Under the Open Sky

The problem with television is that if the show is too popular it never ends, and if it is not popular enough it ends. Either way, I’m left feeling unsatisfied.

And yet, I still watch too way too much.

This year, I did something different for my New Year’s Resolution.

They say when you make goals that they should be SMART. That is, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. I understand these concepts, and I approve of why they exist. A goal is that much harder to reach when you don’t know how much progress you’ve made towards it. And yet, I did something completely opposite.

This year, I resolved solely to make meaningful change in my life. You can’t get any more vague than that! I mean, what does it even mean?

To prove that I’ve not gone completely off my rocker, I did make a list of different ways I can make meaningful change in my life. Here’s a list of some of them and my progress towards each. It takes 21 days to form a habit, so I still have a long way to go.

• Watch one hour or less of video entertainment per day. [Success]
• Stop buying junk [In-Progress]
• Eat healthier meals and cut down to 1 soft drink a week or less. [In-Progress]
• Pick a bad habit and kick it [In-Progress]
• Go to bed before midnight [In-Progress]
• Simplify my life and figure out my plan [In-Progress]
• Exercise 4 times or more per week for at least 20 minutes. [Needs Work]

I think that’s about it (so far). Conventional wisdom states that when you create more than one resolution you’re more likely to fail. I knew when I made this list that I would success on every aspect. I have, however, made more progress so far than ever before and I’m extremely happy with that. Not only that, but this list provides me a great starting point for making even more significant change in my life.

CSX 364 heads South towards Parson's Yard.

Even in the most stressful of times I try to spend a little time outside. This extends even to finals week, and last Tuesday I decided to take a break and doing some cycling. It was a cold, overcast day in Columbus with a strong wind coming from the North. I completed a nice 19 mile ride, and for the first time I made it from campus to the current endpoint of the South Scioto Trail (just north of the 270-71 interchange). I’m hopeful to get at least one more ride in, as my total mileage for 2011 is currently at 698.7 miles.

One of the goals on my bucket list, is to visit every ballpark in the major leagues. I still have quite a bit of work to do, but with my visit to Nationals Ballpark in Washington DC my total now reaches 6 (4 current, 2 former). Part of this project includes writing some brief thoughts about my time at each park. Eventually, I will try to rank them. Without any further adieu, I present my take on Nationals Ballpark.

I visited the home of the Nationals as part of my recent trip to Washington, watching them play my hometown Reds on August 18th. The ballpark is another entry in the recent trend of “retro-styled” parks. It was built in the late 2000′s and opened for the 2008 season of the Washington Nationals current tenure in Washington. Previously, they had played in RFK Stadium on the District’s east side.

The new stadium sits on the south side of DC, on the shores of the Anacostia River. The ballpark is extremely easy to reach via the metro. After exiting the Green Line’s Navy Yard stop, you emerge from underground about a hundred feet away from the center field gate. Clearly designed for mass-transit, this gate appeared to be the main entrance to the park and location of the main box office. A number of parking garages also dotted the area, but I was told that parking in the area is both expensive and hard to find.

The ballpark itself is designed with a large number of decks and sections. The lights are low and wide to the ground, a concession to the older style and DC’s building codes. The sheer amount of pricing levels and ticket sections made choosing a seat difficult, and the employees working in the box office were of no help to us. Finally we agreed on a seat in right field. From there we could view the large scoreboard in left-center as well as the large restaurant/party area in the outfield.

Rain came shortly before and shortly after we entered the park. Soon the PA announced that the game would be starting after a half-hour delay at 7:30. From the upper deck along the first base side, you can see the brightly light dome of the US Capitol. At least on our night, however, the view was hazy and not that great.

Prices were relatively cheap, and extremely reasonable for the East Coast. It’s obvious, but not unwelcome, that the Nationals have struggled at the gate. My college student ID granted 50% off my ticket, and my outfield seat only cost me 7 dollars. Food was a little more expensive, with an order of cheese fries taking $5.50 from my wallet. I did save money by ordering a cup of water from the concession stand, and not the more pricey bottled water.

The final score of the game stood at 3 to 1 Nationals. Once again, the Reds struggled at the plate, with their only run being unearned. Bronson Arroyo continued his difficult year on the mound, giving up two more home-runs in a season filled with them. Attendance was 19,508. Due to the rain, there were probably less fans in the stands, and a good third of those in attendance were Reds fans. The former Expos played well, but the deathblow came from former Red Johnny Gomes, who delivered a 2-run single in the 6th to give the Nationals the lead for good.

Ratings

• Architecture ++++
• Atmosphere ++
• Prices ++++
• Food +++

The park is good, but there is nothing too special about it. It features the same amenities as all the modern “retro” parks. Though they attempt to play up the heritage of previous baseball franchises, Washington loses points for a lack of excitement over the team and its history. You can tell they have not been in contention since moving to the District of Columbia. Prices, however, were reasonable and the food was typical baseball fare.

With great excitement, and just a touch of trepidation, I hurriedly descended the ramp to the platform below. It was a long, shallow ramp and the anticipation within me I wondered if it would ever end. In stark contrast to the clean, bright, and modern room above, the ramp below was dusty, dirty, and well-aware of its age. Exposed pipes hung from above like bats in a cave. The floor was cracked and worn, the footsteps of thousands of travelers having come this way for nearly 80 years. Tiles, broken and fallen from the wall, gave way to exposed concrete and echoes of the forgotten art deco style. After what seemed like an eternity, but a scarce minute in truth, I emerged into the darkness below. Sparse industrial lamps cast their orange glow on the platform, allowing me to make out the small sign on the way. “Amtrak – Cincinnati, OH.” The journey had just begun.

I had never ridden Amtrak before. Passenger trains are not as common in the Midwest as they are in the East, and Ohio is a dark hole in the Amtrak schedule, with the only passenger trains coming through the state in the dead of night. Cincinnati hosts Amtrak’s Cardinal 3-times a week, a train that has run nearly continuously as part of the Amtrak schedule since the late 70′s. As part of my desire to experience Amtrak and satisfy my general wanderlust, I made the decision to take the Cardinal from Cincinnati to Was

hington D.C. I purchased my round-trip coach ticket for $123, a price I considered to be an excellent value. These are my impressions of the National Rail Passenger Corporation, otherwise known as Amtrak. Read the rest of this entry »