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Essays & Blogs

The Seven Deadly Sins of Sports: Pride, Greed, Lust, and Wrath

Published: October 28, 2022

Read Time: 10 minutes

TLDR:


Biggie Smalls, Evelyn Hugo, and Sports-and-Beer

Published: November 19, 2022

Read Time: 10 minutes

TLDR:

I was convinced to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I drew a connection to Biggie Smalls.  Particularly, the way Biggie is portrayed in the documentary Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell.  What connects Evelyn and Biggie?  Their power.  And how their power influences those around them.


Sports Dudes Should Read Good to Great by Jim Collins

Published: November 27, 2022

Read Time: 10 minutes

TLDR:

Today, sports is dominated by numbers.  Yet, a lot of the same people who advocate for sports to be dominated by numbers also advocate that sports is a business.  In a world dominated by, "tanking," "rings culture," and "sabermetrics," I recommend a book about doing good business.  The book is Good to Great by Jim Collins.


How Do I Tell My Financial Advisor I'm Broke

Published: December 16, 2022

Read Time: 10 minutes

TLDR:

Here is my attempt to give financial advice.  I have 5 friendly reminders for folks:


Slaughtering a House Made of Everything Everywhere All at Once

Published: January 17, 2023

Read Time: 5 minutes

TLDR:

I give my two cents on the film Everything Everywhere All at Once.  I compare it to the book Slaughterhouse-Five.  Both stories are about bending time and space and I think both are great.


"rockstar" by Post Malone Brings Ice Cold Heat in Ways I Never Thought Imaginable

Published: January 28, 2023

Read Time: 5 minutes

TLDR:

It took me 1000 listens to the song "rockstar" and I now have a new perspective on the song.  It's a happy song.  It's a sad song.  It's one of the most popular songs of the last 10 years.


To-Do Lists Are For the Birds

Published: February 5, 2023

Read Time: 5 minutes

TLDR:

In my life, I have struggled with staying organized.  Today, I share a caged deathmatch between two common organizational foes: Post-It Notes and To-Do Lists.


There is a Special Place for Joe Tsai in the "Dumb Sports Owner Hall of Fame"

Published: February 10, 2023

Read Time:  10-15 minutes

TLDR:

The Brooklyn Nets are dead.  Joe Tsai is to blame.  And I take a trip down memory lane of some of the dumbest owners in sports (including Ted Stepien, George Steinbrenner, Bill Wirtz, and Dan Snyder).


The Cavemen who make me Wonder, Mr. Brightside, and the Song that Stretches from Wall to Shining Wall

Published: February 20, 2023

Read Time: 5 minutes

TLDR:

I take a trip down memory lane to a Tech N9ne concert in 2018.  I think about the unifying force that is music.


Unexpected Realities of Power Outages in the Upper Midwest

Published: February 28, 2023

Read Time: 10-15 minutes

TLDR:

In case you haven't read the news recently, the power went out in southeast Michigan.  Not everywhere, but some places.  It went out at my home.  This is my struggle.


The Seven Deadly Sins of Sports: Envy, Gluttony and Sloth

Published: March 8, 2023

Read Time: 10-15 minutes

TLDR:

Steve Ballmer = Envy

Lamar Odom = Gluttony

Brett Favre = Sloth


Some Truly Awful Advice for Silicon Valley Bank

Published: March 18, 2023

Read Time: 10-15 minutes

TLDR:

Silicon Valley Bank is going down the tubes.  We're all wondering what this means for the economy...it truly is a wonderful life.


I Need a Prescription for Ice Cream

Published: March 30, 2023

Read Time: 10-15 minutes

TLDR:

After years of being flimsy about my diet and exercise routine, I find a new path to stability.


Max Talbot Sucks

Published: May 11, 2023

Read Time: 20 minutes

TLDR: Max Talbot is the worst.


Short Stories

Go Write a Love Letter to your Mother, Kid

Published: December 2, 2022

Read Time: 10 minutes

TLDR:

This is a story about jazz drummer, Richie Smith.  He is playing his first big show.  However, Richie has his mother on his mind.  She is unwell.  She is in the hospital.


The Baseball Peace: An Unknown Story of Thomas Hamilton and His Brother, Bill

Published: December 25, 2022

Read Time: 15 minutes

TLDR:

Thomas and Bill Hamilton are brothers fighting on either side of the Civil War.  Around Christmas time, in Cooperstown, NY, they unexpectedly run into each other.  


A Clear and Obvious Disagreement Between Positive Paula and Negative Nicholas

Published: January 9, 2023

Read Time: 15 minutes

TLDR:

Vince Francia has been working hard to end the year.  He needs a little vacation time to himself.  He decides to go to a hotel resort on Mars and have a grand ol' time.


Parasocially Challenged

Published: April 23, 2023

Read Time: 45-60 minutes

TLDR:

In the future, we will find new ways to connect with our famous friends.  Our famous friends are our parasocial relationships.  A loner named Marty Howerchuk finds a new way to grow his parasocial relationship with Elaine Benes.  He begins to find himself.  He gains confidence.  Then, things begin to fall apart all over again.


A.I. Free Guarantee

Published: May 23, 2023

Read Time: 30 minutes

TLDR:

Terry Brantley Sr. and Terry Brantley Jr. have a couple of problems in their lives.  Terry Sr. is looking for a new car.  Terry Jr. is trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life.


Hundred Dollar Candy

Published: June 28, 2023

Read Time: 5 minutes

TLDR:

A little boy and his mom search for energy.


Good Guys

Published: August 22, 2023

Read Time : 5 minutes

TLDR:

A mexican standoff


Old Marnie's Magic Bar

Published: September 9, 2023

Read Time: 15-20 minutes

TLDR:

Peter Rose comes home and it's not like it once was.


HenryTM

Published: December 18, 2023

Read Time: 15-20 minutes

TLDR:

In the middle of the space race, everyone's HenryTMs stop working all at once.