The Dalai Lama intended to raise the spiritual awareness of the masses with a personal appearance in Madison on Tuesday. Clearly the anticipation of getting close to the “Big Guy” was a once in a lifetime experience. Some family members that we know and love arrived late to event because of huge traffic issues and the Dalai had a problem with the audio system at the Alliant Center. So the experience fell short of expectations.
I have been hearing about the Cellcom Marathon in Green Bay all week. It is a big deal. I’ve mentioned that daughter-in-law Jenny will run the half-marathon. Her anxiety level must be high. Wait until this weekend. Thousands of participants will line up. All will wonder if they are up to the task of completing the run. The gun will go off. The journey that began months ago will finally have an end point. All the anticipation will finally be answered. Good luck Jenny.
University of Wisconsin football tickets have always been fun. I have had season tickets for over 20 years. Originally the team played a 10 game season and played most of the teams in the Big 10. Next years schedule under the re-organization of schools means we now have a 13 game season. Wisconsin is in the West Division and rarely plays Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan or Penn State. The first Big 10 game next year doesn’t occur until the second week in October. All the early games are against “easy” non-conference opponents. The TV revenue is shaping college athletics. Clearly the yearly anticpation is going down hill.
There is only one family member (my Aunt Helene) left from the “Greatest Generation” (World War II era). Maybe, and that is a big maybe, I will get to see her one more time this weekend. She will be in Madison for her Grand-daughter’s graduation from college. There might be a “window of time” during her visit when Mom and I can get to see her. Hopefully it works out. Helene knows lots of family history. Anticipation is high.
I’ve come to the conclusion that anticipation most times adds more excitement to life than the actual events.
Dream on!
Love,
Dad