Life is but a collection of memories; pictures, feelings and emotions from individual moments in the calendar that is our lives. Some are immediate and crystal clear as the emotion of the time etches into our soul those moments of passion, joy, pain or hurt. Some are buried deep, left to interact with our minds and lives on a level that guides but is seldom understood.
It is enlightening to reflect back upon the experiences of one's life and see what chose to stick. What makes an individual unique but their memories and the path those experiences led them to follow? That first kiss, leaving us speechless but floating; the death of a loved one, pain coursing through our cores in waves as we struggle to say good-bye, as the realization that they are gone, never again to hug or comfort us, to give advice or just lend an ear hits with a suddenness; the recollection of the moment in our life we shined, that all eyes were upon us for something we did well; of childhood fears, being up on stage at a spelling bee, sweating as we struggle to recall the spelling of a word we would never again use.
2008 has brought with it the hope of change, the new year brings with it the opportunity. Looking back upon the past year one cannot help but look within and feel the true path of their life and the effects that life has on the world around them. It is in this introspection that one is allowed the honesty of life, a brief moment of respite from no critic but the one that resides within.
The question is, what is that critic saying? Change is, for most, a scary thing, for some, more debilitating than watching the impending impact of collision from behind the steering wheel. The challenge is to not only have the strength to understand what needs change and actually work towards its end but to also understand what we can do to help those around us solve their own puzzles.
Here is wishing everyone, be you Republican or Democrat, inner city or corporate, loved or hated the wishes of a New Year filled with hope, that we all will honestly ask ourselves what we would do differently and possess the strength to see it through to it's change.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A rarity in sport
I sometimes forget how lucky of an individual I am. I teach PAC (physical activity courses) at Oregon State, which, upon reflection, is a fancy way to say I get paid to play sports with college kids. My job consists of organizing the daily routine of warm-ups and core work, short sessions of drills, and then organizing a spirited scrimmage.
Of all the classes I teach, soccer is by far the easiest for me as it is a sport I have played as far back as my parents would let my stubby legs chase after a ball every Sunday, but I also get to spice up my days with softball, bowling, basketball and football. I love them all, but football rises to the top. Something about the speed of the game, the catches, the runs, the creativity and vision of the open field runner has always just thrilled.
As fortunate as I am to teach I have come to the realization that it is not so much the games themselves, rather it is the players playing in them that make the classes so much fun. Everyone, from the occasional DI athlete to the kid who still kicks at the ball with a straight leg, all are out there to just play, to involve their teammates and to get a run in as a break from the daily grind of classes, studying and the effects of an ever present social life.
I have had some great athletes in my classes, most of which have been great people as well. It is such a blessing to see someone that knows they are better not just try to showcase, rather they see the day as an opportunity to demonstrate, to model, to help their classmates improve their own game. To see a lack of ego out of a obviously gifted individual is, sadly, a rarity in this day of overpaid athletes playing a kid's game, of HS athletes with Paris Hilton complexes, but when it happens it brings with it such a amazing sense of respect and thanks.
Lyle Moevao is definitely one of these individuals, one that not only stands out as an athlete (and believe me, in addition to having and NFL arm and creativity in the open field, he plays defense like a linebacker, quick to hit and quick to plug the holes (I am just thankful we never played tackle, I'd probably be in a body cast right now)) but as a leader as well. You know that smile you see on his face ALL the time, it really isn't a facade, the kid loves life and loves making those around him laugh. Whether it is breaking someone's legs on a scramble or pointing to an imaginary flag on the field and getting everyone to look, he brings a passion and a joy that is hard to overlook. Very rarely in life do you come across and individual that involves everyone and makes every player on the field feel as if they belong and should be a part of the game.
Lyle told me to believe, believe that the Beavs are legit, that their offense has the ability to overshadow their defense (and with past history, that is a bold statement). I have a hard time not believing him, not only because he believes it so much himself and can convince, rather it is watching him lead. Leading a last second drive, tossing a 50 yard fly route, turing a broken play into a 50 yard scramble with his legs. The kid can play, and we as fans will benefit from this fact.
So buy your tickets, expect greatness and a whole lot of smiling, the Beavers will challenge and fight next year. If you don't believe me, I can hit you on a five yard sweep and let Lyle convince you...
Of all the classes I teach, soccer is by far the easiest for me as it is a sport I have played as far back as my parents would let my stubby legs chase after a ball every Sunday, but I also get to spice up my days with softball, bowling, basketball and football. I love them all, but football rises to the top. Something about the speed of the game, the catches, the runs, the creativity and vision of the open field runner has always just thrilled.
As fortunate as I am to teach I have come to the realization that it is not so much the games themselves, rather it is the players playing in them that make the classes so much fun. Everyone, from the occasional DI athlete to the kid who still kicks at the ball with a straight leg, all are out there to just play, to involve their teammates and to get a run in as a break from the daily grind of classes, studying and the effects of an ever present social life.
I have had some great athletes in my classes, most of which have been great people as well. It is such a blessing to see someone that knows they are better not just try to showcase, rather they see the day as an opportunity to demonstrate, to model, to help their classmates improve their own game. To see a lack of ego out of a obviously gifted individual is, sadly, a rarity in this day of overpaid athletes playing a kid's game, of HS athletes with Paris Hilton complexes, but when it happens it brings with it such a amazing sense of respect and thanks.
Lyle Moevao is definitely one of these individuals, one that not only stands out as an athlete (and believe me, in addition to having and NFL arm and creativity in the open field, he plays defense like a linebacker, quick to hit and quick to plug the holes (I am just thankful we never played tackle, I'd probably be in a body cast right now)) but as a leader as well. You know that smile you see on his face ALL the time, it really isn't a facade, the kid loves life and loves making those around him laugh. Whether it is breaking someone's legs on a scramble or pointing to an imaginary flag on the field and getting everyone to look, he brings a passion and a joy that is hard to overlook. Very rarely in life do you come across and individual that involves everyone and makes every player on the field feel as if they belong and should be a part of the game.
Lyle told me to believe, believe that the Beavs are legit, that their offense has the ability to overshadow their defense (and with past history, that is a bold statement). I have a hard time not believing him, not only because he believes it so much himself and can convince, rather it is watching him lead. Leading a last second drive, tossing a 50 yard fly route, turing a broken play into a 50 yard scramble with his legs. The kid can play, and we as fans will benefit from this fact.
So buy your tickets, expect greatness and a whole lot of smiling, the Beavers will challenge and fight next year. If you don't believe me, I can hit you on a five yard sweep and let Lyle convince you...
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Poker through the ages
I was up playing poker the other night, a past time I love but probably shouldn't, and ended up next to a player whose years of playing poker far exceeded my years of life. It became immediately prevalant that Terry was a talker and that he loved being around the tables and the chatter of people far more interested in life than his neighbors in the McMinnville retirement community he calls home. I love sitting next to people older than myself because I find that they have far more wisdom than most of their younger counterparts, especially when the experiences that guided their wisdom didn't leave the individuals bitter.
With so many hands watched instead of played, conversation often becomes the norm and, in chatting with Terry, it came to light that he was an ex-Corvallis native (me being of the current variety). Talk Corvallis, especially recently after the resurgence of "Beaver Nation" thanks to leadership and belief in the athletic programs started by Mitch Barnhart and increased with the tenacity of Bob DeCarolis, and OSU athletics becomes a quick and expansive topic. Throw in that Terry played for the legendary Slats Gill and the painful decline of a once proud Men's Basketball program, the conversation quickly becomes a passionate discussion.
What makes a coach a great coach? How does a coach mold together a group of individuals into a team that believes in something more than individuality, to see that the whole is only as strong as it's weakest link? Connection. The honest understanding that the coach actually cares as much about their players off the court as they do on.
In watching the Beavers over the course of the past six seasons it isn't difficult to see where it all went south. John's first year, 2002, he won 6 Pac-10 games, winning at both USC and UCLA, as the Beavers finished with their highest conference finish since the wave of love last seen when the "Glove" roamed the hard court of Gill Coliseum. 2005 brought 8 Pac-10 victories and the first winning season in 15 years. A belief was beginning to circulate, "could the Beavers basketball be as real as the football team was becoming", but throughout it all you could sense a disbelief permeating the band wagoners; over time this disbelief turned to disgruntlement.
I hear talk from various athletes that John has lost his players respect, that they no longer listen to his message because it has become old. I have never met Jay but in reading about him (though the writers often jump between love and hate just as often as the band wagoners do) I hear that John loves coaching, loves to instill work rate, belief and passion. It seems he forgot one thing important thing along the way, you must have the trust of all those around you in order to have them believe in you. Be honest, at all times. What ever is happening, tell it like it is. Very few players are actually self involved enough to not see what is going on. Honesty breeds honesty and an open, honest environment is an environment most suited toward growth.
It is a matter of time before John is let go, he knows this and so do most if not all of his players. This probably makes his job even tougher as it seems, from what I have heard, that his players don't really want him around any more. This leaves John with a choice. Here's hoping that John can still go out fighting as seems to be his nature, I just hope his is an honest battle.
Bob DeCarolis has a tough task ahead of him, not so much in the firing of John, but more in the finding of the right fit for the current Beaver Nation, a nation that has become more accustomed to winning than ever before. No longer are the Beavs the doormat of the Pac-10. Wrestling, Gymnastics, Baseball, Softball, Football.... The Beavs are now competitive in almost every sport. Can basketball retrace its roots back to its glory and place in the current lore being written in the annals of OSU lore?
I know many people who can forsee these days, who wait in hope every year. I can think of one who will chat your ear off about it, so long as you'll let him win a few hands along the way.
With so many hands watched instead of played, conversation often becomes the norm and, in chatting with Terry, it came to light that he was an ex-Corvallis native (me being of the current variety). Talk Corvallis, especially recently after the resurgence of "Beaver Nation" thanks to leadership and belief in the athletic programs started by Mitch Barnhart and increased with the tenacity of Bob DeCarolis, and OSU athletics becomes a quick and expansive topic. Throw in that Terry played for the legendary Slats Gill and the painful decline of a once proud Men's Basketball program, the conversation quickly becomes a passionate discussion.
What makes a coach a great coach? How does a coach mold together a group of individuals into a team that believes in something more than individuality, to see that the whole is only as strong as it's weakest link? Connection. The honest understanding that the coach actually cares as much about their players off the court as they do on.
In watching the Beavers over the course of the past six seasons it isn't difficult to see where it all went south. John's first year, 2002, he won 6 Pac-10 games, winning at both USC and UCLA, as the Beavers finished with their highest conference finish since the wave of love last seen when the "Glove" roamed the hard court of Gill Coliseum. 2005 brought 8 Pac-10 victories and the first winning season in 15 years. A belief was beginning to circulate, "could the Beavers basketball be as real as the football team was becoming", but throughout it all you could sense a disbelief permeating the band wagoners; over time this disbelief turned to disgruntlement.
I hear talk from various athletes that John has lost his players respect, that they no longer listen to his message because it has become old. I have never met Jay but in reading about him (though the writers often jump between love and hate just as often as the band wagoners do) I hear that John loves coaching, loves to instill work rate, belief and passion. It seems he forgot one thing important thing along the way, you must have the trust of all those around you in order to have them believe in you. Be honest, at all times. What ever is happening, tell it like it is. Very few players are actually self involved enough to not see what is going on. Honesty breeds honesty and an open, honest environment is an environment most suited toward growth.
It is a matter of time before John is let go, he knows this and so do most if not all of his players. This probably makes his job even tougher as it seems, from what I have heard, that his players don't really want him around any more. This leaves John with a choice. Here's hoping that John can still go out fighting as seems to be his nature, I just hope his is an honest battle.
Bob DeCarolis has a tough task ahead of him, not so much in the firing of John, but more in the finding of the right fit for the current Beaver Nation, a nation that has become more accustomed to winning than ever before. No longer are the Beavs the doormat of the Pac-10. Wrestling, Gymnastics, Baseball, Softball, Football.... The Beavs are now competitive in almost every sport. Can basketball retrace its roots back to its glory and place in the current lore being written in the annals of OSU lore?
I know many people who can forsee these days, who wait in hope every year. I can think of one who will chat your ear off about it, so long as you'll let him win a few hands along the way.
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