That Time of Year Again

I have to tell you ... these past few weeks, especially these past few days, have made it extremely difficult to spend time on Facebook. Just like everyone else reading this, it's one of the first sites I open in the morning and one of the last I close at night, but yesterday and today have been painful, really really painful. 

That's why I'm not getting into that right now and want to blog about something else ... something a little more "light" ... Daylight Savings. See what I did there with light?

First and most obvious question, who invented daylight savings? Don't worry, I'm actually going to answer that, so Question 2, does anyone have a logical explanation for why it exists? If yes on 2, I would love to hear it. And 3rd question, why do we just do it? Seriously, we just change our clocks, adjust our whole lives by an hour without a blink. Well, I'm blinking. 

Wikipedia tells me it's "the practice of advancing clocks so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less". 

Is that true? I mean that's what half of daylight savings is, but what about the other half? The half I just took part in and now I'm sitting at my desk at 3:30pm ET and it's basically dark out. 

I must say I am a little impressed by DS (yeah I call it "DS" now) when it comes to people just doing it. Literally, no one questions it. Not true, actually everyone questions it, because we don't know what the F it is, but at the end of the day, we abide by it. We say to ourselves, "well, it's that time of year again" and change our clocks. In today's digital world, we may not even do that and simply trust our phones to change (like going to California for a week) and we'll be right when we wake up. This is coming from the guy who has worn a non working watch for almost 6 months now, because I do what my phone says. Yea, I wear jewelry.

Side bar: one of my favorite DS debates of all time, mostly for college kids, is bar closing times. We have an extra hour at the bar! Wooooooo! It's going to be crazy!!!! Nat and I actually had our 30th bday this past Saturday when the clocks were changing and pretty sure we had two different 1am's. Not all bars allow for this ... but it was great. I think. Maybe the best thing DS has ever done for me.

To answer question 1, Wikipedia goes on to tell me daylight savings started during the First World War by somebody named George Vernon Hudson (that's our boy on the right there). BTW (bee tee dubbs) in 100 years will I be written about as Ryan Michael Marsh? Or R.M. Marsh? I hope so. 

Reading on, DS has apparently been both "praised and criticized" over the years and it has something to do with the earth in relation to the sun, but essentially, it's providing us with more light time hours. Again, is that true? It's dark out right now. Look outside, it's freakin dark, no? And it's going to be for the next 6 months until we go and do the first part of daylight savings all over again. You can't create a theory or plan that works HALF of the time. Not good. Not legit.

I have a thought - maybe it's an ongoing thing ... maybe if we didn't do it, then in like 200 years, it would be dark all the time. 

What? That can't be right. That makes no sense. From my limited knowledge and limited time actually thinking about this, DS should really be called "Summer rocks, Winter sucks" or "Screw you, it's November".

Strictly speaking as an East coaster, born, raised, and living, I am not the biggest fan of winter. Love hockey, love snow, Santa, fireplaces, Mariah's "All I Want For Christmas", all that jazz, but overall, can't really love the cold and the cold is winter. 

Nothing else really matters. 

The walks to and from work and shortened lunch walks are getting more painful every day. And darker.

Why throw darkness on top of cold? Who's benefiting? Thanks, G.V. Hudson ... good call. A theory that is half good, the whole world does twice a year, and no one challenges. Think he made bank off it?

I'm also super tired, but as Nat said, maybe that's because of the flu shots. Yet another pain to insert in humans at this time of the year. 

Someone tell me something good about DS!

Happy hump day,
Marshy

T-48

Well, it's been a while since my last post, but not for a lack of things to say ... I can guarantee you that. I've just been busy. Some things have happened since May: I have a new job (yeah Digitas!); I have a nephew on the way (congrats G and J!); and I have been working tirelessly to crank out as many of my "30 before 30" list as possible before Sunday. 

Yes that's right, this Sunday, I will be 30, so I thought what better time to write a post than now.

I'm not afraid of it. I'm excited. I am looking forward to the rest of my life ... want to know why? Do you remember my first blog post from last November? 

That task #30 that I was oh so sneaky about. Well, whether I accomplished the other 29 things or not (which 'aint looking good) that one was most important. Although it was listed at the bottom of my list, it was really very much by itself at the top and it happened ... making this the best year of my life.

You probably could have guessed it a year ago if you read anything I wrote, asked me about how she was doing, or saw my face when she walked in to a room ... but I asked the girl of my dreams to marry me. 

And she said yes!

It all went down on August 25, 2012 and could not have been more perfect. To top it all off, the entire day, Nat's mysterious journey from hair salon to hotel to boutique and eventually to me, was all captured on film by the best videographer in the country, and his team, Michael Justin Films. 

Mike is a great friend and captures the real moments and emotions that sometimes we miss. He frames the experiences we want to look back on and presents them digitally in a way that will keep them with us forever. Natalie and I love what he can do with a camera, so I thought somehow and someway we could pull this off ... and we did. 

I started this blog about half hour ago by telling the story from my eyes, but then decided I want to save that. I'll release a play-by-play when we have the video to show (hopefully in the next month or so ... it's coming!).

But yes, Natalie and I are getting married ... August 24, 2013 at Sebasco Harbor Resorts (pictured right) in Phippsburg, ME. We have been cranking through the big items by picking the spot, the date, the photographer, the band and of course, the videographer.

Everyone often warns us or laughs about all the work we have to do to get ready for the "big day", but so far, we have laughed and smiled our way through every decision. We woke up the morning after being engaged ... threw away the late night pizza boxes (ahem) ... and made a promise to ourselves that we were going to have fun with this. We were not going to let the little things we know we'll encounter while planning create any issues for what will undoubtedly be the best day of our lives.

We couldn't be more excited ... and look forward to sharing the day with probably the majority of people who actually read my blog :) But either way, you'll see the video.

I have to send a blog thank you to Nat's friends, my friends, and both of our families for everything they did to help me accomplish this 30th task. I could not have done it without them and as I said on that day, we are so grateful that they were there to share the moment with us and of course, celebrate into the wee New York morning hours.

Have a good weekend everyone and I hope that you are able to accomplish the things in the next year that you really want to. Take the time to do that one thing that what will make you the happiest ... like I did.

I am looking forward to 60 more years with my beautiful bride to be.

Happy Friday,
Marshy

The 2nd Best Defenseman In NHL History Retires

Today, we lose one of the greats - Nicklas Lidstrom will announce his retirement from the sport of hockey. This does not come as much of a surprise as the man is 42 years old without a contract into next season, and it is safe to say that there is nothing left for him to accomplish on the frozen pond.

The Swedish Captain's credentials include:

• - 11 All-star Appearances
• - 7 Norris Trophies (nominated 12 of 14 years)
• - 1 Conn Smythe
• - 1 Olympic Gold
• - 4 Stanley Cups and the 1st European Captain to ever hoist Lord Stanley

Seriously, nothing left. I put only #4 of the Bruins ahead of him in the list of all time greats when it comes to NHL defensemen and would go so far as to say he is the greatest athlete to ever play in the city of Detroit. We can debate Joe Louis, Ty Cobb, Barry Sanders, and of course, I'll throw Stevie Y into that mix, but looking at the numbers and influence, it's going to #5.

Lidstrom played over 1,500 NHL games and very rarely spent time off the ice with injuries. His steadiness, sure hands, and play making ability is not only going to be missed by the Wings, but by the game of hockey. Nik's way of playing the game is hard to find in today's blue liners who rip clappers up over 100 mph with ease and go out of their way for a big hit. He played the game with class and a pure ability that is going to make finding the next Captain in Detroit extremely difficult (although I think Mr. Datsuyk is a suitable successor).

Detroit has seen some struggles over the last decade and continues to do so. Losing this fixture on the Wings blue line is not going to help anyone when next year rolls around. The Winter Classic is going to be something special. You do not have to be a fan of Detroit, the Wings, or even hockey to appreciate what he brought to the spot. The Red Wings are the NHL's most visible franchise and as a fan myself since the early 90s, it won't be the same not seeing Nik block a shot in the last minute of a game, rip one 6 inches off the ice on the PowerPlay, or again hoist the Cup over his head.

People often ask me why I like the Red Wings and I tell them there are two reasons: Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom. Two of the games best at what they did and two of the games greatest guys. My first trip over to Sweden in 1994 when I was 12, I was going with my brother's team of 16 year olds as a practice player, pick up skate guy, and glorified water boy, so I spent the tournament games in the stands with the parents and players from around the world on other teams. All of the Swedish kids would come up to me and ask the same things. They would say, "You are from America?? You watch the NHL?? Do you know Nicklas Lidstrom??" He is a legend in his homeland where hockey is a way of life. The Swedes continue to shine in the NHL, but I am not sure any will have the impact on the athletes of my generation that Lidstrom did.

We will miss you, Captain and congratulations on one of the greatest NHL careers ever seen and undoubtedly, the best by a defenseman in my lifetime.

Have a good weekend all!
Marshy

Hoppin' Mad Mud Run

Happy Monday Bloggees,

Yesterday, Nat and I checked a big one off the 30 before 30 list completing the Hoppin' Mad Mud Run 10k in Amesbury, MA.

Here is what we looked like going in:

And here is what we looked like coming out:

Believe it or not, it was a blast. And this is coming from the guy who hates being dirty even a little bit and showers twice a day. We weren't really sure what to expect going in except from seeing pictures of past events that it was going to be muddy and there were going to be some obstacles. So, we were ready for that. What we weren't ready for ... was the hills!

We showed up in plenty of time before our heat, 11:21am, and were able to get the lay of the land, fuel up, stretch out, ya know do some race stuff. What also was promising was that there were tons of families around and they were holding a mini-mud run for the youngsters which was 1 mile. Was pretty hilarious seeing the 3ft, 75 lbs kids going up through a few of the obstacles and obviously ending in the massive pool of mud before the finish line. This one 11 year old did a full back flip off the mountain in front of the mud pool and I was thinking I'd try and do the same for my grand finale. As it turns out, the adults were not jumping after running 6.1 miles. We were crawling - under wires and flags and poles, through two massive pools of just straight up mud to cross the finish line.

When it came time for the big boys and girls, they broke it up into "heats" so the hardo's who were trying to set records got to go off first and then the remaining 300-400 casual mudders went off in 3 separate groups to break out the obstacles. Some of our favorites were the guys from Cody Brewing drinking beers at the start line and then some other larger teams going all out with frog costumes, Jerseylicious outfits, and more.

Then, like it or not, we were off and it started fine. We ran through the farmlands and wineries of Amesbury (who knew Amesbury had wineries??) for about 3 miles which was pretty scenic, but basically up hill the entire time. Not easy and after the biggest of said hills, we approached our first obstacle. Pretty basic wood logs which you had to alternate jumping over and crawling under and then into back to back 5ft high wooden walls to boost yourself over. Not too bad, did a good deed by helping a fellow mudder over the wall who was struggling, and this was promptly followed by the first water break, so ... half way there. Great.

Then it got a little ugly. For the next 3 miles, we were consistently hurling over walls, up a massive hill for half a mile carrying tires (past many "i'm going to puke" comments during this one), through weird wooden obstacles, up soapy wet tarps, up ropes and ladders, etc... and all while crawling occasionally through mini mud pools which as you can see from pic 2, didn't help our closing out the race speed.

Nevertheless, we finished and finished strong. We did not win any medals or set any world 10k records, but we got it done and will be back next year, hopefully with a few of you. The greatest part of the race came after being hosed off by the local fire department with the free beers and live music at the finish line. We threw our shoes away like everybody else and joined the party (a little late, but we made it).

The town of Amesbury and the people of Heat Event Management did an AMAZING job. Local breweries such as Woodchuck, Cody Brewing, Ipswich Ale, and many more provided much needed post run beverages and a band played non stop from the minute we got there until the minute we left. The cops and fire department were great about closing roads and again, hosing down hurds of muddy peeps. Overall, an awesome experience and I recommend it to anybody, because it was the perfect amount of "fun" and "tough".

As they say, I'm just the right amount of "good sore" today ... 

Please pass the Advil.

Have a good week all,

Marshy

The usage of "right?" by today's presenter/executive

I have a new pet peeve which is becoming more and more apparent every single day I sit on business calls or attend meetings, whether internal or external. This may be something completely going on in my mind, an isolate event at my company, or something that everyone can relate with, but either way it is something I had to vent about.

Here's the situaish:

You're at a big company meeting or an internal strategy session or even on a client call where someone is presenting some results. The person speaking is a C-level exec/VP/Director or a Principal Analyst and as they are talking through their material, they end the majority of their statements with, or really even just throw in the word, "...right?" I'm actually not even sure if a "?" is the correct punctuation to put at the end of "right" because sometimes it's a simple statement.

For example, "Hello All. I am here to discuss how we are going to change our strategy of sales. Today, we are selling apples and oranges, right? Well tomorrrow, right, we'll be needing to sell grapes and bananas as well, right? Bananas are delicious. Monkeys, right, are always going to be eating bananas and if they are our key clients, right, then we need to provide them with the fruit they enjoy, right? It seems obvious, right?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT?

Presenters today are just throwing in this added word ... "right?" or "right" .... as a fluid part or ending to the sentence/question that they are speaking, and most of the time a question is not even needed!! They are not asking you to confirm what they are saying. It's more like they are confirming it for themselves and forcing you to agree with them, right? (see what I did there?) There's no pause for question, because they are jumping into their next point ... or even mid point! And sure enough, ending that point with the word today seems to be nothing but ... "right?".

It's not "do you agree with me?" or "make sense?" ... it's "right?". It is happening more and more every day and my question is, is this a new thing? Am I crazy? Did someone start this "right" trend and now everyone is  on board? Is there a presenter's handbook/manual that I'm not keeping up to date on? To bring out another pet peeve of mine which usually finds itself in emails, but ... "what am i missing?"

I'm starting to notice it more and more and there really is nothing anyone can do about it, except continue to be annoyed by it and listen to it, because usually the "right person" is way above me and who am I to question authority?

Nevertheless, I'm not a fan of publically speaking figures ending their points with "right" or throwing in "rights" left and right these days. And that's that.

Right?!.?.!

Game 7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnJIgvbn3Xo

A while back, I wrote a blog ( http://goo.gl/LdwzI ) about Tyler Seguin being a dbag, which created some controversy among my followers. Many said, "the kids 19 years old and an NHL stud, let him be" and others said, "I don't care who he is, he needs to check himself." No matter which side of the dbag fence you are on, one thing is for sure, THE KID CAME THROUGH ON SUNDAY NIGHT!

http://goo.gl/ePTM3 A huge thanks to Nicky Backstrom for turning the puckover in his own zone early in OT and a hell of a pass from Lucic, but this is the type of finish the B's have been missing this series.

That's the burst of speed, electricity, jump, whatever you want to call it, that we need out of him if the B's are going to go back to back. Not at the red light outside of the Garden. You know what else I think? I think the kid needed it too. Last year when he was being ridiculed and shit on by the Sports Hub about his playoff performance, he went out and did this http://goo.gl/jVCgB in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

This series has been one for the ages. A lot of people said it would go 7, but no one would have thought all 6 games would be decided by 1 goal. The NHL is under a lot of scrutiny this year, especially in these playoffs, but either way you look at it, they are shaping up to be some of the best we've ever seen with upsets, fights, suspensions, and OT thrillers. I expect nothing less tonight.

I was in the Garden for Game 1 and the place was rocking. The Caps took Game 2 and Game 5 in our building, because fans may have been getting a little lackadaisical just expecting the Cup to come back to Boston on it's own. I think we all know that it's going to be a grind, but put the last 6 behind us, and it starts tonight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6OCp-7BrxU&feature=relmfu

Believe it or not, I like the B's to win another close one, maybe even another OT winner. When it comes down to it: 1) we have the better team; 2) we have the momentum; 3) we are on home ice; 4) we have the game 7 experience; and 5) the best player on our team, dbag or not, is itching to get back out there.

http://lodgelocks.com/eagle.html

So, let's get it going! Let's play tonight's game like it's Game 7 in Vancouver last year. I think all of the B's fans and hockey fans don't want to spend the summer watching the Panthers, Senators, Predators, and Blues battle it out. I can't wait to hear the Garden rocking tonight and sit back to enjoy, stress out, and yell at the TV as the B's continue their quest for the Cup.

Not to look ahead ... but the road after tonight is looking prettttty clear.

LET'S GO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4fAG4qrPE4