Aussie, Ozzie, Aussie…

As many of you know I have a love for the sport of tennis, and I have been immensely enjoying watching the coverage of the Australian Open on ESPN2 and The Tennis Channel (TTC).  As a U.S. Tennis Association & Intercollegiate Tennis Association umpire I always look forward to this time of year, as it means the beginning of the college tennis season http://www.itatennis.com as well as my favorite of the slam events.

I agree with Serena Williams, in that the Australian Open is my favorite too, and that is without even having ever been to Melbourne, let alone on court or in the locker room. My love of it is partially due to Australia’s love of the game (having been there during the US Open once); the fact that Roland Garros is Paris, Wimbledon (my 2^nd favorite) is London, & the US Open is New York City (complete with Brian Williams, John McEnroe and fingernails screetching down a chalkboard), while The Australian is a much exotic creature: I love it “Down Unda.” (20 Jan 2013 addition: after winning her match Makarova was asked why she plays so well there and she replied: "the fresh food..." - apparently so many venues don't have that. I realize part of my love for this event stems from the fact that its winter here and "days of summer" there... makes one optimistic for the return of the sun up north too).

Hampton

Last evening I was watching the TTC coverage of Victoria Azarenka (BLR) and Jamie Hampton (USA). Unfortunately, Martina Navratilova was providing color commentary. She was a great player… who jis probably my least favorite announcer: she just won’t shut-up when the mic is on. I give thanks for the “mute button” and often zero out the volume altogether. Yesterday, before reducing decibels I heard her pontificate about Hampton’s tennis growth, indicating that she’d played college tennis and was in catch-up mode. Jamie played tennis at Auburn High School (Alabama), not Auburn University, graduated in 2008 and turned pro the following year (not much time for a collegiate career). With John Mc, & Tracey Austin (sometimes they’ll get-on about something and just won’t let-it-go), they are the weak links of tennis coverage her at home in The States. 

Patrick McEnroe

Fortunately we have some good ones: Mary Carillo, Cliff Drysdale, Justin Gimelstob & Patrick McEnroe come immediately to mind.. and we have some truly remarkable & great players to watch:  

Enjoy the Games, mates!

http://www.australianopen.com/index.html

next up, Indian Wells: http://www.bnpparibasopen.com

Tsonga

I need your help… a matter of life or prison…

Yes, I’m seeking your help… no, we weren’t mugged while visiting Paris and can’t pay our hotel bill without your financial assistance because our flight leaves in 4-hours or the good-ol’: “Permit me to inform you of my desire to go into business relationship with you after going through your profile and I prayed over it and selected your name among other names due to the nature of my proposal, which requires a reputable and trustworthy person. Someone who will be kind and sincere to me. My father was the wealthy Cocoa King of Ivory Coast and…”

I’m asking for your help in determining a question I’ve been curious about. Some background: when finishing out one of our assignments at Petra we met our DOI-ITAP and USAID contacts at the Starbucks near the US embassy in Amman. When I placed my order the baristas jaw dropped and he quickly called a colleague over that had better English language skills. She explained that her co-worker wanted to know if I was an actor. I told them that I wasn’t, but my son was (thinking that certain undercover & covert operations I’d been involved with while recovering stolen patrimony took some theatrical skills). I was told that I looked like an actor in “Prison Break.” I told them I hadn’t seen that production and that was that…  

Phil (L), Bill & Bruce

... went upstairs with my colleagues (Bill & Bruce) and we waited for the meeting (and waited some more for good measure to be in-tune with “Arab Spring” time.

Stacy Keach

When I got back home, I thought about this exchange and streamed the 1^st season on Netflix, at the conclusion of which I wondered: do I look like Stacy Keach, the warden? 

Justin reminded me that there are several other seasons to the series. So, I'm asking for anyone out there familiar with this show and that can help with some hints to do so. I’ve included a photo of us at Petra (above) so you have something to compare: I’m not aware of George Clooney, Harrison Ford or Tom Cruise doing a role with that production (as I thought they could've doubled for us) but, I’m still waiting…

Hope all are well as we start 2013 (and approach 4610 “Year of the Snake”).

Fleas - Naughty Dog...

…Fleas  - Naughty Dog…

(Feliz Navidad)

We hope that the “trip around the sun” in 2012 has been happy, healthy & prosperous for you-n-yours… and greetings from the Land of Enchantment where we celebrate red & green (chili) all year long…

In years past you could expect massive confabulations in ye ol’ annual missive. Of course sometimes our stories can be as interesting (maybe…):

Another O-LYMP-AID (see below) come-n-gone; no medals here. As usual, enjoyed the many events (especially swimming). The coverage by many NBC associated channels did a good job of covering multiple sports (and even a few [very few] countries that weren’t competing against the USA).

Pacific Beach Suite/Sweet View 

Miss Meme with new splints & crutches (Oct. ) 

TRIPS & FALLS: Had enjoyable VD (Valentine’s Day) trip to El Paso joining Meme’s sister Pat & Hal Marcus at Willie Nelson’s kickoff concert for his 2012 tour (historic Plaza Theater). Since Hal is a local celeb, and we were seated in front row of the balcony, we woke up the next morning (Sunday) to find a picture of him at the concert on the front page of the El Paso Times. In late spring/early summer I returned to Jordan (mas tarde), and the last week of September we made annual sojourn to the sands of Pacific Beach (San Diego); got to visit with Meme’s brother Mark & step-brother Charlie (Alaska Airlines pilot)… wonderful… I made several quick trips over to central Arid-zona to visit my side of la familia (mom [88 this month & doing OK], sisters, nephew & his family). Meme continues serving the people of the Great State of New Mexico by doing time with the Water Rights Division (Office of the State Engineer); yoga, tennis & rock climbing are primary leisure pursuits. She took an advanced rock climbing conditioning course to get ready for the field season, unfortunately a short-lead fall in May eliminated the need for any more training this year. Various non-successful therapies led to a surgery in October followed by 6-weeeks of pre-retirement (sitting with her foot up & being waited on hand-n-foot, by the love of her life). I’m no longer Driving Miss Meme (but, Lucy still enjoys rides): she is walking and can recommend a good foot doc in Albuquerque.

 “TO BE, OR NOT”: Justin decided to apply his theatrical skills towards the study of law and has just completed his first semester at UNM law school. He seems to have a deep interest in current events & politics. As an educational incentive we had him help me with the project of expanded flagstone walks in the backyard last summer. Lucy seems to like the changes in the backyard OK, but she still prefers curling up atop the Jacuzzi cover on cool days and does some serious dirt bath & dust wallowing when its warmer…

SAR exercise @ Petra: find this lost visitor

LOVE-40 (or 65 in my case):  Last winter my LLC conducted another multi-day heritage resource crimes investigation training for archaeologists & NM State law enforcement officers in Santa Fe. My work with Dept. of Interior’s International Technical Assistance Program continued with the Jordan Parks Program at Petra Archaeological Park. It was again great to be back with the Park Rangers. We helped with some field sessions in basic and advanced Search & Rescue (SAR) skills training. As the “lost” and “injured” party I didn’t have to pretend much, for prior to the trip I had snap-crackle-&-pop pay a surprise visit to my right leg while playing tennis (serving) the end-of-April. Made climbing stairs challenging and tennis unbearable. Yoga helped. I did continue with US Tennis Assoc. & college officiating. After months of PT and rest I’m semi-pain free and about ready for courts again. No fire or incident assignments this year: I was available, and would have gutted-it-out with leg, but there were hiccups in the resource ordering system (unfilled orders when I was showing “Available” and sitting at home). I remain active as State instructor and Santa Fe-Galisteo Basin Chapter of the SiteWatch steward program, getting to work with volunteers statewide. In June, the Republicans for Environmental Protection (historically, a true core GOP value) became ConservAmerica (http://conservamerica.org) Like many non-profit/educational groups times-are-tough.
 

Our thoughts-n-prayers will be with you throughout this season and 2013 (post-Long Count).

Remember: “Nothing quite says Christmas like a new Quentin Tarantino movie…”

Lucy in her front portal chair: waiting for next walk or ride

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Thank You Mr/Ms Vet

snowing up in Sangre de Cristos

 Hope you are having a wonderful 11-11. Please thank a veteran.

I realize it has been months since I posted anything (after most recent return from Petra; didn’t even go into annual sojourn to Pacific Beach end-of-Sept.), but thought recent events worthy of reflection. As I walked out to put up “Old Glory” this morning, honoring Veterans Day here in USA/Armistice Day marking the end of World War I, I pondered the title of a letter in today’s newspaper from a writer in LA (that’s Los Alamos hereabouts). It boldly stated: “No one will ever take away our vote.” The column was confined to the subject of various voting initiatives recently attempted and long lines at voting locations, etc. I found myself thinking the author historically short-sighted (“ever”) and failing to appreciate the immensity of our rights and privileges: they are, only due to the efforts and sacrifice of so many veterans and ol’ campaigners.

Mom & Dad WW II

            Another letter touted the “Democracy” we have several times, without mentioning our “Republic” (it is hard for this historian/archaeologist to forget that once Rome gave up their republican ideals they became Imperial Rome: keeping the citizens entertained & fed).

            This past election-cycle here has been long and draining. The vitriolic attacks have been broad-brushed and filled with generalizations on both sides. I am reminded of an earlier post on these pages where I noted that some “tolerant” people get tunnel-vision considering their political opponents. All too often we hear “Democrats are this… they all want something”… “Republicans are that… they want to oppress you”… I actually read where one “friend” posted on Facebook that “Republicans are Nazis.” I again found myself wondering if this self-described “Democratic Socialist” would have the same negative and inflammatory tag other belief-systems (Buddhist, Catholic, Druid, Jewish, Lutheran, Muslim, Zoroastrian, etc.). I still think not… 

Father-in-Law Chuck: WW II

I am also reminded of the counsel of a local Unitarian minister, herself quite liberal I’ve been told, to remember on Nov. 7^th (the day after the election) “we still have to live with one another.”  Good advise. When I hear the generalizations I usually think of the individuals. When I read how negative the GOP or Dems are, I reflect on the number of veterans and active duty personnel, the incident personnel at “Sandy” and other emergency & public safety responders that are registered to vote (as individuals) as (D), (G), (I), (L), (R) or whatever. I guess since coming of age in the Civil Rights Movement era, I prefer to think of our great experiment as 300M individuals (and growing). When I hear someone disparage that “those Democrats are…” I think “Wait a minute, Meme is pretty insightful and thoughtful…”

Yours Truly

            I remember an election during my 8^th grade year. I wrote about it 4-years ago (before this blog): it was 1960, and my US History teacher (Mrs. Taylor) at Lincoln Junior High in Santa Monica had been Richard M. Nixon’s teacher very early in her career (in Whittier). She was quite biased for him (as was my family), but the day after the election she told us the electorate, the American People, had spoken and we were to ALL rally around the new President-Elect (that my folks had met months before at a dog show). We have had trying times in the history of this Great Republic, hopefully we can pull-together during the days ahead, remembering: “That which does not kill me/us, makes me/us stronger”

Nephew Evan

Getting back to today, it is symbolic that this date was to end all wars. Indeed, appears naïve in retrospect. However, we can start locally – with our own actions: polarizing rhetoric or working to consensus of compromise that will make us better.  There is the “Fiscal Cliff” straight ahead, and the last thing we need is “lines-in-the-sand” of the House & Senate. Remember, “We the People”… I know our protectors & veterans out there do…

FYI, re: the movie “Lincoln” (a Republican)

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2012/11/19/121119crci_cinema_lane?mbid=nl_Daily%20(118)

Viva el mercado de los Indios!

You’re headed where?

This is the weekend that so many make the annual pilgrimage to The City of Holy Faith (Santa Fe) for: Indian Market. It’s a great year to be here too. The monsoons are providing relief from higher temperatures, and the bumper-crop of mosquitos (like no other we’ve seen here in 24-years) is disease free: Yep, every state surrounding us has documented cases of West Nile Virus, but not us. Looking at the national color-coded map we’re an island surrounded by a sea of sickness. No wonder our state epidemiologist left for a job in Wyoming in June. Heck, nothing here to do; well except for plague, hanta virus, rabies and a host of other maladies.

Last weekend was the 85^th annual Pecos Conference, where once again the profession of practitioners doing archaeology on the Southwest (USA) get together and tell tall-tales (aka: field reports & papers). I thought about presenting, as Petra is in Southwest Jordan and was part of a vast trade network, but just couldn’t make the reach to it being a “Chaco outlier.” 

Wish I could say that I’m preparing for a trip to “Loopland” (aka: Burbank, CA) for the Sept. 8^th mini-reunion and induction of John Gaball (BHS Class of ’65) and Dave LeSueur (’67) into the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame:  http://burbankhighblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/bhs-mini-reunion-sept-8-2012.html  I won’t be though, as that is the week leading up to the WTA’s Coleman Vision and USTA New Mexico Lobo Cup Juniors Tournament. As the tournament ref for the latter, I expect to be busier than wasps around carrion on a warm summer day http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome_New/Tournament.aspx?T=114597  

Last year having the two events at the same time in the same town was… well… challenging for recruiting & scheduling officials. As a “Lesson’s Learned” I informed USTA officials above me (Sectional) that they might consider separating the events, as there is a small pool of qualified umpires in northern New Mexico to begin with. I was informed that the simultaneous events were to promote the juniors being able to watch the pros. Of course, the events were at different venues and 0% of the participants or parents I talked to went to the WTA event: no time for that. So, this year they’ve added events. Not sure why, but many ‘ol adages keep coming to mind (since this is rated family friendly I’ll let your imagination range-free on that). 

So, some friends ask: “why do you do it; why do you keep working with so many different undertakings?” “Why don’t you just kick back and enjoy?” “After federal and state careers, isn’t enough… enough?” “Why continue with tennis official, firefighter (Safety Officer), SiteWatch steward coordination, heritage resource protection work and education, ConservAmerica, (formerly REP), etc.?”

Part of the answer probably lies with the fact that it is still fun and I continue to feel I’m contributing to the “good-of-the-order.” Also, both my parents had “paying hobbies” (AKC dog show judges) that went full-tilt-boogie when they retired. I’m just a chip-off-the-ol’-block in that regard. But also, as my #1 top ten answer for why I was retiring from the NPS (to take a job @ SHPO) was: “because I can.” I hope to keep-on-keepin’-on as long as possible: I keep thinking of other well-used adages (“use it or lose it”… “Bodies at rest tend to stay at rest”…”I’ll sleep when I’m dead…”). For now, make your own schedule, BUT do keep up the good works…

World Wide Web (another myth?)

Recently returned home from assignment at Petra and found that this week’s Newsweek cover story (“iCRAZY”) is by an acquaintance I met this spring, Tony Dokoupil. We both enjoy college baseball as it turns out. Anyway, the subject of too much and information overload is an interesting facet of modern life. There are certainly benefits to being connected, but some negative aspects as well. I wonder if the Jordanian life-expectancy has to do with food, exercise and lack of self-induced stress (at least at western levels)? One thing I noticed while in Jordan was that many of the websites I subscribe to were not available: iTunes, Netflix, Major League Baseball. For some reason, even though I had an up-to-date account they couldn’t be accessed from Jordan. So, I wondered (much like my trip to China): is it really a world wide web, or the western world again saying “we are the world”?

https://www.geekwrapped.com/archive/is-the-internet-making-us-crazy-what-the-new-research-says

Tony has been researching a story on ethnographic collections: artifact acquisition and marketing. I’ll let you know when it is available.

            Some of the training provided at Wadi Musa was Geographic Info Systems (GIS) for the Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority. One of the specialists, Richard Menicke from Glacier National Park, provides us this look at elevation plots on our trip from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum to Aqaba back to Wadi Musa. Thanks Richard…

“You can lead a horse to water…” too

Djinn blocks

 It was great to be able to work once again in Petra. The Rangers, Tourism Police, locals and authority deal with a myriad of issues and challenges: much more graffiti and litter than on previous trips, and “Arab Spring” has become the chant of rationalization for why progressive steps forward have not resulted. In fact, resource degradation is winning. Many good hard-working Rangers are deeply discouraged. Que lastima & too bad! If Petra is on your lifelist/bucket-list, and I recommend that it be, I think you should try to get there soon before it is overwhelmed by “money changers in the temple,” trash and fresh equine deposits. As the ol’ Death Valley Ranger saying went: “You can lead a burro to water… but, you can’t keep ‘em from fouling it with their defecations.” Alas, there is something positive on-the-scene I want to share. A year ago at the Best Practices for Managing Protected Areas (27^th of April, Meme & my anniversary) we proposed an idea I had: that a national initiative to reduce litter & trash be considered; it would enhance eco & heritage tourism efforts. Well, guess what made the Jordan Times? Please see the attached:

May our friends in the Petra area, Wadi Musa and throughout Jordan thrive. May your travels be excellent adventures (Inshallah)… Humdullah!

http://www.petralivecam.com/