Hope Renewed

     This past month was eventful in all the ways that I would willingly relive again and again.  First, our Hardly Strictly Bluegrass weekend with more music at outside venues, followed by a road trip (more on that later), the Giants winning the World Series and lastly, an election with pretty satisfying results.  Place into the mix a 20th anniversary, Halloween and Maria's birthday and we've had a full calender, and a thankful one.

      The pundits seem to believe that the Presidential election would be much closer than it turned out, almost to the point of one the media wanted to create by hammering the notion that Romney had suckered the American people to elect him.  Seems to me that much of our media is centered on creating stories or being in the center of stories as reporting the depth of issues, or what is actually occurring.  Of course, that's my subjective take.  However when the election became contested  occurred when the President had a flat performance during the first debate and our media saw the opportunity to make a story of the race, reporting a thrashing and a clear Romney win, 100% to zero, for the President.

     President Obama's problem might be that he is too much of 100% to all of us- trying to please too many while Romney might actually have some success in serving the 53% he cares about.  But really, can you see President Romney taking a quick improv moment to make the "not impressed" face, and to do so as skillfully.  Plus Mitt had Meat Loaf offered his opening act while the President had Springsteen as his.  It's not policy but definitely a more substantial prelude.

     Locally, we invested ourselves into a District 1 supervisor race where the incumbent, Eric Mar faced a great challenge.  This was not a challenge of quality but a challenge of money. Outside interests and large landlord cash (Eric is a major proponent of tenant rights and rent control) were funding his opponent with the most money ever spent in a San Francisco Supervisor campaign, nearly dropping 1 million to his opponent's coffers, doubling down the previous highest spent in a local supervisor race.   Eric's stands of fighting McMeal's unhealthy choices for children and tackling other unconventional issues he was seen as vulnerable . Usually it's the incumbent who outspends.  Could someone purchase a local election?  According to the experts, and bostered with support by the big guns- SF Chronicle, ex-mayor and Guv'ner wannabee Gavin Newsom, Dianne Feinstein, the opponent (not worth my writing his name) seemed to be on the road to a close win.  Even Eric's staff felt that the winner would win by only hundreds of votes.

     What did Eric have to offer?  Four years of being active in the community, and along with his brother Gordon,  a sincere desire to improve the lives of those needing help.  Also being accessible to the public and willing to discuss issues, egos kept in check to the larger picture of the tasks at hand.  Unlike others, you never get the impression that Eric is focused on another job (see Newsom)- what he is doing now is the best thing he could be doing.

    The spirit and earnest dedication of his office was uplifting on the days we were there- how Dexter and Oliver jumped in and handed tasks that were given to them (sorting out flyers into packets, moving boxes, handing out flyers, making signs) was as joyful as watching the Civil Wars sing at Hardly Strictly, and as we left the office Monday night before election day, we could only hope for the best, encouraged by what we were a (tiny) part of.

    Here's a article about the volunteer effort of the campaign.
        District 1 Results

   From a small district in San Francisco, to the National stage of DC, to the senate of Wisconsin and Massachusetts,  it feels good to be an American.

    Of course the real work is the hard part!

End Of A Season

 For Oliver and Dexter their seasons of baseball have ended as well.  Both before the Giants capped off their spectacular run.  Dexter it seems is coming to a close of his active interest in playing the game.  His Presidio Panthers team always has an excessively large roster limiting playing time but for Dexter, it was more important to hang out with the guys, to participate and to belong.  He also served as a bench assistant, keeping the guys focused on the game and carrying a clipboard with whatever plans  Coach Meneses had laid out.  Dext also bonded with Coach, as they exist in a mutual admiration society.  Viewing his last game- despite Presidio's elimination from the playoffs, as a positive experience to Dexter's interaction with his team.  He's a true people person, and I hope he finds a way to use this skill toward a rewarding life.

   O-Zone, as Bill the PE teacher has named him (replacing "Big O") completed his first year in Little League with a big smile, and curious and rewarding results.  In practice before the games, Oliver could not hit the ball but in the games, he would put the bat on the ball on the first pitch. Then he needed to hustle down the line before the throw arrived at First Base.

   In this division of Little League (Farm), no score is kept and your coach pitches to you.  The first games the entire team would bat before changing sides.  About midway through the season, it changed to 3 outs a side (usually providing a faster 4 inning game. Usually).   His coaches, Linda and Mark are encouraging and enthusiastic teachers.  His skill set and confidence increased and like his brother, the joy in being part of a team is evident.  Oliver is a good student and  perhaps more selfish than his brother. At this point in life his intentions truer and desires, clearer.  One benefit of being eight, I suppose.

    We had another visit with Lou Seal at our last Giants game, a 3-1 Ryan Vogelsong especial.  Gigantes!  Cue the song, Mr. Bennett.  And Lou, thanks for stopping by.

This World Series Thing

 I didn't expect it.  Hoped for but didn't expect it. Grateful, gratified, satisfied.  Two World Series in three years.  Two is a good number.  I could finish with that much in the book.
Earlier this year when I stopped into Vegas for a day in April, I  placed a bit on the G-Men to win the World Series at 12:1 odds.   I'm satisfied about that too.

  All this unselfish play allows a city to cry out "we did it!" and have a parade.  A mostly great feeling of unity and something shared.  Not sure what we did exactly but the team is always nice enough to include the fans in their success.  However I'll go the other way and just take all the credit- although ultimately in disbelief, without words to describe what I have done.

   Down 2 games to 0 and going to Cincinnati did not seem promising. Listening to what seemed to be the final game of the year- game 3  with the G-Men about to be eliminated with only one hit into the seventh inning felt sad and final.  Walking through Warren Hellman's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass museum when the transistor radio provided the amazing 10th inning, and the impetus to improbability. I did it! Down 3 games to 1 in St.Louis and winning 3 straight games. I did it!  A game 5 score gathered in a stop motion museum in Anaheim and Game 7 concluding  in sudden pouring rain that was cinematic and uplifting in its visual plight.  Shutting down the mighty favored Detroit Tigers 4 games to zero...I did it again!!!   22 of 27 Espn experts chose the Tigers. 

   Watching game 1 of the World Series at my Dad's and the final game of the year at Ann and John's with Maria, Dexter, and Oliver, Jeremiah and Bobby, the Cupps, Mickey and Clark, Eileen and Woody was truly a special shared experience.  The drama and finish was further heightened by the tenseness of the game.

  Tom coming up and staying the night before the parade, cool.  The parts of the parade I saw first hand and the speeches later witnessed on television were rewarding.  The great Giants- Mays, McCovery, Marichal, Perry, Cepada and Alou, rode in open cars.  Also coaches, and alumni including Will Clark, JT Snow and the Hac Man, Jeff Leonard came along Spear Street heading to Market.  Leonard's interacted  when I called out "Hac Man".  He pointed and I followed with "one flap down!" (see 1987 playoffs)- we both one flapped down.  At that point I was good with the parade.

  Our great announcers with funny bits (Miller, Fleming, especially Kuiper's put on of Affeldt) and Krukow's passion for the team and the city.  Pence and the team rallying around the slow clap. The best part of a Giants win (next to the win) is the playing of "I left My Heart In San Francisco" at the end of the game with  Ralph Sharon's tinkling piano and Bennett's raspy tenor singing about cable cars to the stars.   To close the ceremony the man was there- maybe a little rough holding notes but still a jazz singer- rephrasing lines   singing as a man reflecting on great days lived.   The team gathered around him for a touching finale.

The new Giants tradition of the After Game Breast Feel.  These Giants, individuals in the bunch with many nick- named after animals (Panda, White Shark, Giraffe, Reverend Praying Mantis) plus the Freak, Blockbuster and Pooty Dancer.  Alright, I made up the last one.   
 

                  The payoff for the two hour wait for Angel (An-yell) Pagan, who was very very nice to Oliver finding time for a quality if short 1:1.   Oliver may have been the only one invited by Pagan to his side of the table  It was a good vibe and fortunately worth waiting for.  Photos courtesy of Macy's.  11/3/12.

                  11/15  Buster Posey MVP of the National League.  Highest batting average and on base percentage in baseball. 

                   12/3 Angel Pagan resigns with the Giants 4 years, 40M. Affeldt resigned for 3years a few weeks prior.  11/30 Giants do not tender Brian Wilson a contract.  That's not right!
                     12/4 Marco Scutaro resigns 3 years. 20.  Well, that's a good thing.