pytallman

Draw In A New Balloon

I’ve spent a lot of years saying the wrong thing. Then apologizing for saying the wrong thing. Then, once again, saying the wrong thing. Then apologizing. I got to the point where I just apologized beforehand for the wrong thing I was about to say. It was a little crazy making. I was always oneContinue reading “Draw In A New Balloon”

Fire is Temporary, Beauty is Permanent

When I was a kid I remember my parents taking us to one of those glass blowing shops where they crafted a small glass figurine right in front of you. I was fascinated at how the glass would bend and twist under the heat like molten liquid but once it cooled you didn’t dare try toContinue reading “Fire is Temporary, Beauty is Permanent”

There Aren’t Any Awards For People Like Us

There aren’t awards for people like us. Intuitives. Observers. Listeners. Thoughtful ones. The world rarely rewards or give praise to people who see small details. Nuances. People who notice the sad person at the party. We encourage. We exhort. We blend in. No. The world wants shiny. Fast. Faster. Fastest. Strong. Stronger. Strongest. Don’t getContinue reading “There Aren’t Any Awards For People Like Us”

Take Three Steps Back

When I played volleyball, I was an outside hitter. That means I spent most of my time on the left side of the court and attacked the majority of sets from the outside or left side. In order to get the best positioning to hit either angle or line, you had to begin your approachContinue reading “Take Three Steps Back”

Light Doesn’t Stop

My kid has been asking a lot of questions lately about how to build a real life light saber. Those are his exact words. Of course, we encourage him to ask questions and to look for answers – but we all know there is no such thing as a real life light saber. (ThisContinue reading “Light Doesn’t Stop”

You Don’t Need Piano In the NFL

What does it take to change a sport? To change the way people do things or think? For athletes to have permission to be real and be honest? What will it take for club sports and parents and universities to train whole athletes? I’ve had this vision and passion since I graduated college that was intensifiedContinue reading “You Don’t Need Piano In the NFL”

My Writing Mama

This article ran in Damsel Magazine in June of 2008, just six months after my son was born. As a new mommy, I had the surprise of my life. Really, nothing prepares you for a child and yet, along the way you hit your stride and things are just as they should be. This pieceContinue reading “My Writing Mama”

Momentum is Shifty: Follow It.

Volleyball is a game of momentum. We train. We perfect movements and skills. We condition. We believe. Still, a game is determined in large part by the shift in momentum and how we with those shifts – the loss of it and what to do when we get it back. For example, we wereContinue reading “Momentum is Shifty: Follow It.”

Actually, I’m Pretty Cool – Or Whatever

There’s this new campaign going around to dispel the myth about social media. The myth that we are all awesome. That we are all put together and confident and cool. The campaign is called “I am not cool” or @weareuncool #iamnotcool It first caught my attention because a handful of Olympians had posted why theyContinue reading “Actually, I’m Pretty Cool – Or Whatever”

You Already Know

“Knowing what’s right most of the time for most people is easy. Executing what’s right, now that’s difficult…” Coach Andy Landers We do. Know what’s right, that is. Whether we are adults or children, most of the time we already know if something is right or wrong before we do it. Executing what isContinue reading “You Already Know”