One of the most valuable things my father ever taught me is that "There are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth".

The words of a schoolteacher of mine from many many years ago resonate for me.  “We read the obituaries not to learn who died but to learn about those who lived.” I read the obituary of Haim Gouri, an Israeli poet, journalist, novelist, and filmmaker who died last week at the age of 94. He was a voice from the founding of the State of Israel. The words of one of his early poems ring profound. “And there, those in the right fire on the others in the right.”

Brene Brown is voice worth hearing. This is what it says on her website:

Over the last few days, the stock market has taken a tumble. I have lost count of the number of commentators advising investors not to panic, to stay the course, think long term.

  It’s that time of the year again, the day after the Super Bowl. Every year there’s debate about whether to make the day after the Super Bowl a national holiday since most people are sluggish the next day.    

I grew up loving football. Playing it. Organizing teams. Tackle. Touch. Flag. It did not matter. Strategizing (I'd argue none better!).   And today we all – at least the ratings say so – gather to watch the big one. The Super Bowl.

If you want to buy a :30 spot on the Super Bowl you better open up your wallet because it now costs over $5million. That doesn't even include making the commerical which could cost anywhere from $1m - $5m. Last year the Super Bowl raked in over $419 million in air time   Why so much you ask? Because the audience is over 100 million which is just about double the next biggest event on TV (which BTW is the Super Bowl postgame :) AND if the spot is a hit, it will get millions of views online.  

Last Friday we went to a local theater production.  Although all the contributors were professionals and the ticket cost not insubstantial, the experience fell far short.   Thank goodness it was a two act play and we could look forward to bolting at the intermission.  I say "we" because it was not just me who was disappointed.