Entries from February 2007 ↓

Poor Abe. He looks like I feel.

This is a man who saw the Civil War up close and personal. What a toll that must have taken!

I’m intrigued with this photograph. Lincoln had a tough life. It shows. Here’s the black and white version of the same photo. An artist added the color.

These were taken in 1865. Below is a photo taken just two years earlier, 1863.

As you can tell, Abe never could keep that tie straight. But notice how 2 years of Civil War has aged him. Lincoln was murdered in 1865. He was 56. He had just been re-elected as President. He delivered his second inaugural speech on March 4, 1865. It was his favorite speech.

“Fondly do we hope — fervently do we pray — that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said “the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether.” With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”

On April 9, 1865 the war ended when Confederate General Lee surrendered at the Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia. By April 15th - Lincoln was dead, shot by an assassin the day before while attending a play without his main bodyguard present.

My how politicians have changed! In the early years of our country - some of society’s best minds were our country’s leaders. No more. And we’re not better for it.

He was never the picture of health. Whatever fragility plagued him physically was made small due to his incredible mental strength. I think it’s time to read some biographies on a man of conviction, courage and stamina.

Marriage changes everything. A wedding - no matter if it’s simple or elaborate - is a life altering event. Our lives move from being alone to being in the closest partnership known to mankind.

The birth of a child changes everything. Husbands become fathers. Wives become mothers. Together they become parents. Their lives are forever altered.

Good things - pleasant events - often change our lives. All it takes is one event and the course of our life is changed.

Unfortunately, bad things sometimes happen. A job is lost. An illness is diagnosed. An accident occurs. Death pays a visit. Lives change. Sometimes never to be the same.

Should we live in terror that at any moment a phone could ring with news that would change us forever? Hardly. That’s no way to enjoy whatever life lay ahead.

Should we live mindful that life can change - and quickly? Sure. Why not? Why not live knowing that the health we may now enjoy could soon be gone? Why not live knowing that those we love most could soon be gone from our presence? I see no downside in approaching life with the zeal or zest to make the most of today.

I’ve seen and heard many people talk about how their lives are altered by some catastrophe - perhaps an open heart surgery, a heart attack or some other challenge that they survived. Afterwards, they see life differently. They approach life differently. I’m sure that’s not true of all of them. I do know out of shape people who suffered heart attacks - and they continue to eat what they want and live without discipline or concern. Sad. But I also know some who are never the same. You see them work hard to never take a day for granted. They now see something they never saw before. Namely, the possibility that in a flash - in one moment or event - it can all change, or be gone!

I’d like to have that fresh approach to life without suffering the disaster often necessary to bring it about. I’d like to live today with a view of importance - making the most of my life today! How?

I’m fairly gifted at asking questions. The answers don’t come so easily.

Life happens. Habits take over. We carve out ruts in our lives - where we’re most comfortable. Day after day we do the same, or similar, things. We eat the same things, go the same places and do the same things. I realize we can’t make every single moment or every single day be completely unique. I know that’s hardly possible. It’s certainly isn’t practical.

But can’t we approach our lives in a meaningful way so we make better use of our time, and our opportunities to affect others? Surely.

God is the priority for many of us. That’s as it should be. Without getting into a theological debate on what serving God is all about - suffice to say, if you believe in God and believe service to the Creator supersedes all other pursuits - then you’re surely living a life that is consistent with whatever faith you hold. If you’re devout, then your faith touches all other areas of your life. A life that views the prospect of heaven and hell is bound to be a different life than one that views this life as the end all, be all.

Family is certainly a priority for most of us. We have husbands or wives that we cherish (hopefully). We have sons and daughters. We have son-in-laws or daughter-in-laws. We have grandchildren. We have parents. We have grandparents. There are people in our lives who matter to us more than other people. They’re closer to us. We’re closer to them.

Careers matter. We want to accomplish something. We want to earn what we’re worth. We want a quality of life made possible by doing the best we can where we work. It affects our life and the lives of those we love. So, we want to do the best we can by earning as much as we can - and doing meaningful work.

Recreation and entertainment matter. Often, these focus more on who we’re with than in what we’re doing, but sometimes we simply like to do certain things. It’s rare to find somebody who so enjoys an activity that he doesn’t care who he does it with though.

Our lives are complex. And complicated. It’s hard to bore it down into simple terms where we can live in simple, easy ways. Life is easier than it once was - in many ways. Many years ago men had to worry mostly about finding food to eat and shelter to protect them. Not a terribly complicated life, but a really hard life. Food, clothing and shelter aren’t much of a challenge of most of us. We’ve got those things - often nice things. Really nice.

One event changes it though. One circumstance can alter it all. Imagine the things that could happen to you right now that would forever change your life. Imagine the good things. And the bad ones. Meditate on it for awhile.

Now, ask yourself, “How should I approach life now - now that I know these things could happen?” Are there things you should do that will help propel you forward, toward those good things? Then why are you waiting? Are there things you should do that might help you avoid those bad things? Then why are you waiting? Get busy with it. Today.

Make the phone call.
Have the conversation.
Hug them. Kiss them. Tell them you love them.
Forgive them. Ask them to forgive you.
Spruce up the resume. Look for the better job.
Go to the gym. Get fit.
Eat better. Eat right.

Whatever is necessary to make today your best day possible - do it. Do it as though today may be your only chance. Because you never know.

Kevin Harvick’s number 29 Chevrolet moves past the number 01 Chevrolet of Mark Martin to take the checkered flag, winning the 49th Daytona 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup series race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (REUTERS/Pierre Ducharme)

NASCAR is by far the best sport on television - and I’m not a NASCAR fan, really. But I watch it. The high-definition picture coupled with 90 cameras, countless reporters updating you on the action, cool graphics helped by GPS technology and participants who are always promoting the sport - it’s far and away TOPS in sports television.

I wish my favorite sport of hockey would take some lessons from NASCAR. No, I don’t expect or need 90 cameras. I do need high-definition. I do need a major network, or at least a more accessible network. Not VERSUS, a channel too few have. I need great announcers like Razor who make the game understandable to those who don’t understand it (somebody who can sell the sport) and exciting to those of us who already love it. I need light blue ice because it will look better on TV. I need in game interaction - mic up players (Marty Turco’s banter with the announcers during the All-Star Game was excellent) and coaches (yes, use the 7 second delay). I need more physical play. I need more hitting. I need more fighting so players are able to stand up for their teammates. I need goalies to have smaller pads. No, I don’t need bigger goals. I need to see Sidney Crosby come to Dallas every season - along with other young, upcoming stars of the league. Fix the schedule. Fix it next season. I need a forward thinking hockey guy as the commissioner. Bettman needs to be gone after this season. A contract renewal for him will be death for the league. Gretzky is ready for that job anyway. The league needs a strong commissioner who will lead the league.

As a fan, I need so much it’s almost impossible to consider hockey ever getting what the sport truly deserves. What I’d love to see is a consultation with NASCAR by NHL brass to ask them one simple question: “If you owned our sport instead of yours - what would you do?” Then listen and learn.

Go back to New York and find ways to implement immediate changes that will make the greatest game on earth grow. No, I’m not looking for NASCAR type popularity or growth. I realize everybody can drive a car and fantasize about driving fast in a race. Not everybody can ice skate or relate to playing hockey. I know there are countless dramatic differences between the two sports. My point is that stock car racing found a way to promote the sport, sell the sport and make the sport one of the greatest events each week of their season. Why can’t hockey find a way to do a better job of selling the game? Why can’t professional hockey learn a thing or two from NASCAR?

They can. They should. They have to do something. If they don’t, the sport will never grow. They are no longer in the top 4 of major sports - were they ever? Bowling, golf, soccer are all much more popular. Bowling? Are you kidding me? The NHL can’t find a way to get better ratings than bowling? Boys, it’s time to fire up your Zambonis and head to Daytona Beach where the NASCAR is headquartered! NASCAR could teach the NHL plenty. The real question is, could the NHL learn anything from them?

Michael Waltrip and a handful of other drivers are suffering the wrath of NASCAR’s head of competition. Unlike other sports that culminate in their biggest game of the season, NASCAR begins with their biggest - the Daytona 500. So the pressure to perform is intense, right out of the gate.

NASCAR inspects each car carefully. Teams know that. You’d think they’d exercise more care, or ingenuity.
Last season Jimmie Johnson won over $7.7 million. The teams earn many millions of dollars from sponsorships. The stakes are very high for teams to qualify for each race, complete as many laps as possible, make a top ten finish, make a top three finish or win outright. Points mean dollars. Dollars come from winning. Fans buy merchandise. Sponsors dole out millions for advertising exposure. Cheating isn’t surprising.

Catching it is what surprises me. NASCAR is famous for having templates that cars must fit. Specifications are precise. Angles, weights, dimensions, materials - they’re all crucial. And NASCAR has figured out a way to police all this - with some certainty of success.

I’m impressed.

I’m not a rabid fan of NASCAR. I do enjoy those behind the scenes type shows about it though. I’m fascinated by the engineering, although I admit I’m much fonder of Formula 1 where real technology rules.

However, I appreciate racing and the skills required to build, tune and drive - whether it’s NASCAR, Indy car or any other type of racing. Cheating exists everywhere I suppose. In every sport, racing or otherwise. As the stakes go up, cheating goes up.

NASCAR’s roots date back to the days of outlaw bootleggers. And we’re shocked at the low ethics of some teams? P-L-E-A-S-E. Baseball players are juicing. Bike racers are doping. Track and field athletes are, too. Football players are steroid-enhanced. And just this past week I saw a mixed martial arts bout that ended in disqualification when a fighter put a knee to the head of his opponent while they were on the ground - a violation of the rules. After he did it twice, the bout was stopped. The injured fighter was given 5 minutes to see if he could continue - another rule. When it was clear he couldn’t continue, the bout was ended. The injured fighter won by way of disqualification. The offending fighter said, “I thought this was a fight.” His implication was that no rules should apply, yet the opposing fighter’s manager appropriately responded by pointing out that if fights we’re going to include eye-gouging and other “illegal” tactics, then all the combatants should agree on that before each fight. All participants had agreed to fight by the rules - so he felt his fighter should win the fight (and he was correct). Rules are such a drag.

Cheating, lying, deception - they’re just tricks of the trade, aren’t they? I mean, how can you ever win if you don’t cheat. Sports talk shows lament that every top college program cheats - in every major sport. True? I don’t know. My beloved Sooners football program is still stinging from the Bomar scandal of last year - a car dealer paid him for work he didn’t perform. On and on and on it goes.

It’s like Watergate - follow the money! Where you find money, you’ll likely find cheating. And sometimes you find cheating even when there is no money. Sometimes winning is enough motivation for people to cheat. After all, cheating - if you’ve figured out something that works and can go undetected - can be easier than working hard to prepare to win, especially when you may lack the skills of your competition.

We don’t value honorable competition. We value winning.
We don’t highly prize hard work. We value the top dog.
We don’t value preparation. We value the person who can mount the top of the award podium.

I work out daily. Occasionally I work with a trainer employed at the gym. He admits that probably 75% of the guys - those who are really ripped - are taking steroids. While they’re not competing - they are cheating. They’re cheating their health. For what? Vanity. Ego. Nothing more. But those are obviously high enough stakes.

I go to work like every other responsible person. Each day I endure lying. Somebody lies to me every single day. Every single day I discover they lie. They cheat. For what? Sometimes there is a money motive, but most of the time it’s pride. Ego. Vanity. Again, the stakes are evidently high enough.

Stakes are always high, if only in the mind of the cheater. Cheating is rampant. And it’s growing more creative. Kudos to NASCAR for finding ways to think ahead and catch the cheaters. It probably is the only course to pursue. Legislating ethics is impossible. Holding people accountable, while more difficult, is the best means for dealing with cheaters.

Did Michael Waltrip know his team was cheating? I don’t know. I don’t care. He’s the fat cat at the top and he deserves to answer for it. I don’t care who wins the Daytona 500. I don’t have a dog in that fight or a horse (car) in that race. I just don’t care. I do care that daily our world is growing more acclimated to cheating of all forms. I do care that daily we’re subjected to passing the buck (see Michael Waltrip’s response). I do care that people refuse to do the right thing if there are any costs associated. I do care that principles mean nothing and self-interests are always being served - no matter what. The good news is that it’s all quite predictable. Therefore, it ought to be easier to combat, or cope with.

So I go to work expecting people to lie to me. I talk with people knowing some, perhaps many, are trying to deceive me. I’m not jaded, or cynical (no more than is proper for somebody trying to cope with the real world). I’m realistic. And I’m no longer disappointed (very often) because my expectations are so low…especially when I know the stakes are high. Lying and cheating become more extreme as the stakes go higher. And vanity, ego and pride are high stakes.

Michael Waltrip: The Face of Guilt, Regret or
Anger That His Guys Were Stupid Enough To Get Caught?

UPDATE: Around noon today (2/15/07) Waltrip fell on the sword a bit harder and issued another apology. Seems he had to be talked into racing today by his wife and Toyota officials (a qualifying race took place today and Waltrip earned a spot in the Daytona 500). What do you bet Toyota ripped him a new one and threatened to abandon him? Guess sponsors should all have morality clauses clearly stating they can escape contractual obligations if the team is caught cheating. I could be wrong though. Read more about his apology here.

The Chicago Bears lost the Super Bowl. They’d love a “do-over.” Peyton Manning’s Colts don’t need one. They like the history they created. The Bears can’t do anything about altering the outcome of that game. It’s in the books. Some history can’t be changed.

There is history that can be changed though. Maybe reputation or perception is a better term than history. A person can alter the historic perception others have of them.

I’ve noticed a number of instances where people develop a perception based on age - and that perception or history is hard to change, even as the person grows older. A young man is hired to work for a company. He’s a high school student. He has the typical flunky jobs that most high-schoolers get. He graduates and enters college. He keeps working in the company. The jobs are slightly improved, but he’s not in the executive suite. He’s a freshman, a sophomore and a junior. In his senior year he’s now working in the office, but he’s still quite a distance from the corner office. He has risen to better jobs, but many people still perceive him as the high-schooler he once was. They view him as the kid who arrived at work with the stereo blaring. Now that he’s approaching college graduation they may find it almost impossible to view him differently. Can he do anything to alter that perception - that history?

We’ve all got history. We’ve all got reputations. We’re all perceived in various ways. Are we forever stuck with the perception people have of us - even if they’ve got it all wrong?

George Bush is not the most popular guy around these days. Wars do that to perception. Will the American public always view him in the current light? Maybe. Maybe not. President Nixon left the office in a most disgraceful way. Nobody would have predicted that he’d become an influential best selling author. Nixon become a bit of a statesman. Go figure. He may be among the best examples of changing one’s history. Kudos to him for finding a way out of the maze of shame. George Bush might find a similar highway. He might not.

As usual I have more questions than answers, but I know this much. We can change history if we work at it - and have patience. Nixon wasn’t viewed differently over night. Slowly, he began to alter how people viewed him. Slowly, people began to listen to him. Slowly, people began to respect his opinions and views. He kept on writing. He kept on speaking. He didn’t try to force it. He wasn’t full of self-promotion. The public was in complete control of their perception. Had he attempted to thrust himself forward - history wouldn’t have changed for him (to the extent that it did).

No, Nixon will never be remembered as favorably as he may have liked. He messed up. He was wrong. But, he certainly seemed to make the most of it after the fact. Personally, I think he was a wretched man with poor ethical standards. But I tip my hat to his efforts to recover what was left of his legacy - and name.

That high -schooler in the workplace isn’t relegated to always being the 16-year-old everybody remembers. By his work he can change history. Should he continue to behave as the 16-year-old he once was - he’s stuck. In the minds of his co-workers he’ll remain the high school kid - even though he’s now approaching college graduation.

More public figures have a tougher go of it. Nixon. Bush. Pro athletes like Terrell Owens. Living in Dallas T.O. is almost always in the news. I wonder if he’d like to alter his history. It would appear to be a very low, or non-existent priority. I conclude that because his behavior remains the same. He’s still driving to work with the stereo blaring, but he wants us to think of him as something other than the high-schooler he seems to be. He can change history, but only when he changes how he acts. Sure, it would take time. But if Nixon could do it, anybody can!

Hearing isn’t the same as understanding. And it doesn’t matter if communication is written or verbal. Seeing the words, or hearing the words, isn’t the same as understanding them.

Sometimes simple things get in the way or our understanding.

We don’t understand the words. We don’t know their meaning. The communicator is using terms not familiar to us. Dictionaries help. What helps more is for the speaker or writer to use words familiar to the audience.

We literally didn’t hear the words, or couldn’t read them. Last week I got four voice mails from an unknown number. I had no idea who called. Four voice mails failed to help because the person’s voice was cutting in and out so badly you couldn’t make out anything he was saying. Turns out, the person was using a Bluetooth device that wasn’t working well. I couldn’t hear the words, so I had no understanding.

Sometimes more difficult things get the way of our understanding. That is, the problem isn’t so easily solved.

Frequently, I find myself struggling to understand somebody because they simply lack the ability to convey a clear thought. I’ve read written communication - repeatedly - and come to a conclusion about what is being said…only to be told that I got it all wrong. So, back I go to reread it again. And again. And I still think I had it right the first time. No. Not so. What I thought the author meant isn’t what he meant at all.

Is the fault with the conveyor or the message or the recipient? Pardon me for blaming the conveyor. When people listen or read your message - and hear it or read it repeatedly before concluding the meaning — and the meaning isn’t what the conveyor wanted — that person needs to work on their ability to convey a clear idea. Sadly, that applies to many people. And it applies to all of us from time t0 time.

Getting in the face of the recipient may not make it clearer. Rarely does it. Of course, in baseball, it proves how worked up a manager or umpire may be over a disputed call.

Getting louder doesn’t work, unless of course the person failed to hear the words. It’s a bit like shouting English at a person who only understands Spanish.

Going slower doesn’t necessarily work. That’s like speaking English very slowly to a person who only understands Spanish.

I’m convinced that some communication problems are the result of unclear thinking. Words are first formed in our head. If those words are poorly formed there - then there’s little hope they’ll be clearer when they leave our tongue, or our pen (or computer).

What’s the problem? I have no idea really. I only find it fascinating, if not frustrating, that some people argue about what they meant when you can go back and read what they wrote, time and again, and conclude the same thing each time. They simply were unable to express their meaning, but they can tell you that you’ve got it all wrong.

A light bulb moment occurred when I thought, “Why don’t you just say what you mean to begin with?”

For example, a person takes a position on a subject. It could be political or anything else. Pick something. Let’s say a person is pro-abortion. They put forth their arguments. You conclude they’re pro-abortion. You respond. Let’s say you’re anti-abortion. Then they wonder why you think they’re pro-abortion by telling you they are not. Well, why didn’t they just say that the first time? Instead they seemingly argued using all the pro-abortion arguments. That big question mark over your head signifies how confused you are. We’ve all had that experience.

I recently had it and finally decided I just had to tell the person that I was going to step away because I clearly lacked the ability to properly understand him. It was frustrating communication for both of us. All the more reason to just stop communicating - or whatever the exercise of futility is called. It was NOT communication. It was merely talking or typing without any purpose. My what fun that is.

Is it PC (political correctness) that is killing clear communication?
Is it our inability to understand?
Is it our inability to convey?
If so, why?

I don’t know the answers really. I know whenever my communication fails it is entirely my fault. I take full responsibility for a lack of understanding on the part if the recipient. How can it be otherwise? I’m the one trying to convey the idea. If I can’t clearly to do that, I have to improve.

If I’m speaking to a person who only understands Spanish I have to find someone who can help me communicate. I can’t shout at the person, “Learn English.” Well, I can, but it won’t help things. I need an interpreter who understands both English and Spanish and somebody who can speak both languages. That will fix my problem.

If I’m writing something and people get the meaning all wrong - I can get all worked up and blame them for “misinterpreting” my meaning, but the fact is — I need to be more clear. I need to restate my communication. Too many writers don’t carefully read, and edit their words. They write and hear words in their head, but sadly those aren’t always the words that make it the page or screen. They hear one thing. They write or say something different.

Speed may be partly to blame. We text message. We leave voice mails. We bang out emails. We communicate at a higher rate of speed than ever before. Perhaps that results in some half-cocked communication that isn’t clearly thought out, not proof read and unedited. That is the case with me. I’ve carefully looked at my own failures and 100% of the time they result from too much speed, not enough thought.

Sometimes, it’s okay. A quick response can be simple and easily understood. After all, “yes” is yes and “no” is no. But when lengthier explanations are required, I probably should slow down a bit and make sure the thought I want to convey is being conveyed. This week I’m hoping to make my own improvements so the recipients can save time by getting my meaning correct the first time. Perhaps by taking more time on the front end I can save all of us time on the back end.

I know I’ve wasted tons of time trying to figure out what somebody was trying to say. I’m tired of it.

The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group, The Band, held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. It was the “farewell” concert after 16 years of touring. The Band was joined by more than a dozen special guests, including Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters and Neil Young. They had toured extensively as Bob Dylan’s band.

Martin Scorsese directed and filmed the show making it into a documentary released in 1978. The film features concert performances, scenes shot on a studio soundstage and interviews by Scorsese with members of The Band.

Last week a tribute recording was released, Endless Highway. It’s been 30 years since the Last Waltz. The Band launched a modern movement toward Americana music. Ironic, since 3 of the 4 members were Canucks. I loved their music as a teenager. I love it now as old guy. Despite the few morons who ripped it on Amazon, I find this tribute sensational. It’s nice to hear modern artists perform these songs. Those who rip the new recording make no sense to me - if you want to hear the originals, listen to them. They’ve been around for decades. It’s nice to hear newer artists perform them and hopefully expose more kids to music they might not otherwise give a chance.

I’m a fan of most of the artists on this new record, but admittedly I’m most fond of My Morning Jacket’s rendition of “Makes No Difference.” My Morning Jacket, a Kentucky band, may find a bit of commercial success now. I’ve been a fan for awhile, and now maybe others will give them a listen, too. (A relatively new double live CD has been released, Okonokos. Usually, double live CD’s mean the band is dead - or dying. I hope that’s not the case with these guys.)

Go rent The Last Waltz, or buy it. It’s a concert that is older than many of you. The music is great, the performances are classic and now Endless Highway brings it all back for us old fogies to remember.

Hondajet is a forthcoming product (scheduled for 2010) of Honda Aircraft Company based in Greenboro, NC. Today, the company announced a $100 million investment will be made in the new facility. Almost 300 new jobs with an average pay of $70K will be created over the next five years.

The product is an executive jet capable of seating 6 with a top cruising speed of 420 knots and a range of 1180 miles. It will also have a fuel efficiency gain over comparable jets of 30-35%. And you can have one for only $3.65 million. As of last October, well over 100 people had plopped down deposits for one. I’m sure that number is higher now.

If Honda doesn’t become king of the world - Toyota will.

Vicki Lynn Marshall, better known as Anna Nicole Smith, was a beautiful girl who wanted fame. She found it by posing nude for Playboy Magazine, after a stint as a stripper. It’s the ancient story of small town girl who wants the world - and does whatever is necessary to get it. Fame found her. Why? I’m still not sure.

Her life was a public train wreck and people couldn’t help but watch. I’m sure millions watched at first, because she was pretty. Later, she was a freak who had lost her beauty behind the weight she gained and drugs she abused. Misbehaving in public seemed to be a way of life for a woman who clearly wasn’t terribly bright. Her lack of wisdom and knowledge, coupled with her intoxicated state, made her easy to laugh at - not with.

I was always sad for her. Sad that she wasn’t smart enough to make better choices. Sad that she was a lost soul who never found her way toward mature behavior. Whatever emptiness existed in her life was never filled with food, alcohol, drugs, illicit relationships or law suits. Fame and money never filled it.

It’s the sad story of a wasted life. A 5 month old little girl, the daughter she leaves behind, will grow up in the shadow of a sad figure, her own mother. What will she make of her life? What influences will exist in her life to prevent her from falling prey to the same toxic lures that captured her mom? Kids seem to follow in the path of parents, or they go in the opposite direction. I hope this child goes 180 degrees away from how Anna Nicole lived - and died.

She was 39. She was in a hotel in Hollywood, Florida. She was intoxicated. The word used to describe her physical condition seemed appropriate, “She was so wasted.” Yes. Yes, she was.

Bum Phillips - one time coach of the Houston Oilers from 1975-1980; coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1981 - 1985

Son of Bum, Wade Phillips - head coach of the New Orleans Saints, 1985; Denver Broncos, 1993 - 1994; Buffalo Bills, 1998 - 2000; Atlanta Falcons, 2003; lots of defensive coordinator jobs in the in between years.

Reports are running wild that today the Dallas Cowboys will introduce Son of Bum as the new coach replacing departing coach, Bill Parcells. Say it ain’t so.

The town is completely underwhelmed with this news. In a word, “Boring!” Owner Jerry Jones continues to amaze the masses with his unconventional approach to operating a professional football team.

In all fairness though - it should be pointed out that Wade Phillips is highly regarded by most NFL coaches. His reputation among those in the know is quite good. Easy going, approachable, down-to-earth, likable and prepared - those are terms used by NFL people. Charlie Waters, ex- Cowboy safety and current Cowboy broadcaster, claims that Phillips is the “most liked” coach in the NFL. Waters says that Phillips is highly sought after as a coach and that most coaches seek jobs associated with him.

The question is, “Can Wade be a good head coach?” Does he have the organizational skills necessary to be a head coach. Reporters claim he’ll be a good quick start coach able to find success fast. They question if he’ll be able to sustain good performance over time.

Having a likable coach at Valley Ranch will be a welcomed change from Tuna. All kinds of questions remain though. Questions about T.O.’s return. Will he, or won’t he? What about the other coaches? What about Romo? What about the age of the Cowboys’ roster? How will they get younger? On and on it goes.

This much I know - Jerry Jones is not a boring owner. He will make efforts to do what it takes to win. It doesn’t often work, but still Jerry keeps trying to recapture the lightning he had in the early days with Jimmie Johnson. History is often hard to replicate.