We got a big Harry and David gift box at the office last week. Folks in the department didn’t know what it meant, so I was quick to grab the Golden Pear.
There was a solid 5-year run where I’d get a box of the Harry and David pears from my parents for Christmas. It was a beautiful time.
Started the year with a delicious brunch at one of our new favorite spots with a surprisingly tasty sambuca-based cocktail.
The last of the year’s work trips took the team down to Virginia Beach. I think the logic of making the beach trip in December is to save a couple of bucks on lodging. It’s way, way off-season so we can stay in a decent hotel with nice views of the sunrise. I support this policy.
Another key feature of the off-season beach trip is seeing the kitschy Pancake House decked out in Christmas finery. There was a very complicated mural that featured English flags but also Spanish soldiers and maybe Jesus? I still bought a mug as a souvenir.
It’s been a big year for me. I got this new job that’s sending me out on the road to meet people in our branches and I’m trying to be sure I see more of these towns than just the office. It’s a key perk that I have enjoyed the hell out of. 2025 should be some more fun.
As I mentioned, I had occasion to travel to Florida for a quick work trip. I stopped on my way from the airport to take in some of the natural beauty on offer.
I also saw this sick Rabbit.
I took some time to say “hey” to the ocean. I haven’t been for an official visit in a while but I try to check in when I can. It looked pretty good. It told me to tell you “hi”.
I flew into Orlando and had to get down to Vero Beach. I saw this sign on my way to the working part of the trip and I half-thought it was something I imagined. This would be very on-brand for my imagination.
It was very real. There’s a whole goddamn dirt (sand?) road that runs between the main road and the walled-garden neighborhoods in Vero Beach. I could have driven for an hour, but I had to get back up to Orlando for my flight.
The dumb camera zoom slider on the iPhone 16 Pro made miss this whole ridiculous Hummer I saw. I was able to get a decent crop out of it, but you really should have seen the whole thing.
Back in the old beer days, this would have cost you several bucks or a ransom in trade. Now, in the future, it is just something on the shelf at the beer shop. I’m glad for this future, as it is delicious. I am sure something good was lost when Goose Island got turned into a megaproducer, but having a chance to try this beer that was effectively a myth 15 years ago is a silver lining I’ll take.
I have a small group chat of friends where we share drink portraits. I’ve been hesitant to share them all here, lest you think me some kind of drinksmonger. I’ve resolved to share the good ones in 2025. You won’t be saddled with the airport Budweisers (not all of them anyway), but if I can get a classy photo of a fun cocktail I’ll go ahead and share it.
After filling up on some crackers and roasted peanuts, this Murder Member hung out a bit hoping for seconds.
I didn’t give in this time.
Gingerbread House Through Champagne
Spooky Season was a while ago, but this classic moon-through-the-trees photo is bringing some of that energy to Christmastime.
Had a lovely time at family Christmas up in Front Royal, Va.. It sure does get dark in the mountains.
I buy a lot of comics but I tend to wait and read them in bunches. This was the Big Sort of Fall 2024.