Well, the NFL draft is over and my guys from LSU did all right. 7 players drafted, although only 1 in the first round. Nice run starting in the 3rd round, although I doubt Matt Flynn (Green Bay) and Keither Zinger (Atlanta) will stick around for extended periods. The Matt Flynn draft is weird when you consider that they had drafted Brian Brohm earlier....maybe some kind of trade bait going on with Brohm?
Onto more personal items....I can now pull a car into my garage. It was so weird, I had to pull the Jeep right in just to see what it was like. It's the first time since I moved to FL that I've been able to put a car in the garage.
Still no (old) jeep on the horizon. I've even thought of going to get the rust bucket previously mentioned in this blog, but decided against it. I guess something will pop up. I'm eyeing some items on ebay. None extremely close, but you never know what will happen. One project vehicle up in Jacksonville might be interesting, but I think I'm too cheap to hit this guys reserve. We'll see what happens, bidding ends today.
At work: work continues on the financial statements. Discussed with CGC updating some of our reports. May be a chance to get away from doing everything in spreadsheets. Again, we're too big to keep doing things in this way. Need to drive some change into this organization. We now have tentative approval to move forward with salesforce.com CRM. Looking forward to using this, as it will allow us to consolidate a number of spreadsheets regarding sales, estimates, and contract awards into one spot with the information visible to a lot of people.
Anyway, that's enough for one time. See ya later!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
What the F$!# do I have to do
To get the Jeep that I want? The guy I ranted about last time, "Jim", finally called back. (On MONDAY!) Got a chance to go look at his mighty machine last night and wow......just wow. The frame is reasonably solid ( I think, I didn't go over it completely), but the body is shot and we had to pour gas into the carb to get the engine to fire. For only $1,800 all this can be yours. By my back of the envelope calculation, I would then have to get a new body, a new wiring harness, at least 2 tires, 2 seats, a fuel tank, gauges, possibly a new dash and a bunch of small body trim pieces. So......$1,800 plus another 3 - 6 thousand just to get it running where you could put it on the street. Oh, and he doesn't have the title either.
On to Work.....we do way too much of our reporting and analysis in spreadsheets. For Pete's sake, we're a $400 MM dollar company. WE need to grow up and act like it. I'll continue to push on the financial end, we're working very hard on the system generated financials and hope to have that working right in the next couple of months. Not too much drama at work other than that. I think we have a pretty good group of people in the senior management level, and a good group in the PM/APM level as well. Looks like we might jump into the CRM pool, using salesforce.com.
got the girls back in the house after a week up at granny's. I have to admit, it's nice to have them back.
Went Jeeping and shooting up at the WMA while they were gone. Ian just got a new JK Jeep and was just dying to take it out. Lucky for him, I put the winch on my jeep, because numbnuts went charging into a swamp and got stuck. I introduced him to the real world of Jeeping, by making him walk through the muck to hook the winch cable to his jeep. No problems pulling it out, and we had a nice relaxing ride after that.
On to Work.....we do way too much of our reporting and analysis in spreadsheets. For Pete's sake, we're a $400 MM dollar company. WE need to grow up and act like it. I'll continue to push on the financial end, we're working very hard on the system generated financials and hope to have that working right in the next couple of months. Not too much drama at work other than that. I think we have a pretty good group of people in the senior management level, and a good group in the PM/APM level as well. Looks like we might jump into the CRM pool, using salesforce.com.
got the girls back in the house after a week up at granny's. I have to admit, it's nice to have them back.
Went Jeeping and shooting up at the WMA while they were gone. Ian just got a new JK Jeep and was just dying to take it out. Lucky for him, I put the winch on my jeep, because numbnuts went charging into a swamp and got stuck. I introduced him to the real world of Jeeping, by making him walk through the muck to hook the winch cable to his jeep. No problems pulling it out, and we had a nice relaxing ride after that.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Jeep on horizon?
Well, a few things going on in my little world since last update....
Wife and kids out of town still, so was able to hit a minor league baseball game (ft. myers miracle) last night. Good fun was had by all, plus it was half price beer night which is vitally important. Everything is better with half price beer! Didn't see the end of the game, as I had to leave in the bottom of the 9th with the score tied 2 all.
Possible jeep on the horizon? Found one here in FM with most of what I want for $1800. Now if I could just get this ass-clown to call me so I can go look at it we'll be in pretty good shape. Also got one on the line up in Tampa, but I'd love to latch onto the one in FM if I can (and if it's not a total P.O.S.)
Four wheeling this weekend? Might take a ride along with Ian in our jeeps to hit some trails. Got to hook the winch up, but since I have the carpet out anyway, now is a decent time to do it. Then maybe shooting of Ian's guns. Jeeps and guns....god bless America!!
Work stuff.....laid off another one of the ladies this week. In fairness, she was wanting to be laid off, but the fact that we could assign her work to other people shows me that we are really slowing down. We are preparing to implement some CRM software which HOPEFULLY will give us better visibility into what things we are chasing, estimating, winning etc...
I guess this is it. Will have some LSU thoughts later plus other fun and exiciting updates.
Peace
Wife and kids out of town still, so was able to hit a minor league baseball game (ft. myers miracle) last night. Good fun was had by all, plus it was half price beer night which is vitally important. Everything is better with half price beer! Didn't see the end of the game, as I had to leave in the bottom of the 9th with the score tied 2 all.
Possible jeep on the horizon? Found one here in FM with most of what I want for $1800. Now if I could just get this ass-clown to call me so I can go look at it we'll be in pretty good shape. Also got one on the line up in Tampa, but I'd love to latch onto the one in FM if I can (and if it's not a total P.O.S.)
Four wheeling this weekend? Might take a ride along with Ian in our jeeps to hit some trails. Got to hook the winch up, but since I have the carpet out anyway, now is a decent time to do it. Then maybe shooting of Ian's guns. Jeeps and guns....god bless America!!
Work stuff.....laid off another one of the ladies this week. In fairness, she was wanting to be laid off, but the fact that we could assign her work to other people shows me that we are really slowing down. We are preparing to implement some CRM software which HOPEFULLY will give us better visibility into what things we are chasing, estimating, winning etc...
I guess this is it. Will have some LSU thoughts later plus other fun and exiciting updates.
Peace
Monday, April 14, 2008
old people got no reason...
to drive that is. Down here in SW fl, (ft. myers/naples), there are old people and there are people from the midwest and canada. Not a damn one of them can drive to save their live....or more to the point mine. I appreciate them and their money, and please keep coming down here and buying condos so the construction company I work for will have something to do. However, before you come next time, please think about how you drive.
At work, getting started on a tricky project to implement salesforce.com software (I think). there is still a possibility they can price themselves out of a deal, or somehow screw it up.
Been reflecting late into the night on the nature of job searches. I've recently been asked to assist in moderating the finance forum on execunet.com and it's caused me to think about some of the questions we need to ask. Most of mine so far have been technical in nature, but how does this affect the most fundamental thing allmanagers have to deal with? That is to say, how does this affect your ability to manage, lead, inspire and sometimes just push your people to do their jobs like the 6 million dollar man (better, faster, stronger!) In terms of a function, we spend entirely too much time and money worrying about IFRS or XBRL and not enough worrying about the people.
Anyway, enought thinking into the night. It's bedtime for us old farts and I've got to go.
Peace
At work, getting started on a tricky project to implement salesforce.com software (I think). there is still a possibility they can price themselves out of a deal, or somehow screw it up.
Been reflecting late into the night on the nature of job searches. I've recently been asked to assist in moderating the finance forum on execunet.com and it's caused me to think about some of the questions we need to ask. Most of mine so far have been technical in nature, but how does this affect the most fundamental thing allmanagers have to deal with? That is to say, how does this affect your ability to manage, lead, inspire and sometimes just push your people to do their jobs like the 6 million dollar man (better, faster, stronger!) In terms of a function, we spend entirely too much time and money worrying about IFRS or XBRL and not enough worrying about the people.
Anyway, enought thinking into the night. It's bedtime for us old farts and I've got to go.
Peace
Free!!
and just not enjoying it quite as much as I should...wife/kids/dog all out of town for a week. What should I do? Rock non-stop? chase girls at the local university? sit on the couch in my underwear and watch star wars on spike TV?
Well, the last one is the closest to what actually transpired yesterday after the family left. Other fun filled items include working in the garage to clean up the clutter, vacuming out the Jeep to get all the leaves and crap, going to the grocery store. Woo HOO!! Seriously though, I'm a maniac.
No Jeep available for sale in my area AND in my price range. Well, crap... at least the garage is closer to being able to accept a vehicle now. One on the east coast somewhere, but for $700 I'm a little scared of it. Going to call the guy to see how truly fucked up it is, so we'll see what happens.
Other more work related thoughts....since I was hired to replace the outgoing (retiring) CFO at this company, what to do if he chooses not to retire? Does that break our deal? He had indicated that he would hand over the CFO title and he has been outstanding in letting me handle MOST of the accounting issues as they arise. However, I still don't deal with the majority owner enough for me to have a comfort level with him and more importantly, he with me.
I'll update this later, I need to think on it more and decide how to push the issue without being a jerk. I like this job/company and dont' want to screw it up.
Well, the last one is the closest to what actually transpired yesterday after the family left. Other fun filled items include working in the garage to clean up the clutter, vacuming out the Jeep to get all the leaves and crap, going to the grocery store. Woo HOO!! Seriously though, I'm a maniac.
No Jeep available for sale in my area AND in my price range. Well, crap... at least the garage is closer to being able to accept a vehicle now. One on the east coast somewhere, but for $700 I'm a little scared of it. Going to call the guy to see how truly fucked up it is, so we'll see what happens.
Other more work related thoughts....since I was hired to replace the outgoing (retiring) CFO at this company, what to do if he chooses not to retire? Does that break our deal? He had indicated that he would hand over the CFO title and he has been outstanding in letting me handle MOST of the accounting issues as they arise. However, I still don't deal with the majority owner enough for me to have a comfort level with him and more importantly, he with me.
I'll update this later, I need to think on it more and decide how to push the issue without being a jerk. I like this job/company and dont' want to screw it up.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Done!, sick kids, progress on other fronts?
Well, what's going on since last posting?
Sick Kids. God I am tired of my kids being sick. I know it's not their fault, and I certainly don't hold it against them, but it seems someone in the family other than me has been sick since Thanksgiving. the little one has had incipient pneumonia, actual pneumonia and about 100 viruses. The oldest has had pneumonia (twice) and about 100 viruses also. My wife has had about 30 viruses, a sinus infection and various problems related to girl parts that we won't discuss here PLUS the fun and excitement of quitting using Cymbalta. If you haven't read any prior posts, this is a JOY to experience. I'd like to say I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, except this is exactly the sort of thing I would wish on an enemy.
LSU: We have a new basketball coach!!I think this might be a good hire, although the process certainly seemed pretty screwed up. Hopefully the recruits will stick around, we'll see. Baseball beat S. Miss and is at Ole Miss for a 3 game SEC road trip. We need 2 of 3 and all 3 would be nice. Absolutely can't afford to be swept in this series.
Took the puppy to the vet yesterday. All is well in puppy-land, although we had a few issues. Nothing serious and she is looking good!!
Jeep update....nothing is happening. I bid on one off of Ebay, but then the item was deleted, so not sure what's up with that. Spoke to a guy up in Jax about his that he had transplanted a 350 into. Not sure I want to go that far, and not sure how to verify that the Jeep is worth what he wants without taking a trip. We'll see, and maybe something will come up.
Peace!
Sick Kids. God I am tired of my kids being sick. I know it's not their fault, and I certainly don't hold it against them, but it seems someone in the family other than me has been sick since Thanksgiving. the little one has had incipient pneumonia, actual pneumonia and about 100 viruses. The oldest has had pneumonia (twice) and about 100 viruses also. My wife has had about 30 viruses, a sinus infection and various problems related to girl parts that we won't discuss here PLUS the fun and excitement of quitting using Cymbalta. If you haven't read any prior posts, this is a JOY to experience. I'd like to say I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, except this is exactly the sort of thing I would wish on an enemy.
LSU: We have a new basketball coach!!I think this might be a good hire, although the process certainly seemed pretty screwed up. Hopefully the recruits will stick around, we'll see. Baseball beat S. Miss and is at Ole Miss for a 3 game SEC road trip. We need 2 of 3 and all 3 would be nice. Absolutely can't afford to be swept in this series.
Took the puppy to the vet yesterday. All is well in puppy-land, although we had a few issues. Nothing serious and she is looking good!!
Jeep update....nothing is happening. I bid on one off of Ebay, but then the item was deleted, so not sure what's up with that. Spoke to a guy up in Jax about his that he had transplanted a 350 into. Not sure I want to go that far, and not sure how to verify that the Jeep is worth what he wants without taking a trip. We'll see, and maybe something will come up.
Peace!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Jeep = NO
Well, no jeep...the one I went to look at was a giant rust bucket. Maybe if the guy lowers the price to where it makes sense, but it's going to be complicated to swap a body in a 2 car garage. Maybe I need to expand the ole price range.
My LSU update....Baseball takes 2 of 3 from 'Bama. Love it, love beating Bama in any sport at any time. This team may be coming together and doing it at the right time.
Football spring game was last week and the "O" looked pretty good. the defense, especially the 2nd string gave up a bunch of big plays, but then I think we only had 5 linebackers to spread across the whole team. Overall, this is a team with a lot of talent and if Ryan P. gets his act together, could very scary on offense. The defense looks good up front, linebacking is weak, safeties are a strong point, but I have no idea what is going to happen with the corners.
If anyone out there is using salesforce.com, please post a reply. I'd like to discuss how you like it.
Puppy is doing great. Need to figure out a way to stop the chewing, or at least redirect it to approved items and not lamp power cords!!
Peace!
My LSU update....Baseball takes 2 of 3 from 'Bama. Love it, love beating Bama in any sport at any time. This team may be coming together and doing it at the right time.
Football spring game was last week and the "O" looked pretty good. the defense, especially the 2nd string gave up a bunch of big plays, but then I think we only had 5 linebackers to spread across the whole team. Overall, this is a team with a lot of talent and if Ryan P. gets his act together, could very scary on offense. The defense looks good up front, linebacking is weak, safeties are a strong point, but I have no idea what is going to happen with the corners.
If anyone out there is using salesforce.com, please post a reply. I'd like to discuss how you like it.
Puppy is doing great. Need to figure out a way to stop the chewing, or at least redirect it to approved items and not lamp power cords!!
Peace!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)