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“Available” in China

which is it? Banned or not banned?
Laura was first made aware of this site when she was mentioned as NOT being added to the list of folks excluded from URL’s available in China. I am not surprised: 1) Laura’s site is largely academic, 2) Laura is a nice person and 3) well…. I am sure there is a list ahead of her.

I was a little surprised that Karen was allegedly ‘banned’… so I ran Karen’s site through twice. First, it showed ‘her blocked’, then it showed her ‘available.’ I screen captured the page… this leads me to believe that it is the testing site that is in error… but I have another reason.

For those of you who know, every site comes with ( if you set it up) with what is called a ‘hits log’ whereby you can track visitors to your site. Karen’s site has been described as an on-line scrapbook for fans of track and field and has had a lot of hits over the years around the world… also in the Pacific rim and in China. Karen’s site is it’s own good will ambassador.

Interestingly enough… my site and my opinionated blog is also ‘available.’

Roger Freberg

The family member’s site who gets the most visits along the Pacific rim is Karla… her anime drawings have generated a lot of interest. You can read more on Laura’s Blog.

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Accenting the ‘Positive’ in Psychology

Being Married to a Psychologist is interesting, entertaining and educational.

An area of Psychology that has an appeal to me is “Positive Psychology.” Too many times, folks dwell on the negatives, whereas, investing the same amount of time looking at situations from a ‘positive’ point of view is more fruitful.

a great textbook on Positive PsychologyI just picked up a book that covers the subject…. “Character Strength and Virtues” .

From Wikipedia… Positive Psychology is defined:

“The development of the Character Strengths and Virtues (CSV) handbook represents the first attempt on the part of the research community to identify and classify the positive psychological traits of human beings. Much like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of general psychology, the CSV provides a theoretical framework to assist in developing practical applications for positive psychology. This manual identifies six classes of virtue (i.e. “core virtues”), made up of twenty-four measurable character strengths.

The organization of these virtues and strengths is as follows:

  1. Wisdom and Knowledge: creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, perspective
  2. Courage: bravery, persistence, integrity, vitality
  3. Humanity: love, kindness, social intelligence
  4. Justice: citizenship, fairness, leadership
  5. Temperance: forgiveness and mercy, humility and modesty, prudence, self-regulation
  6. Transcendence: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality

Practical applications of positive psychology include helping individuals and organizations correctly identify their strengths and use them to increase and sustain their respective levels of well-being. Therapists, counselors, coaches, and various other psychological professionals can use the new methods and techniques to build and broaden the lives of individuals who are not necessarily suffering from mental illness or disorder.”

Roger Freberg

 

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Shop ! Shop! Shop! … but never pay retail!

Karen with her recently purchased Marc Jacobs Bag... very cool

Laura and I had a chance to drive down to see the Southern California Trojans compete in their first home track meet and see Karen proudly show off her new purchase… a Marc Jacobs ‘Hobo’. I am learning what is a ‘clutch’, ‘satchel’, ‘tote’, ‘sholder bag’, ‘flap bag’, ‘baby bag’… and the list goes on. Actually, it’s fun.

Karen and I simulaneously were talking on the phone, instant messagering and surfing the web for a ‘large bag.’ Karen felt she needed a large bag to: 1) carry her lunch or dinner when she was at school 2) carry a second pair of dress shoes when needed and 3) Carry those things that she wanted to carry separately from her bookbag.

We searched the sales! Sometimes, if you look hard… you can find some real gems. Karen has a nice listing of the places she shops on her site… here they are:

Style.com
Fragrance directory
Neiman Marcus
Prada Parfumes
Bergdorf Goodman
Nordstrom
Saks fifth avenue
Lafayette 148
Kenneth Cole
Dana Buchman
Shu uemura
Giorgio Armani

Karen has a larger listing of designers and stores on her blog!

Kristin and I will shop when she gets home… so, I am ‘working on it’… trying to be a little more like ‘Nigel’ and a little less like old dad.

Roger Freberg

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Soccer … Soccure….. Sucker (‘evolution’)

It was announced the other day that women’s professional soccer was going to return. And, guess what? Women’s professional soccer was going to come to L.A. in 2008.  Hmmm… I don’t think there seems to be even room for one professional soccer team…. the men are failing. Anyway, I really can’t remember anything memorable about Soccer other than Brandi’s Bra… which she has written a book about.

sorry, Brandi, it is all about the bra

A few years back, after the fall from grace by women’s professional soccer… oh, Mama Mia Hamm! … I did write a tongue-in-cheek letter on this subject to an Mnbc columist who posted my letter with my email . He had obviously hoped to get all the soccer ballers to write me stuff… All that really happened was a sports bar in Detroit ( I seem to remember) named a drink after me… and a ton of letters from guys who enjoyed the laugh.

The point is… soccer is such an inane, boring waste of time that I am sure that it not only reduces a viewers I.Q. but also their testosterone levels. Watch at your own risk.

Let me be clear, I never forbid my daughters from participating in this alleged ‘game’, but, then I never forbid them from fighting terrorists in Iraq… which one of them did. What I did insist — however — is three things: 1) they participate in a team sport and 2) an individual sport  and 3) where individual effort is recognized and has value and merit…. just like in real life. Basketball, volleyball and track were their favorites. 

drugs in soccer? what for nothing happens!!!!

Interestingly enough, as we are discovering, drugs are also a big part of the soccer community… so spare me the speech on good ‘role models.’ (Soccer ‘legend’ Maradona tested positive for Ephedrin… Nadrolone is a biggie and so is Norandrosterone. It doesn’t take a genius to also realize that use of EPO, stimulants and Human growth hormone is probably part of the mix as well.)

Also, I am always amused when folks point out that soccer is played all over the world… but then so is cricket…. and lawn bowling…. and kick the can. Let’s face it, people play soccer… until something better comes along.

In closing, asking your child to participate in soccer should be more than a nice way for single liberal parents to get ‘hooked up.’

Roger Freberg

Want more? Here’s another Blog on SOCCER

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Southern California Trojans T & F Banquet… a class act!

Coach Ron Allice and Karen at the 2007 Southern California Track and Field Award Banquet

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – The annual Out of the Blocks track and field banquet was held on Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Town and Gown on campus. In addition to the introduction of the 2007 track and field team and celebration of USC’s unparalleled track and field heritage, the 2006 USC team awards were handed out. Here is a recap of the award winners from the 2006 season:

Most Outstanding Male Athlete (Cromwell Award) Jesse Williams

Most Outstanding Female Athlete (Loker Award) Virginia Powell

Most Valuable Male Athlete – Track Lionel Larry Philip Francis

Most Valuable Male Athlete – Field Noah Bryant

Most Valuable Female Athlete Carol Rodriguez

Male Come Through Performance Duane Solomon Garry Jones

Female Come Through Performance Eva Orban Karen Freberg

Most Improved Male Track Athlete (Clentzos Award) Jeff Garrison DaSean Cunningham Kai Kelley

Most Improved Female Track Athlete Candice Davis

Most Improved Female Field Athlete Kate Hutchinson

Male Walk-on Award Inman Breaux Roy Alugbue Logan Taylor

Female Walk-on Award Alexandrea Williams

Coaches Award – Male Adam Midles Raphael Asafo-Agyei William Denbo

Coaches Award – Female Jessica Onyepunuka Tara Davis-Quarrie

Most Inspirational ( Zamperini Award) Virginia Powell

Roger Freberg