Random Thoughts Heading Into December. A Few Of Many Things I Am Thankful For. The Focker Gate Experience.
With the holiday season in play, here are some top-of-mind things I think:
- Elon Musk – please use your resources, assets, and technology to help humankind, and stop your racist and antisemitic rants. Just stop.
- With retailers starting Black Friday earlier and earlier every year, does anyone still rush to their favorite store at 6am on Friday?
- Last Friday, Wall Street closed out a third straight winning week. Are we really heading to a ‘soft landing’ with the economy, and will 2024 see the Federal Reserve finally done with rate hikes? Note: On Friday, U.S. oil prices fell to a 4-month low.
- Many people are talking about Ridley Scott’s new movie Napoleon, which hits theatres this week. My pick, of course, is Planes, Trains, and Automobiles or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
- Will Taylor Swift be at tomorrow night’s Monday night football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs? If so, what is the over/under on the number of times the director cuts to Ms. Swift frolicking in her suite? Must-see TV.
- I am a Deion Sanders supporter, but it looks like the University of Colorado coach and his two football-playing sons are finding out what ‘big-boy’ football is all about. Sanders’ Colorado team lost 56-14 to Washington State on Friday night.
- Journalism and fabricating stories have an inverse relationship. Charissa Thompson – you have done harm to your peers who have worked so hard to ensure women have opportunities with male-dominated sports broadcasting. Shameful.
- We have heard for years about Venezuela and their serious socioeconomic plight. What I did not know is that Argentina, a country I somehow assumed had a strong economy, is in its worst financial crisis in years, with annual inflation toping 140%. Latin America’s third largest economy is on track to shrink 3.0% year-over-year, resulting in a shocking cost-of-living crisis.
- The definition of a self-serving politician: George Santos. George, just go away, somewhere far away.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, here are some general and personal things I am thankful for:
- The ongoing efforts of first responders and healthcare workers – they are fearless and amazing.
- For the freedom to vote.
- For my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.
- For the technology such as Zoom and FaceTime that sometimes drives us crazy but allows us to spend time together.
- For my baking skills, though one of my friends has been quite critical that I can do better. Meh.
- For the sponsors, partners, owners, staff, players, conferences, leagues, and media who bring us live, televised sports.
- For my friends who bring camaraderie, laughs, and sometimes a good bottle of wine.
- For the ocean and the mountains.
- For the weather in Central Florida now being amazing.
- For all of you, who read my blog, (this being post # 335), offer up suggestions, and comment whether you agree or disagree.
- Regarding the Thanksgiving holiday, travel starting today through next Sunday is tracking to increase 2.5% over last year as more people will take to the roads, skies, and seas compared to 2022. Most airports are already busy, with an estimated five million people heading to spend time with family or taking a holiday during Thanksgiving week. We have all dealt with the bizarre dynamics at an airport gate and with the boarding process. After millions of dollars spent on time and motion studies, boarding a commercial aircraft is still a dilemma no matter the airline. Regarding the boarding process, the interaction between ‘Focker’ and this gate agent must be part of every airline training manual. Wishing those who do travel this week an easy and seamless travel experience.
Baking skills??? I might have to call BS on that one, unless I can experience it for myself! LOL
You don’t know……..what you don’t know………… 🙂