Beautiful, hot weather with no rain all summer.
Then school starts and the temps drop 10 degrees.
Then the rain starts.
Then a hurricane remnant heads for us.
We're going to get flooded again, I can feel it. Blast, blast, blast.
Today and tomorrow, we'll have to be prepared for anything, including an indoor practice. Perhaps that might not be a bad thing, as the guys need a few more days to stew up the competition between boats. Just to keep things interesting.....
Categories: Training, Rowing, Coaching
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Saturday, August 27, 2005
That sound you hear
is the sound of a heavyweight gauntlet hitting the floor. I didn't believe the time, but I know I was a little "conservative" on the finish line. So there it was. 1:29.6, after stuffing themselves with hamburgers.
I'm really keyed up. I'm ready to watch the lights and heavys row at the same time. I'm ready to see what happens on long steady state rows. I'm ready to see who decides It's on first.
I think practice with these two boats will degenerate into a bar fight.
I'm ready for Tuesday. After two years, what I hoped for has come to pass: three experienced eights ready to push each other faster.
This is going to be really fun. It's on!
Categories: FC, Teamwork, Rowing
I'm really keyed up. I'm ready to watch the lights and heavys row at the same time. I'm ready to see what happens on long steady state rows. I'm ready to see who decides It's on first.
I think practice with these two boats will degenerate into a bar fight.
I'm ready for Tuesday. After two years, what I hoped for has come to pass: three experienced eights ready to push each other faster.
This is going to be really fun. It's on!
Categories: FC, Teamwork, Rowing
Thursday, August 25, 2005
There is such a thing as too much
I know that I'm perceived as being a little intense. Never happy, always want more effort or training or commitment. There's always somebody somewhere doing more.
Then I thought about the schedule this weekend. Morning row at 7 on Friday. Scavenger hunt at 1:30, some guys golfing, BBQ at 3, row-a-thon at 8 the next morning, followed by a coaches' meeting, followed by a short break and another long row starting at 4. Then some stuff for Pitt on Sunday, all day.
Just a little too much time spent at the boathouse.
So I decided to cancel Friday's early row. I need the sleep, it looks like. Otherwise, I might as well move into the boathouse, because gas is killing me back and forth.
Sleep in, fellows!
Categories: Coaching, Training, Rowing
Then I thought about the schedule this weekend. Morning row at 7 on Friday. Scavenger hunt at 1:30, some guys golfing, BBQ at 3, row-a-thon at 8 the next morning, followed by a coaches' meeting, followed by a short break and another long row starting at 4. Then some stuff for Pitt on Sunday, all day.
Just a little too much time spent at the boathouse.
So I decided to cancel Friday's early row. I need the sleep, it looks like. Otherwise, I might as well move into the boathouse, because gas is killing me back and forth.
Sleep in, fellows!
Categories: Coaching, Training, Rowing
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Welcome Back BBQ
When: Friday Aug 26 at 3:00pm till??
Where: Pavilon at Millvaleboat house
Who: All current Varsity and Novice Rowers and any one that still has interest in the team
What to bring: Heavyweights- Drinks in cans Lightweights- Chips Novices- Plates/Napkins
Any Questions email me at jessefoglia@hotmail.com or ask me at practice
Categories: FC, Teamwork
Where: Pavilon at Millvaleboat house
Who: All current Varsity and Novice Rowers and any one that still has interest in the team
What to bring: Heavyweights- Drinks in cans Lightweights- Chips Novices- Plates/Napkins
Any Questions email me at jessefoglia@hotmail.com or ask me at practice
Categories: FC, Teamwork
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Goodbye, PG
I don't normally respond to editorial cartoons. Left or right, I don't consider the instant, in-your-face opinion worthy of much consideration. Most are funny to look at, and I'm sure AP History students hundreds of years from now will have to respond to some in their document-based questions, just like I did. On the whole, these graffiti-like scribbles are consigned from my thinking as I read a column that is usually better thought-out.
So, when the Post-Gazette's Rob Rogers published a cartoon earlier in August marking the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I found it trite and disgusting, but didn't really think about it. Until today, when Mr. Rogers decided to defend himself in the Forum section. Go ahead and read this, which includes the cartoon, to understand what I'm talking about.
After reading this egotistical, ill-informed column, I called the PG and cancelled my subscription. Let us get some facts straight. Rob Rogers is not comparable to any hockey player, much less Mario Lemieux. Even though he says "some readers will always see me as a cartoon version of Mario Lemieux," Mr. Rogers' work isn't seen on the national stage, much less beyond the confines of Western Pennsylvania. By saying "some readers," I think Mr. Rogers is really thinking "I".
Secondly, he never defends his own cartoon, which he was given a forum to do. Simply printing his own versions of phone messages doesn't defend the point his cartoon raises: was the US acting correctly in dropping those two bombs? By his own admission, he doesn't research his topics that closely. Reading a newspaper article somewhere about the bombing does not inform anyone about the reasons for doing it. Perhaps if Mr. Rogers had referenced Truman, the excellent biography written by President Truman's daughter, or even watched one of the multiple specials on the History channel that week I would at least believe he understood the question he raises, and the position opposite his.
Historical facts: The Japanese had mobilized their civilian population to fight an expected American invasion of the home islands in September 1945. Women were trained to attack tanks with bamboo spears. There were also millions of Japanese regular troops waiting for this invasion. In the war up to that point, they never surrendered. Instead, they fought to the death, forcing American troops to kill all but a few. (For example, Okinawa was held by several hundred thousand Japanese troops when the US invaded in early 1945. Total prisoners after the battle was over numbered less than two thousand.)
Those two atomic bombs killed less than 150,000 Japanese, fewer than the conventional fire-bombing raids on Tokyo. Radiation claimed perhaps another 300,000 more. Allied commanders expected over 100,000 American deaths in the invasion, as well as the deaths of all the Japanese troops and a significant portion of the civilian population. We're talking about millions of people. That calculus alone justifies the bombs.
However, I apply my own judgment seen below in my other political post. Those bombs saved the lives of all those American soldiers, as well as the limbs of hundreds of thousands more. Anybody remember the original reason for building the Pentagon? It was to be the largest hospital in the world to care for the thousands of wounded American soldiers from the invasion of Japan. If I had to choose between those American casualties and 300,000 Japanese dead, I've gotta choose the home team.
Obviously, Mr. Rogers wasn't aware of any of this. Few people who criticize the bombings are. The war needed to end, and this was the best way to end it. Thousands of American soldiers cheered the bomb, because they knew it saved their lives. Because he is uninformed, egotistical and unable to defend his work, and the editors of the PG decided to run both the cartoon and the trite column, I cancelled my subscription. Frankly, I urge anybody who has read this far to do the same.
Categories: Politics, Media
So, when the Post-Gazette's Rob Rogers published a cartoon earlier in August marking the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I found it trite and disgusting, but didn't really think about it. Until today, when Mr. Rogers decided to defend himself in the Forum section. Go ahead and read this, which includes the cartoon, to understand what I'm talking about.
After reading this egotistical, ill-informed column, I called the PG and cancelled my subscription. Let us get some facts straight. Rob Rogers is not comparable to any hockey player, much less Mario Lemieux. Even though he says "some readers will always see me as a cartoon version of Mario Lemieux," Mr. Rogers' work isn't seen on the national stage, much less beyond the confines of Western Pennsylvania. By saying "some readers," I think Mr. Rogers is really thinking "I".
Secondly, he never defends his own cartoon, which he was given a forum to do. Simply printing his own versions of phone messages doesn't defend the point his cartoon raises: was the US acting correctly in dropping those two bombs? By his own admission, he doesn't research his topics that closely. Reading a newspaper article somewhere about the bombing does not inform anyone about the reasons for doing it. Perhaps if Mr. Rogers had referenced Truman, the excellent biography written by President Truman's daughter, or even watched one of the multiple specials on the History channel that week I would at least believe he understood the question he raises, and the position opposite his.
Historical facts: The Japanese had mobilized their civilian population to fight an expected American invasion of the home islands in September 1945. Women were trained to attack tanks with bamboo spears. There were also millions of Japanese regular troops waiting for this invasion. In the war up to that point, they never surrendered. Instead, they fought to the death, forcing American troops to kill all but a few. (For example, Okinawa was held by several hundred thousand Japanese troops when the US invaded in early 1945. Total prisoners after the battle was over numbered less than two thousand.)
Those two atomic bombs killed less than 150,000 Japanese, fewer than the conventional fire-bombing raids on Tokyo. Radiation claimed perhaps another 300,000 more. Allied commanders expected over 100,000 American deaths in the invasion, as well as the deaths of all the Japanese troops and a significant portion of the civilian population. We're talking about millions of people. That calculus alone justifies the bombs.
However, I apply my own judgment seen below in my other political post. Those bombs saved the lives of all those American soldiers, as well as the limbs of hundreds of thousands more. Anybody remember the original reason for building the Pentagon? It was to be the largest hospital in the world to care for the thousands of wounded American soldiers from the invasion of Japan. If I had to choose between those American casualties and 300,000 Japanese dead, I've gotta choose the home team.
Obviously, Mr. Rogers wasn't aware of any of this. Few people who criticize the bombings are. The war needed to end, and this was the best way to end it. Thousands of American soldiers cheered the bomb, because they knew it saved their lives. Because he is uninformed, egotistical and unable to defend his work, and the editors of the PG decided to run both the cartoon and the trite column, I cancelled my subscription. Frankly, I urge anybody who has read this far to do the same.
Categories: Politics, Media
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Why do you row?
Simplicity does not sell well. The American public has not been very interested in simple sports during the last 50 years. Football, baseball, basketball, hockey, NASCAR and even figure skating have greater followings than rowing, track, marathons, swimming and speed skating. Once rule intrepretation, points, clocks and coaches are interjected into a sport, the results are compelling enough that people will pay to watch that event. For those first six sports, there are even people who make their living playing.
So why do we row? What is the allure to participate in such an expensive sport that will rarely, if ever, bring any attention to the athletes? Nike will never create a rowing shoe or get into the boat building business. Gatorade may feature rowing occasionally in their promotions, but it is fleeting, surrounded by other sports. While rowing makes its way onto some TV commercials or magazine covers, rarely is it even the subject of that media. SportsCenter will never have highlights from the NCAA rowing championships. There is no money in rowing, except for the boat builders.
Individuals row for the same reason they strive to learn foreign languages, write novels or learn to play music. For our own sense of self worth, that great feeling of accomplishment that comes from mastering something difficult few will understand.
I've noticed that groups of people train and race for different reasons. Similar to the motiviation experienced by soldiers, groups of guys will train their hearts out not for a medal, a coach, a scholarship or glory, for a country or personal. Teams go to the edge of endurance and pain for each other. Soldiers don't rise to great heights of bravery for themselves, they attack fortified positions because they refuse to let their buddies down. People don't go to war to win the Medal of Honor. It's the last thing on his mind when a soldier clears 20 wounded guys out from under machine gun fire. Instead, he is thinking about his guys, about their needs.
I'm not trying to somehow equate rowing with what happens in wartime. What Marines do and what we do are completely different, with the Marines being the ultimate team winning the ultimate tough competition. I am holding that sense of teamwork, self-sacrifice and devotion up as the model we should aspire to in our racing and training.
It is very simple. There is no Terrell Owens in rowing. We line up with our teammates, against another team which has trained just as hard and is just as devoted to each other, and race to see who is faster. No timeouts, official blunders, brilliant coaching moves to save the game or heroic individual performances to secure the win. One would think this would be just as compelling as the final 25 seconds of a basketball game with the ball in Michael Jordan's hands. But as I said, people don't like simplicity.
Perhaps that is the allure. Why do you row?
Categories: Rowing, Motivational, Teamwork, Training
So why do we row? What is the allure to participate in such an expensive sport that will rarely, if ever, bring any attention to the athletes? Nike will never create a rowing shoe or get into the boat building business. Gatorade may feature rowing occasionally in their promotions, but it is fleeting, surrounded by other sports. While rowing makes its way onto some TV commercials or magazine covers, rarely is it even the subject of that media. SportsCenter will never have highlights from the NCAA rowing championships. There is no money in rowing, except for the boat builders.
Individuals row for the same reason they strive to learn foreign languages, write novels or learn to play music. For our own sense of self worth, that great feeling of accomplishment that comes from mastering something difficult few will understand.
I've noticed that groups of people train and race for different reasons. Similar to the motiviation experienced by soldiers, groups of guys will train their hearts out not for a medal, a coach, a scholarship or glory, for a country or personal. Teams go to the edge of endurance and pain for each other. Soldiers don't rise to great heights of bravery for themselves, they attack fortified positions because they refuse to let their buddies down. People don't go to war to win the Medal of Honor. It's the last thing on his mind when a soldier clears 20 wounded guys out from under machine gun fire. Instead, he is thinking about his guys, about their needs.
I'm not trying to somehow equate rowing with what happens in wartime. What Marines do and what we do are completely different, with the Marines being the ultimate team winning the ultimate tough competition. I am holding that sense of teamwork, self-sacrifice and devotion up as the model we should aspire to in our racing and training.
It is very simple. There is no Terrell Owens in rowing. We line up with our teammates, against another team which has trained just as hard and is just as devoted to each other, and race to see who is faster. No timeouts, official blunders, brilliant coaching moves to save the game or heroic individual performances to secure the win. One would think this would be just as compelling as the final 25 seconds of a basketball game with the ball in Michael Jordan's hands. But as I said, people don't like simplicity.
Perhaps that is the allure. Why do you row?
Categories: Rowing, Motivational, Teamwork, Training
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
The Colonnade...
Here's our dining experience last night. Jeff Foxworthy, I'm sure there's something in all this for you.
First off, remember that we're down in Atlanta in part to assist with Emily's grandmother. She is very frail, and moves about slowly with the assistance of a walker. However, she still loves to be involved with everything going on, and enjoys time spent with Will, who is staying with Emily's parents a few miles away.
Issues started with the Colonnade when we first arrived last night. The host assured us that the table was being prepared, and after a short wait, we were led into the restaurant. Perhaps he didn't notice Emily's grandmother standing right in front of him. During the wait, she elected to stand rather than sit, as it is very difficult for her to sit and stand. Once in one position, she would rather remain as she is.
For some unknown reasoning, the host selected the farthest, out of the way table at the other end of the restaurant. As you can imagine, this caused a problem for Emily's grandmother because she had to steer the walker around all the other diners in the crowded room. I had no idea where our table was; I simply followed the host along, getting more and more annoyed.
Once we were finally seated and Will's toys spread about, our dinner conversation began as usual. We usually discuss what Will has done that day, how things are going in Pittsburgh, the impossibly hot Atlanta weather (to quote Peter King, it's so humid down here I saw a fish swim by the window!) and how my "crew team" is doing. Everyone has had big laughs from the stories of last week.
There was a man sitting alone at a table next to us. His cell phone rang. He took the call, and began speaking to the person on the other end. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rabidly anti-cell phone. I spend enough time with my own phone that I can recognize that one sometimes needs to take calls. However, Mr. Important decided to conduct a business/sales meeting while he was eating dinner, rather than leave the dining room for a more private, polite location.
It really got kind of funny. After awhile, we're all commenting, not very quietly, about how rude it is to talk on a cell phone in a restaurant. Emily wanted a jamming device that could kill any cell signal in a room and was pleasantly surprised that such devices are available on the open market.
Mr. Important finally finished his meeting, after about 10 minutes on the phone. Meanwhile, we're waiting for our food. And waiting. And waiting. Will is getting restless, and a restless 2 year old isn't a fun thing in a restaurant. The food finally comes out, with the waitress forgetting one of Emily's side dishes. (The Colonnade is famous for its sides, many people don't even order entrees, just a large plate of sides.) Will claimed his share and Emily's father ordered another glass of wine, along with her grandfather. Mr. Important is leaving and has the gall to pass out some religious flyers around the restaurant. I was in the bathroom at the time, which possibly saved him from harm.
After I returned, ANOTHER cell phone rang. Again, a table right near us. This guy (why are they always guys?) decided to lean far away from his dining partners so he wouldn't disturb their conversation. However, he leaned right over near our table. By this time, Emily and I are laughing openly at this, rather than getting mad. Getting mad in my case would have meant getting rude.
The waitress has disappeared, without bringing any more drinks or getting Emily's missing fried okra. I'm waiting for another cell phone to ring, just to put a perfect topping on the evening. "The next idiot that takes a cell phone call is getting a roll thrown at them," I thought, fuming. I love going out to dinner, and this outing was spoiled by bad service, incompetent management and morons on their cell phones.
Sure enough, another phone rang. Mine. But it was Jesse, calling with the results of the captain voting. Really important, understand, so I just had to take the call.......
Categories: Personal
First off, remember that we're down in Atlanta in part to assist with Emily's grandmother. She is very frail, and moves about slowly with the assistance of a walker. However, she still loves to be involved with everything going on, and enjoys time spent with Will, who is staying with Emily's parents a few miles away.
Issues started with the Colonnade when we first arrived last night. The host assured us that the table was being prepared, and after a short wait, we were led into the restaurant. Perhaps he didn't notice Emily's grandmother standing right in front of him. During the wait, she elected to stand rather than sit, as it is very difficult for her to sit and stand. Once in one position, she would rather remain as she is.
For some unknown reasoning, the host selected the farthest, out of the way table at the other end of the restaurant. As you can imagine, this caused a problem for Emily's grandmother because she had to steer the walker around all the other diners in the crowded room. I had no idea where our table was; I simply followed the host along, getting more and more annoyed.
Once we were finally seated and Will's toys spread about, our dinner conversation began as usual. We usually discuss what Will has done that day, how things are going in Pittsburgh, the impossibly hot Atlanta weather (to quote Peter King, it's so humid down here I saw a fish swim by the window!) and how my "crew team" is doing. Everyone has had big laughs from the stories of last week.
There was a man sitting alone at a table next to us. His cell phone rang. He took the call, and began speaking to the person on the other end. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rabidly anti-cell phone. I spend enough time with my own phone that I can recognize that one sometimes needs to take calls. However, Mr. Important decided to conduct a business/sales meeting while he was eating dinner, rather than leave the dining room for a more private, polite location.
It really got kind of funny. After awhile, we're all commenting, not very quietly, about how rude it is to talk on a cell phone in a restaurant. Emily wanted a jamming device that could kill any cell signal in a room and was pleasantly surprised that such devices are available on the open market.
Mr. Important finally finished his meeting, after about 10 minutes on the phone. Meanwhile, we're waiting for our food. And waiting. And waiting. Will is getting restless, and a restless 2 year old isn't a fun thing in a restaurant. The food finally comes out, with the waitress forgetting one of Emily's side dishes. (The Colonnade is famous for its sides, many people don't even order entrees, just a large plate of sides.) Will claimed his share and Emily's father ordered another glass of wine, along with her grandfather. Mr. Important is leaving and has the gall to pass out some religious flyers around the restaurant. I was in the bathroom at the time, which possibly saved him from harm.
After I returned, ANOTHER cell phone rang. Again, a table right near us. This guy (why are they always guys?) decided to lean far away from his dining partners so he wouldn't disturb their conversation. However, he leaned right over near our table. By this time, Emily and I are laughing openly at this, rather than getting mad. Getting mad in my case would have meant getting rude.
The waitress has disappeared, without bringing any more drinks or getting Emily's missing fried okra. I'm waiting for another cell phone to ring, just to put a perfect topping on the evening. "The next idiot that takes a cell phone call is getting a roll thrown at them," I thought, fuming. I love going out to dinner, and this outing was spoiled by bad service, incompetent management and morons on their cell phones.
Sure enough, another phone rang. Mine. But it was Jesse, calling with the results of the captain voting. Really important, understand, so I just had to take the call.......
Categories: Personal
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Political post: Iraq War
This is really simple. I supported going to war with Iraq. I believed the WMD stuff. Even after that proved false, I thought it was a good idea, because this old world is better off with one less tinpot dictator who liked to kill his own people.
Time and expense have changed my mind. Our country has spent far too much precious blood in a failed state created from the ashes of World War I. (Quick quiz: of these "nations" created after World War I, how many are still in existence? Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Iraq?) There is no question that we've spent far too much money. It is plainly obvious to anyone that the Muslim world doesn't want us in Iraq, or there would be help from the Muslim community. Instead, they give money and lives to kill American soldiers. If they wanted this to work, it would. They don't, so let Iraq rot.
As circumstances change, strategies change as well. That's business. That's life. If a company makes a decision to introduce a product that does not sell, would that company continue to produce the product, driving itself into bankruptcy? Some do. Does anybody think that's a smart thing to do with our country?
Too many dead and maimed, military struggling with recruitment and maintenance, no exit strategy to begin with or now, years later. Too much good money thrown after bad. Students of history know: this isn't how America wins wars.
I don't know of any of the guys that might be considering going into the military. I don't like the idea of any of them going "over there" as they approach 18 years old. Before anybody enters a counter-argument, and I strongly encourage debate, answer the question: would you or a family member enlist to go to Iraq? I don't believe anybody who claims to support the war should be able to answer no. If this war is so vital for our security, then it must be vital enough for a citizen who supports it to put themselves on the line. I don't believe this war reaches that level of importance, so I can no longer support it.
Here's the endgame: we will declare "victory" after some elections and leave. The United States will divide itself, searching for blame for who lost the war. Supporters will blame people like me, who "stabbed our troops in the back and wouldn't let them finish the job." Detractors will blame the politicians and leaders, claiming their plans were not realistic, the reasons were false and their policies on the world stage forced us to go it alone. Meanwhile, Iraq will splinter into its constituent parts, with the Kurds in the north, Sunnis in the middle and Shiites in the south each forming their own mini-state, which will immediately begin fighting the others.
There isn't going to be a good end to this war. Too many American heroes have come home in boxes for this to ever be called a success. Does anybody believe that if Iraq becomes a model democracy, a beacon to the Muslim world, that they will ever in some way show their appreciation for the sacrifices of our 1850 war dead and counting? Does anybody really believe Iraq will become that model of democracy? A small Kurdish state in the north has and might. Perhaps that's who we should be fighting for.
Time to call this what it is: a mistake. Time to stop the American bleeding and dying. If the Iraqis want to kill each other, let them. It's time to bring the troops home and spend all this money on making our country safer, not fixing some Iraqi pipeline for the tenth time.
Categories: Politics
Time and expense have changed my mind. Our country has spent far too much precious blood in a failed state created from the ashes of World War I. (Quick quiz: of these "nations" created after World War I, how many are still in existence? Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Iraq?) There is no question that we've spent far too much money. It is plainly obvious to anyone that the Muslim world doesn't want us in Iraq, or there would be help from the Muslim community. Instead, they give money and lives to kill American soldiers. If they wanted this to work, it would. They don't, so let Iraq rot.
As circumstances change, strategies change as well. That's business. That's life. If a company makes a decision to introduce a product that does not sell, would that company continue to produce the product, driving itself into bankruptcy? Some do. Does anybody think that's a smart thing to do with our country?
Too many dead and maimed, military struggling with recruitment and maintenance, no exit strategy to begin with or now, years later. Too much good money thrown after bad. Students of history know: this isn't how America wins wars.
I don't know of any of the guys that might be considering going into the military. I don't like the idea of any of them going "over there" as they approach 18 years old. Before anybody enters a counter-argument, and I strongly encourage debate, answer the question: would you or a family member enlist to go to Iraq? I don't believe anybody who claims to support the war should be able to answer no. If this war is so vital for our security, then it must be vital enough for a citizen who supports it to put themselves on the line. I don't believe this war reaches that level of importance, so I can no longer support it.
Here's the endgame: we will declare "victory" after some elections and leave. The United States will divide itself, searching for blame for who lost the war. Supporters will blame people like me, who "stabbed our troops in the back and wouldn't let them finish the job." Detractors will blame the politicians and leaders, claiming their plans were not realistic, the reasons were false and their policies on the world stage forced us to go it alone. Meanwhile, Iraq will splinter into its constituent parts, with the Kurds in the north, Sunnis in the middle and Shiites in the south each forming their own mini-state, which will immediately begin fighting the others.
There isn't going to be a good end to this war. Too many American heroes have come home in boxes for this to ever be called a success. Does anybody believe that if Iraq becomes a model democracy, a beacon to the Muslim world, that they will ever in some way show their appreciation for the sacrifices of our 1850 war dead and counting? Does anybody really believe Iraq will become that model of democracy? A small Kurdish state in the north has and might. Perhaps that's who we should be fighting for.
Time to call this what it is: a mistake. Time to stop the American bleeding and dying. If the Iraqis want to kill each other, let them. It's time to bring the troops home and spend all this money on making our country safer, not fixing some Iraqi pipeline for the tenth time.
Categories: Politics
Welcome to the Jungle
Pittsburgh has been very dry this summer. If we didn't live near so much water, there would be a water "advisory." My lawn hasn't required mowing for nearly a month, and it's greener than most of my neighbors. Some are completely brown.
Atlanta has regressed into the jungle. This city sees a ton of rain every evening. Trees, lawns, ferns, everything here is lush and growing quickly. Humidity here reminds me of Indianapolis--the windows on the house fog up with the A/C on.
Categories: Personal
Atlanta has regressed into the jungle. This city sees a ton of rain every evening. Trees, lawns, ferns, everything here is lush and growing quickly. Humidity here reminds me of Indianapolis--the windows on the house fog up with the A/C on.
Categories: Personal
Friday, August 12, 2005
Vacation, all I ever wanted...
With how squirrelly the kids have gotten over the last week, I'm really looking forward to this trip to Atlanta. What a difference from last year! Then, I was physically burned out and stressed out. This year, I just need a little time not thinking about a boat in front of me.
As everyone should expect, I'll spend a lot of time thinking about rowing this week. When do I not? However, planning for the coming season without having to think about what's going to happen tomorrow morning is enjoyable.
Jesse and I have already been talking and scheming a little. A few possible line-ups have already been tossed around. Nothing like April of last spring, just a few flights of fancy. I've already got a few ideas solidified in my head as plans for the first few days of "camp." This should be a good time for everyone.
I want the guys to take this week "off" as well; get the last of the summer out of them and come to camp mentally sharp. That's the only "assignment" for the next week, along with completing voting for the captain. There are still about five guys who haven't voted, and I really want everyone's voice to be heard.
Wow. Rambling post. Always what happens when I'm tired and am just writing to take up space. I've started a "statement" post for the start of camp, and might work on it a little during my "vacation." So much for relaxation?
Personal notes: The cat "got" the bed again, leading to an unpleasant physical confrontation between us. He's really in my doghouse now. Today being the last day for the camp, the kids got a little rambunctious and threw in all the coaches except for me and Jesse. A threat of an "opening day" 6k dissuaded them. I'm looking for anyone who has a handheld GPS to bring it to "camp" as there are a few distances I want to measure. I bought a hair clipper so I don't have to ask the guys to cut my hair. It's really nice in the summer, though Emily thinks its too short.
I'm babbling. Time for bed, I've got a long drive tomorrow.
Categories: Personal, Coaching,
As everyone should expect, I'll spend a lot of time thinking about rowing this week. When do I not? However, planning for the coming season without having to think about what's going to happen tomorrow morning is enjoyable.
Jesse and I have already been talking and scheming a little. A few possible line-ups have already been tossed around. Nothing like April of last spring, just a few flights of fancy. I've already got a few ideas solidified in my head as plans for the first few days of "camp." This should be a good time for everyone.
I want the guys to take this week "off" as well; get the last of the summer out of them and come to camp mentally sharp. That's the only "assignment" for the next week, along with completing voting for the captain. There are still about five guys who haven't voted, and I really want everyone's voice to be heard.
Wow. Rambling post. Always what happens when I'm tired and am just writing to take up space. I've started a "statement" post for the start of camp, and might work on it a little during my "vacation." So much for relaxation?
Personal notes: The cat "got" the bed again, leading to an unpleasant physical confrontation between us. He's really in my doghouse now. Today being the last day for the camp, the kids got a little rambunctious and threw in all the coaches except for me and Jesse. A threat of an "opening day" 6k dissuaded them. I'm looking for anyone who has a handheld GPS to bring it to "camp" as there are a few distances I want to measure. I bought a hair clipper so I don't have to ask the guys to cut my hair. It's really nice in the summer, though Emily thinks its too short.
I'm babbling. Time for bed, I've got a long drive tomorrow.
Categories: Personal, Coaching,
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Freedom of Speech?
I know that we put up the tagboard so people could post on subjects not on the blog. I've really liked watching things go along there. I do have one caution:
Don't write anything on there that you aren't willing to put your own name on. Yes, there is a time for anonymity. There is such a thing as freedom of speech. However, be a man (or woman) and be willing to put your name on anything you put up there that is serious.
For the endless questions, because I'm sure there will be plenty, there was a tag post purporting to be from the women's team, downplaying the guys' contribution to the points trophy at Midwest. Unsuprisingly, the guys responded in strong fashion. I was ok with everything that was said, because it seemed that everyone's head was in the right place. Team first, shut that stuff up, etc. Good. I didn't need to intervene.
However, because Emily is the "webmaster" for this blog, she can easily see the IP addresses that go on the tagboard. It's helpful to block the various spammers of the world. She noticed the "girls team" tag was.......from a guy.
Not smart. No club needs conflict between the ladies and men. Just look at the disaster at Hampton if you need an example. I know that the guys have felt slighted over the years, but that situation has vastly improved and will continue in that direction. Stirring up the pot doesn't help anyone especially when the ladies and coaching staff read this blog.
Categories: Blogging
I've spoken to the nitwit responsible for that post. Hopefully, this will conclude such lunacy.
Don't write anything on there that you aren't willing to put your own name on. Yes, there is a time for anonymity. There is such a thing as freedom of speech. However, be a man (or woman) and be willing to put your name on anything you put up there that is serious.
For the endless questions, because I'm sure there will be plenty, there was a tag post purporting to be from the women's team, downplaying the guys' contribution to the points trophy at Midwest. Unsuprisingly, the guys responded in strong fashion. I was ok with everything that was said, because it seemed that everyone's head was in the right place. Team first, shut that stuff up, etc. Good. I didn't need to intervene.
However, because Emily is the "webmaster" for this blog, she can easily see the IP addresses that go on the tagboard. It's helpful to block the various spammers of the world. She noticed the "girls team" tag was.......from a guy.
Not smart. No club needs conflict between the ladies and men. Just look at the disaster at Hampton if you need an example. I know that the guys have felt slighted over the years, but that situation has vastly improved and will continue in that direction. Stirring up the pot doesn't help anyone especially when the ladies and coaching staff read this blog.
Categories: Blogging
I've spoken to the nitwit responsible for that post. Hopefully, this will conclude such lunacy.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Story Time (or, why I don't get too involved in captain elections)
June 1998. The bleary morning after the worst loss by Yale to Harvard in recent memory. 47 agonizing, punishing, eternal seconds. The sophomores, juniors and seniors gathered in the caretaker's house, in the ancient, tradition-laden "Blue Room," to elect the next Captain of Yale Crew. Before our deliberations began, the outgoing Captain, Jon Watling, explained the process. All juniors were dismissed from the room while their names were considered for the post. Once an individual was eliminated, they would then be called to join in the deliberations. The purpose was to trim the field down to two or three canidates and reach a consensus. While a vote could be taken, it was preferred to be by acclimation.
The juniors that year were a powerful group, the true leaders of the team, on the water and off. They knew their abilities had been discounted in the weeks before the boat race by the head coach, who never really formed a bond with that class. By removing long-time stroke Alex Reid from his normal position and placing Jon Watling in that critical seat, Dave Vogel had placed his trust in one of only two men in the Varsity to win against Harvard over the 4 mile distance. The crew had rallied around the new line-up, wanting to believe. Half a mile into the race, the decision had proved disastrous as the Yale rhythm degenerated into a thrashing, flailing, rushed mess.
Our deliberations that morning had brought the field down to a handful. Hans Von Trotha and myself were the last two called in before the final duo of Alex Reid and Jim Needham. Both were worthy choices. Alex's rowing ability, years in the varsity and training commitment were exemplary. While he had a personality described by some crew groupies as "a cute puppy dog," Alex was popular, respected and a natural leader by example. Jim Needham was more vocal, always ready to talk to anyone. His rowing ability was not as polished as Reid's, and he had not been in the varsity that boat race due to Vogel's questioning of his fitness. Needham was more mature than Reid and everyone agreed that he would be a great, vocal captain.
Given the deliberations and mood of the crew, the post eventually would have gone to Reid. Popular with the ladies around campus, Alex's (now) unquestioned ability in the stroke seat made him a natural choice as the next Yale captain. Everyone knew who the next Yale stroke would be, and it would be a logical move to combine that unofficial yet vital leadership position with the office.
However, Jon Watling chose to interject at this juncture. Asking for the floor, Watling spoke of a conversation he had with Dave Vogel, in which he said the captain should be someone whose commitment and training were exemplary. Jon also mentioned that Vogel wanted a captain who he could "work with." The meaning was clear: Reid was Vogel's choice, and Watling hoped to end debate there.
The mood in the room chilled. After Jon was through speaking, there was a short silence. Everyone in the room had heard of Vogel's comment to those in his launch following the race the day before: "Well, I guess that didn't work," referring to the switch of Reid out of the stroke seat. When the crew had lost a very close race the year before, we had blamed ourselves. After this embarrassing debacle, I don't believe I was the only oarsman blaming our coach.
With this comment, the tide began to turn against Alex Reid. Comments supporting Needham began to persist, and a few more attempts to steer Reid into the post by Watling only hurt his chances more. Surprisingly, the issue came to a vote, and Jim Needham was elected the next Captain of Yale crew.
Alex Reid was crushed. After being demoted out of the stroke seat, he was now turned down by his teammates for a cherished leadership position.
Jim Needham went on to become a superlative Captain: under his leadership and with Alex Reid at stroke, the Yale varsity won the next year's 4 mile race against Harvard, coming from behind in the final mile. They have not won since.
I am happy to count both of these men my friends, and I fervently hope that recounting this tale here so publicly does not hurt either of them. I write this to illustrate a point.
Coaches should never be involved with the election of a team's captain. The greatest level of involvement might be to tabulate the votes. Interjecting Dave Vogel's opinion into our debate, after botching the race so completely, only poisoned the canidacy of Alex Reid, a good man who could also have been a great captain.
Oarsmen rarely have a choice in their equipment, workout system, technique taught, regatta schedule or coaching staff. Their only outlet for expression and representation in the system is their captain. For that reason, I offer no guidance in the selection of captains. The oarsmen must deliberate and choose their representatives for themselves, for whatever reasons or personality traits they believe are important. The coach's job is simple: to respect his crew by respecting and listening to their captain.
Categories: Yale, Memories, Teamwork, Coaching, Rowing, Motivational
The juniors that year were a powerful group, the true leaders of the team, on the water and off. They knew their abilities had been discounted in the weeks before the boat race by the head coach, who never really formed a bond with that class. By removing long-time stroke Alex Reid from his normal position and placing Jon Watling in that critical seat, Dave Vogel had placed his trust in one of only two men in the Varsity to win against Harvard over the 4 mile distance. The crew had rallied around the new line-up, wanting to believe. Half a mile into the race, the decision had proved disastrous as the Yale rhythm degenerated into a thrashing, flailing, rushed mess.
Our deliberations that morning had brought the field down to a handful. Hans Von Trotha and myself were the last two called in before the final duo of Alex Reid and Jim Needham. Both were worthy choices. Alex's rowing ability, years in the varsity and training commitment were exemplary. While he had a personality described by some crew groupies as "a cute puppy dog," Alex was popular, respected and a natural leader by example. Jim Needham was more vocal, always ready to talk to anyone. His rowing ability was not as polished as Reid's, and he had not been in the varsity that boat race due to Vogel's questioning of his fitness. Needham was more mature than Reid and everyone agreed that he would be a great, vocal captain.
Given the deliberations and mood of the crew, the post eventually would have gone to Reid. Popular with the ladies around campus, Alex's (now) unquestioned ability in the stroke seat made him a natural choice as the next Yale captain. Everyone knew who the next Yale stroke would be, and it would be a logical move to combine that unofficial yet vital leadership position with the office.
However, Jon Watling chose to interject at this juncture. Asking for the floor, Watling spoke of a conversation he had with Dave Vogel, in which he said the captain should be someone whose commitment and training were exemplary. Jon also mentioned that Vogel wanted a captain who he could "work with." The meaning was clear: Reid was Vogel's choice, and Watling hoped to end debate there.
The mood in the room chilled. After Jon was through speaking, there was a short silence. Everyone in the room had heard of Vogel's comment to those in his launch following the race the day before: "Well, I guess that didn't work," referring to the switch of Reid out of the stroke seat. When the crew had lost a very close race the year before, we had blamed ourselves. After this embarrassing debacle, I don't believe I was the only oarsman blaming our coach.
With this comment, the tide began to turn against Alex Reid. Comments supporting Needham began to persist, and a few more attempts to steer Reid into the post by Watling only hurt his chances more. Surprisingly, the issue came to a vote, and Jim Needham was elected the next Captain of Yale crew.
Alex Reid was crushed. After being demoted out of the stroke seat, he was now turned down by his teammates for a cherished leadership position.
Jim Needham went on to become a superlative Captain: under his leadership and with Alex Reid at stroke, the Yale varsity won the next year's 4 mile race against Harvard, coming from behind in the final mile. They have not won since.
I am happy to count both of these men my friends, and I fervently hope that recounting this tale here so publicly does not hurt either of them. I write this to illustrate a point.
Coaches should never be involved with the election of a team's captain. The greatest level of involvement might be to tabulate the votes. Interjecting Dave Vogel's opinion into our debate, after botching the race so completely, only poisoned the canidacy of Alex Reid, a good man who could also have been a great captain.
Oarsmen rarely have a choice in their equipment, workout system, technique taught, regatta schedule or coaching staff. Their only outlet for expression and representation in the system is their captain. For that reason, I offer no guidance in the selection of captains. The oarsmen must deliberate and choose their representatives for themselves, for whatever reasons or personality traits they believe are important. The coach's job is simple: to respect his crew by respecting and listening to their captain.
Categories: Yale, Memories, Teamwork, Coaching, Rowing, Motivational
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