Am I Just Totally Prejudiced?

While flipping around on talk radio today, I came across an interview with a woman. Before I really heard anything about the content, I heard her accent; one so thick it'd make my mid-Missouri twang sound like high society. I immediately went to "redneck" or "hillbilly" or some such term I've probably once called myself! I mean, c'mon! Who can sound like that and still have something worthy to be heard on NPR?

Well, as she continued on, my pre-conceived notions started to slip away. When she started talking about the human genome project and genetic mapping of human conditions as theyy relate to federal funding, I realized this conversation was far, FAR above my head.

Turns out, this woman is a geneticist and holds a master's of public health from Harvard University. Everything else I heard was interesting, but 75% of it was lost on me due to the highly scientific content. And yet? This woman, not five minutes before, had been pre-judged as a total cracker. So, faithful reader, I ask you...who's the real idiot here?

I don't typically think of myself as a prejudiced person. True, we all have prejudices to some extent, but rarely do I immediately make a judgement on someone as fast as I did today. Why?

I think this accent reminded me of the wife of a friend. This wife is one of the most crass, foul-mouthed, inconsiderate people I've ever met. She is simply not likeable.

And the accents matched, the patterns of speech matched and, yes, even the voices sorta matched. I'll bet both the interviewee and my friend's wife are within 10 years of one another AND I bet they are from within a two hour drive of each other, birthplace wise.

So, was it the accent? Am I really that prejudice? Or was it just relating the radio gal with the unlikeable woman? Frankly, I'm not sure.

I do know, however, that I need to make a greater effort to withhold judgement before assigning a label to anyone. Ever done something like this? Please tell me YES so I don't feel like such a schmuck!

Is There Modesty In A Hospital?

Yesterday morning, my grandmother-in-law(is that a real relative?) fell and broke her hip. Nana is 91 and lives in an assisted living facility here in Orlando. Today was to be surgery day, but as it's now tonight and the surgery still hasn't started? Who knows? Alas, I digress...

We went to see Nana in the hospital today. In the 30 minutes or so we were there, I witnessed a really, really spectacular form of patient care. So much so that it'll be a chapter in my next medical book....(please pardon the literary liberties I'll have to take)...

Many years ago, Nana had a double mastectomy. The EKG tech entered the room today and approached Nana's hospital bed. She explained to Nana the EKG wouldn't hurt a bit andd reached at the collar of Nana's hospital gown.. As you'd expect from any woman(much less one who has endured a double mastectomy), Nana made a motion with her hands and the gown to cover her bare chest. The tech picked up right away on Nana's subtle gestures, raised the bed sheets to provide extra coverage and did her job-without ever having a bit of Nana's dignity suffer..

A big deal? Not for a veteran health care professional. A big deal to Nana? Bet your life it was.

Rosemary, the EKG gal at Florida Hospital in Altamonte Springs-doubtful you'll ever read this, but our family thanks you.

What Do You Do When Your Best Friend Dies?

Last night, I scored tix to see Bruce Springsteen at the Amway Arena here in Orlando. I worship the ground The Boss walks upon, so all is great, right? Not so much…

Last week, Springsteen’s keyboard player of 30 plus years, Danny Federici, died of cancer. He wasn’t even 60 years old.

Bruce opened the show with a short documentary of Danny’s life and time with the E Street Band, complete with the studio version of “Blood Brothers” playing behind the video. Tear jerker, as you can imagine.

Bruce started the concert immediately after the short film. And he sounded…tired. Very, very tired. Apparently, to look at him, you learned the same. Everyone wanted to rock…hell, it –WAS- a concert! Thing is, hearing Bruce sounding so worn, I wondered if we, the fans, should be there at all…

Can you even imagine the dynamic here? First, think if you lost your best friend. Other than Marvelyne and Carson, my best friend in this world is DJ Grimwood. If he died tonight, I’d be good for nothing for weeks. Wouldn’t you, if your best friend died?

Now, take that to another level-a bandmate. Not only a friend of 30 years, but a co-worker, too. And that co-worker’s talent and persona is what has helped you be you for over three decades. Poof! Gone! What do you do? Think how many aspects of life would be effected. I know if DJ died, I’d work at my own pace…like, maybe work for an hour, then go cry for the rest of the day. But Bruce doesn't have a job like that-the show must go on.

And yet? Here’s Springsteen, less than a week after he buried his best friend and bandmate, putting a show on for 20K people. How can he do that? I sure couldn’t. In fact, the whole time he was singing and his fatigue and emotions were showing through, I wanted to take his guitar from him, give him a hug and tel him he shouldn’t have to entertain his fans when he’s mourning.

Do we, as fans, deserve a show at The Boss’ expense? Springsteen has likely been in the lives of his fans for years-I know I first loved him when I heard “Glory Days” for the first time when I was in the fourth grade. He’s almost like a friend. Hell, he IS a friend-he just doesn’t know his friend Marcus exists.

As the show continued, Bruce seemed to gain strength. Next thing ya know, he’s rocking like we’re used to. I was pretty torn…do I sing along and smile and rock out? Or just observe out of respect for the recent loss?

Then, Bruce played “Badlands.” And the line from “Badlands” which always has(and always will) stand out to me?

“It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive…”

I am. And even with the loss, it looks like Bruce is, too.

In the end, maybe the best thing we can do for those who’ve gone before us isn’t pay them homage, but rather honor their memory by doing what they loved in life. In this case, the answer is simple: we rock and roll…

A Child-Sized Burger

Burger King is reportedly creating a 85 lb., $170 hamburger.

The question is...why?

Well, don't get the idea you'll be able to get this flame broiled goodness at the BK down the block. This is a limited-time and limited location offer, specifically in affluent parts of London.

The burger will reportedly be sold to customers in order to raise money for chairity. Like what? The British Heart Association?

I like a Whopper as much as the next guy. No doubt about it. It's just hard to understand how this seems like such a great idea. If nothing else, it sounds wasteful and over-indulgent. We've come to expect that in America, but in London?

Maybe I'm the crazy one here...but would you buy an 85 lb burger for $170? I'dd give $170 to chairity no problem, but what will anyone do with an 85 lb. burger? Invite the entire neighborhood over for a one pound hunk of meat? Weird.

Happy Earth Day!

The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 and was created in order to raise awareness about protecting our environment. Who'd have thunk the brainchild of hippies would last another four decades? Sure didn't happen with the pet rock!

Nowadays, you can't even discuss the environment without getting people all up in arms. It's the baby of the Democrats/liberal side of America's political landscape. Due too that, even mentioning the environment and the protection/preservation thereof to a right winger bringgs about a diatribe of points about how studies show the environment isn't suffering-at least not as bad as the left would like the public to believe. Who's right? Who's wrong? What does the research really say? Who knows?

For me, I want the truth. Bring on the studies, the research, the decades-long fact findings of a non-biased scientific org who is truly looking for answers-not trying to push a political agenda.

Truly, it's shameful we humans aren't on the same page about this. We have but one planet to live on. Preserving that pplanet should be a top priority of we homo sapiens. It's one of those rare issues which should(but doesn't) encompass all parties and political views.

Several weeks ago, there was a worldwide awareness campaign for one hour. In that hour, the developed countries of the world were asked to dim or extinguish their lights in order to show support for conservation and environmental preservation. And, from the looks of it, it got a lot of press and publicity.

As I was surfing my favorite news sites this morning, not mention #1 of Earth Day. This leaves me wondering why the "blackout" from a few weeks ago wasn't coordinated on Earth Day? It may have brought more awareness to the day itself-after all, there's not been much in the press about Earth Day as of late. Wouldn't it have been more productive to commemorate Earth Day with the world wide blackout, thereby reinforcing Ap. 22 as Earth Day in the minds of we earthlings?

When Ap. 22 becomes as ingrained as Dec. 25 is with Christmas, July 4 is with Independence Day and Feb. 2 as Groundhog Day, maybe then there'll be enough awareness to get everyone on the same page about working to preserve the earth.

Time To Move On, Time To Get Goin'

One of my fav Tom Petty songs contains this lyric, followed by:

What lies ahead I have no way of knowin'

This sums up one of my business relationships as of late...except I do know what lies ahead.

Last Friday, I resigned myy affiliation with Coleman Productions, the collegiate booking agent which has represented me the last year or so. It was simply not a good fit for either party.

So, what lies ahead? Well, for my clients, booking is simplified. Now, you deal directly with me; no agent, no bureau, no secretary. Cutting out the middle man is always, ALWAYS a good thing!

I still do the same programss, but I have a few more I'll be adding to the mix. One which is currently under construction is a breakout on victimization. More specifically, how to let go of the victim mentality and break into survivor mode. But that's another topic for another post.

For now? Just know that when you want to book Marcus Engel, just contact Marcus Engel. Some things in life should be easy-and my goal is to make booking as easy as possible. From now on, that's what clients will once again get!

Bahia Shrine

This past weekend, yours truly became a Shriner. You may not know a Shriner by that name, but you're likely to recognize the funny red hat with a tassel, the little go carts Shriners drive in parades and, most importantly, the 19 Shriners Hospitals for children across the country.

Bahia Shrine here in Orlando was the location of my entrance into Shrinedom. I met some of the most fun-loving, philanthropic and friendly people you could ever hope to know. Mark my words - joining the Shrine will be one of the best decisions I've ever made!

Lady Marvelyne and I attended the fezzing ceremony on Saturday night, but here we are all pimped in our formal wear before the event. More pics to come as opportunities present themselves... don't worry, soon there's going to be a plethora of pics of yours truly in his red fez!

Dreamcatcher

Ah, to be reading some Stephen King again! I've taken a several month hiatus from King's works to taste other literary pleasures. But now that I'm working my way through his 2001 release, "Dreamcatcher", I feel like I'm getting re-acquainted with an old friend! As with almost every King book, I was hooked within the first dozen pages!

There's a scene in "Dreamcatcher" I thought was worthy of telling you about via Engel's Ensights. In this chapter, a professor, Jonesey, is thinking back on a recent accident. As he was crossing the street, he was struck by an elderlly driver. Later, they discovered the old man was in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Thoughts turned from punishment to pity. As Jonesey lamented the life-changing injuries he received, his thoughts were this:

So often, Jonesey thought, there was no one to blame when the dust cleared. And, even if there was, what good did it do? You still had to live with what was leftand console yourself to the fact that, as people told him every day(until they forgot the whole thing, that was), it could have been worse. And it could have been!

King himself was hit just two years prior to the release of this book and, as coincidence would have it, suffered many of the injuries of his character. And the character's thoughts mirror my own philosophies closely.

After all, blame doesn't end pain. Blame tends to prolong the healing process. Blame doesn't ease the feelings of vulnerability. Blame doesn't do much at all, come to think of it.

When something horrific happens, even if there is an undeniable perp, thequestion must(sooner or later) become: What am I going to do now? This shows a desire to continue with life, to prevent the tragedy from overtaking the rest of life and, above all other things, shows it's simply an aspect of life-not life itself.

Whether it's from me, King or the fictional Jonesey, do what we all three did: accept it and move on.

Saying "Thank You"

I've just finished "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. Go back a few posts and you'll see I've talked about this book already. That's because it's one of those books I seem to stumble upon once per year that changes/reinforces a positive perspective.

At the end of the book, Gilbert thanks those who helped her on her journey. It's obvious in her writing that she feels a huge debt of gratitude for all the assistance she received on her year-long quest. Yet, how can one thank another when they feel so indebetted? Simple words seem to fail. Liz seems to know this, too. This is why I found this passage from the acknowledgements so profound:

"In the end, though,, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying "Thank you" forever and sincerely for as long as we have voices. "
-Elizabeth Gilbert, "Eat, Pray, Love"

Rye Country Day School

Wow, what an awesome experience! On Wednesday, April 16, I was honored to present for the high school of Rye Country Day School in Rye, NY. An awesome group of students, a gorgeous spring day and some of the most fun I've had in a while at a high school!

Thanks to Jenny Heath for such perfect and professional work in the arrangements of the day (and for talking books and literature with me)! Thanks to Donald and Jackie for some great laughs during the day, as well as to Heather and Jenny in the RCDS library for a great conversation!

Looking forward to a return trip up to Rye sometime soon! Thanks again, guys! You rock!

CIO Services

The last several months have been a really, really stressful time for yours truly. There is but one reason from which many other aspects grow. That reason? My web site.

MarcusEngel.com was being updated by a web designer who I hired in August. Freaking August, people! It just went up in the last three weeks. However, when it went live, we found some major fixes that needed to be done. Never mind the project was already four months behind schedule, the changes necessary were some big things to overcome.

Finally, with no other recourse, I had to give my designer the boot. I'm so glad I did! First off, he'd given me an ulcer(not really) over the last few months. Second, I found a new company I'd like to share with you...

CIO Services is a computer and internet solutions company based in St. Louis, MO. They were recommended by my friend and colleague, Scott Ginsburg...and Name Tag Guy has yet to steer me wrong!

I got in contact with Nathaniel Leroche at Cio Services:

www.CIOservicesllc.com

and

Nathaniel@cioservicesllc.com

and explained my situation. I'm behind, I have a site that's beautiful, but not real functional. As with any good businessman, Nathaniel underpromised and overdelivered(exactly the opposite of what'd been going on with my previous designer).

Last night around 10 p.m., I sent Nathaniel the changes for the site. I was crossing my fingers it'd be done in a week. Maybe three or four days, if I got lucky.

Nope! Around quitting time tonight, Nathaniel called me, said the changes were made and they wanted my approval before sending the site live. Marvelyne and I rushed to our PCs, checked it out, sent our okays and, first thing tomorrow morning, I'll be in business again!

Folks, I can't even describe how CIO Services saved my hide! As I told Nathaniel, they not only have a lifelong customer in Marcus Engel, but an advocate for their services.

If you have design, web site or any other needs CIO Services can perform, I give them my 110% reccomendation! These folks at CIO Services run a business exactly how a business should be ran: prompt, accurate, friendly-they simply deliver the goods.

Hairy-Handed Gurus

I've been reading Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love." What a fantastic book! I highly reccomend it for anyone seeking balance in their life!

While in India for four months, Elizabeth Gilbert is living, eating, working and praying at a Buddhist temple. While there, she meets a Texan named Richard who, believe it or not, teaches her about herself in a way only a Texan can. She comes to think of Richard as her guru-and rightfully so since the advice he gave was simply priceless.

As Richard is flying back to Austin, they're saying their good-byes at the airport. She calls him her guru with "hairy hands and cruddy toenails." Not exactly the ideal image of a guru in my book-hers either!

Richard, a Vietnam vvet, says, "Yeah, my toes never really did recover from Vietnam."

"It could have been worse," Liz says in return.

"Sure could've been. Lots of guys came back home without their legs, so I consider myself pretty lucky."

Folks, this is exactly the sort of thing we all need to keep in mind. When we're all burdened down with our own self pity about our appearance, financial status, lot in life, relationships-whatever, we've gotta remember to look around and observe.

First thing to notice-you have the ability to look around! Dead people don't! Rule #1 to finding happiness? Remember you're alive. Life is a gift.

Rule #2? no matter how sorry you feel for yourself, there are much, much worse things that could be happening to you. Bbe thankful for the situation you're in-and be thankful it's not worse.

It doesn't take a hairy-handed guru from Texas to teach this lesson-but if you need some more input, grab a copy of "Eat, Pray, Love." You won't be disappointed!

Massage Chairs, Flat Screen TVs and...DWI prevention?

I freaking love The Sharper Image! It's like Toys R Us, except for grown men! Every electronic gadget known to mankind can be found in a Sharper Image store - and I swear, as soon as I have a few thousand extra bucks laying around, I'm gonna get one of those massage chairs!

So, somehow I got on the mailing list for The Sharper Image. This morning when I opened my in box, there was a Sharper Image promo mailing... except this one didn't talk about gadgets nor massage chairs nor anything you'd expect. Instead, the subject line said: Driving With Phone Worse Than DUI!

Open the message and there are all sorta blue tooth and hands free cell phone headsets and ear pieces. Is that true? That talking on a cell phone is worse than driving drunk?

The answer is both yes and no. Inattention is the #1 cause for MVAs (Motor Vehicle Accident) in the U.S. Cell phones, text messages, eating, drinking (non-alcoholic), smoking, changing the radio, reading, talking to others in the car - these all add up to create the biggest cause for crashes in the country.

However, DUI is the biggest killer. While there are more crashes caused due to inattention, impaired driving is definitely more dangerous for one's health. Some 15K individuals are killed every year in America due to impaired driving.

In the case of The Sharper Image... does it matter? Nah, not at all. The Sharper Image may have just helped to save lives. Trying to get people to stop talking on cell phones while driving is going to fall on deaf ears. At least Sharper Image is helping folks have safer ways of doing so.

Western Regional Greek Assocition - WRGA

Sat., Ap. 12, I was honored to be a keynote presentor for the Western Regional Greek Association conference in San Francisco. This was a true pleasure to be in front of a fraternity/sorority audience once again! Thanks to all who attended my presentation - we had so many fill the room we had to hang a sign on the door saying the room was full! Plus, this is one of those programs where we all (and I do mean everyone) seemed on exactly the same page at exactly the same time. I can only do that when the audience is ready to get on board and ride this roller coaster with me - and you guys did just that! Thanks!

I'd like to thank all the fellow Kappa Sigs I met at WRGA, too! Always great to meet brothers at these events!

You can check out all the pics on myspace.com/marcusengel!

Tampa Tribune Article

When I spoke at Academy At The Lakes last Monday, April 7, Megan Hussey of the Tampa Tribune was present. The article appeared in Saturday's Tribune and can be found below.

I'd like to personally thank Megan for such an accurate and well-written article! I've been written about hundreds of times in newspapers, magazines, periodicals, etc.-but this is probably the most accurate article ever done on little old me! Thanks, Megan, and thanks again to Bob Sullivan and Academy At the Lakes for hosting this event!



Speaker Helps Students See 'Happiness Is A Choice'
By MEGAN HUSSEY
Tribune correspondent
Published: April 12, 2008
LAND O' LAKES - At the age of 16, Marcus Engel was involved in the type of fender bender that every high-school student fears; one in which he accidentally struck an auto driven by his principal's wife.
Taking the incident in stride, his principal advised him to "Change the things you can."
This advice proved valuable two years later, when Engel was in another wreck, this one far more serious.
One late night on a St. Louis road, the actions of a drunken driver in another car cost Engel his eyesight; and caused massive injuries to his face and body that required a year of surgeries to repair.
Engel first had to accept the fact that he was blind.
"I thought, 'I'm 18. I'm never going to see again. I'm never gonna lead my life again,'" he said. "What do you do?"
Reaching Teenagers
What Engel did in the years that followed was write two inspirational books and speak publicly about his experiences; his speaking engagements take the Orlando resident to 40 to 50 events yearly.
"And because of my passion for education, I like speaking to schools the most," he said. "It's a powerful thing to get teenagers to listen, and judging from the number of e-mails and MySpace signups I get after my speeches, they are engaged by the message."
On Monday, Engel brought his message of hope, humor and inspiration to Academy at the Lakes, where he addressed students in grades eight through 12.
Engel was accompanied by his wife and book editor Marvelyne Adams, and Carson, his guide dog. He also brought a bag full of his books, "After This ... An Inspirational Journey For All the Wrong Reasons" and "The Other End of the Stethoscope: 33 Insights for Excellent Patient Care."
He handed out free copies to students who asked questions after the speech. He also handed out advice about overcoming terrible odds.
"You get used to things like this, because sooner or later it just becomes your life," he said. "All I knew is that I had to give it time, that my life could someday be good again."
Working To Stay Independent
Following his principal's advice to change the things he could, he took extensive steps to ensure that life would be good again. After a challenging regimen of surgeries and physical therapy, he attended a residential education program for the blind.
"In order to graduate, I had to prepare, serve and clean up a meal for the 50 people on the school staff," he said. "For the second challenge, a school secretary took me out in a car ... and dropped me off, telling me I had to find my own way back. On my honor, I could only ask one question of a pedestrian to get back."
"When she dropped me off, I soon realized I was 25 miles away from where I needed to be," he said.
After successfully completing this program, Engel was able to return to college, and then took a summer job as a camp counselor.
He taught and performed all of the same activities - such as swimming, canoeing and archery - as the other counselors. He says his greatest achievement may have been mentoring an overweight child who was bullied by campers.
"His mother wrote a letter saying that the only positive experience the boy had at camp was working with Marcus, the blind counselor, because the boy said, 'He couldn't see how fat I am,'" Engel said. "I spent all summer trying to show other people the things that I could do, and he was most impressed by the things I couldn't do."
Engel has dedicated much of his life to inspiring others; through his books, his speeches and occasionally through advising lawmakers about the establishment of meaningful drunken driving laws.
Most of all he wants people to know that although his accident claimed his vision, it didn't cloud his view of the world. "I'm pretty ecstatic about my life," he said. "Happiness is a choice."
MARCUS ENGEL
SOME BACKGROUND: On Monday, national inspirational speaker and author Marcus Engel addressed eighth to 12th grade students at Academy at the Lakes in Land O' Lakes.
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: During his freshman year of college, Engel lost his eyesight and sustained massive injuries in an auto crash caused by a drunken driver. He now speaks to students and other audiences about overcoming insurmountable odds to find a fulfilling life.
A LITTLE HISTORY: In addition to his 40 to 50 speaking engagements a year, Engel has written two books.
GETTING INVOLVED: To learn more about Marcus Engel and his work, go to http://www.marcusengel.com/ or www.myspace.com/marcusengel.



Find this article online at:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr/12/pa-speaker-helps-students-see-happiness-is-a-choic

Quiet Cars

In 2002(September of, to be precise), I was training with Carson at his Alma mater, The Seeing Eye, Inc. in Morristown, NJ. At the time, The Seeing Eye was just beginning to train the dogs to electric/hybrid cars. The issue here is that hybrids run partially on electricity-and when running on power, cars make a lot less noise than the traditional internal combustible engine. Great for noise pollution, bad for people like yours truly. After all, how do blind folks know when it's safe to cross the street if they can't hear the cars?

This is the first I've heard of this bill. It'll be interesting to see what happens now. And, is it just me, or should we put all blind people into office in D.C.? Seems like the only time politicians will cross the aisle is when it's a measure relating to blindness! Yeesh!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,348370,00.html

BALTIMORE — A bill intended to protect blind people and other pedestrians from the dangers posed by quiet cars will be introduced Wednesday in Congress.

The measure would require the Transportation Department to establish safety standards for hybrids and other vehicles that make little discernible noise, including an audible means for alerting people that cars are nearby.

"The beneficial trend toward more environmentally friendly vehicles has had the unintended effect of placing the blind and other pedestrians in danger," said Democratic Rep. Edolphus Towns, who's sponsoring the bill with Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns.

The Baltimore-based National Federation of the Blind has pushed for the legislation to protect those who rely on their hearing to know when to cross the street.

While the organization is not aware of people being struck by cars they couldn't hear, NFB President Marc Maurer has said he fears it's only a matter of time.

Preliminary results of an ongoing study at the University of California-Riverside have indicated the cars pose some risk. The study found that hybrids operating at slow speeds must be 40 percent closer to pedestrians than combustion-engine vehicles before they make enough noise for their location to be detected.

Hybrid vehicles operate on battery-powered electric motors when idling and traveling at slow speeds; internal combustion engines, with their distinctive rumble, kick in when the cars speed up.

The bill would require the Transportation Department to conduct a two-year study before issuing safety standards. Automakers would than have two years to comply.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is planning a listening session this spring to consider possible solutions to the quiet-car problem and is already working with manufacturers.
Wade Newton, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said he couldn't comment on the bill's specifics but added that manufacturers were eager to address the issue.
Clarence Ditlow, president of the Center for Auto Safety, said he favored enhanced safety standards for quiet cars but wasn't sure a two-year study was necessary.

"It seems to me that if we can put audible signals on walk signs for the blind, then we can put an audible signal on a hybrid," Ditlow said.

What Do You Do With An 80 Year Old Murderer?

Today, I happened to stumble upon one of those great crime shows I love. Only thing was, this was no ordinary crime...

Here's the scenario: A woman and her husband in Philly had their first baby in 1949. That baby died of SIDS before it reached six months of age. This happened two more times-SIDS both times. Then again. And again. And again. In total, said woman had 10 children, two of which died during the birth process. The other 8? According to her? SIDS.

When the last baby died of SIDS in 1968, there were major complications. An emergency hysterectomy was performed. This ended the saddest picture of motherhood in American history.

Thirty years later, this mother admitted to police she had, in fact, murdered the eight surviving children. It goes without saying this is a very, very sick woman.

Still, 30 years after the last murder was committed, what do you do with the murderer? She's a physically impaired woman pushing 80 years old. She's not a threat to society, she can't really run from the police, what do you do? Do you even charge her? These are questions the prosecution had to determine.

I was very, very glad to hear the D.A. say, "What do we do? We prosecute her for the crimes she committed." Good. In fact, murder is such a heinous slap in the face of humanity, it should be prosecuted no matter what. Even if the crime is 80 years old and the murderer's picture was just held up by Willard Scott, prosecute.

Think if this happened today, in 2008. An immediate plea of insanity would be heard. The murderer would likely spend the next 30 years in a psychiatric hospital and society would chalk it up to the sad state of mental illness.
research-and the state of PA dropped the ball.


What really happened in the Marie Noe(sp?) case? She was sentenced to 30 years of probation, the first five of which were to be spent under house arrest. Marie's plea bargain included her evaluation by psychiatric specialists, too. Yet, in one of the worst cases of female serial killings in U.S. history, the study of this killer was barely done.

I absolutely, positively believe the prosecution did the right thing. And I absolutely, positively believe sending an 80 year old woman to a maximum security prison accomplishes nothing. More than that, though, is the missed opprotunity to study and evaluate this woman's psychiatric condition. So much could be learned for future

How Do You Respond When Someone Hurts You?

Did you hear about this sickening case here in Florida? Here's the quick and dirty...

A teenage girl was lured to an apartment by another teenage girl. When she arrived at the apartment, she was beaten up by six other girls while two teenage boys stood watch outside. Why did this beat down occur? Two reasons: the attacker claims she was taunted and harassed by the atackee(is that a word? 'Tis now!) on MySpace. Oh, and the attackers wanted to create a video for youtube that everyone would want to see.

Is this disturbing or what?

Okay, let's assume for a second that everything about this story is correct. Girl A(for assuming since, well, she assumed she was going to this apt. for another reason)really HAD harassed Girl B(for beater)...and let's assume there was not only the desire for revenge, but also for youtube fame. Which is worse?

Revenge is pretty much a human emotion. The need for fame, however, is something learned. Trying to get famous for something so vile via youtube isone of the downfalls of the net. God knows I love me some youtube, but when people will do anything to gain attention? Yeah, bad stuff like this happpens.

Now, let's look a little deeper, shall we? Even if Girl A really DID harass Girl B...has Girl B learned nothing in her time on earth? Does she not know that reacting to harassment and bullying is a sure way to guarantee its recurrence? And does she not have the maturity to turn away from bullying, if for no other reason than that gives a bully a few more gallons of fuel for the fire?

More importantly, what do we learn from this scenario? How do you react when provoked?

Yesterday, while doing my program at Academy of the Lakes, I was posed the usual question: what happened to the guy who hit you? A valid question and one I'm happy to answer. Once I explained the criminal aspects, the audience got a little riled up when they learned the man who took my sight did 120 days in the pen. That's it?, you could hear dozens of them say.

Yep, that's it. And what did I do(or what do I do now?) since someone hurt me? I turn away from further provocation. I learned nothing is aided by continuing to stoke the fires of emotion. I do what I do(i.e., programs to help increase intelligent choices) and I disregard the offender who hurt me. What else can I do?

If I continue to be angry and bitter over an accident from a decade and a half ago, how does that benefit my life? It doesn't. So I don't.

I'm by no means a walking role model. I'll refrain from listing all my bad traits and habits, but I will admit the one thing I do really, really well is turn away from that aspect of my past. It's over. I can do nothing to change it. I walk away.

Girl B could learn a little something by walking away, too.

Academy At The Lakes

It was my honor to present for Academy At The Lakes in Tampa, FL this afternoon! Thank you guys for being such an attentive and engaged audience!

Thanks to Mr. Bob Sullivan and JoAnn for an awesome lunch and for all the info on Academy!

Very, VERY special thanks to Dr. David Persky and Abby Persky for helping me spread my message to Academy students! You guys are the best - and I owe you a lunch next time you're around Orlando!

Dr. David Persky is an administrator at St. Leo University, where I spoke early last month. He also happens to be the former Worthy Grand Master of my college fraternity, Kappa Sigma (but WGM is a big time position with the national Executive Committee - not just some bud of mine from the old days in the chapter house!). It's great to see that, even a dozen years after my initiation into Kappa Sigma, that connection continues to put me in contact with some wonderful, wonderful people! Thanks again, Dave!

Check out all the pics on myspace!

www.myspace.com/marcusengel

A Class Act...Gone.

Charleton Heston is dead. And gone is also one oof the classiest actors Hollywood has ever seen.

In 2002, Heston was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Instead of hiding it, he created a short video where he tells viewers about his diagnosis. In that video, too, he smiles as he says, "So if I tell my friends a story twice, just pretend like it's the first time. I'll appreciate it..."

Folks, that is class! No deception, no hiding, but instead a brave move to show the world his condition, acceptance of what the disease does to it's victims and the continual embracing of his friends and family.

I first saw this video when Heston was diagnosed in 2002. At the time, I was on a cruise with one of my old Kappa Sigma brothers. When the video ended, we turned to each other and said, "That took guts...and a lot of class."

We should all strive to live our lives this way...

What Should I Believe?

There is nothing that cannot be assisted by more information. Some people fear info and turn away, probably because it'll destroy whatever their pre-conceived notions are. This is wrong. People should be open to any information, even if it has an opposite stance to what they believe-after all, nothing has ever been gained by staying ignorant.

So, lately I've been reading a 12 year old book, "Make The Connection" by Bob Green and Oprah Winfrey. This is a guide to readers who want to lose weight in the best ways possible. Overall, I'm finding the information really helpful!

The thing is, I can't shake the fact this book is a dozen years old. Some of the information seems outdated and that makes me wonder if the entire book isn't outdated. Here's an example:

Researchers today say including an extra serving of skim milk every day aids weight loss. According to many articles, a glass of skim milk after a workout is, quite possibly, the best thing you can do short of showering! Yet, Bob Green's book says to limit dairy consumption. Makes sense if you're talking ice cream and whipped cream. Not so much if you're having a glass of skim after a work out.

Another recent article talked about the healthy benefits of nuts, even peanuts. High in "good cholesterol" and chocked full of protein, nuts seem a good snack(in moderation), but not so, says Green. Granted, Green is working from a weight loss perspective whereas many of the articles I'm referring to are about healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Oz, America's Doctor as he's known on Oprah's daily talkshow, encourages daily consumption of olive oil. Green says to avoid all oils and fats as much as possible. What am I supposed to believe? The man who helped one of the country's biggest stars to maintain her weight? Or the most recent research? Oh, the decisions!

I'm inclined to go with the most recent research. Sure, you can find all sorts of contradictory articles over certain foods/supplements, but in the end, don't we want the best information? In the world of nutrition, the best information is likely the most current.

Still, one cannot fixate on the latest fad in nutrition. Remember about four or five years ago when the entire country was on the Atkin's Diet? Yeah, after three months of eating nothing but meat and protein and fats, we all lost weight-only to gain it all back after stopping that madness. Yet, had you read many articlles of the day, they claimed Atkin's was a lifestyle forever and you could maintain your weight permanently on this diet. Can you? Maybe-but it's certainly not proven itself long term, at least, not as a rule.

What have we heard for years? Lifestyle change and exercise. Nothing new, nothing fancy, no pill is going to change the fact that eating natural, healthy foods is the best way to create a healthy, balanced life.

When it comes to information, be open to all of it. And do your research-no one will know what works for you better than you!

Yellow-Bellied Coward

There are some people in history who cannot shake their association with a trait. Kinda like how no one will ever think of Screech from Saved By The Bell as anyone but Screech. Dustin Diamond? NNah! He's Screech! Ever since moonwalking into our living rooms in the early 90s, Screech will always just be Screech!

And when we think of traitors, we'll always think of Benedict Arnold. And when we think of someone who will die for what they believe, we'll think of Joan of Ark. And when we think of evil, HHitler is probably the first monster to come to mind.

And cowards? Robert Ford. Or, as he's more often known, "The Coward, Robert Ford."

How crappy would it be to have your handle include the negative thing for which you're known? We don't call him, "The Jew Killer, Hitler" but maybe we should.

If you're not familiar with Robert Ford, chances are, you didn't take 4th grade Missouri History! And unless you're from Missouri, why would ya?

Robert Ford(a.k.a. The Coward, Robert Ford) is the killer who shot Jesse James in the back. Not only shot him, but he was actually a member of the James Gang.

First, there should be a federal law against killing Missourians-especially if they have even a few redeemable qualities(and Jesse did).But this shot in the back is known as one of the most cowardly deeds ever done in history.

Personally, I want my life to be filled with things I'm proud of. Maybe things like: The Chairitable Marcus." Or "The Kind-Hearted Blind Guy, Marcus", something like that. Or, even if history really smiles upon me, "Marcus, The Guy With Great Hair!"

But not for the Coward, Robert Ford...who put a bullet in Jesse's back today, April 3, 1883.

Has Our News Come To This?

I'm a big dog lover. I know, you're shocked, right?

Still, I've spent the last 10 minutes listening to a report on Fox News about a dramatic rescue in the Beverly Hills area of L.A. A traumatic accident? A movie star stuck in her mansion's pool? No-a dog stuck in a canyon.

Seriously, a chopper with a man dangling from a cable attempting to rescue this 100 lb. canine. No word if the dog is injured, who the owner is, etc. And yet the question still begs to be answered...has our news come to this?

Yesterday, half of the Orlando Airport was shut down due to a potential bomber trying to get aboard a flight. The man actually had bomb making materials in his shoes and in his luggage. Luckily, he was detected going through security and is now in federal jail, awaiting arrainment.

Yet, a news story this big doesn't get as much time as a dog stuck in a canyon.

People can do whatever dramaticc actions they desire for their pets. Diamond studded collars? Your business! Weekly visits to the doggie spa? It's your money, spend it how you want!

But please, news programs across America, please do not waste our time showing a rescue of a dog unless that dog happens to be special to many people, not just some flaky dog owner who feels their dog's life is more important than those of humans.

After This...

At last! Our third printing of After This... books have arrived!

Yes - it's very exciting... (but, as you can see, it is a lot of manual labor too!)

The new edition has an updated photo on the back and the new logo.

Thanks to FCU and Dr. Faith for helping with storage.