08/17/26: Matt still hasn't recovered from the Russians welching on their foreign debt in August, 1998 --- the month when every single journalist on vacation had to report to work (no matter what line they were in).
(Russia defaulted "on its financial obligations and halt payments on foreign debt in 1998. On August 17, 1998, the Russian government devalued the ruble, defaulted on domestic state bonds (GKOs), and placed a 90-day moratorium on the repayment of various foreign and commercial bank debts.")
08/17/26: Good luck Matt! See if you can find a burrito on sale for less than $15,000 (avoid the knock-off Chinese chimichangas/AI-written fortune cookies). And since when are you expected to work 52 weeks a year?!
Thank you for all you do! My spouse and I enjoy your writings very much and are so glad you are writing again.. might we hope Walter returns to conversations with you anytime soon? Those conversations were always worthwhile.
You need to take vacations every year before you know it the kids will go to college and then out of the house. It goes fast Matt! Nobody on their deathbed ever said “I should have spent more time at work!” Family is everything. Enjoy it Matt!
08/17/26: It is very important that all the little tykes make sure they ace their advance-placement math exams so their UC Berkeley teachers can later find out that they have no idea what fractions are and had, in fact, failed their high-school algebra exams.
Scary. As bad as schooling already was, in recent decades, with grade inflation and the elimination of standardized testing, along with standards themselves, the rates of both language and math illiteracy have grown. We're doomed. I'm not a particular fan of standardized tests, as they are way over-used, they do have usefulness. Perhaps at the beginning and end of high school. But here in Commiefornia, they are given from 1st grade to 12th, with damaging results.
Enjoy your vacation Matt! You deserve it. But I had to laugh at "it's a slow week." Famous last words!
lol totally. Probably that guarantees global revolution Wednesday (now it will be Tuesday).
08/17/26: Matt still hasn't recovered from the Russians welching on their foreign debt in August, 1998 --- the month when every single journalist on vacation had to report to work (no matter what line they were in).
(Russia defaulted "on its financial obligations and halt payments on foreign debt in 1998. On August 17, 1998, the Russian government devalued the ruble, defaulted on domestic state bonds (GKOs), and placed a 90-day moratorium on the repayment of various foreign and commercial bank debts.")
If you set up an automated "tip jar," I'm guessing most of us would contribute a couple bucks toward shark repellent.
Totally agree. have a very nice time off
08/17/26: Good luck Matt! See if you can find a burrito on sale for less than $15,000 (avoid the knock-off Chinese chimichangas/AI-written fortune cookies). And since when are you expected to work 52 weeks a year?!
Enjoy!
Thank you for all you do! My spouse and I enjoy your writings very much and are so glad you are writing again.. might we hope Walter returns to conversations with you anytime soon? Those conversations were always worthwhile.
08/17/26: Walter, you simply have to stop sending in these messages. The past is the past and it has past (sorry, Mr. Faulkner!).
😂🤣
Have a good time. You earned it.
You know, I recall a story where you nearly killed yourself trying to get into your apartment. Stay away from the cliffs! The world needs you!
J/K, enjoy your vacation!
Enjoy your vacation, Matt!
Have a wonderful time.
Have a good vacation, Matt.
Don't let "them" find you.....
Enjoy!!!!
You need to take vacations every year before you know it the kids will go to college and then out of the house. It goes fast Matt! Nobody on their deathbed ever said “I should have spent more time at work!” Family is everything. Enjoy it Matt!
Soak it up, Matt! You and the family most definitely deserve this!
You have beyond earned it, Matt. You, your wife. And your kids. All. “Making the Days Count” is my recommended theme. - Jim
You EARNED it. Enjoy!
Enjoy! Summer, what summer? The kids here are back in jail today--in the middle of August! Totally sucks.
08/17/26: It is very important that all the little tykes make sure they ace their advance-placement math exams so their UC Berkeley teachers can later find out that they have no idea what fractions are and had, in fact, failed their high-school algebra exams.
Scary. As bad as schooling already was, in recent decades, with grade inflation and the elimination of standardized testing, along with standards themselves, the rates of both language and math illiteracy have grown. We're doomed. I'm not a particular fan of standardized tests, as they are way over-used, they do have usefulness. Perhaps at the beginning and end of high school. But here in Commiefornia, they are given from 1st grade to 12th, with damaging results.
08/17/26: If anyone taking these exams get the right answer, it has to be solely attributed to an accident having occurred.
It would be cool if you did a little post with pictures of all the cool animals you see in the Galapagos!
Ignore Clem!