Bengie and D

In 2008, San Francisco Little League had their SF Giants day.  The kids got to mingle with players before the game.  Dexter, whose team was the Cubs met some Giants and particularly friendly was Bengie Molina.  Bengie was a veteran of the team, mentor to Tim Lincecum and Buster Posey and also the oldest brother of two other Major League baseball catchers.

Today, May 30, 2015 Dexter met Bengie again.  Bengie has a book dedicated to and about his father, written with Joan Ryan.  This was at Books Inc. in Alameda.  Bengie liked the photo of him with young Dexter.  I was kind of thrilled, myself!

When Bengie was the catcher for the 2002 California Angels, he was involved in one

 of one of the weirdest plays in baseball history; game 5 in the World Series vs. the Giants. During the inning, young Darren Baker (manager Dusty's son) ran out to retrieve the bat of his favorite player, Kenny Lofton.  However in his excitement he forgot that the ball was in play, and not only would a base runner be barreling home but an outfielder would be throwing a baseball directly to the area young Darren was at, at 80-100 miles an hour.  Double jeopardy; a 200# player and a hardball both rocketing into the plate.  Without words, J.T.Snow of the Giants who was running home sidestepped Darren and at the same time grabbed him by the shirt while Molina of the other team

 kept his eyes on the ball knowing that he would need to be the one to intercept the ball if it was heading toward the young boy (he was 4 at the time).  It was a crazy moment and yet beautiful as these players did what was right to protect the boy.  Bengie later became a Giant and is still well liked by his old teammates, and the San Francisco fans.

Joan Ryan is a good writer, usually writing about sports. She has written several books.

The WaterGiver is not about sports. It is a book about parenting a different child and how

we sometimes are not at our best as parents.  We often try to show a happy public face but Ryan bravely examines

how own behavior and her struggles with parenting a son who was prone to dark moods and learning difficulties. She portrays herself not in the most flattering light but a realized one as she begins to accept her son for who he is, and ultimately fostering a stronger family bond.

O GRAD

     Congratulations to Oliver. He's finished elementary school yesterday, and while sad about leaving Argonne and friends behind, this was a big day and he was ready for it.

Getting ready.  Sleepy one and lovely one

The walk to the stage

jsut like Dexter and me, always stuck in the first row

   charmers up front. songs including a nice version of  Israel Kamakawiowo'ole's Over The Rainbow 

the walk off. I think Oliver would have run out if given the choice.

Big 3

+ one bearded guy. Oliver looks pained!

with Bill, a great mentor to Oliver and Dexter

with Bill and friends (not named as this public internet thing but you know, O!)

You did it, son!!

Known duo of 11 years

These are just some of the pics I needed to take before I could get to the first capture that is at the top of the page.  This boy surpasses goofy in every which way.  And to that I can only say,

Congratulations!!

why do people make these faces?

okay! not really a people.

Oh, beejeebus!

Oliver, do not be afraid to do good. Do not be afraid to do what is right. Do not be afraid to do what is right for you, your family and friends and for those that do not have a voice. Be kind. Be brave. Be humble.  We look forward to sharing as much of the parts of your journey that you would include us in.  We are very proud of you.  We love you.

Goodbye Tree

    The city of Alameda is putting in a new fire station and an emergency center both will surround where we live. It's likely how we were able to get this spot last May.  After months of delays the construction seems to be happening soon.  First the city determined that our big tree and its smaller cousin in back need to be removed as the roots go under our property and into the land where the city will build their projects.

    We went back and forth with the city attorney about wanting the tree checked for any nesting birds, or any life that would be threatened.  Mostly it was Dexter that checked by climbing into the heart of the tree and determining that there were no nests, as we weren't sure that the city actually checked, as they wrote to us that they had.

    Today they are here.  The cats are hiding while the sounds of powers saws, men at work, motors and chippers continue into this early gray morning.  Our fence has been pulled down and 4 feet of plants on the side fence side will also be removed, as the city also is claiming 4 feet of land along the inside of our property (likely how we were able to get this house!).

    At least Maria will use parts of the tree at the Laurel Hill, and we can use the chips in the backyard as well.  All in all, it is a sad day.

    Last night the SF School Board voted for SOTA, Dexter's school to have only students from San Francisco as their populace.  They used diversity as one of their arguments (disregarding the highest number of LGBT students in the district) and not examining the number of former San Francisco students that may have had to leave the city in the 4 years from the time they began at SOTA.  This would open the discussion as to why families are leaving San Francisco.  I know I never had any intention to.  Disappointing as the President of the School Board claims that she wants diversity but really is trying to place more white families into the Public School system of San Francisco.  I guess you need to serve the people that got you there. 

   

Sport In its Best Form

    Sports allow us to feel the range of emotions, and because it's smaller than life, we aren't left with the depths of despair that is equal to losing a loved one, a friend, or stranger.  Sports allow communities to unite -if only for a short time not needing the solution of small details for lasting agreements (peace treaties, etc). While this has a quality of shallowness, when this occurs in specific points in time this unity can be truly significant, even transforming. That is very rare and certainly not the norm, and not an expectation. There is probably more wrong with sports but I'm making a case for when it can right, and good.  Here are two examples:

     San Francisco.  1978. This city was torn apart when Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Milk were assassinated by another Supervisor, Dan White. One year later White was not convicted of First Degree murder despite the calculated and cold blooded nature of the killings- sentenced only to 8 years with time off for good behavior (he eventually served just 5 years).  The community reacted first with a peaceful march which later turned into an angry protest at City Hall.  That evening, some police went to a very public Gay Bar in the Castro district(White was a former police officer) and assaulted many of the patrons, and arrested dozens of people they had beaten up.  San Francisco was in turmoil.

    The real work was done behind the scenes among community leaders, with Mayor Feinstein who in the worst of times provided needed leadership appointing a Police Chief who was willing to work with the Gay community but yet still, civic pride was wounded.  There was not much to feel good about.

     In 1981 the San Francisco 49'ers achieved the near impossible having been for years, a terrible team. In 1980 had shown some improvement  but even so, finished 6-10.  Yet in the most dramatic of ways in 1981 beat "America's Team" the Dallas Cowboys with the pass from Joe Montana to Dwight Clark, and the less discussed defensive stop immediately following.  The Super Bowl win that followed (first ever for the 49'ers) crossed all gender, racial and sexual lines. The city celebrated together. 500,000 people lined the streets for the first ever San Francisco championship parade.

    In 1995  a country divided was South Africa.  Imprisoned for 26 years, Nelson Mandela stepped out of his confinement to lead South Africa,  elected in South Africa's first multiracial elections as President in 1994.  Black South Africans were the majority of the populace but they had a comparative small amount of land ownership (comprising 90% of the population but only owning 10% of the land)  having been oppressed and treated unfairly and unequally for their lives and the lives of relatives before them.  When Mandela was elected President, the country faced the potential for civil war.  How could the Afrikaner (the Whites) willingly give up what they have held for so long? How could they feel for those that they had oppressed were now in power? And now not only removed from political office but fears that there would there be acts of violence in retribution for the wrongs of the past, in retribution of the violence of the past.

President Mandela had thought about all of this when he was in prison and he had created paths of reconciliation to the leaders of the Afrikaners, learning their language and involving himself in their interests as a way to break down barriers so that peace could be discussed, and transformed into reality.  The Black South Africans were  restless and would no longer settle for the status quo. Other governments were forcing the issue as well, as Apartheid must be ended.

    With his Presidency,  President Mandela did not exclude the Afrikaners from being part of his cabinet as long as they were willing to work as South Africans, together to reform their country. He welcomed those that either contributed to hateful brutal acts (whether intentional or of ignorance) of policy and in some cases likely physical force as a new South Africa. He knew that to dismiss all the Afrikans in power would be a call to arms for some.  Mandela also knew that South Africa needed something that the entire country could rally behind, unified.

Mandela chose to support a national sport, Rugby and the South African team, the Springboks.  The Springboks had historically been a very racist team but the very heart of the Afrikaners.  By throwing his support behind the Springboks, Mandela was able to take steps to unify South Africa behind the Springboks impressive run to the World Cup Championships in 1995.  Mandela had met privately with the team and its captain, Francis Pienaar, to win him over forming a partnership to that which the rugby team could symbolize for all of South Africa.

South African blacks who had always cheered for the opposition! might welcome the Springboks if the Springboks embraced "Nikosi Sikelele iAfrika",  the anthem of black liberation (it's lyrics are just about freedom, protecting the nation, and God's blessing of Africa) which with Mandela's election had become the new anthem of South Africa.  Pienaar, who was a different generation of the traditions of the Springboks agreed with the President.  He was able to get the rest of the team to buy into their mission, which now was much larger than just the sport. The remarkable run of this surprising team did bring his country together.

Francois Pienaar remembers Nelson Mandela

How great was Nelson Mandela, his ability to forgive, communicate and unite!  This is illustrated in a wonderful book, "Playing the Enemy" by John Carlin and a good movie, "Invictus", the title from a poem that Mandela kept to himself in prison by William Ernest Henley":

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of cirucmstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My heady is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.


And, sports can just be fun.

The Warriors are just simply a blast to watch, playing a team concept of unselfish play. Good character citizens (by all appearances) who play a game with joy and execution through hard work, communication and ability.  Stephen Curry, Harrison Barnes are top notch guys! As with the Giants, these athletes seem to symbolize what is best in sports (unlike some of the problems of the 49'ers which has nothing to do with winning or losing, but about some guys being creeps and an ownership-management style that looks the other way when there is trouble).

1975 Warriors:  http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19741975.html
The last time the Warriors won a championship.

Inspiring to a community:
Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg

Isabella Rosallini's legs from the movie The Saddest Music In The World (too difficult to explain)

something good is happening up there

Winnipeg Goldeyes, so nice!

Play ball, and...dance!

your admission includes rumbling trains

Crack! Thud! Pop! "You're Oat!"The sounds of baseball comfort, although I sit with chilled night time legs cheering on the Goldeyes as they play the Fargo-Morehead Redhawks. kO-wal-chuk. kO-wal-chuk. A train rumbles as I huddle in my jacket in Shaw Stadium. This gallant beast rides close that I can feel its movements churning through my body.  The engine does not cry out Woo Woo except in my mind -or if I was in Disneyland.  Nevertheless, this is a welcome feeling as the temperature- though not really cold by Winnipeg standards is certainly frosty by mine.  Respectful of the 300 good citizens present at this preseason game, it was designated to be a shortened event to 7 innings. I sit and cheer as the  Goldeyes have rocketed out to a 6-0 lead. I am happy to be watching baseball, behind home plate and not needing to be present for any more than 7 innings.  Take Me Out To The Ballgame, then- go home! As it turned out, I was in the park for less than 2 hours for the entire game. It's also great to be in a ballpark where birds are NOT trying to poop on you.

Professional league and minor league baseball are enjoyable, affordable events with room to view and always friendly participatory affairs.  I won a bag of chips!  I ate some Lithuanian ( I think) potatoes. Unfortunately Hu's On First closed sometime to my arrival but it was likely just going to be a photo op. From the silly in between inning hi-jinks (contests i/e:  dressed as sandwich buns, collecting giant plastic condiments with both contestants ending up piled up collecting the condiments between them etc.) or clapping to stay warm, there is an intimacy at these types of sporting venues which make it fun to be there. Even if I was kind of cold.  I was in my comfort zone, Not sure what I would find when I decided to come here, I sat in the ballpark able to reflect that I was somewhere I liked, that I felt welcome in Winnipeg and happy to be there.

don't believe the postcards; the water is brown but it's still pretty

Fort Garry Hotel

my kick back room.(and this is just one of the rooms) Frankly too large for one person

the Forks, a central spot where different cultures met to trade where the Red and Assiniboine come together

Back track to the air flights over. First stop Vancouver. I was thrown -scared by the grilling of  the customs official as he wanted specific answers to his questions "Why Winnipeg?  What are you going to do here?  Where are you going?" I probably didn't help with my first silly response. I survived the exchange.  I also realized then that I had over packed. The second plane was so tiny that my carry on bag did not fit anywhere close to the luggage department (smaller than a breadbox).  We were packed into that plane like this (actual photo):

This had its benefits as I knew that I had made some lasting friendships-once i was able to remove my foot from i don't know where.  Plus I should announce that my right arm is now engaged to someone's else left leg.

The bus is a short ride into town ($2.60 change only) and the first visuals of Winnipeg were mixed, drab.  A bus driver hesitant to my questions, warmed up and was very helpful, above and beyond, and then asked (this would repeat two other occasions during my trip)  where I was visiting from and reacted with surprise that I would choose to go to this very fair city.  There are plenty of reasons why Winnipeg would win my affection but mostly I found the city without pretension, charming, of kind and helpful citizens.  I asked for directions plenty, and people always tried to be helpful.

lovely Osborn district, home of fine shops. good coffee, and pleasant memories

bears in Manitoba? heck, yeah!

who doesn't like a mural?

neighborhoods

Furby and Cornish

River Street? (I forgot already!)

okay this had nothing to do with Winnipeg but i stumbled on this older photo of Oliver one Halloween dressed as a hot dog.

Pay phones could be found throughout town, and I had no problem locating delicious coffee. One morning I went out to a museum and did not have coffee for four hours!! Quick- locate a chair but it's true.
I liked Parlour on Main Street most of all and Thom Bargen on Sherbrook, Second Cup were good too. Plenty more to discover!  Trees were plentiful and as within any great city, several attractive neighborhoods (Winnipeg is a large place, about 3 times larger than San Francisco) certainly with some quirky stores.  I only was able to experience a part of the town so my knowledge is limited to 5 days of walks, from downtown to Osborn, to St.Boniface, Wolseley, the Exchange District,, Sherbrook...

Public transportation will get you to most places but this town (at least when it's not snowing) is in some parts made for walking. The outer parts you just need to work out a deal with a willing bison.   You can walk to the ballpark from downtown. I stayed at two fine hotels- the Fort Garry which reminds of the Monteleone in New Orleans (old, regal, rustic, glamour) and Place Louis Riel on Smith Street. I was upgraded in both places to very large rooms/suites- crazy that I get this when it's just me.  Fort Garry had a much more comfortable feel with a large bathroom and a window that i could open to allow the brisk air in.  Place Louis Riel had a full kitchen (stove, dishwasher, large refrigerator, microwave but I didn't use this much as there are a lot of food choices in town).  I like that there are choices like Boon Burger which offers vegetarians many different vegi-burger options, not just the one choice!

Last year a very large palatial building opened containing the Human Rights Museum with floors dedicated to the Holocaust, the past, present and future.  I was especially fascinated with the second floor which specifically focused on the human rights history in Canada.  On the fourth floor the images from the Holocaust  were devastating.  While this museum is architecturally impressive- such bells and whistles!, what it may lack in detail, it should serve as a good welcoming place for citizens to be introduced to various cultures that call Canada home, and to events in the world that never should be forgotten.  There is also a research room that likely can provide much more information that I didn't get around too.

Human Rights Museum and Esplanade Riel Walking Bridge

Not actually a set from a Shogun film, nor is it a view of Iron Man laying on his back but the large exterior (see the tiny peeps down below) of the Human Rights Museum, which opened in 2014

my favorite part of this museum; the second floor where the focus is on the human rights history of. Canada the red dresses are meant to draw attention to the missing and murdered aboriginal women.

stories of migrant workers. it's kind of cool as one person is telling their story- the other three are standing with you while the camera stays on them while each individual waits silently

meditative 3rd floor pools of water. i got anxious trying to find other stuff 'tho

Not with malice so much but carrying out a national policy, at the time

Cousin on the railroad. He was working on it.

Just as the USA, Japanese during WW2 had their property seized before being placed in internment camps. This is a couple of gentlemen just after their fishing boat was seized.  The smugness of the official contrasted with the pain of trying to maintain dignity and comprehend this WTF moment in time is noticeable.

subsequently, did this cause the state of nation to crumble?

view from inside the museum

Hitler, really not a fun guy

I made my way to where Bloody Saturday occurred in 1919, an early manifestation of Canadian/American Labor Movements. Its history has existed mostly under the radar but I feel is crucial to understanding a point in time when the working class began to stand up for their rights. We can bookend this event between the Pullman Train strike of 1894 which led to establishing Labor Day as a National US holiday and the Longshoreman's strike of 1934 (San Francisco) as major turning points in working class history.  This corner is near the Manitoba Museum, an established place in Winnipeg.  There is a lot of information here and the museum is very large with many curated artifacts, and impressive rooms presenting a historic street, life on a pier, and a quaint art deco theater playing Charlie Chaplin shorts.

How to break up a union; appoint any drunken thugs to authority and hand them the legs from chairs and tables, and look away.

Little Chaplin theater, Manitoba Museum

One Big Union, pin 1919. Very Cool!

view from my submarine

Everyone in Winnipeg knows This Image. Ho hum for residents. Cool for visitors! And please everyone,  look left and right before crossing the street

Project Genesis. Please keep it away from Khan. Speaking of Khan's Shawarma, tasty!

My milkshake fix was found in the little V.J's drive-in before I walked over to St.Boniface, an area with a French Quarter and also home of the beautiful Cathedral, founded in 1818 by a Bishop Provencher. To get there you can walk over the Esplanade Riel bridge to get to the Cathedral. This is also the final resting place of Louis Riel.  After some time wandering and nearly deciding that I wouldn't be able to find his burial site,  I turned around some trees and there it was, on a beautiful Friday morning.  The St.Boniface museum, the oldest building in Winnipeg is small but with detailed information about Louis Riel and the First Nations, the Metis people and their place in Canadian history.

St.Boniface Cathedral

a warm place

Riel at rest

Friends with Louis Riel. In 2007 Chief One Arrow's remains were exhumed and taken to sacred grounds in the Saskatchewan Valley. Chief One Arrow was not a warrior chief but a moral leader,  who was still perceived as a threat and imprisoned, kept in poor conditions. Upon his release his health was poor and he died shortly after.

Riel's resting place

I had the pleasure of experiencing two levels of 5 pin bowling; in an old theater. 5 pin bowling? I got to do this!  Regular sized alleyways, three tries to knock down the 5 pins, and lighter balls that go without finger holes and the oppressive weight that kills your wrists.  That by itself was fun but a style pioneered by some wacky neighbors involved taking a running start from behind the seating area, hollering (think action movie) and sliding on your knees (some practiced an incredible full on fall on their backs) while rolling the ball.  Nice crowd, grace and goofs all. I now refer to US bowling as 5 too many pins bowling. Free refills of coffee which hasn't been sitting on a burner.  Go too for the coffee. Hence.

Academy Bowling Lanes, former theater but now masterful 5 Pin Place

who would have thought I'd bump into Maria Dexter and Oliver, of all places??

Chinatown, Grand building but I saw only some residents in the towers, and a few empty stores

Train Museum in the Train Depot. It's a lot larger on the inside

You could spend a lot of time in here

                                       coffee choices at the grocery store. much mystery

Doors either open automatically (allowing myself plenty of scenarios of Scarlett Witch powers) or are stiff to open, likely for the winters where you want to keep heat inside. Sheltered enclosed bus stations- that must be fun when it's crowded and cold!  During the winter when the river freezes it allows another mode of transport; as the river covers a lot of area in town, you put on the skates and possibly ski's and off you go. Additionally, Winnipeggers will embracing that which they cannot change, now during the winters they will place artwork and pop up restaurants on the ice.  Also in cafes people still speak among to each other (a little of the silent tech work going on too), where it was pointed out how Canadian health care is not all that it seems to be. Yes, it's free but without the motivation that the American system creates (to be the best in your field, to be an individual in your practice, and money as motivator), it is difficult to receive health care that is not faceless, that is caring in Canada- especially if your needs are unusual. You need to luck into an individual who gives a damn about you. This from a conversation with a nice couple at Thom Bargens' Coffee on Sherbrook.

Would I like to live in Winnipeg where you have six-seven months of winter, and where that season daylight ends at 4pm? Nope.  Would I like to see what snow life is like? Maybe.  Would I like to have another delicious cup at Parlour, activate my senses again with the crisp air and waterways and revisit the places I found welcoming, and explore more? Yes, I would! Winnipeg, I'm an advocate in the SF Bay Area. (although now I live on an island).

I had a nice finish but didn't save it!..  Hey, people are nicer, it's true. The feeling was laid back and not intrusive.  Food choices plentiful, some panhandling (felt like home) and citizens dressed in layers (felt like home, only more layers. I saw what I thought was a large man peel off 27 sweaters- he ended up weighing less than me). A big city of pretty homes, square ugly buildings, modern towering structures and places of comfort just around most corners.

Weather day to day varied, and while lugging my over- packed bags was never fun, following the paths of these tree filled parks and streets made the journey intriguing and warm.  Where you took me Winnipeg is a beautiful place, pimples and all.