It’s not St. Pat’s Day.
It’s not New Year’s Eve.
It’s not Labor Day weekend.
It’s Halloween! And what’s that have to do with the afore listed holidays?
Those holidays are just immediately associated with alcohol consumption. Really, what’s St. Patty’s Day without Guinness and Jamison? And New Year’s just wouldn’t be the same without a midnight champagne toast.
Yet? The single biggest bar night of the year is today: Halloween! After all, we adults get to dress up like we did as children, we get to go have tons of fun with other adults acting like children and that, as you might expect, means many, many Halloweeners (huh huh…I said wiener) means lots of alcohol consumption.
Tonight, with little trick or treaters out, it’s time to be extra diligent while driving. Later, when the bars begin to fill up, THAT is when we all need to be even more aware of others.
Happy Halloween, everyone… and please be safe tonight!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
University of Central Florida
I will travel anywhere, at any time to do keynotes for anyone who requests them.
It is nice, however, to also be able to sleep in my own bed! Although I've given four collegiate programs at the University of Central Florida, both nights I was able to come home, put my feet up on my own coffee table while relaxing on my own couch. Reason being, UCF is about 10 minutes from my front door!
What makes this an even more unique group of programs is my UCF client, Marcus Sedberry. In addition to being the first other Marcus I've ever had as a client, Marcus is also an incredibly nice, determined individual who is committed to the overall health and development of student athletes. His commitment simply shines through his work and I was so pleased to work with him!
Additionally, Marcus' assistant, Ashley, is a grad student who made my time around UCF even more fun and memorable!
Besides the student athlete programs (which were sponsored through the CHAMPS/Life Skills portion of the NCAA), I also had an opportunity to meet with Greek Life from UCF. The Tuesday afternoon luncheon with fraternity and sorority members, not to mention a great group of nursing students, helped kick off the tour de la UCF! Thanks to Lindi Smedberg and Ashley (not the same Ashley as from athletics) for helping make this so meaningful for all those who participated!
I'd also like to thank Brennen, Sam and Jenny from the Student Athlete Council for an awesome dinner last night! It was so cool to hear that, in addition to keeping stellar GPAs and a tough practice schedule, just how much community service student athletes do every semester! Truly admirable, you guys!
Again, thank you to everyone who made this time at my new adopted home university so incredible!
It is nice, however, to also be able to sleep in my own bed! Although I've given four collegiate programs at the University of Central Florida, both nights I was able to come home, put my feet up on my own coffee table while relaxing on my own couch. Reason being, UCF is about 10 minutes from my front door!
What makes this an even more unique group of programs is my UCF client, Marcus Sedberry. In addition to being the first other Marcus I've ever had as a client, Marcus is also an incredibly nice, determined individual who is committed to the overall health and development of student athletes. His commitment simply shines through his work and I was so pleased to work with him!
Additionally, Marcus' assistant, Ashley, is a grad student who made my time around UCF even more fun and memorable!
Besides the student athlete programs (which were sponsored through the CHAMPS/Life Skills portion of the NCAA), I also had an opportunity to meet with Greek Life from UCF. The Tuesday afternoon luncheon with fraternity and sorority members, not to mention a great group of nursing students, helped kick off the tour de la UCF! Thanks to Lindi Smedberg and Ashley (not the same Ashley as from athletics) for helping make this so meaningful for all those who participated!
I'd also like to thank Brennen, Sam and Jenny from the Student Athlete Council for an awesome dinner last night! It was so cool to hear that, in addition to keeping stellar GPAs and a tough practice schedule, just how much community service student athletes do every semester! Truly admirable, you guys!
Again, thank you to everyone who made this time at my new adopted home university so incredible!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Principals, Police Chiefs and Props
Even though I’m a Floridian now, I still keep up with goings-on in St. Louis. I just figure if it makes the news in STL, then it probably effects the lives of some people I know and love.
So, last night I was listening to an interview with the new police chief, Daniel Isom. Being interviewed by Rodney Boyd on 97.1 FM, the podcast tracked Chief Isom’s entire career since he entered law enforcement 20 years ago.
Chief Isom comes from a family of educators; his mother a public school teacher and his father a school administrator. It seemed in his blood, so one of his assignments over the last two decades was being the top cop at the St. Louis Police Academy.
In the interview, Boyd asked Chief Isom if he ever sees any of the cadets he trained at the Academy. You could tell this question pleased the chief. With a big smile, he said, “Oh yes! And now many of them are moving up through the ranks themselves. When they see me, they’ll often share a story or something they remember about me from their training days.”
Being the kid of a teacher myself, I’ve seen first hand what an “interesting” job education is. The teacher sees the day to day changes in the students, but rarely does he/she get real kudos for the job they’ve done. That’s not real surprising because most of us don’t understand the powerful impact educators have had on our lives until many, many years later.
But the thing I’ve found about teachers is that they’re not the kind of people who need constant pats on the back. They typically do it for the satisfaction they’re helping kids and changing lives. Even if they never get the props for the lives they’ve touched, it seems enough just to know they’re doing something beneficial.
Back in the spring, I was in Columbia, Missouri to speak for a convention. Earlier that day, I took my old principal, Larry Luetjen, out to lunch. It was the first time I’d seen him in nearly 10 years, and 15 years since he could still hand me a detention slip!
If you’ve heard me speak, you’ve heard me tell some stories about Mr. Luetjen. He was, after all, the man who first said, “Change the things you can…and don’t worry about the rest”; a message I’ve parroted to audiences for the last several years. Taking my principal to lunch and telling him how much those words shaped my life was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. I know Larry was touched by me passing along my gratitude, too…but that’s not why he did that job for so many years. He (and most every other educator I’ve ever met) simply do it because they know they’re helping to create a better world by educating students and molding lives.
And that, faithful reader, is something we all should admire.
So, last night I was listening to an interview with the new police chief, Daniel Isom. Being interviewed by Rodney Boyd on 97.1 FM, the podcast tracked Chief Isom’s entire career since he entered law enforcement 20 years ago.
Chief Isom comes from a family of educators; his mother a public school teacher and his father a school administrator. It seemed in his blood, so one of his assignments over the last two decades was being the top cop at the St. Louis Police Academy.
In the interview, Boyd asked Chief Isom if he ever sees any of the cadets he trained at the Academy. You could tell this question pleased the chief. With a big smile, he said, “Oh yes! And now many of them are moving up through the ranks themselves. When they see me, they’ll often share a story or something they remember about me from their training days.”
Being the kid of a teacher myself, I’ve seen first hand what an “interesting” job education is. The teacher sees the day to day changes in the students, but rarely does he/she get real kudos for the job they’ve done. That’s not real surprising because most of us don’t understand the powerful impact educators have had on our lives until many, many years later.
But the thing I’ve found about teachers is that they’re not the kind of people who need constant pats on the back. They typically do it for the satisfaction they’re helping kids and changing lives. Even if they never get the props for the lives they’ve touched, it seems enough just to know they’re doing something beneficial.
Back in the spring, I was in Columbia, Missouri to speak for a convention. Earlier that day, I took my old principal, Larry Luetjen, out to lunch. It was the first time I’d seen him in nearly 10 years, and 15 years since he could still hand me a detention slip!
If you’ve heard me speak, you’ve heard me tell some stories about Mr. Luetjen. He was, after all, the man who first said, “Change the things you can…and don’t worry about the rest”; a message I’ve parroted to audiences for the last several years. Taking my principal to lunch and telling him how much those words shaped my life was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. I know Larry was touched by me passing along my gratitude, too…but that’s not why he did that job for so many years. He (and most every other educator I’ve ever met) simply do it because they know they’re helping to create a better world by educating students and molding lives.
And that, faithful reader, is something we all should admire.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Is This Not The Cutest Thing Ever?
While at Eastern Washington University this past week, Carson fell in love with some students. Namely, Maria and Kaley. Before I spoke, Carson was in hog heaven with girls' hands all over him (what can I say? He's a guy!) I didn't have the heart to make him take the stage with me, so he just chilled on the front row. Somewhere during my program, Maria and Kaley snapped this picture.Every once in a while, I get someone who thinks it's not fair that Carson has to drag me around the country, go into all kinds of unfamiliar places, experience different and major changes in weather patterns, that sort of thing. These people have apparently never owned a dog! A dog wants nothing more than to be with and please his/her master/mistress. And Carson gets that all the time! But he's doubly lucky because not only does he get lovin' from his master (and your humble blog author), he also gets to make new friends wherever he goes! And when you count it up? This west coast tour? Carson probably got petted by well over 500 people in the last couple weeks – it's not every dog who can claim to be so pettable!
Subtle Changes
Living in Florida the last 18 months, I’ve learned to appreciate the subtle changes in weather. What’s that you say? I’m in Florida and it’s always warm and beautiful and tropical? First, that’s what I used to say before I moved here. Second…remember Tropical Storm Fay a few months ago? Yeah, that wasn’t pretty.
Here, when it starts getting where the highs are in the low 80s, fall and winter are here! And this morning was the first time in the last, oh, seven months I’ve been even remotely cool out of doors. This morning, though, when I stepped out, I was wishing I’d grabbed my Gators hoodie from the closet!
Being a native born Midwesterner, I scoffed at the Floridian idea of “cold.” Like, if the low is in the mid 70s, I’d be hearing stuff like, “Wow, it’s really cold tonight!” Yeah, not so much.
Yet, the last 18 months have taught me that Floridians have something I don’t: an appreciation for these subtle changes. And I want to be more like them. I want to notice every tiniest little improvement from the sweat-soaked summers through the can’t-beat-it-with-a-stick weather from late Oct. through early March. This morning was the first big change I’ve noticed, but having that attitude of appreciation will make me a little more observant of improvements for the next several months.
What does this have to do with you, faithful reader, who may very well bbe reading this from the tundra up north? Is it just for me to rub it in? *smile*…no, not at all. I’ve just been making a conscious effort to truly appreciate the good things in life lately. I think we all should. And when I stepped into a crisp Florida morning today, it just showed me one more thing to appreciate…and made me really excited about the cooler times to come!
Here, when it starts getting where the highs are in the low 80s, fall and winter are here! And this morning was the first time in the last, oh, seven months I’ve been even remotely cool out of doors. This morning, though, when I stepped out, I was wishing I’d grabbed my Gators hoodie from the closet!
Being a native born Midwesterner, I scoffed at the Floridian idea of “cold.” Like, if the low is in the mid 70s, I’d be hearing stuff like, “Wow, it’s really cold tonight!” Yeah, not so much.
Yet, the last 18 months have taught me that Floridians have something I don’t: an appreciation for these subtle changes. And I want to be more like them. I want to notice every tiniest little improvement from the sweat-soaked summers through the can’t-beat-it-with-a-stick weather from late Oct. through early March. This morning was the first big change I’ve noticed, but having that attitude of appreciation will make me a little more observant of improvements for the next several months.
What does this have to do with you, faithful reader, who may very well bbe reading this from the tundra up north? Is it just for me to rub it in? *smile*…no, not at all. I’ve just been making a conscious effort to truly appreciate the good things in life lately. I think we all should. And when I stepped into a crisp Florida morning today, it just showed me one more thing to appreciate…and made me really excited about the cooler times to come!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Why Brad Meltzer Is Such A Cool Guy
Over the summer, I read Brad Meltzer’s “Book of Fate.” If you’re not familiar with Brad’s work, think Tom Clancy mixed with Vince Flynn and add a dash of Stephen King(for the great character development). “Fate” was a fantastic story, no doubt, but what really made it endearing, for me, was Meltzer’s spice of using Freemasonry in the plot. As a Mason, hearing about all the weirdo conspiracy crap gets really old. Seems like in the last half dozen years, every other book blends in some secret society sorta stuff, trying to be the next multi-bazillion book best seller in the footprints of Dan Brown. Yet, Brad’s work, while it has some of the same elements, isn’t rooted in sensationalism and rhetoric. “The DaVinci Code” made it sound as though our fraternity is somehow responsible for the overthrow of the American government AND we all know some deep, dark secret about Jesus. Negative on both counts. Religion and politics are banned from any discussion within Masonry.
Since there is some fun and intrigue in talking about secret societies, Brad added a touch of Masonry to “Book of Fate” and it made the story all the more interesting. He did not, however, take cheap shots at Masonry nor accuse we Masons of the New World Order or protecting the recipe for Big Mac’s secret sauce.
So, I like Brad. He just seems like a real good guy. So, I wrote him and told him thanks for this portrayal in “Fate.” He sent back a nice note and now I’m on his mailing list. This is where Brad gets even more kudos…
Here’s a quick example of the sorta notes Brad sends out to his readers(edited for space, this came out in September):
No question, this has been a crazy year for Cori and our family -- both good and bad -- but as the new book comes out tomorrow, I just don't think I can
send out some mass email while ignoring everything else that's happened.
So let me start by saying thank you for getting us here -- not just for voting on the title, but for the true support -- for the notes and well wishes
and love that's been sent our way when we really needed it. We've officially been doing this book thing for over a decade now, and as I was fighting
(again) with my Dad last night, he was insisting that I can't possibly know every single person who buys the books.
As always, he's wrong.
I do.
Because I know you, which ties me to all the people you've talked us up to. All the people you've sent these emails to, or stopped in bookstores, or said,
"You gotta read this book."
And that's why I get to do this today.
As usual, Cori will send the official email out tomorrow. And of course, would love if you could circulate it to all known breathing-type people. But
for tonight, please do know how much we appreciate all you've done already.
Love and hugs and mushiness,
B
Friends, this gracious attitude from such an accomplished author, mixed with his humility, really makes Brad the kinda person I want to sit down with and have a Big Mac. To show appreciation for the people who got him where he is, to display this wonderment and, “I can’t believe I get to live this life!” kind of excitement-this all adds up to someone who’s emotional intelligence is right where it should be. And it makes me, as a reader, feel good to know the author thinks just as much of me as I do of him.
Brad, keep writing and I’ll keep reading! And thanks again!
Since there is some fun and intrigue in talking about secret societies, Brad added a touch of Masonry to “Book of Fate” and it made the story all the more interesting. He did not, however, take cheap shots at Masonry nor accuse we Masons of the New World Order or protecting the recipe for Big Mac’s secret sauce.
So, I like Brad. He just seems like a real good guy. So, I wrote him and told him thanks for this portrayal in “Fate.” He sent back a nice note and now I’m on his mailing list. This is where Brad gets even more kudos…
Here’s a quick example of the sorta notes Brad sends out to his readers(edited for space, this came out in September):
No question, this has been a crazy year for Cori and our family -- both good and bad -- but as the new book comes out tomorrow, I just don't think I can
send out some mass email while ignoring everything else that's happened.
So let me start by saying thank you for getting us here -- not just for voting on the title, but for the true support -- for the notes and well wishes
and love that's been sent our way when we really needed it. We've officially been doing this book thing for over a decade now, and as I was fighting
(again) with my Dad last night, he was insisting that I can't possibly know every single person who buys the books.
As always, he's wrong.
I do.
Because I know you, which ties me to all the people you've talked us up to. All the people you've sent these emails to, or stopped in bookstores, or said,
"You gotta read this book."
And that's why I get to do this today.
As usual, Cori will send the official email out tomorrow. And of course, would love if you could circulate it to all known breathing-type people. But
for tonight, please do know how much we appreciate all you've done already.
Love and hugs and mushiness,
B
Friends, this gracious attitude from such an accomplished author, mixed with his humility, really makes Brad the kinda person I want to sit down with and have a Big Mac. To show appreciation for the people who got him where he is, to display this wonderment and, “I can’t believe I get to live this life!” kind of excitement-this all adds up to someone who’s emotional intelligence is right where it should be. And it makes me, as a reader, feel good to know the author thinks just as much of me as I do of him.
Brad, keep writing and I’ll keep reading! And thanks again!
Damn Right, Amazon Rocks!
Amazon.com is just an amazing company to work with and buy from.
Amazon.com is one of the on-line booksellers that carries my books-and they’re amazingly easy to work with (bonus when working with any company!). When someone orders one of my books from Amazon.com, I get an E mail from Amazon, fill out a simple form and send the book in with the form. Easy as pie! Not so much with some other booksellers on line.
Since Amazon.com is so easy to work with selling my books, I try to do business with them when I’m ready to buy schtuff, too. Such is the case with the newest CD from Hank Williams III.
I ordered his newest CD earlier this week. Then, due to their lowest price guarantee on pre-orders, last night, the following E mail popped up in my in box:
Greetings from Amazon.com. You saved $1.00 with Amazon.com's Pre-order Price Guarantee! The price of the item(s) decreased after you ordered them, and we gave you the lowest price.
The following title(s) decreased in price:
Damn Right, Rebel Proud [Explicit Lyrics]
Price on order date: $12.99
Price charged at shipping: $11.99
Lowest price before release date: $11.99
Quantity: 1
Total Savings: $1.00
$1.00 is your total savings under our Pre-order Price Guarantee.
Thanks for shopping at Amazon.com, and we hope to see you again soon.
Folks, THIS is why Amazon.com is such a great company! I liked them before, but this “bending over backwards” for the customer is exactly what’ll keep me coming back for more!
A dollar's worth of savings, but now I'm a committed customer for life! A lot of companies can learn from this example.
Amazon.com is one of the on-line booksellers that carries my books-and they’re amazingly easy to work with (bonus when working with any company!). When someone orders one of my books from Amazon.com, I get an E mail from Amazon, fill out a simple form and send the book in with the form. Easy as pie! Not so much with some other booksellers on line.
Since Amazon.com is so easy to work with selling my books, I try to do business with them when I’m ready to buy schtuff, too. Such is the case with the newest CD from Hank Williams III.
I ordered his newest CD earlier this week. Then, due to their lowest price guarantee on pre-orders, last night, the following E mail popped up in my in box:
Greetings from Amazon.com. You saved $1.00 with Amazon.com's Pre-order Price Guarantee! The price of the item(s) decreased after you ordered them, and we gave you the lowest price.
The following title(s) decreased in price:
Damn Right, Rebel Proud [Explicit Lyrics]
Price on order date: $12.99
Price charged at shipping: $11.99
Lowest price before release date: $11.99
Quantity: 1
Total Savings: $1.00
$1.00 is your total savings under our Pre-order Price Guarantee.
Thanks for shopping at Amazon.com, and we hope to see you again soon.
Folks, THIS is why Amazon.com is such a great company! I liked them before, but this “bending over backwards” for the customer is exactly what’ll keep me coming back for more!
A dollar's worth of savings, but now I'm a committed customer for life! A lot of companies can learn from this example.
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Worst Bumper Sticker Ever
While we were headed over to my father in law’s house for dinner last night, we witnessed something rather odd. And disturbing.
While stopped at a red light, Marvelyne began reading the rhetoric of the vehicle in front of us. One big bumper sticker said: Stop Believing, Start Thinking.”
I can only assume this is some sorta dig at Christianity. And that’s everyone’s first amendment right-to say stupid stuff.
On the opposite side of the bumper was a sticker that read: “Embarrassed Parent Of A Failing Student.”
Then, around the license plate was a frame that announced the driver was clergy from some sort of church.
Does this puzzle you, too?
It’s always kind of interesting how people have to advertise their religious thoughts and beliefs. Personally, I think my relationship between the divine and me is (gasp!) between the divine and yours truly. Not you. Not the person sitting in the car behind me. Just me and the creator. Strange how people feel the need to show off the denomination and/or the religion they align with.
With all the confusing messages, the worst had to be the “Embarrased Parent.”
Put yourself back into the mind of a kid. Everyone, even to their elderly death bed, is seeking parental acceptance and love. How many adults seek therapy due to the fact they’re still looking to be loved and accepted? It makes sense when the most primary relationship one knows is unfulfilling, doesn’t it?
Now, think about the person who’d put a “Think”-ish bumper sticker on his/her car. Chances are, this kind of person fancies himself/herself an intellectual. After all, they’ve ascended above mere mortal “belief” into “thought.”
But why didn’t they think a little further? If they had, maybe they’d understand how damaging the other bumper sticker is.
Kids want acceptance. And love. And they deserve it. If they don’t have it, they’ll seek it out in other ways; promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, disruptive behavior, etc. But when a parent doesn’t provide that love and acceptance AND the parent advertises how embarrassed they are while, at the same time pointing out the child’s shortcomings…does anyone expect this kid to grow up and not be scarred?? Like, truly, emotionally injured?
Kids need to be nurtured. And loved. And helped-no matter what. To not give this kind of support is one thing. To advertise a kid’s grades is another. And still another to be embarrassed. And still a further grievance to show it off to everyone who sees the car…just so sad any parent could do this. But even worse that he/she already thinks they’re so much more enlightened than the rest of the world.
While stopped at a red light, Marvelyne began reading the rhetoric of the vehicle in front of us. One big bumper sticker said: Stop Believing, Start Thinking.”
I can only assume this is some sorta dig at Christianity. And that’s everyone’s first amendment right-to say stupid stuff.
On the opposite side of the bumper was a sticker that read: “Embarrassed Parent Of A Failing Student.”
Then, around the license plate was a frame that announced the driver was clergy from some sort of church.
Does this puzzle you, too?
It’s always kind of interesting how people have to advertise their religious thoughts and beliefs. Personally, I think my relationship between the divine and me is (gasp!) between the divine and yours truly. Not you. Not the person sitting in the car behind me. Just me and the creator. Strange how people feel the need to show off the denomination and/or the religion they align with.
With all the confusing messages, the worst had to be the “Embarrased Parent.”
Put yourself back into the mind of a kid. Everyone, even to their elderly death bed, is seeking parental acceptance and love. How many adults seek therapy due to the fact they’re still looking to be loved and accepted? It makes sense when the most primary relationship one knows is unfulfilling, doesn’t it?
Now, think about the person who’d put a “Think”-ish bumper sticker on his/her car. Chances are, this kind of person fancies himself/herself an intellectual. After all, they’ve ascended above mere mortal “belief” into “thought.”
But why didn’t they think a little further? If they had, maybe they’d understand how damaging the other bumper sticker is.
Kids want acceptance. And love. And they deserve it. If they don’t have it, they’ll seek it out in other ways; promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, disruptive behavior, etc. But when a parent doesn’t provide that love and acceptance AND the parent advertises how embarrassed they are while, at the same time pointing out the child’s shortcomings…does anyone expect this kid to grow up and not be scarred?? Like, truly, emotionally injured?
Kids need to be nurtured. And loved. And helped-no matter what. To not give this kind of support is one thing. To advertise a kid’s grades is another. And still another to be embarrassed. And still a further grievance to show it off to everyone who sees the car…just so sad any parent could do this. But even worse that he/she already thinks they’re so much more enlightened than the rest of the world.
How Do You Remember It?
One of my favorite mystery writers is Jeffrey Deaver, best known for his Lincoln Rhyme series. Rhyme is a quadriplegic forensic investigator with NYPD. Since Rhyme is a quad and cannot physically do the work himself, he verbally coaches mere mortal investigators through the evidence collection processes. Then, as the reader, you get to listen in, get all the forensic education, but it never feels so third person.
One thing I enjoy about the Lincoln Rhyme character is his insatiable quench for forensic evidence. He cares not for the eyewitness reports because he knows eyewitnesses are invariably unreliable. Memories fade, are altered and don’t hold up in court like cold, hard evidence. Rhyme disregards the witness accounts like an Oscar winner would brush off a middle school musical. Completely irrelevant to the true professionalism on which he relies.
Rhyme isn’t an oddball, either. Ask any investigator, police officer, etc. and they’ll tell you the same thing-witnesses aren’t reliable. If 10 people witness an accident, cops are likely to get 10 different stories. Everyone’s perspective is altered by their history, personal experiences, their angle, mindset at the time of the occurrence-just everything. Again, witnesses aren’t reliable because memories aren’t reliable.
Yet, we all probably believe our memories serve us correctly, right? Duh! It’s not like we purposefully re-write history in our own minds! Well, maybe some of us do-but that’s certainly not the norm.
While on this Tour de la West Coast, I stopped into Boise, Idaho for a few days to hang out with my BFF from college, Hilary. If you’ve read “After This…”, you’ll likely remember Hilary as the person who helped babystep me back into real life my freshman year back in college. She helped with my classes, assisted me in getting around campus at the beginning of the semester and, most importantly, was my friend when I thought there was nothing likeable about me.
While we lounged around Hilary’s Boise living room, listening to Kasey Chambers and splitting some merlot, we took a stroll down memory lane. We’re going back over a dozen years to our first meeting in Ms. Robison’s English 120 class, then through the next three years we were in college together.
When we discussed the days that were, all the while, I kept feeling the need to apologize to Hilary. The Marcus I remember from that time was a self centered, inebriated jerk who, out of internal pain, took out his frustrations on the people around him. I was mean, I was cutting, I was insulting, I was just a class A A-hole. When Hilary and I talked about hanging out in my dorm room, she remembers watching 80s movies and eating pizza and chit chatting-just two regular college pals. I don’t remember this. The movies? The Pizza? Yes. Being friendly and sweet and compassionate? Not so much. I more remember sitting on the floor, out of my mmind on cheap Scorsby with some wretched internal monologue going on about how much life sucked. A dozen years ago-SOMETHING happened to solidify a friendship between Hilary and I. We just happen to remember the details differently.
When we were skipping down memory lane (and after my eighth apology in three minutes), Hilary posed a question I’d not really thought about: “Marc, do you really think I’d have hung out with you if you were as big of an asshole as you remember being?”
To which I have to answer…no. No, I don’t.
Hilary had enough self respect to not allow herself to be verbally abused by some inebriated waste. This lends loads of credit to the notion that, like Lincoln Rhyme says, memories are deceiving. And mine are, too.
Giving myself some grace is tough. It’s probably one of the toughest things I wrestle with on a day to day basis. Yet, there is truth in the world. One of the truest things I know is that what we remember may not actually be what went down. Eyewitness reports, autobiographies, courtroom testimonies-they’re all only as good as the memory is. And the human memory has the tendency to have loads of different things help paint the picture. I know this. I do. I know my memory, like everyone’s, isn’t the gospel truth. Hell, the gospel truth isn’t even the gospel truth…but I digress. And that’s why hanging out with Hil over the weekend was so good for me.
My memories of details are unreliable. One thing is certain, though: Hilary is still my friend. And she wouldn’t be if I were truly the guy I remember.
You can draw whatever conclusions you like from this little tale. For me, I’m just glad something I’ve intellectually known as truth was put into a context I can emotionally understand. And hopefully-I’m a better person for it. Thanks, Hil.
One thing I enjoy about the Lincoln Rhyme character is his insatiable quench for forensic evidence. He cares not for the eyewitness reports because he knows eyewitnesses are invariably unreliable. Memories fade, are altered and don’t hold up in court like cold, hard evidence. Rhyme disregards the witness accounts like an Oscar winner would brush off a middle school musical. Completely irrelevant to the true professionalism on which he relies.
Rhyme isn’t an oddball, either. Ask any investigator, police officer, etc. and they’ll tell you the same thing-witnesses aren’t reliable. If 10 people witness an accident, cops are likely to get 10 different stories. Everyone’s perspective is altered by their history, personal experiences, their angle, mindset at the time of the occurrence-just everything. Again, witnesses aren’t reliable because memories aren’t reliable.
Yet, we all probably believe our memories serve us correctly, right? Duh! It’s not like we purposefully re-write history in our own minds! Well, maybe some of us do-but that’s certainly not the norm.
While on this Tour de la West Coast, I stopped into Boise, Idaho for a few days to hang out with my BFF from college, Hilary. If you’ve read “After This…”, you’ll likely remember Hilary as the person who helped babystep me back into real life my freshman year back in college. She helped with my classes, assisted me in getting around campus at the beginning of the semester and, most importantly, was my friend when I thought there was nothing likeable about me.
While we lounged around Hilary’s Boise living room, listening to Kasey Chambers and splitting some merlot, we took a stroll down memory lane. We’re going back over a dozen years to our first meeting in Ms. Robison’s English 120 class, then through the next three years we were in college together.
When we discussed the days that were, all the while, I kept feeling the need to apologize to Hilary. The Marcus I remember from that time was a self centered, inebriated jerk who, out of internal pain, took out his frustrations on the people around him. I was mean, I was cutting, I was insulting, I was just a class A A-hole. When Hilary and I talked about hanging out in my dorm room, she remembers watching 80s movies and eating pizza and chit chatting-just two regular college pals. I don’t remember this. The movies? The Pizza? Yes. Being friendly and sweet and compassionate? Not so much. I more remember sitting on the floor, out of my mmind on cheap Scorsby with some wretched internal monologue going on about how much life sucked. A dozen years ago-SOMETHING happened to solidify a friendship between Hilary and I. We just happen to remember the details differently.
When we were skipping down memory lane (and after my eighth apology in three minutes), Hilary posed a question I’d not really thought about: “Marc, do you really think I’d have hung out with you if you were as big of an asshole as you remember being?”
To which I have to answer…no. No, I don’t.
Hilary had enough self respect to not allow herself to be verbally abused by some inebriated waste. This lends loads of credit to the notion that, like Lincoln Rhyme says, memories are deceiving. And mine are, too.
Giving myself some grace is tough. It’s probably one of the toughest things I wrestle with on a day to day basis. Yet, there is truth in the world. One of the truest things I know is that what we remember may not actually be what went down. Eyewitness reports, autobiographies, courtroom testimonies-they’re all only as good as the memory is. And the human memory has the tendency to have loads of different things help paint the picture. I know this. I do. I know my memory, like everyone’s, isn’t the gospel truth. Hell, the gospel truth isn’t even the gospel truth…but I digress. And that’s why hanging out with Hil over the weekend was so good for me.
My memories of details are unreliable. One thing is certain, though: Hilary is still my friend. And she wouldn’t be if I were truly the guy I remember.
You can draw whatever conclusions you like from this little tale. For me, I’m just glad something I’ve intellectually known as truth was put into a context I can emotionally understand. And hopefully-I’m a better person for it. Thanks, Hil.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Loyola Marymount University
Ah, southern California! L.A. gets a bad rap... but if it's so terrible, why do so many people choose to live there?
Well, yesterday, Oct. 22, I found out one of the reasons: Loyola Marymount University.
I was brought to LMU by Dan Faill and the fraternity/sorority system for alcohol awareness week - and we had a blast! LMU is this gorgeous campus filled with highly motivated, friendly and quality students. Just a couple miles from the beach and Marina del Ray, LMU couldn't ask for a much nicer physical setting! And yet? The people are even more impressive!
Special thanks to Dan Faill for inviting me to campus, but even more for allowing me to hang with the Greek Council: Liz, Maddie, Kelsey and Tony. All four of these students are just plain fun!
Thanks to Kelsey and Tony for helping me get around L.A. and just for such great conversations! Looking forward to a return trip to LMU sometime in the future! Thanks again!
Well, yesterday, Oct. 22, I found out one of the reasons: Loyola Marymount University.
I was brought to LMU by Dan Faill and the fraternity/sorority system for alcohol awareness week - and we had a blast! LMU is this gorgeous campus filled with highly motivated, friendly and quality students. Just a couple miles from the beach and Marina del Ray, LMU couldn't ask for a much nicer physical setting! And yet? The people are even more impressive!
Special thanks to Dan Faill for inviting me to campus, but even more for allowing me to hang with the Greek Council: Liz, Maddie, Kelsey and Tony. All four of these students are just plain fun!
Thanks to Kelsey and Tony for helping me get around L.A. and just for such great conversations! Looking forward to a return trip to LMU sometime in the future! Thanks again!
EWU
All right, so there ain't too much that beats getting to be in the Pacific Northwest during the fall! Living in Florida, it was so, so cool (literally) to step out in the morning, feel the chill come on, then ward it off with some strong coffee! Well, nothing beats that... except for getting to hang with my peeps at Eastern Washington University!
I first spoke at EWU back in 2006 for freshman orientation, so I'd already fallen in love with the greater Spokane region. But throw in some great times with Michelle Pingree, Jane Davis, Laurie, Laurel, Kaley, Marie, Tawney, James Wagner and Mike Miller and, well, it just was such a blast! Thank all of you for giving me such a great time! Whether it was having big gnarly biscuits at the Rusty Moose with Michelle, endlessly quoting "Super Bad" and "Stepbrothers" with Tawney and Marie and Kelly, talking fraternity/sorority philosophy with James Wagner or sharing time with the EWU athletes – this can all be summed up in two words: Good Times!
BTW... special thanks to Michelle P. for the gift for Marvelyne that she hasn't yet received (it's still buried in my suitcase, but she'll have it soon!)
West Hills College...Again!
As promised, now that I'm back home, I can download the pics from all my recent travels. And, as promised, here's Sylvia Dorsey Robinson and moi at West Hills College from the Oct. 16 program.
Thanks again, Sylvia, for such an amazing experience, for introducing me to so many quality people and for giving me a fabulous first experience in Lamoore!
Additional thanks to Dean Jose Lopez, Leo Orange, Keith Brock and all the awesome students and staff at West Hills College! Oh, and thanks for introducing me to that Mexican soda... Juaretta? (I forget the name now, but it was yummy!)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
West Hills College
On Thursday, Oct. 16, I was a guest on campus at West Hills College in Lemoore, California. Officially, I was invited to West Hills College to help recognize Disability Awareness Week, but I think we went above and beyond!
Special thanks to Dean Sylvia Dorsey Robinson, Dean Jose Lopez, Leo Orange, Keith Brock and everyone else who made this day so unforgettable! I was truly honored (not to mention happy!) to spend the day with you guys and get to know the West Hills community!
Pictures will be coming when I get back home and can download them from the camera!
Special thanks to Dean Sylvia Dorsey Robinson, Dean Jose Lopez, Leo Orange, Keith Brock and everyone else who made this day so unforgettable! I was truly honored (not to mention happy!) to spend the day with you guys and get to know the West Hills community!
Pictures will be coming when I get back home and can download them from the camera!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Go West, Young Man!
Well, here we go! Don’t expect a whole lot of posting over the next week. Then again, maybe I’ll have ample time…who knows?
Early tomorrow morning, I embark on a seven day speaking tour out to the west coast. Pics and stories from the road will be up as soon as possible-I promise!
Early tomorrow morning, I embark on a seven day speaking tour out to the west coast. Pics and stories from the road will be up as soon as possible-I promise!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
One Bride, Four Bridesmaids, One Marcus
Ya know what I don’t get about weddings? The whole wedding party thing.
I think everyone understands the notion of having your closest friends/relatives standing by your side when you get hitched. No brainer there.
But why is it divided by sexes? Like, traditionally, I (as the groom) am expected to pick a handful of my best friends to be by my side. Thing is, the typical idea of groomsmen limits those to, well, men.
What if my best man was (gasp!) a woman? If I hadn’t married Marvelyne, she’d have been one of the people who’d have been standing up with me-as a groomswoman. Groomsperson? Groomsgirl?
This weekend, I was honored to be in the wedding of my friends, Leah and Jamie, which took place in Kansas City, MO. And dig this…I was a bridesman. Or a bridesguy. Or a bridesdude. Whatever. I stood up with Leah.
Back in the summer of ’96, Leah and I were both freshmen to the Camp Mo-Val staff. That summer changed my life. And I know it was important to Leah, too. We became great friends and kept up that friendship for the last dozen years.
Back in college and wondering what might happen when I got hitched, I always had this dilemma. Some of my best friends were girls. Leah, Hilary, Kista…how could I get married and NOT have them standing with me?
Well, nevermind all that because when my own wedding day finally came, Leah stood up with me…but not as a groomsgal, as one of the officiants. Since our days of playing Giants, Elves and Wizards with kiddo campers, Leah had graduated from seminary and was officially “Pastor Leah.” And when she performed our ceremony, it was personal, meaningful and, above all other things…funny! I swear, our wedding is probably the only one in history where the minister used the phrase “crazy, granola-eating, tree hugging liberal” in the middle of the ceremony! Gotta love the non-traditionalist in Leah!
So, when Pastor Leah asked me to stand up in her wedding, I knew it wouldn’t be traditional…and I love that about Leah! So, me, a bride and four matrons and maidens of honor…gotta love the break in the traditional roles!
Oh, and lest you think this was TOO non-traditional…no, I did NOT wear a dress and hose!
Congrats, Leah and Jamie, and here’s to many, MANY happy years together!
I think everyone understands the notion of having your closest friends/relatives standing by your side when you get hitched. No brainer there.
But why is it divided by sexes? Like, traditionally, I (as the groom) am expected to pick a handful of my best friends to be by my side. Thing is, the typical idea of groomsmen limits those to, well, men.
What if my best man was (gasp!) a woman? If I hadn’t married Marvelyne, she’d have been one of the people who’d have been standing up with me-as a groomswoman. Groomsperson? Groomsgirl?
This weekend, I was honored to be in the wedding of my friends, Leah and Jamie, which took place in Kansas City, MO. And dig this…I was a bridesman. Or a bridesguy. Or a bridesdude. Whatever. I stood up with Leah.
Back in the summer of ’96, Leah and I were both freshmen to the Camp Mo-Val staff. That summer changed my life. And I know it was important to Leah, too. We became great friends and kept up that friendship for the last dozen years.
Back in college and wondering what might happen when I got hitched, I always had this dilemma. Some of my best friends were girls. Leah, Hilary, Kista…how could I get married and NOT have them standing with me?
Well, nevermind all that because when my own wedding day finally came, Leah stood up with me…but not as a groomsgal, as one of the officiants. Since our days of playing Giants, Elves and Wizards with kiddo campers, Leah had graduated from seminary and was officially “Pastor Leah.” And when she performed our ceremony, it was personal, meaningful and, above all other things…funny! I swear, our wedding is probably the only one in history where the minister used the phrase “crazy, granola-eating, tree hugging liberal” in the middle of the ceremony! Gotta love the non-traditionalist in Leah!
So, when Pastor Leah asked me to stand up in her wedding, I knew it wouldn’t be traditional…and I love that about Leah! So, me, a bride and four matrons and maidens of honor…gotta love the break in the traditional roles!
Oh, and lest you think this was TOO non-traditional…no, I did NOT wear a dress and hose!
Congrats, Leah and Jamie, and here’s to many, MANY happy years together!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Drive On
I love songs about war. Is that warped? Maybe.
The thing is, I love songs that are filled with emotion. War creates emotions we don’t often see in every day life. Hence, most songs about war draw emotional and verbal pictures with a vivid color scheme that doesn’t come out in sappy love ballads about broken hearts.
One of my fav war songs is “Drive On” by Johnny Cash. Cash tells the story of how he came to write the song. He and June Carter used to share books; when one would read something great, they’d hang onto the book and give it to the other. For a while, they were both reading first person autobiographies of Vietnam soldiers.
In the Vietnam War, according to Cash and the book he was reading, “Drive on” was a phrase often heard in the bush. A platoon of soldiers would get ambushed, fall into booby traps, whatever…and another American soldier’s fate was sealed. In the middle of a war zone, time to grieve wasn’t real plentiful. When a soldier would die, his brothers in arms would say to one another, “Drive on…”
Translation? You’ve gotta keep moving. You can’t take time now to grieve the dead. You’re still alive and you’ve gotta keep yourself alive. So, get it together, get your head straight and drive on…
I wish I’d known this song back in the fall of ’93. I didn’t. Not sure when Cash wrote it, but it didn’t get released until his 1994 “American Recordings” album.
Why would a year have made any difference? It may not have, but had I known the song and the story behind it, I may have had an extra bit of motivation.
It was 15 years ago today. October 9th, 1993, when the world changed forever. Well, my world, that is.
It was 15 years ago I slid into the passenger seat of a freezing Toyota Corolla, round about 11:50 p.m. I’d just left a St. Louis Blues game with a group of three friends, headed for White Castle, just like Harold and Kumar (minus the cheeba). That late night snack was not to be.
A few minutes later, I looked out my window and saw headlights. The rest of the story? You already know it. After all, the next few seconds is why you and I probably met in the first place.
Four or five years ago, I was talking with a friend who remembered the date. “What do you think of when it’s October 9?”, she asked.
Well, since that day 15 years ago, I’ve had different phases. The first several years, it was all encompassing. Like, I couldn’t NOT think about it. Then, like all wounds, it started to fade, little by little.
Now? What do I think about on October 9th? I think about whatever I’m doing on October 9th. Today, that was doing a few hours of early morning work. Then I thought about the haircut I was getting. Then, I thought about what I wanted for lunch (getting bored yet?) This afternoon, my wife, Marvelyne, pulled some sort of muscle in her back. So, I thought about that, too.
Now, well, I got a google alert that my bud, Ron Graham, used my name in his blog, Access Ability. If you want to check that post out, it’s at:
www.AccessAbility.blogspot.com
If you’ve read my book, you’ve read about Ron. Blinded in a car wreck the exact same night as I, we met (purely out of coincidence) when we were in Jersey getting our first Seeing Eye dogs.
When I read Ron’s post, I thought about the circumstances that introduced us. But do I dwell? Nah. Do I get all reflective and pensive and thoughtful? Not really. I had several years of that self indulgence. Now? It’s just a day. A day I recognize, but one which has no power to control my emotions. Hence, I think about just what I’m doing that day.
Like the soldiers in Cash’s song, I don’t take time to mourn it. There’s no need. It’s been done. So, I just drive on.
And, just because I’m always ready to promote good music, here are those lyrics:
“Drive On” by Johnny Cash
I got a friend named Whiskey Sam,
He was my boonierat buddy for a year in Nam,
He said, “I think my country got a little off track, it took ‘em 25 years to welcome me back.”
“But it’s better than not comin’ back at all,
Many a good man I saw fall,
Even now every time I dream,
I hear the men and the monkeys and the jungle scream…”
Drive on, it don’t mean nothing
My children love me but they don’t understand,
And I got a woman who knows her man,
Drive on, it don’t mean nothing, it don’t mean nothing, drive on
I remember one night, Tex and me,
Rifled in on a hot L.Z.
We had our 16s on rock and roll,
But with all that fire I was scared and cold.
I was crazy and I was wild,
And I have seen a tiger’s smile,
I spit in a bamboo viper’s face
And I’d be dead but by God’s grace…
It was a slow walk in a sad rain,
And nobody tried to be John Wayne,
I came home, but Tex did not
And I can’t talk about the hit he got…
But I got a little limp now when I walk
And I got a little tremble when I got to talk,
But my letter read from Whiskey Sam,
You’re a walking, talking miracle from Vietnam-drive on…
The thing is, I love songs that are filled with emotion. War creates emotions we don’t often see in every day life. Hence, most songs about war draw emotional and verbal pictures with a vivid color scheme that doesn’t come out in sappy love ballads about broken hearts.
One of my fav war songs is “Drive On” by Johnny Cash. Cash tells the story of how he came to write the song. He and June Carter used to share books; when one would read something great, they’d hang onto the book and give it to the other. For a while, they were both reading first person autobiographies of Vietnam soldiers.
In the Vietnam War, according to Cash and the book he was reading, “Drive on” was a phrase often heard in the bush. A platoon of soldiers would get ambushed, fall into booby traps, whatever…and another American soldier’s fate was sealed. In the middle of a war zone, time to grieve wasn’t real plentiful. When a soldier would die, his brothers in arms would say to one another, “Drive on…”
Translation? You’ve gotta keep moving. You can’t take time now to grieve the dead. You’re still alive and you’ve gotta keep yourself alive. So, get it together, get your head straight and drive on…
I wish I’d known this song back in the fall of ’93. I didn’t. Not sure when Cash wrote it, but it didn’t get released until his 1994 “American Recordings” album.
Why would a year have made any difference? It may not have, but had I known the song and the story behind it, I may have had an extra bit of motivation.
It was 15 years ago today. October 9th, 1993, when the world changed forever. Well, my world, that is.
It was 15 years ago I slid into the passenger seat of a freezing Toyota Corolla, round about 11:50 p.m. I’d just left a St. Louis Blues game with a group of three friends, headed for White Castle, just like Harold and Kumar (minus the cheeba). That late night snack was not to be.
A few minutes later, I looked out my window and saw headlights. The rest of the story? You already know it. After all, the next few seconds is why you and I probably met in the first place.
Four or five years ago, I was talking with a friend who remembered the date. “What do you think of when it’s October 9?”, she asked.
Well, since that day 15 years ago, I’ve had different phases. The first several years, it was all encompassing. Like, I couldn’t NOT think about it. Then, like all wounds, it started to fade, little by little.
Now? What do I think about on October 9th? I think about whatever I’m doing on October 9th. Today, that was doing a few hours of early morning work. Then I thought about the haircut I was getting. Then, I thought about what I wanted for lunch (getting bored yet?) This afternoon, my wife, Marvelyne, pulled some sort of muscle in her back. So, I thought about that, too.
Now, well, I got a google alert that my bud, Ron Graham, used my name in his blog, Access Ability. If you want to check that post out, it’s at:
www.AccessAbility.blogspot.com
If you’ve read my book, you’ve read about Ron. Blinded in a car wreck the exact same night as I, we met (purely out of coincidence) when we were in Jersey getting our first Seeing Eye dogs.
When I read Ron’s post, I thought about the circumstances that introduced us. But do I dwell? Nah. Do I get all reflective and pensive and thoughtful? Not really. I had several years of that self indulgence. Now? It’s just a day. A day I recognize, but one which has no power to control my emotions. Hence, I think about just what I’m doing that day.
Like the soldiers in Cash’s song, I don’t take time to mourn it. There’s no need. It’s been done. So, I just drive on.
And, just because I’m always ready to promote good music, here are those lyrics:
“Drive On” by Johnny Cash
I got a friend named Whiskey Sam,
He was my boonierat buddy for a year in Nam,
He said, “I think my country got a little off track, it took ‘em 25 years to welcome me back.”
“But it’s better than not comin’ back at all,
Many a good man I saw fall,
Even now every time I dream,
I hear the men and the monkeys and the jungle scream…”
Drive on, it don’t mean nothing
My children love me but they don’t understand,
And I got a woman who knows her man,
Drive on, it don’t mean nothing, it don’t mean nothing, drive on
I remember one night, Tex and me,
Rifled in on a hot L.Z.
We had our 16s on rock and roll,
But with all that fire I was scared and cold.
I was crazy and I was wild,
And I have seen a tiger’s smile,
I spit in a bamboo viper’s face
And I’d be dead but by God’s grace…
It was a slow walk in a sad rain,
And nobody tried to be John Wayne,
I came home, but Tex did not
And I can’t talk about the hit he got…
But I got a little limp now when I walk
And I got a little tremble when I got to talk,
But my letter read from Whiskey Sam,
You’re a walking, talking miracle from Vietnam-drive on…
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Warrior Soul
“There is no way to quantify motivation.”
So comes a quote from the book, “Warrior Soul” by Chuck Pfarrer. Chuck Pfarrer is a former Navy Seal who shares his life’s story, his adventures and his training with the reader. No Vince Flynn or Tom Clancy here-Pfarrer is the real thing.
I’m just ankle-deep into “Warrior Soul” now, but I can tell I’ll breeze through this one! Why? The story is just fascinating! Never mind the true missions, just the training to weed out those who want to be Seals is some of the most intense endurance I’ve ever heard of. 700 push ups before 8 a.m.? 15 miles per day spent running, sometimes in wet and sandy gear? Carrying telephone poles around? Seriously, telephone poles!
And that, faithful reader, is why I’m just so thankful there are people protecting our country that are just such incredible human machines.
When Pfarrer went to his first day of training to become a Seal, his class consisted of 145 students. The “weeding out” process began from minute #1. When the ranking officer said, “We’re not going to train you, we’re going to try to kill you”-he wasn’t joking. Only a handful of the original 145 original students graduated.
Yet, even though the class of 145 was comprised of some Olympiads, college football players and those of equal physical shape, it wasn’t necessarily the athletes who made it through. Sometimes, the Nebraska farm boy at 140 lbs. could hang, while the distance swimmer would drop. Pfarrer said it best: “There is no way to quantify motivation.”
So often, we're ready to count out the little guy, or the person with a lower I.Q., or the person who had a rough start to life. And all so often, we're shown how, when we count someone out, they're most likely to accomplish the goal.
If you're able to do anything in this world, it's probably because you're motivated to do so. That motivation of self is what has created world leaders, bazillionaires, title holders and, thankfully, the Navy Seals that protect our country.
So comes a quote from the book, “Warrior Soul” by Chuck Pfarrer. Chuck Pfarrer is a former Navy Seal who shares his life’s story, his adventures and his training with the reader. No Vince Flynn or Tom Clancy here-Pfarrer is the real thing.
I’m just ankle-deep into “Warrior Soul” now, but I can tell I’ll breeze through this one! Why? The story is just fascinating! Never mind the true missions, just the training to weed out those who want to be Seals is some of the most intense endurance I’ve ever heard of. 700 push ups before 8 a.m.? 15 miles per day spent running, sometimes in wet and sandy gear? Carrying telephone poles around? Seriously, telephone poles!
And that, faithful reader, is why I’m just so thankful there are people protecting our country that are just such incredible human machines.
When Pfarrer went to his first day of training to become a Seal, his class consisted of 145 students. The “weeding out” process began from minute #1. When the ranking officer said, “We’re not going to train you, we’re going to try to kill you”-he wasn’t joking. Only a handful of the original 145 original students graduated.
Yet, even though the class of 145 was comprised of some Olympiads, college football players and those of equal physical shape, it wasn’t necessarily the athletes who made it through. Sometimes, the Nebraska farm boy at 140 lbs. could hang, while the distance swimmer would drop. Pfarrer said it best: “There is no way to quantify motivation.”
So often, we're ready to count out the little guy, or the person with a lower I.Q., or the person who had a rough start to life. And all so often, we're shown how, when we count someone out, they're most likely to accomplish the goal.
If you're able to do anything in this world, it's probably because you're motivated to do so. That motivation of self is what has created world leaders, bazillionaires, title holders and, thankfully, the Navy Seals that protect our country.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Dr. Warren Saving Kids
Recently, I posted about my friend, Dr. Hilary Warren. Hilary and I have been BFF since our undergrad days back in Springfield, MO. She's now a pediatrician in Boise, Idaho... but right now (like really right now) she's on a six week medical mission to Haiti with Project Hope. Today, I received this photo and a quick update about the work of Project Hope in Haiti. I hope you'll consider learning more about this worthwhile org! And, just so ya know, I'm proud of you, Hil!
http://www.southcom.mil/AppsSC/photoGallery.php?gallery=Relief%20in%20Haiti%202008
Sunday, October 05, 2008
100% Effort, 100% Of The Time
Ya know, sometimes you have to sift through crap to find a diamond.
I think of this every time I’m reading a personal development book. Sometimes, I have to read through hundreds of pages to find one thing which I didn’t already know OR something that was told in a new way. Still, once I find that bit of good info, it makes the read worth it.
That doesn’t just go for books, but for movies, conversations, whatever I’m trying to get something from. Over the last several days, I’ve been kinda obsessed on two things:
Learning all I can about this economic meltdown
And
Trying to be Zen about this economic meltdown
It seems like every show has a different take on the cause and outcome of this mess. Who’s really to blame? I’m starting to get an idea, but still, this is so complicated, it could take years to figure out.
Tonight, in hopes of finding more explaination, I flipped on Fox News. No luck in the economic education market, but I did get something good. Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee, has this new show on Fox…and it’s just terrible.
Huckabee seems like a real good guy. The kind of person I’d like to have dinner with, or play a round of golf with. But this show? Yeesh. Just embarrassing.
Yet, after his lame attempts at humor and talking points about whatever he’s thinking, I did get one good piece of info. And on marriage, of all things!
Huckabee explained his view on marriage. That is, so many people think marriage is a 50/50 deal. Huckabee says this isn’t right. To be perfectly balanced all the time is a set up for failure. If you look at it as 50/50, someone will always think he/she is giving 55% and only receiving 45%.
Instead, Huckabee says, marriage needs to be 100% from each person, 100% of the time.
And ya know? This makes a HUGE amount of sense. If I’m constantly striving to be the best husband I can be, I can’t concern myself with how my wife is slacking (which she doesn’t do, I’m just makin’ a point!).
This marriage philosophy is like the definition of excellence according to Townes Van Zant. Townes is a singer songwriter who said, well, just look at the top of this blog. Excellence is in the striving…and whether its in marriage, business, economic clean up or some completely unrelated faction, it’s something I, for one, intend to keep working toward.
I think of this every time I’m reading a personal development book. Sometimes, I have to read through hundreds of pages to find one thing which I didn’t already know OR something that was told in a new way. Still, once I find that bit of good info, it makes the read worth it.
That doesn’t just go for books, but for movies, conversations, whatever I’m trying to get something from. Over the last several days, I’ve been kinda obsessed on two things:
Learning all I can about this economic meltdown
And
Trying to be Zen about this economic meltdown
It seems like every show has a different take on the cause and outcome of this mess. Who’s really to blame? I’m starting to get an idea, but still, this is so complicated, it could take years to figure out.
Tonight, in hopes of finding more explaination, I flipped on Fox News. No luck in the economic education market, but I did get something good. Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee, has this new show on Fox…and it’s just terrible.
Huckabee seems like a real good guy. The kind of person I’d like to have dinner with, or play a round of golf with. But this show? Yeesh. Just embarrassing.
Yet, after his lame attempts at humor and talking points about whatever he’s thinking, I did get one good piece of info. And on marriage, of all things!
Huckabee explained his view on marriage. That is, so many people think marriage is a 50/50 deal. Huckabee says this isn’t right. To be perfectly balanced all the time is a set up for failure. If you look at it as 50/50, someone will always think he/she is giving 55% and only receiving 45%.
Instead, Huckabee says, marriage needs to be 100% from each person, 100% of the time.
And ya know? This makes a HUGE amount of sense. If I’m constantly striving to be the best husband I can be, I can’t concern myself with how my wife is slacking (which she doesn’t do, I’m just makin’ a point!).
This marriage philosophy is like the definition of excellence according to Townes Van Zant. Townes is a singer songwriter who said, well, just look at the top of this blog. Excellence is in the striving…and whether its in marriage, business, economic clean up or some completely unrelated faction, it’s something I, for one, intend to keep working toward.
Is Your Workplace Your Home?
Last night, we invited my old fraternity brother, Jay, and his wife, Tommi, over for dinner. Jay and Tommi both work for Disney here in Orlando and it was so cool to hear all their talex of the behind-the-scenes actions that make the magic in the Magic Kingdom.
But the thing that impressed me most was their passion for their work. That passion is generated by the Disney culture that both of them love so much.
As a perfect example, Tommi told the story of the first time her parents came to visit she and Jay. Neither of her parents had ever been to Florida before, much less to anything Disney related. Tommi wanted to show them what she does, why she moved clear across the country and she really wanted them to see why her job is so great.
So, as she was playing tour guide for her parents through the park, she stopped them next to an attraction, asked them to wait and walked across a crowded waiting area. After winding through the people, Tommi picked up a discarded soda cup, walked to a nearby trash can, threw it away and returned to her parents. Keep in mind Tommi was on her off day and doesn’t even work in the park, but rather, an office job in a nearby complex.
Her dad asked, “Why did you just do that?” Tommi didn’t hesitate with an answer: “This is my home and I want to take care of it.”
She explained further how the culture of Disney encourages putting one’s best foot forward, creating an environment where people love to be, having as few distractions as possible ffrom the “magic” of Disney, etc. And when a company can create that culture in an employee’s off time? That’s a very cool thing!
Most people have jobs that, when they’re on their off day, they’d never want to go to for fun. Jay and Tommi are fortunate to have jobs they love AND that they even seem to enjoy so much that they work when they’re not working. I’m pretty fortunate in this realm, too…and I know how rare jobs like these are.
Whether your role as an employee has this culture built into you or not, adopting just a little bit of the Disney philosophy may help to make your time on the job more enjoyable.
But the thing that impressed me most was their passion for their work. That passion is generated by the Disney culture that both of them love so much.
As a perfect example, Tommi told the story of the first time her parents came to visit she and Jay. Neither of her parents had ever been to Florida before, much less to anything Disney related. Tommi wanted to show them what she does, why she moved clear across the country and she really wanted them to see why her job is so great.
So, as she was playing tour guide for her parents through the park, she stopped them next to an attraction, asked them to wait and walked across a crowded waiting area. After winding through the people, Tommi picked up a discarded soda cup, walked to a nearby trash can, threw it away and returned to her parents. Keep in mind Tommi was on her off day and doesn’t even work in the park, but rather, an office job in a nearby complex.
Her dad asked, “Why did you just do that?” Tommi didn’t hesitate with an answer: “This is my home and I want to take care of it.”
She explained further how the culture of Disney encourages putting one’s best foot forward, creating an environment where people love to be, having as few distractions as possible ffrom the “magic” of Disney, etc. And when a company can create that culture in an employee’s off time? That’s a very cool thing!
Most people have jobs that, when they’re on their off day, they’d never want to go to for fun. Jay and Tommi are fortunate to have jobs they love AND that they even seem to enjoy so much that they work when they’re not working. I’m pretty fortunate in this realm, too…and I know how rare jobs like these are.
Whether your role as an employee has this culture built into you or not, adopting just a little bit of the Disney philosophy may help to make your time on the job more enjoyable.
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