The Windy City V. The Lone Star State

 

Pic taken from the 96h floor of the Hancock Bldg in the Signature Lounge

I first was introduced to an ‘L’ when I saw THE FUGITIVE in theaters in the early 90s.  I loved that movie and I remember distinctly hearing this awful sound in the film when they were trying to figure out what city Dr. Richard Kimble was in.  When they heard the sound they said something to the effect…”hey, that sounds like an ‘L’ “.  Of course the good doctor was in Chicago and the rest is history.  Except not so fast for me.  I had no clue what a ‘L’ was.

 

You have to realize, I’m born and raised in Texas.  So a ‘L’ to me is probably like grits to someone born and raised in Chicago.  Either way…I still didn’t know for sure what the ‘L’ meant.  Or were they actually saying ‘El’ – as in elevated?  Was the ‘L’ some sorta of look of a train or something…but then I thought…well how would a ‘L’ shape train actually work or a rail?  For the longest time, I did nothing to figure out this mystery.  I just let my head explode with confusion every time I thought about it for awhile.  Then just one day, I did what every person who wants to diligently research a topic would do….I went to wikipedia.  Sure enough it refers to an elevated train system.  And of course wikipedia has to be absolutely 100% correct right?  Honestly, no need to answer that.  In fact, this nugget of information isn’t really what I’m writing about anyway.

Now I am writing about an ‘L’ train though, and the reason I’m writing about it today is simply because I heard one for the very first time with my own ears.  It was awesome.  It was nothing like what I heard from the movie.  I loved it.  Now of course when I told the Chicago guys that I thought that sound was awesome….one of the natives said something to the effect….”yeah…we’ll you don’t live here”.  Fair enough I thought.

Now that leads me to the other half of my title….Texas.  What sound do we have that other people don’t get to experience and know they are in Texas?  Or not even a sound necessarily…..just an experience that people from outside the state don’t get in their home state….but when they come here they know they are in Texas.  Much in the same way I knew I was in Chicago.  When the wind is blowing in the right direction, you got the good ol’ fresh air of refinery smells in certain parts of Texas….my hometown of Beaumont to be precise.  But I would dismiss this one on the grounds of I’m not looking for something that might cause them to gag.  That’s an experience that can happen…but not the one I’m looking for. 

Then I thought of maybe the sounds of herding cattle or something.  For those in the DFW area – y’all remember the Incredible Universe store (where the Fry’s is now in Garland)?  Every hour or so…they would play on loudspeakers the sound of cattle stampeding or something to that effect.  I thought that was real cheesy and kinda belittled the experience of the actually sound – either way, not what I was looking for.  Then after going through a whole bunch of ideas in my head…..it hit me.  And I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t thought of it sooner.  The sounds and atmosphere of a high school football game!  Not just any high school football game, but a Texas high school football game.

Now that’s an experience you don’t get anywhere else…sorry Florida.  You may be the British Open of high school football, but we’re The Masters, the crown jewel of the sport.  Looking in the way back machine, I remember when I was in high school going to see West Brook – my wife was in the band  and I was in the stands –  and Beaumont Cental play.  There was about 10,000 or so people at the Lamar Cardinal Stadium.  The crowd was pumped, the players were pumped, the announcers were pumped, everybody and their mother attended this cross town rival game.  Afterall, whoever won this game won the National Championship……okay maybe not that….but they won state right?…..well not that either.  Well….whoever won this game went on to the playoffs for the chance at the state title.  Ok…I can’t lie anymore.  Both teams were mediocre.  We both had records of 3-6 or something like that….both teams were in fact pretty bad.  But it was a frenzy.  Extra police for the parking and for the potential chaos and mayhem that may develop.  And of course, you can’t have a true Texas high school football game without an oil refinery next door – compliment Mobil Oil (now Exxon/Mobil).  Luckily the stadium wasn’t down wind that night.

Despite the bad record, despite the potential for chaos and mayhem, and despite the fact this game meant nothing for playoff hopes….people lived and breathed for this game.  And these same stories can be heard throughout this great big state, not just in Beaumont.  You take in everything.  From the girl who sings the national anthem off key – but her mom or dad happens to know somebody who knows somebody who is in charge of getting somebody to sing the national anthem – to the spilled coke, popcorn, cotton candy, etc. that will make that sudden dive at you when you walk under the stands….it was awesome.  It’s something that each and every one of us who went to Texas high schools will always remember and cherish.

I can imagine people who were born and raised in Chicago, probably think of the ‘L’ in the same manner.  Maybe it’s not something they appreciate or even like at the time, but when it’s gone, it’s something they remember and wrap themselves around it relishing the fact it is a part of who they are and where they came from.

So….between the two experiences….it’s a wash.  Ok…Chicago people can stop reading now.  Texas people (myself included)…we all know the real answer…I just thought I should be polite.

phil

phil_ramirez2010@yahoo.com

Instant Coffee Just Isn’t Fast Enough Anymore

One of my favorite movies of all time is The Shawshank Redemption.  I even got to see a Ghost Hunters episode where they worked overnight in there (that’s a blog for another day).

Anyway, there is a scene where Brooks (the actor who played him James Whitmore died Feb. of this year) was let out on parole and the first thing he noticed was that “the world went and got itself in a big damn hurry”.  He said this when he saw cars moving around and honking as he walked across the street.  Ironically, me typing this blog would be a perfect example.  Case in point, I couldn’t remember the character’s name, so I quickly created a new tab and looked him up on IMDb.  Easy and fast.  Back in the day, I would either had to have remembered it on my own, check the back of the movie at home, ask someone else who may have known (my wife is always a good “someone else” to ask), or some other creative way to figure it out.

The day and age of high speed technology has made us crave for instant information….not just instant coffee.  I’ve been on facebook for the past couple of months and noticed some interesting entries.  All of which would create a great episode on SEINFELD.  Even the phrase “this just in” doesn’t really mean that much to us because our “just in” happened 10 minutes before the network’s.  More so is the even older phrase “hot off the press”, which more or less means nothing anymore.

And yes, even elections have to have a winner declared before all the polls are even closed.  But when you think about it, who is to blame for that?  The media for giving us instant information?  Or us for wanting instant information?

The big question is where is all of this leading?  No more newspapers?  Magazines?  Or even no more books?  Honestly, books disappearing is far-fetched.  Newspapers and magazines…..maybe not so much.

Now I need to instantly publish this blog, update my facebook and instant message anybody that might be online at the same time, check my email – oh wait…my phone would have beeped instantly if that had happened, and watch my next episode of 30 rock season 2 on Netflix via the instant download.

Or should I try that old ancient thing….read a book with pages that turn, not scroll?  I’m not sure….but I’ll Twitter my decision as soon as I make it!

phil

phil_ramirez2010@yahoo.com

AIG takes the bailout, but doesn’t help “Miracle on the Hudson” crash victims

I read an article in the NY Times, and it struck me by surprise.     http://finance.yahoo.com/insurance/article/107188/aig-balks-at-Claims-from-jet-ditching-in-hudson

Basically, what it sounds like to me is that AIG isn’t going to cover this for the individuals that survived the crash.  AIG has to find negligence and since Capt. Sully made the heroic effort, there was none to be found.  On the surface it makes “letter of the law” sense, but at the same time it doesn’t make practical sense.

My first instinct is to say, “typical insurance company trying to get out of paying claims”.  But in thinking about it, I’m not so sure.  In this case, I may actually agree with AIG.  With that said, is this a good idea for them to do?  Afterall, they did receive American taxpayers dollars in terms of a two year loan up to $85 billion.  So even though if AIG got sued and went to court over these claims, I think they stand a good chance of winning.  But in the court of public opinion, it would be about the worst decision possible.

They should just pay the money and be done with it.  The risk-reward factor in this situation when you factor in public opinion is too great.

Pay up and move on!

phil_ramirez2010@yahoo.com

Long Time No See

Well….it’s been awhile since my last post, but here I go again.  I want to help this community as best I can.  I’m not going to be some sort of ground hog where I pop up only during elections to see if I can make it on council.

I’m currently waiting for the Board openings in late summer.  My first choice will be Parks and Rec.  I think it’s critical to stay involved.

In terms of running again, more than likely I will wait for two years.  I’m not 100% sure, but I think that will give me plenty of time to get involved, help the community, help another campaign in 2010, and then act in 2011.  That’s my gut feeling at this point.  More to follow.

phil

Second Wind

Tuesday will be the last day to early vote.  I visited both polling places in Frisco today and I thought the turnout was relatively steady.  I talked to a representative from another camp expressing the only thing I’ve really seen out in public about voting were the signs near the polling places.

My immediate concern is the lack of “advertising” for the election.  Each year we all gripe about the voter turnout, but we are so passive about it.  That’s one thing I definitely want to try to change.  Voter awareness from a proactive stance from the city.  Let’s challenge the community and our government to double the voter turnout during the next election.  It’s not too late for this one…but whatever number we end up at….I want to double it next time.  I might be a little naive about this sorta thing…but guess what…I don’t care.  Let’s all make a difference!

And finally, to the person who sent me the email.  It’s emails and feedback like that, that keeps me going….gives me a second wind for sure.  I love it!  Thanks for the support.

phil

phil_ramirez2010@yahoo.com

Early Voting Wrapping Up

You have just a couple of more days to vote early…..then the big day MAY 9.  It’s been a very interesting experience overall.  With the way some candidates have acted it reminds me a little of student council elections.

I hope voters vote the right person in.  I don’t want them to get fooled by the pomp and circumstance I’ve seen through the last few weeks.  I can’t compete with the money or the power, but I do have hope.  I hope there is a silent majority out there that will head to the polls.  The more people that vote….the better.  Thanks.

phil

phil_ramirez2010@yahoo.com

Early Voting

It’s just around the corner.  Starting April 27……you can finally go vote!  Go get it done and over with and don’t wait to the last second.

I only have one or two more speaking engagements and it’s been great meeting everyone.  Whatever you do….vote for someone who has been here for awhile and knows the city.  ”Buying” an election is against everything I believe in.

I don’t think living here just a couple of years or so is a good thing.  By the time everything is said and done….some candidates would have spent upwards of $30,000.  If only 3000 people come to vote….that amounts to $10/voter.  If you COMBINED the amount Obama and McCain spent….it would total over $1 billion – which equates to about $8.50/voter.  Think about that for a second.

Do we really want a free spender like that on city council….spending YOUR money?  Of course not.  Before you make  your choice…..just realize why would anyone want to invest so much money for a city council election spending more money per voter than the Presidential candidates combined?  Is it for the benefit of the community or the invidual?  I don’t know….but it’s something that has to play a role in choosing a candidate.

Vote with your heart and mind….not name recognition and flamboyant spending.  Thanks.

phil

phil_ramirez2010@yahoo.com

Core Values

I just spoke tonight at the Frisco Chamber of Commerce for the Women Enhancing Business meeting – all the candidates were invited.  For some reason I got real nervous because I had to go last. Waiting to speak at the very end is no fun….I had too much energy tonight.  But they were kind to me and actually laughed at a couple of my impromptu jokes.

One topic I discussed with them was core values.  We here it in business all the time…at least the business I’m in….and I thought it would be relevant to relay my core values to them and now you.  Afterall, most decisions and stances on issues can be answered by the core values we believe in and practice.  So if you know my core values, chances are you’ll have a good idea on my perspective of the issue.

Passionate: I can’t contain myself on this one…and sometimes I probably have too much of this.  But that’s the ABCs of me.  I’m am either black or white….there is no gray with me, most of the time.

Sincere and Genuine: I mean what I say and say what I mean, I have no hidden agendas.  I care about what you have to say and want to hear all aspects of issues before I make a decision.  These are truths I live by on a daily basis as well.  I’m a good listener – just simply raised that way.  And I wouldn’t be a true Texan if I wasn’t genuine –  just a country boy at heart.

Analytical:  I have to research.   Get all the data.  Study all the aspects.  See what the domino effect will be with each decision.  Once I play that out, I then decide on what I think is the best decision.  In this case, what is the best decision for the entire community.  You try to stay 5 steps ahead at all times.  And rarely do I go against what I feel is the most logical answer.  There are exceptions though.

Personal Attention: Along the lines I want to hear what people have to say, I want to keep in touch –  not just emails, phone calls, or big functions.  If elected,  I want to continue my efforts after the election.  Give personal attention to those that have something to voice.  I’m hoping by doing this, we are able to keep our small town feel in Frisco.

Family Values: I love my wife, my kids, and our dog.  No matter how you slice or dice me….I’m a family guy at heart and will always be. Going to school and going to church are important ideals in our family.  Along with those ideals include having good manners and being humble.  Something that I see fading away from kids these days, but I hope not ours.  Finally, being honest, this can be the hardest thing to do at times, but it’s just about the most important thing to do.

I may add more later, but these are the essential core values I live by.  Thanks.

phil

phil_ramirez2010@yahoo.com

Meet. Rock. Coach Joe’s Friday Apr 10 9pm

Ok…..here goes another Rockstar Karaoke night tonight.  Mix. Mingle. Sing.  I want to hear from you…tell me your thoughts…your concerns….then go sing some GNR.

We are 30 days out from the vote….now let’s get this thing into full swing.  A lot of events are coming up and I hope to see some of y’all there.

BTW, I hope you like the new lay out of my blog.  It should be a little less sloppy….at least I hope.  Thanks.

phil

phil_ramirez2010@yahoo.com

Register to Vote by April 9th

Earlier this week I spoke to some students at CCCCD about the importance of voting.  I’m not sure if they will vote in their city elections, but I hope I got them thinking.  I can’t stress enough the lack of voter turnout.  Essentially, the constituents of the elected boil down to just about 3% of the city.  What this means is that the vocal minority will decide the leaders of all.

I’m not saying that the vocal minority is wrong or anything like that.  I’m simply saying everybody needs to vote.  That’s the bottom line.  Regardless if you live in Frisco, Plano, Allen, McKinney, or any city for that matter…..do a little research and decide.  GO VOTE!

The last day to register is APRIL 9.