And Now, the Democrats

Taking center stage (or is it the middle ring?) last evening, the Democratic National Convention kicked off to highlight the other guys in direct opposition to last week.

Despite the pre-convention hype, it was pretty much a carbon copy of the previous week's opening night. 

Here are the similarities:

- The party is struggling for unity amidst allegations of favoritism during the primary season. 

- They party is presenting the American people with a flawed candidate for President.

- Instead of an actor providing some opening day remarks they included an impassioned speech by an 11-year old girl.

- The candidate for the other party was vilified, repeatedly.

- There was precious little mention of the "how" behind the statements.

- True facts (or mostly true) were taken out of context to infer situations which are not true.

More of the same? It sounds like it. American politics has devolved into a game of "he said--she said, literally!

Standing by for night two! And more, probably of the same.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 25, 2016

1. I lost track of the date, because I've been off from work for three days and I had to check the calendar. I guess that is what it will be like when I retire.

Heron on Hole 12
Eisenhower Golf Course
July 24, 2016

2. What a great weekend. I played 36 holes of golf and got some projects completed around the house.

3. I saw a big heron yesterday while playing golf.

Clouds after the Storm
July 23, 2016

4. Having a 6:14 AM Tee Time meant we were off the course before the heat yesterday. It was great to be home before 10:30 after playing 18 holes. 

5. The clouds were spectacular after the storms the other evening. 

6. It is supposed to be extremely hot today! Be careful out there!

7. Strap in, this week it is the Democratic Party National convention. Should be interesting.

8. Lounging in the pool on a floatie with a glass of wine. What could be better on a mid-90's afternoon?

9. I ran across an interesting list of 239 people, places, and things that Donald Trump has insulted on Twitter. I didn't see my name on the list, but I'm not sure if that is good or bad.

10. It was a three-dog weekend around the house. Extra dogs sure do make for interesting times.

11. And so it begins--another workweek! The good news is, it's summertime!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Watching the Storm

We enjoyed a dinner on the Magothy River at The Point Crab House & Grill last evening with Nicole and Mike. Although the day was hot and sultry, the evening was pleasant. Sitting at the restaurant along the shores of the Magothy River was enjoyable. 

View from our Table at
The Point

The sky was threatening as we began our dinner and just as we finished the sky opened up with torrents of rain. The image does not clearly show the rain crashing down, but it is, I can assure you. At one point the sun looked like Jupiter.

The Sun Shining Through the Rain Clouds

Although we were eating outside under an umbrella, common sense prevailed and we moved inside as the rains began. Fortunately, we had finished eating--I left only a few fries behind on my fish & chips plate. 

It was a fun evening and a great time. The thunderstorm cooled the temperatures for providing a further respite from the heat of the day. 

A great day and a better evening even with the rain and storms--which were fairly brief.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday Golf

From the 12th Tee
Timbers at Troy
July 22, 2016

I had the opportunity to play in a tournament yesterday and I decided to take leave and enjoy a day on the golf course.

It was scheduled to be a very hot day--and the weather report was correct. 

It was a beautiful day for golf and likewise a great day not to be in the office.

Looking from the White to Blue Tees
12th Hole
Timbers at Troy

I have become convinced that taking days off to do fun things is an important part of the life balance experience. 

It was a great day and our team played exceptionally well together coming in 2nd in the tournament! That was a definite treat. The team played well enough to provide options for almost every shot on each hole and that allowed someone to step forward and make the best shot for the team.

It was a great Friday and a great was to spend a day outside of the office.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

At the Halfway Point--A Convention Pause

Well, the Republican Convention has completed and we can get on with our lives, for three days.

What's on tap for Monday? The Democratic Convention. 

I am expecting less drama coming out of Philadelphia as the democrats convene. Their task is pretty well defined--support the status quo as an alternative to the negativity exuded by the republicans.

My observations about the Republican Convention.

-- You can't Make America Great Again if you can't convince someone that it isn't great right now.

-- There wasn't a great deal of concert plans and programs discussed and offered just lofty concepts.

-- There was a lot of negativity

-- The facts presented during the Trump's acceptance speech were mostly true. I checked them with the New York Times. 

-- Ted Cruz was perhaps the most interesting convention speaker because his observations were very different from the mainstream.

Well it is game on.

I wonder where it will end.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Enjoying the Summer

Hazy Dog Days Sunset

Walking outside of the building after a long day of working in an air conditioned environment is an experience that I enjoy. 

I feel a sense of impending freedom from the workday and as I approach the glass doors I try to imagine what will greet me as I step into the outside world.

I dislike the frigid slap in the face of the winter. 

Last week in California, I did not particularly enjoy to cool September-like air that greeted me and made me put on a jacket to maintain my comfort. It was July after all.

Yesterday, I realized that I love walking into the outside and being enveloped in a warm and moist environment that greets me like an old friend and guides me deep into the summer heat.

Yes, I love it.

On a real summer day, I can see the moist heat before I step outside. The haze hanging in the air is a sure sign that I will be warmly greeted as I cross the threshold and head for my car.

There have been far too many cold days this year.

The smells of the summer are everywhere--the mowed grass baking in the sun, the earth. the scent of heat hanging in the air.

It is the dog days, let's enjoy them. They will be gone too quickly.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: And the Votes are In

Well, despite what I wrote a few days short of a year ago, the Republican nominee for President was been crowned last evening. No longer do we have to hear the news media reporters talk about the "presumptive" nominee.

Donald Trump is the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. 

The Republican primary season is over, the results are in and have been confirmed. 

Half of the stage is set for what is shaping up to be one of the most divisive presidential elections in the history of our country.

Voter turnout in November could be either astronomical or it could be lethargic.

My Take: There is change afoot. We, as a country as a society, are losing tolerance and becoming reactive and afraid. I have to believe it is a by product of the past 8 years although I do not fully understand how or why. I find the news reported battle between the old guard of the Republican Party and the newer members interesting. I have to admit--the old guard are trying to protect something that has been largely ineffective for the past 12 or more years. Maybe they need to embrace the change, for the good of the party--but then, it threatens their positions. 

Perhaps, we are seeing the evolution of the two-party system into a multi-party free-for-all?

Keep your eyes open--there could be significant backlash in November.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It's the Future

I felt compelled to watch the opening night of the Republican Convention from Cleveland last evening.

I was treated to an assortment of short speeches from people who are definitely not accomplished orators

But they seemed real and genuine.

The future of our country is at stake. November 8 is looming closer in our divided land.

The election seems to be a polarizing event. 

The candidates are alike in their oppositeness. Both seem to view their only path to the presidency comes from bashing the other. 

I will likewise watch the opening night and other nights of the Democratic Convention. I want to hear both sides of the issues.

Sadly, given all of the mudslinging, there isn't much brainpower left to apply to the issues.

I have talked to quite a few people who aren't sure they will vote in the November election. I encourage them to change their minds and exercise their very precious ability to vote and change the future.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 18, 2016

1. I find it hard to believe that July is half over. It seems as if the summer is just finally getting underway. I think I need a summertime siesta.

2. Falling into the backyard pool after a round of golf on a hot Sunday is a great way to cool off.

12th Hole
Crouton Country Club

3. It was a great golf weekend, in concert with The Open, I was able to get in two rounds of golf-- both at the Crofton Country Club.

4. Cross country flying can be a draining experience, especially flying from Los Angeles. I don't think I still have fully reacclimatized to the time zone.

5. I can tell that the summer is moving along, it is getting darker earlier and the suns rising later. I checked, there is already 20 minutes less of daylight than at the beginning of the month.

Playing Volleyball Under the Lights
Off the Santa Monica Pier
Pacific Ocean in the Background
July 11, 2016

6. My hands are covered with paint. Why is painting such a messy job?

7. I saw the Pacific Ocean last week, but was not able to sit on the beach and enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. I wonder when I will be able to get in a bit of "beach" time.

8. Someone I was traveling with proposed that the breeze coming off the Pacific Ocean smells different than the Atlantic Ocean breeze. I think it is true.

9. It is time for some mid-summer fun, before the summer runs out.

10. It is political convention time. Our future is at stake.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

In N Out Burger

While in California, I experienced a new burger place--In N Out Burger. 

I am not a burger connoisseur, but some of my traveling companions wanted to enjoy the uniquely Californian burger experience. 

In-N-Out Burger Roofline

It is a good burger and ours were made to order--which is very nice. 

I did enjoy the palm tree motif on the roof line of the building.

It was enjoyable, but alas--it is just another burger place. Some say it is similar to Five Guys Burgers and Fries. I can see that.

My Lunch at In-N-Out Burger

At least it is uniquely West Coast. They have locations in Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas. 

So if you need a burger fix--I'd recommend stopping and enjoying the food.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD