Balance. Thoughts. The Score. Question of the Week. Pure Talent.

Poetry and Music. It is the Last Sunday of April. De Niro, Norton, & Brando. Answers Please. Grandfather Rules.

  • Quote of the Week: “If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.” – Charles Darwin

An interesting quote from someone who spent most of his life immersed in the world of science, specifically biology. Charles Darwin gave the world an insight into the origin and diversity of life on Earth, known best for his Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. He based his widely accepted (but controversial with the Church) theory that individual organisms with the characteristics best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. Darwin’s theory summed up in one sentence: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

I have not done a deep dive into Darwin’s life but I am assuming Darwin’s quote refers to some level of life balance. I also assume that Darwin spent the majority of his time expanding his knowledge and thoughts about evolution, a subject matter that is not always understood due to religious beliefs and inadequate scientific evidence.

The term ‘life balance’ is discussed by many, practiced by few. Mental health professionals have expressed their belief that life balance is crucial for fostering relationships, managing stress, promoting both physical and mental health, and in general good for our overall well-being. All of us have witnessed friends, family, and associates whose lack of balance with their personal and professional lives led to them going through burnout, emotional exhaustion, and poor job performance.

Life balance is a delicate balancing act, with some handling that balance well, and some not so much. Did Charles Darwin’s extensive research which led to his Theory of Evolution take a toll on him? His quote tells us yes.

For 2025 my focus has been on ‘BALANCE’ – trying every day to find a good level of balance with everything I do. Whether you like Jeff Bezos or not, his take on finding balance and energy is spot on.

Things I Think for the Last Sunday of April

  • Is there a correlation with Elon Musk spending most of his time working on DOGE and Telsa’s poor quarterly and year-over-year financial performance? A 71% drop in profit from the same period last year is alarming. Or, did Tesla sales tank as the brand has become a symbol of the current Administration? Or are consumers more diligent with their electric vehicle (EV) purchase due to EV offerings from Ford, Rivian, and other EV manufacturers? Note: If you have a few minutes, Google Jeff Bezos’ new EV offering.
  • Regarding Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), there is no doubt that the DOGE initiatives and directives have cut federal spending, but does anyone know if DOGE has significantly reduced the national debt? From Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell: “…reducing domestic discretionary spending will not solve America’s growing national debt problem.”
  • Is there a chance that the next Pope will be an American? Most pundits point out that for the first time in history, fewer than half of those given a vote will be European. The voting process is known as the Conclave with one hundred twenty cardinals, all of whom must be under the age of eighty, submitting their vote. The voting process continues until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. Could the new Pope come from Asia or Africa?
  • Synthetic dyes used in food we eat could be banned. My thoughts for all of us: Over our lifetime, how many M&Ms, Lucky Charms, icing on cakes, Cheetos, Skittles, and Doritos have we consumed? Now I know why I am not 6′-2″ tall. 🙂
  • Regarding the Question of the Week two weeks ago asking about Pete Hegseth and the Signal messages, many of you responded that due to “no harm, no foul”, Hegseth should keep his job as the Secretary of Defense. The issue bubbled up again last week due to a second Signal message sent to his wife, brother, and personal attorney. Does this second incident change anyone’s thoughts with Hegseth keeping his job?
  • Factoid of the Week: Twenty billion. That is the number of videos uploaded to YouTube since the streaming platform began twenty years ago. Forbes reports that over one billion hours of YouTube content are watched each day.
  • It is not a ‘must-watch’ but I did catch Robert De Niro in a movie he made twenty-four years ago. I had never seen “The Score” but once I noticed De Niro’s supporting cast, I carved out the two hours to watch the intriguing Marlon Brando, a fantastic Edward Norton, and the always beautiful Angela Bassett. A good story with De Niro playing an aging thief who specializes in safe cracking. Frank Oz is the director, and he once again does a great job with this 2001 movie. The dynamic between De Niro and Norton is worth the watch.

This scene from The Score, when De Niro and Norton first meet, sets the tone for the entire movie.

  • Question of the Week: Last week’s question was in regards to your favorite Easter Sunday tradition. Here is how some of you answered:

Favorite Easter memory- my entire family, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors and family “strays” would all gather the day before and decorate Easter eggs. The adult men would hide them late at night and Then after church Easter Sunday would be a huge celebration and egg hunt!

My favorite memories of Easter:
In Lebanon we don’t do egg hunt but we compete cracking other kids eggs. If their egg cracks, I take it.

It was so much fun and the cheating by creating wooden eggs or fortified eggs with female nails polish was so much fun and if you get caught you are banned for life. We had a blast.

Easter memory: Grateful to attend the Cathedral in Nashville, TN with my wife, sons, and daughter-in-law one year after my son and daughters-in-law’s wedding there. Same priest and cantor. Brought back great memory in this most beautiful church.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week:

The recent mass shooting and tragedy that occurred at Florida State University (FSU) has many parents wondering how they would handle this type of incident with their children. The question: If your child were on a campus and an incident similar to the one at FSU occurred, what and how would you respond to your child? What words would or could you use to ensure your son or daughter could carry on without issues? Your answer is appreciated.

  • Pure Talent. I like this video for many reasons: 1) Obviously, the talent and skills from both the grandfather and grandson are fantastic: 2) The grandfather playing with and passing on his gift to his grandson. 3) The smiles and joy from both are something special. Ten-year-old Olly and his grandfather are definitely Pure Talent.

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

Respect. Guns. EuroLeague. Questions and Answers. Top of Mind. Pure Talent.

Number 42. Mass Shootings. Fandom Across the Pond. Answers Please. Random Thoughts. Freddie Mercury All Over Again.

  • Quote of the Week: “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me. All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” – Jackie Robinson

Seventy-eight years ago, he broke the color barrier as Major League Baseball’s first Black player. He took on detractors and racists and started his major league career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Jackie Robinson, against all odds, commanded respect not only with his on-field accomplishments, but for his life values and perseverance. Last Tuesday, and every April 15th since 2004, Major League Baseball has celebrated Jackie Robinson Day, with a goal of educating all fans about his life and legacy. One of the ways Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day is for all players to wear the number 42 during their April 15th game.

A number of people, for all the wrong reasons, did not want Jackie Robinson involved with Major League Baseball. Robinson rose above the fray to earn respect as a Major League Baseball player and later as the first Black to be a vice president at a Fortune 500 company, a banker, and a developer. Jackie Robinson’s name will always be synonymous with breaking barriers.

  • On December 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments to the Constitution) were ratified by three-fourths of the States. The second amendment is again top of mind these days with another school shooting, this time at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

The Second Amendment reads: A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Little did Thomas Jefferson know that when he authenticated and ratified the Bill of Rights, the second amendment would indirectly lead to many school tragedies across the United States. Nor did he know how people of lesser minds would use the weapons allowed by the Second Amendment.

Last Wednesday’s tragedy at Florida State University was the school’s second campus shooting in the last eleven years. The twenty-year-old shooter was the son of a Leon County deputy and used his mother’s former service weapon to conduct his assault. Thursday’s incident was the 81st mass shooting of 2025 and the 18th shooting on a college campus in 2025.

I do agree that people kill people, not guns, but the United States, one way or another, must get control of the ability to access guns AND find a way to help the deranged and mentally fragile who carry out these mass shootings.

  • The National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs started yesterday. The playoffs, depending on the matchup, usually draw large and loud crowds to NBA arenas across the United States and Canada. Fandom also crosses the Atlantic Ocean with professional basketball in Europe. The EuroLeague, officially named the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, is in its twenty-fifth year of competition. Similar to European football crowds, the fans really bring their passion to arenas from Madrid to Istanbul. This short video is from a recent pre-game at Crvena Zvezda’s (Red Star Belgrade) arena in Serbia. Wow!!
  • Question of the Week: Thank you to all of you who provided your answers to the Question of the Week: Will the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have short and long-term impact with the U.S. economy? How? Why?

Here are a few of your answers:

While you know my opinion about our president, I feel the tariffs, Not the chaos in the way he is managing it, is good in the long term. If Germany imposes 15% on American cars, we should impose 15% on German cars.. Very logical and let the best win. That said, China in my opinion is the evil as everything in China is controlled by the government and is supported financially by it and that tilts the balance to these companies as they are fully subsidized.. You can’t compete against that. They steal your intellectual property and they create something similar… THEY SUCK…

I think there will be and already have been impacts both positive and negative. Most people have not educated themselves on the different tariffs imposed on the U.S.  I don’t completely understand them myself but I want to believe that Trump knows what he’s doing.

The tariffs will have a long term effect as it continues the destructive path of eroding relationships globally paving the way to remove the U.S. dollar as the largest internationally used currency. This will have a devastating impact.

Tariffs also erode the value of the American brand, reducing the desire for American goods, even if foreign countries reduce import tariffs, as Rand Paul eloquently said in his speech against tariffs. A consumer from one country buys goods from a manufacturer in another country, governments don’t essentially buy products from each other, so if consumers in other countries dislike the new American position then they simply won’t buy American goods, regardless of tariff levels.

Tariffs…..short term pain …..long term gain…..in the end….just a negotiating tool to right the ship. We have been taken advantage of by many countries where the tariff on our exports sometimes are a multiple of what we tariff imports.

Please take a few minutes to answer and comment about this week’s Question of the Week: What is, or once was, your favorite Easter Sunday memory or tradition?

Seven Random Thoughts and Questions for April 20, 2025

  • How are we already less than two weeks away from the fifth month of the year?
  • Not that I am big on watching award shows, but September’s Emmy Awards show will be hosted by Nate Bargatze. That should be fun to watch.
  • How much fun was it to take in last Sunday’s final round of the Masters?
  • There was another island-wide blackout in Puerto Rico. Alarming considering hotels are at capacity due to tourists celebrating Easter weekend. Not good and systemic infrastructure issues to say the least.
  • The Americans, after many years, is still a top five series for me. I have always been intrigued and curious of how foreign agents blend into a target country and pose as everyday citizens. A friend recommended a new book that explores the real-life KGB program. I bought The Illegals: Russia’s Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West, have read three chapters, and highly recommend the book if you were a fan of The Americans.
  • Headline of the Week: NVIDIA’s “QC Checks” On The GeForce RTX 5090 Come Into Question as Redditor Reports Damaged Capacitor After Just One Month of Use. I have no clue what this headline refers to.
  • The end of an era. Lee Corso, who for forty years brought some fun and levity to ESPN’s Gameday show, has finally decided to call it quits…at the age of ninety! Lee Corso always made his pick of the week by wearing an oversized mascot’s headgear during the live broadcast. Corso will make one more cameo appearance at this year’s opening Gameday show. All the best to Lee Corso!
  • Pure Talent. Benson Boone has taken the music performance world by storm. Talented with a great voice, this twenty-two-year-old put on this great performance of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, getting a good bit of help from the legendary Brian May. Benson Boone is Pure Talent.

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

Schooled. Signal. Places. Question of the Week. Jake and Ellwood. The Traditions of Passover and Easter. Pure Talent.

Self-Taught. User Bump. The 51. Tariffs. Four Chickens and a Coke. Celebration. Hava Nagila.

  • Quote of the Week: “When people ask me if I went to film school, I tell them, ‘No, I went to films.” – Quentin Tarantino

He has been called intolerable and an egomaniac. He may be many both but Quentin Tarantino is an example of someone who took a different path, learned a trade, and created a dynamic career for himself and many others. I am not saying that all students should skip traditional school, but I think that experiencing and absorbing a trade is equally important in the learning process.

Tarantino, before moving to Los Angeles, was raised by a single mom in Knoxville, Tennessee. He dropped out of high school at the age of fifteen, never earned a GED and never attended college. As a store clerk at a video store, Tarantino watched hundreds of movies building his base of skills and knowledge to slowly develop into a top screenwriter, director, and producer. Call it on-the-job training or self-taught, but Quentin Tarantino is one of many examples of success without formal training or education.

Many posts ago, I provided a take on the lack of trade schools and more importantly, the lack of a workforce with trade skills:

“….I feel strongly that the “valorizing” of white-collar jobs has gone off the rails. We have put an emphasis on tech workers and the so-called knowledge economy. As we have all experienced, the tech world has again changed quickly, with most tech-related entities laying off workers and right-sizing their workforce, while the trade-related businesses are begging for workers to support their increasing workloads. A startling statistic from Stanley Black & Decker: In 2023, there were six hundred and fifty thousand unfilled jobs in construction-related trades in the United States, and ten million worldwide. From a personal standpoint, I had my car serviced last week. When I picked up my car, I briefly spoke to the owner of the car service and repair center. She told me that they are desperately looking for auto mechanics, offering $37 per hour, and cannot find anyone to interview…”

Better stated, here is one of my favorite quotes regarding education: “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” – Mark Twain

  • In my last post I reviewed the messaging service called Signal, which was used by U.S. national security personnel to communicate a war plan. My question was what level of usage bump would Signal get from the massive amount of worldwide publicity? Here is the answer: “In Signal’s history, this is the largest US-growth moment by a massive margin,” says Jun Harada, Signal’s head of growth and partnerships. “It’s mind-blowing, even on our side.” The week’s rate of adoption has been twice that of a typical week for 2025, which in turn was twice that of a typical week the same time last year. “It happened immediately” after The Atlantic broke the story of Signal’s use in the Yemeni bombing, Harada says. “And it’s been sustained. We’ve been maintaining that rate every day.”
  • Many of my friends discuss traveling outside of the United States to see the beautiful places of the world…and yes, there are many areas of this planet that are “must-sees.” After reading this article, it is obvious that you do not necessarily need to leave the United States to see magical landscapes, mountain ranges, and gorgeous lakes. I am disappointed in myself that after reviewing these fifty-one locations, I have only been to twelve. How about you? https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/most-beautiful-places-in-the-us
  • Question of the Week: Thank you to all of you who provided your answers to the Question of the Week: Should the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and other national security staffers lose their jobs due to the war plan leak that included a journalist? Here are a few of your answers:

No.  Mission was successful.  No US military harmed.

I find it highly amusing and rich that the left/progressives/main stream failing media are hellbent on crucifying someone for the Signal screwup. The administration owned it, acknowledged that it was a screwup, and pledged to insure it didn’t happen again. But crucify someone? Really? These are the same people who covered up for a mentally deteriorated president for four years, who did not yell bloody murder with the horrendous Afghan withdrawal. Who called for no resignations for the bullshit we were fed during Covid. Who went along with Biden, Harris, and Mayorkas all telling us the border was closed as 10 million unvetted illegal aliens came right on in and get ridiculous benefits for breaking our laws. Who now want to reinstate USAID so the likes of Stacey Abrams can get $2 billion. Really? And so much more and now they wanna hang someone over the Signal screwup.

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No we should find out how it happened and correct the problem. And the person that received the intel should have kept it to himself!! What an idiot. And another thing…….the left wingers that were all for the “GREEN NEW DEAL” that all bought TESLAS now are against the company because we have a smart person uncovering massive massive fraud and needless spending???? I am on a roll!

No, they shouldn’t lose their jobs. They should be reprimanded. In the old days, the NY Times published the plans for attacking Iraq.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week. Please take a few minutes and send me your answer. Thank you.

Will the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have short and long-term impact with the U.S. economy? How? Why?

  • On the lighter side, I will go to ‘four fried chickens and a Coke.” Unbelievably, the Blues Brothers premiered forty-five years ago starring John Belushi and Dan Akroyd, a.k.a. ‘Jake and Ellwood’, and included fantastic music by rhythm and blues (R&B), soul, and blues singers James Brown, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Chaka Khan, and John Lee Hooker. The reaction from the cook when he realizes who is ordering is priceless!
  • This is a special time of the year. The Passover and Easter holidays are upon us, the final round of the Masters is later today, and summer is right around the corner. Both holidays make me smile as I really enjoy the celebrations, specifically the story of the Jews escaping persecution and all the children who dress up for Easter celebrations.

The tradition of the Passover is exemplified by the Seder dinner, a special meal prepared at the beginning of Passover, celebrating the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, involving the retelling of the story, eating symbolic foods, and other traditions, including the four glasses of wine consumed at the dinner. The same goes for the traditional Easter Sunday feast, where families and friends gather for a massive meal typically made up of Easter ham, a potato dish, vegetable side dishes, deviled eggs, green beans, and dinner rolls. I have participated in both festivities – traditions that I really enjoy. I hope you do as well.

Pure Talent. We have all heard this song. A traditional song played at weddings and other festivities. It is a song that means “Let Us Rejoice, Let Us Be Happy” that everyone sings and dances to, from the elderly to the youngest of children. We have heard many versions of Hava Nagila, and this fantastic version is performed by a 13-year-old girl from Uzbekistan. She is Pure Talent.

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

Greatness. Inspiration. The Leak. Question of the Week. The Meta Plant. Pure Talent.

Is it Really About the Opposition? Steinbrecher. Signal Messaging. Your Answers, Not Mine. Robots and More. The Voice of Barry White.

  • Quote of the Week: “Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach their goals.” – Dorothy Height

I had to think about this quote. Does greatness always need to be measured or benchmarked against your opposition? If you are a great chef or a great public speaker, must we decide on your level of greatness based on the talents of other chefs and public speakers? I do believe in benchmarking but if you are great at something let’s not overanalyze or compare.

Greatness should not be measured by your opposition. Greatness should be determined by many things including impactful or remarkable achievements, strong character, your ability to inspire, and a desire to make a difference. I like Kobe Bryant’s definition of greatness.

  • Regarding inspiration: Many people have inspired me in different ways. From people I have worked with, to my friends and family, and the many coaches I played under (especially one). One inflection point of my inspiration happened by circumstance surrounding the first Major League Soccer game played back in 1996. This inaugural match was played at the same time the United States Soccer Federation brass was in Atlanta (where I lived most of my life) for a meeting surrounding the ’96 Olympic Football Competition.

Hank Steinbrecher, at that time the U.S. Soccer Secretary General, and Alan Rothenberg, the Commissioner of Major League Soccer, were part of the group visiting Atlanta. While they were in Atlanta, the inaugural Major League Soccer game was broadcast by ESPN, and as strange as it sounds, Steinbrecher and Rothenberg’s Atlanta hotel did not have ESPN as an option. After they reached out to Rick Skirvin, who at that time ran the Georgia State Soccer Association, Rick had Steinbrecher and Rothenberg come to my home in Marietta, Georgia so they could watch the game. Both were very appreciative of me offering up my home for their viewing pleasure, and more importantly at halftime of the game, Steinbrecher spoke to me about the sport of soccer and asked me to try and get involved at all levels. It was a ten-minute discussion, but his words and ask inspired me to do many different things within the sport. As Kobe Bryant mentioned, inspiring others is one aspect of greatness.

Hank Steinbrecher passed away last week at the age of seventy-seven. I only met him for that two-hour soccer game, but in that short time he really did inspire me. RIP, Hank Steinbrecher.

  • My Perspective – The Leaked War Plan

“The world found out shortly before 2 p.m. eastern time on March 15 that the United States was bombing Houthi targets across Yemen. I, however, knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming. The reason I knew this is that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m. The plan included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing.”

This was the opening of the article by The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg that involved eighteen staffers who are part of U.S. national security. Of course, the text message communication including a member of the media was alarming. There is no doubt that missteps were taken with the group messaging discussing the plan to bomb Houthi targets in Yemen (which did happen). This has obviously wreaked havoc with government officials, the media, and in general, the American public.

On the other side of the drama, how has Signal and their messaging app benefited from this incident? While many people correlate the Signal app with a national security leak, I am sure the spin doctors at Signal are using this ‘free’ worldwide publicity to drive more downloads of their messaging app. To put this in perspective, advertisers paid $8 million for a 30-second ad spot for this year’s Super Bowl. Will Signal capitalize on their instant and ‘free’ worldwide exposure?

From BBC News: “Signal is an open-source encrypted messaging service popular with journalists and others who seek more privacy than other text-messaging services are capable of delivering.”

  • Thank you for your responses to the Question of the Week. Remember that these responses are from the JustMyTake readers.

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

*The influence of money has corrupted our federal politicians, and they are ruining our country. Three ideas:

1. Term limits for all federal representatives AND their staff.

2. Balanced budget required for federal government including a requirement to reduce costs every year.

3. Eliminate lobbying and big money donations.

*The Republicans hold the power due to no solidified Democratic leadership. Biden turned out to be lame duck, Kamala was ineffective in her role to succeed. The Dems have nothing to bargain with and appealing to the Republicans to slow their roll isn’t working. Leadership is based on non-violent communication. Both sides need to agree to listen, hear each other out and find some (even minor) commonality for agreement to start. It’s not hopeless but does seem to be a long shot at present.

*Move to Mexico .

*Single line bills.
Eliminating ability to purchase/sell stocks with insider information.
Eliminate lobbying.

*All those values that you believe, live them out day to day and you will change the world, one small action at a time. Volunteer and be generous to organizations that support your belief systems, call your mom, be kind, and smile. Practice random acts of kindness toward others and yourself every day. If we all did this, the world would be a better place.

*Drop the judgement about every person, place and thing. Then, be curious about every person, place and thing. Actively listen to discover why a person believes the way they do…listen, ask more questions, then listen again.

*For heaven’s sake, stop watching the news and social media.

Get involved in this group: www.Braverangels.org whose mission is to bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.

Here is this week’s Question of the Week. Please take a few minutes and send me your answer. Thank you.

Should the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and other national security staffers lose their jobs due to the war plan leak that included a journalist?

  • Last week, on the same day that the Trump administration announced a 25% tariff on imported cars and car parts, Hyundai Motor Group debuted their ‘factory of the future’ just outside of Savannah, Georgia. In the near future the sixteen million-square-foot facility will employ over 8,000 and produce 300,000 vehicles per year. This South Korean-based conglomerate entered the U.S. market in 1986 with their Excel model. Today, Hyundai Motor America has over 750 dealers in North America.

Take a look at this video and Hyundai’s manufacturing plant. Amazing and eye-opening to say the least.

Pure Talent. I know this segment should relate to college basketball with the NCAA Sweet Sixteen this weekend, but when I heard this song yesterday…well, enough said. Barry White was Pure Talent.

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

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.