We all do it.
That irrational belief that Friday is the last day of the work week and that all we need to do is suffer through it to find relaxation a sanity on the other side. And then we find out that the weekend is even more crazy than the work week.
This past week--coming off a short vacation, has been especially trying. I'm still in my summer mode, yet the work load has soared to full bore with the start of the post-summer activities. I wasn't mentally prepared for the change occurring so soon and so it took me too long to ramp up and I felt as if I was drowning in administrivia all week.
So, as I cruise into the weekend--the next to last weekend of August, I too am hoping for a sane Friday and I harbor the thought of even bolting through the door a bit early to use some of the extra ours I've accumulated this week.
I can imagine it even now: a deep breath as I charge the door coupled with the wish for blue skies so I can ride with the top down and the wind racing through my thinning hair as I drive up the parkway and begin the weekend wit my friends recounting the fun we had together last weekend while alsovcelebrating the last weekend before Howard County School teachers report for duty on Monday morning and summer vacation officially ends.
So today is really special.
It marks another one of those endings--the lasts I wrote about earlier in the week.
And it will be followed by a first--the first day of the start of another school year.
Friday.
Who knew?
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Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Newspapers and news
Do you read a newspaper everyday?
I don't mean online--but actual newsprint with the ink smudging off onto your hands. The unique smell of paper and ink chock full of words and images of what is happening around the world.
I do read the paper--my choice is the Baltimore Sun because it haas a lot of local news and coverage of the Orioles as well. I also read other papers on-line, for instance I get the NY Times delivered to my email--so I get that perspective on the news, too.
I had an interesting discussion the other day though about reading the paper.
When I say I'm reading the paper, I mean sitting somewhere with the physical paper in my hands poring over the words and stories contained within.
Generationally, though, that interpretation/vision has changed. I was conversing with the twenty-something crown and realized that when they said they were reading the paper, they were referring to the online approach only--and their dainty hands never tough the real article.
Check it out. The simple phrase "reading the paper" has two very different visual images associated with it depending upon the generation of the reader/speaker.
My version has someone at a desk or in an easy chair reading a physical document; while the other is of a person at a computer somewhere reading the electronic media.
Does it matter? I guess not.
But we need to wonder, what other common references do we have that have fundamentally changed with the advent of the information technology age?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I don't mean online--but actual newsprint with the ink smudging off onto your hands. The unique smell of paper and ink chock full of words and images of what is happening around the world.
I do read the paper--my choice is the Baltimore Sun because it haas a lot of local news and coverage of the Orioles as well. I also read other papers on-line, for instance I get the NY Times delivered to my email--so I get that perspective on the news, too.
I had an interesting discussion the other day though about reading the paper.
When I say I'm reading the paper, I mean sitting somewhere with the physical paper in my hands poring over the words and stories contained within.
Generationally, though, that interpretation/vision has changed. I was conversing with the twenty-something crown and realized that when they said they were reading the paper, they were referring to the online approach only--and their dainty hands never tough the real article.
Check it out. The simple phrase "reading the paper" has two very different visual images associated with it depending upon the generation of the reader/speaker.
My version has someone at a desk or in an easy chair reading a physical document; while the other is of a person at a computer somewhere reading the electronic media.
Does it matter? I guess not.
But we need to wonder, what other common references do we have that have fundamentally changed with the advent of the information technology age?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday's Trauma portends a Wild Wednesday
Life this week has been off on an incredibly fast pace.
In addition to recovering from a four-day weekend it seems that as this is the last week before the school year begins, everything everywhere must be done.
I have been confronted with a lot of "the lasts" as I call them.
The last week of freedom for teachers.
The last week of vacation--and it seems that everyone is beginning to return from where ever they have been hiding out all summer.
The last weekend of freedom is upon us.
The last month of summer.
And the list goes on.
It is a bit sad that there are so many lasts and so few firsts.
There are a few, but they are more traumatic than memorable.
The first day of school for the school year comes to mind.
We need more memorable firsts--but then, we have had a whole summer already to accomplish the firsts.
And then there is the pace--more requirements, shorter turn around times all complicated by malfunctioning or ineptly deployed IT equipment.
Ugh!
I never really used to look at Wednesday as hump day--except this week, it truly is the day to get over the hump and start the downward slide into the weekend.
I guess I should stop comparing last week to this week, because last week Wednesday was the equivalent of my Friday as I went off on my FIRST trip to Newport, RI.
Hey--there was a positive first near the end of summer.
Maybe I can find other firsts hidden in the agenda of today and then I can change the day from Wild Wednesday to Wonderful Wednesday.
Why don't you help me look?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
In addition to recovering from a four-day weekend it seems that as this is the last week before the school year begins, everything everywhere must be done.
I have been confronted with a lot of "the lasts" as I call them.
The last week of freedom for teachers.
The last week of vacation--and it seems that everyone is beginning to return from where ever they have been hiding out all summer.
The last weekend of freedom is upon us.
The last month of summer.
And the list goes on.
It is a bit sad that there are so many lasts and so few firsts.
There are a few, but they are more traumatic than memorable.
The first day of school for the school year comes to mind.
We need more memorable firsts--but then, we have had a whole summer already to accomplish the firsts.
And then there is the pace--more requirements, shorter turn around times all complicated by malfunctioning or ineptly deployed IT equipment.
Ugh!
I never really used to look at Wednesday as hump day--except this week, it truly is the day to get over the hump and start the downward slide into the weekend.
I guess I should stop comparing last week to this week, because last week Wednesday was the equivalent of my Friday as I went off on my FIRST trip to Newport, RI.
Hey--there was a positive first near the end of summer.
Maybe I can find other firsts hidden in the agenda of today and then I can change the day from Wild Wednesday to Wonderful Wednesday.
Why don't you help me look?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Rhode Island Wines - Newport Vineyards
It was bound to happen. I love visiting wineries. Rhode Island has vineyards and a winery in Newport.
Therefore, while we were in Rhode Island last weekend, we had to visit the winery--Newport Vineyards which was less than a mile from our hotel.
The tasting room and winery are in a small strip mall with a very nice deli (which served us well for lunch).
For some strange reason, I continue to look for nice red wines in northeastern wineries. It usually doesn't happen. And Newport Vineyard was much the same. The reds were uniformly thin, lacking both body and complexity. I sampled five different reds and afterwards I felt they should have refunded my tasting fee. At one point the pourer asked what I was looking for in a red, and after I explained my perfect red wine he remarked that I should try Napa Valley wines exclusively.
So I was left with the question in my mind--if the winemakers knows the reds are inferior, why grow the grapes and produce red wine?
But hold the presses--because the white wines, and there must be at least twelve of them, were really special. The whites had body, complexity, and varied across much of the white spectrum from light easy drinking Pinot Grigio to the darker and more complex Gewürztraminer with a couple of nicely done Rieslings added in for fun.
So, I heartily recommend stopping at the winery for a tasting, should you happen through Newport. But avoid the reds--drink the whites. And oh yes, we did buy a few wines to bring home with us, too. Don't miss the Hard Apple Cider, either.
Happy drinking!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Therefore, while we were in Rhode Island last weekend, we had to visit the winery--Newport Vineyards which was less than a mile from our hotel.
The tasting room and winery are in a small strip mall with a very nice deli (which served us well for lunch).
For some strange reason, I continue to look for nice red wines in northeastern wineries. It usually doesn't happen. And Newport Vineyard was much the same. The reds were uniformly thin, lacking both body and complexity. I sampled five different reds and afterwards I felt they should have refunded my tasting fee. At one point the pourer asked what I was looking for in a red, and after I explained my perfect red wine he remarked that I should try Napa Valley wines exclusively.
So I was left with the question in my mind--if the winemakers knows the reds are inferior, why grow the grapes and produce red wine?
But hold the presses--because the white wines, and there must be at least twelve of them, were really special. The whites had body, complexity, and varied across much of the white spectrum from light easy drinking Pinot Grigio to the darker and more complex Gewürztraminer with a couple of nicely done Rieslings added in for fun.
So, I heartily recommend stopping at the winery for a tasting, should you happen through Newport. But avoid the reds--drink the whites. And oh yes, we did buy a few wines to bring home with us, too. Don't miss the Hard Apple Cider, either.
Happy drinking!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, August 15, 2011
Monday Musings - August 15, 2011
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!
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!
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.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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.
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Location:E Main Rd,Middletown,United States
Friday, August 12, 2011
Newport at the Wedding Site
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