Properties entering the public domain in 2025 include:
"We all live in Texas now."
—Rachel Monroe, in the current issue of The New Yorker.
This is a photo of my brother’s neighbor’s yard in Buffalo, NY. Enthusiasm for Christmas I can understand, but not to this degree. People often expect more decor, more presents, and more parties to bring more holiday spirit — setting themselves up for a letdown. Just breathe and be grateful.
Crew view
I’ve been watching the new Star Wars series, Skeleton Crew, with my son. Pretty enjoyable for a “kids” show. (“Andor” remains the best of these, in my opinion.)
“Crew” is yet another iteration on the “Lost in Space” theme: kids and a robot (droid) with an adult troublemaker. Fun.
CAUDILLO = a Spanish or Latin American dictator
A caudillo is a type of personalist leader wielding military and political power. There is no precise English translation for the term, though it is often used interchangeably with "military dictator," "warlord" and "strongman". --Wikipedia
"During the turbulent years following the nation's independence, the region fell under the control of a powerful caudillo who consolidated authority through military force and charismatic leadership. While his supporters praised him as a defender of the people and a unifying figure, critics argued that his authoritarian rule stifled democratic progress and concentrated power in the hands of a single individual. The legacy of his reign left a deep imprint on the country’s political culture, shaping its struggles with centralized authority for decades to come." --Chat GPT
Borrowed from Spanish, "leader, chief" (medieval Spanish cabdiello), going back to Vulgar Latin *capitellus "leader."
What’s up? I’m in a coffee shop, alone, drinking coffee, eating a blueberry muffin, and listening to jazz. (No, I’m not a character in a Murakami novel.) I’m in a “be here now” frame of mind. Live in the moment. Maybe that’s how we’ll get through the next few years. Be here now.
Just wrote a book review of Bleeding Sea, an excellent eco-thriller about an invasive species of algae that turns the ocean red and kills fish and humans alike.
Catastrophe porn appeals to me right now.
KAKISTOCRACY = government by the least suitable or competent citizens of a state
"Living in a kakistocracy is like being on a plane where the pilot insists that 'wings are overrated' and the co-pilot is busy googling 'how to fly.' Every decision feels like it was made by a committee of raccoons who stumbled upon the control room and thought, 'Let's press ALL the buttons!' It’s a special kind of government where competence is a liability, and the only job requirement is that you have no idea what you’re doing—but you’re incredibly confident about it." --Chat GPT
UNKED (adj) = strange, weird, or uncanny
British English, pronounced: un-ked.
"As the sun set behind the hills, the
small cottage at the edge of the forest took on an unked appearance, its
windows dark and uninviting. The wind whispered through the trees,
creating an eerie symphony that added to the sense
of unease. Alone in the gathering twilight, Sarah felt a chill run down
her spine, the unked atmosphere making her quicken her pace towards
home."
--Chat GPT
LAZARETTO (n) = an institution (such as a hospital) for those with contagious diseases
"After a week of binge-watching old pirate movies, Tim's imagination sailed away with the idea of converting his basement into a lazaretto-themed man cave. Complete with fake portholes, rum barrels, and a "Quarantine Zone" sign, his friends joked that anyone entering would need more than just a shot of grog to survive the evening unscathed." --Chat GPT
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