Its shitty here in Edmonton tonight as well, total white out!Was looking forward all day to doing the "San Antonio Douche Bag" workout in my back yard, but no go had to go to gym!
its always gotta be about bustin on texas hey geoff? he is right though. i know quite a few douche bags from san antonio.
anywho, sunny and 72 degrees forcast for today here in fort worth cool people town. it being a rest day and all maybe i'll hang out by the pool...maybe grill some steaks later.
I got an email saying I qualified for the Dirty South Regional. I guess enough people dropped out and my 18th place finish put me in as an alternate.
I am hesitant to register. For one, I just came to grips with the fact that I am not going to regionals and was ok with it. Second, I don't really feel like I deserve to be there, only the top 15 advanced and I am only getting to go because guys that are better didn't want/couldn't make it.
Paul, I'm in the same boat as you, on to NW Regional on a technicality. Agreed that it is not the best way to get in, but I also agree with Geoff. It is a great opportunity to get better. Plus, remember that Tommy H made it to the games on a second chance last year. He made the most of the opportunity, let's do the same.
I read OPT's Experience More Than Just Results article in the OPT newsletter a few days ago. It really made me think so I forwarded it to several of my friends and it started some very interesting discussions.
One of my friends wrote back and was frustrated that he has a difficult time being present. I told him he wasn't alone, that I often experience the same frustration and that being in the moment does sound like a simple thing to do on the surface, but I'm just learning that it really does take alot of dedication and practice. Don't monks spend a large part of their lives meditating and trying to master the art of being in the present. Thats what meditation is all about I think. Seeing clearly, silencing the constant noise of our mind and fears, and connecting with the present and with the energy that flows all around us.
I started reading The Power of Now and thats when for me, the power of the present became more obvious. Actually thats when I realized how much I wasn't paying attention. Sure we have to learn from the past but not let it weigh us done or affect the present. And we have to plan for the future, but we have no gurarantees of what the future will even bring. If you are in the present you experience the moment to its fullest.
Sounds late, but I'm 31 and I first had that realization about 6 months ago when I was sitting in the Toronto airport. I was reading that book and I stopped for a moment and actually had a look around. REALLY looked around, and absorded what I was seeing, hearing etc. I had been in that airport about 100 times before, and I had never noticed or appreciated the architechture or design of the building. It made me realize how I waste so much time in my own head worrying, thinking about later, stressing, building up some insecurities or fears in my head.
I watched people as they fumbled on their blackberies, or as some lost their cool waiting impatiently in line to board a plane ahead of others so that they could basically go and sit inside the plane and have to wait for everyone to board anyways.
It made me realize how much of my life I was spending thinking about some future moment. Things would be better once the credit card is paid off, or once the job transfer happens, or when that big weekend comes up.
So now I try my best to live in the present. To smell the roses. To actually look up at the blue sky and appreciate its beauty. To stop as often as possible and to actually SEE what I'm looking at.
I still struggle with it but hopefully as time goes on it will become more of a habit.
Anyways, it a rest day, its raining and i just thought I'd throw my thoughts out there.
Thanks James for putting stuff out there that gets us thinking about these things.
Geoff last time I looked snow was white, it may be an optical but it seemed that twigs and branches were falling?? Maybe I just didn't get enough sleep last night...probably the latter. If ya get a look in to regionals ...take it! 5 spots coming to jucky crew with 5 from CFP hitting team up at Northeast Regionals.
Paul, I expect to see you at Regionals. You earned it and like Geoff said, the experience will go a long ways towards preparing you for next years qualifiers.
I've had the tremendous opportunity of spending the last couple of days at OPT working with James and I can't say enough thanks to show how truly grateful I am for the experience. We showed up with no luggage thanks to the airlines and James completely outfitted us with his own clothes so that we could work out. He has been a wealth of knowledge and an incredibly positive experience. If your life allows it I strongly encourage everybody to make the trip to Calgary to spend a few days with James and meet the great folks from this community.
Paul - I read your post and I instantly thought about coaches' mantra "full effort is full victory." If you don't go, will you be able to say you gave yourself every opportunity to push yourself and give all you have? The question is rhetorical and honestly who cares how you get in. Go, learn and see where you need to be to be a top athlete! Best of luck. Brandon
Paul Klein, you have come to be known as a dawg and one of my own, and if you feel you are one, then I am your coach. As your coach, i'm "telling" you, get to regionals! James
Paul, go and have fun! We're all pulling for you! Geoff, my wife gave me a framed picture of that quote for christmas last year. Great quote although it isn't going to be the same again after reading Heavy Evy's post. Heh...
its one thing to SAY dance like no one's watching but geoff actually does. really frightening. like elain's full body dry heave but with a white man's overbite too.
Its shitty here in Edmonton tonight as well, total white out!Was looking forward all day to doing the "San Antonio Douche Bag" workout in my back yard, but no go had to go to gym!
ReplyDeletetire flips, axel jerks, sledge hammer strikes and a thunder storm with snow? one of these things is not like the others...
ReplyDeleteReally glad I boarded a plane to Phoenix as the snow started to fall!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell is that falling outta the sky in that third pic?
ReplyDeleteits always gotta be about bustin on texas hey geoff? he is right though. i know quite a few douche bags from san antonio.
ReplyDeleteanywho, sunny and 72 degrees forcast for today here in fort worth cool people town. it being a rest day and all maybe i'll hang out by the pool...maybe grill some steaks later.
speaking of douche bags:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tqEBQjWRws
San Antonio is in Texas? It sounds Mexican...
ReplyDeleteThat YouTube clip is friggin' hilarious.
BK they don't have snow in Connecticut?
ReplyDeleteI got an email saying I qualified for the Dirty South Regional. I guess enough people dropped out and my 18th place finish put me in as an alternate.
ReplyDeleteI am hesitant to register. For one, I just came to grips with the fact that I am not going to regionals and was ok with it. Second, I don't really feel like I deserve to be there, only the top 15 advanced and I am only getting to go because guys that are better didn't want/couldn't make it.
Thoughts?
Paul. Go to the Regionals, you have much to gain from such an experience. Go, have fun.
ReplyDeletePaul, I'm in the same boat as you, on to NW Regional on a technicality. Agreed that it is not the best way to get in, but I also agree with Geoff. It is a great opportunity to get better. Plus, remember that Tommy H made it to the games on a second chance last year. He made the most of the opportunity, let's do the same.
ReplyDeleteJonathan
CFCDA
I read OPT's Experience More Than Just Results article in the OPT newsletter a few days ago. It really made me think so I forwarded it to several of my friends and it started some very interesting discussions.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends wrote back and was frustrated that he has a difficult time being present. I told him he wasn't alone, that I often experience the same frustration and that being in the moment does sound like a simple thing to do on the surface, but I'm just learning that it really does take alot of dedication and practice. Don't monks spend a large part of their lives meditating and trying to master the art of being in the present.
Thats what meditation is all about I think. Seeing clearly, silencing the constant noise of our mind and fears, and connecting with the present and with the energy that flows all around us.
I started reading The Power of Now and thats when for me, the power of the present became more obvious. Actually thats when I realized how much I wasn't paying attention. Sure we have to learn from the past but not let it weigh us done or affect the present. And we have to plan for the future, but we have no gurarantees of what the future will even bring. If you are in the present you experience the moment to its fullest.
Sounds late, but I'm 31 and I first had that realization about 6 months ago when I was sitting in the Toronto airport. I was reading that book and I stopped for a moment and actually had a look around. REALLY looked around, and absorded what I was seeing, hearing etc. I had been in that airport about 100 times before, and I had never noticed or appreciated the architechture or design of the building. It made me realize how I waste so much time in my own head worrying, thinking about later, stressing, building up some insecurities or fears in my head.
I watched people as they fumbled on their blackberies, or as some lost their cool waiting impatiently in line to board a plane ahead of others so that they could basically go and sit inside the plane and have to wait for everyone to board anyways.
It made me realize how much of my life I was spending thinking about some future moment. Things would be better once the credit card is paid off, or once the job transfer happens, or when that big weekend comes up.
So now I try my best to live in the present. To smell the roses. To actually look up at the blue sky and appreciate its beauty. To stop as often as possible and to actually SEE what I'm looking at.
I still struggle with it but hopefully as time goes on it will become more of a habit.
Anyways, it a rest day, its raining and i just thought I'd throw my thoughts out there.
Thanks James for putting stuff out there that gets us thinking about these things.
I wonder if 30 people will drop out from the NY/NJ sectional so I can get in too!
ReplyDeleteGeoff last time I looked snow was white, it may be an optical but it seemed that twigs and branches were falling??
ReplyDeleteMaybe I just didn't get enough sleep last night...probably the latter.
If ya get a look in to regionals ...take it! 5 spots coming to jucky crew with 5 from CFP hitting team up at Northeast Regionals.
Paul, I expect to see you at Regionals. You earned it and like Geoff said, the experience will go a long ways towards preparing you for next years qualifiers.
ReplyDeleteI've had the tremendous opportunity of spending the last couple of days at OPT working with James and I can't say enough thanks to show how truly grateful I am for the experience. We showed up with no luggage thanks to the airlines and James completely outfitted us with his own clothes so that we could work out. He has been a wealth of knowledge and an incredibly positive experience. If your life allows it I strongly encourage everybody to make the trip to Calgary to spend a few days with James and meet the great folks from this community.
Paul -
ReplyDeleteI read your post and I instantly thought about coaches' mantra "full effort is full victory." If you don't go, will you be able to say you gave yourself every opportunity to push yourself and give all you have? The question is rhetorical and honestly who cares how you get in. Go, learn and see where you need to be to be a top athlete! Best of luck.
Brandon
Paul Klein, you have come to be known as a dawg and one of my own, and if you feel you are one, then I am your coach.
ReplyDeleteAs your coach, i'm "telling" you, get to regionals!
James
Good post, Pete, it reminds me of my wife's (and mine, really) favourite quote; 'Dance like no one's watching...' Says it all, really!!
ReplyDeleteLast time I danced like no one was watching, I just about got deported.......sombreros & tequila are a bad mix.
ReplyDeleteJames...Yes captain, my captain. Thank you for the direction.
ReplyDeleteI am checking on vacation days now and hope to be registered by the end of the weekend.
Paul, go and have fun! We're all pulling for you! Geoff, my wife gave me a framed picture of that quote for christmas last year. Great quote although it isn't going to be the same again after reading Heavy Evy's post. Heh...
ReplyDeleteHeavy evy that was HILARIOUS, thanks for the giggle :)
ReplyDeleteits one thing to SAY dance like no one's watching but geoff actually does. really frightening. like elain's full body dry heave but with a white man's overbite too.
ReplyDeleteThat comment made my night Pete. Thanks for the timely reminder. It reminds me of my favourite koan:
ReplyDeleteThere is no path to happiness.
Happiness is the path.