Fall Season in Full Swing? Only if the Weather Plays Nice

Texas soccer is a funny thing: weather is too hot and we take water breaks. Weather is too cold and some complain and request cancellations. Lightning in the area? Yep, delay or call the game. But rain?

I'm from the Seattle, WA area originally and growing up rain was like taking a breath; it happened and most people didn't notice. A sun event was something to talk about; one that could create a frenzy as powerful as hyenas on a fresh carcass. Practice in the rain? Yep. Games in the rain? Of course. I remember slide tackling practices that now would be considered akin to slip-n-slide activities where a puddle 6 inches deep was the end goal, not the ball you struck somewhere in the tackle.

In a state where rain is frequently ushered in with thunder storms, most of them severe, it boggles the mind to have games canceled where no lightning is in the area and only rain has soaked a field. A tenet of the game is safety and while I can understand how soggy fields have a potential for creating hazardous playing conditions (too soft and knees can buckle and ankles can twist), most fields are fairly firm and sustain the pounding of TX rain. So what could be the real story behind games canceled from just rain?

Many associations in the NMCSL area do not own theirfields but either lease or are gifted use of the fields from their respective cities. Could it be that the cities, who invest in the development of their park space and consider it an investment, make the call as to playing conditions irrespective of safe play? Some fields, such as those in Keller, are pristine and may warrant the city's restrictive stance on excessive wear to the fields.

On a personal level I find the irony of managing field maintenance and field usage in an ironic conflict which in the case of Fall 2009 (current season) the conflict is brooding and impassioned. We're now 4 weeks into the season, I have one team (of 4) that has yet to play a game, 2 that have played just one and the final team that have played 2; all because of lightning-less rainouts. My players are eager to play and the disappointment is evident when a notification gets sent out the night before that yet again the game has been called off. While I understand the rules of safety and the economics of good field presence and condition, the irony lies in the inability to complete a season for the sake of preserving these principles. At some point the finite schedule will implode and something must give.

My vote: the giving point should be on the fields and obviously not on the safety of the players. Let the games go on and let's get this season moving!

Recognizing Beauty and the Capture

Recognizing beauty, whether delivered directly by the Creator's hand or inspired and achieved through learning and technology, is truly and art that requires time, patience and an open eye and heart. Everyone is capable of this recognition but few are so keenly adept enough to express it cognitively. When I see a beautiful piece of art I wonder what inspired the rendering. Was the masterpiece unfolded in one brilliant epiphany or did the scene unfold to the master's witness over time? Are truly gifted artisans quick to perfect a scene or patient enough to capture the moment over time?

On a business trip last spring I had the rare opportunity to fly in early and spend the afternoon touring through San Francisco and other Bay area cities. On a bicycle excursion across the Golden Gate Bridge I stopped just before entering the exciting traversal and recognized the capturing of beauty by a local artist. With additional renderings littered around his pinnacle viewing studio, the man in the cap looked to finishing a warm spring (was in the 90s) afternoon. The romance between the bridge and the artist was evident and capturing it's glistening and sun kissed towers and suspender ropes was not a task but an intimate act of passion. Each brush stroke represented the sublime caress of the master's hand on the subject vicariously showing affection for the subject.

In this world of self absorption and immediate gratification, it's refreshing to see a gifted and talented individual recognize beauty and capture it's essence for all to enjoy. What beauty have you recognized recently and did you capture the moment hurriedly or momentously for all to enjoy?

9/11 - Never Forget Already Forgotten?

As today is the 8th memorial of the tragedy that struck the U.S., I felt like it was important to post an anecdotal conversation had last week at a high school football game which unfortunately may be an editorial of today's comfortable society.

As my son and I were watching the Central High School Chargers get pounded by a team from Carrollton, TX (21-41 loss), a friend sitting next to my son struck up a conversation about 9/11 in which they engaged me with a question. The friend asked, "Wasn't 9/11 like back in JFK's day?" My mouth dropped as both these fine young men were roughly 5 yrs old at the time of the attack. JFK, seriously? I wasn't even born before JFK died. I responded that it was during the first term of George W. Bush to which their eyes glazed over a bit as if to say, "George who?"

My initial reaction was to feel critical towards the public school system for not educating and memorializing the attacks against the US on that fatal fall morning of 2001. Should they be teaching history and recent history as it has had a great impact on our sociality and economy? Then I realized, had I forgotten the events myself and overlooked my patriotic duty to teach my own child?

While the mantra in the wake of the attacks was that we would "we will never forget", I have the sneaky suspicion that many have forgotten 9/11 to some extent. We don't talk about it as much. The economy, while still a bit shaky, has largely rebounded and we continue to press on. Many people recognize the after effects of the attacks and passively swear support of our troops overseas fighting in distant lands but do they realize the genesis of the fight against terrorism? War, as it comes from the US, feels mostly common place and often not directly associated to the original attack against the US. In the numbing ambivalence of our reality, forgetting 9/11, which we pledged never to do, has become too easy.

So on this day, I'm taking a moment to think about my own experience on that hallowed day and the impact it has had on my life. What I recall is watching the live broadcast post first initial attack on the World Trade Center's North Tower and was shocked and horrified as the second plane struck the South Tower. I recall watching the innocent victims jump from the towers and scream from the windows prior to the collapse. My mind was numb contemplating how this could happen in such a seemingly peaceful and protected land and what the event would mean for my family. As the event unfolded and I witnessed the deaths of nearly 3000 people in locations from NY, PA and DC, my heart ached for the dying, the families of the victims and the land I love. I recall listening to President Bush from his Oval Office denounce the attacks and bolster up a depressed and shocked nation. Yet during the address I felt cheated by the nation I pledge allegiance to and wondered whether I had given enough. I wondered what my children would sacrifice for their country (and still do) in defense of our freedom and the protection of our land, liberty and religion.

While my son may have just been 5 years old at the time, and surely he has vague, even dream-like recollections of watch the events that day, I feel personally responsible to him for allowing him to be blind to the consequences of 9/11. Will I ever forget? Shame on me if I do. I can at least say that on this day I do remember and as such I'll continue to do what I can to support my country, come what may.

What memories do you have on 9/11? Where were you when the attacks happened?

Reet - Arted: Granny Plays Final Round of Mexcian Horse Races

If Ife-Arted wasn't enough for you, here's the final round of "Mexican Horse Races" where Granny finally figures out the game.

Ife-Arted: Mexican Horse Racing w/Granny

Mexican Horse Racing with Granny results in a funny ending. Sound is a bit sketchy but her reaction, as well as the family's, is comical.

New Comm Biz : The Future of Social Media has Arrived! The War is Over!

I found this fascinating quote today:

90% of US adults are online*

80% of US online adults participate in social media**

newcommbiz.com, New Comm Biz » The Future of Social Media has Arrived! The War is Over!, Sep 2009

*(85-95% depending on which survey’s you choose to believe)
**(According to Forrester’s latest research)

The article is primarily focused on social media and while I agree with the fact that in order to succeed in business today you must socially connect with your market, why the percentages are so high is what was interesting to me.

How long has it taken for adults to finally get online? It's been well over a decade and we're just now at roughly 90%? Comparing the rate of adoption for social media and one can naturally coorelate the interests adults find online with social media.

But what connections are being lost in life to that online? Asking this question is like putting a knife to my online social throat. Many have asked whether I actually work for a living or just hang on Twitter/Facebook. They're interelated so I can honestly say yes. So am I missing something in the real world?

Last night, for Family Home Evening (it's an LDS weekly event), our family, as well as all of our congregation's families, was encouraged to listen to a fireside address by Elder Bednar titled "Things As They Really Are." I found the talk to be quite compelling and revealing and felt cautioned to not sacrifice critical time I have with my family and others for the addictive trappings of social media. While I primarily have used social networks for outgoing messages, I've felt at times an overwhelming sense of obligation to provide messages, sometimes to the point of conflict, to anyone that would listen.

Social media, while necessary in today's business, is not the end all be all of social communities. In fact, the rising generation may be degenerating/de-evolving socially according to this Wall Street Journal article.

So what are we to make of the new world of social media in which we live and will continue to live? Embrace it where it makes sense and for the goodness that you may extract out of it. That being said, censor yourself and make sure it's in line with the values you treasure most. And when in doubt, turn off the mediums of digital socialization and interact in real-time, face-to-face, with individual in the real world.