I am on the downslope of my life. Hopefully at the top of it, but the downslope nonetheless.
There are just some things I know I’ll never do again, either because I won’t or I can’t. For example, I’m certain I’ll never have another one-night stand. And I cannot imagine a scenario in which I engage in a full sprint ever again, absent a hungry bear.
I’m contemplating climbing another mountain, but after hauling my toddler up every hill and holler in Southern Appalachia for the last two years I know the training will take twice the toll it did a decade ago.
But I’m not sad about it. Not any more at least.
Oh I was bitter for a while. It’s not easy to come to terms with your own mortality, but come to terms we must.
A surgery here, a surgery there, a sneeze and a back spasm. You will be humbled, sooner or later.
Fighting the inevitable is a fool’s errand, and if you fail to accept it you’ll miss its meaning.
As we learn in Ecclesiastes: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal . . .”
Yes getting old sucks, but I can only assume it also has its perks. God doesn’t really do things on accident.
So here’s to a lot of golf, I guess. And Advil.
Sorry to all the ladies who missed out (I doubt it’s that great tbh).
BLOCKBUSTER DIDN'T JUST DIE... AMERICA'S SOUL WENT WITH IT
Remember Friday nights at Blockbuster?
The whole family arguing over which movie to rent.
The smell of popcorn.
The movie nerd behind the counter pushing some obscure Swedish thriller that would blow your mind.
That ritual is dead.
Now we sit in the same room, staring at different screens, watching different shows.
Netflix didn't just kill Blockbuster.
It killed the last place where families had to negotiate, compromise, and experience something together.
Blockbuster was democracy in action. One movie. One screen. Everyone had to agree.
Now mom's watching true crime, dad's on sports, kids on TikTok.
We gained infinite choice and lost each other.
Those late fees we hated? They forced us to return, to engage, to browse again.
Now algorithms decide for us.
We traded human connection for convenience.
And we're all watching alone, together.
It was—and it remains—an enormous national scandal that ought to affect how you regard those who were involved, and the press, for the rest of your life.
AMERICA IS BACK. 🇺🇸
Every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America.
TREMENDA MASTERCLASS
Aquí un niño se planta contra toda la basura woke y su actividad represiva hacia el que piensa distinto. Es más, los boluprogres woke suelen gritar censura cuando se abre la libertad de una opción distinta. Esto es, no les molesta la censura si es para que sus ideas sean las únicas que se tratan, les molesta la posibilidad de tratar otras ideas.
En definitiva son débiles en sus ideas y también en términos mentales y emocionales, ya que ante la mínima competencia y su estrepitosa derrota gritan censura.
Desde mi punto de vista, todo este enorme llanto de los imbéciles woke es porque tienen miedo a que les hagan lo que han estado haciendo ellos a los que piensan distinto. En el fondo lloran porque no tendrán una cancha inclinada a su favor y saben o sospechan que son inferiores y van a ser duramente derrotados.
Así las cosas, quedarán marginados por perdedores y no por censura, pero es más fácil acusar al rival de prácticas ilegítimas (el ladrón cree a todos de su misma condición) que asumir la incapacidad propia.
CIAO!
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1
University officials continue to monitor the Palisades Fire which is now approximately three miles east of the Malibu campus and approaching the area burned in the Franklin Fire, which is 2.4 miles from campus. As the fire moves westward and approaches the burned area from the Franklin Fire, fuel for the fire will significantly decrease.
The Palisades fire has burned more than 11,800 acres but continues to pose no immediate threat to the Malibu campus. The University is also monitoring multiple other fires around the Los Angeles area, which continue to grow but are not a threat to campus.
Malibu Campus Utilities
SoCal Gas has turned off natural gas services to areas of Malibu, including the Malibu campus, as a safety precaution related to the fire. University officials are in consultation with SoCalGas officials, and they are unable to provide an estimate at this time of when gas service may be restored. This utility interruption impacts the use of water heating, central heating, and gas stoves and ovens.
While the campus did not experience a power outage last night, we remain in an area where preventive power shutoffs could still occur. In the event of an outage, the University will share emergency updates through Everbridge, on the Emergency Information Page, and at the main doors to the Lighthouse in the Tyler Campus Center, main doors to the Caruso School of Law, Pier 18 Package Lockers adjacent to Banowsky Hall, and main doors to the Villa Executive Center.
Campus Operations
Today and tomorrow, Waves Cafe and Starbucks will continue to serve breakfast and lunch between 8 AM and 2 PM and grab-and-go dinner service will run from 5-7 PM in Waves Cafe.
Due to the significant wind, the University’s shuttle service has been disrupted. Those currently on campus needing a ride can contact DPS at 310.506.4442 for assistance in arranging one to other areas of campus.
Student Support
The University stands ready to support students who have been impacted by the fire. Students who have lost their off-campus housing and would like to arrange for on-campus housing for the spring semester may contact Housing. Those who have short-term housing or other needs due to fire-related losses may contact the Student Care Team for assistance, which will coordinate support from the University. We are grateful for the generous donors who help us meet needs like these through the Pepperdine Strong Fund.
The Student Health Center and Counseling Center remain open to care for students. Additionally, medical and mental health support are available through the TimelyCare app.
Faculty and Staff Support
The University also stands ready to support faculty and staff who have been impacted by the fire. Faculty and staff should contact Human Resources, which will coordinate support from the University through resources such as the Pepperdine Strong Fund.
Academic Schedule
Seaver College continues to plan to begin Spring Semester classes as scheduled Monday, Jan. 13. The Dean’s office will communicate any changes in schedule if they occur. Graduate schools continue to conduct classes at the direction of their respective deans.
Students returning to campus this weekend will find it accessible via Kanan Road, PCH North of campus, and the John Tyler gate, students should follow directions from law enforcement managing access to roadways.