Wednesday Weisblog: A last chance to say thank you

Most of you have figured out that you didn’t get a holiday card from our family this year. Quite frankly, we just didn’t feel all that “festive” this year.

Consider this your “Hallmark greeting blog, ” minus the cheesy generic inside message. If you are a part of my life, you know that you are important to me – and I hope I’ve made that clear enough that the lack of a card won’t make any difference. (If you are not a direct part of my life and have found this blog through some other source, I sincerely thank you for reading it and hope you continue doing so.)

It’s my hope that in 2009 I’ll bring back the tradition of the holiday card, and continue on with the new tradition of the daily Weisblog. But for now, this will have to suffice.

The end of the year brings about some time for reflection, and I must say I’m a pretty lucky guy in a lot of ways. I am grateful to have a family who loves and cares about me; a large number of longtime friends who have shown me the true meaning of loyalty and are an amazing support system; a 14-pound cat who displays an incredible appetite and affection when he feels like it; and a lot more. I’ve also met several new people through networking that I believe will turn into even more lasting friendships.

Heck, when you think about it, maybe I should’ve been more festive all along.

I’ll be back again on Monday … one last short holiday vacation and then it’s back to the five-a-weeks. If you’re venturing out tonight to celebrate, be smart and be safe and, above all, have fun. See you in 2009!

Tuesday Weisblog: I resolve to …

We are hours away from 2009, and that means everyone and their brother will be making their New Year’s Resolutions in the very near future.

Are you among these people? If so, let me guess what some of yours might be. “I’m going to exercise more.”  “I am going to spend more time with my family.” “I am going to quit drinking/smoking (or both).” “I am going to spend time helping those less fortunate than me and my family.”

Whether I’ve made a correct guess or not, a New Year’s Resolution usually involves self-improvement of some sort. That’s a good start, but you have to follow it up with action … easier said than done, which is why most people fail.

What can you do to improve your odds of success?

I really like what Stephen Covey, the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has to say about the subject. He believes you should make only one resolution, then do everything in your power to make it happen. Here’s the kicker: You have to choose the one that will have the greatest positive impact upon your life, and you must be very serious about succeeding.

In addition to lack of commitment, there is another reason people don’t achieve their goals. They “strive” for something totally ambiguous, like, “I am going to be a better person,” or “I am going to get my finances in order.”  These are good ideas, but you gotta be more specific. You’re going to be a better person … by doing what? You’re going to improve your finances … how, exactly?

In the words of Izzy Mandelbaum on Seinfeld, “It’s go time!”

So be passionate. Be decisive. Be positive. Be motivated.  You’ll stand a much better chance of achieving your New Year’s Resolution – and you won’t have to look back and wonder why your quest for self-improvement went by the wayside before it ever got started.

Monday Weisblog: Hey coach, what have you done for me lately?

Stan Van Gundy is the coach of my hometown NBA team (and former employer), the Orlando Magic. He’s gone 76-36 in a little less than a season-and-a-half of work, transforming the team from an afterthought into a serious Eastern Conference contender.

Yet he knows that someday he’ll more than likely be fired.

“You just do your job and when the time comes … someone else will do your job,” he recently told the Orlando Sentinel. “Whenever management thinks they’ve got a better alternative, they should go with that guy. I say that with no qualms.”

Why is Van Gundy so cynical? For starters, he’s already seen six of his NBA coaching counterparts become “involuntarily unemployed” prior to Christmas.

Team owners are demanding instant success, and when it doesn’t happen it’s the coach who often serves as scapegoat. As I write this today, the ax has quickly fallen on three NFL coaches less than 24 hours after the end of the regular season.

Eric Mangini: Despite a 9-7 record, he’s gone as coach of the New York Jets. Unrealistic expectations due to the arrival of an over-the-hill Brett Favre cost him his job.

Rod Marinelli: Fresh off the completion of a perfectly imperfect 0-16 campaign, Marinelli is history in Detroit. We’ve talked about him in the past, and we knew this was coming. Thanks for everything, Matt Millen.

Romeo Crennel: After piloting the ‘07 Browns to within an eyelash of the playoffs, it was thought that the pieces were in place for the Brownies to take the next step. But injuries and a horrific defense led to a 4-12 finish, and Crennel is now looking for work.

Meanwhile, the fates of several other coaches are still up in the air. Interim coaches Jim Haslett (Rams), Tom Cable (Raiders) and Mike Singletary (49′ers) are waiting to find out if they’ll be the permanent guy. Wade Phillips could be history in Dallas after their pedestrian effort yesterday. Herm Edwards may be a Kansas City casualty after a 2-14 season and the recent departure of GM and ardent supporter Carl Peterson. Even Dick Jauron of Buffalo may not be safe despite signing a three-year extension mere weeks ago.

Here’s my point: If you don’t have the Van Gundy mindset, you probably should not be a pro sports coach. For every Jerry Sloan at Utah with the NBA’s Jazz (in his 20th season) or Jeff Fisher with the NFL’s Oilers/Titans (13th season), there are hundreds more gone inside of four years. If you’re a pro sports coach, you simply can’t rest on your past accomplishments anymore.

If you do, there will be plenty of time for resting … at home.

Hope everyone is enjoying their holidays as much as I am enjoying mine. We had a great trip to Georgia last week with the wife’s relatives.

Holiday Weisblog: Merry Christmas, everyone!

Just wanted to take a moment to wish all my family, friends and readers a very safe, happy and healthy Merry Christmas.

See you on Monday, when everything returns to normal here on the blog.

John

Tuesday Weisblog: I confess … I’m a geek

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today. I have void in my life that cannot be filled.

With the sound of the final gun in the Green Bay-Chicago game last night, another chapter in my fantasy football career is in the books – this time with a second-place finish among 14 teams in the highly competitive “Pete Chilano Fantasy Football Experience.”

Hi. My name’s John Weis, and I’m a Fantasy Football Geek.

For the past 11 years, I’ve grappled with other seemingly normal business professionals to be the “King Geek,” the league champion all the other geeks aspire to be like … the one who gets to take home the trophy that embarrasses the wife/girlfriend of the victorious conquistador.  You don’t believe me? Just ask Christina, my wife! While she did let me display the trophy in a prominent place, she refused my plea for the installation of additional direct lighting on it.

Unless you’re a geek like me, the void is hard to explain. But once the season is over – win or lose – there is this feeling of emptiness and loss. What am I going to do now on Sunday afternoons and Monday nights?

Somewhere at Florida Hospital (her place of employment), Christina Weis is smiling. She is no longer a fantasy football widow. She has her husband back again … at least until next September.

Monday Weisblog: The game’s NOT the same!

Have you noticed how many completely asinine game shows have shown up on television over the last few years? The list is seemingly endless. There are shows like Blind Date, where two people give up their dignity for the chance to be on television (while actually winning very little); and Moment of Truth, where the contestant is forced to reveal their darkest secrets, virtually assuring themselves of ruining their relationships and life for the possibility of winning big money.

If you ask me, they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. Back in the “old days,” they were fun, entertaining and pretty much harmless. For my money, I’ll take The Price is Right, Match Game or the original Hollywood Squares over the mind-numbing drivel they call game shows today. The most pathetic part is, I think Hollywood producers understand how lame most of these new games are, because they keep bringing back the old ones. How many different variations of Family Feud, Password or The Newlywed Game have there been? It’s the same theme, just a modernized stage and a washed-up actor for a host.

Let’s face it: game show hosting has turned into the vocation where actors’ careers go to die. I keep thinking I’ll see Erik Estrada hosting a new version of $25,000 Pyramid or Ed McMahon emceeing a remake of Let’s Make a Deal any day now.

Most of us who read this have been around long enough to remember some of the best game shows over the years. (Here’s a clue: If you know what the term, “No Whammies!” means, then you’re either old like me or you watch the Game Show Network.)

So I want your feedback. What is/was your favorite show? Who are your all-time favorite game show hosts? And don’t pretend you don’t watch game shows because I’m not buying it! Let’s hear from you!