Critical Thinking.

The Tipping Point.

Due to my travel schedule I had planned on resuming JustMyTake next Sunday. I changed my mind based on the sad incident involving the assassination of Charlie Kirk. An incident that overshadowed the 24th anniversary of 9/11/2001.

Quote of the Week: “It’s those who lie outside ordinary experience who have the most to teach us.” -Malcolm Gladwell

I assume Malcolm Gladwell was referring to going against the grain and not limiting ourselves to conventional thinking? There are many benefits (and unfortunately downsides) to thinking outside the box. Some, in no particular order:

  • Innovation and Creativity – it encourages new ideas and unique solutions that others might not consider, leading to groundbreaking innovations.
  • Problem-solving – Unc0nventional thinking helps address challenges from a different perspective.
  • Stepping Beyond – sometimes, individuals or businesses who think in a different way tend to stand out above and beyond their peers or competition.
  • Building Confidence – working out a unique solution by thinking differently can build confidence and trust in your own ideas.

Gladwell has authored many books, one of them many of us read twenty-five years ago, called The Tipping Point. In this book, Gladwell explored how behaviors and ideas spread and become viral and lead to a ‘tipping point’. The book not only alludes to thinking outside the box, but covers how a small idea, with people transmitting their notions and using social media for socialization, can move that idea into an ‘epidemic’ – when that small idea explodes into a big moment changing many things all at once, also known as the tipping point. Sometimes, and unfortunately, that small idea does not always yield a positive outcome.

I have written about the tipping point because I have reached mine. Charlie Kirk’s assassination has pushed me over the edge, not only because of a twenty-two-year-old taking Kirk’s life, but because people are using social media to celebrate the assassination. I will continue to use LinkedIn for business purposes, and I will stay on Instagram for now as I enjoy photos from family and friends, but as of today I have left other social media channels, including X (Twitter). I will no longer indulge the wicked comments expressed by many on the sad and shocking diatribes from those who use X.

I will no longer read about groups of people celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk because his views and opinions differed from theirs. I will no longer read about people starting a Go Fund page for someone who murdered a woman on a bus in Charlotte, North Carolina. Though I will miss the just-in-time news and sports posts I read on X, I am done.

Social media has become a springboard for hoaxes, fake shootings, and more importantly an offramp for a lack of moral clarity. I am done with anyone who celebrates the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I am done with anyone who enlists the help of others to support the murderer who took the life of Charlotte bus rider. I am done with all of it.

I did not agree with Charlie Kirk on many of his viewpoints. I did not agree with viewpoints from George Wallace, Martin Luther King, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Joseph Biden. Here is what I would agree with: if you supported or celebrated the murder of Charlie Kirk, please send me a reply to my weekly email that you receive and ask to be taken off the distribution list. I have no interest in you reading my takes.

I do not agree with everything Stephen A. Smith has to say. What I do agree with is his take on the degradation of American society and people’s solace in celebrating Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and be a better human.

Nine Years. Compassion. Five Things. The End of August. Labor Day. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

A Labor of Love. Judge Frank Caprio. Top of Mind. The American Worker. I Need Answers. Scott + Hootie = Magic.

  • Quote of the Week: “Getting an audience is hard. Sustaining an audience is hard. It demands a consistency of thought, of purpose and of action over a long period of time.” – Bruce Springsteen

My brother turned me on to Dave Barry’s and Peter King’s columns. Many years ago, Barry was a columnist for the Miami Herald and now, for many years, has been syndicated across the U.S. He has an uncanny way of writing, bringing current events, humor, and sarcasm into his easy-to-read columns. Peter King’s weekly columns were also a must-read for me as he focused on the National Football League but included detail from his travels covering NFL teams and their games. Though Peter King’s content varied from week-to-week, his formatting always remained consistent.

JustMyTake first posted on August 31, 2016. Both Dave Barry and Peter King motivated me to write a blog, which started with me having to create a website. I decided to set some ground rules with the blog to hopefully generate a readership and a following. I had hoped that posting on a weekly basis, with an ethos of no religion, no politics, and keeping sports to a minimum, would yield some decent numbers.

JustMyTake has evolved over the last nine years and now includes weekly content that includes the Quote of the Week, the Question of the Week, and my favorite, Pure Talent. Posting a weekly blog has become a labor of love, with content some weeks easy to write about, and other weeks proving that there is such a thing as ‘writers block.’ I never thought that writing on a weekly basis would be easy, but I wanted staying power which to me means consistency.

Being consistent with JustMyTake has paid off in terms of readership. Nine years of posting has yielded readership numbers, that with your help are satisfying to me. Your comments, interaction, and guest-writing are needed and very much appreciated. Recent numbers from WordPress Statistics show a weekly average of 33,473 visitors which I do not benchmark or track. I am just grateful that anyone takes the time to read the blog.

I plan on continuing JustMyTake for a least another year, to get to a ‘milestone’ of ten years. All comments and suggestions are always welcome, whether they are good, bad, or ugly. 🙂

  • A municipal court judge and compassion are usually mutually exclusive. For example, running a stop sign or red light does not usually provoke compassion from a judge. Those offenses probably did not sit well with Judge Frank Caprio as well, but Judge Caprio did bring compassion to the bench in many cases. Judge Caprio passed away last week after a long bout with cancer. His approach and understanding on the bench are well-documented with his rulings highly publicized on social media. Judge Frank Caprio’s demeanor and compassion will be missed. RIP Judge Frank Caprio.

Things I Think for the End of August 2025:

  • It was great to see the crowd at East Lake Golf Club support Tommy Fleetwood as he won the Tour Championship. This was Fleetwood’s first PGA tour victory – in his 164th career start. He collected the FedEx Cup and $10 million. Great for Fleetwood and great for golf.
  • Why are mayors around the country pushing back on the Trump administration’s National Guard deployment in cities across the United States? Why not embrace the strategy and utilize the National Guard in concert with local law enforcement? Am I thinking about this incorrectly? Factoid: The D.C. police force has 3,200 officers, the lowest in fifty years. Chicago’s police staffing is also at a record low.
  • I spent five days in Mexico City (CDMX) last week. I know CDMX gets a bad rap regarding crime but name one major city around the world that does not have issues with crime? There is a good reason that Travel & Leisure ranks CDMX in the top ten cities around the world. Cosmopolitan, historic, high energy, great people, and restaurants and service levels bar none.
  • Side note: I used Uber four times during my visit to CDMX. All four drivers were driving electric vehicles, manufactured in China. Both the BYD and Geely cars were great looking, very comfortable, and had advanced technology. I have previously written about my concerns with electric vehicles but my experience with the BYD and Geely brands were excellent. Here is a quote I found from a recent buyer of an electric vehicle in Mexico: I’m from Mexico, bought a hybrid BYD SUV, with the same equipment as my previous BMW X5 – at half the price. It uses half the gasoline and I haven’t had any issues with the car itself. A great buy.

The U.S. has expressed concerns about the potential influx of Chinese EVs, especially if manufactured in Mexico, due to the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which has lower tariffs on vehicles produced in Mexico compared to those imported directly from China. Chinese automakers see Mexico as a strategic location for expanding their reach in the Americas, potentially using it as a launchpad to the larger North American market.

Minimizing the imposed Chinese tariffs by manufacturing in Mexico and exporting to the U.S. must be concerning for every automobile company targeting the vast U.S. market.

  • Labor Day is tomorrow. Celebrated on the first Monday of September, Labor Day is designated to pay tribute to the achievements of American workers. As always, a special tribute to all healthcare workers and first responders. Please everyone, fly your flag.
  • Question of the Week: As expected, some of the answers to the last Question of the Week regarding a talent that you have that most people do not know about generated some interesting responses. 🙂
  • My hidden talent is that I have no talent 🙁 Can’t sing, can’t play an instrument, can’t juggle. I choke on my own spit 🙁
  • I do song parodies about family and close friends.
  • I see ghosts.
  • My talent…..I can burp on demand…..continuously…..like the whole alphabet!
  • Private pilot.
  • I can cry on demand.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: Have you ever talked your way out of a traffic ticket, and if so, what did you tell the police officer?

  • Pure Talent. I received feedback from the last post which featured an interesting mashup combining heavy metal and Motown. A friend of mine sent me this mashup featuring Scotty McCreery and Hootie & The Blowfish. There is no doubt that putting together two soundtracks and creating a great mashup is Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Sunday Funday!

Hard Work. NB.1.8.1. Nate. A Great Mashup. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

Roger Federer. I Am Over It. A Funny Hour. The Spinners + Queensryche. Tell Us Your Talent. Layla.

  • Quote of the Week: “There is no way around hard work. Embrace it.” – Roger Federer

There can be no doubt that Roger Federer was one of the best to ever play tennis. At one time he was the world’s number one ranked player and held onto that ranking for an amazing two hundred thirty-seven consecutive weeks. Federer won twenty Grand Slams, including eight Wimbledon titles.

The question is how did Federer embrace hard work? His ability to work hard and garner positive results are reflected in the following ideas:

  • Always break down big goals into smaller tasks.
  • Surround yourself with motivated people. Jim Rohn’s famous quote: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
  • Treat and reward yourself. Doing so creates further motivation to push through and achieve your big goal.
  • Take a break. Continuous non-stop work leads to both mental and physical burnout.
  • Always be cognizant of the “why.” Stay focused on what is motivating you to do the hard work.
  • Start your day with an important task. When you populate your schedule for the next day, put the toughest tasks first providing a sense of accomplishment right from the start of your day.

Roger Federer’s commencement speech at Dartmouth tells all of us about how hard he worked to become one of the greatest of all time.

  • I had no idea that in June 2025 a Covid variant had returned in China. Now mid-August, and NB.1.8.1, also called Nimbus, has reached the United States. As much as I do not want to see anyone fall sick from Covid, I am totally ‘over it.’ The more I read about viruses, the more I am convinced that different strains of Covid are here to stay, similar to strains of the flu. Again, I am not pushing back on the fact that Covid has resulted in ‘long-term’ sickness and the deaths of many, but according to the CDC, from October 2024 to March of 2025:
  • There were thirty-seven million influenza infections
  • 480,000 hospitalizations due to the flu
  • More than 21,000 deaths occurred due to the flu

All we can hope for is that this new strain of Covid has limited impact on the health of people here and abroad. With all of that said, there are viruses around the world that we can never wish for including Marburg and Ebola. Note: Ebola is the deadliest, with a mortality rate of 90 percent.

  • I saw Nate Bargatze at Orlando’s Kia Center last night. An hour of straight laughing due to his content and delivery. Bargatze is different in many ways, with his story telling so relevant with no mention of politics and religion, and he completely stays away from bad language. I strongly recommend that you take in his show.
  • According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a music mashup is a creative piece of music that combines elements from two or more pre-existing songs into a new, blended composition. It often involves merging different musical styles, tempos, or keys to create something unique and unexpected. Mashups are a form of musical remixing that can be achieved by layering vocals over instrumental tracks or by combining different instrumental sections.

Here are The Spinners and the metal band Queensrÿche with one of my favorite mashups of all time. The combination of soul and metal never done better with a mashup combining Queensrÿche’s “Jet City Woman” with The Spinners’ “I’ll Be Around” (a Motown classic).

  • Question of the Week: There were great responses to the question of your favorite breed of dog. Here are some of your answers to this week’s Question of the Week: What sports team, college or pro, is your favorite and why?
  • The Philadelphia Eagles are in my blood.
  • Pro: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – grew up in the area and was at one of their very first home games. College: Duke Blue Devils – because everyone should be a fan!
  • NY Yankees. Great tradition & unmatched success.
  • Atlanta Falcons. Great plays and great decision making in filling the Quarterback position. 🙂
  • Pittsburgh Steelers…Grew up as a fan and can’t stop waving the terrible towel.
  • Prefer college football- and any team in Florida.
  • University of Georgia- my daughter attended.
  • Growing up within an hour of Athens, with due allegiance to the country’s first land grant University (thanks to Benjamin Franklin) and homage to my native state, listening to Ed Thilenius call UGA football weekly on WSB (Welcome South. Brother) long before TV got the call, attending UGA during Vince Dooley’s second through fifth year of head coaching, winning two SEC titles and NEVER losing to the hated bumblebees, er GA Tech, in those four years, how could the Dawgs not be firmly embedded in your DNA?! And also, living in Atlanta in the seventies and eighties, who wasn’t a Falcons diehard? Everyone always wanted the Falcons to be their pallbearers, to let you down one last time.
  • Uhhh….Man U…sort of, ain’t giving up hope of a return to 2005 thru 2013.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week, which should generate some interesting responses: What is a talent you have that not many people know about?

Pure Talent. Bobby Whitlock, the co-founder of the rock-blues band Derek and the Dominoes, passed away last week at the age of seventy-seven. In 1970, Derek and Dominoes embarked on their first U.S. tour, with Elton John their opening act! I know some of you have tired with my continued diatribe regarding the music of the past so please reply with a song and level talent better than this live version of the song Layla.

Just for your reference, this performance of the song Layla included Bobby Whitlock, Nathan East on the bass, Phil Collins on drums, and Eric Clapton on guitar. This video was from the 1985 Live Aid benefit concert. Bobby Whitlock and Derek and the Dominoes were Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Sunday Funday!

Nuclear Proliferation. Reoccupy? Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

Eighty Years Ago. The Gaza Strip. Favorite Dog. “Sailing.”

  • Quote of the Week: “It is not an atomic bomb. It is a thing from hell.” – A survivor of the Hiroshima bombing.

Last week marked eighty years since the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima, and days later, Nagasaki. The casualty count associated with the two bombings have credible estimates of between 120,000-170,000 deaths.

There will always be debate concerning the ethical and legal justifications for the bombings. There is no doubt that the devastation from the two atomic bombs precipitated Japan’s surrender, but at what cost? Those who supported the use of atomic weapons say that their use was necessary to bring an end to the war with minimal casualties. Critics claim the bombings were unnecessary for the war’s end, resulting in moral and ethical implications with many calling the bombings a war crime.

It has been eighty years. Let us all hope that the diatribe surrounding nuclear weapon proliferation quiets down and never again rears its ugly head. This video is a recorded excerpt from President Harry S. Truman after the United States had bombed Hiroshima.

  • Last week, one of my questions related to the Gaza- Israel conflict: “What is the g0-forward with Gaza and specifically Hamas? Some pundits call for Israel to reoccupy the Gaza Strip. Some feel that the United States should take over, own, and rebuild the Gaza Strip. What do you say?“

The question may have been answered last week as Israel intends to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip, according to last week’s statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu said Israel aims to eliminate Hamas and secure the area but has no plans to permanently govern there. The country will instead seek to transfer authority to Arab forces. Is this the best solution to free the remaining hostages? Could Israeli occupation finally rid Gaza of Hamas, or will it bring further conflict, devastation, and hunger to the Gaza Strip?

  • Does anyone want to venture a guess with the outcome of this Friday’s meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump? Many pundits feel that Trump holds all the cards with negotiations, as Putin, due to dwindling foreign exchange reserves and ongoing unsustainable budget deficits, has put the Russian economy on the brink of collapse. Does Ukraine need to give up some of its Eastern territories to Russia to reach a ceasefire and peace deal? We all wish we could be ‘a fly on the wall’ listening to the exchanges between Putin and Trump.
  • Thank you to everyone who responded to last week’s Question of the Week: Not considering shedding, food cost, or reckless abandon, what is your favorite dog breed?
  • The best dog is a pound puppy!
  • Basset hound because of their majestic grace and solemn bearing.
  • The beagle.
  • Yorkshire Terrier.
  • 1. Boxer 2. Bull dog 3. Mastiff 4. French bull dog Don’t make me choose!
  • Labrador Retriever.
  • No question a Beagle is the best dog in the universe.
  • Boxer
  • My dog response probably isn’t appropriate for your G-rated epistle, but for your edification: First, must clarify if the male responder is single or married. If single, no doubt, get a three legged lab and walk it regularly in a public park. Women swoon over three legged dogs, as you know, and are confident that the owner is surely someone they want to sleep with. I’ve known four guys in this situation, and the dog is invariably a chick magnet. Bet you didn’t see that one coming…….
  • Pit Bull mix.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: What sports team, college or pro, is your favorite and why?

  • Pure Talent. I enjoy various types of music including classic rock, jazz, reggae, some country, hair-band rock, and lately what some call ‘yacht rock.’ Maybe yacht rock brings me back to my early years? One artist who does resonate with me is Christopher Cross. He has a bit of an uncanny voice, but the melody and tone he uses is amazing. This is one of many hits from the five-time Grammy-award winner. This is “Sailing” and this is definitely Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Sunday Funday!

The Past and the Future. Questions. Mashup. A.I. Again. It is Happening. Tariffs. Pure Talent.

Does Caring About the Past Matter? Anyone Have Answers? Oreo’s + Reese’s. Uncontrollability. College Football. We Can Finally Move On. Sam Donald.

  • Quote of the Week: “If we don’t care about our past we can’t have very much hope for our future.” – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

The more I thought about ‘Jackie O’s’ quote, the more questions occurred to me:

  • How does our past determine or influence our future?
  • Is learning from the past important for your future?
  • How do past events and experiences affect our future?
  • Does our past behavior predict future behavior?
  • Does the past…good, bad, or ugly, prevent us from achieving great things?

Various schools of thought surround the question of the past determining the future. According to a publication by Taylor & Francis there are discernible perspectives to consider:

Determinism proposes that every event, including human actions, is completely caused by prior events and the laws of nature. In this view, the future is essentially predictable if one had perfect knowledge of the past and the governing laws.

Free Will (Libertarianism) This view argues that individuals have the capacity to make genuine choices and are not entirely determined by past events. In this view, the future is not solely determined by the past but also by individuals’ free choices.

Compatibilism Compatibilists argue that free will and determinism are compatible and can coexist. They typically redefine free will not as the ability to choose completely independent of any prior causes, but as the ability to act according to one’s desires and reasons, even if those desires and reasons are themselves ultimately determined.
An example, according to MIT: A person choosing chocolate ice cream over vanilla is still exercising free will, even if their preference for chocolate can be explained by past experiences and brain processes.

Past Experiences and Decision-Making
Law of Past Experience: The brain recognizes patterns and makes associations based on previous encounters. These past experiences influence how new situations are interpreted and how decisions are made, even subconsciously.
Influence of Success and Failure: Past successes can build self-efficacy and motivate future actions. Failures can lead to beliefs about a lack of ability, hindering future attempts.
Emotional Associations: Memories tied to strong emotions, positive or negative, greatly impact future choices. For example, a negative experience with a particular brand might deter future purchases from that brand.

The degree to which the past dictates the future will always be a subject of debate with every perspective having relative credence. Where do you sit with Determinism, Free Will, Compatibilism, and Past Experiences/Decision-Making?

  • Thank you everyone who answered last week’s Question of the Week regarding the most impactful life decision you have made. Here are some of your answers:
  • Wife…49 years and counting.
  • Having my boys will always be the most impactful events in my life. BEST decision ever X3.
  • Leaving Europe and moving to the US was by far the most impactful and the best decision I have ever made.
  • Life partner, Diana.
  • I would say marrying my wife. We celebrate 40 years next year.
  • Toss up – To pursue working with college students and having back surgery.
  • By far the most impactful, overarching, far reaching decision of my life, continuously, is trying to live as the Bible teaches. Falling woefully short, it remains an eternal goal and a grand foundation from which to function, to live. Selah

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: Not considering shedding, food cost, or reckless abandon, what is your favorite dog breed?

Regarding ‘Reckless Abandon‘ – here is Morgan James fantastic rendition of the same name.

Questions for the 1st Sunday of August 2025

  • How is it possible for someone to walk into a Class-A office building in Manhattan with an M4-style semiautomatic rifle and not be intercepted by more than one security officer?
  • Regarding last week’s tragedy in Manhattan, do the “in-office” naysayers now have more leverage to work from home?
  • Why is the Jeffrey Epstein saga wrapped around politics? If someone is complicit with sexually assaulting anyone, none the less underage children, they should be arrested. This is not a political situation; this be a criminal investigation.
  • How is it possible that champion swimmer Katie Ledecky has not lost a 1500 meter freestyle race in fifteen years?
  • A complex question that must be answered: What is the g0-forward with Gaza and specifically Hamas? Some pundits call for Israel to reoccupy the Gaza Strip. Some feel that the United States should take over, own, and rebuild the Gaza Strip. What do you say?
  • New Product Announcement of the Week: Oreo Reese’s Cookies will feature Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies filled with a Reese’s peanut buttery creme. The Reese’s Oreo Cup will combine milk chocolate and white creme peanut butter cups with Oreo cookie crumbs. An Oreo + Reese’s mash up does not match the significance of the mobile phone or artificial intelligence, but it is close.
  • I am not trying to have everyone hit the panic button nor am I anywhere close to being a conspiracy theorist. My take on artificial intelligence (AI), for the most part, has discussed both the upside and downside of this technology. My take tries to provide insight into both the benefits of AI, which there a many, and the areas of the technology where we should have concern. Here is one viewpoint from technology ethicist Tristan Harris, who co-founded the Center for Humane Technology. Harris raises some concerns I have been writing about for three years.
  • Three weeks from yesterday. Yes, the 2025/26 college football season is within sight starting off with the August 23rd game in Dublin, Ireland between Kansas State and Iowa State, followed by a slate of games on Thursday night, August 28 and Friday night, August 29. On Saturday, August 30, your plans may include more than twelve hours of college football:
  • 12 p.m. | Syracuse at Tennessee | ABC 
  • 12 p.m. | Mississippi State at Southern Miss | ESPN
  • 12 p.m. | Texas at Ohio State | Fox (both preseason top-five ranked teams)
  • 12 p.m. | Northwestern at Tulane | ESPNU
  • 3:30 p.m. | Marshall at Georgia | ESPN
  • 3:30 p.m. | Alabama at Florida State | ABC
  • 7:00 p.m. / LIU at Florida
  • 7:30 p.m. | LSU at Clemson | ABC
  • 10:30 p.m. | California at Oregon State | ESPN
  • 11 p.m. | Utah at UCLA | Fox

Those are just ten of many games I selected for that Saturday, with two other great games on Sunday, August 31:

  • 3 p.m. | Virginia Tech at South Carolina | ESPN (in Atlanta, GA)
  • 7:30 p.m. | Notre Dame at Miami (FL)| ABC

I respect that not everyone is into college football, but if you are, three weeks from yesterday gets very good. https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/college-football-tv-schedule-game-times-preview

  • For weeks I have been complaining about tariffs and President Trump’s fluctuating diatribe. I should have kept quiet for a couple of weeks as it looks like the U.S. is locking in the tariff rates around the world. Agree or disagree with the tariff rates, but at least it is a done deal (for now).

Trading partners with an agreement (as of 7/30/2025)

CountryDate announcedTariff rate after trade agreementTariff rate before agreement
UKMay 810%25%
VietnamJuly 220%46%
IndonesiaJuly 1519%32%
PhilippinesJuly 2219%20%
JapanJuly 2315%25%
EUJuly 2715%30%
South KoreaJuly 3115%25%
China*May 12, talks still ongoing30%145%
  • Pure Talent. Sam Donald has that unique blend of country with a bit of grunge. He brings a versatile voice with hints of soul and rock. Below is his cover of a great song by the ’90s band Live. Sam Donald and his Jackson, Mississippi roots are definitely Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Sunday Funday!

Miami. Rare-Earth. Sicko. AI. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

The ’80s Ruled. We Need These Minerals. Even Prisoners Have Rules. There Better Be Some Restrictions. Life Decisions. Ozzy.

  • Quote of the Week: You just got to learn to go with the heat, Rico. It’s just like life. You just gotta keep telling yourself, no matter how hot it gets, sooner or later there’s a cool breeze coming in. – Miami Vice character Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) to his partner, Detective Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas).

A take on my hometown: The ’80s in Miami were different in so many ways. The essence of Miami was and still is unprecedented, so full of hope and opportunity with the right balance of life people strive for today. Sure, the ’80s brought Miami lots of drugs, and the people and banks who controlled all that drug money, but Miami presented diverse socioeconomics that may never be equaled. I miss that era in Miami. I miss the Orange Bowl, Monty’s and the Mutiny in Coconut Grove, the Tamiami Trail, La Carreta in Westchester, Zayre, soccer at Coral Estates Park, Venetian Pool, watching my friend Rocky Echevarria (Steven Bauer) act on Que Pasa, USA? and Scarface, Arbetter’s on Bird Road, and of course South Beach, Virginia Key, and Crandon Park. My friend Robbi, who I grew up with in Southwest Miami, adds the following: Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, Doral Country Club, parking and watching planes takeoff and land at Miami International Airport, the unforgettable view from the Rusty Pelican, a beverage at Big Daddy’s, Ralph Renick, and of course, Flipper!

It is difficult for a non-Miamian to understand the mecca of neon lights, the pastel suits, and the rebellious rage that made up the thread of Miami back in the 80’s. For a glimpse and feel of what it was like, watch reruns of the show Miami Vice, the Netflix series Griselda, and the documentary Cocaine Cowboys III. Note: the Miami Vice series celebrated its 40th anniversary last week. Yes, the first episode was FORTY years ago.

At the time, I did not realize how lucky I was to have grown up in Miami – but I do now. Is it just me, or were the 80’s brighter and sunnier than the world we live in today? Here is a quick taste of Miami with an incredible theme song from Miami Vice.

  • Yttrium. Erbium. Neodymium. Lithium. Recently you have heard President Trump and other government officials discussing these unique rare-earth minerals. There are many more minerals that the United States have deemed ‘critical,” as they are essential to the national interest as they help build batteries, computer chips, and advanced military gear.

The supply chain feeding the U.S. with these rare-earth minerals is vulnerable at best, with archrival China currently dominating the race. According to Mining Technology Today, China accounts for about 70% of global rare earth ore extraction and 90% of rare earth ore processing. There is massive global competition to control the supply chain of rare-earth minerals as they are a key ingredient with powering modern technologies. China controlling the majority of the world’s rare-earth minerals raises a deep concern for the U.S., especially as technology increasingly necessitates higher volumes and more varieties of these minerals.

Here is a well-done video explaining the importance of rare earth minerals:

  • Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life terms after pleading guilty to the murders of four university students in Idaho. After two years of proclaiming his innocence, Kohberger finally pleaded guilty to the four homicides, and by doing so saved himself from the death penalty. His heinous act put him in prison for the rest of his life, a sentence that I hope results in total misery and despair for this very cruel human.

I wonder what the over/under is for how long Kohberger stays alive in prison. Even prisoners have rules, and I highly doubt they want to be in the presence of this maniac. For one, I would be surprised if he lasts past Thanksgiving.

  • Over the last two years, I have posted information about artificial intelligence (AI), specifically its use in the fields of education and healthcare. Nobel Prize recipient Geoffrey Hinton points out the virtues of AI, but in his acceptance speech, reveals his deep concern with AI’s use and governance. Here is one glaring concern: Common Sense Media, a group that studies and advocates for using digital media, reports that “70% of teens have used AI companions on a regular basis.“

Geoffrey Hinton’s sentence “an existential threat that will arise when we create digital beings that are more intelligent than ourselves” is enough to make your skin crawl.

Question of the Week: There was a good response to this week’s Question of the Week: What is your favorite board game? I assumed everyone enjoyed board games? See below 🙂

  • Monopoly
  • Growing up, board games were a huge part of my life and still is. Always love a game of Yahtzee and Tie One On.
  • Great question and playing many board games since childhood…Monopoly was my all time favorite until my number one pick(drum roll) is…Trivial Pursuit.
  • Two votes for Scrabble.
  • Marbles. It’s a board game I hadn’t played until last year.
  • If I see a board game come out, color me out the nearest exit…
  • Shots and Ladders.
  • I’m a puzzle person. I love putting together puzzles as a family activity.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: Which life decision you made has been the most impactful? (Career, where you live, to have kids, life partner, etc.) 

Pure Talent. Just two weeks after his last performance, legendary heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne passed away last week at the age of seventy-six. I did not like all his music, but some of his songs are legendary, including the mega-hit Crazy Train. His July 5th concert, “Back to the Beginning,” was headlined by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Alice In Chains, along with many others, and raised more than $190 million for several charities. Obviously, Ozzy’s music did not resonate with everyone, but within the scope of heavy metal, he was Pure Talent. RIP Ozzy Osbourne.

Note: Last week, we also lost Hulk Hogan, two-time Grammy award-winner Chuck Mangione, and George Kooymans. Kooymans was a founder of the band Golden Earring. If you are driving your car, and the song Radar Love comes on your radio, you better check your speed because there is a direct correlation with that song and a heavy foot on the accelerator.

These young percussionists gave it their best shot with this performance of Crazy Train. Ozzy’s interaction with the kids after their performance is fantastic. I do not remember music class being this cool when I was in school.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Sunday Funday!

Barriers. Money or Politics? Question. Urban Sprawl. Pure Talent.

Versace. Is The Late Night Show Format Kaput? What Song? Be Careful Orlando. This Is Not Tap Dancing.

  • Quote of the Week: “You have to break a barrier every day. Fashion, to me, is born and dies every day.” – Gianni Versace

There is no doubt that Gianni Versace shaped the fashion landscape with ever-changing and provocative designs. I am sure he challenged himself as well as his associates and peers to “break a barrier every day…” One example of Versace breaking a barrier was his successful effort to merge fashion with pop culture. He broke a barrier by making his design and fashion feel glamourous. He ignited the age of the supermodel with Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and others, never wanting to sit on his laurels and always challenging the relationship between fashion, glamour, and celebrity.

Versace felt that fashion was ever changing and lived by the rule of breaking the barrier. Here is a great example of Versace using supermodels with his innovative designs, using four supermodels and George Michael in his 1991 Versace Fall Show. Versace did things differently and never let barriers get in his way.

  • Is it the late night format, or is it politics? CBS, owned by Paramount Global, announced last week that they were cancelling “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” I do not watch the show but the late night talk show, specifically “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”, was part of my early childhood ‘education.’ My Aunt Kay never missed Johnny Carson and with or without her, I started watching the show at an early age.

Hopefully, the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show was due to shrinking audiences and increasing production costs, not the politically turbulent climate for free speech and Colbert and President Trump’s disdain for each other.

Note: Paramount’s proposed merger with Skydance Media is being reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by President Trump’s nominee Brendan Carr. CBS canceled Colbert’s show just three days after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with President Trump. The New York Times has reported that the show was losing millions at the time of last week’s announcement.

Question of the Week: Thank you for your answers to last week’s Question of the Week asking What song would make the best theme music for you?

  • The song Free from Seals & Crofts.
  • Unstoppable by Sia.
  • Hello Gary, I hope all is well with you and I did a lot of soul searching on this and while there are many songs considered my fall back continues to be Lennons…In My Life
  • The song Right Now by Van Halen.
  • Celebration by Kool and The Gang!
  • Being a complex individual and unable to limit by song themes while dealing with such unbound diversity (croaked yet?), I did manage to whittle the catalog down to four, in this order: “I Love Rock and Roll” (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts), “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Baby” (Barry White), “Lawyers, Guns, and Money” (Warren Zevon), and finally, “Amazing Grace.”

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: What is your favorite board game?

  • I moved to Orlando eight years ago. The area is basically a tale of two cities, one being the theme park and convention center area, which is southwest of the city center. This area is obviously bustling with tourists, convention goers, and traffic that is mind-boggling. The areas north and east of downtown are made up of small towns that are very livable, full of restaurants, lakes, and parks. The unfortunate dynamic of Orlando is similar to many other cities around the United States, especially southern cities like Tampa, Charlotte, and Atlanta. There was, and still is, a big miss with urban planning in many cities, including Orlando. I experienced this living in Atlanta and again am dealing with the lack of foresight and planning in Orlando. Orlando’s rapid growth has led to challenges with urban sprawl, traffic congestion, and to a degree, inadequate infrastructure.

The population growth in Orlando is driven not only by large employers like Disney and Universal, but by the technology sector fueled by no state income tax, companies establishing offices in support of the Space Coast, good school systems, and a bearable cost of living. Like Atlanta, the public transportation system is lacking with the SunRail commuter rail having limited service hours and routes. Aging water and sewer systems and road maintenance continue to warrant the need to upgrade and modernize while new theme parks continue to drive a massive influx of tourists. Note: Some Orlando peeps may disagree with my assessment, but remember that I am comparing Orlando to Atlanta, where I lived the majority of my life.

I like areas of Orlando including Thornton Park, Maitland, College Park, and Winter Park. Good and diverse people made up of some Orlando natives and many who have relocated here to enjoy a better quality of life. I do like Orlando but let’s be clear: I will never learn to like anything to do with alligators. 🙂

  • Pure Talent. I have always enjoyed watching tap dancers, cloggers, and Irish step dancers (a.k.a. Riverdance). Their foot speed, coordination, and flair is amazing. With all due respect to tap dancers including Fred Astaire and Gregory Hines, look at this professional Flamenco dancer’s ability to match his dancing with the music in this performance. Joaquin Cortes is Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Sunday Funday!

No Expectation. Answers. Variable Trade Agreements. Pure Talent.

Pay it Forward. Travel Back in Time. On-Demand Tariffs. Andrea and His Daughter.

Quote of the Week: “Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” – Princess Diana

We have all done what Princess Diana stated above. We have acted on and performed some level of kindness without any expectations of quid pro quo. Helping someone else without their knowledge is a positive experience for all.

My sign off for each of my posts includes the phrase ‘pay it forward.’ That can be a simple gesture of kindness that provides smiles for everyone. There is a diner in the College Park area of Orlando that is frequented by first responders. At times I have asked my server to include their bill on mine without telling them who picked up their tab. That $30-$40 is money well-spent considering first responders ‘pay it forward’ every day.

I really do mean to ‘pay it forward’ when you can. This example was from many years ago.

Question of the Week: The question in the last post: If you could time travel, which era would you visit, and why? Here are a few of your answers:

  • The debate and signing of the declaration of independence.
  • If I can, I would go to the late 1950 and early 1960.. I love an Egyptian singer (Oum Kalthoum) and the rat pack (especially Sinatra). I would be shuttling between Cairo and Vegas. Really Nice.
  • The time of the Greatest Generation….a great ethic, and family time treasured.
  • The late 70’s to early 80’s….duuuuude! Gimme a blanket and wide open spaces.
  • Classic Neanderthal period 100,000 years ago to see how life and the environmental was really like.
  • The late 18th century in Philadelphia. To be around the most brilliant minds that formulated our foundations that have survived so well for 250 years would be mind blowing. The foresight, their brilliance in the political/governance world is mind boggling. And, against all odds, as the British were sure they were about to kick their rebelling asses.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: What song would make the best theme music for you?

  • Yesterday, new tariff levels were announced for trade with the European Union and Mexico. How can businesses here in the United States plan for inventory levels, headcount, and forecast financials when tariffs are variable and change on a whim? Here is President Reagan’s 1987 take on the ramifications of tariffs:

Random Questions for the Middle of July 2025

  • The sadness surrounding last week’s tragedy in Texas, sans politics, makes you wonder about many things. For me, how can a kid’s camp, situated close to a river prone to flooding, not have an early-warning weather system in place? I know there are variable dynamics to that question, some of which I will stay away from due to politics, etc. I am not promoting this site to help the victims of last weekend’s flooding, but it does seem like the most direct way your contribution can help. https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201
  • Rafael Nadal with another class act. After Amanda Anisimova was wiped off center court 6-0, 6-0 by Iga Swiatek at yesterday’s Wimbledon’s Ladies’ Singles Final, he sent her a simple but strong message: “Grand Slam Finalist!” I am going to miss Rafael Nadal on the tennis tour.
  • Even three years ago, who would have thought Orlando, Florida would rank second nationally for technology job gains year-over-year?
  • Robotic umpires at this week’s Major League Baseball All-Star game. I cannot wait for this. 🙂
  • What are the chances of a ceasefire agreement with Israel and the future of Gaza and Palestine? There are hostages involved, there are politics involved (Netanyahu’s corruption case), there is a terrorist organization involved, and pressure from the United States and the European Union. I do not think two thousand years of conflict gets resolved in July of 2025.
  • Last week there was another massive reduction in force (RIF). If the U.S. State Department can fire 1,350 staffers at one time, what were those 1,350 people doing in the first place?
  • Pure Talent. It would be a waste of time for me to give my take on Andrea Bocelli and his daughter with this rendition of “Dare to Be.” This piece is a music video from the film “Cabrini.” Andrea Bocelli and his daughter Virginia are just Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Sunday Funday!

Listen and Not Listening. Independence Day. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

It is Not About the Nail. Billy Jack. America. Some Interesting Answers. It is All About Respect.

  • Quote of the Week: “To listen well is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well.” – Chief Justice John Marshall

There has been and will always be the critical life skill of speaking. We put a high value with effective speaking and communication including public speaking and writing skills to help youngsters grow into their desired career paths. This is all good and necessary but what about the skill of listening?

Why has the listening skill been left on the table? Why is this skill not supported by curriculum similar to speaking and communication skills? How do we expect children and young adults to adhere to a high level of listening skills when no one has been taught to listen? How can we expect adults to make the best-informed decisions if they have not ever been taught to listen?

According to Joseph DeVito, who developed The Humanistic Interpersonal Communication Model, there are five essential stages of listening:

  • Receiving – The process of hearing the message.
  • Understanding – The act of learning the meaning of the message.
  • Remembering – The essential skill by applying what was said in ways that are meaningful to you.
  • Evaluating – Or, judging the value of the message which obviously will vary from one person to another.
  • Responding – The act of providing feedback and your indication of involvement.

There is no doubt that listening, depending on the circumstance, can be challenging. The five stages of listening do seem obvious, but then again, when was the last time you were introduced to someone only to forget their name five minutes later?

I am sure you have seen the “It’s Not About the Nail” video. Though a bit on the silly side, the video drives home the point that the man is trying to solve her problem without really listening to her issues and how she is feeling. Come on, it is not like men do not listen! 🙂

  • Movie Scene of the Week: The “kick” is still talked about, and the line Billy Jack (Tom Laughlin) delivers is still a classic. As described above, the moron should have listened a bit better. The world could use a few more Billy Jacks right now.
  • A happy upcoming 4th of July weekend to you and yours. I hope that no one takes our Independence with a grain of salt, especially considering some of the chaos, terrorism, and war happening at home and abroad. I was surprised that Independence Day was only declared a federal holiday in 1941, considering the United States is celebrating it’s 249th birthday. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence and two days later, on July 4, delegates from the thirteen colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, drafted by the one and only Thomas Jefferson. 

If you have a flag, please fly it. If you do not have one, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware have flag kits for under $15.00. To our Canadian friends: you celebrate Canada Day this coming Tuesday….and my experience with Canadians tells me most of you will be celebrating all week long!

In a time that the United States must step forward, this speech includes one of the best military directives and warnings, with the coldest line spoken in the last twenty years. Unfortunately, the reminder to the world still resonates today.

  • There is so much noise regarding the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The same goes for the War Powers Act. I will not dive into the politics surrounding the 14th Amendment but if there is a challenge to a Constitutional Amendment, should process and procedure not follow by reaching a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress? Regarding the War Powers Act, both President Bush and President Obama engaged in military actions without congressional approval. Why would last weekend’s bombing in Iran be any different?

Again, these are questions I have regarding both topics without engaging in the strange world of politics. Your take on both subjects is appreciated.

This week’s Question of the Week generated many interesting answers. I asked “If you and one other person found yourself stuck on a deserted island, what three things would you want to have with you?”

  • Three things I would want on a deserted island would be lip balm/gloss, quick dry towel, and toothpaste/mouthwash (only because someone else is on the island with me). 🙂
  • Something to light a fire, something to purify water and a knife.
  • A gun and 2 more females. That’s all I need.
  • Drinkable water, yoga mat, hat! Lol.
  • Lip balm, a picture of my children and my bible.
  • Satellite phone, matches, a cow.
  • Johnnie Walker Black, a good jazz station, and the Bible.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: If you could time travel, which era would you visit, and why?

  • Pure Talent. While Denzel Washington is best known for his roles in motion pictures and television, he also provides motivational videos that cover a variety of topics. I came across this short video and his words should resonate with all of us. Denzel, for many reasons, is Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Sunday Funday.

It is More Than Physical. Responses. Fifty Years Ago. Nuclear Proliferation. Career Path. Pure Talent.

Training the Mind. Takes on Negotiation and Energy. We Are Going to Need a Bigger Boat. Bunker Buster? Did it Pan Out? Summer Madness.

  • Quote of the Week: “You have to train your mind as much as your body.” – Venus Williams

Increasing or improving your training usually results in efforts to affect physical improvements. The reality is that focusing on your physical attributes often results in overlooking the intangibles of training, including managing stress, improving focus, and channeling aggression. There is no doubt that training is just as mentally demanding as it is physical, so it is obvious that all of us need to mentally train as well.

One way to mentally train is through mental imagery. The simple explanation is the process of visualizing oneself performing a task and tricking the body into thinking that the task is actually being performed. There are many examples of mental imagery and here are two that come to mind: 1) Preparing for running a 10K race, and imagining how you will run the race from the start to the 5K mark, and from the 5K mark to the finish line; 2) Getting yourself ready for a public speaking engagement is not only about rehearsing, but mentally preparing and imagining the way you open the presentation, how you handle interstitials, and how you close the presentation ensuring you have stayed on point and within the time allowance.

Michael Phelps breaks down how and why he used visualization (a.k.a. mental imagery) to prepare for competition.

  • Last week’s post covered the topics of negotiation and energy. Both subjects generated a response – both interesting and informative:

Regarding my take on negotiation tactics:

“Interesting read about Voss’ philosophy (strategy) for negotiations. As the focus of my doctoral thesis, I used “Future Scenario Planning”, a method of strategic planning used originally by the military but also by major corporations such as Royal Dutch Shell, which helped them through the oil crisis of the 70’s. Basic idea is you develop a matrix of possible future scenarios depending on the “black swans” in culture and society. In this case, what are the major cultural, financial, or societal shifts that might occur and change the direction of society and how might they affect “us” as a corporation/entity. Desired outcome is that you want to position yourself/company to thrive in as many of the quadrants (should they come to pass) as possible. Clear as mud, I know, but the key is discerning the “black swans”. The guy I worked with on the project called them “boulders” rolling down the hill which we don’t see.“

Tracy A. is an executive with an energy concern and provided her insight into the go-forward with solar energy:

“Thank you for the opportunity to discuss energy. Everything I say here is my own opinion but informed by the work I do in the industry. In Texas over 30% of the power generated for daily use is generated from solar or wind. However, both solar and wind are unreliable at times as power sources, like when the sun goes down at night. Many residential customers are looking for ways to use solar with battery storage in their homes as a way to reduce their energy costs and for many this is a very good investment, but it is an investment. That combination could cost $30k or more which is not realistic for most homeowners. I think we will see a surge in solar investment through the end of 2025 when the tax credits will be eliminated.

For the future, I think small modular reactors are very interesting as a power source. There are many companies investing in it now, like Amazon and Google. My perspective is that we need it all. I think its great that we determined how to harness the wind and sun, but we need natural gas plants and nuclear power to continue to use energy the way that we have always used and enjoyed it. Which brings me to the Landman. I agree with the monologue in this clip – its just not as simple as we would like for it to be, there are always trade-offs. There is much to be discovered in the energy industry which is why I do love being a part of it!“

  • The Reality Check Moment of the Week: This past Friday saw us reach a milestone. Fifty years ago, this movie kept millions of people out of the water at beaches across the world. On a $3 million budget, Steven Spielberg’s second theatrical release, Jaws, was both shocking and a bit disturbing at the same time. The Jaws theme will forever be correlated with imminent danger.

I have been asked by a few readers to comment on the Iran-Israel conflict. A dilemma as I really try to stay from both politics and religion. What I will provide is my viewpoint regarding the nuclear proliferation issues between the two countries, and for that matter with the United States and many countries around the world.

  • I do not like war. The Middle East has bubbled up again and that really bothers me.
  • Before the 1979 revolution that replaced the Imperial State of Iran with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran was a thriving country with a culture of art, literature, architecture, and of course food.
  • Iranian leadership is on the record stating: “Death to Israel” and “Death to America.”
  • Nuclear proliferation by a country that wants death to other countries is not something that I can support.
  • A big question: Now that Iran’s underground nuclear facilities have been weakened, how long will it take Iran to rebuild?
  • Is this new conflict about wiping out Iran’s nuclear capabilities or changing the dynamics of their leadership and the various militant groups supported by Iran?
  • An Iranian regime collapse would be negative vibration for Putin and Russia.

My thoughts and questions are not based on politics or religion. I am only interested in the go-forward with Iran having nuclear capabilities. This video, from thirteen years ago, poses scenarios we should all be thinking about.

Thank you to all who responded to the Question of the Week regarding your childhood thoughts on a career path, and if your career followed those thoughts. Here are a few of your answers:

I think I wanted to be a business leader / CEO. I definitely followed that career path.

Professional baseball player…..my total lack of talent caused me to go other ways…

As a kid, I just loved playing with my friends/neighbors in small town northeast Georgia. It wasn’t until college that I focused on a career, and it was what my father wanted me to do. However, after three years of pre-med, I concluded I had no interest in being a physician. It is just so gratifying that kids today have so much access to folks in all fields of endeavor, to learn more about various vocations.

I wanted to be a sports journalist. Instead, a followed a path of business management.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: If you and one other person found yourself stuck on a deserted island, what three things would you want to have with you?

Pure Talent. Kool & The Gang was well known for their many hits that covered the genres of funk, soul, and R&B. The band was honored with two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. This song was not one of their super hits, but it could be one of the coolest instrumentals ever, and fifty-one years later is still one of the best. Here is Summer Madness from Kool & The Gang. Pure Talent to say the least.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a Sunday Funday!