Despise the Yanks?!

Dems fightin’ words!

But of course you know, dis means war!Despise the Yanks?!

Dems fightin’ words!

But of course you know, dis means war!

Interesting blurb today from Buster Olney:

? Carl Pavano looked OK in his two innings against the Phillies, but there is the matter of his body language. When he walks to the mound and lingers between pitches, he looks like a teenager who’s been asked to take out the trash, the type of thing that can drive teammates crazy if the player involved is not performing …

Gee … I’m just flowing with enthusiasm for this guy … zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzInteresting blurb today from Buster Olney:

? Carl Pavano looked OK in his two innings against the Phillies, but there is the matter of his body language. When he walks to the mound and lingers between pitches, he looks like a teenager who’s been asked to take out the trash, the type of thing that can drive teammates crazy if the player involved is not performing …

Gee … I’m just flowing with enthusiasm for this guy … zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Interesting article today on Sports Illustrated/cnn.com from John Heyman (who, by the way, has gotten MUCH better over the years as a baseball reporter).

He noted today that eight teams inquired about A-Rod this offseason, and according to one high-ranking exec, said they "offered the Yanks a ton" for A-Rod. Man, I’d love to just know what that offer was. The exec said Cashman wouldn’t even discuss it, but that’s because A-Rod said there was absolutely no way he would waive his noInteresting article today on Sports Illustrated/cnn.com from John Heyman (who, by the way, has gotten MUCH better over the years as a baseball reporter).

He noted today that eight teams inquired about A-Rod this offseason, and according to one high-ranking exec, said they "offered the Yanks a ton" for A-Rod. Man, I’d love to just know what that offer was. The exec said Cashman wouldn’t even discuss it, but that’s because A-Rod said there was absolutely no way he would waive his no-trade clause, so Cashman didn’t bother pursuing any deals.

Come the offseason, however, I have a sneaky feeling A-Rod will be playing the market once again …

Speaking of Pavano, I was reading today that three teams have been expressing interest … Cardinals, Rockies and (I forget). I’d be into trading him if the Yanks could get at least something decent in return. I’m not expecting the moon, but I don’t want to just give him away. Plus, Mussina, Pettitte and Wang have all had injuries, and Igawa is unproven, and as yet the Yanks don’t have any absolute go-to youngsters who have proven they are ready to step in.

Hughes? Is it too early?

KaSpeaking of Pavano, I was reading today that three teams have been expressing interest … Cardinals, Rockies and (I forget). I’d be into trading him if the Yanks could get at least something decent in return. I’m not expecting the moon, but I don’t want to just give him away. Plus, Mussina, Pettitte and Wang have all had injuries, and Igawa is unproven, and as yet the Yanks don’t have any absolute go-to youngsters who have proven they are ready to step in.

Hughes? Is it too early?

Karstens?

I’d love to see the Yanks develop these kids, I just don’t know if they’re ready to be put into a playoff hunt.

Hey Bill,

Wow. That’s some list (and same with the next!).

I’ll have to check some of these out.

Very cool!

RussHey Bill,

Wow. That’s some list (and same with the next!).

I’ll have to check some of these out.

Very cool!

Russ

Ahh, Pavano …

My instinct is to say good riddance ASAP, but if he can actually pitch and stay healthy …

Melky. Indeed. He’s just got the goods, and he injects some vitality into the Yanks I haven’t seen in years. The more he’s involved with each game, the better.

Agreed about Reyes. If he ups his on base average from last year’s .355 to about .380 or higher, he’ll be the next Rickey Henderson. Right now, he’s not the far away.Ahh, Pavano …

My instinct is to say good riddance ASAP, but if he can actually pitch and stay healthy …

Melky. Indeed. He’s just got the goods, and he injects some vitality into the Yanks I haven’t seen in years. The more he’s involved with each game, the better.

Agreed about Reyes. If he ups his on base average from last year’s .355 to about .380 or higher, he’ll be the next Rickey Henderson. Right now, he’s not the far away.

For a whole bunch of different reasons, the concepts of motivation and leadership have been on my mind lately. And to date, my favorite discussions about it come from my hero Zig Ziglar, who delineates between motivation, manipulation and leadership. Here?s the way he describes them:

* Motivation, he says, is when you are able to convince someone to do something that is good for that person.

* Manipulation, he continues, is when you are able to convince someone to do something that isFor a whole bunch of different reasons, the concepts of motivation and leadership have been on my mind lately. And to date, my favorite discussions about it come from my hero Zig Ziglar, who delineates between motivation, manipulation and leadership. Here?s the way he describes them:

* Motivation, he says, is when you are able to convince someone to do something that is good for that person.

* Manipulation, he continues, is when you are able to convince someone to do something that is good for [i]you[/i].

* And leadership, he concludes, is when you are able to convince someone to do something that is good for both of you.

[i]Man[/i], I love that explanation.

I think back to about 8 years ago, when I was still in rough shape financially. My salary was barely keeping me above water as my school loans and credit card debt were doing their best to weigh me down. And for reasons I can?t remember right now, I had an especially bad month?I think it was tax time, and I owed. As if I wasn?t struggling enough.

So I guy I worked with, Brad, helped me out. He said, ?Hey, man, I?ve been there myself. Let me float you a loan, and maybe I can help you get a little more organized with your bills. Three years ago I was in the same place, and somebody helped me out.?

Initially I was taken aback, because it was an unexpected gesture on Brad?s part. Plus, it had to do with money, and we all know how tricky that can get between friends?and co-workers. But I accepted his gesture?it was a few hundred dollars?and it helped me get over the hump. Plus, he helped me rethink that way I was looking at my bills and such, which indeed got me more focused on my finances, which, at the time, I wasn?t being nearly as responsible about as I should have been. I was paying my bills?don?t get me wrong?but I didn?t have a very good long-term plan, and it was starting to catch up with me.

Indeed, Brad?s gesture was a benefit to me. He helped me get over a troubled financial patch. But his gesture?the simple offer?and the very real combination of cash and planning, helped me focus, relieved some of my stress, and motivated me to be more active in regard to my personal affairs.

And that helped me focus at work. Which was a benefit to Brad, as we worked on the same publication. Whether he realized it or not, Brad offered some leadership. We both benefited from his intervention.

Within a few months I paid Brad back?which he actually declined; keep it, he said?but on a bigger level it helped reinforce the idea for me that people can look out for each other in different ways. Indeed, there have been numerous other examples of leadership in my life?many examples, in fact?but for reasons I?m not even sure about at the moment, I find myself thinking about that gesture now, even though Brad and I drifted apart in the years that followed.

My point in all this?whenever possible, look for ways in which you can make a positive contribution in someone else?s life. It doesn?t have to be a big or grand gesture?in fact, for the most part, it shouldn?t be?but intervening on someone?s behalf in a positive fashion has a funny way of spilling over into all aspects of how you look at the world.

You feel good about yourself, someone else feels a sense of gratitude, and the sense of leadership?of service?is passed on down the line, touching people all across the globe in all sorts of ways. You just never know how many people?even generations later?will benefit from your acts of kindness and generosity. That is, until you give of yourself, and let the dominoes ripple forward.

Motivation and leadership.

Two words?and deeds?I?ve come to love, and can?t imagine living without.

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here.

This weekend will bring the launch of the FINDERS KEEPERS Web site, and it’s been quite the endeavor. I’m not going to spend too much time on this, as I’ve been writing about the process all along, but I think a few things are worth noting.

* Because Ron and I have been tinkering and building this site for about the last six months, it’s solid. It has layers. And the fascinating part of this process is that, in some ways, it was likeIt’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here.

This weekend will bring the launch of the FINDERS KEEPERS Web site, and it’s been quite the endeavor. I’m not going to spend too much time on this, as I’ve been writing about the process all along, but I think a few things are worth noting.

* Because Ron and I have been tinkering and building this site for about the last six months, it’s solid. It has layers. And the fascinating part of this process is that, in some ways, it was like writing the novel. I started off with an idea, not really sure how I was going to get there, but little by little, piece by piece, it started to take shape. Ron and I experimented. We made changes. We scrapped certain elements all together. But we kept at it, with a particular goal in mind. And now the site looks better, is more functional and has more options, than I initially intended.

Our energies and persistence allowed for innovation. And [i]that [/i]energizes me. It helps me see that this approach works. And it can be repeated indefinitely on any number of projects, not the least of which is getting this book published, and starting the next one.

* Even now I find all sorts of little things on the site that I’m tweaking or playing with. Some fonts aren’t right on page; the layout isn’t quite right on another. And I admit, it’s fun to futz around with the site. I guess it’s like when guys park their cars out in the garage and dust off the spark plugs or tighten the engine … brackets? … The point is, it’s my creation, and the experience is visceral. My fingers clack the keys. My influence sculpts an entity that otherwise would not exist.

I think it’s pretty cool.

* And having this Web site up and functional is a calling card. It helps my experience seem more real to [i]other [/i]people. Writers have it tougher than most other creative folks, because of the method of involvement. If you’re a musician, other people can see you play live or listen to your CD. They’re involved. If you dance or act, they can come see you on stage. If you paint, they can look at what you’ve created.

But if you write, and it takes three years to finish your book, people can … take your word for it. But they don’t know how to participate. And they want to. But if they can’t participate, it’s difficult for them to synthesize your efforts. They don’t know how to join in. So they often nod their head and smile and try to be supportive when you tell them that you’re writing a book, but it’s too abstract for them. It isn’t real yet.

The Web site changes all that. Now I’ve got something to show people. And it’s a destination where they can participate, interact … become part of the process. [i]My [/i]writing will become more real for [i]other[/i] people. And that interaction will likely breed more interaction, and so on.

So look for an email blast this weekend announcing the launch of the Web site. It’ll be my personal invitation to you. FINDERS KEEPERS is my first novel, but it certainly won’t be me last.

See you on the message boards …

Russ

OK. I?m back.

The first two months of 2007 were pretty exhausting for me, as I?ve blogged about before. And during that time I did make a lot of progress on this Web site?which will get its official launch this weekend (finally!)?but I didn?t make much progress on my agents search, and aside from these blogs, I didn?t do much writing.

All that?s about to change.

This morning my alarm went off at 5 a.m., and after only one quick snooze, I was up, and by 5:30 a.m. I was at my desk, OK. I?m back.

The first two months of 2007 were pretty exhausting for me, as I?ve blogged about before. And during that time I did make a lot of progress on this Web site?which will get its official launch this weekend (finally!)?but I didn?t make much progress on my agents search, and aside from these blogs, I didn?t do much writing.

All that?s about to change.

This morning my alarm went off at 5 a.m., and after only one quick snooze, I was up, and by 5:30 a.m. I was at my desk, looking through some agents notes I have, and also doing some background for a little bit of writing that?s coming your way.

You heard me correctly?new material coming soon.

In an act of full disclosure, I started my 5 a.m. regimen again last week, after the long weekend. Tuesday, up at 5. Same for Wed. But Thursday and Friday … not so much. Just couldn?t do it. But I?m determined to make this a full week of up at 5. That?s my plan, anyway.

With new commitment comes new planning, and I wanted to share you what I?m hoping to deliver over the next three months:

* Finders Keepers Web site launch ? March 4

I don?t think I need to go into too much detail about the site at this point, but I think you?re going to really like what we?ve got here for you. You?ll have to let me know how you like it.

* Original short stories ? April 18

Long before I wrote FINDERS KEEPERS, I wrote several short stories, many of which have been sitting in a pile all these years, just waiting for a polish. We?ll … now?s the time to do it. I had two in mind, both of which are based on events that happened to me over the last few years. They?re both worth telling, although totally different indeed. One story is already sitting with a writer friend of mine who?s agreed to do an edit for me, and the other one I plan on starting this weekend.

I?m doing a writing blitzkrieg?just all-out writing time to get these babies done. No fretting over them. Just write them and get them out. Once I think they?re in good shape I?ll be posting them on the Finders Keepers Web site, while I submit them for publication in magazines.

Also, while I was looking for those story files this morning, I stumbled upon a bizarro story I wrote many years ago, rewrote many years later, and now plan on touching up once again. It?s just a short Twilight Zone kinda piece, but one that?s fun enough to want to give another look. Again, that?ll go up on the site while I send it out for publication.

And all this is to get my storytelling chops back in action, in preparation for … wait for it … my second novel!

* That?s right. I will be starting my second novel?Crossline?by June 1, 2007. I?ve already got many, many notes and an outline, but I need some time to sit with and re-familiarize myself with the source material before I?ll be ready to give it a legitimate go. As I get closer to the writing launch, I?ll give you some more background on what the book will be about … but just so you know … I?ll be keeping the key twists under wraps.

Once the new stuff is ready for viewing, you?ll be the first to know.

Springtime is almost here, new writing is coming soon … and the Russman is back!

Overall, I?m not much of celebrity hound. Yeah, they?re somewhat interesting and I do sneak a few peeks now and again because they?re just everywhere these days, but I?m much more curious about what movies and TV shows are being made than which celebrity is boinking which other celebrity, or which celebrity?s nanny. I just don?t care.

And if I see another article about Jennifer Anniston or Angelina Jolie I literally might vomit and then stick a fork in my eye.

But Britney. Good, God, Overall, I?m not much of celebrity hound. Yeah, they?re somewhat interesting and I do sneak a few peeks now and again because they?re just everywhere these days, but I?m much more curious about what movies and TV shows are being made than which celebrity is boinking which other celebrity, or which celebrity?s nanny. I just don?t care.

And if I see another article about Jennifer Anniston or Angelina Jolie I literally might vomit and then stick a fork in my eye.

But Britney. Good, God, what the heck has happened to you?

Eesh.

There?s a picture of her the NY Daily News today with her smashing K-Fed?s car with what looks like an umbrella. And funnily enough, I thought, this might not actually be so bad for Britney. Maybe she?s getting close to hitting bottom, and maybe that much closer to going someplace where she can get her act together.

She has actually gotten so out of control that I feel bad for her. I do believe wholeheartedly that she?ll be just fine in the long run, but watching her completely degenerate has been something to see. And it?s completely understandable. She went from being a 16-year-old tease that drew the lust of many men?and likely many women, too?and parlayed that into a $100 million war chest.

Unfortunately, you can only wrap yourself in so many anacondas while writhing around on stage in tight leather panties and your boobs hanging out before your marginal talent just can?t squeeze out the hits anymore. And yet she was being described, in at least some circles, as being the next Madonna. Like anybody could be the next Madonna. Talk about unrealistic expectations.

I?m not sure what Britney ever thought or felt, or what she thinks and feels now, but her case should be?but most likely won?t be?a cautionary tale about the trappings of early fame and fortune. Britney got way too big way too fast, which would be difficult for most anyone. But she started her rise to fame at 16 (or was it even younger?). Do you remember being 16? Those were pretty rough days for me, and if I had the whole world watching my every move while I tried to navigate those waters, I?m not so sure I would have held up for very long.

So as much as this surprises me, I?m rooting for Britney. I genuinely hope that she can find a safe place to cleanse some of her demons, that she rebuilds herself in a respectable manner, and that she finds some humility and grace. Amazingly, Britney?s a mother of two, and I don?t think she wants them growing up with her being known for her skanky, no-panty crotch shots.

Britney still has a long way to go as a person. I just hope that she comes to a place where being Britney?human being, mother?is more important to her than being Britney?Pop Tart. I want to believe she?ll make the right choices.

I really do.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2007/02/23 14:30