It was great to become a State Farm auto insurance customer for the first time since a brief stint at the beginning of my career. Other carriers had consistently been lower cost, but this time around a quick quote on the Web showed savings of at least $100 every six months by going with my employer. In a flash I was into the agent's office and signed up. Two days later, we got sideswiped by a car, which served as this week's low point. While cruising down the rightmost lane of Veteran's Parkway en route to dinner and a movie, we watched helplessly as the car in the middle lane lost sight of us in his blind spot. He bumped us against the concrete curb, causing us to lose control of the car momentarily and swerve wildly into back into the middle lane in an over correction, fishtailing until we regained ourselves. I was happy that in those moments while the car was careening around the road, and the adrenaline was coursing through my veins, still my mind kept an inner calm. When we got turned around and back to the site of the other car, and one of its passengers rushed up to me saying that I was at fault, the calm remained. I explained that though my official report may differ from theirs, it was nothing personal. It was tough to shake off the incident as we did the paperwork with the police, then headed off to pizza and a movie for a year-end date. In those moments it's a challenge to figure out what God's purpose was for such an apparently useless incident. Perhaps it was just another daily test to face adversity, compartmentalize it and set it aside with the faith that everything would be all right. Both cars were drivable, no one was hurt, the roads happened to be clear of any other cars. Accidents heighten awareness. Maybe a future unknown disaster will be averted for one of the four of us as a result.
Another comic episode came when I got home late on Thursday. The NCHS coach had left a message on my machine saying that the varsity team had qualified for the consolation championship game of the State Farm Holiday Classic high school basketball tournament, set to start at 6:00. It was 5:55. I shot him a text saying that I was on the way. Good news, he texted back, the game ahead of ours was in overtime so there was time to get over there. I changed clothes, leaped into the car and scurried into the Shirk Center stands. Taking a seat, I noticed that the teams on the court were not ours. Was the overtime game still in progress? No. I was in the wrong gym. Hence the following text: "Crap. I am at shirk. Off i go."
Thursday night was the last work day of 2010. Since my boss set up a performance review with me for Monday morning, I spent my last 90 minutes in the office recapping all the good that had been accomplished this year. The staff grew from 3 to 5, and they gave Dena and me a $50 for the Olive Garden as a Christmas present. It was satisfying to tally that we'd been able to support ten major projects as well as a healthy cluster of developmental activities, succession planning moves, and process improvements.
On Thursday night I celebrated the holiday weekend by staying up until 3:00 a.m. Fellow night owl Jennifer shared a theory that it's an "evening baby" thing - I was born at 9 p.m. Slept for ten hours and popped up at 1 p.m. fully refreshed. Grunged my way to the gym unshowered, unshaved and bespectacled and got in my best workout set of the year:
Double arm curls: 105 lbs x 8
Leg press: 270 x 10
Shoulder press: 122.5 x 8
Leg curls: 125 x 10
Chest press: 180 x 8
Calf raise: 305 x 10
I spent some time during my late night binge researching the local math tutoring community and wondering how I might make inroads. Continuing the quest for my true calling.
Dena got leads on a couple of potential employers... a part-time position for a truck cleaning company in Morton, and a full-time slot with a local firm, both of the marketing variety. As Dena preps her resume and moves ahead it will be fascinating to see if either are the latest petal to bloom on her flowering career.
I jettisoned the desktop computer for good, thereby stamping the laptop a success and allowing us to attach the router to Dena's computer. It clears the way for her to move her office up to the spare bedroom, to move the gaming systems down to the basement, and perhaps for me to nudge forward again the experiment with voice-over equipment.
The first experiment of weekly joys/failures posts is in the books! It's been a device to baseline the lows of my own making, and to ensure that the overwhelming cascade of blessings got its due. Now it's on to the review/preview of 2010/2011 resolutions, a chance to drive another peg into the wall as an anchor to continued growth. May the lows be more shallow and the highs more full for us all.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sum Kind Of Wonderful
My simple diet is ripe for comparison shopping. Being about as lazy as I am simple, I'd never really gotten around to seeing what better deals were out there than Kroger. I'd heard a commercial declaring that Walmart saved families an average of $2,800 a year. The freedom of the holiday let me travel to both places and compile some facts:
Loaf of bread: Kroger $2, Walmart $1.50.
Big box of cereal: Kroger $6, Walmart $3.50.
5 lbs of chicken: Kroger $18, Walmart $9.
Total: Kroger $26, Walmart $14.
Oh, also:
Congestion of shoppers: Kroger 112, Walmart 3,287.
Feet parked from door: Kroger 200, Walmart 400.
So I save 40%, meet tons more people and get twice the exercise? What part of my brain has been turned off all these years?
Loaf of bread: Kroger $2, Walmart $1.50.
Big box of cereal: Kroger $6, Walmart $3.50.
5 lbs of chicken: Kroger $18, Walmart $9.
Total: Kroger $26, Walmart $14.
Oh, also:
Congestion of shoppers: Kroger 112, Walmart 3,287.
Feet parked from door: Kroger 200, Walmart 400.
So I save 40%, meet tons more people and get twice the exercise? What part of my brain has been turned off all these years?
The Gift Of Sight
I got to thinking more about Dad today while reading the book "How Lucky You Can Be" of legendary basketball coach Don Meyer. Meyer survived a horrific head-on collision with a semi trailer truck, and at one point they called in his wife while his vital signs were deteriorating. Eventually he recovered, and lives on today. How hard is it to actually be there at the moment a loved one breathes for the last time, to experience that sense of closure? Jack and I were out in the back yard raking leaves as Dad's 18-month bout with cancer concluded. We just so happened to be discussing a piece of family trivia and were sure that Mom could help break the tie. We found her in the bedroom tending to him, and realized that his journey was ending. There was no way that Mom could have left his side to come get us. Had providence brought us indoors five minutes later, we'd have missed it. Instead, I was able to hold his hand as he passed.
When October 29 arrives I remember the day but don't feel very sad - if God chooses a time, manner and place, who am I to argue? - I actually feel incredibly gifted. First, for the benefit of life through him and for nearly thirty years to learn from him. Second, for winning the remote odds of being present, considering the great randomness of death.
When October 29 arrives I remember the day but don't feel very sad - if God chooses a time, manner and place, who am I to argue? - I actually feel incredibly gifted. First, for the benefit of life through him and for nearly thirty years to learn from him. Second, for winning the remote odds of being present, considering the great randomness of death.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Never Too Late To Cheer
It was terrific to hear from my friend Pat from my grade school basketball team.
"Joe, hope you had a great Holiday with your friends and family. I thought of your Dad the other day. He wasn't just a great coach (the best), he was a great man."
[Full disclosure: Coaches look especially great when they have a star point guard... like Pat.]
He devoted himself to making the world a better place than he found it. We can all strive for that. It's motivating to see the impact a teacher can have even after 25 years.
"Joe, hope you had a great Holiday with your friends and family. I thought of your Dad the other day. He wasn't just a great coach (the best), he was a great man."
[Full disclosure: Coaches look especially great when they have a star point guard... like Pat.]
He devoted himself to making the world a better place than he found it. We can all strive for that. It's motivating to see the impact a teacher can have even after 25 years.
Kerrying On
Thanks Tyson for hooking me up with this holiday story from Kerry Patterson:
Over twenty years ago, I received the most amazing Christmas gift. Today I share it with you.
It was December of 1984 and my wife and children and I were eagerly shopping for a teenage boy we had never met. This particular shopping spree was part of a sub-for-Santa adventure we and four other families were undertaking. This was the third year in a row the gang of us had agreed to help a needy family (this year it was a mother, father, and five children) and we approached the task with our usual mix of joy and anxiety. Could we truly help someone? Would we be a blessing in their lives or would we disappoint them?
Two days later, we nervously gathered presents, food, and clothing, piled into our cars, and drove through a constant drizzle to a small house that sported the address given to us by the local relief agency. "It looks small," said my oldest daughter as five cars chock-full of parents and children pulled up to the house.
Gingerly we carried the boxes to the front porch. (Later my oldest daughter revealed that you could see four noses pressed against the window as the family's younger children looked on in excitement.) Not knowing exactly what to do, we eventually all gathered in the freezing rain and started to sing Christmas carols. At the end of the second carol, the father of the clan took pity on us, stepped out into the rain, and begged all of us to please come in. "In where?" I thought as I looked around at the crowd and figured if we all went inside, we'd explode the house.
Minutes later as we stood cheek to jowl, the father began to talk. He explained that he had undergone back surgery earlier that year and hadn't been able to return to work quite yet. It hadn't been an easy choice, but he had decided that if they were to have any presents for the kids, he'd have to call on one of the local agencies, which he did. He thanked us copiously for answering the call.
"Now, in turn for your presents, I offer you one of my own—in the form of a story," he continued.
"Eight years ago when we had only two children and I was just getting started in my career, we were facing a rather meager Christmas. We bought my oldest son, who was eight at the time, and his sister who was four, two presents. One was a pair of socks, the other a toy. My son had asked for a basketball, and from the size and shape of his two packages under the tree, there would be no surprise for him that year." The son, who was now a gawky teenager standing shyly in the hallway, nodded in agreement.
"One evening two days before Christmas I came home with an announcement." The father continued. "A new family had moved in not far from our house, and since they didn't have two pennies to rub together, they wouldn't be having a Christmas. They had a boy and girl the same ages as our family and I was thinking that maybe we could share Christmas with them.
"'We could each give them one of our two presents,' my wife suggested as our two children looked on in suspicion."
"Finally, after staring at his two presents under the tree for what seemed like ten minutes, my son walked over, picked up the package containing the basketball, and said, 'I'll share this one.' Each of us then grabbed one of our two presents, put it in a box, and carried our gift down to our new neighbors who seemed very grateful."
As he told the story I noticed that my own children were fixed on him, their eyes brimming with tears as they thought of how these people had sacrificed so dearly.
"Later that day," the father continued to explain, "I received a phone call from my local church leader. It turned out that there were a few families in our little church group that didn't have any money for Christmas that year. A group of generous people had put together several boxes of presents and food for the needy families. Since I was driving a rather large and beat-up station wagon that had a lot of hauling space, he asked if I would be so kind as to drive to the church on Christmas Eve, load up the wagon, and make the various deliveries. 'Besides,' my church leader explained, 'your two young ones will get a kick out of playing Santa.'
"I immediately agreed to lend a hand. But I knew in so doing I was in trouble. I hung up the phone and explained to my family what I had committed to do, and then shared with them the challenge. We had spent all of our money on Christmas, and the station wagon was almost out of gas. We'd have to find a way to raise some cash to fill the gas tank to make the deliveries."
"'We could collect soda pop bottles,' my daughter quickly suggested. That's what she had seen her older brother do in order to raise a few pennies. This, of course, was at a time that if you retrieved a discarded pop bottle by the side of the road and took it to a local grocery store they'd give you two cents for it.
"So it was agreed. We bundled up against the wind and snow and all day long the day of Christmas Eve we hunted for bottles. Finally, just before we were due to make the deliveries, we cashed in the bottles, put a couple of gallons of gas into the old wagon, and drove over to the church."
"As our church leader loaded box after box filled with beautifully wrapped presents into our dilapidated vehicle, my son and daughter looked on in wonder. They sniffed the air with a look of longing as he loaded in a carton containing freshly baked pies and a ham along with all the trimmings. They squished over to the edge of their seat as the boxes stacked one upon the other until our wagon was filled to bursting."
"Our church leader handed me an envelope containing a list of the various names and addresses of the people we were to visit, and then thanked us profusely for helping with the deliveries. As he drove off I opened the envelope to see the extent of the task in front of us. The small piece of paper I found inside the envelope contained but one name and address. It was ours."
As the humble man finished his story, those of us who had come to help his family were either openly crying or doing a poor job of holding back tears. I was completely humbled as I envisioned this sweet man and woman and their two children bracing against the wind and searching for bottles—doing their very best to help the needy.
What made the story all the more wonderful was that the gentleman telling it did his best to make the church leader and the other generous members of his congregation out to be the heroes—look how nice they had been to his family, he had explained, just as we were now being nice to them this year.
It had never occurred to the man we had come to help that as thoughtful as his church friends had been to him and his family, our motley sub-for-Santa gang looked on him and his children with a genuine sense of amazement. They were the ones who shared their Christmas. They were the ones who, as others drank cocoa by the fireplace or stirred fudge in the kitchen, trudged through frozen fields in a quest for two-cent treasures. They were the true heroes and didn't even know it.
My family and I count this sweet experience as our favorite holiday gift. It's a present that will live with us forever.
Over twenty years ago, I received the most amazing Christmas gift. Today I share it with you.
It was December of 1984 and my wife and children and I were eagerly shopping for a teenage boy we had never met. This particular shopping spree was part of a sub-for-Santa adventure we and four other families were undertaking. This was the third year in a row the gang of us had agreed to help a needy family (this year it was a mother, father, and five children) and we approached the task with our usual mix of joy and anxiety. Could we truly help someone? Would we be a blessing in their lives or would we disappoint them?
Two days later, we nervously gathered presents, food, and clothing, piled into our cars, and drove through a constant drizzle to a small house that sported the address given to us by the local relief agency. "It looks small," said my oldest daughter as five cars chock-full of parents and children pulled up to the house.
Gingerly we carried the boxes to the front porch. (Later my oldest daughter revealed that you could see four noses pressed against the window as the family's younger children looked on in excitement.) Not knowing exactly what to do, we eventually all gathered in the freezing rain and started to sing Christmas carols. At the end of the second carol, the father of the clan took pity on us, stepped out into the rain, and begged all of us to please come in. "In where?" I thought as I looked around at the crowd and figured if we all went inside, we'd explode the house.
Minutes later as we stood cheek to jowl, the father began to talk. He explained that he had undergone back surgery earlier that year and hadn't been able to return to work quite yet. It hadn't been an easy choice, but he had decided that if they were to have any presents for the kids, he'd have to call on one of the local agencies, which he did. He thanked us copiously for answering the call.
"Now, in turn for your presents, I offer you one of my own—in the form of a story," he continued.
"Eight years ago when we had only two children and I was just getting started in my career, we were facing a rather meager Christmas. We bought my oldest son, who was eight at the time, and his sister who was four, two presents. One was a pair of socks, the other a toy. My son had asked for a basketball, and from the size and shape of his two packages under the tree, there would be no surprise for him that year." The son, who was now a gawky teenager standing shyly in the hallway, nodded in agreement.
"One evening two days before Christmas I came home with an announcement." The father continued. "A new family had moved in not far from our house, and since they didn't have two pennies to rub together, they wouldn't be having a Christmas. They had a boy and girl the same ages as our family and I was thinking that maybe we could share Christmas with them.
"'We could each give them one of our two presents,' my wife suggested as our two children looked on in suspicion."
"Finally, after staring at his two presents under the tree for what seemed like ten minutes, my son walked over, picked up the package containing the basketball, and said, 'I'll share this one.' Each of us then grabbed one of our two presents, put it in a box, and carried our gift down to our new neighbors who seemed very grateful."
As he told the story I noticed that my own children were fixed on him, their eyes brimming with tears as they thought of how these people had sacrificed so dearly.
"Later that day," the father continued to explain, "I received a phone call from my local church leader. It turned out that there were a few families in our little church group that didn't have any money for Christmas that year. A group of generous people had put together several boxes of presents and food for the needy families. Since I was driving a rather large and beat-up station wagon that had a lot of hauling space, he asked if I would be so kind as to drive to the church on Christmas Eve, load up the wagon, and make the various deliveries. 'Besides,' my church leader explained, 'your two young ones will get a kick out of playing Santa.'
"I immediately agreed to lend a hand. But I knew in so doing I was in trouble. I hung up the phone and explained to my family what I had committed to do, and then shared with them the challenge. We had spent all of our money on Christmas, and the station wagon was almost out of gas. We'd have to find a way to raise some cash to fill the gas tank to make the deliveries."
"'We could collect soda pop bottles,' my daughter quickly suggested. That's what she had seen her older brother do in order to raise a few pennies. This, of course, was at a time that if you retrieved a discarded pop bottle by the side of the road and took it to a local grocery store they'd give you two cents for it.
"So it was agreed. We bundled up against the wind and snow and all day long the day of Christmas Eve we hunted for bottles. Finally, just before we were due to make the deliveries, we cashed in the bottles, put a couple of gallons of gas into the old wagon, and drove over to the church."
"As our church leader loaded box after box filled with beautifully wrapped presents into our dilapidated vehicle, my son and daughter looked on in wonder. They sniffed the air with a look of longing as he loaded in a carton containing freshly baked pies and a ham along with all the trimmings. They squished over to the edge of their seat as the boxes stacked one upon the other until our wagon was filled to bursting."
"Our church leader handed me an envelope containing a list of the various names and addresses of the people we were to visit, and then thanked us profusely for helping with the deliveries. As he drove off I opened the envelope to see the extent of the task in front of us. The small piece of paper I found inside the envelope contained but one name and address. It was ours."
As the humble man finished his story, those of us who had come to help his family were either openly crying or doing a poor job of holding back tears. I was completely humbled as I envisioned this sweet man and woman and their two children bracing against the wind and searching for bottles—doing their very best to help the needy.
What made the story all the more wonderful was that the gentleman telling it did his best to make the church leader and the other generous members of his congregation out to be the heroes—look how nice they had been to his family, he had explained, just as we were now being nice to them this year.
It had never occurred to the man we had come to help that as thoughtful as his church friends had been to him and his family, our motley sub-for-Santa gang looked on him and his children with a genuine sense of amazement. They were the ones who shared their Christmas. They were the ones who, as others drank cocoa by the fireplace or stirred fudge in the kitchen, trudged through frozen fields in a quest for two-cent treasures. They were the true heroes and didn't even know it.
My family and I count this sweet experience as our favorite holiday gift. It's a present that will live with us forever.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
High/Low Week 51, 2010
Thursday was one of those work days filled with the kind of learnings that a kid gets when he puts his hand against a hot stove for the first time. Or in my case, the 11th or so. The familiar stove in this case was the realm of the unknown. I found myself in a three-person meeting where I was asked to make a decision on a complex document about a relatively foreign subject. The anxiety of being unable to solve the situation distracted my brain into a semi-frozen state and plastered a frown across my face. Slightly dented, I wandered into a management meeting about distributing work to employees. I'd worked up a document about my entire staff, but it turned out that only a couple of employees were discussed, and in a different fashion than I'd prepared. With the same stiff face, I made a semi-rambling presentation and punctuated it by acting as if I had some big important secret. That moment amounted to little more than "my dad is bigger than your dad" and was utterly counterproductive - the kind of passive-aggressive chest-puffing of the weak. By now I should know that it's futile to spend time fretting over the imperfection of circumstances, and even more so to dwell on making an impression. Success takes patience. I went into the first meeting expecting a certain result and flustered by the reality that it was going to take a while longer. "Everything's gonna be all right" was snuffed out by "How can I get what I want"... like choosing to drive on the shoulder when the road is clear. Turning the wheel a bit makes it much easier to smile.
This morning I had a staff meeting run by the same manager. I made an impromptu presentation about a task I'd completed to fulfill his wishes from a month ago. His response was to instruct me to do the opposite. This time, redemption! I shrugged off the temptation to defend the work completed. I pointed out that although we had completed what he had asked of us, we could easily do the opposite if he was changing his mind. Smiling genuinely the whole time. Because I was convinced that whatever the path ended up being, it was the right path for a greater purpose. Heart rate under control. Happiness intact. Peace retained.
The weather dismantled our Christmas Eve plans. Visions of opening gifts in my childhood living room were swept away by six inches of snow that buried every highway line. Even trying to return to the condo after 4 miles of sledding north was a chore, as we got stuck on a slick patch of driveway. Fortunately a pair of lightweight teenage girls drove up and provided a surprisingly effective push to get Dena and me safely parked. The next day the roads were bright and clear, we got to see Dena's family almost entirely and got to enjoy two of Mom's dinners once we made it up to Bloomingdale. Trish got me a new hat and pair of gloves that came in instantly handy for the drive to the burbs. Dona got a new frying pan that hit the spot. Jack got us Seinfeld DVDs for season nine. Dena got me a toaster that brands the Cubs logo on the bread. Dena wrapped herself up in a new thick warm electric blanket (machine washable, reversible, three heat settings!). Redemption again, as we spent more time with both families than we originally anticipated. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
All three of the Chicago winter sports teams are legitimate playoff teams! The Bears outslugged the Jets and won the NFC North division. The Bulls tipped the Pistons and lead the East Central division. The Hawks have a solid winning record in defense of their Stanley Cup season.
Dena's upcoming meeting with Uncle Bill is the capper on a year of growth of her graphic design business, as she served in the neighborhood of ten clients.
One more week to go, and a short week of work to boot. Time to sprint for the finish line in style.
This morning I had a staff meeting run by the same manager. I made an impromptu presentation about a task I'd completed to fulfill his wishes from a month ago. His response was to instruct me to do the opposite. This time, redemption! I shrugged off the temptation to defend the work completed. I pointed out that although we had completed what he had asked of us, we could easily do the opposite if he was changing his mind. Smiling genuinely the whole time. Because I was convinced that whatever the path ended up being, it was the right path for a greater purpose. Heart rate under control. Happiness intact. Peace retained.
The weather dismantled our Christmas Eve plans. Visions of opening gifts in my childhood living room were swept away by six inches of snow that buried every highway line. Even trying to return to the condo after 4 miles of sledding north was a chore, as we got stuck on a slick patch of driveway. Fortunately a pair of lightweight teenage girls drove up and provided a surprisingly effective push to get Dena and me safely parked. The next day the roads were bright and clear, we got to see Dena's family almost entirely and got to enjoy two of Mom's dinners once we made it up to Bloomingdale. Trish got me a new hat and pair of gloves that came in instantly handy for the drive to the burbs. Dona got a new frying pan that hit the spot. Jack got us Seinfeld DVDs for season nine. Dena got me a toaster that brands the Cubs logo on the bread. Dena wrapped herself up in a new thick warm electric blanket (machine washable, reversible, three heat settings!). Redemption again, as we spent more time with both families than we originally anticipated. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
All three of the Chicago winter sports teams are legitimate playoff teams! The Bears outslugged the Jets and won the NFC North division. The Bulls tipped the Pistons and lead the East Central division. The Hawks have a solid winning record in defense of their Stanley Cup season.
Dena's upcoming meeting with Uncle Bill is the capper on a year of growth of her graphic design business, as she served in the neighborhood of ten clients.
One more week to go, and a short week of work to boot. Time to sprint for the finish line in style.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
The Spirit Of Christmas
From the Pantagraph:
NORMAL -- Grant Glowacki and his fellow students at Epiphany School are guided by one question. It applies day or night, rain or shine, on or off the basketball court.
“It’s always, ‘What would Jesus have done?’ ” Glowacki said of his Catholic education.
The answer was clear to him on Dec. 16 in Epiphany’s eighth-grade basketball game against visiting Heyworth.
Epiphany led comfortably with less than three minutes to play when Heyworth coach Lyndon Jason inserted Mitchell Hancock into the game.
Hancock, who has Down syndrome, was celebrating his 14th birthday, a fact relayed to the officials and, in turn, to Epiphany’s bench.
“Coach (Caleb Washburn) said, ‘Let’s try to get him a bucket,’ ” Glowacki said. “I knew that meant get him on the (free-throw) line so he could score on his birthday and make that really special for him.”
The first trip down the floor, Glowacki lightly fouled Hancock, who missed both free throws. The next possession, Hancock lost the ball briefly. Glowacki pushed it back to him and fouled him on a shot again.
“The clock was winding down and I wanted him to score really bad,” Glowacki said. “The ref said it was a two-pointer. I told him, ‘That was a three.’ I wanted him to shoot three.”
The official acquiesced and Hancock made the second of his three free throws.
The gym erupted.
What would Jesus have done?
“He would have got that kid to score,” Glowacki said, smiling. “I know he’s never really going to forget that. He’ll have that in his mind forever that he scored on his birthday.”
Dana Hancock called it her son’s “best birthday ever.”
It was a special night for her as well; overwhelming, in fact.
Steve and Dana Hancock simply hoped the oldest of their three children could be part of the team. They never envisioned this.
“We can’t say enough about the parents, coaches and players from Epiphany,” Dana Hancock said.
“As we were leaving, so many Epiphany people were telling Mitchell ‘happy birthday’ and ‘great shot’ and how proud they were of him. I have a hard time talking about it without getting choked up. Everybody left that game with a smile on their face.”
The biggest belonged to Mitchell Hancock, who has scored in three games this season. Only one was on his birthday and involved such a collaborative effort.
Give the assist to Glowacki, whose teammates voted unanimously to award him the game ball … not for points he scored, but the one he gave up.
“It’s not always about winning,” Glowacki said. “Just making people happy is really what matters. That was one of the best days of his life. I know it for sure.”
Most everyone in Heyworth knows Mitchell Hancock, whose siblings, 12-year-old brother Brett and 8-year-old sister Morgan, tell their parents he is “like the president” because he is so well-known, Dana Hancock said.
He is particularly popular among the basketball players, who Jason said make sure he gets to the bus and work to get him shots when he is in a game. Early this season at Lincoln, teammate Matt Galivan helped in another way.
“Mitchell’s shoe was untied and (Galivan) goes over and ties it for him during the game,” Jason said. “That’s the way the kids are. They are so good to him and he has a smile on his face all the time.”
Epiphany’s treatment of Hancock prompted Heyworth Principal Jeff Asmus to submit a good sportsmanship nomination to the Illinois Elementary School Association.
“Everyone involved recognized it was a tremendous act of sportsmanship,” Asmus said. “I don’t think players take away the specifics of too many games they play, what the score was at the end of the game. Who’s going to remember that years down the road?
“I think those kids will remember what happened that night with Mitchell.”
NORMAL -- Grant Glowacki and his fellow students at Epiphany School are guided by one question. It applies day or night, rain or shine, on or off the basketball court.
“It’s always, ‘What would Jesus have done?’ ” Glowacki said of his Catholic education.
The answer was clear to him on Dec. 16 in Epiphany’s eighth-grade basketball game against visiting Heyworth.
Epiphany led comfortably with less than three minutes to play when Heyworth coach Lyndon Jason inserted Mitchell Hancock into the game.
Hancock, who has Down syndrome, was celebrating his 14th birthday, a fact relayed to the officials and, in turn, to Epiphany’s bench.
“Coach (Caleb Washburn) said, ‘Let’s try to get him a bucket,’ ” Glowacki said. “I knew that meant get him on the (free-throw) line so he could score on his birthday and make that really special for him.”
The first trip down the floor, Glowacki lightly fouled Hancock, who missed both free throws. The next possession, Hancock lost the ball briefly. Glowacki pushed it back to him and fouled him on a shot again.
“The clock was winding down and I wanted him to score really bad,” Glowacki said. “The ref said it was a two-pointer. I told him, ‘That was a three.’ I wanted him to shoot three.”
The official acquiesced and Hancock made the second of his three free throws.
The gym erupted.
What would Jesus have done?
“He would have got that kid to score,” Glowacki said, smiling. “I know he’s never really going to forget that. He’ll have that in his mind forever that he scored on his birthday.”
Dana Hancock called it her son’s “best birthday ever.”
It was a special night for her as well; overwhelming, in fact.
Steve and Dana Hancock simply hoped the oldest of their three children could be part of the team. They never envisioned this.
“We can’t say enough about the parents, coaches and players from Epiphany,” Dana Hancock said.
“As we were leaving, so many Epiphany people were telling Mitchell ‘happy birthday’ and ‘great shot’ and how proud they were of him. I have a hard time talking about it without getting choked up. Everybody left that game with a smile on their face.”
The biggest belonged to Mitchell Hancock, who has scored in three games this season. Only one was on his birthday and involved such a collaborative effort.
Give the assist to Glowacki, whose teammates voted unanimously to award him the game ball … not for points he scored, but the one he gave up.
“It’s not always about winning,” Glowacki said. “Just making people happy is really what matters. That was one of the best days of his life. I know it for sure.”
Most everyone in Heyworth knows Mitchell Hancock, whose siblings, 12-year-old brother Brett and 8-year-old sister Morgan, tell their parents he is “like the president” because he is so well-known, Dana Hancock said.
He is particularly popular among the basketball players, who Jason said make sure he gets to the bus and work to get him shots when he is in a game. Early this season at Lincoln, teammate Matt Galivan helped in another way.
“Mitchell’s shoe was untied and (Galivan) goes over and ties it for him during the game,” Jason said. “That’s the way the kids are. They are so good to him and he has a smile on his face all the time.”
Epiphany’s treatment of Hancock prompted Heyworth Principal Jeff Asmus to submit a good sportsmanship nomination to the Illinois Elementary School Association.
“Everyone involved recognized it was a tremendous act of sportsmanship,” Asmus said. “I don’t think players take away the specifics of too many games they play, what the score was at the end of the game. Who’s going to remember that years down the road?
“I think those kids will remember what happened that night with Mitchell.”
Friday, December 24, 2010
Becoming A Yes Man
"The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other finds an excuse." - Anonymous
This is the time of year where people think about what they want to do differently. It's a great concept to get in good physical shape, or to act more kindly, to get to bed on time, to stop smoking, to write or read more, to improve the lawn, to spend more time with family, to volunteer or donate more to charity.
Ultimately, it is worthwhile though? That seems to be the difference between a wish and a resolution.
Would things be significantly better if we carried twenty less pounds? If our bushes were more perfectly trimmed? If we traded in an hour of television for an hour with a child in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program? It we gave up a day's pay to buy a meal for a hungry person?
If we answer those questions "yes" with our actions rather than merely our mind, then we move toward real change.
This is the time of year where people think about what they want to do differently. It's a great concept to get in good physical shape, or to act more kindly, to get to bed on time, to stop smoking, to write or read more, to improve the lawn, to spend more time with family, to volunteer or donate more to charity.
Ultimately, it is worthwhile though? That seems to be the difference between a wish and a resolution.
Would things be significantly better if we carried twenty less pounds? If our bushes were more perfectly trimmed? If we traded in an hour of television for an hour with a child in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program? It we gave up a day's pay to buy a meal for a hungry person?
If we answer those questions "yes" with our actions rather than merely our mind, then we move toward real change.
Wooden He Be Happy
"I always thought the repetitiveness of what they did, the fact that they looked the same and played the same every year, was admirable." - Geno Auriemma, women's basketball coach of NCAA-record Connecticut Huskies with longest consecutive game winning streak
"No matter what the game, we have a focus. If they're really good as shooting threes, we don't want them to get those off... it's always about the little things, about being as good as you can be on every possession. It's not about the score." - Maya Moore, star senior Connecticut player
"The Huskies almost always play with intensity and fundamental soundness. Everybody flashes to the ball, so they rarely get trapped. They play man-to-man defense but double-team and help so energetically that they appear to be playing a matchup zone. They box out so forcefully that opponents' misfires sometimes hit the court, and all of them hit the floor in pursuit of loose balls, after which they rush to help each other up with an urgency that suggests firemen getting victims out of a burning building. They even have a system to help bench players keep their heads in the game. Every season one reserve is charged with springing up and high-fiving the rest of the team after a made three-pointer."
Auriemma was talking about UCLA coach John Wooden's teams, who hold the men's record with 88 consecutive wins. It looks like he's built a pretty admirable program himself!
"No matter what the game, we have a focus. If they're really good as shooting threes, we don't want them to get those off... it's always about the little things, about being as good as you can be on every possession. It's not about the score." - Maya Moore, star senior Connecticut player
"The Huskies almost always play with intensity and fundamental soundness. Everybody flashes to the ball, so they rarely get trapped. They play man-to-man defense but double-team and help so energetically that they appear to be playing a matchup zone. They box out so forcefully that opponents' misfires sometimes hit the court, and all of them hit the floor in pursuit of loose balls, after which they rush to help each other up with an urgency that suggests firemen getting victims out of a burning building. They even have a system to help bench players keep their heads in the game. Every season one reserve is charged with springing up and high-fiving the rest of the team after a made three-pointer."
Auriemma was talking about UCLA coach John Wooden's teams, who hold the men's record with 88 consecutive wins. It looks like he's built a pretty admirable program himself!
My Kin Of Town
My first attempt to embed video in a post.
Eureka... Dena's high school alma mater and final residence before moving into the Love Shack.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Dena Contacted By Local Celebrity
Word of mouth happens! Dena's dedicated work with a local author has spread word of her abilities to the owner of Uncle Bill's Storage and their memorable jingle. Once you're working for a dude who's on T.V., you got it going on!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
A Muffin And A Bit Of Brandi
Had breakfast with my friend Brandi over at the Coffee Hound in Bloomington today. I'm easily influenced by people with heart and drive and optimism, and she's like a shot of all three. "Live life to the fullest" came right out of her mouth, but she didn't need to say it. One minute she's coordinating a community panel discussion of police from the local departments, next she's running distance races, or becoming the top rookie pharmaceutical seller at Pfizer, or supervising a State Farm unit to stardom, or serving on a board to assist people with mental health problems. Oh, and serve her family as mom and wife. When I set a new year's resolution to make ten new acquaintances, it's so that at least one of them might model good living like she does. There are many ways to live happily, from type A to type Z. The more styles that I can be around to learn from, the better.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
A Proper Perspective
From John C. Maxwell (thanks Brandi!):
At this stage, the punctuation you put on 2010 will not depend as much on what you do but on your point of view. As you look back on the past year, you likely experienced highs and lows, encountered blessings and victories alongside hardship and heartache. As you wrap up 2010, be sure your attitude toward the last twelve months is providing you with the healthy perspective needed to finish strong.
Here are three suggestions to help you adopt a mindset that makes the most of 2010.
1) See the lessons in every setback.
Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.
~ John Wooden
As you think back on the past year, don't be ashamed by the mistakes you made. Failures are stepping-stones to success, not proof of inadequacy. If you're not stumbling from time to time, then chances are you're not going anywhere worthwhile.
Failures are not fun, but neither are they fruitless. Opportunities to learn and grow are embedded in every setback we undergo. Instead of dwelling on the disappointment of things going wrong, seize the insights of the experience. By doing so, you'll emerge as a stronger person.
2) Show gratitude for the blessings you've received.
Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues but the mother of all the rest.
~ Cicero
To cultivate gratitude, Oprah recommends keeping a gratitude journal:
"Every night, list five things that happened this day that you are grateful for. What it will begin to do is change your perspective of your day and your life. If you can learn to focus on what you have, you will always see that the universe is abundant; you will have more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never have enough."
In addition to writing down what you're thankful for, take action to show gratitude to the people who have helped you over the course of the past year. Expressing thankfulness to others encourages them, strengthens your relationship with them, and positions you to receive their goodwill again in the future.
3) Turn the page on the past and take joy in today.
Hoping to get a glimpse into history, an interviewer asked an 87-year old woman, "What was the world like back in your day?" "Hmph!" she responded, "This is my day!" I love her attitude. Instead of being wistful about the years behind her, the elderly lady's mindset was on making the most of the day in front of her.
The close of the calendar year can be a time of reflection. We think back to the happenings of 2010 and assess where we are in life. Although life can only be understood looking backwards, it can only be lived moving forward. No matter what has transpired this past year, today is a blank slate. So set aside any regrets you may have about 2010, enjoy the holiday season, and look forward to a fresh new year.
At this stage, the punctuation you put on 2010 will not depend as much on what you do but on your point of view. As you look back on the past year, you likely experienced highs and lows, encountered blessings and victories alongside hardship and heartache. As you wrap up 2010, be sure your attitude toward the last twelve months is providing you with the healthy perspective needed to finish strong.
Here are three suggestions to help you adopt a mindset that makes the most of 2010.
1) See the lessons in every setback.
Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.
~ John Wooden
As you think back on the past year, don't be ashamed by the mistakes you made. Failures are stepping-stones to success, not proof of inadequacy. If you're not stumbling from time to time, then chances are you're not going anywhere worthwhile.
Failures are not fun, but neither are they fruitless. Opportunities to learn and grow are embedded in every setback we undergo. Instead of dwelling on the disappointment of things going wrong, seize the insights of the experience. By doing so, you'll emerge as a stronger person.
2) Show gratitude for the blessings you've received.
Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues but the mother of all the rest.
~ Cicero
To cultivate gratitude, Oprah recommends keeping a gratitude journal:
"Every night, list five things that happened this day that you are grateful for. What it will begin to do is change your perspective of your day and your life. If you can learn to focus on what you have, you will always see that the universe is abundant; you will have more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never have enough."
In addition to writing down what you're thankful for, take action to show gratitude to the people who have helped you over the course of the past year. Expressing thankfulness to others encourages them, strengthens your relationship with them, and positions you to receive their goodwill again in the future.
3) Turn the page on the past and take joy in today.
Hoping to get a glimpse into history, an interviewer asked an 87-year old woman, "What was the world like back in your day?" "Hmph!" she responded, "This is my day!" I love her attitude. Instead of being wistful about the years behind her, the elderly lady's mindset was on making the most of the day in front of her.
The close of the calendar year can be a time of reflection. We think back to the happenings of 2010 and assess where we are in life. Although life can only be understood looking backwards, it can only be lived moving forward. No matter what has transpired this past year, today is a blank slate. So set aside any regrets you may have about 2010, enjoy the holiday season, and look forward to a fresh new year.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Light Wait
Fantastic. After tomorrow the days start to get longer again. And would someone please video record tonight's lunar eclipse and send us a link? :)
Jumping Still
Dena's car engine wouldn't start today. I'd taken the day off work to get some things done, but it was no problem for her to take my car since I was just waking up as she headed out. She planned to be back by noon, but that stretched later. Her car was under the carport, making access to it limited for a jump. Our retired neighbor was out of the house for the moment, so it made sense to spend time immediately to jump her car while the adjacent space was still open. While fumbling our way to success in reviving the Grand Prix, I found myself sitting in the driver's seat of the Saturn waiting for the engine to warm up. My adrenaline started rushing as I pondered the afternoon daylight passing by. Sensing my impatience rising, I figured it was a good time to close my eyes and try a bit of meditative "sit and smile." Sure enough, after less than a minute of quieting the mind by diverting it elsewhere, the poisonous thoughts had passed. So simple. A nutrient worth taking more often.
NCHS Practice #21
Five minutes of taking "infield." Coach stands at half court. Single file line of players at baseline. Coach has one ball. Alternate tossing pop-ups, firing line drives, rolling multi-hoppers. A few steps to the right or left of the player.
Twenty minutes of 3 v 2 games. Best 3 of 5 possessions wins. Win by scoring (O) or getting ball (D). The 3 are on offense, one of whom is unguarded and may not shoot... he should be setting screens or initiating speed dribbles, and he should offensive rebound. Therefore, O should win every game. If D loses, five push-ups. If O loses, two sideline sprints (i.e. back-and-forth twice). Then switch up O and D.
Ten minutes R&R 5 v 0... a couple minutes focusing on each of the below.
- circle movement (5 out), call out left, right, baseline
- pass & cut (4 out) w/ back cuts over the read line
- cutters look to back screen away from the ball
- look to pin screen for cutters (especially best shooters)
Twenty minutes games to 8
- Game 1: both teams Kansas v 14
- Game 2: extra point on every basket scored in transition
- Game 3: extra point for any shot off a pin screen or back screen
Ten minutes competitive Phoenix Hagen (choose match ups strategically)
Twenty minutes of 3 v 2 games. Best 3 of 5 possessions wins. Win by scoring (O) or getting ball (D). The 3 are on offense, one of whom is unguarded and may not shoot... he should be setting screens or initiating speed dribbles, and he should offensive rebound. Therefore, O should win every game. If D loses, five push-ups. If O loses, two sideline sprints (i.e. back-and-forth twice). Then switch up O and D.
Ten minutes R&R 5 v 0... a couple minutes focusing on each of the below.
- circle movement (5 out), call out left, right, baseline
- pass & cut (4 out) w/ back cuts over the read line
- cutters look to back screen away from the ball
- look to pin screen for cutters (especially best shooters)
Twenty minutes games to 8
- Game 1: both teams Kansas v 14
- Game 2: extra point on every basket scored in transition
- Game 3: extra point for any shot off a pin screen or back screen
Ten minutes competitive Phoenix Hagen (choose match ups strategically)
Sunday, December 19, 2010
High/Low Week 50, 2010
We're a good six months past vacation in Hatteras. That week away cleaned my mind of the plaques that build up. The mental muscles were primed against the irritations, ego trips, setbacks and over-analyses that bounce like meteors hourly against an otherwise peaceful atmosphere. Back then it was easier to see my corner of the world as part of a greater creation, not so much filled with distinct people and agendas, but as pieces like me of a greater cohesive plan. Pieces that occasionally collide, but in a way that eventually serves a winning purpose. It's not so hard to smile in those situations when seen through healthy eyes. However that health requires daily exercise. This week has been flabbier... a stretch of entitlement here... cranky comment there... lazy snacking. Nothing too explicit that would offend another, but when trying to experience an excellent life these little lapses accumulate into dams of stagnation.
Wednesday was a critical day at work, as we'd been building up to a meeting for a month. We delivered plenty and it went well. In turn, that allowed me to burn through a sizable backlog of e-mails to close out the week. Meanwhile, a couple early afternoon basketball practices that I couldn't attend freed up some time to finish three books that had been clamoring for attention (and provided some inspiration for Hidden Blog entries).
The hoops team played a solid, selfless team game on Saturday, and heads into the break at 7-1. Signs of improvement continue to flourish, the players are getting along well, there are a couple of "hard work pays off" stories to be enjoyed, and the coach is mentoring us all to the next level of accomplishment.
Jack crashed at our place for a couple of days, looking great and having a ball.
Christmas shopping is nearly done, and should be polished off tomorrow when I take some personal time off work to skirt the holiday shopping crowds.
Tecmo Super Bowl lit up on the first push of the power button, rather than after ten tries and a few attempts at blowing on the machine as usual. Some things just get better with age.
The Bulls won nine games in a row, and the fantasy football team squeaked into the playoffs as the final seed before upsetting the top-ranked team this afternoon.
Got in several good workouts at Four Seasons and am at personal bests in all weightlifting exercises.
These next two weeks are delightfully free of a logjam of meetings. With discipline it's reasonable to catch up entirely on e-mail, to give more attention to employees and projects that have been waiting patiently, and to roll into the new year on a high note.
Wednesday was a critical day at work, as we'd been building up to a meeting for a month. We delivered plenty and it went well. In turn, that allowed me to burn through a sizable backlog of e-mails to close out the week. Meanwhile, a couple early afternoon basketball practices that I couldn't attend freed up some time to finish three books that had been clamoring for attention (and provided some inspiration for Hidden Blog entries).
The hoops team played a solid, selfless team game on Saturday, and heads into the break at 7-1. Signs of improvement continue to flourish, the players are getting along well, there are a couple of "hard work pays off" stories to be enjoyed, and the coach is mentoring us all to the next level of accomplishment.
Jack crashed at our place for a couple of days, looking great and having a ball.
Christmas shopping is nearly done, and should be polished off tomorrow when I take some personal time off work to skirt the holiday shopping crowds.
Tecmo Super Bowl lit up on the first push of the power button, rather than after ten tries and a few attempts at blowing on the machine as usual. Some things just get better with age.
The Bulls won nine games in a row, and the fantasy football team squeaked into the playoffs as the final seed before upsetting the top-ranked team this afternoon.
Got in several good workouts at Four Seasons and am at personal bests in all weightlifting exercises.
These next two weeks are delightfully free of a logjam of meetings. With discipline it's reasonable to catch up entirely on e-mail, to give more attention to employees and projects that have been waiting patiently, and to roll into the new year on a high note.
Happy
Months ago Jack wrote a two-chord refrain that simply said "Happy... happy..." It drips with irony because it's simple strumming of A minor and E minor over and over with a kind of gloomy listlessness. Full appreciation can't be gained unless you actually hear it, but we did go ahead and write up a full set of lyrics today.
Everything is going well.
Remarkably well.
Fate is on my side.
How can I describe.
This feeling inside.
Refrain: Happy... happy... happy... happy... hmmm...
Roof stopped leaking.
Truck runs again.
Taxes refunded.
Dog came home.
(Refrain)
Generally respected,
Within my peer group.
Cholesterol count meets
Acceptable standards.
A hard days work pays
Adequate wage.
Neighbors regard me as
Quiet but safe.
Family grants me the
Benefit of the doubt.
(Refrain)
Shotgun mishap...
Death row...
Pardoned...
Paroled...
Repeat offender...
Got away...
(Refrain)
The air raid sirens
Were just a mistake.
The pain in my shoulder
Was a sprain not a break.
The cattle rustler
Missed all of my cows.
The recent tornado
Hit the neighboring house.
My ankle was bit
By a venomless snake.
My woman just served me
A gristle-free steak.
(Refrain)
Everything is going well.
Remarkably well.
Fate is on my side.
How can I describe.
This feeling inside.
Refrain: Happy... happy... happy... happy... hmmm...
Roof stopped leaking.
Truck runs again.
Taxes refunded.
Dog came home.
(Refrain)
Generally respected,
Within my peer group.
Cholesterol count meets
Acceptable standards.
A hard days work pays
Adequate wage.
Neighbors regard me as
Quiet but safe.
Family grants me the
Benefit of the doubt.
(Refrain)
Shotgun mishap...
Death row...
Pardoned...
Paroled...
Repeat offender...
Got away...
(Refrain)
The air raid sirens
Were just a mistake.
The pain in my shoulder
Was a sprain not a break.
The cattle rustler
Missed all of my cows.
The recent tornado
Hit the neighboring house.
My ankle was bit
By a venomless snake.
My woman just served me
A gristle-free steak.
(Refrain)
What Brown Did For Me
Jack and I each drafted a team for a Tecmo Super Bowl tournament. If you've played the game before, you don't need me to explain that it was a video game classic. It used real-life football players way before Madden hit the big time. Nintendo graphics that reflected the very best of 1991 Japanese technology and knowledge of American football.
We simulated the regular season and then picked the playoff teams with the worst records. Thus Jack ended up with the Eagles of Reggie White and Randall Cunningham. Me, the Seattle Seahawks of Cortez Kennedy and Dave Krieg.
My first round matchup with the Oakland Raiders. Let's open it up with a bomb for starters. From my 20 yard line to their 20 yard line. A realistic, perfect spiral, completely unaffected by wind. Intercepted. No problem, just like a punt. Or should I say a "punt kick" to quote the menu, not to be confused with the punt run or the punt knitting.
Bo Jackson runs that play where he heads for the bottom sideline with a ton of blockers. I chase him with Kennedy and get blocked on my kiester. Jackson dashes all the way to the end zone. Darn.
Punted. The Seahawks always had the kind of playbook that makes defenses salivate. Lots of two-back sets, slow runners, middling quarterback.
Two-back set. Could be the Jackson down run, but I've gotta call a pass play... can't afford to have them with open receivers flying unguarded downfield. Down run it is. Got through the seam in the blocking. Just got to grab him from behind... make up this one step gap... two steps... HEY! Human players aren't supposed to be this slow! My defensive teammates show a combination of terrific choreography, unearthly bad depth perception and confusing grasp of geometry by diving "at" him using crazy angles and mostly landing out of bounds or a yard behind him on the turf. 14-0.
Ah, the Pro T Flare D play. A couple deep runners, a trio of safety valves. Methodical drive downfield, seven points on the board. Even Krieg can't mess this up.
Got the ball back. Pro T Flare D'd my way to the end zone. Tried to line up the kick so as not to bang it off the uprights. Just long enough for the defender to fly in and block it. "You know it's practically impossible to miss extra points, right?" Jack reminds me kindly.
It turns out to be the difference in the game. Two more Jackson runs while I lay in the backfield with a mouthful of turf. Valiant patchwork touchdown drives bring me within a point, but a last-ditch onside kick fails and the game ends with Jack crying out in shock from the gallery.
Randall Cunningham (sorry, "QB Eagles" since he refused to grant his likeness to Nintendo) has the speed of Usain Bolt - the 2010 version, not 1991 version - and invincible accuracy. Jack steamrolled the Saints, cursed with an ultra-predictable offense stained with flea flickers, and then the fast-moving 49ers (who somehow were second to the Saints during the regular season).
I wish NFL action was like Tecmo action. Ball carrier zig zagging in a sine wave pattern. Defenders choosing to chase him in the same fashion rather than running in a straight line, and to dive haphazardly once they get close instead of just grabbing him.
For the Super Bowl, I manned the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.
Pre-game news: Philadelphia receiver Kenny Jackson recovered from injury. Shows a monolithic hospital with nurses waving from the top of the roof like castle sentries, while Jackson sprints away. Down the street, presumably. Why would we expect an NFL player who thought to bring his entire football uniform to the hospital to also have access to a car? On second thought, maybe he's escaping from the hospital. And the nurses are mocking him.
To level the playing field we agreed to two rules: (1) both playbooks will be the same, (2) no QB running plays allowed (Bengals QB Boomer Esiason is to Randall Cunningham as paper planes are to the Concorde.
All the breaks went my way. He drove to my 5-yard line, then fumbled. I threw a pass into double coverage that resulted in a sliding catch. Lobbed one fifty yards down the sideline as the half expired that was caught by the receiver just far enough away from Jack's man that he auto-dove into the turf, allowing me to walk in for the score (and show ball, of course). Stunningly the lead was 21-7 with ten hyperspeed minutes left in the tournament.
After the legendary Mighty Bombjack show (don't ask me, consult a Japanese dictionary or something), Jack shifted into one-man-show mode, calling a series of pass plays that were really QB runs. Touchdown to end the third quarter.
Offense stalled at my own 30. Punter was kicking with confidence, booming it two yards into the end zone.
Cunningham moved it steadily but urgently as the clock ticked. With nine seconds left he called a halfback run that flattened my defender and tied the game.
He was unstoppable. He won the overtime coin toss and elected to receive. Game over.
Right?
He drove down to the 30. Third and eight. I had Cunningham in my sights with James Francis on his tail. Pitched to his running back for a lunging first down.
"Ach, thought I could get you to kick a field goal," I muttered.
"You want me to kick a field goal?" he asked.
"Nah, I might get an interception or fumble if you keep going."
He decided to kick a field goal. And to wait just long enough for me to dive for the ball with a chance of blocking it.
Never got that far. He underestimated Francis, who sailed through the line and pummeled the holder before the kicker even got to the ball.
With the ball deep in my territory, I rolled the dice on first down and called the bomb. The shotgun formation was a dead giveaway of the play. Jack groaned at having guessed a different play. At the snap, he took his All Pro linebacker and ran straight back toward his end zone.
In Tecmo, there's no way to tell where your receiver is or how many defenders are blanketing him that far downfield. I could tell that he was covered when he left the screen, but knew nothing else. Including his name.
Turns out, his name was Eddie Brown. His foot speed was mediocre. Which is why when my heave amazingly found the perfect middle of the end zone, the guys with blazing speed covering him were overshot at the back of the end zone. Like I said, NFL realism.
Brown leaped. Grabbed it. Ball game. I let out my loudest shriek of 2010 in an octave I didn't know I had.
My walls are intact.
We simulated the regular season and then picked the playoff teams with the worst records. Thus Jack ended up with the Eagles of Reggie White and Randall Cunningham. Me, the Seattle Seahawks of Cortez Kennedy and Dave Krieg.
My first round matchup with the Oakland Raiders. Let's open it up with a bomb for starters. From my 20 yard line to their 20 yard line. A realistic, perfect spiral, completely unaffected by wind. Intercepted. No problem, just like a punt. Or should I say a "punt kick" to quote the menu, not to be confused with the punt run or the punt knitting.
Bo Jackson runs that play where he heads for the bottom sideline with a ton of blockers. I chase him with Kennedy and get blocked on my kiester. Jackson dashes all the way to the end zone. Darn.
Punted. The Seahawks always had the kind of playbook that makes defenses salivate. Lots of two-back sets, slow runners, middling quarterback.
Two-back set. Could be the Jackson down run, but I've gotta call a pass play... can't afford to have them with open receivers flying unguarded downfield. Down run it is. Got through the seam in the blocking. Just got to grab him from behind... make up this one step gap... two steps... HEY! Human players aren't supposed to be this slow! My defensive teammates show a combination of terrific choreography, unearthly bad depth perception and confusing grasp of geometry by diving "at" him using crazy angles and mostly landing out of bounds or a yard behind him on the turf. 14-0.
Ah, the Pro T Flare D play. A couple deep runners, a trio of safety valves. Methodical drive downfield, seven points on the board. Even Krieg can't mess this up.
Got the ball back. Pro T Flare D'd my way to the end zone. Tried to line up the kick so as not to bang it off the uprights. Just long enough for the defender to fly in and block it. "You know it's practically impossible to miss extra points, right?" Jack reminds me kindly.
It turns out to be the difference in the game. Two more Jackson runs while I lay in the backfield with a mouthful of turf. Valiant patchwork touchdown drives bring me within a point, but a last-ditch onside kick fails and the game ends with Jack crying out in shock from the gallery.
Randall Cunningham (sorry, "QB Eagles" since he refused to grant his likeness to Nintendo) has the speed of Usain Bolt - the 2010 version, not 1991 version - and invincible accuracy. Jack steamrolled the Saints, cursed with an ultra-predictable offense stained with flea flickers, and then the fast-moving 49ers (who somehow were second to the Saints during the regular season).
I wish NFL action was like Tecmo action. Ball carrier zig zagging in a sine wave pattern. Defenders choosing to chase him in the same fashion rather than running in a straight line, and to dive haphazardly once they get close instead of just grabbing him.
For the Super Bowl, I manned the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.
Pre-game news: Philadelphia receiver Kenny Jackson recovered from injury. Shows a monolithic hospital with nurses waving from the top of the roof like castle sentries, while Jackson sprints away. Down the street, presumably. Why would we expect an NFL player who thought to bring his entire football uniform to the hospital to also have access to a car? On second thought, maybe he's escaping from the hospital. And the nurses are mocking him.
To level the playing field we agreed to two rules: (1) both playbooks will be the same, (2) no QB running plays allowed (Bengals QB Boomer Esiason is to Randall Cunningham as paper planes are to the Concorde.
All the breaks went my way. He drove to my 5-yard line, then fumbled. I threw a pass into double coverage that resulted in a sliding catch. Lobbed one fifty yards down the sideline as the half expired that was caught by the receiver just far enough away from Jack's man that he auto-dove into the turf, allowing me to walk in for the score (and show ball, of course). Stunningly the lead was 21-7 with ten hyperspeed minutes left in the tournament.
After the legendary Mighty Bombjack show (don't ask me, consult a Japanese dictionary or something), Jack shifted into one-man-show mode, calling a series of pass plays that were really QB runs. Touchdown to end the third quarter.
Offense stalled at my own 30. Punter was kicking with confidence, booming it two yards into the end zone.
Cunningham moved it steadily but urgently as the clock ticked. With nine seconds left he called a halfback run that flattened my defender and tied the game.
He was unstoppable. He won the overtime coin toss and elected to receive. Game over.
Right?
He drove down to the 30. Third and eight. I had Cunningham in my sights with James Francis on his tail. Pitched to his running back for a lunging first down.
"Ach, thought I could get you to kick a field goal," I muttered.
"You want me to kick a field goal?" he asked.
"Nah, I might get an interception or fumble if you keep going."
He decided to kick a field goal. And to wait just long enough for me to dive for the ball with a chance of blocking it.
Never got that far. He underestimated Francis, who sailed through the line and pummeled the holder before the kicker even got to the ball.
With the ball deep in my territory, I rolled the dice on first down and called the bomb. The shotgun formation was a dead giveaway of the play. Jack groaned at having guessed a different play. At the snap, he took his All Pro linebacker and ran straight back toward his end zone.
In Tecmo, there's no way to tell where your receiver is or how many defenders are blanketing him that far downfield. I could tell that he was covered when he left the screen, but knew nothing else. Including his name.
Turns out, his name was Eddie Brown. His foot speed was mediocre. Which is why when my heave amazingly found the perfect middle of the end zone, the guys with blazing speed covering him were overshot at the back of the end zone. Like I said, NFL realism.
Brown leaped. Grabbed it. Ball game. I let out my loudest shriek of 2010 in an octave I didn't know I had.
My walls are intact.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
NCHS Soars Over Gargoyles
Newton County High School used intense team defense and selfless quality passing to pin down the Pintville Gargoyles quickly on Saturday night.
The scouting report on Pintville was not in their favor entering the night. They'd lost to both Mayan and Saltville convincingly, both teams that Newton had handled easily. Yet the Steelworkers took nothing for granted, pitching a shutout in the first period 10-0. They were customarily stingy on the defensive boards, but surprisingly dominant in offensive rebounding as well, hoisting 26 shots in the first two quarters on a variety of short-range chip shots and put backs.
Pintville missed all of their three pointers, and were shaky enough with the ball that NCHS extended its ball pressure further out into the passing lanes than usual.
The team's improvement over the first half of the season was seen plentifully. Guard Bert Watcher led the ledger in points for the first time, typifying a well-spread scoring attack. Likewise his teammates took advantage of defensive overplay and found each other on back cuts to the hoop for easy layups. The ball was worked around patiently rather than hoisting quick shots. Defensive players kept their feet grounded rather than reaching or jumping for cheap fouls.
The discipline on both ends of the court resulted in a steadily increasing lead - to 15 points at the half, 20 by the third quarter and 23 by the end.
The sophomore squad heads into a two week winter break with a 7-1 record playing its best ball of the season.
"We've got a tough January ahead of us," the coach said afterward. "We need to make sure we get in our cardio and shooting to stay sharp."
The scouting report on Pintville was not in their favor entering the night. They'd lost to both Mayan and Saltville convincingly, both teams that Newton had handled easily. Yet the Steelworkers took nothing for granted, pitching a shutout in the first period 10-0. They were customarily stingy on the defensive boards, but surprisingly dominant in offensive rebounding as well, hoisting 26 shots in the first two quarters on a variety of short-range chip shots and put backs.
Pintville missed all of their three pointers, and were shaky enough with the ball that NCHS extended its ball pressure further out into the passing lanes than usual.
The team's improvement over the first half of the season was seen plentifully. Guard Bert Watcher led the ledger in points for the first time, typifying a well-spread scoring attack. Likewise his teammates took advantage of defensive overplay and found each other on back cuts to the hoop for easy layups. The ball was worked around patiently rather than hoisting quick shots. Defensive players kept their feet grounded rather than reaching or jumping for cheap fouls.
The discipline on both ends of the court resulted in a steadily increasing lead - to 15 points at the half, 20 by the third quarter and 23 by the end.
The sophomore squad heads into a two week winter break with a 7-1 record playing its best ball of the season.
"We've got a tough January ahead of us," the coach said afterward. "We need to make sure we get in our cardio and shooting to stay sharp."
A Cool Gift
Dena gave me an early Christmas present.
I have come to love my laptop computer as if it were an adopted child. Actually much more than an adopted child, for my personality. Instantly productive, takes up little space. Never leaves a mess, infects me, keeps me up at night, causes me to leave work early or falls down the stairs. It only cost $600.
This week though, it did burn my leg.
I was so immersed in the usual montage of YouTube videos, fantasy basketball statistics, ESPN and Onion viewing that I was more oblivious than usual to the machine's motor slowly firing up to peak levels. Somehow it managed the neat trick of leaving a tidy red welt three inches in diameter without melting my pants in the process.
Mom's ingenuity runs through me, and I discovered a moderately sturdy plastic shelf that could rest upon a lap desk that Dena uses for her work occasionally. The invention did cause Great Balls of Fire to drop from the top of the charts, but also caused a bit of shoulder tension due to its higher plane.
But now I sit with the Targus Lap Chill Mat whirring peacefully atop me. The cooling fan attaches to the computer through a USB port, providing a flat, temperate environment for being productive - at least in theory.
Thanks hon!
I have come to love my laptop computer as if it were an adopted child. Actually much more than an adopted child, for my personality. Instantly productive, takes up little space. Never leaves a mess, infects me, keeps me up at night, causes me to leave work early or falls down the stairs. It only cost $600.
This week though, it did burn my leg.
I was so immersed in the usual montage of YouTube videos, fantasy basketball statistics, ESPN and Onion viewing that I was more oblivious than usual to the machine's motor slowly firing up to peak levels. Somehow it managed the neat trick of leaving a tidy red welt three inches in diameter without melting my pants in the process.
Mom's ingenuity runs through me, and I discovered a moderately sturdy plastic shelf that could rest upon a lap desk that Dena uses for her work occasionally. The invention did cause Great Balls of Fire to drop from the top of the charts, but also caused a bit of shoulder tension due to its higher plane.
But now I sit with the Targus Lap Chill Mat whirring peacefully atop me. The cooling fan attaches to the computer through a USB port, providing a flat, temperate environment for being productive - at least in theory.
Thanks hon!
I'm Not A Smart Man, But I Know What Risk Is
A man had run a business for fifty years. His company manufactured machines that peeled shrimp. Rather than selling the machines, they leased them. That model meant that his company assumed all the risk if a machine were to break down.
"Usually it works out. It doesn't always work out. But that's the nature of risk. And what's risk? What's the worst that could happen? I'll still be alive."
"Usually it works out. It doesn't always work out. But that's the nature of risk. And what's risk? What's the worst that could happen? I'll still be alive."
A Long Night
The rock band Dispatch had a long career devoted to the purest principles of their music. At one point they turned down a million-dollar deal because the corporation was proposing to own all the creative aspects of their work, and require them to re-record some of their originals. After a while they'd mostly stopped performing, and decided to have a free farewell concert in Boston for their fans. They thought that maybe 20,000 would show up. When they arrived on the morning of the five o'clock evening concert, there were already 45,000 people there. Final tally was 110,000. A few years later they decided to do a reunion show at Madison Square Garden in New York, and sold out three nights.
"We were an overnight success; it just took twelve years," they said.
They gave the million-dollar three-day take to charity.
"We were an overnight success; it just took twelve years," they said.
They gave the million-dollar three-day take to charity.
Surviving The Contract Killer
A man in his midtwenties suffered a blow to his upstart business. A client providing $30,000 per month abruptly pulled out of the deal, transforming his situation from barely making income to experiencing huge losses. These days, the man is a multi-millionaire. Looking back, he explained his outlook:
"I realized that may be it was good, in that I went through a superhorrible ordeal early on, and because of going through it early on, for one thing, I got myself some fantastic attorneys. And I have better, more ironclad contracts will all my processors than I would have if I'd never gone through that nightmare. So does that make it good luck? I think it does."
Not once during the debacle did he ask himself whether he could afford to stay in business. In his mind, staying in business - somehow, some way - was a given.
Two states - success and learning. Sounds better than success and failure.
"I realized that may be it was good, in that I went through a superhorrible ordeal early on, and because of going through it early on, for one thing, I got myself some fantastic attorneys. And I have better, more ironclad contracts will all my processors than I would have if I'd never gone through that nightmare. So does that make it good luck? I think it does."
Not once during the debacle did he ask himself whether he could afford to stay in business. In his mind, staying in business - somehow, some way - was a given.
Two states - success and learning. Sounds better than success and failure.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Goal Line Stand
"Another key is to be accountable for your own mistakes and stay calm when things break down. Seven or eight years ago, we used to have arguments in the huddle. There would be an 8-yard run and guys would start screaming, 'That's too much!' Well, that doesn't happen any more. Because it's such a veteran group, we're constantly focusing on the bottom line - did they score or not? and reminding each other of the game situation." - Tedy Bruschi
What's the bottom line outside of the football field? Two weeks ago we missed a deadline to publish a calculator on the web. Was that the bottom line? We got it up a week late. There might have been some sales lost because of the lack of a calculator. Was that it? Our co-workers on the project were sincerely disappointed, and are unlikely to ever make that kind of mistake again, which would save future sales from similar loss. How about that? Maybe. Or maybe these are 8-yard runs, and the goal line is the collection of relationships involved. To apologize where needed without excuse. Beyond that, to carry grace under pressure and in apt time to restore a confident smile.
What's the bottom line outside of the football field? Two weeks ago we missed a deadline to publish a calculator on the web. Was that the bottom line? We got it up a week late. There might have been some sales lost because of the lack of a calculator. Was that it? Our co-workers on the project were sincerely disappointed, and are unlikely to ever make that kind of mistake again, which would save future sales from similar loss. How about that? Maybe. Or maybe these are 8-yard runs, and the goal line is the collection of relationships involved. To apologize where needed without excuse. Beyond that, to carry grace under pressure and in apt time to restore a confident smile.
Vitamin Shoppe
A new brick structure is rising slowly from the ground at the corner by Veterans' Parkway and Vernon/G.E. Road.
On my way to work daily I pass two protesters holding a block-lettered banner between them. It declares that the Vitamin Shoppe is unfair because it is not employing local workers to build the store.
Obviously this makes me quite happy. To know that I'll be living within a stone's throw of a presumably endless supply of Flintstones chewables is part of the American dream. Only a Pez store would rank higher.
On the other hand, I am sad. It is Illinois cold out there, and standing in place is surely near the top of the list of least-recommended ways to allay frostbite.
On the third hand, I am uninformed. Is the Vitamin Shoppe owner a callous penny-pincher trafficking in truckloads of slave labor to and from St. Louis every day and endangering the viability of our town so that he can afford to trade up from his Hummer? Or a struggling first-generation immigrant saving for the dream he's harbored since the first time his molars lopped off Barney Rubble's tangy-licious chalky purple head as an orphaned toddler?
So I'll go ahead and agree with the "unfair" part of the sign. Something about this arrangement is unfair. I don't know to who. Hopefully everyone gets what they need to stay warm. Including their vitamins.
On my way to work daily I pass two protesters holding a block-lettered banner between them. It declares that the Vitamin Shoppe is unfair because it is not employing local workers to build the store.
Obviously this makes me quite happy. To know that I'll be living within a stone's throw of a presumably endless supply of Flintstones chewables is part of the American dream. Only a Pez store would rank higher.
On the other hand, I am sad. It is Illinois cold out there, and standing in place is surely near the top of the list of least-recommended ways to allay frostbite.
On the third hand, I am uninformed. Is the Vitamin Shoppe owner a callous penny-pincher trafficking in truckloads of slave labor to and from St. Louis every day and endangering the viability of our town so that he can afford to trade up from his Hummer? Or a struggling first-generation immigrant saving for the dream he's harbored since the first time his molars lopped off Barney Rubble's tangy-licious chalky purple head as an orphaned toddler?
So I'll go ahead and agree with the "unfair" part of the sign. Something about this arrangement is unfair. I don't know to who. Hopefully everyone gets what they need to stay warm. Including their vitamins.
Calling C3PO
My boss was telling me about his Droid phone today. Sounds like you can plug it into your car, listen to tunes, and have a GPS-like feature running such that when you get close to a turn it'll stop the music long enough to give you directions. Not that this is necessarily a handy feature for a person who drives 9 out of every 10 miles in town. Still, the march of progress suggests that at some point my Kroger-shelf-quality phone should evolve into an Internet-accessible marvel.
What do y'all think? The Droid? The iPhone? The iTouch? The iSuperTronDoesEverythingYouCanImagineEvenBrushYourTeethPhone?
What do y'all think? The Droid? The iPhone? The iTouch? The iSuperTronDoesEverythingYouCanImagineEvenBrushYourTeethPhone?
Seen On An E-Bay Customer Notice
"We believe that what a hard work we are doing will deserve you trust on purchase from us. Wish you can wait your parcel patiently, it is confirmed that you will get your parcel soon.
Please contact us before you open dispute or leave negative (neutral) feedback, we will do our best to service you .
Any further problem , please feel free contact us.
Regards."
The message, from someone named Qing Ling, is the kind that belongs in the customer service textbooks. It make me glad wait for parcel even should long delay. I can confident their hard work reward my patience. Any further problem, I definitely try contact them first and let them service me before bad feedback. There grammar alone inspire my complete trust.
Please contact us before you open dispute or leave negative (neutral) feedback, we will do our best to service you .
Any further problem , please feel free contact us.
Regards."
The message, from someone named Qing Ling, is the kind that belongs in the customer service textbooks. It make me glad wait for parcel even should long delay. I can confident their hard work reward my patience. Any further problem, I definitely try contact them first and let them service me before bad feedback. There grammar alone inspire my complete trust.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Workers Devour Puppies
Newton County High School overcome a short roster to come from behind to victory against the Mayan Puppies on Tuesday night.
Playing at home in front of a crowd of fifty, including a few who weren't related to the players or coaches, the Steelworkers had the best seats in the house for a pair of quick three-pointers in the opening minutes.
"I saw a fair amount of walking going on out there... we're done with that now, right?" demanded the coach.
The barrage of marksmanship only peaked the tide of momentum against Newton County as they fell behind 10-2. The team was without starting point guard Manny Duzzwell (magic act mishap) and clutch guard Justin Sane (funeral for hamster) and was unable to penetrate the Pups' zone defense.
Fortunately emergency point guard Wade Forgreen planted two treys of his own to swing the game permanently in the Workers' favor. Showing unprecedented sharpshooting, NCHS proceeded to drain over 50% of their outside shots to negate the complete absence of a post game. Even Reed Morbooks found the bottom of the net from the left corner as the first half horn sounded, his first career triple, to nudge his team ahead 24-22 at the half.
A halftime adjustment set up a high-low post game that paid dividends early and often. Forward Russ Shower found open shooters on the wing and under the basket with regularity, and was perfect from the free throw line. Guard Jack Klantern provided crucial minutes of defensive muscle against the lead Puppy, and his teammates spread the offensive firepower with four players between 7 and 11 points.
By the end of the game, what originally looked to be a yawner of a contest turned out to be nearly so - in favor of the resilient Steelworkers, who capped a 16-point turnaround from the early deficit.
"We didn't panic," said assistant coach Joe McDonald. "We showed the toughness that's our motto, and the selflessness to make us tough to beat."
Playing at home in front of a crowd of fifty, including a few who weren't related to the players or coaches, the Steelworkers had the best seats in the house for a pair of quick three-pointers in the opening minutes.
"I saw a fair amount of walking going on out there... we're done with that now, right?" demanded the coach.
The barrage of marksmanship only peaked the tide of momentum against Newton County as they fell behind 10-2. The team was without starting point guard Manny Duzzwell (magic act mishap) and clutch guard Justin Sane (funeral for hamster) and was unable to penetrate the Pups' zone defense.
Fortunately emergency point guard Wade Forgreen planted two treys of his own to swing the game permanently in the Workers' favor. Showing unprecedented sharpshooting, NCHS proceeded to drain over 50% of their outside shots to negate the complete absence of a post game. Even Reed Morbooks found the bottom of the net from the left corner as the first half horn sounded, his first career triple, to nudge his team ahead 24-22 at the half.
A halftime adjustment set up a high-low post game that paid dividends early and often. Forward Russ Shower found open shooters on the wing and under the basket with regularity, and was perfect from the free throw line. Guard Jack Klantern provided crucial minutes of defensive muscle against the lead Puppy, and his teammates spread the offensive firepower with four players between 7 and 11 points.
By the end of the game, what originally looked to be a yawner of a contest turned out to be nearly so - in favor of the resilient Steelworkers, who capped a 16-point turnaround from the early deficit.
"We didn't panic," said assistant coach Joe McDonald. "We showed the toughness that's our motto, and the selflessness to make us tough to beat."
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Passion Of The Gripes
"Well, here's what is wrong... Now, a ref can punish a player for any move he deems too demonstrative, no matter where it's directed... Eliminating what [the commissioner] wants gone will also lose what his league is already criticized for not having enough of: passion." - Ric Bucher
This is defending the right to whine. Passion can be displayed in a host of constructive ways. Passion speaks through a dive for the loose ball, a sprint down court, a dogged defense, pointing at a teammate who assisted your basket, a slap on the back or a helping hand to get up, a fist pump after the big play. Technical fouls are called for weak and destructive behavior. The rolled eyes, the sarcastic comment, the exasperated shrug, the condescending head shake, the primal scream.
Passion is optimism. So is professionalism. Weakness is a thing to be overcome, not enabled.
This is defending the right to whine. Passion can be displayed in a host of constructive ways. Passion speaks through a dive for the loose ball, a sprint down court, a dogged defense, pointing at a teammate who assisted your basket, a slap on the back or a helping hand to get up, a fist pump after the big play. Technical fouls are called for weak and destructive behavior. The rolled eyes, the sarcastic comment, the exasperated shrug, the condescending head shake, the primal scream.
Passion is optimism. So is professionalism. Weakness is a thing to be overcome, not enabled.
Business That's Good
Interviewer: Think the Redskins can get it together this year? They just gave Donovan McNabb a bunch of new money.
Hockey player: It's not my business to talk about it. I'm just a fan.
There's a guy who gets it. Each day we're visited by interviewers, be they people or thoughts. They ask "What is wrong with this person? What is unfair about this situation? How am I underappreciated? How can you show how right and talented you are?" That's the time to summon the inner hockey player. It's not our business to put ourselves up or others down. We're just fans of success.
Hockey player: It's not my business to talk about it. I'm just a fan.
There's a guy who gets it. Each day we're visited by interviewers, be they people or thoughts. They ask "What is wrong with this person? What is unfair about this situation? How am I underappreciated? How can you show how right and talented you are?" That's the time to summon the inner hockey player. It's not our business to put ourselves up or others down. We're just fans of success.
High/Low Weeks 48 & 49
Sin's a hard word to define, but I get it when they say that pride's a sin. On one hand, I mentioned a four-hour meeting the other day that was buoyed to success. Credit for that couldn't go to myself, but to the wonder of good and undeserved fortune. Yet, in the waning minutes of that meeting there was discussion about another upcoming deadline. January 15 was stated at the date. I looked him in the eye and flatly declared "That's not going to happen." Now what was THAT? Just the opposite of the principles of teamwork, the greater good, the very qualities Hidden Bloggers see expressed here regularly. But alas, I was feeling foolishly powerful by the unexpected success, and promptly splashed it all over the floor. What could've been said instead? Perhaps "Could you clarify what you're actually expecting to be delivered on that date?" Or "Could you walk me through the reasoning behind that choice?" Or even "Perhaps we could talk about that after the meeting." Predictably, my comment stirred up a tizzy with these representatives from the other department. After the meeting, I called this gentleman and apologized for my lack of helpfulness during the meeting. Then we had the conversation that should've transpired in the first place. Word to the cocky: Listen, don't speak!
We are nearing the midway point of what has become the busiest work month of the year. For a while I had an appointment hour that was quadruple-booked with invitations from co-workers to attend various meetings. In the midst of it...
...Rob was able to complete our recurring monthly reports
...Tina's team pitched in to get some crucial data checked for another unit, while keeping afloat our daily work
...Tina mobilized a team to correct an out-of-date reference guide
...Jennifer cranked out bunches of tax formulas we needed
...Paulette made progress in modernizing our work log
...Tyson finished his final paper to obtain his fellowship
Meanwhile, I finally made a coaching contribution in a game that qualifies as incremental progress. Suggested that we make a defensive substitution to stop their run. Gravy when the guy also hit two jumpers to put us in front!
It was heartening to see one of our players have a career day in points. He played minimally last year, never complained, asked what he could do to improve, went to camps and open gyms over the summer, and it all came together.
Still got in a week's worth of workouts, plus some extra cardio work when one of our players sprained his ankle. Two full practices as tenth man on the sophomore team of a 2,000 student school. If only I'd been a grown man in high school, I could've been a quality player.
We are undefeated these last two weeks.
I caught a cold coming home from one of the games. The next day I stuffed myself with vitamin C pills, orange juice, and Sudafed tablets, and laid on the couch. On Saturday Dena woke up with a sore throat. Then she went out and rang the Salvation Army kettle bell for a couple hours at night in the cold. I'm telling you, she oughta be a finalist for the Nobel Peace Prize in the "reliability" category.
Got some online Christmas shopping done and gifts wrapped.
Picked up my increasingly essential little black book for 2011. It's been a great and sufficient tool for keeping notes and checklists.
We're coming upon the last full week of shrinking daylight. What a prime time to grasp the Christmas holiday spirit!
We are nearing the midway point of what has become the busiest work month of the year. For a while I had an appointment hour that was quadruple-booked with invitations from co-workers to attend various meetings. In the midst of it...
...Rob was able to complete our recurring monthly reports
...Tina's team pitched in to get some crucial data checked for another unit, while keeping afloat our daily work
...Tina mobilized a team to correct an out-of-date reference guide
...Jennifer cranked out bunches of tax formulas we needed
...Paulette made progress in modernizing our work log
...Tyson finished his final paper to obtain his fellowship
Meanwhile, I finally made a coaching contribution in a game that qualifies as incremental progress. Suggested that we make a defensive substitution to stop their run. Gravy when the guy also hit two jumpers to put us in front!
It was heartening to see one of our players have a career day in points. He played minimally last year, never complained, asked what he could do to improve, went to camps and open gyms over the summer, and it all came together.
Still got in a week's worth of workouts, plus some extra cardio work when one of our players sprained his ankle. Two full practices as tenth man on the sophomore team of a 2,000 student school. If only I'd been a grown man in high school, I could've been a quality player.
We are undefeated these last two weeks.
I caught a cold coming home from one of the games. The next day I stuffed myself with vitamin C pills, orange juice, and Sudafed tablets, and laid on the couch. On Saturday Dena woke up with a sore throat. Then she went out and rang the Salvation Army kettle bell for a couple hours at night in the cold. I'm telling you, she oughta be a finalist for the Nobel Peace Prize in the "reliability" category.
Got some online Christmas shopping done and gifts wrapped.
Picked up my increasingly essential little black book for 2011. It's been a great and sufficient tool for keeping notes and checklists.
We're coming upon the last full week of shrinking daylight. What a prime time to grasp the Christmas holiday spirit!
When They Arrived, They Said "I Guess That's The Baby Jesus"
"Certainty is the mother of fools." - Patrick Jane
If I try to convince you that something unseen is undeniably true, then what am I? Foolish or faithful?
If I try to convince you that something unseen is undeniably true, then what am I? Foolish or faithful?
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Let's Get This Thing Turned Around
Today's high temperature: 37 degrees
Tomorrow: 23 degrees with snow
Monday: 8 degrees with wind
Turn up the thermostat, big guy!
Suppose we can get our hands on a big indoor facility with heat cranked up to 80 degrees... a sunlamp tanning room off to the side for those so inclined... another brightly painted enclosed room with beach sand, chairs and piped-in ocean sounds... a good-sized minimally-chlorinated heated pool with plenty of rafts in another area. Locker room area. Beach towels and soap provided. Brightly lit all-around. All you need to bring is a suit and a taste for beach season. It'd be a nine-month business in this county. The price wouldn't be cheap, but it'd be worth it for summer lovers. Of course my relatives attend free. Where are the venture capitalists to help me crunch the numbers and make this thing happen?
Tomorrow: 23 degrees with snow
Monday: 8 degrees with wind
Turn up the thermostat, big guy!
Suppose we can get our hands on a big indoor facility with heat cranked up to 80 degrees... a sunlamp tanning room off to the side for those so inclined... another brightly painted enclosed room with beach sand, chairs and piped-in ocean sounds... a good-sized minimally-chlorinated heated pool with plenty of rafts in another area. Locker room area. Beach towels and soap provided. Brightly lit all-around. All you need to bring is a suit and a taste for beach season. It'd be a nine-month business in this county. The price wouldn't be cheap, but it'd be worth it for summer lovers. Of course my relatives attend free. Where are the venture capitalists to help me crunch the numbers and make this thing happen?
Sign Me Up
"No we're not homosexuals, but we are willing to learn." - Russell Ziskey
I've never paid much attention to astrological signs, but when I heard Kate Pierson announce herself a Taurus during the B52s Song for a Future Generation I was intrigued. Mainly because she's my favorite band member, for reasons I couldn't put my finger on.
Onward to Wikipedia!
The first thing that I spied was that it's considered a negative or introvert sign. Ditto Cancer (Mom), Virgo (Dad), Scorpio, Capricorn or Pisces.
Taurus (roughly April 20 to May 21) is also an earth sign. What are these folks like?
- They show propriety. They are conventional, proper and fitting. (Yep)
- They follow what is socially acceptable in conduct, behavior and speech. (Yep)
- They have excellent manners and are very polite. (Sort of)
- They are prudent and have a deep regard for conventional rules of behavior. (Yep, they put me in a tax department for a reason)
- The Earth signs by nature are merchants. They are the storekeepers, barterers and traders. They are at their best when buying or selling material or tangible commodities. (Nope, remember that introvert thing? Unless fantasy baseball counts. Then absolutely yes.)
- Most are very business oriented. (Yep)
- They have a physical nature. (Yep)
- They have a characteristic love for the material, tangible things. (Sort of. Freedom tops my value list, which requires sufficient cash)
- They derive pleasure from sensory stimulation such as taste, smell and feel. (Who doesn't? "Please keep that cake away from me. It tastes too good.")
- They surround themselves with tangible and material items such as fine furniture, art and jewelry; most have a nice home that is meticulous and expertly decorated. (Double nope! Meticulous maybe. I'm neat, but not necessarily clean and definitely not fancy.)
- They have good taste in clothing and most are connoisseurs of food and drink. (Average taste. Food connoisseur? My friends are all doubled over with laughter as they read that.)
- Their emotions are aroused by sensory stimulation. Each of the five senses can produce an emotional response. Sight, sound, touch, smell and taste brings both joy or depression. (Again, who doesn't?)
- Nice peaceful surroundings, lively music, quality crafted materials, pleasant smelling tasty foods as well as financial security are all conditions required for an emotionally happy stable Earth sign. (Pretty much, yep)
- They are normally not prone to physical violence, however, as in any situation. (Yep)
Taurus is compatible with the other earth signs of Virgo and Capricorn and the water signs of Cancer (Dona), Scorpio and Pisces.
Now I see "Leo and Aquarius are signs of the other nature (masculine/extroverted), but are considered semi-compatible with Taurus..."
So the good news is that I am at least semi-compatible with my wife (Dena the Leo), though I'm at least slightly puzzled by the reference to her being masculine and extroverted. Yes, she is the one most likely to fix something with her hands around the house. But she's as likely to get on stage with a microphone as she is to chop off her thumbs.
The other glaring omission is any compatibility with Aries. No one in the universe is as compatible with me as Jack. How else would you describe a relationship that guarantees tears of laughter within any conversation lasting longer than 20 minutes? So far I've been pretty impressed with this astrology, but this just burns me. Excuse me while I go inflict some physical violence.
I've never paid much attention to astrological signs, but when I heard Kate Pierson announce herself a Taurus during the B52s Song for a Future Generation I was intrigued. Mainly because she's my favorite band member, for reasons I couldn't put my finger on.
Onward to Wikipedia!
The first thing that I spied was that it's considered a negative or introvert sign. Ditto Cancer (Mom), Virgo (Dad), Scorpio, Capricorn or Pisces.
Taurus (roughly April 20 to May 21) is also an earth sign. What are these folks like?
- They show propriety. They are conventional, proper and fitting. (Yep)
- They follow what is socially acceptable in conduct, behavior and speech. (Yep)
- They have excellent manners and are very polite. (Sort of)
- They are prudent and have a deep regard for conventional rules of behavior. (Yep, they put me in a tax department for a reason)
- The Earth signs by nature are merchants. They are the storekeepers, barterers and traders. They are at their best when buying or selling material or tangible commodities. (Nope, remember that introvert thing? Unless fantasy baseball counts. Then absolutely yes.)
- Most are very business oriented. (Yep)
- They have a physical nature. (Yep)
- They have a characteristic love for the material, tangible things. (Sort of. Freedom tops my value list, which requires sufficient cash)
- They derive pleasure from sensory stimulation such as taste, smell and feel. (Who doesn't? "Please keep that cake away from me. It tastes too good.")
- They surround themselves with tangible and material items such as fine furniture, art and jewelry; most have a nice home that is meticulous and expertly decorated. (Double nope! Meticulous maybe. I'm neat, but not necessarily clean and definitely not fancy.)
- They have good taste in clothing and most are connoisseurs of food and drink. (Average taste. Food connoisseur? My friends are all doubled over with laughter as they read that.)
- Their emotions are aroused by sensory stimulation. Each of the five senses can produce an emotional response. Sight, sound, touch, smell and taste brings both joy or depression. (Again, who doesn't?)
- Nice peaceful surroundings, lively music, quality crafted materials, pleasant smelling tasty foods as well as financial security are all conditions required for an emotionally happy stable Earth sign. (Pretty much, yep)
- They are normally not prone to physical violence, however, as in any situation. (Yep)
Taurus is compatible with the other earth signs of Virgo and Capricorn and the water signs of Cancer (Dona), Scorpio and Pisces.
Now I see "Leo and Aquarius are signs of the other nature (masculine/extroverted), but are considered semi-compatible with Taurus..."
So the good news is that I am at least semi-compatible with my wife (Dena the Leo), though I'm at least slightly puzzled by the reference to her being masculine and extroverted. Yes, she is the one most likely to fix something with her hands around the house. But she's as likely to get on stage with a microphone as she is to chop off her thumbs.
The other glaring omission is any compatibility with Aries. No one in the universe is as compatible with me as Jack. How else would you describe a relationship that guarantees tears of laughter within any conversation lasting longer than 20 minutes? So far I've been pretty impressed with this astrology, but this just burns me. Excuse me while I go inflict some physical violence.
NCHS Practice #19
Five minutes full court ball handling. Everyone start with ball on the baseline.
- Drive to quarter court, do 2 reverse pivots (i.e. a 360 degree turn), continue to half court dribbling with opposite hand. Turn around, switch hands, come back.
- Same thing, but do spin move at quarter court. Carry the ball with you through the spin, don't switch hands before the spin.
- Same thing, but do any move you want. Vary speed and direction as you dribble.
Eight minutes Transition trips 3 v 0. All starts with rebound, outlet pass. Third man sprints ahead of the ball to the wing so that outlet man dribbles as little as possible.
- Up to the wing, into the post, score it
- Up to the wing, pass back to point, then back cut to score
- Up to the wing, pass back to point, who drives toward wing side and hits wing in circle movement for shot
- Up to the wing, into the post, Laker cut
Seven minutes 4 v 4 full court - R&R movements in transition
Fifteen minutes 3 v 0 R&R. Lines at the point and each wing.
- Circle movement
- Baseline adjustment (note that opp wing falls to corner)
- Pass and cut - no shot until 4 passes
- Pass and cut - pin screen for best three point shooter
- Pass and cut - back screen for best post
Ten minutes 3 v 3 v 3, white orange skins. Half court.
- Team that wins the possession stays on, loser comes off
- Most points wins, others 5 push-ups
Twenty minutes games to 8
- Offense run any R&R set
- Defense run any set
- Drive to quarter court, do 2 reverse pivots (i.e. a 360 degree turn), continue to half court dribbling with opposite hand. Turn around, switch hands, come back.
- Same thing, but do spin move at quarter court. Carry the ball with you through the spin, don't switch hands before the spin.
- Same thing, but do any move you want. Vary speed and direction as you dribble.
Eight minutes Transition trips 3 v 0. All starts with rebound, outlet pass. Third man sprints ahead of the ball to the wing so that outlet man dribbles as little as possible.
- Up to the wing, into the post, score it
- Up to the wing, pass back to point, then back cut to score
- Up to the wing, pass back to point, who drives toward wing side and hits wing in circle movement for shot
- Up to the wing, into the post, Laker cut
Seven minutes 4 v 4 full court - R&R movements in transition
Fifteen minutes 3 v 0 R&R. Lines at the point and each wing.
- Circle movement
- Baseline adjustment (note that opp wing falls to corner)
- Pass and cut - no shot until 4 passes
- Pass and cut - pin screen for best three point shooter
- Pass and cut - back screen for best post
Ten minutes 3 v 3 v 3, white orange skins. Half court.
- Team that wins the possession stays on, loser comes off
- Most points wins, others 5 push-ups
Twenty minutes games to 8
- Offense run any R&R set
- Defense run any set
NCHS Practice #18
Seven minutes of Last Man Standing. Everyone around the hoop. Shot goes up. Rebound and you're out - go shoot free throws. Last man left on the court runs a sprint.
Feed the post - 2 v 2 on wings and in post. Post thinking - score myself, feed post buddy, Laker cutter/re-locate, look opposite. Wing thinking - can hesitate before cut unless man is immediately out of position.
Feed the post - 2 v 2 on wings and in post. Post thinking - score myself, feed post buddy, Laker cutter/re-locate, look opposite. Wing thinking - can hesitate before cut unless man is immediately out of position.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Silent Monks Sing Hallelujah
Okay... I'm rounding up the Freidinger family on Christmas and we are totally doing this. Mom Fredinger will have a ball sewing the costumes.
Taste Of Faith
Yesterday was a rough one at the office. A decision thought to be final last week was unearthed for re-examination. It would require research and conference with attorneys. The decision was critical to our attempts to finalize specifications for the new product we're launching next August. E-mails stacking up in the inbox. Someone asking for different product details by end of day. Rob and I struggled to review and sign off on the accuracy of a report due by day's end, and to analyze research on a separate project.
Oh, and I was due to lead a four-hour workshop first thing tomorrow morning. About those specifications. Before a room full of programmers. I had no agenda, and about three long lists of unanswered questions.
As Jennifer and I wound down for the day, I said that we'd need a little faith to succeed in the morning. I started to print out the lists of unanswered questions. Then I stopped. I figured that God had a plan for tomorrow. I could pour my evening into combing through lists and answering questions. Or I could go home and live. What God wants to happen, happens. In my relatively weary condition, why grind myself down further as if that would impact the great plan?
So I crashed on the living room couch and put work out of my mind. Watched some T.V. Relaxed. Nodded off to sleep.
What do you know? The next morning, Dena had coincidentally set the alarm for 5:15. Since I was awake and refreshed, I headed into the office 90 minutes early. Not only pulled all the questions together in an hour, but was able to answer them by 8:00. The list turned out to function like an agenda for the meeting. We cruised through it in 3.5 hours.
Another mountain moved.
Oh, and I was due to lead a four-hour workshop first thing tomorrow morning. About those specifications. Before a room full of programmers. I had no agenda, and about three long lists of unanswered questions.
As Jennifer and I wound down for the day, I said that we'd need a little faith to succeed in the morning. I started to print out the lists of unanswered questions. Then I stopped. I figured that God had a plan for tomorrow. I could pour my evening into combing through lists and answering questions. Or I could go home and live. What God wants to happen, happens. In my relatively weary condition, why grind myself down further as if that would impact the great plan?
So I crashed on the living room couch and put work out of my mind. Watched some T.V. Relaxed. Nodded off to sleep.
What do you know? The next morning, Dena had coincidentally set the alarm for 5:15. Since I was awake and refreshed, I headed into the office 90 minutes early. Not only pulled all the questions together in an hour, but was able to answer them by 8:00. The list turned out to function like an agenda for the meeting. We cruised through it in 3.5 hours.
Another mountain moved.
Calling All Cars
Never too old to pass along good advice. Thanks Mom!
Some knew about the red light on cars, but not the 112.
It was about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. Lauren's parents have always told her never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas station, etc.
Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called112 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already on the way.
Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes.
I never knew about the 112 Cell Phone Feature, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car.
Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going to a safe place.
*Speaking to a service representative at Bell Mobility confirmed that 112 was a direct link to State trooper info. So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about 112.
You may want to send this to every woman (and man) you know; it may save a life.
This applies to ALL 50 states
Some knew about the red light on cars, but not the 112.
It was about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. Lauren's parents have always told her never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas station, etc.
Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called112 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already on the way.
Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes.
I never knew about the 112 Cell Phone Feature, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car.
Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going to a safe place.
*Speaking to a service representative at Bell Mobility confirmed that 112 was a direct link to State trooper info. So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about 112.
You may want to send this to every woman (and man) you know; it may save a life.
This applies to ALL 50 states
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
NCHS Snuffs Chieftains
Newton County High School came out with smoking guns against Dixie McCartney High School on Tuesday night, then tightened the defensive screws to hold off the home team 46-44.
Newton County's Steelworkers put on their best offensive clinic in two years against the confounded Chieftains. Normally a 40% shooting squad, NCHS dazzled with its interior passing. The main beneficiary was Reed Morbooks, who put home an assortment of two-footers to pile up 16 points at the half and 24 for the game. In fact Newton took no shots from outside fifteen feet during the first two quarters, dropping 60% of them in overall and amassing 30 points.
Unfortunately DMHS bullied the lane and the offensive glass, tossing up several close-range shots that found the bottom of the net. And for all of the Steelworkers successful passes, they also turned the ball over a dozen times in the early going.
"We dominated the game," the coach said afterward, "but we led by two." The 28 points was the poorest defensive showing of the year.
As has been their ritual, NCHS clamped down on defense in the second half. They also found themselves facing a compact zone defense that slowed down the game's pace. Midway through the fourth quarter, Dixie held a slim lead and had the home fans buzzing. Then guard Bert Watcher, inserted as a defensive stopper, canned short jumpers on consecutive trips down the court. After Justin Sain banked home a six-footer and the Chieftains made a bucket of their own, Morbooks found himself fouled at the line for a 1-and-1.
Morbooks shorted the free throw and with the crowd screaming, DMHS' star guard launched a sure three-pointer from the right wing that caught too much rim. The Steelworkers grabbed the board and the game.
Having toughed out another victory, the 5-1 sophomores hustled north for homework and a day of rest.
Newton County's Steelworkers put on their best offensive clinic in two years against the confounded Chieftains. Normally a 40% shooting squad, NCHS dazzled with its interior passing. The main beneficiary was Reed Morbooks, who put home an assortment of two-footers to pile up 16 points at the half and 24 for the game. In fact Newton took no shots from outside fifteen feet during the first two quarters, dropping 60% of them in overall and amassing 30 points.
Unfortunately DMHS bullied the lane and the offensive glass, tossing up several close-range shots that found the bottom of the net. And for all of the Steelworkers successful passes, they also turned the ball over a dozen times in the early going.
"We dominated the game," the coach said afterward, "but we led by two." The 28 points was the poorest defensive showing of the year.
As has been their ritual, NCHS clamped down on defense in the second half. They also found themselves facing a compact zone defense that slowed down the game's pace. Midway through the fourth quarter, Dixie held a slim lead and had the home fans buzzing. Then guard Bert Watcher, inserted as a defensive stopper, canned short jumpers on consecutive trips down the court. After Justin Sain banked home a six-footer and the Chieftains made a bucket of their own, Morbooks found himself fouled at the line for a 1-and-1.
Morbooks shorted the free throw and with the crowd screaming, DMHS' star guard launched a sure three-pointer from the right wing that caught too much rim. The Steelworkers grabbed the board and the game.
Having toughed out another victory, the 5-1 sophomores hustled north for homework and a day of rest.
What Do You Stand For?
"In the end, the question is, Are you going to stand for anything?" - Mark Shapiro
In this case, the general manager of the team was faced with the attitude problems of the team's most statistically productive player. He traded Milton Bradley away. The team that lost 94 games in 2003 won 93 games in 2005 and nearly qualified for the World Series.
What do you stand for, if you had to identify one thing? Actions are a good indicator... lots of people say that community service is an ideal, but give little of it themselves. My heart bleeds while watching one of those pet rescue ads with the woefully sad music, or Feed the Children on T.V., but...
In a healthy sense, I stand for the importance of coaching. Whether it's sports, stats class or the office, the person standing at the head of the group can lift others to great heights. Or abandon them.
In this case, the general manager of the team was faced with the attitude problems of the team's most statistically productive player. He traded Milton Bradley away. The team that lost 94 games in 2003 won 93 games in 2005 and nearly qualified for the World Series.
What do you stand for, if you had to identify one thing? Actions are a good indicator... lots of people say that community service is an ideal, but give little of it themselves. My heart bleeds while watching one of those pet rescue ads with the woefully sad music, or Feed the Children on T.V., but...
In a healthy sense, I stand for the importance of coaching. Whether it's sports, stats class or the office, the person standing at the head of the group can lift others to great heights. Or abandon them.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Making It Happen
"What your desire is, so is your will. What your will is, so is your deed. What your deed is, so is your destiny." - Tara VanDerveer
Good Job
Picked my career while reading an article like this in the high school cafeteria. Good to know it hasn't gone out of style since then.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Perfect Game
Walking into work on Friday morning I knew I'd be pitching a complete game, so to speak - appointments lined up from 8:00 straight through to 4:00. Little did I know that it'd turn out to be a perfect game, the finest performance of the year.
8:00 - Highly anticipated meeting about a stressful topic... a complicated tax feature of a product we're launching next August. The product launch is major enough to demand that system specs be finished by December 15 so that the programmers can get started. My week was crammed with other meetings so there had been little time for development (in part because we're in the midst of two other large-scale product launches with similar deadlines in the next month. Fortunately there had been just enough time so that I could walk in and, unrehearsed, deliver a smooth and cohesive explanation of some significant progress that put the team's mind at ease. In fact, there was an extra half hour available to launch into answering several new questions.
9:00 - The department is swamped, and my boss and I have been unable to connect our schedules for a 1-on-1 in nearly a month. Today was the day. I had a store of four key topics and we nailed them.
9:45 - An e-mail came in from one of the higher-ups. I'd stayed in the office until 9:30 the other night putting together an analysis, and the following day called an industry contact of mine to get a read on what the competition was doing. The e-mail favored my recommendation and cleared the way for a product launch that will be faster, simpler, less expensive, and I believe more customer-friendly.
10:00 - 1-on-1 with Betty. She brought in a variety of questions that had accumulated, and we got through them quickly enough that we ended early. Which was good because...
10:45 - Meanwhile, Jennifer had been pressured to deliver some factors required for our filing in order to gain state approval to sell the new product. We were able to review her work and it was in good order. She got it delivered on time.
11:00 - Met with our process improvement team. On the horizon is a knowledge database that will ideally help eliminate doing redundant research and accelerate training.
12:00 - Used the lunch break to get in a quick weight lifting workout. Arm curl 105 lbs, shoulder press 122.5, leg press 260, chest press 175, leg curl 110, calf raise 300.
1:00 - 1-on-1 with Paulette. Discussed a couple new projects to expand her development.
2:00 - Met with tax department employees and attorneys. Discussions got heated, and I was able to mediate to gain agreement on a contentious issue.
2:30 - Met with our intranet liaison and a product support co-worker. Problem: How to create a repository for old announcements about product changes? Answer: Capitalize on the web page being developed by our process improvement team. Create a sub site that lists historical announcements way back. The employees were thrilled, especially that we solved it within 15 minutes.
3:00 - Met with Jennifer and walked through a series of questions posed by our programmers about the new product launch.
4:15 - Off for a full evening of hoops coaching. Which, in the spirit of the day, turned out to be a two-game sweep of victory.
Slept like a baby that night!
Sometimes God gives a bounty when we least expect it. The price? Ongoing gratefulness in every result.
8:00 - Highly anticipated meeting about a stressful topic... a complicated tax feature of a product we're launching next August. The product launch is major enough to demand that system specs be finished by December 15 so that the programmers can get started. My week was crammed with other meetings so there had been little time for development (in part because we're in the midst of two other large-scale product launches with similar deadlines in the next month. Fortunately there had been just enough time so that I could walk in and, unrehearsed, deliver a smooth and cohesive explanation of some significant progress that put the team's mind at ease. In fact, there was an extra half hour available to launch into answering several new questions.
9:00 - The department is swamped, and my boss and I have been unable to connect our schedules for a 1-on-1 in nearly a month. Today was the day. I had a store of four key topics and we nailed them.
9:45 - An e-mail came in from one of the higher-ups. I'd stayed in the office until 9:30 the other night putting together an analysis, and the following day called an industry contact of mine to get a read on what the competition was doing. The e-mail favored my recommendation and cleared the way for a product launch that will be faster, simpler, less expensive, and I believe more customer-friendly.
10:00 - 1-on-1 with Betty. She brought in a variety of questions that had accumulated, and we got through them quickly enough that we ended early. Which was good because...
10:45 - Meanwhile, Jennifer had been pressured to deliver some factors required for our filing in order to gain state approval to sell the new product. We were able to review her work and it was in good order. She got it delivered on time.
11:00 - Met with our process improvement team. On the horizon is a knowledge database that will ideally help eliminate doing redundant research and accelerate training.
12:00 - Used the lunch break to get in a quick weight lifting workout. Arm curl 105 lbs, shoulder press 122.5, leg press 260, chest press 175, leg curl 110, calf raise 300.
1:00 - 1-on-1 with Paulette. Discussed a couple new projects to expand her development.
2:00 - Met with tax department employees and attorneys. Discussions got heated, and I was able to mediate to gain agreement on a contentious issue.
2:30 - Met with our intranet liaison and a product support co-worker. Problem: How to create a repository for old announcements about product changes? Answer: Capitalize on the web page being developed by our process improvement team. Create a sub site that lists historical announcements way back. The employees were thrilled, especially that we solved it within 15 minutes.
3:00 - Met with Jennifer and walked through a series of questions posed by our programmers about the new product launch.
4:15 - Off for a full evening of hoops coaching. Which, in the spirit of the day, turned out to be a two-game sweep of victory.
Slept like a baby that night!
Sometimes God gives a bounty when we least expect it. The price? Ongoing gratefulness in every result.
Newton County Outgrapples Bears
After traveling 90 minutes north by bus the day after a snowstorm blitz, Newton County High School's basketball team thought it had passed safely through the worst of the climate. Unfortunately, the real siege began after tip-off against the Bears of Bephis & Budhed Community High School.
Undersized BBCHS came out with a mauling brand of defense condoned by the local referees, egging he Steelworkers into a half dozen early turnovers and a pair of fouls on the starting point guard.
"We lose track meets," said the NCHS coach. "For half a game we decided to run one anyway."
The deficit grew to as many as eight before a few late second quarter baskets cut the lead to four at the break.
As usual the team's salvation was a stifling defense that nonetheless was occasionally victimized by dribble penetration.
In the second half Newton County sank into a less aggressive man-to-man defense that caused an air of anxiety in the Bears' offense as they struggled to find easy shots. Their penetrations disintegrated into off-balance tosses at the hoop in traffic, and the permissive officiating enabled a five-point third quarter that snapped the game into a fourth quarter standoff. The pace changed again for the better thanks to a full court trap.
The momentum changed significantly in the third, as a Steelworkers basket caused BBCHS coach T.P. Cornholio to draw a no-brainer technical foul due to excessive screeching. Leading scorer Wade Forgreen drained a pair of free throws, and later a trey and a handful of tosses from the charity stripe in the final period.
The game see-sawed by a point in the waning minutes until the Workers wore the Bears down with penetration of their own. One of their top defenders found the bench with his fifth foul. Justin Sain drove the lane on three occasions to lay in the go-ahead basket. At a critical juncture Reed Morbooks outhustled the defense on a missed free throw to get the ball back for the visiting team. When the clock read zeroes, the sophomores had claimed a 40-34 victory to run their record to 4-1.
"We were hungrier," said assistant coach Joe McDonald while munching on a LaGondola sub sandwich on the bus ride home. "What are you doing on our bus anyway?"
Undersized BBCHS came out with a mauling brand of defense condoned by the local referees, egging he Steelworkers into a half dozen early turnovers and a pair of fouls on the starting point guard.
"We lose track meets," said the NCHS coach. "For half a game we decided to run one anyway."
The deficit grew to as many as eight before a few late second quarter baskets cut the lead to four at the break.
As usual the team's salvation was a stifling defense that nonetheless was occasionally victimized by dribble penetration.
In the second half Newton County sank into a less aggressive man-to-man defense that caused an air of anxiety in the Bears' offense as they struggled to find easy shots. Their penetrations disintegrated into off-balance tosses at the hoop in traffic, and the permissive officiating enabled a five-point third quarter that snapped the game into a fourth quarter standoff. The pace changed again for the better thanks to a full court trap.
The momentum changed significantly in the third, as a Steelworkers basket caused BBCHS coach T.P. Cornholio to draw a no-brainer technical foul due to excessive screeching. Leading scorer Wade Forgreen drained a pair of free throws, and later a trey and a handful of tosses from the charity stripe in the final period.
The game see-sawed by a point in the waning minutes until the Workers wore the Bears down with penetration of their own. One of their top defenders found the bench with his fifth foul. Justin Sain drove the lane on three occasions to lay in the go-ahead basket. At a critical juncture Reed Morbooks outhustled the defense on a missed free throw to get the ball back for the visiting team. When the clock read zeroes, the sophomores had claimed a 40-34 victory to run their record to 4-1.
"We were hungrier," said assistant coach Joe McDonald while munching on a LaGondola sub sandwich on the bus ride home. "What are you doing on our bus anyway?"
Steelworkers Beat Kittens
Newton County High School overcame a cold start to top the Utica Striped Kittens on Friday night.
The Steelworkers opened their first home game of the season with a case of the jitters, especially the coach. Under the errant suggestion that missed shots counted for more points than made ones, the team successfully avoiding scoring on seven of their first eight attempts, including an unguarded breakaway layup and several wholesome air balls.
By the end of the first quarter, the team had hoisted seventeen tries and connected on three. At half time, just seven of twenty-eight shots had found their mark.
Fortunately NCHS had done two things particularly well, the way that tough teams do. First, they took care of the ball by surrendering just one first quarter turnover. Second, their defense frightened the Kittens into a barrage of turnovers and limited them to one shot at a time led by Reed Morbooks' ten rebounds. By the half, they found themselves down only four points.
Once the coaching staff amended its instructions, the offense found its stroke. During one stretch the Workers drilled three consecutive three-pointers, pushing them into a lead they would never relinquish.
Key to sustaining victory was free throw shooting at a laser-sighted 88% (14 of 16).
"I guess we should have run more plays with free throw line jumpers," assistant coach Joe McDonald quipped.
When the final horn sounded, the home team had connected on 37% of its shots, enough to eke out a victory and shoo Utica out of town.
The Steelworkers opened their first home game of the season with a case of the jitters, especially the coach. Under the errant suggestion that missed shots counted for more points than made ones, the team successfully avoiding scoring on seven of their first eight attempts, including an unguarded breakaway layup and several wholesome air balls.
By the end of the first quarter, the team had hoisted seventeen tries and connected on three. At half time, just seven of twenty-eight shots had found their mark.
Fortunately NCHS had done two things particularly well, the way that tough teams do. First, they took care of the ball by surrendering just one first quarter turnover. Second, their defense frightened the Kittens into a barrage of turnovers and limited them to one shot at a time led by Reed Morbooks' ten rebounds. By the half, they found themselves down only four points.
Once the coaching staff amended its instructions, the offense found its stroke. During one stretch the Workers drilled three consecutive three-pointers, pushing them into a lead they would never relinquish.
Key to sustaining victory was free throw shooting at a laser-sighted 88% (14 of 16).
"I guess we should have run more plays with free throw line jumpers," assistant coach Joe McDonald quipped.
When the final horn sounded, the home team had connected on 37% of its shots, enough to eke out a victory and shoo Utica out of town.
NCHS Practice #15
Twenty-five minutes of games to six or eight. Establish different rules for scoring the first basket such as:
1. Must shoot off circle movement (penetrate and kick, dump into post, hit baseline cutter)
2. Must shoot off a cut (pass and cut, back cut, Laker cut)
3. Must shoot off a backscreen or pin & skip
Ten minutes shell drill.
- Dribble help, one quick step yell "Hey!" and recover your gap
- Cutters... man should not get between you and ball
1. Must shoot off circle movement (penetrate and kick, dump into post, hit baseline cutter)
2. Must shoot off a cut (pass and cut, back cut, Laker cut)
3. Must shoot off a backscreen or pin & skip
Ten minutes shell drill.
- Dribble help, one quick step yell "Hey!" and recover your gap
- Cutters... man should not get between you and ball
Bitty Ball Handling
Had a good conversation with bro-in-law Thad the other day, he of the college basketball career and current coaching post for our niece. He passed along a few good ball handling drills.
One ball in each hand. Dribble one ball below the waist, and the other above.
Line up a series of chairs. Dribble ahead, bring the ball over the seat of the chair whenever you reach one.
Dribble with gloves on.
One ball in each hand. Dribble one ball below the waist, and the other above.
Line up a series of chairs. Dribble ahead, bring the ball over the seat of the chair whenever you reach one.
Dribble with gloves on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)