I remember a story my dad told me about a guy he knew in the army. If I recall the story correctly, this fellow soldier voluntarily went to Vietnam during the war and my father asked him why he would request to go there. He responded by telling my dad he looked at life like a pie and he wanted to eat as much of it as he could. To him, Vietnam was another piece of that pie.
This was a story I always liked and tried to apply to the "variety is the spice of life" mantra. I look through my life thus far and notice that a number of people I know have lived this way. My wife spent time in Los Angeles. She worked in a variety of different career fields such as business, mentally challenged adults and now special education at the middle school level. My brother and sister-in-law lived in Sweden and spent time in Tanzania and India. They spent a night in a hotel made of ice. They traveled all over Europe.
Meanwhile, I haven't traveled anywhere. I have lived in Ohio my whole life. I haven't skydived. I haven't bungee jumped. I haven't spent the night in a haunted house. I missed out on seeing Yankee Stadium. I haven't done a number of things I wanted and still want to do.
But I think I still have enjoyed a kind of variety that others may not have experienced. While my time has been in Ohio, I have managed to immerse myself as the minority in a number of different contexts with several different cultures or ways of life despite location. I have blogged about some of these experiences already. This time I feel like focusing on my experience at a church called St. Thomas Aquinas which was located in east Cleveland near Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Coincidentally, I ended up getting married very near to this church.
How many white teenagers born and raised in an affluent suburb get to be a legitimate, participating member of church where the congregation shouts "Amen!" during the sermon? Just like you see on TV but for real. How many would witness their fellow members wave their hands in the air and vocally agree with the minister? A Franciscan monk in this particular case. Would they be a part of the sign of peace that is a social happy hour where every person in the room walks to every other person and passes peace in a sincere, purposeful manner?
I really don't think many do.
In addition, how many would dare travel into this same scary, keep-you-doors-locked neighborhoods on a weekly basis to play basketball? I mean the real street ball version. The loud, trash talking, dunking version where everybody hogs the ball and refuses to play any sort of team basketball. The kind that would make any fan of Hoosiers cringe. We watch this style on the "And 1 Mixed Tape" tour on ESPN, but I was actually there experiencing it weekly. There was one week I skipped since the Rodney King riots were taking place. After seeing the clip of the truck driver getting pulled out and beaten on TV, both my dad and I thought it may be in our best interest to avoid experiencing that possibility live.
Long before nicknames like "Silent Storm" crossed the lips of coworkers at Linden, I was garnering names like Bird and Paxson because: A) I was white like them B) I could shoot better than any of those guys who only drove for layups or dunks and called fouls every time they missed (which was alot). This is where I developed my tendency to shoot the ball alot. Nobody passed it to me--or anyone else for that matter-- so when I finally got my hands on it, I shot it. It took awhile to gain any kind of respect there and even after a couple strong games I still had a lukewarm reputation.
Many times I was laughed at. I could feel the weird looks too. Many of them never understood me. There was this forced interaction at first. It eventually warmed and I got to know the regulars, but there was always this distance. These weren't members of the church who were very warm and inviting. These were the kids coming off the streets near the church to stay out of trouble. In another coincidence, like my wedding many years later, I returned to teach middle school in this area. Buckeye fans would recognize the high school my students (and these kids) would go to as the home of Ted Ginn Jr. and Troy Smith, Glenville.
Regardless, each week I showed up. I shot my way onto a team and played the "every man for himself" style of basketball. I enjoyed the punch and cake or pretzels or whatever refreshments were there. I got into some interesting conversations with Fr. Tom who oversaw the whole thing. I even tried to talk to some of the girls there. Now THAT was a sight to see.
My point here is that this experience shaped much of who I am today. The silent urge to jack up shots any time I am open when I play basketball. My silence when I play with strangers. Also my interest in different religious topics and theology. My belief that religion/spirituality should be an experience not a ritual.
Finally, my last point is that I have been in a position of a minority. Although, I do understand I will never truly know what it is like to live as a minority every minute of every day, in the end, I still could go home to my safe, comfortable house and live easily. Regardless, I have put myself in that position and seen a glimpse. I even felt that uncomfortable feeling of being the only one like me around and watching other people react awkwardly as a result. I take pride in this.
I think that is a slice.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
January 20th, 2009 For This White Man
The inauguration of President Barack Obama is a historic event without a doubt. It is a major event for this country in terms of its race relations. We are going to hear so much about what this means for African American men and women. We should hear it and continue to discuss it. As a thirty-something, straight, white male with a job and health insurance I can't even fathom what it means to African Americans throughout this country, nor will I try to act as though I do. But that doesn't mean this day means little to me.
This day means a good bit.
I look at this as a tremendously positive moment. I also look at this as a momentous opportunity. For my generation, positive moments that captivate and connect people at this magnitude have been rare if existent at all. The memorable moments for us, the moments that everyone around the country remembers where they were when these moments happened include the Space Shuttle disaster and the terrorist attacks on September 11th. These events either faded away after awhile or divided us even more down the road with the resulting wars in the middle east. We have also had the Rodney King beating leading to riots in L.A. and the O.J. Simpson trial which divided us by race.
I look back throughout our history and notice the negative events and issues past generations have also had to deal with like slavery, Civil War, Great Depression, two World Wars, the Civil Rights struggles and its set backs, segregation, Vietnam War and so on. I noticed great leaders rise from those events like F.D.R, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln. Even controversial leaders played their role like John Brown and Malcolm X. But who has my generation had? Ronald Reagan? Seriously?
While race is an important element to Obama's place in history and position in our country, I am looking to him as a leader of all people like Kennedy, Lincoln, King and the others. I am excited because I really believe he can lead us out of so much that is bad right now. There is no way he can fix everything or fix anything completely. I don't expect him to be a savior. And in the end it is us that will have to make the changes. But we can't and obviously won't without someone to lead us there.
This man can do that.
Whether it is mending the deep wounds that exist between blacks and whites and other groups, guiding us out of economic woes (which again will take US changing our lifestyles and living within or beneath our means for awhile), mending bridges with and earning back the respect of foreign countries, taking back a leadership presence in the world, improving education funding, or becoming more environmentally friendly, this inauguration of this man this day can begin to get us there.
This day means a good bit.
I look at this as a tremendously positive moment. I also look at this as a momentous opportunity. For my generation, positive moments that captivate and connect people at this magnitude have been rare if existent at all. The memorable moments for us, the moments that everyone around the country remembers where they were when these moments happened include the Space Shuttle disaster and the terrorist attacks on September 11th. These events either faded away after awhile or divided us even more down the road with the resulting wars in the middle east. We have also had the Rodney King beating leading to riots in L.A. and the O.J. Simpson trial which divided us by race.
I look back throughout our history and notice the negative events and issues past generations have also had to deal with like slavery, Civil War, Great Depression, two World Wars, the Civil Rights struggles and its set backs, segregation, Vietnam War and so on. I noticed great leaders rise from those events like F.D.R, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln. Even controversial leaders played their role like John Brown and Malcolm X. But who has my generation had? Ronald Reagan? Seriously?
While race is an important element to Obama's place in history and position in our country, I am looking to him as a leader of all people like Kennedy, Lincoln, King and the others. I am excited because I really believe he can lead us out of so much that is bad right now. There is no way he can fix everything or fix anything completely. I don't expect him to be a savior. And in the end it is us that will have to make the changes. But we can't and obviously won't without someone to lead us there.
This man can do that.
Whether it is mending the deep wounds that exist between blacks and whites and other groups, guiding us out of economic woes (which again will take US changing our lifestyles and living within or beneath our means for awhile), mending bridges with and earning back the respect of foreign countries, taking back a leadership presence in the world, improving education funding, or becoming more environmentally friendly, this inauguration of this man this day can begin to get us there.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Healthcare
I have a feeling it was "meant to be" that I write this post. I was thinking the other day about writing something in regards to universal healthcare. Then I read my cousin's note on facebook that ignited a rather heated debate with an extremely conservative, priestly colleague of his. My cousin, sister and I joined in this "conversation" regarding universal healthcare or socialized healthcare as this priest in training put it.
My original intention was to write about my observations and thoughts regarding a student of mine who has been out of school for a bit due to her sibling's recent health issue that is identical to what I have been through with my daughter. While I don't want to get into their private matters in a public post like this, I am certain they don't have the same insurance that I am lucky enough to have. But for the sake of discussion, let us just say that there are families in their position who are not insured because we know there are. So here I go in a stream of consciousness style of writing because I have very little substance to share.
How do families liek the one I spoke of above pay for the care they need? I recall being in that very same position in terms of health and all the emotions and thoughts running through my head WITH insurance. No matter how scared I was, I knew my daughter would receive care and I could afford my portion. Despite that I was stressed out and almost in a panic. This poor family. These poor families that must experience that, or worse, and not know where the money is going to come from.
I am speaking from ignorance, but do they even receive the same service? Do they get shortchanged because the doctors and nurses know they can't pay for it? Is this ethical or common? Is this where medicare or medicaid come in?
I realize this post isn't giving answers or opinions as much as asking questions. This is where I am with this right now. I feel horrible for this family and others families like them. Thinking about this makes me think we need to find some way to create viable healthcare for all. But I have no idea where to begin.
There is still part of me that gets frustrated when my tax money meant to help people like these in situations like these gets abused by these people. Or gets abused by the government in charge of passing it out appropriately. So I don't know exactly where I stand. I get tired of standing behind people in line at the corner grocery store across from my school watching them use food stamps ad then using cash to buy 40 ounce malt liquor and cigarettes. Or the food they buy is doughnuts and chips and other junk food. I am not speaking in stereotypes, this is what I see frequently. Am I wrong to judge like this?
Boy oh boy, just looking back on my experience in the healthcare system makes me count my blessings for how lucky I am.
My original intention was to write about my observations and thoughts regarding a student of mine who has been out of school for a bit due to her sibling's recent health issue that is identical to what I have been through with my daughter. While I don't want to get into their private matters in a public post like this, I am certain they don't have the same insurance that I am lucky enough to have. But for the sake of discussion, let us just say that there are families in their position who are not insured because we know there are. So here I go in a stream of consciousness style of writing because I have very little substance to share.
How do families liek the one I spoke of above pay for the care they need? I recall being in that very same position in terms of health and all the emotions and thoughts running through my head WITH insurance. No matter how scared I was, I knew my daughter would receive care and I could afford my portion. Despite that I was stressed out and almost in a panic. This poor family. These poor families that must experience that, or worse, and not know where the money is going to come from.
I am speaking from ignorance, but do they even receive the same service? Do they get shortchanged because the doctors and nurses know they can't pay for it? Is this ethical or common? Is this where medicare or medicaid come in?
I realize this post isn't giving answers or opinions as much as asking questions. This is where I am with this right now. I feel horrible for this family and others families like them. Thinking about this makes me think we need to find some way to create viable healthcare for all. But I have no idea where to begin.
There is still part of me that gets frustrated when my tax money meant to help people like these in situations like these gets abused by these people. Or gets abused by the government in charge of passing it out appropriately. So I don't know exactly where I stand. I get tired of standing behind people in line at the corner grocery store across from my school watching them use food stamps ad then using cash to buy 40 ounce malt liquor and cigarettes. Or the food they buy is doughnuts and chips and other junk food. I am not speaking in stereotypes, this is what I see frequently. Am I wrong to judge like this?
Boy oh boy, just looking back on my experience in the healthcare system makes me count my blessings for how lucky I am.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Game Within The Game: Mission Statement
There is this part of me that wishes I could get paid to write about sports. Before I chose to go into education, I did want to pursue journalism. I never pulled that trigger. I wouldn't call it a regret, but if I lived my life over again knowing what I know now, I just might have tried that route. So I am going to take this opportunity to "play" sports journalist. I can pretend to be something I always wanted to be but lacked the confidence to try.
In this vain I have started my second blog which is devoted to sports. It is off and running. If you haven't noticed or taken a look, click the link to the right. But this post is about my objective and intent with that blog.
I have had a number of ideas and directions in which I wanted to go with it but finally settled on this: A forum. Instead of going solo which I originally was thinking, I acquired the help of a fellow sports fan who shares team allegiances but differs in opinion enough to make his partnership interesting. I also have asked numerous friends around the country to "contribute" through comments or posts of their own (still working that out). I figured this would help achieve my goals of creating a forum vibe or style.
We are only a week into this thing, but I like the direction it seems to be going. My hopes were that the dialogue on the blog would be much like that of a conversation you would have sitting at a bar watching a game, gathering around the water cooler Monday morning with your work colleagues, emailing friends of yours regarding the big game, spending time with your extended family at gatherings and holiday celebrations, at a cookout around the grill, tailgating outside the stadium before a game or while sitting in the stands watching the games and talking to your partners and/or fellow fans sitting in your row or section.
I figured that would best happen if I gathered up those people with whom I have these types of conversations on a regular basis and get them to contribute. That would hopefully create a critical mass of people creating and continuing discussion and debate and good natured trash talking. We can commiserate about losses and bad calls together. We can celebrate victories and glorious plays! We can predict and assess. We can analyze and breakdown and share what "should" have happened.
With this as the fundamental objective of the blog, I hope to gain more viewers and readers. Ideally, this blog would be circulated around more circles than just my own. More people would join in and comment and extend the conversation. After all, what do guys (and many girls) love more than talking sports? Well, drinking beer and watching sports...but I'm not stopping them from cracking a cold one while reading our blog. Assuming they are 21 and not driving anywhere afterwards.
The blog is already generating good stuff. Where it goes is yet to be seen. It is and always will be a work in progress. Baddeley and I have a good mindset for this baby. We both want to take our hallway conversations and share them with you. We know some people who share our passion and look forward to sharing this with them too.
Check it out!
In this vain I have started my second blog which is devoted to sports. It is off and running. If you haven't noticed or taken a look, click the link to the right. But this post is about my objective and intent with that blog.
I have had a number of ideas and directions in which I wanted to go with it but finally settled on this: A forum. Instead of going solo which I originally was thinking, I acquired the help of a fellow sports fan who shares team allegiances but differs in opinion enough to make his partnership interesting. I also have asked numerous friends around the country to "contribute" through comments or posts of their own (still working that out). I figured this would help achieve my goals of creating a forum vibe or style.
We are only a week into this thing, but I like the direction it seems to be going. My hopes were that the dialogue on the blog would be much like that of a conversation you would have sitting at a bar watching a game, gathering around the water cooler Monday morning with your work colleagues, emailing friends of yours regarding the big game, spending time with your extended family at gatherings and holiday celebrations, at a cookout around the grill, tailgating outside the stadium before a game or while sitting in the stands watching the games and talking to your partners and/or fellow fans sitting in your row or section.
I figured that would best happen if I gathered up those people with whom I have these types of conversations on a regular basis and get them to contribute. That would hopefully create a critical mass of people creating and continuing discussion and debate and good natured trash talking. We can commiserate about losses and bad calls together. We can celebrate victories and glorious plays! We can predict and assess. We can analyze and breakdown and share what "should" have happened.
With this as the fundamental objective of the blog, I hope to gain more viewers and readers. Ideally, this blog would be circulated around more circles than just my own. More people would join in and comment and extend the conversation. After all, what do guys (and many girls) love more than talking sports? Well, drinking beer and watching sports...but I'm not stopping them from cracking a cold one while reading our blog. Assuming they are 21 and not driving anywhere afterwards.
The blog is already generating good stuff. Where it goes is yet to be seen. It is and always will be a work in progress. Baddeley and I have a good mindset for this baby. We both want to take our hallway conversations and share them with you. We know some people who share our passion and look forward to sharing this with them too.
Check it out!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Facing My Mortality
Before my daughter was born I was like most 20 somethings. I lived an active social life and enjoyed many things I don't and can't anymore. At the time I rarely obsessed over death like I do now. While I feared death, I didn't want to die, I didn't look over my shoulder every three minutes for it.
Over the past 7 years, I have grown up a good bit. I have calmed down as well. I understand this is a natural part of my maturity. But is this overcharged realization of my mortality that I have been dealing with also an effect? It would make sense. Maybe this can be chalked up to a midlife crisis so to speak. Of course, it would be a bit early for that but nothing is exact.
I think I had those same feelings of invincibility most people do in their 20s. I think many of us come to terms with things as we enter our 30s. For me, having my daughter around fast forwarded me to those thoughts of, "I could die." I don't mean the idea that we die some day. Obviously we are aware of that as children. I mean the realization that you won't be here forever and the thoughts about what you are going to do about it.
Having a little one makes me worry even more than I normally do---which is a lot. I constantly worry about her safety and happiness, but I also worry about being here for her.
There are things I need to do to look out for her. I need to make sure things are taken care of for her. I have progressed to a point where I think about what I do in terms of her well being. I would like to clean up some of my actions though. At times I make mistakes. Also, I need to get my legal and financial items in shape so she isn't left in a bad way.
I'll be honest. I am scared to death of death. Having a child....eh um, children, scares me even more.
Over the past 7 years, I have grown up a good bit. I have calmed down as well. I understand this is a natural part of my maturity. But is this overcharged realization of my mortality that I have been dealing with also an effect? It would make sense. Maybe this can be chalked up to a midlife crisis so to speak. Of course, it would be a bit early for that but nothing is exact.
I think I had those same feelings of invincibility most people do in their 20s. I think many of us come to terms with things as we enter our 30s. For me, having my daughter around fast forwarded me to those thoughts of, "I could die." I don't mean the idea that we die some day. Obviously we are aware of that as children. I mean the realization that you won't be here forever and the thoughts about what you are going to do about it.
Having a little one makes me worry even more than I normally do---which is a lot. I constantly worry about her safety and happiness, but I also worry about being here for her.
There are things I need to do to look out for her. I need to make sure things are taken care of for her. I have progressed to a point where I think about what I do in terms of her well being. I would like to clean up some of my actions though. At times I make mistakes. Also, I need to get my legal and financial items in shape so she isn't left in a bad way.
I'll be honest. I am scared to death of death. Having a child....eh um, children, scares me even more.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Footprints
I received a belated birthday card from my mother this week. In it she wrote an extended letter that was very heart warming. This hasn't been the first positive letter, email or phone call I have received from her, my father or other family, friends and loved ones recently. It has also been a tough time for me personally lately.
As I reflected on this fact I was reminded of the well known poem called "Footprints." I do not who wrote it but it was about a guy who walks down a beach and looks back at his footprints. These footprints represent his life. As he looked back he noticed there were two sets of footprints, one being his and the other being Jesus'. But during the hard times in his life one set was missing. The man was upset thinking he was abandoned during these times. But to his surprise, these were the times Jesus picked him up and carried him.
I realize this may come off as a bit religious and I proclaim not to be a religious person. Some of you may consider me a hypocrite. So be it. I have always liked the idea of this poem regardless of its religious connotation. There is this feeling of safety and security that comes with it.
The letter from my mother and the support of so many friends and loved ones over the past year and more has reminded me of this poem. In my own way I have had people pick me up and carry me during this stretch. It hasn't been one person, but many.
I am truly grateful to these people and their kindness and support.
As I reflected on this fact I was reminded of the well known poem called "Footprints." I do not who wrote it but it was about a guy who walks down a beach and looks back at his footprints. These footprints represent his life. As he looked back he noticed there were two sets of footprints, one being his and the other being Jesus'. But during the hard times in his life one set was missing. The man was upset thinking he was abandoned during these times. But to his surprise, these were the times Jesus picked him up and carried him.
I realize this may come off as a bit religious and I proclaim not to be a religious person. Some of you may consider me a hypocrite. So be it. I have always liked the idea of this poem regardless of its religious connotation. There is this feeling of safety and security that comes with it.
The letter from my mother and the support of so many friends and loved ones over the past year and more has reminded me of this poem. In my own way I have had people pick me up and carry me during this stretch. It hasn't been one person, but many.
I am truly grateful to these people and their kindness and support.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Ok, I Get the Point
So three followers? THREE!?
Ouch.
You all prefer to remain anonymous I suppose. Ok. No problem.
All joking aside......I enjoy the conversations from all of you who DO read regulary or every now and again and I ask the sports fans of my following to check out: www.gamewithinthegame.blogspot.com
The rest of you that don't care much for my sports opinions, continue to keep an eye on this here blog for more tidbits from "The One."
Ouch.
You all prefer to remain anonymous I suppose. Ok. No problem.
All joking aside......I enjoy the conversations from all of you who DO read regulary or every now and again and I ask the sports fans of my following to check out: www.gamewithinthegame.blogspot.com
The rest of you that don't care much for my sports opinions, continue to keep an eye on this here blog for more tidbits from "The One."
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
2009 Fiesta Bowl Recap
Ohio State and Texas thrilled Fiesta Bowl viewers last night with an exciting football game. All indicators leading up to the game led us to believe the Buckeyes were in over their heads and had no business being in the same stadium as the Texas Longhorns. I, too, wrote how the Longhorns would cruise to an easy 37-6 type of game. But to my delight that did not happen. The Buckeyes went blow for blow with Texas demonstrating that they belonged on the same field with the Big 12 powerhouse.
They hung in there through the first half. They were able to go in the locker room with a 6-3 lead. Nobody expected the powerful Longhorn offense to be held to a field goal for 30 minutes. Ohio State then weathered a Texas storm in the third quarter and answered with a 15 point run of their own to take a 21-17 lead with 2 minutes left in the game. That alone impressed me. I thought the Buckeyes were dead to rights after the two third quarter TDs, but when it was gut check time, they responded.
But as my brother said and I thought...."TOO MUCH TIME!!!!!!" The Buckeye offense scored too fast. They left Colt McCoy 2 minutes to score. That is just way too much time for the potent offense from Texas. Despite being inches from a 4th down stand, the defense of Ohio State could not hold McCoy. An aggressive play call to blitz McCoy left the slant open over the middle and Anderson Russell couldn't make the stop allowing Texas to score and clinch the nail biting victory.
I wrote six things that needed to happen for Ohio State to win and they came up just short delivering on 5 of them. That perfectly translated to the game in which Ohio State came up just short of winning.
I wrote Wells had to have a big game. He did until he suffered a concussion in the second half. He needs to go pro because he can't go more than 2 games without getting hurt. He needs to get his paycheck while he still can. Back to the game, Wells rushed for 106 yards averaging 6.6 and breaking several big, important runs. his success kept the ball out of the Longhorns' hands. It allowed for the Bucks to control the clock and the game in the first half and was a big reason they had a lead.
I also said the defense HAD to show up and they did. Again, they held the explosive Longhorns to a field goal in the first half and earned a critical three and out in the 4th quarter as well. Unfortunately, in the third quarter the offense sputtered which resulted in little time to rest for the defense. The Longhorns capitalized with a hurry up offense and were able to get two big touchdowns.
I wrote the coaches needed to avoid the same old stagnant game plan. They came through to a certain degree. The Boeckman/Pryor alternating was different and done well from my point of view. It would have been nice to see Boeckman throw underneath a bit more instead of going deep almost every time he was in there, but it was a departure from the same old play calling. They definitely went away from the classic Tressel ball school of conservative power I over and over. But there were two drives in the third quarter where they relapsed. That hurt.
Defensively they were much more aggressive and I think that was good. The zone blitz crap they used against Florida and others was annoying and unsuccessful. This time around they were able to get pressure on McCoy and they were able to stuff the run for the most part. The one problem, and it killed us, was sticking to the blitz on the game winning play and leaving the middle of the field wide open for the slant. McCoy saw it and abused it. Many people will call into AM radio and complain, but hindsight is 20/20. We all begged for more aggression from the defense and we got it. you can't have it both ways. Maybe that one time though????
They did play with heart and they did play physical. Even though Gibson was called for costly penalties for hits to the QB (one of which was a bad call), I liked idea behind it. I liked the effort to hit the QB hard and make him think.
I said the Buckeyes couldn't make more mistakes and had to win field position. They had no turnovers and forced one. Their penalties were more costly though. Field position was a wash.
Finally, I said Terrelle Pryor had to have his best game. Not only did he NOT have his best game, I feel he had his worst game. This is not to say I blame him for the loss, but he made a number of freshmen mistakes running out of bounds before th first down marker despite having a clear path beyond it. He also made some bad throws and still isn't throwing it away and taking big sacks. The big thing was that it was glaringly obvious the offense had no passing game whatsoever when he was in there. They relied solely on his legs. Granted they are pretty darn good legs and are able to gain plenty of yards but as the game proved, you can't score consistently with it.
Overall, I feel better than I did after the last two BCS Title games. They were over matched in those two games and it was embarrassing. This time, the Buckeyes hung in there well and after going down, they manned up and fought back. Really, they were inches away from winning this game despite the loss of their star running back and lack of a passing game. They played with passion and showed great effort. Programs like Ohio state don't have moral victories. The bar is set too high for those. We expect National Titles here. There is a lot of work to be done. Next year could be ugly. But as for this particular game.....I am proud of my guys even if the loss hurts.
They hung in there through the first half. They were able to go in the locker room with a 6-3 lead. Nobody expected the powerful Longhorn offense to be held to a field goal for 30 minutes. Ohio State then weathered a Texas storm in the third quarter and answered with a 15 point run of their own to take a 21-17 lead with 2 minutes left in the game. That alone impressed me. I thought the Buckeyes were dead to rights after the two third quarter TDs, but when it was gut check time, they responded.
But as my brother said and I thought...."TOO MUCH TIME!!!!!!" The Buckeye offense scored too fast. They left Colt McCoy 2 minutes to score. That is just way too much time for the potent offense from Texas. Despite being inches from a 4th down stand, the defense of Ohio State could not hold McCoy. An aggressive play call to blitz McCoy left the slant open over the middle and Anderson Russell couldn't make the stop allowing Texas to score and clinch the nail biting victory.
I wrote six things that needed to happen for Ohio State to win and they came up just short delivering on 5 of them. That perfectly translated to the game in which Ohio State came up just short of winning.
I wrote Wells had to have a big game. He did until he suffered a concussion in the second half. He needs to go pro because he can't go more than 2 games without getting hurt. He needs to get his paycheck while he still can. Back to the game, Wells rushed for 106 yards averaging 6.6 and breaking several big, important runs. his success kept the ball out of the Longhorns' hands. It allowed for the Bucks to control the clock and the game in the first half and was a big reason they had a lead.
I also said the defense HAD to show up and they did. Again, they held the explosive Longhorns to a field goal in the first half and earned a critical three and out in the 4th quarter as well. Unfortunately, in the third quarter the offense sputtered which resulted in little time to rest for the defense. The Longhorns capitalized with a hurry up offense and were able to get two big touchdowns.
I wrote the coaches needed to avoid the same old stagnant game plan. They came through to a certain degree. The Boeckman/Pryor alternating was different and done well from my point of view. It would have been nice to see Boeckman throw underneath a bit more instead of going deep almost every time he was in there, but it was a departure from the same old play calling. They definitely went away from the classic Tressel ball school of conservative power I over and over. But there were two drives in the third quarter where they relapsed. That hurt.
Defensively they were much more aggressive and I think that was good. The zone blitz crap they used against Florida and others was annoying and unsuccessful. This time around they were able to get pressure on McCoy and they were able to stuff the run for the most part. The one problem, and it killed us, was sticking to the blitz on the game winning play and leaving the middle of the field wide open for the slant. McCoy saw it and abused it. Many people will call into AM radio and complain, but hindsight is 20/20. We all begged for more aggression from the defense and we got it. you can't have it both ways. Maybe that one time though????
They did play with heart and they did play physical. Even though Gibson was called for costly penalties for hits to the QB (one of which was a bad call), I liked idea behind it. I liked the effort to hit the QB hard and make him think.
I said the Buckeyes couldn't make more mistakes and had to win field position. They had no turnovers and forced one. Their penalties were more costly though. Field position was a wash.
Finally, I said Terrelle Pryor had to have his best game. Not only did he NOT have his best game, I feel he had his worst game. This is not to say I blame him for the loss, but he made a number of freshmen mistakes running out of bounds before th first down marker despite having a clear path beyond it. He also made some bad throws and still isn't throwing it away and taking big sacks. The big thing was that it was glaringly obvious the offense had no passing game whatsoever when he was in there. They relied solely on his legs. Granted they are pretty darn good legs and are able to gain plenty of yards but as the game proved, you can't score consistently with it.
Overall, I feel better than I did after the last two BCS Title games. They were over matched in those two games and it was embarrassing. This time, the Buckeyes hung in there well and after going down, they manned up and fought back. Really, they were inches away from winning this game despite the loss of their star running back and lack of a passing game. They played with passion and showed great effort. Programs like Ohio state don't have moral victories. The bar is set too high for those. We expect National Titles here. There is a lot of work to be done. Next year could be ugly. But as for this particular game.....I am proud of my guys even if the loss hurts.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Something Just Ain't Right
Lately I have been obsessing over the prospects of 2012 bringing the apocalypse. I understand the end of the Mayan calendar and the ancient calendar in Japan are really just resets of something we arbitrarily started. I know people have been predicting the end of the world countless times in the past without anything happening. I know Y2K was supposed to be a big deal and wasn't. I also have become aware that Nostradamus was wrong many more times than he was right. He also predicted events to happen past 2012 which would lend one to believe that life will go on past that year.
BUT.........
I can't get my mind off the scientific aspects. The fact that the earth will reach the galactic equator at the same time the Earth ends its 26,000 year wobble and the polar shift is to take place. There is this little thing regarding an asteroid that will barely miss us as well. Beneath Yosemite, there is a major development that could take out all of North America. But even if all of this is speculation, there are weird things going on that make me think things are off.
For instance, it is January 4th and I am still hearing and seeing birds outside. They are supposed to have migrated south. We had cold days this year. What are they still doing here? I remember winter being deathly silent outside. One of my favorite parts of Spring was the return of birds chirping.
The bees are missing. I have been hearing about this for awhile and it scares me. I can't remember who it was, maybe Walt Whitman, but I heard someone say once the bees are gone man will be 7 years from extinction themselves. I believe it. We count on bees to pollinate flowers and contribute to the cycle of life. Nobody knows where the bees are going. Dead bees are not poppin up. Nobody is noticing increased population of bees somewhere else from what I understand. They are just gone.
And let's not forget about the polar bears! And the ice caps around them! The destruction of the rain forests! Aren't we going to eventually run out of trees? Overpopulation?!
Weather is weird. It is snowing three inches in Las Vegas. Hurricanes are lining up in the gulf. There are tsunamis more often than I remember. It is 60 degrees in the winter more often than when I was a kid. The seasons seem to have shifted. It is cold through May here in Ohio but stays warm until late December. It used to snow in October when I grew up.
Maybe some of this is perspective. I grew up in Cleveland and I now live in Columbus. It may not seem like a big difference in geography but it actually is in terms of snow. Lake Erie creates more snow up there than there is down here in Columbus. The media is so much more comprehensive nowadays and may be reporting things more often and more thoroughly than they did when I was younger. I have no data to prove there are more or less hurricanes or earthquakes or tsunamis than there where in my youth.
One good thing that has come from this is an elevated concern in the destruction we are doing to the environment. I have made it a point to recycle more. I need to do more. We all need to do more. The amount of oil and plastic we use is scary and these things are killing us. I am not sure where to begin. I still use both a ton. We all do. We aren't going to stop anytime soon.
Regardless of whether my fear of 2012 is valid or not, everybody needs to start doing more, a lot more, to move in a more ecofriendly direction. What is the solution?
New sources of energy? Easier recycling services? Less pollution? How?
Help me!
Another theory out there is that these developments with the poles and the galactic equator will create a higher vibration which will change the energy we all contribute to and take from leading to a new step in our evolution. These people feel there will be an age of enlightenment. I recall reading similar things in "Celestine Prophecy" by James Redfield. Although this book is fiction, it speaks about a Peruvian manuscript that prophesies a global social movement to take place in the early 21st century. The book also speaks of vibrations in the energy that we share which result in advancements in our evolution...or in other words, an enlightenment. Maybe this is the "green" movement we seem to be witnessing and need to follow through with in order to avoid the self-destruction we have contributed to over the last century.
BUT.........
I can't get my mind off the scientific aspects. The fact that the earth will reach the galactic equator at the same time the Earth ends its 26,000 year wobble and the polar shift is to take place. There is this little thing regarding an asteroid that will barely miss us as well. Beneath Yosemite, there is a major development that could take out all of North America. But even if all of this is speculation, there are weird things going on that make me think things are off.
For instance, it is January 4th and I am still hearing and seeing birds outside. They are supposed to have migrated south. We had cold days this year. What are they still doing here? I remember winter being deathly silent outside. One of my favorite parts of Spring was the return of birds chirping.
The bees are missing. I have been hearing about this for awhile and it scares me. I can't remember who it was, maybe Walt Whitman, but I heard someone say once the bees are gone man will be 7 years from extinction themselves. I believe it. We count on bees to pollinate flowers and contribute to the cycle of life. Nobody knows where the bees are going. Dead bees are not poppin up. Nobody is noticing increased population of bees somewhere else from what I understand. They are just gone.
And let's not forget about the polar bears! And the ice caps around them! The destruction of the rain forests! Aren't we going to eventually run out of trees? Overpopulation?!
Weather is weird. It is snowing three inches in Las Vegas. Hurricanes are lining up in the gulf. There are tsunamis more often than I remember. It is 60 degrees in the winter more often than when I was a kid. The seasons seem to have shifted. It is cold through May here in Ohio but stays warm until late December. It used to snow in October when I grew up.
Maybe some of this is perspective. I grew up in Cleveland and I now live in Columbus. It may not seem like a big difference in geography but it actually is in terms of snow. Lake Erie creates more snow up there than there is down here in Columbus. The media is so much more comprehensive nowadays and may be reporting things more often and more thoroughly than they did when I was younger. I have no data to prove there are more or less hurricanes or earthquakes or tsunamis than there where in my youth.
One good thing that has come from this is an elevated concern in the destruction we are doing to the environment. I have made it a point to recycle more. I need to do more. We all need to do more. The amount of oil and plastic we use is scary and these things are killing us. I am not sure where to begin. I still use both a ton. We all do. We aren't going to stop anytime soon.
Regardless of whether my fear of 2012 is valid or not, everybody needs to start doing more, a lot more, to move in a more ecofriendly direction. What is the solution?
New sources of energy? Easier recycling services? Less pollution? How?
Help me!
Another theory out there is that these developments with the poles and the galactic equator will create a higher vibration which will change the energy we all contribute to and take from leading to a new step in our evolution. These people feel there will be an age of enlightenment. I recall reading similar things in "Celestine Prophecy" by James Redfield. Although this book is fiction, it speaks about a Peruvian manuscript that prophesies a global social movement to take place in the early 21st century. The book also speaks of vibrations in the energy that we share which result in advancements in our evolution...or in other words, an enlightenment. Maybe this is the "green" movement we seem to be witnessing and need to follow through with in order to avoid the self-destruction we have contributed to over the last century.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Fiesta Bowl
For the 5th time in 7 years my Ohio State Buckeyes are in the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona. This year they are matched up with the University of Texas, a fellow heavyweight in college football lore, success and tradition. These same two teams matched up in a home and home in 2005 and 2006, each team winning on the road. So this could be considered a grudge match. A rubber match if you will.
This season Texas is far and away the better team. In some circles they are considered a better representative in the BCS title game than their Big 12 brethren, Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Ohio State solidified its reputation as an overrated, over hyped program that can't win the big game. They had feasted on inferior competition in the Big Ten (1-5 in bowl games this year as a conference) but blew two opportunities to earn notable victories against USC and Penn State (the one Big Ten team that could be considered competitive). In fact, they were dominated by USC on the national stage in all aspects of the game.
So the task is monumental for my Buckeyes of Ohio State. For the record, I see this game as a 37-6 victory for the Longhorns of Texas. But I have been horrible at predicting anything recently. Secondly, the Buckeyes were in a similar position in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes and came out victorious. The reverse occurred against Florida in 2007. Also, nobody saw Alabama's loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl this year (except my friend Chris who called it along with upsets in every other BCS bowl game). Speaking of Alabama, they also stunned the college football world when they won the national championship against Miami after the 1992 season. My point is, upsets happen. It could happen here despite my doubts.
IF it were to happen though, here is what would have to happen to make it happen:
1)Chris Wells needs to have a big game. This is three pronged.
First, the Bucks need to control the game. Texas and Heisman Trophy runner up Colt McCoy (by the way, how perfect is it that the Longhorn QB is named Colt McCoy and comes from a small town deep in the heart of Texas?) have an explosive offense. The more the ball is out of their hands, the better for OSU. Running Wells can control the clock.
Second, there is a debate out there that the Big 12's defenses are weak. The games were so high scoring that, while many looked at the offenses as explosive, others wondered out loud if the defenses were just bad. You won't hear ESPN say that, but dig further. Regardless, the front four of Texas IS really good. The Buckeyes' offensive line has had all kinds of trouble pass blocking good, fast defensive lines like that of Texas. So how do you combat this? Run. They have had an easier time run blocking than pass blocking, so they need to run it.
Finally, Wells is good. He can run with success. When he runs with success, it opens things up for freshman QB Terrelle Pryor to run as well. The double threat of Pryor and Wells could wreak havoc for the Longhorns if they can keep them guessing like the former Longhorn, Vince Young used to do on a routine basis with much success.
2)Terrelle Pryor needs to have his best game.
As I mentioned in the first point, the Buckeyes' offensive line is terrible when it comes to pass blocking. This is one of several reasons Tressel pulled senior QB Todd Boeckman for the true freshman Pryor. This is against the "Tressel Rule." He is loyal to his seniors to a fault. He'd prefer red shirt all of his freshmen and allow them to grow before he throws them in the battle. But it became glaringly apparent that Boeckman was not going to be able to succeed with so much pressure in his face. Pryor and his "escape-ability" and athleticism needed to get in there if they were to salvage any kind of season after the humiliating loss to USC. Pryor delivered. He made some outstanding plays. He also made some freshmen mistakes, but these will reap benefits next year as he learns. If Pryor was able to take this past month to work on his faults and tweek some things and learn some things, he could have a coming out party in the Fiesta Bowl like Troy Smith did against Michigan and then Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl of 2006. If Pryor can get out of the pocket and make smart decisions like throwing it away, hitting his 2nd or 3rd options or running when it is there, the Buckeyes will score more than the 6 I predicted.
3)Somehow, some way, the defense MUST show up. The defensive line played better later in the year but we don't know if that is a function of improvement or weak competition. I still feel the linebackers are extremely overrated. Texas' offense is AWESOME. If the Buckeyes are able to pull off an upset, the defense HAS to somehow play out of its mind. If they give McCoy enough time to throw and they are unable to stuff the run consistently, Texas could drop 60 on them. It could be ugly.
4)The coaching staff can't play the same old schemes. It was quoted all over ESPN and local radio. USC players all said the Bucks played exactly how the film showed. There was nothing surprising, nothing new. There were no wrinkles. It is difficult enough to beat a team as talented and successful as Texas. If they are going to go into Arizona thinking they can play another predictable game plan, they are dead wrong. You can't show you hand hand and think you are going to win the pot.
5) They are going to have to want it more. The Bucks need to play with passion. They need to come out and hit hard. They need to bully Texas around. The Bucks still don't have much speed. The Big Ten as a whole has shown this bowl season that they are lacking in speed away from the skill positions. But the Big Ten never has been known for speed. The Big Ten is known for toughness and size. So they need to use that to their advantage. They need to beat up and beat down the Longhorns in the trenches and everywhere else. Make the hits hurt. Push them around. Don't be afraid to mix it up a little. Like I wrote before, pound Wells down their throat repeatedly. Be mean. I'm tired of getting beat. They should be too. Take it out on Texas!
6) Don't lose the obvious stuff. Field position, turnovers and special teams. As always with any team that isn't the runaway favorite, they need to win the battle of field position and turnovers. Mistakes need to be limited because there is no margin for error and field position slants the field in their favor. Special teams are always the "X" factor. If they can block a kick (field goal or punt) or run one back, things can quickly tilt in their favor as well. This is pretty much a given for any underdog anytime.
Six things that MUST, absolutely MUST happen if there is any, slight chance for Ohio State to pull out a much needed victory. It would be a victory that could begin the journey back into respectability.
Wait, no. The haters will come up with some excuse about how they were lucky and didn't deserve the win and are still a joke. That we can count on.
This season Texas is far and away the better team. In some circles they are considered a better representative in the BCS title game than their Big 12 brethren, Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Ohio State solidified its reputation as an overrated, over hyped program that can't win the big game. They had feasted on inferior competition in the Big Ten (1-5 in bowl games this year as a conference) but blew two opportunities to earn notable victories against USC and Penn State (the one Big Ten team that could be considered competitive). In fact, they were dominated by USC on the national stage in all aspects of the game.
So the task is monumental for my Buckeyes of Ohio State. For the record, I see this game as a 37-6 victory for the Longhorns of Texas. But I have been horrible at predicting anything recently. Secondly, the Buckeyes were in a similar position in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes and came out victorious. The reverse occurred against Florida in 2007. Also, nobody saw Alabama's loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl this year (except my friend Chris who called it along with upsets in every other BCS bowl game). Speaking of Alabama, they also stunned the college football world when they won the national championship against Miami after the 1992 season. My point is, upsets happen. It could happen here despite my doubts.
IF it were to happen though, here is what would have to happen to make it happen:
1)Chris Wells needs to have a big game. This is three pronged.
First, the Bucks need to control the game. Texas and Heisman Trophy runner up Colt McCoy (by the way, how perfect is it that the Longhorn QB is named Colt McCoy and comes from a small town deep in the heart of Texas?) have an explosive offense. The more the ball is out of their hands, the better for OSU. Running Wells can control the clock.
Second, there is a debate out there that the Big 12's defenses are weak. The games were so high scoring that, while many looked at the offenses as explosive, others wondered out loud if the defenses were just bad. You won't hear ESPN say that, but dig further. Regardless, the front four of Texas IS really good. The Buckeyes' offensive line has had all kinds of trouble pass blocking good, fast defensive lines like that of Texas. So how do you combat this? Run. They have had an easier time run blocking than pass blocking, so they need to run it.
Finally, Wells is good. He can run with success. When he runs with success, it opens things up for freshman QB Terrelle Pryor to run as well. The double threat of Pryor and Wells could wreak havoc for the Longhorns if they can keep them guessing like the former Longhorn, Vince Young used to do on a routine basis with much success.
2)Terrelle Pryor needs to have his best game.
As I mentioned in the first point, the Buckeyes' offensive line is terrible when it comes to pass blocking. This is one of several reasons Tressel pulled senior QB Todd Boeckman for the true freshman Pryor. This is against the "Tressel Rule." He is loyal to his seniors to a fault. He'd prefer red shirt all of his freshmen and allow them to grow before he throws them in the battle. But it became glaringly apparent that Boeckman was not going to be able to succeed with so much pressure in his face. Pryor and his "escape-ability" and athleticism needed to get in there if they were to salvage any kind of season after the humiliating loss to USC. Pryor delivered. He made some outstanding plays. He also made some freshmen mistakes, but these will reap benefits next year as he learns. If Pryor was able to take this past month to work on his faults and tweek some things and learn some things, he could have a coming out party in the Fiesta Bowl like Troy Smith did against Michigan and then Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl of 2006. If Pryor can get out of the pocket and make smart decisions like throwing it away, hitting his 2nd or 3rd options or running when it is there, the Buckeyes will score more than the 6 I predicted.
3)Somehow, some way, the defense MUST show up. The defensive line played better later in the year but we don't know if that is a function of improvement or weak competition. I still feel the linebackers are extremely overrated. Texas' offense is AWESOME. If the Buckeyes are able to pull off an upset, the defense HAS to somehow play out of its mind. If they give McCoy enough time to throw and they are unable to stuff the run consistently, Texas could drop 60 on them. It could be ugly.
4)The coaching staff can't play the same old schemes. It was quoted all over ESPN and local radio. USC players all said the Bucks played exactly how the film showed. There was nothing surprising, nothing new. There were no wrinkles. It is difficult enough to beat a team as talented and successful as Texas. If they are going to go into Arizona thinking they can play another predictable game plan, they are dead wrong. You can't show you hand hand and think you are going to win the pot.
5) They are going to have to want it more. The Bucks need to play with passion. They need to come out and hit hard. They need to bully Texas around. The Bucks still don't have much speed. The Big Ten as a whole has shown this bowl season that they are lacking in speed away from the skill positions. But the Big Ten never has been known for speed. The Big Ten is known for toughness and size. So they need to use that to their advantage. They need to beat up and beat down the Longhorns in the trenches and everywhere else. Make the hits hurt. Push them around. Don't be afraid to mix it up a little. Like I wrote before, pound Wells down their throat repeatedly. Be mean. I'm tired of getting beat. They should be too. Take it out on Texas!
6) Don't lose the obvious stuff. Field position, turnovers and special teams. As always with any team that isn't the runaway favorite, they need to win the battle of field position and turnovers. Mistakes need to be limited because there is no margin for error and field position slants the field in their favor. Special teams are always the "X" factor. If they can block a kick (field goal or punt) or run one back, things can quickly tilt in their favor as well. This is pretty much a given for any underdog anytime.
Six things that MUST, absolutely MUST happen if there is any, slight chance for Ohio State to pull out a much needed victory. It would be a victory that could begin the journey back into respectability.
Wait, no. The haters will come up with some excuse about how they were lucky and didn't deserve the win and are still a joke. That we can count on.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Would you......
....pick a million dollars off a tree?
Obviously the answer is yes, right?
Now, what if the tree only had leaves of $1 bills? Would you still pick from it until you had a million dollars? No strings attached except when you stopped picking, you can't pick anymore. Would you?
Ok, now how many people do you think would answer yes? At first glance I would say most people if not all would jump at a chance to get a million dollars, especially when all you need to do is pick it off a tree! Sounds pretty easy to me.
When you examine it beyond face value though, you quickly realize that it isn't quite that simple. The math shows that it is impossible to do without some breaks. Let me break it down for you.
Let's assume you pick one dollar per second and maintain that pace without fatigue. It would then take you a million seconds to finish. How long is a million seconds? Well, it is about 16,667 minutes. How long is 16,667 minutes? That would be about 278hours. And how long is 278 hours? 11.5 days.
So we are talking 11.5 days STRAIGHT of picking dollar bills to get your precious million dollars. That is without sleep, water, food or rest not to mention muscle fatigue.
With that said, let's look at it from a regular job standpoint. If you have 8 hours of picking a day, it would take 34 work days and 6 hours. So 7 full work weeks to get it done. Pretty profitable two months I would say. I'd do it in a heartbeat. I bet most people would. It couldn't be much different than working in a factory.
I thought of this scenario earlier today and hypothesized that, regardless of the physical limitations, many people would give up early despite the promise of a million dollars due to laziness or impatience.
If it is done in the work format I presented, I doubt too many people would quit. But if you let people go for as long as they could and break only when needing to eat or sleep then get back to it, I wonder how many people would still make it to a million. I bet they would get tired of it after a number of days and leave, forfeiting their chance.
Of course, while you may not be able to get to a million dollars, going as long as you can just might net you a nice chunck of change before it is all said and done.
What do you think? Am I crazy? Would everyone be able to stay long enough to get the full million with only food and sleep breaks?
This was just running through my head and I thought I would share it with you. I have been blogging about so much personal stuff and depressing stuff, I figured it was time for a lighthearted, hypothetical scenario to think about.
Obviously the answer is yes, right?
Now, what if the tree only had leaves of $1 bills? Would you still pick from it until you had a million dollars? No strings attached except when you stopped picking, you can't pick anymore. Would you?
Ok, now how many people do you think would answer yes? At first glance I would say most people if not all would jump at a chance to get a million dollars, especially when all you need to do is pick it off a tree! Sounds pretty easy to me.
When you examine it beyond face value though, you quickly realize that it isn't quite that simple. The math shows that it is impossible to do without some breaks. Let me break it down for you.
Let's assume you pick one dollar per second and maintain that pace without fatigue. It would then take you a million seconds to finish. How long is a million seconds? Well, it is about 16,667 minutes. How long is 16,667 minutes? That would be about 278hours. And how long is 278 hours? 11.5 days.
So we are talking 11.5 days STRAIGHT of picking dollar bills to get your precious million dollars. That is without sleep, water, food or rest not to mention muscle fatigue.
With that said, let's look at it from a regular job standpoint. If you have 8 hours of picking a day, it would take 34 work days and 6 hours. So 7 full work weeks to get it done. Pretty profitable two months I would say. I'd do it in a heartbeat. I bet most people would. It couldn't be much different than working in a factory.
I thought of this scenario earlier today and hypothesized that, regardless of the physical limitations, many people would give up early despite the promise of a million dollars due to laziness or impatience.
If it is done in the work format I presented, I doubt too many people would quit. But if you let people go for as long as they could and break only when needing to eat or sleep then get back to it, I wonder how many people would still make it to a million. I bet they would get tired of it after a number of days and leave, forfeiting their chance.
Of course, while you may not be able to get to a million dollars, going as long as you can just might net you a nice chunck of change before it is all said and done.
What do you think? Am I crazy? Would everyone be able to stay long enough to get the full million with only food and sleep breaks?
This was just running through my head and I thought I would share it with you. I have been blogging about so much personal stuff and depressing stuff, I figured it was time for a lighthearted, hypothetical scenario to think about.
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