1. Traveling the highways anymore is an adventure in probability. Probably, there will be an extensive traffic jam. Yesterday a trip that too 7 hours and 15 minutes to complete on Thursday took over 9 hours. My travel advice--avoid the New Jersey Turnpike at all costs!!
2. Rain, rain, and more rain makes driving really hard.
3. Apparently someone shot the starter's pistol for the 2012 Presidential race. And they are off and running looking for a challenger. I'm not sure they have a potential winner anywhere in the field yet.
4. The tragic collapse of the stage in Indiana begs the question about whether there are sufficient inspections of the elaborate sets and equipment being used by today's bands.
5. Weddings are a grand example of two people beginning a new life together. They also provide for a great weekend of fun and celebration.
6. I had the opportunity to consider other drivers on the highway this weekend--some drivers are too impatient and I wonder how they arrive alive at their destination, and even then, I wonder about ulcers.
7. It is always good to see my dog again after a weekend away.
8. And of course after a four day weekend, it is off to the grind again!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunset over Rhode Island
Another day, another evening, and another fabulous sunset after a great day.
The wedding day was perfect. The reception a grand party. The evening sail was relaxing and enjoyable. But it was all capped by another fabulous sunset.
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Refund
Is there a way to get a refund from the New Jersey Turnpike for a really long traffic congested trip?
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Sailing Newport
More in Newport
Yesterday we took some time to do the sights in Newport. I admit, I had not really thought of this as a mini vacation, but I should have. This is an incredibly beautify place and it was totally lost on me that the uber-rich of the 19th century had their summer palaces here.
I used the word palace intentionally, these places are huge. We visited The Breakers, the summer home of the Vanderbilts. The tour was fabulous and opulent and very well done. I highly recommend it as it is on of the best self-paced tours that I have ever taken. The tour allowed for additional levels of depth and stories about the house and the family.
Following that, we walked part of the cliff walk behind the mansions along the bay. The scenery was beautiful, although the path is a bit narrow and yesterday there were lot of people on the walk.
Following this, we checked out a local winery--yes, they make wine in Rhode Island. Like most northeastern wineries, the reds were thin, but the whites were surprisingly good. Yeah, we bought a few.
I see now why so many people flock to this area for vacation. And it is even better if you happen to sail--the region is truly a sailing mecca.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:E Main Rd,Middletown,United States
Friday, August 12, 2011
Newport at the Wedding Site
Newport, RI
Well, it seems that as another weekend approaches that Chris and I are off on another adventure. This weekend finds us in Newport, RI for a wedding. We drove to Newport yesterday because we need to be here for a wedding.
It was a long drive, but traffic was moving and we made it across the George Washington bridge fairly easily even when there was a reported 40 minute back-up. Our friends George and Sue drove with us, actually, George drove and I navigated.
I had never been to Newport before and it is a beautiful, quaint oceanside city much like many of the places we have been visiting lately. Sail boats and sunsets.
The hotel leaves a lot to be desired--we made the reservations form Hotels.com and it just is not the shiniest penny in the bag, so to speak. I'll let the trip finish before I write my review on the place and publish it. The hotel recently became a Ramada--I'm not sure how, but perhaps Ramada is going to give them a year to get up to standards.
But--all of that aside--the sunset we beautiful, the company grand, and the time away exploring another new place is appreciated.
We are going to have fun.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It was a long drive, but traffic was moving and we made it across the George Washington bridge fairly easily even when there was a reported 40 minute back-up. Our friends George and Sue drove with us, actually, George drove and I navigated.
I had never been to Newport before and it is a beautiful, quaint oceanside city much like many of the places we have been visiting lately. Sail boats and sunsets.
The hotel leaves a lot to be desired--we made the reservations form Hotels.com and it just is not the shiniest penny in the bag, so to speak. I'll let the trip finish before I write my review on the place and publish it. The hotel recently became a Ramada--I'm not sure how, but perhaps Ramada is going to give them a year to get up to standards.
But--all of that aside--the sunset we beautiful, the company grand, and the time away exploring another new place is appreciated.
We are going to have fun.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:E Main Rd,Middletown,United States
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Stock Market Down but Orioles Up
The world economies need a lift--the trend for the past couple of days is down--which is not surprising given the state of the financial management we are witnessing by some countries, ours included.
France apparently has had the bubble burst. China is next, I believe. At least as I read the overseas news this morning it appears that the panic has subsided a bit and the markets are rebounding. We are being held hostage to investors--think about it, investors and businesses and not leaders and politicians.
They are looking for someone to hit a home run and lead them out of the darkness.
Last evening I experienced such a feat. After blowing a 4-0 lead to the Chicago White Sox, the Orioles managed to get the game into the bottom of the 10th inning. The Orioles have been losing twice as many games as they have been winning lately, so the mood in the stands was pretty negative.
A hero was needed.
And for one moment at least, a hero was found. That hero, in the form of Nolan Reimhold #14 who had been hitless in four previous trips to the plate, crushed a ball over the left centerfield fence for a game winning walk-off two run shot that for a moment soothed the savage fan in all of us. As we left the stadium to the sounds of my favorite baseball song Oriole Magic, spirits were soaring.
I wonder who the hero of the world economies will be? But, with all of the bad news, one is truly needed. Even one who has been hitless before can do some good and calm things down.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
France apparently has had the bubble burst. China is next, I believe. At least as I read the overseas news this morning it appears that the panic has subsided a bit and the markets are rebounding. We are being held hostage to investors--think about it, investors and businesses and not leaders and politicians.
They are looking for someone to hit a home run and lead them out of the darkness.
Last evening I experienced such a feat. After blowing a 4-0 lead to the Chicago White Sox, the Orioles managed to get the game into the bottom of the 10th inning. The Orioles have been losing twice as many games as they have been winning lately, so the mood in the stands was pretty negative.
A hero was needed.
And for one moment at least, a hero was found. That hero, in the form of Nolan Reimhold #14 who had been hitless in four previous trips to the plate, crushed a ball over the left centerfield fence for a game winning walk-off two run shot that for a moment soothed the savage fan in all of us. As we left the stadium to the sounds of my favorite baseball song Oriole Magic, spirits were soaring.
I wonder who the hero of the world economies will be? But, with all of the bad news, one is truly needed. Even one who has been hitless before can do some good and calm things down.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
36 years and the journey continues
Wow--last evening, Chris and I took an evening to celebrate 36 years of life together as a married team.
We decided to eat in and treated ourselves to a fantastic dinner with some of our best Schramsberg champagne and a great wine from King Family in Virginia and then a nice 1999 port from Upstate NY to close out the meal which revolved around a planked salmon filet and ended with a too large piece of key lime pie.
The best china and sterling were on the candle-lit table ready for the festivities when Chris returned from dropping Ethan off at his home after a day together.
We performed the usual anniversary ritual of remembering the years together and the times we were apart.
We talked of good times and rough times.
With soft music playing in the background, we were not bothered by the other diners--our animals in this case, and were able to descend into our own little spot on the planet for most of the evening.
I introduced Chris to a song that I have been listening to by Andrew Peterson titled "Dancing in the Minefields," which is about two people getting married too young and making it.
The chorus says it all:
We went dancing in the minefields
We went sailing in the storm
And it was harder than we dreamed
But I believe thats what the promise is for
I admitted to Chris that telling people that we've been married 36 years scares me and makes me realize that I'm getting old. When we were married, we were only 19 years old and I couldn't even imagine being 30 years old, let alone being married for 36 years. In two years, God-willing, when we are married 38 years I will have been married two-thirds of my life on the planet.
To put it into perspective, my parents have been married 57 years. If you add the years we've been married with theirs together it is 93 years of marriage between the two couples.
We still have a long way to go--but then I have come to realize that marriage is about the journey and not the destination.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We decided to eat in and treated ourselves to a fantastic dinner with some of our best Schramsberg champagne and a great wine from King Family in Virginia and then a nice 1999 port from Upstate NY to close out the meal which revolved around a planked salmon filet and ended with a too large piece of key lime pie.
The best china and sterling were on the candle-lit table ready for the festivities when Chris returned from dropping Ethan off at his home after a day together.
We performed the usual anniversary ritual of remembering the years together and the times we were apart.
We talked of good times and rough times.
With soft music playing in the background, we were not bothered by the other diners--our animals in this case, and were able to descend into our own little spot on the planet for most of the evening.
I introduced Chris to a song that I have been listening to by Andrew Peterson titled "Dancing in the Minefields," which is about two people getting married too young and making it.
The chorus says it all:
We went dancing in the minefields
We went sailing in the storm
And it was harder than we dreamed
But I believe thats what the promise is for
I admitted to Chris that telling people that we've been married 36 years scares me and makes me realize that I'm getting old. When we were married, we were only 19 years old and I couldn't even imagine being 30 years old, let alone being married for 36 years. In two years, God-willing, when we are married 38 years I will have been married two-thirds of my life on the planet.
To put it into perspective, my parents have been married 57 years. If you add the years we've been married with theirs together it is 93 years of marriage between the two couples.
We still have a long way to go--but then I have come to realize that marriage is about the journey and not the destination.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Rainbow Dr,Elkridge,United States
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Stocks and Debt
Well yesterday was a wild day in the world stock markets--as expected. The US stock market suffered its biggest drop since 2008. And frankly, I expect more of the same for today. And the funny thing is that Congress doesn't get it. They do not understand the relationship between their irresponsible brinkmanship, the lowering of the US debt rating and the worldwide panic which has ensued.
Face it--we have too much debt.
We do not have enough income.
We are or have become a debtor nation who owes the rest of the world. Just like we have lost control of our future through oil dependence, we have now lost control of our debt.
Change is going to be really difficult to pull off and we need to start changing our way and our debt-ridden lifestyle.
I believe that the debt rating services are just reflecting what we already know--there is tarnish on the US economy. And I also worry that there is tarnish on the Constitution.
I also fear, that we are headed for a really rocky road ahead during the FY12 budget negotiations. I remember the impasse that developed last year, and we get to do it all over again now--and soon, like beginning now.
So the wild ride, I am reminded of the name of a ride that used to be in Disney World--Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, begins now.
If we thought the past couple of months were exciting, I'm not sure nothing can prepare us for the ride ahead, compliments of a dysfunctional government.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Face it--we have too much debt.
We do not have enough income.
We are or have become a debtor nation who owes the rest of the world. Just like we have lost control of our future through oil dependence, we have now lost control of our debt.
Change is going to be really difficult to pull off and we need to start changing our way and our debt-ridden lifestyle.
I believe that the debt rating services are just reflecting what we already know--there is tarnish on the US economy. And I also worry that there is tarnish on the Constitution.
I also fear, that we are headed for a really rocky road ahead during the FY12 budget negotiations. I remember the impasse that developed last year, and we get to do it all over again now--and soon, like beginning now.
So the wild ride, I am reminded of the name of a ride that used to be in Disney World--Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, begins now.
If we thought the past couple of months were exciting, I'm not sure nothing can prepare us for the ride ahead, compliments of a dysfunctional government.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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