Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 12/10/23

3 Up

1. Terror Plot Foiled - It sort of flew under the radar this week...but the thought of a 16-year-old boy plotting a terror attack is exemplary of where we are in this world right now. Ugh... Thank God for the authorities who foiled this plot. 

2. Declan Lopez - She is a 6-year-old genius! That's all that needs to be said. Definitely give this one a read. Imagine having a genius in your household...as if kids aren't sassy enough. This one is smarter than you, and it's proven. Such a cool story. 

3. Shohei Ohtani - My guy just went out and got $700M. Unbelievable. Still doesn't seem real. Even better? He deferred so much of it to help the team out, and ultimately, ensured an awesome retirement plan. Applause all around for possibly the new face of baseball. 

3 Down

1. Las Vegas Shootings - Another day in America, another discussion on mass shootings and gun policy. SMH. 

2. Drug Shortages - If getting prescription drugs in this country wasn't difficult enough due to prices, now, there is an actual shortage of them. Big Pharma always finds a way, and it's hard to root for these corporations when innocent people suffer. 

3. Tennessee Tornadoes - Keep the many in Tennessee in your prayers right now. So many people are devastated after tornadoes ripped through middle Tennessee this week. 

Cover Photo

Law enforcement officers head into UNLV campus after reports of an active shooter in Las Vegas, Nevada, December 6.

Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun

Labels:

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...
Read more

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...
Read more

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