At the local blues festival tonight, observing that for middle aged men who want to give off a certain artsy vibe, the headwear of choice is a fedora, usually paired with a bowling shirt.

I’m… uncertain about the wisdom of this trend.

Some Cedar Rapids Gazette readers gonna be disappointed when they turn the page.

Front page of the paper, subhead says Red Hot Chili Peppers will be playing at the new casino.

Inside page: oh, it’s actually the Red Hot Chili PIPERS.

2026 Reads: Lost and Found in the Cathedral of Cinema A Spiritual Journey by Jeffrey Overstreet 📚

Wonderful book.

While it has by no means rained the whole day, when it has rained it has really dumped. We’re up to almost 5 inches since about 3 AM.

#iawx

RIP Glen Hansard, dead in a motorcycle crash at age 56. Once will be in my heart forever.

stereogum.com/2506606/g…

Just got back from seeing The Odyssey. Nolan knows how to make an epic. Loved Hathaway. Damon and Holland were fine. Leguizamo was unexpected and perfect. Found myself left just a little cold to the whole thing by the end.

2026 Reads: We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine by Alissa Wilkinson 📚

A very happy birthday to our oldest daughter, who isn’t on any of these socials and so won’t see this. Still, 22 years old today, a recent college grad with a new job in her field… an adventurous spirit and a lovely artistic streak to go with it. Couldn’t be prouder. HBD Laura!

On a whim went with my wife and 17-year-old daughter to see a local community theater production of Newsies. It’s one of the kid’s favorites. It was quite good. There’s just something about musical theater, man… ❤️

2026 Reads: The Hero of Ages Book Three of Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson 📚

Enjoyed it. Also happy to be done with it and to get on to something else.