Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/13/22


3 Up

1. Election Day - Despite everything surrounding the topic of voting, the barriers that still are included in it, the lack of education on it, and the ethics on the larger stage in regards to it (i.e. gerrymandering, denial, etc...), there is still something of a blessing in a democracy, and in the civic duty and right of voting. 

I hope you voted this week - and voted with an educated intent. 

1A. - Veterans Day - Thank you to all of those who served. It's because of you that elections exist for us to screw up engage in. 

2. Universal Free Lunch - There is so much "pro-life" talk which now is stigmatized on the topic of abortion. However, little is often discussed on how truly help children on "pro-life" matters. So much props to the state of Colorado for voting for Universal free lunch for all public school students. Lunch is a huge deal and a big difference maker in closing achievement gaps and giving opportunity and access - much love for Colorado here. 

3. Dave Chappelle - I may get heat for this - but Chappelle is brilliant. Always able to tackle the toughest topics with intelligence, comedy, and thoughtfulness. 

3 Down

1. Slavery Vote - Yo, four states literally voted on the legality of slavery, and all but one, voted as you you expect. Yup, that's right, Louisiana voted against it. They want to keep enslavement as a punishment for committing crimes. Cue up Monica Alexander's The New Jim Crow book, or the Netflix document 13th here. 

Regardless, just taking a step back, it's truly sickening. Even for the states that voted Yes to abolish slavery, it wasn't an overwhelming response. 

That's us. 

2. Somalian Starvation - This story is absolutely heartbreaking, humbling, and mind-numbing. We're talking about famines in countries...famines. So sad. 

3. Twitter Culture - There are real people disappearing from your feed that you relied on, and all sorts of fake people, pretending to be those people you rely on, who suddenly spread misinformation. For what, really? I'm not exactly sure. But Elon is getting $8 bucks a month for it. 

And now there is Mastadon and all sorts of other social media options. 

Anyone else thinks Elon Musk purchased Twitter to outright destroy it. And of course, am I the only one intrigued if somehow social media didn't play a larger role in our society once again? 

Eh...wishful thinking. 

Cover Photo

A Washoe County employee uses a shovel to knock snow off trees outside a voting center on November 8, 2022, in Reno, Nevada. 

Trevor Bexon / Getty

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?

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"...

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...