Comments on: Parable of the Manhole Cover http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/ It's about lessons learned... from life! Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:29:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Robert Hruzek http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4493 Robert Hruzek Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:37:30 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4493 Hi Ellen! You're right, of course - putting a name on something does add pride to it. Like the time some friends and I <a href="http://middlezonemusings.com/the-tooth-of-time/" rel="nofollow">climbed a 3,000-ft mountain in New Mexico</a>. Upon arriving at the top, we spent several minutes preening ourselves with a wonderful sense of accomplishment and pride. That is, until one of the guys noticed the spiral notebook at our feet with the legend, "Please sign here!" After a few moments of envisioning our fleeting fame dashed into pieces upon the rocks below, we all signed with relish... After all, we'd earned it! Hi Ellen!

You’re right, of course - putting a name on something does add pride to it. Like the time some friends and I climbed a 3,000-ft mountain in New Mexico. Upon arriving at the top, we spent several minutes preening ourselves with a wonderful sense of accomplishment and pride. That is, until one of the guys noticed the spiral notebook at our feet with the legend, “Please sign here!”

After a few moments of envisioning our fleeting fame dashed into pieces upon the rocks below, we all signed with relish… After all, we’d earned it!

]]> By: Ellen Weber http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4490 Ellen Weber Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:14:34 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4490 names are far more significant than most realize - and so good for people for caring about adding their names to their "manholes." Research now shows that when people hear or see their names - pleasure, well-being and content ... parts of the brain light up with activity. Perhaps adding a name -- added pride in their handiwork. My grandmother - in Halifax, Nova Scotia, felt people should never walk on a manhole because she heard a woman fell through - and names or not - she stuck to her guns until she passed. I still think of my dead nanny whenever I encounter a manhole cover and I wonder if the guy sized it right. Anonymous - perhaps he'd be more careless. named - seems like he'd take pride. Great discussion, but perhaps these should be called "human holes:-):-) now that I think of it. See what you raised Bob and all! names are far more significant than most realize - and so good for people for caring about adding their names to their “manholes.” Research now shows that when people hear or see their names - pleasure, well-being and content … parts of the brain light up with activity. Perhaps adding a name — added pride in their handiwork.

My grandmother - in Halifax, Nova Scotia, felt people should never walk on a manhole because she heard a woman fell through - and names or not - she stuck to her guns until she passed.

I still think of my dead nanny whenever I encounter a manhole cover and I wonder if the guy sized it right. Anonymous - perhaps he’d be more careless. named - seems like he’d take pride. Great discussion, but perhaps these should be called “human holes:-):-) now that I think of it. See what you raised Bob and all!

]]> By: Robert Hruzek http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4477 Robert Hruzek Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:23:14 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4477 Howdy, Speedcat; long time no see! I suppose you may have something there, although I seriously doubt it's enough to imprint on an purchaser's mind. I mean, you see these things, what, a few times a year (if you travel a LOT)? Howdy, Speedcat; long time no see!

I suppose you may have something there, although I seriously doubt it’s enough to imprint on an purchaser’s mind. I mean, you see these things, what, a few times a year (if you travel a LOT)?

]]> By: Eric "Speedcat Hollydale" http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4473 Eric "Speedcat Hollydale" Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:24:24 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4473 Subliminal messages can work in strange ways. A song in the backround that you did not even notice can pop into your head a few hours later. Someone purchasing manhole covers ... whom ever that could be, may have seen this insignia and viola`. Plus - you always want your name on stuff! That's probably the best answer. Subliminal messages can work in strange ways. A song in the backround that you did not even notice can pop into your head a few hours later. Someone purchasing manhole covers … whom ever that could be, may have seen this insignia and viola`. Plus - you always want your name on stuff! That’s probably the best answer.

]]> By: Robert Hruzek http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4463 Robert Hruzek Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:24:47 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4463 Howdy, Ria! Well, y'know; you might just have something there. I read once that manhole covers from famous places are mysteriously disappearing to "collectors". I guess those places might need to replace one or two occasionally. Especially if it had "Paris" on it! Heck; I might be tempted myself. Although... a manhole cover would likely be a mite hard to get onto a plane as carry-on... :-D Howdy, Ria!

Well, y’know; you might just have something there. I read once that manhole covers from famous places are mysteriously disappearing to “collectors”. I guess those places might need to replace one or two occasionally. Especially if it had “Paris” on it! Heck; I might be tempted myself.

Although… a manhole cover would likely be a mite hard to get onto a plane as carry-on… :-D

]]> By: Ria Kennedy http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4458 Ria Kennedy Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:43:35 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4458 They probably have to put their name on it so people know who to call if it breaks and they need a new one. :) They probably have to put their name on it so people know who to call if it breaks and they need a new one. :)

]]> By: Robert Hruzek http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4451 Robert Hruzek Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:14:52 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4451 Matthijs, I suppose you might have something there about vanity. I remember once climbing a mountain at Piedmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. When we got to the top, it was quite a thrilling accomplishment. At least it felt like it until we noticed the iron pipe embedded in the ground at our feet. Upon opening up the cap we found a notebook with the inscription, "Sign here!" Matthijs, I suppose you might have something there about vanity. I remember once climbing a mountain at Piedmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. When we got to the top, it was quite a thrilling accomplishment. At least it felt like it until we noticed the iron pipe embedded in the ground at our feet. Upon opening up the cap we found a notebook with the inscription, “Sign here!”

]]> By: Matthijs Hofstede http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4450 Matthijs Hofstede Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:58:26 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4450 Just pure human vanity. Maybe there are a lot off Manhole Cover specialist out there who buy those things. I guess if i wanted to buy a Manhole Cover i'll go outside and get the company name from the top of a Manhole Cover. Maybe the name is also on the bottom of the cover... Just pure human vanity.

Maybe there are a lot off Manhole Cover specialist out there who buy those things. I guess if i wanted to buy a Manhole Cover i’ll go outside and get the company name from the top of a Manhole Cover.

Maybe the name is also on the bottom of the cover…

]]> By: Robert Hruzek http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4440 Robert Hruzek Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:39:42 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4440 OK; that's a good one - sometimes there's only one Person who knows about that (other than yourself, that is!) What about in other areas, such as... well, <i>you</i> fill in the blanks. OK; that’s a good one - sometimes there’s only one Person who knows about that (other than yourself, that is!) What about in other areas, such as… well, you fill in the blanks.

]]> By: mike http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4439 mike Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:31:19 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4439 ----prayer —-prayer

]]> By: Robert Hruzek http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4438 Robert Hruzek Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:35:01 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4438 We do? I checked all of mine, Mike; there's no name there! :-( Even so, that's an ownership thing, not a branding thing. The hat; well, there's only so many hat makers, you know. And yes, it is a Stetson. But relate this manhole cover to something you're doing that gets no attention, no applause, not even any acknowledgment at all - yet contributes to the general welfare, maybe even of people you don't, or can't even know. We do? I checked all of mine, Mike; there’s no name there! :-(

Even so, that’s an ownership thing, not a branding thing. The hat; well, there’s only so many hat makers, you know. And yes, it is a Stetson.

But relate this manhole cover to something you’re doing that gets no attention, no applause, not even any acknowledgment at all - yet contributes to the general welfare, maybe even of people you don’t, or can’t even know.

]]> By: mike http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4437 mike Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:59:14 +0000 http://middlezonemusings.com/parable-of-the-manhole-cover/#comment-4437 Hummm---isn't it the same reason you guys down there (Texas-way) have your name/initials on the back of your belts? I might even climb out on that same limb-- and say the hat in your picture is a Stetson-- Hummm—isn’t it the same reason you guys down there (Texas-way) have your name/initials on the back of your belts?
I might even climb out on that same limb– and say the hat in your picture is a Stetson–

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