Wan Smol Blog

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 22:47:33 -0400

Troy also introduced me to the word deipnosophist: a person skilled in the art of dining and table talk. I went to bookshelf for the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, checked spelling. Perfect word to match today’s blog post, The Paama Properties, about my retirement & next endeavor.

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 22:23:46 -0400

Friend Troy came over to the house for dinner tonight. He gave me an awesome cap from the Anchor Bat Company, and now I’m reading Why Are Baseball Bats Cupped?

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 18:18:19 -0400

Along the gravel driveway, this old Bud can emerged from the dirt.

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 18:16:37 -0400

[Voice of David Attenborough] The coyote of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, are so comfortable they brazenly leave their scat in the middle of the driveway, a message to the humans that they are masters of the night. [/voiceover]

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 17:02:48 -0400

Friday at 5pm means it is Solsbury o’clock here in my house, Peter Gabriel on vinyl singing ‘Today I don’t need a replacement, I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant’. A grand weekend to all!

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 14:01:11 -0400

Beautiful day for the Boulderthon. I ran the half and my cousin Jenny did the full. We were side by side for first 10 miles until the course split. This was fun view of runners ahead and the Flatirons.

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:37:38 -0400

I joined the official shakeout run this morning with Boulderthon founder for 3 mile jog along a nice path. Then walked Pearl Street to revisit the excellent Boxcar coffee roasters. Now sitting, sipping, marveling at perfect weather.

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 22:27:31 -0400

Hanging out with my aunt Elaine in Boulder. Went for dinner and on way back, about 200 yards from her house, a black bear bounded across the road in front of us. Snapped this photo of it’s rear, later noticed a second bear (cub?) nearby.

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:57:56 -0400

Made my way from Denver to Boulder, first on light-rail train and then the comfortable Flatiron Flyer bus. Now, with hours to kill until the Boulderthon expo opens, I’m making my way, café by café, along Pearl Street. Peeked into FoodLab, a sign that I’m on the right path for my next endeavor.

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:52:44 -0400

A nice vibe here in Coors Field even if the hapless Rockies are down 8-0 in bottom of second inning. Sitting next to my fun aunt.

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:00:01 -0600

Landed in Denver last night. Leisurely morning writing a business plan for my next endeavor. Leaving soon with my cousin Justin to attend the day baseball game Rockies vs. Diamondbacks.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 18:20:37 -0600

After airport run to get Erin and Oliver, drove down to the pitch in Chatham County for the afternoon pick-up soccer game. Scored one goal and ran hard. Now in the garage cooking up another batch of hot sauce as I listen to Interpol’s Antics album.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:03:32 -0600

One of my weekend projects while I’m home alone is making roselle syrup. First batch was yesterday and I served it (in soda water) to a friend who came for dinner: broiled salmon served beside black lentils and roasted cauliflower, drizzled with newly arrived Fat Gold olive oil.

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 07:02:04 -0600

Early morning haircut in Durham followed by pain au pistache from Loaf Bakery. I’m sitting in courtyard near the Carolina Theatre where I once had a wonderful conversation with a college buddy and his friend who were here for the annual documentary film festival.

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:00:31 -0600

Another Sunday, another fun morning at the regular pick-up soccer game, no goals but some smart runs and passes, and another injury as I protected my head from a blistering shot, my ring finger swollen now. Pain aside, I’m glad for this routine. ⚽️

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 19:43:28 -0400

Live music tonight is Patriotic Pops on the green in Chapel Hill’s Southern Village with the North Carolina Symphony.

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:39:38 -0400

Today is first hot sauce day of the year. Making two batches later. Now smoking remaining 🌶️ on smoker that Erin’s cousin conveniently has going with these pork butts.

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:21:29 -0400

Walked down the gravel drive to share a meal with Erin’s sister. We talked about starting magazines and writing novels, and watched a bit of tennis. On our walk home, ‘snake, snake!’ Erin recorded this and just as she says copperhead you can see the distinctive marking.

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:44:20 -0400

At Oliver soccer game and the song playing over stadium loudspeaker is Quiet Riot song that was playing when I was on high school soccer team 40 years ago.

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:45:41 -0400

I purchased this book when I was in Dublin last year. Finally reading it, and she’s as great a writer as is said: The Gastronomical Me by M.F.K. Fisher 📚

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:48:29 -0400

Finished reading this lovely story about a teenage boy on an adventure with his father and a friend in Spain: A Taste of Somewhere Else by Michael Ruhlman. Will be a great book for gifting to our sons and nephews (and others). 📚

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:54:35 -0400

Second day in a row for a visit to my local independent bookseller Flyleaf Books. Today picking up new YA novel by my friend Michael Ruhlman.

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:26:32 -0400

Great show by Rum Jungle. And now the line at the merch table is longest I’ve seen here. If you like rock see this band when they are near you.

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:17:48 -0400

Heading off with Oliver to Cat’s Cradle Back Room to catch Aussie band Rum Jungle. As I step outside I hear the juvenile owl begging for food.

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 12:37:42 -0400

Road trip to Atlanta. I took train into city, walked to Ponce City Market, ate Cuban guava and cheese pastry then Indian lamb burgers. Now sitting under big fan at Dancing Goats Coffee reflecting on Paul Millerd’s marvelous The Pathless Path.