Category Archives: A Word From Joe

An Alleluia Dressed In Black (New Poem from March 2, 2013)

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An Alleluia Dressed In Blackjulie ann palmer, kristen lamourie, joan severance, sabrina gibson

Hey dynamite, lightly-tousled Angel-sprite
Did you levitate the night?
Elegance saunters, subtle swagger
I want to know about this river
When it runs so fierce a current
And lays aside cool eddying pools.

Sent from mountains far away
After falling from the sky
Nourishing gift from Heaven
– prayed for, danced for
Dressed in thunder
Heralded by lightning skies.

Delicate pearls of life
Driven by myriad winds
– to awaken
– to remember
– to send doubt running . . .
A torrent.

An Alleluia dressed in black,
Washing away the drought of fears,
Pattering on the roof of the mind,
Melodies to the surrounded, easily
The most gorgeous thing I have ever seen.

Joseph Wooldridge
Saturday, March 2nd, 2013 @2:55am.

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Make Every Day Count in 2013

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2013 - Your Best Year EverI am going to endeavor to Make Every Day Count – day by day in 2013 – and track it. I want 2013 to be my best year so far in my life on a number of levels.

This is not my list of goals for 2013, this is my approach to attaining those goals (in addition to a written plan).

I figure if I can make a concerted effort to keep track of my daily efforts to make every day count – then I have a chance to really realize some dreams.

What would make the day count?

I guess that is a personal question (and dependent on one’s goals for the year). Here is my take:

1. Monday-Friday will be my primary work week.
2. Saturday will be for fun/rest,
3. Sunday will be for God/rest/fun.
4. I will keep a record of what I did each day to make the day count (some will be better than others).
5. If I am sick that day, I will consider resting, recovering and taking care of my health to be the optimum way to make the day count.
6. I may spend time working on Saturday/Sunday as needed for projects.
7. I may spend time M-F for R&R to counteract #6.
8. Fitness (stretching/weightlifting/running) will be a regular point to Make Every Day Count.
a. If I feel better every day then every day will be much more productive.
9. Spending time with family, loved ones and friends will be an important part of Making Every Day Count.
10. I will stretch my mind with reading, learning, music, art and travel.

It will be interesting to keep track of this Making Every Day Count program. In addition to growth, joy and abundance – I want to enjoy KNOWING that I am not spinning my wheels, having unproductive days or wasting time.

If I am not sure of the inherent value of my endeavors or activities – I will gauge how I think I would assess the goal/activity as my future/older/higher self. As in:

1. How would I view/value this in retrospect 20 years from now? 40 years from now?

Figure I’ll sleep better and develop a greater hunger to Make Every Day Count as I go along. Probably become a heck of a lot more productive, happy, healthy and fulfilled.

I suspect if a person does this every day – they will get better at it.

Join me if you want to.

Love, Happiness and Success!

Joe

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It’s Time for the “Te-Vick” Offense in Kansas City: The Chiefs Gameplan for 2013.

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2013 Kansas City Chiefs - The "Te-Vick" Offense
How to fix the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013? Here’s a plan.

Oh, if they made me the decision-maker for the Kansas City Chiefs, here is what I would do.

  • It would win.
  • It would be revolutionary.
  • It would be exciting.

Some would hate it. Most would LOVE it. ALL would watch it. I’d sure love to see it.

The Kansas City Chiefs in 2013:

  • GM: Marty Schottenheimer
  • Head Coach: Brian Billick
  • Offensive Coordinator: Josh McDaniels
  • Defensive Coordinator: Rex Ryan
  • Offensive Game Plan: The “Te-Vick”
  • Starting QB: Michael Vick
  • FB/QB: Tim Tebow
  • RB: Jamaal Charles

Draft Plan:

  • 1st Round: O-Lineman
  • 2nd Round: O-Lineman
  • 3rd Round: Wide Receiver
  • 4th Round: Big Running Back
  • 5th Round: O-Lineman
  • 6th Round: Tight End
  • 7th Round: Fullback

The “Te-Vick” Offense:

The “Te-Vick” Offense = a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. A run-based offense of ground and pound running game with the backfield featuring Vick, Tebow and either Charles or a Fullback.

  1. Jumbo package on the field 70% of the time
  2. Multiple snap options at all times
  3. Tebow or Vick can go in motion
  4. Tebow doubles as a FB to run or block for Jamaal Charles
  5. Play-action and bootleg options for Vick
  6. Screens to Tebow/Charles
  7. Outlet passes to Tebow/Charles
  8. Bowe and New Receiver stretch field for long gains

A few thoughts on this game plan:

  1. No one is built to stop this type of attack anymore in today’s pass-happy NFL.
  2. No one will adjust their defensive personnel to stop just ONE TEAM on their schedule.
  3. Teams will HATE playing us because we’re physical.
  4. Defensive personnel are predominantly lighter, faster guys who are drafted for their speed and ability to cover receivers will get bulldozed and will start to wish they were somewhere else at about the 3:00 mark in the 3rd Quarter.
  5. Interest and Media Coverage would be INTENSE.
  6. If the first year is a sour one, then use our high draft pick in 2014 on Johnny ‘Football’ Manziel.

Clark Hunt, here is your winning plan. It wins. It is relevant. Fans will love it. Jerseys and merchandise will sell like hotcakes. Arrowhead will once again be the biggest and best BBQ party on the planet.

I can almost smell it!

Thanks for your time.

Joe Wooldridge
Future President of Football Operations
Kansas City Chiefs

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Fire Up A Torch. Light Up The Sky.

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Google Fiber - THANK YOUMy friends, there is a coming superstorm. Not a bad one, but a good one. An EXCELLENT one.

One that we will build (and in some cases are building, and have been working toward).

We have a World that is in flux in many ways – which is alarming, in that we have been sedentary for decades (centuries?). Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’ was dispelled by global growth – a lack of question marks on the map – and more importantly, a lack of querying in our minds. The old ‘it’s all been done’, ‘I can’t make a difference’, ‘what can I do?’ fears and excuses are sad comforts that are easily cultivated in our minds and later manifest in our Worlds.

Snap your fingers and dispel those lies. Do it now.

The World needs people that are, as the Chili’s say, are ‘Wide Awake Now‘.

Wake Up!

Start making a difference. You are a generator of storms. We are all builders, creators, explorers, pioneers, inventors and innovators. Marianne Williamson is right – Our greatest fear is not that we are powerless – but that we are powerful beyond all belief.

My experience is that activating that power in oneself happens when we begin allowing ourselves.

Allowing.

To dare, dream, plan, build, achieve, create.

No one can keep us down but us. Let’s allow ourselves to experience a full life and fix this World as much as possible.

Right now there is an election going on that people are all in a furor about. But this is not about politics. Every time someone starts getting ‘bent’ about politics, it just makes me think about how disarming the idea of choosing someone else to make decisions for us can be. If we all dared to make the World that we live in a better place – then evil men would be eternally discouraged and confounded.

I like the sound of that.

Every day that sun comes up, the turnstiles turn, people die, people are born, and the status quo rolls on in a slightly different iterations.

I’m all for kicking it into a better gear.

Conrad’s Heart of Darkness has returned like a wicked multi-headed Hydra.

It aint no big deal.

We’ve been slaying beasts and overcoming ‘insurmountable’ problems for as long as anyone has been paying attention. It is what we do.

What heads on the hydra?

  1. Global economic fears,
  2. Global environmental fears,
  3. Conspiracy fears,
  4. Health-related fears,
  5. Fears for our safety, livelihood and future.
  6. Et al and ad naseum.

I’m not buying it. Make a play for all of the brightest minds and light will shed (thank you again, Anthony Keidis).

The mythical beasts have returned in digital forms. The Medusa holds us paralyzed in her gaze through TV screens, live feeds of varying nonesuch-ery and sales pitches. The evil creeping up has been creeping up slow and digging its tendrils in for a long time. Certain unnamed industries have used a steady hive of smartly-dressed, sexy sirens in Washington lobbyists to turn the eyes, blind the minds and darken the hearts of our good men that we keep VOTING for. Those poor, over-paid, over-sexed and over-privileged lost sailors.

We must retake the World for tomorrow by waking up today.

I pride myself on having a television that is far older and crappier than the one in the lavatory at the local sports bar. Yes, I admit I will follow a certain long-maligned local NFL franchise and my Alma Mater in certain sports. Not saying that we don’t need some re-creation and entertainment. But let’s wake up and not be blinded, used, misled.

Dearest Mankind, we can handle ANY problems that come our way. We have to believe, we have to try, and we have to wake up and pay attention. We are capable; we have been blessed with endless gifts. You can’t tell me that one person can’t make a difference. Sure, more helps. But we all have to start somewhere. If we start lighting torches and lanterns, we kill darkness around us and provide light for others so that they may light their torch as well.

It is not about a political party affiliation. It is about who we are, what we do, how we see ourselves and how we can choose to change the World by starting with ourselves, our outlook, our decisions on what we will think and what we will do with our time and abilities.

They say that is cheap, but I am lighting my torch. I want to spread light, to shed light, to help wake people up. I dream of seeing a World of empowered free-thinkers.

Let’s wake up and slay some dragons. Our ancestors climbed mountains, slayed beasts, overthrew tyrants, sailed seas, conquered the wild, trekked forests and deserts and tundras.

We can do the same. Let’s allow ourselves. Let’s have REAL ADVENTURE and build a better World.

Forget online fantasy role-playing games that eat up your time. Disengage from any scurrilous activities that are beyond engaging us – but engorging us . . . hello Mr. Eight Fantasy Football League Teams.

The World is for doers. For dreamers. For those that dare.

So wake up and un-plug. Dare. Dream. Do. Grow. Learn. Create. Build.

That person in the mirror is a dragon-slayer – and we’ve got plenty of dragons in our new Hearts of Darkness.

The World in flux? How about the WORLD ON FIRE WITH LIGHT!

You want opportunity, challenges, adventure, drama, romance? It is all there in front of us – ALL YOU WANT.

So, here I am spouting off, running around with my torch, looking for dragons to slay. I need some help. That darkness closes in a bit at times. It also brightens the heart when I see other points of light.

Grand terms, yes. Why not.

It is only our World, our minds, our lives and our futures.

Strike it up!

If I can help – let me know. There is a lot going on out there. If you have a retail business and could use some exposure, branding and extra traffic (Internet or ‘foot-traffic’) – I will help. If you made it through my ‘rah rah’ blog post, the least I could do is offer to help.

Just let me know you’d like to help spread some light, slay some dragons, have some adventure and build your business a little more.

What will I do to help? I will advertise your business at no cost. As long as you are willing to help me as well – help me spread some light – and make a decent offer (discount or promotion) for our Cardholders.

That’s it.

I’ve been inspired by many to try to spread light. I get inspired by people and company led by people that dare, dream, do, build, create and do things for the right reasons. I’m talking to you, Google.

Yes, a lot of people like to gripe about an industry leader. But this one actually builds things and GIVES THEM TO THE WORLD.

I like that.

  1. An excellent search engine that organizes the World’s information and puts all of it at your fingertips? (Google)
  2. An incredibly detailed, feature-rich global (and then some) mapping system?(Google Maps),
  3. An awesome email system? (Gmail),
  4. Et cetera.

They just keep going.

What I love is their latest gift to the World. Google Fiber.

This has been needed for so long. I’m doing EVERYTHING I can to help make this latest Google ‘gift to the World’ get built and spread as quickly, and effectively as possible.

  • Gigabit Internet Speeds Upstream and Downstream? OH YEAH!
  • Crystal-clear HD video-conferencing? OH YEAH!
  • Speeds that are 100 TIMES FASTER at a better rate than companies that just want to keep out any new competitors, continue to screw their customers and NOT work to build something better? OH YEAH! (Yes, Pete – I heard you).

Well, I’m drinking the Kool-Aid.

It can’t be any cooler that Google Fiber chose to start in Kansas City. They have decided to LIGHT UP A TORCH that can light up the sky and help make the World a better place.

It starts here. I’m helping them. I am helping spread the word.

Thank you, Google Fiber for coming to Kansas City and firing up that big, huge torch. I see the light. Better things are coming.

Booyah!

And I’m out.

Joe

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Erato’s Return (New Poem from October 12, 2011)

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desert-museA dream she flew
Westward with new heaven on the rise
Eyes providing sparkle for infinite grains
Gifting beauty to the desert lands
Goodbye to the living lies
This elegance tarries no longer
Freedom calls her back
It’s time to weave new dreams

Joseph Wooldridge
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 @3:44am.
for Joan Severance

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Response to Rick Reilly, RE: Brett Favre versus Aaron Rodgers

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Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers
Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers

I knew I would get around to writing about sports, but I just didn’t know when.  The day has come.  ESPN’s Rick Reilly has decided to celebrate Thanksgiving by offering up a TURKEY of a slanted column bashing Brett Favre (http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7272995/rick-reilly-rodgers-better-favre).  I wrote a response, but I doubt he will post it in his ‘mailbag’.  So, dear reader, here is my take on the ‘piece’.

RE: Favre/Rodgers.

Wow Rick, I disagree with your adulating column.  Rodgers is definitely a great QB, but you need better perspective.  He’s not better than Favre yet, and isn’t likely to ever become greater.  Here are a few reasons:

#1) Video Game Football Rules: I’d like to see how Rodgers would do back in the day when defenses were actually able to defend.  Seriously, today’s rules are so pro-offense that the game really resembles a video game rather than FOOTBALL.

#2) Iron Man: There is a good chance that Rodgers will never play in half as many games as Favre has.  Much less be able to put together any kind of starting streak that would compare.

#3) Learning From A Legend: You have to give Favre some credit for Rodgers’ successes.  Nothing like having one of the top QB’s of all time to learn from.

#4) Judge Value Correctly: Yes, Rodgers is doing well, but you can’t even begin to say that he is better than Favre overall.  There’s a reason that Favre has three MVP trophies.  Because he was the league’s MOST VALUABLE PLAYER three different years.  When Rodgers has four of those MVP trophies, then you can start squawking about who is better.  You don’t need a calculator to know that 3 > 0.

#5) Respect: Favre is one of the absolute best football players to play the game – EVER.  Not just an all-time great QB.  Say what you want about the retiring/un-retiring routine.  Anyone with half a brain knows that Favre just wanted some rest in the off-season in his later years.  He earned it.  I’m not sure if there has ever been someone who loved to play football more than Favre.  He wasn’t retiring each year.

#6) Clutch Play: Ask any NFL coach who they would rather have come in from scratch, walk in off the street, step in and play a big-time game with no prep time?  I’m pretty sure every one of them would pick Favre – even an OLD Favre.

Sorry about your man-crush on Rodgers.  I’m not saying Aaron Rodgers isn’t an excellent QB, but you do both him and Brett Favre a disservice by writing such a poor excuse for a column.  Time will tell.  Rodgers may not even last very long – even playing under the benefit of the new pro-offense, “don’t touch the quarterback” Flag Football rules.

– Joe

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Yes, Let’s Go! (New Poem from October 3, 2011)

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Allons ‘y

Frolicking in newness, wavesWhat will we do here at the end of the World
Where the water splashes
The gulls cry and memories wash through?
To sing, smile and cry along . . .
Yes, let’s go.

New Worlds await with new songs, laughter,
Love, loss, pain and ecstasy.
Bring on the new barrage
Let it relieve the nagging of the past.
Yes, let’s go.

Dashing into the waves
Running like valiant steeds
Break again and again
Collision, immersion, thrown back on the beach.
Yes, let’s go.

Joseph Wooldridge
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 @1:55am.

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Providence Rolling (New Poem from July 8, 2011)

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Providence Rolling

Angel exuding light
Angel exuding Glorious Light

A Golden Age is coming
For me, for you – for us.
Gone are bad things and bad ways,
Bad habits are miles back.

Can’t you hear the ringing?
In your ears – Angels singing
Praise upon praise of effervescent Glory
Coming this way now.

The future’s bright sun rises up the road
Meeting our shining eyes and bright faces
Expectant we are – as all is found
All is Saved, Heaven! This way!

Oh don’t you dare think you’re dreaming child,
It is served up here and there,
All planes and all lanes, panes and facets
Providence rolling for the World.

Joe Wooldridge
Friday, July 8th, 2011 at 3:54am.

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Midnight In Paris, A Pedantic Movie Review

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Midnight In Paris
Midnight In Paris

“Midnight In Paris”

Oh Dear Reader, I must admit that this is my first Woody Allen movie experience (at least that I am aware of).  I had no expectations other than the fact that any pretzels consumed during the movie would most likely “Make Me Thirsty”.  Now that I’m over myself, on to the review.

This movie was excellent. Taken in as all movies should be, with little or no knowledge of what lies ahead, and therefore no expectation of the movie in any way.  All I knew was:

  1. The Title,
  2. That it was a Woody Allen movie, and
  3. That Owen Wilson was in it.

Casting was A+, character development was above adequate.  Dialogue was superb.  Acting was engaging and artful.  Setting was hard to beat (Paris, France).

I’ll not be a spoiler for you.  I’ll just say that if you are well-rounded, well-read and/or well-traveled (as in Paris, France) – then you will be able to more fully appreciate all that is offered here.  Not a delight for the dullards.

If you like romance?  This is a great choice.  Grab a date.  If you’re in love, or would like to be – then go see this one.

Movie Rating: 4.5 Stars (out of five)

Rating Justification: Excellent Movie.  It wasn’t over-done.  It wasn’t lacking. It was served up masterfully.  Old Man Allen delivered a masterpiece.  I’m not sure if I am compelled to see all of his other works, or scared that they won’t measure up?  Somewhere in between, I’m thinking.

Midnight In Paris
Romance In Paris

Theater Review: Cinemark “The Palace” at the Plaza

Cinemark The Palace at The Plaza
526 Nichols Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64112

A Saturday Night Showing (10:00pm).  Parking Garage was close enough.  Good thing I didn’t get vertigo circling up to the 5th level.  No matter. Experiencing Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza on a summer night is a beautiful thing (barring any twitter ‘flash mobs’).

  • Seats: “A” for Comfort
  • Popcorn: “B-” for standard fare.
  • Crowd: “A” well behaved, no one kicking the seat. No talkers.  No milk duds hitting the screen.
  • Special Note: Warning: This movie may make you nostalgic, and also may make you want to visit or relocate to Paris, France.

Peace Out.

Joe

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Aarghh!! Pirates of the Carribean 4 Review

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Penelope Cruz, Pirate Extraordinaire
Pirate Muse of The Carribean

“On Stranger Tides”

Fun, campy, expectant.  For ten bucks you get to see Penelope Cruz running around in pirate outfits – which is a deal ALL BY ITSELF.  Throw in the sets , the scenery, the costumes, the actors and *Wham-Kbam* . . . . you’ve got a bargain.

Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow is exactly what you’ve come to expect, which is enough to make you not care that you’re perpetuating a franchise.  Older kids can enjoy this, it is not too suggestive or violent (although today’s kids are growing up with a serious handicap of non-preparedness for a rough world).

Movie Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of five)

Rating Justification: They didn’t screw it up.  It was exactly what you expected, which was great.  If they would have been a bit more creative with the mermaids, I’d have easily given it four stars.  Anyone who writes a bad review of this movie suffers from a bad case of divergence.  Seriously, you know what it is going in.  It is done well, the cast is great.  If you’re griping then you’re lame.  If you’re picking it apart, then you’re just sad.

Theater Review: AMC Studio 30

A Saturday Night Showing (7:40pm).  Parking Lot was MAD PACKED.  Evocative of Arrowhead in the Derrick Thomas – Neil Smith Heyday.  Sadly no bar-b-que.  I park on the north forty and jogged a quarter of a mile to get to the theatre.

Seats: “A” for Comfy

Popcorn: “C” for expensive, salty, butter-flavored cardboard.

Crowd: “A” well behaved, no one kicking the seat. No talkers.  No milk duds hitting the screen.

Special Note: Stay after the credits and you get an extra scene of Penelope Cruz on the deserted island.

Peace Out.

Joe

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