Smart People and My Town

    Where I grew up we had a lot of smart people, and a lot of talented folks, and many of the people in public schools were less than stellar, less than what would be many of our paradigms as to what we aspired to be. But I would say most of us would have examples near and far, close by and off in the distance throughout the world, that we would wish to emulate or be like.

    We had each other to bounce off of, and books and television, magazines and articles to glean from. Music, theatre. Our parents were sources of some culture, of course. Our religious communities and sports. We in Bloomington were free and had access to so much. Like much of the rest of the world, I would say especially in the Western dynamic of capitalism and limited democracy, republican federalism or whatever we call it.

    Freedom to learn, carouse, sing, dance, compete, work.

    Robert Bosch and Roy Wroth, (Roth?) were some smart guys, I knew only in smaller contexts, in neighborhoods farther than mine.

    My neighborhood fellows and friends were all pretty smart, too. Mant children of academics, some of whom would be academic literati in their own rights. Some of us joined the military, which worked for benefits and early job opportunities that later flourished into good or perhhaps great careers.

    Bloomington, and Indiana, and the United States has proven a place of accomplished dreams and hopes.

    Most of us went on to success. Were we good enough then or now?That can be debated. Some of died in the past years. That tragically defines some of our outcomes.

    Jason in doing well. That of the Elm Heights area, but after we had letf the elementary school. His name ends with a V. Thanks to one of my sisters, I have spoken with him off and on the last seven or so years.

    Pete and Jake have done well. Seth and Paul, I imagine so.

    What about me? I married well. I have good kids. I have some savings.

    I have written some things. Who knows?

    I will continue working, writing, living.

    And think of some smarties in my home town.

    I think James Marsh was one, a year of me. Died in 1998.

    My boss considered him a dear friend.

    

 East of Eden - Masterpiece In Art and Ideas

    I read it back in... 2002? I stayed up a night or two, like in the bathroom in the hotel in Williamsburg, reading it so I could return it to my sister, because of the zeitgeist surrounding it...

    I want my wife to read it...

    I am not sure if she will like it.

    It is a great book.

    Well written, well crafted.

States Been in More Than One Month

 I have lived in six states, which minimum is over two months. In the United States.

I have been in many states combined more than a month. Maybe 8? Maybe more.

Massachusetts.

New York.

Pennsylvania.

North Carolina.

South Carolina.

Louisiana.

Texas.

Arizona.

Washington.

Possibles…

Maryland. At least 30 days, not sure how many nights.

Kentucky?

Illinois?

Georgia?

The last three perhaps 3 weeks each?

Least? New Hampshire. Passed through a few times as an adult, maybe stayed as a baby.

Mississippi. One night.

 Reasons for Sorrow, Reasons for Hope

    Maybe some folks are desperate. Perhaps there are billions? Some people in the United States are poor, or distraught (despite the millions of money they may have), with mental or physical issues, or problems outside of the norm. For instance, brain cancer. A dying spouse, or a loved one far away. Maybe there is a sailor on a ship for many months who is despondent, or perhaps someone in their home is being persecuted or displaced.

    Some people are hungry. I gave away an Army MRE (meal ready to eat) to a beggar on the street. He waits for our traffic to stop at some lights in the in the bigger city.

    We have many reasons to take great hope.

    Many.

    I can name many.

    I will later.

When I Feel Less Than, or Inadequate, it Should not Lead to Depression or Envy

    But it can. It does, for some moments. Or hours. Maybe days.

    However, some things will shake me from the doldrums. Others. A book. A song.

    Life and work, maybe family or wonder.

    I am not that bad.

    I can be really good!

    I can be high and hubristic.

    Not the best, prideful and pompous. Or more likely vain.

    Vanity, and wrong feelings.

    And maybe sloth and gluttony enter in.

    As we may be.

    This is how we can be. Could be.

    We are.

    I dance like a fool.

    I can think like one, too.

    We all do, and can.

    But: I may be redeemed.

    I will.

    And I will not think that that guy or that guy is so much better than me, and I less desirable.

    I am desirable, too.

A Favorite Author for Every Genre, Every Time

A Favorite Author for Every Genre,  Every Time, Every Place

    I asked a few teachers who their favorite authors were. English teachers. Henry David Thoreau, Toni Morrison. The English teacher from Peru was about... Juno someone? Well, at least a Dominican. But I think he is more into English. And Star Wars.

    When the two ladies asked me, I was kind of stuck. But then I replied: my favorite war author is Jeff Shaara. Yeah, that is an answer.

    But I have favorite authors for others things, all the other types.

    Right.

    Sci-fi? Arthur C. Clarke.

    Etcetera.

Patrick Corbin: One of the Biggest Losers of All Time, but a Champion and a Hero

    The Nationals, a franchise that I have rooted for since 1981, acquired this guy in 2019. That Nats had been good for a good stretch. He helped push them over the top. The regular season pitching was bolstered by him, they qualified for the Wild Card, he contributed to the team going on and on and winning the whole enchilada, the Fall Classic, the 2019 World Series.

    Yes! Corbin et al were champions! Scherzer and Strasburg were the workhorses, but Corbin was a big reason why it all happened. Clutch hitting by many Nats was key, of course, too. It is a team sport.

    Of course, we then lost Rendon, and I think Scherzer, and then Strasburg to injury, and Trea Turner, and Soto... Patrick stuck around and racked up lots of losses. Check for sure, but I believe he had the most major league losses three years in a row. Ouch. He was making millions, but his overall record was going the wrong way.

    Now, a couple teams later, he is more competitive and is only slightly below .500. I believe he is only 34, with some years to go. 

    113 wins, 146 losses for the career. Only 180 or so major leaguers have accrued more losses, decisions as the losing thrower on record.

    But I like the guy, and I will always be thankful for him.

    He likely made far more money before 30 years-old than I will make in my life. He is doing all right.

    Long live Corbin. Now get some wins.

    Blog on.