Alexis Hartz, Author

Tempe Diablo Stadium Baseball fans know that Spring Training Season doesn't start for another 3 weeks, and so I get plenty of questions about why I'm here so early. Well, those hot dogs and peanuts don't just magically appear at the stands on Opening Day.  In fact, the stands themselves need to be set up, including the tents, coolers, grills, utensils, signage, work areas, cash registers, credit card machines, beer taps, ........ and the electricity and water to run all of it. Even a food and supplies warehouse tent is erected to store the product that is ordered for future use. All the people that run the concession stands need to be hired, and trained. (This process starts while most of you are doing your last-minute Christmas shopping.) All the food needs to be ordered, stored, and distributed accordingly.  Did you know that last year, over 15 games we sold 35,000 hot dogs alone???  That doesn't include all the rest of the food options -- ha...

Probably my least favorite part of living the workamper life is changing jobs and locations every season. Some say that those are two of the top ten most stressful activities in life and I can see why. This season's move has been filled with stressing opportunities. In addition to what I shared in Diggin' Out about not being able to start my rig's engine in the cold, blowing a tire in transit, and running into road blocks, I discovered more needed repairs when I connected to a water source at my new location. Old Cracked Water Heater New Water Heater Beautiful, isn't it?  That's my new $900 water heater. I know it isn't much to look at, but when I spend that kind of money I really want to show off my purchase.  Good thing I have a job, right? Well, returning to my Angels Spring Training gig I knew what to expect as far as money and hours, but was surprised when my new boss gave me a 15 hour/week limit until we get closer to Opening Day. New b...

My latest family outing was a 1,000 mile round trip to view the VanGogh Exhibit at the Denver Museum. And, with our in-laws no less. Curiously we all meandered through the exhibit, admiring VanGogh's works, and looking forward to learning the entire story about how the artist amputated his own ear, why, when and how. We wanted to get the juicy details on his days in the sanitarium. But that was just not to be. There was no mention of the self-mutilation. There was no mention of the sanitarium. Only the passionate efforts of a shy minister turned painter. Most of us know about the ear, but not about his desire to preach the word of God to others. Instead of sharing words, he painted pictures for us, and in doing so have given millions reason to pause and consider the beauty of his paintings, and God's world. Maybe that's what being saved and having eternal life is all about. . .

One really super great thing about road trips in the motor coach is seeing plenty of great scenery. Mountains, oceans, deserts, canyon lands, wide-open plains, I've seen them all.  Each landscape has its own majestic beauty. However, one of the best, most spectacular sights of all are the windmills sprouting up all over the nation. Equally as exciting are the solar panel farms that are sprouting up. Slowly but surely we are employing alternative energy sources. We may be totally unaware of our changing energy sources in the cities where we live, but this I know for sure --- we're moving in the right direction.

Are you on Match ? or E-Harmony ? Seems like the way to go if you're dating these days. Last night I spoke with yet another friend who is looking for love on the internet.  Almost every single female friend I have is doing it.  My hat is off to them. Besides being daring enough to reach out to these total strangers, they have completed a task that overwhelms me --- creating a personal profile. Maybe I'm over-thinking it, but by the time I got to the "Pay here" page of the profile I was mentally and emotionally exhausted.  I opted out. As silly as it may sound, even describing my physical attributes caused me anguish --- is my body build slender, average, or curvy. Well, we all see things differently so to some I appear slender, I'd say I was average, but shopping for blue jeans these days would definitely put me in the curvy category. What are my favorite movies, sports, hobbies?  Since I'm and adventurer, the answer to most of those questions ar...

After staying a night at the Microtel Motel  in which I was over-charged and under-nourished, I continued down the road to Phoenix.       Minutes from my final destination I heard a thumping metallic sound, one loud enough to investigate.   Since I was stopped at the entrance to  McDowell Mountain Resort & Casino  I pulled in and slowly, carefully cruised into one of their large parking lots --- the very same large parking lot where they were hosting a high-end collector's car show.   Oh look at that photo! I had no idea how to even begin to fix that!  But several of the car dealers ( and their crews ) did, and quickly offered their help. Within minutes the rim was removed, and I was on the road in my car with instructions to return with 2 new rims and tires and a promise that the crew  would get me back on the road.  Now, I know that I have a God that takes care of all of my needs all of the time,...

Tempe Diablo Stadium Hard to believe that 28 days from this rainy, wet, dreary and damp day that I'll be hanging out at the Honey Brown Sweet Spot, getting paid to watching the Angels play the Cubs on Opening Day. I'll be here for the entire 2013 Spring Training Season with the California Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Join me for the stories of the season!