It was November 1983, Chris and I and the two (at that time) kids, Jeremy and Nicole, arrived to a cold and almost frozen Offutt AFB, near Omaha, Nebraska.
It was a different time. We had traveled from Shreveport, Louisiana, where I had just completed a the three year assignment to 8th Air Force at Barksdale AFB. I was an Air Force Captain and we were living pay check to pay check while raising a family and fulfilling my dream to be a vagabond Air Force officer. We were fortunate to move into base housing just before Thanksgiving and the arrival of snow and sub-zero temperatures. Two weeks later and the move in process would have been markedly different.
Although I was assigned to Offutt for two years, I spent only about 7 months actually living there. Te rest of the time was on the "road" seeing the world and living the dream.
I was reminded of all of this during the past few days as I revisited Offutt and was reminded of how things used to be. They say that you can never go back and, frankly, I'm glad that I never tried.
Omaha is a wholesome city. It is clean and surprisingly there is a lot to do and get involved with. The traffic at rush hour is non-existent--especially compared to the Baltimore-Washington corridor. But it is in the middle of the country and I am truly a coastal person. I love ocean beaches and it is a long way to the ocean from Nebraska.
Our family grew while did our two years in the Omaha area. Our cornhusker, Patrick, was born--so all things considered this short adventure on the road of life was a good one.
It is good to revisit and remember--but trying to go back usually ends in frustration and disappointment. It is hard to recreate the magic that resides in the mind when confronted with the realities of day-to-day life.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
People in the Airport -- Chicago O'Hare
It was fun stoping over for an hour the yesterday in Chicago. I was able to watch a Lufthansa 747 board for departure to Frankfurt while waiting for my own flight. I also spent some time watching ramp operations and the apparent chaos that somehow seems orchestrated to ensure bad things do not happen.
People were everywhere, I had forgotten how many people a 747 carries.
Children clinging to parents. People from foreign lands. A cross section of humanity.
One little boy was very brave, walking away from his parents for a few minutes. But there was no panic. He was a cute two years old and not afraid of anything. The onlookers were more concerned about his welfare. But there was nothing to worry about as his mother was always within sight of the adventurous lad.
I enjoy passing through Chicago. It is alive and there is always something happening.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
People were everywhere, I had forgotten how many people a 747 carries.
Children clinging to parents. People from foreign lands. A cross section of humanity.
One little boy was very brave, walking away from his parents for a few minutes. But there was no panic. He was a cute two years old and not afraid of anything. The onlookers were more concerned about his welfare. But there was nothing to worry about as his mother was always within sight of the adventurous lad.
I enjoy passing through Chicago. It is alive and there is always something happening.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Out the Hotel Window - Omaha, NE
I was treated to an explosive evening my first night in Omaha. The sky was alive with a massive thunder storm which seemed to never end.
The rain swept through the city and created a scene like an impressionist painting outside my window.
The lights were blurred like a scene from a French painting. Although I did not make it to the Old Market due to the rain--but it was a fun scene to watch with the lightening illuminating the rain swept streets at irregular intervals.
And all of it was just outside my hotel window.
-- Bob Doan, Omaha, NE
The rain swept through the city and created a scene like an impressionist painting outside my window.
The lights were blurred like a scene from a French painting. Although I did not make it to the Old Market due to the rain--but it was a fun scene to watch with the lightening illuminating the rain swept streets at irregular intervals.
And all of it was just outside my hotel window.
-- Bob Doan, Omaha, NE
Monday, June 11, 2012
Monday Musings - June 11, 2012
1. A beautiful, hot weekend and lots of fun near the pool because I couldn't actually get into it yet.
2. Traveling for business on a Sunday is no fun. Especially during the mid-day. Note to self for the future.
3. I am amazed how resilient the human body is, I looked at my arm after the wrappings were removed and was shocked at what I saw--but it worked. I was able to pour a bottle of wine with my left hand already! And that's how I noticed there was a problem to begin with.
4. The deck project is at a halt due to my recovery--but I expect it to be done by weekend.
5. Changes are hard. This is the month that my boss retires and I, with the thought of that, already miss him.
6. July is coming and so is my trek to Florida for relaxation. Bring on the sun and the heat--it's summer!
7. As I was flying yesterday, I was amazed again at the vastness of this fantastic land.
8. I wonder if there are any vineyards in Omaha.
9. Have any one else noticed that the airlines are leaving the seatbelt lights on more than they used too? They were on for the entire duration of both of my flights yesterday.
-- Bob Doan, Omaha, NE
2. Traveling for business on a Sunday is no fun. Especially during the mid-day. Note to self for the future.
3. I am amazed how resilient the human body is, I looked at my arm after the wrappings were removed and was shocked at what I saw--but it worked. I was able to pour a bottle of wine with my left hand already! And that's how I noticed there was a problem to begin with.
4. The deck project is at a halt due to my recovery--but I expect it to be done by weekend.
5. Changes are hard. This is the month that my boss retires and I, with the thought of that, already miss him.
6. July is coming and so is my trek to Florida for relaxation. Bring on the sun and the heat--it's summer!
7. As I was flying yesterday, I was amazed again at the vastness of this fantastic land.
8. I wonder if there are any vineyards in Omaha.
9. Have any one else noticed that the airlines are leaving the seatbelt lights on more than they used too? They were on for the entire duration of both of my flights yesterday.
-- Bob Doan, Omaha, NE
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Civil Rights Alert: Going Way Too Far -- Soda and NYC
I know it has been in the news for a while, but I am in shock that the goody goody forces in our society are about to legislate to protect us from another evil--sugar containing soft drinks larger that 16 ounces. The article I've hyperlinked here explains it all.
To think that banning large sugary drinks will reduce obesity is unbelievable. That would mean that large sugary drinks cause obesity. They don't--by themselves. Obesity is either a medical condition or a life style choice.
The goody goodies are putting efforts in all of the wrong places. Will banning large sugary sodas reduce obesity? No. But it is an infringement on our rights to purchase products. How can they outlaw the sale of large sugary drinks but not tobacco products? The inconsistency screams for an answer.
The real problem is education, helping people make the correct choices, and providing alternatives for people to encourage healthy choices.
I do not think that the majority of society should have their rights further restricted because of the life choices of a minority. I also believe we are headed down a slippery slope by enacting oppressive legislation designed to protect a segment of the population from itself. I further found it interesting that NYC is going to be reducing arrests for possessing small amounts of marijuana. So it is possible, theoretically, to get arrested for having a large sugary drink but not a joint all while smoking a cigarette known to cause cancer. Hmmmm.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
To think that banning large sugary drinks will reduce obesity is unbelievable. That would mean that large sugary drinks cause obesity. They don't--by themselves. Obesity is either a medical condition or a life style choice.
The goody goodies are putting efforts in all of the wrong places. Will banning large sugary sodas reduce obesity? No. But it is an infringement on our rights to purchase products. How can they outlaw the sale of large sugary drinks but not tobacco products? The inconsistency screams for an answer.
The real problem is education, helping people make the correct choices, and providing alternatives for people to encourage healthy choices.
I do not think that the majority of society should have their rights further restricted because of the life choices of a minority. I also believe we are headed down a slippery slope by enacting oppressive legislation designed to protect a segment of the population from itself. I further found it interesting that NYC is going to be reducing arrests for possessing small amounts of marijuana. So it is possible, theoretically, to get arrested for having a large sugary drink but not a joint all while smoking a cigarette known to cause cancer. Hmmmm.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Sundown Annapolis
Yesterday ended in a manner I never expected. We were sitting on a sail boat in Annapolis harbor with friends drinking wine and eating brownies after having shared a scrumptious meal at a restaurant in town.
The harbor was calm and the wind was light and refreshing as we watched the pastel colors of the sunset appear over the city and slowly fade into darkness wit stars punctuating the night sky.
Wait, it wasn't supposed to be that way. We had planned dinner at our house with thoughts of drinking wine and watching the sun set from our own pool and backyard.
My how things can sometime change for the better, if we just can be flexible.
And enjoy the schedule changes that life tosses at us.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
The harbor was calm and the wind was light and refreshing as we watched the pastel colors of the sunset appear over the city and slowly fade into darkness wit stars punctuating the night sky.
Wait, it wasn't supposed to be that way. We had planned dinner at our house with thoughts of drinking wine and watching the sun set from our own pool and backyard.
My how things can sometime change for the better, if we just can be flexible.
And enjoy the schedule changes that life tosses at us.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Friday, June 8, 2012
Politics and Phone Calls
It happened again yesterday afternoon. The phone rang and when I answered it and confessed to being the person the caller was looking for, the presidential campaign support bite was applied to my wallet.
Money--and being advised that there are only 152 days left to the election. I suppose that means 152 more campaign calls.
My problem is that I don't know who I am going to vote for. My problem with the leading candidates is that the are running on platforms that seem to be nothing more than: beat the other guy because we don't want him to be president.
Where is the vision for the country? Where is the strategy? Where is the way ahead and how we are going to transform the system into a beneficial bi-partisan working government?
It isn't there and, therefore at least so far, neither is my vote.
The phone call ended fairly abruptly when I indicated that I might be voting for Mickey Mouse.
Good.
When the candidates give me something to support then my vote and my wallet will follow.
Until then, I think a cartoon character can do a better job.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Money--and being advised that there are only 152 days left to the election. I suppose that means 152 more campaign calls.
My problem is that I don't know who I am going to vote for. My problem with the leading candidates is that the are running on platforms that seem to be nothing more than: beat the other guy because we don't want him to be president.
Where is the vision for the country? Where is the strategy? Where is the way ahead and how we are going to transform the system into a beneficial bi-partisan working government?
It isn't there and, therefore at least so far, neither is my vote.
The phone call ended fairly abruptly when I indicated that I might be voting for Mickey Mouse.
Good.
When the candidates give me something to support then my vote and my wallet will follow.
Until then, I think a cartoon character can do a better job.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Learning New Tricks
I have been rediscovering the joy/frustration of learning old tasks over again as a result of my elbow surgery.
For instance--have you recently brushed your teeth with your non-dominant hand in control of the toothbrush? I have. It is amazing how differently my mouth felt.
Another fun task is buttering my toast without the assistance of my trusty dominant hand. Ugh. I cheated on this one after making an incredible mess.
Sadly, I have been taking my non-dominant arm and hand for granted, I realized. All of the important work was being accomplished by the experienced and coordinated dominant (left) hand.
I did enjoy my first razor shave delivered by someone else--my daughter-in-law.
For all of the new experiences though, I cannot wait until I can fall back into my comfortable rut of completing simple tasks without thinking about them. And I long to have my right arm and hand returned into the comfortable role of non-dominant yet capable second.
Sooner would be better.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
For instance--have you recently brushed your teeth with your non-dominant hand in control of the toothbrush? I have. It is amazing how differently my mouth felt.
Another fun task is buttering my toast without the assistance of my trusty dominant hand. Ugh. I cheated on this one after making an incredible mess.
Sadly, I have been taking my non-dominant arm and hand for granted, I realized. All of the important work was being accomplished by the experienced and coordinated dominant (left) hand.
I did enjoy my first razor shave delivered by someone else--my daughter-in-law.
For all of the new experiences though, I cannot wait until I can fall back into my comfortable rut of completing simple tasks without thinking about them. And I long to have my right arm and hand returned into the comfortable role of non-dominant yet capable second.
Sooner would be better.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Pill Bottles--A Sadistic Puzzle
I had an experience the other evening. I attempted to open the pills that the pharmacy put my pain pills in.
I couldn't.
It was that simple. After my elbow surgery there was no way for me to get though the child proof caps to obtain one of the pills I needed after my surgery.
It was kind of weird.
The surgery was successful, but the pain meds were being kept from me.
Who comes up with these ideas.
Thank goodness Chris foresaw this problem and we developed a work around before I was left alone to access the pill bottles with a hammer.
We are being victimized by too much packaging.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
I couldn't.
It was that simple. After my elbow surgery there was no way for me to get though the child proof caps to obtain one of the pills I needed after my surgery.
It was kind of weird.
The surgery was successful, but the pain meds were being kept from me.
Who comes up with these ideas.
Thank goodness Chris foresaw this problem and we developed a work around before I was left alone to access the pill bottles with a hammer.
We are being victimized by too much packaging.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Clean your Bathroom
I read an interesting news article yesterday which really made me shake my head. The article is titled Jesus Found in Texas Bathroom Mold. The article has an image of the mold included in it.
To say that I was shocked by the title of the article is an understatement. Really? Jesus of the bathroom mold?
Some of the article reads as follows:
SPLENDORA, Texas, May 31 (UPI) -- A Texas family says they are getting strength from an image of Jesus they found in the mold growing inside the shower of their home.
Chyanna Richards, who lives in the home, told KTRK-TV, Houston, she doesn't know if it's mold or mildew in the bathroom but said the appearance of Jesus' image has meaning.
"Maybe it means something. Maybe look into yourself and see if you need to change something in your life," she said.
The mold began growing in the bathroom at the Splendora home a couple months ago when Thomas George, who lives in the home, was in prison.
"He's just watching over us to make sure nothing wrong happens or I get in trouble and go back," George said. "It gives me inspiration just to do better."
Here's a thought--clean your bathroom and go to church. Really, who should have enough mold in their bathroom to see images in it? And then they must think everyone has large quantities of mold.
By some strong bathroom cleaner and seek the living Jesus where he may be found--and not the one in the mold.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
To say that I was shocked by the title of the article is an understatement. Really? Jesus of the bathroom mold?
Some of the article reads as follows:
SPLENDORA, Texas, May 31 (UPI) -- A Texas family says they are getting strength from an image of Jesus they found in the mold growing inside the shower of their home.
Chyanna Richards, who lives in the home, told KTRK-TV, Houston, she doesn't know if it's mold or mildew in the bathroom but said the appearance of Jesus' image has meaning.
"Maybe it means something. Maybe look into yourself and see if you need to change something in your life," she said.
The mold began growing in the bathroom at the Splendora home a couple months ago when Thomas George, who lives in the home, was in prison.
"He's just watching over us to make sure nothing wrong happens or I get in trouble and go back," George said. "It gives me inspiration just to do better."
Here's a thought--clean your bathroom and go to church. Really, who should have enough mold in their bathroom to see images in it? And then they must think everyone has large quantities of mold.
By some strong bathroom cleaner and seek the living Jesus where he may be found--and not the one in the mold.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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