Open Letter

Dear Disney,

Bought Star Wars you have, fantastic that is. Pleas don't embarrass the franchise anymore than Jar Jar Binks and Hayden Christensen already have.

May the force be with you, always.

Excited?

Generally I am like a kid waiting for Christmas morning when the new Call of Duty game is announced, however for some reason I just haven't gotten excited about the newest installment of Black Ops.  I think in part it's due to the whole "future" aspect of the game.  I mean part of what I enjoyed about the CoD games was the attention to detail as far as the weapons, etc used.  Pushing this thing into the future feels like an entirely different game - moving more toward Halo and less of the military shooter that I like.  I suppose you couple that with the fact that my video game time has been substantially depleted by the munchkin, she's not ready for PS3 yet, but soon... very soon, she will be the youngest CoD champion ever.

At any rate I say all that, but I'll buy it.  

Election

Election season is one of my least favorite times.  While some view it as a celebration of freedom and democracy, I view it as a several month period that puts on display the worst of America.  Instead of trying to debate issues and offer varying suggestions for improving the country and lives of its people, there is some of that - but the bulk of time, money, energy is spent tearing down the other side.  And I'll say it right now... don't comment about one side or the other, because BOTH sides are equally guilty of throwing mud and generally behaving like children (or actually probably worse).  It's just sad because I feel like this year more than ever many moderate people, like myself, who just want solutions regardless of party affiliation, are stuck trying to determine who we think has lied, mislead, and twisted facts the least.  

A proposal for the next election: debates no longer live.  Tape them and an independent group of fact checkers will check facts (blind - they won't know who said what), three people will check each fact to help limit bias.  If a candidate is deemed to lie, misstate/distort facts or grossly mislead through context his statements will be muted or cut from the debate.  I think candidates would be far more real and honest if they know their BS won't be communicated to the mass audience.  The issues facing the country are far too important to be made with contorted facts and information that is just plain wrong.

This is only a fraction of the ranting I have in mind on the topic of politics and government... but I'll leave it at that for now ;)

Back on the Wagon

After a hiatus that lasted far far too long I'm back on the running wagon.  One month in and I've hit every week.  Actually doing some speed work this time around, intervals, tempo runs, and such - which has made things very interesting.  Right now I'm just trying to get my base back so nothing too crazy as far as paces and distances, 10-15 miles per week, it's a start.  Target is the April Half Marathon so things won't really get too intense until about Feb.  Hoping the slightly flatter Ward Pkwy run will result in a more acceptable time than last time, hoping to break my best - the up and down of KC though will make that harder though, considering my best Half time was ran in Chicago where the biggest "hill" is an on-ramp.

16 Goals

I feel like this is an appropriate way to kick off the revival, hopefully by talking about something that I've recently found a lot of meaning in and really taken to heart.

From the title a few of you will know exactly what I'm talking about, for those that don't know 16 goals is a reference to the 16 goals that the K-State Wildcats football team works to achieve.  Now, I know fan loyalty is something that runs extremely deep, but these goals were crafted, in part, by Bill Snyder, which, I think if any true college football fan would agree is among the greatest coaches of all time.  While the goals were established for his football team I think they hold a lot of meaning for anyone in everyday life.  Reading more about these goals I came across one of my new favorite motivational quotes, when discussing #12 Coach Snyder said: 

"However you may or may not have been today, 

tomorrow there isn't any reason you can't be better." 

I am not one for poster board motivation and I realize that this isn't a revelation or a concept that is completely new - but for some reason the way he said it really resonated with me.  I will admit that as a huge KSU fan, the source probably accounts for a lot of the resonance, but still.  I feel like it is something that really anyone can relate to, we all have good days and bad days, but we have to realize that regardless of the type of day we had tomorrow can and should be our best day.

Take a look at the goals below, if you really want the full effect and the meaning behind these goals follow this link to their website, the video clips are pretty inspirational in my opinion and tell a great story.  

KSU 16 Goals

16 Goals

1. Commitment. To common goals and to being successful.
2. Unselfishness. There is no “I” in TEAM.
3. Unity. Come together as never before.
4. Improve. Everyday... as a player, person, and student.
5. Be Tough. Mentally and physically.
6. Self-Discipline. Do it right, don’t accept less.
7. Great Effort.
8. Enthusiasm.
9. Eliminate Mistakes. Don’t beat yourself.
10. Never give up.
11. Don’t Accept Losing. If you do so one time, it will be easy to do so for the rest of your life.
12. No self-limitations. Expect more of yourself.
13. Expect to Win. And truly believe we will.
14. Consistency. Your very, very best every time.
15. Leadership. Everyone can set the example.
16. Responsibility. You are responsible for your own performance.

So it begins... again

I've not done anything on here for a very long time ... this is strike 3, I'm giving it one more go.