Notes
A place for my short notes, thoughts and links. See full notes archive here.
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No prep fantasy football draft
I have done basically no prep for my fantasy football dynasty draft tonight. Whoops.
Fortunately I have already traded all my picks and only have three in the fourth round.
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Shellsharks Blog
Every once in a while I stumble upon a blog and just spend a ton of time poking around and reading everything.
The Shellsharks blog by Mike Sass is exactly that. I love the setup, the different post styles, and the sheer amount of fun writing.
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Obsidian Bullet Journal Tasks Migration in Daily Note by Caleb Hearth
This Obsidian Bullet Journal system that Caleb Hearth writes about is nearly identical to my own. We also both don't like the reminders app unless it's for shared lists:
Each time I try âBuJoâ I end up bouncing off of it after a week or twoâfor me at least the analog nature of the paper and pen(cil) approach has always been a downside. Working with physical media has meant that Iâm not going to always have those items around, wonât be able to search them from whatever device Iâve got my mitts on at the moment, and in general itâs just not been convenient enough for me. In no time flat the notes, notebooks, and habit are gone.
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A new Chipotle page
I created a page where I can house my current go-to Chipotle order. There's no real purpose to this pageâI'm just a huge fan of Chipotle. Apparently this is something that people do with their various slash pages.
I love it.
No, I do not want you to buy me a burrito.
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Ghost Peaches
I'm not sure I've ever enjoyed a peach-flavored drink before this specific Ghost. It is legitimately good. The flavor is spot on, and it's surprisingly refreshing.
A great summer variant. I'm putting a 55-grade on this.
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Sylvia's blog
I think Sylvia's blog a parenthetical departure is one of the coolest and most unique here on the Bear Blog platform.
Additionally, there are a ton of resources housed there if you are trying to make design tweaks to your own blog with CSS. Her latest weeknotes blog has updates on how her status feed is being styled and embedded.
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E-ink tablet interest
Recently I've seen a ton of E-ink tablets showing up in my YouTube algorithm. They all seem cool and useful. I know a few scouts and writers who use the Remarkable tablet for their note-taking at games. And the Supernote tablets look awesome.
I need to resist the urge to experiment with them myself. My current iPad and Apple workflow just does exactly what I need it to do.
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Some albums I've been listening to
I've been slacking on getting words down about some of the albums I've been listening to. Baby Keem's Casino, Noah Kahan's The Great Divide and now Isaiah Rashad just dropped a new album called IT'S BEEN AWFUL.
I think 2026 has been a pretty good year for music.
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I've had worse writing views
I've had far worse views than this for an afternoon of writing.
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On Making and Breaking Routines by Jedda
Nice blog post here from Jedda:
Routines are not fixed. They shift because we shift. They depend on circumstances, energy, and the version of ourselves that exists in a particular moment.
When a routine is in place, life feels a little calmer. There is less decision-making that needs to be done, less friction. Small actions repeat until they become almost second nature, and even things that used to be difficult are at least manageable. That sense of rhythm can make everything else feel more grounded, and more in control.
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I Love My Now Page by Gabby
A now page is one of the reasons I discovered Bear in the first place. Iâm a big fan of them, and enjoyed this piece from Gabby about why theyâre cool:
i think it's the most me part of my blog because of that. it's the closest thing to a mirror of my day to day â all the bits and bobs of my going-ons that i don't think i'd really go out of my way to tell a friend or write a post about.
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Starting To Listen To Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow is one of the most universally recommended books from people I talk with in the baseball industry. It's been on my TBR for a while now, but I finally downloaded the audiobook and started listening to it.
I'm now juggling four books and have barely made the sort of reading progress I'd like to this year so I should be more intentional about that.
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We Shouldn't Need Accountants by Annie Lowrey
It's kind of insane how cumbersome and costly our system is for filing taxes. A nice read here by Annie Lowrey:
The United States imposes a cost in cash, as well as in effort. A majority of Americans, whether wealthy or poor, pay for help with their return, spending an average of $290 annually. Add up the amount that people spend out of pocket, and you would have a sum 12 times larger than the IRSâs budget. The situation is needless, as well as annoying. Itâs far past time for it to end.
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Ghost Raspberry Cream
This one is smooth. There aren't many raspberry flavors in this space that don't have the blue/raspberry twist.
A rock solid 50 for me, though I generally don't crave the flavor. It's more on the sweet side for Ghost's drinks.
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My Quest To Solve Bitcoin's Greatest Mystery by John Carreyrou
After listening to this podcast about hunting down the identity of Bitcoin's creator, I had to go read the full article it was based on.
A really fun read here by John Carreyrou:
It seemed foolish to think that I could somehow crack a case that had confounded so many others. But I craved the thrill of a big, challenging story. So I decided to try once more to unmask Bitcoinâs mysterious creator.
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Unmasking the Creator of Bitcoin
I have zero interest in Bitcoin or cryptocurrency, but this episode of The Daily podcast about unmasking the creator of Bitcoin was fascinating.
Definitely recommend the listen. Fun investigative piece.
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Macros in Audacity
I've used Audacity to edit podcasts for more than a decade now. How is it possible that I've just now figured out how to use macros? My basic editing workflow has just been moved to a single button.
Amazing.
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Monster Lo-Carb
About 95% of the time if I'm drinking a Monster it's the White Ultra. And 99% of the time the energy drinks I'm drinking are full sugar free.
Every once in a while though I get this random urge for the Lo-Carb Monster to remind me of how chaotic that normal blend Monster formula is. It's such a unique flavor. I have never really liked it, but it does just hit you in a way that's hard to describe and occasionally... refreshing? Idk.
It's a 40, but nothing really tastes similar to this.
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What It Means to Be American
I really appreciate David Frumâs podcast. His latest episode was a good one:
Then David is joined by CNNâs Fareed Zakaria to reflect on the American ideals that captivated David and Fareed when they first immigrated to the U.S. and whether they still ring true today. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, David and Fareed discuss whether this country remains the same one they moved to many years ago and whether America has strayed from its foundational principles.
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Nuclear brinkmanship usually works. It's also incredibly dangerous. by Nate Silver
Not much to add to this one from Nate Silver:
But this certainly isnât some sort of 13-dimensional genius move. It reflects an unchecked Commander-in-Chief who was erratic on his best days, who is 79 years old, who was boxed into a corner, who has sycophantic advisors who are mostly too afraid to challenge him, and who once bragged that he could maintain approval from his base even if he murdered someone.
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Is Bluesky Dying? by James Bell
I'm not strongly attached to Bluesky in the way that I used to be with Twitter, but it would have been nice to see this platform take off.
A good read on how the platform is trending from James Bell:
Communities take time to build, and people have to have faith itâs worth the effort. Some of those people are the ones who put the money in, but itâs also the people who make the content â and the power users of text-based social networks have bounced around an awful lot already.
There isnât a huge set of new startup social networks around. If youâre just looking to troll the libs and write âBames Jallâ to your 70 followers, that might not matter. But for people who use social for their careers, or for normies who want things that look and feel like professional products, this stuff matters.
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Mike Malone hired as UNC basketball coach
Someone tell me how to feel about UNC hiring Mike Malone.
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Ghost Strawbango
This is one of Ghost's more unique flavors, but I think they pull it off nicely. It's a sweeter variant, and I think the mango is more present here than the strawberry flavor but overall I'm a fan.
Not a daily driver or anything but a nice flavor to mix things up. Solid-average. 50.
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Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat
Tonight we finished Company Retreat, the follow up to Jury Dutyâa staged hoax comedy show starring one non-actor who has no clue what's going on surrounded by actors and a hidden camera crew.
The first version of this show was tremendous. The follow-up might be even better.
I'm not sure how the show runners are able to find such genuinely good people to "cast" as the leads, but Anthony is such a lovable hype man throughout.
He never seems to hesitate to do the right thing, or support someone or just accept all of these idiosyncratic characters for who they are. Every episode was hilarious, and the finale was just so satisfying to watch. A feel-good comedy that makes you feel a bit better about the world.
Overall: 65
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Ben & Jerry's
Ben & Jerry's is the best ice cream and I don't think it's particularly close.
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Writing in the library
I'm heading to the library today to just switch things up and get into a different writing environment. I'm not sure if it's the same for other work-from-home people, but I get a little stir-crazy if I'm constantly working from the same desk by myself over and over again.
This is always a nice hack to get me into a productive zone. Big library fan here.
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Need more time in the day
Lately I've been feeling like I need more time in each day.
So much to do, not enough time to do it.
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Reign Cherry Limeade
I was pumped to see this Cherry Limeade version of Reign at a recent visit to Sheetz. My current favorite energy drink is Ghost's Cherry Limeade, and Reign does a nice job with their flavors as well.
This one... was not the one. It's actually one of my least favorite energy drink flavors I have had. Shocking considering the flavor they were shooting for. I think it's because the cherry is more forward in this drink compared to Ghost's version, which is a lot more lime forward.
Probably won't be getting this one again. I am giving it a 30.
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Keep MLB Front Offices Away From the Field by Ben Lindbergh
At some point I need to get my own thoughts down about this new trend of dugout pitch-calling in the major leagues. For now, this piece from Ben Lindbergh on that topic is an excellent read. I agree with most of it:
âI think itâs actually a really good thing for baseball,â Kapler said about his cards in 2018. Years ago, I found common ground with Kaplerâwhoâs now the general manager of the Marlinsâwhen we commiserated over our mutual affliction with skinny calves. But when it comes to cards and pitch-calling, we couldnât disagree more. Once games begin, let players play. And make coaches and front-office analysts stay out of the way.
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Pollen season is here
It seems like pollen season has officially landed here in Northern Virginia.
I've only been outside once today and I can already feel the stuff all over my eyes. Just brutal. I'll head down to North Carolina for a baseball tournament this week and I know it's going to be even worse there.
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Future Projection Episode 172
Future Projection Episode 172: Spring Training Prospect Buzz
Ben and Carlos give their final thoughts on an epic World Baseball Classic, then turn their eyes towards prospects and spring training. The two talk about some of the top hitters who have played well this spring, plus a couple of notable pitching prospects who might have made key additions to their arsenals for 2026.
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UNC out in the first round
Once Caleb Wilson got hurt, my expectations for UNC's March Madness run diminished quite a bit, but last night's loss was still pretty tough to see considering the lead we had.
Hoops program is in a bit of a lull. We need to figure something out. Fortunately I am too busy to be too depressed about it.
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Ten Early Season Draft Risers To Know
Today's draft analysis piece is on 10 early-season draft risers you should know about.
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Reign Watermelon Sour Gummy
I've been seeing this Reign Watermelon Sour Gummy flavor recently and both times I've had it I've really liked it. The flavor isn't super loud and it's also not super sour, but it is pleasant.
I think a solid 55.
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Future Projection Episode 171
Episode 171 of Future Projection: MailbagâYoung Shortstops & Draft Broadcast Changes
Ben and Carlos break open the listener mailbag and answer questions on a trio of young Cardinals shortstops, why Brady Harris might be slipping in the draft and how his risk and upside compares to Kevin Roberts Jr., whether or not Elian Pena has a chance to be a top 25 prospect and what changes we would make to the draft broadcast.Â
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Getting back on the running grind
Today is the day I get back on the running grind. I've been slacking too much on exercise/training recently, which is a common theme for me as soon as the college baseball season gets started.
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Nine years at Baseball America
I started full time at Baseball America nine years ago today.
Crazy how time flies.
I'm still loving every second of it, and glad to be a part of such a passionate, knowledgeable and curious team of baseball nerds. With a BA audience that is much the same.
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Future Projection Episode 170
Future Projection Episode 170: Debating The Top College Outfield Prospects.
Ben and I compare and contrast AJ Gracia, Derek Curiel, Sawyer Strosnider and others.
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Sucker: My year as a degenerate gambler by McKay Coppins
I think we had our laws on gambling right in a previous era. This is a tremendous read on the current reality of gambling in the states. One of the best reads I've had in a while:
Practically overnight, we took an ancient viceâlong regarded as soul-rotting and civilizationally ruinousâput it on everyoneâs phone, and made it as normal and frictionless as checking the weather. What could possibly go wrong?
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I don't want to convert to a table
No, Google Sheets, I do not want to convert my spreadsheet into a table. I promise.
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2026 Mock Draft V 1.0
Everyone loves a good mock draft, and today we rolled out our first of the year. Hopefully Roch Cholowsky being entrenched in the 1-1 spot makes this one a bit more accurate down the line.
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Future Projection Episode 168
Future Projection Episode 168: Should Kevin McGonigle & JJ Wetherholt Start 2026 in the Majors?
-A double first base bag dilemma
-McGonigle/Wetherholt talk
-Looming CBA implications
-ABS system in college?
-Is Vance Honeycutt heating up?
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Ghost Electric Limeade
I am a few days late on logging this one, but I remember enjoying this Ghost Electric Limeade solidly. It seems like I tend to have a favorable reviews of lime-flavored energy drinks. This is going to the top of my 50-grade tier:
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MLB Draft Buzz: Roch Cholowsky Vs. Justin Lebron & 19 other names to know
Draft notes from another loaded week in Texas:
-Roch Cholowsky vs. Justin Lebron
-What is up with Will Gasparino
-College hitters & pitchers to know
-A pair of Texas committed HS arms -
Future Projection Episode 166
On today's episode of Future Projection, Ben and I talked about a few spring training pitchers who are notable then talked about whether Dax Whitney was the best pitching prospect since Paul Skenes.
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C4 Green Apple
I typically stay away from Green Apple flavored drinks, and I was reminded why after getting this C4 version.
I am just not a fan of the super tart flavor. This gets a 40 for me.
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Draft notebookâarsenal changes & Dax Whitney
Today I wrote a pitcher-heavy draft notebook and had a lot of fun with it:
-Updates on some of the top arms in the class, like Cameron Flukey, Jackson Flora, Liam Peterson, Joey Volchko, Tegan Kuhns and Gabe Gaeckle.
-Plus a few pitchers with notable velocity upticks.
-And then an entire section on how absurd Oregon State RHP Dax Whitney is looking for the 2027 class. -
Thankful for good writing days
Iâm thankful for good writing days. Sometimes the words just seem to come easier and you get into that flow state for a long time.
Today was one of those for me. Itâs always so satisfying.
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
I'm annoyed that I'm feeling the pressure to watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
How many times will George fool us?
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Scouting 101: Eric Booth Jr.
Today we rolled out another of our Scouting 101 pieces for the 2026 draftâthis time on Eric Booth Jr., who has a high-upside toolset and one of the most dynamic profiles in the class.