Tweeting On

 

I liked the bird better

The writer and fellow Mahopac High School graduate Jeff Pearlman quit X/Twitter today.

He said he was on it for 16 years and, while he loved it at one time, he felt it had become "a cesspool of conspiracy theories and hatred."

He's not wrong. But I also don't talk politics out there and, believe it or not, mostly keep myself out of trouble. I tend to ignore attacks (even from burner accounts).

However, I still find a usefulness to it. I find it to be relevant when I want to mine for information on a topic. No, it's not a source, as I tell students, but it's a jumping-off point.

It served me well in that regard over numerous breaking news items since I first joined years ago.

Yes, it's a cesspool. Yes, it's horribly divisive, but so is basically every other form of social media.

Should I point out the number of people who post incessantly about politics and, when someone goes against their opinion, becomes incredibly dismissive and condescending? In fact, I told one person that and they didn't quite like it.

I also told the same person he's obsessed with a certain presidential candidate but he's hardly the only one.

That's where I do get in trouble. I call out B.S. quite frankly.

On the other hand, I was recently told to not look at a certain account online. Yet, my answer to that person, as it has gone to others over the years was simple:

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer*."

*Even when they block you.

But, yeah, I want to know what's going on. I want to know when the little passive-aggressive digs are there.

I want to see what the latest obsessions are.

Yes. Obsessions. Plural.

Let's see: wrestling, unions, New York Mets, wrestling (yes, I know I said it twice), liberal politics, Peanuts (yes, the cartoon), Noah Eagle, drifting, and oh I could go on and on.

Is it unhealthy? Sure it is. All of it.

Yet, at least for me, it just feels necessary.

I've thought about bagging it. But I generally feel it wouldn't be wise, given what I do professionally. For instance, I'll need it for high school football news and scores in a few weeks.

But it's where my often intense reading begins. It's the base of how I know as much as I do these days.

You have no idea of the number of messages I get on a daily basis from well-meaning people about some story that they think they're cueing me in on. In reality, I likely have already seen it, even if it happened years ago.

More likely, especially if happened years ago.

There's a reason my phone and watch buzz with some form of breaking news, even after I've turned off a lot of the notifications I get.

Most people who are around journalism are the same. We see it. We read it. We hear it. We experience it.

But, even through the people that don't like me, I get information to feed me for work or simply just because.

I guess I'm babbling about a big nothing burger here. Jeff Pearlman left Twitter and that's his business.

Jeff left Mahopac years ago. Lived in New Rochelle. Now he's in California. 

So, yeah.

I don't agree with him on some things but I certainly respect him given, you know, hometown and all. Plus he's a hell of a writer.

I'm still on Twitter and currently have no plans to leave.

Nor do I plan to block anyone in the near future.

And I'm on all of the other places of note for one reason or another.

Like I said, I'm babbling.

But I'm also keeping an eye on things.

Three Days to Go

 

Soon (even if we're not renting a truck)

I know, I know.

Everyone moves (generally) at some point in their lives.

So we've all packed up, cleaned out, handed off one set of keys, and taken another one.

The clock is ticking toward June 28 -- a few days to the end of the month -- and I still have no firm date on when Sean and I can drop anchor in our new port.

This much I am -- sort of -- sure of: we will spend July 1 in our new home.

Beyond that, the left doesn't seem to know what the right is doing.

I got a text earlier today from Gideon, our trusty realtor (and my boss at WGCH). He said the broker wanted me to call the existing tenant of thew soon-to-be home of Adams.

"Um, OK," I said. "Why? What am I calling about?"

Supposedly it was about utilities.

"Huh. OK. Well, I've already spoken with Eversouce and they know to switch our account to the new place on July 1."

Gideon was impressed that I was on top of things (readers of this very piece of real estate already knew this). Electric and internet/TV were both taken care of on Tuesday, with a follow-up call to Verizon on Wednesday to confirm things.

So, we're set, even if I'm not confident things will work when we arrive.

But, of course, the landlord wants to clean and paint before we start moving in.

Cool. Maybe.

We're still moving in on the July 1, right? I mean, I'd like to get cracking immediately that day and I want my moving crew (currently numbered at three others) to get here ASAP without us waiting for a key.

I mean, I was coerced into signing the lease, and paying all of the rent and security weeks ago without delay or risk losing the place. Like, serious nagging.

(Hint: nagging isn't wise with me)

So when do I get what I want, like the key?

Knowing the answer, since we're paid for July 1, I still inquired about being allowed to move in.

I got an affirmative.

So, OK, then. Exactly when will the key be handed to me?

And thus, I'm back to waiting again for an answer. Sunday -- June 30 --  seems acceptable and, yes, we're still waiting.

You see, I've been in a holding pattern on several things. I've alluded to this recently. And I'm really sort of sick of it. As in, end of my rope sick of it.

Several situations have just sort of not come back to me and I need one of them to do so.

So, again, in the meantime, I continue to pack a bit. I continue to get toward the bare necessities here.

We'll get into the final packing over the weekend.

It's not unlike me to go to the apartment at 12:01 a.m. on Monday and drop off a carload of stuff.

But it's more likely I'll wait until after 6 a.m.

Maybe. After all, do you really think I'll sleep much on Sunday night?

*****

I used to really dig presidential politics. 

No longer.

I'm not watching tonight.

*****

The kerfuffle caused by Michael Kay yesterday was honestly much ado about nothing.

No radio/TV outlet is going to turn down advertising money.

Nor are they going to say that the advertiser -- in this case, SNY -- has to redo the commercial to not call their broadcast team "the best in baseball." Of course, SNY thinks their team is the best. That's simple hype. Marketing nonsense. Things that high on their horse social media dopes write about.

Honestly, this is what we're upset about?

Michael didn't like it and decided to defend the Yankees booth. And, look, I get that too. I'd defend my teammates as well.

Personally, I like the Yankees booth (the right combination) and, while the Mets booth is great, I think it's vastly overrated. I think the San Francisco Giants have the best booth, led by the incomparable Jon Miller.

But it's all opinion and who cares? I'll take the Robcasting Radio booth if you want the truth. 

Then the SNY broadcasters had to make fun of Kay and it just all got especially silly. We won't even get into the social media side of it but you can guess where that would wind up.

Besides, Kay isn't even working tonight's broadcast and we're stuck with Ryan Ruocco. Oh, wait. You might be stuck with Ruocco. I'm sitting in a quiet apartment.

Like music, it's all subjective. The Yankees broadcasters can be my warm milk and cookies. They're comfort food. Of course, a fan is going to go to them first.

So what would I thought of it had it happened to me?

If Chris Erway were still around we'd both laugh at it and, likely, mock it.

I recall someone once tried to use the "A-Team" moniker. It didn't go well. We tended to defend our turf.

But laughing is our best approach.

Followed by outworking and outperforming. We liked that kind of challenge.

I don't doubt Kay gets sick of hearing the SNY booth is "so much better" than YES. It would bug me and, like I said, I would also defend my coworkers.

That's not to say his approach was a good one on his radio show. But, that being said, it brought him attention. Is that good? Depends on opinions.

But I thought Michael's dropping a bottle of Diet Coke in a garbage can years ago in reference to mocking Mike Francesa was a bit eye-rolling.

So, perhaps, is this.

Just work hard. You have the gig. The Yankees gig.

You win.

Back to It

 

Brunswick warms up

Today was the first full day back in Connecticut after our vacation.

We had to return the rental car and then I had to call a lacrosse game.

Things got back to normal pretty fast. I had laundry done and folded by the end of last night. More to the point, I slept some but, as usual, not great. 

By late morning, Sean and I were on the road to return the car to Stamford. Usually prepared, I screwed up by not bringing my copy of the contract with Budget. Ultimately, it didn't hurt things but it sort of made me feel foolish.

Whatever. We departed and no extra charges were added. We had that car for 11 days and it was a pleasure.

With that done, we jumped on a train and came back to Greenwich. 

Once Sean found out we could take a train, he wanted to join me. Both train stations were within walking distance so it was a win.

With that done, I prepared to call my first game in a week and a half.

I felt rusty. It felt like I hadn't done a game in a month.

But I was back at Brunswick, calling lacrosse for the Bruins as they hosted Radnot High School from Pennsylvania.

Cool fact: Radnor's boys basketball coach is Tim Smallwood, who played both football and basketball and Greenwich. I broadcast his games, including the night he joined the 1,000-point club in basketball. My broadcast partner was his father. 

So Tim came to Cosby Field to watch the game and stopped up to say hello at halftime. We were going to try to have me call a Radnor basketball game this past season but we're going to get that done in the future.

Otherwise, like I said, I felt tired and caked in rust on the air. There are some sports I think I can seamlessly jump back into (hello, baseball) but lacrosse isn't one of them. I needed to find my groove and I don't know if I found it today but I will.

Oh, and Brunswick won the game 11-5. They're 2-0 on the year.

One thing I will tell you is that I already miss the road. That's unusual, as I tend to like a day or two (or sometimes more) before being ready to get back in the car.

Not this time. I'd go again if I could.

What sticks with me about the drive to and from Florida was how it was the culmination of something I've wanted to do for a very long time. It was something I honestly never thought I'd do because it's just easier to fly.

And, to be honest, those kinds of long drives can be seriously overwhelming. It's easy to have a moment in which you think you've bit off more than you can chew.

Yet? We did it. I had one patch of exhaustion through South Carolina last Tuesday and if you've ever done that drive I guarantee you understand. It's a lot of lowland and not too much to see.

Also, Sean seemed to really enjoy the drive. Look, I didn't create a sports fan but he enjoys working in the business and attending games. I also didn't create a traveler just like my dad and me but he enjoyed life on the road. 

Sean's not going to prepare and study guidebooks and websites and make notes and spreadsheets* and whatever else I do.

*I track times and mileages in a notebook and put them into a spreadsheet and I enjoy it, thank you very much.

But he was interested in doing that drive again. Also, he was intrigued by the idea of driving straight through.

I've done OK. That many days together can be tough but we survived.

Next year is at least worth discussing.

*****

Former Sen. Joseph Lieberman

I wade into this with trepidation but here goes. 

Joseph Lieberman, U.S. Senator from Connecticut and 2000 Vice Presidential nominee, died today at the age of 82.

I admired Lieberman, mostly because of his ability to bring people together. While he ran with Al Gore on the Democratic ticket in 2000, Lieberman was considered strongly by John McCain as his running mate in 2008, despite McCain being a Republican.

That was Lieberman and I admire that fiercely.

I suppose that's the larger point I want to make tonight.

We need more Joe Lieberman's (and I suppose John McCain's) because they were people who weren't hung up on parties and sides.

And I suppose that's all I have to say about that.

Lieberman was also always a great guest on Imus in the Morning. He gave good answers on topics and had a sense of humor.

Farewell, Senator, and thank you.

You Never Know

 

Maybe I've told this story before and if you've heard it, please indulge me.

So, beginning in 1999, I worked for a company in Norwalk. While I wasn't doing broadcasting, it was more marking and data-based and it kept me close to Greenwich and WGCH to do radio work.

That came in handy since I was continuing to get more reps as a valued studio person and, eventually, a play-by-play announcer.

One November day in 2000 I got a call from our esteemed news director at the time, Jim Thompson. Jim had begun to utilize me as a backup new anchor so his call wasn't a complete surprise.

In this case, it was election day and he was asking if I would go to a campaign headquarters to be a reporter.

I was flabbergasted.

Sure, I had news chops and, generally, I have overall radio chops. But reporting on election night from a town and a state that I didn't know much about politically?

How would I prepare for such a thing?

I pushed back, saying that I didn't know anything about what I was covering but Jim was nonplussed. He needed my help and he would assist in making sure I didn't look like a fool.

I mean, that's the very thing. I didn't want to embarrass anyone, including the radio station.

But on election night 2000, the same night of hanging chads in Florida, I was standing the headquarters of Stephanie Sanchez, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 4th District. She was running against the Republican, the longtime incumbent.

I think Jim felt that given I worked in Norwalk and that he expected Sanchez to come up short, this was a soft landing for me.

I remember feeling like a complete fish out of water but I did as I was told. I called in shortly after 8 p.m. for my first "hit" of the evening. They are all the same: people filing in, lots of red, white, and blue, what we're expecting tonight, etc.

I exhaled.

Sanchez would eventually show up and a roar greeted her. I'd speak with her a few times and she was always kind.

Upon her arrival, I got in place to ask her to go on the air. Except, I wouldn't be doing the interview. 

Jim would, which was smart but I still took it as a challenge. That wouldn't happen again.

I stood by as supporters hugged her and a photographer snapped away. A day later, a coworker brought in a copy of the picture of Sanchez in full embrace, with a scowling person standing in the background.

Yup. I got busted. I'll post the picture if I can find it. I was somewhat embarrassed.

Anyway, I did get Sanchez on the air with Jim and I continued to report on numbers as they came in.

Eventually, Sanchez conceded and I got in position to air that as best as I could.

With that, I learned my work is done after the speeches.

I survived.

Wouldn't you know, I've been asked back to be a reporter on election night ever since? I've only missed a few years due to other duties, such as game broadcasts. 

I'll never admit it's my favorite thing because I still feel so out of touch but, at the same time, that challenges me.

Last year, for instance, Chris Erway joined me and it was like we could break into play-by-play. We've done that a couple of times and have been a solid professional duo.

Then laughing hysterically off the air.

Oh I've had nights where virtually nobody would talk to me. They'd either avoid eye contact or just brush me off.

Jim Campbell, who handles the other post on our WGCH coverage, does an outstanding job of getting interviews. Heck, I was with Republicans a few years ago and knew people in the room and still couldn't get a guest. 

Tonight, I will once again be among the GOP, and I might have Sean along to watch the whole thing. Chris can't make it this year even though he was interested. 

Safe to say, there's always next year and oh my I prefer to not think about next year.

So join us tonight at 8 p.m. as Tony Savino expertly anchors our coverage. He'll have guests in the studio as they break down the Greenwich, Connecticut, and national elections of note.

Jim will be at Democratic headquarters.

I'll be with the Republicans.

You can hear it all on WGCH at 1490 AM and online at wgch.com.

Not bad for the sports guy who was also just the guy running controls in the studio.

I tell students all the time to take every opportunity and run with it. You become more valuable that way.

That's why I've survived in this business.

That and my ability to adjust at the last minute. I've learned that's a skill that I don't give myself enough credit for.

Oh, and please vote. Regardless of the election, please use your voice however you choose, preferably with your conscience and not on a line.

Any Moment Now

 

Claudia Quatey (PIX 11 News)

Happy Mother's Day.

All across the land, mothers are being feted with breakfast in bed and brunches and peace and quiet and whatever else they want and very much deserve.

If my mom were still alive I imagine we would have somehow gotten together with my sister and had a peaceful day of food, laughs, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

So I wonder how Mother's Day is in the Quatey house in New York City today.

No, scratch that. I know how it is going. I can't say this with 100% certainty but I would imagine it's not happy.

You see, Claudia Quatey is a 16-year-old who was in the old "wrong place at the wrong time" in Queens Wednesday night.

Kids were playing in a nearby park when a discussion between two groups turned violent.

Then it turned into gunfire.

The kids in the park ran for their lives as the sound of "pop pop pop pop pop" rang out.

They apparently got home safely, leaving behind a sense of innocence and fear for their safety. 

Claudia Quatey was in a car getting ready to go out with a friend because she was interested in braiding hair, according to her father.

Wrong place at the wrong time.

A bullet hit her in the head.

She's fighting for her life at Jamaica Hospital.

But you know all of this, right?

You know it because AOC has tweeted it. Al Shapton has organized a march. The President has mentioned Claudia in a speech to highlight gun violence. 

Surely Jemele Hill and other celebrity activists have spoken out?

What about Shaun King? He always has something to say.

That would be no.

Now, to be clear, the local TV channels and New York newspapers did stories. But Google Claudia's name. Search Twitter. There are a few other stories but, mostly, there are crickets.

But, let's review AOC for a moment. Come on, now! Life-long New York City girl, right?

Oh, right, except she conveniently moved to the suburbs (Shrub Oak, about 10 minutes from Mahopac) and graduated from Yorktown High School. She seems to selectively ignore that.

But she's a city girl. So, she'd be all over this, no?

No. Big no.

I mean, she's just one example.

I guess my question is ... why?

Because, as of now, there's no evidence of an assault weapon? No AR-47 we can point fingers at?

Because, as godawful as this is to say, it wasn't bloody enough for outrage? It wasn't a random mass shooting?

Surely this must gall journalists-turned-political assistants around Town Hall that normally retweet outrage at all of this.

But it must not fit the agenda for some reason.

Someone else will post it on their social media because, hey, this is right up their alley. Oh, who am I kidding? Agendas. Minimal attention to a story that has a father saying, clearly, "“My daughter is fighting for her life right now.”

Pretty disgusting. 

This isn't dirty enough laundry.

I see a beautiful young woman who just wanted to braid hair or whatever it was she wanted to do on a Wednesday night in Queens.

Still, to me, New York City is the greatest. Obviously, it doesn't seem so great when things like this happen.

Especially when the city goes mostly quiet.

The same one that gets outraged when other things happen.

Comparisons aren't necessary. I'll leave that to you. My concern -- my own outrage -- is for Claudia Quatey, whose life is sadly either over or disastrously changed.

And the outrage is silence.

And I find that outrageous.

I'm as powerless to change this as I am to change shooting in Texas or anywhere else.

Ponder that.

Happy Mother's Day.

Noted

 

Today at Brunswick

The readers have spoken!

I opened up Blogger -- my trusty home since I started this thing back in 2006 -- and glanced at the number of reads for last night's post.

In a day in which I wasn't 100% certain what to write about, I saw one thing I shouldn't go near: politics.

Even a largely lighthearted post like last night, in which I (wisely) elected to not watch The State of the Union Address.

Funny thing was that I thought it would get some reads and, somehow, get misread leading to a comment that would raise my blood pressure.

Alas, that would mean people would need to read it.

But, as I recently discussed when it comes to pictures associated with the posts, readers stayed away when they saw the image that I used last night.

So it goes.

I mean, I won't stray from politics because of this but we don't tend to go there too often anyway.

Oh, and true to form, the takes were popcorn-worthy.

*****

I did basketball today. I called Hopkins and Brunswick and the Bruins beat the Hilltoppers.

I was off. I knew it.

I kept mixing up the names of two players and other things.

After it was over I was told that I am too hard on myself (this is true). However, I hold myself to a standard, and, to be honest, I'm always looking over my shoulder. It's simply the nature of the beast and I've had too many others nipping at my heels for several years now.

So, yes. I needed to be better. But what do you do when in that spot?

It's almost like I try to start over. Now, I can't restart the game or the broadcast, but I carry on as if we're starting over. It's quite possible I'll chide and admonish myself on the air but I'll, essentially, clear the mechanism. Or I'll simplify things and won't try to be "fancy." 

To the average listener and viewer, this is probably not noticeable. To me, it's glaring and I can't take the risk. So I refocus on the task and try to get through the game doing the best I can.

In the end, it wasn't fatal. I just didn't think I was my very best but I'd say I finished better than I started.

I'd rather be this way. I'd rather feel as I am versus be nonchalant and not have the humility to recognize I wasn't what I wanted to be.

I fixed it and I feel better and I'll be better next time.

*****

Congrats, LeBron. 

I'll still take Jordan.

Not The "State" That I'm In

 

And so we have a post in which Rob dangerously sticks his toe into politics.

I realize I should be watching it. You know, it's quality TV featuring a kindly mature gentleman, his younger friend, and a large collection of idiots.

A comedy is what it is! It could have been created by Norman Lear. Come on, think about it! "All in the Family" and "Maude" and "The Jeffersons." Classics, one and all.

Or maybe it could be a Stephen J. Cannell drama like "The A-Team" or "The Rockford Files."

Coming in February! "The State of the Union!"

And I'm not watching it.

Somewhere along the line, I abandoned watching it (or even the times I listened to it on the radio as I was driving). I mean, I know that my not watching mostly evolved out of ...

No. Don't say that name. There's a severe obsession with his name that shall not be spoken (though tonight it feels like it's Kyrie Irving). 

The shame of it is that -- content aside -- there was always an entertainment value to it. From the House Sergeant at Arms introducing the Commander in Chief to the lame standing ovations of the party of the president to the glaring faces of his opposing party it is pure popcorn time.

I mean, what could be better than Nancy Pelosi shooting daggers into the 45th president?

Then there are those special guests, some of whom bring completely uplifting, inspiring backgrounds with them and are well worthy of the love given by the chamber. Or the poignant stories that give us pause.

Or Rush Limbaugh.

Perhaps it was social media that killed it for me. Perhaps it was the constant rancor that exists on a daily basis (even in the comments on this post). 

So, for me, I now scroll the interwebs for video highlights and (fair) analysis of the speech.

Oh, we have big problems as a country and that's where I feel guilty not watching but I think I do my duty by breaking it down after the fact.

Will I come back one day? I'd say it's more than likely but, for tonight, no.

So I'm enjoying some good old Big Bang Theory reruns and taking it easy.

It's better for my blood pressure.

Besides, isn't it past the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave's bedtime?

This Should Be Fun

 

There are many things I love about broadcasting, especially calling play-by-play.

One of those things has been how I can check out of the world while doing it. Most problems don't matter and I don't think about them when calling a game. The exceptions to this are very few.

Still, I love the things that make what I do such a blast. The prep. The research. The setup. The breakdown. The time with my friends. The impact our broadcasts have. Trying to find the nuggets to present to the audience. The great games are easy though I get stressed over creating a call that will be worthy of the moment.

Today's game -- Hoosac/Brunswick hockey -- finished with the Bruins winning 7-3. Such games with big scoring differences can be tough or mundane to call but they're a fun challenge since I have to create an atmosphere that engages the audience.

I worked solo as I so often do.

All of it should be a pleasure. A privilege even.

When it's not fun is when there are politics, egos, technical issues as well as other non-broadcast issues.

Worst of all, money. I just want to do the game and make a living.

What I can't stand is when any of this nonsense hangs over a broadcast like a bad smell.

We just want to focus on the broadcast. The game. Rooting through the internet looking for little gems to talk about. Trying to come up with different phrasings and words instead of repeating everything. I mean, a pass is a pass but there are other ways to say it. The great Doc Emrick found 153 different words to describe a pass once. 

I can't do that. Or at least I haven't done that. 

But it's part of crafting a broadcast that hopefully, fans enjoy and players will treasure knowing it exists.

It's far better than soothing egos and massaging situations.

That doesn't mean I don't like responsibility. On the contrary. I relish being the lead dog that heads things up. But, sadly, life isn't always fun. Nor is play-by-play. There are negatives. Always. Most days they aren't tangible. Some days they rear their ugly heads like Howard Cosell's ego at a jockocracy convention*.

* Howard hated athletes who tried to break into broadcasting. Along with myriad other people. "Jockocracy" was, in Cosell's eyes, the handing of a plum sports broadcasting gig to a former athlete who hadn't earned the position.

None of this is to mean that I didn't enjoy the broadcast today. Oh, sure, something hung over me causing me to feel a bit low on energy in the run-up to the broadcast. But once it was time to light things up I put the headset on and did what I do.

Brunswick 7, Hoosac 3. And it felt good to be in the rink. I'll be back there Monday afternoon also. The issues could wait until the game was over.

*****

I realize last night's post about Mahopac possibly (likely) changing their mascot risked going down the controversy highways. I'm also not afraid to have a debate. But I just simply hate politics as well as political correctness.

Still, I wrote a post that I felt I should write. I hit "publish." Then, I waited.

In the roughly 24 hours since the comments -- for and against -- have been fair, rational, and dignified. It should, in the long run, not be such a big deal but I'm smart enough to know that won't be the case.

As I said, I remain proud to have been a Mahopac Indian.

But I'm also really proud that last night's post didn't dissolve into a name-calling disaster.

Once in a while, I'm allowed to believe that we can have dignified conversations where we can agree to disagree.

So, thanks. 

OK, I'll Do It

 

Speaking in London, Apr 2022. I even have international relations down!
(Chris Hunt photo)

I've seen too many posts regarding the election of the speaker of the House.

All from two accounts: one on Twitter and one on Facebook.

Yup. Trolls. And we don't feed them, right?

So, after much consideration, talking with The Cat, and prayer, I've decided that I'm the right person for the job.

Look, I speak. I speak professionally. 

I host a radio show and broadcast a whole lot of events.

I've been a public speaker, beginning in elementary school, so I'd say that's a pretty long time.

I delivered a speech about the history of the Yankees when I was in 8th grade. I was president of my sixth-grade class a few times! I don't recall, but I think the term was a week or a month.

Look at all of those conferences that I moderate for Hunt Scanlon! How about standing in front of the Greenwich Old Timers Awards Dinner? If I can handle those rooms then I can be the speaker of the House!

I mean, I've got this.

I'll come up with answers when this blog or my social media accounts are investigated. 

It was humor. That's what I'll tell them.

Memes. That's all. Isn't that what everyone posts?

(For the record, I don't post many memes)

Oh, I'm sure people on both sides of the aisle will find reasons to be bothered by me, and isn't that how it should be?

In that regard, I will be a unifying force! Everyone will hate me! I'll bring everyone together!

But, honestly, what scandal could there possibly be?

I've lived a fairly clean life. At least I think so. I'm sure a few things can be created about me.

Richard Nixon had Checkers the Dog. Get ready for Rascal the Cat!

This is such an easy fix to a mess of a situation in Washington that I think it's a no-brainer.

I mean, what is there to this gig? I stand up, I make the House be quiet and I speak. Easy peasy, no?

Maybe I can ad-lib a few jokes or relay a few scores. Otherwise, just give me a script and I'll take it from there.

This will stop the tweets. The memes. The obsession.

America will be the winner!

So, friends, Mr. Smith once went to Washington in a movie.

It's time for Mr. Adams to go to Washington and speak.

Or I'll bring speakers with me. I have a couple here from my stereo.

Start the process. I'll take the job.

The OG

Greetings from Greenwich Democratic Headquarters in Old Greenwich.

It's just past 11 p.m. and, honestly, I thought we were done here with ol' P-365.

But, with Chris Erway's encouragement, I've sat down at the ad-hoc press table that was created via two chairs and a table with cups of water on it.

We're three hours into our broadcast that has resolved...only a little.

A few races seem complete while others are so close.

The numbers feel to be in but, well, there's a weird feeling in the air.

Oh, this has been a night, believe me.

Nobody wants to be interviewed and wow am I grateful that Chris is here to keep me company as we read the numbers on the spreadsheet.

One would have to think speeches are approaching but, as of yet, nada.

This might, possibly, be the longest I've had to stay on the air here. I remember keeping colleagues company back in the days when we'd have coverage in New York, Stamford, and Norwalk as well.

But nothing like this. We've wrapped up by 10 p.m. every year as the worst-case scenario. Some years, I'd file a report at 9, air the speeches, and leave.

Tonight? We're still sitting here and waiting.

Oh, and as for voting, I did my part this morning. I voted and the whole process took all of 10 minutes, tops.

I drove a few minutes, walked in, was handed a ballot, filled it out, filed it, and walked out.

Done.

If I can do it, so can you and I hope you did today. It's so important for our voices to be heard -- however they're heard.

And, just my two cents, I beg of you to always vote for people and causes, not lines. But what do I know?

Thankfully, the speeches have finally just begun here. 

Our night is wrapping up.

A night of being sardined. Crushed. Stepped on. Questioned. Ignored. So on.

Oh and a candidate basically dropped an eff bomb near our microphones.

It's almost time to go home.

Another election night in the books.

What a night.

Election Eve

 

Tomorrow is Election Day.

More specifically, it's my first Election Day as a Connecticut resident.

To be honest, I'm a little nervous because, like everything I do, I take the task of voting seriously. That doesn't mean I'm the only one who does.

It's that I'd like to feel educated about everything.

I first voted in Nov 1987 because I turned 18 after election day in 1986. Save for one year I've voted every year since then.

I've been trying to do some research for tomorrow for two reasons:

1) Of course, to place my own responsible votes, and

2) Because I'll be a part of election night coverage on WGCH at 8pm (wgch.com* if it's working).

I've told basically every broadcasting student of mine about the time back in 2000 when I was asked to go cover the 4th Congressional District race in Norwalk. At that time I was only doing sports and a little news as needed.

Now, as I explained to our then-news director Jim Thompson, I lived in New York and didn't have the first clue about Connecticut politics.

Jim was nonplussed. He said he'd help me and that I'd be doing him a big favor. Given my love of radio and WGCH (along with my respect for Jim), I couldn't say no so I gave it a shot.

I even wound up in the newspaper, as a photographer from the Norwalk Hour caught me in the background as the candidate I was covering hugged a supporter. I looked angry and flustered because, most likely, I was angry and flustered.

Basically, I had no idea what I was doing but I faked it to make it. Plus I needed the candidate for an interview with Jim.

And so began over 20 years of election night coverage. I've missed a few over the years due to other commitments but, otherwise, I've been found in numerous locations annually.

Among the best was the time that Chris Erway joined me and we went to the Greenwich Democratic headquarters at the old Horseneck Tavern (pour one out for the Horseneck). Well, things didn't go well for the Dems that night, so we were able to wrap up our coverage before being told to help ourselves to food and drink.

There have been years where it felt like nobody wanted to talk to the reporter from WGCH that nobody knew and there have been years that were a little more productive.

Last year was just ... last year. Does that explain it?

But, still, every year I feel a sense of pride for dipping my toe back into hard news. Elections aren't an easy gig to cover. It has certainly changed though in that there isn't a crush of reporters anymore. I'll be among the few media members on-site tomorrow.

And this will be the first time where I'll be reporting for an election that I've voted on (not including national races, of course).

Like all of my jobs, I take this on with a great deal of responsibility, so of course, I hope it goes well. I don't know for sure where I'll be stationed (I'm guessing Greenwich Dems again) but one never knows.

As for my voting, I have a few ideas about what and who I'm going to vote for and I'm still deciding on the others. I'll work it all out in the morning.

It's amazing that anyone -- including me -- needs to explain how important it is to vote. There are ways to let your voice be heard and the most important is voting, however you do it. I won't tell you how I'm voting but I'll tell you that I vote with a conscience every year. I don't vote based on a party but on items and candidates that I believe in.

Choice. Yes, that's a fine word to use here. Choice.

We have a choice.

I will use my choice wisely.

Then I will help report the results.

Please vote. 

Then listen*.

*Remember the gremlins I wrote about last week that caused issues to knock WGCH off the air. Yeah, we're still scuffling. WGCH.com might not be functioning tomorrow night but I'm hoping it will be.

Tuesday. That is All.

My wheels for the night. Sort of looks like what I currently have

So, yes, I wasted my breath last night.

With that, I should probably retire from political writing and never speak of politics again.

A post meant to be about peace and common sense had the impact of...well...it had no impact at all.

Nothing changed. Nothing. If anything, things got worse, I suppose.

We lack any ability to have civil discourse.

Therefore, I give up. Orange Man, bad. Biden, bad. Everything. Everyone. Bad.

Worst of all? Me. I'm bad because I try to be fair.

So, go on.

Keep posting your memes and other nonsense.

Keep hating.

No, I'm not surprised, to be clear.

It's just a bummer.

I try hard to be a rational, balanced voice of reason. I try to not offer any biases (and, yeah, some of you are going to say "Yankees" but so be it. I won't be able to change your mind.)

But it's disheartening.

I'll focus on the good of the day despite the insane heat.

It was 91 degrees in my apartment when I walked in.

Oh, and my electric bill went UP after I specifically backed OFF using electricity last month. If it is about the water heater, well, then I'm really failing because I took warm showers (at best), did laundry in cold water and washed dishes, shaved, etc, with a general aversion towards hot water.

I'm honestly almost considering a shutdown of a lot of stuff to see if things change though I doubt that's possible.

So, what gives? (Serious replies only. No, really, No snark. OK thanks.)

Fran. The Man.

And my car is now in the shop but let's take that as a good thing because the great Fran Pomarico gave me a Nissan Altima to use tonight that brought me joy as I came home from Dutchess County. I could drive that all the way down to North Carolina next week. It drives so nicely.

I'm grateful for Fran, Danny, and the team at Poughkeepsie Nissan. 

It was also nice to be back at Dutchess Stadium tonight. I'm always happy to see Sean but also happy to laugh with my friends there. Yeah, I goofed up a few times and that annoyed me but I'll be better.

Oh, and the booth was savage with a couple of proper digs at yours truly but I'll keep those to myself. All in good fun and well-played.

I also snuck in a Vin Scully reference without anyone noticing. Going slightly off-script, I welcomed everyone by saying "a very pleasant good evening." I might try to thread that in more moving forward without it hopefully being hokey.

Just a tip of the microphone, I guess.

I'll think about it.

Also, a nod to Olivia Newton-John. She was more than Sandy. She was Physical and Magic and took us to our own Xanadu. When asking the question, "Have You Never Been Mellow?" the correct answer became yes, for sure. 

Because yesterday, we were all mellow with her passing. Literally, nobody ever said a bad word about her.

Her music became passé, I suppose because tastes change. The 80s ultimately did that to a lot of people. That doesn't mean there wasn't universal love for her.

Because there was. 

So, fear not. Nobody will play B-17 moving forward for sure.

Much respect to her and condolences to her loved ones.

Time to Repeat Myself

 

Seems Donald Trump is in some kind of trouble.

Again.

In this case, the FBI executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago.

And, as usual, tHe SmArT pEoPlE are posting about it.

This is how it works, right?

Well, I'm here to tell you that you're not helping things.

Democrats are supposedly the party that wants peace and love and yada yada so instead of posting tireless memes and wRiTiNg like that, maybe shut up and do something helpful.

Oh, the same goes for you, GOP. I'm very equal opportunity when it comes to this.

Trump is no longer president. I realize he's still in the news but, after a while, you can't but help think you have a bit of an obsession.

See, social media is supposed to be about pictures of our kids and reconnecting with old friends and making new friends, and so on.

It's not supposed to be about enabling idiots.

And, yet ...

The simple question is: who are you helping with the Trump posts?

Who are you helping with the anti-Biden stuff?

The president doesn't set gas prices. He doesn't raise him. He doesn't lower them. However, as Harry S. Truman once said, "The buck stops here." So, if you want to give President Biden credit for raising prices then you have to knock him when he lowers them.

It's called being fair (crazy concept, I know) but this is how it works.

Personally, I'd rather see him go after the corrupt oil execs who are inflating the prices (though they are currently on the decline) but what do I know?

Correct. I know nothing.

This is sadly a topic that I've written about before. Things happen in politics and idiots fan the flames. 

And enablers like the posts.

Oh, and I'll say it again: those of us in the media shouldn't be posting/retweeting such things. Perhaps that's a little "stay in your lane-ish" of me but it's how I feel. I mostly keep my thoughts (and prayers, ha) out of what I post. It sets one up to appear to have an agenda, even if they don't.

I don't think it's a good look. But, again, I know nothing.

As I've said before, we're a damaged lot lacking the ability to have civil discourse.

I've got news for you: this didn't start with DJ Trump. This is a snowball that's been building for years and any rational person with a brain can see it.

Yet, those who are so "peace-loving" just keep posting malevolent horse hockey every chance they get.

Just. Why?

Most of the memes aren't funny. They don't help.

The snide comments don't help.

None of it helps.

And those of you liking it aren't helping either.

I'm not one of those who buys into the "RT/Likes do not equal endorsements." While I get that it's a disclaimer, it's generally a fact that if I put my mouse behind something then I do support it. Thus, an endorsement.

But keep in mind it just feeds trolls. That's something else I've tried to say here for years.

I beg of you, friends. Please think about this stuff. Friendships are collapsing over these kinds of things. Families are being ripped apart. And we are continuing down a bad path as a country.

My father used to say do not discuss politics, religion, and money in certain circumstances and social settings. That seems like a pretty good rule of thumb, even all these years later.

I realize this post will be lightly read and mostly ignored.

So, cArRy On, I guess.

Sad.

I'm Benching Myself

It feels like today is a good day to grab some popcorn and say very little.

I categorically disagree with the big announcement of the day. I have no business telling a woman what to do with their body.

But I also see hypocrisy is cool today. "Whataboutism" is fine so long as it swings a particular way.

Hey, so long as everyone can say "But her emails" then all is cool, no?

Because that helps.

Actually, no it doesn't. Those words don't help the conversation tonight. 

Be part of the solution.

That being said, I'm also a journalist and I believe those opinions should be very limited.

Besides, my words have no impact. None. Zip.

I pondered just posting a picture of the Supreme Court with no text.

I pondered a lot of things to write.

Ultimately, this is enough. In fact, it's probably too much.

As I said, I'm sitting out.

Topics have been heavy lately. 

See you tomorrow.

Rings and Things

 

I was reading some ridiculous Twitter post when I saw a challenge.

In short, it was time for some good old-fashioned Yankees bashing. Yessiree a time-honored tradition!

Now, granted, baseball and I are currently in a trial separation so I read the comments somewhat detached.

But then I read it: "I bet ya their fans can't even name those 27 rings without looking it up.

Yeah, that was the wrong thing for me to read. Without flinching, I started...

1923, 27, 28, 32, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 43, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 61, 62, 77, 78, 96, 98, 99, 2000, 2009.

Of course, the responses from the neanderthals were typical, with the original tweeter suspecting that I couldn't do it without looking it up. Ah, Boston fans. Almost as cute as Mets fans.

Would they like the AL Championships that resulted in World Series losses?

1921, 22, 26, 42, 55, 57, 60, 63, 64, 76, 81, 2001.

I know that so many of us "27 rings" talkers can't do that but I also get really tired of being told how "we're not entitled" to any of them prior to when we were born.

Well, 1) that's not for you to decide and 2) I know my stuff, bruh.

By that rationale history belongs to no one, right?

But, no, I'm content on this one. There have been a few responses and there have been attempts to tell me to "take the 'L'" but I'm comfortable. I like that I climbed in their heads because they didn't think someone would dare dive into their dojo and actually know what they're talking about.

Oh, incidentally, the poster that I responded to changed their setting so that I could no longer see the original post. So, again, who took the 'L?'

The whole thing gave me a good laugh.

On the other hand, the thing that concerned me but didn't shock me was how most baseball posts (likely including this one) are so poorly read here. Mention Florida the other night and the reads went way up! Mention baseball and I might as well do a post about roads.

That's the other topic that often gets low reads.

It's all just so curious, interesting, and, frankly, not surprising. Much of the time I feel like I get what this audience is interested in. Yet, all too often, I do get surprised.

In the case of last night, I wasn't surprised at all.

Oh, regarding Florida, the one thing I'll add is perhaps I'm not educated enough on the bill and the situation. I had a few people -- including someone I know who's working in Tallahassee -- chime in and they were wonderful and respectful.

I realize I poked a nerve with discussing that and I get it. I do think that Florida has become easy low-hanging fruit for the media and I'm pretty good at taking it all with multiple grains of salt.

So, while I'm not educated enough on the situation and I'll own that, I'll never apologize for the concern and protection of kids. I maintain that I tend to want the government to stay out of such things and that I want kids to feel safe.

Sometimes they don't feel comfortable talking to their parents and that often means leaning on people at school. 

So I'll apologize for not being well-versed but I won't apologize for having my heart exactly where I want it to be.

Look, Florida is special to me and it always will be. While it can be easily mocked, I carry memories from a lot of visits there throughout my life.

Plus I'd rather be in Florida right now because I don't want to deal with snow again.

Couple of Thoughts

 

I love ya, Florida, but wow.

OK, where to start...

I'm a big believer in covering girls sports but my calendar wouldn't allow me to get to the Darien Ice House for the CHSGHA girls hockey championship tonight.

Darien and New Canaan were on the verge of a fourth (!) overtime when Kaleigh Harden scored the goal she'll remember for the rest of her life. A state championship was clinched for New Canaan.

Oh but there was so much more. The girls game was supposed to be played this weekend but then they changed the date to tonight. So, knowing "The Cllubhouse" needed me (long story), that took me out of calling the championship game that I loved to call.

Oh, they had coverage from DAF Media, so we'll leave that right there.

But, in the meantime, I had been offered a girls basketball game in Yorktown between Red Hook and Putnam Valley. Yet, because of "The Clubhouse," I couldn't do the game.

That is, until I found out that the game was scheduled for 4:30 in Yorktown.

So, hold on now, I could maybe call Red Hook/Putnam Valley at Yorktown and get to Mount Kisco in time for "The Cllubhouse." This could work!

I texted Bob Small at WGCH and he told me to go for it. Others agreed. We were going to make it happen!

"Doubleheader" would take the day off but I'd hustly to Mount Kisco for "The Clubhouse." All was great!

I began doing my research. I needed rosters and info. I Googled Red Hook girls basketball. After hunting for a few minutes, I found an account.

And they said the game had been moved to tomorrow.

And I had a doubleheader tomorrow in Fairfield.

And the whole thing went pfffft.

There would be no Red Hook.

There would be Putnam Valley.

There would be no game at Yorktown (still the only place I had to sign a waiver to call a game at).

"Doubleheader" was back on at 4.

I'd be at "The Clubhouse" in plenty of time.

Stories like this happen all the time.

I went on with my day.

Oh, and I was asked about working depositions.

Let's leave that right there.

*****

I don't know that I need to say much but I don't like Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law.

Really, there's not much to add. I find it simply wrong.

Kids need to know they have a safe place and this law goes against that.

Kids are struggling with who they are and they should feel comfortable at school or anywhere else.

You can tell me I'm wrong. That's your right.

But I don't want to shut kids down. I want inclusion. That's it. That's the message.

****

I've been pro-player in the baseball war. Slowly, I'm losing patience with everyone.

At this point, you're all wrong.

This is also a simple message. I no longer care. 

Make a deal and get back on the field. You're all destroying the game.

There. Simple.

*****

Gas prices are too high. Sorry if that offends anyone. That's it. That's the message.

I saw a meme today that broke down all of the ways that we are we can "suck it up."

Except...it's not reality for many. What's going on in the world is awful. I still have to survive to pay child support, keep a roof over my head, etc.

So forgive me if I'm not doing a happy dance when I drop $40 to fill my tank.

*****

That's enough babbling for tonight.

Focusing on Football

 

I'm calling a game here later. I graduated from high school on that field.

I'm aware of what happened today.

I have thoughts on it.

Generally speaking, as has been my thing, discussing them on a blog or on social media does absolutely no good, especially when I think about what I do professionally.

While I tend to think nobody cares about my opinion, well, let's just say it's dangerous to go down any road these days.

So I'm sitting here, working a deposition while prepping for football.

It's not burying my head in the sand. It's, essentially, keeping my thoughts to myself.

And, more to the point, it's keeping my thoughts off social media. Honestly, what good has it ever done, especially when dealing with political lightning rod issues?

Hell, I remember writing about the Orlando nightclub shooting. I was horrified and remember I wanted everyone to just chill out before doing the political thing. I got crap for saying that.

So, instead, I'm breaking down stats for Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake (BHBL) and Somers high schools. I'm looking at what kind of team each one is. I'm looking for little nuggets from the respective news sources.

I'm retyping BHBL's roster since the format wasn't to my liking.

I'm digging into why it was possible that BHBL's head coach might not be at Mahopac High School tonight (he will be but it took an investigation to resolve it).

I'm keeping an eye on the deposition and making sure I'm doing my job.

Oh, I'm plenty aware of the news. Most of the time, when someone says to me, "Did you hear..." I've generally heard.

Or seen.

So I know what's going on and I'm not happy about it. Take that however you wish. I'll leave it open to interpretation.

But I've got BHBL and Somers coming up later.

I've got Brunswick and Deerfield Academy tomorrow in a big bowl game. Some are calling it the biggest game in the history of Cosby Field in Greenwich.

There are other things in my life I have to give my attention to. Some of that trickles online.

Today, however, I'm thinking about football.

Kick-off is at 6 p.m.

Thankful for Freedom

 

It's Election Day.

I voted. I hope you do also.

But I hope you do so with your brain and not because of some need to vote for one "row."

Party lines are irresponsible. Vote for what is best.

I did so today. I hit some of the GOP and some Dems and I felt good about it.

Just as I did last year when, in the most difficult election of my lifetime in my opinion, I made a choice that I have not regretted once.

I chose none of the above.

Being phony or just following along is something I can't sleep with.

In this month of being thankful, I'm thankful for the freedom to be real. Sure, I play "the game" where I have to but I've also seen what doing things for what seems like one noble reason or another has caused more harm than good. 

Pressuring me or guilting me into something won't fly.

No. I march to my beat.

That doesn't mean I can't be influenced but it means I'll make my own decisions.

I'm trying to avoid climbing on some kind of jingoistic wagon but, sure, I'm proud of this country and the freedoms we have, including the democratic right to vote as we see fit. 

I've also seen some stuff that I wasn't proud of (January 6, anyone?)

Later on, as I've done for probably 15 or 16 of the last 21 elections, I'll be a part of WGCH's election night coverage. I will make exactly two slices of pizza and not a dime otherwise but I'm content to do so.

That's also a part of the freedom that we have. I can make my own choice.

Today, I voted for what I felt was right.

I hope you do the same.

It's Up to Her

 

You probably know me by now.

I tend to avoid serious political discussions, especially here, for a variety of reasons. The biggest one being we lack the grace and ability to have civil discussions on the topic.

But this is one I can't stay quiet on.

I don't need pronouns to tell you about me. I'm me. I'm a guy. A man. A dude. A bruh. 

Those are facts. No pronouns are necessary on my social media pages.

I've always supported a women's right to choose. Hell, I've always supported women's rights. I don't need to wave a banner or participate in a march. I completely respect women. Doesn't make me a feminist or pacifist or anything else.

"Isms in my opinion are not good," Ferris Bueller once said.

And so, friends, respectfully, if you've read this far, then you know that I'm sadly burying the lead that I feel the Texas abortion "ban" is wrong. The short version, as I've gathered, is that it bans abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy, or, as this NPR story says, "It bans abortion as soon as cardiac activity is detectable."

As I understand it, many women don't even know they're pregnant by six weeks where others know around four weeks, leaving them just two weeks to make what is, frankly, a life-changing decision. More than that, there's no provision for special circumstances like rape or incest.

Look, the last thing I'm trying to do is get into the whole abortion debate though I'm probably there already. I've just always felt that I shouldn't have a say in what goes on with a woman's body. I don't have a say in anyone else's body for that matter. I have enough trouble with my own body.

In the case of this extremely difficult topic, it strikes me that this is between the couple who conceived the child in the first place. Then it's the woman carrying the child.

It's not up to a bunch of suits in Washington or Austin, TX.

I'm very fortunate in that I've never been in this position at all. I'm not casting any judgment and, as such, I don't think politicians and activist groups should either.

I realize this is an unusual stance for me to take here and, to be honest, it will likely have little to no effect on you. But, on occasion, there are things -- serious things -- that I believe I need to take a stand on. This is obviously far more important than black Mets jerseys (still stupid), the musical talent of Maroon 5 (please), or who has the best pizza (New York, of course). Even the Oxford comma argument (which Grammarly fixes in my posts) isn't as important as this.

This is real life, of course. 

One thing about taking things out of people's hands: it tends to bring on a rise in desperation to retrieve what they can not have. Be it as simple as going to New York from Connecticut because the bars are still open or sneaking off to have such a procedure done, the public has a tendency to get what they want and safety sometimes be damned.

The thing about this topic is there's a definitive difference between "pro-choice" and "pro-abortion." I'm trying -- emphatically -- to say I'm pro-woman. Just because I don't normally take such stands doesn't mean I don't feel a lot of things.

But this isn't about me. This is about saying -- with clarity -- that I think Texas is wrong here.

I grew up with a lot of wonderful women in my life, from my sister and mother to cousins and friends. For the most part, they didn't wave flags. I learned by watching. I continue to learn by watching. I listen to the women in my life, even now, and form my own judgments.

Spare me the religious arguments.

Overall, spare me the arguments.

You won't change my mind.

The Texas law is wrong.

The shutdown

 

Gio Urshela (photo: USA Today)

Justice was served last night in Minneapolis and I was ready to report it.

I had heard the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial was in and was expected to be announced while I was on the air doing "Doubleheader."

The news actually broke roughly ten minutes after I got off the air but I was prepared just in case. While I still discussed sports, I stepped into my news reporting outfit and tried to deftly move between the two, in preparation for whatever was coming.

From there, I waited and watched.

As the verdict was read, I pondered what, if anything, I'd say either on social media or here on the blog.

I found a tweet from NBA reporter Shams Charania that summed up the verdict, retweeted it, and...

I ate dinner.

I watched the Yankees/Braves game.

I texted.

I watched more baseball.

I fell asleep.

To sum up, I was off social media completely for the night.

I didn't care what you had to say -- you on the left or you on the right.

I didn't care what the media had to say either. Nope. I didn't need Sean Hannity or Chris Cuomo or Anderson Cooper. I didn't even need local news.

Nobody -- not a soul -- was going to inform me of something I didn't already know. Nobody was going to change my mind, given I saw the video and had the facts on this case last year.

I had no interest in watching the reaction last night. 

And sure enough, come this morning, I read enough #hottakes.

In my opinion, this was the healthiest approach for my sanity and I'm glad I did it.

I addressed things when I opened "Doubleheader" today. I expected a guilty verdict. We got a guilty verdict.

Then I talked sports. The Yankees found a way to win. So did the Knicks. The Rangers and Mets both lost. Some games today were postponed due to the weather.

Stuff like that.

The world continues to rotate.