7 Things I Paid Attention to This Week #007

UFOs, New York basketball, Practicing the Presence, and More.

Hello, my friends!

Well, our Kansas City Chiefs did the unthinkable. Most sports commentators, analysts, armchair quarterbacks, and casual fans said no way the Chiefs beat the mighty Philadelphia Eagles. Our city-wide parade on Wednesday said otherwise. 

Hope you are well, and with spring around the corner, may we leave our winter-cocoons and enjoy some fresh air. 

Here are a couple of things I paid attention to this week:

1. We can’t talk about spring without considering March Madness (college basketball). One of the most beloved mascots in the last few years is not a sweaty dude wearing a Tiger costume. Oh, no. How about a 103-year-old nun named Sister Jean? The chaplain of Loyola Chicago men’s basketball team has written about her life and love for basketball. I’ll most certainly be checking out the memoir of the basketball-nun. Here’s what she said about sports and faith:

“Sports are very important because they help develop life skills… And during those life skills, you’re also talking about faith and purpose… Her motto: “Worship, Work, Win.”

2. How about those UFOs? This is an interesting graphic of all the things flying around the atmosphere. Should we be concerned? I’ll also argue, one of the better UFO movies is Signs. 

3. RIP Tim Carver. If you have any connection to professional baseball, Tim Carver is a familiar voice and face. A brilliant piece from Joe Posnanski on Carver and the beauty of baseball. 

4. Too young to write (too old)? I interviewed Ramona Lee, who wrote her first book at 14, and by 19, she’d written 11 books. An inspirational woman who believes age is meaningless. Here is a helpful quote from John Gardner:

“The question one asks of the young writer who wants to know if he's got what it takes is this: "Is writing novels what you want to do? Really want to do?" If the young writer answers, "Yes," then all one can say is: Do it. In fact, he will anyway.”

― John Gardner, On Becoming a Novelist

5. From the bookshelf: I think Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one of the better films of the last twenty years. It is a meditation on life, age, and what is next when it seems success and career are behind you. Quentin Tarantino wrote a novel to go along with the film and it’s fantastic. I’m also digging a new translation of Practice of the Presence from spiritual writer Brother Lawrence. Fascinating monk from the 1600s in France who sought God in the everyday of life. Take and eat!

6. Eye Candy: I’m deep into the Shaq documentary. He is an interesting Big-Fella with a powerful story. If you like old school basketball, cultural analysis, check out the And One Mix Tape documentary. Some of the greatest basketball players you’ve never heard of. On my list of watches is Empire of Light. Getting much buzz in geeky-film circles. 

7. In the spirit of the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl, I’ll leave you with a quote from the iconic football coach Vince Lombardi:

“People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society.”

Can I get an amen!

Have a fantastic weekend, and remember, “paying attention is our proper and endless work.” 

-Ryan