Go Team!

This post is going to have a couple different segments, so just read them and then stop reading when you finish it.

I've been thinking a lot about teams recently. Thought (perhaps wrongly) that it was worth sharing. I would love to hear what y'all think as well. Dad, I know you've got a fair amount of experience, and I would like hear what you in particular think.

Part of what started this train of thought was a casual study that was done on basketball teams recently. The study showed that physical contact between team members correlated with an increased quality of play. Just to make it clear, they can't PROVE the link. Correlation, not causation. Ok? Ok. It made me think back to all the teams I've been a part of, from the same group of guys playing basketball, football, and baseball together for 3 years, to a pickup soccer game with strangers, there is something about your teammates touching you. It is a very specific kind of touch that makes a difference too. High fives, back slaps, etc. It is a "positive, energetic, complimentary" contact. This totally makes sense to me. A high five isn't just a way of saying "Nice job!", but it is a way of saying "You are part of our group, and we value you, and what you just did." What is great is that it is so elegantly simple. The economy of communication in this example is brilliant. All those team-building experts can be replaced by a few more hugs and high-fiving. Actions do speak louder than words.

I've been enjoying my time out on the Habitat site (small side note, for those of you who might care, been working on my farmer tan. It's coming nicely.) and been learning a lot. Also getting a lot better at what seems to be the main skill on a construction site (not leaning on shovels), hammering nails. Tips for nail hammering. When you are "setting" the nail, getting it in place in the wood, make sure to keep it straight and try and avoid hitting your fingers. Always try to avoid hitting your fingers. Bigger backstrokes and more follow-through equals less strokes, which results in less possible bending of the nails. Don't give up the moment that your nail starts to bend. You can tap it back into shape, or at least something workable. Use gravity as frequently possible. Nailing upwards, or at an angle is a pain, and puts you a more of a risk bending the nail, or hitting your hand. Try and be hitting the head of the nail directly. That's kind of it for now.

On a final note, I want to proclaim my love for casual sports games, and nice weather. I particularly love those two in combination. Hopefully followed by some kind of food.

That's it! Thanks for reading.