Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: The End Game

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: The End Game:   “We look before and after, And pine for what is not; Our sincerest laughter With some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are thos...

The End Game

 

“We look before and after, And pine for what is not; Our sincerest laughter With some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.” Percy Shelly, poet

 

The smile:

My grandmother was an interesting ol’ lady, full of vinegar and self-resolve.  One afternoon she drove to the convenience store on the corner from her home to get a pack of the filterless Camel cigarettes she smoked while she sipped straight bourbon during WWE wrastlin’ . With the intention that it would only take her a moment to get what she needed, she left the car running and hobbled into the store.

She bought what she had come to get and was working to get the carton into her suitcase sized purse when she glanced up to see four large, rough looking men straight from the hood sitting in her car. Rap music shook the car so hard from the music they were listening she could see the headlights vibrate to the beat. She gritted her teeth and fished around in her purse until she found the nickel plated .38 revolver in the bottom. She narrowed her eyes and took the few steps she needed to get to the driver’s side door. She rapped on the window with the barrel of his pistol. The 300 plus pound man who sat on the other side gasped in surprise, slowly turned down the radio and rolled down the window. She simply said, “You know what you need to do.”

All four men quietly got out of the car without saying a word and moved to the sidewalk. She climbed into the driver’s seat and adjusted it all the way forward so she could reach the petals. The men stood and watched as she pulled away in the car and headed home.  For spite she turned the rap music back up to show them they couldn’t rattle her.  

She pulled into the driveway at home to be greeted by my grandfather as he sat on the front porch and watched people pass in the neighborhood. He frowned and asked, “Honey, where did you get the new car?”

 

The ponder:

So I am playing this game 2048 this morning. My actual current game board is pictured below for anyone that is a fan. I have been playing this specific game for a few minutes every day for about six weeks. I’m not sure why…why I am playing this game. I already know the outcome. There will evidently be a point where I have no more moves and the game will end. Yes, I have determined how to get extremely high points in the game though there is no real winning. In the end the game will not be defeated.

Last night a friend sent me the attached video of Tyler Perry’s Medea talking about relationships. Here’s the link: https://vimeo.com/1814525 . The humor is spot on as is the advice. While “don’t mix up seasonal people with life time expectations” sounds simple to follow, it can often be like the 2048 game. Both are fun in the beginning. Both have rewards that bring you some certain amount of satisfaction for a moment. Both make you want to keep trying to accumulate the points and go farther. Both will end in the same way.

The question for today’s ponder…if you are involved in a 2048 scenario in your life, what point will you quit playing?

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Czech Is In The Mail

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Czech Is In The Mail:   “But, you can't marry this man you've known only four days. You've known head waiters longer.” James Cagney in “The Bri...

Czech Is In The Mail

 

“But, you can't marry this man you've known only four days. You've known head waiters longer.” James Cagney in “The Bride Came C.O.D.
 (1941)

The smile:

I tried to count my cousins one time. Being from an old Southern family this is a much bigger task than someone not from the South may imagine. There were more “begots” than a chapter in the Old Testament and I learned I can’t really date anyone in Chester County for fear of making our family tree grow straight up.

I have one cousin that I was particularly close when we were kids. We still stay in touch though I find less time to make it to the little house he lives on the long dirt road that leads to nowhere. I recently went to visit and as we caught up he showed me the JC Penny’s catalog he had been browsing. He flipped past a few pages of the models and exclaimed, “Look how beautiful these women are!” I shook my head in agreement as he continued, “I think I may order one.”

Puzzled I inquired, “One f those women?”

He vigorously nodded and told me, “It says mail order right on the back of the book. I’m going to get me one of these pretty mail order brides.”

I snickered and let the subject pass.

A few days later I was back home and my cousin’s mail order bride came to mind. Laughing to myself, I gave him a call and asked, “Did you get that girl in the mail yet?”

He excited responded, “Not yet, but she has to be coming soon. All of her clothes got here today.”

The ponder:

According to www.divorcestatitics.info “The marriage breakup rate in America for first marriage is 41% to 50%; the rate after second marriage is from 60% to 67% and the rate in America for 3rd marriage are from 73% to 74%.”…..That really makes me sad...

Dr. Robert J. Scholes in a report to Congress stated “marriages arranged through these services would appear to have a lower divorce rate than the nation as a whole, fully 80 percent of these marriages having lasted over the years” which translates into a 20% divorce rate…

It makes me wonder two things:

1)Is it easier to make things work as a couple if you don’t share a lot of the same background, culture, et?

2) What makes that 50% to 59% of couples that don’t divorce work?

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Helping Hand

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Helping Hand: “We create our fate every day . . . most of the ills we suffer from are directly traceable to our own behavior.” Henry Miller, writer ...

Helping Hand

“We create our fate every day . . . most of the ills we suffer from are directly traceable to our own behavior.” Henry Miller, writer

 

The smile:

Jackson was a much smaller place when I was a child. There were certain businesses we relied. My parents always got my new winter coat every year at McCoy’s Department Store. My grandfather always took me to the barber in the Pythian Building. My favorite milkshake was at the lunch counter at Walgreen’s.  If I was sick, Baker’s Drug Store is where we had my prescription filled. Mr. Baker was always friendly and quick to respond.

I was twelve years old on one particular day I walked into Baker’s Drug Store. Mr. Baker was standing at the back of the store in the pharmacy area and was occupied with filling orders. I went straight back to him and stood at the counter.  He looked over his reading glasses after a moment and asked what I needed. I asked him, “What do you have that will get rid of the hiccups?”

Mr. Baker put down the bottle he had in his hand. He walked around the counter and stood beside me. I looked up at his towering figure just as he slapped me hard on the back between the shoulder blades. I took a step forward and caught my breath. He asked, “Do you have the hiccups now?”

“No,” I answered still short of breath, “but I think my mom out in the car still does.”

 

The ponder:

I still find myself following familiar patterns. I generally go to the same grocery store, use the same mechanic, hangout at the same watering holes. It is common for most people. What are similar patterns in your life? If you changed your pattern, would it be a positive or negative effect on your life?

 

The Fudoshin Challenge:

Today is weight training, specifically leg day. Let’s see how well I can kick, walk….stand…after 100 or so squats. LoL

 

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Lunch Money

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Lunch Money: “ I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine. ” Bruce Lee, martial a...

Lunch Money

“I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine.” Bruce Lee, martial artist

 

The smile:

 

Being a single dad and/ or co-parenting is tough. I am fortunate my ex and I work well together when it comes to our kids. This is no reflection on her when I say you must always look for those teaching moments with your kids. No one will ever care for them in the same way a parent does and the best way to instill good judgment and values is to share them with your offspring.

Case in point…there will always be people in need in the world. I  have taught my sons and daughter to assist where you  can. You can imagine my pleased surprise when Ben came home from first grade one day and we had this conversation:

Me “How was school today?”

Ben “OK, I guess.”

Me “What did you study?”

Ben “I don’t know”

Me “What did you eat for lunch?”

Ben “I didn’t eat lunch.”

Me” What? Why not?”

Ben “I gave my lunch money to an old woman?”

I beamed with pride at the thought he had helped someone less fortunate.

The next day after school the conversation went much the same way. When he got to the point which he told me he gave his lunch money to an old woman again, I grew concerned. I lectured him, “Son, I am glad you are so giving, but you can’t continue to skip lunch. It isn’t healthy. Who is this woman?”

Ben looked innocently at me and answered, “The one selling candy in the lunch room.”

The ponder:

Ben does have a big heart and does help others when he can. I am very proud of him. In the previous story I leapt to the conclusion he was making a selfless gesture based on what I expected from him. Think about this…how often do we conclude the motivation of people around us, especially people for whom we care, before we have all the facts? How often do we have negative thoughts in this area with no foundation?

 

The Fudoshin Challenge:

I continue to get in better shape. I practiced kenpo for three hours the night before last and will weight train (arms & abs!) today with sensei. Today I weigh 219 pounds, down from 250 pounds in January 2014 . Lean and…not so mean…lol

 

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: It's a dog's life

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: It's a dog's life: “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” Josh Billings, humorist (I hope it isn’t true…) The smi...

It's a dog's life

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” Josh Billings, humorist (I hope it isn’t true…)

The smile:

Shiloh and I have a puppy that is 10 months old. Our puppy weighs around 60 pounds and is still growing. It has been a long time since I have owned a dog because of my travel schedule. I have enjoyed watching her run through the backyard, dig holes and (for the last two days) try to catch snowflakes in her mouth as they fall from the sky.

It isn’t often she gets out of the confines of the house and backyard. When she does she is a runner. After one recent sprint for freedom I had her recaptured and she was in her favorite place looking over the fence. There was a knock on my front door.  A little elderly Filipino stood on my porch, wearing worn jeans, a work shirt and holding a baseball cap I assume he just removed from his head. I ask what I can do for him. He kept his head tilled down and gazes up at me when he asked, “Sir, is that your dog looking over the fence?”

“Yes,” I reply, “why do you ask?”

“Sir,” the man told me while shuffling his feet, “I see that dog chasing a man yesterday riding a bike. I think the bike wrecked and damaged.”

I listened and gauged the situation for a moment before I told him, “That is impossible.”

The man literally took a step back as if I had struck him and excitedly exclaimed, “No, no, how could you say that?”

I smiled and answered, “It couldn’t be true. My dog doesn’t know how to ride a bike.”

The ponder:

There are many studies that dogs (pets) help you live a better, longer life (http://pets.webmd.com/ss/slideshow-pets-improve-your-health) through reduced stress, depression and less loneliness.  This leads me wonder what other things we do…or can do that…that will enrich and lengthen our lives. Seriously…no one what’s a boring, fiber filled life…what are the options?

 

The Fudoshin Challenge:

SNOW , ICE, IT WAS FREAKIN’ COLD OUTSIDE…no class at the dojo…I did 100 Olympic style situps and 100 pushups….

I’m 221 pounds today. It looks like I may be going back on air soon to film my cooking show, so I need to shed 11 pounds….I am thinking eggs…could you eat 54 eggs in two weeks to see what effect it has on your body? Follow me…I’ll post the progress here starting Monday…

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Some days....I just don't really care...

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Some days....I just don't really care...: “ I have a very strong feeling that the opposite of love is not hate - it's apathy. It's not giving a damn. ”     The smil...

Some days....I just don't really care...

“I have a very strong feeling that the opposite of love is not hate - it's apathy. It's not giving a damn.”  

 

The smile:

My brother…yes, Chris is getting tired of being the protagonist of my stories…told me he had a great story about apathy. I wasn’t really listening.

 

The ponder:

I have spent a large part of my adult life trying to make this world a better place. Have I accomplished that end? Right now, I don’t really care.

 

The Fudonshin Challenge:

LEG DAY!!!!!! I can only say a good leg day is when you have to noodle step to the door at the end. It was a good weight training day. 

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Understanding Golf

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Understanding Golf: “Golf is a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment and bad arithmetic.”   Jonathan Montoya, musican   The smile:   I’m n...

Understanding Golf

“Golf is a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment and bad arithmetic.”  Jonathan Montoya, musican

 

The smile:

 

I’m not much of a golfer. Well let’s rephrase that. Wii “Tiger Woods” I can play all day. Chasing a little white ball for hours on end…it is someone else’s game. My brother is on the other end of the spectrum. He enjoys a good game whenever he can. I can appreciate his love of the game. Ever so occasionally he will coerce me onto the course, normally if he will agree to stay out of my kitchen.

One afternoon I wasn’t having the best of days. He convinced me to go to the driving range to shed some frustration. We each had a basket of scratch and dent balls, which I quickly settled into murdering with my club. The joke is I can hit it far…to the left or to the right. (Note to other non-golfers: it seems those guys always want to hit the ball straight. How dull is that?!?)

We took a break after a number of drives. We found a couple of metal chairs to sit and relax, when he produced this golf ball he had been carrying in his pocket. He held it up to the sunlight like it was the Hope diamond. He turned and admired it. I didn’t see anything unusual about it.  He explained, “This is the ball you need.  You can’t lose it. See these little shiny dimples? If you hit this ball in high grass or some other rough, it will shine so you can see it.”

I shook my head in thoughtful agreement as he continued, “You can hit this ball into a water trap and it will float.”

“That is pretty cool,” I agreed. “Where did you get it?”

He studied the ball in admiration a few more seconds and answered, “I found it.”

 

The ponder:

 Do you have a brother, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, husband, wife, friend-girl, guy friend, in-law, outlaw? HUG ‘EM! They are going to say something that makes you wonder where their brain is and it doesn’t make you less of a man or independent person or whatever you think is important. If it doesn’t make you think, do it again….

 

The Fudoshin Challenge:

Dude, it is cold outside. Ice is everywhere.  Karate class was cancelled and there was no weight training. I took the day off.

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: This ol' mule

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: This ol' mule: “If you are going through hell, keep going” Winston Chuchill   The smile: I had the great fortune to grow up with 800 acres of ...

This ol' mule

“If you are going through hell, keep going” Winston Chuchill

 

The smile:

I had the great fortune to grow up with 800 acres of good camping and hunting land behind our home. Stan and Jeff, two of my good high school friends, and I decided to try a different  a different venue and go to my Great Uncle J.T.’s farm. Rolling acres only accented by trees, hay bales and deer.

Chester County is a very rural area and my uncle’s home is no different. We made a few twists and turns down a gravel road or two to get to his home. I was driving as I knew where we were headed. When we pulled into his drive, I jumped from my truck before the dust had settled. I told my friends to stay in the truck while I checked-in. We would be gone in a few minutes.

I walked into the house through the back door. My aunt met me with a huge hug and scratch biscuits with summer sausage for us hunters. My uncle sat at the table enjoying his morning coffee. After the “good mornings” he told me “I need you to do something on your way out. I have this mule behind the hog pin that is in bad health. I’ll take the backhoe out later today to bury it, but I’d like you to put it down. Just take care of it on your way to the woods.” I answered with a brisk “Yes,, sir.” I hugged my beautiful aunt, grabbed my biscuits and hit the door.

I got back into the truck with a plan to play a prank on my buddies. I dropped the breakfast my aunt had made on the console and tried to say as exasperated as possible “ I can’t believe it. He said we can’t hunt his land today. This sucks.” Both of my friends expressed their disbelief.  I continued “I’m not putting up with this…” I threw the truck in drive and spun out in the gravel. When we got a few yards down the road and had passed the hog pin, I put the truck in park. I reached into the gun rack and drew my rifle. I aimed and dropped the mule where it stood. CRACK came the resounding noise behind me. I turned to see Stan lowering his own weapon. He smiled and said “Heck yea! I got the cow!”

 

 

The ponder:

I have the most amazing, real life Southern family. Siblings, nieces, nephews, more cousins than I can count. We have been in West Tennessee and Northern Mississippi for almost two centuries. That is mind I completely realize that the 30,000 views I have had in the past month are family checking up on me and someone will tell Aunt Jenette I’ve been tellin ’stories.  She will love me anyway. So think about this...is talking to your family outside the immediate parents / siblings important? How often should you stay in touch with that part of the family?

 

The Fudoshin Challenge:

1 hour escrima training and 90 minutes of kendo followed by 100 push ups

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Miss Understood

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Miss Understood: “ If I turn out to be particularly clear, you've probably misunderstood what I've said. ” Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve chairm...

Miss Understood

“If I turn out to be particularly clear, you've probably misunderstood what I've said.” Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve chairman

 

The smile:

 

I worked for a large corporation in Memphis that managed food service concerns in Memphis. One of these locations was on a man-made lagoon on the Mississippi River. I was called to the restaurant a particular day to cover for the manager that was absent. I stood behind the cash register and reviewed stock inventories when one of the female staff approached me nearly in tears. She blurted’ “There is a customer sitting outside that refuses to order and keeps hitting on me.”

 

I will admit even pouting she was very cute in her uniform of tennis shoes, short shorts and t-shirt tied in a knot above her belly button. I asked her to give me more detail so I would know how to handle the situation. She explained, “I asked for his order and he asked me for a quickie…TWICE.”

 

“Ok’” I told her, “Let’s go talk to him.” I headed toward the table with her on my heels.

 

The guy was just another tourist and very non-descript. I introduced myself as the manager and asked “Sir, would you like something to eat?”

 

He looked at me with frustration and anger in his eyes. His voice was coarse as he punched the menu with this index finger and replied.” I would like a quickie!”

 

My eyes fixed on the point he was stabbing. I glanced over my shoulder at the serve and directed her, “Please bring him the quiche.”

 

The ponder:

 

Everything is clear and concise in my head. It isn’t until I try to convey my wants, needs and desires to another that anything goes awry. Many times…for me…it seems that it is even more difficult when I am emotionally connected to the person. How do we put aside our own agenda and motivations to actually talk and hear other people?

 

 

The Fudonshin Challenge:

 

I did one hundred push-ups today.

 

Sensei and I weight trained biceps, triceps and abs. JEEZ, I hate the three minute plank.  

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: There is nothing to fear but fear itself....and zo...

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: There is nothing to fear but fear itself....and zo...: “He who is not every day conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet   The smile: I mov...

There is nothing to fear but fear itself....and zombies...

“He who is not every day conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet

 

The smile:

I moved to Memphis after I left the Army. I began taking classes at University of Memphis and shared an apartment with three friends from high school. All of us were trying to get through school and we were flat broke. We lived in one of the highest crime areas of the city and violent crimes happened every day around us. I took a little solace that a hospital was directly across the street from our building.

We each put in money for groceries one day. I was chosen to go get the food. I shopped conservatively and tried to get food that would be cheap, easy to fix and keep for a while. I tossed the grocery bags in the back seat of my roommate’s car that I had borrowed and headed home.  I immediately discovered his air conditioner was on the fritz again and only blew hot air. I tried to roll down the window and the handle came off in my hand. “Jeez, “I thought, “I only have a couple miles to go. I can make it.”

It took seconds to begin sweating in the Memphis summer heat. It ran down the back of my neck and my shirt stuck to my chest. I would be drenched before I got back to the apartment. I made it to the street between the hospital and building when I heard a loud POP. I swerved, ducked and glanced around for the source of the sound. That was the moment I felt the sticky ooze that came from the back of my head. I’d been shot. I knew it. I couldn’t believe I had been dumb enough to live in this area. I had gone through all of my military training for what? Just to be another statistic on the streets of this hood?

I quickly made a choice and pulled into the emergency drive on the hospital. I shoveled the car into park and left the motor running as I got out and stumbled through the sliding glass doors. Two neatly dressed nurses sat at the emergency room desk and looked shocked as I made my way to them. I knew I didn’t have long before I would lose consciousness. I felt weak and disoriented. My mouth was dry as I opened it and told them “I’ve been shot. Help me”

They jumped to their feet and came around the desk. The first to my side inspected the back of my head and gave me the bad news, “Sir, it appears you have been assaulted by a can of biscuits.”

 

The ponder:

I fear more as I get older, which seems odd to me. Simple things as love, respect, health and friendship have always been important. Now they each signify a pillar to what makes me a complete person and loss of even a little of one makes me reflect. What do you fear losing?

The Fudonshin Challenge:

I did my 100 push-ups this morning. Sensei and I weight trained yesterday on chest. Today is biceps, triceps and abs followed by 3 hours of kenpo karate. Come join us if you are local to West TN at the Fudoshinka Dojo.

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Anyone for seconds?

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Anyone for seconds?: “If we all could see the world through eyes of a child, we would see the magic in everything. ”   The smile: My brother has alw...

Anyone for seconds?

“If we all could see the world through eyes of a child, we would see the magic in everything.”

 

The smile:

My brother has always tried to be the best uncle. Even when his nephews and nieces were young, he spent time with each of them.

Shiloh was three and very proud of the china tea set she got for Christmas. She would set the cups and saucers on the table in her room and happily serve people wherever that sat in the house. My brother and I sat on the sofa watching football, when she carefully handed me a serving. I pretended to drink and sat it on the table. Shiloh beamed with personal satisfaction. She quickly toddled back into her room and brought my brother his tea.

Chris took the small cup, gazed at the contents for a second and tilted it back to drain every drop. Shiloh clapped with glee. Chris looked over to me trying not to laugh. “What’s up?” he asked to explain my reaction. I regained my composure and answered, “The only place she can reach to fill her cups with water is the toilet.”

 

The ponder:

I am as guilty as anyone of wanting more toys or vacations or something else to occupy my attention. I recently went to the park with a friend of mine and her kids, which are seven and five. I watched them jump, climb and run just as I did when I was their ages. It reminded me the simple pleasures are still there.

 

The physical challenge:

Sensei has begun to weight train with me three days a week for strength and flexibility. Yesterday was leg day. I’m sore. Haha

I did my regular 100 sit-ups and 100 push-ups today.

Tomorrow is my favorite weight training day, CHEST!

Airbourne!

Sp

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Truth is in the eyes of the beholder

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Truth is in the eyes of the beholder: “All people know the same truth. Our lives consist of how we choose to distort it” Woody Allen, actor, director, comedian   The sm...

Truth is in the eyes of the beholder

“All people know the same truth. Our lives consist of how we choose to distort it” Woody Allen, actor, director, comedian

 

The smile:

My first job when I left the Army was waiting tables in a river side restaurant in Memphis. It was also my first experience at working in a white table cloth establishment. It was intimidating in the beginning. It didn’t remain that way.

One busy summer afternoon nearly every table was occupied. I did my best to give superior service and attention to each customer. There was a table in my section which two women in their late fifties sat. They were enjoying conversation, people watching and a glass of wine or two. They were in no hurry. I didn’t mind. I’m a people person and if you sat at my table long enough, I was going to entertain you. The women were deep into their discussion when I sat a bowl of soup in front of each. Barely a nod my direction indicated the depth of their attention on the subject which they were engaged. I left to get them another bottle.

I returned to the table to realize both women were sitting quietly. I smiled and presented the libation. The woman to my left stopped me by pointing to her bowl and saying, “I believe I am losing my soup.” I sat the wine bottle on the table and leaned down to examine what was happening. There did appear to be a growing ring of wetness under her bowl, so I asked “Didn’t you order the vegetable stew?”

“Yes, “she answered unsure where I was going with the question.

“Well, “I said as I stood erect, “I’m guessing it has leeks in it.”

 

The ponder:

Change is not always what we want though we must accept it is inevitable. Life is not about the best person always winning. Winning is such the wrong term anyway. It is about remaining positive in the face of negativity, persevering and not accepting defeat. That is my truth.  

 

The Fudoshin Challenge:

I am waiting new direction from my sensai. New goals will be here soon and I will share them.

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: STOP...this is a black thing

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: STOP...this is a black thing: " One of the worst things about racism is what it does to young people. " Alvin Ailey, activist     The smile: Yes, ...

STOP...this is a black thing

"One of the worst things about racism is what it does to young people."
Alvin Ailey, activist

 

 

The smile:

Yes, this is going to be racist. If you can’t take it STOP NOW. NO, I MEAN DON’T READ ANY MORE. STOP, STOP, STOP….

Ok…one of my duty stations in the Army was in Alaska. I had the fortune…good orbad…I laughed either way…to walk into my room at the barracks to find my two black roommates drinking. For over an hour they told WHITE jokes. Thank you, guys. I is a cracker.  Here are some of what they taught me:

1)      What does a white woman make for dinner?

Reservations

2)      What do you call a white man in court?

Lawyer

3)      What do you call four planes of all white paratroopers?

Snow

4)      What do you call a bench full of white guys?

NBA players

5)      What do you call a white boy with a satisfied wife?

Pool boy

 

 

The ponder:

 

Racism divides people. Sure we should be color blind, but we aren’t. How do we overcome our bias everyday…race, creed, religion or other non-important factor?

 

Fudonshin Challenge:

 

I did my 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups today. Based the guidance from my sensei, Sherwin Moore, my challenges are changing. Give me a couple of days to learn how we measure them. Thanks, Sp

 

 

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Your Story

Out of the pan and into the fire...one cook's story: Your Story: “I have to live if I want to be remembered.” Suzanne Young, author of “A Need So Beautiful”   The smile: A friend of mine was g...

Your Story

“I have to live if I want to be remembered.” Suzanne Young, author of “A Need So Beautiful”

 

The smile:

A friend of mine was got into the pizza franchise business when it was hot. He did well with his first restaurant and decided to open a second. A few days after the grand opening, he had a heart attack and passed away.

I drove to Atlanta for the funeral and after paying my last respects I casually looked at the flower arrangements people had sent. Evidently news didn’t travel as fast to some of his friends as it did to others. One bouquet had a very neatly printed card attached that read “Congratulations on the new location”.

 

The ponder:

I often say it is easy to be immortal. We live on through the stories our friends and family tell. What story are you leaving?

 

 

The Fudonshin Challenge:

Exercise	Reps/ Goal
Straight Punches	1610/2000
Knuckle Push-ups	960/2000
Olymipic sit-ups	960/2000
Squat kicks	685/2000
Front kicks	545/2000
Side kicks	470/2000
Back kicks	470/2000
Upper blocks	1145/2000
Downward blocks	1145/2000
Inward blocks	1145/2000
Outward blocks	1145/2000