-
Getting into Pinball
Almost exactly a year ago, I began playing pinball at my friend Noah’s house. I didn’t understand how he could be so interested in Pinball that he bought two machines, but since I was staying there I figured I should play. Playing pinball in a private home is a very different experience than playing it…
-
Pool Fillers and Persistence
When I sit in my tea room, I have a decent view out the sliding glass doors to the backyard. I can see the pool, the patio, the cacti that my wife and I planted, and… a really ugly pool filler. Something I didn’t know before having a pool, but which would have been obvious…
-
Home Automation in 2023
I’ve written about home automation a few times in the past, but so much has changed since last time I wrote about it that I feel like I have much more practical advice to give than in times past. I’ve been automating my houses (and formerly rooms and apartments) for over 25 years now, and…
-
A Neighborhood With Friends
When I first moved to Vegas, it was mostly an accident. I bought a condo because I couldn’t pass up the deal, and during the process of renovating it I fell in love with the city and eventually came to the point where I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I shared my enthusiasm with friends…
-
The Three Best Tea Houses in the World
As any regular reader knows, I love tea. I drink it almost every single day, and when I’m with my friends it is the activity I look forward to the most. In some ways that sounds dumb, but to me tea isn’t just about some hot leaf water, but it’s about creating the space and…
-
Choosing the Rewards You Respond To
Someone in the cruise business told me recently that I should start charging cancellation fees. I have to pay the cruise lines a small amount every time someone cancels a cruise. He is far more experienced in the business than I am, and he is right. I should charge cancellation fees. They cost me hundreds…
-
Gear Post 2023
It’s that time of the year again! I think a lot more changed this year versus the previous year, probably because I went fairly travel-crazy this year. As always I think “There’s barely any point in doing a gear post since nothing has changed…” and then I realize that actually a lot has changed. Interestingly,…
-
Sayonara 2022
I can’t believe 2022 is over already. Like 2021 I didn’t feel as though as much changed in my life as has changed in many prior years, but this year I feel much less directionless than last year. CruiseSheet Prior to the pandemic my main productive outlet was CruiseSheet. No cruises sailed during covid, so…
-
Gratitude 2022
Last year’s gratitude post was written largely about my father coming to Vegas to help me with some home improvement projects, so it feels fitting that I’m writing this as I fly across the country to help him with some projects of his own. And, as always, family looms large at the top of my…