THE CHAOS AND THE CALM...

AND THEY'RE OFF...as long expected to be the participants, the field is now set for this nation's GEC (General Election Circus), and it'll be HRC vs. The Hair. I am not particularly looking forward to it, however, if the next month follow in the footsteps of the last two weeks, talk-show-host-turned-racist-whackjob, Donald J Trump won't last until the trading deadline. I'd suggest the Goofy Old Party look at Panda as a mid-campaign replacement, but he'd never sit still for a strictly rubber-chicken dinner at the numerous fund raising dinners he'd have to attend...

SING IT ALICE...as of 12:01PM yesterday, for the kids, school IS out for summer (Jenn still has five weeks of ESY). They're growing up so fast, and from the looks of things, this summer will accelerate their respective processes, exponentially. I've tried to fight it, but have come to the conclusion that, indeed, resistance is futile. Batten down the hatches, folks...the summer of hormoneageddon has begun...On a related note, let me express my annual and continuous gratitude and admiration for everyone in the teaching profession. You are the last, best defense for this world's future, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise...

HUMMM BABY...once again, the dreaded "June Swoon", the hardball harbinger from my prolonged youth spent at the venerable Candlestick Park, is no longer in effect during another summer of my much content. As a life-long fans of the Gints, this is the best time of my life, but not solely because we own the world every other (and even) year. From the guys at the top (President/CEO Larry Baer), head of BB Ops, Brian Sabean, and GM Bobby "The Kid" Evans, to Skip and his dugout louies (Rags, and Bam-Bam, Wotus and Billy and Roberto and Gards and all the rest, to the boys in the field who go to battle every day, and the men and women up in the press box (Kruk, Kuip, Dave, Jon,and Amy G) who describe it to us every day, my Giants are "the" organization, the staff and the team, every ten year old dreams about. No drugs, no wife beaters, no divas whining about money (at least that aren't traded or let go). There is loyalty, and respect, and reverence to the history of this great game. The San Francisco Giants are everything that professional baseball should be about. The front office signs players of talent AND character, and have created unique and inventive ways to make it financially possible for a family to actually afford to attend a game and experience Giants' baseball at The Yard (Dynamic pricing @$8 a tix and the ability to bring your own food/snacks to the game are strokes of genius and have, over the last couple of years, been picked up by more than half of the other MLB franchises). I am reminded every day that none of us are getting any younger, and that puts front and center my level of appreciation for the wondrous blessings that are afforded me. And so, my eternal thanks to the men and women of San Francisco Giants Baseball, Inc. That bright and warm orange that fills my every sunset, is all about you, And every morning when I raise out of bed, from Valentine's Day through Halloween, the first thing I ask is, to paraphrase the Reverend Hunter Pence, "that I get one more day with you". Truly, a wonderful part of the very best days of my life. Thanks, fellahs...

HUMMM MAYBE...Ok, so the Dubs took a night off in Cleveland. Not worried at all, except maybe that Steph's "issue(s)", whatever they may be, are more than Coach K is letting on. But, we're nothing if not deep, and our heart has been proven on more than on occasion, and truth be told, I wouldn't mind seeing it go seven. I love watching these boys play. #dubnation...The once hot Sharks however, are playing more like frozen tuna, and as I am not a follower of the sport, I can only hope the pride of the faithful having their team reach the SCF will suffice until they lace 'em up again next October...

MOSCOW ON THE AMERICAN...last Friday, I received a phone call from a member of my Client Family, asking if I was available the next day. A friend of hers was getting married and their photographer backed out. I had a morning Senior Session, but was able to fill in for the 1:30PM ceremony. I share this because the blessed event was of the Russian Orthodox variety and took place in the most amazing church. Slightly larger than the living room area here at the Northern Fortress, the fresco-like canvas ceilings and ornate appointments were simply breathtaking, and the ceremony, done entirely in what I refer to as "speed Russian", was a monumental experience. My thanks to Svetlana for the referral and to Yrena and Pavel for allowing me to experience their moving, momentous day. And the blessings continue...

REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR ONE-A-DAY...as the heat rises, the days get longer (for two more weeks anyway), and our schedules move ones of recreation and leisure, let us not forget the many who are struggling. Parents hard pressed for affordable day care now that school is on vaca, seniors deciding which to spend their few dollars on - medicine or food, or the far too many families wondering which park or parking lot they will live in tonight? Which trash bin behind the local Mickey D's will provide their children's next meal? So, here's just a quick suggestion. If you're in a snit because you don't think you'll get to join your friends in Tahoe, or you just can't afford tix to Outside Lands or Aftershock and you think life is just not treating you fair, try this -- the next time you see an unkempt woman sitting outside a grocery store with her children, holding a sign, begging for scraps or change, walk inside, forego that half-cap, half-non-fat, latte with no foam and a hint of cinnamon, and buy them a few sandwiches. Maybe a bag or two of chips and a quart of milk. It'll cost you $10, maybe even a whole fifteen bucks.  But it will make you feel real, and human and a good, productive, worthwhile part of this little community we call Planet Earth in a way you haven't felt in a really, really long time. Maybe ever. And that, you simply can't put a price on.

Here's begging pardon for the typos, and wishing everyone a fine, fine day. And may God bless us all, every one...