From a by-gone era

Posted 26 Nov 2008

Commuting, Daily Life, The Little Things | 2 Comments 

It was an early morning for me today. I had a full schedule of client meetings and was out the door of my house pretty soon after sunrise (which admittedly in England at this time of year isn’t that early). On my way to the park-and-ride, I saw an older chap pull quickly up to the kerb, jump out of his car and run into the phone booth.

“Blimey!”, I thought, “You don’t see that very often any more.” The mobile phone has pretty much done away with the pay phone these days. Not entirely, mind you, but it’s become enough of an old dinosaur that I certainly didn’t expect to see someone using it this morning.

So, what else lingers about these days but doesn’t really get much use?

(On a related note, over the weekend, I found myself having to explain to a 4-year old what a cassette tape was and how it doesn’t get really get much use anyone, at least not in the West.)

Just one more thing

Posted 25 Nov 2008

Commuting, Daily Life | 6 Comments 

“Sure. Go ahead an throw it on top – we’ve got plenty of room up there.”

Mountain of stairs

Posted 24 Nov 2008

Commuting, Daily Life, People | 3 Comments 

Over the weekend, I was caring for a young child I know. The child had learned to walk in the previous months and so powering about on his feet was still very exciting to him. This child loved to climb the stairs in his house – just for fun. And I was watched him climb, making sure he didn’t tumble backwards to a painful crash, I was amazed at how much work it was for him to climb the stairs.

Each step just about came up to just below his waist. There were 13 steps leading from the ground floor to the next. So, this little fella was pulling and scrapping his way to the top, time and time again, for fun. He was giggling, laughing, talking and singing on each trip. It was a hoot.

As I watched on, I began to think about whether or I would climb proportionally sized steps for fun. I am 6′3″. Would I repeatedly climb 13, three-foot steps just for fun? For that matter, would I go back up almost 40 feet (close to a 3-story building) in stairs to collect whatever it was I forgot this morning as I ran down the stairs this morning, late for work? Could I even run down the stairs if each step was half my height?

Think clearly. Act quickly.

Posted 21 Nov 2008

Commuting, People, Places, Signs | 5 Comments 

O’Hare Airport has many emergencies exits, and a number of these exits in Terminal 3 look like the one shown in the photo below:

(They may also look the same elsewhere at O’Hare, but this is where I’ve noticed them.)

I know it is hard to see in the pictures, but note that this door:

(1) Requires a security code input prior to use.
In case of an emergency, you’d better hope that you happen to be an airport employee with a security id code, and not just some Joe or Jane Traveller.

(2) Not using a security code would be a violation of both city and federal laws.
Break the law or stay put in an emergency – you can only choose one.

(3) Door can be opened in 15 seconds.
If this is a real emergency, fifteen seconds will seem like a really, really long time.

Welcome to London

Posted 11 Nov 2008

Commuting, Places, The Little Things | 4 Comments 

It’s 6.35 am on a Monday morning. You’ve just arrived in London’s Heathrow. It was a long, bumpy flight from Chicago, Melbourne or Mumbai and frankly you’re knackered. On the flight over, as you reviewed the paperwork for the business deal you’re in London to finalise, you developed a sense of concern over the professionalism of your new partners. Are they looking to cut corners? Do they only go the shortest distance required? Are they cheapskates?

Through baggage claim, past customs and into the arrivals lounge. Which driver did your new partner send for you?