Running Around: Work, PACT, And Lodge

The view from my seat at the PACT luncheon.

Normally the first Thursday of every month is pretty hectic for me as I am scrambling to take care of all the last minute items and preparing for the stated meeting immediately after work. Last week was crazier than usual as my usual work day consisted of a fair amount of running around to different places as well as jumping from one project to another… I was still trying to play catch up from the previous month. However, the week didn’t start off this way. In fact, it looked like it was going to be a pretty calm stretch with plenty of time to get everything done for the lodge well in advance of the meeting.

Well, that didn’t happen and I really should have anticipated the onslaught. The week began with the usual barrage of things that I needed to add to my list. By Thursday morning my schedule was completely turned on its head. I woke up on Thursday with my back deciding to have an uncooperative day which in itself had me moving a little bit slower in the morning hours. My commute, while a little late getting started was normal but my time in the office was cut short as 45 minutes after getting situated at my desk I was back out the door, in the car, and heading off to a PACT luncheon in Philadelphia.

Even though it took me about 30 minutes to find a parking space at the Hyatt, the luncheon was nice event as I always enjoy spending time with my colleagues and friends outside of the office but it could have been better as I was not at the top of my networking game and I was having to send numerous emails from my iPhone for the majority of the event. As many of you know, just because I am away from my desk doesn’t mean I stop working. So, once the event ended, it was time to head back to the office for a couple of hours of serious multitasking of answering the emails that could wait, getting a few more things checked off my list, and pulling together the final items needed for the stated meeting.

At this point it was time to change, collect my stuff, get in the car, and head off to the lodge. While I got there in plenty of time (the first time I ran on schedule all day), I was a little surprised to see both the number of brothers in attendance as well as the District Deputy Grand Master there to attend our meeting. While I didn’t have a chance to partake in the excellent meal beforehand, I got everything prepared and made my way to the lodge room for the meeting. The meeting was a little longer than usual, especially with the lengthy notes that I had to read, but we were still able to finish up in a reasonable amount of time and officially go dark for the sweltering summer months (essential when you don’t have air conditioning).

Once all the checks were signed, the register updated, and bills paid it was finally time to head home. And while we may not be having stated meetings for the next couple of months, there are still plenty of things that I will be doing over the summer. Whether in PR or serving as Secretary, the work never stops even when you are away from your desk. But, at least for the day, the work was done and it was time to go home and recover.

I Was Wrong… This Is The Season That Smells Like Poo!

As the weather gets warmer the interesting season is already in full swing at the television and radio ads are on a constant loop. While not as persistent as they were a couple of years ago or as annoying as they will be in a couple of years, they are still just as bothersome especially in Pennsylvania with a Governor doing his best Mohammad Ali impression. Well, I guess that isn’t a great comparison until the final ballots are counted and the vote comes out in his favor.

Just like the natural season that we find ourselves in at the moment, now is the time when the aroma of bovine feces is at its peak. Yes, that’s right, its primary season. This is the point in the election cycle when facts have no bearing on the race for the nomination as accusations take center stage, voting records are glossed over, and personal histories are manipulated to both entice and repulse the public. It is also a time when the fringe element makes their presence known, her presence in this instance.

It is also the time when partisan lines are clearly drawn and pitches are tailored to the party members that are able to determine their fate (Pennsylvania only allows those registered voters to vote in the primary according to which party they are registered). Leave it to this time of year for the grandiose plans to briefly pop up above the line of the tide and the demands on incumbents to answer questions on policies and decisions that would have been handled differently if said candidate were in office. However, don’t bother using facts or try to demonstrate why the best decision was made, it will be determined wrong no matter the response.

That is the problem throughout the electoral process both locally and nationally. The facts have been lost in the rhetoric and the ability for a voter to come to their own conclusion is deemed radical and, sometimes, racist (this is being seen more and more in recent years to the point that you would think that we were all minority owners in the Clippers). Even what should be hard and definitive numbers are commonly questioned leaving costs to go unchecked in underperforming and financially dangerous policies. Job creation is shouted down and gainful employment is seen as a problem rather than something to be thankful for.

So, take the time to think for a moment and vote for what is right… vote for your rights (even the ones you don’t use at the moment because you never know). Consider the candidates that your friends may see as ‘the enemy’ and determine for yourself if they are really holing you down or whether they believe in the rights of individuals to better themselves. Once you have made your decision get off your butt and vote. And while you’re at it make sure you vote for grandpa even though he died in 1996. After all, no one is going to ask you for a photo ID.