The last few days I've been catching moments of the Winter X-Games on ESPN. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, this is the extreme sports competition ESPN puts on every year for the crazy winter skiing athletes of the world. They compete in events like snow mobile racing, ski racing, snowboard racing, and various trick competitions with skis, snowboard, and snow mobiles.
This Winter X Games is nothing new but it always strikes me as funny for two reasons. First, the athletes aren't intense in the normal sense we think of athletes being. Post event interviews are dominated by "We didn't hustle and we lacked the execution we needed to get the win." No, instead they go something like "Dude, I didn't throw it down quite like I thought, man why, hmm...I'm so in my own head right now, I've got to just kick it this last time. Make it happen....whooooooo!"
It cracks me up every time.
Second funny thing is what these guys drink when they're done. Basketball and football players drink water or gatorade right? These guys do the craziest things ever, like flipping a snow mobile twenty feet in the air, or riding a vertical half pipe, twisting their bodies 18 feet above rock solid ice. I can only imagine the adrenaline flowing through their bodies. I know the adrenaline I've gotten jumping a foot off the ground on a blue square ski slope. And what do they drink at the bottom? A 20 oz. energy drink. Are you kidding me! You talk about wired. These are the last guys that need an energy drink.
Finally, I am placing a personal gag order on myself about Duke Basketball to avoid messing up the flow they are in right now.
One more thing. I watched We Are Marshall this weekend. If the part about Bobby Bowden is really true, that makes him one of the all time class acts in sports. I really enjoyed the movie, especially being so familiar with the setting. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. A great feel good sports story.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Cold weather
It seems that living in Atlanta in winter, comes with two choices. You can either deal with bitter cold temperatures in the morning with a bright sun, or you can deal with rain in more mild above freezing temperatures.
With the freezing temperatures I have to deal with driving a car that has close to know heating ability. I have gloves on and as my hands begin to hurt from the cold I alternate placing them underneath my legs.
The alternative of rain is probably a bigger pain in the neck. When it rains in Atlanta which has been less frequent in the last few years (hence the drought) people all of a sudden forget how to drive like normal citizens. Flashers are put on, brakes abused, and gridlock ensues.
Personally I'll take dealing with the cold and switching hands, but getting to work in a decent amount of time, all day.
Spring come quickly.
With the freezing temperatures I have to deal with driving a car that has close to know heating ability. I have gloves on and as my hands begin to hurt from the cold I alternate placing them underneath my legs.
The alternative of rain is probably a bigger pain in the neck. When it rains in Atlanta which has been less frequent in the last few years (hence the drought) people all of a sudden forget how to drive like normal citizens. Flashers are put on, brakes abused, and gridlock ensues.
Personally I'll take dealing with the cold and switching hands, but getting to work in a decent amount of time, all day.
Spring come quickly.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Why we do it
I wanted to give you an update on Stacey and I's personal mentoring project. As you might remember two brothers Joshua and D.J. have become our new friends. We've been helping with their bus fare to get them to and from their GED class. We had them over for a Holiday meal and have been able to create a growing relationship.
The brothers come by my office every other day or so after class to check in with Errol the guy who made all this happen. While they are in they come and visit with me for a little bit. We talk about sports mostly, but we also talk about class, and whatever random thoughts 16 and 17 year olds come up with.
On Friday the brothers stopped by and it was cold in Atlanta. In the morning it had been 11 degrees outside. D.J., the oldest and most driven towards the goal, said to me "Mr. Phil, when I walked outside this morning I turned right back around and went inside because it was so cold. But then I thought Mr. Phil is paying for me to go to school, so I bundled up a little more and went."
That probably doesn't seem like a big deal, but it meant the world to me. It meant that a 17 year old with drug charges, breaking and entering charges, and non-charged criminal activity in his past, has gotten to the mindset that he is going to be disciplined to recognize that he is getting a second chance and going to make the most of it. Errol has done an amazing job of becoming a father to these boys and Stacey and I are honored to become encouraging friends and supporters.
With all the things that I work on and experience that don't seem to make an impact, I'm grateful that God gives me experiences like this relationship to keep me motivated to care. I'll admit I'm not a strong enough person to persevere without some sense of reward. But God knows that and works through me despite my flaws. That's amazing grace.
The brothers come by my office every other day or so after class to check in with Errol the guy who made all this happen. While they are in they come and visit with me for a little bit. We talk about sports mostly, but we also talk about class, and whatever random thoughts 16 and 17 year olds come up with.
On Friday the brothers stopped by and it was cold in Atlanta. In the morning it had been 11 degrees outside. D.J., the oldest and most driven towards the goal, said to me "Mr. Phil, when I walked outside this morning I turned right back around and went inside because it was so cold. But then I thought Mr. Phil is paying for me to go to school, so I bundled up a little more and went."
That probably doesn't seem like a big deal, but it meant the world to me. It meant that a 17 year old with drug charges, breaking and entering charges, and non-charged criminal activity in his past, has gotten to the mindset that he is going to be disciplined to recognize that he is getting a second chance and going to make the most of it. Errol has done an amazing job of becoming a father to these boys and Stacey and I are honored to become encouraging friends and supporters.
With all the things that I work on and experience that don't seem to make an impact, I'm grateful that God gives me experiences like this relationship to keep me motivated to care. I'll admit I'm not a strong enough person to persevere without some sense of reward. But God knows that and works through me despite my flaws. That's amazing grace.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Never gets old
Its the 8th season of American Idol. One would think its getting old. Could it possibly be interesting and entertaining yet again? I was asking that question before last night.
I flipped on the tv for a brief moment just to check in on the annual ridiculousness. An hour and half later and thoroughly entertained I turned off the tv and headed upstairs. It just never gets old. Bad singing and judges being brutally honest. I could watch it all day.
Its nothing to be proud of but its the truth. Where do these people come from? I know that some of them are acting like idiots to get on the show, but some of these people are genuine. Where is the friend or relative who will tell them that they are terrible? I've told Stacey countless times, that if I ever become that guy who isn't aware of how bad he is at something, save me the pain and tell me.
The funny thing about American Idol for me is that I won't watch it after the tryouts. I could care less about hearing the good people. I just tune in for the horrendous tryouts much like we slow down to look at car wrecks. Something in us pulls us towards the carnage of metal twisted on the side of the road and bad singers getting drilled by Simon and Randy.
So as some you will tune in for the next few weeks, you can smile knowing I'm laughing out loud at awkward men and women singing off beat and out of tune.
I flipped on the tv for a brief moment just to check in on the annual ridiculousness. An hour and half later and thoroughly entertained I turned off the tv and headed upstairs. It just never gets old. Bad singing and judges being brutally honest. I could watch it all day.
Its nothing to be proud of but its the truth. Where do these people come from? I know that some of them are acting like idiots to get on the show, but some of these people are genuine. Where is the friend or relative who will tell them that they are terrible? I've told Stacey countless times, that if I ever become that guy who isn't aware of how bad he is at something, save me the pain and tell me.
The funny thing about American Idol for me is that I won't watch it after the tryouts. I could care less about hearing the good people. I just tune in for the horrendous tryouts much like we slow down to look at car wrecks. Something in us pulls us towards the carnage of metal twisted on the side of the road and bad singers getting drilled by Simon and Randy.
So as some you will tune in for the next few weeks, you can smile knowing I'm laughing out loud at awkward men and women singing off beat and out of tune.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Married to a five star recruit
Anyone who knows me understands that life tends to play out in my head in sports analogies for much of the time.
As Stacey wraps up her final year of Medical School at Morehouse, it has become apparent that she is a five star, blue chip recruit for potential Residency Programs. The programs she has interviewed with have viewed her as a potential PTPer, a diaper dandy, an All Rolls Roycer as Dick Vitale would put it.
My role has become that of collecting the letters, handwritten notes, and emails and helping to analyze the best situation for her. I'm the handler if you will. Her school advisors are her current coaches trying to gather good information for her to make an informed decision. So far every place she values has given her their undivided attention and invitation. The programs still have to rely on the computer matrix to plug her in, but they're willingness to rank her high makes her acceptance close to a done deal.
Her scouting report would read like this: Hard working, great bedside IQ, shows leadership in the clutch, great teammate on the wards and in projects. She is particularly gifted in working with children, and is great at comforting and calming the parents. She knows Spanish, and has a track record of community service and advocacy efforts in the medical community. Will have immediate impact when she puts on the white coat and gets into her first action. With her combination of intelligence, care, and support at home, has the potential to be a Hall of Famer.
Stacey has received correspondence from her advisor that has stated that the feedback she has received from a couple of programs is the first that they have seen. That's pretty impressive to me. Granted I don't live in that world, but anytime you're blazing new trails in being asked to attend a program, that would seem to be a positive.
March 19th will be the equivalent of National Signing Day. On that day the computer will spit out her Residency Program and part of the equation for us for the next 3 years. Assuming she pans out there, she'll go pro.
As Stacey wraps up her final year of Medical School at Morehouse, it has become apparent that she is a five star, blue chip recruit for potential Residency Programs. The programs she has interviewed with have viewed her as a potential PTPer, a diaper dandy, an All Rolls Roycer as Dick Vitale would put it.
My role has become that of collecting the letters, handwritten notes, and emails and helping to analyze the best situation for her. I'm the handler if you will. Her school advisors are her current coaches trying to gather good information for her to make an informed decision. So far every place she values has given her their undivided attention and invitation. The programs still have to rely on the computer matrix to plug her in, but they're willingness to rank her high makes her acceptance close to a done deal.
Her scouting report would read like this: Hard working, great bedside IQ, shows leadership in the clutch, great teammate on the wards and in projects. She is particularly gifted in working with children, and is great at comforting and calming the parents. She knows Spanish, and has a track record of community service and advocacy efforts in the medical community. Will have immediate impact when she puts on the white coat and gets into her first action. With her combination of intelligence, care, and support at home, has the potential to be a Hall of Famer.
Stacey has received correspondence from her advisor that has stated that the feedback she has received from a couple of programs is the first that they have seen. That's pretty impressive to me. Granted I don't live in that world, but anytime you're blazing new trails in being asked to attend a program, that would seem to be a positive.
March 19th will be the equivalent of National Signing Day. On that day the computer will spit out her Residency Program and part of the equation for us for the next 3 years. Assuming she pans out there, she'll go pro.
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Holiday Wrap Up
Happy New Year!
Back safe and healthy in Atlanta. I managed to dodge the great West Virginia Stomach Bug Plague. Stacey went down, my parents went down, my sister and brother in law went down, aunts and uncles went down, cousins went down, etc. It was ugly. The bug wouldn't last that long, but it kept hitting people one after another. I spent most of my time walking around with hand sanitizer in my pocket and chlorox wipes easily accessible.
Aside from the sickness, it was a great visit. There was a lot of storytelling and nostalgia in the air. There was a lot of laughter. It made for a very meaningful time. More and more Christmas visits to WV become cherished times to remember things you forget about during the rest of the year. It becomes a time to pass traditions to younger generations.
It also has become the time to get together and play guitar hero. Stacey and I received the deluxe package which includes drums and a microphone. That made for some entertaining moments as various family members attempted to sing while other family members attempted to show rhythm and button pushing competence.
Finally, I had the opportunity to film my mom's parents telling stories from their years of growing up on farms in the midwest. The part that I appreciated the most was hearing how hard they worked for what they had. Somewhere along the way, good old work ethic and contentment has been lost in favor of credit and instant gratification. They had limited food, clothes and toys, but they had want they needed and everything was good. Credit has given us the freedom to live way beyond our means. Only hearing these stories can give one a true appreciation for how good we have it now.
My Grandfather in particular talked about helping people in need around the community. It wasn't through a non-profit or charity. It was seeing need in the community and addressing it. Non-profits are great, but we've really lost a sense of looking out for our neighbors in general. Its become easy to let the "professionals" or government deal with those problems. Right wrong or indifferent, it gave me some interesting thoughts to ponder on the trip home.
Here's to 2009 and continued storytelling.
Phil
Back safe and healthy in Atlanta. I managed to dodge the great West Virginia Stomach Bug Plague. Stacey went down, my parents went down, my sister and brother in law went down, aunts and uncles went down, cousins went down, etc. It was ugly. The bug wouldn't last that long, but it kept hitting people one after another. I spent most of my time walking around with hand sanitizer in my pocket and chlorox wipes easily accessible.
Aside from the sickness, it was a great visit. There was a lot of storytelling and nostalgia in the air. There was a lot of laughter. It made for a very meaningful time. More and more Christmas visits to WV become cherished times to remember things you forget about during the rest of the year. It becomes a time to pass traditions to younger generations.
It also has become the time to get together and play guitar hero. Stacey and I received the deluxe package which includes drums and a microphone. That made for some entertaining moments as various family members attempted to sing while other family members attempted to show rhythm and button pushing competence.
Finally, I had the opportunity to film my mom's parents telling stories from their years of growing up on farms in the midwest. The part that I appreciated the most was hearing how hard they worked for what they had. Somewhere along the way, good old work ethic and contentment has been lost in favor of credit and instant gratification. They had limited food, clothes and toys, but they had want they needed and everything was good. Credit has given us the freedom to live way beyond our means. Only hearing these stories can give one a true appreciation for how good we have it now.
My Grandfather in particular talked about helping people in need around the community. It wasn't through a non-profit or charity. It was seeing need in the community and addressing it. Non-profits are great, but we've really lost a sense of looking out for our neighbors in general. Its become easy to let the "professionals" or government deal with those problems. Right wrong or indifferent, it gave me some interesting thoughts to ponder on the trip home.
Here's to 2009 and continued storytelling.
Phil
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