The spring semester at Hubbard State University is almost complete, with final exams being administered this week. Marcus Harnack isn’t even required to take the final Chemistry exam due to the fact that he already has enough points to get an “A” in the class. He told his professor that he was going to take the final exam anyway, “Just to see if I can Ace it.” The professor seemed pleased.

This Chemistry course, Marcus’ first foray into academia, has been an eye opener. Initially intimidated by his younger, hipper, I-pod using, cell phone addicted, well-dressed classmates, Marcus lives no more with anxiety. After all, he, Marcus Harnack, is the king of the jungle, with the highest grade in the class. While his classmate competitors have spent their evenings logged on to myspace.com, Marcus has been reading his chemistry book and spending time in the lab. While they have wasted their days sitting around in the student center visiting with friends, Marcus was slaving away at the foundry. They don’t know where he came from, this plaid-shirted, blue-jeaned “Marcus” character, but they do know that he is the “curve breaker.” They are the “pretenders.” Marcus is their master.

While his fellow students are secretly envious, Marcus’ chemistry professor is openly impressed by his comprehension of the material. Last week he called Marcus into his office. “Marcus,” he said, “In my fifteen years teaching at this University I have never encountered a student that has mastered Chemistry the way you have. Quite simply, son, you are destined to a future far from the grinding floor at the foundry. You have the brains to become a metallurgist or a chemical engineer.” Marcus gasped, “But how am I going to be able to afford an education? I’ve got to work for a living, my parents don’t have the money to help me, and tuition is expensive. If I don’t go to school full-time it will take me forever to finish college.”

“College isn’t an expenditure, son, it is an investment,” said the Professor. “They have Pell grants, student loans, and I can help you get some scholarships. I want you to work at the foundry this summer, save up as much as you can, and enroll here next fall as a full-time student. Maybe the foundry will let you work part time and on weekends. You can do this, son!” Marcus was shocked. His life was about to change. He knew that college was the place for him and he had absolutely no fear about succeeding. He told his chemistry professor that he was probably going to enroll full time in the fall. “Great”, said the professor.

Later that week Marcus stopped by Dave’s house for career advice. Everyone knew Dave was rich, but moreover he was the town “Renaissance Man,” knowing more about almost anything than anyone Marcus had ever met. Dave was pleased by Marcus’ news. When Marcus expressed his doubts about the financial barriers to attending college full-time, Dave said, “Marcus, the average male college graduate makes over $1 million more than the average high school graduate over a lifetime. If you’re going into engineering the earnings spread will be even greater. The $50,000 you will have to borrow to attend four years of college is a pittance compared to the additional income you will earn. Go for it, my boy!”

The next morning while work at the foundry, Marcus told metallurgical engineer Paul Kedzic about the success that he had experienced in his Chemistry course at Hubbard State. Paul said, “Why didn’t you tell me you had enrolled?” Marcus said, “Because I didn’t want to disappoint you if I did badly.” “I knew you would do well,” said Paul. “Next week let’s get together and I’ll help you with your scholarship planning.”

After work, Marcus’ buddy Frank Rogers called from Minneapolis, inviting him next weekend for some fun in Uptown. When Marcus told Frank about his decision to pursue his engineering degree, Frank was so surprised and happy that he almost dropped the phone! Later that evening Marcus went to his parent’s house for dinner. When he announced his decision his dad smiled and his mom cried. Timmy didn’t quite know what to think about his big brother going to college, but he could sense Marcus’ happiness. “Maybe I better start studying harder next year in fifth grade,” said Timmy, “I might want to go to college just like Marcus.”

Sometimes I like to think of my life as straight line traveling through three-dimensional space.  In our universe there are over six billion other lines running rapidly through space, each representing the life of specific human being.  When two lines intersect, those two people meet.  Sometimes these lines touch each other, running side by side for years, like the relationship you might have with a schoolmate.  Sometimes the lines actually twist together and run for a long time, perhaps representing a marriage or love relationship.  As each person’s line moves constantly forward, sometimes there is a moment of intersection of lines (lives) that is extremely brief.  For example, when you accidentally bump into a stranger on a crowded sidewalk and apologize, this represents an intersection of two lines, or what I call a “nano-encounter”.  When these brief encounters become spiritually significant I call it a “Nano-Epiphany”.  Nano means “small”, or in this case, short in duration.  An epiphany is a “sign, manifestation, or appearance” of something of great importance.  A Nano-Epiphany can last as little as a few seconds, yet the spirituality of the moment can affect a person for the rest of his life.

The cool thing about Nano-Epiphanies is that they occur between people who have never met before and will probably never meet again.  Yet, for those brief seconds or minutes there is a high-quality interpersonal connection that is extremely powerful.  Have you ever had a Nano-Epiphany?  Let me give you an example of one of my recent Nano-Epiphanies.

Last week my wife and I were with some friends attending a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.  After the game, as the crowd jammed the sidewalks of Wrigleyville, I noticed a fellow walking ahead of me with two of his children.  He was a broad-shouldered man with a fu-Manchu beard.  At first glance he looked kind of mean; like a guy that I wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley.  But after looking closely, seeing him and his two children adorned in their Cubs jerseys and hats, I was struck with a sense of admiration for this fellow who had taken time out to be with his kids.  I had my digital camera with me so I tapped him on the shoulder and asked him if I could take a photo of him with his kids.  He was taken aback at first, but then said, “Sure, but I have a couple more across the street.”  He called to them and they came over, equally adorned in Cubbie blue.

They lined up against a fence, he behind his four children.  After I took my photo I reached out to thank him and shake his hand.  He grabbed my hand and we were locked in a friendly clenched handshake.   For some reason he looked straight into my eyes, still hanging on to my hand and said, “God Bless you, Man.”  There was a strong feeling emanating from both of us, and I instantly replied, “And God Bless you and your family!”  The hands parted and we walked in different directions with our lines running away from each other in hyperspace, never to cross again.  The Nano-Epiphany was over.  I won’t forget it for a long time.

Why would a complete stranger express such sincere and meaningful words to me?  Why was I able to sincerely respond to his words without even thinking about it?  What was it that connected us so profoundly?  Perhaps it was goodwill among men.  Perhaps it was the touch of the spirit of God.  Maybe he could sense my true admiration for him as a father.  Whatever it was, we shared a second of truly quality time as our lives touched briefly in an eternal universe.  If you’ve had a Nano-Epiphany and want to share it, please email me at donsalyards@charter.net.  Because my Nano-Epiphany involved a photo, I’ve included it below.  Enjoy!

Sports

Over his many years as a star NFL quarterback, Brett Favre has earned respect and admiration from Packer fans and the front office.  He is admired…no…REVERED in Packer Dom.  However, the Packers have given him plenty of time to make up his mind about whether or not he will return next season.  The NFL draft is approaching.  Favre has been stalling.  It is time for Brett to decide.  If doesn’t do it within a week, it is time for the Packers to give him a deadline and treat him like any other football player under contract.

Congress and Immigration

The Congress of the United States has taken a break without resolving immigration issues, particularly at the Mexican border.  This is a complex, multi-faceted problem, so perhaps it is good that they are giving it more time.  My prediction is that Congress will pass legislation soon.  It is also my prediction that the new law will be unenforceable, ignored, and will not solve any of the problems it was intended to resolve.  Twelve million illegal immigrants aren’t going home.  They can’t afford it, the US economy can’t afford it, and the US government has neither the will nor the money to make it happen.

Gasoline Prices

The price of regular gasoline may reach $4.00 per gallon in some parts of the United States this summer.  That’s good news in one respect.  At prices above $4.00 per gallon (crude prices above $70) OPEC will face serious competition from other forms of fossil fuel (tar sands in Alberta) and alternative energy sources (nuclear, wind and solar).  The United States will finally be taking baby steps away from dependence on oil in the politically messy Persian Gulf.  OPEC need not worry as the Chinese and Indians will suck up as much oil as they can produce over the next 40 years.  Finally the geo-political problems of the US that are related to dependence on oil will begin to subside.  In as little as one generation we may be nearly free of dependence on oil from the Persian Gulf.

The Prosperity of Minnesota Taxpayers

Evidently, Minnesota is an incredibly prosperous place where taxpayers will build not one, not two, but three new sports stadiums.  Presently the Vikings, Twins, and Minnesota Gophers all use the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis.  The Vikings and Gophers share the complex for football because college teams play on Saturday and professional teams play on Sunday.  In the summer when there is no football the Metrodome is home to the Minnesota Twins, who have won two World Series Championships at the dome.  It takes a mere four hours to transform the Metrodome from football use to baseball use.

The Metrodome is just a few blocks from the University of Minnesota campus, but now the U of M wants a new football stadium.  The Vikings and the Twins both want taxpayer support for their own separate sports facilities.  The cost of all three venues may exceed one billion dollars.  In contrast, the Metrodome, the world’s largest multi-use air-supported stadium was completed under budget and on time in 1982 for a cost of $55 million.

In this era of stupid politics, only one thing makes sense in Minnesota.  Knock down the Metrodome, the only public stadium in the country that does not rely on a continuous tax subsidy, and build three new stadiums!

“People ask me what I do in the winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” — Rogers Hornsby  (Born 1896, Winters, Texas. Died 1963, Chicago, Il. Elected to the Baseball  Hall of Fame 1946)

For millions of American baseball fans, the first week in April heralds the beginning of their hopes and dreams for a World Series Championship.  Opening day is a sellout in virtually every major league baseball park.  On Friday, April 7th, 2006 the St. Louis Cardinals will travel to Chicago where the Cubs will begin their 93rd season in venerable Wrigley Field.  On April 11, 2006 the Boston Red Sox will begin their 95th season with their home opener against Toronto at Fenway Park.

Built in 1914, Wrigley Field was originally known as Weeghman Park.  It was home to the Chicago Whales of the Federal League.  The first game at Weeghman Park was played on April 23, 1914 where the Chicago Whales defeated Kansas City 9-1.  When the Federal league folded in 1915 Charles Weeghman purchased the Cubs from the Taft family of Cincinnati and moved the team to the “friendly confines” on the corner of Clark and Addison Streets.  From 1920 – 1925 the field was known as Cubs Park.  It was renamed Wrigley Field for the 1926 campaign.

Only Fenway Park in Boston (built in 1912) is older than Wrigley Field.  Both parks are historic landmarks, predating all other major league parks by decades.  Both Wrigley and Fenway are landlocked and located in vibrant neighborhoods teaming with bars, restaurants, nightlife and theater.  As such, an outing at either Wrigley or Fenway is a day-long (often night-long) event.  Many fans come just for the festive atmosphere.  In the neighborhoods around Fenway and Wrigley you don’t need a ticket to the game to enjoy the day.

In 1986, while in Boston on a business trip, I learned that the Tigers were in town that evening to play the Red Sox at Fenway Park.  Figuring that I could probably secure a single ticket for the game, I took the “T” (the Boston Subway) down to the ballpark.  A nice young man on the train asked me where I lived.  After mentioning I was from Minnesota he gave me a big hug, eager to welcome a “fellow American League fan”.  God only knows what he would have done if I had been from St. Louis or Los Angeles!  When the train stopped at the Kenmore station we followed the masses to the ballpark.  He bought me a bag of peanuts and I’ll never forget his Boston hospitality.

As we walked in the crowd I couldn’t see the ballpark.  I was pre-programmed to see some sort of a huge parking lot with a stadium looming in the distance.   All of a sudden there was this big brick building on my left and he said to me, “Here we are!”  There it was, Fenway Park, so jam-packed between city streets that I hadn’t noticed it was there.  I went to the ticket window, but they didn’t have any seats.  Then, overhearing my conversation a fellow offered to sell me one of his extra tickets.  I paid him face value.  It was six rows up, right behind the catcher!

Being in that “field of dreams” ballpark was a night to remember.  I don’t recall much about the game, except that the Red Sox lost.  But the sights, sounds and feelings of Fenway will be with me always.  The green monster, the ironwork, the old press box, the CITGO sign, the enthusiasm of the fans, the old scoreboard…it was wonderful!

Over the past five decades the old ballparks have vanished one by one.  Detroit’s old Tiger stadium, at the famed “corner” of Michigan and Trumbull streets, was the latest to succumb to the wrecking ball.   Now it’s gone forever.  Some of the new parks have been fashioned to look like the old parks and they are fantastic, but in my way of thinking, history rules!

This brings me to my pride and joy, Wrigley Field.  For two years I combed the neighborhood around Wrigley Field attempting to purchase the perfect Victorian Chicago Greystone.  On hot summer days, as I plied the neighborhood with my realtor, I often heard the roar of the crowd from Wrigley.  I longed to enter the “friendly confines,” but made a vow that I would not attend a Cubs game until the property had been purchased.  On August 26, 2005 we signed the closing documents at a title company in the Loop.  The next day, Saturday, August 27, 2005 I walked through the gates of Wrigley field for the first time.  The whole family was in Chicago that weekend to celebrate the occasion including my father from North Carolina, my brother from Denver, and my daughter from Minneapolis.  What a wonderful weekend that was!

Now that summer is coming, I plan to attend quite a few games at Wrigley, which is only a five-minute walk from our historic Chicago home.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Fenway Park, but for me, Wrigley is the place!  As you sit in the grandstand at Wrigley you are treated to a magnificent view, complete with fans atop three-flats on Sheffield and Waveland Avenues, EL trains streaking up and down the red line, and Lake Michigan on the horizon.  This is the field where Babe Ruth made his legendary “called shot” pointing to a bleacher location during the third game of the 1932 World Series and hitting Charlie Root’s next pitch out of the ballpark.   Like Fenway, Wrigley Field boasts an antique scoreboard, which is still operated by people hanging wooden numbers from inside the structure.  No batted ball has ever hit the scoreboard during a game at Wrigley Field.   Wrigley has other unique features such as flags with retired players jersey numbers on the foul poles (Ernie Banks, Ron Santos, Billy Williams and Ryne Sandberg), ivy on outfield walls, and the new, but popular Harry Caray statue.

My only regret is that I don’t have time to be a baseball bum all summer in Chicago.  Those of you who are planning a trip to Chicago or to Wrigley Field might want to consider staying in our Classic Victorian Greystone Flat right in the heart of Wrigleyville.  You can find a link at www.chbb.com/cubs.htm