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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Giving Your Condolences via Social Media

With the advent of social media one would think it would be easier to give condolences. This was tested recently when I had two dear friends whose parents passed away. Unlike years passed it wasn't from a phone call that alerted me to the news but via a Facebook post and a text message. Therefore, I felt responding with my condolences in the same manner was appropriate.

Social media has taken the awkwardness out of the condolences equation; however, unlike a phone call more thought goes into your messaging. Everybody who reads my blog knows I'm a wordsmith and tend to write a lot; however, in this medium when giving your condolences via a group message--I think short is more appropriate. I admit, I stared over my iPhone waiting for the right words to pour out of my fingers, but it took me a bit to find the words. Because of that fact, I decided to offer some advice on giving condolences via social media. Before hitting the publish or send button: 1) take a breath; 2) think out what message you really want to convey; and 3) keep it short.

Here's what I mustered up to say:
                      Text message for Skippy's dad.

Facebook message for Monica's dad.
Some population-we™ readers may not agree? You may think--I should've immediately picked up the phone and called. If so, feel free to comment below. No matter how you're reaching out to offer condolences it isn't easy but the gesture does not go unnoticed. I know in my heart of hearts, my condolences will be followed with a big hug next time I see both my dear friends. For now, because of my social media messages above, they both know I'm thinking of them during this very difficult time.

-population-we blog post by Becky Bohan Brown 
© 2015 population-we, LLC
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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

It's Camping Divecation Time

Yes, you read the headline right--it’s time for a Camping Divecation! No problem you can pack your scuba gear in your sleep but what if you are planning a sleepover. In this case, it isn’t at a hotel but in the great outdoors. If you prepare well ahead of time--you can sit back and enjoy the great outdoors without any regrets. Because what goes better together than scuba diving and a camping trip? Read on for a list on what will make your next camping divecation a success.
GOSCUBA members on a recent camping divecation.
  • Pop-Up Tent
  • Scuba Gear & Tanks
  • Diver Down Flag
  • Folding Chairs
  • Hangers for Scuba Gear
  • Tarp
  • Freshwater
  • Bottled water
  • Spray Bottle
  • Towels
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Spray
  • Fly Swatter
  • Scissors or Knife
  • Flashlights
  • Lanterns
  • Can Opener
  • Cooler
  • Ice
  • Food, Snacks & Beverages
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Matches or Lighter 
  • Firewood
  • Ax for Firewood
  • Pots & Pans
  • Pot Holder
  • Plates
  • Silverware
  • Cups
  • Paper or Kitchen Towels 
  • Dish Soap
  • Bucket or Pan to Wash Dishes In
  • Baking soda
  • Tent
  • Mat
  • Sleeping Bags 
  • Blankets
  • Pillows
  • Clothing
  • First Aid Kit
  • Hand Sanitizes
  • Toilet Paper
  • Trash Bags
Greater Omaha SCUBA Club (GOSCUBA) gets permission beforehand to dive in the area Nebraska or Iowa lakes on all our camping divecations. We recommend you get permission too! Visit the campsite online and research before you head out. Also, call and ask about reservations and what amenities they have: bathrooms, showers, eatery as well as where boats are allowed? GOSCUBA tends to dive where boats are not; since, most Nebraska boaters aren't familiar with a Diver Down Flag. Firewood is on the list; however, take extra cash to buy at the campgrounds for the campfire grills--because we almost always run out!

I hope you will now be well prepared for your next sleepover in the great outdoors. If I forgot something, please leave a comment below. Happy Camping Divecation and keep diving!

-population-we blog post by Becky Bohan Brown 
© 2015 population-we, LLC
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Monday, June 15, 2015

pop-we Highlights 2015 Men's College World Series Lineup

The 2015 College World Series will be played in Omaha, NE at Ameritrade Park from June 13 through June 23 or 24 if necessary. There are numerous reasons to be especially excited this year. The field of eight that made it to Omaha is stacked with traditional powers that have been made the trip before. 2014 Champion Vanderbilt returns and will try to repeat. The talent level showcased will be high with four of the top ten players selected in the 2015 MLB draft including the top two. Finally the redesigned baseball has produced more home runs nationwide this season but the test will be to see how they play at Ameritrade Park which has kept hitters in check the previous two years.

The first game Saturday has 40-23 Arkansas against 39-22 Virginia. Arkansas made their way to Omaha by dominating #8 seed Missouri State 18-4 in the first game, losing 3-1 in the second and clinching 3-2 in the super regional. Virginia claimed their super regional against Maryland sweeping 5-3 and 5-4.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are led by Head Coach Dave Van Horn. Their top eight hitters are Andrew Benintendi (.380), Carson Shaddy (.337), Tyler Spoon (.331), Rick Nomura (.294), Joe Serrano (.285), Clark Eagan (.284), Bobby Wernes (.280) and Michael Bernal (.280) with Benintendi leading the team with 19 home runs followed by Spoon with six. The team batting average is .289 and they average 6.0 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Keaton McKinney (6-2, 3.27), Dominic Taccolini (6-4, 4.32) and James Teague (6-4, 3.36) with Zach Jackson being their main closer with nine saves. Their team ERA is 4.08 and they have given up 4.7 runs per game. In the 2015 MLB draft they had four players taken: Benintendi (Red Sox, 1st round), Trey Killian (Rockies, 9th), Wernes (Astros, 30th), and Spoon (Red Sox, 35th). This is their eighth CWS appearance and have not won the championship.

The Virginia Cavaliers are led by Head Coach Brian O'Connor. Their top eight hitters are Matt Thaiss (.332), Pavin Smith (.313), Robbie Coman (.301), Daniel Pinero (.300), Charlie Cody (.291), Kenny Towns (.298), Adam Haseley (.252) and Ernie Clement (.239) with Thaiss leading the team with nine home runs followed by Smith and Pinero with six. Their team batting average is .273 and they average 5.4 runs per game. Their top three starting pitchers are Connor Jones (7-2, 2.96), Nathan Kirby (5-2, 2.28) and Brandon Waddell (3-5, 4.15) with Josh Sborz being their main closer with 14 saves. Their team ERA is 3.52 and they give up 4.2 runs per game. In the 2015 MLB draft they had seven players taken: Kirby (Brewers, 1st round), Sborz (Dodgers, 2nd), Joe McCarthy (Rays, 5th), Waddell (Pirates, 5th), John LaPrise (Blue Jays, 19th) Towns (Angels, 20th) and Pinero (Tigers, 36th). This is their fourth CWS appearance and have not won the championship.

The second game Saturday has 49-16 fourth seed Florida against 49-15 fifth seed Miami (FL). Florida already swept in state rival Florida State 13-5 and 11-4 in their super regional. Miami claimed their super regional against Cinderella Virginia Commonwealth 3-2 and 10-3.

The Florida Gators are led by Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan. Their top eight hitters are Josh Tobias (.373), Jeremy Vasquez (.350), JJ Schwarz (.332), Buddy Reed (.313), Ryan Larson (.305), Richie Martin (.292), Harrison Bader (.292) and Dalton Guthrie (.286) with Schwarz leading the team with 18 home runs followed by Bader with 15. Their team batting averge is .299 and they have averaged 6.9 runs per game. Their top three starting pitchers are Logan Shore (9-6, 2.50), Dane Dunning (5-2, 3.95) and A.J. Puk (9-3, 3.96) with Taylor Lewis being their main closer with seven saves. Their team ERA is 3.22 and they have given up 3.6 runs per game. In the 2015 MLB draft they had nine players taken: Martin (Athletics, 1st round), Bader (Cardinals, 3rd), Eric Hanhold (Brewers, 6th), Daniel Young (Blue Jays, 8th), Lewis (Braves, 9th), Tobias (Phillies, 10th), Bobby Poyner (Red Sox, 14th), Michael Vinson (Tigers, 24th) and Aaron Rhodes (Angels, 28th). This is their ninth CWS appearance and have not won the championship.

The Miami Hurricanes are led by Head Coach Jim Morris. Their top eight hitters are George Iskenderian (.367), David Thompson (.333), Garrett Kennedy (.329), Johnny Ruiz (.318), Jacob Heyward (.313), Christopher Barr (.306), Brandon Lopez (.303) and Zack Collins (.303) with Thompson leading the team with 19 home runs followed by Collins with 15. Their team batting average is .311 while scoring 8.4 runs per game. Their top three starting pitchers are Andrew Suarez (9-1, 2.96), Thomas Woodrey (7-2, 3.06) and Danny Garcia (7-1, 3.25) with Bryan Garcia being their main closer with 10 saves. Their team ERA is 3.02 and they give up 3.7 runs per game. In the 2015 MLB draft they had five players taken: Suarez (Giants, 2nd round), Thompson (Mets, 4th), Iskenderian (Brewers, 7th), Kennedy (Dodgers, 14th), and Ricky Eusebio (Mariners, 16th). This is their 24th CWS appearance and they won the title four times in 1982, 1985, 1999 and 2001.

The first game Sunday has 53-10 second seed LSU taking on 49-13 seventh seed TCU. LSU swept in state rival UL-Layayette in their super regional 4-3 and 6-3. TCU had an epic super regional against Texas A&M winning 13-4 in the first game, losing 2-1 in the second game in 10 innings and clinching 5-4 in a deciding 16 inning marathon.

The LSU Tigers are led by Head Coach Paul Mainieri. They feature the second player taken in the 2015 MLB draft shortstop Alex Bregman. Their top eight hitters are Andrew Stevenson (.356), Chris Chinea (.355), Kade Scivicque (.347), Conner Hale (.343), Mark Laird (.323), Bregman (.312), Chris Sciambra (.309) and Jake Fraley (.308) with Chinea leading the team with 11 home runs followed by Bregman with nine. The team batting average is .316 while scoring 7.0 runs per game. Their top three starting pitchers are Alex Lange (11-0, 1.89), Jared Poche' (9-1, 2.91) and Jake Godfrey (7-1, 4.70) with Jesse Stallings being their main closer with 12 saves. Their team ERA is 2.84 and they gave up 3.5 runs per game. In the 2015 MLB draft they had eight players taken: Bregman (Astros, 1st round), Stevenson (Nationals, 2nd), Scivicque (Tigers, 4th), Jared Foster (Angels, 5th), Zac Person (Astros, 9th), Laird (Phillies, 9th), Hale (Mariners, 9th) and Chinea (Cardinals, 17th). This is their 17th CWS appearance and they won the title six times in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2009.

The Texas Christian Horned Frogs are led by Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle. Their top eight hitters are Cody Jones (.371), Connor Wanhanen (.320), Evan Williams (.316), Nolan Brown (.314), Derek Odell (.303), Evan Skoug (.286), Dane Steinhagen (.282) and Garrett Crain (.271) with Wanhanen leading the team with nine home runs followed by Jones, Skoug and Keaton Jones with six each. Their team batting average is .289 while scoring 6.0 runs per game. Their top three starting pitchers are Preston Morrison (11-3, 2.55), Mitchell Traver (9-2, 1.60) and Alex Young (9-2, 2.31) with Riley Ferrell being their main closer with 14 saves. Their team ERA is 2.38 and they gave up 3.1 runs per game. In the 2015 MLB draft they had eight players taken: Young (Diamondbacks, 2nd round), Tyler Alexander (Tigers, 2nd), Ferrell (Astros, 3rd), Cody Jones (Royals, 6th), Morrison (Cubs, 8th), Trey Teakell (Tigers, 9th), Keaton Jones (Tigers, 15th) and Traver (Cardinals, 28th). This is their third CWS appearance and all since 2010.

The second game Sunday has 39-23 Cal State Fullerton taking on 47-19 Vanderbilt. Cal State Fullerton had to battle uphill in their super regional against third seed Louisville as they won 3-2 in 10 innings, lost 9-3 and clinched with an 11 inning 4-3 victory. Vanderbilt swept sixth seed Illinois 13-0 and 4-2 to advance to Omaha.

The Cal State Fullerton Titans are led by Head Coach Rick Vanderhook. Their top eight hitters are Josh Vargas (.340), Davi Olmedo-Barrera (.328), Jerrod Bravo (.312), Tyler Steib (.303), Josh Estill (.283), Dustin Vaught (.256), Tanner Pinkson (.254) and Scott Hurst (.250) with Olmedo-Barrera leading the team with 10 home runs followed by Estill with five. Their team batting average is .265 while scoring 5.0 runs per game. Their top three starting pitchers are Thomas Eshelman (8-5, 1.56), John Gavin (7-3, 3.66) and Connor Seabold (5-3, 2.84) with Tyler Peitzmeier being their main closer with 16 saves. Their team ERA is 2.84 and they have allowed 3.6 runs per game. In the 2015 MLB draft they had six players taken: Eshelman (Astros, 2nd round), Justin Garza (Indians, 8th), Peitzmeier (Cubs, 9th), Olmedo-Barrera (Rays, 12th), AJ Kennedy (Padres, 30th) and Jake Jefferies (Nationals, 39th). This is their 17th CWS appearance and they won the title four times in 1979, 1984, 1995 and 2004.

The Vanderbilt Commodores are led by Head Coach Tim Corbin. They feature the number one overall player taken in the 2015 MLB draft shortstop Dansby Swanson. Their top eight hitters are Swanson (.350), Rhett Wiseman (.318), Zander Wiel (.316), Bryan Reynolds (.311), Ro Coleman (.308), Will Toffey (.305), Jason Delay (.301) and Jeren Kendall (.289) with Swanson leading the team with 15 home runs followed by Wiseman and Wiel with 14 each. Their team batting average is .295 while scoring 6.9 runs per game. Their top three starting pitchers are Carson Fulmer (13-2, 1.82), Walker Buehler (4-2, 2.97) and Jordan Sheffield (5-2, 2.90) with Philip Pfeifer being their main closer with five saves. Their team ERA is 2.96 and they give up 3.6 runs per game. In the 2015 MLB draft they had nine players taken: Swanson (Diamondbacks, 1st round), Fulmer (White Sox, 1st), Buehler (Dodgers, 1st), Pfeifer (Dodgers, 3rd), Wiseman (Nationals, 3rd), Tyler Ferguson (Rangers, 6th), Wiel (Twins, 12th), Xavier Turner (Rangers, 19th) and John Kilichowski (Cubs, 39th). This is their third CWS appearance and they won the Championship last year.

This may be the strongest field in terms of both teams and talent in years. Good luck to all. Time to play ball in Omaha!

-population-we blog post by John Bohan 
© 2015 population-we, LLC
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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

pop-we Publication Schedule for the Summer

Like most people summer is pretty crazy around The Brown's household; sand volleyball commitments and scuba diving eat up a lot of our schedule. A big reason; since, we're land-locked scuba divers--we try to squeeze in as much scuba diving time in the Midwest as we can during the summer months. I'm sure our most avid readers have noticed the change in our publication schedule. The new schedule for the summer will continue to run as follows: Tuesday, May 19 through Sept. 7. Our blog still goes live weekly but now on Tuesdays, not Mondays. I apologize for not making the announcement earlier.

Here's some of The Brown's May highlights:

  • Started summer sand volleyball.
  • Celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary with a 10-day scuba diving divecation to the Bahamas. 
  • Participated in a scuba diving lake cleanup in Clarinda, Iowa.
  • Spent time at the lake with dear friends.
  • Attended our nephew's girl friend's graduation party.
  • Hosted our oldest nephew's high school graduation party.
  • Ate out with pop-we Dinner Club.
  • Went to a local Skudder Concert.
  • Attended our 25th high school reunion.

And, that was only the start of summer. Happy summer vacationing to everybody!

-population-we™ blog post by Becky Bohan Brown
© 2015 population-we, LLC 
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Tuesday, June 2, 2015

10 Signs To Help Get You Motivated

Signs of motivation are all around us in our every day lives: a sunrise or sunset; birds chirping in the morning hours; a baby laughing; a whiff of your favorite flowers; and/or a welcoming breeze through an open window. If you're in need of a little more motivation, feel free to follow the collection of population-we™ motivational signs below:

1.
Twitter: @populationwe                                                               


















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Twitter: @populationwe                                                                 




















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Twitter: @populationwe                                                         












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Twitter: @populationwe                                                                 
















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Twitter: @populationwe                                                   




















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Twitter: @populationwe                                                                


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10.
Twitter: @populationwe                                                                                           



















More motivational signs are out there--so this is your call-to-action to go find them!

-population-we blog post by Becky Bohan Brown 
© 2015 population-we, LLC
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