An important reminder, and one reason why Finland is whipping our butts in the documentation wars. m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wof0...

As we glide effortlessly into a new year of please-god-not-too-many-horrors, I think it’s important to gird our collective loins, so I would like to remind everyone about how important they are:

I know this is a tough time of year for many people, and I wish you all a safe and happy holiday with whatever chosen family you have 🩵

Merry Erev Christmas to those who celebrate

"Paul Stanley's a singer? With what group, now? Sure, put him in the tent with the trapeze artist. Marketing says that screams 'caffeinated.'" - Proctor & Gamble executives, just before they came down from their collective acid trip m.youtube.com/watch?v=hMa1...

Curling up on a cold night with a boot, as one does

What an incredible send-off! My deepest love to the #NYTGames desk and flex desk for making me feel so valued. 🩵

Have you looked at your NYT Games Highlights for 2025?

Lighting the first candle tonight with pain in my heart for the victims of Bondi Beach. And may a hero like Ahmed Al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the shooters and was shot himself, be celebrated for the righteous man he is.

When you Google "Is breaking and entering a felony or a misdemeanor?" and it's actually research for a column, Your Honor

crossword puzzles have done more for texting slang than a million teens ever could

Well this is just lovely. Thank you, PuzzCulture puzzculture.com/2025/11/13/d...

LABORCON: Also known as Braxton-Hicks contractions. Usually accompanied by hospital personnel telling you to go home because it’s not time yet.

Flags at half mast for John Noble Wilford, the journalist who wrote this story. Obit in comments.

Cause of death: Email.

A visual representation of misdirection in crossword clues, as performed by a dog

The Nobel Prize committee should announce the World Cup winner tomorrow

OK, I’ve missed you all long enough. Charles and I will be returning to the ACPT in April as freeloaders, sorry, judges. Who am I going to get to hug there?

BEMEIN: To present someone with a bowl of chow mein.

I have decided to self-diagnose myself with a condition that I am calling Seasonal Chimera Hair. Every winter, the left side of my hair remains curly, and the other side straightens out into a frizzy mess. No amount or type of product helps.

I feel like Gen Z is getting short shrift here

Not surprised by the most-used words, but loving the fact that the first word is “irresponsible”

Incredibly honored to have my attempts at plausible deniability commemorated in Natan Last’s fabulous book, “Across the Universe.” You should buy his book #ididntdoit

This dog is feeling some things …

Sure, let’s rely on AI for answers 🙄

Hear me out: A Friday night activity for the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.

I would say that I like 9 the best. But 3 can take a flying leap.

All who wander are not lost, but it's entirely possible that they forgot why they came into the damn room in the first place.

“It’s not a palindrome! The palindrome of Bolton would be Notlob! It don't work!!”

*Spreads arms wide and says magnanimously* “This year, EVERYONE gets a leg for dinner!” (Eye twitches)

Age-related achievement unlocked: Completely forgot the word “vineyards” and suggested to Charles that we visit the “grape houses.”

Lunch at Bota Sare, an 800 year old former salt warehouse in Mali Ston

Dovidenja, Dubrovnik. Bok, Mali Ston, home of the freshest seafood I’ve ever seen. It on a body of water containing sea urchin, clams, mussels and more and the food comes right out of the crystal clear water and onto your plate

New article idea: “Dubrovnik: Not a Biking Town”

🩵🩵🩵

Discussion topic: The need for magnetic nail polish, which is actually a thing, as seen in the ad below, and which could potentially put a damper in meetings involving magnetic whiteboards. #westillhaventcuredcancer

As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history. Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX

PAVLOVINN: Where the bell always ring for dinner.

According to the wonderful Dave Barry, this is the 50th anniversary of the most hilarious news event of all time. Please celebrate responsibly. youtu.be/V6CLumsir34

Today in history: Five years ago, we had the Four Seasons Landscaping press conference. Please celebrate responsibly.

CAFFULATE: To procure, prepare or consume caffeinated beverages #pangram

Holding my eyes open with toothpicks as we head into the top of the 47th ...

This seems unfair.

Rhetorical question: if you own more than one loafer, are they then loavers?

Oh sure. We can all sit here eating our kids' Halloween candy, but you know what's coming, don't you? CHRISTMAS MUSIC. And it will be EVERYWHERE.

AMOLAR: A person who has had their wisdom teeth removed

General takeaway from today’s puzzle: People outside the United States harbor a surprising amount of animosity toward dessert cookies.

No, YOU'RE making a case in your column that vegetables are not intrinsically violent.