Jay Jay's Thoughts Your Reactions: “Learning From the Angry Birds”

Jay Jay's Thoughts Your Reactions: “Learning From the Angry Birds”: Wednesday Wisdom by Jay Jay Speaks February 29, 2012 “Learning From the Angry Birds” I recently had to send my cell phone out to be repaire...

“Learning From the Angry Birds”

Wednesday Wisdom

by Jay Jay Speaks

February 29, 2012

“Learning From the Angry Birds”

I recently had to send my cell phone out to be repaired and the technician informed me that I’d have to download all of my applications again when my phone was returned. I didn’t think much of it until I got my phone back and began trying to capture all the games, books and applications I had previously used on my Smartphone. When I downloaded an updated version of “Angry Birds,” the smartphone phenomena that rocked the android market a couple of years ago, I realized all my scores and Angry Bird conquests had been wiped out and would have to be accomplished again.

As I started making my way through the various levels of Angry Birds it struck me that this silly, simple, addictive electronic application contained some key points for success in life.  Now this isn’t the most philosophically profound realization but it struck me as funny how much Angry Birds contained lessons for life.  For those who have never played Angry Birds let me give you a quick rundown.

The game consists of a series of screens that go from easy to more challenging or difficult. As you master and move through each scene you are slowing completing all the requisites for that level. Once you completely meet the challenges of one level you are elevated to a higher level of challenge which consists of another gauntlet of screens that you must master before moving on to a more challenging level.  In each scene you slingshot “birds” into structures that must be demolished. Within these structures, which are made of differing materials (glass, wood, metal, rock), you must also destroy the evil mocking pig heads. Your weapons are the angry birds, of which you are only given a limited number so you must understand the special skill each bird has and you must employ their skill at the right time.

Now here are the birds (weapons)

Red - The red bird is your most basic weapon. There isn't really much going on with this little guy. The higher you launch the bird before allowing it to strike a structure, the more damage it will do.

Blue - The blue bird will break into three smaller, but similar birds when the screen is touched. These birds are especially handy at taking out glass structures. If you touch the screen right before the bird strikes the glass, allowing the three birds to hit the glass at once, you will completely destroy it, allowing for some major damage to be dealt to your enemies.

Yellow - The yellow bird specializes in long distances. In fact, there will be levels where certain parts are only accessible by launching a yellow bird and activating its boost power right out of the gate.

White - The white birds can be used as a weapon in two different ways. When you hit the screen, causing the bird to drop a large explosive egg, your original bird still flies forward. This means that if you activate the egg just in front of a structure you can do damage with the egg bomb as well as your bird which will strike the upper portion of the structure.

Black - Black birds are the heaviest birds in the game, and can be used to topple structures in addition to the explosion it generates once settling. Launch the bird at a super steep angle and allow it to bust to the bottom of large structures for massive damage.

Green - The green bird is advertised as the boomerang bird, but it can be much more than that. You can use the bird to launch straight into a structure and deal intense damage. Remember though, once the bird has touched a structure it can no longer activate its boomerang function.

Now in life we may not be issued a collection of “angry birds” to fire at mocking pigs but we are given certain gifts and talents. We are given the opportunity to use these gifts and talents but sometimes that isn’t enough. For many of us we have to learn how to employ strategy to know when and how to use our gifts and talents to maximize our opportunity for success. Often we have to fail several times before we begin to recognize that using our weapons incorrectly is as disastrous as not using them at all. There is something about seeing and hearing that grunting smirking pig letting you know you failed that makes you wanna hit the TRY AGAIN button on the game to start the scene over.

Other lessons we learn from Angry Birds is that no matter how quickly or slowly, you conquer a scene there is another challenge waiting for you right around the corner. The frustration can be that once you get on a roll knocking out scene after scene the game will produce a scene that at first glance seems impossible to conquer based on the limited number of weapons you are given and the seemingly impenetrable structures that are protecting those miserably little pigs.  But Angry Bird veterans know, just like those who are wise in life, that if the game only gave you 4 birds, three of which are black and one tiny blue bird, that the enemy can be defeat by just using these weapons if we employ them strategically, appropriately and with the precise timing programmed into the parameters of the game.

So the next time you find yourself needing to knock down some arrogant pig-headed people, errr scratch that I meant, playing the game “Angry Birds” remember that the game is teaching you something about life. Study your opponent, take inventory of your gifts and talents, sharpen your skills, and LET THOSE ANGRY BIRDS FLY!!!!

Go play “Angry Birds” today, don’t wait until Monday, do it today (Wednesday) on HUMP DAY!

Take A Little Now, Avoid More Later

Take A Little Now, Avoid More Later

by Jay Jay Speaks

February 24, 2012

I recently had to go to the dentist for my semi-annual check-up. You know the appointment I’m talking about, the one where they lady smiles at you until you lie back in the torture chair and she begins to scrap and pick at your teeth, and then she uses the “pain-string” in between your teeth to get all the grime, gunk and gilk (yeah just made that word up!). When she asked if there were any new developments with my dental health I told her that I notice there was a crack or chip in one of my back teeth. Well long story short, I had to come back and actually see the dentist to have the crack repaired.

While laying back in the bigger torture chamber chair I started to think about the big Novocain needle that would be injected into my gums to numb the area so the dentist could go to work.  Dr. Death comes in with the needle and I closed my eyes so neither he nor his assistant would see a grown man begin to cry, mostly from anticipating the sharp, sticking pain that was coming.

Once the dentist started drilling, scraping, poking, and prodding I started thinking, how painful this procedure would have been without the face numbing Novocain. Now let’s not fool ourselves, even with the Novocain, I could still feel some pain or discomfort but it was evident to me that I was not getting the full brunt of the pain that comes with someone sticking metal instruments inside of your tooth. This realization made me say “THANK YOU LORD” for pain-killers, anesthesia, and other numbing agents. There are times in life when, much like going to the dentist for oral surgery, a root canal, addition of a crown or other corrective procedures, we are going to have to go through pain and discomfort.

I think there are times when we “lose our heart” or passion for things or people. Perhaps this loss is the Novocain we need to get through that difficult time or process. I’m thinking about pain-killers such as the temporary break-ups we encounter before the relationship is finally over. Or the job unhappiness and dissatisfaction we often have before we finally make the decision to leave or in some cases get let go. Is it not the disconnect that begins to happen before the “BIG EVENT” that takes the sting out before the thing happens? This is not to discount situations where you are happily employed or married and bad news comes out of nowhere, but often there are always little needle pricks that are begin to deaden our feelings towards that person, that job or that situation before the big surprise happens. People will often say, "I knew something was going to happen or I don’t feel that bad, because I hated that job/that place anyway. On a larger scale this may not work for everyone but I have to say thank you for the Novocain of life that has taken some of the sting out of relationships that were going to fall apart anyway, took my passion out of a job before I left or even the big losses that numbed me to even larger life setbacks.

Life will also bring us occasions where we must suffer a little pain now to avoid a lot of pain later. Think about it. If you didn’t get that little bit of discomfort in your teeth from hot or cold sensations, many of us would never go to the dentist. If we ignore that cavity pain, what should have been a small inconvenience becomes a rotten tooth in need of extraction (which leaves a hole) or a root canal (which leads to much more pain and expense). How many times in life have small pains or inconveniences been there to get our attention before situations got worse? How many times have you ignored those little warning signs and how many times have you walked right past those yellow flags that were cautioning you to slow down? When we ignore the little pings and pains they often grow or deteriorate into devastating health, emotional, financial or spiritual issues, don’t they?

The next time you go to the dentist and need a shot of Novocain, make sure you say THANK YOU to your dentist before she/he begins. Like my parents used to tell me before I was issues corporal punishment, “I’m doing this for your own good.

Thanks Mark Freeman, D.D.S. and thank you Mom and Pop.

Jay Jay's Thoughts Your Reactions: Life Is A Highway

Jay Jay's Thoughts Your Reactions: Life Is A Highway: Life Is A Highway by Jay Jay Speaks February 22, 2012 I am one of those people who generally enjoy a good road trip. I like being behind ...

Life Is A Highway

Life Is A Highway

by Jay Jay Speaks

February 22, 2012

I am one of those people who generally enjoy a good road trip. I like being behind the wheel of a car with a destination to reach, with time and open road in front of me. In the last 3 days I’ve been on the highway several times driving to and from job interviews in and out of the state of Ohio. Earlier this week I drove about 700 miles round trip to interview for a job in West Virginia. During this time rolling on the highways I began to think about my life and subsequently the lives of the other motorist on the road with me.

Several years back Pixar motion pictures had a blockbuster animated movie called CARS. Most of you have probably seen the movie, especially if you have children. I will admit without young children I would never have watched this movie, but I’m glad I did. So glad in fact that once we bought the dvd, I must confess I’ve watched the movie when the kids weren’t around. There is a great song by the country group Rascal Flatts entitled, “Life Is A Highway” some of the lyrics go like this,

Well, life's like a road that you travel on

There's one day here and the next day gone

Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand

Sometimes you turn your back to the wind

There's a world outside every darkened door

Where Blues won't haunt you anymore

For the brave are free and lovers soar

Come ride with me to the distant shore

We won't hesitate

To break down the guarding gate

There's not much time left today, yeay

(Chorus)

Life is a highway, I wanna ride it

All night long

If you're going my way, I wanna drive it

All night long

 This song kind of sums up how I feel when I get a chance to drive on the open road. There is always the suspense of what adventure awaits during the trip and of course the anticipation of arriving for whatever my intended purpose.

While cruising the highways and turnpikes my thoughts bounced around from wondering where the other drivers where going, to what conversations they were having with the people in their cars, to what made them purchase that particular car, to what the BLEEP they were thinking by cutting in front of me like that. I started to think that isn’t this drive similar to life in general? Can I see driving as a metaphor for life? I think so, here’s what I mean.

What if we see the car people drive as a representation of their life? You have small fast sport cars, mid-size sedans, trucks, sport utility vehicles and luxury cars.

The sport cars are the people who are speeding through life, in a hurry to get where they are going and don’t have a lot of room in their lives for other people to go with them.

The mid-size sedans may represent people who are measured, reasonable, don’t take too many risks but can have time and room for, limited number of other people.

The person who owns and drives the truck is a hard worker, doesn’t care what you think about them. They are a grunt, a grinder, a roll up the sleeves and get your hands dirty. They will do what they have to do and perhaps just want what they are owed for their blood, sweat and loyalty. Their lives are simple, not many creature comforts but honest.

Sport utility vehicles represent those people in life who are prepared for and perhaps enjoy going off the “traditional roadway” and not following everyone else. These are the people who understand that sometimes things get rough and they are ready for it. Their lives aren’t always the most comfortable and stylish but if you ride with them, they’ll get you through.

 And lastly are the luxury cars, these are the folks who perhaps used to have one of the other vehicles but have now upgraded life to the point where they are comfortable and feel they’ve “arrived” in life. These are the folks who sometimes feel entitled to the finer things because of what they’ve accomplished, while others feel entitled simply because of who they are. The luxury car drivers have room to impact and transport a larger number of people although they often don’t. They have the power to do what they want, to move quickly, take up space, or cruise along without a care in the world.

Next I started thinking about the way some people drive when they are on the road. You have people who drive way too slowly and cautiously. They like to call themselves “safe” drivers but in reality they are just “scared of life.” They are afraid that if they go too fast, life will get away from them. They are nervous being out there with all the other drivers because they think someone else is out to get them. They think they are safe drivers but to the rest of us, they are prone to cause accidents because they aren’t comfortable going with the flow of traffic. 

“Determined drivers” are the next group. These folks are steady, focused, and competitive. These are the drivers or people who you just get a sense they aren’t really enjoying the drive they just want to get to the destination before you do. Determined drivers fight to keep their place in traffic, they won’t yield and let you merge and feel insulted if you pass them on the road. These are the drivers who have planned their stops for fuel, food and restroom in advance. If you delay them or sidetrack them from their goals you will not enjoy the ride with them at all.

Next we have the ‘selfish drivers” this group can consist of erratic, clueless and reckless drivers. I call these people selfish because they are more concerned about themselves than they are about the others on the road. These drivers may not necessarily be mean spirited, although some are, but they are clearly focused on themselves, their needs, their car, their journey and their own thoughts. Selfish drivers rarely think about how their actions may affect other drivers. They will turn without using their turn signal, squeeze into traffic either in front or behind you without regard, fly pass you in no passing zones or cut in front you to weave in and out of traffic to get a few spaces ahead before the traffic light. Selfish are often easily distracted and act on impulse or emotion.

The last group of drivers I’ll call the “joy riders.” To me the joy riders are the people who enjoy the road. They realize that it’s about reaching a destination but learning how to have fun along the way. The joy riders understand that sometimes the ride isn’t as smooth as planned or as expedient as we’d hope. The joy rider will notice the scenery and recognize its beauty and diversity without getting distracted from driving. They will sometimes just stop to relax refresh even when it was not planned in advance. The joy rider finds that if they take care of themselves, their passengers and their vehicle everyone has a better trip.

Now I realize these are generalizations, perhaps even stereotypes but I think they can give each of us a lens through which we can view ourselves and other people.

LIFE IS A HIGHWAY. Life is also a journey that we all have to take by ourselves even if we have some company along the way. Regardless of the vehicle in which you are currently traveling try to find time to enjoy yourself. If you find yourself on the road with people who don’t share your “driving style” give them room and get to your destination safely.

Plan a road trip soon, and get out on the open road. Notice what others are driving and how they are driving. Think about your life and allow yourself to wonder, what are the other drivers thinking my “car” and my “driving.”  Now go share the road!

Jay Jay's Thoughts Your Reactions: The Greatest Love Of All

Jay Jay's Thoughts Your Reactions: The Greatest Love Of All: The Greatest Love Of All On Saturday, February 11, 2012 the world was shocked to receive news that musical icon Whitney Houston was dead a...

The Greatest Love Of All

The Greatest Love Of All

On Saturday, February 11, 2012 the world was shocked to receive news that musical icon Whitney Houston was dead at the age of 48. Houston was found in her Hollywood hotel room, unresponsive and lifeless. I think many will agree her light went out far too soon. People will debate the cause of her downfall and the seeds of her demise for years to come. As fans rush out to buy her music and download their favorite singles from ITunes or the internet, Houston’s family is left to mourn the loss of a daughter, mother, friend and ex-wife. This is a morbid reminder that even the “idols” that walk amongst are all too human, and too often just as frail, weak, fallible and needy as we are.

If someone told me in January of 2012 that the world was going to lose an iconic female musical talent, one that set records in the music industry, and blazed a trail for an entire generation of female artists, I would have guessed they were talking about the death of someone like: Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, maybe Patti LaBelle. I would never have guessed it would be, my boyhood crush, Whitney Houston. With that said, when I received the news via text message as I sat at the Cleveland Cavalier/Philadelphia 76er basketball game at the Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland, I wasn’t shocked. I wasn’t overwhelmed with wonderment as to how this could happen. Somewhere deep down I think I knew it was true and felt like it was something that was bound to happen.

After a few days my thoughts turned to what I will remember from the life and music of Whitney. I know that I will always have her early music as the soundtrack for my high school memories and my early romantic relationships. I remember getting ready for school in the mornings and hearing her music blaring over the radio on Power 99 FM in Philly. I will always remember listening to her song “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?” after one of the many temporary break ups with a girlfriend. I will remember the tears rolling down my face as I played her song, “One Moment In Time” in my Sony walkman as I struggled to navigate my way through Kutztown University as the first and only person in my family to attend college. I will always cherish her rendition of the “National Anthem” at Superbowl XXV in 1991, just a few months after the beginning of the first Gulf War. As Whitney bellowed out what some say was the best singing of our country’s national anthem ever, I thought of my father a Vietnam veteran and retired Army Sergeant. Her rendition reminded me of what our military personnel sacrifice for the good ole U.S.A. I later found out from my father that he even shed a tear while listening to Whitney’s version when he was watching that Superbowl.

If we learn anything from the death of Ms. Whitney Houston we may want to consider that the seeds of her demise began before anyone other than her family and church members knew who she was. Whitney was indeed given talent that few have ever had, and no one may ever have again. She didn’t have the voice of an angel, but I believe she had an “angelic voice.” She could command the emotions of her audience and take them on a roller coaster ride during her songs. Whitney was beautiful (Oh my Lord so beautiful), she was talented, gifted and she was FLAWED. Flawed just like the rest of us. Her demise began somewhere deep inside her soul, in a place we as adoring fans couldn’t see because of the money, the fame, the glamour, the glitz, the record sales and the adulation.

Whitney was struggling with learning to love herself. She didn’t treat herself the way she would want her daughter Bobbi Kristina to treat herself. She allowed herself to fall to depths that would break her heart if her daughter tumbled into the same deep hole. Whitney struggled with self-esteem even though millions admired her. Whitney battled with valuing herself, in equivalent portion to the value fans worldwide valued her music. As much as we admired, loved, adored, and worshipped Whitney Houston she was just like many of us. Whitney made poor decisions that led to even worse choices. Whitney had talent but took it for granted. Whitney was gifted and perhaps thought it was a gift she’d always have. Whitney was loved on the outside more than she felt loved on the inside and this I believe led to what happened on February 11^th. Whitney’s actions had consequences just like our actions as well.

I ask for anyone reading this to exam the words of one of Ms. Houston’s best known songs and greatest hits. Find yourself in these lyrics and then answer this question, “Do you have the greatest love of all?”

Consider that today don’t wait until Monday, do it today (Wednesday) on HUMP DAY!

“The Greatest Love Of All”

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

Everybody's searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs
A lonely place to be
And so I learned to depend on me

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed at least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity

Because the greatest love of all is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all inside of me
The greatest love of all is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed at least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity

Because the greatest love of all is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all inside of me
The greatest love of all is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all

And if by chance that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love