A MOTHER'S LOVE...
This makes sense:
"An extra dose of motherly nurturing insulates children from lifelong health problems associated with poverty, a new study says.

The study found that people whose parents did not finish high school were 1.4 times more likely to develop a condition called metabolic syndrome by middle age than children raised by college-educated parents. Metabolic syndrome is a precursor to diabetes and heart disease.

However, among people from less-educated households, those who said they had a very nurturing mother were less likely to develop metabolic syndrome, according to the study published Friday (Sept. 23) in the journal Psychological Science. A nurturing mother in a more educated household had no effect on the likelihood that her adult children had developed metabolic syndrome."

FRIDAY FOOTBALL PICKS
Last week my record was:  well, .500 again--9 wins, 9 losses.  I'll keep trying...

COLLEGE PICK
Nebraska at Wisconsin.  MY PICK:  BADGERS.  I think both these teams are pretty good; both can move the ball effectively.  But Wisconsin is at home; it appears to me that the Husker defense is a bit suspect (it gave up 29 points to Fresno State, for example), and so I look for the Badgers to outscore them...in an entertaining game.

NFL PICKS:

New Orleans at Jacksonville.  LINE:  Saints by 7.5.  MY PICK:  SAINTS.  Drew Brees against Blaine Gabbert?  Sorry--you have to go with Brees and that well-executed Saints passing game.

Carolina at Chicago. LINE:  Bears by 7.  MY PICK:  PANTHERS.  7 points is just too much here, given the struggles of Jay Cutler and that Bears offensive line.  The Bears have a good defense; it will give Cam Newton trouble.  But Green Bay has a good defense too, and Newton moved the ball against them.  Look for the Bears to win this, but it will be a closer game than folks think.

Detroit at Dallas.  LINE:  Cowboys by 1.  MY PICK:  LIONS.  Not by much--it'll be a close game.  But these are the new Lions.  And the Lions have two big matchup winners in this one--Calvin Johnson against the Cowboy secondary, and Ndamokong Suh against that young Cowboys O-line.

Minnesota at Kansas City.  LINE:  Vikings by 2.  MY PICK:  VIKINGS.  You just have to believe that at some point, the Vikes and Adrian Peterson will break through, and I suspect they'll do it here, against the not-quite-so-woebegone-as-the-first-two-weeks-but-still-beat-up Chiefs.

San Francisco at Philadelphia.  LINE: Eagles by 9.  MY PICK:  49ERS.  Not to win; the Eagles will likely pull this one out.  But 9 points is a lot given the Eagles QB situation.  Mike Vick hasn't finished the game the last two weeks.  No guarantee he'll finish this one.  That will make for a tighter game.

Buffalo at Cincinnati.  LINE:  Bills by 3.  MY PICK:  BILLS.  The Bills and Ryan Fitzpatrick are hot, and making plays.  No reason to think that won't continue this week against a Bengals team which really struggled last week against a so-so Niners team.

Washington at St. Louis.  LINE:  Redskins by 2.  MY PICK:  REDSKINS.  The "Skins should have won vs Dallas; I suspect they'll have enough here to get by a Rams team still battered and, given last week's mauling by Baltimore, perhaps reeling.

Pittsburgh at Houston.  LINE:  Texans by 4.  MY PICK:  TEXANS.  Yes, Houston lost to New Orleans last week; but Matt Schaub and the offense played very well, and it's tough to win the Superdome.  It wasn't a bad loss.  Meanwhile the Steelers have O-line issues, and really don't appear, yet, to be playing true Steeler football.  Look for the Texans to take advantage.

Tennessee at Cleveland.  LINE:  pick 'em.  MY PICK:  TITANS.  Matt Hasselbeck looking a bit better right now than Colt McCoy; the Titans' defense with an edge over Cleveland's.

NY Giants at Arizona.  LINE:  Giants by 1. MY PICK:  GIANTS.  The Giants' run game especially was impressive last week at Philly.  The Giants seem to have some mojo going.  The Cardinals?  Losing at Seattle?  Not so much.

Atlanta at Seattle.  LINE:  Falcons by 5.5.  MY PICK:  FALCONS.  The Falcons have not yet been impressive this year.  But they still have the tools to get there.  Seattle?  I'm just not a believer in Tarvaris Jackson at QB.

Miami at San Diego.  LINE:  Chargers by 7.  MY PICK:  DOLPHINS.  Again, I see the Chargers winning this one; but 7 points just seems too much.  The Chargers couldn't even cover last week against the lowly Chiefs.  The Dolphins have played most everyone tough this year so far, despite their winless record.  Look for that to continue this week, as the notoriously slow-starting Chargers continue to find their way.

New England at Oakland.  LINE:  Patriots by 4.5.  MY PICK:  PATRIOTS.  A very interesting matchup; a tough game to pick.  The Patriots showed last week they're not invincible.  The Raiders and Darren McFadden have clearly improved.  But I can't believe Tom Brady will turn the ball over this week like he did last; and no one has yet really stopped that Patriot offense.  Look for it to prevail here.

Denver at Green Bay.  LINE:  Packers by 13.  MY PICK: PACKERS.  A lot of points to cover, but seriously--don't you think the Packers, going against that weak Bronco defense, can cover it?  Aaron Rodgers is playing at a very high level.

NY Jets at Baltimore.  LINE:  Ravens by 4.  MY PICK:  RAVENS.  The Jets are having trouble running the ball; always dangerous when one plays the Ravens--their defense can maul one-dimensional offenses.  Plus the Jets are having trouble stopping the run--see their matador defense last week against Darren McFadden.  Bad news again when you play Ray Rice and the Ravens.

Indianapolis at Tampa Bay.  LINE:  Buccaneers by 10.5.  MY PICK:  COLTS.  I'll probably regret this; BUT--the Bucs' offense is capable but not prolific.  And I thought I saw some pretty positive things in the way Curtis Painter came in and took charge late in that game last week against Pittsburgh.  He may be more capable than people think; if he can move the Colts' offense, they can stay in this game.  This could be a closer game than people think.

"Winning is everything."--Vince Lombardi.  :+)

THINGS EVERY DOG SHOULD KNOW
You know, so many of us with physical differences or with Moebius Syndrome love pets.  We have pets, or we at least have in the past have pets, we love animals, and if we don't have a pet now, some day in the future we want to have a pet again.  Why?  Well, for one reason unique to us, I think it is because deep down, we know our dog or our cat or whoever will be loyal to us.  Your dog doesn't care what you look like.  He or she won't stare at you funny because your eyes look different or whatever.  As long as you take care of your pet and treat him or her well, they'll be loyal to you all the way to the end.  I think we with Moebius know that; hence we love our dog or our cat.  I thought of all this as I perused an article I found today, which basically asks:  what are some of the things every pet dog should know?  I thought many of you out there with a pet, no matter what kind, would find this interesting:
"Your mutt isn't destined to be a movie star, therapy dog, bomb-sniffing expert, AKC champion or working K9?
No worries. He or she can still be a well-behaved pet. A basic obedience class is one way to do it. But a little home-schooling can do wonders.
Three veteran trainers were asked by The Associated Press to share the first five or six things they think every dog should know. The first thing on the list is so basic it's a wonder they even need to mention it.
"I am often amazed at how many animals do not know their names," said Lauren Henry, co-owner of Talented Animals, with offices in California and Oregon. She trains hundreds of animals for TV and film appearances every year and often teaches classes for other trainers and animal owners.
"They need to know their name so you can get their attention before the next command or bit of information. Dogs hear a lot of noise that they tune out, but when they hear their name they need to respond and look to the person for the rest of the information," she said.
Here are some other commands, how-to behaviours and skills that every dog should know, according to Henry and two other trainers — Jaime Van Wye, who founded Zoom Room, a social petworking club with franchises across the country, and Ron Davis of Camarillo, Calif., a representative for Natural Balance Pet Foods known for his work with Tillman, his skateboarding English bulldog.
— Pay attention. Henry says this is "the behaviour on which I spend the most time with any new animal. If they are not paying attention, none of the other commands will matter. After name recognition, they need to learn to keep their attention on the person and not get quickly distracted."
— Come. "The key is repetition and building up a strong reward history, letting the dog know good things happen when it comes," said Van Wye. "Don't call them when you know they won't come and if you are mad at the dog and when he gets there you are going to scold him. Make sure good things happen when the dog comes when called."
Henry said teaching a dog to come when called is "the single biggest lifesaver. Come away from distractions (danger) and come quickly."
Related to that, Davis said the biggest thing he teaches is "voice recognition. If you are with a bunch of people or around cars, your dog needs to learn you are the pack leader and your voice is his key to fun and safety."
— Down and/or sit. "You can keep your dog out of all sorts of trouble with these," Henry said. "Keep them from jumping on someone, from chasing. Your dog cannot get into trouble if it is lying next to you."
— Leave it. "It means stop paying attention to that, whatever that is," said Van Wye. "We teach it early and start with food. The dog gets rewarded when they pay attention to us. It works with things dogs find really distracting like other dogs, people, kids, bicycles, cars, cats, whatever the dog wants to pay attention to."
Henry says teaching the dog to drop something is also "vital if they have picked up something dangerous off the ground."
— Stay or wait. "Teaching a dog to wait at a door when it's being opened or wait in the vehicle when you open a car door and not bolt out is definitely critical for safety," said Henry. "Stay is important, but most people don't get the stay well enough trained that they should ever trust it in a critical situation. A leash is much safer than relying on a stay."
Van Wye also thinks teaching "wait is better than stay. Wait is like a pause button. I'm saying: 'Stop moving. You can go when I release you.' It's good for in and out of doorways, in and out of cars so they don't run into traffic, if you put their food down. Stay is a more formal command. Wait is hold on a second.
— Go to bed. Van Wye puts this at the top of her list. "It's a boundary stay," she said. "It works really well if you use a bath mat, an actual dog bed, some kind of hot spot. You tell the dog: 'You can't get off this. You can do circles, sit, lie down, stand up, turn around or do back flips. I don't care what you do, you just can't get off this.'"
She added: "It's a great command if you have more than one animal or if you have ordered pizza and don't want the dog on the table trying to steal it or have people over who don't like dogs."
— Let's go. "This is not a formal heel but an informal loose leash, a command to walk next to me and don't pull on the leash," Van Wye said. "I equate it to holding hands with a kid. You can smell, you can look, you can do your own thing as long as you respect that you are on a six-foot leash and I don't want to have to be pulling you around."
You are training for lifestyle more than obedience, Van Wye advised. If you want to put the baby in a stroller and a leash on the dog and have coffee at Starbucks, you should be able to do it without the dog barking at people, pulling on the leash or causing a distraction, she said
— Socialization and play. "I don't want a dog that will fight or be aggressive," said Davis. "Socialization is greatly overlooked in the dog world." He added that owners should "let dogs know when it's a good time to play and when it's not a good time to play. Playtime is when a dog can be a dog and have his fun, you can let him pounce and do all the things that dogs do."
— Swim. "A dog should know how to swim so they don't panic in the water," Davis said."

Now, you and your pet go out and play!

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key
to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be
successful." -Schweitzer

MORE REASONS TO EXERCISE
There's evidence that regular exercise strengthens your brain--always something those with Moebius Syndrome will favor:
"Can exercise make the brain more fit? That absorbing question inspired a new study at the University of South Carolina during which scientists assembled mice and assigned half to run for an hour a day on little treadmills, while the rest lounged in their cages without exercising.
Earlier studies have shown that exercise sparks neurogenesis, or the creation of entirely new brain cells. But the South Carolina scientists were not looking for new cells. They were looking inside existing ones to see if exercise was whipping those cells into shape, similar to the way that exercise strengthens muscle.
For centuries, people have known that exercise remodels muscles, rendering them more durable and fatigue-resistant. In part, that process involves an increase in the number of muscle mitochondria, the tiny organelles that float around a cell’s nucleus and act as biological powerhouses, helping to create the energy that fuels almost all cellular activity. The greater the mitochondrial density in a cell, the greater its vitality.
Past experiments have shown persuasively that exercise spurs the birth of new mitochondria in muscle cells and improves the vigor of the existing organelles. This upsurge in mitochondria, in turn, has been linked not only to improvements in exercise endurance but to increased longevity in animals and reduced risk for obesity, diabetes and heart disease in people. It is a very potent cellular reaction.

Brain cells are also fueled by mitochondria. But until now, no one has known if a similar response to exercise occurs in the brain.

Like muscles, many parts of the brain get a robust physiological workout during exercise. “The brain has to work hard to keep the muscles moving” and all of the bodily systems in sync, says J. Mark Davis, a professor of exercise science at the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina and senior author of the new mouse study, which was published last month in The Journal of Applied Physiology. Scans have shown that metabolic activity in many parts of the brain surges during workouts, but it was unknown whether those active brain cells were actually adapting and changing.
To see, the South Carolina scientists exercised their mice for eight weeks. The sedentary control animals were housed in the same laboratory as the runners to ensure that, except for the treadmill sessions, the two groups shared the same environment and routine.
At the end of the two months, the researchers had both groups complete a run to exhaustion on the treadmill. Not surprisingly, the running mice displayed much greater endurance than the loungers. They lasted on the treadmills for an average of 126 minutes, versus 74 minutes for the unexercised animals.
More interesting, though, was what was happening inside their brain cells. When the scientists examined tissue samples from different portions of the exercised animals’ brains, they found markers of upwelling mitochondrial development in all of the tissues. Some parts of their brains showed more activity than others, but in each of the samples, the brain cells held newborn mitochondria.
There was no comparable activity in brain cells from the sedentary mice."

AND FOR HEALTHY EYES
Try some of these recipes, which include vitamins and other natural ingredients which will help promote better vision--once again, hat tip goes to Lisa Smant, my wife:
"Supercharge your eyes in the A.M. with this smoothie. Fresh berries, orange juice, and toasted wheat germ fill you with vitamins E and C -- nutrients that may help protect against age-related macular degeneration."

Read on at that link--there's a lot of good stuff there.

"Success is not counted by how high you have climbed but by
how many people you brought with you." -Wil Rose

ONE WAY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS CONCERNING YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD
A mother, whose son has cerebral palsy, tries to answer all of the kinds of questions friends and acquaintances have concerning her special-needs child.  I'll bet many of you Moebius moms and dads out there will be interested in her take on these--and will be able riff off of these and add some thoughts of your own, when you face your own questions:
"I know that other parents have questions about my son, Max, who has cerebral palsy. I can see it in their eyes when they look at him, I notice the stares from strangers. So recently, I asked some friends to tell me the pressing—even nosy—questions they have about kids with special needs. These are my answers; I hope you’ll share your own.
What’s the proper term to refer to special needs kids?
Many people in the special needs community prefer “people first” language—you put the person before the disability. So you’d say “a child with autism” instead of “an autistic child” or “kids with special needs” instead of “special needs kids.” You are also free to refer to them as witty, charming and brilliant, of course.
What should I tell my kid about your kid if they ask about his issues?
One good general explanation is, “His brain works a little differently than yours does. So it may take him more time to do things, or he may do things differently. But in many ways, he’s just like you—he’s a kid who loves to play, laugh and have fun.” It would be great if you could suggest that your child ask my child about favorite stuff. For example, “I love chocolate-chip ice-cream, what’s your favorite?” or “My favorite movie is Cars 2, what’s yours?” Anything that starts conversations, great.
Do you mind questions? Do they offend you?
It depends! For example, saying “What’s wrong with him?” is rude, especially if we’ve just met. But if I strike up a conversation with a stranger, I don’t mind answering questions. In fact, I’m glad to help inform other parents about my son’s special needs—and about kids with special needs in general.
What would you suggest I say if my little kid says, loudly, “Mommy, what’s wrong with that boy?” or “Why’s he like that?”
Rather than shushing your child and whisking him away, as I’ve seen some parents do, perhaps you can say, “Why don’t we go over and say hello?” Then have a talk in private when you get home (see above, “What should I tell my kid?”).
At my little girl’s camp, there are two boys in wheelchairs. She thinks it’s unfair that the counselors let them “win” all the games—meaning, even if they get out, the counselors stay in the game anyway. What am I supposed to say?
I think those counselors actually should be treating those kids like others. Meanwhile, I think you can tell your daughter that it takes those kids a little extra time to play the game, and so the counselors allow them to stay in the game longer—not to win, but just so they get to enjoy it.
Can your kid come over for a playdate?
My son would absolutely love that. He doesn’t have many friends who don’t have disabilities. Depending on the child’s special needs, a playdate may not be the kind your child is used to—but you can discuss that in advance with the parents, and maybe let your child know ahead of time about anything important. Trust me, his or her parents will let you know—but you should also feel free to ask."

Great stuff!  Hat tip to---my wife Lisa!  Who found that for me...

"Some people succeed because they are destined to, but most
people succeed because they are determined to." -unknown

LOVE YOUR PET AND GET MORE EXERCISE, TOO
Many of us with Moebius Syndrome and other physical differences love our pets, I know that--and guess what:  it's good for you, too:
"When it comes to getting fit a person's best friend just might be a four-legged one.

Experts say studies show dog owners walk more, walk faster, and are more likely to enjoy an active lifestyle because of their companion animal.

"I'm fascinated by what a great motivator dogs can be," said Dr. Sandra McCune, co-editor of the book, "The Health Benefits of Dog Walking for People and Pets."

McCune, an animal behaviorist based in Leicestershire, England, said studies show if you're a dog walker, you're more likely to meet the guidelines for daily activities.

Dogs are the reason behind two-thirds, 66 percent, of the walks their owners take each week, according to a recent survey of more than 1,011 adults commissioned by pet food company Mars Petcare."

WHAT TO DO IN THE WORKPLACE WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW

Here's something for all you folks out there in the working world.  What should you do if your boss asks you something--and you don't know the answer?  There are solutions, though--here are a few:

"We've all been there. It's Friday afternoon and work is winding down. You're sitting in your cube, watching a YouTube video of a bunny kissing a squirrel and jamming to your "Friday Fun" iTunes playlist. Just as you're about to press "share" on that cute/creepy bunny video, your boss stops by and asks you for a quick recap of your client's latest earnings report. You're completely caught off guard, and all you manage to mumble is, "Um, uh, I'm actually not sure about that ... um, sorry."

After your boss walks away, your face turns from fire-engine red back to its normal hue and your brain starts functioning again, you kick yourself because you do know the answer. Well, sort of. The other day you'd read a summary from the earnings call and you remember some of the details, or at least enough to have pieced together a more coherent response.
Unless you're one of those lucky (some might say annoying) people who always has the right answer or has mastered the art of sounding like you know what you're talking about even if you don't have a clue, then you have been or will be faced with similar situations where you aren't fully prepared. But chances are, even if you don't have the full answer, you do know enough to share some information and then follow up once you know more. This way, you show your boss that you do have something of value to contribute, while still being honest about not knowing everything.
According to Jodi Glickman, author of "Great on the Job: What to Say, How to Say It. The Secrets of Getting Ahead," answering a question you don't know with intelligence boils down to a simple three-part strategy:
1. Here's what I know.
The first thing to remember is that you aren't expected to know everything about every topic at all times. Given how busy we are these days, it's nearly impossible to always have an answer on the tip of your tongue. According to Glickman, if the question is related to something you're working on or should be familiar with, you likely do know something -- and that something is worth contributing. So instead of just going straight to, "I don't know, sorry," take a second to collect your thoughts and provide your boss with the fact or tidbit you do know.
2. Here's what I don't know.
"After you've given your client or boss a little something to work with, then be transparent and admit that you don't know the answer or have that exact piece of information," writes Glickman. I know sometimes it's easy, when caught off guard, to make something up, but it'll only hurt you in the long run. Your boss would much rather you be honest and plead ignorance than find out later your client didn't actually acquire a new company as you'd told him in your attempt to sound smart. Lying will just ruin your credibility. Instead of dancing around it, simply tell her you aren't completely sure.
3. Here's how I'll figure it out.
While you aren't expected to know everything, you are expected to do what you can to figure out the answer, even if it requires taking some time to research and pull the right information. Step three of Glickman's strategy suggests closing the conversation by proactively offering your game plan -- you'll do some digging and get back to her. It might help to ask for her deadline or if there's anything else she'd like to know while you're looking -- that way you ensure that when you do get your boss the answer, you get it to them on time and with no missing pieces.
Notes Glickman, this method works well because it allows you to bury the negative (that you don't know what you're talking about) in between two positives. "The idea of 'sandwiching' the bad news between the good news ensures that you start off and end on a solid footing."

There's more--read the whole thing...

"Sow an act, and you reap a habit; sow a habit, and you reap a character; sow a character, and you reap a destiny."--George Dana Boardman

INTERESTING NEW FOOTWEAR
Do you have Moebius Syndrome?  Do you, therefore, have club feet?  Do you maybe have a hard time finding comfortable shoes for those times when you want to be active, or just flat out have a hard time finding shoes that fit?  Is it hard to run or walk without pain?  Well, there's a new kind of shoe out now that might just be interesting to try:
"
Jane Brodsky desperately wanted to run again. But whenever the Capitol Hill resident attempted to jog, the osteoarthritis in her left leg complained. She was hoping she’d finally found her solution one year ago when she bought a pair of Vibram FiveFingers, the sock-like shoe with articulated toes that’s developed a reputation for helping users mimic running barefoot. The brand’s fans convinced her that with a more natural stride, the pain would subside.
That didn’t happen. But her shoes are still getting a workout. “I don’t use sneakers at all now,” says the 33-year-old who wears her FiveFingers everywhere — around town, at her apartment’s gym and hiking on a recent trip to Cinque Terra, Italy. She sometimes sports them while manning the front desk at Red Bow, her boutique exercise studio that offers Pilates and ballet barre classes, both of which are taught sans shoes and emphasize the benefits of foot strength.
It was Morton’s neuroma, an excruciating nerve condition, that had stopped Susan-Marie Stedman of Burtonsville in her tracks. The 52-year-old marine biologist couldn’t manage to hike without hurting, no matter what shoes she’d tried. Until she bought Vibram FiveFingers a year ago.
Now Stedman can’t imagine wearing anything other than her “freaky feet,” her pet name for the odd-looking (some might even say ugly) shoes. She owns three pairs, which she wears when she’s stretching, on the elliptical and even hang-gliding. “Once you’ve made the commitment to this type of footwear, you can’t go back,” she says. “Disco dancing and bike riding are the two things I won’t do in them now.”
It is customers like Brodsky and Stedman who’ve made the footwear industry realize there’s a market beyond runners for nontraditional shoes. The speedsters are the ones who flipped for FiveFingers ($85 to $110) after reading Christopher McDougall’s anti-shoe bible “Born to Run” in 2009, so companies quickly tried to cater to their needs, says Doug Smiley, the footwear buyer for City Sports. “Now it’s evolving from running into other kinds of fitness,” he says.
For the past few years, minimalism has been the fastest-growing category in running. This year, Smiley says, it’s become the fastest-growing category in training, too. There is a particular interest in wooing serious gymgoers who are drawn to the idea of working out every muscle in their body, including the ones in their feet. Vibram FiveFingers, which launched in 2006 (not specifically as a running shoe), has always advocated for its products being used for a variety of activities, but it was only this year that the company released the KomodoSport, engineered to appeal to athletes who want to perform multi-directional movements.
Those same folks may also be intrigued by New Balance’s Minimus MX20, a cross-trainer that hit shelves July 1 with a number of features that make minimal shoe lovers drool — an anatomical shape, a wide toe box that lets you really splay and a teensy 4mm drop from heel to toe to keeps you feeling stable on the ground. The upper part of the shoe differs from a lot of the running shoes on the market, however, because it still offers support, which is more comfortable when you’re stopping, starting and changing direction, explains product manager Kevin Fitzpatrick. There’s another reason it has a leg up on the running shoes in the Minimus line, he adds. “When it comes to running, people can be hesitant about going minimal right away,” he says. “People have less hesitation in the gym.”
Adidas is certainly hoping so. The company just unveiled the Adipure Trainer, another articulated toe option that’s scheduled to arrive in stores in November. It’s billed as “the first barefoot training shoe designed specifically for the gym.”
If shoppers are less concerned about how their barefoot-style shoes will handle lateral leaps and deadlifts, there’s also Fila’s new Skele-Toes line, which looks nearly identical to Vibram FiveFingers. (The major aesthetic difference: There are four digits instead of five because the two smallest toes share a single pouch.) As Mark Eggert, Fila’s director of design for footwear, emphasizes, “These aren’t for performance per se.” Instead, they’re marketed as shoes for just kicking around in — running errands rather than running.
The trend sounds smart to Mark Cucuzzella, a 44-year-old physician in Sheperdstown, W.Va., who’s become one of the leading proponents of barefoot-style living. “Who can run in Vibram FiveFingers off the bat? Not many people,” says Cucuzzella, who spent years preparing his feet for the switch from traditional shoes to minimalist ones for running. “But you can start walking in a lower drop shoe immediately. Walking is the perfect transition.”
In 2010, he opened Two River Treads, the first minimalist running and walking shoe store in the country, and still the closest one to Washington. This year, he helped launch the Natural Running Center, a Web site bringing together shoe reviews, discussion forums, training tips and a library of scientific articles.
Altogether, it makes a pretty convincing argument that we’ve been going about building shoes the wrong way — elevating our heels, immobilizing our arches, adding so much cushioning that we can’t feel the ground. Barefoot advocates claim that this has weakened our feet, impaired our proprioception, or body awareness, and generally messed with our posture and alignment, creating a host of injuries."

There's more--read the whole thing.  And remember that these shoes might be good for you; or they might not.  Check with your doctor...

FRIDAY FOOTBALL PICKS
Last week I was 8-8-1.  Slow improvement?  I hope so...

COLLEGE PICKS

LSU at West Virginia.  MY PICK:  TIGERS.  That defense is fast and physical.  It will shut down the WVU passing game.

Arkansas at Alabama.  MY PICK:  CRIMSON TIDE.  Same deal here--that 'Bama defense will shut down the Razorbacks.

NFL PICKS

San Francisco at Cincinnati.  LINE:  Bengals by 2.5.  MY PICK:  BENGALS.  They've played decently 2 weeks in a row, and surprised people...look for them to make it 3 with the steady Andy Dalton.

New England at Buffalo.  LINE:  Patriots by 8.5.  MY PICK:  BILLS.  Upset special.  New England's defense can be driven on...Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills have shown they can move the ball; the Pats will pull this game out, but look for a close battle.

Houstion at New Orleans.  LINE:  Saints by 4.  MY PICK:  SAINTS.  Can't pick against Drew Brees and that offense at home.

NY Giants at Philadelphia.  LINE: Eagles by 8.  MY PICK:  EAGLES.  Word is Mike Vick will play, and so he and those playmakers of his will torch the Giants injured secondary.

Miami at Cleveland.  LINE:  Browns by 2.5.  MY PICK:  DOLPHINS.  They were an outstanding road team last year, and look for Chad Henne and that improving offense to keep that trend alive.

Denver at Tennessee.  LINE:  Titans by 6.5.  MY PICK:  TITANS.  If Matt Hasselbeck keeps playing well at QB, he makes this a dangerous team--certainly the case here vs the Broncos questionable defense.

Detroit at Minnesota.  LINE:  Lions by 3.5.  MY PICK:  LIONS.  Minnesota has traditionally been a house of horrors for Detroit, but I'm buying in--the Lions seem to be different now.

Jacksonville at Carolina.  LINE:  Panthers by 3.5.  MY PICK:  PANTHERS.  Cam Newton vs Blaine Gabbert?  Right now, take Cam.

Kansas City at San Diego.  LINE:  Chargers by 14.5.  MY PICK:  CHARGERS.  Because Kansas City appears to be that bad.

NY Jets at Oakland.  LINE:  Jets by 3.5.  MY PICK:  JETS.  Because although the Raiders are improved, the Jets under Rex Ryan seem to find a way to win these games.

Baltimore at St. Louis.  LINE:  Ravens by 4.  MY PICK: RAVENS.  St. Louis is injured, they make too many mistakes, and the veteran Ravens will be focused after last week's slip.

Atlanta at Tampa Bay.  LINE:  Buccaneers by 1.5.  MY PICK:  FALCONS.  Just a gut feeling--Falcons just seem to have a bit of a talent edge at skill positions.

Arizona at Seattle.  LINE:  Cardinals by 3.5.  MY PICK:  CARDINALS.  Kevin Kolb big time over Tarvaris Jackson.

Green Bay at Chicago.  LINE:  Packers by 3.5.  MY PICK:  PACKERS.  Aaron Rodgers and those Packer playmakers on offense over Brian Urlacher and Jay Cutler.

Pittsburgh at Indianapolis.  LINE:  Steelers by 10.5.  MY PICK:  STEELERS.  We now know--without Peyton, the Colts are just a shadow of their former selves; it will be a long year.

Washington at Dallas.  LINE:  Cowboys by 5.  MY PICK:  REDSKINS.  I think the Cowboys can win this game, assuming Tony Romo both plays and finishes it...but the Dallas injury situation is dire enough that I see this as a very tight game that the Cowboys may win by a field goal late...or the Redskins could win outright.

AN INTERESTING WAY TO BUILD AWARENESS
You know, one of the things we with Moebius Syndrome or other physical differences seek to do is to build awareness of what we have.  The more awareness and understanding others have of our situation, the more they will understand us and treat us with true equality and respect, giving us the chances in life we deserve.  Well, so, there are many ways to build awareness--look for example at what a group based both in the US and in Syria came up with recently:
"As Spider-Man said, with great power comes great responsibility. For most superheroes, that means saving cities from rampaging monsters and thwarting the plans of evil masterminds. But achieving world peace? There's no superpower for that. Yet that's the mission that lies before the Silver Scorpion, a brand-new comic-book hero who, his creators hope, can one day end the tensions between the West and the Muslim world.

A collaboration between Los Angeles–based comic-book company Liquid Comics and the Open Hands Initiative — a nonprofit stemming from President Obama's pledge to extend America's "open hand of friendship" to the rest of the world — the Silver Scorpion is the brainchild of a group of young disability advocates from the U.S. and Syria. Brought together at the first international Youth Ability Summit in Damascus in August 2010, the attendees, who are all disabled, were asked to create a superhero who reflects what they have always wanted to see in a comic book. The kids had never met before. They spoke different languages and came from different cultures and backgrounds, but they immediately clicked. "At first I thought, What do I wear? How do I say hi? But within five minutes of meeting we became friends," says Shafeka Hashash, a teenager and disability advocate from New Jersey who helped construct the comic's storyline.
The idea was to come up with a character that readers from East to West could relate to. And so the Silver Scorpion was born. He's the alter ego of teenager Bashir Bari, who comes from a fictional Arab city and loses his legs in an accident triggered by gangsters. Confined to a wheelchair and consumed with anger and grief, Bashir retreats into isolation — until he witnesses the murder of a mysterious metalsmith and is unknowingly chosen as the new guardian of an ancient power that allows him to manipulate metal with his mind. As the series continues, readers will be introduced to various other superheroes — some disabled, some not — who must join forces to combat an evil force that threatens the peace and stability of their world. To do that, they learn to overcome adversity in the face of physical, social and gender limitations. The message is simple: just because we're different doesn't mean we can't work together toward a common good.
"The kids who created the superhero are now serving as unlikely diplomats at a revolutionary time," says Jay T. Snyder, a philanthropist and founder of the Open Hands Initiative. In a surprise twist, none of the young people who helped create the Silver Scorpion suggested that he should use his power to cure his disability. "The Silver Scorpion is essentially empowered by who he is and doesn't look at his superpower as a way of wishing he was something else," says Snyder.
Launched in Arabic earlier this month, the Silver Scorpion comic book will debut in English in the U.S. this month. With each of the characters representing a common bond between Americans and Arabs — everything from the experience of coping with inequality to the love of a good pop song — the series aims to show comic-book fans in the Muslim world and the U.S. that their counterparts are really a lot alike. "With these characters we created a dialogue between two cultures that transcends race, religion and politics," says Marc Smrikarov, who helped organize the team of advocates for the Open Hands Initiative summit.
All the best superheroes reflect the fears and themes of the societies that created them. Spider-Man (bitten by a radioactive spider) and the Incredible Hulk (accidentally bombarded by gamma rays) first appeared during the Cold War, a time when everyone was worried about radiation. Some believe the X-Men, a community of mutants persecuted by humans, were allegorical of the civil rights movement. For today's youth, it's all about interconnectivity and the ability to communicate with someone — or many someones — on the other side of the world with the stroke of a key. "We've created a global hero emblematic of global change and a global community," says Snyder.
But so far, the most popular superhuman crime fighters have been angst-ridden, all-American good guys fighting fantastical enemies. Is the world ready for a disabled superhero fighting the real-world evils of racism and religious hate? "It's 2011. Little baby steps won't do," says Hashash. "We want our superheroes to save the world."

Interesting!  Creative.  Good for these guys...

"Some people succeed because they are destined to, but most
people succeed because they are determined to." -unknown


Read more: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2048930,00.html#ixzz1YhFoQu5d

DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE CONFIDENT
Let's face it:  there are plenty of us folks with Moebius Syndrome, or with other physical differences, who are shy.  And not only are we shy--we can sometimes notably lack confidence.  We shy away from certain situations, we fail to go after certain things, because we know we look different and/or sound different, we know others will wonder what the deal is with us, especially those who don't know us or have never met us before, we fear people will judge us negatively from the get-go, and it's no fun to deal with.  So we can lack confidence and assertiveness.  I've certainly been guilty of it in the past.  Probably you have, too.  So we always have to fight that battle, and try to overcome that tendency.  And guess what--there's a new study out there which confirms how important it is to keep fighting that battle.  Why?  Because the fact is, that a little confidence, a little swagger, can help you get things that you may not have thought you could get:
"Human beings – and no, not just Americans – are an overconfident bunch. That’s why most men will say they are more attractive than average, most doctors say they are better doctors than average, and a hilarious 70 percent of high school students say they are better leaders than average high school students, none of which is possible, of course.
You’d think this bias in favor of ourselves would always be a bad idea, but read the Declaration of Independence. Those guys took on the most powerful nation the world had ever seen. Sometimes being a little cocky pays off.
That potential for payoff is why Dominic Johnson, of the University of Edinburgh, and James Fowler of the University of California San Diego, write in the journal Nature that human society evolved to contain overconfident people. “There can be material rewards for holding incorrect beliefs about one’s own capability,” they argue in presenting a model of overconfidence.
As a commentary that accompanied the article explained, if two parties want something, they can fight for it, which comes at a cost. If only one claims the prize, he gets it without a fight. If both parties are gifted with perfect judgment about each other’s strength, then there’ll never be a fight because the weaker party will know to back off.
But contrary to what advocates of “rational markets” argue, there is almost always uncertainty. In that knowledge gap, you can talk yourself into thinking that your reach does not actually exceed your grasp. So deluded, you may try for what you want and sometimes the real stronger party won’t compete. If you are, say, skinny, goofy, lisping Roger Rabbit, you can make a play for Jessica (va-va-voom!) and wind up with the sexiest babe in Toon Town. Hooray for you.
But there is a dark side. That’s where Las Vegas casinos make their money. And recall all those blustering house flippers and bragging Wall Street quants ordering Petrus back in 2005?
Whether or not overconfidence is positive or negative depends on costs. Back in evolutionary time, costs were usually contained to yourself if Gork the caveman beat you up over a chunk of meat. In the modern world the costs can be slight -- if Jessica turns you down for a date you might be a little embarrassed, but so what? You stand to gain Jessica Rabbit!
They can also be earth shaking. So if your smug shock-and-awe jingoism could cost a national fortune and kill tens of thousands of people, and your mondo clever financial wizardry could wreck the world economy, please think about checking that cocksure attitude, O.K.??"

"The largest barrier to success is removing the mattress
from one's back in the morning." -unknown

MORE ON HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE
So yesterday we talked about how our appearance as persons with Moebius could, possibly, help us in the workplace.  Certainly it is something that we could put to our advantage.  So certainly yesterday was about following one of the rules of the workplace--work hard; don't let your emotions get the best of you.  Don't be a problem child.  But now today, let's focus on how BREAKING, occasionally, a few workplace rules could help you.  Read on:
"Most people think they know the keys to career success: Keep your head down and nose to the grindstone. Avoid personal, emotional, or awkward subjects (in fact, any elephant in the room) at all costs. Well, guess again. Here, experts reveal five on-the-job maxims that are worth challenging.
Stay away from emotional topics
In my opinion, you should always bring a problem out into the open, even if it's personal, difficult, or awkward. Say you and a colleague have different work styles or have clashed over a project, and as a result there is serious tension between the two of you. Tiptoeing around the issue may cause your productivity to suffer, so it's crucial that you confront your coworker. You can say, "You seem to dispute every point I make, and I don't understand. Did I do something to upset you?" If you talk about it, the situation won't spiral out of control or become a pattern.
Sean O'Neil is a management consultant based in Pelham, New York, and a coauthor of "Bare Knuckle People Management."
Climb the career ladder
There's pressure in our culture to earn more money and to have important titles. But not everyone wants more responsibility and power. And what we don't hear often enough is that it's OK not to want a promotion. So move laterally, or choose self-employment if you think that will make you happy. It won't hold you back; on the contrary, having a nonlinear career path can make you more intriguing to bosses in the future, not less. They'll view you as having broader experience.
Michelle Goodman is the author of "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide" and a career columnist for ABCnews.com.
Do what you were hired to do
Your boss has to look at the bigger picture all the time -- she'll admire you for doing the same. If you pay attention to your organization as a whole, you'll better appreciate what other people do -- and you might come up with macro ways to help the company. It's a fine line between offering assistance and stepping on someone's toes. But if you have the best intentions at heart, you can say, "I see an opportunity here that we're not taking advantage of."
Adam Bryant is the deputy national editor of the New York Times and the author of "The Corner Office."
Live at the office
For many of us, our careers are not our life's passions. So it's essential to pursue outside interests -- both for our happiness and to facilitate our creativity at work. Amazing discoveries and insights are often made when people are tinkering in the garage, gardening, or riding a bike. Plus, hobbies help give us a sense of peace. And once we relax for a moment, the answer to a work problem will often reveal itself.
Karen Burns is the author of "The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl."
Network 24/7
It's inefficient to walk into a cocktail party or an industry event and start mingling with random people. My suggestion? Throw away every business card tucked away in your wallet and work social-media connections instead. You can get in touch with important people who interest you, whether they're in your industry or not. Retweet messages of theirs, ask them questions, and strike up online relationships. From there, it can be easy to get them to meet you for lunch or coffee -- where you'll connect in a real, personal way that will ultimately help your career.
Penelope Trunk is an entrepreneur, a blogger, and the author of "Brazen Careerist."

A lot of interesting advice there.  And maybe an overall point to make is this:  yes, you want to blend in and work hard.  But at the same time, remember--you have Moebius Syndrome, or some other physical difference.  So you look difference.  And yes, let's not kid ourselves, there are people out there--perhaps your boss, perhaps others at your workplace--who will look at you differently because of that, who might even feel a tad bit of prejudice towards you because of it.  There are people in this world who have trouble dealing with those who are in any way "different."  They can only deal with what they see as "normal."

But we can overcome that.  We can prove ourselves.  There are a few people out there who assume that a physical difference must mean mental retardation or the like.  It isn't true, but we'll have to prove it.  And we can prove it by showing that we stand out, that we're better at our jobs than others, that we are a boon to your company.  We've done it many times.  So, yes, when it's appropriate, don't be afraid to break a usual rule or two.  The key is--when it's appropriate.  Carpe diem--seize the day...

"I believe in hard work. It keeps the wrinkles out of the
mind and spirit." -Helena Rubinstein

HOW TO SUCCEED AT WORK:  CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS
Or, as the article linked to here also suggests, don't "whine."  And hey, look at it this way:  for persons with Moebius Syndrome, this is right down our alley!  After all, in a way, we're very good at controlling our emotions.  Right?  Our facial expressions rarely change.  As far as others are concerned, we're even-keeled, keeping our noses to the grindstone, working hard, and never changing expression.  Right?  Er...

Well, of course I'm being tongue-in-cheek here.  We don't change expressions because, to a degree, we can't.  And of course there are times we wish we could, although we adjust to it.  But I do wonder sometimes, in looking at an article like this, if maybe in some way we do have a bit of an advantage here.  People indeed cannot always tell what we're thinking from our facial expressions.  So maybe, in the workplace, people would have the sense of a person with Moebius Syndrome as being someone who's just...working hard every day, and not getting emotional or upsetting things.  Maybe.  Anyway, check out this piece and see what you think:
"If you want to get ahead in your career, never let 'em see you sweat. Or yell. Or argue. And whatever you do, don't cry.
As it turns out, a level head and a pleasant disposition will get you further in your career than even book smarts will.
According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 71 percent of human resources managers say they place more emphasis on emotional intelligence -- a person's ability to control his or her emotions, sense the emotions of others and build relationships -- than they do on IQ. Fifty-nine percent of employers even said they wouldn't hire someone who had a high IQ but low EI.
Among other reasons, hiring managers said they value EI over IQ because employees with high emotional intelligence are more likely to stay calm under pressure, solve conflict effectively and show empathy to their team members.
"Technical competency and intelligence are important assets for every worker, but when it's down to you and another candidate for a promotion or new job, dynamic interpersonal skills will set you apart," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "In a recovering economy, employers want people who can effectively make decisions in stressful situations and can empathize with the needs of their colleagues and clients to deliver the best results."
Want to score high on your next emotional IQ test? The following are some of the most common behaviors and qualities that indicate emotional intelligence, plus expert tips for putting these behaviors into practice in your career or job search.
Demonstrate control over emotions
CareerBuilder survey respondents cited the ability to "keep emotions in check and have thoughtful discussions on tough issues," as one of the top indicators that a person has high emotional intelligence.
To help you minimize negative reactions to stress, whether in a boardroom or a job interview, "it is essential to identify your stress triggers and have specific action steps in place to maintain control when the pressure is on," says Patricia Thompson, Ph.D., a corporate psychologist and management consultant at Sperduto & Associates, Inc., a corporate psychology firm in Atlanta. "Being aware of your triggers and the changes that occur in your body when you are under stress can really help you avoid putting your foot in your mouth or engaging in other behaviors that may sound like a good idea when you are mad, but which you later regret."
Should you find yourself starting to react to stressful surroundings, Thompson suggests deep breathing, taking a short break or counting to ten in order to keep calm.
Practice self-reflection
"To be emotionally intelligent you must be self-aware, with a good understanding of your strengths and weaknesses," Thompson says. "To increase your level of self-understanding ... I recommend making a list of your top five strengths and weaknesses, then reaching out to others for feedback to get their opinions. Asking others for feedback is a great way to learn more about how you are perceived, and can help to ensure you don't have any 'blind spots.' Once you have a comprehensive list together, pick out two or three weaknesses and create development plans to address them."
Becoming more self-aware will also help you more readily admit to and learn from your mistakes, another important quality that people with emotional intelligence demonstrate in the workplace.
Listen
According to the CareerBuilder survey, hiring managers consider good listening skills to be an indicator of high emotional intelligence.
Thompson suggests improving your listening skills by doing the following. "When you listen to others, try to listen on two levels: First, listen to understand the content of what they are saying. Try to refrain from interrupting or judging while the other person is talking, and instead, give him or her the opportunity to fully make their point. Second, listen to understand the emotions behind what they are saying. What are they feeling? What is important to them in this instance? Can you empathize with any aspect of what they are saying? When you listen to others and can reflect back to them that you really heard them, it can really help in building relationships and managing conflict, even when you don't agree with all that they are saying," she says.
Empathize with colleagues
For some people, empathy comes naturally. For others, it may not, but that doesn't mean empathy can't be developed.
"Some individuals are primarily logical and have a hard time getting in touch with feelings and empathizing with people," Thompson says. "If you are one of these people, you might have trouble anticipating others' reactions or recognizing what motivates them. Or, you may inadvertently offend others by not being sensitive enough when communicating with them. If this is you, I recommend trying to find a colleague who seems to have a higher degree of emotional intelligence, and run things by him or her. By getting someone else's perspective, you can learn a new way of considering issues."
For those who may need extra help developing their EI, Thompson also suggest executive coaching. "A good coach will help you to get more in touch with yourself and provide you with practical tools you can draw on to increase your emotional intelligence," she says."

"The things I've done in my life have required a lot of years
of work before they took off." -Steve Jobs

THE WORKPLACE DRESS CODE
Hey, all you persons with Moebius either looking for a job or for a better job--don't forget how important it can be to dress for success:
"In a 2010 national poll conducted by the Center for Professional Excellence at York College of Pennsylvania, "appearance" ranked second only to "communication skills" when respondents named qualities most often associated with professionalism. "How an individual dresses for work can be a powerful extension of his personal brand," says Matthew Randall, executive director of the CPE. "Clothes, accessories and even the footwear an employee chooses to wear help to reinforce or diminish his skills and qualities in the eyes of his employer, co-workers and clients."
Universal dress rules can't be set in stone, because what is considered appropriate varies by workplace, field and what is happening on a given day. But if such a tablet were to be created, there's a good chance it would include the following:
1. Modesty is a virtue.
Get noticed for your great work, not your tight pants, overdone makeup, short skirt or cleavage-revealing shirt.
"Nothing undermines how you are perceived in business as leaving nothing to the imagination," says Chris Hauri, founder of Mirror Image, a Chicago-based image and identity consultancy.
2. Keep holy the casual Friday.
Yes, the workweek is almost done -- the key word being almost. "Casual Fridays are a recipe for fashion disasters," says Lizandra Vega, author of "The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land the Job You Want." Don't jump the gun by wearing your weekend plans, whether that be catching some rays in a halter top and short shorts or cleaning out the garage in your college sweatshirt and cut-offs.
3. Thou shalt wear the right shoes.
Your feet should look prepared for work. Vega suggests skipping flip-flops and other open-toe shoes, while Hauri notes, "High high heels may be fashionable, but not for actually working. Image conveyed: I can't pitch in and do any work because I really can't walk in these things. Want to be a team player? Wear flats."
4. Honor thy leaders.
Not sure what is appropriate for casual Friday or a client meeting? Look around. "The wisest employees often observe and take cues from the most respected individuals within their organization on what is appropriate workplace attire," Randall says.
5. Thou shalt not steal thy boss's tie.
Keep in mind that taking cues from those above does not mean replicating their wardrobe piece for piece. Instead of coming off as a lemming, find comparable styles, colors and accessories that work for you.
6. Control thy festiveness.
Wearing seasonal colors is one thing, looking like Santa's elf is another. Randall recalls a story about a co-worker who exuberantly over-accessorized her outfits to fit the holidays. "Her overzealousness caused her co-workers to snicker, and she became unofficially known as 'the walking calendar.' Moral of the story: Your workplace wardrobe should enhance your professional skills and qualities, not detract from them."
7. Remember the good book.
Whether you are questioning what constitutes an acceptable variation of a uniform or wondering about the company's stance on jeans, chances are the employee handbook has the answer. Still trying to decide if you should cover up a tattoo? Seek the advice of a trusted mentor, human resources representative or immediate supervisor.
8. Thou shalt notice what year it is.
Congratulations on taking such good care of your clothing that items from 1983 are still "fine" today. Now put these relics in the Goodwill box where they should have landed years ago. While one need not be a fashionista, looking outdated can give the impression that you lack fresh ideas.
9. Err on the side of caution.
Worried that your casual Friday outfit might be too relaxed or that a bright orange shirt might not be received well by a new client? Avoid the guesswork -- and the corresponding nervousness -- by making safer choices when in doubt.
10. Dress for the job thou want.
A final tidbit: "My advice for everyone, no matter what age or gender, is to dress for the job you want, not the one you're in," Hauri says. "Unless you're happy with where you are, which is just fine."

FRIDAY FOOTBALL PICKS

TWO COLLEGE PICKS

Michigan State at Notre Dame.  PICK:  IRISH.  They've just got too much talent to lose yet again.  Plus they're due for bounces to start going their way.

Oklahoma at Florida State.  PICK:  SOONERS.  Just too much talent.  Florida State is on the upswing; but it's not a team used to these kind of bright lights and pressure.  OU though certainly is.

First, the NFL.  Er, ahem, let's forget last week---I was 4-10-1 against the spread; I was correct though in my two college picks, so I was 6-10-1 overall.  Got to do better!

Chicago at New Orleans.  LINE:  New Orleans by 6.5.  My pick:  SAINTS.  The Bears played well in week 1.  But they benefited big time from Atlanta turnovers.  I don't think that will happen with the Saints' high-octane, efficient offense.   Plus the Dome gets loud when the Saints get a lead; not good news for Jay Cutler.

Kansas City at Detroit. LINE:  Detroit by 8.  PICK:  LIONS.  Detroit has improved and remains healthy.  The Chiefs looked awful last week and will have a hard time running the ball against the Lions' tough D-line.

Jacksonville at the NY Jets.  LINE:  Jets by 9.  PICK:  JAGUARS.  The Jets will win.  But Mark Sanchez and the offense still have a ways to go; the Jets don't score enough points to cover a spread like this.  Plus the Jags' Maurice Jones-Drew will be able to run the ball enough to keep this a low-scoring affair.

Oakland at Buffao.  LINE:  Buffalo by 3.  MY PICK:  BILLS.  They're hot.  They're home.  The Raiders are not absolutely horrible, but they have a short week coming off of Monday night, and they commit too many penalties.

Arizona at Washington.  LINE:  Washington by 3.5.  PICK:  REDSKINS.  The 'Skins defense has improved, while AZ's is leaky (see last week and what Cam Newton did to them).  And the Cardinals traditionally have not played well on the east coast.

Baltimore at Tennessee.  LINE:  Baltimore by 6.  MY PICK:  RAVENS.  Hard to go against that defense and Joe Flacco right now, especially coming off their performance against the Steelers.  Meanwhile, one gets the sense that both Matt Hasselbeck and Chris Johnson have yet to get comfortable with the Titans' offense.

Seattle at Pittsburgh.  LINE:  Pittsburgh by 14.  MY PICK:  SEAHAWKS.  Not, of course, to win. The Steelers will win.  But 14 is a big spread to cover.  I just think the Steelers will still be a bit discombobulated from last week, still a bit mentally down, and will win maybe by 10.  And the Seahawks' defense is not horrible.

Carolina at Green Bay.  LINE:  Green Bay by 10.  MY PICK:  PACKERS.  If the Saints can't slow down the Pack Attack, neither will Carolina.  And look for Green Bay's defense to put up more resistance to Cam Newton than did Arizona.

Tampa Bay at Minnesota.  LINE:  Minnesota by 3.  MY PICK:  VIKINGS.  Neither team looked too good last week. But the Vikings are at home and have Adrian Peterson...

Cleveland at Indianapolis.  LINE:  Cleveland by 2.5.  MY PICK:  COLTS.  I know; I thought last week the Colts would stand stronger and boy, was I wrong.   But this week they're at home; they were embarrassed last week, and know it; Kerry Collins has now had more time to work himself in as QB; and the Colts still have too many talented players to lay another egg.  Cleveland meanwhile lost at home to Cincinnati.

Dallas at San Francisco.  LINE:  Cowboys by 3.  MY PICK:  COWBOYS.  Look, they dominated much of the game against the Jets, and Tony Romo for the most part played well.  Yes, they blew it.  But don't look for the Niners to force turnovers like the Jets do, and San Fran's offense, led by Alex Smith, still have a ways to go.  The Cowboys are the better team here.  They'll show it.

Houston at Miami.  LINE:  Houston by 3.  MY PICK:  TEXANS.  One just has the feeling that the Texans are ready to take the next step.  And needless to say, Monday night showed that the Dolphins' secondary has some issues.  Look for Matt Schaub to take advantage.

San Diego at New England.  LINE:  New England by 6.5.  MY PICK:  PATRIOTS.  Can't pick against this Tom Brady-led offense, especially when it appears to be operating at such a high level.

Cincinnati at Denver.  LINE:  Denver by 3.5.  MY PICK:  BRONCOS.  John Fox will get this team improved from week 1 to week 2.  Andy Dalton for the Bengals played decently last week; but he's a bit banged up, and Kyle Orton still has more experience at this point.

Philadelphia at Atlanta.  LINE:  Philadelphia by 2.5.  MY PICK:  FALCONS.  I can't believe this team will lay 2 eggs in a row.  Plus they're at home, and their defense has the speed to keep Michael Vick contained.

MONDAY NIGHT:  St. Louis at the NY Giants.  LINE:  Giants by 6.  MY PICK:  GIANTS.  They're at home; and St. Louis is already wracked by injuries, to Steven Jackson, to Sam Bradford's thumb, etc.  The Giants will get to feeling better for a week.

"Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible."
-Frank Gaines

HOW EXERCISE CAN CURB HUNGER
I know many of you out there with Moebius want to look good, you exercise practically daily, are trying to lose weight--be it exercising at home (like me), or at a gym, or being out running, etc etc.  And you're always looking for ways to boost your focus and increase your mental toughness, so you can keep on exercising.  So do you ever worry about the fact that, after exercising, sometimes you can feel so, so hungry; that on gym days, it seems like you want to eat even more?  But the good news is this--actually studies show that exercise can in a way curb hunger.  Here's how:
"Maybe you've heard the recent downer reports that exercise won't make us thin because it makes us hungry, particularly for junk food. Or could be, you've noticed firsthand that you eat a lot more on gym days than on days off. Either way, it raises the question: If working outonly sets us up to blow our diet, what's the point?

For starters, some research suggests exercise doesn't always cause hunger but can curb it. "Exercise may lower levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite in the short term, while raising levels of peptide YY, a hormone that suppresses appetite," says study author David Stensel, Ph.D., reader in exercise metabolism at Loughborough University. That's only if the workout is intense (if you can chat, forget it), but the more intense it is, the longer the benefit seems to last. "It may be that your body needs to circulate more blood to prevent overheating," Stensel explains. Because eating would cause blood to flow to the stomach instead to aid digestion, your body dampens your appetite to prevent that.

Like all good things, this satiating effect ends—about an hour later, when your body starts to crave the energy it used up. And unfortunately, the desire to refuel may hit women harder than it does men. "Physical activity may raise concentrations of longer-term appetite-stimulating hormones like insulin and leptin in women," says Barry Braun, Ph.D., associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. What's up with the sexist hunger hormones? "It might be that women are wired to defend their body weight to preserve energy for pregnancy and lactation," Braun says.

Here's where frequent exercise can save the day (and our waistline). "It appears to help restore sensitivity to brain neurons that control satiety," says Neil King, Ph.D., professor of human movement studies at Queensland University of Technology. In other words, the more you do it, the more in tune you become with your hunger signals, which may aid in offsetting them. More motivation to sweat regularly: It can lower heart disease risk, lift mood and up your odds of a longer life overall, whether you lose weight or not. Add to all that a bangin' bod, and a passing case of tummy growls is no biggie."

There's a lot of other good stuff in there--read the whole thing.

"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into
your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside,
awakens." -Carl Jung

HOW ABOUT THAT--LAUGHTER REALLY IS THE BEST MEDICINE
So points out a new study:
"Laughter is regularly promoted as a source of health and well being, but it has been hard to pin down exactly why laughing until it hurts feels so good.
The answer, reports Robin Dunbar, an evolutionary psychologist at Oxford, is not the intellectual pleasure of cerebral humor, but the physical act of laughing.
The simple muscular exertions involved in producing the familiar ha, ha, ha, he said, trigger an increase in endorphins, the brain chemicals known for their feel-good effect.
His results build on a long history of scientific attempts to understand a deceptively simple and universal behavior.
“Laughter is very weird stuff, actually,” Dr. Dunbar said. “That’s why we got interested in it.” And the findings fit well with a growing sense that laughter contributes to group bonding and may have been important in the evolution of highly social humans.
Social laughter, Dr. Dunbar suggests, relaxed and contagious, is “grooming at a distance,” an activity that fosters closeness in a group the way one-on-one grooming, patting and delousing promote and maintain bonds between individual primates of all sorts."

"You must go after your wish. As soon as you start to pursue
a dream, your life wakes up and everything has meaning."
-Barbara Sher

FOR MOEBIUS MOMS AND DADS: HOW TO GET ALONG WITH YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER
And given that your child perhaps has some special needs, it's even more important to have a good, smooth working relationship with your child's teacher; it will all be for the benefit of your child:
"Want to know how to build a good parent-teacher relationship? We share teachers' top pet peeves, how to score brownie points with teachers and more.
Avoid these teacher pet peeves:
Chances are they'll be too nice to tell you this stuff to your face, so read it -- and don't do it!
1. Not knowing the school's discipline policies, and then getting upset if they're different from yours.
If the teacher uses time-outs, and you protest because you don't like them, your child will be very confused. When choosing your child's school, make sure its philosophies match your own, or that you can at least respect them.
2. Pressuring your child not to mess up or misplace her clothes.
"It makes me feel bad when a child gets nervous about outdoor recess, and says, 'My mom told me I can't lose another pair of mittens,'" says preschool teacher Lisa Andersen. "Most centers offer kids their own cubby and box. If you can, buy extra hats and gloves and leave them there."
3. Trying to discuss a problem during dropoff or pick-up.
Your child's teacher is busy saying hi and goodbye to a whole bunch of kids and parents. And if you want to discuss a subject that isn't appropriate to talk about in front of your child, he could pick up on it, even if he seems to be busy playing or talking to his friends.
4. Being late for "circle time".
Many preschools start the day by gathering all the children in a circle to do things like discuss the weather, and also to preview the schedule of the day's events. It's a crucial part of the routine, and if your child misses it, she might feel a little lost, especially if she's the only one who isn't clued in.
How to score brownie points with the teacher:
1. Share your child's special interests during any tours or visits you make.
That way, the guide can steer your kiddo toward the parts of the classroom that will appeal to her the most.
2. Label what kind of sandwich you've packed, if it isn't obvious.
"We have a no-peanuts rule, and if you've used another nut butter or sunflower butter instead, it'll save us a call home to double-check," explains preschool teacher Sarah Connor.
3. Let your child know each morning who will be picking her up at the end of the school day.
It will keep your kid from feeling anxious that no one will show up.
4. Check the spare clothes in your child's cubby every couple of weeks to make sure they're still right for the season and your child hasn't outgrown them.
What your kid's teacher wants you to do at home:
What are the most important things you can do to help your kid do well in school? Behold, a teacher's ultimate wish list...
1. Ask specific questions
Swap "Did you have a good day?" for more detailed and specific questions, such as "What have you been doing in math?" and "Who sits at your table?" These conversation-starter queries will give you a better glimpse into her world, as well as help her gain the social skills she needs for school.
2. Play games
Kids spend so much time using technology that the basics of playing fair and taking turns are often going by the wayside -- hence more frustration and tears in the schoolyard. Pull out your classic board games or play rock, paper, scissors to teach fundamental game-playing skills and rules.
3. Stop trying to wipe shoes and noses
She can do it! Maybe not the first time, but hang in there and be consistent. The task will require your guidance initially, but slowly remove yourself from the situation. Her sense of independence may even rub off on her classmates. Your kid, the trendsetter!
4. Read what the teacher sends home
Take time every day to check your child's backpack for permission slips, class newsletters, and the like. It'll help you know what's going on at school and help her be prepared. Neither one of you will be happy if, say, you forget it's school picture day!"

"A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles
than any wonder drug." -Patricia Neal

FAVORITISM AT WORK?  YES, IT HAPPENS
So I know there's many of you out there with Moebius Syndrome or with other physical differences for whom the workplace is an important place...and a challenging one.  Maybe you want a job, but have had a hard time getting one.  Maybe you'd like to find a new job, but...where to look, and will you get hired?  Or maybe--and you folks are to whom this piece is especially directed--you have a job, but you'd love to get promoted.  But you're having a hard time getting that promotion.  Anyway, for all of you with a boss, the question is always there:  does the boss play "favorites"?  Is that why you haven't gotten that promotion?  The answer is yes---but there are things you can do about it, too:

"Haven’t gotten that promotion yet? Maybe you’re not the boss’ favorite.

I’m sure many of you already suspected this, but new research proves favoritism is rampant when it comes to employee promotions.

A survey recently released by Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business that polled senior executives at large U.S. corporations found:

• 92 percent have seen favoritism at play in employee promotions.
• 84 percent have seen it at their own companies.
• 23 percent said they practiced favoritism themselves.
• 29 percent said their most recent promotion considered only a single candidate.
• 56 percent said when more than one candidate was considered, they already knew who they wanted to promote before deliberations.
• 96 percent report promoting the pre-selected individual.

“This survey reminds us that favoritism remains alive and well in the executive suite. Many playing fields still aren’t level,” said Lamar Reinsch, a professor of management at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.

And the study’s author, Jonathan Gardner, added that it’s critical to admit favoritism exists in order to find ways to mitigate the practice, which can lead to bad decision-making.

“It exists. Everyone knows it, but no one talks about it. It should be acknowledged,” he said.

Indeed, favoritism is part of human nature.

“It’s an extension of what people just naturally do with one another,” said Simon Rego, director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center.

“We are all social beings and people respond to those connections,” he continued. “People want to promote those who they’d want to spend more time with.”

The issue of favoritism may be even more pronounced now, Rego surmised. In tough economic times many managers are worried about making the wrong decision and often go with known entities as a result.

“There are economic consequences for hiring or promoting someone and realizing it was a mistake,” he added.

So what does this mean for employees trying to climb the company ladder? Is it time to start kissing up? Maybe.

“On the one hand, the term ‘kissing up’ has very negative connotations,” explained Ronald Humphrey, a professor of management at Virginia Commonwealth University and author of forthcoming book “Modern Leadership: Traditional Theories and New Approaches.”

“On the other hand, a lot of people are afraid to compliment the boss because they don’t want to be seen as sucking up,” he added. But a good manager who does a good job and sticks up for employees may deserve some kudos, Humphrey maintained.

“Just saying thanks to a boss and establishing a good relationship is the right thing to do,” he said.

While job performance is the most important factor, Humphrey continued, if you sit alone at your desk and don’t interact with coworkers and managers, don’t expect to move up.

“An important part of leadership is solving complex tasks, but the ability to establish positive rapport with others is a good measure of your ability to be effective,” he stressed, acknowledging that favoritism is often unfair.

“There are some cases of someone being promoted for telling jokes to the boss rather than working hard,” he said. “We should promote on merit, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn't get to know our employees and care about them.”

That said, you want to be as sincere as possible when you’re trying to establish a good relationship with the top dogs.

“It is hard to imagine a boss who wouldn’t recognize someone ‘sucking up,’” said Lynne Sarikas, director of the Career Center at Northeastern University’s College of Business Administration.

“Most managers would be turned off by such behavior and it would negatively impact their impression of that employee.”

Linda Henman, the author of “Landing in the Executive Chair” and a leadership consultant for Fortune 500 companies, doesn’t recommend that her clients kiss up.

“Who needs Eddie Haskel working for him?” she said, referring to the fictional character from 1950s sitcom “Leave it to Beaver” who had kissing up down to a fine art.

What she does recommend, however, is making your boss fall in love with you.

“In other words,” she advised, “become indispensable. Make sure you’re the best at something and that your boss would be crestfallen to lose you — that’s the surest way to become a favorite.”

Here’s her become-a-favorite checklist:

1. Be the best at some aspect of your job.
2. Constantly improve in this area.
3. Be 100 percent reliable. Never commit to a deadline you can’t keep or task you won’t be able to do.
4. Become a source of advice and wisdom for others.
5. Educate others in what you’re best at. "

"People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be --
not what you nag them to be." -S.N. Parker

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF EXCELLENCE
A very interesting piece is out there today, on the mindset we need to succeed in life. And really it's all about doing our best every day, and keeping our minds focused on that.  But how?  Here's a good explanation:
"My son, who is 9, shared his homework with me a few days ago and asked, “Am I done?”

I looked at it and smiled. He’s really a very good kid (my extreme prejudice, of course). He’d answered every one of the questions on the sheet of paper. The answers were pretty short, but they would have been just fine. I considered congratulating him for finishing and leaving it at that.
That would be the easy road, and it would reassure him that he had followed the written directions and had, in fact, completed an assignment. And that’s no small thing for a 9-year-old just starting to get real homework.

If I’d done that, though, I wouldn’t have been doing my homework as a dad. Because what I intuited that my son was really asking wasn’t so much whether he had left any blanks on the sheet, but whether homework required anything more of him than that.

It was more of a discussion, but it was one worth having. “You’re done if you think that the answers you wrote are the best answers you can possibly write,” I said. “If that’s true, you’re set.”

He looked at the sheet, then looked at me.

I tried not to look judgmental and I really didn’t feel like passing any verdict, anyhow. The answers he’d written were good. But that wasn’t the point. The point was whether they were his best effort.

He smiled and shook his head. “I could make it better.” He took back the paper.

The edit didn’t take more than fifteen minutes or so, but the work was, indeed, better. And my son looked proud of putting more into it.

“Your teacher will appreciate you trying as hard as you can,” I told him.

There’s a lesson here for all of us—myself included.

Among the immeasurable and miraculous traits that human beings possess is an inherent capacity to resonate with quality and excellence. Some sort of scale of purity or truth or devotion—call it what you will—is hardwired into our brains or souls or both that can distinguish when someone is committed to, and passionate about, delivering his or her very best and when someone is settling for anything less (and asking us not to notice).

This scale of quality, excellence and commitment operates unconsciously. People may not even know exactly why they gravitate toward a particular work of art or a business plan or a professional sports team or a candidate for office. But one of the ingredients we humans can assess is that mystical, immeasurable, miraculous element of love for one’s work and oneself and one’s audience or customer or electorate. We know inherently, instinctively whether it is present in a person and that person’s creations and work product—or not."

Exactly.  And so much of it has to do with our mental focus.  How many times have we heard or seen acquaintances of ours admit that a job they'd done had not been the best--and then blame it on others, or make excuses about not having enough time, or just admit that they don't care?  Even worse, how often have you in reality done the exact same thing?  I think we all know that we have.  Really, what it comes down to I believe, is this:  really, deep down, when we've done a job, we know deep within us whether we've truly done the best job we could.  When we haven't done our best, we know it almost immediately.  I guess the key is--when you know you haven't done your best, one needs to act on it and do something about it. 

AND NOW...

THE RETURN OF FRIDAY FOOTBALL PICKS!!

Here we go, the football season has returned!

COLLEGE PICKS

I'll pick just two:

Alabama at Penn State.  PICK:  CRIMSON TIDE.  They don't rebuild; they reload.  They've been recuiting better athletes than JoePa for years.  The Nittany Lions will battle.  But in the end 'Bama will prevail.

Notre Dame at Michigan.  PICK:  WOLVERINES.  I know, most say the Irish have more talent than Michigan; and they probably do at this point.  And no way will the Irish make as many mistakes as they did last Saturday against South Florida.  But...I dunno...I just have a sense that Denard Robinson has ND's number.  Last year he rolled up 500 yards of total offense against them in South Bend.  The first-ever night game in Michigan Stadium--look for the Maize and Blue's quarterback to seize the moment.

NFL PICKS

Carlina at Arizona.  Line:  AZ favored by 7.  PICK:  CARDINALS.  Cam Newton is a raw, rookie QB, opening on the road.  AZ's Kevin Kolb isn't.

Atlanta at Chicago.  Line:  ATL favored by 3.  PICK:  FALCONS.  Stories out of Chicago suggest the Bears are a disgruntled, distracted team, angry at losing long-time center Olin Kreutz, LB Lance Briggs demanding a new contract, etc.  Meanwhile, the Falcons are back intact from last year, and Matt Ryan is a year better.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore.  Line:  BALT by 2.  PICK:  STEELERS.  The Ravens are aging a bit on defense, and they've made a number of changes--no more Todd Heap, Willis McGahee, etc.  Meanwhile the Steelers have most of their squad back from last year.  I think that favors them.

Cincinnati at Cleveland.  Line:  CLE by 6.5.  PICK:  BROWNS.  They're at home; Colt McCoy is improving.  The Bengals look to be a mess, and while Andy Dalton will some day be a good NFL quarterback, it'll take a while.

Indianapolis at Houston.  Line:  HOU by 8.5.  PICK:  COLTS.  My upset special.  Why?  Yes, the Colts have no Peyton Manning.  Yes, that's extremely tough for them.  But remember they have a lot of other good players:  Reggie Wayne, Joseph Addai, Dwight Freeney, etc.  I also suspect that the Texans may mentally relax, knowing there's no Manning to face.  Meanwhile the Colts know everyone has to step up.  That gives Indy a mental edge.  I suspect Houston wins this game, but look for it to be closer than some expect.

Tennessee at Jacksonville.  LINE:  JVILLE by 2.  PICK:  TITANS.  Seriously, Jacksonville?  Just dump David Garrard to the curb and argue Luke McCown gives you the best chance to win?  I doubt it.  Tennessee wins the QB comparison, with their starter Matt Hasselbeck.  They'll also win the game.

Buffalo at Kansas City.  LINE:  KC by 6.  PICK:  CHIEFS.  Some are saying that Kansas City played poorly in the pre-season, while the Bills showed more flashes, so this a trendy upset pick.  Not me; can't pull the trigger on that.  It will be tough to break Buffalo's long custom of losing; I doubt Chan Gailey will be the one to do it.  This is the kind of game in the last several years the Bills have usually lost.  I expect KC and Matt Cassel to make it happen again.

NY Giants at Washington. LINE:  NYG by 3.  PICK:  REDSKINS.  Upset pick.  Simple:  looks to me like Mike Shanahan has that Redskins offense playing better than many expected.  Meanwhile, the Giants have so many injuries in the secondary that even Rex Grossman can exploit them.

Dallas at NY Jets.  LINE:  NYJ by 5.  PICK:  JETS.  The Cowboys just have too many injuries and issues--in their offensive line, in their defensive secondary.  How will the Cowboys' now-young and inexperienced O-line pick up the Jets' blitz packages?   Tony Romo is a good QB, but he may be running for his life Sunday night.

Philadelphia at St. Louis.  LINE:  PHI by 4.5.  You sense the Rams and Sam Bradford improving.  You wonder if the Eagles have been over-hyped.  But I still think Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, and the Eagles offense will socre a lot of points in this game, and get the Eagles off to a winning start.

Minnesota at San Diego.  LINE:  SD by 8.5.  PICK:  CHARGERS.  That's a big spread, but by all accounts Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense look to be in very good shape, and can score enough points to cover.  Meanwhile, given last year, Donovan McNabb and the Vikings offense is a question mark.

Seattle at San Francisco.  LINE:  SF by 5.5.  PICK:  49ERS.  Seattle think the way to go is to start Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback?  Seriously?  The Niners have issues of their own with Alex Smith, but they'll have enough to get by here.

Detroit at Tampa Bay.  LINE:  TB by 2.  PICK:  LIONS.  I I know--dangerous to get on the Lions' bandwagon, given their past luck.  But with a healthy Matthew Stafford and a tough D-line, I think the Lions are finally ready not just to talk about being improved, but to show it.

Oakland at Denver.  LINE:  DEN by 3.  PICK:  BRONCOS.  This team has a better coach now in John Fox, they've made the right decision in starting the very capable Kyle Orton, and they're at home vs the Raiders, whose defense may take a step back from last year.

New England at Miami.  LINE:  NE by 7.  PICK:  DOLPHINS.  Just a feeling--the Patriots may win this game late, but it'll be closer than 7.  It's in Miami, Chad Henne has a year more of experience under his belt, they have a new weapon in Reggie Bush, everybody's picking the Pats and Tom Brady, so the Dolphins have much to prove...I thionk that gives them a mental edge.  Look for a tight game.

"You are never given a dream without also being given the
power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however."-Richard Bach