Last week's record: 8-7.
Record for the year: 118-82.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS
New Mexico Bowl. Arizona vs New Mexico. My pick: LOBOS. Arizona is favored by 9. But with this game being played close to home, and perhaps the Wildcats not being mentally ready to go for a "minor" bowl such as this, I say pick the upset.
Las Vegas Bowl. BYU vs Utah. My pick: UTES. I think Utah plays very sound football and had a good season. Look for them to win their 10th game today.
NFL PICKS
NY Jets at Dallas. My pick: JETS 24-10. The Jets have a good defense. And in any case, the Cowboys under Matt Cassel have shown--they just can't move the football.
Chicago at Minnesota. My pick: VIKINGS 24-14. Look for Adrian Peterson to have a good game; and when he runs well, the Vikings usually win.
Atlanta at Jacksonville. My pick: JAGUARS 30-20. Look for the Jags to continue to build off the momentum of last week's win. Meanwhile, the Falcons' slide continues.
Houston at Indianapolis. My pick: COLTS 20-17. With these two up and down teams, who knows? But the Colts play with a lot of confidence at home.
Carolina at NY Giants. My pick: PANTHERS 28-20. The Panthers seem to be peaking; why expect them to slow down now?
Tennessee at New England. My pick: PATRIOTS 30-10. The young Titans will get schooled by a veteran team that doesn't lose games like this (or let down).
Buffalo at Washington. My pick: BILLS 24-20. Again, with these inconsistent teams, who knows? But I suspect the Redskins' inconsistency will be what dominates here. Look for Tyrod Taylor to have a good game.
Kansas City at Baltimore. My pick: CHIEFS 28-13. The Chiefs are rolling. And the Ravens don't have Joe Flacco. End of story.
Cleveland at Seattle. My pick: SEAHAWKS 34-10. Look for the Seahawks to keep rolling; look for Johnny Manziel to get schooled.
Green Bay at Oakland. My pick: PACKERS 27-21. This actually should be an interesting battle; the Raiders had a big win last week vs Denver and are tough at home. But look for Aaron Rodgers to pull this one out late; the Pack looks improved with their head coach calling plays again.
Denver at Pittsburgh. My pick: STEELERS 27-17. Pittsburgh and Big Ben are rolling; and Brock Osweiler continues to come back down to earth.
Miami at San Diego. My pick: CHARGERS 26-23. Two struggling teams. But I just think Philip Rivers will find a way to say goodbye to the old stadium in San Diego with a win.
Cincinnati at San Francisco. My pick: BENGALS 20-10. The Bengals have enough weapons that A.J. McCarron, with a week of practice, should be able to do enough to beat the Niners.
Arizona at Philadelphia. My pick: CARDINALS 28-23. The Cardinals have played pretty consistently well...and Carson Palmer has especially played well.
Detroit at New Orlenas. My pick: SAINTS 27-20. The Saints can still move the ball, and are still playing hard--see their win last week in Tampa. The Lions have been very inconsistent.
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Thursday, December 17, 2015
FOR MOMS AND DADS: DISCIPLINE VS DICTATORSHIP
I just thought this was interesting. All us parents, be we Moebius moms and dads or parents in general, deal with discipline and how to do it right. I thought this was an interesting take:
*******************
As a mother of two tweens, I’ve read all the books about discipline, but realized they are all forms of one idea: the control and management of children.
It’s oxymoronic: We also say we want to raise children who will become autonomous, courageous, compassionate and deep-thinkers when they become adults. Citizens of a democracy. Leaders of the world. Yet our discipline in at home and at school still reflect the Industrial Revolution. A clockwork of control through rewards and punishments where sitting still and simply doing what you are told might reap benefits.
Though it may look like impeccable behavior and good discipline, teaching kids to have their hands folded in their lap and to be yes-men is dangerous.
We are in the 21st century, an era of new culture wars: innovation, terrorism, fundamentalism, the rise of the creative class, climate change, increasing inequality, global citizenship, and disruption in higher education. Carrots and sticks discipline doesn’t teach children how to think, engage or interact with these Big Questions or become morally sophisticated people.
To raise the adults who will negotiate these issues we need a new mindset. I’m reading Alfie Kohn’s book Beyond Discipline. He advocates for community.
Kohn is a professional radical and gadfly, author of The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much Of A Bad Thing, and most recently The Myth Of The Spoiled Child: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom About Children and Parenting.
He writes that we have to trust each other in our homes, wrestle with what it means to live and learn together, deal with conflict and practice the skills of conflict resolution. He argues that ultimately these experiences are “more meaningful than a list of rules or guidelines.” I agree with him. My rules — Put Your Laundry In The Basket, for instance — were only ever met with temporary compliance anyway.I’ve exchanged rules for more time-consuming, open-end, nuanced, thoughtful conversation about how we want (if we want, and why) to keep our clothes clean. I’ve “brought the kids in,” as Kohn suggests.
It’s a mess.
It’s also really interesting. My kids for the first time ever are thinking, arguing, grappling and building effective systems and I’m doing it with them, not to them.
After years of being required to do what they are told and being called “good” because they obeyed me, after not thinking too independently nor advocating too loudly for their own interests, my kids, 8 and 10, are saying, “Mom? How can we be good so we get cookies?” And I say, “Cookies? ‘Rewards are control through seduction,’ Mommy doesn’t do that anymore. Let’s make cookies together!”
They say, “Are you going to check our homework?” I say, “Why is homework important? What do you think? Does everyone agree about homework? What does it mean to have done homework well? How do you know when you have done so?” They scratch their heads and consider.
“Do we have to clean our rooms?” they ask, elbow-nudging each other over Mom’s New Wacky Parenting Plan. Previously, I was a tyrant, a true dragon, about the cleanliness of their rooms. Then I asked myself “Why?” The answer “Because I said so,” felt hollow from a the perspective of someone who wants to emphasize reason, personal initiative and problem-solving in her children.
So I say, “Great question. Let’s call a family meeting and decide,” and we do, and they decide that they’d like to arrange their toys so that they can see them.
My dictatorship is over.
I didn’t feel like myself when I acted as the captain, the leader, as most of the traditional discipline books demanded I be. It always felt dishonest to present myself to my children as Wise and Powerful: Punisher Of Bad Behavior With Consequences and Rewarder of Good Behavior With Praise n’ Cookies. Now I’m free. We are a household of learners. Just as they are, I’m working on becoming a courageous, independent, thoughtful and empathetic person. Ready to engage civilly with people who disagree with me, wrestle intellectually with the things I somewhat irrationally cling to (that Thanksgiving includes a turkey, for instance) and to open my mind and heart to the words and thoughts of my children.
The change in the dynamic of our family is dramatic. It’s happier. It’s warmer. I’m not Queen Of All I Survey, punishing or rewarding them. We’re actually listening to each other, practicing the skills they will need later as adults in life meeting hard issues head-on.
Yes, building a beloved community takes more time, and yes, it’s messy: there is more active conflict and conversation and argument, but I’m okay with that. In fact, I encourage it. It’s impeccable preparation. We want our children to be citizens of the future.
My dismissal of traditional discipline has shifted my perspective on what it is to be a good parent today, raising the good people of tomorrow. It’s far beyond carrots and sticks.
Elizabeth Bastos is a Baltimore-based writer. You can find her on Twitter and her blog.
*******************************
*******************
As a mother of two tweens, I’ve read all the books about discipline, but realized they are all forms of one idea: the control and management of children.
It’s oxymoronic: We also say we want to raise children who will become autonomous, courageous, compassionate and deep-thinkers when they become adults. Citizens of a democracy. Leaders of the world. Yet our discipline in at home and at school still reflect the Industrial Revolution. A clockwork of control through rewards and punishments where sitting still and simply doing what you are told might reap benefits.
Though it may look like impeccable behavior and good discipline, teaching kids to have their hands folded in their lap and to be yes-men is dangerous.
We are in the 21st century, an era of new culture wars: innovation, terrorism, fundamentalism, the rise of the creative class, climate change, increasing inequality, global citizenship, and disruption in higher education. Carrots and sticks discipline doesn’t teach children how to think, engage or interact with these Big Questions or become morally sophisticated people.
To raise the adults who will negotiate these issues we need a new mindset. I’m reading Alfie Kohn’s book Beyond Discipline. He advocates for community.
Kohn is a professional radical and gadfly, author of The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much Of A Bad Thing, and most recently The Myth Of The Spoiled Child: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom About Children and Parenting.
He writes that we have to trust each other in our homes, wrestle with what it means to live and learn together, deal with conflict and practice the skills of conflict resolution. He argues that ultimately these experiences are “more meaningful than a list of rules or guidelines.” I agree with him. My rules — Put Your Laundry In The Basket, for instance — were only ever met with temporary compliance anyway.I’ve exchanged rules for more time-consuming, open-end, nuanced, thoughtful conversation about how we want (if we want, and why) to keep our clothes clean. I’ve “brought the kids in,” as Kohn suggests.
It’s a mess.
It’s also really interesting. My kids for the first time ever are thinking, arguing, grappling and building effective systems and I’m doing it with them, not to them.
After years of being required to do what they are told and being called “good” because they obeyed me, after not thinking too independently nor advocating too loudly for their own interests, my kids, 8 and 10, are saying, “Mom? How can we be good so we get cookies?” And I say, “Cookies? ‘Rewards are control through seduction,’ Mommy doesn’t do that anymore. Let’s make cookies together!”
They say, “Are you going to check our homework?” I say, “Why is homework important? What do you think? Does everyone agree about homework? What does it mean to have done homework well? How do you know when you have done so?” They scratch their heads and consider.
“Do we have to clean our rooms?” they ask, elbow-nudging each other over Mom’s New Wacky Parenting Plan. Previously, I was a tyrant, a true dragon, about the cleanliness of their rooms. Then I asked myself “Why?” The answer “Because I said so,” felt hollow from a the perspective of someone who wants to emphasize reason, personal initiative and problem-solving in her children.
So I say, “Great question. Let’s call a family meeting and decide,” and we do, and they decide that they’d like to arrange their toys so that they can see them.
My dictatorship is over.
I didn’t feel like myself when I acted as the captain, the leader, as most of the traditional discipline books demanded I be. It always felt dishonest to present myself to my children as Wise and Powerful: Punisher Of Bad Behavior With Consequences and Rewarder of Good Behavior With Praise n’ Cookies. Now I’m free. We are a household of learners. Just as they are, I’m working on becoming a courageous, independent, thoughtful and empathetic person. Ready to engage civilly with people who disagree with me, wrestle intellectually with the things I somewhat irrationally cling to (that Thanksgiving includes a turkey, for instance) and to open my mind and heart to the words and thoughts of my children.
The change in the dynamic of our family is dramatic. It’s happier. It’s warmer. I’m not Queen Of All I Survey, punishing or rewarding them. We’re actually listening to each other, practicing the skills they will need later as adults in life meeting hard issues head-on.
Yes, building a beloved community takes more time, and yes, it’s messy: there is more active conflict and conversation and argument, but I’m okay with that. In fact, I encourage it. It’s impeccable preparation. We want our children to be citizens of the future.
My dismissal of traditional discipline has shifted my perspective on what it is to be a good parent today, raising the good people of tomorrow. It’s far beyond carrots and sticks.
Elizabeth Bastos is a Baltimore-based writer. You can find her on Twitter and her blog.
*******************************
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
DON'T ISOLATE YOURSELF
For some of us with Moebius Syndrome, isolating ourselves can be tempting. We look different. We sound different. People stare at us; some have prejudice against us. That's no fun to go through. It can be tempting then to, metaphorically, go live in a cave. But remember--not everyone is like that. And being alone? It is not good for your health. Read on:
*******************
*******************
For early humans,
being alone was no way to live. Those on the tribe’s periphery faced
increased risks of starvation, predation and early death. And so humans
(like other communal creatures) evolved what seem to be specific
biological reactions to social threats. A social animal that feels
itself to be isolated from its kind begins to behave nervously and experiences unhealthy physiological responses.
The body produces more stress-related biochemicals, leading to
inflammation and a reduced ability to fight viral infections. These
adaptations might help explain why many chronically lonely people have
an overabundance of stress-related cells and weakened immune systems.
But how they see the world — how loneliness affects their thinking — may
be just as consequential to their health.
This conclusion finds support in a study recently conducted
by researchers at the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at
the University of Chicago. They began with a group of healthy young
volunteers who completed a loneliness questionnaire: 32 were categorized
as socially well integrated and 38 as lonely, perceiving themselves as
lacking intimate connections with another person. The subjects were all
equipped with sensors that register electrical activity in the brain
and then watched words in various colors flash across a computer screen.
Some of the words reflected general positive and negative emotions,
like ‘‘pleasure’’ and ‘‘misery.’’ Others referred overtly to positive
and negative social interactions — ‘‘accepted’’ and ‘‘unwanted,’’ for
example.
Among the lonely, the
areas of their brains related to attention lit up much more quickly than
those of the other subjects when they saw words related to social
isolation like ‘‘excluded,’’ ‘‘foe’’ and ‘‘detached’’ than when they saw
generally negative words like ‘‘frustrated’’ and ‘‘vomit.’’ Their
brains were also far less engaged by words with a positive connotation
compared with those of the socially connected volunteers. The findings
were unchanged when the researchers adjusted for depression and other
factors. (Lonely people aren’t necessarily depressed, and vice versa.)
The results show that
the lonelier you are, the more your attention is drawn toward negative
social information, says one of the researchers, John Cacioppo, whose
colleague and wife, Stephanie, led the study, which appeared in the
journal Cortex. Lonely people seemed inadvertently hypervigilant to
social threats. Rather poignantly, such thinking itself most likely
makes the loneliness worse, he says, by nudging the lonely to
‘‘unknowingly act in a more defensive, hostile way toward the others
with whom they would like to connect.’’
There are lessons in
this data for both the isolated and the communal, and they seem less
facile now that they are backed by research. Be nice and gently
welcoming to the curmudgeons you meet. Invite them to share coffee.
Don’t push for reciprocal invitations, perhaps. And if you happen to be
the curmudgeon, accept that invitation. It isn’t coming from a predator
out to devour you.
************************
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
NEWS FROM AROUND THE NATION
Beware--anti-depressant use can increase the risk of autism:
Taking antidepressants during pregnancy substantially increases the likelihood that a child will have autism, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that the odds a child would develop autism were 87 percent higher when expectant mothers took antidepressants during the last six months of pregnancy.
The findings published Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics come from a study looking at records on more than 145,000 Canadian children from the time of conception until age 10.
Using data about the kids and their mothers, researchers said that they factored for various circumstances including possible genetic predisposition to autism, maternal age and socioeconomic factors in order to look most specifically at the impact of medication.
“The variety of causes of autism remain unclear, but studies have shown that both genetics and environment can play a role,” said Anick Bérard of the University of Montreal, an author of the paper. “Our study has established that taking antidepressants during the second or third trimester of pregnancy almost doubles the risk that the child will be diagnosed with autism by age 7, especially if the mother takes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, often known by its acronym SSRIs.”
Researchers said their findings are particularly important since depression is common and an estimated 6 to 10 percent of pregnant women are taking drugs to treat the condition.
However, in an accompanying editorial, Bryan H. King of Seattle Children’s Hospital cautioned that the findings are not as clear as they may seem, especially since it’s difficult to fully determine whether the increased autism risk stems from antidepressants or the presence of depression itself.
“It makes no more sense to suggest that (antidepressants) should always be avoided than to say that they should never be stopped,” King wrote. “As this literature develops and our list of potential risk factors expands, it is also likely that its complexity will move us even farther from being able to make categorical statements about something being all good or all bad.”
***************************
More bad news: the FBI reports an increase in reports of disability-related hate crimes:
New federal data indicates that the number of reported hate crimes targeting people with disabilities has ticked up.
There were 95 hate crime offenses related to disability bias last year, according to recently released statistics from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. The 2014 numbers are up slightly compared to the previous year when the FBI recorded 92 offenses targeting people with disabilities.
At the same time, however, the overall number of hate crimes documented fell to 5,479 criminal incidents in 2014.
In addition to disability, the FBI collects hate crimes statistics on criminal incidents motivated by a bias toward a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or ethnicity.
The data is drawn from reports gathered by nearly 15,500 law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Disability bias accounted for 1.4 percent of all hate crimes logged in 2014. Of them, 69 were committed against people with mental disabilities and 26 were aimed at those with physical disabilities, the FBI said.
******************************
But--on the good-news front--a high-school student was recently named athlete of the year for his work with cerebral palsy:
TEMPERANCE, Mich. — Hunter Gandee was helping build an accessible playground when he received a phone call.
The structure had become an important part of the 16-year-old’s quest to raise awareness of the challenges of living with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects his younger brother, Braden. It was then Hunter learned he would be honored with Sports Illustrated’s inaugural High School Athlete of the Year award.
“It means a lot to us,” Hunter said. “Sports Illustrated is such a prestigious publication, and because they are so large and they reach so many people, our story reaches that many people. The awareness spreads even further because of their reach and network. Awareness has always been our goal, so we’re incredibly thankful.”
Hunter, a sophomore at Bedford High School who wrestles at 160 pounds, flew to New York City on Monday and will be honored at Tuesday’s Sportsman of the Year banquet, alongside Serena Williams and Jack Nicklaus.
“It’s crazy to be in the presence of such high-profile athletes, and not only be in their presence but to be honored with them,” Hunter said. “It’s really cool and very humbling knowing I’m receiving this award.”
“I don’t truly feel like I completely deserve it. It was more than just me. It was my entire community, all the people that walked with me, my brother, my family, my wrestling team. It’s an extremely honorable experience.”
Braden, 9, is unable to walk, but his brother has not allowed a disability to alter his life. In 2014, Hunter walked 40 miles to Ann Arbor with his brother on his back.
The effort raised more than $16,000, which the Gandees donated to the University of Michigan’s Cerebral Palsy Research Consortium.
The story spread worldwide, leading to television interviews and even more donations. Hunter immediately zeroed in on building an inclusive playground at Douglas Road Elementary, where Braden attends school. The brothers completed a second 57-mile walk in June.
The C.P. Swagger Shipyard, containing wheelchair ramps and rubber floors, opened in October, thanks to more than $200,000 in donations.
“It’s a tremendous sense of pride in that young man and his family,” Bedford Athletic Director Mark German said. “The entire community is behind it. It just gives us a great feeling.
“We’d love to take credit for it, but we can’t. We’re just reaping the benefits of Hunter and Braden’s courage.”
In the past year, Hunter has been featured on national evening news broadcasts and magazines, met famous athletes, and garnered attention in countries he can’t even pronounce – all for a story the Gandees hoped might gain attention outside Monroe County.
“I never imagined or thought about this story going national,” he said. “It caught us by surprise when it did. We’re thankful for the opportunities we’ve been given. It’s really cool to see how far stories spread because it was never meant to go as far as it did.”
*************************
Taking antidepressants during pregnancy substantially increases the likelihood that a child will have autism, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that the odds a child would develop autism were 87 percent higher when expectant mothers took antidepressants during the last six months of pregnancy.
The findings published Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics come from a study looking at records on more than 145,000 Canadian children from the time of conception until age 10.
Using data about the kids and their mothers, researchers said that they factored for various circumstances including possible genetic predisposition to autism, maternal age and socioeconomic factors in order to look most specifically at the impact of medication.
“The variety of causes of autism remain unclear, but studies have shown that both genetics and environment can play a role,” said Anick Bérard of the University of Montreal, an author of the paper. “Our study has established that taking antidepressants during the second or third trimester of pregnancy almost doubles the risk that the child will be diagnosed with autism by age 7, especially if the mother takes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, often known by its acronym SSRIs.”
Researchers said their findings are particularly important since depression is common and an estimated 6 to 10 percent of pregnant women are taking drugs to treat the condition.
However, in an accompanying editorial, Bryan H. King of Seattle Children’s Hospital cautioned that the findings are not as clear as they may seem, especially since it’s difficult to fully determine whether the increased autism risk stems from antidepressants or the presence of depression itself.
“It makes no more sense to suggest that (antidepressants) should always be avoided than to say that they should never be stopped,” King wrote. “As this literature develops and our list of potential risk factors expands, it is also likely that its complexity will move us even farther from being able to make categorical statements about something being all good or all bad.”
***************************
More bad news: the FBI reports an increase in reports of disability-related hate crimes:
New federal data indicates that the number of reported hate crimes targeting people with disabilities has ticked up.
There were 95 hate crime offenses related to disability bias last year, according to recently released statistics from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. The 2014 numbers are up slightly compared to the previous year when the FBI recorded 92 offenses targeting people with disabilities.
At the same time, however, the overall number of hate crimes documented fell to 5,479 criminal incidents in 2014.
In addition to disability, the FBI collects hate crimes statistics on criminal incidents motivated by a bias toward a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or ethnicity.
The data is drawn from reports gathered by nearly 15,500 law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Disability bias accounted for 1.4 percent of all hate crimes logged in 2014. Of them, 69 were committed against people with mental disabilities and 26 were aimed at those with physical disabilities, the FBI said.
******************************
But--on the good-news front--a high-school student was recently named athlete of the year for his work with cerebral palsy:
TEMPERANCE, Mich. — Hunter Gandee was helping build an accessible playground when he received a phone call.
The structure had become an important part of the 16-year-old’s quest to raise awareness of the challenges of living with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects his younger brother, Braden. It was then Hunter learned he would be honored with Sports Illustrated’s inaugural High School Athlete of the Year award.
“It means a lot to us,” Hunter said. “Sports Illustrated is such a prestigious publication, and because they are so large and they reach so many people, our story reaches that many people. The awareness spreads even further because of their reach and network. Awareness has always been our goal, so we’re incredibly thankful.”
Hunter, a sophomore at Bedford High School who wrestles at 160 pounds, flew to New York City on Monday and will be honored at Tuesday’s Sportsman of the Year banquet, alongside Serena Williams and Jack Nicklaus.
“It’s crazy to be in the presence of such high-profile athletes, and not only be in their presence but to be honored with them,” Hunter said. “It’s really cool and very humbling knowing I’m receiving this award.”
“I don’t truly feel like I completely deserve it. It was more than just me. It was my entire community, all the people that walked with me, my brother, my family, my wrestling team. It’s an extremely honorable experience.”
Braden, 9, is unable to walk, but his brother has not allowed a disability to alter his life. In 2014, Hunter walked 40 miles to Ann Arbor with his brother on his back.
The effort raised more than $16,000, which the Gandees donated to the University of Michigan’s Cerebral Palsy Research Consortium.
The story spread worldwide, leading to television interviews and even more donations. Hunter immediately zeroed in on building an inclusive playground at Douglas Road Elementary, where Braden attends school. The brothers completed a second 57-mile walk in June.
The C.P. Swagger Shipyard, containing wheelchair ramps and rubber floors, opened in October, thanks to more than $200,000 in donations.
“It’s a tremendous sense of pride in that young man and his family,” Bedford Athletic Director Mark German said. “The entire community is behind it. It just gives us a great feeling.
“We’d love to take credit for it, but we can’t. We’re just reaping the benefits of Hunter and Braden’s courage.”
In the past year, Hunter has been featured on national evening news broadcasts and magazines, met famous athletes, and garnered attention in countries he can’t even pronounce – all for a story the Gandees hoped might gain attention outside Monroe County.
“I never imagined or thought about this story going national,” he said. “It caught us by surprise when it did. We’re thankful for the opportunities we’ve been given. It’s really cool to see how far stories spread because it was never meant to go as far as it did.”
*************************
Sunday, December 13, 2015
FABULOUS FOOTBALL PICKS!!
Can't really call them Friday football picks, since I'm doing them early Sunday. :+)
Hah. Last week's record: 11-8. Bleah.
I'm 110-75 for the year.
NFL PICKS
Buffalo at Philadelphia. My pick: BILLS 24-23. The Eagles' wild inconsistency rears its ugly head again. And I could see Tyrod Taylor driving the Eagles defense crazy.
San Francisco at Cleveland. My pick: 49ERS 17-13. The Niners to build on their momentum from last week's win in Chicago. And why would anyone have much faith in the Browns' Johnny Manziel???
Detroit at St. Louis. My pick: RAMS 21-14. The Rams have looked horrible lately. But look for the Lions to be mentally beat-down from that last-second hail Mary loss to the Pack last week.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay. My pick: BUCS 28-24. Time to start believing in these Bucs under Lovie Smith's leadership. Plus--the Saints are coming off a tough divisional loss at home to Carolina. There's often a bad hangover the next week.
Tennessee at NY Jets. My pick: JETS 24-14. The Jets have a chance to build some momentum at home after last week's big win vs the Giants; you have to think they can do it with that defense vs the rookie Titan QB Mariota.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati. My pick: BENGALS 27-21. This should be an excellent game. But I think the Bengals have righted the ship; here's a chance for them to completely claim this division. I think they'll take it.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville. My pick: COLTS 21-18. I know, the Colts looked horrible last week. But its just a gut feeling--I think Matt Hasselbeck will find a way yet again to beat a young, inexperienced divisional opponent.
San Diego at Kansas City. My pick: CHIEFS 27-17. I just think the Chiefs are playing real well right now.
Washington at Chicago. My pick: BEARS 23-20. Both teams are coming off tough losses where they didn't play well. Both teams are hard to figure. My guess? The key is that the 'Skins have been a poor road team all year.
Atlanta at Carolina. My pick: PANTHERS 30-17. You have to be impressed with what the Panthers have done and how well they have fit their pieces together. The Falcons meanwhile have been on a long slide to oblivion.
Seattle at Baltimore. My pick: SEAHAWKS 24-10. The Seahawks appear to be hitting their stride right at the bes time.
Oakland at Denver. My pick: BRONCOS 20-10. Who would have thunk it? But it seems to be true--the Broncos and Brock Osweiler (!) are on a roll.
Dallas at Green Bay. My pick: PACKERS 27-13. The Packers have had their struggles lately. But you have to think Aaron Rodgers will get it done here at home, especially given that the opposing QB is Matt Cassel.
New England at Houston. My pick: PATRIOTS 24-14. New England has struggled lately; but Houston struggles to score, and you have to think Tom Brady will find a way here.
NY Giants at Miami. My pick: GIANTS 26-23. Come on--the Giants just a due to find a way to win a close one. Aren't they????
Hah. Last week's record: 11-8. Bleah.
I'm 110-75 for the year.
NFL PICKS
Buffalo at Philadelphia. My pick: BILLS 24-23. The Eagles' wild inconsistency rears its ugly head again. And I could see Tyrod Taylor driving the Eagles defense crazy.
San Francisco at Cleveland. My pick: 49ERS 17-13. The Niners to build on their momentum from last week's win in Chicago. And why would anyone have much faith in the Browns' Johnny Manziel???
Detroit at St. Louis. My pick: RAMS 21-14. The Rams have looked horrible lately. But look for the Lions to be mentally beat-down from that last-second hail Mary loss to the Pack last week.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay. My pick: BUCS 28-24. Time to start believing in these Bucs under Lovie Smith's leadership. Plus--the Saints are coming off a tough divisional loss at home to Carolina. There's often a bad hangover the next week.
Tennessee at NY Jets. My pick: JETS 24-14. The Jets have a chance to build some momentum at home after last week's big win vs the Giants; you have to think they can do it with that defense vs the rookie Titan QB Mariota.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati. My pick: BENGALS 27-21. This should be an excellent game. But I think the Bengals have righted the ship; here's a chance for them to completely claim this division. I think they'll take it.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville. My pick: COLTS 21-18. I know, the Colts looked horrible last week. But its just a gut feeling--I think Matt Hasselbeck will find a way yet again to beat a young, inexperienced divisional opponent.
San Diego at Kansas City. My pick: CHIEFS 27-17. I just think the Chiefs are playing real well right now.
Washington at Chicago. My pick: BEARS 23-20. Both teams are coming off tough losses where they didn't play well. Both teams are hard to figure. My guess? The key is that the 'Skins have been a poor road team all year.
Atlanta at Carolina. My pick: PANTHERS 30-17. You have to be impressed with what the Panthers have done and how well they have fit their pieces together. The Falcons meanwhile have been on a long slide to oblivion.
Seattle at Baltimore. My pick: SEAHAWKS 24-10. The Seahawks appear to be hitting their stride right at the bes time.
Oakland at Denver. My pick: BRONCOS 20-10. Who would have thunk it? But it seems to be true--the Broncos and Brock Osweiler (!) are on a roll.
Dallas at Green Bay. My pick: PACKERS 27-13. The Packers have had their struggles lately. But you have to think Aaron Rodgers will get it done here at home, especially given that the opposing QB is Matt Cassel.
New England at Houston. My pick: PATRIOTS 24-14. New England has struggled lately; but Houston struggles to score, and you have to think Tom Brady will find a way here.
NY Giants at Miami. My pick: GIANTS 26-23. Come on--the Giants just a due to find a way to win a close one. Aren't they????
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
FOR MOEBIUS MOMS AND DADS: HELICOPTER PARENT VS SUPPORTIVE PARENT?
I thought this was a very interesting advice column from today's Washington Post, written by Carolyn Hax. We all as parents want to help our kids, support our kids, and protect them. But at the same time kids have to learn things for themselves and be able to deal with things themselves. So what principles do we use to navigate this difficult area? Read on:
*********************
Dear Carolyn: Common advice is that parents should let kids struggle through issues on their own, thus learning how to manage their friendships, issues, etc. However, there have been tons of letters from adults who say how damaged they are because they didn’t feel their parents protected them.
How does one navigate this? Or should parents simply resign themselves to being despised by their progeny?
It’s navigable, but resignation is a solid Plan B.
Letting kids work things out is for the small(er), one-off problems: arguments with sibs or friends, a dismissive comment from an adult, difficult homework, bumps, bruises and blurps from gorging on candy.
Protecting kids is for the big stuff: bullying by family or friends; a learning issue that makes homework crushing; verbal abuse from an adult; a buddy whose unstable or overindulgent household isn’t a safe place for your kid.
The common denominator is frequency. A child needs to learn how to handle hurt feelings from this or that social incident, for example, but can’t be expected to deal alone with the relentless attack of social aggression. Oopses, step back; oppression, step in.
And hugs in both cases. You don’t have to be cold to encourage resiliency.
You also don’t have to get it right every time. Sometimes you’re going to think it’s big when you’re really just overreacting, and sometimes you’re going to brush it off when it turns out to be something big.
When that happens, you pull out your best parental move of all: Apologize to your kid for getting it wrong. Nothing helps a child find the sweet spot where strength and frailty meet than demonstrating it for them yourself.
****************************************
*********************
Dear Carolyn: Common advice is that parents should let kids struggle through issues on their own, thus learning how to manage their friendships, issues, etc. However, there have been tons of letters from adults who say how damaged they are because they didn’t feel their parents protected them.
How does one navigate this? Or should parents simply resign themselves to being despised by their progeny?
It’s navigable, but resignation is a solid Plan B.
Letting kids work things out is for the small(er), one-off problems: arguments with sibs or friends, a dismissive comment from an adult, difficult homework, bumps, bruises and blurps from gorging on candy.
Protecting kids is for the big stuff: bullying by family or friends; a learning issue that makes homework crushing; verbal abuse from an adult; a buddy whose unstable or overindulgent household isn’t a safe place for your kid.
The common denominator is frequency. A child needs to learn how to handle hurt feelings from this or that social incident, for example, but can’t be expected to deal alone with the relentless attack of social aggression. Oopses, step back; oppression, step in.
And hugs in both cases. You don’t have to be cold to encourage resiliency.
You also don’t have to get it right every time. Sometimes you’re going to think it’s big when you’re really just overreacting, and sometimes you’re going to brush it off when it turns out to be something big.
When that happens, you pull out your best parental move of all: Apologize to your kid for getting it wrong. Nothing helps a child find the sweet spot where strength and frailty meet than demonstrating it for them yourself.
****************************************
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
SOME NEWS FROM AROUND THE NATION
There will be a documentary concerning autism airing soon on PBS:
A documentary focusing on how people with autism experience love and manage romantic relationships is set to appear on PBS.
“Autism in Love” will air on the network’s “Independent Lens” series in January.
The film, which debuted earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival, follows four people on the spectrum as they seek out and maintain relationships.
Dave and Lindsey both have autism and are considering marriage after eight years together. By contrast, Lenny lives in Los Angeles with his mother and struggles mightily to meet girls and date. Meanwhile, Stephen – whose autism symptoms are more apparent than the others featured – is coping as his wife of 20 years battles ovarian cancer.
“This film allows us to get to know four remarkable people, who have opened up their lives in such an intimate and deeply personal way in front of the camera,” said Lois Vossen, executive producer of “Independent Lens.”
“Their courage to reveal the struggles and challenges they face allows us to understand and empathize with them,” Vossen said.
“Autism in Love” will air on PBS on Jan. 11 at 10 p.m. ET.
*******************************
Meanwhile, therapeutic horseback-riding for those with disabilities is more than just horse play:
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Eddie Brennan is all charged up. The hyper 4-year-old, who has autism, has already charged through a puddle, and writhes as his nanny struggles to remove his shoes and socks.
But when Brennan climbs on the back of Kattie, a dark bay therapy horse, something magical happens.
The kinetic little boy becomes like Jell-O, melting into the horse, contented and somehow soothed. He sits or lays on its back – even rides backward. It’s as if he has a connection to the horse.
For 25 years, the nonprofit Therapeutic Riding Center at the Huntington Beach Central Park Equestrian Center has offered riding therapies to people with special needs ranging from autism to epilepsy.
For much of that time, Donna Brandt, president of the group and the lead instructor, has been at the center of the action. A longtime horsewoman, Brandt became involved after her daughter, Jamie, was diagnosed with severe developmental delay.
Like many parents with children who have challenges, Brandt tried numerous activities and therapies to find one that engaged her child.
“We tried them all. This is the one she liked best,” Brandt said. “She’ll sit around all day and wait to go riding. This is the one that stuck.”
Parents and caretakers are almost unanimous – there’s something about horses. The relationships and bonds the children form with the animals can be transformative.
Katy Prill is all about drama, according to her father, David Gill. The 17-year-old, who has Down syndrome and recently recovered from leukemia, often tries to make big productions out of small things and can act out.
But on this day, she hops right onto Wilma, a big bay, without any histrionics.
“Hey, dad, look at me,” she calls out, waving.
“She’s almost unrecognizable,” Gill, 44, said of his daughter and the progress she has made since becoming involved with therapeutic riding.
On the horse, Prill is focused and confident, two things lacking since her move from Redding, in Northern California, to Huntington Beach four years ago.
“When she came down, this was one of her first activities,” Gill said. “She was very fearful.”
On a warm, dusty day at the Huntington Beach Equestrian Center, parents talked about the self-confidence it gave the children. They feel the experience improves cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being.
Brandt said people who use wheelchairs can build core strength by riding a horse. It also builds self-confidence. Brandt said something as simple as a change in perspective – looking down from horseback rather than up from a chair – can feel empowering.
Plus, the lessons are conducted outdoors and away from therapy rooms.
“This is one of the therapies (people with disabilities) don’t give up on,” Brandt said. “There’s something about animals.”
Gill said when his daughter plays softball or soccer, it is about the social experience. On a horse she is more purposeful.
“There’s a maturity that comes with it,” he said.
Karen Starky, 54, says the program has been a “savior,” for her daughter, Angie, 28, who has epilepsy. Starky says before her daughter developed the condition, she was a fearless athlete and skier.
Epilepsy took that away. Therapeutic riding is bringing her back.
“When she started, she could barely get on (the horse), she was so weak,” Starky said.
Now Angie rides confidently and mugs for a photographer.
Danielle Stanback, 32, is a volunteer who also has epilepsy but is rebounding. She said the riding is particularly important because it pulls people out of isolation.
At the Therapeutic Riding Center, most of the riders are accompanied by three volunteers, one who leads the horse and two side-walkers, who protect riders from toppling off. Classes are an hour, once a week, Monday through Wednesday and Saturday. Riding is divided into 10-week semesters, which cost $410 per semester. There also are scholarships for those in need.
In addition to classes, Brandt often offers special extras. This year, there was a Halloween horse parade, and she took 30 students to the 2015 Kiwanis Equestrian Competition for Special Athletes at Hansen Dam Equestrian Center in Los Angeles.
Brandt said a film crew from South Korea was scheduled to visit to make a documentary film and possibly create a similar program.
The therapeutic capabilities of working with horses date to ancient Greece. In the 17th century, interaction with horses was prescribed for ailments ranging from gout to low morale. It was not until the 1960s, however, that equine-assisted therapy and hippotherapy was formalized.
Brandt said insurance programs don’t pay for riding as therapy, but she hopes that will change.
“It’s becoming more mainstream. One of these days it will be accepted,” she said. “I encourage everyone to file with their insurance. One of these days …. ”
Karinna Barlow, 42, watches as her 9-year-old son, Leo, is led around the ring. He has a rare genetic defect called agenesis of the corpus callosum that affects the white matter that connects the hemispheres of the brain.
“We were trying so many things that we were overwhelmed with therapies,” Barlow said.
When Leo found horse riding, she described it as something akin to souls communing.
“It’s so good to know there’s always a way for them to participate in the world,” she said. “You realize it’s just in a different way.”
© 2015 The Orange County Register
*****************************
One negative note for today--unfortunately unemployment for those with disabilities appears to be on the rise:
Despite strong job growth last month, new federal data suggests that unemployment among people with disabilities ticked up sharply.
The jobless rate for Americans with disabilities hit 12.1 percent in November, the U.S. Department of Labor said Friday. That’s a steep increase over the 10.5 percent reported the month prior.
The shift comes as figures show fewer people with disabilities were employed and more sought to join the workforce.
At the same time, the economy as a whole added 211,000 jobs and unemployment for the general population remained steady at 5 percent, the Labor Department said. Overall, government data indicates that the number of unemployed Americans has declined by 1.1 million over the last year.
Federal officials began tracking employment among people with disabilities in October 2008. There is not yet enough data compiled to establish seasonal trends among this population, so statistics for this group are not seasonally adjusted.
Data on people with disabilities covers those over the age of 16 who do not live in institutions. The first employment report specific to this population was made available in February 2009. Now, reports are released monthly.
*********************
A documentary focusing on how people with autism experience love and manage romantic relationships is set to appear on PBS.
“Autism in Love” will air on the network’s “Independent Lens” series in January.
The film, which debuted earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival, follows four people on the spectrum as they seek out and maintain relationships.
Dave and Lindsey both have autism and are considering marriage after eight years together. By contrast, Lenny lives in Los Angeles with his mother and struggles mightily to meet girls and date. Meanwhile, Stephen – whose autism symptoms are more apparent than the others featured – is coping as his wife of 20 years battles ovarian cancer.
“This film allows us to get to know four remarkable people, who have opened up their lives in such an intimate and deeply personal way in front of the camera,” said Lois Vossen, executive producer of “Independent Lens.”
“Their courage to reveal the struggles and challenges they face allows us to understand and empathize with them,” Vossen said.
“Autism in Love” will air on PBS on Jan. 11 at 10 p.m. ET.
*******************************
Meanwhile, therapeutic horseback-riding for those with disabilities is more than just horse play:
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Eddie Brennan is all charged up. The hyper 4-year-old, who has autism, has already charged through a puddle, and writhes as his nanny struggles to remove his shoes and socks.
But when Brennan climbs on the back of Kattie, a dark bay therapy horse, something magical happens.
The kinetic little boy becomes like Jell-O, melting into the horse, contented and somehow soothed. He sits or lays on its back – even rides backward. It’s as if he has a connection to the horse.
For 25 years, the nonprofit Therapeutic Riding Center at the Huntington Beach Central Park Equestrian Center has offered riding therapies to people with special needs ranging from autism to epilepsy.
For much of that time, Donna Brandt, president of the group and the lead instructor, has been at the center of the action. A longtime horsewoman, Brandt became involved after her daughter, Jamie, was diagnosed with severe developmental delay.
Like many parents with children who have challenges, Brandt tried numerous activities and therapies to find one that engaged her child.
“We tried them all. This is the one she liked best,” Brandt said. “She’ll sit around all day and wait to go riding. This is the one that stuck.”
Parents and caretakers are almost unanimous – there’s something about horses. The relationships and bonds the children form with the animals can be transformative.
Katy Prill is all about drama, according to her father, David Gill. The 17-year-old, who has Down syndrome and recently recovered from leukemia, often tries to make big productions out of small things and can act out.
But on this day, she hops right onto Wilma, a big bay, without any histrionics.
“Hey, dad, look at me,” she calls out, waving.
“She’s almost unrecognizable,” Gill, 44, said of his daughter and the progress she has made since becoming involved with therapeutic riding.
On the horse, Prill is focused and confident, two things lacking since her move from Redding, in Northern California, to Huntington Beach four years ago.
“When she came down, this was one of her first activities,” Gill said. “She was very fearful.”
On a warm, dusty day at the Huntington Beach Equestrian Center, parents talked about the self-confidence it gave the children. They feel the experience improves cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being.
Brandt said people who use wheelchairs can build core strength by riding a horse. It also builds self-confidence. Brandt said something as simple as a change in perspective – looking down from horseback rather than up from a chair – can feel empowering.
Plus, the lessons are conducted outdoors and away from therapy rooms.
“This is one of the therapies (people with disabilities) don’t give up on,” Brandt said. “There’s something about animals.”
Gill said when his daughter plays softball or soccer, it is about the social experience. On a horse she is more purposeful.
“There’s a maturity that comes with it,” he said.
Karen Starky, 54, says the program has been a “savior,” for her daughter, Angie, 28, who has epilepsy. Starky says before her daughter developed the condition, she was a fearless athlete and skier.
Epilepsy took that away. Therapeutic riding is bringing her back.
“When she started, she could barely get on (the horse), she was so weak,” Starky said.
Now Angie rides confidently and mugs for a photographer.
Danielle Stanback, 32, is a volunteer who also has epilepsy but is rebounding. She said the riding is particularly important because it pulls people out of isolation.
At the Therapeutic Riding Center, most of the riders are accompanied by three volunteers, one who leads the horse and two side-walkers, who protect riders from toppling off. Classes are an hour, once a week, Monday through Wednesday and Saturday. Riding is divided into 10-week semesters, which cost $410 per semester. There also are scholarships for those in need.
In addition to classes, Brandt often offers special extras. This year, there was a Halloween horse parade, and she took 30 students to the 2015 Kiwanis Equestrian Competition for Special Athletes at Hansen Dam Equestrian Center in Los Angeles.
Brandt said a film crew from South Korea was scheduled to visit to make a documentary film and possibly create a similar program.
The therapeutic capabilities of working with horses date to ancient Greece. In the 17th century, interaction with horses was prescribed for ailments ranging from gout to low morale. It was not until the 1960s, however, that equine-assisted therapy and hippotherapy was formalized.
Brandt said insurance programs don’t pay for riding as therapy, but she hopes that will change.
“It’s becoming more mainstream. One of these days it will be accepted,” she said. “I encourage everyone to file with their insurance. One of these days …. ”
Karinna Barlow, 42, watches as her 9-year-old son, Leo, is led around the ring. He has a rare genetic defect called agenesis of the corpus callosum that affects the white matter that connects the hemispheres of the brain.
“We were trying so many things that we were overwhelmed with therapies,” Barlow said.
When Leo found horse riding, she described it as something akin to souls communing.
“It’s so good to know there’s always a way for them to participate in the world,” she said. “You realize it’s just in a different way.”
© 2015 The Orange County Register
*****************************
One negative note for today--unfortunately unemployment for those with disabilities appears to be on the rise:
Despite strong job growth last month, new federal data suggests that unemployment among people with disabilities ticked up sharply.
The jobless rate for Americans with disabilities hit 12.1 percent in November, the U.S. Department of Labor said Friday. That’s a steep increase over the 10.5 percent reported the month prior.
The shift comes as figures show fewer people with disabilities were employed and more sought to join the workforce.
At the same time, the economy as a whole added 211,000 jobs and unemployment for the general population remained steady at 5 percent, the Labor Department said. Overall, government data indicates that the number of unemployed Americans has declined by 1.1 million over the last year.
Federal officials began tracking employment among people with disabilities in October 2008. There is not yet enough data compiled to establish seasonal trends among this population, so statistics for this group are not seasonally adjusted.
Data on people with disabilities covers those over the age of 16 who do not live in institutions. The first employment report specific to this population was made available in February 2009. Now, reports are released monthly.
*********************
Monday, December 7, 2015
EXERCISE MAY AID BRAIN'S RE-WIRING
Or so the latest research may indicate. Moebius Syndrome of course has something to do with the brain and how it works. So we're always interested in new brain research. Read on:
********************
********************
Moderate levels of exercise may increase the brain’s flexibility and improve learning, a new study suggests.
The
visual cortex, the part of the brain that processes visual information,
loses the ability to “rewire” itself with age, making it more difficult
for adults to recover from injuries and illness, said Claudia Lunghi, a
neuroscientist at the University of Pisa and one of the study’s
authors.
In
a study in the journal Current Biology, she and her colleagues asked 20
adults to watch a movie with one eye patched while relaxing in a chair.
Later, the participants exercised on a stationary bike for 10-minute
intervals while watching a movie.
When
one eye is patched, the visual cortex compensates for the limited input
by increasing its activity level. Dr. Lunghi and her colleagues tested
the imbalance in strength between the participants’ eyes after the movie
— a measure of changeability in the visual cortex.
**************************
Another reason, I guess, why we all need to exercise...
Saturday, December 5, 2015
FRIDAY FOOTBALL PICKS!!
Yes, that's right, even though I am actually writing them up on a Saturday! :+)
Let's see how I do:
COLLEGE PICKS
Florida vs Alabama. My pick: CRIMSON TIDE. Don't expect much of a game here. The Gators have a hard time even getting a first down, much less scoring.
USC vs Stanford. My pick: CARDINAL. Stanford to get revenge from their defeat at the hands of the Trojans earlier this year. Stanford has real momentum coming out of last week's win vs Notre Dame.
Michigan State vs Iowa. My pick: SPARTANS. I think Iowa has done a remarkable job going undefeated so far. But MSU has played the tougher schedule and is riding high.
North Carolina vs Clemson. My pick: TIGERS. Clemson will have too much speed and firepower.
***************
NFL PICKS
NY Jets vs NY Giants. My pick: JETS 17-10. The Giants can't rush the passer, and can't run the ball consistently. Meaning: trouble.
Arizona at St. Louis. My pick: CARDINALS 20-16. Expect a close game here; this is kind of trap game for the Cards on the road against an apparently inferior team. But expect AZ to pull it out in the end.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay. My pick: FALCONS 23-20. Finally...finally...I see the Falcons stopping their slide. They have too much talent to keep playing so poorly.
Seattle at Minnesota. My pick: VIKINGS 24-20. The Seahawks will load up the box to try and stop Adrian Peterson, but I'm not sure their defense is any longer good enough to do all it is asked to do.
Houston at Buffalo. My pick: TEXANS 19-16. Houston is on a roll; with a supreme effort from their defense (again), they can stay on one.
Baltimore at Miami. My pick: DOLPHINS 24-17. The key here: Joe Flacco for the Ravens is out for the rest of the season.
Cincinnati at Cleveland. My pick: BENGALS 28-10. The Bengals will feast on their in-state rival, who have to start Austin Davis at QB.
Jacksonville at Tennessee. My pick: JAGUARS 24-21. The Jags often are so close, yet so far. This week look for Blake Bortles to make the play they need.
San Francisco at Chicago. My pick: BEARS 21-13. While you weren't looking, the Bears have been playing decent football and are in the thick of the playoff race.
Denver at San Diego. My pick: CHARGERS 27-21. UPSET SPECIAL. Remember--Brock Osweiler remains inexperienced. Philip Rivers meanwhile is not, and this is the kind of game where his pinpoint passing can engineer upsets.
Kansas City at Oakland. My pick: CHIEFS 20-17. The Chiefs to stay on a roll.
Carolina at New Orleans. My pick: PANTHERS 31-10. The Saints are a mess. And don't forget--a key element of the Panthers' success this year is their defense; its toughness was on display last week at Dallas.
Philadelphia at New England. My pick: PATRIOTS 35-13. A breather for the Pats; this Eagles team may be shutting down.
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh. My pick: STEELERS 27-24. Look for the Steelers to prevail here at home vs Matt Hasselbeck, BUT...look for this to be a tight battle. Hasselbeck has played and is playing very well for the Colts.
Dallas at Washington. My pick: REDSKINS 24-17. Kirk Cousins has quietly put together several good games in a row for the 'Skins. Meanwhile--once again the Cowboys must rely on Matt Cassel. Hasn't worked out for them yet...
Let's see how I do:
COLLEGE PICKS
Florida vs Alabama. My pick: CRIMSON TIDE. Don't expect much of a game here. The Gators have a hard time even getting a first down, much less scoring.
USC vs Stanford. My pick: CARDINAL. Stanford to get revenge from their defeat at the hands of the Trojans earlier this year. Stanford has real momentum coming out of last week's win vs Notre Dame.
Michigan State vs Iowa. My pick: SPARTANS. I think Iowa has done a remarkable job going undefeated so far. But MSU has played the tougher schedule and is riding high.
North Carolina vs Clemson. My pick: TIGERS. Clemson will have too much speed and firepower.
***************
NFL PICKS
NY Jets vs NY Giants. My pick: JETS 17-10. The Giants can't rush the passer, and can't run the ball consistently. Meaning: trouble.
Arizona at St. Louis. My pick: CARDINALS 20-16. Expect a close game here; this is kind of trap game for the Cards on the road against an apparently inferior team. But expect AZ to pull it out in the end.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay. My pick: FALCONS 23-20. Finally...finally...I see the Falcons stopping their slide. They have too much talent to keep playing so poorly.
Seattle at Minnesota. My pick: VIKINGS 24-20. The Seahawks will load up the box to try and stop Adrian Peterson, but I'm not sure their defense is any longer good enough to do all it is asked to do.
Houston at Buffalo. My pick: TEXANS 19-16. Houston is on a roll; with a supreme effort from their defense (again), they can stay on one.
Baltimore at Miami. My pick: DOLPHINS 24-17. The key here: Joe Flacco for the Ravens is out for the rest of the season.
Cincinnati at Cleveland. My pick: BENGALS 28-10. The Bengals will feast on their in-state rival, who have to start Austin Davis at QB.
Jacksonville at Tennessee. My pick: JAGUARS 24-21. The Jags often are so close, yet so far. This week look for Blake Bortles to make the play they need.
San Francisco at Chicago. My pick: BEARS 21-13. While you weren't looking, the Bears have been playing decent football and are in the thick of the playoff race.
Denver at San Diego. My pick: CHARGERS 27-21. UPSET SPECIAL. Remember--Brock Osweiler remains inexperienced. Philip Rivers meanwhile is not, and this is the kind of game where his pinpoint passing can engineer upsets.
Kansas City at Oakland. My pick: CHIEFS 20-17. The Chiefs to stay on a roll.
Carolina at New Orleans. My pick: PANTHERS 31-10. The Saints are a mess. And don't forget--a key element of the Panthers' success this year is their defense; its toughness was on display last week at Dallas.
Philadelphia at New England. My pick: PATRIOTS 35-13. A breather for the Pats; this Eagles team may be shutting down.
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh. My pick: STEELERS 27-24. Look for the Steelers to prevail here at home vs Matt Hasselbeck, BUT...look for this to be a tight battle. Hasselbeck has played and is playing very well for the Colts.
Dallas at Washington. My pick: REDSKINS 24-17. Kirk Cousins has quietly put together several good games in a row for the 'Skins. Meanwhile--once again the Cowboys must rely on Matt Cassel. Hasn't worked out for them yet...
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
FOR MOMS AND DADS: LEARNING FROM--AND LEARNING TO LAUGH AT--FAILURE
I just thought this was a really interesting and well-written piece, and something to learn from both for Moebius moms and dads, and for all moms and dads. What happens if your child fails at something? It doesn't have to be all bad--read on:
*************************
Failures in our house generate more laughs than lessons.
Like the time my three daughters and I attempted to make cheese on the stovetop. Or when our youngest thought she could cut her own bangs. Or last Thanksgiving when I assumed it was safe to cool a pot of boiled brine in the snow directly outside our side door (I failed to cool the brine and succeeded only in giving my husband second degree burns on his foot).
But when a failure functions as a hard lesson, it’s decidedly less funny. Especially when the failure is your child’s first. And when you’re there to witness it. Because those moments are pure heartbreak. For both of you.
Last month, our introverted but drama-loving 11-year-old ran into the house from school, excited and breathless. “Mom! My drama club audition is on Saturday, October 3 at 11:30. Can you put it on the calendar?” She ran upstairs, monologue in hand, and I dutifully entered the time and day into my phone and set the alert: Saturday. October 3. 11:30 am. I recalled skimming the parent packet for drama club. One rule was clear: show up late for your audition and forfeit your chance of being in the club.
In the week before the audition, she reminded me daily: “Mom, don’t forget, my audition is this Saturday at 11:30.” I assured her I was on it and she practiced her monologue – a lot. Finally, Saturday came. We pulled up at school at 11:18 and I walked her inside. A teacher sat at the check-in.
“What’s your name, hon?” she asked. My daughter answered and the teacher flipped the pages of the sign-in sheet, scanning each signed line. “Hmmmm…,” she stopped. “Looks like you missed your audition. You were supposed to go at 11.”
The color drained from my daughter’s face. “But I signed up for 11:30,” she insisted, voice low and confused.
“Nope,” the teacher said, holding up the sign-up sheet and pointing to the last line on the page. “See? 11 to 11:15.” I read the line and recognized the handwriting. My daughter’s shoulders sank.
Wanting to come to my daughter’s defense, I asked if she could audition later. “Sorry, that’s it,” the teacher said, frowning and shaking her head. Nodding in understanding, my daughter whispered, “It’s fine.” She knew the rule and so did I.
We turned and walked down the long hallway toward the parking lot. She climbed into the car and slammed the door. “I thought I signed up for 11:30!” she sobbed. “I’m so stupid!” Her words stung.
There’s not a whole lot for parents to say in times like these. We can’t say, “It’s okay,” because it’s so clearly not. We can’t make a bad guy out of the messenger. We can’t scold – our children are already beating themselves up. But most of all, we can’t say, “Just let it go,” because frankly, they shouldn’t.
As hard as it was to watch my daughter – a kind, quiet, all-around good girl – so angry with herself, I knew that distracting her too soon would be counterproductive to the opportunity her failure provided. So I let her cry in her room for a while. I told her making a mistake didn’t make her stupid. It made her human. And then, to reach out, I told her a story.
I told her about my interview with the Associated Press, just months after graduating with my degree in journalism. I drove two hours to the interview, took the writing test and triple checked it for errors. The editor reviewed my test and frowned. “Your writing is good, but you had a typo. You misspelled ‘occurred’,” he said, before adding, “in your lead.” I was humiliated. My error was a complete oversight, but there was no way around it. I had been careless. I cried most of the drive back home, knowing that I’d blown my one chance to write for the AP.
“It feels like you blew it and it might for a while,” I told her. “But this won’t be your last chance to act ever.”
Turns out, she didn’t have to wait too long for the next one. Three hours after the missed audition, the director called to say that he’d love for her to come back that afternoon, if she was willing.
Of course, I knew she would be, but was I? Would giving her the opportunity to right a wrong so soon diminish the value of what she’d learned? I struggled for a moment. The thing was, the director wasn’t asking me. He was asking her.
So she auditioned.
And as we drove away from school – this time, under considerably better circumstances – I wondered out loud about the start date of an upcoming volleyball clinic. “Um, Mom? Can you double check when it starts?” she asked. “I don’t want to miss anything ever again.”
I chuckled. But this time, I wasn’t laughing at a failure. I laughed at success.
Jennifer Kuhel is a writer who lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
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Failures in our house generate more laughs than lessons.
Like the time my three daughters and I attempted to make cheese on the stovetop. Or when our youngest thought she could cut her own bangs. Or last Thanksgiving when I assumed it was safe to cool a pot of boiled brine in the snow directly outside our side door (I failed to cool the brine and succeeded only in giving my husband second degree burns on his foot).
But when a failure functions as a hard lesson, it’s decidedly less funny. Especially when the failure is your child’s first. And when you’re there to witness it. Because those moments are pure heartbreak. For both of you.
Last month, our introverted but drama-loving 11-year-old ran into the house from school, excited and breathless. “Mom! My drama club audition is on Saturday, October 3 at 11:30. Can you put it on the calendar?” She ran upstairs, monologue in hand, and I dutifully entered the time and day into my phone and set the alert: Saturday. October 3. 11:30 am. I recalled skimming the parent packet for drama club. One rule was clear: show up late for your audition and forfeit your chance of being in the club.
In the week before the audition, she reminded me daily: “Mom, don’t forget, my audition is this Saturday at 11:30.” I assured her I was on it and she practiced her monologue – a lot. Finally, Saturday came. We pulled up at school at 11:18 and I walked her inside. A teacher sat at the check-in.
“What’s your name, hon?” she asked. My daughter answered and the teacher flipped the pages of the sign-in sheet, scanning each signed line. “Hmmmm…,” she stopped. “Looks like you missed your audition. You were supposed to go at 11.”
The color drained from my daughter’s face. “But I signed up for 11:30,” she insisted, voice low and confused.
“Nope,” the teacher said, holding up the sign-up sheet and pointing to the last line on the page. “See? 11 to 11:15.” I read the line and recognized the handwriting. My daughter’s shoulders sank.
Wanting to come to my daughter’s defense, I asked if she could audition later. “Sorry, that’s it,” the teacher said, frowning and shaking her head. Nodding in understanding, my daughter whispered, “It’s fine.” She knew the rule and so did I.
We turned and walked down the long hallway toward the parking lot. She climbed into the car and slammed the door. “I thought I signed up for 11:30!” she sobbed. “I’m so stupid!” Her words stung.
There’s not a whole lot for parents to say in times like these. We can’t say, “It’s okay,” because it’s so clearly not. We can’t make a bad guy out of the messenger. We can’t scold – our children are already beating themselves up. But most of all, we can’t say, “Just let it go,” because frankly, they shouldn’t.
As hard as it was to watch my daughter – a kind, quiet, all-around good girl – so angry with herself, I knew that distracting her too soon would be counterproductive to the opportunity her failure provided. So I let her cry in her room for a while. I told her making a mistake didn’t make her stupid. It made her human. And then, to reach out, I told her a story.
I told her about my interview with the Associated Press, just months after graduating with my degree in journalism. I drove two hours to the interview, took the writing test and triple checked it for errors. The editor reviewed my test and frowned. “Your writing is good, but you had a typo. You misspelled ‘occurred’,” he said, before adding, “in your lead.” I was humiliated. My error was a complete oversight, but there was no way around it. I had been careless. I cried most of the drive back home, knowing that I’d blown my one chance to write for the AP.
“It feels like you blew it and it might for a while,” I told her. “But this won’t be your last chance to act ever.”
Turns out, she didn’t have to wait too long for the next one. Three hours after the missed audition, the director called to say that he’d love for her to come back that afternoon, if she was willing.
Of course, I knew she would be, but was I? Would giving her the opportunity to right a wrong so soon diminish the value of what she’d learned? I struggled for a moment. The thing was, the director wasn’t asking me. He was asking her.
So she auditioned.
And as we drove away from school – this time, under considerably better circumstances – I wondered out loud about the start date of an upcoming volleyball clinic. “Um, Mom? Can you double check when it starts?” she asked. “I don’t want to miss anything ever again.”
I chuckled. But this time, I wasn’t laughing at a failure. I laughed at success.
Jennifer Kuhel is a writer who lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
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