Loading Airplanes

So I am sitting on a flight from Chicago to Baltimore watching people load the overhead bins. I am amazed how inconsiderate people are.

First, it seems they do not understand the concept of getting out of the aisle to let people pass.

Second, bags should be placed in the overhead either wheels out or in to allow other bags to slide in next to them. Putting them in sideways wastes available space.

Third, when the flight crew says no coats in the overhead it means no coats. Funny how many people exempt themselves from that one possibly because it was not enforced.

But then here's one for the airlines. If you're going to charge for checking bags, make sure the overhead bins can accept at least one suitcase per person.

Or, alternatively let us load our own bags on the ramp. I mean is it reasonable to believe that people can travel without clothing?

So I guess you figured out my upgrade didn't come through and I'm stuffed into a window seat in the last row of an Airbus 319 next to a wide bodied traveler.

And we have a maintenance delay.

And we were late to begin with.

And I've been on the road all week.

And I'm tired.

But it really should be better than this.
Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry

Terra Barossa 2006 Shiraz - A Review

I had the pleasure of having a glass of this special wine the other night and was very impressed. Available for under $15 this wine has a nose which is complex and inviting. There were hints of blackberry, vanilla, oak and plum. The color is a dark and seductive purple--which is also very inviting. The palate is also complex and seductive as it invites you into its structure. The tannins are not over powering but the mouth fills with berries and a hint of chocolate as this wine journeys through the mouth. The finish lingers and demands another sample of the wine.

The wine is Terra Barossa 2006 Shiraz Estate Grown by Thorne Clarke Wines Barossa, Australia.

RECOMMENDATION: This is a very special wine that will do well on its own with a strong cheese or with a red meat dish. It is a must have.

I'm Getting Bigger

So I have been been remiss in my blogging activities this past week. I have been distracted a bit by the furry friend on mine--Makayla.

In short--she is a near full time job when I'm at home. Between running her outside every time she sniffs a carpet--potty training is not going well, and playing with her until she finally tires--I do not have much time for blogging.


And then there was the annual taking down of the Christmas Tree. She was a great help. Maybe moving a bit too fast for some of us, but she really liked the garland that had encircled the tree. Actually, if the truth were known, she is the reason we took the tree down a bit earlier than normal. She loved the tree. And now she loves the poinsettia! Which is a problem.

But she is getting bigger every day. She is extremely intelligent and sensitive. She also has a mischievous side to her. She loves to torment the Yorkie--Zach. He really doesn't want much to do with her, and Zach is the only dog that Makayla has met that doesn't want to play--so she is determined to make Zach play.

Yeah--that's not going so well.

But--she is fun on four feet.

I guess that is my four feet!

Valkyrie: A Movie Review

In the long list of movies that opened over the Christmas holiday, one that is an inspiring story of resistance in the face of overwhelming odds is Valkyrie.

It turns out that the movie is not so much another World War II war movie, but rather a study in leadership and command coupled with the difficult life-changing decisions which sometimes need to be made. And then of course facing the real world consequences of the resultant actions. When the consequences of action or inaction are death, men flinch. This is serious stuff.

The reviews of the movie are generally good. The acting is excellent on all fronts. The cinematography is superior and the uniforms are real and appear authentic. Read the VOA review of the movie and its history. There is significant historical discussion about the motives of von Stauffenberg for his part in the plot. The movie would have the viewer believe he was motivated to end the war and surrender to the Allies for the greater good of Europe and Germany. And this seems to be the prevailing view of many historians, the Wikipedia article on von Stauffenberg is a good source for the basic history. Others would have have us believe that frustrated with Hitler's conduct of the war and in order to preserve Germany, von Stauffenberg planned the assassination and coup to allow the German High Command to run the war without Hitler's interference.

Even though I knew from history the outcome of the plot, I was still rooting for success. The mark of a good movie is one that can so intimately involve the viewer into the story. And this movie is just such a movie.

An interesting view of von Stauffenberg from his wife's point of view is: (from the Wikipedia site)

Describing her late husband, Nina von Stauffenberg said:

He let things come to him, and then he made up his mind ... one of his characteristics was that he really enjoyed playing the devil's advocate. Conservatives were convinced that he was a ferocious Nazi, and ferocious Nazis were convinced he was an unreconstructed conservative. He was neither.

Tom Cruise plays the part of von Stauffenberg very well and is surrounded by an excellent cast. Director Brian Singer does an excellent job of integrating the cast and keeping the story moving without lingering for too long on tangential plot lines.

Recommendation: A solid pick for both an entertaining and educational event. The movie provides another view of the German officer corps. There are some graphic scenes of violence which may not be suitable for smaller children especially both the beginning of the movie in North Africa and the ending. I recommend this movie be seen on the big screen. It will be a great rental, but the impact in better felt in the theater.

Makayla's Journey

Hi. I'm Makayla and I want to tell you my story.

Since Tuesday before Christmas until today I have been a wild journey. I'm still not sure where I actually live--although my new pack mates are really cool. I have slept in three different houses and met so many new friends.

Ben is my favorite. I want to grow up and be just like him. And since we are both Keeshonden, I may be able to do just that. I like his house.

My favorite toy is my duck! Mmmmm--I like duck. I heard that Troy likes goose--but I think that is a story for another time.

Trevar is a great friend too. He likes to play a lot and he runs and runs and runs. But he never let's me catch him.

It was really cold when I met Trevar and Ginger a big Chocolate Lab. I got to play in something white and cold--it was called snow. It was fun to run in and play in.

I have also played with Ethan and Jax--they are a lot of fun too. I like Jax's shirts--they are fun to pull on. Gibbs and Jeffy are a fun pair of beagles and I love running around the house with them.

The ones I can't figure out are Zach and Louis. Louis is a big, white cat who just stares at me. I know he wants to play, but he's too cool to let himself have a good time.

Zach though is just a pain. He's a Yorkie with an attitude. We did sleep near each other--but he won't play.

But I am having a great life and I look forward to meeting you soon.

Happy New Year--whatever a year is.

Marley & Me: A Review

I had the pleasure of viewing Marley & Me today as part of our Christmas vacation relaxation.

Now you need to understand--I am a sucker for dog movies. And this one is no exception. I love dog movies and this one especially hit home as I have just received a puppy for Christmas.

The movie is a joy to watch and is creative and funny. The acting is excellent--Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston in the leads. The children are cute and age appropriately during the movie.

So what is the movie about? The people who surround a rambunctious dog and we follow them throughout the dog's life. The movie is based upon a book written by John Grogan titled Marley & Me. John Grogan is also the name of the lead character in the movie.

David Frankel directs this movie and does a great job with the subject. The movie is funny and tender. It appeals the animal love in all of us and anyone who has owned a dog will be able to relate to the movie. The movie is not so much about the dog as it is about the family that tries to co-exist with the dog. The movie is about life. The ups and downs. The joys and the pain. The end of the movie brough back memories of all of my old and long gone dog friends and made me realize how lucky I was to have been able to share my life with them and all that each of them taught me.

RECOMMENDATION: See this movie if you love animals. See this movie if you want to get in touch with your inner self. You will probably cry--tears of both sadness and joy.

Makayla Aroha -- Love on Four Feet

In one of the greatest and most secret operations ever conducted by the Doan family in advance of Christmas--an operation involving everyone, except for me, a four-footed fur ball of love was delivered as the "BIG" gift of Christmas yesterday morning.

Yes--it is time to go back to my puppy roots and start over again with one of the most beautiful dogs in the world.

Secret operations are a lot of fun. Especially when they are well planned and executed.

So now we are returning to our roots when we used to breed Keeshonden. (which is the plural for Keeshond) We had some great dogs in the past--with Nufi being the best Kees we had.

As puppies they are little puffs of fur that look a like little teddy bears--as adults they have a regal appearance.

But--enough of who she will be. A little about her name. Makayla means "who resembles God" and is a variant of an Australian female dog name. Aroha is Maori (New Zealand) and means love.

I want to thank each member of the family for this well executed operation. Chris explained how each of you participated in the selection and care of the young pup. And thanks--it was an unexpected gift.

A Failure to Act--A Christmas Story with an Unhappy Ending

I had a significant opportunity to demonstrate everything I believe in last night--and I failed miserably.

After writing about the Christmas spirit and the time of year, when actually confronted with an opportunity to act--I was paralyzed by thinking about the consequences and let an opportunity to share God's love slip away.

The situation:

I'm standing in line at the local Safeway grocery store with two $25 gift cards to purchase for my office staff at work. I am not purchasing any food stuffs or other items. The lines are long and I'm in the 15 items or less line. The woman in front of me with 2 small children is buying $42.91 worth of groceries. The woman swipes her ATM card--it will not accept the transaction. Then after three different credit cards are swiped with the same result, I hear her tell the cashier--"I know I have a $100 on one of the cards." And seeing how the quick check-out line has grown while she was struggling with her cards, she runs off to the ATM machine.

I'm standing there, knowing I should do something but wondering how to do something and also being a little miffed about the delay in getting out of the store. I wondered if I would hurt her feelings. A random act of kindness was called for.

The reality of what happened:

So I did nothing--except feel sorry for the woman. I should have given her a Christmas present and paid for her groceries at the same time I was paying for my gift cards. I was buying presents after all and I was next in line. Then I could have whispered to her as she was fighting with the ATM as I walked by that her groceries were paid for, just go back and get them.

But I didn't. I could have been a point of light in the darkness--but I wasn't.

Next time---

God has impressed on me that I was given an opportunity and came up short. I've asked for forgiveness for my selfish reaction to a sister in need. I have resolved not to let it happen again. Since I believe that I am one of the points of lights, a true child of God living in this world and I need to start acting like it.

So here's my Christmas advice for you--don't be paralyzed by the "I wonder if I should. . ." phrase when confronted with the opportunity to act like you believe.

Merry Christmas!

Reason for the Season?

We've probably heard it said many many times: "Jesus is the reason for the season!"

And on the surface we think we a being pretty smug and smart about all of it as we respond to the nay-sayers who grind their own particular axes at this time of year. After all, this is our axe to grind. It is a national holiday after all. We even have a National Christmas Tree.

So to respond to people and remind them that "Jesus is the reason for the season" seems to be our own little effort at reminding people about this holiday and its reason for existence.

But you know what? I found out something recently. The statement is wrong!

Believe it or not, even though the season is named for Jesus--He is not the reason for the season. I was in shock because after all my smugness at thinking I knew all about it, there was more to understand.

So if Jesus is not the reason for the season--then who is? Or what is? Why am I so confused all of a sudden over something so seemingly obvious?

Turns out the answer is in Galatians 4:5, follow-on to my blog entry about the Christmas Story in one line from last week.

Galatians 4:5: to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights. - NET Bible

The reason for the season is, US!

Christmas exists because God sent His Son to the world to redeem US and make us His sons and daughters.

That is why it is so important for us to share our joy with everyone at this time of year. We are the purpose that Christ came into our world--to redeem and save us from ourselves and the darkness. And as sons and daughters of God, our task is to share the love that came down at Christmas with everyone who does not share the joy nor see the light.

Merry Christmas--you are special!

My Favorite Christmas Flower

I love the Bird of Paradise. It is a flower which just screams--Bob, you are living too far north.

But it is a flower which hangs itself all out there for everyone to see. Proud and content.

This Bird of Paradise was blooming in downtown Sydney when I was there in September.

So, Christmas flower? Isn't it a bit tropical for Christmas?

Well yeah--but Christmas comes to the tropics as well as the rest of the world. And don't forget, when it is Christmas winter in the U.S. -- it is Christmas summer in Australia.

Let's go to the beach.