Funny Christmas Decoration Lights

That's my kind of holiday spirit!

Myths About Colds And Flu

Courtesy of Adam Verwymeren, of Hometalk (via Yahoo! Shine):

Flu season is in full swing, which means many people will be desperately trying to flu-proof their homes to keep contagions at bay. While people will go to great lengths to keep from getting sick, many of the things we do to purge the home ofgerms are pure myth, and won't actually help. Here are some of the top flu-proofing myths debunked.

Myth 1: A cold, drafty home will cause you to catch cold or flu.

The truth is, there really isn't any correlation between cold and germs, and your body's immune system can handle winter's icy chill, the New York Times reported. Cold and flu season do peak during the winter months, but the correlation probably has more to do with the fact that people spend a lot more time indoors in the winter, making it easier for germs to jump from one person to another. While you can save a bunch of money on your energy bill by sealing up drafts and installing better insulation, unfortunately you won't be insulating yourself from the flu.

Myth 2: You can protect yourself with hand sanitizer.

By offering germophobes the option of purging than hands of pathogens even when a sink isn't handy, alcohol-based hand sanitizers like Purell have taken off in popularity. While these sanitizers will kill germs on contact, there is little indication that they actually decrease the rate of illness, according to several recent studies. The problem is that hand sanitizers clean your hands, but the flu is an airborne virus. The flu spreads when a sick person's cough or sneeze causes little particles of pathogens to take to the air, and you can't scrub those away with a few squirts of Purell.

Myth 3: You can sweat out a cold.

Crank up the thermostat, slip into a hot bath and you'll just sweat out the cold, some people think. While a hot bath might be soothing when you're ill, it won't actually make you better, says ABC News.

Myth 4: You can carpet bomb your house with antibacterial soap to rid it of disease.

Antibacterial soaps, which contain a range of active ingredients like triclosan and sodium benzoate, have long promised to purge our home of illness. The problem, however, is that both cold and flu are caused by viruses, not bacteria. These soaps might work against bacterial infections like staph and E.coli, but have no real effect on viral infections. If you really want to do a number on both bacteriaand viruses, just reach for ordinary bleach.

Myth 5: You can blast away germs with an ultraviolet light.

UV-C sanitizing wands have become a popular disinfectant in recent years. Rather than relying on harsh chemicals, these devices blast germs with a certain type of ultraviolet light that kills them on contact. While UV light systems certainly work on an industrial scale, and have been put to use killing germs in hospitals for more than a hundred years, the small handheld units have little effect, says the L.A. Times. Shining the light on every square inch and around every odd angle of a surface is really difficult, particularly since the commercially-available wands aren't that large. The devices also do little to stop airborne pathogens, which are the main cause of cold and flu.

Myth 6: You can prevent getting a second cold by changing your toothbrush.

There's no need to change your toothbrush after you get sick, says Slate.com. Like snowflakes, every strain of cold or flu is different. But once you're body defeats a particular strain, you're immune, so you can't give yourself the same cold you've already had.

Let Your Smile Be Your Morning Coffee

"Joy is the simplest form of gratitude." - Karl Barth

Who would work, if there were another option? Living with obligations can be a drag sometimes, but it's largely a matter of perspective too.

An uplifting practice of mine this week while walking into the building each morning has been to tell myself that my number one job at the office is to smile. Good stuff tends to follow. And for those who believe in God, would you imagine that the creator would be most pleased by a blooming flower rather than a drooping one?

Life's pretty good in every way. Smiling should be natural!

Like Learning To Drive From A Blind Man

"As a professor... I want to be treated like a professional. I will happily discuss teaching methods with other educational professionals, but why should I take direction from people with no experience in the field any more than a surgeon or accountant would?" - Kathleen M. Comerford

As a basketball coach, it is funny to hear the advice that fans will give sometimes. It can be even funnier to listen to them explain the rules of the game to a referee.

Professionals may not always act professional, but do we? It seems respectful to give them the benefit of the doubt in most cases.

Muslims And Christians Unite

In Liberia women had been oppressed.

Leymah Gbowee rallied them to rise up. She ran a workshop.

"We are not lawyers, activists, or wives here. We are not Christians or Muslims, we are not from the... tribes. We are not indigenous or elite. We are only women."

In 2002, a Christian-Muslim alliance of woman shocked Monrovia with a march to city hall of 200 women, alternating Christian hymns and Muslim songs.

"[A]s the women... gathered together, my fear, depression and loneliness were finally wiped away."

What's The Richest Day Of Your Life?

"I feel richest today! Today is the only day I have. The past is gone, and there is no guarantee of tomorrow." - Angil Tarach Ritchey, Ann Arbor Michigan

8 Habits Of Productive People

From Yahoo! Shine:

While your co-workers start every day enjoying a cup of coffee together in the break room, you're barely able to find time to call your doctor. While they're taking lunches, you're rushing through another meal at your desk. Sound familiar? Here's the good news: This apparent discrepancy may not mean you've got a bigger workload or that you're a harder worker. Instead, it may mean that they've mastered certain time-saving skills and habits that you haven't-until now. From prioritizing your workload to learning which projects don't need to be perfect, read on to discover eight workplace habits that'll boost your productivity and lower your stress levels

1. They make it a point to take breaks. 
Americans seem to think that constantly working is synonymous with being productive, but unless your brain is functioning at its maximum level, you may not be getting as much work done as you think. "[Taking breaks] is like hitting the reset button. It helps you empty out your 'brain cache' so you have room to refill it," says Christine Hohlbaum, author of The Power of Slow: 101 Ways to Save Time in Our 24/7 World. First and foremost, she recommends taking lunch every day-and leaving your desk to do it. "When you have a 'working lunch,' it's just not very efficient. At some point you're going to lose attention," she says. Ultimately, eating while you work will cause you to suffer on two fronts: you won't be able to pay attention to your food-a surefire way to overeat-and you won't be giving your work the proper attention it deserves. In addition to a "real" lunch break, Hohlbaum suggests allotting time for other breaks as well. She recommends taking five minutes in the morning, before starting work, and at least a 10- to 15-minute break in the afternoon. Whether you take a short walk, read a book or stare out of the window with a cup of tea, it'll help you recharge and improve your overall productivity. "It's really important to take time off because otherwise your brain will reach a saturation point," Hohlbaum says, explaining that when this happens, it becomes hard to focus on even the simplest task. "At that point, you need to push away from your computer and take a break."

2. They start their day off on the right foot. 
According to a recent study at the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University, if an employee is in a bad mood when they arrive at work-whether because of familial problems or a stressful commute-it can decrease their productivity by as much as 10% that day. So unless you come in to the office every day in a great mood (and who does?), start your day with 5 to 10 minutes of time dedicated to decompressing. "Create a ritual. Maybe it's meeting in the coffee break room or going around the office to greet everyone. It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you foster a sense of connection [with your coworkers]," Says Holhbaum. "Swinging by to say 'hi' to your colleagues when you walk in gives you a sense of focus. When you feel you're part of a bigger effort, you feel more connected to why you're there and that can make all the difference in the world." Re-focusing your mind at the beginning of the day will also create a sense of calm, helping you to disregard outside stressors and zero in on your daily tasks. "If we're actually able to start the day centered, then we'll have a longer tolerance period before we get off track," Holhbaum says.

3. They make mindful food choices. 
You are what you eat, and eating a heavy mid-day meal will often make you feel lethargic for the rest of the afternoon. "Consider what you're eating at lunch. If you're having that post-pasta slump at 2 p.m., and need java or cookies to pep back up, maybe you should try a salad or something a bit lighter so you won't lag," suggests Hohlbaum. The key is keeping your blood sugar levels steady throughout the day, according to Kari Kooi, RD, corporate wellness dietician at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, who recommends three light meals and two snacks at regular intervals. "Heavy meals can make you feel sluggish because they require more energy to digest," Kooi says. "[A quality lunch] will consist of a fiber-rich carbohydrate, like water-rich veggies, and a lean protein, like chicken or fish," she says. And what does Kooi suggest you avoid? "A highly processed meal, like some of the frozen meals in the grocery store, will not give you the sustainable energy you need. The less processed the better when it comes to keeping your energy levels up." When you hit that midday slump, Kooi suggests going for proteins like mixed nuts and fruit instead of the usual energy-zapping pretzels, cookies or candy, which cause your blood sugar levels to spike and then drop and may even make you hungrier, according to Kooi.

4. They keep a flexible to-do list. 
Making a daily list of to-dos is a great way to stay on top of your work. However, there is one pitfall-it can make you inflexible. "A lot of people feel their day's been wrecked if they have to change their plan, but the most effective people understand that's part of the job," says Vicki Milazzo, author of Wicked Success Is Inside Every Woman. "I always start my day with a plan, but by 9 a.m. I've busted that plan." However, according to Paula Rizzo, a master list-maker and founder of ListProducer.com, it's important to keep some form of a to-do list, no matter how much your day changes. For example, Rizzo begins her days with a master list, which she continually updates throughout the course of the day to note the items that haven't been done or to add tasks as they crop up. Before leaving work, Rizzo will make a fresh list for the next day. The key, she says, is referencing the changing list throughout the day to keep herself on course. "Just putting a little extra work into it will keep you on track."

5. They use technology with intent. 
In today's 24/7 all-access world, it's hard to get a handle on technology use. While it's impossible to avoid it altogether, you can be disciplined about how much time you spend perusing the Web. Set aside a specific time, say 15 minutes after lunch, to scroll through your social networking sites or other favorite websites-and stick to it. Or try something like Google Chrome's website blocker, which allows you to set restrictions to your online time by either totally blocking your favorite websites or just restricting the timeframes within which you are allowed to check them. In addition to surfing the Internet, it's important to watch your email habits. Whether you give yourself 15 to 30 minutes at a set time each day to check your personal email, or you allow yourself brief intervals between tasks, Holhbaum says the key is to be very mindful of the time you're spending checking your non-work inbox. "Have a very clear distinction between what's personal and what's work. If that's a part of your 'OK I need to zone out for a little bit' time, that's fine. But you need to be clear and be mindful of what you're doing." Even work-related emails can become a distraction if not properly managed. Ask yourself if email is the best method of communication, or if you're better off calling the person. "Sending 100 emails isn't [always] going to be the most productive thing. And as we know, emails beget emails. They're like little rabbits," Hohlbaum jokes. "If it's a one-way communication, for example forwarding an airplane itinerary, you don't need to have any answer [so email works]. But if you want detail or you know the person won't respond right away by email, pick up the phone," she says.

6. They balance their workload. 
Different tasks require different levels of concentration, which you can use to your advantage. Start by identifying-and placing-the tasks you have into two categories: weeds and intensive work. Weeds are small, manageable things such as handling email, phone calls and minor organizational tasks. Intensive work is anything that requires an extended period of concentration, such as management tasks, preparing presentations, writing or editing. "Miscellaneous routine tasks are like weeds in your garden; we all have them, and no matter how often we try to get rid of them, they never go away," says Milazzo. "Yet they do have to be handled, and pulling a few weeds can provide a restorative break from more intensive work." Milazzo recommends splitting up long sessions of intensive work with regular 15- to 30-minute intervals of weed pulling. This way, you'll accomplish a variety of tasks while not burning out on one type of work.

7. They put perfectionism in its place. 
While turning in perfect work has been encouraged since kindergarten, that attitude can be counterproductive if it's not managed. It's important to pick your battles. "Women, by nature, are somewhat perfectionist," says Milazzo. "So we need to distinguish what requires perfectionism," she says. Of course you want to put your best foot forward in all situations, but if you're strapped for time, prioritize. If, for example, you're writing an informal memo or email to a co-worker, give it a quick look and spell-check it, but resist the urge to re-read it three times over. If, on the other hand, you're creating a brochure for your company or preparing an important presentation, then that's the time to put all of your perfectionist tendencies to good use.

8. They know how to say "no." 
It's easy to get distracted or overwhelmed at work. But one of the secrets of highly productive people is that they learn when and how to say "no." For starters, say "no" to whiners, complainers and distracting people. One way to do that, according to Rizzo, is by wearing headphones. "That sends the message that you're busy and it drowns out the noise as well," she says. When it comes time to say "no" to the boss, tread lightly but firmly. You don't have to spell out n-o per se; rather, ask her to prioritize what's most important given what's on your plate. "When an employee does that, the boss usually comes to their senses and they get it," Milazzo says. "You don't want to make your boss the enemy; you want your boss to know you're there for the company, and that you're there for them. If they know that, they're more likely to listen to what you say."

New Catholic Mass Translation Launches In American Parishes

From the Associated Press.

[Hidden Blog note: Yipes, Mom, I hope they have those cards around when I come back home for Christmas! Can't coast on the Catholic school education any more.]

CLAYTON, N.C. (AP) — English-speaking Roman Catholics who have regularly attended Mass for years found themselves in an unfamiliar position Sunday, needing printed cards or sheets of paper to follow along with a ritual many have known since childhood.

"I don't think I said it the right way once," said Matthew Hoover, who attends St. Ann Catholic Church in Clayton, a growing town on the edge of the Raleigh suburbs. "I kept forgetting, and saying the old words."

The Mass itself — the central ritual of the Catholic faith — hasn't changed, but the English translation has, in the largest shakeup to the everyday faith of believers since the upheavals that followed theSecond Vatican Council in the 1960s. A years-long process of revision and negotiation led to an updated version of the Roman Missal, the text of prayers and instructions for celebrating Mass, which originally was written in Latin. The new translation was rolled out across the English-speaking Catholic world on Sunday after months of preparation.

Mickey Mattox, a professor at Milwaukee's Marquette University, said he was happy with the idea that the bishops wanted the translations as accurate as possible.

Adapting to the changes "was a lot less difficult than I thought it might be," said Mattox, 55, adding, "even though probably all of us are going to end up holding our worship folders for a few weeks until we memorize all the new language."

The Rev. George Witt, pastor of the Church of St. Ignatius Loyolaon New York's Park Avenue, started the 11 a.m. Mass by noting Sunday was not only the first day of Advent, but also the first day to use the new Missal. He directed parishioners to a pamphlet inserted into the back of the now-outdated hymnal that spelled out the new wording. A notable number of worshippers stumbled after the priest said, "Peace be with you." The new response is "And with your spirit" instead of "And also with you." But many others confidently gave the right response.

Kathleen McCormack, a church volunteer and former school teacher, said she didn't like the new translation and didn't understand why the church needed a translation closer to Latin.

"Consubstantial? What is that word?" McCormack said, referring to a term in the retranslated Nicene Creed that replaces language calling Jesus "one in being with the Father."

But she saw a cautionary tale in the many Catholics she saw distance themselves from the church over changes made after the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

"It's not shaking my church experience," said McCormack, as she handed out church bulletins. "You have the spirit between you and God and the words are insignificant."

Most of the changes are actually to prayers recited by the priest, but some of the changes for prayers spoken or sung by the congregation revise familiar words that for some people are spoken almost automatically after years of churchgoing.

Along with the new response and unfamiliar words, the affirmation "We believe" has been replaced with "I believe" in the Nicene Creed. Some of the language seems more formal or poetic: the word "cup" has become "chalice."

"It's more British in some ways," said Monsignor Michael Clay, pastor of St. Ann. "But this is the first time that every English-speaking country in the world will be using the same translation of the Mass."

Clay likes the new translation, finding it closer to the Latin text that is still the church's official language. But some priests and parishioners have been less enthusiastic, criticizing the new version as too ponderous or distant, and in some cases circulating petitions asking for a delay in introducing the new missal.

Maribeth Lynch, 51, a publisher from the Milwaukee suburb of Elm Grove, said she was "distraught" over the changes and would refuse to "learn the damn prayers."

"It's ridiculous. I've been a Catholic for 50 years, and why would they make such stupid changes? They're word changes. They're semantics," she said.

"It's confusion. All it's doing is causing confusion," she said. "You want to go to church and be confused?"

The roots of the new translation go back to that epochal council held at the Vatican in the 1960s, which allowed Mass in languages other than Latin. An English-language missal was produced by 1973, but that was intended to be temporary while improvements were made.

In 2001, the Vatican office that oversees worship issued a directive requiring translation of the English missal that would be closer to the Latin rather than to more familiar vernacular speech. Numerous revisions and bishops' meetings eventually produced agreement on the translation being used Sunday.

Parishes and dioceses around the country have spent months trying to prepare Catholics for the change. Descriptions of the new translation have been printed in weekly bulletins, seminars have been held and, since Labor Day, many parishes have been gradually introducing the new translation piece by piece, starting with the parts of the liturgy that are sung.

Most of those activities are for the benefit of the average Catholic, but it's priests who have more new material to master.

"I've had a new missal in my hands for about three weeks now, and I've been literally practicing the prayers," Clay said. "I've been doing this now for 31 years, and a lot of these prayers I actually know by memory. I have to make sure my brain isn't getting ahead of my mouth."

Marshall University Aaron Dobson's Back-Handed, One-Handed Football Catch

That is some serious hand strength and skill, right there! Was he even looking at it?

12 Low-Cost Ways To Save Money - And Energy

From Consumer Reports:

Four out of 10 consumers are worried about money or the economy this holiday season, according to a poll by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. As a result, many are cutting back on gifts, travel and decorations. But here's an idea for a gift that keeps on giving: 12 energy retro-fits that quickly pay for themselves and that will save you money well after the holidays have come and gone.

Use an Incense Stick to Spot Air Leaks
Turn on your home’s exhaust fans (or wait for a windy day) and hold an incense stick near your windows, doors, and electrical outlets. If the smoke blows sideways, you’ve got a leak that should be plugged with weatherstripping, caulk, or expandable foam. The incense trick can slash your energy bills by hundreds each year while chasing away the chills.

Check Furnace Filters
Do it once a month during the heating system to keep your system at peak efficiency. Vacuum and wash reusable filters. And replace disposable filters; new ones cost about $25—much smarter than shivering and paying a pro $200 to $300 if a clogged filter shuts down your heat.

Install a Programmable Thermostat
About 25 million homes now have one—but more than 90 million don’t. That could be costing them big bucks, since programmable thermostats help slice up to 10 percent off your yearly heating bills by automatically turning down temperatures 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours a day. Consider going for a full 15 degrees when you’re away.

Insulate Hot-Water Heaters and Pipes
Does your water heater feel warm to the touch? Keep more of that heat inside the heater by wrapping it in an insulating blanket—about $20 or less at home centers. You can wrap hot pipes that run from the heater with foam. Also consider lowering your water-heater temperature from 130 degrees to 120 for a total annual savings of roughly $100.

Put in a Low-Flow Showerhead
Water heating alone accounts for nearly 15 percent of your energy bill. Low-flow showerheads can trim your home’s water use by up to 50 percent. Better yet, our sensory experts found many low-flow showerheads that provide a pleasing shower experience while still meeting the toughest, two-gallon-per-minute standard.

Stop Pre-Rinsing Dishes
Our dishwasher tests show that you can skip this work detail with most of today’s dishwashers—and save about $75 and up to 6,500 gallons of water per household per year.

Insulate Your Attic Door
Yes, heat rises. That’s why you want to keep it from escaping into an unheated attic. Whether you have pull-down stairs, an attic door, or a hatch, insulate that access with fiberglass or rigid foam-board insulation and weather stripping. You’ll even find pre-made insulated attic-stair covers at home centers or online.

Switch to Smarter Lightbulbs
CFL and LED bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. That adds up to a savings of some $52 per bulb for CFLs and $65 to $400 per bulb for LEDs over the life of the bulb. Today’s cost much less and work much better than earlier versions. And since both types last far longer, you won’t have to change bulbs as often.

Make your TV more efficient
That’s right—today’s TVs can eat up just as much energy as refrigerators. If you have a set-top box, like most homes, consider trading it for one that meets Energy Star’s tougher new 3.0 specification. And if you buy a new TV, make sure it’s set to “home mode” which is more efficient than the retail mode typically used when sets are shipped. The $30 to $60 in yearly savings could pay for dinner—and a movie.

Toss Old Plasma TVs and Refrigerators
Some of the early plasma televisions we tested in 2004 could cost more than $200 per year to run. Old energy-hungry fridges are no bargain either. Many home centers offer free haul-away and recycling of old fridges—if you buy the new refrigerator from them, of course.

Unplug Video Games
These do more than just eat into your kids’ homework time: They also draw lots of power, even when they’re off or in standby mode. Simply pulling the plug can put some $125 a year back in your pocket.

Put Your Computer to Sleep
Save $75 or more per computer per year by using the standby or hibernate setting. Just be sure to turn it completely off if you take it on the road, to protect the hard drive.

How To Win A Customer Service Standoff

From Yahoo! Finance:

From a free lawnmower replacement and swankier hotel room to a coveted seat on another flight after a cancellation, these consumers have mastered the art of getting what they want from customer service reps.

It never hurts to ask

Name: Danny Kofke, 36
Occupation: Special education teacher and author
Location: Hoschton, Ga.

Courtesy: Danny Kofke

I subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket on DirecTV. I saw an ad offering the extra SuperFan feature, which gets you games in high-definition for free if you sign up for Sunday Ticket. But current subscribers have to pay $99.

I called and said I'd like it for free too, because I'm a loyal customer. The rep told me the promotion was for new subscribers only, so I said I'd gladly cancel. After 15 minutes on hold, I got it for free, too. It never hurts to ask.

Shift blame away from the customer reps

Courtesy: Terry Mingle

Name: Terry Mingle, 46
Occupation: University administrative assistant
Location: Cortland, NY

I usually start off by saying something like, 'I know this is not your fault, however...' and end with '...I'd like to get this resolved as quickly and painlessly as possible for both of us.'

It's not usually the person you're calling for help who has caused the problem, but you want them to be on your side to help you figure it out. They're just doing their jobs.

Take your complaint to the top

Courtesy: Ric Franchetti

Name: Ric Franchetti, 58
Occupation: Finance consultant
Location: Plano, Texas

When the battery on my electric lawnmower from the Home Depot stopped holding a charge a year after I bought it, I expected Home Depot to honor the extended warranty I'd purchased. But the store claimed batteries were not covered because they were expendable.

So I Googled the name of Home Depot's CEO and sent him a polite letter explaining my plight. Six days later, the local Home Depot manager was at my door to replace the battery. When it didn't fit, he gave me a new lawnmower. He even took my old one away!

Share constructive criticism

Courtesy: Terry Price

Name: Terry Price, 57
Occupation: Service delivery manager
Location: Independence, Iowa

I had trouble with a used guitar I'd ordered online. I was billed for it and got a confirmed delivery date, but that day came and went. When I called, they led me to believe the guitar was coming -- but it never did.

I emailed the site with my story and made suggestions for the future, including that they do a postmortem on what happened. I also said they weren't going to lose me as a customer. I knew everyone made mistakes.

They wrote to say they appreciated the feedback and offered me a brand new $800 guitar at the same price as the used one -- $400.

Take careful notes and stay calm

Courtesy: Pam Lee

Name: Pam Lee, 51
Occupation: Business analysis manager
Location: San Francisco

I needed three calls to fix a problem with a Virgin Mobile broadband device. The first time I was told it could be fixed remotely and that I didn't need to leave contact information. Second time I was told it couldn't be fixed because they had no contact information.

After incorrectly saying it was a network problem, the third agent said he couldn't do anything more for me. I asked for his manager and calmly explained what I wanted. The manager came up with an innovative solution. During this entire set of calls, I kept track of who I spoke to and what they promised, asked for ticket and case numbers, and stayed factual.

Keep This In Mind, If You Can

"It's important to have an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out." - Anonymous

Most everything is weird from someone's point of view. Embrace that, and transform life from a garage into an adventure.

Overcoming Fear

"Guys who chicken out, who panic, are in most cases the guys who are trying to hide from their feelings. Tough guys feel that fear; they embrace it. Experience what's happening inside you, accept it, and keep going." - Danny Musico, boxer

Facing what's coming. With confidence that you can.

Fight To The Finnish: Hockey Brawl Video In Finland

Wouldn't you be a little chippy if people called you the Pelicans?

Christmas List 2011

Let's see, what would be good here?

- Earphones for any occasion, listening on the laptop, or at the gym. Spares are good.
- Warm dress socks. Subzero basketball rides in public school buses.
- Kohl's gift certificate.
- Sports Illustrated subscription.
- Black running shoes. New Balance style 473. Here too, spares are good.
- Beach towel. Loading up for summer.
- SPF 30 UVA&B sunscreen. Great stocking stuffer, no?
- Duffel bag. Big enough to hold a couple changes of clothes during basketball season.
- Thor-lo tennis socks. Walking on pillows is a good thing.
- Laptop computer fan. Dena knows what this means.
- Stopwatch/watch. For timing players running sprints.

To be continued...

Money For Nothing: The Week In Review

During this week's wrap-up I'm in a Thanksgiving weekend paradise.

Sitting in the recliner, feet up.

Championship high school football on the television.

Christmas decorations festooning the living room, notably the tastefully lit tree in the corner and the stockings dangling from the hope chest.

Unseasonably warm breezes floating in through the open window.

Pine-scented candles richly blanketing the air.

The good times keep coming.

I saw a lot of basketball this week. The varsity had three games, the sophomores had three, and I scouted a game 90 miles away in Galesburg that resulted in my watching three more.

Dena accompanied me to the Galesburg scouting expedition. She got to do some shopping while I was filming... but the point is that she gave up part of her Thanksgiving weekend to support a basketball road trip. When you marry someone you know how certain things will transpire about your life, and others are unknown. I didn't know that Dena would be an enthusiastic coach's wife, or be the one in our home who buys sports movies on DVD. I'm just blessed.

Dena's bank's Christmas party was last weekend. I was sitting next to a gent whom I'd never met before. He seemed kindly in a rugged farmer sort of way, but I had to give up after twice asking what he did for a living and gathering that it sort of had something to do with fuel tanks. After a minute I knew his name, and that he was a bank board member. Trying to keep the conversation afloat, I asked what was new and exciting on the board. His paraphrased reply was "It's getting harder all the time, with all this bull---- regulation." Keeping my eyebrows from denting the ceiling was my great self-control maneuver of the week.

Speaking of eyebrows, I noticed a couple of rogue eyebrow hairs that were protruding straight out from my face. As in, birds might land there and start nesting. I know men get hairier in some places as they age, and I'm getting used to shaving my ears from time to time. But I was not expecting to turn into a Muppet.

You know what? When it starts raining we don't fret about how to "fix" it, do we? Storms blow over. The sun's right behind it. I saw a dust-up between two people and my instinct was to try to intervene, get them to talk it out. Instead I waited. A week later these two people were laughing tears from their eyes together. Another lesson learned in the value of shutting up sometimes.

With all the driving to hoops games and Mom's house I needed a fill-up. Pulled into the station. Nozzle into the gas tank. Swiped my card to pre-pay for fuel. "Cannot read card," it displayed. Re-holstered the nozzle. Walked in and pre-paid $30. Walked back to my car. Drove off.

Notice a key step missing in there?

An hour later I realized my mistake. Fortunately, I still had some gas. Unfortunately, Dena married a man whose head makes an echoing sound when you tap it.

Here's the thing though. My first instinct was to seek revenge on the gas station. If their card reader had worked this would never have happened! Darn station. This is the third time it's not worked, at three different pumps, and this time I'd lost $30. Maybe I'll just take my business somewhere else from now on, where the card readers work. That's what I'll do, since I have to refuel anyway.

Then a rebellious thought elbowed its way into the delirium. Suppose I just drive to the original station and ask them if I can get the gas I already paid for? Upside: $30 saved. Downside: "No, you can't," and back where I was.

I asked. They agreed. In fact they were happy to agree, since my little misadventure was going to mess up their books when they tried to reconcile.

It's amazing what good can come of calm, rational thought instead of riled, emotional thought.

An amusing note. In order to repair my situation, the attendant had to close out the original transaction by refunding me $30. He handed me the cash. Then he asked me how much gas I wanted. "Um, $30," I said, handing him the bills right back.

Life is so much better when we realize that very few setbacks are truly tragic, lasting, or unsolvable.

Soccer Goalkeeper Gets Beat, Attacks Side Netting, Loses

Courtesy of Brooks Peck:

This was one of two goals Elon University's Jordan Smith scored on UNC Greensboro in his side's 3-2 Southern Conference Championship win a couple weeks ago. After a nice hop over a sliding defender and making his way around goalkeeper Peyton Ford, Smith casually put the ball into the empty net.

Frustrated by this series of events, Ford decided to take out his anger on his own net with a weak jump kick. Of course, the net fought back and grabbed a hold of his boot, sending him to the ground face first. This is why you should never attack an inanimate object. They have no remorse.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Last year was a lengthy list of people for whom and to whom I was grateful.

This year's will be more eventful than listful.

The basketball team made it to the Final Four of the state tournament, despite extremely little contribution from the 5th coach on the bench. How many coaches have had a better seat at a high school game?

I've had several mysterious injuries creep up in my back and on my skin. Sliver-shaped bruises, pinky-sized knots, insect-like bites. Not to mention Grover's disease. And all of them were managed or healed to nothing. The body's a wonderful machine, as long as you figure out how to operate it without a manual.

Dena got a new job. And just yesterday, a spectacular first performance review. It's her best work situation in years. Yippee, and ka-ching!

The 25th reunion of my St. Matthew elementary school class was a hit. It felt like family. Who does this?

Jack got his first stand-up comedy gig. Then one at a bigger club. And then another. He's been elevated to pitcher of his softball teams. Made a truckload of new friends. Started dating again. Nice!

Our condominium association had a successful summer cookout and clean-up day. Our finances look solid. Sold a couple of units this year to break a drought. Neighbors rock.

We discovered Nashville for the first time. And not the last. The weather was perfect. What fortunate timing and means to get there!

Kurt got engaged and Zina got wed. Dena's whole family (seven kids in all) will be married by the end of 2012. What are the odds of a perfect record?

The reunion with Vacation Bible School was a roaring success, a musical party. It was a blessing to be invited by such a cohesive and fun group of people.

This summer was clear and not overly scorching. Lots of pool time. So relaxing. How often can you count on that?

Mom had two flawless cataract surgeries and got a new easy chair for the living room. She's bionic, she's comfy, she's awesome.

My first year of math tutoring has been educational (no pun intended). This career seed is growing. In this field, nothing makes me more thankful than being thanked.

Likewise, Hidden Blog continues its surprising run at world amusement. 2,500 page views a month suggests that it's making a positive difference to someone. I started this blog as a personal journal, but am thrilled if it's brightening others' days as well.

I've made many new acquaintances, more than the ten I aimed for in my new year's resolutions.

Oh, and I got a new camera. I like it. Can you tell?

Happy Thanksgiving to all Hidden Bloggers, thanks for popping in, and keep the faith. We have computer access and time to use it. That makes us extraordinarily wealthy compared to most of humanity. Can't wait to celebrate all that trappings of that again next year.

Three Qualities Of Bad (And Good) Bosses

From Yahoo! Finance:

(Hidden Blog note: While we're on the topic, let's celebrate what I'd say are the opposite of these three qualities...

- The Guy Who Makes Everyone Around Him Smarter. He teaches. He lifts others up with encouragement when things go wrong. When he happens to have the right answer, he leads others to discover it rather than showing it off.

- It's All About The Team. When things go right, give credit. When things go wrong, take blame. When there's a conflict, focus on reaching our mutual goal - there is always one to be found in any dispute if you are teammates.

- The Open-Minded Professor. Get excited about change. And not necessarily the change that you might come up with. Acknowledge that every person is smarter than you in some way, and then reap the benefits of learning from it.)

I've had the opportunity to work with hundreds, maybe thousands of brilliant people over a 30-year career in high-tech. Unfortunately, that's not really saying much, since just about any CEO, executive, or entrepreneur you're likely to come across has the smarts to do the job.

When it comes to management ability and leadership qualities, however, bosses tend to follow a pretty standard bell shaped curve: consistently successful managers at one narrow end, remarkably ineffective ones at the other end, and everyone else in between.

After all the years, experiences, and observations, I've got a pretty good handle on what it takes to be a great manager and what kind of behavior will tend to land an executive at one end of the bell curve or the other.

And while one size manager does not fit all situations, I have been able to identify, with relative certainty, three types of managers who shouldn't be running anything, let alone an organization or a company. Not only will they fail, they'll take the whole organization and everyone in it down with them.

If you don't believe me, check it out. I bet you can fit just about any executive who has failed big-time into one of these three categories. Incidentally, if your boss fits one, better get on LinkedIn and update your resume. And if you fit one, what can I say, you're in deep you-know-what.

Here are three types of bosses that should be fired, and sooner rather than later:

The Smartest Guy in the Room

This is the guy who has all the answers and can never, ever be wrong. He doesn't just breathe his own fumes or drink his own Kool-Aid, he makes and mass-markets it, as well. He wants everyone to agree with his grandiose vision of how things should be and makes sure of that by surrounding himself with yes-men and women and ruthlessly beating down dissenting views.

The reason these people fail is they're blinded by the power of their own vision and therefore lack objectivity. They tend to be rigid and inflexible in their thinking and unwilling to see what's really happening until it's too late. Unfortunately, markets don't behave according to anyone's plan. They're populated by competitors and customers with free will and have a funny way of determining their own outcome.

It's All About Me

Some people never grow up but get stuck in one phase or another of human development. They look just like normal adults, but inside, they're petulant, narcissistic children with oversized egos. Since their overriding goal is to get attention, to be adulated and worshipped by all, they're often charismatic and charming, almost chameleon-like in the way they appeal to all sorts of constituents. And their positions and strategies can flip and flop from one day to the next based on one data point, meeting, or conversation.

While a healthy ego is necessary and good for leaders, business isn't really about any particular individual. It's about meeting customer needs, achieving long-term growth and success for shareholders and employees, and being passionate about your products and services. People who think free market capitalism is about selfish greed couldn't be more wrong. Every company, board, CEO, executive team, serves its stakeholders and constituents. If it doesn't, it'll fail.

The Has-Been

We may as well call him by his name, Peter, because this person is more or less defined by the Peter Principle. Peter was once effective and successful; at least it appeared that way. But the situation had a narrow set of boundaries and variables and now, things have changed and Peter is out of his depth, beyond his level of competency.

Perhaps he was promoted, the company grew, the market changed, or he's now in a new position in a new company. Regardless of the circumstances, Peter is no longer effective and his inability to see or believe it renders him toxic to the organization. For whatever reason, Peter lacks the ability to grow, scale, or adapt. And since he's still in a position of power and authority, he's not just an old relic, but a heavy anchor around the company's neck.

Civil War Buff(oon)

Military father, helping son study for history exam: "Why did General Lee take his army north to Gettysburg?"

Son: "To listen to Lincoln's speech."

Being Perfect

Success is making perfect effort with an imperfect body in an imperfect world.

Every day we'll make mistakes. Many days we'll fail at what we try. But if we try our best, we've won.

Studies Find Benefits In 365 Days Of Thanksgiving

Courtesy of Yahoo! Shine:

On Thanksgiving, everyone in my family goes around the table and shares what we're grateful for. There answers range from sentimental to appetite-driven (my personal go-to: semi-soft cheeses). It's one of my favorite parts of the holidays and something I only wished we'd carried on every day of my childhood.

That was before I heard about the additional health benefits. According to multiple studies, gratitude is mentally and physically nutritious for kids. 

"We know that grateful kids are happier [and] more satisfied with their lives," explains Hoftra University psychology assistant professor Jeffrey Froh in an article this week in The Washington Post. "They report better relationships with friends and family, higher GPAs, less materialism, less envy and less depression, along with a desire to connect to their community and to want to give back."

That's not all. It's also believed to boost immune systems and lower blood pressure over time. In a Temple University study, patients with hypertension lowered their blood pressure just by calling a "gratitude" hotline everyday. If it's that effective on adults with health problems, imagine what announcing the good things in life at early age can do. 

In a study of early adolescents, Froh found that kids who journaled daily about their good fortune, over a period of two weeks, were less prone to depression and more satisfied with their lives overall. And that optimism and satisfaction made them more likely to take care of themselves physically in the long-term.

Psychologist Robert Emmons, author of the book "Thanks!", explains it this way: "Our emotional systems like newness, [but] we adapt to positive life circumstances so that before too long, the new car, the new spouse, the new house-they don't feel so new and exciting anymore. Gratitude makes us appreciate the value of something, and when we appreciate the value of something, we extract more benefits from it. "

But like anything else, gratitude takes getting used to. Developing a 'thanking' routine, from journaling to dinner time shout-outs, is an essential element to all the studies that noted improvements in patients.

A straightforward assignment for kids and their parents can kick-start the uptick. For starters, write down five things you're grateful for every day. If you can't think of five things, hone in on the senses, suggest Emmons. What is the best thing you've heard, tasted, touched, seen and smelled that particular day?

"You can also use concrete reminders to practice gratitude, which can be particularly effective in working with children, who aren't abstract thinkers like adults are, " writes Emmons. "For instance, I read about a woman in Vancouver whose family developed this practice of putting money in gratitude jars. At the end of the day, they emptied their pockets and put spare change in those jars. They had a regular reminder, a routine, to get them to focus on gratitude. Then, when the jar became full, they gave the money in it to a needy person or a good cause within their community."

Another way to focus on gratitude? Put a turkey on the dinner table. It's always a good reminder that being a member of the human family is way better than being a member of the bird family, particularly around Thanksgiving.