"Same Old Lang Syne"

A song by Dan Fogelberg from my youth called "Same Old Lang Syne" Click here and have a Happy New Year.

Incredible Talent

This is from portraitart.com, the artist is incredible. They only use simple household salt and black paper. If you believe that spilling salt is bad luck do not try this at home. If you want to see something very special click here.

"Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness"

The day after Xmas always leaves me blue, this song by John Prine and Nanci Griffith hits my emotions right on the head. Click on Lonely and see how I feel.

Old School

I am a basketball fan, but I am not a big NBA fan until April-May comes around. That's why the lockout meant very little to me. Yet when I turned on the television on Christmas day and saw this video I was moved. Old school meets new. Click on Old School and be moved like I was.

"The Longest Way"

Christoph Rehage did something in my mind amazing, he walked across China. In his video The Longest Way he documents his journey along with the growth of his beard. If you are interested in reading about his journey here is his webpage explaining it?

Click here on webpage

Pick Your Friends

My next door neighbor went into the mountains of Uganda a couple of years ago to see the gorillas. They said the experience was wonderful, so when I heard of this video on Blaze of this man being groomed by gorillas as a silverback watched I had to post it and tell all of my friends out there that you cannot "pick your friends" they just happen. Merry Christmas to all of you, click here at pick your friends and watch.

Home on Leave

Christmas break and twelve days at the Chili Parlor in Austin. Tom Waits met me at the door by throwing an eight ball at me. Waits never seems to change, the bartender and the waitresses seem to live with his antics.

After I picked up the eight ball and put it back on the pool table, he welcomed me with a profantity laced greeting.

I asked "Tom are you ever going to grow up?"

Tom responded with his always quick wit, “Well, it's either kiss me or kill me, that's how I see it.”

It's good to be home.

Hoopla

I am not a very musical person. I love to listen to music, but the closest thing I play to an instrument is a radio. A friend emailed this video to me and it amazed me. Watch the West Virginia Marching Band and be moved as welll as amazed.

Click on

Hoopla

"Will the Circle Be Unbroken"

Michelle Wright-Iris DeMent-Mairead Ni Mhaonaight sing

"Will the Circle Be Unbroken"

A wonderful way to start your week.

Courage

"The highest courage is to dare to appear to be what one is".

John Lancaster Spalding

Bryce Canyon

Be it natural or a higher power, whatever made Bryce Canyon in Utah produced something incredible.

Bertha Calloway

"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails."

--Bertha Calloway



What A Heart

We all feel sorry for our self at sometime, if you do then watch this clip from CBS News on  wrestler Dustin Carter. What a heart.

Death Of Jim Lay

The First time I met Jim was in an airport in Chicago. He was meeting an Irish basketball team that was coming to my school here in Iowa. His plane was late and they had given him a rough time in customs. Still he came bounding through the airport with that big smile and that giant laugh. Within minutes we found three passions we both had: life, basketball, and bacon cheeseburgers.

I know of few people that didn't like Jimmy and when he met my mother of 80 she instantly fell in love with him. Every year he would send flowers to her, call, or write on her birthday and he had very kind words when she passed.

I am convinced Jim was a seven foot tall man in a 5'9" body. He told me before they played the English in the Four Countrys' Tournament he played this for his players, Braveheart, I will think of Jim when ever I see it.

My condolences go to all of his family and friends. Scotland will not only miss Jimmy, the world will miss him as well.

Read More at Jim Lay .

Time

Here is a lesson about time from the book First Thing Every Morning by Lewis Timberlake.



"First: Nobody can manage time. But you can manage those things that take up your time.


Second: Time is expensive. As a matter of fact, 80 percent of our day is spent on those things or those people that only bring us two percent of our results.


Third: Time is perishable. It cannot be saved for later use.


Fourth: Time is measurable. Everybody has the same amount of time...pauper or king. It is not how much time you have; it is how much you use.

 Fifth: Time is irreplaceable. We never make back time once it is gone.


Sixth: Time is a priority. You have enough time for anything in the world, so long as it ranks high enough among your priorities."

Old Friends

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new."

---Ralph Waldo Emerson

Getting On A Run

As I keep track of teams that are running the system around the country, here is what Adam Brumbaugh said recently about how things are going for the Lady Titans at West Hancock in Illinois. (No not the one out by Clear Lake, Iowa) Keep the guns blazing Lady Titans.


“For the first time in 2 seasons we are above .500 (3-2)! We started out 0-2 and have won 3 in a row with huge improvements. The last 3 games we have scored 68, 69, and 74 points respectively and made 8, 9, and 10 "3" pointers respectively. I have 4 freshmen and 4 sophomores in my 13 player rotation and they are finally picking it up. The girls are so excited to reach a goal or break a team record each night we play.

Last night we were down 2 to 10 three minutes into the game (there were no whistles to stop play so my first shift was still in and were gassed). We then went on a 22-1 run to end the quarter. Second quarter came on even stronger and held a 45-18 edge at the half. Finished the game 74-46.

We play 4 games in 5 nights at this tournament so we will see where our legs are by the end of the week.”

Adam Brumbaugh


West Hancock Lady Titans

Do Your Job

As I continue with my series of motivational post, think about the times when you are tired, bored, or simply do not want to do something, well watch this.

Click on No Excuses

"Galway Girl"

People tire of me talking about how wonderful Ireland is, but after you watch this video called "Galway Girl" you will understand.

Click here .

Red Jacket Indian

This morning I read a email from a coach in New York talking about the System, and I had to post it here on my blog. Coach Miles was kind enough to give me permission to do so and here it is. It tells why people run the System and why people are passionate about it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

"Good morning everyone! We are a small school in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. Last year we graduated 2 college level players. One is the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in school history. The second in the 2nd leading scorer in school history and the all-time leader in 3's made. We lost our playoff game last year, with these 2 guys in the lineup, 42-33. It was awful and I promised myself we would do our best to never let that happen again. We began system implementation during the Spring and Summer games and had a great pre-season of scrimmages. However, none of the returning players averaged more that 5 points per game (JV or Varsity) and I had no idea what to expect our first game vs. real live competition.


Well, we played our first system game Friday night (12/2) and it was a great way to start! It was a hard fought contest throughout and we led by 12 going into the 4th quarter (Led 41-32 at half, more points than we scored in our last playoff game with 2-1000pt. scorers in the lineup!). Our opponent was able to cut the lead to 2 and our "13th man" made a great post move basket to slow their momentum. We were up 7 with under a minute to go and had our best ball handlers/free throw shooters in the game. Our opponent hit 2 desperation 3's (their only 2 makes of the game) and we were up 2 with 10 seconds left. They fouled, we made both free throws, then we stole a pass and made 2 more free throws to seal a 79-73 win.

Game Stats:


13 played (1 out due to injury)


11 Scored, 6 scored 6 or more points, 3 in double figures and several career highs established.


Shots Taken: 102 (52 3's) has to be a school record


Opponent Shots: 67 (+35 for us)


3's Made: 12 by 5 different players (Possible School Record)


OREB %: 40%


Free Throws Taken: 33 (made 17)


Opponent Turnovers: 40


Our Turnovers: 20

We shot 25% from the field for the game and out hustled our opponent throughout. We went to the OFF press late in the game to get the ball out of the hands of their best player/ball handler and that really helped. We have a bunch of areas that need improvement, but the guys were so excited and couldn't wait for practice Saturday morning. So many guys stepped up and made "big" plays and shots that I found myself getting a bit emotional while watching the game tape. All I have ever wanted was for our players to play hard and with confidence on both ends of the floor. Tonight was the first time that we truly met that basic goal and it is one of the greatest feelings a coach could ever have experienced!

Thank you for the assistance in implementing this new style of play. I hope to never coach another way ever again."










Rich Miles






Red Jacket Indians Boys Varsity Basketball Coach






"p.s. Our JV's are running the system and won their 1st game as well. They fouled way too much, but are young and love our new way of playing the game."

Greatness

This is a great way to start your day. 

Click on Motivation.

Sacrifice

A friend of mine from Phoenix that teaches and coaches dabbles in boxing from time to time, and he sent me this HBO video about this homeless boxer. If this doesn’t motivate you toward dedication, commitment, and sacrifice to a cause nothing will.  Click on sacrifice and watch it.

Winner

“Usually the team that scores the most points wins the game.”


- John Madden

"A Midlife Crisis"

Recently Roger Wright at Ed Co won his 300th game as a basketball coach. Coach Wright is truly a gentleman of the game. He has changed his philosophy drastically, and his friends are asking him if he is going through a “midlife crisis”. Click on Ed-Co and read the online story from the Cedar Rapids Gazette about this "crisis".

Mark Twain

"Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry."

--Mark Twain

Traveling

"Planes and trains and boats and busses characteristically evoke a common attitude of blue, unless you have a suitcase and a ticket and a passport and the cargo that they're carrying is you."

Tom Waits

One Cent

"We were washed up. We were stranded...I was depressed, and confused, and I had to be alone. I kept telling myself that something good always happened every time I hit bottom. But I didn’t believe it.


...As I walked, a long-forgotten voice came out of my past. Miss Flatto. Miss Flatto, wiggling her finger at my nose and saying, ‘Some day you’ll realize, young man! Some day you’ll realize!’...

I was startled to find I was standing watching an auction sale... I was careful to keep my hands in my pockets, so I could resist any crazy impulse to make a bid, and blow my entire capital of seven cents.

The shelves were nearly emptied out and most of the crowd had left, but I still hung around, having nothing better to do with myself. Finally everything was gone except for one scrub brush, the former owner, hovering in the background, the auctioneer, myself, and an elderly Italian couple. The elderly couple had been there all the time. Either they had no money or they were too timid to make a bid on anything. Whichever it was, they exchanged sad looks now that the auction was winding up.

The auctioneer was tired. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘Let’s get it over with and not horse around. I have left here one desirable item. One cleansing brush in A-number-one, brand-new condition, guaranteed to give you floors so clean you could eat off them. What am I offered?’

The old Italian guy and his wife looked at each other, searching for the key to the right thing to say... they held on to each other like they had done something wrong. I said quickly, ‘One cent.’

The auctioneer whacked his gavel.

‘Sold-thank-God-to-the-young-American-gentleman-for-one-cent.’ I picked up my brush and handed it to the old lady. She was as touched as if I had given her the entire contents of the store. The old man grabbed my hand and pumped it. They both grinned at me and poured out a river of Italian that I couldn’t understand. ‘Think nothing of it,’ I said, and added, ‘Ciao, eh?’ ... which was the only Italian I could remember from 93rd street. They thought this was pretty funny, the way I said it, and they walked away laughing. I walked away laughing too... I couldn’t explain it, but a lousy penny scrub brush had changed the whole complexion of life."

Harpo Marx (Early Days)

Thanksgiving

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."

 ~H.U. Westermayer

Eccentric

“I am not eccentric. It's just that I am more alive than most people. I am an unpopular electric eel set in a pond of goldfish.”


― Edith Sitwell

Parents

“When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them.”

― Rodney Dangerfield

"Eight More Miles"

Here is a great song from Kieran Kane about returning home after a long trip.Click on "Eight More Miles" and get home.

He's A Shooter

Lentsch shatters NCAA D-III record with 89-point explosion against Principia, read more at the Grinnell Basketball Website

Diamonds and Stones

This song by John Denver says it all, Some Days are Diamonds, Some Days are Stones

Leadership

"To lead the people, walk behind them."

Lao Tzu

A Book

“Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.”


 Groucho Marx, The Essential Groucho

General Hailston

From The Simple Truths Newsletter


"On March 5, 2003, I turned on Good Morning America while eating breakfast. Charlie Gibson was interviewing General Earl Hailston, the commanding general of Marine Forces Central Command.

The general was waiting with his troops just a few miles off the border of Iraq...waiting to go to war.

Toward the end of the interview, Charlie asked him if he had any hobbies.
The general said, "Yes, I love photography, especially taking photos of my men." He shared
that while he had been waiting for the past few days he took photos of his men, and at night he would email the photos with a brief note to their mothers back in the USA.

Charlie asked if he could see a sample of a letter, and the general walked into his tent, turned on his computer, and read the last letter he had sent. It said:

Dear Mrs. Johnson,

I thought you might enjoy seeing this picture of your son. He is doing great. I also wanted you to know that you did a wonderful job raising him. You must be very proud. I can certainly tell you that I'm honored to serve with him in the U.S. Marines.

General Earl Hailston

Wow! I had goose bumps as I watched Charlie randomly interview a few of General Hailston's men, and without exception, you could feel the genuine love and respect that every one of them had for their leader.
You may have heard the quote..."They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Well, here's a man who truly understood what caring, kindness and leadership is all about."

Goals

"The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them. "


Denis Watley

Joe Frazier

"I don't want to knock my opponent out. I want to hit him, step away and watch him hurt. I want his heart."


Joe Frazier

Delmar

"We thought you was a toad."

Delmar- From the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou"

Service



"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth".

Muhammad Ali

The Big Rock Candy Mountain

Perhaps one of the most enjoyable movies of all time, "O Brother Where Art Thou" has good music, and good clean humor. It was built roughly around Homer's The Odyssey. It had a very special sound track, that even young people of this generation have come to enjoy. Click below the picture on Rock Candy and enjoy some yourself.

Rock Candy

Alone

“We are all alone, born alone, die alone, and -- in spite of True Romance magazines -- we shall all someday look back on our lives and see that, in spite of our company, we were alone the whole way. I do not say lonely -- at least, not all the time -- but essentially, and finally, alone. This is what makes your self-respect so important, and I don't see how you can respect yourself if you must look in the hearts and minds of others for your happiness.”

― Hunter S. Thompson, The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967

Triumph



“For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.”

― Hunter S. Thompson

The Sniper

For you basketball fans, a video of two of the greatest shooters of our time. Click under the picture.





"He's a shooter"

The Secret Weapon

From CBS-The Feed, this video shows the ingenuity that people have as they look for fun and excitement on a weekend. Click on as they say below this video, "Do not try this at home."



Do not try this at home

Blind Cross Country Runner

From prettytough.com comes the story of Ohio cross country runner Sami Stoner who has yet to cross the finish line in first place, but she has won over fans across the nation while trying. Click Here to read more about this incredible runner.

Paradise

From CNN iReport

Automatic Weapon

A three pointer make by nineteen different players from the same team in one game. Incredible but true, as Grinnell college set that record as they defeated Faith Baptist last year 137-104. Here is the video of all nineteen players knocking down a three. I found it on the Grinnell Men's Basketball web page. It is also available on YouTube. Click under the picture to watch.

Click here 

Run and Gun Basketball Clinic

Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School

(Reinbeck, Iowa)

November 11-12 2011

Clinic Schedule

(Speakers subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances)

All sessions will be held in the Gladbrook-Reinbeck competition gym with players.

Friday, November 11, 2011

5:00-6:00 Registration and Pizza

6:00-6:15 Overview of the clinic

6:15-7:30 (Bruce Bailey) G-R Girls’ Practice

(G-R has Grinnell philosophy running L-MU Break with dribble drive as offense)

7:30-7:45 Break

7:45-8:45 (Bob Belf) ONU On and Off Press, Scramble

(Bob will talk about full and half-Court Trapping)

9:00-10:00 (TBA) System Specials

(Jump Ball, Inbounds, 5-4-1 Break down, Free-throw break)

10:30-11:30 Round Table at Johnny Ray’s

Located right next to the AmericInn Motel in Grundy Center, Iowa (8 miles from Reinbeck)

Saturday, November 12, 2011

7:00-8:00 Breakfast

8:00-9:00 David Arseneault (Grinnell Overview)

9:00-10:00 Dave Arseneault (Grinnell Shooting Drills)

10:30-1:00 Scrimmages between system and traditional teams


Clinic Pricing:

(Checks to System Basketball)

1329 River Road blvd

Independence, Iowa 50644

$25 -Pre-register Price (NO PO’s or Credit Cards)

$30-At The Door

AmericInn Motel Contact Info

Property Details:

Toll Free Reservations: 800-634-3444

Front Desk: 319-824-5272

http://www.americinn.com/hotels/IA/GrundyCenter



What's Difficult

I spent most of the weekend with Tom Waits and Guy Clark at the Chili Parlor. The question was asked of Waits "What is difficult for you?" He was in rare form with his reply;

"Mostly I straddle reality and the imagination. My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind man needs a cane. Math is hard. Reading a map. Following orders. Carpentry. Electronics. Plumbing. Remembering things correctly. Straight lines. Sheet rock. Finding a safety pin. Patience with others. Ordering in Chinese. Stereo instructions in German.”

The man is a treasure.