Eric Nordhoff - The Eternal Optimist

Tiger Woods - A Better Man For It

The 'coming out' party Tiger has had is a sad consequence of his actions, which are reprehensible.  However, like all of life's best lessons, this may just make him a better man in the end.  Read this article from Rick Reilly about Tiger Woods.  It summarizes what this optimist thinks of the situation. 

Andre Agassi Open

In the last month, two of the sports figures I've admired most as a casual sports-a-holic, have had 'coming out' parties.  One was forced upon him - Tiger Woods.  I'll probably write a post about him later.  For now, I want to focus on Andre Agassi.  The latest chapter in his story ends happily (which is how I think Tiger's will end too).  No news article summarizes how I feel more than this one from Rick Reilly.  I hope you'll read it. 

I first saw Andre in one of his first tournaments at age 16.  He went to the semi-finals and lost to McEnroe there, but I've been a fan of his ever since.  As a tennis player, I admired his return game.  And now, in real life, his return from a seemingly hopeless situation is inspiring.

I plan on reading "Open" by Andre Agassi over Christmas break. 

Thanks Andre - for modeling hope and true manhood in the face of no hope and adversity.

Society

A society in which consumption has to be artificially stimulated in order to keep production going is a society founded on trash and waste, and such a society is a house built upon sand. -Dorothy Sayers

The Facebook Generation

I've noticed a trend lately.  There is a new generation cropping up.  It's the generation of children whose lives are being documented literally from 'Day 1' online via Facebook.  

My 6 week old, was born in March.  We documented the 18 hour birth experience, 'play by play', so to speak via Facebook status updates.  Every important moment was captured in a status update.  If I had been setup with Twitter at that time, I would have sent out even more updates or tweets.  (Unfortunately, I had a hokey connection to the internet via the hospital's TV system, but it worked anyway.)

Even better than the status updates was reading all of the comments sent back by my Facebook Friends encouraging us along the way.  We even had one friend, during a particularly difficult part of the birth, who gave us massaging techniques that we incorporated into the birthing process.  We called her and she walked us through some things that helped Krissy along the way.  

This new generation is the Facebook Generation.  Every bit of their lives from birth to death, will be captured on Facebook (or some new version of it in future years).  Pictures, videos, blog stories, likes and dislikes, all of the IQ challenges, relationship status, political views, favorite music - all of it will be captured (forever) on Facebook.  They will have a living log of their life like no one else has ever had before.  

They are the Facebook Generation.  

My baby girl, Anthem, is a Facebook Baby.  

Facebook is the new scrapbook of life.  

Big Government

A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away. 
Barry Goldwater 

Thomas Jefferson Quote

"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have."

-Thomas Jefferson

Bush 43

Thank you, Mr. President, for doing what you thought was best for our nation.  Thank you for serving our country and taking a back seat to your own interests.  We may never know all of the ways you protected us from harm.  We are forever grateful for your leadership after 9/11. While I didn't always agree with your decisions, I'm sure you did the best you knew how.  You leave office with very few regrets.  Happy Retirement, Mr. President!  Thank you for serving me, my family and my country so well.

Remembering September 11, 2001

I remember exactly where I was when I first heard about the terrorist attacks.  I was driving into work and I received a message on my phone from Herbie, a prospective employee, who was scheduled to fly in for an interview telling me his flight was grounded because of the plane that hit the twin towers.  I immediately turned on the radio and listened all the way in to the description of the events that were unfolding.  I arrived at the office and watched CNN along with my staff (Katie, Malin, Mark and Elena) the events unfold live before our eyes on a TV in the Crystal Terrace building, 4th Floor off West End avenue in Nashville. 

Our little Alex was too young to remember.  Krissy was pregnant with Kaden back home watching as well.  It was a day I'll never forget.  I changed and America changed. 

Today, I watched the memorial being unveiled at The Pentagon and President Bush as he gave his emotional speech to the families and military servicemen there to commemorate the event.  I thought of how thankful I am to have my wife and boys.  I can't imagine what those families are feeling and experiencing remembering their lost loved ones today.  I think of Tammy Trent, who 7 years ago yesterday, lost her husband in a diving accident and who experienced unbelievable personal sorrow, loneliness and pain in the days to follow.  I remember her, Trent and her family today.

I salute our heroes in Pennsylvania who gave their lives to stop a plane from causing even more tragedy and death.  I salute our firemen who died to save thousands from certain death in the collapse of the twin towers on that day. 

9/11/01 is a day I will never forget for the rest of my life.  May God Bless America!

Tim Russert: A Father's Day Tribute

I was saddened to learn of the sudden death of Tim Russert of NBC News.  I've always been impressed by him and enjoyed hearing his analysis of the political scene over the years.  As a once TV/Radio Journalism major in college, I was impressed by the way he interviewed others.  Fair, but challenging and very wise in the way he put questions.

I was even more touched by his love for his family and for his son.  I was listening to Sean Hannity on the radio this afternoon and moved by the love his co-horts had for him. I was more moved to hear stories of his love for his son and for his own father.  He has a book called Big Russ & Me about his dad that I might check out soon.  So, on the eve of Father's Day weekend, I say "thank you, Tim" for the example you were on television for me and millions of others that, sadly, appreciate you more now and wish you were still here.  If you're mom or dad and loved ones are still here on this earth, take the time right now to love on them.  You never know when the good Lord may take them away.

A tribute to Tim Russert from NBC...