’s McGee

In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice. KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond. His reply was a doozy.

Thanks Philly. FTP.

Umphrey’s. So hot right now. ♫ Now Playing on @nugsnet: “2x2” by Umphrey's McGee, from 11/7/2025 🎶: 2x2 🎸: Umphrey's McGee 2nu.gs/3XhDHZA

@schumer.senate.gov and the Dems are a bigger disaster than the wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald.

Read every word & share with everyone you know. This is real life here in Chicago. Americans need to know this grotesque reality & stand with us.

The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald took place 50 years ago today. It’s a big day for my people (middle-aged men from the Midwest)

It's my favorite survey of the year. Help the inspector general's office set its 2026 priorities igchicago.org/2026-annual-...

Never a doubt about the bears winning that game except almost the entire game

Probably a great time to have zero planned trips requiring a flight on my calendar for the foreseeable future.

What a weekend. 3-nights of @umphreys.com at The Vogue should be a new annual tradition. Band was HOT all weekend. Lovely little neighborhood around the venue. Too many friends to even count. Immaculate vibes all around.