No Risk, No Reward. PTSD. The Space Race. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

Zero-Risk Bias. Psychedelics. Inflatable and Habitable. Your Go-To Album. I Can’t Go For That.

  • Question of the Week: “Not taking a risk is a risk. That’s how I see it.” -Robert Redford

We have all heard, and sometimes followed the adage, “no risk, no reward.” As most of us have found out, that rule sometimes works out well, and other times not so much. Does risk always mean danger or bad outcomes? Not exactly, as taking a risk should be measured or calculated, so that your presence of mind focuses on the positive outcomes. All of us must be willing to face life’s challenges with an understanding of the risks while still embracing the rewards.

Managing risk/reward is a balancing act. How do you move forward and make a decision or ‘pull the trigger’ without making sure you stand to be rewarded more than you lose? Here is a take discussing a way to mitigate risk, a.k.a. Zero Risk Bias. Yes, I had to watch this video twice.

  • Movie Review – The movie “The Odyssey” has earned $1.4 billion globally, surpassing “Deadpool and Wolverine” to become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. Call me shallow, call me ignorant, but I gave the movie no more than a six out of 10. Too much ‘fantasia’ and thirty minutes too long. 🙂 Let us know your critique of The Odyssey.
  • The ‘space race’ is always a top-of-mind topic for me. In the United States, the commercialization of space is being driven by private companies including SpaceX, Blue Origin, and ULA. In China, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) has been aggressive and dominant with its objective of surpassing the United States as the leader in space exploration.

Earlier today, China launched their Long March 5 rocket, carrying the Chang’e 7 lunar exploration mission. This is China’s most sophisticated mission, carrying a lunar orbiter with high-resolution cameras, a lunar lander, a lunar rover, and a mini hopper of a probe. This probe will land near Shackleton Crater, where the high rim of the crater and shadowed areas result in ‘cold traps’ where water may form. This coveted area of the moon’s surface will be a big win for China, especially if their probe reveals data on the prevalence of water.

Hopefully, this is a wakeup call to for the United States and NASA. Congress has taken a positive step, appropriating funding to get the Artemis program back on track and take an aggressive stand with China.

Here in Orlando, I am getting an inside look at a segment of the space program, working with Rockledge, Florida-based Max Space on a prototype of their adaptable and expandable habitats – that will deploy first to the Moon, and eventually Mars. The project to build this prototype is a massive effort, but one that has opened my eyes to the reality of future space exploration and livable habitats.

This video discusses the expandable habitats Max Space will deploy. Do you have questions? I have many.

  • According to Better Health Channel, “psychedelics are drugs that alter a person’s perception of reality and cause them to see or hear things that do not exist or are distorted”. The term psychedelic was coined back in the 1950s by the psychiatrist Humphry Osmond to describe the effects of drugs like LSD and mescaline. Psychedelics, or hallucinogens, are any type of drug that can change a person’s perception of reality, their thoughts, and their feelings.

The Oregon Health & Science University has recently conducted a study with patients given a controlled amount of psychedelics with two-thirds declaring the experience providing relief from their anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here is a quick review of this study:

Participants reported their experience through a web-based portal, with 90% continuing to do so through three months. Key findings:

  • At one month, 91.5% felt they benefited and 64.9% ranked the experience among the 10 most meaningful of their life.
  • At three months, participants reported decreased moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. They also reported improved mental well-being and life satisfaction.
  • Few reported their experience as harmful, although four who used psilocybin for the first time experienced adverse behavioral reactions that required medical attention. No participants reported a serious event related to their physical health.

Why are the findings in this study important? To me, this study provides insight and evidence for policymakers (specifically the FDA) to consider programs for the treatment of mental health conditions, especially PTSD. Our military and first responders who are affected by PTSD may have an outlet and path to regain a level of positive mental health. Let us hope so.

This short segment from Austin’s Fox 7 provides a summary of psychedelic therapy.

Great answers to the Question of the Week asking what you would purchase if you won the Powerball lottery.

  • 1) put a chunk of the money away for my daughter’s private school and college and retirement 2) book trips to some of the coolest destinations in the world at great hotels 3) take another chunk and donate to organizations I believe in.
  • If I won the power ball – I’d wipe all my family’s debt and then go to Disney World 🙂
  • Pay off any / all mortgages for my family.
  • Setup a foundation and several public benefit corporations to feed it.
  • A serious donation to St. Judes.🎗️
  • If I win the Powerball jackpot, the first thing I buy is the advice of a good attorney on what to do with it…
  • A villa in Costa Rica.
  • I would pay off the debt and mortgages of family and friends including myself (anonymously) so they won’t know it is me. I would give lots to St Jude’s Hospital and The Guardian ad Litem Program ( which I have been a GAL since 2020).

This week’s Question of the Week: What album (CD/MP3/etc.) could you, or do you, listen to as your ‘go-to’ ? For example, I often listen to Traffic’s album John BarleyCorn Must Die.

  • Pure Talent. Talent can be defined in many ways. Talent does not necessarily need to be complicated – defining talent can be as simple as a distinct mezzo-soprano voice and Hendrix-like guitar work :). Blending blues, soul, and rock, Evan Nicole Bell gives us her cover of the Hall & Oates hit I Can’t Go For That. Evan Nicole Bell is Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be the best human, and have a Sunday Funday!

Leadership. August 9 Thoughts. The Swiss. Bison. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

Choose Wisely. $40 Billion War. It is Not All About Chocolate. It is Their Territory. What Would You Spend Your $ On? Take Your Time, Do It Right.

  • Quote of the Week: The difference between humans and animals is that animals never allow a fool to lead the pack. – Unknown

Have you ever been part of a business or sports team with the team leader in way over their head? Is it plausible that incompetency and leading an organization, at any level, can align? Whether by ownership, election, promotion, or irrevocable ego, some people have found themselves in a situation involving leadership – and they have neither the skill, experience, or most importantly, the desire to lead.

Animals pick their leaders (a.k.a. The leader of the pack) in a few different ways. While some fight to be the leader, most animals choose their leader based on experience, wisdom, bravery, strength, and empathy. For the most part, animals choose a leader who keeps them engaged while keeping them safe. Maybe humans can learn more from animals regarding honesty, communication, transparency, and intelligence. “Maybe” being the operative word.

The Quote of the Week resonates with me, and I assume many of you.

Random Thoughts for August 9, 2026

  • The war with Iran is now in month six. The United States has spent approximately $40 billion dollars on this war effort. The U.S. has temporarily stopped Iran from nuclear proliferation…but the U.S. failure to neutralize Iran’s threat to Gulf partners has both reduced American influence over key international players and negatively impacted their economic growth. Then there is the Strait of Hormuz debacle. Does anyone want to provide what the U.S. off-ramp can be since military options continue to have limited results?
  • SpaceX has tested the resiliency of the moon’s surface. The test was conducted by a bad actor – a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket hit the moon at 5,000 mph as it ran out of fuel that is required to direct a controlled descent back to Earth. Planning gone wrong to say the least.
  • Football is back. Enough said.
  • Puerto Rico – dire straits again. Not a power issue this time, but water rationing due to a severe drought. I have been to Puerto Rico numerous times, and it is beautiful. Hopefully, hurricane season brings the island some much needed water without the damaging winds.
  • Last Thursday marked 81 years since the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, leading to the devastation of tens of thousands of people and the surrender of Japan in WWII. The program that created the atomic weapons was called the Manhattan Project. Brookings Institute provided this summary of why the project was started: In 1938, scientists in Germany discovered nuclear fission—the splitting of an atom that releases enormous energy. Fearing Nazi Germany might build an atomic bomb, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized advisory committees to study nuclear weapons—efforts that evolved into the Manhattan Project in 1942.
  • Restaurant Dive reports that fast food giant Burger King’s sales of the Whopper hamburger have increased 20% year-over-year (YOY). When is the last time you had a Whopper? For that matter, when is the last time you ordered food from a Burger King?
  • Regarding fast food burger restaurants, there were one hundred people lined up waiting for Orlando, Florida’s first Whataburger restaurant to open last week. Seriously?
  • Switzerland often brings to mind snow-capped Alps and chocolate, but few would expect this neutral country to have 370,000 nuclear bunkers. Under the Civil Protection Act, civilian safety is a priority for its nine million residents. The Cold War is to blame for this unprecedented level of protection offered to all Swiss citizens.
  • I never want anyone to be injured or killed. What I do want is for humans to stop bothering animals, including bison. How many times this summer have we watched people stray too close to bison, who roam THEIR land as part of their daily routine? Yellowstone National Park has five thousand bison – some of them weighing up to 2,800 lbs. and able to run at speeds up to 40 mph. An average human sprints at 12-15 mph with the fastest human recorded speed at 27 mph. Why, for any reason, would people encroach in a bison’s space…especially considering their size and speed?

Bisons roam vast prairies. As stated above, their daily schedule involves two-hour periods of grazing and resting, then moving to a new location to graze again. There is no reason that people need to have up-close experiences with a bison and this video shows us why. I am not being sarcastic, but it has reached the point that I am cheering for the bison.

Last week’s Question of the Week asked about your take on where and how the Covid-19 virus started. This question followed Anthony Fauci’s Senate hearing where he took the 5th Amendment one-hundred eleven times. Thank you for your answers:

  • A serious flu…no more no less, we were led by others.
  • I think it was manufactured – originally for medical research and then for financial gain.
  • It started (Covid) in my backyard as I was roasting garlic – not sure how that caused it.
  • “Origin was in Wuhan…where there is the virology lab and the Hunan wet market….Rule #39 There is no such thing as a coincidence…Jethro Gibbs…”
  • The wuhan institute of virology (WIV) was funded by eco health alliance to conduct corona virus gain of function research. eco Health received its funding ($600k) from the NIH (Dr. Fauci). WIV received another $1.1M over 10 years from USAID. We don’t have direct proof that the virus came out of the Wuhan’s lab because it has been covered up by both Fauci (his diary revealed all his contemporaries believed it was from WIV)and the CCP (no confirmed deaths of workers, etc). Per Jon Stewart, It’s not a stretch of the imagination to believe the virus was released by the WIV. https://youtu.be/v_IEC-0Yj6w?is=JFw6U47BpEeROCOI .
  • I am taking the 5th. Let’s see what others say!
  • The Chinese manufactured this virus. Someone who was in that lab was infected with the virus, then traveled to Europe and attended a soccer match in Bergamo, Italy. Soon, after the game, Bergamo became one of the worst-hit places in the world with infected people. Unfortunately, the rest is history.

This week’s Question of the Week: If you won last night’s Powerball lottery, what is the first thing you would purchase?

  • Pure Talent. Something magical happened in the late seventies and early eighties that will never be replicated. The funk, the groove, the energy, and the party atmosphere of that era’s music cannot be competed with – no way, no how. This is Atlanta’s SOS Band – musicians and singers who gave it their all to produce and perform great songs. The SOS Band was Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be the best human, and have a Sunday Funday!

Rejected. Boeing. Question of the Week. One of the Best. Pure Talent.

Move Forward. Turn it Around. “The Virus.” RIP Franco Baresi. Lay it Down.

  • Quote of the Week: “Rejection is just a landing pad for your next takeoff.” – Dame Helen Mirren

While the short-term ramifications of rejection can cause a temporary setback, Helen Mirren’s quote is correct. The cause and effect of being rejected is a challenge to step back, analyze why you were rejected, and gain acceptance. Whether the rejection is the result of a job interview or a partner’s decision, the reaction after initial dismay should stimulate energy and focus to take that next positive step. Of course, this is easier said than done, but quickly climbing back into the saddle ‘for your next takeoff‘ can be a positive experience.

Some top of mind thoughts for dealing with rejection:

  • Replace the thought of not being good enough with “this was not the right fit, and that is okay.”
  • It is okay to feel disappointed but don’t let that feeling stop you from moving forward.
  • For your next challenge, partner, or job: set small, manageable, but achievable goals.
  • “Chance favors the prepared mind.” Stay mindful; stay positive.

Remember that a “no” reflects your manager’s or partner’s needs, tastes, or circumstances rather than your value as a human. It is important to understand why you have been rejected, do a bit of self-analyzation, pick up the pieces, and redirect your thoughts and energy to do whatever it takes to move on.

We can all take a lesson from Ben Stiller and his closing statement in this scene from the movie “There’s Something About Mary”…Stiller’s line: “I’m gonna hold you to that.”

  • The eye-opening business quote of the week:

“You have to recognize history didn’t start when you showed up — so you have to have a curiosity about what has taken place, why, and there are probably good reasons for a lot of things, but you also have to have a willingness to dive in and challenge the organization.” — Matthew Avril, who joined Marriott Vacations Worldwide Inc. as interim CEO in November before being officially appointed in February. He talked with Patricia Tolley of the Orlando Business Journal about efforts to redirect a company that posted a $308 million loss last year.

  • Are you a Boeing shareholder? I am sure that there have been case studies reviewing how Boeing lost its way. The downfall may have started way back in 1997 with the McDonnell Douglas acquisition, but the real icing on the cake was the 737 Max, where internal memos documented that Boeing’s culture of safety had been compromised for a number of reasons, including a new focus on cost-cutting and a lack of management direction. Two 787 Max crashes were one result of Boeing’s failing engineering culture.

Fast forward, and it seems like a few things at Boeing have not changed. Boeing’s huge contract to build two presidential planes is years behind schedule, with $3 billion in losses as part of its commitment to deliver the two “Air Force One” planes. Just last week, the company announced a quarterly loss of $280 million, a charge to support additional production and certifications, with delivery of the aircraft pushed to 2028. The only problem with that delivery window is that this was a fixed-price contract with the contracted delivery date in 2024. An amazing and unacceptable performance from The Boeing Company.

Question of the Week: Thank you for your answers to last week’s Question of the Week regarding a movie that makes you laugh even though you have watched it previously:

  • A movie that makes me laugh, that’s easy: Midnight Run. lol!
  • Animal House
  • Raising Arizona, and Something About Mary
  • The Other Guys
  • Bridesmaids. Some scenes still make me laugh out loud.
  • Young Frankenstein
  • The 40-Year-Old Virgin
  • Back to School and the Rodney Dangerfield craziness.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: Former U.S. health official Anthony Fauci testified before the U.S. Senate last week, taking the 5th Amendment to refrain from the answering the questions about the Covid-19 pandemic. Now that it has been a few years since the pandemic, give us your opinion on how and where the virus started.

  • I played soccer (football) for a long time. There were always players I admired more than others, one being former AC Milan and Italian National Team defender Franco Baresi. Yes, he was blessed to play alongside fantastic AC Milan teammates, but his poise, presence, dynamic tackling, and command of his team and the game was unprecedented. It is difficult to compare players of yesteryear against the talented players we experienced in the recent World Cup, but to me, Franco Baresi was the definition of a total player. Baresi passed away last week from lung cancer at the age of sixty-six. RIP, Franco Baresi.
  • Pure Talent. Hair bands and glam metal. Of course, no one did it better than KISS, but this Hollywood, California band created a massive stir with their hit songs and worldwide tours. RATT exploded on the glam metal music scene with their first album, RATT, that went on to sell over 100,000 records. RATT, and especially the song Lay It Down, were Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be the best human, and have a Sunday Funday!

Philosophy 101. 1st Amendment. World Cup. Peptides. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

Submerge Yourself. Social Media Restrictions. A Great Five Weeks. Making You Laugh…Again. She Does Eminem.

  • Quote of the Week: “I just enjoy the moment I’m in. For me, life is a whole experience, not just a series of isolated moments. It’s like submerging yourself into a warm bath rather than sticking your toe under the faucet.” – Alex Trebek

I find the late Alex Trebek’s quote intriguing. His philosophy views life as a continuous experience rather than just a series of isolated moments. I am the opposite, as I tend to fixate on achieving significant milestones, which may come from competing in sports and business most of my life.

I did some research, trying to find an alternative to Alex Trebek’s viewpoint. Though I disagree with most of Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophies, I do agree with his idea of embracing the realities of the world passionately, “without relying on doctrines or outside influences that sometimes drain the energy from life.” The obvious conflict with my thinking and Friedrich Nietzsche has a hard stop as Nietzsche was both a racist and supporter of the Nazi party.

It seems plausible that I should step back from treating life like a checklist of accomplishments and tasks. Maybe this mindset and change of routine would help me understand that “…life is a whole experience, not just a series of isolated moments. It’s like submerging yourself into a warm bath rather than sticking your toe under the faucet.” How about you?

  • Social media restrictions have reached the European Union with France ready to impose a social media ban for children under the age of fifteen. This follows restrictions set by Australia, Great Britain, Spain, Greece, and Denmark. While I agree with restricting children’s use of social media, I question two things: 1. How does this restriction jive with any and all free-speech rights in those countries, and 2. How does each country actually prevent youngsters from spending countless hours on TicTok, Facebook, X, and Instagram? How will social media sites (or government entities) verify users’ ages and prevent children from opening or keeping accounts?

Arcom, France’s audiovisual and digital communications regulator, reports that children twelve to seventeen spend and overage of one hour and 21 minutes a day...just on TikTok. The OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) is an international organization of thirty-eight countries committed to democracy and the market economy. The organization reports “at least half of 15-year-olds in most countries spend 30 hours or more per week on digital devices.”

I assume the United States will follow suit in the near future. What are your thoughts on restricting social media for children fifteen and under?

  • The Bad News, Good News Headline of the Week: Oracle has crashed 34% this year, dropping to $126 per share and erasing $66 billion from CEO Larry Ellison’s net worth. The good news: Ellison’s new worth is now $181 billion. 🙂

Some Takeaways from the 2026 World Cup

  • The expansion of the tournament to forty-eight teams and 104 matches worked much better than I thought. One example is the country of Cabo Verde, who had an amazing tournament with many talented players. Without the expansion to forty-eight countries/teams, we would never know about Cabo Verde and their players.
  • People who were outraged about ticket prices were proved wrong as attendance numbers were fantastic. The Final match between Spain and Argentina was attended by over 77,000 at an average ticket price over $11,000.00. The math shows nearly $900 million in ticket revenue just for that one final match.
  • The average attendance for all 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was 65,490 fans per match. Overall, 6,810,966 spectators attended the games, with stadiums operating at an incredible 99.7% capacity occupancy.
  • In the United States, the television coverage from Fox and Telemundo was good. Remember that there is only one production feed for all worldwide networks, so challenges will always exist with camera shots, etc.
  • Television ratings in the U.S. and worldwide were above expectations. In the U.S., a total viewership of 62.8 million between Fox and Telemundo. Approximately 5 billion people engaged with or watched the 2026 FIFA World Cup across linear TV, digital streaming, and social platforms.
  • Andres Cantor….I cannot imagine there is a better play-by-play soccer announcer. Cantor keeps the game in focus, tells the viewers who has the ball, and the inflection in his voice is bar none. His calls when a team scores are fantastic. He works for Telemundo, who had the Spanish language rights to broadcast the World Cup in the United States.
  • The halftime show was the first at a World Cup match. Obviously my opinion, but it would have been preferred to have Shakira perform the entire time.
  • The late game heroics employed by Argentina was amazing. Even in the Final, playing a man down, they had their chances to tie the game and force it into penalty kicks.
  • The Final match proved that the best team won the World Cup. Spain showed us how the combination of tactics, technique, fitness, and bench depth helped suffocate a strong opponent in Argentina.
  • The United States, Mexico, and Canada were great hosts. The stadiums and Fan Festivals were great, and more importantly the fans around the world had a great takeaway of their experiences in the U.S.
  • Peptides seem to be the ‘flavor of the month.’ Social media, the media, podcast hosts, and the healthcare community have heightened the awareness of peptide compounds purporting to support everything from muscle growth and skin health to improved energy, cognitive function, and sleep quality.

From the Harvard Medical School publication Harvard Health Publishing: Peptides are short chains of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) that can have a range of effects on the body. For example, peptides help orchestrate hormone activity, immune defense, tissue repair and growth, control of inflammation, and digestion. You can think of them as smaller and simpler versions of proteins, which are made of longer chains of amino acids. The body can make countless types of peptides by stringing together different amino acids. Each combination of amino acids produces unique — and very specific — functions.

Though our bodies can produce some peptides, lab-created peptides have infiltrated daily health practices by compounding them into injectables, similar to GLP-1 medicines. While FDA-approved peptide medications have value, the compounding of peptides (as seen on Facebook and Instagram) have not been vetted by the FDA or healthcare experts, nor have they gone through clinical trials.

At first glance, it does seem like the peptide craze will slowly get to the clinical trials and follow the massive commercialization we have seen with GLP-1 products. We can only hope that our friends and families are consulting their physicians before injecting themselves with unregulated peptides. Have any of you had success (or issues) with peptide use?

Here is a short video with a good summary of peptides, their use, the benefits, and the downsides:

Last week’s Question of the Week asked about a theme song as you walk into a room. As expected, here are a few interesting answers:

  • My entrance song would have to be The Bitch is Back by Elton John.
  • Desperado by The Eagles.
  • Wherever I May Roam by Metallica.
  • Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes by Jimmy Buffett.
  • My entrance song would have to be Stevie’s “Isn’t She Wonderful”. Makes me think of when my daughters were born!
  • You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman.
  • Either Freedom Rider by Traffic, or Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum.
  • Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard.

This week’s Question of the Week: What movie makes you laugh even after watching it several times?

  • Pure Talent. Born and raised in The Netherlands, this opera singer was part of the National Opera Studio in London during the 2012/13 season. Maria Fiselier has performed in many opera productions but may be best known for this 2018 version of Eminem’s Lose Yourself. Fiselier’s voice and ability to take this song to a different level is Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be the best human, and have a Sunday Funday!

You Cook. Daylight Savings Time. Things I Think. Night Light. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

I Will Drink Wine. Keep it Light. Nocturnal. Dr. Alan Grant. Your Theme Song. Save a Prayer.

  • Quote of the Week: You cook, I will drink wine. – Anonymous.

Six simple words that make me smile. It is so much fun to figure out a meal and mess up the kitchen, all while enjoying your wine or favorite beverage. Cooking and grilling are never boring and at times, depending on the desired meal, particularly challenging. The challenging part is what makes it fun – concocting the correct ingredients and timing the appetizers, side dishes, and the main course.

My go-to recipe: Marinate a pork tenderloin using Dale’s, mustard, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic salt, pepper, a bit of honey, lemon or lime juice, and Worcestershire. You can use a large zip lock – place the marinating pork in the refrigerator for a minimum of three hours. Remove the pork tenderloin from the refrigerator and let it sit for an hour to return it to room temperature.

Heat your grill to 350 degrees. Place the marinated pork tenderloin on a large piece of aluminum foil and add pineapple slices and maraschino cherries. Wrap up the foil and place it on the grill. Give it ten minutes before opening up the foil and turning the pork tenderloin. Continue to grill for six to nine minutes and let the pork sit for ten minutes before slicing. Add the pineapple and cherries to the dish, serve with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and enjoy.

Pair the pork tenderloin with a Pinot Noir. Try the 2021 Covenant Landsman, the 2021 Sangiacomo, or 2022 La Crema. Give it a try!

  • Daylight lasting into the early evening is part of summer in the United States. As the calendar moves into October, daylight steadily decreases until the first Sunday in November, when clocks are set back one hour. New legislation passed by the U.S. House would make daylight savings time permanent, eliminating the twice-yearly clock changes.

This all stems from the U.S. House of Representatives passing the Sunshine Protection Act. The bill now goes to the Senate and may face potential opposition for reasons I have no clue about. How do you feel about daylight savings time being permanent?

Things I Think on July 19, 2026

  • It is time for the United States to take the postal service private. I have mentioned this in previous posts – the United States Postal Service (USPS) model is not sustainable. After losses of $9 billion (yes, $9B) in 2025, earlier this year the USPS told Congress that first-class stamps would need to cost ninety cents to ninety-five cents apiece to stop the bleeding. Question: other than receiving prescriptions via the USPS, would you be okay with receiving your mail twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays?
  • I just finished watching the 1920s British Irish crime drama Pinky Blinders. Sam Neill was excellent in his role as a Chief Inspector, as well as many movies, including Jurassic Park. This talented actor passed away last week at the age of seventy-eight. RIP Sam Neill.
  • Random headline: From Reuters: Volkswagen may need to cut about ​50,000 extra jobs to ensure they keep up with rivals in an increasingly fierce car ‌market, its CEO told staff in an internal memo, effectively confirming for the first time that the automaker is looking to reduce up to 100,000 positions. I always ask, and I will ask again: unless you are shutting down a massive operation within the company, how can you maintain operational efficiencies and reduce your headcount by 50,000?
  • No bueno, Taco Bell. Has the CDC and FDA really figured out the source of the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak?
  • Two years ago, I posted about technology that would allow advanced air mobility using electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis. The obvious benefit is moving people quickly from a city center location to the airport…or from airport to airport depending on proximity. Orlando, Florida looks to be the first to integrate air taxis into their airport operations. In Central Florida, the goal will be to transport people to both Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport. This service will be welcome, especially if you have ever tried driving on I-4 between Orlando and Tampa.
  • The World Cup ends later today. Though I was suspect of expanding the tournament to forty-eight countries, I did enjoy the tournament. I believe that worldwide visitors enjoyed visiting the U.S., and that their takeaway was a positive one. Today’s World Cup final between defending champion Argentina and Spain should be a great battle. Going to the game? The average ticket price is $11,000.
  • Random question: Can you rank all seven continents from largest to smallest?
  • Earth’s night light? Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a startup’s plans to launch a satellite reflecting sunlight onto the dark side of Earth. Reflect Orbital‘s first satellite will include a sixty-foot mirror that can light up a 3-mile-wide area on Earth with a full moon level of brightness for approximately 5 minutes. I am not sure how this works if the reflected light only lasts for five minutes, but I am sure the company will work through that in their confidential information memorandum (CIM) :).

The company ultimately hopes to roll out up to 50,000 satellites, potentially charging $5K per hour for those with an annual contract (and a higher rate in emergency situations).

Last week’s Question of the Week asked about a food you would eat if nutrition was not a factor. Here are a few great answers:

  • Pop Tarts.
  • My food would have to be a cheeseburger. Never get tired of a juicy treat.
  • Any kind of cake.
  • Pizza.
  • Italian pastries!
  • The Food I would consume everyday, ignoring all health concerns, would be a thick and properly aged 16 Ounce Ribeye Steak, seared and cooked no more than at Medium Temperature.
  • Ok…no judging…Oreos morning, noon and, night! Don’t forget a cold glass of milk please.
  • Ice cream on top of a brownie; add a bit of chocolate syrup.

This week’s Question of the Week: What is your theme song upon entering a room?

  • Pure Talent. We all know Duran Duran from their massive introduction to the worldwide stage in the 1980’s. Some people say ‘they went too pop’ but I always enjoyed their vibe – as it was presented and sounded different from many other bands. This song is just one of many from this Birmingham, England band. From the album ‘Rio,’ here is Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Simon Le Bon, Andy Taylor, and the great drummer, Roger Taylor, with a live version of their hit song, Save a Prayer. Duran Duran is still Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be the best human, and have a Sunday Funday.

Driving Me Crazy. Bull Run. Trade Deficit. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

Don’t Hand Them The Keys. Pamplona. Why Does it Matter? The Airplane Ride.

Quote of the Week: “People can’t drive you crazy if you don’t give them the keys.” —Mike Bechtle

If your daughter or son is not ready to drive the car on their own, do you hand them the keys? If your peer is unprepared to present to an important client, do you allow them to make that presentation? If you have a friend or friends who drive you crazy, do you continue “to give them the keys” to the relationship? It seems like an easy proposition to prevent people from driving you crazy, but in many instances the word enablement comes into play.

How often have you told yourself that you were not going to let someone ‘get under your skin’ or drive you crazy with their incessant talking, complaining, or glass half-full attitude? What I have often found is instead of shutting down ‘the noise’ from someone, I have enabled someone to ‘drive me crazy.’ There is always that fine line between lending your ear and being patient with someone, but when is enough, enough? “Not giving them the keys” is easier said than done. Does anyone have any insight or recommendations? Here is a relevant take from Nate Smith:

  • Running with the bulls has become a must-see annual event. The festival is called the San Fermin Festival, and it kicked off last week in Pamplona, Spain. The tradition calls for thousands of people to run ahead of six fighting bulls and six steers every morning. Each of the morning runs are followed by a bullfight, which in itself is very strange (one man’s opinion). I am thinking that one or more JustMyTake readers have participated in this ‘fun’ run?

At least 16 people are believed to have died in the festivities over the past century. Here is a quick look at the run. What a great way to start the morning.

  • The U.S. trade deficit widened to $78 billion in May as imports rose 3.3% month over month to $395 billion, while exports fell 3.2% month over month to roughly $318 billion. The U.S. imported more products like pharmaceuticals, vehicles, and semiconductors for the artificial-intelligence boom, while American-made exports declined. The decline in exports was led by a large decline in sales of gold to overseas buyers.

Why does the trade deficit matter? According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, several macroeconomic forces influence the size of trade deficit:

1. More government spending, if it leads to a larger federal budget deficit, reduces the national savings rate, and raises the trade deficit.
2. A stronger dollar makes foreign products cheaper for American consumers, while making U.S. exports more expensive for foreign buyers, again tending to raise the trade deficit.
3. A growing U.S. economy also often leads to a larger deficit, since consumers have more income to buy more goods from abroad.

The reality is that the trade deficit is neither all good or all bad. The trade deficit is about trade-offs with the U.S. economy benefiting from foreign goods and investment. So, now that I have used one minute of your time you will never get back, here is a better explanation of the trade deficit.

This is one of many takes on the trade deficit. JustMyTake presents this video as information for your review. Whether this take is political is not my concern.

There are interesting answers to last week’s Question of the Week regarding a person you would like to sit next to on a three-hour flight, and what question you would ask that person:

  • JFK. Did he have a clue as to his enemies?
  • No doubt–gimme Jesus! I wouldn’t question him–I’d just listen and learn. Man, if you come to bat, you swing for the bleachers!
  • Vladimir Putin. Do you have a conscience?
  • Snoop Dog. What made you go from the thug life to entrepreneur?
  • Jeff Bezos. What factors were key to creating and driving your success?
  • Roger Federer. Do you miss it as much as we miss you?

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: What food would you gladly eat every day if nutrition was not important?

  • With my infamous background with the sport of soccer, my phone lit up last Tuesday morning asking about the U.S. National Team’s (USMNT) poor performance against Belgium. There are too many answers to this question, but I asked my friends the comparative question which may or may not be an answer. My question back to them: How many Belgium players would start on the U.S. National Team, and how many U.S. players would start on Belgium’s national team? For clarity, not many U.S. players would start on Belgium’s national team. For that matter, I am not sure a U.S player would start for France, Spain, England, Norway, and Argentina.

The answer to the USMNT failure last Monday night is clear to me. It is our youth programs and their inability or refusal to develop players over getting results. Have you attended a youth soccer game recently? It is an embarrassment to listen to parents, with their child’s coach on the sideline, screaming at their kid with no respect for that coach or other children. A sickness of overbearing parents and youth clubs tolerating this behavior…which in the end provides the child or the club with no benefit.

Close friends of mine coached college soccer at the top level. I have heard people say that the college game has impaired the development of U.S. soccer players. This is wrong as top college programs bring in players who have come up through U.S. club programs (as well as internationals). The players coming through our U.S. club programs are already impaired due the nature of their Club’s management, organization, and financial objectives. I will ask again: how many of the starters from Monday night’s debacle with Belgium would start for Belgium, France, Spain, England, Norway, and Argentina? Do not tell me that college soccer impairs U.S.-based players. These players are already impaired before they reach the college level. This is JustMyTake, and I am sure BW and BS have a strong take regarding this subject.

Landon Donovan played professionally and for the U.S. National Team. He has young children playing soccer and he has decided to try and make some changes with soccer and our youth programs. Well said, Landon Donovan.

  • Pure Talent. . With an Adele-like vibe, 20-year-old Sienna Spiro—like Olivia Dean—showcases an impressive vocal range. The English songwriter, producer, and performer has taken the world by storm with her hit songs. “Die on This Hill” is about staying fiercely loyal to someone who does not always reciprocate that affection. Sienna Spiro is truly Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be the best human, and have a Sunday Funday!

Make It Count. Mauricio. 250 Years. Neil the Seal. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

One Day at a Time. Things I Think. Independence Day. Let Him Be. Who Would You Want to Sit Next To? Feels Like the First Time.

  • Quote of the Week: “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” — Muhammad Ali

I think we have all counted down the days—whether it be until school ends, a big pitch is finished, or a baby arrives. There is nothing wrong with counting down, but I have sometimes let the countdown consume my focus. Instead of preparing and taking the steps needed for success, I have obsessed over the days remaining. Doing something each day to make it count creates a path for setting goals and objectives. That might mean improving your work life, strengthening relationships with family and friends, or planning meals to spend less time at the grocery store.

Muhammad Ali’s quote has a clever way of playing on the two different meanings of the word “count.” Making a day count means not to waste it or look past that day to the finish line. The second meaning is closely related to word ‘account,’ as in accounting for that particular day. Instead of passively waiting and focusing on the number of days left until something happens, you should actively fill each day with purpose and effort.

I am guilty of sometimes focusing on the finish line instead of making each day count. Muhammad Ali’s quote really did resonate with me.

Things I Think for July 5, 2026

  • I find the Taylor Swift wedding extravaganza disturbing. For many reasons.
  • The sadness in Venezuela continues as rescue and recovery teams continue to remove debris caused by two massive earthquakes. If you have not already, please contribute a few dollars to support healthcare teams who are helping these families in Venezuela: https://give.doctorswithoutborders.org/campaign/816105/donate?
  • In the mood for new Madonna? I listened to the sixteen tracks from her recently released record, ‘Confessions II.’ A mix of her old and new. A nice change from my usual playlists.
  • Reality does set in when you think about day 1,591 since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine…especially as the USA celebrates 250 years of independence.
  • Does anyone have a foldable phone? If so, your critique is appreciated.
  • American innovation is endless – from the lightbulb to the airplane, from all the medical breakthroughs to the internet age. Various historians point to one significant innovation that provided a path for all others: The United States patent process. All things considered the patent system was good for the individual innovator and ultimately for the United States.
  • It seems like Hollywood made another space rescue movie but in reality, NASA really has a mission in play to ‘rescue’ the Swift telescope that has fallen out of orbit. The rescue spacecraft, appropriately called the LINK, will use its three arms to somehow attach to the Swift telescope and haul it from 22o miles above Earth to its orbital range of 373 miles above the Earth. Mind-boggling to say the least.
  • Nielsen is forecasting that tomorrow night’s TV audience for the USA-Belgium game in Seattle could top forty million (combined audience for English and Spanish). Those numbers are staggering, especially considering a Monday night in the summer.
  • Speaking of the World Cup, the background story about U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino and his parents is interesting. A farm boy from a small town in Argentina makes it to the big time. This story feels like Disney movie material to me.
  • Yesterday marked two hundred-fifty years since the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen colonies under British rule voted to break away on July 2, 1776, but it took two days for the delegates from those 13 colonies to revise the original draft of the Declaration.

In 1776, the original colonies had 2.5 million people. Today, the USA has 342 million people in fifty states, along with 14 territories and one district. Even with all the socio-politico- economics causing concern, Americans should be proud of everything the country has achieved in a relatively short time. Happy 250th, America.

“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.” – John Adams, July 3, 1776

  • ‘Neil the Seal’ is back roaming the streets in Tasmania. It is obvious that Sky News Australia had a slow news day, but this seal is a favorite of the town’s people. In reaction to the government threating to euthanize Neil, one of town’s council members was quoted “If the government was to attempt to euthanize him it would be Civil War.”

Question of the Week. Thank you for your answers to last week’s Question of the Week regarding a country you would move to if you had to move away from the country you now reside.

  • I would choose somewhere in the Nordic nations. Most likely either Sweden or Denmark. The reason why, the Nordic nations have studies that show when we look at our entire world, the people who live in the Nordic are the happiest.
  • I’d live in Italy. For the food/wine, people, culture and so many other things make it such an amazing country.
  • San Miguel de Allende, Mexico – tried it out for six months and loved it.
  • Aruba. No storms, Arizona with an Ocean…
  • I would move to Mallorca, Spain. Why ? Beautiful Mountains, great beaches, wonderful food and English is a major accepted Language. Easy to get to and wonderful access to the South of France and the Portofino/Sorrento area of Italy.
  • No brainer… Amalfi coast of Italy for the weather, food , culture, scenery and slow pace of life.
  • A town on the coast of Costa Rica.
  • I would move to Italy. I love everything about that country. Montepulciano in Tuscany.
  • Dragor, Denmark. On the coast of Denmark but very close to Copenhagen. Quiet and peaceful but a stone’s throw from the beautiful city of Copenhagen.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: Who is someone you would enjoy sitting next to on a three-hour flight, and what is the one question you would ask them?

  • Pure Talent. This band’s original lineup consisted of vocalist Lou Gramm, guitarist Mick Jones, and drummer Dennis Elliott. Foreigner was formed in 1976 and became one of the best-selling bands of all time, with worldwide sales exceeding 80 million records. This version of the hit ‘Feels Like the First Time‘ brings back so many great memories. Do you remember their other massive hits, including Juke Box Hero, Cold as Ice, Double Vision, Hot Blooded, Dirty White Boy, and Urgent? The band Foreigner was Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be the best human, and have a Sunday Funday!

Believe. Customer Service. Things I Think. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

Personal Motivation. Service With a Smile. Summer Breeze. Where Would I Move? Oliva Dean!

  • Quote of the Week: “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does—that makes you a winner right there.” – Venus Williams

Venus Williams’ quote refers to a declaration of faith. Believing in yourself is the never-ending internal encouragement that leads to personal motivation and resilience. At forty-five, Venus Williams continues to maintain a busy schedule, and again will return to tennis, where she will pair with her sister, Serena, in the Wimbledon women’s doubles tournament.

Believing in yourself sometimes is interrupted by setbacks, like job loss, breakups, and health issues. These setbacks can lead to you focusing on failures, feeling “stuck in your life,” and self-doubt. According to John Tsilimparis, a Wondermind advisor, there are ways to maintain, or regain, believing in yourself:

  • Practice acceptance – come to terms with the situation and acknowledge the experience.
  • Lean on your support system – get a fresh perspective from someone you trust, whether that be a friend, therapist, or family member.
  • Change it up and do something fun – while it may feel impossible to enjoy yourself while dealing with a negative situation, getting out to dinner, working in your yard, or exercise may provide relief from feeling bogged down.
  • Seek out positivity – surround yourself with people who are positive and stay away from the “negative Nancy’s.”
  • Set aggressive but attainable goals – whether a goal to change jobs, partners, or your exercise routine, setting goals can build momentum, motivation, and confidence.

Richard Goodall is a school janitor who decided to step out of his lack of belief and shyness to finally audition for America’s Got Talent. Goodall told the judges that if he could do it, anyone could do it. The rest is history:

  • We have all dealt with the cause and effect of poor customer service. Companies sometimes prioritize cost-cutting over user experience, treating customer service as a financial drain rather than an asset. The deployment of A.I. and chatbots filter out human interaction, leaving customers stuck in non-responsive loops and unable to resolve their issue. Or, the high turnover faced by many companies becomes a revolving door of under-trained customer-facing employees.

This post comes from a guest writer who has decades of experience with customer service. His take:

Is the Art of Hospitality a Fading Craft?

The art of hospitality is not found in a transaction. It is found in the human connection that surrounds it. Hospitality is rarely about grand gestures. More often, it lives in the small moments: a greeting before an order, a smile before a request, a thank-you before a goodbye. These moments cost nothing, yet they can transform an ordinary exchange into a memorable experience. And because they seem so simple, I find myself wondering: is the art of hospitality becoming a fading craft?
Picture this…
You enter your favorite coffee house and walk toward the counter. The person standing between you and your favorite latte says nothing. No greeting. No smile. No eye contact that suggests they are glad, or even ready, to help. So, you break the silence.
“Hi, how are you today?”
“Fine.”
“I’d like to place an order.”
“Go ahead.”
“I would like a large latte. Oat milk with an extra shot, please.”
Silence follows, broken only by the sound of fingers pounding against the register.
And then…
There is no restating your order for accuracy, no warm acknowledgment, no moment of connection. Instead, the screen is turned toward you for payment, with the tip prompt waiting expectantly.
“Okay. We’ll call you when it’s ready.”
Oh wait, some acknowledgement.
Transaction complete.
Coffee served.

Experiences like this disappoint me. I walk away frustrated, not because a latte needs to come with fanfare, but because the simplest pieces of hospitality were missing. I ask myself: Is this a hiring issue? A training issue? Does anyone care? Do people still expect service? Or is it just me?

I grew up in the service industry. Before I turned eighteen, I had mopped floors, washed dishes, prepped food, worked the line, seated guests, cleared tables, served meals, answered phones, and staffed the front desk. Whether I was back of house or front of house, the expectation was clear: smile, greet people respectfully, listen actively, work with purpose and pride, use the customer’s name when appropriate, and speak words like “hello,” “welcome,” “please,” “thank you,” and “have a great day.” It was instilled in me that customers matter. Without them, there is no job. I was taught that hospitality requires more than completing a task; it requires understanding what guests need to create a positive and memorable experience.

Maybe the future of hospitality isn’t determined by businesses at all, but by the choices each of us makes in our next interaction. A paradox that reminds me that there are people in the service universe who continue to create moments that make guests feel welcomed, seen, appreciated, and valued.

You know who they are. The server who remembers your usual order. The barista who asks how your vacation was. The host who greets you by name before you even reach the stand. These are the people who understand that hospitality begins before the product or service is delivered.

What is their secret? The right hire? Proper training? Something innate? Perhaps it is all the above.

What I know for certain is that they make people feel like they matter. They remember details. They smile with intention. They ask about the experience. They thank guests for coming and invite them to return. They understand that service completes the transaction, but hospitality creates the memory. In a world increasingly focused on efficiency, they still prioritize human connection.

The service trade is not for everyone. Choosing a career in hospitality comes with good days, bad days, long hours, wonderful guests, and customers who may never be satisfied no matter how hard someone tries. But when hospitality is practiced with purpose and pride, it creates warmth, connection, and fulfillment on both sides of the exchange. If you are in the field, be all in. Understand the impact you can have even during the briefest interaction. If you are a customer, you have a role too. Be kind. Be patient. Use your manners. Mirror the respect you hope to receive. Recognize that hospitality is hard work, and when it is done well, it deserves appreciation.

In the end, hospitality may not be a fading craft after all. Perhaps it is simply waiting for more of us to practice it with intention.

Things I Am Thinking for the last Sunday of June 2026

  • I have asked about large companies and their headcount. Oracle cut 21,000 employees from their workforce in the last few months. What were those 21,000 people doing that allowed Oracle to have this huge of a reduction in force? Did artificial intelligence (A.I.) provide the path for Oracle to lose 13% of their workforce?
  • Please Venmo me $16 million. I promise I can bring in a pool contractor to get the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool up, running, and beautiful by July 4th. My first call would be to the CEO of Latham Pool. https://www.lathampool.com/ $16 million is the amount of taxpayer dollars being spent to fix the reflecting pool.
  • I find it surprising that in year 2026, only 5% of CEOs at the world’s largest companies are women.
  • Has anyone lived or visited Lewes, Delaware? Just asking for a friend. 🙂
  • It is reported that the Strait of Hormuz reopening is flooding oil markets with supply. That can only be great news for all of us.
  • Not that I did not enjoy the World Cup’s group stage matches, but I am really looking forward to the round of 32, which starts the win or go home competition.
  • Must watch TV: The 5th and final season of The Bear is out. If you have not watched this series, you are in for a treat.
  • Thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela.
  • The “Stephen Spielberg of Sitcoms” passed away last Friday. He directed more than 1,000 episodes of Cheers, Friends, and many other hit shows. James Burrows experience goes back to The Mary Tyler Moore show back in 1974, then The Bob Newhart Show, Taxi, and 90% of the Cheers episodes. RIP, James Burrows.

Question of the Week. Thank you for your answers to last week’s Question of the Week asking what you would do in all electricity and internet was shut down for a week? Here are some of your answers:

  • I would read a lot more, load up on projects.
  • Be outdoors, hopefully near or on the water!
  • One week in the south of Spain and then head over to Tangier.
  • I would have to say that without power and the Internet I would work out and do gardening.
  • Hanging out on the beach in Negril, Jamaica.
  • I would head to a small town on the coast of Portugal.

This week’s Question of the Week: For whatever reason, you must move to another country from where you live now. What country would you move to, and why?

  • Pure Talent. The voices of Anita Baker, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, and Aretha Franklin are forever imbedded in my mind. When you listen to any of their songs, there is a particular ‘style of voice’ that you automatically recognize. The same goes for Grammy Award winner Olivia Dean, who at twenty-seven years old brings us that same ‘style of voice’ many of us enjoy. Olivia Dean is Pure Talent.

Adios, pay if forward, be the best human, and have a Sunday Funday!

Over Analyze. Father’s Day. Whale Shark. Bringing Everyone Together. The Strait of Hormuz. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

Common Sense. Dr. House Calls It. Who Decided It is Not a Predator? THE Sporting Event. The Global Supply Chain. No Power, No Internet. “I Can’t Wait.”

Quote of the Week: “Common sense is seeing things as they are; and doing things as they ought to be.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

It seems easy to use common sense, especially considering it guides everyday decisions. Whether you make realistic choices, or have the ability to connect cause and effect, using your common sense is the ability to make reasonable decisions without needing specific knowledge or training.

I assume that 1800’s author Harriet Beecher Stowe was strongly suggesting that you should think before you act, and paying closer attention will help you make better decisions. The reality is that ‘using your common sense’ is highly subjective, depending on the situation, personal biases, and intuition. What may be common sense to you many not be the same for someone else. No matter your intelligence level, you may be conditioned to rely on too much analysis rather than simple and instinctive reactions.

“Paralyzation” from over over-analyzation is a real thing. How many times have you hesitated to make a decision even though you have gathered all the facts and sorted through the possible ramifications? How often have you waited for someone to make a decision as they over-analyze the situation to a point of ad nauseum?

As we have all experienced, common sense is not necessarily a common trait:

  • There is nothing like an Ed Sheeran song and video parody to celebrate today’s special day. Happy Father’s Day to all.
  • This video of a massive whale shark was recently shot off the coast of Florida near Fort Myers Beach. The video itself is a bit alarming until you read the caption: A whale shark feeds offshore Fort Myers Beach on June 9. The sharks are as big as a school bus but are no threat to humans, as they filter feed on small fish and plankton. Seriously, who decided, and how was it determined, that this predator is “no threat to humans?”
  • In last week’s post, I explained that the World Cup put a smile on my face due to visitors from around the world having fun and getting along. My comment is reinforced with this video from Pat McAfee:
  • Scotland’s Tartan Army marching to Fenway Park in Boston to attend a Red Sox game last weekend:

Lost in this big mess of war is how important the Strait of Hormuz is to world. While Americans are concerned over the price of gasoline, Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz impacted the daily lives of people across the world. While the United States is not dependent on oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, China, India, Japan, and South Korea receive substantial volumes of Gulf energy exports.

  • To conserve supplies, some Asian governments ordered employees to work from home, closed universities, and cut the working week.
  • In parts of Africa, governments restricted the use of electricity.
  • Disrupting global supply chains affects transportation costs, manufacturing expenses, and consumer prices.
  • Parts of Europe imposed fuel rationing.

Few places on planet have as much influence over the global economy as the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow body of is one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. So forget bi-partisan politics and realize that whatever the Trump Administration’s agenda was (and is), keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is a key ingredient to healthier world economics.

Question of the Week: Thank you for your answers to last week’s Question of the Week regarding a job you would like to have for one week only.

  • CEO of Amazon
  • President of the United States of America
  • Lobster fisherman in New England
  • Head of the Federal Reserve at a monthly meeting where they look at the rate scenarios and what drives their decisions.
  • I would love to be an outdoor guide.
  • The lead chef for a Michelin Star restaurant.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week: How would you spend your time if all electricity and internet was cut of for one week?

  • Pure Talent. Valerie Day’s vocals (and smile), her husband, John Smith, and the incredible bass from Gary Fountaine were the stalwarts of the Portland, Oregon band, Nu Shooz. We go back forty years with their song I Can’t Wait that hit #3 on the Billboard 100. Their jam was a bit different. Nu Shooz and the song, I Can’t Wait: definitely Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be the best human, and have a Sunday Funday!

Grandma. Sea Drones. Question of the Week. Sex and Fertility. Pure Talent.

Good Memories. Unmanned Rescue. Great Answers. Digital Solitude. Denzel Rules.

  • Quote of the Week: “As I learned from growing up, you don’t mess with your grandmother.” — Prince William

Prince William has a good point, especially considering his paternal grandmother was the late Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned over the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth from 1952 until her death in 2022. The late Queen was known as very tough and resilient, shaped by her military service during World War II – the first female of the royal family to serve on active duty. She also did not hesitate to step in and strip her son, Prince Andrew, of his military titles and patronages when his royal duties “were no longer tenable.“

I hope all of us have interesting stories about our grandmother(s). I only knew my grandmother on my father’s side, all 4’11” of her. Make no mistake, Ida, born and raised in Ukraine, was not someone you wanted to cross, lie to, or disrespect. With that said, she was very caring and most importantly to me, loved to bake. Her banana bread and chocolate chip cookies were neighborhood-renowned, some Sundays making hundreds of chocolate chip cookies, using our small glass kitchen table to create the dough…of course without measuring cups and spoons. To this day, I never understood how she could simply pour flour, eggs, vanilla, water, brown sugar, and chocolate chips onto the glass table and use her hands to create the best tasting batter and cookies ever.

Do you have a story about your grandmother you would like to share? Here is one grandmother not to be messed with…

  • Drones have become part of daily life, used by real estate agents, architects, broadcasters, police, the military, and companies like Amazon for a wide range of purposes. Now, sea drones are also playing a role in U.S. military operations. Last week, a 24-foot unmanned surface vessel—about the size of a fishing boat and capable of speeds up to 35 knots (40 mph)—helped rescue two soldiers from a downed U.S. Army helicopter off the coast of Oman.

This was the first known instance of an unmanned vessel used to conduct a rescue mission – due to Iran shooting down the U.S. helicopter. Typically used for detecting mines, the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 59 manages the unmanned sea vessels, now used by Ukraine and other countries. It is reported that the U.S. Navy has between 50-60 sea drones at their disposal.

  • An observation: It was really nice to see all the World Cup watch parties on Friday night in support of the U.S. match against Paraguay. People gathered at these watch parties to support the U.S. team, mixing people young and old, from different backgrounds, and different political views. Everyone together enjoying the 4-1 win for the U.S.

Friday night’s watch parties put a smile on my face.

Question of the Week: Last week’s questions asked about a movie you watch repeatedly, and an actor you enjoy no matter the movie. Here are some of your answers:

  • Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid and Forrest Gump. Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks.
  • Gladiator, The Hunt, American Pie, Brave Heart, The Patriot, Silence of the Lambs. Jason Statham, Daniel Craig in all the 007 movies, Clint Eastwood anytime, Stanley Tucci.
  • My Cousin Vinny, Shawshank Redemption, Man on Fire, The Fugitive. Denzel Washington.
  • Forrest Gump. Robert De Niro.
  • Shawshank Redemption. Judy Dench.
  • Braveheart. No actor mentioned.
  • A Few Good Men. Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise.
  • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Love Actually, Forrest Gump, the Wizard of Oz. Tom Hanks.
  • The Hunt for Red October and Field of Dreams. Paul Newman; Sean Connery.

This week’s Question of the Week: If you could have any job in the world for exactly one week, regardless of your current skills, what would it be?

  • Hormonal pills (The pill), IUDs, condoms, and permanent sterilization. Birth control is a personal decision based on ease of use, effectiveness, and side effects. Unlikely as it seems, the National Bureau of Economist Research (NBER) has also chimed in on birth control and has introduced us to another birth control method, the iPhone. The NBER’s research found that in the first four years of the iPhone’s release, areas with access to this and other smartphones saw reduced birth rates from 4.5% to 8%.

There is a possible silver lining to the findings. Though there was a clear reduction in fertility with smart device use, the reduction in births was in the age range of fifteen to twenty-four. “What we show is that births are declining way faster in the places where you could get the iPhone than the places where you couldn’t,” Caitlin Myers, the study’s co-author and professor of economics at Middlebury College, told Fortune. 

For many reasons there is concern with the amount of time some teenagers and young adults spend on their smart phones. It will be interesting to see if this research supports how “digital solitude” will shrink the population.

  • Pure Talent. “It Ain’t That Big of Deal” was never stated better from the leading actor in movies including Malcolm X, Training Day, Glory, Man on Fire, Remember the Titans, and The Equalizer trilogy. Denzel Washington’s response to the question regarding the pressures of making a movie is both moving and relevant. Fellow star Julia Roberts praised Washington as “one of the greatest actors of all time.” There is no doubt that Denzel Washington is Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be the best human, and have a Sunday Funday!