You are currently browsing the monthly archive for August, 2008.
The final day of August left us with a real “bang” – as in the 11th annual Boomsday fireworks show. This year we enjoyed the show from high above Knoxville in the First Tennessee building with some friends, Jack and Cathie. The view was excellent from Jack’s office – and the best part – no smoke, crowds, traffic issues, the bathrooms were close by and the AC felt pretty good too.
If someone could figure out how to charge for the experience, we’d put “priceless” as a starting point. Enclosed is a brief gallery of shots taken from our viewing post – all of which were taken without a tripod – thus the blurring of city lights at the bottom.
Thanks again Jack and Cathie for a wonderful evening.
Next time you’re driving and you see somebody waiting to get out of a parking lot into the flow of traffic, give up that precious five seconds to let him or her in. When you come to an intersection, look around. Is there a way that by giving up a few seconds of your time you could ease a situation that will make the traffic flow better for everyone?
Living consciously is a huge ingredient of living aloha.
It’s really amazing how this works: You slow down to let somebody in front of you in, or maybe to make a left turn across your traffic lane. Do you have to? No, of course not. You do it because it makes your heart feel good to live aloha.
After that kind little deed that cost you nothing, you’ve brightened the day of somebody else, and that person will extend the same courtesy at his or her next opportunity. And on it goes. It feels good and best of all, it’s contagious.
It’s best that we remember that life is full of opportunities to chill, pay attention, do, relax, learn, grow, explore, help someone or give of yourself to those in need.
Or a million other things.
But make sure each is ‘well done’ because one day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching.
Make sure you do your best today.
To live is so startling it leaves
little time for anything else.
Emily Dickinson
Our lives are like a candle in the wind.
Carl Sandburg
Hawaii is not a state of mind,
but a state of grace.
but a state of grace.
Paul Theroux
With the first day of the week behind me, I can contemplate the remainder of the week. Basically that’s daily, day dreams of a warm, tropical climate somewhere in the middle of the Pacific.
Sail on.
In the Hawaiian language, kona means leeward or dry side of the island, as opposed to ko‘olau which means windward or the wet side of the island. It translates to SPF50. In Hawai‘i, the Pacific anticyclone provides moist prevailing northeasterly winds to the Hawaiian islands, resulting in rain when the winds contact the windward landmass of the islands – the winds subsequently lose their moisture and travel on to the leeward (or kona) side of the island. If you bring a kite, hang on. I’m certain that with or without rain, the Big Island will be grand. Surf’s up little guy.
“The native language is soft and liquid and flexible and in every way efficient and satisfactory–till you get mad; then there you are; there isn’t anything in it to swear with. Good judges all say it is the best Sunday language there is. But then all the other six days in the week it just hangs idle on your hands; it isn’t any good for business and you can’t work a telephone with it. Many a time the attention of the mssionaries has been called to this defect, and they are always promising they are going to fix it; but no, they go fooling along and fooling along and nothing is done.”
- Mark Twain’s Speeches, 1923 ed. “Welcome Home”
If you are part of a blended family (and many of us are in that situation) – please link over and read this article. Carefully selected and discerningly read, the article clears up the multitude of issues which result from relational “triangulation” — and it also offers clarity regarding the impact of triangulation within family units. Please know one thing, the article will help only those who can read and look within themselves to be honest about blended family situations.
REMINDER: Should you have issues with my blog, I suggest you take your happy ass over to my Rules section.
Happy Friday …
Herein is the “type” of advertising I work on for the majority of my working day. In fact, “cause-related marketing” is the genre of “propaganda” I value most.
It’s Thursday, a good day to advertise. A TERRIFIC day for free speech.
Life shrinks or expands in
proportion to one’s courage.
Anais Nin
But keep the map handy.
To accomplish great things,
we must dream as well as act.
Anatole France
The beautiful weather and cool temperature made for a wonderful start to the 2008 Rocket Run: The Fastest 10K in Tennessee. In its first year as a 10K, The Rocket Run enjoyed a lot of smiling faces and the encouragement of many, many volunteers from Appalachian Bear Rescue of Townsend, Tennessee.
Jeff Day set the course record with a 32:43 and Allison Maurer was the overall women’s winner with a 43:16. All racers were timed by Total Race Solutions.
As Secretary for the Board of Directors, I enjoyed the process of assembling and helping organize the 10K event. Thanks to all those folks that contributed – both those on the Board and those who are “Black Bear-minded.”
Appalachian Bear Rescue is highly appreciative of everyone’s help.
The photo gallery herein recaps the fun at our event.
For 2009, it’ll be even faster.
Rock on.
The summer internship created a big buzz this year. Why? Because Maggie, Carrie, Chris Ann, Madhuri and Amanda made a HUGE difference with many clients within our agency. Their collective spirit, energy and enthusiasm is greatly appreciated and certainly not to be forgotten. You encouraged me (!) ladies. Rock on.
Sometimes you have to let go to see
if there was anything worth holding onto.
A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it.
“Education is the best provision for old age.”
Aristotle
The most successful people are those
who are good at plan B.
I’m often asked the question (after a road race or a time trial), “did you win?”
My typical answer is “no, I accomplished my goal.” The response to such a question is not expected and it usually creates a whimsical look on the face of the person asking the question … and thus, more questions. Answering with merely a “no” opens a door which requires explanation or what I call justification. In general, people are interested in what you won, and not much else. Placing in the top 10 isn’t spectacular; placing mid-field is considered failure … never mind the journey itself!
No one who competes in any type of sporting activity is exempt from the pain of defeat. The acceptance of being defeated, while difficult to stomach at times, teaches us how to lose with grace. I’ve learned over time that taking success and failure lightly – without strongly identifying with either – allows me to maintain a delicate mental balance. After all, it’s about having fun not the win nor the loss. For me, focusing on winning hinders my performance. I’d rather focus on the journey of getting there, competing and readying again. This is very similar to the walk of life. We either enjoy the journey or we miss out on a lot of fun.
Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I enjoy the feeling of placing in the top 10 or an outright 1st, but that’s not what drives my preparation and participation. I love competing and winning in my own way. For me, accomplishing my goals feel like a win.
Competing at something other than work is important because it builds character. The sense of fair play is strengthened, and the value of preparation is greatly appreciated. Competing helps build mental tenacity, will power, transparency, discipline and the ability to handle greater amounts of stress. These traits, over time, become habits and ultimately build character.
For the hoards of people who ask the “did you win” question I suggest that you get off the sofa, move your happy ass a little faster and compete in something. Feel the pain, test your mental fortitude, and when you don’t finish first – give up. After all, the folks who typically ask the “did you win” question are the same folks who feel like they have to compete for parking spaces or a lane in traffic somewhere.
Nuf said, I shall continue to Ride On.
The Aloha Spirit Law is an real law on the books in Hawai’i. It acknowledges that The Aloha Spirit is the working philosophy of native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawai’i. Basically it reiterates that the people and citizens of Hawai’i are obligated by law to conduct themselves in accordance with this law while performing their duties and obligations to the public.
I’m not sure a “law” is needed to empower the people of Hawai’i to keep Hawai’i uniquely special. From firsthand experience I’ve witnessed the Aloha spirit. Culturally it’s a way of life. For the rest of America, more of that please.
Success has nothing to do with what you gain in
life or accomplish for yourself. Its what you do for others.
danny thomas
I’m inspired to do a lot every day. Mostly work – working out – helping my student interns – and a bunch of other stuff. Now that yesterday is over, what did you do that’s worth talking about? Good question. If it’s just work related – then you didn’t do enough. If it’s just about working out – then you were too selfish. Did you help someone? Specifically – did you help someone without regard to its impact on your wallet? Funny, that eliminates work colleagues and clients (or prospects). If you have children then you’re blessed — what a golden opportunity to contribute to “life.”
In my work world, I’m privileged to know a group of interns who need my help. Yet, it doesn’t put one dime in my pocket. In fact, it clearly detracts from growing the business I manage. Why do I help them? Because when my career changes from the “agency” business to something else, I want to look back and ‘know’ it was for a higher purpose.
Now that it’s all over, what did you really
do yesterday that’s worth mentioning?
Coleman Cox
Laughter is an instant vacation.
~Milton Berle
As soon as you trust yourself,
you will know how to live.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
You can learn to hang if you hang long enough.
For the State Road Race this year, organizers moved the race from Liepers Fork to a new location in Watertown, Tennessee. Although the road course was void of a significant climb, the 15 mile loop was full of rollers that when combined made for a difficult race.
The Masters 30/40+ group began 15 minutes late with a total of 39 riders. Little did we know the heat would reduce the field quicker than the attacks. Temps were moderate when we began and quickly soared near 90 and then to 94 within two hours of the start. The heat index was 104 – which reduced the ability to recover after hard efforts.
Lap one was marked with several attacks and counter-attacks. In fact, four riders were off the front within the first mile, but were reeled back in by mile 8. Coming through the feed zone as we completed lap one, I elected not to take a bottle. This was tactical mistake number one, and a serious one. In retrospect, I should have taken a bottle on every lap. The temperature was warm enough that a cold bottle of water would have lowered my core temp and allowed me to conserve some of my glycogen reserves. Live and learn.
As we cruised into lap 2, the attacks began again so I chimed in with my own and a group of 8 riders broke away from the pack. Within a mile the entire peloton was back together again; less another 7 riders. On the back section of the course, three rollers (back to back to back) were steep enough and close enough together that it was difficult to recover between them. This section allowed for a serious push by the strong men – and we dropped 3 more riders. Nearing the feed zone on lap 2, I moved over and snagged a bottle. “Whew – thank you cycling gods” was all I could offer. The bottle was a HUGE help. Most of it went down my jersey to cool my body and a few drops were my refreshment.
It’s not common to attack in a feed zone, but the leaders did just that – and we were pushing pretty hard before I could stuff the bottle into my jersey. The constant push from the front made it difficult to maintain contact with the leaders – and I truly believe it was more difficult because the heat was unbearable.
At one point I looked at my legs and arms and it seemed as if I had just stepped out of the shower. My sunglasses were stuffed in my helmet because the sweat kept pouring down my face. All I could think about was stopping the insanity by literally stopping. Yet, I kept moving.
By the time we hit those triple rollers, the lead group was down to 15 riders and we kept pushing. I maintained a mid-field position just to ensure I wasn’t yo-yoed at the tail end of the peloton. In the feed zone I attempted to snag a bottle but nothing was handed up. The leaders attacked again (just to make it interesting I’m sure) and I fell off the back. Thank goodness they sat up on the next downhill section to drink — that gave me enough time to rejoin them along with Dave Hickson.
At this point the peloton totaled 13 and none of the other riders were in sight. They had either dropped out of the race or were creeping along. Ahh, the triple rollers were coming again and I knew my expulsion off the back was forthcoming. I stayed intact on the first two, but the third roller came and I sat up. My body felt ‘cooked’ … I got chill bumps on my legs and arms (a first sign of heat exhaustion). I slowed and realized the last 9 miles would be soloville. Stars were moving in front of my eyes and I felt dizzy – my stomach cramped and I wanted to stop oh-so-bad. But somehow I kept rolling, keeping the air flowing over my skin. And too, I was concerned that anyone we had dropped might come up behind me and pass me. (Like that mattered at this point.)
Near the end of the race, I noticed a woman in the feed zone – and she was packing up her bags. I asked for a bottle and she said, “all I have is Gatorade and it’s sorta frozen.”
Had I not been in a race I would have stopped and hugged her. I said thanks and got moving again.
The icy drink felt so good tucked in my jersey – and I would have fought anyone for it at that point. Looking ahead I could see the finish line, so I zipped up my jersey and put my glasses back on. Passing over the finish line, a photographer pointed his camera my way and snapped a photo – I smiled big and showed him the “prize” I had been given. Frozen Gatorade. WooHoo!
When I stopped on the other side of the finish line, I opened the bottle again and within three gulps the bottle was almost empty. Stopping wasn’t such a good idea – so I kept moving. Heck, it was three miles back to car! I laughed out loud as I wondered why the hell I was riding around in Watertown, Tennessee in the middle of a HOT August day.
It remains a mystery.
After returning to the parking lot, I located a water hose nearby and stood under the cold water for about 15 minutes. Several other riders came over and did the same. We laughed at how “cold” the water felt — even though it wasn’t. The impromptu shower lowered my core temp and my heart rate too. What a day.
RACE SUMMARY: 5 miles of warm up (like we needed that). 60 miles of racing – average speed 22.9 – average heart rate 156 – over-maxed to 188 one time. Finished 13th overall and 3rd in Masters 45-49 – so I earned the Bronze medal. What I really earned was a 16oz cold Coke and another and another.
It’s hot out there. Ride with plenty of fluids.
He who is afraid of asking is ashamed of learning.
The diary, which was given to Anne Frank on her thirteenth birthday, chronicles her life from June 12, 1942 until August 1, 1944. It was published as The Diary of a Young Girl and eventually translated from its original Dutch into many languages and became one of the world’s most widely read books. There have also been several films, television, theatrical productions, and even an opera based on the diary. Described as the work of a mature and insightful mind, it provides an intimate examination of daily life under Nazi occupation and in hiding; through her writing, Frank has become one of the most renowned and discussed of Holocaust victims.
In my last vacation to Amsterdam, I visited the Anne Frank house. In my tour, a range of people (varied ethnic backgrounds, various ages) were present. Observation of faces and body language were as interesting as the “house” itself. The majority of younger people moved quickly about and chatted among themselves – many with smiles and an occasional giggle.
Older folks – those who appeared to be over 50 – had distinctly different dispositions. They were somber, quiet and reverent – and the energy felt spiritual. Many of us were overwhelmed with emotion.
I’ve given lots of thought to Anne Frank’s view of time, and her value of life itself. Her life, as evident in her diary, was lived second by second. It was vibrant, real and highly authentic. The undertone of her message: seconds do count – each one is a blessing.
As we crest the first of August, I’m mindful about the seconds. Each one counts.
Peace.
