Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/25/16

3 Up

1. Betty Shelby Booked - It's only justice served that this woman was charged with murder for her actions against Terence Crutcher. Those who are claiming otherwise have political agendas or are just not privy to the understanding of what has been going on in our country for years, decades, even, centuries. That Terence Crutcher video is still horrifying. 

2. Eduardo Perez - Kudos to Eduardo Perez in keeping his emotions together well and long enough to really educate and drive home the person - not the player - that Jose Fernandez was this morning. The story he shared about Fernandez jumping overboard to save a stranger when defecting to America, only to find out it was his mother was just crazy. Fernandez is gone way too young. 

3. Jason Brown - Brown quite playing football at the age of 29 with $25 million in the bank and has since been running a farm to help feed those in need. Much respect to Brown who chose to get his money, and get away from the possible long-term ailments of football. 

3 Down

1. Washington Mall Shooting - Have we come to the point in our society when mass shootings don't even raise a blip on our national conscience? It's so sad. But you know, gotta find out about Brangelina! Ugh. My heart goes out to the families of the victims of those involved. 

2. Charlotte Riots - It's unfortunate what is happening in Charlotte, North Carolina, but I completely understand that it is necessary. From the innocent people being shot and abused in the protests, especially among the innocent protesters, is the fact that all of this was needed to put pressure on Charlotte PD to release the videos. Whether the PD are right or wrong, these videos should be released. Just my opinion. 

3. North Dakota Black Face - Still amazing that this sort of stuff still exists. In 2016, nonetheless. I've always said, there are several states I have no interest in ever visiting. Yep, North Dakota is one of them. 

1 So Unfortunate

1. Jose Fernandez - Obviously, this is tragic. You hear all of the personable stories about Fernandez today and realize not how much he was loved and adore in Miami, but that he was a better person than he was a player - and he was a really good player. And of course, he was ONLY 24. Such a sad story to wake up to on a Sunday morning. 

Recently Read

Dear Son, Big Fan of the Kid Turning Seven

---7 Years Old --- Dear Son,  It’s been a while since I’ve dropped a few thoughts. Forgive me, I’ve just been watching. Just observing. Taking it all in. Trying to be a good dad. I’m punching the keys today from one of your martial arts practices. It’s your second with “the big kids” and also the second time I’ve found myself watching from the sidelines with anxiety, with pride, and with likely my biggest fandom for you yet in this space. My feelings are much more than you playing baseball or coaching you in basketball. Your disposition is different. Your excellence is different in this space. With martial arts, you stay diligent with the process. Respectful. Working hard. Getting better. In competition with and respecting the older kids you are training with. That’s what I’ve enjoyed. It encapsulates everything you’ve grown into thus far. Still empathetic as ever, but adding an element of self-ambition and drive - something I’ve prided myself on - and to see you mature into this m...

Working in Higher Ed, Lately

"Working in higher education must be interesting these days, huh?" That question was posed to me by several people who recently learned that I worked in higher education. The recent discourse around the industry and field has certainly shifted in narrative and the overall feel within it. I recently wrapped up my fourteenth (!!) academic year. It's remarkable to think that I've been serving students and following a passion for this long. This is especially the case considering the rising turnover, the documented yearly burnout, and the increasing exodus from the field.  And, yup, there is that whole enrollment cliff combined with the politics that are more present than ever on college campuses.  So yeah, higher education is weird right now. Very weird.  Some quick thoughts : IS IT TIME?  Yes, I have thought about leaving the field several times. Especially, over the last few years. COVID didn't really bother me, but it's safe to say that the world of higher edu...

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?