Melissa Winter

Newspaper: Paper or Digital?

2012-01-26T22:58:00.000-08:00

Newspaper: Paper or Digital?

I recently pondered the benefits of a newspaper in paper form or in the ever increasing on line version.

As an owner of a smart phone I find the benefits of easy access wonderful. I am able to get headlines from the NY Times, read my local home newspaper of the Detroit Free Press and pull up articles of various issues at ease. This technology helps me remain connected to my local community and if there is something of particular interest I can quickly twitter or facebook it and share it with my 700 or so acquaintances and friends with the push of a button. My friends have the option to then in turn responding with a comment or sharing it with someone else. The ability to learn about something quickly is a great benefit and getting an idea passed on to others can happen quite quickly.

The newspaper as we traditionally know it, gives you the ability to read the paper from front to back, perhaps glance through articles that you have an interest in, or perchance even read them in full. You can write on the paper, highlight the paper, rip out an article from the paper, post an article in your office, your room, your refrigerator, or send an article to a loved one. You can also take a newspaper and hand-deliver it to someone else. You can share it with a co-worker, a colleague, your neighbor, your loved one or even a hated one. Also a newspaper has a life after its use benefit, a historical reference, paper writing, and even practical uses such as wrapping paper and even for use in gardens to prevent weed growth (it will disintegrate in the ground), compost (your own recycling) or even as packing material. Additionally you get to hold a newspaper in your hands, rustle it, move it.

Technology buffs would argue that quick and accessibility is far better. I can get the “paper” from the comfort of my school, my work, my gym, my airport, my home or even in my own bathroom. Now I have the ability to read an article from the across the world with the touch of a button, read about it, share and develop an idea from it. I don’t need anyone else to interact with, I can just click a button and get what I want. Greater access and quick ease makes it better!

Sustainability advocates would also argue the benefits of a paperless model. Less waste, fewer trees cut, no harmful ink or printing presses. Fewer cars driving to pick up the paper, deliver the paper or pick up old copies of papers. Less need to recycle all of those newspapers that collect in homes, with fewer trips to the recycling center. Less trash in city streets, universities, work offices and at home.

I grabbed a paper newspaper today that had been read by others, read some articles and brought it to my husband today. He read it in full. We discussed some highlights from the paper, had a conversation and DISCUSSED IT. DISCUSSED IT!

Think back to old movies where you hear a newsboy yelling out, “Newpaper, Newspaper, Read all about it.” People would scurry for the paper, grab it en masse. There would be a flurry in the community. Or consider significant headlines back in time…World Championships, World Wars, JFK Shot Dead. People would gather these newspapers, talk about them. I recall times where a newspaper was brought into an office or school and people would gather to read the paper at the same time…more than 1 person reading 1 single paper. Or even better yet a family trying to read a paper at the same time, huddling around to try to catch a glimpse of a story. It would be a gathering point, or even a community point.

The biggest difficulty with an on line newspaper is the lack of discussion we have. Oh sure we can throw up a briefly considered comment up but are we thinking and discussing. Are we considering other people opinions or only wanting to get our own opinion out there?

Some may say I am just being short sighted, not liking the change, wanting to have a physical piece in my hand. However I see daily repercussions as the slowing of the paper newspaper industry. In addition to the loss of jobs, I see individuals on their laptops, smart-phones side by side not saying a word. People are more connected to the world but less connected to each other. More connected to a statistic about another country but less connected to someone in their own city or even someone in their own home. While being connected to the world has some significant benefits so does being connected to our communities, discussing our issues, solving our problems. While I know we cannot change the tide of the newspapers via the internet maybe it’s time for the newspaper industry to not give up, but to consider the writing of more thoughtful and engaging articles, encouraging community, not succumbing to papers full of ads but things that will encourage more engagement, more discussion. Let’s change the model around a bit, but not change the sharing of ideas.

After all what will you do with your smart-phone when it dies? Your paper newspaper can help give back to the earth and not just in the ground.

Now just to get this in print…

Family & Thanksgiving

2011-11-26T01:59:00.000-08:00

This year for Thanksgiving I was geographically farther away from actual family than I ever had been. However my connection in some ways was stronger than ever. The actual distance apart has actually in some ways caused more intentional, thoughtful interaction than ever. I spoke with several different family members over the course of the week perhaps as much as if I had been home. And as family things go, learned of some of the difficulties of my paternal grandmother and the joys of youth of my niece and other life things in between.

With my immediate family Julian and I participated in two different Thanksgiving feasts which had different elements of family from the expatriate community here. We had the Football Thanksgiving and then the following day the thoughtful, respectful dinner with colleagues--really in some ways an extended family. Even a prayer was offered prior to eating, probably the most inclusive prayer of every religion or belief ever uttered that I can ever recall.

All of this reminded me of family and friends that I have encountered in all of the variety of experiences (Winter/Roberts Family, Oakland Family, College Friends family, Cleveland Family, Nashville Family, Manhattan, KS and K-State family) and those "family" members who do or have offered support, challenge, love, give back, question, instill thought... ultimately individuals who work to get to know you as an individual and learn about your other "family" members and the layers of your life. I appreciate those individuals despite the distance and appreciate those family members close to me who continue to question, support, challenge, instill thought and love.

Time flies

2011-09-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since my last writing. Life has been a whirlwind in the past few months. In April I was getting ready for big exciting changes ahead while making plans for my life. Now at the end of September life has had its ups and downs, good times and bad, good moments, and nervous moments, but all in all things are good.
Work and the experience here in Doha presents daily challenges and I try often to figure out the best way to cope in a culture that values things slightly differently than I am used to. I had a conversation with a colleague who is fairly new to Doha who asked when do things begin to feel like normal. I had to respond that I wasn't sure, but things after some time feel MORE normal than say a few weeks after I had arrived.

Some of the challenges:

Speeding cars, near traffic accidents, long conversations due to language barriers, exhaustion from work, daily naps, sunshine, sand, stares towards you, slow decisions, chain of command decisions, conflict, confusion and even chaos.

I also have positive interactions like:

Shared experiences with expats, Qataris, and co-workers; friendly hellos; sunshine, pool time, generosity from the unexpected; and of course a love that should have been realized many many years ago and now finally is.

Think Positive

2011-04-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

Truly committing to fears, tears, pain, chaos and joy, fun, living, and love.

Through living you experience and in doing so go through experiences that you certainly never counted on, but went through nonetheless.

Someone once remarked that I was not afraid of failing. I took this remark quite highly. If someone had met me 25 years ago I am sure they would not have viewed that awkward braces and glasses wearing 13 year old girl as someone who wouldn’t be afraid to fail…wouldn’t be afraid to try to play basketball of which I had virtually no skill, not afraid to try to go to college, not afraid to move away from family and friends, not afraid to move to other states, not afraid to enter into a relationship some may view as difficult, not afraid to take on personal and professional challenges, not afraid to encourage others, not afraid to move again and again, not afraid to go through a difficult time in my life, not afraid to visit the other side of the world, not afraid to MOVE to the other side of the world, not afraid to work with a lot of men, not afraid to work on a relationship after meeting 19 years prior, and not afraid to fully give myself to someone else, but mostly not afraid to learn.

Sometimes it is through difficult times that we truly gain the most. I know that if I hadn’t experienced pain I might not have grown. My dad used to say “no pain no gain” and it couldn’t be more true. At the same time my mom often said “you gotta think positive” which was even more helpful. Because while you can go through rough things you could very easily take a negative spin on it, however if you look at the pain in a positive way it can bring about results that you had only dreamed of and never truly thought possible.

Who?

2011-04-15T02:13:00.001-07:00

It has been a little bit of time since I last wrote in this blog, I suppose I have been a little bit preoccupied. Is it possible that when you are living life that you don’t always fully experience it? I have heard advice and quotes such as living life to its fullest, taking advantage of things etc. While this is all true and important, it matters more about the Who that you are experiencing it with. Again those relationships are so important. Recall your friends, family members and colleagues and the joy and sometimes pain that you encounter through shared experiences. It is the Who and not necessarily the What. Two months ago while I was exploring and investigating Doha I was experiencing things but not always fully enjoying it. Because of a decision to visit an important Who in my life, I seem to be enjoying those little things even more than before. In fact, maybe not quite this fully in over 15 years. I can’t say why exactly except that it works and excited for those things that lie ahead.

Relationships

2011-03-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

It is interesting how things can come together when you are not planning or expecting things. Like when you get a gift of comfort from an employee (and now friend) who is thankful for the work you do, a friendly hello from someone you see on a daily basis, an invite to share a beer with a colleague or time well spent with someone you care for. Things matter and people certainly do matter. I have spoken with students and countless others about the impact of the book “Three Cups of Tea” that I read well over a year ago now and the message was about the importance of relationships. And in thinking back to previous work or friendships you tend not to recall the work that you did but instead what sort of relationship you had that developed with an individual. Sometimes these relationships can be short-lived and necessary in the moment and other times they are long in the making and no matter what, your relationship remains intact and likely to become deeper and more valued as time goes on.

So what’s it like?

2011-03-04T13:03:00.000-08:00

I have had various questions from folks about things I deal with while being here. First I have been enjoying the sunshine immensely. It is sunny most days and in fact we had a rainy patch of days in January when I got here and I was sad to see it. However the sun prevails for the most part but it also means that dust settles on your car a lot too as there seems to often be a gentle breeze a lot of the time and sometimes it can be windy and since there is a lot of sand around—well you get the picture.

It is true that driving here can be somewhat intimidating. There are some very aggressive drivers who speed up behind you without a moments notice so being aware is key. There are lots of traffic circles versus traffic lights every where. As someone who likes to drive a car rather assertively I feel as I though I am handling it rather well. However roads are not always marked well and I did have one day where I got confused due to a road block happening by the police. I called my coworker frantically, but fortunately my own innate sense of direction (and a map) helped me out.

I heard a statistic a few days ago that there are over 80 countries represented by people that work within the foundation where I work. It is very interesting but can obviously also present some challenges at times with firstly all of the different languages being used. Speaking slowly is important but also lots of good face-to-face communication. I at times have gotten quite frustrated but feel like with people I see more often it is improving.

I have met a number of folks here and have had the opportunity to begin to get to know folks. I recently went out to a club here in Doha, which was sort of hidden behind a hotel. The one thing to note is that while bars and clubs may not be as prevalent as in a large city in the U.S. or U.K. they do exist—people are just subtle about it. However once you get in side these places it is as if you were in a large city almost anywhere.

Being away can certainly be difficult. For those that have spent an extended amount of time away from family you can certainly attest to this. The important thing is that never feel as though you are bothering the person who lives away with an email, facebook message or the like. People that are away LOVE to get them. At least I do. It sustains you really as you manage a life away that helps you feel like you are not several thousand miles away, but you are more like just around the corner.

Independence

2011-02-26T10:50:00.000-08:00

As those who know me well, they know that I have an independent streak about me which may come across as surprising to some who may not know me quite as well. If you meet me at first you may think me quiet, reserved or not interested. In truth I am taking things in and if meeting you for the first time trying to figure you out.

So back to me and my independence…I recall the moments in my life that I viewed as exciting… those times when I felt as though I had the wind at my back and the ability to make any decision that I wanted. Sometimes those decisions were difficult and sometimes I may have wished I had taken a different course. However, it is independence that I have truly enjoyed and the ability to make decisions for myself or for others for that matter.

I know that when someone limits my independence or ability to make a choice or assumes I will only feel a certain way, that it truly irritates me and gets under my skin. It is the one thing I truly cannot stand.

So living in a country which in some ways people might feel discourages an independent streak, particularly in women, I have actually found in my professional dealings that most often it is not Middle Eastern, British or Asian men who are questioning a decision. In fact I feel like I am encouraged to make a decision and my authority to do so is not questioned. In many cases I have had individuals comment on my ability to make a choice or have a firm handshake. It is rather American men who I seem to be more challenged and questioned by. Maybe it is because they see independent women all the time and they think nothing of it? Or that some may feel the need to assert their independence more? I do find it interesting that the men from my own country can make me feel less than in some ways while men from other countries or other viewpoints never have. While I encounter difficulties at times of course in navigating things after being here for only 2 months, I seem to battle with American male independence more. Interesting.

Photos from the Corniche, 25th of February 2011

2011-02-25T06:19:00.000-08:00

One Month

2011-02-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

One Month

It has been one month since I arrived and it feels much longer that I have been in Qatar, in part as I feel like I have accomplished quite a bit during that time. During this month I have:

-Gone through my medical testing; been finger printed; had my blood drawn to confirm my blood type; started a new job; been invited to several dinners; met many new faces in Doha; gotten my Residence Permit; obtained my Alcohol License; opened a bank account; got paid; bought things; met new colleagues; established new partnerships; found colleagues I could turn to; started friendships; maintained contact with people who are important to me; blogged a few times; taken and posted pictures; became more interested in what was happening in the Middle East versus who was going to the Super Bowl; learned how to say thank you in Arabic (shukran); volunteered already in the community; while I was volunteering in the community ran into a vendor representing a company I was working with who was also donating to the community; met a student today who had been interested in going to Wayne State University for Medical School and shared that I was from the area; taught students how to plant and garden; began buying things for my apartment; taken a taxi; asked for rides; researched cars to buy; made friends with one of the security guards; made progress in the student center; trained some students; started running; kept walking; provided a listening ear; streamed lots of 80s on line music; found myself interviewed for a radio spot; heard myself on the radio spot (qfradio.qf.org.qa (the connection); met more people; watched BBC for Egypt updates; skyped; emailed; facebook chatted; messaged; and reminded of the friends that I have spread out world wide.

Call

2011-01-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

I walked this evening to get a few items from the grocery store across from where I live. As I did I heard the call come out for the evening prayer. The "call" for evening prayer comes in Muslim countries at various times of the day to remind those of the Muslim faith to take time out to pray. As I was walking I could hear simultaneous echoes of a voice with much expression coming over a loud speaker system from various locations from where I was walking. I occasionally hear it early in the morning around 5am and in the evening as well. It is something that I have been intrigued by and even found some comfort in. Maybe because it's something beyond hearing automobiles driving by or maybe I am moved by the fact that it's something people are drawn to. And also likely because it's something all together different from what I have experienced previously.

Week 2 in Doha

2011-01-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

Week 2 in Doha:

My 2nd Week in Doha was up and down. It started off o.k. but I faced dealing with and learning about some cultural differences and struggled mostly with some technical things that really had nothing to do with people but the organizational structure within which I work. By Monday or Tuesday I was missing a few folks close to me and really wanting to let off some steam preferably via a beer and was craving Guinness, Pale Ale's or whatever and instead settled for a Caramel Hot Chocolate. I was consoled in part by a co-worker who has been in Doha for about 4 months or so who explained some of the difficulties and asked if at times did I feel great and then if the world was caving in, and he exactly described how I was feeling! We shared our experiences coincidentally in a Starbucks in one of the downtown malls where I really felt like I was in some large city in the U.S. so sort of strange. To top it off clouds and rain abounded which is not my favorite, I am definitely a sun lover.

After that my week got better and had dinner at a colleague's house along with his family where he and his wife have triplets age 2 1/2. They enjoyed entertaining me for the evening and were hilarious to watch! I also was fully fed and had a glass or two of wine which is just what I needed!

Thursday at work was quite busy but I finally felt like I was making some connections with some of the operational folks I will be dealing with and made some progress. I had a busy day, but felt good about it. The end of the day concluded with a Quiz Night coordinated by a faculty group on campus. Whereas most of us think of a quiz night at a bar with beer and peanuts this took place in a ballroom, with full skirting and tablecloths, along with a full catered meal and the display actually probably looked better than the food tasted (although it was good). The questions were pretty academic but our team enjoyed themselves. (Also the sun reappeared!).

This morning I went with my supervisor, his wife and met a co-worker for breakfast at a place called Rick's, which is essentially an American diner place. Lots of Americans go and it's usually quite busy. The nice thing is lots of folks see each other with good conversation to be had. My supervisor goes almost every weekend and I expect I will make it a regular place to visit as well. Also they DO serve bacon and sausage (although it's not pork). So at least you are getting a hint of it.

I also got my residency permit Thursday so I will be able to travel to some places when I am ready and then can also process some other things as needed too! Otherwise despite some understandable difficulties, I feel pretty good.

Warm

2011-01-16T01:49:00.000-08:00

Beautiful
Warm breezes
Encouragement

My first week in Doha, Qatar

2011-01-14T00:43:00.000-08:00

My first week:

So I have been in Doha, Qatar now for one week and really it has gone by very quickly. I have met an interesting mix of Americans, Brits and then Qatari residents along with a few others along the way. I have not had the opportunity to become bored at all as there has been some dinner or social related thing almost every evening I have been here. My Qatar Foundation colleagues have been great about offering lunch or dinner opportunities. I have met some individuals too who are outside of my work area. Living within the Education City Housing Complex feels very comfortable and have already received many notices of things happening. My actual living accommodations are nice and it’s such a change of pace to not have to worry about being responsible for certain things for my home (although in the back of my mind my house in Kansas is still on my mind).

This first week there have been some HR paperwork related things along with things I needed to take care of related to getting my residency permit. It’s slightly cumbersome and confusing, but have gotten through most of it and accomplished a lot on Wednesday. The only somewhat strange thing that I had to do was to have a few medical tests done which everyone is required to do. There were many individuals who were being shuffled through the process and it was almost “cattle” like in a way. Everyone had to take a number and then it wasn’t really quite clear where you needed to go. There were about ten women though who were affiliated with the Education City Campus so we all sort of hung together through the process. I bonded with some of the other professional women during this testing and in fact met one woman from London and another from Greece who I exchanged phone numbers with. I also met a guy from Egypt on the bus ride over via the guy I started off my first day with in my meeting with HR who is from San Diego.

The only downfall of the week has been a cold that I have not yet been able to shake which I acquired just before I left from Michigan. So last night, I actually elected to remain in my apartment even though there was a chili cook-off going on (which was a difficult choice as I love chili). I watched a movie, ate some soup and slept!

I really feel pretty comfortable here all in all. In fact one morning I looked out my kitchen window and felt happy and content with the view from which I was looking.

Changes in the Wind

2010-10-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

Roughly two years ago I moved to the state of Kansas and in doing so moved to a far windier location than I ever had lived. Moved into a quintessential house, in a quaint neighborhood and settled in for what I thought was going to be a quiet life. However, things sort of got shook up for me a bit and I definitely had the wind taken out of my sails. Despite the change and challenge the wind brought, it ultimately brought opportunity. It reminded me of things that were important to me. Things I thought and cared for fifteen and twenty years ago were things I still wanted and still cared for. Life long relationships were still that, and I still had a desire to experience new things. I recalled that as a student in high school I wanted to write, I wanted to travel, and I wanted to meet many different people. Perhaps a little delayed, but now I get to. And while the wind may still blow (and most certainly here in the state of Kansas), I feel far more at peace and settled than I have in quite some time and like the direction that I am heading. Thanks to those near and dear to me that helped me get there . . .

Residence Life Learning

2010-10-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

Residence Life Learning at Kansas State University

By Melissa A Winter

Coordinator for Leadership Development

This summer our first year students and many of our faculty and staff, were engaged in some active reading about the “Girl on Fire,” a reference given to the main character, Katniss Everdeen of the fictional novel and first in a trilogy series “The Hunger Games,” by Suzanne Collins. The campus was abuzz with talk about the book and its sequels and it was fun to see and hear comments from fellow readers. The book follows the life and interactions of Katniss and her struggles with daily living as well as the challenges that she faces as a result of her government and the unique circumstances that she is presented with.

The book presented very interesting discussion points including issues of ethics, war, friendship, loyalty, challenge and adversity just to name a few. It presented issues that in some ways we on an everyday basis are faced with, but may not acknowledge or realize that we are going through at the time. It also illustrates how many individuals need to learn things from experience, as well as learn from others in order to grow and develop. Additionally we also can often learn from those that we may not think are able to teach us including those that are younger than us or someone that simply comes from a different background or has a different experience.

It reminds me of the message that we give to our students that living in the residence halls is an engaging and insightful experience (although not quite as dangerous as the life that Katniss experienced!). Students as they progress learn not just from faculty and staff, but also from fellow students and sometimes even from a housekeeper that lives in their building or even a dining service worker that they see on a daily basis. Even I as a student affairs staff member who has worked professionally in student affairs for over ten years gets to continue to learn on a daily basis and am excited to work in a fun and engaging profession! And so while sometimes challenges are presented to our students living within our residence halls and apartment communities remember the opportunities that abound because of them. And that while at times things may seem difficult, think about the things that you are actually gaining and not what you may be missing out on.

warmth

2010-07-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

I feel the sun warming my skin while the wind gently cools it.

I turn my face and close my eyes and remember . . .

I remember sunny days, and cold nights, long talks, and short pauses.

I recall laughter and concern while imagining big things for the future.

I can still recollect distinct moments, first moments, defining moments.

I still visualize the room with the sun shining in and music playing.

I even see the blue walls, the dark halls and the roses outside.

I feel the breeze blow in and your warmth against my skin.

Rumi

2010-02-24T21:22:00.000-08:00

Rumi has become my new favorite poet . . . both very romantic, but can be sarcastic and humorous all at the same time. Here are a few examples:

I swallowed some of his sweet wine
and now I'm ill--
my chest aches, my fever is high.
The doctor says, take these pills.
OK, time to take these pills.
The doctors says, Drink this tea.
OK, time to drink this tea.
The doctor says, Get rid of the sweet wine of his lips.
OK, time to get rid of the doctor.

And this one is just beautiful . . .

Your love is my reason, the resting place of my soul.

Afghan proverb

2010-01-27T11:36:00.001-08:00

Mountains can never reach each other, despite their bigness. But humans can.
-Afghan proverb

2010-01-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

Passion emerges
While friendship is maintained

Three Cups of Tea

2010-01-11T13:38:00.000-08:00

I am posting something actually from someone else, I was so moved by it. It comes from the book Three Cups of Tea which I have been enjoying reading and quite moved by the efforts of an American to build schools for children first in Pakistan and then later in Afghanistan.

Here are two quotes that I have enjoyed thus far:

". . . make building relationships as important as building projects."

"The true measure of a nation's success is not gross national product, but gross national happiness."

- Greg Mortenson

Thanksgiving

2009-12-18T07:17:00.001-08:00

Over Thanksgiving I was traveling through Chicago on my way to Michigan and had lunch at a small pub in the O'Hare airport called the Prairie Tap Room. I found myself quite amused by the conversation especially one of the wait staff there who was quite fond of telling stories which I found rather amusing. He was relaying a story regarding some guy well into his 40's who had ruined his car engine by never thinking to check his oil. It was quite amusing to think of some guy never bothering to consider something like that especially in the midwest where everyone lives and breathes automobiles.

In addition to this story telling it reminded me hat I love hearing the stories of others--whether being fully engaged in conversation or listening in on what other crazy things are happening in the lives of others. I suppose I could just ignore people's stories, but hearing others peoples interesting life occurrences satisfies my love to connect with others and know that there are others out there who go through all of the craziness of living just the same.

spirit

2009-12-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

Just the thought
encourages my spirit . . .

Hopeful

2009-12-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

Hopeful things found
In simple ways

feeling

2009-11-21T17:15:00.000-08:00

forever feeling
uncertain moments
forever feeling

longing

2009-11-17T12:12:00.000-08:00

longing brought intensity

movement

2009-11-17T12:11:00.000-08:00

movement reveals . . .

Why I am a fan

2009-11-15T19:21:00.000-08:00

When I was just five or six years old I remember really loving both of my grandmother’s and they both really enjoyed following baseball. My Grandma Gottschalk (my mom’s mom) listened all of the time and especially on the radio if the game was not on t.v., which seemed like she did whenever I visited or spent the night in the summer. She would have her radio on in the kitchen where should could do other things while paying attention to the game. While we were playing cards or some game at the kitchen table, she would clap, yell or holler at the radio if something went well or even if it didn’t. Either way, you knew where she stood on her baseball team . . . if she was happy with them you knew it and if not . . . well you knew that a “son of a bitch” was coming sooner or later. It was quite entertaining especially when she happened to have a cigarette in her hand that had ashes on it that were like an inch long. Usually this was an indication of how caught up in something she was doing.

For my sixth birthday my Grandma Gottschalk had gotten me a battery-operated radio. Not just any radio either—it looked like a cheeseburger or better yet a Quarter Pounder from McDonalds. Not only was it cool that it was my own radio, which I could choose from any AM station to listen to (it was the late 70’s after all), but I could take it wherever I wanted. I was thrilled—even more than when I had gotten my first bikini bathing suit the year before. Regardless, I distinctly remember one summer evening taking my radio out onto our back porch and tuning into the Detroit Tigers game. I had grabbed a lawn chair and settled the radio right onto my lap. I could hear Ernie Harwell giving the calls of the game while I was outside soaking in some summer breezes and late afternoon sun. Meanwhile the game was being televised where my dad happened to be watching it inside the house in the living room. I could actually hear the game a bit on t.v. through the screen door where likely it was Al Kaline and George Kell announcing, but I got to hear it on the radio . . . on my radio. I guess it was the first indication that I liked to do things my own way, but also that I LOVED the sound of baseball on the radio. I also loved that my grandma loved the game too.

From there I just continued to follow sports never really playing except for pick-up games, but always following them . . . watching and cheering on my sister’s little league games, watching the Tigers, Lions, Pistons and Red Wings . . . and eventually any major team playing. When I was in high school I did end up playing basketball and ran track, which put things in a new perspective and created new memories, but ultimately I was a fan. And with all of these experiences I can recall moments where not only did I enjoy the moment, but also the experience that I had with an individual or a relationship that grew from the experience. My grandma is my first such memory although there are countless other moments and memories and not only my own, but the memories of many others who not only shared in heartbreaking, or uplifting experiences but moments where relationships developed because of these experiences.

Sports Memories and the Connections We Make

2009-11-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

Sports fans have witnessed plays that include the impossible, miraculous and the amazing. Those miracle moments keep the fan coming back for more, keep the fan involved in sport and keep sport alive. As a sports follower there are those defining moments—those memories that we cherish, abhor, love and never forget. And while fans vary from fickle to fair-weather to die-hard—they urge sport along—in essence they are the reason. Without the fan—athletes, managers, owners and stadiums would not exist.

The cheers in the stands, the anxious waiting on the sidelines, or even huddling around a television, give us that sense of togetherness—that sense of sharing in a great moment. Through time we reflect on those important moments—and those times that we have shared with others. And while those great sports moments are important it’s also those shared moments that mean just as much if not more than those great memories. It’s those individuals that stand along side you and understand your passion for the sport. Whether it was your dad, your grandmother or your best friend, it’s those people that keep you connected and brought you to the game itself.

imagining

2009-11-10T15:03:00.001-08:00

patiently considering
anxiously wondering
courageously imagining

Cinderella: a new view

2009-11-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

Walt Disney and the fairy tales he helped put into production are lauded stories about good things happening to good people. Some of the more popular stories that are sure to be found in the homes of families with children under the age of eight are the stories about young women who have fallen on hard times and who dream that one day their prince charming will come into their lives and save them from their particular situation. Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty all carry these same themes.

I recently re-watched "Cinderella" after at least fifteen years of not having seen it while caring for the five year old daughter of a friend of mine. I happily watched the story unfold along with a friend. Towards the end the five year old got bored with the story and was on to wanting to do a new activity. My friend and I however did not want to stop watching it and wanted to see the story through to the end. Maybe it had something to do with our girlhood fantasies of a happy ending entailing some gorgeous man whisking us away to a better place. Or maybe it was something more.

Some have criticized these fairy tales in recent years as being unrealistic, not real life, and just well a fairy tale. There is a lot of emphasis on the man saving the day from the evil forces in their lives—often an evil older woman so it seems. There is an alternate message that can be drawn from these stories however.

The first is the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. Very often when tragedy strikes it is very easy to give up, become negative and think that your life is over—or simply become bitter by the struggles of life and allow others to define us. Really many of the Walt Disney stories do encourage this attitude—certainly something that we could remind our youth (and maybe ourselves of this at times) when we again sit down to watch these tales.

The second important message and probably just as important is action. Cinderella in particular does something to change her situation. Not only did Cinderella maintain a positive attitude through her life and find good things to surround herself (even if they were singing animals), but she also took action. At the end of the story Cinderella comes running down the stairs with the second glass slipper and presents it herself. She could have easily remained up in the far reaches of her home and just clung to a memory of one great night. Instead she found her moment, didn’t give up and took the opportunity to change her circumstances. While we all don’t have a glass slipper in our pocket, neither a prince that is going to come find us—we have a role in defining who we are. Allowing others to define who we are or what we do gets us no where fast. Taking action towards things that we enjoy doing and want to do, certainly can get us somewhere and by our own definition.

Friendship

2009-11-08T20:13:00.000-08:00

Epitomy of life
Chosen companionship
Simply because . . .

-written 5/12/95

Whisper

2009-11-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

Unsure but always certain
That a whisper shall pass before me . . .

-written 2/22/95

Companion Ramblings

2009-11-08T19:56:00.000-08:00

Longing for something different. Past occurrences often highlight discussion to share and exchange. Friendships emerge in a subtle way with no intentions. Commonalities and differences draw individuals closer together . . . so they may share . . . in order to make sense out of an insane planet.

Companionships vary. Special bonds form between individuals. The meaningful encounters are those that are balanced. A reflection of insecurities and comfort lay hidden. Passion emerges as a powerful force to gradually form something so unexplainable . . .

-written 1/22/95 with some editing 11/8/09

Truth

2009-11-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

Truth is necessary
Without truth, trust does not exist
Without trust there is no harmony.

-Written 11/20/94

the feel

2009-11-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

the feel of another human
melds the spirit to one moment
captured through joined movement
and reciprocating actions

-written May 1997

Developments

2009-11-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

Strange developments
Feeling stranger still
And yet so familiar . . .
and unburied.

Maintaining a love
While denying it
Not needing saving
Just expressing.

-written 7/21/09

Looking back

2009-11-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

Looking backward with longing does little for the proper improvement of our decaying society. It's those that surge ahead and use history as a means for improvement who will succeed.

-Written 4/13/1997

Questions about friendship

2009-11-08T10:37:00.000-08:00

Can two people truly fulfill each other? A better question may be--are people truly needy and do they seek out others for selfish reasons?

Or do individuals who attain the highest level of friendship respect the relationship because it exists and for nothing more.

-written 11/24/1996

Things can be so unimaginable

2009-11-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

Love is mistaken by no one
And least of all by me
Feelings can remain hidden
But resurface at any moment
Simply because life has called for it

Longing has returned
Is it hope and desire which
Encourages the life within
Or the true friendship
Waiting to be rediscovered

-written 1/15/97