I know its based on a true story and all, but with the way he acted in the past, I'm glad it wasn't the typical rom-com "instant miraculous reconciliation." I'd like to think they had to work to establish a relationship on a healthier footing. #HATM

SO NOT THE TIME FOR ANOTHER COMMERCIAL! #HATM

Back in 2004, I was working front counter at the local McDonalds. Woman came in and asked for an application for her daughter. 2 hours later, this girl comes in, says her mom told her to give the app to the "hot guy at the counter." Told her I was the only guy working that day... 1/2 #HATM

Holy shit, Ms. Hunter...well done! #$HATM

And the next round of commercials starts right in the middle of a line of dialogue... #HATM

The Star Trek nerd in me is waiting for Holly Hunter to show up... #HATM

Glad to be back with #HATM! Answering tonight's questions while the three minutes of ads run their course... 1. I honestly don't know... 2. "Feeding Nelson's Navy" by Janet MacDonald...more about 19th century military nutrition but still. 3. Mississippi pot roast and mashed potatoes.

When this summer rolls around, going to *finally* get down to the historical sci-fi idea I've had brewing for about ten years. Nabbing some research materials in the meantime...

Looking forward to participating again! The three day weekend helps... :)

OTD in 1778, the sloop-of-war Ranger commanded by John Paul Jones exchanged salutes with French warships in Quiberon Bay. This was the first time the Stars and Stripes was saluted by a foreign power. #McMullen2025 #NavalHistory

OTD in 1799, USS Constellation (commanded by Thomas Truxtun) defeated the French frigate l'Insurgente. Truxtun subsequently wrote, "The French captain tells me, I have caused a war with France, if so I am glad of it, for I detest things being done by halves." #McMullen2025 #NavalHistory #QuasiWar

New reads for the coming week...

OTD in 1804, LT Stephen Decatur commanding the ketch Intrepid received orders from CDRE Edward Preble to sail for Tripoli in company with the brig Syren to destroy the captured American frigate Philadelphia. Have the 15-star flag out until Decatur returns to report his success... #McMullen2025

Finished the Greg Cox novel already, so finally getting to this one. Read one or two of Hughes' stories in F&SF and bought this anthology awhile back...

New week, new reading...

Just finished editing my recent #McMullen2025 paper to submit to the Trafalgar Chronicle. Not counting endnotes, it comes in at 4069 words. Not too shabby. #AmWriting

That was "Commodore James Barron and Innovation in the Early U.S. NAVY," and they accepted. More recently, #McMullen2025 accepted "Cesar Tarrant: An Enslaved Pilot's Legacy of Freedom." Both were worth for the time, effort, and added stress. Brainstorming for 2027, now...

Starting book and periodical #2 of 2026 tomorrow...looking forward to seeing Keith DeCandido at MarsCon again, too!

First reads of 2026 underway.

Final completed readings of 2025...book 53 and periodical 96.

Among the things I want to accomplish in 2026 is to write and sell a piece of short fiction. This is one of several sources I'm using for research, along with H.G. Wells...

Doing research for my next article and came across this tidbit in Irving King's "Coast Guard Under Sail." Remembering the lessons of #McMullen2025 about sharing naval history and thinking procurement/new construction hasn't changed much...

Shelfie part two. Including birthday present from Ashley. Caught up with Drizzt and the family, now getting back into his independent stuff.

Christmas shelfie! A few others coming for the birthday...

Finally getting the tree up. Starting with a favorite ornament...

Just realized that next week's #HATM falls on Decemver 28th, my birthday...Wonder what the odds are I can convince folks to try "Ernrst Saves Christmas" on Disney+...

Princess Bride is a good choice for #HATM this week given recent circumstances...my wife and I will definitely join in.

Tomorrow is "dress like a Christmas character at school..."

So both years that I've attended and presented at USNA, #McMullen2025 and 2021. Navy has beaten Army. Not saying these facts are connected, but added incentive for me to try writing something for 2027...

Them: You can't hear pictures! Me, an intellectual:

Killick demonstrates proper use of chair cushions.

A few others from. Today's "Fall of Rome" Jenga, including the factors that brought down my class towers today. Students in Block 3 started from the very bottom and were proud of how long they kept rhe thing from falling...

Talking about the fall of the Western Roman Empire today...

It wasn't me...

Just typed the first 1100 words in my future book...only about 90 times that to go for a solid academic biography... ;)

Normally morning reading relaxes me, but I've been restless since reading the author's intro to Stephen Taylor's "Commander." Then I realized why: can't do any substantial writing till the summer, but I can get my own intro down and start digging through my thesis... #AmWriting

A little reading over Thanksgiving Break...

Sometimes subscribing to a bunch of periodicals sucks. Added fine new books to my "to be read" list from this issue alone. (Visiting the library tomorrow.) Though if I live as long as there are books I want to read, I'm in decent shape...

Always a good day.

Current reading list, plus @hntdove.bsky.social's "Ruled Britannia" on Audible for the commute.

So they go into VaultTec and that's it??? #HATM

Marking the calendar already... #HATM

Any job where I can't take an extra thirty seconds to order a decent breakfast is not for me. #HATM

1. I recommend @aliciaandrz.bsky.social, an awesome Shakespearean scholar down the road at William and Mary. Just finished a book, too! 2. Steak and potatoes. Been one of those weeks already... (Also starting about three minutes late...) #HATM

Straightening up the classroom, then finishing my second work week in a row under 50 hours. (And everything got done.) We'll see how long I can keep this up.

If Data doesn't grow up to be Batman, I'm going to be very disappointed... #HATM

This mother is a much better villain than the one in Kindergarten Cop... #HATM

1. "Treasure Island" with Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper from 1934. My dad had an old VHS that I wore out...recently wore out the DVD copy I managed to find too. Fortunately it's also on Amazon Prime... :) 2. Pork Chops and roasted potatoes. #HATM