Joe Horne

Joe Horne

04-14-2022

Aurora, New York

Speakers: Joe Horne, Aaron Izquierdo

Izquierdo:

I'm Aaron Izquierdo with the COVID Oral History Project at Wells College. Today's date is April 14 2022. I'm in Aurora, New York with Joe Horne. This is an unrehearsed, recorded interview. Thank you for joining us today. So to start the interview, I'd like to begin by getting to know more about your background. Could you start by telling us about yourself like your full name, date of birth, and where you were born?

Horne:

My name is Joseph Thomas Horne I was born in Hicksville, New York on Long Island, and I was born in January 1, 2001.

Izquierdo:

So Where'd you grow up?

Horne:

I grew up in a town, like I said, Hicksville it's on Long Island so it's very suburban. We're about 20 minutes outside of New York City. Very hectic lot of traffic, and just a lot of buildings.

Izquierdo:

You enjoy growing up there?

Horne:

Yeah, I think I enjoyed growing up there. It's a very diverse area in my town. So I, I think that was a cool experience, just being in a melting pot of all different people.

Izquierdo:

Definitely, I can definitely relate to that. So comparing it to where you are now, how is it similar or different from Aurora?

Horne:

It is very different. I think the two couldn't be more different. You know, Aurora is very rural, beautiful. It's on a lake, about 20 minutes from the beach, north or south. It's really I can't see from my house. So it's just very, there's industrial areas, there's suburbs, and just kind of shopping centers.

Izquierdo:

Definitely sounds like a great place. When it comes to your family, who do you consider to be your family? And could you tell us a little bit about them?

Horne:

As far as family, I grew up with my immediate family, so my mom, my dad, my sister. A lot of my family members live in my town. So they were cousins were always near me. And I love them. I think it was, I grew up in a great environment. My uncles are funny, they like to, talk crap, kind of bust my chops, but I think I think we're very close, where we kind of like to joke around.

Izquierdo:

So when it came to the people that you lived with, were there any that you were especially close with?

Horne:

Besides my parents and my sister, I'd say my uncle Darrell, he isn't married, didn't have any kids. So he's kind of always the uncle I'd have fun with whether it's like playing baseball, shooting hoops. You know, just hanging out. If I was ever around, I stopped over to his place and we'd kind of hang out. He's definitely a big part of my life.

Izquierdo:

Going back to the good old days. What were you like as a child?

Horne:

Man. As a child I think I was energetic. I like to run around. Love sports, that's pretty much I'd always have a ball in my head. I honestly, I'm trying to think, this is a good question. I don't really think about what I, I hope I was a good child. I've no, I listened, I never got in trouble and stuff. I think happy little guy running around the streets. I think so.

Izquierdo:

Now you said you were an athlete, correct?

Horne:

Yes. Correct.

Izquierdo:

So I'm sure you've had a few great moments in your life and your athletic career. Could you share one of your special memories is yourself a child?

Joe Horne

As a child as a kid, I guess one of my favorite athletic memories has to be, my bad sorry to ask another question, like little little high school or?

Izquierdo:

Before Wells.

Horne:

Okay. Well, I played high school football and winning on Homecoming was very fun. We were a small school so it was anytime we can leave the field with the W was a good day. A small team only about 20 guys. So that is a big memory that kind of sticks out to me winning on homecoming.

Izquierdo:

Definitely loved the positive attitude by the way. So now let's jump into Wells College. When did you start thinking about coming to college?

Horne:

Probably around junior year, I knew I wanted to play college baseball. My sister went to Ithaca College down the road. So I didn't really realize how beautiful this part of New York was being from downstate. Once I realized how awesome it was, I wanted to look at schools near there, where Ithaca is. So and then I came across the baseball coach at the time I thought it would be a good fit. So everything kind of checked out academically, athletically and kind of led me here to Wells College.

Izquierdo:

Would you say Wells College was your first choice?

Horne:

After I visited, talked to the coach at the time, once again, Coach Valisente. I think it definitely was my first choice. I just fell in love with the area and the proximity to Ithaca, Syracuse was kind of a perfect spot in central New York.

Izquierdo:

Now as a high school student, I'm sure you had certain expectations of what college would be like, what are those expectations compared to in your experience here at Wells?

Horne:

I think my expectations definitely met. I think I knew going to Wells what type of place it was. You got to be honest. I mean Wells isn't a Brockport and Oswego where it's a huge college where I mean, bigger college. So I kind of had a sense it was smaller, more quaint. I think I think they've all been met the expectations and then just aspect of the people has surpassed it. I think I love all my peers and my professors and the staff here. It's all pretty pretty much worked out, I'd say.

Izquierdo:

So baseball aside, say you never played? Would you rather a larger school than this or be really happy with the size of Wells?

Horne:

I like the small class size, but I think if I wasn't an athlete, I definitely be at a different institution just as far as majors, classes, there was a couple other things I might have been interested in as far as the study. I love I'm a psychology major, and I love it. Maybe I'd try to double major in something else like communications, but we don't have that topic here.

Izquierdo:

What's your major?

Horne:

Psychology. I'm a psychology major and a sports management minor.

Izquierdo:

You said you're a junior, correct?

Horne:

Correct.

Izquierdo:

So why what made you decide to go into this major?

Horne:

Well, I didn't really know what psychology was too much till I took it senior year of high school. I didn't really think much of it. My end goal is to get into coaching. As I took an Intro to Psychology course, here, it was my first 00:06:00year, I realized how psychology is very applicable to many things, whether it's sports, just everyday life, whether it's mental health, and it kind of can, can relate into so many areas in our world. I think it's definitely very important in today's society.

Izquierdo:

So you said end goal coaching?

Horne:

Yep. Now, I guess, I guess I'll be honest, I usually don't tell people this because like, I feel like they'll laugh but my end goal would be would be to coach college football at the division one level.

Izquierdo:

Definitely, big PAC 12. Guy, right?

Horne:

That'd be pretty sick.

Izquierdo:

Alright, so now starting with the pandemic, when did you first hear about COVID?

Horne:

I remember hearing about COVID. I think it was on like Instagram. It was just a video about it like a news clip. I didn't really think much of it. I just thought it was on the other side of the earth. There's no way that's going to come hear rumblings here and there. Then obviously, a couple of weeks later, it kind of hit here in the United States.

Izquierdo:

So you said you really didn't think much about it when you first heard it. Correct?

Horne:

Correct, yeah.

Izquierdo:

And when it first started affecting your life was when?

Horne:

We were on spring break for our baseball team. We were in Florida, playing games, and every day we were down there, something would get canceled. I think it was the Ivy League college athletics, they canceled their seasons, some other college conferences. It's just a lot of sports. You know, being a sports guy. It's kind of what I follow in terms of news, then the big one was NCAA canceling March Madness and NBA shutting down and ready to go back home. It's that's kind of when it struck me that it was a bigger thing than I expected.

Izquierdo:

I know a lot of students thought that "oh, you know, spring break would just be extended this isn't going to be a big deal." Were you one of those people?

Horne:

Yeah, I guess I was very oblivious at the time. I thought that we were going to be back in two weeks. I mean, that's what kind of our coaches and staff members were saying how we'll extend spring break, and we'll take in, but take it back in two weeks. But I mean, we were very wrong. It seems.

Izquierdo:

What were your primary impressions of online classes?

Horne:

I didn't mind them. I'm more of an in-person guy. I just I pay attention way better. So online classes, I mean, they were they were fine. I think the professors did a great job of trying their best, especially when it first started, no one knew what was going on.

Izquierdo:

Yeah. You know, gave us something to do during the lockdown right?

Horne:

For sure.

Izquierdo:

Where were you when the lockdown started?

Horne:

So I was in Florida. I got back here to Wells. I drove home about a day or two later once we got back on the long bus ride. So I was probably I definitely I guess in my house when everything got real crazy at first.

Izquierdo:

So I'm guessing that you spent it with your parents or your sister.

Horne:

Yep. Correct.

Izquierdo:

Did you get to see Uncle Daryll at all.Horne:

It was a little weird. I didn't see him too much because he lives with my grandma so he helps take care of her and we don't want to expose them, her, in any way. So I kinda didn't see him for a little bit, just a lot of phone calls. Technology is great because you know, FaceTime, you can call whenever. I think 00:09:00about a month or two we like sat in my in the driveway in my house and we kind of socially distance and talked.

Izquierdo:

Yeah, so I know a lot of people's lives drastically changed in locked down and some for the better, some for the worse. Tell us what your daily life and routine was like during lockdown.

Horne:

Well I'd have class whenever it was so my schedule remained the same hop on a zoom call, lay in bed. Being an athlete I still want to stay in decent shape even though I didn't know when my next game would be as far as whether it's outside of school baseball, in school baseball, so well I don't have a ton of equipment but dumbbells, push ups, situps, watch a lot of TV, movies, nature channel. So it kind of kept me busy, thank God for the internet because I was just caught up on some reading, other stuff I was interested in when it was really just class, workout, read the internet. Repeat, eat, play with my dog. That's pretty much it.

Izquierdo:

I'm sure that Being an athlete and having take all this time off was a major challenge for you. Correct?

Horne:

Yeah, it was definitely challenging.

Izquierdo:

So how'd you overcome the challenges?

Horne:

I think, like I said, just try to get work in any way I could. Baseball is kind of a tougher sport, because you need other people to improve. Just as far as the fitness standpoint, whether it was running around the neighborhood, using the equipment I had, going in the park, just throwing into a wall, hitting off the tee. So I tried to make do with whatever I had.

Izquierdo:

You know, try and stay with the theme of taking the good out of the bad. Were there any unexpected benefits that emerged for you?

Horne:

Yeah, there definitely was, I mean, once again, not to sound I guess oblivious to the terrible things that happened during COVID. But the silver linings for me, were just, I guess, being grateful gratitude for everything. The world was in a very bad spot, just kind of counting your blessings. Yeah, I had some self, time to myself that I really wouldn't have had, time with my family as well. I think it was good. I mean, good to see my family. My dad works very hard, and my mom works a lot. So I don't see them too much when I was back home in high school, so it was weird. We'd always be around like all day, so the family time was great. And yeah just going back on the gratitude, kind of like, be, having perspective on things.

Izquierdo:

Now that that's over, is that something that you miss, that quality family time?

Horne:

For sure. Yeah, I don't really, I'm busy at school a lot of the time, and I don't really make it home as much as I'd like. So I don't really yeah, I mean, the breaks are shorter as well. I mean, sure you know, with college summer ball, we get home for about a month, and then it's back on the road. So it was definitely family time that was that was looking back was good.

Izquierdo:

Where are you playing this summer?

Horne:

Out in western New York in a town called, Dansville.

Izquierdo:

Nice, nice. So going back to being a college student, in what ways did the pandemic change you as a student? Did you face any major challenges? Did you establish any bad or good study habits out of this?

Horne:

My guess I guess... Well, during the time, a lot of teachers would make tests 00:12:00open notes, because I guess they realized people were home. So I guess my just reading assignments, I wouldn't, I guess read as carefully because I for some of my classes, they said you couldn't use open notes or you couldn't take notes or whatever. So in that sense, it was more laid back. In my major is more projects and essays anyways so I don't really take too many tests. I guess I kind of everybody got comfortable because teachers were more lenient, especially with deadlines, handing stuff in and as we move towards a more world past COVID I think things are getting more stricter during its you know, I just had to make sure to get back to old habits of being on top of everything because not being in a lockdown teachers, rightfully so there is, you have to meet the deadlines now.

Izquierdo:

Not to get too off topic, but is that something that you enjoy in school where there's not as many tests and it's more like, take home applied work?

Horne:

Yeah, I definitely like that, I was never a great test taker. I mean, I even if I did good on tests, I'd have to study my butt off. I was never just gifted where I could roll into a test not really trying, doing well. So I like projects, I guess the thing is it gives students an opportunity to show off their work and their hard work, not just you know, spitting out, regurgitating the right answers at any given time.

Izquierdo:

Now, you were a student prior to COVID at Wells for a year semester rather. Could you compare what Wells was like prior to COVID to what Wells was like during the pandemic and after?

Horne:

Minus the rules, I think it's getting close to where it was, as far as on campus events, they're doing a good job about getting stuff going on campus, people out and about. Yeah, there's rules as far as masks, we do our testing, which is good. I think I think Wells is, it wasn't too different. At least it was such a short time I couldn't really you know, get get comfortable. It was first semester was still I was still young. So I'm trying to think back, but I think it's it's getting closer to where it once was.

Izquierdo:

Any great memories that you made during that first semester, especially with your baseball team?

Horne:

Yeah, totally. We just, we would hang out in some some of their apartments off campus. And just you know, watch TV, watch a lot of movies. One of the memories I have with some of the older guys back then was just late night movies. Some of the guys on those teams were big movie buffs, and they loved to critique them. So we would stay up all night, popcorn, movies, and just hanging out. Was a good group of people we had, Wells College, like I said before the people are what makes the place great. So that's one thing that's remain constant here at Wells College.

Izquierdo:

I know you personally, I know that you do enjoy a good movie. Is that something that you got from those guys?

Horne:

I think so. Yeah. Then some of my roommates nowadays, the Odum brothers, they're big movie guys. So they, we like to watch you know, all different types of movies, whether it's current ones, old ones, get dabbling into the superhero 00:15:00genre, so I got to keep up.

Izquierdo:

Is there a favorite movie right now?

Horne:

Favorite movie, that is loaded. I think I'm gonna say two because I cannot pick one: Shawshank Redemption, oh man that that gets me going that's great treasure, and then there's a movie called Super Troopers because I think it makes me think of those guys my freshman year, seniors at the time. I think, it's just a stupid comedy movie, but it makes me makes me laugh makes me think of those pre COVID times.

Izquierdo:

That's awesome. So going back to the changes that Wells made, what do you make of those, including things like COVID screenings, masks, social distancing, eliminating some of the traditions?

Horne:

Yeah. Well, I mean, you could probably tell my viewpoint on this with my answers today. I definitely feel like, I'll listen to the doctors and the scientists. I mean, they, they are way smarter than I will ever be. So I tried to, you know, take with the people who've studied their whole lives in the medical field to be true, I think, you know, testing smart. Whatever I could do and whatever community can do to help other people, especially people at risk, or people of older age, I feel like think back to my high school days, and my coaches and teachers, they always say put other people first and I think that's, that's we have to do in this world situation.

Izquierdo:

Now I know Wells has a lot of traditions. It's what they're famous for, in a way. Is there a favorite tradition of yours?

Horne:

I like, odd/even's cool because it's like a homecoming. Everybody's out and about, and then champagne breakfasts, I think that's pretty cool. When the seniors have champagne on the last day of class, it's just so crazy, like what they're giving out alcohol to seniors in school, I think it's just what makes the "Wells weird" kind of cool. It's like champagne breakfast. Like when I heard that. I was like, That's nuts. I'm not even a big drinker or anything. I just think it's funny how we really think outside the box with our traditions here

Izquierdo:

Mentioned a pretty cool term there, "Wells weird". What does that mean to you?

Horne:

I think it means embracing in school. I think you have to be honest and understand that Wells is different than any other college. We're not your Ithaca College, we're not Syracuse. If you just kind of step a foot in, don't worry about, just forget about being weird, or any of that it can kind of dive right in, you'll make the most of it, and it'll be a good time.

Izquierdo:

Now, there are a good amount of voices at Wells, diverse voices, and they all have different opinions about the pandemic. Did you notice a difference in perception of the pandemic, between the community at Wells and a community back at home?

Horne:

Yeah, definitely a thing, there's a wide variety of opinions. I mean, back home, it's a lot of different variety as well, I think the college itself, you'll find in any college town, it's a melting pot. But I think outside of Aurora, it's 00:18:00very rural. So, there's, there's a, I guess, the different end of the spectrum of what you'd expect, kind of like the the usual, city versus rural and just the way I'm looking at things.

Izquierdo:

So you mentioned your opinion on the pandemic, but I just want to go back to that for a little bit. As scientists learn more about the virus, government officials began to impose mandates. What do you think about the mass mandate?

Horne:

I, I, I'm very go with the flow I feel like. I mean, if I have to wear a mask to go to class, it's not the end of the world for me. I'll wear a mask. When I'm with my friends, we'll pop it down, we'll hang, we kind of know where we've been and we're, being I'd wear a mask. I know people go like "oh you're a sheep, you're listening to that." It's not that big of a deal. I'm not gonna get all uptight about it. So...

Izquierdo:

Did you have the same opinion when the mask mandate first came out?

Horne:

Yep, Yeah, I really, I believe in it, too. I think masks have shown the work not just for yourself, but for other people. If, if I could, if I'm in an environment where a lot of professors are older too, if it's going to help them and if they feel more comfortable, I'm fine with doing that.

Izquierdo:

Now, I know that the whole Wells baseball team is vaccinated and boosted. What were your thoughts when a vaccine was first announced?

Horne:

I was pretty pumped. I was like, maybe it'll get closer to normalcy. As we've seen, vaccines definitely do help... Our world's still not there yet. I was pretty excited just for the optimism, the positivity of, slowly but surely getting back to what the world once was.

Izquierdo:

Was there any fear that came along with that first announcement?

Horne:

As far as vaccine I tried to get you know, it's one of the name name brand ones. And I think, the medical field they do this all the time, and I rather take my chances with a vaccine than without a vaccine.

Izquierdo:

Do you agree with the vaccine mandate?

Horne:

That is, that is a loaded question right there.

Izquierdo:

I don't mean to put you on the spot.

Horne:

This is putting me on the spot. I, I don't want to be, force people to do stuff. But at the end of the day, if it's gonna help people, like there's flu shots, there's like chickenpox shots, all that a lot of schools, like elementary schools make kids get them before when they're like, you know, five, six. So I'm going to sound like a very city, New York type of guy, but sure if it helps, like, if the science backs it up and shows that it's gonna be helpful, then the science is the science. I can't argue with it. I'm just Joe Schmo from Hicksville, New York. So...

Izquierdo:

Yeah, I can tell by your answer, that you're very aware of the controversy that comes with talk like this. And what do you make of that type of controversy that's emerged over things like these mandates?

Horne:

I was always taught the the old bar saying "no religion, no politics." So I try to, you know, not get into conflict with people. People are entitled to their own opinions. I, I if I'm in a disagree with someone, I'll just kind of, take the road out, sure, alright, whatever, dude, you're right. Obviously, if there's something that I feel strongly about, I'll try to get my two cents in there, people could have different opinions, some of my best friends think the total opposite of me. Hopefully, when this podcast blows up, I'm gonna lose a million Instagram followers.

Izquierdo:

I know a lot of people who were financially affected by the pandemic, how was your family affected?

Horne:

My mom's a preschool teacher, so her work definitely got a little cut down, I don't really know I don't honestly remember what she did. She teaches like three and four year olds, and I don't think they were going on Zoom. My dad's a pool guy. So he was lucky, he still was able to work, especially how it started in the spring, people wanted to be out in their pools. So he was out fixing pools, getting them ready. So with everything, money got a little tighter. I think my family was was lucky where we weren't affected too much.

Izquierdo:

Yeah, definitely. After this, the government provided a stimulus check during this time, what did you think of that decision? How it was allocated?

Horne:

I think that's great, I think definitely help the people in any way they can. I think some people might need more, which I'm all for helping the people getting them as much money in any, as much money as I can. I heard some businesses maybe kind of cheated a little maybe took a little more than they needed. You see, you hear about these name brand, these huge businesses, getting billions of dollars in relief, when there's people on the street getting like what? $500. So maybe a little more equity is that the right word? I guess more equity would be nice. Anything to help the people, I'm for.

Izquierdo:

Keeping things uncomfortable and controversial. Let's talk about political activism. Several political protests took place during this period. Many had to do with COVID, but others were associated with things like Black Lives Matter and other social movements. Did you or others around you participate in these protests?

Horne:

I definitely knew some people because I remember kind of surfing through social media and seeing people I knew at certain marches, I think, what..., the question was like, my thoughts on it? My bad.

Izquierdo:

Have you {laughter}, were any of you were you or others around you participate in these protests?

Horne:

Yeah, so some people I knew, participated. So I think that there was definitely some in my area I remember hearing about 'em. I did not I honestly wish maybe I would have went because I definitely think there at times at times protests need to happen, and that's how you make change, you go and do something about it. I think it was definitely it was it was good to see that happening. People would 00:24:00turn their head towards important topics that might have gone under the radar previously.

Izquierdo:

Why do you think it's important to get involved in things like this?

Horne:

I think it's important because that's how change happens. You won't make change by sitting in your living room watching TV, you got to get out there and do the dirty work. We're talking about it, looking back, it would have been nice to go to maybe some of these events because I definitely do see the reasoning for them. It's bigger than just one person, it's a whole group of people, it's communities and just people all around the United States and world.

Izquierdo:

Now, social movements like this, they gained a lot of traction during the pandemic and I believe there's a reason for that. People were at home a lot more, on their phones a lot on social media and it gained a lot of views and traction. Do you think the pandemic factored into your decision in this?

Horne:

Yeah, honestly, I'd think I didn't, I probably didn't go because of the pandemic. My mom was pretty, she wanted to be safe about it. So I remember trying to go out with friends, and she wanted to make sure like everybody's, you know, not getting sick, who got sick recently. So I think it definitely impacted my decisions whether to go to protests and rallies, because it was going around, some sometimes things are worth the risk, maybe I should have thought about that decision more.

Izquierdo:

Outside of protesting, were you engaged in these discussions or topics in any other ways?

Horne:

Yeah, my high school, I was actually part of my high school's diversity club. I remember some of the members of the club currently, so it was a year, I was a year at high school, I remember they were doing something like live streams, conversations going on, and I remember hopping in, listening to some of the conversations they held on Zoom, and just as a community.

Izquierdo:

So going back to your personal life, I want to talk about your personal experience with the COVID illness. These questions will focus on illness and possibly bring up grief and any other challenging topics. Remember, we can skip any questions that make you uncomfortable? Okay?

Horne:

Mhm.

Izquierdo:

Did illness impact you or your family?

Horne:

I knew some people who passed away due to COVID look, sadly passed away, luckily, as far as my close family members or personal relationships, I think everybody was able to be okay. I had COVID about a couple months ago, January, December 2021, January 2022. So, I'm trying to think back I think I think everybody I know is successful in beating COVID.

Izquierdo:

That's very good to hear. How do these personal experiences you just shared with COVID impact your look on the pandemic?

Horne:

Yeah, definitely changes my view, although I didn't have any immediate people who lost their life to COVID from my family. My areas very populated, so I remember seeing on the news, refrigerator trucks filled with bodies, just on the 00:27:00news, it was very grim and very kind of scary turning on the news and hearing that. So I definitely took no and realized it was a very real thing and scary thing going around.

Izquierdo:

No, definitely. Looking back on these bad experiences, what what's what's something you could take away from them?

Horne:

To just keep on fighting when things get look dark, when things are weak, and sorry, you fight adversity, you just gotta keep on pushing. You just can't quit. Even when there's the darkest days, you still got some brighter days on the horizon.

Izquierdo:

Well, definitely, it's a very half glass full approach to life. So now that vaccines are available in cases are decreasing life is closely getting back to things how they were before the pandemic. How do you think that transition is going so far?

Horne:

I think it's going well. There's... it looks like a lot of communities are starting to lift mask mandates. So it really does feel like we're getting back to a sense of normalcy. With that being said, I guess it's still smart to do the due diligence. Today, I got tested on campus. I haven't heard anything, so I'm pretty sure I'm negative. So I think it's good to just keep things in check. You don't want to leave your guard, you know, totally, I think we're definitely making progress as a society.

Izquierdo:

It's got to feel good right to be getting back to normal?

Horne:

For sure, it's really good. Just seeing my friends like you with less restrictions, rules, just walking around, hanging out with people with little less worry, it's been really, really awesome.

Izquierdo:

So let's go forward in the future. Your past now, let's say how are you going to make decisions about masks and such when the mandates are lifted?

Horne:

I think if there's a situation where someone wants me to wear a mask, I'll be happy to do so. I think like around here in Aurora or Union Springs, this place where you don't have to wear, sometimes I'll wear it but if I forget it, I'll go in without a mask. I got faith in the vaccines and the boosters so hopefully they'll be fightin for me. So yeah, I kind of go with the flow, if a place asked me to wear one I'll definitely, place doesn't have it, and I don't have a mask, I feel comfortable walking in as well.

Izquierdo:

What lessons or knowledge have you gained over the past three years of pandemic that you will take with you for the rest of your life?

Horne:

There is, ton of lessons, I think kind of what I was talking about before fighting adversity and just staying the course. Just, I keep saying this quote but "keep on keeping on" from Joe Dirt. I think it's very powerful to keep pushing even when things aren't going your way. I think it tells a lot about a person's character. I think you see that in all different aspects of life, whether it's academics, athletics, or from a relationship standpoint, I think that's something we learned in COVID and that's something people should definitely take with them and along with that, I'd say just going back to 00:30:00gratitude, I think when you have some, some gratitude, it really can help your perspective on life.

Izquierdo: Definitely, I think it's very important to be gratuitous. As we conclude this interview, are there any topics you expected or hoped that we would cover that we haven't addressed today?

Horne: I think as far as COVID you really did a great job about getting me getting me diving deep in these topics. We didn't cover the steroid debate in baseball though, little mad at that. Nah, I'm kidding you, I think I'm just happy to be here. It was great to shoot the breeze with you.

Izquierdo: Are there any topics in our conversation that you'd like to revisit?

Horne: We were talking about just doing stuff to help others, whether it's wearing a mask or whatever it may be. Sometimes you got to do stuff you don't want to, to help a greater group or just a bigger population. I think that's something I definitely want to take with going forward.

Izquierdo: Definitely. Big part is helping the greater good, even if it's a little uncomfortable. All right. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I enjoyed your positive outlook. And I'm looking forward to doing this again one day.

Horne: Episode two baby!

Transcription: Aaron Izquierdo 05-07-2022

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