AliveAndKickN

Putting Sports in Perspective

The Bergen Record interviewed me the other day.  Apparently, I'm different in that not only do I coach, but I'm also on the Council, etc.  So youth sports aren't my entire life.  I gave them my perspective on youth sports, professional trainers, and some of the unwarranted pressure people put on their kids.  Do I think professional training is a bad thing?  No, having someone there regularly who knows what they're doing is a good thing.  Too many parents don't know how to teach youth sports, and/or they can't be there due to business responsibilities.  However, I think one-on-one pitching coaching for a 6-year old is exorbitant.  I tell my parents that the odds are against their child becoming a professional athlete.  However, if they truly do feel that their child has the potential, I'm not the coach for them.  I was asked what's changed since my playing days.  I think the availability of pro trainers as a business is different.  The pressure put on kids by parents is the same.  The reporter was surprised by the lack of animosity from the different sports in town.  Apparently in her town, animosity among individual sports and parents gets to the Council level on a regular basis. I was candid with the atmosphere in my house growing up.  My father always blamed the coach, the referee or a combination thereof for everything.  It got to a point where I wouldn't let him come to games.   

As I watch the Olympics, I once again can't help but feel disappointed in the perspective.  To be top-10 in the world at anything, and then to lose by milliseconds is somehow disappointing.  Regardless of the fact that many of these sports are bizarre in nature, how do you do that to teenagers? 

We'll see if the article is published and how it turns out.   

It's all about the revenue, I guess?

As the New Year comes and goes, there is a flurry of ideas coming before various lame-duck legislators nationwide.  Since I'm in the  NY metro area, NY and NJ make my radar. In both states, same-sex marriage crashed and burned.  Medical marijuana made it through in NJ.  Ultimate fighting is on the docket in NY.  So why does one pass, and another fail?  Big banks get bailed out.  Individuals get nothing.  Wall St gets the big bonuses for failing.  Alcohol is fine, and taxed to the hilt.  Tobacco is taboo, yet still legal, and also taxed to the hilt.  NASA gets the big bucks.  The oceans get the minimum.  Big agriculture benefits from the subsidies.  Individual farmers get enough to survive, if that.  Cell phone usage while driving is illegal.  Drive thrus are fine along with computers in the dashboard.  The lottery?  Think about that one.  State governments pushing people to participate in a game of chance where the odds of winning are so miniscule, that it's rediculous.  War.  I could go on.   

The judge in the Kansas abortion doctor murder is allowing the defense to use the client's justification of murder, as the "prevention" of further murders by performing abortions.  The guy has admitted to the murder.  Sentence him for murder.  Move on.  To even consider the case under the defense of justifiable homocide, or anything near it, is preposterous and creates a really bad precedent.  

Although I don't find Senator Harry Reid a particularly appealing leader, I feel compelled to come to his defense on his book.  He said the same things everyone else was thinking, and President Obama even stated.  If Barack Obama was "blacker" he doesn't get elected.  Comparing Harry Reid to Trent Lott makes as much sense as comparing President Clinton to Governor Sanford.  Of course, once one side starts it, the other side has to come back just as strong; and stupid.  No wonder people don't give a shit. 

Sarah Palin is a reporter now.  Mark McGuire, the professional athlete, admitted to steroid use.  Duh!   

More Taxes!!

I had to visit one of my doctors the other day, or as I like to say, put Humpty Dumpty back together again.  Anyway, since I was going to be near Union Square, I called the Environmental Defense Fund to talk shop.  I like the EDF because they look for solutions that are not only good for the environment, but also good for the organization they are working with.  Win-Win, so to speak.  Businesses tend to like that.  Not knowing anybody by name, I found an ex-PSEG guy, and we talked energy for a few minutes.  Among other things, the biggest tidbit I took away was a story about a part of Maryland where the county is bonding municipalities to finance energy efficiency upgrades.  It's so simple, it's beautiful.  The county bonds the municipality.  The property owner gets an energy audit.  It takes the findings, presents it to the county, and the project/upgrade is financed interest-free.  The cost of the project is spread out over 15 years as part of the property's taxes.  Theoretically the project savings in energy should more than outweigh the costs of the project.  Also, theoretically, since it's a concerted effort, recycling should take place for appliances, bulbs, etc.  I like it. 

The Bergen Volunteer Center has three major fundraising efforts each year, the Bike Tour, Derby Day, and a drive around the holidays.  So far, we're on track to do ok for the Bike Tour this year.  As a Board member, I've gathered $1600 so far.  I don't think I'll be able to ride, so I'll probably run of the refreshment stands.  It all goes to the same place. 

Last night, the President made his push further for the health care overhaul.  Today I noticed several articles regarding the food system.  They agree that the system needs to be overhauled, but as long as our population continues to eat unhealthy, remain sedentary, and factory farm, costs and illnesses will continue to rise.  I don't disagree.  Something to think about. 

Mullett? Yah fer sure!!

The family and I took a 10-day holiday to Vancouver, mostly Vancouver Island, spending time in Victoria, Tofino and Campbell River.  Whales, salmon, mountains, beaches, seals, eagles, bears, surfing.  I was hoping to get to Alaska, but apparently the distance from Vancouver to Alaska is like Jersey to Florida.  My states visited count remains at 45.  Aside from the usual joy of taking three boys on a 6-hour flight and 5 hotels, I of course had to take in the surroundings.  Lots (dare I say oodles) of old growth and new growth trees, biodiversity, and wildlife blended within the population.  Everything was clean.  Most of the cars and houses were smaller, and the 5-year old couldn't keep up with the amount of buses.  You saw more recycling containers than individual pieces of litter, and there was definitely potential for abuse.  With all of the fried food/coffee house/donut shoppes, Vancouver could easily be as polluted and overweight as anywhere USA.  Cigarettes were prevalent however, as was beer (more expensive, but higher alcohol content).

So how was it like the USofA?  Although my media following was minimal, it appears their political and economic issues are similar.  Revenue and therefore tax collections are down, so it's easy to blame the other guys, whoever they may be.  Mills, car dealers, retailers closing as overspending stops.  Soldiers overseas.  Hockey all over the sports, even in August.

On the flight back, we had 6 hours of clear daylight to see the earth below.  I skipped 17Again and Confessions of a Shopaholic and read The Family and more of Atlas Shrugged.  The story in The Family flat out scares me.  American politics as a holy war for several decades?  I hope not.  The view was amazing - Great Lakes and Rockies still inspire.  Forests and lakes of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota are impressive.  Plains states look like jigsaw puzzles of crops separated by highway.

Came home to Jersey and rotator cuff surgery and a guvernatorial election with two qualified men reduced to mud-sligging.           

What if....You build it, and no one comes?

This Saturday, the day of sustainability that I've wanted to have is finally coming to fruition.  Actually, it's not my project alone, mostly the work of another, but hopefully the ends will justify the means.  The day is scheduled to include the benefits of reducing your footprint, capturing rain, keeping bees, growing and buying local food, and the obvious reduce/reuse/recycle.  So what happens if no one comes?  I'm sure some will come, but the hundreds, even thousands we're hoping for?  After all, it's the beginning of summer, kids are going away to camp, and parents are stretched for time.  We'll see.  Hopefully it won't rain.

I attended my first board meeting as official Board Member of the Bergen Volunteer Center.  Apparently one of the biggest issues facing the center has been the quality of service offered by the agencies that work with them.  Unfortunately, in the non-profit sector, there is significant turnover, and therefore inconsistency.  In the not-to-distant future, there is going to be a possible influx of new volunteers, as part of the National Service Bill recently signed by President Obama.  Of course, not everyone agrees with the concept, including our representative as usual, but it's going to happen, and with more not-for-profits disappearing due to the economy, the problem could be big.  The Volunteer Center is investing in technology to be able to accommodate the influx, and maintain the integrity of the programs.  As always, it comes down to funding.

Last night, the soccer coaches got together for a change to play, and not just gripe.  It was ugly at times, with moments of beauty intertwined.  I always find it interesting to see how coaches play versus how they coach.  And I wasn't offsides on that breakaway, no matter what the goalie was yelling.  I would have scored, especially after running 50 yards to get into position to receive the pass.        

What if...Feed a man a fish, or teach him to fish?

I had one of those middle of the night ideas recently.  Without knowing how much money is donated to these charities, or their options for spending it, I was wondering if an organization such as Center for Food Action or Share our Strength could theoretically buy and manage a farm, or maybe a supermarket in financial distress.  What gave me the idea was a place called Hodgson Farms, that apparently is for sale.  Their 50 acres in its hay-day (pun intended) housed as many as 50,000 chickens, plus they have fields and greenhouses.  For a cool million, plus operating expenses, you could feed a lot of people.  Plus they have a book of business with varous markets, including some in Manhattan.  Possible?  Maybe.  Likely?  Doubt it. 

So on a day when 150 people are scheduled to be fired by the NFL, the Mets and Yankees announce free agent signings in the hundreds of millions.  I refuse to watch professional sports again, at least until Sunday.  I can't wait for Steinbrenner to ask for a bailout when his advertising revenue dries up. 

Two Hours, Two Hours, Two Hours

Over the last twenty-four hours, I spent two hours discussing and trading emails over coaching style, positioning, and playing time regarding kids on my son's 8-year old soccer team (no, I'm not kidding).  Then, I spent two hours meeting with some of the most influential people in North Jersey regarding the infrastructure and planning needs for the next 25+ years.  Apparently, all we need is another $1.2 billion and we'll be able to afford everything needed to provide a more sustainable infrastructure.  Then, I spent two hours meeting with election officials regarding issues/trends, guesses and what is legal/allowed in the upcoming local elections.   

Who needs to earn a living?     

It's Debatable

When is a debate not a debate?  Most think about the Presidential debates where sound bites are expressed and points are nit-picked.  Most don't think about a freeholder's debate.  Well, Freeholders decide local contracts for things like county roads, etc, and in an election year where terms such as cronyism, pork and pay2play are being thrown like beeds at Mardi Gras, you'd think more people would attend events like these.  Well today I did, and lo and behold I wasn't allowed to stay.  It was apparently a closed debate.  Only LOCAL AARP members were allowed.  I used the extra time to walk door to door and canvass for my own election campaign.

Columbus Day weekend brought the annual apple picking tradition once again.  We picked up about $50 worth of braeburn, red delicious, macintosh, and cortlands.  A great few hours with the family, even with the traffic.  A new tradition started, soccer tournaments.  This year, Eldest's team entered a one-day tournament in the Hudson Valley, and pulled a second-place finish.  I still have the trophies and memories earned as a youth player, so I was glad the boys could get in.  It was also nice having other coaches with me.  I watched more than coached.  

Today I read an article about a local Green Restaurant.  While I'm getting tired of the term "green," I looked up the Green Restaurant Association.  GRA members use comprehensive recycling systems, don't use styrofoam, complete 4 environmental steps to join GRA, and add one per year thereafter.  Most of the member restaurants were on the coasts, especially NY and CA.  It was nice to see some of the places we have frequented, including Ruby Foo's and Le Pain Quotidien.  I'd still like to see a whole group, like all of Bergen County, ban styrofoam.

A good friend gave me her Wall Street Journal's carbon footprint handout.  To simplify it, here's what you need to know to figure your impact - material, energy, and transportation in getting that item to you are the inputs.  Use, maintenance and disposal afterward are the rest.  WSJ compared a hybrid vehicle, organic milk, beer, and a few other items.  Obviously, the more environmentally sustainable the company, the lower the footprint.  The more local the purchase from its creation, the lower the footprint.  The less greenhouse gas creation, the lower the footprint.  I try to buy local, seasonal, and with the least amount of packaging.  Recommended WSJ reading material includes An Inconvenient Truth, Omnivore's Dilemma, The Rough Guide to Climate Change, and The Loss and Recovery of Wildlife in America.

In watching the football games on TV, two commercials strike me - first the amount of E.D. commercials for Viagra and Cialis, and second, the IBM commercials comparing energy efficiency to money.  If only more owners and CEOs realized the math on efficiency and long-term sustainability, we'd all be better off.  Chicago, which has just started installing green rooftops, estimates that if all of Chicago's roofs were greened, the city's peak energy demand would be reduced by 720 megawatts, enough for 750,000 people and the storm-sewer system load would be cut by 70%.     

Labels (#7 of Many)

Think about the words being thrown in this election cycle, and then think about their meaning and/or message.  Think about the steroetypes associated with the words, and then decide for yourself what they mean.  Liberal, Conservative, Clean Coal, Alternative Energy, Reformer, Service, Pork, Privilege, Crusader, Genocide, Waste, Lobbyist, Politician, Hero, Spin, Volunteer, Pundit, Rights, Infrastructure, Security, Nation.

Today I received an email from the organization www.wecansolveit.org.  According to their email, ABC would not air their ad, which is obviously contradictory to the fossil fuel ads, touting things such as "clean coal."  You could say I was "fired up" when I heard this.  Now, most of the time I don't bring up the subject of global warming, since it's an unknown (in case God exists, we pray; in case global warming is real, we pollute more?).  Usually I talk about energy in terms of cost-effectiveness and return-on-investment.  The economics are simple.  Reduce energy usage and costs go down (this summer, when we stopped driving, prices at the pump came down somewhat).  Use other forms of energy generation and costs go down.  So who benefits from the pipe dream that is clean coal?  So who benefits from "spin" making other fossil fuels look good?  There is no "over there" anymore, where we can somehow dump our waste. 

In a world of a gazillion people, there are bound to be a handful at any given time, in any given place, that want to do harm to others.  Keep the WMDs away from those who would actually use them, but national security cannot just mean military.  My vision of national security is an emphasis on global equality, so the have-nots are fewer and the desire to inflict overall pain is lessened.  Anybody notice questions or debates about global poverty?  Oh, I forgot they don't vote, and they are perceived as a cost-base.  The closest question I heard was whether healthcare is a right or an economic privilege.  In addition, national security must include taking steps to reduce the potential for global catastrophe, which is something that could occur to millions of coastal communities should the seas rise.

Not to worry, supposedly a third of all the mammals on earth may become extinct within our lifetime.  It's only the balance of nature, not something nearly as important as pork and lobbyist affiliations, or even steroids in sports.  

Any reformers out there, or have the pundits scared them all away?               

Two Meetings, Two Worlds

Last night, I had my usual monthly political group meeting, and the topic was poverty in America.  Yes, believe it or not, poor people live here too.  We talked about the minimum wage, living wage, and some numbers.  According to the speaker, about 13% of the households in the US live below the poverty "threshold," which is how poor is defined.  Considering multiple people often live together in these instances, it probably means more like 20% of the total population.  The threshold level is just over $10,000/year; $10,787 to be exact for an individual, $17,600 for one adult with 2 dependents, $21,027 for 2 adults and 2 dependents.  A "living wage" for my neck of the woods is more like $30,000, $50,000, and $60,000 respectively (NJ is the 4th most expensive state to live in).  So what is the minimum wage and why does it matter?  The federal minimum wage is currently $6.55, and is scheduled to go up to $7.25 in July (roughly $14,000/year in salary).  Many people think of minimum wage as applicable to high school/college workers who live at home, so who cares.  Yet 80% of the workers on minimum wages are over 21.  State minimum wages can also be adjusted lower for certain types of businesses - farms, childcare, and of course tip businesses, such as restaurants and car washes.  In some states, workers can be paid $2/hour, such as on a Kansas farm.  In NJ, tip minimum wages are $2.13/hour.  NY tip workers are guaranteed 65% of the full state minimum wage.

NJ is one of the few states (possibly the only one) to have a Minimum Wage Advisory Commission.  Comments can be made to the commission at njmwac@dot.state.nj.us. 

After my meeting regarding this important topic, I went to my next meeting, which is probably more important to most helicopter parents out there, youth soccer.  We went over schedules, available dates, roster changes, and protocol for the season.  Unfortunately, as it seems is always the case, issues revolve around the "turf wars" of who can do what, use what field, what team is my child on, and the pissing matches that ensue.  Even after relinquishing much of my administrative role within soccer, I still wind up in the middle of it.  Hopefully I can appease the egos, and we can get on with the season.  Priorities.

When I returned home, I settled down to some nice headache medication and enjoyed the Republican convention.  It reminded me of the two old guys on the Muppet Show who used to heckle everything.  They never actually had their own act on stage, but they crapped on everyone else.  For the record, I have no issue with Sarah Palin.  I would label her story as interesting, perhaps compelling (if Don Lafontaine were alive, he'd label it as riveting).  However, my issue is with the Republican Party and what they have thrown.  Family values, tax and spend, and inexperience.  People in glass houses should not throw stones is what I believe is the appropriate term.  As someone inately aware of the issues of a developmentally disabled person and/or a patient in need of significant rehabilitation, the costs and life changing issues are staggering.  As I've stated previously, costs (not including time) associated with disabled care is $100,000/yr, sometimes more depending upon geography and level of need.  We have a very well-populated world with inadequate infrastructure.  To spend $100,000/year to keep a person alive, such as Terry Schiavo, or to spend similar to kill another in a convoluted war is unfathomable to me.  And to cast themselves as fiscally conservative, in this case, is just plain wrong.  I don't see how Sarah Palin's choice is inspirational to others.  She has a staff to help out.  What about the single mother who is a waitress in NJ or the undocumented worker in a meat packing plant in Kansas?  Choice is something we have in this country.  I think we should keep it that way.         

I should be ordering "Overlooked in America" shortly.  I'll let you know how it reads.