Which brings me to this week in Chicago.

Friday night the White Sox beat the Royals 22-1. I had to read it twice. They hung a 10-run third inning on Kansas City and just kept going from there, finishing with 23 hits and five home runs and a final score that looks like a typo. It was the most runs they've scored in a game since 1970 and the second-biggest margin in franchise history. On a random Friday, against a division opponent, at home.

Then, like they couldn't stand to be left out, the Cubs beat the Padres 23-3 over at Wrigley. Dansby Swanson hit a grand slam and drove in more runs than any Cub has in a single game since Sammy Sosa was doing it back in 2002. Twenty years, and it gets broken on a Wednesday afternoon.

Add it up, and that's 45 runs from two Chicago teams, both at home, both against teams that presumably showed up thinking they'd play a normal game of baseball. And somewhere in the back of my head is the thought that the Mariners have to go into that city eventually. Either side of town, I'm not picky about which one does me in. I just know Guaranteed Rate Field and Wrigley both apparently had the "runs" cheat code switched on this week, and I would love for someone to turn it off before we visit.

Now, the reasonable part of my brain knows this is a snapshot, not a trend. A 10-run inning usually means a bullpen fell apart and a few balls found grass at the worst possible time, and it snowballs. It happens to everybody. The Royals and Padres are good teams that caught a buzzsaw on the wrong night, and none of it necessarily says anything about how a series would actually go.

The problem is that the White Sox have quietly turned their home park into one of the best in the league this year, and the Cubs are, well, the Cubs. Neither of these is some fluke roster stumbling into a big number. When a bad team does this, you laugh. When a good team does it, you start pricing out therapy.

Anyway, congrats to Chicago. Genuinely. Watching a team put up 22 is a great time as long as it isn't happening to yours. I'll be over here hoping the Mariners' next trip lands on a night when both bullpens show up, and the wind is blowing in. Go M's. And please, keep it under double digits.

The honest version: I've been prioritizing my health. It's not the most exciting blog content, but it's real, and it's been where my energy has gone. I'm getting there, and that matters more than keeping up a posting streak.

That said, the brain never really stops, so I've also been quietly heads-down on some tech projects.

We Dumped the VW. We Have No Regrets.

If you've been around here long enough, you know about the VW Taos. If you don't, consider yourself lucky. That car was a character. Not in a charming way.

So we did what any reasonable person would do: sold it before it could break our spirits any further, and picked up a Ford Mustang Mach-E.

We love this car.

And in what I can only describe as peak timing, we made the switch right before gas prices decided to go on their little adventure upward. The Mach-E runs on electricity, which means I now drive past gas stations with a level of smugness I'm not entirely proud of but also refuse to suppress.

Winter: A Review. One Star.

I want to say something nice about winter. I really do. Presque Isle Winter Nights is genuinely lovely — the lights, the quiet, the whole vibe. I appreciate it. I do.

But this year? This year broke me a little.

There's a specific kind of tired that comes from months of grey skies and cold that settles into your bones, and I hit that wall hard. I've started casually browsing what it would cost to just... live somewhere with the sun. Somewhere that doesn't require a ten-minute car warm-up before you can feel your fingers again.

I'm not making any announcements. I'm just saying the thought has crossed my mind. Frequently. While wearing three layers indoors.

Warmer weather, please get here. I'm rooting for you.

More Soon

That's the quick version of where I've been. There's more to share, and I'm glad to be writing here again.

As a certified pizza lover (and an unapologetic fan of Detroit-style in particular), I’m hooked on their 8x10 pies. The crispy, caramelized edges, the fluffy yet substantial crust, and the sauce on top make for the perfect combination of textures and flavors. It’s technically shareable, but let’s be real: I never share mine.

Starting your meal with the Sourdough Garlic Parm Breadsticks is an absolute must. They’re warm, garlicky, and have just the right amount of chew, making them the perfect prelude to any pizza. And to drink, East Glisan offers RC Cola, a retro classic that adds a nostalgic touch to the experience. There’s something about sipping this old-school soda that pairs perfectly with the vibe of the place.

Located on NE Glisan Street in the heart of Montavilla, East Glisan is a cozy, intimate lounge with a small bar and limited seating. It’s not designed for large parties, but it’s the perfect spot for a laid-back evening with great food. The atmosphere is enhanced by their choice of entertainment, with classic TV shows like the original Star Trek and The Twilight Zone playing on their screens. The nostalgic charm of the lounge creates a unique and welcoming ambiance that makes every visit memorable.

East Glisan Pizza & Lounge opens at 5 PM, and there’s often a line, so arriving early is a smart move if you want a seat. Whether you’re coming alone to savor every bite in peace or bringing along fellow pizza lovers, this spot delivers an unforgettable experience. From the mouthwatering pizzas to the retro vibes, East Glisan has a special kind of magic that keeps you coming back for more. Treat yourself to a visit—you won’t regret it.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share your opinions, ask questions, or join the discussion below. Just remember to follow the comment rules to keep this space fun, respectful, and valuable for everyone.

Think of this blog as your favorite non-tech podcast, but in written form and without the awkward ad breaks for meal kits or mattresses. Whether I’m gushing over the latest binge-worthy series on Apple TV+ or waxing poetic about a pizza place so good it makes me question every bad delivery choice I’ve ever made, this is where I share the passions that keep me smiling.

What’s This Blog About?

In a nutshell: everything but technology.

Okay, fine—there might be some technology because, let’s face it, I live in a tech-saturated world. But the emphasis here is on stepping back, unplugging, and enjoying life’s simpler pleasures. This is the place where I get to explore a variety of interests and hopefully inspire you to do the same. From food finds and book recommendations to movie reviews and the occasional deep dive into why pineapple on pizza might not be such a crime, there’s a little something for everyone.

Right now, the comment section isn’t quite up and running (I’m working on it—promise!), but I’d love to hear from you. Catch me on Threads, Bluesky, or Mastodon if you want to chat about anything you read here. Let’s start a conversation about what’s fun, fascinating, and worth celebrating in this beautifully chaotic world.

I wanted a space that feels different from the usual hustle of tech-heavy chatter. Sometimes it’s refreshing to step away from tech and talk about the good stuff—like that life-changing slice of pizza or the tv show that kept me up all night.

This blog is as much for me as it is for anyone who stumbles across it. Even if I’m the only one reading these posts, I’ll still be here, happily rambling away. But I hope you’ll stick around, join in, and help make Unplugged a little community of curious minds.

So grab a coffee (or tea, if you’re fancy like that), settle in, and let’s dive into all the things that make life fun. Welcome to Unplugged—let’s see where this adventure takes us!

In Washington, we were hit by a bomb cyclone, and I initially mistook it for a mere indication of strong winds. However, I was thoroughly mistaken, as this storm was one of the most powerful I’ve experienced or, at the very least, can recall. In August I moved to Issaquah which is on the eastside. We are aboutb15 miles from Seattle but closer to the foothills. And the bomb cyclone slammed into Issaquah which very powerful winds. Bringing down massive trees into people homes.

We’re grateful that our apartment community was spared significant damage. While some branches and smaller trees fell, reaching our home requires traversing a road lined with trees. On Wednesday morning, after waking up, we ventured out to find the extent of the destruction. Roads were blocked by trees, and downed power lines littered the landscape. We had lost power on Tuesday night around 5 pm as the storm approached. As I write this post on Saturday at 1:40 pm, we still lack power. On Friday, when the power briefly returned, we had a small hope, but only half of our apartment was illuminated. However, this respite was short-lived as power crews began repairs to our grid. Power was gone again.

We were not prepared for the storm. I had anticipated a power outage for a day or so, expecting to be able to leave safely. However, that was clearly not the case. We did not have water and our dog’s food was gone too as it need to be kept in the freezer. We were eventually able to get out and get food and water. Thursday night we got a hotel room so we could get some sleep and take a warm shower.

As we weren’t prepared for the storm, neither was PSE, our power company. They brought in crews from other areas, but the damage to the power grid was extensive. What made it even more frustrating was the communication and reporting system. It was a complete failure, and they blamed it on an upgrade made this fall. The notification system sent me a message informing me that my power was out and asking me to text Status back for an update. After sending them a message, they informed me that my phone number wasn’t registered with their system.

The outage map was constantly changing and never provided accurate information, such as the time of my power outage or whether crews were on-site. In contrast, PSE simply issued generic PR messages stating that most customers should expect power restoration by Saturday at 2 p.m. PSE is a prominent power company in Washington, serving multiple counties and cities. However, the statement was later revised, indicating that some customers would receive power on Saturday, some on Sunday, and more on Monday.

My power was later restored while I was writing this blog but as I am there are still thousands in the dark. In writing this blog I’m hoping that PSE will take this message seriously and make changes to their systems and protocols.