If you are looking for my latest Thursday Rundown, you found the right place. It is that time to run through five topics and hopefully not waste too much of your time. We start serious and then mellow out. Here we go…

Carty Latest – I can report to my readers who depend on me for Sean Carty updates that his first appeal is scheduled for the week of May 4 – May 8. This initial round will depend on the mercy of the principal. Often it is easy to overlook the impact of a hasty and ill-advised decision such as Sean Carty’s termination so here is some perspective: When the contract of the head coach is not renewed, the contracts of all assistant coaches are not renewed either. These parents not only sabotaged Coach Carty’s passion, leadership role, and income source but they sabotaged it for every man on the coaching staff as well. As of right now, there is no one presiding over the football program in an interim role.

Of course this hurts the student-athletes the most. Currently, there are no plans for spring ball. Hopefully Coach Carty is reinstated. Even with the enormous disruption that has been caused he will no doubt be able to pull the team together and use the delusion and selfishness of a small group to make the squad stronger. But could you imagine the catastrophe if the decision stands? Who knows after a coaching search when the replacement would be installed. The summer could very well be halfway over. Implementing a new philosophy, offense, and strength program at that point would be to sacrifice the season. As I have encouraged in the past, please contact the Superintendent of Mead Schools, Dr. Rockefeller, and voice your support for Coach Carty and for the Mead football program. You can contact him via e-mail by clicking here.

In Your Dreams – Earlier this week I was searching the App Store for something that could help me keep an electronic dream journal. During my search I found something even cooler. Dream Talk is a service that captures your rambles while you are unconscious. If you are like me and talk in your sleep, this is a very powerful tool to let you know what you actually say. Before you go to bed you simply press a button and once you say a word the app will immediately start recording. When your babbling stops, Dream Talk stops recording and saves whatever you said. It then resets so it is ready for your next dream-induced conversation. I also use it for what I was originally looking for (dream journal). When I wake up from a dream I just record what it was about by talking into the app. Sure beats the traditional method I used to keep.

This is what the app opens up as.

The Imposter – If you are into documentaries and hard-to-believe stories, “The Imposter” is for you. The film tells the story of a family who had a child go missing in Texas. Three years later they received a call that their son was found alive in Spain. They went overseas and picked him up and brought him back to the states. Although his eye color had changed and he spoke with an accent, the family believed it was actually their son. The documentary chronicles how the mid-twenties man posing as a 16-year-old did his best to blend in before a private investigator revealed the fraud. It is a fascinating and twisted story.

NBA Finals Wish – With the marathon that is the NBA Playoffs here, I have an early preference for who I want to see in the championship round. I would enjoy watching the Golden State Warriors duke it out with the Chicago Bulls. I am a big Steve Kerr fan and I love Golden State’s style of play. When it comes to Chicago, I think it would be a great story for Derrick Rose to lead his team to the Finals after all the trials and tribulations he has been through. Additionally, I would love to see my favorite mascot in professional sports, Benny the Bull, showcase his talents on the league’s biggest stage. Unlike most of my championship picks, this one actually has a chance of happening.

iTunes Spree – Our athletic director recently gave me a $25 iTunes gift card for covering the NCAA Tournament. Really, you are rewarding me for going to the best sporting event on the planet?! Gee, thanks!! Anyway, I have since taken the very kind token of appreciation and used it to buy some songs. With still $15 left to spend, here is my random six-song playlist (editing note: I have had “Blank Space” for a few months now. I didn’t mean to add it to this list).

The songs I purchased with my iTunes gift card.

BONUS: Start of an Odyssey – For the first time ever in Rundown history, I am adding a sixth item. A year ago today I cleaned out my apartment in Missoula, picked up the U-Haul truck, and prepared for the longest drive of my life. The next day my dad and I would embark on a trip that we will remember for the rest of our lives as we U-Hauled it to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Sorry for adding this but I thought it was worth mentioning.

This was me in Missoula exactly one year ago today. We had just gotten our U-Haul.

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Who is ready for Friday tomorrow?! I usually never have long weeks but this one seemed to drag a little. Have a wonderful night and I will catch up with you on Sunday. Don’t Blink.