Outside the Press Box

"Outside the Press Box" highlights many of Dr. David Davis' articles from the Pearland Reporter. Many have enjoyed his writing style and now we are making it all available online! Dr Davis hopes you will enjoy reading these columns as much as he has had in writing them.

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Jenny Claydon is a class act

In 2005 -- I attended the Houston Athletic Committee banquet where Friendswood basketball and baseball standout Jeff Claydon was nominated for two awards. Claydon was one of four finalists for the Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete Award and also a Baseball Award finalist. He received the Baseball Award presented to the outstanding scholar-athlete of that particular sport in the Houston area.

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Difference between Athletic and Personal Trainers

Most people are sick and tired of the Roger Clemens steroid and/or HGH issue...Did he or didn't he?
I'm not sure what the political leaders and the national sports writers are trying to accomplish since all of this happened back several years ago.

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Hard to understand how someone can be ignored

I remember being at the awards dinner for the Touchdown Club of Houston in 2000 at the JW Marriott Hotel. It was my very first high school awards dinner and I was there in support of Pearland head coach Tony Heath and All-State running back Anthony Evans who was a a sure bet to win the "Offensive Player of the Year" award.

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Soaring to new heights
Larry Walters' boyhood dream was to fly. He joined the Air Force in hopes of becoming a pilot. Unfortunately, poor eyesight disqualified him. When he was finally discharged, he had to satisfy himself with watching jets overhead his back garden.

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A thank you to all who...
I want to thank all of you who have taken the time and trouble to send me E-mails over the past couple of years. Thank you for making me feel safe, secure, blessed, and wealthy.
I'm sure you can attest to the many E-mails that cover almost every spectrum of life. Of course, when you check your Bulk mail each day -- there are various subjects that you can't relate in a column such as this one. However --

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A Thanksgiving to remember
All of us recall different events that have touched our lives in ways that we have never forgotten. This time of the year especially rekindles some special moments in my life that will always rise to the forefront of my memory.
In 1987, we were living in Nicoma Park, Oklahoma. It was just a few weeks before Thanksgiving and I was in my office when the phone rang. I was traveling a lot and working with the D.A.R.E. program to reach young lives. But on this day, a need came to my attention on a local basis.

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Angels are around -- especially this time of the year
Occasionally - someone sends me something that I find very touching and think it is worth sharing. We have just celebrated Thanksgiving which should put us in the giving spirit to bless others as Christmas time approaches. Perhaps this experience by a Hospice physician from Denver, Colorado will make you more aware of the needs of others.

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Meeting Ms. Abigail at Chick-fil-A
My 16-year-old daughter, Lexis, got her first job a couple of months ago at Chick-fil-A in Silverlake. It doesn't take long to realize that this fast food restaurant is so much more than a quick drive thru or sit down, eat, and scurry out the door.
There is information that says, "The person who operates this Chick-fil-A restaurant is an independent business person. As a result, our Operators take pride in their restaurants and the community they serve. This commitment defines the essence of Chick-fil-A.
<read> <print>

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Statistics Influence Our Lives
   Have you noticed that when commercials are trying to sell you something these days, they start quoting statistics? It's as though numerical data has suddenly become irrefutable evidence that you need to buy a particular product.
   If you don't heed statistical wisdom, you will suffer from ingrown toenails, endure the heartache of psoriasis and be rejected by your mother for having bad breath.
    One recent commercial was emphatic about using their product, but then gave you the side effects if you do. I have always been careful to listen to those other things that could happen to you if you choose a particular product.

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Reunions prove we are getting older
    I recently played golf with Pearland athletic director Mike Watson and found myself uttering his same words, "It isn't fun getting old."
    Of course - it does beat the alternative.
    Yes - we are getting older so I am going to give you a new set of "Signs that you are getting older."

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School Answering Machine
This is the message that the Pacific Palisades High School (California) staff voted unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine. This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework. The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children's failing grades changed to passing grades even though those children were absent 15 to 30 times during the semester and did not complete enough school work to pass their classes.

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The older we get - the more we should learn
Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. Being a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making appearances, spreading her legendary wisdom despite being over 70 years old.
She has proven that age is a matter of mind over matter. If you don't mind - it shouldn't matter.

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Some things in life are confusing
I'm sure we can all look back over the years and think of things that we do that really don't make too much sense. They are usually subtle things that no one around may notice, but when we think about it -- we wonder why we do it. I found a list of things that make you stop and think about life in general and things we do that we may not be aware of doing. For instance...

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Bits and pieces in life
My daughter Lexis has been working at Chick-fil-A for about four months. It has been an interesting experience to say the least. She has met some very kind people who compliment her effort and sweet spirit. She has met those who don't have time to notice anyone else but themselves -- and it is usually expressing their ingratitude because something wasn't done right or didn't meet their timetable. Either way -- they don't make many people happy in their presence.

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  You're not a failure until you quit
    I think as you get older, you begin asking the hard questions in life. Most young people want to zip through life and ignore the various stop signs and road blocks that we encounter. Instead, so we think, it is easier to look for the detours in life.
    But sooner or later -- we must all take time to see life as it really is and not as Hollywood portrays it to be.

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