A CLOSER LOOK …

with Anthony Newcombe

Publishing Date: June 19, 2024

CATEGORY: SPORTS

ISSUE: WHO DECIDES MAJOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP T.V. SCHEDULE ?

I love golf a lot, but I can’t help after the U.S. Open this past weekend to ask: why do they think that showing the players that have ZERO CHANCE of winning is a good idea?

I mean, if we’re already playing on a diabolical course, with a par 71, why the heck are we covering players who would have to shoot, well, 51 (Note: never accomplished to date in golf history) to compete with the leader who’s still asleep in his rented, golden bungalow at –7?

Seriously, I just turned it off and did a bunch of yard work until the guys with any chance teed off like 6 hours later! At least there was no “chores guilt” with my decision.

I’m trying, as usual, to keep open-minded on this subject. But I just can’t wrap my head (cover) around the concept of asking me to sink into my couch for all morning plus all day coverage involving players who have looks on their faces much like MINE on the back 9 during our “weekend hack-a-thons.”😕 😕

TIMEOUT ….

>>> Swing thought💭💭 when behind by 20 strokes >>> When is this whole thing going to be OVER so I can get back to the clubhouse and drop a cold one (or six) in my belly?! 🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤🥤

Luckily for the network(s), they had an interesting finish. Hang in there “Rors,” and congrats to those who actually COMPETED in the darn thing! Let’s keep trying to improve … ALL OF US!

What do YOU think?

H.A.G.S !! 🌞🌞

-A.N.

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer. He can be reached for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.

“SURGE PRICING,” “DYNAMIC PRICING,” ETC.

(And whether they all perhaps are just different terms for, well, “GOUGING”)

I don’t know about you, but I think this one might be well worth a shout down. Just imagine being a businessperson and suddenly being able to decide at what time(s) of day (or night) that you would choose to charge for a price for your product or service?

First, I completely understand the “wish” for this to occur, but what makes no sense whatsoever is how it all fits into a lawful and fair process for those who PAY YOU for your product or service.

Let’s take ***a closer look*** … @ some PRICE SURGES!!

Case Study: The Donut

Peering in from the customer side of things, I would think that a customer who buys a donut at 5 a.m. (before the morning rush) would expect that, with surge pricing, he or she should obtain the BEST price for the donut purchased. This, not only because said donut is certainly “fresher” at 5 a.m., but also because LESS people are competing to purchase the donut at the time. A different argument could say that the customer should pay MORE because it was just made and will taste best at this hour.

So, where does that leave us? Should the donut be MORE expensive at 5 a.m.? Or, should it be MORE expensive around 7 a.m. when the traffic numbers are much higher? At any rate, trying to even give intelligent answers to these questions seems like a recipe for disaster and it looks like the only places these matters will end up in are the courts!

RELEVANT LINKS

UBER 🚗

https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/03/business/dynamic-surge-pricing-nightcap/index.html

Wendy’s 🍔

https://apnews.com/article/wendys-surge-pricing-tanner-burger-dynamic-9417bc235bbcd13d82966d04a6ba42bd

Jet Blue’s Latest: ✈️

https://viewfromthewing.com/desperate-jetblue-ups-ante-with-new-record-high-dynamic-pricing-for-checked-bags/

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer. He can be reached directly via our CONTACT PAGE.

How about an AI CEO?

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe

This month: Here’s an idea: let’s build an A.I. replacement for CEOs!!

You’ve heard it, I’ve heard, we’ve all heard it recently. “Artificial intelligence is going to replace me, and no one is going to be able to do anything about it!” Whether it’s Hollywood writers & actors, as well as other creators of duplicative content or services, it seems everyone is at risk of being replaced (substituted?) by AI.

WHY THIS MAKES SENSE

Call it alarmist, paranoid, or anything else you wish. The fact is that it’s coming – and FAST! I recall when I was very young going to the movies and seeing Westworld with Richard Benjamin and a very intimidating Yul Brenner. I might be too proud to say I was shaking in my boots, but let’s just settle on the fact that I NEVER forgot that movie. If only I’d known that it was simply a precursor …

Fast forward to today. It seems the only working people who are the most frightened by this concept are those whose decisions are being made on their behalf. Combine that with a general lack of trust for those in charge and BOOM – we are left with the anger, disbelief, and anxiety that is here.

CONTENT CREATOR P.O.V. VS. CEO P.O.V.

I think about things like this all the time. As a content creator, I understand fully the importance of “having a say over my creation(s).” Conversely, as a CEO, I understand the need to stay ahead of the business/technology curve and to keep costs in check, etc. However, in this situation, I’m going to side with the creators. I’m going to do this for the purposes of this blog entry simply BECAUSE-I-CAN!

THE WRAP UP

Finally, I’m going to propose that we embark on inventing a brand-new CEO in A.I. It won’t be overpaid, it won’t chastise and intimidate its workforce, and it won’t force others to (Return to Office or “RTO”) drive to the office every day should they prefer to work from home (WFH).

Pretty cool, huh? You’re welcome.

What do YOU think?

Hope your very hot summer is not so horrible.

Stay hydrated.

-A.N.

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer. He can be reached for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.

Golf is FUN!!

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe

white round medication pill on green grass field — *Photo: Credit to Markus Spiske on Pexels.com*

This month: Golf’s Hole-In-One

It might be … it could be … IT IS!!

Wow! You did it! What a feeling!

A – HOLE – IN – ONE!!

It doesn’t matter if you make one at a par 3 course, a full-length municipal course, a private course, or a tournament course, there is a certain type of celebration that only one type of shot generates. That, of course, is the HOLE IN ONE celebration.

Everyone in the vicinity turns into sort of an antique: they freeze, gawk, point, and then applaud the golfer who brings them this once in a blue moon moment. From some old timer during a skins round on a retirement course to Tiger Woods during a professional tourney, witnesses in general go completely bonkers for this privilege.

Not to brag, but I was fortunate enough to make not one but TWO holes in one in an 18-month span. Unfortunately for my playing partner, he had to witness both. And he’s a much better golfer than I’ll ever be.

My philosophy: try to hit every pin I see (sucker-pin or not!). His strategy: shoot within a 10-foot circle of each pin. So, though he rarely (if ever) posted an 11 on his par-3 holes (like I have), he also didn’t give himself too many chances at an “Ace.” No risk, no reward I’ve seen somewhere.

While watching the final round of the Players Championship today, make a note of the percentage of fans hanging out on the island hole, number 17. If asked, I’m sure most of them would admit they are diabolical weekend hacks who are just waiting to see a millionaire pro hit a bunch of balls into “the drink”/ a.k.a. “lake” surrounding it.

Others will admit they are looking to witness only the 23^rd or so (don’t quote me, it’s close enough) ace in a professional round at TPC Sawgrass since its inception. Few, it any, will drop their tee ball into the “Sunday hole location” in the back right swath of the green. But, if it does somehow, you will witness absolute BEDLAM. So, do what we all do: grab a snack, a cool beverage, an anticipate “the ace.”

It is, from one hack to many others reading this, THE MOST amazing moment in golf. Of course, that’s IF you have the guts to go for it!

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author and narrator, and weekend golf hack who has broken more windows than he’d ever admit. He can be heckled on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere online. He’s one of those who doesn’t believe in “bad publicity.”

SLAMMING HOTEL DOORS!

Don’t you HATE them?!!

A Closer Look…

with Anthony Newcombe

**Let’s take a closer look … @ SLAMMING HOTEL DOORS!!**

🚪This month’s topic: BOOM!

Why do hotel doors cause so much of a racket when closing?

No matter the quality, rate, or general cleanliness of a hotel, they all seem to have one irritating trait very much in common: Their room doors make a ton of noise when they close! Be it coming or going, all we hear is BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

WTF?

Think about it: when’s the last time you visited even a 5-star property that, well, won’t wake you up with a better success rate than the cheap alarm clock or the unreliable automated operator call?

In fact, I just completed back-to-back trips in completely different cities (and hotels) and both times I was awakened by the constant slamming of some jerky in the hallway either having a really late night out or trying to get to the airport just in time to find out his flight was cancelled.

Solutions

Did the hotel chains ever consider hiring Rolls Royce to design their doors? RR has a pretty good reputation for designing doors that assure “soft landings.” Or, how about Sub-Zero? Their iceboxes (does “icebox” date me?) seem to be pretty quiet when I open (and close) them for my sleepwalking snack(s). I know, it’s probably a bit pricey. But you’d think that being in a copycat industry, SOMEONE might have already figured this one out. Spoiler Alert: they have NOT.

You’d think the hotel chains would be excited about this. Then, they have something better to promote than “free breakfast and Wi-Fi” offered! They really do need our help, folks.

Any ideas?

-A.N.

Happy fall quarter!

See you next month

Profile

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur. He is also a published author and narrator and a full-stack web developer. Anthony can be reached for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe 👀👀

October’s topic:

The “Cottage Industry” has caught up with me (finally)

20-plus years working in a remote setting … and wouldn’t change a thing!

Well, it took a while, but what can I say: I TOLD you so! Well, not entirely. I spent much of my time since 1999 believing I had to keep some sort of secret or something. I asked myself:

Will they ever find out that I tend to wear shorts and sandals during my business calls and videos?
Do you they know that have no interest in driving downtown for any reason at all? Including closing giant deals?

Will they be mortified if one of my little ones barges into my home office and vomits mac and cheese all over my desk in real time? Did I care even if something like that happened?

The answer to the above and many other questions, is, well, NO. I didn’t care. I don’t care today either. And I probably won’t care at any time in the future. I mean, let’s face it: Nobody I know out-works me. In fact, I haven’t been on a real vacation since the end of 2017. Oh yeah, we probably shouldn’t even count that one because I was finalizing my book, Sorry, 50 is NOT the New 30, during that trip.

I look around and see Congress on break most of the calendar year. I see neighbors who can barely roll out of bed by noon and spend their weeknights getting high and drinking all night. I come across those on social media pretending they’re working, but still, can’t figure out what they’re even working on. Working on their tans?

I suppose, though, it took the Covid pandemic to convince more than a few professionals to “hang up their car keys” and settle into whatever makeshift workspace they could create within their 4 walls. And looking around, it’s hard to see many other benefits of this whole health scare period in the United States and beyond.

However, one thing I do know is the cottage industry is here to stay and that’s a good thing because it will keep me plugging along, my sanity in check, and, of course, my dry-cleaning bill will remain where it belongs – in the home office shredder! Ciao!

So, what’s your story?

We’ll catch up with you again in about 30 days … I’m out!

-A.N.

W-T-F?

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe

QUESTION: Isn’t Covid in our rear window? #GuessNOT

Why is everyone testing positive NOW!? I thought we were heading outta this “thing?” I thought the stands were going to be filled with something OTHER than “Flat Stanleys?” Isn’t it time to head out to the ball parks and arenas and concert venues again? I thought we were heading back to some Broadway shows? Aren’t my kids off to college to meet real people and professors. You want me to wait ANOTHER YEAR?!!

Title: W-T-F happened?

I guess, much like YOU, I THOUGHT a lot of things were happening, or about to happen at least. But, like, you, I was wrong. Again. Or, was I right, and some of the stupidity around me was wrong? Hmm… Either way, we’re all sharing the same space, the same air, water, and, unfortunately, the same collective results.

You mean the Bros. Bezos didn’t invite you and your bro to get outta Dodge and into space too? Me neither. Maybe next time, Geofredo. In the meantime, I just wanna watch my damn football team this month. I wanna see my favorite players and coach enter Canton in a few days. We won’t spend too much time on them, but they are mine, and I’ve waited long enough to see them (since 2020).

Masks are still in play …

And, I’ve remained masked and distant and silent, and….if I don’t get my way, I’m gonna have to be duct-taped to my office chair (not unlike some of these rabid air travelers). People, we need to relax and agree that if we don’t follow the same protocols, we will remain in this lunatic space until we run out of—water…What? Now, we’re running out of THAT too? You’re #KillinMe !

What’s NEXT?!

#CmonMan !

Oh well, I’m done venting…see you in the fall…hopefully…I’ll be the #DryThirstyOne

A.N.

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time-entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer. He can be reached for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.

MR. HAPPY!!

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe

Let’s take **a closer look … @ MR. HAPPY!!**

Happy….Well… EVERYTHING!

There’s so much going on now, it’s no wonder we’re all running around like chickens with our heads cut off 🐔🐔🐔

The End of Covid (but, are we sure??)😷😷
4^th of July✨✨ Yeay!
Mass crowds everywhere 👫👬👭👫👬👭
167 degree temperatures daily 🔥🔥🔥

Summer! 🌞🌞 Why doesn’t “summer” make me smile anymore? But, “it’s a DRY HEAT,” right? Still, no smile here…🤒🤒

WHAT TO MAKE OF THIS?!

Everything’s just … GREAT! I think…

Well, I guess I’ll just leave it there and head off to my long, lost vacation destination. What? My flight was … canceled? You gotta be kidding me. C’mon man!! And – it’s too damn hot to walk.

Oh well, it could be worse. I’ll just turn up the A/C and go read a book…👀👀

How’s your summer going?

See you next month guys!😉

All the best,

– A.N.

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer. He can be reached for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.

Support Small Businesses

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES?

A: 3 WORDS: BUY, BUY, BUY!

It's GAME TIME!! — https://writeplus.biz/shop/

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer. He can be reached directly for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.

AND ONE … FINAL … NOTE

For those who may not need any additional apparel in their wardrobe, please feel free to scan the QR Code below to donate to one of our favorite causes! That works too! Many thanks for being so amazing!

NFL Draft 2021

A Closer Look

with Anthony Newcombe

Here we go again … (you junkies!)

http://nfl.com

Well, after nearly 4 months of yawns, lawns (preferred), and less-than-riveting entertainment award shows … WE ARE HERE! The endless speculation as to who the Jacksonville Jaguars might take at #1 (Hint: rhymes with “Brever Torrance”), who the New York Jets will replace Sam Darnold with, and all the rest will pretty much begin to be answered starting this evening from Cleveland, Ohio.

Let’s celebrate! Why? Because we now don’t have to watch all of that other crap they’ve been shoving through our remote during this Covid thing. We can finally see something LIVE! Pinch me!! With people around! Really?! You know what they say: “Beggars can’t be choosers.” We’ll take it. And, sorry for such a brief post, but I need to pick up my keg, wings, and the blocks of ice we’ll be sliding on in the backyard after my team picks … somebody who can ball!

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full-stack web developer. He can be reached for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.