You can take Reality TV and..

well, if that reality TV is "Dirty Jobs", put it on the damn TV more. I find this show to be a damn riot. Tonight's episodes included Mike Rowe (the host) on location at a Monkey Refuge while he is supposed to be off the South African coast filming something for shark week. Apparently they have Spider Monkey's at this place and lots of them. It makes the line from Talledega Nights about coming at Chip like a Spider Monkey extremely relevant not that it wasn't funny anyway. The other episode he was chipping hardened concrete from teh inside of a mixer truck with a jack hammer. This is a hilarious show as they only bleep the comments and don't completely edit out those parts. It gives you a true understanding of the pure hell that many of them all. Be glad you are sitting behind your desk at work reading this and if you haven't tuned in, do it soon.

D.L.

No, I don't have any juicy gossip of fun conquests for the readers out there to keep quiet amoungst themselves. Sorry to disappoint but half of you would have received celebratory phone calls on that anyway. This is pertinent to my last post about the moron and the softball game from last week.
After hobbling around in a cheap-o brace that provided little actual support last week, watching teh swelling hardly subside, and more than likely tweaking it while buzzed with customers at a conference in the mountains the end of the week, I finally went to the doctor. The hell with the the family doc, I hooked up with the Ortho guys immediately. Sweet talking the receptionist for an appt the morning of the phone call was easily my biggest accomplishment here. Doc checked it out, thoroughly, took some x-rays, saidI had a sprained MCL, gave me a Robo-Cop brace and said take it easy for the next two weeks. If no improvement between now and then, an MRI would be in my future to check out possible tearing though he felt that was unlikely. So, I'm on the DL. The brace is pretty nice though and provides a lot of support but is a a bitch to get off as bending the knee that far is not exactly comfortable. Golf is still in the cards for Sunday. Hopefully enough progress will be made by then and the brace will keep that from being an issue. Football season could be humorous though as I will be sporting this thing at the first tailgate. I may be "That guy" in khakis and rainbows just to cover it up and prevent any cool knee brace tans. Until it comes off though, I think I may try and play it off, espcially considering I have a good sympathy story togo with it. Unfortuantely Poot and company lost the championship game I couldn't play in. It had little to do with my not catching and a lot more to do with our good pitcher not being on the mound and the backup getting shelled past the teams ability to score. Oh well. My days of fastpitch are probably over as I think I will stick to the slowpitch leagues and try and get on a co-ed team. I doubt any 120lb chics will be trying to break my leg...or at least I hope not.

In the News

I'm sitting at my desk today responding to way too many emails mainly because it hurts to walk. Last time I checked going for the catchers knees neither constitutes a slide in the traditional since of avoiding a tag and scoring nor is it "running over the catcher" where you put a shoulder into their chest or shoulder in hopes to knock the ball away. It seems more like an "I'm a dumb ass and don't know what I am doing" or an "I'm a prick who takes adult softball way to seriously" move. At least he went out with what one can hope is a concussion. Now I understand we all want to win when we play. Guilty as charged right here. Guess I am more pissed off than anything. It hurts to walk as mentioned and not being quite the youngster anymore I have a gut feeling whatever is wrong with my knee isn't going to be healed up anytime soon. I'm just a terrible injured/sick person more than anything and get mad about it.

Well, now that you know why I am sitting here reading the news and replying to the morning email barrage, this is what I have come across. Is anyone really surprised? Is it really news? I can't believe (read in sarcasm so thick you need a steak knife) that people who actually made the effort to relocate themselves are fairing so much better than those who sat on their butts only to get stranded atop houses that weren't swept away. You can use all the excuses you want about these same people being far worse off beforehand, etc, etc, but that doesn’t mean you can't make a change. Things sucked where you were, you got moved whether by your own accord or someone else’s and now you are some place new which means maybe you can at least attempt a new start is it really any big shock?

In another story, unrelated but in the same lumped headline section there is apparently a charm school for men where you spend a nice chunk of coin to learn to approach women, initiate and hold conversation, and read their subtleties. They through you to the wolves after doing some teaching then the following morning the group comes back together for a debriefing. Oh yeah, and utilizing the affects of alcohol is minimalized though bars are used in the trial runs along with bookstores and other social places. Classes are in NYC, LA, San Fran, London, and Sydney AU. Great in theory but can John Doe function back in his normal environment knowing no-one there is grading his efforts other than the two buddies he hangs out with weekly that are in the same rut? I have my doubts. I am guessing the removal of heavy alcohol would alleviate some problems for a lot of guys out and about. That and women actually using body languages and gestures somewhere in between simply moving hair behind their ear and grabbing a guys crotch.

Sunday Night Quicky

Yeah, so I spent both Thursday and Saturday nights at Poot's due to excessive alcohol. Stellar performance as you can tell. It can't/won't happen this week though as I am in the mountains Thursday night through Saturday for a conference. As you may have read over at the gnomes page, the beach held some of it's expectations. I guess that is it for now. Nothing big to report. No block buster ideas or deep thoughts and no antics that are unexpected or trumps to previous events or Nobrainers protected post. Football season is less than three weeks from now though so you folks know what that means. I am setting a couple goals though. First: To make all games other than FSU. Tickets are either set up or easily obtained for all the remainder other than Va Tech. Second: I will not "take a nap" in the Jeep or deface any of Peppinoes serving wear now will I do these acts in any other vehicles or locations. I plan to have my first "clean" Clemson football season. could be interesting, I just hope there are no Fun Bobby reprocussions from the plan.

Redneck Riviera

Due to a NC Hospital Engineer Association Conference I will be in Myrtle Beach next Monday, tuesday and Wednesday night. Fortunately I will only be "working" about 3-4 hours each day. Unfortunately, I won't be down there with anyone I know to hang out the rest of the time. The bossman will be there Monday and leaving after the expo hours at 2. I havea room so if anyone decides they want a dayor two off to hit the beach or a golf course, let me know. I'll have my sticks. I don't plan on hitting any of the fun locations (Master's Club) but if I get bored enough I may have no other choice.

Today

Last night I worked until 6 or so ended up home by 9:45 and in bed by 11. What a wuss. Today I have mowed and trimmed by yard and am watching Modern Marvels - Metals and the history of going from copper, bronze, and steel. My mainliness is returning. I'll pobably clean and lay out in the sun like a little woman at some point in the next day and half but don't worry, I have plenty of beer and Jack around to balance that out.

Isn't it ironic

My A/C is out and I can't fix it. Just don't have the equipment to pull it off though through consultation with Poot, I know what the problem is, just not the severity. Good part: because I was smart enough to get a home warranty included on my house at time of purchase, someone else gets to pay all but a minimal fee. Bad part: I know at least half a dozen contractors that do both commercial and residential that would be happy to take care of my needs. I, however, was not given the option to select who comes to fix my problem (and possibly pronounce it deader than hell and get another half ton larger unit) and now have the joys of the dreaded time frame waiting on some rinky dink contractor to come tell me what I already know and probably not do a job worth a damn. So much for industry connections on this one.

I think Tater would approve

It's been a damn good Friday I must say. The best part is the weekend is just getting ready to start. Didn't make it home last night as having had a few drinks and being kept in close watch by local law enforcement, I needed to stay at a friend’s house. Too bad the friend didn’t have mammories but oh well. Anyway, woke up around 8 grabbed a shower, didn't shave and headed to my first contractors office. Other than a bit of dry mouth, nothing noticeable about me screamed I'm wearing the same shirt I wore out last night and the same pants for two days. While there they kept making requests for me to price additional stuff on a couple jobs I am doing with them (first jobs with this crowd) which increases my price and profit while taking a little away from the competition that is already on the job for some of the same equipment I also sell.
Contractor stop two was to drop off some submittal and just touch base. Same contractor called me back this afternoon and threw a softball up for me to knock out on a nice little warehouse order. Contractor stop three was to have lunch with a new estimator/project person along with a partial stake owner of a firm that I have been racking up orders with. My big boss made the trip and they talked a little money. Us getting paid as a firm means I get paid. I like getting paid, a lot. I think some details were straightened out so I won't have to wait as long in the future on their orders hopefully.
Contractor four stop after lunch and I firmed up my first pool unit (think big expensive equipment) order, got my PO and released it. Got another little order while I was there.
Conveniently, they are just down the road from the DMV where I was able to get my updated license. That's right; to top off my day I officially received my driving privileges back with a little piece of plastic. Granted, there is a stipulation (1 beer an hour or so basically) on the back until 2009 but that's cool. I think I learned that lesson.
So to recap: Contractors are liking me right now. Battles I have been fighting on getting orders are being won. I got my license back with an updated picture even. I haven’t shaved since yesterday morning since I partied last night and still felt like a rock star this morning for the most part. The weekend is just beginning. And some advice to Nobrainer is making his research show some results. Awesome.

Done and Done

As reported previously excursions to the North End (Italian Side of town) and a Bo-Sox game were set for Wendesday and Thursday nights during my Boston excursion. Planned and accomplished. Parking in the North End was impossible ( a couple guys had a rental car) but after 15 minutes of circling one way streets about as wide as my front door, we got a great spot (probably for local residents) within a block or so of many of the authentic restaurants and Hanover Street, the main drag. We were smart though and got off the main drag and found a joint that seated maybe 40-50 people max and had dinner there. Good wine, great food (I had my standard Veal Parmesean) and good company. Following we ended up at a place called Mike's Pastries. When in Boston, find this place if given the chance. AWESOME Tirmasu and tons of delicisous looking candy, gillato, pies, etc. Don't know how some of it would hsip but worth it if you are a yankee and yern for this stuff or if you are asoutherner and want a real taste of some of these delicacies for the pallett. It rained off and on most of the time we were out but our time on the streets themselves were pretty dry so that helped.
Thursday we were on a mission. Red Sox tickets were to be had. Of the 7 in class, 6 intended to go and three were able to secure in advance. The other three of us journeyed downtown via a cab to the T-line and on in via this route this time around. Snagged Right field bleacher seats for $50/ea but three in a row. They faced for about 23 but just to get to go to a stadium that old with that much history was worth every penny. Who knows if I will ever get back in there before a new stadium is built as this was my forth Boston trip and first time they were in town or it was even baseball season. Had a couple hot dogs, spicy brown mustard, relish and all, peanuts, and a couple beers. It was straight out of Field of Dreams minus score keeping and James Earle Jones. I was like a kid ina candy store. Got back to the hotel about 12:30 with plenty of picso n the camera phone as the digital stayed in Charlotte due to my lack in faith of fun for the week and inability to read an online schedule in advance.
Return trip was rather uneventful though I think I could teach whoever runs shuttle logisitics at the Charlotte Airport a thing or twelve. Class was good. Got to see more of Boston than my prior trips combined and now I am ready to start having a normal life less grad school here in Charlotte from here through the duration.

Not so bad

Thus far the trip hasn't been too bad. Got a front seat shuttle ride to the hotel and had no issues getting picked up and getting out here. Dinner in the hotel bar was more than a little steep for a panini and 4 beers but it was expected. Thought there wasn't going to be any places to grab food close by and even more concerned that most of the other trainees here wouldn'tbe people I would care about grabbing dinner with anyway. As it turns out, as long as a couple folks are willing to split the cab fair, there are plenty of decent, cheaper places around to eat. Most of the people here are younger, including a pretty cool chic from Omaha that has been to a couple of the same sales and training meeting that I have in the past. Always nice to see a familiar face and a group of young folks up for going out at night helps the attitude. An excursion to the Italian northside of town is in the works for tomorrow, also helping keeping the cost down and getting some fun in with a good meal. To top it off, I can't read the schedule and the Sox are in town Thursday night and we are goingto try and pull that off. I may be broke at the end of the week but if I can have an Italian meal from folks who don't speak any other language and get to see a game in Fenway, I won't care, it will have been worth the entire trip. Oh, and the class isn't going so bad either.

Going to Boston

I would write about the weekend that was, however Nobrainer has the pictures covered partially. References abound throughout a couple blogs I think, and if you knwo the crew on facebook and myspace then you have seen even more of hte debauchary. Thanks to everyone who made it. You missed a helluva time for those that missed out (not ro rub it in, honestly). If you want more details, get a hold of the right people and get the disk.
Mom is in to see the house for the first time tomorrow and I fly to Boston Sunday afternoon for a weeks worth of training that I am not so happy about. I don't expect us to have this line more than 3 years from now, it ain't gonna be a cheap trip (which I am partially responsible for paying on), I won't make any money being out of the office, and I am busting my ass to get to a somewhat decent place before leaving. Oh, and hte Bo-Sox aren;t in town not that I would be less than a $40 and hour commute to Fenway from the hotel to see them if they were. I don't even get to be a tourist for a day. Maybe something random will happen. Blogging will either be light or heavy depending on what I manage to get into and free hotel internet access. If nothing else, throw some crap up for me to read while I'm on the road.

Oooooficial

Well folks, keep your ear open for the fat lady. Grades are posted and the Double D finishes with an A of all things. That's right, not only did I complete the progaram, I went out with a pseudo bang. Unofficial (but close enough) GPA, 3.286. Yeah, thats a good half point above Clemson M.E. Amazing what a couple years and a change in perspective will do for you. Most of you are here or on the way so celebration starts soon. Gonna be a blast!

Moment of Silence

Former Clemson University President and 2 time football letterman Walter T. Cox passed away Wednesday. This link will take you to the details via the Clemson News page where all the details can be found. Many of you are familiar with the name as the plaza area we routinely pass through outside of Johnstone A and the Student Union is named in his honor.

Welcome to....

Toronto, Birmingham, or New Mexico? Wow, sounds great! Oh yeah, we are going to continue to welcome folks to Houston, but we haven't figured out what we are calling this new/replacement bowl game. The above have all been approved by some Bowl Liscensing Committee to host during the following post season. This, on top of the added BCS game in Arizona and all the bowls I can't keep straight anyway as they all go by their corporate sponsor names instead of their traditional tag (It will always be the Peach Bowl damnit). My math isn't too sharp today but I counted about 32 games for the post season. That means 64 teams get to travel. No less than a third of them will lose money (ala Tiger to the Humanitarian) in this venture. More than a couple won't be able to pull a fan base large enough to see their share of tickets for the event, even if it is in a decent place. Toronto? Are we prepping some Sunbelt talent for the CFL? New Mexico, package in a January ski trip to Taos and I may consider it, or not. Can you say watered down? I didn't even think their were enough teams with winning or .500 records to fill that many slots. I think starting this year, I will not ackowledge any bowl that can't be played after Christmas Day and start whittling them down from there on merit of existence.

Class Post VII (The END)

Well, Verizon has been a complete bust as far as being a news maker over the past 6 weeks or so. They did decide to sue Vonage, the internet long distance provider whose stock has floundered since it's IPO release. News of the lawsuit coupled with other factors has the Vonage stock tradings below $10. It IPO'ed at $17. The base of hte suit is patent infringement as confirmed last Monday.
Otherwise, Verizon is plugging along with little coming out abotu he NSA case hitting major headlines. I'm sure there is some other blog talk but unless it hits the big boards, I'm not really paying attention as it is probably hearsay or speculation though some good juice occassionaly does sneak out.
At this time I'm signing off as far as posting about Verizon for class. As it did spark my interest some future post may arrive if something really major hits but nothing on a regular basis. To those who found this blog via class, feel free to keep tuning in and feel free to comment. My antics can often be found here and the comments usually invoke a laugh. This class ahs slowed some things down but as it is my final hurrah in the MBA program posting may gain some interest and hopefully some humor as I get to pay attention more to the things outside of a text book. It should get good when they involve filling in the blanks that I can't seem to remember. As for the normal readership, you know what to expect out of me.

Class Post VI

This post is a little random but does relate. The reason I began focusing on Verizon was the whole NSA mess that I thought was going to hit the fan with wire tapping and phone records. Needless to say, all the three letter agencies in Washington have made it "disappear." Well, at least until today. Talk about the media flare up over the wire taps will probably resurface with the announcement the government has also been monitoring bank accounts. In the wake of 9/11 and the fact that we can pretty much target knuckleheads in our country who are up to no good (see recent events in Miami) this doesn't surprise me. It's not like you and I have much to worry about....unless the IRS has a reason to be not happy with you. Anyway, I think it is good anti-terrorism practice and the reality of it is we are protecting ourselves and until the media reports these things, we aren't any worse for them or even affected. I'm guessing the banks will get to share the scrutiny Verizon and the other telecom folks have but don't expectto hear much about it for a while. At least once the new wears off.

Class Post V

Verizon Communications announced a major agreement to help bring Public Television to digital programming. That's right, now you get Big Bird and the Seasame Street gang in all their colorful glory. I will admit programs like Nova and some of the other nature based programming will be pretty cool in HD. The big deal with this is the fact that prior to the agreement. those people on Verizon's FiOS fiber optic TV service did not have access to these channells and their programing. Though it doesn't do anything for folks in the Carolinas, large markets in FL, MD, NY, TX, CA, and MA do have the 400 channel cable option. This is a major achievment if you are a big Public Television supporter. Honestly, I can't say that this would affect my desire to pick up the cable package since my days of Seasame Street are over and I was too old to get hit with the Barney craze. Now if Ken Burns updates The Civil War documentary with some cool effects suitable for HD, I would be excited. For the parents out there, I hope this helps you in some way.

Class Post IV

In an article posted at CNNMoney there is an interesting run down of "Old School" companies (Verizon falls under this as they are a conglomerate of formerly established firms) that are freezing their pension plans. Many of these are a direct effect of issues being encountered both on their bottom lines as well as what is being seen across their industries. In a big surprise, IBM froze their plan. Both Verizon and IBM are increasingly competing with tech stars that never adopted the tradition pension or benfits plans, keeping thier cost down. Also with the addition of foreign competition that already competes at lower marginal costs, companies like Verizon have no choice if they want to keep costs down and compete over the long haul. This occurence with the likes of GM, and the airlines is no surprise as they have been hurting for a while. Seeing it in "healthy companies" come as a surprise to many but shouldn't. If you are with these firms, consider yourself lucky. At least your parent company is having the foresight to do something now instead of waiting until it's to late (Delphi, UAL, Delta...)

CLASS POST III

As I mentioned in class, the newsi n hte Verizon/NSA fiasco is there is no news to report. I have been tryingto keep up with this and other thna the initial flurry not much has been said. I expected this to drag out as the government is involved but nothing has happened at all in the past couple weeks it seems. For those who know Verizon only has one of the main names in cell phone service/coverage here is a quick snapshot at some corporate info so you can realize how big they are.
Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).
Customers
53 Million
Employees
56,000
Annual Revenue
$32.3 Billion

This info is straight from the home page found here.
What you see aboveis jsut he Verizon Wirelss info. Verizon Communications is much bigger. Their numbers are here

Updates, sorta

So another week has come and gone and I have not had much to say. Work is staying busy and class is on a compacted schedule so things are moving along and I'm just happy to keep up. Along with the crazy schedule has come little progress on the dating scene. Last Thursday night happened and was nice. An agreement that schedules suck and neither party (her more so than me honestly) has the ability to fully invest in it so we were just going to keep doing whatever it is we are doing. Buffett concert came around Sunday, TRAINWRECK. She was there, the Margarita's were too strong, I drank most of those, then it started raining. Dark, cold rain, all parties overly drunk. One big mess. All parties made it home by the grace of god. She had carpooled up with friends from her side of town. Since then, I have talked to her all of about 5 or 10 minutes. The mess of the concert has supposedly been forgiven/deemed not a big deal but her schedule has prevented any further visits and I have the gut feeling that things aren't ok. At this point, I'm going to just go with it, let her make a call on what happens next and start moving on and seeing what else is out there until she figures out what she wants and if I'm part of that equation.