I feel mocked that I’m not working on my novel…

No. Just no.

Best line of the day: “The irony is like peanut butter.”

Today is literally kicking my ass.

And then I slipped on black ice.

For sale One checks and balances No longer used

When I smile, people feel it!

It was a contest between a Nutmegger with a snow blower and a Chicagoan with a shovel—it was close!

Comfort food is comforting. (Mustard-crusted cider chicken)

Spent New Year’s Day gaming like a boss!

PO: “Codsworth! Don’t flee! Be brave! One of us should be…!” #EldestvsFallout4

Me: “What was that?” PO: “Inside joke. You’re not an epic gamer.” Me: “I’m not an epic gamer because I chose to be a parent. I know me. I couldn’t be both.” PO: “You just press X. It’s not so hard.” Me: *laughs* PO: “Callback!” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Dude! I’m asking you politely to sit down and die.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “I can’t do anything about the safe. It’s too safe.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “I’ve got bubblegum and no one can stop me! …Except probably these guys, many many times.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Ow! I have to nibble on something. …Mole-rat chunks. Yummy yummy mole-rat chunks.” #EldestvsFallout4

Super-mutant: “I can smell you…” PO: “I don’t want to be smelled. Sounds unpleasant.” #EldestvsFallout4

NPC: “Who’s there?!” PO: “No one here but is mole-rats!” #EldestvsFallout4

PO’s character dies. S: “End scene.” PO: “Exit Stage Down.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Nope nope nope nope! Legendary super-mutant brute? I think not!” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Oh! This is Trinity. Trinity’s safe…er.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “This is going to be achieved by a lot of cowardice. Let’s go!” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “That way lies monsters. This way lies plot!” #EldestvsFallout4

Shaved-headed boy NPC: “They say Outsiders smell, but you don’t smell at all!” PO: “Thank you, Caillou.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Sneak-sneak-sneak…” NPC: “What was that?” PO: “RUNNING!” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Here’s MIT…or it’s non-copyrighted alternative.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Nope. Not doing that!” Me: “Adventure calls and you hung up?!” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “We craft some stuff… We store all the junk… We remember what buttons are for…” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Aaaaand in the time-honored tradition: loot the bodies!” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “I finished the quest. I’m so proud. Go me!” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “A mediocre gun, a piece of pipe I pulled from a dead body, and a baton. Here be the hero of the Wastelands!” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “I can keep scrounging or I can take an ill-advised trip to Diamond City.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Well I *do* have a giant murder-bot on my side…” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Anyone up for melons?” #EldestvsFallout4

Me: “What are you shooting at?” PO: “I thought it was a bomb. It is not a bomb. It is a stash.” Me: “…Intelligence 2?” PO: “Intelligence 2.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO to dead bug: “Give me your meat!” Me: *cracks up laughing* PO: siiiiiigh #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “I am now well-tested and ready to take on the world, such as it unfortunately is.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “I thought you were dead. I’m not happy that you’re not.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “I love being not-dead. It’s a hobby of mine.” #EldestvsFallout4

PO: “Press X to parent!” #EldestvsFallout4

Seeing a glowing red arc at 4:37pm turned out to be a sunset rainbow in the mist—a stunning sight, like chalk smeared with a thumb across a rainy sky. Goodbye 2025. I’m eagerly awaiting a new year.

@fanfeline.bsky.social, deadpan: “I don’t know how you managed to break D&D Beyond, but you did. I’m so proud.”

Spent the last hour writing my resume and cover letter, researching the hiring manager, etc. only to find the job post was taken down and no longer available. This perfectly captures what it’s like to be a job seeker in 2025.

What the absolute [expletive] was that?!?

As seniors in high school, we were instructed to interview one another and then write a piece about what the other person would be like at our 10th reunion. Mine wrote that I’d be a published author and enter wearing a red feather boa. It’s 30+ years later & a burgundy mohair scarf, but it’s close!

There are days where I’m like, “I already gave at the office, thank you.”

Oh dear god. Not Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.

…aka “sushi rolls.”

Drama, thy name is +1 Pen of Smiting!