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6-Mar-09 8:00 AM CST

A Few Thoughts by Bob Ayers

A Few Thoughts
As I sit here at home, staring at my monitor, I ponder what to write for this
month’s column. I would like it to be something witty and entertaining but I
draw a complete blank. We all know there have been many authors before
me, which have written elegant prose for this column that made us sit back
and reflect on their message. I read many previous columns for inspiration,
yet I struggle.

Well, I will take the lead from my predecessors, as I know there are many
people that need to be thanked. There are many individuals who have been
very generous with their time working on the many GSH functions, most
of all, the individuals who chair the various committees that organize and
put on the technical, sporting and social events, and their many volunteers. Each
is important to the success of those events; they deserve recognition.

So, to that end, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to each and every one of
them for their time and diligent efforts.But, what other words can I write that
will be worthy of the paper on which they will be printed? As I sit here,my thoughts
keep coming back to the economic turmoil that seems to gripour great nation,
and, if you believe what you read in the press and hearon the news, the entire world.
You or I cannot change much as an individual, but we can rely on each other to help
all of us get through these trying times. I have been in this crazy business for over
thirty-four years. I have been through numerous cycles of rapidgrowth and rapid
retrenchment. I survived most, got caught in a fewof the down turns, but I have always
landed on my feet with a little help from the geophysicists who are my friends.
I believe that the keys to survival in this business environment are to keep
your technical and managerial skills well honed and to tap your network
of professional and personal contacts. That network is important. It gives us a place
to search for that next challenge when needed, and it gives usan opportunity to assist
our friends in their times of need. Our networks will help all of us whether the economic
storm that lies ahead, whether it is an isolated thunderstorm or a raging hurricane with
wide ranging and long lasting effects.

So, I encourage each of you to reinforce your network and reach out to your friends.
Participate in the wide range of GSH events, be they technical, social, or sporting in
nature. I encourage you to attend the various functions, support your society and
invigorate your personal network by inviting them to come along. I hopethese economic
rigors in which we seem to be mired will diminish quickly. If they persist, use your network.
Ithas helped me in the past.