FAFO

Fornicateth around and Findeth Out. 

Well, that's not exactly how the phrase goes, but you get the idea. 

East Tennessee State University released head coach Brad Irwin in 2021, after a sub-.500 season. Irwin led the team to a winning season and the playoffs just the year prior. 

The successor, Belinda Hendrix, was fired a year in, due to allegations of "mental abuse."

The interim coach is now Cheryl Milligan. 

How do they stack up?

Irwin (2021): 15-22

Hendrix (2022): 8-47-1

Milligan (2023): 15-37

The grass was clearly not greener. 

Full disclosure, Brad Irwin was this author's brother in law for over 20 years. We first met in 1995 or so. Have had many Holiday meals with him, our kids are cousins, etc. 

Harsh Truths

Four years ago, my son's Freshman Football team had just wrapped up a 6-1 season at Wilson Central High School in Wilson County, TN. It was the best ever season by a Wilson Central Freshman team. At that time, the City of Mount Juliet was on the brink of adding Green Hill High School and redistricting was already in motion. 

My residence was redistricted to Mount Juliet High School; my son wanted no part of it, because of their arrogance. 

He asked to transfer to Green Hill High School, and my wife and I immediately approved, and started the process. His grades and sports acumen made him an easy choice for acceptance to transfer. 

But why had we asked to transfer him? Why were we so quick to approve when he asked?

Simple - and he summed it up - the arrogance of those associated with that school.

As an example, my wife had a conversation with a good friend from church about redistricting. Her son is a couple of years older than ours, and also played football at that time. She was wondering where my son would be going since he had been so instrumental a part of the winning team. When my wife said he was districted to go to Mount Juliet, the first thing the friend said, without hesitation, was that the Mount Juliet coach would not play him or his friends - because they went to Wilson Central. Somehow, the feeling was that these winning players were "tainted." 

And that sums up the mindset in a moment. 

Since joining the same division as Mount Juliet, the Green Hill Hawks are 23-10. Similarly, the Mount Juliet Golden Bears are 23-10. Head to head, the Hawks hold the advantage 2-1. Ironically, the "away" team has won every meeting. Of course, the schools are on the East end and North end of the same city; 4 miles apart. 

Also, just like the Phillies "fans," the MJ fans started leaving early in the 3rd quarter of the game, once Green Hill went up 35-3. Thankfully, the Mercy Rule was enacted and the running clock limited further damage to the fragile egos on the East Side. A Hawks coach calls that team "XJ" and for good reason: no need to say the name of the snobs. 

The snobs who lost 35-3. 

Funny, every time Mount Juliet Bears have a game that is called fair, they lose. Wonder why that is? They must have the same game plan as Nick Saban at Alabama.

Why am I so harsh?

A personal pet peeve of mine is a person who thinks themself superior to another. 

The Worst Fans

Within the last few days, the Baseball World Series has been set: it is the Texas Rangers vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Along the way, the Diamondbacks beat the Philadelphia Phillies. There was much talk this week about the Phillies fans (or is it "phans?") being the "best" fanbase in baseball. Certainly, at times, their ballpark sounded very loud as the fans cheered. But that is not the whole story. 

These same fans booed and left early in the Phillies final two losses at home. The losses were by scores of 5-1 and 4-2. Certainly not blowouts. Real fans would have stayed until the end. 

That and their fanbase seems to be a nasty bunch. The only Phillies fans I know that are decent humans are "Lefty" and his son. 

Oh, and Baseball needs to end the 5-game Division Series where the top seeds have 5 days off. Since going to that format, Top teams have a record of 12-18, losing 5 of the 8 series. The only 100-win team to advance was the 2022 Astros, who went on to win the World Series. This setup is making a mockery of having a better record. Baseball is a game of rhythm and timing, and 5 days off disrupts that. Baseball should go back to a 1-game wild card series, and offer the top teams 2 days off, and the 2nd place teams get 3 days off .

Unintended Consequences

Regardless of what a person does or does not do in life, there will always be unintended consequences. 

Wisdom is anticipating these, and acting accordingly. 

The recent run on guns and ammo, brought on by the hostilities in the Middle East, have sparked just that sort of unintended consequence. On a normal week, This Author handles somewhere around 50-75 gun related questions. Either via email, text, Social Media, etc. Since the fighting started roughly two weeks ago, This Author has fielded over 500 such messages and questions. 

Also, Patriot Training classes have been filling up. Urban Rifleman is sold out and Essential Pistol only has a couple more spots remaining. 

Blast From The Past

Recently, this author found an old flash drive. Careful investigation showed some things that had been forgotten. Old training manuals, old notes from firearms classes taken long ago - as far back as 2008! None more recent than 2011. 

It's amazing to see how much things have changed, as well as how much things remain the same. 

Also, subconsciously, as this author is constantly refining the curriculum for Patriot Training classes, it is interesting to see and remember the foundations of what lessons are critical and why. This reminder has been most welcome and 

Words of Wisdom

Came across these words of wisdom and figure to share them here:

1. Don’t call someone more than twice continuously. If they don’t pick up your call, presume they have something important to attend to;

2. Return money that you have borrowed even before the person that borrowed you remember or ask for it. It shows your integrity and character. Same goes with umbrellas, pens and lunch boxes.

3. Never order the expensive dish on the menu when someone is giving you a lunch/dinner.

4. Don’t ask awkward questions like ‘Oh so you aren’t married yet?’ Or ‘Don’t you have kids’ or ‘Why didn’t you buy a house?’ Or why don't you buy a car? For God’s sake it isn’t your problem;

5. Always open the door for the person coming behind you. It doesn’t matter if it is a guy or a girl, senior or junior. You don’t grow small by treating someone well in public;

6. If you take a taxi with a friend and he/she pays now, try paying next time;

7. Respect different shades of opinions. Remember what's 6 to you will appear 9 to someone facing you. Besides, second opinion is good for an alternative;

8. Never interrupt people talking. Allow them to pour it out. As they say, hear them all and filter them all;

9. If you tease someone, and they don’t seem to enjoy it, stop it and never do it again. It encourages one to do more and it shows how appreciative you're;

10. Say “thank you” when someone is helping you.

11. Praise publicly. Criticize privately;

12. There’s almost never a reason to comment on someone’s weight. Just say, “You look fantastic.” If they want to talk about losing weight, they will;

13. When someone shows you a photo on their phone, don’t swipe left or right. You never know what’s next;

14. If a colleague tells you they have a doctors' appointment, don’t ask what it’s for, just say "I hope you’re okay". Don’t put them in the uncomfortable position of having to tell you their personal illness. If they want you to know, they'll do so without your inquisitiveness;

15. Treat the cleaner with the same respect as the CEO. Nobody is impressed at how rude you can treat someone below you but people will notice if you treat them with respect;

16. If a person is speaking directly to you, staring at your phone is rude;

17. Never give advice until you’re asked;

18. When meeting someone after a long time, unless they want to talk about it, don’t ask them their age and salary;

19. Mind your business unless anything involves you directly - just stay out of it;

20. Remove your sunglasses if you are talking to anyone in the street. It is a sign of respect. Moreso, eye contact is as important as your speech; and

21. Never talk about your riches in the midst of the poor. Similarly, don't talk about your children in the midst of the barren.

22. After reading a good message try to say "Thanks for the message".

23. APPRECIATION remains the easiest way of getting what you don't have....