Work In Progress | 10.3.22
Work In Progress Newsletter
Edition 20 | October 3, 2022
WRITE THIS WAY…
Happy 20th Anniversary to the Work In Progress newsletter! I’m Ryan McCrary, your good joss Jedi. For the last 20 weeks and counting I’ve been scouring the news and interwebs to share stories of hope and joy and triumph. So grab your third cup of coffee and read on for some great motivation and inspiration for your Monday.
BEST THING I SAW ON THE ‘GRAM LAST WEEK
Now this is cross training… This batter collected two hits in the same at bat. Nice technique on the bat flip, too. Such an overachiever! → WATCH
BEST THING I SAW ON THE TWITTER LAST WEEK
World Central Kitchen was founded in 2010 with the following mission: “Wherever there is a fight so that hungry people may eat, we will be there.” WCK is feeding Florida after Hurricane Ian → WATCH
THREE DOTS… GOOD NEWS ONLY
John Cena made more history last week, delivering his 650th wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation… The 16-time WWE Champion began working with the organization in 2010… Remember the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? Back in 2014 the organization used clips of people dumping buckets of cold water on people as a way to raise funds and awareness to fight ALS… Flash forward to today and a new treatment, funded by $2.2 million raised during the campaign… Never, ever underestimate the power of the Magic Kingdom… A man having a bad day asked a stranger – a 100-year old World War II veteran – to go to Disneyland with him… the result is magical! … Now this is an elite Eagle Scout… Meet 14-year old Ben Hayes who recently accomplished something that only one percent of scouts ever accomplish: completing all 139 merit badges… Hayes is autistic and his scout experience helped him develop social skills… In a story seemingly ripped from the script of Armageddon, NASA launched a DART to impact an asteroid measuring a half mile across… Check out the deep impact… Ending long droughts is always satisfying… ask the Seattle Mariners who finally secured their first postseason since 2001 in dramatic fashion.
OTD – OCTOBER 3
Truly a momentous day historically speaking. We will strive for even more excitement next week.
Notable Historical Moments… Reunited and it feels so good… in 1990 Germany reunited with the West German Flag raised atop the Brandenburg Gate on the stroke of midnight… Not guilty verdict returned in the OJ Simpson murder cases in 1995 and Judge Lance Ito once again fades into obscurity… Truth!…Russian exiles, including Leon Trotsky, founded the Pravda newspaper in 1908.
Famous Marriages… Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson tied the knot in Chicago in 1992
Famous Breakups… Another bad day for TMZ and divorces.
Famous Deaths… Turns out she didn’t die in the shower… Psycho actress Janet Leigh (1927-04)… No one can agree when he was born, but Pilgrim leader Myles Standish died on this date in 1656.
Famous Birthdays… World-renowned veterinarian and author of “All Creatures Great and Small” James Herriot (1916-95)… A man drafted by three professional sports leagues and never spent a day in the minors, Dave Winfield turns 71… Legendary blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn (1954-90)… Still twistin… Chubby Checker turns 81… Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee turns 60… No Doubt as Gwen Stefani turns 53.
Bonus Stevie Ray Vaughn → CLICK
Bonus James Herriot Quote: “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”
WHAT I LINKEDIN LEARNED
Another outstanding Coffee With Kim episode featuring a crash course on perfecting your resume and LinnkedIn profile. Some great tips and encouragement from Kim Kaupe. Watch live Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. ET
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: The Coldest Winter by David Halberstam
**One sentence review: “One of the most compelling authors of our time immerses the reader in America’s most forgotten, misunderstood and brutal wars.”
For an Escape: The Prehistory of the Far Side by Gary Larson
**One sentence review: I found myself really needing to laugh and this highbrow think piece delivered over and over again.
ESCAPE POD
My inner history geek rejoices. The American Scandal podcast is diving into the Cuban Missile Crisis. The first two episodes have been compelling. Truly remarkable to listen to history come alive and its relevance to current events. All episodes are available for free on Spotify.
WHAT I WATCHED
I rewatched a movie that perfectly encapsulated my early college years, the Cameron Crowe classic “Singles”. It was like sipping java with friends and strangers in a coffee shop while listening to Pearl Jam. Just a tour de force of a time and place (Seattle) captured perfectly as grunge and angst and flannel – lots of flannel – was emerging in the Pacific Northwest. Check out a brilliant podcast on the movie. → HERE
CLIP OF THE WEEK
You can always rely on talking mimes (?) for the best relationship advice. Here, a mime (Eric Stoltz) waxes eloquent.
MY GIF TO YOU
The drought is over! Hey Now! Hey Now!! Not a .gif, but… it’s my newsletter, so… Mina Kimes with an epic painting of the “Big Dumper’s” walkoff to secure the postseason.
This one’s for you, @TheDaveSimsShow! pic.twitter.com/7VdNiivnsF
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) October 1, 2022
QUOTABLE
“Talent may get you on the field, but it’s effort and attitude that will keep you there.”
Ken Griffey Jr. – Baseball Hall-of-Famer
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!