The past week has been an example of dark and dreary, cold and rainy days.
The word yuck comes to mind.
The rain and the chill have affected many people in different ways. Driving around the area has slowed to a crawl. Traffic snarled as drivers navigate rain clogged roads and the resultant accidents.
In a word--awful.
The four letter word associated with winter perception was used today and I think people were almost excited that the skies might be blue at the end of a snow event.
Not me--any snow is too much.
I still have not put the cinder blocks into the back of my truck for added traction. I'm in denial about the snow.
But the darkness continues. Days fade from gray into the black of night
and then back into gray again.
Ugh. Someone called me from Florida yesterday just to tell me that the sun was shining and it was 81 degrees. Definitely not gloomy.
Maybe that weather will make its way here--before July.
I was encouraged this morning though as I noticed stars in the still night sky while walking Makayla. Better weather may be ahead? 99 days until pool opening day (It is under a hundred!!)!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Friday, January 18, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
The Life We Live After
I read a thought provoking article in the Baltimore Sun the other day. It was about Ray Lewis--the retiring all-pro, all consensus Hall of Fame bound middle linebacker of the Baltimore Ravens.
The editorial was written by Dan Rodericks and recounted the trouble that followed Ray Lewis at the beginning of his career.
Lewis was troubled and associated with people who were not of the highest character; Ray calls his acquaintances thugs.. As a result, there was an incident after the 2000 Super Bowl where two men were killed and Lewis and his companions were implicated. Many people insist that Lewis got away with murder, but Dan Rodericks takes a different view--and e has some first hand information.
Rodericks admits that Lewis made mistakes--but don't we all. He should have cooperated with the police and not obstructed the investigation--a charge which he was convicted of and the only charge that the Fulton County Police were able to get from the entire investigation.
My view? A lot of people remember that situation, but have not taken the time to really examine the circumstances and hold onto to what they want to believe about Ray. I guess I am more willing to forgive. This is not like another NFL personality who was convicted of cruelty to animals--and came back to play. Or another NFL player convicted of carrying a weapon in a crowded night club and ultimately shooting himself. Or even one teams head coach who carried a loaded revolver through airport security without declaring it.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
The editorial was written by Dan Rodericks and recounted the trouble that followed Ray Lewis at the beginning of his career.
Lewis was troubled and associated with people who were not of the highest character; Ray calls his acquaintances thugs.. As a result, there was an incident after the 2000 Super Bowl where two men were killed and Lewis and his companions were implicated. Many people insist that Lewis got away with murder, but Dan Rodericks takes a different view--and e has some first hand information.
Rodericks admits that Lewis made mistakes--but don't we all. He should have cooperated with the police and not obstructed the investigation--a charge which he was convicted of and the only charge that the Fulton County Police were able to get from the entire investigation.
My view? A lot of people remember that situation, but have not taken the time to really examine the circumstances and hold onto to what they want to believe about Ray. I guess I am more willing to forgive. This is not like another NFL personality who was convicted of cruelty to animals--and came back to play. Or another NFL player convicted of carrying a weapon in a crowded night club and ultimately shooting himself. Or even one teams head coach who carried a loaded revolver through airport security without declaring it.
Two men died that night in Atlanta. After the police investigation and the trial no one was convicted of murder. Ray Lewis made a mistake by obstructing justice--and was convicted on that charge alone. He has turned his life around in the subsequent 13 years to become an inspirational leader of his team and the Baltimore community.
Perhaps there is wisdom in the line from the movie The Natural that Dan Rodericks quotes:
"I believe we have two lives," says Roy Hobbs' old girlfriend in "The Natural," played by Glenn Close. "A life we learn with and a life we live with after that."
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
A Society Missing the Boat
The gun debate swirls, taking the pressure off Congress and the President to fix the economy.
Lance Armstrong admits he lied. I'm crushed. I forgive him.
The penalty for allegedly stealing internet information exceeds that for manslaughter. Knowledge, therefore, is more important than people.
Wow, what a wild past few days it has been.
We have lost perspective and become a society run governed special interests.
Guns are not the problem--people are the problem. We are living in a time when people are not well equipped to handle the stresses of life. The media surround them with inappropriate responses to stress and their mental health is compromised enough not to be able to separate imagination from reality.
For right now, given the problems in our economy and society--guns are the problem. At least we are persecuting an inanimate object. Other societies have persecuted ethnic groups.
In the end, the real problems will continue to grow worse until they no longer can be masked.
I guess the next few months will be very telling.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Lance Armstrong admits he lied. I'm crushed. I forgive him.
The penalty for allegedly stealing internet information exceeds that for manslaughter. Knowledge, therefore, is more important than people.
Wow, what a wild past few days it has been.
We have lost perspective and become a society run governed special interests.
Guns are not the problem--people are the problem. We are living in a time when people are not well equipped to handle the stresses of life. The media surround them with inappropriate responses to stress and their mental health is compromised enough not to be able to separate imagination from reality.
For right now, given the problems in our economy and society--guns are the problem. At least we are persecuting an inanimate object. Other societies have persecuted ethnic groups.
In the end, the real problems will continue to grow worse until they no longer can be masked.
I guess the next few months will be very telling.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Happy 3rd Birthday Lucas
I am not a huge fan of Dave & Busters, but at least last evening we effectively had the place to ourselves as it was mostly deserted.
The lack of other patrons and screaming children made the evening almost perfect. A nice dinner and some time with the grandson playing games was a good change-up from what I normally do on Monday evenings.
The fun part, after dinner was trying watching Luke decide which toy he wanted from the ticket winnings playing the games. With four adults and one child playing multiple games around the arcade he amassed quite a number of tickets. In the end he decided upon a large snake/dragon. It was funny watching his parents try to talk him out of the selection (with no success) after he had made up his mine. Three-year olds can be very decisive and the stubborn.
I had the honor of riding the victorious hero out of the arcade with the giant snake/dragon in tow. Luke called it a snake, but I think it really is a dragon.
It really doesn't matter what it is, he likes it and it almost fit into the backseat of the car with him.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, January 14, 2013
Monday Musings - January 14, 2013
1. The fortunes of football are fickle. I watched Seattle grab defeat from the jaws of victory, leaving 31 seconds on the clock for Atlanta and then losing; while, Baltimore left 31 seconds on the clock after tying Denver en route to an overtime win.
2. Doomsday asteroid during 2036? I guess we need something to worry about. Where in Bruce Willis when we need him?
3. There is something wrong when it takes longer to get the children's toy out of the packaging than the child will play with it.
4. Here is a thought: Be careful or you will end up in my novel.
5. Hockey is back. Now I have something to keep me interested until baseball season. Go Pens!
6. Why is the Super Bowl, super?
7. I watched a couple hours of the Golden Globe Awards last night. I wonder why? Perhaps because there was nothing else on.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. Doomsday asteroid during 2036? I guess we need something to worry about. Where in Bruce Willis when we need him?
3. There is something wrong when it takes longer to get the children's toy out of the packaging than the child will play with it.
4. Here is a thought: Be careful or you will end up in my novel.
5. Hockey is back. Now I have something to keep me interested until baseball season. Go Pens!
6. Why is the Super Bowl, super?
7. I watched a couple hours of the Golden Globe Awards last night. I wonder why? Perhaps because there was nothing else on.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sunday, January 13, 2013
A Hush Fell Over my Living Room
The story line was classic. The 9 point underdog and the giant facing off on the field of battle. The visiting underdog was supposed to lose easily and quietly depart from the stadium hoping for better fortunes next year.
But the hush that fell over Sports Authority Field at Mile High as the Ravens rookie kicker, number 9, Justin Tucker trotted out into the frozen atmosphere was palpable. The contest was into the second overtime period, on its way to becoming the fourth longest game in NFL history. The night was cold--the wind chill as reported on the television to the fans watching from the warmth of our living rooms was -3 F. The game was a classic struggle, knotted at 35 and which has seen the teams trade score for score for 60 minutes and then play a scoreless, 15 minute sudden life overtime period.
A hush fell over my living room. The expected "ice the kicker" time out never came, perhaps the kicker was iced enough from being on the frozen sidelines for over four hours. The snap, the kick, and the trajectory was not straight as we have come to expect--but it was true and found its way between the uprights to snatch victory from the middle of the heavily favored home team. My living room erupted--I had just barely recovered from the miracle catch with about 41 seconds left in regulation to tie the game for the Ravens.
The game was a classic football game. It was the kind of game which reminded me of why I like football. As I watched about two hours of post-game coverage and interviews I was impressed with the professionalism and demeanor of the men speaking for each of the teams.
The reporting of the game contains additional ideas. This article's title says it all: Baltimore Ravens' NFL Playoffs Win Over Denver Broncos Is One For The Ages.
Ray Lewis, Ravens number 52 retiring middle linebacker, described the game as follows:
"We never wavered, we never wavered," Lewis said. "This will probably go down as one of the greatest wins in Ravens history."
And next week, we get to do it all over again! Like someone said during the post-game interviews, the only way to top a game like this is to win next week.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
But the hush that fell over Sports Authority Field at Mile High as the Ravens rookie kicker, number 9, Justin Tucker trotted out into the frozen atmosphere was palpable. The contest was into the second overtime period, on its way to becoming the fourth longest game in NFL history. The night was cold--the wind chill as reported on the television to the fans watching from the warmth of our living rooms was -3 F. The game was a classic struggle, knotted at 35 and which has seen the teams trade score for score for 60 minutes and then play a scoreless, 15 minute sudden life overtime period.
A hush fell over my living room. The expected "ice the kicker" time out never came, perhaps the kicker was iced enough from being on the frozen sidelines for over four hours. The snap, the kick, and the trajectory was not straight as we have come to expect--but it was true and found its way between the uprights to snatch victory from the middle of the heavily favored home team. My living room erupted--I had just barely recovered from the miracle catch with about 41 seconds left in regulation to tie the game for the Ravens.
The game was a classic football game. It was the kind of game which reminded me of why I like football. As I watched about two hours of post-game coverage and interviews I was impressed with the professionalism and demeanor of the men speaking for each of the teams.
The reporting of the game contains additional ideas. This article's title says it all: Baltimore Ravens' NFL Playoffs Win Over Denver Broncos Is One For The Ages.
Ray Lewis, Ravens number 52 retiring middle linebacker, described the game as follows:
"We never wavered, we never wavered," Lewis said. "This will probably go down as one of the greatest wins in Ravens history."
And next week, we get to do it all over again! Like someone said during the post-game interviews, the only way to top a game like this is to win next week.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, January 12, 2013
AIG: Biting the Hand that Saved Them
I am happy that insurance giant AIG has opted out of a lawsuit against the US Government for lost revenue for its shareholders.
I have noticed a great number of television commercials promoting how good AIG is and how it has fully repaid, with interest, the bailout monies.
The article I referenced writes about the lawsuit as follows:
It seems that some at AIG feel that the bailout was unfair to shareholders.
Reality check!
If there had not been a bailout, the shareholders holdings would have been worthless--or at best worth pennies. That the shareholders still have shares, still have investments, and still have a company which is making a return on their investment is due to the overly generous bailout provided by the people of the U.S.
And if that is how major corporations and businesses in America say thank you, we are really in trouble!
I am reminded of the Aesop fable about the scorpion and the frog.
They should have been left to go bankrupt for their unfair and ill advised investment strategy.
Just saying!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
I have noticed a great number of television commercials promoting how good AIG is and how it has fully repaid, with interest, the bailout monies.
The article I referenced writes about the lawsuit as follows:
The board of AIG decided on Wednesday not to join a lawsuit against the U.S. government over the terms of the company's bailout, following two days of fevered backlash from Congress and the public over the prospect.
AIG had been weighing whether to join a lawsuit filed by its former chief executive, Hank Greenberg, and his company Starr International, which owned 12 percent of the insurer before its 2008 rescue.
It seems that some at AIG feel that the bailout was unfair to shareholders.
Reality check!
If there had not been a bailout, the shareholders holdings would have been worthless--or at best worth pennies. That the shareholders still have shares, still have investments, and still have a company which is making a return on their investment is due to the overly generous bailout provided by the people of the U.S.
And if that is how major corporations and businesses in America say thank you, we are really in trouble!
I am reminded of the Aesop fable about the scorpion and the frog.
They should have been left to go bankrupt for their unfair and ill advised investment strategy.
Just saying!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Friday, January 11, 2013
Orca Predicament Ends Happily
The whales made it to freedom--without the assistance of humans. I was extremely happy to hear the news.
Why I actually care about a pod of Orcas is beyond me, but I do. Nature can be cruel and it is only humans that realize this. We are the only species on the planet able to mobilize ourselves against nature and win--sometimes.
And other times, even we lose miserably, like tsunamis.
I guess I rejoice when good things happen in seemingly hopeless situations. Because this situation seemed hopeless.
The situation was reminiscent of 1988 and Operation Breakthrough near Barrow, Alaska to free trapped gray whales..
One writer, made the following observation after the gray whales had made it to freedom:
Most importantly, I think there was and is a human lesson to learn from what happened with this International effort. Don't take this the wrong way, I love whales. I do. But I can't help but think it is amazing how much money and energy was expended, in brutal conditions, to rescue these whales. While it provided a nice diversion from the ongoing political races at the time, it remains sad to realize what we are willing to do for whales, yet we won't take the time or money needed to help out each other. Poverty, elderly folks being prisoners in their own homes, hungry children... all right here in America. It's wrong.
I really can't disagree, but then, we do what we can when we can and how can it be bad when we rally together for good?
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
 |
| Trapped Orcas - January 2013 |
Why I actually care about a pod of Orcas is beyond me, but I do. Nature can be cruel and it is only humans that realize this. We are the only species on the planet able to mobilize ourselves against nature and win--sometimes.
And other times, even we lose miserably, like tsunamis.
I guess I rejoice when good things happen in seemingly hopeless situations. Because this situation seemed hopeless.
The situation was reminiscent of 1988 and Operation Breakthrough near Barrow, Alaska to free trapped gray whales..
One writer, made the following observation after the gray whales had made it to freedom:
Most importantly, I think there was and is a human lesson to learn from what happened with this International effort. Don't take this the wrong way, I love whales. I do. But I can't help but think it is amazing how much money and energy was expended, in brutal conditions, to rescue these whales. While it provided a nice diversion from the ongoing political races at the time, it remains sad to realize what we are willing to do for whales, yet we won't take the time or money needed to help out each other. Poverty, elderly folks being prisoners in their own homes, hungry children... all right here in America. It's wrong.
I really can't disagree, but then, we do what we can when we can and how can it be bad when we rally together for good?
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Thursday, January 10, 2013
The Force is Strong with this One
Lucas and I are enjoying a great start to the morning.
Star Wars Episode VI--with the Ewoks is currently on. We have already done the complete tour of the outside, thankfully, it is a beautiful day.
He is a pistol.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Star Wars Episode VI--with the Ewoks is currently on. We have already done the complete tour of the outside, thankfully, it is a beautiful day.
He is a pistol.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Grandparent--Other Duties as Assigned
Yesterday I had the opportunity to chat with a newly minted grandmother. Her grandson was one month old and she was still getting used to finally (her words) being a grandmother.
It was fun to listen to her and it reminded me that I sometimes take for granted the enjoyment that I derive from having the "grands" around. They certainly brighten up a room, house, party, or whatever other event they are attending. Chris says that they keep us young.
Being a grandparent means that sometimes I have accept other duties as assigned, or requested.
Today, for instance, I get to spend a one-on-one day with the youngest grandson--Lucas. I took a day of leave from work and am expecting his arrival soon. We should have an interesting and exciting day. I am lucky enough to have time available and also have the level of activity at work low enough to allow me this opportunity.
Ready, set--let's rock through the day.
Then tomorrow, back to the grind.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
 |
| Lucas, Christmas Day 2012 |
It was fun to listen to her and it reminded me that I sometimes take for granted the enjoyment that I derive from having the "grands" around. They certainly brighten up a room, house, party, or whatever other event they are attending. Chris says that they keep us young.
Being a grandparent means that sometimes I have accept other duties as assigned, or requested.
Today, for instance, I get to spend a one-on-one day with the youngest grandson--Lucas. I took a day of leave from work and am expecting his arrival soon. We should have an interesting and exciting day. I am lucky enough to have time available and also have the level of activity at work low enough to allow me this opportunity.
Ready, set--let's rock through the day.
Then tomorrow, back to the grind.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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