Monthly Archives: April 2017
RIP Don Rickles
Comedy just got a little less insulting.
Famed insult comic Don Rickles died today at the towering age of 90. While many might have suspected being in his cross hairs would be a terrible thing, it was quite the opposite. As a matter of fact, receiving the Don Rickles burn became a badge of honor. One of the greatest gifts a comedian can achieve is the elasticity to say just about anything to anybody and have the audience laughing every time.
Robin Williams was one of these very rare comics.
It’s difficult to attempt to encapsulate the storied career of Don Rickles, but the following video does a commendable job at this trying feat.
Particularly in the modern PC Era, we needed Don Rickles now more than ever. Let’s all remember and honor the magic of his insulting (yet heartwarming) comedic style.
RIP Don Rickles.
Zero Degrees of Innovation?
Patterns only become patterns if something is repeated enough times.
And the following blog post will highlight impressive alumni.
Elon Musk is best known for his innovative work on Tesla cars and SpaceX. Tesla focuses on electric cars, which includes the Model 3 (starting at $35,000 before any tax breaks). SpaceX focuses on technology built and imagined for space ventures. Mr. Musk is viewed by many as a Steve Jobs-like thinker who is changing the game of transportation on Earth and in the stars. Part of the attraction to Mr. Musk’s way of thinking is that he breaks from conventional wisdom. Norms do not appear to impress Elon Musk.
For instance, listen to what he thinks of college degrees within the space of creativity, innovation and potential.
While it’s not quite as simple to declare a high school or college degree inconsequential, Mr. Musk’s point does raise valid concerns in attempting to view the potential of applicants. If a firm wants conventional results, then a conventional approach works. But if a firm wants unconventional results, then past ways of determining skill and potential demand revision and a procedural overhaul.
If only Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Larry Ellison had track records of success…
3-6-Shine
2016 National Championship: Villanova defeated UNC 77-74.
2017 National Championship: UNC defeated Gonzaga 71-65.
What a difference a year makes. Literally.
The North Carolina Tar Heels battled the Gonzaga Bulldogs in a great close NCAA title game last night. The shooting for both teams did not inspire of a lot of NBA Jam-worthy moments and the officiating became the third squad on the court instead of the invisible hand that ensures the game remains under control. Still, the final couple minutes provided terrific drama and millions of viewers saw the Tar Heels play with a determination motivated by a feeling that they felt they had to win the championship this year.
That was the deciding factor concerning UNC’s late fuel of adrenaline and basketball prowess with the national championship on the line.
And UNC’s winning finish not only gave Roy Williams his third national championship with the Tar Heels and UNC its sixth national championship, but also one more shiny thing…
The ceiling is the roof for this UNC basketball program, as Michael Jordan might say (well, he actually did say those words about a month ago).
Either way, the ceiling (or the roof) in the Dean Dome will be adding another national championship banner.
Congrats to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.
Happy Monday
The 2017 Men’s Final Four left college basketball fans wanting more.
Especially fans cheering for Gonzaga and North Carolina.
The 2016/2017 National Championship will be a great battle between the one-seed Gonzaga Bulldogs and the one-seed North Carolina Tar Heels. Admittedly, readers of this blog post should know I am a big UNC fan. My oldest sister attended and graduated from Chapel Hill back in the days of Bill Guthridge and Matt Doherty. So, it’s been nearly 20 years of cheering for the Tar Heels.
With that being said (or written), tonight’s game will be a fantastic sporting event. Yes, an event. Gonzaga wants to win its school’s first ever national championship, whereas North Carolina feels like it has to win this year’s national championship. And that may be what separates these two top-shelf teams in the end:
The difference between want to and have to with the title on the line.
It’s my belief that Joel Berry II was (purposely) on cruise control against Oregon, nursing his injured ankles/recovering from his ankle injuries. The shots that went in or didn’t weren’t of issue to Roy Williams. Clearly. The point is that Berry’s mere presence on the court for UNC is game-changing for the men sporting sky blue.
However, against a very talented Gonzaga squad, Mr. Berry’s mere presence won’t likely be enough to cut the nets down in jubilation.
He’ll need help from his very talented teammates (and coaching staff).
This season’s national championship will be one heel hell of a game.
I just hope two of those heels on the court tonight in Phoenix will have enough spring for that one shining moment.
Have a Better Week Than Last Week.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 