First let me apologize to those of you that are not totally enamored with my sports posts, I realize this is three in a row and I owe you something more insightful soon :).
Tiger, Tiger, Tiger I am so glad you lost. Unlike the scores of people who were saying that yesterday and this morning for a myriad of ignorant and socially incorrect reasons I was glad to see that you were HUMAN! As you may know, I am a HUGE Tiger fan and of course I want him to win and make history, but yesterday there was something poetic in watching him be human and at the same time watching a relative unknown step up and perform under pressure. Today I have read about Tiger choking and even that his career is over. Journalism today has become so full of hyperbole and nonsense. It is what it is. Tiger is human, he suffers from the same frailties as us, how refreshing. Why go off the deep end and suggest his career is over? Phil Mickleson blows leads and tournaments on a regular basis, I have never heard word one that his career was over let along on the decline. I look forward to the day Tiger wins his 19th Major along with his 87th overall tournament (I think that's the record) but yesterday was a refreshing departure from the script.
Speaking of departing from the script, you have the Michael Vick 60 Minutes interview last night. I want so badly to still hate Mike. What he did was deplorable and the extent of the lying makes it even worse, but watching last night I believed him. I know I very well be naive and as one of my closest friends asked me, "Would you feel the same way if he wasn't going to play for your team?". I can't answer that question because he is. Someone also wanted me to compare it to Terrell Owens leaving Philly for Dallas and the fact that I despise T.O. to this day. I thought about the difference. I have no idea who either of these guys are as people though they have given us more than glimpses. What I can say is I think someone can learn from errors in judgement and poor societal moral choices. I don't think someone can change their internal make up and how they view others as human beings. Mike Vick committed atrocious acts, no doubt, but if is no longer doing those things and recognizes he can't isn't it over once he paid his penalty? Owens on the other hand continues in his selfish ways from city to city. He holds himself accountable to no one. Me personally, I'd rather go to battle with Mike, who has shown he can be a teammate, than T.O. who doesn't know what that word means.
America is a place built on second chances. I hope Vick not only gets his second chance but that he fulfills the promise of what a second chance means. If he does he might change the way we look at athletes. If he doesn't then he goes into the pile with the rest of the liars.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
How much reality do you want to see?
Watching a public figures life played out in front of you on TV, in print and on the Internet has become an American pastime all to its own. For me it is uncomfortable and strange, but like a huge wreck on the highway it is nearly impossible to not look over and draw your own conclusions.
Last night I got that same feeling when hearing the initial story of Rick Pitino, the Head Basketball Coach at the University of Louisville. I also had a similar feeling after the pictures of Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers Outfielder, but for his plight I feel much more empathy.
The Pitino story, if you haven't heard, is just breaking and details are VERY vague, which helps allowing your mind to wander. What we do know. Pitino had consensual sex with a woman, not his wife, in 2003. At some point the woman began to attempt to extort money from Pitino and now she is on trial and Pitino is a witness. Other interesting tidbits; Pitino gave the woman $3,000 for an abortion. Does that mean Pitino knew he was the father of an unborn child after ONE encounter? Did he feel sorry for her and feel like this would 'sweep the issue under the rug' regardless of who the father is? The last really interesting thing I noticed is the woman's last name, now that she is married --- Sypher. What's in a name? Oh, 6 months after this incident happened she MARRIED one of the coaches on Pitino's STAFF!!!! Hello? Isn't that a little bizarre? So, she has an affair with the head coach, gets pregnant by 'someone', begins extortion on said coach and then DATES AND MARRIES one of his employees and friends...There has got to be a lot more here and no one is really talking. So when no one talks, people will make shit up. That's what is running around in my head --- inventing all of the really juicy stuff that 'could' have happened. I'm not going to type them here, I'll let you use your own imagination, but needless to say, if someone needed a payday, it would make for a great hour on Jerry Springer.
The Hamilton story is much sadder. Again, for the less sports baptized amongst you. Hamilton was a major stud coming out of High School and a #1 pick. In a long and sordid start to his career he got messed up with alcohol and drugs, including all of the 'hard stuff'. Through years of dedication and faith he has turned his life around. Not only has he rejoined the Majors and become an icon, but he has a beautiful young family. Apparently, in January he slipped and drank. Thanks to camera phones and his celebrity status, his fall off the wagon was captured and has now become public more than 6 months later. Unlike Pitino above though, Hamilton didn't wait for the 'smoking gun' to become public to deal with things. The day after the incident Hamilton opened up to his wife, his sponsor and his employer. He held nothing back so that when the 'story' eventually broke it was a non-story. It is what it is, Hamilton will live his life battling his disease and his demons. There are no guarantees he won't slip again, but it does seem that he has learned the most important lesson and that is when you make a mistake, own up to it, ask for forgiveness and realize that only through your positive actions can you truly be forgiven.
Two public stories, handled two different ways makes me think of a line from my favorite Robert Frost poem - "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference".
Last night I got that same feeling when hearing the initial story of Rick Pitino, the Head Basketball Coach at the University of Louisville. I also had a similar feeling after the pictures of Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers Outfielder, but for his plight I feel much more empathy.
The Pitino story, if you haven't heard, is just breaking and details are VERY vague, which helps allowing your mind to wander. What we do know. Pitino had consensual sex with a woman, not his wife, in 2003. At some point the woman began to attempt to extort money from Pitino and now she is on trial and Pitino is a witness. Other interesting tidbits; Pitino gave the woman $3,000 for an abortion. Does that mean Pitino knew he was the father of an unborn child after ONE encounter? Did he feel sorry for her and feel like this would 'sweep the issue under the rug' regardless of who the father is? The last really interesting thing I noticed is the woman's last name, now that she is married --- Sypher. What's in a name? Oh, 6 months after this incident happened she MARRIED one of the coaches on Pitino's STAFF!!!! Hello? Isn't that a little bizarre? So, she has an affair with the head coach, gets pregnant by 'someone', begins extortion on said coach and then DATES AND MARRIES one of his employees and friends...There has got to be a lot more here and no one is really talking. So when no one talks, people will make shit up. That's what is running around in my head --- inventing all of the really juicy stuff that 'could' have happened. I'm not going to type them here, I'll let you use your own imagination, but needless to say, if someone needed a payday, it would make for a great hour on Jerry Springer.
The Hamilton story is much sadder. Again, for the less sports baptized amongst you. Hamilton was a major stud coming out of High School and a #1 pick. In a long and sordid start to his career he got messed up with alcohol and drugs, including all of the 'hard stuff'. Through years of dedication and faith he has turned his life around. Not only has he rejoined the Majors and become an icon, but he has a beautiful young family. Apparently, in January he slipped and drank. Thanks to camera phones and his celebrity status, his fall off the wagon was captured and has now become public more than 6 months later. Unlike Pitino above though, Hamilton didn't wait for the 'smoking gun' to become public to deal with things. The day after the incident Hamilton opened up to his wife, his sponsor and his employer. He held nothing back so that when the 'story' eventually broke it was a non-story. It is what it is, Hamilton will live his life battling his disease and his demons. There are no guarantees he won't slip again, but it does seem that he has learned the most important lesson and that is when you make a mistake, own up to it, ask for forgiveness and realize that only through your positive actions can you truly be forgiven.
Two public stories, handled two different ways makes me think of a line from my favorite Robert Frost poem - "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference".
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Case to make Michael Vick an EAGLE
Yep, I typed it. I can't believe I did it, but I figured if it should happen I wanted to have it in writing so I can say 'I told you so' to the world.
If you are a long time reader, and why would you be since it's been so long since I posted, you will know I am no Mike Vick fan. I find, not just the act that he committed, but the lies he perpetuated and the image he has portrayed as reprehensible. However, I am not looking at this as Mike Vick the man alone, I am looking at it objectively. Where could he fit in as a player and a system.
So, I am looking at my beloved Eagles and thinking why not?
First, as an Owner of a Football Team, my first concern might be community outcry. Philly is NOT Seattle or San Francisco. Sure PETA will protest and there will be rumblings but Philly is at its heart a blue collar town that embraces the underdog (no pun intended); real or not (see Rocky and the fact that he has a statue...). Second, this team is considered a front runner in the NFC and I am not exactly sure why. I love McNabb, but can Westbrook stay healthy, actually is he even healthy to begin with and who are we throwing the ball to again? Third, Vick can be utilized in the West Coast Offense that Andy Reid subscribes to. In fact, where McNabb has lost a step, Vick could be used as a playmaker. Fourth, Mcnabb. One, he is NOT getting any younger and with Kolb getting hurt yesterday, do we have a back up? Also, McNabb has been through the wars and can relate to Mike on just about every level.
The more I think about it, the more I like it, for the FOOTBALL TEAM. Would I run out to buy a Vick jersey? No. I would also explain to my children what he did, how I feel about it and what second, and sometimes third chances are all about.
Who in fact couldn't use a chance to 'rehabilitate' his/her image with a fresh start? Sometimes I wish I could!!!
If you are a long time reader, and why would you be since it's been so long since I posted, you will know I am no Mike Vick fan. I find, not just the act that he committed, but the lies he perpetuated and the image he has portrayed as reprehensible. However, I am not looking at this as Mike Vick the man alone, I am looking at it objectively. Where could he fit in as a player and a system.
So, I am looking at my beloved Eagles and thinking why not?
First, as an Owner of a Football Team, my first concern might be community outcry. Philly is NOT Seattle or San Francisco. Sure PETA will protest and there will be rumblings but Philly is at its heart a blue collar town that embraces the underdog (no pun intended); real or not (see Rocky and the fact that he has a statue...). Second, this team is considered a front runner in the NFC and I am not exactly sure why. I love McNabb, but can Westbrook stay healthy, actually is he even healthy to begin with and who are we throwing the ball to again? Third, Vick can be utilized in the West Coast Offense that Andy Reid subscribes to. In fact, where McNabb has lost a step, Vick could be used as a playmaker. Fourth, Mcnabb. One, he is NOT getting any younger and with Kolb getting hurt yesterday, do we have a back up? Also, McNabb has been through the wars and can relate to Mike on just about every level.
The more I think about it, the more I like it, for the FOOTBALL TEAM. Would I run out to buy a Vick jersey? No. I would also explain to my children what he did, how I feel about it and what second, and sometimes third chances are all about.
Who in fact couldn't use a chance to 'rehabilitate' his/her image with a fresh start? Sometimes I wish I could!!!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
So I suck at getting back to posts...
though I promise I will, I really do promise, but this is related, it really is.
Last night, while trying NOT to sleep, because why would I sleep when the next morning I am taking a 5:45 SPIN class and then have to hustle home to make the girls' lunches, wake them up, make their breakfast, get myself showered, etc...I mean really why even sleep.
So I am watching Jon Stewart, a re-run no less, but at least it wasn't Sports Center as alas Brad Lidge blew another save and I didn't want to see the lowlights, and Jon mentions one of the GREATEST 80's gadgets of ALL TIME that I can't believe I forgot...
The CASIO CALCULATOR WATCH! Who amongst us did not have this gem and act like we were getting away with some amazing tool in the 7th grade? Looking back, was multiplication and division really that difficult to do by hand?
Anyway, just thought I'd share, plus it reminds me I haven't finished the last post...or one from a little further back...when did I become King Procrastinator????
Last night, while trying NOT to sleep, because why would I sleep when the next morning I am taking a 5:45 SPIN class and then have to hustle home to make the girls' lunches, wake them up, make their breakfast, get myself showered, etc...I mean really why even sleep.
So I am watching Jon Stewart, a re-run no less, but at least it wasn't Sports Center as alas Brad Lidge blew another save and I didn't want to see the lowlights, and Jon mentions one of the GREATEST 80's gadgets of ALL TIME that I can't believe I forgot...
The CASIO CALCULATOR WATCH! Who amongst us did not have this gem and act like we were getting away with some amazing tool in the 7th grade? Looking back, was multiplication and division really that difficult to do by hand?
Anyway, just thought I'd share, plus it reminds me I haven't finished the last post...or one from a little further back...when did I become King Procrastinator????
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Happy Birthday to the Walkman!
Can you believe it? This most amazing gadget, well at least to those of us that were pre-teens and teens back then, came out 30 years ago!!
So it got me thinking, while I type on my laptop with its wireless connection and my MAC laptop is next to me 'ripping' custom ringtones as my iPhones recharges off the USB connection about all the gadgets we had back then and how 'most awesome' they were in the words of either Bill or Ted and now how they pale in comparison.
I don't have time right now, but tonight after I take the girls to see the Phils' and Braves and before I get on a plane for 5 days of much needed relaxation and self examination I am going to explore the gadgets that made up my youth and maybe even look at their counterparts today.
I know I won't get them all so if you want to add to my list feel free:
The aforementioned SONY Walkman
8 tracks
two turntables and vinyl
real cable boxes and their long cords connected to the TV
the original 'mobile phone'
How about wall mounted phones and the curly cords that always got knotted and twisted and you had to let them dangle to unknot?
The VCR and Betamax
Word Processors
The Apple IIe or Commodore 64
Nintendo, Intellivision or Atari gaming systems
So it got me thinking, while I type on my laptop with its wireless connection and my MAC laptop is next to me 'ripping' custom ringtones as my iPhones recharges off the USB connection about all the gadgets we had back then and how 'most awesome' they were in the words of either Bill or Ted and now how they pale in comparison.
I don't have time right now, but tonight after I take the girls to see the Phils' and Braves and before I get on a plane for 5 days of much needed relaxation and self examination I am going to explore the gadgets that made up my youth and maybe even look at their counterparts today.
I know I won't get them all so if you want to add to my list feel free:
The aforementioned SONY Walkman
8 tracks
two turntables and vinyl
real cable boxes and their long cords connected to the TV
the original 'mobile phone'
How about wall mounted phones and the curly cords that always got knotted and twisted and you had to let them dangle to unknot?
The VCR and Betamax
Word Processors
The Apple IIe or Commodore 64
Nintendo, Intellivision or Atari gaming systems
Friday, June 26, 2009
Processing the loss of Michael Jackson
Quite frankly I am a little surprised by the outpouring of emotion that has been the last 15 or so hours.
Sure, the music of Michael Jackson spans generations and so many people have been touched by his 'gift' from early childhood through many great solo albums and performances well into adulthood. But let's be realistic on the 'musical front', Jackson has not produced a 'relevant' album let alone a single in at least a decade if not closer to two. For me, 'Remember the Time' might be the last thing I recall of Jackson, at least musically that is.
Sticking to his 'pop' legacy, he was truly groundbreaking AND in the right place at the right time. I was talking to a friend last night, who was not yet alive yet when Jackson released Thriller (yikes I think was the quote)! The album and what Jackson did with it visually truly changed the way we think and WATCH music today. I remember rushing home, in my Freshman year in High School, with a group of friends so we could be in front of the TV set for the World Premiere of the Thriller Movie. If I am correct, it ran close to 15 minutes and MTV played it at least 3 times in a row. We sat there mesmerized. Music Television had been out for a couple of years now but Thriller changed it all. There are so many tremendous songs in the Jackson library and it would do me disservice to start naming favorites but there are ones that I can still listen to today and even put them into context of things I can relate to now.
So, I just spent a paragraph and a half glorifying the musical genius of Michael Jackson. You would think I was mourning in the streets or at least on my Facebook status but I am not. But before I get into that, I'd like to explore a thought I had in the middle of the night...
Jackson was Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and even Miley Cyrus well before we even thought of things like that. Jackson and his family grew up in an age without mass media coverage, no cameras in the face, no TMZ snapping shots of them coming out of seedy hotel rooms. Let's be honest, we've seen enough evidence to realize the Jackson kids did not grow up in an ideal household and given the stereotypes of the early 70's lets just assume there was a little bit of recreational drug use and promiscuity around them...Can you inagine the FIELD DAY that all the tabloids and daily trash TV shows would be having if they were around then? Is the transformation that Michael has gone through any less horrific than Lohan? Ummm, she's got drug problems, apparently steals shit and who knows how many sexual partners but is she a pedophile? Have we seen her dangling babies from windows, etc...
So that leads me to my final thought. How can we GLORIFY a man, as gifted as he was, for only one side of his life? If OJ dies tomorrow there will be no candle lighting vigils on the campus of USC or in Buffalo where he is lauded for his football talents. At the end of the day, Jackson was a recluse and a creep at a minimum and a pedophile/child rapist at the worst who preyed on innocent and often sick children for his own satisfaction. Forget the mutilation he did to his own body in modifications and changes, he was NOT a good guy.
Certainly it's a tragic tale and one that the entertainment world and we as consumers should pay attention to. We, as a society, LOVE child stars. We go nuts for them, have pageants and contests to discover them and for what? Our own glory and riches?
To their parents, the Jacksons' were a way out, a means to an end. Look up and down the line of those kids and who amongst them have become well adjusted adults?
There has to be a place for children in 'show business' there always has, but at some point someone must educate the parents and make sure they keep their kids best interest at heart. Ok, I took a strange tangent there, but its related right?
To sum it up - I hope that you find peace Michael. I have and always will enjoy your musical gifts. I will explain to my children, as they have already asked why I think the person on the Thriller video is the same person in the Bad video, that sometimes people change and that pressure can be a very difficult thing to deal with, and also never to talk to strangers no matter how appealing that offer may be...
Sure, the music of Michael Jackson spans generations and so many people have been touched by his 'gift' from early childhood through many great solo albums and performances well into adulthood. But let's be realistic on the 'musical front', Jackson has not produced a 'relevant' album let alone a single in at least a decade if not closer to two. For me, 'Remember the Time' might be the last thing I recall of Jackson, at least musically that is.
Sticking to his 'pop' legacy, he was truly groundbreaking AND in the right place at the right time. I was talking to a friend last night, who was not yet alive yet when Jackson released Thriller (yikes I think was the quote)! The album and what Jackson did with it visually truly changed the way we think and WATCH music today. I remember rushing home, in my Freshman year in High School, with a group of friends so we could be in front of the TV set for the World Premiere of the Thriller Movie. If I am correct, it ran close to 15 minutes and MTV played it at least 3 times in a row. We sat there mesmerized. Music Television had been out for a couple of years now but Thriller changed it all. There are so many tremendous songs in the Jackson library and it would do me disservice to start naming favorites but there are ones that I can still listen to today and even put them into context of things I can relate to now.
So, I just spent a paragraph and a half glorifying the musical genius of Michael Jackson. You would think I was mourning in the streets or at least on my Facebook status but I am not. But before I get into that, I'd like to explore a thought I had in the middle of the night...
Jackson was Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and even Miley Cyrus well before we even thought of things like that. Jackson and his family grew up in an age without mass media coverage, no cameras in the face, no TMZ snapping shots of them coming out of seedy hotel rooms. Let's be honest, we've seen enough evidence to realize the Jackson kids did not grow up in an ideal household and given the stereotypes of the early 70's lets just assume there was a little bit of recreational drug use and promiscuity around them...Can you inagine the FIELD DAY that all the tabloids and daily trash TV shows would be having if they were around then? Is the transformation that Michael has gone through any less horrific than Lohan? Ummm, she's got drug problems, apparently steals shit and who knows how many sexual partners but is she a pedophile? Have we seen her dangling babies from windows, etc...
So that leads me to my final thought. How can we GLORIFY a man, as gifted as he was, for only one side of his life? If OJ dies tomorrow there will be no candle lighting vigils on the campus of USC or in Buffalo where he is lauded for his football talents. At the end of the day, Jackson was a recluse and a creep at a minimum and a pedophile/child rapist at the worst who preyed on innocent and often sick children for his own satisfaction. Forget the mutilation he did to his own body in modifications and changes, he was NOT a good guy.
Certainly it's a tragic tale and one that the entertainment world and we as consumers should pay attention to. We, as a society, LOVE child stars. We go nuts for them, have pageants and contests to discover them and for what? Our own glory and riches?
To their parents, the Jacksons' were a way out, a means to an end. Look up and down the line of those kids and who amongst them have become well adjusted adults?
There has to be a place for children in 'show business' there always has, but at some point someone must educate the parents and make sure they keep their kids best interest at heart. Ok, I took a strange tangent there, but its related right?
To sum it up - I hope that you find peace Michael. I have and always will enjoy your musical gifts. I will explain to my children, as they have already asked why I think the person on the Thriller video is the same person in the Bad video, that sometimes people change and that pressure can be a very difficult thing to deal with, and also never to talk to strangers no matter how appealing that offer may be...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Age and time...
I know I have other issues to get to but this is what's been on my mind for at least the last few days.
First, the middle week of June is a difficult one for me. My father would have turned 66 on the 14th, instead it marks nearly 8 years since he passed away. Usually his birthday falls very close to Father's Day. This year it is separated by a full week, which I believe is the furthest apart it ever gets. Father's Day to me has always been a dichotomy and now that I have been a father for almost 9 years I guess it's a trichotomy if that is even a word. My earliest memories of Father's Day are of pain and loss, a father that left in the truest sense of the term. Today I know that you may not be in the same place as your children but you can always be PRESENT. The second Father's Day for me is one of gratitude and thanks for the man that chose to be by father. Now more than ever I feel that gratitude and look to carry on that legacy he has given me. The third, Gil as a Dad is more difficult. I think because of my original feelings on Father's Day and its proximity to my biological father's birth I would try to push it out of my head and say its not really a 'day for me'. I'm still not comfortable with it. I like days about 'other people'. I'm a pretty good giver and I like focusing on someone else's happiness and thus getting joy from seeing them smile at my thoughtfulness. As TIME marches forward I think I need to re-focus that lens and try to receive Father's Day differently, for me.
So where does all this tie in (notice the cute father's day pun of TIE)? Maybe it won't but by now you know that I just type and type.
Back to TIME, last week I was STUCK in the Dallas airport for 18+ hours with not much to do but sit in the Crown Room and contemplate life. Sure I watched a movie and even used the restroom, but basically it was the worst 'holding pattern' I could remember in a LONG time and it made me think about TIME and how much of it we waste in our life on petty shit. In fact time wasting has actually become a 'pasttime for people'. Don't believe me? GOOGLE 'time wasters' and all you get are hits for games and sites for you to actually WASTE TIME. Fuck - I want just the exact opposite (pardon my french). I don't want to waste any more time.
I am now 40. Do I feel 40? I have no idea. I know I don't feel like I thought 40 would feel. I still love to goof around, I like current music which makes the kids happy, despite two major knee reconstructions I run, play golf and am getting ready to play basketball again. When I was in my 20's I looked at 40 as old and sometimes I wonder do I come off that way to that same 'demo' now. The biggest thing about being 40 seems to be the realization that if life were a bell curve I am no longer on the 'climb'. Though it doesn't mean that I can't still reach higher heights!
How do the concepts of AGE and TIME collide?
Pretty simple. There are so many things I wish to do, experience and accomplish. What I have come to accept is that I don't have time for 'time suckers', 'time wasters' or 'haters'.
MY father died at 57. I can't imagine only having 17 years left on this planet, but if I do I want to make the best of it. I don't want to 'live each moment to its fullest', I want to 'LIVE IN EACH MOMENT'. I want to be able to look around and see it for what it is, enjoy the experience or even hate the experience but use that to make future experiences that much better.
AGE is truly but a number. I know 35 year olds that have given up and are resigned to a life less ordinary and I have friends in their mid 20's that have a lifetime ahead of them and they see all that life can offer them. My hope is to try and help rescue the 35 year old while being able to jump on the ride with the mid 20's and let them see, through experience, how many ways this life can be enjoyed.
Is 40 the new 30? Probably not, but 40 is me. Its active, fun and looking forward to the next 40 and not back on what the first 40 'should' have been.
Age and time...I hope they are both on my side and those around me get the chance to see that and while things might not be 'ideal' from a fairy tale perspective, they can be pretty spectacular in the moment and on in to the future if your mind and heart is open.
First, the middle week of June is a difficult one for me. My father would have turned 66 on the 14th, instead it marks nearly 8 years since he passed away. Usually his birthday falls very close to Father's Day. This year it is separated by a full week, which I believe is the furthest apart it ever gets. Father's Day to me has always been a dichotomy and now that I have been a father for almost 9 years I guess it's a trichotomy if that is even a word. My earliest memories of Father's Day are of pain and loss, a father that left in the truest sense of the term. Today I know that you may not be in the same place as your children but you can always be PRESENT. The second Father's Day for me is one of gratitude and thanks for the man that chose to be by father. Now more than ever I feel that gratitude and look to carry on that legacy he has given me. The third, Gil as a Dad is more difficult. I think because of my original feelings on Father's Day and its proximity to my biological father's birth I would try to push it out of my head and say its not really a 'day for me'. I'm still not comfortable with it. I like days about 'other people'. I'm a pretty good giver and I like focusing on someone else's happiness and thus getting joy from seeing them smile at my thoughtfulness. As TIME marches forward I think I need to re-focus that lens and try to receive Father's Day differently, for me.
So where does all this tie in (notice the cute father's day pun of TIE)? Maybe it won't but by now you know that I just type and type.
Back to TIME, last week I was STUCK in the Dallas airport for 18+ hours with not much to do but sit in the Crown Room and contemplate life. Sure I watched a movie and even used the restroom, but basically it was the worst 'holding pattern' I could remember in a LONG time and it made me think about TIME and how much of it we waste in our life on petty shit. In fact time wasting has actually become a 'pasttime for people'. Don't believe me? GOOGLE 'time wasters' and all you get are hits for games and sites for you to actually WASTE TIME. Fuck - I want just the exact opposite (pardon my french). I don't want to waste any more time.
I am now 40. Do I feel 40? I have no idea. I know I don't feel like I thought 40 would feel. I still love to goof around, I like current music which makes the kids happy, despite two major knee reconstructions I run, play golf and am getting ready to play basketball again. When I was in my 20's I looked at 40 as old and sometimes I wonder do I come off that way to that same 'demo' now. The biggest thing about being 40 seems to be the realization that if life were a bell curve I am no longer on the 'climb'. Though it doesn't mean that I can't still reach higher heights!
How do the concepts of AGE and TIME collide?
Pretty simple. There are so many things I wish to do, experience and accomplish. What I have come to accept is that I don't have time for 'time suckers', 'time wasters' or 'haters'.
MY father died at 57. I can't imagine only having 17 years left on this planet, but if I do I want to make the best of it. I don't want to 'live each moment to its fullest', I want to 'LIVE IN EACH MOMENT'. I want to be able to look around and see it for what it is, enjoy the experience or even hate the experience but use that to make future experiences that much better.
AGE is truly but a number. I know 35 year olds that have given up and are resigned to a life less ordinary and I have friends in their mid 20's that have a lifetime ahead of them and they see all that life can offer them. My hope is to try and help rescue the 35 year old while being able to jump on the ride with the mid 20's and let them see, through experience, how many ways this life can be enjoyed.
Is 40 the new 30? Probably not, but 40 is me. Its active, fun and looking forward to the next 40 and not back on what the first 40 'should' have been.
Age and time...I hope they are both on my side and those around me get the chance to see that and while things might not be 'ideal' from a fairy tale perspective, they can be pretty spectacular in the moment and on in to the future if your mind and heart is open.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Teaser...
Seriously, if I had the time, and I am working on clearing up some space, here are some topics that I would like to blog about...and I will I promise.
1. Homelessness - especially in Atlanta. I went to a breakfast for the Atlanta Children's Shelter that was very powerful and I started doing some research. I can't wait to share.
2. Iran and its continual development of nuclear capabilities and the ramifications on not just the Middle East (Israel) but also Europe. Also Iran's relationship with Venezuela and the impact that could have on the West - interesting and scary stuff.
3. Comedienne Lisa Lampinelli - I almost cringe about giving her 'face' time. I watched her HBO Special over the weekend, at 3:00 AM when I couldn't sleep, and I was outraged, disgusted and offended (not things that someone can usually do to me). Sitting here 2 days later my skin still crawls from her racist, anti-semetic and cruel sexual orientation jabs.
I have been traveling a TON for work and that continues through the middle of next week, but I have all these notes, I just need to put them together in coherent thoughts :)
1. Homelessness - especially in Atlanta. I went to a breakfast for the Atlanta Children's Shelter that was very powerful and I started doing some research. I can't wait to share.
2. Iran and its continual development of nuclear capabilities and the ramifications on not just the Middle East (Israel) but also Europe. Also Iran's relationship with Venezuela and the impact that could have on the West - interesting and scary stuff.
3. Comedienne Lisa Lampinelli - I almost cringe about giving her 'face' time. I watched her HBO Special over the weekend, at 3:00 AM when I couldn't sleep, and I was outraged, disgusted and offended (not things that someone can usually do to me). Sitting here 2 days later my skin still crawls from her racist, anti-semetic and cruel sexual orientation jabs.
I have been traveling a TON for work and that continues through the middle of next week, but I have all these notes, I just need to put them together in coherent thoughts :)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Patience...
Patience with the process is something I heard awhile ago and thought I subscribed to it, but I also realize I am basically an impatient person, which I don't think is a bad thing if reigned in. I am hungry and aggressive to reach my goals thanks to that impatience.
So today at lunch a Leadership Atlanta classmate and I were discussing her job situation and what she wants to 'really' be doing and I was impressed with how thought out and methodical she was. She knew what the present reality was and she knew what the future reality will be and she has the patience to see them through.
So here I sit, about to embark on 3 business trips between May 27th and June 11th that should be the start of the great things I envision, I just need to have the same focus and peace with the process to go along with the patience.
With that in mind I 'googled' - "patience quotes" and I think I got better than I bargained for...
“All human wisdom is summed up in two words - wait and hope” - Alexandre Dumas
"Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.”
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions” -Rainer Maria Rilke
“Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.”
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” - Tolstoy
“Patience and fortitude conquer all things” - Emerson
and my favorite, from one of my favorite Philadelphian's ----
“He that can have Patience, can have what he will” - Benjamin Franklin
So today at lunch a Leadership Atlanta classmate and I were discussing her job situation and what she wants to 'really' be doing and I was impressed with how thought out and methodical she was. She knew what the present reality was and she knew what the future reality will be and she has the patience to see them through.
So here I sit, about to embark on 3 business trips between May 27th and June 11th that should be the start of the great things I envision, I just need to have the same focus and peace with the process to go along with the patience.
With that in mind I 'googled' - "patience quotes" and I think I got better than I bargained for...
“All human wisdom is summed up in two words - wait and hope” - Alexandre Dumas
"Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.”
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions” -Rainer Maria Rilke
“Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.”
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” - Tolstoy
“Patience and fortitude conquer all things” - Emerson
and my favorite, from one of my favorite Philadelphian's ----
“He that can have Patience, can have what he will” - Benjamin Franklin
Monday, May 18, 2009
Travel Date - May 15-18, 2009
I do a bunch of travel. I actually enjoy it for the most part. I certainly miss my family while I am away but I do enjoy seeing different parts of the country and sometimes the world. I also like meeting people from different places and finding out where we are similar through our backgrounds and how we are different.
One thing that has always been a constant has been my mode of transportation - the airplane. This week I had the chance to experience a different means of transportation and I really enjoyed it and I enjoyed experience a part of the country I have never been in; enjoyed but ready to depart for more familiar turf.
I had to be in Providence for a Trade Show and the flights into Providence were a little pricey. If you are not familiar with the area (as I was not) I quickly found out Providence was about an hour from Boston and 3 from New York. Well, airfare into NYC was unbeatable so I took that option. My next choice was how to get to Rhode Island. Sure I could rent a car for like $300 or I could grab the TRAIN to Providence for around $100. I had NEVER been on a REAL train so it was a no brainer. I upgraded to 'Business Class' because that's how I roll (LOL) and I had no idea what to expect from coach.
The whole experience was new and exhilarating and began early with my first walk into PENN STATION. Clearly I was a fish out of water and had no idea what to do. I did have my itinerary and easily picked up my ticket from the kiosk, but unlike the airport there was no GATE # on my ticket. I was also about 2 hours early not knowing proper protocol. I asked an AMTRAK attendant what to do and he pointed to a waiting area and said "wait and they will tell you what track". OK. I still had a bunch of questions but figured he was not the guy to ask. I spent the next hour using my power of observation and realized that about 15 minutes before a train would leave they would put up its track # on a big board. I look at my ticket for Providence but don't see it on the board and slight panic sets it. I look to see it has a # and I look for that and realize that my trains ultimate destination must be Boston and there it is, 2164. As the 15 minute mark approaches and passes the Board still reads, ON TIME but no track # as a large gathering of people swell. As the moments pass the track # goes up and the mass of humanity the rushes past me is enormous and I allow myself to get swept up in it. What I am realizing is that the train to Boston gets crowded and there are NO assigned seats and I have no idea how these things are configured. I finally make my way down to the track, feeling very much like Harry Potter on his first trip to Hogwarts, and I am searching for the first BUSINESS CLASS CAR I can find. I found one, ducked in, and grabbed a seat.
The configuration was like a library table with two seats on either side. I grabbed one by the window as I was looking forward to watching the countryside roll by. Across from me was a guy with a laptop up and a book ready. I took down my backpack and pulled out a book and my iPod, opting to leave the laptop put away. Next a woman sat next to the guy across from me and finally a middle aged man filled in next to me with his laptop. Away we go and the conductor comes around and collects your ticker and I'm off for my 3 hour adventure, and I never really made it an adventure...
I never got up in fact! Too scared to look like and idiot searching for the SNACK Car I just sat there. I watched out the window as NYC faded away, I napped, I read and listened to T.I. and I ogled at the gorgeous scenes as we reached the coast and made our way up to Providence.
I did also observe, which I always do. Guy across from me, got up and bought 4 Heineken's for the trip; he was going on to Boston and he spent most of the time back and forth between the laptop to his book. The man next to me was the most interesting; I saw the PowerPoint he was working on. He clearly was in the financial industry and he was manipulating billions of dollars worth of data and I was pretty impressed. Then, for his break he toggles over to a shoot'em up virtual game on his DELL, I chuckle to myself at the 50 something 'gamer'. He gets more interesting as though as he gets up and reaches into his bag for what I think is a book. Turns out he has about 20 different issues of COMICS...yes I said comics. Now I am NOT passing judgement as I am sitting there reading TWILIGHT like a 13 year old TWEEN (please censure yourself here David...) but I am a bit surprised he would be so 'bold' as to read comics in public.
Looking back, I actually admire the guy. He is comfortable enough with who he is and likes what he likes and he could care less what some random stranger thinks of it on the train to Boston. Good for him, good lesson for me!
All in all I really enjoyed the trip and I know someday I want to do the full 'train experience' across our beautiful country, in a REALLY COMFY train mind you and with someone to SHARE the experience, but for a first time experience I enjoyed it.
I am no longer a 40 year old virgin in the riding the train category - CHECK
One thing that has always been a constant has been my mode of transportation - the airplane. This week I had the chance to experience a different means of transportation and I really enjoyed it and I enjoyed experience a part of the country I have never been in; enjoyed but ready to depart for more familiar turf.
I had to be in Providence for a Trade Show and the flights into Providence were a little pricey. If you are not familiar with the area (as I was not) I quickly found out Providence was about an hour from Boston and 3 from New York. Well, airfare into NYC was unbeatable so I took that option. My next choice was how to get to Rhode Island. Sure I could rent a car for like $300 or I could grab the TRAIN to Providence for around $100. I had NEVER been on a REAL train so it was a no brainer. I upgraded to 'Business Class' because that's how I roll (LOL) and I had no idea what to expect from coach.
The whole experience was new and exhilarating and began early with my first walk into PENN STATION. Clearly I was a fish out of water and had no idea what to do. I did have my itinerary and easily picked up my ticket from the kiosk, but unlike the airport there was no GATE # on my ticket. I was also about 2 hours early not knowing proper protocol. I asked an AMTRAK attendant what to do and he pointed to a waiting area and said "wait and they will tell you what track". OK. I still had a bunch of questions but figured he was not the guy to ask. I spent the next hour using my power of observation and realized that about 15 minutes before a train would leave they would put up its track # on a big board. I look at my ticket for Providence but don't see it on the board and slight panic sets it. I look to see it has a # and I look for that and realize that my trains ultimate destination must be Boston and there it is, 2164. As the 15 minute mark approaches and passes the Board still reads, ON TIME but no track # as a large gathering of people swell. As the moments pass the track # goes up and the mass of humanity the rushes past me is enormous and I allow myself to get swept up in it. What I am realizing is that the train to Boston gets crowded and there are NO assigned seats and I have no idea how these things are configured. I finally make my way down to the track, feeling very much like Harry Potter on his first trip to Hogwarts, and I am searching for the first BUSINESS CLASS CAR I can find. I found one, ducked in, and grabbed a seat.
The configuration was like a library table with two seats on either side. I grabbed one by the window as I was looking forward to watching the countryside roll by. Across from me was a guy with a laptop up and a book ready. I took down my backpack and pulled out a book and my iPod, opting to leave the laptop put away. Next a woman sat next to the guy across from me and finally a middle aged man filled in next to me with his laptop. Away we go and the conductor comes around and collects your ticker and I'm off for my 3 hour adventure, and I never really made it an adventure...
I never got up in fact! Too scared to look like and idiot searching for the SNACK Car I just sat there. I watched out the window as NYC faded away, I napped, I read and listened to T.I. and I ogled at the gorgeous scenes as we reached the coast and made our way up to Providence.
I did also observe, which I always do. Guy across from me, got up and bought 4 Heineken's for the trip; he was going on to Boston and he spent most of the time back and forth between the laptop to his book. The man next to me was the most interesting; I saw the PowerPoint he was working on. He clearly was in the financial industry and he was manipulating billions of dollars worth of data and I was pretty impressed. Then, for his break he toggles over to a shoot'em up virtual game on his DELL, I chuckle to myself at the 50 something 'gamer'. He gets more interesting as though as he gets up and reaches into his bag for what I think is a book. Turns out he has about 20 different issues of COMICS...yes I said comics. Now I am NOT passing judgement as I am sitting there reading TWILIGHT like a 13 year old TWEEN (please censure yourself here David...) but I am a bit surprised he would be so 'bold' as to read comics in public.
Looking back, I actually admire the guy. He is comfortable enough with who he is and likes what he likes and he could care less what some random stranger thinks of it on the train to Boston. Good for him, good lesson for me!
All in all I really enjoyed the trip and I know someday I want to do the full 'train experience' across our beautiful country, in a REALLY COMFY train mind you and with someone to SHARE the experience, but for a first time experience I enjoyed it.
I am no longer a 40 year old virgin in the riding the train category - CHECK
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