Hey friends and other human beings! This week, I am back with another edition of Five Things Friday, but this time on a Monday. I hit a snag getting this cranked out on Friday but I really am trying to keep to regular posting. If this is your first time stopping by, this is a list of five things that have been buzzing around in my head this week — be they podcasts, books, news articles, hobbies, games, whatever. This week, I talk about the art of gathering, the Kentucky governor’s race and pirates.
Without further ado, here are five things for this Monday:
1. The Art of Gathering
I started a new book at the urging of my partner. She’s been talking about it for years and I always thought the idea behind it was fascinating, so I’m finally getting to it.
Your life, like mine I’m sure, is full of meetings — neighborhood meetings, volunteer gatherings, work huddles and parties. And some of those can be good, but many of them can be lackluster. The idea behind the book is how to have outstanding, transformative meetings, rather than mundane ones.
I am taking notes for a post to come. I’ve already picked up that much of what differentiates a good meeting from a bad one is the expectations of those who are meeting about what they will get out of that meeting.
It’s also about focusing on the people who are meeting, rather than the things that need to happen in the meeting. I’m excited to dive in and share what I learn!
“Gatherings consume our days and help determine the kind of world we live in, in both our intimate and public realms.” -Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering
2. Kentucky governor’s race
In the media, it’s been called the nation’s most closely-watched race, an election that may point to broader trends in the country or, at least, whether Democrats still have a chance in red states.
There are several points of interest, I think.
First, I believe context is terribly important in Kentucky. The state is constantly referred to as “deeply red” and it’s record in presidential contests, especially recently, bears that out. But it’s critical to note only four Republicans have won the governor’s seat since 1931. It was only in 2017 that Republicans took control of both chambers of the state legislature. And it was only just last year Republicans took the lead in registered Republican voters in the state.
Conservative, sure. But I often feel the need to clarify Kentucky was part of the working class, rural, labor union, socially conservative wing of the Democratic party for a long time.
Second, independent or unaffiliated voters are the quickest growing bloc of Kentucky voters in the state, making up about 10% of registrations. It’s 46% to 44% Republican to Democratic registrations in the commonwealth. On their face, odds for Democrats in the state may seem long, but that’s a large chunk of people in the movable middle.
Finally, all the “mo” is in Beshear’s corner. The indicators for a promising election night all point to the incumbent Democrat. Last I read, he had spent nearly $17 million to Republican challenger Daniel Cameron’s $3.3 million. Even Cameron’s internal polling shows Beshear ahead somewhat comfortably. And Cameron’s campaign, like many at this point of the post-Citizens United era, has been buoyed by allied Super-PACs.
Now, of course, that doesn’t mean anything as far as what will happen with turnout. But I am keen on seeing if and by how much Beshear can widen his win margin, having won by a little over 5,000 votes in 2019.
I’m also looking to see if his coattails have any stretch in them. Democrats in the five other executive offices were roundly trounced in 2019, when even Republican voters rejected incumbent Matt Bevin, but voted Republican down the rest of the ticket. Will the enthusiasm to re-elect Beshear wrench any other offices from the firm grip of Republicans?
This is all to say, go vote! Election Day is Nov. 7 and the polls in Kentucky are open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Don’t forget, there are other offices on the ballot besides governor.
3. Our Flag Means Death
I stumbled upon a show that’s a great mix of silly, witty and rich with emotion. I’ve loved Rhys Darby since his incredible portrayal of the mild-mannered and bumbling manager of Flight of the Conchords.
Fellow New Zealander Taika Waititi was brilliant as the narcissistic CEO villain in Free Guy.
Put them together and dress everyone up as pirates? Sign me up!
The show is a fictional depiction of real life pirate Stede Bonnet. It imagines Bonnet, a wealth landowner who turns to piracy, as someone who is able to buy a ship, outfit a crew and has absolutely no idea how to be a pirate. Hilarity ensues.
Fair warning, like a lot of cable tv shows, this one is quite graphic.
4. Song of the week: We’ve All Got Friends by AJ Smith
Back in August, I went to see The Collection in Louisville, a band I talked about some weeks ago. I was pleasantly surprised by the bouncing energy and talent of the opener, AJ Smith.
This equally bouncy tune has been on my summer playlist. I thought as we fully turn the page on warmer weather and prepare for winter’s frigid embrace, this might be a nice tune to say farewell.
5. Quote of the week
In their propaganda today’s dictators rely for the most part on repetition, suppression and rationalization — the repetition of catchwords which they wish to be accepted as true, the suppression of facts which they wish to be ignored, the arousal and rationalization of passions which may be used in the interests of the Party or the State.
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World Revisited
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