It’s been my tradition for several years to have the first meal of the new year at a diner. If I’m in STL it’s usually this one, and this meal.

If you’d like to listen to one of the greatest orchestras in the world play its New Year’s Eve concert with an all-surprise program, here you go. 7:30 Central Time.

“The same procedure as every year, James.” (explanation via Slate)

I’d call what’s going on over at the birdsite a clownshow, but that would be an insult to all the fine upstanding clown entertainers I know.

My other kid: “Dad, who’s the best at soccer?”

Me: “Well, right now Argentina is the best.”

Him: “But I’m the best.”

My kid walked in and saw ARG 3 – FRA 2 and said “Oh, Arkansas (pronounced “Argansaw”) has 3 and France has 2!”.

I hadn’t seen the Spielberg version of West Side Story yet and in an indecisive Thanksgiving evening I put it on. It’s as well done as everybody said, but goodness I always forget how much of a downer the story is.