Team. M&A. Question of the Week. Feinstein. Thinking. Good Vibes. Pure Talent.

Coaching Up. Finance. Answers Please. I Love Mom. The Sax.

  • Quote of the Week: “Success comes when people act together; failure tends to happen alone.” – Deepak Chopra

The cliches wrapped around the word ‘team’ are endless. From wartime generals to college and professional coaches, engaging and motivating your team is important to any organization. Deepak Chopra’s science and spirituality always related to a group or team being more important, stronger, and effective than one individual. Success can be defined in many ways with team performance usually triumphing over individual performance. The importance of ‘team’ was effectively portrayed in the movie “Heart of Champions” starring Michael Shannon as a non-traditional rowing coach.

  • Though the equity markets had a rough go last week, there are financial mechanisms that are prospering. One fortunate financial barometer is the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Thanks to a variety of factors, the U.S. is expected to see a surge with M&A activity this year. According to Pitchbook:

FORECAST: One barometer projects a 16% jump in private-equity M&A, and 8% growth in corporate M&A, with around 1,170 corporate deals anticipated this year.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND: Potential participants in the M&A market have long been optimistic about the effect of President Donald Trump’s administration, which is expected to exercise a lighter regulatory touch than what was seen during the Biden administration. On the supply side, growth is expected from private-equity portfolio companies and non-core assets divested from larger corporations.

PRIVATE EQUITY: Part of any discussion of the M&A market should be the private-equity sector. Firms reported $738.1 billion in deal value across 7,321 deals last year, according to data from PitchBook. That’s up from $729.4 billion in 2023, but the number of deals is down from 7,740. For many small-business owners looking to sell, private-equity companies offer a payday they can’t find elsewhere. That’s led many small-business owners in industries with skilled trades like heating, ventilation and air conditioning or plumbing to cash in, especially as owners reach retirement age — and as many small-business owners feel burnt out.

FOLLOW THE MONEY: Commercial services, including manufacturing, consulting, legal and logistics, led the way in 2024, representing 41% of total private-equity deal count. Consumer services — household appliances, retail, hotels and restaurants — came in at 16%, as did tech firms. That was followed by health care at 13% of total deal count, and financial services at 10%.

I sent the information above to a friend of mine who is an owner and operating partner with a private equity firm in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Here is how he responded:

M&A deals were down the last two years. First, driven by rise in interest rates and availability of debt used to fund and provide leverage for transactions. This was complicated further last year due to uncertainty with the election. These dynamics created a bit of a backlog of deals coming to market. Now, the cost of debt hasn’t changed much, but the election has provided clarity. There is a lot of capital to invest. Some have been needing the sale of assets to get a return on their existing investments so they can invest more. I think the volatility in the stock market might drive more investment to private equity (PE) – at least I hope so. We are in the market right now raising two new funds. Fund VI is a structured capital fund that will be about $1B. We are also raising equity fund II which will be about $300M. We are not having trouble raising the capital.

Thank you, C.A. for insight into the ongoings of private equity and the world of mergers and acquisitions.

  • Last week’s Question of the Week generated four great answers from our readers. Remember, these answers are from the readers of JustMyTake.

Do you believe it is necessary to believe in God to be moral?

*”No I do not! I think being a morally decent person has more to do with integrity than religion. Whether you believe in God, Buddha, etc. or an atheist- you can have morals. There are plenty of people that practice some form of worship and cheat, lie, etc.“

* “No, not at all. I don’t think you need to believe in God to be moral. In my opinion, caring and love are the ultimate morality check. Whether it is love, compassion, empathy, or care for others, is what often motivates moral behavior. God bless the group (you hate) who wrote “All you need is love.” Pay it forward.“

Note: The ‘group’ my long-time friend is referring to are The Beatles…I have never been a fan).

*”I suspect the popular and majority opinion will be to say “No”. It might depend on how you define “moral”. Is it simply knowing right from wrong? In that case, no. You can learn right from wrong by touching a hot stove. If you define moral as a set of guiding principles that shape and inform our actions, words, and opinions, then I contend that you cannot escape a “religious” influence because religion is so deeply infused in our cultures, societies, and basic understandings. Religion exists all over the world in a variety of expressions that have all emerged unrelated to each other, save for a basic belief that there is something beyond us, greater than us, that informs our worldview and understanding of who we are. Ok, that does not mean we have to believe in “God” or a deity. Many people find their sense of morality through various sources, such as personal experiences, human empathy, philosophy, or cultural traditions, without needing a belief in a deity. Morality often revolves around principles of fairness, kindness, and respect for others, which can be grounded in secular humanism, reason, or social agreements. However, it has long been my belief that there is no such thing as an atheist. Everyone has something beyond themselves which defines and shapes their worldview and reason for existing. Something greater than ourselves. It may not be some transcendent being, but something that becomes “god” in our lives. If we do not, than we become someone like, say, Donald Trump! Maybe I need to revise my thinking about “no such thing as an atheist”! But even Trump has a “god”, it just resides in his navel (a-moral). So, yes, we need a “god” to be moral.“

*”Is this a political question disguised as a philosophical one?? If the last two President’s are any indication, the answer is definitely no. (Hopefully people can understand my attempt at humor.. (This would be a great SNL skit!)“

Here is this week’s question. I would like to get some answers from you:

How do we move beyond the divisiveness we experience in U.S. government? What reforms can restart a movement towards conciliation?

  • I started JustMyTake as a challenge to write content on a weekly basis. My inspiration came from my brother and a number of journalists including John Feinstein. Feinstein’s columns and books were a wealth of information and he was highly regarded across the spectrum of all sports. Jim Boeheim, who coached the Syracuse basketball team for forty-seven years, had this to say about Feinstein: “Some people write stuff that’s opinionated, but have nothing behind it. He was opinionated about everything, but at least those opinions were rooted in something. He believed what he said, even if you disagreed with it.”

John Feinstein passed away last Thursday at the age of sixty-nine. He was a great journalist, writer, and commentator. RIP John Feinstein.

Things I Think for Mid-March 2025

  • As mentioned in last week’s post, one impact with the tariffs is the bourbon industry in Kentucky. An unfortunate outcome has prevailed with a number of leading brands including Michter’s Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. The distillery’s largest foreign market is Canada – with shipments totaling $115,000 now being canceled. There is certainly going to be a significant impact to your cash flow if you are not able to sell into your largest export market.
  • Has anyone ever been to Greenland? On purpose?
  • Headline of the Week: German spy agency concluded COVID virus likely leaked from a Lab. The agency, BND, indicates that the Wuhan Institute of Virology stated that they had conducted “gain-of-function experiments, whereby viruses are modified to become more transmissible to humans for research purposes.” Say what?
  • Landman, starring Billy Bob Thornton, will be back for a second season. That is great news. Rude and crude but a great series.
  • I never want to see people lose their jobs. With that said, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) got caught up in the federal cuts and must lay off 1,000 employees. I am not being facetious with this question: If an organization can lay off 1,000 people in one reduction if force and continue to operate, what job functions were those 1,000 employees doing in the first place?
  • With all the negative vibes we have experienced lately, I thought it might be time to provide a genuine feel-good story. Basketball player Norbertas Giga thought his coaches called him into a meeting to watch game tape. Little did he know that the Jacksonville State University (JSU) coaching staff and athletic director would pull one over on this young Lithuanian, flying his mom over to the U.S. to see her son for the first time in five years. Good work, JSU!
  • Pure Talent. He was exposed to many different types of music at a young age, as he was raised by a father who was a disc jockey. Some of his favorite artists are Steely Dan, John Fogerty, and Elvis Presley. He is a gifted saxophonist who pumps out contemporary jazz and R&B. Vincent Ingala, at thirty-two years old, is not even close to being in his prime. This musician is Pure Talent.

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

Jackie. Tariffs. St. Vincent. Question of the Week. More Light. Pure Talent.

Look Forward. We Need Bourbon. A Fine Performance from Bill Murray. We Need Your Answer. Daylight Savings Time. Amazing K9s.

  • Quote of the Week: “It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee

As one of the most decorated female athletes of all-time, Jackie Joyner-Kersee dominated the track and field circuit for sixteen years winning three gold, one silver and two bronze medals spanning four Olympic Games.

I like Joyner-Kersee’s quote reminding all of us that while we can look back and learn from the past, taking time to dwell on the past is both energy draining and a waste of time. I have vivid memories of my past and respect the fact that I have experienced both failures and accomplishments, but I definitely focus on whatever the future holds.

Many years ago, I read a quote by Dennis Farina, who before he became a great character actor (i.e. Law and Order and Get Shorty), Farina served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam and was a Chicago police officer for eighteen years. His quote has always stuck with me: “I know people who go back and check themselves, but it drives me crazy. Everybody wants to look in the mirror and see Cary Grant looking back at them, but that’s just not the case.” Similar to Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Dennis Farina reminds us to look forward, not back.

Joyner-Kersee never stopped looking forward, planning, and preparing for her retirement from track and field. From her website: “In addition to her remarkable accomplishments on the field of competition, Joyner-Kersee has defined her post-athletic career as a philanthropist, a dynamic public speaker, and a tireless advocate for children’s education, health issues, racial equality, social reform and women’s rights. In 1988, Joyner-Kersee established the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation as the vehicle through which she provides youth, adults and families with the resources to improve their quality of life.”

Two people, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Dennis Farina, from different walks of life, reminding us to look forward, not back.

  • The tariffs now in place with Canada, Mexico, and China have far-reaching impact on different businesses throughout the U.S., and for that matter around the world. The goal of the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, from a level-set standpoint, are to even the playing field with goods imported and exported from the U.S. border countries, as well as China. Last week, President Trump pulled back a bit on the tariffs, offering up a thirty-day moratorium with Mexico and Canada.

My concern is the short-term impact with different types of businesses across the U.S. One example is in the state of Kentucky, specifically the bourbon industry. Kentucky estimates that ninety-five percent of the global bourbon supply is produced in the Bluegrass state, with 23,000 jobs and $2.2 billion in wages and benefits. The trickle-down effect of the imposed tariffs will most likely see corn farmers (bourbon must be produced with a minimum of 51% corn), distillery workers, barrel makers, as well as the infrastructure built around the Kentucky bourbon industry severely impacted in the short term.

I mention Kentucky and its bourbon industry for all the right reasons. Years ago, a group of us went on a bourbon tour in the Lexington, Kentucky area. Besides enjoying the many tastings, we toured a few distilleries and came away impressed with the facilities, the many processes involved with producing bourbon, and the many workers involved with turning out a great-tasting product. Note: last Wednesday, one fallout of the imposed tariffs saw the removal of American alcohol from thousands of liquor store shelves across Canada. Again, I am staying out of politics, but the short-term impact of the tariffs could be far-reaching with businesses and their employees.

Last week, the Trump Administration pushed back the Presidential Executive Orders to April 2, 2025. Here are the five tariff stipulations:

1. Additional 25% tariffs on goods that do not satisfy U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) rules of origin.

2. A lower, additional 10% tariff on energy products imported from Canada that fall outside the USMCA preference.

3. A lower, additional 10% tariff on potash imported from Canada and Mexico that falls outside the USMCA preference.

4. Additional 20% on goods from China and Hong Kong (increased from 10% on March 4).

5. Effective March 7, 2025, no additional tariffs are due on goods from Canada and Mexico that qualify for the USMCA preference.

Here is your tariff factoid of the day: Before the Civil War, tariffs represented 90% of U.S. government revenue until the creation of the formal income tax in 1913. After World War II, tariffs were de-emphasized due to concerns with reduced trade and rising costs for consumers. I guess what comes around, goes around. 🙂

  • Though I am okay with all of you posing questions that involve politics and religion, I will maintain my abstinence from mentioning either subject with JustMyTake. In support of that decision, I watched only three minutes of President Trump’s Congressional Address. The three minutes I did watch was to try and learn firsthand how the newly imposed tariffs might affect my business.

Last Tuesday night at 9pm EST, I elected to stay away from the Presidential address, college basketball, the NBA, and the NHL, and decided to watch a movie. Due to being a huge fan of Bill Murray I found the movie St. Vincent. Is the movie a top ten of all-time? No, not even close, but it is well-written with a great cast, with Murray portraying a retired war veteran who forms an unlikely friendship with the son of his new next-door neighbor. If you want two hours to escape and watch a good story, check out St. Vincent. The cast includes Murray, Terrance Howard, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, and Jaeden Lieberher, who plays the young boy. Bill Murray is no Gene Hackman, but he is a damn great actor.

  • Question of the Week: Last week’s question generated three great answers from our readers: What is a random act of kindness that you recently delivered or received? Thank you for these answers*:

*Back during Covid I read about a group called Lasagna Love. This group matches volunteers willing to make a lasagna for a person/family who requests a lasagna that lives close to you. Each week my wife makes a lasagna and we deliver it to a person we haven’t met in our community. We have delivered to extended stay hotels, apartments and houses….met a wonderful veteran who lives alone (who we have been matched with several times) and end up talking with him for a while. Giving a home made meal brings us happiness. The notes we get back make it even more rewarding.

*I was at Publix a couple weeks ago and there was this young man panhandling for money outside of Publix, looked a little bit strung out so I didn’t want to give him money, but I went inside and bought him a whole meal a pub sub chips a couple of drinks And a box of cookies . Unfortunately, by the time I got outside, he was gone. I was annoyed at myself thinking maybe I shouldn’t have done my grocery shopping. I just should’ve gotten him lunch and brought it outside.

*I recently sent a letter of commendation to a YMCA trainer who is super quiet and humble, yet does his job so effectively by serving the elderly (lol even older than me), population. He does this be being completely present and patient, focusing entirely on their physical needs. I simply wanted his managers and he to know that his care does not go unnoticed.

Here is this week’s question, and yes, your questions (not mine) can include the topics of religion and politics. I would like to get some answers from you:

Do you believe it is necessary to believe in God to be moral?

  • To the disappointment of many, daylight savings time started at 2am this morning. Yes, I always receive comments concerning my posts that cheer on the advent of more daylight in the early evenings. Everyone has their opinion with daylight savings time – from too dark in the early mornings to too warm at night. I suppose the argument can go both ways, but to me, having daylight until 8:30PM is great in many ways.

Some analysts and special advisors have advocated for the U.S. to legislate permanent daylight savings time for many reasons. Some of the reasons include the ability for children to be outdoors more often (and not staring at their phones or tablets), to reduce seasonal depression, and to cut down on the number of car accidents that occur due to time changes. Critics of permanent daylight savings time note that children would be going to school in the dark and some would have issues with alertness due to the morning darkness.

For many reasons I am a proponent of daylight savings time. It is definitely time to stop adjusting our clocks twice a year. That is my take, what is yours?

Here is Harry Styles with his song, “Daylight.” Well done, Harry.

  • Pure Talent. I will take a different tact with exceptional talent and performance. The K9 and their trainers are amazing with the ways and means of training these beautiful dogs. The pure power and intelligence of this German Shepard is amazing. There are close to 50,000 active police K9s in the United States. From seizing drugs, sniffing out explosives, detaining criminals and uncovering forensic evidence at crime scenes, these dogs and their handlers are very much Pure Talent.

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

Mark Twain. Hackman. Question of the Week. Thoughts. Pure Talent.

Just Do the Right Thing. He Owned Every Role. Provide Your Answer. It is Already March! “Killing Me Softly…”

  • Quote of the Week: “It is never wrong to do the right thing.” – Mark Twain

In a world full of geopolitical conflict, we look for a way to level set everything that is going on in Washington, D.C., Gaza, Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Lebanon, Somalia, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are bombarded with disconcerting information from all regions of the world, while at the same time looking for what is good and positive. Mark Twain’s quote about doing the right thing is my baseline, something I fall back on with both personal and business dynamics, no matter the conflict or possible fallout.

I have made decisions that did not work out for everyone, but I based my decisions on doing the right thing. Mark Twain’s quote is general in nature and reminds us that many things can be better if we try to do the right thing. “Doing the right thing” does not need to be complicated. Sometimes, even if your first thought is to say ‘no’, doing the right thing may gain support, build morale, rally your team, your group, or your family.

It was not in General Norman Schwarzkopf’s typical day to agree to have a beer as the Commander of United States Central Command – but doing the right thing paid dividends in so many ways. Watch and listen to the reaction of Schwarzkopf’s audience when he does agree to have that beer. The last thing General Schwarzkopf wanted to do was interrupt his schedule – but he simply did the right thing.

  • RIP Gene Hackman. Has there ever been an actor who could nail every role (and every scene), from his comedic role in “The Royal Tenenbaums” to his sinister role as the terrifying sheriff in “Unforgiven?” His other roles in so many great movies made Hackman a self-styled actor and to me put him in a class of stars including Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy, and James Cagney. He was undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever grace the medium. The French Connection, Get Shorty, The Firm, The Replacements, Crimson Tide, Bonnie and Clyde, and The Birdcage are just a few of the Hackman’s best movies.

This scene from “Mississippi Burning” shows us Gene Hackman’s incredible ability to own a scene. Gene Hackman will be missed.

  • Question of the Week is a new addition to JustMyTake. Thank you to all of you who submitted questions – and I am looking to all of you to provide your answer to the Question of the Week. Please reply to my email or put your answer in the Comment section of the blog post. Thank You!

What is a random act of kindness that you recently delivered or received?

Eight Things I Think for the Beginning of March

  • Are we ready for March Madness?
  • I will give tonight’s 97th Academy Awards show a quick look-in. For the last few years I have stayed away from these award show presentations, no longer interested with listening to presenters and award-winner’s political diatribes. I always watch the start of these shows to take in the opening production, and if the presenters and award winners stay in their lane, I can handle watching the entire show. Maybe.
  • In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. Make each one count.
  • Is the U.S. stock market on the verge of a meltdown?
  • One week until Daylight Savings Time.
  • Is the end of the Russia-Ukraine war within reach? What is the go-forward after Friday’s Oval Office spat?
  • What is going on with electrical vehicle charging station funding being put on hold? B.K.: you work in the EV space – can you help us with the future of EV?
  • Regarding the Academy Awards, Peter Sellers and the film The Pink Panther never won an Oscar. With that said, this is one of the best scenes from the incredible Peter Sellers. “Does your dog bite?” 🙂

Pure Talent. It is always easy to listen to a distinctive voice. Some may feel that the voices of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Barbara Streisand, Steve Perry, Tony Bennett, and Carole King fit the description of distinctive. I cannot disagree that these performers brought us a tremendous range of vocal talent. There are many other performers who fit this definition with one of my favorites passing away last week – someone who could make beautiful vocals seem so simple.

Roberta Flack defined a voice of distinction. Her voice was one of a kind. Her ballads evoked emotion. No matter if you liked jazz, country, or rock, when Roberta Flack performed, everyone listened. She will be missed but I am very sure her voice will be remembered forever. Roberta Flack was Pure Talent.

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

I Need Your Questions. Pure Talent.

…and Your Answers. Grohl & Co.

Quote of the Week: “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein

We should always ask questions. We should always question. Asking a question usually results in obtaining information or knowledge, so why not be curious and just ask your questions?

My posts start of with the Quote of the Week, and I try to blend that quote with some relevant information. My posts end with a Pure Talent take, sometimes from the world of music, sports, or performance. I want to add one more weekly segment to JustMyTake, with the goal of tapping into your knowledge and experience.

The added segment to the weekly posts will simply be called Questions, and to make this segment a bit interactive, I need your help. Please take a minute of your time, and respond to the email you received this morning with one or two questions from any topic – including the two I stay away from: religion and politics. I will anonymously post a Question of the Week as part of JustMyTake, with the goal of you providing your answer to that question. No names mentioned – just a way to tap into your backgrounds that cover technology, corporate leadership, healthcare, customer service, construction, journalism, sports, energy, fintech, software, religion, education, design, and manufacturing.

As an example, I may receive a question about gold, and why it has reached a price of $2,900 an ounce. I will post that question and ask you to provide your answer. As for thought starters, starting off 2025 has been interesting in many ways. The first thirty days of a new president. The discussions around ceasefires in the middle east and in Ukraine. Elon Musk ‘rightsizing’ government agencies and departments. A soft Dow Jones Industrial Average. The Pope again hospitalized.

Rules: there are none other than to send me one question that you have – about any topic. Much appreciated.

Send me a question. There are NO stupid questions!

Pure Talent. It is okay if you do not care for this song. It is not about the song as much as the musicians who performed at the SNL 50th anniversary show. Yes, that is Dave Grohl back on the drums with a massively strong supporting cast. Forget the specific song, this is an ensemble of Pure Talent.

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

Helping Others. Super Bowl. Impact Earth. I’ll Drive Separate. Pure Talent.

It is Not a Waste of Time. #59. In the Year 2032. Nate. “The Voice.”

  • Quote of the Week: “A day wasted on others is not wasted on one’s self.” -Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens is known for his quotes that emphasize the importance of helping others. I find that helping others has a direct impact and correlation with personal growth and fulfillment. When you do make a positive impact on the life of others you are making an investment in yourself. Satisfaction, meaning, positivity, and achievement are words that come to mind when you offer up an act of kindness.

In a world surrounded by negative geo-political dynamics, sometimes the solution is to reach out to someone, anyone, and offer up support and encouragement. That investment is certainly not ‘A day wasted on others…’ Helping someone usually yields dividends in the form of personal growth and purpose. “A day wasted on others is not wasted on one’s self.“

  • The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans will host tonight’s Super Bowl. This is the Super Bowl LIX with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch from the 2023 Super Bowl, when the Chiefs took home the Lombardi Trophy. This year’s Super Bowl halftime is being handled by rapper Kendrick Lamar, who most recently won five Grammy awards.

As always, the commercials will be fun, confusing, and humorous all at the same time. A 30-second commercial during Super Bowl LIX will cost $7 million, targeting the expected worldwide audience of 120 million viewers across all platforms. Tonight’s Super Bowl and its commercials should be great fun. Will the Eagles spoil the Chiefs chance at a winning three straight Super Bowls?

Note: A few of my friends have often asked me to compare the Super Bowl and soccer’s World Cup final. It is difficult to compare the two events, as the World Cup is not an annual event. While the NFL’s Super Bowl, held every year, draws a viewing audience of 120 million, the final of the quadrennial World Cup draws a viewing audience of 1.5 billion. It is not an apples-for-apples comparison but still eyebrow-raising.

  • I have mentioned the possibility in previous posts, with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory again reporting that an asteroid has a slight possibility of impacting Earth. There is only a 1.6% chance of the asteroid, called 2024 YR4 of contacting our planet but that small chance has warranted a great deal of attention from scientists in northern South America, Africa, and South Asia – areas where scientists think the asteroid could make contact. The predicted date of impact is December 22, 2032. Let us hope that everyone celebrates Christmas in seven years.
  • “I am going to drive separately.” We have all said it, not wanting to get stuck somewhere and giving you the ability to bail anytime day or night. No one does this type of storytelling better than Nate Bargatze. His stories resonate with all of us with his southern accent, cadence, and timing, always delivering relevant and funny content. I will see Bargatze live in Orlando this summer – it should be a good bit of fun. Here is a short take from him on getting old. 🙂
  • Pure Talent. Jon Bon Jovi called him “The Voice“. Billboard readers chose him as the favorite Rock Singer of All Time, with sixty-seven percent of the overall votes. As the front man for the band Journey, Steve Perry was renowned for his tenor vocal range. Music executive and former American Idol judge Randy Jackson described Perry’s voice as “the golden voice” and was quoted saying that aside from Robert Plant, “there is no other singer in rock that came even close to Steve Perry.” It was so unfortunate that a hip injury forced Perry to stop touring with Journey. There is no doubt that “The Voice” was Pure Talent.

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

Only Eighty Years Ago. Awkward and Funny. Things I Am Thinking. Pure Talent.

We Must Never Forget. Rodney. Your Answers? The One and Only Isaac Hayes.

“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.” – Martin Niemoeller, German Theologian and Pastor.

  • Many years ago, my soccer club was invited to Germany by the mayor of Linz, after my town of Marietta, Georgia and Linz declared themselves sister cities. We played teams in two different German cities and eventually found our way south down to the great city of Munich. We had a day to explore, and someone decided that our entourage, made of of sixteen players and some wives, should visit Dachau and the former concentration camp. Our visit in a word was surreal. Upon entering the main building, you wind your way back and forth looking first at pre-war photos that progress into photos and drawings of the horror that occurred at this concentration camp. After the last row of horrific photographs, you leave the building to find yourself in the middle of the camp. We viewed different areas buildings, including the prisoner’s barracks and a very large building. It took a few minutes to realize that we were in the building that contained the horrifying ovens.

We left the camp in silence with the thirty-minute bus ride back to Munich filled with sounds of sniffles and crying. Our entourage was flooded with all types of emotion, with our vacation energy suddenly depleted. We had a planned celebration that evening at Munich’s famous Hofbräuhaus. Obviously, we canceled those plans for a quiet and subdued dinner.

Last week, Holocaust survivors and world leaders gathered at Auschwitz in southern Poland to commemorate eighty years since the liberation of the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp. In total, approximately six million Jews and millions of non-Jews were killed across German-occupied Europe from 1941 to 1945. Roughly 220,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors are still alive today, with their ages ranging from their late seventies to over 100 years old.

Unbelievably, the systematic killing of thousands still occurs today. Unfortunately, the lessons learned from the Holocaust have had little influence with many countries including Burma/Myanmar, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and the Central Republic of Congo.

  • A bit of humor is in order after reading that first take. The variety of comedians from the past still makes me smile. Do not get me wrong, present day comedians including Jo Koy, Sebastian Maniscalco, Bill Burr, and Nate Bargatze are fantastic with their wit and delivery. With that said, I also enjoy the comedians of yesteryear. Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Robin Williams, and Jerry Seinfeld come to mind. One comedian from the past is different in many ways. His peculiar delivery, incredible timing, and storytelling were bar none. In this clip, Rodney Dangerfield was selected to be a presenter at the 1987 Oscars. He is so awkward, but his wit surrounding the category he is presenting, all three minutes of it, is very funny.

Comments & Questions

  • How can it already be the second month of 2025? For that matter, how can it already be the year 2025?
  • How will the 25% tariffs on imports imposed by the president affect U.S. consumers, production lines, and supply chains?
  • Four hundred eight four days as hostages. Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon, and Keith Siegel were released Friday from Hamas captivity. What about the rest of the hostages?
  • Speaking of conflicts, the U.S. has accused DeepSeek, a China-based artificial intelligence (AI) firm, of stealing U.S. technology and Nvidia chips. This is only a start to the AI warfare that will bubble up with Chinese AI startups.
  • Two plane crashes in two days only 123 miles apart. So sad, so unnecessary, so avoidable.
  • Roc Nation, the entertainment company of Jay-Z, has a long-term partnership with the NFL. Part of their agreement includes advising the NFL on entertainment, including the Super Bowl halftime show. Roc Nation has selected Kendrick Lamar, along with SZA, to perform at next Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show. Kendrick Lamar is a tremendous talent, but for those ten minutes, I will take a redo of Shakira and JLo. Just saying.
  • The countdown continues: five weeks until daylight savings time!

Pure Talent. It is difficult to describe when someone is ‘cool.’ Is it the way someone looks, carry themselves, their smile, or their talent? To me, no one was ‘cooler’ than Isaac Hayes. A legendary composer, singer, producer, keyboardist, and tremendous performer. Twenty-three years ago, Isaac Hayes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed, along with an amazing orchestra, the song Shaft. The man, the myth, the legend, and just Pure Talent.

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

Balance. Uecker. Idioms. Thoughts. Pure Talent.

Easier Said Than Done. Just a Bit Outside. You Can’t Fix Stupid. It is Already mid-January. Amie.

  • Quote of the Week: “Work often becomes a substitute for living. But I think the most successful artists, and the happiest people, find a fullness in both areas.” -Faye Dunaway

I am sure Faye Dunaway’s quote comes from firsthand experience. She has appeared in over seventy films, thirty television shows, thirteen plays, and two music videos. Her words “find a fullness in both areas” relate to balance with your life, navigating the demands of your work life with the importance of other activities, especially your family and friends. Most of us know that achieving that balance is easier said than done, but I do agree with Ms. Dunaway that success and happiness are found in “fullness in both areas.” I have made a pact with my group of ‘Freak Show‘ friends that for 2025 I would seek a better balance – and so far so good, though we are only nineteen days in!

Here is to Faye Dunaway and her quote of the week. I do not know about her personal life but her book of work is bar none.

  • Though his Major League Baseball career was nothing special, special he was. He was much more than a former Major League Baseball player and Milwaukee Brewers’ announcer. Bob Uecker’s comedic chops led to acting roles, including his memorable appearance in the movie “Major League.” Uecker passed away last week at the age of ninety. He left us with many memories but none greater than this bit from “Major League.” RIP Bob Uecker.
  • Speaking of random, a friend of mine probably had one too many coffees (or wines) and engaged me in a long conversation about idioms. I appreciate her interest in idioms as I have never put too much thought to the verbal phrases equivalent of using the wrong math formula but still getting the correct answer.

Here a few idioms. What idiom do you use the most? Mine is ‘you can’t fix stupid’, which speaking of stupid, may not be an idiom.

  • Break a leg
  • Beat around the bush
  • Bite the bullet
  • Costs an arm and a leg
  • A blessing in disguise
  • A piece of cake
  • Barking up the wrong tree
  • By the skin of your teeth
  • Call it a day

Some Random Things I am Thinking for mid-January

  • It is already mid-January of 2025.
  • Tomorrow: Martin Luther King Day, the Inauguration, and a college football final.
  • Will the Israel – Hamas deal hold?
  • The go-forward with the devastation in Los Angeles.
  • How does the decision to ban TikTok in the United States reconcile with the 1st Amendment of the Constitution?
  • How disinterested I am in tomorrow night’s college football championship game (only because there is not an SEC team in the Final. I hope Ohio State and Notre Dame have a great game worthy of a Final).
  • The amazing weather in Central Florida.
  • Waffle House. It has been a long time since I have partaken.
  • Seven weeks until daylight savings time. 🙂
  • The grand opening of a project I have been working on for a year at Orlando’s Kia Center.
  • For no specific reason, Charlize Theron.

Pure Talent. Craig Fuller’s vocals on the song Amie are bar none. From a rock music standpoint, Journey’s Steve Perry always set the vocal bar for me, but Fuller’s voice performance on many of Pure Prairie League’s songs is fantastic. I would classify most of Pure Prairie League’s songs as country/rock/pop, but who really cares once you listen to Amie, Falling In and Out of Love, and Two Lane Highway – easy listening tunes with great musicians and vocals. Pure Prairie League = Pure Talent.

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

Number 24. Knowledge and Wisdom. Donate Now. Pure Talent.

I Have Five Drawers. A Fruit Salad. Make A Donation. The Gap Band.

  • Quote of the Week: “I have five drawers. The top three I keep open all the time. The fourth I only open sometimes. The fifth I never open.” – Gunnar Sonsteby

The Nazi invasion of European countries during World War II resulted in groups of people forming a ‘Resistance’ to fight against Nazi rule. Norway was one country that was occupied by the Nazi regime, and similar to other occupied countries, resistance groups were formed.

Netflix has recently released Number 24, based on the life of Gunnar Sonsteby, who was one of Norway’s most decorated war heroes. This film is very well done, starting off with an elderly Sonsteby addressing a lecture in present day with students, then cutting back to the time period where Sonsteby is thrown into chaos when the Nazis invaded Norway in 1940. Sonsteby is an accountant who is horrified by the Nazis’ growing power and the burning of books. He is so upset that he joins the Norwegian Resistance by joining the British Special Operations – and was given the code name Number 24.

Sonsteby’s lecture in present day results in many questions from students about his actions back in the War. One young lady asks Sonsteby the hard questions about his confliction and moral value carrying out bombings and assassinations of Nazis in Norway. You can see the moral compass of Sonsteby spinning as he tries to answer and deflect the questions from the young student. Yes, there is a reason why the young lady is asking specific questions but I will leave that for you to take in. Asked how he can live with the ugly episodes of his past, Sonsteby tells the young lady: I have five drawers. The top three I keep open all the time. The fourth I only open sometimes. The fifth I never open.”

I cannot recommend that everyone take the two hours to watch Number 24. If you want to watch a well written and casted film, enjoy some level of history, and want to understand the dynamics of our moral compass, take the two hours to watch this film.

  • I am certainly not the one to explain the discernible difference between knowledge and wisdom. Yes, there is a difference never explained better than the former Irish professional rugby union player, Brian O’Driscoll. 🙂
  • In a word: shocking. The amount of devastation and destruction from fires in the Los Angeles area dictates that all of us make a contribution – no matter the amount. Just get it done and below are easy ways to do it.

Those hoping to help those affected by the fires and windstorms can visit www.redcross.org/kcal. You can also help through your phone by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Pure Talent. It is 1981, and if I even need to explain the Gap Band to you…. well, forget about it. They were just Pure Talent.

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

Mission Possible. 2025 Predictions. The ‘Glades.’ Pure Talent.

Accept The Mission. Your Guess is Better Than Mine. We Should All Have a Bit of Sustainability. Neil Young’s Ohio.

It is year 2025 and an interesting year it will be with a new U.S. president and conflicts around world. I start the new year of posts writing about someone who reached the pinnacle of athletics, predictions you provided me for 2025, and a couple of examples of sustainability (which I know little about). To begin the New Year, here are three quotes that resonate with me…and I feel confident you will feel the same. All the best for a great 2025.

“Ask yourself about the kind of life you want: What would you do day to day, and with whom, and where? Consider the life you have. Do one thing today, however small, to close the gap between the two.” – Dame Maggie Smith

“In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. Make each one count.” – Les Brown

“I believe in the impossible because no one else does and that gives me an excellent chance at accomplishing it.” – Florence Griffith Joyner

  • People take on the ‘impossible’ in different ways. Florence Griffith Joyner’s (a.k.a. Flo-Jo) track career started at the age of seven, but she was forced to give up the sport at nineteen in order to help support her family. She eventually restarted her career at the 1988 Olympic Trials and set the still-standing 100-meter world record time at 10.49 seconds.

For those who remember Flo-Jo, it was apparent that she was an ultimate achiever and not afraid of speaking her mind, being Avant Garde, with her form-fitting bodysuits and six-inch fingernails. Her speed was amazing with her 100-meter record still intact after 37 years. She overcame the impossible, at one time working two jobs and having to train from midnight to 3am. Some tainted her world record and Olympic Gold medals with accusations of drug use, but the record shows she took and passed eleven drug tests in 1988 alone. Flo Jo is one of many examples of people overcoming the impossible. The two announcers at the 1988 Indianapolis Olympic Trials were stunned at the time she ran. That was thirty-seven years ago.

Predictions: Thank you for providing your 2025 predictions. Here is your list and we will review these at year-end:

  • Teleportation gets a good test in 2025. (I think this is “Scotty, beam me up?”)
  • Bitcoin hits $200,000.
  • Dementia declines due to a greater understanding of genetic mutations.
  • Several television station groups, including Tegna and Sinclair, sell out due to financial hardship.
  • Electric air transportation becomes mainstream.
  • DNA mapping at birth becomes the norm.
  • Elon Musk, who cannot stand bureaucracy, gets fed up and leaves his role as the head of DOGE.
  • Due to bundling, streaming subscriptions rise up to 60%.
  • The Atlanta Braves are shut out of postseason play.
  • Ukraine and Russa make peace. (Three readers made this prediction).
  • DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) practices will become more data driven. (Can an HR executive help us understand this prediction?)
  • The Buffalo Bills win the Super Bowl.
  • Type I diabetes becomes preventable.
  • Annual sales of American flags hit a record high.
  • Nanoprobes become commonplace to gather vitals usually done by blood testing.
  • No one would refer to me as an environmentalist. I do care about the environment to some degree, often thinking about my granddaughter and the world she will grow up in. Here are two takes on the environment and sustainability, the first about Florida’s Everglades, and the second about apparel manufacturing and production.

I have previously written about the Miccosukee Tribe, specifically my friend Tommy Tiger, who attended the same elementary and middle school in southwest Miami. I once stayed overnight at Tommy’s ‘home’ in the middle of the Florida Everglades..an experience that I will never forget. From Google: Referred to as the ‘Glades’, this wetlands preserve encompasses 1.5-million-acres on the southern tip of Florida. The Everglades is made up of coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and pine flatwoods that are home to hundreds of animal species. Among the Everglades’ abundant wildlife are the endangered leatherback turtle, Florida panther and West Indian manatee – and a vast amount of alligators and crocodiles.

Last weekend, I read an article explaining why the Miccosukee Tribe is working every day to protect the Everglades wetlands, specifically the water levels. Unfortunately, the combination of long droughts and prolonged flooding is reducing native wildlife. Tribal elder Michael John Frank put it this way: “The Everglades is beautiful, but it’s just a skeleton of the way it used to be. Tribe members say water mismanagement has contributed to fires, floods and water pollution in their communities and cultural sites. Climate change, and the fossil fuel activities that caused it, are ongoing threats.“

The Miccosukee Tribe and its Council have spoken at public meetings, written letters to federal agencies, lobbied with state and federal leaders while gathering with stakeholders to hear their concerns. It does look like the Tribe’s efforts have led to state and federal legislation creating the Western Everglades Restoration Project. This is just one step in a long process, but if all goes well, the project will clean polluted water, improve hydrology, provide flood protection, and reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfires.

You can do many things to support the Everglades including a visit to the Everglades Alligator Farm, Captain Jack’s airport rides, or Big Cypress Gallery’s Everglades Swamp Tour. Just remember that there are over 200,000 alligators and 2,000 crocodiles in the Everglades. It is best to stay on your airboat and with your walking tour. 🙂

2. Emily Lane and Bret Schnitker run Stars Design Group, a global apparel and production house https://starsdesigngroup.com/ . Their ongoing efforts as fashion experts and innovators are supported by the way they handle the challenges (and solutions) with apparel production – specifically quality ethical manufacturing.

There are many best practices with apparel manufacturing. There are also worldwide apparel manufacturing practices that continue to be alarming. Emily Lane states that “over 60% of textiles produced are made with synthetic fibers (such as polyester and nylon), which are inherently plastic. These fibers are problematic to our environment due to their inability to biodegrade, taking approximately 500 years to naturally break down.”

Why do we care? There are many reasons but here is a one reason: According to Lane, “a substantial volume of microplastics shed from fibers in apparel, up to 6 million metric tons of these plastics end up in the ocean each year. Of these 6 million metric tons about 35% of the microplastics accumulating in the ocean comes from washing clothes.” As reference, read this article:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/laundry-is-a-top-source-of-microplastic-pollution-heres-how-to-clean-your-clothes-more-sustainably

Alarming to say the least but there are innovations on the horizon, including a nature-based solution called CiCLO. CiCLO both reduces pollution from micro plastics and helps to accelerate the degradation of synthetic materials. To net it out, CiCLO made fibers will reduce decomposition to five years versus the 500-year duration with fibers made from synthetic fibers.

Emily Lane and Bret Schnitker. Business owners who care about the environment, work hard to promote sustainability, and strive to provide solutions and best practices with apparel manufacturing.

https://www.clothingcoulture.com

  • For anyone challenging the ability for private space exploration companies to scale: In 2024, there were ninety-three orbital launches from either Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

On the non-orbital side of space travel, Space Perspective, the world’s first stratospheric balloon flight experience company, is planning on a manned excursion to the edge of space (100,000 feet) in 2025. The Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation has oversight on this type of space travel. Here is a look inside the capsule which is tethered to a balloon. Yes, a balloon.

For your 2025 planning and calendar:

  • Jan 12-16 Australian Open
  • Jan 20: College Football Playoff Championship game (and the Inauguration).
  • Feb 9: Super Bowl
  • Feb 13-16 Daytona 500
  • Feb 16: NBA All-Star Game
  • Feb 20-26: SHEBELIEVES Cup
  • Feb 22-23: MLS opening weekend
  • March 27: Major League Baseball opening night
  • Apr 3-6: Women’s College Basketball Final Four
  • Apr 4-7: Men’s College Basketball Final Four
  • Apr 7-13: The Master’s
  • Apr 24-26: NFL Draft
  • May 3: The Kentucky Derby
  • May 17: FA Cup Final
  • May 23-25: Indianapolis 500
  • May 24: Women’s Champions League final
  • May 31: Men’s Champions League final
  • May 25-June 8: French Open
  • June 7: Belmont Stakes
  • June 5-22: NBA Finals
  • June 8: UEFA Nations League Final
  • June 12-15 US Open (golf)
  • June TBD: Stanley Cup Finals
  • July 6:CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
  • July 13: Club World Cup Final
  • June 30-July 13: Wimbledon
  • July 5-27: Tour de France
  • July 15: Major League Baseball All-Star Game
  • July 17-20: The Open Championship
  • July 19: WNBA All-Star Game
  • July 27: Women’s Euros Final
  • Aug 13-24: Little League World Series
  • Aug 25-Sep 7: US Open Tennis
  • Sept 25-27: The Ryder Cup
  • Oct TBD: WNBA Finals
  • Oct TBD: The World Series
  • Dec TBD: Major League Soccer final
  • Pure Talent. I realize that Neil Young is not a favorite of many. Politics aside, I was, and still am, a huge Neil Young fan for his ability to tell a story, his skills on the guitar, and the way he linked up with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. The Kent State University killings of 1970 stemmed from students protesting the Vietnam war and plans for the U.S. to bomb Cambodia. The incident at Kent State supported beliefs by many that the U.S. was at war with itself, and Neil Young’s “Ohio” was written in response to the Kent State shooting on May 4, 1970. The song was also written as an effective response influential in the many protests that helped to end the war in Viet Nam. The song “Ohio” can also reflect the world we live in now, fifty-five years later, with the tragic incident in New Orleans and the Russia – Ukraine and Middle East conflicts. Fifty-five years later, Neil Young is still Pure Talent.

Adios, pay it forward, be safe, and have a great 2025.

Predictions. 2025 Thoughts. Pure Talent.

Guesswork. 2025 Approaches. Is This Love?

Quote of the Week: “Prediction is the business of prophets, clairvoyants, and futurologists. It is not the business of ordinary people.” – Charles Kettering

  • Last year at this time I took a stab at some 2024 predictions. Though some of these may have been MOTO (Master of the Obvious), here is what I predicted one year ago:

The global economy will improve, and the U.S. will lead the way with a slow recovery led by the Fed methodically lowering EFFR, better known as the Fed rate. I would say that this prediction came true (based on your definition of the economy).

Continued regulation regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not get in the way of this technology being part of our everyday lives. This prediction was valid with AI now part of everyone’s everyday lives.

The continued severity of global climate events will dictate governments stepping in with more regulation, specifically surrounding carbon emissions. Though some countries have strengthened their carbon emission standards, this prediction was wrong.

Further advancements with healthcare technology and research will lead the way to breakthroughs helping to cure Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, only to a small degree.

Accessible commercial space travel to the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere becomes available this year. True, via Virgin Galactic and Space Perspective.

United States astronauts will return to the moon – including the first woman to step on that surface. False, as NASA has postponed the Artemis II mission to ensure crew safety.

The Israel-Hamas conflict will wage on through the end of the year. True, unfortunately.

The Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl and France will be the Euro 2024 champion. False. The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl and Spain claimed the Euro 2024 title.

The U.S. presidential election. Nope, I am not going there. :) One year ago, how many of you really thought that Donald Trump would be reelected?

2025 promises to be an interesting year for many reasons. Instead of me providing a few predictions for next year, it would be great for each of you to provide me with one prediction for 2025. Any subject matter is okay with me, as it is your take, not mine. I will roll up the predictions I receive, publish them in January, and then we can look at them again at year-end 2025. You can email me or put your prediction in the Comments section. Thanks.

What I am thinking as we head into the new year:

  • Does Bashar al-Assad’s departure as Syria’s president change the political landscape of Syria and the Middle East?
  • The legacy of President Joseph Biden.
  • Will the universities of Texas and Georgia meet for the third time this season, this time in the January 20th college football playoff final?
  • Three years of warfare as of February 2025. Will the Russia-Ukraine war ever end?
  • Completely forgetting everything watching Billy Bob Thornton in the series “Landman.” As they say in some parts of America: “he ayent rite.”
  • Will mortgage rates continue to drop through Q1 of 2025?
  • The drone syndrome everyone is too over-the-top about is good fun…until NORAD or the U.S. Air Force discovers that they are not actually drones. 🙂
  • De’Vondre Campbell – I am not condoning his actions last Thursday night as he refused to enter the field and play for the San Francisco 49ers. With that said, let’s remember that professional athletes could have some of the same issues as anyone else. Before his coach, teammates, fans, and the media bash him completely, it might be a good idea to find out how we might help him.
  • The holiday stars have aligned as Christmas day is December 25th, Hanukkah starts December 25th, and Kwanzaa starts December 26th. I know little about Kwanzaa and found this description of the holiday from The National Museum of African American History and Culture: “During the week of Kwanzaa, families and communities come together to share a feast, to honor the ancestors, affirm the bonds between them, and to celebrate African and African American culture,” read the museum’s Kwanzaa guide. “Each day they light a candle to highlight the principle of that day and to breathe meaning into the principles with various activities, such as reciting the sayings or writings of great Black thinkers and writers, reciting original poetry, African drumming, and sharing a meal of African diaspora-inspired foods.”
  • Whether you celebrate a holiday or not, I hope that your 2025 brings health and happiness.

Pure Talent. The band Whitesnake was put together in the late 1970’s as a backup band for singer David Coverdale, who had cut his teeth with the band Deep Purple. Many people pigeonholed Whitesnake as a ‘hair band’, but in reality, their music was blues rock, or as some music pundits called it, “bluesy, sexed-up pub-rock.” Coverdale’s voice, the lyrics, and the music reinforces my ever-lasting belief that the 1980’s were the best time for music. It does not get much better than the guitar riff at the 2:40 mark.

A friend gives me grief for my description of “Is This Love” as a rock ballad, but there is no doubt that David Coverdale and Whitesnake are Pure Talent.

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