Johnny Appleseed Drives A Volvo!

How bout them apples?

Last weekend my wife and I decided to take a drive, run some errands, and enjoy the weather. In addition to picking up some much needed supplies for the office and for home, we also found our way back to an orchard that we visited late last year. It is one of those places that we seem to forget about from time to time but, when we are in the area and have the time, we like to stop in, look around, and pick up some fresh produce and other products (the prices are about the same as if we went to the supermarket around the corner from our house).

While we were in the checkout line we noticed a few flyers for upcoming events one of which was Johnny Appleseed Day scheduled for the following weekend (today). We both agreed that it would be a great opportunity to get out of the house again and, hopefully, bring the grandparents along. Thankfully we were able to coordinate the trip the following day over dinner and so today we all met, after waiting in traffic and driving around, at the orchard under an ominous sky.

We arrived about an hour after everything was supposed to start and found that there was nearly nothing set up in the wet grass. While the hayrides we in progress, all the other aspects that we were looking forward to enjoying with our son were nowhere to be found. Heck, even Johnny Appleseed was late to his own party as I saw him pull up in his Volvo shortly after noon. But, it was still worth the trip as this was my parents’ first time to this orchard and we were able to pick up a few things, sit out on the dry porch, and talk as we watched the rain ebb and flow.

Afterward we took my parents to a local, no thrills but good food, place down the street where we continued our conversations over lunch. Driving around the area before and after the lackluster event, we were also able to see all the different fall events/festivals happening in the area. Some small and some much bigger. Definitely all things to keep in mind for next year as they are just a short drive away.

In the end, it may not have been what we expected but it all worked out. And now we already have next September planned out so that we can bring our son to as many events as possible. I am already looking forward to it.

West vs. East - South vs. North

Today was the day. After nine days on the road we returned home from our Virginia exploration. However, after Colonial Williamsburg we did make one last stopover in Richmond. Basically it granted us an opportunity to visit a city that we have never visited and it got us an hour closer to home.

We left the lodge in the early afternoon yesterday and almost immediately ran into traffic… the shift back to reality was already taking place. After unpacking one last time at our final hotel and taking a moment to breathe we walked across the parking lot for a quick, and early, dinner before getting back in the car and heading into the city. Now that we have been there once I am not sure that I will be visiting any time soon unless I need to get some family research done as it is the capital of the Commonwealth.

While most of the museums were closed we were still able to walk around a few minutes once we found an open spot in the hospital parking lot. It wasn’t much but at least now I can say that I have seen both White Houses as the Confederate White House is still standing in the middle of the city (in the middle of a hospital campus actually).

With limited space around the structure, there was still room for the preservation of a small garden in the back…

…and the front of the house looks to be well maintained.

Given recent events in this country I couldn’t help but think about the importance of these places still existing. Many of you may not like it but it is a part of our history. Many of us whose roots are in the south may even have ties to this era. I know for a fact that, given our genealogical geography, my family fought on both sides. It is a part of our past that needs to be remembered, the good and the bad, the victories and the defeats, the right and the wrong.

So that was basically the extent of our time in Richmond. From there we got back on the road and circled around a few detours before returning to the highway and the hotel where we put our feet up for the first time in over a week. And I am glad that we had the chance to do so because the drive back home today was one that I would rather forget. Just another reason why I prefer the Mountains in the west over the urban coast in the east. Back to reality and back to work tomorrow.

Welcome To Pittsburgh!

Check another place off the list. While I had traveled through Pittsburgh in the past (a fun layover in high school with my dad on our way to Grand Rapids, Michigan to tour a college) I had never taken the time to drive across the state and explore the steel city. With a meeting of the Grand Lodge taking place this morning (more about the meeting in a later post), it was the perfect opportunity for us to have a little family vacation. After all, we have to get our son used to traveling long distances by car.

I took Friday off from work so that we could get a head start on our drive. Shortly before noon we were packed and on our way. This was also an opportunity to put some miles on my new car and see how it handled an extended trip. After a quick stop along the way to feed and change our son, we were able to make it to the congested heart of the city just in time for rush hour. Frankly, Pittsburgh makes Philadelphia traffic seem like NASCAR.

After a detour and relatively quick dinner with friends, we headed off to the hotel, unpacked, and passed out for the night. Thankfully, our son seems to be a fan of exploring and didn’t have much trouble at all going to sleep. In the morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast in the lobby and headed out the door. The detour this time was rather extensive giving us a tour of some interesting areas around the city. Once the meeting was done we were off again to expose our son to his first Denny’s experience.

Now we were exploring without a schedule so we headed over to the one thing that everyone seems to recommend doing when in the city… the Duquesne Incline. It took some time to make our way through the line but it did move pretty quickly and before we knew it we were making our way up the hill. While there were a few people whose fear of heights were getting to them baby and I were just sitting there enjoying the view.

We walked around the observation deck for a little while taking pictures and enjoying the sun. On our way back in we picked up a magnet for our son (we are trying to pick one up at each place that we visit), and made our way back down. It was a nice quiet trip and a great way to start our exploration of the area.

At this point the day seemed to have gotten away from us so rather than taking a tour or heading off to a museum, we decided to explore Station Square just down the road, relax, and plan for the following day. In his stroller for the first time without the car seat, our son was soon fast asleep as we walked up and down the rows of shops and crisscrossed the aisles of a discount book store, Bradley’s Book outlet. I know, you’re shocked that we ended up in a book store. With sun being slowly cloaked by the clouds, we walked one last time by the water and decided on a place to dine for the evening.

There were a variety of options within a block of where we stood so we first made our way to the Hard Rock Café… 30 minutes was not going to work. We turned around and entered Bar Louie (I am familiar with their location near my office)… only high tables remained. Finally, we opened the door to a Brazilian steakhouse on the corner, Texas de Brazil, just at the raindrops were beginning to fall. It has been years since we had eaten at such a restaurant and, even though it was a little fancier than we like, it was a delicious change from our usual dining routine.

It is safe to say that we were quite full as we ran across the wet street and made our way back to the car. Without detours, before long we were back at the hotel and relaxing in our room. One big day down and another huge day ahead.  

Ugly Sweater Breakfast

They have to specify Christmas or Bill Cosby would win every year!

Every once in a while everyone at the office we all go out and just enjoy ourselves away from work and the deadlines streaming through our email. Sometimes it is as simple as having lunch together in the conference room (although there is usually at least one computer out and everyone is checking their phones for emails and calls). Yesterday was completely different as we all got on the road a little early and met for breakfast at Cracker Barrel dressed in our finest ugly sweater.

The commute wasn’t bad even in the midst of the morning rush hour and I was able to get there just in time having given myself a bit of a buffer for the drive. Others we not so lucky as an accident and general congestion kept them from joining us and put them two cups of coffee behind. However, the important thing is that we all made it to the meal and filled the table with good, non-work, conversation and compliments on the classy designs adorning each of us.

We did the same thing earlier in the year minus the sweaters and with a slightly different crowd around the table. While one person has left, three great coworkers now joined us for the morning relaxation. It was a great time but, as is the case with the piles leaving this country kitchen, we were all left a little sluggish as we drove down the road and to the office.

The light morning was soon followed by round after round of meetings where we continued the transition process set in motion by the departure of one of my coworkers. It is a bit of an odd situation that I find myself in as she is the only one that started working at the office before me having assumed her role a day before I began coming to work. While I am no stranger to having outlasted people at certain jobs, it is weird to be the one with the longest tenure (albeit only by a few days).

Honestly, given all the perks and the family like environment in which I work, it is hard to think about leaving this company. I understood the need for change at previous employers but this is a completely different environment. It is safe to say that I am here for the long haul. I was hear during the chaos of the first few months and I look forward to being here as the company grows even though the faces around the breakfast table may change.

A Lodge Meeting With My Dad

I had been looking forward to last night all year. Not because it happened to be my birthday but because it was a night that I was going to be able to share with my dad. I knew that the stated meeting at the lodge in November was going to be Veterans Night and I wanted to make sure that my dad was there to be recognized for his service (a recognition that he has certainly earned but has seldom received).

As seems to be the nature of things, I was looking forward to last night so much that all of the things that are beyond my control (i.e. traffic, accidents, detours, weather, etc.) did everything to delay me. While I had left the office with plenty of time to make it to the lodge before everything began I walked through the doors with little time to breath let a long enjoy dinner with my dad. I would have liked to spend more time with him and my uncle that night but I know he understood that I have responsibilities and a job to do that night.

Once I was able to let my dad know that I had finally arrived, I proceeded to make my usual rounds around the room greeting my brothers and welcoming the guests to the lodge. Of course, I never made it more than a step or two in any direction before someone would stop me for one reason or another. That might be the most enjoyable and frustrating part about being Secretary. It was in the midst of this flurry of action that I realized something for the first time in my life… I have memories of my father doing the same thing that I was while I would sit at a table and talk to a few people. Tonight our roles were reversed. Hopefully this means that I am turning into my dad.

After dinner and right after I finished all my last minute duties, we all headed up to the lodge room to begin the open portion of the night and recognize those veterans in attendance. While there have been numerous times that I have felt the same way, when I heard my dad give his name, branch, and years of service I was proud to be my father’s son. This was just another reason why I take great pride in the name that I have been given and the family from with I come. It might have been the best birthday gift that I have ever been given!

No More Energy At the End of the Day

Lately our weekends have been full of check lists, errands, and generally trying to get caught up on all the things that have been pushed back during the week. This translates to Monday morning not being the easiest day to roll out of bed. Today that was particularly true as I was laying there a little longer than usual not looking forward to the day that was spread out before me.

This weekend was so full of activity from lodge and office work to gift registries and simply getting caught up on my email that the list of things that had to get done first thing this week kept growing from the time I walked out of the office on Friday evening. I know that the weekends aren’t always like this and lately they have been a bit crazier than usual but, right now, the beginning of the work week is something that brings a sense of dread to my tired mind as I close my eyes on Sunday night. Right now we push and soon things we even out. That has always been the case it just might take a little longer this time around.

So, right now I am sitting at my desk stealing a mere ten minutes from my chaotic day to write this brief blog. Following a morning commute that took twice as long as it should, I got to the office a little later than expected so I had no other choice than to put my head down and work until my eyes became too heavy to continue. After a quick break, usually to take a call or replenish my coffee, I continued the push to try and pull together all of the final points on projects that have been slowly developing. Now I am taking a few moments to write and relax before returning to the deluge of communications.

Of course, following my unusually full day at the office, there is a networking event which, fortunately, is located half way between the office and the apartment. These are the beginnings of the week that seem to run on for hours long past the time when I usually close up the computer and head home for the day. This week, this is the first of three such nights. That is the current schedule but, as has been the case lately, things could easily change between now and the end of the week because, right now, my energy is low, the nights are falling to fast, and the day is nothing but a brief glimmer during the waking hours.

It’s A…

Samantha and I pulled into the parking lot of Paoli Hospital a little later than we were expecting. It wasn’t a matter of choice as traffic was particularly bad this past week. We were both particularly eager to get into the building and excited to start see our baby again. After all, this was the ultrasound appointment that everyone has been asking about in one way or another and we had been waiting for this appointment for some time. Of course, the day finally came and we both got held up before leaving for the hospital and slowed down on our way there. That seems to be the case for many of our appointments.

Thankfully, the office was very understanding when we called to let us know of our delay and they greeted us warmly upon seeing us walk up to the front desk. It wasn’t long before we were sitting in front of the ultrasound monitor seeing our child kicking and punching the crap out of Mommy. While it was a little odd for me to watch it was even stranger for my wife as she could both see and feel the baby hit her stomach.

We sat there in awe of our child as measurement after measurement was taken and they checked the development. We watched the screen as image after image was captured and they confirmed the health and development time and again. Everything was progressing as it should when we heard a little chuckle from behind the screen. This was quickly followed with the question of whether we wanted to know the sex.

As it turns out, our baby passed the winkie test.

Our little baby boy, my son, is happy and healthy. He is an active little baby a day ahead of schedule. While I would have been happy no matter the sex of our child, knowing that we are having a boy did bring me a sense of relief. I would have loved our child no matter what but I know what it is like to be a little boy and I am looking forward to every moment that I can share that experience with my son. I have a feeling that my wife would have felt the same way if we had found out it was a girl.

Everything suddenly became a little more real in that moment. We will soon have a son. I will soon have a little boy who will carry on the family name. I am more nervous than I ever thought I would be but I think I am now ready to be a father. As an added bonus, my sister now owes me five dollars!

Caution: Road Work Ahead

See, not all roadwork goes on for miles!

While yesterday we went on a short trip, today we did even less. At least less outside of the apartment. Today was not just a day of staying still but catching up as well. Today was a day, still going on actually, that I had to stay in the apartment, at the computer, and get a few things done for the short week that starts tomorrow. I know, this really is a repetitive thought that can be found in numerous posts especially lately. Oh well, sometimes that is the reality in which we live and work. Life isn’t always, and shouldn’t always be, on cruise control. The stop and go traffic is certainly annoying but it never lasts. Soon enough the roads will open up and you will once again be making progress.

One of the things, along many other that I have learned over the last few years is that sometimes, just as you are about to turn the corner you realize it is a one way street. At that point you just have to keep pushing forward for another block or two before you are finally able to turn in the right direction. Sometimes you have to turn around and find another way. Other times, you are able to make the turn but that doesn’t mean that it will be an easier, less bumpy, or faster way to go then if you continued straight.

The best thing to do sometimes is to just make sure you have enough gas, check the condition of your car, and just drive. That is what life is all about. It is about doing your best to try and find the best route while still keeping things interesting every once in a while. Sometimes you get on the highway and set the cruise control, other times you get on the back roads and slalom across the landscape. You may get lost every now and again, you may even find yourself going down some difficult roads, but if you just keep the GPS handy and go in the right direction, things will work out in the end.

Don’t let the road, the neighborhood, and the other cars on the road keep you from moving forward. Know when to be aggressive, know when to be considerate, and help others who may be lost or stranded. Don’t let work take you in unpaved circles and don’t let pessimism ruin your transmission. Keep your eyes open for signs, your foot on the gas, and trust those in your life to keep you awake at the wheel. This is not a journey that should be a solo endeavor. It is an opportunity to embrace experiences both planned and unplanned with those that you have in your life. If you pay attention and keep yourself open to life it can be a life that will leave you with satisfaction and peace when you arrive at your final destination.

Preparing For The Summer Travel

Some days, especially on a weekend after a long week, you just have to get out of the apartment for the day and drive a little bit. While the longer day trips will start back up again next month, now is the time to gradually get back into the routine of putting some miles on the car during our weekly days off. This is why we decided to head down route 1 late this morning to find a new place for lunch. Last weekend we had passed Hank’s Place in Chadds Ford on our way back from Lancaster. While we didn’t take much notice of the “Luke’s” looking place during our return, it immediately resurfaced in our mind when we search for new places to dine in the area.

After about a rumble strip cruse down City Avenue, and through the succession of towns, we arrived in Chadds Ford just after noon. With one spot open in the parking lot and one table just opening up as we walked in the door, it seems as though we got there just at the right time. What would have made the short trip a little better would have been if this really was the first time each of us were to eat there… as it turns out and resurfaced in my wife’s mind as we pulled into the parking lot was the fact that she had eaten there previously after a day out with one of her friends at Longwood Gardens. Fortunately, she approved of the repetition and we didn’t have to search for a new dining destination for the afternoon.

Given the clear warm weather just beyond the windows, it was no surprise that the dining room was packed. With the gardens down the street in bloom, antique stores with their doors open, and the Brandywine River lined with lush with vibrant green trees everyone was out and about for the day exploring the beauty and attractions of the area. While that was not on our schedule for the day, it will be at some point over the summer as we continue our explorations of the Commonwealth. Actually, as you may have noted in that blog/list, we will actually explore that area just over the boarder as well.

I recommend grabbing breakfast or lunch there sometime… great to be near mushroom country. As for the return trip, the drive was relatively uneventful around the area. Of course, the traffic was a little heavier than usual but that is to be expected as people are still trying to shake off the last vestiges of cabin fever. So, the driving has begun. It was a small/short trip but one that awakens our next weekend routine so that we are ready for the longer travel this summer. Especially for me as I have a couple of much longer trips mapped out for next month. But that is a subject for another blog (with pictures).

Careful Mr. Bunny…

The past few days I have been forced to exercise the breaks on my car as various creatures have been darting across the road. This is not all that uncommon on the outskirts of Philadelphia but this year there seems to be more animals mimicking the idiocracy usually reserved for humans. Within the past week I have nearly blasted Bambie, destroyed Donald, and went thump thump over Thumper (multiple times). Those bastard bunnies are a particular menace this year as they hop across the asphalt as if they were late for work. As an added bonus, the deluge obscured the plethora of potholes by making them seem like innocent little puddles. Welcome to the season of road kill.

And it’s not just the animals, even the weather seems to be running late this year. While the temperature is getting warmer and the trees are coming into bloom, the page turned on the calendar from what is supposed to be a rainy April to the fragrance heavy month of May. However, the rain seemed to be running a bit late and, knowing of its tardiness, has been doing everything in its power to make up for the dryness of the previous month.

The torrential rain has brought traffic to a halt on numerous occasions and has causes those ballsy bunnies to run even faster across the busy streets in an effort to dry their little bunny butts. Last week was particularly bad as the Schuylkill River seemed to have a mind of its own as it became bloated and busted over the banks overtaking homes and highways. The precipitous precipitation seemed to wash away brain cells as it was a full couple of days of dodging cars, people, and animals all vying for the right of way during my daily commute.

However, even with all the headaches caused by the weather and the mindless actions of man and animal alike, it is great to see everything beginning to bloom so early in the month. Seeing the pink, white, and green coating the trees along the highway just makes for a more pleasant experience when diving to work. And it will continue being an enjoyable journey until the day that all the pedals begin coating the roads, cars, and street signs turning an enjoyable experience into an adventure that is by no means pleasant when you account for the aforementioned people and animals.

So, for now, I will gladly take the good and try and forget about the bad. I just hope that the seasons and weather get back on track so that things can, once again, run on time rather than scurrying about like the White Rabbit. Actually, more like the White Rabbit playing a game of Frogger.

Where Did That Come From?

Every week on the calendar slowly builds until you turn the page and see the stated meeting on the first Thursday of the month. That was definitely the case this month as we have been working since the beginning of the year on the program and outreach for First Responders Family Night at the lodge (an excellent program initiated by the Right Worshipful Grand Master). It has been months of calls, emails, meetings and overall coordination to bring this night to fruition. I am glad that the night is behind us but I am also proud of the work that we did to make it happen as everything went as it should (even with the extra 45 minutes added to my commute getting to the lodge) and all those present went on their way happy to have been a part of it.

All told, we had seven departments represented during the open meeting totaling over 235 years of service to the community (keep in mind that one brother served an astounding 70 years). What made the night even more special was the fact that of those men honored, two were members of the lodge, one became a member that night by way of transfer, and one approached me beforehand looking to transfer in. That is a pretty special honor and a tremendous compliment to the lodge that we are being sought out by these men.

Personally, I noticed a change in myself during the meeting as was later confirmed by one of the more senior brothers in the lodge when he stated that something must have changed because he could hear everything that was said throughout the evening. For the first time since I took office back in December, my voice was absent of any hesitance and I was presenting in such a way that commanded attention. I found my Masonic confidence. It wasn’t a conscious decision on my part it was just something that seemed to come out. Hopefully it came out in the right way although it seemed to have as the reviews were positive beyond the aforementioned volume aspect.

So it seems that last night was a turning point both for me but the same seemed to hold true for the lodge as well. We have been seeing a gradual increase in interest over the past few months, maybe even the past year, and now things seem to be accelerating into summer. And while we usually have a two month respite during the depth of the heat laden months, I hope that we remain busy, continue to pique people’s interest, and head into the fall with a group of brothers and candidates eager to get involved and contribute to the great work being done in and by the lodge, our lodge, my lodge.

Where Am I Going Now?

Anyone recognize the location?

Today was one where I struggled to stay on schedule. While my flight wasn’t scheduled until 2:15 pm, there were a lot of things that needed to be done before I could head out the door. I stayed up late last night in the hope that I could get everything done but I kind of knew going into it that it was more of a hope than a reality. So, half conscious, I got myself out of bed in the mid-morning and immediately started to get a number of pushed back projects done.

I am always slightly surprised at how quickly I am able to pack my ravel bag. It does help that I have gotten myself into the habit of only taking a carry on and my work bag with me but it doesn’t prevent me from trying to pack as much as I can into these two pieces of travel gear. While I was getting my clothes together and pairing down the overflow of paper in my daily work bag, my wife was busy in the office. She wasn’t working on any of her projects, rather she was making the copies of the briefing book that would be needed at my final destination.

We got out the door slightly behind schedule but still within a reasonable timeframe. Even though we spent the entire trek to the airport dodging potholes (at least most of them) and dealing with the countless drivers lacking in common sense, I was still getting out of the car at the US Airways terminal with about an hour and a half before takeoff. Thankfully the kiosk and security were nearly deserted and I was able to make it to the departure gate in a record 15 minutes.

Boarding was uneventful, even with my colleague having to backtrack in the airport to find her forgotten coat, and I was able to find room for my bags, take my seat, and prepare for one of my least favorite activities. While the line waiting to get on the runway resembled the traffic commonly found on the Schuylkill Expressway, we were up in the air in no time or that is what is seemed like as time seems to go by rather quickly when I am chatting up my fellow passengers.

There was a little turbulence in the air but, for the most part, I slept through much of the flight. Unfortunately, my neck and shoulders reminded me later of the fact that I had slept on a plane. Our arrival at the gate was delayed slightly by the refusal to push back by a departing flight but at this point he flying part was over and I was again talking with everyone around me. Once we got off the plane, we immediately headed to baggage claim (not everyone sticks to carry-ons), hopped in a cab, and headed downtown.

What was anticipated to be sunny and warm was anything but pleasant upon our arrival with the building disappearing in the sky. After checking in, grabbing our first meal of the day, and a quick meeting it was time to head to the room to get a few last minute things done and rest for the hectic week ahead. All the preparations now complete, the week was ready to begin. Here we go!

Gluttonous Appliance Adds To Errand List

My wife and I headed out today to take care of a few errands which we had been putting off for the past couple of weekends. Obviously, nothing that was urgent but it needed to be taken care of at some point and today was the day. Our first stop was somewhere that used to not bother me much but, over the years, it has started to get a bit rundown. It is not the same place, and I am not the same person, that it used to be so I no longer look forward to entering the mall. The fact that there are aspects of the building that are starting to deteriorate doesn’t do anything for the overall appeal either.

Not surprisingly, this stop was so my wife could stop at a few places that are only found in various malls throughout the area. One thing that I did notice about one of the stores was that if you really want to increase your sales you might want to think about coordinating the prices you have in your store location with the one listed on the website. These people refused to honor the online price despite it being their own website. And we’re not talking about a few dollars, this was more like twice the price in person. Nice salesperson but the company needs a little work. Oh well, I guess you really didn’t want my sale. Fortunately, there were no such issues at the second store.

From there we drove down the street to take care of one of my least favorite activities… clothes shopping. It wasn’t for any big purchase, it was Wal-Mart after all, but it is still a less than desirable activity made worse by the fact that these crazy people had almost exclusively shorts out in the workout gear. I had to dig to find a freaking pair of workout pants. Thankfully, socks are much easier to find.

Of course, this trip wouldn’t be necessary if our dryer didn’t have an eating disorder. Like many of its elk, it consumes socks on a regular basis. Only one from the pair as I assume it doesn’t want to be seen as gluttonous. However, our particular dryer has a hankering for draw strings. Because it only eats half a pair, it has plenty of room for the countless draw strings that help to keep our pants up and our sweatshirts closed. Well, my workout pants were the victim of the latest nibbling and so I had to swim among the shorts to find something that would go past my knees at the store.

So, it didn’t take long before all the small tasks were taken care of and we were on our way to dinner. It wasn’t the best place to stop with the goals that we each have but we were actually pretty good and stuck with the healthier options on the menu. And so concluded our day. From there we made our way home in the Sunday traffic on the Schuylkill Expressway. No accidents, just highway congestion that seems to be ever-present on that particular stretch of highway.

And what was my thought when we finally got home. Was it that I was looking forward to relaxing on the couch and not watching the Olympics closing ceremony? No, it was a night of trying to get things done on the computer and the sense of dread when I looked into the direction of the dishes piled in the sink. Oh well, it has to get done at some point and tonight was the time to do it. At least the dishwasher doesn’t eat my socks.

Thoughts During The Afternoon ‘Rush’

Yes, that is a guy stopped on the side of the road,
under the overpass, with his motorcycle.

Not long after arriving at work this morning the predicted snow began to fall and the anticipated totals began to rise. It started with a few flurries but within an hour of starting the flakes were falling fast and furious. By noon, it had gotten to the point when we knew we had the option to leave or potentially get stuck at the office for the long haul. Needless to say, we packed up our desks and shot out the door.

As soon as I pulled the car out of the spot and I could hear the powder back beneath my tires, I knew that it was going to be a slow ride home. Unfortunately, I underestimated the sluggish pace. We all had the same idea and so the ‘evening’ rush began just as I was merging onto the highway. I found traction on the highways but a mass of cars which I can’t remember the last time I experienced. Three and a half hours later I slid into the apartment parking lot and backed into an unplowed parking space.

It was a lot of time to spend on the road when the anticipated journey was supposed to be an hour. With the radio reports repeating the same stories and no real need to hear about the obvious state of the weather and traffic conditions, I decided to take care of a few calls. It didn’t take long before those numbers had been run through and everything that I could take care from behind the wheel was resolved.

It was at this point when the drive became very dangerous… with little else to do I began thinking. When you know the exact route that you are taking it becomes more of a subconscious task which frees up your mind to just wander. The kind of thinking where there really isn’t boundaries or logic to the progression of thoughts. You just go from one idea to another from things that happened during the day and projects that need to be completed to opinions of idiotic press conferences and overreactions by the media.

Yes, I am referring to the uneducated presentation by California State Senator Kevin de Leon and the never ending Governor Christie saga. Both of these politicians, while in drastically different ways, are clearly uninformed and seem to evade acknowledging reality. One seems to revel in ranting about Casper the evil rifle while the other seems to not know what the heck is going on in his own administration. However, I would prefer a politician overlooking something rather than someone who seems hell bent on banning something that he clearly doesn’t understand at all and seems to have no desire to ever understand.

Of course, I also had some lighter thoughts while driving above the asphalt but, for some reason, nothing seemed to stick in my mind. But, you can clearly see the diverse directions my mind tends to go by simply reading through the posts on this blog. Sometimes there are moments/posts when everything is concise and makes perfect sense while other times I just ramble. The trip home today was basically a combination of the two.

My Love And Hate Of Heavy Traffic

Well, we’re waiting for the snow to fall again. The most recent projections are for four to six inches which roughly translates to either a dusting or fifty degrees and sunny. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens. I am just going to prepare myself for blaring brake lights as soon as a flake hits someone’s windshield while driving to work in the morning.

I never understood the overreaction that overwhelms people while driving on the highway. The slightest amount of precipitation and you would think that the world is coming to an end. Half the people on the road slam on the brakes while most of the other seem to go as fast as they can in what looks like a feeble attempt to outrun the weather.

This was largely the case this morning on my way into the office. Fortunately, the traffic seemed to be light and I was even able to take the highway to work the entire way. Anyone who lives in the Philadelphia area knows that a smooth ride on the Schuylkill Expressway is a rarity. In fact, given the weather one would have thought that hell had frozen over with the road being so clear.  

While the roads were clear, the office was bumper to bumper emails and meetings all day. From the usual account work to lodge emails pouring into my personal account, it was a deluge of correspondence that seemed to never end and all I could do is keep throwing balls in the air in an attempt to juggle. It was one of those days that felt like sitting in traffic… just when you think things are opening up, more cars merge onto the interstate and slow you back down. While progress was made, it wasn’t the kind that you were expecting and by the time you got to the end of the day, there was a lot of things that had to be pushed back to the evening or the next day.

However, while I despise sitting in traffic (especially behind a Nissan with New Jersey plates) I enjoy the same feeling when it comes to work. There are always dozens of things that have to be done, emails that have to be sent out, projects that have to be completed, and writing that has to be created and edited. While there are a few days that can be considered ‘regular’, this is not your usual nine to five job. In what might deem a twisted way I love this work and the long hours that we all put in at the office as a team. Given the long days and the way we treat one another it really is more of a family than anything (quirks and all) and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Bring on the snow and bring on the traffic.

Thank You For The Accurate Forecast

Once again the Weather Channel was spot on predicting the precipitation for the day. What was originally going to be an inch or two is now approximately five inches sitting on top the cars in the parking lot. I think Carnac would have been more accurate. Adding to the fun is the fact that there is a nice thin coating of ice on everything including the unplowed pavement. Given that drivers lately have had a difficult time in clear road conditions, this should make for an interesting commute in the morning.

 

The afternoon was filled with the sounds of a winter preview as the flakes fell by the window and rode on the occasional breeze across the rows of cars and onto the train tracks running behind our building. Occasionally we would hear the crunch of the snow packing beneath someone’s feet as they walked to their car or the creek of solidifying snow under the tires of residents returning. But, for the most part, it was quiet. The kind of quiet that only snow can bring to the world.

With the snow falling steadily all day, my wife and I hunkered down and enjoyed a day to ourselves in the apartment. We took care of some cleaning (the dishes were more stubborn in their occupation of the kitchen than those people who decided to clog up the cities a few years ago) and finally settled down to watch a couple of movies we had been meaning to view for some time now. I guess the day wasn’t a complete loss but it would have been nice to get out and get a few other things done like getting a long overdue haircut. However, these kinds of days are good for us. Whether you like the snow or not, it forces you to slow down for a little bit and take a break from your usual daily or weekend routine.

I firmly believe that this is only the beginning of an impressive winter of heavy snow and frigid temperatures. The past couple of years have given us casual winters where there were only the occasional reminders of the season. In just a couple of weeks the winter will officially take hold of the calendar and the smell of snow will fill our nostrils for months rather than the infrequent wafts that have passed by our noses up to this point. But maybe that is the kind of year that we need… maybe we need a season when we take time to enjoy life by just slowing down every once in a while. I don’t know, maybe that is the plan G-d has for us. Either way, it is going to be a year of interesting morning commutes.

 

This Is Not A Disney Movie

Well, there's your problem.

Trying to get to work on Monday was an absolute mess. What is normally a direct route that takes me forty five minutes to get to the office took me two and a half hours and numerous back roads. That annoying B, Siri, was actually very helpful yesterday and I was able to get to the office by ten. Today was more of the same as I tried to get to a meeting in Malvern which took me double the travel time than it should have.  

The cause of my delays was something that is becoming more and more common as the roads and highways around the city become more congested… accidents. These are the moments of mixed emotions. On one hand I am absolutely pissed at the mess that someone has caused and the delays that they have incurred upon all of us behind them while at the same time I am thankful that I wasn’t the one involved in such a serious incident that would shut down a multi-lane roadway.

What probably doesn’t help my mood during these situations is the fact that I am a regular talk radio listener and some of the things coming out of Washington are both appalling and enraging as the changed that was promised to so many people is becoming a reality. Unfortunately, it has come with lies and deceit that make the previous administration look almost passive in their initiatives. Trying to shove an unwanted program down our throats is one thing but outright lying to do so is a whole other level of wrong. Someone needs to let Obamapoppins that a spoon full of BS does not make the government sponsored medicine go down.

The latest radio tirades, usually when taking a breather from the healthcare fiasco, have been swirling around the falsified jobs figures leading up to the 2012 election. This is something that from one perspective seems to be the false persuasion of voters but, frankly, if you really believed that the job market has been improving and unemployment numbers have been correct then you have had your head up a certain orifice all along and false figures really had no bearing on your opinion anyway. It is interesting to hear how many ways the same topic can be rehashed though and I do give some of the personalities credit for some original takes on the subject.

I guess it could be worse. It may not seem like it when sitting behind a 1988 Nissan that hasn’t had an inspection since Clinton was in office but the fact of the matter is that we are alive to gripe about these things and we have enough of a mind, granted not much, to have an opinion. I have a job I love, I have a wife I love, I have my family, I have my brothers and Rotarians, and I have this blog to rant about such things. Things are actually pretty good right now. Some things could be better but there is not much to complain about at the moment. On top of that, at least I don’t live in New Jersey anymore. See, things seem to have gotten much better already.

Busy Night Among Friends And Brothers

Thursday night was a long one but a good one. After running behind during the day, I was in a mad rush by 4:00 PM to get going and even then I wasn’t able to start getting ready until 30 minutes later. It was one of those situations when you get one task accomplished only to find that two other items popped up while you were getting the other one done.

The first stop of the night was at a Commonwealth Club reception in West Conshohocken to meet and hear Congressman Jim Gerlach speak. Unfortunately, Google Maps and I had a disagreement on the way over and so I spent an extra 20 minutes turning around and getting back in to the hotel parking lot. Anywhere else around here (with the exception of Philadelphia of course) would have taken five minutes. I made good time otherwise and so I was only a few minutes late upon arrival, still plenty of time to schmooze and have a drink before the Congressman stepped to the podium.

Not surprisingly, the talk was quite informal and to the point. While I have seen so many politicians waver on the hot topic(s) of the day, there was none of that happening that night. Everything was on the table including Syria, federal spending, IRS investigations, immigration, and other topics that were raised during questions. Immediately after the honest dialogue, I made my way up front, properly introduced myself to Congressman Gerlach who in turn introduced me to his wife, had a quick chat and politely excused myself as I had to get back on the road for my second engagement of the night.

Having lived on the Main Line for most of my life, I know many of the back roads to take to avoid traffic. I may not know the names of the roads making me useless when it comes to directions but I know where and when to turn when I am behind the wheel. This is why even though I left the reception 15 minutes late I was still able to get to the lodge with 30 minutes to spare. Finally, some time to relax.

Our stated meeting got started right on schedule as all the brothers made their way to their usual seats in the lodge. Although, there was one person that was not in their usual seat… me. The lodge Secretary asked that I sit next to the desk and take the minutes. I guess my training has officially begun.

I agreed a few weeks ago that I would take over the position as lodge secretary at the end of the year. I have a pretty good idea of what I am getting myself into but I am probably completely wrong. The question is how am I going to be able to juggle all the different commitments already on my calendar with the additional duties that I will have on my desk in due time. I am not sure how to answer that at the moment but I am confident that I will find a solution.

After our meeting and an excellent presentation by a couple of the brothers from Scottish Rite (I will be joining their ranks this fall), it was time for pizza and additional fellowship… but not before one more good deed. A man that had petitioned our lodge before the summer break was now experiencing some physical and financial difficulties and is now unable to pay for the necessary degree work to become a Mason. We all agreed that this is the last thing that should prevent a good man from becoming a mason so we began passing the hat and by the end of the evening we had nearly reached the half way point of the funds needed.

We have immediate plans to take care of the rest. This goes to show that this is indeed a brotherhood. We do what we can to take care of one another sometimes even before you officially become a mason.  Once a mason, always a mason. Once a brother, always family. This is what it’s like to be a part of something much greater than yourself. I couldn’t think of a better way to end my night.