Texas ranks 13th fattest in U.S.Click here to read this article
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Robotic Lifeguard Uses Sonar to Sense Swimmers in Distress
I was a pool lifeguard for a couple of summers in my teens. Growing up in Kentucky, I didn't have an ocean within summer job distance.
A teenage boy growing up in rural Kentucky couldn't do much better than this summer gig. Some suntan oil, swim trunks, and a whistle were all I needed for my day's work. Girls in bikinis, music on the many radios around the pool, a high dive and a low dive to show off from during the mandatory hourly breaks...life was good.I jumped in the water three times to "save" someone and the fulfillment of literally saving a life is an experience hard to describe.
It was probably the best job I'll ever have.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Can #exercise help your cells live longer?
Can exercise help your cells live longer? http://wellness.blogs.time.com/2010/05/11/can-exercise-help-your-cells-live-l...
A Gym on Steroids, Designed by MVRDV and ADEPT
Pretty sweet! http://m.fastcompany.com/top_stories/6941/
Karl Miller
512-483-1211
Sent from mobile Twitter: @ut_coe, @karlmiller
Facebook: The College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin
LinkedIn: Karl Miller Lugo
Karl Miller
512-483-1211
Sent from mobile Twitter: @ut_coe, @karlmiller
Facebook: The College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin
LinkedIn: Karl Miller Lugo
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Let's Outsource #Fundraising
Read an interesting post by Peter Haas, Executive Director of AIDG, where Peter brings up the idea of outsourcing AIDG’s fundraising to someone with experience raising “$50-100 million for a big org.” He describes a fundraising contractor with contacts who could take a cut of the fundraising for his/her salary while enabling Peter to concentrate on the business strategy and vision.
In response to his idea, Nell Edgington, President of Social Velocity, and Sasha Dichter of Acumen Fund, wrote the following posts, respectively:
http://www.socialvelocity.net/2010/06/can-you-really-wave-goodbye-to-fundraising-forever/
http://sashadichter.wordpress.com/2010/06/15/time-to-outsource-fundraising/
I’ve long said (OK, perhaps not said but thought) that our current system of funding and fundraising is broken. Not only is government funding broken, but fundraising in the NGO world is also unsustainable. There is only so much money to go ‘round and more and more entities are wanting a cut. Nothing is adequately funded because all of us are only getting a portion of what our donors give to the growing list of entities asking them. In my mind, if we don’t develop even stronger and more meaningful relationships with our donors, we will only get less and less. And despite social media, developing those relationships only gets tougher when we are being stretched in so many directions and being asked to produce funds more quickly.
I expound on this somewhat in my response to Nell’s post:
Nell, I agree with you and Sasha. What Peter describes is very transactional, more akin to a VC cash infusion or perhaps political fundraising.
I’m also trying to picture this “gun for hire” carrying his/her Rolodex of donors from city to city calling these contacts to now please give to their cause of the week. “Oh, and please remember, good friend and donor to all my causes, a small 10% fee will be taken out for my salary. Thank you.” I know of companies that provide fundraising services (I interviewed for one once but did not want to leave my family for weeks and months at a time), but what they do is still not what Peter describes.
I see what we all see that fundraising, taxing, issuing bonds, and all the other ways we help raise funds for services and non-profits is becoming unsustainable. Non-profits were created to provide services our governments could not or would not provide. Donors were happy to support them. Now, however, the government can’t afford to provide the services it’s supposed to provide. Society now has to help them make up the difference. Where a donor was able to give some money to the church and perhaps a non-profit or two, they now have to give to their child’s public school, their public university, their local police department. etc.
If our tax rolls (government-mandated fundraising) cannot adequately support government services, our fundraising “rolls” (that percentage who give/donate/support) will never adequately fund all our religious, educational, charitable, and other NGO’s.
There has to be a better way. I thank you, Sasha, Peter, and all my colleagues toiling to find it. It’s this kind of discussion that can uncover disruptive initiatives and transformational ideas.
How do we continue down this road of inadequately funding anything, anywhere. It seems to me, we need to get governments and NGOs and our taxpayers/donors around the “table” to discuss how we more efficiently and adequately fund necessary services for our populace. The needs are only growing while the funding base gets thinner and less deep.
What are your ideas?
Up in the Air
Should I be suspicious that my wife forced me to watch "Up in the Air" prior to her business trip out of town this week? Hope she doesn't run into George Clooney in the hotel bar.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Exercise as a treatment for depression
Is Exercise the Best Drug for Depression? http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1998021,00.html
Champions 4 Her 5K
Got talked into a 5K today by one of my wife's cousins. He is just starting to run the races and is at about 4 mile long runs. I ran as a courtesy to him and to motivate him along a larger race field. It was his largest race but still a rather small one for the Louisville area. There were many females as it was a charity run to benefit women in need. None the less, I toed the line to see what Dino still had in the tank. I have been doing a few maintenance runs and a few bikes, but nothing to really blast the quick twitching muscle group.
I ran the first mile in 6:20 to great surprise. I was rolling but knew I could not hold that pace. It began to rain and I just settled in with a nice comfy pace. I finished in 21:52 (not bad for carrying an extra 6 pounds and a little out of shape). During the run I counted people ahead of me and figured I came in the top 20 racers in a field of around 800 people. I stuck around for the awards presentation just to see the times and If I got in the top 3 of my age group. The overall winner did a 17 min and some change. And to my surprise I finished 1st in the 40-44 age group. Another nice trophy for the kid! I guess it pays to turn 40 and pick and choose your race field (mainly chics). Really made me feel good and hopefully I can get back on the diet and exercise lifestyle.
Also took in "The Tempest" last night in Central Park. Its Shakespeare in the Park at dusk. Really cool... jogged the old brain a bit. And it was free. We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory downtown........ I lived a bit and have been an active participant in the Old Louisville Neighborhood. feels awesome. Now, just need to get going with the downtown YMCA and find a new job. Still working 60-75 hours weekly.... not good for anything(other than paying the mortgage).
Melanie also raced today.... she met and networked with a lady and they participated and had fun as well. She found a new workout partner at her level.... great!
later
Dino
I ran the first mile in 6:20 to great surprise. I was rolling but knew I could not hold that pace. It began to rain and I just settled in with a nice comfy pace. I finished in 21:52 (not bad for carrying an extra 6 pounds and a little out of shape). During the run I counted people ahead of me and figured I came in the top 20 racers in a field of around 800 people. I stuck around for the awards presentation just to see the times and If I got in the top 3 of my age group. The overall winner did a 17 min and some change. And to my surprise I finished 1st in the 40-44 age group. Another nice trophy for the kid! I guess it pays to turn 40 and pick and choose your race field (mainly chics). Really made me feel good and hopefully I can get back on the diet and exercise lifestyle.
Also took in "The Tempest" last night in Central Park. Its Shakespeare in the Park at dusk. Really cool... jogged the old brain a bit. And it was free. We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory downtown........ I lived a bit and have been an active participant in the Old Louisville Neighborhood. feels awesome. Now, just need to get going with the downtown YMCA and find a new job. Still working 60-75 hours weekly.... not good for anything(other than paying the mortgage).
Melanie also raced today.... she met and networked with a lady and they participated and had fun as well. She found a new workout partner at her level.... great!
later
Dino
Friday, June 18, 2010
Bacon Race Report- Lakewood Valley Triathlon
Another late post, so sorry for the delay, but just as soon as the race was over last Saturday, I headed to my 20 year high school reunion; then left for vacation the next morning so I was crushed. With the kids still in bed on the day before our vacation is over; I finally have a few minutes to update. Vacation is great and the kids are having a blast. The resort offered a movie in the pool last night on a big screen and I think it was the highlight of the trip; Shrek 3 in the pool was a huge hit. It also inspired to add a movie screen to my backyard:) The high school reunion was awesome...so great to see so many of my good friends from my past...plenty of stories were told for sure, many which cannot be posted:)
The Lakewood Valley Triathlon was a key race for me this year as many of you know, it was my first triathlon and first open water swim (in competition or practice) last year and I pulled myself from the swim in huge dissappointment to follow. The open water panic had set in on that day and consumed me. No longer I say, no longer...the confidence I gained in the past year lead me to a successful finish this year with not a single ounce of anxiety during the swim......that said and for any first time triathletes....get at least one open water practice before your race! My new FULL CARBON Planet X tri bike performed awesome! Needs a few gear tweaks, but my confidence on the bike was unreal, with some training in the aero position and just bike training overall....I will advance my avg speeds over the next few years for sure....this race 18.4 mph avg on a tough, hilly course! The run was another great leg for me this year too...ran it in 8:58 avg miles and without the extereme heat, could have done even better. Guys, I was so happy to come out of the water this year, it really boosted everything. Trust me, if I can accomplish the swim...anyone can....I could barely swim 25 meters just 1.5 years ago...and I finished my longest competitve swim to date at 1/2 mile.....it;s a great feeling....thanks for the support of my crew!
129/175 on the swim,
63/175 on the bike,
52 of 175 on the run-
68 of 175 overall......
60 of 126 males
Full results are available at online race results http://www.onlineraceresults.com/ and search for Lakewood Valley Triathlon.
The Lakewood Valley Triathlon was a key race for me this year as many of you know, it was my first triathlon and first open water swim (in competition or practice) last year and I pulled myself from the swim in huge dissappointment to follow. The open water panic had set in on that day and consumed me. No longer I say, no longer...the confidence I gained in the past year lead me to a successful finish this year with not a single ounce of anxiety during the swim......that said and for any first time triathletes....get at least one open water practice before your race! My new FULL CARBON Planet X tri bike performed awesome! Needs a few gear tweaks, but my confidence on the bike was unreal, with some training in the aero position and just bike training overall....I will advance my avg speeds over the next few years for sure....this race 18.4 mph avg on a tough, hilly course! The run was another great leg for me this year too...ran it in 8:58 avg miles and without the extereme heat, could have done even better. Guys, I was so happy to come out of the water this year, it really boosted everything. Trust me, if I can accomplish the swim...anyone can....I could barely swim 25 meters just 1.5 years ago...and I finished my longest competitve swim to date at 1/2 mile.....it;s a great feeling....thanks for the support of my crew!
129/175 on the swim,
63/175 on the bike,
52 of 175 on the run-
68 of 175 overall......
60 of 126 males
Full results are available at online race results http://www.onlineraceresults.com/ and search for Lakewood Valley Triathlon.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
#Texas remains in Big 12 Conference #highereddev #football
Selfishly, I am glad to know Texas plans to stay in the Big 12. I almost lost at least one donor because of the Cactus Cafe uproar. I shudder at the thought of what might have happened had we lost the A&M and Oklahoma football rivalry games.
And now to figure out how we get through this state-mandated 10% budget cut.
Note: Everything posted on this site is Karl's personal opinion. It does not represent the views of his employer or any of its clients.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Karl's Update, June 2-14
June 2-8 Vacation! We had a super time at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort in Ft. Lauderdale.
I admit to doing very little training. I ran on the beach one day for about 18 minutes and took another nice beach walk one other day with my family. Other than that, I did a lot of swimming both for fun and some open water training.
After one day back in the office on June 9th, I was back on a plane for a June 10-11 Dallas meeting of the CASE District IV board.
While in Dallas, I visited Daniel Frid, Exec. VP for Integrated Athletic Development at their 100,000 sq. ft. facility in Carrollton, TX. If you live in that area and want to take your or your child's athletic performance to the next level, go see Daniel.
I did run for an hour yesterday (Sunday, June 13). It was nice being back out on a nice, easy long run. I look forward to getting back to some regular training over this week. With another 10% state-mandated budget cut on the table, it promises to be a hectic and stressful remainder of the month. I'll need the exercise to help see me through it.
On a personal note, the family and I saw the new Karate Kid movie yesterday. I highly recommend it, especially for those of you with kids. It's rated PG.
Big shout out to Claude on completing another triathlon this past weekend. He is showing the way this year in racing. Way to represent TTT!
Look forward to hearing from all my TTT teammates and anyone else who keeps up with us through the blog. All of you inspire me.
Kia Kaha!
I admit to doing very little training. I ran on the beach one day for about 18 minutes and took another nice beach walk one other day with my family. Other than that, I did a lot of swimming both for fun and some open water training.
After one day back in the office on June 9th, I was back on a plane for a June 10-11 Dallas meeting of the CASE District IV board.
While in Dallas, I visited Daniel Frid, Exec. VP for Integrated Athletic Development at their 100,000 sq. ft. facility in Carrollton, TX. If you live in that area and want to take your or your child's athletic performance to the next level, go see Daniel.
I did run for an hour yesterday (Sunday, June 13). It was nice being back out on a nice, easy long run. I look forward to getting back to some regular training over this week. With another 10% state-mandated budget cut on the table, it promises to be a hectic and stressful remainder of the month. I'll need the exercise to help see me through it.
On a personal note, the family and I saw the new Karate Kid movie yesterday. I highly recommend it, especially for those of you with kids. It's rated PG.
Big shout out to Claude on completing another triathlon this past weekend. He is showing the way this year in racing. Way to represent TTT!
Look forward to hearing from all my TTT teammates and anyone else who keeps up with us through the blog. All of you inspire me.
Kia Kaha!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
NYTimes: The Risks of Parenting While Plugged In
My wife and I agreed to no iPhone app and computer use from the time we get home from work until our children go to bed. We also made the choice to only use our iPhones for quick tasks or mapping during our vacation.
This also makes it easier when we ask our kids for their attention.
What tips, techniques, and rules do you use?
Karl YOUR BRAIN ON COMPUTERS: The Risks of Parenting While Plugged In Parents’ use of smartphones and laptops — and its effect on their children — is becoming a source of concern to researchers. http://nyti.ms/aNFXuE
This also makes it easier when we ask our kids for their attention.
What tips, techniques, and rules do you use?
Karl YOUR BRAIN ON COMPUTERS: The Risks of Parenting While Plugged In Parents’ use of smartphones and laptops — and its effect on their children — is becoming a source of concern to researchers. http://nyti.ms/aNFXuE
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Starbucks or Barnes and Noble
Where did we go between out-of-town meetings before Starbucks and Barnes and Noble?
Highway to Hell
Should I worry when I turn on the radio at 5am and the first song I hear is "Highway to Hell"?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Yes, Im still alive
Wow, my life has really turned a little hectic right now. Moving is a little hellish to say the least. Not just the packing and unpacking, but all the little projects that go along with the sense of ownership..... Good news: We are in our new house at 1143 S. 2d Street, Louisville, KY 40203. We are fully functional and are slowly getting aclimated to the new environment. We absolutely love it! There is no other place Id rather live than in "Old Louisville". There is so much character in this neighborhood that is so undescribable..... With this said, Ive been the busiest that Ive been in my entire life...... Along with the time and energy spent with the move and changes, My work (Akebono) deems it necessary to work me 60-70 hours per week....... Insanity (I guess the economy is recovering somewhat).... or somebody is buying a whole bunch of new vehicles. Also, starting my summer term at JCTC... Taking two classes this summer with all the chaos going on in my life right now.... More good news: I have managed a couple of runs here and there and a bike or two..... I have the most beautiful place to run and bike.... I run the Old Louisville portion of the KY Derby Mini marathon and run through St.James Court as well as millionaires row on 3d and 4th streets. I also run across the 2d street bridge to visit Indiana.... Water front park, Central Park, and Cherokee Park are also in distance for me to visit whenever I find the time...... I am exposed to everything a man could ask for.... The downtown Y is also within a short jog......... Health food, events, all kinds of stimulation for me to explore... Now, just pray that I may find some time to take full advantage of such activities.... right now, its not looking good.... time is not on my side........gotta go to class...... later men......
Nice sprint Smitty...... Keep going Claude..... Karl take it easy this year......
yours truly
dino
Nice sprint Smitty...... Keep going Claude..... Karl take it easy this year......
yours truly
dino
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Why Must All Good Things Come To An End?
I suppose we shouldn't lament it unless that thing is our good health.
Bacon Weekly
Get Fit KY triathon race report- Morgainfield, KY
Sorry for the lack of posting the last 2 weeks.....I have been on the road hard and just haven't found the balance to post my workouts, but did find time for the workout 5-6 days each of the last 2 weeks as I prepared for the the Get Fit Tri in Morganfield this past weekend....still no results posted and I'll post those when official. Overall a great race, well organized, etc. The swim was great, my bike suffered as the lack of training really showed on the climbs and in this race...there's a bunch; including PRAY HILL which I trotted up after just over half way; the run was nice and around the local lake...more to come..... The Owensboro race is this weekend...got a new bike this week...going to pick it up today so might be able to ride for race
Sorry for the lack of posting the last 2 weeks.....I have been on the road hard and just haven't found the balance to post my workouts, but did find time for the workout 5-6 days each of the last 2 weeks as I prepared for the the Get Fit Tri in Morganfield this past weekend....still no results posted and I'll post those when official. Overall a great race, well organized, etc. The swim was great, my bike suffered as the lack of training really showed on the climbs and in this race...there's a bunch; including PRAY HILL which I trotted up after just over half way; the run was nice and around the local lake...more to come..... The Owensboro race is this weekend...got a new bike this week...going to pick it up today so might be able to ride for race
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Schmidt Weekly
"The Sprint Finish"
It was a strange week with many surprises. Cole left for 4H camp so Becca and I had a little empty nest syndrome going on. At the last minute we decided to drive up to Lexington so I could race in the Downtown Criterium. I don't like these short, fast, Nascar-like cycling events because there is way too many crashes. But, Becca and I wanted to get out of town, it was a chance to race and to go and get a good meal for just the two of us.
Becca is getting along pretty well in her temporary knee brace and I parked as close to the race finish line as possible. I warmed up and arrived back at the finish line for the final 2-3 laps of the category race before mine. The finish was a 10-12 man field sprint and multiple riders touched wheels with two going down in a huge crash. Bike parts and bodies were flying across the blacktop. I have witnessed this many times before, but Becca had not, so she immediately had a huge knot in her stomach as I kissed her on the cheek, smiled and rode off for a couple of warm up laps before my start. The crash was not the image I wanted to leave her with.
19 men were registered in my event category, one of the smaller fields I have ever raced in. The course was a six corner fairly technical and fast circuit. I had my typical slow start and all the young fast guys took off as if it was a one lap race. I hung on at the very back and about three laps in I found my wind and my legs and all of a sudden I felt great. I honestly felt faster then every guy I was picking off. I wondered for a minute if I was just going out to fast, to early? I hooked up with a couple of other guys and we worked together taking pulls and picking off individuals. As the laps were winding down I knew I had to make some moves. I had never really been in this position before so I went to the front of my 6 man group and pushed the pace out of every corner. One by one they started to pop, until there was only one guy left on my wheel. I put in a huge acceleration on the small uphill and road him off my wheel. I didn't see anyone else so I figured I had done all that I could and would settle for my placing since I was on the final lap. As I came out of the final corner on to the strait-a-way I spotted a rider up the road. He had a sizable gap but had no idea I was behind him. I figured why not? I put my head down and just barrelled down the long finish road, by the time the guy looked back I was on him at top speed, I sprinted out the final meters and got him by a wheel length at the line.
I was so pumped to have been in the action the entire time. I simply felt like I had ridden a great race. The real surprise came when Becca and I went over to the officials table for the posting of the results. I finished in 5th place. WOW, I was so stoked, and was even more excited when the guy said I finish in the prize cut off. For my finish I was awarded a very nice pint glass from the race sponsors. You would have thought they had just handed me an Olympic medal. I was, and still am very pumped.
Becca and I celebrated with dinner at PF Changs. There was no pain on the ride home, just a great euphoric feeling. The rest of the week was filled with thunderstorms and massive rain showers. All of my rides got shortened or didn't even happen. Finally on Saturday a buddy and I decided to go out for a couple of hours. It was so nice out we just kept riding and eventually put in a 65+ mile ride. It was awesome and the wives had an terrific dinner waiting for us with some cold adult beverages. Mmmm.
Thanks for all the support, I was stoked to report this week because I knew my brothers would appreciate the effort.
Sunday: Bike- TM:56:52/DST:14.72/AVG:15.5
Monday: Bike Race (Criterium) 35 minute warm up, Race- TM:40:16/DST:15.28/AVG:22.82
Tuesday: Crossfit. Run- TM:28.02/DST:2.8
Wednesday: Crossfit. Run- 6reps of 3 min. 400 meter runs. (rest if time between intervals)
Thursday: Bike- TM:1:23:07/DST:20.60/AVG:14.8
Friday: Bike- TM:39:33/DST:9.23/AVG:14.0
Saturday: Bike- TM:4:15:50/DST:67.12/AVG:15.7
Stuck in Elevator
Our hotel elevator got stuck between floors earlier today. We called the emergency number and the hotel staff had us out in a handful of anxious minutes.
The staff could not have been nicer. They gave our kids some free treats and when we returned from dinner, this basket awaited us with a note and a voucher for a free in-room movie.
Thank you Harbor Beach Marriott for your wonderful customer service. It's obvious you have empowered your staff to do whatever it takes to make things right. Well done!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Schmidt Weekly
Since my last report we got back Becca's MRI report and it was not very good. Completely torn ACL and a lateral tear of her meniscus with contusions to her femoral and tibial ends. We had about a 24 hour break down and Becca was pretty upset. But we talked about having a plan and now she is focused on surgery, rehab and getting back to her training. I'm real proud of her attitude about the entire thing. We have a consultation w/ her doctor on the 7th and surgery soon after. Please keep her speedy recovery in your thoughts and prayers.
Sunday: Bike- TM:3:21:33/DST:59:41 (this was my race day I reported on last week)
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Bike- TM:1:40:06/DST:26.82/AVG:16.0
Wednesday: Bike- TM:1:27:07/DST:23.25/AVG:16.0
Thursday: Off
Friday: Bike- TM:51:25/DST:12.95/AVG:15.1
Saturday: Bike- TM:4:01:44/DST:63.36/AVG:15.7
Great week of cycling. Legs are feeling so good after racing last week. Compiled just over 185 miles this week. I have another race on Memorial Day so I am looking forward to having a positive report.
Keep up the training and racing!
L3-Live, Learn and Lead.
Schmidty
Sunday: Bike- TM:3:21:33/DST:59:41 (this was my race day I reported on last week)
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Bike- TM:1:40:06/DST:26.82/AVG:16.0
Wednesday: Bike- TM:1:27:07/DST:23.25/AVG:16.0
Thursday: Off
Friday: Bike- TM:51:25/DST:12.95/AVG:15.1
Saturday: Bike- TM:4:01:44/DST:63.36/AVG:15.7
Great week of cycling. Legs are feeling so good after racing last week. Compiled just over 185 miles this week. I have another race on Memorial Day so I am looking forward to having a positive report.
Keep up the training and racing!
L3-Live, Learn and Lead.
Schmidty
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