Happy Friday, friends! I’m back with some cool links and videos for your amusement this fine Friday afternoon. (I almost said “fine fall afternoon” but depending where you live, it may still be in the 90’s like it is in my neck of the woods. That’s not fall weather!)

Here we go!

• If you aren’t familiar with Jim Gaffigan’s brand of comedy, he’s definitely worth your time. His most famous bits are in his special Beyond the Pale (“Hot Pocket!”), but his latest special, Quality Time, is just as funny. The author of this profile is correct, though; he feels more comfortable with stretching beyond his usual comedic material (food, fatness, and family). There’s an extended segment of jokes just about horses that becomes a sort of meta-comedy routine–yet, it totally works. Give him a shot, if you haven’t heard him before.
• I keep telling you people that Ann Handley is the money when it comes to writing coaches. She proves it again with a “live-edit” by demonstrating how to apply an editor’s eye to lists.
• Jared Wilson’s latest piece on FTC is a powerfully honest meditation about the suicide of the “other” Jarrid Wilson and their shared struggles. Read this and be reminded of how many people around you carry this weight.
• This article about Andrew Luck’s retirement is about a month old (sorry), but I endorse Andrew Donaldson’s argument completely. We need to keep things in perspective, especially when it comes to games.
• Kristen Devine discusses why some female action heroes work…and others just don’t. I think she makes a pretty good case.
• Samuel Sey is a great writer. Seriously. He’s so good. Here, he talks about his loss of “home” every time he has had to emigrate throughout his life.
• I’ll admit it: this review kinda makes me want to see the live-action Dora movie.
• Dave Cullen makes an interesting argument for why the final Thanos showdown in Avengers: Endgame doesn’t quite resonate for him.
• MatPat on the Game Theorists channel works through a fascinating, data-driven analysis of the relationship (?) between violent video games and mass shootings. Even if you may quibble with some of his arguments, this was a helpful consideration of the issue.
• And finally, the “Ten Seconds Songs” version of “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance…in 22 styles. (If you don’t follow this guy’s channel, you should–it’s a trip.)

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That’s it for this week. Thanks for your patience through some erratic posting. I’m hoping to get back to a normal schedule soon. (I feel like I say this a lot.) I appreciate that y’all keep coming back.

Have a great weekend. See you next week.