#microeconomy, Political, Sports, Thought Leadership

March Madness is hoops time, start of proms & wedding season for my microeconomy, war in Iran, No Kings! march

March 26, 2026March 29, 2026by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

Yes, yes, yes, its a horse race, and you get the analogy, right? Down to Sweet 16 now for March Madness, but as an event, I’ve gone 6-6 on having a great time at Queens Cup Steeplechases. was always high on my social calendar. Can’t really bet on them though...

Having sent my nephew a long video by a journalist that hits an 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 5,000 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 (<$400 of 900, tracked it two weeks) in time for Easter.

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 $$$ of gas for him to haul it behind his 37-ft. RV to Charlotte. Hey, GOP! make the deal, push on TSA $$.

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 the gauge in Sonata shows is available. Bought $50 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 her friend dying of a heart attack. IMHO, RFK, Jr. is a hazardous moron- if not for Hegs and Bondi, he’d be #1 on my list to join the unemployed roles.

Getting that 5,000 words submitted was personal, as is this blog- I haven’t done one in six weeks. Production is a specific part of considering myself a Writer. Having told customers I’ve created a schedule where I’m working 8/9:00 ‘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 a shooting war, and being WAY short of experienced leaders after all the high-ranking military people who got canned in last year when prez and Secretary of DEFENSE (still the official title, not War) didn’t like their standing on long accepted previous US standards of conduct. MINNESOTA definitely transferred a major amount of steel to American spines by what they did in such obvious ways and conditions. Millions here and around the world- understood it 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, and yes, school girls, 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, yet there’s a real possibility that politics and religion become THE most incredibly decisive dividing line this country has ever seen.

While the US is considered ‘The Great Satan’ by 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. Speaking up about the possibility of *another* (third time?) sneak attack at such a time, ‘Couldn’t happen’ isn’t a simple thought right now.

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

I bemoan the loss of my own skills, iffy free throw shooting and range, meh. I hate how idea of NIL millions changing things so drastically. As an aside I wonder, could trump’s policy negatives mean the World Cup plans *doesn’t* include playing here over the next couple months.

The Sweet 16 starts tonight though, I’m off, and whether cheering at Palm Restaurant or washing dishes and doing laundry with a pizza, watching is my Tradition. Amen. 3/26/26

I watched the Duke-Siena game (71-65) that kicked off March Madness. Siena-no subs!- lead at half, surprised all by hanging 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 (grad) 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 history is often about ‘cradle of coaches,’ because several have come, knocked out a couple 20-plus win seasons in MAAC, 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? Had to 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, and local Hornets are making plenty of noise at 39-35 (10th place, play in), just beat the Knicks Thursday. https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401810918 . All the exciting NCAA finishes we’ve seen, and those to come, its part of my sports writing mental makeup to watch. Yes, UConn ladies under Gino A. are 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 is amusing stuff. A Woman with solid cred and a sweet J like Obama as President, I’d probably sub them in immediately.

Panther Football, Thought Leadership

A 15 Year old Time Capsule, Right on UConn win, A BIG Duke Win for Coach K and Schuyer, Zoubek Was The Man

April 11, 2025April 12, 2025by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

I’d be tempted to throw in the link from 15 years ago yesterday, which credited UConn for its back-to-back titles, the obvious relationship for Duke coaches then and now, and the biggest Dookie, Brian Zoubek. Only time anyone recalls Coach K just pounding you with size, including two Plumlees.

While Kyle Singler and John Scheyer have been quality players for years, Duke wouldn’t have been in the NCAA Finals if Brian Zoubek hadn’t finally played a full, injury-free season. Duke changed from its usual defensive pressure to Playing Big, *really* big with the Plumlee brothers going 6’10” and jumping all over people, but this past month especially, Zoubek (that would be MISTER Zoubek to you Cal fans) showed exactly what being BIG and talented means. Rip down a rebound and everyone around you seems to be only armpit high, that is the epitome of Large. Singler was the MVP of the Final Four, but capping a college career the way he did was great for Zoo.

(Just how precisely the finale mirrored Duke’s loss this year shows how close winning-losing such events often is.)

No problem acknowledging how tough Butler played – even the great Duke champs of the past rarely played in-your-shirt, hand-to-hand-combat intense D better than the Bulldogs did Monday night.

Frankly, if that last half-court heave by Haywood banks in, all the air would’ve come out of Dookie Nation’s chest for well into the future. Nobody would be questioning whether Coach K was full of it by saying this was his greatest championship, though many consider it his best coaching job because the talent wasn’t as overwhelming as past teams…

The bottom line, 5th year useful guy Zoubek earned the ring so many expected freshman Flagg, and a superbly well assembled set of teammates, to emerge from a chalk walk of #1s to the Final Four March Madness in San Antonio with. One short-armed, fallaway J, one bummer of a foul call was the difference. No Mr. Big finale.

The air HAS gone out of Dookie Nation, how and when will anyone know whether Cooper comes back? Yeah, yeah about his NIL value at Duke, $4.8 mill you say? They hustled his incubation time to make him a stud professional NBA legend at 19, won’t another year put a beating on his Year 4 valuations…Blah, blah, blah. Love the commercial where he gets sweated up at bingo. Or did the first 999 times. NBA body and smarts, got it.

Tough to maintain focus in college fishbowl? NBA is eighty-two games, THEN the abuse of playoff *series,* not onesies. Doubters about being ready? Mostly no doubt. Bird-like? C’mon. Stay or go? Pull the ripcord my man, be a great student-athlete example. Hey, that twin of yours who didn’t push up a class, he got any game?

Plenty of time to What If –

Two weeks from NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers don’t have exactly the same falling off a cliff decision with #8 pick as Flagg to NBA. Still plenty of guessing about HOW MUCH defense is enough, enabling the drafting of other than necessary edge rushers and linebackers from a deep group.

The What If – Penn St. tight end Tyler Warren fell to #8 Panthers pick, would Morgan prioritize XYZ (Walker from GA) on defense ahead of selecting ANOTHER tight end who blocks and catches very, very well, and would continue filling RB and a tight end room just about like HC Canales has frequently stated? https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4431459/tyler-warren

While there’s still a quantity of #MrTeppers$ available, Morgan paid up for a LOT of talent in the most necessary places during ‘legal tampering period.’ The Panthers Football Operations people kept Ejiro Evero as Defensive Coordinator after a brutal statistical season – and a previous #4 rated one, before a solid linebacking corps went free agent. Morgan provided the ONE absolute that 3-4 defense required, a nose tackle who is great on holding up double teams with physical dimensions.

If you haven’t heard about a signee from Rams name of Rozeboom, he notched about as many tackles as Panthers D-line had last season (135), you will want to see how he operates.

Don’t sweat the Eagles DT (Williams) who blew Panthers off for $104MM of the Patriots money, *that* friends, is what over-paying looks like.

The Great American Family Experience, 9 am Saturday version

A little Control on the world, maybe

It never hurts to call a high strike to make sure the batter remembers we talked about getting swings vs. looks before the game. I love covering specific situations in pre-game talks, which become easy judgements when they happen (recently). I listen to what a manager wants to fix about something I also witnessed to develop possible explanations/resolutions.

I’ve been the plate umpire every time out because as old-ish veteran, I have the equipment the 15-year olds I’ve teamed with recently don’t. I’ve made a difference with many catchers, telling them to get bats out of the way, so they don’t interfere with a play. I tell the crowd how catchers move the location of pitches (very worthwhile talk). I picked up three games this week, and maintain LL is a healthy outing after WFH writing and blogging.

Pass on a Friday nite gig to play poker? Nahh, no guarantee I’d win big, and there’s those taxes, about two terrific hours of community involvement with the Great American Family Experience will help pay for.

$600 into Umpiring this Spring, I’ve gotten hit kind of regularly, a couple of the ‘particularly close’ genre. When pitcher barely had enough juice to bounce it off the edge of the plate – then right past the catchers ear, never even got a glove up – it doesn’t hurt, but the streak has ended. 4/5/25

The NHL playoffs begin April 19th. Possible latest ending date – June 23rd. I’m not a hockey bettor. Charlotte Hornets (19-61) fans will have open schedules shortly, but they weren’t really bettable either. There might be a reason to talk about LaMelo shortly. Just sayin,’ if Mavs can pull the pin with Luka a season after Finals, LaMelo is not untouchable as Face of Franchise.

I will tell any nice ladies in advance of the much hotter part of LL baseball season, yes, I will always accept a Gator or PowerAde, any flavor. Here’s to the Great American Family Experience.

Two weeks to Morgan Draft #2, not so bad waiting for actual progress vs. fantastical trades and must gets online verbiage. Grab yourself an Ultra (or Dr. Pepper) like Billy Bob in ‘Land Man,’ hang with a bad enough Good Woman you’re sure there’s not a snowballs chance of Happiness ever happening with, but rest assured, Panthers GM Dan Morgan is doing a *fine* job of investing #MrTeppers$, not yours.

If that includes getting a super chunk of ath-o-lete as a first rate, NFL ready offensive weapon for Bryce Young’s upcoming third year, I’ll be good with that.

#leadership thought, Business, Sports

4 Perfect Carolina Lifestyle Days, 4 Days of ‘Madness’ Default, NC Legal Betting Worked Well

March 26, 2024March 28, 2024by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

*Unfortunately, the Queens Cup Steeplechases, a favorite Social Goodness event, won’t happen this year. Its one of the best non-betting race days around.* https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/north-carolina/union-county/queens-cup-steeplechase-canceling-its-2024-horse-racing-event/

Thanks to a short, white Dukie guard who got final point (148) in a blowout so I won a 3-leg parlay of Overs my first online weekend. Two terrific 12 mile rides to Pineville and back on long time steel-steed (Miyata), and my case of Nakedwines arrived. Yep, #BoomerwithAttitude.

Cycling under brilliant blue sky, working smooth and quiet through gears, and pacing along the scenic course after watching beaucoup hoops, I appreciated finally caving to the constant barrage of online gambling sites in a financially positive way. It was easy to see, use, account credited wins fast, tracked bet history.

Creighton won by more than 4.5 in DOUBLE OVERTIME! and as noted, James Madison-Duke also paid off. Question was whether JMU would keep Duke motivated with a forty point lead to hit 147.5, and fan-wise, I was happy it all worked out like it did. Young Dukies dusted somebody when they needed to, thanks to dude dropping ten-treys – plus a FT, yay!

Yes, betting is linked to my sportswriting in current-factual mode. Watching Big East action all year came through – ANYone can pick UConn – and the Bluejays are for real, riding 7’1″ center Ryan Kalkbrenner, a well-balanced team at both ends of floor. Just sayin.’ Marquette (also Big East) with Tyler Kolek back after six games (oblique) is incredibly productive and mentally tough.

It wasn’t really a laziest weekend, because TV watching centered around a profitable time-task, but NCAA watching AND getting out for dribble-shoot session at favorite glass backboard between games, that’s Carolina Lifestyle too. Yes, I cooked a pizza – a Screamin’ Sicilian Supreme that is 25 ounces, loaded with everything, plenty cheesy. Two-for $7.99, a no brainer.

Anyway…I got ancient Miyata – Owned 32 yrs., 12 spd. levers on the down column, a working antique! – looked at regarding a bent fork, smiled at expert saying, “You fit on this bike? Its a frame for someone like 6’5!” Being five-ten on a good day, imagine my surprise. 32 years!

Bike guy said, hey, bike and fork are steel, its not carbon fiber or aluminum stuff that might just shear off. You rode it couple years already, no problem, but since other guy pointed it out, you’ve gotten your warning.” Great! I bought/he changed rear tire, oiled chain, bang zoom! $34, I got my gear on and rolled on an optimal, 74 degree sunny day.

What WFH and lifestyle are elementally about

Great weather is a profound temptation for WFH, remote, freelancers of all stripes. Those who plan fitness-physical sessions into schedules or life processes (early rides or runs, ProFlex, tennis, social-business golf, pilates) gain benefits with regular doing, nothing radical about getting away from keyboard.

Quality of life issues go beyond elder care considerations though, and issues of aloneness have become workplace issues post-pandemic. WFH was a mandatory restructuring, and how work got accomplished – collaboration – became the focus.

Best practices now includes Quality of Life/lifestyle considerations, and for those who aren’t missing loooong, tension-producing commuter trips compared to tea time with two daughters, bunnies – and perhaps a wife who has professional concerns herself – who all leave you alone in home office, great! If you only need another hour to realign some elements of that leadership thought piece…how about Now as best practice?

Holding yourself accountable is, well, mandatory. When the light goes on in office area, time on task, right? It’s cool to put laundry in or out while WFH, call it an alternative smoke break. What I’m doing in geek-speak, is letting things run in the background. Nobody is holding my feet to fire about including a bathroom break (or tea time), yet ideas are still percolating, we’ll see if they fit or not when back in the saddle.

This lifestyle has become #New Normal for many. Four day work weeks, for whom? asks a freelancer, arranger of self-schedule.

Put the carrot out there is a consistent work rule

Knowing yourself and work habits either becomes positive and factual, or you are kidding yourself about what constitutes JOB PRODUCTION.

There’s a three-mile course four blocks away. Everyone watches out for riders on that route. Right, two laps, after a working lunch. How close to 800 word target? We’ll go after smoothing out the XYZs, then let it simmer 35-40 minutes while working some upstrokes for quads. I’ll read it again, trying to hit person with interest of a novice, but also a voice of shared expertise. Cool.

Is that the plan? Freelancers might confuse themselves with the choice of ride or finish assignment, might not care for Zoom sessions, but you’ll recognize when priorities get messed up, lack legitimate resolution. If you DON’T recognize it, Challenge #2 will be a bad lesson soon. Going into an expected frenetic period like this weekend, not setting yourself back through total procrastination should be a point of professional pride. (Honestly, I should have finished this Monday.)

Working for yourself means the work represents who we are, and product is creative writing worthy of someone agreeing to pay us for. Creatives call it production, and collaboration is communication and technology. Was Zooming a constant, less gratifying experience for many? most? split? I haven’t needed to be in many meetings the last few years, I’m more point of spear application, with previous expertise, online gigs, showing research and creative writing skills as a resource.

I still consider AI some version of the enemy, and as always, the chimps haven’t produced any Shakespeare. I’m still your best writer option. Just sayin’. https://cdtalententerprises.com/2019/12/03/real-writers-best-option-for-creative-work-ai-or-1m-chimps-computers/

If you want a Secret Sauce Moment, it’s when default expectation is ‘Relax, you’ll get plenty of opportunities!’ Working effectively means sunshine isn’t a guilty cheat, its a deserved goodie.
— 3/25/24 #gshorkonsharonroadseam – Location matters less with online work, but living four blocks from The Booty Loop, cool.

If you asked about Alone, you probably know the answer

Am I walling myself off and not meeting enough professional others in a post-pandemic world? I liked the people I worked with, but am I, as a remote-WFH person, missing out on things being away from office?

Its a recognized situation, and while collective drinking (and analysis) with others during March Madness is a fact, pushing yourself to attend outside of bubble activities definitely takes practice and personal effort. Queens University is less than a mile away, and I’ve participated in several outreach programs held there over years I’ve lived in Charlotte. Its never been easier walking to an event and mixing with those of similar mind, a classic way to meet.

Fourth of July, I spoke a while with both a political candidate and one of the grande dames (informally) of a strong community group, while dismounted from my bike ride. I admit to having a great neighborhood to walk around in, and after passing someone with their dog, “Is that a Golden Doodle, or… ?” is the easiest 25 feet away ice breaker ever.

Even as an umpire for Little League, where I’m a bit of a yakker-willing to chat with almost everyone guy, point is to take advantage of low personal risk, easy reasons to speak to someone. Like between inning grounders, practice easy conversation. “So that’s how to read that X rule, Blue?” Perfect. You’re off the hook, just nod while expert talks is a best practice. Next guy by will ask another question.

You aren’t expected to be brilliant, 90% of life is being there, right? It’s a new microeconomy, adjust.

Pressing the flesh again at Chamber of Commerce or industry events, especially if you weren’t comfortable with that part of networking before the pandemic, will take discipline.

You can read dozens of opinions on LI, even respond there, but face-to-face is still my happy place. I call it Social Goodness, and feel free to not immediately shake hands all around. Let others know your boundary on that, “I’m still getting used to doing it,” is adequate, bring your Purell if you have to.

Pick a question or three you’d honestly like to get answered before showing up. Write it down on an index card, it shows you’re serious about it. A vast majority of time, a person you tap will take you to others, and ask *them* to answer your legitimate query. THAT’S the nub of difference,

Others can and will help you, at least talk to you about it. Best practice is like that $865 million Powerball lottery, you have to be in it to win it.

Lastly, I’m getting 250- 19×13 puzzles (16 pcs.) in my hands shortly, so I’m an entrepreneur again!

Business, Sports, Thought Leadership

Job scam warning – “Too good to be true” almost certainly still is

April 5, 2021May 21, 2021by gshorkeyblt22 Comments

*As much effort as I’m putting into gaining a next gig, I imagine a kid somewhere, with M&Ms or munching a churro, kicking a battered soccer ball, then checking responses.*

Three weeks ago, I started an online interview with a Human Resource person from a major international corporation, and barely an hour later, after consulting with a vice-president, Mr. Malcolm said “regarding your standing in a customer service online role, you are hired!”

To acquaint with, I’m Mr Greg Malcom. I’m located at Huston Tx, I appear to you as the Hiring Superior/Client Services of Doosan Group

While two out of three brothers congratulated me on what seemed like a legitimate late touchdown of economics, my Wells Fargo Director brother, Steve, opined that money seemed steep for a customer service job, and when I got back from walking the dog, I tagged him for expertise.

Later in online session, after I was ‘hired,’ there was a significant listing of technical gear I’d need. Along with two weeks training @ $30 an hour, (I’d start at $40+ an hour, benefits after thirty full days), there was a niggling negative about how I would get a check, then withdraw funds to pay for equipment within 24 hours.

Just so you know when you see it…

“Below are the list of materials and softwares needed for this position since you’d be working from home: 4 in one (fax, scanner, copier and printer), Zebra ZM400 Bar-code printer and cards, 4 drawer cabinet and office desk,Apple-(Macbook Air), Blu-ray Drive, Vista Premium), myob business essentials software 2005,For Peach Tree premium 2010 US Patent Single Users Pack, simply accounting 2009,Adobe Photoshop 52011,Adobe Acrobat 8 2012,Ariba 8 2012ASP 32007,CSS 6 2012,Dreamweaver 7 2011,HTML 11 2011,Illustrator 3 2009. Are you familiar with any of those software programs ?

The funds for the software’s and your working materials will be provided to you by the company via check You will be using the funds in making purchase of your equipment from the company certified Vendor and All equipment will be labeled on them with the company name, they will have you connected to the company database UNDERSTOOD?

“The check will be covering up for both your working and training materials as well as setting up a mini office in your home which i believe you do have a space provided for that ?

“Once you receive the check you are needed to have it deposited in your bank account via Mobile Or Bank teller. Then the funds would be credited in your account immediately or within 24 hours for cash out.. Do you understand me ?“

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

It’s an age old truism, that what might seem so super incredible juuuust might be Too Good/Untrue, and this is why accessing real expertise in the clutch is always a good idea.

While discussing the tone of ‘interview’ – especially never actually talking to a representative – you bet he smelled something wrong. His international experience with Koreans was that they’d die if professional communication was read as anything less than ‘regular English’ – the online stuff I saw wasn’t up to that standard. ‘Malcolm’ had apparently misspelled his own name and Houston (no ‘o’) in first line of introduction online, another wiggle of doubt.

The kicker was, while on the phone with me, Steve found *exactly* the company scam I’d been enthused about at 9:30 am, was running, at least referenced by FBI, since 2015. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/blog/scams-work-from-home/

BIG POINT – Recovery

What could have been a small disaster then, in what is at heart a CHECK SCAM, is worth putting out as a warning for those eager to return to economic goals in this surging economy, extra glad their skills are coming to the fore again.

That ever-lovin’ $1,400 stimulus check many were waiting to get passed by Congress, it got to my bank account on Wednesday, and depositing the company funds – which are inevitably declared NSF – electronically lets ‘them’ into your account is the heart of the scam.

I had enough sense to investigate what seemed too good to be true, more like Reagan’s “Trust but verify.” That made a disappointing ending to a singular ‘fake event’ three weeks ago easy to bury. There’s a light in tunnel now that doesn’t feel like another train. Don’t make hasty decisions or imagine a Disney ending to the challenges we’ll all still face in 2021, but hey, ask someone you trust about something TGTBT.

Of course, having facts that others can see and believe has been a problem for some lately, but journalistically, I go with believe your experts. I deep-sixed further contact with ‘Doosan Malcolm’ by 3:00. They sent a notice the next morning that I was supposed to be online at 8:00. I laughed, and will continue thinking I dodged a bullet. Be aware people.

Information Everywhere

It’s problematic that, despite 930,000 job growth last month, the U.S. still has some 8.4 million dislocated workers in a year of panemic, even those like myself, who were essentially WFH (work from home) types thinking of being ‘inside.’

Year Three of CDTalent Enterprises https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennshorkey/ company growth suffered in 2020, and putting irons in the fire or RFPs (requests for proposals) in 2021 means our personal information is often available.

I actually gave last four of my SSN to a different interviewer recently, but you had damn well better know ANY information out there is a nugget someone wants.
Check extensions for a fake contact. While e-dresses should be the company’s, mine had 3296 after it.

“Sure, let’s get you stuck.”

Thursday will be my 2^nd shot (Pfizer), the first coming a couple days after that job disappointment on Monday. Amazingly, the stimulus check was on time Wednesday, and while still officially a Category-5 person in North Carolina, I got a vaccine shot right around the corner, coming back from grocery store.

No extra fuss, the whole event took 25 minutes, from parking lot to post shot departure, an effective flow from first temperature check, to a supervisor appearing just as I talked to a young lady at a laptop to register and saying, “Sure, let’s get you stuck.”

March Madness has provided a mass catharsis

Honestly, it should be stated what a non-scientific boost this years Madness was compared to zero in 2020. Reducing the usual travel to sub-regionals, the NCAA did the bubble thing amazingly well.

The Stanford ladies team story was beyond compelling – When the Palo Alto campus was CLOSED to them, they spent almost forever – 86 days! – traveling as true road warriors. They decided that only WINNING the title would make all the discomfort worthwhile, and that’s now a 54-53 fact.

In both the semi and championship finale for Stanford, the other team’s final shot was just off the iron, the ultimate difference between victory and defeat. South Carolina’s was a put back at the buzzer that didn’t go down. Haley Jones for Stanford ‘only’ had 17 for the winners, and looked like a star on every one. Aari McDonald for Arizona – I couldn’t have been the only person surprised she only had 22 after stroking multiple bombs – including a miss on last shot, with three Stanford players hanging all over her.

In the Gonzaga-UCLA men’s semi-final, Bulldog freshman guard Jalen Suggs banked in a half-courter at the buzzer to win 93-90. Who hasn’t done 3-2-1… EHHHHH! a thousand times in back yard? Super tournament, and tonight a worthy men’s Final. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwX4yHytLJU

We’ve seen heroic efforts by all, and (for once) Charles Barkley was right, two players for UCLA were unstoppable, and who doesn’t appreciate a superhuman effort falling just short?

Normalcy

A LOT of clouds got less threatening that shot in arm day. Getting four solid calls from recruiters, two discussions (1 still not rejected, 1 rescheduled because I was headed for visit to Mom pre-Easter), and even having gotten out 4x for rides and shooting hoops regularly, I still sincerely applaude how March Madness has provided a mass catharsis in this country.

I’m also glad to have participated in a fish fry with another church organization last week. We served about 350 dinners between 4-7:30, most of them at drive through, and there was great sense of comraderie and community with those who came and sat down inside. Normalcy? We’ve always provided ‘beverages’ at our events, and those who enjoyed that and some ice cream for dessert were reminded what our Men’s Clubs can do.

That it came together in barely a week, that’s community action.

We’ve certainly seen the ultimate in team play during March Madness, and Easter is always appreciated as a time of optimism and renewal. That one small negative three weeks ago, I’m still AWARE stuff like that is out there, and that when it showed up, I questioned ‘Too good to be true.’ Be aware America.

I’m still a Boomer, flag recently replanted in 2021, and now days from fully vaccinated. What’s Next?