A word from "The Rocket" commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Christchurch, New Zealand to Queenstown, New Zealand November 2008 Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Commentary by Rick  Rodriguez

The Pilot announced that we were not going to be able to land in Queenstown!  I breathed a sigh of relief because the plane was bouncing around in the sky for all of the 30 minutes we had been in the air! We were in the mountains and I wondered if we would land or this would be the end of the road for yours truly! Nevertheless, I felt no real fear until we landed and the prospect of another flight in the same direction sounded less appealing.  Figuring I had dodged a bullet, I decided to hire a vehicle and trek through the South Island of New Zealand by car rather than fly down with my comrades to Queenstown!

So, as my buddies qued up for another flight, I snuck over to Hertz and ascertained the damage to take a car from Christchurch and leave it in Queenstown.  A couple of gulps later I was in small compact headed South.  I made the right turn onto the Highway on the right side of the vehicle and began my 5 hour trip through the mountains of the South Island of New Zealand!  Obviously, I had no clue where I was headed but the Hertz guy had highlighted a nice map for me to follow.  

I stopped in Geraldine, a small town, for some lunch and a bit of sightseeing.  After meeting a nice gal at the sandwich shop,  I wandered around town for a moment but I was eager to get going because I didn't want to get stuck in the mountains at night.  So, I was off headed towards Lake Tekapo & Pukaki, a rather significant site on the map. Arriving, I was a bit overcome by the ice blue features of this slightly prodigious lake(s).  At the moment, I was either overcome by its magnificence, or was suffocating from the crisp mountain air or cool temperature! Nonetheless, I grabbed my video camera and took in the sights, and I was nearing Mt. Cook, and for a minute, I thought I've got to get there!  But, again, I wanted to get out of those mountains and get down to Queenstown and I was quite a bit out (3 hours) and mountain roads to travel.

So, after hanging around Lake Tekapo for a bit, I quickly got back on the road and continued my trek South.  It was more than few times that I thought to myself " what the heck am I doing here?"   And, "wondered who the heck knows I'm even here?"  As I winded through the mountains, a  greyish nebulous sky forming, I entered the Otago region and exited my vehicle for a few Polaroids.  The mountains were a hilly humpbacks with a yellowish ground cover and it seemed odd. Though slightly intimidating, the humpbacks staring down at an intruder so far from home, I got my shots and stepped back into the perceived safety of my rented Toyota.

The day was slowly turning into early evening and despite my Don Quixote type intrepidness, I was climbing and only a perception of an idea on where I was headed.  The Otago region is known, among other things, for their wine region but mostly what I saw was covered vines.  I imagine that it gets cold up there but I can tell you from experience--try New Zealand wines--they're awesome!  Many of the wines I tried were from local vintners.  Many can't be found here! 

I crept along winding through the mountain and while the road was well marked each turn was a new experience.  I stopped in a small town for petrol and discovered I was still an hour out of Queenstown.  As the downhill out of the mountains began, I noticed that a bustling river was adjacent to the road into town and in each turnout there was a cascade of water here and there.  I stopped and captured a few shots and slowly as night fell I reached Queenstown. 

I was somewhat relieved when I checked into The Millenium Hotel, my accommodations for the next week, and that my buddies I had left up in Christchurch had not arrived sooner than me despite a plane and bus ride.  After I checked in, I discovered that their plane and bus ride had not got them into Queenstown as quickly as my escapade.  So, actually, I got to see six hours of South Island New Zealand real estate from the ground rather than the air!  That turned out to be special moment and time for me in New Zealand!

The next morning I teed it up at Jack Pointe's Golf Course.  Here is a picture of the hole I started on!The mountains surrounding Queenstown are appropriately named "The Remarkables" and now I know why!  It was a glorious week and equally remarkable trip to New Zealand's South Island!

Rick Rodriguez is a writer and is frequently published in opinion/editorial sections in local and national newspapers. Rick, a San Francisco Bay Area native and graduate of Saint Mary's College lives in Danville, California with his two children.  Contact Rick at rrodriguez@pacunion.com or (510) 326-4795.

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A time of turbulence Secrets of the Temple by William Greider Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Commentary By Rick Rodriguez

In a time of turbulence, I often think of an extraordinary book, Secrets of the Temple by William Greider, and since that time I've been hooked on Economics/Politics. The book gave me the opportunity to examine who really runs this country (Federal Reserve), and who doesn't (the President of the United States), as most people assume. Surely, I understand that the Commander-in-Chief is still the President of the United States, and is considered the leader of the free world; however, the President's/government's influence here is more related to fiscal policy predominately spending and taxation, and have we been on a tear lately (7/2011)!  However, Greider's book taught me how monetary policy plays an enormous role in our everyday lives, and how the Federal Reserve has the power to control the economy with its influence on it.

A note on Monetary Policy: "

"Monetary policy is the process by which the monetary authority of a country controls the supply of money, often targeting a rate of interest for the purpose of promoting economic growth and stability. The official goals usually include relatively stable prices and low unemployment. Monetary theory provides insight into how to craft optimal monetary policy.

Monetary policy is referred to as either being expansionary or contractionary, where an expansionary policy increases the total supply of money in the economy more rapidly than usual, and contractionary policy expands the money supply more slowly than usual or even shrinks it. Expansionary policy is traditionally used to try to combat unemployment in a recession by lowering interest rates in the hope that easy credit will entice businesses into expanding. Contractionary policy is intended to slow inflation in hopes of avoiding the resulting distortions and deterioration of asset values."

The Secrets of the Temple chronicles the tenure of Paul Volcker, the Fed chairman prior to the more familiar Alan Greenspan. So, having recently read Alan Greenspan's The Age of Turbulence, another groundbreaking expose on the Federal Reserve seen from the perspective of Alan Greenspan, I thought it necessary for me to gain a perspective on another form of managing an economy--communism.

Certainly, I'm not going to declare Communism as comparable to capitalism in a superior fashion, or that it could exist in today's world; history has already proved that communism has, at best, failed in places like the Soviet Union and to some extent China.

Let's think about this for a minute! "Some critics of utopian or egalitarian socialism argue that income sharing reduces individual incentives to work, and therefore incomes should be individualized as much as possible. Critics of socialism have argued that in any society where everyone holds equal wealth there can be no material incentive to work, because one does not receive rewards for a work well done. They further argue that incentives increase productivity for all people and that the loss of those effects would lead to stagnation. John Stuart Mill in The Principles of Political Economy (1848) said:

"It is the common error of Socialists to overlook the natural indolence of mankind; their tendency to be passive, to be the slaves of habit, to persist indefinitely in a course once chosen. Let them once attain any state of existence which they consider tolerable, and the danger to be apprehended is that they will thenceforth stagnate; will not exert themselves to improve, and by letting their faculties rust, will lose even the energy required to preserve them from deterioration. Competition may not be the best conceivable stimulus, but it is at present a necessary one, and no one can foresee the time when it will not be indispensable to progress."

Frankly, that is an amazing statement and in my own life I have found that to conform with my thinking. What incentive would I have to work harder and produce more when my doing so meant nothing to anyone or I was not rewarded in any way for doing so? As a competitor, I am driven to improve in almost all facets of my life. Admittedly, this is a pain in the rear at times; it's almost like a harness that holds me in place and yet pulls me toward better experiences and feelings.

 

Here are some excerpts and paraphrases of MARX by Gil Hands:

According to Hands (2007) "Karl Marx is considered to be one of the greatest thinkers in the last thousand years. Born in Germany in 1818, he was a great philosopher, historian, economist, and social theorist. His writings led to revolution and to a total change in the political structure of the world."

Hands (2007) states " that Marx's main contribution to the development of philosophy was historical materialism: a way of studying the relationship between the material world and the world of ideas." He further states " the capitalist economy needs costly machinery to produce goods. Only those who can afford to invest capital in the economy can profit from it."

From the COMMUNIST MANIFESTO " The proletarians will eventually rise to power through class struggle: the bourgeoisie constantly exploits the proletariat for its manual labour and cheap wages, ultimately to create profit for the bourgeois; the proletariat rise to power through revolution against the bourgeoisie such as riots or creation of unions. The Communist Manifesto states that while there is still class struggle amongst society, capitalism will be overthrown by the proletariat only to start again in the near future; ultimately communism is the key to class equality amongst the citizens of Europe."

Most of us, including me, have just assumed that we can get job, start a business, make money, and someday become rich. However, there are some people that have a head start, and are in positions which according to my understanding of the book exploit others for their labor. In other words, it's always been that way and always will under capitalism.

Another key idea according to Hands (2007) is Marx's description of "how fetishisms of money, capital, and commodities alienated people." Here, my understanding is we (capitalists) are so focused on materialism that we become alienated from each other because in many ways we are competing with each other, and are always trapped by materialism; yet material possessions somehow serve to assuage our alienation.

I gained a new perspective, and though I certainly don't believe the system (communism) could ever work, some of the ideas Marx describes about capitalism, good and bad, have come to fruition. I alos learned a lot about the inculcated beliefs that I hold or I have adopted through extraneous social and cultural influences.

I leave it to the reader, learner, and individual that questions the way things are to continue the quest of discovery. I value the accomplishment of challenging my mind to gain a new perspective, and to further aid me in evaluating the world we live in.

MARX by Gill Hands is 178 pages. I read this book in May of 2008.

Rick Rodriguez is a writer and is frequently published in opinion/editorial sections in local and national newspapers. Rick, a San Francisco Bay Area native and graduate of Saint Mary's College lives in Danville, California with his two children.  Contact Rick at rrodriguez@pacunion.com or (510) 326-4795.

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No fear of flying Highest Duty by Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

The book Highest Duty by Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger with Jeffrey Zaslow has helped me have little or No fear of flying.   I've often wondered why the skies have always treated me so kindly. Turbulence here and there, at times extreme, but never calamitous. I've have never been involved in any rough airplane incidents outside of heavy turbulence in Australia once and having a plane unable to land in New Zealand (we turned around).  This with me strapped to a gas tank!

However, the day I saw the videotape of a Pilot landing his aircraft with his landing gear pointed at a 90 degree angle and a plane full of nervous passengers, I thought "these guys are amazing!"  Moreover, it also established a degree of comfort for me while flying and it should for you, too!  Of course, tragedy can strike at anytime but for the most part flying in general is the safest mode of transportation.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

"JetBlue Flight 292, en route to New York's JFK Airport from Burbank, California encountered nose gear malfunctions shortly after takeoff. It safely landed three hours later at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with no apparent injuries.

The pilots first realized something was wrong when the landing gear failed to retract; television footage showed that the plane's front wheels were pointing sideways, perpendicular to the plane's body. The plane was diverted to Long Beach Airport, where it tried and failed to land, and then on to LAX, which has better emergency facilities. The aircraft circled near the airport for several hours to burn fuel; the Airbus 320 aircraft is not designed to dump fuel.

Commentators predicted that the nose gear would either snap off, immediately twist to parallel upon touch down, or withstand the friction from the landing while remaining at a 90 degree angle.

At approximately 6:19PM local time, almost three hours after takeoff, the aircraft successfully managed to touch down. The pilot landed the plane first on its two rear wheels, keeping its nose in the air as long as possible until it slowed enough that the nose could be safely lowered. The front tires remained at a 90 degree angle and were incinerated through the friction. A cloud of white smoke and sparks burst out from behind the nose gear as the plane traveled down the runway. As the airplane finally stopped, the pilot had managed to keep the plane no more than 6 inches from the runway's centerline. Officials were prepared with a brigade of fire engines as well as fire retardant foam in case the front wheel ignited. The plane was evacuated a few minutes later."

So for some odd reason, I never really grasped what Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and his crew accomplished the day his lifeless U.S. Airways plane plummeted into the Hudson River. Never mind that the guy lived in my same neighborhood, two blocks over, and my town Danville threw a huge parade for the guy. I didn't get it!

Then, I read New York times Bestseller "Highest Duty...My Search for What Really Matters" by Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger with Jeffrey Zaslow. While the story details a chronological history of Mr. Sullenberger's life, particularly how he came to be at the moment where he was gliding an Airbus Jet into a freezing river; the message, his message, seems of greater importance!

For me, this book brought into contemplation the things I do daily "Am I making a difference?" Will my children benefit from my example or not? What can I do to be better prepared for unexpected encounters? The book offers anecdotes for these questions for readers to consider and suggests how one man and his methods came to aid him that day. It is also an emotionally compelling story! I wouldn't be surprised if a tear or two dripped down to the pages of the book while reading this story. It did for me! I love stories like that because they relate to thoughts I've had or experiences I've lived through.

It's book like these that allow me to travel in comfort. And, perhaps,it might aid you if you have a fear of flying to take comfort in the knowledge that the guy in the cockpit is a professional. A PRO that is trained to deal with situations; a Pilot that has prepared for these situations and in fact has made it his "HIGHEST DUTY" that you arrive at your destination safely!

Highest Duty...My Search for What Really Matters" is a joy to read. The book is 321 pages. I read it in November 2010.

Rick Rodriguez is a writer and is frequently published in opinion/editorial sections in local and national newspapers. Rick, a San Francisco Bay Area native and graduate of Saint Mary's College lives in Danville, California with his two children.  Contact Rick at rrodriguez@pacunion.com or (510) 326-4795.

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Tasmania, Australia October 1998 Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

In 1998, I spent three weeks on the Island of Tasmania, Australia.  This is the tear drop land mass south of the continent of Australia. It is also the home of the famed Tasmanian Devil! The purpose of my trip was to play in two golf tournaments: the Australian National Left-Handed Golf Championship and the World Left-Handed Golf Championship.  Tasmania is a twenty hour flight including stops from San Francisco!  I left out of Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland, New Zealand to Melbourne, Australia, and then to the Launceston, Tasmania. 

I got there on October 17, and after I checked into the Hotel Grand Chancellor, I went for a practice round at the Riverside Golf Club.   Arriving at the course, I went over to the practice putting green and gazed over the horizon marveling at the course of events that had gotten me to this point in life.  Here I was, thousands of miles from home, standing on unfamiliar turf, about to play a game I love--GOLF!  I must have been jet lagged because I hacked it up that day, but I reasoned at least I was able to see one of the courses I'd eventually play in the tournament, and what the heck I was on vacation having fun!   After the round, I went for a short run to get a feel for the town.  Launceston is a quaint town with many small stores, and a variety of restaurants; and its got some key tourist spots including Queen Victoria Hall.  My run interweaved between small streets and Cataract Gorge (a key spot), and after a short run, I went back to the hotel and got settled in for dinner.

The next morning the Australian National  Left-Handed Golf Tournament got under way.  The 1st round was contested at the Launceston Golf Club.  As a crowd of golfers gathered to gaze at the starting golfers, I was busily trying to cope with my 1st tee jitters, very soon the gazes would turn toward me, and I wanted to perform well.  I must have shaken them off.  I got off to a good start (42) but struggled on the back and ended with a 95.  I was pretty dejected because I let a good opportunity get away  on what I felt was a fair course.  I had trouble with tight lies and the extremely fast greens.  In the 2nd round at Mowbray Golf Club, I started off well striping my drive right down the middle.  My confidence led to a quick Par, and after 9 holes I shot (45). The front was high-lighted by a great up and down from a green side bunker on hole 9.  Then, just like that I had two consecutive 8's!  Wow, I was crushed and I had to take myself aside for a fast pep talk.  After the positive self-talk, I shot even par that included a birdie on 17 (30 ft. Breaker) on the last six holes.  I shot 87 for the round.

After two rounds, I was in 3rd place in my flight, and I was looking forward to playing the Riverside Golf Club; the site of my 1st round on the Island.   I played well (85), and found myself leading my flight after the 3rd round.  In the round, I was paired with a couple of Australians, David Direen and Keith Martin, and we had a fantastic time.  In fact, David and I hit it off pretty well, and after the round he asked me to come down to Hobart (his home) for the weekend.  Of course, I accepted and after the tournament on Friday we made our way down to Hobart.  After the round, I discovered that I was leading by 3 strokes; apparently no one in my flight had bettered my score.

In the last round, we played the Casino Country Club course, and while I was nervous, I shot another 85 and won my flight by two shots.  I was leading by several shots but on the 18th hole I triple-bogeyed the hole, and not knowing the final outcome actually thought I lost the tournament on 18.  I was quite disappointed.  I didn't discover until the tournament banquet that night that I had held on.  I was awarded a beautiful bronze Tasmanian tiger for the win.  Today, it sits on my desk; a constant reminder of my trip to Tasmania

I never really thought I'd end up winning a golf flight in Tasmania.  But, I guess things just sometimes work out that way.  I also ended up with a great friendship with David Direen that has been renewed in Ireland, New Zealand, and Canada in the ensuing years. 

My trip to Tasmania in 1998 was an amazing lifetime experience.  Intertwined with many splendid moments engaging with friends and relationships I have formed throughout the world, Tasmania is a place that offers lots of outdoor adventure activities; great food, and a warm culture.  It is a place that created amazing moments for me including the reward of playing golf in this far off land.  It was a devil of a time!

Rick Rodriguez is a writer and is frequently published in opinion/editorial sections in local and national newspapers. Rick, a San Francisco Bay Area native and graduate of Saint Mary's College lives in Danville, California with his two children.  Contact Rick at rrodriguez@pacunion.com or (510) 326-4795.

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Spain to Tangier, Morocco via Strait of Gibraltar March 1994 Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Commentary By Rick Rodriguez

I had no idea what to expect crossing the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain intoTangier,Morocco.  I just knew that Morocco is in North Africa, and I would, if only for a moment, touch the continent of Africa.  Even the name, Africa, begs for an explanation, almost an intrigue into the unknown and unfamiliar, and while I was leaving behind the consistency of Spain; a familiar cuisine and dialect, I knew little of my destination!   

We departed from the Rock of Gibraltar region, pictured above, after spending a week in the area, and touring  Portugal including Lisbon. 

The itinerary was a day trip through Tangier, a port town, located on the north west coast of the country.  We traveled by ferry from the Strait of Gibraltar in the Iberian Peninsula of Spain across to Tangier.   The ferry was a pleasant, and as I remember, only a few hour one way trip from Gibraltar.  It was full of tourists and locals; a lively ambiance filled the vessel, perhaps a harbinger of things to come. 

We had pre-arranged the trip with a tour company. Once past the customary procedures entering a foreign country; we departed by coach to tour Tangier.

Morocco (the full Arabic name is Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah which translates into "The Western Kingdom" ) is located on the North West coast of Africa and has ports in the North Atlantic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea. It is the third most populous Arab country. Morocco shares the largest part of its border with Algeria to the East and Western Sahara to the South. Morocco is divided into sixteen regions.  Each region is further divided into provinces and prefectures. The capital of Morocco is Rabat and its largest city is Casablanca.

Our trek through Tangier was short; but as with most city tours, it was designed around seeing as many of the important sites as possible in the allotted time frame.  Thus, we were treated to local cuisine; shopping districts (Bazaars); the Casbah; treks through a maze of pathways in town; the coastline, and some wildlife!  It was also a place where I immediately felt isolated from the western world.  Not that I was homesick for the good ole' US of A, I wasn't, it was just the distinct cultural differences required a bit of getting used to.  From the arabic signage to the bustling streets to the aggressive merchants peddling their wares at every opportunity, the latter a practical infringement on personal space.  At the time, and to be fair, it might be quite different now, it bordered on a personal battle just to get through some merchants and to the next phase of the tour.  Nonetheless, as I walked through this very old place, a maze of stone pathways, walls rising above me at each shoulder blending neighboring districts, I eagerly moved along fascinated with my journey.

I saw lives of people passing before me.  Young and old!  Smiling children staring perhaps wondering about me and what I was doing there(?)  I saw kids playing: kicking soccer balls.  Just like we do back home.  I saw the diurnal events of the locals.  The interactions and the negotiations of the passing day.  For me, this was enough to know and see, that what I was seeking was here; a different kind of place, one I was not familiar with but somehow knew.  A way different from my own.  But a way I needed to see and compare to my own.

The Casbah, akin to a fortress, stands out in my memory, and I don't really know whether there is a Casbah in every town in the country, but it is an intriguing architecture and would be a very interesting inspection.  "The Casbah (Arabic: qasba, meaning citadel)specifically the citadel of Algiers in Algeria and the traditional quarter clustered around it. More generally, a casbah is the walled citadel of many North African cities and towns. The name made its way into English from French in the late 19th century and continues to be spelled as acquired from that language."

I was captured by the clustering of the environment and now as I write these words even more so.  We stood marveling from a distance.  And as I stared off wondering what life might be like there; we were off to yet another adventure.  But none would register a slot in my memory more than the Casbah.  I would leave Morocco with a bit of its history; the chaos of it's bazaars; an introduction to their dining customs and food; the labyrinth of its streets, and knowledge of the fierceness of its merchants.

Though I came and left quickly.  I tasted Morocco enough that if I would ever come to Spain again.  I would certainly catch the ferry back into this country.  I discovered what I was looking for in Morocco.  I saw the old clashing with the new.  I saw life somewhat differently than I know.  In some respects, it was a peek into the past that perhaps now a decade and half removed from my visit is no more! 

Rick Rodriguez is a writer and is frequently published in opinion/editorial sections in local and national newspapers. Rick, a San Francisco Bay Area native and graduate of Saint Mary's College lives in Danville, California with his two children.  Contact Rick at rrodriguez@pacunion.com or (510) 326-4795.

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Dipsea Trail/Marin County Northern California June 2011 Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Crushing small pebbles and stones with each step on the Dipsea Trail/Marin County, blood coarsing through my veins violently; I gasped for air, relishing in the moment, alone, navigating the trail, again, that serves my soul and breaks up the monotony of the chase; the sun's rays penetrating the back of my neck, I focused on the discomfort I felt in my lower extremities and how I've learn to love the self-inflicted pain of putting my body through yet another physical revival.  It was a return for me: a return to the past!  It was a return to the Dipsea Trail in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area just north of San Francisco, California!

I was once again back on the Dipsea Trail on a picturesque day!  What had started out as a nebulous beginning, quickly changed as I dropped deeper into the valley and rose again to what is an open expanse of the Dipsea Trail.  The sun had made its appearance and Mother Nature, after hurling a brisk fog at me rewarded my visit with bright rays of sunshine as I crested a small ridge that leads to the Pantoll Station and the descent of what I believe is one of the most amazing 1.5 miles in California--the Steep Ravine Trail!

Passing the sign that said "Dipsea" this way, beckoning me toward the famous trail that connects Mill Valley and Stinson Beach, I opted for the Steep Ravine trail entrance at the Pantoll Station, a 1.7 mile jaunt and then a similar length descent before it intersects with Dipsea on its way down to the shores of Stinson Beach.  And, it had been a while since I had returned to this trail, usually accompanied by a consistent companion of the past.  There is a history there.  An irrefutible  history that was borne of memories earned through sweat and struggle.  But this day was not about the past and as sweat formed on my chin I could think of nothing but inhaling an adequate supply of oxygen and of the joy I was experiencing for the small price I was paying. 

The Steep Ravine trail in all its remarkableness can only be thoroughly enjoyed by halting any activity and embracing a moment of silence. It is magnificent but only affords fast glances of its beauty as a runner's focus is always on the precise foot trail placement!  Having learned the way of severely sprained ankles, I only deviate from my routine at those intervals where the trail captivates me and I cannot ignore its attention!  It grabs me and I respond with awe! 

As I descended the ladder, face forward, I had missed this place and perhaps the message was that I needed to get back there!  I felt a resurgence; a renewal of sorts, I was reminded how much I needed to work at getting strong again.  I was reminded about how good working hard feels!  This is me and what I enjoy doing and sharing!  Undoubtedly, I will return to this place and though on this day I was alone, an occasional passer-byer breaking up the silence, I was not abandoned of my memory and what this place means to me.  This environment responds to my thoughts, hopes, and dreams!  It is where I go to renew, replenish and reinvigorate my enthusiasm for them and what I hope to accomplish!

The Dipsea Race

"The Dipsea is well known for its scenic course and challenging trails. After traversing a few blocks in Mill Valley's downtown, runners climb 688 stairs.Leading up the side of Mount Tamalpais, and then pass through Muir Woods National Monument, Mount Tamalpais State Park, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  The start is at the intersection of Throckmorton and Cascade Drive in Mill Valley, which drew its name from having the first saw mill in Marin County. The Dipsea Trail is the most direct route connecting the town of Mill Valley, located near the northwestern shores of Richardson Bay, with the village of Stinson Beach, situated along the Pacific coast.  Stinson Beach is a popular tourist destination, located about a 30-minute drive north of San Francisco on Highway 1, via Golden Gate Bridge.  The ascent over the southern shoulder of Mount Tam reaches its apex around the top of Cardiac Hill, 4.1 miles into the race."

Since returning to the Dipsea, I've gone back several times for a renewal; a re-birth of sorts, it works for me and it works for others.  The Dipsea delivers time and time again!

Rick Rodriguez is a writer and is frequently published in opinion/editorial sections in local and national newspapers. Rick, a San Francisco Bay Area native and graduate of Saint Mary's College lives in Danville, California with his two children.  Contact Rick at rrodriguez@pacunion.com or (510) 326-4795.

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Achieving goals commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Simply put achieving goals comes down to a few basic things but none is more basic than writing down your goals!  I found this to be the case experimenting with this process for nearly thirty years.   Of course, what I am about to share is nothing some hot shot guru can't tell you; or a professional athlete; famous actor or somebody even more impactful--an iconic figure. The difference between them and me is well I am none of those!  I am merely someone that believed enough in the power of writing down goals that it inspired me enough to go out and achieve them!

So, how did it go?  I mean for me.  Did I achieve what I set out to do when I was twenty years old?  Yes would be my first answer!  A closer look though reveals that I achieved some things quite accurately; others not at all, and still some others as a modified version.  Was I disappointed of not reaching all my goals?  Frankly, not really, but some could have been better had I had more: awareness, ambition, ability, and had taken more action!

For example, in 1993, I set out to run a marathon (26.2 mile races), partly because I wanted a big challenge and at the time it was somewhat of a huge accomplishment.  Of course, it still is a big accomplishment but many more people have found that with dedication, desire, and commitment this is an attainable goal.  I achieved this goal in San Francisco and later in the same year in Dallas, Texas!  On that day in Dallas, I achieved what would be my fastest time (3:36) and actually had a better pace going to twenty miles (2:40)!  Naturally, I was extremely proud to have run that race that well to my level of training in such a short time (less than a year) but my awareness level was low after the accomplishment.  I took for granted the training that created that level of fitness.  I also didn't recognize my ability.  I somewhat took for granted that I could muster the ambition to improve.  And, needless to say, I did not take the action to get me to the next level!   I peaked in Dallas, Texas!  Not really a big deal since it was never my goal to be an incredibly fast runner and I was only running for the joy of it  and the sense of accomplishment.  

However, therein lies a learning lesson about writing down your goals:

1) Have an awareness of what you've accomplished and what it took to create that experience

2) Understand the motivation of your ambition and why you wanted to achieve this goal

3) Analyze your ability to achieve a certain goal.  Can you improve based on your capability?           

4) Take action toward a new goal!

Things could have changed with my running goals had I had an awareness of where I was in terms of maximizing this goal; my ability to run longer and faster was hindered by an analysis of an action plan and without a greater ambition to run better---as I mentioned I was peaked!  Nonetheless, these days, I still run and ran ten marathons before I started running 1/2 marathons simply because I had so many other things I wanted to accomplish!

Achieving Goals comes down to these basic principles.  The people that have achieved success have modified versions of my contentions here but there are certainly many similarities.  Frankly, however, most anyone would tell you from professional athletes to motivational speakers to anyone that has lived their dreams.  Achieving goals comes down to an awareness of what you want.  The ability to attain it.  The ambition for it and a action plan to achieve it.  Write down your goals and start achieving them!  I did and it sure helped me!!

 

Rick Rodriguez is a writer and is frequently published in opinion/editorial sections in local and national newspapers. Rick, a San Francisco Bay Area native and graduate of Saint Mary's College lives in Danville, California with his two children.  Contact Rick at rrodriguez@pacunion.com or (510) 326-4795.

Follow Rick at:

http://www.rickrodriguez.net/

www.RickRodriguez.typepad.com/The_Rocket

www.RickRodriguez.typepad.com/The_Rodriguez_Report

 

The Wall Street Journal April 17, 2008 "Illegal Immigration" Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

On April 17, 2008, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), published a commentary I wrote in the Letters to the Editor section of their paper regarding illegal immigration.  The subject has been long debated and like a can kicked down the road there never seems to be a solution to appease the various political groups, voting blocs, the right or left in this country.  In fact, since President Obama has been in office (2008), increasingly aggressive deportation laws have been enforced consistent with the actions of former President Bush.  The present administration is deporting illegal immigrants in record numbers somewhat in contrast to the political campaign rhetoric.   Of course, there are numerous opinions on Illegal Immigration and it is still a very divisive issue that will require extensive debate in the upcoming elections.

My comments to WSJ were in response to a story I read in the WSJ about an illegal immigrant (Mr. Derezinski) that had successfully engaged in a pursuit of the American dream.  He worked; paid taxes; purchased real estate; had children, and achieved all of this while being pursued by the government for over staying his initial visa issued 12 years prior.  Despite numerous attempts to capture Mr. Derezinski, he was able to delay his deportation through the courts and other subterfuge.  He contended since he was a contributing honorable citizen he should be afforded a circumvention of our immigrations laws! The government refused this reasoning.

While his achievements are to be admired; his circumvention of the law shouldn't--nor was it.  The story ends as the protagonist is finally apprehended and deported.  Certainly, the conclusion is no cause for celebration, and that is besides the point; nonetheless, the plight of Mr. Derezinski brings to light the real costs, both financial and emotional, of this ongoing struggle.

What Kind of Immigrants Do We Want? 

Notwithstanding Mr. Derezinski's honorable efforts in achieving the American dream, his results are at the expense of violating a most basic law.  While he should be applauded, I guess, for paying his taxes and keeping a job, nothing is mentioned of the cost of pursuing a fugitive of the law for more than a decade.  In the end, it appears that Mr. Derezinski gets it, as all of us should: There are consequences to our decisions despite our most honorable intentions.

Published April 17, 2008 The Wall Street Journal Letters To The Editor by Rick Rodriguez

Watch Rhetoric vs Reality on Illegal Immigration for a balanced view of the issue and its current state (12/2011)

Rick Rodriguez is a writer and is frequently published in opinion/editorial sections in local and national newspapers. Rick, a San Francisco Bay Area native and graduate of Saint Mary's College lives in Danville, California with his two children.  Contact Rick at rrodriguez@pacunion.com or (510) 326-4795.

Follow Rick at:

http://www.rickrodriguez.net/

www.RickRodriguez.typepad.com/The_Rocket

www.RickRodriguez.typepad.com/The_Rodriguez_Report

 

Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer Commentary by Rick Rodriguez

Commentary By Rick Rodriguez

I had noticed the title Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer for some time at the book store before deciding to purchase it, and frankly I was intrigued for a couple of reasons. The first is I've read Krakauer's other best sellers Into the Wild and Into Thin Air and enjoyed them immensely. The other is in seeking answers to the mysteries of life, for me, religion, and all its varieties, is one that requires ardent examination. In this case, the book analyzes a religion, specifically the Mormon religion, and Krakauer explores, investigates, and excavates deeply into the religion, from its roots including its founder Joseph Smith to Brigham Young, and up to nearly present day.  The book also introduces the contrast of Mormon fundamentalism as interpreted by a pair of brothers that leads to grisly murders committed by the pair!  As with many religions, there are consistencies with other religions, but the most poignant in this book is the contrast of Mormon Fundamentalism and what is the modern day Mormon religion.

The belief that Joseph Smith, is the Prophet is introduced.  “We do not worship [Joseph Smith] the Prophet. We worship God our Eternal Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ. But we acknowledge the Prophet; we proclaim him; we respect him; we reverence him as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty in restoring to the earth the ancient truths of the divine gospel, together with the priesthood through which the authority of God is exercised in the affairs of His Church and for the blessing of His people” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant,” Ensign, Dec 2005, 2–6).  A very strong and interesting proclamation.  However, there are more and some may draw for intriguing debate.  

I suggest the book is worth reading, but it is tough on the Mormon religion. There are some specific themes to the book that are paramount to the work, and frankly some are very violent and unacceptable to mainstream America.  

I appreciate the manner in which Krakauer annotates and cites his commentaries and writing. This gives the reader assurance that his work was not just conjecture or opinion, but heavily researched work. Undoubtedly, in examining his work, a learned reader might conclude the same.  Moreover, I took the time to read the rebuttals, and commentary from representatives of the religion, and here again I believe Krakauer lends credibility to his arguments and research. I suggest you do the same because it gives the opposing perspective, and a chance to engage in a little debate.  Read the New York Times book review to gain an even broader perspective on the book.

Under the banner of heaven is 372 pages.  I read this book on September 2007. 

Rick Rodriguez is a writer and is frequently published in opinion/editorial sections in local and national newspapers. Rick, a San Francisco Bay Area native and graduate of Saint Mary's College lives in Danville, California with his two children.  Contact Rick at rrodriguez@pacunion.com or (510) 326-4795.

Follow Rick at:

http://www.rickrodriguez.net/

www.RickRodriguez.typepad.com/The_Rocket

www.RickRodriguez.typepad.com/The_Rodriguez_Report