Records are Meant to be Broken

Last night Joe Montana’s record of Super Bowl TD passes was broken by Tom Brady.

It’s OK. It’s good to break the records. It shows the game progresses, the players get better, and new stars emerge.

It’s hard for kid’s to grow up without feeling they are watching the best players ever. My favorite players were from when I was a kid. They were the best then and I loved them. Why shouldn’t the kids today have the best and remember the best and watch them play. It’s what keeps the games alive, it keeps them worth watching, and it does nothing to eliminate the memories and achievements of the past.

Tell stories of yester year. It’s what us old people do. We secretly know our time was the best time. Let the babies have their bottles.imagesS29L5BFM

What’s the Point?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWhat’s the point?

To climb a mountain. Why?

To exercise? What for?

To work hard? For what?

To deal with life? To what end?

When it comes down to it, there really is no answer that works for everyone. And there’s really no reason at all to push yourself. In fact, life would that you don’t. Don’t believe me?

Tell someone you’re on a diet. See how long before you’re told that it won’t work, or you’re not doing it right; not giving up enough stuff, eating the wrong things.

Start a new exercise program. You won’t be doing it long enough, at the wrong time of the day, or you’ll hear some story about someone who, despite being fit, died at a young age.

Set a goal. It’ll be too high, or too low.

Write something. You spelled it wrong or you’ll be told how they should do it too, you know since writing is so easy- a monkey can do it.

You see, no one wants to see you do something out of the ordinary or accomplish something.

I don’t think it’s always mean, but it’s discouraging. And ultimately, the naysayers are right.

There’s always a better way to diet and exercise. There’s always a taller mountain. There’s always someone who worked less and got more. There’s always a better way, someone more accomplished, or a threat of failure and total humiliation.

So what’s the point?

What is it? You know what makes you feel good. You know whether a challenge is rewarding to struggle for. You’re the one that has to tough it out; do the work. You’re the one that has to live with the results.

Don’t let perfection stop you. Go for it. For you. For your reasons. Climb your mountains, set your goals, do what you want to do and do it because you want to. Just be prepared to be asked, “Why? What’s the point?”

You don’t owe anyone an answer, but if you don’t know, ain’t no one going to be able to explain it to you.

On the Subject of Olympics and Being Fourth

fn-across-the-board03Shaun White finished fourth in the Half Pipe event. The event in which he has won Gold for the past two Olympics.

Fourth.

That would be fourth in the world.

Am I fourth best in the world in anything? No.

Is anyone that has since spoken like fourth in the world is a disaster, fourth best in the world in anything? Probably not.

I, of course, mean all the people who talk of Shaun White’s fourth place, “non-medal” finish with a tone of disgust, a hint of ridicule, or the scent of failure.

He’s fourth best in the world after reigning for the past 8 years as #1. I still say Wow! That is incredible! Congrats!

If you are not still in awe, check yourself. Fourth out of 7,000,000,000 ain’t too bad and a whole lot better than I could have done.

Thanks Shaun. Thanks for going for it on that last run. Thanks for congratulating #1,2, & 3 when it was all done. Thanks for the fun over all these years.

BTW- Everyone rightfully went nuts for Erin Hamlin who finished third in the women’s Luge: the first American Individual Luge Medal ever. I guess according to some, we can only be happy for Silver and Gold in those events now.