Wow...

Ok, so I go something like two weeks between posts and now about 20 minutes...

I ran across this list on Vern Gambetta’s blog. I know, I know, not exactly what you would expect to find on an athletic conditioning/strength training-ish blog, but Vern’s blog is rarely predictable.

The list is Bob Sutton’s and while following the link to his blog I came across the book he is publishing soon The No Asshole Rule. It looks interesting even if its audience might be geared toward the business world. I think like the list it will very thought provoking and that it applies to whatever your profession might be.

I would love to know what you (those of you who haven’t given up and are still reading) think of the list so either drop me an email or join Erin in commenting directly on the blog.

Ten Things I Believe

Bob Sutton

1. Sometimes the best management is no management at all -- first do no harm!

2. Indifference is as important as passion.

3. In organizational life, you can have influence over others or you can have freedom from others, but you can't have both at the same time.

4. Learning how to say smart things and give smart answers is important. Learning to listen to others and to ask smart questions is more important.

5. You get what you expect from people. This is especially true when it comes to selfish behavior; self-interest is a learned social norm, not an inherent feature of human behavior.

6. Getting a little power can turn you into an insensitive self-centered jerk.

7. Avoid pompous jerks whenever possible. They not only can make you feel bad about yourself, chances are that you will eventually start acting like them.

8. The best test of a person's character is how he or she treats those with less power.

9. Err on the side of optimism and positive energy in all things.

10. Work is an over-rated activity.

Also, I am putting together a 2007 reading list and would like as much input as possible, so forward to me book titles you think should be read. Fiction or non-fiction, doesn’t matter.

End of the Year?

Is it really December 30? Holy Sh!t has this year gone fast...a proper "Year in Review" will be coming tomorrow or Monday, but I did want to get this on here:

Christmas in Texas:

Couldn't have been a better trip. It was the perfect amount of time for all parties - we got to spend time with everyone and were gone before we really started to grate on nerves. Good times were had. The only thing remotely negative I have to say is that some people's preference in beer leads a bit to be desired, BUT accommodations were made, and at least they drink beer!

Gift run-down:
From T - a very nice fleece pullover from REI, Episodes I, II, and III DVDs, an organizer for my stuff so it won't scratch the new bedroom furniture
From others - one of those fancy corkscrews, a very cool Bengals "B" mouse pad, Ed Viesturs new book, a National Geographic DVD on Mt. Everest, and other things that I can't remember now

Now, there is no actual award to be had, but I typically mention to T which of my gifts was the best - "best" having nothing at all to do with $$$ - and for the last two years, T's mom (BAM) has taken that prize: 2004 it was the windblock mitten/gloves from REI, 2005 it was the sweet windblock vest from REI (which I wear almost daily, even this time of the year), but this year the award goes to T. It was a dead heat between the fleece she got me and the Star Wars DVDs.

Ok, will be back in a day or two to wrap up 2006. And, yes, I am planning on watching all Episodes I - VI in consecutive order, back-to-back.

Long Run

Date: Sunday, December 17, 2006

Place: All Over Jenison, Michigan

Purpose: KP spending almost 3 hours (no, that isn't a typo) running

Completed my longest run to date this past Sunday. 14 miles. Not. Easy. Actually called T to come pick me up at the 11 mile mark....ok, I was out of water and really struggling, however she didn't have her cell phone with her. Thankfully. Forced me to finish the run. The pic is my route, courtesy of my Forerunner 305.

Ah, the Holidays...

So here we are mere days before Christmas and not a decoration in sight! Well, there is a good reason for that: T and I are spending Christmas in Texas this year and we leave Friday. With everything that has been going on; T end of the semester/final exams, me, well nothing really different going on for me really, we certainly weren’t going to get a tree and we just decided to not really decorate. I did wrap her presents though!!!! We’re having our Christmas before we leave.

I actually have been afforded some time off from work. The women’s hoops team left last Friday for the Virgin Islands to play in a tournament – no I didn’t get to go (the players each had to raise $1300 for the trip) but it has allowed me some time off since finals were last week and the only sport still practicing is men’s hoops (and I don’t have to cover them). So, I’m on “vacation” until the 27th when we’re back at it.

So what have I been doing with all this extra time? Reading? Nope. Working on things around the house? Nope. Pretty much being a lazy-ass. Although I am still in the middle of my training for the Flying Pig, and T and I have started working out – big recommendation for Vern Gambetta’s new book Athletic Development. We’ll see how it goes.

Plan on a big update following the trip to Texas, and yes, names will be changed to protect the guilty!

Merry Christmas.

Catching Up

After catching much grief from certain people about not updating this more frequently (Yes, you Erin) here is what has been going on the last couple of weeks here in Grand Rapids:

1. The week of Thanksgiving and the following week it was crazy warm here. Highs on 11/28, 11/29, and 11/30 were in the upper 50s and low 60s. Then the bottom fell out. Woke up Friday, Dec. 1 to this:


Yep...about 4 inches of snow. Made for an interesting day driving to work. Since then it has snowed a total of 11.6 inches this month. And it has been COLD. This past Thursday the high was 21 or 22 F!!!! The high!!!! But, like all midwest weather it will be short lived. Next week it is supposed to be in the 40s and raining.


2. The snow did not stop me from running. Taken last Sunday after I got home from my 11 miler.



Learned a very valuable lesson: keep your feet dry. I have since purchased a pair of water-resistant running shoes to get me through the winter.

3. This time of the year is busy! Holiday things to attend tonight (as well as a dinner for yours truly to celebrate his birthday), was at a holiday thing for work last night, have more to come. At least the semester is over next week and since the women's hoops team is going to the Virgin Islands - no I'm not going - I get almost two full weeks off.

Christmas cards will be in the mail next week, for all of you anxiously waiting.

Some of you in Oregon might be getting a list of "supplies" to ship to us after Christmas - we're running out of wine and completely out of beer!