Well, I finally broke down and did it.
I set up a Twitter account.
I am not really thrilled by this, but we'll see how it goes. Maybe it will turn out to be better than I think.
Why did I join, then?
Connections.
Many people in the sports world, a lot of them in baseball, communicate via Twitter. Finally it got to the point where I thought I had better join.
If you're interested, my account is under the name lerieleech. I guess over there, it's #lerieleech...
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Karl Pearson
This one is tough. Very tough.
Several hours ago, my good friend and editor, Don McCormack, called to tell me that our mutual friend and co-worker, Karl Pearson, passed away at his home. Don went to Karl's house when he didn't show up at a softball tournament this afternoon, and found him. He apparently had gone in his sleep.
Karl was 58. He went way too soon. But he certainly left his mark.
Most importantly, Karl was one of the nicest and helpful people around, anywhere. I have to say that first. Everyone who ever met him will tell you that.
Karl was a longtime sports writer for the Ashtabula Star Beacon, and was in the field for more than 35 years. (There is a famous 1975 photo of Frank Robinson on deck for his first at-bat as an African-American manager in the Major Leagues, in which he would hit a home run. Karl is in the background of that photo.) He was dedicated to his work, and to helping the local sports programs. His favorite sport was track, but his influence on area high school sports and other local sports programs ran the gamut. He was the go-to person when it came to organizing many of the Star Beacon high school All-Star games and tournaments. He cared about the local athletes, the schools and the community. He cared about everyone.
Karl was also a man of faith, and was very active with his church. He left a positive impression on everyone who he met.
I first met Karl in late 1993 when he interviewed me to do freelance sports writing for the paper. Almost 18 years later, I am still doing it (with one 1 1/2 year break years ago, during which I went to another paper.) Others played a role in my beginning in that role, but I have never forgotten that Karl was the one who hired me.
Right now, this is still very new to everyone. There is still a lot of shock and confusion. Many of us aren't certain exactly what to do.
Rest in peace, my friend. You are very much missed.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
I'm Still Here
Just got back from the auto dealer, where they replaced my headlight.
I bought the part from the auto parts store. They told me I could do it myself, so I bought the part. Then later I opened the hood.
What were they thinking?!?
Thank goodness. I don't have to be careful any more. I don't want to be driving at night or in the rain without that thing working, specially thru Cleveland Heights, where the police work for the money-hungry government.
Anyway, it's been a while since I last posted. Most of that is because of something that happened on June 9. Then I confess I got out of the habit-- or as the woman who got divorced said, I am remiss.
Anyway, there is plenty to talk about. THREE reunions, which is ridiculous, but great! Other stuff too. But let's talk about the June 9 incident too.
The story actually begins about 30 years ago (in a rundown shack in--- oh never mind. :)) I dislocated my shoulder while skiing (something I have done twice in my life and will never do again), and it popped out a few times thereafter, so on a Monday in Oct 1981 (the same day Rick Monday won the NL pennant for the Dodgers), I had it operated on. A pin was placed in my shoulder to prevent it from coming out, and I hadn't had any major problems with it since.
Until June 9.
Early that morning, I guess I was having a bad dream, and I made a sudden motion with my right arm, and woke up to a lot of pain. I knew what it was, and although the bone cannot come all the way out of the socket, it was partially out, and I couldn't get it to go back in.
So I drove myself to the hospital, where they reset it.
Since then I have been to my regular doctor and a specialist. (All this is expensive for me, because since I don't have a full-time job, I pay for my own insurance, and I do not get favorable rates, or treatment from the ins. co.) Bottom line, it's a lot better than it was that morning, but there is still some concern. The x-rays showed that it wasn't back in exactly the place where it should heen, the pin appears to have moved, and I still have restricted movement to the left and to the back. I do not know what comes next, and the time has come when I need to follow up with the specialist.
I can do all the regular everyday functions, though some are easier than others. I still put all my stuff in my left pocket instead of my right. Bathing is difficult in a couple areas. Just when it started to get real hot here, I was finally able to lift my air conditioner so I could put it in the window, though.
Things could always be worse. I am reminded of that constantly, when I hear about people in worse situations. But it is still a pain, both literally and figuratively. (Advil helps a lot though.)
Anyway, sorry about the lack of communication. I hope to catch up here on all the happenings of the last couple months, very soon.
I bought the part from the auto parts store. They told me I could do it myself, so I bought the part. Then later I opened the hood.
What were they thinking?!?
Thank goodness. I don't have to be careful any more. I don't want to be driving at night or in the rain without that thing working, specially thru Cleveland Heights, where the police work for the money-hungry government.
Anyway, it's been a while since I last posted. Most of that is because of something that happened on June 9. Then I confess I got out of the habit-- or as the woman who got divorced said, I am remiss.
Anyway, there is plenty to talk about. THREE reunions, which is ridiculous, but great! Other stuff too. But let's talk about the June 9 incident too.
The story actually begins about 30 years ago (in a rundown shack in--- oh never mind. :)) I dislocated my shoulder while skiing (something I have done twice in my life and will never do again), and it popped out a few times thereafter, so on a Monday in Oct 1981 (the same day Rick Monday won the NL pennant for the Dodgers), I had it operated on. A pin was placed in my shoulder to prevent it from coming out, and I hadn't had any major problems with it since.
Until June 9.
Early that morning, I guess I was having a bad dream, and I made a sudden motion with my right arm, and woke up to a lot of pain. I knew what it was, and although the bone cannot come all the way out of the socket, it was partially out, and I couldn't get it to go back in.
So I drove myself to the hospital, where they reset it.
Since then I have been to my regular doctor and a specialist. (All this is expensive for me, because since I don't have a full-time job, I pay for my own insurance, and I do not get favorable rates, or treatment from the ins. co.) Bottom line, it's a lot better than it was that morning, but there is still some concern. The x-rays showed that it wasn't back in exactly the place where it should heen, the pin appears to have moved, and I still have restricted movement to the left and to the back. I do not know what comes next, and the time has come when I need to follow up with the specialist.
I can do all the regular everyday functions, though some are easier than others. I still put all my stuff in my left pocket instead of my right. Bathing is difficult in a couple areas. Just when it started to get real hot here, I was finally able to lift my air conditioner so I could put it in the window, though.
Things could always be worse. I am reminded of that constantly, when I hear about people in worse situations. But it is still a pain, both literally and figuratively. (Advil helps a lot though.)
Anyway, sorry about the lack of communication. I hope to catch up here on all the happenings of the last couple months, very soon.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
No picture
You may have noticed that I don't upload very many photos to this site.
Of course, blogs are different, in much the same way that people are. Some prefer lots and lots of photos. I don't.
There are the exceptions, though, such as this one-- my niece's breakfast a couple weeks ago:
The main thing is, I'm not so much a visual person. (Remember my INFP description, which indicates we are all about how we feel inside.) I don't own a camera. I don't even know how to upload a photo. I just haven't had the need or the desire to learn.
Plus, I don't like to have my picture taken. And I don't have any kids, so I don't have that motivation.
I have a feeling I'll get a camera, though, before the next time I travel outside of the country.
The last couple days, I've been surviving with no picture on my TV screen. It's interesting to see how this affects me. I mean, even when I am not really watching TV, and doing other things in the house, I usually have the TV on just to have something in the background. And when it isn't there, there's a big difference.
Tomorrow, that should be taken care of. I need a new box for my DVR, and I'll probably take care of it in the morning. Of course, the 20 hours or so of shows that I had recorded will be lost to me, but that's the way it goes.
Now if I had no picture on my computer screen, that would be a major disaster...
Of course, blogs are different, in much the same way that people are. Some prefer lots and lots of photos. I don't.
There are the exceptions, though, such as this one-- my niece's breakfast a couple weeks ago:
The main thing is, I'm not so much a visual person. (Remember my INFP description, which indicates we are all about how we feel inside.) I don't own a camera. I don't even know how to upload a photo. I just haven't had the need or the desire to learn.
Plus, I don't like to have my picture taken. And I don't have any kids, so I don't have that motivation.
I have a feeling I'll get a camera, though, before the next time I travel outside of the country.
The last couple days, I've been surviving with no picture on my TV screen. It's interesting to see how this affects me. I mean, even when I am not really watching TV, and doing other things in the house, I usually have the TV on just to have something in the background. And when it isn't there, there's a big difference.
Tomorrow, that should be taken care of. I need a new box for my DVR, and I'll probably take care of it in the morning. Of course, the 20 hours or so of shows that I had recorded will be lost to me, but that's the way it goes.
Now if I had no picture on my computer screen, that would be a major disaster...
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Window Blinds and Saws
About a week ago, a co-worker of mine and I were closing up the office. She asked me to close the blinds, and I sensed trouble. I had never been able to master the art of opening and closing the blinds. I tried, but sure enough, as in the past, I couldn't get them to drop.
When I told my co-worker, she laughed. Then she showed me the trick. Not all that much of a trick, but then again, I have never been very good with even the simplest mechanical sort of stuff. Anyway, it worked I can do it now.
I don't know why nobody ever showed me the trick before. I'm sure I tried to manipulate blinds in front of my mother at some point, and I would have thought that if she had known what I was doing wrong, as I must have, she would have pointed it out to me.
Anyway, this is an example of something that I could never do, that it seemed everyone else on Earth could do, that I eventually learned to do. This is pretty much an exception to what I am going to focus on here, which entails things that I never could do, that it seems everyone else on Earth can do, and I still can't do.
I guess everyone has these obstacles, and they also have things they can do easily that many others have a difficult time with. It's the same with me, but I tend to get frustrated with my shortcomings anyway. There are at least a couple that I would prefer not to reveal right now, but cleaning is one of them. When I try to clean--say a sink-- I usually only succeed at moving the dirt from one place to another. Or so it seems. If I spend enough time on it and put in enough energy, the job will be done.
Reminds me of shop in 7th grade. I have never been good at that type of thing, in general. It didn't help that I had the world's worst teacher (not just the world's worst shop teacher, but the world's worst teacher), but even so, I just felt at so much of a disadvantage when it came to working with tools-- or trying to work with tools, would be a more accurate way of putting it, in my case.
There was one instance that I sometimes think of as a metaphor for other situations I have encountered. We were sawing wood. Others would just saw the plank right through, but when it came my turn, it took forever to cut the wood. So someone would take over for a few seconds to show me how it was done, and in a few seconds, deepened the cut quite a bit. Then of course I would take the controls again, and once again, I would get nowhere.
There are things that I can do. Supposedly I can write sports stories. I basically walked off the street and into the sports room with no formal training at age 35, and I have been writing ever since. I'm not saying I'm the best writer who ever lived, but some people can't do it at all.
I could list some more, but I don't want to do that for fear it may sound egotistical. Besides, the focus here is on things that I have trouble with that many others don't seem to. And when those things do arise, it's like that saw and that wood all over again.
Now, with the saw and wood, the problem is solved by avoidance. I don't even know if I've held a saw since 7th grade; if I have a job to be done that involves sawing wood, I pay someone to do it. Let them benefit from their skills while freeing up more time for me to do things that I am capable of.
But unfortunately, not everything can be handled in that manner. There are some things that have to be handled yourself, that you can't pay others to do. That's when it gets rough.
I kind of feel I should conclude this with some piece of wisdom. So if you have one, please let me know. :) I'm not really sure what else there is to say. It can just be frustrating, that's all...
When I told my co-worker, she laughed. Then she showed me the trick. Not all that much of a trick, but then again, I have never been very good with even the simplest mechanical sort of stuff. Anyway, it worked I can do it now.
I don't know why nobody ever showed me the trick before. I'm sure I tried to manipulate blinds in front of my mother at some point, and I would have thought that if she had known what I was doing wrong, as I must have, she would have pointed it out to me.
Anyway, this is an example of something that I could never do, that it seemed everyone else on Earth could do, that I eventually learned to do. This is pretty much an exception to what I am going to focus on here, which entails things that I never could do, that it seems everyone else on Earth can do, and I still can't do.
I guess everyone has these obstacles, and they also have things they can do easily that many others have a difficult time with. It's the same with me, but I tend to get frustrated with my shortcomings anyway. There are at least a couple that I would prefer not to reveal right now, but cleaning is one of them. When I try to clean--say a sink-- I usually only succeed at moving the dirt from one place to another. Or so it seems. If I spend enough time on it and put in enough energy, the job will be done.
Reminds me of shop in 7th grade. I have never been good at that type of thing, in general. It didn't help that I had the world's worst teacher (not just the world's worst shop teacher, but the world's worst teacher), but even so, I just felt at so much of a disadvantage when it came to working with tools-- or trying to work with tools, would be a more accurate way of putting it, in my case.
There was one instance that I sometimes think of as a metaphor for other situations I have encountered. We were sawing wood. Others would just saw the plank right through, but when it came my turn, it took forever to cut the wood. So someone would take over for a few seconds to show me how it was done, and in a few seconds, deepened the cut quite a bit. Then of course I would take the controls again, and once again, I would get nowhere.
There are things that I can do. Supposedly I can write sports stories. I basically walked off the street and into the sports room with no formal training at age 35, and I have been writing ever since. I'm not saying I'm the best writer who ever lived, but some people can't do it at all.
I could list some more, but I don't want to do that for fear it may sound egotistical. Besides, the focus here is on things that I have trouble with that many others don't seem to. And when those things do arise, it's like that saw and that wood all over again.
Now, with the saw and wood, the problem is solved by avoidance. I don't even know if I've held a saw since 7th grade; if I have a job to be done that involves sawing wood, I pay someone to do it. Let them benefit from their skills while freeing up more time for me to do things that I am capable of.
But unfortunately, not everything can be handled in that manner. There are some things that have to be handled yourself, that you can't pay others to do. That's when it gets rough.
I kind of feel I should conclude this with some piece of wisdom. So if you have one, please let me know. :) I'm not really sure what else there is to say. It can just be frustrating, that's all...
The Secret to Survival in South Euclid
Just passed a vacant lot on the way home.
As in many communities, if your property here isn't kept up in certain ways, you will get a notice from South Euclid. Probably the most common one is if your grass is too high.
There's this lot several blocks away from me. I don't know who owns it, and I wonder if the owner him/herself knows that they own it, because the grass doesn't seem to be mowed very often.
Recently I noticed (for the first time this year, but not the first time ever) there was a sign posted on a pole in the middle of the lot. South Euclid will do that if the grass grows too high.
Did that push the owner to mow the grass? Well, when I just drove by, the grass was so high that you couldn't even see the sign.
See, the problem disappeared by ignoring it. What could be simpler than that? :-)
As in many communities, if your property here isn't kept up in certain ways, you will get a notice from South Euclid. Probably the most common one is if your grass is too high.
There's this lot several blocks away from me. I don't know who owns it, and I wonder if the owner him/herself knows that they own it, because the grass doesn't seem to be mowed very often.
Recently I noticed (for the first time this year, but not the first time ever) there was a sign posted on a pole in the middle of the lot. South Euclid will do that if the grass grows too high.
Did that push the owner to mow the grass? Well, when I just drove by, the grass was so high that you couldn't even see the sign.
See, the problem disappeared by ignoring it. What could be simpler than that? :-)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Goodbye Columbus (for Tressel)
As I said on Facebook, I generally don't condone breaking the ules, and I don't condone covering it up when it does happen. And I don't this time.
But in this case, I think some people should step back and take a look at just what happened here. And what that was entailed some college kids who sold objects that had belonged to them.
Yes, I realize that it's a bit more complicated than that. But that is, in fact, what happened-- some college kids sold some objects that had belonged to them.
OK, I know the NCAA is concerned about schemes that amount to what might be considered a situation where its players are being paid for their play. But for one thing, it seems to me that if you give a player objects of value, then in fact you have paid that player, whether or not the player turns around and sells the objects right away, or in a month, a year, or hangs onto it forever.
All right, putting that issue aside, you let a player receive objects of value, and then tell him that he can't sell them? Really? So to what extent does the player really own that object?
Think about the position the players are in. NCAA football is big business, and they all know it. They see all the money it brings in-- to the schools, to the coaches, the sponsors and everyone else. They know that the money is ultimately coming in because people want to see them play. Yet they're not allowed to get any of the money.
It doesn't excuse what they did, but it has to be difficult for some of them, especially the ones who come from poor families. Again, I'm not saying that the players aren't culpable-- I'm just saying: Is it really that difficult to understand why they did what they did? And keeping that in mind, is what Ray Small said so unbelievable? Not that he didn't exercise poor judgment by saying what he said publicly when he said it, but that the actual content of what he said is not surprising. Players are selling memorabilia that has been given to them? Excuse me while I stand here paralyzed in shock---not!!!
Still, it's the rule, and you're supposed to follow the rules. And Tressel, who is older and was in a position where he was responsible for keeping the program in line, should definitely know that. If he was at all confused about what to do, then he should have consulted an attorney. Or maybe he did, in which case the problem was that he sould have consulted a *good* attorney.
Therefore, I do think that punishment was merited. I just don't think it was deserved anywhere near to the point that it was served. But by the time all the Barney Fifes of the NCAA jump all over it (or in this case, merely the *threat* of them jumping all over it, because it still hasn't gotten that far), you would think that someone broke into the National Archives and tore up the Constitution.
And the result is that, among other things, a good man's reputation has been tarnished forever. Also, great coach. I have been following Ohio State football since 1968, and to me, Jim Tressel is by far the best football coach the Buckeyes have had during my fandom. (Yes, I said 1968, and yes, I said "the best." And no, I didn't forget anyone.)
Shame on the NCAA. I know it's too much to hope it will change its rules any time soon, but for Pete's sake, can't it just take a few minutes to step back and take a good look at what's really happening? With all the truly serious transgressions that are going on, such as drug usage and recruiting violations, the NCAA sorely needs to reevaluate the importance of the issues that exist in today's world of college football.
But in this case, I think some people should step back and take a look at just what happened here. And what that was entailed some college kids who sold objects that had belonged to them.
Yes, I realize that it's a bit more complicated than that. But that is, in fact, what happened-- some college kids sold some objects that had belonged to them.
OK, I know the NCAA is concerned about schemes that amount to what might be considered a situation where its players are being paid for their play. But for one thing, it seems to me that if you give a player objects of value, then in fact you have paid that player, whether or not the player turns around and sells the objects right away, or in a month, a year, or hangs onto it forever.
All right, putting that issue aside, you let a player receive objects of value, and then tell him that he can't sell them? Really? So to what extent does the player really own that object?
Think about the position the players are in. NCAA football is big business, and they all know it. They see all the money it brings in-- to the schools, to the coaches, the sponsors and everyone else. They know that the money is ultimately coming in because people want to see them play. Yet they're not allowed to get any of the money.
It doesn't excuse what they did, but it has to be difficult for some of them, especially the ones who come from poor families. Again, I'm not saying that the players aren't culpable-- I'm just saying: Is it really that difficult to understand why they did what they did? And keeping that in mind, is what Ray Small said so unbelievable? Not that he didn't exercise poor judgment by saying what he said publicly when he said it, but that the actual content of what he said is not surprising. Players are selling memorabilia that has been given to them? Excuse me while I stand here paralyzed in shock---not!!!
Still, it's the rule, and you're supposed to follow the rules. And Tressel, who is older and was in a position where he was responsible for keeping the program in line, should definitely know that. If he was at all confused about what to do, then he should have consulted an attorney. Or maybe he did, in which case the problem was that he sould have consulted a *good* attorney.
Therefore, I do think that punishment was merited. I just don't think it was deserved anywhere near to the point that it was served. But by the time all the Barney Fifes of the NCAA jump all over it (or in this case, merely the *threat* of them jumping all over it, because it still hasn't gotten that far), you would think that someone broke into the National Archives and tore up the Constitution.
And the result is that, among other things, a good man's reputation has been tarnished forever. Also, great coach. I have been following Ohio State football since 1968, and to me, Jim Tressel is by far the best football coach the Buckeyes have had during my fandom. (Yes, I said 1968, and yes, I said "the best." And no, I didn't forget anyone.)
Shame on the NCAA. I know it's too much to hope it will change its rules any time soon, but for Pete's sake, can't it just take a few minutes to step back and take a good look at what's really happening? With all the truly serious transgressions that are going on, such as drug usage and recruiting violations, the NCAA sorely needs to reevaluate the importance of the issues that exist in today's world of college football.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
New Words
I don't know if they still do it, but Reader's Digest used to make up new words with definitions. My favorite is "xiidigitation: The process of determining the age of a TV show or film by deciphering the Roman numerals."
I decided to make my own list. It's a short one thus far. The first three all have to do with driving:
aviglace -- noun. definition: ice that flies off of a vehicle in motion
maintedroit-- verb. definition: the act of staying to the right side of the road until the last possible moment when merging onto a highway from the right
(note: the final t may be silent, in keeping with the French root, or it may be pronounced. Also, the sister word to this is "maintegauche" in cases where the merge is from the left.)
leftdangle-- verb. Definition: The action of, when attempting to make a left turn against oncoming traffic, encountering a vehicle heading in the other direction and also attempting to make a left turn, then drifting into the opposite lane, only to have the other vehicle complete the turn, leaving the given vehicle in the position where it is blocking lanes in both directions
popblockage-- Noun. Definition: When one is attempting to drink pop from a glass or cup, the situation caused by an ice cube that positions itself just below the rim, making it impossible to drink
I decided to make my own list. It's a short one thus far. The first three all have to do with driving:
aviglace -- noun. definition: ice that flies off of a vehicle in motion
maintedroit-- verb. definition: the act of staying to the right side of the road until the last possible moment when merging onto a highway from the right
(note: the final t may be silent, in keeping with the French root, or it may be pronounced. Also, the sister word to this is "maintegauche" in cases where the merge is from the left.)
leftdangle-- verb. Definition: The action of, when attempting to make a left turn against oncoming traffic, encountering a vehicle heading in the other direction and also attempting to make a left turn, then drifting into the opposite lane, only to have the other vehicle complete the turn, leaving the given vehicle in the position where it is blocking lanes in both directions
popblockage-- Noun. Definition: When one is attempting to drink pop from a glass or cup, the situation caused by an ice cube that positions itself just below the rim, making it impossible to drink
Do you Twitter?
I don't. I'm wondering whether I should though.
I don't always want everyone to know what I'm doing. And I often don't want everyone to know what I'm thinking. If I do, it usually takes me more than a couple lines to relate it.
Also, I don't have an iphone and don't think Twitter is a good enough reason by itself to get one. So I would only Twitter from home, for the most part, so none of this on-the-go stuff.
On the other hand, it might help to enhance my sports writing contacts.
I don't know--- a lot of me is like Austin Carr as far as this subject is concerned-- no true desire to jump on the bandwagon.
Any thoughts?
I don't always want everyone to know what I'm doing. And I often don't want everyone to know what I'm thinking. If I do, it usually takes me more than a couple lines to relate it.
Also, I don't have an iphone and don't think Twitter is a good enough reason by itself to get one. So I would only Twitter from home, for the most part, so none of this on-the-go stuff.
On the other hand, it might help to enhance my sports writing contacts.
I don't know--- a lot of me is like Austin Carr as far as this subject is concerned-- no true desire to jump on the bandwagon.
Any thoughts?
A quandary...
That thing in the INFP description that explains that we can become confused and paralyzd when it come to what to do with their lives... I'm dealing with some of that right now.
I'm looking to increase my income, because one of my part-time positions has been a disappointment as far as producing work. That leaves me part-time at one pension company and part-time with the newspaper. I want to keep doing both, but I need more income over the long-term, and I am thinking I might like to add on by doing something totally different from anything I have done before.
The problem is, I'm not sure how to go about searching for something like that, and so I feel stuck at the moment-- which goes back to the INFP description. In a way, it's comforting to know that this difficulty is something that has to do with my personality, because it doesn't feel so much like a personal weakness. But I don't want that to prevent me from moving forward with my search, whatever form that takes.
I've been a bit spoiled in recent years. Things that I end up doing have mostly found me rather than the other way around. I know I can't rely on that happening though.
But how do I look for something when I can't even identify what it is? I have looked through the classifieds in the newspaper to see if they give me any ideas. But there aren't as many there as there used to be, and nothing has jumped out.
Maybe I should find a career coach? I don't know.
I don't like feeling paralyzed. And I feel as though I have more to give, and I want to follow through on it. It bothers me that I don't know what that would be, and that I don't know how to find it.
I don't mean to sound so negative. I can't complain overall. But I would sure like to at least make some progress on this...
I'm looking to increase my income, because one of my part-time positions has been a disappointment as far as producing work. That leaves me part-time at one pension company and part-time with the newspaper. I want to keep doing both, but I need more income over the long-term, and I am thinking I might like to add on by doing something totally different from anything I have done before.
The problem is, I'm not sure how to go about searching for something like that, and so I feel stuck at the moment-- which goes back to the INFP description. In a way, it's comforting to know that this difficulty is something that has to do with my personality, because it doesn't feel so much like a personal weakness. But I don't want that to prevent me from moving forward with my search, whatever form that takes.
I've been a bit spoiled in recent years. Things that I end up doing have mostly found me rather than the other way around. I know I can't rely on that happening though.
But how do I look for something when I can't even identify what it is? I have looked through the classifieds in the newspaper to see if they give me any ideas. But there aren't as many there as there used to be, and nothing has jumped out.
Maybe I should find a career coach? I don't know.
I don't like feeling paralyzed. And I feel as though I have more to give, and I want to follow through on it. It bothers me that I don't know what that would be, and that I don't know how to find it.
I don't mean to sound so negative. I can't complain overall. But I would sure like to at least make some progress on this...
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Greetings from an INFP...
This week, I looked over a summary of my personality inventory, which was derived from an assessment I once took.
For those of you not familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality inventory, it's an assessment that is widely used. Realizing, of course, that everyone is an individual, and that personalities have a tendency to change over time, it can be very helpful in understanding how we react to things, why we do things, etc.
I took it some time ago, probably in the early 90's, when I was looking into changing careers. Right now, I'm looking into perhaps starting a new career while keeping a foot in pensions and one in sports writing (I know, that doesn't leave a lot of feet to go around), so when I happened to look over the summary of my personality inventory the other day, it was helpful.
Myers-Briggs uses four categories, and groups people into two classifications in each category. Thus, there are 16 possible outcomes. Mine is INFP (Introverted vs Extroverted, iNtuitive vs Sensing, Feeling vs Thinking, Perceiving vs Judging). According to what I was told when I took the test, INFPs comprise less than 1% of the population. I guess that makes us really special. Hahahaha.
When I took the test, it helped me to realize that some of my traits that I tended to think of as weaknesses were actually neither that nor strengths-- just aspects of my personality. That was a useful lesson, and it helped me to feel better about myself. When I looked at it the other day, it reminded me of the same thing with regard to things that are applicable to what I'm going through now. For example, it shed some light on why I seem to be stuck right now on how to expand my career.
Below is a description of an INFP, from personalitypage.com. Reading it, not everything about me is accurate. But so much of it is dead-on:
Portrait of an INFP - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
(Introverted Feeling with Extraverted Intuition)
________________________________________
The Idealist
As an INFP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
INFPs, more than other iNtuitive Feeling types, are focused on making the world a better place for people. Their primary goal is to find out their meaning in life. What is their purpose? How can they best serve humanity in their lives? They are idealists and perfectionists, who drive themselves hard in their quest for achieving the goals they have identified for themselves
INFPs are highly intuitive about people. They rely heavily on their intuitions to guide them, and use their discoveries to constantly search for value in life. They are on a continuous mission to find the truth and meaning underlying things. Every encounter and every piece of knowledge gained gets sifted through the INFP's value system, and is evaluated to see if it has any potential to help the INFP define or refine their own path in life. The goal at the end of the path is always the same - the INFP is driven to help people and make the world a better place.
Generally thoughtful and considerate, INFPs are good listeners and put people at ease. Although they may be reserved in expressing emotion, they have a very deep well of caring and are genuinely interested in understanding people. This sincerity is sensed by others, making the INFP a valued friend and confidante. An INFP can be quite warm with people he or she knows well.
INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right. They don't want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people's conflicts, because they intuitively understand people's perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.
INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they're interested in, it usually becomes a "cause" for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their "cause".
When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet.
INFPs do not like to deal with hard facts and logic. Their focus on their feelings and the Human Condition makes it difficult for them to deal with impersonal judgment. They don't understand or believe in the validity of impersonal judgment, which makes them naturally rather ineffective at using it. Most INFPs will avoid impersonal analysis, although some have developed this ability and are able to be quite logical. Under stress, it's not uncommon for INFPs to mis-use hard logic in the heat of anger, throwing out fact after (often inaccurate) fact in an emotional outburst.
INFPs have very high standards and are perfectionists. Consequently, they are usually hard on themselves, and don't give themselves enough credit. INFPs may have problems working on a project in a group, because their standards are likely to be higher than other members' of the group. In group situations, they may have a "control" problem. The INFP needs to work on balancing their high ideals with the requirements of every day living. Without resolving this conflict, they will never be happy with themselves, and they may become confused and paralyzed about what to do with their lives.
INFPs are usually talented writers. They may be awkard and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a wonderful ability to define and express what they're feeling on paper. INFPs also appear frequently in social service professions, such as counselling or teaching. They are at their best in situations where they're working towards the public good, and in which they don't need to use hard logic.
INFPs who function in their well-developed sides can accomplish great and wonderful things, which they will rarely give themselves credit for. Some of the great, humanistic catalysts in the world have been INFPs.
Jungian functional preference ordering:
Dominant: Introverted Feeling
Auxiliary: Extraverted Intuition
Tertiary: Introverted Sensing
Inferior: Extraverted Thinking
For those of you not familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality inventory, it's an assessment that is widely used. Realizing, of course, that everyone is an individual, and that personalities have a tendency to change over time, it can be very helpful in understanding how we react to things, why we do things, etc.
I took it some time ago, probably in the early 90's, when I was looking into changing careers. Right now, I'm looking into perhaps starting a new career while keeping a foot in pensions and one in sports writing (I know, that doesn't leave a lot of feet to go around), so when I happened to look over the summary of my personality inventory the other day, it was helpful.
Myers-Briggs uses four categories, and groups people into two classifications in each category. Thus, there are 16 possible outcomes. Mine is INFP (Introverted vs Extroverted, iNtuitive vs Sensing, Feeling vs Thinking, Perceiving vs Judging). According to what I was told when I took the test, INFPs comprise less than 1% of the population. I guess that makes us really special. Hahahaha.
When I took the test, it helped me to realize that some of my traits that I tended to think of as weaknesses were actually neither that nor strengths-- just aspects of my personality. That was a useful lesson, and it helped me to feel better about myself. When I looked at it the other day, it reminded me of the same thing with regard to things that are applicable to what I'm going through now. For example, it shed some light on why I seem to be stuck right now on how to expand my career.
Below is a description of an INFP, from personalitypage.com. Reading it, not everything about me is accurate. But so much of it is dead-on:
Portrait of an INFP - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
(Introverted Feeling with Extraverted Intuition)
________________________________________
The Idealist
As an INFP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
INFPs, more than other iNtuitive Feeling types, are focused on making the world a better place for people. Their primary goal is to find out their meaning in life. What is their purpose? How can they best serve humanity in their lives? They are idealists and perfectionists, who drive themselves hard in their quest for achieving the goals they have identified for themselves
INFPs are highly intuitive about people. They rely heavily on their intuitions to guide them, and use their discoveries to constantly search for value in life. They are on a continuous mission to find the truth and meaning underlying things. Every encounter and every piece of knowledge gained gets sifted through the INFP's value system, and is evaluated to see if it has any potential to help the INFP define or refine their own path in life. The goal at the end of the path is always the same - the INFP is driven to help people and make the world a better place.
Generally thoughtful and considerate, INFPs are good listeners and put people at ease. Although they may be reserved in expressing emotion, they have a very deep well of caring and are genuinely interested in understanding people. This sincerity is sensed by others, making the INFP a valued friend and confidante. An INFP can be quite warm with people he or she knows well.
INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right. They don't want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people's conflicts, because they intuitively understand people's perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.
INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they're interested in, it usually becomes a "cause" for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their "cause".
When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet.
INFPs do not like to deal with hard facts and logic. Their focus on their feelings and the Human Condition makes it difficult for them to deal with impersonal judgment. They don't understand or believe in the validity of impersonal judgment, which makes them naturally rather ineffective at using it. Most INFPs will avoid impersonal analysis, although some have developed this ability and are able to be quite logical. Under stress, it's not uncommon for INFPs to mis-use hard logic in the heat of anger, throwing out fact after (often inaccurate) fact in an emotional outburst.
INFPs have very high standards and are perfectionists. Consequently, they are usually hard on themselves, and don't give themselves enough credit. INFPs may have problems working on a project in a group, because their standards are likely to be higher than other members' of the group. In group situations, they may have a "control" problem. The INFP needs to work on balancing their high ideals with the requirements of every day living. Without resolving this conflict, they will never be happy with themselves, and they may become confused and paralyzed about what to do with their lives.
INFPs are usually talented writers. They may be awkard and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a wonderful ability to define and express what they're feeling on paper. INFPs also appear frequently in social service professions, such as counselling or teaching. They are at their best in situations where they're working towards the public good, and in which they don't need to use hard logic.
INFPs who function in their well-developed sides can accomplish great and wonderful things, which they will rarely give themselves credit for. Some of the great, humanistic catalysts in the world have been INFPs.
Jungian functional preference ordering:
Dominant: Introverted Feeling
Auxiliary: Extraverted Intuition
Tertiary: Introverted Sensing
Inferior: Extraverted Thinking
Sunday, April 17, 2011
What happened 28 years ago today?
This is not a quiz, as very few of you would have a chance to know the answer.
Before I get to that, though, I am still getting used to the intricacies of this site. I just found out that there is one button I can click on to see all the comments that have ever been posted here. That's nice to know. I though I had to look at them one by one.
Just finished my taxes. They will be mailed tomorrow. I transposed two digits when I did them before, so I owe about $270 to Uncle Sam instead of $150. (Hey, I am only a mathematician; I am not perfect. There are brilliant mathematicians who have trouble adding a column of numbers.) I owe Ohio (sounds like a song, doesn't it?) but Rita owes me. All in all, I'm down a few hundred.
Still better than what I'm used to. In recent years, most of my income has been of the 1099 variety, and I didn't withhold or pay estimates. So this time of year, I would have to make out a rather large check.
Anyway, speaking of income, 28 years ago today, April 18, 1983, I started my first job in the field of pensions. That field and I have had our go-rounds in the time since, but here I am, still in it. (Sometimes I feel very deep in it. LOL.) Of course, now I am an actuary, so I'm supposed to know what I'm doing. (Seriously, if you do pretty much anything for 28 years, and people still want you to work for them, I think you must have done something right.)
I remember that first day. I was 24 going on 25. (Cue "The Sound of Music" soundtrack.) I really didn't know what to expect, although I was confident I could do the work. But I was self-conscious about what others might have been thinking about me, so I wrote a couple mathematical formulas on the pad on my desk, so people wouldn't think I knew absolutely nothing. That seems *really* silly now.
A lot has happened since that day. I recall in the early 90's, I think, when my friend Dan Plonsey and I were sitting on washing machines in a Berkeley laundromat, and we were comparing notes on our careers. I felt as though something was missing-- that I wanted to create things. And not too long after that, thanks in large part to Gary Veverka, the opportunity to do sports writing for the Star Beacon fell into my lap. And I have been in that field for more than 17 years now. It does give me the constant opportunity to create. And of all the things I do, it gives me the most pleasure, and everyone, including those I work for and have worked for in pensions, knows that.
Still, I remain in pensions. There are a lot of things I like about it, including the fact it challenges me. There was a time --from 2003 to 2005, to be exact-- when I had lost most of my interest in it and thought I was going to go into teaching. That took a detour, though, but at about the same time, pensions became interesting to me again. As a friend of mine suggested, maybe I just needed some time to step back from it. But I have never left the field.
Well, Happy Anniversary, pension field. You and I have had our ups and our downs, but there are a lot of good things about our relationship, and I hope it does continue for many more years.
Before I get to that, though, I am still getting used to the intricacies of this site. I just found out that there is one button I can click on to see all the comments that have ever been posted here. That's nice to know. I though I had to look at them one by one.
Just finished my taxes. They will be mailed tomorrow. I transposed two digits when I did them before, so I owe about $270 to Uncle Sam instead of $150. (Hey, I am only a mathematician; I am not perfect. There are brilliant mathematicians who have trouble adding a column of numbers.) I owe Ohio (sounds like a song, doesn't it?) but Rita owes me. All in all, I'm down a few hundred.
Still better than what I'm used to. In recent years, most of my income has been of the 1099 variety, and I didn't withhold or pay estimates. So this time of year, I would have to make out a rather large check.
Anyway, speaking of income, 28 years ago today, April 18, 1983, I started my first job in the field of pensions. That field and I have had our go-rounds in the time since, but here I am, still in it. (Sometimes I feel very deep in it. LOL.) Of course, now I am an actuary, so I'm supposed to know what I'm doing. (Seriously, if you do pretty much anything for 28 years, and people still want you to work for them, I think you must have done something right.)
I remember that first day. I was 24 going on 25. (Cue "The Sound of Music" soundtrack.) I really didn't know what to expect, although I was confident I could do the work. But I was self-conscious about what others might have been thinking about me, so I wrote a couple mathematical formulas on the pad on my desk, so people wouldn't think I knew absolutely nothing. That seems *really* silly now.
A lot has happened since that day. I recall in the early 90's, I think, when my friend Dan Plonsey and I were sitting on washing machines in a Berkeley laundromat, and we were comparing notes on our careers. I felt as though something was missing-- that I wanted to create things. And not too long after that, thanks in large part to Gary Veverka, the opportunity to do sports writing for the Star Beacon fell into my lap. And I have been in that field for more than 17 years now. It does give me the constant opportunity to create. And of all the things I do, it gives me the most pleasure, and everyone, including those I work for and have worked for in pensions, knows that.
Still, I remain in pensions. There are a lot of things I like about it, including the fact it challenges me. There was a time --from 2003 to 2005, to be exact-- when I had lost most of my interest in it and thought I was going to go into teaching. That took a detour, though, but at about the same time, pensions became interesting to me again. As a friend of mine suggested, maybe I just needed some time to step back from it. But I have never left the field.
Well, Happy Anniversary, pension field. You and I have had our ups and our downs, but there are a lot of good things about our relationship, and I hope it does continue for many more years.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Weekend stuff
I haven't been writing here much lately. Sorry about that. But I guess that's one of the good things about a blog-- that one can write as often as one wants.
This weekend has been kind of weird. One of the good things is that my taxes are pretty much ready to be done with final numbers. (Yay!) And it looks like I will owe Uncle Sam only about $150. (Double yay!) In recent years it has been a lot more. I have had a lot of unincorporated income that I didn't withhold from, that I didn't have in 2010.
BTW, the correct spelling is "Yea!" but most people don't know what you're talking about when you type that...
Also, the Indians have won 6 in a row after dropping the first two. It's still early, but there is reason to be hopeful. And a good start to the season helps bring more fans into the seats.
Speaking of good starts, the weekend didn't get off to one. I was at work on Friday, when something happened that got me upset. It wasn't anyone's fault, and nobody even noticed it but me. But anyway, I couldn't eat after that, and it takes a major jolt to do that to me. (Funny thing was, I was hungry. Eventually I ordered pizza after I was home. But that afternoon, I was not in the mood to eat.)
I'm a sensitive person. Most of the time, I don't think I'm overly so, but I am sensitive. Sometimes people say that men aren't supposed to be sensitive, but the heck with that. I don't believe in that kind of stuff, and even so, I am who I am anyway. As I alluded to, as long as things don't get out of hand often. Maybe they did on Friday though, because when you get down to it, what I was upset about was pretty stupid. Yet it's still bothering me, albeit not to the degree it did on Friday afternoon. ("Albeit"-- often heard at the start of a game of Hide-and-go-Seek.")
Sorry for being so cryptic; I just don't want to talk about it right now. I suppose I should talk about it with someone; there are people who know about the situation, and a few others who don't but with whom I would feel comfortable in talking about it.
Anyway, the weekend is wrapping up. That can get me down on occasion, although we have most of Sunday left (at least the way my waking hours run, it's most of the day). Besides that, though, I try to look to the good things throughout the week. This is very similar to how I try to extend the type of spirit we usually encounter around Christmas (even if one doesn't celebrate Christmas, they can enjoy the spirit of the holiday season and join in that spirit) so that it lasts year-round. Often not all that easy to do, I realize, but that's my general philosophy, anyway. Life is truly a miracle, and we should try to spend as much time as we can enjoying it. And that can mean different things to different people.
OK, not so much concrete stuff today. Just saying what's on my mind. Next time maybe it will be about one specific subject. Or maybe not. That's another great thing about these blogs--- we can write about pretty much whatever we want...
This weekend has been kind of weird. One of the good things is that my taxes are pretty much ready to be done with final numbers. (Yay!) And it looks like I will owe Uncle Sam only about $150. (Double yay!) In recent years it has been a lot more. I have had a lot of unincorporated income that I didn't withhold from, that I didn't have in 2010.
BTW, the correct spelling is "Yea!" but most people don't know what you're talking about when you type that...
Also, the Indians have won 6 in a row after dropping the first two. It's still early, but there is reason to be hopeful. And a good start to the season helps bring more fans into the seats.
Speaking of good starts, the weekend didn't get off to one. I was at work on Friday, when something happened that got me upset. It wasn't anyone's fault, and nobody even noticed it but me. But anyway, I couldn't eat after that, and it takes a major jolt to do that to me. (Funny thing was, I was hungry. Eventually I ordered pizza after I was home. But that afternoon, I was not in the mood to eat.)
I'm a sensitive person. Most of the time, I don't think I'm overly so, but I am sensitive. Sometimes people say that men aren't supposed to be sensitive, but the heck with that. I don't believe in that kind of stuff, and even so, I am who I am anyway. As I alluded to, as long as things don't get out of hand often. Maybe they did on Friday though, because when you get down to it, what I was upset about was pretty stupid. Yet it's still bothering me, albeit not to the degree it did on Friday afternoon. ("Albeit"-- often heard at the start of a game of Hide-and-go-Seek.")
Sorry for being so cryptic; I just don't want to talk about it right now. I suppose I should talk about it with someone; there are people who know about the situation, and a few others who don't but with whom I would feel comfortable in talking about it.
Anyway, the weekend is wrapping up. That can get me down on occasion, although we have most of Sunday left (at least the way my waking hours run, it's most of the day). Besides that, though, I try to look to the good things throughout the week. This is very similar to how I try to extend the type of spirit we usually encounter around Christmas (even if one doesn't celebrate Christmas, they can enjoy the spirit of the holiday season and join in that spirit) so that it lasts year-round. Often not all that easy to do, I realize, but that's my general philosophy, anyway. Life is truly a miracle, and we should try to spend as much time as we can enjoying it. And that can mean different things to different people.
OK, not so much concrete stuff today. Just saying what's on my mind. Next time maybe it will be about one specific subject. Or maybe not. That's another great thing about these blogs--- we can write about pretty much whatever we want...
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Opening weekend
Opening weekend is in the books for the Indians. They opened at home this year against the White Sox, losing the first two and winning today.
Funny thing about the home opener in recent years. They always sell out for the opener. Then the crowd disappears for the next game.
It wasn't always that way. Remember the 455-game sellout streak, which obviously included several Game 2's and 3's.
But when I was a kid, it was pretty much the same. I remember 1973, when I fought my way into the old Stadium against more than 70,000 others. Didn't arrive until the second inning. The Indians were up 2-0 against the Tigers, and they ended up winning 2-1.
Then the next day, I think there were fewer fans than there were today. And today set a record for the smallest crowd in Progressive Field--or Jacobs Field-- or whatevr-- history.
Opening Day this year reminded me of when I was 12, and I made my way downtown to watch the Tribe beat Boston 3-2 on Gomer Hodge's two-run, two-out ninth-inning single.
I've been to many more home openers since. Most recently, I have covered 12 of the last 13 for the Star Beacon. (The exception was in 2004, when I was taking a class at CSU, and had a presentation to give.) Other memorable ones: 1975, Frank Robinson's debut as baseball's first black manager, in which he homered. 1982, when Bert Blyleven made his Indian debut. 1993, the final home opener at the Stadium. And that game in the early 90's---was it 1992?-- that went about 17 innings before the Tribe lost.
Truth is, as a writer, I like the second game more than the first. Pretty much only the usual media are there, and you don't have to fight your way for every inch.
The Indians aren't supposed to contend this year. But although it would be nice if they did, hey, I'm a baseball fan. I'm going to enjoy the season no matter what happens.
Funny thing about the home opener in recent years. They always sell out for the opener. Then the crowd disappears for the next game.
It wasn't always that way. Remember the 455-game sellout streak, which obviously included several Game 2's and 3's.
But when I was a kid, it was pretty much the same. I remember 1973, when I fought my way into the old Stadium against more than 70,000 others. Didn't arrive until the second inning. The Indians were up 2-0 against the Tigers, and they ended up winning 2-1.
Then the next day, I think there were fewer fans than there were today. And today set a record for the smallest crowd in Progressive Field--or Jacobs Field-- or whatevr-- history.
Opening Day this year reminded me of when I was 12, and I made my way downtown to watch the Tribe beat Boston 3-2 on Gomer Hodge's two-run, two-out ninth-inning single.
I've been to many more home openers since. Most recently, I have covered 12 of the last 13 for the Star Beacon. (The exception was in 2004, when I was taking a class at CSU, and had a presentation to give.) Other memorable ones: 1975, Frank Robinson's debut as baseball's first black manager, in which he homered. 1982, when Bert Blyleven made his Indian debut. 1993, the final home opener at the Stadium. And that game in the early 90's---was it 1992?-- that went about 17 innings before the Tribe lost.
Truth is, as a writer, I like the second game more than the first. Pretty much only the usual media are there, and you don't have to fight your way for every inch.
The Indians aren't supposed to contend this year. But although it would be nice if they did, hey, I'm a baseball fan. I'm going to enjoy the season no matter what happens.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Winning and Losing
We all like to win. But sometimes we get carried away with it enough so that we forget certain things.
I remember the episode of "Bewitched" where Samantha, who was hiding in Tabitha's preschool classroom, heard the teacher say, "It's all right to lose. But it's grand to win." To which Samantha rolled her eyes, as if to say, "THIS is what you're teaching my child?"
As I said, we all like to win. We often forget, however, that there are other things involved in competition. Like sportsmanship, for example.
A while ago, I wrote a column on how distracting foul shooters is not good sportsmanship, even though the NBA seems to condone it. Lately I have seen some of the cheerleading squads jump in at the high school level. Madison, in particular, has one "cheer" where they stand there squawking like some kind of sick bird when an opponent is at the foul line. Really??? I think it's time for the cheerleading coaches to re-evaluate what's important. I talked to two former HS basketball cheerleaders, who told me their squads never did that. One, in fact, said that they weren't allowed to. But we're in the 2010's now-- bigger, stronger, faster, ruder.
BTW, if Madison really wants to distract the foul shooters, it seems to me they shouldn't all "squawk" at the same time and pitch. They should just squawk randomly and at different pitches, so the shooter can't tell what is coming next. I shouldn't say this, because I am apt to give someone ideas. But I dare Madison to try that, and see how well that goes over. C'mon, girls. I dare you.
OSU's loss to Kentucky in the "Sweet 15 and one Sourpuss" has brought forth FB discussions that make me think of other issues. Some people think they didn't try hard enough. Now and then, that is an accurate assessment of a team's performance. But I think it is overused, and I don't think it applied here. The Wildcats had a good strategy, and OSU had an off-shooting night. For the most part, I think that was the explanation. But when a favorite loses, there will always be some that say that they didn't try hard enough.
I was amused by the announcer's assessment of the upset at game's end. He talked as though it was a huge one. In fact, the Buckeyes were 5 1/2 point favorites, which pretty much by definition makes it a mild one.
I think sometimes, tournaments make people forget their mathematics. True, OSU was the overall #1 seed. But it was commonly said that there is no dominant team in the tourney, and that going in, any one of 20 teams could walk away with the title. Now, consider Ky was a #4 seed. That's effectively equivalent to a #13-16 ranking. If such a team would have beaten OSU on a neutral floor during the regular season, sure the fans would have been disappointed. But it would have been considered a minor upset, and we would have heard about how one can expect these things during the course of the regular season.
Yes, the tournament is different from the regular season, and there are certain aspects in which teams prepare differently. But playing one's best is not something that can easily be controlled. Yes, the great players tend to ramp it up (thank you, Eric Wedge) when the game is bigger, but even they can't totally control how they play every game.
I go back to a former softball teammate of mine-- a longtime veteran of the local lots. She said that "When you take the field, you never know just who it is that is going out there. It could be Steve the hero, or Steve the goat. And I have learb=ned over time that you can't control it."
One other thing that I think probably all sports fans as well as athletes are sometimes guilty of, at least to a degree, is that we tend to take somewhat of a Machiavellian attitude. That is to say that we look at it as though we are the only ones who affect the situation.
For example, about 15 years ago, a friend of mine and I went to the Horseshoe in Columbus to cover the HS state track meet. Edgewood had a runner named Andy Greicius, who was one of the top distance runners in the state. I think it was the mile race we were watching, when Andy was winning, but eventually the guy in second place caught and passed him, and won.
My friend said something to the effect of how Greicius blew it, and I said something of the opposite opinion. My friend responded by saying, "When you run a race, you're supposed to go out there to win. You do everything you can to win."
I didn't say anything, because I didn't want to get into an argument. But though I couldn't disagree with the statement, shouldn't it apply to the other guy too? Don't you think he was doing everything within his power to win? Yes, you do everything you can to win, but in most races, especially of that level, there are others who are doing the same. Then it comes down to who is better that day, which might be because they are a better overall runner, or because they had a better strategy, or because the weather conditions favored them, or because one had a good day, or because one had an off day. Or a host of other reasons. You are not the only runner in the race, and the fact you are doing everything you can to win doesn't mean you are going to win. It does mean that you left everything on the track, and if you win, great. If you don't, you have nothing to regret.
Greicius tried his best. The fact that he did everything he could to try to win, or the fact he went to a school in our coverage area (which is what the comment in effect comes down to, when you think about it) doesn't mean he was going to win. And the fact he did not win doesn't mean he didn't do everything he could.
I suppose that being a fan of Cleveland pro sports teams helps us remember some of these issues. After all, our teams *never* win the championship (or they haven't, from 1964 to this point). I guess that as a result, there might be a tendency for us to think about some of the issues that go into them. Maybe that's why I spend so much time thinking about them...
I remember the episode of "Bewitched" where Samantha, who was hiding in Tabitha's preschool classroom, heard the teacher say, "It's all right to lose. But it's grand to win." To which Samantha rolled her eyes, as if to say, "THIS is what you're teaching my child?"
As I said, we all like to win. We often forget, however, that there are other things involved in competition. Like sportsmanship, for example.
A while ago, I wrote a column on how distracting foul shooters is not good sportsmanship, even though the NBA seems to condone it. Lately I have seen some of the cheerleading squads jump in at the high school level. Madison, in particular, has one "cheer" where they stand there squawking like some kind of sick bird when an opponent is at the foul line. Really??? I think it's time for the cheerleading coaches to re-evaluate what's important. I talked to two former HS basketball cheerleaders, who told me their squads never did that. One, in fact, said that they weren't allowed to. But we're in the 2010's now-- bigger, stronger, faster, ruder.
BTW, if Madison really wants to distract the foul shooters, it seems to me they shouldn't all "squawk" at the same time and pitch. They should just squawk randomly and at different pitches, so the shooter can't tell what is coming next. I shouldn't say this, because I am apt to give someone ideas. But I dare Madison to try that, and see how well that goes over. C'mon, girls. I dare you.
OSU's loss to Kentucky in the "Sweet 15 and one Sourpuss" has brought forth FB discussions that make me think of other issues. Some people think they didn't try hard enough. Now and then, that is an accurate assessment of a team's performance. But I think it is overused, and I don't think it applied here. The Wildcats had a good strategy, and OSU had an off-shooting night. For the most part, I think that was the explanation. But when a favorite loses, there will always be some that say that they didn't try hard enough.
I was amused by the announcer's assessment of the upset at game's end. He talked as though it was a huge one. In fact, the Buckeyes were 5 1/2 point favorites, which pretty much by definition makes it a mild one.
I think sometimes, tournaments make people forget their mathematics. True, OSU was the overall #1 seed. But it was commonly said that there is no dominant team in the tourney, and that going in, any one of 20 teams could walk away with the title. Now, consider Ky was a #4 seed. That's effectively equivalent to a #13-16 ranking. If such a team would have beaten OSU on a neutral floor during the regular season, sure the fans would have been disappointed. But it would have been considered a minor upset, and we would have heard about how one can expect these things during the course of the regular season.
Yes, the tournament is different from the regular season, and there are certain aspects in which teams prepare differently. But playing one's best is not something that can easily be controlled. Yes, the great players tend to ramp it up (thank you, Eric Wedge) when the game is bigger, but even they can't totally control how they play every game.
I go back to a former softball teammate of mine-- a longtime veteran of the local lots. She said that "When you take the field, you never know just who it is that is going out there. It could be Steve the hero, or Steve the goat. And I have learb=ned over time that you can't control it."
One other thing that I think probably all sports fans as well as athletes are sometimes guilty of, at least to a degree, is that we tend to take somewhat of a Machiavellian attitude. That is to say that we look at it as though we are the only ones who affect the situation.
For example, about 15 years ago, a friend of mine and I went to the Horseshoe in Columbus to cover the HS state track meet. Edgewood had a runner named Andy Greicius, who was one of the top distance runners in the state. I think it was the mile race we were watching, when Andy was winning, but eventually the guy in second place caught and passed him, and won.
My friend said something to the effect of how Greicius blew it, and I said something of the opposite opinion. My friend responded by saying, "When you run a race, you're supposed to go out there to win. You do everything you can to win."
I didn't say anything, because I didn't want to get into an argument. But though I couldn't disagree with the statement, shouldn't it apply to the other guy too? Don't you think he was doing everything within his power to win? Yes, you do everything you can to win, but in most races, especially of that level, there are others who are doing the same. Then it comes down to who is better that day, which might be because they are a better overall runner, or because they had a better strategy, or because the weather conditions favored them, or because one had a good day, or because one had an off day. Or a host of other reasons. You are not the only runner in the race, and the fact you are doing everything you can to win doesn't mean you are going to win. It does mean that you left everything on the track, and if you win, great. If you don't, you have nothing to regret.
Greicius tried his best. The fact that he did everything he could to try to win, or the fact he went to a school in our coverage area (which is what the comment in effect comes down to, when you think about it) doesn't mean he was going to win. And the fact he did not win doesn't mean he didn't do everything he could.
I suppose that being a fan of Cleveland pro sports teams helps us remember some of these issues. After all, our teams *never* win the championship (or they haven't, from 1964 to this point). I guess that as a result, there might be a tendency for us to think about some of the issues that go into them. Maybe that's why I spend so much time thinking about them...
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The Dislike Button
Taking advantage of a grumpy mood to run down a few things that irritate me in one way or another. Hope I don't offend anyone. I'm sure not all of you will agree with all of them. Even the first one, I know some people won't agree at all:
*The North Face-- I'm sure they must make good products, because of the husiness they do. But anyone who is smug enough to put their name on BOTH sides of the product...
*The 3-point shot-- John Thompson once said that he would rather see a small circle around the basket, inside of which all baskets made count for 3 points. I wouldn't go that far, but he gets it. I get much more pleasure from seeing a team work for an easy shot than seeing someone heave one in from far outside. One fan I talked to said that the 3-pointer ruined basketball. Again, I wouldn't go that far. But it could disappear from all levels of basketball over the summer, and I wouldn't miss it.
*Warrensville Heights High School-- This is sad, in a way, because I spent my K-3 years in the system. But the high school, and really the whole system, has become a total disaster.
There are times when you need to sit down, think about things, and realize that what you have on your hands just does not work-- and then tear it down and start over. They really need to do this. Keep the expensive gym (a stupid use of money, given the state of things) and destroy everything else.
*Our country's continued resistance to revamping the health care system--Don't get me started.
More to come...
*The North Face-- I'm sure they must make good products, because of the husiness they do. But anyone who is smug enough to put their name on BOTH sides of the product...
*The 3-point shot-- John Thompson once said that he would rather see a small circle around the basket, inside of which all baskets made count for 3 points. I wouldn't go that far, but he gets it. I get much more pleasure from seeing a team work for an easy shot than seeing someone heave one in from far outside. One fan I talked to said that the 3-pointer ruined basketball. Again, I wouldn't go that far. But it could disappear from all levels of basketball over the summer, and I wouldn't miss it.
*Warrensville Heights High School-- This is sad, in a way, because I spent my K-3 years in the system. But the high school, and really the whole system, has become a total disaster.
There are times when you need to sit down, think about things, and realize that what you have on your hands just does not work-- and then tear it down and start over. They really need to do this. Keep the expensive gym (a stupid use of money, given the state of things) and destroy everything else.
*Our country's continued resistance to revamping the health care system--Don't get me started.
More to come...
Monday, March 14, 2011
2 years already??
My dad, Myron W. "Bill" Goldman, passed away two years ago today.
I can't believe that much time has gone by already.
I still catch myself thinking that I have to pick up the phone to call dad to tell him something, or that he's doing something in his condo near Shaker Square. But then again, I still catch myself having similar thoughts about my mom. She passed away in 1991.
When my grandmother passed away in 1987, dad said he felt like an orphan. I thought that sounded strange at the time. Actually, I didn't identify with that until recently. Now I'm starting to feel that way sometimes.
That "circle of life" stuff doesn't apply to everyone-- I don't have any children of my own-- but I do feel that in some ways, my role in the human race has shifted a bit. I used to depend on my parents for everything when I was a lot younger. I don't have anyone depending on me in quite the same way, but now, as someone who has passed the median age (not sure what that is or when I passed it, but I know I have), there are many people who depend on people of my age group to lead the way in certain aspects, I guess.
Dad passed away at 4:15 a.m., March 14, 2009, peacefully in a hospice at Montefiore. He had lived the prior 60+ years in the Cleveland area after being born and raised in Auburn, NY, getting his degree from Cornell University and serving in the Navy in the Pacific in WWII.
My sisters and I have tons of fond memories, from the entire span of time we shared. And I'm very glad that he got to know all 3 of his granddaughters. (My mom passed away before the oldest one was born.)
I'm thinking of you today, dad. I do every day.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Various short comments
I'll have some comments that are very short-- often one-liners.
Here's the first one: Shouldn't that annoying baby on the e-trade commercials be an annoying toddler by now?
(If you look close, you can see that the so-called actors change periodically-- which, of course, they have had to.)
OK, I'm going to add the second one, since the occasion came when my pizza arrived as I was writing the above:
The pizza came with coupons that expire 2/28/11. How generous!!
Here's the first one: Shouldn't that annoying baby on the e-trade commercials be an annoying toddler by now?
(If you look close, you can see that the so-called actors change periodically-- which, of course, they have had to.)
OK, I'm going to add the second one, since the occasion came when my pizza arrived as I was writing the above:
The pizza came with coupons that expire 2/28/11. How generous!!
Bracketology
Go Buckeyes!
I have watched so much NCAA basketball over the last several days, and the big dance hasn't even begun yet!
Unfortunately, given the amount of HS basketball I watch during the winter, and given that most of whatever time I have left that I wish to devote to bball usually goes to the Cavs (yes, I'm a die-hard), I don't get to see much college basketball through most of the season. Now I finally have the chance. I'm always interested, whether or not the Buckeyes are good.
One thing I wanted to say about the interview with selection committee chairman (also OSU AD) Gene Smith. Or rather, something I would like to say *to* him: Dude, why even bother?
Most of that interview settled or accomplished nothing. For example, the first question he was asked was why Colorado was omitted from the field. I'm paraphrasing here, but his answer was something like this:
"Colorado is a good team. We considered them seriously. There were 15 criteria on our nitty-gritty list. Different committee members placed different values on the various criteria. In the end, Colorado received less votes than other teams, because too many committee members felt there were other teams that were more deserving."
Ummm, gee, thanks. That really clears THAT up.
Anyway, the tournament should be fun, as always. I don't think there are any real juggernaut teams, but I hope I'm wrong, and Ohio State turns out to be one, and the biggest one...
I have watched so much NCAA basketball over the last several days, and the big dance hasn't even begun yet!
Unfortunately, given the amount of HS basketball I watch during the winter, and given that most of whatever time I have left that I wish to devote to bball usually goes to the Cavs (yes, I'm a die-hard), I don't get to see much college basketball through most of the season. Now I finally have the chance. I'm always interested, whether or not the Buckeyes are good.
One thing I wanted to say about the interview with selection committee chairman (also OSU AD) Gene Smith. Or rather, something I would like to say *to* him: Dude, why even bother?
Most of that interview settled or accomplished nothing. For example, the first question he was asked was why Colorado was omitted from the field. I'm paraphrasing here, but his answer was something like this:
"Colorado is a good team. We considered them seriously. There were 15 criteria on our nitty-gritty list. Different committee members placed different values on the various criteria. In the end, Colorado received less votes than other teams, because too many committee members felt there were other teams that were more deserving."
Ummm, gee, thanks. That really clears THAT up.
Anyway, the tournament should be fun, as always. I don't think there are any real juggernaut teams, but I hope I'm wrong, and Ohio State turns out to be one, and the biggest one...
Friday, March 11, 2011
Snow Day
As my neighbor just said to me as I trudged into the house, I thought this was pretty much behind us.
We have a snow day at work. I didn't know, but rather than check first I decided to go in anyway, because I have work to do. But when I got there, I could see there was a chance my car would get stuck going into the lot. Having had a similar experience at home recently, I got disgusted and decided to go home.
When I got home, I found that I couldn't get into my driveway. (My snow plow guy has apparently decided to take a snow day too.) I tried to park on the street, but I was unable to do that. Feeling as though I was out of options, I parked in a major lot about a half-mile from here, and walked home. (I realize this is contradictory in some ways from what I did at work, but there are differences which I won't go into now.
Here's my main point: I hate inter. I hate the snow, and I hate the ice. I especially hate driving in wintry conditions.
There's really no reason for me to be in this part of the country, except for the ties that I have here. My dad pretty much felt the same way. He once told me that if he were going to move to a warmer climate, the time to do it would have been after he got his social work degree at SASS (of CWRU). Me too. Not SASS, but after I graduated from college. The fact is, I thought about it before and at that time, but it would have been a Herculean task for me, given the circumstances, which were that I was very shy at that time. (I found out later that I had what is now called Social Anxiety Disorder, which I don't think had even been discovered yet.)
Well, then again, if dad had moved, he wouldn't have met mom (and to quote Edith Bunker, "and Gloria would have looked different"). Had I moved, there are things that wouldn't have happened.
Still, I think about moving, although I doubt I will, at least for a long time. There are too many things that tie me here that are very important to me.
I have always liked two of the seasons. And in more recent years, I have come to appreciate fall, once I am able to put aside the fact that it reminds me that winter is coming. But to me, about the only redeeming value that winter has is that if you leave something with mayonnaise in your car overnight, it might still be safe to eat.
One person I know told me he adapted to winter by learning how to ski. Well, the metal pin in my shoukler has an issue with that. Actually, the more important thing is that I didn't like skiing before I got hurt (in 1980). As a rule, I don't at all like to feel as if I am not in control of my feet. That goes for ice skating and roller skating, as well as other things. And even if I liked skiing, that wouldn't make up for the driving. So either I am stuck, or I will move. Maybe someday...
We have a snow day at work. I didn't know, but rather than check first I decided to go in anyway, because I have work to do. But when I got there, I could see there was a chance my car would get stuck going into the lot. Having had a similar experience at home recently, I got disgusted and decided to go home.
When I got home, I found that I couldn't get into my driveway. (My snow plow guy has apparently decided to take a snow day too.) I tried to park on the street, but I was unable to do that. Feeling as though I was out of options, I parked in a major lot about a half-mile from here, and walked home. (I realize this is contradictory in some ways from what I did at work, but there are differences which I won't go into now.
Here's my main point: I hate inter. I hate the snow, and I hate the ice. I especially hate driving in wintry conditions.
There's really no reason for me to be in this part of the country, except for the ties that I have here. My dad pretty much felt the same way. He once told me that if he were going to move to a warmer climate, the time to do it would have been after he got his social work degree at SASS (of CWRU). Me too. Not SASS, but after I graduated from college. The fact is, I thought about it before and at that time, but it would have been a Herculean task for me, given the circumstances, which were that I was very shy at that time. (I found out later that I had what is now called Social Anxiety Disorder, which I don't think had even been discovered yet.)
Well, then again, if dad had moved, he wouldn't have met mom (and to quote Edith Bunker, "and Gloria would have looked different"). Had I moved, there are things that wouldn't have happened.
Still, I think about moving, although I doubt I will, at least for a long time. There are too many things that tie me here that are very important to me.
I have always liked two of the seasons. And in more recent years, I have come to appreciate fall, once I am able to put aside the fact that it reminds me that winter is coming. But to me, about the only redeeming value that winter has is that if you leave something with mayonnaise in your car overnight, it might still be safe to eat.
One person I know told me he adapted to winter by learning how to ski. Well, the metal pin in my shoukler has an issue with that. Actually, the more important thing is that I didn't like skiing before I got hurt (in 1980). As a rule, I don't at all like to feel as if I am not in control of my feet. That goes for ice skating and roller skating, as well as other things. And even if I liked skiing, that wouldn't make up for the driving. So either I am stuck, or I will move. Maybe someday...
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
computer problems, weather problems, etc.
Sheesh. Just when I was ready to get this thing up and running. Massive computer problems. Hopefully they are all behind now, save for the fact I have to address my laptop.
This area has been paralyzed the last couple days because of snow and ice. Good time to catch up on a few things. The worst is supposedly behind us now.
This area has been paralyzed the last couple days because of snow and ice. Good time to catch up on a few things. The worst is supposedly behind us now.
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