"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