I wrote this all the way back late last spring, ahead of Splat Attack's 100th episode, yet to start this winter, it's been my best-read Medium story two weeks in a row. We can take that as a testament to the podcast's appeal. medium.com/@AlDaniel/wh...

Let's take a look back at the highs, lows, bests, and worsts of Seattle-area bagels and beyond with The 2025 Shandies

Hi! I’m Kaitlyn — a freelance writer who can create: • researched, SEO-driven blog posts • reported articles • profiles • Q&As • ghostwritten content Work with me ➡️ kaitlyn.arford[at]gmail.com I also share a lot of information about building an independent career on my blog: kaitlynarford.com/blog

ICYMI, a listicle for @rimonthly.bsky.social and a couple of features for @awfulannouncing.bsky.social highlight my end-of-year writing roundup for 2025. medium.com/@AlDaniel/my...

If I may jokingly self-aggrandize for a moment, two of my freelance writing projects in 2025 bolster the theory that Awful Announcing bears a real antithesis to Sports Illustrated’s legendary “cover jinx.” Find my 2025 end-of-year writing highlights roundup here: medium.com/@AlDaniel/my...

Happy New Jersey Statehood Day to those who celebrate.

I’m not sure if every Splat Attack crew member has a theater background. Some have confirmed that they do, but in any case, they all put their proficiencies for performance on display in this holiday special about, well, a holiday special. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vep3...

In fairness, on October 17-18, 2004, Mariano Rivera *did* help bring Red Sox Nation a dream.

Happy Pennsylvania Statehood Day to those who celebrate.

Happy Indiana Statehood Day to those who celebrate.

I've been to BO's Bagels in New York, but now let's try Bo's bagels in Bend, Oregon.

The last time the Splat Attack Girls Room convened there were scary ghost stories. Now the episode that dropped this morning gives us tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPP1...

Let me take a second to wish a Happy Mississippi Statehood Day to those who celebrate.

"Customers could loosen their expectations and accept a scattering of leaves...decaying leaves fertilize the soil and form a protective layer that provides shelter for snails, bees, and butterflies." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

"...just in time to start building your holiday sofa itinerary." The Katie Bakery @katiebakes.bsky.social coming through with another nutrient-rich expression coated with dark chocolate for good measure. www.theringer.com/2025/12/05/t...

As much as I detest premature airings of Christmas ads, it's now December 2 and I'm feeling oddly worried because I, for one, have yet to see the Hershey's Kisses bells ad in the wild this season.

Those who claim that online ID checks are to “protect the children” are lying to you, full stop! Not only will they open the gateway to more censorship, but it will also increase identity frauds even more. The Discord leak is a perfect example of this!

RABBIT RABBIT

Does anyone else find the wailing gingerbread man in the Duluth Trading ads insufferable? There. That's my hot take for the day, and my first post of the Christmas season.

Splat Attack’s latest Collector’s Corner features a wide range of home media and autographed apparel, artwork, and photos. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG6Z...

My pick for this piece's Section 1 MVP (most valuable phrase): "late-afternoon tea of pre-rolls and Celsius" (part of a winningly illustrative paragraph) Runners-up: "mainstream middlebrow hit"; "lovelorn loitering"; "cinephile esteem"; "oafish menace" "brighter and bawdier"

Planes, Trains and Automobiles - a film whose events start right around this point in Thanksgiving Week - premiered 38 (!) years ago today.

Shoutouts to this dandy dozen for National Editor Appreciation Day: Jesse Connolly, @marycclarke.bsky.social, @jamiecoelho.bsky.social, @dana-laverty.bsky.social, @seankeeley.bsky.social, Matt Yoder, Todd Kortemeier, Matt Mackinder, Trent Reinsmith, Adam Hirschfield, John Butler, and Claire Wittich.

This season marks the 35th anniversary of "Bart vs. Thanksgiving," an episode many fans have retroactively dubbed a seminal point in The Simpsons' formative years. Here are a dozen factoids on the episode’s reach to the rest of the show’s peak era and to the real world. medium.com/@AlDaniel/12...

This story from February 2022 was the best-read of all my Medium articles last week. The same was true for a week in mid-August of this year. I’m not sure how that happened, but we can take it as an endorsement for evergreen writing. medium.com/@AlDaniel/an...

"It's generosity and kindness that make a *real* Really Really Big Man!" Happy #WorldKindnessDay.

"I *am* a professional writer, after all. It’s fun to use a big word in certain spots, and not even for the cheap ego boost. I just like it when there’s a specific word that sounds exactly right for the thought I’m trying to convey." - @drewmagary.bsky.social

It’s National Easy-Bake Oven Day, which I'm only aware of because @vikingmermaid.bsky.social mentioned it in this episode of the Splat Attack Girls Room. www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2o5...

Happy #NationalSandwichDay.

Why do we reserve the term "Standard Time" for the format we barely use for one-third of the year?

Happy Nevada Statehood Day to those who celebrate.

In the latest Splat Attack Podcast, cofounder and host Alex Nantz presents a jaw-droppingly comprehensive array of books, board games, and home media from the slime-filled past. Are you a '90s collector? Do you know someone who is? Get in touch with the Splat Crew! www.youtube.com/watch?v=n42j...

Leigh’s story is not unique, but her willingness to share it and advocate for others is courageous and uncommon. I will continue working to save health care for people like Leigh & all RIers who need access to affordable coverage.

Rhode Island agrees with Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, and Colorado.

Daily reminder: transit is essential!!

Happy National Cat Day.

Happy International Animation Day.

Oh, is that all? An 18-inning contest wrapping up at 2:50 a.m. Eastern? Try 32 innings cutting off at 4 a.m. Eastern...with the winner still to be determined. Yes, this is my latest way of encouraging people to pick up Dan Barry's "Bottom of the 33rd."

RIP Sybil Fawlty.

ICYMI, as this week marked 50 years since the sixth game of the 1975 World Series, here's a list of 10 other historic sports moments where one team's win to preserve their eligibility for one more game ultimately overshadowed an opponent's championship. medium.com/@AlDaniel/ba...

Ken Burns and interviewer @dana-laverty.bsky.social warm up with some crossword talk before he and Sarah Botstein get to talking about their latest film with @rimonthly.bsky.social www.rimonthly.com/a-qa-with-fi...

Whether it’s the Olympics, the World Championships, or any other IIHF jamboree, facing either half of North America’s two-headed titan in the semifinals is tantamount to entering Game 6 trailing a best-of-seven series. medium.com/@AlDaniel/ba...

First things first, is the new Backyard Bagel in Ravenna or Laurelhurst?

Like Game 6 of the 1975 World Series with Good Will Hunting, another postseason and its defining game became screenplay reference fodder with 2010’s Hot Tub Time Machine. medium.com/@AlDaniel/ba...

Daily reminder: transit is essential! 🚌 @RIPTA.com

Even without a Cup, 2003 was practically the Year of the Duck. More on that - and nine other historic sports moments for which Game 6 of the 1975 World Series stands as a unique measuring pole - here: medium.com/@AlDaniel/ba...

And the Red Sox were the carbon rod that year.

(Ringer writer Daniel) Harris described the Americans as “minnows” grouped with the English, Spaniards, and Chileans. Naturally, the English were projected as runaway whale sharks. Reflect on the Miracle on Grass and other moments resembling the 1975 World Series here. medium.com/@AlDaniel/ba...

I wrote about something not sports-related for the Ipswich Local News this week. GASP! Me, a theatre writer? I did my best. The Ipswich High Theatre Company puts its own spin on Godspell: thelocalnews.news/2025/10/20/i...