Book Review: The Boys Are Back
Growing up a sports-obsessed teen in the early 1980s, I have distinct memories of the Dunbar basketball team. I never saw them play in person, but I read dozens of…
Shaken, Not Stirred
Sometimes you hear news which you know really doesn’t affect the world too much, but makes you stop and pause because of how it affects your world.
That’s how I felt a couple of weeks ago when one of my oldest friends in the world posted that the place where we worked at teenagers had closed its doors for good.
From the fall of 1984 to early 1992 (off and on, of course), I worked at Oasis, one of the permanent kiosks in Baltimore’s Harborplace. We sold fresh lemonade, Italian ice and plenty of other drinks, making the shop pretty popular on hot summer days.
One of my neighbors – the father of Paul, the guy who told me about the closing – started the business with a friend of his. That connection helped me get the job when I turned 16. I already knew most of the crew either from growing up or because my sister worked there so it made sense.
Paul’s family eventually got out of the ownership side, but I had plunged full long into the Oasis culture by then. I worked there year-round during high school, during all my breaks in college and even picked up a bunch of hours there when I found myself out of a job a year after college.
In fact, Oasis was my last job before I moved to Hanover to work for the paper more than 20 years ago. It’s kind of a bridge between my time in Baltimore and the life I have now.
Regular Guy’s Afternoon Off
I think everyone has wanted their own Ferris Bueller moment. You know, the day when you simply throw all your cares away and grab life by the scruff of the neck instead of going through your daily business.
That didn’t happen last week, but I did indulge myself in some of the movie character’s shenanigans. I went to a noon-time baseball game down in Baltimore.
The whole escapade bore little resemblance to what you see in the movies. I arranged for the afternoon off well in advance, I didn’t go with any friends, and I certainly did not tool around in a priceless sports car on my way to Oriole Park.
I didn’t even catch a foul ball.
But I did enjoy a warm, sunny day, eat a couple of hot dogs and savor an adult beverage. I also ran into two old friends and caught up with them.
That beats a day of work in my book.
Oriole Memories
Like with most things, I discovered the news from my friends online. I don’t know whether I first saw the announcement on Twitter or Facebook, but I learned Earl Weaver had died when I checked in to see if anyone had posted any funny pictures while I was busy.
I try not to get caught up in hero worship so I didn’t have an immediate visceral reaction to the news. Weaver was 82 years old. He lived a good, long life. I couldn’t get too sad over the death of someone I never met, but one other emotion did take over.
Nostalgia.
The Magic Has Returned
As I got ready for work the other day, I spotted something hidden behind a chair in our computer. Once I realized what it was, I knew I had to make a change.
So I found an empty nail in the wall and hung the frame which held some special memories for me. I figured with the Baltimore Orioles actually in the hunt for the playoffs, I could return the tickets for the final three games at Memorial Stadium, the first game at Oriole Park and the 1993 All-Star Game back to a place of prominence.
Opening Day Musings
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Feeling Cleveland
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Road to Redemption
Late last month, the U.S. soccer team got some great publicity with a fantastic run at the Confederations Cup. People who usually didn't follow the team tuned in to see…
Lemonade, That Cool Refreshing Drink
I spent the day at a wine festival last weekend. I had to attend for work, so I really didn’t feel like sampling any of the featured product.
That didn’t bother me much because I love a good festival. I had time to walk around and look at crafts I would never buy. I ate a pretty good pit turkey sandwich. And, since it was sunny out, I had a refreshing cup of lemonade.
Well, I tried to have a refreshing cup of lemonade, but I couldn’t find one. I tried two stands and walked away disappointed both times.
You see, I can’t claim to be an expert in many fields, but I do know how to make a good cup of fresh-squeezed lemonade. I have very high standards. As Eddie Murphy once said in an impression of Elvis Presley, lemonade is a cool, refreshing drink, but that takes a special touch.
Orioles Magic?
I don't know what to say about this video. I grew up a Baltimore Orioles fan, but don't follow the team much anymore. Part of it is a busier lifestyle.…