The fued between Conan O'Brien and Jay Leon is comical. It's the only thing about those guys that is comical. Okay so I'm starting to sound like a grouchy old man who thinks everything from the past is better than anything in the present. Not true. I think today's television sets are much better than the clunker I had in the 60s when Johnny Carson started on the "Tonight Show." The sets are better but the shows are much worse and no one ever really came up to the standards set by Johnny Carson who hosted the show from 1962-1992. From "Carnac the Magnificent" to "Aunt Blabby" to "Art Fern and The Tea Time Movie," Carson was just plain funny. So in the raging debate over whether Leno or O'Brien should have the better time slot I suggest NBC re-run Carson for the next ten years. They'll save money and the humor will be better.
McGwire Comes Clean
While I'm on this cranky kick let me get in a word about Mark McGwire's admission that he took steroids and he's sorry about it. I'm glad he came clean and I wish him well as hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. Now here's the shocker, I think he deserves a chance to be voted into the Hall of Fame. If and when he does make it I would only ask that his bust be made the exact size of his head during the performasnce enhancement years. Big head, big bust, it's only fair.
Bowl Season
I can't believe the college bowl season is over already. It seems like only six months ago it was just getting started.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
A Book A Month
I've set a goal the last few years to read one book per month. I picked up the idea from Mark Twain who once said, "The man who does not read books has no advantage over the man who can't read."
January is "Yogi Berra" month for me. February is George Carlin month and March is set aside for Warren Buffit. In my quest to read at least one book per month I've laid out my first three for 2010. Two years ago I set a goal of reading 12 books and read 16. Last year I fell short of my goal by two books, finishing the year with only 10.
Every educator tells you how important it is to read to children and to have them learn to read to themselves. Well it's just as important to keep reading as an adult. To be successful you need to turn off all electronic devices: phones, I-Pods, TV sets, chips implanted in your brain. Turn them off, tune them out and start reading. Soon you'll find that you're more interesting and more interested. Your curiosity will grow, your vocabulary will be increased and you'll feel like you accomplished something.
To keep it interesting I try to read a biography, followed by a motivational book, followed by a novel. The challenge for me is staying awake longer then 15 minutes after I start reading. If I'm the least bit tired I will fall sleep with the book in my hands after a few pages. I've also found that reading in bed is not a good way to get a full night's sleep. It's best to read on a chair in a room other than the bedroom. Experts say the bedroom should be used for only two things, sleeping and sex. I'm no expert in either one so I'll just say this. Enjoy a good book today, it'll make you smarter and you'll sleep better. As far as the sex goes there's another blog out there somewhere dealing with that topic.
Enjoy a book this month
January is "Yogi Berra" month for me. February is George Carlin month and March is set aside for Warren Buffit. In my quest to read at least one book per month I've laid out my first three for 2010. Two years ago I set a goal of reading 12 books and read 16. Last year I fell short of my goal by two books, finishing the year with only 10.
Every educator tells you how important it is to read to children and to have them learn to read to themselves. Well it's just as important to keep reading as an adult. To be successful you need to turn off all electronic devices: phones, I-Pods, TV sets, chips implanted in your brain. Turn them off, tune them out and start reading. Soon you'll find that you're more interesting and more interested. Your curiosity will grow, your vocabulary will be increased and you'll feel like you accomplished something.
To keep it interesting I try to read a biography, followed by a motivational book, followed by a novel. The challenge for me is staying awake longer then 15 minutes after I start reading. If I'm the least bit tired I will fall sleep with the book in my hands after a few pages. I've also found that reading in bed is not a good way to get a full night's sleep. It's best to read on a chair in a room other than the bedroom. Experts say the bedroom should be used for only two things, sleeping and sex. I'm no expert in either one so I'll just say this. Enjoy a good book today, it'll make you smarter and you'll sleep better. As far as the sex goes there's another blog out there somewhere dealing with that topic.
Enjoy a book this month
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Twenty-Ten
I'm happy to report I've made the successful transition from 2009 to 20-ten. I've only written a couple of checks this year so far and I've avoided having to cross out 2009 each time. As far as what to call the new year I'm going with 20-ten because it rolls off the tongue easier. Two thousand ten takes too long to say.
A few days before January 1 I made a short list of resolutions for the new year. If I share them with you now it'll put pressure on me to actually achieve the goals I've set for myself.
Every year I set a goal to read one book a month and I'm doing that again. In the interest of honesty I can say I did not succeed with my lits in 2009. I ended up reading 10 news book in 2009 and now the 12 I'd hoped for. This year I'm going for 15. My first book this year is the story of Yankees Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra. As soon as I finish that I'll start on a book about the late comedian George Carlin.
My second goal this year is to learn Spanish. Many of the players on the SoundersFC soccer team speak Spanish and I'd love to be able to have a conversation with them without an interpreter.
My third goal is to get back to my running again. I used to run marathons and train 50 or 60 miles a week. I don't need to get back to that level but I would like to run between 15-20. I think my knees can take it. We'll see.
Goal setting is fun and rewarding. Start slowly so you don't get overwhelmed. List one of two achieveable goals, get started, achieve them and go from there. With each new success you'll find yourself moving to the next level with more ease and confidence.
A few days before January 1 I made a short list of resolutions for the new year. If I share them with you now it'll put pressure on me to actually achieve the goals I've set for myself.
Every year I set a goal to read one book a month and I'm doing that again. In the interest of honesty I can say I did not succeed with my lits in 2009. I ended up reading 10 news book in 2009 and now the 12 I'd hoped for. This year I'm going for 15. My first book this year is the story of Yankees Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra. As soon as I finish that I'll start on a book about the late comedian George Carlin.
My second goal this year is to learn Spanish. Many of the players on the SoundersFC soccer team speak Spanish and I'd love to be able to have a conversation with them without an interpreter.
My third goal is to get back to my running again. I used to run marathons and train 50 or 60 miles a week. I don't need to get back to that level but I would like to run between 15-20. I think my knees can take it. We'll see.
Goal setting is fun and rewarding. Start slowly so you don't get overwhelmed. List one of two achieveable goals, get started, achieve them and go from there. With each new success you'll find yourself moving to the next level with more ease and confidence.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Right There Before You
My mom passed away Christmas night. She was 97. For as long as I can remember everytime we'd part she'd hug me and say, "God is right there before you." She taught us to be more understanding of people and ideas unfamiliar to us. She taught us to look upon every day as a gift to be cherished and not wasted. To my mother a blizzard was a beautiful white, fluffy blessing created to remind us of the power of things beyond our comprehension.
Every day mom read her bible and copy of Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. Through her life she believed she was a spiritual being living in a human body and that allowed her to face life and death with no fear.
Her faith served her well when my sister died in 1956 and again when my dad passed away in 1998. She faced every day with a positive outlook and always found something good to say about every place she ever visited, every person she ever met, every situation she ever faced.
As recently as two weeks before her passing she sang Christmas carols and played cards. Every time I showed up at her house or the nursing home where she spent her final months she would say the same thing. "Oh my son, I love you, I love." Then as we parted she would remind me, "God is right there before you."
Today God is right there before her and she couln't happier with the company.
Every day mom read her bible and copy of Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. Through her life she believed she was a spiritual being living in a human body and that allowed her to face life and death with no fear.
Her faith served her well when my sister died in 1956 and again when my dad passed away in 1998. She faced every day with a positive outlook and always found something good to say about every place she ever visited, every person she ever met, every situation she ever faced.
As recently as two weeks before her passing she sang Christmas carols and played cards. Every time I showed up at her house or the nursing home where she spent her final months she would say the same thing. "Oh my son, I love you, I love." Then as we parted she would remind me, "God is right there before you."
Today God is right there before her and she couln't happier with the company.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Little Gratitude
Thanks to everyone who came to see the Evergreen Family theatre production of A Christmas Carol. This timeless story is so much in line with the events of the past year or so. Too many people are looking at the holiday with an attitude of want rather than appreciation. I believe the more you think about what you do not have the more you will not have. As difficult as it is to do, it's a good idea to make a list of what's good in your life. As you think about it the list will grow longer.
Another holiday favorite of mine and many others is "It's a Wonderful Life," in which George Bailey discovers exactly how important his life really is and how many people it touches.
So take a minute today to express gratitude for the many blessings in this world. Doing that doesn't mean you should ignore the bad news or the great needs of others but before you help someone else you must get your house in order. A great writer named Dr. Wayne Dyer says in his book, "The Power of Intention," you cannot make yourself poor enough to help someone else who is poor. Do not fret over the situation of a person in need, just help them in any way you can.
Merry Christmas to my friends who celebrate Christmas and to those who don't, may you be blessed with wisdom , gratitude, health and happiness.
Another holiday favorite of mine and many others is "It's a Wonderful Life," in which George Bailey discovers exactly how important his life really is and how many people it touches.
So take a minute today to express gratitude for the many blessings in this world. Doing that doesn't mean you should ignore the bad news or the great needs of others but before you help someone else you must get your house in order. A great writer named Dr. Wayne Dyer says in his book, "The Power of Intention," you cannot make yourself poor enough to help someone else who is poor. Do not fret over the situation of a person in need, just help them in any way you can.
Merry Christmas to my friends who celebrate Christmas and to those who don't, may you be blessed with wisdom , gratitude, health and happiness.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Christmas Carol
In the mood for a little holiday cheer? Our theatre group, Evergreen Family theatre will present the Dickens Classic, "A Christmas Carol," December 2-12 at the Redwood Family Church in Redmond.
I've spent a good part of my life in community theatre and always wanted to play Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, so this year I'm doing it. We've got a wonderful cast of local actors and we're committed to presenting a show that'll make you smile when you might need it the most.
Our show is "schedule and family friendly," in that we're doing it in one 90 minute act with no intermission. Curtain for our evening shows is at 7 p.m. the children can get home on school nights and the parents can just get home. We'll do matinee performances on both Saturdays December 5th and 12th along with evening shows. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children and seniors and are available at brownpapertickets.com. Look for A Christmas Carol by John Jakes in Redmond.
I've spent a good part of my life in community theatre and always wanted to play Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, so this year I'm doing it. We've got a wonderful cast of local actors and we're committed to presenting a show that'll make you smile when you might need it the most.
Our show is "schedule and family friendly," in that we're doing it in one 90 minute act with no intermission. Curtain for our evening shows is at 7 p.m. the children can get home on school nights and the parents can just get home. We'll do matinee performances on both Saturdays December 5th and 12th along with evening shows. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children and seniors and are available at brownpapertickets.com. Look for A Christmas Carol by John Jakes in Redmond.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Spewing the Spittle of Suspicion
Thanks to our wonderful United States Constitution fear and hate mongers like Glenn Beck get to spew the spittle of suspicion across our land every day. Thanks also to our U.S. Constitution true patriots such as the people who build our country instead of breaking it down, have the right to ignore or at least filter out every negative morsel exiting the mouths Beck and his comrades.
Beck, Limbaugh, O'Reily and the rest of their gang are described as "entertainers" by the network for which they work. What did I miss here? I consider the great actors, comedians , singers and musicians of my time and yours to be the real entertainers.
I'll take an evening of Elvis music anytime over 5 seconds of Beck babble. Let me hear Johnny Cash sing about "A Boy Named Sue," over Rush's constant notes of negitivism about everything President Obama says and does.
Entertainment should make us laugh, cry or at least feel some emotion designed to allow the mind and body to recover "reality" we're bombarded with every day.
All Beck and Rush and Bill do is make their closest followers feel even more bitter, cast blame on everyone but themselves and continue to erode our trust in the basic values of the democratic system of government.
Good government in America comes from well informed, selfless people who are not afraid to get involved with positive ideas and solutions to difficult problems.
Beck and his gang of "entertainers" have every right to do what they do and say what they say. We as a free people have every right to filter out what they say and base our own opinions and actions on research and common sense.
Beck, Limbaugh, O'Reily and the rest of their gang are described as "entertainers" by the network for which they work. What did I miss here? I consider the great actors, comedians , singers and musicians of my time and yours to be the real entertainers.
I'll take an evening of Elvis music anytime over 5 seconds of Beck babble. Let me hear Johnny Cash sing about "A Boy Named Sue," over Rush's constant notes of negitivism about everything President Obama says and does.
Entertainment should make us laugh, cry or at least feel some emotion designed to allow the mind and body to recover "reality" we're bombarded with every day.
All Beck and Rush and Bill do is make their closest followers feel even more bitter, cast blame on everyone but themselves and continue to erode our trust in the basic values of the democratic system of government.
Good government in America comes from well informed, selfless people who are not afraid to get involved with positive ideas and solutions to difficult problems.
Beck and his gang of "entertainers" have every right to do what they do and say what they say. We as a free people have every right to filter out what they say and base our own opinions and actions on research and common sense.
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