Moments — you never know what you will see...

As part of our Easter celebrations my lovely daughter took me to a baseball game — in fact, it was game three of the Toronto Blue Jays home opening series against the New York Yankees. Oh those dreaded Yankees...

Like North American football, baseball is one of the games I truly understand and find great enjoyment with — either as a fan or playing. Not only was I excited that was going to spend some time with my daughter but was going to spend it with her watching a live baseball game. I suspect by the fourth inning she was a little tired of me offering up facts, and figures, and trivia — I didn't care though because I was having fun (and I know she was too). We were leading 4-3 in the bottom of the 8th inning when it happened; something that first happened in 1899 and has only been accomplished by 41 players since*.

Kevin Pillar, the centre fielder for the Blue Jays, stole second base, and then he stole third base, and then, in dramatic fashion (to the roar of the crowd), he stole home plate to score a run. Caught up in the cheering, I remember thinking to myself that I had never seen that before. And in hindsight, probably never see again. You never know what you will see when you are out and about.

A good reminder to get out and about.

iamgpe

* Facts and figures are from the internet and although they may be a little inaccurate, stealing 2nd base, 3rd base and home base in the same inning is still really, really, really rare.

Moments — into the blue

Say what you will about Artificial Intelligence... the algorithms that YouTube uses are really impressive.

A case in point —

One of my sources for news is YouTube — it consists of watching cable news outlets and late night talk show hosts (no judging). As an added bonus the feed also seems to offer up random videos that more often than not catch my interest (as I said, the AI is impressive).

Last night was no exception.

After satisfying my thirst for the local and global "drama" of the day I noticed the musical video "Space Oddity" was waiting. Not only is it one of my favourite songs, I will also say I've always seen it as an anthem for taking on new challenges and stepping into the unknown.

Serendipity became the word of the evening as I thought of some of the things I have on the go.

I'm not able to interpret the genius of Bowie but will tell you his song ignites my imagination about heading into the blue, taking on new challenges, and overcoming any problem that may stand in my way. More importantly, it reminds me that it's important to have a soft place to land because even the most exciting adventures can tire a person out. What that soft place looks like... well... ultimately that is for you to decide.

And as a reminder — those hard landings really hurt.

iamgpe

Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills
and put your helmet on

Ground Control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown, 
engines on
Check ignition
and may God's love be with you

Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Liftoff

This is Ground Control
to Major Tom
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule
if you dare

This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating
in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here
Am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do

Though I'm past
one hundred thousand miles
I'm feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much
she knows

Ground Control to Major Tom
Your circuit's dead,
there's something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you....

Here am I floating
round my tin can
Far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do.

Moments — over in the blink of an eye

At its very best it would have been a horrific accident resulting in catastrophic injury — and at its worst, well...

The four-day forecast was as follows — twelve degrees Celsius with rain; eleven degrees Celsius with rain; six degrees with sunny periods; two degrees Celsius with rain. In the part of the world where I live the temperature in February should be minus fifteen degrees Celsius on a warm day. Weather as abnormal as this definitely changes your plans about going snowboarding for the day; it instead has you spending an evening with friends (good food, wine, and conversation) and then heading back to the city early the next day (once you've confirmed it's gonna rain some more).

Man-made or not — the weather she is a changin'.

With little traffic on the road I was making good time, and as I came over a rise I lost control of the car — there was a real possibility I was going to spin into the oncoming lane and flip the car into the ditch. I did regain control of the car (as well as my composure) and continued on my way. My only explanation for what happened was I hit a patch of black ice that had formed because of the rain and near freezing temperatures.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

As I drove on (a little slower I might add) I thought of a conversation we had the night before about our plans for the year; as I reflected on the conversation I became just a little melancholy over the lack of imagination on my part. I had been reminded this is all so very fragile, so the least I could do is be a little more imaginative with what I do.

iamgpe

PS: Thank you KW for the hospitality.