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Gears of Change

June 9, 2009

“Gears of Change” © R.L. Herron

Sad, Sad Times
How sad to think that a manufacturing giant like GM has to be forced into bankruptcy to save itself. A lot of us have known, for some time, that “the old gray lady” was just too bloated and heavy, and needed to resize itself.

Makes me think the executives I used to work for may not have known any better than I did how to manage such a beast!

Like the photo above, which is the rusty drive gear and chain of an old manure spreader, the gears of our manufacturing behemoth must have become rusty and clogged with too much of “this is the way we always did it” and it was too difficult to hear the clamor for change coming from both inside and out.

Or maybe it was heard, and ignored while they spread more crap, or things just moved too slowly to be of any use.

Sad indeed. But I have no doubt GM will be back. Leaner, and poised to take on the future once more.

Now, if I can only shake the lethargy that’s overcome me while waiting for the outcome of all this mess, maybe I can break out my cameras, both film and digital, download that new writing program, and get back to the business of taking pictures, writing, and going on with my life.

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Sanctuary

May 26, 2009

“Sanctuary” © R.L. Herron

Today is a critical day in determining whether General Motors ultimately files for bankruptcy on Monday. GM bondholders must decide whether to accept an offer to swap debt for a ten percent ownership in the company.

It’s also the day UAW officials meet to hear more details about a new tentative labor contract. The union, being asked to exchange money owed to a retiree health care trust for a 39% ownership stake in GM instead, is expected to pass the deal.

That’s because there’s a general consensus that the union is between the proverbial “rock and a hard place.”

Despite that, many experts view Chapter 11 bankruptcy for GM as all but a certainty, saying they are doubtful bondholders will accept GM’s offer.

Which brings me around to the rest of us.

Is the general public going to take anything away in the form of better, safer, fuel-efficient vehicles? Or when all is said and done, and fuel prices drop, are they going to clamor for large SUV’s again and wonder why no one provides them?

Are the financial institutions, who are the real instigators of all the economic mess, finally going to start releasing funds for loans again? Where is the economy going? Is it all really a huge conspiracy to deprive and suppress the middle class?

It gives me a royal headache to read the news anymore. I think I’ll just grab my cameras, say a prayer or two, and look for some sanctuary of my own. Perhaps with my writing.

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Passin’ Time

May 24, 2009

When you’re working it’s easy to get caught up in daily routines. Schedules, meetings and appointments abound. All of them crucial, or critical, or whatever else we choose to consider them.

My photography and writing time was something that I scheduled along with everything else. I almost always have a camera and a notebook with me and my thinking was: “I can shoot in the park on my way to work, if I leave thirty minutes early. If I can get up an hour early, I’ll also have time to write.”

The funny thing is, it seemed to work. I made myself look for interesting images wherever I went and sometimes made a note to schedule a return with my camera when the light was better. Or had a thought I later turned into a good thousand words.

Now that I’ve retired (I don’t consider looking for consulting opportunities to be full-time employment), I’m not so diligent. It’s funny, but so many things have a way of filling the time and there never seems to be enough time.

Yet there is so much to enjoy. From early morning conversations with my wife, to quiet times just sitting and fishing on the end of the dock.

In fact, I have so much fun, the next time I seriously think I might even bring bait.