Timing is everything. Being in the right place at the right time. More importantly being ready to hear and recognize an opportunity when it comes.

When I was dating, I found a compatible woman only when I was in the right space to have a relationship. That's when I let it happen. Same thing in business. You are ready or you're not when a good opportunity comes along. You pick up on the signals and the thing just falls into place. You can't force these things.

I was presented with an opportunity this week. I only needed to show up and not shrink away from a meeting that was put together. My reputation preceded me and I was offered a good opportunity just for being there. But to hear it and respond properly I needed to be in tune to it. It wasn't a loud knock. It was a whisper. More a tone that is underneath the spoken words that you can respond to in many ways. I did it right this time and I realized that these things are around all the time. If I just listen hard enough.

Why do people find it a topic of casual conversation? It seems surrealistic to hear a group of office workers talking about the strong odor of gas they are smelling right now.

"We should call the Building Manager to see where it's coming from". He is about 1/2 hour away. "I smelled it really strong when I first came in, by the elevator". That was about one hour ago.

True, I couldn't smell it, but I am a smoker and my sense of smell isn't great. Then again, I can still smell odors when they are strong, and I didn't smell anything. But I could not believe that I walked in on this conversation with everybody calmly standing around.

"Gas explodes, it doesn't burn. And I don't want to be here if it does. Any small spark can set off a gas explosion, even static or a phone ringing." That's all I had to add to the inane conversation before I picked up the phone and dialed 911.

I calmly explained the situation to the fire dispatcher, who said he would send someone over. He did, though it took 10 minutes or so, and the fire house is 50 feet away, on the same block. Funny, he didn't ask us to leave the building.

They had opened up all the windows earlier, just in case. I guess they thought the 3/8 inch sheetrock would stop the explosion from harming anyone when the hallway exploded. Sort of like an ostrich sticking his head in the ground.

When I called 911, I already had put my jacket back on, and I was ready to head outside anyhow. But I still couldn't smell the gas. I figured that the gas smell would be really strong if it was concentrated enough to explode. So I waited for the fire department.

Of course they asked for me, because I gave my name when I called. The chief said they weren't angry, but next time to leave the windows closed. This way they can get a reading of where the fumes are. Because there was o% gas. And, call from outside, don't stay inside.

Of course, next time, I won't call. I'll make someone else call and leave their name. Unless I smell the gas. At least I learned something today. Don't open the windows. Let the fumes build up and the danger remain/ get worse. I don't know if I would do that in my house. But in the office, why not.

Life is like a chess game. That isn't a new thought, but it is true nevertheless. Full of strategy and planning of moves in the future. I set up an imaginary chess game when I work for a new client. He (or she) sets the rules as far as their security plan or desires. I play the part of the thief or terrorist or industrial spy who is trying to break in or steal something. Then I counter the "thief" with real life obstacles or barriers. If I play the game well, I can thwart most any crime before it happens. I just have to be able to imagine it before it happens. That's the game. When you live it, it really does feel like a game of strategy. Particularly after an attempted and stopped burglary or a thwarted assault or bombing.

Sometimes all you can do is mitigate losses, both human and dollars. Make sure the bomb detonates at least 30 feet from the building. Prevent casualties by protecting the glass from shattering or glass slivers from flying. That kind of thing. Did you know that most injuries from a building blast are caused by flying shards of glass? Think about it. If a bomb went off in the street, outside of a sixty story building, how much window glass do you think would fly? how far away do you think people would be injured from it? Even if you are insulated from the shrapnel and concussive effects of a bomb, think about how little force is needed to turn a pane of glass into a thousand deadly flying objects.

I's a chess game in any job. Making sure you do your job and that the boss knows it. Averting problems due to another worker that may affect you. Or, socially, how much to talk about a particular subject. Do you want to speak out about politics? how about social issues? Education. What happens if you say one thing, or another? How will you deal with particular events. We call it planning or being proactive. To me it's all like a game of chess. Several games going on at once. The more you have on your plate, the more games you play at once. Too much on your plate means that you apply the wrong strategy to the wrong game. Keep it simple, and try to play one game at all times. Smaller goals like capturing the Queen or your opponent's rooks can be planned along with your end goal to win.

But what do we win at the end? It isn't eternal life. So what is the prize? I think the answer is that there is no end. The best you can do or hope for is a stalemate and a very long running game. Because if you win, you die. You accomplish your life goal, then there isn't much to live for. How many people do you know or know of that died a week after they retired?

The prize is whatever you set your life ambition for. If your desire in life is to reach retirement, be careful when you retire. Because when you capture the King and retire, it's game over.

Not for me. My children will always need me. I will never achieve all of my goals (I hope). I don't want to lose either. My opponent may take my Knight or my Bishop, but I can't let my opponent take the King, my life. I won't forfeit the game, even if I am boxed in and can only make one move, back and forth forever. At least I am still in the game.

I am not creative enough to think of a real catchy word for it. Just "Life Chess". It's a game we all play. On some level I think most of us know it. We keep making references to life as a game on a daily basis. Listen to the way people around you talk and the terms they use. You almost can imagine that you are listening to a sportscaster.

Today I am playing defense. I just want to take it easy today. I have some errands, but I don't want to get into anything more than I have to today. Maybe next week I will be more aggressive, capture a pawn or two, maybe a Knight. Now I just want to rest.

I realize that I live my life by certain rules. Not rules of law or god or anyone else, but the set of rules I chose as my own set of values or ethics. Like any other rule, I sometimes break my own "life" rules. Other times I feel guilty because other people may not like the way I live and I think I may be doing something wrong. Sometimes I can tell myself that it doesn't matter how anyone else feels about me as long as I like me. Sometimes I can't convince myself though. But I believe that everyone else feels pretty much like I do about their own life. So, here are a few corny sayings that I believe are "Truths" to life.

You don't always get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get.

Respect must be earned, it can not be gained by fear.

If, despite trying, you can not earn someones respect, make them fear you.

Never make a threat that you can not or will not follow through on.

We are all only here for a visit

Money does not buy happiness. But there is a freedom gained in not having to worry about it.

Children do not listen, they watch.

It is more important to get satisfaction and pleasure from your work than how much you earn.

When you raise daughters, how you treat them is how high you are setting the bar for their future boyfriends. Set the bar high!

Responsibility -(minus) Authority =(equals) Stress

There's more, but these are some that came to mind right away. Anyhow, it is how I live my own life. I try not to lie, particularly to my kids. I try to be responsible and honest in my daily life. I believe that what comes around goes around. Actually, although that is how most people say it, it is backwards. The expression really says " What goes around, comes around. " Just a little pet peeve of mine, like when people say the turned around "360 degrees". Well, that means they ended where they started. It should be 180 degrees. If you want to use a corny expression, get it right.

I actually have a list of colloquial sayings that I like. If I can find it, I list some of the less frequently used ones here.

Friday and it si just another day. The construction is going fairly wee. After 2 months and 2 weeks we finally have a foundation. I mean, it's only a 25 x 20 room. Actually it looks like it will be about four inches shorter on each dimension. I don't like to pick at minor things, but why can't they just build it the way it is drawn? They scrimp on everything even the dimensions by a few points.

Today at work we finished the remote control panels for the UN. The security upgrade is keeping everyone busy, even us, with only a little piece of the pedestrian control security. Interesting work though.

All it does is to help an honest guard do his job. It won't save money on manpower. These things just act as an extra set of eyes to help the existing staff. Many people think these things eliminate guards. They don't. But if you want to maintain any level of security you need it all. More on this in another post. For now leave it alone and accept that access devices don't do a thing to save budget money. All they do if they are done properly is to increase security with current staffing levels.

A bit down and disheartened lately. I am really tired or down or something. It could be the 20 years I don't have. Or it could be that I am coming down with something. Or maybe just a bit depressed.

Tomorrow should be a better day.