A Common Malady

A snapshot of my Google calendar, one of the many tools I use to be on time.  I may need more.  Photo by J. Berta

Greetings All:

"Can't. Stand. Late."  Dawn Strauss-Berta, Facebook, August 9, 2015, citing to Brent Beshore's article on Forbes.com, "5 Minutes Early Is On Time; On Time Is Late; Late Is Unacceptable."

My wife, Dawn, despises being late.  She is pretty tolerant of most of my imperfections (and that is a long list), yet this is one that she really, truly, does not like about me.

And full-disclosure, being on time is a challenge for me.  I do think I have gotten better at it, however I'm far from perfect on this front.

What inspired this blog post was a...spirited discussion Dawn and I had last night about the virtues of being on time.  I launched the first salvo by saying, "I had a meeting last week and someone was a few minutes late.  It was no big deal to me."

Dawn then proceeded to remind me of her position and that being late for any reason is unacceptable.  Did I mention my lovely bride is from New Jersey?  Well, she is.  And she let me know in no uncertain terms (in a tone and tenor that would make Chris Christie proud) how wrong I was.

We then shifted our discussion to the article that is mentioned in Dawn's Facebook post and I have a link to it in the sources section.  If you have...issues with being on time.

Here's a quote from the article that sums up (at least for me) Beshore's position on this subject:

"All joking aside, being late is unacceptable. While that sounds harsh, it’s the truth and something that should be said more often. I don’t care if you’re attending a dinner party, a conference call, or a coffee meeting – your punctuality says a lot about you."

Before I delve in more deeply into this subject, An apology to this author is in order.  I'm actually on a "streak" of apologies (2 for 2 blog posts, please see yesterday's post)  Regarding the author, I initially and incorrectly dismissed him as some self-righteous freelance journalist lecturing me.  I was wrong.  He's a whole lot more than that.  Here's his bio:

"I’m an entrepreneur, the Founder/CEO of adventur.es (#28 on 2011 Inc. 500), an angel investor, a winemaker (Beshore Family Vineyards), a poverty relief advocate, and the husband to a Ph.D."

Pretty impressive.  So when someone this successful offers his point of view about being on time, one should at least pay him the courtesy of listening.  I suppose if I want to zip up my jacket and go stand in the cold light of truth, I don't like his message for one simple reason:  

He's right.

There, I said it. he's right.  And so is Dawn.  And so is my Dad who is with rare, rare exceptions at least 10 minutes early to everything.

I suppose I tolerate people being late because on some subconscious level, it validates my position.  Put another way, I'm saying to myself, "It's OK if I'm late on occasion as I tolerate it in others.  I'm not a hypocrite."  

Fair enough.  I'm not a hypocrite.  But I'm still late, even a little.

It appears I am not the only one.  It seems as if being late is acceptable conduct.  I have some citations in the sources below that help support the point that being late is a common malady.  People are late for work, meetings, even flights.  (Ever seen someone running thru the airport like O.J. Simpson in a 70s Hertz commercial?  I have.)  

While I do not embrace all of reasons Beshore decries lateness, he does have one point:  With rare exceptions being late, like many other maladies is curable.  We just may not like the medicine.

I recall years ago reading David Allen's book, Getting Things Done.  In this book, Allen presents a way to organize your life.  Central to his premise is that we all make agreements with ourselves and others to do things.  As I recall, part of Allen's message is that we all need to get better and honoring the commitments we make.  I have a link to him in the credits below and encourage you to check him out if you'd like to learn more about him.  

I mention him as I'm going back to his book.  I'm also going to make the commitment right here, right now (thank you Van Halen) to be 100% on time for everything I commit to doing.  

I'll report back in a week with how I did.  In the meantime, please feel free to share with me any tips or tricks you have to be on time.  I know there are a ton of tools out there, from Google Calendar to other apps, alarms, ect.  I suppose the biggest one is to simply leave earlier.  The second may be to intentionally schedule less "stuff" and follow Allen's approach about the calendar being a sacred place for events and ONLY events.  These two things may be the cure to the malady that ails me.  

We shall see.
 
Be well my friends...and check your watch/smartphone!
Jeno

Sources:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brentbeshore/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2014/12/03/how-often-are-americans-late-for-work-infographic/

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2920989 

http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/help-chronically-late

http://gettingthingsdone.com/

 

 

Healing in my Hometown

The plaque commemorating the location of the first Chiropractic adjustment.  Photo by J. Berta.

Greetings All:

Today, my wife, Dawn, attended homecoming at the Palmer College of Chiropractic.  Today was the completion of a three-day gathering of alums and Chiropractors.  Palmer is universally recognized as the home of Chiropractic.  As someone who grew up in Davenport, the home of "The Fountainhead," and is married to a Chiropractor, Doctor of Chiropractic, or "DC," I have a unique perspective on this important aspect of our health-care system.

I've got a few links below to the history of Palmer and Chiropractic.  The opening photo is where the first Chiropractic adjustment took place over a century ago.

As I mentioned, I grew up in Davenport, also the home of Chiropractic.  When Dawn and I were dating, one of her friends and fellow students, totally sincere, said to me, "It must have been wonderful to grow up in the shadow of The Fountainhead of Chiropractic," or words to that effect.

I believe I retorted, "Or as us locals refer to it, 'the crazy people up the hill.'  (The hill would be Brady Street.)  That was a mean statement.  It's true the Palmer family had its fair share of drama.  (Show a family that doesn't have at least a little.)  And history is full of folks who did great things at the profound sacrifice to their personal life.  When I made that quip two decades ago, I did not truly know the first thing about Chiropractic and the people who founded it.  So, for the record, to the Palmers, I apologize. 

As with any healthcare system, there will be critics and supporters.  And to the supporters, there will be different theories, techniques, and practices favored by some and declined by others.  Ideas outside of the box become mainstream and "gospel truths" are thrown on the scrape pile of history.  Such is progress and such is life.

I have been under Chiropractic care for most of my adult life and am convinced it is part of living a better life.  Aside from my wife, Dawn, I have many friends who are Chiropractors and I know they make a profound difference in their patients' lives.  

I am proud that the hometown I grew up in is the home to this amazing and necessary part of health care.  I'd also be remiss not to mention Palmer's Military Care program.  Through this program, military members and their families can receive complimentary Chiropractic care.  Per the website citation below, this program has rendered over 13,500 care visits.  This is a wonderful service to the community and shows Palmer's commitment to honor military service.

If you are a skeptic of Chiropractic, I'd encourage you to learn more about it.  If you're concerned about the "force" used in an adjustment, please know there are techniques that involve minimal pressure on the body.  If you feel, "I just don't have time to get adjusted" think about how much time you will lose later in life from suffering with back pain.  

I do not believe Chiropractic is a cure-all.  If I have a headache, I am taking Advil.  I believe in vaccinations.  Yet I also believe that Chiropractic can play a meaningful role in living a fuller, happier, pain-free life.  Chiropractic is form of healing.  I'm grateful that this form of healing was founded in my hometown.

Be well my friends (no pun intended).
Jeno

Sources:

https://www.acatoday.org/level3_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=61&T3ID=149

http://www.palmer.edu/about-us/history/palmer-family/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Palmer 

http://www.palmer.edu/clinics/complimentary-care-for-military/ 

Everyone's Undefeated

Kinnick Stadium, home field of my beloved Iowa Hawkeyes, photo by J. Berta

Greetings All:

It's August.  While the days are clearly getting shorter, it is still quite warm and summer will be with us for several weeks.  School has is not starting for several weeks (thanks Gov B) and fall might as well be a million miles away.

Yet, it is not.  At least as far as a particular American past-time is concerned, football.  Ah football, how I love it so.  

Full disclosure, I never played football, organized at least.  My parents refused to let me play tackle football growing up.  While I seethed at that decision, it was likely for the best.  I mention this because I am clearly a spectator.  I'm not alone.

Football is probably the most popular sport in the world, save soccer.  (Pause for those "across the pond" who will say/yell "Hey Mate, it was football here long before you bloody treasonous colonists started picking up the ball and running with it!  Only the goalie can touch the ball, you wanker Yanks!")

Well, God save the Queen.  Oh, and by the way, We won the revolution, so we're going to call it football!   

Deep breath.  I feel better.

So back to the subject at hand, football.  As I write this, I suspect there is some coach studying film.  There is some high school kid who is signing off his Facebook account to go to sleep to get up early and run with other players.  There is a Soldier in Afghanistan who is logging onto her college website to see who is the starting QB.  My point is that the so-called "lazy days of summer" are anything for those involved with preparing for the upcoming football season.

For those of us who are fans, this is all about anticipation.  Anticipation of the new season.  Hopefully of victory, of all victories, of a trip to the national championship game and the inevitable hoisting of the championship trophy high as it is baptized in the blazing lights of flashing cameras.  

Of course, for all but one, that will NOT come to pass.  There will be loss.  There will be heartbreak.  There will be bad calls, dropped passes, missed blocks and improbably field goals made.

In the meantime, here's to the teams, ALL of the teams.  Here's to the teams who won't win a game, and yet will play hard every down, all 60 minutes.  Here's to the SEC upset that will be the talk of the town decades from now.  Here's to the Div III team that goes undefeated that no one knows about outside of that area code.  Yes, in the meantime, here's to everyone who straps on pads and snaps chinstrap.  

Revel in the moment, you warriors of the gridiron.  And celebrate this moment.  This moment, when you all, all...are undefeated.

Be well my friends,
Jeno
 

 

A Rural Wedding

The site of the wedding I attended in Walcott, Iowa.  Photo by J. Berta.

Greetings All:

I had a wonderful experience recently.  My family and I were invited to a rural wedding in Walcott, Iowa.  For those of you who are not local, Walcott is a farming community not far from where we live.  Dawn, my wife, is a Chiropractor.  One of her patients was kind enough to invite her to her wedding.  Simply put, we had a great time.

I love weddings.  I have had the good fortune to attend ones of all degrees of formality.  I'd be a liar and a hypocrite to say I don't enjoy dressing up, I do.  Dawn and I make it a point to do at least a couple of formal events a year.

Still, I am a t-shirt/shorts and or jeans/sweatshirt kind of guy, climate directing.  So when I heard this was a "come comfortable, it's summer after all" wedding, I was all in.  

We arrived at the reception site and then were whisked by hay rack to the ceremony site at an actual, authentic farm.  The opening photo is where the ceremony was held.  What a gorgeous backdrop for an amazing ceremony.

 

Dawn, Cassie & Carly on the hay rack awaiting the tracker ride to the ceremony.  Photo by J. Berta.

As we arrived, there were two musicians, one playing a guitar, the other singing.  Prior to the ceremony, children ran, spreading their laughter with all of us.  I was pleased to see my old friend John perform the ceremony.  He's a lawyer by training and performed his task with a reverence worthy of any judge or man of the cloth.

The bride wore a lovely white gown.  There were no attendants, just the two of them.  Or, perhaps another way to look at it is this:  All of us were in the wedding party.  That is the feel this event had to it. 

I do not believe that a wedding has to be formal to be meaningful. This was a simple, yet wonderfully authentic affair and I was glad to be a guest at it.

We returned to the reception site and feasted on traditional Iowa fare.  In the back of an old pick up truck was plenty of beer.  The band, after being introduced by the bride, rocked the crowd well into the night.  We declined to dance the night away, yet still had a ton of fun.

I'll wrap up this post returning to my opening comments about the rural setting of this wedding.  While I live in Iowa, it is in a city.  Well, not a city in the sense of a New York or Chicago.  More like one of their suburbs with less traffic.  Yet everything is paved and and modern.  

Where this wedding was held was clearly out of the city.  It was where pavement gives way to gravel and dirt roads.  Where office buildings and strip malls are replaced by barns and farm houses.  As we rode (by hay rack) to the ceremony, we were surrounded by endless ears of corn.  They were straight and green, stretching towards the sky.  Corn is one of the things that Iowa is best known for.  It is food.  Food is life.  Without farms, there is no food, no life.  Farms are where soil and seed become one to create something greater than the sum of their parts.  

In many ways, it is similar to a wedding.  So where better to have a wedding than on a farm?  Where better indeed?

At the reception area there were a series of vintage trackers.  It was a great backdrop for photos.  Some could not resist the temptation to pose on them.  And, yes, I was one of them.
 

Your author hanging out on the tracker before the ceremony.  Photo by J. Berta.

They don't have this as a backdrop at the Hamptons, I'll assure you of that!

So here's to this wonderful rural wedding and hearty congrats to the bride and groom.  Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day in a most special background.

Be well my friends,
Jeno

The Bix 7

My shoes, timer and bib from the 2015 Bix 7 Run.  Photo by J. Berta

Greetings All:

Last Saturday was the 41st running of the Quad Cities Bix 7 road race.  I did not have plans to run the whole thing, originally opting to do the "Quick Bix," the 2 mile race.  That would have been the intelligent thing to do, seeming how I had (ahem) failed to train at all for this event.  

For those of you not familiar with the "Bix 7," here's a bit of history:  The race came about 41 years ago after a local resident ran the Boston Marathon and was inspired to start a race here in town.  "Here in town" for those of you who are not locals is Davenport, Iowa. 

Originally, the race was part of the jazz festival in honor of the local son, Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke.  A phenomenally talented jazz musician, Beiderbecke was also a chronic alcoholic who succumbed to the fate of many artists who could not deal with their demons.  He was dead at 28.  A sad fate, to be sure.

And then his music was all but forgotten.  Then, as often happens to the past, folks decide it is worth remembering.  That is where the jazz festival comes into play.  Back some 40+ years ago, a group of jazz fans got together and started the Bix Jazz Festival.  It became well known and if your into that type of music, it was a great event.  Even if you were not, then it's still a summer street party and who doesn't like that?  

The run started as a sideshow to the jazz festival.  That did not last long.  From a field of 80-some runners the first year, now it is pushing 12,000 to 16,000 runners and walkers.  It is considered a premiere road race and I've heard it is the biggest non-marathon in the Midwest.  I've got some citations below to the race if you'd like more information on it.  

Now, as to my "participation" in it this year.  My original plan was to run the "Quick Bix," a two-mile race that lets runners participate in the run up Brady Street (a fairly challenging hill) and then get to the post-race party with various refreshments.  One of my friends commented last year, "I did the Quick Bix and there was no line for the beer!"  

As I mentioned, that was my plan.  That actually made sense as I had (ahem) not trained.  That morning, as I was slugging coffee and sipping water, I was loading up songs on my iPhone.  I realized that even with my lumbering pace, there was no way I'd get to even half of these songs if I just did two miles.  So I left myself open to a "game day decision" about running the whole thing.

As the race started and Bob Mould's "The War" blasted through my earbuds, I was on the fence about turning off for the shorter race.  What to do?

Then, I made the decision.  "Fuck it," I said to myself.  Who knows, I might have even said it out loud.  (Like anyone would have heard me or cared.)  So I ran the whole thing.

I didn't win.

No, in fact, my time was a "blazing" 1:40:56 by my official score in the paper.  Here's what my watch said as I huffed across the finish line:

My "unofficial" time.  Photo by J. Berta

So even though I was really, really slow, I had a great time at the race.  I got to experience the whole event.  I made it a point to fist bump (as I was a sweaty mess) my friend Ken who was blocking off a street with his Harley Davidson.  I got a hose sprayed on me, said hi to friends on the path, blew a kiss at the Marilyn Monroes on the route (and got one blown back at me, thank you very much) and even managed to sprint that last...oh quarter mile.  In other words, I got the whole experience.

I even got a photo with these guys...

"The Kings and I," photo by J. Berta

My point is this:  When in doubt, chase the experience.  Be smart, of course.  I ran very slow and like to think I would have stopped had my body told me to.  Yet at the same time, I think we talk ourselves out of doing things, a LOT of things, because we're afraid of what could happen, what could go wrong.  We worry what others might think, that they will laugh or mock us for trying.  

To hell with them and all the other cynics, critics, naysayers and general buzz-killers.  If you want to do something that involves a challenge, yet offers a reward, then do it.  The Marines have a great saying:  "Pain is temporary."  They're right.

So next year, I hope to see you at Bix, if you're in town.  If you're not ready to run it, that's fine, walk it.  If you're not ready for the full 7 miles, do the Quick Bix.  Of course, check with your physician and Chiropractor (you do have both, right?) before training.  Ah yes, training.  

I think I'll do that for next year.  I know I can do better, if only to get down to "double digits" in minutes.  And I'll have that experience to write about in this blog.
 
Be well my friends,
Jeno

This blog post is dedicated to my friend Ken and the countless other volunteers who make the Bix 7 the wonderful event it is, thanks.




Sources:

http://bix7.com/2015/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bix_7_Road_Race

http://www.billrodgersrunningcenter.com/stbix725an.html 

http://www.bixsociety.org/bio.html

http://drunkard.com/issues/02_05/02-05_all-that-jazz.htm 

http://jazztrumpetproject.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-death-of-bix-beiderbecke.html

The Real Winners

One of our tickets from this year's John Deere Classic.  Photo by J. Berta

Greetings All:

Silvis, Illinois, July 12, 2015, a golf course.

Two men stare down a field of grass, precisely cut.  
It is warm, no it's hot.  Ugly hot.  
The humidity hangs in the air, holding the breeze hostage.

Thousands of people, not a sound.
Then, the silence is broken, with a "CRACK!"

Metal meets plastic, a ball is freed from the tee.
For a few moments, that ball is all that matters to those watching.
From the fairways,
From TVs,
And most importantly, from the tee.

The playoff is on!
One will win, bask in brief glory.
Then he'll be off on a jet, a special jet.
All paid for by a corporate giant.

The other, will lose.  
Back home.  No glory, no plane ride.
Yet a nice check nonetheless.

Then, it ends.  The tournament is over.  The crowd disperses.  It is over.

But it's not.
Not the most important thing.

Not the winner, not the glory.
Not the moment in the sun for our community.
Not the crowds, or the fun.
Or the free beer and hot dogs inside the hospitality tents.

No, none of that.

What matters are the real winners.
The charities that will reap the rewards of this event.

The real winners are Birdies for Charity.

So the 2015 John Deere Classic (JDC) Golf Tournament is in the books  Jordan Spieth came back to win his second trophy here and is now teeing up (that was bad, sorry) his plan to win The British Open.  He was advised by many NOT to play the JDC and instead get some more rounds in at St. Andrews.  In all fairness, that is not exactly an easy place to play and The British Open is a bigger deal than our little tourney.  However, Spieth made good on a promise to come back here and play.  And play he did.

The tournament is a big deal in our community and lots of folks come out and enjoy it.  Many local businesses and organizations host hospitality tents.  The "Holy Grail" is the John Deere Tent on the 18th green.  You need a special pass to get in there.

I did not have one of those.

That's OK.  I was able to get into the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) tent on the 15th green.  Thanks to AUSA and Lowe's, there was a great tent where there was what I'll call "tailgate" food and beverages.  However, the "main attraction" was the American flag on the green and the way it was respectfully replaced into the hole.  Simply put, a class act.  I was glad I got to witness it.

AUSA's banner outside the 15th green, photo by J. Berta.

So let' recap:  The JDC is a great golf tourney and fun is had by all.  Oh, and I forgot the nearly 2,000 volunteers who come out and make this event possible.  Yet the real winners, as I've alluded to earlier, are the charities that benefit from this wonderful concept called, "Birdies For Charity."  

In a nutshell, Birdies for Charity is a way for the community to support the various charitable endeavors and organizations that make these events happen.  I am proud that my Rotary Group is part of this endeavor.

Now, you might ask, "Just what is this thing, Birdies for Charity?"  Good question.  Here's the scoop:

Individuals can guess the number of birdies that will be tallied during the JDC.  The winner get a prize.  For the rest of us, we pledge an amount (one cent, two cents, ect) per birdie recorded.  You write a check for your amount ($20.00-$200.00, whatever the amount) and you can direct it goes to a particular cause.  John Deere covers all the admin costs.  This is from the JDC website, link below:

"Since 1971 the John Deere Classic has delivered over $60 million to regional charities, most of it through its innovative Birdies for Charity program. No other event on the PGA TOUR does it better - and it’s the generous and hardworking nature of this area that makes it happen."

It is an amazing program.  It is one that keeps money local.  It is one that just about everyone can participate in at some level.  And folks have a great time in the process.  

While only one person can be the champion of the JDC, there are many real winners.  What a wonderful event.  

I cannot wait until next year.
 
Be well my friends,
Jeno

p.s. File this under "coming attractions."  I have a post about a recent controversy and a local connection to it.  It is a post I have been working on for a while now.  Part of the delay is my own laziness.  The other part is that this post has evolved both in writing and in my head.  I hope you will like it.  I also hope it will cause you to think about how you approach issues and see the many layers underneath them, especially the complicated and hard ones.

Sources:

http://johndeereclassic.com/

https://birdiesforcharity.com/

Would I Pick It Up?

The Declaration of Independence, Public Domain.

Greetings All:

Happy 4th of July weekend.  For those of us in America, this is both a historic and fun holiday weekend.  Unlike Memorial Day with its appropriate somberness, the 4th of July is a time to let loose, have fun and enjoy, of course fireworks.  What a great time for all.

All, that is, except for some of our Veterans.  For some, for many, actually, fireworks are not something to be enjoyed, simply endured.  I talked to a friend today who has served our country beyond honorably and he is one of these patriots.  If you see one of these signs, please respect these wishes:

Credit:  Veteran Yard Signs, fair use claimed, full cite below and please, check out this website!

As to the actual reason for the holiday, the opening photo is the reason.  Back in 1776, we told King George III that we were done.  We're breaking up and going our own way.  This was not a minor thing.  Even after Paul Revere's Ride, the "Shot Heard 'Round The World," and open rebellion, there were those who thought, even hoped, reconciliation with Mother England was possible.  

By July of 1776, no more.  By issuing the Declaration of Independence, we did the Eighteenth Century version of "un-friending" England.  It was, in my opinion, the event that forever changed the course of history.

I suspect you're familiar with the story of John Hancock, who signed his name with a flourish and in large print  The rumor (supposedly debunked) is that he signed it so big so that, "The King George III could read it and know whom to hang..." (or words to that effect.)  From my admittedly brief research, there is not sufficient evidence to support this claim.  Still, it's a good story.

John Hancock's signature on The Declaration of Independence, public domain

Hancock was one of the wealthiest men in the colonies and his service to our early nation is worthy of our gratitude.  However, he did not suffer great personal loss for the act of signing the Declaration and publicly supporting the revolt.  This was not the case for many others who signed their name

 I have a link below from snopes.com that discusses the fates of many who signed their names to this document.  It is interesting to me that some tales of suffering and hardship suffered by those who signed the Declaration have been exaggerated or are simply incorrect.  Still, it is true that many of those who signed this document suffered personal and significant loss.

It raises the question:  Would I sign this document?  I like to think I would. I like to think I would have said, "Hey there, John Hancock, save some space for the rest of us!"  I like to think that I would have agreed with all the grievances outlined in the document and would have said, "Hey guys, we left a bunch of stuff out!"  

But would I have?  Would I have picked up the pen and signed my name to the Declaration of Independence?  Keep in mind that all the men (and they all were men, white men, men of some degree of means, mostly wealthy) who signed this document knew, had to know, that their lives of comfort, privilege, financial abundance was jeopardized, if not forever ruined.  They signed it anyways.

I can argue, rationalize and generally arrive at the conclusion that why yes,...yes I would have signed the Declaration and let the chips fall where they may.  

Yet the honest truth is I will never know for sure.  After all, I was not there.  I get to enjoy with my family the most practical application of Jefferson's words, the "...unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

So I suppose the best I can do today is tip my hat to those who did sign this document and endeavor to conduct myself in a manner that honors the intent of these immortal words.  Oh, and we're also going to catch the parade.  After all, "the pursuit of happiness" was not put in the Declaration of Independence by accident.  

Happy 4th of July all, happy birthday America!

Be well my friends,
Jeno



Sources:

http://www.cafepress.com/+veteran+yard-signs

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hancock

http://www.snopes.com/history/american/pricepaid.asp