Having sent my nephew a long video by a journalist that seems to hit the essence of what millions fear about this nervous situation with Iran and most of the world, I’m still trying to keep personal considerations upbeat. A strong 15 mile bike ride, a 5000 word submission for a new novel competition, joining a tennis league, doing my usual schmoozing with people who attended and appreciated our church group’s annual fish fry, buying a snappy sports coat at (mostly) half price.

No, I won’t get to participate in a third No Kings! march because I’m scheduled 10-6 at my job. Yes, there’s still a concern about the fairly constant ache in my wrist-hand, probably from a medication designed to help control cholorestol rupturing a tendon, but I’m not going to pitty-pat serves either. Yes, I’m counting on the most responsible members of our elected officials to cool out the situation bombing-wise and boots on the ground possibility. Yes, its crazy to think its cheaper for my brother to fly me to FL on Monday so I can drive his vehicle back vs. the $$$ of gas for him to haul it behind his 37-ft. RV to Charlotte.

Plenty of little stuff still counts

The point is, lots of stuff continues to be what’s important to each of us. Every day I offer my best efforts as a suit-selling helper to guys/couples getting ready to attend weddings, often their own. Going to work- only two miles away- means I’m going to get lots of trips from the 200 miles a gauge in car shows as available, bought at $3.19/gal. (yay!) No protest marching Saturday, and management says discussing it with customers (even if willing) is verboten, which is understandable. I walked away from the lady at fish fry who felt COVID shots were 100% straight line to a single friend dying of a heart attack. IMHO, RFK, Jr. is a moron- if not for Hegs and Bondi, he’d be #1 on my list to join the unemployed roles.

Getting that 5000 words submitted was personal, as is this blog- I haven’t done one in six weeks- and production is a specific part of considering myself a Writer. Having told customers I’ve created a schedule where I’m working ‘closes’ so mornings are free for rides, writing, or lunch dates, not producing to my talent level is a poke in the ego and Someone’s eye. Those elements are about both thought leadership and my microeconomy as best practices, ok? I’m always gonna be a BoomerwithAttitude.

Still, it’s WAY short of all the high-ranking military people who got canned in last year because prez and Secretary of DEFENSE (still the official title, not War) didn’t like their standing on long accepted previous standards of conduct. MINNESOTA definitely transferred a major amount of steel to American spines by what they did in such obvious way in conditions I- and millions here and around the world- understood took cajones, actual or philosophical. (Thanks again for that)

We all have elements to our lives we cleave to. Many complain that politics have become a concern they’d rather leave alone/forget about. ‘War is hell’ is an axiom-given, and young men dying- be they Russian, Ukranian, Palestinian, Iranian, or American- is not good. Commercials try to cut the use of ‘rock star’ as nonsense in comparing corporate competence to high level entertainers, there’s a very real possibility that politics and religion will become THE most incredibly decisive dividing line this country has ever seen.

While the US is considered ‘The Great Satan’ by many, many Muslims, would American forces be ordered to attack Iran tomorrow, when they gather in great numbers in their mosques in prayer? All other war crimes, even Hitler’s attempt to end the Jewish people, would become second tier. Apologies for ‘harshing anyone’s mellow’ here, but politics are important to me, so speaking up about the possibility of *another* (third time?) sneak attack at such a time can’t be ignored.

Hoops counts too, even if I’m not following ladies closely

I bemoan the loss of my own skills, even free throw shooting, hate the idea of NIL millions changing things so drastically, wonder as an aside if trump’s policy negatives will mean the World Cup isn’t played here over the next couple months as planned. But the Sweet 16 starts tonight, I’m off, and I’ll gladly watch, even if I’m washing dishes and doing laundry at the same time. Amen. 3/26/26

I watched the Duke-Siena game (71-65) that kicked off March Madness, was surprised they hung, mano-a-mano, with mighty Duke all the way to end. Growing up, I attended Siena games pretty regularly, played pickup games with brother Dave there, listened to green V-necked sweater alumni complain ‘That’s a carry!’ when palming the ball by dribblers became part of the deal. I’m disappointed their coach will be leaving to coach at his alma mater, Syracuse, where he played with distinction.

Siena is often the cradle of coaches, mostly because they come, knock out a couple 20-win seasons, and leave for much bigger green paycheck-wise. So now players go elsewhere for the same reason, its the way of the world. Loyalty? Pssshhh.

Taking Michigan State another round on FanDuel bets? Gotta do it, they bust me every time I don’t. Pitino and St. John’s? Duke taking a blast wouldn’t just make UNC fans around here happy as sin. Dick Vitale doing any game I watch- I’ll find a radio feed or watch it with sound off.

Having often quoted the great UCLA legend, John Wooden, about how the women’s game is better because they follow the plays correctly-as coached, I still have only so much bandwidth for hoops. All the exciting finishes we’ve seen, and those to come, its part of my sports writing mental makeup to watch. Yes, UConn is as great an example of how to play the game right as I can imagine. If they, or another top team is on when I’m back from work, great.

No, I’m not an Angel Reese fan, period. Caitlin Clark’s ‘From the logo’ commercials, great. A woman with a solid J like Obama as President, I’d sub them in immediately.