the working room

Computer Project: Build a Media Player

2008-07-23T00:02:00.007-04:00

The old computer died again. What a waste of money it was to get the power unit replaced! I don't even think I got 6 months out of that thing. If I had the energy I'd go back and tell these people they owe me a new power unit, because this one didn't last.

I almost spent more money with them, but I'm going to do different. I'm simply never going back. I remember I had to constantly call to get the guy to do the work within the time he promised. I can't stand that type of "service."

New Jersey has some of the laziest, most expensive, low motivation, "professional" people around. They charge a lot to deliver sloppy work, whether it's for landscaping, fence work, home construction, or medical work - you name it. I was terrified when I was buying my house. The lawyers in this state - don't get me started on that topic.

I admit it: I'm never satisfied. (snicker)

However, everyone does charge too much for a lousy job.

Do It Yourself or Get a Relative or Friend

I can't do everything myself, but damn, I will check with relatives and friends, before I ever go to any stranger around this place to do something for me again. Folks 'round here have no pride in their work.

Since the PC is dead, I will take the hard drives out, and either put them into a hard drive enclosure(s), or new computer case.

The thought of building a new machine excites me. I would consider a Linux system, like Ubuntu or Red Hat. I don't need a new machine, I'd prefer more disk space on my network. I'm down to two desktops, and a laptop with a malfunctioning screen. I'd remove that hard drive as well.

Media Player

What I'd really like to do is build myself a standalone hard drive MP3 player. The funny thing is I am having a hell of a time finding any information about this project. I see information from around 2001, but not relevantly recent.

Most projects start with a full fledged PC (Linux or Windows OS), or use a microprocessor with access to a flash card (SD/ MMC), but that is not what I'm looking to do.

I want a microprocessor with audio programmed to play music off the hard drives. The programming part doesn't scare me: I'm rusty, but I know C.

I basically want to build my own iPod: never thought it would be so hard.

I'm going to get it done. One thing I love to do is build stuff that interests me.

Financial Planning My Way

2008-06-27T21:38:00.003-04:00

This is the initial workings for my lifelong goal of financial stability. I see personal finances as a four legged stool: retirement, real estate, investments, and cash. I strive for simplicity. These are goals for starting balances, the future yields would definitely be higher.

1. Retirement

IRA, Roth (IRA), and Whatever Else the Government Will Think Up: Stop funding accounts once $100,000 is reached. I don't bother with all those online calculators and projections. They are unrealistic, crazy, and make people silly. The money is to be left alone until retirement age! Mutual funds range from international / foreign markets, fast growing medium-sized organizations to large, dividend paying companies.
Pensions: Future estimates are that it will be less than $100 a month. Not enough to feed a cat in 30 years.

2. Real estate

Pay off mortgage(s): own the home / property outright. Current mortgage is scheduled for 30 years of payments. Goal is to pay off this debt in 15-20 years.
It doesn't matter if I move tomorrow. I will look for the same housing costs, in order to have the same payoff period remaining on the new house and mortgage.

3. Investments

Rental Property: I wanted to buy rental property years ago, not the single dweller homes, but modest-sized apartment complexes. I don't know if I have the temperament for this activity. My objective would be 15 year mortgage payment plans.
Mutual Funds: These accounts are gone. I have to start over for my stool to have all of its legs. I will begin with $2,500 per account, or re-invest in same every year: that's roughly $210 per month. These accounts are where all the monies will be.
Bonds: I wouldn't necessarily call bonds an investment, but they satisfy my conservative nature. I want municipal and corporate bonds, with the grand total of all not exceeding $100,000. If I was retired, I would definitely look at government bonds.

4. Cash

Checking: a general bank account, nothing fancy. There are people who have all sorts of complicated schemes where they shift funds around for a tiny difference in return. I don't knock them for it. I just look at it as a place to park the money before the bills are paid. I require only two months of expenses here. If I need more funds, then the other accounts get pulled.
Envelope Stash: have enough to keep me from going to the ATM every week. This is what people did in the old days. Keep the money in an envelope and take what is needed for the week. It helps keep spending in check: take only a debit card for emergencies.

There you have it. It's not perfect, but something I aim for.

The Electric Car

2008-06-24T13:48:00.009-04:00

Where is the mass market electric automobile?

What is taking so long to bring these things to market?

Tesla Motors has a car, but it's high end. They don't go very far. Fast yes, distance no: max range is 220 miles. The Tesla Roadstar has lovely bells and whistles, but I don't think there are any on the road yet.

I've read that they are working on a mass market vehicle. We'll see.

I won't go over the disaster that General Motors (GM) made of their EV-1. Years ago, I can recall that that car was initially supposed to fill the California market. The next thing you know - poof! - it's gone!

The theory of peak oil has been around for a number of years. Whether it is true or not, there should be alternatives to transportation, and not just dependent on Petroleum Oil. Brazil had no trouble getting clever about this strategy. They use sugar cane, Ethanol, to fuel their automobiles. Why haven't we?

Why isn't there a full variety in our transportation infrastructure options?

Supposedly, the mass market problem with the electric automobile is the battery. Senator McCain, in an effort to get the market moving, has proposed a $300 million reward for a better battery for a new electric car. I guess he's unaware of the $10 million X-prize for a mass market zero emission car.

Hey, I am all for it. Right now there's a company from Norway called Think and they plan on bringing their car to our market. I hope they do, I like the concept. I would wait for the second or third generation of this item. The car they plan on selling will only have a range from 125-155 miles. Good, but I'm sure they will get better.

The thought of only plugging in my car at night excites me. I think as a backup, I would like having a small tank of gas (flex-fuel) that can take me roughly 100 miles or so. Any and all options are welcome at this juncture.

Yet, until I see these cars in a showroom all this stuff is just PR hype and talk.

Cutting Spending and Saving Money

2008-06-15T18:50:00.005-04:00

I am a spendthrift. Money burns a hole in my pocket. Currently, it is an incredibly deep hole. The philosophy to follow when one is in trouble is to stop digging.

I will stop, and find a way to climb out of this hole. I have to organize. I used to be so proud of being a hustler. I don't know what's been going on my head for the past few years. I've truly lost track of myself.

Short term goals:

1. Track spending: write down what I spend.
2. Limit my spending.
3. Save weekly what I did not spend.
4. Create additional income.

I don't follow a budget. I do track current balances, and know where the money is going when fixed bills are due.

I will get more anal, and detail every single cent I spend every day. It's like being on a diet. I may not like it for the short haul, but over a period of time it works (at least for me).

I've been looking for ways to save money. I wont know where to cut until after I've studied my spending journal. My gut (har-har-har) tells me I spend too much on food and entertainment. Yet, there is only so much I can cut back in those areas.

I have an investment account I emptied out. Last week, I started squirreling money back into it. Initially, it's not much. It's the equivalent of money I spent daily on coffee per week. Later on, I will double that amount.

Last, but not least. I have to look at where to increase my income. I've got too much month, and not enough money.

Earn Airline Miles! Earn a Free Flight

2008-06-11T21:20:00.004-04:00

Earn miles to get to your next destination for free! There are many ways to earn points to obtain a free flight.

The following is only the tip of the iceburg, the rest is up to you to research:

Credit Card Association:

As long as your spending is under control. If you have little or no debt, or have one card with a very low balance consider switching. The debt won't translate into points, but future spending will.

If you have excellent self-control with spending: use a credit card affiliated with a major airline to rack up those flight points!

Online Programs:

There are plenty of programs that allow swapping between point programs. Some encourage survey taking to gain points, others require you to purchase at a specific vendor.

If you have a lot of patience, and can wait, the points toward a free flight will slowly build.

Airlines often change their point programs after each bankruptcy, so plan your trips and point accumulation accordingly.

Software: Password Management

2008-06-10T13:58:00.006-04:00

I'm reluctant to try new software. I have little patience for learning how the stuff works. I don't read the manual: I don't want to.

Software should work intuitively. The majority of commands required are the same. I don't like gimmicky products that forces one to look in new places on the menu for: File, Edit, Options, Help, etc.

I have a gazillion online accounts. I can't remember all the accounts I have. The best I could do was keep track by spreadsheet, but it's too much to update. It is too much to handle.

I broke down, and downloaded RoboForm.

It's very easy to use, no manual reading required.

Solar Power

2008-05-26T16:17:00.005-04:00

Now, that the end of world - in the form of peak oil - is coming soon, and this has always been prophesied, what does the future regarding energy have to offer? I believe solar power is still the most promising, however there are a ton of hurdles to overcome.

I read the usual stuff about how there is enough solar energy hitting the planet to fuel the world, and then some. Even the robots - Sojourner Pathfinder, Spirit, Opportunity, and of late Phoenix - sent to Mars are running on solar power.

Solar power is always on and always free.

The question is: Why isn't it being harnessed properly and provided to everyone? Well, who would make money from free solar energy? Once solar technology is exploited, per installed solar panels, and aside from modest maintenance fees, there isn't anymore money to generate from this situation.

Businesses run on reoccurring consumption: customers return for more of the same. Even for products that may last a lifetime, people are urged to trade it in for new and improved models!

Department of Energy: USA! USA!

Never fear, there are people looking into this matter. Annually, the Department of Energy has a Solar Decathlon competition for college students to build the most attractive and energy efficient homes. The event takes place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., October 12 - 20.

The winner of the 2007 competition, Technische Universitat Darmstadt (of Germany) has an awesome website: check it out. The house which won was neat, totally efficient, and something I wouldn't even mind living in. Sometimes environmentally friendly doesn't look comfortable, but this house is cute.

Safety versus Gas Price

2008-04-29T19:24:00.004-04:00

Around my area the price of gas has risen to as much as $3.75 a gallon. That's the slightly higher grade of gas my car requires.

The summer driving season hasn't even started yet! I'm reading reports that per barrel "experts" predict prices as high as $200!

Thank goodness I don't have far to drive.

I've noticed that the dealers nearby have removed all of their big trucks and SUVs for those new, fuel efficient and amusing golf carts.

I believe in fuel economy, yet I value my life more. I'd rather pay more for gas in a full sized automobile that will protect me from bodily harm. My car has air bags everywhere, and one of those crash zone impact frames what-have-you.

I live in the state with the worst drivers in America. I care about careful driving and evading car accidents, not high gas prices.

New York Auto Show 2008 - Slide Show

2008-04-27T16:57:00.000-04:00

I Am An Unforgiving Consumer

2008-04-23T14:20:00.008-04:00

At times, I am a really slow shopper. Good shopping is like a hobby, or enjoying a good snack. It's to be done without haste, and with much leisure.

I browse, looking at nearly every item of interest to purchase. I can linger for long periods of time in hair, skin, makeup, and especially pain / cold remedy aisles. I like to look for particular products, check the prices, ingredients, and the smell.

Does that make me a criminal? Or is it because I am a black woman?

Are these the most shoplifted items? They must be. I can only surmise this from the behavior of store clerks. I wonder where they think I can hide these items on my body? Apparently, these geniuses need to pass directly in front of me a million times, or linger closely without so much as a "Hello, can I help you find something?"

Guess what I do? I'll abruptly put down the basket chock full of items. I head for the exit. My money stays in my wallet. (Yeah, I carry a wallet, not a purse.) And I am out. I am not coming back. Ever.

There's too much competition for my money. I don't need these clowns, they need me.

I want to shop without some minimum wage nitwit shadowing me. I want to toss my 12 oz hair conditioner at them. I want to read the ingredients without someone breathing down my back. I should be able to check that this item is on sale without the sudden store clerk traffic coming my way.

If you cannot respect my shopping habits: Adios. I will never return.

A Bitter April 15th

2008-04-15T17:48:00.006-04:00

Flat Tax

Why wont this stupid government pass a flat tax and be done with it? Let me pay what I owe once. Don't tax me every time I touch my own bloody money.

Nothing angers me more than when I have to pay a second tax and third tax, after an income tax, on money I had in savings. Why is this okay? Why is this even permissible?

I don't expect much in the way of the electorate demanding simplicity, but couldn't a brave, and hopefully intelligent, politician see the way? Couldn't one of these elected geniuses offer some kind of two-track tax plan? There should be one for tax payers who love paperwork, and a one-time, once per year tax only on income. And that's it!!

Why must there be thousands of pages just to pay taxes? Is the purpose of these byzantine tax laws to ensure a domestic works program for financial planners, accountants, lawyers and their ilk? A flat tax would certainly reduce the demand for these "professionals." A better course of action would be to pass the flat tax, then have all these accountants auditing government spending on entitlements, domestic programs and defense.

Bitterness

Forget about the opiate of the masses, excessive taxation is legalized slavery. If the government has its citizens in debt to pay taxes, there is no moral difference. It is indentured servitude.

Just what do my taxes pay for? Here's an example: a "stimulus" check, where the same money we sent, is returned to the taxpayers. How about not confiscating so much in the first place?

If you want to talk about a bitter citizen, then I am your woman. I haven't embraced guns yet, but I'm almost there. 'Cause right now all there is to cling to is God.

When a Computer Dies

2008-04-08T12:38:00.004-04:00

My file server just had to die on me. It's an old box - over 7 years old, which I use to print, scan documents, grab additional disk space via my external hard drive for the other computers I have. The file server is not critical, yet it is necessary.

Procrastination caused this mess: that might as well be my middle name.

I make backups, but the files I have on my backup drive are not the most recent. It's been over a year and a half since I copied files to the backup drive.

Damn.

Fortunately, I don't erase files off of my camera's SD card. I usually copy the files from my SD card directly to the backup drive. Yet, lately I was solely using the file server.

Why!?!

I wish I knew. This thing has been screaming in high pitched death throes for over three years. Lately, there was a burning smell, which I thought was one of the printers. I didn't know it was the file server.

Duh.

I sent it off to be repaired. I know the power unit was what died. I only hope that was the worst of it. The machine runs on Windows XP Professional. I don't want a new box with Windows Vista. I'm not in the mood for that kind of time wasting agony.

New York Auto Show March 2008

2008-04-07T11:49:00.006-04:00

I just wanted to show some clips of the cars I like. I will add more in later posts.

The Bully at Work

2008-03-26T18:18:00.005-04:00

The New York Times, March 25, 2008, has a rather fascinating article on the bully at work. I find that article to be rather timely. I was talking to my mother about how Corporate America is actually an extension of junior high or high school. The same asshats that you disliked or were bullied by at school, end up being coworkers and supervisors.

So the hell of working with a belligerent jerk never ends. In this case, because one needs work to eat and survive this makes the situation worse. With all the debts people have, the difficultly of job jumping, the commute, our personal obligations, health benefits, and so on, sometimes hell is the only place we can work.

I'm not surprised companies are losing billions of dollars in lawsuits, people are taking extensive sick time, or just walking off the job. I've walked away from a number of people I wanted to knock the stuffing out of. It's not even just about rudeness, they know you don't want to be labeled a troublemaker.

This is about power. Nothing else.

This quote from the article, is pretty much standard at every job I've worked at. It's happened to me and I've seen it happen to others. Oftentimes, I wonder why there aren't more shoot-outs at job sites. According to the NY Times:

The work bully sets out on a course of constant but subtle harassment. It may start with a belittling comment at a staff meeting. Later it becomes gossip to co-workers and forgetting to invite someone to an important work event. If the bully is a supervisor, victims may be stripped of critical duties, then accused of not doing their job, says Gary Namie.

I'm a vendetta minded type of person. Not only do I thoroughly document disgusting and rude behavior, I also retaliate. I don't let people mess with my money. I see that as life threatening, and I respond in kind.

People have and will lose jobs after I'm done with them, because I'm willing to lose my job just to get my revenge.

Barack Obama: 10 Rules of Leadership

2008-03-07T13:04:00.005-05:00

I've been following the campaign for presidential nominee of the Democrat party. I think Barack Obama is a good example and role model for people who want to achieve groundbreaking, or substantial goals in life. It is fascinating to watch and learn from his experiences.

These are my takeaways regarding his background and political campaign(s):

Accept who you are. He's written autobiographies embracing all aspects of his background: good and bad behavior. He comes across as secure and not conflicted about his identity.
Make the best of your educational opportunities. He didn't shrug away from learning, he realized that education is the key to moving ahead in this country.
Networking is the key to getting what you want. He not only is good at reaching out, he knows that he has to talk to everyone. He's learned from his community organizing days to get a hold of key players (power brokers) and work with them.
Be very optimistic, polite and "open." Although politics in this country is about power at all costs, it doesn't mean one has to sink into mud to achieve power. The nice guy approach works, it hides your own ruthless streak.
Surround yourself with really smart and motivated people. The ability to get things done is not a "man as an island" concept. A good leader surrounds himself with people who know their strengths and are capable and ready to act on them.
Use the latest technology and media to reach a vast amount of people. Even if you, personally, are not on top of technology, find people who can expand your reach.
Keep your message consistent. This is the key to sticking with what works and keeping your message "on point." People judge you by an initial impression. The impression has to be reinforced by a simple message. Who remembers ten point plans? People respond to leaders based on emotion.
Stick with a plan, but be flexible. Keeping the goal in mind, tweaking the game plan is important.
Wage war like the military. Shock and awe may be an interesting phrase, but the first goal is to cripple all communication abilities of the "enemy." This means defining yourself before someone else can, and whatever message they have use it to limit them. You expand on your strengths and define them by their weaknesses.
Do not hesitate to ask for help, or for what you want. This is something that eludes a lot of people. Ask for what you want, because there are only two possible answers: yes or no. Oftentimes, more people respond with the affirmative. It doesn't hurt to ask and ask often.

Future Technology: Cars

2008-02-19T17:23:00.012-05:00

I love to read and keep track of the types of technology that will affect the future.

Self-Driving Cars

The Department of Defense (DARPA) had this awesome contest, where cars drive themselves. Think of those sci-fi movies like Total Recall with the robot driver.

The facts of this race described in the following (text comes entirely from NewScientistTech):

A sports utility vehicle with a mind of its own was declared the winner of DARPA's urban robot car race on Sunday. It travelled autonomously through traffic for six hours and 60 miles (100 kilometres) around a ghost town in California, US, to scoop the prize.

Nicknamed Boss, the vehicle developed at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, won a $2 million prize in the third such race sponsored by the US Department of Defense, which wants military supply vehicles to one day drive themselves.

See for yourself: brightcove clip.

Future Car Contest

Another contest is for a car that would be light years ahead of what's on the road today. This snippet from EV World explains what it is:

The Automotive X Prize is a multi-million dollar international competition to develop a manufacturable passenger vehicle with fuel economy equivalent to least 100 mpg (2.3 liters/100 km).

Not as exciting as the self-driving automobile, but still interesting none-the-less. I like the concept of a plug-in car or something easier to charge at home that has a driving range of 100 miles. I would never need to stop by the gas station again.

Things I learned watching the Democrat and Replubican Primaries / Caucauses

2008-02-14T13:36:00.005-05:00

Democrat and Republican Nomination Contests

It has been a fascinating race. I especially enjoy watching political pundits, people who clearly think they are sages, get nearly every state primary or caucus wrong. They enjoy writing off candidates without funds. They assume candidates with big war chests will win. They make assumptions about the voting preferences of ethnic, racial, religious groups and genders as though it's locked in stone.

Reality check: people are unpredictable. The polls only predict what the people who picked up the phone, felt like voting for on that day. I've done polling in the past: there are a ton of people who do not want to speak and never pick up the phone.

I'm one of them.

Campaign Appeal and Voters Response

What voters do respond to are the candidates that appear to speak to them directly. I'm reminded of my small, yet growing town, deciding to go from a committee form of government to having a mayor. One candidate went door to door asking for votes. He even showed up at my door. We had a pleasant conversation. The other candidate wrote letters. He may have gone door to door as well, although I never saw him.

I was struck by how civil the campaign was. Each spoke about what they did for a living, where they lived, their families, and their goals. Is there a politician alive that doesn't promise lower taxes, less commercial and housing development?

America is Different

Watching the current race for nomination of their political party I'm struck by what we, as Americans, take for granted. A stable government. No violence at the ballot. Civility. Free speech and the ability to vote. I'm not saying it's executed perfectly, but it works.

Personal Inventory: Less is More

2008-02-02T18:06:00.000-05:00

At least once a year I take stock of the stuff in my house. I make the following decisions about these items:

keep,
sell,
or give it away.

Stuff falls into many categories: old computers, sofas, bureaus, shoes, clothing, bicycles, and if it's something I don't use anymore, it's a goner. I may consider getting rid of all my exercise equipment, except for the stationery bike and treadmill. And even one day those may be sold off.

I was walking back to my house one evening, which is a short distance from the mailbox, when a neighbor said to me, "Wow, so much room in your garage. You can still park your car in it."

I said, "Yes, that's true. I don't like clutter."

Most of my neighbors keep their cars in the driveway and on the streets, because they have so much stuff in their garages: tennis rackets, golf clubs, weight lifting equipment, refrigerators, lawn mowers, snow blowers, and everything-else-you-can-think-of. When the door goes up on their garages, I look at their accumulated items and ask myself, "Why?" I always feel, if I'm not using it, I can definitely lose it.

It isn't moral superiority to state that clutter makes me feel suffocated. I honestly feel I can't breathe in a crowded environment. There are rooms in my house that aren't fully furnished.

It's a matter of personal taste. I don't need more things. I like having less of them. Less is more.

A half-empty house is a glorious treasure.

Motivational Speakers and Writers

2008-01-26T13:57:00.000-05:00

I used to hunt bookstores and libraries reading anything that is positive and affirmative about life.

I like an optimistic outlook on life: it keeps me going.

I've read Tony Robbins, Robert T. Kiyosaki, Zig Zigler, Napoleon Hill, and others. Pure hype. It's no different than reading Robert G. Allen. They became rich by being professional cheerleaders about becoming rich. This is the key to non-working get rich schemes today: one gets rich telling others how to make money doing the same thing - selling nothing, but hype.

Why do they all seem to be white, middle aged, and male? I ain't mad atcha, guys.

I used to think that I could apply their ideas and suggestions. Most times, I realized I couldn't. They, to me, point to success in male oriented directions as opportunities for networking: extreme sports, golf, football, ski diving or some other sport.

Success, to a number of them, pertain to activities mostly favorable to networked, outgoing, hyperactive people. I've never read a book which pertain to issues women, the shy, and the introverted face.

This is my personal take. It's possible that women, the shy and introverted were able to get advice which works for them.

For example:

I'm not a phone person. I don't chase down people to persuade and suggest they give me what I want.
I don't have a grand passion for anything, especially regarding career or work. I've taken the tests: everything bores me.
I used to have a strong interest in art and writing, but schooling to study a practical profession drained all the creativity out of me.
I don't know anyone who runs a bank. Oh, I take that back, by three degrees of separation I do. Well, I don't know anyone who runs any other big institution or business.
I also don't have any interest in sitting on park benches to mirror strangers.

I know it sells books, but talking about skydiving, traveling to exotic locales (countries where the natives want to come to the US) is not interesting. My family comes from one of those places. Their motivational stories are a byproduct of the pissing contest between men. I don't care about this stuff.

One day, with a good amount of serendipity, I'll find a book that addresses my needs.

Sales People Are the Lifeblood of a Company

2008-01-18T18:31:00.000-05:00

Without sales people, who brings in the money?

Another failure of Corporate America is to understand that every employee who makes contact with a customer is a sales person.

Customer service should be exactly that, not just handle people, get them off the phone, and ignore them.

The goal should be to:

Get a customer.

Keep them satisfied.

Go beyond the call of duty to serve them.

Work to make the customer come back.

Do they not realize it is cheaper to keep the customer than to find another?

The following is an example of the sales person who knows more than we realize:

I worked on a project implementing a data warehouse application. I have to admit complex reporting was not my forte (still isn't).

It was driven home when a sales person gave a demonstration of his own customized reports in Excel. It was a thorough indepth comparative report of their sales history and territory.

The reports they created were so good, that at the time, the data warehouse application couldn't compare.

I tell this story and sometimes people look incredulous. I respect people who can handle the stress of selling products and services.

I think it's an incredible skill.

Another example of customer service that leads to future sales:

My car died at the car wash. I didn't know what was wrong with it. I'm someone who drives a car until the service people remind me, otherwise I wouldn't get the car fixed.

I was in a panic until I realized there was a car dealer within walking distance. I went there. After batting my big brown eyes a few times, instead of sending a van over (which would have been a two hour wait), the guy walked back with me and figured out that the battery was dead.

This car dealer is now where I go to get my car fixed.

Third Party Vendor Needed: Job References

2008-01-14T22:19:00.000-05:00

I do not trust business people, especially supervisors or managers.

They speak. Their lips move: I see a liar.

Why do I feel this way? Personal experience.

It doesn't matter how many good reviews received while on-the-job, once you are gone from the organization, do not expect these individuals to keep their word. Yes, of course, they'll be a reference, but they are saying anything to get rid of you.

It's gotten so bad these days, a man won a lawsuit to keep his ex-employer from bad mouthing him.

Has anyone ever bad-mouthed me? Once, many many years ago.

Today, a third party has to be utilized to make sure all these references aren't calling one an embezzler or incompetent boob. Because you know how corporate America is today - it's nothing personal, it's just the business rules of the vindictive, bigoted, stupid and spiteful.

Yeah, I'm bitter.

I haven't started the search yet, but is there a business that provides vetted references? What do I mean? There's a company that provides, excuses - ah, alibis - as a cover for people who are supposed to be at a specific location, yet are not.

I want to find a company - legit - that works like an official reference trust or a credit scoring service. This company carries out the task of making sure references are vetted, checked, and asked a series of questions.

After 12 months, the reference information expires. This leaves the managerial liars at the former company free of legal entanglements. They are released from being asked the same questions multiple times and providing multiple fraudulent and inflammatory answers.

In addition, people forget. Why have them answer the same questions over and over again over a period of (gawd forbid) years?

Through this plan, all sides win.

If a company can use testimonies of their "customers" - whom I suspect are really actors - as proof of their level of quality. Why not have a company that keeps references for working people?

Shopping Experience: Walmart vs Target

2008-01-10T11:48:00.001-05:00

Oh my Gawd, I hate shopping at my local Walmart. It is never an easy in-and-out experience. It takes forever to get out of this store.

Do they even care in this place?

This Walmart is not a full size mega store with a grocery store and oil change depot and whatever other features they provide. However, it is one of a significant size. In consideration of size, one would hope that they would staff the checkout aisles appropriately!

This store hires just about anyone, and they specialize in apathetic and slow moving employees.

I make trips to the dollar store, my local grocer, any store, even if it's higher in price, just to avoid this Walmart. If only they understood customer service, I'd shop there more often.

Here's a comparison of their failure to perform. I also shop at Target. Whenever there are more than four or five people on a line, guess what they do? They send a bunch of clerks to open up new aisles so that people can spend their money, and get the hell out of the store! Novel concept, eh what?

Think the managers of the Walmart near me could consider that?

What Color is Your Parachute?

2008-01-08T16:25:00.000-05:00

The book, What Color is Your Parachute? is a perennial, massive, bestseller by Richard Nelson Bolles. There is a new version every year along amongst others with similiar titles. It is a practical guide to helping a person through the difficult steps of finding a new job or changing a career.

It is not about a search for any job, it is about the search for The Dream Job.

The path to The Dream Job is achieved by: completing exercises, reviewing online sources, and an interesting self-examination of what it is a person truly desires.

The chapter on self-employment is thin gruel and not very encouraging.

Surprisingly, he's also not keen on online job searches. I'm conflicted by the stats he quotes. Aside from the big league, golden parachute positions almost all viable jobs seem to be on the Internet.

Hunting down employers like telemarketers is apparently the approach he prefers.

Networking is key, which takes up the second half of this book.

I am someone who doesn't have a grand passion for anything in particular. I found the book tough to work through. I'm an adult who doesn't quite know what I want to be (if and when I grow up), so I couldn't answer most of the quizzes to adequately describe myself.

However, this book is excellent for those with a clue, have a passion for something(s), and are keen on a career or job change. Overall, the message is: It takes work to find work.

I Hate Corporate America

2008-01-03T13:25:00.000-05:00

I love to work, especially when I get to use my brain power. I love figuring out puzzles, following clues and solving problems. I'm all for intellectual inquiry and resolving obscure issues.

What I don't like is working for corporate America. I've hated working for that soul draining monster, since I left college. I wasn't overly fond of college either, but at least I saw the results of my work: decent, unbiased grades.

I've stayed jobs over the years, misconstruing that the problem was with the individual company. Well, after the enthusiasm wears off, be it the third week, month or year one thing becomes apparent: it's the same all over.

I've run out of interest in it all.

There is no difference between a career and a job. People show up to a job because they work to live. People who have a career live to work. No matter which way it's played out, people are trading in their time - a precious commodity - for dollars.

I'm angry at myself, because I feel I've been conned, yoked and suckered after so many years. I had hoped that of the years I've worked at a company, any company, there would be some satisfaction for a job well done.

Hah!

I enjoy being busy, at a good, interesting, well thought out, and methodical task. Yet, there were times when work was slow or non-existent. Yeah, try and find your manager for something to do. Would you believe most of the work I ever did, I gave to myself? I mostly created all of my own projects.

Those dead work times were the most stressful for me. It's limbo time. I've been told that the project will start, or continue, as soon as so and so signs off on the budget. Or head honcho Chief Doubletalker is over in Europe and we must wait for his return. Or it could be the case that the manager is in over her / his head and is frozen into inaction. Name the scenario, I've been there.

It happens everywhere, and it happens all the time.

Now, I'm someone who doesn't care for much of the niceties of socializing at the job. I'm not a water cooler plant. It's like mingling with the cattle as we're about to be slaughtered.

I feel that after spending 12 LONG hours a day with these people, I don't want to see you after I leave the building. No offense. Nothing personal. I just want to keep separation between corporate church and state, which is my life.

Ever really read any of those career advice columns?

I used to, until I realized that it was never about competence. It could never be. These articles have been and always will pertain to how to be the best brown nosing ass-kissing suck-up at the office.

The fact is if you are attractive, which almost anyone can achieve these days, you will get ahead. If you are a phoney, unpleasant, non-compliant, take-credit-for-other-people's-work cretin, and a two-faced backstabbing liar at the job, that's the way up the corporate ladder.

But what if you aren't a sociopath?

If one can find a way to make a living, and not head off to the jail-cubicles of corporate America, make a run for it and don't look back. You'll be happier person for it.

As for me, these people can keep their damn jobs. I've had enough.

Your Money or Your Life

2007-12-28T15:08:00.000-05:00

Your Money or Your Life, is the non-fiction book by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. It describes in a no-nonsense, hype-free manner, the step-by-step way to transform a life full of debt without direction to one of financial freedom and limitless possibilities.

It is not a get rich quick book. To me, it is a how-to on thriftiness, frugality, being poor (not really) and loving it. However, they answer a universal question (well, my universe): Where do I get the time and money to follow a few dreams? The authors flip a number of because-that's-the-way-it's-done on its head.

Freedom from debt is the goal. The solution they offer, goes up against a lifestyle of consumption, debt, and scrambling to keep up with the Joneses. Debt is a ball and chain. If it becomes big enough it distorts most decisions made in life.

I've read the book several times, it is one of the few I have dogeared. Most books I read are so pristine they look new. I've read (and still read) it religiously, but honestly, I am unable to follow all of their advice. In some areas, I can, but the whole kit-and-kaboodle? Nope.

Trying to manage my spending is like trying to watch my eating - it's an eternal diet. I've tried to record my eating and spending. After a while I just forget (fatigue of trying) to tally every penny spent and every bite taken. I can follow most of the goals and hurdles set forth: it is the last steps that I can't handle.

Your Money or Your Life, is great at emphasizing how to take back control of your life. It's fantastic for all areas of any sort of money management you desire to follow. Get a different job, a change of "career", move to a dream location and just be ready to make sacrifices.

It's an excellent book because of that reason alone.