It's that quadrennial time when we remember USA Soccer's greatest highlights. Nine days from the World Cup that can bring Cup-saving goals like this:
and emotional responses like this:
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Memorial Days: The Week In Thanks
I've spent a fair amount of time in therapeutic massage since September working out the elbow issues. One thing I've come to appreciate is the improvement in my posture and reduction of tension in my shoulders as a result. So this week's thanks is for that - loose shoulder blades.
The fantasy baseball teams are off to varied starts. One team is slogging along in 5th place, one has been at 4th place or higher the whole season, and one has rallied in May into 2nd place.
I was surprised and pleased to hit the 400 hour tutored mark by the end of the spring semester. It adds a layer of security and opportunity even beyond the many things we'd planned to be able to do when I retired. Putting in 20+ hours a week as a teacher still feels like retirement to me, since every hour is one of my own choosing. So blessed (and hopefully, the students feel that way too).
For summer reading I've started borrowing some books from my second home, the library. Hidden Bloggers are as fortunate as me to live in a society where we are taught to read. It opens up an infinite array of adventures, and is a luxury that billions around the planet can't afford. I get to do it from the comfort of an air-conditioned sofa.
Band leaders Sean and Jennifer Stevens continue in good health as baby #2 comes closer to joining us.
Good-hearted Dena was once again helping the noble fight against cancer, this time in a Relay for Life 5K run. She'd been battling and ultimately won against an injured calf muscle that popped up a week before the gun.
It's been a while since I gave a shout-out for microwave ovens, the lifeline to my getting the protein I need (read: chicken breasts).
I was pleased to hear from the pulpit on Sunday that the Catholic Church, at least in America it appears, will be placing a new emphasis on becoming more modern. What that means is yet to be seen, but the attitude itself speaks to proactivity and is refreshing to hear from the millenia-old religion.
The Spurs are back in the NBA Finals. Let's see them get the job done against the Heat this year.
Our neighborhood is a safe place. One I feel at ease in, as Cupcake continues to get bolder in exploring new territory. It's fun to see her confidence growing, as long as that does not include nibbling on my toes (a side effect of maturing, I suppose).
A fun conversation came up among us band mates before Mass about the amazing properties of skin. Resilient, self-healing, protective, long-lasting, infection-resistant, and usually good to look at. Quite the gift!
As I read about Phil Jackson and his diverse spiritual beliefs - a mix of Indian, Buddhist, Zen, Christian - it reminds me about the value of freedom of speech and religion. Where else besides America can a person so easily find his own individuality without obstacle?
I was born a good hugger, so Dena tells me. I'm glad for that.
Memorial Day was a couple weekends ago without a post from me, but absolutely deserves to be at the core of my thankfulness philosophy. The safety I talked about earlier, the freedoms, all funnel down from people who have lived and died fighting for them without help from me. Thanks is the least I can give.
The fantasy baseball teams are off to varied starts. One team is slogging along in 5th place, one has been at 4th place or higher the whole season, and one has rallied in May into 2nd place.
I was surprised and pleased to hit the 400 hour tutored mark by the end of the spring semester. It adds a layer of security and opportunity even beyond the many things we'd planned to be able to do when I retired. Putting in 20+ hours a week as a teacher still feels like retirement to me, since every hour is one of my own choosing. So blessed (and hopefully, the students feel that way too).
For summer reading I've started borrowing some books from my second home, the library. Hidden Bloggers are as fortunate as me to live in a society where we are taught to read. It opens up an infinite array of adventures, and is a luxury that billions around the planet can't afford. I get to do it from the comfort of an air-conditioned sofa.
Band leaders Sean and Jennifer Stevens continue in good health as baby #2 comes closer to joining us.
Good-hearted Dena was once again helping the noble fight against cancer, this time in a Relay for Life 5K run. She'd been battling and ultimately won against an injured calf muscle that popped up a week before the gun.
It's been a while since I gave a shout-out for microwave ovens, the lifeline to my getting the protein I need (read: chicken breasts).
I was pleased to hear from the pulpit on Sunday that the Catholic Church, at least in America it appears, will be placing a new emphasis on becoming more modern. What that means is yet to be seen, but the attitude itself speaks to proactivity and is refreshing to hear from the millenia-old religion.
The Spurs are back in the NBA Finals. Let's see them get the job done against the Heat this year.
Our neighborhood is a safe place. One I feel at ease in, as Cupcake continues to get bolder in exploring new territory. It's fun to see her confidence growing, as long as that does not include nibbling on my toes (a side effect of maturing, I suppose).
A fun conversation came up among us band mates before Mass about the amazing properties of skin. Resilient, self-healing, protective, long-lasting, infection-resistant, and usually good to look at. Quite the gift!
As I read about Phil Jackson and his diverse spiritual beliefs - a mix of Indian, Buddhist, Zen, Christian - it reminds me about the value of freedom of speech and religion. Where else besides America can a person so easily find his own individuality without obstacle?
I was born a good hugger, so Dena tells me. I'm glad for that.
Memorial Day was a couple weekends ago without a post from me, but absolutely deserves to be at the core of my thankfulness philosophy. The safety I talked about earlier, the freedoms, all funnel down from people who have lived and died fighting for them without help from me. Thanks is the least I can give.
Shrek The Musical: Morning Person
Princess Fiona is a morning person, even if that means accidentally blowing up a bird and tossing a deer over a cliff. This is the scene with my Pied Piper's only spoken lines:
www.communityplayers.org
www.communityplayers.org
Monday, June 2, 2014
The Prayer Of The Lord And The Lakota
A rabbi asked successful basketball coach Phil Jackson for a copy of a Lakota Indian prayer, which went:
O great spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds
And whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me:
I come before you one of your many children.
I am small and weak. I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes
Ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
And my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may know the things
You have taught my people,
The lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength not to be superior to my brothers
But to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me ever ready to come to you
With clean hands and straight eyes
So that when life fades as a fading sunset
My spirit may come to you with out shame.
How far distant is that from the Christian prayer?
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
The breadth of pain throughout the world makes it difficult for me to view God as "father," but I am grateful for everything that I have - it all comes from God. And acknowledging myself, my ego, as my own worst and ever-present enemy... brings me in harmony with that Lakota prayer.
O great spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds
And whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me:
I come before you one of your many children.
I am small and weak. I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes
Ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
And my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may know the things
You have taught my people,
The lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength not to be superior to my brothers
But to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me ever ready to come to you
With clean hands and straight eyes
So that when life fades as a fading sunset
My spirit may come to you with out shame.
How far distant is that from the Christian prayer?
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
The breadth of pain throughout the world makes it difficult for me to view God as "father," but I am grateful for everything that I have - it all comes from God. And acknowledging myself, my ego, as my own worst and ever-present enemy... brings me in harmony with that Lakota prayer.
Last Day Of School
Today was the last (snow-day-delayed) day of school for Unit 5 students. They went for three hours, which is about three times as long as I worked today. Hit the sack last night at 11pm, rose at 8, took the kitten for a walk while reading a Phil Jackson book. Off to the gym for some cycling while reading. Showered to the beat of "Freak Flag" from the Shrek musical while practicing (safely) the dance moves. Did an hour or two of fantasy baseball research. Ate lunch, watched Netflix, and took a nap. Set the alarm for 45 minutes before my tutoring session; woke up and got some condominium association bills paid before heading out.
Tonight, a few hours of Shrek rehearsal. Between now and then, who knows... whatever I feel like doing.
Living the dream!
Tonight, a few hours of Shrek rehearsal. Between now and then, who knows... whatever I feel like doing.
Living the dream!
Saturday, May 31, 2014
2014 Goals Update
Exercise/Stretch 5+ Days a Week, Body Fat 14%
I put in a call to a local health clinic to see if they did individual body composition, I'll have to follow up on this. Meanwhile, I'm right at 14%. I did more stretching than in any previous month this year, about six times. My weight is holding steady and I got all my exercise in.
Healthy Elbow, Teeth
My elbow's had its healthiest month of the year. Maybe it's because I've altered my routine so well, but some days I barely think about it at all. Despite continued texting all throughout finals week, there hasn't been a lot of irritation. I have been re-thinking my teeth and whether or not to explore a root canal there while I still have dental insurance, so that I can chew on that right side without pain. I've been laying off most chewing on that side, just in case rest is the answer.
Tutor 300 Hours
I averaged more than 4 hours per calendar day - over 130 hours in total - and am exactly at 400 hours just as the spring semester ends. I logged 40 hours one week, for yet another personal record. By every measure it's been a successful year, and high time to adjust the annual goal upward significantly from the 300 dreamed back in January. I also obtained my substitute teaching license this week so am all set to market myself that way. Considering that I have at least a half-dozen students set up for the summer, I'll just double the year-to-date hours up to 800 and feel conservative. So grateful to God on this one.
Blog Thanks Weekly
I did three this month, better than last month. Three out of four ain't bad, but four's better.
Make 10 New Acquaintances
On a last-minute whim I auditioned for and got a spot in Shrek the Musical. I should be able to make some progress.
Clean House
We got an estimate for the basement repair and landscape re-grading so hopefully will make a decision by the end of June. I also reached out to the Board to help with the driveway project. I need to do more with the wardrobe, but this goal is generally well on its way at this point.
I put in a call to a local health clinic to see if they did individual body composition, I'll have to follow up on this. Meanwhile, I'm right at 14%. I did more stretching than in any previous month this year, about six times. My weight is holding steady and I got all my exercise in.
Healthy Elbow, Teeth
My elbow's had its healthiest month of the year. Maybe it's because I've altered my routine so well, but some days I barely think about it at all. Despite continued texting all throughout finals week, there hasn't been a lot of irritation. I have been re-thinking my teeth and whether or not to explore a root canal there while I still have dental insurance, so that I can chew on that right side without pain. I've been laying off most chewing on that side, just in case rest is the answer.
Tutor 300 Hours
I averaged more than 4 hours per calendar day - over 130 hours in total - and am exactly at 400 hours just as the spring semester ends. I logged 40 hours one week, for yet another personal record. By every measure it's been a successful year, and high time to adjust the annual goal upward significantly from the 300 dreamed back in January. I also obtained my substitute teaching license this week so am all set to market myself that way. Considering that I have at least a half-dozen students set up for the summer, I'll just double the year-to-date hours up to 800 and feel conservative. So grateful to God on this one.
Blog Thanks Weekly
I did three this month, better than last month. Three out of four ain't bad, but four's better.
Make 10 New Acquaintances
On a last-minute whim I auditioned for and got a spot in Shrek the Musical. I should be able to make some progress.
Clean House
We got an estimate for the basement repair and landscape re-grading so hopefully will make a decision by the end of June. I also reached out to the Board to help with the driveway project. I need to do more with the wardrobe, but this goal is generally well on its way at this point.
Finding Unity
"God made us all different, but there's always something they share. It's the coach's job to find it." - Bill Fitch
At a business, the team shares the goal of helping the customer, or at least the goal of doing a job well enough to get paid. Our condominium association wants good property values. Local teachers and I want students to get ahead. The Shrek cast wants a satisfied audience. The list goes on. The leader's job is to keep that unity in front of us, despite the waterfall of differences among us.
At a business, the team shares the goal of helping the customer, or at least the goal of doing a job well enough to get paid. Our condominium association wants good property values. Local teachers and I want students to get ahead. The Shrek cast wants a satisfied audience. The list goes on. The leader's job is to keep that unity in front of us, despite the waterfall of differences among us.
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