THE RELATIONSHIP FRONT
Have you ever been stood up? Lord knows there are those of us with facial differences/Moebius Syndrome who have some kind of experience similar to that. An article I found today has some good advice, should it happen to you:
"Nobody likes to get stood up! But it does happen. And if you date long enough, it's bound to happen. It's so embarrassing. You get left at a restaurant, the dude never shows, the man of your dreams just doesn't call. No matter what the situation is, here are the five stages of dealing with a dating no-show.
1. Acceptance. He's not in the hospital. His mother did not suddenly fall gravely ill. He did not lose his crackberry and has no way of contacting you. He. Stood. You. Up. ....Do not call the local hospitals. Do not call him. Do not call your mother. You have been stood up. Accept it. Then you can move on."
The piece goes on to say:
"It's tempting to want to figure out why this happened. Are you a dog? Is he a dog? Are all people dogs? Is he emotionally stunted? Did you say something wrong? Who cares? It doesn't matter why it happened, and there's only one lesson to be learned: Standing someone up is a lame move. Be glad he spared you the rest."
Precisely. And remember, this piece wasn't directed at persons with Moebius. It was directed at a general audience. This happens to everybody. Don't let temporary setbacks get you down. Read the whole piece, it's interesting...
"It does not pay to scold. I believe you can get people to do anything
(if you can get them to do it at all) by loving them into doing it."-George Albert Smith
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
MOEBIUS BENEFITS
Natalie Abbott makes an interesting point today in her blog:
"...one of what I think is one of the benefits of being born with a medical condition is that kind of by default I know a lot of stuff that not many other people have cared about or needed to know. I know a heck of a lot about cranial nerves and what they do (and since most people look at you like you're from outer space when you mention cranial nerves, that's a big one!), a bit about genetics, lots about speech and occupational therapy, and miscellaneous things about other conditions and medical issues that I don't myself face but that I know from my involvement with the Moebius community. And I like having this information. I think it makes me more self-aware and a better advocate for my own medical needs."
Sure--as Natalie wrote, knowledge is power. And it does make us more aware. We know that there are obstacles in life--but that you can overcome them. We know that there is racial prejudice and ethnic prejudices out there, against which we must struggle. But we also are aware of the fact that there are other prejudices, too--prejudices against those with facial and physical differences. And we know we can overcome those, too.
JANET JACKSON WITH WORDS OF WISDOM
She has an autobiography coming out, and so is doing some promotional interviews and such...but she says she wants to send a message to young women, and it's a message that we in the Moebius/facial difference community can agree with as well, I think:
"It starts with knowing who you are and loving yourself, not looking at this person and that person and saying, "They look perfect, and they're a lot thinner than me." Every body type is different -- that's what makes you unique. What makes you special is you, and you are different from the next person. And that really begins at home. Peer pressure is very tough. I have a niece who comes home from elementary school, and she's like, "I've got to go work out!" And I'm thinking, Are you serious? She's doing push-ups and sit-ups, and it's crazy. So be a kid as long as you can."
Amen.
"Enthusiasm is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no
victories without it.". -Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Natalie Abbott makes an interesting point today in her blog:
"...one of what I think is one of the benefits of being born with a medical condition is that kind of by default I know a lot of stuff that not many other people have cared about or needed to know. I know a heck of a lot about cranial nerves and what they do (and since most people look at you like you're from outer space when you mention cranial nerves, that's a big one!), a bit about genetics, lots about speech and occupational therapy, and miscellaneous things about other conditions and medical issues that I don't myself face but that I know from my involvement with the Moebius community. And I like having this information. I think it makes me more self-aware and a better advocate for my own medical needs."
Sure--as Natalie wrote, knowledge is power. And it does make us more aware. We know that there are obstacles in life--but that you can overcome them. We know that there is racial prejudice and ethnic prejudices out there, against which we must struggle. But we also are aware of the fact that there are other prejudices, too--prejudices against those with facial and physical differences. And we know we can overcome those, too.
JANET JACKSON WITH WORDS OF WISDOM
She has an autobiography coming out, and so is doing some promotional interviews and such...but she says she wants to send a message to young women, and it's a message that we in the Moebius/facial difference community can agree with as well, I think:
"It starts with knowing who you are and loving yourself, not looking at this person and that person and saying, "They look perfect, and they're a lot thinner than me." Every body type is different -- that's what makes you unique. What makes you special is you, and you are different from the next person. And that really begins at home. Peer pressure is very tough. I have a niece who comes home from elementary school, and she's like, "I've got to go work out!" And I'm thinking, Are you serious? She's doing push-ups and sit-ups, and it's crazy. So be a kid as long as you can."
Amen.
"Enthusiasm is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no
victories without it.". -Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Let's first of all go right to some football picks.
I was 11-7 last week--not bad!
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Auburn at Alabama. My pick: CRIMSON TIDE. They're at home; and 'Bama, despite a couple of close losses, has both a solid defense and offense, and I think that offense will drive the ball against a suspect Auburn defense and keep Cam Newton off the field.
LSU at Arkansas. My pick: RAZORBACKS. LSU's defense has given up a lot of points. Arkansas can score a lot of points, with Ryan Mallett at QB. This time it'll cost the Bengal Tigers.
Michigan State at Penn State. My pick: SPARTANS. I'm going out on a limb here; but I think that comeback win last week over Purdue may have just given Sparty the momentum needed to get a big win on the road.
NFL PICKS
New England 7 over Detroit. My pick: PATRIOTS. Because Tom Brady is way better than Shaun Hill.
New Orleans 4 over Dallas. My pick: SAINTS. Because Drew Brees is way better than Jon Kitna, along with that suspect Dallas secondary.
NY Jets 9 over Cincinnati. My pick: JETS. Because the Jets have a lot to play for, while one suspects the Bengals will start to mail it in--witness the collapse last week vs Buffalo.
Atlanta 2 over Green Bay. My pick: FALCONS. Atlanta, its run game, and Matt Ryan continue to improve and mature.
Pittsburgh 7 over Buffalo. My pick: STEELERS. Buffalo and Ryan Fitzpatrick are improving...but the Steelers will undoubtedly teach the young QB a few lessons here.
Carolina at Cleveland--even. My pick: BROWNS. They've proven to me over the past several weeks that they're a better team.
NY Giants 8 over Jacksonville. My pick: JAGUARS. The Giants will win. But they tend to play down to the level of their competition, and the Jags can score.
Washington 2 over Minnesota. My pick: REDSKINS. Probably the Vikings have more talent; but they're a fractured, dispirited team, on the road, and the "Skins have a lot to play for and still have some fight left in them.
Tennessee at Houston--even. My pick: TEXANS. Because Matt Schaub is a much better QB than whoever it is Jeff Fisher is apparently playing this week.
Miami at Oakland--even. My pick: DOLPHINS. Just a hunch--I think they'll make one fewer mistake.
Kansas City 1 over Seattle. My pick: CHIEFS. I just think the Chiefs have progressed a lot this year, and have very good team speed.
Philadelphia 4 over Chicago. My pick: EAGLES. Too much team speed and Michael Vick.
Denver 4 over St. Louis. My pick: BRONCOS. The Rams aren't the same team on the road.
Baltimore 8 over Tampa Bay. My pick: RAVENS. Ray Lewis and the rest of the Ravens' D will teach Josh Freeman some lessons.
Indianapolis 3 over San Diego. My pick: COLTS. Something magically good happens to the Colts when they play at home.
San Francisco 1 over Arizona. My pick: 49ERS. Somehow, this time, their defense will create a turnover and generate a win.
In other news...
WHY THANKSGIVING IS SO COOL
Whatever your political persuasion, I think all can agree this guy has a good point:
"When I was a child, Christmas was by far my favorite holiday, for all kinds of reasons — the presents, the tree, almost every house in the neighborhood suddenly strung with lights. Now, seeing the holiday season from the other side of the parenting coin, Thanksgiving seems like Christmas stripped down to the latter’s most essential and enjoyable parts — good food, a quick prayer, and family too long unseen around a table — and missing the parts of our overly commercialized Christmas that I can easily do without: the challenge of finding the right gift, the crush of shoppers, strings of lights emerging from the closet in a Gordian knot, and one too many choruses of “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"....the four-day weekend and its traditions are a soothing reminder that....some parts of American life are gloriously impervious to change. The best parts of life are timeless, and beyond the reach even of the rapacious hand of the most ambitious politician."
EXERCISE NEWS
I have no doubt this is true:
"Walkers who squeeze a bit of light weight training into their workout get more bang for their buck in terms of being fit and trim without increasing their total workout time, according to a new study of sedentary people with type 2 diabetes. What's more, those who mixed up their workouts showed the greatest improvement in blood sugar control after nine months, says Timothy S. Church, MD, Ph.D., of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who led the study"
I seem to be seeing lots of walkers out there with weights these days...
I was 11-7 last week--not bad!
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Auburn at Alabama. My pick: CRIMSON TIDE. They're at home; and 'Bama, despite a couple of close losses, has both a solid defense and offense, and I think that offense will drive the ball against a suspect Auburn defense and keep Cam Newton off the field.
LSU at Arkansas. My pick: RAZORBACKS. LSU's defense has given up a lot of points. Arkansas can score a lot of points, with Ryan Mallett at QB. This time it'll cost the Bengal Tigers.
Michigan State at Penn State. My pick: SPARTANS. I'm going out on a limb here; but I think that comeback win last week over Purdue may have just given Sparty the momentum needed to get a big win on the road.
NFL PICKS
New England 7 over Detroit. My pick: PATRIOTS. Because Tom Brady is way better than Shaun Hill.
New Orleans 4 over Dallas. My pick: SAINTS. Because Drew Brees is way better than Jon Kitna, along with that suspect Dallas secondary.
NY Jets 9 over Cincinnati. My pick: JETS. Because the Jets have a lot to play for, while one suspects the Bengals will start to mail it in--witness the collapse last week vs Buffalo.
Atlanta 2 over Green Bay. My pick: FALCONS. Atlanta, its run game, and Matt Ryan continue to improve and mature.
Pittsburgh 7 over Buffalo. My pick: STEELERS. Buffalo and Ryan Fitzpatrick are improving...but the Steelers will undoubtedly teach the young QB a few lessons here.
Carolina at Cleveland--even. My pick: BROWNS. They've proven to me over the past several weeks that they're a better team.
NY Giants 8 over Jacksonville. My pick: JAGUARS. The Giants will win. But they tend to play down to the level of their competition, and the Jags can score.
Washington 2 over Minnesota. My pick: REDSKINS. Probably the Vikings have more talent; but they're a fractured, dispirited team, on the road, and the "Skins have a lot to play for and still have some fight left in them.
Tennessee at Houston--even. My pick: TEXANS. Because Matt Schaub is a much better QB than whoever it is Jeff Fisher is apparently playing this week.
Miami at Oakland--even. My pick: DOLPHINS. Just a hunch--I think they'll make one fewer mistake.
Kansas City 1 over Seattle. My pick: CHIEFS. I just think the Chiefs have progressed a lot this year, and have very good team speed.
Philadelphia 4 over Chicago. My pick: EAGLES. Too much team speed and Michael Vick.
Denver 4 over St. Louis. My pick: BRONCOS. The Rams aren't the same team on the road.
Baltimore 8 over Tampa Bay. My pick: RAVENS. Ray Lewis and the rest of the Ravens' D will teach Josh Freeman some lessons.
Indianapolis 3 over San Diego. My pick: COLTS. Something magically good happens to the Colts when they play at home.
San Francisco 1 over Arizona. My pick: 49ERS. Somehow, this time, their defense will create a turnover and generate a win.
In other news...
WHY THANKSGIVING IS SO COOL
Whatever your political persuasion, I think all can agree this guy has a good point:
"When I was a child, Christmas was by far my favorite holiday, for all kinds of reasons — the presents, the tree, almost every house in the neighborhood suddenly strung with lights. Now, seeing the holiday season from the other side of the parenting coin, Thanksgiving seems like Christmas stripped down to the latter’s most essential and enjoyable parts — good food, a quick prayer, and family too long unseen around a table — and missing the parts of our overly commercialized Christmas that I can easily do without: the challenge of finding the right gift, the crush of shoppers, strings of lights emerging from the closet in a Gordian knot, and one too many choruses of “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"....the four-day weekend and its traditions are a soothing reminder that....some parts of American life are gloriously impervious to change. The best parts of life are timeless, and beyond the reach even of the rapacious hand of the most ambitious politician."
EXERCISE NEWS
I have no doubt this is true:
"Walkers who squeeze a bit of light weight training into their workout get more bang for their buck in terms of being fit and trim without increasing their total workout time, according to a new study of sedentary people with type 2 diabetes. What's more, those who mixed up their workouts showed the greatest improvement in blood sugar control after nine months, says Timothy S. Church, MD, Ph.D., of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who led the study"
I seem to be seeing lots of walkers out there with weights these days...
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
JOBS: PERSISTENCE AND FLEXIBILITY
Many of us with Moebius Syndrome and facial differences know how tough it can be out there in the working world. You want a job; you want a promotion; you want a new position. But given how we look and who we are, it can be tough to get by the at-times innate (or unconscious) prejudices out there held by employers and others. But you can triumph in the end--it just takes persistence--and a willingness to be flexible, as this story today emphasizes:
"While we can all recite quotes about how persistence is the key to success --"If at first you don't succeed ... ", "Nothing good comes easy" -- they're easier said than acted upon when we feel instead like we're "banging our head against a wall" or "beating a dead horse." The fact is many workers and job seekers struggle with persistence nowadays. It can be hard to keep going when your job search proves fruitless after months of hard work, you still haven't gotten that promotion you were hoping for or it seems like your "big break" is always just out of arms' reach. With so much time and energy put it our efforts to persist, doing so to no avail can cause us to wonder if our persistence will ever pay off....According to Caroline Ceniza-Levine, co-founder of SixFigureStart, persistence does pay off, so long as we remember one thing about our path to achieving our goals: There is a difference between smart persistence and blind persistence.
"Persistence to a goal pays off as long as you can be flexible on how you get there," Ceniza-Levine says. "If your job search isn't yielding offers, then whatever you are doing is not working. You may have the right role and companies in mind but your marketing, your interview technique, your networking approach, or something else about how you are presenting yourself to these prospects is off. Or the prospects themselves may be wrong for you."
Read the whole thing...
"He always looked like a man determined to put his head through a brick wall...and was about to do it."--an observer on General Ulysses S. Grant.
Many of us with Moebius Syndrome and facial differences know how tough it can be out there in the working world. You want a job; you want a promotion; you want a new position. But given how we look and who we are, it can be tough to get by the at-times innate (or unconscious) prejudices out there held by employers and others. But you can triumph in the end--it just takes persistence--and a willingness to be flexible, as this story today emphasizes:
"While we can all recite quotes about how persistence is the key to success --"If at first you don't succeed ... ", "Nothing good comes easy" -- they're easier said than acted upon when we feel instead like we're "banging our head against a wall" or "beating a dead horse." The fact is many workers and job seekers struggle with persistence nowadays. It can be hard to keep going when your job search proves fruitless after months of hard work, you still haven't gotten that promotion you were hoping for or it seems like your "big break" is always just out of arms' reach. With so much time and energy put it our efforts to persist, doing so to no avail can cause us to wonder if our persistence will ever pay off....According to Caroline Ceniza-Levine, co-founder of SixFigureStart, persistence does pay off, so long as we remember one thing about our path to achieving our goals: There is a difference between smart persistence and blind persistence.
"Persistence to a goal pays off as long as you can be flexible on how you get there," Ceniza-Levine says. "If your job search isn't yielding offers, then whatever you are doing is not working. You may have the right role and companies in mind but your marketing, your interview technique, your networking approach, or something else about how you are presenting yourself to these prospects is off. Or the prospects themselves may be wrong for you."
Read the whole thing...
"He always looked like a man determined to put his head through a brick wall...and was about to do it."--an observer on General Ulysses S. Grant.
Monday, November 22, 2010
DON'T JUST SIT THERE
Especially if you're at work:
"Are you sitting at your desk right now? If you are, get up! Too much sitting during your workday can hamper your productivity, and it can also send you to an early grave. The American Cancer Society this year reported that men and women who sat six hours or more a day were likely to die younger, and that was the case even if they were physically active. The risk for women was even higher. “There are clear-cut health benefits of not sitting all day,” said Alpa Patel, the main researcher on the study. It may also help concentration and productivity, she added."...An obvious solution to the problem, and one advocated by Patel, is providing workers with adjustable desks and allowing them to stand or sit throughout the day. That solution, however, is a hard sell in a tough economy when companies aren’t spending as much and employees feel lucky to have desks at all. “Anything that’s height-adjustable is usually more expensive,” said Jonathan Webb, a vice president with KI, a furniture company that makes adjustable desks costing upwards of $1,000 each. He said the company has seen a 10 to 15 percent dropoff in sales of adjustable desks during the economic downturn. “We have to educate our clients on what the payback is on purchasing a height-adjustable vs. a stagnant table,” he said. “They can translate into higher employee retention and increased productivity, and in this economy employers are looking to do more with less.”
Many of us with Moebius Syndrome can have leg pains, back pain, general pain, etc. Sitting for a long time can aggravate that kind of thing...and not be so good for you. So don't hesitate to seek chances to stand up and move around at work. I'm lucky, in a way--I teach, so every class gives me a chance to stand up and move.
"The growth of the human mind is still high adventure, in many ways,
the highest adventure on earth." -Norman Cousins
Especially if you're at work:
"Are you sitting at your desk right now? If you are, get up! Too much sitting during your workday can hamper your productivity, and it can also send you to an early grave. The American Cancer Society this year reported that men and women who sat six hours or more a day were likely to die younger, and that was the case even if they were physically active. The risk for women was even higher. “There are clear-cut health benefits of not sitting all day,” said Alpa Patel, the main researcher on the study. It may also help concentration and productivity, she added."...An obvious solution to the problem, and one advocated by Patel, is providing workers with adjustable desks and allowing them to stand or sit throughout the day. That solution, however, is a hard sell in a tough economy when companies aren’t spending as much and employees feel lucky to have desks at all. “Anything that’s height-adjustable is usually more expensive,” said Jonathan Webb, a vice president with KI, a furniture company that makes adjustable desks costing upwards of $1,000 each. He said the company has seen a 10 to 15 percent dropoff in sales of adjustable desks during the economic downturn. “We have to educate our clients on what the payback is on purchasing a height-adjustable vs. a stagnant table,” he said. “They can translate into higher employee retention and increased productivity, and in this economy employers are looking to do more with less.”
Many of us with Moebius Syndrome can have leg pains, back pain, general pain, etc. Sitting for a long time can aggravate that kind of thing...and not be so good for you. So don't hesitate to seek chances to stand up and move around at work. I'm lucky, in a way--I teach, so every class gives me a chance to stand up and move.
"The growth of the human mind is still high adventure, in many ways,
the highest adventure on earth." -Norman Cousins
Friday, November 19, 2010
A TRIP DOWN BLOG LANE
Though really this is a trip you need not make. A writer called "The General Blogger" mentioned Moebius Syndrome on his blog the other day, putting it in a list of "strange" diseases and really "weird" phenomena. His take on it:
"Simply put, Moebius Syndrome[1] is a condition that causes facial paralysis. It forms at birth and is also thought to be some sort of genetic disorder. Existent in only 2 to 30 people out of every 1 million, Moebius Syndrome affects the person’s ability to follow objects with his or her eyes, and show facial expressions. People with this disorder are also unable to close their eyes and are normally cross eyed.
People with this disease can live a normal life with no major medical issues caused by this disease. However, they will most likely have social issues since they can’t show emotion through their facial expression. It cold also be said that they’re limited in the occupations that they choose as customer service opportunities wouldn’t be a good fit as the public could mistake their intentions and feel that they are disinterested."
Hmmm. Well, he's right that Moebius is rare. Otherwise, he's right about little else. It's simply not true that our lack of being able to show emotion must lead to "social issues." Nor is it true that we're limited in our choice of jobs, or that customer service jobs are off-limits. I held a customer-service job for over 2 years back in my college days. Others with Moebius Syndrome are librarians, teachers, photographers, and nurses. The General Blogger might want to do some more research next time...
Okay, on to...
FOOTBALL FRIDAY PICKS!
I was only 6-9 last week. Time to really pick it up...
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Nebraska at Texas A&M. My pick: AGGIES. Ryan Tannahill as Aggie QB makes all the difference.
Ohio State at Iowa. My pick: HAWKEYES. Iowa will come out strong at home, looking to shake off the frustration of last week's upset loss (note that the Hawkeyes did just this kind of thing at home against Michigan State).
Utah at San Diego State. My pick: AZTECS. San Diego State is a good football team--see the tough game they gave TCU.
NFL PICKS:
Cincinnati 6 over Buffalo. My pick: BILLS. Buffalo is on its way up; Cincy lacks focus.
Dallas 7 over Detroit. My pick: COWBOYS. The 'Boys seem to have new life, the Lions are a terrible road team.
Tennessee 7 over Washington. My pick: TITANS. Washington's defense is playing horribly; the Titans will run the ball effectively at home.
Kansas City 8 over Arizona. My pick: CHIEFS. They're at home, Arizona is not a good road team, and there remains trouble at QB for AZ.
Green Bay 3 over Minnesota. My pick: PACKERS. The Vikings are aging and fractured in the locker room; Green Bay knows this is a knockout game, and they won't miss the chance.
NY Jets 7 over Houston. My pick: TEXANS. The Jets will win this game, but it will (again) be close; the Jets are good, but they don't dominate and this Texans' offense can still score.
Pittsburgh 7 over Oakland. My pick: STEELERS. I just don't see the Raiders going all this way east and doing well against an angry Steelers team.
Baltimore 10 over Carolina. My pick: RAVENS. Carolina will have to have their 3rd different starting QB of the year this week; not a good combination when the Ravens come to town.
Jacksonville 2 over Cleveland. My pick: BROWNS. Cleveland, in their performances against the Patriots and Jets and others, have shown us--they're a tough football team.
Atlanta 3 over St. Louis. My pick: FALCONS. Too much talent, defense, and consistency, though the Rams are improving.
New Orleans 12 over Seattle. My pick: SEAHAWKS. Not to win; but to keep it close--Matt Hasselbeck will start at QB and I suspect the Saints may lack a little focus.
San Francisco 3 over Tampa Bay. My pick: BUCCANEERS. Josh Freeman has sold me--this Buc team can get it done, and he knows how to get it done.
New England 4 over Indianapolis. My pick: PATRIOTS. This game is in New England, the Colts just have too many guys hurt.
Philadelphia 4 over NY Giants. My pick: GIANTS. I predict the Giants will come back strong after their poor performance of last week; they've done it before (remember their sack-fest against the Bears).
San Diego 10 over Denver. My pick: BRONCOS. Not to win; but to keep it close...look for Kyle Orton and the Broncos offense to accomplish this by building off their offensive explosion last week. But the 'Bolts will wind up winning the game late.
Though really this is a trip you need not make. A writer called "The General Blogger" mentioned Moebius Syndrome on his blog the other day, putting it in a list of "strange" diseases and really "weird" phenomena. His take on it:
"Simply put, Moebius Syndrome[1] is a condition that causes facial paralysis. It forms at birth and is also thought to be some sort of genetic disorder. Existent in only 2 to 30 people out of every 1 million, Moebius Syndrome affects the person’s ability to follow objects with his or her eyes, and show facial expressions. People with this disorder are also unable to close their eyes and are normally cross eyed.
People with this disease can live a normal life with no major medical issues caused by this disease. However, they will most likely have social issues since they can’t show emotion through their facial expression. It cold also be said that they’re limited in the occupations that they choose as customer service opportunities wouldn’t be a good fit as the public could mistake their intentions and feel that they are disinterested."
Hmmm. Well, he's right that Moebius is rare. Otherwise, he's right about little else. It's simply not true that our lack of being able to show emotion must lead to "social issues." Nor is it true that we're limited in our choice of jobs, or that customer service jobs are off-limits. I held a customer-service job for over 2 years back in my college days. Others with Moebius Syndrome are librarians, teachers, photographers, and nurses. The General Blogger might want to do some more research next time...
Okay, on to...
FOOTBALL FRIDAY PICKS!
I was only 6-9 last week. Time to really pick it up...
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Nebraska at Texas A&M. My pick: AGGIES. Ryan Tannahill as Aggie QB makes all the difference.
Ohio State at Iowa. My pick: HAWKEYES. Iowa will come out strong at home, looking to shake off the frustration of last week's upset loss (note that the Hawkeyes did just this kind of thing at home against Michigan State).
Utah at San Diego State. My pick: AZTECS. San Diego State is a good football team--see the tough game they gave TCU.
NFL PICKS:
Cincinnati 6 over Buffalo. My pick: BILLS. Buffalo is on its way up; Cincy lacks focus.
Dallas 7 over Detroit. My pick: COWBOYS. The 'Boys seem to have new life, the Lions are a terrible road team.
Tennessee 7 over Washington. My pick: TITANS. Washington's defense is playing horribly; the Titans will run the ball effectively at home.
Kansas City 8 over Arizona. My pick: CHIEFS. They're at home, Arizona is not a good road team, and there remains trouble at QB for AZ.
Green Bay 3 over Minnesota. My pick: PACKERS. The Vikings are aging and fractured in the locker room; Green Bay knows this is a knockout game, and they won't miss the chance.
NY Jets 7 over Houston. My pick: TEXANS. The Jets will win this game, but it will (again) be close; the Jets are good, but they don't dominate and this Texans' offense can still score.
Pittsburgh 7 over Oakland. My pick: STEELERS. I just don't see the Raiders going all this way east and doing well against an angry Steelers team.
Baltimore 10 over Carolina. My pick: RAVENS. Carolina will have to have their 3rd different starting QB of the year this week; not a good combination when the Ravens come to town.
Jacksonville 2 over Cleveland. My pick: BROWNS. Cleveland, in their performances against the Patriots and Jets and others, have shown us--they're a tough football team.
Atlanta 3 over St. Louis. My pick: FALCONS. Too much talent, defense, and consistency, though the Rams are improving.
New Orleans 12 over Seattle. My pick: SEAHAWKS. Not to win; but to keep it close--Matt Hasselbeck will start at QB and I suspect the Saints may lack a little focus.
San Francisco 3 over Tampa Bay. My pick: BUCCANEERS. Josh Freeman has sold me--this Buc team can get it done, and he knows how to get it done.
New England 4 over Indianapolis. My pick: PATRIOTS. This game is in New England, the Colts just have too many guys hurt.
Philadelphia 4 over NY Giants. My pick: GIANTS. I predict the Giants will come back strong after their poor performance of last week; they've done it before (remember their sack-fest against the Bears).
San Diego 10 over Denver. My pick: BRONCOS. Not to win; but to keep it close...look for Kyle Orton and the Broncos offense to accomplish this by building off their offensive explosion last week. But the 'Bolts will wind up winning the game late.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
FACEBOOK: A SLICE OF HEAVEN?
Some think so, though they don't mean it literally:
"Facebook's enormous membership makes it a more likely spot than any other place on the English-language Web to connect with a multitude of family members, friends, former co-workers, old classmates and anyone else you haven't seen in the flesh for decades. It wasn't until the May series finale "Lost," however, that I made another connection -- that this idea of people coming into your life and never going away is a lot like what many people believe the afterlife is like....Could it be that Facebook, the digital Tower of Babel built by a cocky Harvard student, is -- to paraphrase singer Belinda Carlisle -- sort of like what would happen if heaven were a place on earth? The thought led me to a theological search for the spirituality of Facebook connections. Amid the recent flood of political rants, children's Halloween photos and YouTube videos, many of us have seen status updates from friends offering Bible passages, spiritual quotes or information on upcoming religious services.....I found a lot of theologians struggling to figure out whether mobile phones, social networks and text-messaging harm their religions or help reinvent them in positive ways.
There's even debate on whether being so constantly connected to so many people is good or bad, spiritually speaking. Bruce Epperly, a theology professor, author and co-pastor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, wrote a thoughtful piece about so-called "Facebook theology," likening the "intricate web of relationships" in our lives to our online social network. He acknowledged that even the lowly, short-form status update can carry a profound holiness. "It might surprise my high school friends to discover that I often pray for them as I read their posts," Epperly writes. "I believe that Facebook can be an altar on the Internet and a place of spiritual awakening."
So many of us are on Facebook. We should think more about what it all means. I certainly hope that the connections so many people make there are meaningful...
MEDITATING ON MEDITATION
Actually, no need to meditate on it for too long--it appears to be pretty well proven that it's good for you:
"Meditation is a known painkiller, easing people's pain perception even after brief sessions. Now a study reveals why: Meditation changes the way the brain processes pain signals. In a study presented Nov. 16 in San Diego at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, researchers reported that practicing a mindful awareness of the body and consciousness for just four days affects pain responses in the brain.
Some think so, though they don't mean it literally:
"Facebook's enormous membership makes it a more likely spot than any other place on the English-language Web to connect with a multitude of family members, friends, former co-workers, old classmates and anyone else you haven't seen in the flesh for decades. It wasn't until the May series finale "Lost," however, that I made another connection -- that this idea of people coming into your life and never going away is a lot like what many people believe the afterlife is like....Could it be that Facebook, the digital Tower of Babel built by a cocky Harvard student, is -- to paraphrase singer Belinda Carlisle -- sort of like what would happen if heaven were a place on earth? The thought led me to a theological search for the spirituality of Facebook connections. Amid the recent flood of political rants, children's Halloween photos and YouTube videos, many of us have seen status updates from friends offering Bible passages, spiritual quotes or information on upcoming religious services.....I found a lot of theologians struggling to figure out whether mobile phones, social networks and text-messaging harm their religions or help reinvent them in positive ways.
There's even debate on whether being so constantly connected to so many people is good or bad, spiritually speaking. Bruce Epperly, a theology professor, author and co-pastor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, wrote a thoughtful piece about so-called "Facebook theology," likening the "intricate web of relationships" in our lives to our online social network. He acknowledged that even the lowly, short-form status update can carry a profound holiness. "It might surprise my high school friends to discover that I often pray for them as I read their posts," Epperly writes. "I believe that Facebook can be an altar on the Internet and a place of spiritual awakening."
So many of us are on Facebook. We should think more about what it all means. I certainly hope that the connections so many people make there are meaningful...
MEDITATING ON MEDITATION
Actually, no need to meditate on it for too long--it appears to be pretty well proven that it's good for you:
"Meditation is a known painkiller, easing people's pain perception even after brief sessions. Now a study reveals why: Meditation changes the way the brain processes pain signals. In a study presented Nov. 16 in San Diego at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, researchers reported that practicing a mindful awareness of the body and consciousness for just four days affects pain responses in the brain.
Brain activity decreases in areas devoted to the painful body part and in areas responsible for relaying sensory information. Meanwhile, regions that modulate pain get busy, and volunteers report that pain is less intense and less unpleasant. Earlier studies suggested meditation reduces anxiety, promotes relaxation and helps people regulate their emotions, said study author Fadel Zeidan, a post-doctoral researcher at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Also, meditation may reduce pain by essentially making the physical sensations less distressing. "It's really all about the context of the situation, of the environment," Zeidan told LiveScience. "Meditation seems to have an overarching sense of attenuating that type of response."
And we with Moebius can use all the help for our brain that we can get...
"Success is achieved and maintained by those who try, and keep trying,
for there is nothing to lose by trying and a great deal to gain if
successful. By all means TRY! Do it NOW!!!" -W. Clement Stone
for there is nothing to lose by trying and a great deal to gain if
successful. By all means TRY! Do it NOW!!!" -W. Clement Stone
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
AND YET ANOTHER REASON TO EXERCISE
It makes you a better leader:
"Want a business reason to turn off the computer, leave the office and hit the gym? How about news that regular exercise could make you a better leader? A study from the Center for Creative Leadership found that executives who exercise are significantly more effective leaders than those who don't. Using data from CEOs and other top executives collected over a span of 10 years, we compared two groups: those who were regular exercisers and those who were non-exercisers or sporadic exercisers. We cross-referenced the exercise status with "360-degree" assessment tools in which the individual executive is rated by colleagues on various leadership attributes. We found that the exercisers rated significantly higher than their non-exercising peers on overall leadership effectiveness. They also scored higher on specific traits including: inspiring commitment, credibility, leading others, leading by example, energy, resilience and calmness"
And make no mistake, those of us with Moebius Syndrome CAN be leaders. Yes, we look different. Yes, it can be hard to overcome the shyness that naturally comes from that. But the truth is that once people get used to you, they forget that you look different. They will accept you as you. And they can and will respond to your talents and thoughts. I've seen it. Believe it...
"Confidence imparts a wonderful inspiration to its possessor."
-John Milton
MOEBIUS SYNDROME IN HISTORY
Did you know that the first use of a voice synthesizer for phone calls involved someone with Moebius Syndrome? It's true:
"The Artificial Language Laboratory is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the first use of a speech prosthesis in history: the use by a man with a communication disorder to order a pizza over the telephone using a voice synthesizer. This high-tech sociolinguistic experiment was conducted at the Lab on the evening of December 4, 1974. Donald Sherman, who has Moebius Syndrome and had never ordered a pizza over the phone before, used a system designed by John Eulenberg and JJ Jackson incorporating a Votrax voice synthesizer, a product of the Federal Screw Works Co. of Troy, Michigan. The event was covered at the time by the local East Lansing cable news reporter and by a reporter from the State News."
It makes you a better leader:
"Want a business reason to turn off the computer, leave the office and hit the gym? How about news that regular exercise could make you a better leader? A study from the Center for Creative Leadership found that executives who exercise are significantly more effective leaders than those who don't. Using data from CEOs and other top executives collected over a span of 10 years, we compared two groups: those who were regular exercisers and those who were non-exercisers or sporadic exercisers. We cross-referenced the exercise status with "360-degree" assessment tools in which the individual executive is rated by colleagues on various leadership attributes. We found that the exercisers rated significantly higher than their non-exercising peers on overall leadership effectiveness. They also scored higher on specific traits including: inspiring commitment, credibility, leading others, leading by example, energy, resilience and calmness"
And make no mistake, those of us with Moebius Syndrome CAN be leaders. Yes, we look different. Yes, it can be hard to overcome the shyness that naturally comes from that. But the truth is that once people get used to you, they forget that you look different. They will accept you as you. And they can and will respond to your talents and thoughts. I've seen it. Believe it...
"Confidence imparts a wonderful inspiration to its possessor."
-John Milton
MOEBIUS SYNDROME IN HISTORY
Did you know that the first use of a voice synthesizer for phone calls involved someone with Moebius Syndrome? It's true:
"The Artificial Language Laboratory is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the first use of a speech prosthesis in history: the use by a man with a communication disorder to order a pizza over the telephone using a voice synthesizer. This high-tech sociolinguistic experiment was conducted at the Lab on the evening of December 4, 1974. Donald Sherman, who has Moebius Syndrome and had never ordered a pizza over the phone before, used a system designed by John Eulenberg and JJ Jackson incorporating a Votrax voice synthesizer, a product of the Federal Screw Works Co. of Troy, Michigan. The event was covered at the time by the local East Lansing cable news reporter and by a reporter from the State News."
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
WHAT DOES YOUR E-MAIL ADDY SAY?
About you, that is. I use gmail---let's see:
"What doesn't Google do? The search giant/e-mail provider/phone system and map maker vies with Facebook for "king of the internet" honors. And its e-mail system, with 193 million users, is one of the reasons. Gmail, its supporters point out, is free, boasts tons of storage, has a strong chat feature and acts as a portal to many of Google's other services. The Oatmeal says a Gmail user "most likely knows their way around a computer" and "when the internet stops working, actually tries rebooting the router before calling a family member for help." Only one problem, really. "Too bad it will probably gain free will some day and kill us all," Ehrlich said."
And what if we all wind up switching to Facebook????
OH, THOSE TODDLERS
They know more than you think:
"Understanding another’s intent is an important skill for lawyers, and perhaps politicians and businessmen as well, but according to a new study, it is an ability that even toddlers have. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany report that children as young as 3 are less likely to help a person after they have seen them harm someone else — in this case adult actors tearing up or breaking another adult’s drawing or clay bird. More intriguing is that the toddlers judged a person’s intention. When one person tried to harm someone else but did not succeed, the youngsters were less likely to help that person at a later time. But when they observed a person accidentally cause harm to another, they were more willing to help that person. “It had been thought for a long time that it was at a later age, only around age 5 or 6, that children become conscious of other people’s intentions,” said Amrisha Vaish, one of the study’s authors and a developmental psychologist at the Max Planck Institute. “To help those who help others is actually a very sophisticated ability.”
Sort of reminds one of Moebius Syndrome, doesn't it? Many may assume toddlers can't judge others. Just as they assume that those with Moebius, because of our lack of facial expression, have a hard time with social interaction and with understanding others. But it's dangerous to assume...
BEWARE OF BEING SAD
Feeling a bit down lately? Might have to do with the time of year:
"The weather is getting gray and cold, and that summer sense of excitement has melted away. It's dim dark in the morning when you get up and dark in the evening when you come home. And it's all making you feel downright blah, maybe even teetering on depressed. Sounds like the wintertime blues.
So know you're not alone. Now, what can one do about this?
"With several months ahead of short days and long nights, what can you do about the winter blues?
Experts say the best place to start is by exercising and limiting your carbohydrate and sugar intake. Although people may crave serotonin-boosting carbohydrates, bingeing on high-caloric foods will lead to the winter weight gain common to blues and SAD sufferers. The added pounds often take a toll on people's self-image and self-esteem. Brighten your environment: Add extra lights to rooms, and open your blinds. Take a walk in the sun at lunchtime. If you have the resources, take a winter vacation somewhere tropical."
There's other things you can do, too. Take the initiative. Feel better! Don't be, er, SAD...
About you, that is. I use gmail---let's see:
"What doesn't Google do? The search giant/e-mail provider/phone system and map maker vies with Facebook for "king of the internet" honors. And its e-mail system, with 193 million users, is one of the reasons. Gmail, its supporters point out, is free, boasts tons of storage, has a strong chat feature and acts as a portal to many of Google's other services. The Oatmeal says a Gmail user "most likely knows their way around a computer" and "when the internet stops working, actually tries rebooting the router before calling a family member for help." Only one problem, really. "Too bad it will probably gain free will some day and kill us all," Ehrlich said."
And what if we all wind up switching to Facebook????
OH, THOSE TODDLERS
They know more than you think:
"Understanding another’s intent is an important skill for lawyers, and perhaps politicians and businessmen as well, but according to a new study, it is an ability that even toddlers have. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany report that children as young as 3 are less likely to help a person after they have seen them harm someone else — in this case adult actors tearing up or breaking another adult’s drawing or clay bird. More intriguing is that the toddlers judged a person’s intention. When one person tried to harm someone else but did not succeed, the youngsters were less likely to help that person at a later time. But when they observed a person accidentally cause harm to another, they were more willing to help that person. “It had been thought for a long time that it was at a later age, only around age 5 or 6, that children become conscious of other people’s intentions,” said Amrisha Vaish, one of the study’s authors and a developmental psychologist at the Max Planck Institute. “To help those who help others is actually a very sophisticated ability.”
Sort of reminds one of Moebius Syndrome, doesn't it? Many may assume toddlers can't judge others. Just as they assume that those with Moebius, because of our lack of facial expression, have a hard time with social interaction and with understanding others. But it's dangerous to assume...
BEWARE OF BEING SAD
Feeling a bit down lately? Might have to do with the time of year:
"The weather is getting gray and cold, and that summer sense of excitement has melted away. It's dim dark in the morning when you get up and dark in the evening when you come home. And it's all making you feel downright blah, maybe even teetering on depressed. Sounds like the wintertime blues.
"It doesn't necessarily mean you're sad or down, you're just lacking in the push that all people need to get through the day," said Norman Rosenthal, a Maryland psychiatrist who studies seasonal conditions such as the winter blues. In the mid-1980s, Rosenthal and his colleagues at the National Institute of Mental Health coined the term "seasonal affective disorder," or SAD, for an extreme form of the wintertime blues.
About 20 percent of Americans start to feel down as the days get noticeably shorter, Rosenthal said. Some people start feeling their mood change as early as July, when daylight begins to grow shorter after the summer solstice on June 21. Most, however, first notice the change after they move their clocks back into standard time, which this year occurred on Nov. 7 . It's a little lighter in the early morning for a few weeks until the days shorten even more, but it's nearly nighttime for the post-work commute home. Psychiatrists and chronobiologists - scientists who study organisms' internal rhythms - say exposure to light, morning light in particular, is what makes the difference to mood.....Regardless of location and for reasons that are unclear, women are three times as likely as men to develop the seasonal symptoms, says Rosenthal."So know you're not alone. Now, what can one do about this?
"With several months ahead of short days and long nights, what can you do about the winter blues?
Experts say the best place to start is by exercising and limiting your carbohydrate and sugar intake. Although people may crave serotonin-boosting carbohydrates, bingeing on high-caloric foods will lead to the winter weight gain common to blues and SAD sufferers. The added pounds often take a toll on people's self-image and self-esteem. Brighten your environment: Add extra lights to rooms, and open your blinds. Take a walk in the sun at lunchtime. If you have the resources, take a winter vacation somewhere tropical."
There's other things you can do, too. Take the initiative. Feel better! Don't be, er, SAD...
Monday, November 15, 2010
THE IMPORTANCE OF GRATITUDE
It's the holiday season, and almost Thanksgiving...so naturally the idea of being grateful, and what we should be grateful about, enters our minds. Here's an interesting take on gratitude and why it's important:
"...there is a very real connection between feeling grateful and feeling a sense of purpose in life. The individual who believes that his or her existence has real meaning has the raw material for gratitude built-in. That conviction allows each day to be seen as the next page in a truly miraculous story. In this context, even adversity can be put into context: We can be grateful for the ability to summon courage or persistence or empathy, despite very trying circumstances. It is also important to note that gratitude is one of those emotions we don't necessarily feel unless we think about it--sort of like the act of breathing. Until we focus on it, it lacks intention. But gratitude will become palpable if we think of what is not wrong in our lives that could be--that we have a roof over our heads (if we are lucky enough to), that our spouses are healthy (if that is the case), that our children are happy (if that is the case). I have a favorite saying I share with people who give me bad news that doesn't seem to cut me to the core: "You're not a pediatrician." I then explain that, once you've had a child (and I am grateful to have two), that only a pediatrician (with, God-forbid, bad news) could really shatter your existence."
Read the whole thing. And note that the author talks about how, when most humans laugh, it changes their whole face, with a big smile, bright eyes...and, of course, that takes us to the fact that those of us with Moebius Syndrome CAN'T smile. So why should we be grateful?
But what's interesting to me is that pretty much everyone with Moebius whom I know IS grateful. As the author went on to say, and is true for us too, we feel empathy, we feel gratitude, we have the freedom to do so. We all have productive lives and we make a real impact. We wouldn't give up our lives for anything. So we give thanks, too. And we should.
SLEEP STUFF
Do any of you have trouble sleeping? Here's a tip: control the light...:
"You cannot make yourself sleep and you should not try. The harder you “work” at trying to sleep, the more elusive those sweet dreams become. What you can do is try to relax. Now, everyone knows that sleep specialists recommend removing the TV and computer from the bedroom because these things stimulate the mind and keep people from sleeping. But we give this advice not only because it will help relax their minds but because it will also help relax their brains. When you are watching TV at night or using the computer or walking around your house with all the lights on, you are stimulating that part of the brain that controls your sleep/wake cycle. Light is the single strongest cue that tells your brain it is time to get up and feed the chickens — not what you want at 2 in the morning. Because people don’t know what a powerful stimulant light is, then they don’t realize that most of the things they do late at night when they can’t sleep, like watching TV, using the computer, or reading with a bright light, all these things just keep them up later because light turns on the brain."
It's the holiday season, and almost Thanksgiving...so naturally the idea of being grateful, and what we should be grateful about, enters our minds. Here's an interesting take on gratitude and why it's important:
"...there is a very real connection between feeling grateful and feeling a sense of purpose in life. The individual who believes that his or her existence has real meaning has the raw material for gratitude built-in. That conviction allows each day to be seen as the next page in a truly miraculous story. In this context, even adversity can be put into context: We can be grateful for the ability to summon courage or persistence or empathy, despite very trying circumstances. It is also important to note that gratitude is one of those emotions we don't necessarily feel unless we think about it--sort of like the act of breathing. Until we focus on it, it lacks intention. But gratitude will become palpable if we think of what is not wrong in our lives that could be--that we have a roof over our heads (if we are lucky enough to), that our spouses are healthy (if that is the case), that our children are happy (if that is the case). I have a favorite saying I share with people who give me bad news that doesn't seem to cut me to the core: "You're not a pediatrician." I then explain that, once you've had a child (and I am grateful to have two), that only a pediatrician (with, God-forbid, bad news) could really shatter your existence."
Read the whole thing. And note that the author talks about how, when most humans laugh, it changes their whole face, with a big smile, bright eyes...and, of course, that takes us to the fact that those of us with Moebius Syndrome CAN'T smile. So why should we be grateful?
But what's interesting to me is that pretty much everyone with Moebius whom I know IS grateful. As the author went on to say, and is true for us too, we feel empathy, we feel gratitude, we have the freedom to do so. We all have productive lives and we make a real impact. We wouldn't give up our lives for anything. So we give thanks, too. And we should.
SLEEP STUFF
Do any of you have trouble sleeping? Here's a tip: control the light...:
"You cannot make yourself sleep and you should not try. The harder you “work” at trying to sleep, the more elusive those sweet dreams become. What you can do is try to relax. Now, everyone knows that sleep specialists recommend removing the TV and computer from the bedroom because these things stimulate the mind and keep people from sleeping. But we give this advice not only because it will help relax their minds but because it will also help relax their brains. When you are watching TV at night or using the computer or walking around your house with all the lights on, you are stimulating that part of the brain that controls your sleep/wake cycle. Light is the single strongest cue that tells your brain it is time to get up and feed the chickens — not what you want at 2 in the morning. Because people don’t know what a powerful stimulant light is, then they don’t realize that most of the things they do late at night when they can’t sleep, like watching TV, using the computer, or reading with a bright light, all these things just keep them up later because light turns on the brain."
Friday, November 12, 2010
FRIDAY FOOTBALL PICKS
Let's start with...
NFL PICKS
Buffalo 3 over Detroit. My pick: BILLS. Buffalo is improving, they've come so close to winning, they're due to break through, they're at home...and the Lions will be without Matthew Stafford.
Minnesota 2 over Chicago. My pick: VIKINGS. Last week's dramatic come-from-behind win may have been the tonic the Vikes needed. And you just have the feeling the Viking pass rush will shut Jay Cutler down.
NY Jets 3 over Cleveland. My pick: JETS. Colt McCoy has done pretty well as the Browns' starting QB; but I think the Jets' defense will give him a rough time, and shut down the Browns' run game.
Indianapolis 7 over Cincinnati. My pick: COLTS. They play well at home. And Cincy seems to be a team that doesn't know how to win this year, and is demoralized.
Tennessee 2 over Miami. My pick: TITANS. The Dolphins are in a bit of flux, and are now starting Chad Pennington at QB. Switching QBs at this point usually isn't a good sign, and the Titans' defense is tough.
Tampa Bay 7 over Carolina. My pick: BUCS. Time to give the Bucs some love--even in losing last week they were very competitive against a tough Atlanta club. Now they play at home against a horrid Carolina offense.
Jacksonville 1 over Houston. My pick: JAGUARS. Jacksonville is at home, and that Houston defense just can't get key stops.
Kansas City 1 over Denver. My pick: CHIEFS. Denver is at home...but I just think the Chiefs are better-coached, faster, and in a better frame of mind.
NY Giants 14 over the Cowboys. My pick: GIANTS. Usually in the NFL you never pick a team giving 14 points. But the Cowboys have been terrible, and I'm not convinced a new coach will fix all their problems in just a few days. And remember--the Giants are playing real well.
Arizona 3 over Seattle. My pick: CARDINALS. I don't think either of these teams are especially good or consistent. But playing at home seems to help the Cardinals, so...
San Francisco 6 over St. Louis. My pick: 49ERS. Because Sam Bradford and the Rams seem to struggle away from home...and the 49ers may finally be rejuvenated with Troy Smith.
Pittsburgh 5 over New England. My pick: STEELERS. That Steeler defense finds ways to get it done. And I suspect the Patriots' mojo was ruined a bit last week in Cleveland...
Philadelphia 3 over Washington. My pick: EAGLES. The Eagles have a QB--his name is Michael Vick. Does Mike Shanahan know his QB--does he trust him? Given the problems in answering those questions, you've got to go with the team that can answer them.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
I have two upset picks this week...
NORTHWESTERN over Iowa. Why? Because this game is in Evanston...Northwestern is capable (they should have beaten Michigan State several weeks ago)...and Iowa has had so many tough games in a row, I predict they're a bit worn down.
TEXAS over Oklahoma State. Why? The game is in Austin...Oklahoma State hasn't beaten Texas there in forever...and I predict that will play on OSU's minds.
In other news...
DIET NEWS
Have you heard about the prof who lost 27 pounds on a snack-food diet? What does it mean? Here's one take:
"You may have read recently about the Kansas State University nutrition professor who lost 27 pounds while eating a diet rich in... Little Debbies. Mark Haub reportedly went from 201 pounds to 174 pounds over two months; his meals were centered around packaged snacks, sweet and savory, such as can be bought in convenience stores. He augmented those snacks with canned green beans and celery sticks. He also took a multivitamin and drank a protein shake daily. Haub's experience adds a new element to the ongoing question in nutrition circles: Should we focus on certain food groups, such as proteins or carbs, as keys to managing our weight, or in the end is losing pounds simply a matter of consuming fewer calories than you expend. Haub's weight loss seems to support the latter: Without changing his level of physical activity, he cut back from something like 2,600 to 1,800 calories a day. On top of that, Haub says other markers of health such as his levels of good and bad cholesterol and triglycerides have improved as he's lost weight. You can read more about his experiment on the Facebook page he set up. Of course, Haub's short experiment doesn't shed light on the long-term effects of eating a diet filled with convenience-food staples. But to my mind it takes some of the angst and mystery out of the whole weight-loss equation. Eat less and you'll lose weight. Period."
AND TRY TO STAY FOCUSED, TOO:
"In a typical day your mind is probably all over the place, worrying about your next appointment or what's for dinner. That's making you unhappy, according to a new study. Harvard University researchers Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert found that about 47 percent of people's waking hours are spent doing anything except being in the moment and focusing on the current activity. Having a wandering mind is an achievement in the animal kingdom, but it comes at an emotional cost, the authors write. "It is likely the same capacity that allows humans to learn from the past, plan for the future, and imagine things that might never occur, which are clearly afford very important benefits," Killingsworth said in an e-mail. "But like people's desire for food, it may be a tendency that at some level is beneficial but can cause problems (e.g. obesity with respect to desire for food, and unnecessary worry or distraction with respect to mind-wandering)."
"What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise."
-Oscar Wilde
Let's start with...
NFL PICKS
Buffalo 3 over Detroit. My pick: BILLS. Buffalo is improving, they've come so close to winning, they're due to break through, they're at home...and the Lions will be without Matthew Stafford.
Minnesota 2 over Chicago. My pick: VIKINGS. Last week's dramatic come-from-behind win may have been the tonic the Vikes needed. And you just have the feeling the Viking pass rush will shut Jay Cutler down.
NY Jets 3 over Cleveland. My pick: JETS. Colt McCoy has done pretty well as the Browns' starting QB; but I think the Jets' defense will give him a rough time, and shut down the Browns' run game.
Indianapolis 7 over Cincinnati. My pick: COLTS. They play well at home. And Cincy seems to be a team that doesn't know how to win this year, and is demoralized.
Tennessee 2 over Miami. My pick: TITANS. The Dolphins are in a bit of flux, and are now starting Chad Pennington at QB. Switching QBs at this point usually isn't a good sign, and the Titans' defense is tough.
Tampa Bay 7 over Carolina. My pick: BUCS. Time to give the Bucs some love--even in losing last week they were very competitive against a tough Atlanta club. Now they play at home against a horrid Carolina offense.
Jacksonville 1 over Houston. My pick: JAGUARS. Jacksonville is at home, and that Houston defense just can't get key stops.
Kansas City 1 over Denver. My pick: CHIEFS. Denver is at home...but I just think the Chiefs are better-coached, faster, and in a better frame of mind.
NY Giants 14 over the Cowboys. My pick: GIANTS. Usually in the NFL you never pick a team giving 14 points. But the Cowboys have been terrible, and I'm not convinced a new coach will fix all their problems in just a few days. And remember--the Giants are playing real well.
Arizona 3 over Seattle. My pick: CARDINALS. I don't think either of these teams are especially good or consistent. But playing at home seems to help the Cardinals, so...
San Francisco 6 over St. Louis. My pick: 49ERS. Because Sam Bradford and the Rams seem to struggle away from home...and the 49ers may finally be rejuvenated with Troy Smith.
Pittsburgh 5 over New England. My pick: STEELERS. That Steeler defense finds ways to get it done. And I suspect the Patriots' mojo was ruined a bit last week in Cleveland...
Philadelphia 3 over Washington. My pick: EAGLES. The Eagles have a QB--his name is Michael Vick. Does Mike Shanahan know his QB--does he trust him? Given the problems in answering those questions, you've got to go with the team that can answer them.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
I have two upset picks this week...
NORTHWESTERN over Iowa. Why? Because this game is in Evanston...Northwestern is capable (they should have beaten Michigan State several weeks ago)...and Iowa has had so many tough games in a row, I predict they're a bit worn down.
TEXAS over Oklahoma State. Why? The game is in Austin...Oklahoma State hasn't beaten Texas there in forever...and I predict that will play on OSU's minds.
In other news...
DIET NEWS
Have you heard about the prof who lost 27 pounds on a snack-food diet? What does it mean? Here's one take:
"You may have read recently about the Kansas State University nutrition professor who lost 27 pounds while eating a diet rich in... Little Debbies. Mark Haub reportedly went from 201 pounds to 174 pounds over two months; his meals were centered around packaged snacks, sweet and savory, such as can be bought in convenience stores. He augmented those snacks with canned green beans and celery sticks. He also took a multivitamin and drank a protein shake daily. Haub's experience adds a new element to the ongoing question in nutrition circles: Should we focus on certain food groups, such as proteins or carbs, as keys to managing our weight, or in the end is losing pounds simply a matter of consuming fewer calories than you expend. Haub's weight loss seems to support the latter: Without changing his level of physical activity, he cut back from something like 2,600 to 1,800 calories a day. On top of that, Haub says other markers of health such as his levels of good and bad cholesterol and triglycerides have improved as he's lost weight. You can read more about his experiment on the Facebook page he set up. Of course, Haub's short experiment doesn't shed light on the long-term effects of eating a diet filled with convenience-food staples. But to my mind it takes some of the angst and mystery out of the whole weight-loss equation. Eat less and you'll lose weight. Period."
AND TRY TO STAY FOCUSED, TOO:
"In a typical day your mind is probably all over the place, worrying about your next appointment or what's for dinner. That's making you unhappy, according to a new study. Harvard University researchers Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert found that about 47 percent of people's waking hours are spent doing anything except being in the moment and focusing on the current activity. Having a wandering mind is an achievement in the animal kingdom, but it comes at an emotional cost, the authors write. "It is likely the same capacity that allows humans to learn from the past, plan for the future, and imagine things that might never occur, which are clearly afford very important benefits," Killingsworth said in an e-mail. "But like people's desire for food, it may be a tendency that at some level is beneficial but can cause problems (e.g. obesity with respect to desire for food, and unnecessary worry or distraction with respect to mind-wandering)."
"What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise."
-Oscar Wilde
Thursday, November 11, 2010
MULTI-TASKING FRIES YOUR BRAIN
Seriously. Check this out:
"Quick: How many Internet browser tabs do you have open while reading this article? Chances are good that it's more than one. Chances are also good that you're chatting online, checking your text messages and maybe keeping half an eye on the television as you read these words. Given the ever-growing array of digital distractions available, multitasking is more prevalent than ever. Unfortunately, experts say, our brains weren't built for this onslaught. The price is attention overload that leaves us foggy-brained and less productive than before. In multitasking, "there are only disadvantages," Stanford University communication professor Clifford Nass told LiveScience. "There's nothing good about doing it."...Our ability to carry out complicated tasks like reading and reasoning lie in a brain process called working memory. Short-term memory, attention and cognitive control all come into play in keeping our brains on the ball as we take in and manipulate information. But all of these processes have their limits. So while multitaskers might believe they're listening to a podcast while texting a coworker, the brain can't actually handle that sort of simultaneous processing, said Nass, the author of "The Man Who Lied to His Laptop: What Machines Teach Us About Human Relationships" (Current Hardcover, 2010). "When we're trying to do that, our brain is rapidly attempting to switch back and forth from one activity to the other," he said. "That turns out to be extremely difficult."
Read the whole thing...
AN AMAZING LIFE
Here's a story with which those of us with Moebius Syndrome can easily identify:
"My son, August, has a number of quirks that distinguish him from the typically developing 10-year-old. He lives with cerebral palsy, is a spastic quadriplegic, has cortical visual impairment (meaning he is legally blind), is completely nonverbal and cognitively disabled, has a microcephalic head, and must wear a diaper. Moreover, he is immobile—he can't crawl or scoot around or hold himself up or even sit in a chair without being strapped in it. If someone were to put him on the floor and leave him there, he would be in the same location hours later, give or take a foot. At home, in the eyes of my wife, Ilene; our 7-year-old daughter, Clio; and me, he seems merely a little eccentric, possessor of a few odd quirks, as I said. We don't think of him as being different; he is August, just another member of an already quirky family. Although he cannot play with his sister, she loves him. Without being prompted, she recently made pipe-cleaner wheelchairs for her dolls and rendered her wooden doll house ADA-compliant by retrofitting it with ramps. Now the dolls wheel freely in and out. For family bike rides, we have a specially built bicycle with a Tumble Forms chair attached to the front for him to ride in. I feed August his meals (he cannot feed himself), change his diapers, place him in the supersize jogger when I go running, and put him to bed. He and I have a good relationship: He laughs at my attempts at humor, which consist of making odd sounds or putting him face-up on the rug, holding his feet and legs up high, and rocking him swiftly back and forth. He seems to enjoy my company, and I most certainly enjoy his."
Amen. Again, read the whole thing...it's an amazing essay, concerning a journey of discovery in lots of ways...
"No matter what the level of your ability, you have more potential
than you can ever develop in a lifetime." -James T Mccay
Seriously. Check this out:
"Quick: How many Internet browser tabs do you have open while reading this article? Chances are good that it's more than one. Chances are also good that you're chatting online, checking your text messages and maybe keeping half an eye on the television as you read these words. Given the ever-growing array of digital distractions available, multitasking is more prevalent than ever. Unfortunately, experts say, our brains weren't built for this onslaught. The price is attention overload that leaves us foggy-brained and less productive than before. In multitasking, "there are only disadvantages," Stanford University communication professor Clifford Nass told LiveScience. "There's nothing good about doing it."...Our ability to carry out complicated tasks like reading and reasoning lie in a brain process called working memory. Short-term memory, attention and cognitive control all come into play in keeping our brains on the ball as we take in and manipulate information. But all of these processes have their limits. So while multitaskers might believe they're listening to a podcast while texting a coworker, the brain can't actually handle that sort of simultaneous processing, said Nass, the author of "The Man Who Lied to His Laptop: What Machines Teach Us About Human Relationships" (Current Hardcover, 2010). "When we're trying to do that, our brain is rapidly attempting to switch back and forth from one activity to the other," he said. "That turns out to be extremely difficult."
Read the whole thing...
AN AMAZING LIFE
Here's a story with which those of us with Moebius Syndrome can easily identify:
"My son, August, has a number of quirks that distinguish him from the typically developing 10-year-old. He lives with cerebral palsy, is a spastic quadriplegic, has cortical visual impairment (meaning he is legally blind), is completely nonverbal and cognitively disabled, has a microcephalic head, and must wear a diaper. Moreover, he is immobile—he can't crawl or scoot around or hold himself up or even sit in a chair without being strapped in it. If someone were to put him on the floor and leave him there, he would be in the same location hours later, give or take a foot. At home, in the eyes of my wife, Ilene; our 7-year-old daughter, Clio; and me, he seems merely a little eccentric, possessor of a few odd quirks, as I said. We don't think of him as being different; he is August, just another member of an already quirky family. Although he cannot play with his sister, she loves him. Without being prompted, she recently made pipe-cleaner wheelchairs for her dolls and rendered her wooden doll house ADA-compliant by retrofitting it with ramps. Now the dolls wheel freely in and out. For family bike rides, we have a specially built bicycle with a Tumble Forms chair attached to the front for him to ride in. I feed August his meals (he cannot feed himself), change his diapers, place him in the supersize jogger when I go running, and put him to bed. He and I have a good relationship: He laughs at my attempts at humor, which consist of making odd sounds or putting him face-up on the rug, holding his feet and legs up high, and rocking him swiftly back and forth. He seems to enjoy my company, and I most certainly enjoy his."
Amen. Again, read the whole thing...it's an amazing essay, concerning a journey of discovery in lots of ways...
"No matter what the level of your ability, you have more potential
than you can ever develop in a lifetime." -James T Mccay
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
ARE YOU STRESSED?
Many Americans say they are:
"In case there was any doubt, a new survey shows that Americans are stressed out. The American Psychological Association conducted an online survey of 1,134 adults ages 18 and older from Aug. 3 to Aug. 27, including 100 adults who were parents of children ages 8 to 17. In addition to the national sample, the association surveyed another 937 adult parents. The report also includes the results of another online survey from Aug. 19 to Aug. 24 of 1,136 young people ages 8 to 17. The survey found that a majority of Americans--51 percent--are living with "moderate" stress, which is a stress level of four to seven on a scale of one to 10. Although that's about the same level of stress as the survey found last year, fewer adults reported being satisfied with how their employer helps employees balance work and non-work.Twenty-four percent say they are experiencing severe stress. Not surprisingly, money, work and the economy are the leading causes of stress, and job stability is on the rise as a source of stress. Nearly half of adults reported that job stability was a source of stress, compared with 44 percent in 2009. While most parents don't think their children are strongly affected by their stress, their children report otherwise. Nearly three-quarters of parents say that their stress has only a slight or no impact on their children. But 91 percent of children report they know their parent is stressed."
And certainly many adults with Moebius Syndrome or other differences feel stressed, too. Maybe a way to think about this is to say: okay, we're stressed. So where do we go from here?
What do we do to deal with this stress, and perhaps to reduce it? Solutions differ from person to person. But solutions can be found...
SPEAKING OF STRESS--HOW TO PREVENT BRAIN GLITCHES
You know, when you forget things and fear you may be coming down with Alzheimer's or something but...you really aren't. Here's part of a good article on how to deal with the occasional forgetfulness:
"Ever walk into a room and forget why you went there? These lapses involve working memory — that’s when you’re juggling several mental balls. Say you’re at your desk and you need to get a piece of paper from another room. You get up, and go to the other room with a goal-oriented task. Then you mentally leave that task and start thinking about heading to the store to grab something for dinner, picking up your son from school, and oh yeah, you should call Sally. By the time you’ve walked into the room, you’ve forgotten why.
“It’s usually because your brain was focused on the first task and you shifted focus to other tasks, or you multitasked or you broadened your focus,” says McCleary. You decreased the amount of focus you placed on your initial task. Once you start multi-focusing, these lapses are commonplace. To prevent them, invest more mental energy on one task by slowing down, focusing solely on what you’re doing and paying attention; no multi-tasking allowed."
"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions
and not our circumstances." -Martha Washington
Many Americans say they are:
"In case there was any doubt, a new survey shows that Americans are stressed out. The American Psychological Association conducted an online survey of 1,134 adults ages 18 and older from Aug. 3 to Aug. 27, including 100 adults who were parents of children ages 8 to 17. In addition to the national sample, the association surveyed another 937 adult parents. The report also includes the results of another online survey from Aug. 19 to Aug. 24 of 1,136 young people ages 8 to 17. The survey found that a majority of Americans--51 percent--are living with "moderate" stress, which is a stress level of four to seven on a scale of one to 10. Although that's about the same level of stress as the survey found last year, fewer adults reported being satisfied with how their employer helps employees balance work and non-work.Twenty-four percent say they are experiencing severe stress. Not surprisingly, money, work and the economy are the leading causes of stress, and job stability is on the rise as a source of stress. Nearly half of adults reported that job stability was a source of stress, compared with 44 percent in 2009. While most parents don't think their children are strongly affected by their stress, their children report otherwise. Nearly three-quarters of parents say that their stress has only a slight or no impact on their children. But 91 percent of children report they know their parent is stressed."
And certainly many adults with Moebius Syndrome or other differences feel stressed, too. Maybe a way to think about this is to say: okay, we're stressed. So where do we go from here?
What do we do to deal with this stress, and perhaps to reduce it? Solutions differ from person to person. But solutions can be found...
SPEAKING OF STRESS--HOW TO PREVENT BRAIN GLITCHES
You know, when you forget things and fear you may be coming down with Alzheimer's or something but...you really aren't. Here's part of a good article on how to deal with the occasional forgetfulness:
"Ever walk into a room and forget why you went there? These lapses involve working memory — that’s when you’re juggling several mental balls. Say you’re at your desk and you need to get a piece of paper from another room. You get up, and go to the other room with a goal-oriented task. Then you mentally leave that task and start thinking about heading to the store to grab something for dinner, picking up your son from school, and oh yeah, you should call Sally. By the time you’ve walked into the room, you’ve forgotten why.
“It’s usually because your brain was focused on the first task and you shifted focus to other tasks, or you multitasked or you broadened your focus,” says McCleary. You decreased the amount of focus you placed on your initial task. Once you start multi-focusing, these lapses are commonplace. To prevent them, invest more mental energy on one task by slowing down, focusing solely on what you’re doing and paying attention; no multi-tasking allowed."
"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions
and not our circumstances." -Martha Washington
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
YOUR FAMILY HISTORY: A TOOL FOR BETTER HEALTH
Use it--this is especially important for persons with Moebius and for moms and dads who have children with Moebius:
"Make Grandma spill the beans: Uncovering all the diseases that lurk in your family tree can trump costly genetic testing in predicting what illnesses you and your children are likely to face. It may sound old-fashioned, but a Cleveland Clinic study comparing which method best uncovered an increased risk of cancer helps confirm the value of what's called a family health history. All it costs is a little time questioning your relatives, yet good family health trees are rare. A government survey estimated less than a third of families have one — and time-crunched doctors seldom push their patients to remedy that. "I view family health histories as back to the future," says Dr. Charis Eng, a cancer geneticist at the Cleveland Clinic's Genomic Medicine Institute. "It's the best kept secret in health care."
And speaking of Grandma...
GET HER TO EAT SOME CHOCOLATE
"Older women who eat more chocolate are less likely to develop heart problems over a nearly 10-year-period, new study findings report. The authors found that women older than 70 who ate chocolate at least once per week were 35 percent less likely to be hospitalized or die from heart disease over the course of the study, and nearly 60 percent less likely to be hospitalized or die from heart failure. What's nice, study author Dr. Joshua Lewis told Reuters Health, is that women did not have to eat a ton of chocolate to see benefits.
Use it--this is especially important for persons with Moebius and for moms and dads who have children with Moebius:
"Make Grandma spill the beans: Uncovering all the diseases that lurk in your family tree can trump costly genetic testing in predicting what illnesses you and your children are likely to face. It may sound old-fashioned, but a Cleveland Clinic study comparing which method best uncovered an increased risk of cancer helps confirm the value of what's called a family health history. All it costs is a little time questioning your relatives, yet good family health trees are rare. A government survey estimated less than a third of families have one — and time-crunched doctors seldom push their patients to remedy that. "I view family health histories as back to the future," says Dr. Charis Eng, a cancer geneticist at the Cleveland Clinic's Genomic Medicine Institute. "It's the best kept secret in health care."
And speaking of Grandma...
GET HER TO EAT SOME CHOCOLATE
"Older women who eat more chocolate are less likely to develop heart problems over a nearly 10-year-period, new study findings report. The authors found that women older than 70 who ate chocolate at least once per week were 35 percent less likely to be hospitalized or die from heart disease over the course of the study, and nearly 60 percent less likely to be hospitalized or die from heart failure. What's nice, study author Dr. Joshua Lewis told Reuters Health, is that women did not have to eat a ton of chocolate to see benefits.
"We would therefore caution against people eating foods with high sugar and fat regularly and believe our findings support moderate rather than frequent chocolate consumption," said Lewis, based at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Australia."
AND GUESS WHAT ELSE EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR?
"Frequent hand-washing and other good hygiene practices can help prevent colds. Might exercise do the same? This study followed 1,002 adults, most in their mid-40s, during the fall and winter, which are prime seasons for upper respiratory tract infections. Participants' exercise and fitness levels, stress, lifestyle and eating habits were tracked. In a 12-week span, participants had cold symptoms, on average, eight days during the fall and 13 during the winter months. Those who exercised aerobically five or more days a week had colds on 43 percent fewer days than did those who exercised one day or less a week. Also, colds were less severe for people who were the most active and fit."
"Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone
must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment.
Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus,
everyone's task is unique as his specific opportunity." -Viktor Frankl
must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment.
Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus,
everyone's task is unique as his specific opportunity." -Viktor Frankl
Monday, November 8, 2010
VITAMINS: DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR...
Especially when it comes to vitamin E:
"Nearly 13 percent of adult Americans supplement their diets with Vitamin E, a nutrient that's been thought to protect against cardiovascular disease, some cancers and even dementia.
But is taking Vitamin E supplements really such a good idea? Maybe not, after all.
Research published last night in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) added to the growing body of evidence that Vitamin E supplementation doesn't really confer much in the way of health benefits. The new study teases out results from previous research regarding Vitamin E supplements' effect on cardiovascular health. Until that teasing-out, it had seemed that extra Vitamin E (beyond that that we typically get through our diets) didn't much affect our risk of cardiovascular disease one way or another. But on closer inspection, it turns out that taking Vitamin E, while reducing risk of ischemic stroke by about 10 percent, actually increases risk of the more-dangerous hemorrhagic stroke by 22 percent."
CHECK IT OUT
A new Moebius-related blog---welcome!:
"I was born with Moebius syndrome and Polands syndrome. Thanks to the internet and finding other people with Moebius and Polands on facebook, I am finally better understanding both of my disorders. I have always had questions that could never be answered because these disorders are extremely rare. Its a long story that I would like to share with my family and friends especially my new Moebius friends who can clearly relate to my life experiences. So check back often to see if i get myself together and start telling my story. It has been a long rough road but it was a journey well worth taking"
We'll definitely be checking in!
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we
must do." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Especially when it comes to vitamin E:
"Nearly 13 percent of adult Americans supplement their diets with Vitamin E, a nutrient that's been thought to protect against cardiovascular disease, some cancers and even dementia.
But is taking Vitamin E supplements really such a good idea? Maybe not, after all.
Research published last night in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) added to the growing body of evidence that Vitamin E supplementation doesn't really confer much in the way of health benefits. The new study teases out results from previous research regarding Vitamin E supplements' effect on cardiovascular health. Until that teasing-out, it had seemed that extra Vitamin E (beyond that that we typically get through our diets) didn't much affect our risk of cardiovascular disease one way or another. But on closer inspection, it turns out that taking Vitamin E, while reducing risk of ischemic stroke by about 10 percent, actually increases risk of the more-dangerous hemorrhagic stroke by 22 percent."
CHECK IT OUT
A new Moebius-related blog---welcome!:
"I was born with Moebius syndrome and Polands syndrome. Thanks to the internet and finding other people with Moebius and Polands on facebook, I am finally better understanding both of my disorders. I have always had questions that could never be answered because these disorders are extremely rare. Its a long story that I would like to share with my family and friends especially my new Moebius friends who can clearly relate to my life experiences. So check back often to see if i get myself together and start telling my story. It has been a long rough road but it was a journey well worth taking"
We'll definitely be checking in!
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we
must do." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Friday, November 5, 2010
FRIDAY FOOTBALL PICKS
Let's do these first this week...and hey, I'm on a roll; I went 5-3 last week.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS:
TCU at Utah. My pick: HORNED FROGS. TCU over the past several weeks has played consistent, dominating football. Their defense has been stifling. Going to Utah and winning is a tough task; but remember last year when the Frogs went to another tough place--BYU? They won going away. This one might be closer, but go with the Frogs.
Alabama at LSU. My pick: TIGERS. Just a gut feeling on this one. Alabama has won a lot of tough SEC road games over the past couple of years. I have the sense that their luck has changed a bit. They lost at South Carolina. This is another tough road game, against a team with a lot of talent and desperate for a win against 'Bama, with a home crowd roaring. Go with LSU.
Baylor at Oklahoma State. My pick: BEARS. Baylor is hot. They won at Texas last week; their defense is playing better; they have a dynamic QB in Robert Griffin who's making good decisions. Oklahoma State can score. But I think Baylor can outscore 'em.
NFL PICKS:
This week, for fun, we'll pick all the NFL games.
Atlanta 9 over Tampa Bay. My pick: BUCS. Atlanta is at home. But 9 points seems to me to be way too many for a Tampa team that plays solid defense most of the time, and is learning how to win.
Chicago 3 over Buffalo. My pick: BILLS. This game is being played in Toronto. Buffalo is winless. But behind QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, they've been playing decent ball, losing many close games. I predict they break through here and get a win, over a Chicago team with a horrible offensive line and a quarterback, Jay Cutler, who's not playing well.
New England 5 over Cleveland. My pick: PATRIOTS. Cleveland has improved. But New England has too much talent and right now is playing some of the best football in the league.
NY Jets 5 over Detroit. My pick: JETS. Same deal here--the Lions are improved and will give the Jets a battle. But the Jets' defense and overall talent/experience level will win out.
Minnesota 8 over Arizona. My pick: VIKINGS. The Cardinals are a bad road team (usually), they're unsettled at QB, and the Vikings are due to break out.
New Orleans 7 over Carolina. My pick: SAINTS. They have Reggie Bush back. And again, Carolina, despite being at home, seems so unsettled at QB and on offense generally that it gives New Orleans a huge advantage.
Baltimore 5 over Miami. My pick: RAVENS. They're at home. Miami has been tough on the road, but that Ravens defense is tough against the run.
San Diego 3 over Houston. My pick: TEXANS. Apparently the oddsmakers believe that one Charger win, and a Texan Monday night loss, means all is well again in San Diego. I'm not sure. This game is in Houston, the Texans' offense is still very capable of moving the ball, and I'm not convinced the Chargers have rid themselves of all their mistake-prone ways, especially on special teams.
NY Giants 7 over Seattle. My pick: SEAHAWKS. I think the Giants have more overall talent and will eke out a win in this game. But the Giants have a tendency to play a bit down to the level of their competition and thus to have a hard time covering (see for example their home game against Detroit a few weeks ago). And the Seahawks are tough at home.
Oakland 3 over Kansas City. My pick: CHIEFS. The game is in Oakland. But I love KC's overall team speed, and they've been more consistent, top to bottom, year-long, than have the Raiders.
Philadelphia 3 over Indianapolis. My pick: COLTS. The game is in Philly and yes, the Colts are still beat up. But rumor has it that Michael Vick might come back; but is he healthy? The Indy pass rush will test him. And Peyton Manning keeps this offense moving despite the injuries. The Colts know how to win. Does Philly?
Green Bay 9 over Dallas. My pick: COWBOYS. Not to win; but to keep this game closer. The Cowboys have been trashed, bashed, and buried all week, especially by their local media. Their manhood's been challenged. I just HAVE to believe they'll respond and play better and tougher.
Pittsburgh 5 over Cincinnati. My pick: STEELERS. The Bengals have been very inconsistent all year; really on the whole the Steelers, especially on defense, meanwhile, have played well. And now they have Big Ben. Historically Pittsburgh has had the edge in this rivalry; I see it continuing.
In other news...
FOOD NEWS
Okay, now I have to admit, this sounds a little disgusting:
"When you're too lazy to make bacon, why not pop a bottle and just drink bacon instead? J&D Foods, a company that specializes in all things bacon -- including bacon-flavored envelopes and the bacon Kevin Bacon sculpture that made headlines recently -- has taken the obsession one step further by coming up with a new drinkable pork product: bacon-flavored soda. That's right, Coca-Cola is out, and swine soda is in. J&D Foods owner Justin Esch told AOL News that his company recently partnered with Jones Soda to create a special-edition bacon-flavored drink just in time for the holidays."
Me, I prefer my bacon with eggs, not soda...
EATING AND SLEEPING BETTER
What, meanwhile, besides bacon soda (yecch!) can you eat to help you sleep better? Some good ideas here, including this one:
Let's do these first this week...and hey, I'm on a roll; I went 5-3 last week.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS:
TCU at Utah. My pick: HORNED FROGS. TCU over the past several weeks has played consistent, dominating football. Their defense has been stifling. Going to Utah and winning is a tough task; but remember last year when the Frogs went to another tough place--BYU? They won going away. This one might be closer, but go with the Frogs.
Alabama at LSU. My pick: TIGERS. Just a gut feeling on this one. Alabama has won a lot of tough SEC road games over the past couple of years. I have the sense that their luck has changed a bit. They lost at South Carolina. This is another tough road game, against a team with a lot of talent and desperate for a win against 'Bama, with a home crowd roaring. Go with LSU.
Baylor at Oklahoma State. My pick: BEARS. Baylor is hot. They won at Texas last week; their defense is playing better; they have a dynamic QB in Robert Griffin who's making good decisions. Oklahoma State can score. But I think Baylor can outscore 'em.
NFL PICKS:
This week, for fun, we'll pick all the NFL games.
Atlanta 9 over Tampa Bay. My pick: BUCS. Atlanta is at home. But 9 points seems to me to be way too many for a Tampa team that plays solid defense most of the time, and is learning how to win.
Chicago 3 over Buffalo. My pick: BILLS. This game is being played in Toronto. Buffalo is winless. But behind QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, they've been playing decent ball, losing many close games. I predict they break through here and get a win, over a Chicago team with a horrible offensive line and a quarterback, Jay Cutler, who's not playing well.
New England 5 over Cleveland. My pick: PATRIOTS. Cleveland has improved. But New England has too much talent and right now is playing some of the best football in the league.
NY Jets 5 over Detroit. My pick: JETS. Same deal here--the Lions are improved and will give the Jets a battle. But the Jets' defense and overall talent/experience level will win out.
Minnesota 8 over Arizona. My pick: VIKINGS. The Cardinals are a bad road team (usually), they're unsettled at QB, and the Vikings are due to break out.
New Orleans 7 over Carolina. My pick: SAINTS. They have Reggie Bush back. And again, Carolina, despite being at home, seems so unsettled at QB and on offense generally that it gives New Orleans a huge advantage.
Baltimore 5 over Miami. My pick: RAVENS. They're at home. Miami has been tough on the road, but that Ravens defense is tough against the run.
San Diego 3 over Houston. My pick: TEXANS. Apparently the oddsmakers believe that one Charger win, and a Texan Monday night loss, means all is well again in San Diego. I'm not sure. This game is in Houston, the Texans' offense is still very capable of moving the ball, and I'm not convinced the Chargers have rid themselves of all their mistake-prone ways, especially on special teams.
NY Giants 7 over Seattle. My pick: SEAHAWKS. I think the Giants have more overall talent and will eke out a win in this game. But the Giants have a tendency to play a bit down to the level of their competition and thus to have a hard time covering (see for example their home game against Detroit a few weeks ago). And the Seahawks are tough at home.
Oakland 3 over Kansas City. My pick: CHIEFS. The game is in Oakland. But I love KC's overall team speed, and they've been more consistent, top to bottom, year-long, than have the Raiders.
Philadelphia 3 over Indianapolis. My pick: COLTS. The game is in Philly and yes, the Colts are still beat up. But rumor has it that Michael Vick might come back; but is he healthy? The Indy pass rush will test him. And Peyton Manning keeps this offense moving despite the injuries. The Colts know how to win. Does Philly?
Green Bay 9 over Dallas. My pick: COWBOYS. Not to win; but to keep this game closer. The Cowboys have been trashed, bashed, and buried all week, especially by their local media. Their manhood's been challenged. I just HAVE to believe they'll respond and play better and tougher.
Pittsburgh 5 over Cincinnati. My pick: STEELERS. The Bengals have been very inconsistent all year; really on the whole the Steelers, especially on defense, meanwhile, have played well. And now they have Big Ben. Historically Pittsburgh has had the edge in this rivalry; I see it continuing.
In other news...
FOOD NEWS
Okay, now I have to admit, this sounds a little disgusting:
"When you're too lazy to make bacon, why not pop a bottle and just drink bacon instead? J&D Foods, a company that specializes in all things bacon -- including bacon-flavored envelopes and the bacon Kevin Bacon sculpture that made headlines recently -- has taken the obsession one step further by coming up with a new drinkable pork product: bacon-flavored soda. That's right, Coca-Cola is out, and swine soda is in. J&D Foods owner Justin Esch told AOL News that his company recently partnered with Jones Soda to create a special-edition bacon-flavored drink just in time for the holidays."
Me, I prefer my bacon with eggs, not soda...
EATING AND SLEEPING BETTER
What, meanwhile, besides bacon soda (yecch!) can you eat to help you sleep better? Some good ideas here, including this one:
"Your road to being able to sleep better could start with a simple half- to one cup of cottage cheese before you turn in for the night. Cottage cheese is a perfect source of protein before bed since it contains slow-digesting casein proteins that will distribute the amino acids to the muscle tissues for hours to come. In addition to this, it's really going to help improve your sleep as it contains the amino acid tryptophan, which will naturally induce sleep in the body and help you get a better night's rest. Yes, the idea that turkey has enough tryptophan to knock you out is a little farfetched, but the amino acid does facilitate serotonin production and serotonin is the neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep."
You can eat such things as warm milk, oatmeal, and peanut butter, too...
Thursday, November 4, 2010
SAD NEWS FROM BASEBALL
Sparky Anderson, long-time manager of the Cincinnati Reds, and then later a long-time manager of my favorite baseball team growing up, the Detroit Tigers, died today. He was 76.
I realize this topic isn't exactly Moebius-related. But then again, maybe it is. He managed the Tigers from 1979 (when I was 17, still living at thome in Michigan, and a huge Tigers fan) until 1995. And even though I never met him, I always felt like I knew him. Sparky (whose real name was George, and when he wasn't around baseball, that's what he wanted people to call him) was immensely quotable, and the Detroit news media ate him up. He was always, during the season, doing interviews and being quoted in the paper, and so as a huge fan I always gobbled up all he had to say. And I'd like to think that some of it rubbed off on me. He also wrote a book about the 1984 Tigers' World Series championship season. I read that too.
Sparky's teams won a lot of games, and so certainly that was one reason Tiger fans like myself admired him. The 1984 Tigers won 104 games and the World Series title, and that was the first time a Detroit team of whom I was a huge fan had won anything...at all. It was a great moment for us Michigan folks. I'll always be glad Sparky helped bring it to us. But beyond that, if you read Sparky's book and read his quotes throughout the seasons he managed, other lessons emerged...
For example, I remember that he always used to say that, even though he'd had big success, that he knew he wasn't bigger than the game. "Baseball is way bigger than me," he'd say. "When I'm gone, baseball will go on like it always has." And of course he was right; and, a few years ago, when I had to leave a job and a place where I'd been for a long time, what Sparky said came back to me. It helped me. It also reminds us not to get a big head, not to be arrogant. There's a lot of things bigger than we are. The world doesn't revolve around us. It's important to remember that. Whenever the Tigers won a game, for example, Sparky would quick hop out of the dugout, quick shake the winning pitcher's hand, and then quick turn around and go right back in and disappear. He didn't want to call attention to himself by lingering on the field. It was the way he was. He acted on his principles.
I remember that Sparky Anderson was usually a happy guy, an upbeat guy. That's a good way to be. He seemed to be the happiest not just when his teams not only won, but won games in tough circumstances, when things hadn't been going well, when the odds were against them. It showed hard work and toughness. Those are good qualities for life, too. Those are qualities we with Moebius Syndrome or facial differences can use...
Anyway, when I was in my teens and early 20s, I was still a shy kid. I wasn't too social, I didn't go out much. What that did was to help make me and keep me a big sports fan. I didn't worry that I wasn't going out...I had games to watch on TV, my favorite teams to keep track of. Maybe that wasn't the best attitude for me to have...I certainly recognize that now. But that was the way it was. And so it sure was nice, during those times, for Sparky to have been around and to have helped one of my favorite teams get a lot better. And to bring fans like me a championship, eventually. Thanks...
And what I really should say is, thanks, George. Because George, a normal guy, a father, grandfather, husband...that was a huge part of him. Sparky was his baseball persona when the games were going and the bright lights were on. But really he was George...and I bet right now he'd want me to call him that.
Still, I thank him for giving us the gift of Sparky.
And I hope all who remember him also remember the principles he lived by and, perhaps unwittingly, was teaching, not only to his players, but to all of us.
"You always pass failure on your way to success." -Mickey Rooney
"Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing
your enthusiasm." -Sir Winston Churchill
Sparky Anderson, long-time manager of the Cincinnati Reds, and then later a long-time manager of my favorite baseball team growing up, the Detroit Tigers, died today. He was 76.
I realize this topic isn't exactly Moebius-related. But then again, maybe it is. He managed the Tigers from 1979 (when I was 17, still living at thome in Michigan, and a huge Tigers fan) until 1995. And even though I never met him, I always felt like I knew him. Sparky (whose real name was George, and when he wasn't around baseball, that's what he wanted people to call him) was immensely quotable, and the Detroit news media ate him up. He was always, during the season, doing interviews and being quoted in the paper, and so as a huge fan I always gobbled up all he had to say. And I'd like to think that some of it rubbed off on me. He also wrote a book about the 1984 Tigers' World Series championship season. I read that too.
Sparky's teams won a lot of games, and so certainly that was one reason Tiger fans like myself admired him. The 1984 Tigers won 104 games and the World Series title, and that was the first time a Detroit team of whom I was a huge fan had won anything...at all. It was a great moment for us Michigan folks. I'll always be glad Sparky helped bring it to us. But beyond that, if you read Sparky's book and read his quotes throughout the seasons he managed, other lessons emerged...
For example, I remember that he always used to say that, even though he'd had big success, that he knew he wasn't bigger than the game. "Baseball is way bigger than me," he'd say. "When I'm gone, baseball will go on like it always has." And of course he was right; and, a few years ago, when I had to leave a job and a place where I'd been for a long time, what Sparky said came back to me. It helped me. It also reminds us not to get a big head, not to be arrogant. There's a lot of things bigger than we are. The world doesn't revolve around us. It's important to remember that. Whenever the Tigers won a game, for example, Sparky would quick hop out of the dugout, quick shake the winning pitcher's hand, and then quick turn around and go right back in and disappear. He didn't want to call attention to himself by lingering on the field. It was the way he was. He acted on his principles.
I remember that Sparky Anderson was usually a happy guy, an upbeat guy. That's a good way to be. He seemed to be the happiest not just when his teams not only won, but won games in tough circumstances, when things hadn't been going well, when the odds were against them. It showed hard work and toughness. Those are good qualities for life, too. Those are qualities we with Moebius Syndrome or facial differences can use...
Anyway, when I was in my teens and early 20s, I was still a shy kid. I wasn't too social, I didn't go out much. What that did was to help make me and keep me a big sports fan. I didn't worry that I wasn't going out...I had games to watch on TV, my favorite teams to keep track of. Maybe that wasn't the best attitude for me to have...I certainly recognize that now. But that was the way it was. And so it sure was nice, during those times, for Sparky to have been around and to have helped one of my favorite teams get a lot better. And to bring fans like me a championship, eventually. Thanks...
And what I really should say is, thanks, George. Because George, a normal guy, a father, grandfather, husband...that was a huge part of him. Sparky was his baseball persona when the games were going and the bright lights were on. But really he was George...and I bet right now he'd want me to call him that.
Still, I thank him for giving us the gift of Sparky.
And I hope all who remember him also remember the principles he lived by and, perhaps unwittingly, was teaching, not only to his players, but to all of us.
"You always pass failure on your way to success." -Mickey Rooney
"Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing
your enthusiasm." -Sir Winston Churchill
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
SAY YES TO YOGA
It can help ease chronic pain, studies find:
"To ease chronic muscle pain and fatigue, people with fibromyalgia often are urged to exercise and develop coping skills, along with taking medication. Might yoga help? This study involved 53 women, with an average age of 54, who had had fibromyalgia for an average of about 12 years. They were randomly assigned to participate in weekly two-hour yoga classes tailored for people with the condition or to be on a waiting list for the classes, which included gentle poses, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga-based coping instruction and group discussion. All the participants continued their normal care as well, which for some included taking medication. Those in the yoga group were urged to practice daily at home, too. After eight weeks, standardized scales showed greater declines in pain, tenderness, fatigue, stiffness and depression, and bigger improvements in sleep, memory, balance, strength and vigor among the women practicing yoga. About 91 percent of the yoga group, compared with 19 percent of those on the waiting list, reported being better at the end of the study than they were at the start."
AVOID THOSE COLDS
Here are a couple of ways to do it:
"Diet is the fuel that runs the complex human machine and all of its parts, including the immune system," says Dr. David Katz, M.D., director of the Yale Prevention Research Center. Essential power players include high-quality protein, such as fish, lean meats, and beans, needed to help build white blood cells (the body's defenders); brightly colored fruits and veggies, which provide immune-boosting antioxidants; and omega-3 fatty acids (good sources include fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseed) to keep the immune system balanced....."Exercise can keep you from getting sick by stimulating the immune cells that target cold infections, Fryhofer explains. A University of South Carolina study found that people who walked or did other moderate activity for 30 minutes most days averaged one cold per year, while less-active folks reported more than four colds per year. Just don't overdo it: Heavy exertion -- like marathon training -- may increase your risk of catching seasonal bugs, perhaps because it can stress the body's systems, allowing viruses to gain a foothold."
"Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves."
-Dale Carnegie
It can help ease chronic pain, studies find:
"To ease chronic muscle pain and fatigue, people with fibromyalgia often are urged to exercise and develop coping skills, along with taking medication. Might yoga help? This study involved 53 women, with an average age of 54, who had had fibromyalgia for an average of about 12 years. They were randomly assigned to participate in weekly two-hour yoga classes tailored for people with the condition or to be on a waiting list for the classes, which included gentle poses, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga-based coping instruction and group discussion. All the participants continued their normal care as well, which for some included taking medication. Those in the yoga group were urged to practice daily at home, too. After eight weeks, standardized scales showed greater declines in pain, tenderness, fatigue, stiffness and depression, and bigger improvements in sleep, memory, balance, strength and vigor among the women practicing yoga. About 91 percent of the yoga group, compared with 19 percent of those on the waiting list, reported being better at the end of the study than they were at the start."
AVOID THOSE COLDS
Here are a couple of ways to do it:
"Diet is the fuel that runs the complex human machine and all of its parts, including the immune system," says Dr. David Katz, M.D., director of the Yale Prevention Research Center. Essential power players include high-quality protein, such as fish, lean meats, and beans, needed to help build white blood cells (the body's defenders); brightly colored fruits and veggies, which provide immune-boosting antioxidants; and omega-3 fatty acids (good sources include fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseed) to keep the immune system balanced....."Exercise can keep you from getting sick by stimulating the immune cells that target cold infections, Fryhofer explains. A University of South Carolina study found that people who walked or did other moderate activity for 30 minutes most days averaged one cold per year, while less-active folks reported more than four colds per year. Just don't overdo it: Heavy exertion -- like marathon training -- may increase your risk of catching seasonal bugs, perhaps because it can stress the body's systems, allowing viruses to gain a foothold."
"Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves."
-Dale Carnegie
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
NEW SHOW
With today being election day, most of the news today concerns voting, who's going to win, etc. But there is other news. For example, HBO has a new video out--on disabilities:
"This 30-minute documentary focuses on children with learning differences and shows how they cope. As the title suggests, the theme is that although these kids may struggle in some areas, they excel in others. Joey is a 12-year-old with an auditory processing disorder, which makes it hard for him to think and hear at the same time. But he can paint stunning wall murals of knights and dragons. Almost all of the stories end positively, with the child switching into programs for learning differences."
Check it out...
Energy is equal to desire and purpose." -Sheryl Adams
With today being election day, most of the news today concerns voting, who's going to win, etc. But there is other news. For example, HBO has a new video out--on disabilities:
"This 30-minute documentary focuses on children with learning differences and shows how they cope. As the title suggests, the theme is that although these kids may struggle in some areas, they excel in others. Joey is a 12-year-old with an auditory processing disorder, which makes it hard for him to think and hear at the same time. But he can paint stunning wall murals of knights and dragons. Almost all of the stories end positively, with the child switching into programs for learning differences."
Check it out...
Energy is equal to desire and purpose." -Sheryl Adams
Monday, November 1, 2010
WORK FOCUS TIPS
How can you get more done at work? Some good tips here--for example, try this one:
"People often give up on difficult tasks in order to escape to something easier. "Any project that takes mental effort, or involves critical thinking and creativity, is going to be a little painful sometimes," says Jackson. When you hit a wall, don't point-and-click -- push past it."
Indeed, I often take on the most difficult part of a task FIRST---get it done, get past it, and then the rest of the job will be easier. Read the whole thing, some good ideas here.
DATING TIPS FOR THE SHY GUY
And I know there are plenty of shy guys out there with Moebius Syndrome or facial differences. For a long time, I was one of them when it came to dating. When it comes to shyness, I still struggle with it. But here are some good dating tips for shy men--read the whole thing, but start out with this one:
"...try not to get too discouraged if you have "limited success" with dating. Lots of people have limited success. It doesn't necessarily mean anything. It's all a numbers game, anyway. All you really need is that one person who's right for you, but sometimes you have to go out with dozens of people who aren't right for you before you find that one. If you're having trouble even getting first dates lined up, show your online dating profile to a trusted female friend or two and ask for advice. They might see something that's slipped your notice: blurry photos that don't show you off in the best light, a cheesy headline, a jaded remark about how hard it is to find a good woman. Be confident! Stay positive. Be yourself."
Amen. You can find the right one for you. A bunch of people with Moebius Syndrome have done exactly that!! It just takes time and perserverance...
How can you get more done at work? Some good tips here--for example, try this one:
"People often give up on difficult tasks in order to escape to something easier. "Any project that takes mental effort, or involves critical thinking and creativity, is going to be a little painful sometimes," says Jackson. When you hit a wall, don't point-and-click -- push past it."
Indeed, I often take on the most difficult part of a task FIRST---get it done, get past it, and then the rest of the job will be easier. Read the whole thing, some good ideas here.
DATING TIPS FOR THE SHY GUY
And I know there are plenty of shy guys out there with Moebius Syndrome or facial differences. For a long time, I was one of them when it came to dating. When it comes to shyness, I still struggle with it. But here are some good dating tips for shy men--read the whole thing, but start out with this one:
"...try not to get too discouraged if you have "limited success" with dating. Lots of people have limited success. It doesn't necessarily mean anything. It's all a numbers game, anyway. All you really need is that one person who's right for you, but sometimes you have to go out with dozens of people who aren't right for you before you find that one. If you're having trouble even getting first dates lined up, show your online dating profile to a trusted female friend or two and ask for advice. They might see something that's slipped your notice: blurry photos that don't show you off in the best light, a cheesy headline, a jaded remark about how hard it is to find a good woman. Be confident! Stay positive. Be yourself."
Amen. You can find the right one for you. A bunch of people with Moebius Syndrome have done exactly that!! It just takes time and perserverance...
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