Month: June 2023

Adam Silver held his annual pre-NBA Finals press conference on Thursday and discussed a variety of topics with reporters, but the piece that raised the most eyebrows was in response to a question about the league’s investigation into the latest Instagram Live video of Ja Morant holding a gun.

Silver said the league’s investigation was done and that they had “uncovered additional information” in it, but they would be holding their decision on further punishment for Morant until after the Finals to keep the focus on the series itself.

That, of course, only raises more questions about what the league has found, but it certainly doesn’t sound good for Morant. On a followup question later, Silver addressed whether the league’s initial suspension was enough and stated it’s incumbent on Morant and the Grizzlies to “create better circumstances” in the future.

Silver would not comment either way on whether Morant would be available to start the season, but just reading the tea leaves here it is hard to imagine the Grizzlies star guard doesn’t miss a fairly significant chunk of games to start next season. We’ll find out in the next week or two what all “additional information” means regarding the investigation, but it seems there is more than just this latest video the league is concerned about.

Adam Silver held his annual pre-NBA Finals press conference on Thursday and discussed a variety of topics with reporters, but the piece that raised the most eyebrows was in response to a question about the league’s investigation into the latest Instagram Live video of Ja Morant holding a gun.

Silver said the league’s investigation was done and that they had “uncovered additional information” in it, but they would be holding their decision on further punishment for Morant until after the Finals to keep the focus on the series itself.

That, of course, only raises more questions about what the league has found, but it certainly doesn’t sound good for Morant. On a followup question later, Silver addressed whether the league’s initial suspension was enough and stated it’s incumbent on Morant and the Grizzlies to “create better circumstances” in the future.

Silver would not comment either way on whether Morant would be available to start the season, but just reading the tea leaves here it is hard to imagine the Grizzlies star guard doesn’t miss a fairly significant chunk of games to start next season. We’ll find out in the next week or two what all “additional information” means regarding the investigation, but it seems there is more than just this latest video the league is concerned about.

Chicago rapper Saba and prolific producer No ID have a promising project underway. This summer, the two will release a joint mixtape called From The Private Collection Of Saba & No ID via Artium Recordings. Ahead of the mixtape, the two have released a new song called “Hue_man Nature.”

On the track, Saba delivers smooth bars over a soft, silky guitar loop, while highlighting the faults of the human condition.

“Damn/I was going through it, didn’t say sh*t / Damn / You was busy asking me for favors,” he says on the song’s chorus.

In the song’s accompanying video, Saba is seen embracing the vibe of a desert as the sunset creates a warm, calming ambiance.

On the upcoming mixtape, fans can expect both of the Chicago heavyweights to share personal stories, while honoring the hip-hop veterans and their legacies. They also hope to pave the way for future generations.

“To be able to have a real career, you have to reinvent your thought process, reinvent your perspective,” said No ID “And you can’t do it sitting on the mountaintop, yelling about what you did. You think you know — and then everything changes.”

You can see the video for “Hue_Man Nature” above.

Times seem grim for employees. Every day seems to bring a new series of layoffs, pay cuts, strikes and…you know, the whole threat of being replaced by robots thing…

Chris Serrano, a creative director who “does all his own stunts,” found himself in one of these abysmal situations after getting laid off.

However, Serrano quickly turned his luck around by thinking outside the box and leaning into his daredevil personality. On his LinkedIn, he posted a video of himself jumping out of a plane with a cardboard sign that read, “Open4Work.”

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“I got laid off last week. So I’ll be freefalling until I find a new gig—literally. If you’re looking for an award-winning creative that works hard, takes risks, and knows how to pack a parachute, reach out. Don’t let your brand plunge to its death. Hire me instead,” he added in the caption.

Can’t say this guy isn’t clever. Or brave.

It wasn’t long before Serrano’s post caught the attention of Jack Peagam, UK- based entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO of the social app Linkup, which aims to authentically connect people based on similar hobbies and interests. Fitting that these two connected over a shared passion for extreme sports.

Peagam seemingly one-upped Serrano’s stunt—videoing himself skydiving with a cardboard sign that read. “Hey Chris, sorry 2 see you got laid off. We’ve got work 4 U. Let’s Link Up”.

In his own caption, Peagam matched Serrano’s knack for wordplay, writing, “Can’t guarantee you a parachute payment, but we’re ready to catch you and launch you into new heights of success. 🪂 ✈️ I’m sure you’ll free-fall in love with what we’re doing. I believe this is the ultimate way to extend the offer.”

Because clearly these two are a match made in workplace heaven, Serrano then shared a subsequent video showing both thrill-seekers signing a new employment contract while jumping out of a plane together.

“When I lost my job, I was a bit nervous as to what could be next, but taking a leap of faith from a plane is sometimes all you can do,” Serrano shared, according to Good News Network.

That leap of faith certainly paid off. Peagam loved Serrano’s “bold” and “daring” ad, telling Good News Network it “featured everything I love about creative talent.” Serrano was also “blown away” by the support he received after posting, from folks sending positive comments to sharing the video across the platform.

While maybe not all of us can jump out of a plane to secure the job of our dreams, there is something to be said for the magic that happens when we use our imaginations and show up as our most authentic selves. Losing a job isn’t fun, but it doesn’t take away the special, unique qualities that we bring to the table. And when we can harness that, often opportunities seem to fall from the sky—quite literally, in this case. Bottom line: even in less-than-ideal circumstances, or perhaps especially then, a dose of optimism and ingenuity goes a long way.

Times seem grim for employees. Every day seems to bring a new series of layoffs, pay cuts, strikes and…you know, the whole threat of being replaced by robots thing…

Chris Serrano, a creative director who “does all his own stunts,” found himself in one of these abysmal situations after getting laid off.

However, Serrano quickly turned his luck around by thinking outside the box and leaning into his daredevil personality. On his LinkedIn, he posted a video of himself jumping out of a plane with a cardboard sign that read, “Open4Work.”

---

“I got laid off last week. So I’ll be freefalling until I find a new gig—literally. If you’re looking for an award-winning creative that works hard, takes risks, and knows how to pack a parachute, reach out. Don’t let your brand plunge to its death. Hire me instead,” he added in the caption.

Can’t say this guy isn’t clever. Or brave.

It wasn’t long before Serrano’s post caught the attention of Jack Peagam, UK- based entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO of the social app Linkup, which aims to authentically connect people based on similar hobbies and interests. Fitting that these two connected over a shared passion for extreme sports.

Peagam seemingly one-upped Serrano’s stunt—videoing himself skydiving with a cardboard sign that read. “Hey Chris, sorry 2 see you got laid off. We’ve got work 4 U. Let’s Link Up”.

In his own caption, Peagam matched Serrano’s knack for wordplay, writing, “Can’t guarantee you a parachute payment, but we’re ready to catch you and launch you into new heights of success. 🪂 ✈️ I’m sure you’ll free-fall in love with what we’re doing. I believe this is the ultimate way to extend the offer.”

Because clearly these two are a match made in workplace heaven, Serrano then shared a subsequent video showing both thrill-seekers signing a new employment contract while jumping out of a plane together.

“When I lost my job, I was a bit nervous as to what could be next, but taking a leap of faith from a plane is sometimes all you can do,” Serrano shared, according to Good News Network.

That leap of faith certainly paid off. Peagam loved Serrano’s “bold” and “daring” ad, telling Good News Network it “featured everything I love about creative talent.” Serrano was also “blown away” by the support he received after posting, from folks sending positive comments to sharing the video across the platform.

While maybe not all of us can jump out of a plane to secure the job of our dreams, there is something to be said for the magic that happens when we use our imaginations and show up as our most authentic selves. Losing a job isn’t fun, but it doesn’t take away the special, unique qualities that we bring to the table. And when we can harness that, often opportunities seem to fall from the sky—quite literally, in this case. Bottom line: even in less-than-ideal circumstances, or perhaps especially then, a dose of optimism and ingenuity goes a long way.

Taking young children on a family vacation seems like a good idea. You leave the house, soak up some new scenery, spend time with your significant other, and most importantly, make memories. Lots and lots of unforgettable memories.

But as the old saying goes, no matter where you go, there you are. Just because you left the house doesn’t mean your children magically learn how to be flexible or sleep in new conditions. They don’t suddenly learn how to wait for the appropriate time to soil their diapers or become curious about new types of food.

You’re still parenting, but this time it’s at a hotel.

Taylor Wolfe, a mom, blogger, occasional comedian and shop owner, hit the nail on the head with a viral video contrasting the split personalities that many parents have while on vacation.

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On one side, the mom is trying her best to be happy, live in the moment and make memories. Lots and lots of memories. However, on the other side, the trials and tribulations of having a toddler seem to get worse while away from home.

@thedailytay

Am I grateful we can take vacations? 💯 Yes. But can I admit they’re not always palm trees and sunshine? Also yes. 🙃 but MEMORIES! #momsoftiktok #foryoupage #momtiktok #vacation

“I’m having so much fun. I’m so glad we did this. Traveling with a toddler is hard, but it’s worth it,” she begins in her parody video.

Smash cut to her looking super stressed out, staring down at her child, who won’t fall asleep. “She’s not down yet. That’s why I’m sitting here. It’s not dark enough!” she yells.

Then we’re back to the happy mom who’s hopeful that her daughter will have a good day at the resort because she had a good nap, so “It’s all good.”

Smash cut to her sitting over her young daughter, “I don’t know why we did this!”

Throughout the rest of the vacation, Taylor finds ways to rationalize her decision to leave the house with a toddler. “There’s seasons of life and this is a hard one. It’s short, but it’s worth it.”

The video struck a chord with a lot of the people in the comments section on Instagram who have lived through the same stressful situation and tried to keep a positive attitude.

“This is why I take a lot of nice photos of my kids on vacation so I can falsely remember that I enjoyed every second of it,” Cartwright wrote.

“That is not a vacation. That is ‘away from home parenting,’” Bestlifeorbust added.

“And then sweardagawd in six months your memories will come up on your phone and you will forget any ounce of stress you had and start planning another adventure. It’s a weird universe trick,” Shauna_Newman wrote.

Shauna may be right. Some studies show that even though raising young kids is particularly stressful, as we move on, we tend to forget the struggles and cherish the good times.

An article by Stephanie H. Murray published in The Atlantic noted that sociologist Daniel Gilbert likens the stresses of raising a toddler to watching a baseball game that remains scoreless into the ninth inning. “Fans remember the thrilling moments of the game-winning home run and not much else,” the article reads.

Taking young children on a family vacation seems like a good idea. You leave the house, soak up some new scenery, spend time with your significant other, and most importantly, make memories. Lots and lots of unforgettable memories.

But as the old saying goes, no matter where you go, there you are. Just because you left the house doesn’t mean your children magically learn how to be flexible or sleep in new conditions. They don’t suddenly learn how to wait for the appropriate time to soil their diapers or become curious about new types of food.

You’re still parenting, but this time it’s at a hotel.

Taylor Wolfe, a mom, blogger, occasional comedian and shop owner, hit the nail on the head with a viral video contrasting the split personalities that many parents have while on vacation.

---

On one side, the mom is trying her best to be happy, live in the moment and make memories. Lots and lots of memories. However, on the other side, the trials and tribulations of having a toddler seem to get worse while away from home.

@thedailytay

Am I grateful we can take vacations? 💯 Yes. But can I admit they’re not always palm trees and sunshine? Also yes. 🙃 but MEMORIES! #momsoftiktok #foryoupage #momtiktok #vacation

“I’m having so much fun. I’m so glad we did this. Traveling with a toddler is hard, but it’s worth it,” she begins in her parody video.

Smash cut to her looking super stressed out, staring down at her child, who won’t fall asleep. “She’s not down yet. That’s why I’m sitting here. It’s not dark enough!” she yells.

Then we’re back to the happy mom who’s hopeful that her daughter will have a good day at the resort because she had a good nap, so “It’s all good.”

Smash cut to her sitting over her young daughter, “I don’t know why we did this!”

Throughout the rest of the vacation, Taylor finds ways to rationalize her decision to leave the house with a toddler. “There’s seasons of life and this is a hard one. It’s short, but it’s worth it.”

The video struck a chord with a lot of the people in the comments section on Instagram who have lived through the same stressful situation and tried to keep a positive attitude.

“This is why I take a lot of nice photos of my kids on vacation so I can falsely remember that I enjoyed every second of it,” Cartwright wrote.

“That is not a vacation. That is ‘away from home parenting,’” Bestlifeorbust added.

“And then sweardagawd in six months your memories will come up on your phone and you will forget any ounce of stress you had and start planning another adventure. It’s a weird universe trick,” Shauna_Newman wrote.

Shauna may be right. Some studies show that even though raising young kids is particularly stressful, as we move on, we tend to forget the struggles and cherish the good times.

An article by Stephanie H. Murray published in The Atlantic noted that sociologist Daniel Gilbert likens the stresses of raising a toddler to watching a baseball game that remains scoreless into the ninth inning. “Fans remember the thrilling moments of the game-winning home run and not much else,” the article reads.

A story out of Woodland, California, a town outside of Sacramento, shows that sometimes, a little empathy can turn a potentially violent situation into a peaceful outcome. According to the Woodland Police Department, it all unfolded at a Bank of the West on Monday, May 22, at 11:00 a.m.

Michael Armus Sr., 69, was waiting in line when he noticed a man slip a teller a note. The tellers looked concerned, and the man who slipped the note had his shirt pulled over the bottom of his face. The man claimed that he had a gun. It was a robbery.

Then Armus noticed something familiar about the man. It was his former neighbor, Eduardo Plasencia, 43, who was also his daughter’s friend.

“I seen that the way he was talking, he was getting irritated. He said, ‘I don’t want to hurt anybody,’” Armus said, according to NBC 15.

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Armus noticed that Plasencia sounded troubled. So, instead of attempting to disarm him and stop the robbery, he asked him some questions.

“He seemed to be depressed the way he was talking, so… I said, ‘What’s wrong? You don’t have a job?’ He said, ‘There’s nothing in this town for me. I just want to go to prison,’” Armus said.

“I felt compassion for the man. What could have happened to this guy to make him want to go in there and just throw his life away?” he told ABC 7 Chicago.

Armus then asked if they could step outside.

“So, I took him outside, and I give the man a hug right here at the doors. He started crying,” Armus said. “Then, I stepped away from him, and swoop, here come all the cops–no sirens, just lights everywhere, rifles out, ‘Get on the ground!’”

The Woodland Police Department later applauded Armus, saying he calmed the would-be robber down and encouraged him not to commit the crime.

“His words of wisdom worked and Plasencia changed his mind and left the bank,” the police department wrote on Facebook. The police later told ABC that Armus is a “Good Samaritan who delivered the right message that made a difference.”

Who knows what would have happened if Plasencia hadn’t left the bank with Armus and been arrested? It’s pretty remarkable that in a situation fraught with so much tension and danger, Armus had the presence of mind to determine the robber’s emotional state and coax him out of the situation.

He also had the compassion to see him as more than just a criminal, but a person who had fallen on hard times and needed some serious help.

“It was meant for me to be here,” Armus told ABC News.

Plasencia was booked at Yolo County for attempted robbery. When police apprehended him, he wasn’t armed, as he had told the bank tellers.

“Thank you to the very brave Good Samaritan who delivered the right message that made a difference,” the police department wrote on Facebook.

Armus says that he may visit Plasencia in jail to see how he’s holding up.

“Love overcomes all things. People don’t realize that. Try to be kind to somebody. It makes a difference,” he said.

A story out of Woodland, California, a town outside of Sacramento, shows that sometimes, a little empathy can turn a potentially violent situation into a peaceful outcome. According to the Woodland Police Department, it all unfolded at a Bank of the West on Monday, May 22, at 11:00 a.m.

Michael Armus Sr., 69, was waiting in line when he noticed a man slip a teller a note. The tellers looked concerned, and the man who slipped the note had his shirt pulled over the bottom of his face. The man claimed that he had a gun. It was a robbery.

Then Armus noticed something familiar about the man. It was his former neighbor, Eduardo Plasencia, 43, who was also his daughter’s friend.

“I seen that the way he was talking, he was getting irritated. He said, ‘I don’t want to hurt anybody,’” Armus said, according to NBC 15.

---

Armus noticed that Plasencia sounded troubled. So, instead of attempting to disarm him and stop the robbery, he asked him some questions.

“He seemed to be depressed the way he was talking, so… I said, ‘What’s wrong? You don’t have a job?’ He said, ‘There’s nothing in this town for me. I just want to go to prison,’” Armus said.

“I felt compassion for the man. What could have happened to this guy to make him want to go in there and just throw his life away?” he told ABC 7 Chicago.

Armus then asked if they could step outside.

“So, I took him outside, and I give the man a hug right here at the doors. He started crying,” Armus said. “Then, I stepped away from him, and swoop, here come all the cops–no sirens, just lights everywhere, rifles out, ‘Get on the ground!’”

The Woodland Police Department later applauded Armus, saying he calmed the would-be robber down and encouraged him not to commit the crime.

“His words of wisdom worked and Plasencia changed his mind and left the bank,” the police department wrote on Facebook. The police later told ABC that Armus is a “Good Samaritan who delivered the right message that made a difference.”

Who knows what would have happened if Plasencia hadn’t left the bank with Armus and been arrested? It’s pretty remarkable that in a situation fraught with so much tension and danger, Armus had the presence of mind to determine the robber’s emotional state and coax him out of the situation.

He also had the compassion to see him as more than just a criminal, but a person who had fallen on hard times and needed some serious help.

“It was meant for me to be here,” Armus told ABC News.

Plasencia was booked at Yolo County for attempted robbery. When police apprehended him, he wasn’t armed, as he had told the bank tellers.

“Thank you to the very brave Good Samaritan who delivered the right message that made a difference,” the police department wrote on Facebook.

Armus says that he may visit Plasencia in jail to see how he’s holding up.

“Love overcomes all things. People don’t realize that. Try to be kind to somebody. It makes a difference,” he said.

While the NBA on TNT had its final broadcast on Monday after Game 7 between the Heat and Celtics in Boston, it wasn’t quite time for Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley to go on vacation just yet.

The two made the trek to Denver to be part of NBA TV’s coverage of the NBA Finals, joining Matt Winer and Grant Hill for their pregame show from Ball Arena and picked up right where they left off, badgering each other across the (very tiny) NBA TV desk on the floor before Game 1.

Part of the conversation prior to Game 1 was the fellas discussing the impact of altitude on opposing teams, with Shaq and Grant being on the side of it being a real factor, while Chuck is not a believer in an altitude advantage. Barkley emphasized that point by scanning the rafters above him before declaring he doesn’t “see no damn Nuggets banners up here” as evidence it can’t be that great an advantage.

It’s a great Barkley bit to refuse to buy into altitude making you more tired. Grant joked at one point that was because Barkley never tried hard enough when in Denver, and Shaq admitted he used to “foul shave” and get two first quarter fouls on purpose in Denver so he could go sit on the bench because he used to get so tired running around at altitude.

While Barkley didn’t agree with the rest of the crew it’s a factor on the court, he was happy to talk about how his golf ball flew farther when he played earlier in the day with Peyton Manning.