18 Comments

I really like this: "It really is a small world. I think it’s always better to leave on good terms."

I will add a wrinkle to that. It is better to leave on good terms, whenever possible.

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I really enjoyed this article. Living in Chapel Hill, NC, a 3 time UNC-CH graduate, and life-time Tar Heel, I am especially aware of all of the individuals referenced in your article and the dynamics of the Duke and UNC 'friendly' rivalry. It was the last part of your article that was unexpected - the information about Saint Peter's. I desperately wanted UNC to win last night. I hated to see Saint Peter's lose. Saint Peter's will remember this adventure - this shiny moment - forever.

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Loved the Coach K story. A little graciousness is so easy, but can take you so far. That intern you go for coffee with to give a bit of advice could be your boss one day, and they will certainly remember you for life. The aide to a no-hope presidential candidate? Future White House press secretary. Connected, I’m very surprised at Chris Wallace trashing Fox now he’s at CNN. I have no disagreement with him on substance but why did he need to say that? He worked for them for 18 years and they paid him a lot. To me, it lacked class - leave graciously and maintain a little mystery. He left for CNN so we can guess these were his views. Why rub it in like this? Oh and I think the Smith-Rock thing was staged - I know I’m in a tiny minority but Smith’s open hand, Rock’s composure and the way he didn’t touch his face afterward. And we’re all taking about it, so it worked!

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That was a great basketball story! I had no idea. I love reading stories like this. We love this time of year of MM - so much youth, energy, talent, and potential. Living in Jersey City it was exciting being part of it all! There was so much energy in the bars and restaurants. Helped put us on the map! Yes - there's no excuse for poor manors and they do go a long way. Don't burn your bridges.

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My initial response to the slapping incident was that Smith should have been removed from the event and denied his Oscar. But, in the time of declining ratings, can we be absolutely positive this wasn't a publicity stunt? We'll never know.

I have to say I'm proud of President Biden for making the remark. The White House should just call it what it was: an off the cuff statement by the President that in no way describes the US policy toward regime change. After all, it's what all decent human beings are thinking.

In the current world environment and as a veteran I am not in favor of any lowering of physical standards in the military. Our readiness and national security depend on maintaining the highest standards.

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Detroit as the pizza capital of the world, hmmm. I’m a New Yorker, raised in the Boogey Down BX, I also moved to Michigan in 2007… yes, I was the one guy to do so that year. Let’s define parameters of what qualifies for a capital? Highest quality? Most pizza per capita?

Detroit does seem to have a pizza place for every two families. Many of these places make very good pies, many look at me puzzled when I ask for a large pie.

Detroit is the home of Little Caesar’s, a chain that offers $5 ready to go pies, NY is the home of slices to go that you fold to eat while walking back to your subway station.

My kids, both born in Detroit, both budding pizza connoisseurs like their dad, are really into Detroit style pizza. A Sicilian, dough heavy kind of meal with crunchy, overcooked edges. I get it, it’s a preference thing, and it has its moments.

Then we have the Chicago style meat and cheese buckets, which if you’re into that, and you’re my age, with a statin on the side can be enjoyable. Many choices here in the motor city, myself, as a New Yorker, back home is the capital, the OG city of pizza.

Detroit, best selection, variety, and something for everyone… but capital? As my ol’ neighbors Tony and Joe Baggs would say, fugghetabouit.

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Personally, I think the Smith/Rock incident was staged.

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There were 2 acts of violence, not just Will Smith punching CR and I’m sad the media is only focusing on WS. First, I don’t condone violence, WS handled it badly. But CR used Jada’s alopecia condition, something she has been vulnerable and honest about how hard this journey has been, CR USED on a public stage, her hair loss as a joke to get laughs. Women, especially black women are held to horrific standards of beauty and the stigma of women’s worth is huge. Body shaming on international TV should be considered violence too.

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founding

Detroit as pizza capital? Well. I read in the NYT the other day that NY was the jazz capital, so I guess anything is possible. Except Google and every other search engine and I all still think Nawlins is the King.

As retired Navy and having grown up on an age/sex graded scale I think the “newer” Army PT test is heading in the right direction. Still not final. To the point of combat ready, it appears those that need to be still will be and everyone else will still need to be fit. Really no big deal. Just politics in the service.

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Born, raised and still in the NY/NJ area I used to balk all the time when someone suggested even trying pizza somewhere else until I happened upon Silver Beach Pizza in St. Joseph, MI. around 10 yrs ago. Not Detroit, but certainly not NY either. On my way from a work event in Tinsley, IL a suburb of Chicago to coach the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Men's Hockey Team at an ACHA D-II Showcase in Kalamazoo, MI, I decided to find a local place for lunch on the Eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Driving around I was surprised to find very little of a shore or lake community. It was either suburban, commercial or light industrial. I decided to ask someone for a recommendation. A woman walking her dog suggested something along the lines of Wendy's or Arby's. Not what I had in mind for some local flavor. I then remembered an App I had heard of called Yelp and gave it a try. It listed a place called Silver Beach Pizza and gave it 5 stars! A pizza joint in Western Michigan with a 5 star review? I just had to check it out.

I don't want to take up too much time or space here so I have included a link to the history of Silver Beach which includes an account of the first manned flight, pre-dating the Wright Brothers in Kitty Hawk by 5 years and many more interesting facts. Anyway, the beach became a destination for not only Michigan locals, but also for Chicagoans looking to escape the city in the summer. There were steamers ferrying passengers across the lake and there was a train that looped down around the coast depositing visitors in Silver Beach with all its rides and boardwalk attractions.

Fast forward to a time when the little used train station basically became an unmanned automated ticket kiosk with space to rent. It was there that I found Silver Beach Pizza which after one visit became my favorite pizza. I would have bet the house against such a thing - and I would have lost!

So, I know now that there is good pizza outside of the NY/NJ/CT area. (I threw CT in there because there 5-6 joints that make the list of 101 best in the US. My favorite being the Colony Grill in Stamford.

Who knows, maybe I'll find a good bagel in Florida one of these days.

http://www.swmidirectory.org/History_of_Silver_Beach_Amusement_Park.html

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4 comments, per your kind invitation to weigh in: 1) The kinder I am, the better I feel. Coach K, it appears feels the same way. Thanks for sharing that story. 2) There should be consequences for Will Smith's behavior. 3) I have not yet decided whether the President's ad lib was calculated or merely a case of passion run amok. We shall see. And 4) Santarpios/Regina in Boston are fantastic, as are numerous New York pizza shops. Do they have pizza in Chicago; I thought it was just dough. And of course, they do not have pizza in Detroit, no matter what you read.

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Great story on Coach K's approach in his letter which reminds me of the old saying "do not burn any bridges" . I've personally applied the phrase "make an immediate impact" as a mantra throughout my Army career whenever possible and have seen it worked successfully for the most part.

Oh and by the way, I am glad the Army's progressing with a new Physical Standards that doubles the three events of the old test. The new PT standards are supposed to align with the occupational physical requirements by specialty or branches. The standards become tricky when it comes to the senior leaders i.e. Generals and Sergeants Majors who will unlikely perform the same duties (physically) as the junior ranking Soldiers but are required by the new standards to perform and pass the same minimum scores for each of the six events.

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I find it disheartening that nice and polite are an option, not the standard...

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Bill, it’s not just a good idea to leave on good terms, it’s imperative! Coming from three decades in commercial real estate, I can tell you stories similar to your above. Going to work with one company and ending up years later with another AND “that guy” who would have been your boss BEING your boss, or him/her working for you! The world is small.

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I am retired and I have always advised younger people to not Burn any Bridges as you never know when that Bridge will be useful in the future.

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Great stories, Bill! Loved reading them. What happened at the Oscars yesterday (Will Smith and Chris Rock!)? BAD joke!

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