Hoop dreams An exciting first week of the NBA season just makes me wish harder our new arena was getting looked at for a basketball team instead of a hockey franchise. —Brock Radke
I have met the enemy I went to Slate’s homepage recently and browsed about a dozen headlines on things that matter. Then I clicked “How electric eels really kill.” If real journalism dies, now you know who to blame. —Erin Ryan
Capable substitute Trevor Noah: A month in and the new Daily Show host proves he’s snarky and charming. I’m won over. —Mike Prevatt
Oil change Now that it’s cooler out, my once-liquid coconut oil has returned to a solid state, marking summer’s true end. —Kristy Totten
So Scrooge me I dismissed the Christmas-tree displays in local stores, chalking it up to the fact that some might need a few weeks to save up for that $4,400 Cashmere Pine. But red cups at Starbucks when I’m breaking a sweat in a light sweater? Too soon, guys, too soon. —Mark Adams