Category: POV – Content Creation

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Reunion Week was capped with tennis win & Sat. dancing- I’ll do some PR for a Hat-outfit Everybody liked

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Reunion Week was capped with tennis win & Sat. dancing- I’ll do some PR for a Hat-outfit Everybody liked

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.

POV - Content Creation

50th Reunion in 3 weeks – Are Memories vs. Politics Possible? Fingers crossed

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on 50th Reunion in 3 weeks – Are Memories vs. Politics Possible? Fingers crossed
Alex Chrys (L) raises Arabian show horses, Scott Grayman (M) is the epitome of reunion attendance, drove up from Jersey after sundown Saturday, and myself (R) in tuxedo at 40th.

Having watched a lot of US Open this year, there were tearful moments like Chris Evert being lauded for her career, ’75 title was her first. I’d still put Vietnam being overrun the Spring of senior year at top of memorable list. I’m hoping to walk away from yakity-yak by true trumpies on 27th.

Okay, that last part will rile ‘regular’ readers, although its a sincere wish about not hearing anyone push ‘He saved the country!’ Fingers crossed that Scott Grayman somehow makes it up that Saturday 6:00-11:00 p.m. at The Terrace at Water’s Edge, 2 Freemans Bridge Rd., Glenville.

Not everyone will care about how reunions work out, whether you see certain people again, or ever. I’m a Writer (yeah, cap W is ego), I hope I catch the feeling of anticipation for you. Little long, no sense scrimping on verbiage at this point.

Happy, Satisfied, or Just Older?

Certainly not a graduation picture, but yeah, gets me feeling old.

Am I, or perhaps I should ask, “How many of us, are where we expected/wanted to get since Graduation Day in June, 1975?” Good for those who can say Yep! I have several (5 nephews, one niece) very smart next gen kids in extended family, but none of my own. If they’ve brought you joy/grandchildren, I’ll be glad to hear about it. I’ll open with a Rhodes scholar and a Major in US Army…

Many of you weren’t part of whomever Facebook decided should be on my regular feed for a long time. Kathy Lambert-Zandi and Belle W. often, haven’t seen Bob Houlihan in a while, Jim Dixon a lot, Chris Boehm, George Alper yeah, but I’ve been seriously remiss at doing squadouche about staying up with Scott, who was a best bud since we met in 1st grade at Howe School. Its been ten years since I heard anything, even from Allyson Towler-Grayman, that Best Girl from the ‘hood (and Class Venus), who married his brother.

(Ed. Note: Allyson sent note about not being helpful as I desired after post to Reunion site, and I indeed went back through Messenger stuff and found both phone and Scott’s e-mail – from 2019. Dumb guy me!)

Back in 1963, our folks were concerned which schools you would go to when buying a house – Howe was barely three blocks away. Brothers Steve and Mike went to St. Helens, but there wasn’t any room in that grade for me, being part of huge bulge in the population snake. I counted *36* in my 2nd /3rd grade pictures when I did get in, so with all respect due to teachers today, THAT was crowding a classroom!

I *always* walked to school, only a couple times in snow up to my knees ;-D, and however many school closings we heard on the radio in morning, Linton HS didn’t close if Mr. Amell could make it there.

Still a ‘Journalism guy,’ which I heard a lot at 25th and 40th? Wellll, lots of blogging, 1 3/4 books, and sports analysis (yeah, betting info with some meat besides over/under) pays bills, Medicare/caid situation hasn’t come to front as disaster on that (yet). Charlotte, NC seems an ideal place most of the time, lots of outdoor opportunities, still at 190 lbs., close to best rugby weight playing for Schenectady Reds in 1986. I’m within the plock! plock! sound of pickleball courts at Myers Park CC, though I have yet to play a stroke.

Still a tennis player, but you’ll have to buy me a drink if you want to hear my Liz Nealon story about playing #6 and sports banquet…

Reunions are for catching up, maybe holding our younger selves to account

Looking good for Travers Day in ’23

Post-COVID I’ve made a couple trips here for Saratoga races, had three pretty successful blackjack sessions (+$1800) at Schenectady casino. Mom passed two years ago on reunion date (9/27), Dad at end of January ’13. My sympathies for everyone who has lost their parents or family members. Truthfully, the day folks left Schenectady for Tampa is still the most upsetting day of my life, besides burial.

I don’t know if I *ever* considered being 68, but their being essentially gone at 31 was traumatic, because no more stopping in and grabbing a piece of pie, or watching a game with Dad. I was surprised Mom didn’t fall apart at saying, ‘Yes, turn it off,’ at the end, but that’s what they’d decided long before. It was pure luck, making calls to guys while hustling back to hospital after a bad turn for Dad, and having them all arrive at same time for pick up, barely four hours later. Our family had opportunity to grieve together for a week, and my sympathies for so many people during COVID that didn’t get to say proper good-byes. Reunions aren’t close to that serious.

My mostly dark brown hair harbors only a few silver foxes, and except for a gold crown molar, flapper-tooth up front, and a terrific new left knee at end of 2017, I’m still original equipment Glenn. Bicycling and eating right has helped keep me fit, one pill in a.m. keeps BP right. Mike has another year on his five year, Star Trek-like journeys in 37′ RV with two beagles, Steve retired from bank a couple years ago, lives less than a mile away. Every time I mention his three boys academic achievements, people ask what happened to me (sigh).

David – Danny Smith called him ‘Little Shorkey’ in gym class hoops – has come to our last couple reunions, although he was ONLY part of first freshman class in ’75. He’ll gladly tell the story of how a bunch of us came back from college and tore up the football field the Sunday before Election Day game vs. Mont Pleasant, a tackle game because there was 3″ of wet snow on it. He says the gym teachers ranted about it – hey, we forgot season wasn’t over – but knew enough to keep his mouth shut about knowing who did it. Ahhhh, memories…ask Joe Genovesi.

Many will probably have more interesting stories. Alex Chrys and his Arabian horses, Patti Barbeau and her amazing strength in a personal situation, hopefully Bobby Massaroni’s heart is working well, and I still smile at how confused Dave was at 40th, when Karen Korniak- (?) used the word ‘partner’ about living situation in CA.

Still a GE sign, no Copper Keg (No Linton either)

Dad always said getting old beat the alternative, and I’ll go with that as Truth, so I’m glad to be at 50th (with most of you…) The house on Lakewood is still in good shape, the revival of Rose Garden we’d go to after church is terrific (certainly not paved over), and as I noted in recent blog about Central Park tennis courts down at end of street, a major tennis tournament (Schenectady OTB Open) with a sweet spot on international calendar, two weeks and a quiet distance upstate from the Open was cool. Our photographer Terry Casillo can tell you about Nitty Singh’s tremendous work on that.

Schenectady isn’t the ‘City that Lights and Hauls the World,’ hasn’t been for a while. *Lots* more like Springsteen’s ‘My Home Town.’

Collectively we’re not labelled The Greatest Generation, that was our folks, but (thankfully) not Gen Zers – I’m a BoomerwithAttitude in a pretty freaking scary time for all of us. I’ll leave it to each individual, here and across this country, to make their decision about this still being the America you grew up with, or want to laud for whatever reason. I’ll save my sports memories for the reunion, but Coach Catino would appreciate my having a lot better backhand (like, next to zero) than I did in 1975.

Still a journalism guy? Definitely more A-One than AI on communications, which I believe is my God-given strength. My main character (Marlena the Magnificent) has a belief in tarot reading as an asset, and a Universe that always smiles on her efforts in Life. I hope it does some smiling on whatever comes for us after this reunion.

Second book after Cards & Consequences is ‘With Platinum Fury Focus.’

microeconomy, POV - Content Creation, Sports

Hockey goalies are inspirational, LL triple headers for a Blue, PWHL goes 5 OTs, Congrats!

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Hockey goalies are inspirational, LL triple headers for a Blue, PWHL goes 5 OTs, Congrats!

You couldn’t go wrong in describing Montreal Victorie-Ottawa Charge game as a 3-2, five OT rock fight, with real anticipation of more coming. Names and logos and toughness in Year Two is all any sponsors could’ve asked for. With all the acrobatics professional goalies perform, and Maple Leafs Joseph Woll got shelled (37 shots on goal) while surrendering a pair in 2-0 loss to defending NHL champ Florida Panthers, LeSharque’s (moi) #1 Hockey Memory is still being clipped back of elbow by slap shot *first time ever in goal* and thinking it was dislocated while kicking the equipment to side of rink.

Flashed on that when a side-squatting catcher allowed a wicked foul tip to score a direct hit, *just* above knee protection during a Little League triple-header Saturday. At 68, ducking high, wild pitches launched by ten-year olds happens often, and quality level of catchers rotating is a huge variable. Okay, maybe a macho content in my microeconomy still involves taking hits, even if I rubbed it a little. FYI – If you hear it hit, the Blue is usually okay, though umpire support is appreciated.

Calling a player out! immediately for diving head first into home plate was about Best Practices. Its a safety factor discussed before every minor league game. Whatever else is going on in world, the Great American Family Experience continues full speed ahead.

Calling a player out! immediately for diving head first into home plate was about Best Practices. Its discussed before every minor league game. Plays at the plate are why Blues get the Big $$$, right?

Told kid parked next to me post-game Wed. ANY pitcher had most of plate because he stood so far away, so Sat. he stepped right to line, looked at me, went 4-4, and hit every one hard. Yay me!

–5/10/25 Micro-sessions of work, like 6 vs. 8 hrs. for a Work Day seems fine. I rolled 10a-4p Saturday at $30/hr. Outside, sharing the Great American Family Experience – terrific! Foul tip in knee, less fun.

Pro Hoops-Hockey Extravaganza Weekend

Its not some voice saying it, its two voices, just saying same thing about a cold one waiting.

With plenty of snacks and the promised cold ones Saturday, and then a Sunday evening of similar inaction, the question of how much importance should be attached to such athletic events arose. The affirmation was being a sportwriter, and content analyst gig required the input, it wasn’t just surrendering attention all weekend to trump’s minions, which never seem to miss an opportunity to step wrong.

Uh huh, Johnson says you’ve got that Medicaid slash piece ready. But this is about sports, right?

Running back the most recent events, the Celts are still down 2-1 after opening a full can of whupass on Knicks at MSG, before settling for a 115-93 thumping. Having coughed up 20-pt. leads in two game with faulty 3-point shooting, Celtics 50% rate Saturday (20-40) looks like they’ve fixed things. NBA 6th Man of Year Payton Pritchard stroked 23 for Celts, who are favored -6.5 pts, -260 for Monday’s game, O/U 208.5

Out West, Anthony Edwards plunked down his reputation and best practices at clutch time, putting a 36-Pts/4-R/4 Asst line hurt on Curry-less Warriors, even with Playoff Jimmy (33-Pts/7-R/7Asst) Butler and Kuminga contributions (30-Pts/6-R/3Asst) in 102-97 loss. Indiana Pacers breezed, and Cleveland is looking very mortal without Donovan Mitchell (12 pts.), losing 129-109 and facing a 3-1 hole.

Honestly, the Nuggets-Thunder game was unwatchable, the lack of professional flow must’ve set NBA hoops fans back a decade. The 92-87 finale was appreciated more for finality than affirming victory. A similar unfortunate who cares slighting is the timing factor for Edmonton Oilers-Vegas Golden Knight series, stuck in a 10:00-plus start time zone that makes caring about the Knights 2-1 lead difficult.

For all the Caniacs in Raleigh, an SRO crowd roared throughout the game, as their team strutted Warning Flag black outfits and totally muffled the Capitals 4-0, goalie Frederik Andersen stopped a mere 21 shots. https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/car-vs-wsh/2025/05/10/2024030223 The 2-1 Florida Panthers throttled the Maple Leafs 2-0 to create another gut-check moment in the Leafs best season in quite a while. Its a similar same situation for the Winnipeg Jets, down 2-1 in series with Dallas Stars after 5-2 loss. The Jets took the NHL Presidents Cup in 2024-25 as the top regular season point-getting team (56 W-22L-4T), but last NHL team to win regular season points trophy and Stanley Cup was Chicago Blackhawks, 2012-13.

OMG! The PWHL goes into 5th OT

It took 135 minutes for the Montreal Victoire to shake the Ottawa Charge loose 3-2, tying their series at 1-1. In the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s second year of life, the teams have identities vs. just cities on their sweaters, a TV contract, Olympic pedigreed players, and a planned expansion (Seattle, Vancouver) product both America and Canada love.

Four of the six original (2024) teams became playoff teams this year, Montreal-Ottawa in one semi-final, the Minnesota Frost-Toronto Scepters in the other half of draw. Minnesota tied the series 1-1 with a 7-5 win Sunday. The other two original teams are Boston Fleet and NY Sirens.

https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/6/all-months?league=1

I’m a fan from way back

My Little Part for Womens Sports, then Boom! (45 Years later) Pro Women’s Hockey League
POV - Content Creation, Thought Leadership

On Dad’s (sort of) birthday, thanks to Good Good Person Waldo Shorkey for my conversational ability, Good Character, 3 brothers

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on On Dad’s (sort of) birthday, thanks to Good Good Person Waldo Shorkey for my conversational ability, Good Character, 3 brothers

My Dad actually passed in late January, 2013, but watching the Daily Show episode where Jon Stewart eulogized his dog, 3-legged pound pet, Dipper, his line about ‘In a world of good boys, he was the BEST Good Boy,’ I felt the jolt- there’s a legitimate analogy for Dad. Especially when Stewart admits, with a catch in tone that’s obvious, “I thought I’d get further than this…” well, its taken all day to get this keyboarded.

$30 can get you a LOT of flowers. The feeling was always, ‘Thanks for taking care of my gal.’

Let’s start with playing racquetball, leaving house by 8:30 to play at court in Watervliet Arsenal, where he worked. Those mornings, just us, fun hitting, playing four-five games in an hour, checking his skills while playing shots back more in middle so he could make returns, so easy to enjoy.

As a child in mid-Thirties, Dad had polio, when polio killed a LOT of kids/people, or put them in iron lungs. Despite a smaller left leg, he served in Navy (’51-’55), but was never much of an athlete. Terrific bonding over decent physical effort, then using the Nautilus equipment at the building, and breakfast out someplace.

It was very pleasing to know he practiced extra at lunches to develop a *nasty* Z-serve as a lefty, getting it to drop just before hitting 3rd wall ( service fault), way down and dirty to my backhand. We beat a couple other father-son teams, he made shots when necessary. Super memory.

Putting together pool tables for $50. Dad’s P/T job (early ’70s) at Wards got him the ‘Assemble it yourself, or let our experts do it!’ gig, three sections of 3/4″ slate pool tables. During OPEC embargo, with gasoline prices through the roof, lots of people bought the home entertainment deals. We had so much business, older brother (Mike) worked with Dad’s buddy Sel as a second crew.

$20 for helper share usually meant $40 day, frequently two Sunday too, up to $80 was a GOLD MINE, great work conditions.

Dad always taught us how to use tools, but seeing his extra effort in making sure the plaster of Paris seams were absolutely right, ball returns all rolled smoothly, the felt was securely glued in the pockets, pride in workmanship was a consistent example to follow.

He’d send me to get the owner, let him know we were done, guy had often bought for teens and didn’t play, would tell Dad to go ahead, Dad *always* said, “Glenn’s our shooter.” First shot on 8-foot red table, never busted rack of gleaming balls, dropping a couple more, telling Dad there must be something wrong with that pocket if I missed. (Insert Tim Allen grunts) Always lunch, satisfaction with Quality of Doing, cash in pocket. ‘Measure twice, cut once’ – I’m smiling about brother who blew Dad’s best practices axiom while doing crown molding in his front room.

A feeling of Dad’s “Thanks for taking care of my gal,” was a Goodness on my mind every time, and I *know* Dad would have wanted pretty stuff for Mom’s caretakers too, so I always had a good second vase for nurses station.

Flowers for Mom’s caretakers at Carmel Hills, for her birthday, Mothers Day, or Easter. Dad was a great arranger for church displays in NY and FL, centerpieces since forever. I’ve told three brothers they can fight it out for Dad’s woodworking crown, I’ll aspire to his creative side, because he really had artistic talents. I’ve done well putting displays-projects together, so Mom (who passed in Sept. ’23) had flowers, and I bought plenty of supplies, because I *know* Dad would have wanted them to have pretty stuff too, so always a good second vase for nurses station.

When I visited folks in Tampa end of one February, to be there for Mom’s birthday (3/1), Dad and I were watching the US-Canada gold medal Olympic hockey game. For the only time I EVER recall him asking, when Mom said its time for dinner, Dad asked, “Is there any reason we couldn’t eat in here?” You could tell from Mom’s, “Because the FOOD is in here” response that her long-time philosophy on sitting down to eat and TV hadn’t changed over years or in retirement.

He sure wasn’t dying on that hill, and *without rushing* we only missed a couple minutes of next period. Historically, if the phone rang during dinner, Dad always said, “Let it ring, everyone we know knows dinner is 5-5:30. If its important, they’ll call back.”

Golfing on the nine hole, par three course inside the Watervliet Arsenal walls where he worked, early version. Only needed three clubs and shared a putter, we bought a couple on our own, 7s and 9s, maybe a five. Dad wasn’t a run or shoot athlete like us as maybe 10-12 year old guys, but he knew how to instruct three of us on grip and swing. We sprayed shots all over, cheered for lucky hits in the air.

We’d also go down to the Arsenal early on some Saturdays to pick through the top quality lumber, what lengths of steel to be machined into artillery, cannon, and tank gunnery had arrived in, which was the Arsenal’s business. Pinch bars and hammering out nails, turning crates and pads into safe pieces for transport and home projects, a life-long skill. The beam that became center to back porch – where it rested on the dashboard of Ford station wagon and red flag was hung a good three feet out rear window – is legendary. As a Hammer Guy, I’m a legend in my own mind.

That he signed consent form so I could play Pop Warner football was HUGE.

Coming down the driveway at 5:00

Dad came down the driveway within five minutes of 5:00 every day, a consistency I cherish above all else really. Its on first line of Thanks for Coming piece I produced and everyone got at folks 50th Anniversary in Tampa (2005). Whatever the score in basketball or street football game was, Dad was the ehhhh! buzzer. If you were behind, the game timing out could mean No Winner. Dad would give Mom a hug and kiss, then ‘Leave It to Beaver’ boys, wash up for dinner. Everyone talked around the table. The cook gets kissed.

Have to admit, the body of thoughtful work I produced with ceramics was come by honestly, just like Dad’s chatty friendliness.

He wasn’t sure how important whatever he might write in the leather journal I bought him could be, but on probably folks last trip through Europe, his super-positive sense of gratitude for the everyday events of life came through. There’s also a drawing of the red wagon Coca-Cola made for him! which he and a buddy loaded with ice and Cokes, servicing the Arsenal right across the street pretty well – kid was making $5/day during the Depression.

His sincere ‘…and that was great’ was as easily earned for meeting a young Belgian, who heard their English and talked with them, helped them about where and how to make sure about getting off at right station. Maybe just a lady whose pastries were excellent – because Dad had a sweet tooth – or when he and Mom visited an AFS exchange kids home in Switzerland, years after meeting as HS supporters in Schenectady, and were treated as close friends.

I’d never actually known it until a sister-in-law told me Dad really didn’t like vegetables (like beets), but he ate them because four boys needed a good example. Can I get an Amen for Dad’s on that?

POV - Content Creation, Sports, Thought Leadership

March Madness sure, but call him out for ‘Winner gets X’ foul-shooting

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on March Madness sure, but call him out for ‘Winner gets X’ foul-shooting

Ladies, at this most NCAA hoopster-hysterical time of the year, why not – no, Definitely! – get your favorite gym rat out for a game of ’21’. Relax, its not breaking any Guy Codes to clue the ladies about this smaller than the bedroom (but potentially related) stroke problem.

Its easy to ride the testosterone train when hubby-boyfriend returns triumphant, victory setting off that adorable story-teller who wants to replay drives and rainbow jumpers, doling out three-beer kisses and tastefully sweaty manliness. Nobody likes a whiner, but when story-teller is bringing you a mental boo-boo like ‘I sucked’ because they missed a couple foul shots that meant staying out of two basketball games, and ‘We should have won’ but he missed a couple more unguarded shots from that distance, well, this is your time.

Consider this information relative to ‘Five Minute Great Abs!’ tabloid ads because you’ll feel show-offy smooth and quietly better, but recognize there’s a possibility that winning can go either way for all He/She battles.

Guys almost always assume victory, perhaps forgetting you were an All-State guard in high school, maybe All-Conference in college, have three brothers, was #1 scorer on your intramural co-ed team, or just how many hours you hoisted foul shots in the back yard while carrying a second child because it brought a measure of peace to your body, which otherwise felt seriously wonky-off kilter.

Free-throw shooting is a premium skill

Fifteen feet, up and in. Especially with any ‘small white guard’ tag attached, making free throws was integral to playing basketball at all levels during formative years, the lights and attention are just bigger-brighter at NCAA time. Those extra points are supposedly gravy, playing with house money, a piece of cake, punishing opponents for hacking the wrong guy. All kidding aside, foul-shooting is a legitimate point of pride and extremely fair way of judging oneself Better- its not just free throw shooting, okay?

Hoopsters believe free-throw shooting (the terms are interchangeable) is elementally linked to a Universal Cookie Jar-type reward system: Do well there, somehow earn (deserve!) goodies, from successful dates to 12-packs of Michelob Light to new jobs. Three nights before my 60th birthday, I missed FIVE in a row, totally dissatisfied with my shot and life. A few months later, having rediscovered effective shooting techniques during a just-sneakers-and shorts-lets-get-this-right-again session (after eight hours of retail laboring), damn straight! a terrific job offer dropped into the equation.

Coincidence you say? Not hardly.

Almost everyone understands the simple but absolute fairness of this elemental basketball situation. When a player has been fouled, the penalty is an uncontested shot (or two, sometimes three) from a line 15 feet from the backboard. ’21’ isn’t a me and you, dribble and shoot one-on-one battle, nor HORSE, where failure to make more difficult shots by one player adds letters to the others ‘total’ until a final letter (E) ends the game. ’21’ is about free-throw accuracy, not physical size and superiority.

Although players get a chance at a one-point layup if they’ve broken the ice (meaning made at least one free throw earlier), the best option is to make as many consecutive foul shots as possible each turn to end the game faster. As kids, making ten in a row (x2=20) put immediate ‘you miss, you lose!’ pressure on an opponent. (Couple years ago I strung together 14, something I hadn’t accomplished in decades; other guy made 13!)

Its supposedly gravy, playing with house money, a piece of cake, punishing opponents for hacking the wrong guy. All kidding aside, foul shooting is a legitimate point of pride and extremely fair way of judging oneself Better- its not ‘just’ foul-shooting, okay?

Battle of the sexes – depends how you play it

FTs are worth a single point in regular games – when you’re only counting what’s happening as just a game on the most ordinary plane. If, or probably when, you’ve heard your ex-gym rat express an “That idiot missed both and he’s been shooting the lights out! ANYBODY should be able to make one, everyone knows you don’t make foul shots, you wind up going home!” opinions, THAT would be the time to extend your challenge to ‘play for something.’

Does it matter what task or amount? Ohhhh, you BET is does for 97.4% of red-blooded males, but cash should be a secondary consideration. A primary concern for such challenges is/should be gaining the 100% attention of said male. Whether or not you get to uhhh, playfully, dog him about losing is up to you, but if its usually a hassle to get the garbage taken out, he’ll remember there are three more days left in your bet. As George (from Seinfeld) might complain, he’s got no (upper) hand. BUT…

Is he going to want another chance, probably sooner than later? You betcha.

You could just volunteer to chase misses while he works out some frustration about sucking, but if he WINS, isn’t everyone happier? (DO NOT TANK and think you rescued his ego!) Will he brag to his buddies about victory? Probably not, although guys do deserve a few props if She/you IS a former All-Something competitor.

Is it legitimate to talk smack, throw an errant pass back that makes them move off a good spot (very legit gamesperson-ship), maybe offer an immediate rematch? Absolutely, he can miss eight minutes of the second half and maybe you don’t care, especially when the next game is the one he’s really been psyched to see.

Bottom line, most guys are not snake-bite, 88% poison on foul-shooting like they might imagine. In another foul-shooting situation called ‘Rochester,’ its an everyone-against-everyone game, and when you score a basket, you get the chance to make up to three foul shots. Score 7-8-9 points without having to knock heads with six other dudes, that’s an incentive. Missing the ‘and one’ at 21 causes you to go back to 15, which is obviously not a best practices thing to do three or four times – you will get beat.

So March Madness can become a regular time for some extra competition, and he WILL appreciate the chance to shoot it out with you. You can also get out a bit and work on your stroke rather than just soothing his ego by losing. If he wins the right to have you bring him beers, is an empty hand raised and ‘Honey?’ the worst thing you can imagine, because win one and its negotiation time; you don’t have to take EVERY bet. Favorite dinner that YOU don’t make, or who takes carpool soccer duty this week? For sure.

Foul-shooting is 100% fair competition. Have some fun with it, don’t sweat your brackets either. If good ol’ Sunspot U. can’t do better than 8-22 from the line, be thankful you missed a bunch of that game. If he comes back laughing, bonus points.

#leadership thought, POV - Content Creation, Sports

10 Days of ‘Being Blue,’ Brothers for Game & Good Ride, End of Umping Season Impressions

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on 10 Days of ‘Being Blue,’ Brothers for Game & Good Ride, End of Umping Season Impressions
Different Blue coming soon at Nordy’s again (or an ExecAsst?) Hugo Boss jacket, Black buttonless tuxedo shirt, bow tie.

Beyond Green-egged pork loin and terrific wine for Thursday night football, to getting brother Mike and dogs back out to Denver Tues., and sun directly in the eyes for 9 & 11:00 double header both Saturdays, I’ve enjoyed the #AmericanFamilyExperience that recreation league baseball embodies.

Call it extra grocery $$, my POV is, at 67 I make a difference- and getting thwapped! three times Sat., like never before in 4 years, I affirm I can still take it.

This fall season has been a terrific reprieve from worrying about politics in the everywhere else. We three brothers enjoyed terrific dinner and 49ers game, and Monday, when brother, RV and dogs was supposed to leave, engine consideration requiring a lift back from Charlotte shop, having breakfast while picking up his Jeep Tues. a.m. was a great opportunity to extend-repay any number of times such a courtesy is done with family. Just a ride maybe, but a clutch ride, and he gassed me up. ‘Nuff said.

Football, and no political POVs worked well with Thursdays wine, I saved those worries till breakfast with good hash browns, crisp bacon, and plenty of java before Tues. g’byes to Mike and beagles. I’ve been working on good karma every night, thank you American Family Experience.

Getting Thwapped! means a Meat hit

My usual credo is ‘If you heard it hit me, that’s not really a problem.’ Then I took a 10 year old’s foul tip straight in the chest area between top of plastic chest protector and bottom of mask. Coming to screen afterwards, one Mom smiled, ‘I know you say that, but I *heard* that one.’ And most recognized I *must* have just missed a nutter a little later.

10-19-24 Field #3 – Karma might have listened too close about historically, my not having been hit squarely- I got a tingle for sure. I still consider that ‘best practices.’ Cool when crowd works with my chatting along, I’m recognized at OP fields after plenty of games there over last month.

Most of a Dozen Shots from Being a Blue

I’ll continue to praise the LL baseball environment as American Family Experience, especially the weekends (9, 11:00) and coolish nights lately, what it means to those ballers of whatever skill, to try implementing advice you offer while they’re at bat. Solid gold encouragement for sure. Having given my card to one well-chilled Dad on Wed. night, I promised to share my POV joy a little about that experience here.

Call it extra grocery $$, Umpiring is a really difficult option to beat, great atmosphere at $60 for two hours and change. Travel teams and five games a day stress, stopped that gig two years ago. Rec league teams, first season after coach pitch, sometimes 10-12-13s. Hey, somebody turned in the cleats I left behind after Mon. night game in time for this weekend, so I’m glad about that too. Last Saturday I wore dress shoes! instead of sneakers while doing the plate. Knew it’d make a good little story.

Sometimes I use one of Dad’s old tees to dust off plate, tell people ‘I have a brush, just trying to keep Dad involved.’ They tell you as an Umpire not to talk with people behind fence, one call and you could turn bad on you, but I admit to being a yakker. If not you, I’ll talk to people over there, no problem pal.

My top thought bringer was a pretty excited young shortstop, telling me he might get to pitch the 3rd inning (which he does). Turns out coach I mentioned youngsters excitement to was Dad, who admitted, “If I told him definitely, you wouldn’t be able to catch his attention for anything else, no way.”

He showed no great talent, spraying balls to the backstop while other team turned walks into runs with constant stealing. This maybe 4,’ cap-askew kid, just got back on the mound and threw another one. What determination, getting to rubber, turn, fire! for most of five runs or all the way through lineup, whatever their league rule was. Max enthusiasm, great coaching attitude, real glad I wasn’t on the plate was important to overall Satisfaction.

Have to state I won $68 Saturday for college football picks on Fanduel. Part of my expertise when writing football should be followed up on. If 49ers had converted 2-pt. after last TD (48 total pts.), I would have done that again (Over was 47.5 as part of 4-legger, incl. Ravens game). Just sayin.’ Yay! for my microeconomy.

Genuine appreciation

You betcha, the Genuine Appreciation by parents, patrons, players, the elemental interfacing after hours of my mostly remote work production, is personally enriching. Soooo many positives, thank yous from parents watching, the kids who want to tap fists, I’m doing a little part for that American Family Experience. I traded some group snack cheese puffs for 2 pieces of gum. Telling one group ‘this catcher is really up close to batters’ two pitches before a batter knocks his glove loose for being that close, they know I’m working knowledgably. VERY little second-guessing, I’m known to be solid on strikes, including the down and away every coach wants THEIR pitcher to get.

The catcher-son of a gentleman I’ve spoken with 4-5x was in front of me Saturday, and I noted his positioning with Dad after an inning, sort of hanging off outer third, and he said hasn’t really told him where, more about close when son felt comfortable. Pitchers typically nibble outside a target was a POV I offered him, keeping catcher centered vs. past white lines results in lot of balls while yes, producing sucker swings. Its a great gentlemans meeting of minds, helping kids in a real way.

I prefer to have them positioned between me and unreliable 10 year old arms and persons with a bat, also a safety issue, y’know? Guy hooked other ump and myself up with post-game cheeseburgers my first time at Olde Providence. Just sayin’.

Thats been my CDTalent Enterprises mantra/extended purpose over 4+ years. Beyond balls and strikes, little things to coaches, often they might already know, but seeing something detrimental to ‘fix,’ I’m up for contributing that. Especially pitchers. Catchers – Don’t pose, I saw where you caught it, then where you moved it to.

Catchers cheating

I’ve been asking crowd about catchers cheating a little recently, few knew what framing truly meant – but I’m talking MOVING a pitch. Whether they’ve grabbed a mitt of dirt low or stopped a sky-high wild one, catchers will present the result as close to middle of the zone as possible. Pitchers and YOU, the crowd, often wonder, ‘Why isn’t he calling strikes?’ because glove is right there. That’s what I get the big $$ for.

After calling a higher than usual strike, and hearing ‘I don’t think so,’ from batter, I looked at the young man while brushing a ton of sand off the plate. “It will never be to your advantage to have me hear something like that,” I told him.

One kid moved his elbow a minimal amount and managed to get clipped, sent to first. I saw what happened, but declined to call the violation of not trying to avoid – and one person’s voice asked if thats what had happened – but hit batter was my decision. I went to dugout after half-inning, and told the batter I saw the play, let it go because a good kind of slick move. HAVE to appreciate the art of the subtle move, from Reggie Jackson’s hip in World Series to *every*single*catcher* trained to frame/move pitches to steal a strike call. I’ll have to tell Scott Grayman, he always advocated the pinch and ‘Look where it hit me!’ approach.

Slinging bats, obstruction

Sometimes league rules codify a first warning for bad bat action, I might give two for a team – coaches are generally very good with followup to warnings. One safety and game situation I take charge of is plays at the plate, because everyone runs on passed balls, runners from third sliding in with pitcher hopefully covering at plate, Out! or safe is a regular event.

Getting bats and batters out of the way, telling catchers ‘Move the bat away from plate’ before ball might still be in play, helps a young catcher. I enlightened some patrons about kids getting tagged out at plate, because there is often a ridge in right hand batters box, noticeably dug down in middle, but solid clay perhaps 6″ from plate that often stops slides. Fun fact to know and tell.

I ended first game Saturday on obstruction call – one more time the batter froze in box after a wild pitch, and kid from 3rd coming. Catcher dove around batter, couldn’t flip to pitcher, so had to say Obstruction, winning run scores. Everyone was thrilled at finale, thats what makes it such a cultural binder. Line it up! Congrats all around, kids they know from school.

I’ve only called two out for slinging this fall season (many leagues actually say out of game), because I let everyone know at plate meeting, its a safety issue I can control. One previous coach said I traumatized his pitcher because I yelled, “DONT THROW IT!” as he was stepping into his delivery and I didn’t have my mask on. Most pitchers are ready to go pretty quick, so its talk to the hand time. Take an extra couple seconds to instill safety aspect, isn’t a bad thing. Yes, next batter, if teammate left bat after a hit, pick it up.

I often say this tongue in cheek, ‘You don’t reward stupid,’ because when kid on 2nd keeps stretching his lead, Dad was saying more, more, the pitcher gets signal when he’s too far. Ooops! Yeah Austin, gotcha at second. Same with trying for a triple instead of just a double- Close, but out! (shouldn’t have done that).

I worked with a first time, real game Blue one game, been doing Machine Pitch. He didn’t know signal for infield fly rule (a 0 or 1 out finger at top of mask). He called a balk though. Attaboy! Overruled him/provided help on a call at first.

A Coach wasn’t going with idea his pitcher plunked the batter on wrist, kept saying, “He was swinging!” No coach, he was backing away, and from part way between 1st- 2nd, I saw *exactly* what happened. He.plunked.the.batter.

Getting hit in thigh, ball breezing between thighs a little low, taking an exclamation point! foul tip straight in the chest- an event that surprised but didn’t hurt me- and that tingler, well, still two more games this week. Another check before Election Day (and rent) is a Good Thing, and then comes Thanksgiving and group Christmas tree sales.

Doing what I can

Even if you’re the center fielder who stuck their glove out, and the good hit the batter thought he had, somehow wound up in your previously never-caught-a-thing kids mitt and all rejoiced, we have to affirm what we know is right, not just get lucky, on Election Day.

Little League, cheeseburgers, Carolina nice weather, Democracy, ballot not bullet, #BoomerwithAttitude, a little showmanship on a called third strike, between my Umpire Wisdom-wise Blue (and Precinct Judge (D) attitude), lets say I don’t think this country will take a called third strike, bat on their shoulder attitude regarding this most important event of 2024.

I need actual replacement cleats for my golf shoes, but Dodgers – Yankees in the World Series, what more could any kind of fan honestly ask for?

Oh, I’m 30 pages into non-fiction piece book, ‘I’m A Creative, Determined, Talented Writer’ (& Don’t Quit Your Day Job is Often Decent Advice).

POV - Content Creation, Sports

Final ‘Blue’ of Year Resonates as America! New Normal Summer includes WWC, a wedding, Saratoga races

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Final ‘Blue’ of Year Resonates as America! New Normal Summer includes WWC, a wedding, Saratoga races
No problem using a favorite picture in Saratoga instead of geared up as Blue. NY vacation to include Yankee Stadium trip? Never been!

Saturday will be my final umpiring gig of the season, and I should have started in late March instead of May. Its been very satisfying-affirming again, even that wicked foul tip to forearm bone that I thought might have broken it first weekend back. I can still take getting drilled, #BoomerwithAttitude, y’know.

This is commitment time for baseball families, when All-Star teams start traveling in the winnowing process to Little League World Series, whole communities raising $$$ as their local heroes advance.

I’ll be plate umpire ($60) for a 9:30 scrimmage between two local teams, less than five miles from home, be done about 11:30. A beer and maybe whacking tennis balls down at Freedom Park with Josh, yep, that and Carolina blue sky qualifies as A-1 Social Goodness-New Normal lifestyle.

People easily understand my saying, “If you hear the ball crack! into something, that’s not a problem. If you don’t hear it, it got meat.” –With Sincere thanks to guy with ice pack after foul tip injury.

Its factually True, if not an actual umpiring credo: Don’t reward stupid. (You’re out!) “Don’t pose like I missed the pitch,” is a one-time warning.

Actual calling of balls, strikes, out-safe, has to be consistent, and yes, between inning chats that let people know about catchers moving the ball is legitimate. ‘Whose kid is the one who just nailed the runner at third with that BIG throw?’ will always be a Mom-pleaser comment.

Looks good from here, Blue!

I’ve never offered my clicker and face mask to anyone shouting that common comment, but I’m still the authority figure for this situation. Two sides of coaches-players: When you tell a player to move away from a potential situation, the correct Next is act of moving, never “I’m not in the way.” Coaches usually get that straightened out without extra hoo-ha.

“Why was that last pitch not a strike?” by the catcher clarified a long-running situation, where coaches had questioned *every*single*call* for two games as they came back through Losers bracket. “You need to turn around, and Coach,” I signaled, “you need to come here, because ten year olds wouldn’t have the stones to question an umpire about a pitch if you coaches hadn’t been d*cks for two games.

“Get all the coaches and buckets back in the dugout (they had 4-5), and if I hear anything more about X, you can watch this game from the parking lot,” was gist of my instructions. Getting specific about catchers trying to get sucker swings by setting up on outside corner – “It crosses the batters box line, I don’t care how good a catcher is about bringing it back, its NEVER going to be a strike,” is my mantra.

Not all catchers relate that fact to pitchers, who get frustrated post-move, seeing catchers glove in strike zone. Many pick up sand on low throws or even jump, then position glove dead center.

When I plant my foot so I can see plate and batters location to it, as catcher, you WILL need to set up closer. I’m grateful for shorter spaces between plate and backstop many places, too many passed balls with run-run-run scoring isn’t cool.

Coaching and Other Stuff

The coach who used ’22 years pitching in big leagues’ as credibility might be counting minor leagues too, but thinking he’s getting better pitching from a 10 year old arm by nibbling outside vs. getting it over plate so kids learn what strikes really look like, is flat wrong. Its also contrary to ‘get them to swing’ by calling strikes attitude we’re told to use. If a batter couldn’t reach it with a pole, I’m not calling your kid out.

Special bats – You hear an obvious difference in a sturdy ten year old’s PING! of 200-plus feet into trees and whatever is brought to the plate in less competitive leagues. If a kid ‘got all of it’ putting it over an outfielders head, thats not a Drop 5 level bat.

Curve balls – If you KNOW your pitcher’s got one, and you try telling him not to use it a lot because it WILL hurt young arms, that’s not going to work when he keeps getting people out with it. When a pitcher smiles and fiddles in their glove, you know their Special Pitch is coming.

On Fathers Day: More power to millions of Dad-coaches, who often started because of their kids, but keep things going over ten or twenty years. I smile every time I hear one say, “If there’s a passed ball, you should be here!”

Admitting I have NO respect for the coach who left his pitcher in for *8* runs in top of first (eventually 12-0 hole), actually saying, “Don’t look at me, I’m not taking you out.” What could possibly be on his mind? when they lost 15-11, humiliating a kid who couldn’t find the plate with Google Maps?

Its said the only person you can rely on is one dressed like you, but when every parent at a recreation league game thanks you for being there, man, that’s affirming! As long as little sisters have enough snacks, the American Family Experience that is Little League carries forward. For anyone who offers me a Gatorade on a 95 degree day like today, yay you!

After last years success at the Saratoga track and casino, my Blue paychecks are mad money for NY vacation in July, New Normal at its finest.

Business, POV - Content Creation, Sports

‘Blue’ for American Family baseball, Panthers May is New Normal, Year 30 starts in Charlotte

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on ‘Blue’ for American Family baseball, Panthers May is New Normal, Year 30 starts in Charlotte

Earning over $1100 in last ten days, even having four rainouts, makes umpiring a favored evenings/weekends gig. Seeing terrific glovework, the JOY of tough catches, winning, and hell yes! 10 year olds going yard, is worth an occasional mask-adjusting foul tip. My new product on Etsy – entrepreneur again! online gig, being ‘Blue,’ a girlfriend? my recent New Normal is all positive.

A week after opening OTAs, business is like Carolina Panthers handle on 2024 – Back-glancing isn’t necessary, fans are interested.

Arrived in Charlotte 1995, same as Panthers

Making a case for kinship-history with a football team’s hopeful resurrrection feels legitimate. I use ‘Year 30 starts’ as a personal marker, Memorial Day being my landing date in the Queen City. Having come down from NY for my folks 40th anniversary (up from Tampa), I enjoyed Chamber of Commerce weather in mid-April, 38 days later, I was here. I was never a Giants or Jets fan, so when Panthers threw down that 12-4, NFC championship game second year, I was an easy convert. And hey, the weather is still terrific.

I’ve only been to two Hornets games at Spectrum Center, good thoughts sent to them for new owners efforts to turn that franchise around too. Charlotte doesn’t want to become (stay?) Loserville. It definitely looks like a time to change almost any-everything after Bridges, Miller, Grant and Mark Williams, plus the upcoming high draft pick. Since huge extension contract $$$ is kicking in, maybe keep that LaMelo dude healthy.

The first Super Bowl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK_2j0CDNFo was exactly what fans remember forever. Conversely, I’m chuckling at the offer of tickets for a rain-soaked final game of 1-15 train wreck under George Seifert in 2001. “No, thanks, hopefully there’s another game on TV,” was reasonable response to going just to support in very yucky weather. I’ve done the pilgrimage to Wofford twice, and the 95 degree heat (plus index) as ‘a cauldron to test players in’ is Truth; I sweated lots just standing in the minimal shade. I maintain such efforts are still a marking point for fandom.

Highs and lows happen. I tried going to the Cowboys game last year, thought fan interest was about zero, and found out scalpers were having a good day. Cowboys fans travel well, tickets were over $150 in three tries – my expectation had been $30-50.

Brother Steve gave me tickets to the 29-10 stomping of Cowboys in 2003 playoffs, I scalped the second ticket for $50, only took one try, and nobody ever showed up next to me. I still have an over-priced, large plastic beer mug, and a #34 DeAngelo Williams jersey was a good Belks discount rack purchase.

You see how out of control things are in Detroit after finally winning a division (and maybe choking vs. 49ers)? They gave Goff HOW MUCH $$$? New Normal won’t be like that in Charlotte.

If the Panthers are .500 at Thanksgiving, Tepper *will* get more than adequate good press. An $800M re-do on stadium? Oh man…!

It Won’t be like that in Charlotte

Still not sure why nobody has given #MrTeppers$ even back-handed kudos for what certainly ACTS like a Football Operations Team that has produced positive, substantial changes in the roster already, without any stated output about approval or expectations by him regarding any of it.

While I’m still a little amazed that Ian Thomas isn’t one of those constantly tabbed to be gone players from last year, Tommy Tremble sounds positive about the tight end room, including that #101 pick https://www.nfl.com/players/ja-tavion-sanders/ from Texas. Every analysis of Panthers TE position always ends ‘since Olsen left,’ drafting a REAL pass-catcher sounded like an excellent decision.

Let Canales and Offensive Coordinator Brad Idzik earn their paychecks. Yes, put people in positions where they’ll use their talents well/better. Tillis and Morgan ripped off the $46M bandaid of bad contracts/salary cap situation, tomorrow (2025) is a better day, but nobody is liking idea of Tampa Bay and Mayfield ruling the NFC South in 2024 either.

The operating theory is that WAY too many disparate opinions about the Panther offense, combined with a dearth of talent at skill positions, put Bryce Young into a horrific situation, which he survived, if not as admirably as some expected. Its been pronounced from the rooftops that Panthers GM Dan Morgan and Head Coach Dave Canales have got better players for sure after free agency and draft.

Has Bryce put on same couple pounds of muscle McCaffrey did after a year with the big boys? not a bad idea at all. In fact, nobody *wondered* if C-MC bulked up a little – he had GUNS to show for it. Young does look like he’s a little firmer topside though.

Putting a number on how much better outlook could be, is according for several, not all that decisive a change, like 5.5 victories. I won’t ask Charles Barkley for his opinion, but getting maybe $20 ($50?) worth of whatever those odds (about +2500 for playoffs) may be is reasonable. I tend to concur with The Athletic analysis, “It is safe to say that the Panthers won’t be an out-right elite team in 2024, but it could be a feisty team that odds-makers are a bit too low on.”

That could be a great take on New Normal compared to last season’s pounding. Feisty and under-appreciated bets-wise, I like the idea.

Business-like plan, No panic

The sense of business as usual seems legitimate at this stage, the operation has even sorted through personnel at the office level, and there is a steady stream of whose status is better or worse in 2024 to read online. Given the emphasis on positivity Canales has engendered, is Young truly catching on to the methods, philosophy, progression, footwork Canales brings to the QB Whisperer function?

There’s no reason to believe otherwise. If the worst thing you’ve heard is Panthers stretched on some picks, well, Ejiro Evero’s defense is still being assembled. Nobody is forgetting that Luvu and Burns were A-level talents now playing elsewhere, and Gross-Matos is in San Francisco. On a team that either stopped people (#4 in yardage) or very definitely *didn’t* stop them (29th of 32 teams in ppg given up), a decent amount of attention has been paid to the secondary. The verdict is still out on getting Clowney’s HS buddy, Stephon Gilmore – late of Dallas and Buffalo – to Charlotte again, but additional names and bodies (and economics) will be checking in-out of here consistently.

Whether there’s any hyping of possibilities, the player shuffle now seems regular and well-documented. Some experts are coming around to the idea Panther draft picks as reasonable choices instead of ‘flyers,’ those never-as-good-as-we-thought selections that happen less in good organizations, because they don’t need Magic.

If the Panthers finally discover they can move the chains with throws to a tight end not named Olsen, that would be a good thing, and if Brooks breaks a 60 yard run before November, that would count plenty for sure.

Other people will have to produce besides Bryce Young. Former Panther Head Coach Ron Rivera often said, “Things change when the pads go on.” Mandatory minicamp is June 11-13.

#leadership thought, Business, POV - Content Creation

‘Lights & Hauls the World G.E.’ as Schenectady was Iconic, Our 50th H.S. Reunion is Next Year

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on ‘Lights & Hauls the World G.E.’ as Schenectady was Iconic, Our 50th H.S. Reunion is Next Year

The CNN article about GE legally becoming two companies isn’t like it’s wiped from face of Earth, and will they keep the big GE light at end of Erie Boulevard? Gotta be a landmark – 1892, right? GE doesn’t sell lightbulbs, say what?

Last year, the house on Lakewood we grew up in was still a well-situated half-block from Central Park, with playground and Rose Garden, barely a block from Gershon’s Deli at corner of Upper Union St. Mom got every nickel of the $125k she expected as a FSBO. The maple out front is gone, the Diamond’s house looks the same. Where I grew up, that’s Schenectady to me.

I hope Scott Grayman makes it to 50th reunion next year (you too, Mazz, Joey G., and former KK., S.Luscier?). Fingers crossed its more like August-Sept. warmth for once. I like the casino there now, won $1500 last August, but partied at Siro’s and beyond in Saratoga.

Feeling good about big race day at Saratoga in ’23, did well enough to be wine buyer @Wheatfields. Travers Day look was full Boss Blue and hat, yellow-blue check shirt, turquoise tie/pocket scarf, polished shoes.

Telling others where you’re from has always been a natural part of introductions in Charlotte. Then-young nephew Ian often said, ‘We still think of you as Yankees,’ but Memorial Day starts my Year 30 here, he’s getting married in July, and he certainly hasn’t thought that way in a long time.

85-15% of people is a legitimate split between Elsewhere-Homies here. My three outstanding nephews here constitute ‘real’ Charlotteans in cultural terms. I continue telling people to shake hands with natives, even passing through a network mixer and turning into the Spoke Easy http://www.thespokeeasyclt.com shop to get a $3-16 oz. PBR and excellent advice about my Miyata needs.

With a church-related group’s annual dinner tonight, and plans for mingling at Mint Museum’s Kick Back Party Sunday afternoon (1:00-5:00), things are moving well on Social Goodness front in Charlotte. Mental health-wise, get as much Good as you can before election fever starts.

I remember how earlier on, GE shipped the division that made toasters out to Greenville, SC, and in HS some guys talked about being a third shift floor sweeper, because you could sleep on the job. My Dad was a RIF casualty in 1958, about the time third of four boys arrived. All the people from his GE Apprentice Alumni Association group camped together, got pregnant together, got old together.

50th Reunion – Linton HS

I’m unsure how many know that Schenectady and GE had primary parts, as Illium Electrical Works, in Kurt Vonnegut’s ‘Player Piano’ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Player_Piano_(novel). Journalism legend Ray Patterson included several Vonnegut books as required mid-70s reading, but producing Linton Highlights every two weeks remains a journalistic point of pride. Ray sent many of us off to college for Journalism degrees, the most popular major in the post-Watergate, Woodward and Bernstein righteousness. At reunions, I’m always recognized as ‘one of those Journalism guys.’ Close enough. Books written? Sure. I include Charlotte in mine.

In 1975 our graduating class at Linton was 540, which merged in 1992 with crosstown rival Mont Pleasant (at Linton campus) to become Schenectady High. It currently has 2,815 in grades 9-12 (even distrib.,76% grad. = 535). I was working in scholastic fundraising then, and General Electric pauperized three school districts when a tax judgement case forced return of years of previously paid company assessments, and included knocking down a quantity of no longer needed buildings, even historic, to reduce future assessment.

At reunions, I’m often recognized as ‘one of those Journalism guys.’ Close enough. Books written? Sure. I include Charlotte, not Schenectady, in mine.


https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/218725526-a-triple-shot-of-karma-&-platinum-fury-focus –April 13, 2024.

Employment with, or GE stock, was certainly a good thing, but I was never on the payroll. Brother David, new MBA guy in mid-90s, had a short manager gig there, got hit with a wildcat strike early on – 23 workers checked in and left. Perhaps he wasn’t convinced their promise to ‘give him 120% of what third-shift did’ was a best effort, or he might have compared them to a crew in South Korea as being out-produced at every level.

History? Everyone has it

My first job out of college was a direct result of running in the Schenectady Stockade-athon (15k) in 1979. Of all the training things I didn’t do well, running ten miles in cotton shorts gave me hellacious strawberries on inner thighs. For second interview with TIME, Inc., walking in kind of funky, the VP Recruiting said, “Looks like a story goes with that walk.” I told my runner’s story well – job was 20 cold calls a day, road guy with a company station wagon who could talk as soon as they walked in the door was a match.

Schenectady was just part of my territory (the Hudson Valley and Vermont) and where I continued living the first couple jobs out of college.

A favorite hang out was the Electric Grinch bar on Erie Blvd. One evening a bunch of ruggers came through, and I recognized Kush, a guy from Brockport. Don Kushine was literally that guy *everybody* knew. I hadn’t played college rugby, but liked thumping people, comradarie, lifestyle, so I started in 1980. The Schenectady Reds had a significant history, based on a lot of foreign engineers who played while passing through GE headquarters. There was also a feed from Union College for similar smart types who stayed around.

A SuperFund site (or two) discovered as being hazardous buried GE barrels, I think we even covered it in our well-rounded mid-70s school paper, Highlights. The environment was big then, mostly why I keep thinking all the problems GOP is muddling now – like Roe v. Wade overturned and poisons in the water – the whole PCBs in Hudson fiasco from Waterford GE – was checked on back then. (Dredge it or leave it alone at bottom of Hudson? lol Ask Chris Boehm…)

My folks leaving Schenectady was the toughest day of my life. No more stopping by and finding a piece of available pie, or having a beer (or racketball!) with Dad. I cried while hacksawing the basketball rim down, had to use Norm Diamond’s, Dad’s stuff was packed.

–Sept. 1988. The folks leaving Schenectady was a way bigger deal than GE not being ‘First, second, or forget it GE.’

As part of Karen Johnson’s 1984 Project 5000 campaign, I wrote about the prospect of using the former ALCO railroad assets at far end of Erie Blvd. from GE Main Plant, thoughts considered but never disturbed. Former City Councilman Dave Roberts opined back then, “GE was the proverbial dog in the manger – it can’t eat the hay, but it won’t let the cow get to it either.” It’s housing and casino now, so I guess its okay.

#gshorkonsharonroadseam – This is still my view, 50′ from Sharon Road, where it heads uphill to Queens University. Uphill to the left is Myers Park CC pickleball courts. The plock! of wood on plastic is part of my ‘hood. Pandemic? Yeah, I remember that.

The debacle that was GE Capital just about took out the whole company in 2008; June 19, 2018 General Electric was dropped from Dow Jones Average, 30 select companies that had represented the economy since November, 1907. There was the period of time they owned NBC, and Tina Fey got to make fun of them in ’30 Rock.’ There was the inside joke about how GE bought high and sold low. Jack Welsh was selected as ‘Manager of the Century’ in 1999.

Truthfully, I lost track of GE missteps after I came to Charlotte, with brother David and nephew Curtiss, for folks 40th anniversary (up from Tampa) in 1995. 34 days later, Memorial Day plus one, I rolled into Charlotte, having extended my drive time down by making a wrong turn in Roanoke, VA. Driving across a lot of southern Virginia to 85 in Greensboro and south again, hey, nice weather, relax.

My nephew Ian hasn’t mentioned anything about Yankees in a while. In fact, all nephews have worked on regular basis with same, business verdicts linking smarts and money, fuggaboudit on any other consideration. They’ve spent time in NYC, the belly of the Beast Yankee-wise. One was familiar with the sale of property Panthers started their HQ in Rock Hill at. Blowing matters up during construction funding hoo-hah! is not a fact everyone has forgotten. Smart guys, proud to know them. I like walking in my neighborhood too, just up the hill to Queens University.

Where I’m From…

It’s not Stallone doing Brooklyn, or Wess-chestah, or Lang Giland Nuu Yawk, its 90% rest of the state.

–Almost 30th year here, I still made that New York distinction. Now I’ll say, “Schenectady, where GE used to be.”

Albany-Schenectady-Troy became the Capital District and eventually the Capital Region, so nobody felt slighted by being mentioned last or badly (like Gastonia around here, wink nudge). Albany was the capital and legislative center, Schenectady was second mention because it had GE. Just sayin’.

When I hear people say ‘We’ while discussing the Panthers, I sort of resemble that part of the population now. Blogging and online work involves feature style into sports proposition material, betting on my knowledge of Big East hoops worked pretty well during NCAAs. Marquette was a flameout, I liked Creighton too. If the Hornets could get a stud guard like Kolek, well, good wishes for the home team as NBA season ends.

Its been a long, hard slog for years with sports teams in Charlotte, so now its more a deserved Show us! attitude than anything else. That’s both legit and expected by The Powers That Be as the draft is almost here. Prediction is even more serious topics Panther-wise coming, #MrTeppers$ still isn’t making public commentary on football matters. FYI – he’s got two teams, Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, with significant presence here in an older, refurbished stadium.

Here’s hoping the local news about Morgan, Canales, and Tillis stays positive. I consider myself a Charlotte guy on most matters, been here exactly as long as Panthers, even have a burial plot here. Maybe 50th reunion will include fun time in Saratoga, no sense worrying about getting back to Schenectady about other event though.

S-C-H-E-N-E-C-T-A-D-Y. Its Alogonquin for, “Place where two rivers meet, and GE will be built.” Yeah, Schenectady. I’m from where General Electric used to be.