Paul’s Daily Ration: 08/21/21 – Radically Rational

Paul’s Daily Ration: 08/21/21

As a blogger, I care about spelling. Can anybody tell me definitively whether Al’s last name is Qaeda or Qaida? I figure I’d better brush up on that, since we will once again be talking about Uncle Al.

Uncle Al is gonna be pretty well-armed, too. You know, with our guns, planes, choppers, armored vehicles, etc.

Apparently, “significant progress” doesn’t mean what it used to. Nor does “gone.” But the definition of “lies” remains unchanged.

And here’s a word we’ll be hearing and using for…ever. “Endemic.” Gee, that’s cheery. “En” is almost as depressing as “pan” when it comes to “demic.”

The New York-Boston area is going to take a direct hit from a hurricane for the first time in 36 years. Wow, is there a full moon or something? Oh, that’s right. That’s not a good thing, either.

I’m pretty sure I’d get tired of being the “regular” host of Jeopardy. A onetime guest pop might be ahhite, I guess. “What is ‘ennui’?”

So long to storyteller extraordinaire, Tom T. Hall. I keep trying to believe in love, too.

It’s Saturday. I’m awaiting full FDA approval for Fireman’s 4 Ale. And remember. They nachos. They mine.

And don’t call me “Henri,” Hank.

Tomorrow…I might go….as far as….

But I will not let it bother me tonight.

Peace and happiness to you. Here’s the play. “Let’s all do the best we can. On two. Ready….break!”

What the hell’s wrong with you? You didn’t clap.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.