A Matriarch, Remembering One Who Brought Us All Together

Merriam-Webster describes the word as, a woman who rules or dominates a family, group, or state

specifically: a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants. Their use of the word in a sentence brought me to tears because it could not be more accurate in my family. Our grandmother was the family's matriarch.

To me, she was the first babysitter I remember. Golfing three times a week. Hotdogs at "the club" and, movie dates on rainy days. She was the first person I truly ever wanted to make proud. She was a role model in everything she did whether she knew it or not. 

To others she was mom. The chaperon, the chauffeur, the team mom, the shoulder to cry on, the advice you didn't want but needed, the rock in your life. Her smile and laugh lit up every room she entered. She made an impression the moment you met or saw her. 

The fact that she got her degree in teaching never surprised anyone as she always wanted to have a positive impact on those she came in contact with. Her home was always open whether you were the youngest sibling or cousin. Having the best day or the worst. She was whatever you needed her to be. She was summers at the beach, holiday meals, miller-lite and always cake behind the paper towel roll. 

Perhaps the most important thing that Marion passed on to so many people was the importance of community. Her family actively involved in swimming. She was very involved with the Greater Tampa Swim Association as well as the Academy of the Holy Names. She was an avid golfer and a  President of the Emerald Greens Woman's Golf Association. Everywhere she went it felt as if a family followed. 

Her fondest moments were surrounded by her community. Her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, cousins, family, and friends. I still remember to this day the tears that came to her eyes moments when we were all together. Whether it was birthday celebrations, weddings, or holiday gatherings the look in her eyes as a family from across the country came together made it all the more special. 

As my family came together to celebrate the new year, and my uncle's 70th birthday on the sandy beaches of Indian Rocks, we celebrated both my grandmother and grandfather in the only way possible. As a community. 

There were and still are tears, laughs, stories, and memories. About two people and moments that have shaped and continue to shape an entire family. And will for generations to come. 

Marion, Mom, Grandma, GG

Gregor, Dad, Umpah

We love you, and are thinking about you every day. As we welcome in the new year, but never forget those who made not only the last decade but the journey of our lives memorable and brought us together to share it. 

2 Digits and a Decimal

Kanye West, Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, Evan Williams the list goes on and on. What do they all have in common? They dropped out of school at one point or another. I understand that the era that most of these stars were making their names is a different era than that of today but the messages and principles you can take from their stories remains the same.

A college campus during dead week or finals week is not the place to boost your morale. In between mental breakdowns, procrastination, studying, power naps, and exams college students are not in the best state. 

Spoiler: I have never, nor will I ever stress about school.

I was recently with a friend who brought up a valid point while doing a last minute homework assignment, she spoke of a tweet she saw (social media strikes again) "why do we pay thousands of dollars to pay someone to teach us things that ultimately we are just going to go back to our dorm room and google to make more sense of!"

Growing up the son of a teacher/administrator I have always had the inside scoop on the education system at least I thought I did throughout elementary school. Fun fact, it's broken. All the way to the top. 

We grow up in a society in which my dad, a Pre-K through 5th grade administrator, has to talk to 3rd grade parents that want to know how their child will be prepared for college!

Why do six letters determine how successful a young powerful mind is going to be. Countless studies show that an overbearing amount of stress can negatively affect grades more than the rigors of an actual curriculum. I can confirm after 10 interviews in my life, NOT A SINGLE ONE HAS ASKED FOR MY GPA AT ANY LEVEL! 

Why do middle school and at certain high schools' kids come home with more busy work than the amount of work that they have done at school the same day? Students need to be challenged they need to learn. Yes, but about what? In all honesty through high school my best learning experiences were opportunities I made myself. Meeting with students from a school from across the country, Setting up and end of the year internship with a small business. 

Why do college students feel that their GPA is going to make or break their success in their lives ahead?  How is a test or exam on a topic that they likely will not use in their real-world job our benchmark as to how successful someone can be? 

The world is changing, but is our education system changing with it? To quote in my eyes a very revolutionary thinker in the world of education, "the world that students are going to go into by the time they graduate is going to be very different than the world today, so why wouldn't we teach them skills that can transcend time." 

The Holiday No One Should Need

I am that guy this year. It is an unwritten rule what things are and are not okay to discuss over Thanksgiving dinner. I was the one this year to break that rule. In my defense Thanksgiving dinner this year was just myself (the only child) and my parents. My family is spread out across the United States with certain portions of it having meals from coast to coast (literally California and Florida).

Our Thanksgiving meal has been quite small since we moved to Michigan, sometimes consisting of friends other times it is just the three of us, and our vacuum otherwise known as Magic our golden retriever. Meal conversations cover a wide array of topics often football/sports related, or random topics that can come up in conversation such as if my mother was going to be in the Olympics what sport would she compete in.

This year, however, I brought up a topic that in most households would fall under the "not okay to discuss" list. I have never been quiet about my opinions and the stronger I feel about certain opinions the louder I tend to get. This year I touched a topic that I feel might reach more tables than just my own.

"Why is Thanksgiving necessary?"

I may have said this 6 pieces of turkey in, and my mom may have first laughed it off, but I was serious. My dad who has gotten quite good at reading when an issue or a topic is something I am serious about, went silent. He looked at me and asked me to elaborate.

Now don't get me wrong I believe that Thanksgiving is a great holiday and it can teach us a lot about the history of this country. I am just not sure why it is required. When you ask people their favorite parts about Thanksgiving the responses are family, food, friends, time off, relaxation, and unfortunately lastly, giving thanks.

My challenge is why is a day needed for this. If you want to be with your family and friends DO IT! Go be with them! Spend a weekend or even just a meal with the people in your life you love. Don't wait for a day once a year to let them know you love them and how blessed you are to have them in your life. If you need to relax then relax. Understand how precious our time on this earth with people we care about truly is.

Give thanks all the time. I am guilty of this probably more than most. In today's society it is so much easier to see the negative side of things, the why nots, the what I don't have. I challenge you to take a step back. Realize what you do have. What you are thankful for. Do not wait for one day a year.

Not every day is guaranteed.

Disney Part 2: The Most Magical Place on Earth

Known around the globe, "The Most Magical place on Earth" lives up to its name. A staple of Disney's universe, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida has become one of the most popular tourist destinations both domestically and internationally. Upwards of 60 million people visit and stay at the Disney World Resort annually making it the most visited resort in the world.

Walt Disney World comprised of 4 theme-parks, 2 waterparks, and 2 eating/shopping destinations. Has revolutionized the vacation experience. Whether it's seeing Mickey Ear's throughout airports or the smiling faces throughout the parks. Disney has created a world and class of its own. 

Famously known are the four major theme parks exclusive to Orlando. The Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios bring together all the worlds, and characters Disney has created over the past 90 years. 

The lesser known attractions on the 39 square mile, 25,000-acre property are; the water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, as well as the newly renovated boardwalk and Disney Springs areas. With 25 resort hotels that reside on property Walt Disney World Resort has blossomed into its own world. Running this world in the most precise fashion is a cast and crew of over 58,000 that work on and around the property daily. 

The resorts infrastructure is a secret known to only said cast and crew. Walt Disney was adamant that the workings and behind the scenes actions of his creation would not be known to the outside world as it would take away from the experience and magic of the stay. 

The thought and emphasis put into the famous mantra "The Most Magical Place on Earth" is what makes Disney so different. The idea was simple, create a new world. Where kids could dream, and adults didn't have to grow up. The implementation is what made it magical. 

Falling in Love

I fell in love at an early age. I was about 4 when I was first introduced to them. Growing up they weren't far away. I was surrounded by things they made. I traveled the 1 hour and 17 minute drive to see them almost every weekend. I grew up with them. For the rest of my life they will have a special place in my heart. They helped shape me into the fun loving, still a kid at heart person I am. They are Disney.

The Walt Disney Company founded by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney took life in 1920 when a then young Walt Disney began his career as a writer and illustrator. It wasn't until 1927 when Oswald the Lucky Rabbit started what would become the most revolutionizing enterprise the world has seen today.

When Walt's bosses took the rights of Oswald from Disney he modified Oswalds appearance and Mickey Mouse was born! Mickey featured in two short silent films before Steamboat Willie premiered which was the first Mickey Mouse Cartoon. Throughout the 1930's Walt Disney Productions dominated the animation market with additions to Mickey's crew including Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy.

Disney was a success but it wasn't until Walt Disney took the biggest risk to date of the company's short history. That the step to becoming the empire it is today came to fruition. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. With the creation of Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Dopey, Bashful, Sneezy, and of course Snow White The Walt Disney Company revolutionized animation. From the 1940's to 1955 Disney created classic after classic including: Pinocchio (1940), Dumbo and Bambi 1941, and 42, and Cinderella and Peter Pan in the early 50's.


Disney then took things to a whole new level. Flexing his muscles in 1955 Walt Disney and his company opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California. About the same time the company came out with Buena Vista Productions creating total control over his films their production and marketing. Walt Disney and his company continued its ascent throughout the 1950's and 60's growing with Television shows, as well as continued dominance with animated movies.
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Even with all his success Walt along with his company were never financially secure even at his death in 1966. He had however put the steps in place beginning in the early 1960s to create the giant that Disney is today. In 1965 under a multitude of names and companies Disney had acquired over 27,000 acres of barren swamp-land in central Florida. His most ambitious and creative idea to date, The Walt Disney World Resort.

To date Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL attracts over 52 million visitors a year from across the globe. Disney has expanded opening up Disney Worlds in Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Disney on the Film and Television side of things has acquired, ABC, Pixar, and Marvel acquisitions that cost the Company $7.4 and $4 billion dollars respectfully. Disney went on to acquire Lucasfilm from filmmaker George Lucas securing the Starwars series a Disney film. Most recently in a deal finalized this year The Walt Disney Company bought 21st and 20th Century Fox in a deal valued at over $70 billion


Today the place, characters, and people I fell in love with over 15 years ago is valued at over 130 billion dollars.

Media Power

"The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses." Malcolm X might have said it best during the civil rights movement. 50 years ago he predicted power that continues to grow exponentially. In 2019 the power of media and now social media speaks and controls a population motivated by instant gratification.

Instant gratification is the idea the human nature desires instant experience and pleasure or emotion. In short when you want something you want it now. With the 5 to 7-inch black boxes carried in every persons pocket or purse instant gratification is at an all-time high, because it is attainable. At every moment of the day news and communication are available.



In a country built on freedom including speech and press. When that is taken away or the credibility of that freedom is compromised what do we have left? In a survey taken in September of 2019 mass media trust comes in at 41%. In a statement of the hypocrisy in the united states that number actually drops to 30% when you are talking about social media, but 68% of Americans say they still get their news from social media.

Media has been around since the beginning of civilization and it is not going anywhere, and as time progresses its power will continue to grow. The question remains, "with great power comes great responsibility" which will media become. Trust is a hard thing to gain while an easy thing to lose. Once lost it becomes near impossible to regain in the same capacity. In the United States the press and major news outlets have reached a pressing time (no pun intended). As power has been pushed through social media to the forefront of everyone's fingertips. How media will work to regain its status and dependability will determine which impact it will have. Media will remain the most powerful entity on earth, will its power be for good or for evil?

Nothing

I have reached a pivotal moment in my life. I am a sophomore in college a time that is often described as the best time of your life. Yet I have nothing going on. I walked back from a wet and cold practice today and attempted to think of ideas I could write about. I had nothing. So I will write about that nothingness.

I don't have much going on in my life. My weeks repeat themselves. My boredom rises. Every week follows the same schedule (no actually our coaches send out our schedule every Monday). That is the life of a student-athlete. Classes repeat over and over again I struggle to find news and sports articles to read to avoid paying attention in class. Workouts three times a week at various times fill free hours before or after classes. School work falls low on the priority list as you write blogs about how you have nothing going on.


Filling the time left is quite easy for me. I have four options that I keep on a constant cycle. Food is always near the top of the list. Food is double edged sword as you kill more time to both find the food and then eat it. Sleep has become one of my most treasured time killers. The amount of times I wake up in a day can range anywhere from 2-5 times with naps scheduled throughout my entire week. I often hear "all you ever do is sleep" from my friends who know me best. Netflix follows in the cycle and it often is combined with second on this list. As we come up on the anniversary of my best friend Nick and his family allowing me to join their Netflix account I want to reiterate to them my thanks for allowing me to be part of their Netflix family. Lastly is the most boyish of time killers. Video games whether I am playing alone or with friends time seems to slip away as you play video games.

Maybe at some point my life will pick up. I turned 20 in august and maybe my life with take a trip to the roaring 20's it just hasn't started yet. I will enjoy my predictable and scheduled life. As people walk in and out of it maybe certain things will start to change. For now, it is time for a nap.