Feeling Cold, Feeling Good: The Week In Thanks

I woke up on Wednesday with a slightly burning throat, that all-too-familiar signal of war shaping up between germs and my immune system. After dealing with about four straight phlegmy weeks last May, I broke out the heavy artillery right off the bat. Citrus fruit, vitamin C supplements, 12-hour Sudafed, Zicam, lots of water. All of these remedies are within short walking distance of my bed. If they run out, I can replenish them in fifteen minutes by driving a half-mile to the store.

When you're used to being healthy, you can get down about being sick. But just thinking about the progress of medicine, the era and nation in which I happened to be born, all of which practically guarantees that I'll be well soon, unlike literally billions of people who might die and have died from it, is enough to draw a smile.

It sure helps too that I work for a large company that values the health of its employees and allows paid sick days, pays me enough to be able to afford medicine, and provides me with a team that's capable of getting the job done while I'm in bed for two straight mornings.

It's been a while since I riffed the little things that make my life better.

Like the cell phone that lets me trade a couple messages with my co-workers to let them know where I'm at during those sick days.

My laptop, and Netflix, that gave me something to relax and entertain my mind while laying around in a stupor.

The fresh air of a clear fall season, and Dena's scented candles, that kept the atmosphere from getting stale.

The humor of Jack and my other Facebook friends.

The good fortune of the timing of the sickness, just after my last tutoring appointment of the week, so that I don't risk spreading it to the students.

The dishwasher and washing machine that have disinfected my possessions.

And most of all, for a body vigorous enough to win the fight.

It's been fun this week to trade silly baseball trivia questions with Jack, and to reminisce about some of our youthful days.

Despite the few days off, I've been maxing out on my weight exercises and ticked off a 3-mile run comfortably above 150 beats per minute.

I had a dramatic last-minute fantasy football victory this week, overcoming a 20+ point deficit to steal it.

The opportunity to join the staff of Learning for Tomorrow dissolved when they were able to find a full-time replacement, which probably turned out to be best for both of us considering how bad my body was feeling on Thursday night.

Alabama is undefeated!

Our Life Teen band at Epiphany continues to be energizing for me, and it has mostly to do with our leaders Jennifer and Sean Stevens. They have a ton of challenges going on that I don't... pregnant Jennifer has (and has used) a bucket nearby to soldier on through morning sickness. Sean's changing jobs and working odd hours of physically demanding labor. And they manage the stresses of performance and leadership without complaint. Their example has been a blessing to us all.


I received some praise this week at the office for a meeting that went well. Despite the challenges of hiring and turnover, these last few months have been productive and God has provided enough affirmation through the encouraging words of others to keep me pointed in the right direction.

The crown jewel of the week was Dena's graduation from her presidency of Kiwanis. These last 12 months have been filled with administrative duties and I know that she's glad to be relieved of them after admirably fulfilling her responsibilities. It's so clear that the freedom to turn her mind to other ambitions has been a weight lifted from her shoulders, and there's a touch more spring in her step. We had a leisurely date on Friday night, and spent some time walking and sitting beneath the stars last night dreaming about the future.

Germs or not, the week ahead is looking lively!

Patriot Act

"We don't talk about records, but everyone else does." - Bill Belichick

The New England Patriots recently slipped below a .500 winning percentage for the first time in several seasons.

One reason that people sustain prolonged success is that they focus on the process, the fundamentals, rather than statistics. Are we preparing, training, working hard and smart and together?

Winning is not altogether a science; no single process works for everyone. But commitment to concentration, refusal to be distracted by the inevitable fluctuation of results in the short-term, is what leads to the best results in the long term.

At the office we're in the planning season, and we've been talking quite a bit about numbers. What are reasonable expectations to achieve? I'd rather see us set goals that we can hit and then raise them over time, than to set targets so high as to pave the way for excuses.

Admittedly, I've caught myself slipping occasionally, fretting over over results that don't matter much in the big picture. More important is to recognize people's strengths and weaknesses, to capitalize on the former and manage the latter. And of course, to recognize that work is not the most important aspect of life, to find ways to enjoy the trip and the personal interests of my teammates.

Pass Me A Beer - Outtakes

From the guys who brought you Pass Me A Beer through Funny or Die:

Pass me A Beer - OUTTAKES from Almost Twins

Won't Back Down

If you're in the mood for a perseverance-overcomes-all-odds tale, then Won't Back Down is for you.

Based on true events, a Pittsburgh-area failing elementary school gets the best of Maggie Gyllenhaal, the single mother of a dyslexic daughter, who's working two jobs.

Meanwhile, Viola Davis carries on as a discouraged but talented teacher in the school, dealing with her own child's academic troubles and marital separation.

With the help of Davis and a handsome young teacher, Gyllenhaal uses her magnetic personality to gather enough petition signatures to potentially overhaul the school.

Will the school board go along with it?

Walk away from this one with a smile on your face, inspired that you can overcome your daily challenges much more easily than they did.

Illinois Girl With Down Syndrome Elected Homecoming Queen By Classmates

http://news.yahoo.com/video/homecoming-queen-inspires-classmates-140100834.html

Trouble With The Curve

Dena made yet another good call in getting us out to see the trendy baseball flick.

Clint Eastwood plays a crusty scout for the Atlanta Braves with a sensitive center. He lost his wife years ago, gave his daughter (Amy Adams) away shortly thereafter, and now is losing his eyesight. Will he lose his job?

The hipster tech-savvy scout thinks its time to put him out to pasture, and sells management on the idea despite the protests of the scouting director (John Goodman).

Meanwhile, Adams learns of her father's failing health and risks her job as a high-powered rising attorney to accompany him down the dusty roads and fields of North Carolina to track a can't-miss high school prospect.

Also on the trail is Justin Timberlake, a former player scouted by Eastwood and now a Boston Red Sox scout. The three stars struggle to develop relationships and overcome demons of the past against a folksy-comic foreground of the big question: Can the big guy hit the curve ball or not?

Even as a sports movie fan, I was pleasantly surprised with the ending. Grab a date and hit the seats this weekend if you can!

Weird Coincidence Of The Day

This week's Sports Illustrated magazine had exactly two references to musicals... Hairspray and Damn Yankees... in two different articles. Those are the two musicals I acted in this summer (and so far, the only two I've ever acted in).

Florida Reporter Doused With Water By Dem Candidate Justin Lamar Sternad...

The Best Time Of Day To Do Everything

By Sue Shellenbarger, WSJ.com:

Could you pack more into each day if you did everything at the optimal time?

 

People are squeezing so much into their days that old-fashioned time management doesn't work. A growing body of research suggests that paying attention to the body clock, and its effects on energy and alertness, can help pinpoint the different times of day when most of us perform our best at specific tasks, from resolving conflicts to thinking creatively.

Most people organize their time around everything but the body's natural rhythms. Workday demands, commuting, social events and kids' schedules frequently dominate—inevitably clashing with the body's circadian rhythms of waking and sleeping.

As difficult as it may be to align schedules with the body clock, it may be worth it to try, because of significant potential health benefits. Disruption of circadian rhythms has been linked to such problems as diabetes, depression, dementia and obesity, says Steve Kay, a professor of molecular and computational biology at the University of Southern California. When the body's master clock can synchronize functioning of all its metabolic, cardiovascular and behavioral rhythms in response to light and other natural stimuli, it "gives us an edge in daily life," Dr. Kay says.

When it comes to doing cognitive work, for example, most adults perform best in the late morning, says Dr. Kay. As body temperature starts to rise just before awakening in the morning and continues to increase through midday, working memory, alertness and concentration gradually improve. Taking a warm morning shower can jump-start the process.

The ability to focus and concentrate typically starts to slide soon thereafter. Most people are more easily distracted from noon to 4 p.m., according to recent research led by Robert Matchock, an associate professor of psychology at Pennsylvania State University.

Alertness tends to slump after eating a meal, Dr. Matchock found. Sleepiness also tends to peak around 2 p.m., making that a good time for a nap, says Martin Moore-Ede, chairman and chief executive of Circadian, a Stoneham, Mass., training and consulting firm.

Surprisingly, fatigue may boost creative powers. For most adults, problems that require open-ended thinking are often best tackled in the evening when they are tired, according to a 2011 study in the journal Thinking & Reasoning. When 428 students were asked to solve a series of two types of problems, requiring either analytical or novel thinking, their performance on the second type was best at non-peak times of day when they were tired, according to the study led by Mareike Wieth, an assistant professor of psychological sciences at Albion College in Michigan. (Their performance on analytical problems didn't change over the course of the day.) Fatigue, Dr. Wieth says, may allow the mind to wander more freely to explore alternative solutions.

 

Best time for tennis? Research says it's late afternoon. Of course, everyone's body clock isn't the same, making it even harder to synchronize natural rhythms with daily plans. A significant minority of people operate on either of two distinctive chronotypes, research shows: Morning people tend to wake up and go to sleep earlier and to be most productive early in the day. Evening people tend to wake up later, start more slowly and peak in the evening.

Communicating with friends and colleagues online has its own optimal cycles, research shows. Sending emails early in the day helps beat the inbox rush; 6 a.m. messages are most likely to be read, says Dan Zarrella, social-media scientist for HubSpot, a Cambridge, Mass., Web marketing firm, based on a study of billions of emails. "Email is kind of like the newspaper. You check it at the beginning of the day," he says.

Reading Twitter at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. can start your day on a cheery note. That's when users are most likely to tweet upbeat, enthusiastic messages, and least likely to send downbeat tweets steeped in fear, distress, anger or guilt, according to a study of 509 million tweets sent over two years by 2.4 million Twitter users, published last year in Science. One likely factor? "Sleep is refreshing" and leaves people alert and enthusiastic, says Michael Walton Macy, a sociology professor at Cornell University and co-author of the study. The cheeriness peaks about 1-1/2 hours later on weekends—perhaps because people are sleeping in, Dr. Macy says.

Other social networking is better done later in the day. If you want your tweets to be re-tweeted, post them between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., when many people lack energy to share their own tweets and turn to relaying others' instead, Mr. Zarrella says. And posts to Facebook (FB) at about 8 p.m. tend to get the most "likes," after people get home from work or finish dinner. At that time of day, they're likely to turn to Facebook feeling less stressed. "You have less stuff to do and more time to give," says Mr. Zarrella.

Late-night drama can be found on Twitter, where emotions heat up just before bedtime, between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., says Scott Andrew Golder, a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University and co-author of the Twitter study. At that time, people tended to send more emotion-laden tweets, both positive and negative. Tired out by the workday, but also freed from its stresses and demands, people become "more alert and engaged, but also more agitated," Dr. Macy says.

When choosing a time of day to exercise, paying attention to your body clock can also improve results. Physical performance is usually best, and the risk of injury least, from about 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., says Michael Smolensky, an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Texas, Austin, and lead author with Lynne Lamberg of "The Body Clock Guide to Better Health."

Muscle strength tends to peak between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at levels as much as 6% above the day's lows, improving your ability to grip a club or racquet. Another boost for physical strength comes from the lungs, which function 17.6% more efficiently at 5 p.m. than at midday, according to a study of 4,756 patients led by Boris Medarov, an assistant professor of medicine at Albany Medical College in New York.

Eye-hand coordination is best in late afternoon, making that a good time for racquetball or Frisbee. And joints and muscles are as much as 20% more flexible in the evening, lowering the risk of injury, Dr. Smolensky says.

These body rhythms hold true regardless of how much you've slept or how recently you've eaten. In a 2007 study at the University of South Carolina at Columbia, 25 experienced swimmers did six timed trials while sticking to an artificial schedule that controlled for variables like sleep, diet and other factors. The swimmers' performance still varied by time of day, peaking in the evening and hitting bottom at around 5 a.m.

Is there a best time to eat? To keep from packing on pounds, experts say, limit food consumption to your hours of peak activity. A study in Cell Metabolism last May linked disruptions of the body clock to weight gain. Researchers put two groups of mice on the same high-calorie diet. One group was allowed to eat anytime; the other group was restricted to eating only during an eight-hour period when they were normally awake and active. The mice that ate only while active were 40% leaner and had lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

While more research is needed on humans, Dr. Kay says, the research suggests that "we are not only what we eat, we are when we eat."

2005 Chicago White Sox Tribute

For all my fellow Chicago baseball fans who could use a dose of happy thoughts.

Michigan State Football Coach Mark Dantonio's Grumpy Post Game Interview Vs Eastern Michigan

Thanks to Ryan for spying this one:

Those of you interviewing for a job this week, please look away.

Americans Are Driving Less... Maybe Forever?

By Brad Tuttle of Time:

Despite several strong months of new-car sales in a row, the average American is driving less and less each year. Drivers have been hitting the road less for years in countries such as France, Spain, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan as well. Could it be that car usage has peaked?

An article published over the summer by Scientific American discussed the possibility that the U.S. may have reached “peak car,” the term academics have used to describe the point at which car ownership and miles driven per vehicle level off, and then decline. For a variety of reasons, including a rise in unemployment, telecommuting, and online shopping, vehicle miles traveled (or VMT) has dropped during the Great Recession years.

A recent story in the Economist points out that, in fact, the average amount driven by Americans actually began to plateau in the early ’00s. In other developed countries, such as Britain, Japan, and Germany, the average miles (or “kilometers,” for the Economist’s European readers) driven per vehicle have been dropping at least since 1990:

A March 2012 study for the Australian government—which has been at the forefront of international efforts to tease out peak-car issues—suggested that 20 countries in the rich world show a “saturating trend” to vehicle-kilometres travelled. After decades when each individual was on average travelling farther every year, growth per person has slowed distinctly, and in many cases stopped altogether.

What’s more, while drivers accustomed to clogged roads in major metropolitan areas may beg to differ, there are indications that road traffic in the U.S. is also on the decline. Speaking to Scientific American, Jim Bak, of the research firm INRIX, said that congestion on the roads fell by 27% last year. He also made the case that, in a way, the sight of traffic should actually make American consumers happy:

“The interesting thing about it is if you’re out there and stuck in traffic every day, it’s probably a good sign that our economy is humming along,” he said. “But when the economy is down, and if you’re fortunate enough to have a job, you’ll have a little better commute but your retirement fund probably isn’t doing so well.”

The rise of part- and full-time telecommuters is easing traffic, as are, unfortunately, the legions of those without jobs to commute to. USA Today has reported on how fewer Americans are commuting solo, and how public transportation use is soaring—two trends that are obviously connected, and that are obviously connected to higher gas prices.
If and when the economy kicks back into high gear, car usage and average and overall miles driven may very well rebound. Then again, maybe they won’t.

Going forward, technology and huge generational shifts may result in less car ownership and fewer and fewer miles driven, at least in rich countries, according to the Economist. Americans are getting their driver’s licenses later or sometimes not at all, and young people in Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Canada, France, and other countries are also in no hurry to get behind the wheel. The trend is directly correlated to increased usage of the Internet and social media: In countries where young people are on the web a lot (and can therefore “connect” virtually, without driving anywhere), the percentage of youth that bother to get driver’s licenses is below normal.

Whereas millennials tend to view automobiles as mere appliances—unnecessary, pricey ones that they’ll try to avoid, via car sharing and a shift to urban living—the oldest drivers on the road came of age in the era of car culture and the U.S. highway system. Today, there’s a higher portion of drivers than are 70+ than 18-year-olds with licenses.

What will the future look like? The predictions call for everything from an increased shift from the suburbs back into cities in the U.S., better and more widely available public transportation, and even the rise of driverless cars. Automakers are likely to step up efforts to sell even more cars in developing nations, where demand is expected to rise for quite some time. What we probably won’t see, however — and this is a good thing — is an increase of solo commuters stuck one after another in miles and miles of traffic on U.S. roads.

Starring Ernie Banks As Rocky Balboa

Dena: "It sure is shaping up to be a bad one out there. Just a constant drizzle."
Joe: "It actually seemed to me like it was warmer than it's been the last couple days."
Dena: "Yeah, that's true."
Joe: "I might actually get my run out of the way early this morning." (pulls on CUBS sweatshirt)
Dena: "That's a good idea."
Joe: "I'll kind of be like Rocky, with my hooded sweatshirt pulled over my head."
(pause)
Joe: "Except that Rocky didn't have the word 'LOSER' emblazoned across his chest."
Dena: (giggles)

Happiness Promise #9: Don't Worry, Be Happy

"Promise to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit trouble to press on you."

I spent an unusual amount of time thinking about death the last couple of weeks or so. Not that it dominated my every waking thought mind you, just that I rarely think about it at all, and lately the idea had crossed my mind at least once a day.

I enjoy my summer days outdoors, and within the last year a mole had developed on my stomach. It started out about the size of a pencil tip, grew to the size of a pencil eraser over the course of several months, and had changed color and texture to the point that it was unlike anything else on my body.

So I got an appointment onto the calendar to meet with the dermatologist and have a look at it.

Hidden Bloggers know that my life has taken on its healthier path in recent years due to a renewed emphasis on the good side of things. It mostly takes the form of forming and holding onto a dream, but at times it comes from picturing the worst and being prepared for it.

What would it be like to know that I had incurable skin cancer? To learn that death was merely months and not decades away?

I like to think that I'd be disappointed for the impending pain, but grateful on the whole for forty years of good health and joyful memories. That's the blessing that God's permitted me. If I'm destined for another forty or more I'll gladly accept, but I won't be greedy.

Sooner or later we all leave someone behind, something left undone, our time comes. I'm not entitled to more than I'm allotted. And in the big scheme of things, forty years isn't much time lost in the eternal span of time.

There's just no point in the useless art of worrying.

I do pray that I go relatively peacefully and painlessly at the end. But fortunately, the end won't be due to this mole. The doctor said that it was nothing serious (though they will biopsy it to be sure). They removed it in less time than it took me to write this sentence.

Back to chasing dreams for a while!

A Trick To Getting Smarter

A study showed that children who were able to resist a marshmallow placed in front of them turned out, years later, to have higher SAT scores than students who snatched it up. The more successful children didn't necessarily have a natural gift for patience; they controlled their attention by focusing on something else, like singing a song.

So there you have it. It's smart to distract yourself from your worst desires. Find a way; it pays!

The First Step To Heaven

I was teaching four-year-olds at our church when I asked them what we must do to get to heaven. One child answered "Die." - L. Macara, Campbell River, Canada

ISU Volleyball 20 Year Anniversary: The Week In Thanks

Jack's Facebook posts suggest that he's had a great week. A couple of well-researched, witty baseball articles that he's written were used in the popular web site Bleacher Report. Then he went to see a Yankees game with his girlfriend (also a Yankee fan) and watched them win on a walk-off home run. The day after that he got out and saw Bruce Springsteen in a 4-hour concert. Plus, he and I have been trading baseball trivia questions by e-mail. It seems fair to say that he's having the time of his life. And I've always been happy when he's happy, except when I've been punching him.

Last night Dena and I headed out to Destihl for dinner with her sister (and maid of honor) Zina and Trish. It had been a while and we always have fun with them. Then we headed out to see Illinois State volleyball team beat Bradley 3 games to 1 in a match that was never really in question. The stunner was at the first intermission (in volleyball they have intermissions after every two games). Let me explain.

When we walked into the arena, we eventually found seats in a section marked "Reserved." It felt odd to sit in someone else's seats, but we were late to it seemed safe to say that whoever the seats were being held for were not coming.

At intermission an announcement comes up on the screen that a ceremony would be honoring the 1992 team on their 20 year anniversary.

My heart started racing.

You see, in college one of my activities was to be an officer of a group called Students Supporting Redbird Athletics (treasurer). It was a fledgling group with never more than a couple dozen members, but we were supported wholly by the athletic department. So we got some great seats at many sporting events.

Meanwhile, college was when I taught myself to play volleyball. There was a group that gathered over at a gym near old Walker Hall a couple nights a week, and I joined in. At first only my raw athleticism kept me from embarrassment amidst these seasoned players. In time though I got pretty good.

In my junior year, my roommate and best college friend Steve Peterson was also an amateur volleyball player. He and I formed an intramural team or three.

And we went to Redbird games.

And this team was good.

Really good.

They were the best team in the history of the school, with 30 wins.

Made it past the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Naturally, and perhaps just a little because we were both coming off girlfriend breakups and they were female athletes, we became enamored of this team.

Because of my athletic department connections, we actually got to join them in the pre-game locker room talk before a big match against Notre Dame, which they won.

And now here they were, being announced one by one.

Coach Julie Morgan.
Karen Hopkins.
Michelle Rucker.
Jeannette Newberry.
Keely Zimmerman,
Jill Cole.
Kim Nelson.
Carla McQueen.

As their names were called I felt a wave of emotion roll through me. I never met them personally but they were a bright light and powerful part of my my beloved college years. (One of my favorite stories is that my patented Irish brogue was born at an ISU game... Steve and I would cheer in awful Irish whenever Carla McQueen did something awesome, but then we perfected it night after night in our dorm room).

Then they started heading toward our seats! Turns out this section had been reserved for them. So I got a close-up look at them all before they headed out.

Every one appeared to have done well for themselves.

And I, too, look back with fondness about what God has given me during the last 20 years. Healthy, succeeding in the career I was studying for back then, happily married.

It's usually easy to look at the past and remember the mistakes, but so much richer to harvest those golden memories. Next week we'll build some more.

The 10 Habits Of Remarkably Charismatic People

By Mark Haden of Inc.com:

Some people instantly make us feel important. Some people instantly make us feel special. Some people light up a room just by walking in.

We can't always define it, but some people have it: They're naturally charismatic.

Unfortunately, natural charisma quickly loses its impact. Familiarity breeds, well, familiarity.

But some people are remarkably charismatic: They build and maintain great relationships, consistently influence (in a good way) the people around them, consistently make people feel better about themselves--they're the kind of people everyone wants to be around...and wants to be.

Fortunately we can, because being remarkably charismatic isn't about our level of success or our presentation skills or how we dress or the image we project--it's about what we do.

Here are the 10 habits of remarkably charismatic people:

1. They listen way more than they talk.

Ask questions. Maintain eye contact. Smile. Frown. Nod. Respond--not so much verbally, but nonverbally.

That's all it takes to show the other person they're important.

Then when you do speak, don't offer advice unless you're asked. Listening shows you care a lot more than offering advice, because when you offer advice in most cases you make the conversation about you, not them.

Don't believe me? Who is "Here's what I would do..." about: you or the other person?

Only speak when you have something important to say--and always define important as what matters to the other person, not to you.

2. They don't practice selective hearing.

Some people--I guarantee you know people like this--are incapable of hearing anything said by the people they feel are somehow beneath them.

Sure, you speak to them, but that particular falling tree doesn't make a sound in the forest, because there's no one actually listening.

Remarkably charismatic people listen closely to everyone, and they make all of us, regardless of our position or social status or "level," feel like we have something in common with them.

Because we do: We're all people.

3. They put their stuff away.

Don't check your phone. Don't glance at your monitor. Don't focus on anything else, even for a moment.

You can never connect with others if you're busy connecting with your stuff, too.

Give the gift of your full attention. That's a gift few people give. That gift alone will make others want to be around you and remember you.

4. They give before they receive--and often they never receive.

Never think about what you can get. Focus on what you can provide. Giving is the only way to establish a real connection and relationship.

Focus, even in part and even for a moment, on what you can get out of the other person, and you show that the only person who really matters is you.

5. They don't act self-important…

The only people who are impressed by your stuffy, pretentious, self-important self are other stuffy, pretentious, self-important people.

The rest of us aren't impressed. We're irritated, put off, and uncomfortable.

And we hate when you walk in the room.

6. …Because they realize other people are more important.

You already know what you know. You know your opinions. You know your perspectives and points of view.

That stuff isn't important, because it's already yours. You can't learn anything from yourself.

But you don't know what other people know, and everyone, no matter who they are, knows things you don't know.

That makes them a lot more important than you--because they're people you can learn from.

7. They shine the spotlight on others.

No one receives enough praise. No one. Tell people what they did well.

Wait, you say you don't know what they did well?

Shame on you--it's your job to know. It's your job to find out ahead of time.

Not only will people appreciate your praise, they'll appreciate the fact you care enough to pay attention to what they're doing.

Then they'll feel a little more accomplished and a lot more important.

8. They choose their words.

The words you use impact the attitude of others.

For example, you don't have to go to a meeting; you get to go meet with other people. You don't have to create a presentation for a new client; you get to share cool stuff with other people. You don't have to go to the gym; you get to work out and improve your health and fitness.

We all want to associate with happy, enthusiastic, fulfilled people. The words you choose can help other people feel better about themselves--and make you feel better about yourself, too.

9. They don't discuss the failings of others...

Granted, we all like hearing a little gossip. We all like hearing a little dirt.

The problem is, we don't necessarily like--and we definitely don't respect--the people who dish that dirt.

Don't laugh at other people. When you do, the people around you wonder if you sometimes laugh at them.

10. ...But they readily admit their failings.

Incredibly successful people are often assumed to have charisma simply because they're successful. Their success seems to create a halo effect, almost like a glow.

The keyword is seem.

You don't have to be incredibly successful to be remarkably charismatic. Scratch the shiny surface, and many successful people have all the charisma of a rock.

But you do have to be incredibly genuine to be remarkably charismatic.

Be humble. Share your screwups. Admit your mistakes. Be the cautionary tale. And laugh at yourself.

While you should never laugh at other people, you should always laugh at yourself.

People won't laugh at you. People will laugh laugh with you.

They'll like you better for it--and they'll want to be around you a lot more.

Funny Or Die: Super Powers

Super Powers - watch more funny videos

Saving A Reputation In Five Minutes

"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently." - Warren Buffett

This week I found myself in a work meeting which, for reasons that are unimportant, had me in a state of confusion. Confusion makes me anxious; anxiety makes me irritable.

As the ranking manager in the meeting, I had the power to unleash some harsh thoughts and hijack it from the leader.

Fortunately, that time-strengthened sense of self-examination kicked in.

Things are rarely as bad as they seem.

Just because I'm confused doesn't mean that the rest in the room are.

It's an 8:00 a.m. meeting and I've had no breakfast. That may be the real driver of crabbiness.

Harsh words are not respectable.

Bad moods fade, and troubled projects can be fixed, much faster than harsh words are forgotten and reputations healed.

In nearly every case I can recall, losing my temper outwardly has set me back ten times further than just letting the steam quietly roll into the sky to cool me off.

At the end of the meeting, I did ask for clarity around the next steps so that progress was assured.

Then I said thank you... two of the best words in the world.

Happiness Promise #8: Improving

"Promise to give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others."

Yesterday I was e-mailing a friend and began to tell a juicy story at the expense of someone else.

I got halfway into it, and could sense my energy flagging.

This is not who I am anymore.

You get what you give.

Be respectful to be respectable.

DELETE!

Later, a thought about a challenge at work crossed my mind.

I squelched it by turning my attention to the sunny fall Saturday out my window.

Sweeping those mental toxins off the table is a pathway to my peace.

Lately I've been trying to multitask by doing stretching exercises while watching T.V.

It's been an effective way to mix pleasure in with something otherwise pretty dull but important.

An empty vase will fill with dust and grime, unless we fill it with water and flowers.

The empty mind will fill with destructive thoughts, unless we fill it with better ones.

Happiness Promise #7: Smile

"Promise to wear a cheerful appearance at all times and give each person you meet a smile."

My belief is that a person has never really lost, regardless of the physical evidence or score, unless they have lost their smile.

A smile instantly increases a person's attractiveness. Who wants to walk around less attractive?

I think that the combination of those two facts is why psychological studies have shown that the act of smiling, even if forced at first, makes a person feel better.

And it's a light to your neighbors. It should not be hidden! So let it shine today.

Happiness Promise #6: Forget, And Forward

"Promise to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future."

Is there a big mistake weighing on your mind? I've replayed hundreds of such "failure movies" in my mind way past their expiration date. It's a sign of strong self-esteem when we refuse to let our mistakes define us, if we can recognize them for the blips that they are and give ourselves full permission to drop them.

What's coming up today? Which small accomplishment, or simple prayer, can you experience today to inch toward self-satisfaction? What event is on the horizon for you to gaze at with a smile? Or if you prefer to look back, what's been the highlight of the week? Who or what are you thankful for?

We'll find in today whatever we choose to find, whether that's happiness or remorse. Choose wisely!

Elderly Advice: Get Over It!

A 90-year old woman in a wheelchair was so full of energy that she ran the rest of her family ragged. When asked what she does when she gets discouraged, she answered "Why, I just get over it. What else is there to do?"

As the day goes on, there will be little and not-so-little setbacks that sap energy. It's perfectly normal; it's no personal failure; it's proper to pause and take a breath. And then it's time to put it out of mind, replace it with a better thought, and move on. Often times, you'll feel stronger than before, just for having bounced back.

Maury High School's Davion Taylor Avoids 11 Tacklers For Kickoff Return Touchdown

SNL: Seth MacFarlane's Ryan Lochte Impression

Army Vet + Puppets = Hilarious, By SNL's Bill Hader

Fountains Of Joy: The Week In Thanks

Could there have been any better weather for taking an evening walk with Dena last night? The combination of temperature and humidity was a touch cool, just enough to make it comfortable to stroll in T-shirt and shorts beneath the blanket of stars. Yes, the aroma of bonfires is in the air, but I believe that the very drying out of leaves on the trees carries its own crisp scent.

This is the last weekend of summer, technically speaking. The forecast for today is another brilliant and calm sky, picturesque for lying on the deck with a couple good magazines and digesting them leisurely.

The passing of the anniversary of the terrorist attacks this week reminds me generally how incredibly safe it is to live here. Almost never does the thought of foreign attack cross my mind. How rare is that in the world?

The usual stream of negative political campaign ads have begun running across screens once again. Any system can be lamented, but how fortunate are we to live under one which grants so many freedoms, including the right to choose our leaders without the threat of violence or dictatorship? To speak as we please?

Closer to home, our condominium association board has provided solid leadership and allowed me to take a couple years off. Signs of a market uptick are blossoming as several of the units have sold in the last few months.

Work has been gone without a major upheaval for some time. My superiors have been helpful and supportive. My other co-workers have been generating a lot of results, are talented and friendly. The company is doing well.

The tutoring dream is charging toward ten hours per week. That's more than enough to satisfy this year's resolution to find a $12,000 job. Likewise, the goal to research a better investment is wrapping up by the end of the month as I consult with a financial investor.
 The family's health has been strong. My nieces and nephews are tearing it up in school sports from pee-wee leagues through college. Our parents have been stable and happy. Jack's recovering from ankle and shoulder injuries in Rocky-like fashion on the beaches of Santa Monica.

Dena's been taking 10,000 steps a day on her pedometer. She continues to create beautiful graphic designs through her work. She's closing out a successful year as Kiwanis Club president. We're looking forward to a trip sometime in October before the basketball season starts up again.

These sentences flow so easily. Life's been a fountain of grateful blessings. My mission is to savor it, maintain it, and to be a source of joy for others in thanks to God for the luxury of being able to do so, for as long as I'm called to do so.

Coasting To The Head Of The Class

"I want to take one of those English as a Second Language courses - just go in and blow everybody away on the first day." - Craig Anton

Happiness Promise #5: Strength

"Promise yourself to be strong, so that nothing can disturb your peace of mind."

This week I felt a crick on the left side of my neck right around the time I was scheduled to lift weights. I resolved to be a little more careful with my form, and to see if I was healthy enough to get through the workout. It turns out that I was.

I was scheduled to perform a speech at work last Monday. I'd worked some political humor into it, which risks flopping if no one is following politics. It turned out fine.

I've got a doctor visit on Monday. You never know what news you might get. The way to succeed is much the same though - with faith, and enough peace to anticipate whatever result might happen with optimism.

The Easy Morning Workout For Success

"The secret of changing one's personality, regardless of the problem, is to think in new categories. Put enthusiasm into the top-priority category." - Anonymous

Are there any muscles more important in our bodies than the ones at the corners of our mouths? Years ago I got into the occasional morning habit of practicing my smile in the mirror. Sooner or later we'll have lines in our face - why not have them be laugh lines? Smiles are as easy to carry around as anything in the world, and are almost guaranteed to make others around you feel better. So why not?

Rutgers' Jawan Jamison's Crazy Spin Move Is Maddenesque

Waking Up With Hairspray!

Many mornings I transform from zombie to human with the help of YouTube playlists to belt along with in the shower.

Here's one of my favorites from the most unforgettable cast ever - Hairspray!

Dog Stands Guard Over Deceased Owner's Grave For Six Years

An extremely dedicated dog has continued to show its loyalty, keeping watch on its owner's grave six years after he passed away.

Capitan, a German shepherd, reportedly ran away from home after its owner, Miguel Guzman, died in 2006. A week later, the Guzman family found the dog sitting by his grave in central Argentina.

Miguel Guzman adopted Capitan in 2005 as a gift for his teenage son, Damian. And for the past six years, Capitan has continued to stand guard at Miguel's grave. The family says the dog rarely leaves the site.

"We searched for him, but he had vanished," widow Veronica Guzman told LaVoz.com. "We thought he must have got run over and died.

'The following Sunday we went to the cemetery, and Damian recognized his pet. Capitan came up to us, barking and wailing as if he were crying."

Adding to the unusual circumstances, Veronica says the family never brought Capitan to the cemetery before he was discovered there.

"It is a mystery how he managed to find the place," she said.

Cemetery director Hector Baccega says he and his staff have begun feeding and taking care of Capitan.

"He turned up here one day, all on his own, and started wandering all around the cemetery until he eventually found the tomb of his master," Baccega said.

"During the day he sometimes has a walk around the cemetery, but always rushes back to the grave. And every day, at six o'clock sharp, he lies down on top of the grave, stays there all night."

But the Guzman family hasn't abandoned Capitan. Damian says the family has tried to bring Capitan home several times but that he always returns to the cemetery on his own.

"I think he's going to be there until he dies, too. He's looking after my dad," he said.

Walter "The Leanin' Asian" Payton

He might look just a little too comfy to scare any crows, but at least he's authentic. Everything from the giggly grin, to the pale skin, to the apparent stringy blond hair flying out beneath the helmet.

Learning For Tomorrow

I was offered a job this week.

There's a tutoring center called "Learning For Tomorrow" out near the bank where Dena works.

One day, while in the plaza, I stuck my head in just to ask about the place, and spoke with the office manager.

By the end of the day, I'd submitted contact information via e-mail and a little about me.

That was a year ago.

Today I got a call from the owner.

The LFT center had lost its math tutor and was in a bind.

Would I be interested in helping, starting next week?

The benefits are promising. I'd be working with students from elementary school up through college.

It would push my tutoring hours up into the neighborhood of ten per week.

It's likely only a short-term contract, since I won't have time to help once basketball season starts.

But the experience is exciting.

Plus, as I've come to say about most of my recent personal and professional adventures, there's always a chance that the most important benefit is that it will reveal an open door to another adventure. The last five or so years of my life are filled with examples like that.

Networking is so valuable, and this is a golden chance to grow it.

Away we go!

Where's Your Open Door?

I was walking out of my building yesterday.

Ahead of me was a typical glass door that you push in order to exit.

Right next to it was an automated door.

In between me and those two doors was another employee on his way home.

The automated door had recently been used by some now unseen person, so it was wide open. The hinges were holding it in place for several seconds.

Still, the man in front of me went to the trouble of exiting through the closed door.

All he had to do was veer a little off his normal routine.

All he had to do was look up and realize that an easier path lay ahead for him.

But he didn't.

I wonder how many elements of my life I spend going through the same motions I did yesterday?

What avenues of better life lie ahead, easily within my reach, that I'm simply ignoring out of habit?

Today's a good day to look around for an open door.

Becoming More Interesting

"If you want to be more interesting, develop more interests." - Anonymous

I didn't have to plant corn in order to be able to talk about farming, I just took a class that gave an orientation to the business in McLean County.

Thought it might be fun to learn guitar years ago, which led to playing in a band and taught me more about music.

I learned that a co-worker was taking a belly dancing class.

Another friend is studying to be a nurse.

Just having that new year's resolution of meeting ten new people has helped to discover new ways to spend time, and interests others have. Stories follow. And stories add spice.

A Career In (Role) Modeling

"If you act as you wish yourself to be, in due course you will become as you act." - William James

I think this is why role models and heroes are so important. They give us a picture of what we wish to be like, give us something to copy ourselves, help transform us into that better person we'd like to be.

One of my most significant influences as a young leader was my boss when I was just starting out as a supervisor. Rusty Schopp allowed me to experiment with strategies that made sense to me, even when they may not have made sense to him. He allowed me to learn by trial and error, empowered me in that way which I remember strongly as I manage other supervisors today.

No matter how much work piled up on his plate, he always made time for me to visit with him, and never complained.

He was extremely slow to anger. I only remember really seeing him that way once, which had nothing to do with me.

He was supportive from afar when my dad was terminally ill, then drove two hours north and back to attend the visitation.

Most of all, I remember his kindness in his winning sense of humor. My style had often been at the expense of others, but his was grounded in wittiness and respect.

He was the one who passed on to me the notion that when shaping your career, you should find someone who has a role you'd like, and strive to emulate that. Well, boss, I took it to heart.

Amazing Animated Optical Illusions

If Trees Could Scream, Lumberjacks Would Suck

A Slice Of Life

"One truth that dawns on you after years of coaching is that winning and losing aren't nearly as important to the players as they are to the coach. It's the coach's livelihood. If he doesn't win enough games, he'll be fired. The player wants to win, but it's not as important to him. He knows his life will go on, whether we win or lose. But, the interesting thing for me as I reflect on my career is the game that seemed all-important at the time is not really that important. I now have a better sense of values. When I started in the coaching profession, I'd walk the streets all night after a loss. I couldn't eat or sleep. As the years went by, I came to realize losing is as much a part of coaching as winning. The game is a slice of  life. There is good in every experience, if you learn from it. There were more wins than losses in my career, but you don't measure even a basketball coach's life that way. The good Lord blessed me with more laugh than heartaches, more cheers than boos, a legion of friends, and memories that will entertain me as long as my mind can rerun them." - Ray Meyer

Green Bay Packers First Lambeau Leap Original Broadcast 1993

Happiness Promise #4: Enthusiasm For Everyone

"Promise to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own."

I think that was one of my favorite aspects of theater... high-fiving other performers as they came off the stage. Or paying a compliment for someone who does an often under-appreciated thing.

In The Clear

"Players accomplish more in a learning situation when they are aware of the objectives involved. Players are stimulated further when they are given some idea of their position in relation to these outcomes." - John McLendon

There's no point in being vague as a leader, even when it may be easier. Honesty makes the difference.

Happiness Promise #3: The Best

"Promise to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best in yourself and others."

As I watch students struggle with some of the basics of algebra, I take the long-term view. Anyone who would've watched me start lifting weights years ago could easily testify that no one performs a skill with excellence, or even competence, on the first try. As a teacher, or a leader, I think that a gallon of patience, respect and encouragement in these situations helps their true abilities to bloom along with their confidence.

Whose Line Is It Anyway - Film Dub (Part 2)

Whose Line Is It Anyway - Film Dub - Trailer Park

The Whose Line gang will be here on Saturday!

Parents And Playing Time

From Winning Hoops:

Parents and the problems they cause due to the their children’s playing time is the No. 1 issue your coaches face.

While the vast majority of parents are good, positive and supportive — the issue of playing time and why their child is not a starter is a constant aggravation for your coaching staff.

Helping your coaches formulate a philosophy and an approach to deal with this complaint must be high on your list of things to do. The following six ideas provide a starting point to handling parents.

1. Not Up For Discussion

Establish a standard for your parents that the issue of playing time and who starts a game is one area that is not up for discussion. Deliver this message in your pre-season parents’ meetings. Explain it in various handouts, booklets, documents and newsletters. And, if you have an operational website, post this information on it.

It is important to emphasize that athletes, however, should be encouraged to talk to their coaches with the purpose of asking for suggestions of what they can do in practice to improve. It’s not a difficult task to have coaches explain to the entire team what goes into their decision of starters, and when and how substitutions are made. It is unacceptable for parents to initiate this conversation and a coach never should be approached immediately after a contest.

2. Practice. Practice. Practice.

Explain to the parents and athletes that playing time is earned by the performance and effort that is put forth in practice sessions. Experimenting or providing a chance to audition for more playing time during games may not be best for the team or even possible.

If playing time is earned in practice, the effort and success during an athlete’s time on the floor, court or field may secure more time in the future … but it all starts with what happens in practice.

3. Role Filling

Expand your explanations to athletes and parents to cover the concept of filling roles on a team. In basketball, for example, you need more than just scorers. Individuals who can rebound, play defense and handle the ball also are necessary and critical to the team’s success.

It helps a team when all of the athletes and parents understand what their role is on the squad. A role can change during a season with the improvement of skills, an injury to another player or finding a more effective or efficient group with the execution of the offense.

4. Make It A Contract

Draw up a contract for parents to sign, which includes the expectation that parents don't approach coaches with concerns about playing time.

The parents’ signature and date on this contract indicates that they have read and understand the provisions. If there is ever a problem, pull this document out of your files and use it as the first line of defense.

5. Talk To Your Coaches

Be sure to use your pre-season staff meeting to explain to your coaches how there sometimes are small groups of misguided, enabling parents who press for playing time or starting positions.

As part of your effort of educating your coaches, help them construct answers to two commonly expressed comments from aggressive and unrealistic parents:

• “I played college ___ (fill in the sport) and I know …”
• “I coached our son in the summer league, I know what he can do …”

These typical statements, followed by a question or even a demand, are meant to apply pressure and subtlety indicates that the coach isn’t well-versed in the sport. They are intended to intimidate the coach and that’s why it is important to help provide a sound retort. When encountering one of these openings, it is important to politely but firmly remind the parent that this is a topic that is not up for discussion.

Some parents like to provide their own statistics and evaluations of other players to substantiate their position. As with grades in an academic subject, arm your coaches with the response that a coach cannot discuss other players on the team.

6. Offer Support When Needed

Be prepared to support your coaches by joining them when they meet with problematic parents. Your actual presence in a meeting, even if you say very little, can go a long way to diffuse the situation. By being on hand, you clearly demonstrate to the parents that the coach is not acting alone but has the backing of the athletic administrator.

If there is another or reoccurring problem in the future, consider stepping in and handling it directly. Allow your coach to deal with the real responsibilities of planning and conducting practice. At this point, it may be time for you to take a little stronger stance with the offending parent.

Democratic Platform 2012

[Hidden Blog note: Trying to find the Republican one too for comparison.]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats unveiled a party platform at their national convention Monday that echoes President Barack Obama's call for higher taxes on wealthier Americans while backing same-sex marriage and abortion rights.

Delegates will vote Tuesday to adopt the platform that reflects the president's argument that his work is unfinished and he deserves another four years to complete the job.

"Today, our economy is growing again, al-Qaeda is weaker than at any point since 9/11, and our manufacturing sector is growing for the first time in more than a decade. But there is more we need to do, and so we come together again to continue what we started," the platform said.

The document is a sharp contrast from the Republican blueprint that the GOP adopted at its convention last week. The Republican plan would ban abortion and gay marriage, repeal Obama's health care overhaul law and shift Medicare into a voucher-style program.

Democrats acknowledged that divergent views.

"This election is not simply a choice between two candidates or two political parties, but between two fundamentally different paths for our country and our families," the Democrats said.
___

TAXES

The Democratic platform calls for extending the middle-class tax cuts for the 98 percent of American families who make less than $250,000 a year, and makes a promise not to raise taxes on them. The platform claims a typical family has saved $3,600 during Obama's first term. "Now he's fighting to stop middle-class families and those aspiring to join the middle class from seeing their taxes go up and to extend key tax relief for working families and those paying for college, while asking the wealthiest and corporations to pay their fair share," the platform says.

The Republican platform would extend the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, pending reform of the tax code. It also says the party would try to eliminate taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains altogether for lower- and middle-income taxpayers. It also would work to repeal the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax.
___

ABORTION

The Democratic platform states that it "unequivocally" supports Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal, and "supports a woman's right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay."

The platform states: "Abortion is an intensely personal decision between a woman, her family, her doctor and her clergy; there is no place for politicians or government to get in the way."

The Republican Party platform bans abortion in all cases, even rape, incest and when the life of the mother is endangered. Republicans say "the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed." It opposes using public revenues to promote or perform abortion or to fund organizations that perform or advocate abortions.

___

GAY MARRIAGE

The Democratic platform supports the movement to get equal treatment under the law for same-sex couples.

The platform says: "We also support the freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to administer marriage as a religious sacrament without government interference." The platform opposes "federal and state constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny equal protection under the law" to same-sex couples.

The Republican Party platform affirms the rights of states and the federal government not to recognize same-sex marriage. It backs a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

___

IMMIGRATION

The platform states that "Democrats are strongly committed to enacting comprehensive immigration reform." Immigration overhaul would include bringing "undocumented immigrants out of the shadows," requiring illegal immigrants "to get right with the law, learn English and pay taxes" to get on a path toward citizenship. It also calls for a visa system that meets the country's "economic needs, keeps families together and enforces the law." It acknowledges that administrative fixes are not permanent. "Only Congress can provide a permanent, comprehensive solution."

The Republican platform opposes "any form of amnesty" for those who intentionally violate the immigration laws, demands a halt to Justice Department lawsuits against states that have enacted tough immigration measures, would deny federal funding to universities that provide in-state tuition to illegal immigrants and advocates making English the official national language.

___

MEDICARE

Democrats say the new health care law makes Medicare stronger by adding new benefits, fighting fraud and improving care for patients. It notes that nearly 50 million older Americans and those with disabilities rely on Medicare. Over 10 years, the law will save the average Medicare beneficiary $4,200, the platform says. "Democrats adamantly oppose any efforts to privatize or voucherize Medicare," the platform says.

The GOP platform pledges to move Medicare away from "the current unsustainable defined-benefit entitlement model to a fiscally sound defined-contribution model." It supports a Medicare transition to a premium-support model with an income-adjusted contribution toward a health plan of the enrollee's choice.

___

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

The Democratic platform criticizes the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which lifted restrictions on independent political expenditures by corporations and unions, and calls for "immediate action to curb the influence of lobbyists and special interests on our political institutions" — with a constitutional amendment, if necessary, in the cause of campaign finance reform.

"We support requiring groups trying to influence elections to reveal their donors so the public will know who's funding the political ads it sees," the platform says.
The Republican platform supports the Citizens United decision as a free speech issue.

___

HEALTH CARE

The platform pledges to continue building on the new health care law. It says accessible, affordable, high-quality health care is part of the American promise, that Americans should have the security that comes with good health care, and that no one should go broke because they get sick. "No law is perfect and Democrats stand willing to work with anyone to improve the law where necessary, but we are committed to moving forward," the platform says.

The GOP platform says that a Republican president on his first day in office would use his waiver authority to halt progress in carrying out the health care act. It calls for a Republican plan based on improving health care quality and lowering costs and a system that promotes the free market and gives consumers more choice.

___

DEFENSE

The platform says Democrats have responsibly ended the war in Iraq, put the al-Qaida terrorist organization on the path to defeat with the killing of Osama bin Laden and reversed the Taliban's momentum to set the stage for the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

"As a consequence of the president's decisions and the brave work of our military and intelligence professionals, bin Laden can no longer threaten the United States and al-Qaida's senior leadership has been devastated, rendering the group far less capable than it was four years ago," the platform said. 

"The al-Qaida core in Afghanistan and Pakistan has never been weaker."

Democrats back further reductions in the nuclear weapons stockpile, building on the hard-fought U.S.-Russia treaty that Obama got through the Senate in December 2010. Democrats also say they have an "unshakable commitment to Israel's security," and Obama will do all in his power to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Democrats say they want to maintain a strong military, but argue that in the current fiscal environment, tough budgetary decisions must include defense spending. They noted that Democrats and Republicans agreed last summer in the deficit-cutting plan to reduce military spending.

Republicans, in their platform, criticizes the Obama administration as holding weak positions toward such countries as North Korea, China and Iran and for reductions in military spending.

Happiness Promise #2: The Encouragement

"Promise yourself to make all your friends know there is something in them that is special and that you value."

The list can be much longer, but considering those I've spent the most time with during the last year, in no particular order:

- Jenny Mangina, for her genuine interest in others through her questions and recollection of small details in people's lives, as well as for her uncomplaining nature and her in-depth interest in sports.

- Rusty Hendren, for his soft-heartedness.

- Jennifer Stevens, for her sunny disposition and patient leadership.

- Sean Stevens, for his strength, sensitivity to others, and work ethic.

- Dena, for her loyalty and selflessness.

- Alan Wilson, for his tireless devotion to detail.

- Bridgette Richard, who's discovered her theater passion and follows it to the hilt, with unbeatable optimism.

- Jim Brown, for his ultra-preparedness, easy-going smile and openness about himself.

- Wendi Fleming, for her welcoming nature and support of me to try something I'd never done.

- Chris Terven, whose universal talents are surpassed only by his drive to use them.

- Ryan Short, for sharing his brilliance with humility, meticulousness and wit.

Who have you encouraged this week?

Fantasy Football

So this year I decided to enter one of Yahoo!'s free public football leagues on a whim. I did some research, but not nearly as much as usual. Submitted my player ranking after just a couple hours of reading Sports Illustrated's preview, and ESPN's player rankings. Didn't buy any fantasy football magazines.

I really like my auto-draft team that resulted.

Let's look at my starting lineup, from fewest 2011 points to highest.

QB Peyton Manning. The best quarterback of his generation is on my team. A risk, coming off a year's sabbatical to recover from neck injury. But if he's healthy... it's Peyton Manning, who's made a living transforming no-name receivers into household names. (Oh, and my backup is Philip Rivers, who would have the 2nd-most points on my team from 2011.)

TE Jason Witten. A top-three tight end who had a down year last year. Primed for a rebound, with the same QB who's teamed up with him in past years.

WR Dwayne Bowe. Grabbed 1,000 yards receiving in a tumultuous injury-filled year for his team. Still in his prime, and a big-play threat.

WR Julio Jones. A physical marvel with a year of experience under his belt - a year in which he had 8 touchdowns and big-play ability.

WR Roddy White. Star teammate of Jones, as durable as they come, an All-Pro who works his tail off... which is another reason to believe that Jones has a mentor to elevate his play.

RB Darren Sproles. The all-everything scatback for the powerful New Orleans offensive juggernaut.

RB Ray Rice. My #1 pick, who can run, catch, and break tackles... and found the end zone like crazy in 2011.

Any one of these players is capable of a points explosion, and they all play on playoff-caliber teams with optimistic prospects and mostly stable offenses.

My kicker is Mason Crosby, the exclamation point on Green Bay's high-octane offense.

Defense is either Houston or Buffalo.

Let the season begin!

Happiness Promise #1: The Talk

With theater season rolling further into the past, I'm starting to turn thoughts toward basketball season. There are few better ways to fire up the engines for me than to read the philosophy of the late legend John Wooden. An article on Wooden described nine promises that can bring happiness.

The first:

"Promise yourself that you will talk health, happiness, and prosperity as often as possible."

It squares up well with my 2012 resolution to give thanks regularly.

I've got a body sound enough to run and lift weights. No allergies or medications. Four working limbs and a full head of hair. Healthy eyes, skin and teeth. Digestive and nervous systems in check. Sure there are aches, pains and shortcomings. But there's nothing to do but celebrate each morning when you open your eyes with the strength to get out of bed and do just about anything.

Prosperity is in the eye of the beholder, but I feel like I've got it. My boss is satisfied with my work, I have the privilege of being supported by more than twenty talented people. I have outlets for teaching, coaching, singing, acting, writing and other creative passions. Besides being the nicest person I know, Dena is as supportive as a friend can be, and we still find things to giggle about every week if not every day.

Happiness? When dealt a hand like this, it would be lunacy to feel any other way. Sometimes that lunatic in me still emerges, but as long as I seek the wise counsel of Wooden and the company of good friends, it's nearly impossible to fail.

Ohio State's Devin Smith 1-Handed Touchdown Grab 9-1-12

Tennessee Scores 16 Points In 38 Seconds

1st Female High School Quarterback In Florida History: Erin DiMeglio

50 Year Wedding Anniversary

From Melanie:

No idea who they are... but sure do like them anyway...

Kobe Bryant Vs Michael Jordan - Identical Plays

Naturally it's hard for me to agree with the last line, but still good viewing...

Difference Between Man And Woman?

Nice find by Tyson on this one! Both parties are lampooned in this one I think.