whoopigsooie
Monday, January 22, 2007
quirk (kwûrk) An unpredictable or unaccountable act or event
We all got 'em. Some quirkier than others. Some of mine surfaced the last few weeks and you know you have 'em when you start wondering if your actions are only specific to you. Its true confession time. Feel free to show your cards as well.
1. When purchasing a newspaper from a coin stand I NEVER take the top copy; I usually scurry down 3 or 4 as if its a more complete publication than the top one.
2. I bleed the watery substance off the top of the mustard container before applying a coil shaped pattern of mustard to the top of a freshly grilled burger patty.
3. The smallest piece of litter on the carpet bugs me to no end and I must pick it up and dispose of it properly. Ladies at work occasionally "plant" hole punch knock-outs to see how long it takes for me to pick them up. And believe it or not, I'm not a clean freak.
4. My alarm is set for 6:00 a.m. but I rarely get out of bed before 7:30. Snooze intervals are 11 minutes apart and I savor all 8.2 of them.
5. I typically sing along with the radio, at the top of my lungs if its a favorite, and if I get 6 out of 10 words correct that make up a lyrics line, its a good day. My kids hammer me mercilessly for this one.
6. Does Wal-Mart not train their clerks how to count back change and distribute it properly to its patrons? With my hands already carrying keys and refolding my wallet I recieve in this order, placed neatly on my palm, the reciept, the bills and the remaining change all at once. This immediately has to be resorted because they all three go in different compartments. How about this Waltonites...give the customer their reciept while thanking them for their business and allowing them time to put it in its proper place. Then count the coins to them up to the nearest dollar, also allowing time for them to dispose of them in their proper pouch, and then finish with the folding paper to close the deal. Maybe this is protocol at Wally World but its a quirk of mine. So am I being a jerk or is this a legitimate quirk? ¶ 7:05 PM 7 comments
1. When purchasing a newspaper from a coin stand I NEVER take the top copy; I usually scurry down 3 or 4 as if its a more complete publication than the top one.
2. I bleed the watery substance off the top of the mustard container before applying a coil shaped pattern of mustard to the top of a freshly grilled burger patty.
3. The smallest piece of litter on the carpet bugs me to no end and I must pick it up and dispose of it properly. Ladies at work occasionally "plant" hole punch knock-outs to see how long it takes for me to pick them up. And believe it or not, I'm not a clean freak.
4. My alarm is set for 6:00 a.m. but I rarely get out of bed before 7:30. Snooze intervals are 11 minutes apart and I savor all 8.2 of them.
5. I typically sing along with the radio, at the top of my lungs if its a favorite, and if I get 6 out of 10 words correct that make up a lyrics line, its a good day. My kids hammer me mercilessly for this one.
6. Does Wal-Mart not train their clerks how to count back change and distribute it properly to its patrons? With my hands already carrying keys and refolding my wallet I recieve in this order, placed neatly on my palm, the reciept, the bills and the remaining change all at once. This immediately has to be resorted because they all three go in different compartments. How about this Waltonites...give the customer their reciept while thanking them for their business and allowing them time to put it in its proper place. Then count the coins to them up to the nearest dollar, also allowing time for them to dispose of them in their proper pouch, and then finish with the folding paper to close the deal. Maybe this is protocol at Wally World but its a quirk of mine. So am I being a jerk or is this a legitimate quirk? ¶ 7:05 PM 7 comments
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Wag The Hog
In 1997, Dustin Hoffman and Robert DeNiro led an all-star cast in a movie which manipulated the public viewing audiences of the actual goings-on in the world of politics, entertainment, and world events. The movie, Wag the Dog, involved a scheme where DeNiro, a spin doctor, concocted a false war in a movie studio with the help of Hoffman, to shift the media focus from the current presidents falling approval rating in lieu of an upcoming re-election campaign. The high tech smokescreen worked so well that the media and viewers were duped into believing the war was actually happening. Thus, the country was literally being run in a studio.
The Razorback athletic program is being run much the same and everyone who bleeds red, (I know that includes more than Hog fans so hush), knows who is at the controls on the hill. Its Frank Broyles. Coach Broyles has done more to put the Hogs on the sports map than anyone in Razorback history. But,...its time for a change. The change I am speaking of is relinquishing his hold on the reins of micromanagement of the football program in particular. It is so obvious that Houston Nutt was forced by Broyles to hire an O.C. against Nutts will. It is obvious now that when Gus Malzhan was hired as the O.C. it was simply to acquire the likes of his four high school standouts to attend the university. Malzhans HUNH offense wasn't implemented at all during the year even though glimpses of his influence were noticible. Yes he did call the plays; the ones written on a postage stamp for him to use sparingly. And he nearly had to run every play by Nutt who in turn was most certainly influenced by Broyles to keep the RUN as their bread and butter offense. Broyles was quoted in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette on January 16 as saying, "Any coach that doesn't hand it off to McFadden and Jones won't last one game. It ain't hard to be an offensive coordinator with McFadden and Jones." So if Broyles loves seeing his hogs run up and down the field every play, why did he approve/dictate the hiring of a coach who wrote a book on the Hurry Up No Huddle Offense that spreads the field and implements a balanced attack. Huh, go figure. Refer to my earlier statement about the high school boys from Springdale. Broyles is possibly the most powerful athletic director in the country and the University of Arkansas has the absolute best facilities in the country, bar none, thanks to Broyles. That is where he excels; marketing the Hogs, and he's the best. But, that's where his duties should end for a couple of reasons. The game is changing and teams indeed need to be more balanced to be successful. Even McFadden and Jones can't pile up yardage on the ground if we aren't balanced in our attack. SEC opponents are big ole boys and can stop the run with 8 men in the box. Broyles will never buy into this. Secondly, and most importantly, we will never be able to attract skilled players, specifically wide recievers and strong armed quarterbacks if we our offensive philosophy remains vanilla. Florida's Urban Meyer proved that you can spread the field and still run the ball. The key is balance. We had a man on our staff who was a believer in a balanced offense that keeps defenses off balance, but now he'll be wearing a headset for the Tulsa Hurricane. Dang-it. Thank you Coach Broyles for your tireless support of Razorback athletics but please walk away from the control room that leads directly to the sidelines of the gridiron. We, the average fan, are smarter than you give us credit for. We see you through the smokescreen. ¶ 5:29 PM 3 comments
The Razorback athletic program is being run much the same and everyone who bleeds red, (I know that includes more than Hog fans so hush), knows who is at the controls on the hill. Its Frank Broyles. Coach Broyles has done more to put the Hogs on the sports map than anyone in Razorback history. But,...its time for a change. The change I am speaking of is relinquishing his hold on the reins of micromanagement of the football program in particular. It is so obvious that Houston Nutt was forced by Broyles to hire an O.C. against Nutts will. It is obvious now that when Gus Malzhan was hired as the O.C. it was simply to acquire the likes of his four high school standouts to attend the university. Malzhans HUNH offense wasn't implemented at all during the year even though glimpses of his influence were noticible. Yes he did call the plays; the ones written on a postage stamp for him to use sparingly. And he nearly had to run every play by Nutt who in turn was most certainly influenced by Broyles to keep the RUN as their bread and butter offense. Broyles was quoted in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette on January 16 as saying, "Any coach that doesn't hand it off to McFadden and Jones won't last one game. It ain't hard to be an offensive coordinator with McFadden and Jones." So if Broyles loves seeing his hogs run up and down the field every play, why did he approve/dictate the hiring of a coach who wrote a book on the Hurry Up No Huddle Offense that spreads the field and implements a balanced attack. Huh, go figure. Refer to my earlier statement about the high school boys from Springdale. Broyles is possibly the most powerful athletic director in the country and the University of Arkansas has the absolute best facilities in the country, bar none, thanks to Broyles. That is where he excels; marketing the Hogs, and he's the best. But, that's where his duties should end for a couple of reasons. The game is changing and teams indeed need to be more balanced to be successful. Even McFadden and Jones can't pile up yardage on the ground if we aren't balanced in our attack. SEC opponents are big ole boys and can stop the run with 8 men in the box. Broyles will never buy into this. Secondly, and most importantly, we will never be able to attract skilled players, specifically wide recievers and strong armed quarterbacks if we our offensive philosophy remains vanilla. Florida's Urban Meyer proved that you can spread the field and still run the ball. The key is balance. We had a man on our staff who was a believer in a balanced offense that keeps defenses off balance, but now he'll be wearing a headset for the Tulsa Hurricane. Dang-it. Thank you Coach Broyles for your tireless support of Razorback athletics but please walk away from the control room that leads directly to the sidelines of the gridiron. We, the average fan, are smarter than you give us credit for. We see you through the smokescreen. ¶ 5:29 PM 3 comments
Monday, January 08, 2007
Bama Hog-Tide
I must revel while I can. The Hogs blistered the Tide of Alabama Saturday in the most lopsided victory in their history over a top 10 ranked team. Whoopigsooie. Enuf said. We blink and we got the Florida Gators Tuesday night in Gainsville. I needant remind myself that after last night Florida is the only team in NCAA history to be both football and basketball national champs in the same year. Amazing feat. They are well coached by Billy Donovan as are the ironclads by Urban Meyer. Congratulations on a great season. You represented the SEC very well and reminded the top 5 sports beat writers that SEC football remains the number one conference in America. Not one of them picked Florida to upset Ohio State. I am happy for Chris Leak who was booed earlier in the year by his own fans, who displayed discontentment if every play wasn't a homerun. He is a classy quarterback who dismissed the lack of support and lead his team to a National Championship and the MVP honor.
The jury is still out on the Hogs basketball team this year but the early signs point to one common denominator that could lead to continued success; unselfishness. Five players scored in double figures and two of them had double doubles. Everyone looked to pass first and shoot second. There is no clear cut leader or superstar on the team with the loss of Brewer and Modica and that could prove to be a blessing in disguise. I see it possibly brewing into what I will call the season of Camelot. Just a team huddled around a round table with no head or foot; everyone sees themselves as equals, which translates into true team unity and success. Arkansas needs to win at Florida to prove that the Bama win wasn't a fluke. It will be difficult, but if the unselfish play continues, Camelot lives. ¶ 10:16 PM 4 comments
The jury is still out on the Hogs basketball team this year but the early signs point to one common denominator that could lead to continued success; unselfishness. Five players scored in double figures and two of them had double doubles. Everyone looked to pass first and shoot second. There is no clear cut leader or superstar on the team with the loss of Brewer and Modica and that could prove to be a blessing in disguise. I see it possibly brewing into what I will call the season of Camelot. Just a team huddled around a round table with no head or foot; everyone sees themselves as equals, which translates into true team unity and success. Arkansas needs to win at Florida to prove that the Bama win wasn't a fluke. It will be difficult, but if the unselfish play continues, Camelot lives. ¶ 10:16 PM 4 comments
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Facing Your Giants
Those of you that know me personally, know that I use a calendar to keep up with how long it takes me to finish reading a book. I have good intentions and get a good start mind you, but finishing is almost impossible for me. I finished a couple of Grisham books on vacation last year, (one week period) and I boasted for weeks of my accomplishments. And see...since most of Grishams books end up on the silver screen, I could have just used the excuse of experiencing the read through the movie but I didn't. Boasting again.
One of my Christmas gifts this year was the new Max Lucado book "Facing Your Giants." It is an easy read, (duh, its Lucado), and inspired by the life of David which is one of my favorite bible characters. I faced an incredible giant in my life in '06 and could have used the book earlier but with the help of some amazing friends and God's grace I made it just fine.
Giants come in all shapes and sizes. Here's an excerpt from the book that sorta wraps up its contents for me...
"Goliaths still roam our world. Debt. Disaster. Dialysis. Danger. Deceit. Disease. Depression. Super-size challenges still swagger and strut, still pilfer sleep and embezzle peace and liposuction joy. But they can't dominate you. You know how to deal with them. You face giants by facing God first."
Focus on giants-you stumble,
Focus on God-your giants tumble
The above 'Goliaths' were brought to you by the letter "D". There are 25 other letters in the alphabet which would love to raise their ugly head as well. Its inevitable. When one gets defeated another will be itching to take its place.
My prayer is that when the giants show up this year, and they will, I will be better prepared to combat them. Reading this book, spending time in the word and praying more consistently will be a good starting place to equip me for those battles. I am determined to face my first giant of the new year. Its name is "Do It Later." I AM finishing this book.
By the way..."Happy New Year" and remember...God is a giant killer. Include Him in your arsenal. ¶ 4:55 PM 7 comments
One of my Christmas gifts this year was the new Max Lucado book "Facing Your Giants." It is an easy read, (duh, its Lucado), and inspired by the life of David which is one of my favorite bible characters. I faced an incredible giant in my life in '06 and could have used the book earlier but with the help of some amazing friends and God's grace I made it just fine.
Giants come in all shapes and sizes. Here's an excerpt from the book that sorta wraps up its contents for me...
"Goliaths still roam our world. Debt. Disaster. Dialysis. Danger. Deceit. Disease. Depression. Super-size challenges still swagger and strut, still pilfer sleep and embezzle peace and liposuction joy. But they can't dominate you. You know how to deal with them. You face giants by facing God first."
Focus on giants-you stumble,
Focus on God-your giants tumble
The above 'Goliaths' were brought to you by the letter "D". There are 25 other letters in the alphabet which would love to raise their ugly head as well. Its inevitable. When one gets defeated another will be itching to take its place.
My prayer is that when the giants show up this year, and they will, I will be better prepared to combat them. Reading this book, spending time in the word and praying more consistently will be a good starting place to equip me for those battles. I am determined to face my first giant of the new year. Its name is "Do It Later." I AM finishing this book.
By the way..."Happy New Year" and remember...God is a giant killer. Include Him in your arsenal. ¶ 4:55 PM 7 comments
