On The Fly

Podcast - Coordination . . . When was the last time you experienced a remarkable Ah-Ha moment? A split second realization, “Finally I did it.” Complete satisfaction when at long last you burst into song, “ Incredible! That’s how it’s supposed to feel.” It’s when everything finally synchronizes. Left hand, right hand, fingers, muscle control, touch, motion, emotion, harmony, and ecstasy. Caught ya . . . I know what you're thinking. You’re not even close! However, this morning, during my daily guitar practice I finally achieved the proper touch and combination of physical movement and emotional equanimity that allows a musician to “tickle the frets and achieve nirvana.” “What?” Well, it’s a long story. I’ve tried to explain it many times since I’ve started playing guitar. Like most amateurs, I concentrate so hard to achieve a clear, clean sound by squeezing the frets that my fingers hurt. As a result, it's tough to consistently coordinate my alternate picking synchronized with f...

Today a New Era dawns for the Ball family. Not because it’s a new decade but today, January 31, 2020, we closed the back door for the last time at 531 North 6th Street, Cuba, IL. 61427, my childhood home for over 50 years, since March 1966. That address (P.O. Box 606) has been emblazoned in the minds of my brothers and me for so many years we will never forget it. So many cherished memories, lessons learned, family meals, gatherings, special pets, hospital visits, holidays celebrated and friendships nurtured. In short - our Home. Funny, we always called it Mom’s house. Dad lived there to of course. They were married for over 55 years. It was always home - where Mom lovingly raised her family.  “Make sure you’re home in time for dinner.”   Where Dad taught us to play ball. Fix old cars. The skills of an outdoorsman. Where my siblings and I practiced archery, raised flying squirrels, summer fish fries in the yard, watch the leaves blossom in spring, raking...

It's a New Year once again! 2020 how can that possibly be? The Y2K (2000) computer scare was just yesterday, wasn’t it? Impossible . . .  No matter who you are, what you do, where you go, or what you plan - time simply slips away. Don’t believe me, let's take stock in what you may or may not recollect, as a reader of this blog and count the years. High School, remember those days? August of 1970, I became a freshman (50 years ago)! Songs always make an impact, “So tonight I'm gonna party like it's nineteen ninety-nine," 1999 by Prince. That song was released September 24, 1982 (38 years ago). Or maybe for you, it was Stairway to Heaven , by Led Zeppelin (1971). Greg LeMond is the only American to win Le Tour de France, in July 1986 (34 years ago). After moving to Los Angeles in 1985, I met my hero at Two Wheel Transit Authority in 1987. Radio Shack launched the Tandy 1000 computer in November 1984. This was my first personal computer. A 7.16 ...

“Goooood morning Vietnam!” As the clock on the wall strikes 6:00 a.m. we’re ready to leap into another day. This is not a radio program being transmitted from the rice patties of Central Vietnam but (my hope) a humorous travel log from our Cenergy Power company retreat in November of 2019. How do you possibly begin with so many unique and vivid experiences rolled into a ten-day trip in Asia? Well, it’s best I think, if we start with the rules we adopted early in this trip for safety, comfort, and a wide variety of extraordinary travel experiences. The rules were simple: Rule #1 - Always follow Doan Hyphuoc Vo ( Dr. Vo ) Rule #2 - If you think you are  right, read Rule #1 again Why you say, well, sit back and allow me to share the story of our adventures in Vietnam. Dr. Vo is the team lead (and our personal guide) for Cenergy’s Electrical Engineering Operations. He was born in Saigon in the early 1950s. This blog post could be a complete biography of hi...

“J'ai trouvé des trésors” (I’ve found some treasures). These were my first words (via FaceBook Messenger & Google Translate ) to my cousin Marie Claude Papot in La Rochelle, France.  “I have over 60 years of letters, postcards, photos, and notes written in a hand I cannot read, can you help?” “C'est une bonne idée!” Came her response. I’ve dubbed this “Project Translate.” It’s been over a year now since my mother ( Mauricette Ball ) passed away. Frankly, I'm ashamed to say she was the only connection to our French family. During a recent visit home I decided it was time to finally clean Mom’s house. It was obvious after almost a year none of my siblings wanted the responsibility of dealing with Mom’s belongings. Can’t say that I blame them really. All the years my parents lived in that same tiny house in the small Midwestern town of Cuba, IL. she saved everything (tucked neatly away in places you’d never suspect). Turns out I’ve uncovered bundles...

Heartbroken, in tears, at a complete loss for words . . . it can’t be! This was my overwhelming and immediate gut-wrenching reaction when I received the following text message at 10:46 a.m. on October 9, 2019. “Your sister is no longer with us.” “But, she was recovering?!” Just a few days prior, her personal team of doctors; heart, lung, 24/7 on-duty nurse, ECMO   technicians, and an arsenal of other specialists at the University of Chicago Medical Center were optimistic - what happened, why - how is this possible . . . So many thoughts and emotions poured through my entire being.  “She's Tough,” said the doctors. Michele beat the odds and made it through a complication in her condition that required surgery to remove a blood clot and fluid buildup on her heart. I had just returned home from the Chicago hospital. And said to my wife Lori, “She regained consciousness, recognized me, and blew me a kiss.” Really, my beautiful Lil' sister Michele Lu...

Are you a baseball fan? If you are keep reading, if not that’s OK football season has arrived. On August 24, 2019, for this year birthday celebration, we made our yearly sojourn to Dodger Stadium, home of the National League-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a blistering day in LA! (Sounds like one of Chandler’s Philip Marlowe novels.)  Haha - after fighting LA traffic, we arrive at Chavez Ravine. Posted, in BIG letters, at the parking lot gate -  GAME SOLD OUT.  Undaunted, tickets in hand, or should I say iPhone, we’re directed to park our automobile. After slathering on sunscreen, we make our way to the upper deck, thinking, it’s going to be hot up there , ah - “love these seats we’re in the shade,” thank the baseball gods. Tradition dictates, especially at Dodger Stadium, tune in with your transistor radio. “It’s time for Dodger Baseball!” Who could forget the magical voice of Vin Scully all those years? So, we’re cozied into our seats listening to Cha...

Ah, Summer! Bicycling magic is renewed for millions when the familiar voices of Phil Liggett, Bob Roll, and Jens Voight grace the television airwaves broadcasting  Le Tour de France    (Le Tour). The 106th edition of the Tour de France celebrates 100 years of the maillot jaune (yellow jersey), and this year's race honors Eddy Merckx with its Grand Departure from Brussels. Le Tour 2019 kicked off on Saturday, July 6, with three weeks of racing, including five mountain top finishes and a total of 3,460 kilometers. That’s the distance from our house in Vista, CA. to Elkhart, Indiana -  2,150 miles! When you have the audacity to believe you’re an accomplished bicyclist, tune into NBC SN Sports broadcast of Le Tour in July (July 6 - July 28, 2019). Quickly humility sets in. This year marks the 106th Anniversary - 21 stages and only two,  yes two , rest days - of this classic race that tours the French countryside with the finale in Paris on the Cham...