Day 748, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins Free Agency 2022 Features A Potentially Extraneous Cedric Wilson

Looking to bolster a mediocre receiving corps, the Dolphins moved quickly on that front early in free agency, inking Dallas wideout Cedric Wilson to a three-year, $22.8 million deal. 

The pluses: Wilson would appear to be an ascendant player, going from 189 yards in 2020 to 602 in 2021, despite being on a stacked wide receiver unit for the Cowboys. The Boise State product is just 26 years old and coming off a six-touchdown season that saw him average 13.4 yards per catch and post eight receptions of more than 20 yards (including a 73-yarder). At 6-2, 195 pounds, he brings a physical presence to Miami, and he also has return and passing abilities (5 for 5 for 111 yards and a score in his career) for new coach Mike McDaniel to play around with.

The negatives: Projecting a fourth receiver into an expanded role on another team is always tricky, and it's fair to ask where Wilson fits on a corps that (at the moment) features Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, and DeVante Parker, as well as -- to a lesser extent -- Preston Williams and Lynn Bowden, Jr. Wilson fumbled three times in 47 touches a season ago and is likely not a viable rushing option (five career carries for -1 yards).

The bottom line: The biggest question that occurs with Wilson is would the 'Fins have made the signing if they already had Tyreek Hill at the time? Miami has $12.75 million guaranteed invested in Wilson, and one starts to wonder just how many balls the offense will have to go around when you factor in Waddle, Hill, Parker, Mike Gesicki, Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, and others. While Wilson made a ton of sense at the time and the corps is likely to shake itself out over time, circumstances have changed enough to consider this addition more of a luxury than a necessity.

Day 747, Quasi-Quarantine: Gritty "Harlem Shuffle" A Departure And A Revelation For Whitehead

"Good old American know-how on display: We do marvels, we do injustice, and our hands were always busy."

 

Possessing a seductive noir feel, "Harlem Shuffle" offers a different look and feel than the traditional Colson Whitehead novel. Yet in the end, compelling story and irresistible prose carry the day, delivering yet another stellar book.

Depicting Harlem in the late 1950s and early 1960s, "Harlem Shuffle" tracks the exploits of a furniture salesman as he navigates the neighborhood's hoods and power brokers in search of moving his family up the ladder. Along the way, Ray Carney tries to discern good from bad -- and just where he sits on the often-sliding scale.

"If you believed in the holy circulation of envelopes, everything that went down happened because a man took an envelope and didn't do his job. An envelope is an envelope. Disrespect the order and the whole system breaks down."

"You could never know what was going on with other people, but their private selves were never far away. The city was one teeming, miserable tenement and the wall between you and everybody else was thin enough to punch through."

Whitehead is at his best exploring Carney's double life, weaving in the concept of dorvay, breaking the day up into awake and sleeping segments. As most of the city sleeps, the protagonist charts his next moves to provide for his family. As the city is alive and teeming, Carney chases the recharge needed to recover from the duality that dominates his personal and professional lives.

"The stoops bustled with men in undershirts drinking beer and jiving over the noise from transistor radios, the DJs piping up between songs like friends with bad advice."

" ... The city behind him as if it didn't exist. That rustling, keening thing of people and concrete. Or the city did exist but he stood with it heaving against him, Carney holding it all back by sheer force of character. He could take it."

The trademark Whitehead elements are there as he dissects racism and corruption, but he refuses to sermonize, allowing the pacing and rhythm of the book to dominate. More than anything, the impression that the author had a blast writing "Harlem Shuffle" is evident -- and that joy bleeds through to the reader, creating yet one more intense and thought-provoking Whitehead work.

" ... Pissed-off rich who were as bent as gangsters but didn't have to hide. They did it out in the open, notarized their misdeeds or engraved them into bronze plates for building facades."

Day 746, Quasi-Quarantine: That Day-After-Elimination Feeling, NC State Case Study #7,612

This NC State team deserved better, but better is never expected when the NCAA is involved. What a season by Wes Moore and an incredible Wolfpack team. It ended too soon under unfair circumstances, but the Pack will be back.

Scooter & Hum's Top Five Books Of The Year 2021

Welp, I hammered well past my personal goal of 42 books last year, finishing at an even 50. During the effort, I read some 16,711 pages, learned more than a little cockney slang, and put myself in quite a predicament when it came to identifying the best books of the year.

In recognition of the escalating numbers, I added a new category this year: "Narrow Misses." This addition helps me further delineate so many worthy books and is absolutely not a copout in any way.

Without further ado ...

#1. "Goldfinch," by Donna Tartt

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Propelled by a staggeringly memorable cast of characters, Tartt's book seamlessly manages to blend many books into a single borderline masterpiece. While "The Goldfinch" makes you work for it with an intimidating length, chronology challenges, and an untrustworthy narrator, the effort is beyond worth it. The novel is achingly beautiful, emotionally wrenching, and purely unforgettable.

Passage to Remember: 

"Things would have turned out better if she had lived. As it was, she died when I was a kid; and though everything that's happened to me since then is thoroughly my own fault, still when I lost her I lost sight of any landmark that might have led me someplace happier, to some more populated or congenial life. Her death the dividing mark: Before and After."

#2. "Lincoln Highway," by Amor Towles

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Perhaps the best place to start is by sharing that I don't think I had more fun reading any book in 2022 than "Lincoln Highway." The novel combines elements of adventure, quest, and travel, throwing in commentary on religion and racism. With shifting narrators caught in a nine-day whirlwind, there were many moments when the book could have gone off the proverbial rails -- but Towles guided it into the station to stunning effect.

Passage to Remember: 

"But for most people, it doesn't matter where they live. When they get up in the morning, they're not looking to change the world. They want to have a cup of coffee and a piece of toast, put in their eight hours, and wrap up the day with a bottle of beer in front of the TV set. More or less, it's what they'd be doing whether they lived in Atlanta, Georgia, or Nome, Alaska. And if it doesn't matter for most people where they live, it certainly doesn't matter where they're going.

"That's what gave the Lincoln Highway its charm."

#3. "Caste," by Isabel Wilkerson

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

The most painful -- yet most enlightening -- book I read all year. "Caste" is exquisitely researched and detailed while managing to leave room for individual interpretation and subtle calls to activism. Wilkerson shies away from no topic, heeding a personal call to dredge the book from deep within and meticulously drawing straight lines from past horrors to contemporary politics in all the urgent and instructive ways.

Passage to Remember: 

"Caste is insidious and therefore powerful because it is not hatred, it is not necessarily personal. It is the worn grooves of comforting routines and unthinking expectations, patterns of a social order that have been in place for so long that it looks like the natural order of things."

#4. "Last Stories," by William Trevor

What I Wrote Then:

The incomparable William Trevor is at his best here in the collection of short stories, a genre in which the author as perhaps fiction's finest practitioner. There is no one better at documenting and portraying lives of "quiet desperation," in the words of Henry David Thoreau. Make no mistake -- there are times when Trevor makes you work for it. In "Taking Mr. Ravenswood" and "Mrs. Crasthorpe," in particular, the stories are a bit confusing and disturbing. Many of the stories are obtuse, avoiding overt explanation and urging the reader toward reflection and contemplation. The highlights for me are "Griotto's Angels" and "An Idyll in Winter," but the collection is run through with memorable and devastating reads. Sorting through the British idioms can take some doing -- but as with all of Trevor's brilliance, the payoff is well worth the effort.

What I Say Now: 

Trevor is a previous winner of the Scooties, having taken home top honors in 2012 with "Selected Stories." Here, at the twilight of his remarkable career, he shows no slowdown, calling on his remarkable grasp on the human condition and individual yearnings to paint a vivid, heart-rending picture of everyday life.

Passage to Remember: 

"'How slightly we know ourselves until something happens,' Mary Bella broke a silence that had lasted. 'How blurred the edges are: what we can do, what in the end we can't. What nags, what doesn't.'"

#5. "Klara and the Sun," by Kazuo Ishiguro

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

A master at work, Ishiguro peppers his novel with themes of master/servant, technology/humanity,  and light/shadow. "Klara and the Sun" blends questions of mortality, caste, and the environment, using satirical techniques to draw the most of his sparse prose. Offering more questions than answers, the book is a testament to the power of compelling a reader to fill in the other half of a book.

Passage to Remember: 

"There's nothing there. Nothing inside Josie that's beyond the Klara of this world to continue."

Narrow Misses (in 15 words or less):

"A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again," by David Foster Wallace: Hysterical, masterful essay collection that features gonzo journalism, searing social commentary, and incisive, poignant observations.

"Night Boat to Tangier," by Kevin Barry: Lilting, melodic account of a pair of unforgettable Irishmen, peppered with idioms, humor, and heart.

"The Committed," by Viet Thanh Nguyen: Stellar sequel to "The Sympathizer" features double meanings, satire, and irony in dissecting colonial impact.

"Less," by Andrew Sean Greer: Lovingly rendered depiction of mid-life crisis, shot through with emotion, humor, and self-awareness.

"Leave the World Behind," by Rumaan Alam: Immersive, fraught account of national disaster a master class in pacing and atmospheric character building. 

"The Heart is a Lonely Hunter," by Carson McCullers: Staggering tale features rich cast of characters who navigate the reality of loneliness and poverty.

"The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini: Unflinching look at Afghanistan's caste system, religious schisms, and the interplay of guilt and redemption. 

"Circe," by Madeline Miller: Entrancing reimagining of the tale of exiled Circe, modernized and personalized in a delightful fashion.

"Infinite Country," by Patricia Engel: Searing, challenging look at the ripple effects of immigration on vulnerable families and fraught relationships.

"Our Country Friends," by Gary Shteyngart: Global pandemic serves as another character in this memorable tale of love, classism, and culture.

Honorable Mention (in 10 words or less):

"We," by Yevgeny Zamyatin: Creepy grandfather of dystopian fiction features oppressive atmosphere, frantic pace.

"The Alchemist," by Paulo Coelho: Resonant classic full of accessible parables, useful allegories, surprising emotion.

"The Mosquito Coast," by Paul Theroux: Epic scale dominates ode to disillusionment and meaning of family.

"The Best American Short Stories," edited by Roxane Gay: Reflecting zeitgeist, dark collection run through with fatalism, foreboding, melancholy.

"Never Let Me Go," by Kazuo Ishiguro: Morality, mortality, justification carry the day for another dystopian classic.

"Lathe of Heaven," by Ursula K. Le Guin: Intense scientific bent propels emotional exploration of dream and reality.

"The Little Drummer Girl," by John Le Carre: Rhythmic tension powers lengthy tale of spydom, racism, and nationalism.

"Our Time is Now," by Stacey Abrams: Urgent voting rights blueprint from potential savior of American democracy.

"Writers & Lovers," by Lily King: Discussion of loss vs. fulfillment robbed of impact by conclusion.

"Parable of the Sower," by Octavia E. Butler: Socioeconomics, environmentalism carry the day in preachy near-apocalyptic story.

"Can't Even," by Anne Helen Petersen: Despite assumptions, an insightful, revealing look at the millennial mindset.

"A Swim in a Pond in the Rain," by George Saunders: Exploration of writer/reader dynamic in context of Russian literature.

"The Golden House," by Salman Rushdie: No heady issue avoided in breakneck observance of American dream.

"Billy Summers," by Stephen King: Tender tone marks Frankenstein effort of stitched-together short stories.

"Scoop," by Evelyn Waugh: Satirical dissertation on the role of journalism in global subjugation.

"Acid for the Children," by Flea: Poignant, revealing, enjoyable stream-of-consciousness from legendary RHCP bassist.

"Sag Harbor," by Colson Whitehead: Nostalgic, essay-like remembrance of formative summers on Long Island.

"Razorblade Tears," by S.A. Cosby: Southern noir overcomes formulaic feel to send host of messages.

"Paradise," by Abdulrazak Gurnah: Coming-of-age story steeped in colonialism and caste system.

“Project Hail Mary,” by Andy Weir: Uplifting, wide-ranging sci-fi tale requires suspension of disbelief.

Notable (in 7 words or less):

"Later," by Stephen King: Litany of coincidences, frantic pace highlight noir.

"Prozac Nation," by Elizabeth Wurtzel: Memoir of unreliable narrator's struggles important, over-wrought.

"Life," by Lu Yao: Charming tale of generation gaps in Asia.

"The Destiny Thief," by Richard Russo: Overbearing essay reveals respected author in weakest format.

"Ur," by Stephen King: Small town, Dark Tower in King wheelhouse.

"Pity the Reader," by Kurt Vonnegut: Purported writing book just lengthy fan letter.

"The Ocean at the End of the Lane," by Neil Gaiman: Mystical story leaves wanting more or less.

"Black Buck," by Mateo Askaripour: Ambitious book can be exasperating and essential.

"The Witch Elm," by Tana French: Compelling read beset with dense dialogue, believability.

"Parable of the Talents," by Octavia E. Butler: Disappointing finale to dystopian saga undermines message.

The Rest (in 5 words or less):

"Star Wars Last Shot," by Daniel Jose Older: Welcome no-stress beach read.

"Mandalorian," by Joe Schreiber: Bounty hunter tale for kids.

"The Lightning Thief," by Rick Riordan: Greek myth-based fun read.

"Blindsight," by Matt Johnson and Prince Ghuman: Fascinating look at marketing, psychology.

"Ready Player Two," by Ernest Cline: Forgettable sequel pure money play.

Limerick Friday #540: The 'Fins Go *Gulp* All In On Tyreek Hill -- Day 741

Abuse is in his past
Criminality that lasts
Let's give him $120 mil
And hope he can find chill
But boy, is he fast

Perspective they lack
But for spring training they pack
Finally a deal
But how much is real
Yep, baseball is back

Ineptitude abounds
Entitlement astounds
Competence eludes
Low morale exudes
Resumes making the rounds

Half the roster's run
Can't remember when we last won
Assistants fired
The fanbase tired
Hoops was supposed to be fun

Knocking on the door
Hunting a Final Four
A program poised
To make big noise
All credit to Wolfpack Wes Moore

Last time ...

Day 740, Quasi-Quarantine: The 'Fins Find Their QB Insurance In Teddy Bridgewater As Part Of Free Agency 2022

The Dolphins wasted no time identifying and inking their new backup quarterback, landing Miami native and former Louisville signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater with a single-year deal very early in the first phase of free agency. 

The pluses: Bridgewater is an experienced QB, with 64 starts under his belt, tallying more than 13,000 career passing yards and more than 60 passing touchdowns. A former first-round pick and Miami high school legend, he has a good pedigree and familiarity with the area, and at 29 years, he's still relatively young in a league that sees quarterbacks play into their late 30s consistently. He's highly accurate (66.4 percent completion percentage) and mobile (11 career rushing touchdowns), and he was solid in 14 starts for Denver last year, balancing 18 touchdown tosses with seven interceptions.

The negatives: There are rumblings that Bridgewater may not be completely satisfied with a No. 2 role, which has the potential for causing issues down the road. He has also had significant injury problems in his career, a suboptimal quality in a backup quarterback signed as a hedge against inevitable injuries to Tua Tagovailoa. At 6-2, 215 pounds, he's also on the smaller side of NFL QBs, like Tua. Like last year's backup, Jacoby Brissett, Bridgewater has a reputation for avoiding downfield shots and checking down. It's also worth noting that the 'Fins are Bridgewater's fifth team, including his fourth in four seasons.

The bottom line: Moving quickly on Bridgewater in an aggressive quarterback market was smart by Miami, and how quickly it came together likely bodes well for how new coach Mike McDaniel views Bridgewater. Brissett was put into position to fail a year ago, but there is little doubt that Bridgewater's skill set is more suited to the offense that McDaniel is envisioning. At one year and $6.5 million, the Dolphins have a minimal investment in Bridgewater, allowing both sides to assess the relationship throughout 2022 before making longer-term decisions about the position. 

Considering all this, it's hard to imagine the 'Fins bringing in a better backup QB than Bridgewater.

Day 739, Quasi-Quarantine: "Good Trouble" Is A Fine Collection Shot Through With The Occasional Unexpected Pearl

 

"It all bodes ill. Either the barbarians are at the gates or we ourselves are the barbarians."

The bulk of Joseph O'Neill's stories in "Good Trouble" deal with the fallout of middle-aged ennui and horizon-less marriages. Despite some overwrought takes, the author weaves in some subtle humor and man-of-the-world insights that resonate.

"But his personal qualities are beside the point. The point is that Jack Bail is uncalled-for."

This collection of short stories featured some abrupt endings, some overly complicated prose, and some exceedingly short tales -- one ran to a page and a half and was dedicated to David Foster Wallace.

"The World of Cheese" and "Goose" are the standouts here, both giving O'Neill space to observe the balance between quiet desperation and the hope of something more and better. The collection ends on a high note, with "The Sinking of the Houston" serving as a potent commentary on hidden lives, enigmatic neighbors -- and anger management.

O'Neill has ultimately created a quick read that manages to be both pleasant and unmemorable. I personally don't ask much more from a tome found in a discount book store at the beach.

" ... Poetry is a sword of lightning that consumes its scabbard."

Day 738, Quasi-Quarantine: Giving Echo A Hand In His Emergence As A Bad Batch Hero

During last year's "Summer of Bad Batch," "Echo" quickly emerged as our favorite member of Clone Force 99.

With an emotional and physically distressing origin story, CT-1409 emerged as a hero of the Clone Wars, and he was adopted by the Bad Batch as an outlier from "regs," or normal clone troopers.

Echo is notable for his mechanical arm, which features socket options that offer a number of ways for him to help extricate the unit from difficult situations.

Clone Army Customs created a custom printed version of this arm at a highly affordable price, and when we saw this option, we had to pounce.

The result is tremendous, with a seemingly small addition making a huge impact in the overall look and feel of the minifigure. We look forward to taking Echo into future Bad Batch missions as we not-so-patiently await the next season of their show.

Day 737, Quasi-Quarantine: Don't Be The Guy Who Killed The Bit

Highly relatable (not thinking of anyone in particular except for those particular people I'm thinking of). 

Limerick Friday #539: The Real March Madness Is The Dolphins We Met Along The Way -- Day 734

Money for dudes with holes

And pretty ill-defined roles

Turning over every leaf

But where the hell is the beef

Miami free agency steals souls

Time for March Madness expanse

When teams big and small have a chance

But I looked high and low

Up and down, to and fro

And didn't see the Pack in the Big Dance

Wear kelly green

Try not to be mean

Slainte with a Guinness

And curse every menace

On St. Patrick's Day I'm keen

Silence from every personnel guy

As fan angst gets high

Cash to spend

As free agency pends

Tense times in Indy by and by

Players jumping ship

Looking to play for a 'chip

Lighting up the portal

In hopes of becoming immortal

As State searches for anyone who won't trip 

Last time ...

Day 733, Quasi-Quarantine: The 'Fins Kick Off Free Agency 2022 Somewhat Underwhelmingly With Chase Edmonds

Miami started the free agency period by adding a tone-setting offensive lineman, inking signing a scatback in Chase Edmonds. A former fourth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals out of Fordham in 2018, Edmonds earned a two-year, $12.1 million deal with a $4.1 million signing bonus.

The pluses: Quicker than fast, Edmonds is a dynamic weapon for a backfield that desperately needed one. Only 25 years old, he's capable of chunk plays, reeling off runs of 54 and 40 last year, to go with a catch of 36 yards. Edmonds is coming off a career high in rushing yards with 592, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and his 128 career catches and 921 receiving yards attest to his ability in the passing game.

The negatives: There's no sugarcoating the fact that the Dolphins just dedicated a lot of money for a gadget player. At 5-9, 205 pounds, Edmonds has a similar build to incumbent Duke Johnson, and durability has been an issue. Edmonds has 14 touchdowns in four seasons, so he's also not really a red zone answer, and his ability to pass protect has been problematic in the past. Weapons of any kind are a need, but a smallish halfback in the profile of a third-down back was not among Miami's top needs.

The bottom line: The Dolphins need to remake their entire offense, and if new coach Mike McDaniels thinks Edmonds is the first key to doing so, god bless. With such dire need along the offensive line, a splash signing was anticipated from the jump, so Edmonds caught many off guard. Later free agent signings and draft picks will lend more context to Edmonds's eventual role in the offense, but this felt like a bit of a head-scratcher at this price tag. That said, any pressure that Edmonds can help take off of Tua Tagovailoa and help Miami find some balance is likely to be worth the investment.

Day 732, Quasi-Quarantine: Transcendent "Cloud Cuckoo Land" Magically Weaves Together Eras And Cultures

 

"'And the tale I have to tell is so ludicrous, so incredible, that you'll never believe a word of it, and yet' -- she taps the end of his nose -- 'it's true.'"

Somehow managing to traverse the Middle Ages, mid-20th century, present day, and the future while visiting Constantinople, Idaho, and outer edges of the galaxy, "Cloud Cuckoo Land" is a bonafide feat.

Anthony Doerr brings a high level of intensity and suspense as he explores magical realism, ecoterrorism, and government plots. The pace can be a bit dizzying and justifications can seem slightly flimsy at times, but the novel is emotional, revealing, and timely (one character's name is Omicron).

"In a life you accumulate so many memories, your brain constantly winnowing through them, weighing consequences, burying pain, but somehow by the time you're this age you still end up dragging a monumental sack of memories behind you, a burden as heavy as a continent, and eventually it becomes time to take them out of this world."

The author's meticulously researched explorations of Greek folios, Italian architecture, and abandoned castles lend a fantastical element to interweaving plotlines.

Seeing so many threads come together so elegantly toward the end of "Cloud Cuckoo Land" made you want to applaud Doerr. His ability to translate his imagination into execution makes this book a must read for anyone who has a silent appreciation for writers of uncanny talent.

"One bad-tempered abbot, the tall scribe said, one clumsy friar, one invading barbarian, an overturned candle, a hungry worm -- and all those centuries are undone. You can cling to this world for a thousand years and still be plucked out of it in a breath."

Day 731, Quasi-Quarantine: Weaving The Crystal Laser Into Tattooine Shenanigans

 

We picked up this clear printed pistol as part of a broader Lego parts restocking. Dubbed the "crystal laser," it has featured in some missions as part of the hidden treasure inside Boba's throne room.

Here we see 4-LOM -- one of our favorite bounty hunters -- rocking the transparent blaster. It's a small piece, but helps to build context and texture as we build out narratives around the new Boba Fett set.

Anything to hold attention and focus against the draw of Madden '22 ...

Day 730, Quasi-Quarantine: Amazon Go Gets The SNL Treatment

One of the best SNL sketches I've seen in a few seasons.

Limerick Friday #538: Indy Recognizes Mistake And Dumps A Dud -- Day 727

An anti-vaxxer dense

Decisions that rarely made sense

The Colts took a risk

With many picks

Now off to Washington he Wentz

Hilarious loss for Coach K

Finally didn't know what to say

A home defeat for Rat Face

Tears fell throughout the place

Now can he just go away?

A Monster of the Midway

A force when he could play

Khalil Mack wrecked games

Injuries became a shame

Now goodbye the Bears must say

Seattle kicked up a fuss

Back up your draft-pick bus

For the 'Fins I held out hope

Or the Colts, but a big nope

On to Denver goes Russ

Business ain't boomin'

Fraught offseason loomin'

The season ended with a whimper

With 'bout every player a limper

With Gottfried Keatts soon might be roomin'

Last time ...

Day 726, Quasi-Quarantine: Saturday Night Live Tackles The Paw Patrol Menace

It's been a minute since "Paw Patrol" dominated our TV watching, but the passion for it was pretty intense there for a while.

Good to SNL pulling no punches with this unflinching political ad about the dangers of leaving civilian security to a bunch of mutts and a small child.

Day 725, Quasi-Quarantine: Starting 2022 With The Heartbreaking Beauty Of "Men We Reaped"

"We all think we could have done something to save them. Something to pull them from death’s maw, to have said: I love you. You are mine. We dream of speaking when we lack the gift of oratory, when we lack the vision to see the stage, the lights, the audience, the endless rigging and ropes and set pieces behind us, manipulated by many hands."

Jesmyn Ward's memoir is alternately devastating, melancholic, loving, poignant, and revealing. The result is a searing commentary on the psychic and emotional toll that poverty and racism wreak on tight-knit communities in the South.

With a title pulled from a Harriet Tubman quote ("We saw the lightning and that was the guns; and then we heard the thunder and that was the big guns; and then we heard the rain falling and that was the blood falling; and when we came to get in the crops, it was dead men that we reaped."), the book is the result of excruciating, painful work by the author, dealing with avoidance and reliving devastating moments.

" ... Grief doesn’t fade. Grief scabs over like my scars and pulls into new, painful configurations as it knits. It hurts in new ways. We are never free from grief. We are never free from the feeling that we have failed. We are never free from self-loathing. We are never free from the feeling that something is wrong with us, not with the world that made this mess."

Through the stories of loss surrounding five men beloved to the author, "Men We Reaped" pulls no punches in discussing faith, addiction, trust, and hopelessness in a crumbling Mississippi town. Ward is at her best when examining the life-long struggles to shake the grief associated with the death of her brother, Joshua.

While Ward largely brushes aside her own role in breaking out of the mold set for her by virtue of her upbringing, she doesn't ignore the constant call of home and family amid her experiences at elite academic institutions around the country. 

"Men We Reaped" stands tall among the ever-growing oeuvre of one of America's most gifted and unflinching writers.

"Once, they lived. We tried to outpace the thing that chased us, that said: You are nothing. We tried to ignore it, but sometimes we caught ourselves repeating what history said, mumbling along, brainwashed: I am nothing. We drank too much, smoked too much, were abusive to ourselves, to each other. We were bewildered. There is a great darkness bearing down on our lives, and no one acknowledges it."

Day 724, Quasi-Quarantine: Stunning, Flexible Set Renders Boba Fett's Throne Room

With Lego having a mini-revival in our house, my building partner was not-so-patiently awaiting the arrival of Boba Fett's Throne Room (set 75326). 

He had been slow to take to Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett saga, but worked his way through it at his own pace and ended up loving many elements of it.

The 732-piece build features a slightly-too-steep price -- making decisions to use allowance money on it fraught -- but the tag is somewhat offset by the stellar, unique minifigures.

On top of the Boba Fett featuring new printing and the Fennec Shand that comes with a hairpiece instead of a helmet, five new characters are included. Bib Fortuna, Quarren, the Weequay Guard, and the Gamorrean Guard are all beautifully rendered, and the Theelin Dancer is a nice addition as well.

On the playability front, the set can be moved into a number of configurations, with a hidden compartment, a pop-up ejector function for the throne itself, tilting steps, and an opening gate.

By folding out the front, a kitchen and barbecue area with rotisserie is revealed. The throne room itself if flanked by a guard tower and gate on one side and a small bar nook on the other.

Best of all, the set can be combined with a number of other Tattooine-centric builds to re-create the most impactful planet in the Star Wars universe. This dad and building partner can't wait to see all the different ways we can incorporate this set into a myriad of missions.

Day 723, Quasi-Quarantine: SNL Nails The Julia Garner Frenzy With "Inventing Chloe"

Based on her work on "Ozark" and "Inventing Anna," Julia Garner is staking her claim as our best contemporary actress. That doesn't leave her above satire, however.

Chloe Fineman crushes this sketch that features her channeling her inner Anna Delvey around the "Saturday Night Live" offices.

Limerick Friday #537: "Office Space" Meets "Westworld" Equals A Stunning "Severance" -- Day 720

Occupational perseverance

Institutional reverence

Memories cut by knife

To serve the duality of life

The sterile terror of "Severance"

Excuses swarm

As the seat gets warm

Not time yet

But State fans fret

As Ls become the Keatts norm

The "Killing Eve" final season

Has lost intensity without reason

Tied their success to Sandra Oh

The audience said, uh, no

Villanelle the character that's pleasin'

Devoid of shame

Passing the blame

Mock confusion

Gaslighting profusion

"Leadership" only in name

Delivery anticipated like a goal

Boba's throne room now whole

A son's joyous cheers

A dad's quiet tears

Lego time, good for the soul

Last time ...

Day 719, Quasi-Quarantine: "Book Of Boba" Gets The Honest Trailer Treatment

While this feels overly heavy handed (by intention, of course) and misses the mark on a few plot holes, this honest trailer of "Book of Boba" is irrefutably hilarious.

This is the way ... to giggle.

Day 718, Quasi-Quarantine: Seeing Red On The Mandalorian Light Wave

 

As part of a recent multipurchase, we secured the "Mandalorian red GHS" helmet on a whim.

The printing on this Arealight Customs piece is stellar, punctuated by a skull on the top. We then modified a red trooper with color-complementary arms and hands, topping off the ensemble with a DIY comms backpack.

With Lego Star Wars making a mini comeback (thanks, "Book of Boba"!) in our house, this specialized and distinctive Mandalorian is certain to figure prominently in future missions and mocs.

Day 717, Quasi-Quarantine: Reviewing 2021's Reading Efforts Has Been A Beautiful Burden

 

While the creation of The Scooties for last year is taking a bit longer than expected, I think I have a pretty good reason.

I overshot my reading goal by eight, reading a whopping 50 books in 2021.

Trying to identify the best amid all the wonderful books has been a welcome chore. I'll get there, I promise -- I just need a minute.

Until then, keep calm and read on.