03/17/22 – Radically Rational

03/17/22

No, I’m not gong dancing. I’m not going to the Big Dance. I’m not putting on my dancing shoes. I’m not mad. Cinderella can clean my apartment, but only if she wants to. I don’t want her to wear a glass slipper because of the liability. My one shining moment is successfully turning on the bathroom light at 2:45 a.m. without tripping over Frankie.

But I’ll probably watch some of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament today. I spent about 30 years of my life pretty much HAVING to watch every game. I’m grateful I can be much more selective in my viewing now.

I don’t see a single game on today’s sked that gets me going. You?

Maybe Indiana-Saint Mary’s? Only because that’s a 12-5 and I still speak the lingo enough to know that’s supposed to be an “upset special.”

Yeah, I saw Steph get rolled up by the Celtics’ Marcus Smart Wednesday night. No, I did not think it was a dirty play, and I don’t think Marcus Smart is a dirty player.

Cowboy fans were hoping Von Miller would end up being a “consolation prize” for losing Randy Gregory. No cigar. Except for the big ol’ stogey The Bills Mafia is lighting up. All Buffalo was lacking was a pass-rusher. It just gaut bettah…Be afraid, AFC. Be very afraid.

I’ll set the over/under on how many sacks Khalil Mack gets for the Chargers next year at 11. And I’ll take the over.

A week ago, the Bucs looked lost. But now they’re found. Chris Godwin has re-upped. Chris Godwin is a bad man.

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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.