International Relations

So I get an email from my sister Paula about her boys Matt and Chris playing in an international baseball tournament up in Freeport, PA. Apparently they did pretty well. Matt got the chance to pitch against the Israeli team and was fortunate enough and, frankly, pitched well enough to win 4-2. Even going so far as to strike out their best hitter. Yeah! Way to go Matty!

Afterwards the Israeli player, Moshe Hyde, came up to Matt to jokingly tell him his pitches should be "illegal." They shook hands and laughed and Paula even snapped a pic of the two of them. An interesting aspect of all this is that the kid got a special delay in his military service because, as Paula told me, he is considered an athlete with advanced skills. He will be returning to Israel to immediately start serving in an elite combat unit that serves as a front line against terrorists trying to infiltrate the country. The boy is just 18. Slightly different life for those kids, eh?

Anyway, big congrats to you Matt for an impressive performance; striking out the best. Hope your coach at Dematha learns about this soon! And mazel tov Moshe for your performance and for the recognition of being an "athlete of advanced skills." Also, and more importantly, good luck and be safe.

Cheers.

Sunset

I believe it was Galen Rowell who said he photographed sunsets at every opportunity. There's one every day so why not? Same "sustained thermonuclear fire" as ever. (Here's the actual quote: "You only get one sunrise and one sunset a day and you only get so many days on the planet. A good photographer does the math and doesn't waste either." ) As the golden orb --Cold Comfort Farm, anyone? Anyone?--OK well, as it gets closer to the horizon the light working its way through the thicker atmosphere just can't be beat. People travel all over the world looking for the best sunset experience. A blanket and a bottle of wine in the Marin Headlands; a rustic cabin on a lagoon in the San Juan Islands; the drunken stumble of a freak show at Mallory Square in Key West. All worthy sunset viewing spots. However, next time you find yourself in front of a spectacular sunset (or sunrise for that matter), turn around. Something or someone behind you is being bathed in wonderful photographic light! I noticed this over the weekend in Blue Ridge Summit. And as I am lucky enough to have tolerant and willing subjects all around me, I had no choice but to take advantage. Thanks Matt, Jodi and Chris. You look great!