We are all utterly fascinated with celebrity. And while there are all manners of definition of that word these days, the fascination that most interests me is our interest in the worlds “great people”. We all have our favorites from historical world leaders to beyond famous icons, who are known on the global stage that we admire and aspire to be like. To me, two men who I consistently love reading about are Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King Jr. Two amazing men who were presented with two different situations and were leaders without compare. But there are no lack of people who we can look up to and hope to learn from.

But one of the things that has always interested me is how we strive to make the men and women who have lived through the history books ordinary. Given the lack of duplicate Ghandis elsewhere in history, no one would argue that Mahatma was “normal”. But you can find stories and whole books about his failings and his shortcomings. They exist for every single historical figure and icon. Winston was a drunk, King a womanizer. Even the most revered figures in the world, Jesus, Mary Magdelin and Mohamed, have their fair share of people who claim them as possessing ordinary maledies and issues.

Why? Why do we strive to paint our leaders in such a light? Certainly Alexander’s achievements are enough for a man to be remembered by, but yet his homosexual tenancies are always a footnote to his accomplishments. I think we wish to make our leaders, who are anything but ordinary, just that, for purposes of motivation. If FDR can lead a nation out of a depression and through a World War from the seat of his wheelchair, how can we not be successful, if not at that level, then certainly at what we attempt in our own lives.

By making our leaders and historical figures full of ordinary failings, the same that we all struggle with, we are telling ourselves, subtly, that we too are capable of great things. Not many of us can relate with planning an invasion of a foreign beach although we can certainly draw from those incidents in everyday life, the real value of those stories is knowing that our icons did all that while struggling with normal afflictions. They rose above them and by so doing, have shown us that we are capable of great and normal deeds. That is an extremely powerful idea to me; ordinary people can change the world! Peace

I love surfing! Unfortunetly me being situated on the east coast where the biggest waves get to about 2 feet on a good day has really never let me expirence it very much. Outside of a 15 minute session where I was sans contacts in Australia I haven’t gotten too much board time. But that mean I don’t love to watch it. Watch Laird Hamilton or any of the other big wave riders power into a wave and tell me it’s not an adrealine shot just watching them. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to drop into one.

But one of the other reasons I love surfing is for the shear detirmination it takes to succeed. Suffers are a classic example of perserverance. At some of the bigger spots you could wait an hour in the lineup, only to catch a wave that wipes you out. But what do surfers do, get themselves together and jump back at the end of the lineup. I got to spend some time with a guy who surfs at Mavericks on a regular basis (Mavericks is one of the primeire locations for big waves and is located not too far from San Fran) and his stories were just incredible. He would go out at when the sun wasn’t even close to coming up and might be with a handful of guys. They would wait for waves, sometimes 45 mins for a wave they felt would be good and then they would catch it and hope it didn’t catch them. He described days where he would wipe out over and over but then right at the end of his session he would catch one and ride it for all its worth. And wiping out at Mavericks isn’t like taking a digger on a boogey board which is a feeling most of us are familiar with from our childhood. The way he described it, basically you’re buried and not sure which way is up and you sometimes literally have to climb your surf lease to the surface. These wipeouts would knock most of us out for the day and yet these guys keep at it and happily ask for me.

So lately this is what I’ve been thinking about. All of us know the feeling of the wipeout outside of surfing. You jump into something and have all the confidence in the world that you’re going to ride it out only to find yourself going feet over head off your board into the darkness below. That’s a universal feeling. I don’t care how successful or lucky you are, you know the wipeout. The pain and the doubt you feel. I know I’ve found myself asking if I really want to get back on the board afterwards and that’s human nature. And it’s easy to feel like once you’re under the water that you’re down there by yourself but your not. Just like your leash pulls you up in surfing, you always have those around you who are there for you and can help you get back to the surface again. And once your above the water again, jump back in the lineup again. Do it knowing that it’s a definitely possibility you’ll get crushed again. But do it also knowing that the next wave could be yours, the one you ride all the way in. Because it doesn’t matter if you wipeout 10 times if you get up 11. Peace

Often in my life, I find myself utterely focused on one thing, something I want. Some people might call it tunnel vision, others passion; but the outcome is always the same. I get it or I don’t. Now I’m not spoiled and I think I deal with rejection and failure as good as the next person, but I try to remind myself of the saying “Life has a funny way of working out” when I find myself in the position of losing what I’ve focused on.

2009 has been a lesson in that if nothing else. I lost out on a job that I intensely focused on for the better part of 6 months. I lost a relationship before it really even started partially because of my intense focus. 2009 started out as the year of misaimed focus. Now I don’t plan on changing anytime soon. I enjoy the feeling of the laser lock I get when I know I want something. That drive is a part of me and it would be foolish to do anything but embrace it. But here’s the good part, I’ve learned that just because I focus on something, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best and in my opinion sometimes it’s the thing that’s right next to the focussed on item that is the best thing for me. But if you sit and try to stay focused on that opportunity that has passed you’ll miss that next one.

Things happen, both of our doing or the Gods. But I think that if you can roll with the punches, you may find what lies next will be just as good if not better. I rolled the best I could with what happened over the first quarter of 2009 and I now find myself leaping out of bed everyday to a job that wasn’t even a consideration Jan 1st, but is now extremely clear just how a good match it is for me and my abilities. I told a person what I did tonight and his response was “damn that’s cool” and my response was ” it really is”. So whether you believe in a higher power or simply what you can see and touch, in my opinion, things generally happen for a reason and as long as your ready for it, it may surprise you. This too will pass A! Peace

Today is the anniversary of Pat Tillman’s death. Tillman, the Arizona Cardinals safety who gained notoriety for turning down a lucrative NFL contract to join the Army Rangers and serve in Afghanistan, was tragically killed by friendly fire. But that horrible ending doesn’t diminish from the truly amazing story of his choice and ultimately his sacrifice. In a society that (at time rightfully) gets accused of being selfish and vapid, Tillman was a reminder that just because those that get the spotlight are all too often self absorbed, our country is made up of individuals who are capable of incredible and selfless acts.

Before his death, Tillman never wanted to be considered a hero, he was simply doing what he thought was right. After his death, it was only natural for our society to take a long look at the man he was and correctly identify him as a hero. What he considered “doing the right thing” would be a much harder decision than many of us would be able to make.

But today, that is what I am thinking about. Not if I would make the same decision he made. I have not been offered a multi million dollar contract or even have the physical ability to join the Army Rangers as effortlessly as Tillman did. But when given the choice of what is right and what is easy, will I make the right choice? Will I chose the path that might be hard or not as rewarding if the other path is what I SHOULD do? It’s not always easy to tell the difference and I’m sure that Tillman struggled with his decision. But when given those choices, which all of us face all of the time, do we have the courage to do the right thing everytime? I pray that I do. Peace

Much as been made recently with DC’s biggest sports star, Alex Ovechkin and his “un-Hockey” celebrations. The first salvo was launched several weeks ago by Don Cherry who disliked his self promotion and flashy goal celebrations (although Cherry’s definition of flashy was Ovie jumping at the boards after scoring). I do kind of find the criticism funny coming from a man who never met a fabric he wouldn’t put on a suit jacket. Now to me that’s the pot calling the kettle black. And now the latest salvo will be coming with Alex’s “Hot Hot Hot” goal celebration with his 50th goal. The puck purists will be coming out big time with that one. But here’s the truth, Hockey needs a makeover and Ovechkin is here to give it one.

Sports have rules and hockey is no exception. But below the written rules of icing and legal checking, is large amounts of unwritten rules. And the biggest one is no show boating. I saw it even playing in a “non hockey” area. Coaches praised and promoted the solid team oriented players and criticized the flashy players. Hockey has always been a sport of the team and that is born out of cold Canadian winters and the humble nature of it’s people. That works for some people but you also have to realize that a ground swell is coming. Alex is just the beginning, so you better get on the train and make sure you’re not under it.

Ovie is the harbinger of a new era in hockey, which makes his rivalry with Crosby more delicious. It’s a battle for hockey’s soul. You watch youth hockey now and you see it. Kids bouncing off boards after goals, sliding off the ice. It’s entertaining but the most important thing is that it’s keeping kids playing hockey. I saw so many kids that were talented as hell give up hockey for a sport with more exposure and that was more wide spread. With Ovie that will change. Picture someone like LeBron in skates. He uses his huge frame to dominate the paint, but imagine putting him on the ice where we could use not only his speed but size in actually setting up checks. He would be devastating. Much like Ovie is. But by encouraging this kind of behavior in young players through Ovie, hockey has the ability to draw so many young talented kids that don’t live in Moose Jaw to the sport. So Don Cherry, Sidney Crosby & all the the puckheads can whine all they want, Ovie is here to stay and is the most important player the sport has ever had. Peace

If you know me, you know that one of the biggest constants in my life, outside of my family, is music. I simply cannot get enough. So if I’m not listening to it, I most likely have a tune stuck in my head. I use music to motivate, calm and think. It’s just an irreplaceable part of my life.

Last night I started out on making a playlist full of music that formed me. Music that inspired me when I was growing up and led to important moments in my life or led to greater musical discoveries. I had hoped for a 20 song playlist full of good stuff. It ended at 100

It was such an amazing journey of memories. I’d scroll through my library and see a track and put it on and a smile would instantly flash at the first notes. Just in the span of a couple of hours I was able to remember and think about so much. Some of the songs were still familiar to me, others I hadn’t heard in years. But I knew I was connected with them because every word of the lyrics and the notes of the songs came rolling off my toungue like no time had passed.

There were songs that I’m sure everyone knew and loved (you are lying if you are in my generation and say you didn’t jam to Lifehouse – Hanging By A Moment) to songs that were probably only special to me ( me and my first loves “song” Stephen Speaks – Out of My League). There were songs that brought back happy memories (American Pie, MHS Theater ) and songs that used to keep me company during hard times (Oleander – I Walk Alone) and filled me with sadness. There were still others that I know now were the begining of whole new musical journey for me ( Common – The Light, I feel in love with hip hop on the first 16 bars). Some songs I can tell you exactly where I was when I first heard them like John Mayers 3×5 ( a little resturaunt in Rockville my freshman year with my Dad and Allie) and songs that I still get goosebumps when I hear the chorous like Live – Heaven (” I don’t need no one to tell me about God or Heaven, I look at my daughter and I believe”)

All in all it was such an amazing time, filled with memories and smiles. Each song has a history for me, a past of people, memories and moments. Music has always been there for me and always will be. If you have a library of music that you’ve kept over the years (or even if you don’t, just start Googling) it’s such a great trip back. Great memories (and some painful ones) come rolling back as soon as you hit play. Peace

Every morning I have things that I do. I’m very routine driven in the morning because for the rest of the day, I realize that I can’t control what I have to do or what goes on from day to day. But even though I love my coffee and paper, the sunrise or the quick workout, the best part of the morning is Al.

Al is the Post Express man at the Rockville Station and he is the man. The kind of man who you just never see without a smile, Big Al greets everybody with a “Have a great day” or a “Looking good this morning”. If you’re a regular, you get a handshake, a hug or a kiss on the check (not available for the men). He’s a one man recking crew of joy. His spot, at the top of the stairs is like this little oasis of joy. You sit there and watch and everybody smiles after interacting with Al.

Now I know nothing personal about Al. He knows my name and I know his. I know I can count on him more than I can count on the mail. I have no idea what he goes home to after his shift is over or what path he has taken to get here. But no matter what else might be in his life he’s there radiating happiness. He is happy irregardless of anything else.

So many of us are happy as a function of what is going on in our lives. Get the new car, happiness. But what happens when the car isn’t new. Buy new clothes and you’ll feel good in them but that feeling fades and the new shirt becomes just one of your shirts. You can’t continue to throw things in this hole hoping to fill it up because it won’t ever fill up, just keep getting deeper. We have to be happy externally of what is going on in our lives and aside from what we have materially.

So I strive to be like Big Al. I have no idea if he is going home to a loving family or to an empty home. Or if he’s getting there in a Jag or riding a bike. The point is it doesn’t matter, he’s happy and it’s infectious. How many of us can say that? Peace

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

Ask anybody who knows me, I’m a planner. I’m into repetition and routine. And while that doesn’t define who I am, I am very aware that it drives much of what I do. But here’s the rub, while I can plan for certain things, like when I wake up so I can read the paper, other things I am not able to plan fot and I am becoming ok with that.

Every situation and goal needs a plan. That’s what gets it from being an idea to an actual item. That’s why I value the fact that I am a planner. It makes me productive and it drives me. So whether the plan is stated or not doesn’t matter. There is a plan, there is always a plan

And yet there are things we cannot predict and plan for that everyday and in every situation. Does that freeze us? Because the plan is not being followed, has in the past made me crazy. It stresses me out at times. But I’m getting over that slowly. Because here’s the truth. We can’t plan for everything. Try as hard as we like, even our best laid plans get laid to waste due to unforseen changes and bumps. What has helped tremendously in getting over my stress over lack of plan has been focusing on the end, keeping my eyes on the goal. Because that’s really matters. The path doesn’t matter compared to the destination. So just enjoy the ride and roll with punches. Jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down. That’s the plan. Peace

Life is measured in those you have around you. Family and friends are truly the most important thing in the world to me and many others. I have always been so blessed with the amount of people in my life who I care for and who care for me and i’ve never taken that for granted.

It is interesting to look back and see how at any point in time, who I spent time with and who I surrounded myself with. There are constants throughout it all but at any given time, people came in and out of my life. And just as it’s interesting to look back and see the people who I might have been surprised at how much we clicked or how much time we spent together, there is nothing that will tell me who is going to be in my life in the future. I know certain people will be there, but beyond that who knows.

But what prompted these thoughts, was the idea of how things transpire in everyones life and just how busy we can get. People who just a year ago were irreplaceable in my life, are no longer here. Part of me feels like I should be sad about that, but I think I realize that it’s natural for that. Those spaces and roles in a persons life are never really permanant they just take place in stages.

But here’s the point of all of this. We’re all busy and I know all too well how “I’ll call you this weekend” becomes ” God, I haven’t talked to you since summer”. Does that make me a bad friend? I don’t think so. These people have a role in my life even if it’s diminished now from what it once was. The most important thing to know that although I no longer spend the same amount of time with that I used to, due to distance or schedules or whatever, that doesn’t diminish what I think about you and the value I place in you. I still love and think about all of the people that I’ve spent any amount of time with in my life. And although we aren’t as big a part of each lives as we once were doesn’t change that.

Maybe our paths will cross again and maybe they won’t. But hey we’ll always have the memories we have, and for that I am so grateful! Peace

Physical play, that’s what I’m all about. Whether it’s me or the sports I’m watching, I’m rooting for the guy who brings it physically. Natural ability can take you only so far in my book but if you go out and leave it all on the field, you’re going to have my respect. My favorite players today, Chris Cooley, Matt Bradley, Ken Harvey back in the day are guys who don’t have all the physical ability in the world, but have no problem doing whatever it takes to win. When I play basketball, I’m the post player whose always got one hand in your pocket. When I played hockey, I relished the hit, even when it was against me. Most games I would only play good after I got my bell rung for the first time. As if my body suddenly realized what was going on, what time it was.

But once I realized what time it was, I didn’t stop. Few things that I’ve found gave the same rush of a hit on the ice. Even if I was the recieving end, the adrenaline was unreal. And when I was able to line up an opponent and deliver the once in a game bone crusher, it was ten times better for me than a goal. I searched out those moments every game. For me though the bull in a china shop mentality isn’t just in sports. I am all about physicality in all parts of my life. All about the big hit. It’s passion, it’s hustle and it’s the most important part of my life.

So I’m going to be the person in your life that you’ll have to go through cause I won’t let you around me when you back me down in the post. Not letting you get the easy layup. The guy you can lay out one trip down the ice and the same guy who is going hit you harder the next time down.

Much like hockey, I need that big hit sometimes to get me going, but once I get going watch out cause I’m not going to stop until after the whistle. My best hockey coach used to yell at players who could answer the questions he asked them as soon as he came off the bench. ” If you’re able to talk post shift, you’re not going hard enough during your shift!” That’s such a perfect metaphor for what you do in life. Give it your all, every day and when your done, make damn sure you left it all out there.