Hell!

The Run Thru Hell was a lot of fun! Boy, it was cold, about 34 degrees at race start. It was 41 by the time I arrived home, about three hours later. The course wasn't the 10-mile one of the usual Run Thru Hell, but a 10K. It was still pretty hilly, although not as bad as the longer course. And, it wasn't 90 degrees with 90% humidity.

Folks were all dressed up, adding to the festive atmosphere. Batman, Spidey, the Flintstones, lots of devils and witches, a couple astronauts/cosmonauts, the Joker etc. I found Waldo. Scoobie was there, too, with Velma or Daphne, I don't know which. A guy dressed as the Olympic gold medal swimmer Phelps was there, complete with medals, drug-paraphenalia, and speedo--he had to be cold! I was disappointed that a gorilla whupped me! He chugged right past me at mile 4 and never looked back--I never saw him again.

I ran pretty well, my fastest 10K in several years. I ran right at the limit of my comfort zone, pretty much pushing it the whole way. I could have slowed some, but couldn't have sped up at all. I thank Chris Burley for keeping me at that good pace. She didn't back off and pushed me on the up- and downhills. I hope I run that well at Big Bird, which doesn't have the hills.

It was great to see so many runners and walkers, more than 3400 I understand. It was a phenomenal number (and I don't use that term often) for a race planned just two months ago! It was in large part due to the efforts of the running community and its affection for Dolores and Harrison Hensley. They have been mainstays and great ambassadors for the Michigan running community for almost 3 decades. I hope the wheel-chair accessible van works out well for them.

It was a great AM....

Election

If you've not voted, I urge you to read the article to which I have linked. Think about it and the implications of the election--not just who we elect, but the message that needs to be sent.

http://detnews.com/article/20101029/MIVIEW/10290395/1469/MIVIEW#ixzz13lyQ6yb0

I have returned....

OK, so that's not original, but I have!

Just finished two articles, beating tomorrow's deadline for each! Hooray! I enjoyed doing both. I thought, as I wrote the third of three "feel-good" columns this week, that some might think I'm always so rosy. Well, when I do most of my writing (not necessarily blogging or sending out e-mails) I am. Why, for instance, would I want to grouse about, say, running, a runner, or the running community? There's too much out there to be negative about; running doesn't need to be. Others, if they wish, can cover the negativity there.

Besides, runners are great to talk to and write about. I always feel better after talking to them and writing about them. With all the junk going on in the rest of the realm, that's a good escape.

I read a very, very good book this week. Once a Runner is one of my favorites. I wondered when John Parker was, if ever, going to write another novel. After all, Once a Runner was published in '78 I think. Well, Again to Carthage is out in paperback and it is terrific. I really enjoyed it.

I think I have all my writing done for a couple of weeks now. I have one race to cover on Nov 14 and my Dec column to write (I already have the topic/subject and have notified the guy I need to interview). Whew.... That October was quite a month, with about half a dozen reviews, two or three columns, a couple of race stories. Carrie F. said, "You write too much." Yep, but I like it.

I broached the subject of a history dept journal, where instructors could write about history. They could take episodes that interest them, write book reviews, tell about teaching techniques, etc. This didn't work so hot at OCC, where just a handful of people contributed and one guy did most of the work. I know it is a lot of that. Maybe I'll ask if I can start one.... I'll think about it.

OK, now out for more fun, to grade some papers.

Thoughts on a Windy Day

The breeze is stiffening out there, growing, it seems, by the hour.

So, the NFL, I hear and read, is getting tough on "vicious hits." That has to be a tough one. First, as an On Demand ad used as a come-on today, people want to see "the great hits!" Second, how can an official call a "vicious" hit? These guys are giants, moving faster than guys half their sizes. Of course, hits are going to be "vicious." What is "leading with the helmet?" I suppose a handful, but only a handful, of hits can be so described. But there are only fractions of seconds when these giants make decisions. And others are moving so quickly and so forcefully. I guess I don't see it. And, have any players called for a crackdown? I don't know.

Glorious Weather

What great weather! Another sunny, relatively warm (low 60s) day. We've had a bunch of them. The colors of the leaves are great, too! I don't know which color I like the best: the fiery reds, the glimmering golds, the bright yellows, even the deep red-browns. What a wonderful dilemma to ponder.

Bopper scored two goals yesterday in a 5-1 win, against a team that smashed them before. Bopp's team really dominated the game and the other three goals were scored by a kid who's really, really improved. I am amazed, though, that so many of them are still afraid of the ball, a soccer ball! And, they still don't quite grasp some pretty basic things, like go to the ball, don't give it to the other team, etc. But at least they are exercising, not watching TV or playing video games.

Out...

"Fair???"

I can't wait, like I wanted. This won't be what I planned or plan to write, but....

I'm reviewing a book right now and the author writes, "It may not seem fair" that the only way to make money is to work for it. Now to be "fair," the author does later write about investments. But what would be "fair?" How about just giving people money, for free, for doing nothing? Or, would robbing a bank be "fair?" Or how about defrauding people out of their money? Well, I suppose one who robs a bank or defrauds people is doing some work....

Maybe "fair" isn't a word most people should use.

The Mosque

OK, I've "pontificated" on the Cordoba Initiative/Mosque building proposed near the WTC site. I think there are Constitutional protections to construct such a center. But, as I've opined, just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should.

In So. Carolina, a woman is flying a Confederate flag in her mostly black neighborhood. Does anyone care to weigh in on that? (Actually, it's similar to a scenario I used in addressing this issue a few weeks ago.)

Pink Bracelets

C'mon. I think people who know me realize what I think of those running the public schools. But it seems as if those running the schools are out to convince everyone they shouldn't be running them.

I heard and saw online the stories of the pink bracelets being sold at the (junior high?) schools. OK, the pink bracelets is a good enough idea, although I wonder what "awareness" is being raised in jr high kids. And, of course, my guess is that it wasn't really the kids who bought the bracelets, but their parents. Should kids be used as walking billboards for every "good cause" or political policy? That's a slippery slope, no doubt. Nevertheless, it's not that which has be worked up. Off had, I think it's not a bad idea, the pink bracelets.

But they are printed up (so I understand from the online articles and the radio) with "I love boobies." C'mon. Whose idea was this? And, jr high kids? "What's the harm?" no doubt some will say. OK, I wonder what those "no harmers" would think about, say, blue bracelets for men's testicular cancer with "I love b*lls." They might well respond that that's the only way we can reach today's kids. If that's true--and I don't believe it is or at least hope it isn't--is that where we've come, what we've become? I think that's a pretty sad state, pathetic even. Of course, these might just be the ramblings of an old fogey!

What's the big deal with Michelle O campaigning in a polling place? It's against Illinois law? So what? She was in Chicago. I would guess a few other such campaign/election laws are being broken there. And, what is anyone going to do to her? Is the First Lady going to be charged with anything? Now, you or I might be, but not her. (I wonder if she was "proud" to have broken the law??? I assume, being a big-time Illinois lawyer, she knows the law.) Imagine the screams if she was. So, there are double standards--laws for some and laws for others. Get used to it--although I don't have to like it.

I'm a little worked up today over the word "fair." I have heard it several times this week, but I have a couple other things to do right now. So, it will be fodder for later this weekend--if I have time. A full schedule is on tap! When will I grade my mid-terms???

Out....

Black Bats

Bopper and I were watching a special on the boob tube about a local Detroit ballplayer and his teams from the '50s and '60s. I played against several of those interviewed, but never the player, "Pinky" Deras, himself. But I knew about him, of course. More about competition between "us" and "them" in another post.

But the program displayed the "black bat," given to national championship teams. Team and team members' names, dates, exactly what championship, etc. are stamped on the bats. I mentioned to Bopper than I had a few of those. He looked skeptically at me, so I went to see if I could find them. I did find two. Bopp became curious, wanting to see my name (I wonder if thought I stole them?). Then he asked about the "really good guy" that he'd heard about from me and others. That was Ted Simmons and I showed him Ted's name. He looked satisfied. He asked about some of the other names, which really meant little to him, but he wanted to know if they were good, etc. There was no all-state baseball team back then, but quite a few of the team members on that bat were all-state in football and basketball. Including the four we picked up for the national tournament, if I recall, all but one either were drafted by MLB teams or played college ball or both. It brought back fond memories. I told Karen that, when I kick off, Bopper gets the black bats.

I ran into one of my son's junior high, I mean middle school, teachers. He said he heard about Matt teaching in Las Vegas. "I knew he'd be successful," he said. Well, although Matt was always a very, very good student, I'd say he was less than the ideal jr high kid, esp for teachers he didn't respect or like. Anyway, the teacher said he'd followed Matt through his high school, sports I assume, and was proud of him and what he'd done. Pretty cool....

First...

...to address a couple of comments/questions from past posts.

In the course of a recent conversation, face-to-face, not online, someone (OK a teacher) asked what I meant by "asking the right questions." I used this example. Several other teachers, not from the same district as the questioner, related to me that they and most of their school are viewed as "negagtive" by adminstrators, the board office, etc. The administrators, esp the superintendent and others at the board office, need to ask questions before calling names. Why are these/so many teachers "negative?" Is it because they think what they are being asked to do (outside of the classroom, with curriculum, etc.) is stupid, counter-productive, yet another boondoggle? Is it because they think the district has treated them unfairly, dishonestly, without respect? Is it because they don't like their principal and don't want to give him/her any reason to claim success for him/herself or have no respect for him/her? I don't know many answers, but I do have a lot of questions. Of course, maybe they aren't prepared to hear the answers to these questions?????

Another asked why Americans are so complacent, submissive. Why do they elect so many obviously stupid, incompetent people? Why do they continue to let government take them down the wrong road? I think, in part, it's because we've become too comfortable. As the Dutch editor wrote, "I was too busy enjoying my freedom to do anything to protect it." And, remember the wrotes Pastor Niemoeller wrote about the Nazis, "First they came after the Jews and I wasn't a Jew so I said nothing. Then they came after...." In part, too, I think it's a product of our age, the '60s and '70s. It was the time of "I, Me, Mine." It was the schools and their inane self-concept/image emphasis, the "God didn't make no junk," etc. philosophy. And more, but....

OK, too brief, but I have to go get Michael from school....

Sun PM Musings

Just a few thoughts before settling down for a bit of relaxation, just a bit.

How cool it is to see Bopper run around playing soccer! OK, I'm not a big soccer fan, but he runs and runs and doesn't seem to get tired. And, each of the last couple of weeks, he's scored a goal. I think I get as excited as he does. And he came within about 10 feet of two or three more, just missing the net, with one bouncing off the crossbar. And, he had a couple of cool headers today, too.

How glorious the past three or four days have been! I took Ash and the Codester to "a park" on Fri. They ran in the maze for about 15 mins, then played on all the slides, swings, etc., with a few minutes in the sand, for about an hour. Then we visited the animals, petting them. Rabbits and (William) goats--Ashley was feeding them tree leaves. The Code was, as usual, quick to chase the roosters and turkeys. I wonder if it's as much fun for them as for him. Then, Grandpa said it was time to go, but they wanted more play time, so we stayed another half hour. About 2 1/2 hours at "a park."

Upper 70s to 80, with sunny skies and the leaves turning. Other than New England, can there be any more beautiful place than Michigan? I suppose there is, but I surely like it here.

With Halloween, I've taken to showing the kids two songs: "Flyin' Purple People Eater" and "Monster Mash." Ash sings the first and dances to both. Michael plays cool, but can be seen watching the videos intently, almost mouthing the words.

Why don't people care about things that really matter? How many got worked up only a bit at the ridiculous US District Court ruling over ObamaCare or that several school districts are banning cupcakes from kids' lunches? Should we even bother to ask the question of the MSU or Lions' victories? Remember the Dutch editor: "I was too busy enjoying my freedom to do anything to protect it."

But, I will admit, it is cool to have Fordson, Amherst, MSU, and the Lions all win on the same weekend.

Out to read, Return to Carthage....

Education

The recent "Superman" movie appears to be sparking a lot of debate about education, namely schools and the need to improve them. Note, I didn't use the word "reform." That's because there's been a lot of reform, but not much improvement, in fact, probably none at all. I don't count the test scores because the tests, over the years, have been shown to be inaccurate (with poorly written questions, wrong answers, etc., schools/teachers literally teach the tests (sample questions, how to take those types of tests, etc.). No, they are hardly any reflection of improvement. It's disheartening to hear school officials, including the state superintended, claim that there has been significant improvement. I really doubt there has.

Some of the debate has been marked by arguments such as "we know what to do," "it's easy to identify bad teachers, etc. Well, yes and no. But I think those are off the mark, way off. First, we have to ask the right questions. Then, we have to ask the right people for answers. We aren't doing either of those and the likelihood of that is not high.

Sure, we can easily identify the poor teachers. That's not hard. Although most teachers do a creditable job, some are even outstanding, there are far too many poor ones. And, yes, they are "protected." No doubt some are protected by the teachers' unions and even tenure laws (although with competent administrators, those can't protect bad teachers). But I would submit that most lousy teachers are protected by administrators. Some of that comes from incompetent administrators or even those who lack the courage to get rid of the bozos. Yet, I think most protection comes from administrators who are more concerned with keeping "team players" than they are with outstanding teachers. I can give many examples, past and present of this. Administrators are happy to be rid of the critics, the naysayers, who often point to the stupid, silly, ineffective policies and programs that are pushed by administrators and school boards. Again, I can give many examples, past and present. Isn't that sad, that a principal jumps up and down in excitement to get rid of one of the few outstanding teachers out there just because that teacher knows and speaks out about the inanities passing for education? You know, I haven't heard nor read a word all week about incompetent administrators. It's as if all the pundits just accept that administrators are experts--and they aren't, not at all. In fact, I believe they, with their fake degrees in education, have the least amount of education, know the least about quality education, and have no idea of the rigor required for that quality. And, from what I have seen, past and present, they lack the courage and integrity to stand up for what's right, for quality and rigor.

Here's one that might shock some folks. I don't think education should be "all about the kids." Nope, at least not in the sense that most people think of that. Education is about preparing for the future. Installing, for instance, a false sense of self-esteem/concept is not good, but detrimental. Students should be prepared for failure as well as success. Now, far too many expect the best, be it grades, jobs, etc., without really having to prepare themselves. The schools, in being "all about the kids," have encouraged this. Education should be about preparing citizens for an active and knowledgeable role in democracy. I wonder how learning how to take standardized tests does that?????

Those applauding attempts at school reform (see above) have their hearts, but not their heads, in the right place. Why in the world would we expect the same people who got us in this educational mess in the first place to get us out of it, esp when they've implemented failed policy after failed policy? Beats me.

Another thing I've read and heard is the amount of time US students spend in school compared to those in countries with higher test scores. I find it interesting that many of these same folks, citing the greater time in class in other countries, then are absolute in adopting, say, health care like other countries. "We don't want to be like them!" "We aren't France or Norway!" I know, I know--comparing apples and oranges. But, you know, apples and oranges can be compared!

"More hours," "more homework," "Saturday classes," and "longer school years." Bah! When is there time for kids to play, to be kids? If we want more of the above, add an extra year, with graduation at 19 instead of 18. How many 18 or 19 years olds are really ready to jump out and save the world? Let kids be kids as long as they can. They grow up soon enough. But, no, we want them to, well, dress scantily, have babies, smoke cigarettes, use drugs, etc., just like adults. Oh, we don't? Then why do we force, or at least advocate, so many "unkid" things on them?

There's more, but Bopper has a game.... Out.

Dirty Tricks

Weren't "dirty tricks" some of the things that brought down Richard Nixon and the Republicans about 35 years ago? Remember the one where people in Fla were awakened at 3 AM by phone calls? "Hello, we're calling from the Dem Party and we're wondering if you're going to vote in the upcoming election. We urge you to vote for the Democratic candidates...." The only problem, other than ticking off people with the 3 AM phone call, was that it was the Reps, identifying themselves are Dems, making the calls. Funny, but a dirty trick.

How different, other than less serious, were those phone calls from the Dems faking "Tea Party" candidates, getting them on the ballots? They aren't real tea partiers, but really Dems. The purpose is to steal votes from Reps. Isn't that some sort of fraud, you know, complete with jail time?

We've had that here in Oak Co and now it's taking place in other states. Funny how the law applies to some people, but not others. Funny how the LameStream media jumped all over the Nixonites (rightfully so), even winning Pulitzers, but remains mostly silent on the fake tea partiers. No, it's not funny at all. They are earning the name, "LameStream Media."

It's Getting Scary

OK, it's getting scary out there. A federal district court judge yesterday upheld the ObamaCare provision that requires people to purchase health insurance or face fines or jail. (Fortunately, there is the appeal process, but I wonder if there's any hope there.) The judge held that Congress has the authority to force us to buy insurance. He cited the Constitution's Commerce Clause, which has been used by activist judges to grant more power to government while taking away our individual rights for almost 80 years now. Such use of the Commerce Clause was wrong in the 1930s and is wrong now.

Here, take this example. If the Commerce Clause can be used to justify mandating health insurance purchases, it can also be used for just about anything. Maybe Congress will want us to all join health clubs, so we can exercise, whether we want to or not. Do you really think you want such a law passed? Don't be ridiculous, Ron!? Well, how much more "ridiculous" is that than requiring people to buy health insurance? What about forbidding us to eat certain foods? What's to prevent Congress, if the Commerce Clause can justify such broad authority, to make it illegal for me to have my single Cherry Coke or Dr. Pepper each day? Or, eat my raw cookie dough? Or have a beer? Or eat fast food (oh, they already do that, well, at least some local gov'ts do)?

Gee, why doesn't Congress use the Commerce Clause to ban/outlaw abortions? Surely it's not such a stretch that, by aborting a fetus, a person is prevented from being born and that would most definitely have an impact on the national economy.

In the newspaper, one of the decision's supporters (and obviously a supporter of ObamaCare) said that, over the next four or five years, we're going to see positive changes in health care, just wait and see. And, of course, this guy is one of the anointed, the self-appointed elite, one of those who knows what's good for us better than we do. The sanctimonious, self-righteous, smug, arrogant elitists will occupy one of Dante's rings in the Inferno (along with the guy who invented cell phones!).

Do you see, left or right, liberal or conservative, Dem or Rep, why it's important to send a message in this year's elections? We have to tell these people they are not smarter than we are (and anyone who listens to them on the radio or television or reads what they write knows they most assuredly are not smarter than we are!).

And, if the election doesn't do it, maybe we should. What if we just say "no!" and refuse to obey these arrogant laws? Whose country is this anyway? What if Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Adams, etc. had all, 235 years ago, just shrugged their shoulders when Parliament violated their rights--"no taxation without represention," trial by jury, quartering of troops, establishing martial law, closing ports, etc.? Think about that, if not for yourself, how about for your kids and grandkids!!!!

Humble and Fortunate

Someone sent me another list of "best colleges" in the US. Amherst was number 3, the third best in the nation! Granted, there likely isn't much difference, if any at all, between the top ten or even more, but third! It's very humbling to have had the privilege of going there. How very lucky I was. With 7 or 8 students being rejected for every one accepted, I often wonder how I was selected. (OK, I actually have an idea, a pretty good one.) And how can I repay that, the experiences I had, with academics, professors, athletics, friends, etc.? (OK, I think the school did get something back from me.) But sometimes I have to pinch myself when I think this is where I was able to go to college.

I am reminded of the quality of the learning experience(s) frequently. Now, on the Class of '70 list serve, another discussion/debate is taking place. I remain struck by two things. First, the quality of the debate, the depth and breadth of the ideas, is phenomenal. It really is. And I was fortunate enough to go to college with these guys. Of course, the professors were instrumental in developing these thought processes, etc. Lucky, Lucky, Lucky. Second, the civility of the guys is remarkable. Although they have strong opinions, the discussion is heated, always the guys are civil toward each other. It's very cool.

When I think of the academics at Amherst, I remember two things. The first is the quality, the exceptional quality, of the professors we had. Surely, not all of them were top flight, but, by and large, most were outstanding. And, the longer I am in teaching, the better they become. They were great! The second is the tons of work we had. There was reading and reading and reading, too much for anyone to completely finish, right? I am not joking when I tell my classes today that my first history course had 12 books! And, that wasn't all--there were several looseleaf notebooks of reprints to read, too. And the writing!?!? We had papers due all of the time. In high school, a 3-5 page paper was a term paper. At Amherst, many/most classes had 3-5 page papers due every week! And the topics weren't easy either. Wow!

Of course, I didn't do all of the work and was far from the list of top scholars. But somethings must have rubbed off, considering my graduate studies and how easy they were and how I was able to excel without much effort. And, my professors did instill a love of learning that remains with me, perhaps even stronger today than ever. I'm a lucky man, one who is humbled by the educational experience I had at Amherst.

Random Thoughts

OK, why does the Wendy's in Holly have the best Double Stacks? Other Wendy's are good, but the ones in Holly are better, really. I've tried Onion Lake, Walled Lake, Milford, Westland, Garden City, Wixom, Brighton, and even out of state, but Holly takes the cake. Hmmm....

Education will never improve until it does, at least, two things. First, in order to make things better, the right questions must be asked. Second, the right people must be asked for answers. I see all the so-called "reform" movements have the same old people involved, including the Secs of Education. They were the ones who were in on the things that fouled things up in the first place. Why ask those who messed things for more lousy ideas? Of course, a letter to the editor in the newspaper explains all; it must have been written by an education-type. It's a waste of time and energy, she wrote, to look backward at what went wrong, who caused things to go wrong, etc. Far better, she continued, to move forward. We shouldn't point fingers. How wrong, wrong, wrong!!!! Those who caused the problems in education need to be identified for several reasons. They have to be held accountable. And, it must be made certain that these people are not allowed to make any decisions in the future. I suppose this attitude is a version of the "Everybody Wins!" philosophy now in the schools. Again, the wrong questions are being asked of the wrong people. No meaningful reforms will come until we figure this out.

Did I hear it right this AM that some environmentalists, to save Mother Earth, are advocating people killing themselves off, as much as 90% of the population? There was a video on the Internet with one of these nut jobs, if true. Apparently, the guy has won a lot of science awards. Is he really pushing for genocide to "save" the environment? If so, I wonder if he puts himself in the 90% or the 10%? Nah, there's no wonder. He's another one of those self-anointed elites.

Out to grade papers.

Sore and Tired, but Feeling All Right

I'm still a bit sore and tired today, go figure. Yesterday I was more of both. Of course that was due to running the Brooksie Way Half Marathon. It was a good race, rapidly becoming one of my very favorites, a "must" race for my annual calenday, much like the Crim.

I was a bit disappointed with my time and place, but not much. I was about 3 minutes slower and 4 places lower than last year. I guess I can attribute that to getting a bit older--all of my times at the same races are a bit slower, except one. I guess I can accept that--getting older! But I think my training was not what it should have been. I didn't really have a training plan, not like usual. Oh, I ran, but, due to circumstances, not like I wanted. I didn't have in the long runs I usually get. I didn't run as many hills as I normally do. I did more biking, but that isn't the same thing. But, no regrets. I did what I did because I made choices. They were my choices and I enjoyed what I chose. Huh????

What I liked about my effort was that, although I never really got in the groove/zone (and really haven't in any races this year), I never really felt bad. It was a workmanlike performance, which is just fine. And, I noted, I ran the second half almost two minutes faster than the first half. That is odd, not just because of the fatigue factor, but the second half is loaded with long, grinding hills. Yep, I'm pleased.

I did get out for an easy run today and, in fact, the state park's trails/woods were so pleasant I ran longer than planned. I rode the bike, pretty easy, too, to work out the soreness. But, taking Ashley to "a park," I did beg out of going down the slide a couple of times. I went down some, but not as often as usual. And Bopper didn't want to bike after school, which was fine with me--I didn't push it like I usually do.

More rants tomorrow or Wed....