Hidden Blog's 100th post sees plenty of reasons to smile:
1. It's clearly established a top 5 ranking in the Google search universe under "Joe McDonald blog."
2. The Cubs just completed a series victory against the Brewers to extend their NL Central lead to 2 games.
3. Fantasy baseball team Pure Hustle IX holds an 8 point lead.
4. Grandma's back from the hospital.
5. My back has been feeling unusually well for the first time in nearly two months.
6. A championship softball plaque is on the way.
7. Labor Day weekend is here!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Costanza's Answering Machine
Do you think your answering machine message is bad? This might cheer you up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhhzwjt2AG0&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhhzwjt2AG0&mode=related&search=
What the Health?
It turns out that I'm not the only one thinking about laughter and health recently. Here's an excerpted article about steps to better health.
1. A Laughing Matter
"Laugh Therapy," pioneered by Norman Cousins, has turned out to have real substance. Research has discovered that laughter and joy boost immune functions, especially the production of the natural killer cells that help defend the body from illness and cancer.
Laughter also increases the release of endorphins - compounds that give you a sense of well-being - in your brain. Without a doubt, joyful people liver longer and healthier lives. So read your favorite comics, watch your favorite comedies, and laugh it up!
2. Hands-On Healing
Human touch increases the production of endorphins, growth hormone, and DHEA, all of which lengthen your life span and lower the negative impact of stress. Studies have found that patients who are regularly touched recover faster than those who are not touched. So give someone a hug and feel both of your moods improve.
3. Boost Your "Youth Hormones"
You don't need pills to flood your body with a rejuvenating flood of growth hormones. Research has found that doing squats and leg presses will greatly increase your natural production of the "youth hormone". Increased growth hormone translates to an elevated mood, among other physical benefits. Keep it up with weight training, knee bends, push-ups, and rowing.
4. Take a Bracing Breath
Breathing correctly is important for dispelling the toxins and wastes from your body; in fact, it is estimated that we expel only about 30 percent of toxins in our bodies through the bowels and bladder-the rest is all respiratory. Breathing is also a great way to clear your mind, boost your energy, and improve your mood. Practice deep, slow, rhythmic, breathing daily with mind-body disciplines such as tai chi, yoga, qigong, and meditation.
5. Smell the Joy
Research has shown that smell has a definite impact on our bodies and minds. When you stimulate the olfactory nerves inside your nose, you activate the limbic system of your brain, which is associated with moods and memory. This concept is instrumental to aromatherapy, a natural health tradition that makes use of the healing powers of plants with strong scents.
6. Feel Fine with Flowers
There is a reason that flowers are the traditional get-well gesture. Colorful flowers have a powerful influence on moods; they can uplift a patient's mood and even combat stress. One study found that during a five-minute typing assignment, people sitting next to a flowering bouquet were more relaxed than those who sat near foliage-only plants.
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
1. A Laughing Matter
"Laugh Therapy," pioneered by Norman Cousins, has turned out to have real substance. Research has discovered that laughter and joy boost immune functions, especially the production of the natural killer cells that help defend the body from illness and cancer.
Laughter also increases the release of endorphins - compounds that give you a sense of well-being - in your brain. Without a doubt, joyful people liver longer and healthier lives. So read your favorite comics, watch your favorite comedies, and laugh it up!
2. Hands-On Healing
Human touch increases the production of endorphins, growth hormone, and DHEA, all of which lengthen your life span and lower the negative impact of stress. Studies have found that patients who are regularly touched recover faster than those who are not touched. So give someone a hug and feel both of your moods improve.
3. Boost Your "Youth Hormones"
You don't need pills to flood your body with a rejuvenating flood of growth hormones. Research has found that doing squats and leg presses will greatly increase your natural production of the "youth hormone". Increased growth hormone translates to an elevated mood, among other physical benefits. Keep it up with weight training, knee bends, push-ups, and rowing.
4. Take a Bracing Breath
Breathing correctly is important for dispelling the toxins and wastes from your body; in fact, it is estimated that we expel only about 30 percent of toxins in our bodies through the bowels and bladder-the rest is all respiratory. Breathing is also a great way to clear your mind, boost your energy, and improve your mood. Practice deep, slow, rhythmic, breathing daily with mind-body disciplines such as tai chi, yoga, qigong, and meditation.
5. Smell the Joy
Research has shown that smell has a definite impact on our bodies and minds. When you stimulate the olfactory nerves inside your nose, you activate the limbic system of your brain, which is associated with moods and memory. This concept is instrumental to aromatherapy, a natural health tradition that makes use of the healing powers of plants with strong scents.
6. Feel Fine with Flowers
There is a reason that flowers are the traditional get-well gesture. Colorful flowers have a powerful influence on moods; they can uplift a patient's mood and even combat stress. One study found that during a five-minute typing assignment, people sitting next to a flowering bouquet were more relaxed than those who sat near foliage-only plants.
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Comedian, Heal Thyself!
Dena and I are in the habit of watching sitcoms while we're dozing off to sleep. Who wouldn't want to surround themselves with laughter?
http://people.howstuffworks.com/laughter7.htm
http://people.howstuffworks.com/laughter7.htm
Understanding Your Social Security Number
Yet another cloud lifts from the mystery that is your life:
http://people.howstuffworks.com/question719.htm
http://people.howstuffworks.com/question719.htm
What's Your House Made Of?
One of the most important jobs of a leader is to prepare the next generation for success. Otherwise the house we build is made of sand, blowing away once we've dried up.
As you give your life to your passion:
Clarify your simple purpose.
Record your history with detail and pride.
Put structure around your repetitive tasks.
Develop training.
Select your successor with great care.
Build a legacy that lasts.
As you give your life to your passion:
Clarify your simple purpose.
Record your history with detail and pride.
Put structure around your repetitive tasks.
Develop training.
Select your successor with great care.
Build a legacy that lasts.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Great Sports Figures
Who says athletes and math don't mix?
"Ninety percent of the game is half mental."
"People think we make $3 million and $4 million a year. They don't realize that most of us only make $500,000."
"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees."
"Ninety percent of the game is half mental."
"People think we make $3 million and $4 million a year. They don't realize that most of us only make $500,000."
"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees."
Destructive Goals
Here's a prank that teaches us the importance of goal-setting:
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/31605
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/31605
You Got My Back?
If you've got my back, I'm sorry. That means you've been in varying degrees of discomfort for seven weeks.
Here's what my physical therapist recommended for the slight mal-alignment that's causing back pain in an area about the size of a golf ball, just to the left of the base of my spine. The injury's most aggravated when I lift my right leg up to a 90 degree angle (i.e. when washing that leg in the shower, putting on a right pants leg, etc.). I'm doing the following set of exercises twice a day, which takes about 5 minutes in total:
1. Lie on back. Slowly pull knees up to chest. 10 repetitions.
2. Now raise legs, so it looks like you're sitting in a chair (except that you're still on your back). Simultaneously bring your legs in opposite directions, with your left knee toward your chest and your right toward the ground -- except that you're providing resistance with your hands such that you're legs don't actually move. Rest after 5 seconds of resistance. 5 repetitions.
3. Now straighten left leg on ground, and pull right knee toward chest. Hold 15 seconds.
4. Now raise legs as in step 2. Put pillow between them and press knees toward each other, for 5 seconds. 5 repetitions.
5. Now lie on stomach. Keep waist on ground, but push up with hands such that back arches slowly upward to top position. 10 reps.
She said that 80% of back injuries heal within 4 weeks, and 90% within 6 weeks.
Appointment #2 with her is tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Here's what my physical therapist recommended for the slight mal-alignment that's causing back pain in an area about the size of a golf ball, just to the left of the base of my spine. The injury's most aggravated when I lift my right leg up to a 90 degree angle (i.e. when washing that leg in the shower, putting on a right pants leg, etc.). I'm doing the following set of exercises twice a day, which takes about 5 minutes in total:
1. Lie on back. Slowly pull knees up to chest. 10 repetitions.
2. Now raise legs, so it looks like you're sitting in a chair (except that you're still on your back). Simultaneously bring your legs in opposite directions, with your left knee toward your chest and your right toward the ground -- except that you're providing resistance with your hands such that you're legs don't actually move. Rest after 5 seconds of resistance. 5 repetitions.
3. Now straighten left leg on ground, and pull right knee toward chest. Hold 15 seconds.
4. Now raise legs as in step 2. Put pillow between them and press knees toward each other, for 5 seconds. 5 repetitions.
5. Now lie on stomach. Keep waist on ground, but push up with hands such that back arches slowly upward to top position. 10 reps.
She said that 80% of back injuries heal within 4 weeks, and 90% within 6 weeks.
Appointment #2 with her is tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Mid Central Community Action
There's a jewel nestled on the west side of Bloomington just past the railroad tracks. Traditional urban sprawl sees industry and residents flow away from the downtown, leaving a decaying hole at its center. Mid Central Community Action has moved closer to the heart of the people it serves, those whose goal it proudly states is to help move toward self sufficiency.
http://www.mccainc.org/
Do you need a home? Energy bills paid? Safety from the vicious cycle of domestic violence?
Call (309) 829-0691. And if you want to hear a truly inspiring voice, call after hours!
http://www.mccainc.org/
Do you need a home? Energy bills paid? Safety from the vicious cycle of domestic violence?
Call (309) 829-0691. And if you want to hear a truly inspiring voice, call after hours!
Dew Good
While taking a stroll through the yard this morning I thought about dew. I had no choice actually, my bare feet insisted upon telling me how cold it was. Quickly recovering, I came to think about the momentary discomforts of nature, and the opportunities that are yielded.
The cold dew moistens the grass that would otherwise stab the feet of everyone who passed by throughout the day. Throughout the recent wave of summer heat, dew may be the only relief that keeps the lawn from dying.
The back injury that's lingered with me for seven weeks has kept me off of the ball fields. It's also given me more time to spend at home relaxing with Dena and building memories together. And the physical therapy that I began last week is teaching me strengthening exercises that may bring me back healthier than I've been since minor back discomfort started ten years ago.
My dad's death from liver cancer in 2001 deprived me of perhaps 30 more years of relationship with him. His courageous and peaceful dance with the disease have also planted seeds of strength within me that will last all the days of my life.
The cold dew moistens the grass that would otherwise stab the feet of everyone who passed by throughout the day. Throughout the recent wave of summer heat, dew may be the only relief that keeps the lawn from dying.
The back injury that's lingered with me for seven weeks has kept me off of the ball fields. It's also given me more time to spend at home relaxing with Dena and building memories together. And the physical therapy that I began last week is teaching me strengthening exercises that may bring me back healthier than I've been since minor back discomfort started ten years ago.
My dad's death from liver cancer in 2001 deprived me of perhaps 30 more years of relationship with him. His courageous and peaceful dance with the disease have also planted seeds of strength within me that will last all the days of my life.
Bug 'n Me
On a clear, sunny morning I lie face down on a lounge chair, with a book lying open on the ground, enjoying the paradise around me.
A bug crawls toward my book, which displeases me. The bug has no idea that I'm about to strike it. At the last second, it turns away. I gladly let it be.
I watch it leave, and wonder how God sees us?
A bug crawls toward my book, which displeases me. The bug has no idea that I'm about to strike it. At the last second, it turns away. I gladly let it be.
I watch it leave, and wonder how God sees us?
Suit to Kill
I was just about to file this lawsuit myself. If I'd have known it'd make national headlines I'd have acted faster. Sigh...
-----------
From USA Today's Sports Weekly magazine:
The federal inmate who sued Michale Vick for $63 quadrillion had his lawsuit thrown out of court. So Jonathan Lee Riches filed another one, this time against Barry Bonds, Bud Selig and "Hank Aaron's bat."
Riches' charges include "bat assault," major fraud, skimming the books, illegal moonshine, treason, talking, identity theft, illegal electronic wiretapping and bad debt.
He asked for "42,000,000.00 million dollars in swiss francs" from the defendants and alleges that "Mr. Selig on two occations (sic)... met Mr. Bonds at the I-70 Steak N Shake, Booth #11" to trade cash for steroids. Riches claims to have tapes made from a bug "planted in Booth #10, copies of which are now in the hands of Robert Novak and Judith Miller."
He further alleges that Bonds used Aaron's bat to crack the Liberty Bell and "on June 22,2004, benched (sic) pressed me against my will to show off in front of his Ballpark Buddies.
"I also witnessed Mr. Bonds selling steroids to nuns," Riches writes in his handwritten suit, which goes on for 10 counts, including a charge that Bonds send mustard gas to Saddam Hussein as part of "the oil for food scandal."
The full document can be found at The Smoking Gun (www.thesmokinggun.com).
-----------
From USA Today's Sports Weekly magazine:
The federal inmate who sued Michale Vick for $63 quadrillion had his lawsuit thrown out of court. So Jonathan Lee Riches filed another one, this time against Barry Bonds, Bud Selig and "Hank Aaron's bat."
Riches' charges include "bat assault," major fraud, skimming the books, illegal moonshine, treason, talking, identity theft, illegal electronic wiretapping and bad debt.
He asked for "42,000,000.00 million dollars in swiss francs" from the defendants and alleges that "Mr. Selig on two occations (sic)... met Mr. Bonds at the I-70 Steak N Shake, Booth #11" to trade cash for steroids. Riches claims to have tapes made from a bug "planted in Booth #10, copies of which are now in the hands of Robert Novak and Judith Miller."
He further alleges that Bonds used Aaron's bat to crack the Liberty Bell and "on June 22,2004, benched (sic) pressed me against my will to show off in front of his Ballpark Buddies.
"I also witnessed Mr. Bonds selling steroids to nuns," Riches writes in his handwritten suit, which goes on for 10 counts, including a charge that Bonds send mustard gas to Saddam Hussein as part of "the oil for food scandal."
The full document can be found at The Smoking Gun (www.thesmokinggun.com).
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Making Something Out of Nothing
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070823/ap_on_sc/universe_hole_3;_ylt=ArGO4sKqC1cukeTJ3G1M2mkE1vAI
...and in a related story, a new study shows an inexplicable surge in missing dryer socks.
...and in a related story, a new study shows an inexplicable surge in missing dryer socks.
Go Out on Top
Have you walked away from something at your peak? Have you been at the top of the mountain and seen all that there is to see? Held the ultimate thrill of victory, like Michael Jordan's championship-winning last-second shot?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WULyz1-OQc
Michael retired that day.
As you walk down from that mountain top and toward the green pastures below, you may look back and be drawn to those old heights. You may remember the magic and be seduced by the memories of the person that you were.
Resist! Move on and start your new life. Memories of pure gold can only be tarnished if you try to polish them further. Mountains can only be climbed so high.
Michael climbed back up the mountain.
(Now at this point you're expecting me to link you to highlights of him flailing away for the Washington Wizards as a shell of the player he once was. Unfortunately all I could find was this fantastic blocked shot of his. Dang!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV_Pr5gqrbk&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WULyz1-OQc
Michael retired that day.
As you walk down from that mountain top and toward the green pastures below, you may look back and be drawn to those old heights. You may remember the magic and be seduced by the memories of the person that you were.
Resist! Move on and start your new life. Memories of pure gold can only be tarnished if you try to polish them further. Mountains can only be climbed so high.
Michael climbed back up the mountain.
(Now at this point you're expecting me to link you to highlights of him flailing away for the Washington Wizards as a shell of the player he once was. Unfortunately all I could find was this fantastic blocked shot of his. Dang!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV_Pr5gqrbk&mode=related&search=
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Facing the Giants
If you have at least a passing interest in football movies and Christianity, and if your life reads like a bad country song, then why not rent yourself a copy of Facing the Giants? Open up your mind for a few thousand seconds to the possibility that things can change dramatically for the better in two months if you adopt this philosophy:
If you want to achieve it, believe it.
If you want to achieve it, believe it.
The Hypo-Critic
Yesterday articles across the nation highlighted a feud between Tiki Barber, the Giants running back that retired after last season and now does TV commentary for NBC, and Eli Manning, his former quarterback. In a nutshell, Barber said on air that Manning's leadership was "comical," and Manning returned the disapproval through the newspapers.
I sit here wondering if they realize how futile, and perhaps disrespectful and sad, it seems to fight a war of words in the press.
In the next heartbeat, I realize how similar I am.
How different is it, really, when a person speaks badly, sarcastically, angrily, mockingly or condescendingly behind someone's back about their hairdo, skin, clothing, posture, religion, energy level, organizational skills, posture, marital status, spelling, finances, speaking voice, home, height, favorite foods, language, politics, hobbies, leadership, handwriting, hygiene, singing voice, job (or lack thereof), or family?
The cameras aren't rolling. The reporters are absent. But the dignity is the same.
What a great daily goal: Speak well of others who aren't there. Pushing others down makes one merely feel higher. Lifting others up, in time, causes us to be higher.
I sit here wondering if they realize how futile, and perhaps disrespectful and sad, it seems to fight a war of words in the press.
In the next heartbeat, I realize how similar I am.
How different is it, really, when a person speaks badly, sarcastically, angrily, mockingly or condescendingly behind someone's back about their hairdo, skin, clothing, posture, religion, energy level, organizational skills, posture, marital status, spelling, finances, speaking voice, home, height, favorite foods, language, politics, hobbies, leadership, handwriting, hygiene, singing voice, job (or lack thereof), or family?
The cameras aren't rolling. The reporters are absent. But the dignity is the same.
What a great daily goal: Speak well of others who aren't there. Pushing others down makes one merely feel higher. Lifting others up, in time, causes us to be higher.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Catch the Right Train(ing)
While reading a research paper on leadership training, I liked the following phrase:
"Just in time learning is more practical than just in case training." So the next time someone encourages you to go to a meeting and your mind says "What's the point?" your lips now have something more poetic to say.
Retention, according to a study, found that one week after training we retain
10% of what we simply hear
25% of what we then write down
50% of what we then pass on to others (i.e. teach)
80% of what we then actually do
So please write me back as to what you think about this. There's a 50% chance that I'll know what you're talking about.
"Just in time learning is more practical than just in case training." So the next time someone encourages you to go to a meeting and your mind says "What's the point?" your lips now have something more poetic to say.
Retention, according to a study, found that one week after training we retain
10% of what we simply hear
25% of what we then write down
50% of what we then pass on to others (i.e. teach)
80% of what we then actually do
So please write me back as to what you think about this. There's a 50% chance that I'll know what you're talking about.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
What You See is What You Do
A well-known author said about leadership: "People do what people see." Long before a vote is taken, and even in the absence of a vote, people often choose their leader based on what they see. Formal titles are often immaterial, and can even be distracting if they pollute a person's head with notions of good leadership being more about talk than action.
Here's a comment from a veteran major league baseball player about his teammate:
"Guys see his passion, his desire to excel, and the fun he has playing, and they want some of what he's having."
A teammate pitcher was in the process of melting down in one game when this leader called time out and approached the mound. Covering his mouth with his glove as if he had something important to say, he cried "Matty, I need the rosin bag. I'm sweatin', man. Where is the rosin bag? I need the rosin bag!" It sounded like nothing, but it relaxed the pitcher and changed the whole mood.
That's what can happen with great leaders. Their actions energize a winning atmosphere, and results follow. People do what people see.
Here's a comment from a veteran major league baseball player about his teammate:
"Guys see his passion, his desire to excel, and the fun he has playing, and they want some of what he's having."
A teammate pitcher was in the process of melting down in one game when this leader called time out and approached the mound. Covering his mouth with his glove as if he had something important to say, he cried "Matty, I need the rosin bag. I'm sweatin', man. Where is the rosin bag? I need the rosin bag!" It sounded like nothing, but it relaxed the pitcher and changed the whole mood.
That's what can happen with great leaders. Their actions energize a winning atmosphere, and results follow. People do what people see.
Who's Your Caddie?
Dear Mr. Woods,
It's come to my attention that caddies on the PGA tour customarily earn base salaries of $1,000 to $1,500 per week. I find it galling that anyone would take such advantage of the opportunity to serve the greatest golfer of any generation. If you were to hire me, I would gladly work without salary.
Caddies typically dispense advice and tension-easing conversation to their employers. Please let me apologize on behalf of amateur America that anyone should insult you, the world's most driven and talented golfer in this way. With the possible exceptions of your heroic parents and doting wife, none is worthy of offering counsel to you under any circumstance, let alone during your masterful intensity on the golf course. As your caddie, I would simply follow your every order as swiftly and quietly as is modern science enables humans to do.
Evidently, caddies earn 10% of the golfer's winnings. I could not bear to accept more than 5%, in fact I would absolutely insist upon it.
Thanks for your consideration, and congratulations on crossing $75 million in career winnings.
Joe McDonald (or other appropriate name of your choosing)
It's come to my attention that caddies on the PGA tour customarily earn base salaries of $1,000 to $1,500 per week. I find it galling that anyone would take such advantage of the opportunity to serve the greatest golfer of any generation. If you were to hire me, I would gladly work without salary.
Caddies typically dispense advice and tension-easing conversation to their employers. Please let me apologize on behalf of amateur America that anyone should insult you, the world's most driven and talented golfer in this way. With the possible exceptions of your heroic parents and doting wife, none is worthy of offering counsel to you under any circumstance, let alone during your masterful intensity on the golf course. As your caddie, I would simply follow your every order as swiftly and quietly as is modern science enables humans to do.
Evidently, caddies earn 10% of the golfer's winnings. I could not bear to accept more than 5%, in fact I would absolutely insist upon it.
Thanks for your consideration, and congratulations on crossing $75 million in career winnings.
Joe McDonald (or other appropriate name of your choosing)
How One Early Bird Does It
I am not a morning person. I respect the beliefs of morning people, and even converted briefly. Their core values -- discipline, proactivity, and exhaustion by 9 p.m. -- are assets, even inspiration, to a productive society. Those of us with allegiance to comfy blankets and Downy-soft sheets may enjoy safety in our great numbers, and we must be sensitive not to treat Morningites as inferior simply because they are different from us.
On this cloudy morning I awoke to my usual system check of stiff muscles and heavy eyelids. To begin lifting the brain-fog I usually do a couple of exercises. One of them is to crane my neck, peer nearsightedly at the clock, and calculate the number of sleep minutes remaining. A second one is more useful for people of all creeds.
A man worn down by life and frazzled to the end of his nerves awoke one morning in his usual harried state. He happened to look out the window to measure the weather, and his eyes fell upon a nest in the nearby branches. The movement that had caught his attention was that of a baby bird. As the man watched with fascination, the bird slowly stretched out each part of its tiny body to the fullest. This went on for several minutes. At the end, having thus massaged its wings, legs, and neck, it threw back its head and let loose with a powerful song.
The man was struck by the simple logic and beauty of it. The rhythm of most natural bodies awakens gradually. Was he breaking himself down by launching so abruptly into the duties and worries of each day?
He made the morning ritual his own, right down to the singing! Me too.
On this cloudy morning I awoke to my usual system check of stiff muscles and heavy eyelids. To begin lifting the brain-fog I usually do a couple of exercises. One of them is to crane my neck, peer nearsightedly at the clock, and calculate the number of sleep minutes remaining. A second one is more useful for people of all creeds.
A man worn down by life and frazzled to the end of his nerves awoke one morning in his usual harried state. He happened to look out the window to measure the weather, and his eyes fell upon a nest in the nearby branches. The movement that had caught his attention was that of a baby bird. As the man watched with fascination, the bird slowly stretched out each part of its tiny body to the fullest. This went on for several minutes. At the end, having thus massaged its wings, legs, and neck, it threw back its head and let loose with a powerful song.
The man was struck by the simple logic and beauty of it. The rhythm of most natural bodies awakens gradually. Was he breaking himself down by launching so abruptly into the duties and worries of each day?
He made the morning ritual his own, right down to the singing! Me too.
5 Holes of Golf
Here's how I spent my afternoon. You'll recall my involvement in the Leadership McLean County program from a July post.
LMC '07 Golf Outing Filled With Highs, Slows
Joe McDonald, LMC '04
A handful of LMC 2007 alumni cheerfully set a Hazy Hills golf course record for fewest holes completed in two hours, as part of a relaxing Friday afternoon social on August 17.
The summer's scorching heat decided to take some time off along with the four graduates, whose 1:00 starting time drifted leisurely to 1:30 as players (and most notably a certain newsletter reporter) found their way from the office to the cozy 9-hole layout in Hudson.
By all accounts, event coordinator Jim Engelhardt had spent more time on the links than the rest of his fellow duffers combined. As such the best-ball format, where all players on the team hit from the same spot and only the best shot is used, proved to be the perfect setup for an easy-going affair regardless of golfing experience.
The day was sprinkled with both remarkable memories and memorable remarks. Joann Schuster, the self-described lucky former champion of a women's "longest drive" contest, flashed great accuracy in striking a lone, skinny tree 100 feet away. Engelhardt and George Galindo, celebrating his third time on the course in 2007, shared pearls of occasionally confusing inspiration such as "Rip the grip," "Pretend there's a sewer cap," and "Never give up!"
Shaking the rust off skills unused since last century, both Valerie Foster and Joe McDonald managed some crowd-pleasing shots as the day continued. As role models of sportsmanship, they not only offered to let each other shoot in their place, but often insisted upon it.
Overcoming the trials known only to experienced golfers, such as unusually slow greens and perpetually honking geese, Engelhardt spurred his squad to a comfortable lead over the Schuster-Galindo team.
Ironically the casual, wandering pace, which made for uplifting conversation, also bred the day's only true drama as a mystified course official pleaded with the troupe to let faster groups play through. Thanks to the aid of electric carts, ideal weather and empty course in front of them, McLean County's leaders of tomorrow had conquered nearly five holes by 3:30. Sensing its place in history, and mindful of a planned rendezvous at Green Gables with other LMC alumni, the crew headed abruptly to the parking lot. Rumors of cheering from the logjam of golfers behind them were unconfirmed.
Green Gables made good on its reputation for fast food and high spirits. The newly christened alumni talked about family, community and excitement toward the upcoming LMC class. 5:00 came too quickly, but most are volunteers for LMC '08, and good times are on the way!
LMC '07 Golf Outing Filled With Highs, Slows
Joe McDonald, LMC '04
A handful of LMC 2007 alumni cheerfully set a Hazy Hills golf course record for fewest holes completed in two hours, as part of a relaxing Friday afternoon social on August 17.
The summer's scorching heat decided to take some time off along with the four graduates, whose 1:00 starting time drifted leisurely to 1:30 as players (and most notably a certain newsletter reporter) found their way from the office to the cozy 9-hole layout in Hudson.
By all accounts, event coordinator Jim Engelhardt had spent more time on the links than the rest of his fellow duffers combined. As such the best-ball format, where all players on the team hit from the same spot and only the best shot is used, proved to be the perfect setup for an easy-going affair regardless of golfing experience.
The day was sprinkled with both remarkable memories and memorable remarks. Joann Schuster, the self-described lucky former champion of a women's "longest drive" contest, flashed great accuracy in striking a lone, skinny tree 100 feet away. Engelhardt and George Galindo, celebrating his third time on the course in 2007, shared pearls of occasionally confusing inspiration such as "Rip the grip," "Pretend there's a sewer cap," and "Never give up!"
Shaking the rust off skills unused since last century, both Valerie Foster and Joe McDonald managed some crowd-pleasing shots as the day continued. As role models of sportsmanship, they not only offered to let each other shoot in their place, but often insisted upon it.
Overcoming the trials known only to experienced golfers, such as unusually slow greens and perpetually honking geese, Engelhardt spurred his squad to a comfortable lead over the Schuster-Galindo team.
Ironically the casual, wandering pace, which made for uplifting conversation, also bred the day's only true drama as a mystified course official pleaded with the troupe to let faster groups play through. Thanks to the aid of electric carts, ideal weather and empty course in front of them, McLean County's leaders of tomorrow had conquered nearly five holes by 3:30. Sensing its place in history, and mindful of a planned rendezvous at Green Gables with other LMC alumni, the crew headed abruptly to the parking lot. Rumors of cheering from the logjam of golfers behind them were unconfirmed.
Green Gables made good on its reputation for fast food and high spirits. The newly christened alumni talked about family, community and excitement toward the upcoming LMC class. 5:00 came too quickly, but most are volunteers for LMC '08, and good times are on the way!
You Are Not Necessarily a Horrible Father
So I'm watching Law & Order: Special Victims Unit the other day. A heartbroken father who's daughter was shot to death (by herself, it turns out) recalls his final words to her during an argument, something like:
"I told her 'If you get yourself in trouble, don't go coming back here.'"
If it's possible for a parent to somehow look extra sad, he's it, because his last words to her were so unkind.
Cheer up! Here are three reasons why you are not necessarily a horrible father.
1. Your final sentence wasn't a bad one. Choices have consequences, and she made a choice. You can't control others' free will.
2. If you still feel bad, and if she's in an afterlife, then you've got plenty of time to make it up to her. Get over yourself, and get busy!
3. If you still feel bad, and if she's not in an afterlife, then she's not feeling bad, so why should you?
"I told her 'If you get yourself in trouble, don't go coming back here.'"
If it's possible for a parent to somehow look extra sad, he's it, because his last words to her were so unkind.
Cheer up! Here are three reasons why you are not necessarily a horrible father.
1. Your final sentence wasn't a bad one. Choices have consequences, and she made a choice. You can't control others' free will.
2. If you still feel bad, and if she's in an afterlife, then you've got plenty of time to make it up to her. Get over yourself, and get busy!
3. If you still feel bad, and if she's not in an afterlife, then she's not feeling bad, so why should you?
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Rave Reviews
Well, what do you know (see "Come to Jesus" earlier this month). Validation!
You did a very nice job singing during communion in August. I loved the song. Our older son was impressed when I told him you worked at SF. I think he believes everyone at State Farm is either an accountant-type or a programmer. The fact that you can sing too really impressed him! And the ultimate compliment for you came from our 9 year who leaned over to me and said, "Mom. That guy is good." To receive a compliment from a 9 year old boy who was out of bed way too early for his liking is quite flattering. Nice job, Joe!
You did a very nice job singing during communion in August. I loved the song. Our older son was impressed when I told him you worked at SF. I think he believes everyone at State Farm is either an accountant-type or a programmer. The fact that you can sing too really impressed him! And the ultimate compliment for you came from our 9 year who leaned over to me and said, "Mom. That guy is good." To receive a compliment from a 9 year old boy who was out of bed way too early for his liking is quite flattering. Nice job, Joe!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Election '08: On The Fence
Here's how Presidential hopefuls feel about building a 700-mile fence along the U.S. - Mexican border.
Joe Biden - Fence
Sam Brownback - Fence
Hillary Clinton - Fence
Chris Dodd - Fence
Duncan Hunter - Fence
Dennis Kucinich - No fence
John McCain - Fence
Barack Obama - Fence
Ron Paul - Fence
Bill Richardson - No fence
Tom Tancredo - Fence
To you construction-pandering Fencists, I say go ahead, do your worst. As God be my witness, you will never keep me out of Mexico!
Joe Biden - Fence
Sam Brownback - Fence
Hillary Clinton - Fence
Chris Dodd - Fence
Duncan Hunter - Fence
Dennis Kucinich - No fence
John McCain - Fence
Barack Obama - Fence
Ron Paul - Fence
Bill Richardson - No fence
Tom Tancredo - Fence
To you construction-pandering Fencists, I say go ahead, do your worst. As God be my witness, you will never keep me out of Mexico!
Think Positive Lee
During the American Civil War on September 5, 1862, General Robert E. Lee dramatically led his Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac River and into the North. The 52,000 ragtag men he commanded were lacking rest, ammunition, and shoes. The Union army that clashed with them at Antietam were superior in size (75,000) and resources. Due to a mistake by one of his soldiers, the Union also had a copy of Lee's battle plan. And yet Lee still nearly won the contest on "foreign" soil. How did this happen?
The difference was in the attitude of leadership. Union general George McClellan was regarded as timid -- ever (errantly) fearful that he was outnumbered and undertrained. President Abraham spoke for many citizens when he diagnosed McClellan with a bad case of the "slows." Lee, on the other hand, was bold and confident. He simply refused to act as if he were beaten. He recognized that winning comes with a price. And as he looked at his resources, he focused upon uses, not excuses.
When we size up our personal Antietam, do we see victory or defeat?
The difference was in the attitude of leadership. Union general George McClellan was regarded as timid -- ever (errantly) fearful that he was outnumbered and undertrained. President Abraham spoke for many citizens when he diagnosed McClellan with a bad case of the "slows." Lee, on the other hand, was bold and confident. He simply refused to act as if he were beaten. He recognized that winning comes with a price. And as he looked at his resources, he focused upon uses, not excuses.
When we size up our personal Antietam, do we see victory or defeat?
FindBlogs.com
Today while skimming for something to do on Bored.com, I came across a searchable database of 100,000 blog sites. I typed in "Joe McDonald" and there were no matches. Aha! Country Joe has failed to claim this piece of cyberland. I felt a rush of energy like the American settlers who first stumbled upon Kansas, minus the overwhelming fear of Indians. Hidden Blog will soon rule this rich new territory!
http://www.findblogs.com/
http://www.findblogs.com/
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Who Do You Love (And Why, And So What)?
As part of an ongoing home construction saga, these days I'm showering at the health club. Some great intellectual flashes have struck me in the shower through the years. Today though, I got myself all confused thinking about homosexuality.
Is homosexuality a choice or a characteristic?
If it's a choice, it's a disadvantageous one. The challenges faced by homosexuals are widely known. At the least, they have fewer legal rights than their heterosexual kin. At the most, they are called evil and treated accordingly.
If it's a choice for most, it's not for me. Or have I been coached by a heterosexual upbringing, programmed by society to be attracted only to females?
Does it matter if homosexuality is a choice or a characteristic?
Children raised by homosexuals may lack certain elements of a parental relationship. Is there evidence of much difference from the children of heterosexuals?
Some sexually transmitted diseases are more common among homosexuals, but is this a problem of sexuality more so than a problem of honesty?
Homosexuality, if a choice and if universal, would extinguish the human race. Is this harmful in and of itself?
Sexual attraction and intercourse between two people of the same gender is a human minority, as far as I can tell. Differences from the norm present challenges in society naturally (ask any left-hander or member of an independent political party). What kind of America would it be if we went out of our way to give extra portions of accommodation rather than discomfort?
By this time I'd lathered, rinsed, and repeated enough to earn a commission from Pert. The tile think tank had done enough for one day!
Is homosexuality a choice or a characteristic?
If it's a choice, it's a disadvantageous one. The challenges faced by homosexuals are widely known. At the least, they have fewer legal rights than their heterosexual kin. At the most, they are called evil and treated accordingly.
If it's a choice for most, it's not for me. Or have I been coached by a heterosexual upbringing, programmed by society to be attracted only to females?
Does it matter if homosexuality is a choice or a characteristic?
Children raised by homosexuals may lack certain elements of a parental relationship. Is there evidence of much difference from the children of heterosexuals?
Some sexually transmitted diseases are more common among homosexuals, but is this a problem of sexuality more so than a problem of honesty?
Homosexuality, if a choice and if universal, would extinguish the human race. Is this harmful in and of itself?
Sexual attraction and intercourse between two people of the same gender is a human minority, as far as I can tell. Differences from the norm present challenges in society naturally (ask any left-hander or member of an independent political party). What kind of America would it be if we went out of our way to give extra portions of accommodation rather than discomfort?
By this time I'd lathered, rinsed, and repeated enough to earn a commission from Pert. The tile think tank had done enough for one day!
Scared Shootless
These days I'm fascinated by the U.S. Civil War and its celebrated hero Abraham Lincoln. True to character, I bought the "Idiot's Guide to the Civil War" (actually the Complete Idiot's Guide, but I find that insulting). When we hear about the hi-tech weapons of war these days, it's easy to overlook the relative crudeness of war 150 years ago, where combat was often hand-to-hand and "air force" was a futuristic term. Here's a fact:
Soldiers were often so terrified amid the explosions and confusion of battle that they simply forgot to shoot. Some 27,500 muskets were recovered on the field of battle. Of these, more than 12,000 contained 2 charges. They had been loaded, but not fired, and loaded again. Another 6,000 contained 3 to 10 charges and balls, and one musket was found with 23 rounds.
Ready -- aim -- load!
Soldiers were often so terrified amid the explosions and confusion of battle that they simply forgot to shoot. Some 27,500 muskets were recovered on the field of battle. Of these, more than 12,000 contained 2 charges. They had been loaded, but not fired, and loaded again. Another 6,000 contained 3 to 10 charges and balls, and one musket was found with 23 rounds.
Ready -- aim -- load!
Re-Programming
I attended my nephew's 4th birthday party recently. Some children's natural state is happiness, some whininess, some shyness. My nephew's natural state is running. As tends to happen to these types, he tripped with a crash. When he stood up with a pouting look on his face, someone asked if he was hurt.
"No," he replied with a sniff. "I'm tough."
That got me thinking about a Tony Robbins' quote: "Remember that your values - whatever they are - are the compass that is guiding you to your ultimate destiny."
To some extent, our nature is determined by the chemistry of our birth. But to a larger extent, our nature's shaped by what we put into our mind after we're born. Do we see ourselves as "tough" or "weak"? Are we "smart" or "dumb" (and what kind of "smart" -- school smart, business smart, relationship smart)? "Brave" or "fearful"? "Happy" or "unhappy"? "Blessed" or "cursed"? "Successful" or "failed"? Chances are, whatever the belief is will eventually become reality. My nephew, doubtless coached by his parents, will become tough like his father as long as he continues to think so. And I'll continue to place my breakables on higher shelves.
"No," he replied with a sniff. "I'm tough."
That got me thinking about a Tony Robbins' quote: "Remember that your values - whatever they are - are the compass that is guiding you to your ultimate destiny."
To some extent, our nature is determined by the chemistry of our birth. But to a larger extent, our nature's shaped by what we put into our mind after we're born. Do we see ourselves as "tough" or "weak"? Are we "smart" or "dumb" (and what kind of "smart" -- school smart, business smart, relationship smart)? "Brave" or "fearful"? "Happy" or "unhappy"? "Blessed" or "cursed"? "Successful" or "failed"? Chances are, whatever the belief is will eventually become reality. My nephew, doubtless coached by his parents, will become tough like his father as long as he continues to think so. And I'll continue to place my breakables on higher shelves.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Family Phew-d!
On the upside, it's evidence that fathers and sons share the same DNA.
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/21349/
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/21349/
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Thinking and Driving Don't Mix
I was in my trusty Saturn SL1, and idled up to a light just as it turned red. I planned to turn right and idled up toward the intersection.
I craned my head to the left to check whether or not busy traffic from that direction had gotten a green light yet. Not yet. I accelerated into the turn and swiveled my head toward the front of the car.
WHOA! BRAKE LIGHTS AHEAD! A car ahead of me that had already turned right, had shortly thereafter stopped to make a left hand turn into a store lot, and thus was parked in my lane.
As I skillfully swerved into the right lane, time slowed down and a philosophical thought passed through my head. So often we peer into the past to the point that we send ourselves crashing to failure in the present...
WHOA! BRAKE LIGHTS AHEAD! A car was turning right into an office parking lot. I swerved back into the left lane, just ahead of the first car that I'd nearly missed.
...but we can't get so absorbed in the present that we fail to plan ahead!
I craned my head to the left to check whether or not busy traffic from that direction had gotten a green light yet. Not yet. I accelerated into the turn and swiveled my head toward the front of the car.
WHOA! BRAKE LIGHTS AHEAD! A car ahead of me that had already turned right, had shortly thereafter stopped to make a left hand turn into a store lot, and thus was parked in my lane.
As I skillfully swerved into the right lane, time slowed down and a philosophical thought passed through my head. So often we peer into the past to the point that we send ourselves crashing to failure in the present...
WHOA! BRAKE LIGHTS AHEAD! A car was turning right into an office parking lot. I swerved back into the left lane, just ahead of the first car that I'd nearly missed.
...but we can't get so absorbed in the present that we fail to plan ahead!
The Beatles and the Rutles
I am a Beatles fan.
Not one of those super fans, who has every one of their songs and could write a biography from memory about John, Paul, George, Ringo, their families, manager, hairstylists, or next door neighbors.
Not one of those die-hard fans who can sing along to most songs, has watched one of their movies, and is competitive in any form of Beatles trivia contests.
I'm a special-niche Beatles fan. I love their look and their songs starting from their first year together in public, circa 1963 or something, and ending when they traded black suits for tie dye shirts, and shifted from love songs more toward strawberries and submarines.
Because I'm also into satire comedy in a big way, the English movie "The Rutles: All You Need is Cash" is a hit for me.
Enjoy a listen to the Fab Four:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF1jcBMvjbI
Their counterparts, the Pre-Fab Four:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qf8y7v0WIE
Talk to me!
Not one of those super fans, who has every one of their songs and could write a biography from memory about John, Paul, George, Ringo, their families, manager, hairstylists, or next door neighbors.
Not one of those die-hard fans who can sing along to most songs, has watched one of their movies, and is competitive in any form of Beatles trivia contests.
I'm a special-niche Beatles fan. I love their look and their songs starting from their first year together in public, circa 1963 or something, and ending when they traded black suits for tie dye shirts, and shifted from love songs more toward strawberries and submarines.
Because I'm also into satire comedy in a big way, the English movie "The Rutles: All You Need is Cash" is a hit for me.
Enjoy a listen to the Fab Four:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF1jcBMvjbI
Their counterparts, the Pre-Fab Four:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qf8y7v0WIE
Talk to me!
Monday, August 6, 2007
How to Retire Young
I heard a phrase on the radio today. "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life."
It's easy to scoff at something like that as ivory-tower nonsense. The world needs ditch-diggers too.
I think there's a better meaning though. Everything we do has a downside, if you look hard enough (believe me, I've tested this daily!). And conversely, every task can be loved. That's because love or hate is a choice. As one woman said about her mother, "She wasn't passionate about dish washing, she brought passion to dish washing." If you don't like what your hands are obligated to do at the moment, then perhaps you can busy your mind doing something else, whether that be enjoying the day, or your health, or how much worse things could be.
So why not invest in an early retirement, by trying to fall in love with at least one aspect of your job?
It's easy to scoff at something like that as ivory-tower nonsense. The world needs ditch-diggers too.
I think there's a better meaning though. Everything we do has a downside, if you look hard enough (believe me, I've tested this daily!). And conversely, every task can be loved. That's because love or hate is a choice. As one woman said about her mother, "She wasn't passionate about dish washing, she brought passion to dish washing." If you don't like what your hands are obligated to do at the moment, then perhaps you can busy your mind doing something else, whether that be enjoying the day, or your health, or how much worse things could be.
So why not invest in an early retirement, by trying to fall in love with at least one aspect of your job?
What's Your Capstone?
There's a story about an ancient king of a city whose temple had been destroyed by invaders long ago. He was inspired by a vision of rebuilding the enormous structure, and as often happens in such situations, opposition cropped up in all the usual forms -- naysayers, resource shortages, distractions. But the king had a method for overcoming.
The capstone or apex stone is the one that is placed on top. It is the most prominent feature of a pyramid building and can be seen from the base or from a distance. Consider the Washington Monument, the top of the monument has a pyramid metal-capped stone that defines the structure.
The king had the capstone of the temple created early and laid in a public place, to be seen daily by himself and his subjects. At times the vision of setting that final piece into place seemed (and indeed was) years away, but the capstone was a physical reminder of what they could achieve. In four years, the dream came true.
Sometimes when we're surrounded by evidence of failure, it takes a symbol of success present in our midst to stay true to our dreams.
You get to choose. What's your dream? What's your capstone?
The capstone or apex stone is the one that is placed on top. It is the most prominent feature of a pyramid building and can be seen from the base or from a distance. Consider the Washington Monument, the top of the monument has a pyramid metal-capped stone that defines the structure.
The king had the capstone of the temple created early and laid in a public place, to be seen daily by himself and his subjects. At times the vision of setting that final piece into place seemed (and indeed was) years away, but the capstone was a physical reminder of what they could achieve. In four years, the dream came true.
Sometimes when we're surrounded by evidence of failure, it takes a symbol of success present in our midst to stay true to our dreams.
You get to choose. What's your dream? What's your capstone?
Sunday, August 5, 2007
A Rare Weekend
Do I have this right?
The American home run record was tied for the first time in 33 years.
Alex Rodriguez became the youngest person ever to hit 500 home runs, by nearly a year.
Tom Glavine won his 300th career game.
It might be the rarest of baseball weekends. As discussed in these pages earlier, Rodriguez is a good bet to establish a new career record within the next ten years. The record that he broke this weekend was even older than Hank Aaron's record -- Jimmie Foxx hit his 500th in 1940, 67 years ago.
The ESPN announcers wondered aloud if anyone would ever approach 300 wins again, and I say yes. While it's true that the number of games for pitchers has dropped by about 20% due to the expansion of typical starting rotations from 4 to 5, the offset is that careers are lasting longer than a quarter century ago. That the number of 40-something hurlers is increasing could be a product of a couple of factors. First, the workload reduction may be preserving arms. Second, humans are simply living longer.
Still, the intersection of three such infrequent accomplishments deserves celebration, the likes of which may not be seen in America until the surpassing of Country Joe McDonald.
The American home run record was tied for the first time in 33 years.
Alex Rodriguez became the youngest person ever to hit 500 home runs, by nearly a year.
Tom Glavine won his 300th career game.
It might be the rarest of baseball weekends. As discussed in these pages earlier, Rodriguez is a good bet to establish a new career record within the next ten years. The record that he broke this weekend was even older than Hank Aaron's record -- Jimmie Foxx hit his 500th in 1940, 67 years ago.
The ESPN announcers wondered aloud if anyone would ever approach 300 wins again, and I say yes. While it's true that the number of games for pitchers has dropped by about 20% due to the expansion of typical starting rotations from 4 to 5, the offset is that careers are lasting longer than a quarter century ago. That the number of 40-something hurlers is increasing could be a product of a couple of factors. First, the workload reduction may be preserving arms. Second, humans are simply living longer.
Still, the intersection of three such infrequent accomplishments deserves celebration, the likes of which may not be seen in America until the surpassing of Country Joe McDonald.
Come to Jesus
Today I completed an awaited project -- by singing the song "Come to Jesus" as a solo in front of about 500 people during Communion at Calvary United Methodist Church. Rosann Diedrich, our friend of many years who along with her husband John introduced Dena and me 12 years ago, accompanied on piano. Dena will probably be thankful, as she's endured my singing the song over a hundred times around the house during the three months since we got it on the calendar, often in the morning shower. I did have to get up at the "ungodly" hour of 6:00 to get loose in time, and it paid off. The sound system worked, the voice and Rosann's playing were sharp. The congregation looked fairly riveted by the end, which surprised me -- I figured that they'd be munching on wafers and lost in enjoyment of the aftertaste of grape juice.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Score Bored
This has been the most prolific day in Hidden Blog's short history. The swarm of entries has less to do with inspiration than sheer down time. It's a sultry, overcast day in Normal, perfect for a little indoor fun 'n games. So here's a rundown of some game highlights from the last 24 hours.
NBA Live 2006: I used the edit-a-player function of this video game to turn the 7'6" underachiever Shawn Bradley into a godlike monster who dominates every facet of the game. I stuck him on the lowly Atlanta Hawks and crushed the Detroit Pistons 334-167. Once it became clear that it'd be a blowout, I set a secondary goal of doubling the Piston's point total. During a frenzied final minute, the Hawks ran off 13 points, including Bradley's 3-pointer as time expired. For a different challenge, I played a game where Bradley did nothing but shoot 3-pointers. 105 treys and 327 points later, Bradley took a seat among the immortals.
Text Twist: 147,740 points. I timed myself to see how quickly I could get 50,000 points, and pulled it off in 31 minutes. Vocabulary word for the day: divan: a sofa, or a council in the Middle East.
Fantasy Baseball: Pure Hustle IX is facing a run from the 2nd place contender Willman. The lead is 105 - 100.5. In the other league, Test is in a three-way struggle for 2nd place with 81.5 points, in 4th place, 2 points out of 2nd and 15 out of first.
Ultimate Fan Contest: Over 2,700 contestants ended up competing in round 1. There was a semi-finalist chosen from Normal, but my run's over -- at least for this year!
NBA Live 2006: I used the edit-a-player function of this video game to turn the 7'6" underachiever Shawn Bradley into a godlike monster who dominates every facet of the game. I stuck him on the lowly Atlanta Hawks and crushed the Detroit Pistons 334-167. Once it became clear that it'd be a blowout, I set a secondary goal of doubling the Piston's point total. During a frenzied final minute, the Hawks ran off 13 points, including Bradley's 3-pointer as time expired. For a different challenge, I played a game where Bradley did nothing but shoot 3-pointers. 105 treys and 327 points later, Bradley took a seat among the immortals.
Text Twist: 147,740 points. I timed myself to see how quickly I could get 50,000 points, and pulled it off in 31 minutes. Vocabulary word for the day: divan: a sofa, or a council in the Middle East.
Fantasy Baseball: Pure Hustle IX is facing a run from the 2nd place contender Willman. The lead is 105 - 100.5. In the other league, Test is in a three-way struggle for 2nd place with 81.5 points, in 4th place, 2 points out of 2nd and 15 out of first.
Ultimate Fan Contest: Over 2,700 contestants ended up competing in round 1. There was a semi-finalist chosen from Normal, but my run's over -- at least for this year!
Election '08: The Age Issue
For some Americans, no issue of the 2008 election stirs more passion than the age of our next president. It's amazing what a difference a couple of years makes in a child's social and intellectual development, whether comparing 1 and 3 year-olds or 61 and 63 year-olds.
With the average American age hovering near 78 (see link), and given the nearly undisputed scientific fact that our development peaks exactly at the mid-point before slogging into a slow, steady march to the grave, age 39 becomes a critical statistic in this race.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/20557.php
Here are the candidates, in order of decreasing human usefulness. Shown is their "inauguration age" on January 20, 2009.
Please note that Mike Gravel is approaching his expiration date. It would be nice if you would send him a card.
Barack Obama, 47
Sam Brownback, 52
Mike Huckabee, 53
John Edwards, 55
Jim Gilmore, 59
Duncan Hunter, 60
Bill Richardson, 61
Hillary Clinton, 61
Mitt Romney, 61
Dennis Kucinich, 62
Tom Tancredo, 63
Rudy Guliani, 64
Chris Dodd, 64
Tommy Thompson, 67
Joe Biden, 67
John McCain, 72
Ron Paul, 73
Mike Gravel, 78
With the average American age hovering near 78 (see link), and given the nearly undisputed scientific fact that our development peaks exactly at the mid-point before slogging into a slow, steady march to the grave, age 39 becomes a critical statistic in this race.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/20557.php
Here are the candidates, in order of decreasing human usefulness. Shown is their "inauguration age" on January 20, 2009.
Please note that Mike Gravel is approaching his expiration date. It would be nice if you would send him a card.
Barack Obama, 47
Sam Brownback, 52
Mike Huckabee, 53
John Edwards, 55
Jim Gilmore, 59
Duncan Hunter, 60
Bill Richardson, 61
Hillary Clinton, 61
Mitt Romney, 61
Dennis Kucinich, 62
Tom Tancredo, 63
Rudy Guliani, 64
Chris Dodd, 64
Tommy Thompson, 67
Joe Biden, 67
John McCain, 72
Ron Paul, 73
Mike Gravel, 78
Alive and Kicking 2
Here's a more recent sample of my play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_lqMi4ykxg&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_lqMi4ykxg&mode=related&search=
Vote Utopia Yes!
I think this pretty much assures victory at the polls.
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/john_edwards_vows_to_end_all_bad
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/john_edwards_vows_to_end_all_bad
Alive and Kicking
My soccer playing was never videotaped as a child, but it looked something like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG47FDenyXw&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG47FDenyXw&mode=related&search=
Friday, August 3, 2007
Back to the Sidelines
After some lingering back irritation for about 4 weeks, I've been diagnosed with a pelvic mal-alignment which will require some physical therapy. My general understanding is that it involves 4-6 1-hour treatments over the course of a few weeks, though the therapist will determine for sure. My initial appointment is August 15, could be sooner depending on cancellations. I would imagine that I'll not be participating in any sports until mid-September at the earliest. Though the injury's typically created by a fall or similar trauma, I suspect that I've had this condition for about ten years since it's flared up every couple of years during that time (but never for this long). I'm glad to have a diagnosis and am looking forward to being "better than ever."
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Abortion Party
Can any good come of this phrase?
Depending upon your view of the world, abortion is at worst the murder of an innocent life, at best an inconvenient necessity. Either way, it makes for lousy conversation at weddings.
But here we can at least take notice of some correlation between political party and abortion.
The good news is that there's a web site to give some comparison between all presidential candidates on key issues. It's an instant Hidden Blog favorite.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.abortion.html
And here for good measure is a web site with interesting abortion facts:
http://www.abortionno.org/Resources/fastfacts.html
According to studies that I researched for several seconds, and fact-checked non-existently, there were 1.37 million abortions in America in 1996. In 2000, there were 2.4 million American deaths, led by heart disease at 0.7 million. So if abortion costs $500 on average, then it can be described as the #1 killer of Americans and a billion dollar industry. No wonder it's such an emotional issue!
Fortunately, a solution has been found:
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/new_abortion_bill_to_require
Depending upon your view of the world, abortion is at worst the murder of an innocent life, at best an inconvenient necessity. Either way, it makes for lousy conversation at weddings.
But here we can at least take notice of some correlation between political party and abortion.
The good news is that there's a web site to give some comparison between all presidential candidates on key issues. It's an instant Hidden Blog favorite.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.abortion.html
And here for good measure is a web site with interesting abortion facts:
http://www.abortionno.org/Resources/fastfacts.html
According to studies that I researched for several seconds, and fact-checked non-existently, there were 1.37 million abortions in America in 1996. In 2000, there were 2.4 million American deaths, led by heart disease at 0.7 million. So if abortion costs $500 on average, then it can be described as the #1 killer of Americans and a billion dollar industry. No wonder it's such an emotional issue!
Fortunately, a solution has been found:
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/new_abortion_bill_to_require
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Grandma's Oxygen
Mom's update:
Grandma is home and doing better. She was giving me and Uncle Don a hard time about the oxygen she is using, but think she's finally listening to us and using it only when necessary. She was under the impression that she was supposed to be using it 24/7 which was causing her to be forgetful and lose her balance, she fell twice, because her oxygen level was too high. She's still a little weak and needs to regain some of the weight she lost, weighs 100 lbs., but she refuses to have any assistance. I know she's still not up to par because she didn't complain when told she needed to use a walker instead of just a cane. There's an oxygen tank hanging from the walker (we're looking into getting a basket to put it into) which she uses when walking to the dining room.
That's probably the longest walk she takes and it causes her to be short of breath. It will take her awhile to get used to it.
Grandma is home and doing better. She was giving me and Uncle Don a hard time about the oxygen she is using, but think she's finally listening to us and using it only when necessary. She was under the impression that she was supposed to be using it 24/7 which was causing her to be forgetful and lose her balance, she fell twice, because her oxygen level was too high. She's still a little weak and needs to regain some of the weight she lost, weighs 100 lbs., but she refuses to have any assistance. I know she's still not up to par because she didn't complain when told she needed to use a walker instead of just a cane. There's an oxygen tank hanging from the walker (we're looking into getting a basket to put it into) which she uses when walking to the dining room.
That's probably the longest walk she takes and it causes her to be short of breath. It will take her awhile to get used to it.
The Mission Statement
To celebrate Hidden Blog's 2nd month, we rededicate ourselves to the cause. What would Steven Covey, author of "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" suggest?
"Start with a clear understanding of your destination."
"Almost all world-class athletes and other peak performers are visualizers. They see it; they feel it; they experience it before they actually do it. They begin with the end in mind."
"The most effective way I know to begin with the end in mind is to develop a personal mission statement."
There's the ticket!
Our mission now sits boldly beneath the title. Daily we see it. We visualize that golden moment, when Hidden Blog upends our tormentor. He's 65 years old. I think we can take him.
"Start with a clear understanding of your destination."
"Almost all world-class athletes and other peak performers are visualizers. They see it; they feel it; they experience it before they actually do it. They begin with the end in mind."
"The most effective way I know to begin with the end in mind is to develop a personal mission statement."
There's the ticket!
Our mission now sits boldly beneath the title. Daily we see it. We visualize that golden moment, when Hidden Blog upends our tormentor. He's 65 years old. I think we can take him.
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