Baseball and Turkey

You might think of hot dogs when you think of baseball, but forevermore I will think of Turkey.

Not turkey dogs, not turkey sandwiches, not gobble-gobble, not the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal, but the country of Turkey.

Why, you are probably wondering. Well, because of Bugra. Bugra is from Turkey and tonight Bugra went to a baseball game along with me and our fellow students from the Atlas Think Tank MBA training in Virginia - for some it was their first baseball game ever.

We cheered, we sang, we talked about how baseball is played, we danced, we did the wave - we actually STARTED the wave, we tossed a beach ball around, we ran through the rain, we talked about freedom and in between all of that, we watched a bit of baseball.

Bugra is a young man in his late twenties who has dedicated his life to fighting for human rights and freedoms in his native country. He has had to explain what he does to his parents, and they didn't always understand or agree. He and his comrades sometimes have to leave the country simply to stay safe. They are selfless and committed to the cause of freedom.

And Bugra, although someone who has especially impressed me, is very much like the other 25 attendees at this training. Selfless, intelligent, caring, committed young people working for freedom for the people of their countries and the world.

I love baseball. And plain old American hot dogs may never be quite the same. Thank you for that, Bugra.

And thank you for fighting for your people, for your country and for freedom.

I am honored to be your friend and comrade. And not only will I link arms with you in the fight for liberty, but I will do the wave with you anytime!

Sezen AKSU Turkish Music

It's a Small, Small World

I have been here two days. Today was our first real work/training day and it was a killer. I am too tired to blog, so let me just say that it's a small, small world that we live in.

I am at the Atlas Think Tank MBA Training in Virginia, along with 26 other think tank folks from all over the world: Poland, United States, Ghana, El Salvador, Georgia, Spain, Argentina, Belgium, Slovakia, Canada, Turkey, Tanzania, Kyrgyztan, Brazil, Mexico, Nepal, Belarus, Mongolia, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Ecuador.

It's like a grown up Rotary Exchange only shorter (2 weeks) and with the principles of individual liberty, free market economy and limited government instead of the 4-Way test. Or maybe it's more like a mini-United Nations.

Being a freedom fighter is more that a strategic business plan (which is what we are working on this week). Some of these young men and women have had to leave their countries due to death threats - one had to leave Turkey for an entire year and live in England during that time. Their average age is about 28, some have families of their own. They have travelled around the world for this opportunity to train with the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, and I can see why.

It's amazing what we have in the United States and what they don't have in their countries. Restrictions on internet, Facebook and other social pages are banned. Certain web hosting services too. Visa restrictions, travel requirements, and on and on and on.

Conversely, it's amazing what they have in their countries and we don't have in ours. Respect for their elders (Nigeria), the ability to speak only in positive terms (Indonesia), a hunger for freedom that we cannot even fathom...

Life is amazing, liberty is a right, but also a gift, this training is invaluable, Atlas is incredible, the staff and participants are exemplary, the world is suddenly very small and I am grateful to be here - at Atlas, and here - in America. God bless us all and may we be wise enough to work for world peace and freedom.

Disney "It's a Small World"

Apples and Oranges

I am blogging from the Apple Store in Fairfax, VA...on an iMac, with a 24" screen and a tiny keyboard that forces me to type everything twice since I am not accustomed to the size.

It's surreal. It's like blogging on an iMAX screen. It's a little scary. It makes me think those little icons at the bottom of the screen will be jumping out at me, just like in those 3-D movies - monsters with strange heads. I hope I don't scream, that could be embarrassing.

PC - Mac, PC - Mac, it's like apples and oranges. You really can't compare them.

But remember what they say about apples, one a day keeps the doctor away, and maybe we are just a bit confused on our citrus fruits.

Not sure where the oranges came from (probably Florida or Cali), but after spending some time getting close and personal with this iMac, I think we are comparing apples to lemons, not oranges. Sounds like a good time to make lemonade!

Mannheim Steamroller "Monster Mash"

Cake Crumbs and Bones

Bridal showers have never been my favorite thing; baby showers are in that same category. Recently, however, I have experienced two really fun showers - one for my new granddaughter Kierstyn and one for my daughter Kelly. Both were fun and we managed to keep the baby shower within the range of acceptable behavior - which kind of leaves the bridal shower just kind of hanging out there (like some of the bridal party games did), doesn't it?

Yes, it was a naughty and nice bridal shower and everything that might bring to mind - minus any Thunder Down Under or Chippendale action. In fact, the only man involved was a (very nice) 60-year old bearded and silver haired waiter/host who took very good care of us all night long.

We had fun playing games and pinning things to...well...things in our first (naughty)bridal shower game, and then watching as Kelly opened presents in the middle of the restaurant. Some of the bags contained things you would not normally open in the middle of your living room, let alone The Spotted Dog Cafe in Springdale, Utah. But she did and we enjoyed every minute. We also enjoyed our second (nice) bridal shower game at The Spotted Dog and watched Kelly's mouth fill with huge pieces of bubble gum when her answer didn't match the answer Logan had provided earlier.

The Spotted Dog made a delicious cake for Kelly, dinner was delicious and the company couldn't have been better. Kelly, Karynn (the co-hostess), Kalen, Daniele (the hostess), BreAn, Polly (Logan's darling Mom - Kelly is so lucky!), and me.

I love bridal showers with this bunch... and this one was the best; when we were ready to head home there was nothing left but laughter, cake crumbs and, erhmm, bones.

George Thorogood "Bad to the Bone"

Outlaws and Brides

It's almost ethereal sometimes; walking in the rain, watching a sunrise, taking a shower, attending a wedding (or your daughter's bridal shower).

Yep, in the middle of all of those lovely descriptions, I included taking a shower. It's one of my favorite things and today I started my morning with a shower. Then I went for my morning walk and showered again. I am about to jump on a plane from ABQ to SLC and might even wish for a quick shower when I get there, although I won't get one. I will join Kalen and BreAn and we will head out on an overnight excursion to Cedar City.

And again tonight, after driving from SLC to southern Utah, I will take a quick shower before changing clothes to drive another hour south to Springdale, UT for yet another shower - although this one is a bit different. Tonight is Kelly's bridal shower!

I love Southern Utah, I feel as if I am standing in a holy place when surrounded by the majestic mountains and red rocks of Bryce and Zion. I am completely taken aback by the endless magnificence of it all. I feel God's presence when I am in those places, similar to feelings I used to have on Heap's Peak in the San Bernardino Mountains and when I walk the shores of the Pacific at sunset. Living in New Mexico I have those awe-inspiring moments often as I drive through the Land of Enchantment's amazing landscape and terrain. And when I return from my road trip, I am usually smiling...and (to return to the subject of this blog) ready for a shower! And since I do some of my best thinking in the shower or tub it gives me ample time and quiet to retrace my drive and remember the magnificent scenery I experienced.

So showers are the mantra of the day, my old moniker of "Green Jean the Clean Machine" was apropos all those many years ago in Truckee, CA where I worked as a AAA dispatcher. (given to me by Dave-the-mechanic one very cold day when I arrived in layers of green clothing).

But tonight it's Kelly's shower, talk about ethereal. I think of Kelly as 8 years old with curly hair and the cutest smile you have ever seen. But she is now 22, and a bride-to-be in less than 30 days, so shower her we will, with love and hope and encouragement and prayers and laughter and naughty and nice gifts.

And the most ethereal moment is yet to come, when Kelly walks to Logan in her bridal gown surrounded by the nearly unmatched beauty of southern Utah. The countryside will be breathtaking, showers of tears will stain more than one cheek, but Kelly, my beautiful little Kelly with the amazing smile and tender spirit will be the one who makes us all catch our breath. Simple. Classic. Ethereal beauty. Breathtaking beauty.

Bridal showers are wonderful celebrations of a new beginning, almost as good as that hot shower at the crack of dawn on a new day, or raindrops on a warm afternoon. Even Butch and Sundance understood that and those two guys take my breath away too, but that's another blog topic!

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head/BJ Thomas (Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid)