O-H -----I-O

Can't live in Columbus and not be aware of the fact that this is Michigan weekend. The football Buckeyes vs. "that team up north". Woody and Bo. Decades of contests involving two of the more elite national programs. This year's match-up may not have the traditional implications, since Big Blue has, uhhh, struggled a bit this season. But, its still Bucks vs. Wolverines. The blimp will be over the 'Shoe. The Hall of Fame Cafe will be jumpin'. 315 will be a parking lot. Or if you're not interested in the game, its a great time to get some shopping done in town as you'll have all the stores to yourself ... just stay away from the campus area.

So here's my prediction, which will likely not be anywhere near the actual results. I'm guessing closer than expected - I think the spread is 15, but its a big rivalry so I'm thinking it will be tighter than expected.

Buckeyes 27 - Michigan 17. Give or take ....

Sports Flicks

OK, I love sports and I love movies, so I guess it was only a matter of time before I had a post on sports movies. Highly subjective, of course, but here are my top 10 - in no particular order - open to feedback:

1) Bull Durham
2) Miracle
3) Field of Dreams
4) The Natural
5) Brian Song
6) Invincable
7) Rudy
8) Hoosiers
9) Rocky
10) Seabiscuit

Others receiving votes: Remember the Titans; Vision Quest; American Anthem; Wimbledon; Tin Cup; Breaking Away; Stick It

What am I missing? Kiki, I am counting on you here ...

Winter's Bright Side

I'm not a big fan of winter. In fact, its probably my fourth favorite season - or fifth, if you include football season. But, in looking for that sometimes elusive silver lining, I find that the best part of winter is the consistent justification for wearing wool socks. Love 'em. The thicker, the better. When speaking on the Wool Sock Lecture Series (WSLS), I am often asked, "Sure, but can they be too thick?" My answer, accompanied with a practiced look of disbelief, is an emphatic "no". If you can wear your normal shoes, then the socks aren't thick enough. You should have to go up at least one shoe size. Heck, you may even have to adjust the seat in your car to accommodate your new height. Too long? No such thing. Heck, I'll pull 'em over my shoulders if I can.

Not only are they incredibly warm and comfortable, but they are also the cure to most any problem. Got a headache? Try some wool socks. Sore ITB? Wool socks are the answer. Vertigo? Scurvy? Having trouble balancing your checkbook? Wool socks. Wool socks. And yup, wool socks.

I believe they may, perhaps, be the key to world peace. Nobody can exude negative energy when wearing big, thick wool socks. Its like peace for your pigs. They are happiness - with a heel. Grab a big pair the next time you have blurred vision - or just if your feet are cold.

Veteran's Day

America: Home of the free because of the brave.

Thanks to all past and current members of the armed forces!

PB&H: The Lesser Sandwich?

I love peanut butter & honey (PB&H) sandwiches. I loved 'em when I was a kid ---- bowl-cut hairdo, red corduroy pants, and PB&H in hand ... and now, with the bowl-cut but a faint memory, I still dig PB&H. But they just don't get the same level of pub that their more famous cousin, PB&J, has historically received.

Why do you suppose that is? Its certainly not a reflection of taste, as PB&H is, hands down, the better combination. Its not like PB&H is any more complicated to make or any more costly. So what gives? How has PB&J cornered the market on PB sandwiches? Can we blame Bill Gates and Vista? After much consideration, I blame the bees and what amounts to a faulty marketing and promotional campaign. Some slogans that might (or might not) be worth considering for future promotional efforts:

* PB&H - Add it to your Honey-Do list
* Add honey - its totally sweet!
* Eat more honey - support the pollinators!
* Vote "nay" on PB&J
* Peanut Butter and Honey? It's money.

Here's a recipe for ya: next time you're camping, try a PB&H over the fire using a pie iron (or pudgy pie maker, if from Allen County). Mmmmmm. Lightly toasted bread, melted PB, warm honey. Dude, it is so good. Totally beats a s'more, but that's a story for another time.

PB&H haiku ---

PB and honey -
Winnie, a visionary;
Joy, between slices.

By the way, did you realize there was once apparently an Earl of Sandwich (John Montagu) in 18th century England for whom the sandwich was named? What do you suppose he had on the back of his baseball jersey? Sandwich? Montagu? Big Earl? Regardless, I'm guessing he caught some grief from his coach. "Hey Sandwich, quit loafing around and get over here!"

Book review - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Thought my first post would cover a book I read recently - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Most folks may have heard of this story already, as it seems to have a pretty significant on-line (You Tube) following. Randy Pausch was a Professor, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, who used his participation in a lecture series to record various messages for his 3 young children - messages that he did not expect to be able to communicate in person at the time that they would be relevant and understood by his kids.

I thought it was a good book. Certainly sad at time, but at other times funny and thought-provoking. A little introspection aint a bad thing. Of most significance, to me at least, is when he directs folks to ask themselves if they are spending their time "on the right thing". A great question from somebody painfully aware of how finite life is.

There were several other quotes in the book that I found to be pretty compelling:

(1) "Just because you're in the driver's seat doesn't mean you have to run people over."
(2) "If I work hard enough, there will be things I can do tomorrow that I can't do today."
(3) "Brick walls are there for a reason. They're not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."
(4) "We cannot change the hand we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
(5) "It doesn't matter how well you polish the underside of the banister."
(6) " You can always change your plan, but only if you have one."
(7) "When you're screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they've given up on you. You may not want to hear it, but your critics are often the ones telling you they still love and care about you, and want to make you better."

Worth a read if looking for a winter book ...