Work In Progress Newsletter
Edition 18 | September 19, 2022

WRITE THIS WAY…
So excited to share edition No. 18 of the Work In Progress newsletter! I’m Ryan McCrary, currently sitting in pole position for positivity. I’ve been scouring the news to share stories of hope and joy and triumph. And off we go!

THREE DOTS… GOOD NEWS ONLY
Talk about leaving a legacy… Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard was apparently upset to see his name listed among billionaires, so he announced all company profits in perpetuity would go to the Patagonia Purpose Trust to help prevent environmental disasters… Two days later Chip Wilson, Lululemon’s founder, donated $76 million to protect British Columbia’s forests… Another week another tennis icon rides into the retirement sunset… Longtime WIP favorite Roger Federer announced his retirement from competitive tennis and the tributes have been pouring in just weeks after Serena Williams played her final US Open match… Serena and Roger won a combined 43 Grand Slams… Now this is a save… Cadiz star goalkeeper Conan Ledesma rushed an AED from one side of the field to the other to save a fan in cardiac arrest… Ken Rivera delivered a Prime rescue… Rivera was just wrapping up his Amazon delivery route when he saw flames consuming a house. From there he was faced with a language barrier issue before leading the family of six to safety out the back door… Bridging the gap… After a violent Indiana storm knocked out Todd Hagan’s 60-foot wood bridge, the local football team jumped into action to repair it… We close with an inspiring first trip to the school bus for a young girl who epitomizes courage and perseverance.

https://twitter.com/WUTangKids/status/1569312677121474562?s=20&t=TzXmDurf8J_nZX_qm98tQg

BEST THING I SAW ON THE ‘GRAM LAST WEEK
That’s a goooood boy… If you need a reminder of what pure joy looks like… → WATCH

BEST THING I SAW ON THE TWITTER LAST WEEK
Roger and out… Rolex with a stunning tribute…. → WATCH

OTD – SEPTEMBER 19
A lively day historically speaking. We will strive for even more excitement next week.

Notable Historical Moments… New Zealand became the first nation to grant all women the right to vote in 1893… Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” rises to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100… 

Famous Breakups… Brangelina is no more… Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt called it quits in 2016.

Famous Deaths… Forgot to duck… President James Garfield succumbed to injuries suffered when he was assassinated (July 2, 1881) on this date in 1881… Popcorn magnate Orville Redenbacher (1907-95).

Famous Birthdays… Noted Big Red Machine star Joe Morgan (1943-2020)… He’s a talker, Late Show host Jimmy Fallon turns 48… Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons turns 74… Skinny modeling icon Twiggy is 73 today.

Bonus Brangelina Scene from Mr. & Mrs. Smith → WATCH

WHAT I’M READING NOW
For Improvement: The Last Days of Roger Federer by Geoff Dyer

**One sentence review: An intimate behind the scenes view of the last stand of Roger Federer’s breathtaking career.  

Embracing my inner history nerd: A History of Warfare by John Keegan

**One sentence review: A brilliant account of the history of war from antiquity to the early 1990s before the War on Terror entered the lexicon. 

For an Escape: Bride of the Far Side by Gary Larson

**One sentence review: I found myself really needing to laugh and this page turner never fails to deliver.

WHAT I WATCHED
Saturday was Batman Day and I returned to the multiplex to watch the OG of Batman movies with Michael Keaton in his first starring role as the Caped Crusader with Jack Nicholson playing a remarkably creepy Joker. Great experience and so glad I went to revisit one of the biggest blockbusters of my youth. A backstory on one of Keaton’s most famous lines.

ESCAPE POD
Still revisiting one of my favorite podcasts from the global shutdown: The Ron Burgundy Podcast with legendary jazz flutist Ron Burgundy. In this episode, Ron welcomed his brother, Billy Burgundy to the show and, you guessed it… he needed money.

SHAMELESS PLUG
I wrote some words on Seattle’s Geno Smith and his inspiring season debut and even more impactful postgame quote. Check it out! → READ

CLIP OF THE WEEK
ESPN’s SportsCenter has dropped some of the best commercials and here is a collection from the world of golf. You’re welcome! → WATCH

MY GIF TO YOU
That’s a big stretch… always a great feeling to wrap up another dose of positivity!

QUOTABLE
“A brave man is a man who dares to look the Devil in the face and tell him he is a Devil.”
– James Garfield, 20th President of the United States

THIS WAY OUT
Thanks for reading the latest edition of my Work In Progress newsletter. My goal is to spread inspiration and hope in a world that needs both more than ever. My goal is to release these newsletters each Monday – because who doesn’t need a shot of good news to start the work week? Look for a new article on my timeline later this week. Special thanks to Kim Kaupe and Terry Rice for encouraging me to launch this into the universe. As always, feedback is welcomed!