Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 3/17/19


3 Up

1. New Zealand Gun Laws - After the tragedy this past week in New Zealand, we all watched how quickly the country made new legislation and passed new laws to prevent measures like this from happening again. That's government working with the people in mind, and really, with humanity at the forefront.

2. Special Olympics World Games - If you've never seen parts of any Special Olympics event, I urge you too. If you're an athlete, a former athlete, or just a currently active person - or heck, a person who can be inspired! - these athletes will do that as well as redefine what sport means to you. Always love it.

3. College Basketball - So much basketball! Who doesn't love this time of the year. Especially, when you're a Knicks fan, and we're as bad as we are this year (isn't it every year?). It's fun playing pseudo scout. I digress on the Knicks jabs - but I can't wait for the tournament!

3 Down

1. New Zealand Mass Shooting - It's so sad. So, incredibly sad. One story I read stated that multiple people died at the hospital because it is so unusual for doctors in that part of the world to deal with gun wounds. That just blew my mind. To think areas like this are now inspired by our culture - and the very worst parts of them, including White Nationalism - makes it all that much worst.

2. Ethopian Airlines Crash - Another heart-wrenching story. Everyone's hearts and emotions really got beat up this week.

3. Brazil School Shooting - Has the world just lost its sense of love, humanity, and appreciation for life? My goodness...

2 SMH

1. New Zealand Shooter Manifesto - It's easy to pick on the President if you're not a fan of him - and sometimes I admit, those kind of narratives pile on for no good reason from many. But as mentioned in the #1 Down of the week, it's very telling that a mass shooter names our President as inspiration. I find that to be very sad, and truly, a very telling sign of the time we are in. It's awful. And that's up there - for me at least - of what has come out of this Presidency. SMH.

2. College Entrance Scam - When this story broke I was furious. I wasn't surprised. I work in higher education and am passionate about education. I see this stuff ALL THE TIME. And even then it makes me mad. But it's amazing to me when rich, connected, white families already have so much privilege in the education process, feel the need to go further and cheat and break the law to lean it even more in their favor. Unbelievable.

I'm upset because there are kids out there who didn't get a higher education opportunity because of this scam who could have used it, and really, very much earned it.
Labels:

Recently Read

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?
Read more

Knicks Trauma - Ugh Not Again

Well, that was a kick in the stomach.  Coming off a week where the word "catharsis" was used as the description for the euphoria and release of joy from two and a half decades of suffering, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers brought about another word - trauma.  Watching the Knicks collapse was the kind of moments that come with these deep runs and moments. NBA Playoff basketball will do that. Yet, this loss - this one - feels about as bad as the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees collapsed in the series to the Boston Red Sox.  That one carries some serious trauma. Luckily, the series isn't over.  Some other quick thoughts from this awful, awful night, New York Knicks Basketball.  - Not to conjure up hyperbole, or even contribute to "hot take" sports reaction culture - but this might have been the worst loss in Knicks franchise history. I cannot think of another in my lifetime, or historically.  - Tyrese Haliburton's "choke"...
Read more

Knicks Back in ECF Causing Catharsis

I've certainly shared my emotions and thoughts regarding the New York Knicks on this site over the years. There have been plenty of those to sort through - most of them are rants. Tonight, the New York Knicks ultimately destroyed the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, 119-81. I sat on my couch, afraid to allow myself to feel joy until that final buzzer. As a Knicks fan, I've been through too much to allow myself to do anything else, to make any assumption, until it was final. Until it was confirmed. Until something couldn't fall through...the way we're used to.  Once it was final, it was unreal.  The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the first time since 2000.  I was 15 years old the last time that happened. And that was a run with a squad that I consider (still) to be my favorite Knicks team of all-time.  I sat on my couch with all sorts of feelings. My wife was likely trying to understand the moment. My son, exci...
Read more