Something fun (and slightly cynical) this week.
I have spent so many years as a code monkey for large corporations this appealed to me. I have also seen the pining for the hot receptionist as well from colleagues (and myself when I was a co-op). Check out the song and all the video's on YouTube based on the song.
The MP3: (on Jonathan Coulton's blog : Jonathan Coulton)
A video from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYodWEKCuGg
Check out the other video's listed, there is a flavor for everyone.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Creativity and Change leadership masters
Well, as I have told people, I have begun my second masters degree (or at least the graduate certificate portion of it). The degree is out of the SUNY schools, particularly Buffalo State College. http://www.buffalostate.edu/creativity/
At first I was skeptical when my boss proposed, but after going to the first 2 weeks of their Creative Problem Solving "bootcamp", I am convinced of its validity! I would recommend getting into the program if you can, or at least getting the two books Creativity Unbound and Facilitation.
I can attest, that going through the process will make you believe in the process. I had it solve and identify a goal for myself and give me an action plan to follow (incidentally, it will get me to my "freedom" as postulated in previous posts).
Also, one of the early adopters and developers of the process and program has much more to say about it (Dr. Roger Firestien) at www.rogerfirestien.com.
It was pretty intense in regards to the boot camp, but I like the process, for 3 reasons. One, it encourages a positive environment to develop a new idea. Two, it has been scientifically proven with research and statistics. Three, and most of all, I had it work for me.
So, come with me on my journey as I go to facilitate the CPS process for myself, my friends and my work place (work place for awhile, I have obligations to family and mortgage and my work is not all that bad, but I want to make more and I will damn it, just not there).
Till then, be well and happy!
At first I was skeptical when my boss proposed, but after going to the first 2 weeks of their Creative Problem Solving "bootcamp", I am convinced of its validity! I would recommend getting into the program if you can, or at least getting the two books Creativity Unbound and Facilitation.
I can attest, that going through the process will make you believe in the process. I had it solve and identify a goal for myself and give me an action plan to follow (incidentally, it will get me to my "freedom" as postulated in previous posts).
Also, one of the early adopters and developers of the process and program has much more to say about it (Dr. Roger Firestien) at www.rogerfirestien.com.
It was pretty intense in regards to the boot camp, but I like the process, for 3 reasons. One, it encourages a positive environment to develop a new idea. Two, it has been scientifically proven with research and statistics. Three, and most of all, I had it work for me.
So, come with me on my journey as I go to facilitate the CPS process for myself, my friends and my work place (work place for awhile, I have obligations to family and mortgage and my work is not all that bad, but I want to make more and I will damn it, just not there).
Till then, be well and happy!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Long time no blog
I don't have a real excuse for not blogging for such a long time.
Working a lot? Yes, but I always do.
Starting school again? Yes, I did recently enroll for another Masters (I am a masochist).
Personal businesses and projects need time to work on? Absolutely.
However, I don't have a legitimate excuse. It is was just lack of interest. Lets see if that can be changed.
Consider this entry just a "bump" or a "I am still here" entry. More interesting essays to follow!
Working a lot? Yes, but I always do.
Starting school again? Yes, I did recently enroll for another Masters (I am a masochist).
Personal businesses and projects need time to work on? Absolutely.
However, I don't have a legitimate excuse. It is was just lack of interest. Lets see if that can be changed.
Consider this entry just a "bump" or a "I am still here" entry. More interesting essays to follow!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Security vs. Freedom - time to SOGOTP
It has been a long and winding road (well not that long, and only sort of winding), but I have come to the conclusion that security and freedom are two very different things. In fact, they are mutually exclusive. I found that as in my younger years I was closer to my parents way of thinking, go to school, get a job with benefits, then retire after 30+ years.
Um? WTF? My father is still at fortune 50 company, going in the same door day after day for 34 years. Now I really can't blame him, for that was what he was trained to do, and I cannot knock him for doing it because it provided me with a good childhood. However, I think I realized a long time ago I wanted to own my own business (I used to dream of owning a grocery store for some reason), but I allowed FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) muddle me. It crept in and stole my time (and time is gold). I also bought into the new "American dream" of debt, mortgage, marriage, kids, job with benefits, and 3 weeks vacation a year that made jumping ship just that much harder. Some where around the dot com boom I started getting antzy, but not a big baller to go out on my own.
Now, I don't have it that bad in my job. I work from home, on proof of concept for 3d MMOC. I am paid ok. However, the number of hours I put in don't equate. The fact they act like they "own my mind" really bothers me. Also, I know I can be replaced by a global resource that I cannot compete with monetarily (that I may have to train). If I have the risks, I might as well get the rewards. I have come to realize I don't want to climb the corporate ladder (I never did, I am too non conformist as it was, going down this path was good for experience, but the experience is almost a fine line to a waste of time).
No, I don't want to be an employee, and lately in my new position I realize I don't know if I want to be the manager either. I want to be the owner. I want to own the corporate ladder. Granted, I know I will have to be a manager for a bit as I build a new company.
Oh wait, did I mention that? I am building a company. But what will I build? No clue at this point (well that is sort of a lie, but I won't revel it just yet). I have decided it is time to SOGOTP (Sh!t Or Get Off The Pot). No I am bootstrapping, and the hardest part is to find the time for everything (starting up a company, maintain a good standing at work, personal life, hobbies, and this blog :-) ). I believe with some newly acquired organization and relaxation skills, I will accomplish it all to the time when I "cut the strings".
It still amazes me that people want to be an employee. I have gotten into arguments with several friends that tell me I don't have it that bad and I maybe being foolish. So be it. It amazes me that I have not gotten something better going before this (but I keep trying and will do so until I do). To have that security, instead of the freedom. I know first hand it is hard to do, to let go, especially if you have responsibilities. However, I don't ask anyone to take care of me, but I also want all the rewards. And I will get them.
Um? WTF? My father is still at fortune 50 company, going in the same door day after day for 34 years. Now I really can't blame him, for that was what he was trained to do, and I cannot knock him for doing it because it provided me with a good childhood. However, I think I realized a long time ago I wanted to own my own business (I used to dream of owning a grocery store for some reason), but I allowed FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) muddle me. It crept in and stole my time (and time is gold). I also bought into the new "American dream" of debt, mortgage, marriage, kids, job with benefits, and 3 weeks vacation a year that made jumping ship just that much harder. Some where around the dot com boom I started getting antzy, but not a big baller to go out on my own.
Now, I don't have it that bad in my job. I work from home, on proof of concept for 3d MMOC. I am paid ok. However, the number of hours I put in don't equate. The fact they act like they "own my mind" really bothers me. Also, I know I can be replaced by a global resource that I cannot compete with monetarily (that I may have to train). If I have the risks, I might as well get the rewards. I have come to realize I don't want to climb the corporate ladder (I never did, I am too non conformist as it was, going down this path was good for experience, but the experience is almost a fine line to a waste of time).
No, I don't want to be an employee, and lately in my new position I realize I don't know if I want to be the manager either. I want to be the owner. I want to own the corporate ladder. Granted, I know I will have to be a manager for a bit as I build a new company.
Oh wait, did I mention that? I am building a company. But what will I build? No clue at this point (well that is sort of a lie, but I won't revel it just yet). I have decided it is time to SOGOTP (Sh!t Or Get Off The Pot). No I am bootstrapping, and the hardest part is to find the time for everything (starting up a company, maintain a good standing at work, personal life, hobbies, and this blog :-) ). I believe with some newly acquired organization and relaxation skills, I will accomplish it all to the time when I "cut the strings".
It still amazes me that people want to be an employee. I have gotten into arguments with several friends that tell me I don't have it that bad and I maybe being foolish. So be it. It amazes me that I have not gotten something better going before this (but I keep trying and will do so until I do). To have that security, instead of the freedom. I know first hand it is hard to do, to let go, especially if you have responsibilities. However, I don't ask anyone to take care of me, but I also want all the rewards. And I will get them.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Angry man
I recently read an article my friend sent me from the Aspen Times. It talks about the Angry White Man. The article very much articulate my position of the current state of the U.S. Article:
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/2008198091324
Now for sure, I am tired of being angry. I don't think anyone owes me a damn thing, and I need to make it in this world as best I can. However, I will God Damned that someone will take my monies and distribute them to someone that is unwilling to work or have not paid into the same system I have so diligently contributed to over these years. Granted I understand the desire to take care of the elderly or the infirm, but someone that has become only "socially infirm" whether due to generational handout taking, or just decided "if you can't beat them, join them" are not my problem (nor should be anyone else's but their own).
After a recent conversation with one of my wife's colleague's husband that I greatly admire, he introduced me to the idea of Populace stance and that Socialism was furthest extreme of the populace stance. After thinking about, I have decided that I am philanthropic capitalist with only the want for checks and balances for worker exploitation, and physically/mentally infirm taken care of from the populace stance.
Why should someone be punished for being successful? If they choose to give away some of their good fortune, so be it. If not, then who is to say they have too? I am a little tired of this "government should take care of me from cradle to grave attitude" we have developed. I am sure there is another mechanism we can follow that will provide intervention in the form of quelling those in power of taking advantage of the worker, but on the other side, there should not be so much intervention that take care of the idiots, shiftless, and undesirables.
I spend more in taxes than I do for food, shelter, and clothing each year. I have heard of those in other countries doing more, but having more social services. I don't want to jump down that rabbit hole. Instead, I think we should par the services that are given now to the truly needed, and institute a flat tax on all earnings (lower that what is currently there) with no deductions. Also, no more welfare, bi lingual requirement laws on government documents/services, and any state funded institutions (if you are a non profit that receives federal, state or local municipality funds) that provide services, those services have to be repaid if received by or rendered against able-bodied, non-tax paying persons.
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/2008198091324
Now for sure, I am tired of being angry. I don't think anyone owes me a damn thing, and I need to make it in this world as best I can. However, I will God Damned that someone will take my monies and distribute them to someone that is unwilling to work or have not paid into the same system I have so diligently contributed to over these years. Granted I understand the desire to take care of the elderly or the infirm, but someone that has become only "socially infirm" whether due to generational handout taking, or just decided "if you can't beat them, join them" are not my problem (nor should be anyone else's but their own).
After a recent conversation with one of my wife's colleague's husband that I greatly admire, he introduced me to the idea of Populace stance and that Socialism was furthest extreme of the populace stance. After thinking about, I have decided that I am philanthropic capitalist with only the want for checks and balances for worker exploitation, and physically/mentally infirm taken care of from the populace stance.
Why should someone be punished for being successful? If they choose to give away some of their good fortune, so be it. If not, then who is to say they have too? I am a little tired of this "government should take care of me from cradle to grave attitude" we have developed. I am sure there is another mechanism we can follow that will provide intervention in the form of quelling those in power of taking advantage of the worker, but on the other side, there should not be so much intervention that take care of the idiots, shiftless, and undesirables.
I spend more in taxes than I do for food, shelter, and clothing each year. I have heard of those in other countries doing more, but having more social services. I don't want to jump down that rabbit hole. Instead, I think we should par the services that are given now to the truly needed, and institute a flat tax on all earnings (lower that what is currently there) with no deductions. Also, no more welfare, bi lingual requirement laws on government documents/services, and any state funded institutions (if you are a non profit that receives federal, state or local municipality funds) that provide services, those services have to be repaid if received by or rendered against able-bodied, non-tax paying persons.
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