Well, actually just moved the blog!
Please join Marcus at:
http://marcusengel.com/blog/
Thanks!!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Why We're Here
Most everyone knows by now that Marvelyne and I are living in New York. Most everyone knows it’s because I’m going to grad school. Some may even be able to state that my area of study is an M.S. in Narrative Medicine. But, over the last year or more, I don’t believe there have been more than a handful of folks who actually know what narrative medicine is. And frankly, a year ago, I was no different. So, here’s the skinny.
Narrative Medicine is a field which has only been around a few years. In fact, the term “narrative medicine” was coined less than a decade ago. To the best of my knowledge, Columbia University in NYC is the sole institution where one can study narrative medicine. Hence, our relocation to NYC for the 2011-12 school year. That’s the logistics, but again, what is it?
Narrative Medicine is a combination of health care, literature, communications, philosophy and a tad bit o’ social work. Interesting, right? But, what does NM do? Well, the goal with narrative med is to take these very complex stories of illness, healing, hospitalization, disease, disability and dying and turn them into something from which others can learn. Let’s take, for example, a story of a patient dying from cancer.
NM can be used by said patient to journal his/her thoughts and feelings as they’re going through the dying process, hopefully on their way to acceptance and peace. It can also be used by the caregivers who are treating the patient. After all, it’s a pretty callous health care pro that spends great amounts of time with a patient and does not get attached in some way.
Now, the tales of the process can be used by other cancer patients, cancer caregivers to understand the patient’s role, learn from the mistakes of other caregivers, etc. Again, NM tries to take these very personal, emotional and complicated stories and put them in narrative form for the comfort of those who are sick, with the added benefit of being an educational tool for the caregiver. Plus, there are many, many other applications I’m not even familiar with yet. But just wait - those times are coming!
Anyone who knows the speaking I do for health care can see the relationship between my work and narrative medicine. But the question still begs to be answered: “Okay Engel, this is interesting and fits you too a T. But, how’s it going to help the work you do?”
Well, for years, my main thrust has been keynote lectures. I’m hopeful for several different things to come out of this narrative med program.
First, books. With as much reading and writing as the program requires, I’m pretty sure there’ll be a few more Marcus titles in the not-so-distant future.
Polishing of my keynote: Through some of the oral communications of narrative med, I hope I can speak with an even more powerful and impacting style.
Third: More offerings to my clients. Now, instead of going too a hospital for a single 1 or 2 hour keynote, I can also teach the skills of narrative to all interested parties. I foresee myself giving my usual lecture on patient care in the a.m., then in the afternoon, meeting with a smaller group of front line caregivers and instructing them in some workshop form exercises about journaling and getting them to see the benefits of NM in their own field.
On Tuesday evening, the Narrative Med program held our orientation. There are approximately 25 students in the program, a little more than half were able to attend (thank you, Hurricane Irene, for at least helping most of us get there.) In my class there are physicians, playwrights, social workers, hospital chaplain, graphic artists, a nurse or two and several folks who’ve recently graduated, thinking they were going to med school, but needing to indulge their love of literature before entering the sterile world of health care.
After introducing ourselves around the room, we got into small groups with a few faculty members. From there, we discussed a poem with a health care slant, then used a prompt for a short writing process. Each person shared something from the prompt, “How did you get here?” We were allowed too interpret that however we saw fit. Most of us took on the task of answering the question about how we came to the field of narrative medicine, myself included. All of us, in some way or another, shared something rather personal… and this seems par for the course in NM. I look forward to these deep, meaningful types of writing instead of the fluff from undergrad English days.
What happens next? Well, next week starts the actual classes. As I get deeper into the program, I’ll share more. In the meantime, please enjoy more of Marvelyne’s musings about our NYC life at:
www.MisadventuresInNYC.com
Narrative Medicine is a field which has only been around a few years. In fact, the term “narrative medicine” was coined less than a decade ago. To the best of my knowledge, Columbia University in NYC is the sole institution where one can study narrative medicine. Hence, our relocation to NYC for the 2011-12 school year. That’s the logistics, but again, what is it?
Narrative Medicine is a combination of health care, literature, communications, philosophy and a tad bit o’ social work. Interesting, right? But, what does NM do? Well, the goal with narrative med is to take these very complex stories of illness, healing, hospitalization, disease, disability and dying and turn them into something from which others can learn. Let’s take, for example, a story of a patient dying from cancer.
NM can be used by said patient to journal his/her thoughts and feelings as they’re going through the dying process, hopefully on their way to acceptance and peace. It can also be used by the caregivers who are treating the patient. After all, it’s a pretty callous health care pro that spends great amounts of time with a patient and does not get attached in some way.
Now, the tales of the process can be used by other cancer patients, cancer caregivers to understand the patient’s role, learn from the mistakes of other caregivers, etc. Again, NM tries to take these very personal, emotional and complicated stories and put them in narrative form for the comfort of those who are sick, with the added benefit of being an educational tool for the caregiver. Plus, there are many, many other applications I’m not even familiar with yet. But just wait - those times are coming!
Anyone who knows the speaking I do for health care can see the relationship between my work and narrative medicine. But the question still begs to be answered: “Okay Engel, this is interesting and fits you too a T. But, how’s it going to help the work you do?”
Well, for years, my main thrust has been keynote lectures. I’m hopeful for several different things to come out of this narrative med program.
First, books. With as much reading and writing as the program requires, I’m pretty sure there’ll be a few more Marcus titles in the not-so-distant future.
Polishing of my keynote: Through some of the oral communications of narrative med, I hope I can speak with an even more powerful and impacting style.
Third: More offerings to my clients. Now, instead of going too a hospital for a single 1 or 2 hour keynote, I can also teach the skills of narrative to all interested parties. I foresee myself giving my usual lecture on patient care in the a.m., then in the afternoon, meeting with a smaller group of front line caregivers and instructing them in some workshop form exercises about journaling and getting them to see the benefits of NM in their own field.
On Tuesday evening, the Narrative Med program held our orientation. There are approximately 25 students in the program, a little more than half were able to attend (thank you, Hurricane Irene, for at least helping most of us get there.) In my class there are physicians, playwrights, social workers, hospital chaplain, graphic artists, a nurse or two and several folks who’ve recently graduated, thinking they were going to med school, but needing to indulge their love of literature before entering the sterile world of health care.
After introducing ourselves around the room, we got into small groups with a few faculty members. From there, we discussed a poem with a health care slant, then used a prompt for a short writing process. Each person shared something from the prompt, “How did you get here?” We were allowed too interpret that however we saw fit. Most of us took on the task of answering the question about how we came to the field of narrative medicine, myself included. All of us, in some way or another, shared something rather personal… and this seems par for the course in NM. I look forward to these deep, meaningful types of writing instead of the fluff from undergrad English days.
What happens next? Well, next week starts the actual classes. As I get deeper into the program, I’ll share more. In the meantime, please enjoy more of Marvelyne’s musings about our NYC life at:
www.MisadventuresInNYC.com
Sunday, February 27, 2011
You're Not A Screw Up...IF You've Learned
If you receive Engel's Ensights, the Marcus Engel Newsletter, you may still have this month's article, "Screwing Up" sitting in your in box. If you'd like to read it, it can also be found on EzineArticles.com.
Here's the premis, just because I think it's worth repeating...
A few weeks back, I spoke for Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. My audiences were primarily composed of SU's student athletes. The focus of my programs were to inspire SU's student athletes to make intelligent choices, especially concerning substance abuse and impaired driving. As with so many of my programs, this one was funded through the NCAA's Health and Safety Speakers grant to help encourage student athletes to make wise decisions.
Dr. Wayne Edwards, the athletic director at Shenandoah, and I struck up a friendship while I was local. Here's why...
After hearing me speak, Dr. Edwards introduced me to a young man who is a student athlete at SU. With tears in his eyes and a cracking voice, the young man admitted that he'd recently been charged with driving under the influence. After hearing my program, he understood more fully that his choice to drive under the influence could have hurt or killed someone else...or he himself.
Dr. Edwards put his arm around the guy and said, "I see really great things on the horizon for this young man. He's going to make me really proud!"
In essence, Dr. Edwards' faith in this young man showed that he (the young man) had screwed up...but he was not a screw up. He made a mistake...but a mistake from which he learned a very valueable lesson. I can only hope my keynote to the SU community played a part in the transformation of his thinking.
We all screw up. But if we're learning from our screw ups (and provided they don't have serious consequences), that enlightenment is about the best we can hope for.
Here's the premis, just because I think it's worth repeating...
A few weeks back, I spoke for Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. My audiences were primarily composed of SU's student athletes. The focus of my programs were to inspire SU's student athletes to make intelligent choices, especially concerning substance abuse and impaired driving. As with so many of my programs, this one was funded through the NCAA's Health and Safety Speakers grant to help encourage student athletes to make wise decisions.
Dr. Wayne Edwards, the athletic director at Shenandoah, and I struck up a friendship while I was local. Here's why...
After hearing me speak, Dr. Edwards introduced me to a young man who is a student athlete at SU. With tears in his eyes and a cracking voice, the young man admitted that he'd recently been charged with driving under the influence. After hearing my program, he understood more fully that his choice to drive under the influence could have hurt or killed someone else...or he himself.
Dr. Edwards put his arm around the guy and said, "I see really great things on the horizon for this young man. He's going to make me really proud!"
In essence, Dr. Edwards' faith in this young man showed that he (the young man) had screwed up...but he was not a screw up. He made a mistake...but a mistake from which he learned a very valueable lesson. I can only hope my keynote to the SU community played a part in the transformation of his thinking.
We all screw up. But if we're learning from our screw ups (and provided they don't have serious consequences), that enlightenment is about the best we can hope for.
Monday, January 24, 2011
It's More Than Just A Game
East-West Shrine Game is about much more than football
UCF's Bruce Miller: "There's a bigger meaning."
January 20, 2011|By Mike Bianchi, SPORTS COMMENTARY
•
Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel
Never even thought about it as anything except a college football all-star game that has been played every year seemingly since the beginning of time.
In the mind's eye, the East-West Shrine Game was always that star-studded, post-holiday classic played in some exotic, faraway locale sponsored by a bunch of men wearing funny hats.
But with the game being played at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, we should all recognize that those Shriners are more about good deeds than funny fezzes. And the East-West Shrine Game is much more than a chance for college football stars to improve their NFL draft status; it's a chance for them to improve the life status of a bunch of sick kids.
"Strong legs run so that weak legs can walk," says George Mitchell, the Imperial Potentate (head honcho) of Shriners International. "Everything we do is geared toward helping the Shriners Hospital for Children."
If ever there were a sporting event for our city to get behind, this is the one. Is there really a better cause than a network of 22 hospitals that offer quality care for kids who are burn victims or have suffered spinal cord injuries or are born with birth defects? These are hospitals that serve thousands of kids worldwide whether their families are able to pay or not.
Kids like 13-year-old Danny Happy, who four years ago had his life altered forever. On July 10, 2007, a private plane shockingly fell from the sky and landed in Danny's home in Sanford. His 4-year-old sister Gabriela died and Danny was burned over 95 percent of his body. Nobody expected him to survive.
He was airlifted to the burn unit at the Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati, where he was put into a medically induced coma so that he wouldn't die from the excruciating pain he was in. Nearly 50 surgeries later, he is a living, breathing testament to the medical miracles that are done by the Shriners.
There will be players in Saturday's game from UCF (defensive end Bruce Miller and offensive tackle Jah Reid), Florida (defensive end Justin Trattou) and Miami (cornerback Demarcus Van Dyke and running back Graig Cooper). If you're a Knight, a Gator or a Hurricane, why not come out to the Citrus Bowl Saturday and support your team? If you're a college football fan, why not come out and watch some of the best players in the nation? Or if you just want to watch a good game and support a good cause, kickoff is 4 p.m.
Too often in these pages, we portray college football as a corrupt sport filled with liars, cheaters and BCS commissioners who have cornered the market on greed. We get inundated with the clanging and clamoring of message board malcontents, bad-tempered bloggers and FireTheCoach.com websites. So seldom do we get to hear the true song of the sport anymore.
Like the sound of Larry Csonka, the Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer who played in the East-West Shrine Game decades ago. He was on TV the other day talking about the game and said something that might surprise you. He said he didn't remember much about the Shrine Game he played in all those years ago. He didn't remember the score or even who won. But what he did remember was the trip he and other players took to the Shriners Hospital.
It's the same story every player who plays in this game will tell you. Every year during Shrine Game week, the players are asked to visit one of the nearby Shriners Hospitals. On Sunday, the players in this year's game were bused over to Tampa to visit the kids.
"There's a bigger meaning to this game," says UCF"s Bruce Miller. "It means a lot more when you're playing for something like this. We're not just out there for ourselves to raise our NFL stock; we're out there raising money for kids who are fighting and battling and struggling with some serious medical issues.
"Visiting these kids in the hospital is one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done. It's great to put a smile on these kids' faces. And you know what? They'll put a smile on your face, too."
If you think Shriners are merely a bunch a crazy guys who wear funny hats and ride miniature motorcycles in parades, think again.
Turns out the men underneath those funny fezzes do some serious good.
Those undersized motorcycles pale in comparison to their oversized hearts.
About the Shrine Game
What: East-West Shrine Game
When: Saturday
Where: Citrus Bowl
Kickoff: 4 p.m.
Tickets: $5-$50, available on ticketmaster.com
UCF's Bruce Miller: "There's a bigger meaning."
January 20, 2011|By Mike Bianchi, SPORTS COMMENTARY
•
Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel
Never even thought about it as anything except a college football all-star game that has been played every year seemingly since the beginning of time.
In the mind's eye, the East-West Shrine Game was always that star-studded, post-holiday classic played in some exotic, faraway locale sponsored by a bunch of men wearing funny hats.
But with the game being played at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, we should all recognize that those Shriners are more about good deeds than funny fezzes. And the East-West Shrine Game is much more than a chance for college football stars to improve their NFL draft status; it's a chance for them to improve the life status of a bunch of sick kids.
"Strong legs run so that weak legs can walk," says George Mitchell, the Imperial Potentate (head honcho) of Shriners International. "Everything we do is geared toward helping the Shriners Hospital for Children."
If ever there were a sporting event for our city to get behind, this is the one. Is there really a better cause than a network of 22 hospitals that offer quality care for kids who are burn victims or have suffered spinal cord injuries or are born with birth defects? These are hospitals that serve thousands of kids worldwide whether their families are able to pay or not.
Kids like 13-year-old Danny Happy, who four years ago had his life altered forever. On July 10, 2007, a private plane shockingly fell from the sky and landed in Danny's home in Sanford. His 4-year-old sister Gabriela died and Danny was burned over 95 percent of his body. Nobody expected him to survive.
He was airlifted to the burn unit at the Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati, where he was put into a medically induced coma so that he wouldn't die from the excruciating pain he was in. Nearly 50 surgeries later, he is a living, breathing testament to the medical miracles that are done by the Shriners.
There will be players in Saturday's game from UCF (defensive end Bruce Miller and offensive tackle Jah Reid), Florida (defensive end Justin Trattou) and Miami (cornerback Demarcus Van Dyke and running back Graig Cooper). If you're a Knight, a Gator or a Hurricane, why not come out to the Citrus Bowl Saturday and support your team? If you're a college football fan, why not come out and watch some of the best players in the nation? Or if you just want to watch a good game and support a good cause, kickoff is 4 p.m.
Too often in these pages, we portray college football as a corrupt sport filled with liars, cheaters and BCS commissioners who have cornered the market on greed. We get inundated with the clanging and clamoring of message board malcontents, bad-tempered bloggers and FireTheCoach.com websites. So seldom do we get to hear the true song of the sport anymore.
Like the sound of Larry Csonka, the Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer who played in the East-West Shrine Game decades ago. He was on TV the other day talking about the game and said something that might surprise you. He said he didn't remember much about the Shrine Game he played in all those years ago. He didn't remember the score or even who won. But what he did remember was the trip he and other players took to the Shriners Hospital.
It's the same story every player who plays in this game will tell you. Every year during Shrine Game week, the players are asked to visit one of the nearby Shriners Hospitals. On Sunday, the players in this year's game were bused over to Tampa to visit the kids.
"There's a bigger meaning to this game," says UCF"s Bruce Miller. "It means a lot more when you're playing for something like this. We're not just out there for ourselves to raise our NFL stock; we're out there raising money for kids who are fighting and battling and struggling with some serious medical issues.
"Visiting these kids in the hospital is one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done. It's great to put a smile on these kids' faces. And you know what? They'll put a smile on your face, too."
If you think Shriners are merely a bunch a crazy guys who wear funny hats and ride miniature motorcycles in parades, think again.
Turns out the men underneath those funny fezzes do some serious good.
Those undersized motorcycles pale in comparison to their oversized hearts.
About the Shrine Game
What: East-West Shrine Game
When: Saturday
Where: Citrus Bowl
Kickoff: 4 p.m.
Tickets: $5-$50, available on ticketmaster.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
FaceBook Fan Page
I really, REALLY hate to have a fan page on Facebook. To me, it feels kinda schmaltzy; like, I’m limited to the number of friends, but fans? Hey, they’re just numbers. Well, I don’t think of any of my connections as just a number. Rather, I think of pretty much everyone I’ve ever met as a friend.
Yet, Facebook makes the rules. And the rules say no more than 5000 friends on a single page, unless it’s a fan page. So, I created one.
If you’re so inclined, please go to my fan page at:
www.FaceBook.com/MarcusEngelSpeaker
I’d love to be able to transfer all my connections over to this fan page and communicate just as actively with it. Until then, thanks to ALL my friends, fans and connections!
Yet, Facebook makes the rules. And the rules say no more than 5000 friends on a single page, unless it’s a fan page. So, I created one.
If you’re so inclined, please go to my fan page at:
www.FaceBook.com/MarcusEngelSpeaker
I’d love to be able to transfer all my connections over to this fan page and communicate just as actively with it. Until then, thanks to ALL my friends, fans and connections!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Half A Century For An Angel's Death
In April 2009, California Angel's pitcher, Nick Adenhart, was killed along with two others after being struck by a drunk driver. The 23 year old offender was on probation from a previous DWI at the time of the crash. At least one of the two others in Adenhart's car were students at CSU-Fullerton, where I'd presented less than six months earlier. At least one of the deceased was in my audience, hence why I'm tied closely to this case.
The offender's sentence was just handed down in the DWI manslaughter deaths associated with the crash: 51 years.
Part of me wants to jump for joy for such an extensive sentence. Another part (the realist in me) knows that he'll probably only end up serving 20 years, maybe less. Still the sentence pretty much maxxed out what the law allows. THAT is something survivors of DWI crashes are excited about.
The offender's sentence was just handed down in the DWI manslaughter deaths associated with the crash: 51 years.
Part of me wants to jump for joy for such an extensive sentence. Another part (the realist in me) knows that he'll probably only end up serving 20 years, maybe less. Still the sentence pretty much maxxed out what the law allows. THAT is something survivors of DWI crashes are excited about.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Prohibited No More
Just a fun factoid for ya, but today is the 77th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. Amuse your friends with this random knowledge!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Happy Halloween Hour
Next weekend is Halloween! Since it falls on a Sunday this year, it stands to reason that the Halloween parties will actually occur on Oct. 30. But c'mon! Halloween is so fun that there have been parties already happening for a week or more!
Just as a heads up, Halloween now holds the title as the busiest bar night of the year. That's right-there are more folks in bars on Halloween than St. Patty's Day.
Please just keep this in mind next weekend, K? There's more than trick or treaters to watch out for on Halloween. Happy Halloween!
Just as a heads up, Halloween now holds the title as the busiest bar night of the year. That's right-there are more folks in bars on Halloween than St. Patty's Day.
Please just keep this in mind next weekend, K? There's more than trick or treaters to watch out for on Halloween. Happy Halloween!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
When You're Tipping Back A Few Words...
Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with my family-in-laws. In the car were two ministers, two gospel singers, one president/CEO of a Christian Bible college, one manager/producer of gospel music and, of course, my redneck self sitting in the midst. Love these folks dearly, don't misunderstand me, I'm just the black sheep, so to speak.
While we're driving around town, the driver is incessantly texting. This guy would probably never take a drink outside of moderation and/or safety, but when it comes to texting, hey, whatever.
Yet, study after study keeps showing how texting can be just as dangerous, if not moreso, than driving drunk. Just ponder that for a minute...would you ever drive drunk? Chances are, your answer is no, never. But texting, something just as dangerous? Well, we give that a little more grace. Should we? Frankly, I don't think so...the repurcussions of texting are identical as driving drunk. People still get hurt, people still die. I hope you'll ponder this perspective next time your text alarm goes off while you're behind the wheel.
While we're driving around town, the driver is incessantly texting. This guy would probably never take a drink outside of moderation and/or safety, but when it comes to texting, hey, whatever.
Yet, study after study keeps showing how texting can be just as dangerous, if not moreso, than driving drunk. Just ponder that for a minute...would you ever drive drunk? Chances are, your answer is no, never. But texting, something just as dangerous? Well, we give that a little more grace. Should we? Frankly, I don't think so...the repurcussions of texting are identical as driving drunk. People still get hurt, people still die. I hope you'll ponder this perspective next time your text alarm goes off while you're behind the wheel.
Monday, September 13, 2010
DeSales University and Marcus: Half Decade Anniversary
Again for 2010, I was honored to be a keynote presentor for DeSales University in Pennsylvania. Wonderful group of freshmen participating in the Character U. program, plus incredible clients with lots of laughs! What could be better?
Special thanks to Wendy Krisak, Dr. Gregg Amore and Chad Surface for being such good friends and great clients! Can’t wait to come back to DeSales for the sixth straight year!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Does A Higher Alcohol Content Appeal To You?
A few nights ago, we got to have dinner with a couple old friends from St. Louis who were in town on vacation. We went to a microbrewery for food and fun and had a really great time. It also gave me a little pause to raise an awareness eyebrow.
Once we were seated, our waiter started to list off the different beers they brew. The first three (the stout, the red and the porter), he listed as their most popular due to their alcohol content at 8%. This, I found interesting.
He didn't comment on their flavor, on the hoppiness, the finish-just their alcohol content. And said their most popular were the highest alcohol content.
Unless someone is specifically looking to get rip roaring intoxicated, is there a point in discussing how high the alcohol content is? Beer nerds love this, heck, my geekiness makes me want to know everything, but to discuss a beer's popularity based on it's high alcohol content just seems like something a customer doesn't necessarily need to know.
Once we were seated, our waiter started to list off the different beers they brew. The first three (the stout, the red and the porter), he listed as their most popular due to their alcohol content at 8%. This, I found interesting.
He didn't comment on their flavor, on the hoppiness, the finish-just their alcohol content. And said their most popular were the highest alcohol content.
Unless someone is specifically looking to get rip roaring intoxicated, is there a point in discussing how high the alcohol content is? Beer nerds love this, heck, my geekiness makes me want to know everything, but to discuss a beer's popularity based on it's high alcohol content just seems like something a customer doesn't necessarily need to know.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Hotel Parties Just Got A Little Harder!
Back when I was a minor, there were quite a few hotel parties. Sometimes, a person would book a hotel room for the night with the sole purpose of getting drunk and staying the night. Good to keep any drunk drivers off the road, but in retrospect, since people would stop by for a few drinks, it may have put more drunk drivers ON the road. Plus, hotels, especially nicer hotels, have had the bar right in the room. With the ability to order specialized beverages and sacks to the room, well, you can tell the ease with which minors can get their hands on alcohol.
Now, in my professional career, I spend nearly 100 nights per year in hotel rooms. I'm a member of every rewards program under the sun and, subsequentally, I get every E mail special that comes along. This week, I was glad to see Hilton hotels put a disclaimer in their E mail update that all Hilton properties comply with the drinking laws of that state or jurisdiction. For an international company, this is a big policy. Just wanted to give a shout to Hilton properties for helping to keep underaged drinkers from having easy access to alcohol in their hotels.
Now, in my professional career, I spend nearly 100 nights per year in hotel rooms. I'm a member of every rewards program under the sun and, subsequentally, I get every E mail special that comes along. This week, I was glad to see Hilton hotels put a disclaimer in their E mail update that all Hilton properties comply with the drinking laws of that state or jurisdiction. For an international company, this is a big policy. Just wanted to give a shout to Hilton properties for helping to keep underaged drinkers from having easy access to alcohol in their hotels.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
MADD Ohio and Some Staggering Stats
Earlier this year, the MADD Ohio monthly newsletter ran a story on yours truly. Now, I get MADD Ohio's newsletter in my inbox once per month. Even though I work in the prevention field, even though I'm a victim survivor, even though I write this blog, there is still so, so much to learn. And today, thanks to MADD Ohio's newsletter, I learned something new...
For many moons, I've contended that the future of DWI prevention lies in technology. When technology can detect intoxicants in one's system through sweat, breath, the eyes or any number of other ways, technology then has the power to keep individuals safe; includng the driver ready to make an unsafe choice to drive.
This technology would prevent the very thing I read in MADD Ohio's newsletter this morning. One stat the newsletter gave was that an estimated 50%-75% of drivers with a suspended license due to DWI are (wait for it....) still driving. And they can. Not legally, but legality has no bearing on whether or not one can turn the key in the ignition. Again, technology is our next (and safest) step to preventing unnecessary loss of life and limb due to this senseless crime.
For many moons, I've contended that the future of DWI prevention lies in technology. When technology can detect intoxicants in one's system through sweat, breath, the eyes or any number of other ways, technology then has the power to keep individuals safe; includng the driver ready to make an unsafe choice to drive.
This technology would prevent the very thing I read in MADD Ohio's newsletter this morning. One stat the newsletter gave was that an estimated 50%-75% of drivers with a suspended license due to DWI are (wait for it....) still driving. And they can. Not legally, but legality has no bearing on whether or not one can turn the key in the ignition. Again, technology is our next (and safest) step to preventing unnecessary loss of life and limb due to this senseless crime.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
AHEAD 2010
Last week found the AHEAD conference in the Mile High City…and with yours truly exhibiting as always! The Assoc. on Higher Education and Disability is composed of disability support services professionals at colleges and universities across the country, plus a variety of other professionals who work in the field with disabilities. And, as always, it was such a great time seeing awesome people!
Special thanks to Jenny Dugger, Rae, Melanie Thompson, Emily, Erin, Lana, Tamara and a whole slew of others who I did NOT get to go to dinner with!
Thanks to all who stopped by our booth and got books, grabbed info and expressed interest in bringing the Marcus message to campus this fall!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Do The Brits Have It Right?
While we were celebrating our founders giving the finger to King George, another George was apparently celebrating in an all-too-American way.
George Michael, according to reports, crashed his car into the side of a building this weekend. Police stated he was unfit to drive. Was he drunk? Dunno, just know the cops used the word, "unfit."
In 2007, Michael was arrested and had his license suspended for two years after he was caught driving under the influence of drugs. Was his license actually taken away for two years? Again, dunno. And, even if it was, suspending one's license doesn't mean that they lose the ability to stick a key in the ignition and put the car in drive.
Still, the Brits don't have the rep for being as lax as we are on convicted criminals. Here in the states, have you ever heard of a intoxicated driver losing their license for two years? Certainly not on a first offense.
George Michael, according to reports, crashed his car into the side of a building this weekend. Police stated he was unfit to drive. Was he drunk? Dunno, just know the cops used the word, "unfit."
In 2007, Michael was arrested and had his license suspended for two years after he was caught driving under the influence of drugs. Was his license actually taken away for two years? Again, dunno. And, even if it was, suspending one's license doesn't mean that they lose the ability to stick a key in the ignition and put the car in drive.
Still, the Brits don't have the rep for being as lax as we are on convicted criminals. Here in the states, have you ever heard of a intoxicated driver losing their license for two years? Certainly not on a first offense.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
I'm Here Is Finally Here!
Yep, it's officially out! My third book, "I'm Here: Compassionate Communication In Patient Care" is now available through the store on MarcusEngel.com
http://www.MarcusEngelProducts.com
While this is focused on helping nurses, docs, therapists, etc. have more positive interactions with patients, I think there's plenty of good info for the non-medical folks of the world, too. Check it out at:
http://www.MarcusEngelProducts.com
http://www.MarcusEngelProducts.com
While this is focused on helping nurses, docs, therapists, etc. have more positive interactions with patients, I think there's plenty of good info for the non-medical folks of the world, too. Check it out at:
http://www.MarcusEngelProducts.com
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Highlighting Positive Side Of People
We all know we SHOULD highlight the positive, diminish the negative, and we get more positive, right? Sure!
Yet, there are many times when I find myself blogging about a celebrity who caused a ruckus in a bar, or a DWI received by someone who's a household name, that sorta thing.
Well, this time? I get to blog about something positive.
AAA, the American Automobile Association, is offering free towing service for intoxicated drivers this July 4. On a holiday that's so associated with knocking back a few cold ones, it's so awesome to see AAA stepping up to be sure folks get home safe. Learn more at:
www.AAA.org
Thanks, AAA, for helping keep folks alive this summer season!
Yet, there are many times when I find myself blogging about a celebrity who caused a ruckus in a bar, or a DWI received by someone who's a household name, that sorta thing.
Well, this time? I get to blog about something positive.
AAA, the American Automobile Association, is offering free towing service for intoxicated drivers this July 4. On a holiday that's so associated with knocking back a few cold ones, it's so awesome to see AAA stepping up to be sure folks get home safe. Learn more at:
www.AAA.org
Thanks, AAA, for helping keep folks alive this summer season!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Siriusly Good Commercial
Any time I'm in my office working, my Sirius Radio is on in the background. Part of that is my obsession with news, part is my obsession with music, part of that is my obsession with finding relevant info to blog about.
Today, I heard a good PSA on underage drinking prevention. It dealt with only one thing: communicating with kids. Was it all that fantastic of a commercial? No, and it really doesn't have to be. It simply encouraged parents to keep open lines of communication with their kids, especially about drinking. Reminds me to do the same. Since I agree with the message, I'd like to share the link to the sponsoring org:
www.stopalcoholabuse.gov
Today, I heard a good PSA on underage drinking prevention. It dealt with only one thing: communicating with kids. Was it all that fantastic of a commercial? No, and it really doesn't have to be. It simply encouraged parents to keep open lines of communication with their kids, especially about drinking. Reminds me to do the same. Since I agree with the message, I'd like to share the link to the sponsoring org:
www.stopalcoholabuse.gov
Thursday, June 24, 2010
I'm Here
While I love working in the prevention arena and I love helping inspire intelligent choices, one of the other areas I'm passionate about is patient care. I figure when you've been through as much medical drama and trauma as I've endured, you've learned what makes up great patient care...and what just counts as medical treatment.
One week from today, Thursday, July 1, 2010, I'll be releasing my newest book, "I'm Here: Compassionate Communication In Patient Care."
While this is not specific to the prevention of drug, alcohol and DUI, the stories contained in "I'm Here" are a direct result of a drunk driver's actions. If you're in the field of health care, or you've just enjoyed "After This..." and "The Other End Of The Stethoscope", I hope you'll watch Facebook and Twitter for the release time. Also, we'll be having some giveaways and contests to hype the release...pay attention, you might just win!
One week from today, Thursday, July 1, 2010, I'll be releasing my newest book, "I'm Here: Compassionate Communication In Patient Care."
While this is not specific to the prevention of drug, alcohol and DUI, the stories contained in "I'm Here" are a direct result of a drunk driver's actions. If you're in the field of health care, or you've just enjoyed "After This..." and "The Other End Of The Stethoscope", I hope you'll watch Facebook and Twitter for the release time. Also, we'll be having some giveaways and contests to hype the release...pay attention, you might just win!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tipper Vs. Kid Vs. Marcus
When I was first getting into music, there seemed to be two camps: Tipper Gore/PMRC and real music lovers.
Tipper and the Parents Music Resource Group had the goal of censoring music, banning certain artists from being listened to by children and a whole slew of other agendas dealing with music. I, being a youngster (probably around 7th or 8th grade) hated Tipper Gore with every fiber of my Public Enemy loving heart. Why? B/c she was a person who wanted to take my music away from me. I loved my 2 Live Crew, NWA and Eazy E and all the shock of some of the hair bands who used shock to get the interest of kids. Granted, now that I remember some 2 Live Crew and Eazy E lyrics, I'm not so sure I'd want middle schoolers listening to it, either...but, these days, we have the internet to gang up on, not the artists.
If Kid Rock were around when I was in middle school, he'd have been one of my favs. Heck, as a 35 year old guy now, he's one of my favs (call it bringing out my redneck roots...a country boy funked up by growing up on gangsta rap)
I don't think there's anyone, even Kid Rock himself, who'd say his lyrics are family friendly. Heck, if Tipper Gore still wanted to ban music, it wouldn't be hard to figure out where she'd go first. Kid Rock's songs are full of references to drugs, alcohol, sex-name a "sin" and Kid probably has it covered lyrically. And did I mention I love his music? Hey, what can I say?
It's well known by anyone who listens to Kid's music for more than a few minutes that he promotes his persona as a big time party guy. You don't come up with lyrics like this without being a partier: "I'm in it to win it like Yzerman, I can drink about 15 Heineken...puffing the Winston, drinking the 40"
So, musically, I love to crank up Kid while I'm working out. I, however, don't really want my young neices and nephews listening to him.
Last week, Kid Rock hosted the CMT awards. When he performed, he glossed over some of his more offensive lyrics. This is national television and Kid is far too smart of a professional performer to want to get in bad with the FCC. So, where's my issue?
The folks at CMT included a skit or two in the awards show. One, in particular, made me a little disgusted. It showed Kid, several country musicians and even Paula Dean all in a back room drinking and partying. The "reporter" in the skit stumbles upon this room of partiers and gently confronts Kid saying stuff like, "Kid Rock! I thought you were going to wait until after the awards show to start partying." To which he replies, "Yeah, I don't know...I'm drunk."The reporter then goes to talk to Paula Dean and the country artists (also drinking it up) and asks them, "Oh my! Paula Dean...I didn't expect YOU, of all people, to be in here, too!"
Honestly, the acting in this skit was embarrassing. And what does Paula Dean have to do with music, anyway? Yet, here's my thing...
This is Kid Rock's persona. We all know it. Still,someone at CMT had to think this skit was a good idea, write it, secure "actors" for it, a location AND choose to include it in a family friendly awards show. That adds up to a whole lot of people making a whole lot of choices without thinking through how this is going to be perceived.
Kid Rock is just being Kid Rock. I think the "I'm Drunk" comment could have been ad libbed. If so, that was unnecessary on this awards show. Still, he's just doing what he does. The real morons are those at CMT that allowed this skit to go on, glamorizing drinking and drunkenness to families across the country. For country music having such conservative roots and morals, someone at CMT dropped the ball on this one.
Kinda makes me long for the days of Tipper Gore when she'd have called the CMT execs on the carpet for this showing
Tipper and the Parents Music Resource Group had the goal of censoring music, banning certain artists from being listened to by children and a whole slew of other agendas dealing with music. I, being a youngster (probably around 7th or 8th grade) hated Tipper Gore with every fiber of my Public Enemy loving heart. Why? B/c she was a person who wanted to take my music away from me. I loved my 2 Live Crew, NWA and Eazy E and all the shock of some of the hair bands who used shock to get the interest of kids. Granted, now that I remember some 2 Live Crew and Eazy E lyrics, I'm not so sure I'd want middle schoolers listening to it, either...but, these days, we have the internet to gang up on, not the artists.
If Kid Rock were around when I was in middle school, he'd have been one of my favs. Heck, as a 35 year old guy now, he's one of my favs (call it bringing out my redneck roots...a country boy funked up by growing up on gangsta rap)
I don't think there's anyone, even Kid Rock himself, who'd say his lyrics are family friendly. Heck, if Tipper Gore still wanted to ban music, it wouldn't be hard to figure out where she'd go first. Kid Rock's songs are full of references to drugs, alcohol, sex-name a "sin" and Kid probably has it covered lyrically. And did I mention I love his music? Hey, what can I say?
It's well known by anyone who listens to Kid's music for more than a few minutes that he promotes his persona as a big time party guy. You don't come up with lyrics like this without being a partier: "I'm in it to win it like Yzerman, I can drink about 15 Heineken...puffing the Winston, drinking the 40"
So, musically, I love to crank up Kid while I'm working out. I, however, don't really want my young neices and nephews listening to him.
Last week, Kid Rock hosted the CMT awards. When he performed, he glossed over some of his more offensive lyrics. This is national television and Kid is far too smart of a professional performer to want to get in bad with the FCC. So, where's my issue?
The folks at CMT included a skit or two in the awards show. One, in particular, made me a little disgusted. It showed Kid, several country musicians and even Paula Dean all in a back room drinking and partying. The "reporter" in the skit stumbles upon this room of partiers and gently confronts Kid saying stuff like, "Kid Rock! I thought you were going to wait until after the awards show to start partying." To which he replies, "Yeah, I don't know...I'm drunk."The reporter then goes to talk to Paula Dean and the country artists (also drinking it up) and asks them, "Oh my! Paula Dean...I didn't expect YOU, of all people, to be in here, too!"
Honestly, the acting in this skit was embarrassing. And what does Paula Dean have to do with music, anyway? Yet, here's my thing...
This is Kid Rock's persona. We all know it. Still,someone at CMT had to think this skit was a good idea, write it, secure "actors" for it, a location AND choose to include it in a family friendly awards show. That adds up to a whole lot of people making a whole lot of choices without thinking through how this is going to be perceived.
Kid Rock is just being Kid Rock. I think the "I'm Drunk" comment could have been ad libbed. If so, that was unnecessary on this awards show. Still, he's just doing what he does. The real morons are those at CMT that allowed this skit to go on, glamorizing drinking and drunkenness to families across the country. For country music having such conservative roots and morals, someone at CMT dropped the ball on this one.
Kinda makes me long for the days of Tipper Gore when she'd have called the CMT execs on the carpet for this showing
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