Greetings Manoverse…it’s been awhile.
Your Humble Potentate of Profundity had another little health calamity…osteomyelitis in my foot, which is an odd trick for someone who doesn’t even walk. A few weeks in one hospital, a few more weeks in another hospital, a couple of weeks of self-infused IV antibiotics at home…but now I’m on the mend and back to work. The truth is that I hadn’t been writing even a couple of months before being hospitalized, which should have been an indicator that something was off. But sometimes…especially when it comes to our own health…we just can’t see the forest for the trees. At any rate, the clouds have parted and I feel the urge to jump back into the fray here at The Manofesto, and I think I’ve found the perfect avenue to do just that.
Y’all know I like checking things out over on Pinterest, and I ran into something that piqued my curiosity called The Unofficial Goldman Sachs Guide to Being a Man. Now I’m 40-something years old, and while I believe that we should always be willing to grow & evolve the fact is that I am pretty much who I’m going to be. If folks can appreciate my positive qualities and deal with my shortcomings then there’s an opportunity for us to be friends, but chances are I’m not going to change all that much at this stage of my life. So am I manly enough according to Goldman Sachs?? Have I learned the right lessons from other men in my life, or have I totally been screwing things up for decades?? The charm…in my opinion…of having a forum like this is to pontificate on such matters, and so we shall. We’re going to go down thru this unofficial guide point by point and see just what being a man is all about.
Stop talking about where you went to college.
I get it I suppose. College was great. I had lots of fun & made a lot of good memories. I’m not so sure those years created much of a solid foundation for me vocationally, but that’s mostly my fault. I think the point though is a man should ideally achieve & grow & create an interesting enough life in the decades that follow 
that a thirty/forty/fifty-something is not hearkening back to long past collegiate glory. I don’t necessarily disagree, but neither do I totally agree with the sentiment. Everyone’s collegiate (or even high school) experience is different. Some buckle down, do what they gotta do, get the degree, & never look back. They might not ever go back for any kind of reunion and don’t set foot on campus for the remainder of their lives. Others may adopt where they attend college as a second hometown, make lifelong friends, & return every chance they get. I have friends from college who go to as many football games as possible, and a couple even have jobs at the university. Basically they never left. Where they attended college became a part of them and has been integrated into their lives, and that’s okay. Even those who don’t still live in their college town or go back all that often might still support their alma mater, watch games on TV, & maybe even wear a t-shirt or hat occasionally. I fall into that category and I don’t believe it somehow makes me less of a man.
Always carry cash. Keep some in your front pocket.
My Dad is a big believer in this one. He gets annoyed when he sees someone writing a check for $10 at a store because he thinks that everyone should have what he calls “AP Money” (i.e. ass pocket money, which I suppose goes against the grain of keeping it in your front pocket). However, I think technology plays a part nowadays. I don’t carry much cash & pay for a lot of things with a debit card. I could actually use my phone, but I’m not that fancy yet. So, while I would hate to stand behind some slowpoke paying for his $8 meal at Burger King by writing a check, I take no issue with that person whipping out a card or their phone instead of a few dead Presidents.
Rebel from business casual. Burn your khakis and wear a suit or jeans.
What you wear depends entirely upon the situation. It is a delicate balance between having some class and being comfortable. Personally I am a fan of business casual. I am not going to wear a suit if it isn’t required or atleast proper. I once had a job where I had to wear a tie every weekday, but I felt much more productive wearing jeans on the weekends. Conversely, I hate seeing people wear jeans to funerals or weddings or anywhere that business casual should be as informal as it gets. I don’t think rebellion is all that manly. There’s nothing wrong with simply being appropriate.
It’s ok to trade the possibility of your 80s and 90s for more guaranteed fun in your 20s and 30s.
Okay…live in the moment…I get it. I think most people do that anyway, but even if a person does try to plan ahead a bit and live conservatively with the future in mind I’d be surprised at anyone who thinks that far in advance. Most folks understand that nothing in life is certain.
The best public restrooms are in hotels: The St. Regis in New York, Claridge’s in London, The Fullerton in Singapore, to name a few.
Ummm…okay. I’ll keep that in mind if I’m ever in London, NY City, or Singapore and really really really need to…go.
Never stay out after midnight three nights in a row… unless something really good comes up on the third night.
Some comedian…I think it may have been Chris Rock…did a really funny routine about going to the ATM at 3am and how one isn’t going there at that hour for any good reason. The parameters change as we get older & our circumstances vary. I am very rarely out past midnight these days, and a three night stretch would definitely be odd. It would have to be something really interesting the first two nights, let alone the third night.
You will regret your tattoos.
I 100% agree. I almost got a tattoo on my ankle in college, which atleast would have been inconspicuous, but I am glad I didn’t do it. It’s a free country. I have friends with tattoos. To each their own…I just don’t see the attraction.
Never date an ex of your friend.
Yeah, I can see it. Depending on the depth of that friendship dating your buddy’s ex seems like it would be rather awkward.
Join Twitter…become your own curator of information.
Absolutely. To its credit Twitter can be somewhat informative depending on who you follow and if you can stay out of the muck that is so easy to get sucked into. I’m a big retweeter. I love to retweet quotes or profound thoughts by others that I find particularly meaningful.
If riding the bus doesn’t incentivize you to improve your station in life, nothing will.
I’ve had to ride the bus a couple of times recently, and it is quite humbling. I have friends who ride the bus with some regularity and I don’t judge. They’re good people…just not as affluent as they’d prefer. To be honest I’m just more well off enough than them to be able to afford a vehicle, and even that gets dicey when repairs need done. Let’s not be pejorative, but instead be thankful that public transportation is available to get folks to & from work, medical appointments, the grocery store, etc.
Time is too short to do your own laundry.
lol I get a good chuckle because I do in fact have someone who helps me do light housework, including laundry. But that’s only because of my disability. Otherwise I’d be happy to do laundry. I’d much rather do laundry than wash dishes!! Anyway, I assume most adults do their own laundry, and I see nothing wrong with that.
When the bartender asks, you should already know what you want to drink.
I don’t spend much time in bars these days, but yeah…know what you want. Don’t waste the bartender’s time or the time of those waiting behind you.
If you perspire, wear a damn undershirt.
Ehhhh. I’ve never been an undershirt guy myself. I suppose if your one of those people who sweats profusely wearing an undershirt is preferable to a big wet spot in your armpit, but I don’t think it’s necessary for everyone.
You don’t have to like baseball, but you should understand the concept of what a pitcher’s ERA means. Approach life similarly.
Hmmm…there’s a lot to unpack here. Earned Run Average represents the number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings. An earned run is any run that scores 
without the aid of an error or a passed ball. To calculate ERA you multiply 9 x earned runs then divide by innings pitched. If a pitcher exits a game with runners on base, any earned runs scored by those runners will count against him. Your outcomes in life depend on your “ERA”. Performance determines longevity, and you might get few chances to you earn that longevity. Be responsible when it comes to time & effort. To stay in the game you have to perform well. ERA takes what we’ve done and gives us an average of what we might do if given multiple opportunities in the future. Make the most of every opportunity and surround yourself with a good team of people.
When people don’t invite you to a party, you really shouldn’t go. And sometimes even when you are invited, you shouldn’t go.
I concur. Not much into partying anymore, but I can’t imagine going to one to which I wasn’t invited. I’m just not that…aggressive. My father told me many years ago that there’s nothing wrong with staying home. I happen to live in a small town where not much goes on & I have a rather solitary life anyway, so I’m perfectly happy to stay home, read a book, watch a movie, love on my dog Rocco, or listen to some tunes.
People are tired of you being the funny, drunk guy.
I was the funny drunk guy for a few years back in college. That’s okay when you’re 19 years old, but when you’re…older…it’s just kind of sad. I can’t even remember the last time I had an adult beverage. I am delighted with a glass of iced tea or a bottle of water.
When in doubt, always kiss the girl.
I tend not to wallow in regret, and as previously mentioned I’m not particularly forceful, but I do look back and wish I would have rolled the dice a bit more with the ladies. Not in an offensive #MeToo kind of way or anything like that, but more like a self-confident “What do I have to lose??” manner.
Tip more than you should.
I agree wholeheartedly. I will…hold back…if the service is bad & the server is rude, but if a person is generally polite and does a good job then I believe they deserve a nice tip. Service industry jobs are tough and don’t pay all that much, so if I can help someone who’s done well in helping me then why not??
You probably use your cell phone too often and at the wrong moments.
This is likely true for most of us. Smartphones are a tremendous convenience and it’s great to have the world at your fingertips, but when you’re with family & friends we should step away from the technology and enjoy the people.
Buy expensive sunglasses. Superficial? Yes, but so are the women judging you. And it tells these women you appreciate nice things and are responsible enough not to lose them.
My father always taught us the value of good quality items. You don’t necessarily have to have the best, most expensive, top of the line stuff, but look for something well made from a reputable company. Whenever I get new glasses I also purchase prescription sunglasses, so by definition they are expensive and pretty nice. I don’t buy the $10 sunglasses near the grocery store checkout. As far as impressing women…ehhh. I understand the point. It’s probably an accurate statement and makes a lot of sense. However, if a woman is going to judge a man by the sunglasses he wears then I’m not completely sure she’s someone I need to know.
If you want a nice umbrella, bring a crappy one to church.
I have no idea what that even means.
Do 50 push-ups, sit-ups, & dips before you shower each morning.
Ha!! If I did fifty of even one of those the next shower I’d take would be in a hospital.
Eat brunch with friends at least every other weekend. Leave Rusty & Junior at home.
Well I don’t have any kids to worry about, but the sentiment makes sense. It’s important to stay in contact with friends, and I imagine those with children need some occasional adult interaction. Sadly I have not done a good job of keeping up with friends (to be fair they haven’t kept in touch with me either), and I especially miss a couple with whom I used to have really interesting conversations.
Be a regular at more than one bar.
I’m not a regular at any bar and have no desire to change that. However, back in college we had a special hangout that everyone gathered at several nights per week. When I was a kid one of my favorite television shows was Cheers, so I kind of have a romanticized idea of a friendly little neighborhood speakeasy “where everybody knows your name”. What exactly is wrong with being a regular at one place if the atmosphere is to one’s liking, the refreshment is appetizing, & the company is good?? And if you’re a “regular” at more than one bar what exactly are you doing with your life??
Act like you’ve been there before. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the end zone at the Super Bowl or on a private plane.
Exactly. I agree wholeheartedly. ‘Tis good advice in multiple walks of life.
A glass of wine or two with lunch will not ruin your day.
The writer of this guide really enjoys imbibing adult beverages.
It’s better if old men cut your hair. Ask for Sammy at the Mandarin Oriental Barbershop in Hong Kong. He can share his experiences of the Japanese occupation, or just give you a copy of Playboy.
Okay. I’m probably never going to be in Hong Kong for a haircut, but I do still like the idea of an old-fashioned neighborhood barber shop ran by geezers who’ve been plying their trade for decades. They do tell the best stories.
Learn how to fly-fish.
I don’t recall ever having gone fly-fishing per se, but I have gone fishing and didn’t enjoy the experience all that much. If I’m going to have a lazy day I’d prefer to just chill with a good book. I love the idea of being on the water, but a relaxing voyage on a pontoon boat is more my speed.
No selfies. Aspire to experience photo-worthy moments in the company of a beautiful woman.
Well…yeah. My life would be amazing if I spent all my photo-worthy moments with a beautiful woman. Sign me up.
Own a handcrafted shotgun. It’s a beautiful thing.
I am a huge supporter of The Second Amendment and do appreciate the craftsmanship of a handmade shotgun. However, I 
don’t currently own a gun because…well, I’d prefer to be properly trained & licensed, and even then I could totally see myself being one of those unfortunate souls who mutilates myself while cleaning the gun. Also, I’m not an outdoorsman at all, so if I was to become properly trained & licensed it would be so that I could own a handgun for target shooting & protection.
There’s always another level. Just be content knowing that you are still better off than most who have ever lived.
Amen. Dad always says that one doesn’t have to look very far to find a person worse off that you are. About my own life I always say that I have a roof over my head, food to eat, a few people I can count on, & relatively good health, so I think I’m doing okay.
You can get away with a lot more if you’re the one buying the drinks. 
Again with the drinking!! Look, I’m not a cheapskate, but neither am I wealthy. If I do happen to find myself in an establishment with adult beverages I’m fine with buying my own drinks, and I’m not going to be the guy putting a round for everyone else on my tab. Perhaps I might buy a drink or two for a lovely young lady to see where things go, but that’s about the extent of my generosity. If that means that I can’t get away with much (whatever that means) then so be it.
Ask for a salad instead of fries.
Absolutely 100%.
Don’t split a check.
I don’t know…I think it depends on the situation.
Pretty women who are unaccompanied want you to talk to them.
Oh how I wish that were true. It’s partially correct. The full statement should read pretty women who are unaccompanied want single men with fat wallets, six pack abs, & fancy sports cars to talk to them.
Cobblers will save your shoes. So will shoe trees.
I am in a wheelchair every day of my life. Shoes last me for years. I’ve never owned a shoe horn and when I think of cobbler it is on a plate topped with ice cream.
When a bartender buys you a round, tip double.
I’ve never had that occur, but if it ever happens I’ll be sure to leave a really nice tip.
The cliché is that having money is about not wasting time. But in reality, money is about facilitating spontaneity.
Well, first of all, I’ve never had all that much money. Having said that, I could see where it could facilitate spontaneity. Hopping on a plane to some exotic locale or buying an expensive vehicle on a whim sure would be easier if money wasn’t an issue. Most folks I know save spare change for years or plan months in advance for any kind of major purchase.
Be spontaneous.
It’s a nice sentiment, but for various reasons related to my disability spontaneity hasn’t ever been easy for me to achieve. I need to plan ahead & know what I’m getting myself into.
Find a Times New Roman in the streets and a Wingdings in the sheets. She exists.
That’s a good one!! We’ve all heard variations of the idea (which is a perfectly legit goal by the way), but using a font related example is rather amusing. Kudos.
Piercings are liabilities in fights.
I got my ear pierced once back in the day when guys getting one ear pierced was the cool thing to do, and I spent days trying to hide it from my Dad. It was a phase I grew out of and have never had the desire to do again. I have seen people with all kinds of piercings on their face and on various parts of their body, and I do believe it’d hurt pretty bad to have that stuff tugged on or pulled out during a fight. Ouch.
Do not use an electric razor.
I don’t see anything wrong with an electric razor or a straight razor. To each their own. Do whatever works for you.
Desserts are for women. Order one and pretend you don’t mind that she’s eating yours.
No no no no no no no. No!! Poppycock. Not only do I love dessert, but if a woman wants dessert she needs to order her own. Keep your damn hands off my cheesecake!!
Buy a tuxedo before you are 30. Stay that size.
Okay, now we are becoming delusional. Look, if you run in the kind of social circles that necessitate you wearing a tux on a regular basis then by all means go out & buy one. It’s probably a smart investment. However, other than a few fraternity formals and being the best man in a wedding a decade ago I’ve not had to wear a tuxedo. And I don’t know very many people who remain the same size they were in their 20s forever. It’s just not realistic.
One girlfriend at a time is probably enough.
Probably?? How about definitely. Look, I love women. I wish women loved me as much as I love them. But let’s be honest…some of them are…high maintenance in a variety of ways. Not only is it not morally proper to have more than one gal at a time, but it is also impractical.
#StopItWithTheHastags
#AlrightyThen
Your ties should be rolled and placed in a sectioned tie drawer.
Sorry, I’m just not that fancy. When I was wearing ties on a regular basis for work I had them hanging in my closet, and in the decade+ that I haven’t had to wear a tie hardly at all they’ve been stuffed in a plastic bag somewhere in the closet.
Throw parties.
But have someone else clean up the next day.
I’d much rather attend a party somewhere else and return to my quiet little abode with no mess to deal with.
You may only request one song from the DJ.
So now we’ve segued from bars to nightclubs, which definitely aren’t my scene. The only place that I’ve ever had occasion to request a song from a DJ is at a wedding reception. However, I do understand the idea…don’t be the person going up every five minutes requesting a different song. That would be annoying.
Measure yourself only against your previous self.
Truth!! In the age of social media we have more access to other peoples’ lives than ever before, but sometimes the view can be somewhat misleading. Most folks are smart enough not to post the more mundane aspects of their lives for public consumption, so what we see are the highlights. Comparing ourselves to others is never a good idea. Conversely, looking at yourself now as opposed to ten years ago can be instructive and possibly even inspiring.
Take more pictures. With a camera.
Yes!! My life isn’t all that exciting, but I usually take my camera to occasions that are even remotely interesting. I’m sure others couldn’t possibly care less about my photographs, but I enjoy looking at them and remembering fun times. I wish I’d been more of a picture taker many years ago, but I’ve really only gotten into it in the past decade. My paternal grandmother always had her ‘Kodak” with her and took a ton of pictures thru the years. Nowadays people tend to use their phones to take pics, and that’s fine. Technology is wonderful. But in the same way that I still prefer an actual book to e-readers I think my camera takes better photos than my phone.
Place-dropping is worse than-name dropping.
My life isn’t adventurous enough to engage in either one.
When you admire the work of artists or writers, tell them. And spend money to acquire their work.
I’ve not had the opportunity to meet any famous writers, but if I had the chance to meet one of my favorites I’d be happy to tell them how much I enjoy their work. As far as acquiring their works…sure, go for it. That’s kind of the idea behind something being a favorite, right?? You spend money on what you enjoy.
Your clothes do not match. They go together.
Semantics. I’m not that much of a sophist.
Yes, of course you have to buy her dinner.
Well…yeah. Sorry ladies…I’m just old-fashioned like that.
Staying angry is a waste of energy.
Of course it is. But sometimes it’s pretty easy to do. I try to avoid it though.
Revenge can be a good way of getting over anger.
I see both sides. Revenge is a dish best served cold, but on the other hand “vengeance is Mine…I will repay, saith the Lord”. (Romans 12:19)
If she expects the person you are 20% of the time, 100% of the time, then she doesn’t want you.
Nailed it. Look, most people are complex to some degree. We put our best foot forward at work & church, regress back to being a goofball when we’re hanging out with friends, & can be a lazy hump when we’re home alone watching TV. It’s not that we’re being fake in some situations and genuine in others, it’s that most of us adjust our attitude & personality accordingly in any given situation. I’m no relationship expert, but I’m smart enough to know that trying to be the best version of yourself to impress a woman can become exhausting. She’s got to accept me for me, and that includes all variations of who I am.
Always bring a bottle of something to the party.
I’m not necessarily sure it has to be a bottle of anything, but I was always taught not to show up to a gathering empty handed.
Avoid that “last” whiskey. You’ve probably had enough.
No problem. I didn’t even have the first whiskey.
Don’t use the word “closure” or ever expect it in real life. There may still be a mortally wounded Russian mobster roaming 
the woods of south Jersey, but we’ll never know.
That’s probably true.
If you are wittier than you are handsome, avoid loud clubs.
It really does make a lot of sense. I just so happen to be more witty than good looking, and I realize that the chances of a woman taking one glance at me and instantly feeling some sort of physical yearning is remote at best. The only chance I have is to charm her with my warmth & sense of humor, which isn’t going to happen in an obnoxious dance club. I’ve always heard that the grocery store is the best place to meet women, but thus far it hasn’t worked for me.
Drink outdoors. And during the day. And sometimes by yourself.
Or how bout this…read a book, adopt a puppy, dig into God’s Word, get a hobby. I’m beginning to think the author of this guide is a functioning alcoholic. Life isn’t a television commercial. Most people who drink booze every day aren’t suave, sophisticated, or sexy…they’re sad & pathetic.
Date women outside your social set. You’ll be surprised.
I’d be down with that. I’m willing to outkick my coverage for a woman who is willing to lower her expectations.
If it’s got velvet ropes and lines, walk away unless you know someone.
I agree. That’s not my scene anyway.
You cannot have a love affair with whiskey because whiskey will never love you back.
I’m really worried about this writer. Perhaps someone should contact Alcoholics Anonymous or The Betty Ford Clinic.
Feigning unpretentiousness is worse than being pretentious. Cut it out with the vintage Polo and that ’83 Wagoneer in Nantucket. 
I hate pretentious people, but most folks that I know who are modest & humble are genuinely so and not feigning anything.
The New Yorker is not high-brow. Neither is The Economist.
Magazines are still a thing?? Perhaps the writer should sober up and leave the bar more often.
If you believe in evolution, you should know something about how it works.
The rule can be applied to many things, not just evolution. If you say you believe in anything you probably should be somewhat knowledgeable about the subject.
No-one cares if you are offended, so stop it.
Can I get an amen up in here?!?!?!?? I am offended by people who are constantly offended, and nowadays it doesn’t take much to offend everyone. As a nation we may 
have become more “woke” than we were a few decades ago, but that doesn’t mean we’re better off for it. Sometimes I ponder what The Rat Pack would think about 21st Century America. Oh sure, you could question their moral compass, and that’s a conversation I’d be willing to have. But those guys were cool, and I think they’d be befuddled by how sensitive we’ve become, how everything is bad for us, & how other peoples’ shortcomings have become everyone else’s business. My maternal grandmother used to say “tend to your own rat killin’” and she was right. Lighten up everybody. None of us are getting out of here alive, so relax & enjoy the ride.
Never take an ex back. She tried to do better and is settling with you.
That makes a lot of sense. I’m sure there may be exceptions, but in general it’s probably a good rule of thumb.
Eating out alone can be magnificent. Find a place where you can sit at the bar.
I eat out alone a lot, and don’t mind a bit. I don’t care about sitting at the bar though.
Read more. It allows you to borrow someone else’s brain, and will make you more interesting at a dinner party — provided that 
you don’t initiate conversation with, “So, who are you reading…”
An old friend once observed that I “live in a library”, meaning that my humble abode is lined with bookshelves. But the truth is that I don’t read as much as I used to, and I need to get back into it. I feel like my attention span has decreased as I’ve gotten older, and I am too often distracted by other things.
Ignore the boos. They usually come from the cheap seats.
I’m rarely in a position to be cheered or booed, but I understand the sentiment. No matter who you are, what you do, or where you go not everyone is going to be a fan. I used to care way too much about people liking me, but as I’ve aged that has lessened quite a bit. I don’t go out of my way to be unlikeable or anything, but neither do I go out of my way to impress anyone.
Hookers aren’t cool, but remember, the free ones are a lot more expensive.
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Don’t ever say, “it is what it is.”
I say “it is what it is” all the time because it’s true. What’s wrong with that??
Start a wine collection for your kids when they are born. Add a few cases every year without telling them. 
It’ll make a phenomenal gift in 20 years.
Sweet fancy Moses!! Look, if you’re really into being a wine connoisseur that’s cool. It’s a fine hobby. But your offspring may not roll like that. If my parents had given me a wine collection when I was 20-something years old I would have sold it and used the money for something I actually wanted. How about this…don’t project. Don’t assume others are going to be into something just because you are. And for the love of God put down the glass, get out of the bar, & call an Uber!!
Don’t gamble if losing $100 is going to piss you off.
Absolutely. 100%. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose. I used to occasionally play poker for pocket change, which is about my speed. When the Triple Crown horse races roll around each spring I might bet $10-20 on a trifecta. It’s been years, but once upon a time I would sometimes put $5-10 on a football parlay. I can’t relate to high rollers that spend thousands of dollars gambling. It’s just not that important to me.
Remember, “rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.” 
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. – Plato
You may have heard about Operation Varsity Blues, the cheating scandal that’s been in the news lately in which dozens of well-to-do parents are charged with bribing ostensibly prestigious universities to admit their children. Two relatively prominent names associated with the situation are actresses Lori Loughlin (most famous for her role as Aunt Becky on Full House) & Felicity Huffman (formerly on Desperate Housewives & wife of more accomplished actor William H. Macy). I saw a post on Twitter about it and couldn’t help but be mildly bemused. The Tweeter opined that “I don’t understand why everyone’s so appalled with Lori Loughlin & Felicity Huffman. If my child was average at best and I had $$ to throw at a brand name college to give her that advantage in life, I absolutely would. So would 95% of parents. Sure it was shady but who cares?? Maybe redirect your moral compass towards more pressing world issues.” A few thoughts. First, I am constantly flummoxed by liberal hypocrisy. They hate “rich people”…unless they’re liberal actors/athletes/singers. This kind of rampant cheating, in which wealthy & influential individuals used their affluence to screw more deserving students out of an earned spot, should be prime soap box fodder for self-righteous libs. You can damn sure bet that if the culprits were well-known Republicans the liberal crusaders would be apoplectic, but because the two most notable names (thus far) are actresses from well-regarded TV shows it isn’t a “pressing world issue”. Secondly, the most amusing thing to come from all of this (thus far) is the fact that one of Loughlin’s daughters is the worst kind of Millenial stereotype…a vapid 
“Instagram influencer” (whatever the hell that is) who has admitted that she has zero interest in higher education outside of partying & football games. Yeah Mom & Dad…money well spent there lol. I am also blown away by the idea that anyone would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to get their kid into any non-Ivy League college, because everyone one of a certain age knows that in the grand scheme of life it really doesn’t matter, and the youngsters involved in this thing don’t actually need a degree anyway, right?? If the family is that prosperous & well connected and the offspring are really pretty they’re all set…no need for a college degree, and it is certainly unnecessary to spend so much money or risk legal consequences. The whole thing is just stupid. But somehow…just as with the illegal immigration debate…those of us who believe in the rule of law & doing things the right way are the ones with a misguided “moral compass”. Uh-huh.
than food. Perhaps it would be more appropriately stated “you are what you consume”. What kind of books do you read?? What kind of movies & television programs do you watch?? What kind of music do you listen to?? What kinds of people do you associate with?? How do you spend your spare time?? No one is saying that watching the occasional silly movie or engaging in meaningless frivolity makes a person lazy or stupid, just as becoming knowledgeable about specific topics doesn’t mean that a person is wise, kind, or generous. However, in general think it is a good idea to understand how what we consume can impact…positively & negatively…our lives.
than nine justices, & c) lowering the voting age to 16. Oh dear Lord…give me strength. Where shall I begin?? First of all, it is true that The Constitution does not specify the number of judges to be seated on The Supreme Court, and its size grew from six to ten at various times throughout the 19th century as the country expanded. However, since 1869 The Court has had nine justices. FDR attempted a “packing” maneuver in 1937, wanting the number of judges to grow to 15, but Congress shut him down (it all worked out okay for Roosevelt…he got his New Deal anyway). Isn’t it odd how nine justices has been just dandy for 150 years, but with The Court now leaning ever so slightly to the right & the very real possibility that a Republican President could have up to five more years to appoint another judge or two or three all the sudden Democrats think The Court needs to expand?? Secondly, the voting age was understandably lowered in the 1970’s from 21 to 18 because if folks were old enough to be drafted into military service then they should have the right to vote. However, a lot has changed in the ensuing years. For one thing, there is no draft anymore, so that logic isn’t applicable. My own personal opinion?? I would love to see the voting age raised back to 21…or maybe even 25. I don’t believe that young adults are…in general…nearly as mature or well-informed as they were fifty years ago. To be honest, I like the idea of passing a civics test as a requirement to earn the right to vote, but realize that’ll never fly so the best thing would be to keep the status quo. There is no way on God’s green Earth 16 year olds should ever be allowed to vote. I don’t even think they should be allowed to drive. I’d raise that age to 18 or 21 as well, but that’s a discussion for another day. And the big one…the Electoral College. This topic really gets me revved up. Unlike the size of The Supreme Court or a specific voting age, which aren’t detailed in The Constitution therefore opening windows for debate, the Electoral College is specifically written about. Why do 
Democrats despise The Constitution?? They’ve been hellbent on altering & eventually eliminating The Second Amendment for decades, and now, when a Presidential election doesn’t go their way they throw a temper tantrum. It’s like dealing with millions of apoplectic two year olds who haven’t had their naps. They need to get this thru their thick heads…the cultural elites in New York, Los Angeles, & Chicago do not speak for the rest of America. Just because you can pack a bunch of people into a few metropolitan areas doesn’t mean you make the rules. This isn’t grade school where a big mean kid can push around all the smaller children. I am reminded of a scene toward the end of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith when Anakin Skywalker turns to The Dark Side and murders a group of younglings. The United States is not a democracy, it is a republic, which means that we have a Constitution that guarantees inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by the government & protects the minority from being abused by the majority.
Social media posts aren’t meant to stick with anyone. People skim across tweets or Facebook posts when they have nothing else better to do, 
Besides religion & politics, what topic always gets heated in your circle of friends and acquaintances??
Do you prefer writing with black or blue pen??
What is your star sign??
Do you like reading? What was the last thing you read??
Do you prefer swimming in pools or in the ocean??
If you could travel back to any era, which would you choose??
What do you know way too much about??
If you had to have a tattoo, what would it be and where would you get it??
Do you prefer baths or showers??
Do you prefer reading paper or electronic books??
Do you like spicy food??
What’s something everyone should experience at least once in their life??
What movie quote(s) are you tired of hearing??
If you could show everyone in the world one image for 10 seconds but it couldn’t contain text, what image would you choose??
Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life??
What’s your most common first thought when you wake up??
What’s your “back in my day, we…”??
What was something you loved but it never really took off or was ended before it’s time??
Who would you like to connect (or reconnect) with? Why?
What sorts of things make you laugh?
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why? 
If you were stuck on a deserted island and you could only bring one thing, what would it be and why? 
Where did you grow up? 
What’s your favorite TV game show? 
What’s the single most important thing you have done in your life??
Spring training is in full swing, but let’s not overlook what MLB has done off the field. It was recently announced that they will no longer use the term “disabled list” in regard to injured players. The change was made at the suggestion of advocacy groups for the disabled “out of concern that the term disabled for injured players falsely conflates disabilities with injuries and an inability to participate in sports”. As a disabled (handicapped, crippled, differently abled, handicapable…choose whatever buzzword you believe won’t offend anyone) individual who has spent my entire 46 years on this planet using a wheelchair allow me to opine that this is absolutely one of the dumbest instances of idiotic virtue signaling I have ever seen. No one with an ounce of common sense or capable of critical thought has ever confused baseball’s disabled list with those of us living our lives with a disability, and anyone offended by the term “disabled list” is a complete moron that should never be allowed to breed or even interact with the public. Also, as a person with a disability, it ticks me off that this is the sort of thing that “advocacy groups” are spending their resources on. Any such organization should be defunded immediately.
I come not to praise New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, but neither do I seek to bury him. If you’ve been paying any attention at all the past few days you know that Kraft is in some hot water for getting his jollies at a “massage parlor” in Florida, an establishment that got caught up in a big prostitution ring. I am not condoning the activity or Kraft’s involvement in it, and y’all know that I’ve despised the Patriots for the past two decades. Having said that, it must be noted that 77 year old Kraft lost his wife of almost fifty years awhile back. Myrna Kraft died of ovarian cancer at the age of 68 in 2011. Certainly that is no excuse to engage in illegal activity, but it does suggest a man that is lost & lonely despite his immense wealth & success, and I am willing to have some measure of sympathy in that regard. Loneliness & grief are awful things and can steer people in directions they wouldn’t otherwise go. What I cannot understand is why a billionaire with some level of prominence would decide to…seek pleasure…at what the media is describing as a rather trashy & foul (not to mention public) establishment. One would assume that Kraft has the means to obtain anything he’d want in complete privacy, so it is a bit perplexing to think that he would unnecessarily put himself in harm’s way (on multiple levels). Obviously the NFL will get their pound of flesh (pun unavoidable). The league’s personal conduct policy applies to owners & coaches as much as it does players, and about five years ago Indianapolis Colts’ owner Jim Irsay was fined $500k and suspended from running the team for six games after being arrested for DUI & drug possession. I’m not sure what exactly a typical owner of a professional sports franchise does on a daily basis that effects operations, and a half million dollars is pocket change to them, so that “punishment” seems rather hollow, but I assume Kraft will receive a similar penalty. I’m sure the legal consequences won’t amount to much either, but the damage to his reputation is immeasurable and probably irreparable.
Madness three out of the past four years the ‘Eers won’t be making the NCAA, NIT, CBI, or any other post season tournaments in 2019. Injuries, dismissals, and just about every other calamity one might conjure has imploded their season to the point that a winning record is mathematically impossible unless they go on an incredible run in the Big 12 conference tournament. WVU has been the runner-up in that tournament the past three years and needs another similar finish to keep on playing. I normally try to remain optimistic, but will confidently predict right now that that isn’t going to happen. Head coach Bob Huggins has built up a lot of goodwill over the years as a hometown guy, alumnus, successful coach, and leader of winning teams in Morgantown, but trust me…he needs to figure out what went wrong and fix it, because all the benevolence shown him will turn sour real quick if next season is another disaster.
and that’s a bit of a problem since those are channels that I don’t typically “surf”…I have to specifically be seeking something out, and I’m just not there yet with The Alliance. On the field the games themselves aren’t anything too wacky. Unlike some other fringe football leagues that have come & gone in the past the AAF isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel or compete with the NFL, but there are a few differences. There are no kickoffs, which I don’t like but realize that it’s a concept that’ll be embraced by college football & the NFL sooner or later. Neither are there extra points. Somewhere Skip Bayless is squealing with glee about the new league’s marginalization of kickers. Defenses are somewhat limited as far as what they can do, so if you like swarming defense with a lot if blitzes the AAF might not be your cup of tea. Overtime has each team start on their opponent’s 10 yard line, which is even goofier that the college OT rules. There is only one overtime, so the game can end in a tie (no field goals!!). The revelation that has hit me about the AAF is that…atleast for me…as The Bible says, “to everything there is a season”, and as big of a football fan as I am I’m ready to move on after the Super Bowl. It’s February, which means that emotionally & psychologically football is in hibernation for me and I’m ready to move on to golf, NASCAR, basketball, & baseball. This realization surprised me a little bit, because I had thought it’d be great to have more football, but I just can’t become invested. I’m guessing that my perspective isn’t unique, which probably spells doom for The Alliance after another season or two, but hey…they tried.
Dunkin’ Donuts Park, which has a capacity of about 6200. So at a home game there MIGHT be about 125 people in attendance with a nut allergy. But instead 
of simply designating a section of the ballpark for those fans the geniuses that run the team instead chose to deprive over 6000 others of the opportunity to buy a snack that has been closely associated with baseball for decades. This is what is wrong with society. It used to be that the majority ruled, but nowadays we go out of our way to kowtow to the vocal minority & every fringe group that decides to whine about something. Look, I am not unsympathetic to folks with a nut allergy. No one is suggesting that they shouldn’t attend games, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with reasonable accommodations to make their experience as pleasant as it should be. However, I just do not understand why a nut free section wasn’t enough of a compromise. This whole thing reeks of virtue signaling & grandstanding at its worst. And I haven’t even gotten to the song!! Take Me Out to the Ballgame was written in 1908 and has been a standard at ballparks for decades, oftentimes sung by the crowd during the “seventh inning stretch” (most famously at Wrigley Field during Chicago Cubs games). So because the food mentioned in the song has been banned at this particular ballpark they feel it is necessary to alter the lyrics too?? ASININE!!!! Every executive employed by the team should be fired immediately and NEVER be allowed to work in sports management EVER again. I’d be embarrassed to be a fan of the team, play for the team, or even live in freakin’ Hartford, CT. Hell, if I lived in Hartford I might sell my house and move, citing the stupid Hartford Yard Goats as the reason for my departure. I hope they lose every single game until the business implodes & the team folds. Perhaps a competing club will be created and they can call them the New Haven Nut Lovers or the Fairfield Cracker Jacks.
Seven months ago we started our journey with 
which wouldn’t necessarily be inaccurate. However, when it comes to movies I don’t think any of that translated well…atleast to anything noteworthy. When thinking about the 1990’s on film it seems as though there were solid contributions across all genres, with the defining characteristic being a general lack of defining characteristics. Whereas 80’s kids look back with fondness at some of the flicks we enjoyed growing up partly because of their singular music, kitschy style, & overall cheesiness, I don’t feel like 90’s films have that kind of unique vibe. Society seemingly turned down a dark & more violent path in the 90’s, which is certainly reflected in movies as much as anything else, but since I don’t tend to gravitate toward such morose entertainment it isn’t a big thing for me. I suppose it is fair to say technology played an increased role in 90’s movies, especially with improvements in special effects & animation. It is kind of fun & interesting to watch some 90’s films and chuckle at their depiction of The Internet, marvel at the size of cell phones, & realize how much social media would have altered the plot, but it’s not really a dominating theme.
The good thing about this lack distinction is that, instead of stories defined by their style, we were offered plenty of enjoyable movies with enough substance to give them staying power, and y’all know that’s a big deal to me. Do you realize that films made in the 90’s are now as old as films produced in the 1960’s would have been in the 90’s?? When considered thru that prism the sheer number of impactful movies made in the 1990’s that are still being viewed with some regularity three decades later is quite remarkable. Whether you prefer comedy or drama, are into horror or action, hold a special place in your heart for animation or holiday classics…the 1990’s had plenty of solid choices.
personal bias can’t be completely eliminated. I’m fine with that though, because at the end of the day favorite movies are always a matter of individual taste. We can cite box office numbers, award nominations & victories, and critical reviews ‘til the cows come home. All of those things are valid criteria for scrutiny, but the truth is that sometimes they matter and sometimes they don’t. Having said all that, my hope is that most won’t have too much of an issue with my conclusions. Enjoy.
Of the Final Four contestants Mrs. Doubtfire is probably the one that most represents a 90’s vibe, with a story centered around divorce & child custody. It’s a tough gig to turn such topics into comedy, but with Robin Williams anything was possible. He stars as Daniel Hillard, a fun-loving voice actor whose charm has worn thin with his career-driven wife Miranda, played by Sally Field. When the final straw breaks the camel’s back of their marriage Daniel is inspired to interview for the nanny position that Miranda has advertised, but obviously can’t do it as himself. The solution?? Don heavy make-up, a wig, panty hose, & a dress and transform into Euphegenia Doubtfire, an elderly British lady any mother would want to babysit their children. Adding to the hijinks is Miranda’s flirtation with a former beau, fueling Daniel’s envy. It’s not so much that he wants to rekindle the 
marital flame as much as he doesn’t like another man so smoothly stepping into a paternal role. At any rate, the premise allows Williams to dip into his arsenal of comedic tricks, and the result is a super family friendly dramedy that doesn’t sidestep real life issues or give into the temptation for an idealistic & sentimental ending, but mostly focuses on humor.
A good friend opined a long time ago that time travel is cool, which is why almost any book, movie, or TV show containing it is enjoyable. But what about a time warp in which a man lives the same day over & over & over & over…(well, you get the point)?? Bill Murray stars as Phil Connors, a grumpy Pittsburgh meteorologist who makes the 90 minute trek up to Punxsutawney on February 2 to cover the annual festivities. Travelling with him are smartass cameraman Larry (portrayed by 80’s funnyman Chris Elliott) & lovely producer Rita (Andi MacDowell, at the apex of her career…a few years after Sex, Lies, & Videotape and a year before Four Weddings & A Funeral). Phil is a malcontent who hates reporting on Groundhog Day and doesn’t seem too happy about anything else. When a snowstorm forces Phil, Rita, & Larry to spend the night in Punxsutawney the weatherman isn’t pleased, and that mood doesn’t improve when he wakes up the next morning to find its Groundhog Day again!! You may recall learning about the five stages of grief at some point in school…denial, anger, bargaining, depression, & acceptance. Phil goes thru similar stages while stuck in the endless loop. At first he is confused. Then he uses his circumstance (and the idea that there are no consequences for his actions) to engage in drunken debauchery. He then becomes depressed and commits suicide multiple times to no avail. After killing himself and the infamous groundhog but still waking up in the time loop Phil 
decides to use his situation to better himself, learning things like ice sculpting, piano, & French poetry. He then begins being generous & helpful to others and also falls in love with Rita, utilizing the time loop to learn everything about her and become the kind of man she wants in her life. It is her love that ultimately seems to end Phil’s nightmare, although it is never explained what caused the time loop in the first place, how long it lasts, or exactly why it stops. The entire film is an existential enigma disguised as an ordinary comedy.
Accepted at face value Forrest Gump is simply the life story of “a local idiot” who has some improbable adventures and always gravitates back toward the girl he’s loved since childhood…but is that all it is?? Tom Hanks won his second consecutive Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Gump, a low IQ child in 1950’s Alabama who grows up to win the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam, become an All-American football player for Bear Bryant’s Crimson Tide, & make millions of dollars as a shrimping magnate. His childhood friend Jenny takes a different path. Abused as a young girl by her father, she becomes a promiscuous hippie, does drugs, & ends up as a single mother ill with “some kind of virus” (likely AIDS or hepatitis). Along the way Forrest & Jenny drift in & out of each other’s lives, ultimately ending up married & raising their young son together before Jenny dies. Forrest Gump is mostly a drama, but I love the fact that there are moments of levity. And what a soundtrack!! You’ve got music from Elvis Presley, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Three Dog Night, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Mamas & the Papas, The Doobie 
Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Seger…anyone who enjoys classic rock will dig the tunes in Forrest Gump. As far as deep analysis goes, there are some that look at the film as an allegory of two Americas, with Forrest representing small town conservatism and Jenny embodying the anti-war, free love, drug-induced counterculture that rose to prominence in the 60’s. There is plenty of symbolism, philosophical ponderings about fate & destiny, and maybe even some religious or atleast spiritual subtext. If one would rather just enjoy the pleasure of Forrest Gump as a great story, that’ll work and you won’t be disappointed, but the underlying themes are there and serve as food for thought.
I don’t remember exactly when I became fascinated by the infamous Titanic disaster, but I know it was long before 1997. There had been other books, movies, & documentaries about the tragedy, but this film took the public’s level of interest to a whole new stratosphere and created an entire cottage industry out of a voyage that lasted less than a week a century ago. Kate Winslet & Leonardo DiCaprio earned lifelong fame portraying Rose & Jack, a pair of star crossed lovers whose brief romance is cut short by an iceberg. Rose Dewitt Bewkater is a high society debutante being forced into marriage with arrogant steel tycoon Cal Hockley, while Jack Dawson is third class steerage passenger who won his ticket in a poker game. Think of it as a slightly modernized twist on Romeo & Juliet. The first part of the movie introduces us to the pair, whose initial encounter takes place when Jack talks Rose out of jumping into the ocean…ironic when one considers what is to come. Of course we know that Titanic was a real ship that actually sank, so eventually those events take center stage, the situation having been personalized by our affection for Jack & Rose. There is also a framing device, as the beginning of the film presents a modern day expedition to the bottom of the sea, with a treasure hunter seeking The Heart of the Ocean, a huge heart-
shaped diamond given to Rose by Cal. The treasure hunter is contacted by a still living Rose, who is over 100 years old, and she relays the events of her memory to him & his team. Real life Titanic passengers & crew like “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, ship builder Thomas Andrews, White Star managing director J. Bruce Ismay, Captain Edward Smith, business moguls John Jacob Astor IV & Benjamin Guggenheim, and elderly couple Isidor & Ida Strauss, are depicted, and one of the few complaints that I’ve heard about Titanic over the years is the fact that the stories of such historical figures take a back seat to the fictional love story of Jack & Rose, but personally I don’t have an issue with the creative choices of the filmmakers…it is a movie, not a documentary, and since it set records at the box office & during awards season I assume very few others saw a problem.
Something that I have consistently stated in our many discussions about movies in this space over the years is that a key benchmark for me is repeat viewings, and the idea of whether or not I am happy/excited when channel surfing and see that a particular movie is on TV. It is one thing to head to the local cineplex and be entertained for a couple of hours by the latest action flick, rom-com, slasher film, Christmas movie, sports drama, murder mystery, biopic, superhero adventure, sci-fi fantasy, or gross-out comedy, but it is entirely different when you are glad to watch the same story for the hundredth time decades later while vegging out at home. Not only does Forrest Gump check all the requisite boxes…made a ton of money, won a bunch of awards, killer soundtrack, received great reviews, eminently quotable…but I am still delighted to watch it whenever it is on, which is surprisingly often for a movie that hit theaters 25 years ago. My father shares my love of Forrest Gump, which is a source of amusement for me since Dad & I rarely have a similar pop culture palate. I understand that there are a fair number of cynics who despise the movie for one reason or another, but I believe those folks are either overanalyzing or simply disagree with its perspective. To each their own. My adoration has endured for over two decades and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
It was at this point just over a year ago, as 
having a custom fish tank made for him. During that program I got a little more exposure to his arrogance. No one seems to be talking about the details of Brown’s falling out with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and I was always taught that there are three sides to every story…one side, the other side, & somewhere in the middle is the truth. Big Ben probably isn’t blameless. He has his faults, as do we all. However, given the preponderance of the evidence and the fact that Brown essentially quit on his team in the midst of a must-win scenario before the final game of the season I will not be heartbroken if the Steelers pull the trigger on a trade. Having said that, I hope that they are smart enough not to give the guy away for anything less than a first round pick, and it would be smart to send him to an NFC team. The vindictive side of me would like to see him go to a terrible team like Arizona, Tampa Bay, or Detroit, but that might be asking for too much. I’d be remiss to ignore Tomlin’s part in all of this drama. It is my personal belief that the Steelers have severely underachieved with him at the helm. That may seem a bit harsh since he has led the team to two Super Bowls and one championship, but most Steelers fans agree that the team should have won two or three additional Lombardi Trophies in the past several years. The Antonio Brown controversy has reinforced the general impression that the team lacks discipline and that Tomlin doesn’t run a tight ship. However, those calling for him to be fired are wasting their energy because that’s just not how the Steelers do things. They haven’t fired a head coach in a half century.
Zach edged me out in our college football 
Congratulations to the Clemson Tigers for winning their second national championship in three years. I must confess that I watched very little of the title game because the Alabama Crimson Tide began to bore me to tears quite awhile ago, so I’m not sad at all that Clemson beat the snot out of ‘Bama by four touchdowns.
giant. There is also the fact that Holgorsen never seemed to feel totally comfortable in the Mountain State. He just never really fit in here, unlike beloved former coach Don Nehlen, who came to West Virginia in 1980 from Ohio and never left, even after he retired in 2000. Holgorsen will undoubtedly be happier in Houston and likely lead his team to great success. Meanwhile, Brown has made a good first impression and seems to quickly be fitting in just fine. Will that translate to winning on the field?? Who knows?? The truth is that no matter who the coach is the Mountaineers can probably expect to average 7 or 8 wins per season and play in a run-of-the-mill bowl game each December, but perhaps every once in awhile the stars will align, the dominos will all fall just right, and they could sneak into a Big 12 title game & maybe even the playoff. They’ve been that good maybe about a half dozen times in my 40+ years on the planet, so there’s always hope.
I’m not going to analyze my 
As far as The Super Bowl goes, I just can’t get excited about it at all. I make no secret of my longstanding hatred of the New England Patriots, so cheering on the Los Angeles Rams would seem like a no-brainer. However, I’m not all that enthusiastic about the Rams because let’s be honest…they really shouldn’t be in the game. I don’t want to go off on a loquacious rant about officiating, but the blown call that cost the New Orleans Saints a trip to The Super Bowl was quite possibly one of the most egregious mistakes I’ve ever seen in any sport. It is inexcusable incompetence and the entire crew should be fired. The NFL needs to have some sort of mechanism in place to prevent or atleast correct such critical errors, even if it means almost total eradication of human judgment. Having said that, I suppose I will watch atleast some of “The Big Game” and pull for the Rams.
I am willing to wait & see what happens in a few weeks when a temporary agreement to end the longest government shutdown in United States history reaches zero hour. There are some that believe that ending the shutdown at all without an agreement to fund border security is President Trump’s version of President George HW Bush’s “Read my lips…no new taxes” moment, and they may be right. Those folks feel like Trump caved, that he was outmaneuvered by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. On the flip side are those who are convinced that Trump has won the battle, that he has his political opponents right where he wants them. I must confess that I am having difficulty understanding that logic. Essentially what all of this seems to come down to is whether or not one believes that the last resort option that Trump has in his back pocket…declaring border security a national emergency and getting the money for his “big beautiful wall” by circumventing Congress altogether…is a good idea. Is it shortsighted?? Could setting such a precedent come back to bite us all in the tookas someday?? Could a future (presumably Democrat) President declare a similar national emergency and do something sinister like confiscate guns?? To be honest, I don’t feel intellectually equipped to tackle such big questions, but I’m not ready to push the panic button. Let’s see how this all plays out.
my threshold is about 15 minutes. After that my patience for tedious chatter or pointless babbling is essentially non-existent. There are people in my life who I talk to on a daily basis that tend to drone on & on & on for 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, an hour…sometimes longer…and I just want to scream!! I can have intelligent conversations til the cows come home, but when faced with mindless blather I have started to become borderline rude, cutting people off, ending the conversation, or pretty much telling them they need to leave.
Liberals are people who, when confronted with facts & objective truth, will continue to push their misinformed agenda and false narrative. I wish I could just let that roll off my back and laugh, but I find it extremely irritating.
Spoiler alert…I am not thin, buff, or sexy. I know this about myself, and I’m okay with it. Would I love to shed some pounds?? Sure. Could I do a better job in an effort to accomplish that goal?? Yes. However, it is narrow-minded and completely wrong to assume that an overweight person is simply a lazy slob. I’m not going to make excuses, but there are multiple factors that determine a person’s particular body type. At any rate, whenever someone resorts to a fat joke or a comment about my weight during a…discussion of the issues…on social media I immediately know that I’ve won the debate because they haven’t got anything more cerebrally significant to add. On occasion I have been bothered by such insults to the point that I’ve changed my profile pic to a cartoon character or inanimate object, but mostly I’ve just learned to shrug off that kind of dumbassery. I recently ran across a Twitter thread in which a young lady laid out a clear & concise argument against President Trump’s wall & the whole idea that illegal immigration is even an issue. I might not agree with her conclusions, but I respect the fact that she presented a cogent case (complete with statistics) free of name-calling, foul language, & general nonsense.
Greetings Manoverse, and welcome to the exciting conclusion of the 2018 Sammy Awards. If you haven’t already done so, please go back and check out parts 
quarterback (who was named Super Bowl MVP) and used a fun little trick play called The Philly Special to secure the victory just made the story even cooler. Can history repeat itself this year?? Stay tuned.
To present our final award The Sammys are honored to welcome the oldest presenter in our brief history. At 96 years of age she is still making us laugh, as she has consistently done during a career that has spanned eight decades. She has starred in beloved television programs like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, & Mama’s Family, made frequent appearances on game shows like Match Game, The $25,000 Pyramid, & Password, and is a reliably funny guest on talk shows for many years. It is a sincere honor to welcome Betty White to the Sammy Awards. And the nominees are:
than Hillary Clinton. Nearly everything else a President does can be changed with the stroke of a pen by Congress or the next President, but the Supreme Court is a lifetime appointment that can shape our country for decades. There are oftentimes arguments & battles over nominees, but I don’t know if we’ve ever seen anything like what happened to Brett Kavanaugh. Only two people know what exactly happened at that party back in 1982…if anything happened at all. I didn’t find Christine Blasey Ford to be the least bit believable, and I am convinced that the whole debacle was a political hit job designed to destroy Trump’s nominee. However, IF something did happen to Ms. Ford and Kavanaugh was involved, then questions have to be asked. Why wasn’t this made public many years ago?? How had Kavanaugh gotten this far in his career if he is really such a scoundrel?? Should a middle-aged person be punished for being a creep when they were a teenager?? These are discussions worth having, because we need to decide acceptable parameters for destroying peoples’ lives. The Senate decided…for whatever reason…that, whether or not Brett Kavanaugh did something wrong forty years ago, he deserved an opportunity, based on his professional track record of success, to sit on the highest Court in the land, and now we prepare for the next skirmish.
observations from host Michael McIntyre it’s time to move forward with the show.
The Sammy Awards doesn’t shy away from controversy, 
and we tend to lean in a rebellious direction. So to present our next award please welcome two of the more successful actors in Hollywood. First, he’s a two time Academy Award winner and has come out as gay, although that may have possibly been a weak PR attempt to divert attention from “sexual misconduct” allegations (for which he was fired from his successful TV show House of Cards). Please give a pensive & slightly confused round of polite applause to Kevin Spacey!! Joining him is a young man who has starred in about a dozen lightly regarded & easily forgotten alleged comedies in the past few years. He was all set to host this year’s Academy Awards until politically incorrect jokes that he tweeted several years ago were suddenly discovered by ill-humored old curmudgeons who compelled him to quit. Give a warm welcome to Kevin Hart!! And the nominees are:
we’ve become in America. I think Barr should have been smarter, more aware of how tenuous her position was (given her “controversial” political opinions), & mindful of the fact that comedy has…unfortunately…been put under a politically correct microscope. I don’t consider what she tweeted to be the least bit offensive, and it actually has elements of truth, but one must understand how The Game is played in 21st century America. One must be ready to conform or suffer the consequences. Social media is a minefield, and the punishment can be swift & harsh…or even catch up to a person many years later. The rules are rather fluid.
To present our next award we are proud to introduce a young lad who became somewhat famous this past year after being discovered by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. He is a YouTube sensation whose brutally honest videos critiquing odd recipes are absolutely hysterical. Jesus take the wheel…it’s Kalen Allen!! And the nominees are:
Lord split you.
To present our next award we are honored to welcome a big screen legend who began his career on television and has the perfect voice for radio. He is an Academy Award winning actor who has starred in classics like The Shawshank Redemption, Deep Impact, Now You See Me, Christoper Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy, & Bruce Almighty. Let’s raise the roof for Morgan Freeman!! And the nominees are:
daily basis. I think what I like best is that it is a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The problem with ESPN the past several years is that so many of its reporters & hosts want to make sports more important than it really is. I love sports. Football, baseball, basketball, golf, & all the rest of it has been an essential part of my life, but at the end of the day it’s a game…frivolous fun designed as a distraction from the rigors of real life. Dan, Papi, & their revolving door of itinerant co-hosts understand that. They are comfortable with their relatively low spot on the television totem pole and have fun with it rather than try to convince the masses that the next thirty minutes will be life changing. I respect that, and more importantly, I laugh almost every single day at a goofy video shown on HQ or the hosts’ reaction to it. Shouldn’t that be the goal of a good TV show??
The Manofesto 