Surprise!

I was sitting in an awards ceremony the other day and one of the "get to know you" questions asked of the awardees was "what is your dream job?" (odd thing to ask at a work awards ceremony, but I wasn't the one asking) Me being me, I spent the majority of the rest of the ceremony pondering this question. and, of course clapping at the proper intervals. Of course

This is also coming as I am closing in on retirement, possibly as early as the summer of 2028. Only three years to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I came up with two possibilities, specific to the caveat that money does not enter into the equation - travel blogger and/or history podcaster. As my 8ish faithful readers can tell you, I'm not the most consistent travel blogger out there. On the other hand, do we really need another millennial dude talking into a microphone and telling everyone he knows "Hey bro, you should listen to my podcast"?

So, here's what I'm going to do. I am going to finish my Argentina trip series. I've been stalled out on a post about Iguazu Falls for about 10 months now. As always happens, I slow down while taking college classes and I start up again in 2 weeks, so I wouldn't expect to finish that Iguazu post until sometime in June (haha). After I finish the Argentina trip series, I'm going to dive into a history podcast, focusing on covering topics concerning Latin America where I can take those stories that may be less accessible to those that don't speak Spanish and present them in English. Honestly, I hope it won't be a hot button topic by the time I get started, but I'll probably start with the Panama Canal. 

So, for the rest of this post I want to try out a couple of things. I'd like to workshop the script for my first episode and throw in some non-Argentina pics from the last year. 

Here goes a shot, likely much different from what you'll hear if/when I get a start on this project.

It took me some 14 years to finish my bachelor's degree in business management. Needless to say, I haven't actually done anything with that degree. A few years later I apparently decided that I abhorred free time and decided to start a master's degree, narrowing my choices down to history and international relations. Since I do a lot of reading and listening to podcasts about history in my free time, I decided to compromise with myself. (which you can do, right?) I chose international relations, but many of the papers that I write for class delve into history to support my arguments. However, I have always tried my hand at some creative endeavors. I have had tried out a couple of Youtube channels and my blog has gone through a few iterations and topics over the last decade. This will be my first try at a podcast. I hate the sound of my voice. I'm assuming most people do hate the sound of their own voice, but writing out my proposed podcast scripts or extended notes in blog form would lead to book-length posts that no one would ever actually read. Not even Mila. 

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History, as with many people that get into history podcasts, was the first one I listened to. His series on the fall of the Roman Republic was my gateway into a wider selection of history stories. Dan captivated me with his scope, going from emperors and generals to everyday citizens to get a 360 view of a subject. He also showed me that podcasts didn't necessarily have to be Joe Rogan and his buddies discussing ayahuasca and the "good old days at the Comedy Store." It's been a pleasure listening to Mike Duncan as he worked through the Roman Republic and then a dozen world revolutions in bite-sized 25 minute chunks spiced up with his own sarcastic asides. (Check out Mike's newest entry into his Revolutions series, a fictional account of a future Martian Revolution before he returns to real-life history.) I actually learned all about Cincinnatus while struggling through an ultramarathon just outside of Austin, TX. Robin Pierce picked up where Mike's work left off over in Constantinople and is still going strong. Darryl Cooper taught me way more about Jim Jones and Kool-Aid than I ever thought I would be interested in (even if he has become a lightning rod since I started writing this post and even if I rarely agree with his political views, I can't simply erase the impact his podcast has had), and Daniele Bolelli's interest in rebels, brigands, hooligans, and martial artists speaks to my heart. Even if Mila can't understand his Italian accent. As you can see, my Spotify playlist is a rotating cast of historical characters and storytellers. 

I did not, dear reader, finish this post before the next class as I'd hoped. I have a few weeks right now before my next class begins on October 6th and I'm going to just jump in here and now.

So, what's my angle? I don't have any type of history degree. I certainly don't have a following carrying over from a career in journalism like Dan Carlin. I'm a history fan, but that's not unique in the history podcast landscape. Not that I'm planning on this ever becoming a full-time job. Anyway, I tend to focus my research papers on Latin American history. What I have found is that some of the best resources are exclusively in Spanish. Even some academic journal entries from colleges such as Harvard can only be found in their native Spanish. I think I am going to take advantage of my ability to understand Spanish and my interests in Latin America and history to focus on stories and perspectives that may not be so well known outside the Spanish-speaking world. My first entry into this list will be a look at the construction and significance of the Panama Canal. 

Obviously, every American school kid hears of the Canal, so the focus will not be as much on the engineering and construction project, but the history and the people that worked it. (if you're wondering, the number of American-born deaths was roughly 350, only 1% of the 38,000 that was announced during the Inaugural Address earlier this year) 

To do this, I will be going back to the Colombians looking at digging a canal as early as they became independent from Spain in 1821, to the French attempt at a canal in the late 19th century, to the US intervention in Panama's independence from Colombia and the subsequent building of the canal, to the history of the Canal Zone, and eventual Torrijos-Carter Treaty. shewwww so that's maybe 200 years of history. I'm excited to dive in.

I think that will suffice as a little taster.  Likely to come out differently when I eventually record it, but it'll be a smash hit if I get 25 listens. 

I'll get back to writing about Iguazu Falls the next time I'm on here, but for now I'll leave you with what I promised when I started writing this post - non post-worthy pics from the past 18 months or so.

Work Trip to Nashville in May 2024

had time for a distillery tour

North Carolina Minor League Stadiums

Durham Bulls Athletic Park (AAA affiliate of Tampa Bay)

can you pick out Jackson Holliday?

and some team building

Segra Stadium (Fayetteville Woodpeckers, A affiliate of Houston)

waiting in line for a free Jimmy Buffet Hawaiian shirt

Grainger Stadium (Down East Wood Ducks, A affiliate of Texas. they moved after the season)

This stadium, Five County in Zebulon, NC just hosted its last minor league game as the Carolina Mudcats (A affiliate of Milwaukee) have moved to a newer stadium in Wilson.

Exploring New Orleans summer 2024

Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral

the mighty Mississip

Pro Sports 24-25

We went to a LOT of games this past year

US vs Panama in Atlanta.  Girl behind us wanted to fight Mila

Guess who won

Truist Park (Atlanta Braves)

Charlie Morton pitching to Andrew McCutchen

Keesler Federal Park (Biloxi Shuckers, the Brewers AA team. We've gone to 8 or so games since we moved here)

Captain Shucker was something in 2024. Not sure why he didn't return for 2025

Tall stilts guy at the Trop (Tropicana Stadium, Tampa Bay Rays)

We were there only weeks before it was destroyed by a storm

It was the day Fred McGriff was inducted to the Rays' HoF

someone's excited

US vs Panama game in Austin

Deeeetrrrrroooooiiiiittttttttt Baaaaaskettballlllll

Delta Center, Jazz vs Lakers just a couple games after Luka joined the team

At the time, Bronny's 9 points were a career high

Smoothie King Center for Pelicans vs Spurs. One of, I think, 4 games we went to. Unfortunately, this was after Wemby was ruled out for the season

The 55+ dance squad

BayCare Ballpark, Spring Training home of the Phillies for a series vs the Tigers

Bryce Harper

close enough?

Nationals Park for an early season game against the Dodgers

cherry trees in bloom inside the stadium

Casey came with me and it was chillier than we'd expected

Mookie

Shohei

NOLA Gold rugby for their season finale

I've learned the basics enough to kind of explain what was going on to Mila. Maybe by next season I'll understand the strategy

Club World Cup round of 16 PSG vs Inter Miami (Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta)

Messiiiiii

Donnarumma looks lonely

Gold Cup Final US vs Mexico NRG Stadium, Houston

Rogers Centre (Blue Jays)

Vladdy!

So, peameal sandwiches are pretty good

Awesome to see Scherzer pitch again

I got lucky enough to see some future Hall of Famers do their thing this past year! Not counting youngsters I can't quite project yet like Jackson Holliday and Jacob Misirowski) Let's see, some guys in the GOAT competition like Shohei, Messi, and LeBron and 1st ballot-level talents like Luka, Mookie, Luis Suarez, CP3, Harper and Scherzer among others.

I think that's about enough for now. I'll get back on Iguazu and maybe include a post to wrap up some of the less epic trips we've taken since then. (Atlanta, New Orleans, Disney, and Salt Lake City among others.