I was right with you until you threw shade at Denny's, but I did finish the rest of the article because I knew you'd make me laugh, however skewed your view of fine dining establishments.
I didn't realise Denny's was still around. Haven't seen one in...decades? But then again, I rarely go back to the US, my experience is limited to New Hampshire and South Carolina. It's all Friendly's up north, Waffle House down south. Cracker Barrel everywhere.
Fun fact: I once had a waitress serve me and my family the only meal we could find while traveling and stranded in a small town in Arizona on Christmas eve. This woman worked her Xmas eve delivering our meal with incredible kindness without a shred of resentment on the evening she had to spend, NOT with her own family, as a bottom of the totem pole server in the franchise, and I've never felt the holiday spirit more in my life.
Henny and Paul, were you guys feuding about Rocky IV? I missed that. But I was just writing about the Rocky series for a future piece and I think that’s the only one they didn’t film in Philadelphia, so that’s probably a sore point for you Henny!
Also, this was hilarious, I don’t follow the NBA but it’s quite a good story. I know all about Steve Ballmer though, he was legendary back in Seattle when he took over as Microsoft CEO. Microsoft did their own version of under the table pay by forcing out employees and hiring them back as contractors so they didn’t have to follow all of the employment laws.
I know, this Tommy Gunn character was really bizarre at first. But the whole thing where Stallone cast his actual son, and then Tommy developed into a real prima donna—somehow it felt real to me.
Henny I should also double block you for calling it Rocky 5 and not V :)
Yeah Ballmer, Paul Allen, and Bill Gates all have/had pretty bad reps around Seattle. People seemed to like Satya Nadella when he took over though. He did study at UW-Milwaukee so maybe that’s why people like him?
Well Henny’s wrong (hope he doesn’t see this and block me!)— Rocky IV was the worst in the series. Stallone cast his future wife Brigitte Nielsen and she was terrible for the role, and the Dolph Lundgren character was the shallowest opponent Rocky ever faced. But I’m preaching to the choir!
I enjoyed Rocky V though even though it got terrible reviews so what do I know.
Very basically, the team invested that amount of money into a company, which the company then used to pay the player (that exact amount!) for him to be a spokesperson for them. Which he literally never did.
Appreciate that Diane! That was my goal, to make it readable for non-bball fans. Honestly, I’m not a big NBA fan, but there is just something about this story that I find fascinating.
The fact that I, knowing jack about basketball, could understand this post enough to laugh the entire time is a testament to your writing skills my friend. Now I want Denny's, and I feel more ready than ever to jump to black and white conclusions like a good American! And "Nuance is for Communists" really needs to be a t-shirt 😂
Also, thanks for the comment. I really debated doing this piece for that exact reason. I’m not a huge basketball fan either but I’ve just been obsessed with the story. Such a great example of what is happening in our country right now when it comes to the dynamics of power and media.
SO educational and enlightening!! I'm not big into pro basketball so I didn't land on this story until the verdict, BUT next time I need a plan I'll review this perfect example. 👍👊
…had the laugh when the ballmer $30M number was put in comparison to his $150B wallet, the equivalent of your typical joe getting a bike parking ticket for $35…the wide flattening of information, flat earthening as ai slopmageddon continues, definitely shines lazer light show on the pink floydian us and them of it all…there is no us anymore, but wisconsin dells fudge if there isn’t an increasing number of thems…looking forward to uncle dennis’s substack podcast…
Uncle Dennis’s Substack…count me the Wisconsin dells fudge in!!!
In an early iteration of this piece I considered doing the math on what that fine would be like to a normal person, like percentage wise. Then I realized I’m terrible at math.
I loved everything about this, and I'm only aware of basketball because my son is an avid NBA follower. Your insights apply to other areas of my life, however, and, as always, I love your sense of humor. Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll share it with my son.
I was right with you until you threw shade at Denny's, but I did finish the rest of the article because I knew you'd make me laugh, however skewed your view of fine dining establishments.
I LOVE Denny’s!! My go to is a half order of nachos, buffalo chicken strips, & Diet Coke!!!
But I’ve never had to wait for a table 😉
I didn't realise Denny's was still around. Haven't seen one in...decades? But then again, I rarely go back to the US, my experience is limited to New Hampshire and South Carolina. It's all Friendly's up north, Waffle House down south. Cracker Barrel everywhere.
Maybe Denny’s fill in the rest. I miss Friendly’s. I think there was one here in Wisconsin when we first moved here but I haven’t seen one in forever
Cracker Barrel is not everywhere. Not even one in the commie Bay Area.
Fun fact: I once had a waitress serve me and my family the only meal we could find while traveling and stranded in a small town in Arizona on Christmas eve. This woman worked her Xmas eve delivering our meal with incredible kindness without a shred of resentment on the evening she had to spend, NOT with her own family, as a bottom of the totem pole server in the franchise, and I've never felt the holiday spirit more in my life.
I’ve had similar experiences, kinda makes you feel great and sad at the same time
Our local Denny's is now a "dispensary." Try dining on that.
Ha!
Not an NBA fan. Good thing it’s just the NBA. The other sport’s couldn’t possibly be like this, too. My sports world is therefore clean and pure
This has put you back in my good graces friend. Rocky IV be damned 🤣🤣
Henny and Paul, were you guys feuding about Rocky IV? I missed that. But I was just writing about the Rocky series for a future piece and I think that’s the only one they didn’t film in Philadelphia, so that’s probably a sore point for you Henny!
Also, this was hilarious, I don’t follow the NBA but it’s quite a good story. I know all about Steve Ballmer though, he was legendary back in Seattle when he took over as Microsoft CEO. Microsoft did their own version of under the table pay by forcing out employees and hiring them back as contractors so they didn’t have to follow all of the employment laws.
Blocked and reported.
🤣🤣
Rocky 5??!!?!!? Joshua I’m speechless.
I know, this Tommy Gunn character was really bizarre at first. But the whole thing where Stallone cast his actual son, and then Tommy developed into a real prima donna—somehow it felt real to me.
Henny I should also double block you for calling it Rocky 5 and not V :)
RIP Sage Stallone
(he was objectively terrible in this film however)
And Tommy Morrison for that matter!
Shocker, he was a crook then too?? 🤣🤣
Yeah Ballmer, Paul Allen, and Bill Gates all have/had pretty bad reps around Seattle. People seemed to like Satya Nadella when he took over though. He did study at UW-Milwaukee so maybe that’s why people like him?
I didn’t know that!!
Henny loved it, I did not. I think we will learn to live with it, though.
Well Henny’s wrong (hope he doesn’t see this and block me!)— Rocky IV was the worst in the series. Stallone cast his future wife Brigitte Nielsen and she was terrible for the role, and the Dolph Lundgren character was the shallowest opponent Rocky ever faced. But I’m preaching to the choir!
I enjoyed Rocky V though even though it got terrible reviews so what do I know.
Preach. I called it a Ronald Reagan infomercial.
Your guide to being a retarded judger of "evidence" is spot-on.
1) I don't believe it.
2) OK, but those are just allegations. There is no official determination.
3) I knew it all along.
In basketball, one great player really CAN make the difference, but only if he's got supporting players. Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen.
Yeah not like football. Archie Manning comes to mind. Barry Sanders too.
It's tough to find unbiased reporters. Love the 28 mill under the table. How does that work? Buy a laundromat?
Very basically, the team invested that amount of money into a company, which the company then used to pay the player (that exact amount!) for him to be a spokesperson for them. Which he literally never did.
Ohhhh! It’s like an endorsement for Coke but he never went in front of the cameras. I want that job.
Exactly!
Awesome post, Henny! I don't follow basketball, but what a story. You've definitely done it justice with your hilarious take!
Appreciate that Diane! That was my goal, to make it readable for non-bball fans. Honestly, I’m not a big NBA fan, but there is just something about this story that I find fascinating.
So, Darla, which are your thoughts?
Darla just wants to nap in piece, without her little brother Maverick nipping at her ears
The cheek of that cheeky Beagle!
The fact that I, knowing jack about basketball, could understand this post enough to laugh the entire time is a testament to your writing skills my friend. Now I want Denny's, and I feel more ready than ever to jump to black and white conclusions like a good American! And "Nuance is for Communists" really needs to be a t-shirt 😂
I love that t-shirt idea!!!!
Also, thanks for the comment. I really debated doing this piece for that exact reason. I’m not a huge basketball fan either but I’ve just been obsessed with the story. Such a great example of what is happening in our country right now when it comes to the dynamics of power and media.
Henny, you are on fire lately! This was as brilliant as your whole line of thinking!
Your too kind friend, too kind I say!!
Just when the Clippers finally got their own arena.....
Right?!?
SO educational and enlightening!! I'm not big into pro basketball so I didn't land on this story until the verdict, BUT next time I need a plan I'll review this perfect example. 👍👊
Thank you, Henny!
I’ve been embarrassingly obsessed with it. Clearly 🤣
…had the laugh when the ballmer $30M number was put in comparison to his $150B wallet, the equivalent of your typical joe getting a bike parking ticket for $35…the wide flattening of information, flat earthening as ai slopmageddon continues, definitely shines lazer light show on the pink floydian us and them of it all…there is no us anymore, but wisconsin dells fudge if there isn’t an increasing number of thems…looking forward to uncle dennis’s substack podcast…
Uncle Dennis’s Substack…count me the Wisconsin dells fudge in!!!
In an early iteration of this piece I considered doing the math on what that fine would be like to a normal person, like percentage wise. Then I realized I’m terrible at math.
“Nuance is for communists.“🤣
This whole Clippers situation is like Martin Scorsese made a movie called “TallFellas.”
I loved everything about this, and I'm only aware of basketball because my son is an avid NBA follower. Your insights apply to other areas of my life, however, and, as always, I love your sense of humor. Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll share it with my son.