Giving Spree 2009

I’ve been on hiatus the last few weeks, but I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on the amazing run the New Orleans Saints are having this season.  I’m not a Saints fan, but you just have to give credit where credit is due.  Drew Brees is still looking for the shoe he “lost” while matching against the Giants’ defense last week.  Miami gave it the best try I’ve seen so far, but it is hard to compete with a team that makes scoring close to 50 points look easy!  I’m not sure if Drew Brees acknowledges it, but by bringing the aura of winning to a town that is still rebuilding from tragedy – he is presenting a very special gift to New Orleans.  Winning is contagious and even something as simple as a football performance can inspire resilience.

Giving is also contagious, but instead it inspires love and gratitude.  Giving reminds the recipient that they are cared for, but it also reminds the giver of the amazing connection humans are able to have with one another.  In my very worst times in life, I could still find ways to give.  That act of giving was often the thing that helped me turn a pity party into genuine gratitude for the life experience we get to have here together.

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to appreciate all that has been given to us, but it is also a great time to renew a commitment to giving more.  For the next 30 days leading up to Thanksgiving, I will be dedicated to maximum gifting.  I’m not talking about going to the mall and buying up all the sweaters I see.  I’m talking about keeping my eye out for opportunities to give of myself.  I’d love it if you took the journey with me.  You don’t have to commit to the entire 30 days, but choose what would work best for you.  Try a single day, a week, or just a sporadic endeavor.  No attempt to give is too small (like a genuine compliment or holding the door open for a stranger) or too big (like ending poverty or striving for world peace).  Look for ways to give as much as you can and as often as you can!  I will report on my journey through this blog, but you can tell me about yours through email (giftqb@yahoo.com) or the comments section of each entry.

Please pass the word on so this Giving Spree can become highly contagious.  I’m trying to rival the Swine Flu! Speaking of Swine Flu, take a minute and go wash your hands.   See even that tip is a gift!  You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

QB Recap: Week Four

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”  The Usual Suspects (1995)

 

In my opinion, boredom is the most dangerous emotion in the human condition.  We give the most focus to our decisions prompted by love, jealousy, or even revenge – but boredom is just as volatile.  People don’t even seem to notice when their actions are prompted by boredom and that is what makes it so very unpredictable.  Because we rarely acknowledge the explosive power of boredom, we rarely manage the emotion with the same temperance and caution that we give emotions like rage, envy, or even euphoria.  Think of some of the mistakes you made in your life (the ones you can’t figure out why in the world you made at all) and chances are you were bored.  Many things can cure boredom; happiness and fulfillment are definitely good options.  However, most people quell the subtle burn of boredom with drama.  Drama is seldom positive, but always exciting.  Everyone says they don’t want drama, yet they create it in their lives over and over…and over again.  Why?  Here’s a hint – A LOT of people are bored.

Brett Favre’s first meeting with his old team had almost as much drama as a Super Bowl matchup.  It was the kind of story that the media craves and the public loves.  I must admit that I was guilty of buying into the drama of last night’s game too!  I bought into it so much, that it is the only game I will be covering in this week’s recap.  Not often do games live up to all the hype, but this game was absolutely electric.  Brett proved that he still “had it” at 39 years old and the Vikings proved that they are a scarily well balanced team (running, passing, offensive line, defense, AND special teams).  Now that the dust has settled and my boredom has been quelled with the drama, I have to wonder if that game was really something I should have been celebrating at all.  I wanted to see Brett get his revenge on a team that dumped him– but why?  Brett was loved in Green Bay and he gave it all away just to prove to people that he still “had it.”  Really it is more sad than exciting.  In Brett’s first interview after the game, he said that the game didn’t prove anything to him because he already knew he was a great player.  Did he?  If he already knew he was a great player then why would he trade the adoration and reputation that he spent an entire career building in Green Bay?  What was the point if he had nothing to prove to himself?  Did he really just have to have a few more snaps or one more season?  Hmmm….maybe he was just bored.

 

QB TIP: Bored of the same old gifts?  Give an adventure…read this post for some ideas.   You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

 

P.S. I was out sick for Week Three…sorry!  It wasn’t swine flu, but I had to trade my laptop for the pillow.

QB Recap: Week Two

It was a pretty disappointing week for the NFC East.  I have talked to numerous fans and nobody really seems happy – even the winners.  Which fans do you think should be the most upset?

 

WASHINGTON REDSKINS:

The Washington Post ran an article on Monday entitled, “The Agony of Victory.”  This was referring to the Washington Redskins’ narrow victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.  Tampa Bay is speculated to be the second worst team in the NFL and Washington was heavily favored to beat them by a large margin.  Fans hoped that the Redskins would want to make a statement in this game – due to an embarrassing loss to Tampa Bay in 2008 and the need to improve on their performance from last week.  For anyone who saw this game, I don’t have to say much about it.  Washington never scored a single touchdown the entire game.  It isn’t that they look horrible; it is that they can’t seem to get the job done.  Next week they play the absolute worst team in the league.  Could they possibly lose to Detroit?

NEW YORK GIANTS:

The Giants are another team that struggled in the red zone.  They made several long drives down the field and only to walk away with field goals.  This is exactly what you don’t want to see if you are a coach (or a fan)!  They also did a lot of passing which isn’t their usual style.  Why was the running game so ineffective? Like the Redskins, the Giants also won their game on Sunday night.  Still, they are 2-0 so I think their fans should stop all that whining and count their blessings!

DALLAS COWBOYS:

To be totally honest with you, I thought for the most part my Dallas Cowboys looked great on Sunday.  They were on fire in the red zone and the Defense did a great job holding the G-men to field goals.  They lost the game because of mistakes “they” (i.e. Tony Romo) made and not because they were beaten.  So who cares about that?  Nobody.  If you lose, nobody cares why.  Is Dallas a better team than Washington?  I definitely think so.  Do they have the same record?  You better believe it.  Romo better clean up his act pronto!

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES:

Only Philly gave us an example of a traditional “ass-whopping” this week.  That is when you are seriously outmatched and you go out on the filed and make a fool of yourself.  New Orleans ran all over their defense and without McNabb, Philly didn’t have the horsepower to compete offensively.  When will McNabb be back?  Will he be at peak performance?  Would Vick have done any better if he could have played?  Philly fans are seriously worried.

 

I know I’m mainly focusing on the NFC East teams this week, but I need to give a quick “shot-out” to Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez.  At different ends of the career spectrum, they both showed they could get the job done.  It gave me something to admire in a week with many disappointments.

 

QB TIP: When was the last time you bought a gift for your “biggest fan”?  If you are giving it for no reason, any gift (and I do mean any gift) should please your mother.  You can keep it as simple as flowers, a card, or even just an unsolicited phone call.  You will never get more “bang-for-the-buck” than when gifting your mom.  A little bit goes a LONG way.  You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

QB Recap: Week One

“They are who we thought they were!” I sometimes have to remind myself that people usually turn out to be EXACTLY who we thought they were.  Kanye West proved that in his not-so-shocking stunt at the VMAs this weekend, where he simply reminded us that he is the same unstable egomaniac he always was.  Really, why is everyone so surprised?!

I can’t tell you how many fantasy football articles pointed out how unlikely it is that Drew Brees (NOR) or Adrian Peterson (MIN) would put up the kind of big numbers they had in previous years.  I’m not sure what their scoring rules are, but in my league six touchdowns for a QB is a good thing.  Actually, hold on let me check my scoring rules – ok turns out 180 yards and three touchdowns is pretty dang good for a running back too!

Week One was filled with many things I could have seen coming, but these are a few more of my favorites.

-Carson Palmer (CIN): He definitely is who I thought he was!  Watching him play was like running into your ex that dumped you, just to find that he put on 60 pounds and is now living out of his car.  Boy, did I dodge a bullet by swearing off this guy!

-Donovan McNabb (PHI): This guy gets hurt more that my five-year-old riding without his training wheels.  I knew Vick had hit a gold mine in Philly.  I could not imagine that McNabb would stay healthy two seasons in a row.  Did that fool actually break a rib in Week One?  Yes, he did.  We’ll see how long he is “down and out” in coming games.

-Jay Cutler (CHI): I tried to warn all the Washington fans not to lust after Cutler.  He was no better than Campbell in my opinion and would sorely disappoint.  All I can say is – when you’re right; you’re right.  Who gets a new franchise QB just to watch them throw four interceptions in the first game?  Only in Chicago, baby! 

-Tom Brady (NWE): I think I saw Tom Brady throw a game winning (perfect) TD pass on Monday Night Football.  If I didn’t know better, I would think he was almost as good as – Tom Brady.  He may not be back to his original form, but he is definitely still “who I thought he was.”

 

What did you see this week?  The floor is open…leave it in the comments.

 

WEEK ONE QB TIP: Want to tell someone who loves you that you “are who they thought you were?”  If you don’t have the nerve to say it yourself – look for the long rectangular cards in Hallmark.  They have lots of words on them and are guaranteed to make most women cry.  All you have to do is sign your name!  You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

Clinton Portis

My kids went back to school today and I (like many parents) took numerous pictures this morning of them all dressed up in their brand-spanking-new first day of school outfits.  Clinton Portis seems to know the power of a fresh new outfit and he wears his various costumes to press conferences just to provide Washington fans with some entertainment.  I’m not a Washington fan, but I do find these antics amusing.  You have to be really comfortable with yourself to go out in public looking that foolish.

I personally have a hard time recommending that you buy clothes for someone as a gift.  It is very easy to get both their style AND/OR size wrong.  I tried this once and the gift failure is a story my friends still tease me about to this day.  How could you go wrong when giving someone a plain collared black shirt?  Good question, but here’s the answer.  Apparently, Banana Republic cuts their shirts really small AND many of their shirts are designed in a more cosmopolitan style so they don’t work well for guys who aren’t into fashion trends.  The recipient (let’s call him “Jack”) accepted the shirt and claimed to like it.  He even told me he wore it once, but that was before another male friend informed me of the Banana Republic sizing issues and the extremely high probability that my shirt gift was on its way to Goodwill.  I questioned Jack, but he said it “fit” and that he “liked it”.  I knew that wasn’t true, but just on principle I asked that he wear it so I could see it.  I’ve seen Jack maybe 30 times since then, but have never seen the shirt.  I’ve seen many collared shirts on him.  I’ve seen many black shirts on him.  I’ve just never seen my super styled, super tight shirt – and I never will.

Don’t let this happen to you.  Skip the clothes unless the recipient picked them out in advance.  Coats are one exception to this as they require less of a style and size match.  I know many of you will try this anyway, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.  You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

Chad Ocho Cinco

If you could have chosen your own name, what would you want it to be?  Our first name tells people who we are and our last name tells the world where we came from.  The player formerly known as Chad Johnson legally changed his last name to “Ocho Cinco” during the 2008 preseason.  This move forced the league to change his jersey and properly honor the union of the number eight and the number five from which Chad was created.

Like most people, I wrote this stunt off as the usually humorous mixture of arrogance and stupidity.  However, I’m starting to think Chad might have been trying to help the world evolve.  Maybe we shouldn’t have to just walk around with the names we were given at birth.  Maybe we need to take his lead and go grab our little piece of individuality.  Too often we conform to norms just because that is the way things have always been.  Why not pick our own names?  We pick our own jobs, clothes, and cars – all designed to reflect something about who we are.  Is it really that crazy?

People like to pick out things for themselves and that is exactly why I’m NOT against giving gift cards.  They allow the person to get something that is perfectly customized to their preferences.  Gift cards get a bad rap for being thoughtless, but they can actually be sentimental or romantic.  Here are some suggestions on making a gift card more personal, but feel free to reach out to me offline if you need additional ideas.  You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

 

IDEAS TO PERSONALIZE A GIFT CARD 

• Gift Card Hunt: Fill a big box with candy (M&Ms, Skittles, Tootsie Rolls, etc) and have her hunt for the gift card.
• Picture It: Put a romantic or sentimental picture directly on it.  Check out these Visa personalized gift cards.
• Quirky Stores: A $50 gift card to an ice-cream parlor still seems like a fun and unique gift, whereas $50 at Macy’s seems more generic.
• Entertain Me: Consider a Ticketmaster gift card.  This way you are giving the experience, but they get to pick which performance and/or dates work best for them.

Terry Bradshaw

In my circle of friends, we use the term “Outback wings” to describe anything that receives so much hype that the reality can’t live up to it.  This expression came about because a few of us have deep respect for the chicken wings at Outback Steakhouse.  And why shouldn’t we?!  They are well seasoned, crunchy, not greasy, and meaty.  I DO NOT care what anybody says, Outback makes some great wings!  The fact that I expressed this opinion so admittedly has made some of my friends insist that those very yummy wings are merely average.  I don’t know what it is about something being anointed “great” or “the best” that just makes people want to scrutinize it more.

This is definitely the case in football too.  Terry Bradshaw was the first player selected in the 1970 NFL draft.  Usually this tends to bring on the “Outback wings” syndrome and the player never really lives up to the hype.  I can think of numerous examples of this but the one that is sticking out at the moment is Courtney Brown.  Brown was the first pick of the 2000 NFL draft.  This was the same year Tom Brady was drafted #199.  Brown was plagued by injury his entire career and was ultimately cut from the Denver Broncos in 2007.  Terry Bradshaw on the other hand, lived up to every expectation (and then some).  He won four Super Bowls while quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He was a two-time Super Bowl MVP and obviously he resides in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Now maybe the story of a #1 draft pick becoming a hall of famer lacks the kind of dramatic tension we like in the movies, but sometimes the obvious answer is the best answer.

This brings me to the top mentioned “best gift” story from women – the spa day.  Sure it seems SO obvious, but that doesn’t change the fact that most women really enjoy the pampering.  I can’t express how important it is the keep your woman relaxed.  As the expression goes, “If Mama’s not happy, nobody’s happy.”  Trust me – a spa day is a gift for both of you.  You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

Jim Nance

These aren’t just players; these are people. 

One of my oldest friends recently brought to my attention the Patriots Hall of Fame induction of Jim Nance.  Nance was a two-time AFL All-Star.  He was the first player to eclipse the 1,400 yard mark in a single Patriots’ season.  He also still holds the highest yard per game average in Patriots’ history – a record he has held for 43 years.  These are amazing accomplishments and there is no doubt that Nance has meant a lot to the Patriots.  Jim Nance won’t be at the induction ceremony today.  He passed away in 1992.  His family will be there instead.  Football is a way of life, but it isn’t life.  Often we forget that after the big plays are over – these men are sons, husbands, and fathers.  I salute Jim Nance today for all he accomplished – on and off the field.

I feel very fortunate to still have my father’s presence, guidance, and laughter in my life.  We recently shared a chuckle over his “best gift ever” story.  My father grew up in Southwestern Virginia.  Following family harvests, he was often promised a bicycle.  When it didn’t arrive after a few years, he simply gave up and assumed it would never come.  One day, he arrived home from school and found a brand new bicycle sitting in front of the family store.  You have to hear how he tells the story – even after all this time.  “Oh man, it was nice!  It had everything – chrome and tassels!”  He even likened it to the iconic bicycle in the movie “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.”  My father’s mother died when he was nine years old so it is amazing that he found so much joy from events that took place only a short time afterwards.  In the true spirit of giving, he passed on his bike to a cousin when the family moved to New York City. 

Men might not be as emotional as women, but the passion my father had around this story tells me that a great gift affects everyone the same.  If you can, drop everything and go ask your father what his best gift ever was.  There is no time like the present!  Besides, it might give you some additional insight.  You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

Dan Marino

I’m all for swimming with dolphins, but sting rays?!  Isn’t that what killed “The Crocodile Hunter”?  I like a little water excitement, but I draw the line at swimming with sting rays or sharks.  I really don’t want to swim with anything living in the water unless it is a dolphin.

People love dolphins, but they have always struck me as a strange sports name.  The Miami Dolphins are the home of Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino.  This is the guy who has held the most passing yards in a season record for 25 years!  Seems like he deserves a stronger team name than the “Dolphins”.  Don’t get me wrong, they are super cute.  It’s just that cute is not what I think of for football names.  How would you feel about the Green Bay Bunnies or the Philadelphia Puppies?

Still, I got four different stories about swimming with the dolphins being someone’s best gift ever.  This makes me think I need to try it!  When I think of all the stories I received, more were about experiences than actual gifts.  Giving an experience allows the recipient the opportunity to hold on to memories long after the value of an item has faded.  I’m not going to lie – big experiences usually don’t come cheap.  Here is a list of the one’s I have received, plus some ideas of my own.  I’d be happy to help if you want to do any of these and need help figuring out some of the details.  You can always reach me at giftqb@yahoo.com.  You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

BIG TICKET EXPERIENCE IDEAS

1. Swimming with the dolphins
2. Helicopter ride
3. Adult space camp
4. Bungee jumping
5. Hot air balloon ride
6. White water rafting
7. Skydiving
8. Stock car racing
9. Snorkeling/scuba diving
10.  Horseback riding

QB Weekender

Ok, it’s time for a weekender!  This week we’re focusing on “pimp suits”.  Pimp suits are extra customized, sometimes extra colorful, and in the minds of those wearing them – extra fly.

If there was a Super Bowl of NFL pimp suits, that game would be a battle between former players turned commentators Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin.  Who do you think wins?

 

Deion Sanders

 

Michael Irvin