PowerPointless in Huntsville

PowerPoint also conditions worshipers to act and react in visceral ways, so that the character of their bodily actions and emotional responses are at times downright Pavlovian. The screen, not the altar or cross, becomes the all-consuming center of attention, an object of intense fixation which triggers predictable reflexes and behaviors. When PowerPoint malfunctions, for instance, people become nervous and lost; they become conditioned to worry that it will malfunction. They find themselves thinking more about the screen and the technician at the soundboard than about the God whom they’ve come to worship and the larger worshiping body of which they are a part.

… Read the rest

The Gator Age

“I remember when I was telling people, ‘I’m going back to school,’ and they’re like, ‘Huh? What? Are you crazy?'” But you know what? I feel like now all of a sudden people understand that it’s more than money. It’s more than that…Money doesn’t always buy happiness.”

–Joakim Noah

Despite the goofy hair and the flailing chicken dance, I have to admit, he’s right.

I also have to admit that this is the best college basketball team that we’ve seen in quite a while. I almost hate to see the Gator Age end.

Almost.… Read the rest

I Hate Diplopia

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I hate diplopia (i.e. “double vision”). When a patient presents with that complaint, it usually means that I have to slow down, change my exam, perform different tests and ask a whole different set of questions than I normally would. I deal with it, but it’s a real time sink. One of those, especially early in the morning, gets me behind schedule for the rest of the day.

If the Florida Gators win tonight, then I’ll have a whole new set of reasons to despise diplopia. For one, it would mean that those slimy reptiles would then have become the latest team to win two titles in a row, replacing my beloved but down-in-the-dumps Blue Devils who currently hold that distinction (’91, ’92).… Read the rest

Life Is A Test

It’s ironic that after all my prattling on about basketball these last few weeks, I won’t even be around to watch the Final Four Saturday. Instead, I’ll be at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis where I’ll be serving as an examiner with the National Board of Optometry. Fourth year optometry students take the Clinical Skills portion of the National Board shortly before graduating, and while for most it won’t be the last hurdle involved in obtaining a license to practice, it is a pretty significant one.

Basically, the students rotate among different stations where they perform various clinical procedures which are commonly done during an eye exam.… Read the rest

Schadenfreude Has Its Limits

As much as I like to joke around about the UNC-Duke rivalry, schadenfreude has its limits. It goes without saying (but I’m going to say it anyway) that the feeling doesn’t extend to a tragic situation like this.

As the father of three sons who are increasingly out and about and pushing the envelope of safety, this one hits home. UNC mascot Jason Ray sounds like the kind of son that anyone would be proud to claim. My prayers go out for his family, friends, the UNC community and the unfortunate driver who was an unwitting participant in this tragic event.… Read the rest

Schadenfreude–It Feels So Right

Main Entry: scha·den·freu·de
Pronunciation: 'shä-d&n-"froi-d&
Function: noun
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: German, from Schaden damage + Freude joy
: enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others

–Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary

For a Duke fan like myself, there’s nothing that could ever make up for the Blue Devils’ shameful first round exit against VCU or for Lindsey Harding’s two missed free throws with practically no time remaining against Rutgers on Saturday (bless her heart). But there is something that comes close.

There is this:

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Now I know there’s something slightly askew and unseemly about obtaining enjoyment and satisfaction from the woes of others.… Read the rest

Where Have You Gone Bob Cousy?

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As I watched Tennessee’s Chris Lofton sprint around the court in his baggy, below-the-knee, capri-length shorts last weekend, it occurred to me that basketball players these days keep wearing their shorts longer and looser. Gone are the days when real men, like Bob Cousy, wore theirs “high and tight.”fab5cover.jpg

I can remember when it started. In the early 90s, Michigan’s Fab Five sported longer, baggier bottoms (which by today’s standard’s appear short-short), and from there, things have continued to head south. I suppose it may have had something to do with bringing a “street look” to the court, and since street fashion has continued to become longer and baggier, so have basketball shorts.… Read the rest

First Weekend Postmortem

My 35 correct picks out of 48 is nothing to write home about, but it is four better than where I was last year this time and leaves 7 of 8 of my Elite Eight picks intact and all of my Final Fours. I’ve learned to respect USC basketball a little more this weekend, was thrilled with my signature pick (Winthrop over Notre Dame) and delighted in watching the ‘Dores (gotta love that Lionel Ritchie!) play through to the Sweet Sixteen as I boldly predicted. As much as I hate to admit it, UNC’s depth and talent are going to be tough to overcome.… Read the rest