AOL finally killed off AOL Instant Messenger last week. Couldn't keep up with texting. I wish we could go back to those simpler times...

Looks like the Vikes clinch the North with a win or tie today. Regardless, the postseason is within reach.

What grade of failure are we in for this year? Just going to fizzle out? Or crank it up to Epic and take it all the way to the Bank only to blow it in one of an infinite number of strangely imaginative scenarios?

Edge of my seat, friends.

I was going to miss out on that coveted silver airline status by roughly 120 miles (out of 25,000). I fly just enough where it's a pain not to have it as I'm taller and need the legroom (all the legroom!). Anyway, I'm flying to a nearby hub for a matter of hours then flying back. At about $100, that's $500 cheaper than the option to just buy my way across the finish line. Also, it's cheaper as 2 one-way flights than round trip. Weird system all around.

It was a long and at times bitter campaign, and in the end the voters came back with a truly shocking result:

Bon Jovi!? Seriously?

We're in the midst of them, but not a lot of news so far. What's been your favorite rumor so far? Or your least?

I was explaining the "Topsy" episode of Bob's Burgers to someone (which I first kept referring to as "Stampy"; wrong series), and that song has been in my head ever since.

I'm crazy busy at work trying to close a deal (ABC!) while also getting our work holiday party together tomorrow.

What festivities does your place of employment provide, if anything?

The Twins miss out on the Ohtani sweepstakes. They had the "small market" box checked off, though there was a bit more distance between them and Japan compared to the West Coast teams.

Though we'll likely never know, I wonder to what degree their past handling of Nishioka (as well as Park) played into the situation. They probably never were actually in the running, but I could see those past case studies causing a quick axe against an option that wasn't appealing to begin with.

I know I've previously spoken about the 2017-2018 season for both the Wild and Wolves in glowing terms. I'd like to amend that enthusiasm...