The era –
We are in an era of “cancel culture”, defined as engaging in mass cancelling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure on those that are “culturally unaware”. The media and celebrities drive cancel culture, with selective bias on who is cancel worthy verses forgivable. President Joe Biden being the biggest example of such selective protection from cancel culture.
We are in the vaccine era of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic began with the beginning of the year 2020. The vaccine era has brought some return to normalcy as business, sporting venues, and schools are returning to normal operations. The vaccine era has also brought great divide over vaccine mandates to be employed in an era of a major labor shortage.
We are in an era of rising crime, which many believe to be driven by mental health issues stemming from the shutdown of the pandemic, while others believe it is driven by soft responses to criminal actions, or perhaps both. Murder rates, suicides, and violent crimes are on a significant incline.
We are in an era of supply chain shortages and inflation. The biggest shortage concern at present is energy shortages, mainly natural gas shortages as we approach winter months and families need to heat their homes.
On the world front –
The aftermath of the botched withdrawal of Americans from Afghanistan, headlines include:
- ‘Still waiting for what is to come for us’: American University of Afghanistan students face fear and uncertainty
- Americans abandoned: An inside look at the tragic human cost of Biden’s rushed, botched Afghanistan withdrawal
China continues to further its agenda as a world super power and threat to our national security, headlines include:
- China sends dozens of warplanes into skies near Taiwan in largest incursion
- US ‘very concerned” about China’s ‘provocative military activity near Taiwan’
On the political front –
Washington remains in a state of disarray as Democrats are becoming divided among extreme progressive and more centrists ideas. An infrastructure bill continues to be at the heart of the division. The infrastructure bill would be one of the most important pieces of legislature in modern history, bringing much needed infrastructure to cities across the US, but Congress members on all sides have used it to push their own political agendas through with nearly a trillion dollars in spending that is unrelated to infrastructure.
On the US front –
The search of Gabby Petito’s fiancé, a person of interest in her death, continues. The disappearance of Gabby Petito and subsequent discovery of her body has been headline news for nearly a month now.
The death toll of Covid-19 in the US has surpassed 700,000.
American’s have always been heavier on average than citizens of other nations, most American’s have increased the number on the scale in what people are calling the “Covid 19”, referring to 19 pounds gained during 2020. Sadly, I admit, I am one of these Americans.
Texas has completely swung the pendulum on women’s rights with new laws that basically make abortion nearly impossible, and incentives for private citizens to police people potentially having illegal abortions.
The Powerball lottery exceeded half a billion dollars last night in the sixth largest drawing in history, no word yet on whether or not there was a winner. I myself, was not a winner.
Drought conditions have brought major woes for much of the western United states. In Houston, we have been fortunate to have had a good summer of rain. Those west of us have not been at all fortunate.
On the sports front –
In MLB, as we approach the play off season, the Astro’s have been in a bit of a slump, but they have clinched their division.
On the NBA front, I could not even tell you if it is in season. I do know that the NBA has been at the forefront of a lot of vaccine mandate debates. The league has not mandated the vaccine, but they have decided that players who have to sit out of games because of city or state vaccine mandates, will not be paid.
On the college football front, Arkansas’ Cinderella run came to an end before the carriage got to the prince’s ball, with the Georgia bulldogs shutting them out. Alabama restated its position as the number one ranked team with a decisive victory over number 12 ranked Ole Miss. Beyond Georgia and Alabama’s dominance, it is hard to say what other teams will make the cutoff for playoffs.
Brainy Bird’s school, South Carolina, is having a rough season, but they did not come into the season with hopes of being a strong contender. A&M, a playoff hopeful as the beginning of the season, has also struggled with near losses in several games, and an actual loss last week to Arkansas. A&M still clings to a top 25 ranking as number 15.
On the NFL front, the Cowboys are showing signs of life. While we are just three games into the season, no one has much hope for the Texans. Honestly, I am embarrassed by the Texans and their off field issues. Many are surprised to find Kansas City currently last in their division. I think they will still have a strong season. The greatly anticipated match up between Tom Brady as a Buccaneer against his old team and coach takes place tonight. It is a Sunday night football match up that a sport caster’s dreams are made of.
On the social front –
Sadly, we buried Melissa Gerth, our childhood friend on Monday. Melissa was my sister’s best friend and had been for more than three decades. It feels as if a great deal of tragedy has touched all of our lives in recent months.
On a joyful front, we celebrated baby Grayson with an amazing baby shower for him and his mother, Morgan. yesterday. Grayson is due to join us all in December.
On the home front –
Little Chirp is making good grades in school, and he is looking forward to basketball season. He is seriously considering a continuation of his basketball endeavors into high school.
He loves his new kitten Echo. We officially named our kittens, Echo and Whisper. The two are brother and sister from the same litter. They adorably run around the house together all day. They are super social, loving our attention.
Trooper continues to stay close to Potatoe, greeting him with snuggles every morning. Trooper seems indifferent to the kittens, but he is moping around less. Potatoe is not sure what to make of the kittens, but he is super sweet towards them. All four animals are in good health and good spirits.
Brainy Bird is loving his life in South Carolina. He expects to bring home all A’s his first semester, which is impressive given that he has four computer science classes and calculus 3.
I am in a good place on all fronts. I am starting to lose weight and improve my health. The kittens have brought me so much comfort and joy. Knowing the boys are doing well in school and enjoying their lives makes me happy. I am financially secure on all fronts, and I love my job.
Next October, I will look back on this post, and I will provide an update on where we are. In the meantime, I have a sweet doggie and two little kittens to go and snuggle.