| UNDER
NIAGARA | |
Roger Wagner was a contradiction. He was succinctly and accurately described by
his long-time friend A. Wayne Griffin thusly, "Your dad is a lovable bastard.
They broke the mold on him." The book title aptly summarizes my experience
with this extraordinary and gifted man. He had a 142 IQ, an ego about 8 times
larger than normal, was an Olympic caliber athlete, had a genius for bringing
passion and dynamics to heretofore very staid music, was competitive beyond imagining,
and used 3-year-old style tantrums when pressed. He was generous, an easy tap,
a savior to many, and a dominating terror at times. There were times of pee-in-your-pants
laughter, and times of seething resentment after being humiliated over some meaningless
issue. It was a life of struggling for individuality, respect, approval, acceptance,
identity, connection, and love. Around him there were periods of incredible learning,
social opportunities, world travel. In all, a blend that provides extensive material
for this book on a very unique man and life. More
| | 1-2-3:
BODY, BRAIN, BUCKS |
In
this hyper-tech world of the 21st century, much of what we baby boomers clung
to as the "new reality" for the last 50 years has become obsolete. We
thought our parents were hopelessly out of touch. Now we are. History has shown
this pattern to be endlessly repeating since early Greek writings. Aristotle made
many mentions of the "generation gap" over 23 centuries ago. There ARE
some basic truths which have remained immutable over time. There ARE priorities
which, if followed, can secure for us a place in sanity amidst an increasingly
insane pace, pressure, and techno-revolution. What are these truths? Very succinctly,
they are 1-2-3: Body, Brains, Bucks. Muscles, Mind, Money. Corporal, mental, monetary.
However you cleverly phrase it, the priorities begin with the physical world,
in concert with the mental/psychological aspects, and irrevocably are tempered
by the realities of the fiscal demands of daily life. There are inevitable consequences
to ignoring the basic priorities of physical health, mental health, and monetary
well-being. Most of us are really on a rat-race wheel on a 3-2-1 course. The heart
attack A-type exec who drops at 55 is the archetype of this ignorance of 1-2-3.
Life lived by the numbers works, and works well. This look into the systems, consequences,
and paradigms of this 1-2-3 priority offers humorous and incisive revelations
about what to do to take control of our health, serenity, and security.
|
| EFFORTLESS
TENNIS | | Please
see this overview of Effortless tennis Effortless
Tennis | |
