2021, A New Hope

  On day #212 of 2021 we FINALLY made it to Seattle!!  Yes, on 7/31/2021, we had delays on each leg of the flight, but, unlike yesterday, they both took off.  And, although it was August on the East Coast when we landed, we made it to see my parents and sister and her family on the month of July!!  I have achievement hopes.  Hoping all goes well on this vacation.  Hope we can make family memories as we have every summer (except for 2020, thanks, Covid).  Hope we can do all the things we want to do, without grinding ourselves down.  (Editor's Note: the last three days (On Campus Thursday, Airport Friday, Airports Saturday) I have walked the most since the pandemic started.  Starting to realize how much Work-From-Home has atrophied some of my muscles.  Walking is good for me (sitting is the new smoking), but this was a lot, suddenly).  I hope that we achieve all we want on this vacation but, tonight, I am just glad we finally made it!...

I was not supposed to still be on the East Coast at the end of the 211th Day of 2021.  But here I am, on 7/30/2021, still in Oaklyn, NJ.  Why?, you ask.....  Well, Southwest cancelled our flight because of bad weather in Denver.  And then I was on the phone with them for 25 mins, and then Avis made me angry.  Tonight I have traveling hopes.  We get up, tomorrow and start all over again.  Let's hope all goes smoothly tomorrow and that we get to Seattle so I can see my West Coast family, some of whom I have not seen since 2019!

  On the 210th day of 2021, I spent the longest time, on Penn's Campus, since the 77th day of 2020!  I was in the Franklin Building for over 10 hours on 7/29/2021.  We had an excellent Senior Directors Retreat during which we had a lot of discussion about our re-opening this semester.  How to foster collaboration and teamwork between all of the facets of our department, how to promote a culture of mutual respect and collaboration, and, basically, how to bring all of the staff back to campus and work to provide the best customer service to the students, staff, and faculty of the University of Pennsylvania.  Yes, together, we hope today.  It's going to take all of us to re-open SRFS, to start up the new Student Services Center, to bring the NGSS Project to the finish line (or at least the first of many finish lines).  I am so happy to be working with such a great group of people and I cannot wait to see our offices shine.  I hope I am a big part of ...

  I was reminded, on the 209th day of 2021, how much Covid is still affecting me, even in my daily life and routine.  First, the Phillies game on 7/28/2021 was cancelled due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Washington Nationals team.  Ironic since the Nats have met the 85% vaccinated threshold and the Phillies are lagging behind, some reports have them as low as 55%, but they dispute that.  And then there was the text, from Sarah, about how three of her colleagues at Temple Student Health have tested positive for Covid.  Each of them had chosen not to get the vaccine, even though they work in a front-line health care setting.  That frustrated me more than the protesters at the President's speech today who are still denying that Covid is a problem (or even a thing at all) and railing against mask protocols.  And then there were the arguments I got into, online (I know, I know, a cesspool of opinions), with people who are adamant that the vaccine is dan...

  Did you know that the 208th day of 2021 is Gary Gygax Day?  I did not know that either until, on the evening of 7/27/2021, I went to checkiday.com because I had an 8AM meeting today and could not listen to Breakfast with the Beatles.  Every 80s teen nerd knows that the birthday of Gary Gygax, creator of Dungeons and Dragons, is a day to celebrate.  AND, being that it is three days from when we will finally travel West to see my family (for the FIRST TIME since 2019!), I am hoping for games.  I am excited to hear all of the games that my sister and mom are planning to bring on the trip so that we can have fun, around the table.  Family Game Nights are something I am really looking forward to and, for the record, I am hoping that we roll 18s for our Constitution and make it to the West Coast without any issues in flight :-).  GAME ON!

The 207th day of 2021 is a Monday so it was back to Breakfast with the Beatles this morning.  And I, thus, found out that 7/26/2021 is Aunt and Uncles Day.  Fitting that the girls went to the beach with their Aunt (and Godmother) Jackie.  But, for me, I have Uncle Hopes.  I hope that everything works our smoothly with our trip to the West Coast to see my parents, my sister, and my NEPHEWS!  And, back here on the East Coast, I have uncle hopes for my nieces and nephews on Sarah's family's side.  I just hope that they all know I am there for them when they need me and, when we get together, we have a good time.  I want to be the fun uncle! 

I spent most of the 206th day of 2021 thinking about softball.  I mean, I think about softball a lot but, on 7/25/2021, neither of my kids were playing.  Nor where any of the teams (Mustangs, Combat) for whom I sometimes assist Bob in coaching.  But my friend, Chris, was umpiring two games at the Little League Softball Eastern Regional and then the US is playing Japan in Olympic Softball.  Sure, we sandwiched a Phillies game (and a good one at that), but my thoughts were all on softball.  Today, one of Alexa and Anna's long-time teammates was playing her last local softball game (she is off to play in college in Florida in the Fall).  And I saw the posts on Facebook, and I remembered all the good times we have had on the diamond.  Hoping for one or two more exhibitions this Summer but, if not, it was an amazing ride we have had for Alexa.  Anna has one more year and my softball hopes are that we have another great year and make more softball memor...

  There we were, on the 205th day of 2021, in historic Franklin Field, watching a LIVE music performance.  YES, 7/24/2021 was the last day, and the concert date, for the 18th Annual Penn Band Summer Camp.  The 17th year was all virtual, but the 18th year was hybrid (Zoom on Thursdays and In Person on Saturdays.  This even imbued me with Musical Hopes.  I hope things continue to progress and that live music can continue to make its return.  I hope that the Penn Band is back to its regular rehearsals, performances, and shenanigans for the Fall 2021 semester.  I hope that the Michael Buble Concert for which Sarah and I have been waiting since March 2020 (my 51st B-Day present) actually happens and we can attend in August!  And I hope that we can soon return to making music, in person, in the Sanctuary of Old First Reformed UCC.  Music is such a big part of my life and, tonight, the inspiration for my hopes.

So after a wonderful dinner out with friends on the 204th day of 2021 (we went to Sapori again, where Alexa and Anna work and the food is SO good), we came home and watched the Phillies win and then watched the Opening Ceremonies of the 2020(sic) Tokyo Olympics.  So, on 7/23/2021, I have Olympic Hopes.  I hope that the events of off with as few issues and disruptions as possible, I hope that the spirit of unity through sports can pervade us and things in the world can improve, and, most of all, I have HUGE (Olympic-sized even) hopes that we do not take anymore steps back in the battle with this pandemic.  We need to get people masked, vaxxed, and healthy so that we can get back to what we need to be doing and so the 2022 Winter Olympics can actually be held in the year in which they are supposed to.

  I don't actually have a specific reflection topic for the 203rd day of 2021.  Nope, on 7/22/2021 I'm just hopeful.  Looking forward to our Seattle vacation, hopeful for a halfway decent plane experience on our way to see family not seen since 2019.  Hopeful that the weather can stay like it was today for a few more days.  Hopeful that tasks on my project can be completed (by me and others).  Hopeful that people start taking these variants seriously and get vaccinated (before we head back to a Fall like 2020).  Just hopeful for these and many other things.  Please, join me in being just hopeful!

  The 202nd day of 2021 was my first, full day back in my office on the Penn Campus.  Yes, I was there Monday, but left at 2PM.  On 7/21/2021, Sarah drove me to the Franklin Building (my van was in the shop) and came to pick me up at the end of the day.  I ran into 2 of my colleagues, randomly.  I saw my boss in person for the first time in 16 months (and had an in person 1::1 as well!)  I met some co-workers for the first time without them being a square on my computer screen.  And I saw some long-time colleagues again, and smiled and smiled.  In a few cases (not with my boss), I asked my colleagues, "are you hugging" and 3 of 5 said "YES!"  My hopes tonight are hugging hopes.  Because, even when the two said no, they were still saying no IN PERSON!  This week has made me realize how much I have missed being on Penn's Campus.  Hoping that these occurrences continue to occur, in person, and that a few more people say yes to hug...

  52 years ago, when I was four months, two days old, man walked on the moon.  I cannot tell you I remember that at all.  But I do know that, on the 201st day of 2021, a very rich man (Jeff Bezos), his brother, the oldest person in space, and the youngest person in space were on a mission and it completed successfully.  I heard it said, on 7/20/2021, that we need to conquer space (or maybe it was harness space) to save the Earth.  Not sure I buy that and I do wonder if all of the resources that went into this brief junket 66 miles upwards could have gone a long way to correct some problems here on our planet.  Hunger and Poverty, Climate Change, and I am sure many other causes could use some of those resources and, frankly, we need the planet more than we need space travel.  I have space hopes tonight.  Not hopes that I will ever go to space, but hopes that the same energy and drive and resources that were used to get these four people into orbit ...

So on the 200th day of 2021, I got up earlier than usual, I shaved, I put on a collared shirt, a tie, and long pants, I put on shoes, I got in my van, and I commuted - TO THE PENN CAMPUS!  Yes, 7/19/2021 was my first time in the office (for more than an hour just to get some things) since 3/17/2020.  Upon my arrival, I got the BEST greeting from two coworkers happy to see me (and I was happy to see them).  I got to see Eric at the front desk and thank him for all he has done in the past year and a half.  I got to get settled back in to Room 200A of the Franklin Building, I attended a meeting in our Conference Room that is now equipped to do video meetings, and I got a parking ticket 7 minutes after I had fed the parking kiosk (yes, I will be contesting, I have proof!)  But the parking ticket could not take the luster off of a wonderful return to campus.  I got a new PennCard (lost it on 7/2, I ALMOST made it the whole pandemic with my card intact!), I ran i...

This weekend was really relaxing.  After a nice anniversary yesterday, we had a very slow-paced Sunday.  Church, a few errands, watching the Phillies, dinner, and hanging on the back patio.  Yes, I appreciated the pace of the 199th day of 2021 and I end 7/18/2021 with weekend vibe hopes.  I hope that, even with the freneticism of the coming weeks (and months and year with the project), that I can remember to stop, relax, and have a few slow-paced days along the way.

  Y'all know I like palindromes which is why it makes me happy that Sarah and my anniversary is one (717).  Even the day we were SUPPOSED to get married (the venue rented it out after promising it to us) was a palindrome (626).  And 7/17/2021 is the occasion of anniversary #22 (ANOTHER palindrome) so I knew the 198th day of 2021 would be a wonderful day.  And we went to a BBQ with awesome friends, we watched the Phillies, and we spent the day remembering how hot 7/17/99 was (because today was CLOSE to as hot!)  I have Anniversary Hopes tonight!  I hope the next 22 (or even 44) years are as amazing and awesome as the past 22 have been.  I am so lucky that Sarah and I found each other and I am blessed and in awe of the family and life we have together.  May the blessings, amazement, awesomeness, and awe continue for MANY years to come!

So, for the past five weeks, I have been meeting the thirteen members of the Class of 2025 for whom I am their Pre-Major Advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences.  And, as 7/16/2021 comes to an end, so does the initial Advance Registration period for these students.  So, on the 197th day of 2021, at 11PM, I logged into Advisor in Touch to make sure all of my advisees had chosen their initial schedule.  MUCH to my relief, they have!  Tonight I have advising hopes.  I hope that, in my advisor role, I can assist these students in a smooth transition between High School and College.  I hope that the unique circumstances of their last year and three months of their High School careers do not impede them from settling in to campus life, academically AND personally and socially.  I hope that I can be the advisor that they need when they want me to, and know how to step back when necessary (that last part is the hardest for me).  And I hope we all have...

  I missed the bus on National Give Something Away Day which was today, the 196th day of 2021.  So, on 7/15/2021 I have Giving Hope.  I missed giving anything today, but I hope I can give to my family, my community, and the world.  I like helping, I like giving.  Every day should be a giving day.  Maybe I did give something away today - maybe I gave some of you more hope?  I hope so.

  I figured since the 195th day of 2021 is a day that expresses multiples of 7 (7/14/21...), that, on 7/14/2021 I should, simply, express 7 hopes.  So here goes: I hope for peace.  We need more peace in our lives and in this world I hope for kindness.  If we were all more kind we'd, well, have more peace I hope for health.  For myself, sure, but moreso for those whom I love, especially my family I hope for justice.  There are so many injustices in the world today, I hope we can work together to remove them. I hope for collaboration.  At work, yes, but also in our community, at church, and even in our home I hope for good humor.  We all need a little levity in our lives (and I guess I also need to be sure we do not have TOO much of it) I hope for LOVE.  As we say at Old First, LOVE First.  And the Beatles sang, "all you need is love."  If we keep love in our hearts, it will be easy to have peace, kindness, health, justice, collaborat...

  After we worked at the Snack Stand for Softball Camp and Soccer Practice, we spent most of the evening of the 194th day of 2021 watching the MLB All Star Game.  I don't like a lot of All Star Games, but the Baseball ASG always has my interest.  Brings back memories of the All Star Game BBQs with George (and his spherical burgers) in our apartment by the Art Museum.  And all of the fun Summer Softball (I hope we have a season again in 2022!) All Star BBQs we had.  Oh, and the time, 9 years ago, when Jen Cassel nominated me and I was named a Community All Star ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQfSP96i4rI&ab_channel=CamdenRiversharks ).  I miss the Riversharks!  (as an aside that was posted on my 13th wedding anniversary!  22 coming up this weekend!).  So, as you could guess, I have All Star Hopes on 7/13/2021.  Being an all star means being part of an outstanding group of people, usually an outstanding team.  SO I hope my teams...

  I did not have a lot of meetings on the 193rd day of 2021 and, thus, I thought I would get a LOT of things on my To Do List done!  Alas, while I got a lot done today, a lot remains on my To Do List (items keep coming up like the chocolates on the I Love Lucy conveyor belt.  So, as I head to bed on 7/12/2021, I anm hoping for productivity.  Hoping I can stay focused, on task, and get my work done.  Go Live is approaching....

  As stated in yesterday's post, posted today, we had a weekend away from the computer for the most time.  But we did have screen time of another kind on the 192nd day of 2021.  We started 7/11/2021 as most Sundays do, in online church.  And then we hung together as a family for most of the day.  Watched the Phillies, ate burgers, and caught up on a LOT of DVRed TV we needed to watch.  Yes, tonight I have Family Chill Out Hopes.  Because it was fun to chill out as a family and I hope we can do this more often!

  Few probably noticed, but the post for Saturday, 7/10/2021 did not occur on the 191st day of 2021.  Now, I am back dating this post because I stayed off of the computer for most of this weekend.  It's not that I didn't have things to do, to the contrary.  But, I felt I needed a weekend of non-computer (for the most part) time and, so, I hope I can catch up!  Yes, this means I have a lot of emails (personal and work) to catch up on, as well as work that I wanted to get done this weekend.  This weekend was good for work/life "balance," but now I REALLY need to catch up!  Hope I can!

  It started to drizzle in the 1st inning of the Little League game I was umping on the 190th day of 2021.  But the bigger problem on 7/9/2021 was the lightning.  It was close (about 0.6 miles away) and, every flash we saw was another 30 minute wait.  We ended up waiting for over an hour but I have to admit, it was a pleasant wait.  Because the teams (10 yr old baseball) had such a good attitude and were finding ways to have fun, during the delay.  So, my hopes for tonight are patient hopes.  There are many things in our lives for which we have to wait, I hope I can stay patient and have a good attitude while waiting for things I want or need.

I have been umpiring for the Section 4 Junior Softball Tournament this week.  I did two games on Tuesday and two tonight and last night I was the scorebook keeper and announcer.  And Saturday, I am doing the same for the Championship game(s).  It has been good for so many reasons.  I remember 4-5 years ago when Alexa's Team won Junior Sectionals and went to States (finished 3rd!)  And it has gotten me out and about and walking.  But, as I stood for 14 innings at 3rd base on the 189th day of 2021, I realized the best part was watching these teams play so well together.  As the saying goes (I know, it's hoaky), Teamwork makes the dream work.  But, on 7/8/2021, I am filled with Teamwork hopes.  Because, just as these softball teams have worked hard, worked together, worked collaboratively, picked each other up, had each others' backs... so will my project team need to be for the next 12-24 months.  It's gonna be a sprint to the finish and t...

  As I was driving home from the Toyota dealership today (required recall service on faulty airbags which, of course, has morphed to other service work that is needed (and costly)), Chris Carter, back from a long weekend, let us all know that the 188th day of 2021 is the birthday of Ringo Starr.  That had me thinking, on 7/7/2021, about my favorite Ringo songs.  And my most favorite is a Beatles classic on which Ringo sings lead vocals.  With a Little Help from My Friends.  So, yes, I am hoping for help from my friends.  Help like occurred tonight when the Trimbachs decided to stay for the second game of a SB doubleheader which allowed me to score the book for the Tournament Director (and even do some announcing).  After last night, when my back was hurting, and in advance of tomorrow (when I have another back-to-back (pun not intended)), an easy night was surely a help.  And I hope I can help them and others in the future and that a culture of ki...

  One of the casualties of Covid Work-From-Home is that I do not get as many steps as I should in a given day.  This is why I have been trying to get to the pool more and, for the Little League Tournament Season, I signed up for as many umpiring shifts as I can.  I figure anything that gets me out of the house and moving is a good thing.  And, on the 187th day of 2021, I had back to back umpiring assignments and I made it through the first game and the first two innings of the second and then, my back started seizing up.  OOF that hurt.  I sat for an inning, took some painkillers and I got right back out there for the last innings of the game.  And, on 7/6/2021, I have back pain hopes.  I hope that I continue to move, and continue to lose my Covid weight and get back on my pre-Covid track.  I hope that I can manage my back pain through the rest of the week's umpiring assignments, and I hope Dr. Smith, my chiropractor, recovers from his knee r...

  The 186th day of 2021 was the last day of the July 4th long weekend.  And, at the end of this weekend, I feel relaxed.  I mean, I am not going to lie and say I did not do any work over this weekend, but I certainly did less than I thought I would do.  And, as I head to bed on 7/5/2021, while I am a little nervous that I will be overwhelmed tomorrow by the tasks that are waiting for me, had I worked all weekend, there would have been tasks waiting for me tomorrow anyway.  SO, I have relaxation hopes.  We're about to head in to a VERY busy time in our project, the next year will be, in a word, frenetic.  So, I hope I can still remember to relax, and practice self-care.

In the two places, outside of my childhood home, where I have lived the longest, we've always had a good view of July 4th Fireworks.  We always had a rooftop view (and BBQ) at our apartment at 857 N 23rd Street and, on the 185th day of 2021, we had our 16th (every year, save 2020) July 4th BBQ at our home in Oaklyn, where we have a great view of the Fireworks show from Collingswood.  On 7/4/2021, America's 145th Birthday, I have Firework Hopes!  I hope that, with a lot of other recent occurrences, that this day, which felt a LITTLE different than other July 4th, but felt closer to 2019 than to 2020, is another of the days that brings us a little closer to things the way they were.  I am hoping the progress continues, I hope that we can continue to have BBQs here for many years to come, and I hope you all had a great July 4th.... no matter where you were.

  So, on the 184th day of 2021, the town of Oaklyn held it's July 4th Parade, a day early.  Yes, because July 4th is a Sunday, and to maximize participation and the parade's audience, our July 4th Parade was held on 7/3/2021.  This parade is one of my favorite town traditions and I was really sad last year when it was cancelled.  I was equally happy when I was asked to drive the truck for the Oaklyn Soccer Club.  Or, since April Marino was riding shotgun, someone called it the "Snack Stand Float!"  HA, it was for OSC and I loved throwing out the candy, seeing the amazing support of the local police and fire departments, benefitting from the hard work of the Oaklyn DPW, listening to my daughters sing the National Anthem, and listening to the Mayor giving his remarks (followed by the traditional snack and drink from the Oaklyn Civic Association).  And then I had the added fun of seeing the parade on the evening Action News!  So tonight I have parade...

Something happened on the 183rd day of 2021 that had not happened since the early days of 2020!  We dined out, in a restaurant, INSIDE!  It was both strange and fun and also a relief!  Yes, on 7/2/2021, we dined out at Sapori, the restaurant where Alexa and Anna have been working this Summer.  It was great to see them at work, the food was amazing, the service was fantastic, and the chef/owner stopped at our table to say hello!  It was a wonderful evening and it fills me with dining out hopes.  I hope this is the first of many times out and that things continue to get better to allow us to do so.  I hope that restaurants have more and more people who are vaccinated, safe, and able to dine out and that a segment of our economy that has been really suffering in these pandemic times can come back better than ever.  So many people depend on the restaurant business for their income and, as we heard tonight, running a restaurant is not a job, it's a lif...

  On the morning of the 182nd day of 2021, I awoke to hear Chris Carter tell me that today is International Joke Day.  So, on 7/1/2021 I have Dad Joke Hopes.  I hope my kids still keep laughing at my jokes.  And I hope I do not annoy others, TOO much, with them.  And, to close, why wouldn't the pony sing in the barn? Because she was a little horse! You're welcome! I'll see myself out! Tip your waitstaff!