More of This…

Alright so I am not a big “New Year’s Resolution” guy, but I thought I might take a moment to write about my thoughts for 2009.

In 2009 I plan to do more:

• Goofing Around With My Family - This is really important to me.  I have the most awesome family in the world.  It is easy to get wrapped up in the stress of everyday life and to forget to just have fun and play.  You only live once, and life moves too quickly not to enjoy it.  I hope to fill next year with more carefree days, smiles, and lasting memories.
• Playing / Writing / Recording Music - It has been a few years since I have completed the composition of an original song - something that I used to do frequently.  I would love to be able to write and record one song per month, which would provide enough for a new album of material by the end of 2009.  I have countless riffs and chord progressions sitting incomplete.  I would like 2009 to be the year that these noodlings make their way into some finished songs.
• Blogging - While 2008 was a solid year for me in terms of content, I would like to have more consistency in 2009.  I hope to add content more regularly and evenly - taking time to plan out more posts in advance.  I also need to get back into taking time to read and comment on some of my favorite blogs by others.  Additionally, I hope to get the podcast back in full swing in 2009 and to add more original video content too.
• Speaking - I enjoy public speaking.  It is something that I want to become exceptional at doing, and thus I need to do more of it.  I hope to be able to speak to an audience at least once per month in 2009.  I already have a few engagements lined up, and I am looking forward to securing some more.  If you are in need of a speaker for an upcoming event, let me know.   I love to chat about marketing, blogging, social networking, leadership, and other various and sundry topics.
• Reading - I love to read.  I see clear value in doing it.  It is something that is important, yet not urgent.  I read less last year than in years prior.  I want to make it a point to read a little every day in 2009.  I have a long list of books that I would like to read, and a longer list of books I want to re-read.  It is something that I simply have to “make time” to do as it will never make its way to the top of the urgent list.
• Exercising - I have a metabolism that is off the charts, allowing me to still appear to be in relatively good shape in spite of my lack of effort.  However, the sad truth is that I need to get in better shape.  I did not get enough exercise in 2008, and I know it.  Like reading, exercise is something that is easy to put off, but way too important not to do regularly.   I have already started a modest daily routine of crunches, cardio, and weight training.  Now I just need to stick with it.

• Giving - I want to make the world a better place through my actions.  Through my involvement in philanthropic and community organizations I hope to be able to be a catalyst for positive change in 2009.  While 2008 was a good year for giving, I know I can do better.  Making that happen will be largely about focusing on important tasks while eliminating the unimportant.

So there you have it.  I have high hopes that 2009 is going to be an amazing year.  Now its time to make it so.

What are you going to do more of in 2009?

Rockin The Vote on My Day Off

This is my favorite time of the year in Ohio, as the leaves change, jeans and sweatshirts get unpacked, football and baseball are getting interesting,  the nights are cool, and autumn is in its full glory.   Yesterday was a beautiful, and unseasonably warm day for October in Ohio, and I took the day off from work.

I spent the morning tinkering around the house, working on projects, cleaning up old messes, and trying to get a little more organized.  It always feels great to have everything in place - even if it is only for a day or two.

In the afternoon, we loaded up the kids and headed off to the board of elections to vote.  This year, Ohio is allowing early voting, something that I think is wonderful.  In a typical election, there is no way that I would be able to stand in line with my kids for hours and vote.  They can only wait so long, and would end up having a horrible experience.  In short, they would not get to see democracy in action.  Early voting changes that.

We showed up at the board of elections at 1:30, filled out some papers, and completed the whole process of voting in about 15 minutes.  There was no line, no hassle, and no problem.  Best of all, my children got to experience what it is like to vote.  My daughter has asked countless questions about the elections, and is very engaged in the idea of democracy.  It made me proud to see her be so enchanted with the voting process - which many just take for granted.

I hope that you will choose to vote this year, as I believe that it is something that every American should do - regardless of ideology.  We are blessed to live in a country where all voices can be heard.  For Ohioans, I highly recommend taking advantage of early voting.  It is too easy not to.

How Bout’ Them Apples?

As a kid, one of my favorite parts about late summer / fall in Ohio was going to an orchard to get fresh apples.  A few weekends ago I got to introduce my kids to this tradition when we visited Crossroad Orchard, located on State Route 725 just West of Miamisburg, Ohio.

We had a great time at the orchard.  The kids were amazed at the impressive sight of row after row of apple trees with branches drooping under the weight of ripening fruit.   We saw sweet apples, bitter apples, red, yellow and green apples, tart apples, big apples, and any other kind of apple that exists - it was fascinating.

We learned that the orchard inspects the apples that are for sale at the end of every day.  Those did not sell, are reevaluated and either washed and polished again or discarded.  The focus on delivering quality was apparent.

And the taste… delicious.  We have been back 3 times in the 10 days since our first visit.  My kids are eating whole apples, and asking for them as a snack.  Not only have we purchased more apples, but also home grown tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, and the most perfect squash I have seen.  We bought a few gallons of homemade cider as well.  Wow is fresh apple cider tasty!

If you are seeking a fun and inexpensive activity for your family, take a few hours and head out to an apple orchard or farm market near you.  They are all over the place here in Ohio.  Should you live south of Dayton, check out Crossroad Orchard.

Thanks to the great people at Crossroad, who helped to make our first visit and subsequent ones so much fun.

Crossroad Orchard - Home

Living With Epilepsy

The September 2008 issue of Parents Magazine has a great article about a Massachusetts family and how they dealt with their son’s epilepsy.  (Unfortunately it was not posted on their web site, and did not turn up in numerous web searches.  Should you find a link please let me know)

The story centers around a young boy named Michael, who suffered from 2 types of seizures that sound very similar to those that my son experiences.  The similarities between the descriptions their lives to our day to day reality was striking.  Michael’s parents spoke about how their child suffered through hundreds of seuzures a day, and how they “got used to living in crisis mode.”

I don’t want to paint this as a negative story, as it was actually quite informative and inspiring.  As parents of a child with epilepsy, we are often asked what our family life is like.  This article really sheds light into much of what life is like for us, and I imagine what life must be like for many other families who have a child suffering through epilepsy.

Their story has a happy ending, as their son Michael has now been seizure free for some time thanks to the right medications, early detection, and a lot of luck.  I am thrilled for Michael and his family.  I imagine that having Michael seizure free must be a wonderful feeling - one I hope we might experience someday.  Reading this article helped to further that hope.

One thing that we definately share with Michael’s family is this.  Our experience, like theirs, has taught us not to sweat the small stuff in life any more.

The article also features the following facts about Epilepsy: (Taken from the Parents article)

• The Brain is made up of 100 Billion nerve cells, which communicate with each other and the rest of the body.
• A seizure is triggered by abnormal electrical activity that causes a change in sensation, movement, behavior or consciousness.
• Doctors diagnose epilepsy after a child has two or more unprovoked seizures, which means that they aren’t caused by something external, such as a fever.
• Epilepsy is actually an umbrella term covering many diseases and syndromes.
• Epilepsy affects about 3 million people in the United States, and 45,000 children are diagnosed with epilepsy each year.
• There are 30 types of seizures, which can last from a few seconds to two minutes or longer.  In rare cases, they can be fatal.
• Drugs, surgery, or a special high fat / low-carb diet are effective in about 80% of cases.  Kids may be good candidates for surgery if their seuzures - unlike Michael’s - can’t be controlled with medication and are caused in a specific area of the brain.

If you would like to learn more about epilepsy or need help dealing with epilepsy, please visit the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio at www.ohioepilepsy.org

The Epilepsy Foundation is always looking for volunteers.   If you would like to join in the fight against epilepsy, please visit the volunteer page of the EFWO site.

2008 Tour d’Burg!

The 2008 Tour d’ Burg.  What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon - surrounded by family and friends, gathered in downtown Miamisburg, watching hundreds of great cyclists compete for the Ohio State Championship.  Even better we got to cheer for my brother in law Geoff, who was competing in the race - his last as a category 5 cyclist.

To our delight, Geoff finished 2nd in his race - one that saw a handful of cyclists sprint it out for the last 300 yards to the finish line.  Geoff made a late push down the final straight-away and overtook 2 others just as he crossed the line.  It was thrilling to watch.  My wife and I, and everyone else there were jumping up and down and cheering as Geoff rode past us triumphantly.  I think he had the loudest cheering section of anyone in the event. It was awesome to see him come across the finish line with such enthusiasm.  I know how much he loves cycling and how hard he has worked to get good at it.  It was a moment to remember.

This was our second Tour d’ Burg - and again it was a great day. The Miamisburg Police Department handed out free bike helmets for children, vendors handed out clickers, noise makers, and trinkets, and there was face painting, balloons, games, and food vendors galore.  The event was not overly crowded, but had enough people there to make it an exciting event.

I hope that Miamisburg will continue to put this event on, as it is quickly becoming one of my favorite summer happenings.  I also hope that Geoff will be riding in next year’s race.  Although the competition will be stronger, I know Geoff has what it takes to bring home a trophy or two for the day’s efforts.  And if he rides in a better category, that just means that our cheering section will have to step it up next year too - which of course will be fun.

Did you attend the Tour d’ Burg?  What did you think of the day?  Will you go again?

Here are some pictures of the event, courtesy of another great brother in law - Chad -  who served as the unofficial photographer for the day’s events.

Tour d’Burg 2008 | 2008 Tour d’Burg!

Congratulations Ian

My nephew Ian has been named the WCPO Channel 9 Student of the Week. This is quite an accomplishment, and just the latest cool thing, in an ongoing series of cool things, that Ian has accomplished. If anyone is deserving of this honor, it is Ian. He is an amazing young man, who is highly intelligent, extremely involved, and uber cool. Beyond that, he is the only thing keeping my itunes library even close to relevant, and he frequently tells me things about the world that amaze me. I can remember the day he was born like it was yesterday, and I have spent the last several years watching him become this amazing person right before my eyes. I am not surprised at how bright he is, as his mother (my sister), has been educating and amazing me all of my life. They are quite similar, and I am blessed to know them both. Ian, my congratulations go out to you. I know that there will be many more accolades ahead. Keep believing you can change the world. Keep speaking out. Keep using your gifts to make a difference. You inspire others to do the same. Others like me.

Student of the Week - Cincinnati breaking news, weather radar, traffic from 9News | Channel 9 WCPO.com