Wednesday Reflections

My bus ride now is a little bit longer, so I get to read more news stories on the way in to work. I'm looking for a new book to get in to, but I haven't found it, yet. Maybe I'll try re-starting Main Street (if I can find the box it was packed in). Anyway...every day I read stories that make me happy, make me sad, make me angry, make me cry (the good kind). Today was no exception.

1. Michael Eisner ends his tenure at the Walt Disney Company this Friday. I'd forgotten after all these months about his resignation and when it was to take affect. I know that Mr. Eisner hasn't had the best relationship with the Disney Board, but I can't think of any other entertainment executive in recent history who has had as much impact on the industry as Mr. Eisner. He took a small company of one movie studio and a couple of theme parks and turned it into the Disney Company we know today with theme parks around the world and additional studios including Touchstone Pictures and Miramax. He knows his "stuff" and knows how to deal with the changing technology that is apparent in today's entertainment world. It saddens me that he was pretty much forced to resign in order to appease the Board, but it concerns me that his resignation will probably hurt the Disney Company more than help. Thanks for the memories Mr. Eisner. No matter what Walt Disney's brother might say, I think you did a fantastic job and Mr. Disney would be proud with how you continued to prosper his "Wonderful World" that started with a mouse and simple wish upon a star.

2. Rod Smith...never heard of him until this morning. (Sorry, Carl, I don't keep up with Bronco football as well as I apparently should.) But, Rod Smith tugged at my heart strings today. It's taken him nearly 11 NFL seasons (12 if you count his first season on the practice squad) to do it, but he's the first undrafted NFL player to reach 10,000 yards receiving. He was an underdog of magnificent proportions, but decided early on that it wasn't going to get the best of him and refused to quit. He went to a small school (Missouri Southern State), but decided that that should not hold him back. He has had 1,000 plus yard seasons for 7 out of the his 11 seasons and averages 1 and 1/3 first downs on every reception. He's played 154 games so far in his career, and fumbled a mere 12 times losing the ball only 5 of those times. Every team should be so lucky as to have a guy like this on their team not just for the talent but the inspiration. Even the hot-headed Keyshawn Johnson doesn't boast stats as good as this (granted it's only his 10th season, but still if he's talkin' that talk...). Rod Smith has been a starter since 1997 and none of his drafted teammates are complaining. He's earned his spot. From the article on The Sporting News that I read, he's quite the inspiration and one of the most vocal players in the locker room. I watch the draft every year and see guys who are exceptional players not get picked, so here's hoping the next generation of Rod Smith's will have as much determination and as much success if given the chance.

3. Of note, but not actually in the news. It's cold today. YEA!!!!!!!!!!! Finally a STRONG sign of the season change!!

4. This was reported yesterday but I didn't get a chance to say anything about it. Donald Trump and wife are pregnant with their first child, due in the spring. He's 59 and she's 35. More power to you, man.

Ok...back to fiscal year end stuff. 2 more days!