Spring 2014 June 8 Sunday

68 degrees this morning, cloudy.  

Aliene and I had a nice Anniversary (due to the date of the CMA Fest, we always say our Anniversary Party was attended by 45,000 people!)  Fortunately we are not responsible for organizing it!  It seems like the past 17 years have sped by, although there are many memories.

 Always amazing how a conference or festival finishes.  You wait for it, plan for it and then suddenly it happens and is over.  The CMA Festival was plagued by rain the entire time, although only one event was really affected by it (and it was delayed).  It was strange to watch (and be part of) 45,000 people (plus or minus 5,000 or so) sitting in ponchos in the rain watching music.  As long as it wasn't lightning or rain blowing on the electronics, the music continued.  The continuation of the rain over the past several weeks has really been amazing.  

Seeing all of the various music artists, I always wonder what makes the "edge" that brings stardom, fame and wealth, and just playing either making a living or even not making a living.  Of course, being in the right place at the right time is important, but it seems that there is a lot more too it at that.  Of course, marketing makes a difference, but you have to have talent to market.  

It is true in sports also, since as the Memphis Redbirds (AAA, just the level below Major League Baseball), many of the players are probably skilled enough to make it in Major League Baseball, where the difference in income and status is literally unimaginable and is based on either the (in this case) St. Louis Cardinals needing a certain position or having skills better than someone else, even if it is just slightly needed.  

We always say (and this is really somewhat true) that there are no servers etc. in  Nashville.  All servers  singers, songwriters or musicians!  They are all hoping the wheel of fortune will stop for them, in most cases it doesn't.  (Nashville has an amazing number of young homeless people). Some do make a good living at what they love, some don't, some hit the big time.  I try to see the difference, sometimes I can, sometimes I can't.

Another aspect I notice each year is the push to "change" County Music (or not change).   I realize any type of music is going to change, but at some point it becomes another type of music and should be played elsewhere.  It has really been evident the last few years, especially after ABC started televising the event, it has become a lot more commercialized.

I actually didn't care for Country Music until about 25 years ago, when I suddenly started liking it.  Not sure why, because I didn't like it up that point.  At least I was open to change!  

I can't change it so I'm not going to worry about it, as some point we will just stop coming.  I was surprised to realize this is probably our 10th straight year of attending.  I was thinking we had been attending for 6 years or so, but I did some research and realized it was been at least 10 years.  We have seen a lot of changes in that time, not all positive, some very positive.  \

Going to be a busy week. 

That's it for today, Sunday, June 8, 2014.

Spring 2014 5 30 Friday

72 degrees this morning.  Not raining, but still humid and the patio furniture is still moist (nothing some old newspapers won't take care of, so I"m out on the patio again!)

Saw a "1 hitter" baseball game last night.  The Memphis Redbirds pitcher actually had a 8 2/3 inning no hitter and the very last batter got a hit.  What a disappointment, but a 1 hitter still isn't bad!  He did have a walk, so it wasn't a "perfect" game.  That was the furthest I have ever personally seen a no-hit game go.  One of those games where no one left early etc.  It was an interesting experience, you could see the team really pull together, the outfielders were obviously at the top of their game and the team was really backing the pitcher.  Of course, in keeping with tradition, the words "no hitter" were not spoken, although you could feel the interest rise as the innings progressed.  Probably the last two nights were the best baseball games I have seen.  If the pitcher had pitched a no hitter, it would have been the first no hitter in Memphis Redbirds history.  

I'm not quite sure why I like professional baseball, since I don't really care for any other professional sport that much.  I think it is the fact that it is reasonably deliberate and doesn't depend on one person (other than the pitcher) so much.  On the other hand, I almost never watch college baseball, but do like some college football and basketball.  I don't dislike college baseball, I just don't watch it.  Maybe because it seems that baseball is a summer game.  

Well it happened again.  The recruiter calls, says I am one of the top qualified applicants, after it goes to the hiring people, I get an e-mail that I'm not being considered anymore.  I realize there are a lot of factors that could be involved, but I have to think age is the primary reason, if not the only reason.  I comfort myself by thinking I wouldn't want to work for such close-minded people anyway, but it still just isn't right (or legal, but that would be impossible to prove.)  Just for fun, I have tracked the ages of the persons hired and it is all much younger applicants.  I even tried to bring in specific experience, but it was hard to document.  (For example, I can understand specific local situations where certain experience is desired etc.).  Fortunately, I can survive, but I don't know what people in less fortunate circumstances would do.  Of course, it is possible I am completely wrong, but the facts seem to say I am right.  I have discussed it with other persons and have found that it doesn't necessarily apply where highly desired technical skills are desired also, but as a general rule, almost everyone else has run into the same problem.  No one wants to admit it, like the huge pink elephant in the living room.  However, I feel overall it will eventually create a positive situation for me.

Saw a possum or possibly a raccoon this morning in the back yard when I came out to do my exercises.  (I do sit-ups and lift weights out on the patio after I walk).  I stamped my feet and it kind of gave me a dirty look and sauntered off.  It won't impressed.  I'm not sure what it was eating, probably some bugs from the rain.

Occasionally during my walks or when I am on the patio in the early morning (I am talking about from 3 to 4 am., so it is still dark),l I hear bowling and sometimes other sounds from the forest which makes my blood run cold (usually a sound that an animal has been caught by a coyote etc.).  I'm not  worried about it (I don't 'think they would bother a human being), but the sounds are still evidence that the violence of nature continues in the city.

Friday.  Don't have a lot planned today, catch up on some work and keep researching.  I sent some appreciation notes to China, thanking some people who really make our journey much nicer.  I used "Google Translator" hoping it didn't translate something I said as something I didn't mean.  I sent along the English translation just in case.  

i have a hard time believing it has been six months since I worked, especially the way it happened.  I liken it to the Coyote and Road Runner where the Coyote is running and suddenly realizes he has run over a cliff and is running on "air".  That is how sudden it was, from a full day with numerous e-mails, visits and phone calls to suddenly nothing, except what I generated myself.  I have kept busy for the past six months, and can't say I have necessarily unhappy, but I keep thinking it is a temporary situation (which it is), which makes a huge difference. 

I have observed, since I was in college, that major changes happen after I go through Kansas City.  I'm absolutely sure there is no relationship, but every job change has come after I go through Kansas City.  I went to Kansas City shortly before my job changed here.   I met my first wife (and Aliene) after a trip to Kansas City.  It is strange.  Maybe I need to go to Kansas City.  Or maybe not!

That's it for Friday, May 30, 2014.

Spring 2014 5 29 Thursday

70 degrees this morning.  Light rain a few minutes ago, so not on patio (although thinking about getting some newspapers and going out there, since it has stopped raining, and I can sit on the newspapers.)  Rain didn't interfere with walk and bike ride.

For probably the first time, I "camped out" as Starbucks yesterday morning and quietly observed the ebb and flow of Starbucks.  I sat at one of the long "community" tables (tables for about 10 people that people feel comfortable sitting at with other people sitting there).  I was there about three hours, unusually long for me.  I saw two job interviews, three sales pitches and a variety of other people.  I don't know the details, I was concentrating on some items I had to work on, but this just vaguely filtered through my head.  Also, I wouldn't feel comfortable if I was obviously listening, although I really have no desire to know the details anyway!  I was surprised at how much I got done.  

While it is hard to believe I didn't notice any disruptions, that was the way it was.  Maybe the fact that the disruptions were meaningless to me (unlike disruptions at home) made the difference.  Anyway, i enjoyed it, the only difficult times when I had to go to the bathroom or for a refill and depended on the honestly of Starbucks customers not to steal my computer etc!  I really wasn't worried, but....

I did find many people using Starbucks as a "third place" (or "second place" like me).  When I was in Oklahoma City one time, several homeless people (or apparently so) used it as their "first place".  While I was there, not one bothered them and they didn't bother anyone, although they weren't drinking any coffee or tea either.  

Went to the Memphis Redbirds baseball game last night.  It was a scheduled "double header", scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m.  We got there about 5:30 or so and it was in a rain delay.  We went in anyway and actually enjoyed just sitting outside and reading and watching the St. Louis Cardinals on the scoreboard.  The first game finally started at 9:00 p..m.,  and was over about about 11 p.m..  It was actually one of the best games I have seen, with the Memphis Redbirds winning on a "walk off" home run in the bottom of the 7th, 1-0.  (I looked up "walk off" once.  It is used in the sense that it is the winning score in the bottom of the last inning  and then you "walk off" since the game is over,   I have seen walk off walks, walk off singles and even a walk off wild pitch.)

No, we didn't stay for the second game! (It was scheduled to start at 11 p.m.)  I lost an hour of sleep, but I'm sure I'll catch up. I enjoyed the time outside as well as the time outside and the sense of community with the other persons in the crowd who hung around  for the game!  

A sense of floating as we wait for our house to sell, other life changing decisions to be made by others, or at least instigated by others. Not bad, just the way it is right now.

That's it for Thursday, May 29, 2014.

Spring 2014 April 28 Monday

73 degrees this morning.  Rain during walk, drove to ATC.

Heavy rains, tornado sirens went off, but really not that severe, apparently going to be stormy.  At least I feel Spring is here now for sure, with tornado activity!

Monday morning.  I have become a loyal fan of CNBC and especially "Jim Cramer and Mad Money".  I don't sit and watch it as such, but just have it on, so I miss a lot, but see some of the highlights or breaking news.  (I don't like some of the programs, so I turn it off, with "Squawk Box" and "Mad Money" being my favorites.  My secret vice of Country Music videos early in the morning continues!  Of course this morning I switched over to the news when the tornado sirens went off.  

Finalized our contract on the house yesterday.  I assume the inspections etc. follow.  All we need is for the storm to cause some storm damage during this process!  If it all goes through, we will be moving in late June. 

We actually got a coupon for toner just when our toner went out!  How lucky is that!  Toner hardly ever goes on sale, since you normally buy it when you need it regardless of price.  

Planning to go the Redbirds bell game tonight, probably will transfer the tickets now.  The Redbirds have this really neat program that allows you to transfer your tickets to another game if you can't attend (I think it is a national program called "Ticket Return", and it is really great.)  That is the main reason we buy a "half season" ticket.  (I just bought one ticket and transfer tickets so we actually have two tickets for games we want to go to.)  

Speaking of CNBC, I remember when I first got interested in the stock market when I was in the 8th Grade.  I have always been fascinated by the action, I assume, and the psychology of why it goes up or down.  I actually new about the "flash trading", I read about it several years ago, but it was presented then a just another technological advancement.  Of course, they didn't say anything bout the opportunity for someone to actually preview someones trade and increase the price to them.  It was presented as a way to benefit from "inefficiencies" in the various markets.  I don't think an "inefficiency" includes being able to see what someone is trading and stealing from them by increasing the price!  

I actually read Michael Lewis (author of Flash Boys) years ago, but really noticed his book "The Blind Side" because of the Memphis connection.  I was actually listening on the local public radio station and heard a brief excerpt from the book and bought and read it before it became a movie.  It was a fascinating book as all of his books are.  

That's it for now.  Monday, April 28, 2014

Spring 2014 March 24 Monday

39 degrees this morning.  I am tired of wearing long-johns when I walk and ride in the morning!  I am ready for just putting on my shorts and t shirt and riding!

I always look forward to April and the start of baseball season.  Not quite sure why I started liking professional baseball, it is really the only professional sport I like and watch much.  (I don't dislike professional football, and do watch it occasionally, but am not really a fan of it.  It has become rather boring a lot of the time.)  Like college basketball and football, I can watch a professional baseball game where I don't really know anything about either team and develop a "favorite" and enjoy the game.  I also like auto racing, although it takes so much time, I normally watch only on tape.  

Since we started going to the Memphis Redbirds games I have become even more of a professional baseball fan.  What is really interesting is seeing the young players coming up and then hitting the "Wheel of Fortune" and getting called up to St. Louis.  We are basically Chicago Cub fans, but "knowing" the players (watching them play for the Redbirds), really had made St. Louis Cardinals a close second, if not an equal.  One thing I will really miss about Memphis if we move is the Memphis Redbirds.  Other cities may have minor league (AAA) baseball or even the MLB, but it won't be the same since the tie between Redbirds and Cardinals is what makes it so interesting.  The purchase of the Redbirds by the Cardinals really institutionalizes the relationship.  One of the regrets of moving if we move.  I realize the Memphis Redbirds are no different than any commercial business, but the stadium, and especially the Redbirds personnel and personnel at the stadium (and the concessions) really have made it a special experience.  It is just fun and one of our favorite pastimes during the summer months.  I think the saying that "life is a series of hellos and goodbyes" is especially applicable to AAA baseball.  You hate to see your favorite called up, but you feel good for the individual, regardless of how it affects the teams.

I always hated the saying ("life is a series of hellos and goodbyes) even as I recognized the truth to it.  Actually, every day is a series of hellos and goodbyes, even as you say "goodbye" to the time allotted for each day.  Even as I suddenly found myself with what I thought would be more time last December, I really didn't realize how I still feel extremely time limited now.  I think that is one reason I usually take the positive note, I don't have the time for negative thoughts.  Negative people will take care of themselves eventually.

I think the biggest problem with time management is setting priorities and saying "goodbye" to activities I enjoy.  I am really debating the amount of time I spend reading the daily newspapers I do.  I long ago learned to scan "Facebook" and ignore most e-mails etc., but I still have a problem setting priorities for time.  Most of my extreme time wasting activities (if you can call them that) happen early in the morning, my walk, bicycling, reading the newspapers etc.  All good activities, with at least the walking being a necessity.  

I do attempt to "manage" my reading by putting some articles aside/saving them to Evernote etc., but....my followup isn't always the best!  I'm still not sure how to handle this.  

Since my coffee brewer (It grinds the coffee immediately as part of the coffee making process) is so loud, I don't use it when we have guests in the house, but for some reason it doesn't bother Aliene.  So I am enjoying my first "real" coffee  in a week. While Kali and Katherine said they could sleep through anything, I didn't want to take a chance, so I ground my coffee in advance and used a "single cup" coffee maker.

Sun is out today.  Still cool, but it is nice to see the sun.  We are going to have to do something soon about the poor Weeping Willow Tree that is bent over in the yard.  (It bent over from the ice events.)

That's it for now.  Currently morning, will add more if the events or the day merit it!

Fall 2013 October 27

54 degrees, very pleasant outside.

The World Series this year has special interest and emotional impact for us this year because of the tie of so many of the St. Louis Cardinals as former Memphis Redbirds, many whom we watched as late as last Summer, some (such as Wong and Chambers) who were called up in the last part of the Redbirds season.  I have never had more of an interest in the World Series as I have had before.

Speaking of sports, I was surprised (and pleased) to read the New York Times article saying the Memphis Grizzles had the talent etc. to go all the way to the NBA finals and even win this year.  While I don't watch pro basketball much, I think Memphis deserves it and I do like the Grizzle players and respect them for their community service and ties to the Memphis community and the enjoyment they give many people.  While in general I think sports are overemphasized, I recognize the psyche connection and uplift from the "Memphis Grizzles" basketball team doing well.  

Volunteered (a litte bit, at the first and last, Aliene worked the entire time) at the Lakeland Halloween Fest last night.  It was fun to watch the children enjoy the occasion.  

It seems like Daylight Saving Time should be starting (or maybe ending is the right word) this weekend, but it must be next weekend.  After I learned "Spring Forward, Fall Back" I finally got it straight on how to adjust the time!  I really enjoy the "extra" hour I get each Fall, kind of like flying to the west time zones when you "gain" an hour or two hours. Of course, it really hurts when I have to "give" the time back and "lose" on hour or two!

I like the idea of having a day (today, Sunday) with nothing to do, other than the Sunday morning routine.  Although I have plenty to do, at least I can arrange how and when I do it.

Leaves are really turning, Fall is here.   

Fall 2013 October 24

45 degrees this morning.  Cool, but not cold.

We watched many of the St. Louis Cardinals who started in the World Series as Memphis Redbirds THIS summer and over the past several seasons.  Going to the Redbirds games has actually turned us from Chicago Cub fans to St. Louis Cardinal fans as we watched the players develop.  Don't get me wrong-we are still strong Cubs fans, but we ALMOST are as fanatic Cardinal fans

So, last night, it was like watching your children (or person you have mentored etc.) get a big chance and blow it as they made stupid errors etc.  You love them anyway, but the pain is a bit deeper when we watched the players develop from hopefuls (although AAA is excellent anyway) into big league stars.  Of course, we have faith in them.  We saw them stumble and get back up as Memphis Redbirds and St. Louis Cardinals and we have faith!

It probably is worse in that baseball is our favorite sport.  We can take or leave pro football (but like college) and don't care for pro basketball at all (although we think the Grizzles are special), so it is a special treat to see one of our two favorite teams make it to the top.  Aliene is actually a better baseball fan then I am.  She recognizes the players and is good at knowing the basic strategic.

Thinking about disappointments this morning, I have to think about my disappointment at never being able to find a coffee cup I can using while driving.  Either it spills, or drips, or breaks or whatever.  The McDonalds coffee cup is actually the best, and I have a lot of candidates for the absolute worst travel mug or car coffee cup.  It seems it shouldn't be that hard to invent one that doesn't spill, drip or break etc!  I have tried all types (yes Starbucks is actually one of the worst) and I have tried several of their mugs, they don't work

Fall 2013 October 12

61 degrees.  Wonderful day yesterday, I hope it continues.

Watching DRV on St. Louis Cardinals game yesterday.  Somehow avoided seeing the score of yesterdays game.   We are actually Chicago Cub fans, but became St. Louis fans via way o attending the Memphis Redbirds games.   Many of the players on the St. Louis team are players we saw play (and develop their skills) with the Memphis Redbirds, so we have  become passionate St. Louis fans also.  (When Chicago and St. Louis play, we just kind of route for both teams.)

We haven't watched a pro-football game yet, probably will after the baseball season ends.  We have  watched college football.

Glad the weekend is here.  Even though I need to catch up some work, it really is nice to have the flexible time.  My early morning routine actually doesn't change that much, except I wait to eat until Aliene gets up.      

In Starbucks for breakfast and coffee.  We have adopted the routine of breakfast at Starbucks on Saturday and Steak n Steak on Sunday.  Still trying to avoid seeing the score for the St. Louis game.             

Summer 2013 August 21

72/75 degrees this morning.  Feels warmer, although my bike seat was moist while I was in the gym.  

Last Memphis Redbirds ball game last night.  We enjoyed the summer at the games.  Although their season could have been more successful, we enjoyed the games and the atmosphere.

I have noticed that political campaigns bring out both the worst and best in people, and it has never been more noticeable than in this campaign.  That is not a judgement, just an observation.  

Time flies in the morning.  In spite of combining activities, etc, I run out of time in the morning.  I call it "hypertime".  I probably plan too much and expect I will get too much done, but it is the one time of day when I can work with few distractions.

Summer 2013 August 16

66 degrees this morning!  I am ready for the return to hot weather, although the daytime has been nice, weather wise.

Finished reading (actually listening to) "Steve Jobs".  It is a great book on the development of the computer age, regardless of what you may think of Steve Jobs or Apple Computer.  I will probably buy the book just to have it around to re-read.  He made some major mistakes on products (I have several of the latest iPod Shuffles to prove it!), but also some wonderful products (iPhone 5, iMac etc.).

I thought the second of my three original iPod shuffles (the gumstick ones) battery had gone out this morning, but I think it is recharging. I really like the gumstick ones and feel the iPod shuffles after that were basically failures.  I do like the latest iPod Nano.

I started listening to a book on "Willpower".  I'll give it several sessions, but was not impressed by the first listening.  I guess I don't have the willpower to suffer through it!  

The political campaign in Lakeland continues.  Obviously I can't say much about it, except it brings out the worst in some people and the best in others.  Worst of all, it trashes up the environment with signs.  Realize they may be necessary, but I'm not sure why.  In as way it is insulting to voters to assume their votes can be obtained by a large number of signs hoping they will vote based on name recognition like selling soft drinks.  At least is will be over in a month or so.

The last weekend of Redbirds baseball (The Memphis Redbirds, the minor league team for the St. Louis Cardinals).  It has been a lot of fun attending the games.  While both Aliene and I are extreme Chicago Cubs baseball fans, we have become (almost) as extreme St. Louis Cardinal fans since many of the players we have seen playing on the Memphis Redbirds are now stars of the Cardinals.  Hard not to be for them.  The Memphis Redbirds also just are a class organization and the Autozone baseball stadium is wonderful.  We are rapidly becoming diehard (whatever that means) Cardinal fans.

Friday.  While I spend much of my weekend on work activities, it is difference since I am not tethered to the office etc.  Gives me a chance to catch up on work as well as personal activities.