Tuesday

THE MICHELIN MAN PRODUCT: Michelin tiresDATE INTRODUCED: 1898CREATOR: Idea conceived by Edouard Michelin; artist's rendition created by O'Galop; DDB Needham Worldwide handled later executions Andre Michelin commissioned the creation of this jolly, rotund figure after his brother, Edouard, observed that a display of stacked tires resembled a human form. The artist's sketches of a bloated man made of tires was exactly what the brothers had in mind. One in particular, picturing the character lifting a beer glass and shouting, "Nunc est bibendum! (Now is the time to drink!)" seemed to embody Michelin's slogan at the time, "Michelin tires swallow up all obstacles." The artist reworked the hulking figure, replacing the beer bottle with a goblet of nails and glass that the character rose in a toast to all road hazards. Today, the Michelin Man is one of the world's oldest and most recognized trademarks and it represents Michelin in over 150 countries. <http://www.adage.com/century/icon08.html> Tuesday was a blustery, rainy day and pretty much remained that way through night. We were getting the leftovers from hurricane Katrina. Whenever we get those heavy, cool rains either in late August or early September I can’t help but get a sinking feeling that summer is slipping away. And that always gets me where it hurts and makes me a little blue. I just can’t ever seem to get enough summer. Just when I get into the summer groove, it all comes crashing down. Reflecting back to last year, I recall a similar day when the weather took a turn. It was the week after Labor Day, Wednesday, September 8 to be exact. It was a rainy, windy, blustery day. And it just so happened to be my grandmother’s last full day on earth in human form. I’ll never forget it! I had spent the prior night at the nursing home at her bedside along with my dad. We both slept in lumpy chairs. I went home around 630AM to shower, eat, walk Sparky, and run. I remember the chilling rain hitting my face while running and noticing the first flying leaves of the season. Mostly I remember that sinking feeling that summer was indeed over. That’s the same way I felt on Tuesday. My work day was crammed full of interviews with a couple of meetings sprinkled between. I interviewed six people. I got out of the office around 530PM and was home by 550PM. I got home just in time for another heavy down pour which translated into a wet walk with Sparky. He doesn’t seem to mind the rain too much at all. I think the rain amplifies the scent of other dogs from the grass and trees because he seems to pee and poop more when it rains. He’s one of those dogs that requires a sniff or two first. Come to think of it, I am a bit like that too! J I forgot to share that I spoke with my ex (Kelly) last evening for a few. We chatted about each of the girls and a few other miscellaneous topics. I shared the story of the “burning boots” at the campfire and the mysterious charred steel toe found three weeks later at the same camp site by my father. I invited Kelly to check out my blog. After all, it’s not just for friends and family, it’s for enemies too! Just kidding, Kelly – you’re a friend! The evening was pretty boring. I read a little bit of The Power of Now and played a little guitar. The night went by in the blink of an eye.