Somebody says this place is safe

Posted 27 Feb 2009

Places, Signs | 4 Comments 

On a street in Pittsburgh I saw this sign posted on the side of a building.

I’m not sure how much weight I put behind a self-posted sign indicating that this was a “Safe Place”, when that very sign has been graffitied on. Thoughts?

Thanks Mr. Amoco Man

Posted 26 Feb 2009

Commuting, Daily Life, The Little Things | 2 Comments 

After filling my car’s tank with gas recently, I saw this little graphic displayed on the screen at the pump.

Though unexpected, I couldn’t help but appreciate the station owner’s wishes – “STAY BLESSED”.  Still, I wondered why there was a car that clearly resembles a Porsche on the graphic.

(1) Did the station owner also want to wish a fine German racing machine upon us?

(2) Does the owner only wish to bless those who already have Porsches (as indicated by the “stay” in “stay blessed”, the owner obviously thinks the drivers are already blessed)?

(3) Is there another interpretation I’m missing?

Animal Brainteaser

Posted 25 Feb 2009

The Little Things | 3 Comments 

You tell us: Is this a sheep or a wolf in sheep’s clothing?

Planning a break in the growing sense of doom

Posted 24 Feb 2009

Daily Life | 1 Comment 

The economy is plummeting. Real people, companies and governments are watching their salaries, profits, revenues and available cash get squeezed in ways that we never imagined. Financial forecasts and news reports add further worries to our situation. Comparisons to the disastrous Depression of the 1930s are coming all too frequently.

Frankly, I find it all very stressing. As a husband and ever more so as a father, I am keenly aware of my responsibilities as a provider. Not the sole bread-winner in my house, but certainly my earnings are required to meet our monthly obligations. I know that I can deny myself if times get really tough, but I cannot do that to the children. With the financial stability of the world blowing in the turbulent winds of the modern glocal economy, I struggle to find solace in the immediate business prospects.

And yet, I am in a decent fiscal position (he writes, as he knocks solidly on the wooden table). How do those who feel the presence of pending layoffs over their shoulder manage? Worse still, how do the already let-go cope?

Maybe, just maybe, we can all take a single moment to close our eyes, take a deep breath and ponder this: life is ups and life is downs, life is challenge. Some times the challenges are mild — at other times, they are gargantuan. But, they are only challenges … they can be overcome, somehow. In our own personal moment of silence, perhaps if we ponder this, the pressures of the financial reality might be lessened, if only for the moment.

The Open Arms of Trafalgar Square

Posted 23 Feb 2009

Places, Signs | 6 Comments 

A few months ago I was waiting to meet a friend in Trafalgar Square and noticed this little sign posted on a construction fence.

Here’s an up-close shot of the sign itself:

I take it that “Guests” and “Wheelchair users” aren’t particularly welcome here.