Month: October 2023

Health care, POV - Content Creation, Sports

Pineiro kicks, Bryce leadership, defense come through for Panthers in 15-13 win over Texans

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Pineiro kicks, Bryce leadership, defense come through for Panthers in 15-13 win over Texans
Still an all-time favorite house in Monroe, from sidewalk to second floor, these people are exceptional. Plenty of time for regular football pictures, right?

Pineiro’s missed PAT before half was a matter of concern all the way to end of game. Young’s baptism of fire with last drive was the QB everyone thought Panthers had drafted #1. There were empty seats aplenty this week, 1-6 still looks better than it did in 2022 (or 0-7).

There’s a justifiable feeling of euphoria in Charlotte after Bryce Young’s first comeback win (22/31, 235 yds/1 TD) as a Panther. Noooo doubt about it being a total team win. The defense backed the offense when it faltered – a strip fumble by Jackson, a Burns sack – and how about a tight end catching a touchdown pass (Tremble, 1 yd.)! Add three more field goals, 24 in a row, for Pineiro.

Proposition bets were Panthers +3, over/under 43.5 (-112), and I definitely took that. Young was moving and throwing accurately today, and with the constant blitzing he’s gotten,that’s progress. Lets say his approval rating is markedly higher than before the bye week.

That #offensive lines are discussed regularly until they’re not for a good reason, the Panthers are still being discussed.

Young’s performance vs. Dolphins wasn’t bad either: 23 of 38 passes (60.5%) for 217 yards and a touchdown, with a still decent 85.1. Nothing spoke of panic. The first two scoring drives of the day worked smoothly, Panthers got a gift score with pick six off Dolphin’s QB White for a respectable 42-21 final score. Overall Young got a chance to drop back, assess, and throw plenty for a full, prime time game. Plus, he didn’t turn the ball over, and minimizing negative possessions *does* adds up. 

Was yesterday make or break?

ONE PLAY, with a blitzer blowing through a block, Young shakes him off and makes *killer* throw to sideline, Thielen with tipppy-toes in. Even if no score with a failed 4th and 2, that’s doing the deed. Isn’t it great to have a definite #1 receiver, and somebody to throw it to him?

–10/30/23 Subtract 55 yards of sacks from Young’s QB rating (to 180 yards) if you want to, he held up pretty well.

Timing for breakout win couldn’t have been better. At home after bye, in pursuit of elevated play for all areas, and OC Thomas Brown calling offensive plays instead of Head Coach Frank Reich was the biggest question coming out of the bye. The Panthers defense has been giving up just under 140 yds/game, gave up only 110 this week.

Chuba Hubbard had 15 carries for 28 yards, but got first downs with short runs during final 15 play, six minute plus drive to third field goal as time ran out. This team might have developed discipline.

Yes, 1-6 is exactly where Panthers were last year. Will #offensive line regain its run mojo against the Colts? Not just being a homer to reinvest this weeks winnings with +2.5 vs. Colts this week, and Under 44 is legitimate too. Return of RG Corbett is the biggest positive https://www.panthers.com/news/for-austin-corbett-after-294-days-it-all-poured-out-in-that-moment-acl-rehab

Frankie Luvu got his citizenship, family attended, and Luvu fills up a stat sheet weekly (12 tackles v. Texans). Still not understanding misuse of Chinn, Burns is still a disruptor, and still not going anywhere. Yes, he’s playing out a 5th year, and having turned down high draft choices last year and up tohe trading deadline in 2023, Tepper won’t let Burns go, although he’ll pay a premium for the delay. No deal could heal that move. Lots of people think otherwise though, https://www.the33rdteam.com/category/analysis/2023-nfl-trade-deadline-why-a-brian-burns-trade-is-worth-considering/

Six sacks as ball security?

Texans D came to play, but ONE PLAY, with a blitzer blowing through a block, Young shakes him off and makes *killer* throw to sideline, tipppy-toes in, even if no score at end, that’s doing the deed. Its great to have a definite #1 receiver (Thielen, >65.5 yds, -130 a DraftKings winner – he had 8/72 yds.).

The Whacking of Quarterbacks 1,2,3 (4,5…)

With a courtesy nod to the noteworthy GOAT Brady, a frequent beneficiary of gentle handling for several years, who has likened NFL protectiveness as akin to playing flag football, only Cousins’ Achilles, as a non-contact injury, is anything out of the ordinary with ‘rash of injuries.’ Stafford’s thumb (we’ll see), Ridder (Atlanta, possible concussion), Taylor (neck) and Pickett (ribs) sound ordinary when Brett Favre strapped it up 321 times without a miss.

For all his supposed slightness, Young showed no hesitation about moving forward in the pocket and throwing on the run. There was a stat with Chargers 6’6″ stud QB Justin Herbert being tied for lead (12) with Josh Allen for batted passes, and he led the league last year. Young is willing to eat the ball on a sack more than just sling it, but 5-6x a game is NOT a great O-line stat for anyone.

Purdy is finding out a little about not always being perfect, Joe Burrow is the best/sweetest thrower in the NFL. Sounds like Minnesota will have a busy week sorting out who takes over for Cousins, who was having a career year. In 2017, Case Keenum went 11-3, with 22 TDs/7 INTs and over 3,000 yards saved the Vikes bacon last time they needed a QB fix who. (Odds wouldn’t be good on Case again. Or Kapernick)

At 1-9, the Panthers +300,000 odds of getting to the Super Bowl (Eagles are +450), with a money line of +164 (bet $164 to win $100). Unfortunately, no prop bet on Panther sacks.

Speaking of those who got the job done during their times in Charlotte:

https://www.panthers.com/video/julius-peppers-hall-of-honor-speech

https://www.panthers.com/video/mushin-muhammad-2023-hall-of-honor-speech

Health care, POV - Content Creation, Sports

A New Normal blog, minus retail microeconomy and Mom in Hospice

by gshorkeyblt22 Comments on A New Normal blog, minus retail microeconomy and Mom in Hospice
Hospice worked the way it was intended for us. Mom ate and chattered well, even gained weight the last two months. I got to take vacation!

Didn’t see the Panthers being 0-6 into October, but on August trip to upstate NY – specifically Saratoga races and a $1200 Monday night at blackjack table – I was physically and mentally feeling brilliant, even happy.

Get some mental health like that when you can. Social Goodness still counts.

A trifecta winner (+230) had me buying dinner wine, and a good night of blackjack didn’t launch a new microeconomy, but I’ve decided to officially rejoin some Social Goodness in America.

Being noticed for haberdashery at 66 was affirming, because dressing well is a Saratoga tradition. I wasn’t a Gatsby costumed dandy, but a definite upgrade from tees and shorts, frat guy reunions with cigars, pork pie hats and horn rim-topped Maui Jims as a standard.

Thankfully, after a year in the closet, muscle memory checked out well golf-wise. I played a lot of shots for nine holes, with two balls and no scorecard on a long, wide, familiar course. It was a perfect 76 degree-two beer TUESDAY (93 in Charlotte) and work wouldn’t start again for a week.

Vacation had a kind of ‘cut-above’ feeling Christian McCaffrey must walk around with (except he’s so modest). He was so damn good here, that 1000-1000 year. He’s looking like MVP material in San Fran (currently +1400). *I* never said ‘injury prone.’

What felt incredibly New Normal enjoyable in late August, became a positive attitude worth pursuing. So I did. Naaah, I’m not retired, more ‘Full time writer and gig economy consultant’ now. #cdtalententerprises #sportswriter

Saratoga has a reputation for social events and haberdashery; I was a dancing DJ at two of Marylou Whitney’s Travers Eve balls in ’90s. This Travers, I went full Hugo Boss blue, lilac shirt, paisley blue-gold tie, great hat and polished shoes trackside. Only took a few, ‘Nice suit’s to affirm the effort.

Myself, 8/26/23 Officially rejoining in some extensive Social Goodness in America

Four Betting Truths – The Value in a Trifecta

  • When there are several equally good horses (3-5- or 2-1 favorites) in a race, its legitimate to try trifecta boxes ($12). Don’t try to figure out two best and win or place bets, take another horse – or hot jockey – that pays a price. In the Alabama, Edwin Rosario (#10) at 14-1 booted home the third place horse I needed by a nose. He won all three times I played him that day.
  • Buy and read the pink sheets, 5 min. to Post Time, they’re a buck. Whomever wrote the thumbnail sketches, at least it gives you a sense of info you lacked before. After a couple races, Saratoga usually has 11-12 races a day, check results – maybe you’ve got someone who knows a little.
  • Always back up your top choices with place bets.
  • Always be glad to buy the wine or split a check with your bro or bestie when you’re even a decent, on vacation winner. Lasagna at Wheatfields and touring a well-lighted, exciting looking city after track was terrific.

Appreciated decent chats with many, let several ladies know how to bet on more than a horses name. Gave one gent Truth #1 above, “…and with those two favorites, I’m looking for value, or my man Rosario.” He thought there’d be something more technical about how to bet, but its still the juice of getting paid for being right.

Definitely a $25 tip for dealer!

Having your judgment affirmed in concrete terms, like this fistful of chips, was stone-cold great. Started with $20 bets, ended up with a heckuva lot more chips, better than ever. I split aces at $175 per, plus $175 second hand and called it quits for an epic run.*Nothing* on my scheduled vacation I couldn’t handle with that much extra $$$.

At legendary Siro’s Friday night, I arrived early, in soft, light mint-green jacket, gray Baker slacks, yellow with blue grid shirt, brown-gold tie, polished shoes, and my Good Hat. Outdoor areas filled up in 25 minute after last race . I had a split of Moet while waiting, then got pulled onto freestylin’ dancing area by a curvy lady in sleek black and a curvy hat.

Neither a trifecta winner at Saratoga nor those purple chips had any impact on ending my retail career at Nordstroms. I had carried a refreshed and winning Attitude forward post-vacation, finishing with eight straight days of getting at least one suit. Cashing chips did involve buying a new basketball, a positive marker I utilize regularly.

Sunshine as therapy is organic and easy. WINNING, gotta say – I also beat my 6’4″ buddy in ’21’ by muscling up on him the last few points – is always better than alternative in my book. Oh yeah! I finished book #2 in August too. https://www.wattpad.com/story/218725526-a-triple-shot-of-karma-platinum-fury-focus

Finishing a book does a lot for mental health, and gaining another $40/hr. gig for my journalistic expertise and creative writing is still the 2023 business plan for this #BoomerwithAttitude.

Yay! I went looking to maximize social experiences a lot on this road trip, and doing more often in Real Life! I don’t imagine I’m the singlular person changing attitudes from defense to offense, socially speaking.

Hospice, more than just end game situation

My mother, Ernel Margaret Shorkey, 89, passed the end of September, and while Hospice is often viewed as an end game situation, my taking her out on warm days to read in gazebo, or morning visits, up until the last week, dropping off flowers, that’s what our family will remember.

Administratively, having protocols in place with Hospice – Mom was a DNR – she had a good relationship with her support staff, we relied on their attention to my loved one.

We’d recently seen an open-eyed Mom, who chatted along for quite a few weeks, I’ve got the videos. The underlying fact of Hospice giving our family time to celebrate and prepare, yes, we lived #NewNormal then too. Being there at the end, feeling she heard us say it was okay to go, I’ll send a moment of such peace to the many who didn’t get that during COVID.

We’ll gather again down in Tampa soon, to bring her back to her people – Mom & Dad Sevigny, her sisters Jo and Elinor, Uncle Frank and my Dad. I had to include Mom here, what a difference a day makes. I got several pieces of furniture, mostly stuff Dad made, plus a two seater couch that unfolds to a bed. I’ll show the video of her thinking my phone was a piece of pie often, all the way to hearing the crunch of her biting it.