Sunday Morning Coming Down

John shares some wisdom from Bob Buford’s book “Halftime,” drinks sake, celebrates Stacey’s 50th Fortnight, enjoys the Grammy’s, and reminds us all that like Billy Joel says on his first new song in thirty years, it’s never too late to turn the lights back on. 

SMCD celebrates 200 episodes, and Stacey turns 50. Wow! A lot to cover including a trip to Stewartville, the continued demise of the club sandwich, and wondering if guys shouldn’t go on walks alone. 

John is enjoying the sound of two hands clapping, and hopes you are too. He sneezes from popcorn salt and visits a crowded steam room before sharing wisdom from his pilot brother and finding religion at the Opry. 

John mixes up the format, sharing the wisdom of others, starting with Sweet Lou. He also got an electric blanket and is pretty sure the universe sent him a message via Willie Nelson. 

John responds to some listener feedback on R-E-S-P-E-C-T, realizing sometimes the best response in today’s all too certain world is, simply, “maybe?”  

One week into 2024, John is digging into the batter’s box and trying to see the picture more clearly using discipline to eliminate a few things. He also learns the best way to remove darts from the dartboard. 

Riggins' life has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, John breaks down his one word for 2024, and once again provides his genuine appreciation for the farmer’s blow. 

John talks holiday traditions and shares notes from his trip to Vegas. Also, his dog gets confused, his wife buys some new jeans, and he smokes a few dry cigars. 

1 drinking story that takes 33 minutes to tell. That’s when you know it’s a good one. 

As he prepares of a weekend in Vegas, John reflects on a week with highs and lows, and plenty of signals from the universe. He also reminds us small photos are meant for the back of holiday cards. 

John defines gang banger, talks about his recent streaming fails, and prepares for the neighborhood holiday party that he was hoodwinked (that was the word!) into hosting. He’s also going to stop snacking . . .as much. 

It’s Thanksgiving week. You should know that because if you have solid friends, someone should have sent you a totally inappropriate Thanksgiving themed text. If that didn’t happen, you have work to do this year!  

John wonders how a little bit of work can be a lot, pleads for people to take some of his monster cookies, and reminds us to be the joyful outburst at the end of country songs and the cheers at the start of great nights. 

Like the rest of us, John is doing his best to survive “the season of death.” How is he coping? Focusing on what matters most, plenty of soup and chili, tucking into dark wood bars with good glassware, and hoping he’ll get socked-in on a fluffy snow night. 

John asks us all to look in the funhouse mirror and attack our worst trait. He reminds us that dogs are still dogs, and that we shouldn’t fret too much because the shit show is still our shit show. 

John visits Missoula, Montana before the Californians can wreck it. He experiences “halfsies” at BK, learns from aliens, and explains precisely why gambling does make sports better. 

John visits the Arizona State Fair, plays some Fall golf, and debates the greatest sandwich of all time. Don’t worry he doesn’t talk about manscaping this time. 

John contemplates where he’d go to college if he could do it all over again, shares some lake stories, and is so busy he’s been reduced to eating Funyuns for lunch. He’s also considering manscaping. 

John recaps his guy’s trip, talks about some misconceptions around creativity, and tells how one surf instructor tried to rekindle all of his weight issues from the past. 

John is headed to Las Encinitas (fancy for San Diego) for his annual Cinco Grande guy’s trip. He decides to surprise the boys by paying tribute to each of them. 

John talks about the monotony of doing the same thing over and over, and why we accept it. He also went to the grocery store for the first time in years because his wife was sick for the first time ever. 

John is having a big weekend with his family coming over for Italian dinner. He also gets out on the golf course for an epic round, and even tries to help out around the house, a little. 

John can’t believe Labor Day was just a week ago. He has Pearl Jam redemption after a lost show in Australia and describes the ideal anatomy of a lake day. 

Football season is back, and John is thrilled about it. The Great Minnesota Get Together is also in full form, and White Bear Lake has some BC Eagles looking for redemption. Also, Panda Express is super good. 

John takes a pilgrimage to mourn the loss of a buddy, hears the universe talking through music, gets overserved at the Fair, and wonders why people used to swim naked.