Alexis Hartz, Author

I've got to disconnect. Few habits are as addictive as sitting in front of the tv, viewing mindless mediocre entertainment and eating delicious comfort food. It's been more than a few days and already I'm suffering from indigestion and snug pants. Why is it so difficult to turn that darn television off and get back to the activities of life? I know I'm not the only one that is challenged with the power switch. Today is a new day.  I am disconnecting.  Completely. Disconnecting the cable, wrapping it up, and stashing it behind lock and key.  It's the only way. Won't you join me?  If only for a weekend? We can all afford a little break from the tube. Choose one thing you could do instead of watching television this weekend --- and then act. Before you reach for that remote, choose another thing -- and act again. Continue acting instead of watching others act. Who knows what will come from living your very own reality show. . .

Oh I'm so grateful for my life!  Few days are as sweet as these at the California Angels' Tempe Diablo Stadium.       Players on the field, fans in the stands, and last minute preparations for Opening Day are in full swing.       I'm pretty sure that this is part of what heaven is all about -- all of the experience of a front row seat without the noise and flurry of the crowds.        Remember my no-fail investment strategy ? Well, this is what it's is all about.  We're just getting started. Opening Day is this Saturday, and there are still tickets available .  Act now.

Did you know that President's Day was originally established to honor George Washington on his birthday, February 22?   However, in 1971, as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, the holiday date was changed as was its purpose: to honor the service of all  presidents, past and present.   Can you imagine a day at the office for the president? It's hard to do with all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds him. But, in more than a few ways his world parallels our own:   The president is required to participate in world politics, just like we are required to get along with our neighbors, be they friends or enemies.  The president must provide for the needs of its citizens, in the same way we must keep our own families fed and housed.  The president must manage the feuding members of congress, just like we have to manage our workplace relationships. Now obviously this is a very simplistic view of the president's many role...

Invitations to stay at friends' homes for extended stays are continually coming my way.  One even prefaced it, "If you want to stay in a real  house.....".   How ironic.  She lives in an apartment. I've heard others speak poorly about people who live in "homes on wheels".  Some do live in motor homes because it is their only option for shelter.  However, for most of us that is not the case. We choose this living arrangement because of the great opportunities it offers. Traveling the country, meeting people, and other experiences beyond what we can find in our permanent residences are abundant.  In fact, so much so that, within a few years of being on the road, a great majority of us gladly give up our permanent home bases. Phoenix was my home for over 20 years before I hit the road. Being back here to work the Spring Training Baseball Season has really made me appreciate how much this traveling lifestyle has done for me. I've gained confidence ...

So, did you think about it at all? You know, intentional ignorance? Or, did you already forget? Hey now, stick with me on this one. Let me help you with it. Turn off the tv. Get off the web. Stop playing computer games. (That last one is for me.) There is a whole world of experiences out there for us. Try learning a new skill, or practicing an old one. Spend that time with a troubled child, or an aging relative. Go for a walk, or clean up your home. (Again, the last one is for me.) Don't worry, you'll know the latest news if anything happens that affects you. As we begin to block out the minutia that consumes our minutes, our world begins to change. We're not so focused on sports, and sensations, the latest gadgets, owning a better car or bigger house. Our thoughts become our own again. Our decisions become more of our soul's desires and less about keeping up with the Jones's. You may not notice it right away, but in the absence of all that noise...

I've been reading all about how to write a compelling blog for the past two days, and my result. . . writer's block. I keep coming back to intentional ignorance. I love that. Let me show you something.  Ignorance is defined as: lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in particular .   Without exception each and every one of us is naturally ignorant about something --- well, many things. That's not good or bad, it just is. But intentional ignorance.  Well, that's a good thing.  It means that we are consciously making choices about what we want to know about, and how much we want to know. It's a matter of how we choose to spend our most valuable resource --- our time. Intentional ignorance is about defining our values.  Oh I could offer plenty of example of how it shows up in our relationships, and the condition of our bodies, and our value in the workplace. But, the first step in practicing intentional ig...

                                                                SweetHartz hand-dipped Strawberries -- YUM! I am amazed by the number of people watching and talking about the Jodi Arias trial . Believe it or not I just learned who she was and what she did last week. That kind of ignorance is intentional. For a year I watched my mother die of cancer. I saw her sit on her deck and take in the beauty of her gardens, the sounds of the song birds, and the warmth of the sun on her skin. I could tell by the expression on her face that she was savoring those those trivial, precious, and fleeting pleasures. We arranged our schedule around her dwindling energy supply, and overwhelmed her with relatives wanting to get one last visit in with her. I listened to the regrets she had in living her life. And, we smiled together as she c...

Tempe Diablo Stadium backs up to this mountain, and when the national anthem plays at the beginning of every game, all activity halts, and a moment of silence prevails...but only a moment. Today as I sit down to write, I am flooded with gratitude that we live in the land of the free, and the home of the brave. What a cliche, right?  Sometimes it bothers me how little I acknowledge that freedom and how many opportunities I miss to practice bravery. And, honestly, I know I'm not the only slacking American here. Ouch. I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but think about it. What have you done to exercise your freedom lately? How many true acts of bravery have you participated in this week? I'm not talking about the freedom to express your sexual preferences in public, or the bravery required to rescue damsels in distress. What I am talking about is freedom of the mind, and bravery of the heart. The kind that gives us courage to talk to a stranger who is obviousl...

The excitement is building among staff members as we move closer to Opening Day.  The beer and pepsi trucks delivered products yesterday, the coolers were installed in the concession stands, the lawnmower is in continual motion on the field, and this guy showed up to work on the graphics over the dugout. In the next few days additional tents will be erected, the peanuts will be delivered, and signage of all sorts will be installed.  It's really fun to see it all come together.  Talk about feeling like you're making progress! I'm a big believer in living in the moment, and I treasure every day I work here at the stadium. But, within weeks Spring Training Baseball Season 2013 will be history. And my job here will be over. Workampers like me must always be on the lookout for our next gig. "Here today, gone tomorrow" is a way of life, so securing steady employment can be somewhat of a challenge. The right resources make all the difference. Search the web and y...

One of the very few disadvantages of being a workamper is not being part of a local community.  Since we rarely stay in one place more than a few months at most, there is really not time to solidify relationships the way permanent residents can. And, on the flip side, we're usually not at our legally identified permanent residences enough to practice the fine arts of friendship "at home". However, we do share our own neighborly bonds. When I pull into a new location and park my rig, immediately I am part of the community where I am parked. We introduce ourselves, uncover some mutual interests, hobbies, or travel adventures, and from then on we are friends.  We eat together, we help each other, and watch out for each other. All differences are put aside and our commonalities become lasting bonds. I've been processing new hires at Tempe Diablo Stadium for the Spring Training Baseball Season, and amidst all the paperwork and new faces I have the surprising and grea...

True confessions time:  I'm not an avid sports fan.  I don't know how the teams compare to each other, and I can't list the star players' names and stats.  I do however, love to watch a great game, regardless of rankings, league, or player status. I love all that goes into the game in addition to  the teams and their coaches --- the food, the half-time entertainment, the commercials, and especially unexpected events like a 34-minute electrical delay.   Of course I'm speaking specifically about this year's Super Bowl, which I completely expected to miss to take advantage of the pool at the Arizona Biltmore Resort this weekend. However, clouds and rain changed my plan. Instead of snoozing on a lounge chair, I opted for an overstuffed chair in my hotel room. Little did I know I was in for a big treat. Football games are a little too slow moving for me. Plays are timed to fit in commercial breaks, and a one-hour game turns into a 3-hour vi...

Cactus in Bloom All of you baseball fans out there are probably well aware of all the Cactus League Spring Training info, but just in case you need more, here's a great link . I'm betting that maybe a few of you are  looking for more than just a great day of soaking up the sun at the ball park. Well you're in for a treat. Phoenix offers plenty of options.  One is the Phoenix Botanical Gardens just minutes from several of the stadiums. I took my entire family there and they  all (male, female, young and old)   enjoyed the visit. Another great thing to do in Phoenix is eat! Yeah, I know, a plump, juicy hot dog and ice cold beer at the ball park does hit the spot, but don't forget about dinner! Chefs and culinary wizards of all nationalities have set up shop throughout the Valley and are ready to fill you bellies with yummy goodness. For the sophisticated pallet there's Atlas Bistro , one of my personal favorites for unique presentations and flavor combi...