Bending the rules

This time, I reflect on Diddy's trial, expensive clothes and one of the most danceable songs of 2025

—And I quote: "We may not have chosen the time, but the time has chosen us.”—John Lewis

Photo by Lili Popper on Unsplash

—Rule runnings: I happened to visit the website of Las Vegas restaurant Chubby Cattle BBQ (which specializes in premium Wagyu BBQ) after viewing an episode of the PBS show No Passport Required, with chef Marcus Samuelsson.

I visited the website—and it’s obvious that Chubby Cattle doesn’t play around. A couple of the policies:

• Leftovers will incur a 20% charge based on the entire bill.

• Children under 39 inches (100 cm) tall dine for free while kids between 39 and 51 inches (100 to 130 cm) tall receive a 50% discount on the tier menu.

I had never heard of these regulations in my life. (Update: The first applies to buffets, which Chubby Cattle offers.) I can imagine a host or manager with a tape measure to make sure an adult pays the right amount for a child—or maybe there’s one of those size guards for suitcases that are at airports. (I’m sure there’s just a stand that’s marked off.) And as for that leftover charge—look: I can bring my own bag.

I’ll have to visit the Chicago outpost, at 2162 S. Archer Ave.

—I like Micah: Virtuoso pianist and pop musician Micah McLaurin has released the video for one of my favorite songs of 2025 so far: “Satisfied.”

Micah McLaurin in video for "Satisfied." Photo courtesy of Press Here

And if you’re into fashion and costumes, wait until you get a load of Micah. He gives Lady Gaga a run for her money with a couple of the items.

—Dino might: Yeah—after seeing the final trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth, I’m going to see this movie.

—Amazing item of the week: In Connecticut, a boxer (the dog, not the person) was caught on camera saving the life of a French bulldog.

It turned out the French, Yogi, was having a seizure. Reggie, the boxer, began rolling Yogi around the floor to help him get up and not aspirate. Yogi was later taken to the vet and deemed to be in good condition.

Owner Sarah McArdle posted that Reggie “is getting a steak today.” Make sure it’s a wagyu.

—To spell the truth: A 13-year-old from Texas won this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee with the word "éclaircissement," NPR noted.

BTW, an éclaircissement is an enlightening explanation of something, typically someone's conduct, that has been inexplicable. And, no, that doesn’t apply to the president. His behavior hasn’t been inexplicable; it’s just been frustrating, shameful, etc.

—Pope life: Within days of unveiling the first Pope Leo XIV Bobbleheads, the items quickly became the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum's best-selling of 2025.

Both Pope Leo XIV bobbleheads. Rendering courtesy of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

The museum’s best-sellers are Dr. Fauci, with more than 50,000 sold; Bernie Sanders Inauguration Day, with nearly 30,000 sold; and Sister Jean, with more than 20,000 sold. Should you be interested in one of “Da Pope” (as some have called him because of his Chicago roots), the bobbleheads are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order, and are expected to ship in November.

—Sean compliance?: Good lord: I think we all now know a lot more about Sean Combs than we ever wanted to. And as for his sexual exploits, “yuck” is probably the kindest word that comes to mind.

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

I don’t care if he calls himself Diddy, Puffy, P. Diddy, Love or H.R. Pufnstuf, his name is “Mud” in the eyes of many. This trial has only confirmed what I knew many years ago—that he’s a reprehensible human being. I thought he should’ve been jailed more than two decades ago for that club incident in which then-hip-hop artist Shyne (who’s now a politician in Belize) took the rap for him (allegedly). And his children will definitely need therapy for the rest of their lives.

But yet…