Forces of Darkness and Anarchy

The news of the day yesterday was appalling and a clear confirmation that the Islamic State's (ISIL, ISIS) inhumanity and barbarism is beyond anything seen on the planet in decades. Anyone who has a different interpretation has clearly not been reading the news or understanding the magnitude of the murders and slaughter of innocents occurring in the region.

The Washington Post article titled, Islamic State’s killing of pilot, depicted in video, spurs calls for revenge in Jordan covers the story.  A captured Jordanian pilot was forces to walk a gauntlet of heavily armed militarists to the place where he was to be executed in a cage by being burned to death. And then we discover that the execution occurred a month ago and that the Islamic State attempted negotiations for his release after his death.

Almost no day goes by when some new atrocity is not reported coming from that region of the world. The toll mounts even in light of the military response by the United States and other allied nations committed to eradicating the threat to peace loving people everywhere.

The impact of these barbaric acts is on the region is becoming clearer. In Jordan, the populace was beginning to wonder why the country was supporting the United States's coalition--after all it wasn't their conflict. The attitude in Jordan has changed the country retaliated overnight by executing two terrorists as reported this morning in the NY Times. 

I am concerned that the news media is not fully reporting the travesties occurring in the Levant. The sensational events get coverage--but if one diligently digs through the news there is so much more occurring and we need to be informed. We need to understand that hundreds of people are dying, being imprisoned, and tortured at the hands of ISIL and most of these people are peace loving Muslims. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

In Defense of Imagination

Having just completed a cruise aboard a ship run by a company devoted to bringing imagination to life with two grandsons, I wonder about school systems which apparently are committed to destroying imagination.

The question comes from reading an article about a fourth grader in Texas who was suspended for bringing his Tolkien Lord of the Rings ring into school and suggesting that he could make a classmate disappear. This was considered a threat by the school and the boy, Aiden Steward, was suspended. It was his third suspension of the year.


Aidan's dad made the following observation to the principal of the school: “I assure you my son lacks the magical powers necessary to threaten his friend’s existence,” the boy's father later wrote in an email. "If he did, I'm sure he'd bring him right back."

Admittedly, there is something larger at work in this case since found Aiden has been suspended three times for apparently minor transgressions as reported in the referenced article. But, I have to giggle just a bit since the name of the school, Kermit Elementary, located Kermit, Texas, which is near the New Mexico border, evokes images of an imaginary green frog by the same name. 

The stifling of imagination may be one of the greatest threats to our future existence. Without imagination we would quickly become society of automatons. I like what Albert Einstein said: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - February 2, 2015

1. What happened to January already. It's gone!

2. Driving around the neighborhood the other night I noticed that some people are having a difficult time letting go of Christmas. It is time to let it go and take the decorations down. 

3. Is the Super Bowl really super? Or just average.

4. My assessment of the Super Bowl--Seattle snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

5. Orioles pitchers and catchers report in 19 days. Opening day is just 63 days away!

6. With the arrival of February, I am beginning to think about March and getting the mower ready. I should be mowing in 60 days with any good fortune at all.

7. In case you are confused about who is and who is expected to or not to run for President, I have provided a link to the NY Times candidate tracker. Enjoy.

8. Happy Groundhog Day!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Super Thoughts for Super Sunday

The Super Bowl has gotten too big--it isn't about the game anymore.

The NFL has some serious issues that they are ignoring which significantly detract from the game.

Roger Goodell at News Conference

I would like protest against the Super Bowl and not watch it, but I have watched every Super Bowl since number 3 and, I know Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, would not get a report in the morning that I had passed on watching the game.

There is something wrong with a sporting event where people are more excited about the TV commercials than the game itself.


There is too much TV in the NFL. 

Deflate-gate, the accusations that New England used under inflated balls, should have been resolved before the game. It remains clear that the penalty for violating the NFL rules is a trip to the Super Bowl. 

The NFL has created a ticket nightmare for this event which is affecting many normal people who had hoped to get tickets for the game. Just another tactic where the NFL doesn't understand that the success of the league is because of throngs of people who don't qualify for special privileges.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Towel Animals

Hanging Monkey

One of the fun things Chris and I looked forward every day as we returned to our stateroom during our recent cruise aboard the Disney Wonder was the towel animals left behind after it had been cleaned up during the day. 

Apparently, towel animals have become a signature room adornment of cruising. In reading on line, apparently Carnival adds them to the rooms in addition to Disney.

Towel Dog

Towel Dinosaur

These little pieces of fun are enjoyable and complex. 

During the recent cruise, three unique animals adorned our stateroom. 

I admit, the last one took us a bit of creative thought to identify--it is a dinosaur.

I thought the hanging monkey was the most creative. We left it hanging there throughout the entire trip and it brought a smile to my face every time I opened the stateroom door.

It is fun to remember the good times of the recent journey--that way it never really has to end.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

January blues Looking for Springtime

Miami at Dawn

The weather is cold. There is snow. January is coming, thankfully, to a close. 

Even though February can be colder and snowier--it is another month closer to March and Springtime.

I am still trying to get over the realization that two days ago I woke up in Miami and this morning I am suffering in the cold of Maryland with a huge snowstorm on the horizon for the weekend--Sunday, to be precise with a forecast of 5-8 inches! Ugh! What a way to spend Super Bowl Sunday, although during 2010 we were digging out from the Snowpocalypse--hopefully it won't be that bad. 

As an aside, I could still feel the ship all day yesterday and had a slight feeling of rocking when I was sitting still. It was disconcerting--hopefully my inner ear will have readjusted and I'll have a better day today.

On the brighter side, the available sunlight has increased to over 10 hours and is increasing by over 2 minutes per day!

One way to beat the mid-winter doldrums is to buy some flowers and add a splash of color to the house. It really helps to brighten the mood and remind me that there is life after winter and it is not too far off.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

From the Tropics to the Frozen North

The View from Our Cabin on The Disney Wonder
Grand Cayman, January 25, 2015

During the past few days I have experienced extremes in temperatures. On Sunday, I was basking in the Tropics at Grand Cayman and enjoying the sun and storms and even last evening I was enjoying shirt sleeve weather in the Atlantic between the Bahamas and Miami. Last evening I was freezing in 23 degree temperatures back in the Baltimore area. This morning, the temperature is 15 degrees and it is clear there will be no golf outings in the ten day forecast.

Jax in Seven Mile Beach
Grand Cayman

But O sit here with the memories of a great vacation are behind me and today I return to the realities of life.

Good vacations help to remind me that there is much more to life than just going to work.

I had never cruised before.

I will be better prepared for my next nautical adventure. Cruising on a large ship is a lot different than spending a week on a catamaran sailing off the coast of St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

One thing both had in common was lack of connectivity to the internet. I'm not convinced that is a good thing.

Disney Wonder
January 25, 2015
Grand Cayman

But now I am back! I have to face the bitter cold where temperatures a just plain, cold!

At least the snow passed over us. 

The week away was a respite form the darkness and the cold. It has reminded me that springtime is less than about 60 days away! Followed by my trip to Sarasota for Spring Training!

And warmth. I think I will chase the sun.

-- Bob Doan, back at home in Elkridge, MD

Last Night at Sea

Freighter crossing the sunset
January 27, 2015

The last night at sea is always a bit sad. A great journey is coming to an end. Tomorrow it is back to real life and the magic is over.

That is how it goes I guess. Back to snow and cold and to anticipate the coming of Spring and the rebirth of the land.

I love the sunsets at sea. The clean horizon makes them go on forever. Like my memories.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Miami

What to Do on a Day at Sea

Being the Ship at Breakfast
January 26, 2015

Yesterday was a fantastic day at sea. The sun was hot, the breeze stiff, and the sea changed from blue to gray and back to blue as the day wore on.

Wine, Whiskey and Chocolate tasting

Most of the day was spent on the deck in the sun thinking that this is how a cruise should be. It was a lazy day and yet, fun. I saw many ships passing in the distance wondering of their destinations and cargos.
One highlight of the day was the chocolate pairing with wine, port, and whiskey. Who knew that chocolate can pair well with whiskey? And we are not talking the inexpensive whiskey. This pairing was a true high point. I am not a whiskey fan and I liked the whiskey. I didn’t think the chocolate improved its taste at all. The chocolate did pair well with a 10 year old tawny port, a pink champagne—yes, it was real champagne; and a great California Bordeaux-style wine. The wine was a Lasseter 2010 Amoureaux. The champagne was a Taittinger. Interestingly, there was also a piece of parmesan cheese to enjoy with the offerings as well.

Chris and Nicole on Deck in the Sun

We also enjoyed a special dinner in the evening where the wine steward of the ship matched some great wines for us with our dinners. It was in a word--fabulous. 

When I checked the news, I found that the northeast was suffering through a ferocious blizzard--I feel bad for the people living there, but I am very happy to be enjoying light and cool breezes and warm sun of the Caribbean and Atlantic regions. There is a reason a cruise in January sounded so good.

Today promises to be fun as we explore Disney’s Bahamas Island—Castaway Cay. Who knows what trouble I will get into before the end of the day.

-- Bob Doan, writing from the Atlantic Ocean off Castaway Cay

Sunrise over Cuba

Mountains of Cuba at Sunrise
January 26, 2015

The cruise is plying the waters to the west of Cuba and this morning, the sunrise is fabulous over the mountains.

It is a beautiful start to another day at sea. Today is a sea day as we travel to Castaway Cay. Yesterday's stop in Grand Cayman was disappointing in that our snorkeling adventure was canceled due to high surf, and then our rescheduled adventure was similarly canceled. We did make our way to the famous, or infamous Seven Mile Beach for some fun in the surf until a ferocious storm appeared and we were smart enough to get back onto the ship just before it hit with its full fury.

The good news was that we also didn't do much shopping--read none. That is also bad news because Georgetown looks like a really interesting place to explore and we only scratched the surface.

I am writing this as the sun rises over the mountains of Cuba. I am fascinated with Cuba. Given the warming of international relations, I hope someday to be able to travel to Cuba. I have read the stories of how it was "the" place to be during the 1950's. I also guess a little of the I Love Lucy, Ricky Ricardo Cuban humor is still engrained in me, too.

The cruise has been fun. Chris and I keep reminding ourselves that it is about the journey and not the destination. Cruises are certainly all about the journey. I think everyone was looking forward to today's sea day because the cruise line makes it very special.

Jax enjoying the cruise

What have I learned so far? Food--cruises are all about food, shows and activities. There is a lot of food. I had intended to have two small pieces of pizza for lunch yesterday and wound up in a buffet overeating. Ugh!

I love the sea! Watching the waves never gets tiring. Looking our into the ocean appeals to my sense of adventure and I continue to be fascinated by the vastness of the Earth and God's creation. Sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming for the boys, but we work through it.

I am taking a break from Monday Musings since I am on the cruise and am I enjoying sitting on the veranda, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, seeing the mountains of Cuba in the distance, and not shoveling snow.

-- Bob Doan, writing from somewhere in the Caribbean Sea