Archive for the ‘Business’ category

Angry old dude

As most of my close friends and geeks know, I was released from the Hurricane Ike Recovery project in Beaumont, TX on November 11. Here’s the story.

When I arrived in Beaumont, I met some really nice people. Richard, Toni, Dane, and Billy. Billy is the regional manager, Dane has the Beaumont area with Richard, and Toni was here to help with the repairs at Lanxess. I started handling the manpower, and hotel room tracking. The manpower was easy, but the hotel accommodations where horrible. A significant amount of them were damaged and to top it off, most of the others were filled with people displaced from their homes due to the damage from the hurricane. Every 15 days, these people could renew their vouchers from FEMA and the Red Cross. When I arrived we had 150 people in hotels from Beaumont to Lake Charles in Louisiana.

So on October 14, we had to move 60 people. ugh I just barely missed some nice rooms by mere minutes. The hotel in Lake Charles was closing for renovation and the nice Elegante hotel in Beaumont did not get the message that we wanted the rooms for longer than the two weeks they were booked for. I tried to get a hold of the person at the hotel that we thought was handling our account, my calls went unanswered. I finally contacted the right person and by then it was too late. Of course it was my fault. The night of the move, was not quite a disaster, but it might just as well have been. The manager at one of the sites didn’t check with the people to make sure everyone was accounted for at the new hotel. Of course it was my fault again. I had booked extra rooms so it was not a real problem. This was a Tuesday night, on Thursday a rain storm came through. The roof at the Travelodge in Orange leaked. My fault again.

Anyway, to the part that really made that angry old dude angrier. Now when the nice hotel was booting us out I asked EVERYONE that was there, if I could get a room there, would they like one. No one did, even angry old dude. We where very close on hotel rooms and I would take any that I could. The day before we had to move, the person at the Elegante called and told me what was up. She said they could accommodate one of us. Since I was driving and didn’t have anyone else’s room number, I gave her mine.

I should say that I was informing the people that needed to know, all about what I was doing. There were no secrets. If they didn’t read the emails, too bad. An entire month went by. The day before my release, I took a five hour safety class to get into the Exxon Mobil Synthetics plant in Beaumont. The day of my release I took the required Breathalyzer and Wiz Quiz. As I was sitting in the office we were discussing hotels. I said something that caught angry old dudes attention. He asked who was at the Elegante and I said I was. Oh My God. I told the truth and several hours later I was gone.

Thanks a lot dude. You suck. Get over yourself.

My apologies to Dane for putting him between a rock and a hard place, and having to listen to angry old dude bitch all about it.

Fair or not? What do you think?

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Filed under Business, Personal, Work : Comments (2) : Nov 26th, 2008

Been there, done that, burned the t-shirt…

On April 11, 1998, I was feeling hungry so I had a beer. And another, and another. Pretty soon I didn’t care much about myself or you for that matter. As the day wore on I kept on drinking. I didn’t eat for almost 36 hours during this particular binge.

As the beer ran out, we needed to get some more. I fired up the 1971 Pontiac Trans-Am and off we went. First stop was the store to pick up another case of Coors. Then that fateful decision to have one last drink at Salty’s on Alki. I was supposed to move to Bremerton the next day. The last beer I had was an Alaskan Amber Ale. Good stuff. As I drove back to the house I blacked out. I thank the powers that no one was hurt or killed. I did a massive burn-out across Admiral Way and one block later ran over a round-a-bout. I ended up scraping a small tree. And totaled the T-A.

I was arrested for DUI. I was issued tickets for negligent driving, no proof of insurance, and excessive speed. Fuck me.

On Monday I met with a lawyer to go over my options. There was only one. The two year deferred prosecution program. Essentially, a two year alcohol rehab. Fine. Whatever I had to do. Eventually, I made it to the end of it. I did everything I had to to stay sober. That included removing myself from the people that were still drinking. The best day of my life to that point was when I went to my last court appearance. The judge said, “All charges dismissed, get the hell out of my courtroom”.

I did.

3653 days later, here we are.

I’d like to thank all of my friends that supported me during this, but I had none. Only my mom and the people of Alcoholics Anonymous were there for me. The rest of you can just go FUCK YOURSELVES. I made it. You haven’t.

Filed under Business : Comments (0) : Apr 11th, 2008

Here we go…

I made a decision some time ago to move out of the place I was living in. Since I was already going to be away from home for three weeks, I though now would be a good time. But, all of this hinged on a real-estate sale that STILL hasn’t closed. In the last week I found out that the buyer hangs around with some ne’redowells in the area. But the real estate agent found a new finance person to help close this deal.

Anyway, in the mean time, my mom TOLD my I could stay with her for the time being. I am so grateful to have such a loving mother. Since I have been here, we’ve spent a lot of time together, and I have been able to reconnect with some of our mutual friends.

Last week my mom’s roommate left for Phoenix until May. And just now my mom left to spend a week at my brother’s place to help him landscape his yard. So it’s just me here for the next 12 or so days.

Can you say PARTAY. I think you can.

:)

Filed under Business : Comments (0) : Apr 3rd, 2008

Teh Rental…

The rental for this trip was a 2008 Chevy HHR LS version. With a 2.4 liter engine and power everything. After 4200 miles, I can say it’s a sweet ride. It performed very well for a 4-cylinder with an automatic. It looks great and is very comfortable. I had no back pain and my carpal tunnel was non-existent.

Teh Rental

The only digs I have are:

  • There is wind noise at about 65. A whistling from the drivers side mirror.
  • The automatic transmission doesn’t allow one to drive in “D”. The constant down shifting from overdrive is annoying. Especially in mountain passes when I like to go into “D”.
  • When using the remote to unlock the vehicle, the horn blasts twice. With no way to defeat it. I checked many forums to find a way and there is none. Not even a trip to the dealer will defeat it. Nothing like announcing to the world, my car is unlocked.
  • As is typical with front wheel drive cars, the torque steer during a down shift is a bit more pronounced with the 215/50/17 tires. It can be a hand full at 75, but if one is prepared, it is handled easily.
  • The window controls are on the console between the driver and passenger. This makes it a chore to open the driver’s side window at the drive-thru windows.

At less than $20,000 in this configuration, it’s a steal and a dream to drive. None of the digs are deal breakers in my book. I’d buy one in an instant if I desired.

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Filed under Business, Road Trippin' : Comments (0) : Mar 20th, 2008

The new year…

A look back:

  • What was your biggest triumph in 2007? Not having to work at a regular job. I had accrued enough resources and had a plan in place to do so.
  • What was the smartest decision you made in 2007? To find someone to spend the rest of my life with. She knows who she is. :)
  • What one word best sums up and describes your 2007 experience? OMFG
  • What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2007? People will do want they want when they want to. Despite my best efforts.
  • What was the most loving service you performed in 2007? Being there for family and friends in there time of need.
  • What is your biggest piece of unfinished business in 2007? Getting my professional licenses in the western states.
  • What are you most happy about completing in 2007? Getting my Series 6 and 63 with Finra
  • Who were the three people that had the greatest impact on your life in 2007? In no particular order, first, my business partner, Brent Arnold, next my mom. We are both beyond the grind of the working world. And, then, the most important one. Our relationship is still in it’s infancy, but will grow into something spectacular. You know who you are sweetie.
  • What was the biggest risk you took in 2007? Not going back to a full-time JOB. JOB = Just Over Broke.
  • What was the biggest surprise in 2007? I actually made a cross-country flight and didn’t puke.
  • What important relationship improved the most in 2007? I made the time to get to know my immediate family, again. But, getting to know someone new and very special was clearly the most important.
  • What compliment would you liked to have received in 2007? Have you lost weight? :D
  • What compliment would you liked to have given in 2007? You look great. :D
  • What else do you need to do or say to be complete with 2007? An ending is only a new beginning.

A look forward:

  • What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2008? Turning a long distance relationship into a short distance.
  • What advice would you like to give yourself in 2008? Get committed.
  • What is the major effort you are planning to improve your financial results in 2008? Get busy with the business of helping people.
  • What would you be most happy about completing in 2008? Moving out of this small place, and into something that I don’t have to walk sideways through.
  • What major indulgence are you willing to experience in 2008? L.A. in March baby…yeah.
  • What would you most like to change about yourself in 2008? I need to expand my comfort zone to include that special someone.
  • What are you looking forward to learning in 2008? I need to get my Series 26 and 65 with Finra.
  • What do you think your biggest risk will be in 2008? Giving myself to that special someone.
  • What about your work are you most committed to changing and improving in 2008? Just to be committed to my clients and my partners.
  • What is one as yet undeveloped talent you are willing to explore in 2008? Writing about my experiences. I have lots of them.
  • What brings you the most joy and how are you going to do or have more of that in 2008? The look on someone’s face when they see what I can do with their finances.
  • Who or what, other than yourself, are you most committed to loving and serving in 2008? She knows who she is. :D
  • What one word would you like to have as your theme in 2008? Commitment.

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Filed under Business, General, Work : Comments (0) : Jan 2nd, 2008

Just the crap man…

It’s always fun anytime I have to replace a sewer line. The failure was due to incompetent craftsman.

Root Cause

It’s been a crappy week.

The crew at Hemley’s were great. They crawled all up it that stuff to repair the failure. I had the crew put a tee in to tie the shop in to the septic. Apparently, the shop has it’s own gray-water tank. Lucky me , I have two systems.

Hooray >:

Filed under Business, General : Comments (0) : Dec 23rd, 2007

Teh Shop 2.0

Here’s what I did this summer. Built a new out-building for the garden equipment and resided the shop in 8″ western red cedar bevel siding. The cost was under $2000 for material and 15 man-days of labor. Not bad considering the increase in value.

Before:

Garage Before Siding

After:

Shop Front West Side Finished The Shed 2.0

That’s my bud Mike working on the trim paint. All of the siding was finished with Daly’s Benite, a clear sealer. The trim will be the dark green. I have a new steel roll-up door to replace the POS that’s there now.

The real estate market here in Kitsap County, is still growing at 12%. I expect this to continue for the future. We are getting a new Lowe’s and Home Depot within 2 miles of here. And with most of the vacant land between here and the center of town are up for sale, I don’t see the growth in this area slowing down anytime soon.

Filed under Business : Comments (0) : Oct 7th, 2007

sabayon linux…

A new contender for the desktop, sabayon linux has stepped up to put together a fine distribution. Based on Gentoo linux it runs smooth, so far, with only a couple of annoyances. I found the main menu a bit clunky, and slow. It could use some mouse over commands or gestures. That might be in here somewhere, so I will hold off on final judgement.

The best part is that sabayon installs the proprietary drivers for nvidia or ati. The test rig has an X700 Pro video card. The card was detected properly, and the driver version is 8.37.6. The latest on the ati site is 8.38.6. Firefox is version 2.0.0.3, flash and java worked straight away.

Touting that sabayon is a gaming distro, I was eager to run the command “emerge ut2004“, Unreal Tournament 2004 installed effortlessly. This has to be done twice to enter the game code. But it works. The game runs smoothly and easily. I have had no trouble playing CD’s, DVD’s, and audio, video files.

The sabayon install disc, a DVD, can run “live” or install. It is possible to install from within the “live” portion. That is what I did. A list of download mirrors.

Filed under Business : Comments (0) : Jul 16th, 2007

fedora on the laptop…

Last night I spent several hours installing Fedora Core 6 on my Acer Travelmate. I have to dual boot with Windows at this time. The only difficulty I had was installing the Intel 2200BG driver and the network applications to use it. I went with the Desktop package during the install, I should have installed KDE then, as I had to yum that in. The total updates were nearly 600 megs. geez.

To get the wireless working:

1. Install the correct kernel version (2.6.20-2933-i686)
2. Install the firmware (available from Intel)
3. Install knetworkmanager (to connect in KDE, gnome worked out of the box)

Done.

Now if I could get my company website to work with anything other than IE.

Buggers

Filed under Business : Comments (0) : Apr 5th, 2007

subprime failure…

It should come a no surprise at the failure of the subprime lenders. These lenders new that they were is a precarious position, as their clients were put into a positon that was not sustainable. Any increase in day-to-day expenses would delay mortgage payments, as this is the biggest expense most families have. One payment gets delayed, then another. It’s unfortunate, but that’s business. There is no difference between this and the junk bond debacle of some years ago.

Betting on people with bad credit will burn you everytime. EVERYTIME!!! Mortgage brokers and mortgage bankers are not bound by the same ethics as securities broker/dealers. Even though false statements made on a mortgage application are felonious, people could care less. As long as they get what they want.

If someone has to fudge the numbers to get a loan, I would not give them that loan.

Myself and my associates have six steps to financial freedom. If lockergnome ever gets me that login, I would like to share them with you. : )

Filed under Business : Comments (0) : Apr 4th, 2007

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