If Love Hurts…

June 30, 2012 0

Eythor Bender demos human exoskeletons

Eythor Bender demos human exoskeletons | Video on TED.com.

June 30, 2012 0

Through people like Ron Tite, Carrie Klassen and Gemma Stone I’ve met and worked with so many lovely Canadians. Happy Canada Day to you all!

June 30, 2012 0

What a way to start the day!

My two youngest sons and I started our day at 3AM with Captain Darrell Gardner of the Aloha out of Kewaunee, WI. What a great way to start the weekend with Salmon and Trout for dinner! Click the image to enlarge…

First of three salmon, trout contests July 7 (toddlohenry.com)
Bright Light Beyond (toddlohenry.com)
Algoma offers fishing splendor (toddlohenry.com)
Sweet Chili Lime Salmon (heatherlikesfood.com)

June 30, 2012 0

Six month questions

Jon Swanson writes:

Sunday is July 1. The year is half over. This weekend, then, is a time to review the last 6 months, to check our goals or 3 words, to see if we are making progress.

Here are a bunch of questions to help in that review. But as you look at these questions, you will realize that progress isn’t always related to goals. Sometimes new things happen. Sometimes things change. Sometimes just keeping up with the basics (eating, breathing) is making progress.

Life change is its own set of goals…

Did a relationship end? start?

Did a family member die?

Did a child join the family? struggle? graduate?

Did a job change?

Did you keep doing the daily work?

Expression

Did you write an unplanned poem? a letter? a thank you note? a blog post? a song? a script?

Did you read a book? many books?

At least once…

Did you say no to an addiction? Can you do it again?

Did you change a habit?

Did you give someone flowers?

Did you choose to stay quiet?

Did you wrestle with a major question?

Did you apologize?

Did you say thank you?

Did you keep Sabbath?

Did you find solitude?

Did you forgive someone?

Looking at things as a farmer would (with thanks to Becky)….

Are you ripping out the old plants?

Are you between crops?

Are you planting?

Are you weeding?

Are you watering and waiting?

Are you harvesting?

Questions for thinking.

Did you complete one of last year’s goals? (right goal, wrong year)

Did you come back?

Did you step out?

Did you cry out for help?

Did you step back?

Did you let go?

Sounding formal…

How did you build capacity? Yours? someone else’s? your organization?

How have you developed infrastructure?

Are you looking forward to the next half of the year?

How did a goal change?

How did a new goal emerge?

Did you realize that your goals weren’t small enough? big enough?

via Six month questions..

How to help me write better. (300wordsaday.com)

June 30, 2012 0

True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done

BrainyQuote via True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest….

June 30, 2012 0

six {more} strategies for staying sane

Gemma Stone writes:

Last week, I chatted about the six strategies I use daily to help me from slipping into the darkness of mental health struggles. I actually use twelve strategies daily (I try, anyway). Here are the other six ::

Media. I am super strict with the type of media I expose myself to. I went on a negative media fast a few years ago, and it made all the difference.

Giving. I focus on giving throughout the day. A smile, a cup of coffee, passing on a book, sending a loving e-mail, writing a thank-you card, making a donation. Giving feels good.

Fun. My “purpose” is to have fun inspiring myself and others to live from love rather than fear. I tried living my purpose without the fun part and, well, it was no fun. So now I make plans for fun and giggles.

Boundaries. Saying “no” to what doesn’t deeply matter means I get to say “yes” to what does. Life is full, right? I know now that if I’m going to live fully, it means I have to set boundaries that honor who I am and the life I want to live.

Nature. Every day I chill with Mother Nature. It takes the edge off.

Self-reflection. When stuff comes up, I let myself get into it. If I don’t, I know it comes up in another (much less desirable) way. I feel what I am feeling and explore why I’m feeling that way

That’s it! My twelve secrets to staying sane.

Remember, there is so much to know and so much truth to discover. The direction my feet take and what speaks to my heart may not be right for you. I share my spark of truth with you to guide you through the dark, but not to tell you what to see.

Love,

via six {more} strategies for staying sane.

I feel more sane already…

June 29, 2012 0

Scoop by Scoop: How Frozen Desserts Stack Up

Health and Fitness Articles, News, and Tips – Greatist.com via Scoop by Scoop: How Frozen Desserts Stack Up.

June 29, 2012 0

A reminder for procrastinators…

notsalmon via A reminder for procrastinators….

June 29, 2012 0

Believe your troubles behind you

notsalmon via Believe your troubles behind you..

June 29, 2012 0

Quin, Kennedy, Zach and Karissa at State

Quin is a winner… « My Perspective on Loving, Living, Learning and Laughing http://t.co/u69dmVb7

— Bright Shiny Objects (@bsotweets) June 29, 2012

Press-Gazette boys track and field athlete of the year: Blahnik wraps career with discus title http://t.co/t0dFCUs4

— Bright Shiny Objects (@bsotweets) June 29, 2012

Algoma’s Kennedy Blahnik Named Gatorade Athlete Of The Year « My Perspective on Loving, Living, Learning and Laughing http://t.co/YUYUZ7Ap

— Bright Shiny Objects (@bsotweets) June 29, 2012

June 29, 2012 0

Press-Gazette boys track and field athlete of the year: Blahnik wraps career with discus title

As if Kennedy’s success wasn’t enough, Zach Blahnik was named Press-Gazette boys track and field athlete of the year as well…

There was something about the WIAA state track and field meet that always made Zach Blahnik feel a bit uneasy.

Perhaps it was the endless the anticipation of warm-ups or the pressure of being a top seed in the Division 3 discus every year since he was a sophomore.

Whatever it was, Blahnik wanted to make sure he felt at home during his fourth and final state appearance this year, so he brought a slice of it with him to La Crosse.

The morning of the first day of competition, Blahnik lined his Super 8 motel room with all the comforts of Algoma, setting up his Playstation 3, popping in Battlefield 3 and letting his mind drift away from the track.

A two-time state champion in the shot put, Blahnik failed to qualify in the event after battling a persistent groin injury, but still entered as the top seed in the D3 discus once more.

However, Blahnik’s feelings toward the discus were mixed. He scratched on all three preliminary throws at state during his sophomore year before taking second as a junior despite having his worst showing of the season.

With one last shot at redemption, he didn’t leave anything to chance. Fully decompressed and rejuvenated, a relaxed Blahnik not only captured his first state title in the event but also broke the D3 state record with a toss of 175 feet, 6 inches.

For his efforts, Blahnik is the 2012 Press-Gazette boys track and field athlete of the year.” via Press-Gazette boys track and field athlete of the year: Blahnik wraps career with discus title | Green Bay Press Gazette | greenbaypressgazette.com.

Zach, too, is a great kid and I’m grateful for the way he’s taken my son Quin under his wing and helped him along…

June 29, 2012 0

Algoma’s Kennedy Blahnik Named Gatorade Athlete Of The Year

Couldn’t happen to a nicer kid!

In its 27th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, announced Kennedy Blahnik of Algoma High School as its 2011-12 Gatorade Wisconsin Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. Blahnik is the first Gatorade Wisconsin Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year to be chosen from Algoma High School.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the track, distinguishes Blahnik as Wisconsin’s best high school girls track & field athlete. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year award to be announced in June, Blahnik joins an elite alumni association of state award-winners in 12 sports, including Allyson Felix (2001-02, Los Angeles Baptist, Calif.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.), Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.), Lolo Jones (1997-98, Roosevelt HS, Ia.) and Bianca Knight (2006-07, Ridgeland HS, Miss.).

The 5-foot-9 sophomore thrower won two individual state championships this spring and led the Wolves to a third-place finish as a team at the Division 3 state meet. Blahnik set a state record in the shot put with an effort of 47 feet, 11 inches and launched the discus 146 feet, three inches. A two-time First Team All-State selection, Blahnik was undefeated in both her signature events in 2012. Her state meet shot distance ranked as the nation’s No. 16 throw by a prep competitor at the time of her selection.

Blahnik has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. A devoted member of her church community, she has served as the treasurer and vice president of her graduating class and volunteered locally as a vacation bible camp counselor.

“Kennedy Blahnik is an exceptional track and field athlete in our area,” said Duane DuMez, head coach at Kohler High. “The fact that she is throwing this well at such a young age and has already broken state records is a remarkable accomplishment.”

Blahnik will begin her junior year of high school this fall.” via Algoma’s Kennedy Blahnik Named Gatorade Athlete Of The Year | Door County Daily News.

Kennedy is a good friend of my son Quin’s — she kicks his a$$ in the weight room — and I’ve had the pleasure of watching her grow up over the years. Not only is she a great athlete, but a super scholar and nice person as well. Kudos to Kennedy, and her mom and dad Terri and Dean as well…

June 29, 2012 0

IRISH YOGA

Very Demotivational – The Demotivational Posters Blog via IRISH YOGA.

June 29, 2012 0

Surface Computing: The iDesk Final Frame

Tech | Apartment Therapy via Surface Computing: The iDesk Final Frame.

June 29, 2012 0

First of three salmon, trout contests July 7

It’s that time of year and Algoma IS the salmon and trout capital of the world!

The first of three county trout and/or salmon fishing contests will be held next weekend at Algoma, with a “1-2-3 … Go Fish!” Great Lakes Classic team tournament.

Meant to be a fun format at a reasonable price, the “Classic” offers three divisions for solo, two-person and three-person teams at $25 per angler, plus a $10 team fee to get in on the “King of Kings” cash prize for the largest chinook.

A captain’s meeting will be held at 7 p.m. July 6 at Algoma Marina. Fees can be paid then, but there will be a $5 per angler late fee for entries not received by July 5.

This is a “110 percent payback” event with all teams receiving some fishing tackle and a copy of the latest Great Lakes Angler magazine while the top teams will earn cash, gas cards and fishing tackle.

Interested anglers can get a tournament entry and rules via e-mail by writing wildtimes@wizunwired.net, or calling (920) 883-9792.

Spectacular salmon and trout fishing has continued this week. Though there have been occasional pier and nearshore catches made, the top area has been two to five miles off shore.” via First of three salmon, trout contests July 7 | Green Bay Press Gazette | greenbaypressgazette.com.

Get some!!!

June 29, 2012 2

Your moment of zen

via Your moment of zen.

June 29, 2012 0

The Top 10 Habits of Grateful People

“‘Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” — Henry Ward Beecher.

It is no secret that gratefulness is correlated with life satisfaction and happiness. Countless research findings, particularly in the rapidly emerging field of Positive Psychology, have shown that gratefulness and life satisfaction go hand in hand. Those who tend to be more grateful rather than bitter are generally more positive, more satisfied with their lives, and will be able to see the silver lining even on cloudy days.Despite this intuitive understanding of the importance of gratefulness, all too often when life throws us curve balls, this grateful mindset all but disappears. It certainly is easier to be grateful when you are on a winning team and things go in your favor. However, the true test of resiliency and gratefulness is when life does not go your way. If you find yourself losing more than you are winning, and can’t seem to get over past regrets, disappointments and life’s injustices, gratefulness is overturned by a sense of injustice. Experiencing loss, frustration and even trauma, especially if we feel blindsided, certainly can make it difficult not to indulge in negative feelings. After all, we might wonder, when things go wrong what really do we have to be grateful about? No matter what happens to us, if we “dig deep” we often can find that there is really plenty to be thankful for in our lives. The following are the 10 top habits of people who remain steadfast in their ability to be grateful, and can temper the blows life gives them with an unwavering “attitude of gratitude” mindset: The Top 10 Habits of Grateful People…Even In Tough Times.