300sixtyfive

Day 328. The Nittany One.

2012-01-21T19:44:00.000-05:00

I'm kicking myself right now. I'm kicking myself because the point of this blog is to recognize people NOW, in the present for being and/or doing good - not to wait until its too late. And, unfortunately, this post is triggered by reports of the subject being in poor health and potentially near death (implied).

I want to recognize Joe Paterno.

If that hasn't already triggered an emotional reaction in you - one way or another - I'd be surprised. And that's why I shied away from this post before. The past few months have been too charged with horrible, unforgivable allegations involving many people - a lot of which have yet to be definitely sorted out. And ALL of which are of those most non-defensible nature.

In the spirit of full disclosure, my husband is a Penn State graduate and, through him, I have met many Penn State alumni. But that is part of what informs this post. One of my husband's most prized possession is a photo of him with JoePa during his undergraduate years. For years, the Penn State alumni I have known have hung their hats - and moral compass - not on a football record, but on values of integrity, reputation and education. They have revered JoePa not because of how many football games he won or lost, they revered him because of the challenge he laid out in terms of who a person should be.

JoePa has inspired countless alumni in a similar manner - even those who did not like him at all during their college years. LaVar Arrington, whose issues with JoePa were long and well documented, has hailed the man's character and impact on people.

You see, JoePa came to Penn State in the 50's (yes you read that right) and never left. He had offers from the NFL, other premiere college programs and he remained with Penn State. Loyalty. JoePa never once succumbed to materialism - living in the same house he lived in with his wife since the day he moved. With all the money he made, JoePa donated MILLIONS (and that is not an exaggeration) to academics. Libraries and an education foundation were the main recipients of his hard earned dollars. Similarly, the Penn State football team boasts the highest graduation rate in all of college football. Not the Big Ten, not division I-A, all of college football. JoePa always looked to tradition and standards before "wins" or "fame". And, in this day and age, JoePa stayed with the same job, the same wife, and the same focus on what matters for decades.

I could rattle of stats to you all day long about his coaching prowess, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. JoePa made a difference in how tens of thousands of young men and women lived their lives. JoePa set standards that far superseded the game. I honestly don't have words to articulate the impact this man has had on people I admire today for who they are, not for what they do (or how many games they won.)

Sadly - many never knew all this or never paid attention. To my husband's credit, when the awful allegations surfaced this fall he scoured all the reports, all the media, all the articles. He took the time to see what was proven, and what was not. He was responsible enough to inform himself - and believe me that was painful enough - and even he said "JoePa has to step down". But what JoePa didn't deserve was to have the media beatdown that ensued by so many who never knew the man, and didn't take the time to do so. I will not debate this case. I will not mention the jackface whose actions permanently soiled Penn State and proved many men to be of lesser character than we thought. I will simply say that i am saddened tonight to see so many who were vehement in their condemnation of JoePa suddenly turn with thoughts of concern for him...only because reports are surfacing that his health has failed.

We knew this would happen - Stephen has said for years that JoePa feared he'd end up like Bear Bryant - one of his dear friends - who died January 26th after retiring from the game at season's end. What's sad about it, is that he dies hearing only the worst of what he might have done. He dies hearing only negative about a career that spans decades.

I know many of you may have valid and strong reactions to any sort of praise going towards JoePa. And I respect that. I've had a ton of conversations about this - and noone comes out looking good, that's for sure. This is what I'm writing about: the fact that tonight I am saddened to see people only look to consider him as a complete man (and not just a man of three months of media reports) and a complete life only in his supposedly final days. I once again renew my request to you to look at those in your life and find the positive ways they impact you every day. Then tell them. Perhaps that would have helped our society temper the evaluation of these horrible acts in all of Happy Valley fairly, and it would have let JoePa know that, even if the numbers have dwindled, he is still loved.

Disclaimer: again, I recognize the horrific acts that have been alleged. This post in no way absolves, or accuses, JoePa. It is almost impossible to articulate one's opinions on this case once you read how many people let down these children. I simply note tonight one man who did a lot of good. Charges and *proof* are still forthcoming - as acknowledged by many.

Day 327. The Interim One.

2011-11-24T07:13:00.000-05:00

With apologies to non-college football fans....Let's get the basics out of the way.
1. This is the final regular season game of Ohio State College Football
2. This is MICHIGAN Week. (only the most storied rivalry in college football history)
3. Rumors are seemingly now fact that Urban Meyer will be taking over as OSU head coach
4. You're all shocked that I have posted three times in two weeks ;)

So who do I write about today? Its Mr. Luke Fickell. Again, down to brass tacks. Clearly, Luke is not yet 100% ready to coach a perennial BCS contending, Big Ten team. And, not only to satiate the rabid Buckeye fans around the nation, but also to satisfy promises made to 18 year olds who are convinced they will play in the NFL, Mr. Fickell seemingly is not the long term solution right now for the Ohio State program.

But here's what I know. Luke stepped up to a job that was not all that attractive. The program was in turmoil, players were decommitting, our integrity was shattered and we had all of a matter of weeks to name a head coach before the business of the season was at hand. As an alumni, a former player, and a guy who gets what Buckeye football is supposed to be about, Luke Fickell stepped up to the job. He was the easy out for the administration, I don't doubt he knew it, and he stepped up.

Those who know him say he knew he didn't have the talent of previous years. And he knew he didn't have head coaching experience (duh!). But he walked into the fire willingly. He stayed with the program, took a humbling tag of "interim head coach" (i.e. dead man walking) and did what he could with a team that didn't necessarily sign on to play for him. He took the job with the skill set that he had available. While the Buckeye's record this year isn't one of our best, Luke has been a good face of the program. He's matured in his role, he's grabbed the responsibility with both hands, and, again by all accounts, remained a man of character and integrity.

So now, on Thursday of Michigan week, when Mirror Lake jumps, and gold pants get the occasional mention, all the talk is about Urban Meyer.

To the Urban-ites I say be quiet. If just for three days. Win or lose, Luke Fickell has earned the right to live out this week as Head Coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. He knows what this means - he's lived it. Give him this moment. Respect that he stepped up when the pickings were slim and he did so with the honor and integrity that this Ohio State program so desperately needed.

Let us celebrate the new head coach deservedly (if and when it happens) but let it wait till Sunday.

Because this is Ohio State Football. And this season, win or lose, Luke Fickell did all he could to try and live up to what that is supposed to mean. And for that, sir, you deserve our thanks and appreciation.

Go Bucks! Beat Blue!

Day 326. The Journalist One.

2011-11-22T20:53:00.000-05:00

A random fact about me. I am not much of a fan girl. When I was little, and everyone else wanted to be person X, or date person Y (wherein person X and Y are clearly famous people), I never had that urge. There were a lot of people I liked, but as far as I can remember, there wasn't anyone who I really just held up in this huge feeling of awe...

That's pretty much held true throughout my life. With a few exceptions. And one of those is Steph. I first found Steph as the writer for The Other Paper, our local go-to independent paper, where she wrote about quite a few things - including sports, namely hockey. Now, those of you who know me, can imagine that this is like my dream job, so to see a woman doing this job so amazingly was just one of those "wow" moments.

Steph also was approachable. She didn't just put the news out there, she is on the Twitter and was ready to interact with everyone in a genuine and enthusiastic way. In a way that screams this is one. Cool. Chick. (Oh and she's a workout geek like me...so there's that!)

And then I had the chance to see Steph in person at a CBJ fan event. And let's just say, gorgeous. And she's got that whole "I'm comfortable with myself" and "I'm happy to be here in this moment" thing going on. So, in a lapse of total fan-geekiness as I had never known, I called her out in my blog about the event calling her my super secret media crush.

And then...

Imagine my shock when all of a sudden, Steph tweets about being my super-secret media crush. I was in my kitchen and I literally almost died. I stopped mid sentence talking to my husband. From there, again, to credit of who Steph is we started getting to know each other. Every tweet of hers to me is such a nice little moment in my day. She has supported me sometimes when she knows she has, sometimes when she doesn't know she has. She intentionally carved out moments to meet me in person when I know she had a million other things going on and it meant the world to me to see her just for a second and share a smile and a laugh.

A few months ago, Steph changed her life in ways that she had to to live the life she wants to have had in all facets of her life. I'll leave that story to her words and only say that from what I know of this woman, this makes me adore her even more.

Steph - you inspire me to know that being what I want to be can be balanced with doing what's right. And you remind me every day that life is the fun of which you make it...no matter what it presents to you.

Happy birthday to you girl - you're still my not-so-secret media crush its just that now I know even more reasons why you rock!

Day 325. The Considerate Ones.

2011-11-16T17:12:00.000-05:00

Been a while...let's just dive right into it, shall we?

So, through my continued support of my hockey team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, (currently dead last in the league thank you very much :-/ ) I've had the opportunity to meet quite a few amazing people. Many of whom will pop up on here but I want to be keen to the fact that this is not a hockey blog (that happens elsewhere ;) )

But there are two people who I'd like to introduce you to in particular. And they are my friends Chad and Vanessa. I first connected with Chad via twitter, and, when the Jackets started training camp (of course during a weekend that I was out of town) I was lamenting how I would miss getting one of the cool t-shirts they were handing out. Well, wouldn't you know that Chad let me know after the fact that he had grabbed me one. I thought that was particularly kind of him, and was super excited to meet him, and his wife, in person at the opening game to get my shirt.

It should be no surprise to you that Chad and Vanessa are simply lovely. They are the kind of people that the minute you meet them you know they are good people. Funny, smart, generous - you could tell instantaneously.

I've now had the chance to visit with them a few times - however briefly - at CBJ games at which we're all in attendance. Even if we don't get to talk a lot, I always love to see both of them, (great smiles on this pair) and visit.

This past week, they pushed my appreciation over the top. Looong story short, a friend and I were coordinating a project that involved a poster that needed to get from me to her across two hockey games - except I was out of town the first game, and she was in Cincinnati for the second. So, total last minute style, I'm literally sitting on the plane DM'ing all three parties during the first game saying basically "hey, I know this is zero notice but would you be willing to carry with you a large awkward poster for 2/3 of a game, keep it for a couple days, and then bring it back to another game until I can get it from you?" Well, wouldn't you know, to no surprise Chad and Vanessa agreed.

Last night-in addition to my hugs, I got from Chad and Vanessa the poster in question, as well as some of the giveaways that they had had at the Saturday night game (which had been a topic of conversation! :) ). Now, in this case, what gave me such pause was not the act of getting the "things" but the effort that people are willing to put into being inconvenienced for another. Let's be clear, sporting events are not the type of thing that you take a large bag or purse to. So, to carry large items, particularly like a poster that can't be crushed, or folded, or held in a truly easy way, AND to even consider giving up some of the giveaways that YOU received to someone else...oh and bring them back three days later to that person (let alone remember to bring them!) well that's the mark of some truly thoughtful and kind people.

I often have talked about how finding the "good in people" can be a lighthouse to us throughout days where we are faced with politics, interpersonal problems, frustrations and negativity. For me, and in the even more specific interest of facing a team that's not so good, I honestly would go to every game just to see these two. I am thankful to, through the randomness of sport and twitter, have met such nice nice people. And it makes me happy to know that people like this exist in the world.

While it may seem of little consequence to bring me a poster, a t-shirt, a hat, ~~a device for fraud~~ a credit card reader (LOL), it is the kindness and selflessness of Chad and Vanessa that always stick with me, because its about so much more than "the stuff".

You guys rock! :)

Day 324. The Like Minded One.

2011-09-08T10:34:00.000-04:00

Well hello there...obviously, my posts are still sparse and, dang it, I've got to finish this project. The thought has been looming with me all week about who I will write about this Sunday...the 10th anniversary of 09-11, which, as you may know, as a resident of DC during that day, hit me very hard...and, coupled with the fact I've had to mark that day twice already on this blog (so NOT my plan) has made Sunday hang with pressure to do something right but not cliche...and then, in general, I've been questioning "why am I NOT writing about this person or that person" and I feel like I'm over-thinking who I talk about here, but then, on days like today, I'm reminded, that the little moments when I come across someone to write about, while fewer and far between, make the decision easy...I kinda just know...so here we go...

Many of you know that I am hockey fan, and, many of you - non-hockey fans included - may have heard about the tragedy yesterday when a plane carrying the an entire KHL hockey team crashed...killing everyone on board, save for 2 people who are in the hospital - wiping out an entire hockey team, and devastating countless fans and far too many families.

There has been much coverage of this crash, from almost every possible angle, many remembrances - sharing of grief - and commemoration of those we lost. And I didn't feel smart enough to write something new that hadn't already been said far more eloquently...but then I came across another blog post.

I don't know this author, and, to be honest, don't know anything about her other than what's in her about page. But she seems to be cool (chicks who like sports are usually cool ;) ), and she wrote this post. She tells about her experience as a limo driving picking up the family of one of the players killed in the plane crash, taking them to the aiport to fly to Europe, and the impact it had on her...and the lesson this taught her about children in our lives.

And - for some reason, the light bulb came on in my head. Maybe its that my great friends Tobin and Lisa had their first baby, Emma, this past weekend and I got to hold her for a wonderful hour yesterday so the preciousness of little ones is on my mind; maybe its this whole 9-11 thing that makes my emotions go cuckoo every year; or maybe its just that this woman echoed once again the belief that fuels this entire blog - but this time, from the perspective of being a parent and loving on our children. She writes:

"Just make sure they know what they mean to you. Remind them EVERYDAY. Hug them EVERYDAY. Kiss them EVERYDAY. Most importantly, love them EVERYDAY. Unconditionally. Because, you never know what tomorrow will bring."

That's all I've ever hoped people would do...and when you find someone else who sees the value in letting people who mean something to you know that NOW, well it kinda is like a love letter to my soul. So, in the shadow of such a devastating event, and with the upcoming memorials to the many lost that have been occurring and will culminate this weekend of another devastating event, I want to recognize this writer for "getting it" and being just one more voice asking all of us to not wait to tell people in your life that they are good and why. Its the ultimate gift - its the easiest to give - it can make all the difference in the world.

Day 323. The Small Town One(s).

2011-08-23T11:47:00.000-04:00

We've all grown up with some verion of the idyllic "small town", right? Whether it came from watching "Leave it to Beaver", "Back to the Future" or some story or magazine, it's quite a bit of Americana to think of a town with a "Main Street" where everyone is nice and everyone knows each other and nothing bad happens...

But then we grow up and we develop some (necessary) self-protective measures and we realize the reality - good and bad - of the world. But, as I've taken on cycling in the past few years, and had to find remote (read: no cars driving me off the road) long stretches of road on which to train, I've found some of these hidden gems around the Columbus area. And, as I pedal through, the images call up those happy dreams of "small towns" - american flags on every light post on 4th of July...town picnics...but I had kinda come to think of it all as a facade. I mean, I didn't think people were mean or anything but, I figured nothing was as good as it seemed. I'm jaded.

Until last Saturday.

I was biking - a good ride - a motivated ride - where I planned on being out for hours. I'd gone about 45 miles out in twisty, turny remote paths and was headed back for the last big chunk when POP! Yep - pop went my wheel - with enough force to blow through the actual tire and cause me to fall (on my gear side) and mess up my chain and remove the ability to shift. (And no, this will not be the time we all comment on how much more I should know about my bike...I can change a flat but the gears were above me...)

So, at 10 in the morning, down I sat, in a random person's front yard, in Ostrander, Ohio. This should be no problem, I thought, I'll just call Stephen and he'll come get me. Well - without too much detail because, to be clear - I'm not blaming anyone - I couldn't get Stephen, couldn't get my parents, and was hesitant to call other friends and ask them to take an hour out of their weekend to come get me and my greasy bike; so I sat in that front yard.... for TWO HOURS.

And in that time, plenty of cyclists sped past, and only one asked if I was OK (so much for all those genial waves we offer each other as we pedal past). Yet every single car stopped to check on me...
"Are you OK?"
"Can I take you to the gas station?"
"Do you need anything?"
"I live right down the road - can I help?"
"Anything you need?"

Even a woman came out of her house..."I saw you out here, are you OK? You're welcome to sit on my front porch"

Now initially, my urban reflexes kicked in - don't talk to strangers, don't get in cars you don't know, people have bad intentions...and I politely brushed people aside "Oh thank you but I'm ok, just waiting to get my husband to come get me, I'm fine, thanks!" (Subtext - thanks but no thanks, you can go now)

But as the time passed, and more and more people expressed concern, even though I still chose to wait on family - and thanks to my mom who eventually was able to come get me! - I allowed myself to really appreciate how nice it was for so many to stop and ask if they could help...because I really believe that they meant it. And my responses became more prolonged "thank you so much, I really appreciate you checking on me..." instead of excusing them away, because, seriously, how nice of someone - to stop and check in. And so many people! Isn't this what we all hope? That if we're in need of help - big or small - someone will come to our aid?

"Small town America" does exist - and perhaps not only in small towns, but the generosity, concern for a fellow person, and willingness to help one another is certainly alive and well in Ostrander, Ohio. And although I don't even know a single name of a person who stopped Saturday...I thank each of them for being so kind to someone they will never even know. I'll just be that girl, riding through early weekend mornings, but to anyone I see, I will smile and wave....

Day 322. The More Than a Writer One.

2011-08-02T12:35:00.001-04:00

The universe is funny. This blog's been on my mind lately..."haven't posted in a while" "I'm becoming too cynical" "does anyone care" "well I have to at least finish this thing..." Then, I went to a baby shower where the hosts asked that we bring a favorite children's book instead of a card - and I had no other option pop into my mind than "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein.

Then, today, my friend, Tim, posted THIS on Twitter and thus ensued a whole discussion and sharing of quotes by Shel Silverstein. And all of a sudden, my entire childhood was flooding back to me. And I dove into the "official" Shel Silverstein site (beautiful by the way - to me, totally encapsulates Shel - check it out). And I found the copy of The Giving Tree online, and I read it again. And I looked at Tim's image, and read it again. And I remembered so much...and thus, a blog entry is born.

I remember The Giving Tree being one of the first books my parents gave me. One of the first I could read on my own. It had a coveted spot on my bookshelf. And I remember my grandmother giving me all of the Shel Silverstein poetry books..."Where the Sidewalk Ends", "A Light In The Attic", "The Missing Piece", "The Missing Piece Meets the Big O" and on and on. And I loved them all. Passionately. I still have every original copy given to me. Later tonight, I think I'm going to re-read them all.

Because, these books were REAL. They weren't sugar coated "kids books". They weren't "Poetry" with a capital P. They were stories - that made you imagine, and realize others did and it was OK. Trees did talk to little boys; and if a nonsense word would rhyme in your poem, well use it; and images didn't have to be "pretty" to mean something. I lived in those books...and while, apparently, there was some controversy surrounding these books, (news to me!*) I think I sorta felt all those things that people questioned, but in a good way. It made it ok to think that people do die, or that some people give too much, or take too much or not enough. It let you know that the world was sometimes unfair, and painful but never in an "Afterschool Special" sort of way (shut up - they were on all the time when I was little - 4PM. ABC. I'm old.)

Now, sadly, I am writing this to Mr. Silverstein well after his death in 1999. And therefore, I am somewhat breaking the rules of this blog. But, if you believe, as many writers do, that their written words is how they stay alive, then - well maybe - I'm ok with this post. And, as Shel taught me, if I can imagine that, then its real within my world.

I can't imagine how many kids Shel's writings have touched - but I'm one of them. And they mean something to me not only because of the words on the page but because of all the memories wrapped up therein. I'm glad I had Shel's books as part of my childhood...and I'm glad they're still out there for kids to read. Regardless of your age, I implore you to go get one of his books and read it. Arguably you will find yourself transported - even if just for a moment. It may become more meaningful than you expected.

Thank you, Mr. Silverstein. Thank you so much.

*Sidebar: many of the links here are to wikipedia articles - the content of which was surprising to me to read given that I have had such a profound experience with Shel's books in my life. So, take them for what they are worth, but, as I said, do me a favor, go buy at least one of these books...read it...tell me what you think. That's OK...I'll wait. It will be worth it ;)

Day 321. The Meal One.

2011-07-07T15:30:00.000-04:00

So. Many of us have been part of an experience where a group of friends and family band together to bring meals in support of another. Sometimes its the birth of a child, or a new home, but more often its sad experiences such as serious illness, death or another tragedy. Sadly, I've been on both sides of this equation and have seen the craziness that comes with this type of project. Be it, calling or emailing 15 different people 100 times (or more!) or ending up with someone not knowing if they got their "requested date" or ending up with four nights in a row of lasagne - the possibilities for confusion and tons of busy work are endless. Not to mention that in today's world, often our support structures are spread far and wide - sometimes even around the world.

Well - in the past 24 hours, we find ourselves once again in a situation that we were faced with offering support the only way we knew how - by offering the gift of food and love. It just so happened, that one very very smart friend within the circle of friends knew of this site: www.takethemameal.com. Much like Caring Bridge (and Facebook!) have eased the pain of having to communicate difficult news to a broad base, Take Them a Meal provides a way to coordinate taking of meals to someone needing support - it offers tips and tools to schedule meals for someone, recipe suggestions and even (for some geographic areas) the ability to order a meal directly from them to be sent to the recipient.

The idea is obvious once you see it in action - but genius because once you see it, you recognize how helpful it is and its one of those things where you can't believe noone thought of it earlier. You also (if you're me) can believe you didn't already know about this. So thus, this blog. I hope to spread the word about this great site. So far, I cannot find out exactly who is behind this service other than the friendly looking woman on the page and this About Us information. But I've sent them a note letting them know this post is coming.

Again, if you haven't been in this type of situation before, this post may sound silly, but, if you have - I'm sure you immediately recognize that this is one of those lovely instances where technology is truly being put to use to make people's lives better and easier, and in situations like this, allows all the people involved to focus on providing care - not on scheduling, coordinating, stressing and forgetting someone.

To the "Take Them A Meal" team - I say thank you. You are providing an invaluable service to so many.

Day 320. The Chicken One.

2011-06-21T16:29:00.001-04:00

So - everyone needs levity and laughter to stay sane. In light of that, I must tell you that I was having a rather craptastic day and somehow, the universe (via one of my FB friends) put a little bundle of joy into my life in the form of this blog post from Jenny. Its only the first post I've read from this blogger - so, while I think she's probably pretty hilarious I haven't read much of her other stuff...yet. But, seriously, when your blog title is "The Bloggess" and your tagline is "Like Mother Teresa, Only Better" you have to imagine you've happened on some pretty funny stuff. (Plus, she writes for the Houston Chronicle and warns you about varying degrees of her writing depending on what style you are most comfortable with).

The best humor is the humor that takes an every day experience and turns it hilarious...and, at the same time reminds you to be spirited and take advantage of even the silly opportunities that might come your way. (see: Bill Cosby). The best humor makes you laugh so sincerely that any other negative energy you were carrying simply evaporates - if only for a second.

I would argue that not many can't identify with this post, nor do many not want the chicken in question. All I will say, is that someone who has a gift for writing, and who has a gift for humor can truly make someone's day when they really really really need it.

I'll stop writing now and leave you in much more capable hands - read about the BEST. CHICKEN. EVER.
*Please note there is some profanity

Day 319. The Accountable One.

2011-06-08T12:34:00.000-04:00

So. This is not too flattering a story about me. I will be brief and vague intentionally. A while back, motivated by not good things, I said some pretty mean-spirited things about someone. While (and trust me, I KNOW this is not an excuse or acceptable reason) my intention was venting and intended to be heard by certain people only, the fact remains that in saying them at all I did something wrong - and ultimately hurtful when the person I was talking about found out what I said. And there's the subject of today's post - the person who informed my "target" of what I had said.

Here's the thing. I am very VERY thankful for that person and their actions. While I have suffered greatly and - still - feel awful, I had to take a hard look at myself. If I want to be thought of as a good person, well, shocker, I have to actually BE a Good Person. I think its too easy for us sometimes (and wait for the generality here), and women in particular, to resort to catty, gossipy behavior. I have learned as a result of all this to really consider not only my words, but the intention behind those words. Changing words requires a lot more work on the inside of who we are, and I am actually happy to be taking that on in myself.

Also - I've learned a lot about facing the music - the one thing I had to do was face up to my wrongs and apologize to those that I affected. That can be a pretty humbling action. You can't offer a defense, because it doesn't matter. You can't debate the whats or whys, it doesn't matter. You have to own up to what you did and face - directly - the pain that can cause another.

To the person who "outted" my behavior - I say thank you. I say that you have reminded me how slack I had become in considering how my actions affect others. I say that you have reminded me that only I am responsible for how I am perceived, and I am the caretaker of my reputation and I have to take that seriously. Some people have asked if I am mad at you, and to that I say NO. No matter the method of discovery, if you do something wrong, you are accountable for it. As a dear friend of mine has always said "the truth will out". I am committed to changing the things in me that made me do what I did and I am committed to making things right by those I have hurt...however long that may take.

Day 318. The I Can't Believe I'm Writing This One.

2011-05-26T11:35:00.000-04:00

Let's get one thing straight: I can't stand Oprah Winfrey. I'm not going into a ton of detail, but I have over the course of her 25 years, found her to get a bit full of herself and preachy among other things.

So, I didn't really care when she said her show was ending. I didn't care when she said she was starting her own network. And, I was really getting sick of the whole "20 shows left" "18 shows left" "we will miss you, Oprah!" thing. But I did break down and DVR the last 10 or so shows, mainly because I was intrigued with the guests she had on there (I was actually impressed with the James Frey interview). So, since they were sitting there, I sat down last night to watch the "Two Day Farewell SPECTACULLAAAAARRR". With wine. I was prepared to be drunk in minutes from having to dull the pain...I just wanted to see Kristin Chenoweth sing.

But, as I watched, my opinion changed. And, if I believe what I say I do in this blog then I do have to acknowledge Oprah here today. Because, as I watched my beloved Kristin sing "For Good", what looked like hundreds of young men - graduates of Morehouse University, and more importantly, recipients of Oprah Winfrey Scholarships - streamed onto the stage. I will admit that I shed more than one tear at the power of that moment. You could read on each of their faces the pure and simple gratitude they had for what Oprah had done for them. Even with my issues with the woman, I've never questioned that she's done quite a bit of good. She's got a ton of money that she earned every cent of and she has chosen to spend quite a lot of that on charitable endeavors. And those men, as some of the recipients of that generosity, were there to say THANK YOU. Most importantly, they were there to seize their opportunity to express their gratitude to someone who had literally changed many of their lives at a time when she could receive it. They were a living example of what I wish everyone could do.

What this whole blog is about is encouraging others to express to those in your life - fleeting and forever - what they mean to you while they can hear you. We all deserve such a gift. Because I do believe everyone is capable of making a difference...and I believe that should be acknowledged.

Not only did Oprah get to be the recipient of that exercise but she allowed herself to receive it. Yes, sometimes you could see the practiced behavior of someone who's been on TV for 25 years, but sometimes, like in the Morehouse moment, you saw her open and honest and truly realizing the impact of her work. These shows taught me an important missing piece of the puzzle of this project, "Make sure that if you are fortunate enough to hear the good you've done, that you allow yourself to hear it, take it in, and BELIEVE it".

Day 317. The Trucker One.

2011-05-17T12:39:00.000-04:00

One of my biggest pet peeves is when driving, people don't obey the rules of how to merge. This can happen in two ways - first, the person in the lane to which people must merge are CONVINCED that if they let even one car over before them the world will end thus breaking the "zipper rule" - one car in from the left, one car from the right; and the second much more frustrating and insulting "even though I see a merge and know its coming and see everyone following proper merge protocol I will speed ahead of everyone who's already merged and nose my way in at the last second effectively giving the big ol' middle finger to everyone who followed the rules and was polite." THAT is the one I hate.

So anyway, last weekend DH and I got to spend 20+ hours in a car headed to a family wedding in Pennsylvania. The drive there is 8 hours so we break it into 4 hour chunks. I had the first shift. I had the joy of dealing with rush hour traffic in Columbus, Akron, Cleveland, and massive, non-stop, soul-crushing pouring rain...for all four hours. In the midst of this, we came upon construction (of course we did). And we started crawling along at 30 miles an hour awaiting the relief that would come once the merge was complete. I could just see the scenario I described above coming at us...people were actually merging as they should so the traffic was down to one lane about 500 yards before the actual merge. In the left hand mirror I saw the truck come barreling down the now empty lane from which everyone had merged. And then - he slowed. He, like everyone else, went into the one remaining lane as was his turn immediately following the car in front of him. It was a lovely bright spot in the midst of traffic hell. And, shockingly, everyone else behind him started doing it too.

Now I know that the trucker didn't have a flashing sign dictating "the rules of merge" and it could be that equal credit goes to every other car on the road that day, but, I like to think that seeing that big vehicle not take advantage of speeding past everyone else may have just set the example. Its amazing how knowing we're all in this together and noone's trying to screw each other can really change your mind set.

So to the trucker I never got to see (we were on a breakneck pace to get to PA), I choose to give you credit for being a highway big brother last Thursday and I thank you for setting the example for how we can all get there together if we just play nice.

Update

2011-04-29T13:00:00.000-04:00

It was with great sadness, that we have learned that our dear friend Amy has passed. While I know that there is much grief with those of us still here missing her, we all rejoice that she is now at peace.

I feel compelled to share that over the past week, I have seen an outpouring of love like no other. Amy's Facebook wall is filled with literally hundreds of posts. The post I did for her Sunday has become the most viewed entry in this little project of mine. All of that is a testament to Amy. I share this to continue to compel each of you to tell those you care about how much they matter.

Selfishly - it was such a gift for me to know that Amy did see my blog post for her before she left. I DM'd her on Twitter. Amy, of course, was special enough that even in her final days she was sure to keep letting us know she was seeing our messages, and the DM I have from her in response sits at the top of my DM list...I look at it every day. But, bigger than that - it has really warmed my heart to know that Amy saw how much she meant to people - and why. She knows that she matters to so many. And, I believe that that is really all any of us wants...to know that we matter, to know - at the end of the day - that we did good - even just once.

Please - in honor of Amy, or of someone special to you, won't you consider using even one minute today to tell someone what they mean to you...while they can still hear you?

We love you, Amy - forever, and always.

DAY 316. The Saying Goodbye One.

2011-04-24T20:57:00.000-04:00

For those of you who don't know part of my impetus for writing this blog, I will restate it here - I believe fully that we should tell those we love and appreciate that we do NOW. The speeches of love and gratitude and "(s)he was so great..." at a funeral are made too late. For those words to matter, say them to the person directly. The older I get, the more I realize that life is too short for so much of the petty stuff people engage in every day. Would you treat those in your life this way if it was their last?

But never have I felt quite so rushed to do so. You see, today, on Easter Sunday, my friend Amy who has been facing a sudden and rapid fight with cancer wrote us all a note on Facebook to tell us that she is dying and that time is short. That was the first line "I am dying". So, without further ado I must get to the heart of it.

Amy - there are two main things I want to tell you about yourself:

First - you are brave and LOVING. You have been so conscious throughout this ordeal to share it with others. I do not know that I could be so open when faced with such consequences. I truly believe that your love of others and compassion for those in your life is unprecedented and, even now, as you prepare to leave this earth, part of your last message to us was to ask us to pray for those you will leave behind. You are facing this head-on, you are strong enough to tell us the reality, you are strong enough to trust us with your situation, and through it all you have loved everyone in your life enough to worry about them and to thank people for doing things for you. Amazing doesn't even begin to describe...

Second - you are LOVED. I love you, Amy. I love you for pursuing so many interests in your life, I love you for being open and kind, I love you for being funny and smart. But more so than little old me, you are loved by so many. I am sitting here now watching so many people - some I know, some I do not - express what you've meant to them, how much you are valued, all that makes you special and how thankful we all are to know you.

Of course I should not be surprised...I have seen these qualities in you as long as I have known you. Amy - you have gifted every person you've interacted with with the joy of knowing you...I wish you godspeed and peace in this final part of your journey here. I know heaven awaits and while we will miss you here, the love remains.

Day 315. The Browns One.

2011-04-21T16:43:00.000-04:00

There have been a few of these lately, and, as I mentioned previously, I do like to see "famous" people leading the charge of "doing good". Couple that with a "celebrity on twitter" who not only interacts with people instead of using it as a mindless PR generator and this story became post-worthy for me.

My words here will be brief as I believe this story speaks for itself...please read!

Joe Haden's Generosity

Day 314. The Registration One.

2011-04-19T16:30:00.000-04:00

So perhaps a bit over a year ago...randomly on Twitter...I ended up becoming friends with Ben. And its been one of those weirdly fascinating friendships where we started out talking about the Blue Jackets, but randomly ended up with quite a few common interests...we both run, bike, fight cancer, support LIVESTRONG. It was overall just a pretty cool thing to find someone you'd never know otherwise through one common interest and find out you have a ton in common (well, except for Ohio State but we'll let that go for now ;) )

I also always so appreciate Ben's tweets during training - even if it was 6AM on a Sunday, if I shared I was headed out on the bike, I'd almost always get some sort of encouraging tweet or we'd talk about our training that day or about our upcoming events. Again - just a few exchanges - but their regularity and focus on knowing each other more than superficially was a bright spot whenever they occured.

So, anyway, this week, I was posting about a race that offered an upgrade option with some cool perks but said event wasn't doing the best at marketing how to take advantage of this option...Ben, as always, started chatting with me about what event it was and then...boom!...like five minutes later, he sends me the link and how to take advantage of the upgrade if I wanted to. (Note: this was in the morning and I didn't hear back from the event organizers until 6 PM!!!) Turns out, the registration platform this event was using is one Ben was familiar with so he knew the quirks and how to look for what I needed.

Its not so much just the fact that Ben is pretty darn smart and could figure out a registration site (which usually I can do), its the underlying things that marked this event - and this person - for me. I think in our day-to-day life, we probably see people facing a ton of different things - big and small. To take even a few moments to really find out the info you need to help, and then to actually help is something that doesn't happen often enough. If we can all stay open to those we come in contact with, who knows when we'll be able to help one another...sometimes if you're lucky enough, you may even be the recipient of said help.

To Ben, yes, it was just a registration link, but I place great value on the effort and time you put into finding something for me. I am glad our paths have crossed! :)

Day 313. The Not Too Famous to Help One.

2011-03-25T17:06:00.003-04:00

I like it when people who are really well known for something just come out and boom! knock your socks off with another aspect of themselves that is equally impressive.

So I'll be brief - but when I was little Georgetown Basketball was THE program (during our 8th grade trip to DC I swear I think our class bought every street vendor out of those blue and white "Georgetown Hoya's" sweatshirts with the dog on them). And, during a high school experience that focused a lot on basketball, yeah, Alonzo Mourning was pretty awesome. So that's how he's been defined in my mind - a really good basketball player...with some interesting life stories (see kidney transplant).

And hey, look, if I was famous - which Alonzo easily is - you can bet I'd think twice about dealing with "the public" from time to time. Like it or not, the loss of one's anonymity isn't as easy to deal with as we might all think.

So then I read this today. And its pretty freaking cool. Way to go 'Zo! Now I know you for a heck of a lot more (and better!) reasons than before.

Day 312. The Open One.

2011-03-24T09:52:00.001-04:00

I have blogged about this person before here but, as you know, from time to time there are people who deserve repeats ;).

I've been thinking about this post for a while because to be honest, I grappled with how much to share about this person as I feel that there is a fine line between revealing someone's story for the beauty within it and putting something out there as a spectacle. But, I've come down on the side of sharing it ALL because this person already has chosen to put it out there and honestly, I like to think my readers will take this in with respect and compassion.

So - my friend Anne. Anne lives in Switzerland now (she used to be in Germany) and I have long admired her passion for really being open about herself and with others because its beyond obvious that she is building lasting and real connections with the people who come in to her life. I have long admired her ability to put a lot of stuff out there into the world (the internal censor in my head often gets the best of me).

So you get it - Anne's cool. Ok. Point made. But late last year, Anne shared something very private and very personal - and that is that she is struggling with an eating disorder and has finally decided to seek treatment and get healthy. I will refer you to Anne's blog HERE should you care to know more about her journey and its specifics. But I will tell you that I cannot express enough how in awe I am of her for putting this out there. I think we can all agree that "eating disorders" are one of those things that right, wrong, or indifferent, often carry a weird stigma in society. Its something that's hard to understand and even harder to "fix" so its part of that big list of things that we often aren't willing to talk about or deal with so we sweep it under the carpet admist sideways glances and whispers.

Anne is sharing a very real journey that is raw and honest and has truly started to open my eyes to all that she is facing and feeling. I know I cannot truly understand what she is dealing with but she is willing to put so much out there that, selfishly, it makes it easier to be there to support her. I don't know what to say or what advice to give but I can celebrate the small victories she shares and offer encouragement when she tells us she needs it.

While, again, I know that I don't know enough about recovery to offer "advice"...there is so much that I see that makes me believe that Anne will beat this thing - first of all, she WANTS to, and second, even when she is struggling with the emotional toll this takes on her, in the midst of her negative, I can often see in her words that she's smart enough to be aware of what she's doing and see what needs to change. So many of us are complete un-selfaware that it is this strength that only deepens my belief that Anne is gonna make it through this - no matter how long it may take. What's that saying "knowing is half the battle?" Well there you go.

To me Anne is forever strong, beautiful, witty, honest and caring. Anne - your profile - which I love by the way - says, "I like being a mess...its who I am". Well darlin' we are ALL a mess in our special ways - KNOW THAT (I always say every person has their own special brand of crazy ;) ) and I love you, mess or not, because its part of what makes you beautiful to me.

Day 311. The Life is Good One.

2011-03-23T18:02:00.002-04:00

I have a little good luck charm in my life that sometimes subtly, sometimes not so much, reminds me to get back into this project...an email from him today reminded me to keep on looking for the good, so here it goes :)

Stephen and I just returned from a much needed sojourn to the Keys. Many of you may know that the Keys is a lifelong special place for me so whenever we go there everything is brighter, better, happier. Anyway, we went to celebrate my birthday/our anniversary and thus celebrated with one special dinner at the newer restaurant that is on our Key. We had a very nice young man (trust me - I've had too many instances lately reminding me I am no longer "young" ;) ) who was our server.

He was doing a fine job and, because everyone's nametag said where they were from, Stephen commented as he was from Pennsylvania (the boy will simply just not let it go! ;) ). So we learned that this guy (and I'm paraphrasing) was from Pennsylvania, had played football for a time at Tennessee, then attendeed LSU after an injury and then ended up in Hawaii. After the job market tanked, he eventually ended up in the Keys where he is staying for six months to see how life is there and then - eventually - he'll end up back in Hawaii as that is his "special place".

I didn't realize it just then as we talked to him throughout dinner (I was too busy dying over the food), I simply thought it was just a pretty cool story of a pretty cool life experience so far and then I realized therein lies a special message: sometimes the greatest thing we can do is live life and constantly blend that which is handed to us with that which we want. This server doesn't have huge aspirations of this or that "goal" or this or that "Salary", he's going where things take him - while making sure he enjoys it. He's doing it responsibly and with a plan in place but he's definitely riding the wave. I would wager that someday, when he's old, he'll be able to look back and realize that he jumped at a lot of opportunities along the way - and that will make him just as happy as when he was living these times.

Sometimes, we don't have to work hard or complete an exemplary act to be "special" or "good" - we simply need to live life fully and that will allow us to be happy and thus share that happiness with others - even in just being ourselves.

Go do something you've always wanted to do - Go take advantage of an option presented to you - Go be happy.

Day 310. The Japanese One.

2011-03-14T10:28:00.003-04:00

The devastation we have seen from the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan have been unimaginable. With every passing day, the imagery that comes from this small country gets more alarming. I hate being old enough to not only have pain in my heart for what has already happened, but to have too much comprehension of what work lies ahead to restore this country and its people to where it was only a few short days ago.

Admittedly, I have always had a soft spot in my soul for Japan. I have forever admired their culture, their art, their philosophies. At age 8 I was eating sushi like it was my job. At 15 I started studying the language as soon as it was offered at my school and continued through college. I have a life's dream to someday go to Japan. I've been enamored with all things Japanese a) because I liked Japan and b) because stuff like Sushi is damn good; for a long long time.

But watching this coverage has helped crystallize one of the reasons I have such affection for this country. While the destruction is unfathomable, have you noticed the absence of things like violence, total hysteria, looting? Divert your eyes from the massive walls of water pummeling through towns and watch the people - always acting with respect towards another even in times of sheer panic. Hundreds wait patiently to receive even a small ration of food, others check on their neighbors or...

...this was the moment. On "Good Morning America" this morning, Diane Sawyer visited many of the most devasted areas. Walking up to a small group of locals, Diane practices the manners she was obviously coached in - a proper bow..."konnichi-wa"...and a man, with obviously almost nothing left offers her food as an act of welcome and hospitality. (watch the video below starting around the 2:00 mark - although the whole thing is powerful)

Now here's my point - you can't tell me that this man doesn't know enough to know that an obviously western reporter probably has enough resources to get some food if she wants it - she clearly had access to resources to fly halfway around the world, with a translator and camera crew. Diane Sawyer is experiencing nowhere near the hardship that this man has and will continue to experience and he knows that. And I would bet that he is painfully aware of just how little food and water he has. But, his spirit overrode that logic. Be it programmed manners or the "Japanese way" something led him to care more about his guest...even if his "home" was a bunch of stools pulled up around a table. It led him to say "we have enough, please take this" and it came across so strongly that, humbled, Diane and her translator knew to take the offering because to not do so would have offended this man deeply.

Ask yourself, if you had lost everything - EVERYTHING, EVERY THING - would you still care for others? Would you give the last of what you own - clothes, food, water - to a stranger? The heart that empowers a man to do this is a powerful thing. The fact that this appears to be the heart that rests in not only this man but in an entire nation is a beautiful thing.

And so - while the tragedy continues with every passing minute, I stand in awe of this one Japanese man and his simple act of generosity that embodies a culture that could teach us a lot...if we let it.

My prayers are with you, Japan.

Day 309. The Arch One(s).

2011-03-01T19:12:00.003-05:00

So given my posting history of late, I could easily cheat and make this post that is about more than one person count for more than one day...but nope, we're gonna go with this! :)

This post is, again, about hockey. Not a fan? Please don't stop reading because this is not really about the sport. To, once again, sum up the position from which I sit, I am a fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team that hasn't really lit it up in the league. We're on a great roll right now but the team has been around for 10 years which, apparently, according to some, is the maximum amount of time allowed before fans are allowed to become "disgruntled". (To those people I offer exhibit A: Detroit Lions, B: Chicago baseball, C: Cleveland Browns, D: Penn State Football, E: Cincinnati Begals...you get the picture.)

Anyway! I've talked a lot about my definition of a fan: ultimately, at the end of the day, you, as a fan decided to root for this team and therefore, you, as a fan, should support your team. I'm very hesitant to really judge anyone because, noone has ever watched my every move at work and critiqued it real time and also, I can guarantee that I'm not going to be able to suit up and do any better than any athlete I've ever thought did even their worst. I try to be an optimist, I want the best for most everyone, so ultimately a fan supports, a fan cheers, a fan endures.

Well the "disgruntled" attitude I had talked about was taking over Nationwide Arena where the Blue Jackets play. Weirdly enough, I had started saying to Stephen that I really wished we could sit in a section with people who get jacked up and cheer (one crazy lady yelling at the top of her lungs in a Derek Dorsett jersey doesn't always make the largest impact). And then I started to hear rumors of the "Arch City Army".

To summarize, this is a group of fans who while only in their 20's have borrowed their concept from supporters of our local soccer team (yeah, who knew?) to cheer, chant, sit together and overall raise the sound levels all in support of our beloved Blue Jackets. This group of young guys, Zach, Brian, Manuel (I know I'm missing a couple more) turned their little idea into a group of almost 400 fans who lite up twitter, the group page on Facebook and the Arena when they are there. They are getting lots of local press love. These guys also always advocate for taste, minimal profanity, respect to other fans and good sportsmanship - all while building a cool group culture and tradition.

How do I know this group is striking a chord? You can buy a membership to ACA, and just under 400 people have said "yes, this is a team we love, we want to do what we can to support them, and even if we do lose, we still are tried and true loyal fans...I like what you're doing here - where do I sign up and give you my money?". As an "older person" (you should have seen the looks on these young guys faces when I picked up my membership card ;) to see this idea flourish under the leadership of some "young guys" really makes me happy and, dare I say it, a little bit proud?

The details of sports and hockey aside, what I have loved most is seeing proof that if you believe in something, if you have a good idea, put it out there fight for it -- you're bound to find people who believe in you and with you. Even more importantly, there are a ton of people out there who just need a spark of positive energy to release the same within themselves. I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone say about this group something along the lines of "so glad you did this I've really wanted something like this..." Feeling afraid to put out the Pollyanna vibe? Trust me there ARE others out there like you - and like attract like.

This group has really brought a lot to the fan community and the arena environment - and again, I think that's a lesson to extrapolate to pretty much any aspect of life.

Arch City Army continues to grow and I am proud to be an inaugural member. Even if that means just a Facebook post, or a cheer during a game or just knowing someone else out there is "believing" it makes a difference.

Check ACA out on Twitter and Facebook.

They are getting a lot of good buzz and I can only hope it continues :) Well done, guys, well done!

I'm still here...

2011-02-24T10:14:00.002-05:00

So - just wanted to say, I'm definitely still here and intending to finish this THIS YEAR if not in the next few months. But it seems, my "good stuff" radar is out of whack...or at the very least out of practice. So, I'll keep lookin' for good people to tell you about, it may just take me a bit because I seem to be quite a bit more discerning these days :)

Day 308. The Losing One.

2011-02-08T16:38:00.002-05:00

Obviously, if you know me, you know I love sports. And, yes, I am one of those cheesy people who thinks that sports can be a great way to learn what you value, what you should value, and the importance of team, cooperation, loyalty, etc. I have found sadness in a trend that shows up more and more frequently in sports and that is "the blame game". I hate post-game discussions - I'm so sick of "if only..." or "if he would have..." or "blame the refs/umpire/coach..." If we aren't willing to accept that we aren't always right, or aren't always the best, then we miss the lesson that life was trying to teach us.

So what's my point?

When asked if I had a pick for the Super Bowl my answer was "I don't really care." Ultimately, for my Brown's heritage, my Buckeye allegiance (more on the Packers) and my desire to stick it to Brett Favre ;), I was coming down on the side of Green Bay. But ultimately I found myself always saying..."I just want a really good game...but I must say I do really like Mike Tomlin".

Mike Tomlin's team lost the game.

But Mike showed countless examples of class on Sunday night...I found myself nodding along to his post game interview - not because I took joy in his defeat, but because of how gracefully he remained fiercely loyal to his team, took on the ownership of his mistakes, and how brilliantly he offered acknowledgement of Green Bay's victory as deserved and earned - all without taking an ounce away from his team.

Many pundits may take aim at a lot of what he said and read meaning that may or may not be there, and trust me, if I was really REALLY passionate about either of these teams, its possible I would too. But - I challenge you to consider if, after reaching the doorstep of a goal you have fought for for every second of 365 days - if not longer - you fail - and you fail with millions watching that you could handle things in the manner Tomlin did:

TOMLIN'S POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

No blame, no shirking of responsibility, no pointing fingers. Class.

And if football alone isn't really your bag, well Tomlin is just as classy as a pure "person". Check it:

"Let me tell you about Mike Tomlin..."

Steeler fan or not, football fan or not, sports fan or not, I can guarantee, that if I was going in to a situation where I needed someone who would have my back, Mike Tomlin would definitely be a contender.

Day 307. The Girlfriend One.

2011-02-07T15:30:00.002-05:00

Ok. Sometimes you have to take the hints of the universe. As many of you know, I love the show CBS Sunday Morning. Now that I've started this blog back up, starting about three weeks ago, a story I had seen a while back on the show came back to haunt me - it was a story about Alzheimers. It was just sitting there, in the back of my mind, needling at me.

Then, last week, the episode of Grey's Anatomy (don't judge...I love the show) had an Alzheimer's story line. I was very moved by that story and I really wanted to honor the story of those who stand by and support their loved one's struggling with a god-awful disease. But I can't write about a television character can I, and, I'm currently "lucky" enough to not know someone directly who's been in this situation.

So then this weekend, I was catching up on my DVR and the episode of CBS Sunday Morning from, wait for it - about three weeks ago - was sitting there so I said, huh, I'll watch that. And, wouldn't you know, nestled in among new features was a replay of the story that had been sitting in my head for a few weeks. The dots were connected - there are (far too many) real people who do personify the story that Grey's just happened to share. I couldn't believe that the story I had been so affected by was re-run on that very week when there was a story that I wanted to tell.

So, here's the story. I've linked it below both the video and print version. I recommend the video version. And I don't want to give too much away before you watch/ read it. But this post is to honor one Mary Nell.

These are not new sentiments that I share with you, many have talked about this far more eloquently than I, but the pain that comes along with losing one's loved one in real time to an enemy like Alzheimer's is completely unimaginable to me. When faced with this pain - the strength that one must then possess to stay. To simply stay - to suffer through the pain to give someone what they need even when they don't even know who you are is something shockingly special and bittersweet. Mary is a unique person in this story and the strength she possesses and the "new normal" she has defined for herself and those in her life truly deserves our recognition. Don't know if I could handle what Mary does, she's one amazing person. Please watch/read below:

Jan's Story (VIDEO)

Jan's Story (PRINT)

Day 306. The Married One.

2011-01-27T10:33:00.002-05:00

Sometimes the subjects of these posts just stand up and demand to be noticed. While I know this story is already getting lots of press, I want to add my voice to the chorus.

First, let me say, it was a total fluke that I even saw this. Stephen and I have never even watched half of an episode of American Idol, and the parts we have seen are only of the bad singers because they make us laugh. But we stayed up to watch this one story last night and it was the right thing to do.

The video below is just under five minutes, but I can guarantee you that it is worth it to watch this clip. And here is why - because this IS what marriage is. Marriage isn't just flowers and hearts and whisking away to romantic trips, marriage is work, marriage is loyalty, marriage is love - real love. It's not always pretty but the reward is knowing that there is someone who is completely, and totally and forever there for you in every way imaginable. Vows often contain a version of "in good and bad, in sickness and in health" and when you can find someone to whom you truly mean that and who truly means that to you it is the most rewarding thing ever. And, like I said, not just in the fireworks way (tho that still happens ;) ) but in the deep, true way that will pop up and remind you how blessed you are to have your spouse in all the little and big ways.

Chris and Juliana have not been able to say proper vows to each other - but they are, in fact, married. Because if you were ready to say those things and you uphold them, no matter what, well, you're more married than some people who've exchanged the rings and thrown the big party.

I'd also like to throw a quick spotlight to Steven Tyler - watch at the end. Its always awkward to know how to interact with someone who may be in the midst of physical or mental challenges but Steven doesn't let that stop him from truly trying to connect with this woman in his own way. Props.

Day 305. The Not Caring if We're Late One...

2011-01-21T17:15:00.003-05:00

I will let this story speak for itself and only add my name to the list of people who appreciated this pilot's humanity and kindness.

Here's the actual story as told by the affected man's wife READ THIS

And, if you think its a hoax, here's another telling of it, or just use the Google for "Southwest Pilot holds plane"

Day 304. The Tummy Mommy One.

2011-01-18T12:39:00.003-05:00

In the most recent months, some very dear, good people were able to realize their dream of being parents through adoption. This couple has shared their journey of growing their family for quite some time and the arrival of this blessed little person has been a true miracle to watch unfold. I have stalked (sad, but true ;) ) their story through Facebook in recent days as the baby was born, and now, after an entrustment ceremony and, of course, paperwork, a wonderful woman gave my friends the baby she carried for nine months. I'm sure the tears of wonder and joy I have had only add to the many that have been shed in happiness, in sadness, and in fear throughout this experience.

The new parents have demonstrated the most unimaginable love and care for the woman they lovingly call "the Tummy Mommy". Even reminding all of us, that as we celebrate with them and their new baby, that we need to continue to support and pray for the woman who has given them this gift. Recently, T, the new mom, invited those of us who would wish to send some encouraging words to V (the "tummy mommy"...and can we pause and discuss how adorable that title is?!?!?) as she experiences a different side of this journey. So, I have chosen to talk to V here - because, this project is all about acknowledging amazing people NOW and this woman is beyond amazing. [Obviously, I am going to keep any identifying facts about the people involved here out of this post to respect their privacy]

-----------------------

Dear V,

I must tell you that I can't imagine all the emotions you feel right now, so I won't even try. I will try and fumble to find the right words to share what's in my heart.

I want you to know that even though I don't know you, I have so much love and respect for you. I love you for helping two wonderful people's dream come true. I love that you saw how cool they are in their baby book and that you picked them to be the caretakers of your little one. I respect you - though I will not assume your reasons for this choice, I can tell you that as someone who has thought quite a bit about having children and actually gotten into paralysis by analysis sometimes, I can only slightly imagine all that you considered and all that you weighed. For undertaking that process alone, I know that you are a strong person, a thoughtful person, and someone who is willing to take on challenges.

Please know that even if we never meet, I am holding you close to my heart right now. I am sending you prayers and good vibes to be at peace with your decision, to appreciate who you are and how amazing you are for going through this process, and to build your life to be whatever you wish it to be. Know that you are loved, by that little baby by the parents you have chosen for her, by extension, all of us love you too. If you are ever feeling low, please know that there are literally hundreds of people who are thankful every single second for you and these people hold you in the highest of regards.

You see, I started this silly little blog because I believe that people who do good things should feel the appreciation for doing them. And I feel that people should know how appreciated they are RIGHT. NOW. And you are one of the most deserving I've ever "met".

V, you are brave, you are strong, you are caring, you are amazing. Because you are all those things (and more) you are loved. Thank you for coming into my life through my friends, it truly gives me comfort to know that there are people in this world like you. You have increased the joy that exists out there one hundred times over. You will never be forgotten and you will always have a place in so many hearts - not only the parents you've chosen, the child you've entrusted them with, but also in mine.

Love,

Alison

Day 303. The One That Compelled Me to Finish This.

2011-01-17T19:07:00.004-05:00

Wow. Well its been almost a year. And its been one heck of a ride. All I will say is that a lot has happened that has caused me to not expect the best from a lot of things. I'd even gotten to saying that I really REALLY needed to see something good happen to someone good to "keep the faith". But then, something happened...(oh, and a certain someone who's been blogged about before sent me a not so subtle nudge ;) Thank you, you know who you are.)

So I am a sports freak as people who know me know. And one of "my teams" is the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL hockey team. And look, we know, the team isn't that good. Last year we had an epic implosion and this year, after a promising start, we...well we're struggling. I can tell you in my heart I still believe - we are a young team that could become more, but the one thing that had troubled me was that, regardless of talent (or lack thereof) losses came when we seemed to lose our heart, or our desire to win. De-press-ing. That, coupled with growing fan discontent - and as a reminder, in my book, a fan's job is to support their team. Not with total blind faith or in a disillusioned way - made things look grim. We had lost every game in January and we had to do something but what? And, to boot the next game on the schedule was against an insurmountable obstacle (for us anyway) the Detriot Red Wings (booo!)

So then, after a loss last Tuesday, one Blue Jackets fan decided to do something. His name is Tyler and, being rather frustrated, Tyler put "money on the board". This is a hockey tradition-I'll be brief, players and coaches place a bet on the dry erase board in the locker room to challenge the team, or players, to a certain achievement or win. For example, a guy's parents may be in town so he puts a dollar amount on the board that he'll donate if he scores or whatever.

So, Tyler put money on the board. He put up $20 to the charity of choice of the player who scored the winning goal.

And in a swirl of ridiculous activity and hope and positivity and proof that Twitter still works sometimes, Blue Jackets fans from all over ended up pledging so much money that by 6 p.m. on game day there was over $5000 in pledges from the fans and an additional $1.5K in incentive pledges, all to charity. The team even got wind of it and those numbers were on the board IN THE LOCKER ROOM before the game.

Let's recap - $20 --> $6000 based on belief and support and hope.

And then the game started. If I thought you all were hockey fans I'd go into great detail, but I won't. I'll say in one of the best games ever, in front of a sellout crowd at home, the Jackets went into overtime and then a shoot out and WON. They won. They won in storybook fashion. And Tyler sent out one simple Tweet. Then word came from the locker room, from our assistant captain, that the team was going to match the fans' donations. I'll be honest, I almost cried (and apparently so did Tyler ;) )

Because here's the thing, sport or no sport, sucky record or not, here's what we are left with (prepare yourself for list of cliche's now): proof that one person can start something HUGE, proof that belief and support does count for something, proof that there are still good people (read Tyler's Twitter stream - you'll be hard pressed to find someone more humble in the middle of all this and who did it for all the right reasons), proof that we all still want to be part of something, and ultimately proof that, even for a low-lying team, little happy miracles do still happen and, even it it takes a lot, our team does have heart.

I have to say I hadn't cared that much about a hockey game in a while but I was sitting on the edge of my seat all night and I felt like part of something so cool - this crazy mix of fans willing their team, sending total support, pulling like crazy for goals, seeing people focus only on the good (even with fingers crossed) and I was nothing but proud to be a CBJ fan and part of the fan community here. If you care to search on twitter for #moneyontheboard, I promise you will see something special.

The team and fans have gotten some crap in the media "what, your fans have to pay you to win now?" But whatever. You don't get it. Seriously. And I'm sorry you don't. Because "money on the board' was a magical week of positive things happening.

So here's to Tyler. You rallied a team, a fan base and you kickstarted an epic amount of donations of over $10,000 (and apparently more than a few pints of blood, some miles run and some push ups) to well-deserving charities.

See? Good people do still exist...and good things still. do. happen. And I'm back to hopefully find even more of them and to convince both you and me. :)

[this did get a lot of good press - among others here's one from the national wires. Or search for "money on the board" and "Blue Jackets"*]

*this is a blatant, shameless plug for how cool this story is:)

Update

2010-03-28T21:26:00.003-04:00

Just a quick update for anyone who may be checking in my little project here...

It remains my intent to finish all 365 entries, but for now, I'm going on an indefinite hiatus.

Thanks to everyone who has been a part of this thus far.

Day 302. The Pizza One.

2010-02-09T20:14:00.003-05:00

Ok, as many in the midwest and east coast areas know, we're receiving what is between our 2nd to third FOOT of snow today and tomorrow. All anyone wants to do is stay home and be safe. On my way home from errands this evening what did I see but the Domino's delivery man chugging along in his car through the slush and salt ahead of me. I get to go home, he doesn't. I get to stop worrying about the roads, he doesn't. I get to chose to not drive my car, he doesn't. And yeah, I know, he chose this job and yeah, I know its not rocket science. But it is brave in its own little way and I doubt he's getting any extra financial incentive from good ol' Dominos to put himself and his car at risk tonight. I'm home now, burrowed in with pup and hubby for a warm evening, but I'm thinking of all the people who are delivering stuff to people like me all over tonight, and I am sending them my appreciation.

Day 301. The Somber One.

2010-02-09T20:01:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately, I had to spend time at a funeral home recently. Strangely, its a specific funeral home that I've had to be at more than a few times throughout my life. I'm not a big fan of these things - or at least when they are put on in the traditional sense. They are stressful, not often fostering of true grieving, and stifling in their stiffness. Whenever Stephen and I are going to, or coming from, a funeral, we have the same conversations about how we want OUR passing to be marked (or not - please people, I'll be gone, go have a party or something) and then we laugh about the stereotypes of every funeral and funeral home we've been to. Perhaps we do this to brace ourselves with humor before heading into these things, who knows, but we've picked apart the tacky carpet and wallpaper, lack of food (and drink!) and so many other things well before we arrive.

Anyway, this recent visit had me positioned in a place where I was directly observing the funeral home employee who was there to work the funeral we were there for (not a fan of open caskets, people, the hall was much easier to handle). And, instead of jumping to my snarky remarks I watched this gentleman. When you really look at this work - its got to be a grind. You have to handle people (and their emotions!) during one of the worst times in their life. Its not exactly a barrel of laughs, you have to dress up, witness pain, grief and unfortunately sometimes fighting. You're stuck on your feet the whole time trying to fulfill people's needs when what they really need isn't something you can bring them, oh and you have to polite and respectful all the time - and appear kind, but not too jovial, supportive but not condescending, available but not obvious. That is One. Tall. Order. (and when its snowing you have to worry about the door that won't close, all that snow, salt and ice and the many, many coats.)

I have a new respect for those in this line of work. Like those who work in some specific fields of health care and other area of support, these people are special. They have a gift for caring, selflessness, and tradition. They see us at our most raw, brutal and hurt and they face it, accept it, and move on. They have to be attentive and supportive but yet they can't care too much - otherwise i think the burden would be crushing.

Never noticed these folks during a service or visiting hours, and yet never looked for anything? Well then they've done their job. Thank you to those who do their best to allow us to grieve, heal and reunite. I don't know that I could do your job every day - particularly because of that dang wallpaper.

Day 300. The Doing Their Jobs One.

2010-02-04T22:12:00.003-05:00

A few days ago, Stephen and I were fortunate enough to visit our friends in Cincinnati to watch the season premiere of LOST. Obviously, this required a trip down the infamous 1-71 S. Stephen and my life has been marked by lots of travel on interstates and thus lots of looking out for cops/ state patrolmen etc. Its always been a personal frustration when you see a cop pulling someone over for speeding only to see multiple cars with flat tires/ broken engines just a few miles further down the road with no attention.

So, it is to the nameless Ohio State Patrol Men that were on I-71S between Columbus and Cincinnati to whom I tip my hat this evening. We never saw a single car pulled over for speeding, what we did was multiple people with flats being helped, people who needed other roadside assistance getting attention.

While 100% wrong, I felt like it had been a long time since I'd seen a police officer doing what I believe I should be paying them to do. So seeing this example this past week was a refreshing change.

To those who continue to serve, and take care of the people in there service areas/ counties/ states I salute what you do to take care of us during our travels and I offer that I will give a bit more consideration that part of that is monitoring our speed and accepting that sometimes we think poorly of you when you're ticketing us ;)

Day 299. The Shockingly Nice One.

2010-02-02T11:27:00.004-05:00

Well, this must be the seventh sign, I am about to highlight someone who works at AT&T. Let me be very VERY clear, this is about the person - not the company ;) In fact, if AT&T cared, this post is a direct plea to them to get more people on board like the lovely, smart, Debbie Reynolds. [And yes, that is her real name - I asked her]

Long story short, AT&T screwed up our bill...again. You'd think after 3 years of service they'd have it figured out, but I digress. So, I was calling to get things fixed, again. I was dreading the call between the layers and layers of call routing I anticipated and the inept customer service that I have always gotten. But, I was lucky to be wrong! Debbie was kind, patient, listened and understood my problem, and was appropriately empathetic (not that scripted "I'm sorry to hear that, Mrs. L. crap).

Debbie handled my issue in a timely, professional way. Halfway through the call I realized I was actually enjoying it and feeling like my issue was being resolved. And then, the true kicker, calm as day, Debbie says "oh, and Happy Birthday! I see you just had a birthday!" Coming from years of dealing with people who you have to repeat your phone number to after every transfer and every level of analysis that this woman actually looked into the record deep enough to see that my birthday was yesterday and then thought to say something? Amazing. Nice. Kind. Above and beyond the call of duty.

AT&T already has an official "feedback" from me about the best employee of theirs that i have ever met but now the world (who probably cares more!) knows too!

Debbie - you rock.

Day 298. The Hostess One.

2010-01-25T10:19:00.002-05:00

Last week, I met a friend at one of my favorite local haunts, J. Liu. Those of you who know me know that we've been going to this restaurant since it first opened and we have quite a few friends who work at both locations. But as time moves on, new people join the team as servers, hostesses, etc. and, as I am not someone to walk around saying "I am a regular! Pay attention to me!" we go with the flow.

So, Wednesday. I showed up around 7 to a happily crazy busy restaurant, was greeted by a new hostess, and was told that there would be a 30 minute wait for a table for two. No problem, says I, I'll hang at the bar. And, I asked if my friend, who is the executive chef, was at this location or the other this evening. "Here," she said and gave me a quizzical look. So, off I went to the bar. I wasn't silly enough to think I'd get a table right away at prime dinner time. I sat on the end of the bar and said hi to all the folks I knew as they walked by, we crossed paths, whatever. Up comes the hostess. "Wow, you sure know a lot of people here!"..."well, we've been coming here since it opened so you know, you get to know everyone". (I felt ridiculous, as obnoxious as many of you know me to be, drawing attention to myself in a blatant ego-feeding way makes me gag...now if you want me to make a fool of myself...well, that's a story for another day :) )

So, and here's the kicker. This lovely girl says "Oh well hello! My name is Megan, I've just started here so I don't know all the regulars yet and I know i should. Its so nice to meet you!" And, within 10 minutes, I had a table.

I share this story not to highlight that I got special treatment, rather, I was astounded by this amazing display of customer service and kindness from someone who couldn't have been older than 20.

I focus on customer service a lot, and the reason that is is because for me, treating each other with respect is one of the most important things in life. Whether you are a customer, a boss, a hostess or a passerby on the street, we don't know another's story and how wonderful when we can take the time to understand another's needs and, when possible meet them.

Trust me, I've told Megan's two bosses how great she was. She didn't act fake, she didn't act weird and she wasn't flustered by the either me or all the inherent craziness already going on in a busy restaurant. The entire night was lovely particularly because Megan started it so nicely.

Day 297. The Salsa One.

2010-01-19T19:19:00.002-05:00

So, a few days after Christmas, with my sister-in-law and her family in town, we got Chipotle for dinner. Loooove the Chipotle - in fact, I've been a bit obsessed lately - so we ordered online and the husbands went to pick up dinner. When they came back, and we opened our dishes, we found that three were completely different from what we ordered. (Nothing is worse than when you are totally looking forward to something and expectations are just not met). So, I called and spoke with the manager who apologized and said he'd offer us three free meals the next time we came in. I asked if we needed anything and he said, no, other than my name which they would keep in the office it would be good to go. So, armed with trepidation, lack of trust in Chipotle's online ordering tool, and a promise I went about my day.

Which brings us to last night. We had good friends over to (finally) do Christmas together and total indecisiveness led to us going to Chipotle because we knew we had three free dishes coming our way. We each went through the line and ordered and, as Stephen got to the cashier first, he started the conversation about free food. A manager was called and, we were kinda expecting that maybe we'd still be paying for our food. Well then came Chip. Chip was tremendously kind and said, no problem and said, in fact, food for all four of you is on me. We wanted some chips and salsa (and guacamole!) as well and offered to pay for that and he wouldn't hear of it.

Chip immediately put us at ease, took care of our problem and endeared us not just to Chipotle but to that specific location (which is kind of a double edged sword! :) )

Its experiences like this that remind me how important customer service is. Chip exceeded our needs and was kind throughout the process. (and plus, his name is Chip which provided countless puns for Stephen all night long...his wife's name is salsa? get it? yeah, not funny)

We all can, and will, make mistakes, but its putting our customer's needs first and treating them with kindness that gets us through. Thanks to Chip for walking the walk and, I personally recommend the Chipotle on Tuttle Road as the bestest :)

Day 296. The Very First One.

2010-01-13T22:17:00.002-05:00

Color me nostalgic, but the fact that the Real World (no I'm NOT giving you the link...its not good tv) is in DC prompts me to flip back and forth to it because the house these kids are in is eerily close to my old house. Tonight, they even went to their gym - which is my old gym. Yes, I know I sound like an old person but DC was, and is, a super cool place to live and thinking of it reminded me of someone...

My long lost friend Jason was a chef, the executive chef, at the first place where I became a regular (outside of where my parents had taken me, or where I had grown up, or where I went as part of a group). His restaurant, 1910 was on 18th Street in Dupont/Adams Morgan and it became "our place". My girlfriends and I would go there 2-3 times a week and we'd hang out more than our budgets probably wanted us to.

The cool thing was, that in addition to making really great food (I still crave the soft shell crabs), J taught me that I was, in fact, a foodie at heart. And, even though I was a twenty-something, he took the time to invest in teaching our little group about the new things he was trying - we got specials from the house and not just to eat, but also to hear why he chose those things, or that preparation or what went into making a dish. J even cooked at the very first event that I hosted and had catered.

Eventually, J left for a Hyatt in DC, and 1910 eventually folded and was two new restaurants even in the time I still lived there. Today, I know (by my credit card statement) how much I enjoy food, but it was J that helped me discover it anew, for myself. He was the first who got me to start thinking about food in an entirely different way than I had ever seen. And, because food is one of my true loves, I am forever thankful to him.

Day 295. The Enabling One.

2010-01-13T21:54:00.002-05:00

Ah, enabling! Well, I can tell you this isn't what you think! This past weekend, I had the joy of going to dinner to celebrate my friend Amy's birthday. I was excited about the event and the people but had never been to our dinner destination - Marcella's. People had said good things, but I didn't know too much about the place.

We sat down as a party of 12 and we were a handful. Let's just sum it up by saying that it started with 5 of us ordering drinks...and then promptly moving seats (after telling the server we'd all be separate checks); then, I ordered the most ridiculous custom drink based purely on one ingredient that I saw on the drinks menu (Aperol - but that's a story for another day), followed by the fact that every. single. time. our server came to the table with something, she got at least two requests for something else.

But, our server, (Libby - demand her!) was amazing. She never lost her cool. She was calm, she was prompt, she was accurate and she was darn tootin' sweet. We knew we were a crazy group, and had there been delays, mixups, or problems with the service or food, I think we would have all taken it totally in stride. Libby made sure none of those things happened. At the end of the meal, I found myself realizing how little I had felt like I was part of a big group on a busy Saturday night. I got the same kind of service that I would have expected had I been a party of two in the middle of the week when the restaurant was dead. Libby truly made sure that we enjoyed our celebration and never had to worry about the meal we were eating as part of the party. And she was adorable - never flustered, never appearing rushed, super cute and any expression of appreciation was met with gratitude and sweetness.

I rarely - RARELY recommend a specific place or person when it comes to where to spend your money but this one bears mentioning - the food was great and, Libby, for every time I told you Saturday that you were awesome - know that I meant it 100 times more :)

Day 294. The Bon Jovi One.

2010-01-06T21:39:00.002-05:00

Debbie. Bon Jovi. Those two things are all I need to say to those who know Debbie. There's a whole lotta meaning there.

I was truly blessed to meet this woman years ago when I was still looking to find my way in a new city (after moving back to Columbus). So much of my love for Debbie is found in the little moments, that would take pages and pages to explain - and those are things I'm not sure I want to share (eating chocolate dessert in a dorm room in Dallas comes to mind). But, I can tell you that Debbie and I have had momentous moments too - I credit her with being one of the main reasons I was able to successfully chair Races for the Cure; she and I had an amazing 3-day, 60 mile walk together for breast cancer, and a weekend in San Fran with our friend H that will go down in my personal memory as a top 10 experience (the icicles remain dedicated to you two).

But in all that, the essence of Debbie remains and that is why I cherish her. She lost her mom to breast cancer at far too young an age and Debbie is the model I look to for how to manage that emotion, that experience and that loss and how to support those who face the same challenges. Debbie taught me how to turn all that into meaning. She is the model of what I aspire to be, of how to be a true friend, how to share yourself, and how to drive your life in the direction YOU want it to go.

Debbie moved away a few years ago - and, I am sadly grateful to lose her attention to her family - her husband and new little one who she loves so very much. No matter where she is, Debbie is someone I carry with me every day. I hope for those who know her that they understand what a gift she is in their lives.

Are you still wondering why this started with Bon Jovi? Well its Debbie's favorite group - and there are many stories (a lot more of which I probably don't even know) of how Bon Jovi was part of all those monumental moments of Debbie's life - including the time when she was losing her mom. It started as a "little factoid about Debbie" but, as I got to know my friend, when a Bon Jovi song would come on, I'd linger to listen instead of thinking of being in middle school and changing the channel, instead, I'd listen to the words. And to me, what I hear is messages of perseverance, principle, strength, love and celebration. And that is Debbie. And that is why I love her. And every single Bon Jovi song keeps Debbie close to me no matter where she lives (now move back to Ohio already, girl!)

Day 293. The Artist One.

2010-01-05T22:18:00.002-05:00

Let's cut to the chase - this is a blantant birthday wish for one Miss Amy Clark. Let us discuss the ways in which she rocks.

Seriously, I have known Amy only a short while, tho, the source of our connection is not too shabby herself (ahem, paging Anna C.!) and I should have known that Anna was right in building up Amy even before I met her.

I first got to hang out with Amy and her hubby at a YSC event, and we had a great time. There is something so liberating about being with people who just want to enjoy the moment. I feel that needs explanation - Amy and Alex know who they are - they are in touch with themselves, each other, and the moment. They are so strong in this skill that it frees them to live each second fully - whether we were eating brownies off of plates (with no hands), taking funny pictures, or dancing (even though noone else was), when you are with people who are living - there truly is nothing that is more fun, no matter what silly stuff you do.

Since this lovely first evening together - we've been able to hang out more, and my opinion of Amy has only gotten higher. She is someone who is following who and what she wants to be and it is such a true connection to her spirit. Amy does photography (puh-leez browse these pictures - you will melt) and I have also had a chance to have her take pictures of me. She can make you comfortable, and feel like you really are capturing a moment, or a feeling, not just a picture.

I think you guys know by now how I feel about those who are creative in the world - I truly revere them. Being with Amy just makes me want to understand how she experiences life - because it strikes me that its one of the most amazing, cool outlooks that exists.

You probably also know how I feel about birthdays - its the one day that belongs to YOU, its the one day when you DO deserve to be selfish, be celebrated, be lavished with love and fun. Amy, I hope your birthday is all that and more - I am thankful to have gotten to know you and I am thankful that you are who you are.

Now just go and get that hairstyle that looks like Nicole Ritchie.

LOVE YOU GIRL! Happy Birthday!

Day 292. The Big Ten One.

2010-01-05T10:43:00.002-05:00

If you know me at all, you know that I lose my composure when it comes to sports - particularly college football and the Big Ten Conference. The season is, *sniff* winding down, and as crazy as it has been (NO the BCS still does not make sense, YES I'd have liked to see Boise State or TCU face off against a FBS team, NO ESPN should not have so much spin control over who should get the Heisman) I am realizing that soon I'll be stuck in the doldrums of no football to speak of.

So, after a Big Ten season that is complete with just one last game to go, I have to spotlight someone who got me through the season - and I didn't even know his real name till I started to write this. Its Tom Fornelli and I found him on Twitter, he goes by "BlogTen".

You know how there are times you search Twitter and you feel like "wow, I'm actually using this thing?" Well that's how I felt a few months ago, when the Buckeyes were home, or sometimes I was on my bike, and there were 3 other games all kicking at the same time as ours and I wanted to get the deets even if I couldn't be online (I'm obsessed, I already told you this). So you search Twitter for the #BigTen hash tag, and like doing this with any topic, you find some good peeps to follow and some bad, but BlogTen is, without question, the ultimate BigTen Tweeter. I don't know how he does it, but he keeps you up to date, with real updates to the split second on any and all BigTen games. Even if I was just trolling ESPN.com or other tweeters there's still no way I could keep the updates coming like he does. And real updates - names, stats, relevance of developments, interaction and Re-tweets with other tweeple.

Oh, and did I mention he's HI-LAR-I-OUS. Now, granted, its sports humor, but its FUNNY. And he's quick witted. I can't tell you how many times I read his tweets aloud during New's Years Day's bowl watching marathon. By the end of the day, the folks I was with would say "what did he say?" whenever my phone buzzed (yes, I get BlogTen tweets direct to my phone - he's that good).

Tom doesn't tweet about anything else - he's covered other college football games, but other than making a smart jab at a SunChips commercial that aired during the Fiesta Bowl last night (in which he *may* have revealed he has a girlfriend) there's not much else shared.

This guy is a heck of a resource for all things BigTen, but more so, what an example of a Twitter-er. He's focused, accurate, concise, funny and just plain good.

BlogTen literally increased my enjoyment of the college football season 100 fold and I will forever be grateful!

Day 291. The Cool One (that I miss).

2009-12-31T08:47:00.003-05:00

New Year's Eve everybody! Its here! Peripherally, I was aware that it was kinda cool to be 2010 and people have been tweeting about are we calling it "twenty ten" or "two thousand and ten". And, peripherally, I was aware that it was ten years since the big "Y2K scare". But it wasn't until I read my super cool friend Amber's post (p.s. follow her blog, she rocks) that i really started to think about those two things. TEN YEARS since Y2K. TEN YEARS! My how my life has changed. Y2K was special for me, I was in the very sweet spot of my twenties, still so clueless about so much, livin' the dream of the young person's life during the height of the dot-com era in DC. I had just discovered what would become my favorite city, San Francisco, and I was out there literally every other weekend (travelling for work every week did have its perks).

San Francisco meant - and still means - a lot to me. I learned a lot about developing into who I wanted to be when I was out there, mainly because of friends I met there. This one particular friend, K, was the one who lived there. The rest of us were just out there all the time. She had moved out there "just because she wanted to" (SOOOO cool). She lived in a cool place on Union Street. She knew cool places to eat, and she knew cool places to shop and she was just....Cool. And she was a true friend. We got to a place where, even when I was back on the East coast, we would chat (this was before texting and email, people, we had to use *gasp* PHONES!). We'd make plans to see each other and look forward to our time together.

We spent New Years Even 1998 together (in San Fran) somewhat randomly and then made "real" plans to spend New Years 1999 together, again, in San Fran. Her (future) mother-in-law (also cool) hosted a party and we all dressed up and had the kind of refined decadent new years celebration that you can only have when you're around people you love and you're, maybe just a little bit curious if all the pundits are right and the world is going to end because our computers won't be able to handle the data "00", and you figure that, well, at least you're on the West Coast so, if it all goes to hell you will have at least 3 more hours to party than the rest of the US and a bit of a heads up when New York comes crashing down.

TEN YEARS. That night was so fun - it was so important to me for reasons that are much more personal than anything I've described above.

There's just one problem, I met K because she was the girlfriend (now wife) of the best friend (since childhood) of the guy I was dating. And then that guy and I broke up...messy style. And, as social politics are likely to do (particularly in our 20's) K and I no longer talk. I saw her a few times after, and, she is too high a quality person to "not like someone because someone else doesn't" but she is also highly loyal, and, so while there's no negative energy, it was certainly awkward. So, I no longer get to have K in my life - these things happen. I know she's still out there and I have no doubt she's building a tremendous life. But I miss her, and remembering New Years, 1999, for some reason, today, has reminded me of her - strongly.

Happy New Years to you all - may you enjoy the moments you have because no matter the paths that follow, each moment, and each person, are the intangibles that really make a life. I am thankful that for however short, I had K in my life and I know that those with whom she shares herself are quite lucky.

Day 290. The Non-Rushing One.

2009-12-29T20:53:00.002-05:00

Long story longer, to get home at night, I have to turn right, and then a few hundred yards later, turn left into my community. The road I turn onto is a one lane road with a fair amount of traffic and we are close to a mall, so this time of year in particular, it is very crowded with very impatient people.

I kinda dread driving home during this time of year - between potential ice & snow, and the angry drivers, and my desire to simply be home, its no fun sometimes backing up quite a few cars as I wait for a break to turn into "home".

Well, the other day, with cars rapidly backing up behind me, and a line of cars blocking me going the opposite way, one very kind driver stopped, and allowed me to pull in. This small act that took only a few seconds gave quite a few people a quicker route to where they were going and I'm sure it alleviated more than one person's high blood pressure.

I know nothing more than the fact that it was a woman driving a red minivan. So that's all I can tell you about this person. But I appreciate that she took the time to think of others - quite a few others in fact, and that even for one moment she thought it was ok to put others' needs before hers (even if it was just to get somewhere a few seconds faster).

Thank you!

Day 289. The Store One.

2009-12-28T21:50:00.002-05:00

Over the holiday, we were with my in-laws and we were in Stephen's home town which is a very small, very "old school" community. There literally still is a "Main Street" and, excepting the summer months, the town is home only to locals...many of whom have lived there all their lives and who have raised their families and built their life there. It could be easy to stereotype these people but I find that more often than not, their perspective and approach to life can ground one to what's really important. One such lesson we learned again on Christmas eve.

Christmas eve, my sister-in-law, mother-in-law and I decided to walk Main St. to visit a few of the little stores that line the way. Many stores are "cutesy" boutiques that often, will last a few years until they find that their niche or prices doesn't sustain them based on tourist traffic that only exists a few months a year. We happened upon a little store, tiny but rich in its creative wares and warm, but not over pressuring owner. We bought a few things there and commented on how different, yet practical, so many items were. I've thought about that store quite frequently since our visit and I realized just how badly I want them to succeed.

Its the owner of that store I think of, and highlight today. The store is a realization of a dream that now balances the reality of having a business with still having a life. (Open the day-or weekend-after Christmas? NO. Time to be home with family)

How few of us follow an idea through from concept to inception? How many of us have a dream (little or big) and make it happen - even when examples of similar attempts, that are more often than not unsuccessful, litter the path in front of us? How many of us are confined by restrictions due to required money, or obligations or comfort/stres level? Often I wish I could be bold enough, confident enough to think that a tiny little seed of an idea I had is something that I could turn into reality.

When you walk around any business - realize that it started with someone taking some crazy leap of turning an idea into something that they had no guarantee would work.

I literally pray that this store is there when we return in the Spring. And I guarantee that I will make it a habit to go and shop there frequently - not only because i like the product, but because I believe in supporting this owner who is trying to make a dream into a reality.

Day 288. The Really Really Smart One.

2009-12-22T22:26:00.002-05:00

Christmas is only a few days away, and, as someone who believes in this holiday in the Christian way, I tend to reflect on it a bit differently. Part of what I always think about is how I really appreciate the way I have learned about the bible. First, my father had a brief stint in seminary in his early life and so he has always studied the bible in an academic way - with the greek, the latin and quite a few other translations at his fingertips. I have no doubt that it was this thought process that helped our family pick the church that we've attended since I was little - the only church I've ever known.

Our church evolved out of a bible study and it still holds that same focus. You should have seen me going to friends' churches as a small child, the rituals of standing, sitting, singing, and a more "life lesson" sermon were things that were new to me. You see, our pastor was elected by the original bible study to be our leader. He is brilliant - he worked with Einstein back in the day - and is literally one of those rocket scientist types. His extreme thirst for knowledge has translated to how he studies the bible and how he challenges us. A sermon is not a 25 minute time period of him talking at us, its him sharing his study and what he has found and inviting discussion and debate. He cites greek, and latin and the differences between this word for "prayer" and that word for "prayer" in the original language. The man can recite the entire King James translation...by heart.

I appreciate our paster, Art, for what he brings to the study of religion. He brings intense critical thinking and also intense balance of faith. His knowledge is flat out astounding. At this time of year, I always reflect on what I have learned as the reason for the season, and have tremendous appreciation for the ways in which I have been taught about religion - not with guilt, or intense focus on ritual for ritual's sake, but for seeking understanding and knowledge and, sometimes, just going forward on faith. Because sometimes, even outside of religion, that's all you've got to get you through.

I don't write this to convince anyone to think any certain way about the holiday of Christmas, but I just want to recognize someone who has truly sought knowledge and had the most incredible capacity for belief, and love, and education and debate - more than pretty much anyone I know.

Day 287. The Verifying One.

2009-12-17T11:26:00.002-05:00

We live in America, and that means we each get to have our own opinion. I have always thought that is a good thing, the problem is, that sometimes, our opinions take over...and get stirred up and misconstrued as "truth" or, worse yet, they become weapons in a philosophical war instead of a building block for understanding and communication.

Yesterday, I was reminded how rich and refreshing it is to find someone who will seek out information first before jumping to conclusions. I'm not going into depth about the issue at hand because that is not what this post is about, what this post IS about is Jeff. Jeff is someone I know rather casually - but I have gained a bit of access into his life and I have always appreciated how he lives his life and what he shares about himself and his family. Yesterday, Jeff reached out to me out of the blue, to ask for information on something that he knows I'm familiar with. Its a touchy subject and so, I was particularly pleased to know that someone was seeking out the information about it before jumping to a conclusion. I wrote a rediculously long explanation to him and he received it gracefully.

I haven't really followed up on the issue since - and honestly, whether or not Jeff shares the same opinion as I do doesn't matter. What DOES matter is that Jeff is someone who cares enough to find out as much as he can about something before just running on hearsay or jumping to conclusions. This is one of the values I hold most dear in life.

Jeff could vehemently disagree with me for the rest of our lives (on this issue or any other) and honestly, I would love that because I know enough to know that Jeff is thoughtful in his opinions and positions. To know people like this is to ensure that you will always be able to back up your decisions about what you think and what you do. In my opinion, this is behavior to emulate. Period.

Day 284...Cont'd...

2009-12-12T22:25:00.003-05:00

Often times my husband and I get into arguments about "talking about people". He calls it gossip, I try to explain to him that in most cases (yes, I fall prey to gossiping), its how women work to understand people. Tiger Woods has provided food for thought on that one for sure...everyone's talking about him, and I like to believe that the circle I've been talking about this all with haven't been sensationalizing but learning...

Tonight my friend Soren posted a unique and tremendously interesting perspective...please take a moment to read this and think...think.

Arguably, a month ago, Tiger Woods could have been a candidate for my blog. Is he still? Will he ever be again? Discuss...cause I am not sure either.

Day 286. The Sonoma One.

2009-12-10T21:43:00.002-05:00

I hang out with a lot of chefs. I am married to an amateur one (who at the last minute turned down his acceptance to CIA but I digress). Perhaps it's because I love food, or perhaps its because I admire this particular brand of creativity...but I am really blessed to hang out with (and eat the creations of!) the chefs I know. This one particular one, DK, is someone who will always be with me, at least in spirit, because when I met him, the very last thing I found out about him was that he was a chef. He was the brother of the best friend of a guy I was dating (got it?) and he was just super cool and super fun. He was just my friend D. He was wild and crazy and awesome.

You can imagine my surprise when we went to the restaurant he was cooking at in San Francisco. I went with a girlfriend of mine, and when we sat down, the server told us that D. would be taking care of the menu. Thus proceeded three hours of true culinary bliss...only magnified that as I ate one of my top 5 all time meals, I was shocked to realize this was all coming from a guy I just knew as a fun friend. There's something supremely powerful and intimate about seeing someone you know socially reveal their true gift and passion. That is what that night was all about.

I've eaten at some of the other restaurants D. has worked at and I've eaten at his very own restaurant (the first one...) in Napa. I've had the chance to follow his career through culinary channels as well. He's won extremely prestigious awards and, well, let me say that if you follow some of the more popular food shows you've seen him on one particular one...twice.

While D. and I don't talk much anymore, I still consider him a friend and he continues to be a beacon to me of what living life fully is all about. He will always personify doing everything fully - living, being with friends, working, following your passion. I don't think I've ever seen D. at less than 100% going. I am keeping some of the identifying details out of this post because I don't want to be accused of riding on a celeb's coattails or anything...but, should your mind go there, the reason I am writing about this incredible man today is because what everyone else knows him for was the last thing I knew about him and the least of the reasons why I value him and what he puts into the world.

Day 285. The Ageless One.

2009-12-08T21:06:00.003-05:00

Kay is a friend who lives in Munich who I met through one of those "friend of a friend" scenarios. We've barely had time to really connect and we've probably seen each other a total of a few days over the past few years and a few visits by me to Germany. But, Kay is still awesome and I know this for a fact.

First and formost, the fact that I consider Kay a friend is a testament to how welcoming he is to people and how kind of heart he is. If you saw Kay, this might not be your first impression. He exudes "cool" and lives the life a lot of guys dream of - great girlfriend, great condo, great car, great clothes, hip hangouts - you get the picture. But I feel like I know Kay to be a devoted person - devoted to who he is, to his friends, and to having a great time in life. I was reminded of this through one of those funny little random Facebook exchanges that happened last night through another of our mutual friends. We were joking about the validity of people over 30 being on Facebook (note: Kay and I are over 30, the other person, not so much...love ya, Jim). And somewhere along our pithy, silly little comments Kay said something to the effect that age is just a state of mind. Kay personifies this - talk about someone who enjoys life and wants to take you along for the ride...

Age is a state of mind. Right you are my friend. Right you are. Cheers!

Day 284. The Imperfect One.

2009-12-02T16:59:00.002-05:00

Hey did you hear about Tiger Woods?

I know, I know. You're probably rolling your eyes right now. But the story of a random early morning accident followed by stalling the police and then ultimately an admission of an affair is everywhere. There's been a lot of discussion about "right" vs. "wrong" not only in the actual series of events but how the series of events was handled. The discussion has also move to whether we should even care or be made aware of anything other than Tiger's golf career. I've been thinking about that.

So, today, I am picking the unlikely candidate of Charles Barkley. Yep. Who knew? Sir Charles has certainly had his own set of issues. He is far from perfect. Here's the trick, and here's why I like him. He acknowledged both of those things early on. Some of you may be too young to remember his "I Am Not a Rolemodel" commercials for Nike. In my opinion, they didn't get enough air time. The message was clear - Charles (and Nike) knew he was a very good basketball player but that is where emulating him should stop. If you want to know how to live your life, how to interact with people, what morals to have, what to do with your money, do NOT look to Charles.

When you really think about our celebrity focused culture these days, and really think about what we think we have a right to know its crazy. Its also crazy to think about why is someone famous in the first place (i mean, c'mon, "being hot"? Is that really enough of a criteria? You have good genes?)

Anyway, I'm not defending Tiger in all that's gone down, nor am I blaming him. But we are expecting too much from some people for the wrong reasons. I urge you to consider thinking about your heroes as Charles Barkley advised - respect them for their unique talents but don't be lazy and use that as an excuse to think that a person is "perfect". And if you're blessed enough to be "talented" try focusing on only sharing that part of your life and reminding us that is the only area of your life to be studied. (I mean really, what does Tiger Woods have to do with selling Razors, really?)

P.S. I'm getting off my soapbox now

P.P.S. Special thanks to those on Twitter who engaged in debate with me about this. I enjoyed your points and perspective immensely. The way we were talking about this was not a simple thing

Day 283. The Cleaning Ones.

2009-11-29T22:25:00.003-05:00

Last night, my husband had the cool privilege to play with his hockey team on the main ice after the Columbus Blue Jackets game. We had about 30 minutes to mill about while we waited for the zamboni to finish its work, the arena to clear of CBJ fans, and our team to change into their gear. This also gave us PLENTY of time to walk a fair distance from our seats in the next to last row of the arena to front row seats at center ice.

What do you notice when you cover pretty much every row in a 20,000 person arena? You notice how sloppy we are when we aren't in our own space. Every possible thing that was sold at a concession stand last night was now on the floor in some form or another: nachos, peanuts (and their shells), soda, beer, ice cream, popcorn, chili, etc. Ewwww.

While we waited for our team to play the cleaning crew began their work. There's no way to automate this. There's no machine to sweep every seat, and cupholder, and part of the floor (all around the seats and in the aisles). Human labor is required to pick up every item and place it in the trash. I never got a proper count, but there were not that many men and women assigned to the task of cleaning every single one of the 20,000 spots for fans - the most I counted were 15 cleaning staff.

This team worked before our game, during our game, and were continuing their work after we were done (and they were not even half way through the arena). This is thankless work. This is important work. Its important for the brand of our hockey team, for health reasons, for longevity of the facility and attractiveness of our city for other events. But noone sees it, noone appreciates it, and in fact, most just add to it.

So, although I was able to only thank 3 or 4 of the cleaning staff personally last night, I want them all to know that their work is valuable and important and noticed, if only by the fact that noone complains about a dirty seat when they sit down in the arena the next time. I also took this lesson as a reminder that its my job to keep the areas that my life impacts as clean as possible. If you wouldn't throw down a half eaten container of popcorn in your house, don't do it at a public facility. If you don't leave peanut shells on your living room floor, or don't plan on cleaning it up yourself, don't make a mess elsewhere. It goes above personal responsibility. It goes to individual respect - the men and women who cleaned up after all of us last night are good, hard working, kind people and they don't need to pick up after me because I'm too lazy to do it.

I appreciate the work that this team did into the wee hours of the morning and I appreciate that they reminded me to not just expect others to take care of my stuff :)

Day 282...Sort of...Breaking the Rules...

2009-11-19T21:20:00.002-05:00

I feel like I am always rehashing this point of this blog. I feel like I am beating a dead horse when I so blatantly say that the whole point is to acknowledge those we love, respect, honor while they are here to receive the gift of our appreciation.

And then...well, life takes over. And one gets busy...and one (like myself) starts to search perhaps too much for who to write about next - who to thank next. This person is too famous, this person probably already gets so much praise...and then you remember that no matter what, no matter how "famous", no matter if someone knows you or not...tell them they mean something.

Tonight we lost someone who I have always loved so dearly for who she was and what she represented. Not only in terms of her fight against breast cancer but in terms of having one of the most amazing love stories I have ever known.

Tonight - I am sorry that I never acknowledged this person while she was here...maybe she would have never known that I wrote about her. But I would have known that I tried. Don't ever stop trying to tell those you love, appreciate, respect that you do so...

Now please read >> THIS

Day 281. The Chicken One.

2009-11-18T17:50:00.002-05:00

This post will remain anonymous today. But I know someone who has recently taken a new direction in life. I don't know all the details as to why - but I do know that this person made a big difference in every path they have ever followed.

The recent times that had our lives intersect taught me that this person - a woman - is the epitome of women in leadership as I'd hope to see them: smart, passionate, strong, gets stuff done, eloquent, and all while wearing great shoes. During our time "Together" she brought hope, clarity and, at least for me, provided a sense of calm and direction in ever changing landscapes.

I know that she can, and has, made a lot happen in the world. I would argue she has also made a lot happen, even without trying, for women in the workplace.

I know that the only constant is change and so, while I am saddened to see new directions being forged, I am happy to have been aware of this person for even a brief time and I wish her all the best.

Sorry to be so vague - but in the off chance that this "One" does read this she'll know - and that's the point!

Day 280. The Staging One.

2009-11-18T17:43:00.002-05:00

So many moons ago I volunteered as the Race Chair for the Race for the Cure in Columbus Ohio. Its still one of the most fun, and most rewarding things I've done. You meet a lot of cool people and you particularly appreciate those who let you haggle them down to an insanely low price because you are a non-profit organization.

One of the coolest people I met was John Page. To meet John is just to meet this completely genuine, positive, nice person. He is a caring friend, father and husband. He'll spend time really getting to know you. He always comes into a situation with an open mind and a particular strength: he will always pay a compliment - just because he likes something that someone has done.

But John isn't just a good person - he is extremely talented "audio visual genius" (yes that's MY term LOL). John owns a company that does staging and event production. He did all our sound, staging, and production for the Columbus Race's for the Cure while I was chair and did many before my time and I hope will continue to do many more. John is often the missing piece in bringing a creative concept into reality. He'll figure out a way to get staging to represent a ring of hope. He'll move heaven and earth to get just the right kind of bleachers (that the City requires) so that our Survivors don't have to stand.

I've also had the opportunity to witness other events John has put on - and again, its nothing short of genius. He blends seamlessly into any event and makes it bigger and better.

I just saw John last weekend after far too long. He remains the tremendous visionary, friend and businessman as I knew him to be.

Day 279. The Singing One.

2009-11-12T19:55:00.004-05:00

Words can't do this justice - but anyone who can put such beauty into the world deserves thanks, recognition and more. I always am in awe of her...

...seriously, where the heck does that voice come from?!?!?! And she's so flippin' cute!!!

Day 278. The Multi-Tasking One.

2009-11-12T19:48:00.002-05:00

You may or may not remember that when I came back from Europe in September I had a broken MacBook, an essential need for my computer, and two days to get everything fixed (and adjust to jetlag, and catchup on work, oh and prepare to ride 220 miles on a bike!)

My saint of a husband did a ton of coordination for me to help get appointments set up at the Apple Store so that we could a) get a new computer b) turn in the old one to get fixed c) get all the data converted from the old one so I could be up and running for the next day. So, already awake for 20+ hours, I headed to the Easton Apple store directly from the airport upon landing on Columbus.

To say I was not 100% present mentally would be an understatement. To say Apple hadn't been the most helpful to this point - again - an understatement. In fact, with Stephen scheduling so many appointments the store and different employees, had attempted to cancel one, if not all, of our concurrent appointments assuming we made a mistake.

Luckily the personal shopper assigned to us was the manager. When we walked up, he had the kind, unassuming look of a nice uncle. I immediately prejudged him to be another "brother geek" but someone just enjoying work at the Apple store. Boy was I wrong. This kind man not only knew everything and anything about all the Apples but he turned to out to be the person that had advocated for us even before we got there when people kept asking if they should cancel our duplicate appointments. He also talked with us a lot about customer service and how that was his primary focus and responsibility at the store. Working with someone who not only knew their stuff but valued the way in which business was transacted was exactly what cranky, tired, jetlagged Ali needed.

He even escorted us appointment to appointment and kept checking up on us throughout our visit. We got out of Apple in record time. With everything we needed and more.

Day 277. The Young One.

2009-11-12T19:37:00.003-05:00

When I was working with a team of staff and volunteers this past year on the Swiss Race for the Cure, we were blessed to come across two women living in Zurich who were breast cancer survivors. One of them, a young, vibrant, amazing woman is called Pia.

Pia is the daughter of a survivor and now has battled the disease herself at too young an age. Yet she remains full of life and as so many young survivors have the skill to do, she has embraced life even more fully. She is so very passionate about raising awareness and support structures for people affected by breast cancer. She was our most constant contact to the Swiss Race throughout all our planning and implementation. On Race day, she rallied her own friends and family to come out and race or volunteer. She took on the least glamorous volunteer jobs with pride and positivity focused always on the bigger picture. And then she even was willing with her partner to be my chauffer all over Zurich during my stay there (not an easy task!)

You see, in Switzerland, cancer and awareness of the disease doesn't get the same treatment it does here. The Swiss are extremely private about their health and breast cancer is a taboo topic. To be willing to step up and lead the charge for this cause and be willing to say "I am a Breast Cancer Survivor" is not something to be taken lightly. It is Pia's belief in the cause, and dare I say in herself, that gives her a strength that truly impresses the heck out of me.

We're looking to make even bigger changes that will promise even bigger growth for the Race is Switzerland in the coming year...and I know we wouldn't even be thinking that we could do it without Pia. I'm so glad that we have become friends.

** the man in this picture is Peter, Pias significant other. Another truly amazing man. Every woman deserves to be treated the way Peter treats Pia.

Day 276. The Mix Tape One.

2009-11-05T20:45:00.002-05:00

** Disclaimer: certain (younger) age groups may not be able to identify with this post at all. ;)

Back when I was in high school, music was still mainly consumed through cassette tapes. CD's were just starting to be around - but they were very expensive. Records were still around, but tapes could be played in your car AND if you had, wait for it, a dual deck tape player, you could make a copy of a tape OR a MIX TAPE!

My friend Erin and I arguably made an art of this in our college days...we were anal enough that we would plan out the list of songs, and then mathematically figure out how to fill each side of a tape almost completely. (Want to know the perfect song for 2 minutes, 30 seconds? I still know a few - you want slow, fast or emo?) There was a real art to making mix tapes - and I STILL have all my best ones but the real credit goes to the person who taught me how...a guy named Mike M.

Senior year of high school, Mike and I were the kind of friends who knew each other and if we were around each other could talk forever about the subject at hand, but we were mostly casual friends - not really seeing each other outside of school or anything. Well, come Spring, Mike said to me "let's start making each other mix tapes". A few days later I got this shocking piece of "technology" - the cassette case wasn't just the lined label with a list of songs - it was a beautiful graphic (cut from a magazine and glued on but remember, this was the early 90's people). There was a "title" for the album - assembled in cool typeface and again put, what was considered professionally, on the case.

Then there was the music. High school kinda forms your musical tastes I think. High school also offers a lot of kids up as fodder to the Top 40 radio stations. Its easy to get lazy in what good music is - and this is the stuff that's gonna stay with you forever so it better end up being good and stand the test of time (I can still mimic the entire Thriller dance - don't judge). Anyway - most, if not all, of the music Mike would put on my mix tapes was stuff I'd never heard by artists I'd never heard of. It was cool, it was challenging, and it was affecting.

Those of you who know me now know how important music is to me - it truly serves as the soundtrack of my life. I've come to have such a broad spectrum of musical tastes, and comfort with that, based on the exploration that Mike's mix tapes started some many years ago.

I haven't seen Mike in years - and I think the last time was a last second recognition among the throngs of people at an Ohio State game. But he truly impacted my life and something that has become one of my most cherished daily elements. Now the music I love and recommend and buy often reminds me of Mike and the gift he probably didn't ever know he gave. :)

Day 275. The Hugging One.

2009-11-05T20:08:00.002-05:00

So yesterday was my friend Teresa's birthday. We went to see her for a celebratory drink (big deal - Stephen detached himself from the Yankee's game MID-game!) and as we walked in Teresa immediately jumped up to hug each of us.

I'm a big believer in hugs - thing is, that I'd rather not get a hug than get a fake one. You know the type, they never really touch you, or there is no feeling in them, or you feel like you're getting one for obligation. Yeah - skip those hugs. But a real hug? A real hug is just amazing. You feel loved. You feel appreciated. You feel connected. Well that's how Teresa hugs.

Teresa is someone I haven't known a long time - actually we bonded rather randomly dancing to bad top 40 music while avoiding having to play volleyball. And this was just a month or so ago. But we clicked. Teresa is warm, she is interested in getting to know you, and she is interested in building relationships and connections. At the very same time, Teresa has not an ounce of "fake" about her. She's real. She's really really real.

Every time we're about to see Teresa now, both Stephen and I comment before and after seeing her how much we enjoy her. And last night, Stephen said, "she just knows herself and she's comfortable with herself". When you see this in action you realize how rare it is. And I, for one, truly see now how liberating it is to be able to embrace life when you don't have to worry hyperanalyzing your own silly little things.

Happy belated birthday (again) my new friend, Teresa. You're a very good person

Day 274. The Marathon One.

2009-11-02T19:23:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Meb Keflezighi won the New York City Marathon. I recognize that marathon running doesn't top the headlines on the news or on ESPN, but if you follow running, this was a pretty cool thing. Many are touting this as exciting as the first time that an American has won the NYC marathon since 1982. But, for me, its so much more exciting simply because its Meb.

Meb has been a competitive runner for years. And, in my mind, he's had far too long a history of coming in second. In the 2004 Olympics, in countless other NYC marathons, he's been second or third. He's been always "almost there" but he's never won "the big one". Meb ran New York the year I did. So sitting in our hotel room that year it brought his story even closer to home.

Thing is, quite a few competitive runners will drop out of Races if they aren't in a money making position - its too much on their bodies (and too demanding a recovery) if they aren't going to get something "big" out of it. Meb has quietly soldiered on (he even had some press in a Master Card Commercial) working hard and waiting. Its this perseverance that i admire, and that meant the most to me out of all the other things people will say about his victory. Yay, Meb. I'm so excited for you that you now can bask in the glory you've worked so hard for and only watched from the sideline for far too long.

Day 273. The Oma One.

2009-10-29T19:34:00.002-04:00

Oma means "grandmother" in German. Over 50 years ago, Stephen's Oma, on his dad's side, came over with her husband (from whom Stephen received his middle name and who many say Stephen reminds them of - high praise!) from Germany/Yugoslavia to start a new life path.

They settled in North Eastern Pennsylvania - Hawley, PA to be exact (30 minutes from Scranton, Office fans!) and started what was just a simple boarding house. Over the years, this boarding house grew to what is now Lukan's Farm Resort. The resort is still run by family, the recipes are still all Oma's, the family has all been raised to know and appreciate the value of hard work, the skills the family maintains and enjoys are the special things that many have forgotten, and, though not as frequently, at age 90+, Oma still goes to the Kitchen every day to watch over what she started.

I think its one of those rare things that comes with age, when you realize that you never appreciated your grandparents and all they can share. My grandparents are all gone so it had been some time since I had been around someone's older relatives. Its been a real treasure to spend time with "Oma" and see the ties that connect all that she has taught Stephen throughout his life...when he makes goulash, or my favorite tomato zucchini dish, its Oma's recipe in action. When I hear the stories that she will sometimes share, it gives me pause to realize how much life she has seen. I think its bizarre that when I was in college cordless phones were considered new technology, let alone cells, email and texting..imagine Oma's perspective on what has happened - what she has seen.

In this day and age, as we all disperse around the world, its easy to loosen the ties to our families. Its people like Oma the remind me of the value that lies in maintaining these connections. I am thankful for all that she has given to her family - she's helped to raise some of the most special people in my life today; I know she's also meant a great deal to so many guests over the years. For what Oma has given to so many, the least she deserves is my thanks and appreciation...

Day 272. The Movie Ones.

2009-10-27T19:46:00.002-04:00

The movie Race Across the Sky has obviously had a big effect on me. I think its important to recognize those who even made that movie possible. I've searched and searched for an actual NAME but the closest I've been able to come is to acknowledge Citizen Pictures and Fathom Events as the producers of Race Across the Sky.

I will let the work speak for itself, but what I can tell you is that its been a while since I've seen a movie that so keenly balanced stories that were funny, emotional, and supremely human like this one have. During this movie, I laughed, I gasped, I held my breath, I even cried. That's movie making. Oh, and they turned this movie around in just around two months! (The bike race was in August, the first screening of the movie was in October)

Please consider watching this 5 minute trailer to enjoy the art that is movie making (and editing a trailer!)

** Also - please be aware that they've just added an encore screening of this movie. I STRONGLY encourage you to check out the website and see if its showing near you, and Go. See. This. Movie. (tickets go on sale November 6th)

Day 271. The Appreciative One.

2009-10-25T17:47:00.002-04:00

My last entry talked a lot about the Leadville 100 and its great founder...but perhaps even more well known (and beloved) person within this event is Dave Wiens, the only 6 time winner of the event (and consecutive at that).

Dave is an acclaimed mountain biker who has built the life he has through the sport - he was able to make a living, meet his now wife, and support his family through his love of mountain biking. His accomplishments and acclaim are considerable in the mountain biking world, but that's not what gains him mention here.

In watching the Leadville 100 documentary, some of the first images you are greeted with are signs of "Dave, beat Lance! (sic)" and within the crowd of riders and supporters at the pre-Race meeting, more than a few wearing yellow shirts bearing the words "Go Dave!". When I first saw these things I thought perhaps this is the small town support of their hometown hero, or perhaps its just the tiniest bit of anti-Lance backlash. But I was thrilled to be wrong.

Why does the entire community of Leadville love Dave Wiens? Because through the "Across the Sky" documentary I found myself "meeting" one of the most genuinely nice, compassionate and thankful people perhaps in the world. Dave takes the time to talk at every pre and post Race event. He focuses on acknowledging the support of the many volunteers, the Leadville community, and other riders. It is hard to explain how his essence was so clearly communicated through the two hours of the movie, but the only story I can give is what honestly was one of the most touching moments in the whole film...the Race is an out and back course along a brutal route - the halfway point is the summit of a mountain another 14,000 ft above the 10,000 ft. above sea level at which you started. To say that the climb is brutal is an understatement. The film is telling the story of the battle for the lead of the race between Lance Armstrong and Dave Wiens. Competition is intense...the two men both want to win for so many reasons. Lance is ahead, Dave is trying to catch up, and as he spends the few brief seconds at the top of this brutal climb before he heads out to chase Lance he slows and yells out "Thanks you guys for all your help".

Seems small - but its huge.

Lance Armstrong has been quoted as saying that it was the Leadville 100 that motivated him to come back to bike racing because riding it last year taught him that there were so many more important things than winning. Dave Wiens personifies all those things. He is an athlete of the highest caliber and he still demands of himself to recognize and acknowledge all those with whom he shares his part of the world. Dave Wiens is a true champion...of life.

Day 270. The Leadville One.

2009-10-23T11:39:00.002-04:00

Last night, I went and saw Race Across the Sky - a documentary about the Leadville 100, and I'm just warning you, that the next few posts will be about people that shared themselves with us all through that piece...but I encourage you to take the time to get to know each of them.

The first, and most important person that this piece introduced me to was the founder of the event, Kenneth Chlouber. Ken is a traditional western mining town man. A lifelong resident of Leadville, Colorado he worked as a miner. When the mines closed in the 80's, almost the entire town was suddenly without a job. I can't remember the numbers exactly, but I think Ken shared that in a town with the population of just over 5,000, over 3,500 people lost their jobs. That's the entire town. Ken and others were inspired to come up with something to drum up tourism to maintain the economy and the town, they came up with the Leadville 100.

This event is rediculous. To summarize, its a 100 mile bike ride that STARTS at 10,500 ft above sea level and then takes you on an out and back trail (TRAIL...not gravel, not road TRAIL) that climbs another 14,000 ft. Insane. You can imagine that the stories about personal accomplishment, personal growth, motivation and inspiration are many (and I'll be sharing some with you in the upcoming days)

But here's what sticks with me about Ken. He gets it. If you've done any kind of athletic event, heck any event in general, you know there's always some sort of hierarchy - there's always someone with a "comped" entry, or a VIP area, or certain seating arrangements. There's always someone who's just a little bit more important than someone else, and there's always someone who has better, or more, access to you. Sometimes this has an impact, sometimes it doesn't. Ken doesn't play these games.

First of all, to get in the Race, its a lottery system. Doesn't matter who you are, go in the lottery. Second of all, its a general start - no special areas, no zones, no rankings. Third of all, and most importantly, in every word that Ken says, you can tell that every single person in this event matters. Ken lives a philosophy of celebrating the common man. He says in the movie that this movie isn't about the Lance Armstrong's (who's raced the past two years) or the Dave Wiens (who's won 6 consecutive Leadville 100's !) its about the Joe's, and the Sally's, and the John's who make up the pack. Dave is the common man's Oprah - all he wants is you to "dig deep" and realize that "you can do more than you think you can".

You can tell there's a lot of life story behind Ken's eyes...as he waits at the finish and welcomes every. single. rider. You can see that he is more motivated by the man desperately trying to beat the time cut off than the Lance Armstrongs. He values more the rider who comes back year after year than the one time hot shot. He makes sure that EVERY person - rider, volunteer, fan, Leadville resident knows that they are doing something great - no matter what they do.

I can't adequately tell you how impressed I am with this man - he seems to be the life force of this small town. His energy and passion seem to be the beating heart of this event. I encourage you to watch the video on the event's home page - its two minutes with Ken. This is one man who can spout every single cliche in the book BUT the difference is, he means it, and you believe it.

To Ken - who believes in everyone being the best you you can be, and who believes that this can start with a bike race.

Day 269. The Skype Ones.

2009-10-21T21:50:00.002-04:00

[Man, I'm clever with those titles aren't I?]

So - another Europe story - I know, the mind reels. Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, when I arrived in Zurich, to the first hotel with true free hi-speed internet (and time to use it) at my disposal, my MacBook pro promptly decided to stop working. The in's and out's of this technical melodrama are not important, what is important is that after dealing with some local resources at 10PM local time, I thought my final resort was Apple Help.

Well, here's the thing, I can't talk German well enough to go through technical issues, plus, in Europe, the Apple help lines aren't open at 10PM. Its that whole "Europeans have such a healthier outlook on managing time and balancing life with work than Americans" thing. So, I was sitting there thinking about calling the US Apple Care people. I literally sat there and debated the merit of paying $1/ minute on my iPhone to call back to the states and then I said, "hey, I have Skype on my iPhone". Another long story short, I was able to use Skype over wi-fi to spend a completely free 2 hours talking with Apple tech's trying to resolve the problem. As I mentioned, earlier, it took quite a bit more for the computer to get fixed, but it sure was reassuring to know that one thing I wasn't going to have to face was a huge phone bill back to the States or floundering through broken German or broken English wondering if the issue could ever have been fixed.

To the best of my research, Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis are the two men to which I owe my gratitude. They are the co-founders of Skype. In addition to the story I've shared here, Skype has given me some of the best impromptu conversations I've had, a connection with my mother-in-law, some truly classic moments involving my Godson, my sister-in-law and a video conference, and a tremendous business resource. Skype was another "game changer" in technology, in my humble opinion. I love it on my MacBook and I love it on my iPhone. It lets me stay in touch with those who are most important to me professionally and personally no matter where I am in the world - via text, video or audio.

I think the power to envision that which doesn't exist yet is amazing - and so, for all that its given to me - particularly that night in Zurich, I thank Niklas and Janus.

Day 268. The Agitator One.

2009-10-20T09:54:00.004-04:00

I like ice hockey. I like it a lot. (and, given the current antics of a certain prima donna college QB its a lot more satisfying then my Buckeye football this year, but I digress...)

Last year, towards the end of the season, the playoffs loomed and each game of my beloved Columbus Blue Jackets carried with it heightened excitement and intensity. I'm still learning the game and all its rules but one night, as I was watching the game, a certain player caught my eye: Derek Dorsett. The guy was playing his guts out.

Derek is quickly now becoming a young star for the Jackets and I love that. A recent article highlighting him talks about so many of the reasons I like him, so I will leave the minute details to the professionals (i.e. please go read article) but I will say this: Derek optimizes so many of the things I value most about the human spirit. When he is on the ice, he plays every second, and he plays HARD. He plays like its the very last chance he'll ever have to play again. He shows intensity, he is scrappy, he shows a belief in team AND in the power of one. Derek is *just* 22...and, although more and more of these amazing athletes is so many sports are now reminding me how old I'm getting, in this case, I am also in awe of the tenacity and work ethic that he can show at this age.

If you have ever heard me go on about sports (ahem, Brian!) or career you will know that what I value most is the intangibles - raw talent alone cannot make someone great.That's why I like Derek so much - I like what he's putting out there into the world and I hope its contagious for my Jackets and for everyone in pursuit of whatever they chose...

Day 267. The Choosing One.

2009-10-14T13:50:00.002-04:00

[sidebar: after going to battle against the mean, nasty germies, I am officially back among the living]

It seems fitting that during October, which is breast cancer awareness month, that I had the opportunity to kick of this time of year with so many inspiring people who have chose (or been chosen) to fight against this disease. Today, I'll share the story of another one with you...

During our Tour de Pink experience, every night, we had a group dinner and the Ride organizers would use part of their brief talking time to share the story of a rider, or of our fight against breast cancer to serve as inspiration for the following day's ride. Saturday night, everyone was tired and mentally and physically trying to gear up for Sunday which would be our last "real" day of riding. Our hosts wisely asked Diana to speak.

Diana, like so many in the room, and on the ride, is a breast cancer survivor. She was very nervous to share her story and was very emotional about her experience. Her story, in fact, is still going on - later this year, Diana will have prophylactic procedures to help ensure that she can continue to live her life cancer free. As she spoke, her theme emerged: it was so hard for her to deal with breast cancer because she didn't even have a choice...she didn't seek out cancer; she had to fight; she couldn't take a break. I've met Diana a few brief times and her honesty really struck me. Its easy for me to sit in "my place in the world" and see her strength and see how brave she is in her fight and in her ability to share her story. Its also easy for me to sit where I sit and get bogged down by the day to day annoyances, nuisances, and issues that seem paramount to everything.

Now don't get me wrong - I am, and always have been, a HUGE proponent of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, but a lot of times when we are down in the dumps about our own issues, its easy to forget to gain perspective (missing a flight does NOT equate to world hunger...just an example here people, I went grandiose for effect), its also easy to forget that we CAN get through it.

And that is why Diana is so special to me - she drove home that everything we do - well, most everything we do - is something we CHOOSE. Tired from a long bike ride? You chose to get on that bike. Angry at a co-worker? Well, you accepted the job and you chose to let him/her affect you. Feeling a bit of self-pity (and believe me people, I do this!) well you have chosen to wallow there for a bit - perhaps you need to - to move past whatever is bothering you. The choice options may not always be the most desireable - but there's always a choice. And of course, there will be things that life throws at us that we CAN'T choose - like cancer.

Diana now appears in my mind almost every day reminding me to remember there's a difference between what we choose and what we don't choose. And I need to own every choice I make - no matter how passive, and then, I need to make the best of that choice.

On Sunday - when the hills were painful, and I was tired, and I was hot...I choose to ride for Diana. I chose to own the experience, and I chose to love it. And I still do.

Day 266. The 10 Year One.

2009-10-08T18:09:00.002-04:00

You all know by now that I was part of the super cool Tour de Pink that benefitted the Young Survival Coalition. The lasting gift its given me is meeting so many amazing people. Every rider has a story, as I mentioned before. One of many amazing woman had a little bit of a spot light put on her experience...and I'd like to keep that light shining just a little bit longer...

Its the quote after she sees her daughter that gets me - its everything....

Please watch and let yourself feel it...Alane - as a survivor, as a rider, as a mother, as a wife...thank you for being all of these things and reminding us how precious each role is.

[please note - you may need to adjust your volume - please do listen]

Day 265. The Marketing One.

2009-10-07T12:07:00.002-04:00

Another story from the road...I was recently in Switzerland to help coordinate the very first Swiss Race for the Cure. It was a success and definitely a learning experience! This was on the tail end of some other European travels and I have to admit, as excited as I was for the Race I was also feeling a bit ready to be home and a bit lonely as the sole American in the circles in which I was running.

Luckily, Margo, from Susan G. Komen for the Cure joined me. Margo is the point person for all cause related marketing with Susan G. Komen. When you see the Komen ribbon on something, Margo probably made that happen and is successfully managing that relationship today. She is a powerhouse. She's my kind of girl: take no prisoners, brutal honesty, cut to the quick and don't waste time...find what you are enjoying and work the heck out of that, don't suffer needlessly.

Professionally - its easy to see her and be humbled. Sitting in meetings with her I was inspired, educated and in awe. Personally, she is even more impressive. I was happy to spend our free time together and feel like I really got to know her. We ended up having a lot in common: doing crazy endurance sports, working hard, living hard, enjoying shopping and good food. While i know that Margo's job has her travelling a million miles a year, and this was one more trip on her agenda, it was a real treat for me to get to spend time with her and get to know her better. I am thrilled that she is in the corner of the breast cancer community and I am thrilled that she's just out there in the world putting out her energy and smarts.

Margo took time away from her family, her training and her "normal life" to come spend a few days in Switzerland and spread the word that we can have a world without breast cancer and, in the mean time, show me just one more rediculously cool person that is out there. Margo - you rock.

Day 264. The Volunteer One.

2009-10-04T17:02:00.002-04:00

We've finished! 3 days, 220 miles, over $6000 (so far!) raised by our team and almost $1 MILLION raised for the Young Survival Coalition. The riders on this event were amazing, but, I know, more than most, that things like this just don't happen without volunteers. People who take their personal time (or sometimes even work time!) and give it to help another. Volunteerism comes in all shapes and sizes...this weekend in came in everything from handing out room keys to making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...and on that note, speaking of good PB&J sammies, let me honor my friend Dinamarie.

Dinamarie is an amazing woman I met through the YSC. She gives so much of herself to the cause, and what I love about her is that what she gives is who she truly is. She is open, she is hilarious, she is smart. When she is volunteering, its kind of a treat to be with her - not even for the work she might be doing at the moment but because you get to spend time with her. And, as I mentioned above, the girl makes a damn fine PB&J - one of the best ever.

Whether we are discussing the virtues of a truly good PB&J, singing Jessie's Girl, kvetching about *something* or redefining the commercial for the "bumpit", Dinamarie makes it all worth while. Girl - you are a real treat and one of the great parts of the past weekend!

Day 263. The Partner One.

2009-10-03T10:34:00.002-04:00

So yesterday was day one of our Tour de Pink ride...it was pretty brutal - even according to "real" bike riders who've done the Tour de France numerous times. (The wind was whipping around from every direction and riders who had done numerous training rides in excess of 110 miles said today's 90 miles were harder than any of those rides that were longer). I was pretty nervous as Anna has been sidelined with 3 broken ribs and I didn't know if I'd be able to make it all the way or who I'd ride with.

Luckily I found Anna's friend, Joy.

Joy and I are now bike buddies - and, we affectionately call ourselves "the caboose". I can proudly say that we never were the last ones into any rest stop or the finish tho and that's because we had each other. When one of us was getting tired, luckily the other was riding a burst of energy. While I could fly up the hills, Joy could fly down. We kept each other on pace, we kept each other company and we kept each other motivated. Its hard to have a really meaningful conversation while on bikes, but I now consider Joy a friend. She's an amazing cancer survivor, mother of two, wife and woman. She crushed every single mile yesterday and I know, that riding with her, I'm gonna be able to do this too.

Day 262. The Manager One.

2009-09-30T18:24:00.002-04:00

So, the stories will filter in piece meal for you, but here's the summary version...when I arrived in Zurich from Munich during my travels, I had the oh so joyous occurrence that my wifi on my MacBook decided it didn't need to work anymore. This led to a 2 hour call with Apple Support which culminated in, after one of the many different types of restarts, my screen no longer working. This was NOT a good thing. I had 5 days left overseas and no way to be online to keep up with all my commitments. Apple Support was helpful and set up an appointment for me with the Zurich Apple store for the following day (apparently Apple, like McDonalds, is now Every-where)

I showed up an the Apple store, and found out, the "Drop in" appointment I had was not valid. I admit, I was under duress: in a foreign country, lacking in the language skills (I've got more German German than Swiss German under my belt) and trying not to completely freak out about my computer. I also was up against the Swiss culture. Europeans I have come in contact with have a much more balanced perspective on things than most Americans. They aren't all "Rush rush rush" all the time, and this is wonderful...except when you are urgently trying to get someone to help you fix your computer ;)

I guess my anxiety finally came across and I was introduced to Monica - the manager on duty at the Apple store. Monica talked through the symptoms and ended up making me an appointment for the following day with her "special manager privileges". Just knowing I was on the path to diagnosis and (hopefully!) computer recovery was a huge step. Monica's kindness, understanding and tolerance of the crazy American were amazing. Even when it turned out that my graphics card was busted and I was going to be computerless until I returned stateside, my calm and acceptance were rooted in Monica's setting the stage for my experience there at the Apple store.

Thanks, Monica, for taking the time to serve a customer - no matter how difficult!

Day 261. The Hustlin' One(s).

2009-09-17T03:47:00.002-04:00

There were many people who could be the subject of this post, but I didn't want to cheat and use up like 30 days ;)

Yesterday, Stephen and I headed to Europe...well at least we tried to. First, our plane from C-bus was delayed for mechanical issues and then one on the tarmac, we were under a ground hold. Suffice it to say, that sitting in a plane for over an hour delay when you are trying to make an international connection is just a touch stressful. Stephen and I just said we knew we couldn't do anything to change the situation and whatever was supposed to happen, would happen.

Long story short, we landed in Dulles with exactly 26 minutes to make it to another terminal, and make our flight (and don't even get me started on the status of our checked bags). What impressed us, and bears the mention here is every single United Airlines employee who worked on our two flights today. The pilot from CMH flew faster than I've evern flown to DC. The staff greeting us knew the predicament many of us were facing, got us right off that plane, and wished us good luck. The gate agents at our connecting flight got us on board (I think they waited for us but I'll never tell ;) ) and, the baggage actually made it.

I've been on too many flight situations like this where exactly the opposite of each of these things happens. You can't get off the plane, they close the door on you, your baggage comes days later...every UA employee we interacted with conveyed with their actions that they were working hard and really wanted us (and our stuff) to get where we were going when we wanted to get there. That attitude not only got us here, but got us here happy. I'm not used to feeling cared for by an airline anymore, but after the past 24 hours, United, you rock!

Status...

2009-09-15T16:37:00.002-04:00

So, guess what happened...without me knowing, an actual calendar year came and went on my little bloggy project here and I never even noticed.

I'm not sure if it violates the principles of any "365 Project" if one extends the time to finish past the actual intended year, but when I realized the date, I also realized that they way I've been thinking about this project being "done" is when 365 people are actually documented.

With that said, I can't say for sure when I'll reach that goal - I'm headed out of the country for a while here soon and that will for certain put a few more holes in my intended daily posting schedule - but just between you and me, I'm hoping to be done at the end of 2009 (emphasis on hoping!)

As far as I'm concerned, I'm done when there are a year's worth of people "living" here...I still believe that 365 good people is just the tip of the iceberg.

Day 260. The Cucina One.

2009-09-15T16:26:00.002-04:00

So here in Columbus, we have this thing called Restaurant Week. Actually, we have it a few times of year - a bunch of restaurants get together, create a fixed price menu with perhaps some special off-menu items, and part of the proceeds benefit a charity. Its a nice idea and just another excuse to eat some good food!

Last week was another Restaurant Week, and some good friends and I went to a place that I had been wanting to go for a while, but had never been before, Z Cucina. It ended up being a delightful dinner experience - the place is cool, the food was amazing (risotto/cheese fritters...need I say more?), but as it was a Wednesday, by the time we were done we were some of the last people in the dining room. The owner was manning the host desk that night and ended up talking to us a while.

He spun up conversation on a few different topics, took our advice on adding some of the specials to the permanent menu, and did the thing that all restaurateurs need to do - he marketed. And for that, I applaude him. As my dad has always said, "everything you do, everything you say, is a Sales opportunity". And I think he's right. We were not so clueless as to not realize the motives of the owner, nor was he so shallow as to be doing a full court press on us. It was a lovely exchange that added to a lovely evening, and quite frankly, has me excited to go back some time.

That's what successful business owners do (don't ask me about the recent ice cream/hat/ NOT successful manager story - it doesn't fit in this blog ;) ) - they market, they network, they listen and they evolve. Z Cucina has been around for quite some time, its survived a lot (the entire building next to them burned down last year!) and now that I've finally been, I can see why - and full credit goes to their delightful owner - his personality and drive for quality seemed to be reflected in everyone we interacted with that night. We'll be back!

Day 258-259. The Community Ones.

2009-09-12T14:06:00.002-04:00

Thanks to my friend Anna, I've become a hard core "biker". We are both training this summer to ride in the Tour de Pink to benefit the Young Survival Coaltion (you can read all about that here and, hint hint hint, make a donation :) ) But, anyway, as I've now become someone who will spend upwards of 5-15 hours on a bike every week, one of the things I've enjoyed most is getting to know the culture that exists around biking. It always boggles my mind when one finds a new interest (of your own or others) and you find that there is a whole sub-culture and community that exists around this shared passion. I love that.

So, today, out I went on my first really long ride by myself - 70 miles (Anna is in NYC as VP of the Young Survival Coaltion - saving the world). Its funny, when I take on any ride, what concerns me the most isn't if I can do it or not, but what if "something" happens. What if my bike breaks, what if I get a punctured tire. What if...what if...what if... And today, that all was a bit heightened for me as I was by myself. At the very least, I knew the route I was taking and I knew there were bound to be some bikers along the way.

The ride went pretty well, and at 30 miles, I stopped for a stretch/ water/ Nutella break. I leaned my bike up against the stop sign, and chilled for 5 minutes. While I was stopped (texting Stephen to let him know my status), a biker pulled up to the stop sign: "Are you OK?" "Oh, yes, thank you. Just taking a break, texting my husband" "Ok, great! Have a good ride" and he smiled and pedaled off. I thought about that...first of all, apparently "real" bikers don't officially stop. They just go go go :) (I'm a slow, beginner biker - I get it :) ) But second, and more importantly, I really just thought about how nice it was for this guy to stop and be concerned and so friendly when he saw someone who perhaps needed tools, or an airpump, or something else. Very cool.

About 15 miles from home, I stopped again. Same drill - water, stretch. I was at a dead end and about to take a final left turn towards the way home. Coming down that road that I was about to turn on to, was another biker, (going MUCH faster than I do) but he saw me and yelled out "You OK?" and slowed down, looked back and waited till I said "I'm great, thanks!" and then he picked up speed and went on his way.

I never got these two men's names. But they made such a difference in my day, my ride, and my feeling of being "part of the biking community". I learned that not only do we wave to each other as we pass on the roads, but its more: we will always help each other out, and we look out for each other. We support each other and no matter our ability, we want everyone to have a good, safe, fun ride whenever they're out. To feel this support from total random cyclists that I most likely will never see again (and probably not recognize even if I did) feels good. And, these two guys, who ever they are, deserve recognition for being good ambassadors for cycling and for being just darn good people.

Day 257. The Protecting One.

2009-09-10T23:28:00.002-04:00

This will be my second post about 9/11. While some find some of the continuing melodrama annoying to me this is still a day that affects me very personally and very deeply. While not in New York City that day in 2001, I did live in Washington DC. I knew people who were on the planes. Its still the most scared I've ever been, and the most scared I think I will ever be...

September 11th was experience enough. All the "singles" at my work, which included Stephen at the time, came over to my place and Stephen made us M&M pancakes. We also made him go outside when we first heard a sound of a plane (you never notice these things - they fly over you every day, but that day, we heard every plane that took off). That plane just turned out to be one of the many f-14's surveying us all that day...

But September 12th dawned a new day. A weird day. It was normal and it wasn't all at the same time. I got up early as usual to walk the dog. It was crazy quiet, but as I walked up the exterior staircase of my brownstone, all of a sudden I came within what felt like just feet of a Blackhawk helicopter. My apartment was at the crest of a hill at the top of Connecticut Avenue and so it seemed, at that moment, that I was at the highest point in all of DC. And there was the Blackhawk. And there was the pilot. As I said, it seemed he was so close. Obviously he was a safe distance away, but I can tell you this - I saw into his eyes. And he looked at me. He just hovered there, and we looked at each other in the early morning of a whole new way of life.

There's no way to ever know or find out who this pilot was, but he was there. And it made me feel better on that day. It reminded me that we will go on. It reminded me that there are so many who commit their life's purpose to protect others. It gave me my first sense of peace after that awful day.

I think of that helicopter pilot a lot. And I particularly think of him every single September 11th. I pray for his safety. On that day, he meant everything about me, us, our communities surviving.

Day 256. The NOT Tackling One.

2009-09-06T09:41:00.002-04:00

DISCLAIMER: I'm an unabashed lover of college football so you'll probably see this theme crop up in more than one post in the near future :)

Yesterday was the first game of the Ohio State Buckeye football season. I love me my Buckeyes, but yesterday was special since it was the first time in over 70 years that a Service team has played in the Shoe. We welcomed Navy in what turned out to be a very exciting (nerve wracking!) game filled with good football and a lot of great tradition and honor of those who serve.

Arguably there is some trepidation in Buckeye Nation. We lost a lot of experienced players last year and for many, "all hope" rests on the shoulders of a very young 19 year old quarterback named Terrell Pryor who likes to run crazy routes and make insane things happen while all 105,000 of us in the stands hold our breath for fear he ends up hurt.

During an offensive drive yesterday, "TP" was trying to negotiate a play action pass. From the left side, a Navy defensive man came around the corner, untouched, with a direct route to a solid hit on our QB. At the last second, with the defensiveman a split second away, TP completed the pass and we got that much closer to the end zone and the defensiveman PULLED UP.

Its this defensiveman from Navy that I chose to honor today. You won't see this play on any highlight film. And since I am not one of those fans who records the game and watches it over, and over, and over (Ahem, Stephen) I can't even tell you who this player was. But I want him to know that I saw him do it. In our celebrity culture today, that spreads over into sports, its routine for someone to take advantage of an unabated path to the quaterback - knock him to the ground, embarass him, maybe get in his head a little bit, grow your own stats, celebrate and get a personal highlight clip. None of that happened.

Stephen and I both saw this happen and THAT is all we talked about for the next few minutes, and Stephen said "that's the discipline of the Navy and this team", I thought about that, and I also offered, "Navy players know exactly how to put a football game in perspective". Later, I thought even more that perhaps this young defensive player knows how important one's body is to what one has to do in life so why senselessly go after someone unless you have something important to gain. Yes I recognize the irony that we are putting a lot of mature thinking on the back of someone who, still, no matter if they are a midshipman or not, is still playing in "just" a college football game, but the fact remains: most players wouldn't act as this young man did. (and no, he wasn't finking out)

To us, it showed respect for his role, the game, and his opponent. We have chosen to transpose this young man's thinking to be part of his Navy "upbringing" and quality of character. So, today, to the midshipman who chose NOT to take a hit on a quarterback, who will someday be serving to protect all of us in America, I honor you.

Day 255. The Tackling One.

2009-09-03T09:48:00.002-04:00

Did you hear about this kid? Hopefully, soon I will be one of many sharing this good news story - but read it for yourself and see how cool this young man is. I am of the opinion that if we all started feeling the need to care for each other more, (rather than be suspicious, accusatory or worst of all ambivalent) this world would sure be a better place.

Read and WATCH:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Day 254. The T-Lo Ones.

2009-09-02T12:19:00.002-04:00

Snarky can be good. Snarky can be really good - particularly when its really witty and will make you laugh. out. loud. (truly - we overuse this "LOL" thing - with what I'm about to share, I truly laugh aloud)

Allow me to introduce you to Tom and Lorenzo. They are just two guys who decided to start blogging about some of their passions - and this reached its zenith with Project Runway. I enjoyed Project Runway from the beginning - a reality show about fashion and the real skill, talent, art - and, ok, b**chiness - behind it was something I really enjoyed. So, being the geek I am, I sought out a place where people were talking about it...and I found Tom and Lorenzo.

I must tell you, that their comic genius is truly reaching new heights this season. Maybe its because we had to wait so long for Project Runway to come back, maybe its because they are just getting better, who knows but, if you love this show like I do, and haven't seen this site - or this post in particular (make sure you read the Nina part) - let me tell you, you are missing out.

So let's hear it for comic genius. Let's hear it for people who can remind us ALL to never take things so seriously. As a side note, T&L often do critique other fashion, and even their critiques of the PR designs, though swathed in irony, are often spot on and teach me new things about fashion every time I read them. I get excited to see a T-Lo post show up in my RSS reader, and, if you are ever looking for something fun, and you share the interests of these two, trust me, you won't be disappointed.

*please note that some of the content of T-Lo's blog is NSFW

Day 253. The Acting One.

2009-08-31T12:31:00.002-04:00

My sweet cousin, Kristen, came for a visit a few weeks ago. She came for a time to be with family before she heads off to an extremely prestigious acting conservatory in New York. Its a really cool thing that she's been invited and the way in which she was selected is pretty cool - by the conservatory's founder herself.

The visit with her was so much fun. We shared what's going on, we reminisced about our lives together, we made fun of each other, we shared memory after memory about what it meant, and still means, to grow up as a child in our family. It was fantastic.

Kristen is "much" younger than me ;) and it is so exciting to me to watch her life blossom as it still is. Its also so meaningful to me to have her as a permanent piece of my history and my life. Being with her flooded my soul with all the reasons why its so important to keep connected with your family - however you define it, and however big or small that is.

Best of luck to you, sweet K, and I'll see you in a month in the Big City! (don't forget what we taught you about subways :) )

Day 252. The Training One.

2009-08-31T12:15:00.002-04:00

This is a quick little one - about a very BIG person - Shaquille O'Neal. Not gonna go on and on about his personal life or tremendous athletic talent, but I am going to talk about his latest endeavor, Shaq Vs. This is a little summer show on ABC that has "Shaq" getting ready for his first season with the Cleveland Cavaliers by cross training in a rather extreme way - challenging the premier athletes in sports other than his own (Basketball) to a match up. I have since learned that the idea was not his own (apparently it belongs to Steve Nash and this may cause some "challenges") but Shaq's the one doing it, and here's why it deserves mention.

First of all, the show is fun. Its good, clean, family fun. Second, its a pretty cool look into athletes' lives and, without getting too meta, it shows how unique the professional athlete personality is - competitive about everything, always looking for the edge. Third, I think its very impressive of Shaq to put himself out there like this - showing that he's not good at "everything" and allowing himself to be humiliated (watch the most recent epi with Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh and I'm sure you've also seen some "after" photos on line). Also - while wrapped in fun and teasing, I think its pretty darn cool that this show is giving the spotlight to some sports that aren't "most popular" and, at the same time, showing that all professional athletes are amazing and talented - their differences are often only the sport they choose.

So, while its mindless summer fun, I applaud Shaq and encourage you to check out this show. Its doing a lot of good for all sports - thanks for that, Shaq!

Day 251. The Gamblin' One.

2009-08-27T16:33:00.003-04:00

I mentioned earlier the super fun dealer that we had during our "Casino Experience" during my sister-in-law's birthday party.

By the end of the night, the gang was having so much fun that they even made me lose my blackjack virginity and play at the table. I sat down next to Heather, (SIL's sister-in-law via her hubby) who immediately started spewing off blackjack advice, terms and interjections like an old pro. The funny thing is, she just learned how to play a few hours earlier from Stephen and from our dealer.

And that's why Heather is fantastic. She grabs life with both hands full - she lives the heck out of every minute. She's 100% welcoming and is always looking for the fun and the joy in a moment. I realized over the weekend that this was the first time I was hanging out with all my SIL's (and their SIL's :) ) without their kids - and it really let me get to know them even better - in a totally different way. Heather's personality just magnified and became brighter. She knew just how to egg everyone on - she knew just how to play a joke - and she made sure that everyone around her was having a great time.

Day 250. The Yippee One.

2009-08-26T17:31:00.004-04:00

I have talked before about the amazing group of friends that Stephen has. The benefits for me have been huge in not only getting to be friends with these cool guys, but also to build relationships with the women they've each chosen to spend their lives with.

One of Stephen's friends, D, holds a special place in my heart - he's got a passion for living and a passion for the outdoors and adventure, and his personality can't be beat. The girl he chose (and boy is he lucky!) Nan, turned out to be even more amazing. First of, the girl is undeniably, out of this world beautiful. Inside and out. Second, she's come through life always growing and improving and giving. Finally, can I just tell you that their wedding, hands down, goes down as one of the all time most beautiful, and most meaningful weddings I've ever been too (and, continuing a theme - Nan = most gorgeous bride ever)

We don't get to see each other much - they live in Colorado (green envy monster seethes inside of me) - but when we do, with both of them, I find I can fall into quality conversation right away. I always am so excited to see them and keeping up with Nan and her family is one darn good reason to be pro-Facebook - even when everyone is taking quiz after quiz ;). So, today, Nan outted herself. Well, either that or my stalking had not been thorough enough, because I found her blog for the first time.

Let me just say - this is a good read. Nan is hilarious, SMART, thoughtful, honest and compelling. I love what she says and how she says it. Nan has a two year old sweet sweet boy and a baby girl on the way and I was so engulfed in all she had to say about that experience and what it has done to her and who it has made her. I love what she chooses to share. I feel as though she articulates so well what people my age are going through as mothers, or fear about becoming mothers.

I read every single post today (sorry, Nan, you officially have a stalker) and I am more in love with my friend then ever. Honestly, her writing has me humbled and rather intimidated to ever write another post again, shes that good. I'm so excited to find another cool way to stay connected with our friends...just my good fortune that its made of such high quality and heart.

Day 249. The Poker One.

2009-08-25T17:16:00.002-04:00

This past weekend we had such a blast celebrating my sister-in-law's 40th birthday. Let me tell you, my brother-in-law cooked up quite the surprise - it was wonderful. We ended up at a resort in French Lick, Indiana (yes the "I got licked!" jokes flowed fast and freely) and after hanging out all afternoon, and enjoying dinner, we headed to the Casino.

The boys of our group (and for these purposes I use "boys" not "men"!) all seemed pretty familiar with all the different games - craps, blackjack, poker...but the girls were all novices. Because Stephen is a blackjack addict, oh, I mean, um, afficionado, pretty soon we were all gathered at the table at which he was playing. He got his sister (the birthday girl) playing and then shortly thereafter, got one of her sister in laws, to join him.

These people played from 9pm - 1am. We watched. We all had a blast. One of the major reasons for this was our dealer, Jerry. Jerry was unbelievably awesome. I have been in Vegas a few times and always find myself intimidated by the dealers (this may have something to do with my ability to spill a drink all over the first table I sat down at...genius) but I have always felt that dealers, because they had to be, were standoffish, and understandably irritated if a bunch of silly girls who just wanted to play a hand or two would come sit at their table.

Not Jerry. Jerry was awesome - he taught all of us etiquette of the game, basic rules, gave tips without doing things he's not allowed to do, and gently kept us in line when we wanted to do something we couldn't. (No Steph, no matter how nice we ask he's not going to let us take a picture of us all sitting at the table ;) ) Jerry also paid attention to us as people - making little jokes based on what we were saying - joining in the ongoing humor of the evening and contributing to the Birthday fun.

I know a lot of this is his job - and I know that people like us are a dime a dozen at a casino, but, like I said, dealers I had interacted with before never made it seem fun to lose a whole lot of money and never made you feel comfortable playing the game. Plus, I get the vibe that that is just who Jerry is - a pretty cool guy.

I wasn't allowed to tell Jerry that he'd be in here - can't give them any cards or anything - but perhaps, luck will come out on my side and he may find this some day.

Day 248. The Not Yet Met One.

2009-08-24T22:20:00.002-04:00

So, I'm kinda returning to my cheating ways ;). Today was a yucky day and its shaping up to take over my whole week...this too shall pass but right now it sucks. I struggled and struggled as I thought to myself "I have to blog I have to blog" but I was in absolutely no mindset to tell you about someone "good".

But, as I searched and searched for the energy to write something positive I found myself bolstered by the search for "someone" who must be out there who is doing something good for someone or something...

So today, even when I'm not up for focusing on just one of all the amazing people who are out there in the world, its simply the thought that these people ARE out there that has me going right now. The dream not yet realized can really carry you through some tough times - and so tonight, knowing that you great people are out there - you're getting me through....thank you. You're putting that good energy into the world and even though I don't know what you are doing, or can't see through my current fog to see it, I feel it and I thank you :)

Day 247. The Philosphy One.

2009-08-20T11:43:00.004-04:00

Once again, the perfect inspiration falls into my lap :)

Allow me to introduce you to Jennifer Iannolo. I originally "met" her through Chef Mark and immediately gravitated to the work that she and Mark do through Culinary Media Network. [sidebar: if you are not already following these peeps on Twitter, tracking their blogs, and watching and listening to the un-be-liev-able podcasts they put together you are truly missing something]

Now, I urge you to take the time to check out both of her ventures I've linked to above- you'll learn all about the professional angle of this lovely woman. But, why is she so cool? Well, I believe that Jen lives a truly passion focused life - something that I admire soooooo much. First, she has taken her dream and life passion and made it her work - genius. Second, she travels the world - genius. Third - the woman revels in the true delight that is great food and drink - genius. Fourth - the woman is an Atlas Shrugged fan - (do I have to say it? :) ).

I think these days - people are often focused on not only the wrong things in how they make their living, but they also forget to find the joy in things. Whether your watching Jen taste a new cocktail or experiencing a visit to her homeland, you can tell this woman is lovin' life. She truly lets you feel the experience by her sincere appreciation of what she's doing. The fact that I, too, love so many of the things Jen focuses on makes it easy for me to appreciate what she is doing but I have seen others jump on her projects (search for #sexonaplate on twitter - that's all I'm saying) and that shows me that we all love someone who puts such a voracious life perspective out into the world.

Day 246. The City One.

2009-08-19T12:17:00.003-04:00

I'm addicted to Sex and the City. I love the show, I have the pink suede collectors DVD set, I have the movie. I'm addicted. Period.

I'm connected to this story for so many reasons - I lived my twenties in a city and, while nowhere near as crazy an experience as any of the characters on SATC, I love love loved it. I love fashion, I love New York, I love the focus on female friendships through thick and thin that every story reinforces. When it all comes down to it, and you strip away all the money, men, clothes and hijinx I think Sex and the City is so popular because it says, as a woman, you can be whoever you want to be and, if you are good to your friends, you will have good friends - and that's all you need.

Who is responsible for all this? Why Candace Bushnell of course. She wrote the original book. So, purely for entertaining me and so many others, singlehandedly making "Manolo's" part of the female lexicon and for reminding us where our hearts should always be, I say Candace rocks.

Day 245. The Booed One.

2009-08-17T11:42:00.003-04:00

I mentioned a bit last week that I was able to attend the NFL Hall of Fame Induction ceremony last weekend. The main reason we were there was to honor and celebrate the induction of Rod Woodson - arguably one of the best men to play the game - particularly in the defensive backfield. But, as I mentioned last week, this induction was truly for men who were of an even higher quality off the field.

Rod spoke during his acceptance speech not even once about himself. Instead, he honored all those he loved in his life. We just kept enjoying his speech and looking at each other saying "he's talking about everyone else!" As he did honor each individual - he ended his tribute to each with "I love you." Just as I did before with Randall McDaniel, I encourage you to take the time to watch Rod's speech. Even if you don't like football there is wisdom, value and respect to be found in the 27 minutes that Rod spoke. Its a lesson on class and grace.

Now I called this the booed one. Doesn't seem to make sense since I am extolling Rod's virtues now, does it? Well here's the final point I wanted to make. Rod mentioned a few times during the weekend that someone he held in extremely high esteem was Art Modell. Now, let me explain to you who Art Modell is - he was an NFL owner - first of the Cleveland Browns and then, after taking the Browns away from Cleveland of the Baltimore Ravens. Therein lies the rub. The NFL Hall of Fame is located in Canton Ohio. When Mr. Modell took the Browns away, it literally happened in the dead of night. I spent a lot of time in Cleveland growing up and, regardless of if it was the right or wrong decision, it ticked off the collective city of Cleveland. They now hate Art Modell. He is persona non-grata forever and always. Whenever Rod mentioned Art, even as a new Hall of Famer, he was booed by the many Clevelanders in attendance. And Rod said "go ahead and boo me, I've been booed before. I can take it". And this is just as important as all the good stuff I already mentioned. Rod is strong enough in what he knows and who he is and what he believes in. And he'll tell you.

To be a strong enough person in mind and spirit to uphold your beliefs and values and opinions in the face of popular opinion, or dissenting views is something that does not come easily. And, its harder than many may realize. To throw into the world that which you know to be your truth regardless of how it will be received is the epitome of strength - and Rod is that. Congratulations Rod, congratulations on Who. You. Are.

Day 244. The Words Ones.

2009-08-12T22:11:00.002-04:00

I am a huge believer in the power of words. I am a huge believer in the power of art. I happened upon a project a few months ago, not only brings my great joy in its beauty and simplicity but causes me to think back on it time and time again...

I will let the piece speak for itself. I know what I think about it, but, I revere it as true art and as such, will leave it to each of you to revel in it...take your time...roll around in it...follow it...I hope it affects you as it has me.

WE MAKE WORDS

obviously - I must credit AMY and LUCI for this work. Again, I am focusing on brevity so that YOU can focus on their work - it is amazing. They are artists. They amaze me.

Day 243. The Other Chocolate One.

2009-08-11T17:08:00.002-04:00

Today some lighter fare.

Every Monday, I have my knitting group. We get together at a place called the Chocolate Cafe and have our regular servers who take care of us. A few months back, a new staff member joined them and at first was rather shy. (I think I kinda scared him...if you know me in person, you can understand this).

Well, now he's warmed to us. He has even taken note to what music we sing along to (and plays it for us) and every week offers us free coffee and even a few free chocolates. Anyone who gives out free chocolates is good in my book! :)

Day 242. The Lineman One.

2009-08-10T13:28:00.003-04:00

This past weekend marked the annual ceremony of a class induction into the NFL Hall of Fame. 6 people were inducted. That brings the total number of members of the Hall of Fame to just over 240. To put this in perspective, it has been recorded that over 23,000 individuals have played in an NFL football game. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is an honor - a lifetime achievement award, an acknowledgment that you "changed the game".

Six men. Only six. Two posthumously. As I watched the ceremony this weekend the theme that resonated again and again wasn't what these men did on the field - of course that was significant - but it was about taking notice of who they were each as men.

One of the men inducted was Randall McDaniel. He was an offensive lineman. If you know anything about football, you know that this is a thankless role. You're never noticed as a "star" - you don't get press coverage, you don't get interviewed, and you only get attention when something goes wrong - such as a busted play or a sack on your quarterback. But what you do get, when you really look at the men in this role, is someone who understands more than most the true meaning of the word TEAM. You can't do your job well unless you are working as a unit with your other linemen. You sacrifice yourself for the glory and protection of others. Your public honor is often found in the highlights others receive notice for. When you get inducted into the Hall of Fame as a lineman, you've REALLY done something great.

This much was obvious as Randall spoke but, after this weekend, this man is truly one of my heroes. I am in awe of him, and let me tell you why. The minute this man became a professional football player he volunteered as a student teacher in local schools. The minute he retired he got his substitute teacher license. He now works as a special education teacher for a local school in Arizona. In his free time, he and his wife run a community service program that brings youth into the community 6 times a month to learn the importance of giving back to the community. While so many other professional athletes - rightly so - use their success to gain recognition and lucrative business opportunities, Randall went back to what he believed most passionately - education. To use Randall's words like linemen, teachers "bring their lunch pail to work, do extremely important work...often go unnoticed unless something goes wrong, and yet without them, nothing much would be possible." This is why he is comfortable in the classroom - he's in the trenches, fighting the good fight. He is focused on family, those who made him who he is, helping his children, his peers in football and education and everyone who is a part of his team in life.

He shared a funny story - his kids in class now would say "did you play football?" Randall would answer, "a little bit". Kids would ask, "were you any good?" he would answer "I did alright". When word got out that he was a little bit better than that, everyone wanted his autograph - at the end of the year he gives those out to his students...AFTER they earn it.

This man is tremendous. His heart is on display - and it is rich with compassion, love and giving. Pleas consider watching his speech - it is 15 minutes long and, while he is a lineman, and probably not most comfortable talking in front of a couple hundred thousand people (would you be?) his words are true and rich with knowledge.

I could go on and on about how I feel about this guy. This man has made the most of his life and through his football and his teaching shows every day the importance of teamwork and education and giving back. Mr. McDaniel, congratulations on your well deserved honor. You were an amazing football player and an even more awe-inspiring individual.

Day 241. The Service-Oriented One.

2009-08-10T09:52:00.003-04:00

This past Friday, Stephen, my parents and I went out for dinner to a place we hadn't been before. We had heard the food was really good but were a little put off when we realized how slowly the service was getting going. It took about 10 minutes to have someone come over and take our drink order, and then, when we asked for the wine list another 15 minutes went by. This wasn't starting off well...

But as it turned out, Micki, our server, was just ridiculously busy and the way the restaurant was laid out literally had her running back and forth across the entire restaurant for EVERYTHING - plus she was one of two servers for an entire room on a Friday night. But she never complained, she never came across harried, and she always had a smile on her face. When she knew something was taking too long she made an acknowledging comment - not in a sense of apology of excuse - but in the spirit of acknowledging what was going on, and showing us respect of keeping us informed...and again, with that smile on her face and fun attitude.

We ended up having one of the best dinners - both in terms of food and experience - that we had had in a long time. To acknowledge what a part of that Micki was, we left her as generous a tip as we could. As the table was cleared and the tab picked up we lingered over the last little bit of our drinks. Just a few moments later, Micki came back and said "thank you so much for the generous tip". Stephen and I looked at each other. In all our years of living - and the added experience of being in hospitality and food service most of Stephen's life - never had we had a server come back and thank us for a tip. Particularly in the midst of a crazy night. And you know what, on top of everything else, that made us feel good. It reminded me that as nice as it is to do or say something nice, sometimes its just as important to know that your act was received in the way it was meant. (Selfish I know, but I'm being honest...)

Micki worked hard, showed us respect and showed us kind appreciation for our acknowledgment of her hard work. She was lovely both in who she was that night and how she did her job. Thanks M!

Day 239-240. The Free Ones.

2009-08-05T22:25:00.002-04:00

Building on a theme, we saw the arrival of Eula Lee and Laura Ling back in the United States of America at approximately 6AM PST today.

As I had expected (and somewhat feared) there are already a wide variety of opinions on how this whole situation was handled. Those with loved ones still held overseas are wondering why not their family members, policy wonks are fearful of what the actions of President Clinton may bring about in our relations with other countries, and politically - well, political fiends always manage to make a hullabaloo about everything...

But the truth remains, after approximately 140 days of being held against their will, two women are home tonight with their families. To my knowledge, we do not yet know the extent of their experiences, nor do we know if Eula and Laura even know how this has impacted them. But, what I do know is that tonight I revere their strength and emotional fortitude to withstand such a grueling, fear laden experience in a land that is not their own full of customs, laws and societies that they didn't understand fully.

I may have shared with some of you that when I was in Europe recently on my own, the trip was wonderful but somewhat empty because I had noone to share it all with - to lean on for good and bad. I can't imagine that experience magnified through only negative experiences of being convicted and held captive in a foreign place.

The sight of Linda and Eula reunited with their families today brought tears to my eyes and, as journalists kept saying "for almost 5 months" "for 140 days" I tried to imagine being in their shoes. I couldn't. These women found something in them and their lives to center them among what, in their words, was the "worst time of their lives". I commend them for not giving up, and I acknowledge them for finding the relief of their release and return to their families today.

For whatever it was in each of you that got you through your time in North Korea and whatever it is in you that will allow you to reconnect with your lives and continue to find purpose and meaning, I am thankful that you are here Linda and Eula and I am glad that you are, tonight, and hopefully every night here after, with those you love.

Day 238. The Negotiating One.

2009-08-04T16:00:00.002-04:00

So word has just broken that Bill Clinton has had a successful trip to North Korea - primarily that he was able to obtain a "special pardon" by Kim Jong-Il of the two female journalists that were being held there, Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

Regardless of your politics, this story has continued to haunt me since the women were arrested and sentenced. In the midst of the never ending exhausting "special Michael Jackson coverage" (how long ago did he die?) every once and a while you'd see coverage of these two women's plight and it affected me deeply. They had been sentenced to "12 years hard labor" in a prison camp and reports were that this was a rather brutal situation to be in. Both women were apart from their families, afraid, separated from children (for Euna) and all, arguably, so that they could simply be pawns in what has been an escalating international political "mine is bigger than yours" contest. [I don't mean to make light of some of the serious political issues at stake here, but if you follow it all, its been rather frustrating]

So anyway, back to my point. Today, Bill Clinton completed a top-secret trip to North Korea and is returning with Laura and Euna. Again, this is not a political post - I'm not making any statement positive or negative on Bill Clinton as a president or man, but I did find myself wondering, as this all was going down, what kind of special gift it takes to negotiate such a successful resolution to a scary scary situation.

I did take classes in negotiation in College. Its hard to negotiate well even when the stakes are "just" a class exercise and getting a good grade. I can't imagine the pressure of having to go into a conversation with very little wiggle room on what you want when the issue at hand is people's lives. To boot, arguably, Kim Jong-Il has not represented himself publicly to be the most sensitive to American positions or pressures. How do you handle that kind of sensitive dealing?

I would love to know what President Clinton said, how he said it, what he did, and how it all really went down. For someone to go into such a situation that seems so hopeless and garner success is something to be respected. There may be naysayers of what happened, and other details may come to light later, but, for now, I stand in great respect of someone who can skillfully work through the toughest of issues with the toughest of opponents.

Think about how hard it is to even negotiate a deal on a car? How do you negotiate to save two women's lives? Its a skill, and it was put to good use today. Thank you, President Clinton.

Day 237. The Driving One.

2009-08-03T12:07:00.002-04:00

As you know I spent time the past week with my family. What's really cool is that my sister in law lives in Indiana, so she comes to our house first, spends the night, takes a break and then we all drive together to Pennsylvania. Its a nice time to catch up and spend time together and also it helps make the ride easier and less boring (more drivers and more people to interact with and help out). The whole process reverses itself when we return home.

Last Wednesday, we arrived home and my SIL, C, had been talking with her husband, S, on and off the whole ride. S is a great guy and a lot of fun to hang out with but we don't get to see him as much as the rest of the family since he travels quite a bit for his job.

When we got home to Ohio, we ran a few errands and finally all got home to relax - eat dinner we had picked up and decompress. But, not five minutes after we were back, there was a knock at the door - it was S. Here he had driven all the way from Detroit (approx 3.5 hrs) just to spend the evening with his family and go to Rita's with us. [Sidebar: while apparently known to the rest of the world, this was my first time having this dessert. And apparently, its the rest of my family's favorite and worth driving from Detroit for]

S hung out with us for dinner, Rita's and then a few other fun stops before heading BACK up to Detroit that same night to be ready for his meetings early the next morning. I thought it was cool. I know that S really loves his family and takes extra time and energy - such as what he did that night - to make sure they know that he is always thinking about them and wanting to be with them, even when he is on the road.

Its often easy to talk ourselves out of things - we don't have enough time, we are too busy, we are too tired, we just don't want to do something. A lot of times, these things are all true - and I am sure S had many of those things in his head last week - but he still came down to see his wife and three children - even if for a few hours. Love it!

S, the next time you're in Ohio, the Rita's is on ME! :)

Day 235-6. The Sibling Ones.

2009-08-01T09:30:00.002-04:00

I think its important to remember that kids are good people too. I've been very fortunate to inherit a bunch of nieces and nephews via my marriage to Stephen (I consider this the perfect kid arrangement - you hang out with them as long as you want and then send them home LOL). The two cousins I've had the longest relationship with, purely due to age, are my niece, C, and nephew L. They are now 13 and 11 respectively and are now big sister and brother to nephew (and adorable godson of mine) M.

I am continually impressed with their loving maturity as big brother and sister. As we spent the last week together, I saw a sister and brother who genuinely love their baby brother and are always willing to help take care of M. To see them be such caring people really opened my eyes to who these two young people are becoming as adults and its a wonderful sight. They were affectionate, strong in their guidance of what needed to be done, amazing in their calm and confidence when M had a little breakdown as 3 year olds are prone to do, and supportive of Stephen and I, the bumbling uncle and aunt when we tried to take care of him as well.

Both C and L are blooming like fantastic young flowers into these people who I genuinely like hanging out with. I had numerous real, meaningful conversations with each of them during our visit and, not to sound cheesy, but they restore my faith in the young generation that is following us. This group of people is constantly portrayed as texting, materialistic, growing up too soon, selfish, thoughtless kids. I know of two for certain who are debunking all those stereotypes.

C & L, I love you both - you rock, and you are great people.

Day 234. The Boogie-ing Ones.

2009-07-30T10:04:00.003-04:00

I'm a little late to the party (ha ha ha) on this one, but when I finally saw the video people were talking about, I wanted to share it a little bit more. This is about Jill and Kevin. Two people who I've never met and probably never will, but Jill and Kevin came up with the idea to have their wedding party dance down the aisle at the ceremony. The video of said entrance has become a YouTube sensation and has even garnered them attention on the Today show.

As I watched this video, I found myself smiling. Its fun, its happy, and its all about who Jill and Kevin are. I've talked before about weddings - my perspective is its a day about the two people getting married and too often people either get caught up in the spectacle of it all or in the "routine" of it all and it never becomes a day that represents all that a marriage, and the two people involved, are about. Jill and Kevin didn't fall into either trap. Even if you think their idea was silly you can't deny that its fun, playful, utterly unique and devoid of self-consciousness. One can argue that these are amazing traits to carry into a union. It also makes me happy to think these two had enough self awareness to do something that wasn't "typical" because they wanted to and it would make them happy. These two seem to be starting off on a good foot (ahem) and they also seem to have a good support structure of friends who get them, who are fun, and who will always be willing to do what's asked of them - even if its dancing down the aisle of the church in shades.

Congratulations Jill and Kevin on your marriage, and on being who you are!

Enjoy.

Just somethin' else...

2009-07-28T13:59:00.003-04:00

Saw this tweet from my friend "earthXplorer" who was recently highlighted...just back up to why I do this and how cool JD is....

earthXplorerRT @ponet: “Glory paid to our ashes comes too late” Marcus Aurelius

Placeholder.

2009-07-24T09:55:00.002-04:00

Hi friends! I'm in a place where there is literally almost no cell phone service for me and little internet on my iPhone so I am unplugging for a week but don't worry, when I get back "online" I've got some pretty cool people to tell you about and whats even better? I'm related to them! :)

have a great weekend!

Day 233. The Explorer One.

2009-07-21T11:40:00.003-04:00

Back to my geekdom. Every once and a while you end up with someone in your Twitter stream who simply impresses the heck out of you. I started following JD Andrews a while back - not even sure why - but I remember thinking that he had some pretty positive, good quotes. So I'd look for his tweets every once in a while, trying to figure out what he was all about until just about a week ago I found his to be one of the avatars that I'd search out and read.

JD is constantly positive, adventuresome, encouraging and just a good "read" (in 140 characters or less!) He posted today a pic about the Keys and it seemed to be kismet that I would honor him today as the Conch Republic is forever my second home!

We've never interacted properly, but I do want JD to know that he impacts my life in a good way every day and every tweet with what he has to share and say. If you are on Twitter, and you want some good energy flowin' through your Tweetdeck, or Twirl or Tweetie or whatever you use. Follow this man! Good stuff going out into the world from him!