Sleep

It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.

~ John Steinbeck

FlipSides

So I have been snacking on these cracker/pretzel combos and I have to say they are delicious. I imagine they go well with a party platter, but they are quite good on their own. Try them out.

The Wright Stache

Bill Simmons mentioned on a recent podcast this hilarious website The Wright Stache, dedicated to getting New York Mets 3rd Baseman, David Wright, to grow a mustache. Here are some exquisite staches. We have Keith Hernandez, President Chester A. Arthur (top), Tom Selleck, and Rollie Fingers. (bottom)

The Baton of Leadership

Over the course of the last couple of weeks I have twice witnessed or heard about a change in leadership. Dr. James Dobson recently stepped down as Chairman of the Board for Focus on the Family, a ministry he began 32 years ago. While listening to the Boundless Show podcast, the team gave their accounts and reactions to the ceremony where Dr. Dobson passed on the baton of leadership to the next generation. Although, Dr. Dobson is not completely stepping away from Focus, as he will still be involved with the radio broadcast for example, the team's sentiments seemed to agree upon the grace and honor that was shown through the transferring of authority. There was a lot of media buzz as these events transpired, whether it was questions about why he was stepping down or discussion as to who may become a leader for the family and the Christian Right. The Boundless team shared how it may have seemed for many hard to understand the smooth transfer of power or to think that conflict brought about the change. This could not be further from the truth, but rather in the passing of the baton was a display of leadership, wisdom, and humility to allow a new generation of leaders to lead as well as the opportunity to help them along the way. Dr. Dobson said it well in his remarks (read them in their entirety here) when he said:

One of the common errors made by founder-presidents is to hold the reins of leadership too long, thereby preventing the next generation from being prepared for executive authority.

Often we see leadership change hands, be it by choice, by force, by election, by death. Likewise, the power and the authority leadership gives many times seems to corrupt, callous, and create a giant ego for the leader. It makes it very tough to release it and can cloud one's vision in terms of seeing that new leadership is needed. George Washington was quite astute in understanding this when he turned down the possibility of being king for the newly founded nation as well as setting precedence for only two terms in office as president. He seemed to recognize the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:1-3:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build

Last Tuesday, I witnessed for myself transferring of leadership to Ben to head up MORE. The evening was quite awe inspiring as Billy was able to pass on the baton of leadership to him through prayer and anointing. It was great to watch as the baton passed and the humility of both the passer and receiver was displayed. It is a testament to God's provision as well as the foresight given to allow a time of transition & guidance before Billy is many miles away.

The Tool Man, Grandmama, and Urkel

My buddy, Ben, stopped by the house today after the basketball games, and in the course of talking we caught a couple of episodes of Home Improvement and Family Matters. That got me thinking of a great Family Matters episode when Steve plays in a two-on-two basketball tournament with Grandmama (aka Larry Johnson).






Here is Larry Johnson's commercial as Grandmama for his Converse shoes.

Friendly Wager

Our AL-only fantasy baseball draft is slated for next week and while I was discussing it with fellow fantasy baseball aficionado, Bill "The Information Guru" Gilbert, we decided to make a friendly wager for one George Washington.

Over/Under 2.5 Indians will be drafted by Josh

I took the under and Bill took the over

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A quick shoot out to the Cleveland State Vikings who upset Wake Forest last night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. They played great all night and never trailed. I hope they keep it going against Arizona tomorrow, because its great seeing a Cleveland team do so well. Just look at the excitement on Coach Gary Waters' face. Awesome!

Basketball Books

With the NCAA Tournament now in full swing, it got my brother and I thinking about the best basketball books that we have read. Now this is by no means an inclusive list, as there are books I have not read, so there is room for fluidity with in it. As well, this is not set in stone in terms of what is number one, two, etc... but a list of books that I have enjoyed, were well written, and had a good story.


1. Heaven is a Playground by Rick Telander

An amazing book about playground basketball in New York City. It is a great take on the ups and downs of where basketball can take you, but how only some use it to benefit themselves. As well, it is an excellent commentary on the culture of the time (written in 1974) and an honest look at where the dreams and ambitions of the kids he meets on the court collide with reality.




2. Loose Balls: The Short Wild Life of the American Basketball Association by Terry Pluto

A great look at the ABA, with all its style, flash, and play by current Cleveland Plain Dealer and former Akron-Beacon Journal Columnist Terry Pluto







3. The Miracle of St. Anthony by Adrian Wojnarowski

A wonderful read that follows St. Anthony's High School in Jersey City, NJ and Coach Bob Hurley. He and a couple of dedicated nuns have kept St. Anthony's being a beacon of light in a downtrodden community as well as making the basketball program into the preeminent one in America. Hurley loves his players and gets the most out of them. He is hard on them and pushes them, but he is there for them and helps so many of his players to succeed.


4. The Breaks of the Game by David Halberstam.

Famed author, David Halberstam does it again with his journey alongside the 1979-80 Portland Trailblazers. He has the inside view of what its like to be in the NBA and everything that comes with it from injuries, to money, jealousy, egos, corruption, trades, victory, and defeat.






5. The Last Shot: City Streets, Basketball Dreams by Darcy Frey

An excellent read that follows high school players from Coney Island, Brooklyn's Lincoln High School. The players he follows are three seniors and one special freshman current NBA Player Stephon Marbury. It is really interesting to read a book that happens to capture a player that does end up making it out.




6. Let Me Tell You a Story: A Lifetime in the Game by John Feinstein & Red Auerbach

My favorite Feinstein book. He joins legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach and a group of friends including Auerbach's brother, former coaches, and secret service agents. "Tuesday. 11 o'clock. China Doll." That's the words one wants to hear to join Auerbach as he recounts stories of over 50 years in basketball over lunch in DC's Chinatown. The stories are wonderful and amazing at times. It makes me want to have been part of these lunches as well as to start my own.


7. A Season on the Brink by John Feinstein

Feinstein follows Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers through the twist and turns of the 1985-86 season. He gives an inside look at one of colleges most storied programs as well as an in-depth look at the fiery, volatile, but brilliant Coach Knight.







8. Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich by Mark Kriegel

A wonderful biography detailing the life of Pete Maravich. Pistol Pete is such an interesting study into the psychology of an athlete and his obsession with his sport. Kriegel does a great job sharing with us about Pistol's life from the coal mines and steel mills of eastern Pennsylvania to Louisiana State University, the NBA and finally his untimely death in 1988.




9. The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game by Oscar Robertson

In his autobiography, Oscar Robertson shares his life through basketball from his time as a youth in Indianapolis to college in Cincinnati and the professional ranks with time in Cincinnati and Milwaukee. He details labor disputes as he the players union developed throughout the 60's and 70's and he was a main player in getting more rights for the players.



10. To the Hoop: The Seasons of a Basketball Life by Ira Berkow

New York Times columnist, Ira Berkow, recounts how basketball has played a role in his life from his time as a high school player and then as a pickup player into his 50's as he plays throughout New York City. He has some great stories in the book including his playing pickup with Oscar Robertson.

March Madness and Final Four Picks

Louisville

Memphis

Pittsburgh (beats Louisville in the Finals)
North Carolina

March is such a great time of year. Baseball is about to begin, warm weather is on the way, and the NCAA tournament's buzz creates an euphoric feeling of highs and lows. From the office to the class room fanatics and casual fans alike try to put their own spin on filling out the brackets in hopes of victory.

An Irish Toast

May there always be work
for your hands to do
May your purse always
carry a shilling or two
May the sun always play
on your windowpane
May a rainbow chase after
each spot of rain
May the hand of a friend
always be near you
May God fill your heart with
gladness and cheer you

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

One Shining Moment

The 2009 NCAA Tournament starts this Thursday and I had to go back an watch the 2008 One Shining Moment montage to get in the tournament spirit. March Madness, such a great time of year!

Remember Everything is Bigger in Texas

Congrats to my little brother, Ryan, who's team took 2nd place at the Ohio Business Professionals of America (BPA) state conference in the computer networking competition. The 2nd place finish gives him the opportunity to compete at the BPA's national conference in Dallas, TX. Way to go, Ryan!

Below is a picture of my brothers Justin (left), Ryan, me, and my cousin Chad. It looks like Ryan did not get the memo about wearing a green sweater.

A Little Flow

I feel the war of the angels fighting against my mortal ways,
colliding against my soul's desire to fade
the things that kept me pure
I made it through the trials but my faith be obscure.

Reverse giving birth
to the will of the one who came to forgive me first.
I stand in the face of my enemies, at last
squashing ill vibes resurrected from the past
Seeking the ways of the wise
eternally depressed to the vision that was mine.

I'm bringing hope to the hopeless, peace to the needy
respect for the homeless, nothing for the greedy
Shoulder for the weeping, knowledge for the seeking,
vision for the blind so that they can define the sunshine.
Peeking through the cracks of death
I forgive, so I can be forgiven when I take my last breathe
Sustaining in the valley of the shadow of pain,
The blood is the remedy, freedom is the gain
like the Phoenix out of ashes I rise
Love is my virtue, success my prize.

Lifestyling the Christ ways,
living in better days,
Washed in the blood I've been changed
Putting an end to past beef and ill stress
I've been blessed
Forgive and Forget.

~ E.T.W. ~ "Forgive and Forget" ~ Ain't Nobody Dying But Us

Blast from the Past

As I returned home from work this afternoon, I was greeted in my inbox with an email from Half.com stating that I had made a sale. I thought to myself, 'I don't remember placing any books on there to sell and thought the ones I had listed on there during college I had taken off.' To my surprise there were still books on their from my time at Weatherhead and one of them sold. Sex, Drugs, & Economics seems to be a catchy title and must have caught the buyers eye. Either that or she needs it for a college class and does not want to pay ridiculous bookstore prices for it. I can't argue with her there, and don't mind getting a hefty $10.50 either. Seems like a win-win situation for both of us. I get some money for my book and she gets a brand new book (it does not look like I used it at all for the class). I always looked online for my textbooks or better yet used Ohio Link to borrow them from other college Libraries throughout the state of Ohio. I loved Ohio Link. Very clutch.

Jabbawockeez

We were talking about at work about MTV's America's Best Dance Crew show and how amazing the groups are that perform on it. I would love to be have the ability to move like they do. There is so much creativity and enthusiasm. It's great. Here is one of the Jabbawockeez, who were the first winners, performances on last years show on the evolution of hip hop, as well as deleted scenes from Step Up 2.

From the Rep to the Drudge Report

I just read this article from the Canton Repository about how almost 700 people have applied for one open janitor job at Edison Junior High in Perry. I think it just shows how times really are very tough right now for many people, especially in Stark County who have lost jobs from factories closing or places being real slow with business. I can understand why people would want to get into school district because there are very good benefits to go with it, especially when many are used to have good benefits from their previous jobs. Not only were the Perry Local school's suprised by the number of applications but it was so remarkable that the Drudge Report linked to the article. Wow! That is where I actually saw the article about 700 people applying for a janitor job at an Ohio school.

Tix for the price of Spam Lite!

Here is a funny and surprisingly inspiring article from Rick Reilly about how he has been finding really, really cheap tickets to sporting events as a result of the poor economy. I may have to start looking myself and see what I can find. Is a road trip calling me?? I hope so. Although I doubt Cavs tickets will be as cheap, but I am ok paying regular price for those since they are doing so great.

Reilly's mention of Spam Lite reminded me of the time our cafeteria at Case had a Spam themed mealtime. One could win all kinds of Spam related prizes such as t-shirts, frisbees, blowup items, and of course Spam. Hilarious.

ESPN: The Weekend 2009

ESPN the Weekend was a great time. Josh and I enjoyed ourselves immensely. We had great weather which was a definite blessing since as we were leaving Florida the temperatures were dipping from the 70/80s to the 50/60s. We got to meet many ESPN personalities and athletes, get our pictures with a few, and enjoy the ESPN shows/Q & A sessions.



Here we are with Indianapolis Colts Kicker, Adam Vinatieri (top) and with NFL Live host, Trey Wingo (bottom)


Some highlights from the weekend:

Best Interview:

1. Misty May-Treanor
2. Maurice Jones-Drew
3. Shawn Johnson
   

Clutch Performances:

1. TIE - between Josh whipping me at the new Toy Story game/ride at Hollywood studios or me winning a game of knockout in the ESPN Sports Zone -- my prize, a sweet Cavs hat
   

The above picture is Josh with his $1 winnings (we made a small wager) for beating me on the Toy Story ride.