’Twas the Time for a Forecast

Jan. 26, 2005
was the night before deadline, when all across my desk, sat piles of economic predictions, which had me frozen statuesque. The folders were worn, from a constant mixing, because they somehow always seemed to need fixing.

'Twas the night before deadline, when all across my desk, sat piles of economic predictions, which had me frozen statuesque.

The folders were worn, from a constant mixing, because they somehow always seemed to need fixing.

Contractors were tossing and turning in their beds, With visions of cancelled projects stuck in their heads. So EC&M staffers and I sat in my cubicle, Struggling with a forecast of a market so fickle.

When outside the building there arose such chatter, I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter. Away to the window I crept like a cat, To tamper with the blinds and peer through the slats.

A light on the street pole made visible a group, of many men and women who looked like a troop. When I screwed open the crank to hear what they were yelling, I learned it was economists, toasting each other and bellowing:

“Go, Sullivan! Go, Giggard! Go, Simonson and Mueller! On, Baker! On, Wyss! On, Seiders and Murray! Here’s to office! To commercial! To manufacturing! To education! All rise again! Rise again! And become a contractor’s salvation!”

And then, in an instant, it popped in my brain, The prediction, so many, had searched for in vain. As I cradled my keyboard, and reached for my mouse, A sense of calm overcame me, there was peace in my house.

I spoke not a word, but worked through the night, And filled all the columns, from the left to the right. As the sun started to peak, just above the horizon, I couldn’t help feel as if I looked a little more wizened.

So the time had finally come, to share my great vision, With engineers and contractors, across many company divisions. With a wink of my eye, and a cock of my head, I told them not to worry, they had nothing to dread.

Most markets looked strong, especially non-residential, For now was time, this segment delivered to its potential. But before retiring to my office, I left them with a cheer, “Healthy Bottom Lines to All, and to All a Good Year!”

About the Author

Michael Eby

Mike received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering in 1986 and an M.S. degree in engineering management in 1994 from the University of South Florida. He is currently a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), and American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Prior to joining EC&M as Editor-in-Chief in September 1999, Mike served as the Executive Editor of Transmission & Distribution World magazine for five years. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Content - Buildings Group in the Infrastructure & Intelligence Division at Informa. Before joining Informa, Mike held various engineering titles within the Substation and Transmission Engineering Groups at Florida Power & Light Co., Juno Beach, FL.

Mike was awarded the Southeastern Electric Exchange (SEE) Excellence in Engineering Award in 1993 and has received numerous regional and national editorial awards for his reporting and writing work in the electrical market.

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