A Story From My Mom

Sorry I've been away so long, but I just got too busy. I will need to learn to budget my time to include this new technological aspect of my life.

Every Sunday, I call my 89 year old mom. We talk about everything from her day to day activities, to the Packers to her take on politics. We also spend a lot of the time reminiscing. Last week she reminded me of a story I thought I'd share with you.

When I was in Third Grade, I would get out of my wheelchair at recess and play football with my friends. At that age, I was pretty good, too! I was low to the ground and stronger than most of the other kids, so I was usually one of the first picks. One day the Principal stopped me and told me I couldn't play anymore because I might get hurt. I went home and told my Mom and Dad. A few days later, I was back making tackles like a two foot tall Ray Nitschke. Turns out that my mom went to the school and talked to the principal. When he told her he was just worried that I might get hurt, she pointed out that anyone can get hurt playing football and that if I wasn't allowed to play then no one should. I think what might have finally changed his mind was when my mom pointed out that if I did get hurt it wouldn't be that big a deal since I already used a wheelchair. He probably thought she was crazy! I completely understand her thinking. Why should I not do something I love because of what "might" happen. This is a lesson I learned early in life and continue to carry with me today.

Video

Okay, see if you can watch this video and not get teary eyed!
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/mental-health-2.html

It features one of my favorite songs! I want it played at my funeral. Hopefully, many years from now.

Michael Vick

I just read that Michael Vick has been conditionally reinstated to the NFL. He is eligible to sign with any team, participate in training camp and could be able to play in regular season games as early as week six. I am not surprised by this, just a bit disappointed. I was hoping that Commissioner Goodell would have the stones to ban him for the year. Go play in the UFL, CFL or Arena League for a year, prove that you've changed and we'll reinstate you next year. I keep reading people who say that he has the "right" to play in the NFL. No one has a right to play in the NFL. It is a privilege that should be earned and maintained. I just hope that the owners in the league are smart enough to realize that signing Vick will lead to a public relations nightmare. No matter how talented someone is, sometimes they just aren't worth the headaches. For those of you wondering I would treat Leonard Little, Donte Stallworth and Adam "Pacman" Jones the same way!

Random Thoughts

I have been away from my Blog for a few days so I thought I would catch up by sharing some random thoughts on several different topics.



Random thought #1


Last week a friend informed me that Charles Martin, part of my earlier Brett Favre post, passed away in 2005 of complications from kidney disease. Martin was only 46.



Random thought #2


Speaking of Favre, I continue to be amazed by how this situation is playing out. Favre actually leaked out information that said Viking players were texting him to encourage him to play. I can't believe they are very happy to be put in the position of looking like they are lobbying for someone to replace QB's already on the active roster.

Random thought #3


I can't believe that in a country as great as ours, with all the great minds that we possess. we find it impossible to create a health care system that provides for all of our citizens. While I voted for Obama and support his ideals, I understand that his proposals are far from perfect. What I do not understand is the blatant refusal of the differing groups to work together to come up with a plan that they can agree on! I think that sometimes you just have to do what's right. Even if it stings the pocketbook a little. As my dad used to say, "Lock them in a room and don't let them out until they figure something out!"

Random thought #4

I may lose my "man card" for this one, but my favorite TV show this summer is, So You Think You Can Dance. The athleticism and artistry of the competitors on this show just amazes me. Last Week I saw a performance by Melissa and Ade that I while never forget. It was a piece set to the song, This Woman's Work by Maxwell that portrayed a woman's fight against breast cancer and the support of a significant other. It was absolutely breathtaking and an example of the best that television can be! I wasn't able to find a link to the performance. If anyone can find one please let me know and I will share it here.

And finally,

Here is a link to a place where I spend a great deal of my online time. I think it is a very cool useful site. http://fromthewheelsup.yelp.com/

This has gone Favre enough!

OK, time for my first sports related post. I grew up in Appleton Wisconsin, about forty-five miles from Lambeau Field and have been a Packer Fan for my whole life. My earliest sports related memories revolve around The Green Bay Packers. On Sundays, We used to rush home from church in order to make it home in time to see the start of the Packer game. The problem for me was that I missed the glory days of the Lombardi Era. The first Packer Coach I remember was Phil Bengston, not exactly a household name. Anyway, it didn't matter, The Packers were my team and I loved them. My brothers had legends like Bart Starr, Willie Wood, Paul Hornung, Forrest Gregg and Jimmy Taylor to cheer for, while I had non-legends like Jim Del Gaizo, Paul Ott-Carruth, John Spillis and Dave Roller. They were Packers and I was the eternal optimist. Every year was going to be "the" year. There were glimmers of hope, like 1972, when they actually made the playoffs, but for the most part, Green Bay was looked at as the worst team in the NFL.
This all changed in 1992. The Packers started a turn around that has seen them become one of the most consistent winners in the NFL. One of the key pieces of this dramatic change was Brett Favre. He brought a swagger, confidence and love for the game that helped the Green Bay Packers return from the depths of mediocrity to two consecutive Super Bowl appearances including a Victory in Super Bowl 31.
No one loved Brett Favre more than me. I appreciated his dedication and loved watching his sometimes frustrating improvisations on the field. I will always remember his inspirational performance against Oakland few days after his father died. However, since about 2004, Packer fans have been subjected to a yearly soap opera revolving around his possible retirement. I thought it was over last year after he was traded to the Jets. Unfortunately, Favre will not go quietly into the night. After retiring for the second time, he has decided to play for the Packers hated rival, The Minnesota Vikings. This is an obvious attempt to get back at the Packers for not worshipping at the Favre Temple. I believe that true Packer Fans realize that Favre has become the Prima Donna that is all to common in professional sports. While I will always appreciate his accomplishments while with the Packers, I was a Packer fan before Favre and will remain one after Favre. His leaving will not change that. As a matter of fact, I have a little wishlist to share with you.

1) I want Favre to play for the Vikings!
2) I want ESPN to set up camp outside their training camp.
3) I want reporters to ask their players and coaches a million stupid questions about playing with a legend and if they feel extra pressure now.
4) I want Childress to design their offense around Favre and not around Adrian Peterson.
5) I want both their other QB's to publicly question why there isn't an open competitionfor the Starting QB spot.
6) I want them both to eventually demand to be traded
7) I want ALL Wisconsin Favre Fans to be made to wear Purple Number 4 Jerseys so that we can tell them from "real" Packer fans!
8) I want the Vikings Owner to give him his own Private Parking spot and Locker room
9) I want to see the reaction of Viking fans the first time Favre costs them a game making a bonehead decision or throwing a stupid interception! It probably would be too much to ask for it to be against Green Bay!
and finally...(for the real Packer trivia nuts)
10)I want Green Bay to get Charles Martin to come out of retirement for the October 5th game!

Retribution!

No this post is not about revenge. It is to let you in on a little secret. I spent last night having a blast, playing cards with my brother and two other good friends. Not Poker or Bridge, but something we call Retribution 115. A game we have developed that is loosely based on Cribbage. Hopefully, in a few years you will be able to enjoy the game too. We are working to get it marketed and if all goes well, I'll be able to retire in style!

Inspiration

As I was working out this morning, as I do every(well almost) day. a replay of a speech by Jim Valvano was played on Mike ad Mike in the Morning on ESPN2. As I watched it I remembered two things. First, I remembered turning into a complete tub of goo as I watched this speech live. I also remembered that, although Coach Valvano's death was sad, the life that he led and the legacy that he left is an inspiration to me. Here is a link to his speech.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jimvalvanoespyaward.htm



I hope you get as much out of it as I do.

Hello

For years now, I have been spouting my opinions, beliefs and philosophy to my friends and family. After much contemplation and encouragement, I have decided to take the plunge into the great unknown...The BLOGOSPHERE!

My hope is that this blog will encourage people to look at things from a slightly different perspective. As you may have guessed, I have a disability and have used a wheelchair for most of my almost fifty years of life. This fact has never stopped me from doing anything that I have wanted to. It has, however, contributed to my view of the world and I will share that with you as this blog progresses. I have a wide range of interests including Education (My profession for the past 23 years.), Sports, Politics, Travel, Food and Music.

If you stumbled on my page, I hope that you will return often and enjoy your time!