Do You Read Too Much?

I don’t read books anymore, but I do quite a bit of perusing magazines, internet articles, newspaper articles, and even posted events. And, I listen to/ watch many news shows on the television—and not just FOX, ESPN, CNN, or one of the local channels.

If you know me, you know that quite often I “tease” or “joke around” or make “satirical” comments. However, sometimes, when I discuss “things” with family, friends, or acquaintances, I hear the words, “Man, you think too much. Lighten up! Where do you get all these ideas?”

Did you know? that “Baseball teams make money. If they didn’t, their owners would sell them.”

Did you know? that on “April 12, 1955, one year after the field trial began, the POLIO VACCINE was declared safe, effective, and powerful.” The disease was once a “GLOBAL SCOURGE,” and now it is “on the brink of extinction.”

Did you know? that on March 24, “severe and deadly thunderstorms ripped through the southeast United States”… ..”killing at least 26 people in Mississippi and Alabama”…..and “razed or damaged buildings across the region.”

Did you know? that “Corey Seager, who faced shifts 93% of the time for Texas last year and ranks in the 24th percentile of sprint speed”—”giving infielders backed up on the outfield grass ample time to throw him out”—”figures to benefit mightily” from the new infield shift ban that says that “infielders will have to be positioned on the infield dirt with only two on each side of second base.”

Did you know? that “the scariest part of a landmark new climate report may be what scientists don’t know.” Also, it will be at least six years until the International Panel on Climate Change is expected to “publish another report,” and during that time “it is likely that global warming will surpass the 1.5 degrees Centigrade mark, identified as a danger zone that may trigger some….tipping points.”

Did you know? that “villager, Cao Tinghuai (67 years old), celebrates his donkey’s birthday each year to thank it for helping him in the fields. The donkey is 20 years old”….. and it “is a very important part of our lives, like a family member. So, I (Cao) treat it to traditional homemade wheat flour noodles for its hard work of carrying our loads and tilling our land.”

Did you know? that the “perfect APOLOGY should begin with specific words, accept responsibility, be clear about a plan to repair things, and should not be rushed or expect forgiveness.”

Did you know? that the “Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, cost $97 million and added an estimated $3.5 billion to the local economy.” It opened in 1997 and has had 25 million visitors!

Did you know? that “five 15-year-old girls were in a one-car crash Wednesday”…..”the vehicle had only one seat, for the driver, so there were no seat belts for the passengers.”…..”two of the survivors walked away from the crash without calling 911.” Did you know? that “Jim Valvano and the North Carolina State Wolfpack beat hugely favored Houston on a last-second dunk in the 1983 NCAA Men’s Title Game”… ..”after trailing in the last minute of seven of its nine post-season games that year (including the ACC Tournament) and won them all!” He is still famous for the “message that remains synonymous with him” after the final game: “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up!”

Did you know? that it is the “same great dip, but in a new can.”…..”WARNING: This product can cause gum disease, tooth loss, and cancer.”

I heard or came across all the above the other night as I watched television and read and contemplated. And then, when it was time to go to sleep, I could not sleep……So, I turned back on the television and found some more things about which to think!