It’s November 8th and I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since the 2020 election. It feels like only 14 days….
With ballot machines failing to work in parts of both New Jersey and Arizona, California warning that it might be “days or weeks” before calling key elections and Georgia proving that they aren’t implementing “Jim Crow 2.0”, having set an all time record for early turn out, it promises to be an interesting night. My plan? To take a drink every time I hear the phrase “democracy is under attack.” I suspect I’ll be drunk before the polls close.
I hope that what will be looked back on as the moment sanity returned to America is this clip of President Biden encouraging oil and gas companies to invest their profits, stop their buybacks and drill more wells…..
While it is hard to point to a single gaffe or event that may be “the most impactful” during campaigning in the run up to today… I’m not going to lie, if I had to speculate, this is the one. We are in an energy crisis and the messaging from the White House, from shutting down Keystone to releasing reserves from the SPR, has been an unmitigated disaster but when you tweet “this” while saying “that” , even for American politics, it’s 1984-esque.
No matter what happens, the sun will rise, the birds will sing, and tomorrow will be just another day.
I’ve had a lot of special days as a parent. Yesterday was a very special one in particular for me and Ben. In your life, I believe you make four or five pivotal decisions that alter the future and set in motion what will unfold over the rest of your life. What you do after high school is the first of those.
After 4 years of work, countless balls hit and putts missed and made, and with dreams of playing college golf, we hopped on a plane Sunday morning to head to Aurora, Illinois, about 40 miles from Chicago to check out Aurora University, one of the emerging Division III golf schools in the country. At 4,000 undergrads, the school fit Ben’s eye. After his first call with the coach he said “I know who I want to play for.” So with a Priceline economy car booked on the tarmac for $30 a day with paired room at the Holiday Inn Express waiting for us, we headed to the suburbs for a closer look.
When I went through the process with my father 28 years ago, we went to three schools looking to play squash. Trinity College in Hartford, Princeton in New Jersey and Western in London, Ontario. Trinity was liberal arts school so was a no but the coach was recruiting hard (he ended up being my coach at the World Championships and Pan American games when I represented the US), Princeton was $40,000 CDN a year so I politely asked my father to give me the money instead and I would educate myself (he didn’t) and Western, which as it turned out was not in Calgary where I was comfortable and I couldn’t fathom having to drive 5 miles to get to the squash courts every day with a part time squash team. So I stayed in Calgary. I’m pretty blessed with how things have turned out and I wouldn’t change a thing for fear of F@&king it up. BUT, if I was giving advice to my children, my number one piece of advice was “go away to college.”
Ben loved the campus, had a great meeting with the business faculty dean and he encouraged Ben to take a double major in Finance and Marketing. Finally, we met with the golf coach and spent 2 hours chatting and touring. Every time I looked over at Ben, his smile was a little bit bigger.
At the end of the tour, Coach Wyeth said “I don’t need a commitment from the plane, but don’t wait until February 1st, either.” As we left the practice facility and walked to the car, I asked Ben “What you thinking?”
“I really like it here. I want to go here. I’ll call the coach in a few weeks and let him know.”
“Ben. I’m not really one to follow the rules but if you like her, call her. Immediately. What do you have to lose?” He walked back in the building and said “Coach. This is my school. Let’s go win.” We went bowling and played laser tag to celebrate on the way back to Chicago. That day I’ll remember that day as long as I live. Election Day? Not so much.
Congrats, buddy. I’m very proud of you. Go Spartans.
Great post as usual, and even better to hear about Ben. That's an amazing accomplishment. Today is signing day, and my daughter Libby signs for Colorado State in a few hours. The blood, sweat, tears, time, travel, and costs were brutal, but it's a cool moment in time that will set her on a good path. Wishing you and Ben good fortunes!
I enjoy reading your thoughts..thank you for sharing. Best wishes to your son in his future endeavors.