Dude Where’s My Bridge

I began bridge engineering about 8 years ago.  When I started the design of the first bridge I was tasked with, I remember having the rather odd thought that someday, someone somewhere would die as a result of my efforts.  In particular, I thought of someone driving through– or over– a bridge rail, or someone leaping to their demise– things of that nature.  The decisions, or lack of self control that leads to non-decisive consequences, would be entirely out of my control, but still, there is a part of me that wonders if I am not in some way a cause of the circumstance.

Today, I was informed during a meeting with a client that this sad event did transpire.  In fact, it was much worse than I had ever imagined.  I don’t know the specific details, and for now, I am glad of that.  However, I know that it was a tragic accident of a youth crashing into a wall at the site of one of my bridges.  I understand that he lived for a period of time before passing.  I don’t know his name, or his family, but my condolences go to his family, whoever they might be.

At work, someone said something that sounded a lot like a facebook status update.  I don’t remember what they said exactly, but I responded with “I am eating a cookie” (I was, at the time).  An impromptu conversation started with each of us making statements that sounded much like what people have said in their facebook status updates.  After only a few minutes, we noticed a complete lack of integrity to the conversation, implying that even though we had been conversing, we weren’t really saying anything, much less communicating.  Social media, particularly facebook, is very much like that for me– people are saying things, but no one is listening, and worse, no one is responding– at least not in a meaningful way.  If this is the future of ’society’, I would much rather be unsocial than become a participating mind-drained zombie.

A while ago, I pulled up to a stoplight with my window down, and as I usually do when I stop, I looked back and forth to see what was around me.  When the kids in the car next to me saw me look in their direction, they began calling in my direction.

In a similar way, my wife and I were driving to lunch today and with my window down, I heard a sound out my window that caught my attention.  The sound was a happy toddler, and as soon as the young girls with her saw me they began calling at me.

What I found interesting about both experiences is that they used the same words– each group of people yelled “hello” or “hi” at me and even had smiles on their faces.  However, the rest of their body language and the tone in their voices belied the friendly greeting.

Someday, I’d like to live in a community so friendly that people genuinely greet each other like that.

Recently I went to a very unique store with a couple of friends that I haven’t seen in a long time.  I seem to recall that I had wanted to visit this store for quite some time.  The place was decked out for the holidays, trimmed from floor to ceiling.  Made me wonder how long they had to close the store just to get decorated for the holidays.

We browsed and found a variety of very interesting items– items I’ve never seen in any other store.  I found some pieces of exotic lumber for a box project I’ve been mulling over in my head.  I  had it cut because my project doesn’t require much, and also so that I had cut so I could afford some small pieces of it– it was really expensive, but really intriguing.

One of my friends found a set of odd tools made of gold.  I think it was intended as sculpture, not for use.  I wasn’t quite sure why he was so interested in them since they were very expensive, but when I saw him try to put one of the smallest ones in his pocket, I realized he was trying to shoplift one of them.  Fortunately, he gave up on the idea and we kept browsing.  For some reason, I was well enough aware of my friend’s problem to know that he wouldn’t follow through with it.

It was then I noticed a man following us, watching to see what we were shopping for.  It was obvious he worked in the store.  I suppose he had reason to be suspicious, given what my friend had just done.

I found a bakery case with cookies that I couldn’t resist.  After I got one, I took a bite and broke off pieces for my friends so we could try it and see if we wanted more.  It had a different flavor– I can’t quite put it into words, but it was also rather dry, and I passed on more.

Next I came across some of the oddest items I have ever found in a store.  There were bugs, specially raised to be clean and edible.  They were next to a number of other candies; it was apparent the bugs were meant to be either a gag gift or a delicacy, I wasn’t quite sure.  But it gave me the idea that I could make bug truffles.  I’ve been thinking about what hasn’t been done with exotic chocolate, and this might be the last untapped chocolate market.

I went to try one, but the man who had been following us showed up again, and didn’t say anything, but let us know that we wouldn’t be trying anything else.  Apparently, he was really worried that we were going to leave and not pay for anything.  Well, turns out he was right to have been watching us. Right then we left, and left everything that we had been eating, sampling and buying.  In my defense, I didn’t have a choice.  I heard a washer banging around with towels loaded to one side, and I woke up.

It’s a familiar story.  Company produces great product.  Company gets into financial trouble.  Company hires a new CEO.  Company suddenly goes out of business while the CEO makes off with millions.  Unfortunately, I’m not talking about a bank.  I wish I was.  Instead, I’m referring to Mother’s Cookies. (story) Yes, the company that makes those yummy pink and white frosted animal crackers.  My only question is a simple one– where’s Congress?!?  They seem to have no qualms in spending billions to bail out banks and insurance companies that I’ve never heard of, never used, and have (to my knowledge) never been affected by or done business in any way.  But Mother’s Cookies???  Daily staple.  Ok, not daily, but without them, to whom do I turn for frosted animal cookies?!?  It truly is the end of an era.

Most Americans are somewhat clued in to the big exam approaching in a couple of weeks.  Well, not exam exactly.

A co-worker and I were discussing the number of times we’ve voted (for president) in our lifetimes.  It’s not many.  I don’t necessarily feel compelled to exercise this freedom, particularly this year.  As we discussed this, I realized that the few times I’ve voted there have been a number of other issues on the ballot (surprise!).  This is when I begin to run into problems.  It’s a personal problem, but I imagine many others experience similar issues.  I treat it like an exam.  I feel like I have to answer all the questions, and worse, I have to get the answer right.  See, that’s the problem.  Many people feel compelled to pick a choice on this multiple-guess exam simply because a choice is presented.  That’s not always the case, as election results show many more votes for president than for governor than for legislator, etc. for a particular precinct.  And that’s good.  But how many votes are actually cast in good judgement? 

So much energy, time, attention, and of course, money is expended to focus us on the national election that there is little ever said about the other issues on the ballot.  I understand why.  But I don’t agree with it, particularly because this country still uses an archaic system that allows people to vote on our behalf.  The main problem is that these people are not apportioned in direct representation of the distribution of political affiliation (due to congressional district mapping, state laws concerning the casting of electoral votes, and of course, the fact that there is a Senate full of representatives– with respective electors– that are present not based on political distribution, etc.), and second to that is the fact that they don’t necessarily vote in the way they say they will.  In fact, 158 times they have not done so (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faithless_elector).  Essentially, the system used to elect the president is set up such that not a single person in the entire country has to cast a vote to elect a president.  Our electors will do it for us, even if the populace disagrees, as they have done on 3 occasions.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_(United_States)#Contemporary_conflict_over_the_Electoral_College)

How much have I heard about local issues on the upcoming ballot?  Basically, zip.  Another coworker informed me that our governor is up for election.  That doesn’t come as a surprise, but until he said that, I had not heard a peep from anyone about the gubernatorial election.  I haven’t seen a sign in a yard, heard an ad on the radio, nothing.  And state legislators?  Again, nothing.  School board members?  I have seen a few signs for a lady I know.  Other than that, the local media, paper and radio included, have included almost nothing on local elections.  They carry plenty of opinion on the national election, but none of the local candidates have been on the radio in any way.  Not only is this disappointing, I think it’s irresponsible of the media.  The local issues will have as much, if not considerably more, effect on my day to day life.  But the information to make an informed vote is difficult to obtain. 

Some would say I should ‘get informed’.  Fair enough.  I should be making an effort.  However, if there is little information available, and hosting debates for local candidates is not a local media priority, where do I obtain the information?  I suppose the candidates may have websites, but largely those websites are composed of typical political rhetoric.  Point being– it’s disappointing to want to be a responsible voter, but doing the legwork myself is impossible.  I have a job.  Media has a job.  Enough said.

I am over 18.  I’m not a felon.  That gives me the right to vote.  That also gives everyone else fitting the criteria the right to vote.  That doesn’t mean that I should, and by extension, that doesn’t mean that anyone else should either.  Call me a commie, but I guess I’m spreading the message– don’t get out the vote.  At least not until the legwork has been done.