Of Pies and Pipes and Tidal Waves

1
All three of those metaphors came up in a meeting recently[1]. I mentioned to a colleague afterward that they would make a good chapter in a book, of the sort that might be titled "The 3-Minute Manager" or something like that, the type of little book bound in faux leather, with a silk marker, large type and lots of wingdings and language so weighty you can't turn a page without according a moment of reverence.

I always wanted to write a book like that. Most books I treasure could be condensed in just this way. Music for Chameleons comes to mind.

[June 22, 2012]

2
If you live long enough, everyone you know dies before you. The alternative isn't that appealing either.

(Page 1 of my little faux leather book.)

[July 15, 2012]

3
I am in a constant state of sympathy for those that suffer any sort of misfortune, large or small. It's a state of mind little different from persistent anxiety, but much more difficult to cultivate.

[July 17, 2012]

[1]
Pie: as in, the pie is only so big and you can only get so many pieces out of it.
Pipe: as in, the pipe is only so wide and you can only get so much to flow through it.
Tidal wave: as in, the work is backing up because the pie or pipe is too small and will flood us if we don't find a way to increase the pie or pipe.