Women Win Big - New Basketball Record

Yesterday Stanford's women basketball finally beat University of Connecticut's team, stopping their winning streak at 90 games... a national record.

I know this is strange - me writing on sports BUT I promise this really is me ;)

And these women are worth reading about.

I would never claim to be a sports expert, but I simply had to write a blog about this story. No need to worry, though, I did my research getting facts from legit sports fanatics!

If, like me, you hardly know a hail Mary from a home run and root for a team based on who the rookie is rather than national standings, you may not have been up to date on these ladies steadily winning and coming closer to the record.

But our athletic-aloofness may not have been entirely our fault because the story was not heavily covered, at least not at first. Christine Brennan of USA Today wrote an article called "Where's the buzz over UConn women's winning streak?" Here, according to her, was the issue:

You name the excuse and it's certain to be attached to the Connecticut women's basketball team as it attempts to tie the 1971-74 UCLA men's team's record of 88 consecutive victories Sunday (2 p.m. ET, ESPNU) against Ohio State, then break the record Tuesday against Florida State.

She points out that if a men's team were coming up on a new record, the news coverage would be excessive and that sports are still not equitable as many assume since women now play many of the same sports men play. Brennan argues that this inequity is evidenced in that imbalance in news coverage as well as the dismissal that these women would only hold the women's record, not the "real" record for uninterrupted basketball wins since they don't play the "same game." 

However, she ends her article with this:

Come up with all the excuses and differences you'd like, but in the end, this should be a conversation about the game of basketball. A college team once won 88 in a row. If another college team wins 89 in a row, isn't that better?

And they were better.

According to The New York Times:

it is the Connecticut women, not the U.C.L.A. men, who now hold the major-college basketball record for invincibility. The Huskies won their 89th consecutive game Tuesday with a 93-62 throttling of Florida State before a sellout crowd of 16,294 at the XL Center, surpassing the 88 straight won by the U.C.L.A. men, coached by John Wooden, from 1971 to 1974.

 BUT, their streak ended yesterday.

Stanford ended UConn's streak last night with a decisive win: 71-59.

The craziest part was that Stanford was the team to end UConn's last streak in 2008. To read  more, check out this article that dubs both of Stanford's wins as "Two Platinum Bookends."

Both Stanford and UConn deserve recognition and some attention for their women's basketball teams. In fact, all of women's sports could use a little more recognition.

After all, women just won big, beating out the boys for the record : )

I Think I'm in Love...

... with slam poetry.

It is intense, powerful performance poetry by people who have clever, often cutting commentary on their lives and society. I cannot get enough of it. 

Seriously, my mom - just today - diagnosed me as addicted to YouTube.

I simply can't help it. A video of one poet leads me to another and then another and before I know it, I have spent an hour watching people "spit their rhymes."

Perhaps y'all remember my former blog post where I gushed over Rafael Casal. My crush continues, especially after watching his new stuff: "Ego."

But I've gained a new crush: Chris Tse.

He has countless impressive poems but here are two of my favorites. One is about ending stereotypes. The other one, though I am sad that he had so much content to rhyme about was incredibly well-written and I agree with his desire to move from hatred to love: "I'm a Christian, I'm Sorry."

Yet another crush developed when I discovered George Watsky.

He was precious and proud in his defense first of high school virgins and then lisps. I LOVE IT!!!! There truly is beauty in owning what others might label imperfections.

Beyond the boys though, there were also some brilliant female poets.

Katie Makkai had a poignant poem called "Pretty" about beauty expectations and happiness. The last minute is particularly fabulous!

Also, Sarah Kay had a beautiful poem about her future daughter.

Then there was Shannon Matesky who had a clever poem about Facebook and Myspace.

Lastly, there was Jasmine Mans who delivered a very sad but powerful poem about rape and family.

I hope y'all enjoyed these poems. I've watched many, MANY more... ahhh, the beauty of time to kill on Christmas break :)

If I find any more great ones, I'll share them. Until then, if you've got time to kill, I encourage you to start your own YouTube addiction to explore slam poetry and find your own favorites...

On the Inside: Nursing Homes

Two beds crammed in a tiny room.

Wrinkled faces staring blankly from under the covers, surrounded by dying plants and photographs of forgotten family. Stuffed animals and old movies scattered about. The smell, like hospitals and dirty diapers mixed together, caught my breath.

I couldn't, however, catch the tears that welled up in my eyes. They spilled over as I sang "We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!" - the unrealistic and almost insincere words broke my heart.I found it hard to believe that their new year held much...

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I haven't written in awhile because I was living in the library to write papers, compile portfolios and study for exams; then I went straight to a mission trip with Baptist Collegiate Ministry groups from around the state of South Carolina.

We did a number of things like host Christmas parties for under-privileged children, bake cookies for firefighters and nurses, buy and wrap gifts for needy families, etc.

The service that affected me the most though was visiting local nursing homes to sing Christmas songs and visit with the residents. While I know we brought joy to many men and women there, I couldn't help but feel a sadness as I left each day.

Some residents reintroduced themselves to me literally 10+ times. Others said absolutely nothing but stared off, likely in their own world, seeing something other than the little room in front of them. Some even acted out their own other world - Ms. Nancy, for example, used to work in a retail store so she was constantly rattling off prices for things that I couldn't see. At one point, she showed me her worn, white slippers telling me they were lovely black pumps on sale for $3.99.

A few were not nearly as happy as Ms. Nancy and the other residents in their own private, little worlds. Some residents were still lucid, incredibly aware of what lay in front of their eyes... their small world, day in and day out.

They did not like what they saw.

Neither did I.

One man suffering from dementia simply rode up and down the hall on his wheelchair asking for the way out. Another woman simply sat in her wheelchair and repeated "I want to go home; get me out of here!" Perhaps the most unsettling story I heard was of a woman who was dropped off only 3 weeks ago. Her daughter told her that she was coming back for her in 2 weeks but never came. As though that were not bad enough, the daughter is now selling her mom's home, against her mother's wishes.

Simply awful.

Yet another woman who had been in there for over four years with very infrequent visitors spoke of "people on the outside." It sounded so much like prison and made me think of this email I read recently:

Jails and Nursing Homes

Here's the way it should be:

Let's put the seniors in jail and the criminals in nursing homes.

This would correct two things in one motion:

Seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks.
They would receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheel chairs, etc.
They would receive money instead of having to pay it out.
They would have constant video monitoring, so they would be helped instantly if they fell or needed assistance. 

Bedding would be washed twice a week and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them.
A guard would check on them every 20 minutes.
All meals and snacks would be brought to them.
They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose. 

They would have access to a library, weight/fitness room, spiritual counseling, a pool and education...and free admission to in-house concerts by nationally recognized entertainment artists.
Simple clothing - ie., shoes, slippers, pj's - and legal aid would be free, upon request.
There would be private, secure rooms provided for all with an outdoor exercise yard complete with gardens.
 Each senior would have a P.C., T.V., phone and radio in their room at no cost. 
They would receive daily phone calls. 

There would be a board of directors to hear any complaints and the ACLU would fight for their rights and protection. 
The guards would have a code of conduct to be strictly adhered to, with attorneys available, at no charge to protect the seniors and their families from abuse or neglect.

As for the criminals: 
They would receive cold food. 
They would be left alone and unsupervised. 
They would receive showers once a week. 
They would live in tiny rooms, for which they would have to pay $5,000 per month. 
They would have no hope of ever getting out.

"Sounds like justice to me!" 

 I'm not suggesting that all nursing homes are bad or even that the ones I visited were. I am, however, saying that some can be and certainly are. Not even counting neglect, there are reports of elder abuse that average out to an elderly person being abused every 5 seconds. A woman who works with a rape/abuse prevention and treatment center told me that there are even cases of 80+ year old women being raped in nursing homes.

If you have a family member or know anyone currently living in a nursing home - "on the inside" - PLEASE go visit them this holiday season (and throughout the year) to check on them, to love on them, to simply be with them.

Though I know our visits on my mission trip certainly brightened the days of several residents, real difference can be made through relationships developed over regular visits.

I highly encourage you to take a trip to your local nursing home.
Bring pictures, magazines, movies - things like that to entertain them.
Listen to their stories.
Tell them your own.
Expand their little worlds so they can know more about things on "the outside" - and that at least someone (YOU!) remembers them and cares.

$13,725,166,759,183.46 = our national debt

I repeat, $13,725,166,759,183.46 is our national debt.

I've always been told that "money doesn't grow on trees" but it seems that our country thinks so.

And so do many of our politicians... like Hugh Jidette. 

Read that last sentence aloud.

Did you catch on that his name sounds like “Huge Debt”?

Hugh is a fictional character that is part of a very clever PR campaign put on by OweNo.com.

He is "a fictional presidential candidate who has been created to capture the attention of the nation and bring to light the facts about our federal fiscal challenges and the threats they pose to our nation’s economic future." He certainly does capture attention. I had the tv on and was only half-listenting to his hilarious commercial called "Borrow Like There's No Tomorrow" which drew me in and led me to their wonderful website.

According to OweNo.com, "official government projections show federal debt doubling by the 2020’s, tripling by the 2030s and even quadrupling by the 2040’s. That means that, unless we change our course, $13.6 trillion could grow to more than $50 trillion."

Here are some even more frightening facts from their website:

• National debt averages out at a staggering $44,000 for every person in America.
• The number of people aged 65+ is projected to double, aka more people receiving more benefits which = MORE debt.
• $200 billion = what our government spends every year JUST on interest payments. AND, we get nothing for that money; much of it goes oversees to countries who own our debt. 
• By 2027, interest would be the largest item in the federal budget.
• Eventually, interest would take up 100% of all of the money the federal government collects - aka no money would be left to pay for things a government should do like education, research, development, etc.
• Owing so much to foreign countries could give them unprecedented and unacceptable influence over us.

How does all of this happen?

It is pretty simple. The website states, "Here’s how we’ve gotten to this point: The federal government has to borrow money when the revenues it collects are not enough to cover the amount it spends — a budget deficit."

And it is a significant deficit:



But this site is not just a downer. They offer several possible solutions.

In particular, they focus on the need to tweak the federal budget which currently breaks down as follows:

1. Healthcare: 36%
2. Social Security: 23%
3. Everything Else: 21%
4. Defense: 20%

Crazy, right?

This is even crazier; According to their website:

1. Healthcare: The U.S. spends twice as much per person on health care than most other countries; furthermore, healthcare represents 44% of projected federal spending by 2040, and is the largest and fastest growing fiscal challenge.
2. Social Security: In 1950, there were 16 workers paying taxes to support 1 retired person; by 2040, there will only be 2 workers for each retired person – this creates a big shortfall of money in the system.
3. Everything Else: This includes things such as agriculture, transportation, homeland security, education, unemployment benefits, national parks, international relations, and the operations of government.
4. Defense: The United States spends more on defense than the next 14 countries, combined.

If you'd like to join Hugh and those at OweNo.com, then click here to get involved with this great campaign.

Say "Oh yes" to "OweNO!"

Speak Out Before There is No One Left: Stop Bullying Now

Watch this powerful 41 seconds from MTV's fabulous campaign: A Thin Line.

It is so well done and so accurate. Words are etched into our memories if not literally etched with ink into our skin.

And watch this sweet anti-bullying ad.

Just one person standing up for another is incredibly powerful. And we all should; here is a reason why:

First They Came 

by Pastor Martin Niemoller

In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. 

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. 

Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. 

Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.

This past September alone, there were four very public deaths of gay students who commited suicide - because. of. bullying. 

We cannot be silent as those around us are relentlessly bullied. 

We have to speak up... for the red heads, for the LGBT community, for the "uncool" kids... ANYONE facing this daily torture. 


Stop Bullying Now.
 

Growing Up and Growing My Network - Center for Women's Speed Networking Event

Monday night made me an adult. Or at least it made me feel like one.

I walked into the Center for Women’s 9^th Annual Entrepreneurs Networking Event, wearing slacks and carrying my first set of official business cards. I went in as a senior in college overwhelmed by my future and I left encouraged, empowered, and informed with new contacts and job options.  

I wish every senior had the opportunity that I did. Lucky enough to be serving as the Center for Women intern, I planned to attend the event to help them but I did not realize how much I would be helping myself.

Entering a room filled with tons of tables and wonderful women, I found my place at the correctly numbered table. Each table was numbered for 3 different rounds of speed networking, which was much like speed dating only, at the end of the night you end up with job opportunities rather than romantic ones.

And I certainly did end up with opportunities – many of them. Throughout the two hours I was able to meet and exchange business cards with almost 30 women!?! I have already received an email, a phone call and a LinkedIn request… all from one evening.

I have been told over and over again in college that it is more of who you know rather than what you know.  

I cannot think of a better or more enjoyable way to increase who I know than an event like Monday night’s. It was so encouraging to see women excited and motivated in what they were doing for themselves and for the community. I walked away with job opportunities and contacts but, more importantly, empowerment to feel like I can truly make an impact in my community, as was evident in each of the women I met.

As if this was not enough, the event also increased what I know as well. The incredibly eloquent and entertaining Dr. Elaine Yarbrough spoke on Women’s Wisdom. She had startling statistics and revealing data on how women are disadvantaged starting as children in elementary school classrooms up to working women in the board rooms. Fortunately, she also shared advice on how to support other women and stand up for ourselves in the office, home, and community.

I now feel like I have a jumpstart to do just that because of this event and all the great connections I made there!

If you want to join me, be sure to check out the Center for Women and become a member if you aren’t already.

Annnnnd, be sure to come out to the 10^th Annual Entrepreneurs Networking event in 2011, especially if you missed the fun this year!

Wake Up Yourself John Legend: Where are the women workers?

Wake Up Everybody is a great song but NOT a great video.

Since I recently watched and fell in love with Waiting for "Superman," I heard and fell in love with John Legend's song in the movie as well.

But, upon watching the music video, I have changed my mind a bit.

The  lyrics call out for help over and over:

Wake up everybody
No more sleepin' in bed
...Time for thinkin' ahead

...There is so much hatred
War and poverty, whoa, oh

...The world won't get no better
We gotta change it, yeah
Just you and me

...Wake up, all the builders
Time to build a new land
I know we can do it
If we all lend a hand

....The world won't get no better
If we just let it be, na, na, na
The world won't get no better
We gotta change it, yeah
Just you and me

...Wake up, everybody
Need a little help, y'all
Yes I do, need a little help

Need a little help, y'all

Need a little help y'all

Wake up everybody
Wake up everybody

Again, lyrically, it is a beautiful song. 

The problem, however, came in the music video: Watch the final bit of the video, starting from 3:50 where they call out that they "need a little help y'all." 

It seems that he is only referring to the male workers when he says "y'all;" the following MEN are all presented in the last minute or so of the song: 

• doctor (with a female patient in the background)
• cop
• a man in a suit - perhaps a teacher or a lawyer?
• cab driver
• construction workers 

The ONE AND ONLY WOMAN is presented in that same group of images... with her three kids. Disclaimer: I am not at all belittling mothers... I want very much to be one when I am older. 

However, I am belittling this video. Women can be more than mothers.

If John Legend really wants the world to change then he should engage the other half of the population. 

The sad thing is that his version of "Wake Up Everybody" is not original. 

It is a remake of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes title track from 1975!?! It has been 35 years since that song was originally released!?!

And there is still "so much hatred, war and poverty." 

We need to wake up EVERYbody.... men and women. 

The world won't get no better
We gotta change it, yeah
Just you and me

...Wake up, all the builders
Time to build a new land
I know we can do it
If we all lend a hand