Friday, October 17, 2014

Plenty to Do at E C U

Me Chillin' at E C U
   I'm chillin' @ East Carolina University's Student Center, in Greenville, NC, here with a group of basketball players to play in the NC Senior Games (NCSG) annual tournament. 

   Left at 3:45 am this morning for the 3-4 hour drive, got here at 7:30, and my first game isn't until 3:25 pm, so I've got time to "chill out" & see a few sights around campus. We will play up to four games, if we win all four, we get a gold medal.

 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Carolina-Senior-Games-Inc/107408317062

Friday, September 26, 2014

The Demotion of Emotions

  [Sometimes I'm a bit too cute in my use of rhyme and alliteration. 
Hope this title fits the topic.]

   Right now, I'm listening to "A Place of Springs", a tune by Phil Keaggy, on PANDORA... and then Billy McLaughlin, Leo Kottke, and Bruce CockburnMusic tends to relax me and help me to release bad emotions and focus on tasks at hand or shift my thinking to something good or beneficial.  This piece of music began the process, and will probably "do the trick."  The TV in this room is on 'The Beverly Hillbillies'.  Listening to beautiful acoustic guitar music to the backdrop of Jed, Jethro, Granny & Ellie Mae just doesn't seem to fit somehow.  But anyway, I try to block that out.  I might turn the TV off, except that I'm here with my dad in a shared room of a rehab center.

   This is a time of some stress, anxiety, confusion, bewilderment, a lot of different emotions, but many of them taxing on the body and soul.  We went from a hospital situation where dad's health and vitality were a moment-by-moment concern, to a rehab center, where many older adults with dementia also reside.  A lady keeps grabbing me
every time that I walk down the hallway, supposedly thinking that I'm her son.  I was on a phone, and she kept grabbing the phone cord and pulling on it.  Another gentleman on this wing kept calling, "Come here, Nurse!", even after the nurse had come to check on him.  This yelling persisted, he called for her more than a dozen times, so loudly that everyone on the hall could hear him. 

[These two circumstances are as much a source
of amusement as they are an annoyance.]

   Emotions run a gamut from good to bad, positive to negative, irritating to sentimental, and sometimes all of them converge to produce an effect that is overwhelming to us.

   In the midst of all of this, it is peaceful to listen to the music, and seek rest for one's soul.  And we as a family also seek that rest and peace that comes from trusting in the Lord.   The stress and distress still come back on a daily basis, but we can always find rest for our souls if we seek it in the right place.


 


Saturday, July 12, 2014

Bob the Hiker


   
   I joined a hiking group back in the spring called the Outdoor Adventure Club.  We have monthly hikes and other activities, and average about 12 to 15 people at each event. 

    Today, we took a trip to Winston-Salem to Salem Lake.   Here is a recap of our trip, and some brief info about our club and its activities.

   More pictures are also available at the following link.




RECAP OF OUR HIKE TO SALEM LAKE


PICS FROM OUR HIKING TRIP TO SALEM LAKE



LINKS TO SALEM LAKE, WINSTON-SALEM, NC

Monday, July 7, 2014

My Writings

   As I am developing and editing "The Bob Page" website, I'm adding and deleting, and moving around various items.  One of the newest features will be a page where I will display some of my writing projects.  I hope to expand these writings into book form at some point, perhaps downloading them into an e-Book format.  In July/August, I am studying three online classes related to writing :  
  •  Publish and Sell Your e-Books
  •  Writing and Selling Self-Help Books
  •  Introduction to Internet Writing Markets
  •    [1]  One of those writing projects, "SAY WHAT?-- Everyday English Expressions Explained", already occupies a page on my site. CLICK ABOVE on the link to go to that site.  It is a collection of popular English colloquial expressions.  As time permits, I hope to research them more and develop a commentary explaining the origin and meaning of these expressions which we use so often in our everyday speech.
  •  [2]  Another of those projects, "The Sports Widow's Guide to Football", is also in progress, and this unfinished project is now downloaded to this site and I offer it for you to read and enjoy, and also to leave me comments and suggestions.
   My other projects [ presently on the backburner ] include : 
  • [3] "Make This Job and Love It" [an Enterpreneurial Business Guide]; 
  •  [4] "JFK Plus 50 : 50 Questions Still Left Unanswered" [a research and expose of the Kennedy Assassination]; 
  •  [5] "As E-Z as A-P-C" [an easy-to-read how-to book for beginning computer users]; 
  •  [6] a yet untitled Guitar Workbook & Video for beginning guitar playersand
  •   [7] "Sidekicks & Second Bananas : TV & Movie Role Players from the Golden Era" [a biographical sketch of many of the unknown but well-recognized background actors and actresses over the last fifty years].
   Quite an ambitious and challenging group of writing projects, if I do say so myself!  I'm aware that these projects will take some time to complete, but I've been "thinking" over these in my mind for some time now [a period of years], and I'm about ready to get serious about pouring my heart into actually finishing a few of them.

   This may be somewhat of a surprise for some of my friends and those of you that might occasionally read my blog site.  When you get over the initial shock, I hope that you will choose to support and encourage me in this endeavor.  Thanks to all of my friends and hopefully you will be holding or reading a completed version of one of these projects in the not too distant future.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Sports Widow's Guide to Football

THE SPORTS WIDOW'S GUIDE TO FOOTBALL
[ Football 101 for Beginners ]

[editor's note:  I hope to divide this up into individual pages for each chapter in the near future.  Sorry for such a long posting.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 : Introduction : Why ?

Chapter 2 : The Basics of the Game

Chapter 3 : The Rules of the Game

Chapter 4 : Offensive Football

Chapter 5 : Defensive Football

Chapter 6 : The Special Teams

Chapter 7 :  History & Heroes of the Game

Chapter 8 :  Terms, Trivia & Tidbits

Chapter 9 :  Questions & Answers

Chapter 10 : What Now ?


CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION : WHY ?

        A few years ago, I was at a local store, waiting in the checkout line, on Super Bowl Sunday.  I was probably picking up some last-minute snacks for the game.  Behind me in the line was a young lady, who was quite noticeably excited about something.  I asked her if she was going to watch the Super Bowl, to which she enthusiastically replied, “Yes!  Her answer to my next question would provide the basis for this book.

        I asked her, “Which quarterback do you like best?”   She paused, then asked me, “Umm-- what’s a quarterback?” and then apologized or offered an excuse for not knowing.

        This portrays an error that we oftentimes make when dealing with others: we assume people’s knowledge or familiarity of something that we ourselves accept and take for granted.  This girl was obviously excited about spending the afternoon with her friends, watching a football game, but having no earthly idea of what it was really all about.

        Over the last few years, I have begun to notice attempts on the part of various people and organizations to increase awareness of this sport.  Collegiate and professional sports teams have sponsored seminars and webinars for novices to learn more about football.  Authors and publishers have also seen the need and responded with basic books.
Unfortunately, some of these attempts at educating have tried to be so complete in their explanations that it has instead driven the otherwise sincere student farther away from understanding the game.

        I no longer take for granted that others have the same knowledge or familiarity that many of us do about something so popular as football.  Neither do I take for granted that everyone will automatically wish to learn more.  Some may desire to just stay in the background, and remain clueless or ignorant of the details of this game.  However, for those that do wish to increase their awareness, this book will attempt to answer some basic questions about the game and help those that live with “sports nuts” to blend in, rather than stick out, and maybe actually enjoy the experience more.


CHAPTER 2 : THE BASICS OF THE GAME

        While it is important to not assume any knowledge for a beginner, it is also crucial to begin with some basics upon which everything else will follow.  Be sure you understand the basics before you attempt to go on and try to learn more or gain an overall familiarity with the game.

        Here are some of the BASICS of the game of football.

An American Football
  •    Football is played with a football.  This may seem a rather elementary and unnecessary statement, but nothing is assumed here. This is a picture of a football.  It may be helpful here to clarify that the game of "soccer" is also referred to by many as "football", but it is quite different from the American version.  While a portion of our game involves kicking ("foot"), a greater part is involved in running and passing the ball.
  •    Football is a team game.  While a football team usually includes many more team members, there are eleven players for each team allowed on the field at any given time.  There is an offensive team, a defensive team, and a group called Special Teams, which includes all of the aspects of the kicking game.
  •    Football is played on a field.  Originally, all football games were outdoors, played on grass.  In later years, some fields were moved inside, and the playing surface sometimes was changed from grass to an artificial “turf.”  Most of the reasons for this were weather-related.  Some football purists believe that part of the essence of the game is the playing in natural conditions, whether on a sunny, dry field, or in the snow or mud.
  •    Football is a time-based game. While baseball is based on outs and innings, and therefore could theoretically go on indefinitely, football is a timed game.  REGULATION time lasts for sixty (60) minutes, divided up into four 15-minute quarters, with a halftime break.  The time clock is usually stopped on dead balls, which include incomplete passes, out-of-bound plays, after scores and on time outs.  At the end of regulation, if the game is tied, an OVERTIME period will normally be played to determine the outcome of the game.  Overtime rules vary, depending on whether it is high school, college, or professional football.     [see RULES OF THE GAME].
       
CHAPTER 3 : THE RULES OF THE GAME

THE FIELD
       
The football game is played on a rectangular field that is measured in yards, 100 yards long and [ width of field ].  The field is divided by lines and markers.  Each ten-yard section of the field is marked by a line and number.  Between these are five-yard marker lines.  The five and ten-yard lines run from one sideline to the other. Then, one-yard dividers, called hash markers, are positioned between the line markers on each side of the field.

A Football Field
     Each end of the field (50 yards) is considered a team’s territory. The yard lines are numbered 0-40 on both sides of the field, with one 50-yard-line marker at midfield.  Since the field is numbered this way, when one team passes over the 50-yard-line, they are considered in their opponent’s territory.  At the end of each side of the field is a goal line, marked with a ‘G’, and a ten-yard END ZONE.

        There are goal posts at each end of the field, usually positioned at the BACK of the end zone.  A goal post has a support post, topped by a horizontal bar, and two vertical posts on each end.  The goal post is used to mark a successful field goal or extra point [ see SCORING ].  A kick is successful when it crosses over the horizontal bar, between the two vertical posts (uprights).

OFFENSIVE POSSESSION

A coin toss at the beginning of the game determines which team gets the choice of first possession, or on which end of the field they will play.  A kickoff takes place, in which the team which will be on defense kicks the ball to the offense.  After the kickoff return, the offense begins what is termed an offensive drive, in which they attempt to advance the ball down the field and score a touchdown.

The two teams line up, with the position of the ball marking what is called the “line of scrimmage”.  The offensive team is given up to four plays, called downs, to advance the ball a distance of ten yards. These plays are numbered, being called first, second, third & fourth downs.  Each time the offense goes ten yards or more, they are awarded a new “first down”. 

The field is divided into two 50-yard territories. 

·        If a team is in their own territory, yardage is added to achieve field position.  EX : If the ball is on the 25-yard-line and a team gains eight (8) yards, then 25 = 8 = 33 [the ball is now on the 33-yard-line]. 

·        But once they pass the 50-yard-line, yardage is subtracted to achieve field position.  EX : If the ball is on the 45-yard-line and a team gains eight (8) yards, then 45 + 5 = 50, and then 50 – 3 = 47  [the ball is now on the opponent’s 47-yard-line].

A team does not have to use all four downs to get a first down, or to score a touchdown.  They can gain ten yards or more on first down, and so therefore, the next play will be first down again.  The team could also score a touchdown on any given play, by advancing the ball to the goal line.

If a team does not gain ten yards on their first three downs, they have the choice of either trying for a first down on fourth down, or punting (kicking) the ball to the other team.  Most teams elect to kick the ball away, instead of risking the attempt on fourth down, because if they do not gain the yardage necessary for a first down, the opponent is awarded the ball at that point.  With a punt, the team is allowed to move the position of the ball deeper into their opponent’s end of the field before they take possession.

SCORING

·        TOUCHDOWN- When the offensive team runs or passes the ball past the opponent’s goal line, they score a touchdown. (6 points)

·        EXTRA POINT- After a touchdown, a team is allowed to attempt an extra point.

o   A kick called an “extra point,” or “PAT” (point after touchdown) is attempted from close to the goal.  (1 point)  If a team successfully kicks this point, they score a total of seven (7) points instead of the six points.

o   A ‘two-point’ conversion is allowed, if the team chooses to line up and run or pass the ball over the goal line. (2 points)  If a team is successful, they score a total of eight (8) points instead of the six points.

·        FIELD GOAL-  When a team’s drive stalls, and they are in field goal range [meaning it is close enough for the kicker to make a kick], then the team may choose to attempt a field goal on fourth down rather than try for a first down or touchdown.  The ball is snapped to a “holder”, and the kicker attempts to kick the ball through the goalposts.  (3 points)

REFEREES & PENALTIES

        A group of officials, called referees, control and regulate the football game by :

·        managing the game clock ;
·        using first-down chains to mark the position of the ball ;
·        following a set of rules which, if broken, result in penalties.


CHAPTER 4 : OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL

        As stated earlier, each team is allowed eleven players on the field at any given time.  A team will either be on offense or defense.  The offensive team’s basic goal is to advance the ball down the field, and to cross the goal line.   However, the defensive team’s basic goal is to prevent the other team from achieving this goal, and to get the ball back for their offense.

        In this chapter, we will take a look at offensive football.  We will define what an offense is, and examine some of the basics of the offensive game.

        Let’s start by looking at the individual positions on the offensive team, and what each player’s role is in the overall team.

OFFENSIVE POSITIONS

·        QUARTERBACK (QB) 
Most people consider the quarterback to be the most important player on a football team.  If for no other reason, this may be true because the quarterback has the ball in his hands more than any other player on the team.

The quarterback is part of what is called the backfield.  He is responsible for executing the offensive plays, directing his team down the field, and scoring touchdowns.  He will call a play in the team’s huddle, then usually either hand off the football to a running back (RB) or drop back and throw the football to a receiver (WR or TE).

·        RUNNING BACKS (RB) 
The running backs are typically the offensive players whose job is to run (or rush) the football.  They line up in the backfield, and will either take a direct hand-off or a pitch-out from the quarterback, and attempt to advance the ball down the field.  Running backs also receive passes from the quarterback.

There are normally at least one, and usually two, running backs in an offense.The two types of running backs are usually featured on an offense : the halfback and the fullback.  The halfback is usually a faster runner who tries to outrun or elude defenders, while the fullback is usually a power runner who is used in short-yardage situations or near the goal line.

·        RECEIVERS (WR & TE). 
The receivers on an offense are responsible for running downfield (pass patterns) and catching passes from the quarterback.  There are usually two wide receivers (WR), and a tight end (TE).  The wide receivers (or split ends), who line up on each side of the offensive line, often catch more of the passes, and may be faster. The tight end is usually a bigger player, and in addition to catching passes, often blocks for the running backs.

·        OFFENSIVE LINE. 
The offensive line is a group of players who form what is called the “Line of Scrimmage.”  It usually consists of five or six players : a center, two guards, two tackles, and the tight end. 

o   The center (C) is in the middle of this line, and his primary job is to take the football and “hike” [hand] it to the quarterback to start each play.

o   The two guards and two tackles are located on each side of the center and are designated as LG and LT (left), and  RG and RT (right). 

o   The tight end (TE) is considered a receiver, but is usually positioned on the right side of the offensive line.  This player is often used for blocking, as well as receiving.


CHAPTER 5 : DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL

CHAPTER 6 : THE SPECIAL TEAMS

CHAPTER 7 :  HISTORY & HEROES OF THE GAME

CHAPTER 8 : TERMS, TRIVIA & TIDBITS

CHAPTER 9 : QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

CHAPTER 10 : WHAT NOW ?

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Birthday Thoughts & Wishes

  Hey.. today is my birthday.. well.. so what ?   actually, I don't have a -LOT- planned for my actual birthday.  I'm now online at the public library..  I'm planning some kind of a walk today.. maybe a trip to the YMCA.. then to a friend's club tonight to listen to some music and have some fun.  Not really a social extravaganza..  I'm open to someone taking me out for Lunch or Dinner, though.  Any takers ?

   So.. today's my birthday.. It's just another day, right ?  It all depends on your perspective.  Birthdays usually make me stop and think, to evaluate where I've been and where I'm going, to "ponder & wonder" about life and everything.. Guess I'm just odd or unique in that way.. most days seem to just pass us by, without much deep thought or musing about what is going on in our lives..

   
Here is a brief list of my thoughts and wishes on my Birthday :
  •  I miss all of my friends.  It often seems that, no matter where my friends are located (even if they are right down the street), we do not take the time to "know" each other and enjoy each other's company.   I'm hoping that in the coming days and years, I will make the time and effort to spend more time with my friends.
  • I love my family : my mom {Betty} & my dad {Bob Sr.}, my sister {Susan}, and two nieces {Cassidy & Lisa}.  My aunts : dad's sister Margaret { in a retirement center in SC }, and mom's sister Jayne { who lives less than an hour away }.  And all of my many cousins on both my mom's and dad's side of the family.  I recall a lot of wonderful times in the past.  Family times, not a lot of them, but each one a precious memory.
  •  People and Experiences are more important than Things and Possessions.  I'm sure that this conviction has changed over the years.  And there are certain things that I treasure: my guitars,  certain songs, movies or TV shows, etc.  But I'd trade any thing for an opportunity to enjoy more time with people that I am unable to enjoy any longer.  And I'm struggling with just how much time I spend with those that I love.  We all need to value that time, and look for more of it to share.
  •  I want to value and treasure the life that God gives me each & every day, and thank him for it, and use it wisely.  Not to say that I am doing that perfectly, but it is my desire.  Guess as life goes on, and our time gets shorter, we come to want to treasure it more.  I understand now that I've got less time to live on this planet than the time that I've already lived.  I'm "over the hill" so-to-speak.  But I don't necessarily want it to be all downhill from here on out.  I'm wishing to accept life's challenges, and hopefully they will help me to grow and learn even more than I have in the past.
  •  I don't have a Bucket List, but I do want to "Love Life" and enjoy it more.  Not to say- I'm open to new experiences, and not opposed to lists, necessarily.  But I sorta want to "take life as it comes", as God grants me to live it a day at a time.  And he helps me to realize He is the source of all good things.  He is my Source and my Provider, and He is the one who is truly my best Friend of all.  Thank You Lord.  =)
This little Birthday Wishes post has been "way too serious" for me.  It was good, but I'm not used to getting so "heavy."  So just want to take a moment to INVITE YOU to my Party :  "Bob's Birthday Bash"..  next weekend on Sunday, June 22 .. you can find more details at this link :

  
If you are one of my friends, or if you'd like to be, take the time to write to me, and plan to come join us for my Big Bash on the 22nd.

 

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

My Three Buddies


    
    My three buddies.. Here they are , snuggling during the cold spell that we had sometime in March.  Now that it's springtime, they are "fit to be tied," they are gallavanting all over the place, and it's hard even to keep track of them.  But one thing's for sure, when they are hungry, they come around, meow-ing and looking pitiful, and eager to see you.  It's funny how food can be such a strong motivating factor, isn't it ?