DC is going through a period of incredible stress.  The political transition affects us here more than any other city in the country.  People leaving the area and new people arriving every four years.  This has always been so in Washington; this year, even more so.

We, the permanent DC residents will again be adopting a whole new population.

I am probably more sensitive to this constant change in our community because of the business we were in as sports team owners.  In other cities, fans are often lifelong residents.  Here, whole sections of our community move out and in every four years.  Our challenge was always to keep our loyal fans and attract new ones.

Years ago, one of our players, Bob Ferry, told me that we are the only city where half the fans are rooting for the opposite team.

This will always be so; I accept that, but as DC has grown in population we now have a much larger dedicated fan base.

But that’s what makes sports great.  Sports has a way of uniting us, giving us something to rally around that has nothing to do with whether you are a Democrat or Republican, a man or a woman, etc.  Sports can be a welcome distraction to the “chaos” that sometimes grips our city when we are going through political change.

So, for those of us, who are part of the Washington, DC “permanent” community, our current teams are coming through just when we need them.

Sparks are flying.

Wall!  Ovechkin!

How fortunate we are to have two of the GREAT players in sports today anchoring our local teams!  And both teams are playing remarkably well, providing

The spirit affects everyone visiting the Verizon Center – the ushers in the  arena, the hot dog vendor, the parking lot attendants and, of course, the fans.  Sharing these moments when we all talk about the great plays and the winning results of the games brings us all together.

As Jackie Gleason in “The Honeymooners” said, “How sweet it is!”  Enjoy!

Every time we approach a Presidential Inauguration, I am reminded of some memorable moments for us during our Capital Centre days.  One day in particular:  In 1985, the weather was dangerously cold, so the decision was made to move Ronald Reagan’s Inaugural Parade indoors to the Capital Centre. We barely had a day to plan it!   I thought you might enjoy the video of that event below.  Also, I’ve included a link to a star-studded Inaugural Gala at Capital Centre in 1993 for President Clinton.   Our staff at Capital Centre worked day and night to make sure these were successful events. Enjoy!

Reagan Inaugural Parade 1985

Clinton Inaugural Gala – Capital Centre 1993

Topsy-Turvy:   A state of utter confusion, disarray, disorder, chaos.

This expression keeps going around and around in my head; – non-stop! Topsy-turvy, topsy-turvy, topsy-turvy etc, etc, etc,——ad infinitum!

I haven’t written a blog in a very long time. I have been wanting to but just couldn’t.

Not that I didn’t have a lot to say, in fact, I had too much to say. That was my problem. I just couldn’t’ put it all down – the paper would have caught fire!

I needed to wait until I could write with some measure of control of my feelings.

Is “topsy-turvy” a measure of control? At least I have an expression of where I am now; what I feel now — topsy-turvy!!!!!

So how does one manage in the world that feels like this? Go about one’s life, work, family, feeling disconnected, unsteady, unsettled?

I find myself reaching far back to times in my life of deep personal tragedy; times when everything seemed to be going wrong and ask myself , what did I do then?

I remember reaching deep down; inside, seeking and searching for a warm, safe place; and finding it, feeling so grateful that it was there waiting for me.

There it was when I needed it; protected, giving me time to come to terms with a new reality.

I feel that is where we are now – in the midst of a country-wide, world-wide period of major transition and I want to be ready to adapt, accommodate.

Topsy-turvy is temporary; the challenge is how to return to balance.

Happy New Year, everybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!