Reflections

 

    As has been done in the past, I've gone ahead and assumed we’re supposed to write a reflections post.  Actually, “supposed” may be a bit extreme.  After all, it’s not like the Blogger police will come knocking at my door to ensure compliance.

"Good morning.  Blogger Police.   
Is there a Mr. Penwasser at home?"

     Oops.  My bad.

    Well, to keep me out of the hoosegow, I’d better get started.

"That is a shame. 
Me and the boys from the showers of Cell Block C would love to meet you. 
Eat fresh."

    Even though I have no clue what this has to do with the challenge....“Reflections” is a song by Diana Ross and the Supremes which was released in...huh? 

Wrong Reflections?
NOTE:  I won't comment on what they meant by "going down." 
I'm classy that way.

    Oops.  My bad.

    NOTE:  If you actually thought that I thought that the song was correct, then I have a few miles of a California high-speed rail line to sell you.  

"It ISN'T?  See?  This is why I have trust issues."

      

    Anyway, the 2026 A-Z Challenge was...uh...challenging (hey, after a month, my store of synonyms is pretty barren.  You're lucky to even get this).  Even so, it was fun to meet some new people.  Don't get me wrong, I cherish those who have been with me for years.  It's just that Penwasser Place has a big tent and everyone is welcome.

Not you.

      My theme this year was to select a different person from history whose name corresponds to the letter of the alphabet for that particular day.  If you haven't noticed it by this time, I cannot help you.

    I've learned some things along the way which helped me in this endeavor.  This has resulted in me being even more insufferable if I ever find myself in a conclave of nerds.

Like CPAC.

  

Or Furry Convention. 
I won't judge.

    One of the take-aways from the experience, though, is that it may be a good idea to include some kind of notice that will let you, gentle reader, know if something is true or some random-ass jive.

    For example, if you didn't know any better, you may have concluded that I was just being funny

"Funny?  Funny how?"

when I wrote that Truman didn't have a middle name, but just had the letter "S."  Frankly, I wouldn't have blamed you if you thought I was just writing nonsense (like Joan of Arc was supposed to go to the University of Paris).

    So, yeah.

    Also, Lissa remarked that more than a few of my subjects were obscure (you mean not everyone has heard of Bubar?).  She also remarked that I selected more than a few individuals who were not the most upstanding citizens (I'm talking to you, Mr. Quantrill).

    So, message received.  I'll do my best in the future to concentrate on people a little more well-known, like Yamamoto, and less on people such as Elagabalus, who was not only obscure, but a disaster as a human being.

And had a name which was a bitch to spell.

    I'm already thinking of the 2027 A-Z Challenge.  While I won't go with people from history, I may go with events from history.  Or just go with whatever strikes my fancy.

Which runs the risk of a bruised fancy.

    Finally, now that the challenge is over, I'm going to return to blogging every 5-7 days.  If you liked the tone of the past month, rest assured, the nonsense won't change.  If you didn't like the tone, first, why are you here?  Second?  I congratulate you on your mental health.

    With that, I'm going to relax in front of the TV and try to come up with a topic for the next edition of whatever it is you call this.

    Scheduling note:  I still have a couple parts left about Xerxes.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

"THAT'S MY LINE!!! 
Loser."

    Eff.