The Brains You Were Given

When did humans become imbued with the power of invulnerability?

I ask because every time storms drive waters higher and higher, more and more people think they are immune from the dangers inherent with floods. And this isn't just a random occurrence.

During the recent heavy rains and flooding, five people tragically died in central Maryland because of raging waters. The real tragedy is that all five of these deaths could have been prevented.

Three people were swept away from the bed of a pick-up truck after being rescued from their car that was stuck in water rushing across a road. Two teens were killed while playing near a rain-swollen creek.

The warnings are always announced: do not drive across water on the roads and stay away from rising creeks and rivers. Yet, there is always someone who thinks nothing will happen to them and, invariably, does.

Is it because they don't want to be inconvenienced by a detour? Is it because rising waters are something new?

It is a matter of risk and reward. I know there have been times when I've pushed the envelope, but only if the reward was worth the potential risk.

Is the reward of getting somewhere 5 minutes early worth your life and the lives of your passengers? Is the reward of playing in rushing waters worth your future?

Even if you think it is, think about the people you may be putting in danger as they try to rescue you from something out of your control. And please obey the signs.

News photographer Bob Moore showed me some video of rushing waters in Harford County. As I watched, a vehicle attempted to plow through the water -- and nearly made the mistake others have made. Watch it and you'll see.

Only you can decide what you are going to do. Just make sure you do it by considering all the factors -- and remembering that you don't have a red cape and a big "S" on your chest.

Bigger Than Biggie

When is a medium not a medium?

When it is a Biggie.

Wendy's recently said they were going to do away with the Biggie sized items on their menu. However, before you start celebrating the death of the huge fast food meal, know this: Biggie now equals medium.

Their Biggie drink -- 32 ounces or 4 cups or 1 quart of liquid-- is only the second largest drink on their menu. The new large is a whopping 42 ounces.

Even the small drink got bigger. It now comes in at 20 ounces.

By comparison, at McDonald's, a 16 ounce drink is called a small, a 21 ounce drink is a medium and a 32 ounce drink is a large.

And it doesn't stop at the drink. A large order of french fries now comes in at 6.7 ounces -- just a shade under 1/2 pound.

So much for the slimming down of America.

The problem lies more within us rather than in the restaurant industry -- although they are enablers. We always want to make sure we are getting our money's worth and want more for our dollar.

So, you get larger and larger portions.

Forget about the fact that there are probably enough calories in one large meal to sustain you for the entire day -- and you are likely to eat at least two other meals in the day. So what if you have to buy bigger clothes or pay more to your doctor because you have to see the physician more often.

At least you are getting your money's worth, right?

But at what cost?

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Okay, I promised you something this time. Here it is: Hawking says pope told him not to study beginning of universe

I'm going to ignore the religious implications on all this and simply state that anyone who stands in the way of the pursuit of knowledge is blind to the future. There is no danger is finding the answers to questions, but there is a responsibility to understand those answers as well.

Asking "why?" is mankind's greatest gift. Answering that question is our greatest task.

"You shouldn't kiss a horse on the lips before it gives you its presents." -- Omi

Jumping Off The Bridge Without A Plan

Yeah, I'm back. Miss me?

I know I've been a slacker. Between my international travels, physical illness and mental trepidation, I've ignored Touch 'Em All.

But no more. As a matter of fact, you are probably going to get more TEA than in the past. I've been saving up and the filters are off.

But first, to the guy who cut me off on the JFX...

EITHER DRIVE OR TALK BECAUSE YOU OBVIOUSLY CAN'T DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME! Oh, and your right rear tire is going down.

There. I said it. I feel better.

How many of you are trying to do more with less -- in the workplace, in the home or in your life? The pressures of success and failure weigh on us in ways we cannot fathom.

The big question: who are you trying to please?

There has to be a time when you aim to please yourself. So many times, we've caught in the web where demands from others trump desires of your own. It is when the balance gets so out of wack when anger, frustration, and darkness can grab you.

Knowing your limitations is key and not feeling inadequate when asking for help is necessary. There is a commerical on TV where a guy is wearing a pair of wings and standing on a bridge over a river. He jumps off the bridge and glides without effort.

The crowd shouts, "He can fly!" One older man says, "Yeah, but he can't swim."

Ouch.

Prior planning prevents poor performance. And that goes for just about every aspect in your life.

Next time: did the Pope really tell one of the greatest minds of our time to stop his work? And why?

It will be an ordeal. Canaries will go in first. Accidents will happen, and men will die. -- Penny Arcade

Great White North

This is what I've been doing the past five days.



I have bruises in so many places that there aren't enough ice bags to go around. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I learned a lot in my time in Toronto. Some of it serious and some of it silly, but all of it now a part of me.

Poutine really is as good as advertised.

Playing five games of hockey in 40 hours -- while fun -- is hell on the body.

The Hockey Hall of Fame has tons of displays, but keeps all the trophies in a room big enough to host a small wedding.

My wife has a more accurate slapshot than I do, but I can stop more shots than she can.

End boards at hockey rinks do not move and should not be run into head first -- even if I am being hooked from behind.

I cannot hear fans cheering in the stands.

Canadian beer is stronger than beer found in the states. While that wasn't new, I forgot that.

Blood, sweat, and tears isn't just a statement -- it was reality for our team.

There is always time for victory -- whether it is 4.6 seconds left in regulation, down by 2 goals, or needing a shootout win.

It took 10 Bulldogs to bring home a championship from Toronto, but it took 18 Bulldogs to get us there.

I can be too tired to laugh.

And I really do hate those guys.

I still can't believe we won. But I'm sitting next to the trophy so it must be true.