Random Stuff from Tuesday

First things first. I would like to recognize the Leadership ICMA Class of 2008. The Classes of 2007 and 2009 were featured in Tuesday's Conference Newspaper. So, a large majority of our class who is in Pittsburgh went to dinner this evening and took a picture. Front Row (left to right): Shelli Siemer, Katie Corder, Jennifer Fadden, Amy McEwan. Back Row (left to right): Noah Simon, Andy Pederson, Christal Kliewer, Ramiro Ingaunzo, Joshua Smith, Stephen Seidel, David Junger, Ray Morris. Those not pictured: Tansy Hayward, Travis Rothweiler, Anne Lewis, Magda Gonzalez, Bob Bell, Dorothy David, Leslie Beauregard, Rashad Young, Charlie Bush, Jack Harper, Ryan O'Connor, Melissa Stephens.

Okay, now today's quick hits.

- In Pittsburgh, I have learned that you do reserve the right to have a license to ill.

- Revolving doors. I don't really understand how they are practical or efficient. I assume that they are handy in cold weather. But really, is there a less efficient way to enter a building other than trying to run a bulldozer through the building? Also, it makes it a little tricky when your hotel's revolving door is out of order, and it just so happens that there isn't an exit out of the front that is accessible.

- The Convention Center bathrooms - Did anyone else notice that they would mix up which side the men's and women's restrooms were on? Sometimes the men's room was on the right.....sometimes it was on the left. For all of us who love order and predictability, this was a little confusing and troublesome.

- While sitting on a patio with friends, a few Pittsburgh residents were discussing the open container law in Las Vegas. Our conversation quickly turned to the following: Does Las Vegas have any sign ordinances and if so, what are they? And number two, how much do you want to bet that the folks that made the original comment about open containers have NEVER thought about Las Vegas sign ordinances.

- McDonalds restaurants in Pittsburgh have issues. Let's just say that Frank Sinatra had more patience than the employees. Also, if you don't have half of the menu items available, are you actually allowed to be open?

- What does this shape represent?

- Do you ever wonder which one of your friends personifies "TJ Hooker"? A lot can be learned from the early 1980s shows, including (but not limited to) The Cosby Show, Family Ties, and 21 Jumpstreet (or as I refer to it....21 Awesome Street).

- Pittsburgh has a lot of police officers who make sharp turns and screech their tires. It's like reliving scenes from the Dukes of Hazard, minus the welded doors, sliding across the hood of cars, and compound bows with dynamite tipped arrows. I keep waiting for one of them to jump off a bridge of hay bales and Waylon Jennings' voice to come on and ask us if their gonna make it out of this one. As a side note to the Dukes of Hazard, why didn't the police just go to the Duke boy's house and wait for them to come home?

- If anyone still watches The Bachelor......please let Jennifer Fadden know all the skinny on the latest Rose Ceremony.

- The i-phone might be the coolest gadget out there. I'm kicking myself for buying another i-pod.

- Since I didn't make it to the Exhibit Hall this year, will sales people from various companies still contact me 100 million times about their product since I did not leave my business card in a fishbowl?

- Tomorrow is the last day of the conference. I'm really looking forward to the Doris Kearns Goodwin presentation. However, I can't believe this is over so quickly. I hope that the conference has allowed you to reconnect with friends and colleagues as well as recharged your battery. I wish everyone safe travels home to their families. Remember, as Plato wrote about in "The Republic," if you are an enlightened individual then it is your duty to go into the cave and enlighten others. But alas, you are not going into the darkness of the cave alone. Look around and you will find a whole host of individuals willing to help you carry the torch. See you next year.