...that my favorite part of Love Actually (which, mind you, is like declaring my favorite part of a Sizzler sald bar) is the story about the aging rockstar who realizes he’d rather spend Christmas with his loyal friend than party with Elton John.

...that good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from poor judgement.

...that intense and deep aren’t the same thing even if you’ve convinced yourself they are. Intense is momentary and fleeting; deep is the result of time and energy.

...that few things are more appealing than leftover banquet platters.

...that, when coming in and making sweeping changes in an organization, it’s best to Miley Cyrus that shit and wrecking ball the place.

...that some absence makes the heart grow fonder; too much absence makes the heart forget.

...that music, like sex, sports, and theater, is best enjoyed live.

...that among the worst rationales for voting, the vote for spite is right up at the top.

...that the people you encounter whose very existence challenges your worldview are an opportunity to expand rather than contract your empathy and common understanding.

...that anticipating something wonderful is often more fun than the wonderful thing. If the two match up, that’s the juice, gang.

...that if anyone in the country is guilty of eating dogs and cats they all live in the Appalachians.

...that, after a summer broiling in a giant outdoor venue for hours a day, the tease of jacket weather is as sexy as the collarbone revealed with an off-the-shoulder dress.

...that treating people the way you’d want to be treated is really not that difficult.

...that the emphasis on class and labor and muting of identity and social justice is the pivot required for the Left to win elections moving forward.