Framing the Dialogue

Random Thoughts

Entitlement

The City of Pittsburgh generally lands in the top ten when a list of “the most livable cities” is created.  In the most recent poll by Forbes, Pittsburgh landed in the tenth spot.  Having lived here I cannot think of a better place to live and raise a family.  My wife and I did decide to move out of the city, however, for two primary reasons; Pittsburgh’s excessive taxes and poor schools. 

It is an interesting contrast to be one of the top ten most livable communities while the City is in receivership because they spend too much money and the schools are poor.  Pittsburgh is, however, blessed by having great universities, phenomenal health care facilities, great cultural amenities, and world champion sports teams.

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Spring Road Trip

This morning I got an early start (around 7:30 am) for a road trip and got home around 8:00 pm.  As you may have guessed it wasn’t really a pleasure trip even though it was a bright and sunny day.  Round trip was around 500 miles traveling 4.5 hours each way for a 2 hour meeting.  Sigh.  My trip started in Pennsylvania took me into West Virginia to Ohio then back to West Virginia and then to Ohio and back to West Virginia, Ohio, West Virginia and finally home to Pennsylvania.  This poor soul got nailed in PA. 

A few observations:

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That Guy

If you have worked anywhere you have probably run into that guy (or girl) sometime in your career.  Terry was the name (name changed to protect the innocent) of “that guy” at one of my recent jobs.  I would describe him as young, well dressed, very good looking, very personable, great to talk to, funny, a good listener, and someone everybody likes.  Terry started in our sales department. 

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Talk To The Hand

Even before I reached my advanced age I was a list maker.  Whether it be a shopping list, task list or the every present Honey-Do list there is usually one in my pocket.  My obsession (or organization skill) is to the point where I will actually add a task to a work list after I have completed it.  The task did not have to be on my original list.  I just like to cross items off of my lists.

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Update – Life Meanders

When I posted Life Meanders, I had just found out that I was being furloughed (layoff without the possibility of parole or being called back).  It was a crappy time in my life.  I actually had a lead on a job within a few days and interviewed four days after my last day.  It took another two months to actually start the job.  Being out of work once you know that you eventually have a job takes the pressure off…somewhat.

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Life Meanders

1119090658The last 36 hours has been really weird.  Hence the lack of posts for the last two days.  One of the stretches of road that I take to work is a four-lane road characterized by an abundance of traffic signals and they seem to add one more each year.  It is not too bad during off peak hours, but during rush hour it stinks.  I am able to flex my schedule and start early, but the past few months, that has not made much of a difference.

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WTF – Ed Rendell

George WTFTwo things happened this week that were the inspiration of a new series for Framing The Dialogue.  The first was perhaps my favorite poster that was displayed at the September 12 TEA Party in Washington D.C.  Our first president wondering “WTF.”  Evand every time that I see this I just crack up.  In case you did not know, “WTF” stands for “What the Freak” or something less printable on my blog. 

The second incident was when I saw this headline “Gov. Rendell named one of Esquire magazine’s ’75 Best People.’“  That headline worked as I skipped to the article and sure enough our Gov. is one of the 75 best people “in the WORLD.” (emphasis added).  I thought to myself “WTF” and a series was born.

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All In Favor…

I have the dubious task of representing my employer on the board of some NGO (“non government organization) that provides services to local public officials.  If you have read my postings in the past you may have a sense that my personal views on issues are often at odds with those of my employer.  This organization, however, was different in that they were not political.  I could tell by some of the other board members that I am out numbered, but this organization is non-political. 

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I Think Continually of Those…

I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who, from the womb, remembered the soul’s history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the spirit clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.
 
What is precious is never to forget
The delight of the blood drawn from ancient springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth;
Never to deny its pleasure in the simple morning light,
Nor its grave evening demand for love;
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.

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