2025 RANT

December 21, 2025

The 30th annual Rant… give or take a few years… those early days were actually hand written so the historical archives are a little sketchy. The older I get, which seems to be accelerating at a terrifying clip – the more important it seems to share my observations and experiences beyond just those every day rant-worthy irritations… maybe that’s just something old people feel they need to do… Yes might be one of those this year – which don’t be confused the ridiculous secret menu Starbuck’s orders, texting while driving, tying up the Dunkin’ line and general stupidity continue to irritate the hell out of me… but it almost seems rhetorical at this point. I’ve come to the unfortunate conclusion that people are not getting smarter… no not at all, and because I’m now supposedly being measured on the “grumpy old man” scale I have even less patience with those that walk among us… just out there breathing my air!

Frustrations aside though I reflect on another year of experiences and I wonder how I am going to integrate these into the tapestry of my life – how is it possible to continue expanding my capacity for the beauty, pain, passion, and love this life brings me every year? There are many days my heart whispers “just stay in the moment…,” not everything needs to be understood.

But I am finally beginning to understand one of the true benefits of age is realizing the suppression one’s emotions is a construct of a society that chooses not to value the freedom and genuineness of the human experience and I don’t have to subscribe to it. Additionally, the broader my experience, the more I become acutely aware of just how fortunate I am, we all have challenges in this life but comparatively these days mine rarely rise above the “rant” level. I’ve been working in Miami since early this year and that regular drive gives me plenty of time to think and reflect on life and it doesn’t hurt that its augmented by a well curated playlist – seems I have always had a personal soundtrack for this life.

Those drives are always a collage of memories colliding with each other – the sweetness of a whispered “papa”, hand made cards, Sunday family dinners, conversations with my mom, the poignant moments one can only share with a true partner, the privilege of leading an incredible team of people – not employees but people that are important to me. I’ve never been one to have separate identities, I simply strive to be a genuine person and make a quality effort regardless – not always successful, but it’s always my true aim. But for me it always comes down to finding balance among the wide range of experiences this life brings, never mind fitting each new one into its proper place.

I’m finding there isn’t a uniqueness to the challenges this life brings, but each one is personal in its own way. News from a long time friend that they are battling a difficult cancer diagnosis, or a woman we have become friends with – a single mother working endless hours to provide some semblance of stability for her three girls, or the myriad of other challenges that make up the every day lives of folks that are important to me. My bad knees or coffee line issues seem to pale when considered objectively; which doesn’t mean I don’t self indulge in my own frustrations, but I try to be present enough in those moments to keep some perspective. I guess that’s really the challenge for all of us, there is no way to know another’s journey; and it should go without saying that what might seem trivial to us may be the biggest challenge another is facing… so maintaining some perspective and not applying my personal bias is something I’m working on. I once wrote: “there is a filament that lies within the human experience that ties all things and all beings together…” I honestly don’t remember what inspired that line, but the older I get the truer it seems.

So uh where’s the actual rant? Were you looking for something political, or maybe a regurgitation of what some fool did in a drive thru line… or better yet an overly acerbic retrospective on the insanity of our current tipping culture or why does it take DoorDash 49 minutes to go 1.3 miles? I could resurrect my disdain for insurance companies – footnote Kiersta’s house is finally – yes a year later – coming back to life after a long fight with her homeowners insurance. I’m just happy they are going to get their home back; that rant hits way too close to home.

We could of course go in the opposite direction and have a lively discussion on all the wonderful things that happened this year… there is plenty, for instance Kyle and Dani have set a date to get married in 2026, the grands are growing up and have any number of things to discuss… we just covered Kiersta and Jon getting their house back to whole and of course I think Tammy is serious about possibly retiring next year… But you know as wonderful as those all are the original point of the rant was to craft a sarcastic and acerbic response to those types of year end epistles – ironic isn’t it? Maybe there’s something to that whole filament thing that only becomes obvious in the context time or more accurately experiences.

One might say its been a year of change, but truth is there is a steady cadence to life and change, evolution even revolution is just part of that journey – I propose the key is to be self-aware enough that we are not reactive but objective about the journey. Life isn’t something that happens to us, don’t be a spectator watching yours go by wondering why… no be in the moment, be present, be the main character the key ingredient; and if fate shines on us we will share some bright moments in the filament that binds us all together.

Stay in the light my friends, Ill see you on the journey…

2024 CASTAGNO RANT

December 26, 2024

So, my progeny have been on my ass about where is the RANT this year… tempts me not write one; I mean seriously what the hell… So, I decided I would give them a quick summary “rant” to hold them over while I mull over what to say this year… So here goes: my legs hurt like a bitch, hurricanes suck, been working to many damn hours, crypto is ridiculous and probably mostly cause I don’t have any of it… babies are good even if they shit their diapers… older kids are good even when they don’t know how or when to be quiet… really big kids are good except when they ramble about certain stocks like umm “GameStop”… more often than not your sports teams will disappoint you – but we cheer for them anyway… what’s up with that? The older you get the more memories you make, but now you have to worry about forgetting them… weird.

Well let’s dive right in, cause that’s about as good an intro as you’re going to get anyway.

As most of you know by now, there is no rhyme or reason to how these rants develop… sometimes it’s just a straight-out bitch session, or I wax nostalgic over days of yore, even worse I might get philosophical about who knows what honestly, and if that’s not enough there’s always a chance I might decide to pontificate on some social issue or topic… ughhh!

There are some hard and fast rant rules though, and that means we have to cover the Castagno hi-lite reel first… and we have a couple of big ones this year! First, and it’s not even close, we welcomed Renlee Elizabeth Williams to the family this past February… and no need to wonder – she is pretty fond of her PaPa. Her big sister Annie loves her to death and the rest of us are pretty taken with her too.

Now you may have heard that we have hurricanes down here in Florida… it’s the price of living in paradise; well, what some call paradise – but till you drive down here or pay our insurance rates you might want to check that. Anyway, major event number two… hurricane Milton; normally we just hunker down and ride these storms out and this one was no different. We did all the normal prep work, gathered necessary supplies and waited to see where that asshat Cantore would set up. A cat 1 storm is no fun, but usually no more than an inconvenience and a few days with no power – following a week of more than 18 inches of rain Milton rolled through our town as a strong cat 2 much higher than forecast. It wasn’t fun, and plenty of folks suffered major flooding and wind damage – a most unwelcome follow up to Helene a week or so earlier that devastated our coast and most of western NC.

All this to say that the family suffered major damage to Kiersta’s home when a huge, and I mean really huge, oak tree was toppled over crushing the back half of her house. This tree brushed Annie’s room, came through the roof into the living room and master bath… Kiersta’s family spent a few terrifying hours huddled in the dark wondering if the roof would hold and if they would make it out alive… we were finally able to get there and bring them out about 3 hours later… you don’t have to believe in miracles to understand just how fortunate they were to not be injured.

Hundreds of folks have responded with an incredible amount of help and support over the last couple of months and Christopher opened his house to his sister – they are making the best of it with two families crammed together. FEMA gets a bit of a bad rap in these situations, but her insurance has yet to make a reasonable offer and has disbursed zero funds in support… criminal in my mind and part of something that needs serious reform down here in paradise. We are blessed that none of them were hurt… homes can be replaced… lives cannot.

Damn we are on page two already! And look you don’t have to worry I am not about to go on and on about how it sucks to get old and everything hurts, or whine about not listening to some of you on Bitcoin before it broke $100K (what the hell right?) or God forbid go on and on about some crazy stock… although there is a very good chance I’m going to bitch about how the Yankees played in the World Series and I would give you good odds on the memories thing. Before we move on though… all the grands are great – no need to confirm with their parents – you can take my word for it. You know this rant started as a “real” look at life with my kids, but to be honest I’ve got some really good ones and we are way past that these days.

Now about those Yankees… it was great to get to the series no doubt about that, and my dear friend Marcellus and I had great seats for game three at the stadium. They played miserable and it was cold… but I was in Yankee Stadium watching the boys in October… did I mention it was my birthday? It was a damn good night no matter the score! No need to discuss this Soto mess either… $765M is crazy I don’t care how good you are or think you are. Pains me to say it, but the Dodgers were just a better team this year… even with Ohtani not showing up. Looking forward to spring training and making another run next year and having the Red Sox continue to suck.

So where is the actual RANT you ask? Or at least some basic bitching… doesn’t the SBux line still infuriate you? Aren’t there still moms in minivans randomly picking donuts at Dunkin’… yes there are, but isn’t it a bit rhetorical by now?

I think my newest irritation though is this incessant tipping bullshit we are being forced to deal with… let me explain, you can’t get through a drive thru any more without being asked to add a tip? When the hell did this start? It was bad enough when they started putting the recommended tips on your receipt… like we can’t do basic math – and the scale went from 10/15/20% to 20/25/28% must be that inflation I keep hearing about. I generally tip well, but let me do the math and decide what the amount should be… and for the love of God don’t ask me for a tip in a drive-thru!

As long as we are talking about the drive-thru; why the hell do they need my name? Chic fil A is bad about this; “can I have a name for the order?” uh no you can’t you just put a numbered placard on my window that should suffice or better yet call me “165” … and I’m not tipping either, so you can keep the blessing! One of our local coffee shops always asks too – I give them a different name every visit… we are thirty plus iterations in and I’m wondering if they will ever catch on… you can be sure they always remember to ask for the tip though. In fact, you can’t pay without answering the tip question… believe me you get the look when you hit “no”.

I know it’s hard out there and folks need every little bit they can get… but I would rather pay fifty cents more per cup of coffee or a bit more per dozen donuts then get the “you didn’t tip” stare down from some morose teenager working the window… and Chic fil A you can’t even ask… lunch for two is already like forty bucks or something ridiculous… wish that was an exaggeration. Something isn’t right when you have to check your bank balance before sneaking out for a cheat meal. And yes I know this is a “first world” problem… but that’s why this is called a RANT… so just chill and silently shake your head at my “privilege”.

Ranting aside though, I do want to talk about this memories thing I mentioned at the beginning. Maybe it’s the holidays, or just the older you get the more acute the realization that time really is running away from us. Morbid… no not my point, but every year I sit down attempting to catalogue the events of the previous year, maybe bring some sense to things and make sure I don’t forget some important detail… I run through the memories. It is inevitable to have them blend together, triggering older memories, sometimes even things forgotten and before I know it I am strolling through my past pushing through a tangled web of feelings and oh so many memories. If you have lived at all you know that life is kaleidoscope of highs and lows and it is only the oblivious idiot that manages to come through unscathed… and truth be told that’s not living.

Every year is an opportunity to add a layer, wander through another year’s worth of memories and if fate has favored me come away with more smiles than tears. And what might this have to do with anything you ask? It’s my opinion that we are collectively on a shared journey and our memories are simply the filament that binds us all together… if you pause and look back you will see the tapestry we’ve woven together… even when we didn’t know we were sharing an experience… so look forward with gratitude and stay in the light… it’s where the good memories live.

Joe

The 2023 RANT

December 24, 2023

Another year winding down and it’s almost past time to have completed the rant… Who could have predicted it would be the week before Christmas and I would find myself sitting in a hotel in North Carolina struggling to condense a year’s worth of experiences into a few short pages? It’s rare I find myself ambivalent when it comes to rant material but, the whole SBux and Dunkin’ thing seems a bit tired – which doesn’t mean they aren’t true, cause let’s be honest those are universal and timeless and there’s been plenty of examples again this year… I fear it’s never going to change. I guess I should insert the normal disclaimer here too… every year the audience for this grows and there will be some “first timers” – don’t take yourself to seriously and if something here pricks your conscience or sensitivities well you might want to ask yourself why… understand though it’s probably you not me…

Last year we talked a bit about being vulnerable, opening up to the ones you love and doing this thing called life together… still good advice and this year has been a further exploration of that dynamic. Our family has another generation coming along and will be adding a fifth grandchild in February… boy do we seem a long way from those first rants! I think back on those early days, the struggles, leans times, figuring it out along the way while learning to raise young children – we were still so young ourselves. I sometimes wonder if my kids are having their own rant worthy experiences; part of me hopes so and then again I’ve worked hard to give them an easier path – maybe the measure is they don’t feel the need to write their own rants – they would probably just text it anyway!

I normally keep “work” out of these but, it’s worth mentioning that I went back to work a year ago and that shit continues with no real end in sight; hell, I am even traveling again if you can believe it. As usual I have met some really great folks, made some new friends, and as is always the case have run into some seriously toxic people – they are out there! Oh, if you are wondering which one you are… don’t wonder you know the truth… I’ll be magnanimous though – no names or details; I’ll just smile and raise my glass of wine toasting their inability to be a genuine human. Hurting feelings in the first page – it’s like the old days, how refreshing.

Enough of that though, should we do a rundown of family events or maybe some pontificating on current events – we do have an election coming up and the world is tragic lately; then again when hasn’t it been? Always a matter of perspective, a derivative of where you stand in the continuum of the human experience; does it really affect me or can I simply feign the appropriate emotions while plodding along in much the same way I always have? It’s the fundamental existential question: does it really matter anyway? I think it probably does, but you could forgive the apathy of those that just say “fuck it all anyway…” So, I vote we skip the political and world events section this year, and since my vote is the only one that matters… motion passed unanimously!

So, family updates it is – and we have a few noteworthy ones this year. First off the princess is pregnant with number two! Yes another granddaughter is on the way; and if you know Kiersta then you understand how much she hates being pregnant. Not being a mom, she is a great one, and not having another child just the physical manifestation of actually having a human inhabiting her body… oh boy does she not enjoy that part of it. Annie can’t wait for a little sister though and her excitement is pretty contagious; we are within weeks at this point! Our core four continue their adult journey – jobs, relationships, kids, businesses, new puppies, stolen trucks, chickens and now that I think about it plenty of rant worthy events! The four grands keep growing; gymnastics, horseback riding lessons, piano, dance, soccer, all the activities kids are supposed to do, making parents ask, “what the hell were we thinking!” In quiet moments of retrospection, I often ponder where the time has gone, cliché? Sure, it is, but it’s too easy to trudge through another day assuming they won’t ever end. Having grands as great as mine though is a bit of a cure for the pervading cynicism of growing old. If I was a touch more sarcastic I would be sending out a yearly syrupy letter extolling their exploits… way to ironic even for me.

Couple of experiences really brought this getting old thing home for me this year; my daughter “gifted” me this online “story” activity – you write a weekly chapter recounting experiences from your life and this company compiles it all into a book for you; well not really for you but for those who remain after you sign off – beautiful hardcover with color pics. Two things on this – asking a writer to write a book about his memories is a perilous ask – no seriously. I reluctantly completed it though – all eighty plus chapters and now I am hoping there is a Volume Two somewhere down the road ‘cause geez do they know something I don’t? I am also anticipating at least one “WTF dad…” out of this… and in a few generations… “great, great grandpa was pretty crazy wasn’t he mom?” “That’s what they say honey…” Should be fun!

A few weeks ago, we lost a friend unexpectedly; “Cinnamon” was only about a year older than I am, went in for some routine outpatient surgery… never came home. The details aren’t important, but she left too early – I joined the family at the hospital for an “Honor Walk” – a ritual where the staff line the halls as they wheel the body to the OR for organ harvesting. There is no delicate way to describe this process and although I am glad I did it – I would be happy never doing it again. It was an unexpected and stark reminder of the impermanence of this thing we call life – organ donorship aside… her journey here is over. Apologize if that seems harsh, I am not blind to the huge gift someone will receive and how their life will continue forward and the joy their loved ones will experience… however, the scales are balanced by the magnitude of loss on this side.

I’m sure you’re asking by now… umm we going to RANT anytime soon? Listen both my knees hurt all the time, one of my shoulders only half works, I’m tired, old, and a bit grumpy so how about you calm the fuck down… I’m getting to it!

Here we go – broke down and took a flight this summer for the first time in almost four years; turns out the shit you see on the news is 100% true – people have lost their minds. I am old enough to remember when we knew how to act on an airplane and we didn’t wear our pajamas either. This wasn’t a little trip either – Tampa to Seattle so a solid six hours in the air each way; and unbeknownst to me this was apparently a CDC charter flight to test whether Covid is still transmissible – it is and yes I got it. I am pretty sure it was the woman sitting behind me on the trip home since she coughed literally the entire time; maskless of course and didn’t bother covering her mouth. I’ve got a great pic of her spewing spike proteins directly on me… Tammy swears you can’t contract it that quickly, but I’m pretty sure I was part of a horrible and involuntary science experiment. I’m not in a hurry to interact with the traveling public again anytime soon and even more reticent to get on a plane again – if you’re traveling; try acting like a normal, responsible and respectful human… it’s not that hard.

This air travel experience informed my decision to drive to my client in North Carolina recently… not interested in revisiting Covid again; having said that I can confirm stupid is not confined to those flying, but alive and well on our interstates. Now I’m not a drive 10 miles under the limit in the left lane guy, but I’m also not a ride your ass at 90MPH in the rain idiot, but those guys are out there and there seems to be an inordinate number of them in the Carolinas… just saying. And by the way, who doesn’t understand the universal merge rules? We take turns one from each side – it’s a system that actually works if you aren’t say a cantankerous entitled old guy in Jacksonville – he was ridiculous, but not quite brave enough to put his Mercedes at risk – I was willing to sacrifice the Kia though! I did feel bad for the young couple from Wisconsin that was completely traumatized by the Florida interstate scene; the man was nearly in tears trying to merge that U-Haul he was driving – he made the mistake of trying to be polite in a state that has never embraced that concept – they are going to love it here!

Maybe I’m just out of practice, it’s true I haven’t really traveled since early 2020, but I just don’t remember it being as insane as it is. Seems to me we have suffered a degree of systemic trauma – a loss of grace and collective patience – did all that social isolation leave a permanent stain on us? The pandemic has been declared over for now, assuming you believed in it to start with; but many folks never returned to an office, to the socialization of spending time face to face, working shoulder to shoulder (literally) and it shows. This is not a new theme for me and a bit of self-introspection is probably in order; is this my new reality or has it always been this way, but I am now just noticing? Did I change, get older, develop a greater sensitivity to these abrasions or has something really changed – my guess is probably a little of both.

For myself I am working hard to develop a greater self-awareness in these situations, making more of an effort to foster positive personal interactions, reduce the tendency to have an immediate negative reaction to these triggers. If you find yourself in similar circumstances rise above, stay the course, and remember time is moving quick enough as it is… no need to waste any energy on this type of nonsense – we all have better things to do with the time allotted to us. Unless you are in my drive thru being entitled and taking up way more of my time than is reasonable… which means order off the damn menu or go inside – just can’t fix stupid!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays my friends none of us know the length of our journey… but is definitely worth the trip, so stay in the light…

Joe

2012 RANT

July 27, 2023

THE 2012 CASTAGNO RANT

So it’s Saturday morning and I find myself sitting in my office drinking coffee and wandering through the year trying to remember everything I am supposed include in this year’s RANT. It turns out the longer I do this the more people feel the need to suggest content… Well after careful and thoughtful, consideration I am going to write whatever the hell I want… as usual. Oh and let me get this done up front: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Blessed whatever other holiday you might be celebrating… and I am also duly impressed and amazed at the accomplishments of your children this year and can’t believe all the wonderful things you guys achieved and places you traveled… it is truly a marvel.

Hmmm did that come off a bit too sarcastic and snarky? Excellent I was worried we had completely lost the reason we started doing this rant in the first place. I read the last few years’ worth of RANTS and I was coming dangerously close to sentimental. You see my friends it isn’t that I don’t love and appreciate you, because you know I do; it’s just that sometimes you have to explore the other side of things to really understand how very fortunate you are. By the way hang on cause we have a ridiculous amount to cover. I really thought this year would quite a bit simpler and quieter. I mean with Kiersta graduating high school and going off to college, the boys all grown up now, well I thought I might actually get my man cave setup, the house would be quieter and Tammy and I could start having some time to ourselves… Well things didn’t quite work out that way, but more on that later.

First a few brief business related observations, if we haven’t worked together, or if you are not in healthcare feel free to skip this paragraph. Let me say that I now have firsthand knowledge of how bad it sucks to be the customer and not the software vendor… and I just hope I never cared as little as my current vendor does. Turns out, yelling is still a fairly inefficient way to get a clearinghouse to properly process claims. It is easier to be good friends than it is business partners… and I recommend erring on the side of friendship in these cases. No matter how bad you think it is, implementing an EMR is worse.

Now on to politics… never mind I can’t talk about any of these people, it’s gone beyond ridiculousness with their “cliffs”, X per centers, and all the other nonsense they surround themselves with. Hey, it’s time to stop telling all of us how much you care and actually do something. And one final note for my Republican friends… hitting the Taco Bell drive through doesn’t count as substantive interaction with the Hispanic community, just saying. All right enough of that, we all know what a mess things are.

I count myself fortunate today, my grown children will all be home for Christmas, we will eat too much, laugh at each other, maybe cry a bit, sit around the fire listening to the boys strum guitar, catch up on stories, dream about the future, tease Kiersta’s boyfriend, and celebrate the simple joy of being together. I hesitate to even mention the insanity of the past week’s events in Connecticut simply because there is nothing to be said that will bring any real context or understanding. I can’t pretend to know what those parents are experiencing, the anguish they can’t escape… but I know how much I love my children and just the thought of it, well there really aren’t any words are there? I look back over the year through this prism and I am thankful for the silly frustrations, the challenges, the struggles and triumphs if for no other reason than we were able to have them.

Did I mention my princess graduated high school this year with honors and started college? She is pursuing a five-year program leading to a masters degree in ESE (exceptional education) with a focus on deaf education. She also played her first season of college soccer. Proud of her is an understatement, and with a new boyfriend I don’t want to shoot, what’s not to like! Seriously, though he is a nice young man that obviously had no idea what he was in for when he started dating a Castagno. The day he told her brothers that sometimes he could get a little “sassy” I knew it was on. Because you know the Castagno boys can be unmerciful when given the opportunity. I can deal with it though, yes he has a bunch of different colors in his hair and plays in a rock band, but then again he has a job is respectful and seems to really care for my daughter. They use the “L” word but I just can’t bring myself to do it. My baby is growing up and becoming a young woman, it’s a bittersweet thing for a dad, but she still gives me big hugs and knows how to work me for gas money. She is planning a trip to Kenya this coming summer to work with an orphanage there, I am like don’t we have those here? She is a bit stubborn though, I think she gets that from her mother.

This has been an interesting and I think probably overall the most encouraging year for Kyle in quite a while. Following in his big brother’s footsteps Kyle took some time this year to re-evaluate his college experience. Figure it out that’s as much as I am going to say about it. This precipitated a move back home and some pretty serious soul searching. Kyle recommended we get some family counseling, I appreciated his concern, because it was pretty clear to him that we needed help adjusting to having him back home. Interestingly enough though I think this time to reflect may be just what he needed. He was able to take a job at our local high school mentoring an autistic student and has done a really great job with this young man. Revisiting high school from a different perspective has awakened a desire in him to be a teacher. I believe he will make a great educator and fully support his plan to go back to school and pursue this. I hear they have a great program at whatever university it is that Cory pursues his masters at. What? No that’s not mean you just need to re-read paragraph 2. I wonder if they’ll get an apartment that allows cats? Hmm one can dream.

Speaking of cats… Cory moved to the Miami area where his gal Crystal is working hard to support him in the way he is accustomed to. However he abandoned his cat with us, so with Kyle’s cat that makes to evil felines in my house. Actually, Cory works for me and does a great job when he isn’t starting community gardens, volunteering in the local food bank or working on some other sustainability project. It is his passion though and he is applying to Portland State and University of Washington to pursue a Masters in Urban Design & Planning. So if I understand that correctly there will be a great deal more urban areas in the future, but they will look really cool and no doubt be somewhat if not completely sustainable. I am sure he is rolling his eyes at me already, seriously though, I can’t wait to see where he goes so I can start planning my visits to the Northwest.

I guess that leaves Christopher, this young man took the plunge this year marrying his sweetheart in October. So the Castagno clan has added a new member, Tara. Now normally I might be inclined to give these two a break in the rant, but what fun would that be. One of the major positives to come out of this wedding is I was able to reclaim my “man-cave” when Chris moved out! Oh good mercy, I am just kidding, well not about the “man-cave”. Now Tara is an opinionated Yankee and on the surface that might seem like a problem, but in reality she fits right in with the rest of us. Now if I could just get her to eat something besides hamburgers, chicken, or shrimp fried rice all would be well. Oh did I mention she is a kindergarten teacher… can you even imagine? No me either. They are so adorable together it honestly makes me a bit nauseous, I’m kidding of course, but the whole possibility of being a grandfather kind of freaks me out. Chris has survived another year working with me and is learning what is like to manage employees, clients, vendors, and the myriad of tasks I throw at him on a daily basis. Fact is he is such a good-natured young man that he does it all without complaint and will one day have his own great success.

There are so many others that play a part in our family it is impossible to mention all things and everyone, but we have had two constants over the years Ashley and Yarni, they are as much a part of this family as any of my biologicals (as Ashley would say). They are both adults now and leading their own lives, but they still call, stop by, and make me feel loved and appreciated and for that I am grateful. I am sure it is just my own sentimentality, but it means a great deal to me that they continue to value our relationship. Now no rant, or least no current rant would be complete without some mention of exchange students… No we don’t host anymore, but that doesn’t mean we don’t continue to maintain these relationships. I have received a few hand written letters from my girls in Italy and South Korea this year and the love and sweetness they expressed is just beautiful. Their letters remind me that there is something truly valuable about a handwritten note or letter, the time, energy, purpose and commitment it represents humbles me. I love my Germans also, although I seem to be doing a great deal of German homework this year, just kidding I don’t mind and it’s a reminder of the good times we shared.

Well I have run into three pages making this is longer than most of the college essays I am writing for Kiersta these days. Tammy and I are great, she simply refuses to age running marathons and climbing buildings and I continue to “gray” out. One health note, Tammy was diagnosed with diabetes this year, so we are 50/50 now. It hasn’t slowed her down a bit and I am sure the only downside is I will now be eating even healthier than before. Oh quick explanation on the pictures this year; apparently there is this TV show about ducks, or duck calls, or guys that like ducks or some such nonsense anyway any resemblance is purely coincidental. I am hoping to make some real progress on a couple stories I am writing this year so stay tuned for that. In the meantime remember diets are dangerous, running is for people that can’t drive and gas will always be cheaper the day after you fill up, so hug the ones you love, ignore the ones you don’t, and the rest will take care of itself.

Drive by Grandpa – Episode 24

September 25, 2021

2020 RANT

December 23, 2020

Well, this shitshow started out normal enough, but that didn’t last very long… anybody roll out of a NYE 2020 party resolving to stay in your house all year, scream at the television every night, wash your hands 13,000 times, gain 20 pounds, stockpile 42 cases of toilet paper, 7 gallons of hand sanitizer, and count the steps to your living room as a major exercise accomplishment?

No, I didn’t think so… anybody think medical care would include poking a huge Q-tip up our nose to the base of the brain, or one of those cool home kits you drool into – thanks for playing we’ll get back to you in oh ten days or so. Nothing anxiety producing about that, never mind the ever-shifting list of symptoms ahhh Covid19!

On a positive note, I was able to solidify my goal of being an Olympic level social distancer. Since I was distancing, I figured I better find a way to maintain my magnificent physique. I decided to try this intermittent fasting thing; you have heard of this right? Let me just tell you, there is nothing intermittent about not eating for 18 hours – that’s just plain fasting. In my book intermittent means skipping some snacks, not all of them, just you know, intermittently – totally misunderstood that.

I appreciate how many of you have reached out asking, well more like demanding an EPIC rant for this year; which honestly hurt my feelings a bit, cause aren’t they all epic? But I understand 2020 deserves a next level rant, something that lives up to the unparalleled insanity of this year and captures the unbelievable confluence of events: a new social awakening, “autonomous zones,” a truly insane Presidential campaign, then top that off with a global pandemic and all its trappings… 2020 – so one epic rant coming up. Admittedly, I am tad anxious about starting this with a week left in the year; feels a little like tempting fate to pull one last “fuck you”.

Now, I have a feeling you guys are morbidly curious to see how I handle the long list of important and conflicting topics out there: Covid19, Trump/Anti-Trump, Biden/Anti-Biden, BLM/ALM, ANTIFA, autonomous zones, white privilege/guilt, “woke” movement, cancel culture, lockdowns, mask mandates, Dr. Fauci – cause why not, right… damn I almost forgot the vaccine! Probably a dozen more we could add to that list and if you think I’m jumping into that minefield with both feet… read on.

There are a few things I need to deal with from the top though; and this is classic rant material so hang on. Without getting into whether wearing a mask is the right, safe, respectful thing to do can we just talk about the asshats that wear it over their mouth, but not over their nose? Seriously why bother, never mind that it looks ridiculous, this kind of foolishness just irritates me. If you are a Covid non-believer that thinks masks don’t help, breed deadly lung diseases all while increasing your CO2 consumption I suggest you just don’t wear one. Now if you are a believer and subscribe to the current (for now) wisdom that masks will curb the spread, flatten the curve, and are a perfect vehicle for your cutting-edge fashion sense then cover your nose. There’s no place for you “in-betweeners” in this new Covid world – time to pick a side.

We need to talk a little more about this social distancing thing as well, now truth is I have been a long-term fan of social distancing; in fact, the more distance the better. Six feet is the prescribed measure, this shouldn’t be too hard to figure out – most places are actually marking it out for you so pay attention. However, we all know that you can ignore social distancing if you are at Walmart, Target, Church -in some states anyway, a friendly rally (you can decide what that means) or in an airplane. Do I need to explain that last one? Pretty simple actually, it’s six feet in all directions and that’s impossible on an airplane – so maybe the mask thing is a good idea after all… simply put: don’t get all up on me dude.

Normally I don’t get “geographic” in these rants, but I think I would be remiss if I didn’t invite all of you down here to Florida… Our governor has legislated that Covid is not allowed to exist here so Floridians have decided it’s time to get back to normal. The weather is great, so come visit and hang out at a beach, a bar, or your favorite amusement park – might I suggest you fly down. I almost forgot we make our kids go to school here, so if you have little ones you might want to consider a move!

I understand it’s difficult not to focus entirely on Covid, it is after all a pandemic, so maybe we can just talk about politics. Fact is I usually avoid politics; not because I care what anyone thinks, but because I find most people aren’t interested in a substantive conversation involving the exchange of ideas, which means actually listening to each other. In my opinion the level of acrimony within our national dialogue is a poor reflection on all of us. After the last few election cycles though I am beginning to wonder if collectively we have simply lost our minds or at least our imagination, you people do realize we keep electing folks that are clearly past their expiration date – at this rate we don’t need term limits we need a long-term care facility.

So, what does that even leave to rant about? I may have been to Starbucks a dozen times this year and honestly, I don’t even have to order now my favorite drive-thru barista knows what I want. No morning commute so no reason to bitch about the minivan in the Dunkin’ line that can’t figure out what donuts the kids want. Hell, I’ve only driven on the freeway a couple of times so if peeps are still out there texting at 90MPH I wouldn’t know it. Let’s see, no air travel so fake service animals in sequined vests aren’t a real concern and if someone wants to push their way to the front of the plane to get off first… nope don’t care. 2020 is seriously cramping my rant style.

There is the whole grocery delivery situation, do you think they train these people to pick the bruised avocados or is it just luck of the draw? And before you start any shit about first world problems or privilege – I’m pretty much working all the time and I am not going to go hang out with the below the nose mask morons at the grocery store… just saying. As long as we are talking about avocados and let’s add mangos to this; why the hell is the pit so big? Do you think the Almighty actually thought that was a good idea or did some celestial engineer completely fuck up the schematics? Fact is I have a whole list of questions like that, take giraffes for instance – wouldn’t it have been easier to make shorter trees? Or pineapples, who thought it should take two years to grow a pineapple; clearly no one was thinking about how that takes twice the space it should… questions without answers I am afraid.

Setting the whole celestial engineering thing aside, as I reflect on 2020 it strikes me, we have been here before. Our relatively short history is punctuated with upheavals, our own seismic shifts – belief systems competing like tectonic plates that grind against each other eventually creating something new. I read somewhere that all change is violent by its very nature, I’ve had time to think on that a bit this year. War is clearly the violent application of force to achieve a political aim; social unrest, technology leaps that fundamentally change society, or the thrust required to escape the gravity of this earth – each in their own way adhere to this principle. Simply put achievement or change is disruptive and by extension violent.

Easy to recognize in retrospect – the frantic lines on the seismograph of our history – but here in the midst of it we are just hanging on; resisting the inevitability of it. This time will pass like all others before it and we will adjust to the new landscape, gather our breath and begin that journey to the next upheaval. If 2020 taught us anything it’s that during these points of acceleration you can choose to participate or not, but change is inevitable and affects all of us.

So, is it really all so dismal? If you flit across the surface of things jumping from one negative meme to another you might miss the beauty underneath. Let’s not debate the decision making surrounding Covid, I would rather honor the indomitable will and compassion of front-line healthcare workers, many times providing the comfort family wasn’t allowed to. We locked down the world, but did you see the videos of entire Italian neighborhoods serenading each other? Consider the millions of folks that got up each morning kissed someone goodbye and spent the day delivering stuff to those of us who couldn’t or wouldn’t leave the house. Will there be costs and logistical issues with a vaccine, of course, but how incredible that brilliant people were able to craft hope in so few months? I think it is human nature to focus on the turmoil around us, but as we reflect on this complicated year remember where we shined.

Instead of allowing 2020 and the pandemic to disconnect us we used technology to bridge the gap, to do church, work, and keep friends and family close. In many ways I am more connected to folks today then I might have been under “normal” circumstances. We are getting to see a more intimate view of each other, our homes, our kids, our parents, and grandkids… there is no extracting them from the virtual space we now occupy and how wonderful it is. We share at a different level; experiences, fears, hopes, pieces of ourselves we wouldn’t bring to the office. Our humanity is starting to shine through… and it’s a beautiful thing.

On a personal note, 2020 has created an opportunity to hold my immediate family closer, when your circle is forcibly limited you no longer take relationships for granted. I think about the many more meals I am crafting at home and how much I really enjoy the creativity of making a weekly menu. Dinner conversations have a different gravity now and I find myself reaching out to my boys in Seattle, my sister in NM, and friends in a more frequent and regular cadence than before. Those connections have a different tenor now and although 2020’s issues may dissipate I don’t want to lose this more tangible and precious connection we have forged.

This has been a year of challenges for our country and it would be easy to push the popular narrative or skip over controversy completely, but that isn’t really what the rant is about is it? I can’t speak for anyone but myself and maybe for the first time I am considering the consequences of speaking my own truth. That dismays me on a deeply personal level, not because I am insecure in what I believe, but because it seems we have come to a point where no matter your beliefs some will be in violent opposition. There was a time when we could disagree, argue our point, try to enlighten those that may not have seen the “wrong” in something – where did those days go? When did it become okay to punish those that think differently? Of course, the true measure of courage is whether you are willing absorb the consequences of your beliefs, easily said not so easily done. In fiction the tests are obvious and monumental… in life I have found it is the everyday opportunities that make the difference.

Some would say we are past the time for such platitudes, that change needs to be accelerated. Maybe they are right, I see my children standing up for what they believe, even to the point of taking to the streets in protest. I may not agree with every position, but I am incredibly proud of them, I understand their passion, their impatience, and their courage. Maybe it’s the perspective of experience, but I worry that obstinate intolerance ultimately dooms the conversation benefitting no-one. I believe it’s incumbent upon all of us to craft a dialogue that moves everyone forward, and that, requires the ability to listen respectfully – even when we disagree. Like many young people mine are making an effort, lifting their voices, is the dialogue comfortable – not always, but it’s necessary. In some respects, it doesn’t matter what side of things you find yourself, as long as you make the effort to participate in the conversation – it’s important.

So, my friends smile at the insanity, push the fear aside and embrace the challenge to rise above. In my mind it all comes down to this: if you are going to order some ½ decaf soy chai latte with a mocha drizzle made backwards, park the Prius and go the hell inside.

Stay the course and Happy Holidays my friends,

Joe

PS: Do you remember the quiet though? During the early days of the lockdown, I would sit on the porch and listen… no traffic, no freeway noise, no construction… just nature’s symphony – I think it forced me to take a breath, take a moment, and just be still… I miss that…

The 2019 Castagno Rant

December 16, 2019

I thought I would have a go at this “RANT” thing again, this the 25th or 26th one – hard to say, the early archives are incomplete,and does it really matter anyway? You would think after that many years I would run out of things to rant about, and in some respects you would be right.

The early rants were filled with tales of children and the joys of parenting – followed by those perilous teenage years – I go back and read those just to remind myself how lucky I am to be here. Times have mellowed though: grandkids, Starbucks, politics, texting, and general stupidity seemed to have taken center stage – some even accuse me of getting soft and losing my acerbic sarcasm – I invite them to come over and help me plant roses – no takers yet, strangely enough.

But now what? Another regurgitation of the year’s events, grandbaby drool stories, the horror of modern-day travel, drive-thru frustrations, why morons continue to text and drive…would that bring a smile to your face and have you nodding in sympathetic understanding? Ahh the comfort of tried and true rant material…

Or would you rather hear how a text notified me at 35K feet that my older sister had suddenly passed – you know “passed” cause it’s so much nicer than died – maybe some details on her decades fighting opioid addiction until her body simply succumbed in a bathroom alone. Would it help to understand how it felt standing in her empty kitchen spooning her ashes from one big box to a number of smaller ones; the memories cascading like so many fine particles? No, I’m guessing not…

So, by now a few of you are like… “holy shit he’s completely unhinged this year…” Well no actually… but sooner or later we come to the realization that the accumulation of life experience forces a certain clarity. The sharp pinprick of this present reality if you will… The young have the pleasure of rushing headlong into that blurry and distant place those of us that have some years already inhabit, but once you’re here – if you haven’t started, it’s time to pay attention.

It struck me on a night drive – Tammy and I take a drive every evening, grab a coffee, cruise around the lake, and catch-up on the day; something we’ve been doing for years – anyway, I realized I had started measuring things by how much time I might have left. Freaked me out a little I have to say – I have always kept a “list” of things I wanted to accomplish in life and ticked a few off here and there… we all have one and sure it matures with time and experience, but I had never really considered there might be an expiration date on some of it; sobering to say the least. I am pretty sure we all have these moments: the loss of a loved one or a friend, catastrophic events like 9/11 or a school shooting – all are milestone reminders… it’s the paying attention that’s important however.

I am okay with the running out of time part – I am not okay with running out of experiences. It’s not as simple or cliché as living without regrets or the common refrain of “leave it all out there…” I want to make sure I love deeply enough; touch not only the hearts of my children, but their minds and spirits as well. Help strangers where I can, stand for what is right without regard for personal cost, and embody what it means to be a true friend. I want to breathe in clear cold mountain air, and feel the warm sun on my head as waves break against the shore… and I want to share all of this with as many as I can. I used to believe life was about fulfilling some list of material accomplishments: job, money, stuff… but the longer I live the more I understand life is about the living.

So, what does all that mean, you might be asking… and uhh not really a rant dude… I hear you, and don’t worry I still get irritated by the ass in the Prius that doesn’t know how to order at Starbucks – by the way have you tried the Peppermint Brownie cake pop? Oh my God! Or the fool that thinks it’s okay to pick out each individual donut in their two-dozen order at the Dunkin’ drive-thru. What about service animals that are not really service animals on planes, do I really need to go into this? Millennials with beards… not a good look young lady… How about not vaccinating all the little bio-terrorists running around, or making medicine you can’t live without unaffordable for most folks. You get the point, there is still plenty to rant about, plenty to make you shake your head and say $%@#$%@# (you know what that means right?).

Admittedly, I still do most of those, but I have had some experiences this year, some realizations, and come to some conclusions that lead me to believe maybe all that really isn’t as important as I thought; and I may even be questioning the overall level of my response to these situations… ‘cause is that really how I want to use my time, my experiences… probably not.

Unbelievable, simply unbelievable… dude just ordered a soy decaf peppermint mocha latte with two shots of espresso, extra whip and chocolate drizzle… I don’t care if he is driving an F250 that’s a bullshit order – get the F’ out of my drive–thru moron!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays… and oh by the way – the middle part is the important part…

Joe

The 2017 RANT

December 22, 2017

So, my friends, we have been traveling down memory lane, “RANT” style for about twenty years now – so I decided to use a new font this year to freshen things up a bit… $#%@ you that’s a joke, but seriously it’s a new font.

I wrestle with the same problem every year – how do you recount all happenings and accomplishments without coming off smug and all “look at me, look at me.” I know it always seems to work out with some combination of sarcastic observation about the strange world we live in and what passes for normal combined with a rundown of the family hi-lite reel.

I always go back and read the last three or four years’ worth of Rants before getting started – funny it always kicks up my allergies. This year I decided to start way back in the ‘90s and read forward – oh sweet baby Jesus was that a mistake! It reminded me why I started this mess in the first place – we were a young family, four kids, working our asses off, moving from rental to rental trying to stay ahead of the bill collectors and still buy groceries. Knowing everyday any little ripple could throw it all off the rails, “sorry kids no Happy Meal today, Dad has to pay the electric bill.” You work eighteen hour days, kiss your kids as they lay sleeping, love your wife when she lets you, catch a few hours and back at it – and I’m sure through it all my wife worked harder than I did.

Christmas time would roll around and we would scrape a few dollars together for gifts – those kids never missed Christmas and we did everything in our power to insulate them from the everyday hardships – it was our burden not theirs – we weren’t heroes just parents. Inevitably we would get that holiday letter from our slightly older and much better off friends trumpeting all their blessing and big deeds for the year – how do you not feel like your failing reading that? Most people tape it to the fridge and celebrate their friends good fortune – F’ that I decided to write a RANT instead and so here we are!

Those first Rants probably weren’t very good, and in fact I’m slightly embarrassed by how angry some of it sounds, but it was real and that’s what mattered… They are more circumspect and polished now – I guess I’ve grown up a bit and truth be told passed through that “slightly older better off” phase myself, now I’m just old, grumpy, and probably too acerbic – so almost full circle, but with better writing!

Normally I just plow through the kids one by one extolling their virtues, poking fun at them, and generally irritating them in a fairly good-natured way. But honestly, I just can’t bring myself to do it this year so I’m just going to go with some hi-lites and observations instead.

Two major events this year really have to take the headline though:

Granddaughter #2 – Joined the family in July of this year – cute kid, bright blue eyes, big head, drools incessantly! I think big sis is still deciding if she wants to hug her or hit her… Great name on this one and super sweet.

So, this second one is a bit more traumatic – my daughter called me about four months ago clearly upset – not something you ever want to have happen. I have to remind you she just had her first anniversary this December so this whole marriage thing is pretty fresh – anyway she breathlessly tells me that Jon has come home and announced that he is “VEGAN” – I have to admit that my first reaction was “well okay, it could have been worse…” but I refrained and counseled her that just because he had lost his mind didn’t mean that she couldn’t continue to eat steak, meatballs, chicken tenders, and all manners of meat. She is doing better – Jon looks a bit withered but that’s just me.

Of course, there’s more to talk about than drool and vegetables, there’s politics, Starbucks, texting & driving, stupid angry people, air travel, and all the rest of the crazy that makes up every day. I’m going to pare it down for you though cause most of it just makes me insane – so hang on this is the sarcastic acerbic section in case you were missing it.

Politics – simply put all of it makes me nauseous on both sides and I’m sure however you feel you’re already arguing about it enough and FYI none of the people in DC are listening to you. They don’t care about you, the environment, your kid’s education, healthcare or pretty much anything beyond their own power and comfort – yeah, I know cynical but have you listened to any of these people?

Admittedly Starbucks is a pretty consistent theme for me – I have a problem, I know I have a problem, fact is I don’t even order anymore I just drive up to the window and my stuff is ready. However, I just have to say the stupid angry people that can’t place a simple coffee order should stay the hell out of my drive thru.

Texting and driving is another favorite of mine but I’m not going to talk about it anymore – what’s the point everyone is doing it – doesn’t matter that it’s like playing dodgeball with cars at 80MPH – have a good time – just don’t hit me.

Air Travel – hmmm what’s left to say that hasn’t already been exhausted. It would be nice if they actually tried to wipe the biohazardous material from the last passenger off the seat and tray before shoehorning the rest of us in there – but what the hell I’ve grown used to being sick six months out of the year – popping antibiotics like #$%@#$ Tic Tacs and drinking cough syrup like it’s water.

Stupid angry people – where do you even start with this one – they are among us! Let me just say this is Florida and most of us serene older guys are way over armed and we practice – you young angry stupid guys need to chill out and stay out of my yard… Please. All kidding aside there seems to be some kind of mental lapse taking place in a whole generation of very angry young people because they clearly don’t understand how good they have it and seem to have an incredible amount of free time to protest just about everything from every angle.

Okay what’s that leave – right normal crazy and all the regular stuff – that’s cool plenty to talk about. The wife and I have settled fully into the whole grandparent thing. She even traded my truck for a minivan so she has transitioned to full GIGI mode and loves those little ones. I have to be a bit more circumspect about it, wouldn’t want anyone thinking I had gone soft or anything. However, I do spend a lot of time with the granddaughter on the front porch eating popsicles (sugar free) and watching the world go by – its good stuff, believe me and as a bonus I’ve recently started letting the new one drool on me. I also might have indulged in a number of Christmas inflatables on the front lawn this year – what the girls love Minions, blue hippos and pink pigs!

The other unfortunate situation this year has been the evolution of this group of Cruffin loving misfits that camp out every Saturday morning at God awful early to sample the incomparable creations of Jennifer and the girls at Born & Bread Bakery. Why unfortunate you ask, other than the before dawn wake-up call – despite my best and repetitive efforts these folks are becoming friends, I know a chink in the old armor.

Can you believe we are at fifteen hundred words already and you’re still reading this? I know crazy, right? I haven’t talked about all the kids, their jobs, trials and tribulations, relationships, exploits, blah, blah, blah… but this isn’t going to be that kind of RANT sorry. Everyone is doing life, there is some really cool stuff going on in their lives, and there are some struggles – these are really wonderful people and I love them a lot. You should get to know them if you don’t already, maybe see what they are up to – my guess is they have some cool things to talk about and some pretty interesting thoughts and opinions they would love to share… well except Jon he just talks about vegetables and the melting properties of non-dairy cheese.

So, my friends I hope this year has treated you well, and if it hasn’t let’s endeavor to make the next one better together.

———

Final thoughts for your consideration:

This year I published my second and third novels – if you have read them you have my very sincere appreciation – if you haven’t why not?

My first book “Jake” and its sequel “Peakeville” are intended to create a dialogue on systemic racism and oppression. It’s impossible to ignore the egregious every day demonstrations of intolerance around us – we can do better and if you aren’t experiencing it don’t pretend like it’s not real – be vigilant – there is so much more to say on this, but at the very least just stop acting like it’s not everywhere and folks should somehow miraculously just get over it. It’s not okay to devalue people simply because they are different than you.

My other novel is “Traffic” and is more in the style of an international thriller – but I based this book on the very real problem of human trafficking. If you are on Facebook or any other social media platform you know a week doesn’t go by without us seeing a flyer for the disappearance of a young person – predominantly teenage girls. What you rarely see is any resolution or happy ending to these disappearances. The statistics are truly staggering:

The International Labour Organization estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally.
- 68% of them are trapped in forced labor.
- 26% of them are children.
- 55% are women and girls.
The International Labor Organization estimates that forced labor and human trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide.
In 2016, an estimated 1 out of 6 endangered runaways reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were likely child sex trafficking victims.
- Of those, 86% were in the care of social services or foster care when they ran.

There is no official estimate of the total number of human trafficking victims in the U.S. The Polaris Project estimates that the total number of victims nationally reaches into the hundreds of thousands when estimates of both adults and minors and sex trafficking and labor trafficking are aggregated. More information is available at www.polarisproject.org

Stay tuned the follow-up to “Traffic” should be out sometime next spring and I am contemplating doing a third “Jake” book – those take a lot of energy so we shall see.

As always, my very best and remember the journey is long but worth the trip.

Joe

The Coffee Rant…

July 21, 2017

Now here is the thing about going on a “Rant” there is always someone that gets his or her feelings just a tiny little bit hurt. So let me say right up front, that is not the intent of this rant, in fact you should definitely consider this more in the style of say a “Public Service Announcement” (PSA) and if you still think maybe just maybe this hits a little too close to home than by all means feel free to take it to heart, the rest of us are rooting for you!

The coffee drive-thru is a unique animal; not at all like the “fast food” drive-thru. For one it’s a beverage, not food, not a meal, no combos, it’s coffee. Count on it being busy in the morning, most people need that caffeine fix as they start their day… interestingly enough it’s pretty busy at night as well… the night-walkers need their caffeine too apparently. So the question I keep asking myself is… why oh why do we insist on acting like the coffee drive-thru is a fast food drive thru? Read more ›

Fitbit – Unnecessary Steps…

July 19, 2017

As many of you are no doubt aware I have been actively participating, not voluntarily mind you, in a vigorous morning work out of “Sock Yoga.” Now I am not going to go into any detail on the whole Yoga thing let’s just say it’s a forced participation event based on a condition I like to refer to as “Big Guyism” some irreverent and well downright disrespectful people add “Old” to that, really an unnecessary cheap shot in my book, but there you have it. Anyway, just when I felt like I was starting to make some progress on this front I noticed a lot of folks are wearing these little “Fit Bit” bracelets, what evil spirit from the fiery depths of hell thought this little invention up? Read more ›

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