Well it’s not quite spring but I’ve already got a serious case of Spring Fever – you too? When Daylight Saving (not Savings) time hit, it hit me hard!
Baseball’s just around the corner, blossoms are blooming, and I’m going blooming crazy waiting for warmer weather while daydreaming at work!
If you’re doing the same, you may be putting the old job in jeopardy, so here’s a little survival kit – tips to keep your coworkers smiling in your direction, and a few details for dealing with the boss until the fever passes…
10 sure ways to tick off your coworkers (from msn.com):
10. Acting unethically
9. Taking it too easy on telecommute days (just because you're working at home doesn't mean you can take a half day to run errands and ignore responsibilities)
8. Skirting around the dress code
7. Doing your bills at the office (or other personal business like planning your wedding).
6. Poor command of English (It's not, "I'm like, ya know" - and it's definitely not, “Yo”)
5. Reading the newspaper, texting or hammering on your laptop during meetings
4. Acting like a bureaucrat (playing control games - making mountains out of molehills)
3. Sending voicemails that go on and on and on (just get to the point!!)
2. Answering cell phone calls during meetings
…and the number one way to tick off your coworkers…
1. It's always all about you!!!!
Finally, here’s a good list of ways to deal with your boss (I want you to keep that job!)
1 – Don’t be overly sensitive. You can’t let every little thing get to you – getting criticized is part of the job, so deal with it.
2 – Remember, the boss isn’t your friend. You may be close to your manager or boss, but don’t mistake it for friendship. Your fate is still their responsibility – and ultimately yours.
3 – Don’t hog the boss’s time. Your boss has a lot on their plate – be quick & to the point…try not to go off on random tangents. Like I had this one boss – oops – tangent!
4 – Don’t be a pain to the boss. Whining makes you look worse to your boss.
5 – Make sure your boss knows your goals. If you have ambitions for greater things within the company, tell your boss. If you don’t they may never happen!
And finally…uh…I’m sorry I can’t come up with any more Spring Fever tips for you – there’s a robin on the windowsill and the cherry blossoms in the park are looking good.
See you later!
Sam's Blog - 02/20/08
Carol & I have been looking for a new home after 17 years in the same place, but I don’t think in our wildest dreams we can afford this one:
It’s being built in London, and it’ll cost $200 MILLION! The apartment is the penthouse suite of an 80-unit building of luxury apartments that overlook London's Hyde Park (--sort of like New York's Central Park).
You do get some good stuff for your mortgage money…
--A private wine-tasting facility.
--Bullet-proof windows. (Sheesh!!)
--Purified air systems.
--A panic room. (--That's a room you lock yourself in when someone breaks in. JODIE FOSTER made a cool movie about this concept.)
--Access to an underground passage that leads to a nearby hotel. (--And why do I need access to a hotel when I own the most expensive apartment in the world?)
--On average, the apartments in this building are selling for $12,000 per square foot. The $200 million penthouse is 20,000 square feet.
--Half of the apartments have already been sold . . . and the biggest buyers are Russian royalty, Saudi oil guys and A-list celebrities…like me!!
Now for something completely different…cool housing for homeless folks!
All over the country, home foreclosure rates are through the roof. And that's actually a good thing . . . for homeless people. According to Brian Davis, who is the director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, homeless people are taking advantage of the foreclosure crisis by squatting in abandoned houses.
--See, if you're homeless, finding a foreclosed home is like hitting the Lottery. The houses are usually in good condition, and . . . in some cases . . . the heat, lights and water haven't been turned off yet.
--Brian says this gives many homeless people, quote, "an opportunity to find low-cost housing with some privacy." And there are a lot of these houses out there . . . Just in Cleveland there are 15,000 foreclosed homes which are now empty. Still, homeless advocates warn that there are risks squatters should look out for, such as fires from using candles, run-ins with drug dealers, and, obviously, cops. The way the housing crunch is going, we may all end up roommates anyway! Happy House Hunting!
Sam's Blog - 02/11/08
So I guess I’m feeling old today, so bear with me while I serve you some whine. Ginger on “Gilligan’s Island” – Tina Louise – turned 74 the other day – yikes!
Have you ever had one of those days where everybody else seems perkier, happier and YOUNGER than you? That’s what happened to me recently. I went down to Pebble Beach for the AT&T tournament with my son Brandon, and we had a great time! But while we were there, I caught Clint Eastwood being interviewed and it reminded me of when I worked with his wife Dina on the Candid Camera show. Dina was in her late 30’s at the time, and Clint was already in his 70’s – she’s a hottie, and while watching her model dresses on the set one day, I turned to a cameraman and said “I wish I was 20 years OLDER!”
What is it about younger women and older men? Can’t we just grow old without turning into aging teenagers several times along the way? Apparently not. My wife…Carol…is 13 years younger, so I can’t point any fingers, unless I point to myself. Like Woody Allen once said, “The heart wants what it wants”. My only saving grace is I didn’t want what Woody’s heart wanted. But it is a problem for guys who reach a certain age – take Bruce Willis – he took his latest girlfriend Emma Heming to Ashton Kutcher’s birthday party recently – Ashton turned 30 – he’s married to Bruce’s ex Demi Moore, you know – and Emma is 29! Bruce is 52 but who’s counting, right? I think Ashton & Emma should hook up and let Bruce & Demi get back together, but I also think I’m better suited for Dina than Clint is.
Are you following all this? If you are, you’re younger than me – at least “at heart”.
Here’s a couple of folks who should make you feel younger – it worked for me;
An elderly couple in England set a new record last week, by becoming the oldest couple to ever get married in the U.K. Peggy and James Mason are a combined 178 YEARS OLD. She's 85. He's 93. They're taking an RV trip around Britain and Ireland for their honeymoon. (--Who’s driving the RV?)
But if they want to break the world record for oldest married couple in history, they'll have to live another 32 years combined. Thomas and Elizabeth Morgan hold the "Guinness" record for being married at a combined age of 209 YEARS AND 262 DAYS. (The record was set in 1891, when Elizabeth died.)
That means James will have to make it to 109 years before he dies. And Peggy will have to hold on to 101. I don’t think Clint & Dina Eastwood will break this one.
None of this amounts to much, I know, but suddenly I don’t feel quite so old!
Sam's Blog - 01.22.08 If you listen to the Sam & Lissa Morning Show, you know I love my little radio partner Lissa - but not in THAT way!! Lissa & I are the best of friends & we’re keeping it that way, but if you’ve ever thought of an office romance, think again, and keep reading…
Believe it or not, there's an employee handbook for romance on the job.
Author STEPHANIE LOSEE says the odds of finding love at work are better than online, in a bar or at the gym. Think about it: Nearly half of us log over 50 hours at work and maybe you should use that to your advantage to do it right.
Losee says work-based romances are more like courtships --they develop gradually over weeks and months. You actually get to know one another. Wow, what a concept. Her advice on how to do it:
--Join co-workers for happy hour
--Go to industry conventions and conferences
--Listen to colleagues who want to link you up with a co-worker
--Expand your network to friends' office
Losee, by the way, has been married for 16 years to a man she met on the job.
Forbes magazine tips for office romances:
Think twice. Ask yourself, "Am I really into this person?" If the answer's "No," or even "Not Really," back off.
--Take it slow. Try to develop a genuine personal friendship first. It's the best way to be certain.
--Discuss "What if..." Most relationships don't last forever, so be prepared for this one ending, too, and talk about how you'll handle it while still working in the same office.
--Honesty is the best policy. Many people try to hide office relationships, but most are found out. Besides, if you feel you really have something to hide, maybe it's actually inappropriate.
--Keep the PDA PC. The only thing you should be making at work is money for your company, not "out" with your co-worker. We're not talking about polite pecks, obviously.
--Remember your other relationships. You work with other people other than the one you're dating. You stand to score big professionally if you continue to demonstrate care with everyone and hold your significant other accountable as a consummate professional instead of playing favorites.--Getting together is different from staying together. Talk about work at work.
Office romance do's and don'ts:
Do: Send a lovely Valentine's Day card
Don't: Send it on a post-it note stolen from the supply closet
Do: Remember that honesty is the best policy
Don't: Expect your co-worker to believe you're working undercover for the CIA.
Do: Keep inter-office communications discreet and tasteful
Don't: Hit “Reply All” when you get an invitation to hook up after work!
Good luck & happy hunting! Me, I’m lucky to have a coworker like Lissa – why mess it up?
Sam's Blog 01.14.07
Here we are at the beginning of a new year, and I celebrated by taking the second week of the year off – there’s nothing like a great vacation, right?
And I had a great vacation, too – skiing in the Sierra all week and only falling a few times! I learned a lot – for example, the longer the line the shorter the run.
Deep snow is softer than icy rocks. And don’t ski like Sonny Bono did – like George of the Jungle says “watch out for that tree!” I did watch out, and found myself back home with my body intact and a longing to get back to work.
What’s wrong with me, anyway? I love to play, but to me, work’s fun too…
So it’s back at good ol’ 94.5 KBAY with my funny friend Lissa, and wishing I could be two places at once! Have you ever wished for that? Wouldn’t it be great if you could live two lives? Well be careful what you wish for - my wife…Carol found about a new spot online where you can hook up with another person and create a virtual relationship – you can have laughs, fights, even whoopee – as long as it’s only VIRTUAL. Carol says if she finds out I’ve been living a virtual life with someone else, I’ll be an ACTUAL dead man! I think I’ll stick with one life.
Besides, I already have two women in my life, and Lissa & Carol are enough!
Speaking of which, just before my vacation I had the pleasure of spending Lissa Kreisler Day with my radio partner, as mayor Chuck Reed, Vice Mayor Dan Cortese, and hundreds of Lissa’s radio friends paid tribute to her. The show that day was very special, thanks to Maggi Scurra, Don Potter, Sean O’Callaghan and Barry Poole’s participation in Morgan Hill Squares games, calls from you, and a fun luncheon where we “roasted” Lissa in the company of her father and friends from her past 30 years in radio. The roast was a lot of fun, and the food at Morton’s was great. Everyone at KBAY contributed to making it a special day.
Darren Shimizu put together a special web page at KBAY.COM for Lissa, Marketing Director John Bowman arranged the outstanding Morton’s luncheon, and the cast & crew of KBAY all joined in the efforts to make it a special day.
It was truly an unforgettable day – one to suit my unforgettable radio pal.
Now that we’re well into her 21st year at KBAY, I’m looking forward to the coming year and all the fun that makes coming back from vacation a real adventure.
Sam's Blog 12.28.07
Here we are at the turn of another year, a time of reflection, of contemplation, and if you’re my partner Lissa a time to hit the half-yearly sale at Nordstrom!
I kid Lissa a lot about shopping, but nobody does it better! Come to think of it, since we’re doing all this reflecting, nobody’s better at being my radio pal, either.
January 3 marks 20 years at KBAY for Lissa, and I want to thank her for making my small part of her time on the morning show so much fun. It’ll be even more fun celebrating on the Sam & Lissa Morning Show, and we want you there, whether it’s through calls or emails, so please join us Thursday morning.
As I look back at the past year with Lissa, I’m amazed at all the great shows we were a part of – celebrating Gilroy, then painting the Youth Volunteer Center – partying with the mayor in Sunnyvale, hangin’ with the police in Campbell!
And that’s just part of the Sam & Lissa Road Show adventure in 2008. We went to Disneyland twice, haunted the Hollow, Stuffed the Bus for Toys for Tots, dug and developed the Youth Science Institute’s Vasona Lake site, and much more.
Lissa and I rolled up our sleeves to help Second Harvest Food Bank feed folks, helped hammer a home together for Habitat for Humanity, and had a lot of fun.
We had lunch with Kenny Loggins, had fun with Hall & Oates, enjoyed all that jazz with Chicago, and made beautiful music with lots of our favorite artists.
We played over 200 games of “Too Early To Think”, dished 250 daily dishes, and talked to a thousand or more of our favorite early morning phone-in friends,.
It’s been quite a year, but nothing like the year I imagine we’ll be having in 2008.
So, Lissa here’s to your twenty-first year at KBAY – I’m looking forward to it!
Sam's Blog - 12/14/07
Here we are in the final days before Christmas and all that shopping pressure’s taking its toll! And the worst part isn’t shopping for your loved ones – it’s shopping for the ones you don’t love SO MUCH – your co-workers! What do you get the person in the next cubicle you wish you got along with better, or even more important, the BOSS! So with the good cheer of the Christmas giving season in mind, not to mention your survival in the New Year, here are some tips:
***HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR CO-WORKERS***
Whether you're unwillingly thrown into your office's secret Santa gift exchange, or you just want to be nice . . . here are some holiday gift ideas for your co-workers . . .
ENVIRONMENTALISTS. For people who are all into saving the planet, get them something like a journal made out of recycled products, a reusable fabric shopping bag or even an offer to carpool with them to work for a couple of weeks.
COOKS. For people who like to cook, give them a really good family recipe or a cool cookbook you think they'll like.
FASHION-TYPES. People who are obnoxiously into fashion will probably like a gift card to their favorite store or a subscription to a fashion magazine.
SPORTS FANS. A pretty simple gift is something like office supplies with their team's logo on it, a stadium seat cushion, or if you want to be REALLY nice - tickets to a game.
PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO READ. Bookmarks, clip-on lights and books on CD.
And if being all nice to your coworkers & boss don’t work out for you… RIGHT NOW IS ACTUALLY A GREAT TIME TO LOOK FOR A NEW JOB:
By this point in the year, most businesses are pretty much SHUT DOWN until after New Year's-everyone's going on vacation, or, they're COMPLETELY mentally checked out. BUT - according to Robert Half International, which is a worldwide staffing service, if you're thinking about getting a new job, this is a GREAT TIME to find one. Here's why.
LESS COMPETITION. There are still companies that need to hire people. But a lot of the people who'd normally be applying for those jobs aren't bothering because it's the end of the year. So you'll be competing against a lot fewer applicants.
MORE EMPLOYERS ARE HIRING. Retail companies need help right now. And even though it's just a seasonal job . . . you can think of it as an on-the-job interview, where if you do well, there'll be work for you after Christmas is over, too.
BUDGET SURPLUSES. Some companies haven't used all of the funds they've set aside for hiring new employees this year. And if they DON'T hire someone and use that money, that budget may go DOWN next year. So they need to hire someone . . . NOW.
MORE INTERVIEWS. Since things are slowing down, HR managers are less busy right now, which gives them more time to go over your resume & interview you.
GET A JUMP. Even if a company isn't hiring until after New Year's, by applying and getting your resume in now, you can be first in line in January when they actually do plan on bringing new people in.
Sam's Blog - 11/15/07
This may be the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and all, but it sure can be trying too! Lissa and I are getting ready for the Christmas Season, but first we have to get through Thanksgiving, dealing with our families, present and past. Lissa’s got her own challenges this year, and I sympathize; this can be a tough season if you’ve lost a loved one as you’ll see when you read Lissa’s blog.
I have no doubt her strong spirit and foundation of friends & family will help, but my friend Lissa’s not alone; many of us find the holidays difficult to get through.
My buddy Bill Hamm’s wife Nina passed away this fall, and I know we’ll all miss her when we get together with friends & family to celebrate the holidays Do you have the same issues? My father passed away several years ago, but his birthday is December 19th, and I last saw him on Christmas, so every Christmas I think of Dad and get a little sad. Maybe they should call it the season of grieving.
Could be that’s why we try to connect with others in a positive way, doing good deeds, helping less fortunate folks, and finding ways to brighten others’ lives.
KBAY.COM will offer lots of ways you can help this season. You can check them out at KBAY CARES or other spots on the website. We’ll be feeding folks for Second Harvest Food Bank, making children smile with Toys for Tots, and sending holiday packs to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq this year with the South Bay Blue Star Moms and Santana Row. I hope you can join us and our friends at 94.5 KBAY at one of our many celebrations this holiday season.
There are so many ways to brighten up our lives this time of year; the food, the wonderful music, parties and celebrations, and winter fun like skating & skiing!
Visit Christmas in the Park, Santana Row, and lots of other happy places for free!
Whatever you do this Christmas season, we hope you’ll spend it with KBAY.
Here are a afew tips to help you cope this season
HOW TO KEEP SANE WHEN YOU GO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
#1.) BUILD IN ALONE TIME. Block out times where you can be alone to do whatever you want to do, so you're not overloaded with family time.
#2.) DON'T DRINK TOO MUCH. Sure, drinking seems like a good way to ease the pain of hanging with your family . . . but don't overindulge.
#3.) DON'T REGRESS. This is easier said than done, but just because you're back home around your siblings who are acting immature doesn't mean you have to do the same. If you find yourself acting like a teenager, take a time-out.
#4.) INDULGE YOURSELF. You're back home, so even if you're trying to eat healthily, enjoy all the great home-cooked meals. That's one of the best parts of the holidays.
#5.) DON'T DENOUNCE YOUR PARENTS' FAITH. You might take issue with certain beliefs your parents have, but don't use the holidays as a platform to showcase this.
#6.) BREAK OUT THE BOARD GAMES. Games keep everyone occupied. Plus everyone laughs . . . and time goes by without anyone arguing over nonsense.
Sam's Blog - 11/02/07
Halloween’s over, and as a friend of mine says, “the FAT season is upon us!”.
In honor of fat season, I’ve already managed to gain 10 pounds, and as my friend & partner Lissa would say, it’s just wrong! So before I gain too much, I’m going on a diet �" Lissa says Thursdays are the best days for some reason, so today’s the day! By Thanksgiving I hope to be thankful for 5 fewer pounds of fat!
Yeah, the Holidays are really here �" we’re counting down the days until we play “that” music on 94.5 KBAY, and I’m counting down the days until those days are behind us, along with all the stress they bring. Speaking of stress �" listen to this;
My son Jonah married his lovely Nadine in June, and almost immediately they went into negotiations over whose parents to visit for Thanksgiving & Christmas.
They’re both lawyers, so the negotiations were both tough and fun to observe.
I don’t know what kind of compromise they’ve come to, but I can guarantee the solution won’t make Jonah’s mother or Nadine’s parents, happy. Sound familiar?
Everybody wants it all during the Holidays, but like the Rolling Stones sing,
”You Can’t Always Get What You Want”. But if you try sometimes, you get what you need. The rest of the story is my wife…Carol. She wants to spend time with her parents at Thanksgiving & Christmas, and I can’t blame her, as they’re getting “up there”. But I want to spend time with my sons and grandchildren �" family is a big draw this time of year, and that’s where the stress comes in I guess. Have you ever had to deal with making everybody happy at Christmas? It’s harder than that minty striped candy that always turns up in my stocking!
But I’m sure our negotiations will lead to acceptable compromises for Carol and myself, although I can’t be sure Jonah and his lovely bride will find theirs so acceptable. With a little luck I’ll get to see them, Carol’s family, and my family and friends enough to satisfy that inexplicable longing that comes over me this time of year. Maybe it’s not so hard to explain; as we get fatter our hearts get softer?
I guess we should just count our blessings that we have so many choices for Thanksgiving and Christmas; my ex-wife always serves a beautiful dinner and invites the most amazing people, and I’m thrilled to be invited. My wife’s mother always sets a beautiful table too, and the experience is always a memorable one.
Some of us don’t get such wonderful choices which leads me to a choice I’ll be making and encouraging you to make during the Holidays �" the choice to help Second Harvest feed the hungry again this season. And may your heart and tummy be full, and may your Holiday table be both beautiful AND bountiful!
Sam's Blog 10/23/07
Things to do while waiting for the repair-guy to come…
How many of us have left work early or stayed home to wait for a repairman or a delivery, only to find out you’ve wasted a whole day?
This is what happened to me recently �" I took off from work about 11, leaving Lissa in charge of our busy Sam & Lissa Morning Show office.
Then I raced home to meet the carpet repair team that was scheduled to meet me “between noon & 2”. As it turned out, I could have crawled home �" they finally showed up about 5:30, after three phone calls and umpteen threats! What a frustrating afternoon! So here’s what I DID do, versus what I SHOULD HAVE done to kill the time waiting for these guys…
I watched some cable show about cops chasing jerks without shirts
I watched some cable show about cooks fixing quick coffee cakes
I finally realized the guy was right-there ARE 200 channels with nothing on!
I perfected Solitaire on my Dell, but got blown up on minesweeper 40 times
I got ALL the cat hair off my purple polyester pullover and on my new pants
I made 7 prank calls to a Sports Bar asking to page “Amanda Holdmee”
I discovered that call - screening can’t stop a really mad bartender!
Now here’s what I SHOULD have done!
I SHOULD have called the carpet repair company and cancelled the job!
I SHOULD have looked for interesting things to talk about on the Sam & Lissa Morning Show on KBAY!
I SHOULD have written a new blog to read on the KBAY.COM website!
Well, come to think of it, this story IS something I can talk about on the Sam & Lissa Morning Show, and this IS a blog for KBAY.COM…
Now, if I could just find that carpet-creep’s number, I could make it a trifecta! Oh well, like the immortal Meat Loaf says �" 2 out of 3 ain’t bad!
Sam's Blog 10/03/07
So here we are, fall has finally fallen, and you know what that means! Yep, the Christmas stuff is out at Macy’s! Actually, you can see little elves and Santa’s many helpers in all the stores, but why is it Macy’s has to break out so much of the red & green every year before we’re done with the black & orange?
Halloween’s not nearly the holiday Christmas is, and you could argue it’s just the OPPOSITE of Christmas, but we still have a devil of a lot of fun celebrating it before the angels come out of storage, and I for one resent having to deal with Santa, his eight tiny reindeer and all those bats & witches crowding up the sky! No wonder America’s air controllers are in trouble! I just want to be able to finish up all my candy corn before they bring out the candy canes. Bah, humbug!
So we’re off and running to The Holidaze, and in celebration, here is a little list of the top signs that fall is here. Read it fast �" winter will be here before you know it!
Top Signs Fall is Here
Time again for the Mt. Umenum pot harvest!
Britney Spears is passed out in a pile of leaves!
San Francisco Giants in LAST place �" San Jose Giants in FIRST place!
O.J. and his gang are wearing ski masks because it really IS cold!
San Jose State’s fraternity row begins 9 month Oktoberfest celebration!
Osama Bin Laden’s videos now have pumpkins in the background!
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed switches to wool bicycle tights!
The Raiders are already out of the Superbowl race!
…and Sam & Lissa’s top sign of fall �" Sam starts wearing his cold-weather cranky pants, and Lissa switches to the holiday takeout menu at Mama Mia’s!
Sam's Blog - 09/17/07
Can you feel it? I can smell it, feel it and even taste it some mornings �" I’m talking about autumn. Fall is in the air, and the leaves are starting to hit the dirt (and pavement) under my feet, reminding me that another year’s winding down.
This is always my favorite time of year, although I sure enjoy the warm summers and rainy winters in the South Bay. Maybe fall’s my favorite because it’s the time of year when I first fell in love. I fondly recall walking through the park with my first sweetie, the leaves crunching under our feet, the weather just cool enough to encourage closeness, her warm hand in mine. Fall’s the time for falling in love.
I always like that first smell of fall, don’t you? The musky scent of the leaves, the wind picking up, the air clearing up after the first rainfall? To me that’s a true scent for the senses and a feel for all seasons. You just can’t beat a fall day!
But the sad thing about Autumn’s arrival is the reminder that the year’s almost over and there’s so much I meant to do this year that I haven’t yet done, not to mention the fast-approaching holidaze we’ll all be rushing through soon!
The other day I had a few hours to kill and the sun was shining, but that fall feel was in the air, so I put the top down on the convertible, turned the radio up, and went for a drive out in Almaden Valley, just for old times’ sake. That couple of hours was the best-spent time I ever wasted, and it reminded me of what Ferris Beuller once said: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it." That’s one afternoon I’m glad I didn’t miss.
So my advice to you this fall; put the top down (or at least roll down the windows)
Turn the radio up (KBAY of course)
Take some time to take in the changing of the seasons…and…
“Stop and look around”.
After you’ve rested and renewed yourself, you might want to check out the community-service opportunities in my last blog. It won’t be a waste of time.
Sam's Blog - 08/15/07
If you’ve followed the Sam & Lissa Morning Show, you know Lissa & I get involved in a lot of community activities, and encourage you to join us whenever you can. KBAY Cares is more than just a slogan �" strangely enough, we actually get enjoyment out of rolling up our sleeves and doing something for others, whether it’s digging & planting for a watershed at Savona Lake, or pounding nails and hanging windows for Habitat for Humanity in East San Jose. Lissa and I really “clicked” when we discovered we had this community spirit in common, and it keeps us clicking.
People think they can’t make a difference, and that’s why I love the story of the starfish. It goes like this: a man was walking along the beach, where starfish were washing up, left to dry out as the tide ebbed. The man kept bending over to pick up each starfish, tossing it back into the open sea. A passer-by had been watching and stopped the man to ask, “Why are you doing this? It doesn’t matter �" you know they’ll wash back in at the next tide.” The man leaned down, grabbed a starfish, tossed it over the next wave, and responded, “It mattered to that one.” Here are three stories of people who matter because they’re making an effort to make a difference;
Alex Garwood of the Pat Tillman Foundation sent me this email �" “Christine & I are running the NYC Marathon on November 4. We're running in honor of Pat Tillman and raising money for his foundation. This will be Christine's first marathon and she's training hard! We're taking turns running while the other takes care of our sons Ryan, Adam and Scott (sometimes they even go with us on their bikes or jog strollers). Please join us in supporting the Pat Tillman Foundation and consider investing in our efforts to celebrate Pat's life and raise funds. Just click on the link below to get started! Thank you! Christine & Alex.
Christina & Alex are good people- Pat’s family members dedicated to doing good in his memory.
This letter came from Tim Bednarz, who runs his butt off to fight Leukemia & Lymphoma; First let me say THANK YOU AGAIN for your amazing donation last year helping me to cross the finish line in my donation drive as well as with your support to run across it too! I come to you again to see if you might help me for this year’s effort. Here is my email letter I have been sending out. It is a bit long but filled with necessary information so read at your leisure. Last year, because of people like you, I was able to raise over $3500.00 and help to spread the word about Team in Training and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We have touched many people's lives! With our beloved Bay Area icon, Coach Bill Walsh, passing away on July 30 from Leukemia as well as just recently discovering that one of my friends from my "Rocker" days has been fighting it for the last 2 years, (We lost touch for over 10 years), added to everyone I’ve met over my last 5 Team in Training seasons who are still fighting the fight. I am even more determined to raise the much-needed funds and awareness. I’m still asking for cash donations but I'm also offering everyone the opportunity to buy a beautiful handmade bracelet made with sterling silver and Swarovski crystals in Team in Training colors! This bracelet was exclusively created by my personal friend Sona of “Sona's Workshop”
Please help me out any way you can. Visit my Team in Training Fund Raising by clicking here.
Tim’s another individual making a difference one step at a time, through hard work. Good job! The third story is a little different �" it’s about a golfer who shot an Eagle at Eagle Ridge. Maybe you’ve heard about him �" he was getting ready for a tournament, sliced the ball, and found a sick and wounded eagle while looking for his ball. Here’s the story:
(MORGAN HILL, CA) - A young Golden Eagle has had his life saved by an errant golf ball! If it hadn’t been for some duffer’s slice at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Gilroy, the large raptor might never have been discovered and rescued. On June 22nd, Frank Filice was preparing for a golf tournament when he saw the eagle cowering underneath a tree on the greens.
Since it was apparent that the bird was injured and could not stand, Mr. Filice called the Gilroy Police Department for help. The eagle was weak from starvation and was easily captured by Animal Control Officer Gary Muraoka who declared, “I’m not a very good golfer, but I got an eagle on the 8th hole at Eagle Ridge!” The bird was immediately taken it to the Princeville Animal Hospital where Dr Suzanne Colbert performed a thorough examination and x-rays, determining the eagle had a dislocation to a bone joint in the right leg which twisted his leg 70 degrees and prevented him from flying and capturing prey. Just how the primary injury to the leg occurred is unknown.
Following initial treatment, the eagle was brought to W.E.R.C., the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, in Morgan Hill, for further care, and according to Sue Howell, Executive Director, “It looks like the secondary injury to the affected area was caused by a golf ball, because of size and markings of the ‘divot’ in the eagle’s joint.”
Named Orion, the Eagle has been steadily regaining his health at W.E.R.C. The next step is orthopedic surgery, scheduled August 28th at Princevalle Pet Hospital (Gilroy). Dr James Roush, a renowned veterinary orthopedic surgeon, will perform the operation in which bolts will be used to straighten the eagle’s leg so that it can perch comfortably. Since Orion will never be able to fully extend his leg and talons, a necessity for survival in the wild, he cannot be released back to the open skies. If you’d like to help this and other wild creatures, contact WERC.
Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center P.O. Box 1105, Morgan Hill, CA 95038-1105 Telephone (408) 779-WERC (9372) E-mail: werc@werc-ca.org Website: www.werc-ca.org
So those are my stories of people I know who are making a difference, and inspiring me to do what I can for causes I care about. You can help them, or find your own cause, or wonder what it matters whether you help or not. But like Alex & Christine, Tim, and Frank Filice have learned, when you help, it matters.
Sam's Blog June 18, 2007:
Summertime and the livin’ is SWEATY! Suddenly we find ourselves running for cover when we get out of the car or leave the house, and for the first time in quite a while, I’m considering wearing shorts to work! This is a no-no in my mind, I’m old-fashioned about what I wear to work, but for lots of my coworkers, it seems like almost anything goes! Basketball shorts, tank tops, tattoo-revealing stuff from Victoria’s Secret �" and that’s just the GUYS! (Rimshot here) Actually, I’m glad to see people in their skivvies around KBAY, because now I can feel free to let my freak flag fly. I may even go WILD & wear a short-sleeve shirt, khakis & sandals!
Seriously, though, there is a sort of protocol for what to wear to work, so if you’re looking for guidance, I have none, but CareerBuilder.Com has some �" here y’go;
As it heats up, it sucks to have to wear a hot, wool suit to work. So if people tend to dress down in the summer, you can too. But don't get carried away. Here are some tips on what you should and shouldn't wear to the office in the summer. . .
#1.) GO BY WHAT THE BOSSES WEAR. If your bosses show up to work wearing relatively informal clothes. . . like khaki shorts and a polo. . . then it's probably okay for you to do the same.
#2.) BE POLISHED. An informal dress code doesn't give you an excuse to look like a slob. Make sure that your clothes are clean and polished. . . because you still want to look professional.
#3.) DON'T SHOW OFF SKIN. This is particularly true for the ladies out there. No revealing clothing. This means no mini-skirts, short shorts, tank tops or low cut blouses.
#4.) WEAR LIGHTER FABRICS. If you have to wear nice clothes to work, keep them light. Silk, cotton or linen will keep you cool. But remember to layer your clothes, because it's probably cooler in the office than it is outside.
#5.) KEEP A COVER-UP HANDY. On the rare occasion that the CEO or some important client might stop by the office, keep a blazer or nice jacket handy.
(CareerBuilder)
Hope this helps. Stay cool & see you at Men’s Wearhouse! (I guarantee it)
Sam's Blog June 8, 2007:
Dad’s Day!
June is the month of Father’s Day, and that’s a big month around our house. Being the father of three sons, I’m usually the recipient of some good stuff, but I have to admit, I never feel worthy of the cool golf jacket, the great running shoes or any of the cute “Dad, Homer Simpson’s got nothin’ on you !” cards.
I love my kids, but I think I’d be just as happy if I got a phone call or a nice visit.
My father was the same way �" the best way to make him smile was to show up!
In fact, most dads will back me up on this: a survey from ShopLocal.com says over half the dads surveyed said they’ve never received a good Father’s Day gift �" not just ONCE �" but NEVER! Part of the reason may be that 4 out of 5 sons & daughters admit they buy the present at the last minute. I wish I had a dollar for each of the Father’s Day gifts I’ve received that were wrapped in the Sunday comics �" come to think of it, after raising all those kids, I wish I had a dollar!
They say Americans spend $3 billion less on Father’s Day than Mother’s Day. I say save your money! Give dad a hug & a visit. He’ll thank you for it.
My boys might get lost on the way over, though �" a study shows men not only hate to ask for directions, they GIVE directions differently than women. For example, a guy might say “Go three blocks west, turn left and then right at the second light.” A woman would say “Go down to the Safeway, turn left, then right at Starbucks.” I think that’s why women get lost less, but the new GPS systems will change all that, and that means one less thing for Lissa & me to talk about!
KBAY’s “Who’s Your Daddy”contest sure lit up the phones �" one guy thought it was a quiz about the NBA!! It’s a cool prize �" now if my boys wanted to chip in for a big screen from Modern TV and dinner at Morton’s, I’d go for that! Nothing says love like a game on the Big Screen & a great steak dinner with my boys!
But trust me, if your dad’s anything like me, one more “Dad You’re the Bestest” card or T-shirt that reads “World’s Greatest Father” and he’s gonna throw up!
So drop in on dear old Dad this Father’s Day �" just don’t ask him for directions.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!
Sam's Blog May 7, 2007:
It’s been called the most famous car in the world, and now the 1969 Dodge known as General Lee has been sold for all the money in the world can be yours! Autographed under the hood by “all the living original cast members and crew” from the TV show, this car was placed on eBay by Bo Duke himself, JOHN SCHNEIDER, and as of May 4th the high bit was nearly $3 million bucks! That’s enough to buy all the moonshine in the Duke Boy’s county! Most guys I know loved The Dukes of Hazard, if only because of the crazy car chases and things the Dukes did with the General Lee.
But is that just a guy thing? I’d give a lot to have my first car back, and I checked with my wife, Carol, and she’d love to have that Maverick her dad bought her when she turned 16, so it this love of cars is bigger than that.
Do you have a favorite car? Is it your first, or just another one that you drove at an important time in your life? One of my favorites was an old Ford wagon I bought for 75 bucks �" I drove the wheels off of it �" brought my son to California from Texas in it when he was a baby, and finally sold it for…you guessed it, 75 bucks. There’s just something about some cars, whether its what you were going through when you owned them or whatever! Maybe it was the car you enjoyed your first kiss in, or drove to your first job it �" usually it’s something about a first. My latest is a 2002 T-bird, and I just turned 100,000 miles in it �" I wouldn’t part with it for the General Lee!
My dad always said a car was to get you from Point A to Point B, but I like to get there in style if I can, although at $4 a gallon there’s going to be a lot less style in my life for awhile. So if like me you love cars, here are some interesting statistics about your car, and the money you have tied up in it, from the book "Are You Normal About Money"
Only 61.4% of people fill their car up with regular gas. . . everyone else goes for one of the premium choices.
About one out of every three people leases a car instead of buying. That's way up from one out of TEN leasing in 1990.
The average person spends $21,000 on a car. . .
Overall, we spend 30% more on buying and maintaining our cars than we do on feeding ourselves.
We spend 39% more on gas than we do on beverages for ourselves.
Only 1% of people say they've bought a car online.
There are more than $450 BILLION in car loans outstanding in America.
-4% of people say that if they wanted to sell their car, they'd take it to a dealer for a trade-in. 36.7% would run an ad in a newspaper or sell it online.
53.3% say that if it needed repair work, they wouldn't mention that while they were selling �" now that’s not nice! That’s if for now �" enjoy the ride!
Sam's Blog: April 16, 2007
Pat's Run is just a short time away, and I've been trying to get "up to speed" for it � the first runs in the spring are the hardest! My son Brandon and my friend Lissa (you may have heard her on the radio) will be joining me on Sunday April 29th. Lissa says she'll walk it � and for her that's a solid commitment! Lissa thinks a walk is what you take to the refrigerator during commercials! I'm really impressed that she'll be there supporting all the runners, and I hope you'll come out to Leland High School to run, walk or cheer.
Spending time with Alex Garwood from the Pat Tillman Foundation these past two years, I've been impressed with the impact Pat Tillman had on everyone he knew � friends have come out by the hundreds at Pat's Run in Arizona, where Pat attended college, and here in San Jose, where he attended Leland High School. The foundation's mission is to carry on Pat's leadership by encouraging others who show leadership skills. The end result will be a better world for us all. I'm proud to help them & invite you to join us. Click on the Pat's Run logo on the KBAY.COM home page and I'll see you April 29th!
If you can't run, maybe a walk works for you � we're also looking for 94.5 volunteers to cheer and hand out water the morning of the run � interested? E-mail me! If you want to get started running, the best way is to approach it slowly, carefully and thoughtfully.
Buy running clothes you look good in and that will motivate you to run.
Wear spandex shorts under your running shorts so you don't chafe "down there."
Cotton socks will only lead to blisters; invest in socks designed for running.
Ladies, don't skimp on a bra. Even if it costs more than your shoes it's a bargain.
Buy new running clothes at the end of the season � think FALL CLEARANCE!
Join your local running club � check with a running store � or volunteer at a local race� THAT WOULD BE "PAT's RUN" WITH KBAY! Good way to meet other runners.
Remember to say "Thank You!" to race volunteers (e.g. when you get that cup of water at the aid station) and family and friends who support you.
Conscientiously share the trail with walkers, bikers and other runners.
Don't carry loose change. It will annoy those who are running with you.
Find a running partner. It is harder to skip a run when you have someone else depending on you.
Remember - It gets easier. Even a bad run is better then no run at all.
