Do you prefer watching live sports at outdoor or indoor stadiums? 

“Infield or outfield I see a verdant sea.Where memories are remade and dreams run free.The grass forms a stage where legend rules.In battles hard fought for victory’s jewels”

(USFMAN 2024)

It’s the 7th game of the 2016 World Series as my favorite team, the Cleveland Indians, have just overcome a 6-3 deficit in this deciding series finale to tie up the contest with the Chicago Cubs in the bottom of the 8th inning in dramatic home run fashion. With extra innings likely to happen soon afterward, game momentum now shifts in favor of “The Tribe.” All of a sudden, it begins to rain heavily on this natural grass expanse of Progressive Field. For seventeen emotionally gripping minutes, the baseball action now stops as both teams exit to their indoor dressing rooms to discuss their latest plans to win this pivotal contest. When play resumes in the top of this 10th inning, it’s soon evident that this weather slowdown has adversely quieted the spirited crowd atmosphere foreshadowing an end to  the Indians game winning “edge.” For the new Indians pitcher inserted fresh out of the bullpen improbably gives up two runs in the top of this extra inning to shift odds in the outcome of this game to an eventual Cubs World Series win. 

So should I blame the Indians loss on this ominous turn of events in this final game of sudden inclement weather appearing in this open air stadium? Probably it’s yes, many would reason. Yet if even if this is so, I’d never give in to any further explanation that an indoor stadium with climate controlled weather conditions would have provided a better place to play this tightly contested baseball event then. 

Certainly I can see the advantages of playing baseball or most  other sports for that matter in air conditioned comfort seemingly not impacted by passing storms and other uncomfortable weather conditions. But I consider it more vital to absorb the strong sensory experience of real grass, the sky above, and the unique panorama of history’s mark observed around the stadium surroundings as critical to the enjoyment of the live event itself. I might even call this phenomenon a form of self spectator hypnosis. 

So leave those artificial sporting venues of modern convenience, particularly in baseball, to more appropriate forms of entertainment like rallies, concerts, and trade fairs. Furthermore, show respect for us “purist” fans who like to breathe, smell, and gaze curiously outside at sporting events offering natural surrounding’s throne. If you read this blog intently, I can tell  that you now sense our keen desire to  breathe again that fragrant cactus breeze and scan that mystical desert horizon while attending Arizona Spring Training baseball on our upcoming road trip. 

For some creative fun, take a look at the wide range of Major League Baseball stadium backdrops functioning now around America by clicking on the link in the following video. Imagine which of these sports venues strike you as more appealing to watch a live game.

https://youtu.be/qLiwxraM4kc?si=pyLJL-0g4Bv_zJAk

How might one act more adventurously to find “out of the way” places to visit? 

“Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference” (Robert Frost)

Continue reading “Taming The Beast of Familiarity” →

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Do you believe in the idea of “Evolution” to explain the diversity of living things existing on earth? Why or why not?

“It’s not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change?” (Charles Darwin)

Do you sometimes wonder how your dog or cat acts to master their required needs? For they might know more about how to get your attention or satisfy their hunger than you think! Such curiosity might help explain why I’m a huge believer in “evolutionary theory” or more commonly called “survival of the fittest” which rationally illustrates how and why life species’ expanded on this earth. To reinforce this conclusion, I consider the past works of renowned naturalist Charles Darwin, who pioneered the idea during his lengthy expedition throughout South America in the  1830s that living organisms must adapt physically or behaviorally to conditions in its environment in order to successfully survive. 

The Darwin version of life’s evolution on earth, known as “Natural Selection” thus fueled further scientific support for the premise that life’s beginning on earth  took place as single celled organisms once evolved over eons of time in an ancient sea.This theory would further support a connection  between this process of biological life adaptation and genetic improvements in life matter as well, whereby, the emergence of more complex types of living things would have then taken place. Fish developed fins and learned to swim. Reptiles  grew scales for protection. Wings emerged on birds for flight. Finally mammals evolved on land to grow legs to walk and use larger brains for more complex mental activity. In this ever changing earth, humans, too, eventually became a product of this adaptation process to survive in learning how to stay upright, work with tools, communicate through language, and maintain civilizations to live in. 

Before proceeding further in the text of this blog entry, I invite you to observe for yourself “The Complete Library of Charles Darwin Works” concerning his “Theory of  Evolution” and related topics  in the link below. 

http://darwin-online.org.uk/

Know then that I often enjoy visiting places on vacation where I can better understand how living things adapt to challenges in their natural environment in the manner of evolutionary thinking. On a global scale,  I can, for instance, reflect back to our first African safari adventure along the open grasslands of Kenya where at times we witnessed the violent predatory behavior of  lions, leopards, and crocodiles in their relentless pursuit of their prey. The cool Pacific coast shorelines of Morro Bay, California also immediately come to mind as a strong example of evolution’s work. For this terminus of so many of our westbound road trips sparks vivid memories of the conspicuous presence of sea gulls, cormorants, and pelicans as well as mammal species like squirrels, otters and seals in fierce competition for protective territory and feeding grounds nearest a towering rock monolith extending out into the ocean.

Taking this conversation a step further, I invite  you to try identifying the evolutionary qualities exhibited by sloths and different kinds of “Great Ape” species in the following two videos below. To do so, pay particular attention then to how each of these creatures uses their physical body parts and natural acts of behavior to adapt themselves to environments where they live.  So just click on each link below to access the videos and have some scientific fun. 

https://youtu.be/1vTrJDwAm9s?feature=shared

 

https://youtu.be/7NyiBuEfdGI?si=rvQ7H9p4slFHr_fN

What messages about American society do Super Bowl advertisements convey today?

“An idea in the highest sense of the word, cannot be conveyed but by a symbol.” (Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

The Super Bowl this year between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers represents much more than crowning one of these team as the National Football League (NFL) champion. For it’s well known that millions of viewers who tune in to the game each year can be expected to find a plentiful supply of advertising commercials before, during, and after the game. Certainly these innovative and impactful marketing strategies of goods and services during the biggest professional football event provides strong entertainment value for the masses of people who watch them. But these “glitzy” brand presentations also place American contemporary issues in the forefront in order to foster a meaningful “buzz” of conversation concerning the need to consider political and societal change in the future.

So attached below you will notice a list of links of 2024 game advertisements to click on and watch for yourself followed by some persuasive  messaging ideas that I conclude from each of them. Considering the importance of securing voter interest in this important election year, I encourage you to add your own perspectives about any of these ads in the comment section .

https://youtu.be/YKzk1h7qrj8

 

PATRICK STEWART THROWS A HAIL ARNOLD

Taking unreasonable risk to win at all cost should not be a mandatory aim in our lives. 

https://youtu.be/wYPTZIFQoDQ

 

JAVIER IN FRAME 

Our minds can distort our thinking so let us depend more on the latest technology to pave the way for clearly knowing in more detail about what we are seeing. 

https://youtu.be/RmsC7th22yw

 

THE M&MS ALMOST CHAMPIONS RING OF COMFORT 

 Maximum pleasure can be obtained in our life by indulging in what looks and tastes good. It’s what’s outside that counts most. 

https://youtu.be/H3EsFtUCOno

 

IMAGINE WORLD WHERE OREO CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING

You never know when something miraculous will happen to change your life. Pay attention more to the immediate moment for small signs of self contentment. 

https://youtu.be/5UiFkOJoP-8

 

TINA FEY BOOKS WHOEVER SHE WANTS TO BE 

Your love of travel will make possible that you can be the kind of person you want to be. 

https://youtu.be/qQJyZseER6I

 

DINA AND MITA DORITOS DINAMITA

Don’t ignore your family responsibilities.The pleasures of self indulgence can wait. 

https://youtu.be/gUg1XA8-U9A

 

AUBREY PLAZA IS ALWAYS A BLAST

A fast and high energy lifestyle works best in today’s world of constant survival. 

https://youtu.be/1xA7ENrLtUw

 

IT’S TIME TO SEE OTHER SODAS 

Avoid the monotony of the same routine. Embrace change in your life for greater self fulfillment. 

https://youtu.be/aYvDdZZ_FQU

 

PRINGLES-MR.P 

The importance of social media today dictates that you change your physical look to make you become more popular. . 

https://youtu.be/g0D5MU6_0n0

 

HARD KNOCKS: A DOVE BIG GAME FILM

It’s important for young children to compete to win in sports. Such serious athletic participation will help them adjust better to real life happenings as they get older.. 

https://youtu.be/8C4DNSV3IRE

 

BUDWEISER OLD SCHOOL DELIVERY

Don’t panic in emergencies. We’ve already gone through times in the past  when we relied most on self reliance, hard work, and closer  family and friend connections.These tools for success in life still   work when we attempt to handle the impersonal complexity of life now with artificial intelligence and other technological challenges. 

https://youtu.be/YVeCwSWNLrM

 

THAT T-MOBILE HOME INTERNET FEELING 

A “new me” emerges as you transition from obsolete forms of electric communication. 

https://youtu.be/88tPE7AAUxM

 

SUPERIOR BEACH 

The charismatic image of popular celebrities heavily influences our decision making these days.Think for yourself more. 

https://youtu.be/oVIexvfdx7Q

 

MAYO CAT

Our emotions rule us too much.Use your brain  more for logical and in depth thinking. 

https://youtu.be/Vpg2xfdbP8E

 

“MULLETS” FULL SPOT

Take control of your life. Pump yourself with up brute strength and “macho toughness” and you can win out in any challenge to your survival that you face.  

https://youtu.be/0LXSb0PQ6HQ

 

DON’T FORGET UBER EATS

We’re prone to forget our daily tasks if we strictly depend on our memory abilities to do them. So get more online savvy and your forgetfulness problems will be solved.

https://youtu.be/SZIkEK8v1b0

 

“DOOR DASH” ALL THE ADS

You are probably tired of shopping in crowded grocery store lines and congested drive thru windows outside your favorite restaurants. So free up more time for yourself with fast, home delivery service. 

https://youtu.be/zo8PQgark7c

 

THE WAIT IS OVER

  I am lost without my “fast food” fix.What will they come up with next to make me feel even more happier?

https://youtu.be/JvVaPHxfPgM

 

DUNKIN POPSTAR FT. 

You will be a major success some day. In the meantime, don’t waste time and just enjoy the “now.” 

 

 

 

 

How does the presence of trees make you feel?

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.”
(Henry David Thoreau)

Looking back to my previous life as a child in Northeast Ohio, I vividly recall enduring the frigid winter season after the December holidays each year. I simply could not understand in my youth being cooped up inside wondering why those inviting neighborhood forests containing deciduous specimens of oak, beech and maple trees would turn brown from leaf shed each year and seemingly die. For how could winter deny me the opportunity to climb up a sturdy tree trunk, play hide and seek behind them, or leap to retrieve freshly picked crab apples in the spirit of play?

Happily I now live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where sunshine speads subtropical greenery bliss year around. So for those of you currently “caught up” in the wrath of winter, I offer an invitation for you to take an imaginary walk with me to obtain some personal tree understandings in my newest poem creation.

For added pleasure I include a link below to click on for exploring random sounds of various forest environs around the world as well as some inviting tree photos of my past Florida travels.

http://www.tree.fm/

WINTER’S TREE FELT POTION

Amid the forest green of nature’s best

A tree sings in the gentle breeze 

A chorus of leaves softly swaying 

Whispering secrets of the ancients 

Tumbling roots firmly embedded 

Feeling steady rhythms in earth below.

A massive trunk that praises sky

A pleasing lullaby to see life’s story anew

Two jays pleasure with harmony’s tweeting 

A true gift of tree nature’s show

A new day of sunshine paints the horizon

Tree branches bowing upward in unity to survive. 

I  know there’s a point to such sweet tree symphony 

To feel what it’s like to be fully alive.

What former American President’s words most captures your attention in modern times now?

“Evil acts of the past are never rectified by evil acts of the present.” (Lyndon B. Johnson)

A young lawyer of twenty eight years old who’d recently moved from a small countryside village to a growing capitol city saw his first opportunity to act upon his passions. For he sensed the country was moving in the wrong direction and had decided to speak publicly about his concerns. So he chose to warn a gathering of young men at a debating society in Springfield, Illinois about the dangers of those who advocated slave whippings, lynchings and other forms of mob violence in a nation deeply divided by slavery. In doing so, he seemed willing to embrace this Lyceum movement which reached its peak during the antebellum era before the Civil War and was characterized by high interest in social and cultural reforms.

Know then it’s important for all Americans to seriously ponder the contemporary importance of Abraham Lincoln’ s words in this famous Lyceum Address delivered on January 27, 1838. For in this speech, he focused on the critical need to maintain our Democracy’s system of “checks and balances” in pursuit of lawful action and respect for human rights. How relevant these issues thus foreshadow what’s at stake in this country’s current political crisis now. For consider the consequences if a similarly ominous scenario of fractured ideals that happened during Lincoln’s time reappeared due to MAGA” takeovers with “Fascist” political intentions? Would such extremists obtain power to rule local, federal and state government operations uncontrollably at will? Would such new leaders thus be considered above the law? While under such conditions of tyranny’s presence, what groups of people would be persecuted with such fair and equal application of the law lacking? 

I thus invite you to carefully read a one paragraph excerpt below from that historic talk which revealed Lincoln’s timely advice about what American Democracy should mean for “ALL” in future generations.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S LYCEUM SPEECH WORDS

“Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy -six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor;–let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children’s liberty.”

So in this critical election time, a “trillion dollar” question emerges. Are Americans willing to preserve democracy in 2024 in the face of rising threats to our longstanding Constitutional framework? Click on the link below to obtain a more extensive discussion of this important topic. Take a look as well at some authentic newspaper clipping at the end of this blog which depict realistic scenes of slavery’s stain on American values from which Mr. Lincoln addressed about on that historic day.

BLOG SOURCE

https://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/lyceum.htm

HISTORIC NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS