Happy Birthday, Daniel!

            In honor of Dec. 14, 2008, and the special day it is for my brother, here are the 28 reasons why I love my brother, Daniel Rothamel, aka Real Estate Zebra.  This are in no particular order, just as they come to me.

1.              He’s balding worse than me (for now…)

2.              He always gives unusual facts.  Their usefulness can be debated later.

3.              He always knows the best places to use the bathroom.

4.              I think like him.  Like when I wanted to visit the Dick’s Sporting Goods website, he made the same mistake before I did.  FYI-dickssportinggoods.com is correct.

5.              When he went through the high school he left a good name to follow.  Now if only he didn’t leave such a smart one I would’ve had an easier time with fewer expectations.

6.              We communicate on a constant basis.  When he was in college and even while I’m in college.

7.              He is 7 years older than me and helps me get through life choices.

8.              He lets me do odds and ends for his business so I can make some money when I am home on short breaks.

9.              He makes lots of free time to find cool things on the internet then he shows me how to do it.  (By the way, I need help on my site again…)

10.           He always calls to take me out to dinner when I’m home so we can catch up on our lives.

11.           He let me drive the X5 once.  Nothing like taking turns at 30 mph that you should take at 15 mph.

12.           He knows English and I can call him 400 times for help on a paper.

13.           He lets me win at XBOX/XBOX 360/Wii/Game Cube/Sega/etc.

14.           When I do win, he lets me brag like it actually matters.

15.           Also on games, he used to beat me in Monopoly but then when I got good we played every night until early in the morning for bragging rights.  I would finally beat him, every now and then, less now than then.

16.           Two words, I believe from 2000: Ping Pong.  Dad still mentions how we never play it anymore.

17.           He picked a great wife.

18.           He taught me how to blog, videoblog, use of Twitter, etc.

19.           He officiates basketball and it’s a fun time watching him work.

20.           He played baseball in high school and it lead to my infatuation with the sport.

21.           For the almost 21 years I have known him, I don’t think I have ever been mad at him for longer than 21 hours.  If I was mad at him, I had no good reason to be probably.

22.           When I was younger he would drive me around. Nothing cooler than driving with your older brother.  All my other friends had siblings much younger than Daniel.

23.           He always has the coolest gadgets to play with.

24.           When he got married seeing him so happy he was crying made me cry.

25.           The 25 moments of our lives we will sit down and smoke a cigar together.

26.           He does the funniest impressions.

27.           He spoils me with birthday presents.  I wear my Tommy Bahama watch and think I’m pretty lucky.

28.           He is the best brother in the world and I’m lucky to have him 

            There you go.  My first 28 reasons I love my brother.  Happy birthday, Daniel!

The most important question

This is from another blog I write for, hpu2009.blogspot.com.  The blog is required for my feature writing class.  i wrote this today and I think it is a pretty good entry, enjoy!

I went for my interview for my profie story. Greg Stevens and I chatted for 30 minutes about his life in the restaurant business. Here is a man that spend over 30 years involved in restaurants!

He had stories about opening restaurants, learning how to operate restaurants and owning his own restaurant. I thought I had some good stuff about, well, restaurants.

I don’t know if all writers do this, but when I interview someone I write the story in my head. “Oh, ok, this is a good background information.” Then the lead will come somewhere during the interview. It really works well for me.

So there I sit in Harrison’s, Greg’s restaurant, with my recorder on the table and my notebook in my hand. I’ve taken notes on everything he’s said. I’ve asked what I think are some of the most important questions. I’m done, story complete, time to leave.

I ask that final question, “So, that’s all I have. Is there anything you like to add?”

Now remember, in my head I have written this story. I have the lead, middle and kicker done. I just need to put it on the computer. Another hour of work transcribing my story and I’m done.

He says, “Yes actually I do. This is something I have said for over 30 years, Bryan….” He goes on for another five minutes about his life philosophy.

That question of, “anything else to add?” turned out to be my best question of the day. There he gave me the lead, transition pieces, structure, kicker, etc. He gave me my story in five minutes. A story better than the one I had “written” in the previous 30 minutes!

I have come to find that this tends to be true more often than not. In most of my interviews that final question really gives the interviewee a chance to say something they had been thinking but I never asked. It really gives them the interview in a fashion they feel comfortable leaving.

After all, it is the most important question.

Hey, eyes forward!

            This has the making of a bad joke.  Six guys without shirts and their chests painted walk in.  It seems natural but really it is a step close to barbaric.  Nonetheless it is natural, at a sporting event.

            This isn’t unusual that something otherwise barbaric is considered natural at a sporting event.  One of the most puzzling places to me is the bathroom at games.  Since when did those become acceptable?

            I haven’t been in a female bathroom since, well, when my mother changed my diaper in a public restroom.  I’ll have to speak from my male bathroom experiences.  Many women do not know there are definite rules for males in the bathroom.

            One of the most important rules is urinal behavior.  First, if you can avoid using a urinal next to someone, you do.  You stare directly ahead and do not talk.  Guys are picky about these things and breaking of the rules at any time causes great debate for hours.

            Rather, breaking those rules at any time other than a sporting event causes a great debate that even John C. Calhoun couldn’t solve.

            I have many times been at a urinal and a guy will come up to use the one next to me in a room full of empty urinals.  Then he will proceed to discuss the game with me.

            All I think, “Uh, hello?!  I don’t know you nor have I seen you before.  At a very private time I do not need to begin a relationship with you.  Please, my friendship starts at the sink. Thank you.  Gosh, rude.”

            The worst part is bathrooms at arenas are often too small, disgusting rooms.  The stalls are big enough for a 100-pound man to stand comfortable and there are no dividers between the tightly packed urinals.  Of course, we don’t bat an eye at this.

            After I promptly leave the game I might go to a fine restaurant.  If there isn’t a well spaced, private restroom, I’ll make a mental note to not return to this ridiculous establishment.  If a guy with a painted chest is our waiter, I’m out.

            And this is probably why we love sporting events.  We can be barbaric and not care one bit.  In fact, we enjoy the friendships we form with the drunken guy in the row behind us, the cotton candy gal walking by every two minutes and even the dude using the urinal next to us.  But if I see you at that restaurant after the game, you better remember the rules.

            After all, we are just trying to raise the bar together.

Men’s soccer is a team we can believe in

This ran in the Campus Chronicle Oct. 3.  Enjoy!

 

            Often we are quick to write off teams because of their recent history.  This goes to professional teams all the way down to high school teams.

            The Tampa Bay Rays were seen as the worst of the worst and now they are the pacer in the American League East Division.  John Kitna of the Detriot Lions was scolded for boldly predicating his team would win 10 games this year.  They still aren’t on pace to do so but you have to respect his swagger.

            In order for teams to do what the Rays did this year there has to be a believer.  Someone has to believe in a losing team can string together some wins.  This year High Point University has a new winner to take believe in.

            The men’s soccer team has been showing signs of brilliance early this year.  Within the first seven games they have won four, outshot opponents and created excitement at games.

            The first game of the season had over 1,000 fans at the game!  It was just a Saturday night and fans didn’t go home disappointed.  The game ended in a victor over rival Elon.

            How could we not forget the Appalachian State game that ended with a heated exchange?  HPU controlled the game from opening minute to end edging the Mountaineers by a goal.

            Last week the team traveled to Raleigh and defeated NC State in overtime.  Dustin Fonder’s bunch is no joke this year.

            Last year, against those same three schools they lost all three games and were outscored 11-1.  This year they win three games and outscored their opponents 6-3.

            All last year they won five games, it seems that standard is going to be shattered.  Now the question is will we believe in them?

            Can we believe in a freshman-starting goalie?  Michael Chesler has the confidence of his team.  He has been between the pipes every minute of every game.  His goal against average is less than all of last year’s.

            Can we believe in a new position in Chris Shrum?  Last year Shrum played defense scoring six goals.  Not even halfway through the season Shrum has three goals.  His size allows him to push through the opposing teams’ defense.

            Can we believe in a team outscored by 15 goals last year?  This year’s squad has scored just as many goals as their opponents, had more shots than their opponents and have had more corner kicks.  More opportunities on offense has given HPU a better chance.

            Can the team believe in us?  The attendance at Vert Stadium has been higher this year than last year’s average.  Not only are we supporting them but also the Panthers have played in front of more people home than away by over 100 people.

            The answer should be yes to the questions.  I know it is hard to support volleyball, women’s soccer and men’s soccer at the same time.  But you can’t complain when three teams equally deserve our support.  Let’s help the men’s soccer team raise the bar together.

Old Salem

This ran in the Campus Chronicle on Oct. 3. Enjoy!

 

            In view is the Wachovia Center, the area’s tallest building.  Modern buildings and revitalization projects surround the historical roots of Winston-Salem, N.C.

            Old Salem is a destination for people looking to, “find themselves in another place and time,” as their slogan says.   The Old Salem district is home to the historic town, the Museum of Southern Decorative Arts, the Children’s Museum, the Toy Museum and ten various gardens.

            Old Salem is a historic Moravian neighborhood, founded in 1766.  The town has many original or authentically restored buildings.  Costumed interpreters take visitors back to the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

            The destination can consume visitors’ time for hours or days depending on interests.

“The experience is really what you make it,” says Lauren Werner, director of marketing at Old Salem Museums and Gardens.  “You could be someone with a passive interest in history and still find it very engaging because there is so much here to see.  It’s visually very interesting.”

After starting in the modern visitor’s center, travelers walk over a covered bridge.  The wooden bridge has the authentic look but glass on the sides to keep the weather from blowing in.  The walk ends at the three museums.  Visitors can then say goodbye to the 21^st century and start to see how life was in the past.

Just past the museums, visitors can see the tree lined streets and brick sidewalks that flow through the historic district.  On each curb are cars from residents that still call the area home.

Old Salem is the oldest functioning town in America.  Mixed in with private residences are sites for visitors to enter and experience life from the past.

The heavy door of the first stop opens the gunsmith shop.  A man works with the sunlight provided to make or repair guns. The smell of the burning wood oven fills the small shop.  The sunlight peaks through the large windows on each of the walls.

            A short walk down Main Street, visitors find the Tavern Meadow.  The meadow was originally used for travelers to rest their horses.  Presently, the area is used for special programs and multiple demonstrations.

Pow.  Two men dressed in colonial uniforms fire their guns to demonstrate gun-powdered riffles.  The sound causes visitors to cover their ears.

            After hearing is restored, visitors enter the tavern adjacent to the meadow.

“Welcome brothers and sisters!” the man in costume greats everyone.  While visitors are at the tavern, the interpreter keeps calling everybody either brother or sister just like the Moravians did.

            Visitors walk up the creaking steps to the second floor where people can lie on a replica hay and pull string bed.  The phrase, “sleep tight,” can finally make sense.

            In the basement, costumed interpreters demonstrate cooking and display various common foods.  The juice they made in colonial times is similar to Kool-Aid, minus the punch bowl jumping through walls.

            The Blum House awaits visitors a short walk from the tavern.  The building was originally a print shop and currently has exhibits on printers and photographers from Salem.  On the walls are pictures and documents that chronicle Old Salem throughout the years.

            Dodging tree trunks and enjoying the sunlight meandering through the branches, visitors walk to the Vogler House restored to the mid 1800s.  The house is used to show the changes Salem underwent in the 19^th century.

Visitors walk on the dark hardwood floors of the house to the silversmith room on the first floor.  The rest of the home displays how a family lived over 150 years ago.

            The joyful sound of children attempting old games comes from the block of lush grass, trees and stone walkways in the middle of the town.  The area is named the Square, which originally hosted public functions and still does today.

            After playing games with sticks and rings, the children move to demonstrating a fire.  Unaware of what is about occur, parents watch interpreters douse their children with water.  The face of the mother holding the little child is less than amused as her little one screams joyfully.

            Home Church is just beyond the Square and is not owned by Old Salem Museums and Gardens.  It is open during select hours with members from Home giving tours of the chapel.  The members are very proud of their Moravian history, especially associated with their church.  The congregation still has Sunday services and encourages visitors to attend.

            The Single Brothers’ House across from the church is filled with “unmarried” interpreters.  During colonial times, unmarried men would learn a trade before getting married or moving in with someone else.  Moravian tradition is to have only married couples living on their own.

            Visitors see various “brothers” learning trades in the small rooms in the basement.  The lack of electric lights makes attempting to do work on one side of the building impossible.  On the sunlit side, a man is shaping a newly made spoon in one room while the next has another brother making colored ink.

The Single Sisters’ House, across the Square, is owned and operated by Salem College and Academy.  It is open select hours for visitors to wander into.

            Further down Main Street visitors can find a second home opened for demonstration and also the C. Winkler Bakery.  The bakery is 200 years old making it the oldest full operational bakery in America.  The goods are cooked in a wood fired oven and baked fresh daily.

            Werner, who also is a resident in the historic district, says, “Everybody has to come and try a sugar cake.  It is the best thing in the world!”

            After a day of strolling through the historic district travelers and snacking on sugar cakes, visitors can eat at the Salem Tavern Restaurant or venture into Winston-Salem, located only a mile down the road.

            A day of Old Salem will be more pleasing to the mature in age visitors, Teresa Fleming a drive vacations specialist of AAA-Greensboro admits.  It doesn’t appeal as much to the 15-30 years old age group but Fleming encourages the destination for students to take their parents to.

            “Although Old Salem doesn’t seem much fun for me, it’s a place I think my family would enjoy,” says High Point senior Kimmy Freer.

            The cost of a visit to the district is around $20 a person to visit every building and the other museums.  For free, visitors can opt to walk around the town without entering all of the buildings.

            Old Salem does give visitors the chance to wind down, walk around and enjoy the quaint life of the 18^th and 19^th century.

Driving away visitors still see the Wachovia Center and the various highways around, yet can always remember life from the past thanks to the Moravian tradition preserved in Old Salem.

Yelling at the TV Syndrome

Recently ran in the Campus Chronicle!  Enjoy:

“Why’d he do that?!” We have all been to a sporting event and seemed to have that reaction at least once a game. The only difference might be to make the expression gender appropriate.

Sporting events seem to be the one time when a person who shouldn’t have made the little league team becomes an expert in the sport. You never see a person with a high school diploma second guess a brain surgeon and seem intelligent doing so.

This could be the single reason why sporting events are quite possible the best thing we attend. Don’t take that out of context or blow that up, but think about it. What can change your mood so quickly?

I remember two years ago when Arizona Reid missed the game winning shot against Winthrop. When the ball rimmed out, the Millis Center became quiet and we stood in disbelief. My friend and I split a pint of strawberry ice cream from the Point.

Rewind earlier in that year and I was at a women’s soccer game against Francis Marion. It was the Saturday of fall break, campus was empty and the stands at the game were worse. The game was 0-0 and went into double overtime. With less than 10 seconds left in the second overtime, Francis Marion scored the golden goal. I proceeded to go back to my room to eat a box of Mac and Cheese by myself.

After both games I found my spirits down and my emotions out of check. Food seemed to satisfy me. During my indulging meals I questioned the games. I relived the games while my ice cream melted and my macaroni cooked.

What do I know about basketball? I know just as much as the other average Joe who played growing up. I was that kid who shouldn’t have made the little league team. What do I know about soccer? I know as much as I do about brain surgery.

It was still fun to question moves and feel like I had the key both coaches Bart Lundy and Michelle Rayner needed to win the close games. The truth is I have nothing that could help the two except being in the stands.

It is ok to question the moves on the field. That is the beauty of sports. It is the only event that we can come with our shirts off, chests painted and act like we haven’t been civilized.

In addition, we can act like we are the general manager of any team of our choosing. One day I’m the GM of an HPU team and the next day I’m in charge of the New York Mets.

If you are going to join me in being an overprotective fan, then I ask one thing. I ask you stay involved in the programs through reading game recaps and going to games. You can’t expect to be even a little bit knowledgeable without reading and going to the games!

Maybe one day you will fall in the coach’s chair and have us questioning your moves. Who knows? Until then, let’s just raise the bar together…