The Emptiness Between My Ears

As the title says, it’s that time again.

When, my roommate is moving out.  It’s a sad-happy time.  I am happy that she found someone to share her life with. :-)  I am also happy for the space in the apartment. :-)  I am sad to see the cats go. :-(  I may just have to get a cat.

The gym… I’ve gone once in the month of May.  I need to go again.  I need to start getting serious about it but I do not have the money.  I really should let Amanda know I still think about her and returning to my workouts.

I’ve been attending the Cisco Partner conference in Boston, virtually.  I tell ya, Cisco is serious about the whole tele-conference, video media for business and fun stuff.  As a result, I am working to complete the SMB Certification so Level 2 Technology Consultants, LLC, can become a Cisco Select Partner.

I’m trying to work up a campaign for L2TC around the “We Gotta Guy” stuff Microsoft has done.  L2TC is not here to replace your people, but sometime, you have to wonder if you are using your technology to it’s highest potential.  A small business specialist in IT can help. We (Yes, that’s what I do these days) We can add expertise and training to so you can use your IT systems better.  We can also come in a fix those problems you “guy” just does have the time, or the experience, to fix on his own.

Hopefully I can start going to the gym, and move this blog back to my efforts to become svelte soon.  Until next time, the sun is out and the breezes are cool.  Get outside and enjoy the world.

Ray :-)

It has been a month since I posted an entry.  A lot has happened, must have not.

On the good side, I have a job (sorta).  I work on commission from my brother now.  No money, yet, but it gives me something to do.  We have a few good leads, and maybe a client or three in the works.

I have not been back to the gym in a long time.  I should call had make sure they are not going to start taking money.  I am still loosing weight but I could really use a once a week workout.  I get a couple three jobs and I can start going again.

I’ve sucked up all the info I can on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.  Windows 7 is very, very impressive.  I’m seriously thinking of going to it as my primary Operating System.  I am still working out a few kinks but all other these are going into my notes for client migrations.  We are hoping it will give me an edge later.

There has been a bit of a spiritual thing going on too.  I’ve been seriously looking into the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I know… “The what?”  Check out the FSM website.  Also look into the Wiki sites, “Flying Spaghetti Monster” and “The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster”.  I am sure you will soon feel the embrace of his noodly appendages.

What’s with all the links? I am trying to expand my skills.  I am learning to be more adepts at the current Web tools, like SharePoint designer and Web Expressions.  Content is my problem.  I need content.  Anyway.

It’s usually good weather.  Even the rain is relatively warm these days.  Get out!  Talk a hike!  Have fun!

Ray :-)

A few weeks ago I went off on a tangent about the End-of-Life of Windows XP.  I then went off on the state of IT services in the State of Illinois.  Today’s foray into the mistakes of the IT world shows just how little people think about operations of information systems.

As some of you know, I’ve been looking for work.  I recently had a psudo-interview for an opening as Manager of Information Systems at a company writing the “next big” MMO game.  While waiting for young lady (maybe 25, probably less) running the HR department to pull up my resume, I found out we was using an XP load on her MacBook to translate the document into Rich Text so she could import it into Work for Mac 08.  When I pointed out the file could be read by Word as is, we got into some of the processes in her office that needed improvement by IT.  It seems the system that takes in resume files is not really Java-based and Safari (the Mac’s native Web browser) cannot HTTP download the files.  After 2 minutes, I had her connecting to the FTP service and thus get the files.  Five minutes of training and she knew how to load and use the files in WFM ‘08.  Less that ten minutes and I had eliminated a difficult and time consuming process.

I then “interviewed” with a late 20’s something gentleman.  After signing a non-disclosure agreement about the game, he when on for 20 minutes about how uncomfortable he was that I wore a suite to the interview.  I noted that I didn’t have a chance to research his company fully as the web site was down and had been for 3 days.  I then talked him through how to recover it.  Once it was online, I learned that the web server and it’s content were the realm of the programming department.  As IT Manager I was only responsible for the network connection.  The IT manager had no control over any of the servers, and barely any control over the network.

During my questions about the company I learned a few interesting facts.  One, the CEO and the board want the IT Manager to control all the servers, the network, data security, and the phones up to the demarks.  Two, the programmers are upset because they would be left with content for the boxes.  Three, no one knows if this is an Apple shop, a Linux shop, or a Windows shop, because no one planned any part of the IT systems.  Four, the interviewer would be reporting to the Manager of IT services, and had applied for the job.

I was reject.  The reasons given to me were that I was a bit too conservative and would not fit in with the culture.  Also, it was felt I was “…too old, and would not be able to cope with new ideas and technology.  [They] needed someone that was up-to-date and modern.”  The HR girl did think I might find a job in Tech Support as they needed help in that area.

I did think about filing a complaint, but I don’t need the trouble (I wish I had a recording, or a letter with their exact words).  I am trying to send an Email to the CEO but I’m not sure it matters.  Besides, if their Email is as bad as everything else, I am not sure he would get it.  Besides, after that, do I really want to work there?

As we have cut IT to save money, we not only cut staff, but also cut out the maturity and experience needed to make IT systems work.  Many companies see older staff as unable or unwilling to adjust to the technology.  Today, many IT heavy companies have an attitude that precludes the needed experience and skill sets  that make IT a valuable asset. They are learning and re-learning the important lessons the hard way.  When you have a chance to hire experienced and skilled workers, do so.  They can often improve productivity and focus on using the systems to save money.  As Benjamin Franklin said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

Last week nearly killed me.  I am running short on funds so I finally applied for Unemployment.  Tried to do it online but the system kept saying I entered something wrong.  Would not tell me what, but I had to go to the office to apply.  I got there and found my name was in the system wrong, “Allen Allen Jr” <D’oh!>  My Driver’s license was right, so was my tax paperwork.  Why didn’t populate from the tax paperwork?!?!?  This is the kind of production issues I fix for breakfast.  Then to add insult to injury, I learned the State of Illinois is on XP. (Please see rant a few weeks ago.)  Tried to get a job with the state… IT staff for the state was cut.  They have NO idea how monumentally screwed they are.  I may have to apply for the Director of Information Systems for the State of Illinois.  The guy that has it now is a waste of tax dollars.

I spent $15 on job leads only to find out two I had to call in for, and one was from Craig’s List.  I paid good money to be told their was a job listing I already know about.  Of the other two, I called the number but the people had no clue there was even a posting for the job. <D’oh! D’oh!>

Last week was also my last week with my Personal Trainer until I get work.  I cannot afford to buy time.  Had to put my gym membership on hold too.  :-(  It then turned cold and snowed, so no walking for exercise. :’-(

Today it is raining and cold.  My regular job “search” Email made me pay $15 to tell me about jobs I already applied for.  And I have no gym time to “work it out” in.  One top of that Tab is at the National Brass Band Competition (She plays in a band that is competing), and I wont get to see her again until Monday next week.  :”-((

Until next time, remember; you life is not so bad.  You could be me. 

Ray :’-(

Oohh!  Oh boy did I hurt.

My personal trainer is back and boy she saved up 2 weeks of pains and tortures.  got home and I hurt.  I like I was run over by stampeding cattle, while trying to walk through cactus.

This may be coming to an end soon.  I cannot afford to continue the workouts.  It's just too expensive without a normal income.  I'm beating the bushes for job but they just are not there.  I have hopes for one next week.  If anyone wants to send my some good kharma, prayers, or just good luck; I'll take it.

Until next time, Spring has sprung, go and have some fun!

Ray :-)