20 Ways to Find, Sustain, and Share Happiness
Megan R. McDonough 8/14/2004
The Dalai Lama says that we all share one common aspiration: we all want to be happy; no one wants to suffer. This universal desire binds us together. At some point the realization dawns that no matter how big the paycheck is, no matter how many degrees we get, no matter how nice the house and the white picket fence is, none of it can assure happiness.
What is it that does bring lasting happiness, no matter what the circumstance? The ancient poet and mystic Rumi gives us a clue when he says, “Work in the invisible world at least as hard as you do in the visible.” The invisible world is within you, and it’s where lasting happiness resides.
Here are some suggestions for working in the invisible realm:
Look closely at what causes lasting happiness. Buying a new sweater might feel good for a moment or two, but looking closely you see that that sooner or later all new stuff loses its appeal, growing old and mundane. Reinforce in your mind that happiness is not the result of accumulating goods.
Savor the moment. When your child gives you a bear hug, live that experience fully, whilenoticing every little detail. The same holds true for the boring meeting that’s putting you to sleep. As Leo Buscaglia, the author of Love, says, “Braille your world.” Being mindful doesn’t mean things will be good, just that you are aware of them as they are, without judgment. Expand your awareness. See new perspectives by challenging your own beliefs. Expand your horizons by asking yourself, “What if…”.
Play. Between work, family, and grocery shopping, finding time to play can be just another chore. Forget picking up that gallon of milk on the way home from work today. Instead, tickle your children.
Practice gratitude. Focus your mind on all that you already possess, relegating that feeling of “needing more” to its proper place. If it works for Oprah, it works for me.
Follow the yes path. Margaret Wheatley, best-selling author of Leadership and the New Science, says that when events call out yes, follow that path. It’s certainly easier than banging your head against the wall.
Take time for self-reflection. Since childhood, we’ve been asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” A much better question to ask is “How do I want to be?”
Choose to live your values. After reflecting on your personal values, instill them in your everyday actions.
Experiment. Philosopher Nietzsche said, “Life is a thousand times too short for us to bore ourselves.” Give yourself permission to try something different, without obsessing over the outcome.
Listen. Get your mind off your own problems by lending an ear to hear others.
Stay present. As the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn has recommended in his many books, when you wash the dishes, just wash the dishes. The mind’s habit is to rehearse what the future holds or re-run life by mulling over past events. This moment is where life actually is lived.
Smile. It’s such a simple way to change your inner landscape and connect with others.
Know that life is finite. You are not guaranteed a tomorrow. Your life is precious. Live it fully.
Happiness is here, in this moment. George Bernard Shaw said, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” Know that there is nothing to magically “find” for happiness; it’s created through you.
Notice your breath. It’s not difficult to simply notice the air entering your body and then watching it exit, but it has a powerful effect. Use it to re-focus from the hectic outside world to an attitude of mindfulness.
Give. Whether you gift the gift of time, money, or knowledge, sharing transforms the mind.
Your path to happiness is uniquely yours. Thomas Merton said, “Looking for God is like seeking a path in a field of snow; if there is no path and you are looking for one, walk across the field and there is your path.” It’s the same for happiness; you make your own path.
Drop the guilt trip. Go ahead and have a night out with a friend. See the sappy show that your husband wouldn’t be caught dead at.
Spend time in nature. Get out of a world lit by fluorescent lights and divided by cubicles. Take a walk in the woods. At the very least put a plant in your office.
Go to bed early. Never underestimate the power of a good nights sleep.
Joseph Campbell, who is best known for his forays into Mythology, cited a Polynesian saying to describe the state of humanity: “We are standing on a whale, fishing for minnows.” What you are looking for—what we are all looking for—is as close as your own self. Happiness is the whale right under your feet.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Birthday Wishes
To all you wonderful people out there who took time to send me birthday wishes.... all the hugs and love in the world goes out to you. My day was perfect in every sense. There really are wonderful people surrounding me and I feel supremely blessed to friends and family that truly care deeply about me. What more is there to life? A good bike ride in the mountains I suppose. Oh wait that did happen for my birthday!
My day was filled with phone calls, emails, and texts (oh the marvels of technology!) from wonderful people followed by an evening at the Temple Bar (as per my request) visiting with friends and family while drinking way too much wine and delectable treats. The day was preceded by a long weekend in Whistler thanks to Jess. Three days of perfect weather, perfect riding conditions and the perfect group to share it with.
What more could a girl ask for? Thanks everyone for making me feel incredibly special!
My day was filled with phone calls, emails, and texts (oh the marvels of technology!) from wonderful people followed by an evening at the Temple Bar (as per my request) visiting with friends and family while drinking way too much wine and delectable treats. The day was preceded by a long weekend in Whistler thanks to Jess. Three days of perfect weather, perfect riding conditions and the perfect group to share it with.
What more could a girl ask for? Thanks everyone for making me feel incredibly special!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Fear
We live in a world that is run on fear. I feel that our senses are so numbed by the romanticization and exploitation of our "news" that the facts and any sort of information is lost in the dramatization of trying to stimulate our senses.
The twisted and contorted and misled and misinformed and not informed world of media has become part of my job and part of life for the time being. The project that I am working on has ended up being a political hot button. I witness, first hand the mistakes, biases and political will of the media. What a learning experience! After the name calling, threats, accusations, and misinformation settles, we are left standing there legitimately questioning and challenging our motives.
At some point we must stand for something or else our county/country will be run by and for the interest of money.
Enough of my personal soap box, this is not the forum for political agendas nor is it interesting to anyone besides the few that are involved. I would like to share a letter that is written by a very prominent agricultural advocate here in Whatcom County.
My View
By Henry Bierlink
Fear Based Approaches Lack Integrity
I've attended a couple events recently that have me reflecting on the role of "fear" in our political process. Fear is a powerful motivator. Scaring people into action is much more effective then educating them. But it usually results in lousy public policy.
One of these events was a meeting concerning the implementation of the County's critical areas ordinance on farms. It was healthy to have rural citizens express their concerns over how we try to balance protection of water quality, wetlands, and wildlife habitat with our desire to keep farmers and farmland productive. But an unhealthy fear clouded the discussion. Somehow, large portions of the audience concluded that the County has determined that animal agriculture, including 4-H and FFA projects, was a great threat to the environment and that draconian steps needed to be made to restrict it if not discourage it.
This fear has some factual basis but was blown out of proportion at the meeting. The County is legally obligated to protect all its resources and when animals are mismanaged they can cause negative impacts. The County seeks to provide the least onerous means of providing some accountability through the Conservation Program on Agricultural Lands program administered at the Conservation District. Most who go through this program realize that respecting property owner's desires and the needs of environmental protection is a delicate but achievable balance.
Farm Friends understands that this program is not perfect and the meeting underscored that some needed changes should be made. That is a productive discussion. Fear that the County wants to discourage agriculture is not.
On the other end of the spectrum I attended Food INC., a documentary film painting a grossly distorted picture of production agriculture and building a case in favor of locally produced, organic food. Again, "fear" was the dominate emotion, with the intent to scare people away from the most efficient, safest food production system in the world.
I don't argue that there are many legitimate criticisms of the way we produce the food we enjoy so cheaply. Just like in our recent financial meltdown there are places where greed and short term decision-making has left us with systems that are indefensible when you step back and honestly reflect. There are a myriad of books out about our food system. I find most of them reasonably balanced and very interesting reads.
Food INC. doesn't come close to measuring up to the standard these books have set. I could cut them some slack as it is hard to be thorough in a 90 minute film, but they don't even try. They present a series of "hit pieces" outlining abuses in our food systems and then note that those they are criticizing refused to comment.
A recent Capital Press op ed piece reinforced my conclusions: "The film did little to advance the debate over how food is produced. More importantly, it ignored the complexity of an efficient system that feeds much of the world."
I don't like operating out of fear. I have some sympathy for landowners who haven't had the experience of working through the complexities of balancing animal husbandry and the environment. I have no sympathy for those that use fear to manipulate me.
The twisted and contorted and misled and misinformed and not informed world of media has become part of my job and part of life for the time being. The project that I am working on has ended up being a political hot button. I witness, first hand the mistakes, biases and political will of the media. What a learning experience! After the name calling, threats, accusations, and misinformation settles, we are left standing there legitimately questioning and challenging our motives.
At some point we must stand for something or else our county/country will be run by and for the interest of money.
Enough of my personal soap box, this is not the forum for political agendas nor is it interesting to anyone besides the few that are involved. I would like to share a letter that is written by a very prominent agricultural advocate here in Whatcom County.
My View
By Henry Bierlink
Fear Based Approaches Lack Integrity
I've attended a couple events recently that have me reflecting on the role of "fear" in our political process. Fear is a powerful motivator. Scaring people into action is much more effective then educating them. But it usually results in lousy public policy.
One of these events was a meeting concerning the implementation of the County's critical areas ordinance on farms. It was healthy to have rural citizens express their concerns over how we try to balance protection of water quality, wetlands, and wildlife habitat with our desire to keep farmers and farmland productive. But an unhealthy fear clouded the discussion. Somehow, large portions of the audience concluded that the County has determined that animal agriculture, including 4-H and FFA projects, was a great threat to the environment and that draconian steps needed to be made to restrict it if not discourage it.
This fear has some factual basis but was blown out of proportion at the meeting. The County is legally obligated to protect all its resources and when animals are mismanaged they can cause negative impacts. The County seeks to provide the least onerous means of providing some accountability through the Conservation Program on Agricultural Lands program administered at the Conservation District. Most who go through this program realize that respecting property owner's desires and the needs of environmental protection is a delicate but achievable balance.
Farm Friends understands that this program is not perfect and the meeting underscored that some needed changes should be made. That is a productive discussion. Fear that the County wants to discourage agriculture is not.
On the other end of the spectrum I attended Food INC., a documentary film painting a grossly distorted picture of production agriculture and building a case in favor of locally produced, organic food. Again, "fear" was the dominate emotion, with the intent to scare people away from the most efficient, safest food production system in the world.
I don't argue that there are many legitimate criticisms of the way we produce the food we enjoy so cheaply. Just like in our recent financial meltdown there are places where greed and short term decision-making has left us with systems that are indefensible when you step back and honestly reflect. There are a myriad of books out about our food system. I find most of them reasonably balanced and very interesting reads.
Food INC. doesn't come close to measuring up to the standard these books have set. I could cut them some slack as it is hard to be thorough in a 90 minute film, but they don't even try. They present a series of "hit pieces" outlining abuses in our food systems and then note that those they are criticizing refused to comment.
A recent Capital Press op ed piece reinforced my conclusions: "The film did little to advance the debate over how food is produced. More importantly, it ignored the complexity of an efficient system that feeds much of the world."
I don't like operating out of fear. I have some sympathy for landowners who haven't had the experience of working through the complexities of balancing animal husbandry and the environment. I have no sympathy for those that use fear to manipulate me.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Thank you letter to Smart Trips
2509 Huron Street
Bellingham, WA 98226
September 2, 2009
Bellingham, WA 98226
September 2, 2009
Dear Smart Trips,
Every couple of months I get a reward delivered to my house. It is not a van with a large card board check and balloons; it comes modestly in an envelope from Smart Trips. It started off as ice cream, then a t-shirt, bagels, and even a movie rental, all from my favorite local shops. These little treats have landed in my hands and put a smile on my face. Someone out there is recognizing the fact that I make active transportation trips here in Whatcom County. The latest reward made me stop and think that maybe I am making a difference by getting on my bike instead of getting in my car.
Every couple of months I get a reward delivered to my house. It is not a van with a large card board check and balloons; it comes modestly in an envelope from Smart Trips. It started off as ice cream, then a t-shirt, bagels, and even a movie rental, all from my favorite local shops. These little treats have landed in my hands and put a smile on my face. Someone out there is recognizing the fact that I make active transportation trips here in Whatcom County. The latest reward made me stop and think that maybe I am making a difference by getting on my bike instead of getting in my car.
This most recent gift couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.
I have always dreamed of being a “one car family,” my husband and I got rid of our second car this year. It has been a rather easy transition even considering we both work about 10 miles from our jobs. This is the first time that we have made a conscious choice to have one car and put effort forward to make it work. Living in the car centric culture that we do one car can be difficult, and I must admit a car of my own is still in the back of my mind. I was ready to go back to having my personal car. I justified it every way imaginable, the next thing I knew; I had convinced myself that I had to have my own car. Ironically when I got the mail that day there was a card from Smart Trips congratulating me for making at least 200 active transportation trips in a year. I took a step back in awe, I was getting formally acknowledged for commuting by bike. I am making a difference by simply choosing to get on my bike, something that brings me joy and happiness at no cost.
I have since then reconsidered my want for a car and it was the simple gesture from the people working at Smart Trips. Fifteen dollars to spend at the Farmers Market and a slice of cake kept the fire alive. I have put almost 4,000 miles on my bike in less than two years by simply ridding to work. The second car can wait, maybe indefinitely because I can do everything on my bike (even in a mini skirt) and the occasional carpool.
Most of the people I know travel by means other than the bicycle. For the most part, they're still automobiles. Automobile drivers. It's the norm, isn't it? In a society like ours--where more money is spent advertising automobiles than is spent on the entire national mass transit system, where everyone's background assumption equates travel with driving--it isn't easy to make the shift to bicycle commuting.
High gas prices. Expensive car payments. Traffic delays. Road rage. Expanding waistlines. There are many great reasons to consider traveling to work by bicycle. It's an effective, healthy, inexpensive, and fun alternative that is attracting more and more commuters all over the world. One or a combination of reasons got me hooked on the bike as my primary means of transportation to my place of work. Now that I have started commuting by bike, I have a hard time imaging anything besides “Orangette” (yes I am one of those people who has named my bike).
At first I would ride just a couple times a week and most often I would call my husband to give me a ride on his way home. Now, every morning I roll up my pant leg, put on my bright yellow jacket, load my pannier and hop on my bike. I usually don’t consider getting in a car for work, it doesn’t even sound attractive anymore. The bike ride to work is the perfect way to start the day and get around town. It wasn’t always like this. What keeps me biking 11 miles work and then another 11 miles home everyday is simple.
Like so many other bike commuters the bike simple replaces or supplements the car. Getting on my bike is a habit, I am programmed to get on my bike rather than getting in the car, I don’t even think twice about it. I get exercise, fresh air, make snappy shortcuts, ride through grass and get home on trails and not stuck in intersections or busy roads. I know the other commuters on my route by first name and wave at them everyday. We are going to stay a one car family, avoiding all the costs associated with owning a second car. As I get more accustomed to riding I realize just as convenient biking is and as usually takes the same or less time as driving.
I am making a difference in my life and the people around me. The best way is to show is by action. If people see me, complete strangers, my coworkers and friends who listen to me get excited and praise commuting by bike sees me out on the roads, they may consider what it would be like to make less car trips. Someone may realize that I am going all the same places by bike as by car; soon they try it and experience just how easy it is. Slowly, one person at a time, we can make a difference.
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to making this a healthier community for everyone.
Michelle Stiles
I have always dreamed of being a “one car family,” my husband and I got rid of our second car this year. It has been a rather easy transition even considering we both work about 10 miles from our jobs. This is the first time that we have made a conscious choice to have one car and put effort forward to make it work. Living in the car centric culture that we do one car can be difficult, and I must admit a car of my own is still in the back of my mind. I was ready to go back to having my personal car. I justified it every way imaginable, the next thing I knew; I had convinced myself that I had to have my own car. Ironically when I got the mail that day there was a card from Smart Trips congratulating me for making at least 200 active transportation trips in a year. I took a step back in awe, I was getting formally acknowledged for commuting by bike. I am making a difference by simply choosing to get on my bike, something that brings me joy and happiness at no cost.
I have since then reconsidered my want for a car and it was the simple gesture from the people working at Smart Trips. Fifteen dollars to spend at the Farmers Market and a slice of cake kept the fire alive. I have put almost 4,000 miles on my bike in less than two years by simply ridding to work. The second car can wait, maybe indefinitely because I can do everything on my bike (even in a mini skirt) and the occasional carpool.
Most of the people I know travel by means other than the bicycle. For the most part, they're still automobiles. Automobile drivers. It's the norm, isn't it? In a society like ours--where more money is spent advertising automobiles than is spent on the entire national mass transit system, where everyone's background assumption equates travel with driving--it isn't easy to make the shift to bicycle commuting.
High gas prices. Expensive car payments. Traffic delays. Road rage. Expanding waistlines. There are many great reasons to consider traveling to work by bicycle. It's an effective, healthy, inexpensive, and fun alternative that is attracting more and more commuters all over the world. One or a combination of reasons got me hooked on the bike as my primary means of transportation to my place of work. Now that I have started commuting by bike, I have a hard time imaging anything besides “Orangette” (yes I am one of those people who has named my bike).
At first I would ride just a couple times a week and most often I would call my husband to give me a ride on his way home. Now, every morning I roll up my pant leg, put on my bright yellow jacket, load my pannier and hop on my bike. I usually don’t consider getting in a car for work, it doesn’t even sound attractive anymore. The bike ride to work is the perfect way to start the day and get around town. It wasn’t always like this. What keeps me biking 11 miles work and then another 11 miles home everyday is simple.
Like so many other bike commuters the bike simple replaces or supplements the car. Getting on my bike is a habit, I am programmed to get on my bike rather than getting in the car, I don’t even think twice about it. I get exercise, fresh air, make snappy shortcuts, ride through grass and get home on trails and not stuck in intersections or busy roads. I know the other commuters on my route by first name and wave at them everyday. We are going to stay a one car family, avoiding all the costs associated with owning a second car. As I get more accustomed to riding I realize just as convenient biking is and as usually takes the same or less time as driving.
I am making a difference in my life and the people around me. The best way is to show is by action. If people see me, complete strangers, my coworkers and friends who listen to me get excited and praise commuting by bike sees me out on the roads, they may consider what it would be like to make less car trips. Someone may realize that I am going all the same places by bike as by car; soon they try it and experience just how easy it is. Slowly, one person at a time, we can make a difference.
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to making this a healthier community for everyone.
Michelle Stiles
Monday, August 31, 2009
For the time being
Monday is here again. Another wonderful weekend under my belt. I will go into greater detail (and I will because it is too good not to share) when time allows. I must share what I heard over the weekend because it has been a long time since I have heard something so true and so real.
"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."
-St. Augustine "Captain Corelli's Mandolin"
-St. Augustine "Captain Corelli's Mandolin"
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Getting crafty
Lately I have been getting the crafty bug. I think it might be the extra time I have on my hands from cutting back on running and yoga (climbing and biking to be honest). It might be the new found contentment that I have with my house and the feeling of being settled. All these feelings merged together and I have rekindled my artsy side.
I will be the first to admit our recycling bin is often full of wine bottles. Me being the semi pack rat that I can be (thanks to John for keeping me in check) have always been curious to create something from them. First, I read in a magazine about lining a flower bed in upside down wine bottles and then the weed eater would probably crush my aspirations of a nice little flower bed.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Montras for a Monday
As I glide through life, learning more about others, myself, the relationships we create, the world, and how I fit into it new doors open, some close and I grow. Grow grow grow. I want to keep growing, evolving and transforming into a beautiful person.
I often keep too much to myself. When I find myself struggling day to day I have come to figure out that I am probably not connecting enough with people or my surroundings. As soon I step out of my little world and engulf myself with others I realize that it is not all about me. ****Ahhhh***** no Michelle, the world does not revolve around you.... It is getting easier, everyday, easier. As I crawl out of the hole I dug for myself, my family is still all here, just waiting with open arms. Friends are still around; my husband is has big open arms and eyes that make me melt. All this could be gone in shake of a hand. I have wonderful hobbies, a great house, I have created what I want and now all I have to do is enjoy it!
Mantras for a Good Life
1. Always have a dream. Believe in it. Believe in your ability to make it happen.
2. Keep your passions alive.
1. Always have a dream. Believe in it. Believe in your ability to make it happen.
2. Keep your passions alive.
3. Set goals – even little goals are good and then reward yourself. They will all lead up to you making your dream come true.
4. Make decisions or they will be made for you.
5. Do the “right thing.” You will love yourself more if you do.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Phish
We made it back safe and sound. The first true Phish concernt (more of an event) under my belt. I still have all ten fingers and all my brain cells.
I have never been much of a Phish fan and can honestly say they are not my favorite band, but they are right on when it comes to live performances. They are a ball of fun, they are taleneted and can take their shows to the next level. I am pretty sure that they are one of the greatest live bands. 
The best part was our group. The crew we met up with was even better. Lots and lots of dancing, chilling and chatting...
The guys (Bryan, John, Scott)
The view from the top of the venue. EPIC!
A light show that will blow your mind,
A light show that will blow your mind,
The best part is we are going again for Halloween in Indio, CA. We are piling into cars and road tripping!
Phish :: 08.07.09 :: Gorge Amphitheatre :: George, WA
Set 1
1.The Mango Song
2.Chalk Dust Torture
3.Middle Of The Road*
4.Tweezer
5.Driver
6.Twenty Years Later
7.Ya Mar
8.It's Ice
9.Wolfman's Brother
10.Character Zero >
11.Run Like An Antelope
Set 2
1.Rock and Rolll >
2.Makisupa Policeman
3.Alaska
4.The Wedge
5.You Enjoy Myself
6.Backwards Down The Number Line
7.Piper >
8.Grind
Encore
1.Good Times Bad Times
2.Tweezer Reprise
Phish :: 08.08.09 :: Gorge Amphitheatre :: George, WA
Set I:
Phish :: 08.07.09 :: Gorge Amphitheatre :: George, WA
Set 1
1.The Mango Song
2.Chalk Dust Torture
3.Middle Of The Road*
4.Tweezer
5.Driver
6.Twenty Years Later
7.Ya Mar
8.It's Ice
9.Wolfman's Brother
10.Character Zero >
11.Run Like An Antelope
Set 2
1.Rock and Rolll >
2.Makisupa Policeman
3.Alaska
4.The Wedge
5.You Enjoy Myself
6.Backwards Down The Number Line
7.Piper >
8.Grind
Encore
1.Good Times Bad Times
2.Tweezer Reprise
Phish :: 08.08.09 :: Gorge Amphitheatre :: George, WA
Set I:
The Mango Song
Chalk Dust Torture, Middle Of The Road
Tweezer
Driver
Twenty Years Later
Ya Mar
It's Ice
Wolfman's Brother
Character Zero >
Run Like An Antelope
Set II:
Set II:
Rock & Roll >
Makisupa Policeman
Alaska
The Wedge
You Enjoy Myself
Backwards Down the Number Line >
Piper
Grind
Encore:
Encore:
Good Times Bad Times
Tweezer Reprise
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
SEATTLE SOUNDERS!!
I must admit, I am a newbie to the world of soccer. I was introduced to the phenomenon with our trip to Mexico. We would roll into a town that was obviously impoverished, they always had a little tienda that sold jerseys and stuff of that sort. Rolling through towns, kids would be playing soccer on big dirt fields (not basketball). Back to the states and this year Seattle came on the scene with the Sounders. Alex, my office mate and die hard soccer fan got season tickets. I heard about all the games. Then a few weeks ago I went for myself. Now I am hooked! What a fun sporting event to watch. The next thing I know I am trying to get tickets to a few more games here and there. Today, John and I are packing a bus with some friends and going to watch Barcelona game. What fun... cheers... boos... chants.. and a packed stadium.
Here is an excerpt from the Stranger for a little reading. Go to the entire article for a good read.
The average attendance for Sounders league matches at Qwest Field (as of July 25) is 30,204. People. In one place. For comparison's sake: a rock show at the Paramount (2,807), a concert at KeyArena (16,641), a festival at the Gorge (25,000). Picture Sasquatch! Now add SIFF opening night at the Paramount. Now go ahead and add David Byrne at the Paramount also. Now put them all downtown and let them fight for parking or try to find a bike rack. That's what happens at nearly every single match of a sport that people have always said could never catch on in America.
The Sounders' average attendance is nearly double the estimated Major Soccer League average of 15,599. Attendance greater than 30,000 has been announced at the last several recent Sounders home matches, against teams like San Jose (average attendance: 10,657), D.C. (14,003), Houston (15,632), and Chicago (12,838). These crowd figures place Seattle at number one in Major League Soccer—which the Sounders only joined this year—comfortably ahead of the other 14 teams. Number two is Toronto at 20,277. Dallas is last with 9,464.
Stranger PersonalsLovelab
Yellowcake: Women Seeking Men Lustlab
Yes, Please Lovelab
radraspberry: Women Seeking Men The average Sounders attendance is less than half the number of people who go see the average Seahawks game (67,995 last year) in the same stadium. But it's just about equal to the number of people who go see the Mariners (28,761 last year, 32,992 in 2007). And lest it be forgotten that there used to be a professional men's basketball team in this town, Sounders attendance is greater than the combined averages of the last two years of Sonics supporters—though the comparison might not be fair, since everyone knew the Sonics were leaving town and many decided to cut their losses (ambiguity intentional). The Storm, despite being the best sports ticket in town before the Sounders' emergence, drew an average of only 8,265 last year.
Why should Seattle, of all places, have so raging a boner for so anti-American a pastime?
Well, the easy answer is in the question. But to go slightly deeper, let us consider the anti-soccer faction. It's easy to find middlebrows and neocons grinding axes about the sport on blog after loudmouth blog. Franklin Foer's otherwise somewhat-impenetrable book How Soccer Explains the World offers a dedicated list of prominent footie opponents, including USA Today's Tom Weir, who once wrote that "hating soccer is more American than apple pie, driving a pickup, or spending Saturday afternoons channel surfing." The late senator and 1996 vice-presidential candidate (and retired pro "real" football player) Jack Kemp derided soccer as "socialist" on the floor of the U.S. Congress. Radio sports loudmouth Jim Rome has long made his antipathy for soccer a point of pride ("I will hand [my son] ice skates and a shimmering sequined blouse before I hand him a soccer ball. Soccer is not a sport, does not need to be on TV..."). Fractionally less-hysterical language comes from Allen Barra of the Wall Street Journal: "Yes, okay, soccer is the most 'popular' sport in the world... So what? Maybe other countries can't afford football, basketball, and baseball leagues; maybe if they could afford these other sports, they'd enjoy them even more." I did say fractionally.
You may detect a recurring tone in these objections. Soccer is not simply unenjoyable, it's a threat to our way of life (however bovine that way of life may be), our government, our economy, our manhood. You'd think they were talking about electric cars. But no less a liberal pinup than Keith Olbermann is a notorious mocker of the sport and its worldwide appeal; his dismissive asides began when he was an ESPN anchor and continue on his MSNBC broadcasts. And in a hilarious report occasioned by Team USA's upset victory over Spain, Stephen Colbert declared soccer "the sport for fourth graders that foreign people take seriously." Fair enough.
The truth is, complaints against soccer may not be fundamentally aesthetic, but psychological. It issues from the unalterable human tendency to interpret other people's preference for things other than your favorites as a judgment against you—you like soccer, so you must be saying that football is for assholes. In which case, soccer is for assholes, asshole. The details are just filler. Why else would anyone care? People make fun of the sport the way people make fun of Canada—it's the easiest target imaginable. Until you go to Canada, that is.
Here is an excerpt from the Stranger for a little reading. Go to the entire article for a good read.
The average attendance for Sounders league matches at Qwest Field (as of July 25) is 30,204. People. In one place. For comparison's sake: a rock show at the Paramount (2,807), a concert at KeyArena (16,641), a festival at the Gorge (25,000). Picture Sasquatch! Now add SIFF opening night at the Paramount. Now go ahead and add David Byrne at the Paramount also. Now put them all downtown and let them fight for parking or try to find a bike rack. That's what happens at nearly every single match of a sport that people have always said could never catch on in America.
The Sounders' average attendance is nearly double the estimated Major Soccer League average of 15,599. Attendance greater than 30,000 has been announced at the last several recent Sounders home matches, against teams like San Jose (average attendance: 10,657), D.C. (14,003), Houston (15,632), and Chicago (12,838). These crowd figures place Seattle at number one in Major League Soccer—which the Sounders only joined this year—comfortably ahead of the other 14 teams. Number two is Toronto at 20,277. Dallas is last with 9,464.
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radraspberry: Women Seeking Men The average Sounders attendance is less than half the number of people who go see the average Seahawks game (67,995 last year) in the same stadium. But it's just about equal to the number of people who go see the Mariners (28,761 last year, 32,992 in 2007). And lest it be forgotten that there used to be a professional men's basketball team in this town, Sounders attendance is greater than the combined averages of the last two years of Sonics supporters—though the comparison might not be fair, since everyone knew the Sonics were leaving town and many decided to cut their losses (ambiguity intentional). The Storm, despite being the best sports ticket in town before the Sounders' emergence, drew an average of only 8,265 last year.
Why should Seattle, of all places, have so raging a boner for so anti-American a pastime?
Well, the easy answer is in the question. But to go slightly deeper, let us consider the anti-soccer faction. It's easy to find middlebrows and neocons grinding axes about the sport on blog after loudmouth blog. Franklin Foer's otherwise somewhat-impenetrable book How Soccer Explains the World offers a dedicated list of prominent footie opponents, including USA Today's Tom Weir, who once wrote that "hating soccer is more American than apple pie, driving a pickup, or spending Saturday afternoons channel surfing." The late senator and 1996 vice-presidential candidate (and retired pro "real" football player) Jack Kemp derided soccer as "socialist" on the floor of the U.S. Congress. Radio sports loudmouth Jim Rome has long made his antipathy for soccer a point of pride ("I will hand [my son] ice skates and a shimmering sequined blouse before I hand him a soccer ball. Soccer is not a sport, does not need to be on TV..."). Fractionally less-hysterical language comes from Allen Barra of the Wall Street Journal: "Yes, okay, soccer is the most 'popular' sport in the world... So what? Maybe other countries can't afford football, basketball, and baseball leagues; maybe if they could afford these other sports, they'd enjoy them even more." I did say fractionally.
You may detect a recurring tone in these objections. Soccer is not simply unenjoyable, it's a threat to our way of life (however bovine that way of life may be), our government, our economy, our manhood. You'd think they were talking about electric cars. But no less a liberal pinup than Keith Olbermann is a notorious mocker of the sport and its worldwide appeal; his dismissive asides began when he was an ESPN anchor and continue on his MSNBC broadcasts. And in a hilarious report occasioned by Team USA's upset victory over Spain, Stephen Colbert declared soccer "the sport for fourth graders that foreign people take seriously." Fair enough.
The truth is, complaints against soccer may not be fundamentally aesthetic, but psychological. It issues from the unalterable human tendency to interpret other people's preference for things other than your favorites as a judgment against you—you like soccer, so you must be saying that football is for assholes. In which case, soccer is for assholes, asshole. The details are just filler. Why else would anyone care? People make fun of the sport the way people make fun of Canada—it's the easiest target imaginable. Until you go to Canada, that is.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Phishy
Snap. Snap. Snap.
All I want to do is just snap my way out of my not so shining days, enter into a positive state of mind and be the happy person that I know is earthed inside my body. Life is one hell of a journey. Sometimes it is the ride of our lives and others it is a summers breeze. Right now I am in between, the grey area, it is the time to snap out of this rut I have dug and smell all the fresh flowers that I have planted. Life is too short for this kaka. As Betsy would say it is time to pull up my big girl panties.
What better than a weekend away.... at a Phish concert, to get me out of my head, dance in circles, and be wild for a couple of days.
That is right, the weekend is finally here! We (John, ME!, the Dorrs, Scott, Corrie, Lawson, et. al. ) Are packing up and heading to the Gorge to let loose and PHISH! Our living room is full of all the necessities, once Thursday rolls around we are out of here!
All I want to do is just snap my way out of my not so shining days, enter into a positive state of mind and be the happy person that I know is earthed inside my body. Life is one hell of a journey. Sometimes it is the ride of our lives and others it is a summers breeze. Right now I am in between, the grey area, it is the time to snap out of this rut I have dug and smell all the fresh flowers that I have planted. Life is too short for this kaka. As Betsy would say it is time to pull up my big girl panties.
What better than a weekend away.... at a Phish concert, to get me out of my head, dance in circles, and be wild for a couple of days.
That is right, the weekend is finally here! We (John, ME!, the Dorrs, Scott, Corrie, Lawson, et. al. ) Are packing up and heading to the Gorge to let loose and PHISH! Our living room is full of all the necessities, once Thursday rolls around we are out of here!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
riding the heat wave
I am probably opening the door for a bunch of flack from all the soft hearted Bellinghamsters, for we are so used to the cold, rain, wind, damp, miserable temperatures that we are so accustomed to, once it warms up, watch out! The heat has been off the chart this last week, and I will come out and say that I enjoy it! Well all but trying to sleep in it. I am actually warm in a dress, can run around in a swim suit and swim in the lake without turning blue.
Bring on the heat.
I do feel for the people who cannot adequately cool themselves, our (and the many other little guys/gals) animals that are hot. Yesterday Sophee ( the loudest cat in the world ) had nothing to say to me, even when I was home for the entire afternoon. Natasha who also loves the heat had her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth with a pathetic look on her face. We are really close to having roasted chickens as well.
It will cool off next week, and before we know it I will have to wear ten layers and ski gloves on my ride to work. I am soaking in as much as I can now!
Bring on the heat.
I do feel for the people who cannot adequately cool themselves, our (and the many other little guys/gals) animals that are hot. Yesterday Sophee ( the loudest cat in the world ) had nothing to say to me, even when I was home for the entire afternoon. Natasha who also loves the heat had her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth with a pathetic look on her face. We are really close to having roasted chickens as well.
It will cool off next week, and before we know it I will have to wear ten layers and ski gloves on my ride to work. I am soaking in as much as I can now!
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