Friday, August 31, 2012

Six Word Saturday

 

$60M for High School Football?

According to ESPN.com a high school in Allen, Texas recently dropped $60 million dollars on a for a new football stadium.  A plebiscite was held and 64% of the community voted in favor of of bond package to pay for the stadium.  A bond package is a loan that the city takes out to pay for a facility.  While I am not privy to the specifics of the deal, here is my speculation based on typical deals of this sort work out...

Assuming 3% interest paid over a 30 year amortization

Monthly Principal & Interest = $252,962.40
Total cost over the length of the loan = $91,066,471.30
Total Interest Paid = $31,066,471.30

Given the current teacher salaries for the district one could fund approximately 94 additional teachers for the price of the mortgage alone. One could purchase approximately 60,000 text books. They could also give 200 students a year a $15,000 scholarship.

The stadium will hold 20,000 fans with a ticket price of $8 for adults and $4 for students.  For the fun of it, let's assume a 50-50 split.  That would equal revenue of $120,000 per game.  The team plays about games about eight (8) a year leading to ticket revenue of just under $1,000,000.  That will pay for about four months of the mortgage let alone the operation costs, the maintenance costs and the costs of fielding a football team to begin with.  Sure there will be profits from parking, advertising and concessions as well as other events will be held at the stadium but can not make up the rest of the costs associated with the stadium.  The numbers say the probability is low.

Apparently, the community of Allen is very affluent.  If the community can afford it why are they choosing to pay over $30 million in interest over the loans life? The real cost of the stadium using this payment method is most likely over $90 million. Did the voters realize this? I hope so because the kids using the football stadiums kids will be paying for it. The residents voted to saddle their kids with debt on it.

Five Questions/ Fill In Friday

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Thanks to Hiliary at Feeling Beachie for hosting this great hop.
This week’s statements:
  1. I love to discuss but I hate to small talk
  2. Good sex makes a day better
  3. They Didn’t Think I Could get a PhD while I was in high school, But I Did
  4. Warning: Tenured Professor with Opinions!



Thanks to Mama M for hosting Five Question Friday...
1. What do you enjoy doing the most with your spouse?

Playing Parcheesi (that is what the cools kids are calling it nowadays right?)


2. How do you eat your taco? From the top or from the side?

This question reminds me of the how you eat your Smarties commercials from Canada.  I eat  Tacos from the south side.

3. Have you ever shut off the basement light and ran like a fool because you knew someone was down there and would get you?

I am too logical for that.

4. If you could change one thing about you what would it be and why?

I would lose another 25 or so pounds because I am a heart attack waiting to happen currently.

5. What age do you think is appropriate to have the "bird and the bees" talk with your children?

What, they can not learn it on the street like the other important lessons of life?  I think it really depends on the personality and maturity level of the child.  

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Friday Fragments

Mommy's Idea

Once again, thanks to the fabulous Ms. 4444's for hosting this fraggalicious good time...


  • Since I can not vote in the USA - yes, the same country where they had a group that one stated no taxation without representation but that is a rant for another day - I do not have a preference for either party.  With that said, I think the Republicans made a big mistake not letting Ron Paul speak at their conference.  While I do not necessarily agree with his proposed plan, there is a significant base of the party that does.  To silence him because he is not towing the party line is creating an environment that is exclusionary.  Moderate voters will remember this.
  • Happy to hear that my daughter and son are enjoying high school and kindergarten respectively.
    • On a related note: Erik is still not sure what to make of having mommy and daddy but no siblings at home during the day.  On second thought he does, he just terrorizes us instead of his siblings.
  • Hope Heather had a nice Girls Night Out.  
    • On a related note: Heather  is also off to a blogging conference next week.  I see she is putting my sabbatical to good use.
  • I have been debating about playing Fantasy Hockey this year.  It takes a lot of time, I don't get to see many games here in the USA and it would be another time drain I do not need.  On the other side, the guys I play with are a great group and it is a very competitive league.  Still thinking...
    • On a related note: I have really almost stopped following pro sports since we gave up TV.  I do not really miss them either.  Instead I will enjoy taking my kids to C of C games and seeing student athletes play their tails off.

Talent

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Every week Ms. Brenda Youngerman hosts a fun hop in which we all write on a common topic.  This week's theme is:
Talent
I think of talent like baking.  The primary ingredient is a natural ability.  It may be a certain level of coordination or a mind that works well in a certain domain.  My sister was a great example of this.  Her brain was just 'wired' to understand math and numbers.  She had a natural ability for logic.  This natural ability however, can only take you so far.  
The secondary ingredient and more important component is training and development.  Natural ability can be a nice start but to truly nurture and make the most of one's talent one must put time into learning how to enhance their skills.  Training in any field takes discipline and desire to push one to the point at which their skill level improves over time and space.  
The most interesting component is that if one challenges themselves to improve to slightly above their current skill level, they will most likely to become fully engaged in the challenge   This can lead to highly positive experiences and a high sense of fulfillment (if you want to learn more about this check out Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's book "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience").  If one continually challenges themselves to improve themselves on a consistent basis, they will most likely live a life in which they feel fulfilled.
As a teacher, I think of the concept of talent a lot.  How do I put my students into a space and place whereby their natural skills and abilities will be honed and trained?  How can I create an environment where a large number of people with a variation in current level of abilities can all move forward together to develop each one of their talents?    Can I create for them an environment where they come to enjoy and relish the opportunity for growth?  How can I create an environment where my students can enter a state of 'flow' and thus maximize their potential for growth?  Can I instill in my students a love of learning that will be one of the ingredients to living a happy and fulfilling life?  I guess you can say this is where I hope my talent lies.
Post Script

I am a little late with this but I am also adding this to Things I Can't Say - Pour Your Heart Out hop.  


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Thirsty for Comments Link-Up

Welcome to Thirsty for Comments  Get comfy, grab your favorite hot or cold beverage, link up a great post from this week (or even earlier) and visit some other great blogs to comment!
Grab our badge for your sidebar or post:
Acting Balanced
What is Thirsty for Comments?

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Wordless Wednesday









Please link up here:

Tuesday's Thought - Newest Article

Here is the newest article I have published...


Sedentary Behavior of the Nontravel Segment: A Research Note

Abstract

Nontravel behavior has been studied in some depth, with the intent generally to find ways to motivate the segment to travel. This research examined an aspect of nontravel behavior previously unexplored: their “at-home” behavior. The results are very informative and reflect a highly sedentary lifestyle. The nontravelerers were found to be far less active in their daily lives, both recreationally and culturally, than were those who traveled. This sedentary lifestyle, not before identified, is an important characteristic adding to the difficulty of motivating the nontravel segment to travel.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Monday Listicles


Thanks to Stasha at Northwestmommy.com for hosting Monday Listicles.  This weeks' theme is:

10 CLUES THAT YOU ARE LIVING IN 2012


10. What happens in Vegas doesn't necessarily stay in Vegas right Prince Harry?  

9. NBC can not even get the Olympics right...seriously tape delaying the opening ceremonies and then cutting the closing ceremonies off? You paid how much for the rights?  

8. Apparently retired athletes competing in a sport where everyone was dirty needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent.  You know, because they gave the sport a spotlight and made the event millions of dollars and along the way one of them even had the audacity to raise money for cancer research.  I do not suppose that the governing organizations will give money back to people since almost every racer/ player that mattered was dirty right?   A great example of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

7. A presidential election will occur where a really rich guy will face another really rich guy to see who can sell us out to the corporate leaders faster...(uh yeah, this is supposed to be how we know it will be 2012 not every other election year).  Oh yeah, one of the party's will censor a guy from their own party because he does not toe the party line.  You know because we would not want the pesky free speech thing infecting the electorate and lead to them doing something cray like thinking.  It might catch on and then where would we be?  Asking for leadership that represents the people instead of the corporations...puh shaw!

6. Hates has frozen over - I was tenured and given a promotion.  They do not know what they have unleashed.  I mean I have crazy ideas like doing what is best for the students and protecting academic freedom...

5. Apparently we need are in desperate need of a hero - here are the top five highest grossing movies in the USA to date:









And you all wonder why I am so cynical - time to get happy and more positive about the world...

4. Curiosity is abundant.  Due to our Curiosity, we will soon learn a lot more about Mars.  Here is hoping that our Curiosity leads to more exploration and desire for knowledge.

3. Scientists report that a new genetic test could diagnose the risk of breast cancer years before the disease actually develops, allowing much more effective early treatment.  A test for prostate cancer is  on the verge of discovery.  These tests could save thousands of lives.

2. The 'God Particle' was found.  The finding of the Higgs boson particle using the CERN Large Hadron Collider  is a game changer.  This will help to create a better understanding of our universe.

Too bad we just found this as, 

1.  According the the Mayans (sort of, maybe) - It is the end of the world as well know it and I will feel fine...


Music Monday


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Thanks to Dolly for hosting Monday's Music.  This weeks theme is back to school...

Got to love how at the beginning of summer and we are sick of school ...

Can turn into the fist day of school so quickly and open a world of possibilities...

My high school graduation year song...(not a bad tune in the least).


Monday Quiz About Me

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:


Acting Balanced
and feel free to add the #MQAM hashtag - I'll retweet for anyone who tweets about #MQAM And now for this weeks Questions:

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Sundays In My City

Unknown Mami

Thanks to the UnknownMami for hosting Sundays In My City.  To be honest, the pictures I took this week stink.  The lighting was not good when I had the camera around and the composition was merely okay.  Under the rules of Sundays in My City, I offer them up as the best I did get.  The first four were from the  Isle of Palm while the rest were just from the outlet mall.









Interrogated on Heather's Blog

Apparently Heather has to scrape the bottom of the barrel to interrogate interview me for her blog today.  Click on the link to see what I have to say...http://www.actingbalanced.com/2012/08/saturday-blogger-interview-with_25.html.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Six Word Saturday



Thanks to Cate for hosting Six Word Saturday.  She challenges us to describe our week in exactly six words.  My six words:

Modifying my mindset is not easy...

This week my sabbatical started.  Normally, I am gearing up for the first week of class, getting to know my students and setting up the term.  As I am on sabbatical this term, I have to modify to a totally different mindset.  As my duties for this term are purely research based, it has totally changed my whole approach to work.  

In a typical term, I am usually heavily engaged with others whether it be students, other faculty or our industry partners.  This term, I am basically working alone.  This nice part of this isolation is that it is affording me the time to work on a project I have wanted to do for over a decade.  It is re-energizing my creative and research approach.  It is challenging me to be introspective and to really focus.  Typically, I am teaching three courses, sitting on three or four committees as well as working on three or so different research projects.   A very different existence.  Changing my mindset to meet this new reality has been an interesting process to say the least. 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Four Fill In Friday

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Thanks to Hilary at http://www.feelingbeachie.com/ for hosting the Four Fill-In Fun.

1. I hate nothing because, hate is not right but whiny adults come real close to my limit.

2.I have never been to ­­­­male strip joint.  I can honestly say that it is not a place I would choose to visit either, I have no desire to see anyones Full Monty.




3. The hobby I love the most is photography and one day I will buy a camera that will be worthy of such a hobby.  Though I am proud of the pictures I do take with an iPad & a cheap Cannon Zoom something or another.  Come back on Sundays and Wednesdays for my latest photos.


4. My favorite store to shop at is Korry's Clotheirs for Gentlemen because I do like to suit up!  I just wish I could afford to shop there more often.


Friday Fragments

Mommy's Idea

Thanks to the fabulous Ms. 4444's for hosting Friday Fragments:

  • This has been the first week of my sabbatical.  It has been nice to be home a little more this week especially with my health issues going on.
    • On a related note:  My heart is officially the Microsoft Windows of body parts. It works 90% of the time but when things go amiss, it takes forever to reboot. It is annoying but manageable.
  • I have set another visitation record for the month on the blog.  Thanks to all of you for making it happen.  I appreciate the time and the responses to my posts.  It is gratifying to know that you are doing something others like.
    • On a related note:  Some people need to get a life.
  • I was on the news again - I will add the video when it comes up on the news channels website.
    • On a related note: Seeing myself on camera is a really nice weight less incentive.  
  • It is raining again.  I am starting to get sick of rain every afternoon.  Now that the kids are in school, it really takes away from after school play time.
    • On a related note: Given the level of drought across the country this year, I guess complaining about the rain seems really silly to quite a few of you.  Therefore, I rescind the above complaint.
  • It feels weird not being totally busy.  To have a few minutes of somewhat quiet every now and then is a strange.  Heather and I actually had a conversation yesterday.  
    • On a related note: What will happen if an opportunity for marital relations occurs?  I am not sure what to do since it has been so long.

Pondering with a Purpose - The Hot Edition

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Thanks to Brenda for hosting Pondering with a Purpose.  The purpose of the hop is to write on a topic that she has assigned for us so to speak.  This week's assignment is:

Hot

I like the word hot, it is such a versatile word.  It can describe temperature whether it be related to weather or food or being hot headed - though that doesn't really work for the temperature analogy does it?  While being hot headed may not refer directly to temperature, the action from being so usually lead to a hot series of events or to the individual ending up in hot water.  Though I am not sure if that refers to a bath or cannibalism.

You can use it in a way, that I have never had it used describing me without it being used in the literal sense, 'he's hot.'  Perhaps that is because I try to avoid extremes and hot is a pretty extreme word (yeah that is my excuse and I sticking with it).  I did however, once work a hotline.  Does that make me a 'hottie' as a result?  Perhaps not.
Believe it or not, the word hot was once used to describe me playing baseball.  There was one little league game where I was hit by a pitch, walked, had a bunt single and then hit a bloop single - there was even two balls hit to me that I didn't make errors on - for that game,  I was indeed on a hot streak.  
 
The word hot can mean so much yet be used in such shallow contexts (see Hilton, Paris).  You gotta love that type of versatility.  So to you, the word hot, I salute you - you're one cool word.


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Pour Your Heart Out!

 

Today, the kids start school once again and both are moving onto the next level of their school career.  Robyn is now officially a high-schooler and Liam is officially a kindergardener.  This has got me me thinking about my role as a parent. 

I look at my children with extreme pride but also with a degree of trepidation.  Are they ready for the next step?  Have we done enough to give them the tools to success at the next level?  Are we ready to give them the independence and support needed to successfully make the transition to into the next stage of their lives?  As parent, the logic is that you do your best to put your child into a mindset where they will make good choices.  You want to put them into a position where their goals and objectives are achievable.  You yearn for them to work hard to become the productive human beings you know they can be.  You hope that they can capitalize on their opportunities so that their aspirations can be realized.  Beyond logic however, you wish that they live a life of happiness.  You pray that they learn the crueler lessons of life in as painless way as possible.  You dream that they live in a world surrounded by those that love and care for them and that they love and care for in return.  

To my children on this most special day.   I love and cherish you.  I know you will work hard, show compassion and make a special mark on the world.  In your hearts I know you are good and that you will find happiness as a result.  I know that you will choose the correct path in life and achieve your full potential as a result.  Even though  I worry about you and perhaps even lament a little that you are growing up so quickly - I have faith in you.  I look forward to see where you are going in this next chapter and which path you indeed choose.

Thanks to ThingICantSay for hosting this hop.

Wordless Wednesday

I started this series on Sunday and wanted to complete it today. These pictures are from the James Island Boat Launch in Charleston, SC.






Please link up your WW!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Tuesday's Thoughts

One of the ideas I have been fighting with is whether or not I want to commercialize any part of my blog.  As my regular readers will know, I currently have no ad nor do any product reviews or contests on my blog.  I absolutely have no problems with those that do.  My wife Heather's blog, www.ActingBalanced.com, has plenty of contests and reviews (some of which I write for her) - I just do not know if it is the right thing for my little space on the web.

Here are my pros,

There are legit products that would fit with my blog.  Educational tools, technology and daddy products would all fit well.

I enjoy testing products.  It goes with my research mind I guess.  I love finding out if the products will indeed do as advertised and then writing about them.

Finally, I would like to grow my blog and increase its readership and by going more commercial my blog will appeal to more people.

Here are my cons,

I already have an outlet for testing things on Heather's blog.  She has about five times my readership and does this on a regular basis.  She also does the post design and pitching for me.  All I have to do is really test the product and write up my results for her.

Most importantly, when I started this blog is was meant to be almost like a diary.  My version of Doogie Howser's diary.  One of the things I like about it is how personal it is.  You can really get to know me by surfing these pages.  Would commercializing the blog affect the way I approach writing on it?

So what do you all think?  Would you like to see me add some product testing, contests and the like or do you want me to keep the blog on its current path?  Personally, I lean towards leaving the blog on its current path but am open to suggestion.

Music Mondays


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I know I usually do YouTube Tuesdays but this hop caught my attention.  This seems like it is right down the alley of my usual Tuesdays and though it is a day early, it does not seem to be a dollar short.  So thanks in adavance to our hosts:  XmasDolly/Conductor & my girls, CALLIE/JAmericanSpice, Stacy/Stacy Uncorked & Lorie/The Shewbridges of Central Florida, Cathy/Cathy Kennedy Co-Conductors! WELCOME ABOARD! Our Honorary Co-Conductor this month is Danielle from Royalegacy (BIG APPLAUSE)!

This week's theme is open but there seems to be a 'dance' undercurrent.  I will therefore go with my top three dance sequences in movies that a guy has actually watched (or will admit to seeing):

3. Pulp Fiction - John and Uma - you've got the moves!


2. From 9 and 1/2 Weeks - Kim's got some moves!


1. A Clockwork Orange - Singing in the Rain (it starts at about 2:10 into the clip)
A warning this is a violent scene...



Sunday, August 19, 2012

Monday Listicles


 Thanks to Stasha for hosting Monday Listicles... This week's list is:

10 THINGS ABOUT MY CAR
Really about a Kia Rondo?

10.  It is paid for...

9.   It has almost 80,000 miles and has needed very little work done to it.  It has been reliable...unlike certain parts of my body that have needed additional and expensive maintenance lately.

8.  It is not a mini-van.  When we bought it, two kids were around and I refused to go into the world of Mini-van.  Now that we have added number three, I had no choice but to buy Heather the mini-van but at least I can say it is hers and not mine.  I am too young and masculine to own a mini-van.

7. I do not have to worry about getting a speeding ticket on the highway with it.  More that 75 miles an hour  and my car gets afraid.  Really it shakes like Scooby Doo & Shaggy when they see the 'ghost.'  I wonder what the equivalent to a Scooby snack is to a Kia Rondo?

6. My wife never has to worry about me picking up chicks in it.  Hey baby, wanna come for a ride in my fine KIA?  Don't worry about the two car seats in the back...

5. It does drive surprisingly well.  It feels like driving a car and not the hated mini-van.  It also is surprisingly quick 'off the line' and in acceleration.  Makes highway driving feel a lot safer.

4. The tires love to get nailed.  Seriously, there must be little magnets in the wheels or something because nails just love to find their way into them.  It is uncanny.  Every three months or so, I need to take it in to get a puncture fixed.  Thank goodness for tire puncture warranties.

3. Dinged? Scratched? Dented? Who cares? It is a Kia Rondo.  I am driving it until it (or I) die anyways.  It makes for a nice stress free environment.

2.  Stolen car?  Please... It has actually held its Kelley Blue Book value quite well.  If someone were to steal it, I could almost pay for a half decent replacement. I am actually surprised at how well this car has held its value.  

1.  All in all, it has been very good to my family.  We were a single car family until just before summer and the only reason we needed the mini-van was that my daughter got too tall to be comfortable in the 3rd row of seats.   

Monday Quiz About Me

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me -

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered Grab the badge for your post if you like:





All of this week's questions are authored by Wayne from Touristic

1. If you found a $100 bill on the floor at the mall, what would you do?

2. What is one thing a friend could do that you would considering ending your friendship upon finding out?

3. When was the last time you had to say your 'sorry?'

4. In your words, define 'perfect.'

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!


My Answers:

1. If you found a $100 bill on the floor at the mall, what would you do?

Ask around to see if anyone has lost it, and if I didn't find the person who lost it I would donate it to charity.

2. What is one thing a friend could do that you would considering ending your friendship upon finding out?

There's very little... but lying to me is probably the worst thing.

3. When was the last time you had to say your 'sorry?'

The biggest apology I've had to make is to Heather last week when she said I worked too hard at the PGA and put my health at risk... she was right.

4. In your words, define 'perfect.'

The sun rising over the horizon.

My 5th Question is:

What is the first question you'd ask someone on a blind date?

Now, please link up and tell your friends to join us!

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Sundays in My City

Unknown Mami

Thanks to the Unknown Mami for Hosting Sundays in the City!  

These pictures are from an early morning visit to the James Island boat launch in Charleston SC.