"What do think about going to see an Arsenal match for Christmas?" That question—which my wife posed to me over a glass of wine a couple of months ago—birthed our 2024 Christmas holiday.
I work so that I can afford to travel. It's what feeds and restores my soul. The world is so vast and so interesting, and I want to see and experience it all. The five days we just spent in as a family in London was exactly what my soul needed.
Here are my top five highlights.
1. Arsenal. If you're a sports fan and have never experienced a Premier League match live, you're missing out. The stadium was electric from start to finish. Bonus points for an Arsenal 1-0 win. Double bonus points for witnesses a proper British argument between Arsenal and Ipswich fans on the walk back to the Tube following the match. ("Have fun playing Swansea next year!") Triple bonus points for Donovan's first cider.
2. Ted Lasso Tour of Richmond. This was a pilgrimage for us. It was so cool to see the famous sites from the show, including Ted's apartment door, the Ted/Beard bench, and the pub. Bonus points for lunch at the "Ted Table" in the pub following the tour.
3. Afternoon Tea at the Goring. The poshest of posh. Also, a perfect way to celebrate my wife's birthday. Bonus point for their offering of gluten-free service for my Celiac son, which was identical to our full-gluten service.
4. The Holiday Lights. London is beautifully festive for the Christmas holiday. We soaked in as much as we could through the massive crowds. Bonus points for Norah picking up a busker's tambourine and jamming along for a song. Double bonus points for stumbling across what has to have been the worst Christmas display in London.
5. Watching the Peter Pan Cup. It's a 100-yard swimming race held in Hyde Park every Christmas morning since 1864. It was a wonderfully local way to spend our post-arrival Christmas morning while we waited for our hotel room to be ready. Bonus points for our morning stroll through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens with many Londoners and their dogs.
Here's what I read this week that you should read, too.
2024 Tried to Kill DEI. Could Costco Launch a Revival in 2025? — via Improve Your HR by the Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas
Continuing the Work of DEI, No Matter What Your Company Calls It — via Harvard Business Review
Is 2025 the year DEI defines itself? — via HR Dive
How to Prepare for HR Compliance in 2025 — via hr bartender
No Sibling Rivalry Here: Court Green Lights Potential FMLA Leave for Siblings — via Jeff Nowak's FMLA Insights
Employee’s Personal Social Media Account May Create Hostile Work Environment — via EntertainHR
Must companies pay employees for time they spend lollygagging on the job? — via Eric Meyer's Employer Handbook Blog
Must companies pay employees for time they spend lollygagging on the job? — via Eric Meyer's Employer Handbook Blog
Reporting and Documentation During Your Investigation — via Workology
2 ChatGPT Search features that might change the way I browse the web — via Boy Genius Report
Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America Heads to Indiana in 2025 — via Brewers Association
Why Fat Head’s Took Its Time to Extend Flagship Portfolio — via The Brewer Magazine
U.S. Surgeon General Calls for Cancer Warnings on Alcohol Labels — via VinePair
Why Fat Head’s Took Its Time to Extend Flagship Portfolio — via The Brewer Magazine
U.S. Surgeon General Calls for Cancer Warnings on Alcohol Labels — via VinePair