Dumb Shit I Say: Public BathroomsThis first installment in "shit I say" takes a look at my passive-aggressive side. And perhaps yours, too? Today we visit that delightful destination of discomfort -- but necessity -- the public bathroom. Let's skip ahead to when you've finished your business and you dutifully, habitually -- right? -- make... Continue Reading →
Fantasy Set List: Elton John At a corporate retreat this week we ended up at a dueling piano bar. My nostalgic tendencies being what they are, I couldn't help remembering the me in my 20s who felt most comfortable, of anyplace in the world, behind a piano. I offered the dudes on the keys a... Continue Reading →
Dadtritus Alert: Endless Stacks of White Undershirts Once of the nicest compliments -- albeit, a little odd -- I consistently got from discerning females back in college was when, upon encountering me at the tail end of a run, I still, somehow, smelled great. Now, take a whiff today (or, really: don't), and after a... Continue Reading →
Lost Lexicon: Hair Styling Settings I haven't owned a comb since about age 14. Blessed -- or cursed -- with kinky hair that runs wild unless shorn to a tight, tennis ball fuzz, my usual morning method consists of a good, vigorous shampooing/conditioning, a good, vigorous towel-drying, then, finally, a good, vigorous whipping around with... Continue Reading →
Shoveling Up Grub: Dadding With Distinction Date: May 15, 2018 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Spellerberg Park Picnic Shelter, Sioux Falls, SD Temperature: 85 F Equipment used: Coleman Roadtrip XCursion propane grill, spatula, tongs On the menu: Approximately 40 frozen burger patties, 40 kosher hot dog links - Costco Length of achievement: 53 minutes Achievement, described:... Continue Reading →
10th Anniversary: Building the Green Machine I can still picture my desk in the Naperville newsroom. One of three I sat at during my five years there. This was close to the beginning of my tenure as city reporter, during a hectic 2004 when I took over the desk behind me, too, to stack files... Continue Reading →
Do it Right: Tying Your Shoelaces I'm an Eagle Scout, so I've tied a lot of knots in my time, I'll tell you. A whole damn lot. Oh, not that I can remember most of them today. But the good old square knot is lashed securely in my memory. And I could tie a bowline,... Continue Reading →
Me & My Rusty Grilling Tools A good craftsman never blames his tools... he blames himself for abandoning his tools to the harsh winter instead of walking a mere foot outside the sanctuary of his sliding patio door to retrieve them. Then continuing to hibernate inside for the better part of five months as said... Continue Reading →
In Praise of The Jalapeño For a while before he moved down to the coastal Carolinas, where the main things coming out of the ground seem to be Bermuda grass and the occasional alligator, my Renaissance Dad (see: stained glass making, wine making, wood carving, furniture refinishing, deck building, etc. ...) had a thing for... Continue Reading →
Dadding with Distinction - Lawn Mowed on One Tank of Gas Date: May 27, 2018 Time: 11:55 a.m. Location: Backyard, southwestern Sioux Falls, SD Temperature: 95(!!!) F Wind speed: S 13 mph (negligible) Equipment used: Kenmore Briggs & Stratton Gold self-propelled mower with Dust Blocker bag Length of achievement: 1 hour, 23 minutes Achievement, described:... Continue Reading →
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