Gambling on Snow

Living in Atlanta, there isn't much opportunity for snow. As WSB meteorologist Kirk Mellish put it, "it's usually one and done". Well, we had snow this week. I have the busted knee and elbow to prove it. Clearly I've lost my ability to walk on a snowy driveway by moving south. What has happened to me? The shame...

Now here we are again, just a couple days later, facing the prospect of even more snow than the inch or two we got Wednesday night. The prospect of snow just creates buzz. Not just the insane rush to the supermarket mayhem, but excitement at work and at home. Because down here, the threat of snow is given all due respect with the pre-first-flake closing of all schools and civic organization events.

That means that work could also be delayed and outright canceled. Who isn't stoked about that? So what if you still have to work from home, it's still a snow day. No shower, no commute, lots of window gazing.

"Look at the fluffy snow...aaahhhh....oooohhhh."

The forecast has also sparked some childlike behaviors inside me. I am gambling on percentages, probabilities of enough snow to have a snow day. I am effectively wagering on snow odds to convince our self to do weekend type activities on a "school night".

"Stay up late - why not?!? It will be dangerous enough out there that the office couldn't possibly be open until noon if at all!"

"Let's eat rich food, junk food even. Diet be damned. It's a special night, why not?"

Why not, indeed. Because after all, it is the south, and the likelihood will be that it will be work as usual. But what fun it was to watch the flurries, stay up late, and act like a kid again.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

There is Crying in Football

Tom Hanks told the Rockford Peaches in "League of Their Own" that there is no crying in baseball. He is right. There is emotion for certain as baseball is the greatest game on earth. But it is a game than unfolds slowly over time with pauses for drama and strategy.

Football, particularly the NFL, is different. Emotion is everywhere. At the end of every NFL game, there are players who form a prayer circle no doubt giving thanks to God for making it through with their health and body in tact. It is a rough game. Look at the injury to Bills TE Kevin Everett who, at one point, looked like he would never walk again. Tears flowed around the NFL and his family. He then made a remarkable recovery and came back to inspire the Bills and encourage their fans - he encouraged them! Waterworks sprung forth.

As a fan, there can be tears as well. It sounds silly, but so is being a fan. Giving your time, money, and emotion to an organization who doesn't know who you are (OK, I've written on that today, so back to the point). Twice in the past couple years I found myself so emotionally spent at the end of a game that an emotional response, tears and all, came effortlessly from me.

I recall a game against the Cowboys at a time in my life when work was hard, money was tight, and I was flat out exhausted. I was praying for a win. I needed a win. The Redskins needed it, too. And we got it. I was so overjoyed and having this simple pleasure given to me that I wept. I can't explain it, it just happened. And the relief that came over me was overpowering. I let it all out and had no shame in doing so in the dark privacy of my home.

This afternoon, my beloved Redskins lost in their playoff bid. It was a magical run stemming from the tragic death of Sean Taylor that had this team playing together as a team for the memory of their murdered teammate. Though my tears were not at the loss; rather the dramatic telling of that story by the game commentators Tom Hammond and Chris Collinsworth. Their words perfectly captured the collective feelings of the Redskins franchise and its fans. It brought me to tears. We were all trying so hard to bring the team a win that the emotion overwhelmed us (yes us, as you know that I am a honorary member of the team).

Joe Gibbs, head coach for the Washington Redskins, was asked in a pregame interview if he felt his team had enough "in the tank" to make it to a 5th straight win and Gibbs candidly replied, "I don't know."

What I do know, and so does Gibbs, there will be tears shed tonight by Skins players and fans alike. Not because of the loss of the game, but for the loss of a young man who not only was a Pro Bowl athlete, but a man who was changing his life and beginning to inspire others. If he could only see how he inspired this team to come together, unified in his memory.

A very sad loss, indeed.

Revolution from Resolutions

January 1st is simply just another day. Not one year later, just a Jack Bauer day - 24 hours. Like a birthday, it is simply a milestone in a pilgrimage through a calendar year leading you only to a December 31st alcoholic bender of mythical proportions (unless you are married with little kids); only to set out on the road to nowhere once again in the morning - or noon if it was a really top drawer party.

Then comes the inevitable series of pledges, or resolutions as they are renamed. I won't eat as much, I'll be a better person, I will exercise, I will work harder. Friends, you won't do it. And the good Christians out there will realize that in March and narrow the resolution list to one or two big areas of self-improvement in the spirit of Lent - a season of shorter duration than a calendar year.

I am not implying that these odes to thyself are not of value. A resolution, properly executed of course, can have world changing impact. Sadly, we don't have the will power, stomach, and sheer vision for seeing through our goals.

How do you defeat the invincible self-destruction failure you are setting yourself up to be with each and every resolution you ask? Start by doing what we Americans have come to do best - nothing. No goal, no failure. No expectations, no accountability. Darwinism will gain another step and the strong will survive, while the weak will fade away.

The bottom line is simple: you want a better life, a better you, to sleep at night, to not worry about money, to be healthy - then make it so. It is not as hard or daunting as it seems. I often say the line between all things is a very thin one. Sanity vs. insanity; wealthy (in life more than money) vs. enslaved by money worries; healthy vs. heavy; enjoying life vs. watching it pass you by.

Start your own revolution in 2008. Find a way to bring living back to your life. Travel, savor, laugh, grow, learn, and do so at all costs. Be vigilant, passionate, compassionate, and determined.

And try not to tell anyone - let them discover the new you for 2008 all by themselves.