Yes, I know that I have been absent from blogging for a week, with no open threads. I have no excuse besides work -- I was so inundated that I felt like if I even took a minute out to check on TalkLeft, it would turn into hours (as it so often does) and I'd fall hopelessly behind.

The deluge of deadlines ended today. That doesn't mean I'm in the clear, and can return to hours of reading news every night. But it does mean I won't be gone for days at a time.

For those of you that are still reading, I hope that's good news. I have caught up with events on all things Russia-related, and I did finally dump my new Android phone and switch back to an iPhone (I got the iphone X and and feel like I'm in back in control of my life, I will never understand why anyone chooses anything other than an iPhone )so all is good.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I'm filming today and will be home late tomorrow night. The East coast weather sure is humid. No, I'm not in a fancy place like NY or Miami. I'll give details later, assuming I don't end up on the cutting room floor.

Here's a new open thread, all topics welcome.

It's a travel day for me, I'll be back Thursday.
Sorry for all the open threads, but it's all I have time for. I sure hope things settle down when I get back.

Again, open thread, all topics welcome.

Our last open thread is full. Here's a new one, all topics welcome.

My blogging hiatus is just about over. Now that my court schedule has returned to normal, it will just take me a few days to get my life back on track (groceries, laundry, bills paid, catch up on TV I've missed, and my Peloton, and maybe watch some Olympics, and then I'll resume a regular blogging schedule.

What's the biggest story I missed this week?

On another note, I'm done with this Android phone thing and going back to an iPhone as soon as I can, like today or tomorrow. I never adjusted to the difference and I just don't like the way it operates.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Sorry for the lack of posting, but I'm in the middle of a two day sentencing hearing (which I worked on all weekend.) I won't be done until 5 pm tomorrow. Assuming I'm not totally exhausted, I will check the news then.

In the meantime, here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

You can read the Nunes memo here.

I'm swamped at work. Here's a new open thread, all topics welcome.

I'm trying to get some work done this weekend as I recuperate. I've been reading the news about every other day. For TV, I've watched only the Aspen X Games. The Women's Snowboard Super Pipe last night was terrific, one great performance after another. Here is Chloe Kim who won the gold. Arielle Gold's Silver run is here. Maddie Mastro got the Bronze. Women's Big Ski Air is on today at noon, MT.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I'm not having much fun with Pneumonia. Last week I spent five days in the hospital (Monday until Friday) getting fluids administered intravenously. The antibiotics were brutal. They did the job, I'm pneumonia free, but they wiped me out. I also didn't have a computer with me, so I couldn't blog (or work.)

I've got a lot of work to catch up on, so this will probably be a week of open threads. Hopefully, I'll get things back to normal in the next week or two.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

My final two briefs are due today. Here's a new open thread, all topics welcome.

Happy New Year's Eve Everyone!

I took the week off from blogging because I was so busy at work -- and I can't stand to write about Donald Trump. This has been the worst year to be an American. There is good news: Only 1,116 days left until the 2020 election.

It's a sunny morning here in Denver, but according to to Accuweather, in 50 minutes, at 10:53 a.m., the snow will start falling.

It's crazy that people would venture out to Times Square. They are probably mostly young tourists, but where is their common sense? No bathrooms, no backpacks, no food vendors....what for? To see the same thing you can see inside your warm and toasty home or at any bar? (Which reminds me, the DUI cops will be out in force, so for those of you venturing out, don't drink and drive.)

Does anyone here have any fun plans tonight? I am staying in, writing two sentencing briefs due Tuesday and cooking a big steamy pot of chicken soup with matzoh balls.

Happy New Year Everyone! This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'm spending the day at Ms. TL kids' parents, with the TL kids and my new grandaughter Karter (now 6 weeks old, she sends her best regards)

Please fill us in on your day and your thoughts. What was your favorite gift?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

I wish all of our readers a happy holiday eve. May it be free of thoughts about Donald Trump.

If you are looking for TV, I'll suggest El Cartel I and II (called "Cartel de los Sapos")-- both seasons are now available with subtitles on Amazon Prime. It's the story of the Norte del Valle cartel in Colombia and its takedown and prosecution in the U.S., written by a former member of the cartel while in prison in Miami. It really launched the whole narco-drama series phenomenon and has terrific, now well-known actors. I've probably watched the full series three times or more. The Norte del Valle cartel was the successor to the Cali Cartel. The series is a far more accurate portrayal of real life characters and events and much better done in my opinion than American shows like Narcos which pay DEA agents to be consultants. It focuses on the corruption as well as the drug dealing.

Two Twitter feeds I'm recently added: Calorie Fixes and Tasty. Check out Tasty's five best egg hacks, you'll be a fan.

Again, Happy Xmas Eve, and please let us know what you're cooking and how you are celebrating and anything else on your mind.