Laughing Wolf
Monday, April 07, 2008
Organizational Memberships
I just received an e-mail from the New York Academy of Sciences, sort of a “come home all is forgiven” letter. That is, it is forgiven such that they will give me a discount on my fees if I come back to the fold.
I find myself wondering about the utility of such memberships these days. Does election/selection/whatever to prestigious or semi-prestigious institutions really count for much these days? Especially institutions that have you pay for said honor/privilege/etc.? Do they do anything other than provide what I can only term ego-boo?
Admittedly, years ago I loved to get their publications, a good magazine and some once-a-year topic-specific items that were invaluable at the time. With the waning of print, however, such items are rarely timely (especially the yearly items) or useful anymore. So, what do such organizations provide that is worth the expense? I have let most of my memberships lapse as I increasingly find little or no use to many honor and professional organizations. What are your thoughts on such?
LW
I Won’t Even Need Canvas and Quicklime…
I like good products, and my Emerson alarm clock has done fair since I got it not too long before moving up here. It is supposed to automatically detect the local time and update itself. Well, not so much. It seems it sprang forward this weekend and I didn’t catch it. So, I get up this morning feeling like I haven’t gotten nearly enough sleep, get downstairs, start answering e-mails from work and such, and… get one heck of a surprise when I finally see the time. I am more than halfway tempted to get out one of the sledges this afternoon when I get home…
LW
thinking more caffeine might be needed today…
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Into The Light: Charlton Heston
After a long struggle with Alzheimer’s, the Omega Man has passed. Actually, he was much more the Alpha Man, always willing to take a leadership role in things he felt were important. He crusaded for civil rights long before it became the thing to do, championing the concept of justice and equality in many areas. While many saw him becoming more “conservative” with age, it might be better said that he remained a champion of individual liberty, equality, self-reliance, and fairness while others shifted. He lived what he preached, was married to the love of his life Lydia for more than 60 years, and was surrounded by several generations of his family at his passing.
I had the honor to meet him briefly, I think at an AFI film premier/event for The Right Stuff. He was gracious and charming, but if it was indeed at that event his signature is not alongside those of Yeager, Cooper, and Carpenter. It is rare to meet someone you admire and inspired you in your youth, and that night allowed me to meet many. Oft such meetings are not great, as one discovers feet of clay and boors behind the facade; yet, that night I remember how many of those I met were in the mold of what they represented. He was that, though he did not want his presence to overshadow those who truly had done. That says much about him, and as for me I simply know that the light has welcomed him home and may it shine down on his family now and in the days ahead.
LW
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Interview With A Wolf
For those visiting because of the interview at NewsBlaze and/or the post by Army Wife Toddler Mom, welcome. I’ve been a bit slack recently, and blame work.
For regulars, check it out. I did not put up a link to it earlier as I hate how I look and sound on TV. I knew others were promoting it, so…
LW
Saturday, March 29, 2008
If Only…
Now this is a campaign I could get behind
Update: Just was thinking that having dealt with one group of largely corrupt, treasonous, venal, power-hungry, and willfully ignorant group of b******s that he is already well prepared to deal with Congress…
Real leadership, real results, honor, integrity, and more. Cheerfully stolen from Chuck, whom I hope gets to feeling better soon.
LW
A Good Day
What can I say: the four-legged alarm clock let me sleep in until almost 0730 after a night that saw me up and down only a few times (odd noises required some check); a non-rushed trip into town to the grocery and a not-too-bad fill-up; some progress on some DIY projects; and, a fair bit of work in the yard. Jenny is not amused, as any time outside not with or for her really doesn’t count in her book, but I did play rocket dog before we can in. Rocket dog is where yours truly does sort of a Frankenstein imitation with lots of “I’m a gonna get you’s” and Jenny rockets around me, the yard, etc. Didn’t do whirl-a-dog really, she wanted the runs.
I had the fun earlier of trying to get her to help me pick up some of the limbs, with—of course—no success. Now, Jenny must have at some point watched Babylon 5 as she can do a fair Zathras imitation. Today, I did it with a pretty good mimic of the voice even, if I say so myself, along the lines of “Daddy slave each week for good kibble, and Jenny not help at all with the yard. Poor Daddy. Is what Daddy expect.” except a lot more of it. It got me a look, and a laugh, but no help.
I made some good progress, the only regret being that it was too cold to do any bike riding. If it is warmer tomorrow, and not raining, I will try to get some in. Otherwise, it is laundry day and at least one room is going to get some significant work done to it.
Not a bad day at all. Especially given that for the last two weeks, if I had not had mono as an undergraduate, I would swear I had it. Hope this means I am getting over whatever it is.
LW
Friday, March 28, 2008
Do Not Frell With A Paratrooper
No matter the age. It will only get you a world of pain. That story made me laugh, and made my day even more than this example of a punk criminal brain trust at work.
UPDATE: Changed the title as it appears the original story had the service wrong. Turns out, he was a paratrooper.
LW
Thursday, March 27, 2008
It’s Old Getting Hell…
Of course, my mind has been this way a long time: a cousin and I used to just look at each other and go “We’re doomed!” I’ve been trying for two days now to remember the name of an artist I know down in the Atlanta area. This is a man who had done painting, sculpture, and even clan crest badges; a man who had me into his home as a guest on several occasions (and taught me to play devil dog with his wonderful rottie); and, whom I knew through conventions and elsewhere. Pink shirts and a penchant for ambush kissing a mutual friend to the delight of all, even Klon would laugh about it eventually… Now, for the life of me, I can’t remember his name. Feh. If anyone sees my mind running around out there, please tell it to come home.
LW
wishing he could buy a memory upgrade for himself, forget the computer
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Good News or…
Found out that I don’t have to attend a zoning meeting/hearing tonight about the waivers and such desired by a neighbor. Nope, not at all. The hearing will be next month, as they want to add more waivers and such for consideration. Sigh.
LW
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Fan-Frelling-Tastic: JihadGene is Blogging!
Right when I thought that yet more professional-and-moral cowardice by school officials would spike my blood pressure fully up into stroke range, good news came my way: JihadGene is blogging! This is great news to anyone with a sense of humor, and who appreciates humor being wielded like a razor-edged sword at very worthwhile targets. Spread the word far and wide on this one, because it is one you truly need to read. That said, I hope he will remain a great reader and frequent contributor here and elsewhere.
LW
Monday, March 24, 2008
Anyone Familiar With SecondLIfe?
I’ve been requested by a client to “evaluate” SecondLife (said request eliciting a “Isn’t one enough for him” comment from a co-worker). I am checking it out, but if anyone has done both personal or professional work there, I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
LW
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Into The Light: Sharon Dooling
Sharon Dooling, a Navy veteran, lover of wolves, and wife of friend and mentor Dave Dooling passed into the light today, Easter Sunday. She asked that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the American Indian College Fund. It was a pleasure to know her, even not being able to mention “Auburn” in her presence, and I know that the light has welcomed her home. May it shine down and warm, protect, and guide those she has left behind.
LW
Happy (Hoppy) Easter
To those of my readers who are Christian, a Happy Easter to you!
The import of the day is lost upon Jenny, who is sore disappointed this morning in that the Easter Bunny apparently managed to avoid the two traps and multiples alarms laid in to aid with the hunt. Then again, she also manages to miss the regular bunnies who come up into the yard, so I’m not surprised. I really should have made her a rabbit made of cheese (chocolate being a poison to puppies), but my artistic abilities were not up to that, so I merely gave her some string cheese this morning.
Spring approaches and life returns to the world. Life and growth: things worth celebrating this day (and everyday) indeed.
LW
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Time Of Cost
Recently, a “youth” of my acquaintance informed me that they were quitting work they were doing to sell high-end vacuum cleaners door-to-door. They then asked if they could give me their pitch and get some feedback. Initially, I was willing to do this, until I found out they wanted me for two hours, maybe a bit more.
I wish I had known when they were first thinking about this, as there would have been a few things I would have suggested they do and/or think about. First up, I know that for this type of job the emphasis is always on potential earnings, which can be quite high. Experienced or smart sales people know that you need to look at this number, and then get solid data on base earnings, forecasts, and actual current sales. Potential income doesn’t pay the rent, you are going to be dependent upon that base for several months given the need to build clients, get things through the bookkeeping system, etc. Forecasts can be pie in the sky, so what are the base estimates for it? What are comparable sales people in the area/region doing? Not the top, the new people who compare to you? What are the drop rates for the area?
Second, you need to do some homework. What are the public filings for the company? Trends? Wall Street Ratings? How does the BBB and other organizations rate them? What are the various consumer satisfaction ratings for them? What are their return rates? Note, not what the company says and gives you in their recruitment pitch, but independent data with full context.
Third, two hours? Back in the day, thirty minutes was a LONG pitch and a good working estimate was that you had to make the pitch worth about $40.00—which is what their time was worth. If you are selling a high-end product, you aren’t selling to minimum wage earners. In this area, given the number of science-types around, you better figure on a much higher per-hour investment on their part. For example, my consulting rate is $125.00 an hour plus expenses. You figure your science types are much more likely to be pulling in $250.00 per hour minimum. If you targeting the spouse, you have to give them roughly the same for planning purposes. So, you had better plan on your pitch being worth up to $500.00. Is it?
Fourth, while we are not in a recession (though we have plenty of pundits and MSM-types trying their damndest to talk us into one), the economy is slow. Parts of it are not good (and parts are). Take a look at the state you are in, the region of that state, and the local area economic statistics. How is it? Who is it? As in, what population segments in the area are going to be able to afford your product? The number who will buy product X, no matter what, figure at 1 in 100. Pessimistic in some respects, but it gives a fair off-the-cuff assessment. Do you have enough people in the area to make sales worthwhile?
This all adds up to the time of your cost. It’s not the cost of the target’s time, but rather the time (and target population) you will need to meet your costs, goals, and projections. Can you afford that time? Will you be given that time?
As for me, I wish my young friend well. While their friendship is valuable, that which they are selling is not worth my investment of $250.00.
LW
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Parentage Acknowledged, Slowly
I think it is about time I started acknowledging my blog children. After all, Tammi just celebrated her 4th year. Of course, I’m still not sure that her birth was within regulations since both Lex and I are her fathers…
Soldiers Angels Wounded Warrior Support is just starting, and if her son starts blogging as threatened, then Baldilocks and I can claim parentage of him.
Hmmmm. Seems I am a lot less straight laced and careful in blog propagation than I am with normal propagation. Somehow am not sure that safe blogging will ever catch on. Or, at least let’s hope not as in this case, the more the better.
LW
who asks any children he forgot or doesn’t know about let him know which in comments or via e-mail…
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