Thursday, July 11, 2013
Connect Emission Dots
Several months ago, I caught the tail-end of a television debate amongst six brain-surgeons, regarding the correlation, if any, between cell phone use and the incident of brain tumors. I like the tail-end of a debate; usually, folks make their best case when they conclude opinions. Unfortunately, this conversation-debate had all participants using the word, 'inconclusive.' I don't like the implication of that word. Had I spent the entire hour listening to this debate, I would have been 'pissed-off;' I expect winners and losers after debates.
Here is the debate in a nutshell: 'Is cell phone usage related to a higher incident of brain tumors?' These medical, brain surgeon-experts stated that studies were 'inconclusive.' I thought the moderator did a nice job when he asked the final question, "Do you folks (doctors) use cell phones?" Answer: "Only with an ear-piece," stated each doctor. NOW, I have my conclusion and I wish for those same folks who went ballistic over second-hand cigarette smoke to begin that same passionate campaign to have the guy seated next to me at 'Hooters' to go outside to talk on his cell phone.
Actually, I would never (personally) waste an hour listening to a debate about cell phone dangers. Look, for starters, we all know that cell phones emit a radiation just as an x-ray machine. That said, every time my dentist x-rays my teeth, he and the dental technician put a lead cover over my body and then both of them run like hell to the parking-lot just before I 'hear' a CLICK! Whoa, I do believe we have a conclusive- resolution!
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Read Carefully !
Yesterday evening, my neighbor hollered over the backyard fence to have me draw near for a 'funny' story. Seems as tho' he was recently at a local hospital ER to have a few stitches put in his hand when an 80+ year-old gent entered the ER with 'that' 4-hour Viagra side affect problem! Yes sir, it evidently happens. The story was entertaining mainly because the older fellow with the issue was openly telling everyone who would listen exactly what his problem was and how his 'girlfriend' was mad at him for leaving her to go to the hospital.
It reminded me of another similar 'off-the-wall' libido-enhancement saga. Perhaps three or four years ago, I was seated at a corner table at a local McDonald's, sipping my 'senior-coffee' and reading the USA Today, when a lady joined two other ladies at a nearby table. The woman began explain why she was late. Evidently, she spent much of the early morning hours with her husband at the hospital ER due to his excruciating abdominal pain. The lady continued with her tale loudly and began intermittent laughing. Seems her husband read an article that suggested that watermelon was some sort of aphrodisiac. It does, indeed.
The lady explained that after the ER doctor did several medical test to rule out various common abdominal problems, the gent told the doc and his wife that he may have eaten 'too much' watermelon. When the doctor asked how much watermelon he had eaten, the Casanova confessed that he had misread the article and instead of eating two-cups of watermelon, he had ingested nearly two whole melons! I had to leave McDonald's immediately because I could not contain my laughter hearing these ladies carry-on.
I was still giggling 'inside' my own stomach as I checked out of Kroger's and headed home with milk, bread, soda and of course, one small watermelon.
It reminded me of another similar 'off-the-wall' libido-enhancement saga. Perhaps three or four years ago, I was seated at a corner table at a local McDonald's, sipping my 'senior-coffee' and reading the USA Today, when a lady joined two other ladies at a nearby table. The woman began explain why she was late. Evidently, she spent much of the early morning hours with her husband at the hospital ER due to his excruciating abdominal pain. The lady continued with her tale loudly and began intermittent laughing. Seems her husband read an article that suggested that watermelon was some sort of aphrodisiac. It does, indeed.
The lady explained that after the ER doctor did several medical test to rule out various common abdominal problems, the gent told the doc and his wife that he may have eaten 'too much' watermelon. When the doctor asked how much watermelon he had eaten, the Casanova confessed that he had misread the article and instead of eating two-cups of watermelon, he had ingested nearly two whole melons! I had to leave McDonald's immediately because I could not contain my laughter hearing these ladies carry-on.
I was still giggling 'inside' my own stomach as I checked out of Kroger's and headed home with milk, bread, soda and of course, one small watermelon.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Increase Life Insurance for Coaches & Umpires
"Kill The Umpire" was a 1950, comedy movie staring the late actor, William Bendix. Recently, 'kill the umpire' was any thing but a comedy in Sao Paulo, Brazil. During a soccer match, (what else) an umpire ejected a player; the player begin to fist-fight with the umpire. The umpire pulled a knife (Brazilians obviously have concealed and carry laws) and he stabbed the player killing him. A mob of fans stormed the field, stoned to death the umpire and then quartered his body and stuck his head on a stick. America's youth sports programs are not that bizarre...yet; but give it time!
I spent my lifetime 'in sports!' I was a youth participant in East St. Louis where my parents told me to 'go play, have fun, hustle and listen to your coach.' I was a high school athlete and my parents, who evidently had 'some-sort-of-life' of their own told me, 'go play, have fun and listen to the coach.' I was a college athlete at Illinois State for four years and when I left for that higher institution of learning, my parents said, 'plan to have a job in four years'! I don't know what the hell happened to the charge, 'go have fun, etc.
For my entire playing career, I was told that sport would serve me long after I finished playing. Sport would 'build' my character and prepare me for life's challenges. I would learn how to work hard, dedicate to a cause, cooperate with teammates, follow instructions, sacrifice for others and be humble with success while learning and overcoming from setbacks. I believed all that stuff THEN and I believe ALL that stuff NOW. There is a problem, however! It is not the participant nor the mentor creating chaos, but the crazy-ass parents who have transformed into pathetic beings living vicariously through children's games and along the way undermining those sport values with criticism, jealousies, finger-pointing blame and angry outburst.
Today, we have many self-centered wannabes pretending to be athletes. They are coddled by 'hellicopter' parents who don't know their asses from a hole-in-the-ground when it comes to 'SPORT.'
In the USA, we have documented numerous acts of violence perpetrated at youth-sport events. With the proliferation of weapons being carried by the public, it is a matter of time when American soil is bloodied as was Sao Paulo, Brazil's.
I spent my lifetime 'in sports!' I was a youth participant in East St. Louis where my parents told me to 'go play, have fun, hustle and listen to your coach.' I was a high school athlete and my parents, who evidently had 'some-sort-of-life' of their own told me, 'go play, have fun and listen to the coach.' I was a college athlete at Illinois State for four years and when I left for that higher institution of learning, my parents said, 'plan to have a job in four years'! I don't know what the hell happened to the charge, 'go have fun, etc.
For my entire playing career, I was told that sport would serve me long after I finished playing. Sport would 'build' my character and prepare me for life's challenges. I would learn how to work hard, dedicate to a cause, cooperate with teammates, follow instructions, sacrifice for others and be humble with success while learning and overcoming from setbacks. I believed all that stuff THEN and I believe ALL that stuff NOW. There is a problem, however! It is not the participant nor the mentor creating chaos, but the crazy-ass parents who have transformed into pathetic beings living vicariously through children's games and along the way undermining those sport values with criticism, jealousies, finger-pointing blame and angry outburst.
Today, we have many self-centered wannabes pretending to be athletes. They are coddled by 'hellicopter' parents who don't know their asses from a hole-in-the-ground when it comes to 'SPORT.'
In the USA, we have documented numerous acts of violence perpetrated at youth-sport events. With the proliferation of weapons being carried by the public, it is a matter of time when American soil is bloodied as was Sao Paulo, Brazil's.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Bring on Labor Day
You know age is a consideration when you decide to 'watch 'fireworks' on the television while sitting in your favorite family-room chair. Still, I miss some aspects of the outdoor July 4th blast. I did not carry two lawn chairs a half-mile to perch on a grassy hillside and sit amongst thousands of profusely sweating families as folks passed mosquito repellent around and tolerated screaming kids. I also missed the much anticipated collective 'oohs and aaahs' after each sky-lighting explosion. As most Americans, regardless where independence day may be celebrated, I do appreciate our freedoms and always give a prayerful thanks to all who made sacrifices for those freedoms.
I recall fourth of July celebrations as a kid growing up in East St. Louis. Many neighborhood families headed to nearby communities to 'watch' fireworks. The general consensus was that by June 30, our East St. Louis politicians had 'stolen' any budgeted monies to purchase fireworks. July 4th offers a uniqueness in its own celebration. We have crowed the annual "Hot Dog Eating King' in American once again holding the world wide claim on obnoxious-gluttonous indulgence and we have tolerated dozens of singers adding words to the National Anthem in an attempt to give a personalized signature. When will we learn that 'MORE' is not better unless we are talking tapioca pudding!
Our next holiday celebration will be Labor Day. Now that was once a hellava holiday for 'blue-collar' East St. Louis folks. The thousands of union tradesmen were proud-parade marchers. In recent years, I think our massive Labor Day parades are held in China and Taiwan.
I am sure most of you readers, as I, got goose bumps watching the hot dog eating champ (ESPN) take his victory lap. Reminds me of the same USA pride I get watching film-clips of the great American Olympian, Jesse Owens carrying the American flag in front of Hitler. We Americans do have distinctive class.
I recall fourth of July celebrations as a kid growing up in East St. Louis. Many neighborhood families headed to nearby communities to 'watch' fireworks. The general consensus was that by June 30, our East St. Louis politicians had 'stolen' any budgeted monies to purchase fireworks. July 4th offers a uniqueness in its own celebration. We have crowed the annual "Hot Dog Eating King' in American once again holding the world wide claim on obnoxious-gluttonous indulgence and we have tolerated dozens of singers adding words to the National Anthem in an attempt to give a personalized signature. When will we learn that 'MORE' is not better unless we are talking tapioca pudding!
Our next holiday celebration will be Labor Day. Now that was once a hellava holiday for 'blue-collar' East St. Louis folks. The thousands of union tradesmen were proud-parade marchers. In recent years, I think our massive Labor Day parades are held in China and Taiwan.
I am sure most of you readers, as I, got goose bumps watching the hot dog eating champ (ESPN) take his victory lap. Reminds me of the same USA pride I get watching film-clips of the great American Olympian, Jesse Owens carrying the American flag in front of Hitler. We Americans do have distinctive class.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Say What You Mean; Mean What You Say!
A few years ago, I was asked by an East Coast high school athletics director if my speeches were 'power-point presentations.'
We agree that a speaker is an orator or lecturer of sorts and when he uses visual aids such as, videos, graphs and charts, his presentation is considered 'power-point.' This desire for the visual aid-laced communication should not surprise anyone. We now have a generation of adults who grew up tethered to video games, computers, iPhones, ipads, etc.
Whereas I also find the graphs, charts and other visual stuff to be useful, I would contend that a good speaker with a passionate message may not need any thing beyond his words to deliver the 'POINT.' I spent 37-years motivating young teenage boys to do stuff they did not wish to do and do the stuff well. Example: Be on time. Play hard all the time. Commit to physical demands of conditioning year round. Be unselfish. Be loyal. Please! The nature of the teen is self-centered and narcissistic; my words had to 'sell' the message and motivate the player into action. I believed then and believe today that successful sport teams have motivating leadership and those leaders can seal-the-deal with sound principles, simple approaches and motivating words.
Another guy who would not fit the bill for the East Coast athletics director's preconceived notion of a good 'speaker' would be Jesus Christ...He had some 'powerful points' to make but did not have a 'slide presentation.'
We agree that a speaker is an orator or lecturer of sorts and when he uses visual aids such as, videos, graphs and charts, his presentation is considered 'power-point.' This desire for the visual aid-laced communication should not surprise anyone. We now have a generation of adults who grew up tethered to video games, computers, iPhones, ipads, etc.
Whereas I also find the graphs, charts and other visual stuff to be useful, I would contend that a good speaker with a passionate message may not need any thing beyond his words to deliver the 'POINT.' I spent 37-years motivating young teenage boys to do stuff they did not wish to do and do the stuff well. Example: Be on time. Play hard all the time. Commit to physical demands of conditioning year round. Be unselfish. Be loyal. Please! The nature of the teen is self-centered and narcissistic; my words had to 'sell' the message and motivate the player into action. I believed then and believe today that successful sport teams have motivating leadership and those leaders can seal-the-deal with sound principles, simple approaches and motivating words.
Another guy who would not fit the bill for the East Coast athletics director's preconceived notion of a good 'speaker' would be Jesus Christ...He had some 'powerful points' to make but did not have a 'slide presentation.'
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
It's about Character Dumb Asses
Yesterday, I saw a television reporter stick a microphone in the face of a helicopter-pilot, who just executed an emergency landing of his copter (safely) in the Hudson River, asking the pilot, "Do you consider yourself a hero?". The pilot looked deadpan into the camera and said matter-of-fact, "I was just doing my job." Four passengers walked to safety.
Later that evening, I was watching an NFL program, which was showing 'highlights' of great touchdown runs. Most players scoring the touchdowns did some kind of end zone celebratory-dance thus keeping the T.V. cameras on the player; 'see me' was the obvious plea. I thought about the pilot and then I thought about Major League baseball hitters show-boating after a home run, defensive football players who strut about after sacking the runner. The NBA player who shows his ass with obnoxious taunting any time he dunks on an opponent or blocks the opponent's shot. And then I thought once again about the very humble helicopter pilot who is likely earning a substantially lower annual income than the self-centered arrogant athlete.
The past several days, one television network continues to advertise a coming 'new' show which will offer large sums of money to program participants who display bad public behavior, i.e., brush teeth at a restaurant table, rinse and spit water onto the floor or pick their nose in public; just to mention a couple of stunts. I conclude that in recent years' the onslaught of 'reality shows,' such as 'Bad Girls' and 'Jersey Shore' are apparently losing appeal to our countrymen and the need to spice things up with more and more vulgar 'Animal House' antics is needed on our T. V. airways. (And we wonder why adolescent bullying is such a major problem in school and on 'facebook.).
Please don't blame the media, the film entertainment industry or the educational system for our plummeting societal character-compass. Let's agree that our young people display poor manners and disgusting behavior because most parents are piss-poor at their responsibility of raising a good and well-behaved person.
My third grade teacher gave me a swat with a paddle (1947) and sent a note home explaining my behavior, which warranted the paddling and requested my parent to sign and return the note. My Father signed the note moments after he swatted me with his belt and told me not to bring anymore notes home from school; I never did misbehave at school again.
I am sure the helicopter pilot's parents were good at their parenting charge and you and I know damn well that many of the pro-athletes' parents get failing marks.
The great football running back, Barry Sanders was once asked why he did NOT celebrate in the end zone after scoring a touchdown. Sanders said there are two reasons why he did NOT do that: "First I wanted people to believe that I had been there before and secondly, I plan to be there again."
Later that evening, I was watching an NFL program, which was showing 'highlights' of great touchdown runs. Most players scoring the touchdowns did some kind of end zone celebratory-dance thus keeping the T.V. cameras on the player; 'see me' was the obvious plea. I thought about the pilot and then I thought about Major League baseball hitters show-boating after a home run, defensive football players who strut about after sacking the runner. The NBA player who shows his ass with obnoxious taunting any time he dunks on an opponent or blocks the opponent's shot. And then I thought once again about the very humble helicopter pilot who is likely earning a substantially lower annual income than the self-centered arrogant athlete.
The past several days, one television network continues to advertise a coming 'new' show which will offer large sums of money to program participants who display bad public behavior, i.e., brush teeth at a restaurant table, rinse and spit water onto the floor or pick their nose in public; just to mention a couple of stunts. I conclude that in recent years' the onslaught of 'reality shows,' such as 'Bad Girls' and 'Jersey Shore' are apparently losing appeal to our countrymen and the need to spice things up with more and more vulgar 'Animal House' antics is needed on our T. V. airways. (And we wonder why adolescent bullying is such a major problem in school and on 'facebook.).
Please don't blame the media, the film entertainment industry or the educational system for our plummeting societal character-compass. Let's agree that our young people display poor manners and disgusting behavior because most parents are piss-poor at their responsibility of raising a good and well-behaved person.
My third grade teacher gave me a swat with a paddle (1947) and sent a note home explaining my behavior, which warranted the paddling and requested my parent to sign and return the note. My Father signed the note moments after he swatted me with his belt and told me not to bring anymore notes home from school; I never did misbehave at school again.
I am sure the helicopter pilot's parents were good at their parenting charge and you and I know damn well that many of the pro-athletes' parents get failing marks.
The great football running back, Barry Sanders was once asked why he did NOT celebrate in the end zone after scoring a touchdown. Sanders said there are two reasons why he did NOT do that: "First I wanted people to believe that I had been there before and secondly, I plan to be there again."
Monday, July 1, 2013
Slip Sliding Away
The Roustio Family Reunion dynamics have changed drastically over its 64-year history. What began (1949) at Grand Marais State Park (East St. Louis), soon adjourning to Shilo Community Park (near Belleville, IL) and near Scott Air Force Base once held expectations of 150 people attending the annual festivities; yesterday's reunion numbered 44 folks. The up sides were great; plenty of good food and probably more visiting interaction than I have witnessed, at a family reunion, in years.
I was not the elder Roustio off spring in attendance; Mary Lou (Roustio) Arras took home those honors by a couple of birthdates. Of course the pressure was placed upon me to 'do something' to bring out the troops for next year's 65th Clan Gathering! I believe that I can coerce my immediate kin but I am going to need some help and imagination to motivate many others; I shall ponder upon the charge and give it a GO!
I have noticed a reoccurring emotional feeling the last two times that I have made the metro-east trek, which takes me by the assisted living home where my mother passed, the last two houses where my parents lived and the empty property where Roustio's Steak House once stood so prominently on route 157, Collinsville, Illinois. I also pass the nearby properties of several aunts and uncles as well as cousins who once joined the annual Roustio Family gala. That feeling, which overcomes me? I have a rush of claustrophobic-pressure upon my chest and throat causing a sensation that strongly suggests that I will not 'catch' my next breath. I feel as though I have lost both love ones and much of my personal documented history. There is but a handful of family living who could possibly attest to my totality. My journey and reminiscent stories can be shared with but a few; I am more than ever, isolated in my thoughts.
My response choices are limited. Those choices defined, I choose to push forward embracing the moment given and try my best to make some memories for those who show up June 29, 2014.
I was not the elder Roustio off spring in attendance; Mary Lou (Roustio) Arras took home those honors by a couple of birthdates. Of course the pressure was placed upon me to 'do something' to bring out the troops for next year's 65th Clan Gathering! I believe that I can coerce my immediate kin but I am going to need some help and imagination to motivate many others; I shall ponder upon the charge and give it a GO!
I have noticed a reoccurring emotional feeling the last two times that I have made the metro-east trek, which takes me by the assisted living home where my mother passed, the last two houses where my parents lived and the empty property where Roustio's Steak House once stood so prominently on route 157, Collinsville, Illinois. I also pass the nearby properties of several aunts and uncles as well as cousins who once joined the annual Roustio Family gala. That feeling, which overcomes me? I have a rush of claustrophobic-pressure upon my chest and throat causing a sensation that strongly suggests that I will not 'catch' my next breath. I feel as though I have lost both love ones and much of my personal documented history. There is but a handful of family living who could possibly attest to my totality. My journey and reminiscent stories can be shared with but a few; I am more than ever, isolated in my thoughts.
My response choices are limited. Those choices defined, I choose to push forward embracing the moment given and try my best to make some memories for those who show up June 29, 2014.
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