2020 Hindsight

We have reached the 31st day of 2020.  It was an interesting day on 1/31/2020.  I had a PTO day planned and I spent it at my daughters' old elementary school working the PTA book fair.  I love helping kids get books (and I always end up spending my own money when they come up short because I want kids to have the books they want/need).  And, except for the lock down drill (I am still shook by that), it was a wonderful day.  I still could not forget that today marks the 2 year anniversary as my last day as Penn's Registrar.  It made me think about the last two years and all of the ups and downs and twists and turns and, frankly, I am really happy where I am right now (in all aspects of life, personal AND professional).  So, although my 2020 Hindsight is the last two years, I also really am looking forward to the years to come.  I hope you can all determine your "water under the bridge" and can look forward to an optimistic future.

On the 30th day of 2020, something exciting happened for Penn Band Nation!  On 1/30/2020, the University released the video commemorating the 125th anniversary of the composing of Penn's Anthem, the Red and Blue.  I cannot count the number of times that I have sung or played this song. I honestly wonder what number that is (not as many as Greer and Koosh!)  the Red and Blue is one of those classic things that makes me happy to be a part of the Penn and Penn Band communities.  Tonight my 2020 Hindsight is Happy 125th Red and Blue.  Here's to 125 x 125 more! https://www.facebook.com/UnivPennsylvania/videos/475740053302170/UzpfSTk4NTA4ODc4Nzc1OjEwMTU5MjA3NjgwOTAzNzc2/

This is a post for the 29th day of 2020.  Sadly, not posted on 1/29/2020 (although I am going to back date it on FB).  Why?, you ask..... well, I was exhausted last night when I finally finished reading (and handling) my email.  This has been a busy week at work and I have had very little time at my desk so the emails have been piling up.  Hundreds of them.  And so, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, I did not get into bed until just before 1AM.  I had been doing so well, getting to bed by 11:30 (watching the Daily Show and DVRing Stephen Colbert).  This week has been a backslide.  It made me think.... my 2020 Hindsight is Bad Habits Die Hard.  I need to focus and ensure I get my stuff done in time to get to bed earlier.  I need be able to leave emails to be read the next day (probably more efficiently when I am not so tired).  I need to block time off during my day for my own work to get done and not go to as many meetings.  ...

I was not able to be in attendance at the Family January Birthday Lunch on Sunday, I was at the Church's Annual Meeting (I had to present).  So I was VERY excited to get a text on the 28th day of 2020 stating that a birthday dinner would be available tonight at Chris and Jackie's House.  1/28/2020 is Chris' Birthday and yesterday was Ashley's!  I was the last to arrive, so when I entered, I sang Happy Birthday solo.  I did include some harmony and was then told that people often enjoy the harmony when I am singing HDB with a group of people.  And I love singing it.  I even sing in restaurants when people I do not know are celebrating a birthday at another table.  Yeah, I may be strange, but I like celebrating others' birthdays (not so much mine) and tonight my 2020 Hindsight is Singing Happy Birthday.  A fun thing one can do to celebrate others that costs us a grand total of $0!

It was the Fall of 1994 and Sarah and I started dating.  And in January of 1995, I did not realize it, my first niece was born.  Little did I know that on the 27th day of 2020, I'd be celebrating the fact that my niece, Ashley, was turning 25.  It seems just like yesterday that she was the only little kid running around at family gatherings and now there are 6 young men and women who are in the "cousins club."  Ashley turning 25 is the first of many milestones that we will pass with the cousins this year.  We have graduations, a wedding, and I am sure things I am not yet aware of to celebrate.  But, on 1/27/2020, my 2020 Hindsight will be that Ashley is 25!  I look forward to seeing the amazing things in her future, because she is pretty amazing in the present!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Ashley Rose - we love you!

The 26th day of the year is always  an amazing day.  Two VERY important people in my life celebrated their birthday on the 26th day of 2019.  Now, on 1/26/2020, I spent the day thinking about George Schafer, my college and post-college roommate and one of the best friends I have ever had.  But, sorry George, I spent more time thinking about the other person born on this day, my Mom.  I think George understands, she did give me life and all :-).  But not only that, my mom has always been there for me, as I was growing up, as I became a parent, and to this day, always there to talk to, to come and visit, to teach my girls things, to remind me that I am always loved.  All that I have been able to achieve in this life I attributed to the support I got from my mom (and, yes, my dad, but he gets his day next month).  Tonight, my 2020 Hindsight is My Mom!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mom, I love you!

On the 25th day of 2020, Anna had a concert with the All South Jersey HS Choir.  It was an amazing concert and one I look forward to now every year.  And on 1/25/20 I could not help to be struck, as I am each year, by the amazing sight of all of the students from so many schools in their schools' colors (choir robes) making a powerful rainbow on stage.  And there were kids of all shapes and sizes and abilities (even someone who is blind) and they all participated to make beautiful music that made me feel like, if we do not ruin it, that the world will be a much better place when these students are the leaders of the future.  My Hindsight 2020 is the Power of Song!  The music tonight moved me, inspired me, and made me hopeful for the future.  That was a concert that I am glad I got to attend.

On the 24th day of 2020, I returned home after work, as I often do, opened the door, and was greeted immediately by our dog, Skylar.  It is a very nice experience to have each evening as I return from a day of meetings or tasks (or worse!)  So on 1/24/20, I am tired, but my hindsight 2020 of coming home to Skylar makes me smile.  And heading off to bed, smiling, is always good!

At the end of the workday on 1/23/2020, I fund myself in the Library's Rare Collection area for a celebration of the retirement of a long-time colleague.  This person has been such an amazing resource for me throughout my career, a mentor.  She has supported me, questioned me, asked me to justify my decisions (which often led me to make better ones).  I will miss her terribly and reflected, on 1/23/2020, on how many of these retirements I have attended in the past 2-3 years.  I guess it should be expected, as I get older, that these retirements will become more frequent.  So, as I reflected yesterday on my wonderful colleagues with whom I work, today's 2020 Hindsight is the retirement of cherished colleagues.... I know there will be more coming, but I will celebrate that I met and worked with them instead of lament.

On the 22nd day of 2020, I was able to get back to the office.  Feeling much better, I made my way to Penn on 1/22/2020.  And I am glad I did.  Multiple times during the workday, I found myself smiling at, laughing with, or confiding in them.  My 2020 Hindsight reflects upon my coworkers that I like to work with.  I realize how lucky I am!

During the 21st day of 2020, I realized that, when I left the house this evening, I had not left this house for over 50 hours.  Yes, I was really sick yesterday and stayed home all day.  And, after Church on Sunday, we hunkered in for Football and laundry and then bedtime.  And then today, working from home, I never left until I went to Collingswood for the basketball game.  So, on 1/21/2020, my hindsight is considering how lucky I am that I did not even realize how long it had been.  I appreciate that this house has things to keep me busy (most of them on this computer, but that's for another time) and I appreciate that not everyone has the benefit of a roof over their head and all that they need (at least for 50+ hours) under said roof.  Yes, my Hindsight 2020 is being Homebound for 50 Hours.  It was not bad, actually (not that I want to be sick again) but I look forward to going to work tomorrow.

I am not gonna lie, the 20th day of 2020 was not an easy one for me.  I mean, nothing really bad happened and I was off of work on 1/20/20, but I really could not enjoy the time.  Why?  I had really bad stomach pains (and all the stuff that comes along with it) and was confined to my home so I could be close in case of an emergency.  Hoping I feel better tomorrow and can eat something other than jello and bananas, Ginger Ale and Gatorade (and Water, oh my!)  But, you know what?  If this is the worst I have to deal with (and it won't be) in my life, I consider myself lucky.  Yeah, I survived.  My 2020 Hindsight is the song "I Will Survive"  Even though Gloria is singing about love, I'm gonna pretend it is about my stomach pains :-).  Turning in early, hoping to feel better tomorrow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tth-8wA3PdY

On the 19th day of 2020, Pastor Michael's sermon had a lot to do with time.  Specific times in our lives that are meaningful to us.  And, on 1/19/2020, it got me thinking.  I have a lot of significant times in my life and memories attached to all of them.  So, I thought my hindsight post for tonight should be about those that are so significant to me.  That would be the time that Sarah started walking down the aisle at Mt. Zion UCC in York, PA (we said we would start on time and we started EARLY!), The time of Alexa's Birth (when Sarah and I went from just people to parents!), and that early morning time when Anna came into the world and made our family complete.  Yes, tonight's Hindsight 2020 is about 2:27PM, 2:16PM, and 2:18AM.  Such significant times, and times I will never forget.

The 18th day of the year is always a special day for me.  The 18th day of 2020 was no different.  Because 1/18/2020 is the birthday of Stefan (my nephew) and Winnie (my mother in law).  My thoughts today were filled with memories of them and the profound impacts they have had on my life.  Family is so very important and both Stefan and Winnie have consistently shown me love and acceptance.  And what else do we really need in our lives?  So, tonight's Hindsight 2020 is for my amazing nephew and mother in law.  I hope they had a wonderful birthday and will have a wonderfuller year to come!

The 17th day of 2020 brought me many opportunities to be kind.  To take the high road. To help others without anything (other than good feelings) in return.  And, on 1/17/20, I had a better day because of it.  My 2020 Hindsight is to Be Kind.  A challenge to myself, every day, but a challenge I also hold out to others.

On the morning of 1/16/20, the Penn Band had an amazing announcement: a pledge of $500.000 in matching funds for gifts to the Penn Band.  It made me think, on the 16th day of 2019, how important the moments I had in the Penn Band and how this gift (and the gifts from the Penn Band Alumni that will be made to be matched) will ensure that generations of Bandos to come will have the same (or even better) experiences.  My Hindsight 2020 is looking at the good times in the Penn Band.  FIGHT ON!

In the afternoon of the 15th day of 2020 the University had a Thank You Reception for the coordinators of the campus' PennsWay Campaign.  It made me reflect, on 1/15/20, how happy I am that this campaign is still going strong.  I remember the discussions, years ago, when this campaign was created to ensure that all campus voices were heard in regard to workplace donations.  My Hindsight 2020 for tonight is PennsWay.  May it continue to thrive.

On the 14th day of 2020, I was, once again, behind the basketball clock controller in the CHS Gym.  And the games on 1/14/20 were SO CLOSE.  First the JV won, by one point.  And then, the Varsity lost by two points, but the three pointer (that would have taken them to a one point win) JUST missed.  I was telling someone that, when you are working the clock, the last minute of a game feels like a year long stress-fest.  Yes, my 2020 Hindsight is the last seconds of a close game.  It's not looking back at a large interval of time, but it certainly feels like forever.

The evening of the 13th day was spent as most 2nd Mondays of January are, at Old First in an Elders Meeting discussing the Annual Meeting and the 2020 Annual Budget.  Things looked pretty good on 1/13/20.  And it made me think about how many times I had sat in such a meeting.  I think I have been discussing the Annual Budget for Old First since 1997, when I joined the Finance and Stewardship Committee, 23 years ago!  23 church budgets, that, in itself, defines tonight's 2020 Hindsight: Church Budgets.  Thank goodness tonight's meeting was a good one!

So Alexa is taking 5 (yes FIVE) AP classes this year (her choice, we did not force her!)  One she enjoys a lot is AP Psych (a Psych NP is a possible career choice) and on the 12th day of 2020 I was involved in her assignments.  No, I did not do work for her on 1/12/20, but I had to tell her the story of her birth, so she could document it for her class' baby book project.  Then we fired up the ol' external hard drive and started to peruse baby pictures for the visual portion of the book.  I have to admit, it was a perfect hindsight activity.  I smiled at the pictures and was happy I remembered most of the details of the days (4/1-4/3/02).  Yes, we had to phone a friend (Sarah) for a few details, but Alexa was impressed with what I remembered.  And now, as she picks the pictures I have to get printed tomorrow, I am sitting here listening to Ella Fitzgerald because she was playing on the doula's CD player as Alexa came into the world.....memories <3....

On the 11th day of 2020, I buckled in and completed the Financial Aid forms for Penn for Alexa.  And that meant, on 1/11/20, I had to go look up the Cost of Attendance of Penn and saw the Tuition rate for the 2019-2020 Academic Year.  Because I can, I went into the archives and checked the Tuition rate for 1986-1987.  And, guess what?  It was 20% of what it is now.  20%!  Wow - that made me think about this trend in ALL of higher education and where we might be going in the near future.  Something has to change so that Alexa's kids aren't paying 5x this year's rate in 2054!  My 2020 Hindsight is the cost of attendance.  I am not complaining, I think it's worth it, I am just wondering, using hindsight, what the future will bear.

The 10th day of 2020 was pretty normal for a Friday in January.  1/10/20 was a normal day at work.  Did a lot and got a lot of things done, and I still feel like I have so much to do, but Tuesday is another day (I am off Monday) :-).  Then basketball, basketball, basketball and then hanging at home.  But that's not much fodder for a hindsight post.  What was extraordinary, however, has been the FB memories for the past few days from five years ago.  We were at Disney, I think with the Penn Band, and we were together as a family and we had an amazing time.  Hindsight 2020 is our Disney Trips (as a family and with the Band) and hoping we get back there soon!

The evening of the 9th day of 2020 was quite pleasant!  After work, Sarah and I went, on 1/9/2020, to the Church Choir Holiday Party.  It was good to be in fellowship with all of the choir members and to eat good food, have good conversation, and, of course, sing!  My 2020 Hindsight for tonight is looking at the OFRUCC Choir.  I am so glad that someone heard Sarah and me singing in the pew and suggested we speak with Julie about joining.  And we did!  And the rest, as they say, is musical history.

There was something surreal about the evening of the 8th day of 2020.  That is because, at 8:30PM, I found myself in the Ben Mark Gym, of the Collingswood Middle School, helping my friend by running the clock for the 4th-6th grade girls Rec Basketball.  I thought back to when Alexa and Anna played in this league, and now Alexa is a varsity starter, Senior Captain on the Collingswood HS Basketball team (for whom I also run the clock and who won tonight against Audubon) and Anna is the manager of the team.  I thought about how many of the players on the HS team had their start in the Ben Mark Gym.  My 2020 Hindsight is the course of basketball development.  It all starts with a spark, in the Ben Mark Gym, the teachings of Rec and then Travel and then Middle School coaches and it ends with the HS Team.  Alexa's Collingswood basketball journey is about to come to an end and I am wistful about this.  I have had so much fun watching her and her teammates' de...

I am bit uneasy on the 7th day of 2020.  In the News (why, oh why, do I keep listening/watching?) we keep hearing about events in the Middle East.  I do not know what will happen (and I wonder if we really know what is going on), but I do know I am uneasy.  It reminds me of 1993 with "Gulf War 1" and 9-11 and the aftermath, and 2003 and the Afghanistan invasion.  My 2020 Hindsight is America at War?  And the "?" is intentional.  I do not know what the official definition of "War" is, but I know that US soldiers and other members of the Armed Forces abroad are in more danger than they were a week ago.  I know that people are dying and will continue to die and I know I don't like it.  I pray for more peace, wisdom, and diplomacy and for less fighting and harm and death and destruction.  And, since this reflection could start a political debate (which is not my intent), I am turning off comments and I ask that we all just reflect on more peace a...

This past weekend, my back had another flare up.  So, on 1/6/20, I started the day by seeing my favorite chiropractor, Dr. Kevin Smith (in Mullica Hill).  And, on Day #6 of 2020, he adjusted me and I got some Biofreeze and a cold pack for my back and, with those (plus Advil), I have treated myself, and I think I will be much better in the morning.  So I remember back to that fateful June morning, when I got out of bed and could not even walk and I went to see Dr. Smith and he made it possible for me to function.  So 2020 Hindsight is Dr. Smith, Chiropractor.  He always knows how to get me back on my feet.

We were anxiously awaiting the game on the 5th day of 2020.  That is because 1/5/20 was the afternoon of the Eagles improbable home Playoff game!  Alas, the injury express continued to run through the team and both Carson Wentz and Brandon Graham were hurt.  And, yes, the Eagles lost.  Honestly, not unexpected.  I was worried about this game, Russell Wilson has never lost to the Eagles and the Seahawks were 7-1 on the road this season.  But my 2020 Hindsight for today is not about today's game, it is about the Eagles' Roller Coaster Season in 2019-20.  There was a lot of pre-season hype, followed by an offensive showing in the first game against Washington.  Then the injury bug started to bite.  And, by the last few games of the season, the Eagles were playing with rookies and Practice Squad players.  But they won their last 4 games (including the rematch against the Cowboys!) and inexplicably won the NFC East Division.  Sure, it wa...

Although I wish they would schedule these games when students are on campus, there is something neat about the Penn/Princeton game always being held on an early January Saturday.  It was really neat, on the 4th day of 2020, to see all of the members of "Penn Band Nation" (a few local students and a LOT of local alumni) come together to support our Penn Men's Basketball Team as they faced Princeton in the Palestra.  Although the end result, on 1/4/2020, was far from what we wanted it to be (what a sloppy game :-( ), but it made me reflect (as this year of 2020 Hindsight will make me do) upon this Ivy League Rivalry.  For so many years, it was Penn or Princeton in the Men's NCAA Tournament representing the Ivy League.  And, f.  or the last few years, the same is now true for the Women.  Sure, the Ivy Tournament has taken some significance away from the actual results (the 4 seed can actually win the Tourney and go to the Big Dance), the energy was still there...

There's a new restaurant in town that just opened yesterday.  So the 3rd day of 2019 was the 2nd day of its operations.  And we thought, for dinner on 1/3/2020, we would try them out.  Whelp, a LOT of people in town (and the area) had the same idea and the place was packed.  So we placed an online order and planned to use the old Drive Thru window (from the former occupants of the building) to pick up.  We called and asked when it would be ready and went at the prescribed time.  When we got there, we got someone else's order ("Paul," whoever you are, you can thank us later for not taking your food).  We explained this was not our order and they asked us to wait 10 minutes they would make us OUR order.  20 minutes later and we got a different order, again, not ours.  I showed them the mobile app from which we had placed the order, they apologized, gave the phone to someone else who actually found OUR order and, 20 minutes later, we got our foo...

Day #2 of 2020 has 2020 Hindsight for 2019: What a Year!  On 1/2/2020 I returned to work but, as it was the 9th day of Christmas, I still listened to Christmas Music in the car.  I started to think about this past holiday season that is wrapping up, all of the traditions that we have that may have to change in the future (we will have a College Student next year!  And it made me think of ALL of the milestones passed in 2019.  My parents turned 75.  I turned 50!  Alexa got her Drivers License on her 17th Birthday. My niece got engaged. Sarah and I had our 20th wedding anniversary and 25th dating anniversary.  We passed 25 years of attending Old First Reformed UCC.  Anna went on her first Choir Tour with no parent as a chaperone, Alexa went to Peru with her Spanish Club.  We celebrated Alexa's first Senior Day (in Field Hockey).  Alexa (and later Anna) got a car.  It seems like, everywhere we turned in 2019, a milestone was being...

Well here we are, at the start of another year and another "decade" (I am not getting into that argument tonight!)  Day #1 of 2020 was a great day.  I slept until Noon (last night with that much sleep for a WHILE, but trying to get to bed earlier in 2020 (don't I ALWAYS say that on 1/1/YR?))  Spent most of 1/1/20 with family and watching Bowl Games (and, yes, catching up on some work email and tasks getting ready for the re-entry to the office tomorrow (hope I do not get the bends!!))  And I have known the theme for 2020 since about March of 2019.  As I turned 50, it made me look back and think about the first 1/2 century of my life and the years to come, likely to be fewer than 50, but hopefully as many good years as possible!  And, as I reflected back, I realized that, in 2020, that should be the theme.  "Hindsight is 2020" so 2020's theme will be 2020 Hindsight.   I will use each night's reflections to look back.  The duration reviewed wil...