Not really, but I've started watching Game of Thrones from the beginning. I don't think I watched a complete season, ever. Only really watched when I sat down while Tracy was watching. It's good. I'm also following along with The Ringer's Binge Mode, with a podcast per episode. Somewhat helpful. I'm currently in the middle of Season 3. Donated blood yesterday, Power Red, so was a little tired. Slept early. No bike riding yesterday or today. Next ride in to work would be Friday (working from home tomorrow). It's been hot out. Hopefully it's not the trend for this summer. Don't think I'd like it much. Definitely see at least a 10 degree difference between the 3rd floor and the basement. Hasn't gotten bad enough that I go into the basement yet (except after I biked home on Monday, then I did). Upgraded the home network to all Ubiquiti UniFi gear, moved to a Ubiquiti UniFi Security Gateway, Ubiquiti UniFi Switch 24, Ubiquiti UniFi Switch 8, and a Ubiquiti UniFi AC In-Wall to cover my side of the master bedroom. Tempted to get a Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Key. But allows me to use the UniFi app on iOS to view network status. Interesting that the 2 access points on the 3rd floor aren't auto negotiated to GigE. Wonder if it's a distance thing. Also, 5GHz WiFi makes a difference when streaming video. I tried watching Game 4 of the NBA Finals, but gave up because of commercials, and timeouts, and official reviews. I didn't even watch Game 5 until I got the notification that the game was over. My hot take on game 4? All the fouls/official review was like unofficial timeouts and plenty of time to rest for the Cavs stars. No chance they would get tired down the stretch because of all the stoppage of play. What's the actual minutes spent playing vs. length of game? Anyway, I'm happy the Warriors won. My hot take on KD? What other team would have maximized his skills?

Did Bike the Drive on Sunday. Late start, so only got on at Addison at 8:30 and made it down to Grant Park by 9. Hung out there for a bit, and by the time we wanted to head back out, they had closed the drive off. Biked around afterwards, went to Floriole for breakfast and pastries, then a couple playgrounds, before getting caught in the only 20 minute downpour of the day. Got a nap in with Jackson. Friday night went to dinner at Maple & Ash with Tracy as a belated anniversary dinner (thanks Mom and Dad for watching the kids). Then watched Logan at home, because the only available reservation was at 5, and we made it home while it was still light out. Saturday biked down to Pump It Up for Marcus's birthday party. Monday more biking, more playgrounds, and a trip to Oberweis.

Been thinking all week that the day was actually the next. So today, I thought was Friday. Also seems to be working in reverse. That yesterday was Thursday and not actually Wednesday. Either way, annoying. Decided to watch Alias from the beginning. Goes all the way back to 2001, before iPads and iPhones, so it's interesting. Also interesting to see the female empowerment that I must have not noticed or paid much attention too, but completely notice in this day and age. Also knowing the 5th season twist is interesting when watching from the beginning. Not to mention seeing Bradley Cooper in a supporting role on a TV show. Hoping the weather holds up for Bike the Drive on Sunday. At the same time, kinda hoping it rains because then I'll go out by myself without Tracy and the kids, and it would probably be pretty empty.

Got snipped a couple weeks ago. So haven't been biking to work and back. Do bike a little bit with the kids on the weekends though, and dropping off/picking up Jackson. But otherwise still taking it easy. Might start up again next week, since Bike the Drive is in a week. nuke and paved my iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad. Been having some issues, so figured it's time. Also decided to start going without a case again, although it seems like I'm just playing with fire. It's so slick. But it's so slick, and nice without a case. Feels so much smaller. I've even started using the iPad without a case too. Also feels so much smaller. My parents took the kids for the long weekend after the procedure, so I plowed through the current Marvel Cinematic Universe. Took me 5 or 6 days. Kind of floundering on what I should watch next. I do have a huge backlog of podcasts to work through.

Had Lucy's 7th birthday party last weekend, actually on her birthday. Made her a giant chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich for a cake. The kids pretty much just ate the ice cream. First time she had a bunch of kids from school over. Went over pretty well. I think she had fun. I'm definitely slacking on the picture taking though. Didn't really have it out. Having the SecuritySpy app on the Apple TV up and running with the basement camera worked out well with parents and kids, when they found out they were on the TV. Entertaining, that's for sure. Took advantage of Take Your Kids to Work day last Thursday, even though I took the day off. When I tried working with the kids in the office, I didn't really get to work much. So instead, just showed them my office, then got the wristbands for free access to the SkyDeck. Third year in a row, and well, didn't take any pictures of them this time. I've had a cough for a while, thought it was getting better, then came back after this weekend. I've been sleeping on the couch because the coughing keeps Tracy up. I thought it was the mucus in the sinus thing, and then I felt it loosen up and drop, and thought I was approaching the tail end, and then it went back up. Annoying. Not stopping me from biking through. Need to keep that up, even if it drops to 40° F like it did today. Started reading The Diamond Age, mostly because I forgot my AirPods in the gym locker. Reading it more for nanotech and culture details, seems pretty appropriate for now.

Had spring break a couple weeks ago. Went up to Great Wolf Lodge for a couple days at the beginning of the week (April 9 - 11). Finally got Ube donuts from Gurnee Donuts. They were ok. Great Wolf was great, as always. Might have to try something different next year. Kids always liked the arcade. Lucy was especially good at getting tickets from the ball drop game. Also, because it was just the four of us, just had a normal hotel room, no suite, no fireplace, no sitting room or TV room and separate bedroom. Different. Made it over to Knuckleheads with Lucy while Jackson napped one afternoon, just another arcade, didn't try any of the rides or anything. Also went shopping at the outlet, but they didn't have any Adidas track suits. Disappointing. Al and Family came in, cousin Jenina and her new husband too on their honeymoon, all out to Woodstock for a last hurrah at the house since it's for sale. Ate a lot. Went up to The Domes in Milwaukee on Friday. Hung out at the house, kids played in the basement a lot. Had an easter egg hunt on Easter. Tried out the new Frio Gelato on Southport. I'm a fan. Have had mucus in the head for the last week or two, it's gradually been moving down, and think I'm on the last legs. Hammels are back, so the kids have been playing a lot together. Been bike commuting to work. It's nice. And it's working, weight is trending back down toward what I was. Finally hung the string lights across the backyard. Super bright, so I had to put the dimmer on, which doesn't work because they're LED string lights. Found a tip to put in 1 incandescent bulb, and the dimmer now works. So that looks pretty cool. Went to Indian Boundary Park for Flo's birthday party last Saturday. That's a pretty cool park. Went to Jolibee for the first time after that. The chicken's good. The halo-halo is too. Also been biking to drop off and pickup Jackson. Much better than driving.

It is nice riding to and from work again. It's pretty nice having a shower before working as well. Not so nice having to leave my clothes and shoes in a locker all day. It's not even summer yet and my locker smelled pretty bad. I have no idea if I'm going to use Tone, the work gym, as anything other than a place to shower and store my commuting gear. I'm rocking the Miyata 610. Downtube shifters in the city aren't the best idea in the world. I'm using the Ortlieb Front Rollers, one with my computing gear in a Gonex Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack, and I ordered another one for my clothes. Swapped out the adapters on the top hooks to fit the narrower rack. Makes it easy to pack/unpack the bags at home. I don't have to carry the dirty panniers around the house. Also got another Tom Bihn Vertical cache for the MacBook Pro and a smaller Freudian Slip that fits in the backpacks and panniers. I'm also swapping out pedals, depending on the weather (between the toe clips and Vittoria 1976 Shoes vs. Power Grips and 45NRTH Japanther. I'm also going up and down Clark to Halsted instead of Southport because of construction. But there's creaking, rubbing, other sounds that might imply missing lubrication. And I shouldn't leave the Boeshield T-9 Waterproof Lubrication outdoors; the aerosol goes bad. Other than that, plowing through My Boys. The first 2 seasons are pretty killer, and it's not quite as good so far after that. Still thoroughly enjoying the continued Chicago references.