Memorial Day May 24, 2012
Posted by robewanow in Family, General, Uncategorized.add a comment
I am going to depart from my normal theme this week. I received an email this morning from one of my vendor/partners wishing me a happy Memorial Day. It’s not everyday you get a message specifically targeted to Memorial Day. Most of the time we hear about it on the news as “The official start of summer” along with coverage of parades, interviews with veterans and reminders of what they have sacrificed for us. All good stuff.
What struck me about this email wish was how it completely wrapped both the idea of the start of summer and the gratitude we owe our veterans into a single powerful message. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (Thanks to the folks at RES Exhibits for sending this to me) If the text is difficult to read click on the image.
Until next week….Enjoy and remember this Memorial Day weekend.
What do You Focus On? September 1, 2011
Posted by robewanow in Family, Job Search.1 comment so far
Pick up the paper, check your Twitter stream or scan the entries in your Google Reader account and you will inundated with a ton of information. For instance today I saw the same article three different times online and in print. Each had a different headline and a somewhat different angle on the story. One I perceived as positive and the others a bit more negative. I chose to Tweet the positive one after I read it, choosing to ignore the ones with the more negative “feel.”
I chose to Tweet the positive one because I am a big believer in the “self fulfilling prophecy” and if I can have even a little bit of a positive effect on someones attitude maybe, just maybe it will be enough to encourage that person to change their attitude or outlook and maybe even share the information with those in their network.
Which choice would you make?
As a bonus this week I thought I would include an inspirational story for you to think about over the long holiday weekend. For some this may be a repeat, even then its a good one to revisit.
Enjoy the long weekend.
Until next week….
Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a
day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front
of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and
empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then
asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between
the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They
agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of
course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar
was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the
entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between
the sand. The students laughed.
‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to
recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the
important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends
and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they
remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and
your car.
The sand is everything else—the small stuff.
‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room
for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all
your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the
things that are important to you.
‘Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend
time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with
grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to
dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and
fix the disposal. Take care of the golf ball first—the things that really
matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows
you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a
couple of Beers with a friend.’
Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers January 27, 2009
Posted by robewanow in Family, Job Search.2 comments
I received this email the other day and thought it most appropriate to my current situation. I copy it here for your enjoyment. It provides a great perspective which I think we can all benefit from whether employed or not. I hope you enjoy it. I plan to print it and keep it handy for future reference.
Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a
day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front
of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and
empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then
asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between
the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They
agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of
course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar
was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the
entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between
the sand. The students laughed.
‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to
recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the
important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends
and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they
remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and
your car.
The sand is everything else—the small stuff.
‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room
for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all
your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the
things that are important to you.
‘Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend
time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with
grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to
dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and
fix the disposal. Take care of the golf ball first—the things that really
matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows
you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a
couple of Beers with a friend.’
Not The Trip I Expected May 28, 2008
Posted by robewanow in Family, General.add a comment
Last post I mentioned I would be traveling to San Antonio for a trade show and that I figured I would have some good material to post as I figured I would have flight delays and other assorted travel woes. Well it did not happen. All my flights were essentially on time give or take a few minutes. About the only excitement was having to run from gate c2 to c32 to make my connection which I did with about 5 minutes to spare.
Instead what has inspired me to post is the book I read entitled Beautiful Boy a fathers journey through his sons addiction by David Sheff.
I’ve been fortunate in that no one in my family has ever had to wrestle with any type of substance abuse. So why did I read this book? Its quite simple. While standing in line one day at Starbucks I noticed this book in a display next to the cash register. I picked it up and read the inside flap which briefly described the book. Now I am not a big reader, most of what I read is related to my job as Marketing Communications Manager. Magazines, newsletters, blogs are my usual read. For some unknown reason I felt compelled to read this book. My wife Nanette found it at the local library and checked it out for me.
I started reading it on the flight to San Antonio on Monday, May 19 and had it finished by the time I arrived back in Rochester on Friday, May 23. For me this is a fast read – super fast.
Once I started this book I could not put it down, each time a chapter ended I had to read the next in order to see what would happen. I am not afraid to admit each time I read a chapter I cried, one time openly sobbing in my hotel room as I completed a chapter. It was not until this past Sunday that I was able to even talk about the book without choking up – it had that much of an impact on me.
The story details how a father copes with his sons addiction to crystal meth. The ups and downs the highs and lows of addiction, recovery, relapse and then recovery. This story is an intense roller coaster of emotion which vividly illustrates not only the struggles David faces with his son but also the struggles of his wife their two young children and Nic, his addict son.
The story brilliantly documents the lengths we as parents will go to to protect our children and how when we think we can bear no more we find a way to persevere especially when it means helping or in this case trying to save our children.
I do not want to go into great detail about the story as I highly recommend this book. I learned more about addiction, addicts, the chemical effects and mental effects of meth and the sad state of drug rehab programs in the US then I ever thought possible. Even if like me, you have never had to deal with addiction in your family this is a book you must read, you will learn something, you will be affected.
Nic Sheff penned his memoirs entitled Tweak, Growing up on Methamphetimine. I went to the library and put my name on a waiting list to get a copy as soon as possible. I cannot wait to read it and learn what he experienced first hand through his eyes.
Hockey Tryouts and HDTV, the Saga Continues April 28, 2008
Posted by robewanow in Family, General, Sports.add a comment
Matthew has found a new home for the 2008-2009 youth hockey season. He earned a roster spot on the Perinton Youth Hockey AA Bantam Major team playing for a former coach from two years ago. He knows 5 kids on the team and is looking forward to the year ahead. Everyone involved is glad this sometimes trying experience is completed.
I can now say HDTV Rocks!! Upgraded both my tv and the satellite service last week and the difference is amazing, more than I ever thought it would be.
One unknown side effect of having HDTV is that you watch more of the Discovery Channel than you ever thought possible. While there are other stations which broadcast in HD, shows on the Discovery Channel lend themselves to taking full advantage of the benefits of HD; many outdoor shows like Survivor Man, The Deadliest Catch or Some Assembly Required. Truly a dfferent experience and if having HD gets the kids (and me) to watch more diverse and educational programming then so be it.
Hockey Try-Outs, the Stanley Cup and HD, Oh My! April 25, 2008
Posted by robewanow in Family, Sports.add a comment
Today is a BIG day.
- Matthews hockey tryouts begin anew tonight as he is trying to make a local AA team. This is with a different organization than he played for last year. Many kids from this team left so they have quite a few spots open. The coach is new to the team but familiar to Matthew as he has played for him before. By late Saturday afternoon he will know what his next steps are.
- The Stanley Cup playoffs (NHL) continue tonight. Last night was a split decision for me one of the teams I am rooting for won and the other lost. Tonight is the night though as my #1 team the New York Rangers face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in what looks to be a long and exciting series. Even though I will be at the rink watching Matthews tryout tonight (it runs from 8:30-10:00 UGH) I will make sure to have a good seat at the bar so I can watch his stuff and the Rangers at the same time.
- The final big thing for today is. I have finally decided to join the 21st century and get HD television. A technician from DirecTV is here as I type getting all the appropriate hardware installed and calibrated. I cannot wait.!!! Hockey, Soccer and Football in HD, it will be fantastic. Especially since the hockey playoffs are in full swing now. If you can believe this, Nanette has wanted to get HD for a longer time than me. She had to convince me to get the new TV and get moving. Now I am like a child on Christmas Eve.
A Tale of Two Sports April 13, 2008
Posted by robewanow in Family, Sports.add a comment
Both of my children play sports. Matthew is a travel hockey player having been on skates since he was 3. Caleigh has played travel soccer for 3 years now. This weekend I had the chance to interact with both of their teams, parents and coaches.
Matthew recently completed his 2007-2008 hockey season. This was his first season playing at the AAA level which is the highest for youth hockey. The season was not as successful as the coach had hoped but the boys had fun and built some good friendships.
This is the time of year that all hockey parents hate – try outs for the 2008-2009 season. Yes, they do tryouts now and will be back on the ice once a week in late June. At our season ending party the coach indicated that their would be some “changes with the makeup of the team”. This is a nice way of saying some of you may not be returning with the team next year. Well after four days of try outs Matthew found out he will not be part of this team. I had prepared him for this possibility so he did not take it as hard. The one thing he said he will miss most is one of his defense partners, they became good friends. The good thing is they live 10 minutes away so the boys will still get together and skate and do other things. If fact I am taking them to a hockey game tonight.
The unfortunate part in all this is that Matthew really admired his coach and gave him everything he had. This coach prided himself on the fact that the boys show respect to each other and to their opponents on and off the ice. When it came time to deliver the news to each player whether they had made team past practice at this organization was to tell those not offered a position the news face-to-face in a private setting. This year Matthews coach decided not to do that, instead opting to use a form letter in a sealed envelop which needed to be opened in the car. You can argue this is good as it spares some potential embarassment of walking out past your peers but all one had to do is see who drove away or who stayed behind to meet with the coach and sign the required paperwork.
Arguing which way is best aside for the moment, the point I am trying to make is that this shows a lack of respect for the player who gave his coach all he had all year long. For a coach who preached respect, teamwork etc all year long to inform his players in this way is unacceptable and one which shocked and disappointed not only me but many other parents on the team even those who’s sons made the team. This is the ugly side of youth sports and unfortunately every sport seems to suffer from this.
Some good news did transpire. As I mentioned above my daughter Caleigh plays soccer. This Saturday neither coach was able to attend practice due to previous committments. The manager asked if there were any parents willing to volunteer. I and another dad offered to help and we ran practice Saturday.
Due to spring break attendance was low, slightly less than half the team was able to show up but no worries we would forge ahead. We had a 60 minute practice where we did a couple drills on passing, shooting and ball control. We then let them scrimmage for a while so they could work on game situation tactics. The girls were a bit listless for 9:00am so I asked what the problem was and I got all sorts of creative excuses like its too early, its spring break, its Saturday. Jokingly I said what will you say on game day its Thursday, its too sunny, or the grass is green! They thought I was crazy but I think they got my humor.
The girls asked if they could switch the scrimmage to s different format called “world cup” which is a game within a game. We said if they gave 3 minutes of hard effort for this part of practice that we would do it. Well they responded and after a brief water break it was world cup time until the end of our field time.
Walking off the field the girls were laughing and joking with one another. I asked if anyone was going anywhere sunny for the Spring break and all present were staying in town. One remarked they were going somewhere sunny but not until August. You gotta love 10 and 11 year olds.
A tale of two sports it was, more hockey tryouts to follow.
