Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Basketball Banquet
Last night was the banquet for the NCHS basketball program. The 90 minutes went by quickly, thanks to the spirited, succinct, sincere and selfless commentary of coaches Goldman, Short, and Witzig. Besides the peanut butter chocolate brownies, gift certificate and signed card from the players, this one will be memorable for these coaches that demonstrate the right way to run a basketball program. They embodied the type of attitude preached by John Wooden, that if you give your best effort then you've succeeded, regardless of the number of wins. Nonetheless, these teams won over 2/3 of their games, including a varsity regional championship. With luck, this is just a taste of next year!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Would You Please Read This Post Because Of The Lesson It Contains?
"A social experiment involved someone attempting to cut in line in front of people using a copying machine. 'Excuse me, may I use the Xerox copy machine?' A little over half the people agreed. The fascinating thing is that she found she could get almost everyone to comply when they changed the phrasing of the request to: 'Excuse me, may I use the Xerox machine because I have to make copies?' The reason was nonsensical. Of course you need a copying machine in order to make copies. So why does it work so effectively? Because the word because triggers an unconscious acceptance that a valid explanation will follow. We hear something and we have almost a Pavlovian response to accept it. Whether the sentence makes sense or not, we assume it does and, therefore, we don't bother to process the explanation." - David Lieberman
Sunday, March 28, 2010
10 Ways The Health Care Bill May Affect You
From Investopedia.com:
The Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act, more commonly referred to as the "healthcare bill", has taken over a year to craft and has been a lightning rod for political debate because it effectively reshapes major facets of the country's healthcare industry.
Here are 10 things you need to know about how the new law may affect you:
1. Your Kids are Covered
Starting this year, if you have an adult child who cannot get health insurance from his or her employer and is to some degree dependent on you financially, your child can stay on your insurance policy until he or she is 26 years old. Currently, many insurance companies do not allow adult children to remain on their parents' plan once they reach 19 or leave school.
2. You Can't be Dropped
Starting this fall, your health insurance company will no longer be allowed to "drop" you (cancel your policy) if you get sick. In 2009, "rescission" was revealed to be a relatively common cost-cutting practice by several insurance companies. The practice proved to be common enough to spur several lawsuits; for example, in 2008 and 2009, California's largest insurers were made to pay out more than $19 million in fines for dropping policyholders who fell ill.
3. You Can't be Denied Insurance
Starting this year your child (or children) cannot be denied coverage simply because they have a pre-existing health condition. Health insurance companies will also be barred from denying adults applying for coverage if they have a pre-existing condition, but not until 2014.
4. You Can Spend What You Need to
Prior to the new law, health insurance companies set a maximum limit on the monetary amount of benefits that a policyholder could receive. This meant that those who developed expensive or long-lasting medical conditions could run out of coverage. Starting this year, companies will be barred from instituting caps on coverage.
5. You Don't Have to Wait
If you currently have pre-existing conditions that have prevented you from being able to qualify for health insurance for at least six months you will have coverage options before 2014. Starting this fall, you will be able to purchase insurance through a state-run "high-risk pool", which will cap your personal out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare. You will not be required to pay more than $5,950 of your own money for medical expenses; families will not have to pay any more than $11,900.
6. You Must be Insured
Under the new law starting in 2014, you will have to purchase health insurance or risk being fined. If your employer does not offer health insurance as a benefit or if you do not earn enough money to purchase a plan, you may get assistance from the government. The fines for not purchasing insurance will be levied according to a sliding scale based on income. Starting in 2014, the lowest fine would be $95 or 1% of a person's income (whichever is greater) and then increase to a high of $695 or 2.5% of an individual's taxable income by 2016. There will be a maximum cap on fines.
7. You'll Have More Options
Starting in 2014 (when you will be required by law to have health insurance), states will operate new insurance marketplaces - called "exchanges" - that will provide you with more options for buying an individual policy if you can't get, or afford, insurance from your workplace and you earn too much income to qualify for Medicaid. In addition, millions of low- and middle-income families (earning up to $88,200 annually) will be able to qualify for financial assistance from the federal government to purchase insurance through their state exchange.
8. Flexible Spending Accounts Will Become Less Flexible
Three years from now, flexible spending accounts (FSAs) will have lower contribution limits - meaning you won't be able to have as much money deducted from your paycheck pre-tax and deposited into an FSA for medical expenses as is currently allowed. The new maximum amount allowed will be $2,500. In addition, fewer expenses will qualify for FSA spending. For example, you will no longer be able to use your FSA to help defray the cost of over-the-counter drugs.
9. If You Earn More, You'll Pay More
Starting in 2018, if your combined family income exceeds $250,000 you are going to be taking less money home each pay period. That's because you will have more money deducted from your paycheck to go toward increased Medicare payroll taxes. In addition to higher payroll taxes you will also have to pay 3.8% tax on any unearned income, which is currently tax-exempt.
10. Medicare May Cover More or Less of Your Expenses
Starting this year, if Medicare is your primary form of health insurance you will no longer have to pay for preventive care such as an annual physical, screenings for treatable conditions or routine laboratory work. In addition, you will get a $250 check from the federal government to help pay for prescription drugs currently not covered as a result of the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole".
However, if you are a high-income individual or couple (making more than $85,000 individually or $170,000 jointly), your prescription drug subsidy will be reduced. In addition, if you are one of the more than 10 million people currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan you may be facing higher premiums because your insurance company's subsidy from the federal government is going to be dramatically reduced.
Conclusion
Over the next few months you will most likely receive information in the mail from your health insurance company about how the newly signed law will affect your coverage. Read the correspondence carefully and don't hesitate to ask questions about your policy; there may be new, more affordable options for you down the road.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act, more commonly referred to as the "healthcare bill", has taken over a year to craft and has been a lightning rod for political debate because it effectively reshapes major facets of the country's healthcare industry.
Here are 10 things you need to know about how the new law may affect you:
1. Your Kids are Covered
Starting this year, if you have an adult child who cannot get health insurance from his or her employer and is to some degree dependent on you financially, your child can stay on your insurance policy until he or she is 26 years old. Currently, many insurance companies do not allow adult children to remain on their parents' plan once they reach 19 or leave school.
2. You Can't be Dropped
Starting this fall, your health insurance company will no longer be allowed to "drop" you (cancel your policy) if you get sick. In 2009, "rescission" was revealed to be a relatively common cost-cutting practice by several insurance companies. The practice proved to be common enough to spur several lawsuits; for example, in 2008 and 2009, California's largest insurers were made to pay out more than $19 million in fines for dropping policyholders who fell ill.
3. You Can't be Denied Insurance
Starting this year your child (or children) cannot be denied coverage simply because they have a pre-existing health condition. Health insurance companies will also be barred from denying adults applying for coverage if they have a pre-existing condition, but not until 2014.
4. You Can Spend What You Need to
Prior to the new law, health insurance companies set a maximum limit on the monetary amount of benefits that a policyholder could receive. This meant that those who developed expensive or long-lasting medical conditions could run out of coverage. Starting this year, companies will be barred from instituting caps on coverage.
5. You Don't Have to Wait
If you currently have pre-existing conditions that have prevented you from being able to qualify for health insurance for at least six months you will have coverage options before 2014. Starting this fall, you will be able to purchase insurance through a state-run "high-risk pool", which will cap your personal out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare. You will not be required to pay more than $5,950 of your own money for medical expenses; families will not have to pay any more than $11,900.
6. You Must be Insured
Under the new law starting in 2014, you will have to purchase health insurance or risk being fined. If your employer does not offer health insurance as a benefit or if you do not earn enough money to purchase a plan, you may get assistance from the government. The fines for not purchasing insurance will be levied according to a sliding scale based on income. Starting in 2014, the lowest fine would be $95 or 1% of a person's income (whichever is greater) and then increase to a high of $695 or 2.5% of an individual's taxable income by 2016. There will be a maximum cap on fines.
7. You'll Have More Options
Starting in 2014 (when you will be required by law to have health insurance), states will operate new insurance marketplaces - called "exchanges" - that will provide you with more options for buying an individual policy if you can't get, or afford, insurance from your workplace and you earn too much income to qualify for Medicaid. In addition, millions of low- and middle-income families (earning up to $88,200 annually) will be able to qualify for financial assistance from the federal government to purchase insurance through their state exchange.
8. Flexible Spending Accounts Will Become Less Flexible
Three years from now, flexible spending accounts (FSAs) will have lower contribution limits - meaning you won't be able to have as much money deducted from your paycheck pre-tax and deposited into an FSA for medical expenses as is currently allowed. The new maximum amount allowed will be $2,500. In addition, fewer expenses will qualify for FSA spending. For example, you will no longer be able to use your FSA to help defray the cost of over-the-counter drugs.
9. If You Earn More, You'll Pay More
Starting in 2018, if your combined family income exceeds $250,000 you are going to be taking less money home each pay period. That's because you will have more money deducted from your paycheck to go toward increased Medicare payroll taxes. In addition to higher payroll taxes you will also have to pay 3.8% tax on any unearned income, which is currently tax-exempt.
10. Medicare May Cover More or Less of Your Expenses
Starting this year, if Medicare is your primary form of health insurance you will no longer have to pay for preventive care such as an annual physical, screenings for treatable conditions or routine laboratory work. In addition, you will get a $250 check from the federal government to help pay for prescription drugs currently not covered as a result of the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole".
However, if you are a high-income individual or couple (making more than $85,000 individually or $170,000 jointly), your prescription drug subsidy will be reduced. In addition, if you are one of the more than 10 million people currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan you may be facing higher premiums because your insurance company's subsidy from the federal government is going to be dramatically reduced.
Conclusion
Over the next few months you will most likely receive information in the mail from your health insurance company about how the newly signed law will affect your coverage. Read the correspondence carefully and don't hesitate to ask questions about your policy; there may be new, more affordable options for you down the road.
High/Low Week 12 2010
This was a solid, successful week. I think the biggest danger is complacency. When I'm on my game, I pick up on temptations to participate in or initiate negative or disrespectful conversation. When I sit here and fail to come up with them, it means that I probably let myself slide into one of them almost instinctively.
We had dinner with Coach Goldman this Tuesday. It was the first time that Dena got a chance to meet and socialize with him, and I was glad for the chance for her to meet such a fine person.
As the week went on, there were strings of professional successes. Tyson made some great progress in a bit of career development. Our department head Gerry chipped in some support on another matter that will probably strengthen our unit. Another team project was completed when we finished inventorying what had once been an unknown wasteland of files. And the training program on CVAT that we'll be conducting for a dozen people took on a firmer and encouraging shape, with plenty of time for adjustments yet.
I was contacted by Becky Mentzer from the ISU Honors Program. This might help meet the 2010 goal of finding an organization to be involved in during retirement. I'd approached her to schedule lunch and find out what kind of volunteer needs they anticipate, figuring that any long-term plan is best set up by making introductions well in advance.
We settled on a "full size" car, a la Chevy Impala or the like, to be our ride out to North Carolina for vacation. The reservation is made... let the countdown begin in earnest!
We had dinner with Coach Goldman this Tuesday. It was the first time that Dena got a chance to meet and socialize with him, and I was glad for the chance for her to meet such a fine person.
As the week went on, there were strings of professional successes. Tyson made some great progress in a bit of career development. Our department head Gerry chipped in some support on another matter that will probably strengthen our unit. Another team project was completed when we finished inventorying what had once been an unknown wasteland of files. And the training program on CVAT that we'll be conducting for a dozen people took on a firmer and encouraging shape, with plenty of time for adjustments yet.
I was contacted by Becky Mentzer from the ISU Honors Program. This might help meet the 2010 goal of finding an organization to be involved in during retirement. I'd approached her to schedule lunch and find out what kind of volunteer needs they anticipate, figuring that any long-term plan is best set up by making introductions well in advance.
We settled on a "full size" car, a la Chevy Impala or the like, to be our ride out to North Carolina for vacation. The reservation is made... let the countdown begin in earnest!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Four Sets Of Ten
After a little binge snacking last night, I decided to advance my 10-mile run planned for Sunday and do some calorie-burning this morning. Running on five hours of sleep, I figured it'd also shake off the morning brain fog.
No visions of greatness here... a quiet 10 minute mile pace was slow enough to allow me to read magazines, and the beauty of treadmill trotting flowered again as I was able to make a couple quick bathroom/water breaks at the 4 and 7 mile marks. Throw in some ESPN and a friend on a neighboring machine and the 100 minutes passed quickly.
Since I'd skipped Saturday morning basketball in order to do this, I at least decided to shoot until I hit ten free throws in a row a couple of times. Except for the fact that running leaves my arms cold for reasons that sports physiologists can probably explain, my stroke was dead on. It took less than twenty minutes for me to accomplish the feat.
Then I decided to make ten three-pointers before calling it a day.
Man, I was on FIRE! I made seven in a row. I think the thousand free throws from the last few weeks have refined my follow through in a way that translates immediately beyond the arc. Just a matter of adjusting leg strength.
At this rate, I'll have a shot at nationals. Anyone know the minimum age for the Senior Olympics?
No visions of greatness here... a quiet 10 minute mile pace was slow enough to allow me to read magazines, and the beauty of treadmill trotting flowered again as I was able to make a couple quick bathroom/water breaks at the 4 and 7 mile marks. Throw in some ESPN and a friend on a neighboring machine and the 100 minutes passed quickly.
Since I'd skipped Saturday morning basketball in order to do this, I at least decided to shoot until I hit ten free throws in a row a couple of times. Except for the fact that running leaves my arms cold for reasons that sports physiologists can probably explain, my stroke was dead on. It took less than twenty minutes for me to accomplish the feat.
Then I decided to make ten three-pointers before calling it a day.
Man, I was on FIRE! I made seven in a row. I think the thousand free throws from the last few weeks have refined my follow through in a way that translates immediately beyond the arc. Just a matter of adjusting leg strength.
At this rate, I'll have a shot at nationals. Anyone know the minimum age for the Senior Olympics?
iPod CPR
My iPod was pronounced dead this morning, the screen frozen in a grotesque mask of "Do Not Disconnect" message following a routine morning sync to recharge the battery.
Then, Dena pointed me toward the Help menu from the iTunes home page. Within were instructions for resetting an iPod such as mine. There was no time to lose:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1320
The machine gasped to life! The Easter season is glorious again. 'Scuse me while I jam to some tunes...
Then, Dena pointed me toward the Help menu from the iTunes home page. Within were instructions for resetting an iPod such as mine. There was no time to lose:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1320
The machine gasped to life! The Easter season is glorious again. 'Scuse me while I jam to some tunes...
Friday, March 26, 2010
A Whiff Of Trouble
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/sow_experts/post/David-James-whiffs-and-Avram-Grant-s-face-says-i?urn=sow,230045
Purpose
The flower of my creator,
Here simply to bloom in creation.
Life is dependence,
On soil and sun,
On others nearby,
On the blessings of the body.
What am I?
Small, fragile, brief.
Pride? Legacy? Control?
Rather to sway with grace,
Dancing in the fiercest and coldest gale,
The warmest summer breeze,
The refreshing rain.
Ever stretching brightly toward the sky,
Drawing from the wellspring of fortune,
Radiating color and gratitude in every moment.
Here simply to bloom in creation.
Life is dependence,
On soil and sun,
On others nearby,
On the blessings of the body.
What am I?
Small, fragile, brief.
Pride? Legacy? Control?
Rather to sway with grace,
Dancing in the fiercest and coldest gale,
The warmest summer breeze,
The refreshing rain.
Ever stretching brightly toward the sky,
Drawing from the wellspring of fortune,
Radiating color and gratitude in every moment.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Assessing Your Middle Class Status
Assessing Your Middle-Class Status
Despite the so-called recovery, many families continue to struggle, with income and other living standards slipping below thresholds that typically represent middle-class quality of life. We've assembled a variety of metrics to help determine whether you're getting ahead, holding steady, or slipping further than most.
Income
For the 50 percent of families in the middle of the scale, household income ranges from $51,000 to $123,000 for a typical four-person, two-parent family. The median is about $81,000. Those numbers are from 2008, and have probably fallen 5 to 7 percent since then, on account of the recession. Median income for a single-parent, two-child family is about $25,000.
Housing Costs
For two-parent families, the typical home is worth about $231,000, accounting for $17,600 in mortgage payments and other costs per year. Housing costs have risen by more than twice as much as income since 1990, a trend that may finally be reversing thanks to the housing bust.
Home Size
The housing bubble was one factor that boosted housing costs, but the typical family also lives in a much bigger home. The median size of a new, single-family home jumped by 40 percent between 1979 and 2007, to about 2,300 square feet. That may now be declining, as families downsize and some get booted from homes they can't afford.
Medical Expenses
You've probably heard — healthcare costs are going through the roof. A study by the middle-class task force headed by Vice President Joe Biden says the median two-parent family spends $5,100 per year on health insurance and non-covered expenses—assuming an employer provides health insurance. Healthcare costs have risen far more than any other aspect of the family budget since 1990, with no end in sight.
Cars
They provide mobility and represent freedom, one reason the typical family spends about $12,400 per year on two medium-sized sedans or the equivalent, with a new-car value of $45,000. The recession may have dampened our love of the road, however: Americans are driving less and car sales are off about 40 percent.
College Savings
The typical family puts aside $4,100 for college expenses for two kids, estimated to cover about 75 percent of expenses at a state university. Financial aid helps with the rest. But if possible, toss more into the college fund: As states face budget crunches, tuition and fees are going up.
Vacations
One week at the beach or another destination is standard, at a cost of $3,000 or so for four. More affluent families can afford two weeks, at a typical cost of $6,100.
Retirement Savings
A median-income family that saved 3.2 percent of its income—roughly equivalent to the national saving rate—would sock away nearly $2,600 per year for retirement. Of course many families don't hit even that modest goal, and stock-market losses over the last several years have further shrunk the national nest egg.
Everyday Spending
Clothes, food, utilities, entertainment and other living expenses amount to $14,200 a year for a median-income family. Not surprisingly, this is one set expenses many families are trying to reduce, by buying more discount brands, using less or doing without.
Number of Earners
In 76 percent of two-parent families, both parents work. The higher the household income, the more likely it is that both parents are contributing.
Hours Worked
Few parents will be surprised to hear that Moms and Dads are working more than they used to. The total number of hours worked in a two-parent family is 3,747 per year, up 5 percent since 1990. The increased hours add up to more than four 40-hour weeks of additional work per family.
Education
The typical household head has a high school degree plus about two years of college education, up by more than a full year of college since 1990. Good thing—education is a key factor in lifetime earnings, and high school dropouts face a dim future by nearly every measure.
Free Time
What's your top priority? In a 2008 poll by the Pew Research Center, it wasn't healthy kids, a strong marriage or a great career; 68 percent of respondents said it was free time. (And just 12 percent said it was being wealthy.)
Household Net Worth
The typical household has a net worth of about $84,000, according to the Federal Reserve. That's down 30 percent since 2007, thanks to losses in stock portfolios and home values.
Debt
About 18 percent of disposable income, on average, goes toward mortgage payments, auto loans, credit cards and other forms of household debt. That's a bit higher than it was in the '70s and '80s. But since debt payments peaked at the beginning of 2008, at 18.9 percent of income, they've been steadily falling.
Despite the so-called recovery, many families continue to struggle, with income and other living standards slipping below thresholds that typically represent middle-class quality of life. We've assembled a variety of metrics to help determine whether you're getting ahead, holding steady, or slipping further than most.
Income
For the 50 percent of families in the middle of the scale, household income ranges from $51,000 to $123,000 for a typical four-person, two-parent family. The median is about $81,000. Those numbers are from 2008, and have probably fallen 5 to 7 percent since then, on account of the recession. Median income for a single-parent, two-child family is about $25,000.
Housing Costs
For two-parent families, the typical home is worth about $231,000, accounting for $17,600 in mortgage payments and other costs per year. Housing costs have risen by more than twice as much as income since 1990, a trend that may finally be reversing thanks to the housing bust.
Home Size
The housing bubble was one factor that boosted housing costs, but the typical family also lives in a much bigger home. The median size of a new, single-family home jumped by 40 percent between 1979 and 2007, to about 2,300 square feet. That may now be declining, as families downsize and some get booted from homes they can't afford.
Medical Expenses
You've probably heard — healthcare costs are going through the roof. A study by the middle-class task force headed by Vice President Joe Biden says the median two-parent family spends $5,100 per year on health insurance and non-covered expenses—assuming an employer provides health insurance. Healthcare costs have risen far more than any other aspect of the family budget since 1990, with no end in sight.
Cars
They provide mobility and represent freedom, one reason the typical family spends about $12,400 per year on two medium-sized sedans or the equivalent, with a new-car value of $45,000. The recession may have dampened our love of the road, however: Americans are driving less and car sales are off about 40 percent.
College Savings
The typical family puts aside $4,100 for college expenses for two kids, estimated to cover about 75 percent of expenses at a state university. Financial aid helps with the rest. But if possible, toss more into the college fund: As states face budget crunches, tuition and fees are going up.
Vacations
One week at the beach or another destination is standard, at a cost of $3,000 or so for four. More affluent families can afford two weeks, at a typical cost of $6,100.
Retirement Savings
A median-income family that saved 3.2 percent of its income—roughly equivalent to the national saving rate—would sock away nearly $2,600 per year for retirement. Of course many families don't hit even that modest goal, and stock-market losses over the last several years have further shrunk the national nest egg.
Everyday Spending
Clothes, food, utilities, entertainment and other living expenses amount to $14,200 a year for a median-income family. Not surprisingly, this is one set expenses many families are trying to reduce, by buying more discount brands, using less or doing without.
Number of Earners
In 76 percent of two-parent families, both parents work. The higher the household income, the more likely it is that both parents are contributing.
Hours Worked
Few parents will be surprised to hear that Moms and Dads are working more than they used to. The total number of hours worked in a two-parent family is 3,747 per year, up 5 percent since 1990. The increased hours add up to more than four 40-hour weeks of additional work per family.
Education
The typical household head has a high school degree plus about two years of college education, up by more than a full year of college since 1990. Good thing—education is a key factor in lifetime earnings, and high school dropouts face a dim future by nearly every measure.
Free Time
What's your top priority? In a 2008 poll by the Pew Research Center, it wasn't healthy kids, a strong marriage or a great career; 68 percent of respondents said it was free time. (And just 12 percent said it was being wealthy.)
Household Net Worth
The typical household has a net worth of about $84,000, according to the Federal Reserve. That's down 30 percent since 2007, thanks to losses in stock portfolios and home values.
Debt
About 18 percent of disposable income, on average, goes toward mortgage payments, auto loans, credit cards and other forms of household debt. That's a bit higher than it was in the '70s and '80s. But since debt payments peaked at the beginning of 2008, at 18.9 percent of income, they've been steadily falling.
Say When
"You can't hope to have a better tomorrow if you spend your time thinking about yesterday." - Bill Russell
Monday, March 22, 2010
It Could Have Happened To Anyone
From the Onion... some parents are just too hard on themselves:
http://www.theonion.com/video/boys-tragic-death-could-have-happened-to-any-famil,17024/
http://www.theonion.com/video/boys-tragic-death-could-have-happened-to-any-famil,17024/
Making The Cut
Exactly one time in my high school track career I was enlisted to participate in a 4 x 200 relay race. I ran the leadoff leg. As most know, for a race this long on an oval track the runners each have a lane, and line up in staggered fashion rather than side-to-side to account for the curvature of the track. Since I was in one of the lanes closer to the infield, some were behind me and some in front when the gun went off. I held my own, but I suddenly learned another facet of track racing. Within a hundred yards or so, the drawn lanes come to an end and runners are eligible to converge toward the inner track. This lesson came in the form of a blur that flew in from my right hand side and abruptly left me watching the soles of his shoes, first from a few strides behind, and eventually more. Was I angry at having been cut off? Nah. It didn't impede my progress at all, it's just part of the reality of racing.
Yesterday I was in Kroger buying a few groceries, few enough so as not to need a cart or basket. Having just come from a workout, man I was trucking in full stride. I found myself charging down the snacks aisle en route toward the checkout. Ten steps ahead of me two ladies slowly rolled loaded shopping carts in opposite directions. As Murphy's law of shopping would have it, they came to a stop right next to each other, blocking the aisle.
That is, except for a slender man-sized sliver of daylight between them.
The old track instincts kicked in. Both of them had their backs toward me, lost in their purchases. With a slight swivel to the side, I cut right through them gracefully. Truth be told, had they seen me coming, they'd probably have felt that I was a bit in their personal space. As it was, by the time they knew what had happened I was past them, with little more than a breeze to remember me by. Having impeded nothing of their progress, I was home free to the finish line.
Were they angry? Maybe so, likely not. It's just part of the reality of shopping. If you run a race, or if you block the aisle, congestion's gonna happen.
Just saying.
Yesterday I was in Kroger buying a few groceries, few enough so as not to need a cart or basket. Having just come from a workout, man I was trucking in full stride. I found myself charging down the snacks aisle en route toward the checkout. Ten steps ahead of me two ladies slowly rolled loaded shopping carts in opposite directions. As Murphy's law of shopping would have it, they came to a stop right next to each other, blocking the aisle.
That is, except for a slender man-sized sliver of daylight between them.
The old track instincts kicked in. Both of them had their backs toward me, lost in their purchases. With a slight swivel to the side, I cut right through them gracefully. Truth be told, had they seen me coming, they'd probably have felt that I was a bit in their personal space. As it was, by the time they knew what had happened I was past them, with little more than a breeze to remember me by. Having impeded nothing of their progress, I was home free to the finish line.
Were they angry? Maybe so, likely not. It's just part of the reality of shopping. If you run a race, or if you block the aisle, congestion's gonna happen.
Just saying.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Fantasy Baseball Disbelief
My writings about fantasy baseball may increase a tick since Jack and I get to do a little brotherly bonding by being in a league together this year.
It bewilders me how many people will offer nonsense trades like:
Rafael Furcal and Rickie Weeks for Brian Wilson.
Most Hidden Bloggers follow pro baseball about as closely as nuns surf Craigslist, so let me explain this as if we're talking about cars instead.
Suppose you have a new Chevy Tahoe in your one-car garage. The garage also holds your kids' two new bikes. A neighbor with greasy black hair and shifty eyes rings your doorbell and says "Hey, I got these two tricked-out five year old bikes. What say you give me the Tahoe for them?"
Clearly there are several issues. The first is that you'd be without motorized transportation to your job twenty miles away as the snow flies. Your net worth would drop by roughly $25,000, ignoring the loss of income when you're fired from your job after showing up bicycle-sweaty. You have no need for more bikes, especially not ones that are inferior to the ones in the garage. The resale value of your property is now less than you paid for it, given that the neighborhood's certifiably populated by one or more morons. And now that you're not going to let the kids wander about the neighborhood unsupervised, the new bikes are pretty much worthless too.
Probably 75% of trade requests I receive are like this. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they try to sell their cars.
It bewilders me how many people will offer nonsense trades like:
Rafael Furcal and Rickie Weeks for Brian Wilson.
Most Hidden Bloggers follow pro baseball about as closely as nuns surf Craigslist, so let me explain this as if we're talking about cars instead.
Suppose you have a new Chevy Tahoe in your one-car garage. The garage also holds your kids' two new bikes. A neighbor with greasy black hair and shifty eyes rings your doorbell and says "Hey, I got these two tricked-out five year old bikes. What say you give me the Tahoe for them?"
Clearly there are several issues. The first is that you'd be without motorized transportation to your job twenty miles away as the snow flies. Your net worth would drop by roughly $25,000, ignoring the loss of income when you're fired from your job after showing up bicycle-sweaty. You have no need for more bikes, especially not ones that are inferior to the ones in the garage. The resale value of your property is now less than you paid for it, given that the neighborhood's certifiably populated by one or more morons. And now that you're not going to let the kids wander about the neighborhood unsupervised, the new bikes are pretty much worthless too.
Probably 75% of trade requests I receive are like this. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they try to sell their cars.
Nine Mile Island
I added one more mile to the weekly run today, chilling to some Beatles tunes and watching NCAA tourney hoops while running in place for 90 minutes to cover 9 miles. It's done wonders for lowering the body fat percentage, flirting below 15% for the first time all year at 14.8.
Afterward I got to looking at the "novice" half-marathoner's training schedule as proposed by Hal Higdon:
http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm
According to this I might be two weeks away from being able to run a half-marathon, suggesting that I do 5, 3, and 5 miles on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.
Little conflict: The "half-marathon" day is Easter Sunday, when we'll be with Mom in Bloomingdale. I wonder what the prospects are for taking off work on Monday?
Afterward I got to looking at the "novice" half-marathoner's training schedule as proposed by Hal Higdon:
http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm
According to this I might be two weeks away from being able to run a half-marathon, suggesting that I do 5, 3, and 5 miles on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.
Little conflict: The "half-marathon" day is Easter Sunday, when we'll be with Mom in Bloomingdale. I wonder what the prospects are for taking off work on Monday?
The Darling Dozen
Today is our 12th wedding anniversary!
Yesterday we celebrated by returning to the scene of the grime, so to speak. Eastland Suites is the hotel/conference center that we used for our wedding rehearsal dinner, and where Dena had tumbled into some late winter snow (though the weather turned sunny and beautiful the next day). Mom had found the place and made arrangements, as well as staying at the hotel with Dad and some relatives, so we got our chance to peek inside their clean and eloquent rooms at the time.
What sold us for this occasion was their Central Station romantic package. In addition to a very nice suite, they also made dinner reservations for us at the quaint downtown Bloomington restaurant impressively restored from an old fire station. It was the restaurant where our parents met for the first time, over a meal with us. While Saturday's meal was sumptuous and easily staved off my typical late-night snacking, the most fun aspect was the limousine escort we got between the hotel and Station. This was our first time in a limo since our wedding day.
After eating we lounged casually while waiting for our chauffeur to arrive, cuddled up back at the room for a while, then took in a late-night romantic comedy. The next morning we enjoyed a complimentary newspaper and breakfast before packing up for home.
And of course, as always, the day gets an extra measure of joy for ushering in the spring season! A happy anniversary indeed.
Yesterday we celebrated by returning to the scene of the grime, so to speak. Eastland Suites is the hotel/conference center that we used for our wedding rehearsal dinner, and where Dena had tumbled into some late winter snow (though the weather turned sunny and beautiful the next day). Mom had found the place and made arrangements, as well as staying at the hotel with Dad and some relatives, so we got our chance to peek inside their clean and eloquent rooms at the time.
What sold us for this occasion was their Central Station romantic package. In addition to a very nice suite, they also made dinner reservations for us at the quaint downtown Bloomington restaurant impressively restored from an old fire station. It was the restaurant where our parents met for the first time, over a meal with us. While Saturday's meal was sumptuous and easily staved off my typical late-night snacking, the most fun aspect was the limousine escort we got between the hotel and Station. This was our first time in a limo since our wedding day.
After eating we lounged casually while waiting for our chauffeur to arrive, cuddled up back at the room for a while, then took in a late-night romantic comedy. The next morning we enjoyed a complimentary newspaper and breakfast before packing up for home.
And of course, as always, the day gets an extra measure of joy for ushering in the spring season! A happy anniversary indeed.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Ten Places NOT To Use Your Debit Card
Debit cards have different protections and uses. Sometimes they're not the best choice.
Sometimes reaching for your wallet is like a multiple choice test: How do you really want to pay?
While credit cards and debit cards may look almost identical, not all plastic is the same.
"It's important that consumers understand the difference between a debit card and a credit card," says John Breyault, director of the Fraud Center for the National Consumers League, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group. "There's a difference in how the transactions are processed and the protections offered to consumers when they use them."
While debit cards and credit cards each have advantages, each is also better suited to certain situations. And since a debit card is a direct line to your bank account, there are places where it can be wise to avoid handing it over -- if for no other reason than complete peace of mind.
Here are 10 places and situations where it can pay to leave that debit card in your wallet:
1. Online
"You don't use a debit card online," says Susan Tiffany, director of consumer periodicals for the Credit Union National Association. Since the debit card links directly to a checking account, "you have potential vulnerability there," she says.
Her reasoning: If you have problems with a purchase or the card number gets hijacked, a debit card is "vulnerable because it happens to be linked to an account," says Linda Foley, founder of the Identity Theft Resource Center. She also includes phone orders in this category.
The Federal Reserve's Regulation E (commonly dubbed Reg E), covers debit card transfers. It sets a consumer's liability for fraudulent purchases at $50, provided they notify the bank within two days of discovering that their card or card number has been stolen.
Most banks have additional voluntary policies that set their own customers' liability with debit cards at $0, says Nessa Feddis, vice president and senior counsel for the American Bankers Association.
But the protections don't relieve consumers of hassle: The prospect of trying to get money put back into their bank account, and the problems that a lower-than-expected balance can cause in terms of fees and refused checks or payments, make some online shoppers reach first for credit cards.
2. Big-Ticket Items
With a big ticket item, a credit card is safer, says Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney with the National Consumer Law Center. A credit card offers dispute rights if something goes wrong with the merchandise or the purchase, she says.
"With a debit card, you have fewer protections," she says.
In addition, some cards will also offer extended warrantees. And in some situations, such as buying electronics or renting a car, some credit cards also offer additional property insurance to cover the item.
Two caveats, says Wu. Don't carry a balance. Otherwise, you also risk paying some high-ticket interest. And "avoid store cards with deferred interest," Wu advises.
3. Deposit Required
When Peter Garuccio recently rented some home improvement equipment at a big-box store, it required a sizable deposit. "This is where you want to use a credit card instead of a debit," says Garuccio, spokesman for the national trade group American Bankers Association.
That way, the store has its security deposit, and you still have access to all of the money in your bank account. With any luck, you'll never actually have to part with a dollar.
4. Restaurants
"To me, it's dangerous," says Gary Foreman, editor of the frugality minded Web site The Dollar Stretcher. "You have so many people around."
Foreman bases his conclusions on what he hears from readers. "Anecdotally, the cases that I'm hearing of credit or debit information being stolen, as often as not, it's in a restaurant," he says.
The danger: Restaurants are one of the few places where you have to let cards leave your sight when you use them. But others think that avoiding such situations is not workable.
The "conventional advice of 'don't let the card out of your sight' -- that's just not practical," says Tiffany.
The other problem with using a debit card at restaurants: Some establishments will approve the card for more than your purchase amount because, presumably, you intend to leave a tip. So the amount of money frozen for the transaction could be quite a bit more than the amount of your tab. And it could be a few days before you get the cash back in your account.
5. You're a New Customer
Online or in the real world, if you're a first-time customer in a store, skip the debit card the first couple of times you buy, says Breyault.
That way, you get a feel for how the business is run, how you're treated and the quality of the merchandise before you hand over a card that links to your checking account.
6. Buy Now, Take Delivery Later
Buying now but taking delivery days or weeks from now? A credit card offers dispute rights that a debit card typically does not.
"It may be an outfit you're familiar with and trust, but something might go wrong," says Breyault, "and you need protection."
But be aware that some cards will limit the protection to a specific time period, says Feddis. So settle any problems as soon as possible.
7. Recurring Payments
We've all heard the urban legend about the gym that won't stop billing an ex-member's credit card. Now imagine the charges aren't going onto your card, but instead coming right out of your bank account.
Another reason not to use the debit card for recurring charges: your own memory and math skills. Forget to deduct that automatic bill payment from your checkbook one month, and you could either face fees or embarrassment (depending on whether you've opted to allow overdrafting or not). So if you don't keep a cash buffer in your account, "to protect yourself from over-limit fees, you may want to think about using a credit card" for recurring payments, says Breyault.
8. Future Travel
Book your travel with a check card, and "they debit it immediately," says Foley. So if you're buying travel that you won't use for six months or making a reservation for a few weeks from now, you'll be out the money immediately.
Another factor that bothers Foley: Hotels aren't immune to hackers and data breaches, and several name-brand establishments have suffered the problem recently. Do you want your debit card information "to sit in a system for four months, waiting for you to arrive?" she asks. "I would not."
9. Gas Stations and Hotels
This one depends on the individual business. Some gas stations and hotels will place holds to cover customers who may leave without settling the entire bill. That means that even though you only bought $10 in gas, you could have a temporary bank hold for $50 to $100, says Tiffany.
Ditto hotels, where there are sometimes holds or deposits in the hundreds to make sure you don't run up a long distance bill, empty the mini bar or trash the room. The practice is almost unnoticeable if you're using credit, but can be problematic if you're using a debit card and have just enough in the account to cover what you need.
At hotels, ask about deposits and holds before you present your card, says Feddis. At the pump, select the pin-number option, she says, which should debit only the amount you've actually spent.
10. Checkouts or ATMs That Look 'Off'
Criminals are getting better with skimmers and planting them in places you'd never suspect -- like ATM machines on bank property, says Foley.
So take a good look at the machine or card reader the next time you use an ATM or self-check lane, she advises. Does the machine fit together well or does something look off, different or like it doesn't quite belong? Says Foley, "Make sure it doesn't look like it's been tampered with."
Sometimes reaching for your wallet is like a multiple choice test: How do you really want to pay?
While credit cards and debit cards may look almost identical, not all plastic is the same.
"It's important that consumers understand the difference between a debit card and a credit card," says John Breyault, director of the Fraud Center for the National Consumers League, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group. "There's a difference in how the transactions are processed and the protections offered to consumers when they use them."
While debit cards and credit cards each have advantages, each is also better suited to certain situations. And since a debit card is a direct line to your bank account, there are places where it can be wise to avoid handing it over -- if for no other reason than complete peace of mind.
Here are 10 places and situations where it can pay to leave that debit card in your wallet:
1. Online
"You don't use a debit card online," says Susan Tiffany, director of consumer periodicals for the Credit Union National Association. Since the debit card links directly to a checking account, "you have potential vulnerability there," she says.
Her reasoning: If you have problems with a purchase or the card number gets hijacked, a debit card is "vulnerable because it happens to be linked to an account," says Linda Foley, founder of the Identity Theft Resource Center. She also includes phone orders in this category.
The Federal Reserve's Regulation E (commonly dubbed Reg E), covers debit card transfers. It sets a consumer's liability for fraudulent purchases at $50, provided they notify the bank within two days of discovering that their card or card number has been stolen.
Most banks have additional voluntary policies that set their own customers' liability with debit cards at $0, says Nessa Feddis, vice president and senior counsel for the American Bankers Association.
But the protections don't relieve consumers of hassle: The prospect of trying to get money put back into their bank account, and the problems that a lower-than-expected balance can cause in terms of fees and refused checks or payments, make some online shoppers reach first for credit cards.
2. Big-Ticket Items
With a big ticket item, a credit card is safer, says Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney with the National Consumer Law Center. A credit card offers dispute rights if something goes wrong with the merchandise or the purchase, she says.
"With a debit card, you have fewer protections," she says.
In addition, some cards will also offer extended warrantees. And in some situations, such as buying electronics or renting a car, some credit cards also offer additional property insurance to cover the item.
Two caveats, says Wu. Don't carry a balance. Otherwise, you also risk paying some high-ticket interest. And "avoid store cards with deferred interest," Wu advises.
3. Deposit Required
When Peter Garuccio recently rented some home improvement equipment at a big-box store, it required a sizable deposit. "This is where you want to use a credit card instead of a debit," says Garuccio, spokesman for the national trade group American Bankers Association.
That way, the store has its security deposit, and you still have access to all of the money in your bank account. With any luck, you'll never actually have to part with a dollar.
4. Restaurants
"To me, it's dangerous," says Gary Foreman, editor of the frugality minded Web site The Dollar Stretcher. "You have so many people around."
Foreman bases his conclusions on what he hears from readers. "Anecdotally, the cases that I'm hearing of credit or debit information being stolen, as often as not, it's in a restaurant," he says.
The danger: Restaurants are one of the few places where you have to let cards leave your sight when you use them. But others think that avoiding such situations is not workable.
The "conventional advice of 'don't let the card out of your sight' -- that's just not practical," says Tiffany.
The other problem with using a debit card at restaurants: Some establishments will approve the card for more than your purchase amount because, presumably, you intend to leave a tip. So the amount of money frozen for the transaction could be quite a bit more than the amount of your tab. And it could be a few days before you get the cash back in your account.
5. You're a New Customer
Online or in the real world, if you're a first-time customer in a store, skip the debit card the first couple of times you buy, says Breyault.
That way, you get a feel for how the business is run, how you're treated and the quality of the merchandise before you hand over a card that links to your checking account.
6. Buy Now, Take Delivery Later
Buying now but taking delivery days or weeks from now? A credit card offers dispute rights that a debit card typically does not.
"It may be an outfit you're familiar with and trust, but something might go wrong," says Breyault, "and you need protection."
But be aware that some cards will limit the protection to a specific time period, says Feddis. So settle any problems as soon as possible.
7. Recurring Payments
We've all heard the urban legend about the gym that won't stop billing an ex-member's credit card. Now imagine the charges aren't going onto your card, but instead coming right out of your bank account.
Another reason not to use the debit card for recurring charges: your own memory and math skills. Forget to deduct that automatic bill payment from your checkbook one month, and you could either face fees or embarrassment (depending on whether you've opted to allow overdrafting or not). So if you don't keep a cash buffer in your account, "to protect yourself from over-limit fees, you may want to think about using a credit card" for recurring payments, says Breyault.
8. Future Travel
Book your travel with a check card, and "they debit it immediately," says Foley. So if you're buying travel that you won't use for six months or making a reservation for a few weeks from now, you'll be out the money immediately.
Another factor that bothers Foley: Hotels aren't immune to hackers and data breaches, and several name-brand establishments have suffered the problem recently. Do you want your debit card information "to sit in a system for four months, waiting for you to arrive?" she asks. "I would not."
9. Gas Stations and Hotels
This one depends on the individual business. Some gas stations and hotels will place holds to cover customers who may leave without settling the entire bill. That means that even though you only bought $10 in gas, you could have a temporary bank hold for $50 to $100, says Tiffany.
Ditto hotels, where there are sometimes holds or deposits in the hundreds to make sure you don't run up a long distance bill, empty the mini bar or trash the room. The practice is almost unnoticeable if you're using credit, but can be problematic if you're using a debit card and have just enough in the account to cover what you need.
At hotels, ask about deposits and holds before you present your card, says Feddis. At the pump, select the pin-number option, she says, which should debit only the amount you've actually spent.
10. Checkouts or ATMs That Look 'Off'
Criminals are getting better with skimmers and planting them in places you'd never suspect -- like ATM machines on bank property, says Foley.
So take a good look at the machine or card reader the next time you use an ATM or self-check lane, she advises. Does the machine fit together well or does something look off, different or like it doesn't quite belong? Says Foley, "Make sure it doesn't look like it's been tampered with."
Silly Basketball Recruiting Violation
One of the funnier examples of NCAA violations:
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/kentucky_violated_ncaa_rules
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/kentucky_violated_ncaa_rules
Name Calling
"A study done by Ross and Samuels (1993) found that the name given to a game has greater influence on the level of competitiveness that the individuals' personalities. They found that when participants played a game they believed to be called Wall Street they were much more competitive than their counterparts playing the same game, believing it was called Community Game. This is so fascinating because something as seemingly minor as the name of the game can override the members' personalities." - David Lieberman
How do we speak about this day, this happening or this person? Is it cloudy or is it warm? Is it challenge or opportunity? Is she stubborn or passionate? The names we choose to call things define our happiness.
How do we speak about this day, this happening or this person? Is it cloudy or is it warm? Is it challenge or opportunity? Is she stubborn or passionate? The names we choose to call things define our happiness.
High/Low Week 11 2010
Ah, granola. It's a wonderful snack that, for example, populates the trail mix a parent provided to the basketball team for consecutive bus trips and made for some good quick energy. It mixes nicely with yogurt and fruit for a weekly treat that Dena uses to keep her appetite in check. And ingested in enormous self-indulgent quantities, I've learned through inadvertent personal experiment this week, it wreaks havoc on the digestive system. 'Nuff said. You ever hear the story of the kid who swore off smoking after being forced to smoke a whole pack at once? Lesson learned.
It was my best week at work in some time, thanks to a project (which I'll call "CVAT") drawing to a close. You know how unusually powerful you feel when you're on the upswing from a cold? One of my key measures at work is the depth of my unanswered e-mail stack, which I finally got down to zero for the first time in six weeks.
Tomorrow is our 12th wedding anniversary! I'm psyched.
It was a good week for exercise. Yesterday I logged a 6 mile run and shot about 200 free throws. On Tuesday my ultimate Frisbee team got out for an inaugural practice and it was fantastic to be in the spring air, running around in the grass and having fun with friends.
It was my best week at work in some time, thanks to a project (which I'll call "CVAT") drawing to a close. You know how unusually powerful you feel when you're on the upswing from a cold? One of my key measures at work is the depth of my unanswered e-mail stack, which I finally got down to zero for the first time in six weeks.
Tomorrow is our 12th wedding anniversary! I'm psyched.
It was a good week for exercise. Yesterday I logged a 6 mile run and shot about 200 free throws. On Tuesday my ultimate Frisbee team got out for an inaugural practice and it was fantastic to be in the spring air, running around in the grass and having fun with friends.
Success For Sail
I read a quote on someone's wall that went like: "I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails."
The first thought that came to mind was basketball referees. What a classic example of wind that players blame for their troubles. But if you study the types of calls that they make (and don't make), then you can adjust your game to your advantage. Maybe you increase hand-checking on defense, or camp your post players more in the lane, or whatever.
Of course there's application to all the ill winds we face once we rise from bed. The boss who's the most explosive may also be the most apologetic, so remaining calm through the storms projects an even sunnier forecast and deeper reservoir of respect once the clouds clear. Perhaps the traffic lights are longer... why not bring a book along to pass the time? And if the wind is actually blowing 40 mph and you're not sailing, it might be a good time to catch up on some laundry or bill-paying.
Truth is, for those of us who can consistently remember that there is always a sail overhead, we can stop fretting about what's blowing in our face and find reason to smile by focusing upward.
The first thought that came to mind was basketball referees. What a classic example of wind that players blame for their troubles. But if you study the types of calls that they make (and don't make), then you can adjust your game to your advantage. Maybe you increase hand-checking on defense, or camp your post players more in the lane, or whatever.
Of course there's application to all the ill winds we face once we rise from bed. The boss who's the most explosive may also be the most apologetic, so remaining calm through the storms projects an even sunnier forecast and deeper reservoir of respect once the clouds clear. Perhaps the traffic lights are longer... why not bring a book along to pass the time? And if the wind is actually blowing 40 mph and you're not sailing, it might be a good time to catch up on some laundry or bill-paying.
Truth is, for those of us who can consistently remember that there is always a sail overhead, we can stop fretting about what's blowing in our face and find reason to smile by focusing upward.
Monday, March 15, 2010
For The Dishwasher's Sake, Go Easy On The Detergent
Interesting from Yahoo!
http://customsites.yahoo.com/financiallyfit/finance/article-109082-4469-3-how-to-really-use-your-dishwasher-washing-machine?ywaad=ad0035
http://customsites.yahoo.com/financiallyfit/finance/article-109082-4469-3-how-to-really-use-your-dishwasher-washing-machine?ywaad=ad0035
Touching Success
A research project found an impressive, if not surprising, correlation between smacking one's teammate on the head and winning lots of games.
From Sports Illustrated:
"The touchy-feeliest teams were the Celtics and the Lakers, both 60-game winners that season, who combined for nearly 100 seconds of touch in games against two separate opponents. The two lead inclined to butt-slappery were the lottery-bound Bobcats and Kings (a paltry 16.5 seconds of touch and 52 wins between them)."
Just one more extension of the apparent truism: Winning teams care about each other.
From Sports Illustrated:
"The touchy-feeliest teams were the Celtics and the Lakers, both 60-game winners that season, who combined for nearly 100 seconds of touch in games against two separate opponents. The two lead inclined to butt-slappery were the lottery-bound Bobcats and Kings (a paltry 16.5 seconds of touch and 52 wins between them)."
Just one more extension of the apparent truism: Winning teams care about each other.
Boxers In Brief
"Angry boxers don't win. It doesn't matter [if you get mad when you get hit]. You have to remain calm. When you get upset, that's when you get beat." - Cassius Clay
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Carolina Dreamin'
Drive or fly?
On recent family vacations to North Carolina's outer banks we've taken a plane. What about this year?
Plane: There's some hassle involved with baggage transportation, such as travelers who forget they can't bring big bottles of shampoo and sunscreen except as sacrifices to the TSA gods. Just did a price check on 2 adult tickets... about $1,000. Plus a week's car rental once we get there. Not that we USE the car much once we get there, it's just a long way to walk (a good 300 miles) to get to the house from Norfolk, VA airport.
SUV: This runs about $650 even if we pick it up a day earlier (June 4) and drop it off a day later (June 13) to allow for the 1,100 mile travel time. 2,200 miles at 20 miles a gallon at $3 a gallon is $330. Still cheaper than the plane tickets alone. We could probably even check in to a hotel each way for a night and come out ahead. It's a hassle to do 18 hours of driving each way, and little fun to take on the hills or the blackness of the eastern terrain. But the SUV would let us bring along fun stuff like the guitar.
Seems like SUV is still the winner. I could see us driving 9 hours a day with a hotel stop in between. That'd keep us driving in daylight and make for more leisurely meals and bite-size driving shifts.
I'll continue to mull.
On recent family vacations to North Carolina's outer banks we've taken a plane. What about this year?
Plane: There's some hassle involved with baggage transportation, such as travelers who forget they can't bring big bottles of shampoo and sunscreen except as sacrifices to the TSA gods. Just did a price check on 2 adult tickets... about $1,000. Plus a week's car rental once we get there. Not that we USE the car much once we get there, it's just a long way to walk (a good 300 miles) to get to the house from Norfolk, VA airport.
SUV: This runs about $650 even if we pick it up a day earlier (June 4) and drop it off a day later (June 13) to allow for the 1,100 mile travel time. 2,200 miles at 20 miles a gallon at $3 a gallon is $330. Still cheaper than the plane tickets alone. We could probably even check in to a hotel each way for a night and come out ahead. It's a hassle to do 18 hours of driving each way, and little fun to take on the hills or the blackness of the eastern terrain. But the SUV would let us bring along fun stuff like the guitar.
Seems like SUV is still the winner. I could see us driving 9 hours a day with a hotel stop in between. That'd keep us driving in daylight and make for more leisurely meals and bite-size driving shifts.
I'll continue to mull.
Say WHAT?
Dena and I love to listen to episodes of "Forensic Files" on TruTV (formerly Court TV). It's like Law & Order in real life, and every time the good guys win. The tiniest of clues such as carpet fibers, magnified 400 times, can prove that the victim was indeed in the killer's car.
Each episode is driven by the narration of Peter Thomas, whose face never appears which is just as well. His gravelly, low-key yet intense voice methodically lays out the story as leads are followed, forensic plumbers are engaged, and misdirection pops up with curious clues.
Isn't it doubly funny when a totally serious show says something comical by accident?
In this case, Dena and I were watching the "Garden of Evil" episode, where a famous local DJ was whacked to death by some sort of sharp object. Not too far from the body, off against the fence, was the broken handle of a hoe. Of course, the naked ear doesn't detect any difference between "hoe" and "ho." So when the canine unit was brought in to check this possible murder weapon for scents, Thomas explained in his measured fiftysomething cadence:
"The sergeant instructed the police officers not to touch the hoe, until the dogs could get a sniff."
We howled with laughter for five minutes and replayed it four times!
Each episode is driven by the narration of Peter Thomas, whose face never appears which is just as well. His gravelly, low-key yet intense voice methodically lays out the story as leads are followed, forensic plumbers are engaged, and misdirection pops up with curious clues.
Isn't it doubly funny when a totally serious show says something comical by accident?
In this case, Dena and I were watching the "Garden of Evil" episode, where a famous local DJ was whacked to death by some sort of sharp object. Not too far from the body, off against the fence, was the broken handle of a hoe. Of course, the naked ear doesn't detect any difference between "hoe" and "ho." So when the canine unit was brought in to check this possible murder weapon for scents, Thomas explained in his measured fiftysomething cadence:
"The sergeant instructed the police officers not to touch the hoe, until the dogs could get a sniff."
We howled with laughter for five minutes and replayed it four times!
High/Low Week 10 2010
Well it was kinda embarrassing to show up a week too early for my guitar performance, not only for me but just feeling badly about Dena getting up so early to be there too. But clerical errors like are tolerable.
I've been getting out of my eating discipline of late, and the scale claims that I'm hovering around the 16% body fat mark. If I'm going to seriously challenge the 14% resolution, it's going to have to start with calorie counting. With all the extra running I've been doing, I'm confident that the calorie burning will increase.
I let it bother me that a work meeting which was to "finalize" system requirements for a new product feature ended up not finalizing everything, and even introduced some additional research to be done. I can live with the results of the meeting - I do feel like I'm functioning as best I should given the resources I have, and there are just going to be some very humbling moments. When I'm jet skiing, there are times when we fly way up in the air over a good-sized wave. Good health demands that I ride these work bumps with the same smile on my face. The ski might even tip over and get us all wet, but we'll be having a great time unless I start fuming angrily about the experience.
I started two "reverse mentoring" relationships at work this week! It's my first time participating, and I was fortunate to draw two high-quality people who are lifelong learners and interesting to talk to. I stand to learn a lot about life as a "student" these days, and about areas of the department I've not visited in some time.
I wrote all about the successful day off, which was truly the highest of highlights.
At work I got some very positive feedback regarding several personnel related issues. I think it will move us forward smartly.
My back's been without incident for, geez, about a month now. The weight training and stretching is undoubtedly paying off. And my knees seem to be complaining less too. I was doing 145 pounds on the squat and am now up to 185. Likewise 50 on the leg curl, now up to 90. Calf raises 210, now at 280. Still meek by athletic standards, but satisfying by actuarial standards!
I've been getting out of my eating discipline of late, and the scale claims that I'm hovering around the 16% body fat mark. If I'm going to seriously challenge the 14% resolution, it's going to have to start with calorie counting. With all the extra running I've been doing, I'm confident that the calorie burning will increase.
I let it bother me that a work meeting which was to "finalize" system requirements for a new product feature ended up not finalizing everything, and even introduced some additional research to be done. I can live with the results of the meeting - I do feel like I'm functioning as best I should given the resources I have, and there are just going to be some very humbling moments. When I'm jet skiing, there are times when we fly way up in the air over a good-sized wave. Good health demands that I ride these work bumps with the same smile on my face. The ski might even tip over and get us all wet, but we'll be having a great time unless I start fuming angrily about the experience.
I started two "reverse mentoring" relationships at work this week! It's my first time participating, and I was fortunate to draw two high-quality people who are lifelong learners and interesting to talk to. I stand to learn a lot about life as a "student" these days, and about areas of the department I've not visited in some time.
I wrote all about the successful day off, which was truly the highest of highlights.
At work I got some very positive feedback regarding several personnel related issues. I think it will move us forward smartly.
My back's been without incident for, geez, about a month now. The weight training and stretching is undoubtedly paying off. And my knees seem to be complaining less too. I was doing 145 pounds on the squat and am now up to 185. Likewise 50 on the leg curl, now up to 90. Calf raises 210, now at 280. Still meek by athletic standards, but satisfying by actuarial standards!
A Beautiful Day For A Run
After a dandy go-home-and-nap session (see the morning's activities in the previous post), I decided to cover 7 miles on the treadmill at Four Seasons. A ten-minute mile pace turns out to be very comfortable for me, as well as the springy conveyor belt. And it helps tons to have the T.V. screen there, especially since basketball tourney madness is everywhere! There were no less than three championship games converging at the same time. Time out? No problem... click. The hour flew by quickly.
I drifted down to the basketball courts to play my little game of making ten free throws in a row. It took me all of about ten minutes - record time. And thank goodness, because a bunch of players were starting to meander down there and I knew it wouldn't be long until the court was too packed to continue.
It's 3:15. More championship ball this afternoon. Then the NCAA tournament teams will be picked, and the annual ritual of picking the winners begins.
Oh, and the sun will be out until 7:00 p.m., the ultimate benefit of daylight savings time!
I drifted down to the basketball courts to play my little game of making ten free throws in a row. It took me all of about ten minutes - record time. And thank goodness, because a bunch of players were starting to meander down there and I knew it wouldn't be long until the court was too packed to continue.
It's 3:15. More championship ball this afternoon. Then the NCAA tournament teams will be picked, and the annual ritual of picking the winners begins.
Oh, and the sun will be out until 7:00 p.m., the ultimate benefit of daylight savings time!
McDonald Concert Postponed 1 Week
I thought I was scheduled to perform a guitar/singing solo at Calvary United Methodist Church this morning. Hidden Bloggers know that I have vampire tendencies and so the odds of me rising at 6:30 - no, make that 5:30 since today was the daylight savings time switch - are slim. Yet there I was in the building with my bright red shirt on, combed hair and a smile.
Only they didn't need me. Hmm. They must have meant next week. Alrighty, then.
Look at the bright side. I proved that I can indeed still get up that early. I did a successful trial run as far as prepping my morning voice, by drinking a certain amount of water starting at a certain time. I now have an extra week to play around with the music and improve it, as well as to contact the tech guy and see about plugging in my guitar, etc.
And NEXT week, at the 8:00 service, I'll be playing a Joe McDonald original song written specifically for the Easter season on my acoustic guitar. Um, I hope.
Only they didn't need me. Hmm. They must have meant next week. Alrighty, then.
Look at the bright side. I proved that I can indeed still get up that early. I did a successful trial run as far as prepping my morning voice, by drinking a certain amount of water starting at a certain time. I now have an extra week to play around with the music and improve it, as well as to contact the tech guy and see about plugging in my guitar, etc.
And NEXT week, at the 8:00 service, I'll be playing a Joe McDonald original song written specifically for the Easter season on my acoustic guitar. Um, I hope.
Multicultrual Leadership Program
One of my friends and alum of the Leadership McLean County program Phani Aytam has launched a Multicultural Leadership Program here in town that looks impressive. I may very well get in touch with him and find out more about it! While it was good to take a year off from facilitating a leadership program, the interaction with new friends is something that I miss since it's been healthy for me.
Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
This year Jack and I decided to form our own league. This Yahoo! format allows us to design a league and then open it up to anyone in the world to join. I didn't expect much response. We got instant response. Our league is full with three weeks until opening pitch!
As with every year, I do some mock drafting to test how well my player ranking is setting up. Usually 100 points wins the league, and my drafts result in about 105 projected points. But this year I struggled out of the gate. My pitching numbers looked solid but my hitting was too low.
A few notes that solved the problem:
1. In the post-steroid era of baseball, it's extra important this year to grab some power with the first pick. I did a couple simulations with shortstop Hanley Ramirez as my first pick, but he doesn't have the pop that, say, an Albert Pujols or a Prince Fielder has.
2. I have never picked a pure "speed guy" in any draft. These guys steal 40 bases and kill you with their piddly home run and RBI totals.
3. Guard averages religiously. I shoot for batting average of .280, ERA of 3.50 (3.00 for relievers), and 1.20 WHIP. You can get away with maybe one guy who's way off such as a BA of .250.
4. Position scarcity matters. Within my first few picks I usually try to pick up my shortstop and second baseman. This year third basemen seem a little scarce too. The exception is catcher. Although it is a desperately thin position, it's also the most grueling position physically. If you spend a second-round pick on a shortstop you can pretty much bet that he's going to get 500 at-bats (unless he plays for Tony LaRussa, whose fetish for substitution causes me to avoid St. Louis position players like the plague except for Pujols). But catchers need more off-days to rest, do all that squatting and have heavy men barreling into them at top speed multiple times a year.
5. There's a glut of pitching... I've never been able to wait so long and still get high-quality hurlers, including several closers who are sitting on top of the proverbial scrap heap even though they have the spot locked down on their team.
By giving up on guys like Roy Halladay, Zack Greinke and Felix Hernandez I was still able to field a pitching staff worthy of 85 wins and 130 saves, send out a lineup in excess of 200 home runs and 100 stolen bases.
Now comes the waiting game. I'll watch ESPN.com faithfully for injury reports. I'll run a few more mock drafts. And one week before the season I'll launch the draft, allowing enough time to digest the results and make some preseason roster moves to cure any imbalance between hitters and pitchers, or starters and relievers. And away we'll go!
As with every year, I do some mock drafting to test how well my player ranking is setting up. Usually 100 points wins the league, and my drafts result in about 105 projected points. But this year I struggled out of the gate. My pitching numbers looked solid but my hitting was too low.
A few notes that solved the problem:
1. In the post-steroid era of baseball, it's extra important this year to grab some power with the first pick. I did a couple simulations with shortstop Hanley Ramirez as my first pick, but he doesn't have the pop that, say, an Albert Pujols or a Prince Fielder has.
2. I have never picked a pure "speed guy" in any draft. These guys steal 40 bases and kill you with their piddly home run and RBI totals.
3. Guard averages religiously. I shoot for batting average of .280, ERA of 3.50 (3.00 for relievers), and 1.20 WHIP. You can get away with maybe one guy who's way off such as a BA of .250.
4. Position scarcity matters. Within my first few picks I usually try to pick up my shortstop and second baseman. This year third basemen seem a little scarce too. The exception is catcher. Although it is a desperately thin position, it's also the most grueling position physically. If you spend a second-round pick on a shortstop you can pretty much bet that he's going to get 500 at-bats (unless he plays for Tony LaRussa, whose fetish for substitution causes me to avoid St. Louis position players like the plague except for Pujols). But catchers need more off-days to rest, do all that squatting and have heavy men barreling into them at top speed multiple times a year.
5. There's a glut of pitching... I've never been able to wait so long and still get high-quality hurlers, including several closers who are sitting on top of the proverbial scrap heap even though they have the spot locked down on their team.
By giving up on guys like Roy Halladay, Zack Greinke and Felix Hernandez I was still able to field a pitching staff worthy of 85 wins and 130 saves, send out a lineup in excess of 200 home runs and 100 stolen bases.
Now comes the waiting game. I'll watch ESPN.com faithfully for injury reports. I'll run a few more mock drafts. And one week before the season I'll launch the draft, allowing enough time to digest the results and make some preseason roster moves to cure any imbalance between hitters and pitchers, or starters and relievers. And away we'll go!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Spring Community Education
The Heartland catalog is here! The awards:
Course That Most Suits Joe: The Art of Storytelling to Get Results. 2 Thursdays 4/22 and 4/29, 6-8:30. $75 includes materials.
Top Ten Courses That Least Suit Joe:
10. Truck Driver Training Program
9. Arabic Language II
8. Wines of South America, Chile and Argentina
7. Garage Sale Savvy
6. Antiques: Dolls, Dolls, Dolls
5. Zoo Animal Photography
4. Horse Memories
3. Fearless Watercolor
2. Adult Horseback Riding Getaway
1. When Deer Get Too Near
I am not making these up.
Course That Most Suits Joe: The Art of Storytelling to Get Results. 2 Thursdays 4/22 and 4/29, 6-8:30. $75 includes materials.
Top Ten Courses That Least Suit Joe:
10. Truck Driver Training Program
9. Arabic Language II
8. Wines of South America, Chile and Argentina
7. Garage Sale Savvy
6. Antiques: Dolls, Dolls, Dolls
5. Zoo Animal Photography
4. Horse Memories
3. Fearless Watercolor
2. Adult Horseback Riding Getaway
1. When Deer Get Too Near
I am not making these up.
A Day Off For The Ages
I had a bunch of errands back up on me, so decided (especially after seeing that the forecast for the first sunny 60 degree day of the year!) to take a full day off work and see what I could do. It was successful beyond my expectations!
I'd written out the list of all the tasks that needed to be done, and organized them so as to minimize driving distance and time overall. By 9 p.m. the plan was set.
Typically if I have no responsibility, my sleep schedule goes all out of whack, so I figured that I'd be up late the night before and get a late start the next morning, which I generally love about vacations and weekends. I was partially right, but also wrong in what turned out to be a productive way. After about an hour of sleep I started awake around midnight and couldn't doze off again.
As per the usual routine, I headed down to the basement to take my mind off the whirlpool of random thoughts that cycle rapidly through my head in these situations. I ended up doing a fair amount of fantasy baseball preseason research, and upgrading the internet antivirus software in my computer by solving a problem that had vexed me for a few days (turns out that the license number had been e-mailed to my "spam" folder, a revelation I discovered just one day before my coverage expired and the e-gremlins would have broken through and invaded my hard drive).
When I was awake at 3:00, it occurred to me that on Wednesday mornings the basketball crowd runs at 5:00 at the health club. So I headed over there and got my daily exercise knocked off immediately, also surprising myself by swishing a few threes and getting stronger as the two hours went on. A leisurely shower and a huge mug of water later, I was ready to face the day and way ahead of schedule.
Stopped by the office long enough to drop off the taxes (gotta love the mail center employee service provided, where they weigh the mail for you and determine the right postage). Cancelled the group health coverage now that we have individual coverage. Found the phone number of the Illinois Dept. of Health, and the hours of operation for my bank and the Secretary of State's office and my eye doctor. Even got a touch of work done by answering a few e-mails and submitting some employee pay recommendations.
Drove over to Lube Pros (get your mind out of the gutter, it's an oil change place). While sitting in the lobby during the work, which stretched unexpectedly long due to a parts delivery snafu, I called the Department of Public Health to learn the steps I need to take to renew our pool license. Then called the Secretary of State's office to request the paperwork needed to get renewal. Called DPH back and confirmed that our license would indeed be renewed right on time. Called the eye doctor to order a few extra contact lenses. Called the bank and found out what I'd need to bring in order to open a Health Savings Account as part of our medical insurance plan. Read a chapter in one of my library books.
The Lube Pros mechanic got me a new air filter also, and recommended another visit to repair a seal. Got that calendared.
Drove to the bank and signed a bunch of papers to open the HSA. Need to get Dena's signature on a couple papers. Transferred an opening balance from our checking account to seed the HSA.
En route to buy new basketball shoes at the mall, called Dena. Wanna do lunch at Medici's later today? Sweet! Called Mom to see how she's doing. Got my new Nikes, being very careful to check the width as well to avoid blistering. Just so happened that there was a sale today, plus the very helpful cashier got me signed up for a Kohl's card which earned me more discount (and no fee). That reduced a $55 pair of shoes to $35, a pleasant surprise!
Off to the Secretary of State's office to renew my driver's license. Aced the vision test. The place is empty. The new photo looks shockingly good to me, especially considering that I'm on no sleep and didn't comb my hair after the gym shower. Out of there in 15 minutes.
Drove home. It's only 11:00, which is about when I had expected to WAKE UP in my original plan! No way would I have bet that I'd knock off nine planned errands, a few unplanned ones, chatted with my family and had time for some fun by then.
All that was left was to soak in the warm sunny weather and breezes, lunch with Dena, nap a little, take in a visit to Fox & Hounds, and praise the life I've been given!
I'd written out the list of all the tasks that needed to be done, and organized them so as to minimize driving distance and time overall. By 9 p.m. the plan was set.
Typically if I have no responsibility, my sleep schedule goes all out of whack, so I figured that I'd be up late the night before and get a late start the next morning, which I generally love about vacations and weekends. I was partially right, but also wrong in what turned out to be a productive way. After about an hour of sleep I started awake around midnight and couldn't doze off again.
As per the usual routine, I headed down to the basement to take my mind off the whirlpool of random thoughts that cycle rapidly through my head in these situations. I ended up doing a fair amount of fantasy baseball preseason research, and upgrading the internet antivirus software in my computer by solving a problem that had vexed me for a few days (turns out that the license number had been e-mailed to my "spam" folder, a revelation I discovered just one day before my coverage expired and the e-gremlins would have broken through and invaded my hard drive).
When I was awake at 3:00, it occurred to me that on Wednesday mornings the basketball crowd runs at 5:00 at the health club. So I headed over there and got my daily exercise knocked off immediately, also surprising myself by swishing a few threes and getting stronger as the two hours went on. A leisurely shower and a huge mug of water later, I was ready to face the day and way ahead of schedule.
Stopped by the office long enough to drop off the taxes (gotta love the mail center employee service provided, where they weigh the mail for you and determine the right postage). Cancelled the group health coverage now that we have individual coverage. Found the phone number of the Illinois Dept. of Health, and the hours of operation for my bank and the Secretary of State's office and my eye doctor. Even got a touch of work done by answering a few e-mails and submitting some employee pay recommendations.
Drove over to Lube Pros (get your mind out of the gutter, it's an oil change place). While sitting in the lobby during the work, which stretched unexpectedly long due to a parts delivery snafu, I called the Department of Public Health to learn the steps I need to take to renew our pool license. Then called the Secretary of State's office to request the paperwork needed to get renewal. Called DPH back and confirmed that our license would indeed be renewed right on time. Called the eye doctor to order a few extra contact lenses. Called the bank and found out what I'd need to bring in order to open a Health Savings Account as part of our medical insurance plan. Read a chapter in one of my library books.
The Lube Pros mechanic got me a new air filter also, and recommended another visit to repair a seal. Got that calendared.
Drove to the bank and signed a bunch of papers to open the HSA. Need to get Dena's signature on a couple papers. Transferred an opening balance from our checking account to seed the HSA.
En route to buy new basketball shoes at the mall, called Dena. Wanna do lunch at Medici's later today? Sweet! Called Mom to see how she's doing. Got my new Nikes, being very careful to check the width as well to avoid blistering. Just so happened that there was a sale today, plus the very helpful cashier got me signed up for a Kohl's card which earned me more discount (and no fee). That reduced a $55 pair of shoes to $35, a pleasant surprise!
Off to the Secretary of State's office to renew my driver's license. Aced the vision test. The place is empty. The new photo looks shockingly good to me, especially considering that I'm on no sleep and didn't comb my hair after the gym shower. Out of there in 15 minutes.
Drove home. It's only 11:00, which is about when I had expected to WAKE UP in my original plan! No way would I have bet that I'd knock off nine planned errands, a few unplanned ones, chatted with my family and had time for some fun by then.
All that was left was to soak in the warm sunny weather and breezes, lunch with Dena, nap a little, take in a visit to Fox & Hounds, and praise the life I've been given!
High/Low Week 9 2010
This week's moment of brutal honesty came, predictably, after 10 p.m. one night. Our championship basketball game was slated for the following night, and Dena had been able to attend the semi-final game a couple days before since the tourney was in Washington and she works part-time in Morton. So I took the team bus out there, but drove back with her in her car to the school, where she dropped me off to pick up my car.
For the final, I had a great alternate plan. Since it was a little later in the evening than the previous game, I could just come home from work and we would ride out together.
Her response (paraphrased) was: "Huh?"
Impatience grabbed me. "I know it's late at night and harder to understand things, but..." and proceeded to lay out the plan again. By the end, of course, realizing how stupid of a plan it truly was, as she was going to be in Morton and so the idea of us driving to the game from Normal was absurd.
Moving on...
Someone mentioned to me a half marathon taking place in Champaign on May 1. I came across a three month training schedule and saw that during this week, my "long run" would be five miles. I tried it, and did it successfully, on Sunday. Basically you up the long run by one mile each week between now and then. I may jump in and do this now that the hoops season is over and I've got a little more time on my hands.
Always a pleasure to be on the back side of that first warming-weather set of sniffles, which kept me lying low most of the weekend but is gone without a trace now.
I've developed a comfy lead in the fantasy basketball pool! This would make three straight championship seasons - baseball, football and basketball - a sort of fantasy grand slam.
And finally on the flip side, it was fun to have Dena come out to those basketball games. She, Coach and I will have a dinner together sometime in the next month to celebrate a very worthwhile season and our new friendship.
For the final, I had a great alternate plan. Since it was a little later in the evening than the previous game, I could just come home from work and we would ride out together.
Her response (paraphrased) was: "Huh?"
Impatience grabbed me. "I know it's late at night and harder to understand things, but..." and proceeded to lay out the plan again. By the end, of course, realizing how stupid of a plan it truly was, as she was going to be in Morton and so the idea of us driving to the game from Normal was absurd.
Moving on...
Someone mentioned to me a half marathon taking place in Champaign on May 1. I came across a three month training schedule and saw that during this week, my "long run" would be five miles. I tried it, and did it successfully, on Sunday. Basically you up the long run by one mile each week between now and then. I may jump in and do this now that the hoops season is over and I've got a little more time on my hands.
Always a pleasure to be on the back side of that first warming-weather set of sniffles, which kept me lying low most of the weekend but is gone without a trace now.
I've developed a comfy lead in the fantasy basketball pool! This would make three straight championship seasons - baseball, football and basketball - a sort of fantasy grand slam.
And finally on the flip side, it was fun to have Dena come out to those basketball games. She, Coach and I will have a dinner together sometime in the next month to celebrate a very worthwhile season and our new friendship.
Inspiring Rather Than Conspiring
My favorite kind of leader is the one who prefers to explain reality, rather than force it. Trust and development happens when people are allowed to take a risk.
Disabled Athlete Likes It When Opponents Go Easy On Him
From the Onion:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/disabled_athlete_likes_it_when
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/disabled_athlete_likes_it_when
Rain
I like rainy days. They may be gray, but they're warm enough to melt the snow. They may be wet, but so are cleansing showers, and fertile ground. And hey, free car wash!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Wooden's Pyramid Of Success
How often does a great philosopher and legendary basketball coach lay out in detail his principles of success? You start at the bottom and work on your character until you reach the pinnacle.
The Judge Of Your Success
"Success is a very personal matter. Only you can judge success for yourself." - Gary Walton
Life is never wasted as long as you are comfortable in achieving your own definition of success.
Life is never wasted as long as you are comfortable in achieving your own definition of success.
Woody Hayes' Ten Virtues And Characteristics Of A Good Leader
1. Positive image, character, and integrity
2. Mental toughness, to endure and rebound
3. Communication skills
4. To not underestimate the role of the leader
5. To know your limits and be yourself
6. Preparation, including anticipation
7. Accessibility and visibility
8. Confidence
9. Ability to initiate interaction
10. To not underestimate the spiritual power of people
2. Mental toughness, to endure and rebound
3. Communication skills
4. To not underestimate the role of the leader
5. To know your limits and be yourself
6. Preparation, including anticipation
7. Accessibility and visibility
8. Confidence
9. Ability to initiate interaction
10. To not underestimate the spiritual power of people
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Will, Or Won't?
"The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win." - Anonymous
Now that the basketball season's over, it's time to reflect on the next step. Who attains the highest success without devotion to the cause? The "10,000 hour" rule says that the elite are completely committed. Coaches will study, and analyze, and plan, and exude passion. Winners dive in.
Now that the basketball season's over, it's time to reflect on the next step. Who attains the highest success without devotion to the cause? The "10,000 hour" rule says that the elite are completely committed. Coaches will study, and analyze, and plan, and exude passion. Winners dive in.
Pawn Stop
"Treat men as pawns and ninepins and you shall suffer as well as they." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
An idea came to mind at work recently that could benefit several people over the next five years. In the short run, there would be significant changes for at least two of my co-workers. So... I met with the co-workers to ask what they thought of the idea. Their input not only validated the idea but improved it. And now as owners of it, they are more likely to sell it to others as well.
Few people like to be powerless as pawns. Everyone on the team has something to offer. That fact cannot be ignored, because those who are left out will magnify it. Monarchy is a loser's game.
An idea came to mind at work recently that could benefit several people over the next five years. In the short run, there would be significant changes for at least two of my co-workers. So... I met with the co-workers to ask what they thought of the idea. Their input not only validated the idea but improved it. And now as owners of it, they are more likely to sell it to others as well.
Few people like to be powerless as pawns. Everyone on the team has something to offer. That fact cannot be ignored, because those who are left out will magnify it. Monarchy is a loser's game.
How To Never Lose
"You never lose. But sometimes the clock runs out on you." - Vince Lombardi
That's plain to buy into, as long as you believe that a person's never lost until he's allowed himself to lose his happiness.
That's plain to buy into, as long as you believe that a person's never lost until he's allowed himself to lose his happiness.
Mister Rogers
Has there ever been a greater celebrity in a sweater?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaPIFmE7lV0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaPIFmE7lV0
Student Manager Fulfills NCAA Dream
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Student-manager-fulfills-Division-I-dreams-as-pl?urn=ncaab,226180
Cyclops Got Game
I've been sniffling the last day or so, probably because of something I picked up from one of the NCHS players. I believe that one of the better remedies is to sweat off a cold, so the timing was good for Saturday morning hoops at Four Seasons. I always feel better psychologically too for having toughed it out rather than festering in bed.
Fate had an extra challenge in mind for me. Five minutes into the first game I caught an elbow in the eye. It was just hard enough to dislodge my $15 contact lens to God-knows-where. Shoved deeper into my eye? Onto the floor? Rather than having ten players scour the floor for it I just gave it up. I called in for a sub and spent some time in the locker room feeling all around my eye trying to find it in vain.
I wasn't about to let that stop me! Winners persevere. After shooting my way into a depth-perception-distorted rhythm, I actually won several half-blinded games over the next 90 minutes. Now, with my glasses on and my world re-oriented, there's one more reason to feel good.
Fate had an extra challenge in mind for me. Five minutes into the first game I caught an elbow in the eye. It was just hard enough to dislodge my $15 contact lens to God-knows-where. Shoved deeper into my eye? Onto the floor? Rather than having ten players scour the floor for it I just gave it up. I called in for a sub and spent some time in the locker room feeling all around my eye trying to find it in vain.
I wasn't about to let that stop me! Winners persevere. After shooting my way into a depth-perception-distorted rhythm, I actually won several half-blinded games over the next 90 minutes. Now, with my glasses on and my world re-oriented, there's one more reason to feel good.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Julius Peppers
So for the second consecutive off season the Bears have pulled off the largest free agent signing, this time defensive end Julius Peppers. Along with Jay Cutler and Brian Urlacher, that's a pretty good trio of famous NFL faces to put on the cover of your team's media guide.
I've got to say that Chicago teams have reversed their attitude from the stingy years of my youth. It used to be an issue that Chicago fans were so loyal that ownership didn't bother to spend big bucks on high-quality players - why bother when your financial statement's bottom line is golden? Now with the likes of $48 million given to platoon outfielder Kosuke Fukudome and $136 million to the dissolving Alfonso Soriano, more than $60 million Bulls salary to tweener spindly forward Luol Deng, and $72 million now by the Bears to a player in his thirties with a sometimes questionable work ethic, I find my teams finally spending the big bucks - just on unfortunate players.
Still, the word "potential" casts wild dreams in the preseason, and the Cubbies and Bears have the talent to go all the way!
I've got to say that Chicago teams have reversed their attitude from the stingy years of my youth. It used to be an issue that Chicago fans were so loyal that ownership didn't bother to spend big bucks on high-quality players - why bother when your financial statement's bottom line is golden? Now with the likes of $48 million given to platoon outfielder Kosuke Fukudome and $136 million to the dissolving Alfonso Soriano, more than $60 million Bulls salary to tweener spindly forward Luol Deng, and $72 million now by the Bears to a player in his thirties with a sometimes questionable work ethic, I find my teams finally spending the big bucks - just on unfortunate players.
Still, the word "potential" casts wild dreams in the preseason, and the Cubbies and Bears have the talent to go all the way!
Season Finale
We finished the season with a second-place finish in the Washington freshman tournament. Washington finished its season with an undefeated record, and justifiably so.
The final record was 15-6, including trophies in all three tournaments that we played. There were a host of signs of improvement as a team tonight, but perhaps my favorite highlight was before the game even started. Coach Goldman and I watched the last few minutes of the consolation game before heading into the locker room to rouse the team onto the floor. "Let's go get them fired up," Coach said.
Only, we didn't need to do that.
As we approached the door, we could hear the sounds of singing, whooping and banging from within. Inside, the team was loose, almost dancing, and ready to go. When we hit the floor, we stunned their home crowd into near silence in the first half with a series of clever interior passes that gave us the lead by mid game.
In basketball like other places, winners aren't truly measured by numbers, but by conduct. In that sense we were the champions here, overcoming hometown crowds and refereeing to support each other unfailingly in the locker room and on the court.
The final record was 15-6, including trophies in all three tournaments that we played. There were a host of signs of improvement as a team tonight, but perhaps my favorite highlight was before the game even started. Coach Goldman and I watched the last few minutes of the consolation game before heading into the locker room to rouse the team onto the floor. "Let's go get them fired up," Coach said.
Only, we didn't need to do that.
As we approached the door, we could hear the sounds of singing, whooping and banging from within. Inside, the team was loose, almost dancing, and ready to go. When we hit the floor, we stunned their home crowd into near silence in the first half with a series of clever interior passes that gave us the lead by mid game.
In basketball like other places, winners aren't truly measured by numbers, but by conduct. In that sense we were the champions here, overcoming hometown crowds and refereeing to support each other unfailingly in the locker room and on the court.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Field Lickers
That's what I thought my father-in-law said on Sunday night.
The scene: Six of us sitting around a dining room table enjoying a fabulous meal of soup and cake prepared by Jane. Dena and I, Jane and Darren, and Dena's mom and dad were stuffed and happy. In fact, we were having some innocent chatter before playing a fun game a lot like "Scattergories."
The idle conversation shifted topics over time like the tides that we're all looking forward to at Hatteras this summer. One of the topics was local establishments. My untrained ear heard someone ask "How many Yogis were there? One or two?" I took this to mean the Yogi Bear campground, a place that I've seen a sign for multiple times but never personally set foot in.
There were a few seconds of quiet clatter as dishes were moved about. Then suddenly, in my left ear...
"FIELD lickers!" Dad said.
My brain swiveled 360 degrees trying to process this term. My first instinct, fortunately, was to bite my tongue and suppress a snort. As the big-city boy in the family, it occasionally happens that foreign phrases find my ears. The fact that no one else in the room raised an eyebrow in the next microsecond was enough to convince me that something like that had just happened. In the next instant I concluded that this was not some kind of insult like "ditch digger" or "sonofabitch," but was actually "Field Liquors" - some local establishment. Dena confirmed this in the car on the way home.
Yet another memorable Goodfield history lesson!
The scene: Six of us sitting around a dining room table enjoying a fabulous meal of soup and cake prepared by Jane. Dena and I, Jane and Darren, and Dena's mom and dad were stuffed and happy. In fact, we were having some innocent chatter before playing a fun game a lot like "Scattergories."
The idle conversation shifted topics over time like the tides that we're all looking forward to at Hatteras this summer. One of the topics was local establishments. My untrained ear heard someone ask "How many Yogis were there? One or two?" I took this to mean the Yogi Bear campground, a place that I've seen a sign for multiple times but never personally set foot in.
There were a few seconds of quiet clatter as dishes were moved about. Then suddenly, in my left ear...
"FIELD lickers!" Dad said.
My brain swiveled 360 degrees trying to process this term. My first instinct, fortunately, was to bite my tongue and suppress a snort. As the big-city boy in the family, it occasionally happens that foreign phrases find my ears. The fact that no one else in the room raised an eyebrow in the next microsecond was enough to convince me that something like that had just happened. In the next instant I concluded that this was not some kind of insult like "ditch digger" or "sonofabitch," but was actually "Field Liquors" - some local establishment. Dena confirmed this in the car on the way home.
Yet another memorable Goodfield history lesson!
Inherit The Wind
Be sure to set forward-looking goals in order to succeed:
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/sow_experts/post/Strong-wind-scores-an-incredible-own-goal?urn=sow,225434
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/sow_experts/post/Strong-wind-scores-an-incredible-own-goal?urn=sow,225434
Monday, March 1, 2010
Rules That Warren Buffett Lives By
From Yahoo! Finance:
Warren Buffett is arguably the world's greatest stock investor. He's also a bit of a philosopher. He pares down his investment ideas into simple, memorable sound bites. Do you know what his homespun sayings really mean? Does his philosophy hold up in today's difficult environment? Find out below.
"Rule No. 1: Never Lose Money. Rule No. 2: Never Forget Rule No. 1."
Buffett personally lost about $23 billion in the financial crisis of 2008, and his company, Berkshire Hathaway, lost its revered AAA ratings. So how can he tell us to never lose money?
He's referring to the mindset of a sensible investor. Don't be frivolous. Don't gamble. Don't go into an investment with a cavalier attitude that it's OK to lose. Be informed. Do your homework. Buffett invests only in companies he thoroughly researches and understands. He doesn't go into an investment prepared to lose, and neither should you.
Buffett believes the most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect. A successful investor doesn't focus on being with or against the crowd.
The stock market will swing up and down. But in good times and bad, Buffett stays focused on his goals. So should we. (This esteemed investor rarely changes his long-term investing strategy no matter what the market does.
More from Yahoo! Finance:
• Warren Buffett's Worst Mistakes
• 10 Things Millionaires Won't Tell You
• Watch Out for New Credit Card Traps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit the Banking & Budgeting Center
"If The Business Does Well, the Stock Eventually Follows"
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham convinced Buffett that investing in a stock equates to owning a piece of the business. So when he searches for a stock to invest in, Buffett seeks out businesses that exhibit favorable long-term prospects. Does the company have a consistent operating history? Does it have a dominant business franchise? Is the business generating high and sustainable profit margins? If the company's share price is trading below expectations for its future growth, then it's a stock Buffett may want to own.
Buffett never buys anything unless he can write down his reasons why he'll pay a specific price per share for a particular company. Do you do the same?
"It's Far Better to Buy a Wonderful Company at a Fair Price Than a Fair Company at a Wonderful Price"
Buffett is a value investor who likes to buy quality stocks at rock-bottom prices. His real goal is to build more and more operating power for Berkshire Hathaway by owning stocks that will generate solid profits and capital appreciation for years to come. When the markets reeled during the recent financial crisis, Buffett was stockpiling great long-term investments by investing billions in names like General Electric and Goldman Sachs.
To pick stocks well, investors must set down criteria for uncovering good businesses, and stick to their discipline. You might, for example, seek companies that offer a durable product or service and also have solid operating earnings and the germ for future profits. You might establish a minimum market capitalization you're willing to accept, and a maximum P/E ratio or debt level. Finding the right company at the right price -- with a margin for safety against unknown market risk -- is the ultimate goal.
Remember, the price you pay for a stock isn't the same as the value you get. Successful investors know the difference.
"Our Favorite Holding Period Is Forever"
How long should you hold a stock? Buffett says if you don't feel comfortable owning a stock for 10 years, you shouldn't own it for 10 minutes. Even during the period he called the "Financial Pearl Harbor," Buffett loyally held on to the bulk of his portfolio.
Unless a company has suffered a sea change in prospects, such as impossible labor problems or product obsolescence, a long holding period will keep an investor from acting too human. That is, being too fearful or too greedy can cause investors to sell stocks at the bottom or buy at the peak -- and destroy portfolio appreciation for the long run.
You may think the recent financial meltdown changed things, but don't be fooled: those unfussy sayings from the Oracle of Omaha still RULE!
Warren Buffett is arguably the world's greatest stock investor. He's also a bit of a philosopher. He pares down his investment ideas into simple, memorable sound bites. Do you know what his homespun sayings really mean? Does his philosophy hold up in today's difficult environment? Find out below.
"Rule No. 1: Never Lose Money. Rule No. 2: Never Forget Rule No. 1."
Buffett personally lost about $23 billion in the financial crisis of 2008, and his company, Berkshire Hathaway, lost its revered AAA ratings. So how can he tell us to never lose money?
He's referring to the mindset of a sensible investor. Don't be frivolous. Don't gamble. Don't go into an investment with a cavalier attitude that it's OK to lose. Be informed. Do your homework. Buffett invests only in companies he thoroughly researches and understands. He doesn't go into an investment prepared to lose, and neither should you.
Buffett believes the most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect. A successful investor doesn't focus on being with or against the crowd.
The stock market will swing up and down. But in good times and bad, Buffett stays focused on his goals. So should we. (This esteemed investor rarely changes his long-term investing strategy no matter what the market does.
More from Yahoo! Finance:
• Warren Buffett's Worst Mistakes
• 10 Things Millionaires Won't Tell You
• Watch Out for New Credit Card Traps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit the Banking & Budgeting Center
"If The Business Does Well, the Stock Eventually Follows"
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham convinced Buffett that investing in a stock equates to owning a piece of the business. So when he searches for a stock to invest in, Buffett seeks out businesses that exhibit favorable long-term prospects. Does the company have a consistent operating history? Does it have a dominant business franchise? Is the business generating high and sustainable profit margins? If the company's share price is trading below expectations for its future growth, then it's a stock Buffett may want to own.
Buffett never buys anything unless he can write down his reasons why he'll pay a specific price per share for a particular company. Do you do the same?
"It's Far Better to Buy a Wonderful Company at a Fair Price Than a Fair Company at a Wonderful Price"
Buffett is a value investor who likes to buy quality stocks at rock-bottom prices. His real goal is to build more and more operating power for Berkshire Hathaway by owning stocks that will generate solid profits and capital appreciation for years to come. When the markets reeled during the recent financial crisis, Buffett was stockpiling great long-term investments by investing billions in names like General Electric and Goldman Sachs.
To pick stocks well, investors must set down criteria for uncovering good businesses, and stick to their discipline. You might, for example, seek companies that offer a durable product or service and also have solid operating earnings and the germ for future profits. You might establish a minimum market capitalization you're willing to accept, and a maximum P/E ratio or debt level. Finding the right company at the right price -- with a margin for safety against unknown market risk -- is the ultimate goal.
Remember, the price you pay for a stock isn't the same as the value you get. Successful investors know the difference.
"Our Favorite Holding Period Is Forever"
How long should you hold a stock? Buffett says if you don't feel comfortable owning a stock for 10 years, you shouldn't own it for 10 minutes. Even during the period he called the "Financial Pearl Harbor," Buffett loyally held on to the bulk of his portfolio.
Unless a company has suffered a sea change in prospects, such as impossible labor problems or product obsolescence, a long holding period will keep an investor from acting too human. That is, being too fearful or too greedy can cause investors to sell stocks at the bottom or buy at the peak -- and destroy portfolio appreciation for the long run.
You may think the recent financial meltdown changed things, but don't be fooled: those unfussy sayings from the Oracle of Omaha still RULE!
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