Sunday, March 30, 2008

Bumper Snickers

Sifted through a few lists as well as one's I've seen in case you are looking for some ideas or just simply a good laugh.

#2 is really #1 if you are a pencil
Alex P Keaton for President in 2008
B.I.B.L.E. Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
Cow tipping is udder chaos
Forget the Jones' I keep up with the Simpsons!
Free Tibet (With purchase of a 44 oz drink)
Get your own bumpersticker. Stop staring at mine.
Gonna finish what I sta
Gravity always gets me down
Hang up and drive.
Hukt awn fonix wurkt fore mee!
Humpty was pushed!
I'd give my right hand to be ambidextrous
I'd rather be driving a golf ball
I'm not always right but I'm never wrong.
I Caymen went.
If space is a vacuum , who changes the bag?
If you can read this thank a teacher.
If you don't feel close to God guess who moved?
Illiterate? Write for a free brochure
In the dark? Follow the Son!
Jesus rules...do you live by them?
Laughing stock: cattle with a sense of humor
Life is short, pray hard
My 401K is now a 101K
My other bumper sticker is funny
My other car is a zamboni
Not afraid of heights - afraid of widths!
Out of my mind, be back in five minutes
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out
Radioactive cats have 18 half lives
Saturday has a morning?
Seven days without prayer makes one weak
Warning: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning
Welcome to America. Now learn English!
What's another word for thesaurus?
Why is abbreviation such a long word?
Veni Vidi Velcro: I came, I saw, I stuck around

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Pins & Needles

Every athlete regardless of sport is constantly trying to become better faster and stronger at whatever field it is. Whether its that basketball player shooting 100 free throws everyday. Whether its an star baseball player getting extra batting practice. Whether its football's wide receiver working on off season conditioning. It extends to all sports. Unfortunately in our time that advantage has taken on a whole new perspective desecrating sports pastimes. We have seen recently in the news runner Marion Jones. We have seen baseball's great pitcher Roger Clemons appear front and center before Congress. In the news we witnessed the death of wrestler Chris Benoit. Back in 92 we even saw the death of Lyle Alzado. All of which related by performance enhancing drugs. What an absolute sad state of our sports today. I saw this morning an article that the PBR will begin testing on bulls. Another article that both the PGA and LPGA will begin testing its athletes in July. Whatever happened to the good ole days? Things were done the right way. Whether it was Hammerin Hank Aaron. Whether it was Jesse Owens. Whether it was golfing legend Bobby Jones. Whether it was Bart Starr or Jim Thorpe. Whatever happened to playing the sport for the love of the game? Or has it become the love of money? I shiver at the thought what would any of those of the past do today if confronted with the same situation. I'd surely hope they'd pass right by it and keep it clean!

Stuff That Matters

There is no carbon copy of another individual. Everyone has their own set of characteristics and problems or things we all need to work on. There might be a teacher having trouble connecting with a student. There might be a mother who feels overwhelmed with the demands of children, groceries, soccer practices, family dinner, etc. There might be a married couple who is struggling with effective communication or trying to cope with an alarming behavior of a child. We all have different areas in our lives we see potential for change or growth in self improvement. It might be learning to work more efficiently. It might be learning more self discipline. It might be working on time management. Whether its learning humility, charity, public speaking, learning to trust again we all can change and can become better. I came across from the Autobiography Of Ben Franklin an awesome list of 13 areas he wanted to work on. His list includes...

1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speakaccordingly.
8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

...what an absolutely amazing list and example of an incredible individual! I know this could be a personal subject but am curious at what you might be working on. If you would rather not share since it is personal I totally understand. As for me I'm currently working on patience, circle of influence (focusing on things I can control) and becoming better at communication. Although my list that I could work on is immense. I think its a great topic. Would love to hear any feedback, comments, experiences, etc.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Man Vs Machine??

Came across a way cool youtube kind of video posted on happyflier.com in a two mile race between a bugatti sports car and a typhoon fighter jet. The bugatti goes from 0-190mph in 18 seconds. Each will go a mile then turn around and come back. The typhoon's engines have over 20,000 pounds of thrust. Go check it out! Have to definately give them props for posting some cool stuff. You will have to scroll down a little ways but its well worth it.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Constructive Criticism

Just pondering some thoughts on criticism. It is often a tough subject to handle. I like to see it personally as a stepping stone for self improvement. We've all heard the famous quote "That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger". I think we need to recognize the truth potential when given even if it is a warning sign. Our maturity is definately found in how we handle or approach the criticism. If possible we should look at it directly square in the eye. Look at who the critic is. Seperate ourselves from it momentarily. Look at their sincerity. Or was it actually meant only to be damaging? Once identified embrace it especially if it was from the heart. What can I learn from this? How can I use this to change and become better? Evaluate our growth quickly. Accept it. Learn from it. Don't punish ourselves by dwelling on it. We wouldn't want to swim in a stagnant pool so why review it over and over. Embrace where there is the sincere potential of growth and move on. It's been said no leader is exempt from criticism and one's humility will nowhere be seen more clearly than in the manner in which one accepts and reacts positively to it. Any thoughts? Would love to hear...

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

High Five

This blog wouldn't be complete without including my favorite number. Five is the first safe prime number. There are five natural senses: Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste and Touch. There are also five elements: Fire, Air, Water, Earth and Spirit. The Torah has five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). There are five major oceans in the world. Most roses have 5 petals. The UN Security Council has 5 permanent members with veto power. There are five vowels (AEIOU). There are five Great Lakes. We have five workdays typically (M-F). Often individuals favorite time of the time is five o'clock. In basketball we have the starting five. There are five facial openings. We have five fingers and five toes. There are even five counties along the Wasatch Front! How can someone NOT like the number five? What's your favorite number? Would love to hear!

Be Kind And Rewind

When was the last time we woke up early to go see the sunrise? Or when was the last time we went for a walk in the park? When was the last time we waded through that small stream? When was the last time we went outside to the flower garden just to smell the roses? Sometimes I believe in life we get stuck in the rut rushing to soccer practice, tied up with the cell phone or emails, bolting off to work or whatever it might be. When was the last time we put ourselves on pause? When was the last time we tivo'd ourselves? Sometimes I feel we need to take a few minutes and ponder all the wonderful things in life we have been truly blessed with. When was the last time we went for a drive up the canyon to see the fall leaves changing? When was the last time we closed our eyes and listened to the birds chirping? When was the last time we stopped to listen to the earth's heartbeat? Life is truly amazing but if we never stop for ourselves to discover that we will never experience that. Be kind and please take a few minutes to rewind!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

What's Your Handicap?

Came across these celebrity golf handicaps from various sources (compiled by Lisa Furling/Craig Bestrom/etc)on the internet so I can't claim or confirm the accuracy on the following but do have to give them credit for doing the background work....

John Elway 0.2
Michael Jordan 1.2
Tony Romo 2.2
Peyton Manning 3.4
Alice Cooper 5.3
Craig T Nelson 5.6
Darius Rucker 6
Jason Kidd 6.6
Huey Lewis 6.2
Emmitt Smith 7
Marshall Faulk 8
George Strait 8.4
Branford Marsalis 9.3
Oscar De La Hoya 10
Barry Bonds 11
Clint Eastwood 11
Roger Waters 11.7
Bill Russell 12
Bill Murray 13.4
LaDainian Tomlinson 14
Sugar Ray Leonard 14.8
Toby Keith 15
Celine Dion 16.8
Snoop Dogg 18
Cheech Marin 18
Edward Van Halen 18
The Tuck Man 20
Meatloaf 24
Peter Cetera 25
Charlie Daniels 32
Steven Tyler 36.4 (new to the game)

...pretty cool list. This list is NOT to single anyone out in any way shape or form but only meant in case anyone is curious of what some of their favorite celebs have as their handicap. I figure if I'm gonna post someone else's I better include mine as well on the list. I could definately use a lesson from most of those in the list. What's your handicap?

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Ten Lunchmates

So if you could have a chance to sit down for some grub with a lunchmate (living) of your choice who would you pick? Here's my top ten...

David Green, founder & president of retail giant Hobby Lobby. He started making frames nearly 35 yrs ago. Since then he has grown his company to the point where it is now doing approx $1.4 billion annually. Green keeps his stores closed on Sundays to allow for those within his company to spend time with family, rest and worship. He attributes his success completely in one thing only, total dependency upon God. All the things we do, all our behavior, should let others know that we are living by and operating in Biblical principles. There is no success outside the success with the Lord." What an amazing individual.
Philip Anschultz is an American business with an estimated worth of around $7.8 billion. In 1970 he purchased 250,000 acre Boughman Farms for $10 million. The following year he acquired approximately 9 million acres near the Utah Wyoming border. With his acquisition of land he is thought to own more fam and cattle land than any other single private citizen in the United States. He also helped finance and distribute both highly successful movies Amazing Grace & The Chronicles Of Narnia.
Dave L Steward founded World Wide Technology in 1990 a company specializing helping customers rapidly build and deploy technology infrastructure in a timely manner. WWT now exceeds $1.1 billion in revenue. Named by Success magazine as 14th best entrepreneur. Dave also authored "Doing Business By The Good Book" (with 288 pgs of 52 lessons on success straight from the Bible).
Bill Cosby is one of the most recognizable comedians of our time. He received a track scholarship to Temple in 1961 but left his sophomore year to pursue comedy. Definately love his material and insights on the family.
Mel Gibson directed and helped produce Passion Of The Christ a movie that noone else would touch. Depicting it as accurately as he best could he even included subtitles in Aramaic, Hebrew and Latin. The Gibson family has donated millions through his charity Healing The Children to providing lifesaving medical treatment to needy children worldwide. While filming Apocalypto in Mexico he personally donated $1 million to the local Rotary club to build houses for those needed assistance in the region after some sever flooding had wiped out numerous homes.
George Lucas directed American Graffiti, Indiana Jones, Tucker (had to include my name in here somehow) and of course Star Wars. His parents sold office retail supplies and owned a walnut farm. American Graffiti was his first successful movie in 1973. In 1996 USC announced he had donated $175 million to his alma mater to expand the film school.
Edward Van Halen was born in the Netherlands but moved to Pasadena when he was 7. His older brother began learning to play guitar when he was learning the drums. Annoyed at the rate his brother had overtaken his ability he decided to switch instruments. He revolutionized rock guitar playing using finger tapping which most use today. Before the release of their first album Edward used to hide his technique by playing with his back to the crowd.
Coach K is the son of polish immigrants and has become one of the all time great collegiate hoop coaches in our time. His former coach at Army (Bobby Knight) gave him his first start as a graduate assistant. He has won 3 national championships and as of 13 Feb 2008 he has 724 wins compared to only 203 losses. Would love to listen on his insight on leadership.
Deron Williams was the third pick of the 2005 NBA draft. As a freshman at the U of Illinois he started 30 of 32 games. As a junior he led the fightin Illini to the NCAA championship game. Deron currently averages 19.2ppg and 10.2 ast/game. He was also recently selected to the USA 2008 olympic basketball team that will participate Aug 8-24th in Beijing China. He is an absolutely amazing basketball player to watch. You never know what he will do with the rock.
Kenny Perry was raised predominantly in Franklin KY and has become a highly successful golfer. In 1982 he turned professional. In 2006 he became the tenth man to reach $20 million PGA tour career earnings. I'd love to hit him up for a few golf tips.

New Wonders

The previous OLD Seven Wonders of the World were:
Great Pyramid of Giza
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Statue of Zeus at Olympia
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
Colossus of Rhodes
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Last summer the New Seven Wonders of the World were announced. I am officially announcing my version of the modern wonders. On my list (manmade) I have included (not limited to seven) as follows:
Christ The Redemmer Statue (Brazil)
Christus Statue in SLC done by Bertel Thorvaldsen
Eiffel Tower
Leaning Tower Of Pisa
Statue Of Liberty
Space Needle
Sydney Opera House
Dutch Sea Barrier
Frances Millau Motorway
CN Tower
Hubble Telescope
and last....Cabo Wabo

Bite At The Pump

Like everyone else I never thought I'd see the day when gas would be over 3 bucks a gallon. Just yesterday I saw the price jump a dime within 24 hours. Looking into the subject I found from the Energy Information Administration (source Jan 2008) the average retail cost was $3.04 per gallon. Apparently 13 percent goes directly to taxes. Ten percent to distribution & marketing. Eight percent to refining while the chunk at 69 percent goes straight to the cost of the crude oil itself. Its definately a reminder on getting the most out of our mileage. When we must buy, purchase from companies that don't do business with those overseas (keeping the money HERE!). When we drive try to keep a constant speed. When possible use your cruise control. Drive efficiently. The rabbit stops or being aggressive can lower mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and/or 5 percent around town. Obey the speed limits (not just to appease the highway patrol either). As a rule of thumb for each 5 mph over 60 mph it's like paying an additional 20 cents per gallon at the pump. It's always a good idea to be safer anyway. Combine those errands (groceries, the library, soccer practice, etc). Check and or replace the air filter as needed. It can improve mileage up to 10 percent. It keeps our the impurites and definately protects your engine. Be sure to check your tires for proper inflation and carpool or commute using public transportation when possible. In the meantime we definately need to pursue "other options" (ethanol, biodiesel, natural gas, propane, hydrogen or even using sugarbeets in biobutanol) that might be cheaper, more efficent and more friendly to our environment.

Rated R?

We think we live in a cruel world regarding what we see today in the papers. How about back in the bible days. Not sure if I would call this a top 10 list but gathered a few events I listed as some wild some gory biblical violent acts (in no particular order)...
(Judg 15:15-16) Samson slew 1000 with a Jawbone
(Judg 9:53) Abimelech skull crushed by millstone
(1 Sam 18:25-27) 200 Philistines slewn so David could be King's Son In Law
(Judg 12:6) Word shibboleth pronounced wrong, thus ends up dying
(Josh 8:29) King of Ai burnt and hung on a tree
(Judg 3:31) Shamgar slew 600 Philistines with ox goad
(Num 15:32-33) Man stoned for gathering sticks on sabbath
(Judg 5:25-26) Jael slays Sisera the Canannite with nail to the forehead
(Ex 2:11-12) Moses killed Egyptian who had beating a Hebrew
(2Kgs 2:23-24) Elisha called 2 bears down/mauled youths that taunted him
(2Sam 4:7-8) Rechan & Baanah kill Ish-Bosheth & behead him
(2Kgs 10:7) Jehu had Ahab's 70 sons beheaded
(2Kgs 19:35) Angel Of The Lord kills 185 thousand (after Isaiah prophesied)

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Whats On Your Readin List?

Need some ideas? Here's whats on mine (granted it definately will take some time to finish off the list)...

Ansari, Ali M/Confronting Iran
Beschloss, Michael/Presidential Courage
Bower, Bruce/While Europe Slept
Bryant, Anita/Amazing Grace
Buchanan, John/The Road To Valley Forge
Burton, Orville Vernon/Age Of Lincoln
Claire, Rodger W/Raid On The Sun (Israel’s Campaign Denying Saddam’s Bomb)
Coffey, Wayne/Boys Of Winter (Olympic Miracle On Ice Story)
Cooper, Alice/Golf Monster
Couch, Dick/Chosen Soldier (Life In The Special Forces)
Coulter, Ann/If Democrats Had Any Brains They’d Be Republicans
Donald, David Herbert/Lincoln
Dugard, Martin/Farther Than Any Man: Rise & Fall Of Capt. James Cook
Einstein, Albert/The World As I See It
Ellis, Joseph J/His Excellency: George Washington
Favre, Brett/ Favre: For The Record
Felipe Fernandez-Armesto/Amerigo
Fischer, David Hackett/Washington’s Crossing
Fisher, Andrew/William Wallace
Foreman, George/God In My Corner
Frank, Anne/Diary Of
Franklin, Benjamin/The Autobiography Of
Franks, Tommy/American Soldier
Gingrich, Newt/Winning The Future
Goldsworthy, Adrian/Caeser: Life Of A Colasses
Haney, Eric L/Inside Delta Force
Harari, Oren/Leadership Secrets Of Colin Powell
Isaacson, Walter/Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
Jefferson, Thomas/The Jefferson Bible
Jordan, Michael/Drivin From Within
Keller, Helen/The Story Of My Life
Kriegel, Mark/Pistol: The Life Of Pete Maravich
Krzyzewski, Mike/Beyond Basketball: Coach K’s Keywords For Success
Latifa/My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under Taliban
Levy, Buddy/American Legend: Real Life Adventures Of David Crockett
Lewis & Clark/Journals Of Lewis & Clark
Lewis CS/Mere Christianity
Lightfoot, Neil R/How We Got The Bible
Lombardi, Vince/What It Takes To Be #1
Luttrell, Marcus/Lone Survivor: Eyewitness Account Of Operation Redwing
Magnusson, Sally/The Flying Scotsman (Eric Liddell Story)
Mandela, Nelson/Long Walk To Freedom
McInerney, Thomas/Endgame: Blueprint For Victory In The War On Terror
Mill, John Stuart/On Liberty
Musharrof, Pervez/In The Line Of Fire
Naismith, James/Basket Ball (Its Origin & Development)
Nugent, Ted/God Guns And Rock n Roll
Parks, Rosa/I Am Rosa Parks
Picciotto, Richard/Last Man Down (Firefighter Survival Story From WTC)
Podhoretz, Norman/WW IV: Long Struggle Against Islamofascism
Shoebat, Walid/Why We Want To Kill You (Jihadist Mindset & How To Defeat It)
Savage, Michael/Liberalism Is A Mental Disease
Sides, Hampton/Blood & Thunder: Epic Story Of Kit Carson
Smith, Dean/The Carolina Way
Steward, Dave L/Doing Business By The Good Book
Teresa, Mother/In My Own Words
Tolstoy, Leo/A Confession
Trofimov, Yaroslav/The Siege Of Mecca
Turner, Steve/Amazing Grace (Story Behind The Song)
Waugh, Billy/Hunting The Jackyl (Life In The Special Forces)
White, Reggie/God’s Playbook

Friday, March 14, 2008

Fill My Glass Up...

...with one of my top 10 favorite beverages as follows

Water - Can't live without it
Peach Pleasure Smoothie
Grape Rickey-Get it everytime I hit artic circle
Banana Cream Pie Shake
Strawberry Daiquiri (Non Alcoholic)
Root Beer Float
Hot Apple Cider/Wassail
Strawberry Lemonade
Crushed Orange Julius
Plain ole Dr Pepper