Fixing Tanking in the NBA
*Note to any new readers (link)
This week I wrote about something a bit different, a plan to fix the issue of team's losing on purpose - known as 'tanking' - in the NBA. It was a little dalliance with sports writing which came surprisingly easy. Maybe it's the countless hours of Bill Simmons pods I've consumed over the last half decade. Anyways, not the main programming, but you can expect just a little more of it over the coming months.
- Last Friday Macy and I got to go to my favorite venue in Denver, the Bluebird, to see Voxtrot, a band that connects us both to our love for the short-lived blog rock scene of the 2000's and early 2010's. Seeing this reunion tour of theirs elevates them to a short list of bands I never thought I'd get a chance to see live but eventually did. The other occupant on this hallowed list is Neutral Milk Hotel, btw, and I'm happy to report that neither disappointed. Anyways, this was additionally special because it allowed me to see one of my 200(ish) favorite songs ever live and in person, and that was incredibly special.
- This photo of Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch looking back at Earth made me feel a deep sense of wonder for our planet and hope for our future. There's a lot of evidence on the ground day to day that very justifiably erodes those feelings, but no progress towards something better has been made without optimism and hope, so I welcome deep wells of both when they're there to be had.
- I checked My Best Friend's Wedding off of my You Haven't Seen X!? movie list and my opinion is unfortunately proving the depths of my wife's love for me - as in she thinks I'm a dummy for not thinking it's great. For me it just wasn't that fun of a hang, with Julia Roberts' character being a true sociopath and all of the other strange interpersonal relationships. I could see why it holds a place in people's hearts from a nostalgia point of view, but for a first time watch in 2026 it wasn't for me. It did help me fully appreciate this all-time Cracked video for the first time though, and for that I'm grateful.
- Much better was A24's The Drama which we saw yesterday. Go see it if you get a chance.
- I was reminded earlier this week in a conversation with a friend about a deep memory surrounding my failure to correctly memorize clouds for a test in the 4th grade. I don't know why this stuck with me, but I think now 20-plus years later it's time I fix that error. This resource from NOAA is where I'm starting. Next time you see me, ask which clouds are in the sky currently - I need stakes here.
- I read this about once a quarter, as it's just gosh darn lovely advice. In order to do hard and worthwhile things: 1) Keep the grand plan in mind, 2) Live in day-tight compartments, and 3) Block out the noise. Whoever this Schopenhauer dude was, he figured some stuff out.
- Finally, and this one is truly for me not you, I'd like to celebrate my Colorado Rockies being .500 at the latest point in the season since 2022. They just swept the Houston Astros and are currently in the mix for second in their division. This will not last, but after losing 119 games last year, I'm happy to see happy fans in the stands. Hopefully they're play will be consistently as beautiful as their stadium soon.
Joey
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