Brookfield Basics

More and more evidence is pouring in from the realm of childhood psychology that our kids are over connected to technology and over scheduled in terms of activiites.  

This dependence on gadgetry (many psychologists are openly using the term addicition) is inexorably stealing our kids' ability to entertain themselves, and worse, leaving them disdainful of such traditional and "non-stimulating" activities like reading, legos, puzzles, board and card games, or just plain talking about what's on their minds.  These more "mundane" passtimes involve social interaction and critical thinking skills - fundamental building blocks for their social and intellectual development and emergence into adolesence.  I find it no coincidence that more and more kids seem less and less interested in serious engagement with their immediate social environment.  I also find it no coincidence that our technology crazy age has coincided with record levels of childhood obesity, and a rash of emotional/psychological disorders.  I don't suggest technology is the ONLY, or even the PRIMARY cause of these problems.  But I sincerely believe it to be one of the causes. 

I see it all the time - kids in cars, at malls, at games, or in church  - connected to a device as if it were some sort of animated electronic appendage.  While using them they are typically oblivious to people and happenings around them, caring only for the center of the universe that is the screen or monitor on their "game".  Our technology and its unprecedented portability is re-writing the way our kids spend their time, and is something we need to take a hard look at.

As far as activities are concerned, in our rush to make sure our kids don't miss out on anything, we are scheduling their lives to unprecedented levels, leaving inadequate "down-time" opportunities to relax, play, read a good book, spend time in nature, or strike up conversations about whatever might be on their minds or hearts.

Technology is neither "good nor bad".  It is morally neutral, and like our automobiles, a legitimate tool that enriches our lives.  But the amount of time our kids spend using it, and the extent to which that use drives other activiites out of their lives, is a huge issue.  

This generation of kids will be more technology-wise than I ever thought about being.  But as the sprint down the Internet Interstate unfolds, let's be sure we are counting the cost of such electronic races.

In what seems to have been a proactive acceptance of the inevitable, the managers of CEC Entertainment have decided not to pursue a renewal of their liquor license for the Chuck E. Cheese pizzeria on Bluemound Road.

Those who have followed this story are familiar with the sad saga of unruly parents, confrontations in parking lots, irresponsible use of alcohol, and signs of drug use.  The Town of Brookfield Police Department has logged an incredible eighty-one calls to the venue in 2007 and early 2008; a rate of one every five days.

Aristotle was probably the first to introduce the notion of root cause analysis with his dissertations on "first things".  In business his notions are now called  "root cause analysis", a tool which teaches the need to understand the underlying relationship of cause and effect when trying to eliminate defects or errors. 

So what's the root cause in this matter?

A liquor license is not the root cause of this defect.  I certainly support the Town's position on this matter, but the real root cause is a matter of self-control; or more accuratley stated, the LACK of self-control that has been demonstrated by so many patrons of the establishment. 

It is clear who the real "kids" have been at CEC's over the last sixteen months, and while I am in strong supoprt of the Town's position on this matter, let's not delude ourselvs that a liquor license was the root cause.  

Self-control is a concept we don't hear much about anymore.  It's too limiting - too restrictive for our liberated and progressive age.  Many don't even want to talk about it anymore, much less exhibit it. 

But maybe it's time that we do.

In these uncertain economic times I thought you might want the name of a phenomenally successful investor.

Warren Buffett?  Donald Trump?

Nope.  He lives right here in Brookfield and his name is Tom Twinem.  His balance sheet does not consist of stocks and bonds; it consists of the lives of hundreds of Brookfield residents.  For twelve years Tom has managed his portfolio through the same investment bank - the Brookfield Soccer Association.  The BSA is a community treasure and it runs on the engine of volunteerism like Tom's.

He started coaching for the BSA twelve years ago when his daughter played youth soccer and he felt a responsibility to contribute.  But he continued long after she was finished, continuing to coach because he loves using soccer as a vehicle to invest in the lives of our community's youth.  This past Sunday Coach Tom presided over his final game. 

Our daughter Lauren played for Tom for three of those twelve years; years that saw him sacrifice thousands of hours and hundreds of weekends.  He did this all with only one expectation - that the girls and families who signed up for his team would have a positive experience.  He taught his "ladies", as he called them, to enjoy the game, and he made sure each one received an equal amount of playing time.  He taught them to respect the efforts of their opponents, and regardless of the outcome his team achieved, consistently demanded and demonstrated good sportsmanship.    

Last weekend was bittersweet for us.  Tom went out on a high note as his girls handed him the Bob Buss Trophy.  But it also marked the end of BSA soccer for Lauren, and of our regular association with Tom and his wonderful teams.  But we take with us so many wonderful memories, a few of which are captured below:

The 2005 Pumpkin Tournament, which saw parents bring gloves, hats, hot cocoa and blankets to keep their daughters warm between games.  Golden spring days where the sun was warm and the texture of the game was knit into a rich fabric of scent, sight, and sound:  a freshly mown emerald field on which the girls worked, sweat flying and muscles straining with their effort.  The shrill cry of the whistles as they cut through the unfettered chatter of youth.  The "thunk" of spiked shoes striking a leather ball.  The inevitable exultation of a winning goal, or the dagger-thrust of a last minute defeat.  And the image of Coach Tom walking off the field, practice bag slung over his shoulder as he amicably visited with the players and parents of both teams.   

And always, I'll recall his penetrating voice booming across the field like a howitzer, firing his instructions and exhortations.  And I'll smile as I think that if ever there was a coach whose bark was worse than his bight, it is surely Coach Tom. 

But more than any of this, I'll remember how seriously he took his responsibilities to "coach-up" the girls under his charge, and to teach them as much as he could about soccer and about life.  I'll remember the positive example of his maturity and his calm.  Tom taught his girls never to hold on to victory or defeat, having understood Rudyard Kipling's warning to "treat those two imposters just the same". 

Tom is a walking treasure - one of the "good guys" we encounter in life.  When our final sums are tallied, the only value we create comes from the content and fruit of our relationships.  By that standard, Tom is a millionaire.  I speak for hundreds when I say well done, Tom, and may God's Blessing be upon you and your family.  Barb and I hope to meet your wife some day, so we can thank her for the sacrifices SHE made in this partnership of service.

He frequently joked with me that "once Lauren gets into High School she'll forget me as quickly as she closes on the ball". 

Well Tom - you couldn't be more wrong. 

Lauren will always remember you. 

And so will her Mom and Dad.