Dirk Smirk

Dirk finally did what Dirk is supposed to do last night. He shot lights out. He carried the team through dry spells. He played team leader. And he at least attempted defense. I don't think it's any coincidence that when Dirk did that, Damp hustled like never before. What a contrast from last year when those two guys let their pouty lips do more work than their big, slow, white legs (Damp wears high socks). I know we were facing the Griz and not, like, an NBA team. But just watching the game, we looked like we were going to work as hard as we had to to win, no matter the opponent and I think that, more than coasting through and making it look easy, is a sign of good things to come.
(Oh, and I wore the Nash jersey and drank German beer. I think that gave Dirk extra mojo.)

Early Football Rant

I hate to be the out-of-touch sports fan. I know "it's a business" and all. (How many times do we have to hear that?) But I am so not looking forward to hearing about T.O. all season. It gives me tired head to even think about it. We're four months away from the season and he's already causing trouble - refusing to show up for practices.

I know all the arguments - that he's a "special" player and that when you have a "special" player like T.O. you have to deal with his "special-ness". And that's all right. And the Cowboys will win more games with T.O. than without him. And if we really want to win another Super Bowl, we've got to deal with prima donnas. And since it is a business, then winning IS everything. I can swallow all that as much as it irks me. But I have another option - a radical idea that I learned from my parents and high school coaches.

Wouldn't it be refreshing if we decided to be the NFL team who refused to make "special" concessions for "special" players. I mean we should still pay them ridiculous amounts of money. I'm not saying T.O. should get the same salary as Andre Gurode. I'm just saying imagine what would happen if, instead of signing T.O. and making excuses for him, Jerry made this announcement:

"The Dallas Cowboys won't be signing Terrell Owens. We interviewed Terrell. Had him in for a workout. And discussed the culture of the Dallas Cowboys and we, as an organization, have decided that Terrell doesn't fit the mold of the disciplined, selfless, hard-working player with which we intend to build our team."

Imagine what that would do for team morale! Imagine what it would do for your fan base! I know. I know. The fans will come if you're winning. But you can develop a culture around the organization that has a clear identity and mission, they'll come even if you're not winning (see Green Bay, Kansas City, et al). I know it's the grandpa way to look at the NFL, but what would be wrong with refusing to sign the guy who stood on your star. For me, it would mean one less Cowboy that I'm wishing failure on this year.

Happy National High Five Day!

As I write this entry, I'm grooving (as I'm sure many of you are) to the dulcet tones of the Official 2006 National High Five Day Soundtrack. This is my favorite time of the year - when there's magic in the air and a lot of hands too. But please remember to celebrate National High Five Day responsibly.

How I Work

Found an interesting collection of vignettes about a bunch of successful people online today and how they work. Some get up at 5 a.m. Some don't get to the office until 10. Some have never used email. Some don't go anywhere without their laptop. Most of these people say they work long hours but then, what are they going to say? "Yeah, I pop into the office for a bit in the morning before my two-martini lunch and my 3 o'clock standing tee time?" To find the interviews, click here, then click on the "How I Work" photo gallery.
So that brings me to how I work:

6:30: alarm goes off
7-ish: roll out of bed and hope I have time to shower before Bethany starts banging on the wall.
8: leave for work
8:15: the aroma, the awakening, the comfort, the smiling cashier - a slice of caffienated heaven
8:30: arrive at work. Check for anything that needs immediate attention. Then read something - newspaper, Bible, blogs, etc.
9-12: work my buns off
12-1: lunch somewhere. sometimes i run during lunch. sometimes i go home. almost always i leave the office and try to get outside.
1-5:30: work my buns off some more.

That's pretty much it. About once a week I'll work late or have some travel or some meeting off site, but for the most part I've got a real comfortable routine, and I'm usually home in time to eat dinner with my family. I'm really blessed.

Online Hookie

Finally, the wizards at some of the most popular midday, mid-week sporting events are delivering exactly what America needs - streaming video! Many thanks to www.ncaasports.com/mmod for their during-work-hours video of Round 1 and 2 tournament games. Now, I'm enjoying live video from Amen Corner thanks to www.masters.org.

Travel Log

OK, so the promised Kansas City travel report never really materialized. Suffice it to say that KCMO is a really cool city. If you go, shop the Plaza and get yourself some "burnt ends" from Gates. KCK, however, is more like the Sunni Triangle than the midwest. I was a little worried that I forgot to pack my nine. Also, Topeka is a toilet - a city composed entirely of muffler shops, thrift stores, and a capitol building. Go figure.

On a personal note, got to have dinner with an old friend who now lives in KC. Ty and Amy have a beautiful baby named Eleanor Grace. And Ty has a beautiful bike shop basement complete with potty and shower, huge work bench, couch, TV/trainer station, and closet. (Well, the closet is really a coatrack.) I'm so jealous.

Modeling Minds

I could use a good role model.

I went to the University of Dallas today at lunch because it's a good, close place to sit on a park bench and eat a sandwich (actually today it was burrito). Watching the college students walk to class reminded me of my college days.

At the same time, I was reading some John Ortberg. He was talking about all the worldly things we expose our minds to - not necessarily evil things, but just idle, wasted things. His analogy was car fuel. If you were going to race in the Indy 500, you wouldn't fill your tank with 87 octane regular unleaded from the corner Tetco. You'd get good stuff to run on. But we face the most important race of our lives every day and seem content to run on regular. That's not to mention the real pollutants we sometimes expose ourselves to (immorality, violence, hate, heresy). Those, I guess, would be like putting water in your gas tank.

So the combination of the gas tank analogy and the college campus made me realize this: I could use some good role models. I don't mean Billy Graham or the Apostle Paul or my dad. Those are great role models, but not what I'm thinking. I remember my college days when there were several people, just a few years older than me, who seemed to me to "have it all together." Of course, they probably didn't, but at least they were trying. These guys were wholeheartedly and foolishly pursuing God's best. They protected and cultivated their minds. They paid attention to the issues of their hearts and others. They were committed to renewing their minds and engaging their culture. They exuded a peace that gave a glimpse of their passionate, private love affair with God. They gave me a pattern, direction, model to emulate.

I don't think there's anyone in my life like that right now. Certainly, I have plenty of Christian friends who are committed to God and family. But I kind-of miss that counter-cultur-ish fellowship of joyful fools.