Daniel, My Brother

Mark Ogle started S.A.C.C.A. with the help of his wife Naomi and some Rwandans. I had the honor of visiting S.A.C.C.A. in 2006. The BEST Christmas I have ever had, hands down! While there I met a lot of great young children who lived on the streets for various reasons, but were getting help from S.A.C.C.A. The kids there are not my brothers of course, but I consider all the young men I met there as brothers.


One in particular was Daniel, My Brother. Below is a photo of him and I. Loved his smile and attitude! Remember, he lives on the streets in Rwanda, yet has a smile to light up a room.

I got an email recently from my friend Mark with the photo attached. In his email Mark told me that Daniel had emailed him (in perfect English) to let him know he completed his senior year with amazing marks and is hoping to get a government sponsorship for University! Of course, the government would be foolish not to sponsor him!

It amazes me how a young man who grew up on the street could graduate "high school" and learn to speak a second language fluently! Truly incredible and I am truly thankful I got to meet him and others. And I am thankful for people like Mark and Naomi who start programs to help kids like Daniel!

Daniel and I in Rwanda

Now Go Out and Hug a Brother or Sister Today!!!

Be Thankful!!!

I am sure I have shared this video in the past, either via my blog or email. It is worthy to share again and remind us all to be THANKFUL for what we have this Holiday Season!

When you watch the video, it is OK to laugh, and to cry and to remember! I do EVERY time I watch it. Enjoy the people who surround you with love and laughter today, because they may be gone tomorrow. I certainly HOPE not, but you never really know do you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4g6OupUNYU

The teacher on the left hasn't smiled since the tragedy in 2004! This photo was taken in 2012! However, by the end of my trip to Beslan in 2012 she DID SMILE!! Her coworkers were amazed! Not sure what exactly turned her around, but something about the clowns is powerful. Also, I went back to Beslan in 2013 and she smiled even more! Not all the time, but still enough to know she was having a break through!


Now Go Out and Hug a Teacher or Student Today!!!

You Can't Handle the Goof (A Breakup Song)

So, when I arrived in Madison in September, I started dating a woman. Shocker, I know. We had communicated for a month leading up to our first meet and greet. After meeting we spent almost everyday together for a month. After a 24 hour period of goofiness, she said she wasn't interested in dating  me anymore. In her words she said "I'm turned off".

Now a month isn't long to be dating someone, but I personally felt a big connection with this woman and when she "dumped" me it hurt pretty bad I Must Say... to borrow words from Ed Grimley. We truly seemed to get along in every sense of the word. She was fun and a little quirky, goofy just like me... or so I thought. But apparently I was too much of a goof for her and she said she couldn't handle it. We had actually joked around with each other about OTHER people not being able to Handle the Goof. On a hike she actually said "You Can't Handle the Goof" in a Jack Nicholson type voice. She did Russia accents with me, and many other fun goofy things. So, I still don't understand what happened exactly?


Well, to help myself get thru the pain I felt, I decided to turn to humor. My strongest ally! I wrote a goofy song to make myself laugh, and it worked. I hope it makes you laugh too! I posted it on you tube, which I don't really like to do. But my friend Danny Donuts said I should. Danny and his wife Barb are in the video and I can't thank them enough for helping me with it and more importantly for making it so much funnier!!

Watch the video below, knowing it is all in good fun and it is SUPPOSED to be goofy!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL08r0ETMM4


Now Go Out and Hug a Goof Today!!!

OK, Go!

There is a fun group out there called OK, Go! They do fun and creative videos.






This video was shared on www.2guysphoto.com.






I felt it was worthy enough to share! What do you think?






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1ZB_rGFyeU


Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today!!

Dancing With The Stars

Apparently there is a TV show called "Dancing With The Stars"... But the REAL STARS in my opinion are my friend Teagan and his Grandma! Watch the video below and let me know if you agree!!


http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1286&sid=32133074#i2AGkiBHSDiqx5rU.01




Also, check out Teagan's FB page to follow his smiling face! And let him and his Grandma know I am still following and I give them a 9.9 on their dance... I almost never give a 10.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teagans-Incredible-Heart/723801467672784






He Really is Super!!


Now Go Out and Hug a Dancer Today!!!

                                   

Landon Donovan Tribute

                                 Landon Donovan is LD the LegenD


Landon Donovan played his last game for the USA soccer team last night. I felt a tribute was in order. Even for non soccer fans, I feel you have to appreciate what Landon has accomplished in a country where soccer typically takes a back seat to the other sports. Yes, it is the most played sport in America by our youth, but when it comes to TV and recognition on other levels, it is lacking. Landon has at least elevated that recognition some. If you don't believe me, watch the tribute video below.



http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/u-s--federation-posts-emotional-landon-donovan-tribute-video-ahead-of-his-final-match-013237286.html

Do you believe in miracles? Yes, that tagline will forever  be linked to the USA hockey team of 1980 thanks to the infamous words expressed by Al Michaels. And for good reason... It is a moment in time forever linked in my mind. I have fond memories of that day as I watched a sport I knew little about as a 12 year old in Ohio.


Well that tagline could also be linked to Landon Donovan's goal against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup. Watch the video below to see what I mean


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm7ievQ2bHo

Our country's reaction to Landon's goal is unprecedented in my opinion. Don't believe me? Watch the video below


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w


To me, Landon has done as much for the sport of soccer in America as many other LegenDary sports figures. He deserves to be recognized for his accomplishments in my humble opinion. To me, his story transcends sports. Here is what I mean.


He grew up like any typical child in America. Middle Class. His mom was a special education teacher. Nothing extravagant or fancy in his up bringing. As a child he found something he loved and was passionate about and he ran with it... literally! This is where it transcends sports to me. Every child out there could find something they are passionate about and make it what they want. Whether that is in athletics or in science, music, teaching, medicine, innovation, comedy or anything else you want to be passionate about. So, to the youth of America I say go out and make your life what you want it to be and inspire others as Landon has.

                            Thank You Landon. We salute you! We send you a kiss goodbye!

            Now Go Out and Hug a Soccer Player Today!!!

Creative Arts and Changing the Game

Below is a link to a 10 minute video about my friend Emily Cavanagh. As you all know I rave about Emily's talent as a singer/songwriter. Her music is going to be featured on a documentary called "Changing The Game". No release date yet, but look for it! I will remind you when it gets released.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0An3-JcaRM


I should also rave about her other talents! Like engaging young adults in the Creative Arts. I can vouch for her impressiveness in person. I imagine the program she runs in The South Bronx is just as impressive as her!


The program in the South Bronx was started by her. She helps former homeless people and kids aging out of Foster Care to express themselves and find a voice by using music. She has applied for a grant to start a program in Ireland. If she receives it, she will start a program in Ireland with the same mission. Her roots are Irish, so it seems appropriate to me! Ireland will be lucky to have her if they choose her. But WE ARE LUCKY to have her here in The United States now!!


She is also a strong proponent of other causes, like helping people who have survived Genocidal Wars. Maybe she will travel to Rwanda someday to perform "Dark Was The Night"? That would be a dream!


Continue to support her music, so she can continue to enhance the lives around her!


You can get her music on ITunes, Amazon, and listen to her on Pandora and mora!



Now Go Out and Hug a Singer/Songwriter Today!!!