This one starts with a gunfight where no one’s shot and ends with tears at a funeral for a clown. Ready?
In the opening scene of the classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Robert Redford‘s Sundance is on a winning streak playing cards, and one of the losers accuses him of cheating. It’s clear the aggrieved party is a gunfighter, and if Paul Newman‘s Butch Cassidy doesn’t calm things down, someone’s going to die.
“He’ll draw on you,” Butch tells Sundance. “He’s ready. You don’t know how fast he is.” When that doesn’t defuse the situation, Butch moves to Sundance’s other ear. “I’m over the hill, but it can happen to you,” he warns. “Every day, you get older. Now that’s a law.”
Indeed it is. And heading into this, our 15th year of This Thing of Ours, I was wondering if maybe I’d gotten too slow to play this game, given that last year I managed to hum myself out only a few hours into Day 1. It’s no unreasonable fear. Sooner or later, no matter how skilled or lucky you are, you’ll find yourself in a situation that’s too much for you. Just ask Butch and Sundance.
As it turned out, I was happy to be wrong. Both Mrs. LDBC and I won this year. So perhaps I’ve still got some hill left to climb.
That said, I did find myself in a situation I could no longer handle. Which explains the missing stats and graphs and why, if you filled out the reporting form, you may have noticed there are no longer any questions about which version took you out, where you were when it happened, etc.
I confess: it got too big for me. These past few years, it was taking me so long to clean up the answers and make the charts that it became a chore, and the whole point of this game is to bring some fun to a season that’s all too dark for too many folks. So I jettisoned the weight, and I apologize to anyone who’s disappointed at the missing numbers and visualizations.
Will they be back? You never know, since blasts from the past return to wreak havoc whenever you least expect them. This year, it was that 1988 clip of Grace Jones doing LDB on Pee-wee’s Playhouse. A good number of people got taken down by a clip of carolers intended to challenge perceptions of race, and even the long-in-the-tooth poison episode of The West Wing got at least one person.
It’s humor. It’s pathos. Like John Kittredge‘s downfall at the hands of a band in clown makeup (see below). Is there any better combo of comedy and tragedy? I’m guessing it wasn’t one of John’s favorite moments.
When I was in college, I worked a summer job at Prudential Insurance. One afternoon, we were all sitting on the steps to our building, enjoying the sunny weather.
“Who’s this clown?” said one of my co-workers.
I looked up, and sure enough, there came a clown in full regalia and face paint, on his way to deliver balloons and such for someone’s birthday inside. We moved aside so he could head to the doors and get buzzed in.
On his return trip, ours backs were to him, so we didn’t know to clear a path. We didn’t even realize he was there until he tried to make his way down the hill next to us, tripped on his big clown shoes, and tumbled head over heels until he landed on the sidewalk and rolled to his feet. We all broke into applause at his pratfall skills.
“Fuck you!” he screamed at us, holding his elbow, his voice breaking.
We dropped into stunned silence as he walked away, prodding his arm with his other hand. We’d honestly thought he’d wiped out on purpose to put on a show.
After he’d made his way into the distance, the shuffling of his big clowny toes on concrete the only sound to mark his passing, we all busted up again. It was sad. It was painful. We felt bad for him. But there was no denying the hilarity of it.
And isn’t that the spirit of this game we play? It’s sadness, pain, poor timing, tears, and laughter—funny until it isn’t. And is again. Much like the classic episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show when Chuckles the clown has died, and Mary is offended by everyone using his death as an opportunity to mine jokes. Until the funeral, when everybody else is appropriately somber, but Mary fights to contain her guffaws during the eulogy. When told she should feel free to laugh because it would’ve made Chuckles happy, she bursts into tears.
That’s what we’ve been doing for 15 years now. We laugh at the misfortunes of others, cry for our own, and vice versa. Hell, even Fresh Air‘s Terry Gross got into the act this year, assuring listeners in the intro to a segment that LDB would not be played.
We’ve lost some friends. (For Fawn!) We gain new ones. (I still can’t believe we’ve been doing this long enough for people’s kids to now play as adults.)
And through it all, we’re pulled along by the magic ingredients of this effort: A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants.
The most important element, of course?
The knowledge that we’re all in this thing together.
In that spirit, if you’re left with anything extra after the holidays, please consider a gift to Americares, our usual good cause. It’s not required; just if you can do it and are of a mind to.
Either way, I wish you and yours the happiest Happy New Year, and I leave you with the words that started it all.
For Mike!
Puh-rum-pum-pum-pum, people.
The Quick and the Dead
LDBC-Elfies: Tragedy and Triumph Captured
Vanessa Dawn Jenks 
Terie Spencer 
Susan Smith 
Susan Campbell Beachy 
Stephanie Jo Koorndyk 
Solange De Santis 
Sandy Schwarer 
Robin Emery-Welcome 
Riley Silverman 
Randy Reiss 
Nina Shengold 
Nikki Smith 
Nancy Mello 
Muffy Marracco 
Morgan Hummel 
Molly Lenore Fischer 
Michelle Masek 
Michelle Boyette Draper 
Melanie Glaysbrook Morris 
Mary Fetherolf 
Mary Arkless 
Maïs Non 
Laura Larsen 
Laura Faith 
Kristi Herr 
Kim Wad 
Kelsey Rubenking 
Kathryn Braine 
K Anne Del 
Justin Dumlao 
Joyce Dudley Hindman 
Joni Arnld 
Jon Gardner’s Kid 
Jon Gardner 
John Kittredge 
Joanne Solliday 
Joan Marie Dauber 
Jenn Wilson 
Jen Swift 
Jack Taylor 
Holly Melton 
Erin Hatfield 
Emily Guinn 
Elizabeth Walbridge 
Elizabeth Denehie 
Elias Hess 
Donald Hargraves 
Donald Dulchinos 
Deb Med 
David Percival 
David Minor 
Dave Draper 
Dan Bonfield 
Christina Hennessey 
Cheyenne Shafto Brown 
Charles Pannunzio 
CB Medlin 
Catherine Cunningham 
Caroline Creel 
Barbara Scharfenberg 
Autumn Lee Sherwood 
Audrey Arby 
Ann Cornelison 
Andrew Solovay 
Heather Browning 
Laura Karst 
Kelly Eddy 
John Newton 
Stephanie Newman 
Damon Osgood and Leila Thomas 
Larry Hall 
Judy O’Neill 
David Fekete 
Rowan Ward 
Karl Blume 
Lynne Rossi Horiuchi 
Jen Noon Hess 
Zilpha Frank 
Claudia Ceva 
Tracy Rhodes 
Anne Alpine-Princess 
Madeline Hoppenstedt 
Jackie Wheeler 
Liz Stabenow 
Rick Doucette and Andria DeSimone 
Mike Deck 
Mike Stephens 
Sarah Thomas 
Craig Copeland 
Susan Smith 
Liz Finkelstein 
Katie Hannah 
Lillian Murphy 
Janina Tayler 
Mo Stewart 
Kirsten Wilhelm 
Amy Rebecca 
Ross Weintraub 
Janet Tingey 
Michael Cronin 
Josh Turiel 
Eli Messinger 
Ann Hudspeth 
Jill Princehouse 
Barbara Bueche Harkins 
Kendra Hughes 
Erin Blankenship 
Elizabeth Baker 
Mike Pound 
Rebekah Williams Stewart 
The Holderness Family 
Audrey Arby 
Shandi Anastasia Harshbarger 
Mike Trapp 
Kristi Cavanaugh 
Anne Sussman 
Shawnee Perry 
Edva Kashi 
Katherine Eppich Catlin 
Caitlin Phaiah 
Tammey Reed 
Laura Watkins 
Pete I. 
Amanda Dlugiewicz Lee 
Patrick Herlihy 
Denyse Hart 
Amy Rife Spence 
Cathy Morrison 
Kelsey Webb 
Jennifer Palome Nassivera 
Karen Henson 
Cari Sandberg 
Samantha Diamond 
Mara Fitter 
Diane Lee 
Sheila Finnegan 
Shauna Sinclair 
Liz Finkelstein 
Jennifer Blakeslee 
Laurel and Holly Devious
LDBCer Tales from the Trenches
John Kittredge – L
Killed last week by an entire ensemble of clowns strolling around slaughtering people. Literally, red-nosed clowns.”
Carroll Wills – L
My audible groan got me momentary attention at the ordering kiosk.
K Anne Del – L
If only I hadn’t stopped to pee before I left, I could have gotten out before he sprung up from behind the cash register.
Lisa Burnand – L
Seriously, Lisa, seriously!?!?!? IG Arkkangel Drum Corp? Oh!!! Look!! They’re doing an LDB tribute. And you didn’t consider that they might do a drum tribute to LDB on their IG site? I deserve to lose.
Barbara Scharfenberg – W
…and the angels shone their light upon me and said, “Fear not, you got this, Barbara.”
The Book of Winners
Chapter 12, verse 26
The Victorious and the Vanquished: The LDBC Wall
| Name | Result |
|---|---|
| A., Cristina G. | W |
| A., Deb | L |
| A., Desiree | L |
| A., Dorothy | W |
| A., Justin | W |
| A., Kenzie | W |
| A., Laurie | L |
| A., Meg | L |
| A., Molly | L |
| A., Rebekah | L |
| A., Tricia | L |
| Abel, Dana | L |
| Adams, Cathy | L |
| Adams, Pat | L |
| Adler, Ellyn | L |
| Almjeld, Susan Gartman | L |
| Alpine Princess, Anne | L |
| Anderson, Sue | W |
| Anthony, Kathy M. | L |
| Arabella, Arabella | L |
| Arby, Audrey | L |
| Arkless, Mary | L |
| Armbruster, Tom | L |
| Arnld, Joni | L |
| Aronoff, Janee | L |
| Ash, David | L |
| Ashkenaz, Peter | L |
| Ashkenaz, Scott | W |
| Austin, Wren KDA | L |
| Av, John | W |
| B., Anna | L |
| B., Bee | W |
| B., Carl | L |
| B., Cheyenne | L |
| B., Colleen B. | L |
| B., Dawn | L |
| B., Debbie | L |
| B., Ellen | W |
| B., Fiora | L |
| B., Geni | L |
| B., Glenn | L |
| B., Hailey | W |
| B., Hannah | W |
| B., Jennifer | L |
| B., Jennifer | L |
| B., Jess | L |
| B., Jodi | L |
| B., Karl | L |
| B., Kelly J. | W |
| B., Landon | L |
| B., Laura F | W |
| B., Laura | W |
| B., Laura | W |
| B., Laura | W |
| B., Lisa | W |
| B., Liz | W |
| B., Marnie | W |
| B., Maureen | L |
| B., Melissa | W |
| B., Penny A. | L |
| B., Petra | L |
| B., Phoenix | L |
| B., Stacie | W |
| B., Tricia A. | L |
| B., Mike Jr. | L |
| B.P., Hank | L |
| Babb, Dana | W |
| Babcock, Jenna | L |
| Baker, Brian P. | W |
| Baker, Elizabeth | L |
| Balsam, Jess | L |
| Baltes, Scott | L |
| Barker, Craig | L |
| Barker, Jennifer | L |
| Bauer, Renée | W |
| Beachy, Susan Campbell | L |
| Beck, John | W |
| Bee, Linda | W |
| Berg, Tricia | W |
| Bingham, Craig | L |
| Blakeslee, Jennifer | L |
| Blanchard, Joanne | L |
| Blankenship, Erin̈ | L |
| Blum, Kelli | W |
| Bonfield, Dan | W |
| Boni, Paul | W |
| Booth, Brendon | W |
| Borck, Nathanael | W |
| Boyd, Amanda | W |
| Braine, Kathryn | W |
| Bremer, Gloria | W |
| Brittain, Lucretia | W |
| Brock, George | L |
| Brock, George | W |
| Brooks, Jamie M. | L |
| Brown, Michele | L |
| Browning, Heather | L |
| Bubier, Gavin PI. | W |
| Bubier, Jason A. | W |
| Burks-Wright, Andrew | W |
| Burnand, Lisa K | L |
| Butcher, Elizabeth | L |
| C., Aden | W |
| C., Amanda | L |
| C., Ann | W |
| C., Caroline C. | L |
| C., Carolynn | L |
| C., Casey | L |
| C., Catherine | L |
| C., Chris | L |
| C., Chris | W |
| C., Claudia | L |
| C., Dawnell K. | L |
| C., Erica | W |
| C., Holly A. | L |
| C., Ivan | L |
| C., Jason | W |
| C., Jay | W |
| C., Jenya | L |
| C., Karen | L |
| C., Karime | L |
| C., Kristin | L |
| C., Lauren | W |
| C., Michelle | L |
| C., Nancy | L |
| C., Rachel | L |
| C., Roo | W |
| C., Sean | L |
| C., Shannon | L |
| C., Sylvia | L |
| C., Tammy | L |
| C., Tina M. | W |
| C., Tom | W |
| C., William | L |
| Caldwell, Colin | L |
| Call, Bri | W |
| Canan, Kate A. | L |
| Carney, Ann S. | W |
| Carr, Kim | L |
| Carvalho, Lisa M. | W |
| Casey, Rayelenn Sparks | W |
| Catlin, Katherine Eppich | L |
| Cee, Karen | L |
| Chapman, Daniel P. | L |
| Chavez, Ermando R. | L |
| Chipman, Jayann | W |
| Christophe, Andre | W |
| Cicero, Donna | L |
| Cicero, Morgan | L |
| Clark, Nicole | L |
| Clayton, Betsy | W |
| Clements, Kristi | L |
| Clevenger, Carey | L |
| Coffey, Julie E. | L |
| Colón, Yvette | L |
| Conley, RoxAnn | W |
| Connors, Kimberly Anne Hachac | W |
| Conroy, Heidi | W |
| Cope, Ben J. | W |
| Cox, Sarah | L |
| Craig, Emily | W |
| Crane, Susan | L |
| Cronin, Michael | L |
| Cummings, Dan | W |
| Cunningham, Kit | W |
| Cyr, Nathan Thomas | L |
| D., Andy | L |
| D., Bea | L |
| D., Becky | L |
| D., Christina | L |
| D., Dave | W |
| D., Erik | W |
| D., Francesca T. | W |
| D., Jason | L |
| D., Joan M. | W |
| D., Joshua | L |
| D., Justin | L |
| D., Karen | L |
| D., Karen | W |
| D., Katie | L |
| D., Kimberly A. | L |
| D., Mickie | L |
| D., Mike | L |
| D., Nicole | L |
| D., Rebecca | W |
| D., Ruth Ann | L |
| D., Sara | L |
| D., Sarah | L |
| D., Sean | L |
| D., Sharon | L |
| D., Sharona | L |
| D., Stephanie | L |
| D., Tara | L |
| D., Thom | W |
| D., Tim | W |
| Daboo, Kim | W |
| Daniel, David | L |
| Davenport, Jessica L. | L |
| Davis, Jesse | L |
| Davis, Tina | W |
| De Santis, Solange | L |
| DeJarnatt, Jessica | L |
| Denehie, Elizabeth | W |
| Dersch, Maryanne | L |
| Dillon, Sara | W |
| Djakov, Lyen | L |
| Donnellon, Ryan | L |
| Douglas, Kim | L |
| Douglas, Kim | L |
| Dudek, Maida | L |
| Dulchinos, Don | W |
| Durham, Murphy | L |
| Durkin, Charlotte | W |
| Dyer, Marc D. | L |
| E., Eric | L |
| E., Jane | L |
| E., Justine | L |
| E., Kate | L |
| E., Kelly | L |
| E., Robbin | W |
| E., Sara | L |
| Eckert-Chu, Corrin | W |
| Edwards, Tanya | L |
| Ellis, Stephanie | L |
| Ellis, Stephanie | L |
| English, Chris | L |
| Epstein, Nancy D. | L |
| Ess, Kevin | W |
| Eynouf, Erica W. | W |
| F., Alyssa | L |
| F., David V. | L |
| F., Doug | L |
| F., Kelly | L |
| F., Mara | L |
| F., Mary | W |
| F., Nessa | L |
| F., Wes | W |
| Faucher, Vince | W |
| Fermenich, Justin | W |
| Fernandez, Julia | L |
| Field, Jonathan B. | L |
| Finnegan, Sheila | L |
| Fintschenko, Pete | L |
| Fischer, Molly L. | L |
| Fisher, Stella | L |
| Fitzgerald, Mark | L |
| Flanagan, Dolores | W |
| Fletcher, Barbara A.M. | W |
| Ford, Carl | L |
| Fox, Elizabeth | L |
| Fox, Frosty | W |
| Frank, Libby | W |
| Frank, Zilpha (Lisa) Banlaki | L |
| French, Darcie | L |
| G., Amanda | W |
| G., Anissa | L |
| G., Anna | W |
| G., Chloe | L |
| G., Dan | L |
| G., Drew | W |
| G., Emily | L |
| G., Jen | L |
| G., Jenny C. | L |
| G., Joseph S. | L |
| G., Josh | L |
| G., Katie | L |
| G., Leah | L |
| G., Liz | L |
| G., Matt | L |
| G., Mel | W |
| G., Michael | W |
| G., R. | W |
| G., Randi | L |
| G., Sarah | L |
| G., Scott | L |
| G., Valerie | L |
| G., Wendy | W |
| Ganz, Claudia | L |
| Gardner, Jon P. | L |
| Gardner-Smith, Fran | L |
| Geer, Linda | W |
| Geer, Linda | W |
| George, Cindy K. | L |
| Giangrande, Tina | W |
| Gibbs, Natalie | L |
| Gilbreth, John D. | L |
| Goldfarb, David A. | W |
| Gough, Laura J. | W |
| Gow, Jimmy | L |
| Gracey, Pat | L |
| Grady, Cynthia | W |
| Grassdottir, Evalena | W |
| Gray, Iris | L |
| Green, Karen | L |
| Green, Megan | L |
| Greene, Emily | W |
| Greer, Johann | W |
| Grieve, Kelly | W |
| Griffin-Whitehead, Dena | L |
| Guterman, Lila | W |
| H., April | W |
| H., Barbara | L |
| H., Bill | L |
| H., Cate | L |
| H., Chas | L |
| H., Chris | L |
| H., Emily | W |
| H., Eric | L |
| H., Erin | L |
| H., Jeff | L |
| H., Jeff | W |
| H., Kendra | L |
| H., Kristi | L |
| H., Larry | L |
| H., LauraRose | L |
| H., Lillie K. | L |
| H., Lynne | L |
| H., M. | W |
| H., Rebecca | W |
| H., Robyn R. | L |
| H., Rosie | W |
| H., Sherry | W |
| H., Stephanie M. | W |
| H., Stu | L |
| Hall, Ferna | L |
| Hamilton, Chris R. | W |
| Hamilton, Reid | W |
| Hamnes, Tara | L |
| Hannah, Katie | L |
| Hargraves, Donald C. | L |
| Harkey, Sharon Lee | W |
| Harrell, James | L |
| Harris, Jill M. | W |
| Harshbarger, Shandi Anastasia | L |
| Hart, Denyse | L |
| Harter, Tristan | L |
| Harvey, Larisa M. | W |
| Hatcher, Cody C. | L |
| Hawkins, Dillon | L |
| Hawley, Rob | L |
| Hays, Brenda and Bille | L |
| Heaney, Tim | L |
| Hennessey, Christina | L |
| Henning, Ben | L |
| Henson, Karen M. | L |
| Herman, Robin | L |
| Herr, Kristi | L |
| Hess, Elias | W |
| Hess, Jen | L |
| Hildebrand, Charles L. | L |
| Hill, Renee | L |
| Hindman, Joyce H. | W |
| Hoffman, Dean A. | W |
| Holley, Allyson | W |
| Holmes, Anita | W |
| Hooker, Jonathan | L |
| Hoppenstedt, Jonathan E. | W |
| Hoppenstedt, Madeline | L |
| Houlihan, Christopher | W |
| Houltham, Stephen | L |
| Howell, Becca | L |
| Hubbell, Sunni | L |
| Hubbell, William | L |
| Hudspeth, Ann | L |
| Hummel, Morgen J. | L |
| Huntley, Amber | L |
| Husted, Rachel | L |
| HZ, DJ | W |
| I., Pete | L |
| I., Rob | L |
| J., Christi | L |
| J., Jeanette L. | L |
| J., Maddy M. | L |
| J., Mark R. | L |
| J., Sarah | L |
| J., Serena | W |
| J., Steve | W |
| Jackson, Jon | W |
| Jacobs, Brittany | W |
| Jacobson, Meredith | W |
| James, Gregory | L |
| Jenkins, Lizzie M. | L |
| Jenks, Vanessa Dawn | L |
| Jo, Debbie | L |
| Johnson, DJ | W |
| Johnson, John J. | L |
| Jonas, Rebecca | W |
| Jones, Tracy D. | W |
| Joseph, Jeff J. | L |
| K., Alicia | W |
| K., Andrea | L |
| K., Beth | W |
| K., Ed | L |
| K., Edva | L |
| K., Glen | L |
| K., Helen | W |
| K., Jimbo | W |
| K., Justin | L |
| K., Kat | L |
| K., Keturah | L |
| K., Kevin | L |
| K., Krista Lea | W |
| K., Lauren B. | L |
| K., Nate | W |
| K., Paulette | W |
| K., Perri | L |
| K., Sasha | L |
| K., Virginia | L |
| Kadatz, Amy | W |
| Kamensky, Michael | W |
| Karst, Laura | L |
| Karst, Leslie | L |
| Kashuba, Amy | L |
| Kay, Mereille | W |
| Keaskowski, Savannah S. | L |
| Kelly, Adam Rod | W |
| Kent, Jess | L |
| Kilgore, Addie | L |
| King, Judy | W |
| Kittoe, Jeff | L |
| Kittredge, John | L |
| Klasel, Shelby | L |
| Knauerhase, Robin | W |
| Kneeland, Mishell | W |
| Knight, Andy | L |
| Knop, Josh | W |
| Knop, Josh | W |
| Kohn, Tina | W |
| Kopacka, Trina | W |
| Kovalenko, Kanya | L |
| Kragick, Dana | L |
| Kraiger, Michael | W |
| Kramer, Sarah L. | L |
| Kuhn, Julia | L |
| Kunz-Slagle, Nicole L. | L |
| Kushmaul, Crystal | L |
| Kutrubis, Allie | W |
| L-C., Lorien | L |
| L., Angela | W |
| L., Audrey | W |
| L., Bridget | W |
| L., Brigid | L |
| L., Cara | W |
| L., Carolyn M. | L |
| L., Carrie | L |
| L., Chris | L |
| L., Dana | W |
| L., Diana L. | L |
| L., Diane | L |
| L., Doug | L |
| L., Jason | L |
| L., Jena | W |
| L., Jennifer | L |
| L., Jennifer | W |
| L., Jeremy | L |
| L., Joni | L |
| L., Kate | W |
| L., Kris | W |
| L., Lauren | L |
| L., Lisa | L |
| L., Molly K. | L |
| L., Sabrina | L |
| L., Stephanie | L |
| L., Zed | L |
| Landrum, Steve | L |
| Lane, Justin | W |
| Lang, Michael | L |
| Larkin, Nancy | L |
| Larsen, Laura | L |
| Laughlin, Robert | L |
| Lebowsky, Beth | L |
| LeClair, Joe | L |
| Lee, Amanda | L |
| Lee, Lori L. | W |
| Leigh, Stephen | L |
| Lerner, Mark | L |
| Leslie, Michael | W |
| Leveridge, Brett | W |
| Levitan, Stacy | L |
| Lindner, Karl | W |
| Lindsey, Amanda B. | W |
| Lockwood, Rose H. | L |
| Lumbago, Scott | L |
| M., Barb | W |
| M., Bobbie | L |
| M., Chris (Mac) | L |
| M., Courtney | L |
| M., Darren | L |
| M., Debra | L |
| M., Debralee | L |
| M., DJ | L |
| M., Drew | L |
| M., Eliana | L |
| M., Finch | W |
| M., Haylea | L |
| M., Imogene | L |
| M., Jeff | L |
| M., Jennifer | L |
| M., Jim | L |
| M., John | L |
| M., Karina I. | L |
| M., Kate W. | L |
| M., Kathleen | L |
| M., Katy | L |
| M., Killashandra | L |
| M., Kit | L |
| M., Leo | W |
| M., Meg | L |
| M., Melanie | L |
| M., Mia | L |
| M., Michele | L |
| M., Mike | L |
| M., Nancy | L |
| M., Nicole | W |
| M., Rebecca | L |
| M., Ross | L |
| M., Saoirse | W |
| M., Shelli | L |
| M., Stacy | L |
| M., Tina | W |
| M., Twila | L |
| M., W. F. | L |
| M.S., Dina | W |
| Madesclaire, Marine | W |
| Mahon, Jeny | W |
| Mallon, Kelley | L |
| Manguchei, Kendyce | L |
| Mansfield, Lily | W |
| Manson, Tycho | W |
| Mara, Janis | L |
| Marracco, Muffy | L |
| Marshall, Laura | W |
| Martin, Matthew Quinn | W |
| Martinez, CJ | L |
| Maru, Mariah | L |
| Mc., Andy | L |
| McDonald, Stef | L |
| McElligott, Kevin | L |
| McElroy, Jill E. | L |
| McFadden, John | L |
| McGrath, Katie A. | W |
| McKinney, Shelley | W |
| McNally, Hugh Bootleg Xmas | L |
| McNeely, Alvin | L |
| McNiel, PJ | L |
| McQueary, Michael | L |
| Meister, Ever | L |
| Melton, Holly | W |
| Melton, Morgan | W |
| Melzer, Kam | L |
| Messinger, Eli | L |
| Milbrath, Philip | L |
| Miller, Claire | W |
| Miller, Russ | W |
| Milton, Denise | W |
| Moilanen, Kristin | W |
| Moon, Hannah | W |
| Moore, Erin | L |
| Morigeau, Christopher Joseph | W |
| Mornacki, Megan Anne | W |
| Morrison, Cathy | L |
| Morrison, Paul T. | L |
| Murphy, Eric C. | L |
| Murphy, Heather Murphy | W |
| Musson, Michael | W |
| N., Amy R. | L |
| N., Angie | W |
| N., Justin | W |
| N., Mikey | W |
| N., Olivia | L |
| N., Ron | L |
| N., Stephanie | L |
| N., Victoria | W |
| Nassivera, Jenn | L |
| Nathan, Don | W |
| Neilclan, Starry | L |
| Nesbit, Garry | L |
| Newton, John W. | L |
| Nickels, Brenden | L |
| Nickerson, Catherine | L |
| Nixon, Jen L. | L |
| Noon, Francis | W |
| Nordstrom, Elizabeth | W |
| Nordstrom, Ron | W |
| Norris, Eric H. | L |
| Norton, Jo | L |
| O., Carol | W |
| O., Jukie | L |
| O., Kris D. | L |
| O., Ollie | W |
| O., Rachel | L |
| O., Tatiana | L |
| O’Leary, Pat | L |
| O’Neill, Judy | L |
| O’Phelan, Betsy | W |
| Olfers, Carey | L |
| Olschanski, Stephen F. | W |
| Olsen, Kate | W |
| Olson, Kara L. | L |
| Olson, Khloe | L |
| Olson, Min | W |
| Ortiz-Kane, Angelique | L |
| Osgood, Damon | L |
| Ozenne, Stephanie | L |
| P., Camryn | L |
| P., David A. | L |
| P., David | L |
| P., Eddie | L |
| P., Esther | L |
| P., Gael | W |
| P., Hunter | L |
| P., Jackson | L |
| P., Janell | L |
| P., Jenice | L |
| P., Jessie | W |
| P., Lauren | L |
| P., Ray | L |
| P., SK | W |
| Pannunzio, Charles | L |
| Peck, Gayle Windrum | L |
| Peck, Michael (Mr. LDBC) | W |
| Pellissier, Denise | W |
| Peters, Jami | L |
| Peters, Mike J. | W |
| Peterson, Cheryl | L |
| Peterson, Nancy D. | L |
| Pez, Jane | W |
| Phaiah, Caitlin A. | L |
| Poblete, Rex | L |
| Polk, Christopher | W |
| Polk, Michelle | L |
| Porter, Brett G. | W |
| Pound, Michael | L |
| Pretz, Jessica | L |
| Pride, Nomy | L |
| Princehouse, Jill | L |
| Prober, Melissa | L |
| Queen, Snow | L |
| Quimby, Lisa | W |
| R., Alec | L |
| R., Amy | W |
| R., Clara | L |
| R., David | L |
| R., Doug E. | L |
| R., Jamie | L |
| R., Khajha | W |
| R., Kristen | L |
| R., Laura | W |
| R., Mary | L |
| R., Mercedees | L |
| R., Michaela | L |
| R., Michelle | L |
| R., Pat | W |
| R., Phyllis | W |
| R., Reuben | W |
| R., Rick | W |
| R., Samantha | L |
| R., Steve | L |
| R., Susan | L |
| R., Tammey | L |
| R. – M., Suzanne | W |
| Ragan, Greg | L |
| Randle, Nadine | W |
| Ray, Sheri Graner | L |
| Rebach, Bob | W |
| Rees, Patricia | W |
| Reiss, Randy B. | L |
| Reznek, Abigail | L |
| Reznek, Karen | W |
| Rhodes, Tracy | L |
| Rice, Samantha J. | W |
| Richards, Allen | L |
| Riley, Kathleen | L |
| Rivera, Hector A. | L |
| Robbins, Patrick | L |
| Roberts, Bob | L |
| Robinson, Chris F. | L |
| Ronald, Brian | L |
| Rosen, Peg | L |
| Ross, Alicia | L |
| Ruggiero, Megan Michelle | W |
| Rutford, Doug | L |
| Rutford, Sue | L |
| Rykoff, Amanda | L |
| S., Adam M. | L |
| S., Alice F. | W |
| S., Alttara | W |
| S., Alyson | L |
| S., Amy J. | L |
| S., Andy | L |
| S., Art | L |
| S., Barbara | W |
| S., Becky A. | L |
| S., Clare | L |
| S., Dan | L |
| S., Danny | W |
| S., Debbie C. | L |
| S., Dee | W |
| S., Denine | L |
| S., Don | L |
| S., Erin | L |
| S., Ethan | W |
| S., Evelyn | W |
| S., Jennifer | L |
| S., Jenny | W |
| S., Jenny from The woods | L |
| S., Jesse | L |
| S., Jessica | W |
| S., Joe P. | L |
| S., Julie | L |
| S., Kelli | W |
| S., Krista | L |
| S., Lee Ann | L |
| S., Mar E. | W |
| S., Mary M. | W |
| S., Mary Jo | L |
| S., Mike L. | L |
| S., Mo | L |
| S., Neal | L |
| S., Nikki | L |
| S., Pauline | W |
| S., Sandy | L |
| S., Shawna | L |
| S., Suzaanne E. | L |
| S., Terie | L |
| S., Tristan | L |
| Sacchi, Christine Chase | L |
| Sailors, Kenneth M. | W |
| Salvador, Phil | L |
| Samons, Kelly | L |
| Samson, Phil | W |
| Samuelson, Michael | W |
| Sandberg, Cari | L |
| Sandusky, Sarah | W |
| Santa Clara, Fe | L |
| Satre, William P. | W |
| Scarberry, Melissa | W |
| Scarlato, Tracy | L |
| Schaad, Elwood | L |
| Schaus, Candace | W |
| Schmidt, James Patrick | L |
| Schneider, Debbie | L |
| Schreur, Lynne E. | L |
| Scott, Chris | L |
| Scott, Susan V. | L |
| Sebrell, Cheryl | W |
| Segall, Margaret | L |
| Shaffer, Chanda | L |
| Shengold, Nina | L |
| Shepherd, Larry R | W |
| Sherwood, Autumn | W |
| Shook, Carol Ann | L |
| Short, Jeff | W |
| Silverman, Riley J. | W |
| Simon-Grech, Machelle | W |
| Smith, Jenny | L |
| Smith, Maggie | L |
| Smith, Susan S. | L |
| Smith, Susan | W |
| Snyder, Elizabeth L. | W |
| Solliday, Jo | W |
| Solovay, Andrew | L |
| Sorenson, Greg | L |
| Speers, Misty | L |
| Spendelow, Howard R. | W |
| Stabenow, Liz | L |
| Stanislav, Beth | W |
| Stephens, Mike | L |
| Stevens, Andy | L |
| Stickley, Aileen | L |
| Stirrat, Pamela | W |
| Stogner, Celia | L |
| Stone, David R. | W |
| Strawser, Heather | L |
| Strelitzer, Jonas Mark | W |
| Sudell, Denise | L |
| Sullivan, Jim | L |
| Sussman, Anne | L |
| Swan, William James | W |
| T., Charli | L |
| T., Chris C | W |
| T., Joe | L |
| T., Larabee | L |
| T., Laura | L |
| T., Matt | W |
| T., Naomi | L |
| T., Natalie | L |
| T., Olivia | L |
| T., Stephanie | W |
| Tappan, Stacey | W |
| Taylor, Jack E. | L |
| Tepper, Michele | W |
| Tetreault, Brian J. | W |
| Thom, Craig S. | L |
| Thom, Neil Chandler | L |
| Thomas, Cathy D. | W |
| Thomas, Leila | L |
| Thomas, Sarah | L |
| Topher, Chris | L |
| Train, Brain | W |
| Trapp, Mike | L |
| Trobaugh, Phillip | L |
| Tsuchiyama, Don | W |
| Tucker, Melinda | W |
| Turiel, Josh | L |
| Underwood, Linda | L |
| Unruh, Laramie | W |
| V., Alejandra | L |
| V., Chven | W |
| Van Oss, Ilyssa | L |
| Vandermark, Bill | L |
| VanMatre, Jennifer | L |
| Vant Leven, Tony | L |
| Vassar, Matt | W |
| Vincent, Terry | L |
| W, Rebekah | W |
| W., April | W |
| W., Diane | W |
| W., Emma | L |
| W., Erin | L |
| W., Jackie | L |
| W., Jen | W |
| W., Karen | L |
| W., Kelsey | L |
| W., Kim | L |
| W., Kim | L |
| W., Lizzy | L |
| W., Lynn | L |
| W., Michelle | W |
| W., Monty | L |
| W., Vincent | L |
| Wacknov, Stacey | L |
| Wahl, Gretchen | L |
| Walden, Steven | W |
| Walker, Donna Wessel | L |
| Walker, Mary Wessel | L |
| Wall, Nancy L. | L |
| Walsh, Julie | L |
| Walsh, Tom | L |
| Ward, Jamie M. | L |
| Ward, Robin | L |
| Ward, Rowan | L |
| Ward, Terence | W |
| Warren, Andrea | W |
| Watkins, Laura | L |
| Watts, Kelly Lankau | L |
| Weber, Kendra | L |
| Wedge, Julie | W |
| Weintraub, Ross | L |
| Wells, Jeremy J. | W |
| Wenk, Sarah | L |
| Whitestones, The | L |
| Whiting, Joe | L |
| Willett, Lindsay | L |
| Williams, Damian | W |
| Williams, Sean | L |
| Williamson, Rebecca Rusmisel | L |
| Wills, Carroll | L |
| Wilson, Jennifer | L |
| Winter, Stacy | W |
| Wise, Richard S. | L |
| Wolfisch Cole, Terry | W |
| Woods, John | L |
| Woods, Lynne | L |
| Wrenn, Leslie | L |
| Y., Kiwi | W |
| Y., Robert D. | W |
| Yeshe, Ngakma | L |
| Young, Shelle A. | L |
| Z., Michael | L |
| Z., Nicole | L |
| Zee, Dianne | L |
keeps growing, and it was already almost impossible to read as a picture. So now it’s a straight table. Sorry, traditionalists.
Now, putting together charts and poring through narratives of personal struggle tends to get you thinking. And, as is often the case when I toss a few more logs on the ol’ cranial bonfire, my thoughts turned to Charlton Heston. Well, not Heston specifically, but Robert Neville, the character he played in 
brings me one, anyway. I’m a media shut-in and have been for years, going from writing about TV for a living for more than a decade to hardly ever watching shows at all. You’d think that would give me an edge, and maybe it does sometimes. But it 
Little Drummer Boy Challenge 