Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Elect Me Pope
The pope resigned. Vote me in.
1. There has never been a pope named Joseph. What are you thinking, Catholics? It's the Holy Father, yes? Jesus' father was Joseph, yes? Let's end the embarrassment.
2. I grew up on Cardinal Drive. My wife is a Cardinals fan. So... pretty sure I understand the needs of the Cardinals, more than enough to lead them.
3. What? Yeah, I'm married. So I understand the sacrament, and highly qualified to administer it.
4. I am tough on scandals.
5. I've learned my lesson: Don't change for change's sake. Like changing Mass phrases such as "one in being with the Father" to "consubstantial with the Father." If my spell check doesn't recognize it, it's not churchy enough.
6. No ego here. I'll step gracefully aside when I'm 60. Don't want the church to get old and crusty.
7. I don't speak Italian. So local criticism would just roll off my back. What pressure?
1. There has never been a pope named Joseph. What are you thinking, Catholics? It's the Holy Father, yes? Jesus' father was Joseph, yes? Let's end the embarrassment.
2. I grew up on Cardinal Drive. My wife is a Cardinals fan. So... pretty sure I understand the needs of the Cardinals, more than enough to lead them.
3. What? Yeah, I'm married. So I understand the sacrament, and highly qualified to administer it.
4. I am tough on scandals.
5. I've learned my lesson: Don't change for change's sake. Like changing Mass phrases such as "one in being with the Father" to "consubstantial with the Father." If my spell check doesn't recognize it, it's not churchy enough.
6. No ego here. I'll step gracefully aside when I'm 60. Don't want the church to get old and crusty.
7. I don't speak Italian. So local criticism would just roll off my back. What pressure?
Seasons Change: The Week In Thanks
The other day Dena was out at Miller Park for the Polar Plunge charity event (working it, not soaking in it). The Pavilion is the place where we held our wedding reception nearly 15 years ago, and she commented that the weather outside reminded her of our wedding day. And as we escape February and leap into March, there are more just like it - with gray skies replaced by bright blue, fewer days worthy of gloves and caps, and more fogless breaths.
We tightened down several more details of our three vacations. Rental cars are secured. Flights booked. And with shelter already secured, soon there will be nothing left to do but buy sunscreen and pack towels.
The end of the four-month long sophomore basketball season is always an exciting one too, even in years when we don't win the season-ending tournament against the top-ranked opponent to close out a 23-3 year. This was a historic team, not only in talent but in heart and togetherness. Ryan's fantastic coaching was a huge reason that the team won more games than any other of his 14-year career. What a great ride! But I'm only an average coach so far. The new season makes full use of my strengths, like...
Tutoring. Mid-semester is harvest time. I've got outstanding requests from four students who'd like to meet once a week, one who'd like to meet twice, and one thrice. And another will be contacting me about ACT prep. Getting up to ten hours a week would be perfectly in line with my goals.
Theater. Auditions for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are March 17-19. I'm singing songs everywhere I go (in my head, during meetings), reciting lines. The days are merrier with adventure on the horizon, tunes coursing through my head, and the prospect of being on stage awaiting.
Fantasy Baseball. Back in the saddle for three leagues with my neighbor, brother, and random strangers. Coming off what's looking to be another win in fantasy basketball.
Next week my work team gains another member. Lately we've been ahead of schedule on our projects. I can't ask for more than that.
On this snowy morning, I'm glad for the means to have new tires on my car. And that my car keeps humming along north of 100,000 miles. For a warm place to work, and warm people to be around. And of course, for increasingly warmer skies.
We tightened down several more details of our three vacations. Rental cars are secured. Flights booked. And with shelter already secured, soon there will be nothing left to do but buy sunscreen and pack towels.
The end of the four-month long sophomore basketball season is always an exciting one too, even in years when we don't win the season-ending tournament against the top-ranked opponent to close out a 23-3 year. This was a historic team, not only in talent but in heart and togetherness. Ryan's fantastic coaching was a huge reason that the team won more games than any other of his 14-year career. What a great ride! But I'm only an average coach so far. The new season makes full use of my strengths, like...
Tutoring. Mid-semester is harvest time. I've got outstanding requests from four students who'd like to meet once a week, one who'd like to meet twice, and one thrice. And another will be contacting me about ACT prep. Getting up to ten hours a week would be perfectly in line with my goals.
Theater. Auditions for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are March 17-19. I'm singing songs everywhere I go (in my head, during meetings), reciting lines. The days are merrier with adventure on the horizon, tunes coursing through my head, and the prospect of being on stage awaiting.
Fantasy Baseball. Back in the saddle for three leagues with my neighbor, brother, and random strangers. Coming off what's looking to be another win in fantasy basketball.
Next week my work team gains another member. Lately we've been ahead of schedule on our projects. I can't ask for more than that.
On this snowy morning, I'm glad for the means to have new tires on my car. And that my car keeps humming along north of 100,000 miles. For a warm place to work, and warm people to be around. And of course, for increasingly warmer skies.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Normal Community High School Sophomore Boys Basketball Champions
Front row: iPad Master Jaquarius Short, Nate Komnick, David Boyd, Connor Cagley, Malik Woods, Duane Farrington, Brevin Harden
Back row: Assistant Coach Jason Harden, Connor Oltman, Brian Pauken, Brady Carstens, Connor Dibble, Josh Millmore, Mason Maier, Assistant Coach Joe McDonald, Head Coach Ryan Short
23 Wins, 3 Losses. Bloomington High School Tournament Champions. Rockton Hononegah High School Tournament Champions. Unit 5 Tournament Champions.
Defeated every opponent at least once. 38 PPG defensive average.
One of a kind!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Champs!
Final score 46-42 in overtime over #1 ranked and previously unbeaten Champaign Centennial! Sophomores win for the second consecutive year. Congratulations!
Sophomore Tournament Saturday - Pre-Game Thoughts
We have games today at 11:00 and either 2:00 (for the consolation championship) or 3:30 (for the championship).
I'm not a praying sort, the type of person who asks God for such small and selfish things as basketball wins. I'm the grateful sort, marveling at the opportunity to help a bunch of families to experience a great effort by their sons. Thankful for the health and means to spend my day around exciting games and terrific people.
We'll give it our best. We will win or lose. Then we'll come home to a wonderful life. And that's what's on my mind when I think of God's role in today.
I'm not a praying sort, the type of person who asks God for such small and selfish things as basketball wins. I'm the grateful sort, marveling at the opportunity to help a bunch of families to experience a great effort by their sons. Thankful for the health and means to spend my day around exciting games and terrific people.
We'll give it our best. We will win or lose. Then we'll come home to a wonderful life. And that's what's on my mind when I think of God's role in today.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Cliff Paul Lookalike Day
Who are these people?
From left: Betty Connour, Elaine Hill, Tim Johnson, Debbie "Mo" Drennen, Lynn Battice, Emily Ehrstein, Hannah Esker, Kelsey Monroe, Barb Friese, Andrew Norris, Jason Elleman, Ryan Root, Jeff Mueller
Additional faces from left: Nicole Houser, Emily Madsen, Yufeng Guo, Tanya Bennett, Stephanie Snodgrass, Barb Baxter, Joe McDonald, Randy Petersen, Gloria Johnson, Tina Bell, Lori Morgan
From left: Betty Connour, Elaine Hill, Tim Johnson, Debbie "Mo" Drennen, Lynn Battice, Emily Ehrstein, Hannah Esker, Kelsey Monroe, Barb Friese, Andrew Norris, Jason Elleman, Ryan Root, Jeff Mueller
Additional faces from left: Nicole Houser, Emily Madsen, Yufeng Guo, Tanya Bennett, Stephanie Snodgrass, Barb Baxter, Joe McDonald, Randy Petersen, Gloria Johnson, Tina Bell, Lori Morgan
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Just Because It's Free, Doesn't Mean I Want It
The 80% shooter went on to explain that her fingernail got caught in her nose as she shot it.
The Most Interesting Man In The World
"You haven't listened to a word I've said, have you?" always sems like a strange way for my girlfriend to start a conversation with me. - collegehumor.com
Onion: Study Of Pay Phone Calls Reveals Disturbing Trends
According to The Onion, a "study" by the FCC has determined that 81 percent of calls made over pay phones begin with "Please don't hang up" and end with uncontrollable sobbing. This "report" supposedly surveyed a sample of public phone conversations and "confirmed that the remaining 19 percent of pay-phone calls are wrong numbers caused by frantically misdialing one's parole officer, ex-girlfriend, bookie, or AA sponsor."
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Meeting Tweeting
"Woman across from me will NOT shut up about where she works. Ugh, I hate job interviews."
Sunday, February 17, 2013
The Six-Second Relationship Booster, And Other Tips For Happy Couples
By Theo Pauline Nestor via match.com:
These scenarios that come along with a busy lifestyle are familiar to most of us: When your date arrives at your place while you’re in the middle of an important phone call, you gesture for this person to come in and finally get around to greeting each other 10 minutes later, still feeling a bit frazzled from your conversation. Or maybe you just spent a great weekend together, but when it’s time to say goodbye, you realize that you’re running late for an appointment — so you rush out the door in a hurry, barely kissing your date goodbye.
These rushed instances are as understandable as they are commonplace, but they inevitably take a toll on relationships, because these transitional moments often set the tone for both a couple’s time together and their time spent apart. Dr. John Gottman, a leading relationship researcher and the author of What Makes Love Last? How to Build Trust and Avoid Betrayal, asserts that our “rituals of connections are crucial,” because they serve not only to re-establish the connection with our partners, but also to protect our relationships from betrayal. “The parting and reunion [moments] turn out to be really important,” asserts Dr. Gottman. Attention spent on each other in transitional junctures communicates that “you’re important to me, and when you come back at the end of the day, it’s an event. You matter to me.”
How momentary transitions can safeguard your romance from betrayal
Being present for each other and asserting the importance of the relationship during these transitional moments is part of how couples establish what Dr. Gottman refers to as “attunement” — i.e., a deep level of understanding that couples both possess and lovingly express to each other. In his book, What Makes Love Last, Dr. Gottman asserts that this level of mutual attunement is a way for couples to inoculate themselves against falling down the slippery slope of negative thinking about their relationship that can ultimately lead to betrayal. “One of the other important things we discovered about betrayal was not only about turning away from one another, but it’s also about this negative comparison where one partner is saying in [his/her] mind, ‘Who needs this crap? I can do better,’” Dr. Gottman explains. “And that negative comparison gets people to start detaching from the relationship.”
Six seconds to a better relationship
The “six-second kiss” is one simple and fun activity that Dr. Gottman advocates couples incorporate into their everyday moments of transition. Described by him as “long enough to feel romantic,” the six-second kiss serves as a temporary oasis within a busy day and creates a deliberate break between the on-the-job mentality (i.e., going to or from work) and a couple’s one-on-one time together. In fact, the six-second kiss makes up just a fraction of what Dr. Gottman has dubbed the “magic five hours,” which is the amount of extra time he’s found that the most successful, happiest couples began devoting to their relationships each week after completing his workshops together. Time spent intentionally focusing on their partners during “reunions” and “partings” also comprise an important component of the “magic five hours” that these couples invest into their relationships on a weekly basis.
Reunited, and it feels so good...
We’ve all heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” The same could be said for the moment when you’re reunited with your date. Those first few moments set the tone for your time spent together — either positively or negatively. Greeting your sweetheart with affection communicates this person’s importance to you while reminding your partner of the good feelings you share when you’re in each other’s company, and trigger reciprocal feelings of his or her own.
A number of small gestures can be combined in order to ensure that your reunion goes well:
In a long-term relationship, Dr. Gottman says that having a “stress-reducing conversation” is a great way to kick off a couple’s reunion time together. “The one thing research has discovered,” says Dr. Gottman, “is that if they take 15 minutes apiece to talk about what’s stressful about the day, and their partner is an ally in listening — without giving advice or problem-solving — that can be very important. You have to have a time when you really have your partner’s ears; it’s a time when you really can connect.”
How to make saying “goodbye” even sweeter
Setting a few minutes aside to properly say “goodbye” to each other can make a dramatic difference in a couple’s thoughts about the relationship during the time they spend apart. So before you zoom off into the world going different directions, take a minute to communicate how much you enjoyed your time together — and maybe touch base about when you’ll be getting together again in the near future. If you don’t have a plan for your next date, just establishing when you’ll be talking to each other next (“I’ll call you tomorrow”) can help a couple maintain their feelings of connection with each other.
You should also make a point of asking what’s ahead for your sweetie so you can provide the right kind of support later on. “One of the most important things to do in parting is to find out what your partner’s day is going to be like,” Dr. Gottman says. “Find out about anything that is important that’s going to happen to your partner that day. If she’s going to have lunch with a friend or he has a critical phone call or important meeting scheduled, know about that and what it means to her or him.”
And yes, before saying goodbye to your partner (for now, anyway), don’t forget to savor that six-second kiss!
These scenarios that come along with a busy lifestyle are familiar to most of us: When your date arrives at your place while you’re in the middle of an important phone call, you gesture for this person to come in and finally get around to greeting each other 10 minutes later, still feeling a bit frazzled from your conversation. Or maybe you just spent a great weekend together, but when it’s time to say goodbye, you realize that you’re running late for an appointment — so you rush out the door in a hurry, barely kissing your date goodbye.
These rushed instances are as understandable as they are commonplace, but they inevitably take a toll on relationships, because these transitional moments often set the tone for both a couple’s time together and their time spent apart. Dr. John Gottman, a leading relationship researcher and the author of What Makes Love Last? How to Build Trust and Avoid Betrayal, asserts that our “rituals of connections are crucial,” because they serve not only to re-establish the connection with our partners, but also to protect our relationships from betrayal. “The parting and reunion [moments] turn out to be really important,” asserts Dr. Gottman. Attention spent on each other in transitional junctures communicates that “you’re important to me, and when you come back at the end of the day, it’s an event. You matter to me.”
How momentary transitions can safeguard your romance from betrayal
Being present for each other and asserting the importance of the relationship during these transitional moments is part of how couples establish what Dr. Gottman refers to as “attunement” — i.e., a deep level of understanding that couples both possess and lovingly express to each other. In his book, What Makes Love Last, Dr. Gottman asserts that this level of mutual attunement is a way for couples to inoculate themselves against falling down the slippery slope of negative thinking about their relationship that can ultimately lead to betrayal. “One of the other important things we discovered about betrayal was not only about turning away from one another, but it’s also about this negative comparison where one partner is saying in [his/her] mind, ‘Who needs this crap? I can do better,’” Dr. Gottman explains. “And that negative comparison gets people to start detaching from the relationship.”
Six seconds to a better relationship
The “six-second kiss” is one simple and fun activity that Dr. Gottman advocates couples incorporate into their everyday moments of transition. Described by him as “long enough to feel romantic,” the six-second kiss serves as a temporary oasis within a busy day and creates a deliberate break between the on-the-job mentality (i.e., going to or from work) and a couple’s one-on-one time together. In fact, the six-second kiss makes up just a fraction of what Dr. Gottman has dubbed the “magic five hours,” which is the amount of extra time he’s found that the most successful, happiest couples began devoting to their relationships each week after completing his workshops together. Time spent intentionally focusing on their partners during “reunions” and “partings” also comprise an important component of the “magic five hours” that these couples invest into their relationships on a weekly basis.
Reunited, and it feels so good...
We’ve all heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” The same could be said for the moment when you’re reunited with your date. Those first few moments set the tone for your time spent together — either positively or negatively. Greeting your sweetheart with affection communicates this person’s importance to you while reminding your partner of the good feelings you share when you’re in each other’s company, and trigger reciprocal feelings of his or her own.
A number of small gestures can be combined in order to ensure that your reunion goes well:
- Make sure to set aside your phone and any other distractions first, and then give your partner your full attention as you exchange greetings.
- Share a six-second kiss.
- Say that you’re happy to see your partner again.
In a long-term relationship, Dr. Gottman says that having a “stress-reducing conversation” is a great way to kick off a couple’s reunion time together. “The one thing research has discovered,” says Dr. Gottman, “is that if they take 15 minutes apiece to talk about what’s stressful about the day, and their partner is an ally in listening — without giving advice or problem-solving — that can be very important. You have to have a time when you really have your partner’s ears; it’s a time when you really can connect.”
How to make saying “goodbye” even sweeter
Setting a few minutes aside to properly say “goodbye” to each other can make a dramatic difference in a couple’s thoughts about the relationship during the time they spend apart. So before you zoom off into the world going different directions, take a minute to communicate how much you enjoyed your time together — and maybe touch base about when you’ll be getting together again in the near future. If you don’t have a plan for your next date, just establishing when you’ll be talking to each other next (“I’ll call you tomorrow”) can help a couple maintain their feelings of connection with each other.
You should also make a point of asking what’s ahead for your sweetie so you can provide the right kind of support later on. “One of the most important things to do in parting is to find out what your partner’s day is going to be like,” Dr. Gottman says. “Find out about anything that is important that’s going to happen to your partner that day. If she’s going to have lunch with a friend or he has a critical phone call or important meeting scheduled, know about that and what it means to her or him.”
And yes, before saying goodbye to your partner (for now, anyway), don’t forget to savor that six-second kiss!
Streaking Toward Spring: The Week In Thanks
We finally broke up with Comcast. At least, the cable portion of Comcast. As relatively little as we watched live TV, it's a welcome relief to our budget. The turning point was figuring out how to stream NetFlix into our living room television. Our friend Cory Steers was the hero here. Now we enjoy our dinner with a side of T.V. marathons to accompany our conversation. It's good to have friends.
I'm constantly reminded of how just about anything can be mastered with practice. Someone showed me a trick they could do with a drinking cup and I decided to try to conquer it myself. It was clumsy at first, but within a couple of hours I had it down. These type of things give me confidence in the work place too. Uncertainty brews, and we sail through with a self-assured tailwind.
I started up with a new tutoring client this week, who seems highly self-motivated. These type of students are gifts, especially when they genuinely want to learn and not just tolerate the homework. So far most of the students I've worked with have been on this side of the spectrum.
Our basketball team won its 20th game of the season and our point guard returned successfully to action from injury. This advances us to the second of three rounds in the year-end sophomore tournament. Meanwhile the varsity won its 17th game in a row and clinched the conference championship for the third year in a row. As much as I'd like to point out the correlation between the championships and my joining the varsity bench... well, it would give God a good laugh.
Spirits have generally been upbeat at the office. My annual Code of Conduct presentation went well, and several projects are moving along on schedule. We're looking forward to a job shadow for someone considering a career change. And the new hires from 2012 had an outstanding pass rate on their actuarial exams.
I saw some of Dena's work creating business cards for a start-up business in town. It is amazing what that artistic mind of hers can bring to life. Meanwhile she's been out striding through the city streets most days, burning calories toward the spring months... which are nearly here! It's uplifting to walk out of work and still be able to see the sun after a few months of hibernation.
Off to the library for a tutoring party... and another increasingly bright week.
I'm constantly reminded of how just about anything can be mastered with practice. Someone showed me a trick they could do with a drinking cup and I decided to try to conquer it myself. It was clumsy at first, but within a couple of hours I had it down. These type of things give me confidence in the work place too. Uncertainty brews, and we sail through with a self-assured tailwind.
I started up with a new tutoring client this week, who seems highly self-motivated. These type of students are gifts, especially when they genuinely want to learn and not just tolerate the homework. So far most of the students I've worked with have been on this side of the spectrum.
Our basketball team won its 20th game of the season and our point guard returned successfully to action from injury. This advances us to the second of three rounds in the year-end sophomore tournament. Meanwhile the varsity won its 17th game in a row and clinched the conference championship for the third year in a row. As much as I'd like to point out the correlation between the championships and my joining the varsity bench... well, it would give God a good laugh.
Spirits have generally been upbeat at the office. My annual Code of Conduct presentation went well, and several projects are moving along on schedule. We're looking forward to a job shadow for someone considering a career change. And the new hires from 2012 had an outstanding pass rate on their actuarial exams.
I saw some of Dena's work creating business cards for a start-up business in town. It is amazing what that artistic mind of hers can bring to life. Meanwhile she's been out striding through the city streets most days, burning calories toward the spring months... which are nearly here! It's uplifting to walk out of work and still be able to see the sun after a few months of hibernation.
Off to the library for a tutoring party... and another increasingly bright week.
Plus, He Doesn't Fit In The Pool
"I've never been swimming. That's because it's never been more than a half an hour since I last ate." - Artie Lange
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Michael Jordan Beats Kidd-Gilchrist In One-On-One Game
Charlotte Bobcats rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist admitted Friday that he lost to Michael Jordan in a one-on-one game.
“It was hard for me,” Kidd-Gilchrist told USA Today before playing in the Rising Stars Challenge rookie-sophomore game Friday night. “I lost. He’s the greatest man that ever played the game.
“Oh, yeah. He’s good,” said Kidd Gilchrist.
The 19-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist is averaging 9.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Jordan turns 50 on Sunday.
“It was hard for me,” Kidd-Gilchrist told USA Today before playing in the Rising Stars Challenge rookie-sophomore game Friday night. “I lost. He’s the greatest man that ever played the game.
“Oh, yeah. He’s good,” said Kidd Gilchrist.
The 19-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist is averaging 9.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Jordan turns 50 on Sunday.
The Game Won By Forfeiting Your Turn
"The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it." - Dale Carnegie
Some say to avoid religion or politics in conversation - topics far less objective than, say, the maximum number of clowns that can fit into a car.
There are cases where the two of you must resolve an issue together. Some by definition will entail a winner and loser, a "have" and "have-not" (witness divorcees debating the ownership of a house).
Valuing a person's opinion makes life much better than battering it with your own.
Some may enjoy putting you down. That's fine. Enjoy building yourself up. Including the strength of knowing when to clamp up.
Some say to avoid religion or politics in conversation - topics far less objective than, say, the maximum number of clowns that can fit into a car.
There are cases where the two of you must resolve an issue together. Some by definition will entail a winner and loser, a "have" and "have-not" (witness divorcees debating the ownership of a house).
Valuing a person's opinion makes life much better than battering it with your own.
Some may enjoy putting you down. That's fine. Enjoy building yourself up. Including the strength of knowing when to clamp up.
Math Marketing
"One thing I learned at Harvard business school is the power of marketing. It's practical problem solving. It doesn't matter how good your business idea is; 99 percent of success is execution, 99 percent of execution is good marketing, and 99 percent of marketing is empathy. You have to know your audience." - Will Dean, founder of Tough Mudder
I asked a successful insurance agent for his advice on marketing a start-up math tutoring business. "Think of ways that you can be a partner to teachers and counselors," he said. "You have the same goals: To develop successful students. Figure out how you can work together to achieve that."
That has been good advice and a good partnership. Some math teachers and counselors at the school have referred motivated, struggling students with supportive parents to me, and we've achieved some definite improvement in grades and confidence.
I asked a successful insurance agent for his advice on marketing a start-up math tutoring business. "Think of ways that you can be a partner to teachers and counselors," he said. "You have the same goals: To develop successful students. Figure out how you can work together to achieve that."
That has been good advice and a good partnership. Some math teachers and counselors at the school have referred motivated, struggling students with supportive parents to me, and we've achieved some definite improvement in grades and confidence.
Tip On Overcoming The Fear Of Public Speaking
Neuropsychologist Rick Hanson suggests that before a big speech, to "really feel, consciously, what it's like to be unconditionally loved." Thinking of all the people who love and support you, or examples of it from your past, stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system and allow you to relax.
This week I had another chance to give a speech at the office. I rehearse my delivery no less than twenty times before these (often in the shower or the car) - an exercise that I genuinely love, because of the infinite potential for coming up with more creative phrasings. Then when I'm up front, the lines are burned into my memory and flow easily. And all the while, including just before, the vision of a satisfied audience drives me toward that reality and makes me excited for the chance to begin.
This week I had another chance to give a speech at the office. I rehearse my delivery no less than twenty times before these (often in the shower or the car) - an exercise that I genuinely love, because of the infinite potential for coming up with more creative phrasings. Then when I'm up front, the lines are burned into my memory and flow easily. And all the while, including just before, the vision of a satisfied audience drives me toward that reality and makes me excited for the chance to begin.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Getting My Drive
When am I at my best? When am I most focused? A friend's words cause me to ponder these questions. I suppose it's informative to look back upon my greatest personal successes.
I was a mediocre basketball player in my freshman year of high school. That summer my parents gave me the option to spend the time playing ball, or working. By senior year I was a tri-captain, which no doubt was a factor in my current coaching position. So the desire to play rather than to work has been a source of motivation for me.
I was a mediocre student in my sophomore year of high school. Then I came to admire a person who had a perfect grade point average. I started chasing my naive version of an all-American boy to become better. By senior year I was fifth in my class. So the urge to impress has been a productive one.
When I got to college I was driven to see if I was capable of perfection if I gave it my all. Besides the effort of studying more than ever before, I had to visit with several teachers to overcome weak starts in some classes.
In one European geography class where I was one of two freshmen, the teacher declared on the first day that "this isn't a class for freshmen." My guess is that she would also have said it's not a class for math majors. By the middle of the semester she was quoting my test essay answers to the rest of the class as if it were poetry.
At another point I realized at 1:00 in the morning that I needed to completely re-work an economics assignment that was due at 8:00. I was pulling a low B in the class at the time. I trudged back down to the computer lab for another hour.
Yes, the compulsion to remain perfect has also shaped who I am in certain facets of my life.
More recently, the quest for inner peace has been a guiding light for my path. I've stepped into plenty of potholes along the way, but have also built habits to steer clear of them.
In all I'd say that in the long run I tend to be at my best, certainly my most focused, when I'm chasing a dream.
I was a mediocre basketball player in my freshman year of high school. That summer my parents gave me the option to spend the time playing ball, or working. By senior year I was a tri-captain, which no doubt was a factor in my current coaching position. So the desire to play rather than to work has been a source of motivation for me.
I was a mediocre student in my sophomore year of high school. Then I came to admire a person who had a perfect grade point average. I started chasing my naive version of an all-American boy to become better. By senior year I was fifth in my class. So the urge to impress has been a productive one.
When I got to college I was driven to see if I was capable of perfection if I gave it my all. Besides the effort of studying more than ever before, I had to visit with several teachers to overcome weak starts in some classes.
In one European geography class where I was one of two freshmen, the teacher declared on the first day that "this isn't a class for freshmen." My guess is that she would also have said it's not a class for math majors. By the middle of the semester she was quoting my test essay answers to the rest of the class as if it were poetry.
At another point I realized at 1:00 in the morning that I needed to completely re-work an economics assignment that was due at 8:00. I was pulling a low B in the class at the time. I trudged back down to the computer lab for another hour.
Yes, the compulsion to remain perfect has also shaped who I am in certain facets of my life.
More recently, the quest for inner peace has been a guiding light for my path. I've stepped into plenty of potholes along the way, but have also built habits to steer clear of them.
In all I'd say that in the long run I tend to be at my best, certainly my most focused, when I'm chasing a dream.
Good Morning America's Wedding In A Flash: Proposal To Marriage In One Hour On Live TV
(See the video here: http://gma.yahoo.com/video/gma-man-proposes-flash-wedding-080000952.html)
Melissa Cohn got the ultimate surprise on " Good Morning America" this Valentine's Day when her boyfriend, Brian Bondy, proposed on live television and then asked her to marry him in less than an hour in a flash wedding in Times Square.
"There's a catch," Bondy, 38, told his shocked but ecstatic bride-to-be after she said yes. "I need you to marry me today."
"Right now?" Cohn, 35, asked, nearly speechless. "OK!"
The bride-to-be was serenaded by her family and friends who had secretly
been waiting in the wings to be part of their bridal party for the
surprise "GMA" flash wedding.
"On a scale of 1 to 10, I'm a 10 right now, but a very shocked 10," Cohn said. "This is amazing. It doesn't happen to people every day."
With Cohn on board, she had less than an hour to pick her dress, choose the cake, and prepare to say "I do."
Bondy asked for "GMA's" help in pulling off his most romantic surprise ever for the woman of his dreams, and the planning for the first-ever morning show live wedding began. While a "wedding in a flash" was slightly risky, it was in keeping with the couple's adventurous courtship, Bondy assured.
The two met on Match.com. Bondy recalled the exchange that got them started: "I'm a scuba instructor, I want you to come try diving with me," he said in his Date Spark, a tool which allows daters to describe their potential ideal date with someone who catches their eyes. "And she responded with only two words, 'I'm certified.'"
Their first date was pedicures, then dinner. Shortly after they met, they were on their way to Fiji together.
"It's just kind of hard to tell someone you just met that it's a great idea for you to come halfway across the world with me in six or eight weeks," Bondy said, but after a little bit of conversation "and a lot of questions," she agreed to go with him.
"It was the best decision I made because I knew after that trip that she was the one I had to marry," he added.
And when people ask him why she's the one?
"She's so positive about everything," he said. "She's just always smiling and there's just a glimmer in her eye, and it lights up a room."
Cohn's father, Mark, gave Bondy his blessing, although her mother, Vicky, said, "I've never heard of this, getting married on national TV."
"I was sure she'd say yes," her father said.
Their daughter had no idea about what had been planned for her. She believed she was on "GMA" for a story about extreme romances.
"It wasn't until 7:30 this morning, things started to get a little crazy," Bondy said.
To make her instant wedding a success, "GMA" brought in the experts in bridal fashion at Kleinfeld Bridal, the-go-to store for all brides and setting for TLC's hit show "Say Yes to the Dress," to give Cohn the dress of her dreams.
Terry Hall, the Kleinfeld fashion director, looked at Cohn's Pinterest page, where she had posted pictures of her dream gowns, and selected four contenders. Hall described them as a "sexy sophisticate" fit and flare dress, a "modern traditionalist" look with a mermaid silhouette, a "flirt-tea" black and white tea-length a-line gown, and a more classic Princess Bride look encrusted with rhinestones and pearls. He also brought along some headpieces and shoes from the salon to complete the look (even blue heels in case she wanted something blue!).
With help from her matron of honor, Stacey Sakakini, Cohn chose the Princess Bride look by designer Pnina Tornai, which has a corseted top covered in bling and a full ball gown over 30 layers of tulle.
"She is doing amazing," Sakakini said. "For what just happened to her and to happen that fast, it's incredible. She may have looked shocked, but she really is so overwhelmed and so happy right now. We were all crying in the bathroom."
No proposal and wedding is complete without a ring and Bondy chose a 1-carat cushion-cut center diamond ring, set in 14-carat white gold, from Robbins Brothers.
Buddy Valastro,
the star of Cake Boss, designed three cake options for the couple,
using Cohn's Pinterest page again as a guide. The three options were a
traditional ruffle wedding cake
with a funky scuba diver sticking out from the bottom, a hot pink
cupcake cake, and a bejeweled bling buttercream cake, which she picked.
Before she knew it, it was time to walk down the aisle. Captain Arnold from Nautical Wedding Bells officiated.
"Every experience you have ever had, everything you have ever done, everything you have ever learned has brought you to this moment in time as you now stand before these witnesses to take each other as husband and wife. As you walk hand in hand into the future, cherish each moment as a gift, a gift given to strengthen the bond between you," Arnold said.
The two exchanged vows and Arnold told Bondy he could kiss his bride. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Bondy," "GMA" anchor Josh Elliott announced.
"They say your wedding day is one of the most amazing days of your life and this is one of the top two now for me," Cohn said. "I never thought I'd get married on television. This is amazing to get married on 'GMA.'"
The party didn't stop after the ceremony this morning. The wedding party will dine at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse. The custom menu consists of some of their favorites, including filet mignon, prime ribeye, and oysters on the half shell. GraciousBridal.com provided wedding favors for the party, including customized matchbooks with their names and the date they met.
A Love Story: College Football Player Ben Pike Gives Up Game To Attend To Sick Fiancee
On this Valentine's Day, the Cleveland Plain Dealer delivered a touching story of true, unconditional love.
Ben Pike is a defensive lineman at Toledo. Or, he was on Toledo's football team. He has a year of eligibility left, but he's giving it up to tend to his fiancee, a former Toledo basketball player who battled with leukemia last year and found out on Jan. 25 it had returned.
Pike has plans that are far more important than Division I football. He is going to graduate after this semester. He is going to marry Ashlee Barrett on June 15. He is going to see her through a bone marrow transplant and her second battle against leukemia.
According to the Plain Dealer's story, the two met when Pike was a freshman and Barrett was a junior who had just transferred to Toledo. They dated. On Toledo's trip to Washington, D.C. for the Military Bowl in 2011, Pike worked it out so he could propose to Barrett on the White House driveway.
In April 2012 Barrett had a blood infection that almost cost Barrett her life, the Plain Dealer said. She was diagnosed then with leukemia. Barrett was in St. Louis teaching second grade. Pike made weekly visits from Toledo to St. Louis, even through the football season.
Barrett finished chemotherapy and returned to teaching for a while, but the leukemia returned in late January. The Plain Dealer said she is halfway through another round of chemotherapy. Pike has a student teaching job at a middle school in Toledo during the week and visits St. Louis and his fiancee on weekends. He plans to move to St. Louis in May, leaving behind the rest of his football career.
Ben Pike is a defensive lineman at Toledo. Or, he was on Toledo's football team. He has a year of eligibility left, but he's giving it up to tend to his fiancee, a former Toledo basketball player who battled with leukemia last year and found out on Jan. 25 it had returned.
Pike has plans that are far more important than Division I football. He is going to graduate after this semester. He is going to marry Ashlee Barrett on June 15. He is going to see her through a bone marrow transplant and her second battle against leukemia.
"I know in some people's terms, he's giving up things," said Ben's mother Becky Pike told the Plain Dealer. "But he's really not giving up. He's not giving up anything. He's really fighting for life. And he's just turned his forces to he's going to win a battle for life instead of winning on the football field."It's a beautiful story by the newspaper, one with a happy ending that will be written when Barrett has beaten her cancer.
According to the Plain Dealer's story, the two met when Pike was a freshman and Barrett was a junior who had just transferred to Toledo. They dated. On Toledo's trip to Washington, D.C. for the Military Bowl in 2011, Pike worked it out so he could propose to Barrett on the White House driveway.
In April 2012 Barrett had a blood infection that almost cost Barrett her life, the Plain Dealer said. She was diagnosed then with leukemia. Barrett was in St. Louis teaching second grade. Pike made weekly visits from Toledo to St. Louis, even through the football season.
Barrett finished chemotherapy and returned to teaching for a while, but the leukemia returned in late January. The Plain Dealer said she is halfway through another round of chemotherapy. Pike has a student teaching job at a middle school in Toledo during the week and visits St. Louis and his fiancee on weekends. He plans to move to St. Louis in May, leaving behind the rest of his football career.
"It's a very, very helpless feeling because there's nothing you can do that can make it better or go away," Pike told he Plain Dealer. "The only thing you an do is be there for her 100 percent. The whole way she's handled the first round, going through everything, the way she's handled herself with such grace and beauty and a positive outlook on life. It's been truly humbling. I can definitely say she's my hero."
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
That's "F" As In "Fantastic"
Whenever someone says, "And don't worry, there are no wrong answers here," I see that as a challenge. - Adam Hess
Peanut Butter Thin
From Men's Health (discovered by the guy who eats three peanut butter sandwiches a day):
Researchers in Spain found that men who ate about 3 1/2 tablespoons of nut butter twice a week were 40 percent less likely to be overweight than those who didn't.
"Peanut butter is a good source of healthy unsaturated fats and protein," says Dr. Cyril Kendall.
"These nutrients are highly satisfying and help regulate your blood sugar so you don't have cravings."
Researchers in Spain found that men who ate about 3 1/2 tablespoons of nut butter twice a week were 40 percent less likely to be overweight than those who didn't.
"Peanut butter is a good source of healthy unsaturated fats and protein," says Dr. Cyril Kendall.
"These nutrients are highly satisfying and help regulate your blood sugar so you don't have cravings."
Nothing Gets Him Down
Did you hear that the world's biggest optimist fell out a window on the 79th floor? As he sailed past the 20th floor, he was overheard saying, "Doing OK so far!"
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Go Directly To Success: Monopoly's Real-Life Lessons
By Philip Orbanes of the Wall Street Journal:
There must be something special about a near-octogenarian board game that still makes headlines. Last week's big Monopoly news: Facebook (FB) fans voted to replace the playing piece shaped like an old-fashioned iron with one in the form of a cat.
As a longtime judge of Monopoly championships, I've figured out a prime reason for the game's staying power. For most of us, it provides one of life's first opportunities to handle money and practice the art of negotiation. Monopoly puts you through a financial wringer without real-world loss. Once you get the hang of how to win it, you can apply the game's "secrets of success" to real life—sometimes quite literally, always in principle.
Here are five of the most important:
1. Diversification: Monopoly makes a time-honored point about the importance of spreading your investments across several classes of property and not slavishly following the "smart money." The game's best investments are the orange properties (not the dark-blue ones, Park Place and Boardwalk, about which more in a moment). But the long-term value of the oranges isn't always clear: Entire games can be played in which they don't pay off, or at least not in time to stave off bankruptcy. To assure success, you need to have not only a powerful color group but also two or three railroads to generate income and a few key properties to block the formation of game-busting groups against you. This blend reduces risk and improves the odds of winning.
2. Cash Management: The game drills home this lesson: You can't win if you sit on cash, just as you can't hope to rapidly grow real-world assets if you settle for the rates of return that the banks offer. You need to take on risk. In the game, that means converting cash to deeds and buildings while retaining just enough of those colorful bills to pay for bad luck (penalties, taxes, small rents).
3. Return on Investment: Every property in Monopoly has a different likelihood of earning a return (based on how frequently players land on it, its initial cost and cost of development, and its return per level of development). The green properties, for example, are awful; the oranges and reds are superior.
The railroads, because there are four of them, are the most visited set in the game, but they can't be developed, so they aren't enough alone for a win. They can provide you with cash, however, and that's what you need to develop a killer color group—just as high-earning investments like utility funds can give you money to augment your growth-oriented holdings.
One crucial point: There's a huge difference in rent between the two- and three-house level on any property. This is the game's investment "sweet spot"—something I look for in life as well.
4. Complacency: Beware of it. In the 2009 world championship, a young Norwegian player paved the way to victory at precisely the moment when defeat stared him in the face. His opponents had concluded a three-way trade that provided each with a powerful color group. While each contemplated how many houses to buy, Norway offered his lone red property to Russia in return for the third light blue.
The trade looked lopsided; Russia already had the greens and eagerly accepted. Complacent, he hadn't noticed Norway's pile of cash—or the fact that all the shiny metal tokens were approaching the light blues. Norway rapidly developed them, and all the other players landed on his group. Paying the rents denied his rivals the chance to invest in their own pricey properties. In a few rounds, all were vanquished.
Just as once-spurned asset classes can suddenly enter the limelight in real life, so too can every group of Monopoly properties. Norway was able to use the lowly light blues to win the 2009 title, and I saw the so-so purples prevail in 2004.
Even Park Place and Boardwalk have won, in the 1979 U.S. championship—but that's a rarity. There are only two of them, and they cost a lot to develop. The three-property orange group, by contrast, gets landed on more than any other color group (because players who go to jail must pass through or over them upon exiting), and it can be developed at a reasonable price.
5. Negotiations: Knowledge of the game's financial numbers is only half the story in Monopoly success; being a master of negotiations is the other part.
In the 2009 championship, the youthful player from Norway had one other advantage besides the inventiveness to turn his chances around. Respectful, pleasant and artfully assertive, he was the kind of player the others didn't mind losing to.
In real life, I've seen more people succeed with this sort of conduct than with noisy aggressiveness. Competence in human relations affects your career, your personal life, your options and thus your net worth—yet another great lesson taught by Monopoly.
There must be something special about a near-octogenarian board game that still makes headlines. Last week's big Monopoly news: Facebook (FB) fans voted to replace the playing piece shaped like an old-fashioned iron with one in the form of a cat.
As a longtime judge of Monopoly championships, I've figured out a prime reason for the game's staying power. For most of us, it provides one of life's first opportunities to handle money and practice the art of negotiation. Monopoly puts you through a financial wringer without real-world loss. Once you get the hang of how to win it, you can apply the game's "secrets of success" to real life—sometimes quite literally, always in principle.
Here are five of the most important:
1. Diversification: Monopoly makes a time-honored point about the importance of spreading your investments across several classes of property and not slavishly following the "smart money." The game's best investments are the orange properties (not the dark-blue ones, Park Place and Boardwalk, about which more in a moment). But the long-term value of the oranges isn't always clear: Entire games can be played in which they don't pay off, or at least not in time to stave off bankruptcy. To assure success, you need to have not only a powerful color group but also two or three railroads to generate income and a few key properties to block the formation of game-busting groups against you. This blend reduces risk and improves the odds of winning.
2. Cash Management: The game drills home this lesson: You can't win if you sit on cash, just as you can't hope to rapidly grow real-world assets if you settle for the rates of return that the banks offer. You need to take on risk. In the game, that means converting cash to deeds and buildings while retaining just enough of those colorful bills to pay for bad luck (penalties, taxes, small rents).
3. Return on Investment: Every property in Monopoly has a different likelihood of earning a return (based on how frequently players land on it, its initial cost and cost of development, and its return per level of development). The green properties, for example, are awful; the oranges and reds are superior.
The railroads, because there are four of them, are the most visited set in the game, but they can't be developed, so they aren't enough alone for a win. They can provide you with cash, however, and that's what you need to develop a killer color group—just as high-earning investments like utility funds can give you money to augment your growth-oriented holdings.
One crucial point: There's a huge difference in rent between the two- and three-house level on any property. This is the game's investment "sweet spot"—something I look for in life as well.
4. Complacency: Beware of it. In the 2009 world championship, a young Norwegian player paved the way to victory at precisely the moment when defeat stared him in the face. His opponents had concluded a three-way trade that provided each with a powerful color group. While each contemplated how many houses to buy, Norway offered his lone red property to Russia in return for the third light blue.
The trade looked lopsided; Russia already had the greens and eagerly accepted. Complacent, he hadn't noticed Norway's pile of cash—or the fact that all the shiny metal tokens were approaching the light blues. Norway rapidly developed them, and all the other players landed on his group. Paying the rents denied his rivals the chance to invest in their own pricey properties. In a few rounds, all were vanquished.
Just as once-spurned asset classes can suddenly enter the limelight in real life, so too can every group of Monopoly properties. Norway was able to use the lowly light blues to win the 2009 title, and I saw the so-so purples prevail in 2004.
Even Park Place and Boardwalk have won, in the 1979 U.S. championship—but that's a rarity. There are only two of them, and they cost a lot to develop. The three-property orange group, by contrast, gets landed on more than any other color group (because players who go to jail must pass through or over them upon exiting), and it can be developed at a reasonable price.
5. Negotiations: Knowledge of the game's financial numbers is only half the story in Monopoly success; being a master of negotiations is the other part.
In the 2009 championship, the youthful player from Norway had one other advantage besides the inventiveness to turn his chances around. Respectful, pleasant and artfully assertive, he was the kind of player the others didn't mind losing to.
In real life, I've seen more people succeed with this sort of conduct than with noisy aggressiveness. Competence in human relations affects your career, your personal life, your options and thus your net worth—yet another great lesson taught by Monopoly.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Off The Emotional Fence
"The word 'emotion' stands for 'energy in motion.' Be truthful about your emotions and use your mind and your emotions in your favor, not against yourself. Be an observer, not a reactor, to your emotions. Most people do not know it is their emotions that are doing the thinking. Your emotions are your emotions, but you have got to do your own thinking."
Suppose that I sit upright on a bench. Behind me is an electric fence. As I tire, I slump backward against the fence and life becomes very unpleasant. My mind knows that all I have to do is straighten up and it will pass. But for some reason, I ignore that knowledge and stew in my predicament, cursing the fence.
I will tire and slip at some point. The key is to use my God-given reasoning to get back on track without a whimper, enjoying life straight up.
Suppose that I sit upright on a bench. Behind me is an electric fence. As I tire, I slump backward against the fence and life becomes very unpleasant. My mind knows that all I have to do is straighten up and it will pass. But for some reason, I ignore that knowledge and stew in my predicament, cursing the fence.
I will tire and slip at some point. The key is to use my God-given reasoning to get back on track without a whimper, enjoying life straight up.
Heart Of Winter, Eyes On Spring: The Week In Thanks
When I am at the center of anything remotely handy around the house, it's a major accomplishment. On Wednesday night though, after months of trading messages I finally fielded a call from our friend Cory Steers and, with his coaching and some astute reading and interpretation of the owner's manual to our Blu-Ray player, got Netflix and the Internet to run through our HDTV. This signals the end of our Comcast cable subscription, and the return of at least $70 a month to our checkbook.
Our vacation dates have been finalized (travel dates included):
McAllen, TX: March 27-30
Surf City, NC: June 7-16
San Diego/Los Angeles, CA: October 20-27
Time to shop airfare and car rentals!
It was a smooth work week. At this stage of my career that is more than enough for me. There were even a few fun moments in there, for some surprise seasoning. One employee retired, and a new employee joins us in March. A young lady looking to switch careers is dropping in for a job shadow soon. There were several teaching moments for myself, and my teammates.
Recorded a new First Farmers State Bank commercial for FM 99.5 The Ticket.
The basketball teams continue to roll. The sophomores are 18-3, the varsity has won 16 in a row to streak into first place in the conference with two games left.
My mornings and evenings have been consumed lately by reviewing YouTube and script for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee musical this spring, and online pursuits other than blogging. So the momentum and peace of this weekend has been terrific for getting back into the saddle.
I was able to tutor three students this week, making $160 in the process. Did you know that you can substitute teach in our town with only a bachelor's degree?
This evening was our Valentine's Day dinner. Dena's a recent convert to Weight Watchers, so we headed to Applebee's and its friendly menu. Gave me a chance to break out the bright red shirt and for us to talk about our future, and our happiness with the amount of time we spend together. Came home, ate some delicious Weight Watchers chocolate ice cream bars. 2 hour nap while Dena got her exercise in!
The temperature's warmed up as the evening's gone on. We are officially through the coldest month in our state. The horizon is still glowing at 5:00 now. Spring's less than six weeks away, sooner still if you believe the groundhog.
My current weightlifting routine has been reaching new heights lately (and my vertical leap is still threatening the rim). I like to think that Flintstone vitamins are playing a part.
Our vacation dates have been finalized (travel dates included):
McAllen, TX: March 27-30
Surf City, NC: June 7-16
San Diego/Los Angeles, CA: October 20-27
Time to shop airfare and car rentals!
It was a smooth work week. At this stage of my career that is more than enough for me. There were even a few fun moments in there, for some surprise seasoning. One employee retired, and a new employee joins us in March. A young lady looking to switch careers is dropping in for a job shadow soon. There were several teaching moments for myself, and my teammates.
Recorded a new First Farmers State Bank commercial for FM 99.5 The Ticket.
The basketball teams continue to roll. The sophomores are 18-3, the varsity has won 16 in a row to streak into first place in the conference with two games left.
My mornings and evenings have been consumed lately by reviewing YouTube and script for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee musical this spring, and online pursuits other than blogging. So the momentum and peace of this weekend has been terrific for getting back into the saddle.
I was able to tutor three students this week, making $160 in the process. Did you know that you can substitute teach in our town with only a bachelor's degree?
This evening was our Valentine's Day dinner. Dena's a recent convert to Weight Watchers, so we headed to Applebee's and its friendly menu. Gave me a chance to break out the bright red shirt and for us to talk about our future, and our happiness with the amount of time we spend together. Came home, ate some delicious Weight Watchers chocolate ice cream bars. 2 hour nap while Dena got her exercise in!
The temperature's warmed up as the evening's gone on. We are officially through the coldest month in our state. The horizon is still glowing at 5:00 now. Spring's less than six weeks away, sooner still if you believe the groundhog.
My current weightlifting routine has been reaching new heights lately (and my vertical leap is still threatening the rim). I like to think that Flintstone vitamins are playing a part.
High Speed Rail Map Of United States
Discovered on Tyson's page. A ten hour trip to Denver? Awesome. C'mon funding!
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Multiple Choice Life Test
"Most people want everyone else in the world to change but themselves. Let me tell you, it's easier to change yourself than everyone else. Use what's between your ears."
Our choices are to blame others, quit, settle... or seek a new path. Which do we choose?
Did I mention that my tutoring business cards are on the way?
Our choices are to blame others, quit, settle... or seek a new path. Which do we choose?
Did I mention that my tutoring business cards are on the way?
Pushing On To Success
"If you learn life's lessons, you will do well. If not, life will continue to push you around. People do things. Some just let life push them around. Others push back. But they push back against their boss, or their job, or their wife. They do not know that it's life that's pushing... A few learn the lesson and move on. They welcome life pushing them around... Most quit, and a few fight.
If you learn this lesson, you will grow into a wise, wealthy, and happy young man. If you don't, you will spend your life blaming a job, low pay, or your boss for your problems. You'll live life always hoping for that big break that will solve all your money problems."
My spiritual view on this is that when we lash out against our fate, we lash out against our creator. We lament the worst 5% of our life and ignore the top 95%. Only when we get our perspectives in order does peace return.
If you learn this lesson, you will grow into a wise, wealthy, and happy young man. If you don't, you will spend your life blaming a job, low pay, or your boss for your problems. You'll live life always hoping for that big break that will solve all your money problems."
My spiritual view on this is that when we lash out against our fate, we lash out against our creator. We lament the worst 5% of our life and ignore the top 95%. Only when we get our perspectives in order does peace return.
Class Of Life
"Talking and lectures are how they teach you in school. But that is not how life teaches you, and I would say that life is the best teacher of all. Most of the time, life does not talk to you. It just sort of pushes you around. Each push is life saying, 'Wake up. There's something I want you to learn.'"
This week a co-worker asked me for some advice on his career path. I was happy to visit with him. As he thanked me I had to explain whatever knowledge I passed along as a product of learning from decades of mistakes.
Life's a good teacher, as long as we listen and don't drop out of class.
This week a co-worker asked me for some advice on his career path. I was happy to visit with him. As he thanked me I had to explain whatever knowledge I passed along as a product of learning from decades of mistakes.
Life's a good teacher, as long as we listen and don't drop out of class.
Debunking 5 Common Myths About Sleep
When running your own business starts to feel like more than a
full-time job, one of the first things to take a hit is sleep. While
sacrificing a good night's rest might seem to be par for the course for
entrepreneurs, too little shuteye could soon hurt your business.
You may believe you can function on less sleep than you need, catch up on the weekends or compensate by drinking more coffee. If only it was so simple. Here are five common beliefs about sleep and why they aren't really so:
Sleep is just a way to let your brain rest.
People often think the brain is resting when they sleep, but it is
actually more active at night than during the day, says Jim Maas, author
of Sleep for Success: Everything You Must Know About Sleep But Are Too Tired to Ask,
(AuthorHouse, 2010) and CEO of Sleep for Success, a consulting business
based in Fort Worth, Texas. During sleep, your cardiovascular system
and brain are doing a lot of work when it comes to creativity, critical
thinking and memory. For example, short-term memories get registered and
stored in the brain during sleep. "There's a physical change in the
brain that happens only as a product of adequate sleep," Maas says.
I can get used to sleeping less.
If you believe you can condition yourself to operate on less sleep, you're wrong. When you are chronically sleep deprived, your mental performance declines, says Phil Gehrman, assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Penn Sleep Center. "We lose the ability to accurately judge how impaired we are." A 2003 study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Medical School found that chronically reducing sleep time to six hours or less per night hurt cognitive performance as much as staying awake for as many as two nights straight. "You're going to lose the ability to focus; you have a greater likelihood of making mistakes; and you'll have greater risk taking behavior," says Michael Breus, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based sleep specialist and author of The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan (Rodale 2011).
I can catch up on the weekends.
Recent studies show that if you don't get enough sleep during the workweek, sleeping in on the weekend won't easily make up for it. If you lost about two hours of sleep for five nights straight, Gehrman says, you would need to tack an extra 10 hours onto two full nights of sleep. And that's highly unlikely. Without that much extra sleep on the weekend, you will start the next week just as depleted as you were at the end of the previous week, he says. What's more, even if you did catch up on your sleep on the weekend, it won't undo the damage done in terms of lost productivity.
Coffee is a substitute for lack of sleep.
There's no doubt that caffeine is a potent antidote for drowsiness. It inhibits adenosine, the chemical in the brain that makes us feel sleepy, but it can only go so far. Coffee might help you feel more awake, but your body doesn't get the same nourishment from caffeine that it gets from sleep. This means your thinking speed and ability to move through problems and situations will still be impaired, says Breus. "It keeps you awake and moving around, but it doesn't replace the need for sleep," he says. "Your body doesn't heal; your memory doesn't get better." What's more, besides making you jittery, excessive caffeine can also cause you to feel even sleepier than before when it starts to wear off, Gehrman says.
Sleeping longer will make me gain weight.
You might think being in bed for longer will make you less active and cause weight gain, but the opposite is true. A 2011 University of Chicago study found that lack of sleep affects metabolism and can lead to obesity. Ghrelin and leptin, the hormones in your brain that cause you to feel hungry, actually increase in your body with less sleep, Maas says. And when we are tired and sleep deprived, we tend to have cravings for high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods, Gehrman says.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Super Sunday: The Week In Thanks
The new Samsung Brightside phone has made life even more grand (as if the name didn't fit me already). Clear display, cool font, and most importantly... clear sound. Yesterday afternoon while riding the 2.5 hours of white plains to a game at Moline I was able to have a phone call with Mom that didn't include me yelling, straining my ears or coping with static or dropouts. Then had a text conversation with Jack which included my first-ever picture being sent over my phone. It was a pen-drawn tattoo of a dog (in the primitive style only Jack can draw) barking "Jesus." It's his inspiration from San Francisco Colin Kapernick's Bible-themed tattoos.
I also spent part of the ride reviewing the script of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I'd like to explore the role of Vice Principal Doug Panch. If I'm not the best, I'll at least be the best prepared. In life, that's all you can ask for. I'm a lucky man to have the time and ability to do this. And actually, this is one of the reasons I'm glad that I don't live in California (an otherwise insane thought on a 20 degree Illinois day), where supremely talented actors are a dime a dozen and the chance to entertain hundreds of people might be only a pipe dream.
While I'm thankful for the cool Ironmen-orange duffel bag that I tote around on road trips, and thankful for the complimentary bottles of water that come with massages, and thankful for the time and ability and health of regular massages, I am not so fortunate that when the bag is left in my car during winter, I find myself carrying bottles of ice which do little to appease the thirst of a long bus ride.
Two tutoring sessions today. The volume's been down and I don't mind it, I always seem to have as many sessions as I'd like. Just enough impetus to get out of the house and do something fun on a snowy day. The student I met last week showed some good fundamental abilities and I think she'll be a promising one. Meanwhile Dena just ordered my business cards. So the seeds are continuing to grow.
We continue to be blessed with our basketball teams. The varsity's won 14 in a row, our sophomores are 16-3. They share the ball, hustle, listen, joke around, play good defense, rebound. And lately, to our delight, they shoot the ball well. And in the case of Friday night, do just enough to win... on a steal-and-layup-in-traffic with 10 seconds left to overcome a 1-point deficit. When life's waves are riding high, you just smile from on top of your board and enjoy the view.
Work was manageable, even good, this week. I got several opportunities to help people with nowhere else to turn. Several of my teammates got special projects to develop themselves. I got a few compliments. Screwed nothing up. Made an executive or two happy. My best week as an actuary will never approach my best as a teacher or performer, but this one held its own.
We continued to plan our three vacations for the year, including to look at rental car rates. Our trusty carriages are no match for the Appalachians, and airfare is looking silly en route to North Carolina. I am giving some consideration to renting a convertible for driving up the California coast... never drove one, don't plan to buy one, and what better than Pacific breezes to tussle your hair?
This morning while brushing my teeth I decided to play charades to ask Dena a question, and two hundred laughs later we succeeded. It was so much fun that later I decided to suggest that she go shopping for vitamins via pantomime also. We have so much fun together, still, after 15 years of marriage. Way more than I deserve.
And of course tonight is the big night. Four hours will determine the answer to the question... which is the best? Thank goodness for DVR. That way I can skip all the football and get right to the commercials to see who wins.
May this week be at least as good as the last!
I also spent part of the ride reviewing the script of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I'd like to explore the role of Vice Principal Doug Panch. If I'm not the best, I'll at least be the best prepared. In life, that's all you can ask for. I'm a lucky man to have the time and ability to do this. And actually, this is one of the reasons I'm glad that I don't live in California (an otherwise insane thought on a 20 degree Illinois day), where supremely talented actors are a dime a dozen and the chance to entertain hundreds of people might be only a pipe dream.
While I'm thankful for the cool Ironmen-orange duffel bag that I tote around on road trips, and thankful for the complimentary bottles of water that come with massages, and thankful for the time and ability and health of regular massages, I am not so fortunate that when the bag is left in my car during winter, I find myself carrying bottles of ice which do little to appease the thirst of a long bus ride.
Two tutoring sessions today. The volume's been down and I don't mind it, I always seem to have as many sessions as I'd like. Just enough impetus to get out of the house and do something fun on a snowy day. The student I met last week showed some good fundamental abilities and I think she'll be a promising one. Meanwhile Dena just ordered my business cards. So the seeds are continuing to grow.
We continue to be blessed with our basketball teams. The varsity's won 14 in a row, our sophomores are 16-3. They share the ball, hustle, listen, joke around, play good defense, rebound. And lately, to our delight, they shoot the ball well. And in the case of Friday night, do just enough to win... on a steal-and-layup-in-traffic with 10 seconds left to overcome a 1-point deficit. When life's waves are riding high, you just smile from on top of your board and enjoy the view.
Work was manageable, even good, this week. I got several opportunities to help people with nowhere else to turn. Several of my teammates got special projects to develop themselves. I got a few compliments. Screwed nothing up. Made an executive or two happy. My best week as an actuary will never approach my best as a teacher or performer, but this one held its own.
We continued to plan our three vacations for the year, including to look at rental car rates. Our trusty carriages are no match for the Appalachians, and airfare is looking silly en route to North Carolina. I am giving some consideration to renting a convertible for driving up the California coast... never drove one, don't plan to buy one, and what better than Pacific breezes to tussle your hair?
This morning while brushing my teeth I decided to play charades to ask Dena a question, and two hundred laughs later we succeeded. It was so much fun that later I decided to suggest that she go shopping for vitamins via pantomime also. We have so much fun together, still, after 15 years of marriage. Way more than I deserve.
And of course tonight is the big night. Four hours will determine the answer to the question... which is the best? Thank goodness for DVR. That way I can skip all the football and get right to the commercials to see who wins.
May this week be at least as good as the last!
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