Monday Musings - December 15, 2014

1. 10 days until Christmas! The elves better get a move on.

2. What happens when a toilet in an upstairs bathroom malfunctions? Spots on the ceiling below and an emergency Christmas repair! Fortunately the water was from the tank and not the bowl--so it was clean.

Outside the Columbia Mall

3. Shopping on the second to last Saturday before 
Christmas and the most interesting thing I found was some deer in front of the mall.

4. Who says cell phones are not a necessary part of life? She didn't even know I was in the store with her.

Chris in the Mall

5. Sunday afternoon football with a lot of people cheering for different teams in a local sports establishment was a lot of fun--especially when close games resolved for the favorites. 

6. What do you get when you wash white throw rugs with a red table cloth? Pink!

7. All of our Apple classic iPad charging cords have disappeared. I wonder where they have gone? My iPad is down to 2% and dying quickly.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Court Rules and the Game Stands

The courts have wisely distanced themselves from making a decision about the outcome of an Oklahoma High School Football Playoff game. As reported in the New York Times article, Upon Further Review, by Judge, a Botched Playoff Ruling Stands, the court has determined that it has no basis in law to intervene in determining the outcome of a sporting event.

I wrote about the situation last week in my article, The Game is Over--No, Wait--the judges have to make a ruling. 

Specifically, as reported by the New York Times, There is no precedent allowing a court to order the replay of a high school football game, and no way to ensure that a replay would be fair to both teams, because the conditions of the disputed contest could not be replicated, District Judge Bernard M. Jones II said in a written opinion Thursday.

I agree. The courts do not have a role in determining the outcome of sporting events.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday Nights at Christmas

Our Pyramids

I'm writing this with the memory of an impromptu party that Chris and I hosted with our some of our closest friends last evening still fresh in my mind. 

What a great evening and a perfect end to a busy week. Friends,  conversation, dinner and easy relaxed fun.

I lament that I have to wait for Friday for these evenings to happen.

Christmas Stars by Wiley Purkey

A couple roasted chickens from Costco, a salad or two, munchies, and a few bottles of wine couples with fun conversation--what could be better. 

Well, the season definitely does add some ambiance to the settings for the gathering. The decorations add character to the house by providing visually stimulating diversions. We bought a new art print last week and it has found a prominent place in the house. It was fun to watch the artist, Wiley Purkey, at work on another piece that we are hoping to buy a print of this week. 

It is all good. Oh, by the way, happy 12-13-14!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Christmas Season Birthdays

This may seem strange, but I think celebrating Christmas birthdays is awesome! 

And the definition of a Christmas birthday is any birthday in December.

I attended the celebration of a December family birthday last night and there is just something awesome about having the Christmas Tree lit and opening presents on a day other than Christmas day. 

Birthday's are great for families to get together and celebrate.

Last evening, it was for Nicole--my daughter. And with Christmas just a fortnight away, it was nice to celebrate a birthday. And to experience the love of a family gathered for a special and awesome person.

Nicole Blowing out the Candles

As 2014 comes to an end, every day is a new beginning. Another page in the chapter of life that is a year. Celebrations remind me that every day is special and worthy of celebrating something or someone.

Happy Birthday.

It is two weeks until Christmas.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Government Spasms

The current budget battle hides the deeper problems in America right now. 

The failure to prepare a budget annually is evidence that our elected officials do not know how to do the one job we elected them to do: govern the country.

We the people have elected too many single issue representatives and they do not posses a good understanding that the most important thing we elected them to do is ensure that America is strong and well cared for.

Single issue representatives apparently do not understand the art of compromise to achieve long-term goals. They are looking for quick wins and constant success--but the success they seek is to often personal and not tied to the wider successes won from sound fiscal, domestic, and foreign policies.

Just because they represent different parties does not mean that their goals should be different, only that their means may differ.

How weird that the current explosive issue is about immigration--here's a thought, almost all of us are immigrants. 

We leaders who can focus on the strengths and similarities and not the divisive differences.

Let's move into the future!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Game is Over--No, Wait--the judges have to make a ruling

We live in a society that is too quick to say, "see you in court."

Here is the latest. In Oklahoma, a high school football game's results are in court because the referees made a bad call. 

A New York Times article describing the situation is titled, After Referee's Blunder, Next Call is a Judge's. In the balance is whether the last 64 seconds of a semi-final high school football game will be replayed to determine which team will play for the Oklahoma State championship.

Wow--mistakes happen all the time in sports. Why? People are involved.

This could be the end of sports as we know them if the courts can become involved. Sure, its wrong if it's wrong; but bad calls are made all of the time.

The problem? Money!

There is too much money involved in sports even at the high school level.

There are serious issues the courts need to address. Sports are not one of them because sports, after all, are entertainment. The problem is that sports have become too much business. I read recently that the University of Alabama-Birmingham terminated its football program because of expenses. And they actually qualified for a post-season bowl game for the first time in many years. Having to retain a full legal team to review the on-field results of every game or match will only increase the costs associated with sports and ultimately reduce the opportunities available for kids to play.

Leave it on the field--no matter how bad the call! Referees are part of sports and they make bad calls--but bad calls on the sports field should not be a reason for a court date.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Shopping Solo

Poinsettia Tree
Columbia Mall 2014

A sure sign of the season is a solo shopping trip to the Columbia Mall. It happened yesterday. I risked car and limb by heading off to the mall to begin finding the special things on my list.

I am not a shopping kind of person. I don't mind shopping if I can accomplish the task by tapping on the keys of my laptop. But, every year I actually have to head out to the brick and mortar stores to find gifts for the special people (or person) on my list.

I feel so alone walking the mall looking into the stores. It is a bit surreal--so many thing to buy in which I have so little interest.

Them most frustrating part of the experience is that I often know what I am looking for, but cannot find the perfect gift. It is unsettling to see hundreds of offerings, but realizing that they are not the perfect item. Then comes the calculation and the compromise. The battle between price and function brings inevitable question, is this the gift for which I am searching?

I walked into one store and the staff asked what I was looking for and how could they help. I replied that I was looking for inspiration, and they understood.

I am not a huge fan of gift cards.They make the process too easy for the gift giver. Gift cards take all of the agony and decision making out of the shopping process. 

I survived my sojourn to the mall, however, I will need to make an additional trip to complete my shopping list.

I CAN shop, I just don't LIKE to.  I can even shop alone. But I like shopping on my laptop best.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 8, 2014

1. What an interesting couple of days it has been: St Nicholas Day (6) and Pearl Harbor Day (7). I have never really thought about the positioning of these two days before.

2. I was reminded how exhausting it is to spend two long day with two to three boys under the age of 10!

3. I attended the movie Penguins of Madagascar yesterday. I was disappointed. It should have been so much better than it was.

Tioga County, PA

4. There is a rest stop on the south side of Route 15 in Tioga County, PA, that provides spectacular views--especially in the light of the rising sun.

5. Sadly, I am burned out on all the Christmas songs on the radio. hey just seem to play some of them  way too much. I have decided the worst Christmas song is Santa Baby, followed closely by I'll Be Home for Christmas. But Rudolph and Frosty are beginning to be played too much as well.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Symphony of Lights - 2014

It was a dark and rainy evening. Three grandsons were having an overnight and Chris and I needed a distraction for them. Let me rephrase, not a distraction but rather an event to prepare them for bedtime.

Symphony of Lights immediately came to mind. In the rain? You bet, the lights were on and the car was warm and dry. 

I enjoy the Symphony of Lights in Columbia, Maryland, and although it is not an every year event, the years that I drive through the lights I am reminded of how much fun it is and that I am making a donation to Howard County's only hospital. 

Lucas, Jackson, and Ethan looking at the
Symphony of Lights

I have been by the entrance to the lights an seen cars stacked up waiting to enter for what appears to be an hour or more. Last evening, however, because of the rain, there were no lines and no waiting. Not to self--rainy and dark nights may be the best nights to visit!

It was a fun drive through the lights, listening to Christmas music provided on the local broadcast FM station. All of my old favorites were there. I especially enjoy the cannons lobbing cannon balls over the road as I drive through.

The pictures even came out acceptably this year. The rain added a nice reflection in the foreground and increased the enjoyment.

It was a fun ride and an enjoyable time--especially with no lines and no waiting.

Bob's RECOMMENDATION: Visit the Symphony of Light and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Holiday Season. The donation is $20 per car--cash only.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Christmas Midnight Madness in Ellicott City

Ellicott City during Midnight Madness
in the Rain

Christmas must really be close. Last evening we braved to cold temperatures and the rain, I even wished it was snow, and enjoyed the festivities in Historic Ellicott City, Maryland. This is an annual event--Midnight Madness, and it happens on the first Friday of December every year. 

It is an enjoyable event being out with thousands of other holiday shoppers. The parking is horrendous--but it is worth the effort to wander the historic district and enjoy the crowds and retailers as the kick-off to the holiday season gets underway. 

Midnight Madness in Ellicott City
December 5, 2014

After creating a parking place in one of the lots, we started the evening with happy hour and dinner at Cacao Lane restaurant. After dinner we headed out into the crowds and light rain. 

It was an enjoyable stroll along the bustling streets and the vendors provided light munchies which added to the ambiance and the enjoyment of the event.

I saw one sign along the street that made me smile.

How many calories do they have and are they gluten free?

Bob's RECOMMENDATION: Plan to attend this event next year--and even if you missed it this year, Ellicott City, MD, is a great place to shop no matter the day. Go enjoy the holiday season.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD