Welcome to the Shorty Club!

In this cozy corner of contemplation, where the air is thick with the aroma of?bourbon?and the gentle wisps of a?cigar, we gather to muse upon life’s curiosities. Here, there are no rigid rules, no prescribed paths—just the ebb and flow of conversation, like the amber liquid swirling in our glasses.

Bourbon Whiskey: Our faithful companion, aged to perfection, whispers tales of oak barrels and distant Kentucky hills. Each sip carries the weight of history, the warmth of camaraderie, and the promise of shared secrets.

Cigar in the Ashtray: Resting gracefully, its ember glowing like a distant star, the cigar invites reflection. Its fragrant tendrils weave stories of contemplation, of pensive evenings spent unraveling the threads of existence.

And so, my fellow Shorty Club members, let us raise our glasses—whether they hold bourbon or simply the elixir of thought—and toast to the musings that bind us. Here’s to wit, wisdom, and the delightful randomness of it all. P.S. If you happen upon a particularly intriguing topic, feel free to share it with the club. We’re all ears (and taste buds).?

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May 18, 2024

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Do the Hustle

The smell of fresh paint and Pine Sol filled the empty hallways. Desks and chairs stacked outside of classrooms waiting for the newly polished floors to dry. Down the hall, I stood among my peers waiting in line. It was August 1983 and the humidity level in New York was high, as was my anxiousness. As an incoming freshman, this would be the first of my annual physicals necessary for sports participation, namely football at this point. I looked around and, being a transfer from a Catholic grammar school, did not know many others in line. I did notice that most seemed older than me. Was I in the right line? Could all these “men” be trying out for the same team as me? The line moved slowly and finally it was my turn. A quick look over by the doctor, height, and weight and then “drop your pants, turn your head and cough”. ?This caught me off guard, but I did as I was instructed. The doctor scribbled something on a paper, handed it to me and I left. I glanced at the paper “Cleared for all sports”. I passed, although I never really doubted it. My joy suddenly faded when I looked at the height and weight – 5'5"and 118 pounds. I walked over to the equipment cage and handed the coach my medical form. He gratuitously took it and then set about issuing me all the necessary gear. I was on the team – all 118 pounds of me.

Once practice started the next day, double sessions mind you, I knew I was overmatched as I battled on the gridiron. While my speed was exceptional, I did not pass the proverbial eye test for the coach. I was a boy among men, and I thought what could I do to stand out? I learned the answer quickly. Hustle, work harder than the next guy, win every sprint, get up after getting steam rolled by the linebacker that outweighed me by forty-five pounds. I did that, day in and day out all season. Did not play much at all and by the end of the season I was down to around 110 pounds soaking wet with an anvil in my back pocket. But I learned a great lesson and a lot about myself. I knew I could outwork about anyone on that team, and I had too if I ever wanted to play. The next season, I had grown and put on weight, and continued to work hard year-round. By senior year I was a captain and small Division 3 programs were seeking me out to play at the college level.

Sports taught me a lot about life, both as a player and a coach. I have been part of the championship teams and also the so called “doormat” ones and both experiences taught me resiliency and hard work. We are all not gifted with athleticism, size and natural ability to go out and dominate on the field. In life off the field, we are not always the smartest or most talented in our profession. We respond and close that gap through working hard and a never give up attitude. We spend more hours in the gym, on the field, in the classroom, and yes, in the office, as necessary. Herb Brooks, legendary hockey coach who won the 1980 US Olympic Gold medal, stated “Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits." Profound words and ones I found to be true. As you approach each day, whether at the top of your game or an up and comer, hustle while you wait. Seize opportunities to improve, even incrementally, each day. Reflect on what works and what does not and produce a plan to better your situation. Set goals and mini goals – the kind you check off weekly or monthly. Those mini accomplishments keep you on the path to achieving the bigger goals, even if you are the undersized freshman as I was.