Getting my last ruck in of 2020. I’m not going to dare fate as some have. It’s certainly been a challenging year, but there’s been some amazingly great things that humans accomplished. Hopefully some lessons have been absorbed too, and we’ll continue to iterate. Happy NY’s Eve!

Found on a walk on the Fanno Creek Trail yesterday. It’s the little things like this — that don’t take a lot of effort — that put a smile on people’s faces. Instead, it takes caring.

I took the day off social media on Christmas, but I wanted to share my new favorite ornament: hand painted by my eldest daughter of Tigli, who just turned a year old several days ago. She’s not that poised in real life!

A sunny day in Western Oregon. I’m thinking a long walk is in order today before the rain comes back with a vengeance, probably as early as Christmas Day. Vitamin D, here I come!

We’re going to just miss a white Christmas this year. On the Eve we’ll be in a place where it’ll snow on the 25th, but then going back home where it’ll rain. Bummer. I have a strong suspicion that next year we’ll have plenty of the white stuff.

The season finale of The Mandalorian was so incredibly good. The last 15 minutes I was literally on the edge of my seat, probably with my mouth open. I’ll stick my stake in the ground on this: best Star Wars since the Return of the Jedi.

Listening to Paul McCartney’s new album, McCartney III. He’s still got it. I learned that the other 2 eponymous albums were right after Beatles break up and after Wings broke up. This one is a reaction to 2020. Fitting.

Found this questionable Christmas decoration at a Thai restaurant yesterday. What’s going on with the elf? It’s vaguely disturbing.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: when you are forced to update all your addresses for extended family and friends that are getting Christmas cards. Great forcing function!

I posit that wisdom and humility are closely correlated. As your wisdom increases, so should your humility.

Listened to Chris Cornell’s No One Sings Like You Anymore this morning, a list of covers he recorded in 2016. Bittersweet, and amazing. His rendition of Guns N’ Roses’ Patience is amazing. Over 3 years since his death, but feels like it was yesterday.

Watching The Expanse season 4, the first season after Amazon took ownership of it. Not as good as earlier seasons for various reasons (so far), but I’ve noticed a lot more f*bombs being dropped, especially by the talented Shohreh Aghdashloo. Completely unnecessary, Amazon.

I’m sure all the space nerds out there saw the test flight of SpaceX’s Starship SN8, but for the rest, this was huge. It’s hard to express how groundbreaking the work that SpaceX is doing here. In a year of challenges, this is a blindingly bright light for our future. Build!

Pearl Harbor was attacked 79 years ago, and each year, less people are alive that remember it. Soon it’ll be like the events of WW1 – remembered in books and movies, not in memory. Still, I had grandparents that fought in The Big One, and even though they’re gone, thank you.

It’s Tigli the Christmas Dog! And yes, it’s pretty apparent that she isn’t super happy about the situation she found herself in, and was freed to paw it off almost immediately after a few snaps were taken.

The McRib is back for a limited time. I had one today, and yes, it was delicious. Unfortunately, probably just as bad for me as it is delicious, so I’ll likely be waiting another 8 years for another taste.