Laugh, Think, Cry

I noticed this morning that by 2010, cancer will replace heart disease as the world's number one killer. I was a little surprised that it wasn't already. It's hard to imagine that there isn't a person or family that you know that hasn't been affected by this disease.

It was a nice little bit of synchronicity that I saw that article this morning. I was mulling this post over in my head all night. I don't often go overly sentimental in this space, but today I want to make an exception.

We watch a lot of sports in our household. With two teenage boys and myself, if the TV is on in the evening, it is usually sports. Last night was no exception. The Longhorns were scheduled to play Villanova in the Jimmy V Classic last night in Madison Square Garden. Of course, we tuned in.

Do you know the story of Jim Valvono? Jim Valvano (Jimmy V), was a college basketball coach. He is best known as the coach of the North Carolina State team that defeated the heavily favored, high flying, Phi Slamma Jamma team of the University of Houston in 1983. That was the Houston team with future NBA hall of famers Hakeen Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. I never forgave him for that, but I digress.

Jimmy left coaching in the early 90's and turned to broadcasting. It was then that he began to earn my respect. He was an excellent basketball analyst. He knew the game, he was bright and engaging, but mostly, he just inspired me. He was always positive and upbeat, he could always find something good to say about the players or their coach. It is no surprise that he became a highly sought after motivational speaker. His motto, which is now the motto of the foundation that bears his name is Don't give up, don't ever give up.

In 1993 Jimmy was awarded the first ever Authur Ashe Courage award. His acceptance speech that night was one of the truly most inspiring moments I've ever witnessed. In his speech, he gives the audience a recipe for fulfilment:

To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special.

Not bad advice, is it?

So think about that today, would you? Life is so short, why not squeeze every little bit out of it? Times can be hard sometimes, but face them with enthusiasm. Life is precious, make the most of it.

In case you haven't figured it out, yes, Jimmy V died of cancer. Less than two months after his speech, he was gone. He may be gone, but his fight lives on in his foundation. To date the Jimmy V foundation has raised over $80,000,000 to fund cancer research.

This year, if there is a person on your Christmas list who has everything, a person you never know what to get, why not make a donation in their name to the Jimmy V foundation? As Jimmy said,

We need money for research. It may not save my life. It may save my children's lives. It may save someone you love.

The speech is 11:15 long. I know you're busy, but it just may be the best 11 minutes you spend today. My favorite part may be around the 7:10 mark, but please, for me, watch it all.




This speech was given on March 4, 1993. Jimmy died on April 28, the same year.

This Is A Bombshell !!!

I don't do a lot of sports talk on this site, because I get the feeling that isn't what my readers are interested in.

But this is big.

First of all, I have been a huge Roger Clemens fan pretty much since he was in college. It was a happy day in the castle when Roger finally became an Astro.

That being said, I think he's guilty, and as such should be banned from the hall of fame forever.

All of that aside, he spent 5 hours yesterday testifying behind closed doors in a deposition to Congressional attorneys. He apparently denied ever taking steroids or HGH.

Now reports are out that there is physical evidence he lied.

Cheating in baseball is one thing, lying to Congress is another.

If he lied, and it can be proven, he should be in jail.

I hope he goes to jail.

And The Winner Is . . . .

I refuse to talk about the game, suffice to say, I'll be listening to Billie Holiday all week.

:(



Hey, but how about those ads?

Did you like them? Did you have a favorite?

Among the group I watched with, the baby buying stock seemed to be the favorite, with the crowd split 50-50 between the first one where the baby spits up, or the second with the clown. (My favorite)

The Planter's Cashew ad was well received as well.

thoughts?



Among the most cringe worthy had to be the Ad with the stereotypical Chinese accent on the Panda Bear. Are you kidding me? This is 2008 for Fuck's sake.

What, Micky Rooney's character from Breakfast At Tiffany's wasn't available?

Sheesh!

Iowa Is Still A Small, White State

Brave Sir Robin has been sick for a few days now.

Head and chest cold with body aches and fever.

Unfortunately, the world doesn't shut down because I don't feel well. I have still been going to work, running kids to practice, etc.....

So, a quick run down . . . detail to follow when I feel better . . .



The Holidays were a mixed bag. New Year's Eve I struggled a lot, but I was surrounded by people who care about me. . . . .



We went to the Texas Bowl on Dec. 28. It was awesome. . . . .



Iowa.

Why, oh why, oh why is the media acting like the race is all but over? It's all smoke and mirrors.

Actual delegate count as of this morning?

Clinton: 175
Obama: 75
Edwards: 46

This is still Clinton's race to lose.

Josh has a nice piece on why Iowa matters so much. I agree with his logic, but I still think it's all media driven.

Hey, U.S.A. voters, . . . quit being sheep!


Happy 2008!!!!!!

Laurel Wreaths For Everyone

I love the smell of sweaty running shoes in the morning, ......

It smells like VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The last cross-country meet of the year was held Saturday morning. It was the District meet, with the top finishers (Varsity level only) moving on to the Regional and State meets.

The boys had to be on the bus at 5:00 AM. I had enough time to go home and have coffee, shower and get in the car to make the almost 2 hour drive.

I am thrilled to tell you that the District meet was a rousing success!!!! Not only for Sir Robin's squires, but for the teams as well.


Cross-Country is somewhat of a unique sport in that (at least around here) it is the only sport where Jr. High and High School compete at the same events. All year long these kids from 7th grade to Seniors have been arriving at school at 5:45 AM, 4 days a week to run and then loading on buses at the butt-crack of dawn every Saturday morning since school started to go to a meet together. It is great for the younger kids because they feel so important going with the big kids. In turn, the high schoolers really support the younger ones and it is a true team spirit in this, the most individual of sports. It takes a great deal of dedication to get up and run 4 miles every morning before school and then have an after school practice as well. These kids all share the pain of training together and it shows at the meets.

Well, on to the results!

#2 son ran on the Freshman team and placed 7th. (The top ten in each level receive medals)
#3 son ran on the 8th grade team and placed 4th.
If they were varsity level that would advance them both to the regional meet.

In the team standings, it was almost a clean sweep for our teams. The top 6 finishers on each teams scores are combined for a team score. There are boys and girls teams for 7th, 8th, Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity. With the exception of the girls JV who took third, every other team we entered took first place.

There was much rejoicing.

Am I proud?

Yes I am!!