When Mr. Kaepernick first went down on bended knee during the National Anthem in the Fall of 2016 to protest racial inequality and police violence against minorities I was angry and upset that yet again someone was disrespecting our flag and our Anthem. Like Mr. Trump and many Americans I couldn’t accept that a highly paid football player would take it on himself to become a symbolic focal point for oppression and racism in this great country.
The NFL has now come full circle by announcing its policy that players must stand for the Anthem or protest unseen off the field. You’d think I’d be cheering the NFL for doing the right thing. Instead I’m writing today to thank the NFL for another reason. For showing me that I was wrong. As viscerally gut wrenching as I find it when someone disrespects the preeminent symbols of our nation I find it far worse that I now live in a country where citizens don’t stand out of respect for the flag and Anthem but stand because they are forced to. The fact that so many Americans voluntarily rise to their feet in community at the playing of the Star Spangled Banner is a tribute to all that is right with America. But Mr. Kaepernick, along with all those who ultimately joined him in silent protest, have made me think, and realize yet again (how many times do I have to be reminded...) that our country is far from perfect and we all need to continue to work, together, to make it - as our President would tell us - “Great Again”. And perhaps that is what Colin was trying to do.
In the days since that now infamous knee first touched grass there have been too many subsequent shootings of unarmed black men, too public refusals of establishments from simply allowing minority citizens from using the restroom, too recent racist tirades from celebrity sitcom stars to think that we unfortunately don’t have a very long road ahead to bring us as a people back together as one nation. The NFL’s new rule doesn’t help us along that path. In fact it makes the path longer and more difficult by continuing to divide us. My father, long deceased, was a veteran who along with millions of others fought and died, in part, to preserve the very right to protest injustice wherever it rears its ugly head. He knew, like Mr. Kaepernick and now the NFL have now reminded me, that you can’t force respect for anything - even our country - but we can work together to make it truly worthy of that respect.
My apologies to those who graciously read my humble words expecting a simple chronicle of my physical travels for straying off the Road That Beckons (the name of this blog) into an area of social tumult. But my journey through this life I’ve been given has not just been a physical one. I’m not the same person I was in the brashness of youth nor will I be the same as I am now when I become an old man (hopefully many, many years from now!). I continue to learn from almost everything that touches me and every day I come to the conclusion that the older I get the less I truly know. Thus the journey, the road that beckons, continues.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
One more for the road
Tomorrow I'll be leaving my oasis in the desert to head home to, what I'm hearing is, snowy Colorado. Just when the local Phoenix radio stations are forecasting the first 90 degree temps of the year. Oh well... Last year we had 90's and 100's during Spring Training but as I've mentioned in recent blogs this year's Spring has been a little cool down here in the desert Southwest.
This morning I was up before the crack of dawn in order to, well, film the crack of dawn. Dawn and dusk are known as the golden hours for photographers and the desert offers its own perspective on that. When I'm freezing back home wondering what happened to Spring (it is almost April after all), the desert at dawn and dusk is what I'll most cherish from this trip. For those still enjoying the winter wonders of late March here's a quick glimpse of what you've been missing...
This morning I was up before the crack of dawn in order to, well, film the crack of dawn. Dawn and dusk are known as the golden hours for photographers and the desert offers its own perspective on that. When I'm freezing back home wondering what happened to Spring (it is almost April after all), the desert at dawn and dusk is what I'll most cherish from this trip. For those still enjoying the winter wonders of late March here's a quick glimpse of what you've been missing...
Monday, March 26, 2018
Closing day Spring Training 2018
They say it ain’t over until... well, you know. I don’t know about that, but yesterday was a wrap for Arizona Spring Training at Surprise Stadium. They packed a lot into one game as it saw the Kansas City Royals taking on, and ultimately losing to, the Chicago Cubs whose fans, as I’ve mentioned before, tend to pack the stadium. They didn’t disappoint yesterday as the announced attendance topped 11,000 which fills every seat in the stadium and the lawn seats as well. I suspect a lot of fans elected not to actually sit in the overcrowded grass areas so it was really standing room only for this one.
It was also the annual Thank You lunch that the Stadium puts on for the Sundancers volunteers, or as they are referred to in the stadium - the yellow shirts. If you attend a game at Surprise you won’t be able to miss them. From parking attendants to ticketing, to monitoring the stands and hosting the 50/50 Raffle this volunteer group helps raise funds for needy causes and has awarded more than one million dollars in scholarships to area youth in recent years. If I lived in the area this is an organization I’d join in a heartbeat. They definitely add a special character to the atmosphere at Surprise Stadium and a nicer and more helpful bunch of folks you could not meet.
One of the worst kept secrets is that a lot of Spring Training merchandise is deeply discounted the last day as the vendor would rather move it than pack it and save it for next year. Thus the Pro Shop was full with fans for most of the game and by the end was looking pretty darn empty. I’ll be helping close down things over the next couple of days before making my way back north to Denver. It feels like it was just yesterday I was departing home in a snowstorm and from what I’m hearing weatherwise I may be returning the same way.
If you’ve been reading some of these blogs thanks for tagging along for Spring Training 2018 Arizona style. Hopefully we can take it all in again in 2019!
It was also the annual Thank You lunch that the Stadium puts on for the Sundancers volunteers, or as they are referred to in the stadium - the yellow shirts. If you attend a game at Surprise you won’t be able to miss them. From parking attendants to ticketing, to monitoring the stands and hosting the 50/50 Raffle this volunteer group helps raise funds for needy causes and has awarded more than one million dollars in scholarships to area youth in recent years. If I lived in the area this is an organization I’d join in a heartbeat. They definitely add a special character to the atmosphere at Surprise Stadium and a nicer and more helpful bunch of folks you could not meet.
One of the worst kept secrets is that a lot of Spring Training merchandise is deeply discounted the last day as the vendor would rather move it than pack it and save it for next year. Thus the Pro Shop was full with fans for most of the game and by the end was looking pretty darn empty. I’ll be helping close down things over the next couple of days before making my way back north to Denver. It feels like it was just yesterday I was departing home in a snowstorm and from what I’m hearing weatherwise I may be returning the same way.
If you’ve been reading some of these blogs thanks for tagging along for Spring Training 2018 Arizona style. Hopefully we can take it all in again in 2019!
Sunday, March 25, 2018
A march of a different kind
Yesterday saw High School students from around the country and around the globe march in protest of gun violence. Regardless of where you stand on this issue I think everyone might concede how sad it is that High Schoolers actually have to take to the streets of America because they no longer feel safe in school. My wife graduated from Columbine several years prior to the shootings there and I can remember marching with several thousand others afterwards in honor of the victims. Back then we were naive enough to think ‘never again’ yet school shootings have reached a crescendo where they happen on almost a monthly basis. I applaud the High Schoolers for actively trying to change things for the better but fear that the lesson they may learn is that politics - scratch that - politicians -really do follow the money and that the powers that be in this country are willing, as is apparent through their actions, or more precisely, inactions, to bear the sacrifice of dead young people on the altar of gun rights.
Another type of walk was occurring yesterday at the same time the High Schoolers were taking their literal and figurative steps towards positive change. This one involved young people as well but was in a far happier vein. Surprise Stadium brought in hundreds of Little Leaguers to be recognized before the assembled baseball faithful in celebration of these kids simple love of the game they play. From kids as young as 5 and 6 years old on up they marched in, eyes gawking at the crowded stadium. One can only imagine what a thrill it had to be for the kids as they took in their surroundings. For most it was their one chance to be on a Major League field actually dressed to play ball. It was especially cool when some of the Major Leaguers came out of the dugouts to spontaneouly high five the kids. Too soon they will grow up and follow in the footsteps of their High School brethren as they move on from innocent pursuit of games to the necessities of a world where people will try to kill them as they simply sit in a classroom.
May they enjoy their innocence for as long as they can.
Another type of walk was occurring yesterday at the same time the High Schoolers were taking their literal and figurative steps towards positive change. This one involved young people as well but was in a far happier vein. Surprise Stadium brought in hundreds of Little Leaguers to be recognized before the assembled baseball faithful in celebration of these kids simple love of the game they play. From kids as young as 5 and 6 years old on up they marched in, eyes gawking at the crowded stadium. One can only imagine what a thrill it had to be for the kids as they took in their surroundings. For most it was their one chance to be on a Major League field actually dressed to play ball. It was especially cool when some of the Major Leaguers came out of the dugouts to spontaneouly high five the kids. Too soon they will grow up and follow in the footsteps of their High School brethren as they move on from innocent pursuit of games to the necessities of a world where people will try to kill them as they simply sit in a classroom.
May they enjoy their innocence for as long as they can.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
For the love of the game...
Yesterday the LA Dodgers took on, and seriously trounced, the KC Royals at Surprise Stadium while more than 9,000 fans took on what seemed like the first really hot day of the season. I’ve mentioned before how nice I think Surprise Stadium is and am hard pressed to imagine working Spring Training at any other Arizona Ball Park. I’ve tried to share the sights and sounds through this blog but of course nothing compares to actually being there so if you ever have the chance to take in a game in Surprise I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity.
One distinct advantage of working the games is that I have had the chance to see the stadium both when it’s full and when it’s empty and I’m torn between which I prefer. The crowds are exciting and the atmosphere electric with all the fans excited to see their favorite team yet there’s a serenity to the pre-game Ball Park that exudes a sense of peace and quiet anticipation of things to come. I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring Surprise Stadium in these quiet moments and have seen things that most likely get lost in the hustle and bustle of the crowds. If you do visit Surprise Stadium walk the concourse under the second story stands and take in the signs with varying quotes attesting to the things that make baseball one of America’s favorite pastimes. Whether it’s the crack of the ball or the sound of the umpire announcing “Steerike!”, the smell of hotdogs or the taste of an ice cold beer on a hot day, the players along the baselines in tune with thousands of their fans as they listen, and sometimes sing along, to the Star Spangled Banner, the collective gasp as a player is called safe or out, there’s a lot to be said for watching grown men swing bats at little white balls. Here’s a short snippet of some of those quotes. Some you may recognize, some you may not, but each resonates the spirit of the game. May that banner yet wave over Spring Training where all teams are equal and hope springs eternal.
One distinct advantage of working the games is that I have had the chance to see the stadium both when it’s full and when it’s empty and I’m torn between which I prefer. The crowds are exciting and the atmosphere electric with all the fans excited to see their favorite team yet there’s a serenity to the pre-game Ball Park that exudes a sense of peace and quiet anticipation of things to come. I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring Surprise Stadium in these quiet moments and have seen things that most likely get lost in the hustle and bustle of the crowds. If you do visit Surprise Stadium walk the concourse under the second story stands and take in the signs with varying quotes attesting to the things that make baseball one of America’s favorite pastimes. Whether it’s the crack of the ball or the sound of the umpire announcing “Steerike!”, the smell of hotdogs or the taste of an ice cold beer on a hot day, the players along the baselines in tune with thousands of their fans as they listen, and sometimes sing along, to the Star Spangled Banner, the collective gasp as a player is called safe or out, there’s a lot to be said for watching grown men swing bats at little white balls. Here’s a short snippet of some of those quotes. Some you may recognize, some you may not, but each resonates the spirit of the game. May that banner yet wave over Spring Training where all teams are equal and hope springs eternal.
Friday, March 23, 2018
The wind does blow in Arizona
The desert at night is usually a quiet place but occasionally that changes. Last night, after the Texas Rangers took on the Cincinnati Reds, I returned to a wee bit of a wind storm at the White Tank campground. I could swear even the giant Saguaro Cactus were swaying in the breeze and my poor camper seemed to want to tip over. We’ve all heard of ‘small dog alerts’ when the winds kick up but in the desert I’d guess it’s the ‘large coyote alert’ as I didn’t hear a single howl all night long. What I did hear was tent fabric flapping in the gusts. The White Tank mountains are to the west of the campground and the sound of the wind flying down from the ridges sounded like ocean surf. Of course, being in any tent in a windstorm, especially at night, sounds like a hurricane when you’re trying to get some shuteye but that’s the joy of camping. As Mr. Gump said “Life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you’re going to get”. Camping certainly lives up to that and you have to be willing to enjoy the occasional rough night.
I’m usually up at the crack of dawn which in these parts is around 6:30, mainly in an effort to beat the line at the shower but with almost no sleep last night I slept in until the ungodly late hour of 8 o’clock. They say that when life gives you lemons you should make lemonade so in that spirit here’s a quick glance at the clouds as they whiz by my camper this morning...
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Busy, busy, busy....
Who knew being retired could be so much work. The Spring Training season is winding down with only a week or so to go. We’ve had a couple of doubleheaders and more night games than last year. The Arizona weather that all the loyal fans have paid good money to experience has largely been absent. Not that it’s snowing here in the desert Southwest but temps have remained much cooler than normal according to the locals. Still 60 degree days and 50 degrees for the night games isn’t bad considering what the folks from the Midwest (and it’s largely a Midwest and Texas crowd we see here in Surprise) left behind at home but if one thing has been true it’s that the folks buying the merchandise for the Pro Shops should have bought more of its sweatshirts and long-sleeve shirts. Come the 5th inning at the night games and we see a steady line of shivering souls all sunburned from the Arizona sun coming in and looking for s9mething to keep them warm for the rest of the game.
The Chicago Cubs were in town for a game last week and their fans always seem to fill the stadium. Surprise Stadium has a capacity at just over 10,000 and the attendance for the Cubs game was 10,200. Here’s a quick peek at some of the fun...
My wife (AKA the love of my life, or as she says my FAR better half) was in town for her Spring break. She enjoyed her time hiking and biking
in the desert warmth (not yet desert HEAT) but alas I had the sad duty of shuttling her to the airport for her return flight to Denver yesterday morning. The Phoenix Airport has easy drop off and pickup of passengers but finding your way through Phoenix rush hour on I-10 is not quite the joy you might imagine. Still I was sorry to see her go but happy (sorry honey💑) it was her returning to 25 degrees (now that’s cold) and 5 inches of snow. She promises me that I’ll get a snowstorm or two, or three, upon my return to Denver in April and of course opening day for the Colorado Rockies is often snowed out so I have lots to look forward to. Speaking of which the Rockies made their second appearance this season at Surprise Stadium where they beat up on the Texas Rangers 5-0. Each season I see some familiar faces from my former work life and it was nice to see Paul , who I worked with, in town to catch a game or two. People always ask if I miss working and my only comment is that I miss the people for I was fortunate to work with a great group during most of my career.
Well, got to to get ready for tonight’s game at 6:05 and, sorry fans, you can’t buy MY sweatshirt no matter what you offer me. Oh, i guess i still have time for a quick bike ride. Busy, busy, busy...
The Chicago Cubs were in town for a game last week and their fans always seem to fill the stadium. Surprise Stadium has a capacity at just over 10,000 and the attendance for the Cubs game was 10,200. Here’s a quick peek at some of the fun...
My wife (AKA the love of my life, or as she says my FAR better half) was in town for her Spring break. She enjoyed her time hiking and biking
in the desert warmth (not yet desert HEAT) but alas I had the sad duty of shuttling her to the airport for her return flight to Denver yesterday morning. The Phoenix Airport has easy drop off and pickup of passengers but finding your way through Phoenix rush hour on I-10 is not quite the joy you might imagine. Still I was sorry to see her go but happy (sorry honey💑) it was her returning to 25 degrees (now that’s cold) and 5 inches of snow. She promises me that I’ll get a snowstorm or two, or three, upon my return to Denver in April and of course opening day for the Colorado Rockies is often snowed out so I have lots to look forward to. Speaking of which the Rockies made their second appearance this season at Surprise Stadium where they beat up on the Texas Rangers 5-0. Each season I see some familiar faces from my former work life and it was nice to see Paul , who I worked with, in town to catch a game or two. People always ask if I miss working and my only comment is that I miss the people for I was fortunate to work with a great group during most of my career.
Well, got to to get ready for tonight’s game at 6:05 and, sorry fans, you can’t buy MY sweatshirt no matter what you offer me. Oh, i guess i still have time for a quick bike ride. Busy, busy, busy...
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