End of Years of Frustration

I attended the Orioles baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday at Orioles Park at Camden Yards.

Middle of the 14th Inning,
September 13, 2012

The game lasted 5 hours and 14 minutes, officially, going into the 14 inning before ending in a victory for the home team--the Orioles. I don't normally get to enjoy 14 inning baseball games from start to finish, they usually end too late for me to stay awake, but this game began at 12:35pm with me in attendance at the park on a beautiful day with the Orioles playing meaningful September baseball for the first time since 1997. The day began with the O's tied with the New York Yankees, the thugs of baseball--and ended with the pressure cooker that is the end of the season squarely on the Yankees who were playing the Red Sox and eked out a win of their own to remain tied.

My Front Door After the Orioles Win

The game had the feeling of a play-off game--which although it wasn't, the implications were huge. The Orioles were trying to sweep the Rays in a three-game series and keep the heat on the Yankees who seem to be cracking under the pressure of season ending baseball.

At the end of the day, the win assured the Orioles of their first non-losing season since 1997. The Orioles ended the day at 81-62, 19 games over .500 with 19 games left to play. A huge triumph for a team picked by the pre-season pundits to finish with possible 110 losses.

I sat through the game yesterday almost unbelieving. The score was tied at the end of nine innings 2-2, every batter and every out was critical. I watched the Orioles blow a 2-1 lead at the end of seven innings. I saw the team battle in a manner I have not seen in years.

The losing is over.

The winning attitude is here.

When I arrived home after the game, my house was decorated appropriately by Patrick and Tina--complete with brooms by the front door for the sweep of the Rays!

I thought the Orioles on the garage door was an especially nice touch.

Although it would be easy to call the season a success--this team and its fans want more. There is even talk of winning not only the division form the hated Yankees--but the World Series. I love to dream--but sometimes, dreams come true.

But for now--yesterday was a win during a long 162 game season which signaled the end of over a decade of impotence and frustration. I celebrate with the city and the region the return of a proud baseball franchise to relevance. And, I am just happy to be along for the ride.

Go O's.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Insanity and Civilization

I an still trying to wrap my head around the violence taking place in Libya and Egypt that has resulted in the death of brave Americans who were there trying to help the people of the region obtain freedom and safety from oppression.

How could the Libyans forget so quickly that it was the United States that helped lead them out from under the oppressive policies of a dictator and into self control of their government?

Same for Egypt--where although the U.S. did not take an active role, we quickly embraced the new government and offered assistance.

And this morning I read that the violence against Americans has spread to Yemen.

Why are the people of the U.S. seen as pariahs while those who daily foment violence and chaos seen as liberators? And they kill their own.

Why is the world so upside down?

All of this is because of an inflammatory film? Really? Are they that insecure in their faith? Is their god not big enough to shrug these slights off?

I have seen and heard a lot of inflammatory statements made about and against my God--but I know that my God is bigger than weak and feeble-minded statements made in ignorance and I also know that we humans are imperfect to begin with. My God is a God of forgiveness. Just ask!

I am sure that I am on their list now for questioning the omnipotence of their god. I read that it is not a popular thing to do.

But this morning I mourn the loss of brave, devoted American patriots who were killed doing their jobs for ungrateful peoples in places of the world that I have no desire to visit.

I am beginning to understand that tolerance is a foundational building block of civilization. We cannot consider ourselves civilized without appreciating diversity.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Return of the Hunter

I am amazed at how it sneaks up on me during September.

Hanging there in the pre-dawn sky yesterday morning Orion made his presence known to me as I was returning to the house after Makayla's morning walk.

I am always happy when Orion finally disappears after transitioning to the evening sky. It means Spring has returned. For now though Orion's return signals that the dark, cold times are on their way.

The constellation is stunning though. Besides the Big Dipper, Orion may be the most recognizable constellation, although Cassiopeia is a close second.

I enjoy the way the imaginary hunter watches over me. Some of the stars that comprise Orion are friends as well. Betelgeuse and Rigel are my favorites.

The return of Orion means pool closing is at hand. The leaves will don their autumn gaiety soon, and the snow and cold of winter are not far behind.

So much cold and darkness before the return of moderate temperatures.  And all because Orion has returned.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Awesome Image

Patrick took a really cool image of Camden Yards while we were at the game on Sunday.

It is a panoramic image.

It shows so much of how this season is different for the O's. This is a September game with over 46,000 people in attendance-and most of them are wearing orange! Not blue or red.

On the very right side--in the orange you can see myself and Jeremy watching the on field activity intently.

A beautiful September afternoon--puffy white clouds in a beautiful blue sky.

A perfect day for baseball. If only . . .  Sadly, the image was taken during the 8th inning when the Orioles defeat was assured and so the stands are beginning to empty.

But September isn't over yet. Good things are going to happen.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 10, 2012

1. It is really demoralizing to leave a baseball game after 40,000 fans showed up but the team didn't and wound up getting blown out. On top of that, the O's lost to the Yankees.

2. There is something depressing about realizing that the end of summer is as close as it is--and it was a great summer.

3. We had a loud humming noise associated with a new set of tires on Chris' car only to find out that we have a bad wheel bearing.  I have some work to do.

4. Opening Sunday of the NFL season and I was at a baseball game--how cool is that? So much for Sunday Ticket.

5. Makayla had a check-up last week--she has bad knees. Otherwise, she's healthy but still freaked out about the wood floors. They don't give dogs anti-anxiety medicine.

6. An amazing thing happened on Friday while trying to get back home after a week in Denver, I called to change my travel reservations less than six hours before the flight I wanted to got on--and they had a seat and I pulled it off, getting back a whole day early.

7. I'm not very happy with my Samsung Blu-ray player. It won't update itself and none of the special features work. It is only a year and a half old--and now all it will do is play Blu-ray's and DVDs. It was out of warranty in March. I called Samsung support for help--and they didn't.

8. I was reassured by the news that Congress is returning to work this week after their five week vacation. I wonder, will they really work?

9. Saw an interesting phrase on a greeting card: “Always aim for the Moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” -- W. Clement Stone

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Words that Signal the End of Summer

Sitting together for breakfast this morning, Chris uttered the words that signal the end of summer to me.

The conversation went something like:

"Bob? What are we doing next weekend?"

I responded too quickly, "I think next weekend is open, why?"

And then she had me, "I think we should close the pool, the nights are in the 50's and so it is going to be too cold to swim. And the leaves are going to be falling off the trees soon."

Ugh! She had me. I had not only opened the door to the trap, but had cheerfully walked through and shut off any escape route behind me. I never saw it coming. It was a long distance kill shot. Perfectly sniped.

Closing the pool is one of the saddest weekends of my year. Not because of the work--but because of what it means.

The end of summer. Closing the book on the most joyous season of my year and ushering in the season of cold and darkness.

I need a house on the other side of the equator to escape to during the upcoming seasons. I'm thinking of perpetual summer rotating between the U.S. and maybe Chile or Australia.

In wine a wine region of course.

All of this because I have to close my pool--the site of summer fun and frolic.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, September 2012

I am fascinated with the views out of hotel windows, as many of you know. And so, as I was at the Embassy Suites in Denver again for a couple of days, I decided to do something a bit different--document the breaking of the dawn--especially since I was up anyway.

I took a series of three images out of my window as the sun tried rising in the east the other morning.

In this one--the sky is uniformly lit by the sun which is still minutes below the horizon.

It was very dark and the iPad camera did a relatively good job capturing the scene.

In the next one, the sun is just below the horizon--the orange glow can be seen.

I love the way the light is reflected off the clouds. They shimmer and look silver.

The final image is of the scene in dawns light.

Or almost, anyway.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

O's -- All in Yet?

I was reviewing the Facebook postings from family and friends about the Orioles and was reminded of a question someone asked last week--

When should we go all in for the Orioles?

My response-- two months ago!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, CO

Simply O's

I was planning to do another blog on out the hotel window--but the O's played the Yankees last evening--and won what was the most important game in the past 15 years! And now tonight's game is the most important game in that same span.

OMG--it is September and the Orioles are playing to win the division for the first time since 1997.

Am I excited?

Camden Yards from Pickle's Pub

Yes. This is the first time the Orioles have been playing for the post season since I've been a season ticket holder. They are tied for the second best record in the American league.

I can't wrap my head around it. Neither can my family.

Whether they actually make the playoffs or not is almost immaterial--but I have been wishing for a beltway World Series between the National and the Orioles, just because both teams deserve the recognition.

I have some of the tickets for post season games--but I fear I will go broke supporting the resurgent O's which are arguably, one of the best teams in baseball.

How can I possibly miss a game?

I can't.

How can I not fly to Tampa for the season finale when the O's will likely secure a post season playoff spot, or not.

I saw on TV that over 46,000 people were in the Yards last night--and it made me happy that Baltimore, one of the premier baseball towns in America was back with a swagger.

I read a Yankee blog and it seems that Yankee fans know the Orioles are for real. They are panicked!

Can the O's really win the AL East? Or even wild card. Remember, at the beginning of the season they were predicted to lose more than 100 games and be worse than the Houston Astros?  The Astros have already been mathematically eliminated from post-season play--the only team in baseball with that distinction and they are on track to lose about 110 games. I feel bad for their fans--I've supported a team that has been there.

My what a few months will do.

O's.

However it ends, the ride has been great and I love baseball.

-- Bob Doan, Writing from Denver, CO

Sleeping Away from Home

Something that seems to elude me when traveling is good sleep.

I enjoy some aspects of traveling--especially changing timezones so that the end of the Orioles game is at 8PM, or the end of a nighttime football game is right at my 10PM bedtime.

But then the fun begins--finding the best way to enjoy the bed provided to me for sleep.

I think that most of the problem is that I am alone--and so I have too much space to fill. Chris is not next to me and neither is Makayla nor the cats. While this should be an advantage, it seems that it isn't.

It is too quiet and too still.

There is no reassuring breathing (or panting in the case of Makayla) to create the sounds that mean sleep to me. I can't feel me bed mates struggling to carve out their own piece of the bed.

I am alone with a lot of space to fill.

And pillows--seemingly a multitude of pillows, yet none exactly like the ones that I am comfortable wrapping my arms around or placing my head upon.

And it is too hot or too cold.

No matter where the thermostat is set--it is wrong at some time. I find I like my hotel room a bit warmer than the default temperature. But even though I set the thermostat for the same temperature as home--it is not right.

I sleep. But in spurts.

I check the clock constantly. Sometimes on the half hour hoping that I had slept and it is time to get started on the day.

But no--it usually doesn't happen.

And that brings the weird dreams. Like last night when I was riding a bicycle with a flat tire, double with Chris, and we stopped at a gas station for air where they were fishing and a some professional soccer players were having their cars fixed before heading off to soccer training camp. Someone needed a boat to go fishing in the river, where the air pump was.

Really, I can't make this stuff up--well, I guess I did.

-- Bob Doan, Writing from Denver, CO