Day: May 16, 2026

Being a step dad is different than the standard dadding. It is really up to you and the kid to form that bond–especially if the birth dad is still in the picture. I feel like I’ve done a decent enough job trying to make it so these kids feel like I am a legitimate parent and someone they can turn to in moments of true need. How am I doing? I don’t really know. What I do know is that there is a graduation today. Unlike last week it is one of the step kids and I am equally excited to see it happen. This one doesn’t much go for pomp and circumstance so, arguably, I am more excited than he is for the event. That is not the point. The main point is that it is happening and I am a part of it as much as anyone else. That’s integration, folks. That is a family bonding and becoming one. I love that it is happening and love that everyone is involved.

Some Thoughts:

1. Absolutely Bonkers Headline of the Day: “How conspiracy theories about missing or dead scientists went from online forums to the White House” Stop putting stupid people in charge. Please?
2. Getting sloppy. The previous blog was left unpublished. I need to spend more time locked in and off Starfield… maybe.
3. Check my kid’s 247 portal and you’ll see NAU and Idaho as legit recruiting offers. Look at his own feed and the truth shall set you free. 8 offers. 1 P4 (Oklahoma State), 1 CFP team (Tulane), Hawaii, SDSU, NAU, UNI, Idaho, and Idaho State. Keep up, people.

New mission: Spend a while with the Lady Talis sans kids and see what kind of life we can get up to. I am excited for the challenge and the opportunity. We’ve spent a great deal of our lives with kids but never this much time without them, and that is going to be huge for us. We are definitely taking a turn towards being healthy and engaging in a schedule and habits which lead to longer and stronger lives.

Also difficult is the lack of viable televised fiction for two.

We love watching shows together and talking about that engagement, but there is nothing of value new to watch. Perhaps we will give Andor a chance, because there is nothing else worth taking a shot on. Every time we do it ends quickly… and badly. I’ve gotten to the point of realizing that there is not a show out there that hasn’t completed its season or run at this point that we both watch. I’m still watching my “boy” shows on the side, but that is just for me…

Come on, big media. Give me something! Or let me write it myself.

Some Thoughts:

1. Absolutely Bonkers Headline of the Day: “Judge declares a mistrial in Harvey Weinstein’s rape retrial after jury says it is deadlocked” The original #metoo is getting to say #notme and it is irking my soul. I don’t now anything about the alleged victim, but given this man’s history… Yeah he should not be walking around free. Crazy how powerful a certain demographic can be. I’m still shocked they caught Epstein.
2. Also this: “North America’s largest commuter rail system faces a potential shutdown” I do not understand how a country whose lore is built on railroads has become so unwilling and unable to maintain and grow that system. I don’t expect Japan, but man I expect something better than this!