Visça Catalunya!

 

In the United States, September 11th is a day of remembrance for those who lost their lives in the terrible terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. That day was horrific and I still shudder at the images from that morning. Selfishly, I don't like to dwell on that day because it was an incredibly depressing moment in our nation's history. However, I don't believe we should ever forget those who lost their lives both as victims and as heroes, sacrificing their lives in the attempt to rescue others.

In Catalunya, September 11th has been a day of remembrance for three centuries. Yesterday marked the 300th anniversary of the Catalan surrender to Spanish forces, ending Catalan independence. Every year, on September 11th, hundreds of thousands of Catalans take to the streets to protest Spanish rule and celebrate their culture. Spanish rule has rarely been kind to Barcelona and Catalunya. The Franco years were particularly harsh. 

A slight majority of Catalans favor independence from Spain. As opposed to the Basques, their appeals for independence have rarely turned violent. They have a much greater case for independence than the Scots. Catalunya has a distinct language, cultural tradition, and history of political autonomy. Catalunya was one of the very first regions in Europe to embrace democracy...five hundred years ago! 

Catalan independence also makes much more pragmatic sense than for Scotland. Catalunya is the wealthiest region of Spain. Their economy represents over 1/5th of the Spanish economy. They have a major port city on the Mediterranean. They have a vibrant industrial and manufacturing sector. They have a massive service economy. Tourism is also huge in the region. Catalunya is blessed with agricultural and mineral wealth. The Catalan work ethic and spirit of entrepreneurship is legendary. If anything, Spain has always been a drain on Catalunya, holding them back from greater prosperity. Catalunya has propped up Spain for decades. 

I have an emotional tie to Barcelona and Catalunya. I visited the region as a senior in college and returned to live there for a year after graduation. That year was one of the most important and formative experiences of my life. I maintain regular contact with my friends there and keep up with the news of the area. I root and support FC Barcelona...which as any Catalan can tell you, is more that just about rooting for a soccer team. FCB represents the cultural heritage of Catalunya. 

So yesterday, in solidarity with my friends who paraded in the streets, I put on the Catalan colors. Visça Catalunya!

Last Post Translated.

Here the Catalan translation of my last post:

Als Estats Units, 11 de setembre és un dia de record per a aquells que van perdre la vida en els atacs terroristes terribles contra el World Trade Center i el Pentàgon. Aquest dia va ser horrible i encara s'estremeixen davant les imatges d'aquell matí. Egoistament, no m'agrada posar l'accent en aquest dia perquè era un moment molt depriment en la història de la nostra nació. No obstant això, no crec que hem de mai oblidar els que van perdre les seves vides com a víctimes i té herois, sacrificant les seves vides en l'intent de rescatar altres.

A Catalunya, 11 de setembre ha estat un dia en memòria de tres segles. Ahir es va complir el 300 aniversari de la rendició català a les forces espanyoles, posant fi a la independència català. Cada any, el 11 de setembre, centenars de milers de catalans surten als carrers per protestar contra el domini espanyol i celebrar la seva cultura. Domini espanyol poques vegades ha estat amable amb Barcelona i Catalunya. Els anys del franquisme van ser especialment dures.

Una lleugera majoria dels catalans a favor de la independència d'Espanya. A diferència dels bascos, les seves crides a la independència que poques vegades s'han tornat violents. Tenen un major cas d'independència dels escocesos. Catalunya té una llengua diferent, la tradició cultural i la història de l'autonomia política. Catalunya va ser una de les primeres regions a Europa a abraçar la democràcia ... fa cinc-cents anys!

Independència català també té sentit molt més pragmàtic que per a Escòcia. Catalunya és la regió més rica d'Espanya. La seva economia representa més de 1/5 de l'economia espanyola. Tenen una important ciutat portuària a la Mediterrània. Tenen un sector industrial i manufacturer vibrant. Tenen una economia de serveis massiva. El turisme també és molt important a la regió. Catalunya ha estat beneït amb la riquesa agrícola i mineral. L'ètica de treball català i l'esperit de la iniciativa empresarial és llegendària. En tot cas, Espanya sempre ha estat una càrrega per a Catalunya, la celebració de tornada d'una major prosperitat. Catalunya ha donat suport Espanya durant dècades.

Tinc un llaç emocional a Barcelona i Catalunya. He visitat la regió en el seu últim any a la universitat i vaig tornar a viure-hi durant un any després de la graduació. Aquest any va ser una de les experiències més importants i formatius de la meva vida. Mantinc un contacte regular amb els meus amics allà i segueixo amb les notícies de la zona. Arrelament i suport del FC Barcelona ... que com qualsevol català pot dir, és més que només d'arrelament per a un equip de futbol. FCB representa el patrimoni cultural de Catalunya.

Així que ahir, en solidaritat amb els meus amics que van desfilar en els carrers, em poso els colors catalans. Visca Catalunya!

Classroom Design

My school is looking to replace the current building that is aging and need of repair with a new facility. I sent the following classroom design to my principal. My idea is based off the Imperial Senate Chamber in Star Wars:

When he indicated that I might need to share a room that large I sent him a cheaper, more reasonable design:

He says I'm being picky. 

Good Bye Old Gray

Sold my wife's bike today (she got a new one). Sad to see it go. That old thing was a boss and conquered some gnarly trails in its day. 

Not For Long

I've been a fan of professional football for a long time (Go Chiefs!). But the more I learn about the NFL, the less respect I have for the organization. The NFL deliberately covered up the effects of concussions and CTE. The NFL has been soft on domestic violence and crime for years. The only reason the NFL suspended that Ravens RB (I refuse to put his name on this blog) is because a security video was released that was so horrific they had no choice.

The offices of the NFL remind me of Big Tobacco at best and the Mafia at worst.

I mean, I dunno...part of me really wants to give the NFL up. I've been conflicted for awhile as I've stated HERE. I still haven't been able to give it up. But I won't be surprised that not too far down the road, I'll be done.

The Woodshed

In 1959, at the top of his musical prowess and national fame, Sonny Rollins stopped recording. The tenor saxophonist had been overwhelmed with his sudden fame and fortune and needed to step back. He also felt he had run into a creative roadblock. He needed to take some time off to go back to the basics and hit the woodshed.

His sabbatical lasted three years. 

During those three years he worked on his craft. He would call his buddy and fellow tenor legend John Coltrane to exchange ideas over the phone. They would literally play their newest jazz ideas into the phone receiver and discuss what they heard. 

Living in a cramped Manhattan flat with no place to practice, Rollins would go to the Williamsburg Bridge and practice and play for twelve to fifteen hours a day. I can only imagine the passersby thinking he was just some weird street performer who didn't ask for money, when in actuality they were hearing one of the legends of 1950's hard bop jazz honing his craft. 

Sonny Rollins re-emerged in 1962 ready to record again. The result was this album, The Bridge. The next several years proved that Rollins not only still had it but had remarkably found new ground to explore. 

Three years man. We always got things to work on. 

Mummy in Tulsa

Dude kept trying to get me to invest in his pyramid schemes. 

Weekend

Saturday morning. Skylanders. 

Jack White is not my cousin

Some recent tweets. Of course you start from the bottom and work your way up. 

Ridin'

A couple of weeks ago we took the Little Man to White Rock Lake in Dallas. We were going to have him ride his bike just a couple of miles, have a picnic then turn back. 

But he wanted to keep going. And going. He ended up riding the entire nine mile trail around the lake. And he still had energy left to burn. 

Baseball rivalries

Royals-Rangers again tonight. This time up in KC. Don't think we'll make the game. Bit of a commute. 

Tradition

It's the day after Labor Day and I'm wearing white pants. 

Sometimes traditions need to be broken. 

Back to the Future

Love this Delorean tie. It's going on my Christmas List. 

Diver Down

The J-Man practicing his moves off the diving board this past summer. 

Last Summer Recap

School has started so I need to get the last bit of summer out of the way. Since we were in Ohio visiting friends we decided to head on up to Niagara Falls since the falls were only five hours away. They were spectacular. We did all the usual stuff: rode the Maid of the Mist, explored the Cave of the Winds and tooled around the Niagara Falls State Park. It was a nice, relaxing visit. 

Summer Recap Part Two

This summer we decided to finally pay a visit to one of Kimberly's high school friends who lives in Ohio. So we drove up to Circleville, OH and spent a couple of nights with Deb and her family. It was a nice visit, our first ever to Ohio. We went to the Pickaway County Fair, tooled around Circleville and had a very nice time. 

One night we drove thirty miles north to Columbus to catch a Crew game. They just happened to be playing our FC Dallas. I had wanted to see Crew Stadium which is kind of legendary in American soccer circles since it was the first stadium build specifically for soccer. Lamar Hunt, the Crew's owner at the time, was taking quite a risk. But now almost every MLS side boasts their own grounds. 

We had great seats but had to take cover a few minutes before the game started due to a storm that rolled in. We waited for an hour before being told the game was cancelled. We later found out the match was cancelled because an off-duty fireman was struck by lightning in the parking lot moments before game time. He survived. Bummed that we didn't see a game but glad everyone was okay. Crew Stadium is a cool venue and they treated us well despite our FC Dallas gear. 

We enjoyed our brief visit to Ohio before heading out to New York. 

Summer Recap Part One

It's been a great summer so far and I haven't blogged much in the past month. So, not that you care, I'll recap in bits and pieces. 

The AP Reading in Salt Lake went well. Always good to see the Wolfpack (pictured above at a typical dinner moment). After seven years these guys have become some of my closest friends. I've made some other great friends over the years including my Wolf Gang (an offshoot of the pack, pictured below). 

These guys are the best. All these friends and more I've made over the past seven years are what keep me coming back year after year. That and the Five Diamond hotel I've been lucky enough to stay in...The Grand America. 

Yeah, I plan on SLC each year now. Hopefully the invites will keep coming. 

Weird Stuff in SLC

This is a sphinx with Joseph Smith's face. 

School's Out!

I have to admit that I am happier about the arrival of summer than I have been in years.  

Soccer Night

Soccer night at FC Dallas with Mr. C and the muchacos!