What Day is it Again?

It happened this morning. I am totally out of touch with what day of the week it is.

Someone had to tell me it is Wednesday the 21st of July.

Who knew?

Actually, that is what I strive for when I am on vacation. Total ignorance of the day of the week and any comparison to what I would "normally" be doing. And so it only took a week this year.

Of course--I do have to keep a wary eye on the end of the vacation to ensure I don't vacation beyond my allotted time. Wouldn't that be cool--to go off on vacation and never return? If I were perpetually on vacation, would it be a vacation?

Wow, that is way too deep a thought for this morning.

I'm much too shallow a person to entertain those kind of philosophic thoughts while on vacation.

Gators napping

If this is Florida it must be gator country.

They are napping in the noon-time shade.

What a great idea. I think I will soon do the same.

On Safari

This morning we skipped the beach to go on a safari.

The animals were active and fun to watch. Even the lions stopped lying around to give us a show.

And of course the zebras thought they owned the road, and they were right.

Monday Musings - July 19, 2010

1. A bad day on the beach is better than a good day in the office.

2. I wonder what it would be like to be a sea urchin and live on the beach every day. This guy seemed happy to be living in the intertidal zone. It even had some bling on to blend in with the beachcombers.

3. Florida in the summer--some say it's too hot, but it was hotter in Maryland yesterday and I don't live this close to the beach.

4. Went to the beach this morning--one other person was on the entire beach. the tide was low and we had a great time.

5. BP says the oil is seeping somewhere--but they don't know where. As long as it's not into the Gulf of Mexico is it a real problem?

6. Interesting numbers:

16 -- the number of waves that hit the beach in one minute this morning. (I counted)

1 - the number of seconds it takes for the wind to destroy a beach umbrella.

2 - the number of inches a sea urchin moves in one minute.

3 - the number of games the Orioles have lost since the all-star break, unfortunately it also equals the number of games they have played since the break.

New AA-type organization Needed: ABAA

I don't play many video games--my friends and kids will tell you that.

I got addicted to Texas Hold em on my Blackberry some time ago--but wow, I need help new.

I am an Angry Birds addict.

And worst of all--it is always with me on my iPhone or iPod.

Everyone I know is playing Angry Birds--

I have completed all of the released levels (there are more coming) and now I am going back to get three stars on all the levels. One the most recent release--I worked each level till I got three stars.

It is addicting.

We need to start an Angry Birds Anonymous Association to help those of us who dream about over-sized cardinals being catapulted through the air to destroy buildings and eliminate green pigs to extract revenge on the pig forces for stealing their eggs.

Birds--with an attitude!

Boy am I glad I can't take my cell phone into work with me!

These birds are real home wreckers.

Sand and Beaches

Have you ever considered how many grains of sand are on the beach?

Not that it is important to know--but I figure that it is possible that each grain of sand represents a way that a child can have fun on the beach.

Adults, is seems, as we grow older reduce the numbers of ways we enjoy beaches to just a few--in the water, out of the water, and asleep with a good book, or something like that.

It is fun to watch the other people on the beach, too. People are mostly chillin' on the beach.

But kids find amazing ways to remind us of the diversity of the beach. From finding some new shell, or playing in the sand, or enjoying getting knocked over by a wave, or being spun around by Pop-pop in the waves. They always seem to find a way--and many different ways, to enjoy the beach and the sun.

Me, I like to enjoy their enthusiasm as it reminds me of those first times I went to the beach and saw the ocean.

I was older than E and Jax, so I remember considering the awesomeness of it all.

Maybe that is why I still love the beach and the ocean--I love the diversity, as it is different every day and yet all so familiar.

I like finding the new and the different, or the old and familiar, like watching a pelican fish for breakfast as we did this morning. Or watching a shore bird stalk crabs--for their next meal.

Everyday is a new adventure--the beach is different, the waves are different, the color of the water even seems different; it just takes a discriminating eye to notice the subtle differences and appreciate them from something that could so easily seem to be the same day in and out.


So how many grains of sand are there on the beach?

I'm not sure anyone really knows, but I know there are not enough.

Jupiter Beaches and Evening Libations

The day dawned and we sallied off to one of our favorite beaches for some sun and enjoyment.

We returned to the sights and sounds of the ocean and the birds. And even the pelicans on patrol which wing over the beaches on a regular basis. Flights of three or four of the pelicans can be seen swooping over the beach and then the ocean.

And there were the sights on the beach, too.

The Jupiter Lighthouse still stands guard over the inlet a symbol and guide to the mariners.

We discovered it is a lot easier to read the newspaper on the beach when it is on the Kindle. Less pages to be blown about in the wind. Chris, however, is reading one of her books--also easier via Kindle.

Although the ocean was rough and we could not snorkel, its raw power was something to behold and admire. The waves crashing on the beach and the children playing on and being tossed about by the waves squealing their enjoyment in full voice.

And the birds--searching for their next meal from some unsuspecting crab who lingered too long out of the safety of its hole. I guess it won't make that mistake again.

We went over to our favorite watering hole for happy hour in the evening. The Square Grouper continues to be an awesome place to enjoy day's end. Is it like the Sundown Celebration in Key West? No, but it is an enjoyable way to wind down from the day.

Beach in the morning and happy hour at a a great watering hole. It really doesn't get any better than that,

From the Beach

Yup. Jupiter Florida. Carlin Park.

The Atlantic is as rough as I have seen it.

But we are here and loving it already.

Jupiter Arrival

The View Outside my Jupiter, FL Condo

We arrived in less than 16 hours total travel time.
After some quick unloading, we headed off to the beach for some sand and fun.Not too bad--woke up in Maryland and after a long-ish drive are playing on a Florida beach before dark!  It is a bit longer than a day trip though!
Traffic was light and we really made good time but we saw lots of police keeping the speeds from becoming too outlandish.
It is good to be back after not coming here last year except as part of a couple day trips

Trucking

We made Florida about 1228 or about 28 minutes later than I wanted to.

But we are in Florida and are less than four hours from Jupiter.

Florida or Bust

Early Morning on the Beltway

In olden times we would be in a prairie schooner with the words emblazoned on the side. Today we are in the car some time about 0230 with Florida in front and home behind.
And so we are off and are already south of DC.
With the radio blasting it reminds me of being back in college when I used to make the trek from Ithaca to Miami.

I'm going to be a real bore

No, I'm not on vacation, yet.

But by this time tomorrow I should already have miles behind me as I trek to the beach climates.

And I love that I can instantly blog via email and with pictures from my iPhone. Did I say that I really like my iPhone. I still can't believe that I have adapted to it after so many years as a Blackberry high power user. (Thanks, Chris)

The packing is mostly complete--the last use items are being loaded into the bags for quick access.

We are still getting rain--last night I would guess close to two inches. Fortunately the lawn got mowed last evening just before the rain began. Literally, the rain was beginning to fall as I was making the last pass on the yard and parking the tractor back into the garage. My rain estimate is based of course on the level of water in the pool--so it is close but not scientific.

As for an update--Makayla is doing much better. We kept her on a water diet yesterday and began giving her boiled rice last night. The spewing has stopped and her eyes remain bright. She wasn't amused that I wouldn't give her my last piece of toast this morning--but we want her gut to really settle down before we start loading it up again with food, treats, and junk.

I really wish I didn't have to go to work today. Yesterday was a killer--just shy of 12 hours. Reminds me of high school when I used to work Fridays (or during the Christmas season) with Dad at the clothing store-- 9 to 9. Except there we got breaks for lunch and dinner. Yesterday--I didn't even have time for lunch and managed to straggle home for dinner. Thank goodness traffic was moving on the beltways as I was coming back from an afternoon meeting on the other side of D.C..

It is funny--as I sit here I can imagine the smell of beach in Jupiter and the tickle of the sand on my toes.

Like my puka shells, it transports me to a happy place.

And so with strains of Willie Nelson playing in my head--I head off for my last day of work for July 2010 and then it will be off onto the crowded roadways to add my small assistance to help sustain the economic recovery.

Early Morning - Makayla Wakes us up Sick

I heard the whine--and then I smelled it, the sure signs of a sick dog in the bedroom.

Never a pleasant way to start the day--especially when it is 4am and the mess is substantial--and not just confined to the bedroom but as we soon discover, is also in other locations around the house.

And the clean up is not easy--the washer will be busy all day cleaning rugs, towels and even bedding as the mess increased in size.

Makayla is being put on a strict water diet and confined to her cage until her gastrointestinal system settles a bit.

She hates the cage--but is taking it like a trooper. For our point--we are trying to contain the mess because it is really awful.

So we are up early watching TV and we are listening to a unhappy dog squeaking from her cage. Trying to settle her stomach and keeping her quiet.

A long day starting early. A sick dog and a huge mess still processing through the washer and dryer.

Vacation is only days away.

Monday Musings - July 12, 2010

1. The Orioles have a four game winning streak, tying their longest winning streak of the season and also, they completed their first road four-game sweep over another team since 1995. Is the season beginning to turn around? Will something miraculous happen during the stretch run to October?

2. It is amazing how quickly it passes--I noticed this morning that already the dawn is just beginning to break when I let Makayla out for her morning business. Just last week it was full daylight.

3. Well the World Cup is completed and Spain won. I was cheering for the Netherlands. It seems that the losers in this tournament were the teams I was cheering for.

4. BP is still playing in the Gulf of Mexico--but based upon their reporting, their stock increased in value overnight. Really? What about the clean-up efforts?

5. Is is vacation week--when the packing is done and the car is fueled sometime Wednesday night or very early Thursday morning, the blog will be heading south for the rest of the month!

6. There is a song that sings about "suntanned toes in the sand" --I'm so there.

A Pair of Kees

Sunday afternoon and a pair of keeshonden are lounging on the family room floor.

They love getting together and playing and eating.

They especially get excited when the Orioles complete their first road four-game sweep since 1995. Wow!

Sports Debacle: LeBron James

We have reached a new low with sports.

The self-proclaimed king is no king but a pathetic wanna-be.

The amount of hype around a sports player moving from one team to another team is so out of proportion to things of true importance to the world and life that it is appalling.

The amount of money these guys are being paid to so something most of the rest of us pay to do is unfathomable and truly shows how out of touch these over paid players are with the people that watch and ultimately pay their salaries--most of whom are making less than $50,000 per year as compared to the multi-million dollar salaries they are making.

Teachers make more of an impact on the world than sports figures. They make $30-$50 thousand per year.

It is wrong that someone can be paid so much money just because they can play a game with a ball.

And then they ascend into privileged status.

I didn't watch the special--I don't care about the NBA. But I do know, I'd play MLB for a lot less than all of the players are getting paid. The league minimum is about $400 thousand a year. I'd be really happy with less than half of that to play baseball every day.

It is an example of the worst that our society has to offer. Our military personnel are losing their lives overseas and being compensated with extremely small amounts of money by comparison

Think about it--the President makes about that much and he has his finger on the nuclear trigger.

The Christian Science Monitor put it this way:

At a time when 15 million Americans have no job at all, we should be indignant about pro athletes like LeBron James earning more than $15 million a year.

I urge you to click the link and read the article--but, I am going to reprint the last three paragraphs here. The author Jonathan Zimmerman makes a solid closing argument with which I happen to agree strongly

Who needs to take home $15 million or $20 million per year? Nobody. But we all need to take account of the wealth – and the poverty – in our midst.

Perhaps we can use these astronomic athletic salaries to make a fresh case for higher marginal taxes on the super-rich, just like we had in the old days – and just as many European democracies have today.

LeBron James shouldn’t get paid such an extraordinary sum, when millions of Americans aren’t getting paid at all. And it doesn’t matter how good a year he had.

We need to change our priorities!

Some People--Potential Darwin Award Nominee

I'm not sure if you are aware of the Darwin Awards--they are given to people for trying to remove themselves from the gene pool for doing really stupid, even unimaginable things. They make incredibly fascinating reading. I have a 2010 nominee:

I read the following in the Baltimore Sun yesterday:

A 25-year-old man accidentally shot himself in the foot while intoxicated in a Reisterstown home early Wednesday morning, a Baltimore County Police spokesman said.

Donald Burshnick, 25, of Maine, N.Y., was drunk with other people in a house in the 1500 block of Nicodemus Road, said Cpl. Mike Hill of Baltimore County Police.

At about 3:30 a.m., he retrieved a loaded rifle from within the home and fired a shot into the floor, the spokesman said. "However, he struck his foot," Hill said.

He gave police detectives varying accounts about what had happened before admitting he was drunk, Hill said. Initial reports of the incident described it as a hunting accident. No charges will be filed, Hill said.

So let me get this straight--he aimed at the floor and missed! Hitting his foot!

In a house filled with other people? He discharged a rifle?

Really?

He's lucky he didn't his something more critical--or maybe he should have.

A definite Darwin Award candidate.

As an example, I provide this Darwin Award winner from 2009:

(10 January 2009, Pennsylvania) An embarrassed and seriously injured 17-year-old initially claimed that an explosive had been planted in his backpack by persons unknown. However, police investigators soon extracted the truth from the feckless teen. He found an M-80 explosive at his grandmother's house, took it to his room to examine it, and began to repeatedly light and extinguish the fuse. During one of these cycles the fuse would not go out, so he jammed the red cardboard tube between his thighs and covered it with his hand to muffle the explosion. This plan was less successful than he had hoped.

Commonly thought to be a quarter stick of dynamite, M80's (according to pyrouniverse.com) actually contain flash powder rather than TNT, and only 1/50 the amount--just under 3 grams. Used by the U.S. Military to simulate grenade explosions, M80's were outlawed in 1966 under the Child Protection Act. They are not safe enough to be detonated by the average man on the average street, let alone by the average 17-year-old.

One loud KABOOM! later, our junior pyrotechnics specialist had lost his right hand, right leg, and--very likely--his right to reproduce, earning him a living Darwin Award. * As always, my regrets to the boy and his family.

It is Raining!

Normally, that would be an expression of frustration and messed up plans. But today, the fact that rain is falling is a great thing. We have not had rain in almost a month and things are really dry.

It is a light soaking kind of rain, too.

The air is clearing of the suspended junk and it is nice to be out in the rain--it is cooling and enjoyable.

Makayla and I took a short walk just to enjoy the drops and see the change in the earth as it is being refreshed by the rain. It even smells good.

Take a moment, if it is raining where you are, especially if you have been in drought conditions to thank God for the rain.

Slogging It Out

It really is a race now.

Trying to make it on the road to my Florida vacation while keeping all the juggled balls in the air long enough to get out of town.

Some of the stuff, I just don't want to deal with--like the power steering problem with the truck. It needs to go to the shop--but, it will wait until I get back.

Other stuff--needs to get done, like the preparation and the packing.

And then there are the outliers--like buying a new sprinkler because the old one broke. Who is going to water the lawn while we are gone? And I wanted to rent a tank of air to do a dive gear check-out. Maybe Saturday because I still have to retrieve Chris's repaired face mask.

And work has turned into a nightmare of its own--strings of meetings that yesterday lasted until 5:30 pm and start all over today with a road-trip meeting which will devour the better part of an already busy Friday. Monday and Tuesday present themselves as more of the same with equally as long out of the office meetings.

And this is July--the pace is supposed to ease a bit as the action and task generators begin to slip out on vacation.

All I know is that when I hit the front door of the house in the evening I force my mind to go blank--but it doesn't.

Like the journey of a thousand miles beginning with a single step--I will continue to put one foot in front of the other and by slogging through one shuffle step at a time, it will all get done. Mostly.

Cylinder of Excellence: A Study in Self Importance

The other day, a friend of mine referred to a situation in our office as an example of the "cylinder of excellence capitol of the world."

I was stunned and amazed--so amazed that I wrote the phrase down and my mind has been turning it over teasing it out in the week since it was uttered.

There was so much packed into those seven words that I still can barely comprehend the complete meaning of the phrase.

The cylinder part was fantastic as it describes an entire universe or work unit. Totally self-contained and self-absorbed with no inputs allowed from the outside.

The idea of a cylinder is that it stands by itself, unlike a sphere which can roll, and it is there for others to see and often trip over. Additionally, there is nothing connecting this free-standing cylinder to the world around it. It is because it is. Kind of a parody of Descartes "I think, therefore I am."

Add into this self-absorbed and self-important environment the self-declaration of excellence. The ego factor is increasing exponentially here. But, in fact, many places consider themselves to be Centers of Excellence--and that title is self assigned. There is no agency designated to bestow upon an organization the rating of Center of Excellence. Leadership does it in its own.

It is often used to convey a message, but in my way of thinking it all too often is a gratuitous title. If, in face, and organization is a center of excellence, then their products and services will reflect that as will the bottom line success of the organization.

And now for the closing phrase-- "capitol of the world!" Of course this is a tongue in cheek comment which really drives home the point that the dis-connectedness and the self-importance of the cylinder of excellence is unmatched and is an example for other "Wanna Be's" to emulate.

What kind of organizations are guilty of this behavior? All kinds--from civic to governmental to private industry to religious.

I have seen organizations in all of these areas pride themselves on being the "cylinder of excellence capitol of the world."

What do we need to do to prevent our organization from becoming a cylinder of excellence?

Stay connected to peer organizations and customers and partners. Also, work collaboratively--giving as well as receiving. Stay in touch.

AND--don't think so highly of yourself that you can't accept ideas from outside.

Break down the philosophy which continues to promote the "not invented here" syndrome. Open the organization to the outside and allow solid connection to others.

It is not good to be a cylinder of excellence capitol of the world--it is much better to be seen as a collaborative, open, innovative organization which constantly reinvents itself to meet the demands of the market or the customers it is trying to serve.

Just because we did it that way 10 years ago doesn't mean we need to do it that way today--but also, it doesn't necessarily mean we HAVE to change, either.

Ask the customers what they need to be successful and then partner with other organizations, if necessary, to meet the need.

Truck problems, ugh!

It was bound to happen sooner or later. My beloved truck has developed a power steering lfluid leak--which is pretty bad.

It's going to need surgery. I looked at it and I can't even discern where the the leak actually is--except it is spraying all over the front of the truck in front of the radiator. I do know it is not the power steering fluid pump--I found that and there is no fluid there..

Couldn't happen at a worse time--right before vacation.

I still drive the truck a couple day a week. Why? Well I'm trying to keep miles off Cat. And I always drive the truck during bad weather.

I was actually under the truck for two hours yesterday replacing the failed axillary air pump--that was a special treat in the heat. Fortunately, I was able to work in the garage--where the light was worse but the temperature was 20 degrees cooler than being in the direct sun.

But, because of the fantastic weekend of lounging in the pool on a floatie, I was able to persevere!

The truck will get fixed, soon. I already have one broken and undriveable vehicle in the driveway.

Until then--don't worry, be happy. Florida is less than two weeks away from reality.

And the truck, while important, isn't my only vehicle.

Fabulous Weekend

It is hot!

It has been hot.

I got the chance to watch and old favorite movie over the weekend--Yankee Doodle Dandy, the George M. Cohan Story starring James Cagney.

Now that is one patriotic movie. I love the music and the story.

I also had the opportunity to watch the Macy's Fireworks from New York City--which was really fantastic especially after seeing the fireworks form the mall in DC in person.

I also did some repairs--I had a water valve break in the pool house which required me to sweat some copper. And I repaired a leak in a floatie. Worked on Chris's car trying to silence an annoying rattle. Ugh.

But mostly--I was able to just be in the moment and enjoy the things of life like fireflies in the trees and the singing of a wren near her nest. Watching the dogs interact with us and enjoy one of the most relaxing and productive weekends I've had in a long time.

2010, the 234th celebration of the United States was by far one of my most favorite holiday weekends.

Monday Musings - July 5, 2010 Reflections of the Independence Celebration

1. Riding in a stuffed full metrorail car from DC to Greenbelt last night was a new experience with screaming babies and full of themselves young people. I had visions of a Stephen King type of ending for the train as it sped through the tunnels under the city and then broke into the night as it came above ground. Thankfully, he writes fiction and this was real life.

2. Spending the Fourth of July with a few hundred thousand of my closest friends reminded me that patriotism is still alive in this country despite the daily dose of depressing news and frustration we exhibit in our elected leadership.

3. This terrible picture is of the fireworks exploding behind the Washington Monument from a spot on the West Lawn of the Capitol Building. Don't tell her I admitted this--but Chris found an awesome spot to watch the fireworks among the thousands of like minded people assembled for the event.

4. Watching two extra dogs this weekend has reminded me that I really love my one true dog.

5. The weekend has been idyllic--I have spent a lot of time on a floatie in my pool. But, yesterday I did have to repair a broken valve in the pool house. Thankfully, I still remember how to sweat copper.

6. It is really nice to have a day off after the late night celebration. Maybe Independence Day needs a two-day celebration so we can all recover after the night before.

7. I read the following in the NPR review of the July 4th this morning: Chicago traditionally celebrated a day early on July 3 with a fireworks display that drew more than 1 million people, but the show was canceled this year to save at least $500,000. The city held three smaller shows on Sunday. I believe Chicago has lost something. An event which brings 1 million Americans together to celebrate the birth of our nation must not be lost.

8. One of the songs the band played in church yesterday was I Am Free. Although we didn't sign the song, I was reminded that we are free to worship, to sing, to enjoy life and to share our love with those around us.

9. It was interesting to look out over the crowd last night as the fireworks were lighting up the sky and see the number of iPhone and camera LCD screens of people doing the same thing that I was doing--trying to capture the moment for posterity in digital image. I stopped after two shots and decided to capture the moment in my memory--and just to enjoy the music, the fireworks, and the company of the two beautiful women who were with me.

10. 234 years--thanks to a few founding fathers for their vision, their dedication, and their willingness to risk everything to follow a dream. I only hope we still have a portion of their patriotism remaining in our souls.

Happy 4th

Guess where we are to celebrate?

Lavender and butterflies

We were treated to a host of white butterflies enjoying our lavender yesterday. A cloud of the white butterflies hovered over the blooms enjoying the scent and the pollen from the blooms.

The gardens are suffering a bit from the lack of rain, bit we are supplementing with water to keep the blooms coming.

Chris mulched the beds this week which will further help retaining moisture on the plants.

The weather has been glorious and we are heading into a hot spell this week according to the forecast.

Bring it on.

Holiday Weekend

Just another holiday weekend and the gang is all gathered.

We are dog sitting for our families who are pit of town and so in addition to Makayla, we have also Florence the Italian Greyhound and Ben the other Keeshond is in the foreground. They are napping on my bed.

As I like to say it, I have a pair of Kees when the keeshonden are together.

It was kind of funny how we gained the extra canines within hours of deciding not to head away for the holiday weekend.

But as the three-day weekend begins we have a full house.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

In the Moment--Multi-tasking is not the Way to Enjoy Life to its Fullest

I wrote last week about the mediocre racquetball that I have been playing lately in the article Racquetball Blues--Going Through Life With Cement Overshoes. I reference that item because something came through my email yesterday which directly related to my recent experience.

Before I read that item yesterday, I had already treated myself to three of the best games of racquetball that I have put together in a long time. Were they perfect, by no means--in two of the games I surrendered leads of 11 and 8 points--but, after the article came across my email, I began to make sense of what happened yesterday and what has been going on in so many areas of my life.

The article is Living Consciously and it was published in a blog sponsored by Flying magazine. Please note when you read the article on the blog that the letter cited was written by a close associate and it was he who sent me the link to the blog.

The article is a quick read--probably quicker than this blog entry will be, and I recommend reading the entire article to fully appreciate the context. But I have extracted here a few paragraphs that describe the "aha moment" I stumbled across yesterday thanks to Peter.

The skill or behavior Peter was describing, which Dr. Musgrave exhibited so well, is sometimes known as "living consciously." It's something I've written about before in the pages of Flying, and something I think the act of flying a small airplane encourages more than many other activities in our daily life. It describes the attempt to be fully present in every activity we undertake, from washing our hand, to pre-flighting an airplane, to walking down the street.

To be fully present in any given moment requires full attention to the task in hand, and an effort to not just look, but see, feel, and be aware of all the sights, sensations, and events within reach of our senses. Which is to say, it's the antithesis of multi-tasking … which also means it's a skill that is becoming rarer and rarer in the world.

But as the summer flying season, with all its beauty, warmth, landscape scents and gentle breezes begins … it's worth taking a moment to consider Dr. Musgrave's approach to a simple vanilla ice cream cone. On your next flight, make an effort to be that conscious as you pre-flight. Of the feel of the metal latches as you open them, and the distinctive scent of the avgas. The unrolling of the canopy cover. The breeze and shade beneath the wings. The warmth of the summer sun, the energy in that moment of lift-off … the treasure of being alive, and in the air, with all the freedom, sights, and sensation it affords.

I realized that my mind has been so full of things, that I haven't been able to focus on the task at hand--whether a project at work, a racquetball game, or engaging in conversation at home. There is too much "swirl" going on to allow me to fully focus on the "now" while not being concerned about the "later."

Yesterday morning, I realized as I read the blog, when I was playing racquetball well the only thing I was focusing on was racquetball. I was in the zone. I wasn't thinking about the dozens of meetings and tasks waiting for me at work and then around the house later in the day. When I started to lose focus--I began to lose the games. I remember thinking about things like the tension of the strings on my racket, the weather, the weekend, the holiday. As I was able to clear these things from my mind and refocus on the game--the tide turned.

I'm going to try to apply this concept a bit more to my everyday life and see if not only my performance, but my enthusiasm improve. Truly, I do not need to multi-task all the time. I do a lot of multi-tasking at work because it goes with my job--I'm kind of into everything and need to stir stuff up when it begins to languish. But in my personal life, at least, I should be able to take time to focus.

I know I focus and notice life sometimes--and I have recorded some of those fleeting moments here in my blog--The Sunlight in my Eyes from March comes to mind.

But they are rare.

And so, as an effort to improve my quality of life by resisting the temptation to multi-task, I have determined that I will no longer try to change my clothes while talking on the phone! Also--when I am on the beach in two weeks--I will be on the beach and not somewhere else in my mind.

And I know I will soon think of other things to help speed me along this path to taking back control and enjoyment from life.

Canada Day 2010 - Neighbor to the North

My friends know that sometimes I break into a chorus of 'O Canada' when we are doing something and it has a Canadian slant to it. Of course one or our best friends is of Canadian descent, so that often helps me to find a reason to regail her with a little bit of O Canada, too. And it usually beings a smile to her face when I do it.

Today is Canada Day and I want to take a moment to celebrate our sane and sensible neighbor to the north. We fellow North Americans should take a moment to pause and recognize our close ties to Canada and celebrate with them their great country.

While the recent riots at the G20 summit were a blot on the sensibility of Canadians as a whole--that was in my mind an aberration.

In honor of Canada Day, I offer here the words to their national anthem--which I hear at hockey games and baseball games when Canadian teams are competing. Of course, we also heard it played a lot during the recent Winter Olympics. Most of us USA bound people probably don't take the time to even listen the words of O Canada--but as national anthems of the world go, I find this one to be one of the best and most "sing-able."

And so, in honor of our neighbor to the north and in honor of the longest undefended frontier between two nations in the world I present the words to O Canada, and if you click the link, you can hear it, too.

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide, O Canada,
we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Oil Spill--Ecological Suicide

The oil is still pouring into the Gulf--and yet the story has all but dropped out of the news.

In classic American style--we've grown bored of the story and so our interest has waned while the environmental damage continues to mount at rates we cannot comprehend.

There is a great website called Google Crisis Response - Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill which I encourage you to check out.

It continues to document the extent of the oil spill and the efforts to contain it--which are largely or completely ineffective.

And we have done just as BP had hoped we'd do--totally begun to ignore the damage and the disaster.

We must not allow ourselves to fall into the trap of accepting the activity because we are bored with hearing about it.

It is still happening.

Here is something I found just this morning about the disaster:

The article is at Is BP Burning Sea Turtles Alive? and is reported by Fox Tampa.

VENICE, La. - A boat captain working to rescue sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico says he has seen BP ships burning sea turtles and other wildlife alive.

Captain Mike Ellis said in an interview posted on You Tube that the boats are conducting controlled burns to get rid of the oil.

"They drag a boom between two shrimp boats and whatever gets caught between the two boats, they circle it up and catch it on fire. Once the turtles are in there, they can’t get out," Ellis said.

Get this--over 82 MILLION gallons of oil have been released into the Gulf so far and rising daily! Bet you didn't know that did ya? My swimming pool is 40 thousand gallons. This would be more than 2050 of my swimming pools full of oil!

Did you know the Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of oil? We are already at a spill 8 times larger than the Exxon Valdez.

Congress need to get their heads up and get into the game. Total ecological destruction is being allowed to occur. AND--there is no assurance that BP's plan to plug the well with cement (which is supposed to occur in August) will work either.

What do we do?

1. Write Congress and let them know how concerned we are. Advise your senators and representatives in Congress that we expect action and not to trust BP, because so far--they have been wrong at every juncture.

2.Stop buying BP products--anything from BP just to make a point.

3. Don't let this story drop from the news. Keep reading and become informed. Keep pushing for answers.

They're Back! The Return of P&T

The dynamic couple who honeymooned in one of my favorite places in the world have returned home.

Awesome.

I had the pleasure of retrieving them from the airport early Monday morning, so that I could be among the first to welcome them back to Maryland and life as a married couple.

I can report, their big cat, Gus, was enthusiastically happy to greet them.

And their dive gear bag was really heavy.

It was fun that as they shared private time together in Key West, they also regularly checked in with the family to let us know how they were doing. It was kinda fun to hear of their adventures, their room upgrade, and the fun they had driving the rented Mustang convertible.

Key West is such an awesome town and there is always something to see and do.

And it seems they did a lot and had a great time. Just like they were supposed to do.

What a great way to start out a marriage--with some great memories upon which to build more great memories.

I guess I'm a hopeless romantic in wishing that the grind of everyday life doesn't get them so bogged down that they can't remember what a great foundation they have as they set out on the journey that is marriage.

Welcome home guys--

Monday Musings - June 28, 2010

1. USA Soccer lost--but they had a great run. 32 teams showed up for the World Cup and 31 of them are going to go as losers.

2. The Orioles have a four game winning streak! The longest of the season.

3. Another hot weekend and Sunday family day was memorable again because everyone was there.

4. Isn't it funny how sometimes you look forward to going on vacation but then at some point you begin to look forward to coming home again?

5. Why are commitments a convenient excuse to not to do the things that we should be doing?

6. When does the honeymoon really end? And why does it need to ever end?

7. Next weekend is the Independence Day holiday weekend! Lights and fireworks! What could be better?

8. We need some new movies to be released at the theaters. I haven't been to a movie in a while and I don't think I'm missing anything.

Hydrangea Morning

Another hot, summer day is starting.

The hydrangea are in full bloom in front of the house--standing tall against the summer sun and heat.

Filling our vision with a multitude of blooms.

The grass has slowed its growth as the heat and dryness of the summer have set in. I didn't need to even mow this past week.

Last evening, as night fell, the lightening bugs provided a spectacle of lights high in the canopy of trees that surround the back yard and pool.

Their lights rivaled that of the stars--but of course--their lights were only transient compared to the steady lights of those suns so far away.

Days like this are what I wait for during those long, cold, bleak days of winter--which will all too soon return. So I will enjoy these days--riding in the convertible with the top down and my hair blowing in the wind.

Soccer Saturday

Taking a break from the rest of the crises in the world--we will celebrate Soccer Saturday today.

USA Soccer is in the round of 16 for only the 3rd time since 1930.

There is a good chance they will move on for another game--but this is the elimination round and some of the powerhouses in the world are missing: Italy and France for instance.

Regardless of the outcome later today--this has been a great run. Winning the group over England and playing hard against every team.

For those of you who don't understand the extra motivation that Team USA has today for the game, I provide this excerpt from a New York Times article about what happened during the 2006 World Cup and last time these two teams met:

Only four years ago, these two teams met in what amounted to an elimination game at Germany ‘06, a final group-stage match both teams needed to win in order to be certain of advancement, especially the Americans, who had only 1 point going in. But they were beaten, 2-1, by a Ghana team that defied all the tired cliches about African naivete on the international stage.

The USA did not make the round of 16 as a result of that game.

So there is a measure of revenge--which hopefully will provide our team with that extra motivation to not let it happen again.

So win or lose--

U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A Soccer Rules!

Patrick and Tina Wedding Links

This is just a quick entry to help reference links to Patrick and Tina's wedding pictures:

My Picasa album: http://picasaweb.google.com/rjdoan/2010Wedding#

Theresa Choi (the photographer) blog:
http://www.theresachoi.com/blog/christina-patrick-pier-v-baltimore-wedding-2/

From the honeymoon:
The Vandenberg

Patrick's picture


Wedding Pictures

Wedding

Collection of pictures

Playing on Foreign Soil: USA Soccer vs the US Military

The DoD and the US military need to take a page out of USA Soccer's handbook about playing away games.

Wednesday saw the two entities at completely opposite ends of the spectrum--USA Soccer celebrating a never-say-never victory over a really tough opponent in a do-or-die situation and the US military with disgrace on its face and a combat commander being fired for gross insubordination of the order of Douglas MacArthur.

USA Soccer never quit as they faced a gritty Algerian team. In fact, as I have been watching the other matches in the World Cup, I have been amazed how easily some of the players are hurt and removed form the games. The US team was playing at the end of the game with two players who required stitches after the game to close wounds sustained during the game. And in a testament to the "it ain't over until it's over" spirit which resides in all Americans--they won the match during stoppage time when hope seemed lost.

I celebrated wildly--maybe a too bit wildly, at work.

Conversely, the US military was portraying everything that is wrong with the current crop of combat leadership--unbridled contempt for our civilian leadership. The actions of GEN McChrystal and his staff are a blot on the heroism and honor of those of us who have served in the US military. He should be fired, as he was, and sent home in disgrace. And his staff--all of it, should be replaced because they are part of a culture of contempt that cannot be allowed to exist in the military.

I am reminded of a scene from my favorite movie "Patton" where the new commanding general , Patton, of the US II Corps in Africa arrives at his command post shortly after the disaster at Kasserine Pass. In the movie, one sees a command staff that is disorganized and without basic adherence to fundamental appearance and discipline. Patton goes on a tear and reestablishes discipline almost instantly. And that is what the US Forces in Afghanistan need--a thorough housecleaning and adherence to good conduct and discipline.


So, USA Soccer--winning in South Africa against the odds when the game seemed hopeless and after being denied a good goal or the US military in Afghanistan--disgraced by their senior leader and his staff and complaining they cannot win the war in Afghanistan which, by the way, officially became the longest running war in the history of the United States.

U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A Soccer Rules!

Racquetball Blues--Going Through Life with Cement Overshoes

I've been playing some really mediocre racquetball lately. That is different than just losing--because even when I win games, I know that I'm usually not playing solid racquetball and instead I am relying on my experience and craftiness to overcome large deficits.

Sometimes it works--but more often, it falls short.

I accept losing when I know I've played hard and good--in fact those are some of the best matches when both players have their A games.

Lately, all I'm bringing is my C minus game. And yeah--I lost a match the other night I wanted to win but definitely got outplayed in.

It is like I'm moving in slow motion through not only the game--but sometimes through life.

Perhaps it is loss of focus, but I just don't feel that emotional charge to control either the racquetball game or some of the events in life--I'm just reacting and then often slowly.


I know I'm just in one of those phases--and hopefully I'll snap out of it soon.

I know some beach time is coming in a couple of weeks and that always recharges my batteries.

I'd like to leave the cement overshoes at the beach--or better, leave them offshore to become part of an artificial reef.

Today--I'll slog it out in the trenches. Taking on each action or task as it comes counting the days until the scenery changes to sand and palm trees. That would be 21 days--but then who is counting.

I guess I am.

Of Generals and Loose Lips

The current situation with Gen McCrystal and he and his staff's unprofessional remarks about the President, the Vice President and a host of others in the senior leadership of our government is reminiscent of the situation between President Truman and Gen McArthur.

The story this morning from CNN puts it this way:

Washington (CNN) -- America's top military commander in Afghanistan is unlikely to survive the fallout from remarks he made about colleagues in a magazine profile to be published Friday, according to a Pentagon source who has ongoing contacts with the general.

That is putting it very mildly.

He should be forced to retire after losing a star form his shoulder. That's my opinion.

It is OK to have private thoughts about those you work with--but to allow yourself to make statements like this in public and also to allow, even encourage your staff to make such remarks is not only unprofessional, but is truly is conduct unbecoming an officer and also a violation of Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ):

ART. 88. CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS

Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

I have read the Rolling Stone article--and in my mind, Gen McChrystal definitely violated this article and should be court-martialed.

Oh, and by the way, there is also a violation of Article 134:

ART. 134. GENERAL ARTICLE

Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court.

He should consider himself very lucky if he is allowed to resign and retire.

The difference between being a military officer--especially a commanding general, and a civilian is very great. Officers are held to a much higher standard and, yes, often the basic rights that Americans are used to are not entitled to a military person and especially an officer. Officers especially serve at the pleasure of the President--we do not ever want a situation where a military officer sees them self above or better than the President and our leadership--that is how coups happen in Third World countries.

During WWII they had a saying that "Loose Lips Sink Ships." I guess they sink generals, too.

Tina and Patrick Partying on Duval St

Well the honeymooning couple provided an update on how much fun they have been having.

Swimming with the fishes already.

BTW, this is from the USNS Vandenberg, six miles off Key West.

Tuesday Morning -- Work or not to Work

I've been home from work using vacation time since Thursday last week to complete the final preparations for the wedding.

It is funny, how used to not going to work I can get.

I would love to retire and spend all of my time--doing what?

I guess I need work to give me something worthwhile to do.

So the whole idea of going to work is just a disguise, because if I didn't go to work, I'd work around the house. OK--maybe I'd watch World Cup Soccer all morning.

Then I actually need work to get me moving and out of the house and give me something productive to do.

So going to work is actually good for me!

Chris get the summer off, starting Thursday. And then the summer stress begins as she is alone all day and busy finding projects to keep her busy and gainfully employed.

I suppose I would be in the same situation if I didn't have work to keep me busy.

So as the day begins and the slug in me desires not to go to work, I guess I really need to head out for my own good.

That is a positive way of looking at it. Because if I didn't have to go to work, I'd be headed for a sunny beach in Florida--yeah, like in about three weeks from now!

Monday Musings - June 21, 2010

The Bride--Coordinating

 Weddings bring out the best in people as they remember a great day in their lives. This week, I devote Monday Musings to documenting the wedding and the fun we had.

What can I say--Simply Beautiful!

If Only it was as Easy at the real Ceremony

Gary and Kay--Thanks for Coming

P&T Enjoying a Toast

Jeremy and Nicole--

Now You See It

Happy Sisters

Pennie and Scott enjoying a timeout

On the dance floor

Partying on by playing Angry Birds

Looking for a Pirate ship during the reception

From the Honeymoon

Patrick taking a picture presumably of Tina taking a picture of him.

This breaking news just in from Key West where the honeymooning couple
received an upgraded suite at the hotel.

Patrick and Tina Get Married

It should be the title for a movie--or at least a book.

The long awaited wedding finally happened and in a true-to-form manner--it was simply awesome.

There was drama, confusion, anxiety, changed plans, and perfect weather. There was something for everyone.

Most importantly, two people very much in love were married. After-all--isn't that what it is all about?

We each had our parts to play in the movie that is "Patrick and Tina Get Married" but the real stars were Patrick and Tina. Through it all, they each demonstrated a grand sense of humor and a knack for keeping their "eyes on the ball" rather than getting slogged down in the more mundane aspects of what was swirling around them.

I owe huge a thank-you to many people who worked really hard to make the day come together, and especially the rehearsal dinner, which we hosted at the house with the assistance of our best friends: Fran and Mary. I am always amazed how much work there is to do before hand to make something like a dinner come off and look so effortless.

I was reminded through the planning and execution of this wedding of how many people are involved--each with their part to play, to make the day a success.

I also want to thank the guests who traveled great distances to be part of the celebration. Each of them also played their part by attending and witnessing the event. Remember--not everyone got an invitation--so it certainly was an honor to receive one and then to follow through make the effort to actually attend was especially appreciated.

And then to the parents of the bride--thanks for raising such a special woman who can love and appreciate my son. They are perfect together. It always brings a smile to my face when I see or hear them coming through the door--together or separately.

So now, I'm already waiting for the sequel--as the marriage begins. Perhaps the first sequel will be titled something like "Hot Nights in Key West." I hope they are having fun in one of my favorite places in the world. It just occurred to me how much fun I have living vicariously though the experiences of my children and their families.

God bless you both--Tina and Patrick, today and always.

After the Wedding

We are out on the town in Annapolis with Mike and Nicole and Scott and
Pennie. A great way to chill after the pace of the last couple of days.

Even today we were busy cleaning up and retrieving the arch from the
hotel.

The memory of a great wedding and reception partying with family and
friends remains fresh and makes me smile.

There are so many people I need to thank for making the whole process
a success.

But my love and prayers go you out to Patrick and Tina.

From the Reception

And here it is as we sit here from Patrick and Tina's reception. The
party of the year is well underway after the long awaited wedding.

In a word. It was awesome.

Party on dudes.

Wedding Day 2010: Patrick and Tina

And today is the day.

The timing is set--the plans are made and mostly set.

The guests are arriving and most of us survived the Rehearsal dinner without incident.

The rehearsal went off well and everything seems ready.

Panic is setting in--and things are falling into place--but we will all be ready this evening.