Work In Progress | 12.26.22
Work In Progress Newsletter
Edition 32 | December 26, 2022
WRITE THIS WAY…Greetings and welcome to an exclusive Boxing Day edition of the Work In Progress newsletter! I’m Ryan McCrary, your cornerman of joy. For the last 32 weeks and counting I’ve been scouring the news, interwebs and the occasional archived MySpace page to share stories of hope and joy and triumph.
A Work In Progress Public Service Announcement: During this holiday season please check in with your loved ones. If you are thinking about someone you haven’t seen or talked to in a while, reach out with a text or a call. You just never know how much it is needed during a time of year that can be awash in emotion.
WHAT AM I THANKFUL FOR
I am thankful I saw this Twitter thread. This young woman who was alone and undergoing cancer treatment on Christmas tweeted that she was lonely and reached out to her Twitter family for encouragement and support. What followed was truly inspiring and restored hope for humanity.
THREE DOTS… GOOD NEWS ONLY
In celebration of the Christmas holiday a look back at a selection of some truly remarkable acts of kindness… During his 1968 Christmas special, Rat Pack member Dean Martin gave away more than $100,000 in gifts to hospitals and orphanages… NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal has spread joy throughout his long playing career through his “Shaq-a-Clause” charity, which started in 1992… last Christmas, the 4-time NBA Champion gave away 1,000 consoles to underprivileged children… Legendary singer George Michael gave away the majority of his $200 million estate before passing away on Christmas Day, 2016… Michael donated all royalties from his duet with Elton John “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” to charity… Arizona Cardinals star J.J. Watt has a long history of philanthropic efforts, raising millions for disaster recovery, but also works hard around the holidays spreading joy and gifts to the Mission of Yahweh… And finally, these brothers understood the assignment… A young girl asked Santa for a toy playhouse. The family had limited means, but her brothers had a massive amount of love and creativity.
BEST THING I SAW ON THE ‘GRAM LAST WEEK
Wrap Battle → CLICK
BEST THING I SAW ON THE TWITTER LAST WEEK
Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill, a Subaru and an ice storm… → WATCH
One car tried to drive my hill and Queen Anne and hit all these parked cars who clue down the hill… insane. DON’T DRIVE. #seattle pic.twitter.com/wJsor6byDa
— Kaybergz (@kay0kayla) December 23, 2022
BEATLES STORY TIME
Stumbled across this story told by Paul McCartney discussing John Lennon’s vision. Classic → WATCH
Paul McCartney telling a wonderful Christmastime story about John Lennonpic.twitter.com/gfv60r2316
— HarryHew (@harryhew) December 23, 2022
OTD – DECEMBER 26
Enjoy yet another notable historical snapshot in the latest edition of On This Date…
Notable Historical Moments… In 1982 TIME magazine released its Man of the Year issue, awarding it to… a computer.
Famous Birthdays… Little Red Book author Mao Zedong (1893-1976)… Former US Admiral of the Navy George Dewey… Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith turns 68 and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich turns 59.
Famous Deaths… Two US Presidents passed on… Harry S. Truman (1883-1972) and Gerald Ford (1913-2006)… South African Bishop and 1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu (1931-2021).
Bonus Desmond Tutu Quote: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
SHAMELESS PLUGS
I’ve been working on a Thursday update, called “Thankful”. Think of it as a boost of good news to fuel the end of the week. Latest edition → HERE
I’ve also dropped something I called a “Holiday Timeline Cleanse” to make the season merrier and brighter. Check in out → HERE
WHAT I’M LISTENING TO AS I WRITE
One of the recurring Christmas traditions on the Late Show with David Letterman was Darlene Love visiting to share her classic hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). Here is a mashup of her appearances over the years. It is perfect! → CLICK
The one and only Darlene Love sings "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"🎄(Supercut version) pic.twitter.com/a7oWB5XZKQ
— David Letterman (@Letterman) December 24, 2022
WHAT I WATCHED
I’ve been a fan of Steve Martin and Martin Short since watching the “Three Amigos” in the theater when dinosaurs roamed the earth. After finally breaking down and adding the Hulu app, I binged season one of “Only Murders in the Building”. Great writing and well acted. And Sting makes an epic cameo. Highly recommended.
CLIP OF THE WEEK
Shaquille O’Neal… recreates Christmas movie essential scenes → SAVOR
MY GIF TO YOU
I can’t believe I finished this newsletter… → WATCH
QUOTABLE
“Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind…and that’s what’s been changing. That’s why I’m glad I’m here, maybe I can do something about it..”
Kris Kringle, Santa – Miracle on 34th Street
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!