Life 2.0

Find Your Anchors

It's another zero dark thirty-type podcast, as I am up one more time before the crack o' dawn. In the turbulent times we live in, it's important to ensure you have anchors that will keep you steadfast and not swept away by the incessant headlines you can do nothing about except getting bent out of shape over. One of mine is hanging out later today and bending elbows with some guys I played football with back in the last century. Also, I couldn't let today pass without recognizing that it's Vietnam Veterans Day and wishing my friends Mark and Pat good and great luck as they turn the page in their book of life, and start a new chapter as they head toward the Rocky Mountains. 

Erased?

Just a note of caution.

If you are someone who thinks that empathy is a flaw in human nature and that diversity, equity, and inclusion are the cause of all the misery in the world, don’t bother listening to this rant.

You won't get it.

DEI attempted to erase the "Enola Gay" (for obvious reasons) Maj. Gen. Charles C. Rogers MOH recipient (he was Black) now they are on to the Navajo Code Talkers (Native American) in some whitewashing attempt at reframing history.

But, what about herstory?

To gain some perspective, I reached out to someone I have the utmost respect for, someone I served with in the United States Coast Guard (she went on to become a Chief Petty Officer) and who's uniform hangs in a museum. 

She's got the DEI Double Whammy-a woman, and Black.

I learned a lot-what a concept.

We're All In This Together

Before Mike Robbins became one of the most sought-after speakers in the world (and the best-selling author of five books,) he was a highly regarded pitching prospect who played in the College World Series and eventually spent three seasons in the Kansas City Royals organization. Arm injuries cut short the fiery southpaw's baseball career but opened up a much larger arena for Mike—becoming a global spokesman for turning your life's work into a work of art. He shares some great insights from his fifth book, "We're All In This Together."

Earth Matters Monday

I lost a great friend this past week. John Keith was a titan of radio production for decades and we crossed paths back at Oprah Radio and became fast friends. It was all about baseball (and radio) and if it wasn't for JK, the Earth Matters with Bill Kurtis series would have never been heard around the world as it has. I found the first four episodes of EM that John produced, and while I am very sad that he is gone, I am so very glad he was here. Godspeed BRO!

The Gay Episode!

I try my best to ignore that which evaporates my remaining brain cells. But, for the last two weeks, I've been subjected to the word "gay" from so many different angles, that I had to finally come out (so to speak) and speak out. As the DEI mandates begin to take effect and the references to "gay" and "trans" are scrubbed from various govt. websites, it was time to take a deep dive into the history of the word, how the meaning has changed since the 12th century.

But what about how the Flintstones have been subliminally grooming kids since the '60s? And that line from "Deck The Halls"  that insists you "don your gay apparel?"

And, what about attending the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas show or watching "The Gay Divorcee?"

America-The Reality Show!

With all the upheaval in Washington D.C. these days, and so much of it surrounding Elon Musk, I think we'd all be better off if TLC just gave him a reality show and instead of eliminating jobs at the VA, he could just jet around the world wielding his chainsaw. I mean he's a reality show producer's dream! Elon Musk has at least 14 children with multiple partners! But wait there's a spinoff in the works! His dad Errol "We are only on Earth to procreate" Musk just confirmed he's fathered his 2nd child with his stepdaughter who is 31 years younger!

Ratings gold! 

Also, a little background on the rise of "reality" TV and how easily humans confuse highly produced reality with real life and how that eventually helped to put a former real estate developer in the White House-twice.

 

Full Circle Moments

Fifty years is a long time.

The number of people in my life from 1975 is small, maybe 10 or so. My sister, a few high school friends, and extended family members. My mom and dad are both long gone. So, when someone stepped back into my life AFTER one-half century it was cause for both celebration and a bit of sadness.

There was a time that I paid my bills pumping gas, checking oil and doing tune-ups and when the man who was my boss on half-century ago agreed to meet for breakfast, it was a serious full circle moment.

Take Me Home...

Another interesting week behind me, with some serious reminders about not letting other people stuff your backpack, the importance of finding your path, understanding that it's later than we think, and that a Super Bowl commercial can put one of the biggest names in music history back on the charts, decades after his death.

THE WALK

Bill Bennett is a multi-award-winning Australian filmmaker who captures the human condition like no other. His latest work, "The Way, My Way" is based on his best-selling book of the same name and is the captivating true story of a stubborn and amusingly self-centered Australian man who decides to walk the 800-kilometre-long (497.8 miles) Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route through Spain. He doesn’t know why he’s doing it, but one step at a time it will change him and his outlook on life forever.  

Living An Uncommon Life

This past week I purchased a copy of my first book, and there was an interesting note inside from whoever first bought it back in 2006. It gave me a chance to review and remember the lessons from 21 extraordinary people like John Denver, Wayne Dyer, Jerry Kramer, Dorothy Hamill, Cheryl Richardson, Dr. Kathleen Hall, Walter Payton, and three young people (Chelsey, Timmy, and Jerry) who left the game of life early, and who had (and still have) a major effect my life.