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Paul Graham: The Top Idea in Your Mind (Do you have attention sinks?)

Hey girls and guys,  I found the space to dive into another powerful essay from Paul Graham. Please find 15 minutes to read and think about ...

Friday, April 29, 2022

FaaFF: Weighted walking around a cricket 'pitch'


A cricket match is played between two teams of eleven players on an oval-shaped grass field. In the centre of the field is a strip of hardened turf 22 yards (20.12 m) long, called a cricket pitch. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be doing a weighted walk around the oval shape of a cricket field, but that has been my Tuesday mornings (of late) in Richmond at Old Deer Park. Tuesday is the day we do barbells at BARCH Richmond: Our gym in the UK. The barbells are not great for this aging body, so I opt for the outdoor beauty of walking the park.

The photo on the left shows a cricket wicket, the three-pronged 'thingee' you can learn about here. The rules of this game are quite complicated for a novice, but I have had fun with some colleagues over drinks listening to lengthy explanations of the different versions of the sport. This seems to be a good site for helping one better appreciate the game: A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Cricket.

It is, by the way, the second most-watched sport in the world, according a quick and unverified Google search:

Top 10 Most Viewed Sports: 10 - NFL, 9 - Basketball, 8 - Golf, 7 - Baseball, 6 - Table Tennis, 5 - Volleyball, 4 - Tennis, 3 - Field Hockey, 2 - Cricket, 1 - Football (ie. soccer.)

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Sunday, April 24, 2022

Dear Harvey: Ernie Els or Ernie the Milk Man 🥛🍼🥛

Through the arches towards the first tee after a sausage bap and coffee in the Potting Shed

Dear Harvey:

Greetings from Bridgnorth, England, home base for an impromptu golf retreat with my colleague Grant McLeod. [Dear Harvey: (Uncle Charlie) McDowell trumped by (Great Uncle Fred) McLeod.] 

If you need a debrief on how GE's LM Wind Power business can better manufacture the world's most giant wind turbine blades, Grant is your man. Before becoming an engineering and design savant, he trained as a pastry chef under Marco Piere White. He's a rare combination of smarts and common sense, with an eye for finding real business challenges and breaking them down in ways that lead to win-win results. Grant loves to golf his ball, so when my plans to be in Liverpool late in the week changed, I rerouted and headed his way. 

Public transportation in the UK continues to be a wonder to this American. At left, awaiting a Thursday late afternoon train from Birmingham Moor Street to Kidderminster for an evening nine-hole match at The Kidderminster Golf Club. Two up with three to play gave a pep to my step until my host rudely went par, birdie, par and took home the yet-to-be-purchased trophy I spotted across from Kidderminster station. (See below.)

We headed to The Falcon in Bridgnorth and had a delicious Indian meal, well-fortified for returning to Kidderminster on Friday afternoon. How did curry become the national food of England?

The next time around, Kidderminster GC was a gPage favorite, keeping my ball in front of me and thrashing the Scotsman 5 and 4. Aghhh, the sweet sound of a steam train engine and the fun of sleeping while replaying solid shot after solid shot.

"Experience the feeling of heritage transport, the rumble of engines, and the smell of steam! Head aboard a vintage steam train and out into Shropshire and Worcestershire on an adventure with the Severn Valley Railway. Perfect days out and day trips for all the family. The home of steam trains in the West Midlands."

Saturday brought more unexpected golf joy at The Astbury Golf Club, founded by rock-and-roll legend K.K. Downing, formally of Judas Priest. We were joined by Grant's friend and fellow club member Martin 'Ecco' Ecclestone, a British 'top man' who makes any day better just by being at his side. There's a joke, an American, an Englishman, and a Scotsman show up for a round of golf . . .

The course offered rolling hills and stunning 'Shropshire' views. It was in excellent shape and plays around a stately clubhouse mansion (Manor House) where Downing once lived. I was Ernie Els for the first three holes, making par on the difficult first, bogie on the second, and par on the third. After a good drive on the 4th, and with a two-up lead, I gave Grant a golf lesson figuring it was just a repeat of yesterday. Upon the green, I send a putt twenty feet past the hole, to which Grant mutters something about a dead sheep, 'It is a still ewe, gPage.' And then the milkman showed up several more times, and I found myself beaten 2 and 1. Grant's handshake came with a good-natured suggestion, 'Stick with making butter and cream and not teaching golf.' Touche!

After drinks and pork pie on the patio, introductions to the Director of Golf, Director of Real Estate, and the General Manager, I dreamed of moving straight into one of the luxury lodges and never leaving The Astbury. Even after defeat, I played the par 3 18th, dead into the wind from 200 yards, full of joy, and wanted to walk straight over to the first and start again.

Taking dead aim,

gPageS with jHop's ball mark and not in Kansas anymore

Finishing par 3 18th played 200 yards into a 20 mph breeze. I'll take the driver, please, sir.

Top Man - 'Ecco'

It is mistletoe!

Can you spot the silver, soon-to-be highly coveted golf trophy?

Letters to Harvey from The Kingdom:

Other 'golfy' scribblings:
"Millions of people were charmed by the homespun golf advice dispensed in Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, a sports classic that became the best-selling sports book of all time. Yet, beyond the Texas golf courses where Penick happily toiled for the better part of eight decades, few people knew the self-made golf pro who coaxed the best out of countless greats -- Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright -- all champions who considered Penick their coach and lifelong friend." - Kevin Robbins, author of Harvey Penick: The Life and Wisdom of the Man Who Wrote the Book on Golf.
"And if you play golf, you are my friend." - Harvey Penick
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Thursday, April 21, 2022

Futbol is Life: ⚽️ Cathy and Sally with Jason Sudeikis in Richmond

"Ted Lasso burst on the pop culture scene in 2020 as a laugh-out-loud, heart-warming comedy at a time when we really needed it. Audiences fell in love with Jason Sudeikis, who plays Ted, an American football coach who takes a job as the manager of a Premier League soccer team in the U.K. (Spoiler alert: He knows nothing about the sport.) A true fish out of water, Ted is a one-man quote machine, delivering one-liners, quips, inspirational messages, and, yes, dad jokes." - 46 Ted Lasso Quotes from the Best Comedy on TV by KATIE BOWLBY, AUG 24, 2021

What are your favorite Ted quotes? I'll start, with the queue from the above article: 

“Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”

Giddy-up and get ready for an exciting season three!

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Monday, April 11, 2022

Make it a Great Aggie Ring Monday

Congrats, Trey, on receiving your ring this past weekend in College Station.

"One of the greatest moments during an Aggie’s time at Texas A&M is the day he or she receives an Aggie Ring. As the most visible sign of the Aggie Network, the Aggie Ring is a unique representation of achievement, as it can only be ordered when an Aggie completes specific academic requirements.

The tradition of the Aggie Ring dates back to 1889, when the first Rings featured the letters “AMC” entwined on the crest. E.C. Jonas, Class of 1894, designed the Aggie Ring that includes many of the same symbols used in today’s design."

We are all proud of you! Here's a fun video that takes me back to my days running sales for Balfour.


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Thursday, April 7, 2022

Cool Golf Graphic Design Work and The Masters

Lucy,

The Masters starts this morning! I love this project you completed for your art class. Hope I can get a copy.

The big story in Augusta of course is Many Eyes on Woods As Masters Set to Begin. In fact, Uncle Ricky shared this yesterday. The year before Tiger turned pro the PGA Tour paid out $75 million in prize money. This year it will be $685 million. Nobody moves the needle like Tiger!

Below are my picks in the UNC Buds pool.

 

And here's a shot showing the back of your project. Perhaps would make for great wrapping paper! (Business idea?)

Love,

Dad


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Monday, April 4, 2022

Make it a Great Monday: Go Heels! Beat Kansas.

 
Lucy May!

Adam Lucas says it best: 

The Mike Krzyzewski era is done and the Hubert Davis era is just beginning and I never want to forget this night, when the University of North Carolina beat Duke 81-77 in the Final Four. The Tar Heels are going to play for the national championship and right now I don't even care, because behind me thousands of Tar Heel fans are still in the Super Dome dancing and laughing and crying and celebrating the most significant non-championship win in Carolina basketball history.

THE TEARS WERE THE MOST MEMORABLE PART OF SATURDAY'S WIN OVER DUKE.

This was painted as the most important game in the rivalry for both sides. But I will never, ever believe Duke feels it the way we do. For many of us this is something we live beginning at birth, but for many of them it was acquired after moving from somewhere else and sleeping in a tent. There is a connection between individual and team that is made in those pre-college years that can't be replicated, and no amount of reading off a cheer sheet can duplicate it.

We are in Barcelona now, where I have Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday team meetings. I'm not sure Hubert's letter carries the same weight over here, but you can bet I will be live in Spain at 3:20AM Tuesday morning.

Go Heels,

Dad

P.S. A rematch of the 1957 title game between the Tar Heels and the Jay Hawks. That was a triple-overtime victory for Carolina over a Kansas team led by the great Wilt Chamberlain. Such mutual respect between our two programs, going back literally to the beginning of the game. Phog Allen, was coached at KU by the inventor of basketball, James Naismith. Dean Smith played for and later coached under Coach Allen. Smith later recommended Roy Williams from his UNC staff for the Kansas job. Coach Williams was 418-101 (.805) at Kansas between 1988 and 2002 and took his teams to four Final Fours. At UNC, Roy was 485-163 (.748) and captured titles in 2005, 2009, and 2017.

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Friday, April 1, 2022

Happy 30th Sally Singletary Wilkinson

Taylor:

I have known Sal for one third of her life now, which has gone so quickly, and she has brought me immeasurable happiness. I have been so fortunate to have all 10 of those years. Every year gets better when I never thought it could, and in so many surprising ways. 

Sal has put out more positive energy in 30 years than most do in a lifetime. She has an incredible capacity for giving, always thinking first of others, and making everyone's lives fuller. I've witnessed this in her business. Especially when clients across the pond want as much of her time and energy as they can possibly get. She is going places!

Mom:

What an incredible boss and mentor you are! Who would have ever thought that I would live in London and crash Sally's world? You are patient, kind, motivating, and incredibly talented. I have learned so much about your career in 6 months and am excited to see how Sally Wilkinson Design continues to grow and flourish. 

Sally, you are an incredible daughter. You have also learned the skill of blooming where you are planted. You have made fantastic new friends in London to add to your special group in Atlanta. You and Taylor are an amazing couple. You truly shine as a daughter, wife, entrepreneur, sister, and friend.

Emily:

I love Sally’s sense of self and exquisite taste. Sally has always known who she is and what she likes. She is a true influence for everyone around her, and I love consulting her on all things. Sally is exceptionally talented and has worked so hard to build her brand. 

Sally is always a lady with a plan! She cares so much about everyone around her being happy and having a good time. Sally is always thoughtful and works as hard on weekend itineraries as she does on her design floor plans.

Lucy:

I love how Sally is crushing her new business!! She is so driven and hardworking. Being 8 years behind her is such a privilege because I get to be inspired by Sally daily! 

Sally is so fun!! She is constantly creating ways to bring us together in the most fun environments! (I can’t wait for JB 2023!!!). She's the glue that keeps us together and makes every time we are together so special! 

HAPPY 30TH, SALLY! I’m lucky to learn from all you do!! 

Kyle:

Thank you for being a strong, confident role model to Emily. I love how she looks up to you and confides in you in all things in her life. I can’t wait for the day you and Taylor officially join us in Austin. It will be so incredible to have you both nearby. 

I had such a fun day with you and Cathy in London when we went out to lunch. I love your love for fine dining and enjoying a fantastic meal. Can’t wait for the next time I visit London. I need to pick out another great lunch spot.

Trey:

I love how great of a big sister you are to Lucy! She always talks about how she looks up to both Emily and you and loves you so much. It is really sweet to watch the three of y’all be best friends! 

I love how kind and inviting you are. Obviously, it has been harder to get to know Taylor and you since we live so far apart, but you both have been really good to me in the short time we have been together, and I really appreciate the effort you both have put in trying to get to know me! And also for helping me with gift ideas when I do not know what to get Lucy! Excited to see you soon! 

Dad:

You continue to amaze and inspire your father. I love how you keep growing both personally and professionally. What you are doing with your business is amazing. And it is not an accident. You put yourself out of your comfort zone time-and-time again, and that is how you grow. From internships in NYC, to Nate Burkus in Chicago, and then to Betty Burgess in Atlanta. It all led to London and Sally Wilkinson Design. The sky is the limit!

Thanks for being such a strong role model to your sisters and your friends. And thanks for being such a great wife to Taylor. You two belong together and it is fun to watch the way your world is full of joy, laughter, and prosperity. Keep it going!

Other Birthday Nuggets for Sally:

29 - Happy Birthday London Sally

28 - WPW #2 and our #1 birthday gal: Happy Birthday Sally!

27 - Happy Birthday Sal Pal

26 - Sally Singletary Wilkinson - Happy Birthday

25 - Happy Birthday Sally Singletary

24 - Happy Birthday Sally Singletary

23 - Sally's 23rd - two word affirmations

22 - Happy Birthday Sally Singletary

21 - No Fooling Around - Sally Singletary is 21!

20 - Happy Birthday Sally!

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Dear Harvey: Grateful is the right word (#GDTBATH)

Harvey on the practice tee at Austin CC
Dear Harvey:

How superb is the new 5G in heaven? Much better than Royal Mail. Thanks for the quick feedback below.

I am on sports fan overload. The Dell Technologies WGC Match Play was a huge success. The course looked terrific whilst watching with my golf mates in England. Congrats to Director of Golf Dale Morgan, Course Superintendent Bobby Stringer, Head Professional Aaron Chileck, Tournament Director Jordan Uppleger, and their respective staff. And special thanks to Head Teaching Professional Ann Marie Gildersleeve, who does a beautiful job keeping your legacy alive on @takedeadaim1899.

The Masters is just two weekends away, and in between is a Blue Blood NCAA Final Four for the ages. North Carolina owns six national titles, Duke has five, and Kansas and Villanova each have three.

I need your opinion on something. Former Duke star and fellow Austin Country Club member JJ Redick had an interesting take on ESPN Tuesday morning.

Redick says:

"I’ve always felt that Carolina fans hate Duke fans way more than Duke fans hate Carolina fans. And the reason is that people that go to Carolina — and there’s a lot of people in North Carolina that are UNC fans that didn’t go to Carolina — but people in North Carolina and UNC fans all over the country, they have an inferiority complex. They have an inferiority complex, and that’s just part of the rivalry.”

Harvey writes:

gPage, I think Mr. Redick might be confused on this, and he did later say he was only stirring the pot, which is something he was quite good at back in the day!

Davis Love Jr. was a great friend, so when DLIII chose UNC I became a Tar Heel fan. I remember Davis telling me about a friend of his, a young man named Mike Jordan, who wanted to learn how to play golf. Mike of course, later became known as Michael, and perhaps one could stop right there on inferiority complexes. #GOAT.

I did a little research, and the data does not seem to support JJ:

    • National Titles: UNC 6, Duke 5
    • NCAA Tournament Appearances: UNC 52 vs. Duke 44
    • Sweet 16s: UNC 35 vs. Duke 32 
    • Elite Eights: UNC 29 vs. Duke 23
    • Final Four Appearances: UNC 21 (1st all-time) vs. Duke 17 
    • NCAA Tournament Wins: UNC 130 (1st all-time) vs. Duke 111
    • All-time victories: UNC 2294 vs. Duke 2214 
    • Head-to-Head victories: UNC 141 vs. Duke 115
    • ACC regular-season titles: UNC 32 (1st all-time) vs. Duke 20
    • ACC tournament titles: Duke 21 (1st all-time) vs. UNC 18

But as you know, I'm not a data driven golf instructor and find the whole trackman thing a bit much. This rivalry is like a putter in the hands of Ben Crenshaw. It is all about feelings or in golf speak, 'feels'.

As to who hates each other the most, that is personal. I would hope there is a mutual respect between true fans of both programs. The rivalry has certainly given us many special moments through the years. I'll leave it to you to fill in the blanks for Mr. Redick. I will say this, that guy could really shoot the rock!

Take dead aim,

Harvey 

Thank you, Harvey, for doing the heavy lifting on the data. You are right about feelings. As for me personally, inferiority is not the right word. A better one would be grateful. I'm grateful to my loved ones who took me to my first Carolina football game and the magic of Stadium Drive in Chapel Hill on a fall afternoon. I'm grateful to my 'UNC Buds' text thread, where we exchange life and death messages throughout every Carolina game. And I'm grateful to live when this rivalry grew to be the best in all of sport.

Go Heels,

gP

P.S. Best vanity license plate (explained here) goes to my good friend Ricky May. And I am told that the second plate below has been ordered by Duke fans in all 50 states.

Down 8 w/17 seconds to go!







Go to hell Carolina, Go to hell



Letters to Harvey from The Kingdom:

Other 'golfy' scribblings:
"Millions of people were charmed by the homespun golf advice dispensed in Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, a sports classic that went on to become the best-selling sports book of all time. Yet, beyond the Texas golf courses where Penick happily toiled for the better part of eight decades, few people knew the self-made golf pro who coaxed the best out of countless greats -- Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright -- all champions who considered Penick their coach and lifelong friend." - Kevin Robbins, author of Harvey Penick: The Life and Wisdom of the Man Who Wrote the Book on Golf
"And if you play golf, you are my friend." - Harvey Penick
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