The View from a Drawbridge

Tag: volunteer

  • January 24th: Change a Pet’s Life Day

    Every pet I’ve had has changed my life. One of my dogs sports a collar that says “Who rescued who?” When I manage to get past my overwhelming desire to instruct the manufacturers of said collar on the proper use of “whom,” I can then focus on the fact that that’s a very good question,…

  • Investing in People

    Without your employees, you are nothing.

  • “He’s Always Been Good to Me”

    After Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony, all these people came out of the woodwork to say how nice Brett Kavanaugh had always been to them. I’m glad to hear it. But what has that got to do with her testimony? It’s the same after someone becomes a spree killer. “He was always so quiet. He paid…

  • The Ingredients of Happiness

    It always comes as quite a shock when someone famous commits suicide. Hearing on the radio that Anthony Bourdain chose to take his own life nearly caused me to swerve off the road. This is someone I’ve envied. He got to travel. He had crazy experiences and met fascinating people. He won countless awards. No…

  • Be My Eyes

    I never thought I’d say this, but for the first time in my life, I really, really wish I had an iPhone. I’ve managed to avoid jumping on that bandwagon all this time, in spite of the fact that people often look at me funny when I tell them I can’t access the internet on…

  • Dedicated Drawbridge Openings

    As a bridgetender, I have the privilege of operating one of the world’s biggest pieces of heavy equipment every single day. It never gets old. A friend of mine likes to say that with my index finger, I move hundreds of thousands of pounds of concrete and steel. I try not to let this power…

  • What Makes You So Special?

    One night at the end of December, I went with a neighbor and her son to a tent city to feed the homeless. It is within walking distance of my house, but it’s hidden so well that I never noticed it before. And it’s an amazing place. First of all, it’s not some conglomeration of…

  • Give Yourself a Raise

    Recently I got a raise at work, and I was thrilled. You have to understand. For 14 years I worked in a non-union job, and we got a one dollar raise every 6 years, which, needless to say, did not keep pace with the cost of living. And we’d have to fight to get that.…

  • Donating Yourself

    Times are tough and there’s so much need out there that it can be overwhelming. But it’s understandable when people can’t make financial donations. I for one am struggling to make ends meet. But there are so many other ways to help. Here are some ways you can give of yourself, show the world how…

  • Making a Difference When You’re Barely Making it Yourself

    Quite regularly I open my drawbridge for million dollar yachts. More often than not, the owners are very courteous. More often than not, they wave at me as they pass through. That’s the extent of our connection.  Even so, at times like those I can’t help but think that just one day’s worth of interest…