David Himmel 12/20/24 David Himmel 12/20/24

Notes from the Post-it Wall | Week of December 15, 2024

Christmas is a time for giving, being with family and friends, and hating every other asshole out there in the shops and on the roads also trying to spread joy and share in the Christmas spirit. Similarly, Hanukkah is a time for Jewish people to desperately try to feel relevant during Christmastime.

Don Hall 12/17/24 Don Hall 12/17/24

ON SOLO TIME

There’s a weird and persistent cultural myth that being alone is inherently bad—like solitude is something that happens to you, not something you choose.

Don Hall 12/16/24 Don Hall 12/16/24

I Believe… [Follow the Money]

...that the most body positive corporations on the planet are McDonald’s, Frito-Lay, and Kraft.

David Himmel 12/13/24 David Himmel 12/13/24

Notes from the Post-it Wall | Week of December 8, 2024

The world is my oyster. But I’m allergic to shellfish.

David Himmel 12/11/24 David Himmel 12/11/24

New Life Order

The wire is tight and high.
The risk is apparent.
The reward is not.

There’s a darkness that makes the bright days sulk.
There’s a gripping fear of vast opportunity choked by diminutive time.
There’s a restlessness that exhausts all inspiration.

Don Hall 12/9/24 Don Hall 12/9/24

I Believe… [Love Actually?]

...that my favorite part of Love Actually (which, mind you, is like declaring my favorite part of a Sizzler sald bar) is the story about the aging rockstar who realizes he’d rather spend Christmas with his loyal friend than party with Elton John.

Joe Mallon 12/7/24 Joe Mallon 12/7/24

Jackie Walsh

From the porch, the two men listened to the thundering bass of rumbling trucks on journeys north and south along the Dan Ryan Expressway. To the west, Halsted teased out the melodies of car horns beeping and tires squealing, a harsh cacophony of symphonic summer street noises.

They smoked their tobacco.

David Himmel 12/6/24 David Himmel 12/6/24

Notes from the Post-it Wall | Week of December 1, 2024

Everyone hates their significant other’s therapist.

Don Hall 12/4/24 Don Hall 12/4/24

On Gratitude

But gratitude isn’t just about the big, existential stuff. It’s also in the details—the smell of gasoline on a cold morning, the sting of whiskey after a long day, the way the world looks at 4:00am when you’re too wired to sleep.

David Himmel 12/3/24 David Himmel 12/3/24

Dishing Out A Lesson in Politeness

“Great!” I said, still smiling. “I’ll get that for you right away.” And then I leaned a little and let my smile fade. “And if you ever snap your fingers at any of our staff again, I will personally escort both of you out of here and you will not be welcome back again. Ever.” Both of their faces went from smug to surprised. Like they’d never been told “no” before or, more to the point, like they’d never been called out for being unnecessarily rude. I straightened up, brought my smile back and said, “Just the cheese? Anything else right now?”

Don Hall 12/2/24 Don Hall 12/2/24

I Believe… [The Paradox of Wisdom]

...that good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from poor judgement.

David Himmel 11/29/24 David Himmel 11/29/24

Notes from the Post-it Wall | Week of Thanksgiving 2024

I’m thankful for my children for their humor, intelligence, and kindness even though they often act just like the worst version of me and look like the best version of my ex-wife.

Don Hall 11/28/24 Don Hall 11/28/24

From the Archives: Unpacking Branson: A Thanksgiving Improbability

For Thanksgiving in 2012, I was single and Mom decided that I should come out to my step-sister's place in Branson, Missouri for a good old-fashioned country Thanksgiving. The carrot was family. The stick was Missouri.

Don Hall 11/25/24 Don Hall 11/25/24

I Believe… [Intensity vs Depth]

...that intense and deep aren’t the same thing even if you’ve convinced yourself they are. Intense is momentary and fleeting; deep is the result of time and energy.

David Himmel 11/22/24 David Himmel 11/22/24

Notes from the Post-it Wall | Week of November 17, 2024

How do you want to be defined? By one action? By some opinion that could evolve? By a mistake, regrettable only with hindsight? Or by the sum of your parts? Okay, do that for other people. Start the trend.

David Himmel 11/19/24 David Himmel 11/19/24

The Hubris of American Anxiety

Anxiety is the thing that’s ripped our country apart. It has divided us, caused us to fear and hate those who think and live differently than us, and even caused us to hate those who only slightly disagree with us. It has led to panic and overreaction. And I worry that American Anxiety is only going to exacerbate the social and political divide in this country to the point that there is no coming back.