New Year's Resolutions

SO does everyone come back to school with a New Year's Resolution of getting something done? The last six days have been as hectic as any I have had this year. I believe people are just trying to start off the year on the involved foot!

Ancient Aliens

I am sitting here watching "Ancient Aliens" on the History Channel with my kids. Quite an afternoon! Hard to believe we are the only life forms in the universe who sit around watching this kind of show.

When the game was ours

Just finished reading my first book with reading glasses. Another sign of getting old I dare say. "When the Game was Ours" is a great retrospective of the Bird and Magic Era, highly recommend it. There really will never be another era like that where two very similar players (and yet different) created a league like the did. Magic had more championships but looking at the stats that Larry had, scary. I wish I could have appreciated it more when I lived through it.

When is it time?

When is it time to step away from the game? As a person who loves the game, there is a time to step away gracefully and enjoy the spoils of your success. So many have not, trying to find the thrill of the game at a point where the game has passed you by. Jordan, Mays, and now Favre are all examples who had their chance to go out on top but couldn't say goodbye. Are we any different? Are their any pursuits we continue after the point of no return? Hoop for me. I am not good about the stretching thing. I don't know when to back off on the defensive end when a younger kid is taking it to the basket. Now I am having MRI's and hobbling around. Maybe it is time....

Bob Feller

Seeing the death of Bob Feller makes me harken back to a better age of baseball. He was a Cleveland Indian for life even after the game. An ambassador for the game, Feller was a shining example of how a professional was to act in support of the team, city and its people. He came out of high school to play the game. He served his country in WWII. He is a Hall of Famer. It is doubtful there will be people or players like him again.

Can I pick em?

I watch football each week after making picks on the games and I am very conservative with my picks. I take favorites. I am managing a .500 record. Thank goodness it is all for fun and not for money! I will stick to my day job.

Painting

I used to paint houses for summer work. Really I did. I periodically paint a side of the house here at home but today I had fun painting. I bought a birthday adirondack chair for my wife. Now I don't have the reputation as being too handy at home. In fact, my wife revels in giving me a hard time about the lack of "handiness" for the lack of a better term. I believe we all bring certain skills to the table and I am truly not the best at the fine motor skill thing but I am bound and determined to do a good job on this task. Stay tuned for updates.

Winter

Thanksgiving means winter is here to me. Golf clubs are on their way out of the car. Skis are tuned up. Coats have been changed to winter ones. This change in time of year means a change in perspective of the weather, length of day and what types of activities. The gym becomes my outlet for a tough day. It is always a challenge to deal with this transition.

Trust me I am trying

I am having one of those periods of my life where I am trying very hard but not getting ahead. Trust me. Things are building up and I feel like I cannot make a dent in the pile of things to do. I have made lists and piles and even asked for help. No luck. I am trying very hard, staying late and getting nowhere. Trust me. How do you get ahead when you have no idea how to get there?

My 100th Post

I am not the best writer in the world and don't pretend to be. Sometimes I have things to say and sometimes it is better to just stay quiet. This blog has served as therapy sometimes and sometimes it has been work to keep writing. But I made a commitment to keep a journal when we went through Rachel's Challenge (keep a journal was one of her challenges). It has been a good experience since I haven't kept a journal since I was in college. Back then it was just song lyrics or great quotes but now it is thoughts and observations. I know people do more than I do with their blog but this is what I can do and still manage time for the family and golf (not much longer this year) on a Veteran's Day. So here is my 100th post. Here's to 100 more.

Last Practice

We had our last football practice tonight. Actually it was my son's last practice but I was there. Although he will have more time starting next week, it is also sad. Another season ending means he is that much older. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time and keep him at this great age. Each of these moments makes me feel older and a little sadder.

When is good good enough?

I feel like there are people out there who are never satisfied with success. Now that can sound like they are striving for better all the time but there are times when we need to celebrate the success we have and focus on those areas that we need to accomplish. Adding more to the equation, we lose the momentum in the areas we need to work on. The challenge is staying true to the work, not the distractions. When we spread ourselves too thin, we don't do anything well.

Falling into Fall

I do enjoy fall as the scenery is breathtaking and the crisp air is refreshing. I wish we could somehow stop time and enjoy this couple of weeks with daylight, cool temperatures, and the color. Fall also brings a rhythm to life as the beginning of school is past and we have established some routine and predictability. The balance of the season and routine make it a great time to be here.

NECAP testing

First day of NECAP testing today as we go through two reading tests. The school puts everything on hold for this. I am split on this testing thing. We do have occasions in life where we are measured and the world has to come to a halt. This is the first ones in life I guess.

Yankees Clinch

The Yankees clinched a playoff spot yesterday. I don't hold much hope for the playoffs though unless they can get solid pitching 1-4. Playoff baseball is a lot of fun to watch though so I look forward to that.

The most difficult thing I have to do

Being a middle school principal has its difficult moments but it is nothing compared to being a parent. I am not talking about the early years of diaper changing, making sure they are sleeping, or making the well balanced meal. Or even the taxi service during their middle years. Or even the dealing with them miles away at college or whatever. I am talking about the situations when you can't help them find their way or step in when they could use an advocate. Having to stand idly by when they are not getting a fair deal or have to make a difficult decision. Parents have to step back and let their kids fail or succeed on their own. Kids have to learn their own lessons and make their own way. When someone figures out the best way to keep out of the way, let me know.

Overload

How do you recognize when you are on overload? Things are coming to you so fast you don't know where to turn next. Do you pick one thing to try and accomplish it? Do you pick up a little of each thing and just try to get through it all? Do you just shut down? I am not sure as I have tried each of the above. I will keep plugging along through the challenges going on.

Excitement for first day

I love the first day of school when the kids come in with bright eyes and excitement. They are looking to see what the new year is all about and who is their teacher and who is in their class. New clothes, new materials, and the prospect of a new year. It is all fresh, exciting, and full of possibilities. I wish we could bottle up all the positive energy for those times we need it. I hope I can sleep tonight.

First Day with Teachers

So here we are meeting for the first time and I am still nervous. I have done this three times before but there is still a part of me that gets nervous when I present change or vision or even a schedule. There are people that will pick up the "tells" but hopefully the message is still clear and forceful where it needs to be.

Education revisited

Sitting in my back to school administrator meeting, I find it truly interesting that we bounce back and forth from philosophy to "nuts and bolts" type of work. This is the beginning of school in a nutshell. We bounce back and forth with getting the school open and setting a direction for the school year. It is exciting and frustrating all at once.