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Times Like These

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Grohl under the stars at SeaHearNow. Photo by Isabella Condello.

I crossed off one of my bucket list items on Sunday, September 17, while digging my toes in the sands of Asbury Park during the SeaHearNow Festival with three of the most awesome people I know: seeing Foo Fighters live.

And it was unbelievably amazing.

It’s no secret that I admire the hell out of Dave Grohl. I am not a fan girl but an avid admirer of his ability to tell stories and how he lives his life. I’ve written before about how I found his memoir compelling and raw, honest and inspiring, about how Taylor Hawkins’ massive loss affected me, and about the sheer brilliance of Foo’s 2023 album But Here We Are.

Almost every single song written and recorded by Dave and company speaks to me in some way. I’ve learned more about myself, especially accepting aspects about myself that formerly caused me anxiety and dismay, from Foo Fighters songs more so than those from other bands. Sure, there are several songs in the catalogs of Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Cure that did the same thing, but Foo… man, have they guided me to ME.

Foo’s lyrics remind us of how anguish is universal, how we all strive to overcome the odds, and how we are not alone, especially when it comes to grief.

We all experience it collectively, yet each experiences it differently.

By forming Foo Fighters, Grohl transformed his grief into words and music that continually resonates with loud beauty and solace within the screams. In an episode of WandaVision, Vision says, “But what is grief if not love persevering?” Grohl birthed Foo Fighters out of such grief, and Foo Fighters, collectively, is love persevering.

One such example from Foo’s latest album is “The Teacher.” This song was written about Grohl’s mother, Virginia, who passed away in the summer of 2022. She was a teacher and unconditionally accepted and loved her son as he chose a life path that differed greatly from hers. The song stirs the gamut of emotions and is hauntingly beautiful,

And Foo, who rarely plays the song live, ripped it as the second to last song in their set, and it sounded even better than it is on the album . Grohl told us in the audience, “We’re going to play something special for you, a beautiful song for a beautiful night,” and I recognized the first chord immediately. I listened with awe and utter respect.

We all struggle with grief. While our culture suggests we cry for a day or two then move on, grief has no timeline and never ends.

And grief sparks birth, for we are never the same after experiencing the loss of someone or something. We can grieve the loss of a job or a situation we counted on just as much as the loss of a person, and when the dust settles, we are different and emerge into the world anew.

Grief also commands us to put on a strong face so that those around us don’t crumble further, but that means we are supposed to dismiss and ignore the crumbling inside of us. I think of my uncle, and my father, and my father-in-law, and my brother-in-law, all heavy losses where I had to wear a mask and buckle up my backbone for those around me, and I cringe. I kept my grief at bay for others and never allowed myself to mourn. I still cry at times because the ones I lost are not physically by my side anymore.

But their spirits are, and in the end, I smile because my lasting grief is just love. For what is grief, if not love persevering?

And now, back to the show…

Me with three of the most fantastic festival companions ever! Photo taken by SHN staff member.

With the waves to my right, sand underneath my feet, and people I value around me, the entire day at SeaHearNow was nothing short of amazing. Experiencing The Beach Boys set AT THE BEACH…is there anything better? YES, there is, when John Stamos is on stage with them rocking the guitar and drum set. I loved seeing teenagers singing word-for-word the carefree songs embodying that California surf culture written well before I was even born.

Weezer was also phenomenal, and I swore Rivers Cuomo, the lead singer, looked young enough to be in his early 20s despite being a year older than me. I sang along and danced and was surprised I knew more songs than I expected. Beverly Hills, Say it Ain’t So, Hash Pipe, Buddy Holly, and my favorite, Undone (The Sweater Song) never sounded better.

But Foo was the ultimate reason I stood for three hours on the beach, and their set contained countless unforgettable moments.

Pat Smear, my other favorite, was brilliant on the guitar, and new drummer Josh Freese stepped right into his role with unabashed energy. The band, collectively, made me sing, and dance, and jump, and cry, and all the while, I kept thinking to myself how grateful I was to be alive in the moment. I didn’t take too many videos or photos during Foo because I wanted to savor the experience.

“Walk” – Learning to walk again, I believe I’ve waited long enough, Where do I begin?, Learning to talk again Can’t you see I’ve waited long enough?, Where do I begin? – Simply mind-blowing. I cried during this one, too.

Grohl mixed things up a bit by taking perhaps their most meaningful song to me, “Times Like These,” and performing it in a softer and lovelier way. As the crowd sang along with him, I wept as I recalled all I have overcome in my life and, to coin their album title, but here I am. I AM a wild light minding bright burning off and on. I AM a new day rising from a brand new sky to hang the stars upon tonight. I’m still here, dammit, and all of those times, especially the awareness of the present moment, made me learn to live, love, and give again.

Foo Fighters ended their perfect two-hour set with the perfect song, “Everlong:” And I wonder, When I sing along with you, If everything could ever be this real forever, If anything could ever be this good again…

There was more going on that night than just a concert. For me, it was a bucket-list item realized, the life-changing gift of seeing one of my heroes (“he’s ordinary”), and a transcendence more than the music. It was a fiery awakening under a soothing blanket of stars and words, and no, anything can never be that good again. In the most thrilling way possible, I walked out of SeaHearNow wiser and brighter.

Sidebar: I was very grateful festival organizers offered one day tickets this year and hope they continue that practice in the future. And kudos to everyone who had a hand in organizing the event. I experienced nothing unsavory and could hear the bands no problem, contrary to the negativity swirling around recent press articles about the festival. Keep on keeping on!

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

“Times Like These” was posted on jillocone.com on September 24, 2023. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2023, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.

Wear Purple for World Lupus Day on Wednesday

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This week’s #writerwednesday post is a day early for a very special reason.

May is Lupus Awareness Month, and Wednesday, May 10 is World Lupus Day! Please wear Purple on Wednesday, May 10 to show your support for the millions of people affected by lupus. 

Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body, causing the immune system to attack healthy tissue instead of fighting infections. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with, a challenge to treat, and can be fatal. Lupus strikes without warning, affects each person differently, and has no known causes or cure.

Lupus is considered an “invisible” illness because most of its symptoms aren’t always visible. While someone with lupus may look fine on the outside, the disease typically wreaks havoc on one’s body and organs while causing physical, emotional, and mental strain and pain. Because others do not realize or understand the daily struggles of someone who has lupus, lupus patients often feel isolated. 

I am one of the millions of people affected by lupus, and so is one of my younger students. It is in her honor that I am advocating for lupus awareness this year so she knows she is not alone.

I like to describe having lupus with an analogy from Forrest Gump: it’s like a box of chocolates, and you never know what you’re going to get.

I have been dealing with a pretty intense flare since March, and man, this one is a doozy. I endure when I can and rest when I must, but I know things could always be worse. If this flare is like previous ones, fingers crossed I am closer to its end versus its beginning. My mantra this month is “My purpose is stronger than my pain” and am grateful at the end of each day for its lessons and victories.

Please join me in making lupus visible by wearing purple on Wednesday, May 10 to let those affected by lupus know they aren’t alone.

You can learn more about lupus by reading this fact sheet or by visiting the Lupus Awareness Month page on lupus.org.

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

“Wear Purple for World Lupus Day on Wednesday” was posted on jillocone.com on May 9, 2023. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2023, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.

Back In The Game

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Life activated me from the 33-day injured list (IL), and I’m back on the roster!

I took a BREAK from posting, pun intended, because I followed my doctor’s orders that I should not use a computer. As of yesterday, I am no longer banished from keyboards and can share what happened:

I fell flat on my face and went down hard before I even knew what was happening.

It’s as simple as that.

I must have instinctively brought my arms in front of my face to brace myself, and the nearest I can figure, both of my elbows and my left knee hit the floor, followed by my whole body hitting the ground.

I laid there for a few minutes in shock, unable to move or call for help because the jolt knocked the wind out of me. Eventually, I mustered the ability to flip myself from my stomach to sit, then a coworker came upon me in the middle of the hallway floor, dazed and confused. 

My knee was fine, but I ended up with two fractured elbows and in a crap ton of pain.   

The first ten days were the worst. Every muscle in my body hurt from the fall’s blow, and the pain in my arms throbbed while radiating like electricity up and down from my fingertips through my shoulders.

The good news is that I did not require hard casts or surgery.

Rather, I sported two stylish slings, the likes of which might make Michael Kors drool with envy, and a fancy, black brace on my right wrist. The wrist brace kept me from straining the right elbow, which had the worse of the two fractures.

I’m thankful each fracture is healing on its own, seemingly without any long-term mobility issues or spurring any sort of Lupus flares. I’ve been cleared to return to work and to normal activities, and I’ll follow my orthopedist’s advice that while movement will help the healing process, I should take care to not overdo it.

During recovery, I kept a mental list of all the things I was grateful for the ability to do that I formerly took for granted (click here to read that list).

I also realized that while I now may be labeled a fall risk, life is for living, not for sitting around. 

Life can surely change in an instant, but I’ll take the risks in living, and in falling.

Ironically, while healing, I heard Buddy Guy’s new song titled “Blues Don’t Lie” from his new album with the same name. The song begins: “Life is gonna happen whether you’re ready or not…”

Ain’t that the truth.

Life never waits for me to be ready. It pitches at me constantly, sometimes with direct hits, other times with near misses. 

So, why should I wait to live it, since it’s throwing at me, anyway? 

I will rise when I fall.

I will survive when I fear.

I will smile when I cry.

I will remember with love when I grieve.

I will learn and improve when I falter or fail, and celebrate both the lessons and the successes.

And throughout it all, I will shine my light in hopes of sparking the light in others.

Life is short, and I have nothing to fear.

It’s go time, and I’m back at home plate, ready to swing.

Batter up!

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you’re here.

With light and gratitude,

Jill

“Back In The Game” was posted on jillocone.com on February 8, 2023. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2023, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.

2023 POSTS SUSPENDED UNTIL…

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Unfortunately, I will be suspending regular posts until I’m cleared by my orthopedist. Neither typing with one finger nor voice typing is working for me, but I’ll be back when I’m healed.

Thank you for your understanding and well wishes!

2023 #WRITERWEDNESDAY WEEK 02: CURVE BALLS AND SLINGS

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The day after posting my first #WriterWednesday anecdote, life threw me a nasty curve ball. 

Now, if Nasty Nestor Cortes, Jr., of the New York Yankees had been on the mound, I like to think he wouldn’t have aimed directly at me. There’s no way in hell I’d ever be able to connect my bat with one of his trademark curve balls, so I am pretty sure I would have whiffed on my swing and struck out.

Unfortunately, Nasty Nestor wasn’t on the hill.

Neither was that choking hazard Aroldis Chapman, who in his better years would have smoked his fastball right by me but now can’t even hit the strike zone.

For once, though, I actually would have preferred if he was the starting pitcher instead of life, who plunked me before I could get my bat off my shoulder and landed me my first hit-by-pitch for the year.

I went down hard, literally, and was taken out of the game instead of taking my base.

I was placed on the injured list, duration to be announced (not expected to be too long), thankfully without needing surgery and a full recovery expected. 

While my name is missing from the starting lineup, I’m moving gingerly through the pain with both of my arms in slings and a brace on my wrist, grateful for voice-to-text and to be rid of the plaster cast as hard as a Louisville Slugger.

I can do hard things, and I will get through this stint on the IL.

When I rejoin the active roster, I’ll step up to the plate ready to swing for the fences while slinging a stronger zest for the game called life.

Please note: I am okay but unable to answer questions or provide additional details about what happened, but I thank you for caring about me. I’m glad you’re here.

With light and gratitude,

Jill

“2023 #WriterWednesday Week 02: Curve Balls and Slings” was posted on jillocone.com on January 11, 2023. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2023, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.

Published in Jersey Shore Magazine’s Fall/Holiday 2022 Issue

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I am pleased to share the Fall/Holiday 2022 issue of Jersey Shore Magazine with you. I proudly contributed two Beachcomber articles and two feature articles to the issue. You can read the articles below by clicking on the links.

It was my honor to profile two new friends. One is William Duffy, who tirelessly devotes his retirement to honoring local fallen heroes. “Answering the Call: Honoring the Jersey Shore’s Fallen Heroes” documents Duffy’s efforts, as well as plans for future memorials in and around the shore similar to the Brick Township’s Fallen Heroes monument.

My other new friend is debut novelist Katie Runde, whose novel The Shore was released in May to rave reviews. Anyone who grew up at the shore like Katie and I will relate to her moving story of how a family becomes fractured by tragedy. I loved meeting Katie and her mother, Kathleen, and found we had much in common.

Locals may recognize Bay Head boating enthusiast F. Slade Dale’s name, and learning about his connection to the Emma C. Berry boat was quite interesting for my article “F. Slade Dale and the Emma C. Berry.”. A recently restored model of the Berry is now a part of the Bay Head Historical Society’s collection in the Slade Dale Cottage at their museum. My innate love of ships and their tales found writing story fascinating, as was learning about the restoration process from acclaimed restorer Thomas Lauria.

Count Basie Center for the Arts is both a staple in Red Bank and planning for its next phase, having transformed from solely a theatre to a state-of-the-art Center for the Arts in just a few years. With lofty plans and goals, the Basie will continue to evolve as one of the world’s most premiere locations for the arts.

My other work for the issue included compiling the Campground directory, the Horseback Riding directory, the Calendar of Events, Theatre Guide, Fall Farm Guide, and Choose and Cut Your Own Christmas Tree guide.

You can check out the entire issue by clicking here or by visiting Jersey Shore Publications’ Website.

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you’re here.

With love and gratitude,

Jill

“Published in Jersey Shore Magazine’s Fall/Holiday 2022 Issue” was posted on jillocone.com on November 5, 2022. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2022, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.

Grace and Contentment

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I’m enjoying a rare moment of solitude and peace on this lazy October afternoon, a throwback of sorts to my carefree summer routine. In between sips of coffee, I write while relishing the sound of the screaming blue jay outside.

Like every educator, my to-do list of professional responsibilities went from zero to 150+ as the calendar’s page flipped from August to September. It’s been 42 days of nonstop go-go-go, and I’m left wondering if September even happened because it came in like a ferocious, pouncing lion and was over before I could even breathe.

My annual autumn lupus flare has settled in for its yearly nuisance fester. Energy depletion, fatigue, and pain are unwanted side effects, but I’m simultaneously grateful this year’s flare isn’t as debilitating as it could be. 

I’ve struggled here and there with keeping the ghoulies in my head at bay, but they are quiet today, and my soul is feeling the most at home and grounded in my body than it has in months. 

It’s a good day.

Autumn’s late afternoon amber bars of sunshine reflect off the changing leaves and absorb an invisible yet oddly satisfying aroma of Earth and fall time sweetness intermixed with the crisp autumn breeze heralding the beginning of the end of the year. 

Speaking of endings, I made the tough decision last month to gracefully end my querying journey with Chapter One-A Novel. I’ve got one holdout still in the trenches, but based upon the 200+ responses (or lack of responses thereof) I’ve received from my queries, I already know the answer. 

I edited and revised both my manuscript and query letter countless times and tried my absolute best, but it’s time to wrap up this 8-year-long journey with pride and dignity. I wrote a novel, and nobody can take that accomplishment away from me. Maybe someday I’ll revisit it, but as Tony Stark said in Avengers: Endgame, part of the journey is the end, and it’s time for Chapter One-A Novel’s journey to end.

My writing journey, however, is not ending but merely shifting its course. I’ve begun working on my next novel (tentatively titled John Doe) while simultaneously researching and outlining three non-fiction books. Each project’s potential is infinite, teeming with unique possibilities, and will hopefully educate and inspire readers to see and think in new ways. 

At least, that’s my hope and the intention that fuels my progress.

I am walking in the JDRF One Walk this Sunday with my 11-year-old nephew who was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes a few years ago. It’s an honor to walk in his name and with a team comprised of treasured family and friends while giving back to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, an organization that has helped and supported my nephew in numerous ways. Please support my quest with positive thoughts or a small monetary donation (if you are able to do so) by clicking here.

Thank you for joining me on my journey and for your support. I’m glad you’re here.

With love and gratitude,

Jill

“Grace and Contentment” was posted on jillocone.com on October, 2022. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2022, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.

It’s Time for Peppers, Life, and Dolly

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Oh, by gosh, by golly… August has been one exhilarating whirlwind, and I’ve relished every single moment. Electric pain radiates throughout my body and a shroud of fatigue lies heavy upon my shoulders, but I wouldn’t change a single thing.

The pain I feel means I am ALIVE and living my one wild and precious life.

I traveled with my family to Nashville to help my niece move into her college dorm for her sophomore year. Not including too many details for privacy reasons, but her school is two miles from the heart of the city. Before move-in day arrived, we explored the area, including parts of her campus we hadn’t seen, parts of Nashville we hadn’t seen, and the adorable town of Franklin. 

Video I took on Broadway Street near Nudie’s. This goes on ALL NIGHT.

The Nashville highlight for me was walking over The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge towards Nissan Stadium, the home field of the Tennessee Titans, and hearing my favorite band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers! No ticket needed for this concert! The full moon rose alongside us and I literally danced and sang under the bridge (pun intended) to about three-quarters of their show. And I also scored a tour shirt from the merch trailer to wear to their NJ show (more details about this below).

As we strolled away from the stadium and towards the Broadway Street area, the chaos of Music City drowned out Anthony’s voice, John’s guitar, Flea’s bass, and Chad’s drums. If you ever want to feel alive, I highly recommend ensconcing yourself in the Nashville scene, as I actually sensed the festive atmosphere pulsing within my bones and reverberating in my muscles.

Sidebar: Should you find yourself in Nashville, take the time to wait in line for Hattie B’s Hot Chicken. My goodness, it’s worth it. Best fried chicken and crinkle cut fries I’ve ever had.

My niece is a strong and independent young woman who chose to give up part of her summer to be an orientation leader, and every day, she inspires me to be a better person. Her orientation obligations resulted in moving in earlier than the rest of the campus, so we had more room in the parking area, elevators, hallways, and her apartment. Her jam-packed schedule also gave us all less time to dwell on the sadness of farewell, and instead of saying goodbye when it was time to leave, I said, “See you soon.” 

We stopped at Dollywood’s Theme Park and DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on the way home for a day stay over. Upon walking into the theme park, we noticed with curiosity that Christmas decorations were hanging from just about everywhere. We happened upon a sign announcing that filming for a holiday special would be taking place in various areas of the park throughout the day and didn’t think too much of it, until…..

Dolly! Photo courtesy of my SIL.

drum roll please….

WE SAW DOLLY!

That’s right, folks! THE one and only, along with JIMMY FALLON!

Completely unexpected and truly an amazing. My sister-in-law snapped pictures of them as my roller-coaster-partner-in-crime nephew and I spied Dolly while seated on a coaster, of course, but would you expect any less from us? 

We rode every coaster in the park, two of them twice, and by the luck of the draw, we were seated either in the back row or front row on about half of the rides. Here’s my Dollywood Coaster Report:

We also rode the train, which was a restored World War II coal-and-steam-powered train, and got drenched on the rapids.

And did someone say, “Cinnamon Bread?” Named the best cinnamon bread in America by Travel and Leisure magazine, the iconic pull-apart bread made fresh at the Grist Mill melted in my mouth and was so good it didn’t need any icing, nor did I care about the carbs messing with my sugar levels.

After our park day ended, we enjoyed the pool and hot tub area before retiring to our room for the night, and yes, I happily slept in a bunk bed. Every item on the buffet breakfast at Song and Hearth the following morning was simply delicious. 

In my humble opinion, Dollywood’s theming, from the smallest of details to every single aspect of each ride and coaster, surpasses its Orlando and Anaheim big name competitors. Both the theme park and the DreamMore resort were clean and meticulously landscaped, and every employee we encountered pleasant and helpful. An affordable escape off the beaten path with less crowds and more value than its big name rivals, Dollywood quickly became one of my favorite places. In 2023, a new coaster called Big Bear Mountain will be added to the theme park, and the new HeartSong Lodge and Resort adjacent to DreamMore will officially open for visitors, so I have two good reasons to return to Dollywood!

We tooled around Gatlinburg for a few hours before heading to Virginia with a quick drive through Virginia Tech on the way to our hotel for the night, and we rolled back into the Jersey Shore on Tuesday with a suitcase of wonderful memories.

By choice, I didn’t have time to rest. The day I had waited far too long for had finally arrived, and I woke up on Wednesday, August 17, ready to pop with anticipation like a kid on Christmas morning.

I had never seen my favorite band in concert prior to hearing them perform from a distance while standing outside their Nashville venue five days earlier. The reasons for this no longer matter because I finally crossed off the number-one item on my lifelong bucket list:

I SAW THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS LIVE IN CONCERT AT METLIFE STADIUM, AND IT WAS GLORIOUS.

RHCP Set List from MetLife Show on 8/17/22.

The ones who have provided the soundtrack to my life since my high school years took the stage with explosive energy and sheer delight. I jumped, and danced, and sang, and screamed, and got lost in the joyous moment of every song they played, which was the absolute best set list of the tour, By The Way (again, pun intended). 

My concert comrades and I stood for the entire show, and it was just an electric, epic evening, everything I could have wished for and more. Anthony, and Flea, and Chad, and JOHN who returned for the Unlimited Love album and tour, playing their hearts out with a palpable intensity and exuberance, and constantly expressing their gratitude to the audience… it honestly couldn’t have been any better. 

The Peppers’ music has been my constant companion since I was in my teens and carried me through some dark and dismal life episodes. There’s something about Anthony’s voice that simultaneously soothes and energizes me. Time and time again, their music helps me cope with whatever life throws at me, either as a result of my own choices or by happenstance, and on more than one occasion, I’ve felt like they wrote certain lyrics just for me.

And they are still here, rocking with as much fire and spirit as they did when they first came together as a band.

I cannot wait for the release of the Peppers’ SECOND double-album of 2022 titled Return of the Dream Canteen in October. I sincerely hope a tour to support Canteen album follows, and if one does, I will most definitely be there.

Special commemorative ticket from Paul O’Neill Day on 8/21/22.

Since the concert, I’ve enjoyed a jaunt to Six Flags Great Adventure with my brother, youngest niece, and two nephews, and witnessed the retiring of Paul O’Neill’s number before a much-needed Yankees victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at the house that Ruth built in celebration of my treasured friend’s birthday.

I’m still relishing my carefree summer days while trying my best to ignore my school emails and meet my upcoming magazine deadlines as summer’s end looms in the distance. There’s a time for everything, and I’ve learned to trust the seasons of both my calendar and my life. 

I will continue to wake up each day with a zest for living and an intention to experience something wondrous each day, no matter the date on the calendar, the temperature outside, or what’s on my to-do list.

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you’re here.

With love and gratitude,

Jill

“It’s Time For Peppers, Life, and Dolly” was posted on jillocone.com on August 24, 2022. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2022, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.

“Again! Again!”

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July was an insanely busy month for someone like me who was looking forward to resting. In between querying my novel (no bites yet) and writing both personally and working on my upcoming magazine deadlines, I made the most out of my time and did something fun almost every day. I already shared about my trip to Boston and Nickelodeon Universe in early July (you can read that by clicking here), so here’s an update about the rest of my month.

Strong Family Ties

I haven’t seen my cousins from California in like forever, so I was delighted that my cousin D came to visit with his wife and two children I had never met for four days. It was like the time between when we last saw each other and now didn’t exist because we meshed and melded together right away. We spent a lot of time together checking out the local sites and visiting with my family. We ate, we swam, we saw, and boy, did we laugh! It was such a treat to be together, and I have made it an intention to get out to California in the next year or two to revisit him, my uncle and aunt, and my other two cousins and their families. I had a lot of fun playing “tourist” with them and looking through the local sites through their eyes.

Roller Coaster Palooza Take Two, With A Side Of Baseball

My oldest nephew and I traveled 915 miles in four and a half days as we embarked upon our annual “Roller Coaster Palooza” Road Trip summer tradition. Day One brought us to Adventure Park USA, about 45 minutes from Baltimore, Maryland, then we caught the baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. We were Orioles fans for the evening but kept our eye on the Yankees’ score. The Orioles were down most of the game and tied it up in the 9th but ultimately lost 6-4 in 10 innings. We took a walk down to Baltimore Harbor on Day Two, then headed to Six Flags America in Bowie, Maryland. That evening, we set up shop in a Stafford, Virginia hotel then visited Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Day Three) and King’s Dominion (Day Four). I rallied despite not feeling well and had a fantastic time. Our surprisingly traffic-free drive home allowed us to see the sights of Washington, D.C. along the GPS’s selected route. 

We rode 21 different roller coasters with a total of 24 roller coaster rides at the following places: 

From the outside of Intimidator 305 (I took this photo).

Our biggest coaster conquest both this trip and ever was Intimidator 305 for sure. Known as a “giga” coaster because its height is 305 feet (giga height is 300-399 feet), it was also one of the fastest with its 90 miles-per-hour speed and the first giga we experienced. Its height is quite intimidating, pun intended, and for a while I thought I was going to back out (and black out!). But I did it, and I”ve got the ride photo to prove it! What a rush! Now I feel like I can do anything!

Verbolten was our favorite coaster of the trip, and we intended to ride it several more times but the park shut down due to weather conditions. It is a multi-launch coaster impeccably themed as “an autobahn adventure through the Black Forest” that goes inside and outside with a lot of surprises and three different scenes. In fact, this post’s title stems from our first ride on Verbolten; when we pulled into the station, my nephew cheered with glee and cried, “Again! Again!” I will hear his voice cry “Again! Again!” in my mind’s eye forever.

Again! Again! Indeed!

My nephew listened to one of his required summer reading books and I’m hooked on it! I picked up my very own copy of “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell and resumed reading where we left off in the car with ideas about how to possibly infuse this piece into my journalism program. I think my students would get a lot out of it with regards to ideas and how to make them a reality.

Soothing The Scars

Das Festhaus from a postcard

I am not ashamed to admit that I have many quirks.

One of them is a fear of what I refer to as “forced fan participation,” which stems from an event when I was eight or nine years old. My family took us to Busch Gardens Williamsburg (my only other visit to this park before last week), and we ate in Das Festhaus, which is a large, German eatery with a stage in the middle of long rows of picnic tables on either side that fill the hall. While we were eating, performers from the German Oktoberfest-style show went through the aisles looking for kids to come on stage to be a part of the show. Well, a woman with long blonde braids took my hand and tugged me to get out of my seat. I did not want to, but my parents urged, “Go ahead! It will be fun!” These are all very vivid memories in my mind and I can picture everything like it happened yesterday… childhood trauma, much? Anyway, I did as they wished despite my apprehension, but when I got onto the stage and saw everyone looking at me, I turned and sprinted off the stage to the restroom, where I ducked into a stall and cried behind its closed door, the overwhelming humiliation like an anvil on my body. 

The inside of Das Festhaus, just as I remembered it.

Ever since, I tense up in any situation where I could be forced to participate against my will, even at my own place of employment. If I am the one who makes the decision to participate or facilitate, I’m fine, but if it’s a situation where volunteers are sought from an audience or I’m put on the spot, I panic and tense up, and sometimes, I actually flee just like I did at Das Festhaus all those years ago.

As soon as my feet crossed into the Germany area of Busch Gardens Williamsburg last week, the anvil’s weight returned and prickles ran over my skin. My nephew and I navigated the pathways through the charming area, and my eyes fell upon Das Festhaus.

I stopped in my tracks and took a deep breath. 

We wanted to eat lunch here because of the variety of meals available… but could I do it?

Yes. The answer is: yes, I could.

And I did.

We ended up having the best meal of the trip inside the walls of the building that has never left my memory files, and it was exactly as I remembered, expansive and authentically decorated. And the food was amazing. Sidebar: Well worth getting the one-day meal plan if you go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, which has amazing options with big, delicious portions, especially at Das Festhaus.

Not by design but because of our schedule, we left before the 12:30 PM show began so we could continue our quest of riding every coaster in the park, which we accomplished just before a nasty weather front arrived. We sought shelter inside Das Festhaus due to the weather with my scars of forced fan participation smoothed and soothed. 

Maybe, just maybe, I’ll hang around to delight in the show at Das Festhaus on my next visit.

Published in American Writers Review 2022: The End Or The Beginning?

Now Available On Amazon!

I’m very excited to share that my story “Five South Thresholds” can be found within the pages of American Writers Review 2022: The End Or The Beginning?” alongside exemplary works from other talented writers, poets, and photographers. You can purchase the paperback or Kindle version of the book on Amazon by clicking here.

No Rest For The Weary

I’ll be hitting the road on another trip next week with family and intend to live each and every August day to its fullest. This morning, I went for an early morning stroll on the beach, and the sea lapping against my legs was exactly what my soul needed. I’ll be visiting her more often, both in the mornings and evenings, and allow her to continue guiding me through life.

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you’re here.

With love and gratitude,

Jill

“Again! Again!” was posted on jillocone.com on August 4, 2022. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2022, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.

Carpenter Builds Story After Story

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Matt Carpenter during the curtain call from the Yankees/Red Sox game on July 16, 2022, as posted by the New York Yankees’ Twitter account.

If you aren’t an avid Yankees or baseball fan, you might not recognize Matt Carpenter’s name.

But you should.

Carpenter’s journey this season is the story that America needs as we collectively navigate a world filled with acrimony and discord.

The three-time All-Star went from riding the bench in the minors earlier this year to one of the biggest phenoms in Major League Baseball.

And Carpenter is no spring chicken. He’s a 36-year-old veteran with more than a decade of playing time in the majors.

Back in May, the Yankees placed three players on the COVID list, which left holes on the roster that needed to be filled. The team took a chance and signed Carpenter after he was released by the Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers’ minor league AAA-affiliate) in hopes he’d fill one of those holes.

That hole has not only been closed, but now overflows with sheer awesomeness.

When Carpenter, with his old school Mattingly-esque mustache, stepped up to home plate in Tampa during his first at-bat as a Yankee on May 26, many skeptically asked, “Who is THIS guy?” Yankees fans can be harshly judgmental, and I plead the fifth about my opinion of the recycled veteran in that moment.

Well, his two at-bat appearances in that game, which yielded two runs scored in the Yankees 7-2 victory, combined with slugging his first home-run of the season the following night that helped the Yankees defeat the Rays 2-1, answered that question:

He is MATT CARPENTER, and he has been the living embodiment of baseball magic since. As he crushes his bat and sets new records, baseball fans across the nation stand with their mouths agape.

As of this post, he has had 75 at-bats in 30 games so far this season, with 27 hits, 13 home runs, and 31 runs batted in. Remember, he didn’t play for almost two months, and those numbers are only since May 26!

Make that 31 games, 77 at-bats, and 32 RBIs-he added another as I am writing.

Those numbers don’t lie. Carpenter is the real deal.

In last night’s 14-1 trouncing of the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, Carpenter batted in 7 runs with TWO 3-run home runs, one in the first inning and the second in the fifth inning. Shortly after high-fiving his teammates in the dugout after home run number two, he answered the fans’ cheering for a curtain call with waves of authentic emotion riding his face as seen in the above image.

“You never know when the last time you’re going to put this uniform is or on what day that is and I felt like I might have had that a couple of times this year.,” Carpenter told FOX Broadcasting’s Ken Rosenthal after last night’s game. “To be here, and to be playing for this team, in this city, for this franchise, I don’t take it for granted. I come to the ballpark every day overwhelmed with joy and gratitude and, man, it’s just been a lot of fun.” 

Last night wasn’t Carpenter’s first multi-hit home run game this season. During the Yankees’ 18-4 victory over the Cubs at home on June 12, Carpenter also batted in 7 RBIs with two home runs. His performance in that game made him the first player in Yankees’ history to hit six home runs in his first 10 games with the team.

I’ve always rooted for the underdog, but the humble Carpenter tops them all. He’s tenacious, unassuming, and gives his all, no matter what. And the first words listed on his Twitter and Instagram bios of Christian, Husband, Father, all before NY Yankee, speak volumes about the type of person Carpenter is. 

What hits home (pun intended) for me is Carpenter’s determination and authenticity. He’s never sacrificed his values for his career nor forgotten his roots or taken anything for granted. He’s nobly faced setbacks by bettering himself in whatever way necessary as he strove to bounce back. While many major leaguers his age call it quits after being demoted, he chose to stay in the game and reemerged bigger and better than ever, all the while exuding gratitude that his name is on the Yankees’ roster. 

Today’s young people desperately need an example like Carpenter, but you know what? 

So do I. 

Trade out the baseball for words, and I aim to emulate Carpenter as I face my own strikeouts while querying my manuscript as a 51-year-old aspiring novelist. Like Carpenter, I’ve celebrated many successes in my early life and career alongside unexpected setbacks, and writing is no exception. He may be 15 years younger than me, but Carpenter is living proof that I am not too old to pursue my dream of publishing a book, and eventually, transitioning to full-time writer. It will happen if I mirror his tenacity and drive, but if I’ve done my best and it doesn’t happen? I’ll follow Carpenter’s lead and roll optimistically towards another opportunity that presents itself.

And, surprise! Carpenter is ALSO a writer! Read his farewell to St. Louis here, which he wrote for The Players’ Tribute after electing free agency in November 2021. Who knew?!?!?

Last Sunday (July 10), while sitting in Fenway Park with my nephew and sister-in-law, Carpenter blasted a 2-run homer in the third inning which gave the Yankees a 6-2 lead. I jumped in joy and cheered as loud as I could despite the Sox sharks swirling around me as I relished experiencing one of his home runs firsthand. Unfortunately, the team absolutely imploded in the seventh inning, and Sox fans rejoiced in their 6-11 victory over the Yankees. 

Whatever the future holds for Carpenter, there’s no doubt his accomplishments and his contributions have had an incredibly positive impact on his teammates and on his team’s current 63-28 record, which is the best in the majors. 

Sometimes life imitates art, and what a storybook ending it will be if he and his teammates hold the World Series trophy high in the air come November. 

No matter the outcome, I’ll remember this season as the one where Carpenter built his foundation to become an inspiration to me evermore.

Thank you, Matt Carpenter. Just….thank you.

Matt Carpenter’s Stats and Notable Achievements

  • Born: November 26, 1985 in Galveston, Texas
  • Married to Mackenzie since 2011, father to daughter Kinley and son Kannon
  • Positions: outfield, third base, first base, second base, designated hitter
  • 2009: Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the MLB draft (399 pick)
  • June 4, 2011: MLB debut; started at third base for the Cardinals
    • 2013, 2014, 2016: MLB National League All-Star Selection
    • 2013: led MLB in runs (126), hits (199), and doubles (55); NL Silver Slugger; finished 4th in NL MVP award; played with Cardinals in postseason (NL Champs, World Series-lost to Boston)
    • 2013, 2013, 2015: MLBPAA Cardinals Heart and Hustle Award
    • 2014: led NL in plate appearances and base-on-balls
    • 2015: Led NL in doubles, 8th in NL in home runs
    • 2015, 2016, 2018 (twice): NL Player of the Week
    • May 7, 2016: First walk-off home run (6-4 win over Pittsburgh)
    • April 27, 2017: First grand-slam vs. the Toronto Blue Jays in the 11th inning of an 8-4 victory (walk-off grand slam)
    • July 2018: NL Player of the Month
    • 2018: 3rd in NL in home runs
  • November 2021: Elected free agency and penned a farewell to St. Louis which was posted by The Players’ Tribune
  • March 2022: Signed to minor league contract and invited to spring training with Texas Rangers; played 21 games with their AAA-affiliate Round Rock Express
  • May 19, 2022: Released by Round Rock Express
  • May 26, 2022: signed by New York Yankees. The rest is history!
  • Sources: New York Yankees, ESPN, MLB, Sports Illustrated, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, NJ.com, The Players’ Tribune

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m glad you’re here.

With love and gratitude,

Jill

“Carpenter Builds Story After Story” was posted on jillocone.com on July 17, 2022. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2022, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact jillocone@gmail.com with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries.