Weekend Wrap 1/18/2026

Each weekend, I like to pause, reflect, and look back on the past week. This isn't a deep dive or grand reflection—just a quick review of a handful of things that brought me joy, made me think, or challenged me.

Music

Soen came to my attention with their second release, Tellurian. This was the heyday for Tool-like bands. It had been years since the last Tool album, and Soen was one of the batch of bands aping aspects of Tool's style.

For good or ill, Soen quickly developed its own voice. Given my ambivalence toward Tool's music over the last few decades (Lateralus being their last great, or even good album), I was okay to see Soen morph.

At the same time, they have gradually gotten more safe. And Reliance is their safest album to date. This is a solid slab of 6-7/10 moody and melodic metal/heavy rock. It is also their most consistent album in probably ever.

I've always had to skip songs on Soen albums. This is, honestly, the first album I don't find myself reaching for the skip button. This won't make any end-of-year list for me, but for now, I appreciate a Soen album I enjoy, start to finish.

Movies

This week, on The Middle of Culture, we decided to fill this gap in our pop culture knowledge. This Is Spinal Tap is so ingrained in the societal consciousness that it was fun to experience it and really understand those touchstones.

At the same time, neither Eden nor I found it nearly as funny as we expected. I think that is, in part, due to the time it was made. Still, I found myself smiling throughout the movie, and it was more dramatic than I expected. If you aren't familiar with this movie, it is very much worth checking out. The entire genre of mockumentaries owes nearly everything to this 1984 classic.

Quote of the week

One of the great benefits I have seen in undertaking this Imperfect Practice endeavor is this: many of my weaknesses are on full display.

It also really sucks.

But I find myself forced to reflect on what is working, what isn't working, and then I share that, right out in the open for anyone to see. People talk to me about what they've read. It has had a great power in helping me see where my own beliefs and viewpoints are getting in my way.

There is power in that. Asking the questions. Not assuming we know it all. Being willing to change.

Darwin demonstrated that the species that are most likely to survive aren't actually the strongest. That wasn't what he meant by "fittest". He meant those most fit to change. The better we are at adapting, changing, and evolving (on a small scale), the better off we will be in life.

I'm trying.

Area of improvement

I am a morning person. Probably a good thing, given the whole surgeon career.

I've always been someone who woke up early. I get good work done early in the morning. Or at least, I can.

Lately, my mornings have been lackluster. I wake up early, but I'm not moving with purpose. This is a clear area of improvement for me, and one I am hoping to work harder on in the future.

Wrapping up

This past week was an odd one. I found myself having to fight fights that I shouldn't have needed to. Fights that others were creating out of ignorance or spite or something. Either way, some fights aren't worth fighting.

But some fights are. Let's find the strength to fight those ones.