Some days a much longer than others.
Yesterday, for instance, I was awake at 4AM and did not get back to the hotel until after 9PM. Ugh! It was a long day filled with information that I am struggling to remember.
Then this morning, my computer and the hotel network are not talking and so I lost my first blog post into the ether.
Stress!
Not really, but it takes the joy out of traveling.
I did get an email from the Orioles that my season tickets have been shipped. Another sure sign of Spring!
The weather here was OK--I guess. I didn't really get to experience it too much yesterday.
As the country is ramping up for Super Tuesday, I feel the political timelines beginning to wind down for some of the candidates. But when I checked the delegate counts from the completed primaries--I can see we are in for a long, hot summer.
As it turns out, 1144 delegates are needed to secure the Republican nomination. As it stands now, no one is even close. Here are the totals from the New York Times:
Romney - 150
Santorum - 85
Gingrich - 29
Paul -18
I don't think anyone has a lock on this yet.
I had no idea that we had been following so much ado about nothing. No wonder no one is dropping out of the race yet. No one is really even in the race right now.
Stand by, it has got to get a lot more interesting as the days melt away into summertime.
-- Bob Doan, Los Angeles, CA
Friday, March 2, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Flying again
I was halfway into a six hour flight yesterday when the realization hit me that not only was I bored, but my butt hurt from sitting, my neck was stiff, and my sore shoulder was still, sore.
Ugh! The joys of being crammed onto a too small, fully loaded aircraft getting more familiar with my neighbor than I really cared to ever become.
I was tired of listening to music, reading, and playing sudoku.
I had bought a box lunch in hopes of killing time eating, to no avail. Not only was there not enough room to eat, but the meal consisted of a bunch of small items that needed preparation--but there was no where to put the pieces together.
Time was passing slowly.
I could feel each second ticking my life away trying to find a diversion.
If only . . .
I was traveling first class? Probably not much better.
I was reminded of my sailing adventure last summer where I learned that I'm more about the destination that the journey.
Beam me up, Scotty. I want to be there already.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Ugh! The joys of being crammed onto a too small, fully loaded aircraft getting more familiar with my neighbor than I really cared to ever become.
I was tired of listening to music, reading, and playing sudoku.
I had bought a box lunch in hopes of killing time eating, to no avail. Not only was there not enough room to eat, but the meal consisted of a bunch of small items that needed preparation--but there was no where to put the pieces together.
Time was passing slowly.
I could feel each second ticking my life away trying to find a diversion.
If only . . .
I was traveling first class? Probably not much better.
I was reminded of my sailing adventure last summer where I learned that I'm more about the destination that the journey.
Beam me up, Scotty. I want to be there already.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Relationships
People are people after all.
We are a fickle as the light breeze during the dog days of summer.
It is often hard to understand why others cannot comprehend our true intentions when we are in the middle of a "situation."
I reflected on the relationships that I have the other day and realized that they are so numerous and varied that even I cannot fully characterize them all. They range from the most casual meeting in a store between customers in line to the deep intimate relationship that I have with my spouse. And all of the potential shades in between.
Consider the brief meeting between two drivers on the highway as one passes another and acknowledges their mutual presence on the highway. Brief, somewhat impersonal--but an important relationship since both are independently operating a motor vehicle which can cause, in mere moments. death and destruction when improperly handled.
Or the interchange between a father and a son. How this relationship changes as the years progress. Or how it should change. The way parents and children interact changes distinctly as years progress. It can be really hard for parents to move making every decision to a more hands-off approach as the children become adults.
Why do relationships go bad?
Relationships must grow to be vital--when they become static, dissatisfaction appears.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
We are a fickle as the light breeze during the dog days of summer.
It is often hard to understand why others cannot comprehend our true intentions when we are in the middle of a "situation."
I reflected on the relationships that I have the other day and realized that they are so numerous and varied that even I cannot fully characterize them all. They range from the most casual meeting in a store between customers in line to the deep intimate relationship that I have with my spouse. And all of the potential shades in between.
Consider the brief meeting between two drivers on the highway as one passes another and acknowledges their mutual presence on the highway. Brief, somewhat impersonal--but an important relationship since both are independently operating a motor vehicle which can cause, in mere moments. death and destruction when improperly handled.
Or the interchange between a father and a son. How this relationship changes as the years progress. Or how it should change. The way parents and children interact changes distinctly as years progress. It can be really hard for parents to move making every decision to a more hands-off approach as the children become adults.
Why do relationships go bad?
Relationships must grow to be vital--when they become static, dissatisfaction appears.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Insanity in Afghanistan for the sake of Anarchy
This is going to be a bit controversial, but I don't understand the violence in Afghanistan over the alleged defiling of the printed Koran. People are dying for a lie.
That's right. A lie.
Although the US and NATO are accused of defiling the holy word of the Koran by burning, in truth the books had already been defiled by the muslim believers who had written in them forcing the US and NATO to find a way to dispose of the defiled documents. I also do not understand why this is not being more widely reported.
Why aren't those, alleged believers, who originally wrote in the books and defiled the holy koran being punished in the same manner that they are calling for the base commander to be punished?
The Financial Times reported:
The Nato-led force has said the destruction of the Korans was unintentional. Officials said the burned Korans were among a batch of Islamic books that were designated for disposal after being confiscated from detainees who had written messages in them, according to the Associated Press. Afghan officials said about four Korans were burned, the news agency reported.
Anyone who understands the muslim view of their holy Koran, knows that the books were already defiled. The US and NATO forces were set up, again.
But then, lying and being deceitful is authorized by the Koran.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
That's right. A lie.
Although the US and NATO are accused of defiling the holy word of the Koran by burning, in truth the books had already been defiled by the muslim believers who had written in them forcing the US and NATO to find a way to dispose of the defiled documents. I also do not understand why this is not being more widely reported.
Why aren't those, alleged believers, who originally wrote in the books and defiled the holy koran being punished in the same manner that they are calling for the base commander to be punished?
The Financial Times reported:
The Nato-led force has said the destruction of the Korans was unintentional. Officials said the burned Korans were among a batch of Islamic books that were designated for disposal after being confiscated from detainees who had written messages in them, according to the Associated Press. Afghan officials said about four Korans were burned, the news agency reported.
Anyone who understands the muslim view of their holy Koran, knows that the books were already defiled. The US and NATO forces were set up, again.
But then, lying and being deceitful is authorized by the Koran.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday Musings - February 27, 2012
1. Believe it or not, there are only three days left in this month.
2. Sunny Sunday raking leaves. Yeah, it is February, but the leaves have to go!
3. So doesn't this seem funny? They delayed the Daytona 500 because of rain. I have to drive in the rain, why don't race car drivers have to race in the rain? They are driving cars, right?
4. We have a lot of channels on our TV--but we tend to watch only a few. Wouldn't it be nice to pay by the channel? And then maybe by the program for just those we want to see?
5. What do the Oscar's say about life? Do the movies being made and celebrated provide any insights into our society?
6. Baseball season is upon us. The first spring training games are next week.
7. Interestingly, Ronald Reagan was selected as the best of the Presidents since WWII. He was followed by Roosevelt then Kennedy. I think it was because they were the only presidents most of the people could remember.
8. Who knew NYC was so close? Easy by bus, frustrating by car.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. Sunny Sunday raking leaves. Yeah, it is February, but the leaves have to go!
3. So doesn't this seem funny? They delayed the Daytona 500 because of rain. I have to drive in the rain, why don't race car drivers have to race in the rain? They are driving cars, right?
4. We have a lot of channels on our TV--but we tend to watch only a few. Wouldn't it be nice to pay by the channel? And then maybe by the program for just those we want to see?
5. What do the Oscar's say about life? Do the movies being made and celebrated provide any insights into our society?
6. Baseball season is upon us. The first spring training games are next week.
7. Interestingly, Ronald Reagan was selected as the best of the Presidents since WWII. He was followed by Roosevelt then Kennedy. I think it was because they were the only presidents most of the people could remember.
8. Who knew NYC was so close? Easy by bus, frustrating by car.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sunday, February 26, 2012
When the Evening Begins
The day is over and Chris is on her way back from the bus station. The wine
is poured and we are ready to catch up after a weekend apart.
Let's rock.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
is poured and we are ready to catch up after a weekend apart.
Let's rock.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
End of the Season--Start of the Season
Yesterday was the last of the eight game youth basketball season. Ethan's team showed incredible improvement during the season and it was fun to watch them learn the game and grow as players.
I admit, at times it was really humorous (or frustrating) to watch the kids learning the game and doing some really funny things--like guarding their man while the ball is rolling free behind them.
But that is how we learn, isn't it?
Sometimes I could hear the frustration in the parents voices as children failed to put together seemingly simple concepts of the game--but the difference in experience was decades versus weeks.
In a few years (all too short years) some of these kids will be stars on their high school basketball squads--after they have gained experience, grown, and learned skills.
We aren't born with all of the knowledge and skills we need to do everything in life. Living is a day-by-day process of learning and acquiring skills to be successful.
OK--so basketball is over, now on to another new sport, lacrosse. Somehow I feel like Ethan will look a bit like an armadillo in his gear as he learns a whole new set of skills. At least I can take Makayla with me to the games.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
I admit, at times it was really humorous (or frustrating) to watch the kids learning the game and doing some really funny things--like guarding their man while the ball is rolling free behind them.
But that is how we learn, isn't it?
Sometimes I could hear the frustration in the parents voices as children failed to put together seemingly simple concepts of the game--but the difference in experience was decades versus weeks.
In a few years (all too short years) some of these kids will be stars on their high school basketball squads--after they have gained experience, grown, and learned skills.
We aren't born with all of the knowledge and skills we need to do everything in life. Living is a day-by-day process of learning and acquiring skills to be successful.
OK--so basketball is over, now on to another new sport, lacrosse. Somehow I feel like Ethan will look a bit like an armadillo in his gear as he learns a whole new set of skills. At least I can take Makayla with me to the games.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Traffic Gripes, Part 2
I received a couple of additions in a comment on my Traffic Gripes blog from the other day and wanted to share them:
People who speed up as you turn left in front of them or as you are passing them on the highway.
And then the combo, people you nicely allow onto the highway by moving into the left lane but then who speed up so you can't get back into the right lane.
I also want to add---
Road hogs. People who drive in the right lane of a local four lane road precluding people from entering the road from the intersecting side streets.
Toll booth crazies. If you live in an area where there are no toll booths, you won't see this, but I just fear for the undecided or impatient driver who changes toll booth lanes without looking.
Bumper rider. I know they are impatient, and I would get out of the lane if I could, but positioning their car like a NAASCAR driver drafting the leader doesn't help the situation.
Road rabbit. Speeding and lane changing at high rates of speed scaring everyone else on the road but somehow escaping unscathed.
I look forward any others that may be out there.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
People who speed up as you turn left in front of them or as you are passing them on the highway.
And then the combo, people you nicely allow onto the highway by moving into the left lane but then who speed up so you can't get back into the right lane.
I also want to add---
Road hogs. People who drive in the right lane of a local four lane road precluding people from entering the road from the intersecting side streets.
Toll booth crazies. If you live in an area where there are no toll booths, you won't see this, but I just fear for the undecided or impatient driver who changes toll booth lanes without looking.
Bumper rider. I know they are impatient, and I would get out of the lane if I could, but positioning their car like a NAASCAR driver drafting the leader doesn't help the situation.
Road rabbit. Speeding and lane changing at high rates of speed scaring everyone else on the road but somehow escaping unscathed.
I look forward any others that may be out there.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Friday, February 24, 2012
Litter, garbage, and respect
The other day, I saw a person throw a cup out their car window into a parking lot. I really could not believe that they felt that the world was their waste basket. What kind of people have so little respect for the environment and other people that they throw their garbage out of the car window?
Was it an accident? Did the cup accidentally fall out of the car? I think not. As it was cold outside, they had to roll the window down before ejecting the offending cup from the car.
And since then, I've witnessed at least three cigarette butts being tossed out of vehicles. Except at night, I had never noticed that before. What is the mindset of people who toss garbage out of moving vehicles and into traffic?
Why do we as a society have so little respect for things and places that are not ours. For instance the movie theater--people leave their garbage at their seats. And I saw the local flea market lot on Saturday after the market closed--garbage strewn everywhere.
Have we become a society where we believe that we are the only ones who matter? Do we no longer respect ourselves or others?
If we do not care for the shared spaces, soon we will be sharing them with rats. Rats love garbage.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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