Participated at the Texas Book Festival this weekend-- as a seller of my book, Funny Man: Love & Murder at Venice Beach, and as fan and reader of books.
Two sessions I attended and thoroughly enjoyed--
1) Hand Drawn Jokes for Smart, Attractive People-- by Matthew Diffee, New Yorker cartoonist
2) Year of the Dunk-- by Asher Price
Since this blog focuses on physical activity, I'll discuss Asher Price's book on his decision to devote a year of training towards dunking a basketball. Price, a sportswriter for our local Austin paper, the Austin-American Statesman, made this decision at age 34. He stands 6 ft 2 1/2 inches. He began the journey at about 200 pounds. In the process of getting into dunking shape he dropped to 170 lbs. and decreased his percentage of body fat from 20% to 8%. Did he achieve his goal? Asher didn't ruin the book's ending for his audience-- but it seems safe to assume he achieved his goal, an impressive achievement for a 34 year old guy!
Asher explained the story brings attention to our potential for achieving goals seemingly out-of-reach. He has a great sense of humor and nice modesty. His book highlights the importance many NBA superstars attached to dunking a basketball for the very first time. Charles Barkley felt liberated after dunking for the first time. Barkley gained confidence on his journey to move beyond the world of his hometown in Leeds, Alabama.
I identified more with Asher Price than a NBA superstar. I never got beyond touching the rim. I played guard on the high school basketball team on Long Island but never impressed anybody with my leaping ability. I have literally dreamed of dunking a basketball-- a skill Asher said involves both physical strength and good body flexibility.
Asher had to add flexibility to his body to achieve his goal. And added flexibility-- that's something that helps every stage of life, and brings better health of al kinds-- physical, mental and spiritual.
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