As you've no doubt noticed if anyone reads this, I work for a construction company and a fairly large one at that. I've gone to some lengths to disguise who it is, mostly because I sometimes discuss internal issues and it's not your business who I work for. The point is that I have a new favorite quote from a CEO. He's not a rock star CEO, but he's in essentially the same business I am, construction.
“I look forward to the day when the majority of our operational highlights no longer consist of our effectiveness in shrinking the company.”
this is from the CEO of Ryland homes, and I feel his pain. I figure we are down by an easy 1/3 and maybe more over the last 15 months revenuewise. At least we are still profitable, although good lord only knows how long that will continue.
Going back to the job search that I discussed briefly in the last post......not a damn thing going on. Not even a bite on the couple of resumes I've sent in to people. It's my opinion that if you are going to recruit on the web, there should be a rule that you have to send a receipt confirmation.
Not a lot else going on. Traveling again next week, and I can't decide if I'm looking forward to it or dreading it. At least we can hopefully get some work done on integrating with our new owners, and maybe get some questions answered.
At home, things are pretty dead. School is going well for all concerned, and only my honey has been sick for the last week or so. I can't bitch too loud cuz she may have picked it up from me and my travel over the last couple of weeks. Halloween tomorrow and the golden children are very excited.
Later
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Moving forward
I've decided to just move forward on all fronts, for as long as I can and try to ignore the economy as much as possible. Here at work, I'm busting butt trying to get financial statements, budgets and everything else working correctly and ready to go. At home, I've decided to try and do a little work just to keep the house looking good. On my half-assed job search, I ramped it up a little. I like what I do and who I'm doing it with, but the new owner(s) make me nervous and I like keeping an eye on the market. Maybe something will come of it (and I'll have to change the name of this blog) and maybe nothing will happen.
A few other interesting things going on at work. Heading off to Tulsa next week for visits with our new masters. Not sure exactly what I'm going to do out there, but at least I'll get to meet all the other accounting folks and rack up some frequent flier miles.
We landed several jobs last week for the first time in way too long. Now is not the time to be in construction, and boy does it show. We just picked up about $100MM in backlog and we needed it big time.
Been asked to write a series of articles for an online site. Not sure about this, but I'm going to give it a whirl. If nothing else, it gets my name out there as an expert, assuming I don't fall flat on my face.
My Tigers played Ga last weekend and fell flat on their face. You can read about it at other sites with much more detail than here (I like Bayoubengalblog.com), but you can safely assume they did not play well. I can't decide whether it's coaching and scheme, or if the players are just stupid. Either way, I'm looking for a much higher level of play this week against a Tulane team that really isn't playing that well. I'd like to see a score in the 50 - 3 range, unless Miles plays a bunch of younger players. In that case, I'd be okay winning by only 30 or so.
Didn't do crap on the jeep this weekend....shocking, I know. Planning some work on Thurs night maybe, and definitely some this weekend. I'd like to wrap up a the body mounts and start reattaching hoses and steering linkages and fun stuff like that. If that goes well, maybe get under the hood and start rerunning wiring a little bit so all that's left is the body and dashboard wiring. That's the scary part of the wiring anyway, and coincidentally also the part that requires the most soldering.
Later
A few other interesting things going on at work. Heading off to Tulsa next week for visits with our new masters. Not sure exactly what I'm going to do out there, but at least I'll get to meet all the other accounting folks and rack up some frequent flier miles.
We landed several jobs last week for the first time in way too long. Now is not the time to be in construction, and boy does it show. We just picked up about $100MM in backlog and we needed it big time.
Been asked to write a series of articles for an online site. Not sure about this, but I'm going to give it a whirl. If nothing else, it gets my name out there as an expert, assuming I don't fall flat on my face.
My Tigers played Ga last weekend and fell flat on their face. You can read about it at other sites with much more detail than here (I like Bayoubengalblog.com), but you can safely assume they did not play well. I can't decide whether it's coaching and scheme, or if the players are just stupid. Either way, I'm looking for a much higher level of play this week against a Tulane team that really isn't playing that well. I'd like to see a score in the 50 - 3 range, unless Miles plays a bunch of younger players. In that case, I'd be okay winning by only 30 or so.
Didn't do crap on the jeep this weekend....shocking, I know. Planning some work on Thurs night maybe, and definitely some this weekend. I'd like to wrap up a the body mounts and start reattaching hoses and steering linkages and fun stuff like that. If that goes well, maybe get under the hood and start rerunning wiring a little bit so all that's left is the body and dashboard wiring. That's the scary part of the wiring anyway, and coincidentally also the part that requires the most soldering.
Later
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Back in town
Got a lot of crap going on, so I'll try to be concise....
tons going on at work, year end financials, budgets, bonus calcs, rates and audits. Working through all of this while trying to get accustomed to the acquisition as well. We seem to be doing pretty well, but I have to get the HMFIC from our buyer to start sharing what he really wants to do. He says stuff that can interpreted different ways, so of course it is by different people.
Sent in an online app to a company in Houma this weekend. Not sure what, if anything, will happen, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Fab company, around $100MM in revenues. we'll see, I haven't had any response yet, so I'm not even sure they received it.
In football, my Tigers play USC (south carolina) last weekend and won. Played well enough to stay in the game in the first half, and played lights out in the second. Got UGA this weekend, finally back in Tiger Stadium. I look for a close game, with the Tigers winning by 3. Hopefully, I'm not kidding myself. On Sunday, the Saints came out and looked bloody awful. There's no other way to say it. I got so mad I quit watching before halftime.
Did absolutely nothing on the Jeep. I might do a little work tonight, or I might go exercise instead. I'll have to wait and see how I feel.
For a couple of weeks now, my honey has been bitching about the speakers sounding funny. I finally got off my lazy butt and went to really check them and found that one of them is complete shot. I don't know if it just fell apart from old age, or is blown or what, but it is destroyed. Looks like it's time for new speakers. Just when you think you've got your spending under control and don't need to buy anything new for a while other than Christmas presents. shit......
I'll finish later.
tons going on at work, year end financials, budgets, bonus calcs, rates and audits. Working through all of this while trying to get accustomed to the acquisition as well. We seem to be doing pretty well, but I have to get the HMFIC from our buyer to start sharing what he really wants to do. He says stuff that can interpreted different ways, so of course it is by different people.
Sent in an online app to a company in Houma this weekend. Not sure what, if anything, will happen, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Fab company, around $100MM in revenues. we'll see, I haven't had any response yet, so I'm not even sure they received it.
In football, my Tigers play USC (south carolina) last weekend and won. Played well enough to stay in the game in the first half, and played lights out in the second. Got UGA this weekend, finally back in Tiger Stadium. I look for a close game, with the Tigers winning by 3. Hopefully, I'm not kidding myself. On Sunday, the Saints came out and looked bloody awful. There's no other way to say it. I got so mad I quit watching before halftime.
Did absolutely nothing on the Jeep. I might do a little work tonight, or I might go exercise instead. I'll have to wait and see how I feel.
For a couple of weeks now, my honey has been bitching about the speakers sounding funny. I finally got off my lazy butt and went to really check them and found that one of them is complete shot. I don't know if it just fell apart from old age, or is blown or what, but it is destroyed. Looks like it's time for new speakers. Just when you think you've got your spending under control and don't need to buy anything new for a while other than Christmas presents. shit......
I'll finish later.
Friday, October 17, 2008
I'm Baaack
in florida that is. I feel like crap, the trip back was delayed due to weather in Houston, so I sat in the BR airport for most of 8 hours, then finally arrived back in in FM at around 2:45 Wednesday night/Thursday morning. Now I'm freakin sick, or at least very congested and I'm not amused by this at all.
Monday, October 13, 2008
On the road again
Back in the great state of LA for a couple of days. Down here (technically up) for some meetings and then heading back to the 5th circle of hell (AKA SW Florida). I call it that because it's still running in the 90s right now and that's just too damn hot for mid-October. I'm not saying I need some snow or anything, because I wouldn't know what to do with snow if I saw it. I'm just saying it's time for a cool front and get the lows down into the 60s.
My Tigers laid a giant egg on Saturday, losing to the stinking Gaytors by 30 points. If we see that same team next week, this could be a really long season. What worries me is the complete lack of results from the offensive and defensive lines. Hopefully, they will play better against South Carolina (USCe), or this is going to be an ugly game also.
Little disappointed, I had some faint hopes of visiting with one of the girls that used to work for me this evening, but she had a sick member of the family and wasn't in BR as planned. Not that we were going out super partying or anything, but it would have been nice to see her. Might try to catch up with her tomorrow night if I can....
Finally got my lazy ass out into the garage Saturday and Sunday and got a little work done on the jeep. It's now sitting on 4 tires again, and the redneck engineering body mounts have been replaced by some with some real engineering to them. Still have work to do to get it all bolted down, but at least it's some progress. After returning to SWFL, I want to try and get the new oil in and finish the body mounts. After that, electrical. I think I'm putting it off because it scares me, so it's time to man up and get it done. After that the jeep would actually be drivable, at least around the neighborhood for a test run. After than, a bunch more safety stuff like seatbelts. I'm hopeful that I might be able to take a turn around the neighborhood before leaving for LA for Thanksgiving.
I guess I can look at the markets again, now that we're up 1000 point today. I think it's a crock and I don't think it'll last, but man it might be a nice opportunity to sell if someone needed to. I think the bottom is still 6 to 9 months away and we'll just bump along the bottom, kind of like the housing market is doing now in the SW FL market. It's not dropping at 20% a year, but it's not gaining and nothing much is selling unless it's really cheap, in foreclosure or a short sale.
Later
My Tigers laid a giant egg on Saturday, losing to the stinking Gaytors by 30 points. If we see that same team next week, this could be a really long season. What worries me is the complete lack of results from the offensive and defensive lines. Hopefully, they will play better against South Carolina (USCe), or this is going to be an ugly game also.
Little disappointed, I had some faint hopes of visiting with one of the girls that used to work for me this evening, but she had a sick member of the family and wasn't in BR as planned. Not that we were going out super partying or anything, but it would have been nice to see her. Might try to catch up with her tomorrow night if I can....
Finally got my lazy ass out into the garage Saturday and Sunday and got a little work done on the jeep. It's now sitting on 4 tires again, and the redneck engineering body mounts have been replaced by some with some real engineering to them. Still have work to do to get it all bolted down, but at least it's some progress. After returning to SWFL, I want to try and get the new oil in and finish the body mounts. After that, electrical. I think I'm putting it off because it scares me, so it's time to man up and get it done. After that the jeep would actually be drivable, at least around the neighborhood for a test run. After than, a bunch more safety stuff like seatbelts. I'm hopeful that I might be able to take a turn around the neighborhood before leaving for LA for Thanksgiving.
I guess I can look at the markets again, now that we're up 1000 point today. I think it's a crock and I don't think it'll last, but man it might be a nice opportunity to sell if someone needed to. I think the bottom is still 6 to 9 months away and we'll just bump along the bottom, kind of like the housing market is doing now in the SW FL market. It's not dropping at 20% a year, but it's not gaining and nothing much is selling unless it's really cheap, in foreclosure or a short sale.
Later
Thursday, October 9, 2008
words fail me
(grit teeth) and mumble "Must....stop.....watching.....market"
Seriously, though. this is getting fucking depressing. Today I was doing some work on my 401k and I thought I would try to outsmart the market by picking 3 of the most beat down funds to put my money in from now on. (I didn't move any existing money)
Of course, about 45 minutes after that BOOM goes Wall st. Or should I say CRASH goes Wall St. I'm nervous, but not panicked about my job. I think I'm okay, but we are going to be cutting people before long and that will include the accounting people as well and I HATE laying people off.
Tonight, to try and take my mind off my troubles, I think I'll work on the Jeep. The body mounts came in, so I think I'll try and get some of them installed, plus fix the leaking tire and get it back on so the jeep is back on it's fee again. Will update that later, as I've not had much success with jeep work so far the last month or so.
Later
Seriously, though. this is getting fucking depressing. Today I was doing some work on my 401k and I thought I would try to outsmart the market by picking 3 of the most beat down funds to put my money in from now on. (I didn't move any existing money)
Of course, about 45 minutes after that BOOM goes Wall st. Or should I say CRASH goes Wall St. I'm nervous, but not panicked about my job. I think I'm okay, but we are going to be cutting people before long and that will include the accounting people as well and I HATE laying people off.
Tonight, to try and take my mind off my troubles, I think I'll work on the Jeep. The body mounts came in, so I think I'll try and get some of them installed, plus fix the leaking tire and get it back on so the jeep is back on it's fee again. Will update that later, as I've not had much success with jeep work so far the last month or so.
Later
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Stupid
Ass market.
I don't know why I follow this so obsessively anymore, but I do. I guess it's just the fun of knowing that I'll have to explain what it was like to live through these times to the GCs. They'll be reading in a textbook about how the government bought Wall Street, and they'll ask a question and I'll have to try and explain how a bunch or morons borrowed way too much money to lend to people who had no chance of paying it back. Then I'll have to move onto how that burdened the U.S. with an obscene amount of debt and how I hope she has fun paying it back.
Continuing with the bad news, the Saints found a new way to lose last night. In all honesty, it was a crazy game, with a blocked FG for a TD, 2 punt returns by Reggie for TDs, a halfback pass for a TD and a couple of missed FGs. In addition, the Saints committed about 500 penalties, and 3 turnovers. It's amazing they were still in this game at the end actually. To give credit, the defense played much better than I expected them to, it was the offense that couldn't quit shooting itself in the foot.
LSU vs. Fl this weekend. I'm getting fired up. Fl is the favorite, but I think the Tigers have a real shot. I've watched the Gators a couple of time this year, and I think we can pound them in the middle with Charles Scott. In fact, I would start with that, and I wouldn't stop until the stopped us cold. Of course, that should open up play action, and I would be looking down the field too a couple of times. I don't think this is the time to try and run end arounds and crap like that, especially considering FL may the fastest team in the SEC right now.
In laws on the way down. I'm hoping to get some Jeep time while they're here occupying the girls. I finally received the new body mounts, and I have a hankering (I love saying that) to get some damn work done.
Later
I don't know why I follow this so obsessively anymore, but I do. I guess it's just the fun of knowing that I'll have to explain what it was like to live through these times to the GCs. They'll be reading in a textbook about how the government bought Wall Street, and they'll ask a question and I'll have to try and explain how a bunch or morons borrowed way too much money to lend to people who had no chance of paying it back. Then I'll have to move onto how that burdened the U.S. with an obscene amount of debt and how I hope she has fun paying it back.
Continuing with the bad news, the Saints found a new way to lose last night. In all honesty, it was a crazy game, with a blocked FG for a TD, 2 punt returns by Reggie for TDs, a halfback pass for a TD and a couple of missed FGs. In addition, the Saints committed about 500 penalties, and 3 turnovers. It's amazing they were still in this game at the end actually. To give credit, the defense played much better than I expected them to, it was the offense that couldn't quit shooting itself in the foot.
LSU vs. Fl this weekend. I'm getting fired up. Fl is the favorite, but I think the Tigers have a real shot. I've watched the Gators a couple of time this year, and I think we can pound them in the middle with Charles Scott. In fact, I would start with that, and I wouldn't stop until the stopped us cold. Of course, that should open up play action, and I would be looking down the field too a couple of times. I don't think this is the time to try and run end arounds and crap like that, especially considering FL may the fastest team in the SEC right now.
In laws on the way down. I'm hoping to get some Jeep time while they're here occupying the girls. I finally received the new body mounts, and I have a hankering (I love saying that) to get some damn work done.
Later
Monday, October 6, 2008
So here's the question
Should I go ahead and start stocking up on basic foodstocks? Gas? Bullets? I mean WTF is going on here? Dow down 800 at one point today, finally closed down around 300.....I guess that means tomorrow, we'll be up 1,000? then back down the next day.
I'm not really sure, and I hate to be apocalyptic, but I think I'm going to keep a few extra gallons of gas around just in case, and start keeping a little cash handy. Maybe buy a hatchet or axe (or both). Other than that, I have enough hand tools to do most repairs, although I'm a little short of serious woodworking tools. Probably some canned goods, or other food that is well preserved, like some freeze dried stuff or even MRE's. I have a friend that was selling a .45, I my have to revisit the topic with him if he hasn't sold it yet. I realize that this is paranoid, but it could also be construed as "preparedness" and I have the honey and the golden children to think about as well. Plus, most of this stuff qualifies as hurricane supplies also, so it's not going to waste if it goes unused, which hopefully it will.
Anyway, other than all this craziness going on, there isn't much happening. Went to the b-day party on Sat and a good time was had. (by the kids mostly.) For the adults, it was a kids b-day party, but at least there was beer, which made it pretty tolerable.
Got absolutely no jeep work done, but that seems to be normal for the last few weeks. Hopefully with the in-laws coming in, I'll be able to sneak out to the garage for some fun.
Big game tonight, saints vs. Minnesota. Geaux Saints!! I understand several friends and my bro-in-law are going to be there. Hopefully, they have fun and don't get arrested. Although if they do get arrested, I hope they do it early on so I don't go to bed and miss it.
Later
I'm not really sure, and I hate to be apocalyptic, but I think I'm going to keep a few extra gallons of gas around just in case, and start keeping a little cash handy. Maybe buy a hatchet or axe (or both). Other than that, I have enough hand tools to do most repairs, although I'm a little short of serious woodworking tools. Probably some canned goods, or other food that is well preserved, like some freeze dried stuff or even MRE's. I have a friend that was selling a .45, I my have to revisit the topic with him if he hasn't sold it yet. I realize that this is paranoid, but it could also be construed as "preparedness" and I have the honey and the golden children to think about as well. Plus, most of this stuff qualifies as hurricane supplies also, so it's not going to waste if it goes unused, which hopefully it will.
Anyway, other than all this craziness going on, there isn't much happening. Went to the b-day party on Sat and a good time was had. (by the kids mostly.) For the adults, it was a kids b-day party, but at least there was beer, which made it pretty tolerable.
Got absolutely no jeep work done, but that seems to be normal for the last few weeks. Hopefully with the in-laws coming in, I'll be able to sneak out to the garage for some fun.
Big game tonight, saints vs. Minnesota. Geaux Saints!! I understand several friends and my bro-in-law are going to be there. Hopefully, they have fun and don't get arrested. Although if they do get arrested, I hope they do it early on so I don't go to bed and miss it.
Later
Friday, October 3, 2008
You're Welcome
To all the banks and other financial institutions that I will be bailing out.......Assholes!
When is someone going to write ME a check?
Time to get past it, and move on......so looking forward to a nice weekend. A lot of BS type stuff to take care of, such as some buying some shoes (mine for a change) and maybe some more pants for work, getting a haircut etc. Boring stuff really, what I call maintenance stuff. Maybe a little work on the jeep. I'd like to get the rear axle on the old jeep oil changed, and then change the engine oil in the new jeep, get it all recycled and cleaned up.
Getting really tired of sick kids. I can't decide if GC #2 is just prone to being sick, or if she is just unlucky enough to catch every little bug that comes around. It appears she is working on getting a cold. I'm overjoyed, since she is a joy to be around when she feels bad.
Don't know what got into my honey last night, but after watching Sex and the City (the movie) she had to have a good cry and then offer up sex. Now, I am never upset about being offered sex, unless I can't take it, but I have to admit the whole thought process behind it confuses me. Of course I didn't let that keep me from taking her up on it :)
Nothing special going on at work today, unless you count my giant case of the fuck-its. I'm having to force myself to work, cuz I really don't feel like it for some reason.
Later
When is someone going to write ME a check?
Time to get past it, and move on......so looking forward to a nice weekend. A lot of BS type stuff to take care of, such as some buying some shoes (mine for a change) and maybe some more pants for work, getting a haircut etc. Boring stuff really, what I call maintenance stuff. Maybe a little work on the jeep. I'd like to get the rear axle on the old jeep oil changed, and then change the engine oil in the new jeep, get it all recycled and cleaned up.
Getting really tired of sick kids. I can't decide if GC #2 is just prone to being sick, or if she is just unlucky enough to catch every little bug that comes around. It appears she is working on getting a cold. I'm overjoyed, since she is a joy to be around when she feels bad.
Don't know what got into my honey last night, but after watching Sex and the City (the movie) she had to have a good cry and then offer up sex. Now, I am never upset about being offered sex, unless I can't take it, but I have to admit the whole thought process behind it confuses me. Of course I didn't let that keep me from taking her up on it :)
Nothing special going on at work today, unless you count my giant case of the fuck-its. I'm having to force myself to work, cuz I really don't feel like it for some reason.
Later
Thursday, October 2, 2008
I just don't know
what our esteemed congresscritters are thinking. As far as I can tell, they have repackaged the same bill that was called a "bailout" on Monday, wrapped it in some new tax breaks and changed the name to financial rescue, or some crap like that. And now we're supposed to be happy. Look, just write me a check for $275,000 tax free and I'll pay off all my debts. Boom! problems solved, mortgage is made good, car loan is made good and I have no more debt. Everyone is happy.
Other than that, just work and home life as usual. Budget time at work, so been busting ass on that. At home, just time with the golden children and my honey. Spent a lot of time so far this week watching TV. The Mentalist, still hanging in my list for the moment. Fringe was good, if more freaky than previous. I have this vision of being 50 and still not knowing what the f-ing "Pattern" is. If it gets to that point, I'll just quit watching.
My Jeep parts are starting to arrive. The Q-tec order finally shipped, although it won't be here until Monday (of course!). Going to try and finish fixing the flat tire this weekend, finish putting oil in and draining the rear axle, and maybe get some electrical done.
Other than that, just work and home life as usual. Budget time at work, so been busting ass on that. At home, just time with the golden children and my honey. Spent a lot of time so far this week watching TV. The Mentalist, still hanging in my list for the moment. Fringe was good, if more freaky than previous. I have this vision of being 50 and still not knowing what the f-ing "Pattern" is. If it gets to that point, I'll just quit watching.
My Jeep parts are starting to arrive. The Q-tec order finally shipped, although it won't be here until Monday (of course!). Going to try and finish fixing the flat tire this weekend, finish putting oil in and draining the rear axle, and maybe get some electrical done.
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