Argo - Review

What a great ride! The movie had everything--suspense, villains, a "you gotta be kidding me" plan, unlikely heroes, and a storybook happy ending. Best of all--much of it was true.

Argo is the dramatization of the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to extract six fugitive American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran. Although I knew and remembered the outcome--the movie had be doubting my history as it went along. It was such a long time ago, 1979, and not much had been written about the operation in the intervening years so it was all new territory for me to appreciate.

The lead character, Tony Mendez, played by Ben Affleck, is a CIA operative who becomes involved in trying to exfiltrate six Americans who escaped from the Tehran Embassy as it was being overthrown by revolutionaries. The film brings in scenes from the 70's and recreates them with amazing detail while also having real news reports playing. I was amazed at the young Tom Brokaw in the background of one scene.

The plan, developed by Mendez is as improbable as anything I can think of. It was just that improbability that caused the plan to succeed. The actors surrounding Affleck did great jobs with their roles and I believe that John Goodman, who plays Academy Award winning make-up artist John Chambers, may be nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Alan Arkin gives a memorable performance as movie producer Lester Siegel.

I cannot vouch for the historical accuracy of the details of the movie, as I am only beginning my research; but, the movie is well worth the effort to see. I do know, from some of the articles that I have read, that the movie severely minimizes the role of the Canadians who at the time received all of the credit (or blame, from the Iranians). I believe the truth lies in between and that this operation may have been one of those bilateral success stories that happen only so infrequently. There is an article written by Anthony Mendez in The Daily Beast which does serve to provide some historical context for the movie.

RECOMMENDATION: See this movie. This movie is not suitable for the under 13 year old crowd as one obscene word is used fairly frequently.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Fire in the Sky--An Image for my Memory

I was rolling out of the club last evening after another disappointing racquetball outing and noticed the picture perfect sky above me.

The clouds were painted red with the setting sun--yes it is setting far too early, reflecting down to the ground and making me pause, for a moment, to consider the view. I wish I were a painter. I would love to capture the scene as it resides in my mind.

I thought for a moment about snapping an image on my phone--but I knew that with all of the built-in automated light correction algorithms that the image would be a sad representation of the view I was experiencing.

Sometimes, it is better to keep the images of life in our minds rather than trying to capture them digitally.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Ghost Bridge - Governor's Bridge Road, Maryland

Saturday, I was introduced to a Ghost Bridge--or Crybaby Bridge in Maryland.

Governor's Bridge Road Truss Bridge, Maryland

According to Wikipedia: On Governor's Bridge Road, in Bowie, Maryland, is a late 19th/early 20th century steel truss bridge; legend states that a woman and her baby were murdered in the 1930s. It is also said that in the early 20th century, a young woman was impregnated, but not married. In order to avoid judgement by family and peers, she drowned her baby in the river. Purportedly, if one parks one's car at or near this bridge, a baby can be heard crying; sometimes a ghost car will creep up from behind, but disappear when the driver or passenger turns around to see it.

We did not either hear the baby or see the ghost car while we explored the bridge--which is in need of some immediate repair. I discovered a lot of rusted and some broken metal while walking under the bridge. The bridge is a narrow, one lane bridge and fortunately, there was not a lot of traffic on the day we visited.

The view of the muddy water was actually very pretty for the autumn day. And the area is very remote--if that ids possible for this portion of Maryland.

There is a pull off for parking while people explore the bridge, but I did not see a sign to explain the ghostly nature of the area.

Standing along the rail, I could almost imagine diving off into the water on a hot, sunny, summer day as I am sure hundreds of boys have done during the many years the bridge has been spanning the river.

Visiting Governor's Bridge Road Truss Bridge

On Saturday, though, that was the farthest thing form the minds of the intrepid travelers with whom I visited the span.

And we listened for the sound of crying babies.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - October 22, 2012

1. Autumn has a way of endearing itself to me--but it is so short a visit.

2. The piles of leaves are coming.

3. I saw the movie Argo. Wow, what a ride. A piece of nearly forgotten history brought back to life. Go Canada!

4. I am amazed at how many things have happened during my life--many of which I don't remember until reminded. And now many of them are considered history.

5. Now that baseball is effectively over--I guess Sundays will have to be devoted to just football for a while since the NHL can't seem to solve its problems.

6. I enjoyed a nice evening in Annapolis on Friday. Sitting along the harbor, watching the boats come and go. Conflicted because at the same time I both wanted and didn't want a boat. How funny is that?

7. Who knew that there were Ghost Bridges in Maryland?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Colors of Autumn

I had the opportunity to spend much of yesterday outside enjoying a spectacular weekend of warm temperatures and brightly adorned trees.

From the Soccer Field in Odenton, MD

I snapped a couple of quick images with my phone to help record the autumn beauty. It was great to enjoy the spectacular display of leaves before they fall from the trees and become a problem.

I was especially enjoying the reds mixed among the yellows and oranges.

The colors in the trees made me a bit sad because I  know that this is that last gasp before the bare branches appear in preparation of the cold and snow of winter.

Y Worry Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Farm
Davidsonville, MD

We also checked out a pumpkin farm. What a spectacular scene--the blue sky, the orange pumpkins in the cleared fields--stunning!

I probably could have done better with a picture, but it captures the day pretty well. A classic autumn day--one that people remember when they think of why they love autumn so much.

Pumpkin patches are an October and autumn classic. The children just love running from pumpkin to pumpkin trying to find that perfect candidate for carving into a scary jack-o-lantern.

House in Autumn Color in Odenton, MD

While we were out and about, I snapped a picture of one house, across from the soccer fields, that just made a good picture of the day. I was impressed by the clear sky and mixed colors of the leaves.

It was truly an autumn day to remember.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wicked at the Hippodrome - Review

I attended the Broadway Across America musical Wicked at the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore on Thursday evening.

I admit that I am not a huge fan of the Hippodrome. I find the seats small and close. And unlike attending a ballgame, it is impossible to get up and head out to the restroom and concession except at intermission. And anyone who has tried to do both--restroom and concession, during intermission at a theater knows that it is practically impossible to accomplish both tasks.

That written, I found the musical to be a very enjoyable and it provided for an entertaining event. The music is complex and the songs are difficult to appreciate because I could not identify a compelling melody. I would have loved to come away with a melody that I could sing to remind me of the magical time in the theater, but the show is sadly lacking in this area. Even Cats, a show which I do not appreciate at all, had that one signature song: Memory.

For those who don't know, the show is about the witches of Oz--Glinda (the Good) and Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West). The show, set in Oz (as one might expect) documents the relationship between the to girls who were, believe it or not, friends. I enjoyed the interpretation of the motives for each choosing their course and in finding that sometimes being good is can be bad and being wicked can really be an instrument for good.

The scenery, sets, and costumes were excellent and visually stimulating. The acting was superb. I especially enjoyed Jeanna De Waal who played Glinda and Christine Dwyer who played Elphaba. The show hinges upon their performances--and they did not disappoint. Their voices are clear and strong--and that is critical because of the number of duets they sing. Of the two, I felt Christine had the stronger voice and most enjoyable. She easily filled the theater, when the score called for her to do so.

Not wanting the give away the plot, I will only comment upon the storyline in general terms. Being a huge Wizard of Oz fan, I enjoyed the synchronization of the story lines which I found complimentary and worked well together. Wicked is, in a sense, the backstory for the Wizard of Oz. But it is more than that, too.

RECOMMENDATION: See the play. It is worth it. Enjoy the experience.

--  Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Debates and Elections

Do debate winners make good Presidents?

I wonder.

Do we even know who really won the debates? I have read leading writers claim that both of the leading candidates won the most recent debate.

Perhaps it is considered a win if no one clearly loses. In my book though, it is a tie.

So I am left wondering--do good debaters make good Presidents?

History might say no.

Winning a debate alone is not a good indicator of Presidential characteristics. That written, in the classic sense, the Presidential Debates really aren't debates at all--but more like a free-for-all discussion of the hot button issues designed to sway voters.

Even the facts presented during the proceedings, aren't.

The plans presented to accomplish this or that, really aren't. Presidents don't propose bills--Congress does.

How will the future President work with a hostile Congress to get the business of the country accomplished? That is really the true question that needs to be answered during a debate. And recent history shows that even a Congress controlled by the same political party as the President, may be hostile!

Bi-partisianship! I would love to hear that word spoken more. I would desire that our elected officials put aside their personal goals and focus on running the country--together and not over the cold, dead bodies of their opponents. Partisan politics is out of control and it is fueled by special interest groups which have a singular focus with no respect for the larger issues.

Whomever I vote for in a couple weeks is going to need to show me that they have a vision for America which is both inclusive and bipartisan.

Oops! I don't think that candidate is running.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Huntsville, AL, October 2012

The colors of autumn were clearly visible as I opened the blinds yesterday morning to snap the image out the window.

Out the Hampton Inn window
October, 17, 2012

The dawn golden sun highlighted the reds and yellows already adorning the trees outside my room.

In recent memory, this was one of the most colorful views out the hotel window from my room.

I remember that I was surprised as the airplane was landing at the progression that autumn has already made into the area. I think the Baltimore region is behind even Alabama in that respect.

I have been to Huntsville before, although not for a few years now. I am always fascinated at how pretty the area is. I guess I have some other mental image of Alabama--along a muddy river with thousands of mosquitoes swarming to carry me off or something.

But it is not like that at all.

This trip was not without its challenges. I forgot my razor. I never forget my razor--but alas, not I can no longer say that. At least the hotel desk had one and the nice lady smiled at me as I sheepishly went down to retrieve one of their disposables.

Despite forgetting the razor, it looked as if it was going to be another beautiful day. Amazing how a bright and cheery dawn can set the tone for a day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Airplane Window - October 2012

I flew from Baltimore to Huntsville yesterday. It was a beautiful day flying along the mountains on the first leg from Baltimore to Atlanta and the scene just caught my eye.

Airborne over The Carolinas
October 16, 2012

Sadly, the camera doesn't do it justice with the mountains rising from the valley floor to meet the sky--but it helps that I have it fully processed in my head.

I just found the scenery stunning--green and alive. I think I have been traveling to Denver too often and am numb to the scenery along that journey which is essentially flat. Although sometimes I enjoy the Great Lakes off in the distance.

Yesterday, though, the mountains rising up from the broad valley floors were just inspiring to look at and to enjoy.

Thankfully the flights were both smooth and short because I get to make the return trip today.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Huntsville, AL

Fine Wine, Great Steak, equals Awesome Dinner

The other evening Chris and I considered going out to dinner--but then decided to buy two thick Angus steaks, do up some potatoes and crack open a special bottle of wine at home rather than paying incredible prices for something we can do at home in the dining room by candle light without the chaos and cost.

The wine we decided on was a special wine--1996 Henschke Mt Edelstone Shiraz from the Eden Valley in Australia--which is a Barossa Valley appellation. I have had this bottle since about 1999 and I knew it had been properly cared for and should be stunning. I was a bit afraid that it would be corked, since the last two reviews that I had read about the wine indicated that the wine was corked--but this bottle was not only not corked--it was awesome. I was amazed at how a wine right at its peak of maturity provides mature and smoothly integrated flavors.

The steaks were done on the grill over low hear after searing to seal in the juices. They were done to perfection, I took them off at 130 degrees (medium-rare) and they were the hit of the meal blending perfectly with the wine.

Fine meals--wine and food, are so expensive when prepared by restaurants. That bottle of wine would have been untouchable price wise when eating out. But I remember how much I paid for it, in Australian dollars, during one of my trips and while it was a very affordable, it was one of the most expensive wines I had ever purchased back in 1999.

I was excited that it had aged so well and for over a decade in my possession. It was almost like parting with an old friend.

But it was well worth the wait. The dinner was perfect. The conversation intriguing and best of all--it was in our own dining room.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD