u/directfromnowhere

Monster of a game for KK. Love it so much.

We are about an hour away from Indy heading south on 65 and the way our teeth are clanking the whole way. The other states hwys were not like this. Even Michigans smaller 2 lane highways were not this bad. Illinois was probably the second worse but Indiana is so awful in comparison. It’s almost like we should have kept that surplus and used it to fix the roads and infrastructure.

First, thrilled to see KK Timpson start. I have loved watching her game improve. Defensively, she has some major beast moments. Im still waiting to see her have some beast moments on offense. She’s getting open so much more and putting up double digits. Can you imagine if she went up for a two-handed dunk? The number of endorsements she would get! It seems like she can sky and maybe that would help her take the ball up with more power. She still seems tentative around the rim. Almost like she is trying for touch so she can’t power up.

I also think she would be such a threat if she develops her drive or midrange jumper.

But I’m dying to see her dunk.

That’s what my therapist told me. She gave me an exercise as homework. It was to write to myself at moments in my life when I wished my Mom had shown up differently. Since I didn’t have a strong mother experience this would help me “mother myself”. I should write what I wish she would have said. (Note: I’m NC with my Mom)

I mostly hate journaling so I did it my way which was to record voice notes to myself. A few moments I chose to replay as my own mother were:

1. when my own family member molested me
2. when my mom put me on Jenny Craig at 12
3. when i had a big professional success
4. when i had litigious conflict w a former biz partner
5. my graduation when I was valedictorian and outstanding senior and she made it all about my brother

At my last appt I told my therapist I did the assignment and she asked if i was open to sharing some of what I said to myself. When I was done sharing, she said “so all you needed was basic humanity and support. You are not asking too much.”

Thought I would share that I found it to be a really helpful exercise in case it helps anyone else.

I went NC with my Mom a little over a month ago. I finally reached a breaking point after hundreds of issues and many many attempts to repair. I’ve accepted that nothing will change. I’ve never been more at peace with the decision.

Her birthday is tomorrow.

Mine was this spring and it was messy. Lots of implied obligation and exasperation expressed by her. We had dinner a few days before my actual birthday and she kept saying the wrong day (like 7-8 times) even though my dad corrected her every time. She didn’t say a word or send a text on my actual birthday. In fact, no one from my family did.

My mom has been in the hospital and now in long term care for some rehab for a little over two weeks. I haven’t gone to see her. I haven’t called. I get updates from my Dad.

I’ve mentally decided that if it becomes more severe, I’ll go pay my final respects. I don’t expect anything but a final few jabs/blows.

Anyway. Should I wish her a happy birthday tomorrow or truly honor no contact? Part of me wonders because I was hurt she didn’t do that for me and I want to be the bigger person.

I appreciate constructive advice.

I went no contact with my Mom a little over a month ago. I finally reached a breaking point after hundreds of issues and many many attempts to repair. I’ve accepted that nothing will change. I’ve never been more at peace with the decision.

Her birthday is tomorrow.

Mine was this spring and it was messy. Lots of implied obligation and exasperation expressed by her. We had dinner a few days before my actual birthday and she kept saying the wrong day (like 7-8 times) even though my dad corrected her every time. She didn’t say a word or send a text on my actual birthday. In fact, no one from my family did.

My mom has been in the hospital and now in long term care for some rehab for a little over two weeks. I haven’t gone to see her. I haven’t called. I get updates from my Dad.

I’ve mentally decided that if it becomes more severe, I’ll go pay my final respects. I don’t expect anything but a final few jabs/blows.

Anyway. Should I wish her a happy birthday tomorrow or truly honor no contact? Part of me wonders because I was hurt she didn’t do that for me and I want to be the bigger person.

I appreciate constructive advice.

I’ve been really disappointed in the entire Fever program/product this season. I feel like the level of excellence is suffering all around the arena, front office and team. Don’t get me wrong, there are moments to be celebrated but here are some of the areas that demonstrate cracks in the seams. I’m going to start with front office and move to coaching. I don’t think this is just a SW problem but she’s certainly part of it.

Game ops:

• every single game we have issues with the shot clock. Multiple times, every game. Did I say every game? It’s every game.
• our game ops plays loud music OVER our players shooting free throws. 🤦‍♀️
• too many mistakes. It’s messy and embarrassing

Marketing:

• the 2026 branding: jerseys and color theme for this season. I was so pumped to see what we would do this year. The Stranger Things vibe last year was SOOOOO cool. It set a standard across the league for design, experience and brand partnership. The team store swag, the intro video, the jerseys, the whole stadium vibe was just awesome. It was so intentional and creative. Then we walk into this season to gold and maroon colors and a retro logo that looks like a high school team colorway. I’ve never been less interested in going to the store to buy anything.
• the intro video sucks. We still have a chain link fence in the background. Are you kidding me?
• the “fever” contagious outbreak theme is so incredibly tone deaf.

Front office and GM:

• talent selection and payouts are spotty
• we look really silly with the JP situation which front office should influence.
• making Lexie the 4th highest paid player on the team is a huge miss. I’m sure she’s nice and i like that she hustles. I’ve been hopeful seeing a little more midrange activity from her in the last two games, but I argue invest-ability.
• league office relations. This is your job. You should have a hotline to Cathy. The reffing and one sided calls means YOUR relationship with the league office is not strong. I remember interning for the Colts and hearing Bill Polian on the phone with the NFL. His office was in the back of the complex and you could hear him in the lobby. He fought for his players and he was the orchestrator of the Colts success. Where is that for the Fever?

Coaching:

• our game system sucks. Our offense is predictable. We burn 1/3 to 1/2 of the shot clock on predictable passes
• her challenge success rates suck. She can’t get clear feedback from her supporting coaching staff. Other teams do this quickly. Our staff stands around dumbfounded about what to do, looking up with mouths agape at the Jumbotron. She listens to unreliable players and ignore the word of reliable ones. I don’t get how our coaching staff can be so bad at this when others are good at it. How can we logically complain about the refs if our coaching staff cannot even dissect good from bad calls.
• we don’t adjust our offense or defensive systems enough mid game. We aren’t strategic enough.
• scouting and pregame strategy. It’s like we build our game strategy off game tape against other teams versus how we think they will play us.
• talent decisions and subbing. Why is Lexie always in the starting 5? Doesn’t she also need to earn her spot? Pissot played 0 minutes this year and then went and dropped 19 in 10 mins in her first game out? If this isn’t egg on SW face and the whole front office, I don’t know what would be worse. SW routinely subs players who are hot and on a run.
• many games we looked messy. Several games our players are running into each other. Bench talents comes in and it’s clear they don’t know where to go.
• players show frustration towards their own teammates on the court

The whole org needs a level up or a leader that demands excellence around them.

Really cool to see Toronto beat the attendance record. I love to see the fan base grow and such buy in with a new franchise team. Also, I want to see Indy and the Fever beat it. Let’s make it happen!!!

I was at a coffee shop this week and a woman came in with her large doodle. It seemed friendly and I asked to say hi. He was a large guy and I asked if he was a sheepadoodle. He was. As I pet the friendly guy, I could tell he was SOOOO matted. I’m not talking a few mats. I’m talking his whole coat would come off in one giant piece kinda matted. The lady clearly loved her dog but this guy hadn’t seen a groomer or a brush in well over 6 months. It was so hot and all I could think about was how uncomfortable the poor dog must be.

I didn’t know what to say in the moment but I’m still thinking about it. I don’t think it’s ok.

I also recorded a podcast recently and the host’s goldendoodle was similar. He was cut short but still extremely matted.

I don’t think it is ok to not brush at all and shave each time. If your dog’s fur comes off in one giant clump at grooming, I think abusive to the dog between appointments.

Any tips on what to say so that someone won’t shut down or become reactive with feedback?

Are there any towns in Indiana doing a quiet July 4th this year. Our family had a traumatic experience with gunfire not long ago. The few fireworks that have been let off are not going well for any of us. We are looking for smaller towns that don’t do big fireworks shows or any towns that are marketing a quiet, firework free experience.

On another note, I think this would be a marketable tourism angle for a smaller town. I know lots of families that want to escape fireworks for a variety of reasons.