Women (And What I Know About Them)
So, some men think they have women figured out. Well, I’m not one of them. After 21 years, I’m still as lost as a baby trying to figure out new surroundings. I think I’ll have a girl figured out then BAM, I’m lost again.
But, I’ve always been taught by the people I grew up around I’ll never be able to figure women out and its so true. The only things I know, is they are always right, and as a guy I’m always wrong. I can never do things well, I can only not do them as bad. I don’t need to be involved in desicions, I just need to do what I’m told.
Now, some women aren’t as bad as others, but all women do these things.
So guys that read this, don’t try to figure women out, it’s a lost cause. Nobody knows what women want. Because when they say something, they don’t always mean it.
Gene
Orientation Training
Hey everybody. Sorry I haven’t put up a blog in awhile, I’ve just been busy getting ready for Orientation and Orientation Leader Training.
We just started our second day of training and man, do we have a great group. We have students from all different cultures and you have had all types of experiences. I know Orientation is going to be great!
I’m sure every freshman who comes in will love it! And I know next years will be even better! But we are still going to try and make this one the best. And I know it will be, since well, I’m working on it haha.
Well, I’m going to get back to training, I’ll try to have another blog up soon.
Gene
Another Disagreement
So I rarely criticize what the school does, because I am under the impression of it was a choice to come here and nothing is forcing somebody to stay here.
And this is a time where I disagree not with the action, but the timing. Lynn has instituted summer reading for incoming freshmen. This is understandable, but they just assigned it last week, which is a month before school starts.
Freshmen have enough to worry about when it comes to going away to college. Moving away from their parents, making new friends, meeting people from other cultures, being in a new school, etc. They don’t need to have a book thrust on them just a month before school starts. I feel it would have been more aproppriate to assign this at the beginning of the summer in order to give freshmen more time.
Now, I’m sure somebody from the school will read this and will disagree with me. And this is fine, I’m sure they had a reason for just now assigning it, but this was just my side.
Gene
Getting to Where You Are
This summer, I worked camps at three great universities. And it really showed me something.
Nobody can get to the top or to where they are at the current point without other people.
Yes, you go places or might be where you are by your work ethic, but nobody starts without somebody else’s help. And I certainly am no different.
I have plenty of people who have gotten me to where I am today and I will probably forget to name some and for that I apologize now.
First, my parents. I wouldn’t be alive without them. They raised me and have supported me my whole life. I can never repay them and would be nothing without them. They’ve always guided me, but never been overprotective. I will always love them for everything they’ve done.
Second, my brothers. Philip and Ben have always supported me. With Ben being autistic, I was forced to grow up faster in order to be able to handle it. But its also made me realize how rewarding it is to have a brother like him. Philip has been supportive of me, even though we are two completely different people. I know he will always have my back and I hope he knows I’ll always have his.
Third, my grandparents. They’ve always supported me. My mom’s parents have been like a second set of parents just in another city. My dad’s mom taught me golf when I was little and gavve me somebody I could really connect with and has always been supportive. Even though I never knew my dad’s dad, he’s always driven me. People have told me that I remind them of him and that made me want to uphold that, because I’ve never heard a negative thing about him, and it makes me want to live up to that.
Fourth, to the rest of my family. Aunts, uncles, cousins. They’ve all supported me and shown me how that I have the greatest family in the world. To my cousin Jay being like a big brother to me, to my cousin Nicole. Even though she can be a pain at times, I wouldn’t trade her for the world.
Fifth, to Coaches McMillin, Hayes, Heskett, and Crislip. They’ve all helped me in my growth as a future coach. Coach McMillin has helped me get into camps and helped me meet other coaches. He has done more for me than I could ever have imagined. Coach Hayes has always given me advice when I needed it, as have Coach Heskett and Coach Crislip.
Sixth, to all my friends. They’ve all been supportive of me and had my back when a problem arose. When I thought my dad had a heart attack; Anthony, John, Charlie all surrounded me and gave me a group hug to help cheer me up, then started making jokes to help get my mind off of the whole situation. It made me realize I have the greatest friends in the world. This group includes those 3, Renee, Lauren Fry, Sam, Dorothy, Jesse, Lauren Delgman, Lauren Davis,and so many more that I’m sure I’ll catch hell for not mentioning.
Seventh, all the faculty that I’ve encountered at Lynn. From Anthony and Jen, to Jason and Christina and Jena and Laura, to Professor Curtis and Stefanie Powers. Everyone of them and everyone else at Lynn has made me feel like family and shown me that everyone on campus is just as important as the next.
If it wasn’t for all these people I would be nothing. I wouldn’t be anywhere near as happy as I am now.
Gene
Actions or Words?
Lately I’ve had a lot of time to myself and well, when I have time to myself I start to think (yes I do think thank you very much haha). And one thing I’ve thought about is words compared to actions. Which speaks louder?
Well, my thoughts go with the old adage, actions speak louder than words. If I say I’m going to be the best coach to grace the sidelines since John Wooden, it means nothing unless I work for it. It’s not going to just happen and people are going to believe me unless I put in all the work that is necessary.
In my 3 years so far at Lynn, I have done a good amount of things. I have made lifelong friends, found out what I want to do in life, among other things, but most importantly, I’ve matured. Some people might disagree, but I do feel I am more mature than when I came into Lynn.
I used to feel like I was destined to graduate from college with a business degree and move back to Little Rock and learn my parents business to take over it at some point, but since I’ve gotten here, I’ve come to know that there is more to life and more that I want to do. So I switched my major to Sports Management and got involved with the basketball team. This whole college experience has helped me come to realize that what my parents told me is true, I need to do what I love not what people expect me to do. And what I love is basketball and really any sport in general.
But as the beginning of this blog says, I can say I love it all day and want to coach it, but if I don’t do the work to back it up, it won’t matter.
This can also apply to relationships. If you say you want to be with someone or that you will do anything for them, you have to actually show it. You can’t just say it and expect that to be good enough. Because at some point, this will come back to bite you.
So always remember, actions speak louder than words.
Gene
Quick Shout-Out
So I give occasional shout-outs to people who have helped me (my parents, Pete, coaches, etc), well I need to give one to some important family members. They support me in all different ways, including reading my blog.
First, to my Aunt Harriet and Uncle Lou. Thank you for allowing me to stay with you whenever I was in Memphis, for camp or anything else. Also thank you for helping me to get into the Memphis camp and providing my dad and I with tickets to last years Memphis vs. Cincinnati game. Thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me.
Second, thank you to my cousin Phyllis, her husband Todd, and their beautiful baby girl, Ella. They’ve always been there for me and just been great family. Phyllis, thank you for reading my blog and commenting on it. It means alot to me that you would take the time to do that. You’re a great cousin and I love you dearly.
Last, thank you to everybody that’s left a comment on any of my posts and anybody else who takes the time to read them. From Christina and Jason in the Marketing Office to Professor Curtis (yes, the great Ted Curtis) to one of my best friends Lauren Fry (love you Mama Lauren) and everybody else I didn’t name.
Gene
My Disagreement
So last night I was reading the latest Sports Illustrated (shocking to know I read I know haha) and I read an article that gave me mixed feelings.
It was titled “You Gotta Love Tim Timbow” by Austin Murphy. It was an article that talked about all the good Tebow does off the field and how he uses his on-field accomplishments to do more off the field. I do have to say, Tebow is a great person and athlete. There was a quote that I didn’t agree with: “.. I am one hundred percent certain I’m going to go to heaven because I have Jesus Christ in my life.”
I am not saying he shouldn’t push his religion. It’s his right as an American to use free speech and its Mr. Murphy’s right of Freedom of Press to right this article. What I don’t agree with is Sports Illustrated decision to run this article. I have to say, I was offended by this article. And I’m not somebody who gets offended very easily. I know being Jewish I’m not in the majority when it comes to religion, but I don’t feel its right to say because one is a certain religion that person is going to heaven or hell.
Sandy Koufax is one of the most well known Jewish athletes, but you don’t see him going around saying because he’s Jewish he’s going to heaven. He is accepting of everyone else’s religion, as is Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox, Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, or former NBA Coach Red Auerbach (all Jewish). And where is Sports Illustrated’s article on them being Jewish and how proud fellow Jews are of them. ESPN did an article on the NBA’s Jordan Farmar of the Los Angeles Lakers and highlighted on being (at the time) the only Jewish player in the NBA.
I am open to all religions, accept when it gets pushed on me, and I feel that this article was pushing religion onto me.
So Tim, keep up all of your great work I hope you have a brilliant career, Mr. Murphy I hope you have a great writing career, and Sports Illustrated I hope you continue to put out a great magazine, but to Mr. Murphy and Sports Illustrated I hope you both realize what you are putting out first.
Gene
Dads
So recently, ESPN has been running a great commercial aimed at dad’s and I think its a great commercial. Here is the link from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klkOioX6DvY
But it also got me thinking about my dad. A common quote about dads is “Anybody can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” Well, if thats the case, then I guess my father is the most special man in the world. He has taught me not only how to play sports and about small things in life, but he has taught me how to be a man. He has taught me to love my mother and both of my brothers even though they can be goofy and hard on me at times. He’s taught me how to deal with different people and to do what makes me happy, not what everyone wants.
He spent time with me when I was younger. He coached my teams when I was younger, but wasn’t the dad who was adement that I was the best athlete. He never treated me like I was either. He treated me like just another player. But when we walked off the field or court, he put his arm around me and told me I did a good job. He offered criticism when necessary but never yelled at me when it came to sports. He would show me what I did wrong and how to improve.
But one thing my dad did recently shows what kind of dad he is. It was the same day my cardiologist told me I might have a hole in my heart. I was outside shooting free throws just trying to clear my mind and relax, when all of a sudden he comes up and starts to rebound for me. I didn’t ask him to, he just did it.
The scariest moment in my life was not when my cardiologist said I might have a hole in my heart, or anything that happened to me personally, but when I got a call from my mom and she said they thought my dad had a heart attack. I immediately start crying because I didn’t want to think about life without him. I like to think of my dad as superman, he’s invincible. He’s made me the man I am today. No offense to my mom (who has done just as incridible job raising me), but my dad helped make me a man. Luckily he is fine. That way when I need advice I can still pick up the phone and call him.
I love you Dad.
Gene
A Controversial Post
So I know that this post will draw me some heat and I understand that. But before I say anything, let me say I see both sides of the argument and am understanding of both sides. Now, here is the controversial topic: Michael Vick and the NFL.
I feel that Michael Vick should be allowed back into the NFL. As soon as he completes his house arrest (which I believe is soon), he will have paid his punishment that the Justice system felt was right. Now, whether the punishment was too light, too heavy, or just right, I can’t say. We all have our personal opinions, but the judge felt that it was right, so I’m going to trust their judgement.
The NFL also set a bad precedent by allowing Leonard Little back in the league and he was convicted of DUI Manslaughter. While I don’t agree that these two acts are acceptable by any means, how can you say that its ok for Leonard to be in the league but its not ok for Michael.
Now I’m not saying to kick Leonard out of the league, but I believe we should give Michael another chance. He has paid his debt and from everything I’ve heard, he will continue to including doing community service with the Humane Society. He will do community service outreach programs to force him to actually do something and not just speak which I agree with.
I also agree with a lot of analysts who say he should only be given the league minimum or become a member of the United Football League, which is becoming sort of a developmental league for the NFL. This would let him prove that he still has the ability to play professional football.
But I also feel if he has a big screw up, he does need to be kicked out of the league for good, because NFL have the privilage of playing there, its not a right. But I do believe we shouldn’t say “Mike Vick you get one chance, but Pacman Jones gets multiple chances.”
Gene
My Take on Michael Jackson
So I have to give my opinion on this. It’s too big for me not to.
I have been listening and hearing it all. It’s kind of hard not too (especially cause my mom is so into it). But it made me think of this:
He will not be remembered 20 years from now for the great music he put out or the tremendous amount of charity work and donations he did and made. He will be remember for what he alledgedly did wrong.
I’m not here to throw stones (I have done too much wrong for me to judge this man) but the allegations are serious, but I feel he has done more good than wrong. The man put out some of the greatest songs of today’s generation. He put out “Thriller” for goodness sakes. He has so many hit songs its insane.
He may not have been a perfect human being, but who can say they are? He touched countless people and influenced many more. When was the last time CNN broadcast somebody’s memorial service?
I feel that he set the stage for many of today’s top performers. He is a great dancer and entertainer who will be greatly missed, but will live on thru his music and kids.
RIP Michael Jackson The King of Pop
Gene
