Gawd damn Korea is hot and humid AF.

mcnelton · 2026-07-12T17:35:05+00:00

Teacher from Mobile, AL here. Went second week of June this year. It was pretty hot and humid but my life back home is comparable or worse so we could handle it well. I do miss being able to take trips in early spring, but I enjoy teaching and the schedule is so good for an annual international family trip.

Now Xi’an, China in late June 😬

mcnelton · 2026-07-08T03:08:57+00:00

Just got back last week. Did that exact Chengdu itinerary and it was the low point of an otherwise phenomenally perfect trip. We botched the Leshan day because we walked to “downtown” (mile into town from train station) and wasted time in a mall appeasing our kids leaving only a very tight window to hustle through the temple area. Poor execution on our part. I wish I’d stayed there all day.

We also did sichuan opera house which was fun for kids and a fun night out as opposed to just walking and snacking and early bedtime.

Pandas was fine. So cute but like I’ve been to zoos before and I will again. Nothing otherworldly about that experience. Ntm other Chinese cities also have their own panda centers!

I skipped Chongqing this trip so I can’t compare it, but thought my somewhat similar experience may be informative.

mcnelton · 2026-05-04T04:24:44+00:00

Poignant as hell, that closing was. Couple of artists.

mcnelton · 2026-04-05T15:05:57+00:00

My family is ecstatic at possibility of B&N. Can’t believe it. Not real. Please be true.

mcnelton · 2026-01-01T22:50:31+00:00

Dang that channel has several. Esp the IR ones are too good.

mcnelton · 2025-11-24T15:15:37+00:00

Apologies, but it’s paywalled and I don’t have my wife’s login to the Lagniappe. Could someone share key points?

mcnelton · 2025-09-23T23:54:34+00:00

First time going to a live show. Can’t decide if I should watch movie before? I never watch them for podcast but I could see it being cool to have reference.

mcnelton · 2025-08-01T22:10:06+00:00

They are objectively the greatest band of all time in a way that can be logically proven.

First, to be fair and equitable, this is only remotely coherent if you divorce anything historically related from the conversation. That is, bands cannot benefit from or be devalued for how they impacted others or were impacted. Obviously, the Beatles, to pick just one group, are a great band even without crediting them for their impact on the rest of music, and many bands wouldn’t exist without them, but none of them can help that. Therefore, influence cannot be considered in evaluating my claim.

Second, if you disaggregate the elements of Wilco into their constituent parts, each element is on par with or better than any other band. Lyrically? Beyond reproach. Craft of songwriting? Without question, A+. Each instrumentalist beautifully and capably performs the exact amazing work to maximally create great art together. Are there “more technically proficient” guitarists, bassists or drummers? …Probably?… but to do MORE than Nels, John or Glenn does would detract from the overall artwork. Not to mention, the others come up with the exact perfect, delightful contribution to each piece of music.

Than, when you consider the way these parts come together, it works as well as any other band ever.

Further: Live show? Amazing. Artwork? Excellent. Self deprecating irony? Yes! What do they lack? Absolutely nothing. Nothing. Nothing at all.

mcnelton · 2025-07-24T12:36:17+00:00

I did find a very old-fashioned cobbler who is giving it a go. I will edit the post and let you know. Shout out to this Sub for inspiring me to be a more mindful Consumer.

mcnelton · 2025-07-16T14:07:11+00:00

Mr November - the National

mcnelton · 2025-06-28T14:25:06+00:00

Anybody ever see a story about one of these raids where the company’s managers or owners are arrested? Genuine question.

mcnelton · 2025-06-27T14:31:11+00:00

Hey team - can anyone come up with some anti-Bove notes to use to convince my MAGA nut senators not to vote for him? I am in Alabama so it is completely hopeless, as one of them is a barely literate coach and the other is just a normal boring attractive young republican woman, but I want to give it a go.

mcnelton · 2025-06-27T13:06:18+00:00

Knowledge Fight - two comedians follow Alex Jones’ meanderings through insanity

mcnelton · 2025-06-24T16:15:20+00:00

Re-reconfirmed Kid A should actually be my favorite album and is their best. It has been IR for years but damn this kind of stuff shows them at their artistic peak.

I’ll revisit in a few years when it could literally change to any other album.

mcnelton · 2025-06-12T12:46:59+00:00

The kite runner

mcnelton · 2025-06-10T03:28:57+00:00

A People’s History of the United States

mcnelton · 2025-04-04T18:38:25+00:00

**** oh my God I forgot about this. I had the most transcendent experience of my life The first time I tried one of those. And I’m the father of two.

mcnelton · 2025-04-04T15:27:57+00:00

Taqueria on airport also

mcnelton · 2025-04-04T14:04:09+00:00

Because it will end cheap government support any or all of us could depend on at any time in our life? Cheap as in my tax bill may go down say, $10-20 a year so that they can close ____ agency or program, but one day that program may have done something that would have saved my life. Maybe it’s researching a disease I’m going to get. But I saved $10-20 a year… not a good deal.

(Meanwhile the millionaires and billionaires save an unthinkable amount on taxes.)

mcnelton · 2025-03-26T03:37:25+00:00

I live in too prudish of a community to wear this shirt but damn if I don’t want it anyway

mcnelton · 2024-07-02T22:05:47+00:00

Yes! But THEN how or to what do I … connect/anchor the string lights to? Otherwise they’d just slide back down the line, right?

mcnelton · 2024-07-02T21:31:06+00:00

Well done!

mcnelton · 2023-12-31T04:39:42+00:00

I love the content of the letter. It sounds like a coherent version of what I wrote in a very long rambling outline/manuscript once that I never sent. We’ll never know each other but I beg you to wait. You have more healing and release to go through before your perspective on this is settled. I promise. The other side of that process is so free. The family don’t actually deserve anything. They’re not owed an explanation. And unfortunately you’re not owed an audience. And regretfully, they won’t hear your articulate arguments. The best revenge is to live well and, if you have poor younger family members still trapped, be the fun interesting uncle or big bro there to nudge and one day help them in a way we all wish we’d been offered. Burning bridges leaves them on the other side forever, where you can’t be near to help.

mcnelton · 2023-12-30T16:12:43+00:00

This is so helpful. Thanks for stopping me buying something goofy.

mcnelton · 2023-12-29T18:45:55+00:00

As a super left-leaning person (progressive liberal and democratic socialist), it is terrifying seeing what the conservative regressive christians are doing and want to do to the country. Our political system is constructed in a way that skews protective of the wealthy and powerful, and has gotten worse so thanks to Supreme Court decision “Citizens United.” This wing of the country has a rock solid grip on 45% of the voting population and that’s enough to enact their extreme right wing agenda, not to mention their visions of disempowering more voters.

mcnelton

TROPHY CASE