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Random Rants: Sneezes are as Unique as Snowflakes

May 24, 2019 by Greg Lindberg

When I was a junior at Palm Harbor University High School, I had a physics teacher named Dr. Wilson. He was a bit of a quirky gentleman (but aren’t all high school physics teachers?), and it was something he said that really stuck with me. The funny thing is that it had nothing to do with physics at all – or certainly was not part of the curriculum but, now that I think about it, could be tied to physics in some way.

One day, somebody sneezed in our class. It must have been a loud one that caught everyone’s attention in the middle of a lecture. Dr. Wilson and some of the students were quick to “bless” the sneezer, but that wasn’t the end of the acknowledgement as it normally would be. Instead, Dr. Wilson spent a minute or two talking about sneezes. He talked about how differently some people sneeze, from a very soft-sounding sneeze that might be confused for a cough to a very violent sneeze that is practically alarming to those around the culprit and could literally cause an injury to one’s neck.

This one quick discussion got me thinking about a few things. Obviously, males and females seem to have noticeably different sneezes. The same can be said about younger kids compared to older individuals. Some people only sneeze once or twice during an “attack,” while others can keep the “sneezin’ mo-jo” going for more than just a split second.

I sometimes wonder how someone’s sneezes and personality stack up. Are “violent” sneezers who put their whole body into this natural event generally louder, more boisterous individuals? Are those who hardly make a peep typically soft spoken and fall into the category of introverts? Based on my observations, it doesn’t seem like you can draw a perfect line between a person’s sneeze and their overall characteristics. I’ve met some people who constantly use an “outside voice” whose sneezes are barely detectable. On the flipside, I know of those whose voices can barely be heard but can let loose with the best of them when sneezing.

This is why in my view, sneezes are like snowflakes. Each human being has a slightly different sneeze. Whether it’s a loud “ahh-choo” or a modest squeak, it is fascinating how this human reaction to various conditions can vary so much.

So, the next time you hear someone sneeze, do a quick mental evaluation to see if you expected or were surprised by the sound they made. There’s a good chance you’ll be surprised.

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8 Reasons I Love “The Price Is Right”

August 18, 2015 by Greg Lindberg

Ever since I was a youngster in elementary school, I’ve always been in love with The Price Is Right. I plan on attending a taping of the show, and I don’t know how loud I’d scream if announcer George Gray were to yell out, “Greg Lindberg, come on down!”

These are the top reasons I have had a lifelong love affair with this classic, long-living CBS game show that has dominated daytime TV for decades:

1. The sound effects

I’ve always been a bit of a sound effects nerd – or maybe more than a bit. I love cool sounds, and there are plenty to go around on this show. From the upbeat dings when contestants win an item up for bids or one of the showcases, to the infamous loser horn when guessing a wrong price, I can’t get enough of these sounds. Most sounds have also remained the same for the entire duration of the show.

2. The music

The “come on down” intro music really gets me pumped. But when those horns start playing that theme music every American should know by heart, it really hits home for me. I loved the originalversion of the theme (Bob Barker era), and I might even like the updated jive-y version since 2007 a bit better. Despite its stuck-in-your-head-all-day reputation, I do enjoy the mountain climber music in the “Cliff Hangers” game as well.

3. The host(s)

I absolutely adored Bob Barker when he was the host. Despite all the claims against him from the models, he walked on water in my eyes. Perhaps it’s the fact that I’m an ‘80s baby – and that Bob was always like a grandpa figure to me – that I loved watching him so much. I truly admired his longevity as the host of a nationwide television show. I really think he could’ve continued hosting for a few more years, and I was in awe to see him – at 91 – host one game for the April Fool’s episode earlier this year.

As for Drew Carey, he has grown on me tremendously. He had a rough start gaining his footing as host, and he’s been criticized for not being overly excited when contestants win big. However, he has gotten so much better. I am very grateful he remains the host, and I hope he’ll be on for more than a fraction of Bob’s 35-year tenure.

4. The contestants

Reality television did not officially launch its genre with Survivor in 2000. It all started in 1972 when The Price Is Right debuted with Bob Barker. The contestants on this show truly make it a joy to watch. You see all ages – from college freshmen to some 99-year-old contestants I’ve seen take the stage. You also see all personalities. I can’t get enough of screaming, excited, crazy, host-lifting contestants who’ve waited for years to bid $1 or spin the big wheel. I also adore the clever shirts and attire that seem to pop up on almost every episode.

5. The prizes

The phrase “A new car!” has been ingrained in my head ever since I can remember. While cars are the most popular prizes, the trips to hot spots around the world can be fascinating as well. Additionally, I always like seeing the innovative kitchen appliances and creative food items that appear in some of the games. You certainly have to laugh when a guy wins a female-specific prize – or vice versa.

6. The games

Maybe I’m not the sharpest tack in the box, but some of the games on this show are confusing to me. By the time a game is played, I sometimes ask myself, “What just happened?” Fortunately, most of the games are easy to follow and fun to watch. I especially like “Plinko,” “Hole in One,” “Cliff Hangers,” and “One Away” – the game where the contestant asks the famous “sound effects lady” how many numbers he or she has correct in the price of a car. Of Course, “Golden Road” can also be quite dramatic.

7. The big wheel

The sound of that big wheel spinning is music to my ears. It’s always so much fun to see when a contestant gets so close to earning $1 on the wheel – or getting a score that is just enough to win the “Showcase Showdown.” Nothing is better than seeing someone win $1,000 and then get to spin for a boatload of cash.

8. The longevity

I’m a history buff at heart. I love watching classic game shows like Match Game or What’s My Line? before I jump onto Wikipedia to see when these episodes aired – and if anyone on these shows is still kicking. The same goes for my historic fascination of The Price Is Right. While it had a 9-year original run in the 1950s and ’60s with Bill Cullen, Its current incarnation is by far the longest-running game show in American TV history. It’s been on so long that four or five generations in a family have been able to watch it. So much changes in our world on a regular basis, especially with technology these days. But when there’s a constant in your life like this game show, it just makes you feel good to tune into a program that you’ve watched your entire life while enduring the ups and downs that we all experience. If this show ever goes away, I honestly don’t know how difficult it’ll be for me to take it. CBS at 11 a.m. would never, ever be the same.

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“Can You Hear Me Now?”: Why Is Cell Phone Call Quality So Bad?

June 9, 2014 by Greg Lindberg

These days, we have smartphones that we can use to literally open doors and turn off lights in our homes from anywhere in the world. There are millions of apps that can help us accomplish countless tasks, some of which may blow your mind.

Yet cell phone call quality remains very average at best.

I can’t tell you how many times I have been talking to someone on my smartphone or attempting to hear someone talking to me on theirs, and I just can’t understand what they are saying. I listen closely. I press the phone up to my ear to the point where it hurts. I walk around and go outside. It still doesn’t help.

Even more frustration comes with inexplicable dropped calls. Cell towers are everywhere. I don’t live in the middle of nowhere, and I don’t talk to people in extremely rural places, either.

In 2014, why is cell phone technology this bad? I’m not talking about mobile technology in general. I’m referring to the quality of a phone call involving one or more cell phones. It absolutely baffles me that analog communication from 40 years ago is probably a hundred times better than the digital nature of a call transmitted via cell towers. Some people sound like robots, while others simply get hung up on because of a poor connection.

While technology continues to astound us in so many ways, some aspects of communication remain completely stagnant. All I want to do is carry on a meaningful conversation with a close friend or family member without having to repeat myself or ask the other person to do so. I am begging someone out there to improve this. Otherwise, we might as well reinstall all of the old landline phones in our homes – and put all those payphones back in malls across the country.

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The power of a strikeout

November 15, 2012 by Greg Lindberg

Since the voting results of Major League Baseball’s Cy Young Award winners were released today, it’s only fitting to write a blog post about the power of a strikeout in baseball.

A strikeout is like no other out in America’s favorite pastime. When a pitcher throws a sizzling 99-mph fastball or a nasty change-up that totally fools a hitter, it shows pure dominance of the pitcher over teh hitter. In many cases, a hitter will make a face, drop his bat, or even bark at the umpire about the location of the pitch. It’s also a great feeling for a pitcher to strike out a batter. Sending a batter back to the dugout via a strikeout is so much different than doing so any other way. Think about it. Is a slow grounder to the shortshop who then tosses to the first baseman really that upsetting? Is a pop fly into centerfield that disappointing for a hitter? The answer is probably not. But when it comes to being “caught looking” or swinging through a pitch and missing it, there is an added feeling of being on the short end of the stick – a feeling of losing the one-on-one matchup with the guy on the mound. It’s almost like a boxing match and getting knocked to the ground.

Another thing that shows the power of a strikeout is how much this statistic means to writers who vote for the best pitcher in each league. The Rays’ David Price won the Cy Young for the 2012 season in the American League. Price collected 205 strikeouts. Although this didn’t lead the league, it was a feat accomplished in just 211 innings, meaning he almost struck out one batter each inning in which he pitched. In the NL, R.A Dickey of the Mets took home the award and whiffed 230 batters in 233 innings. This “K” total was enough to lead his league, and many of these punch-outs came via his tricky knuckleball pitch.

The bottom line is that no hitter in baseball wants to step up to the plate and strike out. Hitters want to hit a home run, get on base, or at least get walked. The last thing they want to do is chase a nasty breaking ball or a dazzling fastball and have to face their teammates on the bench. I’ve never been in the cleats of a major leaguer, but from what I have observed, it’s got to be like a punch to the gut. The best way to get over this feeling is probably to get up to bat again and make up for it.

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Elevator Etiquette: Observations of Riding an Elevator

July 18, 2012 by Greg Lindberg

One of the most fascinating social experiences is something many of us do every single day – riding in an elevator. I recently sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. This ship contains several elevators, and you see just about everything when you ride on them.

When someone enters an elevator, they look to see who else is on it. They then make their way to an open space if there are others on-board. If the elevator is almost full, everyone on-board must move to make room for the newcomer. If there is not enough room, riders must wait for the next available elevator to arrive.

An interesting part of riding an elevator is that most people remain quiet while on-board. People who are having a conversation while waiting for one tend to put those discussions on-hold when they get on an elevator with strangers. But they’ll start yakking away once they reach their desired floor and make their way out of the elevator. Riders also tend to stand so that they are facing the elevator doors. This is why eye contact is quite uncommon among riders who don’t know each other.

Some people seem to consider an elevator to be just like their home. They leave trash on it, spill crumbs on it while grabbing a quick snack during a ride, and they even leave wine glasses on-board. I saw one on my cruise. I can’t imagine what these individuals’ homes look like if they feel the need to litter on an elevator. You never see trash cans on them, but people must think they are giant waste baskets that are also used – secondarily – to transport people from one floor to another.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the fear that some people have of getting stuck in an elevator. I’ve never really had this fear myself, but after seeing the video from a few years ago of a New York man who was trapped in elevator for 41 hours, it definitely makes me wonder how awful it must be to be enclosed in a bubble for any unreasonable amount of time. My fingers are crossed that this won’t ever happen (and that this blog post won’t jinx me).

You might not think much of a 30- or 45-second ride in an elevator, but think about these things the next time you press the “up” button to go to your office or apartment. There is nothing like an elevator, and it’s funny how these transporting systems change the behavior of every person who walks through those heavy doors for a vertical trip.

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Women’s sports deserve more respect

June 10, 2012 by Greg Lindberg

A few years ago, I wrote an article for the USF St. Petersburg student newspaper (“The Crow’s Nest”) about how women’s sports deserve more respect and coverage than they currently receive.

After recently watching the USF Bulls women’s softball team compete in the College World Series, I thought it only made sense to expound on this a bit. I had never watched more than a few seconds of a softball game on TV until watching the Bulls play Hofstra in their first of three Super Regional games. You have to give these girls a ton of credit for how they compete. Sure, it’s “slow-pitch” softball. Sure, they aren’t tackling each other like football players do. Sure, they aren’t ramming each other into walls like NHL players do. But you cannot deny that these young ladies are putting forth tremendous effort in each and every game in which tye compete.

I remember how the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team strung dozens of victories together and set a record for consecutive wins over the course of two seasons. From what I recall, women’s college basketball got the most press out of this. Does it really take a women’s team to set unprecedented records for female sports to get any decent coverage at all? Does a women’s college basketball game mean nothing, while a men’s college basketball game might get a great timeslot on a major broadcast network?

ESPN recently promoted what is apparently a new website – ESPNW.com – during one of the softball game broadcasts I saw. It’s great to see a website that is entirely devoted to covering women’s sports. With the hundreds of TV channels out there on digital calbe these days, I would love to see just one channel that dedicates all of its programming to women’s sports, much like WE (Women’s Entertainment) airs shows geared toward a female audience. Unfortunately, I doubt that will ever happen any time soon. There is still a great deal of gender bias when it comes to media coverage. Until that changes, the status quo will remain in our society.

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Tom Petty rocked my night!

May 4, 2012 by Greg Lindberg

Last night, I had the opportunity to see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in concert at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando. Although I am by no means a huge Petty fan, I do enjoy listening to some of his songs – primarily his late ‘80s and early ‘90s hits. But my dad is a huge fan of the group and even went to school with a few of the band members in Gainesville where the group originated.

Before commenting on the actual performance, I must say that the new Amway Center is a fantastic facility. It opened last year and is one of the nicest venues I have ever visited. It was also an excellent place to hold this concert because of how well the sound system worked. At concerts in some other venues, the acoustics are just plain bad, so whoever runs the equipment in Orlando should give some tips to these other facilities.

In terms of the actual concert, it was probably the best musical performance I have ever seen. Even though many of the Heartbreakers are now in their 60s, it definitely did not show. Instead I realize just how talented and experienced these guys are. It is quite inspiring to watch people perform at the highest level in any kind of performance art, and I certainly did not expect anything less from these Rock and Rock Hall of Famers.

My favorite Petty song is “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” It took a while for them to get to it, but once they did, it rocked the arena. Perhaps I am a bit biased, but the crowd seemed more amped up than ever with its cheers after this song than any other song of the night. The group also did a cool rendition of a rock tune called “Travelin’ Light,” which I thoroughly enjoyed. Apparently this song was originally written by Grammy-winner J.J. Cale.

I believe that the best barometer to measure a concert with is whether or not you would want to see the same musicians play again. In my case, I would love to see Petty do his thing again some day. Hopefully he and the crew will continue to tour for many years to come. It was well worth the $85, and I probably would have been willing to pay even more had I known how special the show would be.

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Jamie Moyer: The Ageless Wonder

April 20, 2012 by Greg Lindberg

This week, Jamie Moyer became the oldest pitcher in the 143-year history of Major League Baseball to record a victory in a game. At age 49 and currently a member of the Colorado Rockies, he beat the San Diego Padres, 5-3, by going seven innings and allowing just two runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out one. His fastball reached just 79 miles per hour.

Moyer is the No. 2 starting pitcher in the Colorado Rockies’ rotation. He made his major-league debut on June 16, 1986 when Ronald Reagan was president. Little did he know he would still be pitching some 26 years later.

There has been plenty of attention on Moyer for his historic feat and for his ability to still compete at the highest level of professional baseball. I know I’m not the only one who is fascinated by the man, but I just feel like I am someone who has always had that extra bit of admiration for individuals who defy the odds. There are so many norms in this world we live in. Isn’t it great to see someone do something that is so abnormal and unique once in a while? It makes you realize that humans can do certain things that people never thought were possible. It makes you smile.
USA Today’s Mike Lopresti wrote a terrific piece on Moyer and all of the interesting facts and statistics about how long he has been around. Perhaps the most striking thing is that Moyer had Tommy John surgery at age 48 – and was pitching when Tommy John was still an active player. This particular surgery is considered quite risky for baseball players in terms of how well they pitch after having it done and how long their careers will last. For Moyer to still be a starter at his age after having this surgery a year ago is incredible. He represents the smallest of fractions that you could possibly calculate.
You also have to think about how difficult it is for someone in his late 40s to be in good enough shape to be a major-league player. The majority of baseball players rarely extend their careers into their late 30s, yet Moyer is now a decade past that point. You have to give him so much credit for staying in shape and maintaining a lifestyle that has enabled him to  continue to compete. Yes, you could argue that he has good genes. Yes, you could argue that, as a starting pitcher, he only has to suit up for a game every five days. But what you can’t argue is that he has such a passion and love for baseball. That could be the biggest reason why he is still on the mound.

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College basketball makes up for football’s letdown in Florida

March 30, 2012 by Greg Lindberg

A few months ago, I wrote on this blog about how awful the 2011 college football season treated the Sunshine State. The regular powers like Florida, Florida State and Miami barely had a heartbeat. Even up-and-comers like USF, UCF and FAU failed in their efforts to beautify the football landscape in the state.

But all is not lost in Florida when it comes to college athletics. The state’s college basketball teams have made some big headlines during the 2011-12 season that have turned the usual football fanatics into basketball enthusiasts.
For the first time since 1991, the Florida State Seminoles won the ACC Tournament, defeating both North Carolina and Duke in the process. The ‘Noles also notched their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011-12, and the team actually finished a bit short of its expectations with a third-round loss to Cincinnati in the big dance.
USF made major strides this season and experienced an historic turnaround. Head coach Stan Heath was named Big East Coach of the Year as he turned the Bulls from a 10-win team in 2010-11 to a 22-win team this season. Heath’s club went 12-6 in Big East conference games and won two games in the NCAA Tournament. It was USF’s first trip to the big dance since 1992 and was the deepest run the school had ever made in the tournament. The Bulls came up just short in the third round against Ohio.
In Gainesville, the Gators had yet another successful run in the regular season under longtime coach Billy Donovan. The orange-and-blue of Florida made it to the Sweet Sixteen for the eighth time in school history and the fifth time since 2000. The Gators, who were seeking their third national championship under Donovan, suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of the surprising Louisville Cardinals.
Although the Miami Hurricanes failed to make the NCAA Tournament, the team did advance to the second round of the NIT and won 20 games overall. Even Florida Gulf Coast was one win away from a berth in the big dance. FGCU, which had a losing record but went on a run in the Atlantic Sun conference tournament, lost to Belmont in the championship game. North Florida, which also plays in the A-Sun, had a 10-8 conference mark and finished at 16-16.

Let’s not forget the ladies, either. Florida, Miami, USF, Florida Atlantic and Florida International all had winning seasons and made the postseason in either the Women’s NIT or the Women’s NCAA Tournament.

Even though the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat have been front and center with all kinds of hoopla – pun intended – surrounding those organizations recently, it is time to turn at least one eye to college basketball in the state of Florida. There will likely be more players from the Sunshine State on NBA rosters in the coming years based on the success of the current college teams. The same may not be able to be said about the state’s football players making NFL rosters as much, at least for now.

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Why it’s not good to win “free food for a year”

March 24, 2012 by Greg Lindberg

Many restaurants and food services do promotions that award contest winners “free food for a year.” What this phrase really means can vary greatly. It could mean that you get a free meal every day. It could mean getting free food every other day, or perhaps once a week or even once a month. What this “food” is can also vary from one place to another.

But why would you want to eat food from any restaurant with any regularity, even if there is no charge for it? Most restaurants have limited menus, meaning your choices will eventually overlap and you will be eating the same thing again at some point. In addition, most restaurants do not serve the healthiest foods in the world, meaning it will be hard for you to consume these items frequently if you are on a diet – or if you are a level-headed individual who realizes how important it is to eat high-fat, salt-filled food in moderation.
Because of these factors, you will likely end up giving away meals to family and friends. Yes, it is nice to give back to others once in a while, but you might even run out of options on whom to give the food to, which could involve taking a chance by giving it to a homeless person.
So, I have come to this conclusion: it is not a good thing to win free food for a year. As much as I love McDonald’s, Carrabba’s, Outback Steakhouse, or any other quality fast-food or sit-down restaurant, there are too many disadvantages to winning this kind of prize. If you win a contest like this, you are actually losing more than winning. The only thing you might gain is some extra weight.

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