The Katana: Randy Pausch and Basketballs 12/21
Basketballs For Chinatown Rec Center!
Randy Pausch made a difference. He was a Computer Science Professor at Carnegie Mellon who died of liver cancer at 48. Before he died, Randy left a heartfelt video full of inspiration for us all to appreciate. More importantly, however, was his message to his wife and three kids.
The most memorable quote from the video is when people ask Randy what’s his secret to obtaining tenure so early. Randy responds, “Call my office at 10 o’clock on a Friday night and I’ll tell you.”
Why more young folks don’t come in first and leave last I don’t understand. If you’re not showing your work ethic and inquisitive spirit from the get-go, you aren’t going places. Unless you know everything, work longer than everybody else, work harder than everybody else, succeed like nobody else!
Thanks to reader suggestions, we’re spending the $500 on more kids, rather than less, and in piece-meal amounts. Our local recreation director mentioned they just got a $1,000 grant and suggested we look at a higher traffic center such as the one in Chinatown, so we did. $200 down, $300 to go!
FAVORITE RANDY QUOTES & POSTS OF THE WEEK
“When you are doing something badly and no one’s bothering to tell you anymore, that’s a very bad place to be. Your critics are the ones still telling you they love you and care.”
“Don’t complain, Just work harder. (Pointing at his screen) That’s a picture of Jackie Robinson. It was in his contract not to complain, even when the fans spit on him. You can spend it complaining or playing the game hard.
“It is not about achieving your dreams but living your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, the dreams will come to you.”
“Better to fail spectacularly than do something mediocre.”
“You just have to decide if you’re a Tigger or an Eeyore.”
“Be prepared. Luck is truly where preparation meets opportunity.”
FAVORITE POSTS OF THE WEEK
* “Seven Zen Principles to Guide Your Money And Your Life” by Flexo is a fantastic post about a garden, and its teachings right here in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. This would be the perfect guest post given the theme!
* “Interview With Gary Vaynerchuk” from Baker was really neat. Gary talks about his mindset that he can die tomorrow, so why not give it everything.
* “Changing Careers In A Recession” by Kevin highlights some good thought processes behind a career change now. Good thing we’re coming out of the recession though, and the job market will tighten up in 2010.
* “5 Reasons Why Your Press Release Suck” by Patrick discusses the annoying bombardment of spammers trying to get publishers to pimp their stuff and how they should approach us better. It’s a great post for anybody trying to sell anything frankly. We’re all sales people.
* “I Don’t Get Personal Finance Blogging” rants Evan. He’s perplexed as to why some sites and topics go ignored, and why some mundane topics such as “How He Wraps Presents” gets all the comments. Some very good commentary.
* “How To Slice And Dice Your Way To Success” from Gordie talks about taking small steps to achieve success. Hilarious picture, and another perfect guest post title for this site! I really enjoy your topics Gordie. Keep it up!
* “Usury & Interest Rate Guide for Credit Cards” from Joel is an excellent post on knowing your rights as a credit card consumer. Unbelievably, credit card companies are exempt from usury state laws! That’s why you may have read about a 79.9% APR by one credit card company.
* “Universal Life Insurance Holes” by Evolution of Wealth gives a fantastic analogy of a much maligned type of life insurance policy. If you’re overflowing with cash flow, perhaps look at universal life (type of whole life), if not, term life may be your better bet. Evo sells insurance, so his website is a great resource!
* “Debt Snow Ball To Pay 401K Loan or High Interest Loan” from Jeff does a thorough analysis of his dilemma. The thing is, paying off your 401K loan is just paying yourself back i.e. no real change. So, as Jeff rightly concludes, pay your higher interest loans first.
* “Sustainable Lifestyle: The First 5 Steps To Change” by Tracy writes, “A sustainable lifestyle means the infrastructure of your life works in a way that can continue indefinitely, without running out of resources or impacting your community in a negative way.” Interesting concept!
* “Are College Football Coaches Worth It?” by Kosmo questions the best paid state employees around the nation. I have a fun debate with him in the commentary section, as I’m a football nut. Alabama is going to crush Texas by the way! You guys did me proud against Florida, and one PF blogger is supposed to tell the world how he lost the bet!
* “Bankruptcy – A Solution, A Cop-out, Or An Enabler” from Brad discusses every financially troubled person’s option. Great topic, and something we plan to discuss this week as well.
EXCELLENT SITES THAT HAVE HIGHLIGHTED FINANCIAL SAMURAI:
* The Amateur Financier - Don’t Trust Petitions.
* Wealth Pilgrim - Mr. Mom Edition. Congrats Neal on Forbes picking you up!
* Monevator - Battle of The Sexes. Non-married love birds beware before reading!
* My Dollar Plan – Top 10 Financial Stories Of The Decade. Wrote about 2008.
* Mrs. Micah – Best PF Practices of The Year. Wrote a quick blurb about education.
Finally, Flexo is hosting the first annual “Plutus Awards” highlighting the best different types of blogs and products for 2009. Check it out!
If I missed anybody, please let me know.
Keigu,
Financial Samurai – “Slicing Through Money’s Mysteries”
Twitter @FinancialSamurai and subscribe to our RSS feed.
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about 6 months ago
what's so hard about it? all that symmetry makes it easy. i can give a kid a bunch of aluminum foil and he can make a perfectly round ball.
about 6 months ago
kick his ass.
i know this Randy Alomar bitch.
beat the hell out of him. Duster forwarded wat he said to him, and he DOES think its u. and i know my own son…he's definately not u. kick his ass. n e one that messes with my family and freinds(you) dies. X(
about 6 months ago
The Cycle would be harder
but then again they have sort of cleane dup hockey a bit from Gordies hey day
about 6 months ago
Other sources are Robert Parkers ‘Wine Advocate’ and ‘Wine Spectator’ magazine. One problem I found with highly rated named wines is they are difficult to fine and this is frustrating. There are a number of reasons why. I live less than an hour drive from Napa valley. If I get a hot lead on a California wine, I can get in my car and get it. Most people cannot do that.
My preferred method for avoiding buying bad wine is going to wineries and tasting their wines. I may pay a tasting fee but the bottle of bad wine never reaches my house. I may taste 20 to 40 different wines in a day. Wines are produce almost everywhere, and they are easy to find. I believe if you find a winery anyplace open for tasting, you should go in.
A suggestion is to fine a small wine store. In many states they have tasting bars, and that is a plus. A knowledgeable store owner reads the ratings, and tasted the wines before the wine is put on the shelf. They will match the wine with the customer. Selling the wrong wine to a customer kills their business as the business depends on the customer returning to the store. Also, they my have some of the hard to fine wines, and best buys. If you do not have success in one store, then look for another one.
about 6 months ago
Just saw that tonight! I would go with a mutt, but rhodesian ridgeback is a good guess at the mix, I would also think maybe an akita or st.bernard mix.
about 6 months ago
These programs/sales pitches almost always work better with the managers coming up with the solutions
The pitch is to SHOW them the statistics (power-point AND paper hand-outs, since they are old-school).
Then, ask them how this could be implemented in their workplace with a minimum of disruption.
THEIR solutions will be YOUR solutions, and YOUR solutions will be invested in by the managers.
Remember, though, you are not asking for problems or disadvantages to the plan, but HOW to increase productivity in their department.