Back With Caps, Zednik Seeks Return to Form

Back With Caps, Zednik Seeks Return to Form

09/26/2006 08:41 am
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By Tarik El-Bashir

Washington Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 26, 2006; E03







HERSHEY, Pa., Sept. 25 -- Ten days into training camp, this much about Richard Zednik is certain: He's still awfully fast.



But until the regular season gets under way, it's unclear which Zednik is going to show up for the Washington Capitals on game days: the feisty right wing who amassed 50 points for the Montreal Canadiens in both 2002-03 and 2003-04, or the enigmatic one who managed only 30 points last season, then requested a trade because his playing time had diminished.



Coach Glen Hanlon said Monday he's confident the Capitals have the Zednik from a few years ago.



"He's going to get an opportunity here to score," Hanlon said at Giant Center, where the Capitals practiced before heading to Philadelphia on Tuesday for a preseason game against the Flyers. "He's going to be put in all offensive situations. So it's pretty much a given that those [50-point seasons] will be revisited."



Zednik will play on the revamped power-play unit with Alex Ovechkin, Dainius Zubrus, Alexander Semin and Brian Pothier. He also will skate in four-on-four situations, meaning the 30-year-old's playing time figures to increase dramatically from the 15 minutes 46 seconds he averaged in Montreal a season ago.



But perhaps more significantly, Zednik is in the mix, along with Semin and Chris Clark, to earn a spot on the top forward line next to Ovechkin, a left wing, and Zubrus, a center. Zednik would make the most sense in that role -- Semin prefers playing left wing and Clark is more suited for a checking-line job -- but, as Hanlon has said, chemistry is a funny thing.



Hanlon has deflected all inquiries about his line combinations, insisting that he's still tinkering, searching for players who "click."



"You have to balance everything out," Hanlon said. "We'll take a look at [everything]. We still haven't put together our lines. But starting [Tuesday], you'll probably get a better idea."



Zednik was not shy about voicing his preference.



"I would love to play on that line," said Zednik, who played for the Capitals from 1995 to 2001 and was reacquired from the Canadiens in July for a third-round draft pick. "Dainius is a great centerman, and obviously Alex is a great player, too. But we'll see."



Ovechkin also has been intrigued by the possibility of playing with Zednik full time.



"I like play[ing] with him," Ovechkin said. "He's a good player; he shoot the puck good and he gives me lot of passes. Right now, coach is just looking for best lines."



But no matter where he lines up, Zednik is just happy to be out of Montreal, where he did not get along with General Manager Bob Gainey, who took over behind the bench in January.



"It's great to not have to think about all that other stuff and just focus on hockey," Zednik said. "Here, there are a lot of young guys. We are rebuilding, but it's a team on the rise."



*******



Richard Zednik is confident he will be the player who amassed multiple 50-point seasons this year.









*******



Richard Zednik will play on the revamped power play unit with Alex Ovechkin, Dainius Zubrus, Alexander Semin and Brian Pothier.

Entry for September 24, 2006

Entry for September 24, 2006 

09/24/2006 08:43 am
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Well - the computer seems to be up and running again. Still need to load some software, but the majority is on. I might get on it tonight to see how it is.



I'm here at work - I kind of like working the weekend since no one else is in the office and as long as I can keep motivated, I get things done. I have a meeting at 10 a.m. with a tenant and then it's out and about.



Yesterday, we went to the Caps training camp. Richard Zednik was there, so I got a lot of pictures of him. Dan said to me - "there's more than just him on the team....". Once the camera software is back on the computer, I'll get the pictures (and some video) up. I think there might be some problems with the photo share - when I click the link, it says there are no photos, but when I go into yahoo photos directly, all of my pics are there. I've e-mail 360 to let them know.

Entry for September 22, 2006

Entry for September 22, 2006

9/22/2006 09:03 am
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Still have the computer problems.....



I think we are going to reformat the harddrive this weekend.



What a week - To add to the (Dan's) stress, he's been sick. He stayed home on Wednesday and yesterday, he was getting into Plankton (the Nissan)and pulled out - flat tire. No problem, Merchant's tire is right down the road from us. Pulled out the spare - also flat. So, once I got home, he took the jeep with the two tires up to Merchant's. Luckily - they were able to patch the tire so it only costed like $25.



Oh well - the good thing about this week - we got to see each other!



Today is my day off - working on Sunday. BUT, I have two conference calls - so much for a day off! I'll probably end up doing some paperwork from here after Dan goes to work - I just feel so behind.

Entry for September 18, 2006

Entry for September 18, 2006

09/18/2006 09:13 am
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oooohhhhhh - computer problems.....



We've spent all weekend working on the computer with no luck. We thought we had a break through when we had the Mcafee tech sign on and get the software loaded, but when we rebooted, even more problems.



I went back to the online tech via my laptop since I couldn't even get to the website on our computer and they directed me to the free tech. The free tech helped as much as possible, but made it sound like we have a virus.



Yesterday, I did some backups and I think we're just going to start over. If we do have a virus, this will be the 2nd one within the year. What a pain.



Saturday was Christina & Kevin's wedding - pictures will be added as soon as the computer problems are fixed. Yesterday, we went to the Caps practice in Ashburn. We only stayed for the 1st half. I read in the paper today that they did a pie in the face to one of the player's who's birthday it was. I have pictures from the practice too. Richard Zednik wasn't there though - Oh well - Saturday will be another chance to get some pictures.

The best book-to-movie translation has been...

The best book-to-movie translation has been...

09/14/2006 06:32 pm
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I thought "DaVinci Code" did an OK translation.



Someone did point out to me that the female had a less lead than in the book. I really didn't realize it until then. I think I was more interested during the film on did it stick with the book or not.



I can't think of any other book that I read and then saw the movie. Actually, I read the Star Wars series when I was in middle school, but didn't see the movies until years after that when they were finally played on regular tv. So, I don't remember that translation.

Entry for September 14, 2006

Entry for September 14, 2006

09/14/2006 06:46 pm
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So, I got a call from Dan today saying that he was having problems with the computer. The virus scan isn't working. Who knows why - it was working fine for me on Tuesday night. So, here I am, trying to fix it before we call McAfee and spend money on the call. Dan spend a couple of hours on it (just found out it was 5 hours on it) and even went into work late.



I got to see my old boss, Anthony, today. He was flying out to LA, so he stopped by and chatted with everyone and I walked him out to his gate.



This week (starting Monday), I've been trying to watch what I eat and write everything down with calorie amounts (even if it's an estimate). I'm hoping this will help and so far, so good. I've weighed myself every morning and so far I'm down 1.5 pounds!

"Tweak” Your Way to a More Balanced Life

"Tweak” Your Way to a More Balanced Life

09/10/2006 04:53 pm
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By Jane Straus



You’re up at 5:00 a.m. to squeeze in a workout before the phone starts ringing off the hook at the office. A stack of bills sits on your desk at home, waiting for your attention. Your spouse’s birthday is next week and you’ve just found out you have to be out of town on business (again). Meanwhile, at the office, yesterday’s e-mails sit unopened in your computer’s inbox. You decide you’ll just have to skip lunch today to catch up. Oops—you forgot. You have a lunch meeting. Welcome to the new normal!



In the 1960s workers were told that within a very short time, the 40-hour work week would, like the dinosaur and the dodo bird, become extinct. That prediction was correct, except for one thing—instead of American workers having more leisure time, the reality is that most managers today work more than 40 hours, some logging in as much as double that. The big question remains: “How do you achieve a balance between family, friends, community, personal fulfillment and leisure AND fulfill your career goals and responsibilities?”



We’ve all tried to cut down on our busy schedules. But for most managers, this is an exercise in futility. The bigger the change we contemplate, the more overwhelmed and anxious we become. So here is the one strategy you can employ that is guaranteed NOT to stress you out. It is the undervalued art of “tweaking,” based on the idea that sometimes the smallest adjustments yield the biggest results.



There are hundreds of relatively small things you can do that will make you feel more empowered, enlivened and enriched. So take a deep breath, relax and tweak away.



Here are 10 strategies to get you started:



1. Fix what irritates you. Managers spend a lot of time listening to others’ complaints and solving problems. But like the cobbler whose children are barefoot, you may be putting yourself last. What bugs you? Do you have a laptop that chugs along? A cell phone with a ringer that isn’t loud enough? An e-mail program that doesn’t do what you need it to? It’s amazing how taking care of what annoys us can truly make us happier. Splurge on that new, faster laptop. Investing in your satisfaction is always worthwhile. If you change what you can, you will be more able to let go of what can’t be changed.



2. Apply the “80/20 rule” to everything. You’ve no doubt heard the time management maxim that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. Look at where you’re getting the most results. Then see how you can tweak the places where your valuable time and energy are being used less productively. The first step is to assess your typical work day. Where did you think you would spend time that day? What did you hope to get accomplished? How was your time actually spent? What can you tweak that would make a difference? For example, did you spend too much time answering e-mails? Make a decision to check e-mails on a scheduled basis. This will prevent you from getting caught up in minutiae and help you stay focused on your priorities.



3. Examine ways you procrastinate. Successful managers aren’t perfect but they do look at themselves honestly. Look at your avoidance strategies: dusting the plant leaves, answering e-mail, making phone calls. Then figure out why you are procrastinating on a particular project. Do you avoid projects that take a lot of time? Or ones that are complex? Or ones that you might be criticized for or even fail at? All of the above? Procrastination is a survival mechanism to avoid something we fear. The catch is that the fear actually builds the longer we procrastinate. To break this vicious circle, identify the situations that are most likely to trigger your procrastination, then break down the project into manageable chunks. For example, if you have a huge report to write, spend time each day doing something that will bring you closer to the project’s completion. This can include gathering research, writing the introduction or conclusion first, creating PowerPoint slides or graphs—anything that keeps your toes in the water.



4. Let go of “sunk costs.” This is a psychological term for the ability to stop throwing good energy, time and money after bad. We all hate admitting to ourselves that our time and energy have been wasted. You may be tempted to say, “I put three months into this project so I can’t quit now.” But you will be more productive if you ask yourself, “How likely is it that continuing with this project in this way will yield worthwhile results?” Assess your biggest projects first since they take the most time and energy. Don’t spend one more day doing something that isn’t likely to work, no matter how much more blood, sweat and tears you pour into it.



5. Get help organizing. Most of us would love to save time by moving some of our activities (e.g. paying bills, buying groceries) online. But you may lack the computer savvy and/or the time to set up the necessary systems to make it happen. Consider hiring a virtual assistant who can organize you from anywhere for a contracted period of time.



6. Participate in spiritual, community and family activities. It is easy to lose perspective by getting caught up in the next presentation, make-it-or-break-it career move or pending big deal that will put your organization out front in the marketplace. But balance doesn’t come from working in a vacuum. Become a volunteer and invite your family, even young children, to volunteer with you. This both increases the amount of quality time you spend together and serves as a reminder that you are of value in a many different ways.



7. Take a walk every day. This isn’t to jog or run an errand or to catch up on to do list items. Just five minutes moving your body in fresh air, away from your office, without electronic devices, is bound to reenergize you and give you a fresh perspective. Albert Einstein’s understanding of relativity came to him in a dream, away from his laboratory. There is power in just being rather than in continually doing.



8. Do something different. Scan your newspaper’s weekly events section and find an activity you’ve never done before. If you have a family and you usually attend sports events together, mix it up with music, art or nature. Doing something new will give all of you more to talk about.



9. Interview someone who seems to “have it all together.” Is there someone who seems to be living the life to which you aspire? Ask the person to lunch and find out how he or she successfully blends work, family, community and leisure.



10. Write about your accomplishments as though you’re 80. No one wants his or her tombstone to read “Here lies _____ who completed everything on his/her to do list.” Ask yourself, “If I were gone tomorrow, what would people say about me? What would I want them to say about me?” If there is a discrepancy, use the information to prioritize your schedule. Make a list of your goals and aspirations. Put the list in a prominent place where you can’t ignore it. Then tell someone what’s on your list. Committing to others helps us keep commitments to ourselves. Begin to do today what you want to be remembered for at 80.



If you learn to balance external demands with internal aspirations, you will not necessarily be any less busy, but you will be able to put your daily stresses into perspective and feel the satisfaction of a life well-lived. Feeling reconnected, rejuvenated and rekindled aren’t bad outcomes for practicing a little tweaking, are they?



American Management Association article (www.amanet.org)

Entry for September 07, 2006

Entry for September 07, 2006

09/07/2006 08:42 pm
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Yesterday, we went to Luray, VA to Luray Caverns, but didn't go to the Caverns. We went to the garden maze that they have there. Then we went to the Luray Zoo. It was a nice, relaxing day.



Today, I "interviewed" for the Specialty Leasing Manager position. We'll see what happens. At least I know I'm in the running. If I don't get it, that's ok - I haven't mastered the AGM position yet.



We just hung around the house today after my interview. Dan went and played frisbee golf while I was at the appointment and actually met a guy there that said to call him up anytime to play.



Another exciting day in Caps history - their training camp will be at the Ashburn Ice Rink! WOOHOO - right down the road.

Entry for September 05, 2006

Entry for September 05, 2006
 09/05/2006 03:29 pm
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8 years ago today - almost to the minute we got married in Vienna, VA . The wedding of our dreams - formal, but fun.

5 years ago today - almost to the minute, we got remarried in Vegas! When in Vegas - you've got to get married! This time it was rock n' roll style.

To celebrate our anniversary, we're heading out to Ruth Chris's Steak House. Neither one of us have been there, but I have heard it has the best steak.



We'll also be heading off to Best Buy to buy Lost Season 2. We might be going to the mall so I can get Dan something. He presented me with my gift today - a pottery dish with cover that has happy anniversary on it with an 8. So cute! It's the little things! I tried finding him something yesterday, but no luck on finding something bronze. I ended up getting my outfits for the 2 weddings within the month (Christina & Kevin (co-worker) and Donna & Bill (Dan's sister)).

Entry for September 02, 2006

Entry for September 02, 2006

09/02/2006 10:09 am
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WOOHOO - VACATION! I do have some work to do though, but hopefully I can catch up a little.



Tuesday is our 8th wedding anniversary. I found something last night that Dan left hanging around - a receipt from Paint Your Own Pottery - that means that I'm getting a present. 8th anniversary is pottery or bronze. OH NO - I haven't bought him anything yet! He kept asking me if I had gotten him anything and I said no and nothing was mentioned about getting something for each other - I thought we were just going to go to dinner!



I looked on the internet and can't really find anything that I think he might like that is small and bronze. YIKES!



I tell you - I'm keeping him - it's the little things like this that keep it going. I still have the little clock keychain that he bought me for our first anniversary.



PS - he doesn't read this so, I'm safe posting - or at least last time I knew he didn't read this!