Friday, February 28, 2014

Orioles Baseball 2014--It Begins Anew

It is here. The inaugural Orioles Spring Training game will occur today at 1:05 PM against the Tampa Bay Rays. I liked their name a lot more when it was the Devil Rays!

Bring on the Boys of Summer and the unofficial first day of Spring, despite the temperatures being in the teens. It is warm in Florida and in the hearts of true Orioles fans everywhere. 

I checked the baseball scores for the first Spring Training games of the season last evening while flying home from Anchorage. It made me 15 degrees warmer just thinking about baseball.

Did I really care that the Pirates beat the Yankees? Or that the Rangers pummeled the Royals? Well, I always like seeing the Yankees lose (they are 0-2 so far in Spring Training games)--but in reality my interest was more to confirm that MLB Baseball was back. And in a few weeks I will take to the field with Mike as we surge forward for a second season of T-Ball. And despite the weather--Spring is here!

Take me out to the ball game! 

I'll see you at the Yards! And maybe even in Sarasota in a few weeks!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Out the Hotel Window - Anchorage

Sometimes, even though you are visiting a place with incredible natural beauty, the foreground of the view out the hotel window is less than spectacular.

Such was my experience during my hotel stay in Anchorage. Don't get me wrong, it was a great hotel, in a good location, with excellent amenities--but, the view out my window was not awe inspiring. It was rather pedestrian and poor.

To demonstrate that my poor view was not just in one direction, I took two images from my window just to prove visibility at any angle was obstructed. 

Yes, I know there is a beautiful view out there, somewhere, but not from my window.

Bummer. I really would have enjoyed a constant view of the sound or the mountains--unobstructed.

Well, better luck next time. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Anchorage, Alaska


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Wintertime Alaska

Looking Across a Frozen Lake
Yes, it is cold. But the length of the days have already become near equal to Maryland and therefore the darkness is not too bad. This trip has seen the best weather that I have experienced in Alaska--we can actually see scenery and drive almost unimpeded.

That is supposed to change today as a storm moves through, but the images show how stunning everything appears.
Mt. McKinley (Denali) in the Distance

We saw Denali, Mt McKinley, in the distance yesterday. It was slightly hazy and I couldn't get a fantastic image of it, but it still is a great memory. They say that the weather is only infrequently clear enough to see that far away. 

Pop Quiz: When does a 14,000 plus foot tall peak look short? When it is between a 20,000 foot and a 17,000 foot peak. I saw the three peaks, whose names escape me now, Denali at 20,000 feet, and a peak in the image above to its left is 14,000 feet. Further left and off the frame is a 17,000 foot peak. I just wish the image was better--but it was the best my iPhone could pull off yesterday. 
Out for a Drive to Work

They say the weather has been warm, and I guess it has been. The high today is supposed to be 36 degrees compared to 34 back at home. They are also calling for afternoon snow--which should effectively ruin any chances for more unplanned stunning sightseeing.

Given the weather so far and the unintended views, I can and won't complain. I do not like snow and cold--but even so, it they can still make beautiful combinations when combined with fevers peaks and mountains.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Anchorage, AK

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

In the Air to Alaska

It was a glorious, but cold, day. Although I have been to Alaska on a number of other occasions, I have never enjoyed such a beautiful day of flying and sightseeing. It was just beautiful. 

The snow covered peaks outside the airplane were magnificent. Awe-inspiring. Image worthy. And I was not the only one who felt that way. The entire aircraft was snapping images out the cabin windows. 

I snapped a few quick shots too. The blue water highlighted by the blue sky surrounded by the white capped peaks bathed in bright sunlight was a sight I will not soon forget. I wished the WIFI on the aircraft was working better so that I had a better idea where I was along the flight path from Seattle to Anchorage. All I know is that were were flying in the vicinity of Sitka

But it really didn't matter. It was awesome, simply awesome. Yes, it was cold, too. I saw glaciers and I saw Denali in the distance as we approached Anchorage. I was mesmerized and for only a very rare time, I wished that I was in a window seat to soak up all of the Creator's masterpiece. 

Do not misunderstand me, just because I appreciate the frigid beauty does not mean that I want to be on the ground lost among the snowdrifts.

I put down the book that I was reading and just looked out the window.

Sadly, the images do not do the scene justice--but they are etched into my mind.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Anchorage, Alaska

Monday, February 24, 2014

Monday Musings - February 24, 2014

Centennial Lake, Columbia, MD
February 23, 2014
1. Two blue-sky days of mid-winter respite in a row! We were so lucky! And even better, we enjoyed them.

2. A longish walk around a frozen Centennial Lake in bright sun and under fantastic blue skies--what could be better? Yeah, I almost forgot, laying on a beach in the hot sun with a cool drink in my hand and the sound of lazy waves hitting the beach.

3. I met some wine and travel bloggers yesterday. Thinking. 

4. This past weekend was the last without baseball until after the World Series. Spring training games begin this week!

5. The return of the cold weather just makes me want to enjoy Springtime that much more.

6. The Olympics have ended. Yay. It was a great run and it always gave me something different to watch on TV.

7. The US finished second in over all medals and fourth in golds at the Olympics--I think we could call it a disappointing performance.

8. And thinking of the Olympics, the Russian Revolution broke out on this day in 1917.

9. Just to be balanced, the Mexicans attacked the Alamo, defended by 182 Texans and supporters, on this date in 1836.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Blue Sky Day

Receding Snow in My Yard
In a stunning change to the cold and oppressive weather pattern of the past few weeks, yesterday was glorious! Absolutely glorious.

Blue sky and warmer temperatures which actually flirted with and then made exactly 60 degrees about 4 PM made for a fantastic day. The snow of the past few weeks is melting, the yard is soggy--too soggy to walk on it, but the day was a memorable one because I didn't waste it. I enjoyed it from start to finish and I know I stood for moments at a time enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face and marveling at the depth of the blue sky.

I can believe that Spring is close! I dearly want Spring to arrive and rescue my heating bill from Winter's grip. I think we set a new record last month! Ugh! I don't like records like that.

Even my new Fitbit enjoyed the day, logging over 14,000 steps as I fully enjoyed the great day that had been provided for my activities. Yes, there was a long walk, but I also the last basketball game of the season for Ethan and Jax. It was kind of sad, but the ending means that baseball and lacrosse are close at hand and the transition from inside to outside sports is about to begin. Yay. 

Today is dawning bright, too. Maybe I will enjoy two days in a row of great February, unseasonably warm weather! The forecast is for a week is cold weather as the polar vortex returns, however, maybe, just maybe it will be Winter's last gasp!

Here's hoping.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Did You Notice the Sodium in that?

I have a new Fitbit, given to me by my loving wife so that I could participate in the family fitness activity. It was a great idea and I am having a lot of fun with it, although, even by playing racquetball daily I am not competing very well because I cannot wear my Fitbit while I am at work.  and therefore lose credit for 8 or more hours of activity, albeit it mild, everyday.

I have been fascinated with the whole idea of tracking steps and working to improve general health and fitness for a while now, but I hadn't taken the leap to actually acquire a tracker of my own. Some insurance companies provide money back for meeting step thresholds and doing other healthy things. Mine doesn't and the place where I work needs to improve its commitment to employee fitness, but that is a thought for another time. 

The most interesting part of my five day experience has been in tracking my food intake and understanding not only what I eat, but what is in what I eat.

Seriously. On my first day of logging my food and trying to understand what is in what I eat, I varied from my usual lunch fare of chili--and for those who know me, they know that that in and of itself was a monumental occasion. I decided to eat a healthy looking Cuban Pannini sandwich offered by the cafeteria. Mmm, it tasted good. And then I looked at the nutritional information regarding this sandwich as prepared by the company which has the food contract at work. 

Cuban Pannini sandwich:
Calories: 643
Fat: 24.1 g
Sodium: 1996 mg
Carbohydrates: 66.3 g
Protein: 39.2 g
Fiber: 0.7 g

Ugh! I got my entire daily allowance of sodium in just that sandwich! And while I thought I was getting some fiber, I would have done better having chili. And then I went and added mayonnaise to the sandwich, which skewed a few other items, but the bottom line was healthy looking is not healthy. 

Did you notice the sodium? My total sodium intake for that day was about 3400 mg.  I did much better by eating chili the next day ending up with a total sodium intake of only 2200 mg for the day. 

I've been looking at sodium in food since then and am appalled at how much is added--it is everywhere except in one of my favorite beverages! There is no sodium in wine.

I'll just have to drink more wine to offset the sodium in what I eat.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, February 21, 2014

Frustrating Drivers

Anyone who has had the experience of riding with me in a vehicle lately knows that I believe there are frustrating drivers with whom I share the road. Frustrating because despite what is happening around them, they apparently cling to the belief that they are the center of the world and their actions are therefore justified despite the angst they cause for those around them.



It can be extremely frustrating.

Don't get me started on turn signal etiquette, or lack of etiquette. I just believe that failure to signal turns and lane changes represents a fundamental disrespect for the other drivers on the road. But there are other frustrating drivers out there, too!

Yesterday morning, for instance, there was a driver in downtown Baltimore who clearly wanted into my lane on a tight street using no turn signal. I was trapped with a bus very close on the passenger side and this driver crowding over the lane on the driver side. Even Chris mentioned that we seemed seconds from an imminent accident. Turns our, the driver was just making a wide, for some unknown reason, left hand turn and wanted a piece of my lane before executing the no signal turn.


I have found frustrating drivers in other places as well. Driving 55 MPH on I-95 where the speed limit is 65 MPH and traffic travels above 70 MPH. Or there is a road, Telegraph Road, where the speed limit is 50 MPH and for some strange reason some drivers want to travel at 40 MPH. While traveling at lower speeds certainly is their right and the can do it, failing to estimate the impact on the drivers around them is clearly dangerous.

I an equally frustrated, and scare, by the speed demons as well who believe that other cars on the highway are merely obstacles, like in a video game, to maneuver around at high speeds. I am convinced that they are going to cause a terrible accident should one of the drivers they are maneuvering around panic and hit their brakes. 

I believe that driving habits represent a person's view of interaction with society and their interaction with or respect of other people. Self-centered people may be frustrating drivers. I don't know, but I would like to test the hypothesis some day. 

Just do me a favor, consider the traffic around you as people and not just cars on the highway. Recognize the potential impact from your actions and be a considerate and not a frustrating driver.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

And the Light Lingers

Amazingly, I noticed it Tuesday and confirmed it yesterday.

It is light longer!  Yes, it is bright by 7AM and I can still see remnants of the dusk until after 6PM.

Yay. 

In fact for yesterday, sunrise was at 6:51 AM and sunset was at 5:46 PM. That totals 10 hours and 55 minutes of sunlight--if only the colds would move along and let the Earth warm. 

The snow remains almost everywhere, but I do see signs that the glacial cold is receding.

I suppose there isn't much I can do about that because nature will eventually replace the snow with brown dormant grass and mud; followed by green grass and flowers!

I think I should charge up the battery on the tractor to prepare for the mowing season which should begin next month! Yup, next month. It is only about 10 days away.

I even went for a walk last evening to enjoy the 50 degree temperatures and sunlight. Well, and to get a few more steps on my new Fitbit. IT already knows too much about me and my lazy, unhealthy habits. I even found out that a glass of wine, a bit glass, contains 125 calories. So I am trading cookies for wine.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Fabricated Drama

Some people have a knack for creating drama where there needn't be any. I see it and experience it time and time again. I wish there was some other way in which they could find happiness rather than creating tense, dramatic situations during periods of time which otherwise would be calm and peaceful. 

Drama happens enough on its own. For instance, the other day a couple helped me with a big project for most of the afternoon. Life was great and we went shopping and later enjoyed a bottle of wine after the work was over. Then, without warning, the couple was advised of a serious family emergency requiring a no notice six hour drive leaving at 8PM. My point? There is enough drama in life without creating additional opportunities.

What is needless drama? Picking a fight with a friend or a spouse over a long thought settled issue. That constitutes fabricated drama.  Another example might be being a "poop" in the middle of the mall because the group is moving too quickly or too slowly. I admit to being this kind of drama queen on at least one on occasion. 

People who preach doom and gloom on an otherwise sunny day? Fabricated drama queens!

Another form of fabricated drama is setting unreasonable expectations for others and then being disappointed and holding it against them after they make an admirable effort to comply. 

Drama queens as they are called are just dying to make themselves the center of the occasion or situation. It is a self centered approach that commandeers a situation at the expense of others. We've all seen it happen. The recognition gained for introducing fabricated drama is generally negative. 

Get over it and help others to enjoy the day rather than focusing on needless drama. The drama in life will come about all on its own, no assistance is required.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


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