Something short and pithy needs to be said about changes to Charlotte lifestyle in three weeks- this probably isn’t that. This is All Souls Day Nov. 1st, with all of Kirk’s great front yard cemetery stuff already put away. Man was giving away FULL SIZE chocolate bars! Loads of kids coming by to TorT, and legend tells of possible adult beverages. Beyond a tall, talking witch robot, and grabbing a full-size bag of M&M peanuts, the highlight was a LARGE, noisy-active, mobile! spider that young Batman *really* didn’t like.
Reality of Halloweenfire pit with a dozen adults on next street over – I opined ‘we wouldn’t be seeing any tear gas in Myers Park’ during chat about Border Patrol coming- it didn’t mean *something* couldn’t happen. A major duplex other end of block, and another biggie build on nearby Forest Dr. E.- no workers since Saturday. Just sayin.’
Yes, two weeks from ‘Hey, Mr. Shorkey…!’ I’m waiting (decently) patiently for paperwork to clear, so I can get trained and back in the groove in the Men’s Suits Dept. at Nordstrom’s. Several years ago I was an expert reporter on microeconomy from there, using my unique POV to judge the rebound from COVID-19 ravages by how many wedding suits, proms, and renewal of general business suit buying I handled in ’21-’22. I’m going to do that again starting shortly.
My first vaxx was March 18, 2021. Coming back from grocery store, I went into a Novant location at top of my street, a supervisor said, “Lets get you stuck,” when I was officially Cat. 5 (not 65) in NC. Twenty-six minutes from parked car to back to house, how could I ever feel closer to being guaranteed of living? 97% efficacy, meaning it walks the talk about being super-effective, at the time I called it the greatest service imaginable.
For more than six-eight months at Nordstrom from Fall ’21, all employees wore masks, most of the customers did too. We were aware of personal distance, in an industry when/where trust was at a premium. I mostly wore one, though in an empty dept, I went without. I left retail in 2023, the great awakening or whatever, dissatisfaction with all previous norms vs. feeling Special.
I use that Attitude in lead chapter to non-fiction, half-finished, projected $2.99 wisdom online book (working title) ‘DGUYDJ: Don’t Give up Your Day Job,’ which is what *everyone* tells you/any other dreamer along the way. The ‘Welcome to the Real World’ 15 pc. Graduation card-puzzle I’ve got going on Etsy, that’s going to be killer for $8.95 (+ $2 shipping) this spring. Yes, work the microeconomy people.
I’m 5x vaxxed now, and 100% as thankful a particular previous manager left *two* VM while I was in Durham last weekend, doing a quantity of Fall earth-moving and hacking down with old friends (Kim insists on livable wage, $300 for 11 hrs. all projects done spit-spot), about landing in a Men’s Suit dept. opportunity. And now I’m waiting for the paperwork and timing for training, with the hugest retail time of the year at hand.
FYI- As someone whose role is to help people get what they want, I am excellent at determining what that is. Being of service 1:1, I appreciate Maverick’s line about new ‘target rich environment.’
Really good salespeople don’t forget service aspect
Really good salespeople don’t forget that customer service aspect. Until someone signs, or slides a card, you are suit selling to get paid, but IMHO, I’m less an hourly guy, more a professional, hanging skins on the wall with satisfied people guy for foreseeable future. I’m literally going to be the closer, meaning late shift.
Okay, its a bathroom shot, but Hugo Boss blue me & fedora wound up $1200 ahead at blackjack. Still calling it skill, but closer to lucky than this clutch Job Offer.
During post-COVID ’22, I did plenty of business in last hour, even last 20 minutes of shift. Often guys were just taking a shot coming by, weren’t sure anyone would be available to help. I’m going to rate current state of affairs as much more positive than back then. Manager said dept. is half-million ahead of budget, I like my chance$, will mention gratitude feelings next Thursday.
Lucky? Supremely qualified is more accurate. Thankful? Like the Carolina Panthers to be on righteous side of .500 and looking for the REALLY Good Things to keep happening. A Monday Night game against 49ers? Hooo-boy! Better get our groups Christmas trees unloaded FAST. The Panthers defense should know to buckle up tight with CMC in town.
Right place and Time
People know LOTS of items might not be available, almost certainly more expensive everywhere for obvious reasons. What I’ve seen in department visits seems a little pricey compared to Oct. ’23 (when I tried self-employment again), but apparently $795 for unstructured-no shoulder pads sports coats is very much where things are in late ‘2025. Suits over $1,000, Canali will be more, younger All Saints stuff in Suits area might surprise. I’m betting its still a great alterations group, we should charge more for really tight turnarounds.
Springsteen moans about the feeling of Why me/them? for living through bad times like ‘Nam- back in Suits isn’t that dramatic. The retail industry has manpower challenges in this economy, but I *was* #1 rated guy for same situation last year, when they didn’t add anyone during usual Fall-Christmas time. Appreciating how a specific manager has me ranked as #1 pick based on best practices, its not the NFL, but at least its not Cleveland.
I’m still a BoomerwithAttitude. While I hunkered down a little during early reign of relative presidential terror in America, marched twice, and took a 22% Medicaid cut, at 68 I’ve got a regular paycheck on the way, and while SNAP was necessary last year, I can buy those more expensive groceries, even periodically get a bag together in car to provide for others- as an individual whose been there. Vaxxed, check with a comma, threat of homeless handled well – a Great Suit Feel to end of 2021
lol Did I recently make any promises regarding this? Well, my criteria for making changes went beyond just cashing a 4-legger on FanDuel, I’ll tell you that. Didn’t anticipate Bryce Young slinging it all over the stadium, but I was sure taking any points to back Panthers, and WHOW! Don’t overlook the obvious (or promised) when Good-er Times show up, right?
Yep, its a different ‘tude in Charlotte- definitely not liking thug aspect of Border Patrol, guys wearing masks we like have Carolina Panthers logos.
While I still like ‘Smarter than the average bear Writer’ as a brand, I will watch the checks stack up in the bank and call it Righteous. You the Man, Marquelle.
Sorry, I don’t do many selfies, but if *nobody* got my strutting to entertainer John Eisenhart’s version of ‘Bad to the Bone’ at 50th Reunion, where has our national penchant for wanting to capture *everything* to somehow overlook me & The Hat? Pete Z., you’re a standard-bearer for Forever Young Boomers. John N. great to hear your running-career story re: teaching/sports marketing. Mini! and Linda N., Danny Smith’s date Janie and a visit to FL..? Jean Tafler+, carry on Good Woman and Actress.
Yes, a good time was had by those present. Can’t argue with that. Yeah, Linda and John Zampella are still looking that like fine wine aging deal.
With tennis racket and ‘letter jacket,’ Jock & Journalist
Lacking great hat from Reunion, I’ll sub-in Queens Cup Steeplechases post-races ‘Hotwalkers Ball.’ Blue-blue Bugachi shirt with yellow, multi-color Garcia tie. lol The folding, heavy wicker antique chair was a great prop, except at dancin’ time.
Friday evening was a successful warming up about possibly identifying faces, at ‘Horses (rear end logo)’ on McClellan. I gave Belle Waddington an early AttagalPerson! for the communications and getting a group together. I styled a suitably colorful Tommy Bahama shirt with Hugo Boss blue jacket, Nantucket Red faded pants with sneakers, varsity L with racket, vintage Steffi Graf G200 (small head!) racket slung over shoulder, and yes, The Fab 50th Hat.
On Saturday, Janelle R., another primary org asset for Class of ’75 reunion, (I’m smiling) caught me just *after* they took group picture of Central Park people who went to Linton – but that’s inadequate to explain the lack of coverage for Saturday night reunion gear. Yeah, yeah, sounds like a diva, but maybe its just Colbert. Given that EVERYBODY has a camera now, if somebody captured my dancing, send it along please!
Okay, everybody liked the fedora with bead of ’50’ medallions, and light key-lime green, soft Panama jacket with splashy blue-blue Bugatchi shirt and outstanding yellow-multi-color Garcia tie as Ukraine sympathy symbol plus ‘dancing shoes.’ Nothin’?
Brother David came in a tux- but I did that for 40th. Mini! & Melissa Schein- ?, thanks for dancing near me. YAY! to Tony Malitzia for a welcome report about Bob Massaroni’s heart and him doing well two years after transplant.
LOL Alex Chrys, though not in attendance, donating a second hour of open bar was welcomed by the 90-odd 1975 grads and significant others. Food was finger stuff, all of it tasty-desirable and no mess. Chuck Mohlman says he never chewed glass off a cracked glass at one of those early college year returns to Schenectady, so memories become maybe rumors others buy into. Could have been Comely… Brother David indeed told the story of a Sunday morning tackle game with college-HS buddies, messing up a 3″ wet snow Linton field before ’75 Election Day game vs. MP. Ooops.
The only thing un-great about whole reunion event was the speeding ticket at end of I-88 going home, but ticket wrecking my super-Attitude for the trip? Uhhh, I got ahold of a guy and its working out) I’ve loved checking the mileage and point-to-point-and back, and LeShork wasn’t only one running hot the whole way. Zoom-zoom,12.5 hrs., appreciated thinking time and rock & roll tunes back to Charlotte.
Politics didn’t really come up with anyone I talked to, Dave Ryan’s slant on local control and open to all ideas for better governance in Denver vs. Dem & Rep rules and attitudes, more power bro. Almost exactly zero Charlie Kirk, and (Army Major) nephew gave me straight-up, kitchen-level to locked in believer in him as representative of military, every reason to believe nothing exotic was going to come from star-level officers being assembled from around the world. (On Fri., agree True dat.)
No posing a threat, military would never be stupid about bending any (bleeping) knees. Other than FUBAR, stoic silence worked good by me. Just sayin,’ can bad guys track ‘US Importants’ easier after Hegseth’s 1500% (that’s good, right?) failed rah-rah?
Tennis worked out Great!
No golf or racetrack this time, but got out twice for tennis with my brother David, discovered whatever discomfort I sometimes get in right wrist (yes, I’m officially old, but a fact, not complaint) doesn’t cause actual pain except with mishits when I don’t set up right. What *seems* like a rejuvenated right shoulder meant a LOT better serving than hesitant previous time.
Having played long enough, you can assess what doing wrong/right, and I’m giving a month-plus worth of Tibetan monk circulatory assist exercises on YouTube credit for shoulder strength. There was no throwback clanking in shoulder from major 2020 bike accident. I actually placed serves with pace, gave Dave some trouble. At sixty-eight, out of the tennis closet and ready for Fall leagues in Charlotte!
I’ve previously mentioned how the Central Park courts where I played growing up, and where a big time former event OTB Open was held before the US Open, were end of street and through woods- whole operation is currently dug up. I’m smiling about early days on local backboard, high fencing and balls still making it into often muddy area behind.
It turns out, running has helped bone regeneration in Dave’s left leg, and since last year, he’s played regularly with a buddy. This was first time in years I’ve done more than pound a wall, hitting with ‘live ammo’/spin/location, I’m gratified about the results. Bicycling has kept me within five pounds of best rugby weight (188) for 35 years, tennis is an important social addition. I’ll gladly play doubles there than plock! plock! I can hear from a block away at Myers Park CC pickleball courts. How quickly I’m regaining muscle memory on groundstrokes with pace, yay!
Marking the Difference, 50 years and Always, Family & Relationships
Been there, done that, got the cards to prove it.
I’ve barely written anything solid for most of two weeks, just taking in the social uptick vibe (Come on, Janie!) I count getting invited to Panthers terrific home victory vs. ATL before making 800 mi. trip up on Mon. 22nd in my positives, feel no great sadness NOT seeing more than flashes of New England game while chowing wings (12 meaty ones for $15!) at bar from Reunion on Sunday. Saw that bang! bang! scoring in second and didn’t worry about it further. Laura was the bomb on service, FULL pours on wines and brews at Horse’s +logo was noticed.
That second quickie set of tennis before my heading back Tuesday 30th, and lunch + extra time with Aunt Carol, whom I hadn’t visited in years, cousin Joe staying for a beer Friday, and our scholarly professor-dude nephew (and ex-rugger) Spencer making *excellent* exotic natural mushrooms! pizza was better than prowling Saratoga. I drove by the old house on Lakewood, otherwise soaked in the family/familiarity of life in David and Donna’s house I helped build, before moving to Charlotte in 1995.
Two small kids in cellar was a rare treat, just walking (and crying after long travel upset sleep schedules) was first time seeing as great-uncle. I had small gifts for them, a super-colorful umpire’s coin for heads-tails, and a 100 year old book of childrens tales for future read-alongs. Its obviously way ahead of four-year old AJ now, just following at this point is a start. I’ve always been an advocate for kids reading and writing programs, no reason to fumble the opportunity for passing along a Special old one. https://cdtalententerprises.com/2019/06/28/well-delivered-messages-work-wonders-at-all-levels/
Stephanie said they’ll find a place to bring along a Santa Claus with sack full of teddy bears-ceramic statue I painted decades ago as family gift. Legacy? Wellll, sure hope so. We all know about favorites, Curtiss has been mine, the only one I really put to sleep at night. My mantra for him: Give up the ball early on the 2-1 break, you should get it back. Hit it to their backhand until they prove they can hit it back. His video games and watching an array of dials was probably more applicable Army training.
Doing some smaller stuff with good intentions, it still counts. I’ve choked up a little at times when I describe walking two blocks to a bookmobile, parked in the bank parking lot *every other Friday* during early reading years. Yes! I read ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,’ and ‘Robinson Caruso’ too. Profile in Courage and Mark Twain! A ton on Monument books, they let me get as many as I wanted. When 7-9 of us guys at St. Helen’s vied for reading volume, Hardy Boys as often as Franklin W. Dixon cranked them out, and individual quiz A’s (20/20 or they had a better A) yeah, we felt like a pretty smart bunch. High school wasn’t like that.
I admit feeling realistically elite more completely as a three year-Journalism Person than HS Jock I faux-projected with tennis racket and varsity letter Friday. Honest George, you reminding me about McKiernan and Journalist of Year award, which my brother Mike received the year before, does bring back a Whaaaat? memory. Guess I was happy enough with unexpected Sportmanship award for Swim Club.
Still think there should have been more group input on the vein of cursive writing through yearbook by Liz. Just sayin.’ Nobody asked about her and a tennis finale-the Sports Banquet, so I only told that story once.
Class Scribe, Maybe
JOURNALISM and producing a documented, award-winning product every two weeks, that’s truly meant something all these years, and 1st Amendment free speech is HUGE by me. It was lots more than yellow hall pass elitism back then, more like Ray Patterson and WE created some Journalism history at Linton. Isn’t there a John Carter wing of Schenectady HS? I was an enthused and legitimate part of the huge post-Watergate Journalism major group (double major with Business/Marketing) and still consider myself a writing resource in several areas (sports wagering), but yeah, three days of paste up with Bundo was a standard. Good memories for Brian Pollock as a J-man.
Oh for the glory of the grade! but all too soon the glory fades. He who works, gets the credit, he who doesn’t, also gets it. So if and when you get an A, chalk it up to Ray’s Fair Play. -Having a decent RCP signature wasn’t necessary, neither was a date for pass. Our reading list included a lot of Vonnegut. You know ‘Player Piano’ was about GE, right? Yeah, sometimes we took tests, Writing and certain faded jeans was enough for A’s. GShork, Editor- I ramrodded two issues in 10 days vs. 2 weeks as Editor. Bless me for majorettes piece Karen- just sayin’…Karowe, Alper, Syracuse Convention, Hungry Charlies, borrowed pencil from Nazareth girl. Big poker winner, wicked hangover.
There’s no telling how much longer I create as a Writer (nail lid on…), perhaps next book is just a particularly Inspirational Woman for a legend-in-his-own-mind Romance Writer away. I can imagine that working…
Keyboarding is MUCH better than typing, but thanks to Mrs. Eidens and ability to effectively transfer ideas and facts into production/sometimes a living as an admin. Pasting in a specific paragraph and tapping ‘Print Pages X range’ vs. retyping all 9 affected is a God-send for editing.
I mentioned those parochial school years- my folks paid PUBLIC SCHOOL TAXES *AND* extra tab at St. Helens- and top guys like Rooney, Trumble, Ryan, myself, we didn’t care how or what the girls were doing, we judged ourselves absolutely at peer level. While invoking a particular favorite teacher- who also trained all of us as altar boys- and often allowed for second ‘right’ answers if argument was compelling evidence you’d been paying attention, fellow Linton grad AnnMarie DeJohn Kinzel stated flatly Saturday, “No, we girls didn’t do any negotiating extra right answers with him.”
Ahhh yes, different times. The geek captured on my first Linton ID (1972-73), but with Mr. Dieck’s big black signature covering most of me, is an ancient mystery to me . I think there were seven guys I played Pop Warner football with in Saturday group. Bob Houlihan, about PR writing and that Hartford project…? Did I hear that Steve Lussier is some kind of great surgeon, or was I mixing that with Scott Grayman not making it *because* of surgery? Thanks for the drink Mike Osborne. Nate Manley still looks like yearbook photo, which was Christ-like with bandana. Cagnina tried to grab my hat during some pictures, sorry, not happening. Danny- oooo! A *serious* date.
Just for rounding out some Catholic school stuff, 1) I was definitely better prepared/ahead when I changed to public school in 8th grade. Instead of excelling because I knew the material, I sloughed off. We can’t afford to let public school education be buried by a lack of resources. 2) Not too awful long after I left, maybe still in high school, one of the nuns from 6th grade and a priest left together for a different life. Just sayin.’ Oh, never stole hosts, drank wine, or got molested.
My brother Mike and I were also first altar boys ‘when things started changing’ in Sixties, to NOT wear cassocks and surpluses for Mass. Priest came in, said, “Don’t worry about those, you guys look fine,” and out we went. I still wasn’t aware of Vietnam except totals of casualties that was on Nightly News. It was essentially Kent State where myth, “We don’t shoot protesters in America” FACT was destroyed, at least when white protesters got an uncomfortable blast of Reality.
Knowing about that, with armored-up and mask-wearing, heavy ordinance-carrying, National Guard troops in our streets despite a specific Constitutional law against that, means negatives can happen. Stay frosty and strong America, and may the 3.5% Rule start kicking in soon. (fyi- Its about people in the streets)
If there’s a sense of What’s Next after a 50th Reunion, thats probably natural. Having fully participated in the national crisis that was Vietnam for so many, it passed over us as the North overran the South- when they understood US Air Force wouldn’t bomb the shit out of them- Spring of ’75 senior year. There was HUGE violence besides war, which We, the #BoomerwithAttitude I still cop to, still believe we’d FIXED with civil rights all around and ecologically DOING BETTER back then to survive. This constant rending/debasing of all that for politics sake just doesn’t square.
Is that the hill you want to die on? First Amendment- Actually, Yes
If the bottom line is still, ‘Is that the hill you want to die on?’ we’ve seen some awful times along the way. Part of the Boomer ‘tude is “Our music was better,” and no matter what its called, its what they play *loud* in every arena in every non-game situation, along with participation stuff. Sometimes I’d prefer to just talk about game situation or whatever with person next to me.
Maybe next year I’ll officially register as a cranky old man based on that. Right now, I’m ready for a Fall season of tennis. The serve is Quality, cagey veteran stuff, I’m back into social swing and competitive. I trust the military to keep being serious about what Now and 2026 looks like. I’ll do my part, third time as Precinct Judge (D) on Nov. 4th in Charlotte.
My mantra remains, ‘Never let it be said I didn’t do the least that could be done,’ especially for youth reading-writing programs. I believe I have a God-given talent for putting ideas into good form for various reasons, and failing to utilize that Writing strength is poking Somebody in the eye. There is still a Passion Project with a STEAM Academy and READ Charlotte, maybe you’ll hear about child artwork, Aesop’s Fables like-read along book.
In real estate years ago, the word was never talk Retirement with Boomers, the Forever Young. Hence, the rise of 55+ communities with lifestyle choices. We Boomers will always own Man on the Moon. I recently put a Graduation Card/15 pc. puzzle project on ETSY, just sayin’ Creativity isn’t age specific. My niece is finishing a last semester for an art-related Major. We all know its a mo’fo’ of a job market, oohhhh BOY! is it ever. Best wishes to all, my Good Week-plus of calm and camaraderie (gotcha Dave Ryan, and same Goodness for long walks with Hank, Dave’s border collie) for 50th was worth the effort, may you peeps help these Next Couple Gens survive.
Have to admit, I haven’t been subjected to that slack-stare thing so many mention about ‘this generation’ too often. On LinkedIn conversations and general discussions, engaging is still about active communications, and I am great 1-1 from sales and interview situations. I concur with opinions regarding those inter-personal skills vs. reliance on texting. Just sayin,’ ain’t thrilled with AI or (bleeping) Miller neither.
WE can’t 100% rely on the courts to maintain ‘order’/all craziness that continues to crop up, but that’s material for another day, along with something like disappointment by Carolina Panthers and New England. 31st year for them and myself here, they still get benefit of the doubt for the season.
Post-a significant mental respite around 50th reunion trip, now done and done, where and what should become an extension of ‘Many Quality Experiences’ for the Now of 2025? Think I’ll check out that Springsteen flick. Best Ever Luck: Got offer of $100 ticket same day for BRUCE! *local* after 25+ years. Memorable 3 hr. concert during Great Recession, paid over 2 paydays.
Congrats again to the whole Class of ’75 Reunion org group for getting things so right for two nights. I’ll have memories way beyond that single event at end of I-88 (still making it back in a VERY solid time, 12.5 hrs), and I got a guy on that. Jean Tafler, no, we didn’t really intersect long ago, but such good communicating while hanging out- thanks so much for chatting at length. Melissa Schein, enchante! Will it be possible to encourage some e-mail or regular addresses/best practices, I wanted to send couple ‘Welcome to Real World’ puzzles to worthy attendees.
*Hopin’* somebody has a video slice of my stylish behavior to send along, and I *know* I was in front ranks for outside pictures, surprised myself about not taking any…
Best of thoughts to all, may Success, Love, and BoomerwithAttitude wisdom continue to light your steps. What’s in the cards, I dunno.
#BoomerwithAttitude is still on tap, no great sympathy for those creating chaos with external meddling AND, even though nobody asked, willing to quantify what’s on my overall plate.
Getting in three full 10.5 mile rides on X-Charlotte Trail over 8 days is legitimate #1 on Count it! physicality. Haven’t done over thirty mile week in a year, stubby tires mountain bike is a challenge. Riding as reward factor for writing Monday ‘Resumes’ piece that included Gene Hackman and me, I’m positive about pursuing the right opportunity.
Getting a *great* haircut from Desirous was a clutch decision about feeling shaggy for an important presentation. No kidding, Looking Good and Old School tactics like ‘Being there’ are still difference makers.
Bike riding is my very quantifiable, long-term asset for physical confidence, and counting positives physically at sixty-eight is a legitimate good habit. Staying on fun and firmness brings lots of people out to share the well-maintained pavement with. Ride in 74 degrees and sunshiney NC afternoon, then Food and NCAA hoops watching was overall Saturday Reality. There’s plenty of tense going around, I’ll be for more tennis – not ignorance, choice.
Yes, I admit loving how the Canadians, calm and clear Trudeau, excellent hand-off of a small crisis to New Guy, still stuffing trump every shift (hockey term) of news cycle, making it clear its not about hating US, but Tariffs- Elbows up, damn straight! (AND PAY YOUR ELECTRIC BILL, EY! notice is coming from Ontario soon…)
Four more with Good Reasons, ey?
A physical release in optimal weather is a deserved time-out reward, so take credit for doing something necessary, important, or Special. Including ‘Me’ in the company of Hackman and NFL QBs in Monday morning LinkedIn article was being seriously happy about a ‘specific and terrific’ cover letter I’d sent about a challenging EA administrative role.
Adding in the killer haircut and not-worn-often-enough-lately charcoal suit and sweet, coral-colored with ducks tie, presenting myself at their local HQ with additional quality examples of my written communications expertise, was a solid, Old School doubling down Tuesday. Since the HR person is now a LinkedIn connection, I’ll point out that ‘Resume’ piece shortly. Call the total effort #2,3 on good things accomplished.
#4 Mint Museum, Wednesday for Freebie Night
Over my thirty years in Charlotte (same as Panthers), you’d sometimes hear, ‘But there’s not so much cultural here (or bagels stiffness, or crispier crust..).’ My response is ‘There’s a coffee mug for that, ‘If its so important, GO BACK!’ -3/5/25 GShork story to new Charlotte person Brittny, touring the Mint Wednesday, *plenty* to appreciate on three floors.
I decided on visiting the Mint late last week, and arriving 6:20, strolled three floors and multiple galleries for 90 minutes. Perhaps not demonstrative proof of culture, but I defend those exceptional aspects like the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (which played for Pavoratti), does four wonderful June concerts behind SouthPark Mall and Christmas events downtown; regular Broadway tours at The Blumenthal, and culture *does* includes TWO Mint Museums and a Bechtler.
That literary park with Authors signs, sounds, fountains across the street is a treat to show visitors every time. Just sayin.’
I only gave away two CDTalententerprises cards, one to Brittny ‘without an A’, a favorite kind of memory hook clarifier, me being a two N Glenn. She said she was a newbie to Charlotte, we walked and talked, plenty of other participants to share opinions with too. I came back for her when I found something unique-r, and I’d be pleased if Brittny uses the good information that’s found on my good-looking card.
I have a tux & I know how to use it.
Clothes make The Man? If not now, When? Compared to mid-week usual, Styling a black felt hat that keeps getting noticed, Dad’s brownish-green hounds-tooth jacket, green shirt, antique-unique tie, tuxedo pants, I thought I might even drop in someplace afterwards. Wound up 100% satisfied as imagined with a self-guided event.
There were MUCH more display galleries in this Mint Location than I imagined. I’ve been in Charlotte long enough for this to be third iteration with Mint name.
There were a significant number of younger people as a category, nice mixture overall.
As I conveyed to an LI connection afterwards, networking has always been a strength, I have plenty of confidence in talking to others. Sports writing background and sales, Q&A has always been my standard, and after two full years WFH, I’ve missed that aspect. If not Great Expectations, engaging on Art is do-able.
I’ll get around to describing a microeconomic situation at Nordstrom’s in my ‘Don’t Give Up Your Day Job’ non-fiction book, but having a bit of artsy background, and being historically gregarious, Wednesday counted as a terrific reboot, new Social Goodness as an easy to achieve priority.
#5 – Opportunity to be of Service – Good Thought, it worked out
While I declined a nomination for Club Secretary in February, somebody else stepped forward during actual elections Friday for our community Mens Club meeting, so while I rethought taking the post (4x previous) because certain long-term organizational knowledge might be a clutch difference in success, guess we’ll see. More actual good PR for solid, long-time organization continues with Fridays annual Fish Fry. As a #BoomerwithAttitude, I’ll keep that communications/leadership club in my bag, use my five wood more in the Spring Captain’s Choice.
OKAY – Create a 700-900 word blog on a regular schedule – 1st of three on Monday, check on new habit, Week Two. Quantified, specific. Just me.
Looking good for NYE always counts, but even Daddy Warbucks cut couldn’t save Panthers from a shaved monkey effort vs. JAX
Nobody is likely to say it out loud and proud, Charlotte area sports fans are having a crisis of belief in local teams. That the Pistons lost 28 in a row is only a distraction to our own situation (5-27). There’s Fields doubters and another #1 pick possible in Chicago, both NY teams, with $45M Rodgers and Zack the Unloved, plus Danny’s $40M ACL, are bigger deals, Discomfort with sub.500 in Charger-land with strong armed Herbert, and gutless-cheap leadership? We got a guy doing double duty here!
Cleveland? Yeah, $92M into Watson deal, still something seriously wronger there QB-wise, but congrats to Flacco and Brown’s defense.Patriots? (Bleep) Belichick.
Truly, a great many teams are dissatisfied with their football prospects this late in their seasons. Hey, they’re barking about playing bad for real in Philly, and Kansas City too. That 7’4″Wembanyama kid in San Antonio, getting 18.9 pts., 10.3 rebounds, 3 blocks, and Spurs are 5-27. Forty, maybe sixty more pounds, he’ll be the second coming of Ralph Sampson.
Saturdays dinner date seemed to hedge her approval on my acceptance of her poor USC (5-7) Gamecocks, so losers are everywhere, not just Panthers.
Chicago must’ve felt the love, at least they sent thanks again for officially gaining Panthers 2024 #1 overall pick – and of course, for DJ Moore having his best day ever.
Does the last game matter?
While a considerable number of teams are still technically alive in the NFL parity world, #MrTeppers$$ took an unkind swerve with what’s inevitably going to be labeled a #TepperToss while at game in JAX. Feeling foolish, maybe a little thin-skinned DT? Sure seems like it. Gettin’ whupped 26-0, with half-dozen sacks to finish out the Panthers 2023, some trash-talking Jax fans might push your buttons.
Whether Mr. T has become introspective about previous meddling as adverse to Successful Football Operations, or he still wants to ‘pair’ coaches is still in question. If Detroit’s Johnson was close last year, that $15M-plus payday could be real, but who feels good about a non-expert Boss standing on their turf? Evero will probably stay on defense vs. assume HC role, but as noted before, Sportwriter Guy me being wrong about every turn for three years, we’ll see.
Last games matter because its what everyone gets plenty of time to remember, players and fans, and coaches. People still say, ‘Cam didn’t reach for that ball!’ in the 2016 Super Bowl. In a 2-14, slow train wreck season, with busted expectations aplenty, players still want opportunities to do better. If your contract is up, can anything done *today* keep me in memory of those who might still have opinions about my playing anywhere again? Do Zack Wilson or Ken Pickett wish certain things hadn’t been said or confirmed about playing time?
Ask Russell Wilson how it feels to get benched for his last games in Denver, so he doesn’t get dinged! and Broncos wouldn’t be allowed to cut him to save a $54M contract year in the spring. Will Brian Burns *still*put himself on the line one more game without a new contract? Will Panthers defense want to mess with Mayfield getting a rich contract in Tampa? Could be a pride thing both ways.
Ask a long haul COVID sufferer about an old axiom about what fails to kill us only makes one stronger, 2-14 losing is bad losing. Steve Wilks got major credit for 2022 team‘sintestinal fortitude, amping fan interest, an effective, run-oriented offensive line, and team cohesion. Wilks was stiffed by Tepper, another choice is necessary, so WhoDat? in 2024.
–1/2/24 Glenn S. And Everybody wants who? and how much? so that’s where the betting sites are going overtime.
How many Oles! does Fitterer have?
Having admitted that Sportswriter Me left the sackcloth wearing and moaning to others most of this season, the question in bullfights and management moves is slipping the sword behind the animals strong neck to end things, hopefully with the elan-deadly seriousness of a matador. We’re talking about #GM Scott Fitterer now, because the talent level, albeit with a surprise or two, isn’t comforting to many. How many Oles! might be fulfilled by someone besides ‘the guy who wants to be in on everything,’ will be part of 2024 considerations.
I only caught pieces of the Jaguars game, was thrilled that the Kung Pao sauce I tried with chicken/broccoli stir-fry, and a bold California red from my arrived-for-New Years shipment from Nat Geo wines, was so tasty as a working lunch. Just my job to see the slog before the blog. No pressure to produce in the immediacy of a blitz like Bryce sees, a late, ugly crumbling by the Panthers just a feeling to be noted.
The good game against Green Bay, that last-gasp 33-30 loss, might have meant something…but no, goose egg.
I could afford to be civilized – a good game on another channel wouldn’t be a problem. Still had wine and good kung pao, no throwing laptops required. Brother and I later opined about relative calm of Mr. Richardson’s generous spirit over 25 years of Panther ownership and community, compared to the number of flawed, expensive relationships since Tepper. It still sucks he got run out, Daniel Snyder lasted 20 years.
Are we super aware #MrTeppers$$ supercedes all else over six years of ownership? Nope, just regular aware, and aware of his $875M Rock Hill facility deal blowing up too. I’m actually wondering who’d take the job here (Just please, not Belichick!)
Loserville? Check the numbers
For those who desire major league baseball here, an established and beloved team like the Hornets – rescued to some degree by Carolina hero Michael Jordan (who got paid off LARGE, and given an attaboy!) for trying so long with this franchise – the Hornets seem financially incapable of fielding a quality team. That said, there’s no real option for a bigger baseball stadium , and the $$$ for a lineup to fill a 45,000 seater with a *competitive* team would require *real* deep owner pockets for half of 162 game season is a fantasy. What new management can do about fanning interest for Hornets is also in question.
For seven years and 364 games, the Hornets led the NBA in attendance 7x, essentially sold out (capacity 23,819). Charlotte lost its team because Mecklenburg County taxpayers said NO! to a new arena for owner George Shinn. In 2022-23, their regular season average was 17,123 per game, (89.7% of 19,077). Now, LeBron sells out.
The sellers-scalpers don’t come down on prices for Steelers, Cowboys, Giants, Packers games at BOA. but even with a cheap flight and two overnights in Charlotte, the economics of tickets here aren’t a problem for those fans who can’t get tickets back home. Fans leaving at halftime because they have a 4:00 BBQ, *that’s* a problem.
Panthers (2-14) Still tough to believe Tepper yanked plug on Reich mid-season. Was there consensus on 5Ws of coaching hires, or BRYCE?
Hornets (7-23, 13th (of 15 in East) Scoring 110.6 ppg, allowing 121.4 ppg. This hasn’t been your Dad’s Hornets for a long time.
Knights Baseball (International League, 18-56 in 2023, 29.5 games out)
Charlotte FC (10W- 13Draw-11L) in 2023, 13-3-18, 42 pts. in 2022 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_FC. (Hiring 3rd coach, same as Tepper with Panthers last 3 years)
Give the Queens University Royals Mens team some slack for 6-9 record in second season of Division I basketball, but 0-8 on the road. Games on 6th, 10th, 12th.
Easter, 1995 was when I decided to move from upstate NY to Charlotte, NC. My folks came up from Tampa for their 40th anniversary, youngest bro David and nephew Curtiss and I drove down. It was Chamber of Commerce weather, we golfed on the 9-hole course where The Cypress senior community is now. On Memorial Day I made the jump, never had any regrets.
‘Lifestyle’ is much different since landing at #gshorkonsharonroadseam in late-2021. A lot of Americans were on the move, pandemic constraints changed renting. My retail efforts are in a micro-economy where selling suits is my specific window-POV to report on. 2023 was my best earning year in the last five. I was under-withheld, so paying Fed taxes at about 8%.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to be of service to my 89-year old mother, whom I brought two Lindor chocolate eggs and purple flowers to after church. Sending pictures to my bros is very affirming. Starting my 29th year in Charlotte, New Normal for lifestyle is steady, and creatively, #BoomerwithAttitude is still legitimate.
#gshorkonsharonroadseam is location, and suit-selling as micro-economy.
Saturday and Monday were both above average, a target-rich environment with another three-Bugachi shirt buyer ($160-180), a product I personally pump. Very few people are blinking about $650-$850 sports coats.
— Me, on Monday, after I dressed down to jeans, black sweater, sneakers vs. usual suit-tie, and did $3,400 sales in 6.5 hrs. Three guys bought the first jacket they tried on.
Need something for the Queens Cup Steeplechases?
There’s a mauve, hyper-light Peter Millar displayed in the department, and my current favorite intro for anyone around it is asking about the QCS in two weeks (April 29th). Several people have commented they’ve heard about the event, but never been. I give a quick social rundown, including my own wearing of a blue-on-blue Bugachi shirt, yellow Garcia tie, and antique Ferrari hat last year, skipping the seersucker jacket because it was extra hot.
One of the axioms of sales is people buy from those they like and trust. I’m certainly interested in helping others, *everybody* likes getting needs taken care of, and in my methodology, customer service starts with good information. Take a couple through how the slim cuts (Boss, Baker, Victor) fit differently under arms, presenting that good-looking, pebbly feel blue blazer in 38-short (sleeve length), while suggesting they consider a terrific social event costs ZERO. I think of it as ‘best practices.’
What Woman isn’t ready to help her guy find something gooood to wear beside her for a day of horse watching, drinks, big hats and short skirts, and this person says he’s been five times and NEVER had a bad day? Socially, I always look forward to it, and I’m sincerely willing to tell others about the ambiance and the Hotwalkers Ball while he’s trying on the small, black/blue window pane Ted Baker ($695) or Jack Victor. Win-win. Tickets https://www.queenscup.org/tickets/ .
Expecting to continue my streak of fun outings at #QueensCupSteeplechases on 29th.
Putting a jacket on the guy, versus letting them wrestle into it after whirling overhead, is always a positive. *Every*single*female* likes it when I say, “Guys often buy a suit and immediately want a white shirt, time out on that.”
Even if people are jogging through, a lookee-see, pointing out we have plenty of Peter Millar sports-shirts is a no-brainer. Everybody likes Millar, and digging a little for what someone might want is the Q&A that makes me a good consultant.
–Glenn S., 4/14/23
Panthers, still on our minds
The #Carolina Panthers will have the #1 pick in upcoming draft, and gaining the franchise level quarterback they’ve desperately needed is a soon to be fact. All the expected candidates will check 98% of the boxes, some pundits will note that (except for Jaylan Hurts), neither Ohio St. or Alabama has produced a great pro QB recently.
The lowdown on #Carolina Panther fandom:
That Super Bowl year so many remember whenever discussion of Cam’s current situation comes up, until the Panthers thumped Dallas 31-14 on Thanksgiving Day to stand at 10-0, many residents of the Buckle on the Bible Belt weren’t believing their team could make the Super Bowl.
That said, getting a #1 pick again, with a semi-clear path out of football purgatory, people have expectations. Belief will take a lot longer.
Few expected Rhule’s rudderless teams to be better than average, but that’s Past now, right? Panthers front office has earned nothing but league-wide respect, ending the dumpster fire of last couple years. Panther Pride? You betcha. All Tepper flaws forgiven? Hey, its Easter, lets go with the spirit of the season.
There’s a house in Monroe that is the epitome of Halloween greatness. Our Junior Chamber edition grew to over 150 panels, and single greatest scarer was Jason with a Chainsaw – you could hear it the whole time, you just didn’t know when it would be your turn.
Having a successful Haunted House was great for group morale throughout the run. Documenting the process (Chairman’s Planning Guides) proved early on how necessary the paperwork is in successful companies – the ability to repeat Success is in the details.
I recently took advantage of a community group’s Oyster Roast (Two tickets – $75, beverages free) return to annual lineup of events on Saturday, and a small sigh still escapes when I see particularly well-done Halloween decorated porches in my #gshorkonsharonroadseam neighborhood.
During Junior Chamber of Commerce days of long ago, our chapter (Albany, NY) produced six memorable Houses, all at different malls, with unique setups.
Improving the skills of our members, making them better workers for their companies, capable of handling different situations, was always my organizational goal as Community Development VP. Doing -thons of various kinds are common for many groups, Haunted House was our biggest fundraiser, an All Hands on Deck! collaboration for most of six weeks, involving engineering-hard core construction, planning, food supply, characters, and community-scholastic support.
Many people don’t know that the PGA tour stop long known as The Greater Greensboro Open, was originally a Jaycee project.
This was one of 23 documented projects our chapter worked on, earning three State-level awards, in my Community Development VP year. Having a successful Haunted House was great for group morale throughout the annual run, and documenting the process (Chairman’s Planning Guides) proved early on how necessary the paperwork is in successful companies – the ability to repeat Success is in the details.
Greatest Scare #1- Jason with Chainsaw
‘The kid hit every wall on the way out.‘ Even wiseguys are willing to pay a couple bucks to see how great a Haunted House is, and sometimes they try messing up a good time along the way. The walkie-talkie message “Get this kid” was unnecessary – one-on-one, I never missed a Diss-er.
Looking through the blinds into a blood-splattered shower Psycho scene, the disser was right in guessing there was someone, me, in the area behind the shower, but I knew he wouldn’t DARE open the door to find out. We had a strobe light linked to that door opening, and after waiting an extra couple seconds, kicking it open and charging out with that chainsaw going, it really didn’t matter what I said behind the hockey mask (“Not so cool NOW, are you punk?!”). He was crabbing backward until I backed up a step, then he hit every wall in second half of the House running out.
It was the topic of much discussion at pizza break, who had gotten that kid, and its always been a point of pride, keeping my Never Missed rep.
Okay, Year Two, when a saucy young girl got similar treatment, she’d just had something to say to three witches, the end of House was in sight, then I boosted myself on a railing, and was about nine feet tall, waving that chainsaw. The girl did a full 3-second movie scream and was GONE.
Group Scare, Nine Pancaked People
7 Girls, 2 high school guys were on floor, 5 characters kept them screaming. Again, Jason with Chainsaw was big factor, plenty of fog machine, mirrored back wall, and strobe were great – I was actually running in place and yelling. While that was usually enough, a bunch of Key Club-ers were also there, and every one (person in grave, Dracula, Frankenstein lurching from a wall, a zombie popping up next to the group) were joyful about having a piece of getting their friends flat on the floor. The two guys who climbed over the girls to escape, LOL.
Best practices learned, #1, 2
While a terrific success financially and creatively, Year One, everybody coming down with wicked sore throats (and still showing up) was an obvious challenge. Wiping down-disinfecting each sweaty mask at every break was the solution forever after. That we’d had *loose leaves and electrical cord* throughout our first House was stunning in retrospect. The setup-walking space was tight, if there had been an emergency, it probably would have been a disaster.
Early in Year 2, the Town of Colonie showed us zoning laws-fire ordinances still needed to be obeyed, when they tore down a nights work of covering the windows in an old Burger King location with dark paper. We wound up having to paint a lot of glass black, weekend days were still a lot lighter, though props held up well.
Amazing how younger kids wanted to come in, but were definitely scared of the monsters. We gave the little ones lollipops or small plastic spider rings to show to monsters “and they’ll be nice.” Parents loved the creativity and energy.
Great Engineering-Construction
FLYING WITCHES!! Having a couple engineers-architect types in the group is helpful in making things work. For the Witches, it was filling three-50 gal. drums with water (counter-balance) and having a supply of smaller HS girls willing to be hooked up and go about 30x a shift. The cable they were hitched to didn’t need to be a steep incline, just keep them moving, and a light flashed on them going past, with the accompanying cackle and witchlike behavior in a 10′ view.
One drawback: A couple times the required ‘catchers’ didn’t do their job, and the witches came through the black cloth at end and crashed into a barrier only 6 feet later. Trying to protect themselves, the girls often came through with knees up, a little something extra to watch out for in the relative dark.
Safety is always paramount, touching isn’t allowed. While residents of Insane Asylum could reach from behind rebar to within inches of passing viewers, nobody grabbed even a school buddy, and no-touch works both ways. Workers ‘inside’ featured rooms have to know escape routes for any emergencies.
FOOD!
Considering the amount of time and personnel necessary for construction, free food is an economic necessity. Because most Jaycees were coming from work, being able to grab some chow on breaks was necessary. McDonalds was willing to have someone pick up a bunch of burgers at specific times, pizza-donuts-cookies-soda were always around. Thankfully, mall food court merchants were always generous, Haunted House was always a traffic builder – kids bring parents with $$$.
Having people on the phones willing to ask strangers for food was a big job, like a constant three person job determining the when and how much we were able to get ahold of for a month of thirty-plus people daily.
COLLABORATION TO THE MAX
Stating that the collaboration of efforts and leadership skills – sharpened in the reality of projects and available for years thereafter – is always going to be my #1 “You should try” advice about Junior Chamber activity, thats REAL effective networking. Having that link, being part of a specific cadre of talents that brought events together for a greater good, that counted in all my professional accounts going forwards.
Often quoted in complaint, ‘Getting volunteers to move the right way is like herding cats,’ isn’t wrong.
The Haunted House construction was always a terrific challenge, with a whole trailer-load of props to utilize, and the screaming and scaring was the payoff. Knowing how great the gig was (again) versus thinking it would be economically beneficial to our chapter was #1 Attitude.
The chapter had lots of bankers (Key Bank), and was a ‘rebuild’ of what had been a 300 member (Metro size) Albany Chapter that divided into three smaller groups. Albany had some history, so being in that initial dozen or so, previous Jaycees now ‘Roosters’ (past age 39) provided direction, and we carried forward. Continuing good handoffs help the community and the helpers.
Yay! for seasonal Halloween scaring, for the houses that decorate, and may there be a Haunted House for the kids and you to enjoy in 2022.
Haunted House tours often began with the Psychic, who told worried kids that she foresaw a time they might use a lollipop to make the monsters be nice.
Third house on Brandon Circle, across street from my apartment. #gshorkonsharonroadseam is a good-looking ‘hood to walk around.
Seven out of last nine days I’ve had a suit or tuxedo sale at Nordstrom’s, and coming out 40% over goal last pay period means there’s no need to change positive projections into March-May.
“Don’t make me put on the black hat…”(great accessory though it is)
Kicking effort to the max – no break, only two people in department, no suit sale competitors that Sunday pre-Valentines Day – and working a terrific split while helping a newbie salesperson with a tuxedo ordering-Hugo Boss suit-sport coat triple play, made a gooood difference in my micro-economy.
SERVICE continues to be my point of excellence, but having some luck always works. Manager pulled off a tuxedo transfer that Monday, which arrived for alterations on Tuesday! and customer picked up WEDNESDAY (a day earlier than promised). He and wife were thrilled, but until I watched Marquelle for 25 minutes on phone Monday, I only knew he’d accomplished it for me before.
Telling my client of his effort, and introducing him as part of the package-difference maker, is good team stuff. Derrick (the new guy) got congrats on first suit ($2600 total) from the customer’s wife, she said he could handle any situation now, her hubby being juuuust a little tough-demanding.
Luck is… The wife-to-be, who handed her guy an off the rack amazing fitof a 44L sport coat, is smile-worthy. Super-affirming to cut the tags off so he could wear it out of the store. (With shirt, $800)
Kyle, an exactly my size 42 Regular, who came in two minutes later, as they announced 15 minutes to store closing. He’d left his clothes for an event at home, wanted a black Ted Baker, which became a first shot ($895) perfect fit – he only needed the pants hemmed. Ready the next day, $0 to expedite it.
–Me, 3/1/22
The Peter Millar Guy
Emphasizing which designers have trimmer side cuts, “and Hugo Boss moves the arm holes down, allowing guys with size in shoulders and arms to be comfortable vs. squeezed” has become part of my introductory patter. #gshorkonsharonroadseam
The pastries and warm coffee for the 8:00 ‘Make you a suit’ session with long-time (45 years) suit guru Rich Biegel were okay, and he’s going to get some immediate business, because recently I’ve been seeing strange shaped guys who need such help.
Biegel gave Nordstrom’s suit people across the organization props for selling a high percentage of suits at full price, which he linked to the perception of service provided, both affirming. Although I wasn’t aware of how popular the line was early on, after months of exposure to sizing guys, differentiating the Millar line as what those who definitely don’t fit in ‘younger cuts’ suits like Baker and Boss feel comfortable in, is obvious now.
Emphasizing which designers have trimmer side cuts, “and Hugo Boss moves the arm holes down, allowing guys with size in shoulders and arms to be comfortable vs. squeezed” has become part of my introductory patter with those buying a suit. It demystifies the more or less question up front. Millar has that touch more size, beyond leanness taken out of Baker, and its a comfortable price point ($650 sport coats, now $895 suits). Canali’s are a clear price point difference ($2,095).
The obvious questions about the cost of such a garment and production delivery time seem reasonably good for special fits. If 25-30% over regular price and delivered in four weeks is to be believed, there’s someone whose shoulders fit in a 48 and the rest of him – that extra tire at belt level, and shorter than average arms – becomes a challenge I’m better prepared to discuss in future. If that someone wanted *several* suits made for him (not custom though), that could be a new layer of business for me.
Tailoring is what Mr. Biegel was essentially promoting, and appreciation for the six people at Nordstrom’s who are aces in the hole for a suit seller, is very real. Working with (or ignoring) certain physical elements makes a difference – while everyone has a small difference in shoulders, Rich recognized my right side was a whole inch lower (bike accident two years ago, I was ‘tore up’), and that would be incorporated in making a suit.
Answers to the obvious question about cost and delivery timefor such a garment seemed reasonable. If 25% over regular price and delivered in four weeks is to be believed, I’m better prepared to discuss ‘making a suit’ with someone whose shoulders fit in a 48, but the rest is a challenge.
When your suit seller knows their business
Holding-helping clients put it on allows ‘seating’ a jacket to best advantage, instead of letting guys swing it overhead, shrugging into it, and doing The Hulk move. Smoothing shoulders can reveal forward lean of shoulder or arm positioning considerations for sleeve most never consider.
Checking the sleeve length (hint of shirt or onto hand), lapels (comfortable or tight in chest), at the button (absolutely), and ‘it covers your butt’ fills essential boxes – the rest is what mirrors, girlfriends, wives, Moms, and fiancees are for.
Lifestyle and safety
Saturday was a day without a suit sale, and losing several hours of possible production – after a gunshot in the mall caused a surge of fast-moving people through our store and closed the mall for an hour – was legitimate. We’ve been trained on getting people in department out the back way, and we cleared customers as expected.
The guard at Gucci not having a holster for his gun was the alleged problem, but not enough employees came back into store to run the registers, so we closed down.
I’m somewhat more concerned about a very real rise in the number of customers and co-workers who immediately stopped wearing masks when the North Carolina mandate expired. Its been a small comfort that it was store policy, given how numbers have risen every time that hasn’t been enforced for last two years. I won’t be wearing anything while cycling the greenway today either – never did.
Tonight will be a meeting of my Men’s Club, and next week’s annual Fish Fry (March 11, St. Gabriel School cafeteria) will be the focus. Our Lenten Fish Fry and our Christmas tree sale have been a legendary thing over 30 years, and this will be our third community event since Thanksgiving. Protocols and numbers sure, but this seems just a little more like what life used to be like.
With fingers crossed for some similar degree of ‘Normal,’ I’m also thankful for the opportunity to bring flowers to Mom for her 88th birthday on 3/1/22. This was first time we (brother Steve and wife, Mere) have been allowed to visit since Christmas.
Now #gshorkonsharonroadseam instead of City View, still smarter than one trick bear
When I move for real, I’ll get myfine, 200 y/old secretary back.
It’s been two weeks since moving out of a (thankfully) no-lease situation, after a hasty must-do decision on deadline in June became a gut-tightening strain through September.
‘Tin pot tyrant’ is the term I’ve used for last landlord, who dropped two – undocumented, so I say unvaccinated – NY/NJ kids in the house’s living room without talking to three residents, not the first reason it was time to move on. (They paid $500 for an air-mattress ‘room’.)
When Jeff taped tinfoil across top of the stove, I contacted an online legal company ($60, renews 30 days unless cancelled, not a good idea), and that night I made meatloaf IN the stove.
Me, 4 days before moving out.
Forgetting to cancel the lawyer would be worse, but I included ‘their advice’ in contacting landlord – texts leave solid trail of evidence, probably good to think like that, especially in pursuing landlords about DEPOSIT MONEY.
Delineate anything agreed on (ie. $30 for new door lock) out of $300 deposit = $270, and my response to “When I collect it, I’ll get it to you,” as a resolution of situation was a clear NO!
Moving as ‘Mission Accomplished’
Started Monday morning about 9:15, good buddy My Do came with a coffee and croissant for me. He saw the taped stovetop, and Jeff was shouting with the kids about them having to go soon, too.
It was painless, in and out without any problems. Stuff out of fridge and cabinet, outdoor storage closet, no dings, vacuumed up. Even went out through keyless entry front door, the one he told NY/NJ kids I somehow broke.
I reserved a 15-footer (U-Haul) because I didn’t want to have to come back. Overall mileage was exceptional – 43 driven included delivering a dresser to another part of town. Total expense – $61, plus $18 gas.
$139.95 for a10x10x7.5 area at U-Haul was almost a bargain. Space is at a premium with that eviction process now a significant factor. I kept the queen-size frame, box, mattress, gave multi-drawer dresser and bedside table to a community group My and I do monthly collections for. Got a note by 3:00 it’d been given for a Vietnamese family of eight, definitely needed drawers.
I took three days in the Pineville Hampton Inn to decompress, love that free breakfast and plentiful coffee. Worth every penny ($351 total), as I finished and submitted my book to wattpad https://www.wattpad.com/story/218725526-with-platinum-fury-focusan hour before checkout on Thursday morning.
Currently residing at Carolyn R’s, with a General Delivery mailing address at the Post Office. Carolyn is a very nice lady, her offering a smaller room in her house, all kitchen access and high speed ‘Net/cable because I knew her from retail days, was another bit of interim moves good luck. Stallings is a short extra drive from the parts of Charlotte I’ve enjoyed most of my 29 years here, but $200 every two weeks is also another ‘soft’ landing in my run along the edge of homeless.
There are a lot of ways to blow cash, but failing to follow up on your deposit is only hurting yourself. Document everything!
Tiptoeing includes Utilities, WiFi
Even with some family assistance about guarantor – because I don’t have any verifiable previous rental history, or 3x monthly rental in income – prices have risen dramatically here in Charlotte, NC. I had a good agent with Alcove helping find places I could get into, but last half-dozen have all gone up $200 compared to what it was originally listed for online. With utilities, that turned a $645 place into $950.
The property I’m hoping/expecting some good news about is significantly higher than that, because its a 2 BR, and located across the street from the Myers Park tennis courts.
First floor, hardwood floors, smaller second BR will become my working office, 680 total sq.ft. Small four burner stove, good shower pressure, plenty of cabinets, closet space is fine by me – agent felt one could hold her shoes. Off-street parking spot, screened room for back porch.
The agent indicated utilities might be $150, and while the building (from 1950s) can have wifi, hooking up to even basic service I require as an online-WFH person at present, is going to push me to more like $1400/month.
Based on the $2800 month income used in Intuit article above, that’s 50% and a 12 month lease is the only option. This piece on Axios Charlotte presents a current situation in Mecklenburg that many won’t be able to deal with. The pandemic hassort of put gas on the affordable housing crisis in Charlotte, as shown in the county’s 2021 State of Housing Instability & Homelessness Report.
Being settled again, even over budget, would be a load off my mind. I’m definitely back in a very central part of the city, SouthPark, and just maybe I’ll get a chance to play golf with Steve, a Myers Park member, or my nephew Ian. Continued best of thoughts for those grinding through the process.
The bad old days before vaccine – brother Mike is retired now, rolling around the country in a 37′ RV, a state of affairs he always envisioned. Having two unvaxxed, essentially homeless people, dropped into my living space isn’t nearly as respectful a situation.
Start with the most important RESPECT
Having sent congrats! to several military people I know (especially you Malitzia) about the Kabul airlift, RESPECT should be the byword for all Americans. By all reasonable standards, a massive – over 120,000 person success versus any ‘debacle’ or stain on our military’s record – should be lauded. Hats off for all who served, in the air, on the ground, or logistically.
As Marine Corp General Kenneth McKenzie said at the time of an ISIS suicide bombing, when you’re in such a defensive posture, you KNOW you are going to be attacked – it’s only a question of when, and how well prepared for it you are. Noting that searching for body bombs like what killed some 60 Afghans and 13 U.S. service people is “a breath on breath,” intimate operation that was a threat every moment of the 17 days it lasted, one ‘successful’ attack was exceptional.
General McKenzie was also willing to credit the Taliban, which constituted the initial defensive perimeter, as being helpful and abiding by what had been agreed regarding the US departure.
That ISIS took advantage of the situation – very possibly using a female bomber that Sharia law prevented Taliban people from touching in the way necessary to detect a personal bomb – was probably a factor. It was detonated when faced with US personnel not restricted in that way is a simple fact, not the overwhelming fault that some Congressional (GOP) naysayers want to paint President Biden with.
The last American out was Major General Chris Donahue, 82nd Airborne, XVIII Corp. (hope that’s correctly delineated). It was NOT the frantic desperation of the last helicopter out of Vietnam when I was a HS senior, more the always messy end of a 20 year mission.
Mask-vax negatives are not a gov’t flaw
Nine months into the deployment of several 95-97% effective vaccines AFTER trump left office – most know the why of that – the United States has yet to reach group immunity (generally pegged at 70%), and the delta variation is overwhelming our health care system.
CHILDREN have not proven in any way immune to COVID-19, especially the delta variant, and mandates from GOP governors that school districts cannot protect them by masking is criminal. Many school districts will fight such mandate restrictions with civil disobedience, but at the individual level, there seems to a YUGE lack of respect for extra caution (see Martin Luther, above).
When I walked into a Novant clinic on March 18th, while still a Category 5 person in North Carolina, I felt I’d been given as close a guarantee to *living* as was possible. After hunkering down for a year, two weeks after a 2nd shot (Pfizer) I was allowed into Carmel Hills Senior Center, where I got to hug my 87 year old mother.
As a bottom line philosophy, I’d considered “thinning out the gene pool” a matter of choice – until it was very probable that ‘those people’ who wanted to deny or spit in the eye of the death-dealing ferocity of COVID could easily take me with them.
That my landlord decided THIS WEEK – his house, apparently he felt no need to consult three bill-paying tenants – to allow two homeless people to ‘temporarily’ camp in the living room, is a direct affront to the idea of respecting others. I wear a cloth mask when I leave my room now – it makes no sense to let my previous caution allow delta a gotcha! moment.
Having shown the two NYC-Jersey refugees my vax card, I have NO REASON to believe “Oh, I threw that piece of paper away,” is anything but a lie. The female denied the clog of hair left in shower was her’s (kee-RIST!), why believe something considerably more important to my health is okay, just because the guy would ditch such a document during a pandemic? Moron, right?
RESPECT has always been earned
RESPECT has always been earned, and both landlord – for many reasons – and these people have given me plenty of reason to doubt they’re working with societal norms. Millions of others have their own reasons for lying, but in situations this up close and personal, protecting myself is Job One.
For that, and many other reasons, I’m looking to get out of this living arrangement a.s.a.p. Landlord has a heart condition, another resident isn’t vaxxed either, not a problem to be a pisser about this IMHO.
Telling me to put my car on the street instead of in driveway so newbies can park there, that’s a minor disrespect, more an inconvenience. I talked to ‘the kids’ (22 y/olds) straight up about it, because good communication should always be top of the list. They seemed to understand, but like many aspects of life right now, about half the people in the house aren’t hearing it. Even if he’s “being a good Christian” re: homeless, I’ve been there. (Update 9/20/21 – He’s not that good, charging pair of 22 year olds $550 a month) https://cdtalententerprises.com/2021/06/22/america-truly-on-move-sheltered-homeless-challenge-millions/
Three sturdy HS football players who helped with a recent furniture drive said they wouldn’t get vaccinated, and I guess we’ll see how badly this continues to go on, based on lack of RESPECT for COVID.
“We know the difference with good umpires”
Tee ball doesn’t actually have umpires, your best player is the kid who jumps on the ball early, and 10 batters an inning is all you get.
Brother David gave me this nugget, and yes, the scheduler for the organization I work for has it as a mantra – “You have to be consistent, especially high-low.” Last week I umped five games of 9 year olds on Saturday, then three games of 15 year olds Sunday.
After a first game that took 2:30 hours (scheduled for 1:45), I was told to loosen up my strike zone, from probably two ball widths off the plate to three. Realistically, this was the first time the 9 yr. olds weren’t getting ‘coach pitch,’ and you can’t hit anything that far off the plate, but with a heat index of 105 degrees, getting done sooner was a matter of survival.
I thanked the spectators that offered water and Gatorade, especially the frozen bottle I drizzled on my neck between innings. That several every game understood how physically brutal that heat was kind of counted, 15 minutes between games in the air-conditioned clubhouse counted even more.
The games with 15 year olds was quite different
Even 10 year olds have curve balls now, despite evidence that its not good for them to be throwing curves, and I’m aware of that ‘hook’ at the end when calling the games. At the beginning of 15s I made it clear, 3 balls wide yesterday wouldn’t be the deal – the 17″ of plate is all anyone was going to get.
I should add the fact that 10-11 year old catchers learn to frame pitches early, and 15s are willing to pull a pitch from *anywhere* into a spot that’s close to strike zone.
After one particular pitcher kept signaling he didn’t know why he wasn’t getting calls, I went to the manager between innings and told him the catcher was set up on outer third of the plate, and if pitcher missed at all, it was going to be a ball. Turned out that catcher had that habit previously, and manager couldn’t see difference from dugout I could at plate. He had catcher reposition himself directly behind the plate and offered thanks for the input.
As someone interested in athletics beyond the win-loss aspect, I feel its my professional duty to offer a comment when I see an obvious situation deserving of one.
I’ve done it multiple times, and when a center-fielder crashed into the chain link fence Sunday (GREAT catch!), I went to both dugouts and reminded them such things happened in sports. That kid had a helluva egg on his forehead, and didn’t look all there at the end of game, even after they’d taken him for x-rays to check for a concussion.
Coach said “Thanks for the input, Blue” even though I was sure he’d probably told his players the same thing. RESPECT comes in a lot of different packages, and there’s noooo doubt we could use a lot more of it in the current climate of ‘Us-them’ on something as basic as health safety during a pandemic.
RESPECT a virus? You betcha. If you want to hug your Mom, living in a community that’s tougher on who gets in than you want, do something smart about it – get the shot. If you don’t want your kids to come back from school loaded with a virus they can unknowingly pass to you, and you to unsuspecting others – get the shot.
If you’d like to offer a positive response about how you’re handling safety or issues of RESPECT, comments are open. I label this in ‘Leadership Thought’ category, one of my favorite word-smithing abilities, available for hire.
Will the 2021 Panthers be capable of playoff caliber production? A lot of smart money is going to say “11-6 and we’ll see.”
I arrived in Charlotte (from upstate NY) the same year the Panthers started playing, 1995, and went to a game at Clemson that year against the 49ers. I took two pictures that I won’t forget – Sam Mills going up to stop Steve Young on a QB sneak, and Tyrone Poole trying to stop a high pass to Jerry Rice. I never liked the Giants or Jets, mostly because I had to watch regional doubleheaders of them during college, when they both stunk.I also got tickets to their playoff win against Dallas, and saw the full-moon win against New England when a last second Brady pass was incomplete. (Yes, Kuechly was holding Gronkowski.)
It’s a stone-cold given that the Panthers offense will put numbers on the board in 2021 season – the team record is 500, in the 2015 Super Bowl season – although the Carolina faithful may not be Believers yet. They haven’t seen any Darnold 70-yard bombs to those terrific receivers, ZERO from face-of-the-franchise Christian McCaffrey, and the second team defense hasn’t looked like they could step in and stop anyone better than in 2019.
Hang in there Charlotte, ‘The Quarterback Whisperer’ (Joe Brady), those fine receivers – Anderson and Moore were #3 producers in NFL in 2020 – and CMC is still the terrific over-achiever you remember from that 1000-1000 year.
Yes, Sam Darnold will pull the trigger
Rhule commented that Darnold throws a real nice deep ball, and fannies at BOA Stadium haven’t seen that factor in a long time. Steve Smith is still worshipped as the best we’ve had (836 catches/12,197 yds./67 TDs), he’ll probably become a Hall of Famer this year. Mushin Muhammed (860/11,438/62) gave the Panthers great service, and Greg Olsen will always be considered a ninja legend, a tight end who couldn’t be seen until he’d gotten the catch and first down yardage.
Defenses – and anyone in the stands – knew Newton almost exclusively kept throws to 20 yards or less, and his awkwardness in getting to the ground versus destroying DBs like before a 2016 injury, was painful to watch. Newton wasn’t close to a fearsome runner his last few years here, and in his MVP year (2015), only his 35 passing TDs (plus 10 rushing) was statistically much different from his career stats. While he enjoyed a 67.9% completion rate in 2018, a lot of that was dropoffs to McCaffrey, who obviously lugged the ball a lot in the Norv Turner offense.
Kyle Allen turned DJ Moore into a star by being able to hit him in stride the next year, Teddy Bridgewater didn’t scare anyone about going long, and Newton never threw a touch pass or jump ball to receivers in the red zone in nine years. Sam Darnold will change all that, including teams stacking the box to stop McCaffrey.
The Quarterback Whisperer
Ask Joe Burrow (Cincinatti Bengals) if Joe Brady made him the #1 draft pick last year, and he’ll admit that, talent aside, the juice Brady put into a somewhat stodgy LSU offense was the deal. Burrows top receivers his senior year are all in the NFL now, including Terrance Marshall, Jr. with the Panthers.
The potentially weak link in what should be a wide-open offense with CMC back and wide receivers galore, is going to be the O-line blocking Darnold gets. Yes, he sometimes had ‘happy feet’ trying to avoid sacks with the Jets, and *maybe* Brady wouldn’t say anything negative about his QB. Darnold is certainly under a microscope – albeit not a NY media one – and those at practice say he’s showing leadership and the arm that made him the overall #3 pick back in 2018. https://cdtalententerprises.com/2021/04/09/panthers-take-care-of-business-gm-fitterer-lands-qb-darnold-to-get-rolling/
Vanilla offense no more
With Burrow the proof of Brady’s offensive influence – (NCAA record 76.3% completions), 60 TDs, 5,671 yards (378 avg. per game) – more so than Bridgewater’s 15 TD/11 INT mark – NFL coaches are aware the Panthers offensive coordinator hasn’t shown much from what should be a substantial bag of tricks.
Last year the Panthers had four players accumulate over 1,000 yards from scrimmage, and while Mike Davis and Curtis Samuel have taken their games elsewhere, McCaffrey will replace – or once again become – that offensive production.
If you saw his shoulder injury, the defender pinned McCaffrey’s arms before he landed and he couldn’t protect his fall. Sure it could happen again, but its also impossible for linebackers to drop into deep zones to help with coverage when he, or possibly stud rookie Chuba Hubbard are carving out first downs running. CMC can just as easily go in motion and pick up eight yards on a short out, more if someone (few want to attempt open field tackles with him) isn’t coming to get him.
Robby Anderson is just the first of several Panthers who have received contract extensions (2 yr./ $29.5MM, $20.5MM guaranteed), meaning you’ll be hearing what this band is playing for a while. DJ Moore won’t totally break the bank with any new contract, but given Tepper and GM Scott Fitterer’s willingness to match production and paychecks (CMC got $21.3MM up front for his extension), he’ll get his piece too. Raiding well-paid Panthers personnel becomes a very secondary consideration.
If defenses had trouble with the speedy Samuel, they will not be happier with the size (6’2″, 200 lbs) of a third receiver like Marshall, who ran a 4.38 40 yd. dash and jumped 39″ in his pro day – and did 16 -225 lb. bench presses. DBs especially had better have it strapped on tight when he needs tackling.
Will the Panthers surprise Pittsburgh tomorrow and the NFL when games count for real? I’d say invoke Mr. Tepper’s financial stack and history of knowing what to do about what he wants results-wise. The smart money is on the steep though not prohibitive – cost of taking any of the current coaches away for head coaching positions elsewhere. Coaching WILL make a difference in Rhule 2.0.
Will Rhule rate a statue?
When Panthers owner David Tepper gave a big contract to Matt Rhule, he was betting against the history of terrific college coaches who fail in the NFL. Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer did real well with the Cowboys of course, but few others have made successful transitions to the pros.
After Coach Rhule’s 5-11 first year at the helm, not everyone was super-charged at prospects for 2021, especially lacking an A-1 QB to work with those quality receivers – of which there are now more. Rhule’s track record supports idea of significant second year progress – and he has a seven year, $60 million contract.
Right now, the statues outside the stadium are of Sam Mills, the linebacker who died of cancer in 2005 and is the inspiration for the teams ‘Keep Pounding’ theme. That he only played three seasons for the Panthers indicates the regard he was accorded. Mike McCormick was the team’s president and general manager from the time of Mr. Richardson’s bid, to formation in the NFL until 1997.
What might it take for Coach Rhule to get a stadium statue, generally a rare honor? Winning a Super Bowl would be a start. Winning as many games as Lombardi? Legitimate. Winning a title before Tepper’s new soccer team does? Ahhhhh… (The panthers at all entrances remain, original owner Jerry Richardson’s has been taken away.)
Let’s let him get through Year Two before the idea of statues comes up Charlotte.
CDTalent Enterprises 