I just returned from watching the Cubs play at Wrigley Field, here in Chicago. It's funny, I'd lived off and on here since 1990 and this was my first time at Wrigley.

What I found unusual was that - over the years - I have been to quite a few ballparks (Arlington Stadium, the Ballpark in Arlington, the Astrodome, Anaheim Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium and Tiger Stadium) and have seen quite a few players.

But for the first time (I think), I saw a player whose father I had also seen play before.

Not only did this happen, but it happened twice today. Ken Griffey, Jr. started for the Reds. In the 70's, I had the fortune to watch his father (Ken Griffey, Sr.) play against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Then, in the 6th inning, Ben Grieve pinch hit. His father, Tom, was an outfielder for the Texas Rangers in the 70's and had seen him play numerous times.

It's possible - I suppose - that this has happened before (for me). But I can't seem to remember any other time it did. Regardless, the game was fun. Corey Patterson won it with a ninth inning, walk-off home run. The Cubs won 8-7.

I read an interesting editorial in Sunday's Chicago Tribune. It was written by Hesham Hassaballa, an area doctor and freelance writer. The article was part of a three-part piece called "Deliverance", which covered different points of view regarding the Jewish holiday of Pesach (Passover).

On the surface, the article appears honest, heartfelt and compassionate. However, given the recent history between Jews and Muslims, I am having a hard time believing Mr. Hassaballa's message. Here is a part of the article:

One cannot be a true Muslim without having a deep love, respect and admiration for Moses. Fasting outside the month of Ramadan is always a difficult task for me psychologically, and even though the fast of Ashura is voluntary, it was something I felt I had to do.

The entire Exodus story is a happy one for me; it is a tale of bitter bondage and hardship and the glory of God's deliverance from that hardship. Thus, fasting to remember this day is a great thing, even though I have to forgo one of my dearest loves: coffee in the morning.

It is truly an amazing phenomenon that the faithful of Islam voluntarily eschew what is normally allowed to them--food and drink--to celebrate a major event in the sacred history of Judaism. Many, if not most, Jews do not know how much Muslims honor and respect Moses and Abraham; many, if not most, Christians do not know how much Muslims honor and respect Jesus. Yet, these facts are not so we can sing "Kumbaya" around a campfire together.

Rather, it allows each of us to see the humanity of the other.

There have been many in America who have filled the shoes of the "other" throughout our country's history. First it was the Native American, then the African slave and then a host of immigrant groups from Europe and elsewhere.

Now, especially after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, American Muslims are increasingly being seen as "the other." Yet, once non-Muslim Americans see the humanity of their Muslim neighbors, and once American Muslims also see the humanity of their non-Muslim neighbors, the once-towering barriers of misunderstanding between the respective communities of faith will break down, and they can live together in peace and harmony.

Humanity binds us all

More people around the world, Muslims included, need to do the same thing: see the humanity

The article can be found here (registration required)

One question I suppose I have is this: If Muslims revere Moses so much, why would they want to kill off his children?

Waiting in the wings
Your courage sings before you falter
It's just another way to say
What's there but never shows.

It's just another day to lay
Your sins before the altar.
And where it's going to end this time around
Nobody knows.

Every time it seems that you
Have gained an understanding
Those devils at your heels
Reach up and try to tip the scales.

Waking from a dream
You see it's all been done without you.
And every vain attempt to make it stay
Is destined to fail.

Fury rages through your restless days
Shades of time that's gone before
Empty cages where the prisoner plays
'Til the door swings closed behind for evermore...

Long before we come of
Age we yearn to leave the garden
And wrestle with a myth
The hand of fate has faintly drawn.

But somewhere on the way
We feel our hearts begin to harden
And see just as we learn to turn around
The garden is gone.

Fury rages through your restless days
Shades of time that's gone before
Empty cages where the prisoner plays
'Til the door swings closed behind for evermore...

11 years ago today, near Waco, Texas, a standoff between federal agents and Branch Davidians ended in a fire that destroyed their compound located in a rural area two miles outside of the city's limits. 19 men, 34 women and 23 children died that day.

Exactly one year later, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was blown up, killing 168 - including 19 children.

I mention this for all of you who feel that things were a lot better under President Clinton. Keep in mind that the first World Trade Center was treated a police matter by his administration. While many still argue that the current President was asleep at the wheel during 9/11, this would probably would not have been an issue if Clinton hadn't dropped the ball.

There must be something said about the ineffectual job done Janet Reno. You remember her, don't you? She was the one who ordered (at gunpoint) the return of Elián González to the freedom-loving government of Cuba.

I started coaching my son's baseball team recently. Hopefully, I won't be one of those parents who take these things too seriously.

We just finished our third (and last) practice game. We won all three - today's game score was 13-5. I have to admit, I'm very impressed with some of these guys. All of them are either in 4th or 5th grade (my son is in 5th) and they are proving to be one of the better teams.

I have a terrible cold. It started back in February. Because of my suppressed immune system, it generally takes me a while to get better. But this one started to get better and then took a dramatic turn for the worse yesterday. Thankfully, I don't have a fever (that would send me to the hospital), but I feel like poop.

I am starting my own business as a web designer. I have four clients already and am wearing myself out. Until I make some money on this venture, I have to keep teaching. Hopefully, I'll be able to devote more time to it over the summer.

Those who have known me a while will attest to my love of Dan Fogelberg's music. Although I really haven't listened to his songs in a few years, I was a huge fan from 1974's "Captured Angel" through 1987's "Exiles".

Unquestionably, my favorite album was 1981's "The Innocent Age". I can still listen to it from beginning to end and enjoy it as if I were heearing it for the first time.

Unfortunately, I read some sad news on his website that I want to share with you...

DanFogelberg.com regrets to announce the cancellation of the Fall 2004 Solo Acoustic Tour. Dan has been recently diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.

From Dan himself: "The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated'. I am undergoing treatment and we are very encouraged by the progress I am making. I would like to express my regret over the cancellation of my fall tour and thank my wonderful fans for all their prayers and heartfelt good wishes. I would also personally like to request that our privacy and the privacy of our families be respected. If there is any news that I wish to make known to the public, it will be posted here or released officially through HK Management.”

Good wishes for Dan can be posted at:http://www.thelivinglegacy.net/wishes.html

I hate it when I am reminded that I'm no longer 21.

Well so, here I am at the end of the road
Where do I go from here?
I always figured it would be like this
Still nothin' seems to be quite clear
All the words have been spoken
And the prophecy fulfilled
But I just can't decide where to go
Yes, it's been quite a day
And I should go to sleep
But tomorrow I will wake up and I'll know...

That I've got to begin again
Though I don't know how to start
Yes, I've got to begin again, and it's hard

Well, it's been quite a while since I lifted my head
And I'm sure the light will hurt my eyes
I see the way that I've been spendin' my days
And reality has caught my by surprise
I was dreamin' of tomorrow,
So I sacrificed today,
And it sure was a grand waste of time
And despite all the truth that's been thrown in my face
I just can't get you out of my mind

But I've got to begin again
Though I don't know how to start
Yes, I've got to begin again, and it's hard
Yes, it's hard, oh, ooh, ooh

Welcome Home Brett!!!

As a few of you know, my favorite band has always been America. Never the best lyrically, but the blend of their voices - mixed with excellent guitar work and catchy rhythm - has generated quite a few hit songs and albums.

Recently, one of the founders of the band, Dan Peek, has written an autobiography that covers his life leading up to his leaving the group in 1977. It's a perfect picture of life as a rock star in the seventies. Although not really remembered now except for some classic rock and oldies stations, from 1972-1976, you couldn't go an hour without hearing one of their songs on the radio.

If interested, you can purchase the book on Amazon - or if you'd like, on his website (he'll even include a personal note on the inside cover if you'd like).

Well, I'm somewhat rested from my trip east. It's amazing that I feel the need to take a vacation just after taking one. This time, maybe without the kids!

So, I had my credit card number lifted while in Cooperstown. I guess that's what I get for coming back to NY. I will tell you though that Cooperstown was very nice. It's a very quaint small town nestled in the mountains near Albany. We arrived in the area after dark - in the fog - and without any city lights, it was quite eerie.

Not a good place to drive drunk!

My niece's wedding was beautiful. It was nice that the kids were able to spend some time with their cousins.

We spent Wednesday recuperating and went into the city on Thursday.

I must add that our hosts, Gregg and Joy, went out of their way to make our visit special. I can't thank you guys enough!

Saturday night, we said our goodbyes and headed back to Chicago.

So, after a week of recuperating (and catching up at work), I'm ready to get cracking on a new business venture. With teaching all these hours and still being a part-time stay-at-home-dad, I am crushed for time. But I do have my story to finish and other things I want to write about, so I am going to keep on blogging.