Putting money in the bank

So for the past two weeks I've been working 12-hour days and half days on Saturday. I wasn't expecting grad school to be pedal to the floor so quickly, but the project I'm on has a major deadline later this spring. I'm more motivated to be putting in these long hours because its going to help advance my career (hopefully, if things turn out well) And they will if I'm willing to put in the effort. But some days I just want to veg out. Then I remembered this quote I read:

“When we train every day, sometimes there are sets or workouts that you don’t want to do, and Bob is always, ‘This is putting money in the bank, and at the end of the year you’re able to withdraw it.’ I made a big withdrawal,” Phelps said. “I guess I put a lot of money in the bank over the last four years and we withdrew pretty much every penny in the bank.” - Michael Phelps

And while I'm not training for the Olympics or anything, the opportunities that are going to be available to me once I get my PhD, will make all these long days and working weekends worth it.

Please don't retire

To Michael Phelps:

Dear Michael:

I was disappointed to see a picture of you with a bong taken at a party last fall. But I think the media is totally overreacting. I know that USA Swimming has suspended you and Kellogg's dropped you as a spokesmen. And I read you are considering retirement .

But I'm a big fan of yours and I'm sticking with you. For 9 days this summer I got to see you put on an athletic performance for the ages. It was truly inspiring to see what the results are when hard work and talent come together. Because not all those who have the talent want to work hard ( like Amare Stoudemire ) and I may work my butt of in the pool, but I will never have world class speed like you.

I've seen you give countless interviews over the past 6 months. Now its back to work. I want to you swim some new races in Rome at the World Championships this summer. Enough with the celebrity lifestyle. Its not you. I read this quote of yours in a magazine article last year:

"Swimming's done so much for me, more than I can give back to it, and I just want them to feel some part of what I feel," Phelps says. "On my crappiest day, when I'm tired or jetlagged, I jump in that water and just something happens that I can't even put into words. I feel better and stronger, all the soreness goes, and I'm me again, a hundred percent back."

Head back into the water, Michael. And all this B.S. with the press will die down. And come July the rest of the world will be eating your wake.

Proud of the Cardinals

After nearly a week reflecting on the near victory of the Arizona Cardinals over the Steelers in the Super Bowl I have this to say. Congrats on Big Ben making the big play when it counted. But I'm proud of the Cardinals for not quitting (like they did in games during December). The Big Red finally got some respect and no longer are the armpit of the NFL. I'm proud I stuck with my team through 20 years of frustration (save for 1997 and this season). Lets hope the ownership keeps the core together and the Cardinals can be in the thick of things next year!!! GO BIG RED!!!