At the end of the day, I got them all on the same page

I'm no rockstar and I have a lot on my plate, but I figured if I think outside the box, do whatever it takes and work smarter, I just might be able to pull it off. I was hoping to come up with something both impactful and robust. Perhaps a new best practice might emerge, or at least a win-win. Net-net, it was a no-brainer, but it would require flawless execution. The low-hanging fruit was already gone. "Let's take this offline," I told myself. I needed to take it to the next level. I needed to take a more holistic approach. I would have to plus-up my best game.

I needed some seriously proactive synergy to leverage the value-added of the 30,00-foot view. I had to circle back and touch base with my Inner Jabberwock. That's when I was finally able to get all 20 most-hated buzzwords on the same page -- or at least use them in one blog post.

At the end of the day, it is what it is.

The University Avenue Tree Lights are dancing again

A Madison holiday landmark is all aglow again -- the University Ave. Tree Lights are once again frolicking in a festive swirl of color, a wall of light stretching exuberantly as far as the eye can see. Even the straight, no-nonsense railroad tracks seem about to get up and start dancing.

My favorite upcoming holiday movie

"Total Recall," which stars a villainous protagonist who fronts for a bunch of bad guys who don't even live in his state, along with a supporting cast of assorted WI GOP state senators.

The holidays are such a special season in Wisconsin

Especially this year. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool Santa. He has a surprise up his sleeve for the boy who was really naughty.

Night Flight

Canada Geese taking off at dusk from Tiedeman's Pond in Middleton -- wild, raucous honking, beating of powerful wings and water splashing everywhere. There's something primal about it.

What Scott Walker Fears Most of All

He should. More and more of the 99% are waking up to what he has done to their state -- and their kids' schools. They're signing recall petitions because they want their state back.

This Is What Democracy Looks Like

A Cheesehead reclaiming her state one "I Signed Recall Walker" sticker at a time.