I'm usually not too big on reading biographies or emotional stories about someones courageous moement or establishing leadship and living a better life and all that. I usually escape into fantasy (at the young reader level) because I guess I'm just a child at heart. That and I am usually pretty tired some I want something easy to read at night. However I have just started to read this book called "The Last Lecture." I figured I would give it a try since it is a story about a college professor named Randy Pausch, who was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. This is the same kind that took my father a little over a year ago. He gave his last lecture to his students and other faculty when he only had months to live. He had three children who were very young at the time. While he still made other preparations to leave behind videos and things for them to be able to know what their father was like, the lecture would be his legacy. I was a little leary about this book. I didnt know if I could handle the subject matter being that is still hard to cope with the loss of my dad. But what I didnt excepect is the tone and messages this book would give. This is anything but a sob story book about a dying man. In fact he addresses that in one chapter right away called "the elephant in the room" In which he basically comes right out and ackowledges how serious a condition he is in and then proceeds to do push ups on stage to lighten up the audience and keep them from staring at a dying man wondering how close he is.
This book is essentially a bunch of short chapters with storeis about how he has lived his life. He talks about all his childhood dreams and goals and how he has been able to achieve them. These are not as you may think, climbing Mount Everest or anything crazy. Just simple things that he has done that has taught him things. All these little lessons are a wonderful inspirational tool. Because they are acceesible and spoken like a common man, not one who is looking to boast. For instance one thing he said was that he loved Star Trek and wanted to be Captain Kirk. He did alot of work with Virtual Reality at Carnegie Melon University where he worked. So he created a virtual reality helmet that put you on the USS Enterprise. He was thrilled because William Shatner actually came to the University and experimented with it. With in seconds Shatner was back on the Enterprise barking orders and asking questions about the technology. He said he admired Captain Kirk because although he was not the storngest, the smartest, or the best with engineering, he was still able to sit at the helm of the ship. This was because accodring the Randy, the skill he possessed was leadrship and the ability to keep every one on the ship together functioning as one. The message I got here is that anyone can be a leader all you have to do is sit in the seat and embrase it. Randy always liked the story in Star Trek of the Starfleet recruits who worked in a simulation where no matter what they did their entire crew would die. But Kirk reprogrammed it because he didnt feel there should be no way to win. When William Shatner found out about Randy's illness, he sent him an autographed picture of a young Captain Kirk with the quote from the show. "I dont believe in the no-win scenario."
To all you teachers and parents. Here is a story that teaches very simple life lessons from a man who never got the chance to finishe his own. He was able to accomplish a lot just because, accoding to his own parents, he didnt just "sit their like a slob." Hopefully I can do the same before my time is done.
Randy was very good at carnival games and won many large stuffed animals. (another childhood goal) At his last lecture he gave them away to his students because he didnt want his wife saddled with them and then have to feel guilty if she gave them away. One girl took a very large elephant. Randy like the symbolism of that. So do I. Get rid of the "elephant in the room." and go out and do something.
Well being this is my first post and I dont really have alot to talk about I figured I might as well talk about NFL PLAYOFFS. Though my football pool has officially ended (falling one game short of potentially winning...kudos Melinda) I still enjoying picking the games. I went 3-1 in my picks this weekend.
While NY and Tennesee are the favorites I'm sure, I still like Carolina in the NFC. They showed they could play with the Giants in NY and I actually think they are better off for losing that first game close. One, they gained confidence that even with a sub par road record this year, they were able to compete with a good team. However it is extremely difficult to beat a team on their home field twice in one year. The losing team tends to make corrections while the winning team tends stick with what works. I think Carolina will make some adjustments should they meet the Giants again and come away with a win. If they dont meet the Giants, they will be playing at home where they have been lights out all year. I dont see the Cardinals going there and eeking out a win especially after one of their star recievers came up with a bad hamstring this week. Either way the Carolina Panthers are my Super Bowl pick to go and win.
In the AFC Obivsouly Tenesee and Pit are two dominant teams. However dont count out the Baltimore Ravens. They have found their swagger. Sure Joe Flacco is a rookie QB but a few years back they went to the Super Bowl and won with a dominant defense and a poor offense but with a QB who managed the game well and didnt make stupid mistakes. Joe Flaccos stats today werent stellar but the key? NO interceptions or turnovers. Seems familiar doesnt it? Also remeber what I said about how hard it is to beat a team twice in one year on their home field? Pretty encouraging for a team that has to go on the road in the playoffs. Heres a key stat this coming weekend. Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth looks like hell play for the Titans so the offensive line of Balitomre better hold up. But even more interesting is that Tenesee Center Kevin Mawae is questionable for this game. If he cant go look for Ravens Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to be able to push the issue in stopping the titans running game. It also hurts not to have a veteran center calling the protections schemes for the Titans offensive line against an aggressive and complicated defensive scheme such as that of the Ravens. If the Ravens can key off in the pass game Kerry Collins could have problems throwing the ball. I think this is the week of test for Balitomore. If they can dethrown Tenesee I think it will be a Baltimore vs Carolina Super Bowl. If not go figure cause I dont know who the hell is winning Chargers- Steelers.