My apologies to those who have read this blog in the past, it has been over 10 months since my last post. Last September, I just had to much classwork and writing with my MBA classes to find time to add to this blog. While I have missed the opportunity to put down some thoughts, which is always helpful, I was able to finish my MBA at Saint Leo University and try to figure some things out.
There have been some highs and lows in these past 10 months. Missed job opportunities, kids activities, fun trips, new experiences and some revelations. One of the best experiences was the week long trip with Keegan's baseball team to Dreamspark in Cooperstown, NY for a baseball experience. Much more than just a tournament, it was a week that neither the players nor the families will soon forget. Keegan had a home-run and hit the ball the best he did all season.
It has been a struggle to find a job in my interest of sports or fund-raising that would keep us here. Just not many opportunities at my level. So for the time being I have engrossed myself in a sales opportunity with a great company, Transworld Systems Inc, which has help businesses for over 40 years increase their cash flow and recover slow paying accounts. While the progress has been a little slow, I know that it takes time to grow a business. I have really enjoyed networking in the local community and working on my presentation and sales skills. Additionally, I have met some wonderful people who have been very encouraging and willing to help.
In that time I have learned about many businesses that provide a wide variety of products and services. Some are just really great business models and others are longtime industries like insurance, financial planning and others. One of the most intriguing is the company Melaleuca, who develops and produces high level products that are kid and environmentally friendly. Shoppers can buy over 350 items directly from the company at a savings and receive benefits for shopping this way. They make products that people use every day. I tried the products and think they are great, they are concentrated and so a little goes a long way, and they cost about the same or a little less than at a store. People can also get people to shop and make some extra money, which these days everyone can use. If you would like to learn more let me know. A very easy way to shop and with a little work you can make some extra money.
In all of this, I have learned a lot more about myself and realized a number of things. Mostly, that I really like meeting new people and building relationships with them. I hope to find a way to work with a group of people and help them, help themselves. Want to join me?
I also read one of the best business books I have come across The Go-Giver by Bob Berg and John David Mann. I highly recommend this book. It is an easy read that provides five guidelines that we could all live by wrapped in a story about a salesman trying to make his way. I read the book twice within a three week timeframe. If you take the time to read the book, let me know what you think.
I am not sure where all of this will take me, but I know that my family is happy and that is what is most important. I will do what I can to make sure that does not change. I look forward to posting more frequently and letting you all know how these opportunities go and I hope that some of you may join in the journey in what ever way makes sense to you. Thanks for reading.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Whew...where has the time gone
It is hard to believe that it has been six months since my last post. I think that was when I began taking two MBA classes per term at Saint Leo University and got plenty of writing in those classes. In some regards a lot has happened since that time and yet as I sit here tonight I am still without a job and nearing a crossroads (that will be the next entry). Now that I decided to only take one class this term, I thought it would be good to return to my blog.
At that time, I had begun the biggest loser program at Brick Bodies and by the end of the program I had lost 25 pounds. Since that time I have been fortunate enough to work with two great personal trainers at Brick Bodies Padonia Kate Del Solar and Tim Naff and have dropped another 22 pounds, which puts me under 200 pounds for the first time probably since college. My waist is down from a 40 to a 35, I am wearing a size large instead of XXL, and actually bought a size 44 suit. It is hard to believe the difference that I feel. Now I am trying to build strength instead of being focused on weight loss.
I also turned 44 last week and celebrated my 25th class reunion in early July. it was great to catch up with some longtime friends and others that I had not seen since graduation. I took a stroll down memory lane on a tour through the old Scio Central high school. My other trip to Scio was with the family for the annual family reunion over the July 4th weekend. Always a fun event and it was good to spend time with my parents, my sisters and their families.
Speaking of our family, my sister Maggie and her husband Matt travelled to China to adopt their new daughter Anne. After many years of waiting and some minor issues, all arrive back in Albany safe and sound and from all reports they are adjusting well. My wife Liz spent 18 days in Germany as an official in the U19 Women's lacrosse championships and had a great time and met many new friends.
In June, I travelled to Florida for the annual NACDA convention for athletic administrators. it was a great chance to connect with my network in that community as well as catch up with some old friends Matt Bassett and Troy Tucker, as well as my former boss Mike Hermann. I enjoyed the opportunity to stay connected.
It is hard to believe that the summer is over and the kids went back to school yesterday, following a two-day delay from hurricane Irene. They are excited to be back at Hereford Middle and High school and look forward to the school year. I hope that they new school has great things in store for them and the rest of the family
At that time, I had begun the biggest loser program at Brick Bodies and by the end of the program I had lost 25 pounds. Since that time I have been fortunate enough to work with two great personal trainers at Brick Bodies Padonia Kate Del Solar and Tim Naff and have dropped another 22 pounds, which puts me under 200 pounds for the first time probably since college. My waist is down from a 40 to a 35, I am wearing a size large instead of XXL, and actually bought a size 44 suit. It is hard to believe the difference that I feel. Now I am trying to build strength instead of being focused on weight loss.
I also turned 44 last week and celebrated my 25th class reunion in early July. it was great to catch up with some longtime friends and others that I had not seen since graduation. I took a stroll down memory lane on a tour through the old Scio Central high school. My other trip to Scio was with the family for the annual family reunion over the July 4th weekend. Always a fun event and it was good to spend time with my parents, my sisters and their families.
Speaking of our family, my sister Maggie and her husband Matt travelled to China to adopt their new daughter Anne. After many years of waiting and some minor issues, all arrive back in Albany safe and sound and from all reports they are adjusting well. My wife Liz spent 18 days in Germany as an official in the U19 Women's lacrosse championships and had a great time and met many new friends.
In June, I travelled to Florida for the annual NACDA convention for athletic administrators. it was a great chance to connect with my network in that community as well as catch up with some old friends Matt Bassett and Troy Tucker, as well as my former boss Mike Hermann. I enjoyed the opportunity to stay connected.
It is hard to believe that the summer is over and the kids went back to school yesterday, following a two-day delay from hurricane Irene. They are excited to be back at Hereford Middle and High school and look forward to the school year. I hope that they new school has great things in store for them and the rest of the family
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
My effort to be the "Biggest Loser"
For the last few years I have been a closet, well probably not so closet, fan of the TV Show "The Biggest Loser" and have not missed many episodes. I guess I like to hear the stories of how people just lost control of their eating habits and then how with hard work and some education about eating habits they lose enormous amounts of weight and also gain significant amounts of self-confidence and drive. Usually these people are surrounded by families or cultures with long histories of heart illness and diabetes and many are young people.
In their time on "the ranch" they go through amazing transformations and what really impresses me is those people who leave early in the show, but continue to lose weight at home. Obviously, these people learned a great deal about the importance of diet and working out in weight loss. No pills, fad diets, just good old hard work and commitment to healthy eating in appropriate portions.
As I watch the show, I can easily see how people can lose control and the energy to stay healthy. I look at how crazy my life has been over the last four years from commuting for two plus years to the stress of being without a boss and then without a job. Before the family came down I was working long hours, eating at my desk and not getting much sleep - all things that are bad for your health. When you add in high blood pressure and cholesterol, that is a recipe for disaster.
With Liz working at Brick Bodies, I thought that with my time off it would be great to try and get in some exercise. Sadly, I had ballooned to over 240 mostly due to inactivity and eating too much food and the great things my daughter bakes - she loves to make cookies and cakes. To start I really did not have a game plan and was not really losing much weight but at least getting some aerobic exercise. Fortunately, the gym offered a special eight week program "Extreme Brickover" modeled after the TV show. I figured that I would at least learn some things and maybe be more focused on what I was doing.
On the first weigh-in they took a number of assessments, including initial weight, body fat and waist to hip ratio. On the back of the sheet they had a chart that assessed the measurements. It is never good when yours comes back as obese. Now, I new that I was not in great shape and overweight, but did not think it was obese. I think that was the shock that I needed to make a change. In reading through the material they provided, the thing that caught my eye was the importance of knowing how many calories you burn and how many you eat. So I started tracking what I was doing and making more conscious decisions about food and portions and was committed to getting at least 30+ minutes of exercise a day.
Unfortunately, I missed the first weekly weigh-in as I was travelling for a job interview and was excited to see where I stood at the second weigh-in. I knew that I had to have lost some weight, since I was on the last notch in my belt and I was spending a lot of time pulling up my jeans. I was very happy to see that I had lost 12 pounds in two weeks, I was hoping to be below 230, but I was still happy and dropped 5% of my body weight. One thing that was really helpful was the calorie counter on my blackberry, it allowed me to track my calorie intake as well as my workout and calorie burn. I look forward to the next 6 weeks, although I hope I have a job by then since I will need some new clothes!
#BrickBodies, #
In their time on "the ranch" they go through amazing transformations and what really impresses me is those people who leave early in the show, but continue to lose weight at home. Obviously, these people learned a great deal about the importance of diet and working out in weight loss. No pills, fad diets, just good old hard work and commitment to healthy eating in appropriate portions.
As I watch the show, I can easily see how people can lose control and the energy to stay healthy. I look at how crazy my life has been over the last four years from commuting for two plus years to the stress of being without a boss and then without a job. Before the family came down I was working long hours, eating at my desk and not getting much sleep - all things that are bad for your health. When you add in high blood pressure and cholesterol, that is a recipe for disaster.
With Liz working at Brick Bodies, I thought that with my time off it would be great to try and get in some exercise. Sadly, I had ballooned to over 240 mostly due to inactivity and eating too much food and the great things my daughter bakes - she loves to make cookies and cakes. To start I really did not have a game plan and was not really losing much weight but at least getting some aerobic exercise. Fortunately, the gym offered a special eight week program "Extreme Brickover" modeled after the TV show. I figured that I would at least learn some things and maybe be more focused on what I was doing.
On the first weigh-in they took a number of assessments, including initial weight, body fat and waist to hip ratio. On the back of the sheet they had a chart that assessed the measurements. It is never good when yours comes back as obese. Now, I new that I was not in great shape and overweight, but did not think it was obese. I think that was the shock that I needed to make a change. In reading through the material they provided, the thing that caught my eye was the importance of knowing how many calories you burn and how many you eat. So I started tracking what I was doing and making more conscious decisions about food and portions and was committed to getting at least 30+ minutes of exercise a day.
Unfortunately, I missed the first weekly weigh-in as I was travelling for a job interview and was excited to see where I stood at the second weigh-in. I knew that I had to have lost some weight, since I was on the last notch in my belt and I was spending a lot of time pulling up my jeans. I was very happy to see that I had lost 12 pounds in two weeks, I was hoping to be below 230, but I was still happy and dropped 5% of my body weight. One thing that was really helpful was the calorie counter on my blackberry, it allowed me to track my calorie intake as well as my workout and calorie burn. I look forward to the next 6 weeks, although I hope I have a job by then since I will need some new clothes!
#BrickBodies, #
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The house that Ronald built.
I know what you are thinking golden arches, Big Mac, billions and billions served, why would I write about that fast food restaurant. Well this is actually about the other enterprise that the McDonald's name is associated with - the Ronald McDonald House. Last night, I joined Kelsey and the other members of the Hereford Middle School SAAD club at the Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore to make dinner for the guests. I thought that this would be a great experience for the other kids and so I brought them along as well.
It was a lot of fun preparing tacos, a weekly meal for the Brush family, for the families staying at the home. The kids had a great time helping out and hopefully, more importantly, they learned a little about giving back. I also got a chance to learn more about the organization and the great work they perform. (If you want to learn more about it, check out their webpage.) They provide room and board for children and their families while they are seeking medical care at hospitals away from home.
I had the opportunty to chat a little with a mother staying there with her daughter. She was so appreciative of the meal. They were from North Carolina and have been at the facility a number of times, usually for a day or two. This visit they were trying some more agressive treatment and were planning to be there for eight weeks. I could not believe it, eight weeks away from home. I could only imagine what that would cost if they had to stay in a hotel, which very few families could afford. The Baltimore facility is great becuase it has a wonderful group of volunteers that usually provide meals for the families. She was telling me that trying to keep these special needs kids busy while they fix a meal is a challenge. Also having others around kids around was great for these families.
Hopefully, my kids learned a little about giving back and also how fortunate they are to be healthy. Our hope is that as a family we can go a prepare a meal for the families. Not only would it be a fun family activity, but it would also be an easy way for us to give back. It also made me feel a little better about the money that I have spent at McDonalds over the years, knowing that some of the proceeds have gone to help others. We should all remember that as the weather turns frigid in the northeast, that they are plenty of people who are less fortunate and can use our help.
It was a lot of fun preparing tacos, a weekly meal for the Brush family, for the families staying at the home. The kids had a great time helping out and hopefully, more importantly, they learned a little about giving back. I also got a chance to learn more about the organization and the great work they perform. (If you want to learn more about it, check out their webpage.) They provide room and board for children and their families while they are seeking medical care at hospitals away from home.
I had the opportunty to chat a little with a mother staying there with her daughter. She was so appreciative of the meal. They were from North Carolina and have been at the facility a number of times, usually for a day or two. This visit they were trying some more agressive treatment and were planning to be there for eight weeks. I could not believe it, eight weeks away from home. I could only imagine what that would cost if they had to stay in a hotel, which very few families could afford. The Baltimore facility is great becuase it has a wonderful group of volunteers that usually provide meals for the families. She was telling me that trying to keep these special needs kids busy while they fix a meal is a challenge. Also having others around kids around was great for these families.
Hopefully, my kids learned a little about giving back and also how fortunate they are to be healthy. Our hope is that as a family we can go a prepare a meal for the families. Not only would it be a fun family activity, but it would also be an easy way for us to give back. It also made me feel a little better about the money that I have spent at McDonalds over the years, knowing that some of the proceeds have gone to help others. We should all remember that as the weather turns frigid in the northeast, that they are plenty of people who are less fortunate and can use our help.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Interview
A good friend once told me that it is best to be looking for a job when you are in a job that you enjoy. That same friend said that the hardest time to look is when you are in a job you don't like or without a job. This seemed to be a pretty easy concept to understand, but one that not a lot of people heed. Sure it is clear that you don't want to have to put yourself in the position where you have to take the first thing available, even though it might not be what you want. When there are bills to pay, people to feed and a home to maintain, you take what you can get, not what you really want.
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to have an interview for a very good position that would be fantastic to get. I had done my research, reviewed the position, the people I was meeting with and the organization. I have spent the last 20 years meeting new people, talking about my work, and making presentations; it is what I do. The development industry is about going to meet people and build a relationship with them, that has never been an issue for me. Sure, I like everyone else, I get that nervous excitement about the outcome but I feel really comfortable talking in front of people. I have also done numerous interviews and am very comfortable with my work history.
As yesterday morning came around, I was finding my nerves acting up more than ever. During my final prep work, it started to hit me how different this interview was feeling. It had been twenty years since I had gone into an interview without having a job and one that I liked. Twenty years ago I was still in college with over two months until graduation and no real responsibilities. Yesterday, I knew there were not many jobs out there, every day brought me closer to having no more paychecks coming, having to pay for insurance and many other concerns. While we will be fine for a few months to come, I felt that pressure to be perfect to make sure that I did my best. It was really strange to feel that way before doing something that is normally so comfortable. It is amazing how things change as your responsibilities change - not a big surprise.
As it turned out, once I got in there I was completely comfortable and felt that it all went well. I think that it was actually good to have that extra nervousness. It helped me understand the importance of networking, of professional growth, of being prepared for whatever may come. As I have realized, some times things do not go your way and you have to learn how to react. All you can do is your best. I am sure that as other interviews come up, I will continue to get nervous knowing that I have to find something. Hopefully, my experience of yesterday will make me more prepared for what will come.
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to have an interview for a very good position that would be fantastic to get. I had done my research, reviewed the position, the people I was meeting with and the organization. I have spent the last 20 years meeting new people, talking about my work, and making presentations; it is what I do. The development industry is about going to meet people and build a relationship with them, that has never been an issue for me. Sure, I like everyone else, I get that nervous excitement about the outcome but I feel really comfortable talking in front of people. I have also done numerous interviews and am very comfortable with my work history.
As yesterday morning came around, I was finding my nerves acting up more than ever. During my final prep work, it started to hit me how different this interview was feeling. It had been twenty years since I had gone into an interview without having a job and one that I liked. Twenty years ago I was still in college with over two months until graduation and no real responsibilities. Yesterday, I knew there were not many jobs out there, every day brought me closer to having no more paychecks coming, having to pay for insurance and many other concerns. While we will be fine for a few months to come, I felt that pressure to be perfect to make sure that I did my best. It was really strange to feel that way before doing something that is normally so comfortable. It is amazing how things change as your responsibilities change - not a big surprise.
As it turned out, once I got in there I was completely comfortable and felt that it all went well. I think that it was actually good to have that extra nervousness. It helped me understand the importance of networking, of professional growth, of being prepared for whatever may come. As I have realized, some times things do not go your way and you have to learn how to react. All you can do is your best. I am sure that as other interviews come up, I will continue to get nervous knowing that I have to find something. Hopefully, my experience of yesterday will make me more prepared for what will come.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A look back at the Holidays!
It is hard to believe that Christmas and New Year's have past, it seemed to go so quickly. As I reflect on it, I think that it may have gone so fast becuase I was able to enjoy the time with my family for really the first time in many years. I'll come back to that shortly. There was lots of fun, good food and great company. There was only one downside to the holiday, oh and it was a bad one, but fortunately short-lived.
I was running around on christmas eve, which is one of my favorite days of the year. See, I am a people watcher, so I love to be out watching people run around like crazy. I make sure that I let people go first in line, be nice to cashiers and wave someone through in the parking lot. It was truly a fun day. I spent most of the afternoon wraping presents and excited about the peace and calm of a late christmas eve of mass and wrapping those final presents. I was planning to go to church, come home, wrap a few gifts and write a blog about my fond memories of christmas eve's past. Unfortunately, after driving the kids crazy, especially Chloe, with my christmas singing and a wonderful dinner my stomache was not in a good place. (No, it was not from the dinner!) I spent the next 12 hours as a very unhappy camper. It was so bad that two days later my ribs hurt when laughing. My stomache muscles worked way to hard getting whatever was in my system out. So I spent the evenng alone in bed. That blog will have to wait until next year.
Fortunately, by about 10 am christmas day, I was feeling better. At least well enough to watch the kids open presents. I love to watch the excitement on their faces as they open gifts. This year was fun as Liz got a wonderful gift from Santa, much to her surprise. She must have been a really good girl this year. Probably putting up with me would qualify her for that title every year! In all, although a little lite on presents it was a wonderful day with just the five of us - oh and our dog cinnamon too! (The kids would be mad if I left her out.)
The next week was spent with family and friends. We travelled to Binghamton to spend time with Liz's family and friends, while there was some chaos it was a very enjoyable trip. We had a great day with Liz's whole family, hosted by her aunt and uncle, and I got to spend time with two very dear friends. These two have been "in my foxhole" as one of them likes to say for more than 10 years. It was really great to see them, especially at a time when we are not busy with work and other commitments. I greatly appreciate them taking the time to get together. Our trip got extended when we all felt like we needed one more day to crash, we also were able to help Liz's parents move some things around before they head south. It was great to have another peaceful day.
The last few days were spents doing some little things, letting the kids relax and some great time with my parents after the New Year. Not much about New Year's Eve since I think we were in bed by 10 pm, although the kids stayed up til just about 1 am. Liz fell asleep pretty quick and I stayed up reading the second half of the last Harry Potter book - can't wait until June to see the final movie!
Now that the kids are back in school and trying to get in a routine, I guess the one big thing I took away from this holiday season was how nice it was not to have to worry about going to the office to check for end of year gifts, having to attend a basketball game, and always checking email to keep up with what is going on. Those activities had always been apart of my holidays. Not that they were bad ( I got to go to games at Villanova and at the Palestra) but it always broke up the time with family and friends. It made it harder to do some of the things that we wanted to do as a family, becuase we always had to account for one or two work days. I probably won't have the option of doing it again, but having been able to this year will have me thinking in the years to come how can I take the full week off and just enjoy it. This will allow us to enjoy our family time, see good friends and truly enjoy the holidays!
In all the holidays were great. I hope that you and your family had a wonderful holiday season, were able to celebrate the season of giving, and take a few mnutes to remember how it all began with a baby in a manager!
I was running around on christmas eve, which is one of my favorite days of the year. See, I am a people watcher, so I love to be out watching people run around like crazy. I make sure that I let people go first in line, be nice to cashiers and wave someone through in the parking lot. It was truly a fun day. I spent most of the afternoon wraping presents and excited about the peace and calm of a late christmas eve of mass and wrapping those final presents. I was planning to go to church, come home, wrap a few gifts and write a blog about my fond memories of christmas eve's past. Unfortunately, after driving the kids crazy, especially Chloe, with my christmas singing and a wonderful dinner my stomache was not in a good place. (No, it was not from the dinner!) I spent the next 12 hours as a very unhappy camper. It was so bad that two days later my ribs hurt when laughing. My stomache muscles worked way to hard getting whatever was in my system out. So I spent the evenng alone in bed. That blog will have to wait until next year.
Fortunately, by about 10 am christmas day, I was feeling better. At least well enough to watch the kids open presents. I love to watch the excitement on their faces as they open gifts. This year was fun as Liz got a wonderful gift from Santa, much to her surprise. She must have been a really good girl this year. Probably putting up with me would qualify her for that title every year! In all, although a little lite on presents it was a wonderful day with just the five of us - oh and our dog cinnamon too! (The kids would be mad if I left her out.)
The next week was spent with family and friends. We travelled to Binghamton to spend time with Liz's family and friends, while there was some chaos it was a very enjoyable trip. We had a great day with Liz's whole family, hosted by her aunt and uncle, and I got to spend time with two very dear friends. These two have been "in my foxhole" as one of them likes to say for more than 10 years. It was really great to see them, especially at a time when we are not busy with work and other commitments. I greatly appreciate them taking the time to get together. Our trip got extended when we all felt like we needed one more day to crash, we also were able to help Liz's parents move some things around before they head south. It was great to have another peaceful day.
The last few days were spents doing some little things, letting the kids relax and some great time with my parents after the New Year. Not much about New Year's Eve since I think we were in bed by 10 pm, although the kids stayed up til just about 1 am. Liz fell asleep pretty quick and I stayed up reading the second half of the last Harry Potter book - can't wait until June to see the final movie!
Now that the kids are back in school and trying to get in a routine, I guess the one big thing I took away from this holiday season was how nice it was not to have to worry about going to the office to check for end of year gifts, having to attend a basketball game, and always checking email to keep up with what is going on. Those activities had always been apart of my holidays. Not that they were bad ( I got to go to games at Villanova and at the Palestra) but it always broke up the time with family and friends. It made it harder to do some of the things that we wanted to do as a family, becuase we always had to account for one or two work days. I probably won't have the option of doing it again, but having been able to this year will have me thinking in the years to come how can I take the full week off and just enjoy it. This will allow us to enjoy our family time, see good friends and truly enjoy the holidays!
In all the holidays were great. I hope that you and your family had a wonderful holiday season, were able to celebrate the season of giving, and take a few mnutes to remember how it all began with a baby in a manager!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
An Imperfect Insight: Patience
An Imperfect Insight: Patience: "I am sure that the first time I heard the phrase, 'patience is a virture' was from my mom. With all the things that go on in our lives..."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)