Catherine asks why I put the picture of Sal looking all dopey with his shoes on his blog. I like the ones where you don’t look quite right – and considering that most of my own end up that way, I guess that’s why I like them. Though now, this group that I’m trying to do some side work for wants a photo for their “staff” page and I’m kind of at a loss for one of those “professional” looking photos.
People make fun of the photo on my work badge. And the Top Coder image as well. And man – if you wanna laugh, take me on a trip out of the country so you can get a glimpse of my passport pic. I’m surprised they have let me back in the country a couple of times.
Anyway – enough about my vanity. On today’s bike ride, we saw some kids playing soccer. None that good but the field was kind of crummy too. And there was this play where they drive a long ball, and the offensive player stopped to watch the defensive player trap the ball and return the ball. I was reminded of probably some of the best advice my father has given me in my life and I am looking forward to the conversations with Sal where I get to relay the advice.
What was his advice?
Assume they are going to miss it.
I remember arguing the point a little bit with my dad – like what if they don’t and blah blah blah. His points back were – that it doesn’t really cost much if they don’t miss it – you run a little extra and that is that. But if they do miss it, then it’s just you and the open field. And besides – they’re kids. They miss it pretty often.
It was that last point that really got to me. They’re kids. I was a kid too – but at the same time, we were kind of using that domain knowledge to gain an advantage. I wasn’t necessarily better or faster or stronger or smarter than them – I just had a different plan. I liked that approach.
To be honest – I don’t remember if that plan ever really worked out for me. In the Hollywood version of this story, of course I’d score the championship winning goal on that advice while my dad, in a wheelchair watched on. As it is, it probably worked out for me a couple of times. Let’s say I scored a goal or two that way. Afterall, they’re kids. They miss pretty often. AKA – I never got good enough to play with kids that didn’t.
Anyway – I started thinking about other bits of original advice I could give him. I noticed one team had a big oafish center defender. Don’t fear him – he’s slow and clumsy. Flop when you’re playing near him – they always call the foul on the big guy near a little guy. And though it looks like he can kick really hard, he probably can’t. Occasionally there’ll be one that can kick hard and when you run into that guy and take a hard shot to he head, I’ll get us an ice cream after the game.
Yeah – it needs some polishing.
The wacky photos are pretty cool…Quite a few of our shots of V are her making weird faces too…just makes them more real?
I have had advice from my grandfather wedged in my head since I was really young, and at first it would seem to conflict with your advice. But I think they don’t necessarily apply in the same situations, and can complement each other.
I was playing chess with him. I made a move. He scowled, made a much better move, and then asked me why I’d done what I did. My answer was something along the lines of, “I was hoping you wouldn’t see that, and then I was going to do X, and blah blah blah.” He smiled, and gave me advice along the lines of, “Never let your success depend on the other guy’s mistake. Win it for yourself.”
Taken literally, it contradicts your advice. But in the case you describe, you don’t lose if you’re wrong. In fact, you have very little to lose if you’re wrong, whereas I lost a rook or something. I think of his advice every time I see the Warriors playing scared in the 4th quarter; playing not to lose. Taking the air out of the ball, and hoping the other team won’t be able to catch up in time.
Of course the first time I ever beat my grandfather at chess was the last time we played. So perhaps those chess games shouldn’t be the best source of lessons learned heh
sal is super cute. u should get your hair cut like his.