Reading/Viewing Stats Quarters 1-3 of 2025

The third quarter of 2025 has flown by for me.  A quick rundown: RPG Summer Camp, Gen Con, School Starting, marching band dad (pit crew and trailer driver), tennis dad, college student dad, and all the things that I normally am, librarian, husband, podcast co-host, etc.  Time moves right on by.  

Even with all of that, I still find time to enrich my life with content like reading, listening, and watching.  I have added a (+) note next to categories so we can see what I added this quarter.  Not so much this year in quarter 3.  I also wanted to note that it is pretty cool to include in my book reading a book published by a student who was a Dungeon Master in my game club and a student I coached in speech team.  Her book, Meirlich and Oga's Children's Home (pictured), is definitely worth checking out!    So, here are my 2025 quarters 1-3 stats: 

Movies Watched: 16 +5

Rewatch: 8

First Time: 8

In Theater: 4

T.V. Shows Streamed: 94 +1

First Time: 78

Rewatch: 14

Podcast Episodes: 30 +2

Time Listened: 1742

Books Read: 12 +4

Fiction 8

Nonfiction 4

Pages Read: 3,033

Audiobooks: 0

Fiction:

Nonfiction:

Books Abandoned:

Fiction 2

nonfiction 0

Pages Read:

Short Stories Read: 0

Fiction:

Nonficiton:

Comic Books Read: 153 +27

Print: 65

Digital: 88

Book Titles:  

Void Rivals: Vol. 1 More than Meets the Eye by Robert Kirkman Art by Lorenzo de Felicia (Graphic Novel)

The Salt Thief: Ghandi's Heroic March to Freedom by Neil Bascomb

The Library Mule of Cordoba by Wilfred Lupano and Leonard Chemineau, art by Christopher Bouchard (Graphic Novel)

Phandel we and Below: The Shattered Obelisk 

The Davenports (abandoned)

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetya

Dungeons and Dragons: Worlds and Realms by Adam Lee

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Meirlich and Oga's Children's Home by Annabelle Hiel

Star Wars X-Wing: Rogue Squadron by Michael Stackpole

Operatic by Kyo Maclear art by Byron Eggenschwiler (Graphic Novel)

X-Men: Bizarre Love Triangle by Peter Milligan Art Salvador Larroca

Starfinder: Era of the Eclipse by Tim Pratt

Movies Watched:

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Wicked

Captain America: Brave New World (Theater)

Inside Out  2

Rogue One

Star Wars: A New Hope (theater)

Elemental 

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Thunderbolts (theater)

Hamilton

Avengers: Infinity War

Superman (theater)

Ferris Buehler's Day Off

Back to the Future

 

T.V. Series Watched: 

Skeleton Crew

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man 

Music By John Williams

Andor season 1

Fur Babies

Disney Treasure

Light and Magic season 1

Andor Season 2

Star Wars Rebels

Dance Moms Season 2

Dead to Me season 1

Dead to Me season 2

Dead to Me season 3

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld

Pepsi, Where's my Jet?

Podcasts:

Rebel Base card Podcast (3)

60 Songs that Explain the 90's (2)

The Colbycast (4)

Teachers in the Dungeon (1)

Lost Ballparks (13)

Classic Baseball Radio (5)

Coffee with Kenobi (2)

MLB Team's Games listened: (min 5 innings)

Chicago Cubs (30)

Detroit Tigers (24)

San Francisco Giants (5)

Seattle Mariners (4)

New York Yankees (2)

Texas Rangers (2)

New York Mets (2) 

Kansas City Royals

Washington Nationals

Pittsburg Pirates (2)

San Diego Padres 

Miami Marlins

Milwaukee Brewers 

Boston Red Sox (2)

Philadelphia Phillies 

New York Mets

Tampa Bay Rays

Second Quarter 2025 Post

First Quarter 2025 Post

2024 Final Stats

Fantasy Football: Kamino Clone Kids

Captain Rex by maharlika
Deviant Art 25

Just like in Fantasy Baseball, I can't help myself and just have one fantasy team.  I like to double my chances at maintaining middle-of-the-road teams that aren't terrible, but definitely aren't winners either.  

This is the second season of the Jedi Knights Fantasy Football League.  The Kamino Clone Kids actually fared well in the inaugural season with a record of 11-5 and finishing third in the league of 10 teams.  We wiped the slates clean except for choosing draft order, and started fresh with the 2025/2026 season teams.  

Be sure to check back here each week of the season for updates through Week 8 of the season. 

Week 1: Kamino Clone Kids vs. Pabu Porgs 141.45 - 175.70 

"Kids Get Steamrolled by Allen and Henry"

(5th Place Light Side Division)

Week 2: Kamino Clone Kids (0-1) vs. Khofar Nights (1-0)  189.60 - 174.05 

"Kids Lose Burrows in Win, but St. Brown Carries the Club to 1-1" 

(4th in Light Side Division)

Week 3: Kamino Clone Kids (1-1) vs. Mustafar Moof (1-1)  148.85 - 169.10  

"The Kids Find Subpar Play in Week Three and Fall to the Mustafar Moof" 

(4th in Light Side Division) 

Week 4: Kamino Clone Kids (1-2) vs. Naboo Gungans (1-2)  184.15 - 141.64 "Kids Bring Balanced Attack led by George Pickens"  (4th in Light Side Division)

Week 5: Kamino Clone Kids (2-2) vs. Crait Vulptex (2-2) 

Presenting the Kamino Clone Kids Football Club: 

QB: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (IR)

RB: Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

RB: Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

WR: J. Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

TE: Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

WRT: George Pickens WR, Dallas Cowboys

WRT: Calvin Ridley WR, Tennessee Titans

WRT: Cooper Kupp, WR, Seattle Seahawks

DL: Maxx Crosby, Los Vegas Raiders

LB: Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers

DB: Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

Bench: 

QB: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (starter week 3)

QB: Russell Wilson, New York Giants

RB: Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys

RB: RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

TE: Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers

TE: Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

LB: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers

DB: Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks

Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Baseball Club makes the Playoffs

Semifinal (lower bracket):

Coca Cola Kids vs. Trot's Cardinals  10-5 "Kids Move Past Trot's Cardinals to make it to the Fifth Place Finals Matchup with Gourmet by Gorman" 

Finals (5th Place Match-up)

Coca Cola Kids vs. Gourmet by Gorman  7-8 "Kids Can't Hold the Lead and Drop the Final Contest to Gourmet by Gorman"  

6th Place finish

The Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Baseball Club missed the top bracket of the playoffs with three games back.  It is disappointing as they spent the majority of the season in the top three spots of the league.  But, if you go back to the Week One opening back in April, you'd find that the Kids excel at mediocrity.  

If the Kids round out the bottom of the bracket with two wins and a fifth place finish, that is, well, right in the middle of this 10 team league.  Kinda feels, mediocre.  

Well, here is the line-up for the 2025 playoffs for the Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Baseball Club: 

C: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

1B: Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves

2B: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers

3B: Blaze Alexander, Arizona Diamondbacks

SS: Jose Pena, Houston Astros

OF: Siya Suzuki, Chicago Cubs

OF:  Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

OF: Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox

Util: Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians

Bench: Kyle Tucker, Chicago  Cubs

SP: Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres

SP: Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs

SP: Bryan Woo Seattle Mariners

RP: Ryan Helsley New York Mets

RP: Fernando Cruz, New York Yankees

RP: Luke Weaver, New York Yankees

BN: Jesus Luzardo Philadelphia Phillies

BN: Jason DeGrom Texas Rangers

BN: Carlos Vargas Seattle Mariners

IL: Kyle Stowers OF Miami Marlins

IL: Daniel Palencia, Chicago Cubs

Fantasy Football: The Coca Cola Kids Football club

Every year it kills me to have to think about football before the baseball season is even over.  Don't get me wrong, I love football, but baseball is king in my kingdom.  Nevertheless, we are two weeks into the season, so time to address the fantasy team and how the first two weeks have gone. 

This post will update weekly through week 8 of the season, so be sure to check back in to see how things are proceeding.  Also, you can check out my second team "The Kamino Clone Kids" right here next week.  

Weekly Results: 

Week 1: Kids vs. Foot Wedge Mafia 182.46 to 209.71 "Kids Can't Top Big Week 1 Performances by the Mafia's QB's"  (6th in League)  

Week 2: Kids (0-1-0) vs. Roll Tide (0-1-0) 146.81 - 188.30 "Kids Lose Burrows in Week 2 Loss to Roll Tide"  (10th in League)

Week 3: Kids (0-2-0) vs. Ritz Boyz Blitz (1-1-0) 155.02 - 141.23 "Kids Receivers Dominate in Week 3"  (8th in League) 

Week 4: Kids (1-2-0) vs. LukeIAmYourFather (1-2-0) 126.86 - 158.84 "Kids Struggle to Get Any Traction in 2025" (9th in League)

Week 5: Kids (1-3) vs. Peoria Powells ((3-1) 

Presenting the Coca-Cola Kids Fantasy Football Club: 

QB: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati

WR: Garrett Wilson, New York Jets

WR: Courtland Sutton, Denver

RB: Derrick Henry, Tennessee 

RB: JK Dobbins, Denver

TE: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas

W/R/T: Rome Odunze, Chicago

Q/W/R/T: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay

K: Evan McPherson, Cincinnati

DEF: Baltimore

Bench: Cam Ward, Tennessee

Bench: Tre' Harris, Los Angeles

Bench: Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee

Bench: Jaydon Blue, Dallas

Bench: Matthew Golden, Green Bay

Bench: Christian Kirk, Houston

Bench: Rhamondre Stevenson

I went with a new strategy in drafting this year.  I did my best to take the top pick in each category available at the time I decided to draft.  Then, when it came to the bench, I went with as many top rated rookies at each level.  So far it hasn't really worked out for me as none of the rookies have come out hot, and my starters didn't carry the team with any big scorers the first week.  

We shall see how the season fleshes out.  I am hoping that some of the young players on the bench will get some opportunities and catch fire.  

Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club makes the Fantasy Playoffs

It was a season to remember for the Coca Cola Kids as they dominated the first half of the season.  Players that contributed to the historic first half are Cal Raleigh, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Josh Naylor, Katel Marte, Elly de la Cruz, Julio Rodriguez, Matthew Boyd, Jason Adams, Freddie Peralta and Shota Imanaga.  The Kids blew out teams week after week mid-July.  

July and August was a different story for the Kids.  As players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Elly de la Cruz, and the starting pitching went cold and players like Spencer Torkelson, and Bryson Stott cooled off the Kids' dominance ended.  They lost the last six weeks of the regular season, and their first place in the league.  

Some roster changes heading into the playoffs include bringing in Blaze Alexander 3B (Arizona), Mike Yastrzemski OF (Kansas City), Zach Gelof 2B (Las Vegas), Will Vest RP (Detroit) to help fill or back up some spots that have shown weakness in the last several weeks.  

The Kids did manage to hold onto, by a thread, the second spot in the playoffs, earning a first week bye.  This post will update the results of the playoffs for the Kids, so stay tuned. 

Until then, here are the regular season leaders for the Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club: 

Team Leaders after 18 Weeks:

Runs: 94 - Elly De La Cruz

1B: 95 - Julio Rodriguez

2B: 34 - Pete Crow-Armstrong

3B: 6 - Elly De La Cruz

HR:  50 - Cal Raleigh

RBI: 107 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  32 - Elly De La Cruz

BB:  81 - Cal Raleigh

K's: 160 - Cal Raleigh

Ave:  .291 - Ketel Marte

IP: 164.1 - Framber Valdez

W:  16 - Freddie Peralta

L: 13 - MacKenzie Gore

SV: 20 - Will Vest

Hits: 142 - MacKenzie Gore

BB: 58 - Freddie Peralta

K: 173 - MacKenzie Gore

HLD:  29 - Jason Adam

SP ERA:  2.58 - Freddie Peralta

RP ERA:  1.81 - Jason Adam

QS:  18 - Framber Valdez

Putting Away the Family Legos

At the beginning of the summer, my youngest daughter and I pulled a bag of our family Legos out of my office.  I wanted to open up some space and clean out the clutter, so this seemed like an easy start.  

Years ago, when my girls were young, we introduced them to Legos through the Duplo line.  Those
were fun; they loved the idea of building and breaking apart and building again.  Good times.  A few years later, I bought my oldest daughter her first set of Legos with the Lego Friends line.  This was a fun theme of Legos as it was girl focused in marketing and product.  Over the years we purchased several, well okay, lots of these sets from small ones like the dog training set, to the large sets like the Lego Friends house.  I loved to help them build the sets and play when they were built.  I have no doubt that these Lego friends toys were the most played with toys in the house.  I liked to build my space sets from the 1980's and have space invasions of the Lego Friends town.  They didn't always like that.  Hehehe...

Flash forward to this summer when both of my girls graduated.  One graduated from high school heading to college and the other graduated from 8th grade heading to high school.  They are growing up.  Something I haven't been very supportive of, but there is no stopping it, I suppose.  Anyhow, the youngest and I were cleaning up a tote bag of partially build or broken sets with random pieces spread across the bottom of the bag.  The goal was to figure out what pieces went to which set and deconstruct what was left of the partially build sets.  Lets just say, there was a lot of organizing to do.  As we got started, my daughter decided the best way to get the lose pieces organized with the sets was to just rebuild the sets.  She told me what she needed from the lose pieces and we hunted for them together.  We spent several hours rebuilding about 5 sets that were in the bag.  We hunted, built, talked, shared memories with the sets (I didn't mention the alien invasions), and had a good old time.  It was a nice way to start the summer.  

I couldn't bring myself to tear down the sets we had just built, so we took them to the basement to display and look at for a while.  Our mission was accomplished as we found a home for all of the lose Legos from the bottom of the tote bag.  

Now, school has started.  One daughter off to college and the other navigating the landscape of high school.  It was time to change out the display of Lego Friends in the basement.  I took them down one-by-one and started taking them apart and organizing them in their own Ziploc bags with the directions.  In this process, I was struck.  I will probably never build Legos with them ever again.  I let it sink in.  I will never build Legos with them ever again.  

Of course, the hope is some day when the grandkids come to visit, we will pull those "old" Legos out of the basement.  I don't know what that will be like, but I don't imagine it will be the same as building them with my daughters.  Maybe it will be more wonderful.  I don't know.  Nevertheless, the family Legos are now put away.   

I guess it is just me now as building Legos isn't really my wife's thing, so I pulled out my Star Wars Legos that I have gathered over the years.  I started rebuilding those.  Even though I am building those on my own, I have the memories of all the hours of fun I had with my daughters as children building the Family Legos.  

Fantasy Baseball: Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Baseball Club Weeks 19-23

Week 19:  

Kids (162-123-39) vs. All Choked Up (174-119-31)  5-10 "Kids All Choked Up with 4 Weeks Before Playoffs" 

(5th League)  

Week 20: 

Kids (167-133-42) vs. Underdawgs (78-227-37)  9-5  "Kids Offense Comes Alive in Week 20" 

(4th League) 

Week 21: 

Kids (176-138-46) vs. Release the Kimbrel (179-141-40)  6-6  "Kids and Kimbrel Even Steven"

(4th League)

Week 22: 

Kids (182-144-52) vs. Trot's Cardinals (166-157-55) 8-7  "Kids Pull One Out Against Trot's" 

(4th League)

Week 23: 

Kids vs. Acuna Matada  7-10 "Kids Finish Regular Season with a Loss Heading into the Playoffs"

(5th League) 

B Team Weeks 13 - 18

B Team Weeks 7-12

B Team Weeks 1-6

As Week 19 begins, the Kids find themselves in a respectable 3rd place, which is the lowest they have found themselves this season.  Hitting has been up and down.  Power hasn't been a problem, but consistent singles and extra base hits have been lacking. Pitching has just been holding its own, but definitely needs to improve if the Kids are to be serious contenders in the playoffs.

Cal Raliegh continues to be the MVP of the year leading the team in home runs and runs batted in.  Kyle Schwarber could arguably be an MVP candidate as he leads the team in runs, walks and OPS.  From the mound, Jacob DeGrom definitely makes an impact, but our top pitcher is Bryan Woo from Seattle as he leads the team in innings pitched, WHIP and quality starts.     

Team Leaders after 18 Weeks:

Runs: 80 - Kyle Schwarber

1B:  92 - Steven Kwan

2B:  28 - Matt Olson

3B: 4 - Kyle Tucker

HR:  45 - Cal Raleigh

RBI: 98 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  24 - Kyle Tucker

BB:  78 - Kyle Schwarber

OPS: .957 - Kyle Schwarber

IP: 146.0 - Bryan Woo

W:   11 - tie Jesus Luzardo / Nick Pivetta

CG: 0

SV: 21 - Ryan Helsley

K:  151 - Jesus Luzardo

HLD:  14 - Carlos Vargas

SP ERA:  2.86 - Jacob DeGrom

RP ERA:  1.73 - Daniel Palencia

SP WHIP: 0.95 - tie Jacob DeGrom / Bryan Woo

RP WHIP:  0.83 - Luke Weaver

QS:  17 - Bryan Woo

Here is the team roster as of the beginning of Week 19: 

C: Cal Raleigh Mariners

1B: Matt Olson, Braves

2B: Mookie Betts, Dodgers

3B: Willi Castro, Cubs

SS: Jeremy Pena, Astros

OF: Kyle Schwarber, Phllies

OF: Seiya Suzuki, Cubs

OF: Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox

Utility: Kyle Stowers, Marlins

Bench: Steven Kwan, Guardians

Bench: Kyle Tucker, Cubs

SP: Shota Imanaga, Cubs

SP: Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays

SP: Jacob DeGrom, Rangers

RP: Ryan Helsley, Cardinals

RP: Daniel Palencia, Cubs

P: Carlos Vargas, Mariners

P  Luke Weaver, Yankees

P: Nick Pivetta, Padres

Bullpen: Bryan Woo, Mariners

Bullpen: Lucas Giolito, Red Sox

Bullpen: Jesus Luzardo, Phillies

IL: Spencer Schwellenbach, Braves

Players Added Weeks 7-12

Kyle Stowers, OF Marlins

Luke Weaver, RP Yankees

Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox

This post will be updated at the beginning of each week through Week 23.  

Fantasy Baseball: Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club Weeks 19-21(Regular Season Concluded)

Week 19: 

Kids (174-140-46) vs. Pacaya Chiltepes (172-156-32)  8-12 "Kids Losing the Fizz Down the Stretch"

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 20: 

Kids (182-152-46) vs. ACEsymptomatic (165-186-29)  7-12  "Kids Relinquish First Place for the First Time this Season"

(1st Division, 2nd League)

Week 21: 

Kids (189-164-47) vs. BrownTown (186-172-42) 8-9  "Kids Stumble into the Playoffs"

(1st Division, 2nd League)  

  

A Team Weeks 13-18

A Team Weeks 7-12

A Team Weeks 1-6

The Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club still sits in first place in the league, but the dominance is no longer the norm.  During the weeks 13-18 stretch, the Kids are 54-50.  Winning record?  Yes.  Winning enough?  No.  The rest of the league has advanced, and three teams are within 5 games back.  Cal Raliegh and Elly De La Cruz have continued to lead the team.  Pete Crow-Armstrong has gone stone-cold with the bat as Julio Rodriguez had heated up.  Overall, pitching has gone soft, especially the starters.  MacKenzie Gore has lost his touch as the hits and walks have skyrocketed and strikeouts have dropped.  Shota Imanaga has been the best pitcher in this stretch.  

Randy Arozarena has been the top pick-up in the last six weeks.  His solid play has helped to balance out some losses and dropping numbers in other areas.  

Team Leaders after 18 Weeks:

Runs: 82 - Elly De La Cruz

1B: 81 - Elly De La Cruz

2B: 31 - Pete Crow-Armstrong

3B: 4 - Pete Crow-Armstrong

HR:  45 - Cal Raleigh

RBI: 98 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  31 - Elly De La Cruz

BB:  69 - Cal Raleigh

K's: 140 - Cal Raleigh

Ave:  .292 - Josh Naylor

IP: 145.2 - Framber Valdez

W:  13 - Freddie Peralta

L: 12 - MacKenzie Gore

SV: 6 - Ronny Henriquez

Hits: 129 - MacKenzie Gore

BB: 49 - tie Framber Valdez/Freddie Peralta

K: 158 - MacKenzie Gore

HLD:  27 - Jason Adam

SP ERA:  2.45 - Matthew Boyd

RP ERA:  1.51 - Randy Rodriquez

QS:  16 - Framber Valdez

Team roster as of the beginning of Week 19: 

C: Cal Raleigh Mariners

1B: Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks

2B: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks

3B: Jorge Polanco, Mariners

SS:  Bryson Stott, Phillies

OF: Randy Arozarena, Mariners

OF: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners

OF: Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers

Utility: Elly De La Cruz, Reds

Bench: Matt Shaw, Cubs

Bench:  Spencer Torkelson, Tigers

Bench: Michael Busch, Cubs

Bench: Pete Crow Armstrong, Cubs

IL: Isaac Paredes, Astros

SP: Shota Imanaga, Cubs

SP: Michael Boyd, Cubs

SP: Framber Valdez, Astros

SP: Freddy Peralta, Brewers

RP: Reed Garrett, Mets

RP: Jason Adam, Padres

P: Ronny Henriquez, Marlins

P: Lucas Giolito, Red Sox

Bullpen: MacKenzie Gore, Nationals

Bullpen: Randy Rodriguez, Giants

Players Added Weeks 13-18

Jorge Polanco, 3B Mariners

Ronny Henriquez, RP Marlins

Lucas Giolito, SP Red Sox

This post will be updated at the beginning of each week through week 20.

Artist Playthrough #2 2025 - John Mellencamp

There are some artists that we are just compelled to listen to.  For me, John Cougar or John Cougar Mellencamp, or just John Mellencamp is that artist.  Growing up and living in the mid-west, I could relate to all of the themes that Mellencamp sang about.  I felt his joys.  I felt and he helped me to understand the pains and injustices of the times.  His music made me feel like an American and proud to be from the central states of the United States.  His music still resonates today and a new generation could learn a thing or two about being an American from Mellencamp.  

John Cougar 1979 - An early, raw sound for Cougar (Mellencamp) to introduce a sound that will gradually mature and find a strong purpose in the following years.  My top song from this album is Pray for Me. This little ballad  reminds me of Bob Dylan style storytelling.  

American Fool 1982 - If you hadn't heard about John Cougar by 1982, you did by the end of it.  My
top song from this album is the radio hit teenage anthem Jack & Diane.  What American mid-western teen boy didn't want to do his best James Dean while dreaming of running off to the city with his girl?  But, ya know, life goes on long after the thrill of livin' is gone.  

Uh-HUH! 1983 - You ever hear of the sophomore slump?  John Cougar Mellencamp hasn't.  Uh-Huh! lived up to any and every expectation that was set after the breakthrough success of American Fool.  It was a little more grown up.  He had a little more to say.  And he got in our faces to tell us all about it. My top song on this rockin' album is Authority Song.  "I call up my preacher,  I say 'Give me strength for round five,' He said 'You don't need no strength you need to grow up son.'"  Yep, there you go.  We always come out grinnin'.  

Scarecrow 1985 -  Farm Aid, the mega concert to raise aid for farmers in America, was organized by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp.  The Scarecrow album symbolized the concern of the crisis of the middle American farmer and a deeper crisis rising in the United States.  Scarecrow smashes that message and Mellencamp takes one more step on his musical career.  There are so many candidates for top song on this masterpiece super album with Rain on the Scarecrow, Small Town, Minutes to Memories, Lonely Ol' Night, Runbleseat and today's 4th of July anthem R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A (A Salute to 60's Rock), but the sleeper top song here is Justice an Independence '85.  Just listen to this masterpiece.  You might just shed a tear and shake your head when you listen today, but don't forget to let it all go and dance it all away!  Ross Hollebon and I break this album down on his podcast, the Album Cockpit Podcast.  Check it out right here. 

The Lonesome Jubilee 1987 - John returns home with this album as he reminisces on Indiana living.  He doesn't lose the social commentary on a few songs, but this album really returns to home.  The top song for me on this record is Cherry Bomb.  Sit back, close your eyes and think of growing up and maybe main street of you hometown when you put the needle down on this LP.  

Big Daddy 1989 - While my attention started turning to something a little harder in 1989 like Guns and Roses Paradise City, John Mellencamp doubled down on the hometown feel in this album and he brought me right back down to Earth.  It isn't my top song, but Big Daddy of Them All sets the tone of this album.  It tells you to "sit down son and listen to the Big Daddy of them all."  My top song however draws us to the end of the album when it is time to let lose a little bit and have some fun.  "Hanging from a pine tree by my knees, Sun shinin' through the shade, Nobody knows what it's all about, It's too much man, let it all hang out."  That's it!!  The top song...Let It All Hang Out!  

How about one more album, because this list could go on for a very long time...

Whenever We Wanted 1991 - With new decade comes a new feel.  It is still quintessential John Mellencamp but with a bit of an edge.  Do you like a little bit of hard electric guitar?  Maybe a solid drum set? Raw lyrics?  This is your album.  My top song from Whenever We Wanted has a sassy guitar with a driving beat and one might be able to say they want more cowbell when listening to I Ain't Ever Satisfied.  

This is just the start for John Mellencamp.  Maybe we can explore the 2/3 left of his works another day.  

Dream Season

I have been a Chicago Cubs fan as far back as I can remember.  I had suffered many years, but I believe not riding the bandwagon of the hottest team has built character and taught me a thing or two about loyalty.  Check out this #ThrowbackThursday post for my thoughts on finding the silver lining as a fan of a perennial losing team. Things have changed in the last 10 years as a Chicago Cubs fan.  I have gotten used to listening to more Cubs wins than losses which includes a World Series win in 2016.  

In 2025, Chicago Cubs fans have been enjoying a wild winning ride.  The Cubs have been in first place for almost the entire season.  We have exciting players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Daniel Palencia among others.  Anytime the list of exciting players passes 3 or 4, you must be rooting for a successful team.  As the second half of the season got started, but Cubs quickly achieved the best record in baseball while holding onto a one game division lead over the Milwaukee Brewers.  With the ebb and flow of baseball, hot streaks, cold streaks, injuries, and other superstitions, I never know how or when the season will turn.  

For a Cubs fan, all this makes for a dream season, but all of my friends know that this is a really special dream season for me.  Not only am I a Cubs fan, I am also a Detroit Tigers fan.  People often ask how that happened, and I think I have told the story somewhere in the history of this blog, but I am a Tigers fan because I am a Cubs fan.  

After last season's Cinderella story in the playoffs, the Detroit Tigers are showing that they are real.  The Tigers held the best record in the MLB up to the All-Star Game, before a losing streak set in.  This Tigers team has some pretty special players that have made this a fun season so far.  Those players are Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, Javy Baez, Kerry Carpenter, Zach McKinstry, Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson, Casey Mize, and others.  The story for the Tigers starts with their visionary manager A.J. Hinch.  He has sold this team on the TEAM concept.  Players understand that they may have to pocket their egos for the betterment of the team.  This concept got them deep into the playoffs, and that philosophy continues today.  This year they are getting some much needed starting pitching to support Tarik Skubal.  

It has been a dream season for me as a baseball fan.  Every season is a treat, but boy, it is nice to win.  Everyone asks me, what happens if they both get to the World Series?  Who will you root for?  If the World Series is the Chicago Cubs vs. the Detroit Tigers, it won't matter who wins!  That would be icing on the cake for the 2025 baseball season!  

Update 8/11/25

The Dream Season is at risk!!  Since the All-Star Break the Tigers are still in first place, but they are 9-13 since the break.  The Cubs have dropped to second place with the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers sitting atop the division.  The Cubs are 10-11 since the All-Star break.  It isn't the end of the season, but it certainly doesn't fit the language above.  

Things I Love About Summer: Part 5

It really has been a pretty good summer even with how busy it has been.  I have been able to enjoy some of the things that make summer what it is.  Quick trips are one thing I love about summer.  Over the 4th of July weekend, I was able to make a trip to see my mom in Indiana.  She moved there several years ago to be closer to my sister and moved into a complex a step above assisted living. 

I try to see her two or three times a year, wishing it could be more as we are thankful to still have her with us, but a few times is better than none.   

I got to help her pick up her apartment a little, go through some papers, visit with some other residents, and have dinner together.  We were going to watch fireworks on T.V., but we got so hung up in conversation that we both forgot to turn the television on.  She asked me a question that really threw me for a loop, but it was a good reflection for me. She asked me what I want to accomplish in this stage of life.  This question forced me to sit back and think.  My gut response was just to make it through each day.  I see retirement in the near future, like the light is just now shining at the end of the tunnel, but, yeah, it is still a trip to get there.  

After some nervous laughter and thinking, my best answer is to help my daughters through the next steps in their lives.  They will both be freshmen this fall, one in college and one in high school.  I have spent a lot of time this summer preparing myself for this change, but my mom's question kind of changed my perspective.  

I don't get this kind of visit any other time of year, because there is the worry of hurrying back to work. 
Or, something about the short days of winter just doesn't encourage sitting back and taking time.  

Part of the joy of small summer trips like this is the drive.  It was a seriously hot and humid set of days, so there were a lot of trucks with blown-out tires from the searing hot pavement.  This image doesn't exactly summon up feelings of summer relaxation, but the drive on a hot, sunny summer day with blue skies and puffy white clouds do shape together a relaxing day.  I had time to reflect on my time with my mom and look forward to what is ahead.  There aren't many times in the year where I allow myself to relax like summertime, which is why quick summer trips are one of the things I love about summer.  

Gen Con 2025: Photo Journal

Grab a set of dice.  Roll them on a table.  Now, imagine 70,000+ sets of dice rolling, add conversation and laughter, and you now have a sense of what Gen Con 2025 might sound like.  So many games, so much food and drink, so many vendors, so much fun!  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from this year's Gen Con: 

Balloon Sculpture

Awesome Cosplay: a tired Belle

Barbarian Rage!

A Goblin Grappler!

Someone looking over my shoulder

Badge Line out the door for hours!

Night Settles on Gen Con

First time finding Genevieve

Gen Con 2025: Top 5 Games Played

There is no way that I could even scratch the surface of playing all or even a majority of the games played or demonstrated at Gen Con, but of the games I played, these are my Top 5: 

5.  Starfinder first edition: Paizo

I love the setting for Starfinder and the system works for me. I have played Starfinder every year I have attended Gen Con.  I have always enjoyed the people I have played with in the Paizo ballroom, and even better, the DMs for Starfinder have always  been A+.  When I went to play, I knew what I was getting, and I wasn't disappointed.  

 

4.  Thunder Road Vendetta: Restoration Games

First, lets start by saying the people at Restoration Games are awesome and enthusiastic.  I had three different people demonstrate how three different games were played at this booth, and they all made the demonstration clear and fun.  Thunder Road Vendetta is a raucous game.  One might think you simply drive your three cars to the end of the board first and you win.  Oh, if it were only that simple.  There are hazards, helicopters, and a hell of a good time!  The best part of this game are the domino affects of crashes and hazards.  Play it with friends and be prepared to shake fists, taunt, and laugh.  

3.  Starfinder second edition: Paizo

When you've got something good, you go with it, right?  Well, Paizo isn't sitting back and watching as things change around them.  They released the second edition of Starfinder at Gen Con this year, and I am not disappointed.  Same fun, same general idea, more streamlined, and now is compatible with big brother, Pathfinder.  I am making the switch, sorry first edition.  

2.  Rumble Slam: TTCombat

Sometimes you can have a good game, but the person teaching it makes it a great game.  That was the case for Rumble Slam.  We had a young employee introduce us to this game, and he was awesome.  Is Rumble Slam good?  I have no idea, but the employee made it great!  He called out the moves, did the moves, and played announcer.  It was hilarious and fun.  If I purchase this game or have the opportunity to play it again, I am inspired by the TTCombat employee, and I will totally ham it up with all the good wrestling calls.  P.S. It is a fun game and really easy to figure out.  Have fun with this one! 

1.  Dragon Bane: Free League Press

This game has been out for a couple years, but continues to sell out game play at Gen Con.  I got lucky and one of my friends had an extra ticket, so we went adventuring.  First, as mentioned above in other games, the person teaching/leading a game can sometimes make it great.  That was the case here.  We had a pro DM who connected with the group right away.  We also had a table of eager players wanting to learn the system.  Dragon Bane is a streamlined system with some cool features like on a failed die  roll, you can give yourself temporary conditions like sickly, exhausted, and disheartened for a reroll.  Spells are not recorded with slots, but with a bank of willpower points.  Kinda cool.  It was fairly easy to learn and we played an adventure with a satisfactory ending.  (No Photo, I was having too much fun!)

Games played or demoed at Gen Con: 

Goats and Goblins, Fortune and Famine, Splendor, Earth, Mandalorian Adventures: Clan of Two, Starfinder first edition, Rumble Slam, HardWar, Fortune and Glory: the Cliffhanger Game, Starfinder second edition, Dragon Bane, Bo Jackson: Battle Arena, Thunder Road: Vendetta, First Exposure Play Hall