-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, December 24, 2012
First Snow
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday Musings - December 24, 2012
1. Happy Christmas Eve. May you experience the joy and promise of the season.
2. Hope is not a plan. But, sometimes, hope is all we need!
3. Saw this while shopping last week: Racks of swimming suits in between rows of winter coats. I call that, wishful thinking.
4. Remember when you said you were coming? How come you are not moving your feet?
5. The dog that is perfect is the one next to you. John O'Hurley
6. The fortunes of football games hurt more when we the season ends and we were o so close.
7. Did anyone notice, the Mayans were wrong?
8. If someone intentionally drove a car into a group of people, would we call for more car control? We need to focus on people and better care and support for people with problems.
9. I just can't imagine a better way to be awakened on Christmas Eve than to the words of my wife standing over me and saying softly--don't get upset, but the toilet is clogged!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. Hope is not a plan. But, sometimes, hope is all we need!
3. Saw this while shopping last week: Racks of swimming suits in between rows of winter coats. I call that, wishful thinking.
4. Remember when you said you were coming? How come you are not moving your feet?
5. The dog that is perfect is the one next to you. John O'Hurley
6. The fortunes of football games hurt more when we the season ends and we were o so close.
7. Did anyone notice, the Mayans were wrong?
8. If someone intentionally drove a car into a group of people, would we call for more car control? We need to focus on people and better care and support for people with problems.
9. I just can't imagine a better way to be awakened on Christmas Eve than to the words of my wife standing over me and saying softly--don't get upset, but the toilet is clogged!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sunday, December 23, 2012
The Stockings Were Hung!
Stockings! I knew that I had forgotten something. They are in one of those boxes of Christmas, somewhere, waiting. An interesting tradition.
I head an Australian talking on the radio yesterday about the Christmas traditions there, where summer has just begun when Christmas arrives. Instead of being dark, cold, and snowy, it is beach weather. Awesome! He also talked about hanging a large pillowcase on the end of the bed and waking to find it filled with presents in the morning.
So who needs stockings?
I found a website devoted to Christmas in Australia.
Throw me on Bondi Beach for some rays in the afternoon.
The website reports:
The most important day of Australian Christmas traditions is the Christmas Day (25. December). Often it starts with packing the picnic bags and eskies in the morning, to celebrate Christmas on the beach. It is a picnic lunch that starts early and doesn't often finish before the sun sets so a fair bit of food and beer is consumed.
Australians used to eat the traditional British Christmas meal, Christmas turkey, but in later years we’ve developed our own Australian Christmas food, much more suitable for the hot weather. It consists of all possible cold snacks whether it is seafood, meat, chicken or a combination of them, and potato salad, pasta salad, or just green salad, and bread. Not everyone goes to the beach, many families have Christmas lunches in their back yards too, but it's always a lunch, not a dinner.
What's an eskie? American Eskimo Dog, of course, I think.
The high temperature in Sydney is expected to be 75 degrees today.
I, unfortunately, got to enjoy the mall again yesterday for that one last gift from a store that is only in the mall. I would have much preferred the beach.
Some year, perhaps a Caribbean Christmas cruise vacation!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
I head an Australian talking on the radio yesterday about the Christmas traditions there, where summer has just begun when Christmas arrives. Instead of being dark, cold, and snowy, it is beach weather. Awesome! He also talked about hanging a large pillowcase on the end of the bed and waking to find it filled with presents in the morning.
 |
| Santa on a Boat in Australia |
So who needs stockings?
I found a website devoted to Christmas in Australia.
Throw me on Bondi Beach for some rays in the afternoon.
The website reports:
The most important day of Australian Christmas traditions is the Christmas Day (25. December). Often it starts with packing the picnic bags and eskies in the morning, to celebrate Christmas on the beach. It is a picnic lunch that starts early and doesn't often finish before the sun sets so a fair bit of food and beer is consumed.
Australians used to eat the traditional British Christmas meal, Christmas turkey, but in later years we’ve developed our own Australian Christmas food, much more suitable for the hot weather. It consists of all possible cold snacks whether it is seafood, meat, chicken or a combination of them, and potato salad, pasta salad, or just green salad, and bread. Not everyone goes to the beach, many families have Christmas lunches in their back yards too, but it's always a lunch, not a dinner.
What's an eskie? American Eskimo Dog, of course, I think.
The high temperature in Sydney is expected to be 75 degrees today.
I, unfortunately, got to enjoy the mall again yesterday for that one last gift from a store that is only in the mall. I would have much preferred the beach.
Some year, perhaps a Caribbean Christmas cruise vacation!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Hip Hip Hooray--An Extra Holiday
And as if by magic--we have an extra holiday--Christmas Eve 2012. Of course it is a one time good deal because it falls on a Monday before the Christmas Tuesday holiday.
But I'll take it. Thank-you Mr. President.
Christmas Eve is a magical day for me. It is when Christmas becomes real. It is the next thing up--and I guess I am a next thing up kind of guy. Like today--Saturday, I have a ton of things to do, among which I am looking forward to my parents arriving, but even though the tree is lit and presents are beginning to adorn its base, I'm not in the Christmas "place" in my mind.
I remember when I was in high school and working in a clothing store after school that Christmas Eve was one of my favorite days. It was a day off from school so I was able to work at the store the entire of Christmas Eve. I had an extra benefit from working there--my Dad was the assistant manager and that meant I got to spend time with him as we drove the 10 or so miles to and from work and then during the day we'd see each other as we worked the store. Funny though, we never did lunch together.
On Christmas Eve, while working the clothing store, I observed the change in the shoppers from the morning through the afternoon. The morning was typically busy and bustling--but the shoppers had a sense of purpose and directness. There was so much crisp decision making due to the impending end of the shopping season. I think I learned a lot about decision making from watching and helping the shoppers on Christmas Eve.
By the early afternoon the crowds began to thin as people finished their shopping and were able to devote time to the next thing up--family and the holiday. It was fun to watch the traffic begin to thin on the street in front of the store. I could feel Christmas closing in. I could sense it in those few shoppers who were still trying to get that one last and best gift.
And then, they stopped coming. Our store was open until 5pm--but it was devoid of customers by about 4pm as the finality of the day set in. Christmas Eve was the only time I ever remember the owner closing the store early, except for weather related events. And even though he didn't celebrate the holiday, he succumbed to the Christmas Spirit and would walk over to the front door, sometime about 4:15 look at the street, put the key in and lock the front door while turning off the lights. Dad and I would gather up our belongings and head home.
In my mind, at that magical moment when the lights went off and the key turned--it became Christmas. Family, church, and everything good associated with the holiday started right then!
I will be out shopping on Christmas Eve--not because I need anything, but because I still love the different feeling that the shoppers have. I think there are lots of other crazies like me, who just love the be able to finally relax and enjoy the holiday as it makes its undeniable arrival.
The waiting is over. The holly is out. Christmas is near.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
 |
| Grace Church Service Times |
But I'll take it. Thank-you Mr. President.
Christmas Eve is a magical day for me. It is when Christmas becomes real. It is the next thing up--and I guess I am a next thing up kind of guy. Like today--Saturday, I have a ton of things to do, among which I am looking forward to my parents arriving, but even though the tree is lit and presents are beginning to adorn its base, I'm not in the Christmas "place" in my mind.
I remember when I was in high school and working in a clothing store after school that Christmas Eve was one of my favorite days. It was a day off from school so I was able to work at the store the entire of Christmas Eve. I had an extra benefit from working there--my Dad was the assistant manager and that meant I got to spend time with him as we drove the 10 or so miles to and from work and then during the day we'd see each other as we worked the store. Funny though, we never did lunch together.
On Christmas Eve, while working the clothing store, I observed the change in the shoppers from the morning through the afternoon. The morning was typically busy and bustling--but the shoppers had a sense of purpose and directness. There was so much crisp decision making due to the impending end of the shopping season. I think I learned a lot about decision making from watching and helping the shoppers on Christmas Eve.
By the early afternoon the crowds began to thin as people finished their shopping and were able to devote time to the next thing up--family and the holiday. It was fun to watch the traffic begin to thin on the street in front of the store. I could feel Christmas closing in. I could sense it in those few shoppers who were still trying to get that one last and best gift.
And then, they stopped coming. Our store was open until 5pm--but it was devoid of customers by about 4pm as the finality of the day set in. Christmas Eve was the only time I ever remember the owner closing the store early, except for weather related events. And even though he didn't celebrate the holiday, he succumbed to the Christmas Spirit and would walk over to the front door, sometime about 4:15 look at the street, put the key in and lock the front door while turning off the lights. Dad and I would gather up our belongings and head home.
In my mind, at that magical moment when the lights went off and the key turned--it became Christmas. Family, church, and everything good associated with the holiday started right then!
I will be out shopping on Christmas Eve--not because I need anything, but because I still love the different feeling that the shoppers have. I think there are lots of other crazies like me, who just love the be able to finally relax and enjoy the holiday as it makes its undeniable arrival.
The waiting is over. The holly is out. Christmas is near.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Friday, December 21, 2012
Driving off the Fiscal Cliff
I read in the news this morning that Congress is planning to give us all a unique Christmas gift--a total melt down.
The LA Times reports it this way:
WASHINGTON — House Speaker John A. Boehner abruptly canceled a vote on his Plan B tax proposal late Thursday after failing to find enough GOP support, a stunning political defeat that effectively turned resolution of the year-end budget crisis over to President Obama and the Democrats.
So much for unity and a calm reasoned approach (as if there ever was one).
Taxpayers--I think our wallets are going to get a lot thinner next year as the governments (plural intended) siphon off more of our earnings.
I hope they get it fixed.
Oh, wait--Hope is not a plan!
What is the plan then? Apparently it is to keep the right foot heavy on the gas and drive straight for the fiscal cliff in an apparent Thelma and Louise type ending. That way, those responsible won't be around to clean up the mess.
So from our President and Congress to We the People, the Christmas message is clearly: enjoy life now, because it is all going to change in just over a week!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
The LA Times reports it this way:
WASHINGTON — House Speaker John A. Boehner abruptly canceled a vote on his Plan B tax proposal late Thursday after failing to find enough GOP support, a stunning political defeat that effectively turned resolution of the year-end budget crisis over to President Obama and the Democrats.
The speaker had spent the last few weeks negotiating one-on-one with the president, establishing himself as the second-most powerful figure in Washington. But with his strategy imploding, Boehner conceded that he would play a lesser role.
"Now it is up to the president," he said, to work with a fellow Democrat, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, "to avert the fiscal cliff."
So much for unity and a calm reasoned approach (as if there ever was one).
Taxpayers--I think our wallets are going to get a lot thinner next year as the governments (plural intended) siphon off more of our earnings.
I hope they get it fixed.
Oh, wait--Hope is not a plan!
What is the plan then? Apparently it is to keep the right foot heavy on the gas and drive straight for the fiscal cliff in an apparent Thelma and Louise type ending. That way, those responsible won't be around to clean up the mess.
So from our President and Congress to We the People, the Christmas message is clearly: enjoy life now, because it is all going to change in just over a week!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The Week Before Christmas 2012
It was the week before Christmas
And throughout Columbia Mall
Every shopper was scurrying
With lists and bags full
The sale signs were hung
by the doorways en masse
In the hope that my credit card
would soon disgorge there
The crowds they were stifling
the kids not about
'twas noontime on a school day
and the parents were out
The shelves were stocked full
of the wares all for sale
and the sales clerks were worn out
from weeks without breaks
The parking garage was a free for all
the streets jammed with cars
more than one fender bender
was out and about
The lines at the counters
were twenty feet deep
as cashiers were tallying
up sale after sale
I walked through the mall
from one end to the other
just to walk to the other end
and do it again
I lept to my truck
when I finished my shopping
and drove out of sight
feeling most very lucky
And as I drove off
from the mall parking lot
above the engines I heard
a faint carol of sorts
The song was an old one
I knew it by heart
the words made me pause
amid all of the screams
The notes stopped me short
a tear crossed my eye
for the song that I heard was
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviors birth
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
And throughout Columbia Mall
Every shopper was scurrying
With lists and bags full
The sale signs were hung
by the doorways en masse
In the hope that my credit card
would soon disgorge there
The crowds they were stifling
the kids not about
'twas noontime on a school day
and the parents were out
The shelves were stocked full
of the wares all for sale
and the sales clerks were worn out
from weeks without breaks
The parking garage was a free for all
the streets jammed with cars
more than one fender bender
was out and about
The lines at the counters
were twenty feet deep
as cashiers were tallying
up sale after sale
I walked through the mall
from one end to the other
just to walk to the other end
and do it again
I lept to my truck
when I finished my shopping
and drove out of sight
feeling most very lucky
And as I drove off
from the mall parking lot
above the engines I heard
a faint carol of sorts
The song was an old one
I knew it by heart
the words made me pause
amid all of the screams
The notes stopped me short
a tear crossed my eye
for the song that I heard was
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviors birth
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Day Off
It is the Christmas season after all and I decided that I was way behind on a number of critical things--like shopping. So, I took the day off! A brave thing to do. I also looked at my use-or-lose leave balance and couldn't figure out how else I was going to get the rest of it used this year!
Yay.
It is going to be busy as I attack the shopping arenas with vigor! Hopefully they will be mostly empty.
I have a few, too many, gifts to finish up. I admit though, I could get used to enjoying multiple cups of coffee in the solitude of my living room before starting the day.
I, frankly though, have put too many things off and although I was doing most of my shopping on line, there were/are a few things that I just need to see, handle, and look at in more depth to ensure they are just right. It is funny how some things just need to be seen.
And so, I'm off to shop.
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
There, I feel better already!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Yay.
It is going to be busy as I attack the shopping arenas with vigor! Hopefully they will be mostly empty.
I have a few, too many, gifts to finish up. I admit though, I could get used to enjoying multiple cups of coffee in the solitude of my living room before starting the day.
I, frankly though, have put too many things off and although I was doing most of my shopping on line, there were/are a few things that I just need to see, handle, and look at in more depth to ensure they are just right. It is funny how some things just need to be seen.
And so, I'm off to shop.
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
There, I feel better already!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Did He Eat an Elf?
By the time he was done, he had a green mustache and it looked like he had eaten an elf!
But he had a lot of fun with the donut.
Fortunately, I didn't get caught in the spray pattern. I was not covered with the green frosting.
But I did enjoy the thought that I would send him home with his parents to be cleaned up.
Green.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, December 17, 2012
Monday Musings - December 17, 2012
1. Terrible things happen in the world and try as I might, there is not way to make sense of them. By definition they just do not make sense.
2. What a weird sport football is, a team that plays extremely poorly three weeks in a row and looses by a blow out can make the playoffs because because another team just barely lost. Go Ravens! Time to turn the team bus around.
3. Less than two months until the first full Spring Training workout for the Orioles position players--February 16th.
4. One week to go until the huge celebrations begin. And then, peace because it is over for another eleven months.
5. If you want to have some fun, do a search for the worst Christmas songs of all time. There is little consensus for the worst song of all time. I have seen The First Noel, Feliz Navidad, Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk this Christmas (John Denver), Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town all listed as the worst Christmas Song of all time. I guess it depends upon your personal view.
6. Saturday, Santa visited our neighborhood by firetruck. By the time he was done visiting all of the neighborhoods around us (which took most of the afternoon) I was composing a song parody titled Santa got run over by a Firetruck.
7. My vote for the worst Christmas song of all time is I'll be Home for Christmas. Just saying.
8. I was crushed to learn that the bengal tiger used in the boat scenes during the movie Life of Pi was computer generated. I was going to support him for an Oscar. He was the best actor I've seen in a movie all year.
9. If the world ends Friday, the whole Mayan calendar thing, and no one is left alive will anyone care?
10. Two weeks from today is New Year's Eve--I wonder of we will be falling off the fiscal cliff at midnight?
2. What a weird sport football is, a team that plays extremely poorly three weeks in a row and looses by a blow out can make the playoffs because because another team just barely lost. Go Ravens! Time to turn the team bus around.
3. Less than two months until the first full Spring Training workout for the Orioles position players--February 16th.
4. One week to go until the huge celebrations begin. And then, peace because it is over for another eleven months.
5. If you want to have some fun, do a search for the worst Christmas songs of all time. There is little consensus for the worst song of all time. I have seen The First Noel, Feliz Navidad, Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk this Christmas (John Denver), Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town all listed as the worst Christmas Song of all time. I guess it depends upon your personal view.
6. Saturday, Santa visited our neighborhood by firetruck. By the time he was done visiting all of the neighborhoods around us (which took most of the afternoon) I was composing a song parody titled Santa got run over by a Firetruck.
7. My vote for the worst Christmas song of all time is I'll be Home for Christmas. Just saying.
8. I was crushed to learn that the bengal tiger used in the boat scenes during the movie Life of Pi was computer generated. I was going to support him for an Oscar. He was the best actor I've seen in a movie all year.
9. If the world ends Friday, the whole Mayan calendar thing, and no one is left alive will anyone care?
10. Two weeks from today is New Year's Eve--I wonder of we will be falling off the fiscal cliff at midnight?
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Watching the Grandsons
There I was yesterday morning. Alone, unarmed, and without a clue as to how to keep three grandsons under the age of 8 busy for a couple of hours. I was at the mercy of Lucas, Jax, and Ethan with no help.
Something possessed me to say yes when asked if I'd watch the boys for an hour (or so) as Chris and Nicole headed off shopping for those final Christmas presents. Lucas was already at the house to allow his parents the opportunity to attend an early movie. Ethan and Jax had arrived for a scheduled playdate.
Recognizing the impending arrival of the grandsons, during the morning I had completed the conversion of the nursery into a playroom equipped with wall mounted TV and a Wii. Just in time to check it all out.
The Wii kept their interest for a while. I even got involved and won a bowling game but was utterly crushed by Ethan playing tennis. Seems he has been playing Wii tennis and this was my first attempt. I at least managed a few points in one game.
Then it was outside to play on the swings, pass the soccer ball around and practice some basketball bounce passes.
It is amazing how slowly time passes when the clock is watched. Even so--an hour (or so) turned into two and was headed for three.
Somewhere in there I was able to provide snacks and drinks to keep the boys wired and happy.
The stroke of genius came from Ethan when he asked to watch Star Wars Episode 3.
As we all settled in to watch the movie, I realized that this wasn't so bad. The boys were awesome and we actually had a real good time tougher. Surprisingly, there was no blood, no tears, and only a minor incident when Jax walked into my backswing while playing Wii Tennis.
Success.
It was almost anti-climactic when the women returned as we were really getting into the movie. But good things soon end. Or is it that they end too soon when they are good?
I survived. The house survived--and so did the boys!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Something possessed me to say yes when asked if I'd watch the boys for an hour (or so) as Chris and Nicole headed off shopping for those final Christmas presents. Lucas was already at the house to allow his parents the opportunity to attend an early movie. Ethan and Jax had arrived for a scheduled playdate.
Recognizing the impending arrival of the grandsons, during the morning I had completed the conversion of the nursery into a playroom equipped with wall mounted TV and a Wii. Just in time to check it all out.
 |
| Watching Star Wars on a Saturday |
Then it was outside to play on the swings, pass the soccer ball around and practice some basketball bounce passes.
It is amazing how slowly time passes when the clock is watched. Even so--an hour (or so) turned into two and was headed for three.
Somewhere in there I was able to provide snacks and drinks to keep the boys wired and happy.
The stroke of genius came from Ethan when he asked to watch Star Wars Episode 3.
As we all settled in to watch the movie, I realized that this wasn't so bad. The boys were awesome and we actually had a real good time tougher. Surprisingly, there was no blood, no tears, and only a minor incident when Jax walked into my backswing while playing Wii Tennis.
Success.
It was almost anti-climactic when the women returned as we were really getting into the movie. But good things soon end. Or is it that they end too soon when they are good?
I survived. The house survived--and so did the boys!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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