My wife and I were at lunch today and SEC football previews were running on the TV. The Florida Gator preview came up and she reminded me about the time in the spring of this year when my step-son, Tommy, had his picture taken with Urban Meyer.

The family was down in Gainesville (I was absent, on a work trip). They were visiting some family and GrandPoppy wanted to show Tommy and my other son “The Swamp”. So, they went to look around and took some pictures. Well, GrandPoppy had to take my little one for a potty break when out of the blue Coach Meyer came out and started running stairs in the stadium.

He ended up stopping right near my wife and Tommy and she asked if he would take a quick picture with Tommy (who happened to be wearing his University of Tennessee t-shirt).

As you can see, Coach Meyer at the last minute covered up the UT logo and was a great sport about it.

Do you have a son or daughter on the verge of puberty? I do. It’s not all that fun.

There is nothing I despise more that those who think that their life is one constant entitlement. Sure, I’d love to be waited upon all the time - but that’s not how the world works. I was talking to my wife about it this morning and I had this minor epiphany - “you have to give to get.”

I believe that the universe owes us absolutely nothing. However, the universe will reward us when we give. It’s a pretty simple concept, but why is it so darn hard? My guess is that society has become just too lazy.

BTW, the Sammy Hagar reference is about a song called “Give to Live“. Check it out, the acoustic version he did on the Van Halen Live album is great.

Enough said…

There’s only one magazine that I take that warrants a cover-to-cover read. It’s Esquire.

At this point in my life it addresses most everything that I’m dealing with or need to know about. This is a great example of the kinds of things you’ll find in there: Four Trips to Take with Your Kids Before They’re 18.

In any given month, you’ll find information on what to wear, politics, being a better man, understanding (or attempting to) a woman, sex and sports. I also love the “What I’ve Learned” column. Give it a try next time you’re infront of a newsstand.

I had to go do one of my least favorite things in the world this morning. Yeah…I know…you’re supposed to get your teeth cleaned. But, I just hate the dentist - never have liked it. It’s the taste of tooth polish, the smells, the sounds and that “sterile” environment that just sucks. I may have to give these new “dental spas” a try.

BTW, ‘loathe’ is one of my favorite words. It’s one of those words that should be used more often.

loathe¹ –verb (used with object), loathed, loath·ing.
to feel disgust or intense aversion for; abhor: I loathe people who spread malicious gossip.

¹ “loathe.” Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 09 May. 2007. [Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/loathe].