02/15/22 – Radically Rational

02/15/22

I think there may have been more social, tribal, collective and personal dynamics going on in that Super Bowl than any of the previous 55. That was some intense stuff. The losers I want to cry. And the winners want to retire. Some souls got wrecked. On both teams. Because even winning just hurt too much. I’m really kind of silent and reverent about this. On a knee, as it were.

You got a problem with that, Cupcake?

I saw guys’ genomes get rearranged. It was at once inspiring and really disturbing. I hope everybody’s family is ok. I saw guys’ shit get deeply disturbed. On both sides. It’s not going to get better today or a week from now. Families, please try to understand. Because he’s not going to be able to explain it to you. Because he doesn’t yet understand it himself. Some souls got deeply disoriented.

On both sides.

I hope I never get so petty and selfish and shrill that I throw a shit fit over the artists chosen for a Super Bowl halftime show. I really don’t think it’s anybody’s duty to cater to me. If folks are entertained, that’s good. I am past anybody’s and everybody’s target demo, unless you’re selling plot, dentures or fiber supplements. I get it. It’s ok. I thought the “shakedown” was unseemly. But the show? Dudes and dudettes, I had three different dips, a cold brew and a truly great football game I was fine.

And genuinely happy for everybody.

I have reviewed the NBC telecast of the Super Bowl. Here’s what I loved about Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. They treated it like a football game. They stayed in their shoes. No hyperventilation whatsoever.

That’s the way you do that.

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.