Friday, May 31, 2019

Out the Hotel Window - Dayton, OH, May 2019


Out my Hotel Window - Dayton, OH
May 30, 2019
Another day and another hotel. Staying for only one night in a hotel is tough because there is almost no reason to unpack. I am traveling with just my backpack which makes it easy to get around where but does complicate getting needed items which are at the bottom. But, I have become a believer in traveling light and with a backpack. It is a lot easier to lug a backpack around an airport than a suitcase. And my clothes need to be ironed upon arrival regardless of whether I use a suitcase or not.

The view out my hotel window here in Dayton is busy. It is also dark and rainy. Rain has been a constant on this trip. I long for sunny skies. I thought the raindrops on the hotel window when I took the image were a nice tough looking at the rainclouds and the clearing skies, which never materialized, in the distance.

At least I have a view to enjoy.

Today I am hoping/planning on getting home to sleep in my own bed again. But tomorrow, I will be off on another adventure! First things first, however, I must get through today and accomplish the very specific goals laid out for me. Summer is drawing close. Today is the last day of May--how quickly it has slipped away. Tomorrow, June arrives and it is the month during which Summer begins! The best season of the year. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Dayton, Ohio

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Barn


Barn in a Field
Ithaca, NY
May 27, 2019
Traveling is tough sometimes, well, all the time. 

Over last weekend I finally got to fly Radio Flyer again and get some images of the area around Ithaca. I still have not been able to fly into some of the gorges to capture the beauty there, but I hope to remedy that soon. 

On one of my early morning Memorial Day flights, I was able to capture this barn which sits alone in a field. I thought the red board contrasted nicely with the tree springtime grasses and trees. 

The flights that Radio Flyer  made on Monday were not long, but they were my first flights in over a month. I am amazed at how the weeks seem to be slipping away. At least it is only being lost a day at a time.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Omaha, NE


Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Out the Hotel Window - Omaha, NE - May 2019


Out My Hotel Window - Omaha
May 28, 2019
Welcome back to Nebraska and Omaha, home of the College World Series! 

The view out my hotel window is of an open area and filled with visual stimulating activity. It is raining this morning, but was only overcast last evening as I took the image. 

Bread Counter in Upstream Brewing Company
Omaha, NE
May 28, 2019
The city was almost deserted last evening as I went to dinner. It was a short walk to The Old Market area and the Upstream Brewing Company, where I dined. I enjoyed a wholesome dish of Stroganoff, something that I have not had in many years along with a very nice pint of a local IPA. I recommend this a good place for dinner and a relaxing glass of brew.

It was good to be back in a place that seems almost familiar, although the city keeps growing and changing. I ran across a funny thought as I was leaving the restaurant last evening and it was so good that I had to take a picture. It made me smile. I suppose something similar could be written for grapes that become grape juice or raisins instead of wine!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Omaha, NE

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

When Tuesday is Monday


Sunset Behind the Trees
Ithaca, NY
May 26, 2019
It happens after every three-day weekend: Tuesday is really a Monday in disguise. 

Yes, it seems weird, but even when a holiday falls on Monday, the workweek still begins with a Monday only a day later on Tuesday.vThe first day of the workweek, regardless of when the week begins, is always Monday. It is just how things in the working world seem to progress. Every week begins with a Monday. There are just tasks that need to be completed which happen on the first day of the week after a weekend--hence,  Monday. 

I am fortunate to have been off and away for the better part of four days, but it had not, as you know from reading yesterday's entry,  been a vacation. 

And so, I travel out on this Monday on Tuesday morning to my place of employment. I know that my retired friends are not similarly afflicted by trying to keep track of the day of the week--but, it is where I am at for now and so I will move along through the day. 

At least the sun is climbing into the sky for another day and the probability of rain is somewhat reduced. 

Enjoy the day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, May 27, 2019

Saying Goodbye

Happy Memorial Day! That seems weird to write. It is a holiday to remember sacrifice and heroism. Shouldn't it be happy as we recall those who have gone before us to secure the freedoms that today we enjoy?

I'm taking a break from Monday Musings this week to focus on the holiday and the feeling of melancholy that I am experiencing.

Yesterday was a tough day for my family. We said good bye to the place on the planet that has been called home by most of us. Mom and Dad drove away with tears in their eyes as the door closed behind them for last time ending a 43 year-long era. It was sad. I, too, had tears in my eyes although I had never lived there. It was the seat of the family. It was the closing of a chapter in the book that we call our lives.

I took this final image of my sister Pennie sitting in the nearly empty garage after everyone else and the moving truck departed. Everything there is destined to be cleared out by tomorrow and the house will be for sale like meat at the market. Mom and Dad are the second owners of the home and soon the third owners will take over stewardship of the property.

I want to thank my cousins for coming to help with the transition. It was good to see them and remember the picnics and barbecues we shared there together.

Time shared and times remembered. I wonder what it will be like when I say goodbye to my house like Mom and Dad just said to their home?

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Back into Spring

Flowering Dogwood
Danby, NY
May 25, 2019
The flowering trees are still in bloom here in Upstate New York. It is like stepping back in time to enjoy Spring. The pink dogwood tree is adorning my parents's backyard and adding color to the area. The trees are green as is the lawn. Set against the blue sky, it is a scene that I have enjoyed many times.

I made time to enjoy it once more yesterday by taking a break between demolition and cleanup. We are hoping to get the house market ready by the end of the weekend. It is the end of an era as mom and dad have lived there for about 43 years. There are tons of members ories from the family events that have happened there. I remember painting the deck and doing repairs around the house during those years.

But, it is a new era and transition is in the air. Memories are more important than things. Well, I have to keep telling myself that as we add more stuff to the dumpster.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Traveling North

Route 15 North of Williamsport
May 24, 2019
Yesterday was a travel day. Chris and I headed north to Ithaca for the holiday weekend. Traffic was heavy most of the way until we finally made it to the northern mountains of Pennsylvania. Then the green covered hills became the centerpiece of the trip and the numbers of cars drastically reduced.

Along the way we saw the remains of two terrible accidents that closed I-83 south in separate places and we exited the roadway before coming upon a closure for the northbound travelers like ourselves. It was not a good day for traveling on I-83 in Pennsylvania.

People get impatient and do crazy things on the highway. We also observed numerous traffic officers with motorists pulled to the side. I am not a fan of traveling during holiday weekends, but sometimes it has to be done.

We arrived alive and are happy to see everyone.

To those of you still planning to travel, be careful. Enjoy the scenery while you are stopped in traffic. It is better than the alternative.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Friday, May 24, 2019

Orioles Baseball and Rain



Entering OPACY
May 23, 2019
I made my first sojourn to OPACY yesterday. What is OPACY? Orioles Park At Camden Yards. 

View form the Seats
OPACY
May 23, 2019
It was my first trip to see the O's in person. I was remarking that normally by this time of the season I have attended at least five or six games. But, not so this season. The Orioles remain on track to post at least my predicted 105 losses and watching them if more exasperating than fun. The math is showing 113 losses are definitely possible. Last year's edition of the team made it to 15th on the Worst Baseball Teams of there Modern Era list with 115 losses. 

Yesterday ended in frustration as the Yankees took a 5-1 lead by the 7th inning and then the Baby Birds (as they are called) managed to tie the game, but ultimately lost 6-5. They lack the Orioles Magic which just a few years ago saw them wim many more now run games than they lost. I attended the game with 30,000 of my new best friends. Sadly, the Orioles continued to disappoint. I ma not sure when, or if, I will again visit OPACY, but I continue to be an Orioles faithful fan.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Bias is Crippling Our Society


I read an article the other day which adds more data points to my hypothesis that Americans are becoming more biased, but not more discerning. From an article in the Independent, I provide the following.

A survey by Civic Science, an American market research company, asked 3,624 respondents: “Should schools in America teach Arabic numerals as part of their curriculum?” The poll did not explain what the term “Arabic numerals” meant.

Fifty-six per cent of people say the numerals should not be part of the curriculum for US pupils, according to research designed to explore the bias and prejudice of poll respondents.


Wow, that is a lot of people--but even more telling is the actual number of people who felt that Arabic numerals should be taught in American schools. The study reported:

Some 2,020 people answered “no”. Twenty-nine per cent of respondents said the numerals should be taught in US schools, and 15 per cent had no opinion. [color and emphasis added]

Only 29 percent of the respondents felt that the numerals should be taught in American schools! Astounding. I believe that 100 percent of American schools teach Arabic numerals as part of their curriculum! And they teach the numerals from Kindergarten onward!
Seventy-two per cent of Republican-supporting respondents said Arabic numerals should not be on the curriculum, compared with 40 per cent of Democrats. This was despite there being no significant difference in education between the two groups.
“They answer differently even though they had equal knowledge of our numerical nomenclature,” Mr Dick said. “It means that the question is about knowledge or ignorance but [also] something else – prejudice.”
So what are Arabic numerals? 

The digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are referred to as Arabic numerals. The system was first developed by Indian mathematicians before spreading through the Arab world to Europe and becoming popularised around the globe.

The very people advocating against teaching Arabic numerals would not be able to do simple math, manage their bank accounts or even make a telephone call without the numerals. The alternative? Roman numerals?

The Big Bang!
I found the article to be very interesting. There was another interesting question in the survey which also highlighted the bias in our society.

Another poll question was worded: “Should schools in America teach the creation theory of Catholic priest George Lemaitre as part of their science curriculum?”
Seventy-three per cent of Democrats answered “no”, compared to 33 per cent of Republicans – with some respondents on either side presumably assuming Lemaitre’s theory was related to intelligent design.
In fact, the Belgian priest was also a physicist who first discovered the universe was expanding and proposed its origins lay in the explosion of a single particle - an idea that became known as the Big Bang theory.

Finally, the last paragraph of the article simultaneously sad and funny:

Civic Science's research is reminiscent of a 2015 survey that found 30 per cent of Republicans supported bombing "Agrabah", the fictional city where Disney's Aladdin is set.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Back on the Winning Trail


It was a beautiful evening for baseball last night. The GORC 12U Haslup Wildcats had an away game in Crofton which brought the best out in the team as they pulled together to win the time-shortened game in five innings. 





Jax Behind the Plate
Crofton, MD
May 21, 2019
The game began with the Wildcats stranding a runner at third after a lead-off single. With Jax on the mound and due to a few defensive miscues, the Wildcats surrendered three runs during the opening frame. The Wildcats bats finally heated up a bit during the second inning, but during the bottom-half they surrendered and additional 3 runs and were trailing 6-2 at the end of two innings. From that point on, it was all Wildcats as they outscored Crofton 10-4 for the remaining three innings. 

Brian repeated his 3-3 at the plate performance from Saturday's game with a single, double and a triple. He scored three times and had two RBI's. Jax was 2-3 at the plate with 1 RBI while scoring twice. He did circle the bases on a single assisted by three defensive errors. 

From a pitching perspective, it was a team effort. Four pitchers combined for the victory: Jax, Martin, Michael (who made his pitching debut) and Sawyer. While they combined to surrender 12 walks, they also struck out 7 batters and allowed only 2 hits.

The game ended on an extremely weird play. With two outs, the bases loaded and clinging to a tenuous two-run lead, Sawyer was on the mound and fired a 3-2 pitch which the batter thought was going to hit him and went down to the ground, but the ball hit the bat falling into fair territory in front of the batter. The catcher picked up the ball, after some encouragement from the dugout, and tagged the prostate prospective baserunner out to end the game. 

It was a gritty win! But a win!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

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