What should we expect from Coaches?

the one hour workout.... still works

Years ago, I wrote a  small piece for a Track & Field magazine  that ended up being widely syndicated… and created much controversy among the holy clerics of American track & field. It questioned what they ‘believed’, for them , it was a form of religious heresy.

I have met some wonderful coaches who take a scientific approach to all they do & they genuinely care and develope the young student-athletes in their charge… but there are those coaches who have long since failed to think for themselves and trot out worn cliché’s and continue to quote books written by those even less enlightened than themselves.

Some coaches make up for their intellectual short comings with various ethical shortcuts and by throwing their athletes against the proverbial wall and looking for those ‘who stick!’ … and discarding the rest. Many are as ruthless as they are ignorant. There is no excuse for lapses in professionalism or the toleration of poor character in our athletes or coaches. 

It may be hard for a coach to watch a young person ‘dribbling their career down the court’, but this should not be all about the coach’s career. The athlete deserves a prize for playing the game, specifically a real future…. and part of that is an education…. and to leave the university a better person than they entered.

Roger Freberg

 

Fairview… Fair Price! Pinotage

Fairview Fair Price! PinotageSometimes its nice to have a simple bottle of red wine… Fairview is an old South African vineyard that is now operated by the folks whose  Goats do Roam. (hint: click on the GDR site and search “Fairview”)

Anyway, the Fairview brand is: 

 “a wine of quality that will please both palate and pocket.” 

Unfortunately, you can buy from their site if you live in South Africa, but — fortunately –there are plenty of folks you can buy from that ship in the USA… including  BEVMO  (on sale right now!)and  Southern Wine.

Another interesting experience was presented to me by my daughter on her return from South Africa… a delightful creamy liquor entitled “Amarula Cream”. Now I do remember the story that my wife told me about Amarula berries from her research days at UCLA (1970’s)… they were one of the few things that got Elephants drunk!

So,  Karen searched the Amarula site , as in many South African wine and drink sites found some wonderful recipes. In particular, she found a carrot cake recipe that is very similar to one we all are very fond of… but with Amarula Cream. So we are adapting our recipe to accommodate… we’ll let you know how it goes!

Why does everything taste so much better when you are on a diet?

Roger Freberg

PS. I am now down over 80lbs on Jenny Craig! Amazing!

Love starts & maintains with a simple kindness

Love starts with many simple kindnesses

Every newspaper has them… folks who offer their advice on love, sex and relationships. Well, at the risk of offering unwanted advice: they are all so much a waste of time. Love is about sincere kindness and sensing the needs of the other person.

Here is an example that I noticed the other day:

While at the international airport in Los Angeles, I noticed a nice middle aged couple tucked away sitting in an alcove near. He was  obviously a bit sleepy and without saying anything, his partner stood up and moved to a large pillar where she sat on the ground. She motioned to him to place his head on her lap. He didn’t need much encouragement. He fell asleep with her gentle hands rubbing his temples.

People walked by and the reactions were interesting. Some were amused… and some were not. A few women looked on as if they were observing some sort of primitive example of male domination … and a few men passed by impressed by what they thought was a true alpha male at work.

What was transacting was a simple recognition of a need and the offering of a simple kindness…. some call this love. I have always felt that love starts with recognizing simple needs … and offering simple solutions.

Laura has always been there for me… even when I didn’t realize how sleepy I was.

Roger Freberg

The above picture is of Laura and I back in high school in 1970 sharing a bit of lunch… and yes.. my head was resting in her lap even way back then.

Laura Freberg’s Wonderful Psychology Blog

Laura's site is a big hit!

My wife Laura’s web site has been around in one form or another since 1995 and has evolved from something her students could use to a site that encompasses: her text book, current issues in Psychology, student participation and development and areas of personal interest… like family, hobbies, her psychology library and a few favorite wonderful recipes.

Although we are somewhat outside of the academic calendar,  Laura’s site  has continued to demonstrate wide interest around the world. The map above shows some of the many hits — grouped in frequency– just over the past 3 days.

Congratulations, Laura.

Roger Freberg