the world's game

On the other side of the country from home I sat and watched Italy play Spain in Austria (or was it Switzerland?) with two gentlemen from England. What a funny little world it is. The two gentlemen were my father's age. We chatted freely about Manchester where I was born, about soccer, about anything in between hold your breath moments when the ball was arched across the goal mouth with a forward stretching full length just to get a touch on it.... but no one did and it went harmlessly by and over the end line for a goal kick. pretty soon we had most of the staff and a few others gathered around watching too. Most of them weren't into soccer and more than a few didn't know who was playing but watching a live sporting event always generates a camaraderie, superficial though it may be. It was a good game with chances for both teams. It ended 0-0 and the crowd broke up predicting the two overtimes would end without a goal and the winner would be decided by penalty kicks (which is what happened). I bid goodbye to the English gents and wished them a pleasant remainder of their vacation. They did the same. The wait staff and bartender thanked everyone and out to the streets we went, each heading their separate way. It's a funny little world how a soccer game half a world away can bring strangers together for a pleasant afternoon.

the taint of history

One of the main differences between the South and the West is history. The South has the taint of slavery in her past. The West is not perfect by any means - the treatment of indigenous Indians, Chinese labors, the Japanese internment, and other issues haunt the West but it does not seem so impactful as slavery in the South. The shadow of slavery stretches long here. Charleston was established prior to the War of Independence and much of what is delightful here comes from that time period or at least has its roots there. The cosmopolitan feel of the city certainly does. And yet, much of what remains standing today was built either directly or indirectly by slaves. It casts a pall over the city and touches the place with a certain sadness when you remember the millions of lives destroyed by that evil institution.

Charleston

How do you blog about life in a northern town when you're on vacation in a southern town? Strangely enough, we've traveled all the way across the country and as we wander around town I keep noticing things that are the same or similair to Boise.
Charleston is full of colonial architeture. Many of the buildings date back that far, at least in orignial design. The houses crowd the sidewalk with no front yeard, not even a square foot of lawn. Gardens are tucked away along side alleys where the open porches that stack up two or three floors can take advantage of the fresh flowers. Our house is colonial - the portch is lined with white columns. Seems the farther from home you are the more it occupies your mind.

the soundtrack of my life

I have a strong affinity for music - not that I have any talent in music, I don't play any instruments and can only sing when my iPod is at full volume so I can't hear myself sing - rather, many of the significant events and emotions of my life are associated with particular songs. I was talking with a friend about this just today. Here's a brief list of those songs that have provided the soundtrack to my life, in chronological appearance in my life, youngest first:
Surrender - Cheap Trick (my first kiss as I remember)
Pressing On - Bod Dylan
Synchronicity - the Police
Get Off My Cloud - Rolling Stones
Doors of my Heart - English Beat
Hollywood Nights - Bob Seger
I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty
Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads
Young Americans - David Bowie
Let my Love Open the Door - Pete Townsend
Tainted Love - Soft Cell
Under Pressure - Queen
What I Like About You - the Romantics
She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Yong Cannibals
Alive and Kicking - Simple Minds
Sledgehammer - Peter Garbriel
Mr Big Stuff - Jean Knight
How Bizarre - OMC
Losing My Religion - REM
Slit Skirts - Pete Townsend
It's the End of the World As We Know It - REM
London Calling - the Clash
Train in Vain - the Clash
Standing Outside a Broken Phonebooth with Money in My Hand - Primitive Radio Gods
...and the list continues.

long time gone

Has it really been a month since I blogged? Time flies when you're having fun they say but the same is true even if you not enjoying it. The past month has not been enjoyable. I taught a class and took a class at University of Phoenix, kept up the standard 50 hours at work while trying to be a good husband and father. I don't think I did well at any of it. I'll be lucky to get a B, I was late returning grades to my students... not sure work or home went much better.
The storm has passed though. I'm finished with my classes, both as student and teacher, and won't take my next class till July. We're taking a vacation for two weeks so work is on the back burner starting Monday. It should give me some time to reconnect with the wife and kids so all should be improved shortly.
Clearly I need to manage my commitments a bit better. You can never predict work pressures nor family needs so I guess it comes down to school. It probably wasn't wise to take and teach at the same time and I will try and avoid that going forward. The pressure is what takes a toll. The older I get the longer it takes to recover from a pressure wall, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Five solid weeks of mounting pressure is too much.
So I'll spend the month of June relaxing by watching all the Euro 2008 games I can.