From the Internet:
Pull a buck from your wallet now and prepare to be amazed.
We’re serious. Did you know a dollar bill has hidden pictures, flecks of color, and mysterious symbols? And that’s just the beginning. What do all those seemingly random letters and Latin phrases mean, anyway?
The Basics: How much is a dollar worth?
The question seems simple, but the answer is quite complex. Since 1973, the dollar bill has had no value tied to it. You cannot trade in a dollar to the government for gold, silver, or any other commodity. The value of the nation's currency is related to the decree by the government that a dollar is legal tender for all debts. This means if someone attempts to pay a debt using dollars, the person being paid must accept the money or the law no longer recognizes the debt. This is important enough that the phrase is printed on every bill the government creates.
It is also vital for the nation's citizens to agree that the bills have value. If the members of a society decided that they did not believe in the currency, it would quickly be worth no more than the paper it is printed on. For the record, each bill costs the government 6.4 cents to print.
What kind of paper are the bills made from?
Bills are made from a blend of linen and cotton, which is why they don't fall apart in the wash the way paper does. If you look closely, you can see red and blue silk fibers woven throughout the bill. The threads are thought to be an anti-counterfeit measure.
Hint: Look in the white spaces on the face of the bill for little bits of the colored thread. They look like lint but you can't scratch them off!
On the face of a dollar, what does the letter inside the circular seal mean?
The black seal with the big letter in the middle signifies the Federal Reserve bank that placed the order for the bill. A = Boston, B = New York City, C = Philadelphia, D = Cleveland, E = Richmond, Va., F = Atlanta, G = Chicago, H = St. Louis, I = Minneapolis, J = Kansas City, K = Dallas.
The letter also corresponds to the black number that is repeated four times on the face of the bill. For example, if you have a bill from Dallas with the letter K, then the number on the bill will be 11 because K is the eleventh letter in the alphabet.
Can you find any tiny owls or spiders hidden on the front of the bill?
Many people believe they can see a tiny owl (some say it is a spider) next to the large "1" on the upper right of the bill. If you look at the shield shape that surrounds that "1," the tiny owl rests on the top left corner.
More than likely, the markings are nothing, just a point where the webbed design of the border varies. That won't stop some people from associating the peculiar detail with Masonic symbols, or with more practical things, like anti-counterfeit measures.
The Great Seal of the United States
The green back of the dollar bill features the two sides of The Great Seal of the United States. The founding fathers approved its design in 1782. Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson all had a hand in devising it. The seal provides great insight into the values of the newborn nation and, like the Constitution, provides a direct link to its formative days.
What does Annuit Coeptis mean?
The first of three Latin phrases on the back of the bill is translated as "God has favored our undertakings." Many founders, Franklin and George Washington among them, believed that God's will was behind the successful creation of the United States.
Beneath the pyramid, what does Novus Ordo Seclorum mean?
These Latin words mean "New order of the ages." Charles Thomson, a statesman involved in the design of The Great Seal of the United States, proposed the phrase to signify the beginning of what he called "the new American Era," which he said began in 1776 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Why is MDCCLXXVI on the bottom of the pyramid?
The letters are Roman numerals for 1776. M is 1,000, D is 500, CC is 200, L is 50, XX is 20, VI is 6. Add the numerals on the pyramid together and you get the year 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and when the Novus Ordo Seclorum began.
Why is there an unfinished pyramid with a glowing eye?
Thomson explained the sturdy pyramid as a symbol of "strength and duration". He did not explain its unfinished state, but many believe it signified that our nation remained unfinished. The pyramid also stops at 13 steps, the number of the original colonies.
The "Eye of Providence" is a visual representation of the words Annuit Coeptis, and reinforces the founders' notion that God looked upon the endeavor of the new nation with favor. Many theorists mistakenly believe the symbolism of the eye is related to the Freemasons (a secret society whose members believed they were under the careful scrutiny of God), but the symbolism of the glowing eye is far older than any Freemason thinking. Scholars have traced versions of the symbol as far back as the ancient Egyptians.
What does E Pluribus Unum mean?
"Out of many, one." The 13 disparate colonies came together to form one nation.
Why a bald eagle? The founders wanted an animal native to America to be the new nation's symbol. In its talons the eagle holds arrows and olive branches, signifying war and peace.
Fun activities you and the kids can do with a dollar bill
Track your bills. Go to the website Where's George? and enter the serial number of the bill. If the bill has been in circulation long enough, you might be able to see where your bill has been as it travels from wallets to registers and back. After you enter your bills, check back later to see where they have gone.
Play dollar-bill poker. Each of you takes a dollar bill and examines the green serial numbers as if they were a hand of playing cards. Make your best poker hand and see who wins.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Shaving Type O Positive
I think it's important to take good care of my skin, so that it's in top shape when I go to Hatteras, fry it like bacon and add two years to my visual age.
So I Google searched around for skin care tips. The Mayo Clinic had a tidy article with several wise ones. For example, I should shave with a manual razor rather than electric one.
I am the Count Dracula of manual shavers. I'd tried it about five times in my life prior to this year. Every time, I nicked myself. Now it probably didn't help that I used no soothing shaving gel whatsoever. So this time I purchased shaving lotion, after shave lotion, and the impressively named Gillette Mach 3 razor. The Mach 3 is a futuristic looking sleek silvery metallic wonder. Tiny colored strips indicate when it's time to change the blade. I eagerly found my way into the package and the bathroom to try it out.
I nicked myself. And regrettably I had not thought to search for any Gillette Mach 3 Blood-Clotting Toilet Paper while at the store.
Six shaves later, five of them drew blood. I'm thinking of applying to the Big Brothers program so that a responsible adult can teach me. Otherwise, when the Pantagraph celebrates our 25th anniversary down the road, people will see all the scars and wonder what in the world Dena's been doing to me. Unless I cover myself with cooking oil and disguise them with Hatteras wrinkles. Then they'll ask "Why did she marry a guy twice her age?"
So I Google searched around for skin care tips. The Mayo Clinic had a tidy article with several wise ones. For example, I should shave with a manual razor rather than electric one.
I am the Count Dracula of manual shavers. I'd tried it about five times in my life prior to this year. Every time, I nicked myself. Now it probably didn't help that I used no soothing shaving gel whatsoever. So this time I purchased shaving lotion, after shave lotion, and the impressively named Gillette Mach 3 razor. The Mach 3 is a futuristic looking sleek silvery metallic wonder. Tiny colored strips indicate when it's time to change the blade. I eagerly found my way into the package and the bathroom to try it out.
I nicked myself. And regrettably I had not thought to search for any Gillette Mach 3 Blood-Clotting Toilet Paper while at the store.
Six shaves later, five of them drew blood. I'm thinking of applying to the Big Brothers program so that a responsible adult can teach me. Otherwise, when the Pantagraph celebrates our 25th anniversary down the road, people will see all the scars and wonder what in the world Dena's been doing to me. Unless I cover myself with cooking oil and disguise them with Hatteras wrinkles. Then they'll ask "Why did she marry a guy twice her age?"
High/Low Week 4 2010
Low:
This week Dena was hurriedly trying to get some graphic design work done for the Kiwanis Club. One design included a watermark to rest in the background of the relevant words on the page. The problem was that her customer was not getting a transparent image, but a solid one that masked the words. Could it be that the customer was using a PC instead of Mac? She asked if she could send me an e-mail, and for me to open it in a Word document to see how it looked. Being at the end of a long day of work, exercise and coaching, and having just settled in to check fantasy basketball stats at 10:00 at night, I agreed.
Ten minutes later she asked if I'd gotten it yet. And I was in a poor state of mind to be asked to move on something quickly. So following an apology for my slowness, I took the opportunity to go tit-for-tat and ask how much longer it would take for her to deliver me the photos of my studio that I'd asked for a week earlier, sending her scrambling back to her computer to work on it. Mind you, I was in no hurry to get them previously. And she was facing a deadline. In fact, I could've just as easily stepped away from the computer and let her do it. But tiredness sows the seeds of my impatience, and in this case I lost.
High:
Besides the nice date that Dena and I had on Friday night (see Jesse's Grille post), I started to catch up on things at the office. It seems like I've been ten projects behind for the last month, but by the end of day Friday I'd whittled down my e-mail substantially. I use my e-mail inbox as my to-do list, working each to completion and then moving the valuable ones into storage and deleting the rest. So far, it's allowed me to have a nearly paperless office.
Oh, and I got rim again, this time on the main court. So my max reach is officially ten feet. It was nice, at the beginning of the pickup game as the other team figured out their defensive assignments, to hear someone say that I had "hops." Maybe soon that sentence will end in "skill"!
And as a final note, I think I'll be able to help Coach Goldman in the most useful way yet. I offered to manage the playing time rotation of our posts, and he accepted. It's exciting to not only be able to contribute strategy that directly affects the team's success, but to take some weight off Coach's mind following the tough loss this week.
This week Dena was hurriedly trying to get some graphic design work done for the Kiwanis Club. One design included a watermark to rest in the background of the relevant words on the page. The problem was that her customer was not getting a transparent image, but a solid one that masked the words. Could it be that the customer was using a PC instead of Mac? She asked if she could send me an e-mail, and for me to open it in a Word document to see how it looked. Being at the end of a long day of work, exercise and coaching, and having just settled in to check fantasy basketball stats at 10:00 at night, I agreed.
Ten minutes later she asked if I'd gotten it yet. And I was in a poor state of mind to be asked to move on something quickly. So following an apology for my slowness, I took the opportunity to go tit-for-tat and ask how much longer it would take for her to deliver me the photos of my studio that I'd asked for a week earlier, sending her scrambling back to her computer to work on it. Mind you, I was in no hurry to get them previously. And she was facing a deadline. In fact, I could've just as easily stepped away from the computer and let her do it. But tiredness sows the seeds of my impatience, and in this case I lost.
High:
Besides the nice date that Dena and I had on Friday night (see Jesse's Grille post), I started to catch up on things at the office. It seems like I've been ten projects behind for the last month, but by the end of day Friday I'd whittled down my e-mail substantially. I use my e-mail inbox as my to-do list, working each to completion and then moving the valuable ones into storage and deleting the rest. So far, it's allowed me to have a nearly paperless office.
Oh, and I got rim again, this time on the main court. So my max reach is officially ten feet. It was nice, at the beginning of the pickup game as the other team figured out their defensive assignments, to hear someone say that I had "hops." Maybe soon that sentence will end in "skill"!
And as a final note, I think I'll be able to help Coach Goldman in the most useful way yet. I offered to manage the playing time rotation of our posts, and he accepted. It's exciting to not only be able to contribute strategy that directly affects the team's success, but to take some weight off Coach's mind following the tough loss this week.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Jesse's Grille
Dena and I headed over to Normal's new Mariott hotel restaurant and had a super experience! 7:00 on a Friday night and the place was 10% full, which made for an unusually relaxing atmosphere. The place is set just off the lobby, but carpeted and curtained in a way that is spacious and quiet. Hidden Bloggers know that I'm no artist, but I appreciated the bold color schemes and comfy furniture. The staff was cordial. The menu selection was a step above average, with fancy specials and salt/pepper grinders, and $9 half-pound burgers to cover the cost of the ambience (not to mention that it was, you know, in a hotel). No children were there, it seemed mostly retiree-aged people, actually. A great place just to sit and talk, and we had a lot of fun. Thumbs up for a couple on a date night looking for a hidden place to go!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Dr. Friendly on Foul Tips
Dr. Friendly is a non-certified medical amateur, whose advice column appears exclusively in Hidden Blog.
Dear Dr. Friendly,
In baseball I think it’s wrong that a zero- or one-strike foul tip which is caught by the catcher is not an out. Every other scenario where a batted ball is caught in the field of play before hitting the ground is an out. It’s not the defense’s fault the hitter couldn’t hit the ball solidly. There’s no logic to it being a strike, just the emotional argument that “he didn’t REALLY hit it, it’s just a tip.” I think that’s like taking a strike away from a bowler if the 10th pin only fell because another pin rolled into it at the last second, or giving a basketball player another attempt at a free throw if their previous attempt rolled all around the rim and really looked like it was going to fall, but didn’t. Does this foul-tip thing irritate you?
Foul Mood
--------------------
Dear Foul,
It does not irritate me. It's a stretch to think that this rule will be changed so drastically as to be ruled an out. But I do think that any one of the following alternatives are reasonable:
1. If he subsequently hits it and there's a close play at first, the tie should go to the fielder.
2. If he subsequently reaches base, that doesn't count either - he has to go back and start over again. And a substitute pitcher may come in to finish the at-bat, and then exit the game and re-enter later.
3. The batter must finish the at-bat without his helmet.
4. The batter must finish the at-bat without his bat.
5. The batter must conduct the rest of his at bat from outside the batter's box.
6. The pitcher may move as close to the batter as he wants for the rest of the at-bat.
7. If the batter chooses to continue the at-bat, the opposing team gets an "out" to be used like a get-out-of-jail free card whenever they need it.
8. If the batter continues the at-bat and fails to reach base safely, he is ejected from the game and must retire.
9. The catcher is allowed to interfere with the batter however he chooses for the remainder of the at-bat.
Dear Dr. Friendly,
In baseball I think it’s wrong that a zero- or one-strike foul tip which is caught by the catcher is not an out. Every other scenario where a batted ball is caught in the field of play before hitting the ground is an out. It’s not the defense’s fault the hitter couldn’t hit the ball solidly. There’s no logic to it being a strike, just the emotional argument that “he didn’t REALLY hit it, it’s just a tip.” I think that’s like taking a strike away from a bowler if the 10th pin only fell because another pin rolled into it at the last second, or giving a basketball player another attempt at a free throw if their previous attempt rolled all around the rim and really looked like it was going to fall, but didn’t. Does this foul-tip thing irritate you?
Foul Mood
--------------------
Dear Foul,
It does not irritate me. It's a stretch to think that this rule will be changed so drastically as to be ruled an out. But I do think that any one of the following alternatives are reasonable:
1. If he subsequently hits it and there's a close play at first, the tie should go to the fielder.
2. If he subsequently reaches base, that doesn't count either - he has to go back and start over again. And a substitute pitcher may come in to finish the at-bat, and then exit the game and re-enter later.
3. The batter must finish the at-bat without his helmet.
4. The batter must finish the at-bat without his bat.
5. The batter must conduct the rest of his at bat from outside the batter's box.
6. The pitcher may move as close to the batter as he wants for the rest of the at-bat.
7. If the batter chooses to continue the at-bat, the opposing team gets an "out" to be used like a get-out-of-jail free card whenever they need it.
8. If the batter continues the at-bat and fails to reach base safely, he is ejected from the game and must retire.
9. The catcher is allowed to interfere with the batter however he chooses for the remainder of the at-bat.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Fantasies Coming True
Let it be known today that a Joe McDonald fantasy basketball team has climbed into first place. I have never been in first place this late in a season, by a loooooooooooooooooong way. Usually by the end of November I've lowered my goals to trying to capture third place in a ten-team league. And now my team has steamrolled into first place on the strength of good old-fashioned opportunistic buy-low shopping. Two high-profile guys were simply dropped from other teams because they were struggling. Meanwhile I cast off good players in bad situations, and snapped up the discarded stars on the rebound (no pun intended).
Bring it on!
Bring it on!
Rad Pad
My home studio for voice over recording is functional! A picture's worth a thousand words. If you need a script read, let me know and I'll get you a track laid down free of charge. That's what start-up companies do, right? Make no profit.
Close But Still A Cigar
The freshman basketball team came in 2nd in the championship game tonight. I'm being watchful for the 5 stages of grieving.
Denial - Skipped that one. Yep, we lost and it was our own fault.
Anger - You know, I do feel a churning inside. Is that anger? I came home and gave Dena a big hug. Do angry people do that? Seems like there should've been a weapon involved. I don't think I ever got angry.
Bargaining - You mean I missed a chance to try to bribe the other team?
Depression - Oh now this one might be more on the mark. But I've been much closer, and I know that when I'm depressed I have no motivation to do blog posts. Especially when I still haven't had dinner and it's 11:00 at night.
Acceptance - Well, what do you know? I think I made it before bedtime! That is, unless I'm in denial. If you see a ranting post tomorrow, please forgive me. And be ready to cash in on a sweet bargain.
In seriousness though, the coaches' post game speech tonight about right attitude and conduct is probably as responsible for this as anything. Coaches Goldman, Short and Witzig laid down the law about what a winner does and doesn't do. And winning coaches cut players with bad attitudes, even if it means more losses on the court. If I'd had a recorder going I'd have enough snippets of wisdom to last me a hundred ringtones. How did I get so lucky to become part of this?
Denial - Skipped that one. Yep, we lost and it was our own fault.
Anger - You know, I do feel a churning inside. Is that anger? I came home and gave Dena a big hug. Do angry people do that? Seems like there should've been a weapon involved. I don't think I ever got angry.
Bargaining - You mean I missed a chance to try to bribe the other team?
Depression - Oh now this one might be more on the mark. But I've been much closer, and I know that when I'm depressed I have no motivation to do blog posts. Especially when I still haven't had dinner and it's 11:00 at night.
Acceptance - Well, what do you know? I think I made it before bedtime! That is, unless I'm in denial. If you see a ranting post tomorrow, please forgive me. And be ready to cash in on a sweet bargain.
In seriousness though, the coaches' post game speech tonight about right attitude and conduct is probably as responsible for this as anything. Coaches Goldman, Short and Witzig laid down the law about what a winner does and doesn't do. And winning coaches cut players with bad attitudes, even if it means more losses on the court. If I'd had a recorder going I'd have enough snippets of wisdom to last me a hundred ringtones. How did I get so lucky to become part of this?
Monday, January 25, 2010
They Finish First, Too
"Unlike Tony Romo's, [basketball player Dirk] Nowitzki's head is never on a platter, even amid playoff exits, and uncharacteristic largesse Nowitzki has himself marveled at and attributes to his 'I don't know, being a nice guy?'" - ESPN Magazine
In my working career, I think that my most valuable asset may be my mind, but just as easily could be my smile. Smiles help melt frustrations and irritants. Happiness breeds happiness, grumpiness breeds grumpiness. We want the best to come our way - so we seed that by first sending it out into the world.
In my working career, I think that my most valuable asset may be my mind, but just as easily could be my smile. Smiles help melt frustrations and irritants. Happiness breeds happiness, grumpiness breeds grumpiness. We want the best to come our way - so we seed that by first sending it out into the world.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The City Of Brotherly Shove
"Philadelphia fans would boo funerals, an Easter egg hunt, a parade of armless war vets, and the Liberty Bell." - Bo Belinsky
High/Low Week 3 2010
Yet another week goes by where the lowest is still not so low, but that's the point of the resolution isn't it? Accountability keeps a person in line. The thought of this weekly post has helped me keep my cool when the temperature starts to rise.
I've been trying to dive into a project at work for the last couple of weeks. The project will impact our agency force more so than any of my other projects. And as usual, a dozen other priorities older than this one call for attention, some of which are fundamental to the health of our team.
As I stood outside my boss's office waiting for him to arrive for a meeting, one of the managers over this project walked by and without stopping said "So, you got all the problems of this project solved?"
I'm not a pushy person, and I struggle to respect pushiness. The question was an enigma: Did she really think that, if I'd finished such an important assignment, that I wouldn't have told her by now? Or is it a most indirect way of criticizing the fact that I am not finished? A question like this, from my view, does little to benefit the company, and serves as a withdrawal from the bank of trust in our working relationship.
Still, in the fleeting moment I gave it the best benefit of the doubt that I could, taking it as an attempt at a joke. My reply was a lilting "Suuure," as if playing along.
It's possible that the literally two second conversation vaporized from her mind. But being the reflective sort, I imagine it's possible that she read that comment as indifference which could've exasperated any undercurrent of frustration she may already be carrying. Regardless, the most dismaying aspect personally was speaking too quickly, out of the temptation to provide an instant response. Haste makes waste, and in this case I uttered something unproductive at best, and counterproductive at worst. Sometimes silence is golden! I'm just thankful that my nature in relationships is to ponder first, rather than to react.
And among the highlights of the week are:
- The basketball team won its rematch against Central Catholic, who played us tight a couple of weeks ago but we handled by 14 points to kick off the Bloomington tournament. Most satisfying was the fact that I specifically drilled in practice some techniques to open up space for our post players, in response to their defensive strategy from last time, and they worked like a charm! We dominated down low. I imagine this same kind of warm feeling washes over a teacher whose pupils finally master multiplication tables or subject-verb agreement.
- We finally got a chance for a cozy dinner outing with our friends Josh and Jenny. Ideas have bubbled up over the years, but always in a large group setting. Being a small group guy, the trip to the Goodfield Barn II dinner theatre was a perfect occasion to enjoy each other's company.
- My stamina on the basketball court keeps improving thanks to my exercise regimen and diet! Some of the hustle plays I was able to make on the offensive and defensive ends were great signs that my legs are getting stronger and quicker.
- Dena and I are well on our way toward my resolution of tracking expenses better. And pleasantly, they've been coming in right about at the level that we'd projected them to in our retirement plan.
I've been trying to dive into a project at work for the last couple of weeks. The project will impact our agency force more so than any of my other projects. And as usual, a dozen other priorities older than this one call for attention, some of which are fundamental to the health of our team.
As I stood outside my boss's office waiting for him to arrive for a meeting, one of the managers over this project walked by and without stopping said "So, you got all the problems of this project solved?"
I'm not a pushy person, and I struggle to respect pushiness. The question was an enigma: Did she really think that, if I'd finished such an important assignment, that I wouldn't have told her by now? Or is it a most indirect way of criticizing the fact that I am not finished? A question like this, from my view, does little to benefit the company, and serves as a withdrawal from the bank of trust in our working relationship.
Still, in the fleeting moment I gave it the best benefit of the doubt that I could, taking it as an attempt at a joke. My reply was a lilting "Suuure," as if playing along.
It's possible that the literally two second conversation vaporized from her mind. But being the reflective sort, I imagine it's possible that she read that comment as indifference which could've exasperated any undercurrent of frustration she may already be carrying. Regardless, the most dismaying aspect personally was speaking too quickly, out of the temptation to provide an instant response. Haste makes waste, and in this case I uttered something unproductive at best, and counterproductive at worst. Sometimes silence is golden! I'm just thankful that my nature in relationships is to ponder first, rather than to react.
And among the highlights of the week are:
- The basketball team won its rematch against Central Catholic, who played us tight a couple of weeks ago but we handled by 14 points to kick off the Bloomington tournament. Most satisfying was the fact that I specifically drilled in practice some techniques to open up space for our post players, in response to their defensive strategy from last time, and they worked like a charm! We dominated down low. I imagine this same kind of warm feeling washes over a teacher whose pupils finally master multiplication tables or subject-verb agreement.
- We finally got a chance for a cozy dinner outing with our friends Josh and Jenny. Ideas have bubbled up over the years, but always in a large group setting. Being a small group guy, the trip to the Goodfield Barn II dinner theatre was a perfect occasion to enjoy each other's company.
- My stamina on the basketball court keeps improving thanks to my exercise regimen and diet! Some of the hustle plays I was able to make on the offensive and defensive ends were great signs that my legs are getting stronger and quicker.
- Dena and I are well on our way toward my resolution of tracking expenses better. And pleasantly, they've been coming in right about at the level that we'd projected them to in our retirement plan.
Why Art Critics Are Not Called Art Changers
"People need to realize change is not a criticism of the past. It simply means the future will be different." - Dave Brandon, athletic director of Michigan University
With that said, I think that change before understanding is a mistake. Tradition can be the millstone around the neck of, or the very foundation of, a successful organization. Wise leaders take the time to really distinguish the two.
With that said, I think that change before understanding is a mistake. Tradition can be the millstone around the neck of, or the very foundation of, a successful organization. Wise leaders take the time to really distinguish the two.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Dr. Friendly
Dr. Friendly is a non-certified medical amateur, whose advice column appears exclusively in Hidden Blog.
Dear Dr. Friendly,
The other day I received a disturbing call from an incompetent employee at my son's community college. The class was mistakenly listed as a 12 week course, not to begin until Feb 15th. But actually it's a 16 week course, that first met last week.
Somehow 6 of the 33 students got the right date (they must have had the competent advisors).
She claimed that the right date was printed in some materials, and other ways online.
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if his "absence" would count against him. This college must be the only one on earth that keeps attendance. Such a stupid policy is probably to get extra bucks out of us by flunking them with fake absences.
She kept repeating that it was their mistake. Now I have to wonder how many other convenient "mistakes" they're using to screw up my son's future?
Something's seriously wrong here. What should I do?
Frustrated Community College Mom
----------
Dear Frustrated,
I agree that there's something seriously wrong. May I suggest that you let your son answer the phone next time?
Dear Dr. Friendly,
The other day I received a disturbing call from an incompetent employee at my son's community college. The class was mistakenly listed as a 12 week course, not to begin until Feb 15th. But actually it's a 16 week course, that first met last week.
Somehow 6 of the 33 students got the right date (they must have had the competent advisors).
She claimed that the right date was printed in some materials, and other ways online.
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if his "absence" would count against him. This college must be the only one on earth that keeps attendance. Such a stupid policy is probably to get extra bucks out of us by flunking them with fake absences.
She kept repeating that it was their mistake. Now I have to wonder how many other convenient "mistakes" they're using to screw up my son's future?
Something's seriously wrong here. What should I do?
Frustrated Community College Mom
----------
Dear Frustrated,
I agree that there's something seriously wrong. May I suggest that you let your son answer the phone next time?
War Cry Of A Winner
"Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." - Conan O'Brien
Golden Memories
I was talking with my good friend and he was describing some business training meeting about car stereos for his job as an insurance claim adjuster.
"Why do they have to train you about car stereos?" I asked. So that when the burglarized insured points to the huge gap next to the dashboard and asks to replace "the um... uh... shoot what is that thing again... ah this is so FRUSTRATING!" then you can save the day with your impressive recall of basic car anatomy?
"No, no," my friend said. "It's so that if, like, a customer tries to claim that he had such-and-such stereo that was... made out of gold, or something... then I could say 'No, actually that model is made out of thus-and-such.'"
I pondered the image. "You know, I think I'd like to have a gold car stereo."
"Well... maybe not," he replied pensively. "I think the heat that builds up could melt the thing. Wait... does gold melt?"
"Oh, no," I said, a big smile spreading across my face. "I'm pretty sure that gold coins are just naturally that way in the wilderness."
We both launched into a laugh-snickering mix, and it kept coming.
"I mean, thank God that when they're down in the African mines and they find the stuff, it just happens to have pictures of Abraham Lincoln stamped into it."
[Note: Yeah, pennies aren't made of gold. But roll with me here.]
"Why do they have to train you about car stereos?" I asked. So that when the burglarized insured points to the huge gap next to the dashboard and asks to replace "the um... uh... shoot what is that thing again... ah this is so FRUSTRATING!" then you can save the day with your impressive recall of basic car anatomy?
"No, no," my friend said. "It's so that if, like, a customer tries to claim that he had such-and-such stereo that was... made out of gold, or something... then I could say 'No, actually that model is made out of thus-and-such.'"
I pondered the image. "You know, I think I'd like to have a gold car stereo."
"Well... maybe not," he replied pensively. "I think the heat that builds up could melt the thing. Wait... does gold melt?"
"Oh, no," I said, a big smile spreading across my face. "I'm pretty sure that gold coins are just naturally that way in the wilderness."
We both launched into a laugh-snickering mix, and it kept coming.
"I mean, thank God that when they're down in the African mines and they find the stuff, it just happens to have pictures of Abraham Lincoln stamped into it."
[Note: Yeah, pennies aren't made of gold. But roll with me here.]
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Foot In The Door
People who have agreed to a small request are more likely to comply later with a larger request.
"Freedman and Fraser (1966) asked home owners if they would let them place a huge DRIVE CAREFULLY sign in their front yards. Only 17 percent gave permission. Other residents, however, were first approached with a smaller request. They were asked to put up a three-inch BE A SAFE DRIVER window sign. Nearly all immediately agreed. When approached a few weeks later the home owners were asked to place the gigantic sign on their front lawn. This same group overwhelmingly agreed - 76 percent consented - to having the unsightly sign in their front yards."
"Freedman and Fraser (1966) asked home owners if they would let them place a huge DRIVE CAREFULLY sign in their front yards. Only 17 percent gave permission. Other residents, however, were first approached with a smaller request. They were asked to put up a three-inch BE A SAFE DRIVER window sign. Nearly all immediately agreed. When approached a few weeks later the home owners were asked to place the gigantic sign on their front lawn. This same group overwhelmingly agreed - 76 percent consented - to having the unsightly sign in their front yards."
Grouch Remarks
"He's really turned his life around. He used to be depressed and miserable. Now he's miserable and depressed." - Harry Kalas, on outfielder Gary Maddox
Master Of The Other Universe
"Rex Barney would be the league's best pitcher if the plate were high and outside." - Bob Cooke, sportswriter
Race Relations
"If he raced his pregnant wife he'd finish third." - Tommy Lasorda, on his catcher Mike Scoscia
Dave Barry's Long Last Look At 2009
http://www.mlive.com/new-year/index.ssf/2009/12/dave_barrys_long_last_look_at_2009_wander_through_the_year_that_was_and_cross_your_fingers_for_2010.html
Top Tips For Flat Abs
From SELF e-magazine:
Let's all say it together: Crunches are boring! We all hate crunches, but flatter abs would certainly be nice. We want them without doing so much to get them. This year, you can have both—the abs and the easy moves. The best part is that it will happen fast if you stick with the program. The truth is, there are so many ultra-effective tips and moves for a leaner stomach that you can swear off crunches forever, if you'd like, and still chisel your middle. One of my favorites? The plank! For more simple, enjoyable ways to shed inches from your waist, try my favorite ab moves and tips from the last year of SELF:
1) Go on an abs spree
Grouping all your ab exercises together can deliver better results than switching back and forth between various body parts, according to Nicole Stewart, a pilates instructor in Los Angeles. Working your abs to the "burning" point delivers a sizzling stomach.
2) Feast on a little fat!
A smidge of fat in your diet can actually help your midsection get svelte. Studies suggest that foods rich in monounsaturated fats—including olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocado—can help prevent the accumulation of unwelcome tummy fat. See 8 superfoods that combat fat.
3) Try teamwork
Toning up and slimming down doesn't need to be a solitary pursuit. Grab a pal for this exercise: Lie on the floor with your legs straight up in the air, says Akin Williams, a group fitness instructor at Equinox Fitness Clubs in New York City, who created this move. Ask a buddy to command you to bring your legs up and down randomly (saying, for example, "Right leg down, left leg up" and "Both legs up") every few seconds. Use your ab muscles to follow her directions, keeping your lower back pressed into the floor. Do this for three or four 20- to 60-second sets, resting 1 minute between each set. Then switch and you be the leader. These random commands trigger a rapid contraction of your muscles, tiring the more easily sculpted areas of your abs, so "you see better results in less time," says Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist in San Diego for the American Council on Exercise. Hey, what are friends for?
4) Tone abs while you burn fat
Heart-pumping activity triggers your body to convert abdominal fat to fuel, research shows. Aim to do 30 minutes or more most days. Squeeze even more belly benefits from your stint on the treadmill by ramping up the incline, or relying on your core muscles to keep you upright on the elliptical (grip the handlebars, but don't use them to support you!) to engage your core, says Joanna Stahl, group fitness instructor at Equinox Fitness Clubs in New York City.
5) Try the Dragonfly
Start on all fours, a weight in each hand. Extend left leg behind you in line with body; extend right arm out to side at shoulder level. Keeping left leg lifted, curl weight toward chest. Straighten arm for one rep. Do 12 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
6) Find your balance
A great way to tighten and tone your core? Give yourself a stay-steady challenge. "Strength moves requiring balance work the tough-to-reach transverse abdominis more effectively than traditional ab toners do," says Robert Sherman, a trainer in Rockville, Maryland. Use a folded bath towel, a BOSU or a pair of balance pods to make it hard to find your footing for this move, called the Lunge-Up: With left foot on pod or towel, lower into lunge, knee over ankle, thigh parallel to ground, right knee bent with heel raised, hands on hips. As you straighten left leg, push off ball of right foot, bringing right thigh in front and parallel to ground, balancing on pod. Slowly return to start. Do 12 reps. Switch legs; repeat.
5) Bend those knees
Add a tummy-toning balance challenge to traditional squats by doing them on one leg, as Roxy pro surfer Kassia Meador swears by. Do two sets of 12 reps on alternate days for abs that make waves.
6) Do the ab-up
A side plank sculpts flat abs fast by focusing on obliques, the muscles that wrap around your middle and hold you in. Lie on left side, resting on left forearm and left hip, knees and feet stacked, right arm at side. Lift left hip into a side plank. Lower and touch left hip to ground, then lift back up, holding abs in tight, for one rep. Do 20 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
7) Go bananas!
The fruit contains 422 milligrams of potassium, which helps limit belly-bloating sodium in your body. Talk about peel appeal! Another source: four stalks of celery deliver 416 mg of potassium.
8) Do bench presses
Extending your arms during the pec-perking exercise causes your ab muscles to contract, toning your abs as well as your arms. Add two sets of 12 reps to your usual routine.
9) Chill out
Increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, can lead to excess stomach fat, research shows. Try delegating work duties, pursue a hobby you find relaxing, whether it's knitting or jewelry making, and make laid-back lunch dates with buddies to lighten your mood—and slim your middle!
Want more secrets to your strongest, slimmest stomach yet? Try the step-by-step Jump Start plan at Self.com, packed with easy eat-better tips and a workout designed by The Biggest Loser's Jillian Michaels.
Let's all say it together: Crunches are boring! We all hate crunches, but flatter abs would certainly be nice. We want them without doing so much to get them. This year, you can have both—the abs and the easy moves. The best part is that it will happen fast if you stick with the program. The truth is, there are so many ultra-effective tips and moves for a leaner stomach that you can swear off crunches forever, if you'd like, and still chisel your middle. One of my favorites? The plank! For more simple, enjoyable ways to shed inches from your waist, try my favorite ab moves and tips from the last year of SELF:
1) Go on an abs spree
Grouping all your ab exercises together can deliver better results than switching back and forth between various body parts, according to Nicole Stewart, a pilates instructor in Los Angeles. Working your abs to the "burning" point delivers a sizzling stomach.
2) Feast on a little fat!
A smidge of fat in your diet can actually help your midsection get svelte. Studies suggest that foods rich in monounsaturated fats—including olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocado—can help prevent the accumulation of unwelcome tummy fat. See 8 superfoods that combat fat.
3) Try teamwork
Toning up and slimming down doesn't need to be a solitary pursuit. Grab a pal for this exercise: Lie on the floor with your legs straight up in the air, says Akin Williams, a group fitness instructor at Equinox Fitness Clubs in New York City, who created this move. Ask a buddy to command you to bring your legs up and down randomly (saying, for example, "Right leg down, left leg up" and "Both legs up") every few seconds. Use your ab muscles to follow her directions, keeping your lower back pressed into the floor. Do this for three or four 20- to 60-second sets, resting 1 minute between each set. Then switch and you be the leader. These random commands trigger a rapid contraction of your muscles, tiring the more easily sculpted areas of your abs, so "you see better results in less time," says Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist in San Diego for the American Council on Exercise. Hey, what are friends for?
4) Tone abs while you burn fat
Heart-pumping activity triggers your body to convert abdominal fat to fuel, research shows. Aim to do 30 minutes or more most days. Squeeze even more belly benefits from your stint on the treadmill by ramping up the incline, or relying on your core muscles to keep you upright on the elliptical (grip the handlebars, but don't use them to support you!) to engage your core, says Joanna Stahl, group fitness instructor at Equinox Fitness Clubs in New York City.
5) Try the Dragonfly
Start on all fours, a weight in each hand. Extend left leg behind you in line with body; extend right arm out to side at shoulder level. Keeping left leg lifted, curl weight toward chest. Straighten arm for one rep. Do 12 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
6) Find your balance
A great way to tighten and tone your core? Give yourself a stay-steady challenge. "Strength moves requiring balance work the tough-to-reach transverse abdominis more effectively than traditional ab toners do," says Robert Sherman, a trainer in Rockville, Maryland. Use a folded bath towel, a BOSU or a pair of balance pods to make it hard to find your footing for this move, called the Lunge-Up: With left foot on pod or towel, lower into lunge, knee over ankle, thigh parallel to ground, right knee bent with heel raised, hands on hips. As you straighten left leg, push off ball of right foot, bringing right thigh in front and parallel to ground, balancing on pod. Slowly return to start. Do 12 reps. Switch legs; repeat.
5) Bend those knees
Add a tummy-toning balance challenge to traditional squats by doing them on one leg, as Roxy pro surfer Kassia Meador swears by. Do two sets of 12 reps on alternate days for abs that make waves.
6) Do the ab-up
A side plank sculpts flat abs fast by focusing on obliques, the muscles that wrap around your middle and hold you in. Lie on left side, resting on left forearm and left hip, knees and feet stacked, right arm at side. Lift left hip into a side plank. Lower and touch left hip to ground, then lift back up, holding abs in tight, for one rep. Do 20 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
7) Go bananas!
The fruit contains 422 milligrams of potassium, which helps limit belly-bloating sodium in your body. Talk about peel appeal! Another source: four stalks of celery deliver 416 mg of potassium.
8) Do bench presses
Extending your arms during the pec-perking exercise causes your ab muscles to contract, toning your abs as well as your arms. Add two sets of 12 reps to your usual routine.
9) Chill out
Increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, can lead to excess stomach fat, research shows. Try delegating work duties, pursue a hobby you find relaxing, whether it's knitting or jewelry making, and make laid-back lunch dates with buddies to lighten your mood—and slim your middle!
Want more secrets to your strongest, slimmest stomach yet? Try the step-by-step Jump Start plan at Self.com, packed with easy eat-better tips and a workout designed by The Biggest Loser's Jillian Michaels.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Common Census
2010 Census to Begin
THIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE;
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau
(BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to
become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S.
Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of
households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S.
Census workers will count every person in the United States and
will gather information about every person living at each address
including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S.
Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a
badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a
confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge
before answering their questions. However, you should never invite
anyone you don't know into your home.
Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address
information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or
banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the
U.S. Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW
MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information,
such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR
FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social
Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees
solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the
Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN
ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach
you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in
person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you
by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that
are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
THIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE;
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau
(BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to
become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S.
Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of
households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S.
Census workers will count every person in the United States and
will gather information about every person living at each address
including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S.
Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a
badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a
confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge
before answering their questions. However, you should never invite
anyone you don't know into your home.
Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address
information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or
banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the
U.S. Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW
MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information,
such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR
FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social
Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees
solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the
Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN
ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach
you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in
person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you
by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that
are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Freidinger Traded To McDonalds As Advisor
The McDonalds acquired sister-in-law Jane Freidinger in a trade late Sunday night, filling a major household gap as a live-in personal advisor.
The McDonalds have generally flourished since their founding in 1998. Joe's stable income, affinity for figures, organization and leadership complement well Dena's entrepreneurial ambition, servant heart, artistic eye, mechanical aptitude and interest in actually decorating the walls.
The resulting happiness and shirts that don't clash with pants have branded the franchise's image with widely recognizable success.
Still, like any enduring team, the owners were aware of their weaknesses and targeted them for continuous improvement.
"I like to read," Joe said, "Sometimes I could use a good book referral."
"Plus," said the man who bought his first iPod Nano this year and whose cell phone came off the shelf at Kroger, "I'm a few steps behind on technology."
As a possible solution they scouted Jane, who had joined the Freidingers in 2002 after starting her career with the Knoblochs. Since then the multi-talented player-manager actually contributed to both teams through the expansion of a family home warranty business and the development of two promising young Freidinger rookies.
Following her brilliant recommendations of the book "Same Kind of Different as Me" and the Cisco wireless router, Joe contacted Husband Freidinger and aggressively pursued trade options.
"Jane's a perfect fit for our team," McDonald added, noting the similarity of her sharp-witted writing style and sense of humor to those of her new mates.
Negotiating an attractive deal was delicate because of the loss of her leadership in the clubhouse, because her lifetime contract had no opt-out clause, and because the McDonalds have no spare bedroom.
"Dena's been meaning to get a futon for a while," Joe said, "but the couch is still very comfy. When you've bought Sauder Furniture, you've bought quality built to last."
Under the terms of the agreement, her permanent residence shifts to Normal. Keeping with her trend of supporting prior teams, she will continue her work in the Knobloch family business. She also retains her legal name and status as mother and wife, rejecting McDonald's proposal to establish dependency for tax purposes. The Freidingers lose her mothering services as she begins her consulting role with her new team, but will see a bottom-line boost as her entire income is directed to Goodfield, while the McDonalds cover her living expenses.
Concerns over the recreation of the young Freidingers were resolved when the McDonalds threw in a Wii game system and a serious supply of sedatives.
"We'll miss her," Husband admitted. "She's been an important asset for us. But families are first and foremost a business, and in the end this was an arrangement that was good business for all parties involved."
"I love Mommy," Kate sniffed with pouty and quivering lips. "Hey, is that a Wii? Yay! I wanna play boxing! I want the guy with the red gloves!"
"No, I want to be the guy with the red gloves!" Elisabeth added, moments before Husband's storming entrance with a straight jacket ended the interview early.
Ironically, Jane's counsel on wireless routers becomes self-serving in support of her new work environment. And despite leaving the place she'd known as home for seven years, she couldn't help but concede the win-win deal:
"I'd been developing early arthritis from all this corn-rowing, beading, twisting, and braiding of 'ethnic' girl hair. To think now that it can manifest naturally through good old-fashioned carpal tunnel syndrome is exciting."
She also expressed plans to partner with Husband and the rookies (an additional call-up is expected soon) to social functions such as family parties and church.
The McDonalds have generally flourished since their founding in 1998. Joe's stable income, affinity for figures, organization and leadership complement well Dena's entrepreneurial ambition, servant heart, artistic eye, mechanical aptitude and interest in actually decorating the walls.
The resulting happiness and shirts that don't clash with pants have branded the franchise's image with widely recognizable success.
Still, like any enduring team, the owners were aware of their weaknesses and targeted them for continuous improvement.
"I like to read," Joe said, "Sometimes I could use a good book referral."
"Plus," said the man who bought his first iPod Nano this year and whose cell phone came off the shelf at Kroger, "I'm a few steps behind on technology."
As a possible solution they scouted Jane, who had joined the Freidingers in 2002 after starting her career with the Knoblochs. Since then the multi-talented player-manager actually contributed to both teams through the expansion of a family home warranty business and the development of two promising young Freidinger rookies.
Following her brilliant recommendations of the book "Same Kind of Different as Me" and the Cisco wireless router, Joe contacted Husband Freidinger and aggressively pursued trade options.
"Jane's a perfect fit for our team," McDonald added, noting the similarity of her sharp-witted writing style and sense of humor to those of her new mates.
Negotiating an attractive deal was delicate because of the loss of her leadership in the clubhouse, because her lifetime contract had no opt-out clause, and because the McDonalds have no spare bedroom.
"Dena's been meaning to get a futon for a while," Joe said, "but the couch is still very comfy. When you've bought Sauder Furniture, you've bought quality built to last."
Under the terms of the agreement, her permanent residence shifts to Normal. Keeping with her trend of supporting prior teams, she will continue her work in the Knobloch family business. She also retains her legal name and status as mother and wife, rejecting McDonald's proposal to establish dependency for tax purposes. The Freidingers lose her mothering services as she begins her consulting role with her new team, but will see a bottom-line boost as her entire income is directed to Goodfield, while the McDonalds cover her living expenses.
Concerns over the recreation of the young Freidingers were resolved when the McDonalds threw in a Wii game system and a serious supply of sedatives.
"We'll miss her," Husband admitted. "She's been an important asset for us. But families are first and foremost a business, and in the end this was an arrangement that was good business for all parties involved."
"I love Mommy," Kate sniffed with pouty and quivering lips. "Hey, is that a Wii? Yay! I wanna play boxing! I want the guy with the red gloves!"
"No, I want to be the guy with the red gloves!" Elisabeth added, moments before Husband's storming entrance with a straight jacket ended the interview early.
Ironically, Jane's counsel on wireless routers becomes self-serving in support of her new work environment. And despite leaving the place she'd known as home for seven years, she couldn't help but concede the win-win deal:
"I'd been developing early arthritis from all this corn-rowing, beading, twisting, and braiding of 'ethnic' girl hair. To think now that it can manifest naturally through good old-fashioned carpal tunnel syndrome is exciting."
She also expressed plans to partner with Husband and the rookies (an additional call-up is expected soon) to social functions such as family parties and church.
Drawn To Scale
The scale in our bathroom decided to retire from measuring body fat, so it was fired. Yesterday I headed out to Bed, Bath & Beyond where all manner of scale options were on display. For $60 I could get one that measured body fat, muscle mass %, bone mass %, water % and calories needed to maintain weight. For $100 I could get one that was also entirely made of glass and gave tax advice. Since I already by TurboTax, I went with the discount model.
I enthusiastically ripped it out of the package and positioned the Homedics SC-540B in the corner of the bathroom, stripped down to nothing and planted myself on top. Actually, somewhere in there I also inserted the AAA batteries and entered my height, weight, age and gender into slot #1 (it stores up to 12, which is not only insurance in case one of us develops schizophrenia, but should be of great comfort to our ten house guests without beds). There was one other piece of information. Am I "Normal" or "Athletic"? Why that matters I don't know exactly, maybe to hide the effects of performance enhancing drugs? Initially I was psyched to see a body fat % reading in the 13's. Then I reviewed the manual and learned that their definition of "athletic" was for those "elite" who exercised for at least two hours a day, three days a week. Figuring that "elite" athletes don't write excited blog posts about being able to touch a basketball rim, I demoted myself to "normal," and was sort-of pleased to see that its results were consistent with the previous scale.
The manual also had some tables of normal ranges for various statistics. A male with my body fat percentage should have about 40% of his mass from muscle. Mine was... 20%. Now 20% of 150 pounds is 30 pounds. So in order to meet the manual's charts, I'd need to put on about 30 more pounds of muscle on me. To do that, I'd probably have to work out at least two hours a day, three days a week... which would make me "athletic"... hmmm. Pardon me while I do a little research on performance enhancing drugs.
I enthusiastically ripped it out of the package and positioned the Homedics SC-540B in the corner of the bathroom, stripped down to nothing and planted myself on top. Actually, somewhere in there I also inserted the AAA batteries and entered my height, weight, age and gender into slot #1 (it stores up to 12, which is not only insurance in case one of us develops schizophrenia, but should be of great comfort to our ten house guests without beds). There was one other piece of information. Am I "Normal" or "Athletic"? Why that matters I don't know exactly, maybe to hide the effects of performance enhancing drugs? Initially I was psyched to see a body fat % reading in the 13's. Then I reviewed the manual and learned that their definition of "athletic" was for those "elite" who exercised for at least two hours a day, three days a week. Figuring that "elite" athletes don't write excited blog posts about being able to touch a basketball rim, I demoted myself to "normal," and was sort-of pleased to see that its results were consistent with the previous scale.
The manual also had some tables of normal ranges for various statistics. A male with my body fat percentage should have about 40% of his mass from muscle. Mine was... 20%. Now 20% of 150 pounds is 30 pounds. So in order to meet the manual's charts, I'd need to put on about 30 more pounds of muscle on me. To do that, I'd probably have to work out at least two hours a day, three days a week... which would make me "athletic"... hmmm. Pardon me while I do a little research on performance enhancing drugs.
About Carbs
Found this on the Web. Good news is that my diet matches up with this pretty well. Bad news - might have to declare a restaurant other than Avanti's as my official favorite in order to escape white pasta.
What is a Carbohydrate?
Carbohydrates are sugars that provide the body with energy. Your body can break carbohydrates down quickly and efficiently.
What Are Good Carbs?
Good carbohydrate foods are those that are still in their natural state, or they are still similar to their natural state. They are foods that have not been processed or altered by people or machines.
Good carbohydrates are generally high in fiber. Foods high in fiber will give you energy over longer periods of time. They also give you a sense of feeling full. Foods that are high in fiber help to lower cholesterol levels, as well as aiding the body in toxin removal.
Good carbohydrates generally have a low glycemic index. Foods with a low glycemic index will not cause a spike in blood sugar. This is especially important for diabetics who have to constantly monitor their blood glucose levels.
Good carbohydrates are nutritious. Good carbohydrates are rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Examples of good carbohydrate foods:
* Fruits
* Vegetables
* Beans
* Legumes
* Nuts
* Seeds
* Whole grain breads
* Whole grain cereals
* Whole grain pastas
* Some dairy products
What Are Bad Carbs?
Bad carbohydrate foods are those that have been refined and processed. These foods are not in their natural state. Most of the nutritional value has been removed from these foods. Bad carbohydrate foods are generally loaded with many additives, including colorings, flavorings and preservatives.
Most bad carbohydrate foods are usually very tasteful and are packaged for easy handling. However, they are generally considered harmful to the body because they are not easily digested and they spike an individual’s blood glucose level. Bad carbohydrate foods include candy, baked goods with refined white flour, white pastas, and sodas.
If you eat too many bad carbohydrates, you will most probably gain weight. The calories are “empty” and they have no nutritional value. Individuals who have a lifestyle of eating bad carbs are more at risk to develop diabetes, heart disease, obesity and more.
An individual who eats many bad carbs will notice a spike in their energy levels shortly after consumption. However, energy levels will generally fall off rapidly prompting the individual to consume more bad carbs.
What is a Carbohydrate?
Carbohydrates are sugars that provide the body with energy. Your body can break carbohydrates down quickly and efficiently.
What Are Good Carbs?
Good carbohydrate foods are those that are still in their natural state, or they are still similar to their natural state. They are foods that have not been processed or altered by people or machines.
Good carbohydrates are generally high in fiber. Foods high in fiber will give you energy over longer periods of time. They also give you a sense of feeling full. Foods that are high in fiber help to lower cholesterol levels, as well as aiding the body in toxin removal.
Good carbohydrates generally have a low glycemic index. Foods with a low glycemic index will not cause a spike in blood sugar. This is especially important for diabetics who have to constantly monitor their blood glucose levels.
Good carbohydrates are nutritious. Good carbohydrates are rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Examples of good carbohydrate foods:
* Fruits
* Vegetables
* Beans
* Legumes
* Nuts
* Seeds
* Whole grain breads
* Whole grain cereals
* Whole grain pastas
* Some dairy products
What Are Bad Carbs?
Bad carbohydrate foods are those that have been refined and processed. These foods are not in their natural state. Most of the nutritional value has been removed from these foods. Bad carbohydrate foods are generally loaded with many additives, including colorings, flavorings and preservatives.
Most bad carbohydrate foods are usually very tasteful and are packaged for easy handling. However, they are generally considered harmful to the body because they are not easily digested and they spike an individual’s blood glucose level. Bad carbohydrate foods include candy, baked goods with refined white flour, white pastas, and sodas.
If you eat too many bad carbohydrates, you will most probably gain weight. The calories are “empty” and they have no nutritional value. Individuals who have a lifestyle of eating bad carbs are more at risk to develop diabetes, heart disease, obesity and more.
An individual who eats many bad carbs will notice a spike in their energy levels shortly after consumption. However, energy levels will generally fall off rapidly prompting the individual to consume more bad carbs.
I Got Rim
For the first time that I can remember since high school, I leaped at a basketball rim and was able to touch it with my hand. This is proof that thrice-weekly weight workouts are making a difference, as lately I've peaked at toe raises on a machine with 250 pounds of resistance. It may also be proof that the rim is less than regulation 10 feet of height. This was a rim on a side court. Then I proceeded to the main court and fell a little short on a couple of tries.
Still, it was definitely enough to inspire some extra determination in the weight room this week!
Still, it was definitely enough to inspire some extra determination in the weight room this week!
Complaints From Below
Why is it that maturing bodies act more immature in some ways?
It used to be that an injury was an injury - a good old fashioned wrenched ankle that swells up like a purple balloon for weeks and leaves no doubt that it's unplayable.
After three decades of playing basketball, now the body starts acting like a kid who doesn't want to go to school. And like a discerning parent it's quite obvious to me that it's lying. For example yesterday when I'm walking up the stairs at home, and suddenly my knee feels like someone just stretched a ligament about three times its normal length, or pricked it with a fork. Or earlier this week on the treadmill when all of a sudden, walking my customary speed, my shins start feeling as fatigued as a man near the tip of Mount Everest.
"Come on now," I scold them, "There's no reason for you to act up like that." And within minutes everything miraculously feels better. Or better than better. By the time that treadmill outing was done, I was firing away at my highest speed of the week with no trouble at all.
Like the mind, the body will try to trick us into quitting. We know better.
It used to be that an injury was an injury - a good old fashioned wrenched ankle that swells up like a purple balloon for weeks and leaves no doubt that it's unplayable.
After three decades of playing basketball, now the body starts acting like a kid who doesn't want to go to school. And like a discerning parent it's quite obvious to me that it's lying. For example yesterday when I'm walking up the stairs at home, and suddenly my knee feels like someone just stretched a ligament about three times its normal length, or pricked it with a fork. Or earlier this week on the treadmill when all of a sudden, walking my customary speed, my shins start feeling as fatigued as a man near the tip of Mount Everest.
"Come on now," I scold them, "There's no reason for you to act up like that." And within minutes everything miraculously feels better. Or better than better. By the time that treadmill outing was done, I was firing away at my highest speed of the week with no trouble at all.
Like the mind, the body will try to trick us into quitting. We know better.
High/Low Week 2 2010
It's been a great week when I have to ponder a while to think of the low point.
One is a regret on the basketball court. A player approached me asking about his upcoming playing time for one of our games, and I echoed Coach's honest plan that he'd shared all week. Namely, that during tonight's game we were hoping to get more bodies off the bench than usual to get some people more time on the floor. Considering that there are five positions on the court, he was third on the depth chart for his position and I let him know that.
As you saw from an earlier post, that game ended up needing our very best players on the court at all times. So the player never got in. Especially for home games, it must be tough to sit while your parents are in the stands. And this is a hard-working player who never complains. It tugs at the heart.
Now he did get into the "B" game and played well, showing no negative body language as he threw himself about the court. And he does play an important role and stands to learn an important life lesson by throwing himself into that role - that of the practice player, as on so many championship teams, whose contribution to the team is to push the starters to the limit so that they're more than ready when the real competition appears. I feel like I owe him that conversation to keep his expectations in perspective and not leave him feeling as if I'm handing out false hopes, or measuring success in terms of playing time or competing against his teammates.
The other incident, which crept up a couple times and doubtless will at others this year, was an opportunity to chime in on a comment that came at someone else's expense, and in their absence. People often earn a good part of their own reputation, but that doesn't give someone the right to revel in it or perpetuate it. Later that week a similar occasion crept up about the same individual, and I bit my tongue. Hopefully that momentum will carry.
There were several highs this week, some of which will be touched on in other posts. The one I'll share here is a subplot of the UHigh basketball game. All of a sudden as the B game began, Coach turned and asked me if I wanted to take his place for this extra quarter. My instinctive reply was "You're doing just fine, Coach," averting my eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked plaintively. I hesitated, just long enough for two things to happen. First, I thought of my Dad's memory. I am definitely his son, from the blue eyes and square jaw on the outside to the love of strategy and teaching on the inside. I may be more reserved and less popular than him, but have developed in my own way a staid belief that a person reaps what he sows, that private one-on-one conversations rooted in respect and humility build relationships that explode with the momentum of success eventually. And that's the second thing that happened in this moment. Half the bench overheard Coach's question and started cheering as if he'd just announced the cure for cancer. "Yeah, Coach McDonald! Go!" they chorused. And so I launched from my seat and walked high school sidelines as "head coach" for the first time. Whether anyone actually heard any of my words is anyone's guess. It was enough for me to see us win by nearly ten points in one quarter, and then spontaneously hear the team captain raise a cheer for me in the locker room afterward. Somewhere, a great coach was smiling in the sky.
One is a regret on the basketball court. A player approached me asking about his upcoming playing time for one of our games, and I echoed Coach's honest plan that he'd shared all week. Namely, that during tonight's game we were hoping to get more bodies off the bench than usual to get some people more time on the floor. Considering that there are five positions on the court, he was third on the depth chart for his position and I let him know that.
As you saw from an earlier post, that game ended up needing our very best players on the court at all times. So the player never got in. Especially for home games, it must be tough to sit while your parents are in the stands. And this is a hard-working player who never complains. It tugs at the heart.
Now he did get into the "B" game and played well, showing no negative body language as he threw himself about the court. And he does play an important role and stands to learn an important life lesson by throwing himself into that role - that of the practice player, as on so many championship teams, whose contribution to the team is to push the starters to the limit so that they're more than ready when the real competition appears. I feel like I owe him that conversation to keep his expectations in perspective and not leave him feeling as if I'm handing out false hopes, or measuring success in terms of playing time or competing against his teammates.
The other incident, which crept up a couple times and doubtless will at others this year, was an opportunity to chime in on a comment that came at someone else's expense, and in their absence. People often earn a good part of their own reputation, but that doesn't give someone the right to revel in it or perpetuate it. Later that week a similar occasion crept up about the same individual, and I bit my tongue. Hopefully that momentum will carry.
There were several highs this week, some of which will be touched on in other posts. The one I'll share here is a subplot of the UHigh basketball game. All of a sudden as the B game began, Coach turned and asked me if I wanted to take his place for this extra quarter. My instinctive reply was "You're doing just fine, Coach," averting my eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked plaintively. I hesitated, just long enough for two things to happen. First, I thought of my Dad's memory. I am definitely his son, from the blue eyes and square jaw on the outside to the love of strategy and teaching on the inside. I may be more reserved and less popular than him, but have developed in my own way a staid belief that a person reaps what he sows, that private one-on-one conversations rooted in respect and humility build relationships that explode with the momentum of success eventually. And that's the second thing that happened in this moment. Half the bench overheard Coach's question and started cheering as if he'd just announced the cure for cancer. "Yeah, Coach McDonald! Go!" they chorused. And so I launched from my seat and walked high school sidelines as "head coach" for the first time. Whether anyone actually heard any of my words is anyone's guess. It was enough for me to see us win by nearly ten points in one quarter, and then spontaneously hear the team captain raise a cheer for me in the locker room afterward. Somewhere, a great coach was smiling in the sky.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Horizon Wireless
While disentangling my computer from its moorings to deliver it to the shop, I realized that it's high time I start asking around about getting a wireless setup in our home. I'm guessing that it'll be less of a fire hazard, not to mention the potential to let Dena or someone sit on the couch while surfing the Net.
Some Hidden Bloggers have traveled this path already. Let yourself be heard!
Some Hidden Bloggers have traveled this path already. Let yourself be heard!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Tribes
National Basketball Association Hall of Famer Bill Russell frequently spoke of "tribes" in relating to people as a means of accepting conflict, as in "he was from his tribe, I was from mine." As a black man growing up in the 1930's and 1940's, "tribe" might conjure up images of Native Americans or jungle societies. But perhaps we could each identify a "tribe" to which we belong. What does "tribe" suggest? Something we're born into? The influence of the culture in which we're raised? The likes and dislikes that emerge from our biological nature? I take it to mean the commonalities we share with some and not with others, and the groups that we call home. I'm a suburban, small-family man who loves logic, creativity, freedom, order, teaching, public speaking and athletics. I may not draw myself toward those who are much different, but I believe that there are nearly as many right ways to live as there are people on the planet. And I love that there are so many other tribes to live among. It brings life to a whole new level of interesting!
Official Motto Of The Complaint-Free Nation
"Everything I do in life, and every decision I make, has consequences. And those consequences, good or bad, are my responsibility, and mine alone." - Adapted from Bill Russell
High/Low Week 1 2010
One of this year's goals is to reflect on the high and low moments of the last week. What better than public confession to keep a man honest and humble, and what better than reflection to keep a man grateful?
Low: This week's been a good one; in fact, the last month or more's been on the upswing. Anger is my chief rival, as much of a disease as any which thrives when the body is weak. Anger sprouts from any number of seeds. This week the worst moment was out of self-doubt. For whatever reason, it became profoundly irritating to me while playing the guitar in the basement during a commercial (after turning the sound off) that Dena kept glancing over at the T.V. from her computer. I am clearly an amateur guitarist - quick, name one rock star who plays with sheet music on a stand in front of him. If I were listening to me, I'd also choose a good T.V. show, or a bad one, over the sounds that struggle from my hands and mouth. And earlier that night I'd gotten so lost in the music that I'd failed to resume the volume for the T.V. when the commercials ended. There was no personal slight in Dena's behavior, just an innocent and natural reaction, but for whatever reason I just chose to interpret it that way. At least I've learned in my man-way, and knowing from experience how likely I am to overblow something, that distance and distraction is a great salve. I left the room wordlessly, headed to the living room, did a round of exercises, and was good as new. ANYTHING that I would have said in the heat of that moment would have been ridiculous. Running away compounds real problems, but solves artificial ones!
High: As discussed in the "Bench Conduct" post, I really enjoyed the opportunity to lead part of the basketball team alone this week. The guys seemed receptive to ideas about becoming more organized and united on the bench. Whether or not we win our first two games this week, I feel good that we'll lay a foundation for later success by becoming a stronger team at our foundation. Our undefeated record no doubt helps, but again it's the growth of finding new points to teach that has made the goal of being more invested in NCHS basketball increasingly exciting.
Low: This week's been a good one; in fact, the last month or more's been on the upswing. Anger is my chief rival, as much of a disease as any which thrives when the body is weak. Anger sprouts from any number of seeds. This week the worst moment was out of self-doubt. For whatever reason, it became profoundly irritating to me while playing the guitar in the basement during a commercial (after turning the sound off) that Dena kept glancing over at the T.V. from her computer. I am clearly an amateur guitarist - quick, name one rock star who plays with sheet music on a stand in front of him. If I were listening to me, I'd also choose a good T.V. show, or a bad one, over the sounds that struggle from my hands and mouth. And earlier that night I'd gotten so lost in the music that I'd failed to resume the volume for the T.V. when the commercials ended. There was no personal slight in Dena's behavior, just an innocent and natural reaction, but for whatever reason I just chose to interpret it that way. At least I've learned in my man-way, and knowing from experience how likely I am to overblow something, that distance and distraction is a great salve. I left the room wordlessly, headed to the living room, did a round of exercises, and was good as new. ANYTHING that I would have said in the heat of that moment would have been ridiculous. Running away compounds real problems, but solves artificial ones!
High: As discussed in the "Bench Conduct" post, I really enjoyed the opportunity to lead part of the basketball team alone this week. The guys seemed receptive to ideas about becoming more organized and united on the bench. Whether or not we win our first two games this week, I feel good that we'll lay a foundation for later success by becoming a stronger team at our foundation. Our undefeated record no doubt helps, but again it's the growth of finding new points to teach that has made the goal of being more invested in NCHS basketball increasingly exciting.
Cracking Up
"When you get old, don't fall. Because that's the start of the end. So remember: Don't fall." - Red Auerbach
I remember reading that falling is one of the leading indicators of remaining life span in older people. Losing mobility has a tremendous effect on vitality.
Physicists are right that "energy creates motion." But when I wake up on a groggy workday morning, it feels to me as if motion creates energy - thrusting myself out of bed and walking about gets the blood going, the progress flowing.
There's another analogy. Our personality grows as we move it forward. We make mistakes, but we move forward. And we do so with enthusiasm, refusing out of inner strength to complain or add color to the bleakness of the obstacles in the picture. Because when we fall - when we give in to weakness - a whole different momentum builds that can be the beginning of the end. The end of a project, a relationship, or a team, or a life.
I remember reading that falling is one of the leading indicators of remaining life span in older people. Losing mobility has a tremendous effect on vitality.
Physicists are right that "energy creates motion." But when I wake up on a groggy workday morning, it feels to me as if motion creates energy - thrusting myself out of bed and walking about gets the blood going, the progress flowing.
There's another analogy. Our personality grows as we move it forward. We make mistakes, but we move forward. And we do so with enthusiasm, refusing out of inner strength to complain or add color to the bleakness of the obstacles in the picture. Because when we fall - when we give in to weakness - a whole different momentum builds that can be the beginning of the end. The end of a project, a relationship, or a team, or a life.
Especially If You're A Translator
"It is far more important to understand than to be understood." - Bill Russell
Listen more, blab less!
Listen more, blab less!
The Wanderer
Alas, my PC suddenly screamed at me last night. WARNING - under attack! and the like. I bought it a little too quickly and clicked a button that I thought would resolve the problem. That appeared to compound the problem, as now I'm unable to do just about anything on it without a screen popping up that demands I submit credit card information in order to lock in antivirus protection. I'm unwilling to do that, especially since some of these subsequent messages contain misspellings that have me questioning its validity. And I can't even get to the "Add/Remove Programs" feature to erase this thing. So... tomorrow I'm off to the computer shop to have them clean it up for me.
That's why my first post from a Macintosh (Dena's) computer is taking place after 1,600 on a PC. I'd gotten increasing feedback from people about how virus-free Macs are. As one guy put it "I never thought I'd become a Mac snob, but I have." Now I'm giving some long careful thought to making our home 100% Mac. I suppose the Irishman in me should've considered it long ago out of loyalty to country.
If anyone out there knows a good reason why I should stick with PC, I'm all ears. I am concerned as to whether my current version .docx and .xlsx Word and Excel documents will transfer successfully to Mac programs. Let your voice be heard!
That's why my first post from a Macintosh (Dena's) computer is taking place after 1,600 on a PC. I'd gotten increasing feedback from people about how virus-free Macs are. As one guy put it "I never thought I'd become a Mac snob, but I have." Now I'm giving some long careful thought to making our home 100% Mac. I suppose the Irishman in me should've considered it long ago out of loyalty to country.
If anyone out there knows a good reason why I should stick with PC, I'm all ears. I am concerned as to whether my current version .docx and .xlsx Word and Excel documents will transfer successfully to Mac programs. Let your voice be heard!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Making An Impression Vs. Being Impressed
By John C. Maxwell:
Admired for her beauty, Jennie Jerome (Winston Churchill's mother) glided through the loftiest social circles in Great Britain. Once, on consecutive nights, Ms. Jerome dined with England's premier politicians: Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and his chief rival, William Gladstone. When questioned about her impressions of the two men, Ms. Jerome made the following observation:
"When I left the dining room after sitting next to Gladstone, I thought he was the cleverest man in England. But when I sat next to Disraeli I left feeling that I was the cleverest woman."
Perhaps you know leaders like Gladstone-confident individuals who exude wit, intelligence, and charisma. Whenever you're around them, you cannot help but notice their charm...because they make every effort to parade their brilliance in front of you. However, I'll wager that you'd prefer to follow someone like Disraeli, a leader who would rather draw out the best in you than strut his or her personal greatness.
In relationships, be impressed with others instead of trying to make an impression. Throttle back on the urge to make your presence felt, and instead look for ways to esteem those around you. By expressing genuine interest in the people in your life, you'll win friends and gain favor.
The 30-Second Rule
I've developed a simple rule in relationships to help me shift away from a selfish vantage point. Within the first 30 seconds of a conversation, I say something encouraging to the other person. Giving out compliments focuses me on the value of the other person and prevents me from being self-absorbed. Here are a few principles I've found helpful in following the 30-second rule:
1) Give Others the "Triple A" Treatment:
o Attention
o Affirmation
o Appreciation
Gossips speak endlessly about others, and bores talk only of themselves. A brilliant conversationalist is someone who speaks to you about yourself. These thoughtful persons attract friends and reap the benefits of likeability.
2) Remember that the 30-Second Rule Gives Energy
People are energized and motivated when their leaders value them for who they are. On the other hand, they quickly disengage when they feel anonymous. Speaking encouraging words does wonders for a leader when it comes to inspiring a team and earning its loyalty.
3) Practicing the 30-Second Rule Positions You for Success with People
Benjamin Franklin realized this truth when he wrote the following note to John Paul Jones:
"Hereafter, if you should observe an occasion to give your officers and friends a little more praise than is their due, and confess more fault than you can justly be charged with, you will only become the sooner for it, a great captain. Criticizing and censuring almost everyone you have to do with will diminish friends, increase enemies, and thereby hurt your affairs."
When we add to others, they are drawn to our side, but when we belittle others, they withdraw from our influence.
4) Spend Time Creating an Encouraging Thought for Everyone You Know.
Before I meet with people, I pause to think about something encouraging I can say to them. This practice isn't complicated, but it does take some time, intentionality, and discipline. And the reward for practicing it is huge.
SUMMARY
Too many people, when in the presence of others, search for ways to make themselves look good. The key to the 30-Second Rule is reversing this practice. When spending time with people, search for ways to make them look good. Doing so uplifts them and ultimately raises their opinion of you as well.
Admired for her beauty, Jennie Jerome (Winston Churchill's mother) glided through the loftiest social circles in Great Britain. Once, on consecutive nights, Ms. Jerome dined with England's premier politicians: Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and his chief rival, William Gladstone. When questioned about her impressions of the two men, Ms. Jerome made the following observation:
"When I left the dining room after sitting next to Gladstone, I thought he was the cleverest man in England. But when I sat next to Disraeli I left feeling that I was the cleverest woman."
Perhaps you know leaders like Gladstone-confident individuals who exude wit, intelligence, and charisma. Whenever you're around them, you cannot help but notice their charm...because they make every effort to parade their brilliance in front of you. However, I'll wager that you'd prefer to follow someone like Disraeli, a leader who would rather draw out the best in you than strut his or her personal greatness.
In relationships, be impressed with others instead of trying to make an impression. Throttle back on the urge to make your presence felt, and instead look for ways to esteem those around you. By expressing genuine interest in the people in your life, you'll win friends and gain favor.
The 30-Second Rule
I've developed a simple rule in relationships to help me shift away from a selfish vantage point. Within the first 30 seconds of a conversation, I say something encouraging to the other person. Giving out compliments focuses me on the value of the other person and prevents me from being self-absorbed. Here are a few principles I've found helpful in following the 30-second rule:
1) Give Others the "Triple A" Treatment:
o Attention
o Affirmation
o Appreciation
Gossips speak endlessly about others, and bores talk only of themselves. A brilliant conversationalist is someone who speaks to you about yourself. These thoughtful persons attract friends and reap the benefits of likeability.
2) Remember that the 30-Second Rule Gives Energy
People are energized and motivated when their leaders value them for who they are. On the other hand, they quickly disengage when they feel anonymous. Speaking encouraging words does wonders for a leader when it comes to inspiring a team and earning its loyalty.
3) Practicing the 30-Second Rule Positions You for Success with People
Benjamin Franklin realized this truth when he wrote the following note to John Paul Jones:
"Hereafter, if you should observe an occasion to give your officers and friends a little more praise than is their due, and confess more fault than you can justly be charged with, you will only become the sooner for it, a great captain. Criticizing and censuring almost everyone you have to do with will diminish friends, increase enemies, and thereby hurt your affairs."
When we add to others, they are drawn to our side, but when we belittle others, they withdraw from our influence.
4) Spend Time Creating an Encouraging Thought for Everyone You Know.
Before I meet with people, I pause to think about something encouraging I can say to them. This practice isn't complicated, but it does take some time, intentionality, and discipline. And the reward for practicing it is huge.
SUMMARY
Too many people, when in the presence of others, search for ways to make themselves look good. The key to the 30-Second Rule is reversing this practice. When spending time with people, search for ways to make them look good. Doing so uplifts them and ultimately raises their opinion of you as well.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Socialnomics
Hidden Blog endorses this video!
http://www.vidoemo.com/yvideo.php?i=cGtHSUJJcWuRpdWlaY0k&social-media-is-not-a-fad-hq-sept-2009-erik-qualman-socialnomics-produced-by-xplane
http://www.vidoemo.com/yvideo.php?i=cGtHSUJJcWuRpdWlaY0k&social-media-is-not-a-fad-hq-sept-2009-erik-qualman-socialnomics-produced-by-xplane
A Magazine That Excites Me
Around this time of year, Sports Illustrated sends me its annual swimsuit issue. And I throw it in the trash. What makes them think I'm in the market for buying a bikini? It's been a Christmas tradition for Mom to give me a gift of an SI subscription, and next year I've got to remember to have her check the box that reduces the price by skipping this issue. But I digress.
I love when the Heartland Community College community education catalog comes out every quarter! These affordable, well-presented courses (several just a couple hours long) seed all kinds of dreams that otherwise might never cross my mind. I already mentioned that this is how I hooked up with voice acting, learned to play the guitar, and found a marriage enrichment class. Now:
- Improv: Storytelling Through Drama and Movement
- Learn To Play The Harmonica
- ACT Math Review (for this one I thought, maybe they need an instructor!)
- Getting The Most From Social Security
- Private Pilot Ground School
- Fly Your Sweetie To The Moon (Valentine's Day dinner/"mission" at the Challenger Learning Center)
I can't say enough about it! They could hire me to do a radio or T.V. commercial anytime. I'd even write it.
I love when the Heartland Community College community education catalog comes out every quarter! These affordable, well-presented courses (several just a couple hours long) seed all kinds of dreams that otherwise might never cross my mind. I already mentioned that this is how I hooked up with voice acting, learned to play the guitar, and found a marriage enrichment class. Now:
- Improv: Storytelling Through Drama and Movement
- Learn To Play The Harmonica
- ACT Math Review (for this one I thought, maybe they need an instructor!)
- Getting The Most From Social Security
- Private Pilot Ground School
- Fly Your Sweetie To The Moon (Valentine's Day dinner/"mission" at the Challenger Learning Center)
I can't say enough about it! They could hire me to do a radio or T.V. commercial anytime. I'd even write it.
I.V. Drip
I make a point of drinking about 100 ounces of water a day, or more depending on how much if any I've exercised. Usually I fill a 32-oz. mug at work and drink one in he morning, refill in the afternoon, and then fill a bottle at home to cover the rest.
Maybe it's because of my stage in life, but small things like monitoring my water intake are part of the "machine" view of my body that's helped me feel healthier in recent years. Too much makes me more sluggish, too little leaves me weaker and noticeably slower/tired mentally. Each body's different, but recently I've found that I do well by running water through it steadily throughout the day. Unlike a car, dumping in a bunch at once is overload, pouring through so fast that much of it goes unabsorbed. So recently I've been limiting my sips to about 5-10 at a time, gradually, like an I.V. drip at the hospital.
Maybe this view is all wet. But like many other things, there's a real psychological benefit as long at it's rational to me and I feel a sense of accomplishment in the discipline - however minor - of sticking with it. And tiny adjustments that feel like improvements are part of the "growth" and "purpose" I mentioned earlier this week that, for me, keep life feeling well-lived.
Maybe it's because of my stage in life, but small things like monitoring my water intake are part of the "machine" view of my body that's helped me feel healthier in recent years. Too much makes me more sluggish, too little leaves me weaker and noticeably slower/tired mentally. Each body's different, but recently I've found that I do well by running water through it steadily throughout the day. Unlike a car, dumping in a bunch at once is overload, pouring through so fast that much of it goes unabsorbed. So recently I've been limiting my sips to about 5-10 at a time, gradually, like an I.V. drip at the hospital.
Maybe this view is all wet. But like many other things, there's a real psychological benefit as long at it's rational to me and I feel a sense of accomplishment in the discipline - however minor - of sticking with it. And tiny adjustments that feel like improvements are part of the "growth" and "purpose" I mentioned earlier this week that, for me, keep life feeling well-lived.
Rooster Brain
This morning I stirred awake at about 6:30, then made my way to my phone. This is because my work has an automated messaging service during inclement weather that announces any facility closures. It turns out that our start time is delayed until 10 a.m. this morning.
I thought, "A couple hours more sleep today."
My brain didn't see it that way.
Have you ever had your brain on hyperdrive while your body tries to rest, firing from one topic to another in a feverish attempt to be productive? Some part of my consciousness tries to calm it down... "Hey man, be cool, there's nothing that needs our attention right now. That meeting you had yesterday is over with. The game isn't for another two days. Yeah, that book you're reading is going to be fun... but how about we think about that in a few hours, when it's not black outside and we're away from this comfy bed? Relax, relax..." But like a crowing rooster, the brain is determined to stay busy. The best remedy I've found is to engage it, like a child that thinks it wants something desperately, then quickly tires of it, and we can fall back asleep.
This particular morning, though, I'd gotten about six hours of sleep already which was enough that the rest of my body decided to follow my brain's lead and get productive. Like spending a cozy morning with Hidden Bloggers!
I thought, "A couple hours more sleep today."
My brain didn't see it that way.
Have you ever had your brain on hyperdrive while your body tries to rest, firing from one topic to another in a feverish attempt to be productive? Some part of my consciousness tries to calm it down... "Hey man, be cool, there's nothing that needs our attention right now. That meeting you had yesterday is over with. The game isn't for another two days. Yeah, that book you're reading is going to be fun... but how about we think about that in a few hours, when it's not black outside and we're away from this comfy bed? Relax, relax..." But like a crowing rooster, the brain is determined to stay busy. The best remedy I've found is to engage it, like a child that thinks it wants something desperately, then quickly tires of it, and we can fall back asleep.
This particular morning, though, I'd gotten about six hours of sleep already which was enough that the rest of my body decided to follow my brain's lead and get productive. Like spending a cozy morning with Hidden Bloggers!
Conduct On The Bench
Practice makes more perfect... a couple months into the season I'm gathering enough observations to be able to offer some suggestions. When I wrote the below to Coach, he asked if I'd ten minutes of practice time just to talk about this with the team, which I was glad to do. But there's a life application here too. At some point we'll be a bench player, watching someone else in a role that seems more glamorous. We can victimize ourselves, or we can bring energy to that role to the best of our abilities. The other application that I believe in strongly about successful teams and people is that being organized gives a psychological and ultimately a physical boost.
As a bit of background, UCLA coach John Wooden presided over the longest winning streak in division 1 men's basketball history, 88 games!
"The concise message in all this is that only one or two players are on the court, and the rest are on the bench - the bench is literally the biggest role. In order to become a great team on the floor, we have to become a great team on the bench, where the little things add up and every edge over the opponent counts. Wooden used to teach his players the right way to put on their socks... we wouldn't go that far!
1. Maybe I can get my hands on a couple of black NCHS seat covers or something that we could place on the coaches' seats before the game. That way every time we break from a timeout there'd be no need to tell guys to move over and make room.
2. When you (player) come out of the game, if you need water, let the guys on the bench know and they can fetch you some. You come sit by me so that we can talk about what you saw while you were out there and what I saw from my seat. Other guys slide down to make room for the ones coming out.
3. When you're out of the game, your role is to cheer/energize and to "coach"... meaning that if you see something out there, please get up and come to me and make observations that I can pass along later. And also to be an extra voice alerting the guys on the floor if you see a double team or screen coming, or an unguarded defender, etc. On the floor you should be running... on the bench you should be talking.
4. Sit up straight - be strong. If you're confused, ask. If you're mad, let's talk after the game. More important than winning is learning and improving... as a teammate as much as a player."
As a bit of background, UCLA coach John Wooden presided over the longest winning streak in division 1 men's basketball history, 88 games!
"The concise message in all this is that only one or two players are on the court, and the rest are on the bench - the bench is literally the biggest role. In order to become a great team on the floor, we have to become a great team on the bench, where the little things add up and every edge over the opponent counts. Wooden used to teach his players the right way to put on their socks... we wouldn't go that far!
1. Maybe I can get my hands on a couple of black NCHS seat covers or something that we could place on the coaches' seats before the game. That way every time we break from a timeout there'd be no need to tell guys to move over and make room.
2. When you (player) come out of the game, if you need water, let the guys on the bench know and they can fetch you some. You come sit by me so that we can talk about what you saw while you were out there and what I saw from my seat. Other guys slide down to make room for the ones coming out.
3. When you're out of the game, your role is to cheer/energize and to "coach"... meaning that if you see something out there, please get up and come to me and make observations that I can pass along later. And also to be an extra voice alerting the guys on the floor if you see a double team or screen coming, or an unguarded defender, etc. On the floor you should be running... on the bench you should be talking.
4. Sit up straight - be strong. If you're confused, ask. If you're mad, let's talk after the game. More important than winning is learning and improving... as a teammate as much as a player."
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Couple Wins $128 Million Lottery By Mistake
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A central Kentucky autoworker is lucky he held on to the $128 million Powerball ticket he bought on Christmas Eve during some last-minute shopping — after all, it was printed by mistake.
Lottery officials said Rob Anderson and his wife, Tuesday, were winners of the largest jackpot in the state's history.
On Wednesday the couple was introduced at the state lottery headquarters in Louisville. The Andersons said they didn't initially believe they had won the $128.6 million jackpot after buying lottery tickets together for 12 years.
"We didn't hit it, that's not us," Rob Anderson said he told his wife after showing her the winning ticket the morning after the Dec. 26 drawing. "Something's not right!"
Rob Anderson, 39, said the winning ticket was a misprint that he decided to keep while buying stocking stuffers at a Georgetown, Ky., gas station. He wanted to buy $1 lottery tickets for three people, but the clerk goofed.
"The clerk ran the $3 Quick Pick but he put it all on one ticket, and I was like, doggone it, I needed three separate tickets," Anderson said.
The clerk asked him if he wanted to keep the ticket, which had three sets of random numbers.
"Yeah, I got a couple extra dollars," Anderson said, and he bought three more tickets to give as gifts.
When he arrived at home, he tossed the ticket on his dresser and didn't think about it until the Sunday morning after the drawing. When he remembered it, he checked the Powerball numbers and they matched one of the sets of numbers on the botched ticket: 32-36-37-41-53 and Powerball 30.
The couple, who work at a plant building seats for Toyotas, said they were hesitant to go public about the winnings. They declined to say if they had children.
"We're really grounded people," Rob Anderson said. "My wife taught me well, so to speak, to hang on to that dollar and see how far it gets you. We'll still clip coupons and still look for the clearance rack."
He said they would like to go back to school. His proposed major? Finance.
Tuesday Anderson said they have a dream of visiting Hawaii and she wants a new car.
The couple said they haven't decided if they'll return to work and whether they'll take a lump sum payment, which would be worth about $63 million.
Prior to this jackpot, the largest ever won in Kentucky was $89.3 million in 1996.
Lottery officials said Rob Anderson and his wife, Tuesday, were winners of the largest jackpot in the state's history.
On Wednesday the couple was introduced at the state lottery headquarters in Louisville. The Andersons said they didn't initially believe they had won the $128.6 million jackpot after buying lottery tickets together for 12 years.
"We didn't hit it, that's not us," Rob Anderson said he told his wife after showing her the winning ticket the morning after the Dec. 26 drawing. "Something's not right!"
Rob Anderson, 39, said the winning ticket was a misprint that he decided to keep while buying stocking stuffers at a Georgetown, Ky., gas station. He wanted to buy $1 lottery tickets for three people, but the clerk goofed.
"The clerk ran the $3 Quick Pick but he put it all on one ticket, and I was like, doggone it, I needed three separate tickets," Anderson said.
The clerk asked him if he wanted to keep the ticket, which had three sets of random numbers.
"Yeah, I got a couple extra dollars," Anderson said, and he bought three more tickets to give as gifts.
When he arrived at home, he tossed the ticket on his dresser and didn't think about it until the Sunday morning after the drawing. When he remembered it, he checked the Powerball numbers and they matched one of the sets of numbers on the botched ticket: 32-36-37-41-53 and Powerball 30.
The couple, who work at a plant building seats for Toyotas, said they were hesitant to go public about the winnings. They declined to say if they had children.
"We're really grounded people," Rob Anderson said. "My wife taught me well, so to speak, to hang on to that dollar and see how far it gets you. We'll still clip coupons and still look for the clearance rack."
He said they would like to go back to school. His proposed major? Finance.
Tuesday Anderson said they have a dream of visiting Hawaii and she wants a new car.
The couple said they haven't decided if they'll return to work and whether they'll take a lump sum payment, which would be worth about $63 million.
Prior to this jackpot, the largest ever won in Kentucky was $89.3 million in 1996.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
"I Don't Like The Coach"
Someone showed me this letter. My personal style is less aggressive than this, but the main points here are good ones.
It has come to my attention that you do not like the coach. I've got some bad news for you. That's too bad, young man. Go tell somebody who cares, because I don't . Tell your mommy and daddy, or your grandma, or tell your girlfriend. I don't want to hear about it. In a few short years, you'll get the chance to meet a whole lot more people who you won't like.
For starters, you won't like your new boss who is watching you dig a ditch while it's snowing outside. you thought your sports talent was going to be a free ticket to wealth and fame, but you were wrong. you were too stupid to spend the effort to get a real education and you majored in tiddly-winks. Now you're working a minimum wage job doing hard manual labor, as the boss drinks hot coffee in his warm truck. It might be a police officer who you don't like. You've had a couple drinks after a hard day's work. You look up and see red lights flashing behind your car, and it's him. He is walking towards you vehicle and he can't wait to fire up the breathalyzer. Or the Circuit Court Judge at your DUI sentencing hearing, no, you won't like him either.
Maybe it will be a drill sergeant, who orders you to shovel a pile of sand from here to there, and then he tells you to scoop it back where you started. you won't like him barking in your face. It might e a college professor who you don't like. You need a good grade on a term paper of you risk funking out. You haven't spent any time studying, choosing instead to goof off and party. Possibly it'll be a co-worker who you don't like. The co-worker got the job promotion that you wanted, including a salary bump and all the praise. maybe it will be a banker who you don't like. He's calling you about a later car payment you haven't made. Unless you make the payment, he'll need to repossess your car. but if you don't have a car, you can't get to work, and if you can't get to work, you don't have a job, and so on and so on.
Heck, maybe you'll be a high school coach someday. You'll be making big money putting up with some spoiled brats who thin their poop doesn't stink. Somebody just like you who thinks they are better than they really are. And you'll have to put up with their parents who call the superintendent to complain their little prince doesn't like the coach. Life is just about ready to smack you squarely in the face. You better get ready. I only wish I could be there every time you meet somebody you don't like.
They'll come in all shapes and sizes. Some will be real jerks. Others will just greatly annoy you. The worst part is you really won't be able to do much about it. They'll be criticizing you, arguing with you, disagreeing with you, and telling you things you don't want to hear. That is how life works my precious friend. In contrast to what you might think not everybody is going to baby you like your parents do now. Not everybody is going to inflate your ego like a hot-air balloon.
Hot-shot, you're just mad because you're sitting the bench. You think you should be starting or playing more, or maybe the coach yelled at you. I have some more bad news. It's a harsh cold world our there. This high school sports stuff is all just a big game. Think of it as fun time, kind of like kindergarten recess. If you don't like the coach, you can just quit. That's the easy thing to do. Of course, if you quit, you'll always be a quitter in everything you do. You might as well tattoo "QUITTER" on your forehead.
On the other hand, there is one thing about high school sports that is often forgotten. Sports can teach you a lot about life's little lessons. There has been a movement across the country by some "educators" who argue we should not encourage competitive activities. They argue competition results in some participants winning and others losing. They don't like young people getting their feelings hurt. I disagree with such nonsense. Regardless of whether any body agrees or not, life is all about winning and losing. Life is one big constant game of competition. Everybody gets to play the game. In fact, you are required to play the game. You have no other option. In the game of life, you don't have the luxury of being able to quit or sit it out. If you quit, its over and you lose the game. It's that simple.
If you don't like the coach, here is my advice. Try and figure out a way to get along with the coach, and learn how to work with him. Figure out the best way you can help the team, even if you don't like the coach. It's not about you, it's about the team. You'll play on lots of teams during your life. Most won't involve sports. Marriage is a team effort, your family is a team, and the various jobs you have will all be teams that you play on.
I've got a little more advice for you. An edification that you won't get in any classroom, nor will you find it in any books. When that little thought pops into your head, "I don't like the coach" (or the professor, or boss, or co-worker, or whoever), I recommend you do as follows. Go put on your best clean pair of Big-Boy underwear that your mother has washed and folded for you, and deal with it. Figure out how to fix the problem. Find a Big-Boy solution to help you get along with your coach, or your boss, or your professor, or your wife, or whoever. The answer is usually fairly easy, but it might require you to swallow your pride. You will need to come to grips with the fact the world does not revolve around you, no matter how important you think you are now.
This is a lecture almost every coach in every sport has always wanted to give to some athlete at one point in their life. Now you've heard it. I hope you learned something and I hope you get a chance to benefit from it in the not-so-distant future. When that little light bulb pops on in your head, I hope you remember this letter and smile.
It has come to my attention that you do not like the coach. I've got some bad news for you. That's too bad, young man. Go tell somebody who cares, because I don't . Tell your mommy and daddy, or your grandma, or tell your girlfriend. I don't want to hear about it. In a few short years, you'll get the chance to meet a whole lot more people who you won't like.
For starters, you won't like your new boss who is watching you dig a ditch while it's snowing outside. you thought your sports talent was going to be a free ticket to wealth and fame, but you were wrong. you were too stupid to spend the effort to get a real education and you majored in tiddly-winks. Now you're working a minimum wage job doing hard manual labor, as the boss drinks hot coffee in his warm truck. It might be a police officer who you don't like. You've had a couple drinks after a hard day's work. You look up and see red lights flashing behind your car, and it's him. He is walking towards you vehicle and he can't wait to fire up the breathalyzer. Or the Circuit Court Judge at your DUI sentencing hearing, no, you won't like him either.
Maybe it will be a drill sergeant, who orders you to shovel a pile of sand from here to there, and then he tells you to scoop it back where you started. you won't like him barking in your face. It might e a college professor who you don't like. You need a good grade on a term paper of you risk funking out. You haven't spent any time studying, choosing instead to goof off and party. Possibly it'll be a co-worker who you don't like. The co-worker got the job promotion that you wanted, including a salary bump and all the praise. maybe it will be a banker who you don't like. He's calling you about a later car payment you haven't made. Unless you make the payment, he'll need to repossess your car. but if you don't have a car, you can't get to work, and if you can't get to work, you don't have a job, and so on and so on.
Heck, maybe you'll be a high school coach someday. You'll be making big money putting up with some spoiled brats who thin their poop doesn't stink. Somebody just like you who thinks they are better than they really are. And you'll have to put up with their parents who call the superintendent to complain their little prince doesn't like the coach. Life is just about ready to smack you squarely in the face. You better get ready. I only wish I could be there every time you meet somebody you don't like.
They'll come in all shapes and sizes. Some will be real jerks. Others will just greatly annoy you. The worst part is you really won't be able to do much about it. They'll be criticizing you, arguing with you, disagreeing with you, and telling you things you don't want to hear. That is how life works my precious friend. In contrast to what you might think not everybody is going to baby you like your parents do now. Not everybody is going to inflate your ego like a hot-air balloon.
Hot-shot, you're just mad because you're sitting the bench. You think you should be starting or playing more, or maybe the coach yelled at you. I have some more bad news. It's a harsh cold world our there. This high school sports stuff is all just a big game. Think of it as fun time, kind of like kindergarten recess. If you don't like the coach, you can just quit. That's the easy thing to do. Of course, if you quit, you'll always be a quitter in everything you do. You might as well tattoo "QUITTER" on your forehead.
On the other hand, there is one thing about high school sports that is often forgotten. Sports can teach you a lot about life's little lessons. There has been a movement across the country by some "educators" who argue we should not encourage competitive activities. They argue competition results in some participants winning and others losing. They don't like young people getting their feelings hurt. I disagree with such nonsense. Regardless of whether any body agrees or not, life is all about winning and losing. Life is one big constant game of competition. Everybody gets to play the game. In fact, you are required to play the game. You have no other option. In the game of life, you don't have the luxury of being able to quit or sit it out. If you quit, its over and you lose the game. It's that simple.
If you don't like the coach, here is my advice. Try and figure out a way to get along with the coach, and learn how to work with him. Figure out the best way you can help the team, even if you don't like the coach. It's not about you, it's about the team. You'll play on lots of teams during your life. Most won't involve sports. Marriage is a team effort, your family is a team, and the various jobs you have will all be teams that you play on.
I've got a little more advice for you. An edification that you won't get in any classroom, nor will you find it in any books. When that little thought pops into your head, "I don't like the coach" (or the professor, or boss, or co-worker, or whoever), I recommend you do as follows. Go put on your best clean pair of Big-Boy underwear that your mother has washed and folded for you, and deal with it. Figure out how to fix the problem. Find a Big-Boy solution to help you get along with your coach, or your boss, or your professor, or your wife, or whoever. The answer is usually fairly easy, but it might require you to swallow your pride. You will need to come to grips with the fact the world does not revolve around you, no matter how important you think you are now.
This is a lecture almost every coach in every sport has always wanted to give to some athlete at one point in their life. Now you've heard it. I hope you learned something and I hope you get a chance to benefit from it in the not-so-distant future. When that little light bulb pops on in your head, I hope you remember this letter and smile.
If The Shoe Fits...
...then your skin will be fine!
Years ago while playing basketball in a new pair of shoes I came to a sudden stop, which jammed the big toenail so hard that it took about ten years to fully recover to health. Ever since then I've been careful about picking the right length of 10.5!
I've had back-to-back experiences with Avia running shoes where my heel rubbed through the felt in the back, exposing a metal framing that cut my skin open. My last pair was less than a year old when it happened! Nothing saps the satisfaction of a good run like the discovery of a bloody sock.
Recently, the tread had worn on the old basketball shoes so I grabbed a new pair of Nikes. Just the right length, of course, but by the end of the second hour of playing I had a massive blister on each little toe!
So today when I went to Kohl's to buy some new running shoes I first tested a couple different brands to see if the rear of the shoe had any steely feel to it. Nike felt the safest. Then I compared it against a New Balance shoe and found the New Balance to be a good half centimeter wider! (Mental note: Blistered toes are excellent devices for gauging shoe-crampedness).
Before today, I wouldn't have guessed that I have a wider than average foot (who would look at me and guess that I have a wide anything?). But out of curiosity I measured it at 4.5 inches, good for an "E" width:
http://shoes.about.com/od/fitcomfort/ss/measurefeet_5.htm
So tonight I'm not only equipped with information for healthy feet forevermore, but I got a chance to walk 3 miles in my new, perfect fit shoes. Ahhhh....
Years ago while playing basketball in a new pair of shoes I came to a sudden stop, which jammed the big toenail so hard that it took about ten years to fully recover to health. Ever since then I've been careful about picking the right length of 10.5!
I've had back-to-back experiences with Avia running shoes where my heel rubbed through the felt in the back, exposing a metal framing that cut my skin open. My last pair was less than a year old when it happened! Nothing saps the satisfaction of a good run like the discovery of a bloody sock.
Recently, the tread had worn on the old basketball shoes so I grabbed a new pair of Nikes. Just the right length, of course, but by the end of the second hour of playing I had a massive blister on each little toe!
So today when I went to Kohl's to buy some new running shoes I first tested a couple different brands to see if the rear of the shoe had any steely feel to it. Nike felt the safest. Then I compared it against a New Balance shoe and found the New Balance to be a good half centimeter wider! (Mental note: Blistered toes are excellent devices for gauging shoe-crampedness).
Before today, I wouldn't have guessed that I have a wider than average foot (who would look at me and guess that I have a wide anything?). But out of curiosity I measured it at 4.5 inches, good for an "E" width:
http://shoes.about.com/od/fitcomfort/ss/measurefeet_5.htm
So tonight I'm not only equipped with information for healthy feet forevermore, but I got a chance to walk 3 miles in my new, perfect fit shoes. Ahhhh....
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Brett Favre, Tecmo Style
See Brett Favre's dramatic game winning pass in real life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbmHO75i6gc&feature=related
And in the Nintendo game Tecmo Bowl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBDOxvYHgxI
Any of you who've played Tecmo Bowl are smiling from ear to ear!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbmHO75i6gc&feature=related
And in the Nintendo game Tecmo Bowl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBDOxvYHgxI
Any of you who've played Tecmo Bowl are smiling from ear to ear!
Leadership In Baseball, Part 3
Bob Gibson: "I don't know if I'd call any of my managers a father figure, but Johnny Keane - who, in fact, had studied to be a priest - certainly nurtured me as a pitcher. In my professional debut, I had a terrible time getting the ball over the plate and was letting up to throw strikes. Of course, that led to getting pounded. I remember Keane coming out to the mound and taking the ball and saying, 'That's pretty good for the first time. We'll get back to you later.'
My first three years in St. Louis, the manager was Solly Hemus, and I'm pretty sure I'd have been traded if the Cardinals hadn't fired him halfway through the 1961 season. Keane took over, and it was a different world. That was the year when Sandy Koufax broke through and became an all-star. Keane pointed out to me that Koufax had started out just like I had - wild and depending too much on the fastball. My manager was building up my belief in myself. And the next year, I was an all-star.
Johnny Keane telling me that, and putting his faith in me, meant more than a hundred successful hit-and-runs."
My first three years in St. Louis, the manager was Solly Hemus, and I'm pretty sure I'd have been traded if the Cardinals hadn't fired him halfway through the 1961 season. Keane took over, and it was a different world. That was the year when Sandy Koufax broke through and became an all-star. Keane pointed out to me that Koufax had started out just like I had - wild and depending too much on the fastball. My manager was building up my belief in myself. And the next year, I was an all-star.
Johnny Keane telling me that, and putting his faith in me, meant more than a hundred successful hit-and-runs."
Leadership In Baseball, Part 2
Reggie Jackson: "A manager's value is in the intangibles. Does he create an environment in which everybody can do his job at peak capacity? What kind of comfort level does he bring to the club? How does he maintain morale and confidence? How does he communicate? Does he understand his opponents? Does he understand his personnel? Does he motivate his personnel? Does he teach? Does he treat everybody fairly? Does he command respect? Does he surround himself with good coaches? How does he handle the front office, ownership, and the media? It all plays a part."
Bob Gibson: "The position is about managing people. A manager can't come barging in with a bunch of rules and expect them to work for every team and every player and every situation. Everybody can't be treated the same way. One set of rules just doesn't do the trick. This isn't the Army. It would be an ideal situation if everything was that black and white, but it's not."
Bob Gibson: "The position is about managing people. A manager can't come barging in with a bunch of rules and expect them to work for every team and every player and every situation. Everybody can't be treated the same way. One set of rules just doesn't do the trick. This isn't the Army. It would be an ideal situation if everything was that black and white, but it's not."
Leadership In Baseball, Part 1
Reggie Jackson: "A manager sets the tone. The best example of that, from what I've seen, was Joe Torre with the Ynakess.
He had a calmness about himself that permeated that team. We had a lot of high-profile personnel there... Joe's even temperament created a low-key atmosphere in that clubhouse - a controlled atmosphere, where no one got out of kilter, no one was too big for his britches. It was about the team.
Torre's personality rubbed off on that ball club, in a good way. A team reflects that calmness in qualities like confidence and poise."
Bob Gibson: "A bad manager can affect a team more than a good manager. Good managers know when they have a good ball club, and they let good ballplayers play. The don't overmanage. A bad manager wants to be in control at all times. It's impossible to maintain a really good team when one man controls every thought."
- from the book "Sixty Feet, Six Inches."
He had a calmness about himself that permeated that team. We had a lot of high-profile personnel there... Joe's even temperament created a low-key atmosphere in that clubhouse - a controlled atmosphere, where no one got out of kilter, no one was too big for his britches. It was about the team.
Torre's personality rubbed off on that ball club, in a good way. A team reflects that calmness in qualities like confidence and poise."
Bob Gibson: "A bad manager can affect a team more than a good manager. Good managers know when they have a good ball club, and they let good ballplayers play. The don't overmanage. A bad manager wants to be in control at all times. It's impossible to maintain a really good team when one man controls every thought."
- from the book "Sixty Feet, Six Inches."
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Reading For The Blind & Dyslexic
I borrowed a book about retirement activities, and this one caught my eye:
http://www.rfbd.org/midwest/volunteers.htm
What a nice intersection of vocal talent and community service! Only 111 short miles away to the Orland Park studios. I could see myself taking a weekday off and recording up there. Or perhaps once I get my studio up and going they'd allow some at-home work.
http://www.rfbd.org/midwest/volunteers.htm
What a nice intersection of vocal talent and community service! Only 111 short miles away to the Orland Park studios. I could see myself taking a weekday off and recording up there. Or perhaps once I get my studio up and going they'd allow some at-home work.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Christ Returns To NBA
From The Onion:
http://www.theonion.com/content/radio_news/christ_returns_to_nba
http://www.theonion.com/content/radio_news/christ_returns_to_nba
Sticking To New Year's Goals
From Time:
About half of all American adults (48%, according to a Marist poll taken in December) say they are at least somewhat likely to make a New Year's resolution this year. Their top vows: to lose weight (19%), quit smoking (12%) and exercise more (10%). Sound familiar?
The Marist poll also found that while 65% of people who made a resolution in 2008 kept their promise for at least part of the following year, 35% never even made it out of the gate. Indeed, when you wake bleary-eyed on the first day of a new year - or decade - resolutions to "cut back" and "moderate" seem both an excellent idea and an impossibly hazy dream. Thus begins another spin on the New Year's resolution merry-go-round. (See TIME's special report on health and happiness.)
But there may be hope for resolution-makers yet. Addiction experts have found that even hard-core addicts can successfully break bad habits - by cutting back, instead of quitting altogether. That means adhering to a regimen of moderation rather than total abstinence. So whatever your ultimate goal for 2010, experts suggest success may depend on tempering your behavior, not aiming for temperance, and offer the following tips.
1. Don't Kid Yourself
"The most important thing is to be honest with yourself," says Howard Josepher, a former heroin addict and president of Exponents Inc., an organization that provides support and educational services to people with substance misuse issues. "You need to know the difference between enjoying yourself and self-medicating. It's not that self-medicating is necessarily bad - but you should give yourself parameters. If you are adhering to them, O.K. If not, you need to check yourself." (See the year in health 2009.)
Successful moderators decide in advance how much is "too much" - and stick to their limit, no matter what. Have a cookie a day, if that's what you've deemed acceptable. But if you "cheat" by having "just one more," know that you are only cheating yourself and exacerbating the problem, experts say. The point is to learn how to hold yourself accountable.
For those who are concerned about drinking in particular, a free, research-based online tool called Drinker's Checkup can help you determine whether you are drinking at unhealthy levels, and what to do if you are.
2. Quit Cold Turkey - Temporarily
"Theoretically, there are very good reasons to take a break from a behavior, totally," says Reid Hester, director of research at Behavior Therapy Associates, explaining that an initial period of complete abstinence can make it easier for people to moderate behavior, by eliminating the habitual, automatic aspect of the unwanted activity. (See America's health checkup.)
Take a cue from the self-help group Moderation Management (MM), which advises problem drinkers to abstain completely for a month before attempting moderate drinking. If you can't achieve a month of abstinence, the thinking goes, successful moderation is unlikely.
The best way to stay on course is frequent self-monitoring; use as many behavior-modification tools, support groups and programs as you can. In October, Hester and colleagues published a randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment comparing heavy drinkers who used MM's website to help them quit with those who used the MM site plus another online tool, which teaches behavior-control tactics and helps chart drinking. While both groups significantly reduced their drinking and alcohol-related problems, the group that used the additional tool had more days abstinent and drank less when they drank.
3. Do What the Dalai Lama Would Do
Alan Marlatt, director of the Addictive Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washington, studies "mindfulness-based relapse prevention," which uses meditation and other ideas from Buddhist teachings to help people break bad habits. (Read "Battling Addiction: Are 12 Steps Too Many?")
"Between stimulus and response, there's a space, and in that space is our power to choose our response, and in our response lies our growth and freedom," says Marlatt, quoting author and Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl. Marlatt says, "Mindfulness gets you into that space."
Being mindful may involve traditional meditation, in which you sit quietly and observe your thoughts and breathing without judgment. But here, it is also used to focus awareness on thoughts and feelings that lead to unwanted behavior. Simply recognizing the triggers to relapse can help you choose not to give into them. "When there's a fork in road, craving is pulling you one way. Well, what's the other way? You have to look down other road see where it takes you. Then, you have a choice, instead of being on autopilot," says Marlatt.
One tactic he recommends for resisting those cravings is called "urge surfing." It involves being mindful of the fact that craving is like a wave - it rises to a peak, then falls. This happens whether you yield to the urge or not, though most people erroneously think their craving will escalate endlessly, unless they give in. In fact, succumbing to cravings only reinforces them - resisting, in contrast, reinforces resistance. Marlatt advises watching your urge, noting its peak and "surfing" it, rather than allowing it to wipe you out.
Another trick to recognize is that willpower is like a muscle - it gets stronger with appropriate use, but ultimately weakens if overloaded. That's why Hester recommends setting short-term goals that are "moderately difficult, realistic, concrete and measurable." As with weight-lifting, starting at a level that is challenging but not overwhelming can provide a sense of achievement and success - which can give you the drive to take on bigger challenges.
4. Don't Try to Scare Yourself Straight
Research shows that in the long term, the pleasure of victory is a better incentive than the agony of defeat. "Punishment is a poor motivator," says Hester. "It sets people up for failure. If all you do is punish yourself for failure, you won't stay motivated to change for very long."
Instead, reward yourself for sticking to your limits and focus on the benefits of changing. For instance, if your goal is to drink less or lose weight, treat yourself to something you want - a new book or DVD, say - each time you successfully resist a tempting dessert or achieve a goal, like a month of abstinence. Success tends to beget greater success. If you do slip back into old patterns, avoid recriminations. "Don't say, 'I can't do it,'" says Marlatt. "People make mistakes. If you keep working at it, you will get better over time. That's what the research shows."
For some people, trying to moderate bad habits is not achievable or takes more effort than abstaining altogether - as the philosopher Saint Augustine put it, "Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation." Recognizing this by trying and failing can also be a critical step toward behavior change.
5. Get Better Friends
Consciously and unconsciously, people tend to imitate those around them. That's why the latest research shows that things like happiness, quitting smoking and obesity can spread like a contagion through social networks. So, surround yourself with friends who can also be role models. "Make sure that people you hang out with are people who look and act the way you would like to. Social imitation is the easiest form not only of flattery but of self-improvement," says Stanton Peele, author of Seven Tools to Beat Addiction. (Read "In Old Age, Friends Can Keep You Young. Really.")
Social support is critical to changing all kinds of behavior. Good friends can not only help you through slip-ups, but they can also help keep your New Year's resolution from taking over your life. Rather than obsessing about what you shouldn't be doing, think about things you should, experts say. The distraction will help you curb bad habits. "Focus on your higher goals and positive activities, things that both sustain you and fill your life," says Peele. If you regularly engage in meaningful activities that give you pleasure - whether it's visiting friends, picking up a hobby, taking a class or doing volunteer work (one of the most overlooked sources of personal joy and meaning is helping others) - you'll simply have less time to crave or engage in the behavior that you want to reduce.
About half of all American adults (48%, according to a Marist poll taken in December) say they are at least somewhat likely to make a New Year's resolution this year. Their top vows: to lose weight (19%), quit smoking (12%) and exercise more (10%). Sound familiar?
The Marist poll also found that while 65% of people who made a resolution in 2008 kept their promise for at least part of the following year, 35% never even made it out of the gate. Indeed, when you wake bleary-eyed on the first day of a new year - or decade - resolutions to "cut back" and "moderate" seem both an excellent idea and an impossibly hazy dream. Thus begins another spin on the New Year's resolution merry-go-round. (See TIME's special report on health and happiness.)
But there may be hope for resolution-makers yet. Addiction experts have found that even hard-core addicts can successfully break bad habits - by cutting back, instead of quitting altogether. That means adhering to a regimen of moderation rather than total abstinence. So whatever your ultimate goal for 2010, experts suggest success may depend on tempering your behavior, not aiming for temperance, and offer the following tips.
1. Don't Kid Yourself
"The most important thing is to be honest with yourself," says Howard Josepher, a former heroin addict and president of Exponents Inc., an organization that provides support and educational services to people with substance misuse issues. "You need to know the difference between enjoying yourself and self-medicating. It's not that self-medicating is necessarily bad - but you should give yourself parameters. If you are adhering to them, O.K. If not, you need to check yourself." (See the year in health 2009.)
Successful moderators decide in advance how much is "too much" - and stick to their limit, no matter what. Have a cookie a day, if that's what you've deemed acceptable. But if you "cheat" by having "just one more," know that you are only cheating yourself and exacerbating the problem, experts say. The point is to learn how to hold yourself accountable.
For those who are concerned about drinking in particular, a free, research-based online tool called Drinker's Checkup can help you determine whether you are drinking at unhealthy levels, and what to do if you are.
2. Quit Cold Turkey - Temporarily
"Theoretically, there are very good reasons to take a break from a behavior, totally," says Reid Hester, director of research at Behavior Therapy Associates, explaining that an initial period of complete abstinence can make it easier for people to moderate behavior, by eliminating the habitual, automatic aspect of the unwanted activity. (See America's health checkup.)
Take a cue from the self-help group Moderation Management (MM), which advises problem drinkers to abstain completely for a month before attempting moderate drinking. If you can't achieve a month of abstinence, the thinking goes, successful moderation is unlikely.
The best way to stay on course is frequent self-monitoring; use as many behavior-modification tools, support groups and programs as you can. In October, Hester and colleagues published a randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment comparing heavy drinkers who used MM's website to help them quit with those who used the MM site plus another online tool, which teaches behavior-control tactics and helps chart drinking. While both groups significantly reduced their drinking and alcohol-related problems, the group that used the additional tool had more days abstinent and drank less when they drank.
3. Do What the Dalai Lama Would Do
Alan Marlatt, director of the Addictive Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washington, studies "mindfulness-based relapse prevention," which uses meditation and other ideas from Buddhist teachings to help people break bad habits. (Read "Battling Addiction: Are 12 Steps Too Many?")
"Between stimulus and response, there's a space, and in that space is our power to choose our response, and in our response lies our growth and freedom," says Marlatt, quoting author and Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl. Marlatt says, "Mindfulness gets you into that space."
Being mindful may involve traditional meditation, in which you sit quietly and observe your thoughts and breathing without judgment. But here, it is also used to focus awareness on thoughts and feelings that lead to unwanted behavior. Simply recognizing the triggers to relapse can help you choose not to give into them. "When there's a fork in road, craving is pulling you one way. Well, what's the other way? You have to look down other road see where it takes you. Then, you have a choice, instead of being on autopilot," says Marlatt.
One tactic he recommends for resisting those cravings is called "urge surfing." It involves being mindful of the fact that craving is like a wave - it rises to a peak, then falls. This happens whether you yield to the urge or not, though most people erroneously think their craving will escalate endlessly, unless they give in. In fact, succumbing to cravings only reinforces them - resisting, in contrast, reinforces resistance. Marlatt advises watching your urge, noting its peak and "surfing" it, rather than allowing it to wipe you out.
Another trick to recognize is that willpower is like a muscle - it gets stronger with appropriate use, but ultimately weakens if overloaded. That's why Hester recommends setting short-term goals that are "moderately difficult, realistic, concrete and measurable." As with weight-lifting, starting at a level that is challenging but not overwhelming can provide a sense of achievement and success - which can give you the drive to take on bigger challenges.
4. Don't Try to Scare Yourself Straight
Research shows that in the long term, the pleasure of victory is a better incentive than the agony of defeat. "Punishment is a poor motivator," says Hester. "It sets people up for failure. If all you do is punish yourself for failure, you won't stay motivated to change for very long."
Instead, reward yourself for sticking to your limits and focus on the benefits of changing. For instance, if your goal is to drink less or lose weight, treat yourself to something you want - a new book or DVD, say - each time you successfully resist a tempting dessert or achieve a goal, like a month of abstinence. Success tends to beget greater success. If you do slip back into old patterns, avoid recriminations. "Don't say, 'I can't do it,'" says Marlatt. "People make mistakes. If you keep working at it, you will get better over time. That's what the research shows."
For some people, trying to moderate bad habits is not achievable or takes more effort than abstaining altogether - as the philosopher Saint Augustine put it, "Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation." Recognizing this by trying and failing can also be a critical step toward behavior change.
5. Get Better Friends
Consciously and unconsciously, people tend to imitate those around them. That's why the latest research shows that things like happiness, quitting smoking and obesity can spread like a contagion through social networks. So, surround yourself with friends who can also be role models. "Make sure that people you hang out with are people who look and act the way you would like to. Social imitation is the easiest form not only of flattery but of self-improvement," says Stanton Peele, author of Seven Tools to Beat Addiction. (Read "In Old Age, Friends Can Keep You Young. Really.")
Social support is critical to changing all kinds of behavior. Good friends can not only help you through slip-ups, but they can also help keep your New Year's resolution from taking over your life. Rather than obsessing about what you shouldn't be doing, think about things you should, experts say. The distraction will help you curb bad habits. "Focus on your higher goals and positive activities, things that both sustain you and fill your life," says Peele. If you regularly engage in meaningful activities that give you pleasure - whether it's visiting friends, picking up a hobby, taking a class or doing volunteer work (one of the most overlooked sources of personal joy and meaning is helping others) - you'll simply have less time to crave or engage in the behavior that you want to reduce.
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