For the Birds

This picture was taken from my living room window on the second floor this winter. Apparently birds like eating pizza too!










Photo by Mrs. Randball.

Space-Age Materials for Some, Not All!

This hockey season, Randball told me a story about how one professional hockey player asked for his stick back from a fan who had caught the flung stick in the stands. The reason? It was worth $400. Now, we all know that major league baseball players are restricted to the use of wooden (and NON corked) baseball bats. I had assumed that the restriction of space-age materials were universal when it came to professional sports. At right, I've posted a picture of the Nike Bauer Supreme One 90 Chrome LE Sr. Hockey Stick, on sale for $179.99.

What happened to the days of fair sportsmanship, where standardized equipment ensured that any extraordinary result was assumed to be the result of skill or good fortune?

While I enjoy the quality and speed of ABEC-4 bearings for my personal Rollerblade use (and hopefully soon, ABEC-5!), I would never venture to say that my speed on such high quality bearings would be measurable against someone who has sub-par bearings. Creating the highest quality sporting equipment is no sin. However, if professional teams allow team members to select their equipment based on how much money they have to spare, or how much their excessive salaries will allow, it's simply unfair. How much does a fancy hockey stick make up for in terms of time and energy? Can a player achieve much more precision in passing and shooting with a space-age stick that it could be considered a good career move? Should we really be encouraging players to shift their focus to equipment advancements like a neighbor kid eying the spoiled kid's toys? It's about the game... and in the first place, it should be fair.

Photo courtesy of www.hockeymonkey.com

Will the Reigning Champion Please Step Forward?

Hello, and yes- I am still alive.

I was doing a bit of cleaning the other day when I realized that Randball has been hanging on to his Fantasy Football trophy for several months despite being dethroned by one of his federation teammates.

Yes, the image at right is the ghastly award given to the winner of the FFFFF (read: Funk Funk Fantasy Football Federation.) There used to be only one piece of plywood attached to this symbolic flip-flop sandal. Since this trophy has been through the hands of its many winners for too many years to mention, a second piece was added. Good thing.

Now, I happen to know that Randball has been dethroned, and the reasons are not as obvious as you might think. Randball did not tell me that he lost. Oh, no! He is the treasurer of his fine federation, and has a dedicated bank account for it. Over the years, he has tried to convince me of the value and fun of being a part of his federation, and over time, he has turned to emphasizing the monetary value. "But when I win, think of all the money we'll have!" Naturally, had he won this year, I would've heard much celebration! And had he won, I would have a new outfit to show for it!

Alas, I must ask this question, for the sake of my dining room decor, and the bragging rights of the reigning champion... Will the winner of the FFFFF 2008 season please step forward? You've got a flip-flop to display in YOUR home now!

New Year, New Schtick

Happy New Year!

Well, the new year has brought with it many changes. I'm leaving my job. My best friend has lost her mother to brain cancer. I've got an internship starting next week. All of this takes some adjusting.

Each year, we tend to make new year's resolutions. I haven't had a chance to think about resolutions, but I'd like to share a story from last year:

I had been working full time, attending school part-time and helping to lead the ASL Club on campus. My days were fast-paced and hectic, and I worried that I would become burned out. My new year's resolution was to slow down. It backfired. As I slowed down, I became unmotivated and lethargic. I'd come home and the end of the day and crawl into bed. Slowing down made me realize just how hard I had been working myself- and I was exhausted. Perhaps the best thing to do would've been to analyze my situation and re-prioritize. Instead, I dove head-first into planning our wedding, and told myself that as long as I was able to keep up with my work in the office and the classroom, I would be okay.

Well, a year later I realize that I pushed myself too hard. Life's too short to spend the time needlessly suffering when a few little adjustments could make life a lot easier. Leaving my job may be the best decision I've made in a long time. However, it does not come without a downside. In our culture, our work is a part of our identity. It saddens me to leave the work I have grown to value, and the colleagues I have come to trust and respect.

I'm glad that I've got the support and mentors I need to move forward, though. And soon I will begin a new career in a field I have hand selected- a luxury I have yet to experience.

To new beginnings!

Image courtesy of: www.123newyear.com