This is officially Day 2 of being unemployed -- partially out of choice, but mostly due to necessity. In the last 2 days I have fielded phone calls from friends and relatives inquiring if I am bored out of my tree yet, which incidentally, I have found rather amusing. In fact, I am not running out of things to do.
For example, I spent most of the afternoon laying on the couch since I pulled something out of place in my upper back, and it was excruciating to do most actions, including sitting. So I took a muscle relaxant and found myself quite stoned for the afternoon. I found it difficult to focus, and my eyes were drooping. This somewhat threw my plans for the day out the window, as I fully expected to spend the day sitting on the couch watching game shows.
Okay, this story is a little embellished. It is true, however, that I have a long list of projects that need to be done around my house. Much of it can be accomplished with this fantastic new product that has recently been brought to my attention: It's called Swiffer.
Perhaps you've heard of it.
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Friday, May 06, 2005
Freedom Dissertation, Part 2
[Ed note: This entry ended up becoming a continuation of a discussion that began with this post. Similar themes have been discussed in this blog, namely, these recent entries: One, Two, and Three.]
While I was slugging it away at the office this afternoon, I was paid a visit by the gentleman who works in the office next door. He has subcontracted the company I work for to do some environmental work on a property he owns, and he popped his head into our office with the intent of asking my boss a few questions with respect to environmental logistics, as it related to the property in question.
The reason why he came into our office is irrelevant to my entry; my boss was out in the field, and he ended up talking with me instead.
WM is a local entrepreneur. He has interests in an undisclosed number of businesses, plus he owns numerous properties in my city. He is worth millions. It would be difficult to speculate on his net worth, but I estimate it would likely be somewhere between ten and fifty million.
I enjoy speaking with him on occasion, as it is obvious that he is a successful businessman, and any free advice you can get out of a successful businessman is priceless. He ended up talking about a few of his business experiences, and I listened intently.
He said something that struck a real chord with me. It's likely related to something I have written a long time ago; it is definitely something I have given considerable thought to.
We were discussing how the scales of impartial law are often tipped by big money. For example, it's almost impossible to get a judge rule in your favor if you decide to go head-to-head and sue a major corporation. These mega-corporations are able to hire the best lawyers, and drag trials on for years. The "little guy" cannot compete with this, as their resources will likely be drained in the short term.
WM then spoke about an acquaintance of his (who happened to be a millionaire) who was arrested for murder. This sounded awfully like the infamous OJ Simpson case, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt, as it could have been any millionaire. This man claimed his innocence, and used his resources to hire the best defense he could afford. WM explained this murder suspect invested nearly a million dollars into his case, and eventually was able to prove, beyond any reasonable doubt, that he was not the murderer. The exonerated suspect then told WM that if he were poor, he would have been spending his life behind bars.
As I was listening to this tale, a sense of irony overcame me. We then discussed one of the most infamous criminal cases in Canadian Law History - the exoneration of David Milgaard. David served 22 years in prison, before he was able to prove via DNA evidence that he was not guilty in the rape and stabbing death of Gail Miller. Milgaard then filed a lawsuit against the Canadian Judicial System for his wrongful conviction and was awarded $10 million in restitution.
So the rich guy has to pay a million dollars to prove his innocence, while the poor guy does 22 years and then wins the lottery. It amazes me, in the strange ways the world works.
This got WM talking about the correctional system. "You hear them all [convicts] talking about freedom this, and freedom that. The freedom to do what you want to do; the freedom to go places, or to make choices," he began, "I don't know what these guys are complaining about, they get three square meals a day; they get exercise; the get to read, write, get an education or watch a bit to television."
By this time I knew exactly where he was going. "I've been running my businesses for thirty years," he continued, "I'm not free; I work seven days a week. The phone is ringing non-stop; I have meetings and emergencies to deal with on a daily basis. I don't get to do anything I want."
He left our office shortly thereafter, but I sensed a lot of truth in his words. When I examined my schedule, it amazed me that I had next to no free time; and when I did have a few spare hours, I was usually too tired to do much more than sleep.
I am working three jobs so I can make a living wage. I am trying to save whatever monies I can, just so one day I might be able to have a short, semi-comfortable retirement. Unfortunately, investing sixty to eighty hours per week in your job(s) will undoubtedly suck every ounce of enjoyment out of your life.
As long as we have to work our fingers to the bone in order to survive, we will never be free.
While I was slugging it away at the office this afternoon, I was paid a visit by the gentleman who works in the office next door. He has subcontracted the company I work for to do some environmental work on a property he owns, and he popped his head into our office with the intent of asking my boss a few questions with respect to environmental logistics, as it related to the property in question.
The reason why he came into our office is irrelevant to my entry; my boss was out in the field, and he ended up talking with me instead.
WM is a local entrepreneur. He has interests in an undisclosed number of businesses, plus he owns numerous properties in my city. He is worth millions. It would be difficult to speculate on his net worth, but I estimate it would likely be somewhere between ten and fifty million.
I enjoy speaking with him on occasion, as it is obvious that he is a successful businessman, and any free advice you can get out of a successful businessman is priceless. He ended up talking about a few of his business experiences, and I listened intently.
He said something that struck a real chord with me. It's likely related to something I have written a long time ago; it is definitely something I have given considerable thought to.
We were discussing how the scales of impartial law are often tipped by big money. For example, it's almost impossible to get a judge rule in your favor if you decide to go head-to-head and sue a major corporation. These mega-corporations are able to hire the best lawyers, and drag trials on for years. The "little guy" cannot compete with this, as their resources will likely be drained in the short term.
WM then spoke about an acquaintance of his (who happened to be a millionaire) who was arrested for murder. This sounded awfully like the infamous OJ Simpson case, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt, as it could have been any millionaire. This man claimed his innocence, and used his resources to hire the best defense he could afford. WM explained this murder suspect invested nearly a million dollars into his case, and eventually was able to prove, beyond any reasonable doubt, that he was not the murderer. The exonerated suspect then told WM that if he were poor, he would have been spending his life behind bars.
As I was listening to this tale, a sense of irony overcame me. We then discussed one of the most infamous criminal cases in Canadian Law History - the exoneration of David Milgaard. David served 22 years in prison, before he was able to prove via DNA evidence that he was not guilty in the rape and stabbing death of Gail Miller. Milgaard then filed a lawsuit against the Canadian Judicial System for his wrongful conviction and was awarded $10 million in restitution.
So the rich guy has to pay a million dollars to prove his innocence, while the poor guy does 22 years and then wins the lottery. It amazes me, in the strange ways the world works.
This got WM talking about the correctional system. "You hear them all [convicts] talking about freedom this, and freedom that. The freedom to do what you want to do; the freedom to go places, or to make choices," he began, "I don't know what these guys are complaining about, they get three square meals a day; they get exercise; the get to read, write, get an education or watch a bit to television."
By this time I knew exactly where he was going. "I've been running my businesses for thirty years," he continued, "I'm not free; I work seven days a week. The phone is ringing non-stop; I have meetings and emergencies to deal with on a daily basis. I don't get to do anything I want."
He left our office shortly thereafter, but I sensed a lot of truth in his words. When I examined my schedule, it amazed me that I had next to no free time; and when I did have a few spare hours, I was usually too tired to do much more than sleep.
I am working three jobs so I can make a living wage. I am trying to save whatever monies I can, just so one day I might be able to have a short, semi-comfortable retirement. Unfortunately, investing sixty to eighty hours per week in your job(s) will undoubtedly suck every ounce of enjoyment out of your life.
As long as we have to work our fingers to the bone in order to survive, we will never be free.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
The Killer Instinct
Once again, the brain is running in overdrive. My brain has been processing information non-stop for the last five hours. I am hoping that if I write any of this down, that I might be able to free up some room in the "attic".
I, not unlike the other six-odd billion primates on this planet, want to be successful. Some people get lucky breaks, while others are forced to slug it out in the trenches for many years before they can harvest the fruit of their efforts. I am one of those unlucky many that are currently slugging it out in the trenches. I have probably made some poor choices along the way, but the end result is that I am still fighting, and I have not conceded defeat in achieving everything I have ever desired.
Donald Trump said something that struck a chord in me during tonight's episode of the Apprentice. He said (and I paraphrase): "Don't ever quit; never give up". I think these are words that a successful person should live by. I also think that every successful person already knows that advice, so his motivational speech isn't all that groundbreaking. Nonetheless, I still respect "The Donald", for he is far more successful than I.
Even before tonight's broadcast of the Apprentice, I was seriously considering the issues of wealth, of hard work, of power, success, as well as a few of the other related issues I have recently mentioned in this blog. Am I the only one who thinks that the rich have got it easy? What I mean by this question is that the wealthy seem to have an easier time acquiring and maintaining their wealth than the rest of us. I began to ask myself why, for I believe the answers are the key to true success.
The first key personality trait that a person requires to be successful is the fire; the "killer instinct" some call it. Others call it drive, desire, or commitment to their profession. You have to believe in yourself, your goals, and stop at nothing in order to accomplish your achievements. This is exactly what Donald Trump had said in tonight's broadcast, but there is a lot more than meets the eye. Most people forget to read the fine print. This often means sacrifice on many levels.
If you want to be successful, the focus of all your energies is integral. You should be prepared to go without sleep or food so you can accomplish your tasks, and meet important deadlines. I sleep very little these days, and when I do sleep, I am usually half-awake, thinking about what needs to be done in the next day or two. There are countless University graduates who think they will be successful solely because they have a post-secondary education; that they deserve the 9-to-5 job. Sadly, a 9-to-5 job does not guarantee success. CEO's of many corporations spend more than 40 hours per week at their job. In fact, their career is also their livelihood. From my vantage point, the success of a corporation is often determined by the success of the CEO.
Diversity is also key to those who are successful. The cliché holds true: never put all your eggs in one basket. Every successful entrepreneur I know has their money, time, and interests divided among many different endeavors. I am no different. I have my day job that I work 8 to 5 every day. I am also self-employed, where I work up to six evenings per week. I gig on weekends not just because it is fun, but also because it is a form of income. I have also been considering the possibilities how I could further diversify myself. If you read this blog regularly, you already have an idea on what I would like to expand my interests in.
What was in the forefront of my mind the whole evening, is what it is, exactly, that separates the very rich from the rest of us. After some deliberation, the answer became clear:
The very rich make money even while sitting on the pot.
In other words, they are still getting richer while doing nothing!
The rest of us aren't so lucky. If we are sick, we lose money. If we take a day off, we lose a day's wages. Our time is valuable because it is our labor that ultimately pays the bills. The successful do not have to resort solely to this form of income.
The reason became clear when I considered the diversity of their interests. The rich not only make money by working, they also make money due to investments. They have savings in the bank, they hold stocks, and bonds (a rich man's way of gambling), they also own art and property; two things that appreciate in value. This is often called residual income, and it has the potential to make someone very, very rich. The catch is that you often need assets before you can generate income by passing the time.
This is also the first mistake that most of us make. Loans and credit are very dangerous because they work against the investor. Studies in sociology as well as human geography have demonstrated that most of us live as much as 30% beyond our financial means. We are constantly borrowing money in order to pay for items that we want, but do not necessarily need. "Payday loans" and credit cards are generally the worst. You miss one payment, and the interest you are charged is astronomical. You end up paying so much for these items, that the investment won't even be worthwhile. Here's a word of advice; never buy technology or anything with a high depreciative value on credit. You will never get any return on your investment. There as so many big-box realtors that off you "no money down, no interest for 12 months", that countless people are duped into thinking that they can buy nice stuff (and usually buy articles way beyond their means) and still think that they are getting a great deal. The only deal you will ever get is by paying in cash instead of credit.
Entrepreneurs also know about cloning.
When I say cloning, I of course do not mean it in the literal sense. Any small business owner will tell you that there comes a point where he has to delegate certain tasks to a subordinate(s). In this way, you can hire people who are trained and/or qualified in certain key areas, so the business owner can solely focus on the expansion of his or her business. This means that the hiring of laborers for grunt work (if the business requires hard labor), secretarial or office staff, accountants, even engineers and lawyers can become worthy assets of any company. This premise is integral to success of any business, but it is also the key (and breaking point) of countless get-rich-quick schemes.
My rule of thumb is build everything yourself, and then you don't have to pay-out to anybody who sits above you.
As I mentioned earlier, success and financial stability is solidified by the entrepreneur's assets -- especially when it comes to real estate. Now rich people make and lose money overnight while playing the stock market, and I am of the opinion that playing with stocks is about as safe as playing with explosives. Real estate, in most cases is an investment that will almost guarantee you a return. Only in rare occasions will you ever see a property devalue.
Select members of my family lineage have made themselves successful because of their investments in Real Estate. The building I work in is owned by a local entrepreneur who owns a while pile of local Real Estate. Countless others have made a comfortable living by owning rental properties. And generally speaking, when you own property, you see a monthly return on your investment.
You own enough properties, you can sell them all off when you decide to retire and live comfortably for a very long time.
I, not unlike the other six-odd billion primates on this planet, want to be successful. Some people get lucky breaks, while others are forced to slug it out in the trenches for many years before they can harvest the fruit of their efforts. I am one of those unlucky many that are currently slugging it out in the trenches. I have probably made some poor choices along the way, but the end result is that I am still fighting, and I have not conceded defeat in achieving everything I have ever desired.
Donald Trump said something that struck a chord in me during tonight's episode of the Apprentice. He said (and I paraphrase): "Don't ever quit; never give up". I think these are words that a successful person should live by. I also think that every successful person already knows that advice, so his motivational speech isn't all that groundbreaking. Nonetheless, I still respect "The Donald", for he is far more successful than I.
Even before tonight's broadcast of the Apprentice, I was seriously considering the issues of wealth, of hard work, of power, success, as well as a few of the other related issues I have recently mentioned in this blog. Am I the only one who thinks that the rich have got it easy? What I mean by this question is that the wealthy seem to have an easier time acquiring and maintaining their wealth than the rest of us. I began to ask myself why, for I believe the answers are the key to true success.
The first key personality trait that a person requires to be successful is the fire; the "killer instinct" some call it. Others call it drive, desire, or commitment to their profession. You have to believe in yourself, your goals, and stop at nothing in order to accomplish your achievements. This is exactly what Donald Trump had said in tonight's broadcast, but there is a lot more than meets the eye. Most people forget to read the fine print. This often means sacrifice on many levels.
If you want to be successful, the focus of all your energies is integral. You should be prepared to go without sleep or food so you can accomplish your tasks, and meet important deadlines. I sleep very little these days, and when I do sleep, I am usually half-awake, thinking about what needs to be done in the next day or two. There are countless University graduates who think they will be successful solely because they have a post-secondary education; that they deserve the 9-to-5 job. Sadly, a 9-to-5 job does not guarantee success. CEO's of many corporations spend more than 40 hours per week at their job. In fact, their career is also their livelihood. From my vantage point, the success of a corporation is often determined by the success of the CEO.
Diversity is also key to those who are successful. The cliché holds true: never put all your eggs in one basket. Every successful entrepreneur I know has their money, time, and interests divided among many different endeavors. I am no different. I have my day job that I work 8 to 5 every day. I am also self-employed, where I work up to six evenings per week. I gig on weekends not just because it is fun, but also because it is a form of income. I have also been considering the possibilities how I could further diversify myself. If you read this blog regularly, you already have an idea on what I would like to expand my interests in.
What was in the forefront of my mind the whole evening, is what it is, exactly, that separates the very rich from the rest of us. After some deliberation, the answer became clear:
The very rich make money even while sitting on the pot.
In other words, they are still getting richer while doing nothing!
The rest of us aren't so lucky. If we are sick, we lose money. If we take a day off, we lose a day's wages. Our time is valuable because it is our labor that ultimately pays the bills. The successful do not have to resort solely to this form of income.
The reason became clear when I considered the diversity of their interests. The rich not only make money by working, they also make money due to investments. They have savings in the bank, they hold stocks, and bonds (a rich man's way of gambling), they also own art and property; two things that appreciate in value. This is often called residual income, and it has the potential to make someone very, very rich. The catch is that you often need assets before you can generate income by passing the time.
This is also the first mistake that most of us make. Loans and credit are very dangerous because they work against the investor. Studies in sociology as well as human geography have demonstrated that most of us live as much as 30% beyond our financial means. We are constantly borrowing money in order to pay for items that we want, but do not necessarily need. "Payday loans" and credit cards are generally the worst. You miss one payment, and the interest you are charged is astronomical. You end up paying so much for these items, that the investment won't even be worthwhile. Here's a word of advice; never buy technology or anything with a high depreciative value on credit. You will never get any return on your investment. There as so many big-box realtors that off you "no money down, no interest for 12 months", that countless people are duped into thinking that they can buy nice stuff (and usually buy articles way beyond their means) and still think that they are getting a great deal. The only deal you will ever get is by paying in cash instead of credit.
Entrepreneurs also know about cloning.
When I say cloning, I of course do not mean it in the literal sense. Any small business owner will tell you that there comes a point where he has to delegate certain tasks to a subordinate(s). In this way, you can hire people who are trained and/or qualified in certain key areas, so the business owner can solely focus on the expansion of his or her business. This means that the hiring of laborers for grunt work (if the business requires hard labor), secretarial or office staff, accountants, even engineers and lawyers can become worthy assets of any company. This premise is integral to success of any business, but it is also the key (and breaking point) of countless get-rich-quick schemes.
My rule of thumb is build everything yourself, and then you don't have to pay-out to anybody who sits above you.
As I mentioned earlier, success and financial stability is solidified by the entrepreneur's assets -- especially when it comes to real estate. Now rich people make and lose money overnight while playing the stock market, and I am of the opinion that playing with stocks is about as safe as playing with explosives. Real estate, in most cases is an investment that will almost guarantee you a return. Only in rare occasions will you ever see a property devalue.
Select members of my family lineage have made themselves successful because of their investments in Real Estate. The building I work in is owned by a local entrepreneur who owns a while pile of local Real Estate. Countless others have made a comfortable living by owning rental properties. And generally speaking, when you own property, you see a monthly return on your investment.
You own enough properties, you can sell them all off when you decide to retire and live comfortably for a very long time.
Friday, March 25, 2005
The Cat's Out Of The Bag...
Ok, first thing's first. I have been feeling fantastic for the last week and a half. I believe I have finally passed the [kidney] stone, though I don't have any definitive proof. I have returned to my normal self, I haven't missed any work, and I haven't had to take a painkiller since two Saturdays ago. Monday morning, I went to the Hospital for more tests and X-rays, so I should have a better understanding of the status of my health in a few weeks when I see the specialist again.
As far as I'm concerned, the wrath of the stone is over.
Many moons ago, I mentioned here that I had some exciting news I could barely wait to share. It has taken a number of months for events to develop, but I feel that it is now safe that I can share the news with you. One afternoon while shopping for toys, the owner of a local music store approached me and asked me if I wanted the principal drum instructor job at his shop. I would be responsible for teaching some 90 students, and managing my own schedule. Equipment would be provided, so I did not have to worry about wear and tear on my own equipment. All I had to do was pay the owner a monthly rental fee. It sounded like a great deal, and I would be able to pursue music as a full-time career once again, just like I did in 1999 and 2000.
I regrettably did not take the job. A lot of people may regard this as a mistake, but let me assure you this was not an easy decision to make. I had to think long and hard about making music a full-time endeavor again in my life. When I tried it for two years, I found them to be two of the most difficult years of my life, and was I ever poor. It was a fight to just pay my bills every month, and what little left-over I had went to saving for next month's bills. Travel is very expensive, and when you are eating three meals per day in restaurants, the money you make disappears very quickly.
The other major concern I had regarding this job was the high capacity of students I would have to teach. Contrary to popular belief, teaching is not an easy job. There is a great deal of stress and preparation involved in providing every student the best guidance you can give them. In 1999, I had approximately 20 students, and I nearly hit burn-out. Teaching was a complete chore, the lessons dragged on, and seemed to get longer with every passing week. I ended up quitting teaching in 2000 to finish my degree. When I graduated in 2001, I found myself back teaching to put a little extra cash in my pocket.
If I could not handle teaching 20 students, how am I going to manage 90? There have been times in my life where I absolutely hated music; like being trapped in my own personal hell. I never want to hate music again.
The band and I took a few hours to set up our equipment at the Redcliff Hylton last night. I had an incredible feeling of relief when I walked into that bar last night; a lot like returning home from a long vacation. I haven't gigged at the Hylton in over three years. It's such a dump, but the atmosphere of these bars grow on you. I love the old, smelly bars where the low-lifes, the dangerous, and the rowdy like to drown their sorrows. I like the fact that every line on their face tells a story, and every drink they have seems well-deserved. These people have hearts of gold, and even though they have few possessions, they would give them all to you if it would help you out. These people are generous, and not greedy. And if you let them, they will tell you incredible stories about their life -- of course you don't have to believe every word they say.
While we were setting up the gear all the guys in the band were getting excited, talking about how long it has been since they played a show, and how much they were looking forward to the next night. Playing gigs in bars is highly addictive. It's like a weekly fix; if you miss out on a few dosages, you begin to long for that adrenaline rush.
It's going to be a huge adrenaline rush tonight.
As far as I'm concerned, the wrath of the stone is over.
Many moons ago, I mentioned here that I had some exciting news I could barely wait to share. It has taken a number of months for events to develop, but I feel that it is now safe that I can share the news with you. One afternoon while shopping for toys, the owner of a local music store approached me and asked me if I wanted the principal drum instructor job at his shop. I would be responsible for teaching some 90 students, and managing my own schedule. Equipment would be provided, so I did not have to worry about wear and tear on my own equipment. All I had to do was pay the owner a monthly rental fee. It sounded like a great deal, and I would be able to pursue music as a full-time career once again, just like I did in 1999 and 2000.
I regrettably did not take the job. A lot of people may regard this as a mistake, but let me assure you this was not an easy decision to make. I had to think long and hard about making music a full-time endeavor again in my life. When I tried it for two years, I found them to be two of the most difficult years of my life, and was I ever poor. It was a fight to just pay my bills every month, and what little left-over I had went to saving for next month's bills. Travel is very expensive, and when you are eating three meals per day in restaurants, the money you make disappears very quickly.
The other major concern I had regarding this job was the high capacity of students I would have to teach. Contrary to popular belief, teaching is not an easy job. There is a great deal of stress and preparation involved in providing every student the best guidance you can give them. In 1999, I had approximately 20 students, and I nearly hit burn-out. Teaching was a complete chore, the lessons dragged on, and seemed to get longer with every passing week. I ended up quitting teaching in 2000 to finish my degree. When I graduated in 2001, I found myself back teaching to put a little extra cash in my pocket.
If I could not handle teaching 20 students, how am I going to manage 90? There have been times in my life where I absolutely hated music; like being trapped in my own personal hell. I never want to hate music again.
The band and I took a few hours to set up our equipment at the Redcliff Hylton last night. I had an incredible feeling of relief when I walked into that bar last night; a lot like returning home from a long vacation. I haven't gigged at the Hylton in over three years. It's such a dump, but the atmosphere of these bars grow on you. I love the old, smelly bars where the low-lifes, the dangerous, and the rowdy like to drown their sorrows. I like the fact that every line on their face tells a story, and every drink they have seems well-deserved. These people have hearts of gold, and even though they have few possessions, they would give them all to you if it would help you out. These people are generous, and not greedy. And if you let them, they will tell you incredible stories about their life -- of course you don't have to believe every word they say.
While we were setting up the gear all the guys in the band were getting excited, talking about how long it has been since they played a show, and how much they were looking forward to the next night. Playing gigs in bars is highly addictive. It's like a weekly fix; if you miss out on a few dosages, you begin to long for that adrenaline rush.
It's going to be a huge adrenaline rush tonight.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Age Abhors Technology
For reasons that should be obvious, I do not like discussing the trivialities of my day job on this blog. This is largely a safety precaution, as I would really hate to find out that one day, my boss discovers my blog, and then reads all the juicy details. This can and has happened to many of us blogging folk, and has cost more than a few of them their jobs. But I really would like to tell you what happened at the office today. Hopefully I can keep the details vague enough that the powers that be never discover who I am, or the fact that I'm talking about them.
My boss is one of the most technologically inept people I have ever met. He has little idea how computers work, though I think that he is forced to use them as a communication tool with his clients. When he is on the computer, it takes him an incredibly long time to accomplish any task, usually because he takes the longest computational path. For example, we are still on dial-up technology at the office, and he thinks the only way to disconnect the computer from the web is choosing "Shut Down" from the Start Menu. It is of my opinion that he should stick to machines like the pulley, the incline plane or the lever; he would get more work done that way.
Sadly, he has little concept of the importance of keeping one's software up-to-date. The security updates are never installed on the computer, and I have to fight with him every year to renew his Norton Antivirus subscription. He will use electronic equipment until it is far beyond obsolete; my computer at the office is running Windows 98. He has a little electronic address book that has a whopping 256k of memory. I was surprised to discover that you could plug this electronic organizer into a computer in order to back up the files. I learned this the hard way a few months back, as he accidentally wiped clean the contents of the organizer when he attempted to change the batteries. The interface to plug the organizer into the computer was so old, I had to plug it into the old COM ports. When I loaded the backup utility onto the computer, it looked like the interface was built for Windows 3.1. The backup took a ridiculous amount of time to transfer 256k, like five minutes.
In short, my office more resembles an electronics museum rather than an office.
Until today, as my boss came to me with a brand new PDA in his hands -- I don't even think he knows what a PDA is, but he bought one. I think he probably saw one of his business partners using one, and he decided that it might make his life easier. So he approached me this morning and told me that he tried for four hours this weekend to transfer some files from the computer to the PDA. Here we go again, was what I was thinking while he told me this. I asked him to provide me with the installation CD (he does not understand that computers need translation programs [i.e. drivers] so computers and peripherals can understand each other), and I proceeded to install the PDA software onto a computer that was (at the very least) six years older than his PDA.
He wants to use the PDA as a tool in the field to enter data into a word processor or spreadsheet, which may cut my workload down, but then he would not have to carry forms into the field. I don't even think he knows or cares about the other capabilities of a PDA - an address book, a calculator, an email client, plus its wireless capabilities. At the moment I thought that he would still expect to use his 256k address book relic with its monochrome LCD display. After I successfully transferred some Excel documents to the PDA I realized that there were formatting issues that I will have to deal with once I obtain the data from the PDA. It is not going to cut down on my data entry time -- and I don't think it's going to make his life any easier, as he claimed this morning.
I should not hesitate to mention, I have never used a PDA in my life. I have wanted one on and off for a number of years now, but I have come to the conclusion that I would never use one enough to justify buying one. Nonetheless, this was an opportunity for me to play with a new toy. I hit the first hurdle early on. The installation CD had a "Wizard" program that was supposed to automatically transfer the user's contacts information directly from Micro$oft Outlook. I was not the least bit surprised when M$ Outlook kept crashing while the wizard was trying to transfer the data to the PDA. It never worked for me once.
So I spent most of my workday playing with this new PDA, Uploading Micro$oft Word and Excel documents, seeing if they will work properly and do what he expects them to do. One thing I learned very quickly is that the PDA isn't very good at recognizing handwriting. In fact, it's more like the user has to learn how to write all over again in order for the PDA to recognize what it is exactly you are trying to write. I quickly learned to use the on-screen keyboard to enter text, which I found was quicker than handwriting in the first place. All the while, I was thinking that my boss was going to have a conniption trying to learn how to operate this new gadget.
I eventually decided that I should put his contacts and email addresses into his PDA, that he might finally throw that relic of an address book into the trash. Even though I managed to successfully export his address books into a format that was readable by the PDA, there were many formatting issues that would require me to edit nearly every contact in the list. At current count, I am only about halfway through his address list. For some reason, I think he is going to have a fit once he sees that I have cleaned up his Address Book. "I can't find anything anymore!" he will exclaim.
The bottom line is that I wasted the entire workday playing with his new gadget. I fully expect tomorrow that I am going to have to teach him how to use it tomorrow.
I sincerely hope all of you are praying for me.
My boss is one of the most technologically inept people I have ever met. He has little idea how computers work, though I think that he is forced to use them as a communication tool with his clients. When he is on the computer, it takes him an incredibly long time to accomplish any task, usually because he takes the longest computational path. For example, we are still on dial-up technology at the office, and he thinks the only way to disconnect the computer from the web is choosing "Shut Down" from the Start Menu. It is of my opinion that he should stick to machines like the pulley, the incline plane or the lever; he would get more work done that way.
Sadly, he has little concept of the importance of keeping one's software up-to-date. The security updates are never installed on the computer, and I have to fight with him every year to renew his Norton Antivirus subscription. He will use electronic equipment until it is far beyond obsolete; my computer at the office is running Windows 98. He has a little electronic address book that has a whopping 256k of memory. I was surprised to discover that you could plug this electronic organizer into a computer in order to back up the files. I learned this the hard way a few months back, as he accidentally wiped clean the contents of the organizer when he attempted to change the batteries. The interface to plug the organizer into the computer was so old, I had to plug it into the old COM ports. When I loaded the backup utility onto the computer, it looked like the interface was built for Windows 3.1. The backup took a ridiculous amount of time to transfer 256k, like five minutes.
In short, my office more resembles an electronics museum rather than an office.
Until today, as my boss came to me with a brand new PDA in his hands -- I don't even think he knows what a PDA is, but he bought one. I think he probably saw one of his business partners using one, and he decided that it might make his life easier. So he approached me this morning and told me that he tried for four hours this weekend to transfer some files from the computer to the PDA. Here we go again, was what I was thinking while he told me this. I asked him to provide me with the installation CD (he does not understand that computers need translation programs [i.e. drivers] so computers and peripherals can understand each other), and I proceeded to install the PDA software onto a computer that was (at the very least) six years older than his PDA.
He wants to use the PDA as a tool in the field to enter data into a word processor or spreadsheet, which may cut my workload down, but then he would not have to carry forms into the field. I don't even think he knows or cares about the other capabilities of a PDA - an address book, a calculator, an email client, plus its wireless capabilities. At the moment I thought that he would still expect to use his 256k address book relic with its monochrome LCD display. After I successfully transferred some Excel documents to the PDA I realized that there were formatting issues that I will have to deal with once I obtain the data from the PDA. It is not going to cut down on my data entry time -- and I don't think it's going to make his life any easier, as he claimed this morning.
I should not hesitate to mention, I have never used a PDA in my life. I have wanted one on and off for a number of years now, but I have come to the conclusion that I would never use one enough to justify buying one. Nonetheless, this was an opportunity for me to play with a new toy. I hit the first hurdle early on. The installation CD had a "Wizard" program that was supposed to automatically transfer the user's contacts information directly from Micro$oft Outlook. I was not the least bit surprised when M$ Outlook kept crashing while the wizard was trying to transfer the data to the PDA. It never worked for me once.
So I spent most of my workday playing with this new PDA, Uploading Micro$oft Word and Excel documents, seeing if they will work properly and do what he expects them to do. One thing I learned very quickly is that the PDA isn't very good at recognizing handwriting. In fact, it's more like the user has to learn how to write all over again in order for the PDA to recognize what it is exactly you are trying to write. I quickly learned to use the on-screen keyboard to enter text, which I found was quicker than handwriting in the first place. All the while, I was thinking that my boss was going to have a conniption trying to learn how to operate this new gadget.
I eventually decided that I should put his contacts and email addresses into his PDA, that he might finally throw that relic of an address book into the trash. Even though I managed to successfully export his address books into a format that was readable by the PDA, there were many formatting issues that would require me to edit nearly every contact in the list. At current count, I am only about halfway through his address list. For some reason, I think he is going to have a fit once he sees that I have cleaned up his Address Book. "I can't find anything anymore!" he will exclaim.
The bottom line is that I wasted the entire workday playing with his new gadget. I fully expect tomorrow that I am going to have to teach him how to use it tomorrow.
I sincerely hope all of you are praying for me.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
The Paradox of The Millennium
My brain is a perplexing instrument. It is inherently playing tricks on me, causing me to think or feel one way or another. For example, a few short weeks ago, I was inspired and motivated to change to world. I was prepared to become an activist, rant, rave, and scream as loud as I could so I could instigate revolution. I was prepared to take a career in politics so that I could have the power to at least attempt to make social change for the better. That dream has since evaporated, though remnants of it still lurk in the web-infested catacombs of my mind.
Then recently I have been inspired by some interesting career news. All that has occupied my mind is what my musical career could develop into. Business is like a plant. If you pay attention to it, and take care of it on a daily basis, it could grow into something much bigger than you ever had room for. All I want to do now is pursue this endeavor.
The paradox arises in the fact that I have all this drive; passions you might call them. They infect my mind like a disease, taking over all thought processes. When I am this inspired, I often cannot think of anything else. I often don't sleep for days at a time, and food is just an afterthought. These projects, ideas and dreams I have are so ambitious that they become unattainable, or I lose interest in the process. They often lay dormant for months or years, and then re-kindle my interest. The cycle continues.
I have so many hobbies and interests, it boggles my mind that I have any time to pursue them to any degree. I change my interests as often as I change my underwear. How can I get good at anything, if I get bored and find a new interest in the course of 24 hours?
Speaking of which, I think it's about time to go back to school and get a Master's degree -- right after I tour North America in a rock band. And that's right after my successful political career as a Member of Parliament, and that's after my stint on Public Access television as an Oil Painter, painting pictures of "happy trees" between mountains and lakes. Oh yes, and that's after I make my acting debut on the local stage. And I can't forget, that's after I record and release my solo album -- where I have played every instrument on the record.
Welcome to my brain. I often wonder how I manage to not drive myself completely insane.
Then recently I have been inspired by some interesting career news. All that has occupied my mind is what my musical career could develop into. Business is like a plant. If you pay attention to it, and take care of it on a daily basis, it could grow into something much bigger than you ever had room for. All I want to do now is pursue this endeavor.
The paradox arises in the fact that I have all this drive; passions you might call them. They infect my mind like a disease, taking over all thought processes. When I am this inspired, I often cannot think of anything else. I often don't sleep for days at a time, and food is just an afterthought. These projects, ideas and dreams I have are so ambitious that they become unattainable, or I lose interest in the process. They often lay dormant for months or years, and then re-kindle my interest. The cycle continues.
I have so many hobbies and interests, it boggles my mind that I have any time to pursue them to any degree. I change my interests as often as I change my underwear. How can I get good at anything, if I get bored and find a new interest in the course of 24 hours?
Speaking of which, I think it's about time to go back to school and get a Master's degree -- right after I tour North America in a rock band. And that's right after my successful political career as a Member of Parliament, and that's after my stint on Public Access television as an Oil Painter, painting pictures of "happy trees" between mountains and lakes. Oh yes, and that's after I make my acting debut on the local stage. And I can't forget, that's after I record and release my solo album -- where I have played every instrument on the record.
Welcome to my brain. I often wonder how I manage to not drive myself completely insane.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Have You Ever Had The Feeling That You Wanted To Go...
And then you had the feeling that you wanted to stay...
I have been doing a lot of soul-searching the last few days about my little business proposition (the one that I can't say much about at this time). I have also been soliciting the opinions of a few friends, family, business partners, etc. about what they think about the idea, and their opinions. The feedback has been rather mixed, which hasn't helped me come to a formidable conclusion. The decision I am faced with is a difficult one, though it has the potential to provide me with greener pastures, it also requires a leap of faith, and has the potential to backfire.
Backfire on many levels. It could cost me friends, clients, and business partners -- no matter which way I choose.
What I can tell you is that "it" has the potential to change the direction of my life, and career. "It" is also growing and changing shape before my eyes and could even develop into something bigger entirely. In one hand, I have the offer of something better than what I already have; in the other, I have the oyster. In my other hand, I have something that could be even bigger, and better for me physically, mentally and spiritually. But it is something that I will have to care for, nurture, and put all my efforts into for it to realize its' full potential.
In one hand, the money will come easy. In the other hand, hard times are ahead -- for at least a while. There are risks involved in everything we do. What I do know for sure, is that I cannot stay on the same path I have been on the last four years. To keep this up would shorten my lifespan significantly. I now realize that I will have to pursue what I love to do, instead of following the money trail. The money will be there; perhaps not in the volumes I had originally hoped. The money might also prove to be elusive for a number of years before paying off.
So once again, I am playing the waiting game; waiting for the other players in this elaborate chess game to make a move, before I can move another piece. I am in pursuit of freedom, and my last play has opened a number of moves that I had not thought possible.
Life is a game of Chess.
I have been doing a lot of soul-searching the last few days about my little business proposition (the one that I can't say much about at this time). I have also been soliciting the opinions of a few friends, family, business partners, etc. about what they think about the idea, and their opinions. The feedback has been rather mixed, which hasn't helped me come to a formidable conclusion. The decision I am faced with is a difficult one, though it has the potential to provide me with greener pastures, it also requires a leap of faith, and has the potential to backfire.
Backfire on many levels. It could cost me friends, clients, and business partners -- no matter which way I choose.
What I can tell you is that "it" has the potential to change the direction of my life, and career. "It" is also growing and changing shape before my eyes and could even develop into something bigger entirely. In one hand, I have the offer of something better than what I already have; in the other, I have the oyster. In my other hand, I have something that could be even bigger, and better for me physically, mentally and spiritually. But it is something that I will have to care for, nurture, and put all my efforts into for it to realize its' full potential.
In one hand, the money will come easy. In the other hand, hard times are ahead -- for at least a while. There are risks involved in everything we do. What I do know for sure, is that I cannot stay on the same path I have been on the last four years. To keep this up would shorten my lifespan significantly. I now realize that I will have to pursue what I love to do, instead of following the money trail. The money will be there; perhaps not in the volumes I had originally hoped. The money might also prove to be elusive for a number of years before paying off.
So once again, I am playing the waiting game; waiting for the other players in this elaborate chess game to make a move, before I can move another piece. I am in pursuit of freedom, and my last play has opened a number of moves that I had not thought possible.
Life is a game of Chess.
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