I logged on to the Colorado Rockies web site on Tuesday, October 23, hoping I would get another chance at vying for tickets online. Yesterday’s attack of major league baseball’s web site provider gave me hope, along with 8.5 million other Rocky fans that I might have a second chance to purchase World Series tickets.
This time I logged on early, 11:45am. Nothing there yet. I check back at 12:00pm on the nose. The web site clicks over and wa’ la…movement. A screen opens up with the following; “Please wait for the server to become available. The site is experiencing heavy loads at this time.” I’m thinking the only load, is the one I’m being handed. The countdown proceeds starting at 120 seconds, 119, 118. I wait. My heart racing with excitement. 3, 2, 1…reset. 120, 119, 118.
This goes on for twenty minutes. Finally, at 12:20pm the countdown gets to the number one and... it sticks. Oh my gosh, I’m in. I receive one bar, then two, then three, then four, then five and then…nothing…The screen is in a holding pattern for five minutes. The Microsoft circle spins, so I know the machine is working. The suspense is like the song, “bases are loaded and Casey’s at-bat.” …and then the site kicks me out and restarts. 12:25pm. 3,2,1 I’m in again. One bar, two bars, three bars, four bars, five bars… nothing. 12:29. I strike out of the site again and the process starts anew. I know the first page states, "Do not refresh this page or you will be dropped to the end of the line. Thank you for your patience." Patience!!! I have been waiting for twelve years to attend a local World Series game and you want me to have patience.!!!
120, 119, 118…3,2,1 at 12:41, I’m in again for the third time. Please, baseball gods, let me get a World Series ticket. A minute goes by. The Microsoft circle spins. My heart still races. I have now invested more than forty-five minutes of my time trying to get a World Series ticket. I don’t care. I want to get a ticket to see my Rockies play in the World Series. Now, I am sounding a little weird even to myself. Please, oh please let me connect. Let me at least hit a bunt. I rub my computer screen for good luck. Hey, my Mom used to rub the slot machines in Las Vegas and she used to win so why not try. Anything for a chance at good luck. I have a friend who believes that if you say it, it will happen. I even try this. Think good thoughts. Still nothing.
Dam, the site kicks me off. 120, 119, 118…
Now it’s starting to feel like a first date, all you want is to go to first base and you can’t even hit the ball. Oh my, I’m even writing this in purple ink. It’s a sign. Rocky’s purple. It’s meant to be. 3, 2, 1…on hold… nothing. The site kicks me out once again. 120, 119, 118 the countdown proceeds. I’m no quitter. I keep going. Maybe I shouldn’t have shaved today. You know ballplayers are so superstitious. Darn, I shouldn’t have shaved. Where is that rabbit’s foot I used to have in my desk? 3,2,1…one bar, two bars, three bars, four bars, five bars…hold again. Now I feel like the Phillies and D-Backs. So close and yet so far away. 12:59pm. I’ll give it one minute more and then forget it. 3,2,1…nothing. I log off. Dejected, I feel lousy. Oh well. Like thousands of loyal fans, I guess I can pay a scalper an unreasonable amount of money for a ticket. No, I think not. I’ll just go to the Chophouse right next to Coors Field to feel some of the excitement, order a steak and a beer and watch the game on TV. So close and yet so far away. GO ROCKIES!!!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
The Optimist Way - Part 6
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
Having a smile on your face says volumes about yourself. A Chinese saying, states, “A man that does not smile should not open a shop”. When I wake up in the morning I open my eyes and smile. One, I am thankful for being alive and second, what a way to start my day. A smile reflects back the world. It affirms my place in it. When I see someone and smile they are likely to smile back. What a gift.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
I am constantly trying to improve my education and understanding of the world. I listen to books on tape when I drive. I download pod cast to listen to when I workout. I attend business seminars and management institutes. I read constantly. I love reading books, and sharing ideas and concepts. This takes a great amount of time and leaves little room for negative sparring. I also volunteer in many worthwhile causes. The Optimist Club, The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program (HOBY), C.A.P.P.-Community and Police Partnership, Neighborhood Watch,and my Home Owners Association. I try to be so busy with positive events that I stay away from the trap of pointing my finger. I like the saying, “When you point your finger you have three coming back”.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
This is perhaps the hardest challenge of all. These emotions are all part of the human psyche. I fight these emotions all the time. Yet, by reciting this phase and for that matter the Optimist Creed daily I remind myself that life is not about what happens to us, rather how we react to what happens. Worry, Anger, Fear and Trouble can not control you if you do not allow them to inch their way into your mind. The process for me is top seek the positive on a daily basis. I look at the glass “half full.” I see the clouds as making the sky “partly sunny”. You have to put you mind and your efforts in accord to the positive then words and emotions above have less of a chance of gaining ground.
The Optimist Club has been a passion of mine since 2000. I hope you find your
passion by either joining this wonderful organization or one that “Brings Out The Best In You” www.optimistinternational.org
Having a smile on your face says volumes about yourself. A Chinese saying, states, “A man that does not smile should not open a shop”. When I wake up in the morning I open my eyes and smile. One, I am thankful for being alive and second, what a way to start my day. A smile reflects back the world. It affirms my place in it. When I see someone and smile they are likely to smile back. What a gift.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
I am constantly trying to improve my education and understanding of the world. I listen to books on tape when I drive. I download pod cast to listen to when I workout. I attend business seminars and management institutes. I read constantly. I love reading books, and sharing ideas and concepts. This takes a great amount of time and leaves little room for negative sparring. I also volunteer in many worthwhile causes. The Optimist Club, The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program (HOBY), C.A.P.P.-Community and Police Partnership, Neighborhood Watch,and my Home Owners Association. I try to be so busy with positive events that I stay away from the trap of pointing my finger. I like the saying, “When you point your finger you have three coming back”.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
This is perhaps the hardest challenge of all. These emotions are all part of the human psyche. I fight these emotions all the time. Yet, by reciting this phase and for that matter the Optimist Creed daily I remind myself that life is not about what happens to us, rather how we react to what happens. Worry, Anger, Fear and Trouble can not control you if you do not allow them to inch their way into your mind. The process for me is top seek the positive on a daily basis. I look at the glass “half full.” I see the clouds as making the sky “partly sunny”. You have to put you mind and your efforts in accord to the positive then words and emotions above have less of a chance of gaining ground.
The Optimist Club has been a passion of mine since 2000. I hope you find your
passion by either joining this wonderful organization or one that “Brings Out The Best In You” www.optimistinternational.org
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