Friday, August 31, 2007

Friday and What a Summer!

It is Friday and Labor Day weekend. A time to look back and buckle down for school and winter. It is a time top pay for summer vacation, along with saving up for Christmas.

What a summer! I has not been one of the best, and maybe close to the worst summers in my life. However, we have made it through. There has been some good times and bad. Definitely there has been spiritual and emotional growth. I believe my family is closer than at the start. There is a prayer for making reconciliation of distant family members.

Next summer will be better, but for now onward and forward. I have come to far with the business, family, and life to turn back or give up.
It this summer has taught me nothing else has been to trust my pain to God and move forward.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Help From God And Man

Walking on this planet and running a business can not be done by oneself. It takes help for God and man. In the 21st Century more than ever we must throughly believe, accept, work along the people that are around us.

Running and having a small business depends on people. Knowing what to and when to do requires wisdom from the creator of heaven and earth. If I push away anyone of these two invites only failure.

When I start out on the business full time, I was telling everybody I met. The reaction I remembered the most was from my pharmacist. He responded with the usual words of encouragement. Then a fearful look came over his face. In less than a minute he started to tell all the reasons why he could not start his own pharmacy. The over riding theme of his words were, that if he started a business he would be doing it alone.

I have vision but I need the help from God and the people around me to be successful.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Bi-Polar or Just Human

Life has its ups and downs. Good times and bad times all make up our walk on this here rock spinning in space. When going through a rough spot one can question their own sanity.

It is rough enough working for someone else, but owning ones own business magnifies the good and bad times. That is why not everyone is cut out to own their own business. There has to be more than financial support. There has to be emotional backing also.

I know for myself there are time I question my own sanity. I feel like I am selfish and delusional just for having a business. It would be one thing if my name and face was not on it. Here in Boise Idaho, my name and face bring in more business than if I had some other name.

I may be bi-polar, I may not, but I am determined to make a good life for my wife and family.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Best Layed Plans Of Mice And Men

Yesterday, I had two stops for the whole day. Yes they were 128 miles apart but I figured that I could do them both with ease. Well, that did not happen. I got to the first one and I was still there at 3 pm. To say the lease I didn't make my second stop.

Yesterday, I wrote about commitment. That was where I was going on my second stop. I was going to start to catch up on old commitments. Well, that is my first stop this morning.

If I am going to improve on my life, I am going to have to take one step at a time. It is not going to be something I can do on my own. I am going to need divine intervention. Get past my own plans and move forward with doing what is right.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Commitment Is Following Through

A big part of being a father, a family man, and a business person is following through on commitments. Making the commitments in a timely matter is what makes or breaks a persons reputation.

I know that much of my life has been running from commitments, where I perceived it to be to hard or painful for me to do. This habit has ruin my relationships with many people. Here at this point in time, at this point in time, I am need to make a turn around by keeping those commitments of mypast.

No, my name is not Earl. I hope my IQ level is a few points higher than Earl. Things are not going to change overnight. I am going to have some hard painful work ahead of me. I do know my relationship with customers, friends, and family will improve.

This is one part of my life that I see as one area of failure. I am no longer let this defeat me.

Sunday Morning

Sunday morning brings a freshness and a note of optimism. No matter what new spread of computer virus. No matter what new scam of identity theft. No matter how bad things look during the week, Sunday morning offers a fresh relief.

On CBS a show called Sunday Morning have made its mark for years. It reflects on a lot of positives in the news. Even the negatives news are given a soothing positive spin.

Even when I had to work on Sunday, it was not the same. Things were calmer. Productivity was never great. It was harder to get myself and others motivated to the tasks we needed to do.

Main street of my hometown, on Sunday Morning had a calm stillness. You would of have thought that it was deserted. You would rarely see any activity until a half hour before Sunday School was to start.

I have even noticed that on Sunday morning, even the electrons don't flow through cyberspace the same way as they do the rest of the week.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Black Fridays


Fridays is the day most people look forward to start their weekend. I am not one of them. Fridays for me is the day to expect things to go wrong.

In all my years, it has been a Friday than has delayed a vacation, weekend getaway, along with finishing work early.

My black cat is not the cause, or some evil curse. It is the mindset of myself and the millions of other people who want to get away from work. In the process of rushing to get away, difficult matters get worst.

What is the answer? Shall we just change the last day of the week to Thursday or Saturday? I really don't think that will do any good.

The only real productive thing to do is be aware of Fridays potential for problems. It is like the time between Thanksgiving and News Years Day. People are more emotional. They are easily distracted. Many don't think as clear as they do during the rest of the year. So it is with Fridays.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Who Do You Want Working On Your Computer?


If you look around the number of "Computer Techs" both professional and not, you will find they start number the same as people who work on cars. The difference between the all these computer techs it price, skill level and philosophy of work.

Geek Squad will charge you between $50 to $300 to work on your computer. Rent-a-Nerd gives you a flat rate of $39 per hour. Independents computer techs are charging from $25 to $125 per hour. A good portion of the time their price will reflect their skill level.

The younger computer techs are ones that grew up with computers in their bedroom. They would fix their own computer when it broke. The older computer techs have seen the change and development of computers and technology over the years.

The geeks (as I call them) customize and set up any computer the way they think it should work. Then their is those just fix the basic problem and nothing more. The third class, I like to call is the Teacher. They not only repair, but help the computer user better understand and use their computer.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Will anyone Miss Me?

Yesterday, Copybogger ask the question, "Would anyone miss your blog if it disappeared, tomorrow?"

I know I don't have a lot of great words of wisdom, but this blog is not for exhorting. This blog has become just one man's journey through the later years of his life. The thoughts that shape my actions.

I have given up on making any real mark on society. My only desire is to influence just one or two. Maybe through this blog someone can take what have learned (the hard way) and make a better life for themselves. That way they won't have to go through some of the things I am going through now.

The Cycle of Life or Life's Cycles


The movie Lion King is where I got the titled of this posting. I was looking a the various cycles in my own life, that I have gone through. Some pleasant and some not so pleasant.

The movie Lion King was about the adventures a young lion prince growing up, getting a mate and having a cub of his own. A large part of the movie was devoted to the adventures that the young lion cub went through to mature.

We go through similar cycles of life in as we grow up and raise our children. I am always amazed what the children go through in grow up is very similar to the parents. Sure there is some differences when it comes to modern inventions, and habits. The basic attitudes along with many of the action are quite similar with parents and child.
  • Do you realize that we go through a yearly cycle of life, from News Years, through the holidays, change of seasons, and back to New Years Day.
  • May I be so bold as to take this one step further.The cycle of life can be reduced to a monthly, not just years. We pay our bills, then again the next month we are paying the same bills again.
  • There is a weekly cycle of life. Monday starts our work week. Friday evening start our weekend, then Monday we start the cycle all over again.
  • Yes, we even have a daily cycle. Early in the morning we rise to go off to work, at the end of the day light hours we go home, relax, and sleep only to start the cycle all over again when we wake up.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Help Bills and Debt!


When management a persons life and family gets out of control, the financial part is the primary indicator. Human resource departments started doing credit checks on potential employees, after learning about this indicator.

No quick fix for a individual or family that gives a bail out will result in a turn around. It is not going to happen overnight. It can not be done by one family member. It takes a united effort.

Sometimes a money management service can help. More than often divine intervention is often the only answer. The extreme level of help that is needed is beyond physical behaviors. Attitude, thought processes and time will bring a persons life back into control.

A rescue effort is not all that is needed. A recovery plan, with close supervision, is the only thing that will give lasting results. Then and only then will the mountain will be leveled out. The oceans will lose their depth.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Spender or Investor?

There are two choices we can make when it comes to what we do with our money. We can spend it, and get no return, or invest it and see a return.

Before I go any further, I want you to know that I am using the word Money in this blog posting, but it could be time, energy, or thought. Any of my physical or mental resources can be used to invest, or spent. The choice is ours to make that choice.

Money can be spent to receive a good feeling, which will only last for a short time. There will no lasting benefit or return. A good example is buying an ad in a coupon book that you know, from history, will see no new customers.

Money can be invested where at a later date it will bring back that money along with a percent of the original expenditure. An website that is tuned to your customer base, along with a newsletter will not only bring in new business, but repeat business.

Money is wasted when investments are not researched. The most common waste is on impulse purchases. These are goods that will be sold at the following summer's yard sale for a fraction of the original price.

A good business person is an investor not a spender. They are always looking for a return where they place their time, energy, and money.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Horse Sense, Wisdom, Making Right Choices

Horse Sense, wisdom, and making right choices means basicly the same thing. The only difference is that each term is attached to a different generation and social economic sector of American society.

Even in today's world of fast and sometimes excessive communication. The communicating of ideas and concepts break down because the understood meaning of a word is different from one person to another.

I was talking to a client who was using terms, that she understood. I was unclear of what she meant. I let her talk for a while, in hopes to grasp the meaning of her words. Finally, I had to stop her and ask for a clarification. It turned out that I had the wrong meaning of her terms.

Her family and co-worker had developed a set of jargon, that sounded like it meant one thing, but in truth meant something slightly different. This is all the more we must make sure our words and their meaning are clearly understood.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

One by One


One by One is a song I heard in the early 90's. It was a song about how you go about saving the world. Causes like global warming, health issues, and human rights are massive issues that need large groups to get involved. But to make any real difference it takes one person helping another person.

My cause is computer security. Keeping people safe when they put their hands on the keyboard and mouse. Then head out over the World Wide Web.

There are plenty of people who write, speak, and attend large computer security conventions. For me I walk, talk, and show individual how they can make their computer more secure. What actions they can do while surfing the internet.

One by one, One by one, just one person at a time.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Idea, or Concept, Without Words

Have you ever had an idea, but just could not put it in the right words? Well, that is what I am going through. It is like a haunting ghost that keeps reappearing.

English is so limiting compared to some other languages. Yet I am limited to the English language to convey the idea, or concept. An idea can be just one word. However, a concept needs a paragraph or more to describe fully.

Describing a computer to a man in first century Rome is on the same level.

I am not going to give up! What I feel in my heart, and what I see in my minds eye needs to be converted to words. When I can properly but it in words of the English language, then others will be able see he need and passion that is in my heart.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Do I Really Need Another Program?

Last night I was searching Google and Yahoo for some software for a client. One hour later my frustration level was starting to rise. Then I stepped back to look at what is already on the computer.

I decided to take a closer look at the QuickBooks program. After going to the Intuit.com, I visited a couple of QuickBooks forums. To my surprise there was my answer.

I have always know that there are some features in Microsoft Office, that is rarely used because they are not commonly known. This was the case with QuickBooks.

I wonder how often we look for a new program, when all we really need to do is rediscover the programs that are on computers? Maybe that is why they are so expensive to start.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Negotiation Is Not Just For Diplomats

Negotiation is the art of pushing and giving to obtain something or position. Government leaders, and business executives are not the only ones who need to negotiate. In some countries it is a part of their lifestyle.

I have a friend who is from Kuriate. Anytime we are having any dealing that evolve a transaction of money or goods, ends in a stiff discussion of the terms. After several minutes of push and giving, we in up at a middle ground shaking hands.

When I look at the world around me. I see negotiation a needed life skill. It is part of a lot of lives activities; buying a car, buying or selling a house, settling a family conflict, and payments of bills.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Technology Is Stressful

Change is good, but being in a constant state of change can a level of stress. I am talking about both the business and tech side of the computer/information industry. I really think working on the floor of Wall Street would be less stressful.

I rarely read computer tech books, because they are outdated by the time they get to print. Blogs, and website give the most up to date information. Magazines and/or periodicals are a middle ground between the two.

But just think about keep up with all the latest changes. How to remove the latest malicious infection of computer files? What fixes Windows Vista software vendors have made? What about who has bought out which up and coming website? The prices of computer and computer parts go up and down worst than the stock market.

Sure it can be quite stressful, but with the right mind set it can be an adventure. It can be even bigger satisfaction helping client get the best possible advice with their computer needs.

Monday, August 13, 2007

21st Century Communication or Slaves

We have all heard and have been told that we must communicate with those around us. Family, friends, business associates, and customers. In 2007, we have never had so many tools to use to communicate. Email, Instant Messaging, cell phones, text messaging, message board, social networking websites, wikkis, but what about good old face to face?

I know for myself, face to face human communication is only when needed. Emails are a daily, if not several times a day. Phone calls usually happen to any one business associate a couple times a week. Then face to face contact is to whenever needed.

Am I having effective communication? Am I losing customers, friends, and family by not having the face to face communication? Or have we become salves to the electronic media in the 21st century?

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Emotions/Needs, What Motivate Us

Getting past all the psychological teaching school of thought, there are only four basic emoting/needs that motivate us..
  1. Contributing -We cannot feel that we are part of any social group, ie; family or otherwise unless we feel we are help provide content and life to that group.
  2. Love - A big factor is to love and be loved. This is glue that holds relationships together.
  3. Enjoyment - Without some kind of pleasure, fun, or without good times in our life make our life a mere prison with invisible walls.
  4. Survival - Food, shelter, and comfortable living environment is the fourth listed here that just might should be first in the list.
I have seen social and family groups isolate one member, for some petty reason. In doing so this member was driven away. They went outside that group to find another social group that they felt needed them. The persons new role could be a health or an unhealthy role in that group.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Reality Can Bring Bad News

I was in CompUSA, picking up some parts. Since I had some time to kill, I stopped by the business sales counter and talk with one of the salesman. In course of the conversation I asked a questions about Vista and QuickBooks.

He laughed, started to shake his head left to right. In a pitiful tone he said, "It is not going to work. Vista, will not let you move those files."

I responded, "You don't know how many peoples day you have ruined."

He whispered in a low tone, "Sorry".

This is one of those times something should work a certain way. You need it to work that way, but it won't. The Microsoft nor Intuit won't fix it.

In this case, to prevent pirated software, Microsoft has went overboard with Vista, and not allow you to migrate certain data files from XP to Vista.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

A Long Busy Day Is Good For The Soul

I like nothing better than teaching and working on computers. Yesterday began at 4 am and ended about 7 pm. It was a long profitable day. I was tired at the end, but I felt good.

Days like yesterday, not only good for the checkbook, but they are good for my soul. I needed to be stretched. I needed to build endurance. I needed to resist temptation.

Without being stretched there is not growth. At 50 plus years growing has not stopped. Growing, learning and expanding my soul must continue until I am removed from this earth suit.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Theory or Reality

If you have been around for any length of time you know that theory does not put food on the table in the real world. It is getting your hands dirty and working in a chosen trade, starting from the ground up.

I just got through reading a forum posting, over at PC Magazine. The guy who wrote the post has a pretty high rating. He had wrote an okay article about Email marketing.

I got two sentences into his article and stopped. Then I took a breath and scanned the remainder six paragraphs. It was all textbook theory. It nothing new. I would not be surprised if it was not rewritten from some other place on the internet.

When someone has been in the middle of a project. You can just by how they sound, if they are reciting words, or if they are speaking from experience.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

I Can Not Make It Alone

I grew up encourage to do things on my own, in spite what the social trend said. This made for some lonely times.

Over the years I had to learn the hard way, I need other people. Not just to help me, but to help them. Tight friendships were few and far between.

Yesterday, I needed and was needed from family and friends. I enjoyed the feeling from it. The whole days adventure let me see I belong to the group of people around me.

Belonging to a community (business, social, or religious) is a very important thing. As one of the Beatles once sang, "No man is an island. No man stands alone..."

Monday, August 06, 2007

Life Is NOT Predictable

No matter how bad or how good things get, there is a always a bit of mystery that hovers over my life.

When I woke up yesterday, I could not tell you what would happen, even through it was a Sunday. I woke up this morning, (my first service call at 8 am) I can not tell you the results. It is to happen one way, but I can not say for sure that it will.

The unpredictable events is what makes life fun. I could let them grip me with fear. But that is a waste of time and energy. I must know and act upon what I have control over. The other stuff I just do the best I can.

In AA they have a saying, "God grant knowledge to change things I can change and patience I can not and the wisdom to know the difference."

Sunday, August 05, 2007

I Like Sunday Mornings


Sunday mornings are so peaceful. There is something extra quieting about Sunday mornings. Years ago Johnny Cash sang a song about just such Sunday Morning. CBS has had for years a television program called Sunday Morning.

No matter how crazy, No matter how disturbing the week has been. Sunday is that calming time of the week to reflect and let go of life's pressures if nothing else, but for just a few hours.

Saturday, August 04, 2007

What To Do In When It All Goes Wrong?

Starting a business can be a scary and risky thing. You are stepping out. Success or failure all depends upon what you do. The decisions you make. The time and energy you put into the business.

When I was a young man I was one of the first non firefighters to get paramedic training in Los Angles county. I study hard. In the back of my mind I was going to save lives.

Then one class about half way through the course, one of the instructors stood up in front of the class and said, "You can do everything we teach you the the letter, and the patient can still die."

That statement had a tramatic affect on me. I could not handle working to save someones life and then have them die on me. Why was I spending all this time and money only to have someone die under my care.

Years have come and gone. I have been through several failed marriages, jobs, and other things. I still have trouble accepting failure.

The one thing I have learned since then is have friends, family, advisers, and God there to help me. I am going fight, examine, adapt, pray, and work to make a turn around.

Friday, August 03, 2007

Face to Face, Not Facebook

Facebook is a social online network like My Space, and Twitter. People from across the country and around the world reading each others profiles and carrying on conversation. But what about their next door neighbor?

Have we become a generation of chickens? Are we afraid to meet and have a social community with those that live around our residence? It is easier to talk with someone over the telephone, than meet them face to face at your kitchen table.

I am not a big fan of online chatting. I do a lot of phone chatting. I must confess that social interaction that is face to face is something I lack. I have one or two clients that are even willing to sit down and chat face to face. Most of them would rather talk behind some kind of wall.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Knowing The Truth Is Hard

Today, I saw the quote, "Know the truth and it shall set you free...". What is not said is that the truth hurts. Most people don't want to know the truth.

I went to a (true) friend, today. I want him to take my side in disagreement I was having with another friend. He didn't take my side. He didn't take the other friends side. He just offer the other friend's point of view. Then gave me an alternative advice that would defuse the friction.

He was right, I was caught up in the conflict. I didn't what I could do to help defuse the friction and strengthen the friendship.