(This was originally going to be a response to an online conversation about mask mandates, but I decided to save it, think about it, and post it here instead.) I am glad to hear so many people have been vaccinated. That benefits all of us. Thank you. Some of us will still want to wear masks indoors. That's not paranoia or hysteria. The...

One of my favorite podcasts, The Big Picture, recently did a show where the hosts and guest Shea Serrano ranked their top 5 blockbuster movies. I really love these sorts of episodes because it gets me thinking about what I would pick for my favorites. The blockbuster category is interesting because these movies are meant to create a sp...

When I was in grade school, my best subjects were always those where the work involved getting the right answer: science and math. I did not fare as well in English, history, and social studies. History, in particular, was not my best subject. To be clear, I never failed a history class. But I never excelled and never really enjoyed my...

For some reason, everyone thinks that USB-C is great and that every device – laptops, cameras, iPhones, iPads, headphones – should have USB-C ports and charge over USB-C. I recently got two devices that charge over USB-C: my work laptop and a 4th generation iPad Air. I can tell you from my experience that USB-C is terrible. I don't kno...

For almost two years — since before the pandemic began — I was looking for a new home. I had been renting for more than 20 years. It was finally time to try to become a home owner. I was motivated by the fact that, depending on location, I could potentially pay less per month to be a home owner than I had been paying in rent. I was als...

One year ago, the World Health Organization declared the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak to be a pandemic. A few days later, my employer told me that I needed to work from home – indefinitely. Around the same time, my daughter's school closed and students were required to receive instruction online. My birthday, a few weeks later, was celebrated q...

During the pandemic, I think the bar for watchable content has been lowered. There’s just so much more time at home to consume more of that bottomless pit of streamable content. After you get through all the movies and shows you really wanted to see, you are left with everything else you were, at best, lukewarm about. Like Wandavision....

I had an appointment this morning and decided to walk there. Walking around here is very enjoyable. I love all the trees. I enjoy the architecture and character of the older buildings and homes. There are parks and creeks, stone churches and Tudor-style apartment buildings. It's surprising that so few people walk. Everyone in suburbia ...