Work In Progress | 1.9.23
Work In Progress Newsletter
Edition 34 | January 9, 2023
WRITE THIS WAY…
Greetings and welcome to the second 2023 edition of the Work In Progress newsletter! I’m Ryan McCrary, your resolution reveler. For the last 34 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.
WHAT AM I THANKFUL FOR
I am thankful for the dramatic and inspiring recovery made by Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills. In a week full of congressional chaos, the nation came together in support of this young man’s fight to live. Hamlin’s first question when he woke up was “Did we win?”. Dr. Timothy Pritts’ response was equal to the moment: “The answer is yes, Damar, you won. You’ve won the game of life. Hamlin is now selling “Did We Win?” t-shirts to raise money for first responders and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. → READ
THREE DOTS… GOOD NEWS ONLY
Sometimes the small acts of kindness truly resonate… Meet Brittany Lobier-Vervisch, a science teacher, who like thousands of others, was struggling to find her bags at Tampa International Airport… When she encountered a pile of thousands of bags and started texting the owners using phone numbers listed on the bag tags… A bovinus natural gas revolution! Scientists in England have developed the first tractor fueled by, ummm… cow pies… The New Holland T7 Methane Power LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is promoted as “allowing for a more circular economic model in the most circular of industries”… British nuclear scientist Gary McKee ran 365 marathons in 2022 and raised more than one million dollars for the Macmillan Cancer Support and West Cumbria Hospice at Home… Grand talent meets grand piano… Meet 11-year old Jude Kofie, who was gifted a grand piano after Bill Magnusson, a piano tuner, heard Kofie playing a keyboard… Kofie is the autistic son of Ghanaian immigrants and Magnusson wanted to ensure Jude’s talents were able to flourish.
BEST THING I SAW ON THE ‘GRAM LAST WEEK
This is what pure joy looks like. Matthew suffers from cerebral palsy, but he just got accepted to Harvard. Go get it, Matthew! → CLICK
BEST THING I SAW ON THE TWITTER LAST WEEK
In Buffalo’s first play since their teammate Damar Hamlin’s injury, this happened… → WATCH
CHILLS.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 8, 2023
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/9uXnx91reb
Nyheim Hines wasn’t done yet, and returned another kickoff for a touchdown in the third quarter, becoming the first to return two to the house in a game since Seattle’s Leon Washington returned two against the Chargers in 2010. → DEJA VU
NYHEIM HINES' SECOND KICK RETURN TD OF THE DAY.
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
📺: #NEvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Zuxd3911Wt pic.twitter.com/hrsxcc29Hv
OTD – JANUARY 9
Enjoy yet another notable historical snapshot in the latest edition of On This Date…
Notable Historical Moments… Encouraging people to not look where they’re walking… Steve Jobs announced the first edition of the iPhone in 2007… Do ya’ punk… do you? Rawhide premiered on CBS in 1959, starring a ruggedly handsome actor named Clint Eastwood… Quite the gamble… Major League Baseball officially banned hits king Pete Rose from Hall of Fame consideration in 1991.
Famous Birthdays… Watergate mastermind Richard M. Nixon (1913-94)… Forever first mate, Gilligan actor Bob Denver (1935-2005)… Ants marching, indeed… Dave Matthews turns 55… Normal for a Royal?… Kate Middleton turns 40.
Famous Deaths… Actor and comedian Bob Saget (1956-2022)… Sacre Bleu!… France’s last monarch Napoleon III (1808-73).
Bonus Dave Matthews Band Performance: “Sweet Emotion” cover!
Bonus Dave Matthews Quote: “But then there are magical, beautiful things in the world and there are incredible acts of kindness and bravery and in the most unlikely places, and it gives you hope.”
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
WHAT I’M LISTENING TO AS I WRITE
You dear readers will be relieved to know I have finally shelved the Christmas music, until at least August. Now I have reluctantly moved on. As I write, I am listening to Van Morrison’s Greatest Hits. Not a bad way to start the week! If you are so inclined → CLICK
WHAT I WATCHED
Think of it like “Chucky” without Jennifer Tilly and the gore. Had another Work In Progress staff outing to watch “M3gan”. I was not exactly sure what to expect – my only exposure to the movie was seeing creepy wide shots of blondes dressed as the main character at various sporting events. M3gan is an AI doll paired with its “primary” and it learns to listen, watch and learn. You’re not going to believe this, but there are some issues. To be clear, I blame the bluetooth. A fun movie which pairs great with popcorn and pizza. I give it 3.5 stars.
CLIP OF THE WEEK
Just your typical, everyday Amish DUI stop… “The horse knows the way home…” → SAVOR
MY GIF TO YOU
A brief recap of my Monday so far… → WATCH
QUOTABLE
“Soon, I’m going to meet somebody around my own age, and she’s going to be smart and beautiful, and I’m going to date her daughter.”
Bob Saget, Comedian
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!