Stop Being So Serious. A Take on UNC. Memorial Day. Putin’s Agenda. 331 Lines.
Quote of the Week: “There’s great value in being able to step back and laugh at yourself, at life, and at attitudes. Laughter helps you put everything into perspective.” – Jim Henson
Jim Henson was all about laughter. As the creator of the Muppets, Henson generated laughter from all of us no matter our age. There is a lot to be said about laughter, whether you are laughing at yourself or laughing with others. It is so fun and enjoyable to laugh hard – even when everyone is laughing at you.
The benefits of laughter are supported by a Mayo Clinic study. In summary:
“A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body.
Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.“
Maybe we should all laugh more!
- Two weeks ago, I asked if anyone really cares what Bill Belichick does with his personal life as he takes the reigns of the University of North Carolina (UNC) football program. My comment provoked a pointed response from my long-time friend K.O. Any guess what university K.O. supports in the Raleigh-Durham area? 🙂 Another long-time friend was just named the Athletic Director at a major university in the Big Ten Conference. Maybe J.S. can give his take on this interesting debacle at UNC?
I’m catching up on last week’s blog, so chiming in late on the Bill Belichick/Jordan Hudson fiasco. I almost want to say, “don’t get me started”. The real question is how long UNC will allow this circus to continue before deciding the distraction and embarrassment is too much. The hiring of Belichick was driven by an overzealous Board of Governors political appointee who disregarded the usual hiring protocol, including bypassing the university administration. It is another example of UNC arrogance and bravado run amuck. It’s the same attitude behind the athletic department consistently thumbing their noses at the NCAA (aka worst academic scandal in NCAA history) and the NCAA giving them a “wink and a nod”. But, I’m not biased. 🙂
- For a many reasons, tomorrow is the most important holiday in the United States. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and was formerly known as Decoration Day. Memorial Day commemorates all who have died in military service for the United States. Tomorrow takes on additional significance with those around the world who have fallen in the wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other parts of the world where conflict rages on. Please fly your flag to honor our fallen veterans.
- On a much lighter but sad note, we lost an iconic character actor last week. We all new him as Norm on the show Cheers that ran from 1982 to 1993, with his unquenchable thirst for beer and more importantly for his bar stool. RIP George Wendt.
- Question of the Week: Thank you to all who answered last week’s Question of the Week: If you could live anywhere in the world, with money and family not being a factor, where would it be, and why?
Italian coast looking over the Mediterranean Sea … beauty, food & climate.
Hi Gary, hands down regardless of cost I would choose the Nicoya Peninsula Costa Rica, it is a blue zone. The quality of life, longevity, happiness are the way of life with respect to nature.
Amelia Island -Easy drive, no hurricanes in 125 years…no state tax…great beach.
I suppose it would be a beach front house in Nantucket overlooking the Atlantic on a large piece of land. However, there also is a part of Nantucket that is sinking into the Atlantic. Of course, I would have to also have a penthouse in downtown St Pete for the winter.
Of the places I have visited- without a doubt Florence, Italy. The history, culture, food and overall atmosphere including the people has always been my #1.
The Amalfi Coast for the weather, food, and beauty.
London. History, cosmopolitan restaurants, arts, trains to Europe.
WOW! Great question. My first thought would be the Monterrey peninsula or Napa/Sonoma counties. Having just gotten back from a Venice to Barcelona cruise, the Dalmatian/Adriatic coast is a little beyond enticing. But after 28 trips to Italy, Tuscany is just incomparable. I need therapy…….
Here is this week’s Question of the Week: What is Vladimir Putin’s desired outcome continuing the war with Ukraine?
Thoughts for Memorial Day Weekend 2025
- Why did White House officials not disclose President Joe Biden’s healthcare issues? How and why did the prostate cancer go undetected?
- The European soccer (football) landscape is sometimes difficult to understand but it all breaks down to competitions involving either clubs or countries. One of the club competitions that happens annually in concert with European league play is the Euro League, which is a stepsister competition to the massive Champions League, the world’s most lucrative club competition. In the crazy world of sports, the Euro League final was played last Wednesday between two teams who stand 16th and 17th in England’s Premier League. The 17th place team, Tottenham, was victorious in the final, which gives them an automatic place in the Champions League competition. Yes, a team in 17th place in the Premier League qualified for the Champions League competition starting in August…and more importantly, with all revenue streams combined, should provide Tottenham a $130 million revenue bump. Just a bit wacky but a massive windfall for this famous English club. Note: the governing body of soccer in Europe is UEFA. UEFA will reportedly reap $3.6 billion from networks across the globe for the rights to the 2025/26 Champions League competition.
- Keep your pennies and give them to your children and grandchildren as they eventually will be a collector’s item. The Treasury says that production of the penny will end in 2026.
- Epic Universe Orlando opened last Thursday. The park features five themed ‘worlds’ and cost $7 billion to build. Another theme park for the Orlando area and another ride I have no interest in experiencing! 🙂
- Pure Talent. Lose Yourself is a song by American rapper Eminem from the soundtrack of the 2002 film 8 Mile. At the 75th Academy Awards, Eminem won Best Original Song for Lose Yourself, making him the first rapper ever to receive an Oscar in that category. Someone who is very talented and had a good bit of time on their hands composed this version of Lose Yourself using lines from over three hundred movies. I have no idea how this was done but there is no doubt that this comes from someone with Pure Talent.