CPAP orientation, day after Christmas. Feels like I unlocked the middle aged version of Brick by Ben Folds Five.

Well, it's another banner day to be a Michigan State alum! If it weren't on CNN, I'd say this is too on the nose to be real, and yet there it is.

Another great thing about @joshgondelman.bsky.social is how he responds to internet praise with his personal thanks. Kill Tony could never!

Said it before and I'll say it again - if you look at every awful Rogansphere inspired "comedy" trend of recent years and think "I kind of want the exact opposite of that", Josh is pretty much your guy. Comedy that's smart, warm, empathetic, and laugh out loud funny because of it.

Our 3 year old has the flu the week before Christmas. Today's highlight, after the kids got to bed: Me: "I feel like I could use a shower tonight" My wife: "Well, you were the one who got puked on this morning..."

An absolute steal for one of my absolute favorites of 2025. Enough time to buy it, read it, love it, and buy a hard copy as a Christmas gift for someone else who will love it!

My wife got me my "holy grail" record for my 40th birthday. Pure Sounds of Michigan, an ambient complication commissioned by the state tourism board featuring field recordings from the state. Only pressed on vinyl for promotional purposes, not for individual sale. I'm a lucky guy indeed.

This rules, and also Weird Al saw no need to parody it because Tom Scharpling, Julie Klausner, and Jon Daly already did the perfect "kid-friendly" version in 2022: youtu.be/96UYn8WqIJ0?...

Forty!

Today was "How to Draw Bluey and Bingo" day in the Bluey advent calendar. Here's my best attempt.

There'd be a certain poetry to this specific action leading to Republicans losing the House next November, given how much of the cultural energy behind Trump in 2024 was centered around being able to use that word again without consequence.

20 year old me would have NEVER seen this coming. Detroit pride aside, they just existed in such different cultural universes to me back then.

This was supposed to be my first night out with my wife since our second kid was born, and an early 40th birthday present to me, but the lack of screenings that aren't 30+ minutes each way from babysitting has made it impossible. Sigh. Thanks for nothing, Netflix.

Smartly written thread from parent of trans kids @jessethorn.bsky.social on what his kids being trans has meant for them and his family, and how their happy, healthy status quo has been threatened by this regime.

I forgot that Olbermann was tied up in the Nuzzi thing as well. What a roster of fellas, yikes.

Mark Sanford the presidential candidate?

Somewhere tonight, Tim Ryan is wondering "what if...?"

I'm no fan of Ryan Lizza but dropping "BTW, not the first time she's done this" timed that perfectly is some Angela Bassett Burning The Car

Let's all just remember that Ryan Lizza is also (allegedly!) a gross creep, and we absolutely DO NOT have to hand it to him. AND YET. AND YET!

It's strangely reassuring that while planning his mayoral transition, Mamdani is probably taking time out once a week to watch The Chair Company.

Of course Chicago Pope would also be Siskel and Ebert Pope. How could he not be?

Still haven't gotten over the jump scare of Olivia Nuzzi appearing in the acknowledgements of a popular non-fiction book I read this year. (Always read the acknowledgements, folks. You never know what fun surprises await!)

no surprises here, but: -yup -catholic high school alum -more of a comedy guy -oh yeah -law school I'd add being within five years of the guy age-wise on either side, just because it makes him quite possibly the most evil person your generation specifically has produced.

Literally an extended version of this bit, but dead straight and serious. I wouldn't be shocked if reading this was Downey's initial inspiration, in fact.

Woah, the Dane Cook Special: Employee of the Month Good Luck Chuck Mr. Brooks Dan in Real Life

For a picky eater, my son will latch on to some truly bizarre food combos. Peanut butter sandwich with salt and vinegar chips mushed up inside? Follow your bliss, kid!

If you see this, post an album cover with a motor vehicle on it.

JD participating in the "full album stream on YouTube" trend in the most JD way possible. Tempting to experience the album for the first time this way.

New track (and album announcement!) from Monster Rally really kicking a sleepy Thursday into gear. monsterrally.bandcamp.com/album/incred...

On a personal note, Nancy Pelosi's office granted me the opportunity to serve as a school year House Page in 2002 after I served the summer terms and didn't want to leave. So I kind of owe her one of the most formative experiences of my life.

I think many of the criticisms of her are valid, but damned if she wasn't the sharpest and most effective political operator of her generation from either party. What a career.

Holy shit, how'd I miss this surprise new project drop from the Crutchfield sisters dropping last week, made alongside NC luminaries MJ Lenderman and Brad Cook no less?!? Naturally, it absolutely rules and you should listen to it immediately. youtube.com/playlist?lis...

That's the kind of threat you only get one bite to make good on, everyone knows the rules.

Lots of "Dick Cheney shot a guy" this morning, not near enough "Dick Cheney told Pat Leahy to fuck himself on the Senate floor". But good work overall, gang! Keep those posts coming.

Wake up, Dick! I want you to see droves of New Yorkers voting in a Muslim socialist as mayor! Dick?

I was an intern for Presidential Classroom during college, and Dick Cheney was a guest speaker one week. I'll never forget how ... normal he was. A gruff grandpa, telling kids about being President of the Senate. There was, dare I say, warmth to him? Made his evil all the more chilling to me.

Getting ready for round two of sleep study, trying not to think about feeling like this all night.

The closest anyone had to having this kind of juice last year was Tim Walz, and for some reason we just stopped him from talking like this? Will baffle me forever.

Kat Abugazeh’s campaign has crossed a threshold where the risk she’s taking is significant enough and the actions admirable enough I sorta am past caring if it’s a publicity stunt/brand building exercise or not, it’s still brave and worthy of respect.

Literally just talked to my cousin's kids last night on the phone, and they called me Uncle Jeff. Hope those kids don't ever intend on running for office now!

Yeah, if Dickerson is out, CBS News is cooked. Prayers up for CBS Sunday Morning as always, and Anthony Mason in particular.

Truly underrated byline here too.

Fall Festival at daycare, and OH SHIT LOOK WHO'S HERE.

the through line of "got an accidental nazi tattoo while drunk" to "regularly takes shirt off at the bar" to "starts a senate campaign with no experience and no plan to address any of this" to "gets a terrible coverup overnight" is "total lack of judgment and impulse control"

speaking for myself, being an ironic hipster is really symptomatic of the big problems in the world. "Oh that Nazi tattoo? That's a joke, I was in Croatia, a former Nazi puppet state, and I was drunk, I honestly didn't know it was a Nazi tattoo anyway, nothing means anything"

Most generous read of what happened: -He got the tattoo in ignorance -He got photographed with the tattoo either still ignorant or before correcting his mistake -He corrected his mistake some time before running for Senate, not knowing there was photographic evidence. Still pretty disqualifying.

My wife informs me that our 3.5 year old can sing along to most of the lyrics to "Return to Pooh Corner" by Kenny Loggins, so excuse while I sob quietly at my desk for the 10 minutes before my next meeting.

Putting it out into the universe once again: @hodgman.bsky.social for Senate in Maine. Part time Maine resident? Yes. Full time lover of Maine culture and lore? Also yes. Under 80? Yup. Agreed with Platner's platform? Hell yes! Nazi tattoos? Pretty sure no!

You have to be willing to walk away from these guys if they let you down, just as a matter of basic self respect. It's not a fandom. You're hiring them to do a job or not.

Growing up, a friend swore he'd never get a tattoo as he couldn't count on anything so permanently. Not even his beloved home of Canada, I asked? Nope - Canada could get taken over by right wingers and deport all Asian immigrants. Anyhow, just something on my mind today for no reason at all.