Eight Ball, Two Slices, and a Bruised Ego!

Free Pool Fridays!

I’m not the world’s greatest pool player — in fact, on most nights, I’m lucky if I can make the cue ball obey basic traffic laws — but earlier this evening I was at one of our local private clubs. Now, before you get too excited and start picturing tuxedos, cigars, and secret handshakes, let me clarify: around here, “private club” just means a place where normal folks pay $50 to $150 a year to hang out, have a drink, a bite to eat and good old fashion fun.

The crowd is great — salt-of-the-earth types. I’m a bit of a social butterfly, so I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life: welders, poets, cooks, business owners, teachers, truck drivers, doctors, investors, retired troublemakers… you name it. Everyone’s friendly, though the rare bit of drama usually comes from people who only drop by once every election cycle. I get along with most "normal" people.

Tonight, I went with a friend to play some pool and grab a $12 pizza — which, by the way, is surprisingly amazing. My other friend makes them. (If I ever disappear, check the pizza oven first. Not great for my waistline)

Illustration of pool playing

Now, I’ve played enough pool to know which end of the cue stick to hold, but that’s about it. My friend, on the other hand, plays about as often as a solar eclipse. Somehow, despite this, I barely won — and not by skill, but by divine intervention and my opponent’s questionable aim. I missed so many easy shots I started to wonder if the balls were dodging me on purpose.

Naturally, I went home and did what any self-respecting amateur would do: watched YouTube tutorials. I can put some backspin on the ball, and I can even make it twist and turn a bit, but I have no idea how or why it works — it’s basically pool mixed with witchcraft.

Apparently, this club has free pool on Fridays, so I guess that’s my new training schedule. Well, maybe not this Friday with Halloween.  If you have been ghosted on other fridays and don’t hear from me, it’s because I’m still there — practicing, missing shots, and pretending it’s all part of the plan.

Pools and Billards Overview

Firefighting and its Hazards: Training and Support

Illustration of a firefighter
in the UP

Firefighting remains an essential occupation—one that goes beyond budget concerns and available resources. As those resources become increasingly strained, many communities are relying more on volunteer and part-time firefighters. This shift presents challenges: training requirements must be balanced so that they are rigorous enough to ensure safety, yet not so demanding that they discourage participation. Firefighting is inherently risky, which is why it’s so important to support and encourage those who volunteer or serve part-time.

I often write about firefighting because it helps me stay connected to the challenges and issues firefighters face. Writing also provides an opportunity to raise awareness and prompt discussion about how we can strengthen our communities and improve preparedness. As a trained firefighter that tries to stay involved through seeking grants and responding as much as possible I think updating my own knowledge along with others can help (I found a couple of grants I need to apply).

Volunteer firefighters, in particular, embody community spirit. They respond in freezing winters, scorching summers, and during disasters—often without any compensation. These individuals take personal responsibility to a whole new level. They are there making positive change in the world by being involved.

If you want to donate to an excellent department in the UP of Michigan please send me a message and I will connect you with the right people. Otherwise, consider donating to your local fire department. While budgets are becoming constrained nationally, there is some need to provide additional support in a world of environmental change. 

Anyway, I came across the article below and found it interesting—it highlights some of the many risks firefighters face.

Occupational Hazards in Firefighting: Systematic Literature Review

Time Use and Cooking at Home Increasing: My Apple Pie Competition!

Don't judge the lattice!

 As a bit of a do-it-yourselfer, somewhat health-conscious, and with a touch of self-sufficiency, I enjoy the process of cooking meals from scratch. When I was young, I grew up in a house on land that used to be my grand parent's farm. Many of the people we knew in Bark River, Michigan, made a lot of things themselves. They were part of an older generation still connected to the days when you couldn’t just run down to a large department store. Hopefully, those skills won’t be lost on the next generation, who may only know a world full of technology (Yikes if we ever unplug!).

Sorry—I digress into philosophical pontification. Onto pies!

Cooking at home genuinely improves overall health. As a certified fitness trainer and part-time volunteer firefighter, I try to stay as healthy as possible. Since I also enjoy cooking, it makes sense to prepare many of my own meals. Increasing research suggests that overly processed foods—common in many households—may contribute to health issues like cancer and diabetes. Of course, that’s just a general statement; you should always consult an expert for personalized advice. From my perspective, cooking and eating at home helps you control what goes into your food and tailor it to your taste.

The other day, my friend and I got into a lighthearted debate about who’s the better cook. My neighbor had given me boxes of apples—many of them blemished—so I sorted through them, keeping the best for eating and setting the rest aside for cooking. Most were ideal for baking.

An illustration of a guy
making pie in a cabin.

I gave my friend some apple butter (canning project), which she really liked and said was very well made. Naturally, that sparked our debate. She claimed to be the better cook, and I, of course, said I was. Honestly, she’s probably right—but if I admit that too quickly, where’s the fun in a little friendly competition? She gave me a slice of her pie, which was phenomenal, so I had to make one of my own to stay in the game.

My strategy was to make everything completely from scratch and add my own twist. I followed a similar recipe to the one I’ve shared below (there are many others on the Internet), but I sliced the apples extra small to change the texture and added a bit of maple syrup for a richer, deeper flavor. Next time I will keep my apples sliced in normal size. My crust definately turned out better with a little maple syrup but overall her pie was better. Now I have a competitive leg up on crust!

Easy Apple Pie Recipe

Tip: Eating too many pies likely won't help you achieve your fitness goals! Need a trainer? Send me a message to the right. A hobby. 

Interestingly, I also came across a study showing that more people—especially men—are cooking at home these days. That’s a good trend to see and one worth celebrating.

Trends in Home Cooking among United States Adults from 2003 to 2023: Analysis of American Time Use Survey Food Preparation

The PhD Journey: Sacrifice, Purpose, and the Pursuit of Discovery (National Innovation)

An illustrative picture
of a PhD.
It is meant to be a little 
funny. A library card, knowledge
and theoretical understandings
can help. Scientific
breakthroughs often
come from unique perspectives.

The Value and Challenges of Producing More PhDs

PhDs and researchers are essential for advancing innovation and ensuring that industry stays competitive. However, pursuing a PhD comes at a significant personal and professional costs. Many individuals dedicate over a decade of their lives to higher education, often delaying financial stability and family development. Only a fraction of those who begin the journey actually complete it—and even then, the job market can be challenging. To strengthen national competitiveness, we might consider how to both increase the number of PhDs and ensure that they find meaningful opportunities to apply their expertise toward improving society.

Not Enough Talent

If we seek to remain globally competitive in science and innovation, we must cultivate more PhDs and advanced researchers who can transform new ideas into practical solutions. Earning a PhD requires immense discipline and grit, yet many qualified candidates face barriers rooted in elitism—where pedigree and institutional reputation outweigh actual ability and potential contribution. In a rapidly evolving digital and AI-driven world, innovation depends on opening the restrictive gates that limit access to advanced education and future research. However, expanding access is only half the battle; we must also ensure there are sufficient opportunities for these scholars to use their skills productively. Otherwise, they will gravitate toward roles that benefit private organizations more than society at large. Many companies already rely heavily on foreign PhDs to sustain their developing operations.

Compensation and Retention

Contrary to popular belief, most PhDs are not wealthy. Their career paths differ greatly from those of medical doctors (rich third cousins!). Even after years of study, many struggle to secure tenure-track positions at universities. Those who do often face long hours, high competition, and modest compensation that can lead to burnout. As a result, some leave academia for industry roles that offer better pay and stability. The issue, therefore, is not just producing more PhDs—it’s also about retaining them in research and higher education, sectors that are currently shrinking and facing funding challenges (maybe industry can help with that.). Most people pursue a PhD out of passion for learning and teaching rather than financial reward. The work may not make one rich, but the satisfaction of helping others achieve their goals through education or furthering society's interests can be deeply rewarding.

Barriers to Research

Even when there are enough PhDs, funding for research is often limited or distributed inequitably. Sometimes that makes sense and other times it impacts research development. Paradigms lost. Institutional prestige frequently determines who receives grants and recognition. Yet history shows that groundbreaking discoveries often come from those outside elite circles—individuals with hands-on experience and unconventional perspectives. Many transformative innovations originated not from the “tippy top,” but from those just below, who possessed both insight and determination despite limited means.

One idea worth considering is self-funded research. While impractical in fields requiring substantial capital, it can be feasible in other disciplines—such as certain areas of economics or social science—that demand more creativity than cash. Starting a small business, conducting independent research, fostering academic-industry development, and maintaining intellectual freedom can allow PhDs to create their own opportunities and contribute in new ways where they may have been redireced before. This approach has challenges, but it also offers the potential to make discoveries that traditional funding mechanisms might not support until a clear breakthrough is made.

Looking Ahead

The challenges of producing enough high-quality PhDs, employing them effectively, and supporting their research will not be solved overnight. Multiple interests and stakeholders complicate progress, meaning that change often occurs only when competitive pressure demands it. For many of us, earning a PhD is not just a career decision—it reflects who we are. The pursuit of knowledge and meaning can take many forms, whether through academic research or practical work as a business owner, tradesperson, or innovator. There are many ways to research and development. Ultimately, maximizing national human capital means creating pathways. If the supply is not sufficient or subpar then you have to rethink the process and the outcomes.

The other route would be to get a library card and a list of books and start reading. Some of the best hours of life are in a library with a cup of coffee. Lost human capital might not be particularly helpful to society but $15 for a library card can go a long way in your whole person development. 

US. PhDs Less Diverse

2024 Survey of Learned Doctorates

Gaining or Losing PhDs, Industry-Academia

Uncertain Futures PhDs

*Pools of research from industries, tax free, managed by a group of practioner-scholars, could be used to foster genres of research for industry or societal problems. For example, it may be possible to have companies within a cluster donate to a R&D fund that focuses on industry/cluster challenges or use a similar approach to academic-industry issues. i.e. funding general types of problems industries face. 

Silent Auction Items for Kids @ Corazon de Vida Foundation (Place Your Bid)

Helping others when we can not only makes us better individuals but also makes the world a slightly better place. Let’s be honest—life isn’t always fair. We all know from experience, and from observing others, that sometimes the world just hands you lemons. Depending on your background and circumstances, that basket of lemons can become either a long-term challenge to improve oneself on or a long-term liability.

Orphans don’t get a choice. Many are born into difficult conditions and abandoned for reasons beyond their control. While you and I may not imagine ever making such decisions ourselves, these children never even had the opportunity to make any decisions at all. Supporting orphans, wherever they may be, reflects a deeper sense of human responsibility and compassion.

Personal growth goes hand in hand with helping others. Participating in the silent auction is a small but meaningful way to contribute. I used to visit these children in person, but over time, other responsibilities made it harder to continue. I realize I should renew that commitment. For now, though, I can share this link to support the orphans.

You’ll find a variety of interesting items up for bid—from scavenger hunts and dry backpacks to wine tastings, Baja trips, surf lessons, fitness classes, and more. Take a look and place a bid if something catches your interest. Even a small act of kindness can help make the world just a little better—and many small acts together can move mountains and change societies.

Corazon de Vida Foundation-Silent Auction

You may be interested in donating on my personal MA Orphan Fundraising Page that goes directly to the organization.

Drop Off Locations in Delta County for Unused Medications

If unused or expired medications sit around for too long, they deplete and can pose risks to people. While this certainly applies to veterans, it also affects the general public. It’s important to properly dispose of unused drugs by taking them to a designated drop-off location. This helps prevent accidental ingestion by children, confusion from misreading labels, or misuse for other purposes. The drug crisis remains a serious issue, and safe disposal is one small but meaningful way to help address it.

I received an email on this topic from one of our local veterans’ organizations and was asked to share it. I’m posting it here and in a few other places to help spread awareness.

You can visit the State of Michigan’s website to find locations where you can safely dispose of unused household medications. It appears Meijers, Walgreens, St. Francis Hospital, Escanaba Public Safety and Michigan State Police will take them. Better to be safe then sorry so get rid of them. 

You can find Delta County 
on the Map.

MI Household Drug Takeback Webpage

Map of Household Drugs Takeback. 

Where Art Meets Nature: Reflections from Michigan’s North

Apparently, I’ve been taking more pictures lately because I’ve been spending more time outdoors and getting involved in different activities. Naturally, that means more photos — and I’ve even sold a few more than usual. My paintings, however, haven’t sold in a while. The issue is probably one of two things: either marketing or skill. I’m leaning toward needing to polish my skills a bit more. 😬 Most artists don’t become famous until after they’re gone anyway — might as well make someone else rich! Move over, Picasso! Pabo Picasso Biography

Speaking of which, I came across an interesting study suggesting that people should do a better job of teaching about the Great Lakes coasts and their environmental impact. Generally, the more people know about their environment and how to protect it, the healthier it will be overall. Perceptions of Great Lakes Coastal Change highlights this point well. Perceptions of  Great Lakes Coastal Change

One thing I can say about living in the U.P. is that there’s no shortage of hiking trails, coastline, and outdoor activities. If I had a young family, I might even consider starting a business here just for the quality of small-town life. 

The picture can be found at......The UP Great Lakes Coast