Terunofuji Haruo, Sumo's 73rd Yokozuna, has retired mid-tournament. His final record is 523 wins, 275 losses, and 231 absents over 82 tournaments. Sumo is now without a Yokozuna for the first time since the January 1993 tournament (32 years ago).

Terunofuji was born on November 29, 1991, as Gantulga Ganerdene in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He was promoted to the highest rank in sumo for the September 2021 tournament. During his 21 tournament run as Yokozuna, he amassed a record of 114 win, 40 loss, and 151 absent with 6 tournament wins during that time.

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My daughter handmade this little tapestry for me for Christmas. I just had to show it off 😁

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James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th President of the United States, leaves behind a legacy defined by his steadfast commitment to humanity, unwavering moral compass, and lifelong dedication to peace and service. Born in Plains, Georgia, in 1924, Jimmy Carter rose from humble beginnings to become a Navy officer, farmer, governor, and eventually a transformative figure on the world stage as the president. His presidency was marked by an emphasis on human rights, energy conservation, and a tireless pursuit of diplomatic resolutions to global conflicts, including his crowning achievement: the Camp David Accords, which brought peace between Egypt and Israel.

Carter's impact extended far beyond his time in the White House. As a private citizen, he redefined the role of former presidents, dedicating himself to humanitarian efforts through the Carter Center. This institution went on to combat disease, promote free elections, and advocated for peace. The work in eradicating Guinea worm disease and advancing global health initiatives came from his belief in the power of collective action for the common good.

Perhaps what endeared Carter most to the world was his authenticity. He embodied humility, integrity, and faith in action, whether teaching Sunday school in Plains, building homes for the underprivileged with Habitat for Humanity, or offering words of wisdom during turbulent times. Even as he faced personal challenges, including his battle with cancer and advancing age, Carter continued to inspire with his resilience and unwavering optimism.

His life is a reminder that leadership is not just about power but about service, empathy, and a commitment to bettering the lives of others. May his spirit inspire us to lead with kindness, courage, and purpose. The thing that absolutely fascinates me is that Jimmy Carter is likely one of the most profoundly Christian people to ever step foot in the White House, certainly in the modern era. He was someone that truly lived his faith every single day, and he was incredibly sincere about it.

And the religious right couldn't stand him because he wasn't the "right" kind of Christian.

We need a whole lot more of that kind of people in this world. People who follow their religious tenants seriously for the benefit of all people.

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Gather around children. I was there, oh so very long ago. It is hard to believe that The Simpsons has turned 35 years old. So much of our society has changed since the early 1990s. At the time, The Simpsons wasn’t just a television show, it was a phenomenon that embedded itself into the collective consciousness with an influence that, in retrospect, feels almost quaint.

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All you need to do today is promote kindness. Remind your coworkers, friends, family, students, and even strangers what it means to be compassionate. Show empathy to someone today - they might really need it. Walk confidently knowing you're contributing to a better world because you choose love over hate.

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We welcomed a new kitten into our house this past week. Sunshine, a 4 month old orange tabby, was adopted from the Humane Society of West Michigan.

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In September 2024, Hurricane Helene became one of the most destructive storms to ever strike the southeastern United States. Originating as a tropical storm, Helene rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane, packing winds as strong as 140 mph. The storm made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, unleashing devastation as it swept across multiple states. Homes were flattened, roads were submerged, and entire communities were left in ruins, as the sheer power of Helene’s winds and rains wreaked havoc in its path.

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It's a bit of a manifesto for me. I know I'm not a musician. I know I'm not a singer. I know I'm not a producer. But I am a storyteller, and I have stories to tell. And, I want to tell them. It is not conventional. I only want to create these bits of my soul and allow me to relive them over and over. I don't have to live my life musically to the sound of other's emotions any more. As I'm making these songs, they've become the only thing I listen to. I've suddenly discovered how to use music as a therapeutic device to help process emotions. Things I never found ways to look deeper at.

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James Earl Jones, the iconic actor with the unmistakable baritone voice, passed away on September 9th, 2024, leaving behind a legacy that spans generations.

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I love writing stories, both short and long, poems, and lyrics. But lyrics can only go so far on paper. I'm very very very socially awkward in person and have made only a few connections over the years. I do not have anyone that can take my lyrics and make music from them. However, by using generated music, I have found a way to use technology and my writing to express myself in a way I could never have imagined before.

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