Idyllic Saturday

First Tee
Compass Pointe North Course
March 25, 2017

Yesterday, the weather did not disappoint. 

According to some reports, the high temperature made it all the way to 80 degrees. I was on Compass Pointe Golf Courses during the heat of the day and while I cannot confirm the high, I can attest that it was a nice day and everyone I know seemed to be outside enjoying the weather. I even got a touch sunburned!

Trevar Waiting for the Tee Box to Open Up

The ranger monitoring the action at Compass Pointe Golf Courses indicated that for the first time in seven years all 150 golf carts were out on the courses. Apparently, every golfer in the region saw the forecast and had the same idea--get out and play.

Trevar and I did enjoy 18 holes of the slowest golf ever played. It took almost 5 hours to complete the round. But, given the great weather, what else would I rather be doing? I just find it hard to stay focused while waiting around to make the next shot. By comparison, we played 18 holes in 2 hours and 55 minutes on Friday.

Over the past three days, I have played 45 holes of golf! And coached a baseball practice. And I even went to work!  

It has been busy.

Sadly, today the weather is going to be colder and I have things to do that I have been ignoring. Back to reality, I guess.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Celebrating Spring's First Great Weather Weekend

Baseball Practice in 40 Degree Weather
March 22, 2017

The weather is going to be fantastic this today! And that is when compared to the cold weather of the recent weekends of March.

There have been times that I wished for February's return because there were so many 70-degree days during that month and thus far in March there have been none.

It was so cold during Wednesday's baseball practice that my fingers turned numb. Even Thursday while playing my first golf round of the year, it became so cold by the end of the 9-hole round that it was unpleasant. 

The big events of the past week were not sports related. During this week I noticed that the peepers had returned and the birds are now singing loudly in the mornings as I leave for work. 

I plan to celebrate the first 70-plus degree day of the month by coaching baseball practice in the morning and enjoying an 18-hole round of golf in the afternoon! 

I may need a down day tomorrow!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

First Golf Outing

Carroll Park Hole 4
March 23, 2017

I made it to a local golf course yesterday for my first outing of the year!

Trevar Working on His Swing

Fortunately, Carroll Park is close and Trevar and I made the last open tee time for the day. The course was in good winter shape. Having the grass still struggling to grow made it easier to find the balls, unlike later in the season. Being the last ones out, the ranger was pulling the pins as we made our way across the last holes. 

It was cold. The temperature was in the middle 40's as we began, but the sun was warm. By the time we finished it was just cold!

We would have finished sooner than almost two hours, but the group in front of us was playing very slowly. But then, that is why people go to Carroll Park, to learn the game. It was just cold, so that magnified the amount of time we stood around waiting for them to play.

Day one of the year on a golf course. It was great to finally drive for the fairway rather than the range, I actually missed all of them but only by a few yards. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Traveler Beware

The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution is supposed to protect Americans from unreasonable search and seizure. It is under attack again!

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Apparently, the Fourth Amendment does not apply at the borders of the United States--or so Customs and Border Patrol officials would have us believe. 

As reported on NBC News, American citizens are having their personal cellphones searched against their will. 

This is an important situation. The willful dilution of the 4th Amendment is an unacceptable risk for all Americans. 

It is not an issue of, "why do I care if I don't have anything to hide?" It is an issue of we each have the right to privacy in the absence of probable cause. The  government has proven on multiple occasions that it cannot adequately protect the most sensitive secrets of the nation, what makes us think that they will protect an individuals personal information to include banking information and credit cards information any better?

Although case law from 150 years ago is cited to support the searches, somehow I do not believe that the wealth of data stored on cell phone were considered during that ruling.

The New York Times this morning has an article about safeguarding your data when crossing the border that makes for very interesting reading. 

This is an important issue. While the law may give them the right to go through the devices, it may not allow them to actually access the data. This will be playing out in the courts soon. It is one thing to examine and quite another to electronically copy all of the information contained on the device. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Excitement of the WBC Finals

Adam Jones Driving in the Winning Run
From the NY Times

The U.S. World Baseball Classic Team is in new territory. The country that invented the game of basebal ahs never been in the finals--until now. 

Last night the U.S. defeated Japan 2-1 to reach the finals against Puerto Rico. The game will be played tomorrow night.

It is exciting, especially because the MLB teams are still in Spring Training and the Orioles center fielder, Adam Jones, has been a major contributor to the success of the American team in the tournament. Last night he drove in the winning run in the 8th inning. In other games he has also had critical hits and home runs to keep the American team alive. 

Having the U.S. team reach the finals is almost like having a World Series in March! And there have been Orioles on most of the better teams.

U.S.A.

Baseball!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Baseball Returns

Last evening I made it to my first baseball practice for the GORC Dodgers U10 baseball team.

There had only been one practice prior to last evening due to the snow storm which blew in last week. I have to admit, I was very impressed with the team. There is something invigorating about watching boys chase baseballs and make hard throws wearing big smiles on their faces. 

Baseball should be fun! 

And it was!

Yes, the infield was too wet to actually run bases and I forgot to take any pictures, but it was a great practice. It was also a much needed respite after a couple weeks of inside the house projects and "too cold to go outside" weather. 

It was also a great way to celebrate the first day of Spring!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 20, 2017

1. Happy day. It is the first day of Spring. The winter is over and happy days are ahead.

2. I think my friend Mark said it best--we are a lot better at drinking wine than making it.

3. March Madness has been maddening.

4. The region has surpassed 12 hours of sunlight per day! Yay!

5. Week one of Daylight Saving Time is over. I think I have restored my schedule and made up for lost sleep.

Quote of the Day

6. "Two centuries ago, Thomas Jefferson is supposed to have said, 'Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.' He didn't just mean vigilance against foreign attack. The greatest threat to freedom, even in today's perilous times, comes from no foreign foe. It comes from a dangerous habit many of our leaders fell into over several generations -- letting the power and the resources that are the basis of freedom slip from the grassroots America into the hands of a remote central authority." - Ronald Reagan

Remarks at the Los Angeles, California, County Board of Supervisors' Town Meeting, March 3, 1982

Headlines

7. What to worry about when you worry about North Korea - The Washington Post

8. Using Special Forces Against Terrorism Trump Seeks to Avoid Big Ground Wars - The New York Times

9. Orly airport attacker "had been drinking, taking drugs" autopsy reveals - France Medias Monde 

10. Child prostitution charges brought against Oklahoma senator caught with teen boy in motel room - The Houston Chronicle

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Consensus Blending 2016

The 2016 Consensus Team
Chris, Peggy, Mark, Me, George, Sue

The team was formed for another run at winemaking glory. The annual event at Keswick Vineyards has been convening during weekends this March with the intent of blending the best wine from components.

This year the vintage was 2016 wines composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga, Chambourcin, and Merlot. 

We had a lot of fun and made a very drinkable wine. We did not win the competition, sadly, but like all sports there can be only one winner and everyone else become also rans.

But, what is important? We had fun, we made a good wine, and we learned more about how hard it is to make a wine that appeals to everyone.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

How I Know that Spring is Close

Orioles Partial Plan Season Tickets

Despite the unseasonably cold weather, I know that Spring is close.

I can feel it.

I see evidence that Spring is close in the blooming flowers under the frozen snow and the frost-blasted blossoms on the trees.

But the real reason that I know Spring is almost here is because my Orioles season tickets came via Fedex the other day. And I bought my Opening Day tickets online.

Orioles Opening Day is close, less than three weeks away. The date has not crept into the 10-day forecast quite yet, but it is getting close.

Spring officially arrives on Monday in the morning, but in my heart it is already here despite the frigid temperatures that I am suffering through.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Completing the Project

The Completed Room

It began on Sunday with the demolition of the carpet and it ended on Tuesday evening as the small guest room was completed. A new wood floor and new paint. A project complete.

Chris Painting Baseboards

Well, now there is the issue of replacing the ceiling fan.

It is a good feeling to be at the end of a moderately complex two room project which saw the last of the 16 year old carpet removed from the sleeping areas of the house. 

The new floor just glistens in the light of the day. 

We still have not reinstalled pictures on the walls as we are deciding how the room will be decorated. We have so many options yet. It was a busy week and a half of removing carpets and installing flooring and then painting.

Sadly, it seems that the completion of one home improvement project brings another to the top of the list. 

I remember the TV shoe, Home Improvement from a few years ago. Some days, I feel like Tim the Tool Man!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD