Dear Katie,

People say that time flies when you’re having fun. That must be what’s happened here because today is our 20th anniversary.

I am so confused by the weather right now. We’re still getting 80+°F temperatures here in Chicagoland… in the freaking middle of October!

It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally effin’ here! Our couch! Our couch!! (with apologies to Roy Kent Nation).

It always amazes me how that old maxim “the more things change, the more they stay the same” remains true pretty much no matter what. The latest example?

Aw man, I totally forgot to mention that this past Monday marked the 20 year anniversary of Katie and I deciding to move to Geneva, IL, and live in sin in our first apartment.

This was one of those moments where I wish I had cameras mounted to my car taking pictures in all directions at all times so I could've captured an image of this thing I saw the other day that was just too amazing for words and I had no time or ability to grab my phone and snap a shot myself.

I had a big post written up about new TV shows coming out this fall that I was really looking forward to watching.

I don't get much of a chance to use my MacBook Pro these days. Most of my time is spent on the MacBook Air I have for work. So my MBP sits in a stack of computers on top of my desk just chomping at the bit to be used.

Do you remember me mentioning during my whiny writer’s block post about how I want to “just make it to this coming Wednesday”? Curious why? 

I love when government agencies aren't on the same page internally. 

Sometimes, it's truly a battle to force yourself to keep writing daily on a blog. Most of my daily blogger friends have cut back from doing it daily to mostly daily or just a few times a week while a vast majority have quit entirely. 

Today, we went on our first family theater outing since the opening weekend of Disney/Pixar’s Onward in March of 2020. We saw Disney’s Cruella, the live-action origin story of Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians. 

In our most grandiose attempt at reintegrating ourselves into a world still being ravaged by COVID-19, the three of us went to a minor league baseball game tonight. And it was Harry Potter Night, too!

Over the last half year, we’ve gotten new neighbors on both sides of us and, while we’ve met them, our time spent with them has been zero otherwise. They’ve all been rather hermit-like.

I’ve been aware of Kombucha tea and have wanted to try it for some time. However, because of the price of individual bottles and a lack of desire to buy a large pack of them, I held off actually doing it. 

Kim posted today about her unused sticker collection asking what others do with stickers they may have laying around. I responded in her comments, but also mentioned that I'd post photos of how I use them. So here goes...

Hey, I've got a couple questions for you all that I'm seeking insight on. While they are parenting related, it's kinda tangential and, honestly, they can be answered by anyone. So take a look and leave a reply in the comments.

I feel like the world is trying to tell Katie and me something since we both received the same fortune in our fortune cookies last night. 

While listening through a playlist full of Chris Cornell-related music, I started really getting into the Soundgarden track "Outshined." So into it, in fact, that I wouldn't be surprised if there are videos on the web somewhere featuring that "crazy, bald guy headbanging and dancing in the local coffee shop" or "someone cancel this boomer NAOW!" (although I'm not a boomer, FTR).

In our backyard, we have a berm that provides a modicum of physical separation between our property and the train tracks that are on the other side. There is no safety fence or sound wall, just the berm. 

Korean Dalgona (whipped) coffee has been making the rounds online during this pandemic. It's a simple recipe wherein you whip together equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water (usually like 1 tablespoon of each) until it is all dissolved and is creating very firm peaks almost like a pre-meringue.

I had to run to my accountant’s office today to pick up my tax forms. It was a chance to get out of the house for a bit and lord knows I needed it. 

Took Friday off to spend with Nathan. Saturday was a day off for Katie and so we all spent it together. Sunday was Easter and we did family stuff. 

Interesting thing happened recently. Katie got an email in her personal account about her Hulu subscription that included the name Karl in the welcome. 

Got an email from Nathan's school district the other day. It read, in part...

We took a drive up to Katie’s parents’ house today. It was our annual birthday lunch for the family (what we were celebrating at PF Chang’s a year ago). 

One of these days, our lives and this world will at least return to some sort of state that is at least marginally reflective of what it was like before, won't it? One that doesn't require Kryptonian intervention?

For one summer, years ago, I worked as a barista at Starbucks. On one of my first days, they had me pulling espresso shots. And I had to drink each one until I knew it was right.

Seeing that it hit the mid-50s today, we decided to bring down the bicycles for the first day this season and go for a quick ride. We knew it was coming but there was no longer any question, seeing Nathan on his bike, that he was way too big for it and it was time for a new one. 

Katie discovered a new Oreo cookie the other day at the store and I thought I’d take a moment to give an unauthorized, uncompensated review of them. The type? LADY GAGA! 

I keep forgetting to mention that not only are libraries great because you can check out books, music, movies, ebooks, magazines, games, and video games, but you can also support the library while building up your own media library. 

I wanted to take a moment to make a very special Happy Birthday wish to the woman of my dreams, my wife, my partner, my love, my Katie. 

This is my brain on life right now...

Fourth straight late night of work in a row after having a couple last week as well and some more may happen in the near future. Katie's had anywhere between 5-20 extra hours over her normal full-time load the last month that will likely continue for the next month.

Back in 1995, I tried sushi for the first time and fell in love. Love, love, sheer raw love.