QUICK HITTERS:

1. Happy Memorial Day weekend! In honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, I’m recommending a book about the most fatal of all US conflicts: the Civil War. Hymns of the Republic, by S.C. Gwynne, tells the story of the final year of the Civil War. Gwynne is one of my all-time favorite authors, and this book gives incredible insight into what led the Union to finally get its act together and defeat the Confederacy.

   

2. Make America Smart Again t-shirts are now on sale from SilentPunt; here. Do NOT buy one of these just to be nice to me. I made them for fun to see if I could. Shout-out to one of my former players, Connor Wagner, for help with the design. Conner is crushing it as the creative director for DePaul Men’s Basketball. If any fellow writers need help with design, you can check him out here.

   

3. Lots of AI and ChatGPT talk these days. I found this short clip particularly frightening. (You don’t need an Instagram account to view.)

   sharjahef

   

   A post shared by @sharjahef

   
   4. This got me thinking, could ChatGPT write something in my voice? I fed it some information about myself and my daughter and asked it to write a poem. Then I wrote a poem. I’ve woven them together below. See if you can figure out who is who…..

   GOING DEEP:

   An Ode To My Beloved Daughter

   Bruh, That Is So Mid

   .

   The music drifting softly from her room, 

   A melody of feelings, raw and true. 

   Sometimes it chases shadows, banishes gloom, 

   Sometimes it dreams of skies forever blue. 

   .

   Cheer music rages, as the shower runs,

   Need an XL sweatshirt? Cause she’s got tons.

   Once a toddler, so sweet in years of ‘ol,

   “Whatevs. Door Dash me an acai bowl.”

   .

   She navigates the currents of her age, 

   With grace and strength I didn't have at all. 

   Turns a new, independent, vibrant page, 

   And stands up bravely, answering freedom's call. 

   .

   When she was young, oh so eager to please,

   Whatever the task, completed with ease.

   Take out the trash, make sure your room is clean,

   “Seriously Dad, why are you so mean?”

   .

   She questions, challenges, and makes me think, 

   Beyond the comfort zone I've come to know. 

   Upon the very precipice, the brink 

   Of womanhood, she's starting now to grow.

   .

   I am wrong, yes wrong all of the time,

   When did being right, become such a crime?

   Dude with two degrees, left out in the wild,

   “Oh my god Dad, you are like, such a child.”

   .

   And as she carves her pathway through the years, 

   My love will be a constant, steady guide. 

   Dispelling any doubts, erasing fears, 

   Forever walking proudly by her side.

   .

   I get dumber by the minute - oh well,

   My love of her is where I choose to dwell.

   Her love for me, was never to be feared,

   “Eww Dad, why do you have to be so weird?”

   ___________________________

   Leave me a comment:

   Does this sound like any teenagers in your life?

   ___________________________

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