Category: Humor

  • Clemson’s Upset: A New David in March Madness

    Clemson’s Upset: A New David in March Madness

    This time of year a lot of folks will get caught up in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Rightfully so. It’s good fun.

    What draws people to the Tourney are the David vs Goliath match ups.

    In case you don’t know, Goliath was a Philistine giant and fearsome warrior. David was a meager Israelite Shepard.

    Goliath challenged the Israelite’s to send out a champion to fight him one on one.

    Dave, with only a stone and sling, took down the great Goliath with one mighty blow to the forehead.

    David the underdog won the fight vs Goliath, becaming the symbol of faith and strength.

    Since Goliath lost, he proved to be the underdog.

    In this time of March Madness, Clemson the underdog 5th seed, just lost to McNeese State, the mighty David.

    Sorry, but David hasn’t been the underdog since Goliath fell. The expression needs to change, as should the narrative.

    “Can David continue down the path of righteousness and hold his place as the proven Champion or will over matched, over sized Goliath find his redemption”

  • Why I’m Never Really Retired: A Personal Journey

    Why I’m Never Really Retired: A Personal Journey

    More times than I think it would happen I am asked if I am retired. Most times I will say something like “I own two businesses but have flexible hours, working when I want.”  It is a fair, honest answer.

    Yet it is also an incorrect answer.

    I still have my two businesses. Since Covid I have not put forth the effort into either of them I should have, especially since I moved to my current home. I am also the Board President for my self-managed community. I have been doing that for almost the full four years I have lived here.

    Being on the board, much less President was nothing I had planned. I will save that story for another post when I introduce my third business. But I will tell you that being the President of this community has been a full-time job. It should not be, but it is.

    Like most every other adult, I still have adulting to do. Another full-time job. One that pays even worse than being Board President. Cooking, cleaning, paying bills, running errands, making decisions, helping others, and making sure I walk or go to the gym. 24 x 7.

    When I am asked “are you retired” the truly honest answer should be “No. I am never NOT tired.” To re something implies that you stopped something. Being tired is something I have never stopped being.

    In my younger days I fought through it because I was going to work then going out with friends or on a date. I would get up early, stay out way to late and start the cycle all over again.

    Once you get married, have kids, get a real adult job, take on adult responsibilities, when are you not tired? Seems I have not had a good night’s sleep in over 35 years. I am tired.

    I am always tired.

    Last year the best sleep I got was when I went to a movie. Only made it to 26 movies. I had better sleep in 2023 when I got almost 70 movies.

    The problem is not falling asleep. I can fall asleep anywhere. Doctors’ waiting rooms, the gym (those stationary, recumbent bikes can make for good sleeping), my car (when in park). In front of the tv when I am trying to focus. The library. Coffee shops. Airplanes.

    The sleep is just not good sleep. The sleep is just not plentiful.

    I was tested for sleep apnea. I have it / had it. I had surgery to fix things. Was given a CPAP. The surgery did what it was supposed to. CPAP did not.

    How in the world can anyone sleep with an engine running next to your ears while wearing a mask with a long hose? Every time you move, the mask comes lose and it whistles like a rusty harmonica. (Tried that for a month. No sleep was had.)

    Yet I am writing this post today after getting up from the sofa at 11 PM to go to bed. Getting to bed around 4AM. Falling asleep about 7AM and giving up on the concept of sleeping at 8:30 AM.

    I do not drink any caffeine. I will not use any sleep aid (I take something today; I will still feel dysfunctional for the next three. Heck, so dysfunctional that I could be a GOP Congress person or Elon Musk).

    I am tired.

    I wish I was re-tired. It would mean that at some point I was not tired. If I was not tired, it means I must have gotten sleep. After sleep, I had a full day and retired.

    Oh, well maybe I just need to

    (Sorry fell asleep)

  • The Contradictory Nature of Winning and Losing in Sports

    The Contradictory Nature of Winning and Losing in Sports

    This is the time of year where winners and losers are both celebrated and scorned.

    Losers:
    Notre Dame Fighting Irish – College Football National Championship
    Buffalo Bills – NFL AFC Conference title game
    Washington – NFL NFC Conference title game

    Winners:
    Ohio State – College Football National Championship
    Kansas City Chiefs – NFL AFC title game
    Philadelphia Eagles – NGL NFC title game

    People love to give Notre Dame a lot of static since they have not won a national title since 1988 . The fact that they have won 13 national titles means nothing to those that hate Notre Dame. Since it has also been 36 years since their last title, even their fans are not a happy bunch. For winners, ND is labeled losers.

    (Fun Fact: Yale has the most college football national championships with 18. Alabama has 15, Princeton 15 and Notre Dame has 13).

    Winning matters it seems, but it all depends on when you win and what you consider winning.

    The Buffalo Bills made it to four consecutive Super Bowls; 1990 – 1993. No other team has had such a level of success. They can clearly call themselves the greatest team in the history of the AFC. Yet, they have no Super Bowl victories. A Josh Allen quarterbacked team is now 0-4 against KC in the playoffs. This level of success will never erase Wide Right. It also won’t erase losing 7 additional games to teams that were clearly just better than they were (Dallas twice, Washington, and KC).

    The fact that Buffalo won 93 games during their SB streak and being one of the top 4 teams during their run in with KC just doesn’t matter.

    With all their winning, Buffalo is not considered winners.

    Washington made their first NFC Championship game since 1991. Today they were considered winners.

    All Kansas City has done the past 5 years is win. Today they are labeled losers, cheaters and credit for their success is given to the refs and a rigged NFL. With all their winning, they are losers.

    ND lost one game after a 13-game winning streak and put $20 million dollars in their bank account. They are losers.
    Buffalo continues to be one of the best teams in the history of the AFC.
    They are losers.
    Kansas City wins and wins more.
    They are losers.
    Washington has been garbage for over 25 years. They lose a playoff game.
    They are winners.

    In a world where losing makes losers, when winning makes losers, and losing makes winners I do not think anyone really knows what a loser is.

    I will tell you what a loser is. Someone that does not think. Someone that does not show up. Someone that makes no effort. Someone that does not care.

    Approach life with the idea that you will do your best every day; you are winning.

    Do not listen to the noise. Pay no attention to those that criticize your efforts.

    Chances are that the people doing most of the complaining and finger pointing are the real losers.

    Win or lose, as long as you are trying, you are winning.

  • Trump’s First Day: A Groundbreaking Administration or a Failed Promise?

    Trump’s First Day: A Groundbreaking Administration or a Failed Promise?



    On Monday, January 20th, 2025, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. The event takes place inside the warmth of the Capital Rotunda.

    If Trump does what he says he is going to do, his first day in office will be groundbreaking. The day promises to be the most successful first day of any President’s Administration.

    By 11:59 PM, January 20, 2025, Trump claims a massive deportation program will be instituted. People will start heading back “home.”
    “On Day One, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out,” Trump said at his Madison Square Garden rally on Oct. 28

    Mind you, if he were to do this, it would be impossible to do in one day. Even if done over time, prices would spike. Supplies of foods, other goods, and services would diminish. The U.S. Economy, now the strongest in the world, would collapse.

    “On Day One of the Trump administration, I will terminate Kamala’s insane electric vehicle mandate, and we will end the new green scam once and for all. The green new scam will end,” Trump said at a rally in October.

    With Elon Musk telling Trump what do to, this will not happen. Musk will not allow Trump to crash his financial wealth and security. Plus, there are already hundreds of permits held for oil and natural resources. These permits are not being used; it helps keep costs up, supply in check. Trump could open the entire US for drilling. Wouldn’t matter. No one is going to be drilling unless it is to sell found resources on the open, international market. The benefit to the US consumer? None.

    Trump said at a rally in September, “The moment we win, we will rapidly review the cases of every political prisoner unjustly victimized by the Harris regime. And I will sign their pardons on Day One.”

    More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the attack on the Capitol. For the party of law and order”, allowing 1,500 convicts free does not seem to be a very just decision. Just because a Convict is President, does not mean every other convict should be walking the streets.

    Trump said he would end the War in Ukraine, AKA the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Trump has no power or authority to end the invasion. He would just hand everything Russia wanted to his friend Putin. That is not happening because the rest of the world would not allow it.

    He is already starting to reverse the promises he made to his voters. Eggs will not be free. Groceries will not be cheaper. Gas prices are up based on the market knowing he is taking over. His own history shows he won’t close boarders. Mexico will fund nothing.

    Besides, how could he get all those goals accomplished? He is going to be busy waging war against Panama, Greenland, Canada, American Democracy, the Middle and Lower classes and the US Constitution?

    The people voted a clown to office. Now we get to welcome the entire circus.

  • Effective New Year Resolutions: How to Succeed

    Effective New Year Resolutions: How to Succeed

    From Oxford Languages
    Resolution
    Noun
    1. a firm decision to do or not do something
    2. the quality of being determined or resolute

    From Thingstomthinks
    Resolution
    Noun
    1. a the action or inaction someone takes or doesn’t take once every December 31st
    2. the unrealistic promises made with high hopes. These promises are often broken soon after every January 1.

    Most every day we all see something in our lives we want to change. Most every day we vow to make those changes. Most every day nothing changes.

    Yet every year, usually December 31 everyone will make a resolution to do something. Exercise, lose weight, eat less, read more, spend less, save more, go out more often, drink less.

    The intentions of these resolutions are fine. Self-improvement, better health, a happier life are all good goals.

    Yet these New Year Resolutions almost are always broken by noon January 1. Why? January 1 is a holiday so people are home eating, drinking , nursing headaches and many gyms are closed. Mainly because we just didn’t feel like starting.

    We can all keep resolutions. Just not New Years Eve induced resolutions. You can not make changes just because your free United Way Wall Calendar rolls from one year to the next.

    For a resolution to be a powerful tool, a commitment that you can live up to. You must be of sound mind, body and spirit. Nothing we aren’t ready for is anything that we will embrace, no matter how well intended.

    If you spent time thinking about changes you want in your life, great. I encourage and support everyone who has a dream for a better, fitter, healthier life.

    Make a plan. Set a goal. Decide on the actions you are willing to take. Determine a schedule you can live with.

    Most importantly, accept that you may miss your goal, may have set backs. Your journey will have ups and down, highs and lows. It’s okay.

    The only resolution you have to make is one you can live with. Something for you, set by you and embraced for all the right reasons.

    It’s 12:03 and I hear the sound of half-hearted resolutions breaking all over.

    I won’t start mine until January 2. I have potato chips to eat!!

    Happy New Year.




  • Ted Mosby’s Love Story: Insights from HIMYM

    Ted Mosby’s Love Story: Insights from HIMYM

    In 2005 a witty little sitcom called “How I Met Your Mother” began its 9-season run.

    The premise of the show was simple. Ted Mosby, using flashbacks, was telling his two teenage children how he met their mother.

    During the nice year run, Ted and Robin had a will they will, won’t they relationship. Throughout the 9 years, Ted and Robin did and they did not.

    The real focus of the show was sharing one man’s journey. That journey? Ted finding the woman that would become the mother of his children.

    Each episode was focused on Ted, Robin, Barney, Marshall, and Lilly. Ted shared stories about the shenanigans he and his friends experienced. He talked about the trials and tribulations they endured, all in the name of love.

    The last season focused entirely on Ted meeting his soon-to-be wife and getting to the altar.

    The very last episode is what has caused much strife in the HIMYM universe.

    SPOLIER ALERT!!! If you do not want to know what happens, stop reading.

    Ted marries The Mother. The couple have two kids. The mother dies. Ted asks Robin on a date.

    The outrage!!! After 9 years of will they or won’t they. After 9 years of “who is the mom”. Ted FINALLY meets the Mother, she dies, and he is back with will they or won’t they Robin.

    Many people felt betrayed by the show. People were angry that Mother was only in a handful of episodes; angrier yet that she died. The audience exclaimed, “What a waste of 9 seasons!” They were frustrated to end up with the woman Ted met in episode 1.

    I was not one of the small-minded angry mob. I knew and stand by the fact that the name of the show was “How I Met Your Mother”.

    The show was not called “My Long, Happy Life With Your Mother”. The show was not called “Let Me Tell You About The Ups and Downs of My Relationship With Robin”.

    The show was called “How I Met You Mother”.

    That is the exact story Ted told to his kids.
    That is the exact story Ted told the audience.

    Do you need to be mad at a TV show? Be mad at “Lost”, they were all found.

  • Must-Watch Rankin/Bass Christmas Specials

    Must-Watch Rankin/Bass Christmas Specials

    Top 10 Rankin/Bass Christmas Specials

    Although everyone has their own family traditions, there is one that most share. That tradition? The annual viewing of the Rankin / Bass Christmas Specials.

    We all have our favorites. We all have different criteria for what makes a Christmas show a favorite. For me, it comes down to three things.

    The emotions I can still get when watching.
    The memories that get stirred up when watching.
    Great songs/s.

    Sure, story, plot, character matter, but in the end, we all want to feel and remember at the holidays. Rankin/Bass certainly bring the memories.

    Here is MY list of the top 10 Rankin/Bass Christmas Specials

    10. The Leprechauns Christmas Gold
    Art Carney, Ireland, and Old Mag the Hag. It is a winner.

    9. The Stingiest Man in Town
    Based on a Christmas Carol, musical.

    8. T’was the Night Before Christmas
    Sort of a Fievel does Christmas. If you know, you know.

    7. Nester, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey.
    Biblical overtones featuring a donkey with Rudolph-like characteristics.

    6. Jack Frost
    This is perfect for those that want their Hallmark Holiday Movies in stop-motion.

    5. The Little Drummer Boy
    A tad serious. The most biblical. A case can be made that it is depressing.

    4. Frosty the Snowman
    There are continuity issues, but Jimmy Durante keeps it top 4.

    3. Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer
    Read my post on Rudolph. I am kind to keep it in the top 3. I just know how much it means to so many.

    2. The Year without Santa Claus
    Heat Miser and Snow Miser win the day. Although the rest is a bit of a slog.

    And the Number 1 Rankin and Bass Christmas Special

    1. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
    No better songs in any other B/R production. There’s Always Tomorrow For Dreams To Come True and Put One Foot in Front of the Other leaves a mark. Plus, Burgermeister Meisterburger. For the cherry on top, Mickey Rooney, Fred Astaire.

    Do you not like my list? Share yours!

  • Reevaluating Rudolph: A Critical Look at Holiday Classics

    Reevaluating Rudolph: A Critical Look at Holiday Classics

    Growing up I had the opportunity to watch all the holiday Rankin and Bass specials.  Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was always a family favorite.

    My siblings and I would put on our PJS. My mom would make pop-corn. My dad would sit in his chair reading the paper.  For one hour we basked in the glow of 27 inches of television glory. The holiday spirit filled the room. Our excitement for Christmas ramped up to a 10 on the HO HO HO scale.

    When I had kids of my own, I made efforts to share those experiences with them. I wanted to make memories with my own kids. I tried to recreate the spirit of seasons past, just with a bigger television.

    Yet as an adult I realized something. What an awful group of characters make up the cast.

    Examples:
    * Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was a petulant brat.
    * Donner was an awful father who made no effort to hide his shame and disappointment.
    * Mitzi was a subservient wife who refused to stand up to Donner.
    * Hermey was cruel. He practiced dentistry by pulling the teeth out of the Abominable Snowman. The snowman represented no harm at the time his teeth were removed.
    * Yukon Corneilus was a representation of corporate greed and participated in crimes against humanity.
    * Santa Claus was a selfish, inconsiderate, intolerant ass.
    * Comet was a typical win at all costs coach.
    * All the other dear were jealous bullies.
    * The toys on the Island of Misfit Toys all needed therapy. They needed to grow some confidence and develop some self-worth.

    Clarice, along with King Moonracer, were the only characters with redeeming qualities.


    What lesson is a child supposed to take from this Rudolph Story?
    Feel like you don’t fit in, so run away?
    Don’t want to do what is expected of you, so take it out on others?
    If someone doesn’t live up to your standards, bully them. Make them feel worthless until they do hard to self or others?
    Anyone with a unique characteristic isn’t worth having around UNTIL you can exploit their gifts for your own selfish gains?

    I get it. You watch Rudolph and see a plucky Reindeer who proves his value to the community that mistreated him.

    I watch Rudolph now and see a bunch of a holes who ostracized a newborn deer. They rejected him because he was different. They changed their minds when they discovered they could use him for the same thing they hated him for. 

    I want to see the happy in Rudolph again. Now that I have grandkids, maybe I will.

    I will not be holding my breath.