My iPhone's top 20: End of 2025 edition

It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years since I received an iPod Shuffle for Christmas. Over those two decades, as my music library has grown and has migrated from iPod to iPhone, I've periodically taken stock of the twenty most listened-to songs in my collection (see here for the 2010, 2015 and 2020 lists). In continuing my tradition, here are the twenty most listened-to songs on my iPhone, as of December 31, 2025 (2020 ranking in parentheses):

If this list looks very similar to the 2020 list, that's because it is: my top four most-listened songs are the same (#5 and #6 swapped places) and there are only three songs on this list that weren't on the 2020 list. The lack of change is at least partly due to the fact that I don't listen to music on my phone as much as I used to; for one thing, I don't need to use music to block out office noise because I spend so much time working from home now. Additionally, I lost some of my play history when I upgraded phones a couple of years ago.

1. Ride a White Horse - Goldfrapp (Supernature, 2006, Mute/Universal Music) (#1)
2. That Smiling Face - Camouflage (Voice and Images, 1988, Atlantic) (#2)
3. Home - Erasure (Chorus, 1991, Sire) (#3)
4. Burst Generator - The Chemical Brothers (We Are The Night, 2007, Australwerks/EMI) (#4)
5. Hysteria - Def Leppard (Hysteria, 1987, Mercury) (#6)

6. Sometimes [Erasure/Flood Two Ring Circus Remix] - Erasure (The Two Ring Circus, 1987, Sire) (#5)

7. Dissolve - The Chemical Brothers (Further, 2010, Australwerks) (#10)

8. Thank U - Alanis Morissette (Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, 1998, Maverick/Reprise) (#11)

9. Life Is Sweet - The Chemical Brothers (Exit Planet Dust, 1995, Australwerks) (#8)

10. Dance Hall Days - Wang Chung (Points on the Curve, 1982, Geffen) 

11. Looking at You - Sunscreem (Looking at You: Club Anthems, 1998, Centaur Entertainment) (#7)

12. Let Forever Be - The Chemical Brothers (Surrender, 1999, Australwerks) (#9)

13. A Moment's Shifting - Anything Box (Hope, 1993, Orangewerks) (#13)

14. Lightning Blue Eyes - Secret Machines (Ten Silver Drops, 2006, Reprise) (#14)

15. Dancing On My Own - Robyn (Body Talk, Pt. 1, 2010, Konichiwa) (#20)

16. Destroy Everything You Touch - Ladytron (Witching Hour, 2005, So Sweet) (#12)

17. Primary - The Cure (Faith, 1981, Elektra) (#17)

18. Save It For Later - The English Beat (Special Beat Service, 1982, Go-Feet)

19. A Modern Midnight Conversation - The Chemical Brothers (We Are The Night, 2007, Australwerks) (#15)

20. So Far Away - Dire Straits (Brothers In Arms, 1985, Vertigo)

Happy New Year!

Himeji Castle

Of all the cool, interesting or delightful sights I saw during my travels in 2025, I'd have to put Himeji Castle at the top of my list. Granted, everything we saw during our trip to Japan last summer was amazing, but the Shogun-era castle was truly unique in terms of its history and its beauty.  

Corinne and I took the Shinkansen from Osaka - it was her first experience riding the bullet train - to Himeji, and we then took a short bus ride from the train station to the entrance to the castle grounds. It was very hot the day we visited, so rules prohibiting drinks within the castle were waived (we were actually encouraged to bring water with us during our walk through the castle, which was a kind and thoughtful gesture on the part of the staff). The castle grounds were enormous, with many interactive exhibits in both Japanese and English. There was also a lot of climbing involved, both around the castle grounds and within interior spaces such as the Main Keep. The entrance fee of ¥1,050 per person (about $6.70) was a true bargain, given how much there was to see!

Himeji Castle dates back to 1333; the current structure largely built between 1581 and 1618. Although much of Himeji was reduced to rubble by American bombers during World War II, the castle itself was largely untouched. It has withstood frequent earthquakes over its centuries of existence as well.

While the castle structure is original, it underwent an extensive restoration between 2009 and 2016. The Main Keep (the largest and tallest part of the castle) was essentially dismantled and reassembled. The castle's roof was completely restored, its walls were re-plastered, and earthquake-resistant structural elements were added. 

A closer look at the castle's architecture. The castle had to be built with withstand both invaders and earthquakes; that this was accomplished with such beauty is remarkable.

The view from the top of the Main Keep, looking back at Himeji's train station. The top of the Main Keep reaches an elevation of 302 feet, providing spectaular views of the surrounding city. 

A view from inside the Main Keep, showing the centuries-old wood craftmanship. In order to protect the castle's wooden floors, and in keeping with Japanese tradition, you are required to take your shoes off before entering the Main Keep.

Another view of the Main Keep's interior, showing the castle's traditional wood architecture. The Main Keep has seven stories, including a basement. A small Shinto shrine is located at the keep's top level.

The Bizen Bailey (a fortified courtyard) in front of the Main Keep was the perfect place for Corinne and me to take a picture. Himeji Castle was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

A pathway leading to the Taiko (Drum) Tower just outside of the Bizen Bailey. Note the loopholes, where archers or gunmen could fire upon invaders, to the left. Himeji Castle's defenses are impressive, but it was never attacked.

After visiting the castle, we went next door to see the Koko-En Garden. The garden was built in 1992 to commemorate Himeji's 100th anniversary as a municipality and was delightfully serene and beautiful. 

Koko-En Garden is divided into separate sections with different landscaping themes. A tower along the castle's West Bailey wall can be seen peeking out above the trees to the right. 

The castle at twilight, as seen from Himeji's train station. After leaving the castle and adjacent garden, we walked back to the station, stopping at a small restaurant for amazingly delicious Tonkatsu, and then took the Shinkansen back to Osaka. All of our days in Japan were wonderful, but Corinne and I agree that the day we visited Himeji was our favorite. 

Even though my trip to Japan was months ago, I'll be able to enjoy Himeji Castle anytime I want. This is because Corinne got me the Himeji Castle LEGO set for Christmas!

2025 Kinder's Texas Bowl: Houston 38, LSU 35

My marriage may be ruined (such is the risk of marrying into an LSU Tiger family), but this was an amazingly fun game. Houston fell behind 0-14 early in the first quarter but rallied, took a ten-point lead, and then withstood a late Bayou Bengal rally of their own to beat the Tigers, 35-38, and win their first bowl game since 2022.

I don't know who made this graphic, but it's very cool

The Good: Houston's offense. All of the people who contributed to the Cougars' resurgent offense over the course of the season played major roles in this win. QB Conner Weigman accumulated 236 yards passing, 56 yards rushing, and threw 4 touchdown passes - a Texas Bowl record - while not being intercepted or sacked once. RB Dean Conners ran for 126 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown scramble. TE Tanner Koziol caught nine passes for 76 yards and a score, while WR Amare Thomas caught seven passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns.

Once the Houston offense got hot, LSU's defense simply didn't have an answer for them. The Cougars ended the game with 437 total yards of offense.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cougars limited LSU to 77 yards rushing, while notching four sacks and seven tackles for loss. They also forced a key LSU fumble in the second quarter that kept the Tigers from regaining momentum after the Cougars tied things up.

The Tigers threaten to score

The Bad: Houston's pass defense. Playing in place of an injured Garrett Nussmeier, LSU QB Michael Van Buren completed16 of 26 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns. The Cougars had a tough time containing Tiger TE Trey'Dez Green and WR Kyle Parker, who combined for 11 catches, 146 yards and three touchdowns. Watching the Cougars give up a 46-yard pass on LSU's final possession as they attempted a late rally was especially disheartening

The Ugly: Houston special teams. They began the game by giving up a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to LSU returner Barion Brown. Brown almost got away from the Cougars again on a slippery 43-yard return late in the first half. A Houston kickoff in the second half went out of bounds, drawing a penalty. Finally, LSU came terrifyingly close to recovering their own onside kick attempt late in the game; the Cougar "hands team" didn't seem to be positioned well and simply got lucky.

What It Means: Some LSU fans may discount this game because several key Tiger players sat out, including Nussmeier and former UH safety A. J. Haulcy. But SEC fans can't have it both ways; LSU's remaining talent was top notch, they had the Cougars on the ropes early, and came within a nearly-recovered onside kick of winning or going into overtime. This was a hard-fought, legitimate win for Houston.

The Cougar offense at work

The Coogs end the season with a bowl win over an SEC school, finish with double-digit wins for only the tenth time in program history, and (unless the AP sportswriters are completely out of their minds) should end the 2025 season with a top-25 ranking, If you had read the previous sentence to me back in August, I would have laughed in your face. 

The University of Houston Cougars and Louisiana State University Tigers are now 2-2 all-time, with the tiebreaker game to come at the beginning of the 2027 season. The Cougars' next game is at TDECU Stadium on September 5, 2026, when they host the Oregon State Beavers. 

Pete Fiutak of CollegeFootballNews offers five thoughts about the Texas Bowl, while Mario Punete has some excellent pictures of the game action.

Yes, she was still on speaking terms with me after the game. 

2025 American Conference Championship: North Texas 21, Tulane 34

Last weekend, the North Texas Mean Green traveled to New Orleans for the American Conference Championship: beat Tulane, and they were all but guaranteed a spot in the College Football Playoff. Alas, everything that could have gone wrong for North Texas did go wrong. Consider:

• Mean Green RB Caleb Hawkins, a significant part of UNT's offensive attack, was knocked out of the game in the second quarter with an injury. Hawkins led the nation with 23 rushing touchdowns this season; his presence was clearly missed as the game wore on.

• North Texas turned the ball over five times. One fumble occurred on the same play where Hawkins was injured, and a second fumble occurred as a result of a muffed punt. UNT QB Drew Mestemaker, who  threw only four interceptions all season, threw three in this game alone. 

• Adding insult to injury, one of Mestemaker's interceptions was returned for a touchdown on a controversial call - it looked like the Tulane player lost control of the ball right before he crossed the goal line, but the touchdown call was upheld after review.

• UNT's defense had no answer for Tulane's offense. Green Wave QB Jake Retzlaff passed for 145 yards and ran for another 49 yards and two scores. He was not intercepted or sacked. The Tulane rushing offense, as a whole, rushed for almost 200 yards. Tulane scored 21 points off UNT turnovers and did not have any turnovers of their own.

• The Mean Green, who entered the game ranked first in the nation in scoring offense at 46.8 points per game, could only manage 21 points, 14 of which came in the second half when the game's outcome was essentially decided. Tulane's defense kept Mestemaker out of his rhythm for most of the evening; in addition to his three turnovers, he was sacked five times.

The 2025 season was perhaps the best in North Texas football history. Their 11 wins are the most ever in a single season, and they were ranked in the AP poll for the first time since 1959. A conference championship and CFP appearance would have been the crowning achievement to a great year, but it just wasn't meant to be. They now go on to play San Diego State in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl. 

Tulane, meanwhile, plays Ole Miss in the first round of the College Football Playoff. 

RIP Frank Gehry

Another iconic architect has gone the way of all flesh:

Frank Gehry, who designed some of the most imaginative buildings ever constructed and achieved a level of worldwide acclaim seldom afforded any architect, has died. He was 96.

Gehry died Friday in his home in Santa Monica after a brief respiratory illness, said Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at Gehry Partners LLP.

Gehry’s fascination with modern pop art led to the creation of distinctive, striking buildings. Among his many masterpieces are the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Berlin’s DZ Bank Building.

He also designed an expansion of Facebook’s Northern California headquarters at the insistence of the company’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.

Gehry was awarded every major prize architecture has to offer, including the field’s top honor, the Pritzker Prize, for what has been described as “refreshingly original and totally American” work.

Other honors include the Royal Institute of British Architects gold medal, the Americans for the Arts lifetime achievement award, and his native country’s highest honor, the Companion of the Order of Canada.

Gehry, who took advantage of new technologies and building materials to design seemingly heretofore-impossible forms, was already a star within the architectural world before designs such as the Bilbao Guggenheim made him notable to the broader public. As a student at the University of Houston College of Architecture in the early 1990s, I studied his earlier works extensively. One year for the college Halloween party we held a "Very Scary Frank Gehry Pumpkin Carving Contest," whereby students submitted pumpkins carved in all manner of unconventional and deconstructionist designs that mimicked his style. 

His vision did have its share of detractors, however: 

Not everyone was a fan of Gehry’s work. Some naysayers dismissed it as not much more than gigantic, lopsided reincarnations of the little scrap-wood cities he said he spent hours building when he was growing up in the mining town of Timmins, Ontario.

Princeton art critic Hal Foster dismissed many of his later efforts as “oppressive,” arguing they were designed primarily to be tourist attractions. Some denounced the Disney Hall as looking like a collection of cardboard boxes that had been left out in the rain.

Still other critics included Dwight D. Eisenhower’s family, who objected to Gehry’s bold proposal for a memorial to honor the nation’s 34th president. Although the family said it wanted a simple memorial and not the one Gehry had proposed, with its multiple statues and billowing metal tapestries depicting Eisenhower’s life, the architect declined to change his design significantly. 

You don't get to be one of the world's most famous architects by being unprovocative, and to be sure, even I thought that some of his designs were more successful than others. Gehry described architecture as being inherently sculptural; his buildings, with their kaleidoscopic materials and complex geometries, reflect that philosophy, for better or for worse. They will remain here for us to enjoy, even though he himself is now gone.

Time's Belinda Luscombe explores the charming mischievousness of Gehry's work, while The Atlantic's Carolina Miranda argues that Gehry's best works were not his flashiest.

Houston to Rome, nonstop

Si, per favore!

ITA Airways is expanding its transatlantic route network by introducing new flights from Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), marking the first-ever direct route between the two cities. With the addition of Houston, the airline’s network will expand to nine North American destinations.

The Italian flag carrier has already opened ticket sales, with the inaugural flight set for May 1, 2026. The aircraft operating this route will be the carrier’s youngest widebody type, the Airbus A330-900 from the A330neo family.

The seasonal service will begin with three nonstops per week, ramping up to five nonstops per week on June 1st - just in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The service will operate through at least October 24th. 

Simple Flying, which first reported that this service was a possibility last June, explains the logic behind it:

The new FCO-IAH route will improve connectivity not only for passengers traveling directly to Houston, but also for those connecting onward to destinations across the US or Canada. To support these connections, ITA has recently launched codeshare agreements with United Airlines and Air Canada, which are both members of the  Star Alliance. It is also worth noting that the Italian flag carrier is in the process of joining Star Alliance, following its integration into the Lufthansa Group.

I'm always happy when Houston adds more nonstop flights to international destinations, and as somebody who spent a few days in Rome three years ago and wants to go back, I can see myself making use of this service. Hopefully it will be successful enough to warrant year-round, rather than seasonal, service.

One Mile at a Time and KHOU have more.

Houston 31, Baylor 24

The Cougars end the regular season with a road win against an in-state foe. 

The Good: QB Connor Weigman accounted for 322 of Houston's 417 total yards of offense and 21 of their 31 points, passing for 201 yards and a touchdown (a beautiful 27-yard strike to Amare Thomas on the game's first series) and rushing for another 121 yards and two scores. RB Dean Connors added another 51 yards and a score: a 1-yard run with 1:57 left to put the Coogs up for good. Houston DB Mark Stampley II intercepted a tipped Baylor pass in the endzone, and the Cougar defense forced a Baylor fumble late in the 1st.

The Bad: Houston took a 24-9 lead in the 3rd quarter, but Baylor quickly scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter (including a 31-yard touchdown pass from QB Sawyer Robertson to Josh Cameron on - ugh! - 4th and 9) to tie things up. 

The Scary: Baylor RB Caden Knighten had to be carted off the field after a nasty on-field collision. For what seemed like an eternity he lay on the field, apparently unable to move, but he was later reported to be alert and able to move all his extremities at the hospital.

What It Means: The Cougars end the 2025 regular season with a 9-3 record, including a perfect 6-0 record in road games. One wonders where this team would be now if they hadn't blown winnable home games against West Virginia and TCU. 

The Cougars now wait to find out which bowl they're going to and who they'll be playing.

Brad Towns discusses how the Cougars took a huge step forward in 2025.

#25 Houston 14, TCU 17

For the second time in as many home games, the Cougars play bad, boring football and lose to a team they probably should have beaten.

The Good: The Houston defense forced four TCU turnovers, three of which (two interceptions and a forced fumble) were caused by defensive back Will James. Late in the fourth quarter, the Horned Frogs had an opportunity to put the game away but were stopped cold by UH linebacker Latreveon McCutchin on 4th-and-1. If you had told me before the game that the Cougars would hold TCU to 17 points and end up +3 in turnover margin, I would have expected a win. However...

The Bad: ...the UH offense sputtered the entire game and only managed to put 14 points of their own the board. QB Connor Weigman was a mediocre 15 of 29 for 161 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, and the offense only converted four third downs in 17 tries (five UH drives ended in three-and-outs). The playcalling was unimaginative and at times baffling. TE Tanner Koziol, who has been one of Houston's most effective offensive weapons this season, was absent for much of the game.

The Ugly: Kicker Ethan Sanchez has been pretty reliable this season, but he was 0 for 2 on field goal attempts last Saturday, including a 38-yarder late in the fourth quarter that would have likely sent the game into overtime.

What It Means: Any remote hopes the Cougars had of making the Big XII Conference Championship Game ended with this loss. I still have faith in Willie Fritz and I want him to succeed, but I'm beginning to have some questions. Why does his team come out so flat after bye weeks? Why is his offense so conservative? Why has Connor Weigman appeared to have taken a step backwards over the last several weeks?

This game was such a disappointment that afterwards I had to go over to Rice Stadium to watch North Texas beat the Owls just to get the shit taste out of my mouth.

The Cougars end the regular season with a trip to Waco to play Baylor this Saturday. 

The Cougars: two steps forward, one step back

Between a convention in Portland, Oregon, a visit from my brother, the Veteran's Day holiday (I took some time off to make a long weekend out of it) and other obligations, I haven't gotten around to writing about UH football for the last few weeks. Hence, another three-in-one update:

Houston 24, #24 Arizona State 16: A rather delightful upset of a ranked team on the road! UH quarterback Connor Weigman rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns, and passed for 201 yards and another score. The Houston defense, meanwhile, recovered the game's only turnover and kept Arizona State out of the endzone for three quarters. The end of the game got kind of sloppy, as the Sun Devils rallied from a 0-24 deficit to score 16 unanswered points and were threatening to tie the game, but the Houston defense stepped up to stop the late threat.

The Sun Devils didn't look like they were mentally prepared for this game. They were playing without star receiver Jordyn Tyson, but that doesn't excuse them having a player ejected for targeting, missing two field goal attempts, or being flagged for 12 penalties.

Sadly, after the game, it was announced that Houston Strength and Conditioning Coach Kurt Hester had lost his battle with cancer. 

#22 Houston 35, West Virginia 45: Speaking of teams not being mentally prepared for games, Houston came out flat against a 2-6 West Virginia squad and suffered an embarrassing loss. Fortunately, not a lot of people were on hand to see it. (I knew attendance for this game was going to be lousy because it was an 11 am kick - the second one in a row - on the morning after Halloween. There's also the gameday experience at TDECU Stadium, which Ryan (correctly) says is "not good.")

Connor Weigman had his worst game in a UH uniform. He was responsible for four turnovers, including a pick-six everybody in the stadium (except him, apparently) could see coming. Houston's defense, meanwhile, simply could not stop the Mountaineers' ground game, surrendering 15 first downs on rushes and 246 total yards rushing. The most pathetic moment came when WVU QB Scotty Fox, Jr scored on a 34-yard scramble on 4th and 4 because the Houston defense was clearly confused but didn't think to call timeout.

All in all, a game that was supposed to be dedicated to Coach Hester's memory turned out to be a dud that ended Houston's weeklong stint in the top 25. 

Houston 30, Central Florida 27: This was only the Cougars' second win at Central Florida all-time, and they certainly made it more difficult than it needed to be. Weigman's struggles continued, as he threw three interceptions including another pick-six. However, he also threw two touchdowns, including a 64-yard bomb to Amare Thomas. The Cougar rushing attack rolled up 210 yards against UCF's defense, and Ethan Sanchez was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal tries. 

Houston's defense did their part with some interceptions of their own: linebacker Latreveon McCutchin had a pick-six, and the Golden Knights' late attempt to win the game ended when defensive back Kentrell Webb intercepted their desperation pass in the endzone with 11 seconds left to play.

What it Means: The Cougars are now 8-2 and again ranked in the top 25. I'm not sure they're really worthy of a top 25 ranking at this point, but this season has otherwise exceeded all expectations. 

The Coogs were off last week; they host TCU at TDECU Stadium on Saturday for their final home game of the season. Luckily, it will not be another 11 am kickoff.

The end of the penny

Last Friday, the one-cent coin, better known as the penny, met its end. After 232 years of production, the final penny coins were struck at the US Mint in Philadelphia.

In its prime, the penny wielded outsize influence: Tossed into fountains, it could answer unrealized wishes. A penny saved was a penny earned; it was pinched, pressed into loafers and placed on graves as a way of honoring the dead. Offered for one’s thoughts, it could elicit two cents, doubling its return.

Caroline Turco, assistant curator of the American Numismatic Association’s Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, said that whenever she spies a penny on the street, she still thinks of the rhyme, “Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck.”

So mighty was the penny’s sway that legions of sales pitches would rely on marketing psychology built upon its mere absence. Why shell out 10 dollars when you can pay $9.99?

The penny had remade itself multiple times over the years, succeeding a one-cent predecessor authorized by the Continental Congress in 1787 and designed by Benjamin Franklin until the mint's creation in 1792. Made of pure copper, it featured a woman with flowing hair, symbolizing liberty.

Its name reflected the country’s colonial roots, a derivation of the British word “pence,” which the American founding fathers disposed of along with the English monarchy. 

The one-cent coin is the oldest coin minted in the United States, having been in circulation since 1793.  But they've increasingly become worthless over time. Nowadays, you can't buy anything with less than a heavy sackful of them, and if you show up at McDonalds with said sackful to pay for your Big Mac you're likely to be kicked out of the restaurant. Given that fact, as well as it cost almost four cents to mint each one-cent coin, it was well past time for its demise.

This isn't to say I don't understand the nostalgia involved; I'm old enough to remember penny gumball machines, which is to say I'm pretty old. But I can't say I've had any use for the coin since my childhood. For as long as I can remember, any pennies I've come across during the course of the day - received as change, or found lying about - would end up in a big jar that would later be dumped into the Coinstar machine at the local grocery store. These days, I hardly come across pennies at all, simply because I rarely engage in cash transactions anymore. A friend of mine said on Facebook better than I could: "bye bye, coin I have not used in decades."

The penny is not going to disappear - there are still something like 300 billion of them currently in circulation. The problem is, most of them are in coin jars, under couch cushions, or in your car's cupholder - not in your local retailer's cash register, which is where they need to be. One-cent coins, in fact, continued to be manufactured for as long as they did because of what The Atlantic's Caity Weaver calls the "Perpetual Penny Paradox:"

Most pennies produced by the U.S. Mint are given out as change but never spent; this creates an incessant demand for new pennies to replace them, so that cash transactions that necessitate pennies (i.e., any concluding with a sum whose final digit is 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 or 9) can be settled. Because these replacement pennies will themselves not be spent, they will need to be replaced with new pennies that will also not be spent, and so will have to be replaced with new pennies that will not be spent, which will have to be replaced by new pennies (that will not be spent, and so will have to be replaced). In other words, we keep minting pennies because no one uses the pennies we mint.

It wouldn't surprise me if, over the course of a given year, millions of dollars worth of pennies are cumulatively thrown in the trash by people who simply don't want to deal with them. Which, if true, is just another reason to stop producing them. 

Kuff has more, as does the NPR's L. Carol Ritchie.