Time Out for Baseball

I went to the Giants' last home game on Wednesday night; it was also Barry Bonds' last game ever for the Giants at home. I don't particularly like Barry Bonds; in fact, I pretty well hold him in great disdain, for a host of reasons that I won't even begin to go into.

But, I had nothing better to do, I needed the exercise of walking up to the Muni station, and I felt as though I would be watching a little bit of baseball history. So, off I went, battling the crowds, the complete lack of tickets, and I found myself standing behind the right-field bleachers watching the game. In the course of nine innings, I observed the game from three different distinct places, and I have to say that I am wishing I had spent the whole game at the back of those bleachers. That's where the real fans are - people who will sit anywhere just to watch baseball. And, since I didn't have a bleacher ticket, I was standing behind them and suddenly had a flash of memory back to the days when Roy would go to a ball game and ALWAYS stand behind the bleachers. He always had a ticket, but he just couldn't navigate those steps, so it was easier for him to stand up than to risk tumbling down an endless slope of cement stairs.

Baseball is like life, in a lot of ways. You are always competing, but hopefully against people who are similar to you and who, outside the arena, would sit and have a beer with you and be happy. No matter how bad things seem, there's always a chance, up to the very end, to get it right. And you might have a bad day, and make some pretty gross errors, but there will be other days, other games, and you get another stab to prove yourself.

And so, amid the beer, the fights, the people slapping complete strangers on the back and celebrating every hit (or consoling them when it was obvious that the game was not going their way), I had a minor epiphany of sorts. It's always worth staying in the game until the last inning, and there will always be something to draw people together and prove to them that they are not alone (and it doesn't have to be a disaster or a war). Play ball!

--Dedicated to the memory of Roy Webb 5/18/1956 - 2/2/2004

It's Just Stuff

I have been in a purchasing frenzy of late; I'm stocking up on the things I need to take with me to Southeast Asia. Backpack, DEET, compressed towelettes, good walking shoes, disposable underwear (yes, folks, it IS made!)...but I am fervently hoping that what I bring back from this trip will be so much more than what will fit into a backpack. I think I am learning that a large part of a journey such as this is trying to decide beforehand what to bring back. Rather than make a list of what to procure "over there," I have decided to bring back little or nothing in the way of material goods. I want peace. (No, not world peace, which I realize it unattainable). I'd like my mind to stop spinning constantly - to be able to be truly at peace with myself and in my life. I hope that, when I return, I will have learned that if I can spend a month living out of a backpack, everything else is just "stuff".

This doesn't mean that I intend to give away all of my wordly belongings and live in an ashram (besides, I am not big on lentils as a dietary staple). But perhaps I can start to understand that there are things much more important than a bigger TV, having the latest gadget, or never having to wear the same dress twice. That's one of the lessons I want to learn.

(Now, I fully expect my children to call me and say that, out of love and in the interest of helping me attain my goals, they will be happy to take any of my current 'things' away so that I won't be distracted by them). Speaking of kids, I think mine are absolutely what I will miss most over there; granted, I don't talk to them every day (OK, in the case of my son, not even every week - ALEC, CALL your mother once in a while!). I wish I could bring them with me and watch this new place through their eyes. Ah well, they'll just have to look at my 4,855 pictures after I get back. I can see them rolling their eyes even now....

Peace,
Janine

Charity Begins at Home

My mom has asked me many times why I am going halfway around the world to do some good for people. After all, there are so many people in need here in my own country, in my own state, in my own CITY. She's right (moms are always right - learn that lesson now and save yourself some grief!), but I feel compelled to go to other places, and so off I shall go. I have to admit that a sizeable part of it is sheer selfishness; I WANT to travel. I've seen my city, my state, even some parts of my country.

I also rationalize my own actions by retorting to her (again, learn the lesson now - do NOT "retort" to your mother - it really never ends well!) that this country has so many social programs, that people do not have to starve in the USA, that there is a system that can give them food, medical care for their children (it's not great, but it exists on some level). In other countries, people starve all the time, many never see a doctor...shouldn't I start there? The one thing I am determined to realize is that spending time determining WHERE to start means still NOT starting. Pick a spot, Start there. DO what you can.

The group "Five for Fighting" has started a website where people can upload videos, although those videos must be set to a song the group produced (clever, huh? free airplay). But, it's a great deal - watch any of those videos ALL THE WAY through to the end, and there will be a donation made to the charity that the video supports. It may be only a buck, but it counts, and it's only 3 minutes out of your life. Many of those videos benefit Autism Speaks, a charity that recently merged with Cure Autism Now. I dare you to watch some of those videos with dry eyes. Here's a link to one - it is VERY poorly written (I know that many of you will be cringing at the grammatical mistakes!) but the message is like a bombshell. So many of us take for granted that our children can speak, laugh, hug us...and so many parents know none of that. I have spoken at length, so many times, to my friend Craig about these same things, and every time realize that I will never understand his pain, never feel the absolute horror he goes through every day with his son. And yet, his love for his son is no less, has never been less, than mine for my own two gloriously normal children. Sara and Alec have been simple to parent; it is parents like Craig and the woman who made this video who are truly gifted at the task. Watch this, please, and spend someone else's dollar to help an organization promote understanding, knowledge, and (hopefully, someday) relief for 1 out of 166 kids and their parents. http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/246393 When the video ends, you will see another screen with the lead singer of the band on it. You can, if you want, click there to go to ALL of the entered videos and watch more if you want, for the various charities represented.

Be happy. --Janine

Five More Weeks....

Another week has passed, and I'm that much closer to my trip. Last week, my friend Mary Kay told me about a book she thought I'd like. I bought the book, read it, and it was incredibly good and right in line with this trip I am making, It's called Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortensen. Greg was a mountain climber who, through a series of mishaps, ended up in a tiny little Pakistani village. His experiences with the people there prompted him to eventually start a foundation that has built over 50 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. His story is amazing and compelling. Thanks, Mary Kay, for the suggestion!

Meanwhile, I have made four sarongs, bought a shirt infused with sunscreen, gathered some other clothing items, and am feverishly researching travel information. Apparently, crossing from Thailand into Cambodia overland is an adventure, but one that Val and I have decided to take on. Oddly, I am even looking forward to dealing with the border guards, Cambodian security police, crooked taxi drivers (they are affectionately known as the "taxi mafia"), and 12 hours of travel to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor Wat. It's all part of the adventure.

Soon, I'm sure I will start to panic, but right now I can only count down the weeks and look forward to this trip. Thanks to those of you who have pledged money for the school. I appreciate your support! More news as it breaks.....