2024 Reads: Tripwire (Jack Reacher, #3) by Lee Child 📚

Ah, back when Jack Reacher books still had some plot to them. Nice light entertainment.

Last weekend started my Christmas break - done with work until the new year. But the weekend was so busy with chorus performances that it wasn’t really until today that it feels like break. Slept in, drank a pot of coffee, reading a book. A much needed rest. Thankful.

2024 Reads: The Hours of the Universe by Ilia Delio 📚

A nice short summation of Delio’s earlier writing.

Time for night #2 singing in the Orchestra Iowa Chorus holiday concert!

A selfie of a bald, bearded man in a black suit with a red bow tie

Some customer ahead of me at the bakery bought a $250 gift card to be used on the next customers. I would’ve happily paid for my pecan roll and coffee myself, but… thanks, random stranger!

2024 Reads: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss 📚

I don’t read a lot of business books, and I dislike negotiation, but my boss recommended this one. Some decent strategies I could use here.

Singing with the orchestra chorus this weekend for the holiday concerts. First rehearsal with the orchestra was last night, went from 6:30 to almost 10. Lots of fun but definitely needing the coffee this morning.

Same rehearsal schedule tonight!

Oldest daughter got in from college last night, and now we have everyone at home for the next two weeks! The delight comes with the growing, sobering realization of the limited number of times this will ever happen again.

Iowa work potlucks are always tasty.

Iowa work potlucks, when supplemented with the Indian co-worker’s homemade chicken biryani are 1000% improved.

I mostly use Due for short-term reminders, but using it for long-term ones feels like magic somehow. 9 mths ago I thought “hey, my college kid might want to renew their drivers license when they’re home for xmas break”. Made a reminder. Today it popped up and I reminded them. Thanks, past me!