The last few days have had me in a reflective mindset. I think it relates to spending more time out walking and hiking at a local park. It is a time to breath, to get away from the demands of the world - just me and my thoughts, nothing more, nothing less.
Of course, the clarity gained while wandering the trails leads to a natural flow of thoughts and plenty of ideas for writing. It is amazing how much good rhubarb can be found out on the trail.
Episode 65 of the Rhubarb Report dives into running, responses to recent national tragedies, and, who else, Rush - and not the Limbaugh variety either.
The Madness is over. No more basketball marathons. Louisville cut down the nets in a epic final against Michigan - well, an epic 30 minutes at least. So now it's time to get back to reality. Or go into hibernation until college football season. Or both.
Oh, wait, the Stanley Cup playoffs are right around the corner, and it looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs might actually be a part of the festivities this year. The zombie apocalypse must be upon us. The Leafs haven't won the Stanley Cup since 1967, and their fans are becoming the hockey equivalent of Chicago Cubs fans.
So before I start the annual process of getting my hopes up for the Leafs, let's get moving on Episode 64 of the Rhubarb Report.
The blank page. Such simplicity. Clean. Yet so daunting. Scary.
Staring at a blank page, or screen, or canvas, can be one of the most daunting yet exhilarating moments we face. There can be a degree of trepidation and anxiety that forces you to put off the creative process. Maybe a better time or a better frame of mind will come. There are always any number of excuses to walk away from it. Hey, I don't need this right now. You can't make me do it.
Fear of the blank page. I have had my share of moments when I sat looking at this computer screen, thinking that there was simply nothing to say. I think we've all had those moments, not just in creating art, or writing, or pondering the origins of space and time. They come to us in the blank pages of our lives that we are creating moment by moment.
It is now time to take a deep breath. Whew. Week one of the NCAA men's basketball tournament is officially over. If 2 nights and 4 full days of basketball isn't exhausting, I am not sure just what is.
I think that there really should be a new ICD-9 code established for MMS - March Madness Syndrome. It is a seasonal affliction that presents with a number of hallmark signs and symptoms. Those affected by MMS have buttock discomfort associated with prolonged sitting, a subconscious ability to recite RPI rankings and scoring statistics, eyes dilated from prolonged viewing, and a sense of hangover-like symptoms the day after an extended viewing period without having consumed an ounce of alcohol.
Fortunately, the intervention for MMS is simple: more basketball - at least for a couple more weekends. There will be plenty of time after April 8 to recover.
The latest episode of the Rhubarb Report celebrates two of the reasons that make March such a great month - college basketball and the beginning of a new Formula One season. Enjoy!
March Madness. Survive and advance. One play at a time. Protect the basketball. Defend and rebound.
These are more than just over-used phrases that make an annual appearance in March. They truly epitomize the "in the moment, right here, right now" mentality that pervades the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
March Madness is more than just excitement, upsets, and drama. It is about college athletes, their passion for the sport of basketball, and the opportunity to play on the big stage. And it is definitely a spectacle to behold, a microcosm of life itself.
After a weekend's worth of hoops - including a couple of days at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin watching second and third round games - I was reminded yet again of how special this month really is.
March 15 is a day to rejoice and revel in the beauty of great music. Why today? Because March 15 is the birthday of one of the greatest slide guitar players the world has known - and one of the musicians who has had a great impact on my personal world.
His name is Ry Cooder. For many, that will prompt the next question: who?
Sure, I will admit, it might come across as just another obscure musical reference. That wouldn't surprise me.
But here's a little-known fact: Cooder was rated the #8 guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. He resides in the top 10 with Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Robert Johnson, Chuck Berry, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Page, and Keith Richards. That's some impressive company.
Ry Cooder brought slide guitar front and certain in my world. He exposed me to a rich and eclectic mix of musical genres. Perhaps most importantly, he reminded me of the incredible capacity of one note to bring a person to tears, to joy, and all points in between.
Spring break. In Canada, it was better known as "Reading Week" and it wasn't in March - it was in February. I don't remember there being a mad rush to Florida or South Padre Island. You were probably spending that week shoveling snow and longing for spring time.
I don't ever remember that week being anything like Spring Break week in Austin - otherwise known as SXSW. What started as 4 days of music from unsigned bands back in the late '80s and early '90s has become a 10 day multimedia extravaganza for music, film, and social media celebrities. As much as I appreciate SXSW, it's just not like it used to be. Austin ends up looking a lot less weird, or, perhaps more appropriately, a lot more manufactured, trendy, pretentious weird.
In an attempt to inject some "weird" back into our world this week, I bring you the the latest episode of the Rhubarb Report. Where else can you find politics, mathematics and physics, and economics all in the same 500 words? You are in the right place. Onwards with Episode 062!
Allan Besselink, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Dip.MDT has a unique voice in the world of sports, education, and health care. Read more about Allan here.