Head hits in football

I read the Sports Illustrated article, "Concussions" in the November 1, 2010 issue this week. The only thing I kept thinking about as I read was how we, or someone, are spending millions to create safer protective helmets to reduce concussions and head injuries in football while we, or someone, are spending less to protect our own society from crime and violence. It just doesn't make sense why we spend millions to protect millionaires in their job, while public servants like police, fire, teachers get less and less. Frustrating and sad.

"Oh, yes...oh, yes...oh, yes!!!" we'll miss you, Ron

This was originally published December 3, 2010: 

It was opening day 1995. I was in the Wrigley Field press box covering the game for the radio station I was working for at the time. It was between innings, somewhere in the middle of the game between the Cubs and Montreal Expos. Sammy Sosa had just hit a line-drive home run that still has to be one of the longest home runs I have ever seen. If it would have been 20 feet to the right, it would have hit the famous Wrigley scoreboard, which, when this was written,  had never been hit in a game. After the shot, the press box was buzzing with PA announcements, phones ringing, typewriters (yep, a few sportswriters were using them) clacking, general discussion of awe among the sportswriters. 

After the inning was completed, I went to the pressroom dining area. I was picking up a cup of coffee and a snack when the guy behind me remarked that he hadn't seen a home run that deep since Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit one at Wrigley. I turned around to see who made the comment and there was Ron Santo. The legendary third baseman now radio commentator commenting on the amazing hit. Sadly, I was a bit star-struck that day after interviewing Harry Carey, Felipe Alou, and Mark Grace, so instead of striking up a conversation with him, I just nodded and walked back to the press box. Disappointing on my part, but that was Ron Santo in line behind me. 

After my wife called this morning to tell me that Ron had passed the night before, I couldn't hold back some tears. I wasn't sad because I had lost someone close to me and typically celebrity deaths don't affect me all that much (although it was tough to see Sparky Anderson go last month). I was sad because I always thought Ron would see one of two things in his life. Either a Cubs World Series victory or a vote into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I actually thought he might see both. But he realized neither. I don't remember watching him as a player, but the highlights and his statistics say a lot about him as a player. However, as a listener to Cubs radio broadcasts, I did know him as a loyal Cubs fan. I am sure that since college graduation almost 20 years ago, I have easily listened to more games on the radio than I have seen on television. Ron was a staple in our house from April until October. My daughter knew Ron as that Crazy Uncle Ron on the radio.

She might have said one time, "why does that guy keep yelling and moaning." And I would have to say, "Crazy Uncle Ron is frustrated, the Cubs just aren't playing very well today." Ron was the greatest Cubs fan and arguably among some of the greatest Cubs players ever. He will be greatly missed by me and my family. I will be flying my Cubs flag, with the famous "W," this weekend.  God Bless you, Ron!  

Music update

My supposedly interesting music collection listening extravaganza continues. Some recent artists in my car's CD player include: Billy Joel, Madonna, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Reba. I am searching my CD collection looking for artists, songs, and albums that are iPod worthy. But this week I came across an album that I wish I could go the other way in music listening progression. I would like to take this particular CD and get it on vinyl. The album is Jimi Hendrix The Blues. As I listen to this album, it is just losing something with the scratchiness gone. I remember listening to some Jimi Hendrix on reel-to-reel tape in my college days when I had a reel-to-reel player. The terrible quality of the tape and recording left a raw sound to the music that really seemed to add to the "quality" of the sound. I have been thinking of what other artists I have who I haven't listened to that might fit this unique category, and the Grateful Dead pop to mind. Anyway, Jimi Hendrix is a CD I have come across that is iPod worthy, but I would prefer it on the old record player.

CD Revival Revisited

I am continuing to listen to my CD collection that I started back in August. I am about half way through my collection, and I have found that the mega stars of their time like Janet Jackson, U2, Madonna, James Taylor, Dave Matthews and Sting have lasting value and what I am calling I-pod worthy. In other words I would download the entire album into the I-pod. Most other albums have one or two songs worthy of saving and some leave me scratching my head wondering what I was thinking in purchasing. I am planning a music playoff plan when I complete revisiting the entire collection sometime early in 2011. I will continue updating my supposedly interesting analysis of my music collection.

100,000

I heard a statistic yesterday that the average American gets a new car every four and a half years. It was a timely stat for me because this December 31 my Aztec will be in my possession as a new car for eight years, and on Wednesday it rolled through 100,000 miles. While I did sink some considerable money into it between miles 75,000 to 90,000 miles, it still seems like a well worn "new" car to me. I can't imagine trading it in for a new car. I know the crazy sounds and scrapes that it makes; I know the handling of it to the detail. In fact, I must keep my hands in the 10 to 2 zone on the steering wheel because it is worn smooth. In many ways, it is as much me as it is my car.
This is the second car I have taken to post 100 thousand miles. It is unimaginable to me why we as a society need to trade cars every four and a half years. I enjoy thinking about the different roads the Aztec has been on and where it has taken me. Besides covering most most roads in the central Illinois region to Chicago and the Quad-Cities, the Aztec has taken me to Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. It has helped me move three times; it has carried my bikes and bike trailer to multiple trail heads, hiking paths, camp grounds, and adventure. It has suffered through listening to Cubs wins and losses on 720AM; it has cheered on Notre Dame and the Bears as well as a few Bulls games on long drives. It has suffered through my eclectic music collections. It brought my daughter home from the hospital after she was born. It has been my home base after numerous races.
I have never gotten a car to 200,000, but maybe this is the one. Let you know in about 8 years.

The Only Road North recommendation

I finished reading a terrific novel today, The Only Road North by Erik Mirandette. It is a book for all of us with adventure in our souls.  It is not just a simple book about adventure for the sake of adventure, it links to life meanings and spirituality. The author, Erik Mirandette, does not dwell too long on events; he describes them simply and effectively probably as he experienced them himself.  The story is about a trip he takes with a small group from South Africa to Egypt.  The mode of transportation is on motorbikes.  As one can imagine, this story includes beauty, danger, and some pretty remote and lonely locations.  He concludes with meaningful observations regarding the trip and the tragedy that occurs. I highly recommend this book as it displays culture, friendship, and adventure on the highest level.  

Movie to See

Last night I watched the movie Everything is Illuminated. A young American Jew goes back to the Ukraine to find the woman who saved his grandfather. The movie had me laughing at the cultural differences early but touching as I became more connected with the characters and the search. The conclusion is a little surprising and left me with lots of questions. I highly recommend the movie though. It is well written and directed.

Let's Hear it for the Fingers

Here's a supposedly interesting thought, I have about 6-7 passwords that I use for computer "things." But I have one really important one that I've had for a while that I can't remember. The funny thing is, though, that my fingers remember it. It is so automatic and fast that my mind can't pick up the letters, numbers and symbols anymore and I don't remember it. When I concentrate on it, I never get it right, but when the fingers just go, they get it without fail.
Let's here it for the video games I played as a child that gave me incredible hand/eye coordination, and for goodness sakes, let's just hear it for those fast, 'remembering' fingers!

P.S. If I don't post for weeks, its because my fingers forgot the password.

A Stinky Thought

I don't love running but I love a good challenge. Running meets that challenge for me, so I made a goal in July to run 100 miles before mid-November. I am making really good progress to surpass that goal; I have 40 miles left. I have been running about 10-12 miles a week since mid July. I should far surpass my goal.

In the time that I am running I take time to think about anything in which my mind will wander to avoid thinking about running. So here is my supposedly interesting thought, well, actually more like a supposedly interesting observation. A lot of cars pass me even in the early morning; cars, trucks, motorcycles, dozens of vehicles. But there is one vehicle that passes me almost every morning that I am out and it really is noticeable. In fact, I always dread when it will pass me. Yes, it is the early morning bread trucks. Wonder Bread, Hostess, Butternut bread pass me almost every day. I don't dread them because they make me hungry for sandwiches, toast, Ho-Ho's, Ding Dongs and the sort. I ironically, dread them because they are the smelliest vehicles on the road! I dont' know what the deal is with the trucks, but all of them spew exhaust that just makes me choke. Funny.

CD Surprise

Short note that is supposedly interesting on my CD revival, I can't stop listening to U2's Rattle and Hum CD. How did I ever put this gem away? It is filled with great songs, messages and memories. My CD revival may get put on hold as I fill up on "Desire," "Sunday, Bloody Sunday," and "In the Name of Love." This one is definitely i-pod worthy.

CD revival

This is the first year that I have a new job in 10 years, and it is also the first time in 7 years that I drive to work alone. So to pass the time (not that I really need an activity to do that) since I do not have satellite radio or any I-pod jacks, I have resurrected my C.D. collection. I have been listening to one or two CD's a day from my (our) "old" collection of CD's. I am 12 CD's into this "project" and I have some surprising interest results. CD's with lasting power include: Sting, Van Halen, James Taylor, and Tear's for Fears. Some disappointing results: John Mellencamp, Dierks Bentley, and Pearl Jam. It has been fun to go back and relive the past through this music. I will check in another time with updated results.

Something I've never thought about.

I watched a movie last night on a topic I had never thought much about. The movie is called Paradise Now. It is about two Palestinian friends who are chosen to be suicide bombers in Tel Aviv in revenge of a Israeli army killing. The movie shows the night before and day of the planned bombing. I found it fascinating because we hear about suicide bombings in the news and as "First World Westerners," we see them then forget about them,"terrible tragedies." This movie puts a face and story to the people and their cause. What was really interesting was the part of the story where we hear a Palestinian voice trying to convince the two not to follow through with their mission. This is a great movie to watch to help understand "the other side." A side note, it is all in Arabic with subtitles.

Star Trek

A couple days ago, I watched the most recent edition of the Star Trek films. Overall, I found the movie entertaining and living up to the reputation of the Star Trek franchise as well as adding some new twists. I did tire a bit of the back story of James T. Kirk; it could have moved on a bit quicker. I did like, however, the Obi wan Kenobi style use of Leonard Nemoy and a Spock from the future to guide the young Captain Kirk. When I realized that it was Leonard Nimoy as a Spock from the future, I have to admit that I groaned a bit, but they really made it work into the story.

The storyline kept me interested and the special effects were realistic and enjoyable. I also had to appreciate the campy style of the Doctor McCoy and Scotty. Not sure I really got the flame between Spock and Nyota Uhura. Was there a relationship between them in the TV show? I would recommend this movie to a Star Trek fan as well as someone who is not familiar with the story (is there anyone?).

One Thing I Love about Summer...Part 4

One thing I love about summer is baseball. I feel fortunate to live in a city where we have some live professional baseball. And, to top it off, our team is a single A Cubs affiliate, so I get to see the young talent before they get to the show. Also, Peoria hosts many Cubs rehab assignments. In the past, Ted Lilly, Aramis Ramirez, Normar Garciaparra, Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, and a host of relief pitchers have come here for one/two game stints.

I just love baseball. It is a truly American game and when one studies the game it has traits that only an American game can have. One aspect that I enjoy is that there is no time clock. Every game has its own pace. You could watch a two hour pitchers' dual or sit through a four hour slug fest with a dozen pitchers and even more runs. I love that on any given day even the worst team in the league could have a spectacular game against the best team in the league, or if you were my beloved Cubs, you could have a good team and still lose to everyone.

I understand how to the casual viewer it is a boring game, but I have to say it is one thing I love about the game. On a summer Sunday afternoon, I can lay down on the couch for the first couple innings, get in a good nap and wake up for the last two innings and possibly not miss that much action. But, I can also study a game and be involved in even the most surface level "boring" game. Try sometime when you are at a live game. Watch one position each inning and see how the player adjusts to each batter and each pitch. For example, in the first inning, watch the right fielder of both teams. Watch how he stands in different places based on how many outs, runners on base, pitch situations, there are. Then the next inning watch the third baseman, etc. You can really see how there is a lot of subtle action and strategy to most situations in the game. It is a great game and one of the reasons I love summer!

One Thing I Love about Summer...Part 3

One thing I love about summer is that I never know what day it is. "What? Today is Monday?" I love that feeling about summer. I love that every night is like a Friday or Saturday night, because I don't have to get up at 5:00 am to get ready for work. This is one thing I love about summer.

One Thing I Love about Summer...Part 2

One thing I love about summer is visiting Chicago! I never know what I will see in the city. This summer we stumbled upon the set of the Transformers 3 movie. What an amazing undertaking! They closed down about 2 blocks of upper Wacker Drive and brought in lots of destruction for what looked like a post-battle set. All this work for what will probably be 5 minutes in the actual movie. It was amazing to see.

One Thing I Love about Summer...Part 1

One thing I love about summer is going to the jazz concerts on the riverfront on Thursday nights. Kaleigh has acquired a taste for jazz or at least dancing/jumping around to the jazz beat.

Proud to be a Cubs fan

After giving up 12 runs with two outs in Colorado and losing 17-2, I am proud to be a loyal Cubs fan. I can take a good swift drubbing, but in a year like this...?

I swear, if they take the Ivy off the wall for advertisements, I am walking.

New Gadget

If you haven't noticed, I added a "Followers" gadget. Feel free to jump in there if you read my blog from time to time. It will make me feel like I'm not the only one to read my own postings. Thanks!

Finishing a book

I finished reading a book today. It is the latest book in a collection of books by R.A. Salvatore. The book is titled The Ghost King. I am always glad and excited to finish a book, because it means that I get to start a new story. But, I always have a bit of a melancholy feeling as well. I have spent hours over many weeks reading about and living the lives of the characters. I have rooted for them, worried about them, and even felt my heart rate increasing in the rising action moments. So, when I finish a book, I really do feel as though I have become a part of the characters or maybe more so, they have become a part of me. I hope that I am not the only one who feels this way, but even if I am the only one, it is time to move on and meet some new characters.

Melting

It is hard to stay motivated to do much of anything in this heat and humidity. I will try to get on the ball with some new "thoughts" soon. Be sure to check out my companion blog "The Cycling Librarian" and follow my mishaps and successes as a new school librarian.

Bathroom Done!!

In conclusion to my earlier posting "Wallpaper," the bathroom is finally finished. Besides the removal of wallpaper, a few trips to the hardware store and removing and rehanging shelves and towel racks, I was able to escape most of the work of this project. My wife did all the sanding, prep, painting, clean-up, etc. To dismiss any thoughts that I was just laying around on the couch watching the Tour de France or baseball...I wasn't...except, maybe, a couple times. I was working on other projects. But, I have to say, my wife did a terrific job with the new color choices and paint job. Even my daughter, who insisted on a pink bathroom, has admitted to liking the new look. We are all glad that it is finally over.

The Today Show: what did I just spill in my lap?

I got home from a workout this morning and the television just happened to be on NBC. The Today Show was the broadcast. It took me back to my college days when morning free time was abundant and the Today Show would be on from time to time. I remember it being a somewhat entertaining show that gave some news and relatively relevant informative segments.

Well, in the last 17 years of work, I haven't missed anything in regards to the Today Show. In fact, the programming has taken a sad nose dive in quality and it should be sent to the refuse pile. Actually, the refuse pile might be an honorable dismiss of the show; it needs a new, lower pile for it to retire. David Sarnoff should return and give them a good Sarnoff beating.

Today's news stories (this is supposed to be the serious part of the show) included a story about the release of pelicans on the Florida coast and a shark that is following seals near some beach in California. This was the serious stuff. Then their segments included the pressing news of Sarah Palin's daughter's announcement that she was getting back with her boyfriend and father of her baby. They might actually get married. This story required an interview with the editor of some important magazine that deals in celebrity/political news. And, the Palin's did not know of this announcement until the release of the article in the very important magazine. I'm glad I did not miss this story. Then the elite Today Show, with Matt Lauer as the captain of the ship of fools, thought it to be of most important entertainment to introduce us to a 31 year of single man whose mother is trying to get him "hitched." I noticed that this young man's mother was not wearing a wedding ring, I suggest maybe he get hitched to her. He has spent 31 years riding on her coat tails, he might as well add some responsibility his smug smile. My favorite story was the finance segment where they took a question from a viewer who is loaded with credit card debt, has two children and two incomes but can't catch up. The financial geniuses suggested getting the card interest rates lowered and stop using the cards. What insightful advice! I'm sure that couple hasn't thought of that. Then the experts looked in the camera and gave "sympathetic" smiles like they understand the situation.

This show made me throw up or spill my coffee in my lap; I wasn't sure what that hot feeling was because I was trying to wipe the glaze from my eyes and the stupidity from my brain. I hope that people don't actually watch this show and that the advertisers who support the show eventually figure out that they are sponsoring garbage.

Now that I have lowered my blog to the lowest denominator with my "Supposedly Interesting Thoughts" on this topic; perhaps I should dump it as well.

Rock Island Trail

Took a few hours today to visit the Rock Island Trail this morning. I can't believe it is mid-July and I haven't been out to run or ride. While that is disappointing, I still had a great ride today. I hitched up my daughter's trailer and she eagerly hopped in the trailer. We did a three hour round trip from the Alta trail head to Princeville. Kaleigh chatted it up to Dunlap then suddenly got quiet. I looked back and she was sound asleep. She slept the entire 30 minutes it took to get to Princeville. It was a BNSF train that jolted her out of her sleep. She was so excited to see the train because we had ridden a train to and from Colorado, but that morning in her tumbling class, they marched around pretending to be a train.

Then we stopped for a break so she could stretch her legs and we both enjoyed peaches, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. We also took a short walk to inspect the white butterflies fluttering about. The regular flies got the better of us and we loaded up and headed back. It was a great day with great weather but even better company. We will be back soon.

Update September 16, 2024:

Kaleigh is now a senior in high school.  I am full of joy that I have these memories of bike riding with her in the trailer.  We visited the Rock Island Trail many times together and as a family over the years.  The trail is an asset to our region with the miles of well-maintained old railroad bed trail.  Peaches, carrots and cherry tomatoes, are a nice snack from a dad who these days would probably bring chips, cookies, and Gatorade.  Ha!  

Buried Article

Page A11 in the bottom left corner of the Peoria Journal Star last Thursday was an eleven line article that stopped me in my scanning from the doldrums of oil leaks, Avanti's dome, U.S. General changes in Afghanistan, Peoria shootings, yada yada yada. The headline: "Last South Dakota code talker buried." Many thoughts crossed my mind when I saw the headline, but a lesson I try to communicate to my students immediately came to mind.

We all carry our life story with us and when we are gone, our story is gone. I tell my students that there is no way that we will know all the stories, but we cannot discount people. Their stories are important and we need to listen to the stories and pass them on. I saw this article and all I could think is I hope that Clarence Wolf Guts' story lives somewhere. He is gone and his voice is gone. All we might have is the story that he told someone. This hero's story is seemingly so significant but so small in actual remembrance. Maybe technology like this will help us to document our stories so the future generations will remember and learn from us easier.

Wallpaper

We have decided after 5 years in our house (at the insistence of my wife) that we redecorate our bathroom. She (and I, admittedly) have had it with the seahorse door handles and sea shell wall paper. Part of what has held us up in the past is a lack of direction. We knew we didn't want the ocean theme any longer, but we couldn't finalize on a new look for the bathroom. Our daughter has the easy solution...pink, Barbie or Hello Kitty bathroom. While that would be nice, that's not going to happen. So, I made a decision that has erased any doubt that a decision will easily be made. Like any good-minded husband, I stepped out of the decision making process and turned all power of decoration over to my wife. I trust that she will make an excellent decision, and I also know that the decision will finally be made. I accept the responsibility that I have dragged my feet on the bathroom project long enough.

So, last night, bathroom destruction began! We spend three hours applying that goopy compound and scraping off paper, old glue, and some paint. We spent three hours on one panel of drywall. We still have three panels to go! Lets just say, I hate wallpaper. I have decided if you ever want to do an evil act to an eventual buyer of your house in the future, or if you feel like self inflicted evil in the future, you should apply as much wallpaper to your house as you can. It will eventually lead to misery, anger, frustration, and quite frankly, a complete breakdown of whomever will be removing it in the future. Did I mention that I hate wallpaper? It is kind of the slang language of home decorating. It looks cool when you put it up, but it is quickly out dated. And, it looks silly if it is kept up too long, but some of it never goes away driving people crazy. I hate wallpaper.

The Warrior Dash

Last weekend I ran in "The Warrior Dash" in Joliet. The race was an off road 5K with muddy hills and obstacles. I would not consider it a challenging race physically, but it certainly did not disappoint in the thrills, excitement, and "good times" category. Some of the more memorable experiences were the mud pits. One with a slide down to a knee high pit then a muddy climb out, and of course the ever popular finish in the mud pit crawl with barbed wire over your head. Also, the junkyard barriers were especially fun for me as I took great joy in doing a Bo and Luke Duke slide across a hood and jumping on top of the car and getting a bit of bounce to launch me off. I also enjoyed the (maybe most dangerous in my eyes) the fire leaps. As I approached the first line of fire all I could think was that I was

going to slip on my approach and fall face first into the fire. The post race party was great as well, with live bands and DJ's and groups of people sharing th eir warrior stories. The race was a blast, and I will definitely find myself being a warrior next year.

Things that make you go Hmmmm...

What are these guys thinking about? Probably second breakfast.

The MRT is Awesome!

I recently returned from my bike trip to Winona, Minnesota. Once again it was a most enjoyable trip filled with headwinds in Illinois, rolling hills in Iowa, and great descents and climbs in and out of the Mississippi River Valley. Also making the trip great was the company. I went with three colleagues from PCHS and the verbal jabs, encouragement up the hills and laughter were frequent.

We all feel that the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) road in northeastern Iowa is a great example of cycling and motorized vehicle harmony. On each side of the road (a two lane highway) there are paved and clean cycling lanes about seven feet wide each side. It made for safe riding on the bikes and kept the traffic from coming close to our sides. The day earlier we were on a two mile stretch with little to no shoulder and we were constantly beaten by trucks and cars driving by at 55+ MPH. Not only does this toss a cyclist around but the cars and trucks are, in most cases, closer than 3 feet. This is not fun for either the drivers of the cars and trucks, but it is not fun or safe riding for the cyclist.

It seems that the Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood (from Illinois) supports road projects like the MRT. He says in a written statement that, "We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities." I hope that this includes more new road and road repair projects that include biking lanes like those found on the MRT.

Here is the irony to this statement and my accolades of Iowa's MRT project. In the most recent issue of Bicycling (July 2010) there is a small piece I will quote here. "Iowa Congressman Tom Latham ridiculed transportation secretary Ray LaHood for his support of cycling, declaring that 'one biker is one less person paying into the transportation trust fund.'" Isn't that an amazingly disappointing statement coming from anyone, but especially from someone who represents a state that has the MRT and citizens happy to see us riding through their small towns spending money. And, as Bicycling editors note, "Hey, Latham: You know most cyclists drive right? We vote, too."

The Perfect Response to the Almost Perfect Game

On June 2, Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers had 26 of 27 straight outs in a game; he was one out from a Perfect Game!  Then on a close play at first base, the umpire, Jim Joyce, called the runner safe thus ending the chase for a perfect game.

I always think that call is a difficult one, and as an armchair viewer of the game, I frequently call it wrong.  But in this situation, it was especially stressful for everyone: the umpire, the pitcher, the opposing team, the fans in the stands. This call ended a perfect game for the pitcher, but the ump got it wrong.  Replay showed that the runner was out by at least half a step. A disappointing ending for a run at a perfect game, but this is where the real story begins. 

Jim Joyce saw the replay in the clubhouse after the game, and immediately went to the Tigers locker room to tearfully apologized to Galarraga. He called for the media in the press room, and he apologized in public in front of the fans, his peers, and anyone who would listen. 

How many times do we make mistakes and hide behind excuses? How many other professionals in the spotlight like a major league umpire make huge miscues in their calls or plays and never apologize? As a 33 year professional and one of the best in baseball, he didn't have to do this, but he did. What a great example for all of us.  That is a great story, but it continues.

After the missed call was made, Armando Galarraga didn't argue.  He didn't go to the press room to call out the umpire.  He finished the game and celebrated a win for his team.   In an interview with Sports Illustrated Galarraga said of the apology, "He tried to talk. He'd say a couple words. 'You were perfect, I was not.' I felt so bad. I didn't feel bad for me. I felt bad for him." This pitcher missed a milestone that kids dream about in little league and the umpire "blew it," and Galarraga was humble about entire  situation. He took it in stride with the best sportsmanship on display. Tiger fans and fans of sports of all kinds should look to Galarraga as a model.  Galarraga saw the humanity in the game.  He saw humanity in a judgment call that could have defined his career.  With that, he did something bigger.  His reaction defined who he is as a person. 

I've been a Tiger fan for 26 years, and I will always remember Galarraga not for his almost perfect game, but for the sportsmanship he displayed and for the honorable actions of Jim Joyce.

The Beautiful Game or Just Winning?

I recently read the article, "The Beautiful Game: What Soccer Means to the World." I have enjoyed following the World Cup over the last three or four times it has been held, and I am most interested this year. Not so much because I am a die-hard soccer fan, I'm not. I have become interested because of the international and cultural values of the game. I started watching maybe 16 years ago because I was entranced at the national connectedness other nations have with their teams. I have enjoyed from World Cup to World Cup seeing national pride and "party" atmosphere in the stands. In the Sports Illustrated article they took three countries and highlighted them loosely by introducing the star of those teams. They showcased the Ivory Coast, Brazil, and the United States. I was particularly interested in the discussion of Brazil. In the days of Pele, Brazil's World Cup teams were described as playing "the Beautiful Game." An interviewee in the article states that Brazil used to play with style, but now they play ugly to win games. And that seems to be the contention among Brazilian fans. They want to play the beautiful game but win also which does not seem to be the way the game is played anymore. A Brazilian fan says, "Do you know this word utopia? The Beautiful Game is a fantasy. Spain plays it, but they won't win. Brazil and Italy: that's ugly soccer, and they'll reach the semifinals."

I believe that we have seen this in all aspects of sports, well, American sports that is. In baseball, it has become more about power pitches and hitting home runs. In basketball it is the fastbreaks and dunks. The NFL, a high powered passing game for instant gratification. While I would agree with the argument that sports is not the most important thing in life, I would make the argument that sports reflect a certain aspect of our societies. We have moved away from living meaningful lives of "style" with grace and beliefs, and moved into lives of the now and "high powered" instant gratification.

I hope the teams that play next week and up to the championship on July 11, who play with grace and style, are rewarded with wins and recognition. I hope we see a return of the Beautiful Game.

Two Years

I was just looking through my archives (the massive volumes that it includes), and I realized that I have been blogging for just over two years. In two years, I have posted 39 supposedly interesting thoughts. My goal: 39 posts in the next 6 months (not including this one). So here we go true believers (apologies to Stan Lee).

The Birds are Here!!!

The birds are here. Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal came first and I have about 2 "couples" of finches and a couple Black Caped Chickadees who hang out at the feeder in front of our house. It has become quite a busy hub of activity. Kaleigh and I have to refill the feeder every third day or so. Also, hanging out in the tree are a couple Robins and several Morning Doves. It is fun to have some "friends" hanging out in front of the house.

Humble Thanks

Tonight I was treated to a delicious dinner and kind words at the Weaver Ridge Country club by the IEA Region 13 and 16 districts. I was nominated for the Silver Apple Award in our local the Pekin Education Alliance. It is quite an honor to receive the award for work that I simply feel called to do. It is nice to be recognized, but also I was humbled by the work others winning the award had done. I am small in comparison to the time and commitment others have put in to improving the education of young people. I work with some terrific people who are dedicated, knowledgeable, caring and persistent, and they all deserve the recognition I received tonight. Thanks

Still waiting

Still waiting on the birds. They are really missing out on some great grub!! Oh, the morning doves, or as I call them the slacker bums, have come around, but they don't count.

Chapel in the Sky

I met the author of the book Chapel in the Sky last evening. This book looks very interesting, here is an abridged description from the book cover,

"Knox College's Old Main - a national landmark and the only extant building that was a site of the Lincoln-Douglas debates - is a campus treasure with a secret. Built in 1857, Old Main was designed by Charles Ulricson, a Swedish-born immigrant who was trained by the Freemasons. In Chapel in the Sky, Knox faculty member Lance Factor decodes the symbols of this beloved building and explores how an ardently Anti-Mason administration came to hire Ulricson. The mysterious Masonic architect left his legacy on both Knox's Old Main and the Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois."

In my conversation with Mr. Factor, he told of how he just started noticing little details in the building and making mental notes about their oddities, then one day he started measuring windows and angles, counting tiles and steps and everything started coming into place as he began his research. He also shared stories about how even though there was a temperance movement in the college community, they would brew homemade wines on campus.

My conversation only reinforced in my mind that we all need to keep our eyes open. Mr. Factor worked in the Old Main building 40 years and through his observations of "ordinary settings" he discovered an amazing secret. We need to stop droning our way through life and we need to start looking at the wonders out there, even if they are the wonders we see everyday. When I finish reading this book, I will post my thoughts. Thank you Mr. Factor for seeing the world and stopping to tell the story of this very interesting building.

Lost in 2.0land

Blabborize, Audacity, Glogster, Wordle, Shelfari, Blogger, Wiki-everything, Pandora, Googledocs, iGoogle, Ning, Facebook, DimDim, Flickr, Wallwisher, Delicious, Zoteri, Jogtheweb, Screencast, Evernote, Diigo, Jing, Slideshare, Penzu, Surveymonkey...just to name a few. The 2.0 world has changed the way I do things, create, and communicate, but when does it stop? I find that I never get to really learn all the things these applications can do, before something else "betters" it or creates a new way of doing "it." Progress is one thing, inundating us is another. How about this little piece:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXFEBbPIEOI

Still Waiting

It has been a while since I have filled the bird feeder outside our front window, but I saw a few finches checking it out last week. So, Kaleigh and I filled it Saturday evening. We are still waiting for the finches and chickadees to return.

Scratch Beginnings

I read Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the search for the American Dream this past week. I was drawn to the book because of Adam Shepard's statement on the back. He says:






"Mine is the story of rags-to-fancier-rags. I'm not an extraordinary person performing
extraordinary feats. I don't have some special talent that I can use to 'wow' prospective
employers. I'm average. My story is very basic, simple. My story is about the attitude of
success. My goal is to better my lot and to provide a stepping-stone over the next 365 days for
everything else I want to accomplish in my life. I aim to find out if the American Dream is still
alive, or if it has, in fact, been drowned out by the greed of the upper class coupled with apathy
of the lower class."

I enjoyed the book, even though it had some stories that carried on with no seeming point until the end of the chapter, but my favorite part is when he writes a letter to the morning bus driver. He reports that this bus driver was always positive, had a smile and something nice to say. Shepard writes the bus driver a letter that essentially says that even people who have seemingly insignificant jobs (bus driver, plumber, mover, drive through attendant) can be significant. The bus driver's attitude always put Shepard in a good mood. And he makes the realization that even insignificant, ordinary people can make a difference in the world. We don't all have to be the doctor, astronaut, race car driver, Donald Trump, to make a difference. He tells the bus driver, "there are people like you, who wake up with the purpose of making a difference in somebody's day."

Do we do that? Do we wake up and decide that we are going to make a difference? I don't know that I think that daily, but it is what I try to do every day, make a difference. Maybe we should wake up each day and decide, "what kind of difference will I make today?" And then we look for those opportunities. Smile at that stranger or co-worker (maybe the same person). Open the door for someone who has his or her hands full. I don't think it is the answer for the American Dream, but it certainly is a part of it. Shepard's point is that anyone CAN achieve the American Dream.

Baseball

Cubbies are engaged in a spring training game in sunny Mesa today. One week and two days they will be opening the season on the road, but opening day will be here nevertheless. I don't have high hopes for either of my teams, the Cubs or the Tigers, but I long for the afternoons and evenings listening to the static on the AM radio with Pat and Ron calling the game. It never has to be just the Cubs. I enjoy listening to the Cardinals play-by-play here in central Illinois too. I don't have to enjoy it when the Cards win though.
As I look forward to the season a few things come to mind. First, have the Cubs assembled a winning team? I don't know. I just hope that they make the games competitive, fun to watch and they play until the 27th out. Same hope for the Tigers. I do look forward to watching the young talent on the White Sox. Alexi Ramirez, Gordon Beckam, and Carlos Quentin. With a healthy Jake Peavy and the pick-up of Juan Pierre, I don't think I should make my annual bet with my brother. But pride will make me make the bet, that the Cubs will still have more wins.

Another team I look forward to watching is the Cincinnati Reds. Again, a young team with seemingly great talent. I will give Jay Bruce a year or two to prove his immense power. I also really like Joey Votto (except when he plays the Cubs). Brandon Phillips is fun to watch at second base.

My fifth team to watch is the incredible Los Angeles Dodgers. They have an unbelievable outfield offensively and an very solid center and right fields defensively. Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are terrific to watch in the field and at bat. Manny Ramierez is fun to watch at bat, but also comically enjoyable to watch in the outfield. The Dodgers also have a strong pitching staff that will keep them in the games even if the batters are able to hit it to left field.

Finally, check out the final tour of Ken Griffey Jr. in Seattle. Even though he hasn't been the amazing player he was in his youth, he still deserves the respect he will get playing back at home in Seattle. I remember when he came to the majors in the late 80's and how much fun it was to watch him play with his dad in the outfield in Seattle's old ballfield. I hope to get to a Seattle Sox game sometime this summer.

Summer is almost here.

iPad

I watched a video about the iPad tonight...I want one. If I get one, I may never need to leave the house ever again except to simply unplug. Sorry, I have to figure out how to drop video from the net to my blog, so instead you will have to click on the link. The iPad will probably just do it if I thought about it.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/ipad-video/

The New "Broadcasting"

I took my Advanced Communication students on a field trip to local television and radio stations today. It was a great trip topped off by lunch at Old Chicago.

Two interesting and related concepts introduced today were brought to our attention at the public television station, WTVP, and the Regent Broadcasting corporation radio group. First, the tech director at WTVP was discussing the future of television. He sees a future where the viewer decides which shows, or he preferred to call them stories, to watch and when to watch them. True, we have the capability with DVR and even back to the VCR to do this. But he is talking about technology where programs are just offered, like in a Netflix library or something like that, and we simply put shows into a collection and we view when and where we choose. In other words, the concept of "turn on the tv and flip through channels" will be over. In the same vein, the radio station discussed with us that they are purchasing LDR software for the Peoria market. LDR stands for Listener Driven Radio where the listener using a digital radio (ever see those for sale?) can collect songs and listen, using the station's radio frequency, to their favorite songs. Kind of like a Pandora radio concept, but with local advertisements, local news and weather, and emergency reports. Neat concept, but they better start marketing it along with digital radios. That's called parlaying your advertising.

This really is becoming a "me" society. While I find these offerings and ideas appealing, because I live and am immersed in this society, I struggle with this because part of the fun of media and "broadcast" is that we share shows or stories with other human beings. Today, I run into this disconnect with others when they say, "Did you see that new YouTube video..." No, I didn't. End of conversation...awkward smiling...then "see ya!" When we individualize our media entertainment from five to ten options to thousands of "popular" options, the concept of broadcasting disappears and we lose connections with others. I don't know. Any thoughts???

Built to Last??

We bought both of our cars within months of each other in 2003. In the last 12 months, they have almost literally begun to fall apart. We have dropped thousands of dollars into both of them, and they continue to almost on schedule, have problems. Just replaced a windshield on the Alero, the Aztec has a crack below the dash all the way across. Both need new rotars and brakes. One needs a coolant leak fixed the other has some leak that goes into the passenger floor board. That one is ok because it is just water...nothing toxic getting onto our feet at least! The Aztec has a grinding in the front wheel axel. Hey Detroit...or should I say, US Government or whoever bailed out the car makers (us?), stop making crumby cars!!! Americans can't be expected to purchase a new car every two or three years. Well, I guess they do and so we do keep buying cars every two or three years. It is ridiculous. A car is something that should last. I would be appalled if my refrigerator bailed out on me every two or three years. We expect those to last many, many years, and yet a car, that costs 10 to 20 refrigerators, needs to be replaced often. I don't think two items that we paid almost 40,000 dollars to purchase should be falling apart in seven years. I wonder if the government will bail me out when the cars eventually die, or when I go broke trying to fix them, or better yet, maybe the government could just give me the money that they gave to the car dealers so I could buy a car now then turn around and buy another one in three years, then again in another two years, then in three years... I think the auto industry is just fine; they haven't skipped a beat in sticking it to the American/worldwide consumer.
Now, lets talk about the banks and their rising credit/loan rates...

Learn something new

My Facebook profile says that I am, "just trying to simplify." Yet, there is a relatively new aspect to my daily life that seems to "stress" me. A couple months ago, I created a reader on my igoogle page to follow some of my favorite blogs and I could easily add about 10 more blogs to it. My problem is that I never have time to read all of the great blogs that are in my reader. I try not to let it stress me because when I get 10 minutes at lunch or somewhere, I read the blog postings and I ALWAYS learn something new. Not just something new about someone or what they are doing "right now" (I can't stand 99% of the Facebook postings), but something new that I can use in my profession or personal life, right now. Sorry my blog isn't that valuable, but maybe one day, when I learn to truly "simplify", it will.