September 13 – traffic problems, sounds

traffic problems, sounds
chopper overhead, stomach sinks
red lights were northbound

As much as Daniel Boone had his forest craft and could recognize the first signs of problems, I am tuned to the sounds of the city.

As I walked to my car this morning, a helicopter went low overhead from the sounds, I knew it was hovering nearby.

That could mean only one thing.

Traffic problems on I85.

I85, which had just this week been described as the ‘lifeblood of Gwinnett County’ though I bet the county commissioner meant to say, ‘lifeline’.

I85 is my magic carpet ride to downtown Atlanta.

And something had happened on I85.

Something so bad that of all and any traffic issues this morning in the Metro Atlanta area, this issue was worthy of helicopter coverage.

My usual 45 minute drive was not SOUNDING good.

My mind went into TRAFFIC Evaluation mode.

What were my alternate routes?

Had whatever happened filled up the alternative routes?

Where exactly was the problem?

Where was the helicopter?

All this in more was processing through my head as I tentatively approached my entrance to the freeway.

I turned onto Lawrenceville-Suwannee and I had my first view of the freeway.

I exhaled.

As far as I could see were red tail lights.

All going north.

The accident was on the other side of the freeway.

Made it to the office in 37 minutes.

Starting my day and ending my week feeling ahead of the game.

August 28 – Thousands of reasons

Thousands of reasons
community of commuting
a single purpose

Roadway is filled with cars and trucks.

Everybody is heading in the same general direction.

Roads and paths that converge into one.

The road into or around Atlanta.

Same purpose.

The road more traveled.

The path taken.

It is the reasons that are less traveled.

The reason not taken.

That makes all the difference.

The Road Not Taken
BY ROBERT FROST

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

August 8 – It can happen

pink tipped spires glow
short time, daybreak Atlanta
old poetic theme

Each day, I exit I85 to the Buford-Spring Connector in midtown Atlanta.

The expressway ramp takes me up as high as a three story building before a quick decent to Peachtree Creek level.

From this rise, for a brief moment, I have a post card view of downtown Atlanta.

On some mornings, this moment takes place at sunrise or just before sunrise, when the earliest light catches the tops of the downtown buildings and the cityscape glows pinkishly.

The pink light of dawn at the beach, on a city, over the desert or on the far mountain range is a reoccurring theme in literature and poetry.

Dawn takes place every day.

No travel need to experience it.

It can happen on the drive to work.

‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge,
William Wordsworth September 3, 1802

Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth, like a garment, wear
The beauty of the morning: silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky;
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!

Aug 2 – steakolicous?

saw steakolicous . . .
really? really? OH really!
some words, not needed

The TV show, Barney Miller, had an episode where an English Professor was arrested for assaulting an Ad Man who used the phrase, “crun-crun-crunchiest,” to describe pickles (Barney Miller: The Psyhic.)

The Professor says, “It’s not just a matter of a stupid pickle slogan. The manipulation of language is one of the primary methods used by those in power to confuse and divert the public.

A false statement isn’t a lie. It’s simply “no longer operative” . “War” becomes “Pacification” and “Bombing” becomes “Vertical deployment of anti-personnel devices”.

The English Language is one of the most beautiful and expressive of all tongues. It is being corrupted and debased by chronic misuse, manufactured lingo, like that…dull-witted cliches, redundancies, mindless phraseology’s. Save up to 50% and more; What does that mean?“

Steakolicous?

I saw this word on a billboard driving home the other day.

I didn’t catch the name of the restaurant.

I didn’t catch the rest the message on the billboard.

I focused on the word steakolicious.

Really?

To further the moment, I believe the word was written in cursive.

Really?

Make up a word.

Make it hard to read is such a way that eliminates a large part of today’s audience.

Really?

Does this motivate anyone to order this?

To look forward to ordering this somewhere?

Who writes this stuff?

Who PAYS for this stuff?

As I always tell my wife, this was the ad campaign that was selected by the client.

This was the campaign, or concept, that won.

Consider what the losing campaigns must have been.

Picture that meeting where this was pitched.

Steakolicous?

Really?

Beyond all other considerations and questions, let’s just focus on the word.

What is wrong with any of these:

appetizing
delectable
delightful
distinctive
enjoyable
enticing
exquisite
heavenly
luscious
piquant
pleasant
rich
savory
spicy
sweet
tasty
tempting
yummy
choice
dainty
darling
divine
good
lush
nice
adorable
ambrosial
delish
fit for king
gratifying
mellow
mouthwatering
nectarous
palatable
rare
sapid
scrumptious
tasteful
titillating
toothsome
well-prepared
well-seasoned

Sadly the episode ends with the Professor in jail and the Ad man wandering out, musing to himself, ” . . . ko-ko-kosher-est . . . Ko-Ko-kosher-IFIC.”

The Professor says “Unfortunately, it’s often the very people who are trying to preserve the society, who are the first to be persecuted by it.”

July 23 – A life worse living

A life worse living
commuting, daily driving
lost hours from each day

On the surface, a life that depends on a daily, one way, 1 to 2 hour drive, may be and probably, should be, considered worse living.

It’s a nutty way to live.

Driving miles and miles in cars from homes to jobs where we earn the money to pay for the cars and homes.

Boggles the mind the think how this county is built to accommodate the car.

I expect some day that stadiums will be designed as huge round parking garages so you can watch the game from your car like a giant drive in movie.

Then move on to consider that having the inconvenience of a long daily commute usually means that;

I have a job.

I have a home.

I have a car.

I have some choices in life, way I live my life and lifestyle.

On a plus – minus examination, I have to admit I come out ahead in the game.

Worse living?

Yes, who wants to be listening to an audio book then sitting at home with a cool drink and a book open on my lap.

Is there worse worse living.

You bet.