The guitar has always loomed large in my world. For as far back as I can remember, I wanted one. I had a few junky ones at various times in my youth. I didn't really learn to play until I was 16 and just grunted it out using a book called "the Beatles Complete" that I borrowed from my friend, Stu Kemper. He had a Vox Spitfire, which was an Italian made-knockoff of a Fender Stratocaster. I never really played his guitar, but I envied him that he had it. For my High School graduation, he and his parents got me my own copy of the Beatles Complete. I learned how to play guitar using that book.
For my high school graduation, my Dad gave me $200 so I could buy a cheap acoustic guitar. It was playable, much nicer than anything I had before. Not the greatest guitar, but not the worst. I was proud of that thing. Played it a ton. Took it halfway around the world with me to Korea. I still have it today.
Once I had jobs and some money of my own, I bought guitars. A brief list would include, at least, the following:
1. Gibson ES-335 (1969-ish)
2. Fender Precision Bass (Maybe 1974?)
3. Gretsch Chet Atkins (Probably 1960-ish)
4. Ibanez Deluxe 59er (the "lawsuit" les paul)
5. Aria pro II Urchin
6. Some random Ibanez something or other.
7. Kramer Pacer Deluxe
8. Takamine Acoustic/Electric Classical Guitar
9. 2 Gibson Les Paul Standards
10. A Gibson Les Paul Custom
11. 3 Different Melancon Guitars
12. A Taylor 410CE
13. I owned another Taylor CE at one time, but don't remember the number. 210?
14. Two Modern Fender Stratocasters (Made in Mexico)
15. A Yamaha BBGS something or other bass.
16. A Fender Strat Plus
I have almost none of those guitars, today.
This holiday season, my financial state is a little better. I got another bass (a mexican Jazz Bass) and another guitar (a Dean Cadillac.)
It never ceases to amaze me how much more affordable most guitars are today, versus when I was a kid.
You have to wait and watch, but you can get professional quality instruments for next to nothing these days.
That Yamaha Bass cost just a tad over $200. The Dean Cadi? Less than $300. (A Dean Cadi for those who aren't familiar, is their attempt at a Les Paul. It has, among other things, a set neck, maple top, mahogany body, etc. They're made in Korea, but frankly, Koreans make good gear these days.)
Even the standard Mexican Fenders are good guitars. When I was a kid, I distinctly remember that a Fender Stratocaster cost about $450. The Mexican Fenders are every bit as good and you can get them for around $450, brand-new.
One thing that sorta sucks is that the used gear is a LOT more expensive these days. The coolest guitars I owned were the first ones I owned, because you could get some great guitars if you didn't mind used ones.
The Gibson ES-335, the Chet Atkins and the Lawsuit Les Paul are all regarded as amazing instruments today.
To get a new ES-335, it's probably over $2,000. The new Chets retail for about $3,000 and they're not as good as when they were made in the USA. The Lawsuit Les Pauls (so-named because Ibanez was sued by Gibson and then subsequently stopped production) were essentially Les Paul clones, but with bolt-on necks.
So, I guess what has changed is that in the old days, if you kept your eyes open and had access to a few hundred bucks, you literally could buy the very best guitars money could buy, even if you had a minimum wage job and lived with your parents. These days, you really can't do that. E-bay has ruined that.
But what the internet taketh away, the internet also giveth. You have to be hip to it, but things like the Dean... adjusted for inflation, that would have cost $130, maybe, back in 1982. You absolutely could not buy a new, professional-quality instrument for $130 back then. You can only find deals like that by scouring the net.
Also, these days, a lot of countries are making really good guitars using CNC machines. So, although the best guitars are still made in the USA, the majority of players will probably not be hindered by, say, playing a Mexican Stratocaster or something like the Dean Cadi. (Though full retail on the Dean is still about $900, and the discounted retail price is about $470. So, you have to find this stuff on a screamin' sale.)
I do love guitars, though. I hope my son continues to be interested. I doubt I'll ever buy any more high-line gear for myself, but I'd gladly buy it for him if / when he shows he's ready for it.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
New Year's Resolution
2011 is done, and it was the toughest year in recent memory. It ended on a high note, though. It wasn't all bad, either. I did survive it. Looking back, a lot was going on.
1. A little more than a year ago, I decided I was going to go back to school for something. I pretty much ran down every option and in the end, settled on going back for a law degree. This is really a bucket-list thing. I have wanted to do this for a long time. Always figured I would. It just took me a long time to get around to it. So, I got everything together, got accepted and finished my first semester. By the time I'm making 2013 resolutions, I'll be halfway through Law School.
2. The business was in rough shape at the start of 2011, and it was touch and go for the first part of the year. Our luck got a tiny bit better. Not that much, but some. We're still alive for 2012. In 2013 and 2014, we retire an absolute mountain of debt. It'll free up almost $28,000 a year that is currently being used for debt service. So, maybe a little bit of sales growth, but what we really need to do is just mostly survive. I have some decisions to make regarding the business. We'll just have to see how it goes. However, if we can continue to slightly improve our sales, survive the year and pay all our bills, that'll be a major victory right there.
3. On personal finances, that's really not that different than my business goals. Survival is job 1. I also retire a bit of personal debt in 2013 and 2014. When that's paid off, that'll free up almost $14,000 a year. It's sort of staggerring to think that even if nothing else changed, that the end of that debt service would mean another $40,000 a year or so. Coincidentally, forty large is roughly the cost of putting a kid through school.
4. Logan has shown more interest in learning musical instruments. I've started teaching him both guitar and bass. Will probably have him dabble a tad in piano, too. I can take him a pretty long ways in guitar. I can take him a little ways in bass and keys. Right now, I'm showing him how to play Beatles hits. (Twist and Shout on Bass and I Want To Hold Your Hand on guitar.)
5. Outside of music, I still consider being Logan's father to be job 1. He's doing great in sports. He's doing great in school. Really making me proud. I just want to be there to help him along with whatever he decides to do.
Next year will largely be a continuation of last year, but I need to redouble my efforts to eat better and work out more. I'm at what I consider the absolute upper limit of an acceptable weight range. I also think I'm REALLY stretching the definition of "acceptable".
So, sometimes the name of the game is survival and that's sort of where I'm at, now. Things aren't that bad. Just can't handle too many whammies in the coming year. Hoping for a smoother ride than what I've seen previously.
Resolutions? Here they go:
1. Work out more. Some physical activity at least 4 days a week. Between the rower, the gym and even... oh... lacing up the shoes and running outside, there are more than enough activities to keep me busy. I also have to get used to the idea that 20 or 30 minutes is vastly superior to no activity. For the past decade, I've had trouble accepting that a workout of less than 60 minutes counts.
2. Eat better. Less takeout. Less frozen, preprepared foods. And although this flies in the face of my perfect pizza goal, I want to eat a lot less carbs. I've been scared of my carb intake since the movie, "fat head".
3. Survive, survive, survive with the business. Come out ever so slightly stronger. At the end of 2012, we should have our balances paid down to the point that we can consider early payoff of some of those notes. There's a few things I could do to cut down on expenses, too. I'm paying $200 a month for cell service for 4G nationwide plus the ability to tether a computer nationwide. Now that I'm not in the Navy anymore, that's a waste. I could be getting by on a $45 a month plan.
4. Improve the business' marketing efforts. At this point, I have to admit that we should be recovering much more strongly than we are. It all starts with marketing. I'm one of the guys who believes that nothing happens in business unless something gets sold.
5. Personal finances, keep truckin'. I have a car payment that's probably too big for my income. I also have a term-loan that gets paid off late in 2013. Those go away, and I have a lot more resources to work with. And when the car is paid off, I'm getting a prius. I'm going to put a "coexist" bumper sticker on the back, too.
6. Keep supporting Logan in what he's pursuing, so long as it is positive. Mostly, that's sports, but I'm hoping that music is going to be something he at least dabbles with. If he stays obsessed with bass, I want to help him become the best bass player he can be. It also means that if he doesn't want to play baseball anymore, I'll accept and support that decision. I fear that's where this is headed. The shame of it is that he's one of the best baseball players in the entire city. He just doesn't realize it. However, he could use the time to work on basketball or swimming if he did drop baseball. I think it's a shame, but this is one of those things where what I think is only so important. Games should be fun and I fear that baseball is becoming something that isn't fun for him.
Also, the medium-term picture is looking a lot more interesting than the short-term picture. By the time 2014 comes to a close, I hope to have all these accomplished:
1. Another small business started. I still have a few ideas, but am not entirely sure what the other business will be. It'll be something, though. I won't ever have all my eggs in one basket again.
2. JD Finished. Bar Exam passed. Law practice started. I'm not going through law school as an academic exercise. This is sort of like another small-business in a way.
3. Current business on stable, strong footing. Zero debt.
4. All term-debt (other than mortgage), business and personal, retired.
5. Re-join Highland Meadows. Logan will be a teen, then. I want him to be able to golf well and enjoy the pool during the Summer. He may have to spend a lot of time unattended.
1. A little more than a year ago, I decided I was going to go back to school for something. I pretty much ran down every option and in the end, settled on going back for a law degree. This is really a bucket-list thing. I have wanted to do this for a long time. Always figured I would. It just took me a long time to get around to it. So, I got everything together, got accepted and finished my first semester. By the time I'm making 2013 resolutions, I'll be halfway through Law School.
2. The business was in rough shape at the start of 2011, and it was touch and go for the first part of the year. Our luck got a tiny bit better. Not that much, but some. We're still alive for 2012. In 2013 and 2014, we retire an absolute mountain of debt. It'll free up almost $28,000 a year that is currently being used for debt service. So, maybe a little bit of sales growth, but what we really need to do is just mostly survive. I have some decisions to make regarding the business. We'll just have to see how it goes. However, if we can continue to slightly improve our sales, survive the year and pay all our bills, that'll be a major victory right there.
3. On personal finances, that's really not that different than my business goals. Survival is job 1. I also retire a bit of personal debt in 2013 and 2014. When that's paid off, that'll free up almost $14,000 a year. It's sort of staggerring to think that even if nothing else changed, that the end of that debt service would mean another $40,000 a year or so. Coincidentally, forty large is roughly the cost of putting a kid through school.
4. Logan has shown more interest in learning musical instruments. I've started teaching him both guitar and bass. Will probably have him dabble a tad in piano, too. I can take him a pretty long ways in guitar. I can take him a little ways in bass and keys. Right now, I'm showing him how to play Beatles hits. (Twist and Shout on Bass and I Want To Hold Your Hand on guitar.)
5. Outside of music, I still consider being Logan's father to be job 1. He's doing great in sports. He's doing great in school. Really making me proud. I just want to be there to help him along with whatever he decides to do.
Next year will largely be a continuation of last year, but I need to redouble my efforts to eat better and work out more. I'm at what I consider the absolute upper limit of an acceptable weight range. I also think I'm REALLY stretching the definition of "acceptable".
So, sometimes the name of the game is survival and that's sort of where I'm at, now. Things aren't that bad. Just can't handle too many whammies in the coming year. Hoping for a smoother ride than what I've seen previously.
Resolutions? Here they go:
1. Work out more. Some physical activity at least 4 days a week. Between the rower, the gym and even... oh... lacing up the shoes and running outside, there are more than enough activities to keep me busy. I also have to get used to the idea that 20 or 30 minutes is vastly superior to no activity. For the past decade, I've had trouble accepting that a workout of less than 60 minutes counts.
2. Eat better. Less takeout. Less frozen, preprepared foods. And although this flies in the face of my perfect pizza goal, I want to eat a lot less carbs. I've been scared of my carb intake since the movie, "fat head".
3. Survive, survive, survive with the business. Come out ever so slightly stronger. At the end of 2012, we should have our balances paid down to the point that we can consider early payoff of some of those notes. There's a few things I could do to cut down on expenses, too. I'm paying $200 a month for cell service for 4G nationwide plus the ability to tether a computer nationwide. Now that I'm not in the Navy anymore, that's a waste. I could be getting by on a $45 a month plan.
4. Improve the business' marketing efforts. At this point, I have to admit that we should be recovering much more strongly than we are. It all starts with marketing. I'm one of the guys who believes that nothing happens in business unless something gets sold.
5. Personal finances, keep truckin'. I have a car payment that's probably too big for my income. I also have a term-loan that gets paid off late in 2013. Those go away, and I have a lot more resources to work with. And when the car is paid off, I'm getting a prius. I'm going to put a "coexist" bumper sticker on the back, too.
6. Keep supporting Logan in what he's pursuing, so long as it is positive. Mostly, that's sports, but I'm hoping that music is going to be something he at least dabbles with. If he stays obsessed with bass, I want to help him become the best bass player he can be. It also means that if he doesn't want to play baseball anymore, I'll accept and support that decision. I fear that's where this is headed. The shame of it is that he's one of the best baseball players in the entire city. He just doesn't realize it. However, he could use the time to work on basketball or swimming if he did drop baseball. I think it's a shame, but this is one of those things where what I think is only so important. Games should be fun and I fear that baseball is becoming something that isn't fun for him.
Also, the medium-term picture is looking a lot more interesting than the short-term picture. By the time 2014 comes to a close, I hope to have all these accomplished:
1. Another small business started. I still have a few ideas, but am not entirely sure what the other business will be. It'll be something, though. I won't ever have all my eggs in one basket again.
2. JD Finished. Bar Exam passed. Law practice started. I'm not going through law school as an academic exercise. This is sort of like another small-business in a way.
3. Current business on stable, strong footing. Zero debt.
4. All term-debt (other than mortgage), business and personal, retired.
5. Re-join Highland Meadows. Logan will be a teen, then. I want him to be able to golf well and enjoy the pool during the Summer. He may have to spend a lot of time unattended.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Financial Plan for the Rest of My Life
Funny, but was trading e-mails with a new friend, Stevie, and realized that 2014 isn't all that far off, really. I mean, yeah, it's a ways, but not like it's that far away. I guess I wasn't thinking about it that much.
2014 is the year I am done with all my fixed-term debts (other than mortgages), of which I have quite a few. (Long story, but basically, a business growing at 40% per year, combined with debt to accomodate the growth, combined with an abrupt decline in business.) Basically, it's a lot of money.
The thing that occurred to me yesterday is that when the debt is paid off, I can join the country club again. I was a member for 2 years once my biz got good, but had to resign when things took a downturn.
This is something I'll really enjoy, myself, but I really want it for my son. We are within walking distance to the club. So, on Summer days when he is bored out of his mind, he can join a friend or two and walk the course or hang out at the pool. I won't ever have to worry about him starving since they at least have food there.
He'll be around 13 when the debt is all gone. That's probably a good age for it. Until then, I'm not sure he'd get much out of it other than the pool.
Well... talk about first-world problems. "I worry about the welfare of my son because he doesn't belong to a country club right now." I know it's a stupid thing to worry about. I just think it'd be nice if he got to where he could golf well (unlike his father.)
Really, if I just lived like I do, now, and devoted that debt-service money to various projects, I could end up really accomplishing most of what I set out to do in life. I could pay my son's way through school. I could pay off all the family homes.
This doesn't account for the fact that if I start a law practice, that I should also get additional income from that. Plus, the biz usually throws off a windfall once or twice a year that's not accounted for. So, I think my plan is pretty realistic.
I think the tough part about being middle aged is that you become acutely aware that there are only so many years left. When I think back on my life, these first 40-something years represented a lot of time.
17 of them were just being a kid. Not really doing anything productive, but just sorta being there and taking up space.
Then, though, when I think of the ground I've covered, it's encouraging. I did 4 years in the Army. 4 years of undegrad. Taught guitar for 3 of those years. Then... uh... more undegrad, but while working in information technology related areas at the start of 13 years in Fortune 500 I.T. Since 2004, I've been an entrepreneur. Now, I'm embarking on a law career. I haven't given up the entrepreneur thing, either. So, for the first time, I'm not changing careers so much as adding a second one.
That's a lot of ground to cover in 30 years. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't be able to cover similar ground over the next 20 years. However, really, that's sort of how it breaks down. I've already done more of my life than I'm likely to have ahead of me.
Presuming I work until I'm 70, that leaves me just a couple of decades, after law school, to do whatever I'm going to do with my life. (Also, working until I'm 70 is one of the reasons I chose to study law. It's a career you can do well into old age. In fact, there are situations where a seasoned 68 year old lawyer might actually be the one you want.)
Still, when you talk about decades, that's a lot of time. You can change your life, entirely, multiple times. It's enough time to do a lot of stuff.
A lot of things are easier, now. Like most folks, I started life with absolutely nothing. So, the first 20 years of being out on my own I had to spend a lot of it just building capabilities. I lived in crappy apartments or houses, went to night school. Worked a job. That didn't leave much time for starting my own business, etc.
So, I think I can do a lot more with a couple decades than I did with the first three. However, my time isn't infinite, and that is sort of a bummer.
Maybe I'll be like Colonel Sanders and hit my stride when I turn 65. Who knows. I am not counting on it, though. I have taken about as good care of my body as I did my 10 speed bicycle when I was 12. Bad diet, not enough exercise. Yeah, there's time to change that and I do work on it. However, I'm thinking that if long life is a reward for good healthy habits, I better plan on keeling over at my desk at 70.
Still, all in all, not bad. I have a realistic plan to meet all the financial goals I would have set for myself, and then some. Yeah, eventually I run out of time, but hey, we all do, sooner or later. Much better than not-having a way to get where you hoped you'd be.
2014 is the year I am done with all my fixed-term debts (other than mortgages), of which I have quite a few. (Long story, but basically, a business growing at 40% per year, combined with debt to accomodate the growth, combined with an abrupt decline in business.) Basically, it's a lot of money.
The thing that occurred to me yesterday is that when the debt is paid off, I can join the country club again. I was a member for 2 years once my biz got good, but had to resign when things took a downturn.
This is something I'll really enjoy, myself, but I really want it for my son. We are within walking distance to the club. So, on Summer days when he is bored out of his mind, he can join a friend or two and walk the course or hang out at the pool. I won't ever have to worry about him starving since they at least have food there.
He'll be around 13 when the debt is all gone. That's probably a good age for it. Until then, I'm not sure he'd get much out of it other than the pool.
Well... talk about first-world problems. "I worry about the welfare of my son because he doesn't belong to a country club right now." I know it's a stupid thing to worry about. I just think it'd be nice if he got to where he could golf well (unlike his father.)
Really, if I just lived like I do, now, and devoted that debt-service money to various projects, I could end up really accomplishing most of what I set out to do in life. I could pay my son's way through school. I could pay off all the family homes.
This doesn't account for the fact that if I start a law practice, that I should also get additional income from that. Plus, the biz usually throws off a windfall once or twice a year that's not accounted for. So, I think my plan is pretty realistic.
I think the tough part about being middle aged is that you become acutely aware that there are only so many years left. When I think back on my life, these first 40-something years represented a lot of time.
17 of them were just being a kid. Not really doing anything productive, but just sorta being there and taking up space.
Then, though, when I think of the ground I've covered, it's encouraging. I did 4 years in the Army. 4 years of undegrad. Taught guitar for 3 of those years. Then... uh... more undegrad, but while working in information technology related areas at the start of 13 years in Fortune 500 I.T. Since 2004, I've been an entrepreneur. Now, I'm embarking on a law career. I haven't given up the entrepreneur thing, either. So, for the first time, I'm not changing careers so much as adding a second one.
That's a lot of ground to cover in 30 years. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't be able to cover similar ground over the next 20 years. However, really, that's sort of how it breaks down. I've already done more of my life than I'm likely to have ahead of me.
Presuming I work until I'm 70, that leaves me just a couple of decades, after law school, to do whatever I'm going to do with my life. (Also, working until I'm 70 is one of the reasons I chose to study law. It's a career you can do well into old age. In fact, there are situations where a seasoned 68 year old lawyer might actually be the one you want.)
Still, when you talk about decades, that's a lot of time. You can change your life, entirely, multiple times. It's enough time to do a lot of stuff.
A lot of things are easier, now. Like most folks, I started life with absolutely nothing. So, the first 20 years of being out on my own I had to spend a lot of it just building capabilities. I lived in crappy apartments or houses, went to night school. Worked a job. That didn't leave much time for starting my own business, etc.
So, I think I can do a lot more with a couple decades than I did with the first three. However, my time isn't infinite, and that is sort of a bummer.
Maybe I'll be like Colonel Sanders and hit my stride when I turn 65. Who knows. I am not counting on it, though. I have taken about as good care of my body as I did my 10 speed bicycle when I was 12. Bad diet, not enough exercise. Yeah, there's time to change that and I do work on it. However, I'm thinking that if long life is a reward for good healthy habits, I better plan on keeling over at my desk at 70.
Still, all in all, not bad. I have a realistic plan to meet all the financial goals I would have set for myself, and then some. Yeah, eventually I run out of time, but hey, we all do, sooner or later. Much better than not-having a way to get where you hoped you'd be.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
It's a Wonderful Life
2011 is almost over and frankly, I don't think I'll miss it much. This was a tough year that started off bad and ended on a pretty good note. I think 2012 is going to be much, much better overall.
I started the year with the business in shambles. I was in big trouble. By March, it looked like I may have to declare bankruptcy. However, by May or thereabouts, I had finally gotten the ship turned around. We're still not out of the woods, but on much more solid ground than any time in recent memory.
I feel pretty confident that the business is going to survive. That we'll pay off all our debt by the end of 2014. That this will continue to be a profitable business with a lot of upside potential.
2014 is the target date for my next business enterprise. I have no idea what it'll be, but I know I don't want to have all my eggs in one basket ever again.
The other big thing is that I decided in the first part of this year to enroll in law school and lo and behold, I actually just finished my first semester. I'm having a blast. I really enjoy it. It's a little tough because they deliberately schedule your first year classes to make it inconvenient for you to do anythng but school. (They actually ask that you do not work at all during your 1L year.)
2L and beyond, it gets easier to try to schedule your classes with a few weekdays off every week. I will shoot to try and schedule all my classes 3 days a week, and if at all possible, 2. That'll let me focus on building up my business again. In a way, law school came at the right time. My business needs time to heal, to lift itself up off the mat. To slowly improve our finacial position.
Being in law school gives me something else to obsess about as the business works though the long process of recovery.
Logan? Still, my pride and joy. This year, he made the Junior Cats travel basketball team. He's still playing travel baseball. He was absolutely insanely good at football this past year. What a phenomenal athlete and awesome little guy. I just love him. He has always made me proud and every year he manages to make me even prouder, yet.
So, what can I say? My life is pretty good right now. I'm not rich like I once was. Sold off the guitar collection and the four wheelers. Singed, but not burned.
On the upside, I have an awesome business, and enjoying a fantastic time in law school and have the best son I could ever have hoped for. Life is really, really good.
So, here's to a great 2012. 2011 ended on a pretty high note. However, I have every reason to believe 2012 will be even better.
I started the year with the business in shambles. I was in big trouble. By March, it looked like I may have to declare bankruptcy. However, by May or thereabouts, I had finally gotten the ship turned around. We're still not out of the woods, but on much more solid ground than any time in recent memory.
I feel pretty confident that the business is going to survive. That we'll pay off all our debt by the end of 2014. That this will continue to be a profitable business with a lot of upside potential.
2014 is the target date for my next business enterprise. I have no idea what it'll be, but I know I don't want to have all my eggs in one basket ever again.
The other big thing is that I decided in the first part of this year to enroll in law school and lo and behold, I actually just finished my first semester. I'm having a blast. I really enjoy it. It's a little tough because they deliberately schedule your first year classes to make it inconvenient for you to do anythng but school. (They actually ask that you do not work at all during your 1L year.)
2L and beyond, it gets easier to try to schedule your classes with a few weekdays off every week. I will shoot to try and schedule all my classes 3 days a week, and if at all possible, 2. That'll let me focus on building up my business again. In a way, law school came at the right time. My business needs time to heal, to lift itself up off the mat. To slowly improve our finacial position.
Being in law school gives me something else to obsess about as the business works though the long process of recovery.
Logan? Still, my pride and joy. This year, he made the Junior Cats travel basketball team. He's still playing travel baseball. He was absolutely insanely good at football this past year. What a phenomenal athlete and awesome little guy. I just love him. He has always made me proud and every year he manages to make me even prouder, yet.
So, what can I say? My life is pretty good right now. I'm not rich like I once was. Sold off the guitar collection and the four wheelers. Singed, but not burned.
On the upside, I have an awesome business, and enjoying a fantastic time in law school and have the best son I could ever have hoped for. Life is really, really good.
So, here's to a great 2012. 2011 ended on a pretty high note. However, I have every reason to believe 2012 will be even better.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Changing of the Season
My boy is already amped that Winter is here. We don't get to ski much around here and it's not great skiing, but he loves it. Starting in January, we'll go skiing every other weekend up to Mt. Holly. Brighton is only an hour away, but it's crowded and small with a lot of tow ropes. Mt. Holly is another hour, but it's worth it for the less crowded slopes and slightly better runs.
Someday, I'll take him out west, or at the least, up to upstate New York, so he can ski on bigger runs in a bigger place. This year, I'll keep getting him private ski lessons every time we go. Started that later than I should have last year. Basically, hire a ski instructor for his first hour on the slopes, then let him do whatever the rest of the day.
Me? I'm a terrible skiier, and once I get tired, I start falling down. Combined with law school studying, I think I'm going to spend a lot of time in the lodge. I'll ski a bit, but it's really nice to turn Logan over to that instructor for an hour. The kid loves skiing so much, we close the place down every time we go up there.
I wish there were another Sylvania kid who loved to ski. It'd be nice if Logan had a buddy to chase around the slopes. It would also relieve Dad of some of that obligation.
2011 is almost in the can. From the beginning, it looked like a year to be endured, not particularly enjoyed. A lot of good things happened. Logan had a phenomenal season in football. He made the Jr. Cats travel basketball team. I got a scholarship to Law School and am wrapping up my first season.
Finances continue to be challenging and will be for the next 2 or 3 years. The business is still struggling under the mountain of debt we took in back when we were growing at 40% per year before the downturn. We won't be finishing off any of it in 2012. However, if I can survive the next 12 months, that'll set us up for wiping it out in 2013 and 2014. What a difference that'll make in life. $4,000 a month in debt payments isn't that big a deal when you're talking about a business that's grossing just shy of a million a year. But when sales plummet by more than half, it gets to be a burden.
Life will be so much better, later. It's not too bad now. I try to remind myself that life was never meant to be easy. It always involved its challenges. People have to go through their own little trials and tribulations. It's our nature. However, as long as the debt collectors aren't bothering me, I can raise my boy and I have the prospect of brighter days ahead, that's really what its all about.
Someday, I'll take him out west, or at the least, up to upstate New York, so he can ski on bigger runs in a bigger place. This year, I'll keep getting him private ski lessons every time we go. Started that later than I should have last year. Basically, hire a ski instructor for his first hour on the slopes, then let him do whatever the rest of the day.
Me? I'm a terrible skiier, and once I get tired, I start falling down. Combined with law school studying, I think I'm going to spend a lot of time in the lodge. I'll ski a bit, but it's really nice to turn Logan over to that instructor for an hour. The kid loves skiing so much, we close the place down every time we go up there.
I wish there were another Sylvania kid who loved to ski. It'd be nice if Logan had a buddy to chase around the slopes. It would also relieve Dad of some of that obligation.
2011 is almost in the can. From the beginning, it looked like a year to be endured, not particularly enjoyed. A lot of good things happened. Logan had a phenomenal season in football. He made the Jr. Cats travel basketball team. I got a scholarship to Law School and am wrapping up my first season.
Finances continue to be challenging and will be for the next 2 or 3 years. The business is still struggling under the mountain of debt we took in back when we were growing at 40% per year before the downturn. We won't be finishing off any of it in 2012. However, if I can survive the next 12 months, that'll set us up for wiping it out in 2013 and 2014. What a difference that'll make in life. $4,000 a month in debt payments isn't that big a deal when you're talking about a business that's grossing just shy of a million a year. But when sales plummet by more than half, it gets to be a burden.
Life will be so much better, later. It's not too bad now. I try to remind myself that life was never meant to be easy. It always involved its challenges. People have to go through their own little trials and tribulations. It's our nature. However, as long as the debt collectors aren't bothering me, I can raise my boy and I have the prospect of brighter days ahead, that's really what its all about.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
What the ****ity, ****ing ****!!!
I generally hate writing or reading about this sort of thing. Horrible things happen every day in the world and wallowing in them doesn't make the world a better place. However, I just found out something that really sucks.
When I first started working a real job, back in my 20s, I was a technical writer for a company in Akron. I had a couple of co-workers who were experienced tech writers who were not just good mentors, but fun to be around. One was named Jan and the other was Lynn Riek. She later divorced and became Lynn Fassnacht.
Thanks to the internet, I got in touch with her once right around the turn of the century. Met her new husband, caught up on the gossip about all our old co-workers. She was just one of those people who made you happy just to be around them. I was thinking now would be a great time to get back in touch with her after all these years.
Lynn was such a sweetheart. I really loved her. If she weren't almost 20 years older than me (and married), I'd have probably asked her out. Of course, that really doesn't make me unique. I don't know of anybody who didn't love Lynn, and I can't imagine anybody who wouldn't have loved her. She was just a sweet, gentle, wonderful soul.
Anyway, I was on Facebook and wondered if she had an account. Did a couple of searches for her name and nothing came up. Went out to Google and found a blog post that said, "...most wonderful coworker named Lynn Fassnacht. On Monday we learned that she had been murdered by her schizophrenic stepson..."
"Lynn Fassnacht" isn't exactly a common name, but there's more than one in the country. So, I did some more searching to see if this was the one and when I saw her death notice on a board for North Texas State University (where she once attended), I realized, yes, it was her.
Apparently her psycho stepson stabbed her to death one day.
Not a lot to say about it. It was a stupid, needless death. Personally, I think we should have a lot more instutitions and we should be institutionalizing a lot more people than we currently do, both for their own good and the good of society. Of course, that's neither here nor there at the moment.
I just can't believe it, though. Lynn, murdered? Not like this sort of thing ever makes any sense, but in this case, it certainly doesn't. She wasn't the type of person who ever said a cross word to anybody. At least when you have people who are confrontational, who don't do what it takes to avoid trouble, there's a certain sense to things, but not this time.
I guess if I were a more creative person, I could find some way to relate this to studying the law, but I'm just not that smart, I guess. Middle age is a strange time because now is really when folks start dying. I just heard that a classmate, Donnie Bishop, passed away recently. Never knew Donnie to say a mean thing to anybody, ever. A relative via my Dad's marriage, Jon McCall, died last year. At this age, nobody should be dying, but statistically speaking, it's inevitable that some folks do. It's just a shame when they go.
When I first started working a real job, back in my 20s, I was a technical writer for a company in Akron. I had a couple of co-workers who were experienced tech writers who were not just good mentors, but fun to be around. One was named Jan and the other was Lynn Riek. She later divorced and became Lynn Fassnacht.
Thanks to the internet, I got in touch with her once right around the turn of the century. Met her new husband, caught up on the gossip about all our old co-workers. She was just one of those people who made you happy just to be around them. I was thinking now would be a great time to get back in touch with her after all these years.
Lynn was such a sweetheart. I really loved her. If she weren't almost 20 years older than me (and married), I'd have probably asked her out. Of course, that really doesn't make me unique. I don't know of anybody who didn't love Lynn, and I can't imagine anybody who wouldn't have loved her. She was just a sweet, gentle, wonderful soul.
Anyway, I was on Facebook and wondered if she had an account. Did a couple of searches for her name and nothing came up. Went out to Google and found a blog post that said, "...most wonderful coworker named Lynn Fassnacht. On Monday we learned that she had been murdered by her schizophrenic stepson..."
"Lynn Fassnacht" isn't exactly a common name, but there's more than one in the country. So, I did some more searching to see if this was the one and when I saw her death notice on a board for North Texas State University (where she once attended), I realized, yes, it was her.
Apparently her psycho stepson stabbed her to death one day.
Not a lot to say about it. It was a stupid, needless death. Personally, I think we should have a lot more instutitions and we should be institutionalizing a lot more people than we currently do, both for their own good and the good of society. Of course, that's neither here nor there at the moment.
I just can't believe it, though. Lynn, murdered? Not like this sort of thing ever makes any sense, but in this case, it certainly doesn't. She wasn't the type of person who ever said a cross word to anybody. At least when you have people who are confrontational, who don't do what it takes to avoid trouble, there's a certain sense to things, but not this time.
I guess if I were a more creative person, I could find some way to relate this to studying the law, but I'm just not that smart, I guess. Middle age is a strange time because now is really when folks start dying. I just heard that a classmate, Donnie Bishop, passed away recently. Never knew Donnie to say a mean thing to anybody, ever. A relative via my Dad's marriage, Jon McCall, died last year. At this age, nobody should be dying, but statistically speaking, it's inevitable that some folks do. It's just a shame when they go.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Last Drill
I just got back from Texas and have decided to request transfer to the IRR. That basically means I still have my rank and would be available to the Navy, but that I would no longer be a drilling reservist. For all intents and purposes, it ends my military career.
This last trip was really a decision point for me. I had really hoped to try and keep serving, but I just don't see how I could do it.
The first issue, of course, is Law School. It is a time sink. It's hard to get all the work done, best-case, and taking a weekend out of town once a month or so takes too much time away from what I should be doing studying.
Next issue, and probably the bigger one, is that Logan's mom has a job at the hospital and when I'm away, if she has to work, there's nobody to watch him. That puts a burden on her and him, and in some cases, it's darned near impossible to work something out. Try finding a teenage babysitter who can stay with him until 11:30 on a Sunday night, for instance. I've missed out on a few things here and there, but whenever I leave town, I always feel terrible about it. It feels like I'm abandoning him.
The unit has been gutted, too. We went from about 9 officers to 3. I am the admin officer and that's a part-time job in and of itself. You're working all month, here and there, on various issues. The saying in the Navy is that you don't stop working when the weekend is over. They just stop paying you. Ever since I started in the Navy Reserve, it's probably been a 5 to 10 hour a week committment. The unit deserves somebody who can devote sufficient attention to their duties and right now, I just can't.
The other factor is that it has always cost me money to drill. It's always cost me more to participate in the reserves than I made. We pay for our own uniforms, our own travel, etc. I did get great health insurance at a low cost, but frankly, when the total cost of drilling is factored in, I could probably have just bought insurance with all the money I spend. So, if I were making some money at this, that'd be one thing. I'm not, though. It's hard to justify time away from the family for an expensive diversion, even one as meaningful and important as military service.
I'm just tired of travelling. I don't like it under any circumstances. I'm tired of buying plane tickets, renting cars and paying for parking in order to earn a paycheck that's less than the travel expenses I incur. COs are very accomodating at letting travelling officers schedule drills so that you can, for instance, do two drill periods at once, instead of showing up every month. That way, you get two drills worth of pay for one set of travel expenses. Trouble is, as Admin Officer, I'd need to show up to a lot more drills. Really, I should be showing up to all of them. Plus, even if I were allowed to double up on drills, that means 4 days of trying to find a way to care for Logan, instead of just 3.
I'm also ticked off at some little things. The Navy was supposed to re-jigger their funding for berthing (our rooms during drill) so that all officers got single rooms this year. Instead, they fell short on their budget, but decided to provide single rooms to E-8s and E-9s, with the only officers getting single rooms being O-5s and O-6s. I paid for my own hotel this last drill and got to walk right past a bunch of E-8s who were having their rooms paid for by the Navy. Hey, I'm all for respecting enlisted ranks. I spent a lot of time enlisted, but it's just insane that somebody decided that E-8s should get better treatment than, say, O-4s and O-3s. That's just nuts.
There are also minor annoyances with military service. That's why I got out back in 1987. Those things never change. The minor annoyances are easy to write off as a cost of serving. However, on top of everything else, they really tick a person off.
All in all, it just stopped being fun, and it was keeping me from both my son and my schooling. Something had to give.
I am not familiar with the process, but I guess I'll know, soon, what's involved and how smooth this will be. It will be a relief not to have this looming in the background all the time.
Even so, I'm eternally grateful to the US Navy for allowing me to achieve a lifelong dream of being a commissioned officer. Likewise, the fellow officers I served with were just fantastic people. It was truly an honor, priviledge and pleasure. It's just time to move on.
This last trip was really a decision point for me. I had really hoped to try and keep serving, but I just don't see how I could do it.
The first issue, of course, is Law School. It is a time sink. It's hard to get all the work done, best-case, and taking a weekend out of town once a month or so takes too much time away from what I should be doing studying.
Next issue, and probably the bigger one, is that Logan's mom has a job at the hospital and when I'm away, if she has to work, there's nobody to watch him. That puts a burden on her and him, and in some cases, it's darned near impossible to work something out. Try finding a teenage babysitter who can stay with him until 11:30 on a Sunday night, for instance. I've missed out on a few things here and there, but whenever I leave town, I always feel terrible about it. It feels like I'm abandoning him.
The unit has been gutted, too. We went from about 9 officers to 3. I am the admin officer and that's a part-time job in and of itself. You're working all month, here and there, on various issues. The saying in the Navy is that you don't stop working when the weekend is over. They just stop paying you. Ever since I started in the Navy Reserve, it's probably been a 5 to 10 hour a week committment. The unit deserves somebody who can devote sufficient attention to their duties and right now, I just can't.
The other factor is that it has always cost me money to drill. It's always cost me more to participate in the reserves than I made. We pay for our own uniforms, our own travel, etc. I did get great health insurance at a low cost, but frankly, when the total cost of drilling is factored in, I could probably have just bought insurance with all the money I spend. So, if I were making some money at this, that'd be one thing. I'm not, though. It's hard to justify time away from the family for an expensive diversion, even one as meaningful and important as military service.
I'm just tired of travelling. I don't like it under any circumstances. I'm tired of buying plane tickets, renting cars and paying for parking in order to earn a paycheck that's less than the travel expenses I incur. COs are very accomodating at letting travelling officers schedule drills so that you can, for instance, do two drill periods at once, instead of showing up every month. That way, you get two drills worth of pay for one set of travel expenses. Trouble is, as Admin Officer, I'd need to show up to a lot more drills. Really, I should be showing up to all of them. Plus, even if I were allowed to double up on drills, that means 4 days of trying to find a way to care for Logan, instead of just 3.
I'm also ticked off at some little things. The Navy was supposed to re-jigger their funding for berthing (our rooms during drill) so that all officers got single rooms this year. Instead, they fell short on their budget, but decided to provide single rooms to E-8s and E-9s, with the only officers getting single rooms being O-5s and O-6s. I paid for my own hotel this last drill and got to walk right past a bunch of E-8s who were having their rooms paid for by the Navy. Hey, I'm all for respecting enlisted ranks. I spent a lot of time enlisted, but it's just insane that somebody decided that E-8s should get better treatment than, say, O-4s and O-3s. That's just nuts.
There are also minor annoyances with military service. That's why I got out back in 1987. Those things never change. The minor annoyances are easy to write off as a cost of serving. However, on top of everything else, they really tick a person off.
All in all, it just stopped being fun, and it was keeping me from both my son and my schooling. Something had to give.
I am not familiar with the process, but I guess I'll know, soon, what's involved and how smooth this will be. It will be a relief not to have this looming in the background all the time.
Even so, I'm eternally grateful to the US Navy for allowing me to achieve a lifelong dream of being a commissioned officer. Likewise, the fellow officers I served with were just fantastic people. It was truly an honor, priviledge and pleasure. It's just time to move on.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Busy, busy, busy...
Haven't posted in a while. I am seriously busy these days. Logan has another week of football. I'll be glad when that's done because it'll free up two hours on weeknights and game-time on weekends. He may or may not play travel basketball. We'll have to see how that goes. If so, I won't be helping coach, though. I've got way too much work to do for school.
School? I'm starting to get the hang of it, but will need to really hunker down during the last month or so. I am not really feeling stressed or overwhelmed. I just feel like I need to make use of every minute of every day.
I am going to Ft Worth for drill this weekend. They screwed up on on drill weekend dates and at the last minute, I got switched from last weekend, which would have worked out really well, to this weekend, which works out pretty badly. Bad enough if you drill locally, but for a guy like me who is flying halfway across the country, it blows.
It also sorta hosed over my brother and sister in law who flew up here to visit. We are still getting some time with them, but this really screwed things up. If not for the fact that I won't be going to the next two drills, I'd have either rescheduled or taken unauthorized absences for this one. However, I have a bunch of medical stuff to clear this weekend, in addition to my fitness test and weigh-in. This is one of the weekends where I really can't afford to miss.
Navy also booted it on our hotel rooms. This was supposed to be the year that we didn't have to double-up. I usually get a single room, but they can never guarantee that. I just am not dealing with a stranger as a room-mate at my age. Not that they're bad as people. Just that I'm not dealing with it. So, in addition to paying my own airfare, airport parking and rental car, I'm also paying for hotel rooms whenever they double me up. Serving my country continues to be my expensive hobby.
I was going to try and attend November drill, but I have my big memo due the week after that. So, no way. I'll be talking with my chain of command this drill to see how flexible they can be on allowing me to reschedule. In the past, they were pretty good about it. However, these days, half of our officers are gone. I think they need me to step up, and I'm not really sure how much I can. We'll see.
This whole thing is possible, but it's not easy. I guess that only stands to reason, though. I don't really feel totally stressed out and overcommitted, but at a minimum, I have my plate full.
I'm eager for football season to end so I can dig into the material and start prepping for exams, though. I figure one month of really going for it should get me ready.
School? I'm starting to get the hang of it, but will need to really hunker down during the last month or so. I am not really feeling stressed or overwhelmed. I just feel like I need to make use of every minute of every day.
I am going to Ft Worth for drill this weekend. They screwed up on on drill weekend dates and at the last minute, I got switched from last weekend, which would have worked out really well, to this weekend, which works out pretty badly. Bad enough if you drill locally, but for a guy like me who is flying halfway across the country, it blows.
It also sorta hosed over my brother and sister in law who flew up here to visit. We are still getting some time with them, but this really screwed things up. If not for the fact that I won't be going to the next two drills, I'd have either rescheduled or taken unauthorized absences for this one. However, I have a bunch of medical stuff to clear this weekend, in addition to my fitness test and weigh-in. This is one of the weekends where I really can't afford to miss.
Navy also booted it on our hotel rooms. This was supposed to be the year that we didn't have to double-up. I usually get a single room, but they can never guarantee that. I just am not dealing with a stranger as a room-mate at my age. Not that they're bad as people. Just that I'm not dealing with it. So, in addition to paying my own airfare, airport parking and rental car, I'm also paying for hotel rooms whenever they double me up. Serving my country continues to be my expensive hobby.
I was going to try and attend November drill, but I have my big memo due the week after that. So, no way. I'll be talking with my chain of command this drill to see how flexible they can be on allowing me to reschedule. In the past, they were pretty good about it. However, these days, half of our officers are gone. I think they need me to step up, and I'm not really sure how much I can. We'll see.
This whole thing is possible, but it's not easy. I guess that only stands to reason, though. I don't really feel totally stressed out and overcommitted, but at a minimum, I have my plate full.
I'm eager for football season to end so I can dig into the material and start prepping for exams, though. I figure one month of really going for it should get me ready.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wow, what a day!
Okay, today had some pretty major events in it. Should break this out into different blogs, but really, I need to get to bed. Long day tomorrow.
First, Logan had his first football scrimmage. He was doing GREAT. Thing is, it was held on a practice field that didn't have much grass on it. At one point, he went down and gashed his knee open. Might have been on a rock or really anything. Took him to the ER. 4 stitches. He's out for a week. Not a big deal. He should be back in plenty of time for the first game of the season.
Second, got word that he was on the bubble as far as making Mavs A team next year. I'm a little bit stunned, actually. I saw the tryouts and I thought he did great. Oh well. They wanted him to come back for an assessment against 3 other kids tomorrow. However, due to the stitches, he won't.
Now, folks who know me know I have a pretty hot temper up to a point. However, when things are ridiculous, I don't generally get angry. I just laugh my butt off. Logan hit .470 (5th on the team and within striking distance of the 4 kids ahead of him), had a .690 OBP (1st on the team) and was with the offensive leaders all season long. In additon, he was, hands-down, the best center fielder on the team. So, if he doesn't make the team this year, oh well. He has proven he can contribute to any team he's on.
He'll still make the B team. Frankly, for a lot of reasons, I think that might actually be a good thing.
Other news? I may not end up getting DAWIA certification. In the past, my education would have been equivalent to a year's experience, satisfying the experience requirement. Now? It doesn't. (As of May of 2011.)
This would mean that the certification is actually impossible for me to get. Also, the training requirements are going to be totally different starting October 1st. So, really, I'd be starting again from scratch after all this work. What a total pain in the butt.
Will see. There's some stuff going on that may change the landscape a little bit in September, but if it doesn't change, I'm hosed. I won't be able to get my cert. I would just end up spinning my wheels chasing the changing training requirements until I rotate out of my acquisition billet.
Law School? More work than I ever imagined. I really underestimated this thing. I'm keeping up just fine, but need time to refine my outline and organize myself better. I'm current with the reading, but that's about it.
And with that having been said, it's off to bed. Luckily, I am current with all my reading because the ER really put a crimp in my plans. Tomorrow is a big day of classes. (3 classes, from 10:10 to 4:50.) After that, just one session of Legal Research and Writing and I'm done for the week.
So, that's everything.
First, Logan had his first football scrimmage. He was doing GREAT. Thing is, it was held on a practice field that didn't have much grass on it. At one point, he went down and gashed his knee open. Might have been on a rock or really anything. Took him to the ER. 4 stitches. He's out for a week. Not a big deal. He should be back in plenty of time for the first game of the season.
Second, got word that he was on the bubble as far as making Mavs A team next year. I'm a little bit stunned, actually. I saw the tryouts and I thought he did great. Oh well. They wanted him to come back for an assessment against 3 other kids tomorrow. However, due to the stitches, he won't.
Now, folks who know me know I have a pretty hot temper up to a point. However, when things are ridiculous, I don't generally get angry. I just laugh my butt off. Logan hit .470 (5th on the team and within striking distance of the 4 kids ahead of him), had a .690 OBP (1st on the team) and was with the offensive leaders all season long. In additon, he was, hands-down, the best center fielder on the team. So, if he doesn't make the team this year, oh well. He has proven he can contribute to any team he's on.
He'll still make the B team. Frankly, for a lot of reasons, I think that might actually be a good thing.
Other news? I may not end up getting DAWIA certification. In the past, my education would have been equivalent to a year's experience, satisfying the experience requirement. Now? It doesn't. (As of May of 2011.)
This would mean that the certification is actually impossible for me to get. Also, the training requirements are going to be totally different starting October 1st. So, really, I'd be starting again from scratch after all this work. What a total pain in the butt.
Will see. There's some stuff going on that may change the landscape a little bit in September, but if it doesn't change, I'm hosed. I won't be able to get my cert. I would just end up spinning my wheels chasing the changing training requirements until I rotate out of my acquisition billet.
Law School? More work than I ever imagined. I really underestimated this thing. I'm keeping up just fine, but need time to refine my outline and organize myself better. I'm current with the reading, but that's about it.
And with that having been said, it's off to bed. Luckily, I am current with all my reading because the ER really put a crimp in my plans. Tomorrow is a big day of classes. (3 classes, from 10:10 to 4:50.) After that, just one session of Legal Research and Writing and I'm done for the week.
So, that's everything.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
First Long Day of Class
My belt is getting sorta loose. That's good news because it was tight not that long ago. Running is finally showing results. I didn't work out yesterday. The power outage threw me out of my planned schedule. Tonight, need to get 4 miles in, one way or another.
Today will be 3 classes, starting at 10:10 and not ending until 4:50. This will happen Tuesdays and Thursdays. Looks like 1Ls don't get any really early classes. I think they reserve those for 2Ls and 3Ls who need to cram all their courses into the mornings so they can work internships and such in the afternoon.
Logan's football team asked for more dads to help volunteer to coach. I should probably help out. Last few practices, I just spent the whole time watching. Might as well be in there. I am loathe to commit too much time. I'll probably make it clear that I'll help when/if I can. I really shouldn't. I should be using that time he's at practice a little more productively. Might be easier on him, too.
Will have to haul butt to get Logan after school today and rush him to practice. It takes about 20 minutes to get from campus to my house. School lets out at 4:50 and practice starts at 5:30. Not a lot of slack in that timeline.
I was able to step into work for a few minutes first thing this morning. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are pretty low impact. Classes start late and wrap up early. Tuesdays and Thursdays are more intense.
Management of time is going to be the key to all this. My biggest non-school time committment is time with my son. I try to stay involved in his sports. I also need to get him some batting practice so he'll be sharp for Mavericks tryouts this weekend.
Today will be one long day basically without a break.
Today will be 3 classes, starting at 10:10 and not ending until 4:50. This will happen Tuesdays and Thursdays. Looks like 1Ls don't get any really early classes. I think they reserve those for 2Ls and 3Ls who need to cram all their courses into the mornings so they can work internships and such in the afternoon.
Logan's football team asked for more dads to help volunteer to coach. I should probably help out. Last few practices, I just spent the whole time watching. Might as well be in there. I am loathe to commit too much time. I'll probably make it clear that I'll help when/if I can. I really shouldn't. I should be using that time he's at practice a little more productively. Might be easier on him, too.
Will have to haul butt to get Logan after school today and rush him to practice. It takes about 20 minutes to get from campus to my house. School lets out at 4:50 and practice starts at 5:30. Not a lot of slack in that timeline.
I was able to step into work for a few minutes first thing this morning. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are pretty low impact. Classes start late and wrap up early. Tuesdays and Thursdays are more intense.
Management of time is going to be the key to all this. My biggest non-school time committment is time with my son. I try to stay involved in his sports. I also need to get him some batting practice so he'll be sharp for Mavericks tryouts this weekend.
Today will be one long day basically without a break.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Yesterday and Today
Yesterday was a good day all in all. I intended to get caught up on my reading for school.
I did read one small section. Need to buckle down today.
I had a great run. The weather is cooling off in the evenings, now, and it's bearable to run outside. So, relief from the dreadmill until the weather turns crappy again.
At work, I was a machine. Honestly, if this is the result of Law School: that it focuses me on work to give me an excuse for procrastination, it's worth every penny of tuition money. I don't think I've been as productive in the last 6 months as I've been in the past couple of days.
Diet-wise? I didn't do so good. Had a Steak and Shake meal and then some chinese for supper. Big Mac for lunch. Breakfast, I had biscuits and gravy.
So, overall, I'd say they day was:
Schoolwork? C-
Excercise? A
Work-work? A
Diet? D
Overall, I'll take it. I think being in school is making me better at a lot of things. Should have done this years ago.
I slept in pretty late today (9:30) and didn't exactly bound out of bed. Part of it is that I haven't been sleeping enough since coming back from drill. The other half, I think, is the workout. So far, so good, though. This is the fun phase of training. You get faster almost every day.
I also just sent off my DAWIA certification request. I'm afraid that by doing so, I've put myself in the pipeline. So long as I can finish 1L year first, I should be okay. At this point, I'm trying to decide whether it'd be best to pick my poison and chose a tour that works well with school, or just stay low and wait until they tap me. At this point, I'm chosing the path of inaction.
I did read one small section. Need to buckle down today.
I had a great run. The weather is cooling off in the evenings, now, and it's bearable to run outside. So, relief from the dreadmill until the weather turns crappy again.
At work, I was a machine. Honestly, if this is the result of Law School: that it focuses me on work to give me an excuse for procrastination, it's worth every penny of tuition money. I don't think I've been as productive in the last 6 months as I've been in the past couple of days.
Diet-wise? I didn't do so good. Had a Steak and Shake meal and then some chinese for supper. Big Mac for lunch. Breakfast, I had biscuits and gravy.
So, overall, I'd say they day was:
Schoolwork? C-
Excercise? A
Work-work? A
Diet? D
Overall, I'll take it. I think being in school is making me better at a lot of things. Should have done this years ago.
I slept in pretty late today (9:30) and didn't exactly bound out of bed. Part of it is that I haven't been sleeping enough since coming back from drill. The other half, I think, is the workout. So far, so good, though. This is the fun phase of training. You get faster almost every day.
I also just sent off my DAWIA certification request. I'm afraid that by doing so, I've put myself in the pipeline. So long as I can finish 1L year first, I should be okay. At this point, I'm trying to decide whether it'd be best to pick my poison and chose a tour that works well with school, or just stay low and wait until they tap me. At this point, I'm chosing the path of inaction.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Adding Vector...
In the 1990s, I was a very productive person. I had a demanding job, was getting my MBA, and getting a certification in Production and Inventory Management.
Every day, I'd take out a yellow legal pad and write:
"James Strebler"
"MBA, Case Western Reserve University"
"Certified in Production and Inventory Management, the American Production and Inventory Control Society"
That was my daily affirmation. I believe in affirmations, but not for any mystical or spiritual reason. I think anybody who expects magic to change their lives is an idiot.
I believe in them because they focus a person. In a day, there are a million decisions we make. If we're focused on a goal, we're more likely, subconsciously, or consciously, to make decisions that move us closer to the goal.
I'm finding that with Law School looming, other things are coming into sharper focus. I just don't have as much slack time during the day. As they say, "if you want something done, ask a busy person." Busy people don't have the luxury of procrastination. Nearly all of us are capable of great things if we don't keep putting them off.
So, with that having been said, I'm trying to add vector. Combined with thrust, that should get me where I want to go.
So, for now, my targets are:
JD
Fitness:
-175 pounds
Profitability in the business (there's a tangible number attached to this, but I will keep it confidential for obvious reasons)
Add to this, the ongoing goals of:
-Service to Country
-Father
Those are the major areas where I need to succeed over the next few years.
The more I do, the better I seem to get at everything. Let's hope that continues to hold true.
Every day, I'd take out a yellow legal pad and write:
"James Strebler"
"MBA, Case Western Reserve University"
"Certified in Production and Inventory Management, the American Production and Inventory Control Society"
That was my daily affirmation. I believe in affirmations, but not for any mystical or spiritual reason. I think anybody who expects magic to change their lives is an idiot.
I believe in them because they focus a person. In a day, there are a million decisions we make. If we're focused on a goal, we're more likely, subconsciously, or consciously, to make decisions that move us closer to the goal.
I'm finding that with Law School looming, other things are coming into sharper focus. I just don't have as much slack time during the day. As they say, "if you want something done, ask a busy person." Busy people don't have the luxury of procrastination. Nearly all of us are capable of great things if we don't keep putting them off.
So, with that having been said, I'm trying to add vector. Combined with thrust, that should get me where I want to go.
So, for now, my targets are:
JD
Fitness:
-175 pounds
Profitability in the business (there's a tangible number attached to this, but I will keep it confidential for obvious reasons)
Add to this, the ongoing goals of:
-Service to Country
-Father
Those are the major areas where I need to succeed over the next few years.
The more I do, the better I seem to get at everything. Let's hope that continues to hold true.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
I got rice cookin' in the microwave. Got a 3 day beard I don't plan to shave...
It's good to be home. Feels like I never left.
Went to Logan's football practice last night and it was mostly just drills. They're working out with helmets this week, then next week, they get pads.
There were a lot of kids there but they'll be divided up into 4 different teams. Two 6th grader teams and two 5th grader teams. Logan seemed to be doing well. He'll know his team this weekend.
My coursework (training courses) for my DAWIA certification has all posted to their web-site. I need to update my education (college education) and then I can apply for my certification. This pretty much puts me in the pipeline for a trip downrange. The deployment tempo for all Navy reservists is slowing considerably, but DAWIA certification is still a great way to get sent downrange.
There have been some changes at the reserve unit which will mean that I'll be there for almost all drills from here on out. It looks like I am going to be given the detachment's Operations Officer position. Either that or Admin Officer. Dear God, let it be Ops. Better job and better suited to my capabilities. I'll be an O-3 in January, so it's time I did something more substantial.
Had a long talk with one of my Supply Corps classmates and it sounds like our cohort is dropping like flies. Lots of guys doing a deployment, then requesting transfer to the IRR (which effectively ends their reserve career.) Not sure what my long-term plans are. I guess I'm still playing it by ear at this point. I would feel bad leaving, now, since I only just now finished up my certification and haven't really done anything for the Navy, yet.
This was a good, eventful month in the reserves, though. In addition to DAWIA, I qualified with a pistol, which I've wanted to do forever. I qualified as Expert, which means I have another medal I can wear.
Law school starts tomorrow with orientation. I still need to get a dishwasher and I haven't got any of my books. I'll go early to orientation so I can spend some time in the bookstore and get what I need. Books for Law School are muthafarkin' expensive.
I'm as ready as I think I can be for Law School, but I think it's just one of those things where you don't know much until you're actually in it. I'm excited for the semester to begin.
Business has been very good lately. All thumbs up on that front, though this is typically the start of our really slow period. All I can do is take it one day at a time on that. However, if things keep up this way, we should be able to hire an office person in the Spring.
Gotta keep the good momentum going on fitness. I finally got to where I can cover 4 miles in a reasonable amount of time. I'm going to keep that as my training distance for another month or so to give my body time to adjust to it. Also, I want to incorporate more rowing.
Went to Logan's football practice last night and it was mostly just drills. They're working out with helmets this week, then next week, they get pads.
There were a lot of kids there but they'll be divided up into 4 different teams. Two 6th grader teams and two 5th grader teams. Logan seemed to be doing well. He'll know his team this weekend.
My coursework (training courses) for my DAWIA certification has all posted to their web-site. I need to update my education (college education) and then I can apply for my certification. This pretty much puts me in the pipeline for a trip downrange. The deployment tempo for all Navy reservists is slowing considerably, but DAWIA certification is still a great way to get sent downrange.
There have been some changes at the reserve unit which will mean that I'll be there for almost all drills from here on out. It looks like I am going to be given the detachment's Operations Officer position. Either that or Admin Officer. Dear God, let it be Ops. Better job and better suited to my capabilities. I'll be an O-3 in January, so it's time I did something more substantial.
Had a long talk with one of my Supply Corps classmates and it sounds like our cohort is dropping like flies. Lots of guys doing a deployment, then requesting transfer to the IRR (which effectively ends their reserve career.) Not sure what my long-term plans are. I guess I'm still playing it by ear at this point. I would feel bad leaving, now, since I only just now finished up my certification and haven't really done anything for the Navy, yet.
This was a good, eventful month in the reserves, though. In addition to DAWIA, I qualified with a pistol, which I've wanted to do forever. I qualified as Expert, which means I have another medal I can wear.
Law school starts tomorrow with orientation. I still need to get a dishwasher and I haven't got any of my books. I'll go early to orientation so I can spend some time in the bookstore and get what I need. Books for Law School are muthafarkin' expensive.
I'm as ready as I think I can be for Law School, but I think it's just one of those things where you don't know much until you're actually in it. I'm excited for the semester to begin.
Business has been very good lately. All thumbs up on that front, though this is typically the start of our really slow period. All I can do is take it one day at a time on that. However, if things keep up this way, we should be able to hire an office person in the Spring.
Gotta keep the good momentum going on fitness. I finally got to where I can cover 4 miles in a reasonable amount of time. I'm going to keep that as my training distance for another month or so to give my body time to adjust to it. Also, I want to incorporate more rowing.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Everything in a Positive Direction
I have one more day to go until I'm flying home. These past few weeks away from home have flown. I dread being away from my son, but frankly, he's so busy, I don't think he notices, much. If I stay busy, I usually manage not to be too heartsick. I probably shouldn't make such a big deal about being away. I just don't like it
I like being in my home, such as it is. It's a mess and it's torn up with a renovation that may take years to complete, but it's mine. My time there is limited, though. Once my son is out of High School, I really won't have a reason to stay there.
It is amazing how my outlook has improved over the past few months. Really, in the Spring, almost everything was moving in the wrong direction. However, I've hung in there long enough that almost everything is moving in the right direction, now.
First, my fitness is improving. I still have a long ways to go, but it's getting better day by day. That, in and of itself, is good, but I notice that my overall energy level and ability to focus are much better these days. The improvement in my mood is probably due to this as well.
Second, business is good, now. We're busy and have good cash-flow. The entire organization is snake-bit after what we went through the past couple of years, but who knows. It's hard to know what the new normal is going to look like. I really do want to have my business kicking butt again like it did back in '07 and '08. Life was pretty sweet, then.
Third, because of cash flow, my debt is getting back to being manageable. Sometime in 2012, I'll be pretty close to pre-crisis stability. If I can just keep hanging on until 2014, I should be debt-free, other than mortgages.
Fourth, Law School starts soon. I'm really looking forward to meeting my classmates. Young people have energy and enthusiasm, and I could use a little of both, now.
Fifth, I should be getting my DAWIA Level I certification, soon. Then, in January, I should be pinning on O-3 in the reserves. Both are pretty big milestones for my military career. This means that if I deploy, at least it'll probably be in a contracting capacity and as a Navy Lieutenant.
Sixth, this one was always moving in a positive direction, but my boy is entering the 5th grade and continues to exceed any expectations I could have ever had for him. What a great kid. I'm proud of everything about him. He's truly a gift.
So, life is good. This is a good time to take it all in and enjoy. Things will get rough again sometime in the future. That's just the way things go. However, you should enjoy the moment when you can.
I like being in my home, such as it is. It's a mess and it's torn up with a renovation that may take years to complete, but it's mine. My time there is limited, though. Once my son is out of High School, I really won't have a reason to stay there.
It is amazing how my outlook has improved over the past few months. Really, in the Spring, almost everything was moving in the wrong direction. However, I've hung in there long enough that almost everything is moving in the right direction, now.
First, my fitness is improving. I still have a long ways to go, but it's getting better day by day. That, in and of itself, is good, but I notice that my overall energy level and ability to focus are much better these days. The improvement in my mood is probably due to this as well.
Second, business is good, now. We're busy and have good cash-flow. The entire organization is snake-bit after what we went through the past couple of years, but who knows. It's hard to know what the new normal is going to look like. I really do want to have my business kicking butt again like it did back in '07 and '08. Life was pretty sweet, then.
Third, because of cash flow, my debt is getting back to being manageable. Sometime in 2012, I'll be pretty close to pre-crisis stability. If I can just keep hanging on until 2014, I should be debt-free, other than mortgages.
Fourth, Law School starts soon. I'm really looking forward to meeting my classmates. Young people have energy and enthusiasm, and I could use a little of both, now.
Fifth, I should be getting my DAWIA Level I certification, soon. Then, in January, I should be pinning on O-3 in the reserves. Both are pretty big milestones for my military career. This means that if I deploy, at least it'll probably be in a contracting capacity and as a Navy Lieutenant.
Sixth, this one was always moving in a positive direction, but my boy is entering the 5th grade and continues to exceed any expectations I could have ever had for him. What a great kid. I'm proud of everything about him. He's truly a gift.
So, life is good. This is a good time to take it all in and enjoy. Things will get rough again sometime in the future. That's just the way things go. However, you should enjoy the moment when you can.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Good Times
Changed the name of my blog. I'm not really moderate. So, "radical middle" doesn't really work. I'm pretty extreme. It's just that half the time, I'm extremely liberal and the other half, I'm extremely conservative.
All thrust, no vector is a term I heard from our instructor, an Air Force Captain, and it describes my life to a tee. I love the fact that I didn't have to start working in a coal mine at 16, and work there until I die of black lung disease at 59. I love that I live in a time when you can change careers 4, 5 or 6 times before you retire. (Heck, some would argue you HAVE TO change careers... maybe not that often, but at least more than most folks thought at first.)
So, all thrust, no vector. Maximum speed, random direction. That suits me, I think.
Times are pretty good right now. I just finished my contracting class and really enjoyed it. Mostly, I enjoyed meeting new people. It was only a 2 week class. So, we ended up saying goodbye just as we were getting to know each other. This is making me look forward to law school, though. I'll be making a hundred new friends in my class.
I ran outside for the first time in a long time last night. Covered all 4 miles, which was my goal. I did do a lot of walking, though. Took walking breaks about every mile at the start and it ended up being a little more frequent than that at the end. Still, my overall average was right at 13 min/mile. So, that means I was running a LOT faster than I have been, previously.
That was really encouraging. The work over the past month is starting to come through. I still have a lot of room for improvement. When you start from zero, the first few months are awesome because you basically get faster almost every week.
My weight isn't as low as I had hoped, though. I'm clearly more solid all the way around. I'll just keep at the running and see how it goes. 4 miles a few times a week is a good start, but I think I should be able to get to a point where I'm covering 6 miles, 5 times a week. 30 miles a week is a solid running schedule.
Bump it up a bit with periodic weight training and rower, and I think I'll be able to get back in good shape. My fuzzy goal is still a marathon. Maybe in Fall of 2012 or Spring of 2013.
The biz is still tense, but that's to be expected while we claw our way out. Best-case, we could be pretty much out of our hole around Christmas, but things may still stay tense for a while. We're really busy right now. Busier than we've been in a year.
Maybe this is the turnaround. We'll see. At this point, I take nothing for granted.
Going to Texas this weekend and I hope we do weapons qualifications like we had planned. I also get to see my friends from my days at Texas Wesleyan. Really looking forward to it.
So, lots of positive things going on. School starts next week. My financial and business picture continues to improve incrementally. The future has potential.
Mostly, my son is just wonderful. He just got his helmet for football. I'll have to prepare him for baseball tryouts at the end of the month. He's been doing great at basketball during open gym on Sundays. He's just a great little active, kindhearted, hard-working kid. I'm really lucky.
All thrust, no vector is a term I heard from our instructor, an Air Force Captain, and it describes my life to a tee. I love the fact that I didn't have to start working in a coal mine at 16, and work there until I die of black lung disease at 59. I love that I live in a time when you can change careers 4, 5 or 6 times before you retire. (Heck, some would argue you HAVE TO change careers... maybe not that often, but at least more than most folks thought at first.)
So, all thrust, no vector. Maximum speed, random direction. That suits me, I think.
Times are pretty good right now. I just finished my contracting class and really enjoyed it. Mostly, I enjoyed meeting new people. It was only a 2 week class. So, we ended up saying goodbye just as we were getting to know each other. This is making me look forward to law school, though. I'll be making a hundred new friends in my class.
I ran outside for the first time in a long time last night. Covered all 4 miles, which was my goal. I did do a lot of walking, though. Took walking breaks about every mile at the start and it ended up being a little more frequent than that at the end. Still, my overall average was right at 13 min/mile. So, that means I was running a LOT faster than I have been, previously.
That was really encouraging. The work over the past month is starting to come through. I still have a lot of room for improvement. When you start from zero, the first few months are awesome because you basically get faster almost every week.
My weight isn't as low as I had hoped, though. I'm clearly more solid all the way around. I'll just keep at the running and see how it goes. 4 miles a few times a week is a good start, but I think I should be able to get to a point where I'm covering 6 miles, 5 times a week. 30 miles a week is a solid running schedule.
Bump it up a bit with periodic weight training and rower, and I think I'll be able to get back in good shape. My fuzzy goal is still a marathon. Maybe in Fall of 2012 or Spring of 2013.
The biz is still tense, but that's to be expected while we claw our way out. Best-case, we could be pretty much out of our hole around Christmas, but things may still stay tense for a while. We're really busy right now. Busier than we've been in a year.
Maybe this is the turnaround. We'll see. At this point, I take nothing for granted.
Going to Texas this weekend and I hope we do weapons qualifications like we had planned. I also get to see my friends from my days at Texas Wesleyan. Really looking forward to it.
So, lots of positive things going on. School starts next week. My financial and business picture continues to improve incrementally. The future has potential.
Mostly, my son is just wonderful. He just got his helmet for football. I'll have to prepare him for baseball tryouts at the end of the month. He's been doing great at basketball during open gym on Sundays. He's just a great little active, kindhearted, hard-working kid. I'm really lucky.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The New Normal
Had a nice conversation with my old friend, Chris Horne, the other night. I was talking to him about how now we're 3 years into the great recession, it's becoming obvious that nothing is likely to make things better any time, soon.
When this whole thing started, I thought it would last 5 years. Now, it's looking like that was wild-eyed optimism. If this thing lasts a decade or more, I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe it'll last 20. Maybe the rest of my life. There are a lot of bad harbingers on the horizon and not a lot of good ones.
So, I think I'm just coming to the realization that this is the new normal. There's still opportunity. There's still money to be made. You just need to react and realize that the old days aren't coming back. There'll be prosperity in the future, but who knows how and why. The things that worked before might not work tomorrow.
I feel pretty good because despite the difficulty of these past couple of years, I'm still hanging in there. With Law School starting, I have a chance at something new. I do agree with the folks who say that to survive in today's economy, you have to be able to change and adapt. That's not something I've ever had a lot of trouble with. Sticking with one thing for a long time? Now, that's tough.
Even though I'm embarking on the practice of law, I still want to keep active in small business. I don't trust Wall Street anymore. I'll be looking for future business opportunities once I have the capital to act on them. I'd like to build something I can hand down to my son.
I think things are going to be hard for his generation. Some fields will be wide open, but overall, I think they'll have less opportunity than my generation had. I'd like to bring him up to think like an entrepreneur. It has been a great quality of life choice for me and overall, it has been a step forward financially. The more I can expand and diversify, the better it'll be financially.
So, this, I think, is the new normal. Economic troubles for as far as the eye can see. If you can keep your ship afloat, that's a victory.
When this whole thing started, I thought it would last 5 years. Now, it's looking like that was wild-eyed optimism. If this thing lasts a decade or more, I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe it'll last 20. Maybe the rest of my life. There are a lot of bad harbingers on the horizon and not a lot of good ones.
So, I think I'm just coming to the realization that this is the new normal. There's still opportunity. There's still money to be made. You just need to react and realize that the old days aren't coming back. There'll be prosperity in the future, but who knows how and why. The things that worked before might not work tomorrow.
I feel pretty good because despite the difficulty of these past couple of years, I'm still hanging in there. With Law School starting, I have a chance at something new. I do agree with the folks who say that to survive in today's economy, you have to be able to change and adapt. That's not something I've ever had a lot of trouble with. Sticking with one thing for a long time? Now, that's tough.
Even though I'm embarking on the practice of law, I still want to keep active in small business. I don't trust Wall Street anymore. I'll be looking for future business opportunities once I have the capital to act on them. I'd like to build something I can hand down to my son.
I think things are going to be hard for his generation. Some fields will be wide open, but overall, I think they'll have less opportunity than my generation had. I'd like to bring him up to think like an entrepreneur. It has been a great quality of life choice for me and overall, it has been a step forward financially. The more I can expand and diversify, the better it'll be financially.
So, this, I think, is the new normal. Economic troubles for as far as the eye can see. If you can keep your ship afloat, that's a victory.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
This week is dragging...
This week has been dragging. Sitting in class is a drag. It's not the instructors' fault. They're both excellent. The material isn't that bad. Just sitting there all day is boring. At least with law school I get a break between classes.
At least so far I don't see anything that should keep me from getting my completion certificate. After that, I submit my packet for Dawia level I. Then wait to either be approved or not. Not sure what I'd do if not. They're changing the standards and it's hard enough as a reservist to try and do this. I think once the standards change, it'll go from being "really difficult" to "practically impossible" to do this as a reservist.
I've been thinking a lot about my life and what I should do with what's left of my working life. It's so odd to be thinking about the last 20 years of my working life. Granted, I think a lot of folks in my generation are going to end up working forever, and I'm probably not going to be the exception.
I do know that for the next 8 years, no matter what I do, the geography isn't going to change. So, whatever I do, it has to be something that can be done while I live in Sylvania. After Logan is off to college all bets are off. Until then, I'm staying put.
At that point, I'll be 54 years old. That's pretty long in the tooth to start a brand-new career. So, my next moves should, in theory, set me up well for the rest of my working life.
Tomorrow, though, I go home for the weekend, which is going to be great. I'll be spending the weekend with my son visiting family in Akron for a wedding.
After that, one more week of class, then a weekend of drill. I always sort of dread going to drill, then actually enjoy it when it's happening. I know one thing for sure: if I can't get a drilling location convenient to home for my next billet, I'm done. I'm not travelling like this again.
So, packing the truck up with dirty laundry to wash this weekend. With any luck, we'll get out a little early tomorrow.
At least so far I don't see anything that should keep me from getting my completion certificate. After that, I submit my packet for Dawia level I. Then wait to either be approved or not. Not sure what I'd do if not. They're changing the standards and it's hard enough as a reservist to try and do this. I think once the standards change, it'll go from being "really difficult" to "practically impossible" to do this as a reservist.
I've been thinking a lot about my life and what I should do with what's left of my working life. It's so odd to be thinking about the last 20 years of my working life. Granted, I think a lot of folks in my generation are going to end up working forever, and I'm probably not going to be the exception.
I do know that for the next 8 years, no matter what I do, the geography isn't going to change. So, whatever I do, it has to be something that can be done while I live in Sylvania. After Logan is off to college all bets are off. Until then, I'm staying put.
At that point, I'll be 54 years old. That's pretty long in the tooth to start a brand-new career. So, my next moves should, in theory, set me up well for the rest of my working life.
Tomorrow, though, I go home for the weekend, which is going to be great. I'll be spending the weekend with my son visiting family in Akron for a wedding.
After that, one more week of class, then a weekend of drill. I always sort of dread going to drill, then actually enjoy it when it's happening. I know one thing for sure: if I can't get a drilling location convenient to home for my next billet, I'm done. I'm not travelling like this again.
So, packing the truck up with dirty laundry to wash this weekend. With any luck, we'll get out a little early tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
So many crossroads...
Yah know, as little as I liked sitting in a college classroom, I hate sitting in training classes even more. College classes? Took maybe 40 minutes of information. Presented it in 50 minutes. Gave you homework and exercises to do on your own. Gave you tests to demonstrate that, at a minimum, you crammed the information for regurgitation at least once.
Training classes? Take about an hour of information, cram it into a mere 8 hours and then everybody gets a completion certificate at the end. Now, this one, I couldn't sleep through it and pass, but anybody who tries is going to pass. Almost all the work is done in groups.
Unlike groups in college, everybody in the group really is trying to contribute and do a reasonably good job.
So, there's really no doubt about finishing this thing.
Once I have this certificate in hand, I should be able to wangle my DAWIA Level I certification. If I were a younger man, this would be an interesting career field to go into. I doubt I'd want to do this for the government as a full-time job. Though I would certainly keep open the prospect of doing it for a defense contractor on the other side of the table.
Once I get DAWIA Level 1, I'm in the barrel for any contracting related deployments to the middle east.
I want to push these off at least until the completion of my 1L year. If I had to take a year off after 1L, that's not such a big deal. In fact there may be some genuine benefits to doing so, since I'm pretty sure I'd qualify for GI bill upon my return.
Also, I make O-3 in December, which is my last promotion for a while, and is a big jump from O-2. I wouldn't make big money, but would more than make enough to take care of my responsibilities while I'm gone and make some significant progress on debt, too.
So, crossroads number 1? DAWIA certification, the prospect of deployment overseas, and who knows, perhaps the prospect of working in contracts administration for a government contractor.
I have drill right after I get done with this class. As much as I like serving my country, travelling to Texas on my own dime is getting tiresome. I'll be getting a new CO in November. I really need to sit down with him and find out how he feels about me flexing my drills. My old CO was pretty awesome about it, letting me do 2 drills at once so I maximize the drilling I do per trip.
If the new CO is willing to be flexible, I can see how this could work very well. If not, who knows. No need to worry about that too much before it happens. I'd really like to use my drills and training to get the coursework done for Dawia Level II, but I think that may be problematic. Like I said, I'll see.
Crossroads number two is Law school which starts the week after I get back. This is a goal I've put off for so long, it'll be nice to actually do it. I'm hopeful that it will lead to another career, but who knows. It can be useful in a lot of ways. I just know that I've been wanting to go back to school ever since finishing my Master's.
Much like the break I took after finishing an Ironman in 2000, which lasted 11 years, this break has lasted 14. Heck, I took a 21 year break in my military career.
I may not have a lot of tenacity, but I'm no quitter, I guess.
I also notice they've changed up the curriculum in that Manufacturing Technology Ph.D. program at U of
Toledo. If I pursued that after Law School, that would take me right to the point where my son went off to college. At that point, I'd be as educated as I'm ever going to be.
Hard to believe that I'm 46 years old and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Of all the things I've ever done, being an entrepreneur is my favorite. I'm also going to do everything I can to stay in Sylvania until Logan is off to college. So, that rules out most ideas of a new career.
So, right now, a mix of Navy Reserve, Law Practice and Entrepreneurism is the most likely future, but who knows.
Training classes? Take about an hour of information, cram it into a mere 8 hours and then everybody gets a completion certificate at the end. Now, this one, I couldn't sleep through it and pass, but anybody who tries is going to pass. Almost all the work is done in groups.
Unlike groups in college, everybody in the group really is trying to contribute and do a reasonably good job.
So, there's really no doubt about finishing this thing.
Once I have this certificate in hand, I should be able to wangle my DAWIA Level I certification. If I were a younger man, this would be an interesting career field to go into. I doubt I'd want to do this for the government as a full-time job. Though I would certainly keep open the prospect of doing it for a defense contractor on the other side of the table.
Once I get DAWIA Level 1, I'm in the barrel for any contracting related deployments to the middle east.
I want to push these off at least until the completion of my 1L year. If I had to take a year off after 1L, that's not such a big deal. In fact there may be some genuine benefits to doing so, since I'm pretty sure I'd qualify for GI bill upon my return.
Also, I make O-3 in December, which is my last promotion for a while, and is a big jump from O-2. I wouldn't make big money, but would more than make enough to take care of my responsibilities while I'm gone and make some significant progress on debt, too.
So, crossroads number 1? DAWIA certification, the prospect of deployment overseas, and who knows, perhaps the prospect of working in contracts administration for a government contractor.
I have drill right after I get done with this class. As much as I like serving my country, travelling to Texas on my own dime is getting tiresome. I'll be getting a new CO in November. I really need to sit down with him and find out how he feels about me flexing my drills. My old CO was pretty awesome about it, letting me do 2 drills at once so I maximize the drilling I do per trip.
If the new CO is willing to be flexible, I can see how this could work very well. If not, who knows. No need to worry about that too much before it happens. I'd really like to use my drills and training to get the coursework done for Dawia Level II, but I think that may be problematic. Like I said, I'll see.
Crossroads number two is Law school which starts the week after I get back. This is a goal I've put off for so long, it'll be nice to actually do it. I'm hopeful that it will lead to another career, but who knows. It can be useful in a lot of ways. I just know that I've been wanting to go back to school ever since finishing my Master's.
Much like the break I took after finishing an Ironman in 2000, which lasted 11 years, this break has lasted 14. Heck, I took a 21 year break in my military career.
I may not have a lot of tenacity, but I'm no quitter, I guess.
I also notice they've changed up the curriculum in that Manufacturing Technology Ph.D. program at U of
Toledo. If I pursued that after Law School, that would take me right to the point where my son went off to college. At that point, I'd be as educated as I'm ever going to be.
Hard to believe that I'm 46 years old and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Of all the things I've ever done, being an entrepreneur is my favorite. I'm also going to do everything I can to stay in Sylvania until Logan is off to college. So, that rules out most ideas of a new career.
So, right now, a mix of Navy Reserve, Law Practice and Entrepreneurism is the most likely future, but who knows.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Turning it all around
Things are moving in the right direction. The past 4 months have been pretty good, overall. It's amazing how badly things were going back in March and April. I was nearly broke, getting fat and wasn't in a good frame of mind at all.
The thing that keeps me in small business, despite the absolute misery sometimes, is that it also has the potential to be great when things are going well. Yeah, having a small biz put me in a pretty bad hole, but having a small biz is also my best shot at digging out.
Our overhead is so low right now that if we can get a reasonable amount of business (not always a foregone conclusion), we make our nut without a lot of drama. My employees are amazing and have really carried me through this time.
This is the second time I can remember where I felt like I, personally, was going to give up, and my employees carried me through.
Only time will tell if I'll start prospering again, or whether things will stay down, but I've seen the business do well in the past. That's why I keep slugging away at things. Sure would be nice to return to prosperity and profitability.
We had a little bit of a good run due to a very little rain we got in the Spring. We are getting rain today after a couple of draught months. I still contend that my drop in volume is primarily driven by the weather. During good years, we were having 3 weather events per year that gave us more business than we could handle. During bad years, like the last two, we haven't had any.
Paying off debt is going to be the main financial meter that will tell me when I've gotten totally out of the woods. I have some notes to pay off over the course of the next 3 years. When they're gone, my finances will be changed for the better. We were growing so fast, I took on debt to accomodate the growth and anticipated continued growth. When things went the other direction, the debt really became a burden.
Not sure how I could have done things differently, but it's done, now. I'll just keep chipping away at the debt and eventually, it'll all be gone.
My fitness is definitely improving and that is good in every conceivable way. At my age, dropping dead of a heart attack is not out of the question, and over the next 20 years, if I don't take care of myself, it is a distinct possibility.
The main reason I started exercising again wasn't weight loss, oddly enough. It was that with law school coming up, I felt like I needed more energy. I do have that. I'm keeping up with chores around the house monumentally better than in the past.
The one constant in all this is my son who has been a source of both pride and joy. He did great last baseball season, had a fantastic swimming season, and in a week, he starts football workouts. I am glad I've got such an energetic young man as a son.
He's sincere, sensitive, hard-working, helpful and athletic. He's also very friendly and makes friends wherever he goes. I think he'll go far in life. I really wish he wouldn't grow up so fast. He'll finish High School just shy of his 18th birthday. So, 8 more years with the kid. I hope to make them all count.
It is still possible that the Navy could take me away for a year, and that's not something I'm eager to do, but not something I'd shy away from, either. A lot of kids have dealt with a parent leaving for a year to serve the US, and some unfortunate ones have had to deal with much worse. I take comfort in the fact that although it'll be hard for me, he's got a great mother to take care of him and he'll learn a valuable lesson on the nature of service to the country.
Next week, I'll start my CON 120 class to finish up my basic defense acquisition certification. I'll have my DAWIA level 1 certification. This means that if I deploy, it'll almost certainly be as a contracting officer.
The contracting officers continue to be some of the most frequently deployed guys in the navy reserve. That's part of why I decided to pursue this.
If I spent a year away, it quite likely would be a financial boon. Military officer pay is pretty good, especially with a combat-zone exemption. With the tax implications, it's probably analogous to making six figures as a civilian.
My only worry would be my business, but chances are the business would do just fine.
When I get back from my contracting class, law school starts. I'm glad to be doing this. I'm really looking forward to meeting my fellow students.
So, all in all, things are better than they were just a few short months ago. I'm hoping that things continue to improve.
The thing that keeps me in small business, despite the absolute misery sometimes, is that it also has the potential to be great when things are going well. Yeah, having a small biz put me in a pretty bad hole, but having a small biz is also my best shot at digging out.
Our overhead is so low right now that if we can get a reasonable amount of business (not always a foregone conclusion), we make our nut without a lot of drama. My employees are amazing and have really carried me through this time.
This is the second time I can remember where I felt like I, personally, was going to give up, and my employees carried me through.
Only time will tell if I'll start prospering again, or whether things will stay down, but I've seen the business do well in the past. That's why I keep slugging away at things. Sure would be nice to return to prosperity and profitability.
We had a little bit of a good run due to a very little rain we got in the Spring. We are getting rain today after a couple of draught months. I still contend that my drop in volume is primarily driven by the weather. During good years, we were having 3 weather events per year that gave us more business than we could handle. During bad years, like the last two, we haven't had any.
Paying off debt is going to be the main financial meter that will tell me when I've gotten totally out of the woods. I have some notes to pay off over the course of the next 3 years. When they're gone, my finances will be changed for the better. We were growing so fast, I took on debt to accomodate the growth and anticipated continued growth. When things went the other direction, the debt really became a burden.
Not sure how I could have done things differently, but it's done, now. I'll just keep chipping away at the debt and eventually, it'll all be gone.
My fitness is definitely improving and that is good in every conceivable way. At my age, dropping dead of a heart attack is not out of the question, and over the next 20 years, if I don't take care of myself, it is a distinct possibility.
The main reason I started exercising again wasn't weight loss, oddly enough. It was that with law school coming up, I felt like I needed more energy. I do have that. I'm keeping up with chores around the house monumentally better than in the past.
The one constant in all this is my son who has been a source of both pride and joy. He did great last baseball season, had a fantastic swimming season, and in a week, he starts football workouts. I am glad I've got such an energetic young man as a son.
He's sincere, sensitive, hard-working, helpful and athletic. He's also very friendly and makes friends wherever he goes. I think he'll go far in life. I really wish he wouldn't grow up so fast. He'll finish High School just shy of his 18th birthday. So, 8 more years with the kid. I hope to make them all count.
It is still possible that the Navy could take me away for a year, and that's not something I'm eager to do, but not something I'd shy away from, either. A lot of kids have dealt with a parent leaving for a year to serve the US, and some unfortunate ones have had to deal with much worse. I take comfort in the fact that although it'll be hard for me, he's got a great mother to take care of him and he'll learn a valuable lesson on the nature of service to the country.
Next week, I'll start my CON 120 class to finish up my basic defense acquisition certification. I'll have my DAWIA level 1 certification. This means that if I deploy, it'll almost certainly be as a contracting officer.
The contracting officers continue to be some of the most frequently deployed guys in the navy reserve. That's part of why I decided to pursue this.
If I spent a year away, it quite likely would be a financial boon. Military officer pay is pretty good, especially with a combat-zone exemption. With the tax implications, it's probably analogous to making six figures as a civilian.
My only worry would be my business, but chances are the business would do just fine.
When I get back from my contracting class, law school starts. I'm glad to be doing this. I'm really looking forward to meeting my fellow students.
So, all in all, things are better than they were just a few short months ago. I'm hoping that things continue to improve.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Week That Are Going to Be and Wuz
This is my last week before going to Dayton for a two-week Defense Acquisition class. I'm not looking forward to being away from home. I never do. Two weeks is a chunk, though I should be off for the weekend. I'll try to pick up Logan and we'll head over to my cousin's wedding in Akron.
I drill in Texas the weekend after the class wraps up.
Two days off, then Law School orientation starts.
A week after that, and it's Mavericks tryouts for Logan. I'm hopeful there might be some changes in the coming year. Hard to tell, though. We'll just play it by ear. Logan still seems to enjoy being on the team. I have some issues with the way the team is run, but overall, I think the positives outweigh the negatives. Sometimes we sports parents can get a little too critical in pursuit of the perfect experience for our little sportsters.
Speaking of, the coach of the High School basketball team arranges an open gym for the little kids once a week. Logan went for the first time, ever. I thought he did tremendously. I was very impressed. We've worked on his game a good bit over the past year, and the improvement really showed. I hope to get him to as many of these open gyms as possible. They arrange little games between teams with as many kids as show up.
Although I vaguely remember that he wasn't the tallest kid on his rec basketball teams last year, he's really gaining size lately. Both width and height. I swear, he's twice as wide as he was last year. He's also getting taller bit by bit.
He's going into the 5th grade, and I had a small growth spurt right about this time. I had a huge one between 6th and 7th grade. Sometime in the next few years, he'll be getting taller. His mother and I are not the tallest people you'll meet, but we're both taller than average.
It'll be interesting to see how things go.
This week, he's got football camp at Sylvania Southview. That's not the High School he'll likely go to, but the scheduling works out better. Northview's camp was during his swim season.
After that, conditioning starts for football in pads during the 2nd week in August. I'll be off in Dayton that week.
During that week, I also signed him up for Toledo Mudhens baseball camp. I'm not sure that's an overly important camp for him to attend, but they do work on some baseball stuff. He enjoys going.
So, for those who have not been following along on their own scorecard:
Logan just finished swimming.
We're starting basketball workouts.
He's got football camp this week.
Football in pads starts the week after that.
Baseball camp will be going on during the mornings during the first week of football.
Then, he has tryouts for the city's travel team at the end of the month.
Thing is, if we let him do more, he would. The kid is just a dynamo. At least we don't have skiing or swimming to contend with for a while, and he isn't into golf, yet.
I'm feeling pretty good about Law School right now. By that, I mean I think I know what to focus my time on in order to do reasonably well. I have no idea how this whole thing is going to go, but I feel prepared. Maybe not as well as I could be, but just enough to set my mind at ease.
So, things are about to get intense. I think Law School is not going to be difficult so much as it will be gruelling, especially with all my other committments.
I finally bought a couple of laser printers for the office and home so I can keep up with stuff more conveniently.
The other pre-law purchase I need to make is a good dishwasher. Washing dishes by hand just takes up too much time during the day. I bet I spend an hour on it every day.
The running workouts are going well. Man, I'm fat. I'm running 40 minutes a day, and squeezing in a rower workout whenever possible.
Really, when I think about efforts to keep weight off, the way that worked both best and longest was working out. I need to get back to running about an hour a day. I think if I can do that, I should be able to get to where I want, fitness-wise. I may even set a goal of another marathon, but we'll see how it goes.
I drill in Texas the weekend after the class wraps up.
Two days off, then Law School orientation starts.
A week after that, and it's Mavericks tryouts for Logan. I'm hopeful there might be some changes in the coming year. Hard to tell, though. We'll just play it by ear. Logan still seems to enjoy being on the team. I have some issues with the way the team is run, but overall, I think the positives outweigh the negatives. Sometimes we sports parents can get a little too critical in pursuit of the perfect experience for our little sportsters.
Speaking of, the coach of the High School basketball team arranges an open gym for the little kids once a week. Logan went for the first time, ever. I thought he did tremendously. I was very impressed. We've worked on his game a good bit over the past year, and the improvement really showed. I hope to get him to as many of these open gyms as possible. They arrange little games between teams with as many kids as show up.
Although I vaguely remember that he wasn't the tallest kid on his rec basketball teams last year, he's really gaining size lately. Both width and height. I swear, he's twice as wide as he was last year. He's also getting taller bit by bit.
He's going into the 5th grade, and I had a small growth spurt right about this time. I had a huge one between 6th and 7th grade. Sometime in the next few years, he'll be getting taller. His mother and I are not the tallest people you'll meet, but we're both taller than average.
It'll be interesting to see how things go.
This week, he's got football camp at Sylvania Southview. That's not the High School he'll likely go to, but the scheduling works out better. Northview's camp was during his swim season.
After that, conditioning starts for football in pads during the 2nd week in August. I'll be off in Dayton that week.
During that week, I also signed him up for Toledo Mudhens baseball camp. I'm not sure that's an overly important camp for him to attend, but they do work on some baseball stuff. He enjoys going.
So, for those who have not been following along on their own scorecard:
Logan just finished swimming.
We're starting basketball workouts.
He's got football camp this week.
Football in pads starts the week after that.
Baseball camp will be going on during the mornings during the first week of football.
Then, he has tryouts for the city's travel team at the end of the month.
Thing is, if we let him do more, he would. The kid is just a dynamo. At least we don't have skiing or swimming to contend with for a while, and he isn't into golf, yet.
I'm feeling pretty good about Law School right now. By that, I mean I think I know what to focus my time on in order to do reasonably well. I have no idea how this whole thing is going to go, but I feel prepared. Maybe not as well as I could be, but just enough to set my mind at ease.
So, things are about to get intense. I think Law School is not going to be difficult so much as it will be gruelling, especially with all my other committments.
I finally bought a couple of laser printers for the office and home so I can keep up with stuff more conveniently.
The other pre-law purchase I need to make is a good dishwasher. Washing dishes by hand just takes up too much time during the day. I bet I spend an hour on it every day.
The running workouts are going well. Man, I'm fat. I'm running 40 minutes a day, and squeezing in a rower workout whenever possible.
Really, when I think about efforts to keep weight off, the way that worked both best and longest was working out. I need to get back to running about an hour a day. I think if I can do that, I should be able to get to where I want, fitness-wise. I may even set a goal of another marathon, but we'll see how it goes.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Baseball, 17 years later
I'm re-watching the Ken Burns documentary "Baseball". It is every bit as good as his Civil War documentary. Fans of baseball should find plenty to love about it. Non-fans would become fans if the watched it.
The first time I watched it, of course, was when it first came out. 1994 was a heck of a year in baseball. The Cleveland Indians were actually a good baseball team for the first time in my lifetime that year. A strike shortened the season, though and there was no World Series.
My Grandpa Strebler would have loved to see the 90s Indians. He had been a fan his entire life. He was the same age as Bob Feller. My grandpa passed away in 1991. Bob Feller lived a little longer, but passed away last year.
Other characters from the documentary have passed away in the mean time, too. Buck O'Neil, passed away. So did Shelby Foote.
The funny thing is that as I watch the documentary, which highlights how much things have changed over time, I'm reminded how much things have changed for me over time.
In 1994, I was one year out of college. (Took me a looong time to finish.) Most of my friends didn't have very good jobs and if they did, they still didn't pay much, yet. I was young and hopeful. Life was pretty good.
My grandmother was a spry 75 years old at the time. She's still with us, but a lot of others have passed away. I was years away from having my son.
So much time has passed. So much water under the bridge in those 17 years. My life is nothing like it was back then. Where did the time go.
This year, the Indians are good again. They've never really fallen back to their pre-1994 dismalness in the years since. Modern Indians fans even think of the World Series as a possibility sometime in the foreseeable future.
The 17 years since I first saw this documentary were largely positive. I just hope the next 17 will be. I'm 46 years old, now. By then, I'll be 63. My son will be a decade out of High School. A few more of the important people from my childhood will probably be gone.
It's really been a crappy past few years for me. The business has been tough. My marriage is now gone. My son continues to be a perfect joy in every way.
It's nice to revisit this documentary with the drama of all the men who played the game throughout the years. It wasn't always good times. In the end, though, it was all part of one grand game that brought joy to a lot of people.
Let's hope I can say the same about my life in 17 years.
The first time I watched it, of course, was when it first came out. 1994 was a heck of a year in baseball. The Cleveland Indians were actually a good baseball team for the first time in my lifetime that year. A strike shortened the season, though and there was no World Series.
My Grandpa Strebler would have loved to see the 90s Indians. He had been a fan his entire life. He was the same age as Bob Feller. My grandpa passed away in 1991. Bob Feller lived a little longer, but passed away last year.
Other characters from the documentary have passed away in the mean time, too. Buck O'Neil, passed away. So did Shelby Foote.
The funny thing is that as I watch the documentary, which highlights how much things have changed over time, I'm reminded how much things have changed for me over time.
In 1994, I was one year out of college. (Took me a looong time to finish.) Most of my friends didn't have very good jobs and if they did, they still didn't pay much, yet. I was young and hopeful. Life was pretty good.
My grandmother was a spry 75 years old at the time. She's still with us, but a lot of others have passed away. I was years away from having my son.
So much time has passed. So much water under the bridge in those 17 years. My life is nothing like it was back then. Where did the time go.
This year, the Indians are good again. They've never really fallen back to their pre-1994 dismalness in the years since. Modern Indians fans even think of the World Series as a possibility sometime in the foreseeable future.
The 17 years since I first saw this documentary were largely positive. I just hope the next 17 will be. I'm 46 years old, now. By then, I'll be 63. My son will be a decade out of High School. A few more of the important people from my childhood will probably be gone.
It's really been a crappy past few years for me. The business has been tough. My marriage is now gone. My son continues to be a perfect joy in every way.
It's nice to revisit this documentary with the drama of all the men who played the game throughout the years. It wasn't always good times. In the end, though, it was all part of one grand game that brought joy to a lot of people.
Let's hope I can say the same about my life in 17 years.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Reaching Back Through the Years
Of all the tech zillionaires, I am starting to believe that Mark Zuckerberg is the most deserving. Granted, what he did from a technological standpoint isn't that impressive. He didn't create an operating system or a suite of products. He didn't invent the iEverything and 99 cent downloads.
What he's done, though, is to create a way for people to connect, re-connect and stay connected.
As a person who believes that your relationships are the most important thing in your life (next to your personal integrity), I just can't overstate how much this means to me.
Prior to Facebook, every now and then, I'd find a way to reconnect with an old friend. Tommy Meunier and I served in the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea together, within artillery range of the DMZ. We were both very young. I was 18 when we met and he was probably 19. We formed a fast friendship and served our tours.
In the pre-Facebook days, I was able to use the internet to find him again. I sometimes wondered if people thought I was some strange stalker back in those days. Probably once a month, somebody's name would pop into my head and I'd do a Yahoo search on them to see if I could find them. I'd shoot them an e-mail that was the equivalent of saying, "Hey, I stood next in line to you at 7-11 once. How have you been?"
I'm convinced that a lot of folks simply didn't remember me. Others just didn't have that much interest in re-connecting with an acquaintance from years or decades ago.
Facebook? It has really changed all that. It's so easy and natural to touch base with folks. This is Six Degrees of Separation taken to it's high-tech extreme.
One person I reconnected with just yesterday was a teacher I had in Junior High. He taught social studies and news staff. He was my 8th grade football coach. (He also cut me from the 7th grade basketball team... an act I can easily forgive since a different coach cut me from the 8th grade team.)
He instilled in me a love of journalism. He had been a professional sports writer for the Akron Beacon Journal prior to his teaching days. Although I decided (perhaps wrongly) that journalism wasn't the path I would take in life, this was part of the spark that made me a prolific (though usually not particularly interesting) writer for the rest of my life. (Hence, this blog.)
He was one of the teachers who really made a personal connection with students, the type of teacher whose name came up whenever me and my friends would talk about teachers we enjoyed, or who had excited us about some academic topic. He had a true gift.
One anectdote still stays with me about this teacher. I had written an editorial about a guy named David Toma, a sort of inspirational speaker who was the inspiration for the TV character "Baretta". Apparently some concerned parents groups had raised money so he could come to our school and give us a scared-straight type speech about the dangers of drugs.
Personally, I thought it was a big waste of time. The kids doing drugs weren't going to stop based on the speech and the rest of us who weren't doing drugs had to sit through the presentation, too.
So, I wrote an unflattering editorial about the speech. It came to the attention of the Junior High principal who called both me and my teacher into his office.
The intent was to ask me not to publish the editorial. Keep in mind, I was in the 9th grade at the time. 14 years old. When merely asking me not to publish the article wasn't working, the principal then said, "You realize that if you publish this article, we could get in trouble."
In a spirit of both cluelessness and 14 year old moxy, I replied, "And...?"
I saw my teacher out of the corner of my eye and instead of having a facial expression of, "hey, you 14 year old punk, how dare you act like getting me in trouble isn't any concern of yours", he was laughing. It was one of those laughs where he didn't want anybody to see him laughing (certainly not his boss, the principal), but he was laughing!
Chuckling so hard, no matter how he tried, he couldn't conceal it.
In the movies, we see all sorts of examples of people who will put their careers on the line in order to do the right thing. In real life, it's sad to say, we seldom do.
Ever the teacher, he taught me a very valuable lesson that day.
Even a 14 year old has the right to free expression. (Granted, in the context of a school, this has some limitations, none of which I approached by expressing a rational personal opinion on a public speaker.)
He taught me about the first amendment, which he taught in government class, and lived as a journalist. It is perhaps the most important of our freedoms. It may not occur to most people that the principal of a junior high is "the state", but he most certainly is.
To this day, I have a firm belief that individual rights are paramount in a free society. That people have a right to speak truth to power. That every voice should be heard. That even children are entitled to a viewpoint and personal rights.
Would I have come to this without this teacher? Perhaps. However, the events of that day have stuck with me for nearly 3 decades afterwards. I don't think it's a stretch to say that this lesson made an impression.
The other lesson from that day? That even when the fit hits the shan, such as your boss is ticked off and some 14 year old punk doesn't mind jeopardizing your job, sometimes the best thing to do is laugh.
It's a long hard ride if you don't have a sense of humor.
So, here's to great teachers and the ability to reconnect with them decades later. He's approaching retirement, now. I hope the years have been kind to him and will continue to be. He's thinking he would like to be a guide at a national historical site when he retires. If he does, I will make a point to make a trek so he can teach me for at least one more day.
What he's done, though, is to create a way for people to connect, re-connect and stay connected.
As a person who believes that your relationships are the most important thing in your life (next to your personal integrity), I just can't overstate how much this means to me.
Prior to Facebook, every now and then, I'd find a way to reconnect with an old friend. Tommy Meunier and I served in the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea together, within artillery range of the DMZ. We were both very young. I was 18 when we met and he was probably 19. We formed a fast friendship and served our tours.
In the pre-Facebook days, I was able to use the internet to find him again. I sometimes wondered if people thought I was some strange stalker back in those days. Probably once a month, somebody's name would pop into my head and I'd do a Yahoo search on them to see if I could find them. I'd shoot them an e-mail that was the equivalent of saying, "Hey, I stood next in line to you at 7-11 once. How have you been?"
I'm convinced that a lot of folks simply didn't remember me. Others just didn't have that much interest in re-connecting with an acquaintance from years or decades ago.
Facebook? It has really changed all that. It's so easy and natural to touch base with folks. This is Six Degrees of Separation taken to it's high-tech extreme.
One person I reconnected with just yesterday was a teacher I had in Junior High. He taught social studies and news staff. He was my 8th grade football coach. (He also cut me from the 7th grade basketball team... an act I can easily forgive since a different coach cut me from the 8th grade team.)
He instilled in me a love of journalism. He had been a professional sports writer for the Akron Beacon Journal prior to his teaching days. Although I decided (perhaps wrongly) that journalism wasn't the path I would take in life, this was part of the spark that made me a prolific (though usually not particularly interesting) writer for the rest of my life. (Hence, this blog.)
He was one of the teachers who really made a personal connection with students, the type of teacher whose name came up whenever me and my friends would talk about teachers we enjoyed, or who had excited us about some academic topic. He had a true gift.
One anectdote still stays with me about this teacher. I had written an editorial about a guy named David Toma, a sort of inspirational speaker who was the inspiration for the TV character "Baretta". Apparently some concerned parents groups had raised money so he could come to our school and give us a scared-straight type speech about the dangers of drugs.
Personally, I thought it was a big waste of time. The kids doing drugs weren't going to stop based on the speech and the rest of us who weren't doing drugs had to sit through the presentation, too.
So, I wrote an unflattering editorial about the speech. It came to the attention of the Junior High principal who called both me and my teacher into his office.
The intent was to ask me not to publish the editorial. Keep in mind, I was in the 9th grade at the time. 14 years old. When merely asking me not to publish the article wasn't working, the principal then said, "You realize that if you publish this article, we could get in trouble."
In a spirit of both cluelessness and 14 year old moxy, I replied, "And...?"
I saw my teacher out of the corner of my eye and instead of having a facial expression of, "hey, you 14 year old punk, how dare you act like getting me in trouble isn't any concern of yours", he was laughing. It was one of those laughs where he didn't want anybody to see him laughing (certainly not his boss, the principal), but he was laughing!
Chuckling so hard, no matter how he tried, he couldn't conceal it.
In the movies, we see all sorts of examples of people who will put their careers on the line in order to do the right thing. In real life, it's sad to say, we seldom do.
Ever the teacher, he taught me a very valuable lesson that day.
Even a 14 year old has the right to free expression. (Granted, in the context of a school, this has some limitations, none of which I approached by expressing a rational personal opinion on a public speaker.)
He taught me about the first amendment, which he taught in government class, and lived as a journalist. It is perhaps the most important of our freedoms. It may not occur to most people that the principal of a junior high is "the state", but he most certainly is.
To this day, I have a firm belief that individual rights are paramount in a free society. That people have a right to speak truth to power. That every voice should be heard. That even children are entitled to a viewpoint and personal rights.
Would I have come to this without this teacher? Perhaps. However, the events of that day have stuck with me for nearly 3 decades afterwards. I don't think it's a stretch to say that this lesson made an impression.
The other lesson from that day? That even when the fit hits the shan, such as your boss is ticked off and some 14 year old punk doesn't mind jeopardizing your job, sometimes the best thing to do is laugh.
It's a long hard ride if you don't have a sense of humor.
So, here's to great teachers and the ability to reconnect with them decades later. He's approaching retirement, now. I hope the years have been kind to him and will continue to be. He's thinking he would like to be a guide at a national historical site when he retires. If he does, I will make a point to make a trek so he can teach me for at least one more day.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Baseball, Barefoot Running, Road Trips, Government Contracting, Et Al...
Just finished a coast-to-coast road-trip with my brother in 2 days. The coasts we selected were the North and Gulf coasts. Left Toledo early in the morning on Tuesday morning and got back at 3:00 a.m. on Thursday. (Okay, 3 calendar days, but less than 48 hours.)
He's finishing up his business and I wanted to drive with him to deliver some equipment. Now that the biz is sold, he's moving to California, soon, with his girlfriend. They've really been two of my closest friends these past few years. I'll really miss them.
I'm hoping to meet some new people when I start school in the Fall. I live too much like a hermit. I need to get out and interact with folks.
It is ironic that being a father and being an entrepreneur can both be a little bit lonely sometimes. On the other hand, both of those pursuits lead to chances to meet people. I just haven't done a good job of that, yet.
During the long road trip, we listened to the audiobook of "born to run". Good stuff. I thought it was a barefoot running manifesto, but it was really a very interesting story. The barefoot running part only took up a couple of chapters.
I've decided I should try to toughen my feet up by barefoot walking on the treadmill and maybe gradually introduce some barefoot running.
I honestly believe that running shoes have prevented a lot of injuries and prolonged a lot of running careers. However, the point that really struck home was this: modern running shoes shield you from pain. The pain is there to teach you to run in a manner that is less likely to produce injury.
Makes sense. Modern running shoes have a lot of heel cushioning, which teaches us to overstride and heel-strike. The verdict is unanimous that the best footstrike for distance running is a midfoot strike. (Some truly advanced runners strike ball of foot, roll back to midfoot, then push off again with the ball.)
Yesterday, I covered a mile on the treadmill barefoot. Jogged for a couple tenths of a mile in there, too. It's obvious that the stride I've gained from years of running in cushioned trainers is absolutely not a good idea when barefoot.
There is a middle ground between big cushioned trainers and going barefoot, though. (Aside from things like the Vibarim 5 Fingers and the Nike Free.) A few manufacturers used to make shoes called racing flats. Generally, duffers like me were advised to never buy racing flats under any circumstances. They simply didn't have enough cushioning.
However, now, I'm thinking that a shoe like the ASICS DS Racer or the ASICS Gel Tarther might be a good compromise between going barefoot and going overly cushioned.
Business-wise, I am inspired for the first time in a long time. I really need to get my 8a certification and pursue some federal government business. I'll start running down this trail and see where it leads. Need to put together a GSA schedule and get my 8a certification. This could be the breakthrough I've been looking for.
I sold off my son's pitching machine in the Spring when I was broke. Probably a good thing. During the baseball season, ironically, we don't have much/any time to use the thing. However, for off-season workouts, it's a godsend. You shoot wiffle balls with it in the basement and the thing is an awesome training tool.
I bought an ATEC Rookie on advice from Clay (from Bases Loaded School in Murfreesboro) back when Logan was first starting coach-pitch. I always wish I'd bought the battery version.
They're pretty pricey, but I found a place online that had it listed for a ridiculously cheap price. I placed my order. We'll just have to see if they follow through or whether it was a typo.
At first, I used it for hitting, only, but I see the value of using it to train fielding, too. That's 90% of what I want it for right now.
They also make a soft-toss machine that doubles as a feeder. That'd be cool because then Logan can just go down in the basement and hit by himself if I am otherwise occupied.
Sometime before Law School starts, I need a new dishwasher. It's getting down to crunch time. I have 3 weeks off until I take my DAWIA class in August. After that, I have a week, then Law School orientation. I've done a lot of reading in preparation, but need to do a lot more. So far, the bulk of the value of this reading has come from getting the LEEWS system on CD. It's a system that teaches you how to approach Law School exams. During the first year, exams count for pretty much 100% of any grade we get. Any effort spent on tasks that don't improve your exam score are essentially wasted.
I dropped my phone and it broke. My Sprint rep told me I could file for a replacement under my insurance. However, I'm a little leery that they're going to send me a refurb. Oh well, if they do, it's only a few months until I am eligible for an upgrade, anyway. I owned the phone for less than a year. Love the thing. Would love to have another. However, the thought of getting some crappy refurb is less than enticing.
I'm off to get my car fixed. The cylinders that hold the hatch open look like they're busted. I looked at one and it looked like it developed a leak. Should be a quick and relatively inexpensive fix.
He's finishing up his business and I wanted to drive with him to deliver some equipment. Now that the biz is sold, he's moving to California, soon, with his girlfriend. They've really been two of my closest friends these past few years. I'll really miss them.
I'm hoping to meet some new people when I start school in the Fall. I live too much like a hermit. I need to get out and interact with folks.
It is ironic that being a father and being an entrepreneur can both be a little bit lonely sometimes. On the other hand, both of those pursuits lead to chances to meet people. I just haven't done a good job of that, yet.
During the long road trip, we listened to the audiobook of "born to run". Good stuff. I thought it was a barefoot running manifesto, but it was really a very interesting story. The barefoot running part only took up a couple of chapters.
I've decided I should try to toughen my feet up by barefoot walking on the treadmill and maybe gradually introduce some barefoot running.
I honestly believe that running shoes have prevented a lot of injuries and prolonged a lot of running careers. However, the point that really struck home was this: modern running shoes shield you from pain. The pain is there to teach you to run in a manner that is less likely to produce injury.
Makes sense. Modern running shoes have a lot of heel cushioning, which teaches us to overstride and heel-strike. The verdict is unanimous that the best footstrike for distance running is a midfoot strike. (Some truly advanced runners strike ball of foot, roll back to midfoot, then push off again with the ball.)
Yesterday, I covered a mile on the treadmill barefoot. Jogged for a couple tenths of a mile in there, too. It's obvious that the stride I've gained from years of running in cushioned trainers is absolutely not a good idea when barefoot.
There is a middle ground between big cushioned trainers and going barefoot, though. (Aside from things like the Vibarim 5 Fingers and the Nike Free.) A few manufacturers used to make shoes called racing flats. Generally, duffers like me were advised to never buy racing flats under any circumstances. They simply didn't have enough cushioning.
However, now, I'm thinking that a shoe like the ASICS DS Racer or the ASICS Gel Tarther might be a good compromise between going barefoot and going overly cushioned.
Business-wise, I am inspired for the first time in a long time. I really need to get my 8a certification and pursue some federal government business. I'll start running down this trail and see where it leads. Need to put together a GSA schedule and get my 8a certification. This could be the breakthrough I've been looking for.
I sold off my son's pitching machine in the Spring when I was broke. Probably a good thing. During the baseball season, ironically, we don't have much/any time to use the thing. However, for off-season workouts, it's a godsend. You shoot wiffle balls with it in the basement and the thing is an awesome training tool.
I bought an ATEC Rookie on advice from Clay (from Bases Loaded School in Murfreesboro) back when Logan was first starting coach-pitch. I always wish I'd bought the battery version.
They're pretty pricey, but I found a place online that had it listed for a ridiculously cheap price. I placed my order. We'll just have to see if they follow through or whether it was a typo.
At first, I used it for hitting, only, but I see the value of using it to train fielding, too. That's 90% of what I want it for right now.
They also make a soft-toss machine that doubles as a feeder. That'd be cool because then Logan can just go down in the basement and hit by himself if I am otherwise occupied.
Sometime before Law School starts, I need a new dishwasher. It's getting down to crunch time. I have 3 weeks off until I take my DAWIA class in August. After that, I have a week, then Law School orientation. I've done a lot of reading in preparation, but need to do a lot more. So far, the bulk of the value of this reading has come from getting the LEEWS system on CD. It's a system that teaches you how to approach Law School exams. During the first year, exams count for pretty much 100% of any grade we get. Any effort spent on tasks that don't improve your exam score are essentially wasted.
I dropped my phone and it broke. My Sprint rep told me I could file for a replacement under my insurance. However, I'm a little leery that they're going to send me a refurb. Oh well, if they do, it's only a few months until I am eligible for an upgrade, anyway. I owned the phone for less than a year. Love the thing. Would love to have another. However, the thought of getting some crappy refurb is less than enticing.
I'm off to get my car fixed. The cylinders that hold the hatch open look like they're busted. I looked at one and it looked like it developed a leak. Should be a quick and relatively inexpensive fix.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Everything and Nothing...
I'm in St. Louis for another day. After I get my second convention check tomorrow, I'll hit the road so I can sleep in my own bed Wednesday night. The older I get, the less I want to be anywhere other than my home. My son is there. My home is there.
My friends, largely, are in other places, but that's my fault. I'm sort of a hermit. I'm hoping that law school in the Fall will give me a new circle of friends. Yeah, they'll be too young or I'll be too old. Still, I'll have a bunch of folks with something in common.
Speaking of friends, my brother is moving away and I'm sorta bummed about that. He and his girlfriend have been awesome friends over the past several years.
I got some new insights today about government contracting, which is something I've been thinking a lot about, lately. I think I know enough to finally start trying to unravel this puzzle. I got certified by the State of Ohio, but I really haven't done much with it.
I need to get a federal certification as a small disadvantaged minority business owner. That's for folks who have less than $200,000 in assets, which I clearly do. I'll have to see how it goes. I can see how this could be really big. I just need to meet with the SBA and with the local Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
If that works, I can see it sustaining my Servpro business for the foreseeable future. If not, my days with Servpro are probably numbered.
The other thing is that if I get deployed with the Navy, I can qualify as a veteran owned business. You have to be a veteran of a period of time when there was a war, for 90 days active duty or more. I don't think my 2 weeks here and there qualifies.
I'm still wading through the mountain of prep-work for law school. The Civil Procedure book is a freaking nightmare. Booooring. Civ Pro has the reputation as being the most gruelling of the 1L subjects and frankly, I can see why.
On the upside, I will have done one quick run-through of LEEWS by the time I finish my drive home. If I manage to finish the Civ Pro E&E, that's half the E&E books I set a goal of reading. I really would just need to finish up two more E&Es and then maybe do a referesher on LEEWS before school and I'll be ready to go.
I have a two week school in July that will finish up my education requirements for DAWIA level I certification. After that, I submit my application packet and see if they award the certification. If I get it, then if I get called up for duty with the Navy, it's almost certain that it would be in the role of a government contracting officer.
Yes, there's a little bit of intersection between that and trying to be a government contractor, too. I should know both sides of the issue if I get this thing done.
I'd been dragging lately because business really died on me these past two years. I really was feeling hopeless about my life.
Now, though, with Law School and the possibility of getting 8a certification to work on government contracts, I have something to look forward to.
Other than that, baseball season ends next week. There's a Fourth of July tournament and that's it. This season just FLEW by. I have a little better idea of things to work on with Logan in the off-season. Clay Snellgrove, my cousin's husband, and owner of Bases Loaded Baseball and Softball School has been a great resource for information and an invaluable sounding board as I deal with my neurotic nature as a travel baseball Dad.
He really, really did a remarkable thing this year. He hit like crazy all off-season and then the coach, for some inexplicable reason, put him 11th in the batting order on opening day. Logan responded by having 7 bad games in a row. (1 total hit in 7 games.) Then, we worked on a thing here and there and he went on a tear. He's with the team's leaders in hitting and leads the team in on-base percentage.
He really turned his season around. I couldn't be prouder of him.
Logan has swim team until maybe mid-July, then football in August and Mavericks 11U tryouts right before school starts up again.
He's going into the 5th grade. I just can't say enough positive things about the kid. He's a wonderful kid. Now that he's going to be 10 years old, I have one less year with him until he flies the coop. 8 more years with my favorite person. I'm past the halfway point.
So, at this point, I'm looking forward to getting home. The biz should throw off some good cash flow in the next couple of months, thank goodness. I may be able to pay off another couple of credit cards before the Fall Semester rolls around.
There'll be baseball Thursday through Monday and then that'll be it. It'll be good to see my boy again.
My friends, largely, are in other places, but that's my fault. I'm sort of a hermit. I'm hoping that law school in the Fall will give me a new circle of friends. Yeah, they'll be too young or I'll be too old. Still, I'll have a bunch of folks with something in common.
Speaking of friends, my brother is moving away and I'm sorta bummed about that. He and his girlfriend have been awesome friends over the past several years.
I got some new insights today about government contracting, which is something I've been thinking a lot about, lately. I think I know enough to finally start trying to unravel this puzzle. I got certified by the State of Ohio, but I really haven't done much with it.
I need to get a federal certification as a small disadvantaged minority business owner. That's for folks who have less than $200,000 in assets, which I clearly do. I'll have to see how it goes. I can see how this could be really big. I just need to meet with the SBA and with the local Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
If that works, I can see it sustaining my Servpro business for the foreseeable future. If not, my days with Servpro are probably numbered.
The other thing is that if I get deployed with the Navy, I can qualify as a veteran owned business. You have to be a veteran of a period of time when there was a war, for 90 days active duty or more. I don't think my 2 weeks here and there qualifies.
I'm still wading through the mountain of prep-work for law school. The Civil Procedure book is a freaking nightmare. Booooring. Civ Pro has the reputation as being the most gruelling of the 1L subjects and frankly, I can see why.
On the upside, I will have done one quick run-through of LEEWS by the time I finish my drive home. If I manage to finish the Civ Pro E&E, that's half the E&E books I set a goal of reading. I really would just need to finish up two more E&Es and then maybe do a referesher on LEEWS before school and I'll be ready to go.
I have a two week school in July that will finish up my education requirements for DAWIA level I certification. After that, I submit my application packet and see if they award the certification. If I get it, then if I get called up for duty with the Navy, it's almost certain that it would be in the role of a government contracting officer.
Yes, there's a little bit of intersection between that and trying to be a government contractor, too. I should know both sides of the issue if I get this thing done.
I'd been dragging lately because business really died on me these past two years. I really was feeling hopeless about my life.
Now, though, with Law School and the possibility of getting 8a certification to work on government contracts, I have something to look forward to.
Other than that, baseball season ends next week. There's a Fourth of July tournament and that's it. This season just FLEW by. I have a little better idea of things to work on with Logan in the off-season. Clay Snellgrove, my cousin's husband, and owner of Bases Loaded Baseball and Softball School has been a great resource for information and an invaluable sounding board as I deal with my neurotic nature as a travel baseball Dad.
He really, really did a remarkable thing this year. He hit like crazy all off-season and then the coach, for some inexplicable reason, put him 11th in the batting order on opening day. Logan responded by having 7 bad games in a row. (1 total hit in 7 games.) Then, we worked on a thing here and there and he went on a tear. He's with the team's leaders in hitting and leads the team in on-base percentage.
He really turned his season around. I couldn't be prouder of him.
Logan has swim team until maybe mid-July, then football in August and Mavericks 11U tryouts right before school starts up again.
He's going into the 5th grade. I just can't say enough positive things about the kid. He's a wonderful kid. Now that he's going to be 10 years old, I have one less year with him until he flies the coop. 8 more years with my favorite person. I'm past the halfway point.
So, at this point, I'm looking forward to getting home. The biz should throw off some good cash flow in the next couple of months, thank goodness. I may be able to pay off another couple of credit cards before the Fall Semester rolls around.
There'll be baseball Thursday through Monday and then that'll be it. It'll be good to see my boy again.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Bald head, lawn tractor and other items of no importance...
Got tired of my hair and shaved my head today. This is something I plan on doing about once a year when the weather gets hot. I love having no hair. Feels great and it's easy to take care of.
Unfortunately, it makes me look like an escaped mental patient or an inmate. Not a good look. At this point, though, I don't really care. I'll let it grow out and by the time Summer is ending, my hair will look normal again.
The rain might abate long enough for Logan to have his tournament this weekend. It's baseball madness. At least 6 games during a 6 game stretch. If they do well enough, it'll be 8 games. Poor kid will probably be sick of baseball by next week.
Took the zero turn mower to the dealer for an annual servicing. It was acting up a little bit, anyway. I won't have it back for 9 days. With the rate things are raining right now, the grass will be beserk by the time I get it back. That's okay. One of the nice things about the mower is that it's basically one of the most heavy-duty mowers that John Deere makes. Doesn't matter how tall the grass is, the mower takes care of it in short order.
I'm sorta looking forward to taking on the lawn when I have the steed back.
I need to buy some topsoil, I think. I want to put some in the base of Logan's basketball hoop. It keeps falling over. I'm not sure I can repair the thing, but it also needs a new rim. The backboard is also bent. I'll see what I can do to straighten all that out. He really likes to shoot hoops. Having a rim handy is sorta important for him at this age. He loves basketball.
Speaking of Logan, he ran his school's 1-mile run and finished in 7:25. Little speedster. There are a couple of kids faster, but Logan has always been one of the fastest in his class.
Other than that, I bought a new microwave. I also got a vacuum cleaner from my brother who is garage saleing all his stuff before moving to Northern California.
I also got a couple of books about law school sent to me as promotional copies by guys who I know through a law school discussion board. After I get done watching my Netflix "forgetting sarah marshall", I'll start reading those.
Weather has been rainy as all get-out and work is going really well. Should be an excellent month. We should have smooth sailing between now and July at least. Beyond that, it's impossible to guess.
That's all the news that's fit to print and a whole bunch that really isn't.
Unfortunately, it makes me look like an escaped mental patient or an inmate. Not a good look. At this point, though, I don't really care. I'll let it grow out and by the time Summer is ending, my hair will look normal again.
The rain might abate long enough for Logan to have his tournament this weekend. It's baseball madness. At least 6 games during a 6 game stretch. If they do well enough, it'll be 8 games. Poor kid will probably be sick of baseball by next week.
Took the zero turn mower to the dealer for an annual servicing. It was acting up a little bit, anyway. I won't have it back for 9 days. With the rate things are raining right now, the grass will be beserk by the time I get it back. That's okay. One of the nice things about the mower is that it's basically one of the most heavy-duty mowers that John Deere makes. Doesn't matter how tall the grass is, the mower takes care of it in short order.
I'm sorta looking forward to taking on the lawn when I have the steed back.
I need to buy some topsoil, I think. I want to put some in the base of Logan's basketball hoop. It keeps falling over. I'm not sure I can repair the thing, but it also needs a new rim. The backboard is also bent. I'll see what I can do to straighten all that out. He really likes to shoot hoops. Having a rim handy is sorta important for him at this age. He loves basketball.
Speaking of Logan, he ran his school's 1-mile run and finished in 7:25. Little speedster. There are a couple of kids faster, but Logan has always been one of the fastest in his class.
Other than that, I bought a new microwave. I also got a vacuum cleaner from my brother who is garage saleing all his stuff before moving to Northern California.
I also got a couple of books about law school sent to me as promotional copies by guys who I know through a law school discussion board. After I get done watching my Netflix "forgetting sarah marshall", I'll start reading those.
Weather has been rainy as all get-out and work is going really well. Should be an excellent month. We should have smooth sailing between now and July at least. Beyond that, it's impossible to guess.
That's all the news that's fit to print and a whole bunch that really isn't.
Friday, May 20, 2011
I just gotta snap out of it...
I've really been in a funk and I need to snap out of it. I haven't been exercising. Haven't been spending enough time at work. Haven't made any progress on my Civ Pro E&E book. I've just generally been a slug. I really haven't been as active for my son's travel baseball team as I was last year, either.
I'm just feeling sorta blah. I don't know if it qualifies as actual depression, but I'm just feeling worn out. I did get a momentary respite when the tax refunds came in. I got to pay down the credit cards by quite a bit. That whole situation is a wreck, but bit by bit, I'm moving in the right direction for a change.
I've just got this wierd feeling that is looming over everything that I'm somehow failing Logan. I don't think he's showing any signs of it, but who knows. I'm concerned. I did a terrible job as a husband and now he has to grow up in two separate households. I did a terrible job with my business and now I can't afford nice stuff. I did a terrible job with my career and now I'm going back to school.
Just feelin' sorta loser-ish. Maybe this is what midlife crisis feels like. I am absolutely feeling the weight of my years. Thinking a lot about old age, etc. I'm really pulling future problems into the present. I worry what will happen when Logan goes to college. I wonder what'll happen if I get Alzheimer's.
I think Law School will be good for me. It's an intellectually stimulating environment. I'll be around hopeful, young, smart people. Going in the daytime means I won't have to sacrifice much as far as quality time with my boy.
Yesterday I really got pissed off at some exceptionally douchebaggy behavior by my franchise trainer. He's got a new boss who is an absolute idiot. The boss has been here before. He's really sarcastic and condescending.
Anyway, they came for a visit yesterday. Usually, I have the office staff work with them to provide them with information. I come in to finish up anything they need me for, personally.
Got a call yesterday at 9:00. They said, "Hey, we're here, but you're not. Are you coming?"
I said, "Oh, sorry. Was my staff available to help you?"
They said, "Yeah, but they're leaving now."
"Oh, okay, I'll be right there."
Jumped in the car, got to the warehouse, my guys were there, but the trainer and his boss were gone.
I called and asked what was going on. "Are you guys coming back?"
No, they were leaving for the day.
Ummm... hmmm...
Now, honestly, these visits by the trainers are a total pain in the ass. For the most part they're 99% waste of time. The other 1% is usually an accident. I just accomodate them because I figure it's their job to visit franchisees.
The more I thought about it, though, that was really ****ing rude. I mean, okay, I wasn't there. Sorry, I didn't know you needed my personal attention. Usually, it doesn't go that way. They want to see this or that file, or go over this or that administrative thing. It's better that they do it with the employees who handle that stuff than for me to act as go-between and ask the employees for the information.
If they had just gotten pissed off and left, no problem. Get pissed off and leave. I really don't care.
But to call me? Hear me say, "oh, sorry, I'll be right there", then leave knowing full well that I'm coming there specifically because they said they needed my personal attention and couldn't do what they had to do with my employees?
I stewed for a while, then called the trainer and dropped a full bushell of f-bombs on him. At first, I asked him if there was something going on because there's really no rational explanation for his behavior.
He eventually came up with, "Well, we had a meeting. I was there on time..."
Okay, zip it right there, Sparky. Not sure if you understand, but it's not my job to accomodate your schedule. It's your job to accomodate mine. You don't pay my salary. I pay yours. LET'S. GET. THIS. RELATIONSHIP. DEFINED. RIGHT. FUCKING. NOW.
I figured he had copped an attitude and that was the reason for the bizzarre behavior.
At that point, I just said, "Look, if you NEED to see me to verify something or get some information, that's fine. Otherwise, I don't want you to come back."
The reality is that these visits don't benefit me one whit. I just accomodated them out of professional courtesy.
He said, "Okay, if all you want is what's contractually obligated, we can do that."
Actually, I don't even want that. I will do that because it's required, but in the best of all worlds, you clowns would disappear until I asked to see you.
These trainers can be very helpful in the early stages when you really need help and are learning how to do X, Y or Z. However, after a year or two of doing this, you very, very quickly get to a point where you know far more about running a business than a guy who just sits around watching other people run businesses. Also, some are better than others. I can name a handful that I really like, who have been immensely helpful to me and who were and are a pleasure to deal with. Unfortunately, those guys are, at best, about 50% of the trainers.
At that point, the trainer largely becomes a pain in the ass with really stupid ideas.
Here's a perfect example. Last time they visited, they concluded the visit by asking, "So, is there anything you need from us?"
My answer: "Yes. I want a marketing and business plan for a carpet cleaning business. Stanley Steemer makes money at this. I can make money at it, too."
I figured they'd take that information back to corporate and come back with something.
Instead, they just started pulling ideas out of their ass.
"Oh, well, you have to put the one guy on commission."
No shit Sherlock. Really? What I want to know is WHAT COMMISSION, DUMBASS!!!!???? HOW MUCH? PAID HOW OFTEN? HOW MUCH FOR WORK SCHEDULED BY THE OFFICE? HOW MUCH FOR EACH UPSELL?
They also shared gems like, "If the customer calls you and asks for a discount carpet cleaning, you should bring in the roto scrubber, put it right in their living room and say, 'oh, sorry Mrs. Jones, you mean you didn't want the showcase cleaning? My paperwork here says you did, but that's no problem. It does a much better job of cleaning and would only be an additional $X.' That way you can upsell her."
So... your advice to me, when I ask you for a business plan and marketing plan for a carpet cleaning business is to show up into people's homes and lie to them to try and decieve them into paying for a service they didn't want?
In my 6th year of doing this, I've come to realize that the trainers really are just guys doing a job. They're not bad people. They just have to do what they're told. Part of that is to visit franchises. Part of that is to pretend to listen when the franchisees say they want something. The other part is to take suggestions from corporate, no matter how unprofitable and stupid, and continue to try and get the franchisee to do them.
(And keep in mind the unprofitable stupid ideas are the ones on the fringes. The vast bulk of what the franchise recommends is good stuff. Where they jump the tracks is when they come up with a guideline which, after years, not a single franchise has implemented profitably, and they're still trying to push it out into the field.)
I accept that. If they need to visit somebody, I figured why not be hospitable. They weren't actually doing anything beneficial for me, but what's the harm?
This latest episode? Yeah, sorry doofus. Find somebody else who has time to waste when you need to justify your stupid job.
Ah well. Rob is having a garage sale and I bought his bicycle. Logan is almost big enough to ride it. I'll see if I can find my pedal wrench and other tools and try to adjust it to him tonight. I also bought a tire from Rob. It's hanging off the front porch to give Logan a target for baseballs and footballs. I'm sure our HOA is delighted.
It's also going to be good to watch Logan play some baseball. He's really been heating up at the plate lately. It's great watching these kids play.
I'm just feeling sorta blah. I don't know if it qualifies as actual depression, but I'm just feeling worn out. I did get a momentary respite when the tax refunds came in. I got to pay down the credit cards by quite a bit. That whole situation is a wreck, but bit by bit, I'm moving in the right direction for a change.
I've just got this wierd feeling that is looming over everything that I'm somehow failing Logan. I don't think he's showing any signs of it, but who knows. I'm concerned. I did a terrible job as a husband and now he has to grow up in two separate households. I did a terrible job with my business and now I can't afford nice stuff. I did a terrible job with my career and now I'm going back to school.
Just feelin' sorta loser-ish. Maybe this is what midlife crisis feels like. I am absolutely feeling the weight of my years. Thinking a lot about old age, etc. I'm really pulling future problems into the present. I worry what will happen when Logan goes to college. I wonder what'll happen if I get Alzheimer's.
I think Law School will be good for me. It's an intellectually stimulating environment. I'll be around hopeful, young, smart people. Going in the daytime means I won't have to sacrifice much as far as quality time with my boy.
Yesterday I really got pissed off at some exceptionally douchebaggy behavior by my franchise trainer. He's got a new boss who is an absolute idiot. The boss has been here before. He's really sarcastic and condescending.
Anyway, they came for a visit yesterday. Usually, I have the office staff work with them to provide them with information. I come in to finish up anything they need me for, personally.
Got a call yesterday at 9:00. They said, "Hey, we're here, but you're not. Are you coming?"
I said, "Oh, sorry. Was my staff available to help you?"
They said, "Yeah, but they're leaving now."
"Oh, okay, I'll be right there."
Jumped in the car, got to the warehouse, my guys were there, but the trainer and his boss were gone.
I called and asked what was going on. "Are you guys coming back?"
No, they were leaving for the day.
Ummm... hmmm...
Now, honestly, these visits by the trainers are a total pain in the ass. For the most part they're 99% waste of time. The other 1% is usually an accident. I just accomodate them because I figure it's their job to visit franchisees.
The more I thought about it, though, that was really ****ing rude. I mean, okay, I wasn't there. Sorry, I didn't know you needed my personal attention. Usually, it doesn't go that way. They want to see this or that file, or go over this or that administrative thing. It's better that they do it with the employees who handle that stuff than for me to act as go-between and ask the employees for the information.
If they had just gotten pissed off and left, no problem. Get pissed off and leave. I really don't care.
But to call me? Hear me say, "oh, sorry, I'll be right there", then leave knowing full well that I'm coming there specifically because they said they needed my personal attention and couldn't do what they had to do with my employees?
I stewed for a while, then called the trainer and dropped a full bushell of f-bombs on him. At first, I asked him if there was something going on because there's really no rational explanation for his behavior.
He eventually came up with, "Well, we had a meeting. I was there on time..."
Okay, zip it right there, Sparky. Not sure if you understand, but it's not my job to accomodate your schedule. It's your job to accomodate mine. You don't pay my salary. I pay yours. LET'S. GET. THIS. RELATIONSHIP. DEFINED. RIGHT. FUCKING. NOW.
I figured he had copped an attitude and that was the reason for the bizzarre behavior.
At that point, I just said, "Look, if you NEED to see me to verify something or get some information, that's fine. Otherwise, I don't want you to come back."
The reality is that these visits don't benefit me one whit. I just accomodated them out of professional courtesy.
He said, "Okay, if all you want is what's contractually obligated, we can do that."
Actually, I don't even want that. I will do that because it's required, but in the best of all worlds, you clowns would disappear until I asked to see you.
These trainers can be very helpful in the early stages when you really need help and are learning how to do X, Y or Z. However, after a year or two of doing this, you very, very quickly get to a point where you know far more about running a business than a guy who just sits around watching other people run businesses. Also, some are better than others. I can name a handful that I really like, who have been immensely helpful to me and who were and are a pleasure to deal with. Unfortunately, those guys are, at best, about 50% of the trainers.
At that point, the trainer largely becomes a pain in the ass with really stupid ideas.
Here's a perfect example. Last time they visited, they concluded the visit by asking, "So, is there anything you need from us?"
My answer: "Yes. I want a marketing and business plan for a carpet cleaning business. Stanley Steemer makes money at this. I can make money at it, too."
I figured they'd take that information back to corporate and come back with something.
Instead, they just started pulling ideas out of their ass.
"Oh, well, you have to put the one guy on commission."
No shit Sherlock. Really? What I want to know is WHAT COMMISSION, DUMBASS!!!!???? HOW MUCH? PAID HOW OFTEN? HOW MUCH FOR WORK SCHEDULED BY THE OFFICE? HOW MUCH FOR EACH UPSELL?
They also shared gems like, "If the customer calls you and asks for a discount carpet cleaning, you should bring in the roto scrubber, put it right in their living room and say, 'oh, sorry Mrs. Jones, you mean you didn't want the showcase cleaning? My paperwork here says you did, but that's no problem. It does a much better job of cleaning and would only be an additional $X.' That way you can upsell her."
So... your advice to me, when I ask you for a business plan and marketing plan for a carpet cleaning business is to show up into people's homes and lie to them to try and decieve them into paying for a service they didn't want?
In my 6th year of doing this, I've come to realize that the trainers really are just guys doing a job. They're not bad people. They just have to do what they're told. Part of that is to visit franchises. Part of that is to pretend to listen when the franchisees say they want something. The other part is to take suggestions from corporate, no matter how unprofitable and stupid, and continue to try and get the franchisee to do them.
(And keep in mind the unprofitable stupid ideas are the ones on the fringes. The vast bulk of what the franchise recommends is good stuff. Where they jump the tracks is when they come up with a guideline which, after years, not a single franchise has implemented profitably, and they're still trying to push it out into the field.)
I accept that. If they need to visit somebody, I figured why not be hospitable. They weren't actually doing anything beneficial for me, but what's the harm?
This latest episode? Yeah, sorry doofus. Find somebody else who has time to waste when you need to justify your stupid job.
Ah well. Rob is having a garage sale and I bought his bicycle. Logan is almost big enough to ride it. I'll see if I can find my pedal wrench and other tools and try to adjust it to him tonight. I also bought a tire from Rob. It's hanging off the front porch to give Logan a target for baseballs and footballs. I'm sure our HOA is delighted.
It's also going to be good to watch Logan play some baseball. He's really been heating up at the plate lately. It's great watching these kids play.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)