Sunday, December 31, 2006
Well, Chrysler is joining the ranks ........................
of outsourcing auto manufacturing http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003501931_chinacar30.html?syndication=rss ....................... this time to China {they've been doing it in Mexico for years} ..................... having been a tiny, peripheral part of a NAFTA joint venture, I'm here to tell ya - the number ONE, MAJOR reason for companies to move manufacturing operations out of the U.S. is the labor costs - all other costs are comparable to doing business here in the U.S. ........................... the "bottom line", dear to the hearts of bean counters/stockholders alike, is being buffed by 'globalizing' our infrastructure ...................... and the piper will demand payment in the not-too-distant future ........................ :(
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Marine Corps' aviation humor .................. ;)
John "Jack" Bolt, who went to his final reward in 2004, was the only two-war US Marine Corps ace.
As a junior officer during World War II, he scored six enemy kills while flying the Vought F4U Corsair.
As a major during the Korean War, he scored six more while flying the North American F-86 Sabre on an exchange tour with the US Air Force. Jack Bolt was a hoot!
During a commercial airline flight several years ago, he was seated next to a young mother with a babe in arms. When the baby began crying during the descent for landing, the mother began nursing him as discreetly as possible.
Jack pretended not to notice and, upon debarking, he gallantly offered his assistance to help with the various baby-related impedimenta.
When the young mother expressed her gratitude, Bolt responded: "Gosh, that's a good looking baby... and he sure was hungry!"
Somewhat embarrassed, the mother explained that her pediatrician said nursing would help alleviate the pressure in the baby's ears.
Jack sadly shook his head, and in true fighter pilot fashion exclaimed, "Damn! And all these years I've been chewing gum."
As a junior officer during World War II, he scored six enemy kills while flying the Vought F4U Corsair.
As a major during the Korean War, he scored six more while flying the North American F-86 Sabre on an exchange tour with the US Air Force. Jack Bolt was a hoot!
During a commercial airline flight several years ago, he was seated next to a young mother with a babe in arms. When the baby began crying during the descent for landing, the mother began nursing him as discreetly as possible.
Jack pretended not to notice and, upon debarking, he gallantly offered his assistance to help with the various baby-related impedimenta.
When the young mother expressed her gratitude, Bolt responded: "Gosh, that's a good looking baby... and he sure was hungry!"
Somewhat embarrassed, the mother explained that her pediatrician said nursing would help alleviate the pressure in the baby's ears.
Jack sadly shook his head, and in true fighter pilot fashion exclaimed, "Damn! And all these years I've been chewing gum."
From a retired LtCol of Marines ..................
to keep in mind for this year's birthdays, Father's Day, and next Christmas .......................... ;)
Guide to Buying Gifts For Men:
Rule #1:
When in doubt - buy him a cordless drill. It does not matter if he already has one. I have a friend who owns 17 and he has yet to complain. As a man, you can never have too many cordless drills. No one knows why.
Rule #2:
If you cannot afford a cordless drill, buy him anything with the word ratchet or socket in it. Men love saying those two words. "Hey George, can I borrow your ratchet?" "OK. By-the-way, are you through with my 3/8 inch socket yet?" Again, no one knows why.
Rule #3:
If you are really, really broke, buy him anything for his car. A 99 cent ice scraper, a small bottle of de-icer or something to hang from his rear view mirror. Men love gifts for their cars. No one knows why.
Rule #4:
Do not buy men socks. Do not buy men ties. And never buy men bathrobes. I was told that if God had wanted men to wear bathrobes, he wouldn't have invented Jockey shorts.
Rule #5:
You can buy men new remote controls to replace the ones they have worn out. If you have a lot of moneybuy your man a big screen TV and watch him go wild as he flips, and flips, and flips.
Rule #6:
Buy men label makers. Almost as good as cordless drills. Within a couple of weeks there will be labels absolutely everywhere. "Socks. Shorts. Cups. Saucers. Door. Lock. Sink." You get the idea. No one knows why.
Rule #7:
Good places to shop for men include Northwest Iron Works, Parr Lumber, Home Depot, John Deere, Valley RVCenter, and Les Schwab Tire. (NAPA Auto Parts and Sears' Clearance Centers are also excellent men's stores. It doesn't matter if he doesn't know what itis. "From NAPA Auto, eh? Must be something I need. Hey! Isn't this a starter for a '68 Ford Fairlane? Wow! Thanks.")
Rule #8:
It's hard to beat a really good wheelbarrow or an aluminum extension ladder. Never buy a real man astep ladder. It must be an extension ladder. No one knows why.
Rule #9: Clamps. Men can never have enough quick grip clamps. No one knows why.
Rule #10: Buy your man Duct Tape. This is a man's most universal repair tool. All men know, if you can't fix it, duct it.
Guide to Buying Gifts For Men:
Rule #1:
When in doubt - buy him a cordless drill. It does not matter if he already has one. I have a friend who owns 17 and he has yet to complain. As a man, you can never have too many cordless drills. No one knows why.
Rule #2:
If you cannot afford a cordless drill, buy him anything with the word ratchet or socket in it. Men love saying those two words. "Hey George, can I borrow your ratchet?" "OK. By-the-way, are you through with my 3/8 inch socket yet?" Again, no one knows why.
Rule #3:
If you are really, really broke, buy him anything for his car. A 99 cent ice scraper, a small bottle of de-icer or something to hang from his rear view mirror. Men love gifts for their cars. No one knows why.
Rule #4:
Do not buy men socks. Do not buy men ties. And never buy men bathrobes. I was told that if God had wanted men to wear bathrobes, he wouldn't have invented Jockey shorts.
Rule #5:
You can buy men new remote controls to replace the ones they have worn out. If you have a lot of moneybuy your man a big screen TV and watch him go wild as he flips, and flips, and flips.
Rule #6:
Buy men label makers. Almost as good as cordless drills. Within a couple of weeks there will be labels absolutely everywhere. "Socks. Shorts. Cups. Saucers. Door. Lock. Sink." You get the idea. No one knows why.
Rule #7:
Good places to shop for men include Northwest Iron Works, Parr Lumber, Home Depot, John Deere, Valley RVCenter, and Les Schwab Tire. (NAPA Auto Parts and Sears' Clearance Centers are also excellent men's stores. It doesn't matter if he doesn't know what itis. "From NAPA Auto, eh? Must be something I need. Hey! Isn't this a starter for a '68 Ford Fairlane? Wow! Thanks.")
Rule #8:
It's hard to beat a really good wheelbarrow or an aluminum extension ladder. Never buy a real man astep ladder. It must be an extension ladder. No one knows why.
Rule #9: Clamps. Men can never have enough quick grip clamps. No one knows why.
Rule #10: Buy your man Duct Tape. This is a man's most universal repair tool. All men know, if you can't fix it, duct it.
Friday, December 29, 2006
If NBC News is to be believed ...........................
Saddam Hussein was executed a little less than 30 minutes ago ...................... I just hope & pray that his death leads to what is needed, whatever that might be, to a cohesion of the differing religious sects in Iraq, and the ability of our troops to come home.......................
More thoughts on manners ......................
Holly's response to my post re: manners reminded me - we recently had a family move in next door - daughter is ~ 12, son is ~ 14 - I started "getting to know" the family when the son knocked on our door to see if we'd be interested in his taking charge of our yard work {YES!! Unless you've experienced a Houston summer, don't even try to make me feel guilty - even better, unless you've experienced a Houston summer while going through menopause, just hush! ;) }.
These kids have to be two of the nicest, most respectful I've met in a while - and yes, I tell their Mom & Dad so .......................... this is a 'blended family', and the other two kids {daughter ~ 14, son ~ 11} live out of state, but when they came here for a visit, "Mom" sent them over to introduce themselves ................... so ya see, Goddess, we're not as endangered a species as we may on occasion think ........................ ;)
These kids have to be two of the nicest, most respectful I've met in a while - and yes, I tell their Mom & Dad so .......................... this is a 'blended family', and the other two kids {daughter ~ 14, son ~ 11} live out of state, but when they came here for a visit, "Mom" sent them over to introduce themselves ................... so ya see, Goddess, we're not as endangered a species as we may on occasion think ........................ ;)
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
I.C.E. RAID DESERVES NATIONAL 'THANK YOU'
We should throw them a parade.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and investigators who did that nationwide raid at Swift packing plants the other day. We should throw them a parade. We should treat them like the national heroes they are.
We should let them -- and the rest of the country -- know that most of us don't agree with this hand-wringing going on in the media. We don't think the raid was a bad thing, we don't think it was unfair or un-American. We think that it was a federal agency for once doing its job.
Here's the background. For months ICE agents have been investigating the interesting fact that huge numbers of people who work for Swift & Company are illegal aliens. Beyond that, they also learned that a lot of them are also identity thieves, working under another person's name and Social Security number. So ICE decided to do something about it.
Last summer the agents subpoenaed the meat-packing company's employee records. This fall they went through and took pictures of the license plates in the employee parking lots.
And they discovered some interesting things. First, that many employees used one name and identification material to get their jobs, and entirely different names and identification materials to register their cars and get their drivers licenses. Second, that many of the employees used names and Social Security numbers that happened to belong to other people.
Oh, and, also, many of the employees were in the country illegally.
All of which will get you arrested. And so on Tuesday -- the feast day of the Virgin of Guadeloupe -- the ICE agents moved against six Swift meat-packing plants across the country. They came with warrants, they went away with prisoners.
And out came the bleeding-heart media. Since the arrests we have been inundated with various stories about various weeping wives/children/pets who had someone arrested in the raid. From the tone of most of the stories, you would think the raid was against the Geneva Conventions. The ICE agents have been described as everything from racists to Scrooges.
But not as what they truly are.
Heroes.
It wasn't ICE that locked those people up and broke apart those families -- it was the ongoing illegal conduct of the people taken into custody. They came into this country illegally and many of them used stolen names and Social Security numbers to commit workplace fraud.
And neither of those are victimless crimes. Illegal immigration is an attack on the nation's prosperity, integrity, culture and law, and an attack on the wages of all working Americans. Identity theft is an assault on the person whose name and Social Security number were stolen.
Here's how I figure.
Let's say a criminal syndicate somehow comes into possession of your name, birth date and Social Security number and sells it to an illegal alien. When that happens, you have been exposed to a great deal of risk.
For example, with that information, someone can apply for and receive credit in your name. When that credit is run up and no payment is made, the bill collector comes after you. And you can play merry heck trying to convince anybody that the debt -- and the bad credit -- isn't yours.
Worse, and more common, people use your personal identification when they apply for a job. As they fill out their tax withholding paperwork -- in your name and with your Social Security number -- they list some very large number of dependents. Like 12 or so. Enough to have nothing withheld from their paycheck. That way aren't having any income taxes taken out.
Yet an income tax obligation is accruing. At the end of the year, they don't file. Not this year, not next year, not the year after that.
And after a while the IRS computers kick out an alert and the feds come after you for those back taxes.
And when I say "come after you" I do mean "you." It's your Social Security number, it's your name, it's your birth date. And the penalties and interest do pile up. And it is going to be a very long headache before you can convince them that they shouldn't seize your bank account and garnishee your wages.
Identity theft is not a victimless crime. Illegal immigration is not a victimless crime.
But the papers don't seem to get that point. Neither do the teary-eyed talk-show hosts. The fact is people who break the law are taken into custody. People who come into this country illegally are sometimes deported. Any inconvenience or hardship that puts on a family is the direct consequence of the illegal action, not of the law-enforcement officials who are doing their sworn duty.
That raid was a wonderful first step. Hopefully it will be followed by similar raids all across the country, in every industry. I'd love it if I saw an ICE raid where I live.
Because borders mean something and laws mean something.
And the people who enforce both deserve our gratitude and praise.
Not this crap the newspapers and activists have been giving them.
I'd like to give these ICE agents a parade.
by Bob Lonsberry © 2006
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and investigators who did that nationwide raid at Swift packing plants the other day. We should throw them a parade. We should treat them like the national heroes they are.
We should let them -- and the rest of the country -- know that most of us don't agree with this hand-wringing going on in the media. We don't think the raid was a bad thing, we don't think it was unfair or un-American. We think that it was a federal agency for once doing its job.
Here's the background. For months ICE agents have been investigating the interesting fact that huge numbers of people who work for Swift & Company are illegal aliens. Beyond that, they also learned that a lot of them are also identity thieves, working under another person's name and Social Security number. So ICE decided to do something about it.
Last summer the agents subpoenaed the meat-packing company's employee records. This fall they went through and took pictures of the license plates in the employee parking lots.
And they discovered some interesting things. First, that many employees used one name and identification material to get their jobs, and entirely different names and identification materials to register their cars and get their drivers licenses. Second, that many of the employees used names and Social Security numbers that happened to belong to other people.
Oh, and, also, many of the employees were in the country illegally.
All of which will get you arrested. And so on Tuesday -- the feast day of the Virgin of Guadeloupe -- the ICE agents moved against six Swift meat-packing plants across the country. They came with warrants, they went away with prisoners.
And out came the bleeding-heart media. Since the arrests we have been inundated with various stories about various weeping wives/children/pets who had someone arrested in the raid. From the tone of most of the stories, you would think the raid was against the Geneva Conventions. The ICE agents have been described as everything from racists to Scrooges.
But not as what they truly are.
Heroes.
It wasn't ICE that locked those people up and broke apart those families -- it was the ongoing illegal conduct of the people taken into custody. They came into this country illegally and many of them used stolen names and Social Security numbers to commit workplace fraud.
And neither of those are victimless crimes. Illegal immigration is an attack on the nation's prosperity, integrity, culture and law, and an attack on the wages of all working Americans. Identity theft is an assault on the person whose name and Social Security number were stolen.
Here's how I figure.
Let's say a criminal syndicate somehow comes into possession of your name, birth date and Social Security number and sells it to an illegal alien. When that happens, you have been exposed to a great deal of risk.
For example, with that information, someone can apply for and receive credit in your name. When that credit is run up and no payment is made, the bill collector comes after you. And you can play merry heck trying to convince anybody that the debt -- and the bad credit -- isn't yours.
Worse, and more common, people use your personal identification when they apply for a job. As they fill out their tax withholding paperwork -- in your name and with your Social Security number -- they list some very large number of dependents. Like 12 or so. Enough to have nothing withheld from their paycheck. That way aren't having any income taxes taken out.
Yet an income tax obligation is accruing. At the end of the year, they don't file. Not this year, not next year, not the year after that.
And after a while the IRS computers kick out an alert and the feds come after you for those back taxes.
And when I say "come after you" I do mean "you." It's your Social Security number, it's your name, it's your birth date. And the penalties and interest do pile up. And it is going to be a very long headache before you can convince them that they shouldn't seize your bank account and garnishee your wages.
Identity theft is not a victimless crime. Illegal immigration is not a victimless crime.
But the papers don't seem to get that point. Neither do the teary-eyed talk-show hosts. The fact is people who break the law are taken into custody. People who come into this country illegally are sometimes deported. Any inconvenience or hardship that puts on a family is the direct consequence of the illegal action, not of the law-enforcement officials who are doing their sworn duty.
That raid was a wonderful first step. Hopefully it will be followed by similar raids all across the country, in every industry. I'd love it if I saw an ICE raid where I live.
Because borders mean something and laws mean something.
And the people who enforce both deserve our gratitude and praise.
Not this crap the newspapers and activists have been giving them.
I'd like to give these ICE agents a parade.
by Bob Lonsberry © 2006
Some thoughts ..................
Last week, while shopping @ WalMart, one of the items I noticed for sale was a leatherette-covered case, about 15"H x 10"W x 8"D - for those who enjoy{ed} movies of the 30's-50's, you'll recognize a "kit" for cocktails ..................... and it got me thinking ..........................
Back when those cases were covered in leather, the actual, day-to-day "America", was a vastly different experience ....................... hard-bitten detectives called women "doll"; women, for the most part, after marriage, stayed home; kids played {gasp!} outside, and came home with bloody noses, black eyes, broken arms - and NO ONE called a lawyer!
Manners were taught, and one was expected to "behave" - with consequences if one didn't ........................ one of the most effective of consequences was humiliation - to this day, I can reduced to monosyllabic answers, if someone I'm talking with "snaps" and I can't figure the reason ....................
The point of all this - I think the turmoil of the 60's & 70's was valid, in that "we" learned that it's OK to question authority - I take issue with those whose attitude is that the more aggressive/obnoxious one's questioning is, the more 'support' from the masses will ensue, and the more "righteous" their questioning is {think (gag!) Rosie O'Donnell} ..................... there is a time & a place for everything - and in-your-facedness is necessary for law enforcement personnel, military drill instructors ..................... but not for too many of the rest of us ................... if one yearns for the times represented by that cocktail kit, one might do worse than to develop a sense of propriety/shame for behavior that does no honor to that period ...................... even back then, folks from the "wrong side of the tracks" aspired to the sophistication represented by cocktail kits ..................... I've always thought sophistication begins with good manners ........................
Back when those cases were covered in leather, the actual, day-to-day "America", was a vastly different experience ....................... hard-bitten detectives called women "doll"; women, for the most part, after marriage, stayed home; kids played {gasp!} outside, and came home with bloody noses, black eyes, broken arms - and NO ONE called a lawyer!
Manners were taught, and one was expected to "behave" - with consequences if one didn't ........................ one of the most effective of consequences was humiliation - to this day, I can reduced to monosyllabic answers, if someone I'm talking with "snaps" and I can't figure the reason ....................
The point of all this - I think the turmoil of the 60's & 70's was valid, in that "we" learned that it's OK to question authority - I take issue with those whose attitude is that the more aggressive/obnoxious one's questioning is, the more 'support' from the masses will ensue, and the more "righteous" their questioning is {think (gag!) Rosie O'Donnell} ..................... there is a time & a place for everything - and in-your-facedness is necessary for law enforcement personnel, military drill instructors ..................... but not for too many of the rest of us ................... if one yearns for the times represented by that cocktail kit, one might do worse than to develop a sense of propriety/shame for behavior that does no honor to that period ...................... even back then, folks from the "wrong side of the tracks" aspired to the sophistication represented by cocktail kits ..................... I've always thought sophistication begins with good manners ........................
Finally able to return .......................
Dunno if it was an issue with our 'Net provider, the router or WHAT, but I couldn't sign in for DAYS ............................. frustration, thy name is Mary! ;)
OK, so I trust all enjoyed their Christmas/Chanukah? Ours was quiet {'cept for the fireworks last night - sorry, but these dwellings are too close together and too flammable for me to view fireworks around here with ............................. indulgence}
Now, some explicatin' may be in order - the links:
Holly the Goddess - a lady I'm getting to know up north of here - Goddess of moot points. A LOT of fun to IM "chat" with {gotta try that "talk" deal - IF I get real brave, Holly & Cheryl, I'll turn the WebCam so y'all can see me ............................. }
Flying Flo's - another lady I've been IM "chatting" with - it's really fun when we're going back-&-forth with each of us with TWO conversation screens going @ once!
LawDog Files - LawDog is a law enforcement officer somewhere here in Texas - his tales of his experiences {I suggest you search for his "Squeaker" stories first - FAIR WARNING - Spew/Beverage Alert!}
Uncle Sam's Misguided Children - I've had the privilege to be affiliated with this group for going on {GULP!} 8 years ........................... I'm a monitor there, and any/all who would be so inclined, please consider visiting us - please read the Rules of Etiquette before registering/posting.
Got the spousal unit some Vern's Habanero Jelly as part of his Christmas booty - made baked pork chops last night for dinner - used the habanero jelly as a glaze - now, I "don't DO" hot stuff {something about being forced to hold a serving spoonful of Tabasco sauce in my mouth, then swallowing, just kinda put me 'off' such} - but add some fresh chopped garlic & onion, & *I* can eat it! The jelly gave a really nice zing to the chops.
I'll probably try to post more later today ................................ fingers crossed that Blogger is accessible .............................. ;)
OK, so I trust all enjoyed their Christmas/Chanukah? Ours was quiet {'cept for the fireworks last night - sorry, but these dwellings are too close together and too flammable for me to view fireworks around here with ............................. indulgence}
Now, some explicatin' may be in order - the links:
Holly the Goddess - a lady I'm getting to know up north of here - Goddess of moot points. A LOT of fun to IM "chat" with {gotta try that "talk" deal - IF I get real brave, Holly & Cheryl, I'll turn the WebCam so y'all can see me ............................. }
Flying Flo's - another lady I've been IM "chatting" with - it's really fun when we're going back-&-forth with each of us with TWO conversation screens going @ once!
LawDog Files - LawDog is a law enforcement officer somewhere here in Texas - his tales of his experiences {I suggest you search for his "Squeaker" stories first - FAIR WARNING - Spew/Beverage Alert!}
Uncle Sam's Misguided Children - I've had the privilege to be affiliated with this group for going on {GULP!} 8 years ........................... I'm a monitor there, and any/all who would be so inclined, please consider visiting us - please read the Rules of Etiquette before registering/posting.
Got the spousal unit some Vern's Habanero Jelly as part of his Christmas booty - made baked pork chops last night for dinner - used the habanero jelly as a glaze - now, I "don't DO" hot stuff {something about being forced to hold a serving spoonful of Tabasco sauce in my mouth, then swallowing, just kinda put me 'off' such} - but add some fresh chopped garlic & onion, & *I* can eat it! The jelly gave a really nice zing to the chops.
I'll probably try to post more later today ................................ fingers crossed that Blogger is accessible .............................. ;)
Friday, December 22, 2006
Likes/Dislikes, Celebrities I
I'm not a big fan of Ellen DeGeneres' - I don't believe her personal life has much to do with my ambivalence - I just don't find her humor appealing, for the most part - but her Amex ads, with the animals, are TOO cute! Especially her interactions with penguins/"executives" .............................
Far as music goes - I like any thing by Billy Joel; most of Barbra Streisand's {we're not talking her politics here, folks!}; I'm re-discovering my youth by listening to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr.; I'm not a big country fan {which makes me really popular here in Texas!}, but I do like certain songs/performers ...............................
Favorite actor - hands down, Al Pacino; favorite actress, I really couldn't say - I can't think of any movie/play/TV program that I would watch because of "one, certain actress" - Jodie Foster is about the most accomplished, able-to-play-diverse-roles actress I can think of right now ...............................
Far as music goes - I like any thing by Billy Joel; most of Barbra Streisand's {we're not talking her politics here, folks!}; I'm re-discovering my youth by listening to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr.; I'm not a big country fan {which makes me really popular here in Texas!}, but I do like certain songs/performers ...............................
Favorite actor - hands down, Al Pacino; favorite actress, I really couldn't say - I can't think of any movie/play/TV program that I would watch because of "one, certain actress" - Jodie Foster is about the most accomplished, able-to-play-diverse-roles actress I can think of right now ...............................
One Rough Diamond
OK, so I’m blogging – which is highly recommended for getting an InterNet business off the ground and spreading it’s wings.
Regarding the name of my blog: It's a nod to my nickname; for those unfamiliar with the story – I was working in a Naval hospital, as a transcriptionist/literature researcher in the Department of Anesthesiology. One of the CRNAs {Ceritified Registered Nurse Anesthetists} was TAD {Temporary Additional Duty, generally refers to duty at a different geographic location - in this case, he was in Haiti}, and needed a literature search done for an article he was writing. I got the info he needed PLUS, and got it to him in a very timely manner. His eMail acknowledging receipt referred to me as a "diamond in the rough" – I replied that a diamond is just a piece of coal that made good under pressure.
Please feel free to visit the linked blogs/message boards – these folks are friends I’ve met while maneuvering the ‘Net.
Regarding business – if you live in/around, or visit Houston on a regular basis, you’re familiar with Jim “Mattress Mac” McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture here. I am here to tell you – this gentleman is the BEST! I called Gallery Furniture, to ask how to contact Mr. McIngvale – I wanted to ask him questions as to where and how to go about applying for start-up/seed money for my business, to get it off the ground – I was expecting a snailmail address, or at best, an eMail address – imagine my SHOCK when the lady on the switchboard connected me directly to Mr. McIngvale. Bear in mind, this is 21 December – the man is BUSY, with Christmas 4 days away. He sounded a bit harried to me {of course, this was my first time speaking with him}, but he took the time to share his knowledge with me ………………………… unless you’ve been in the position of ‘starting up’ your own business, you’ve no idea how much that means ………………………….. between “Mattress Mac’s” suggestions and the advice/suggestions I’m anticipating from ET, a USMC friend, I don’t see how I can lose!
MY business link is at the top - hey, it's what the mentors say to do ................. FWIW. ;)
Regarding the name of my blog: It's a nod to my nickname; for those unfamiliar with the story – I was working in a Naval hospital, as a transcriptionist/literature researcher in the Department of Anesthesiology. One of the CRNAs {Ceritified Registered Nurse Anesthetists} was TAD {Temporary Additional Duty, generally refers to duty at a different geographic location - in this case, he was in Haiti}, and needed a literature search done for an article he was writing. I got the info he needed PLUS, and got it to him in a very timely manner. His eMail acknowledging receipt referred to me as a "diamond in the rough" – I replied that a diamond is just a piece of coal that made good under pressure.
Please feel free to visit the linked blogs/message boards – these folks are friends I’ve met while maneuvering the ‘Net.
Regarding business – if you live in/around, or visit Houston on a regular basis, you’re familiar with Jim “Mattress Mac” McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture here. I am here to tell you – this gentleman is the BEST! I called Gallery Furniture, to ask how to contact Mr. McIngvale – I wanted to ask him questions as to where and how to go about applying for start-up/seed money for my business, to get it off the ground – I was expecting a snailmail address, or at best, an eMail address – imagine my SHOCK when the lady on the switchboard connected me directly to Mr. McIngvale. Bear in mind, this is 21 December – the man is BUSY, with Christmas 4 days away. He sounded a bit harried to me {of course, this was my first time speaking with him}, but he took the time to share his knowledge with me ………………………… unless you’ve been in the position of ‘starting up’ your own business, you’ve no idea how much that means ………………………….. between “Mattress Mac’s” suggestions and the advice/suggestions I’m anticipating from ET, a USMC friend, I don’t see how I can lose!
MY business link is at the top - hey, it's what the mentors say to do ................. FWIW. ;)
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