Work In Progress - December 5, 2022

Work In Progress Newsletter | Edition 29 | December 5, 2022

WRITE THIS WAY…

Greetings and welcome to an altogether new edition of the Work In Progress newsletter! I’m Ryan McCrary, your arbiter of the amazing. For the last 29 weeks and counting I’ve been scouring the news, interwebs and the occasional bit of microfiche to share stories of hope and joy and triumph.

THREE DOTS… GOOD NEWS ONLY

Making history on the pitch… While much of the world was renewing conversations on what constitutes offsides, Julianne Sitch led the University of Chicago men’s soccer program to its first NCAA Championship… In doing so, Sitch, who also serves as an assistant coach for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL,? became the first female head coach to win an NCAA men’s soccer title, achieving the feat in her first year at the helm of the Maroons…? Securing a place in House history… Hakeem Jeffries was unanimously elected as leader of the House Democrats becoming the first Black person to lead a major political party in Congress… Jeffries made an important connection during his introductory press conference, recognizing Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968, representing the same neighborhoods now served by the 52-year Representative… Marty McFly, Oscar winner… One of the greatest actors of the late 80s/early 90s, Michael J. Fox earned an honorary Academy Award for his advocacy work which has raised $1.5 Billion for Parkinson’s research. It is estimated that his films, led by the Back to the Future series juggernaut, have generated nearly $1.9 billion at the box office.

BEST THING I SAW ON THE ‘GRAM LAST WEEK

There is no shade quite like Army-Navy Game shade… → CLICK

BEST THING I SAW ON THE TWITTER LAST WEEK

What… you’ve never seen an ibex chilling in the Alps? Well, correct this oversight immediately! → CLICK

WHAT AM I THANKFUL FOR

I am thankful that a side called the “Socceroos” made it to the knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup before falling to Lionel Messi and Argentina 2-1 Saturday. Messi, notably scored his first goal in a World Cup knockout stage for the Argentinians in his 1,000 career appearance while earning his 169th cap. Australia sheeted Tunisia (1-0) and Denmark (1-0) to advance after being skewered by France (4-1) in the opener.

BEST THREAD OF THE WEEK

One of the things I am thankful for on a weekly basis is Rex Chapman. A truly electrifying basketball player, Rex battled personal demons before emerging from the ashes to inspire with a Twitter feed that all started with one simple question: “Block or Charge?”. This week Rex asked one of the most important questions of our time in his typically fearless way… What is the greatest Yacht Rock song? → A THREAD

For the record, my top-three Yacht Rock songs: Come Monday, Jimmy Buffett; Mexico, James Taylor; Yah Mo B There, James Ingrahm & Michael McDonald

OTD - DECEMBER 5

Enjoy another truly momentous historical snapshot in the latest edition of On This Date…?

Notable Historical Moments… Apple Records released “Band on the Run” and Paul McCartney and Wings topped the charts in seven countries in 1973… Ocean’s Eleven starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle (and, if my shaky math works, seven others) debuted in Westwood, CA in 2001…?

Famous Deaths… Very stable (musical) genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91)... Always looking to make a good impression… founder of the Impressionist movement, French painter Claude Monet (1840-1926)... South African political prisoner, president and Nobel Prize recipient Nelson Mandela (1918-2013).??

Famous Birthdays… Scholars have struggled for decades to find interesting details about the eighth President of the United States, and… alas… I’ve got nothing to add to birthday boy Martin Van Buren (1782-1862)... With apologies to Ollie North, still the most notorious Lieutenant Colonel in United States Army history… George Armstrong Custer (1839-76)... The only employee in the entire company allowed to rock a mustache… Walt Disney (1901-66)... A wop bop a loo bop a lop ba ba… Little Richard (1932-2020)... Groundbreaking Korean comedian Margaret Cho turns 54… Future Hall of Fame quarterback and two-time Super Bowl winner Jim Plunkett turns 76.

Bonus Old-Timey Conspiracy Theory: Flight 19 the “Lost Squadron” of five torpedo bombers and 14 airmen lost east of Florida in the “Bermuda Triangle” in 1945.

This Tweet Didn’t Age Well: “There are not enough Indians in the world to defeat the Seventh Cavalry.” - George Armstrong Custer, Lt. Col., United States Army

WHAT I WATCHED

Please indulge me and allow me to be yet another person urging you to watch Andor. It is simply one of the best limited series I’ve ever watched. I am a Star Wars nerd from way back (and a nerd from even way backer) but let me assure you this is a self-contained series featuring amazing storytelling and remarkable acting performances. All 12 episodes of season one are streaming exclusively on Disney Plus.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO AS I WRITE

I’m still binging on Christmas music and today, it’s the Ray Charles yuletide collection. His “Spirit of Christmas from the iconic Christmas Vacation movie is so powerful. Give it a listen → HERE?

CLIP OF THE WEEK

DO YOU LIKE APPLES?? One of my favorite movies about math and relationships premiered 25 years ago today with the release of Good Will Hunting. As someone who has always had an adversarial relationship with simple math equations, it gave me hope to see geniuses also had their own separate set of issues. Breathtaking performances abounded, but none more mesmerizing than the late, great Robin Williams. → WATCH

SHAMELESS PLUG

Last week, I detailed the many things I am thankful for. If you haven’t read it, correct the issue immediately by clicking → HERE

MY GIF TO YOU

Live look at me trying to wrap up today’s newsletter… → WATCH

QUOTABLE

“The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer

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!?