At the Halfway Point--A Convention Pause

Well, the Republican Convention has completed and we can get on with our lives, for three days.

What's on tap for Monday? The Democratic Convention. 

I am expecting less drama coming out of Philadelphia as the democrats convene. Their task is pretty well defined--support the status quo as an alternative to the negativity exuded by the republicans.

My observations about the Republican Convention.

-- You can't Make America Great Again if you can't convince someone that it isn't great right now.

-- There wasn't a great deal of concert plans and programs discussed and offered just lofty concepts.

-- There was a lot of negativity

-- The facts presented during the Trump's acceptance speech were mostly true. I checked them with the New York Times. 

-- Ted Cruz was perhaps the most interesting convention speaker because his observations were very different from the mainstream.

Well it is game on.

I wonder where it will end.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Enjoying the Summer

Hazy Dog Days Sunset

Walking outside of the building after a long day of working in an air conditioned environment is an experience that I enjoy. 

I feel a sense of impending freedom from the workday and as I approach the glass doors I try to imagine what will greet me as I step into the outside world.

I dislike the frigid slap in the face of the winter. 

Last week in California, I did not particularly enjoy to cool September-like air that greeted me and made me put on a jacket to maintain my comfort. It was July after all.

Yesterday, I realized that I love walking into the outside and being enveloped in a warm and moist environment that greets me like an old friend and guides me deep into the summer heat.

Yes, I love it.

On a real summer day, I can see the moist heat before I step outside. The haze hanging in the air is a sure sign that I will be warmly greeted as I cross the threshold and head for my car.

There have been far too many cold days this year.

The smells of the summer are everywhere--the mowed grass baking in the sun, the earth. the scent of heat hanging in the air.

It is the dog days, let's enjoy them. They will be gone too quickly.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: And the Votes are In

Well, despite what I wrote a few days short of a year ago, the Republican nominee for President was been crowned last evening. No longer do we have to hear the news media reporters talk about the "presumptive" nominee.

Donald Trump is the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. 

The Republican primary season is over, the results are in and have been confirmed. 

Half of the stage is set for what is shaping up to be one of the most divisive presidential elections in the history of our country.

Voter turnout in November could be either astronomical or it could be lethargic.

My Take: There is change afoot. We, as a country as a society, are losing tolerance and becoming reactive and afraid. I have to believe it is a by product of the past 8 years although I do not fully understand how or why. I find the news reported battle between the old guard of the Republican Party and the newer members interesting. I have to admit--the old guard are trying to protect something that has been largely ineffective for the past 12 or more years. Maybe they need to embrace the change, for the good of the party--but then, it threatens their positions. 

Perhaps, we are seeing the evolution of the two-party system into a multi-party free-for-all?

Keep your eyes open--there could be significant backlash in November.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It's the Future

I felt compelled to watch the opening night of the Republican Convention from Cleveland last evening.

I was treated to an assortment of short speeches from people who are definitely not accomplished orators

But they seemed real and genuine.

The future of our country is at stake. November 8 is looming closer in our divided land.

The election seems to be a polarizing event. 

The candidates are alike in their oppositeness. Both seem to view their only path to the presidency comes from bashing the other. 

I will likewise watch the opening night and other nights of the Democratic Convention. I want to hear both sides of the issues.

Sadly, given all of the mudslinging, there isn't much brainpower left to apply to the issues.

I have talked to quite a few people who aren't sure they will vote in the November election. I encourage them to change their minds and exercise their very precious ability to vote and change the future.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 18, 2016

1. I find it hard to believe that July is half over. It seems as if the summer is just finally getting underway. I think I need a summertime siesta.

2. Falling into the backyard pool after a round of golf on a hot Sunday is a great way to cool off.

12th Hole
Crouton Country Club

3. It was a great golf weekend, in concert with The Open, I was able to get in two rounds of golf-- both at the Crofton Country Club.

4. Cross country flying can be a draining experience, especially flying from Los Angeles. I don't think I still have fully reacclimatized to the time zone.

5. I can tell that the summer is moving along, it is getting darker earlier and the suns rising later. I checked, there is already 20 minutes less of daylight than at the beginning of the month.

Playing Volleyball Under the Lights
Off the Santa Monica Pier
Pacific Ocean in the Background
July 11, 2016

6. My hands are covered with paint. Why is painting such a messy job?

7. I saw the Pacific Ocean last week, but was not able to sit on the beach and enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. I wonder when I will be able to get in a bit of "beach" time.

8. Someone I was traveling with proposed that the breeze coming off the Pacific Ocean smells different than the Atlantic Ocean breeze. I think it is true.

9. It is time for some mid-summer fun, before the summer runs out.

10. It is political convention time. Our future is at stake.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

In N Out Burger

While in California, I experienced a new burger place--In N Out Burger. 

I am not a burger connoisseur, but some of my traveling companions wanted to enjoy the uniquely Californian burger experience. 

In-N-Out Burger Roofline

It is a good burger and ours were made to order--which is very nice. 

I did enjoy the palm tree motif on the roof line of the building.

It was enjoyable, but alas--it is just another burger place. Some say it is similar to Five Guys Burgers and Fries. I can see that.

My Lunch at In-N-Out Burger

At least it is uniquely West Coast. They have locations in Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas. 

So if you need a burger fix--I'd recommend stopping and enjoying the food.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Lompoc, CA, July 2016

Out the Hotel Window Left
July 15, 2016
Lompoc, CA

As the trip comes to an end and I am in a different hotel, I looked out the window of my room and was greeted with a less than spectacular view.

Sometimes, hotel don't consider the view that guests will have out their windows.

In this case it is garbage and back alleys. 

Out the Hotel Window Right
July 15, 2016
Lompoc, CA

Thank goodness for curtains. 

The hotel itself is very nice to look at and a great place to stay, it is just that the back lot leaves a lot to be desired. 

I understand why the curtains are closed. Although the garbage truck did wake me during my first night here, the room is generally quiet. 

It is really amazing the different views that I have experienced out my hotel window on this trip. 

The weather has been the big story. It is 55 degrees as I wake up on this July morning with an expected high in Lompoc of 68 degrees. I am looking forward to getting back to the 90's of Maryland and being in my pool. The hotel has a beautiful pool area, it is just that the air temperature is so cold I would never consider getting into it. 

The real reason to come here, however, is for the wines! More about that in the future.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Lompoc, CA

Lights in the Sky

Near Lompoc, CA
July 13, 2016

Driving along the coast near Lompoc, California, yesterday, we saw a huge fog bank, also called the marine layer, that seemed to be eating up the world.

It was picture worthy. 

The resulting image was even more interesting that the fog ball which looks like something right out of the movie Independence Day. 

What was most interesting was the bright objects in the upper left corner of the image. We did not see them with our eyes--but they are definitely there on the image.

Brings back memories of the mid-1960's and the UFO investigations.

Is Roswell, NM, anywhere near here?

-- Bob Doan, writing from Lompoc, CA

Out the Hotel Window - Los Angeles, July 2016

Los Angeles
July 11, 2016

Los Angeles is a big city. That realization obvious as the plane I was flying in was on approach and I could see nothing except houses and industry for miles and miles. 

I have been here before, but the sheer magnitude of the city has escaped me on the other occasions that I have traveled to and through here. 

Los Angeles (in the distance)
July 11, 2016

The scene outside my hotel window is a cosmopolitan one. There is industry and airport as far as the eye can see. Downtown Los Angeles is just visible through the smog in the picture. The mountains behind the city are almost invisible. Yes, there are mountains behind the city.

The hotel is conveniently situated in between two of the main runways serving Los Angeles International Airport, which is better known as LAX.

But with the curtains closed, my room could be anywhere because it is so quiet. 

I enjoy watching the planes land. I have a great seat to enjoy the constant activity at the airport.

There is a whole world happening, outside the hotel windows. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
  

Santa Monica Alive

Santa Monica Pier from the Bluffs

I am traveling again. 

Last evening I had dinner in Santa Monica, one of those places that I have seen so much about in the movies.

It exists and is every bit as diverse as I had been led to believe.

Entrance to Santa Monica Pier

I walked the bluffs above the Pacific Coast Highway and then down onto the iconic Santa Monica pier all while watching the sun set behind the mountains. 

It was a stunning sight as the mountains were silhouetted against the setting sun and I was not the only person with a camera trying to get the perfect shot of the activities. I was amazed at how wide the beach appeared. It was huge. Completely different from the narrow Florida beaches that I love. 

Looking out at the Mountains
 with the Pacific Coast Highway in View

The pier and the walking promenade in Santa Monica city center were alive with throngs of people--even on a Monday night. It was an exciting sight. 

Looking at Santa Monica from the Pier

The setting sun cast a hue across the area that reminded me of the Sundown Celebration in Key West. 

It was definitely a celebration. 

I enjoyed the constant reminders of life and excitement. 

All in all it was an exceptionally long travel day, but it ended is a way that I could not have imagined.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Los Angeles, CA