Laughing Wolf

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

PMI Fundraiser Update

The PMI Fundraiser has raised $15,000.00 of the $20,000.00 goal.  Please help support real journalism and embeds.  Thanks to everyone for their support and help on this!

LW

Embed Prep:  Physical Training Report 2

Okay, I was right.  In the first report, I said I thought I might need Tiger Balm.  That and large amounts of Aleeve, though I didn’t think so at first. 

The first real session after the assessment was so light, I was questioning how much I would get out of the effort.  Sure, there were trunk rotation, dead lifts, crunches, and a step exercise, but they didn’t seem like a lot.  Didn’t feel it to be very honest.

The second session, well, there is an expression “Be careful what you wish for” and I did get it.  We started out in the nice air-conditioned gym on a Free Motion machine, doing “axe chops” up and down.  Not sure why one would do them up that way, but that is indeed the motion.  We then went to a specialized room that was warm, as in no air conditioner and open to the heat outside, as he wanted to start preparing me for the heat in Iraq as best he could—bless his heart.  He also fully introduced me to the fact that he regards my balance and coordination as needing serious improvement (and he’s right), so… We did fast feet, push-up/leg back on the core board, front raises, planks, bungee row, box jumps, ball walkouts, and more. 

The third session was also hot and equally intense.  Front raises, fast feet, bicep curls, side box jumps, leg lifts, med ball smashes, side planks, overhead med ball tosses, walking lunges, and a few other things in the heat.  It was very hot, and I did have to take a break in the middle for a couple of minutes.  I also learned that I need to drink lots of water before starting, and maybe a little less coffee close to our start time…

One of his goals is to push me up into performance cardio range, which for me is 165-170.  A little higher periodically is not a bad thing, and he has succeeded with that according to the Polar as I peaked at about 180 bpm at one point.  According to the Polar, we are burning close to 5,000 calories each session now, and I like that.  Less thrilled with the stiffness and soreness that shows up.  Normally, when I work out I feel things a couple of days after I do them.  With R, not so much.  I’ve been feeling some of this almost as soon as we finish and the next day finds me quite stiff and sore.  Which is good. 

Word of the day:  ouch.

LW

Monday, September 17, 2007

Send Coffee

And some good thoughts.  Had planned to get some more stuff up, but yesterday afternoon two friends were involved in different accidents.  Good news is, no one was hurt in either one.  Good news is, K’s car is driveable and should be easy (though maybe pricey) to fix.  Bad news is, N’s car may be gone.  Found myself last night borrowing yet another friend’s car to go down to Indy to pick up K and his passengers (and gear), and not back home until after 11.  Plans for a quick post this morning went away when Jenny managed to get out and go play in the morning traffic.  She is okay, and came back very quickly when I called—her being hungry this morning was a distinct advantage for me.  Now that my heart is back down out of my throat, hoping that the rest of today continues to go very well (and much better!) for all.  Please keep both K and N in your thoughts as they deal with insurance, repair, and all the rest. 

LW

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Some Thoughts On Gear:  Boots

Outside of doctors doing interesting things to my person, I think the most pain in life I’ve ever had came from shoes or boots that were not quite right or not quite broken in. 

Not quite right encompasses several things, both from the quality of the boot to the fact that I had odd sized feet (long and very narrow) for most of my youth.  Not quite broken in, well, that speaks for itself. 

Once I find good boots or shoes, I tend to wear them until they fall apart.  Part of it is my personality, in that I don’t like change just for change sake, and I also don’t believe in getting rid of something that is still good or works unless there is a compelling reason.  This is doubly so for boots, as a good pair of boots are worth their weight in gold. 

Growing up, I tried several brands of hiking boots.  Most of the changes had to do with growth spurts that had my family despairing of the expense until Dad figured out he could wear my hand-me-downs.  The ones I found that I liked were Dunham Continental Tyroleans—an all leather hiking/mountain climbing boot that no longer appears to be made.  They were comfortable, had Vibram soles, sturdy, and not too heavy. 

Better than that, they were faithful.  With care, they lasted and my feet stayed dry, warm, and comfortable.  In the summer, my feet did not get too hot, and using the old three-sock (thin inner, athletic middle, and rag wool outer) method, the feet also stayed reasonably dry as sweat and such wicked away. 

If you are going to be doing a lot of walking, hiking, backpacking, or other activities that have you on your feet doing and moving, good boots are going to mean more to you than most lovers.  They will know your feet much better than any lover, and while a lover gives you pleasure a good pair of boots will save you from pain—which is a pleasure in its own right.  I never again want to have to crawl across a floor because my feet were in too much pain from a shoe/boot not being broken in properly.  All I can say these days is thank goodness for Aleeve, as it saved me the last time I was foolish enough to do something like that. 

My pair of boots lasted me a good 20 years, and even had the Philmont brands on them.  Alas, all good things come to an end, and I discovered that my boots were no longer faithful at the top of Ben Vrackie in late January/early February a few years ago.  Having snow come into one’s boot and not from around the ankle does tend to wake one up.  I’ve been searching for a good replacement since. 

For my embed, I had bought a pair of boots from Soldier’s Angels when a very kind anonymous benefactor caused a wonderful pair of desert boots to appear on my doorstep.  I don’t know who you are, won’t try to find out, but appreciate them tremendously.  No offense to the other pair, but these are just plain wonderful.  They fit well, wear well, and have been getting broken in out at the fabled Wolf Park Proving Grounds, where they have been checked out by Echo, Wotan, and Wolfgang.  I am doing all I can to get them well broken in before I go, as I can and do learn from past mistakes. 

For what it is worth, think of boots and shoes as lovers; try them out and get comfortable with them; and, then treat them well.  It will be the start of a great relationship. 

LW

Jenny The Chicken Killer

Well, not quite but… A few days ago, Jenny was acting strangely, or at least stranger than normal.  She had gone out to potty upon getting up, and had not wanted to come back in.  I had noticed some debris on her muzzle, but given that she digs, roots, and otherwise is into dirt and mulch, I hadn’t paid much attention to it. 

Then, completely against type, she wanted to go back out.  Not merely asked, but was dancing in a frenzy to get back out.  Being as how I had an armful of laundry at the time, I decided rather than risk an accident if she wasn’t feeling well to just let her out.  Something told me, however, to just drop the laundry as fast as I could and get outside. 

Upon heading out the back door sans laundry, I saw Jenny jumping and darting at something dark that was standing very still.  So much so that I thought it dead, and wondered if she had gotten a particular neighbor’s cat that would not be terribly missed by me—and how to best to quietly dispose of the remains. 

Headed over while mentally rehearsing my best innocent wolf routine, I realized that it wasn’t a cat as the first quick glance had suggested, but was something avian.  A small buzzard?  As I got closer I realized that it was one of the great neighbor’s young roosters.  [Side note:  my immediate neighbors are broken up as the really good/great neighbors, the good neighbors, the junk neighbors (who don’t actually live there, just leave junk in the yard), and the not-good-at-all neighbors.]

Yet closer examination revealed a very much plucked rooster who was terrified, but still had the sense not to move, a pile of black and white feathers hidden by a jog in the fence, and a somewhat frustrated but very focused (and happy/in-her-element) Jenny. 

First things first, I got Jenny back in the house, though she was very reluctant to go in.  Then, I went back to the chicken who screamed when I tried to pick it up, and moved over to the lee of a fence post still screaming.  At that point I decided that the best thing to do was to go get its “mom” as I figured it might just die of a heart attack if I picked it up.  “Mom” came over, grabbed it, and it screamed again—until it realized it was safe and then it just laid its head on her breast and moaned. 

How the young rooster got out of the coop, over their garden fence, and over my yard fence is a mystery.  I could see it clearing one fence, but not all three.  Sad to say, it died a few days later, apparently being picked on by the other chickens.  My neighbor is not upset with myself or Jenny, but —like me—quite curious about how it got over all three fences. 

As for Jenny, well, she was disappointed to loose her prey but had a great time with it while she had it.  She also seems to be developing a taste for chicken…

LW

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Kucinich:  A Cancer On The Body Politic

Others are going into a lot more detail, but as for me I simply consider him and his actions to be the height of ignorance and the worst of philosophical and moral cowardice. 

LW

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Help Honor A True Hero

If you don’t know the name Rick Rescorla, you should.  Go here to learn more.  Then, go here and sign the petition.  Then, spread the word.  Remember his service, remember that so many live because of him.  Then, let us honor him as best we can, and remember his example in our own lives.

LW

The World Changed

On this date in 2001, the world changed.  An old, comfortable world ended; and, a new uncertain one began.  Many refuse to face that change, and the threat we all face.  Many, more concerned with personal power and desires, are not simply in denial but actually work for the enemy so long as it supports their personal agendas.  Many, however, have also awakened to the threat we face and are moving forward.  Never Forget.  Take the time, stop and remember.  Remember those who left us that day, and those “simply” injured.  Remember their murder, for it was nothing less than that.  The world has changed, and we must change with it or suffer the fate of all creatures that refuse change, the fate desired by our enemies.  America is not the enemy.  If you don’t understand and accept that, then you have not changed, and have learned nothing at all. 

Take the time today to remember, and think. 

LW

Saturday, September 08, 2007

John R. McDonald Group and Doug Ellison—Do Not Hire

Since the lawsuit is settled, I will now say that hiring John McDonald was the worst mistake I’ve made in hiring a contractor, ever.  There were some warning signs once work started, but by that point it was too late and I was slow to recognize them for what they were.  The long and short of it is that he and his partner/subcontractor Doug Ellison did not do what they were contracted to do in putting on the new roof.  These contractual failures included, but are not necessarily limited to:  not installing flashing around the chimney and putting in a ridge vent and/or other roofing vents.  They also managed to damage some of the decking boards, failed to flash around some windows, and there are now questions in my mind about the installation of valley/ice roll as specified given some other leaks that have occurred.  If John or Doug want to contest these statements, I am most willing to post all the relevant files and inspection reports here. 

John had some good references, as I did check more than one before hiring.  That said, one of those references did contact me later to say “bail out” but it was far too late at that point. Had I been aware of this site, I could have saved myself some trouble it seems. For when you do a search on John McDonald, 19 cases come up and 18 of them appear to be relevant —I admit I have not searched them all.  When you do a search on Doug Ellison, quite a few cases show up too —and I haven’t searched all of them either. 

The settlement was not with either of these people; rather, the insurance company that covered Doug Ellison at the time of the work (but is no longer providing coverage) has paid me to go away.  The agreement says that they contest the case, that they admit to no wrong doing or liability on anyone’s part, are prepared to contest in court, etc. and are paying to “... merely to avoid litigation and buy their peace.” I accepted it because, while it was nowhere near what I sought in the suit, it was better than a sharp stick in the eye and will allow me to fix the worst issues immediately.  The mitigation that is in place is wearing thin (mitigation being a point of contention betwixt me and the insurance company, to be fair and honest—they feel more should have been done and sooner, and I state that I am not a psychic) and I want the work done right.  So, I will get the immediate done to the roof, and then work on remediation that does not involve continuing damage later. 

I am getting one more quote and then hiring a reputable company and people in to do the immediate work.  Yes, I will be checking them through the site.  I also figured that while I could reject and go for the whole amount, the number of suits in place, the parties to those suits, and the apparently very finite amount of assets available to all parties meant that this was the best deal.  Not to mention that I fully expected the insurance company to play hardball.  Something is much better than nothing, stress is reduced, and I can take care of what has to be done now. 

All said, check contractors you hire very, very, thoroughly and ask for proof of insurance, licensing, and bonding up front.  Make copies of same, and check references.  For what it may be worth, I also don’t recommend John R. McDonald, Doug Ellison, or the John R. McDonald Group if you live in NW Indiana (or anywhere else they do business). 

LW

Whew!

This last week, actually the last two, have been intense.  I don’t see anything letting up until sometime in November at the rate things are going.

Work has been flat out balls-to-the-wall for several of us.  There is a delightful Catch-22 going on, in that I am helping a client get ready for their major trade show of the year.  Doing this has meant trying to finalize plans, despite some last minute delays and desires on the part of some; get all the furniture and such ordered from the show decorator; and, trying to get everything ready to put on a pallet and ship out to the show. 

To make it more interesting, getting all their publications ready has meant working on multiple web pages and/or mini-sites since they are driving some of the publications, but the pubs are needed to do the web work and—I actually hope to have all done and the appropriate materials to the graphic designer by Tuesday so that we can print and ship by Wednesday. 

It has also meant some scrambling in regards equipment.  Anytime you rent at a show, it is expensive; but, it should also be less expensive than buying and shipping whatever it is you rent.  When you have to rent from an event hotel, however, all goes out the window.  It is not uncommon for such facilities to charge $600-$800 a day for wi-fi at the booth, and to make it even more interesting they block (or actively jam) all outside wi-fi signals including the signal they set up for the guest rooms.  You don’t want to know about T1 or other “wire” feeds… All such prices are predicated on companies, primarily large companies, doing things in these conference/convention areas.  They make no allowances for small companies/start-ups, non-profits, or anyone else.  To say that they work on a dated business model is a bit of an understatement from my point of view. 

We had gotten information from the hotel on AV items, as you have to rent those through the hotel and not the trade show decorator/services.  The price to rent a large plasma display was high, but didn’t seem too bad—until it was discovered that the $750.00 was per day, not for the event.  For just a bit more than one day’s rent, the client now owns a 37-inch HD LCD TV/monitor that will be shipped out as part of the display.  What this did to the schedule, you don’t want to know. 

The trade show is only one of several things going on, from board meetings to visiting dignitaries to potential partner events.  All pretty much in the same time frame.  Send single malt, more than one of us can use it.

Add to that preparations for the embed, and you take stress to a whole new level.  I am getting gear, trying to make everything I want to take fit within that gear, deal with delayed gear, figuring out what I may just leave at home, doing physical training with the trainer, and doing some training off on my own.  Not to mention paperwork, follow-ups, and such mundane things. 

On top of all that, both regular duties and nice-to-dos.  I am having to do all the normal household maintenance, from yard to cleaning, and am also trying to keep up my duties at Wolf Park.  I also am facing a closing window on preparing herbs and such from the garden, putting up what is left of the other fruits of the garden, and trying to make jelly with some things while I can.  Sleep, what’s sleep? 

So, there is a good reason things are lite here right now.  Yet, I need to get more up and said.  I do want to say that I am not down, more like pinned to the wall of life by a firehose.  *G* The good news is two fold:  the pressure has to let up soon and some people at work are finally starting to understand the difference between an agonistic pucker and a smile/grin.  It actually warms the cockles of my black flabby little heart to see them start and turn away in fear, though the urge to chase is strong when they run.  Hmmmm.  Maybe I shouldn’t be spending so much time with Echo and a few of the other wolves…

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Some Stress Gone

Sorry for the delays, but all is chaos.  Amidst that, one good thing has taken place:  the lawsuit I mentioned earlier has been settled.  Not quite on the terms I would have liked, but better than nothing.  More on that, and other things, soon.

LW

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