Monday Musings - July 14, 2014

1. It is Bastille Day, my second favorite foreign holiday. Vive la France! Cinco de Mayo is my favorite foreign holiday. I realized that I do not have a third favorite foreign holiday, yet!

2. Major League Baseball's All Star Break begins today. Amazingly, the Orioles are in First Place with a four game lead. Let's see of they can avoid their usual July-August post-All Star Game slump and keep it up.

3. Congratulations to Germany for winning the World Cup. Although the USA Team did win, they made a good showing and there is a lot of promise for the future. 

4. Climate change is affecting Australian winemakers. The Barossa Valley, where world-class Shiraz comes from may be mostly unsuitable for winemaking by 2050 according to an article in the New York Times. 

5. Lounging on a floatie in the pool is the bet way to cool off after another around-the-house-Sunday-afternoon project.

6. What would Captain Kirk do? Saw this and it made me laugh, especially since I idolized the character of Captain Kirk when I was younger. 

7. Is it me, or have the network TV offerings become dull and boring?

8. Why was I up at 4AM on a day I didn't have to go to work?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Reflections of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center -- A Review

Udvay-Hazy Center Main Floor

For an aerospace person, like myself, what could be better than spending a day at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum. Well frankly, almost nothing except sampling some very fine wines. 

Trevar with the SR-71 and
Discovery in the Background

It is about an hour drive from the house to the center, but on this Saturday morning it was a fine drive with light traffic. And we had one of those moments along the way that we all hope for. A motorcyclist zoomed by at an incredible speed and we wondered why the police were never around to catch these flagrant speed limit violators. Aha, there was one around and we saw the lights come from behind us and zoom by to shortly race down the motorcycle and pull the offender over. Yay, one for the good guys. 

Shuttle Discovery

I was impressed and the lack of cars in the parking lot. I remember the lot is usually crammed with other aerospace lovers who want to view the artifacts of relating to the achievements of the past. I was amazed when I checked and found that it had been more than two years since I last visited the Center. My blog about the fastest plane details my last visit. 

Standing under the Shuttle Discovery Looking Forward

The biggest change in the museum is the arrival of a real, flew in space shuttle--the workhorse shuttle Discovery. It was my first up close and personal encounter with a real space shuttle. Although I had seen shuttles from the distance, and seen the Enterprise in the same spaces before, there is something really special about viewing an actual shuttle and knowing that it had flow in space on multiple occasions. The display is fantastic and the ability to actually stand underneath the shuttle, at the rear, drives home the size and beauty of there marvelous machines. 

Shuttle Discovery

I remember when the SR-71 was by far the premier exhibit in the museum--but now it has clearly been supplanted by the shuttle. I was able to take an image of the SR-71 with almost no one around it--something that I never remember being able to do before. 

In the Fighter Simulator

In addition to viewing the exhibits on display, I had two other fantastic experiences. I got to get into a simulator with my nephew Trevar and fly a naval fighter combat mission. I was the weapons officer and he was the pilot. After a short training introduction, we climbed into the simulator and took off from the carrier into combat. Although we only recorded one kill, Trevar demonstrated the ability to execute high G turns and fly inverted with the nose down on more than one occasion. Yes, it does go completely upside down! We had fun as Trevar stretched his legs trying to become a fighter pilot. 

Enola Gay

I also broke off from the group for over an hour to listen to a lecture about the Enola Gay and the atomic bomb drops on Japan which ended World War 2. The lecture covered many aspect of the training and development of the techniques to deliver the bombs and some of the men involved in the operation. What went well and what didn't. I also learned that the B-29s that delivered the bombs were not standard production aircraft, but modified aircraft for the missions due to the post release maneuver that needed to be accomplished. The scheduled 45 minute presentation went 1 hour and 15 minutes--maybe I asked a few questions. It is usually hard for me to stand still, but I stood there the entire time and the time literally flew by.

Business End of an F-14

It was another fantastic day in the museum. We also viewed an Imax movie--The Dream is Alive, narrated by Walter Cronkite. The tour of the tower was nice--a good diversion. The 360 degree view is fantastic. The second stop, the mock control center, needs a lot of work to make it a viable exhibit. They could do so much more with the exhibit. Making it more interactive would be one idea.

SR-71

RECOMMENDATION: This museum is a must visit. The history of aerospace on displace cannot be found anywhere else. There is something for everyone and the supporting exhibits on engines, armaments, coupled with the diversity of civil aircraft and combat aircraft on display cannot be matched.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Vacation Begins at the Ball Park

Although it is only Saturday morning, I am actually on vacation for the next two weeks! Yay.

Camden Yards, July 11, 2014

There is something really neat about waking up in the morning and realizing that I am enjoying a weekend that won't end for a long time. It takes the usual stress off the weekend mornings. 

My vacation started last evening with a second night in a row trip to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles defeat an opponent by one run in a nail biting, well-played game. Since we have visitors form the northlands in town who were here to cheer their team, I decided to upgrade to the Club Level for the evening. My experience was superior to the night before in every way. 

DirecTv Blimp over Baltimore
July 11, 2014

It must have been an important game against the team from up north who shall remain nameless, because there was a blimp in the air to monitor the activity. We do not see many blimps here in Baltimore and so it was special. Who knew that DirecTv has a blimp?

By the end of the evening, The Orioles had vanquished their foe for the evening and thereby assured themselves of being alone atop the American League East at the All Star Break.  Perhaps ESPN will begin to recognize the talent in this team. 

But vacation continues today with a trip to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum to do some research and reconnect with my aerospace roots. I wish they had a B-52, Oh wait, why would they have a B-52? The 50 year old aircraft is still in active service.

And then? Well, I hear the Willamette Valley calling. There is wine there that needs to be sampled.

Vacation--so many things to do and see and so little time. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Date for the Game

Ethan and Poppop Heading for the Game

I look forward to attending Orioles baseball games. I am a partial plan season ticket holder and that means that I sometimes get surprised about having tickets to particular baseball games, because I didn't pick the date or the team I will be viewing.

That just makes it more exciting. Especially when the Orioles are sitting atop the American League East with a 2.5 game lead to start last evening and by ending the night with a win--they increased their lead to 3 games.

Orioles Park, July 10, 2014
From My Seat

It gives me great satisfaction when I can say, "the American East Division leading Orioles" because that means that the team who shall remain nameless from the north, and the dreaded Red Sox are both behind the Orioles in the standings.

Due to a series of weird circumstances, I could not find anyone to attend the game with me last evening until the very last minute. Ethan was the lucky stuck to attend the game with Poppop. 

Selfie at the game

Ethan and I attended a game together about two years ago--it was a rainy night, similar to last evening, although there was over an hour delay for the start of that game. Last evening the game started on time--which is normally a good thing, however, the City of Baltimore has found a new and creative way to bring traffic to a total standstill which meant the usual 25 minute drive to the stadium took over an hour and a half! Ugh. We arrived at our seats for the bottom of the second inning!

It was an exciting game, however, the concession stands were not prepared for the crowds and I missed an additional inning and a half of baseball while standing in line for a crab cake. My grandson is not a cheap date, it seems. 

But despite the late arrival, long lines, and occasional rain during the game--it was an awesome evening. I admit we did leave when victory seemed assured with the Orioles coming to bat in the bottom of the 8th inning to beat the crowds and because my date was tired. All told, I think I was in my seat for 4.5 innings of the 8.5 inning game.

We had fun and Ethan told me that he had a great time and would like to do it again! He is also the Orioles Lucky Charm--they have won every game he has attended except one. He will definitely be attending playoff games if the Orioles make the post-season. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Making the Common Special

Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers on the Grill

There is something satisfying about a biting into a burger fresh off the grill.

I confirmed that again last evening. Despite the downside of them being "just burgers," these were anything but common!

These were special burgers with blue cheese stuffed inside to add a bit of zing and spice. 

Some evenings it is hard to be creative in preparing the dinner meal. It just doesn't happen with ease. Last evening was just such a case. The meal was going to be boring--burgers on the grill. But, in a lucid moment of cooking genius the addition of the cheese inside the burgers changed everything. Suddenly, it is not just another burger evening, but a dinner complete with wine and all of the fixings enjoyed outside on the pool deck enjoying another beautiful, but storm filled evening.

Taking the common and making it special is worth the effort. It adds creativity and spice to an otherwise lackluster situation.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Crazy Tuna - Review

The Dock at Crazy Tuna

What to do on a beautiful Sunday afternoon? Gather friends together and sojourn to the Crazy Tuna for an afternoon of conversation and fun. 

The Crazy Tuna is located in Essex--it is literally on the other side of the river, or bay from us and so the journey does take a bit of planning. 

The restaurant does have a boat up dock, which is a lot of fun to watch even for those who drive in. There is a beautiful sandy area for a relaxing game of Corn Hole, or on the beautiful day as was Sunday, relaxing at a table under an umbrella watching all of the action. 

The drinks were not spectacular, but the food was good. The group samples many of the appetizers and a few of the entrees. The appetizer winner was definitely the Prince Edward Island mussels--2 pounds for $11.99 cooked to perfection. On the entree side, the fish and chips were soggy, so I would avoid those on a future visit. 

There is a Tiki Bar seemed to be a lot of fun. The day was an awesome one with perfect sun and temperatures. 

At the Crazy Tuna

What better war to enjoy a day with friends--except around my own pool? But, it was great to be on the river experiencing life. 

Summertime is great! And living outside is what it is all about.

RECOMMENDATION: Visit the Crazy Tuna and enjoy a sunny afternoon.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Evening Brought to You Compliments of God

Chris and I were sitting outside last afternoon and evening, in and then around the pool enjoying the weather, the clear azure sky, and then the fading light as sunset descended. 

I looked up and thought about how fantastic the day had been and how enjoyable the evening was and a thought came to me, "This evening brought to you compliments of God.

And it was.

Everything that happened in the entire history of the world to allow us to sit together last evening and watch the sunset from the peace of our idyllic backyard was a gift, like a holiday or birthday present to be opened and enjoyed. 

And we did enjoy it as the evening descended upon us.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 7, 2014

1. It is over. Independence Weekend is complete and now into the vacation season. Where are you going?

2. Did you ever notice how substantive news disappears during the summer?

3. Hot summer weather is approaching, bring it on!

4. Caution! Vacation ahead. You may not want to return to day-to-day life.

5. What is a Caliphate? From the New York Times on July 2, 2014 comes the following: The jihadist insurgent group ISIS, or as it now prefers to be called, the Islamic State, appears well on the road to achieving its stated goal: the restoration of the caliphate. The concept, which refers to an Islamic state presided over by a leader with both political and religious authority, dates from the various Muslim empires that followed the time of the Prophet Muhammad. From the seventh century onward, the caliph was, literally, his “successor.”

6. Good morning! BTW, the Orioles are in first place in the American Division East with a two game lead! Yes, there is a long way to go, but I like to celebrate the little victories in life, too!

7. Killing teenagers in Palestine and Israel is no way to settle disputes. Both sides are wrong and it needs to stop.

8. Here is a strange twist. Passengers bound for the US from some overseas airports will be required to turn their cell phones on!

9. Has anyone considered establishing a four day weekend?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Holiday Traffic - Jammed Highways

Thursday Traffic in advance of the
Independence Day Weekend

Two downsides of a holiday weekend are first that it ends, and second the traffic.

I had my own traffic experience on Thursday afternoon while making my way home. It was 45 minutes of thrills on the highway traveling at the speed of a rider on horseback.

Frustrating cannot begin to describe my feelings. 

There are good reasons not to travel during the holidays: overcrowded highways and jammed airports are but two.

But, there are great reasons to suffer through along with other travelers, for instance to visit with family and friends, to celebrate together, and to get away.

On the Beach during July 2013

This year is the first in many years that I will not be making a trek to my favorite Florida beaches. Usually, Chris and I depart for Florida around the Independence Day holiday. Some years we are even in Florida to celebrate the holiday. 

While my head understands that a new and different adventure is planned checking out the wineries of the Willamette Valley, my heart longs to be on the beach, in the sun, smelling the warm ocean breeze and taking hour-long snorkeling adventures along the shoreline.

It is July. I find it funny that the crush of holiday traffic makes me think of travel and vacations. 

Drive safely if you are driving today. Enjoy vacation time, if you are away. And dream of where you are going on vacation, if you're not there yet!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Fourth was a Bang!

Ethan and Mike in the Pool

Independence weekend continues even though it is now the 5th of July.

Last night the family witnessed a close and personal fireworks display after a thoroughly enjoyable day. The weather was awesome. Sunny, low humidity, and a great pool day.

The water was warm, the breeze was cool, and the fun was endless.

Everything about the day was focused on getting to the evening, when, after dark, the fireworks display was set to begin in the yard. And a great display was planned. Nice aerial rockets and mortars, roman candles and fountains.  

Poppop with Ethan, Jax, and Lucas with Sparklers

The fun began with sparklers in the yard as dusk was falling along with a seemingly endless supply of bottle rockets left over from last year. The sparklers were the hit of the evening with the kids--and we definitely need more of them for next year. The sparklers and bottle rockets helped extend the fireworks display to over an hour.

We had intended to get some video of the fireworks--but, we all watched and enjoyed them rather than taking video or pictures. 

Cinderblock Remnants

We did have our first major firework malfunction. One of the mortars got stuck in the tube and blew up. We also had the one of the multiple launchers fall over and launch a firework toward the crowd. So the evening was very exciting. The aftermath of the mortar explosion was sobering and reminded me that our safety precautions probably prevented injuries--well except to the cinderblock which was destroyed by the blast. Those are my feet looking at the pieces. OK--it was an impressive blast, and the cinderblock prevented flaming balls from going everywhere.

But the show went on and a resourceful neighbor helped craft another mortar launch tube so we could launch the 10 remaining mortars.

I almost want to go buy more so we can do it again tonight!

Let's just agree it was a bang!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD