1. I know why won't Congress let us fall off the fiscal cliff? They have too much at stake--personally.
2. I don't know why can't I sleep in anymore on weekends? I was up by 6AM on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
3. Galileo invented the telescope on this day in 1621. How do they know that? Go check out Jupiter, I hear it is close.
4. I have learned a lot recently about how innocent by standers wind up in the middle of the action. It happens pretty quickly.
5. I am amazed by the new leader in Egypt--he apparently decided the deposed dictator had it right. So much for revolution and freedom.
6. To celebrate the end of the Mayan calendar, I have some friends getting married on December 21st. They are not really celebrating the end of the world, but rather the love and respect they have for each other. It just happens to coincide with the Mayan's calendar. Two new beginnings.
7. I read a report that Singapore is the least emotional country in the world and the Philippines are the most emotional country in the world. The U.S. and Canada are among the 15 most emotional countries in the world. I'm not too sure what this means.
8. I placed my old iPhone for sale on Craigslist yesterday and received zero inquiries! So much for additional Christmas money!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, December 3, 2012
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Disconnect: Fully Cooked Sushi
Walking around MacDill AFB, Florida the other day, I spied a sign that just didn't make sense to me.
Cooked Sushi?
Does that really make sense?
Wikipedia defines Sushi as Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice (shari) combined with other ingredients (neta), usually raw fish or other seafood. Neta and forms of sushi presentation vary, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is vinegared rice called sushi-meshi.
Note in the definition the words, "raw fish!" Not cooked!
Cooked Sushi?
Does that really make sense?
Wikipedia defines Sushi as Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice (shari) combined with other ingredients (neta), usually raw fish or other seafood. Neta and forms of sushi presentation vary, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is vinegared rice called sushi-meshi.
Note in the definition the words, "raw fish!" Not cooked!
So, what gives with Fully Cooked Sushi?
Who came up with that idea anyway? Is it still sushi if it is fully cooked? Doesn't that make it a spring roll or something?
I avoided that place.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Things left to do during 2012
I was scrolling through some images this morning and ran across one of the things I had wanted to do during 2012, but haven't got around to doing yet.
What do you think? Diving with a Great White in Mexico!
Donations appreciated!
--Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
What do you think? Diving with a Great White in Mexico!
Donations appreciated!
--Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
December Dawns
Yes, amazingly enough it is the first of December 2012.
A whole year has nearly escaped and I am hard pressed to recall how it has passed so quickly.
Like the deviled eggs from the Thanksgiving feast of just over a week ago, the end of the line for 2012 is in view and it seems I have more to do than there are days left to do them.
And I don't just mean Christmas shopping. I have hardly started that, ugh! But, I had planned on traveling to new and far away places this year--didn't happen.
On a more mundane front I still haven't even cut the grasses around the pool. Maybe this afternoon I will get to that project. After doing the leaves for hopefully the last time in 2012!
But the Christmas decorations are up! Mostly.
The good news is that there are still days remaining in December to knock out some of the hanging projects.
December is a month beginnings and endings. There are endings--like the year, Autumn. But there are beginnings too, like Winter, burr and the renewing of friendships during the Holiday season.
This year there are additional things to consider on the national front, like the fiscal cliff. When December ends will our economy fall off it? The New Years Eve celebrations could be very subdued if our elected leaders don't figure something out.
Given all of that I definitely don't want to rush the end of the year. There are 31 days left, I am making a personal commitment to enjoy each one and find something special in it.
-- Bob Doan, back home in Elkridge, MD
 |
| Deviled Eggs at Thanksgiving |
A whole year has nearly escaped and I am hard pressed to recall how it has passed so quickly.
Like the deviled eggs from the Thanksgiving feast of just over a week ago, the end of the line for 2012 is in view and it seems I have more to do than there are days left to do them.
And I don't just mean Christmas shopping. I have hardly started that, ugh! But, I had planned on traveling to new and far away places this year--didn't happen.
On a more mundane front I still haven't even cut the grasses around the pool. Maybe this afternoon I will get to that project. After doing the leaves for hopefully the last time in 2012!
But the Christmas decorations are up! Mostly.
The good news is that there are still days remaining in December to knock out some of the hanging projects.
December is a month beginnings and endings. There are endings--like the year, Autumn. But there are beginnings too, like Winter, burr and the renewing of friendships during the Holiday season.
This year there are additional things to consider on the national front, like the fiscal cliff. When December ends will our economy fall off it? The New Years Eve celebrations could be very subdued if our elected leaders don't figure something out.
Given all of that I definitely don't want to rush the end of the year. There are 31 days left, I am making a personal commitment to enjoy each one and find something special in it.
-- Bob Doan, back home in Elkridge, MD
Friday, November 30, 2012
Christmas for the Hotel Lobby
The lobby is decorated for the season at the hotel where I am residing. It is fun, I guess, to see the decorations placed about the lobby bringing their version of good cheer to the entrance.
I especially enjoyed the tree and the poinsettias strategically positioned to brighten up the lobby.
It seems I need to work a bit with my iPhone camera to take better images of lighted Christmas trees. This one seems a bit blurry--but maybe it adds to the ambiance of the scene.
I notes that the tree is very traditional, complete with a star on the top. The lights are white, and there are pretend presents around the base of the tree.
It is the season of preparation and shopping and so these decorations make the scene complete.
I can almost feel the hustle and bustle catching up with me.
-- Bob Doan, Writing from Tampa, FL
I especially enjoyed the tree and the poinsettias strategically positioned to brighten up the lobby.
It seems I need to work a bit with my iPhone camera to take better images of lighted Christmas trees. This one seems a bit blurry--but maybe it adds to the ambiance of the scene.
I notes that the tree is very traditional, complete with a star on the top. The lights are white, and there are pretend presents around the base of the tree.
It is the season of preparation and shopping and so these decorations make the scene complete.
I can almost feel the hustle and bustle catching up with me.
-- Bob Doan, Writing from Tampa, FL
Thursday, November 29, 2012
KB-50 Aerial Refueling Aircraft
Is it a prop plane or is it a jet? Nope, it's a hybrid.
I saw this hulking aircraft on display across the field from the building where I have been working this week. As I looked at it, I at first thought it was a venerable B-29--but then I looked closer and saw the outboard jet engines on each wing and added fuel tanks.
I considered for a moment what this aircraft might be. B-50? No, they never put jets on the B-50's, I thought. A modified RB-50? Yes, as I crossed the parking lots and busy four lane road of MacDill AFB, Florida, that is exactly what I expected to see. It made sense--Cuban Missile Crisis, reconnaissance, Florida. Although the jet engines still bothered me because I didn't think the RB-50 ever had jets.
People who know me, know that I am reasonably good at identifying aircraft--especially aircraft that were in service with the greatest command in history--Strategic Air Command (SAC). So when I arrived at the site and saw the aircraft was a KB-50, imagine my surprise--I had never seen a KB-50 before.
The last of these venerable aircraft were retired during 1965--what a great run.
I enjoyed researching the history of the aircraft and finding out how they were used. I think it was one of those really successful repurposing of old, but useful aircraft. Just a short walk away, and flying overhead I saw the current aerial refueling aircraft in the Air Force fleet--the KC-135R. It is good to get away to an operational Air Force Base every so often.
-- Bob Doan, writing from Tampa, FL
 |
| KB-50 Aerial Refueling Aircraft at MacDill AFB, FL |
I saw this hulking aircraft on display across the field from the building where I have been working this week. As I looked at it, I at first thought it was a venerable B-29--but then I looked closer and saw the outboard jet engines on each wing and added fuel tanks.
I considered for a moment what this aircraft might be. B-50? No, they never put jets on the B-50's, I thought. A modified RB-50? Yes, as I crossed the parking lots and busy four lane road of MacDill AFB, Florida, that is exactly what I expected to see. It made sense--Cuban Missile Crisis, reconnaissance, Florida. Although the jet engines still bothered me because I didn't think the RB-50 ever had jets.
 |
| KB-50 Side View Showing the Outboard Jet Engine |
People who know me, know that I am reasonably good at identifying aircraft--especially aircraft that were in service with the greatest command in history--Strategic Air Command (SAC). So when I arrived at the site and saw the aircraft was a KB-50, imagine my surprise--I had never seen a KB-50 before.
The last of these venerable aircraft were retired during 1965--what a great run.
I enjoyed researching the history of the aircraft and finding out how they were used. I think it was one of those really successful repurposing of old, but useful aircraft. Just a short walk away, and flying overhead I saw the current aerial refueling aircraft in the Air Force fleet--the KC-135R. It is good to get away to an operational Air Force Base every so often.
-- Bob Doan, writing from Tampa, FL
Red Dawn - Review
I was looking forward to a campy, remake of the 1984 cult classic.
I didn't get it.
This remake of Red Dawn lacks imagination. plot, creativity, and the feel good ending that the original movie had. Mind you, the original wasn't that good, but at least it left you feeling good!
This version is just bad. It has no socially redeeming value and is not even worth the time to watch it when it comes out on Netflix.
The acting is bad. The character development is practically nonexistent. The rest of the movie is trite and superficial. From a technical perspective, the bad guys are using US equipment for their military forces. The plot is poor and unbelievable--another secret weapon, not further specified, has crippled the US military and left the entire country defenseless and open to assault by North Korea. The landing is done by aircraft--how were they refueled in getting from North Korea to the US and without flying over Japan? The geography just doesn't work nor does the apparent logistics to support an army large enough to capture most of the US.
Come on, the US is not South Korea--whom the North Koreans hate more than us.
And that is just the beginning of the movie. The inevitable inclusion of the Russians and the bumbling North Korean officer who is in charge of the occupation are just more bad movie ploys. Given that the movie had a $65 million budget, I wonder why they couldn't have done better?
Another reviewer wrote:
Red Dawn really doesn't offer too much more in the movie department. The fact that a technologically strong country like North Korea doesn't have better armor for their troops is complete fiction and makes the threat of the enemy a little less intimidating. Throw in the fact that the kids can shoot better than the troops, and well you get a classic American cowboy film that further pumps up someone's ego. Aside from American pride, this movie also has a vague ending just like its 80's precursor that sets the stage for both ending and opens up for another movie. Whether or not this sways your vote I can't tell, but I'm just warning you that there is no definite closure to this film.
I didn't get it.
This remake of Red Dawn lacks imagination. plot, creativity, and the feel good ending that the original movie had. Mind you, the original wasn't that good, but at least it left you feeling good!
This version is just bad. It has no socially redeeming value and is not even worth the time to watch it when it comes out on Netflix.
The acting is bad. The character development is practically nonexistent. The rest of the movie is trite and superficial. From a technical perspective, the bad guys are using US equipment for their military forces. The plot is poor and unbelievable--another secret weapon, not further specified, has crippled the US military and left the entire country defenseless and open to assault by North Korea. The landing is done by aircraft--how were they refueled in getting from North Korea to the US and without flying over Japan? The geography just doesn't work nor does the apparent logistics to support an army large enough to capture most of the US.
Come on, the US is not South Korea--whom the North Koreans hate more than us.
And that is just the beginning of the movie. The inevitable inclusion of the Russians and the bumbling North Korean officer who is in charge of the occupation are just more bad movie ploys. Given that the movie had a $65 million budget, I wonder why they couldn't have done better?
Another reviewer wrote:
Red Dawn really doesn't offer too much more in the movie department. The fact that a technologically strong country like North Korea doesn't have better armor for their troops is complete fiction and makes the threat of the enemy a little less intimidating. Throw in the fact that the kids can shoot better than the troops, and well you get a classic American cowboy film that further pumps up someone's ego. Aside from American pride, this movie also has a vague ending just like its 80's precursor that sets the stage for both ending and opens up for another movie. Whether or not this sways your vote I can't tell, but I'm just warning you that there is no definite closure to this film.
I concur with all of the above.
RECOMMENDATION: Must miss!
-- Bob Doan, writing from Tampa, FL
-- Bob Doan, writing from Tampa, FL
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Out the Hotel Window - Tampa, November 2012
Autumn's grip on the Northeast is slipping and I am in Tampa enjoying 70 degree days that Baltimore may not see again until March or April.
Out my hotel window in the distance is Tampa Bay just before sunset on November 27th.
The still warm sun is hidden behind the clouds as it slips towards the horizon.
Yay for warmth and sun. I left behind gray, rainy, cold skies in Baltimore.
While the water seems inviting, it is a distance away and I have not had the opportunity to put my toes into its salty warmth.
The weather is definitely different here, I ate dinner outside at a local restaurant last evening! And it was enjoyable.
-- Bob Doan, writing from Tampa, FL
 |
| Looking West from Westshore Drive, Tampa |
Out my hotel window in the distance is Tampa Bay just before sunset on November 27th.
The still warm sun is hidden behind the clouds as it slips towards the horizon.
Yay for warmth and sun. I left behind gray, rainy, cold skies in Baltimore.
While the water seems inviting, it is a distance away and I have not had the opportunity to put my toes into its salty warmth.
The weather is definitely different here, I ate dinner outside at a local restaurant last evening! And it was enjoyable.
-- Bob Doan, writing from Tampa, FL
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Everything that's Wrong with the NFL
I can sum up everything that is wrong with the NFL in two words: Video Replay!
On Sunday, during the Ravens-Chargers game I was subjected to some of the worst officiating that I have ever witnessed.
Aside from the pass interference and leading-with-the helmet calls that weren't, the highlight of the game was the three-ring circus surrounding the Ray Rice pass reception for 30 yards on a 4th and 29 late during the 4th quarter.
Even with the assistance of video replay, the officials were hard pressed to make the right call. After determining that they spotted the end of the play wrong, they were then confronted with the problem that the first down chains had been moved and it was difficult to determine their correct placement in order to do a check for the first down. After a 15 minute, or more, delay in the game, the end result of all of the video review and play changing was that the ball was repositioned about 12 inches and the Ravens still had a first down and the game continued. It was more likely that a truly correct reassessment of the ball position and first down markers would have resulted in a change of possession and the game being essentially over with the Chargers winning, 13-10.
Instead the Ravens scored the tying field goal and won the game in overtime, 16-13.
Please do not bring video replay to baseball. We don't need the delay and continued bad calls.
I continue to be amazed that even with video replay and the stoppage in play, officials still get the calls wrong. The TV announcers and even the coaches, apparently upon the orders of the league, cannot comment on the erroneous calls--but too many of them are too obvious to ignore. This is hurting the quality of the product being put on the field week-to-week.
Football, the king of American sports, has lost its competitive spirit. Video replay is not better than when officials were allowed to make the calls without the benefit of video replay. I think it is more fair and the games move faster.
BTW, when is CBS going to figure out that Sixty Minutes is not going to start on time when they are televising a 4pm game? The games have grown longer, it seems, from 3 to almost 4 hours.
And they are painful to watch, even when the my favorite team wins.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
On Sunday, during the Ravens-Chargers game I was subjected to some of the worst officiating that I have ever witnessed.
Aside from the pass interference and leading-with-the helmet calls that weren't, the highlight of the game was the three-ring circus surrounding the Ray Rice pass reception for 30 yards on a 4th and 29 late during the 4th quarter.
Even with the assistance of video replay, the officials were hard pressed to make the right call. After determining that they spotted the end of the play wrong, they were then confronted with the problem that the first down chains had been moved and it was difficult to determine their correct placement in order to do a check for the first down. After a 15 minute, or more, delay in the game, the end result of all of the video review and play changing was that the ball was repositioned about 12 inches and the Ravens still had a first down and the game continued. It was more likely that a truly correct reassessment of the ball position and first down markers would have resulted in a change of possession and the game being essentially over with the Chargers winning, 13-10.
Instead the Ravens scored the tying field goal and won the game in overtime, 16-13.
Please do not bring video replay to baseball. We don't need the delay and continued bad calls.
I continue to be amazed that even with video replay and the stoppage in play, officials still get the calls wrong. The TV announcers and even the coaches, apparently upon the orders of the league, cannot comment on the erroneous calls--but too many of them are too obvious to ignore. This is hurting the quality of the product being put on the field week-to-week.
Football, the king of American sports, has lost its competitive spirit. Video replay is not better than when officials were allowed to make the calls without the benefit of video replay. I think it is more fair and the games move faster.
BTW, when is CBS going to figure out that Sixty Minutes is not going to start on time when they are televising a 4pm game? The games have grown longer, it seems, from 3 to almost 4 hours.
And they are painful to watch, even when the my favorite team wins.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, November 26, 2012
Monday Musings - November 26, 2012
1. The holiday sprint has begun. Check out the parking lot at your favorite mall if you want to have a frustrating experience. 29 days to go until the big day!
2. I went to a movie at a mall on Saturday evening--big mistake both for parking and the choice of movie. Review to follow.
3. Eleven boxes of holiday decorations and one weekend equals one tired puppy.
4. I enjoyed a bottle of the first northern hemisphere wine of 2012 Saturday night--Beaujolais Nouveau from France. It was young but had a very nice color.
5. I wrote down a couple of ideas during Sunday's church message about giving:
a. Relationship is the basis of gifting, without a relationship between the giver and receiver gifts are just things.
b. When I am giving a gift, it is not me doing the giving, but God giving through me.
c. God's generosity to me causes me to be.
6. At 5:30 pm, when it is dark outside and day has passed into night I remember the summertime and how our outside activities are just beginning around the pool with a glass of wine.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. I went to a movie at a mall on Saturday evening--big mistake both for parking and the choice of movie. Review to follow.
3. Eleven boxes of holiday decorations and one weekend equals one tired puppy.
4. I enjoyed a bottle of the first northern hemisphere wine of 2012 Saturday night--Beaujolais Nouveau from France. It was young but had a very nice color.
5. I wrote down a couple of ideas during Sunday's church message about giving:
a. Relationship is the basis of gifting, without a relationship between the giver and receiver gifts are just things.
b. When I am giving a gift, it is not me doing the giving, but God giving through me.
c. God's generosity to me causes me to be.
6. At 5:30 pm, when it is dark outside and day has passed into night I remember the summertime and how our outside activities are just beginning around the pool with a glass of wine.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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