It's Been a While

Hey everyone :) Yeah, it's been awhile! Online-life sometimes has to take a backseat to actual life. I have been extremely busy with work. Holidays were a blur, and it seemed like it was taking forever to get here (October) then it was a rush to get presents bought and mailed (November) and then it was gone before I knew it (January).

Saints lost in their playoff game to the 49ers...they committed 5 turnovers. You cannot win games when you are turning the ball over. I rooted for the Packers - that lasted one day. Now, I guess I will have to pull for a Harbaugh Super Bowl - at which time, I will pull for the Ravens.

I do know one thing...being back in Texas sure has been nice in winter. I sure do miss being able to go to work in winter with my window's down! Its been like a yo-yo lately. We have had some 60's and 70's, and some 30's and 40's. So far, no snow, and I am definitely OK with that! Even when it has been in the 30's and 40's it hasnt been bad! I will take that over -12F anyday!

Work has been super busy. Between the new computer system install, and working with different accounts helping them out, it has definitely been a busy couple of months. Too bad I'm salary so whether I work 40 or 85 hours in a week, it never changes :( Oh well. I am just thankful to have my job. There are so many that dont.

I have been wanting to write more, but most days, dont even have the energy to stay awake when I get home. Had a moment, and shared it with you! Hope everyone is well!

J-Dawg

Awareness of Emotions

Sometimes, people enter into your lives, and you arent sure (at that moment) why in particular THIS person is in your life, or why at THIS point of my life...I have friends that have come into my life, and there are a couple that over the years, I have become even very good friends with. One, I can tell we have each even confided in each other over time certain details of our lives that very few, if any one, else knows. A friend of mine told me about a blog that she followed, and that she asked me to read it. I dont ever remember going to someone's blog, and be overcome with emotion like I was, when I went to Sara's blog and read hers. Unfortunately, when I began to read her blog, it was the day that her family had taken her home to live the final days of her life, and I began to cry. Here was someone who was letting the world in, not only to her illness (read the ABOUT ME section about her disease), but then into her final days. (There was another note up tonight saying she was at her home resting peacefully). It really made me think. It made me think that all the bullshit I complain or bitch about, and even some of the stuff that I boast about, my life is really nothing compared to this person, who is dying way too young, and dying from a debilitating disease. Who am I to sit here and complain about stuff, when there are people in this world who are dying from a disease we have no cure for. This goes for Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Duchenne's Disease, and so much more. I have also realized that my outlet to deal with everything going on with my life, I have been ignoring like a red-headed step-child (not that there is anything wrong if you have a red-headed step-child -- its just a figure of speech!) :) LOL I will attempt to do more with this side of my life, as time allows.

Thanks for stopping by to read my life in words.... its time for Sleepy-ville.

J-Dawg

To the Powers that be at TWC (E-I-E-I-O)

As much as I love to admit that I am a techie geek, it still infuriates me to this day that a powerhouse in the technology realm (Time Warner Cable, aka TWC) can be as reckless and clueless as they are. Let me give you the low-down as to what happened.

Middle of June, I called TWC in Green Bay to let them know I am moving and when they should disconnect the service. I was instructed at that time to take my equipment with me to Texas. OK, no problem! Made sure to have that equipment in a box that would get unpacked first.

End of June, I place a call to TWC in Harker Heights to come out and install in the new place here in Texas. As the person is taking my order, they asked if I needed one or two boxes. I told them just once, since I brought one with me from WI. THIS is where the problems start.

Over a period of 6 weeks, I have made 6 calls to them in 6 weeks, asking that they provide boxes and shipping labels to return their equipment to them, since this was their error, and it was documented at my disconnect call for me to take my equipment with me.

6 calls - 6 weeks of waiting.

It is on the 6th call that I deal with a Katie with TWC Wisconsin. She is very willing to help me get resolved any issue I am having...and she finally did. She chuckled (and made a nice WTF kind of training did the first 5 people receive comment LOL) and said she would get them mailed out, then would call me as soon as they were mailed, and follow the process.

Tuesday, I got a call stating that the boxes were on the way (YAY!) and that once I get them, I should package up the equipment, and get it back out quickly. I then (for the 7th time) wanted to make sure that this was in NO WAY my error, and that it would not go to collections because after 60 days (I was told by caller 3 or 4 - cant remember now) it would go to the collection agency.

Wednesday, I get a call from Annie, the boxes have arrived (YAY!) so we can package up the equipment and get it back to them ASAP. SO far so good!

Friday, get home from Dallas, and the boxes are sitting in the living room. Again, good sign! I go out to the mailbox, and what do I find? A COLLECTION AGENCY NOTICE from TIME WARNER CABLE's ACCOUNT COLLECTION COMPANY!!!!!! WHAT THE #^$&^#^$^?????? Are you kidding me? 38 days (from the day I first called to the day it was mailed out)...and you are putting me into collections over something that was THEIR ERROR??? and in 38 days????

So I called TWC in Wisconsin, and lets just say I was JUUUUUUST a little upset! Actually I was beyond upset, to the point of infuriated doesnt even come close to how UNHAPPY I was! However, I did talk to a front line supervisor this time (Mitch) who assures me that this matter will be resolved by Wednesday. I also have his direct phone number, so on Thursday, when he doesnt call back, I will have a field day!

If ANYONE knows ANYONE who might have a contact with Verizon's FIOS, PLEASE let me know - I NEED to get away from TWC and their inability to properly conduct their business. They have destroyed my last straw!

J-Dawg

FINALLY!!!!! bin Laden is dead!!

God bless our military. (from here)

Remember 9/11 and the 2,977 innocent men, women, and children murdered by bin Laden’s jihadi henchmen.

Remember the 2000 USS Cole and the 17 sailors killed by bin Laden’s jihadi henchmen.

Remember the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the six killed, and hundreds injured by bin Laden’s jihadi henchmen.

Remember the 1988 US Embassy Bombings in Africa, the 12 US diplomats, and hundreds of Kenyans slaughtered by bin Laden’s jihadi henchmen.

Remember the 1983 Beirut bombings and the 241 US servicemen murdered by bin Laden’s jihadi henchmen.

J-Dawg

Happy Easter

Its been quite a while (6 months) since I have sat down to write. Alot has gone on in my life. Sometimes you have to lighten the load on the plate. Even when I lightened my load, it seems like some days I cant get my wheels to turn fast enough. Some days I feel like I have ran a marathon, but never left the starting gate. God blesses me every day. He keeps me safe while I drive all over this country of ours. He provides me shelter, food, and a means to make my living.

So why is it that sometimes I doubt Him?

My friend Dawn once said "...when I feel like my life is out of center, I start looking at how much I am going to church. Its my center." For me, church is not something I am able to do regularly. My job takes me away from my house so I dont have the ability to attend a building for a church to worship, so I do it in my own way. I keep my bible with me in the truck while I am travelling around the country. I read it, and I also have a program on my Droid to send me a new verse daily from the bible.

My Easter will be spent with my kids, and I will be taking them to our traditional Easter dinner (a family restaurant that puts on a FABULOUS holiday meal). My God continue to Bless you all :)

J-Dawg

10/10/10 wishing for 7/11

This evening, I was sitting here catching up on some reading, and I re-read a couple entries from my own blog, one of the being a post from New Years Day. I know in my last post I had become down on myself for some of the choices I had made in my life...more down on the consequenses of the choice, not the choice itself.

Sometimes, I just wish that I would think about things before I just do something.

Lets just say after re-reading that post from New Years, so far, it is a fail, fail, fail, and fail....at least that is how I am feeling :(

J-Dawg

Life...and the hard lessons learned

This self-destructive train-wreck of a person has decided that I am no longer going to allow the character flaw that I have to be hurt anymore. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and unfortunately that comes with some consequences. Just like in my last post, you make choices, and you live with those choices. I wouldnt change the world for the choices I have made, but they come at a cost. That cost is the pain I feel tonight. A pain that I am not sure will go away any time soon.

Life, love, pain, tear - all 4 letter words. Agony, heart, broke, tears - all 5 letter words.

J-Dawg

Condendum of Situations

Do you ever become hard on yourself for decisions you consciously made? Sometimes, I find myself to be my toughest critic. I never regret decisions I made. We arent 18 and in high school anymore. I am 39 and an adult, making adult decisions. Some of these decisions are as a result of doing what makes me happy. Some of these decisions are because they just feel the right thing to do. Either way, they are MY decisions. You don't have to agree with them, but I do ask that you respect them. Sometimes when you make a decision, people can get hurt. Sometimes, people just dont understand, because they choose NOT to understand.

In life, we sometimes have to make decisions that don't necessarily "agree" with those not involved with the decision, mainly because they don't understand the entire situation, or are only seeing it from their own perspective, or as if it were their decision to make.

I dont want to divulge the entire situation, for some things are meant to be private. Just understanding what I am dealing with, or knowing that sometimes you have to make difficult decisions, is enough for me. Do I do the right thing, or do I do the right thing for me?

Its never easy, that's for sure. I never have a situation where you look at it and go "Well, duh! that's an easy one!" I seem to find myself looking at things and basically says "WTF have I got myself into this time." Whether its a work related issue, or in this case, a personal issue, sometimes life just lends itself to working itself out to the best decision. Which still leaves me with the question "Do I do what's right? or do I do what's right for me?" My buddy Rick told me today "you have to be happy. Whatever makes you happy, is what you should do. You will know when you have the decision you need make made."

He's right. We owe it to ourselves to be happy. Either way would make me happy. Which way would make me happiest is another question. In my mind I think I have the decision made, but at what cost? In my mind, I know which decision would make me happier.

J-Dawg

Inspiration from a Friend

Earlier today, as I was sitting here with my allergies, wishing I would have been able to go to the softball game I was invited to, I came across a passage:

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ~



Earlier in the day, I have become "down" for the lack of a better term, with the fact that I wasnt able to get out today due to my allergies. Then I had come across a video on my friend Melissa's FaceBook page. Its a video I have seen before, but each time I see it, it makes me think. It is the story of Nick Vujicic (yeah, I had to google it to figure out how to spell his last name!) and his "Life Without Limbs". Its an amazing story, and one which makes you realize how miniscule your problems are compared with the rest of the world.

Yeah, today was one of those days where I had to dig down deep to have the strength to get back up. Its not that I have some debilitating disease or anything like that. Sometimes I forget that the challenges put before us, strengthen us as a person. God will never give us something we cannot handle. Sometimes I just lose sight of that.

J-Dawg

Thoughts of a Post lead to a blogger re-design

Tonight, as I sat here, I contemplated doing something I havent done in awhile...write! As I sat here, I decided that my blog just needed a new update. No, there was nothing wrong with the old one, I had just become "old" with it. Funny, since my original blog lasted me the first 3 or so years of its existence before I changed anything about it.

So that wasnt the intention when I sat down, however I changed it. Funny thing is, when I went to write, I had forgotten what I was going to write about ... I guess it wasnt that important to begin with then was it! :)

J-Dawg

End of Week 1 / Beginning of Week 2

As with any new job, come responsibilities. For me, these responsibilities are new, and as such, I am finding it a challenge on what I can and cant do. There aren't many set processes in place, or rulebook I can follow. It seems to be made up as we go along, or it's a case of "that's how we have always done it" which for me, is just a sign of lack of direction.

I am finding though that the challenges are worth their weight in gold. I am starting to learn the every day duties that go on in the office. Each day, I am forcing myself to learn one more piece, or one more process, or one more duty that I didnt know the day before. Its hard coming into a new job, where people that have been there as long as some of them have, have the mindset of "we've always done it this way". When you try to implement a change, they see it as you not knowing what you are doing. Then again, my office staff thinks pretty highly of me.

The first thing I noticed when I came into the job was that the office area we had was not conducive for an office environment. It was loud, not set up well at all, and there are constant interruptions. I noticed an office area not being used, so in my first meeting with each of the office people, I asked them a simple question: "What one thing would you change about your work that you currently do?" I expected to hear getting out on time, or taking some workload off my plate. NOPE! Each of them stated (in separate meetings) "I would love to be in an office environment where we can work and not have an many interruptions and is quieter"...so in the first week, I asked my immediate boss what would be the possibility of having our current office moved to the office/conference area not being used right now. He agreed, and we move in 10 days! THEY WERE THRILLED!!! They said they had been trying to get moved SOMEWHERE - ANYWHERE - for almost 6 months! So they think I am a pretty cool dude LOL which is fine by me. I like to think I am a likable guy! I actually got a compliment from one of the lead drivers, who also works in the office. He said to me today "You are doing just fine - the guys are taking a liking to you already - just keep doing what you are doing!" That made me feel really good!

Its hard when you work in an environment for so long that is pro-active, and now you are in an environment that is constantly reactive. But that is the nature of this business and the business they run. There are ALOT of holes that I would like to address but one at a time is how I am taking it. We got the office environment we want (or will have it anyway in 10 days!). One down - many many more to go!

Its been an interesting week, and I look forward to another week filled with challenges! Until next time...

J-Dawg

Post #200 - and ... the start of something new

Almost 15 years ago, I started with Schneider National Carriers as a driver. They took someone who didnt know the first thing about driving a truck, and trained me to become a driver. Since that time, I have had the privilege of being a part of One-Way system freight (random) Dedicated for customers such as Ford, Kimberly Clark, Proctor and Gamble, Fort Howard (now Georgia Pacific after a few acquisitions), and Chrysler. I had the opportunity to work in operations, dealing with driver concerns, pay, overweight loads, and the like. Then I had the opportunity to do a start-up of an account in Newark Delaware, for our customer Chrysler. This entailed building routes, setting up rack and part returns, dealing with 6-7 trucking companies, and over 100 of our own drivers. I then had that same opportunity in Green Bay to work with GM-SPO. After that, I became a 2nd shift dispatcher, dispatching freight in the Northeast (Basically Virginia to Buffalo and east, and from Windsor Canada east). I eventually added dedicated to my plate, which was alot of fun. I then had the opportunity to work with our box team, developing and deploying a tool known as Box Management. This tool would allow us to keep better track of our trailers. I then moved into a Driver Dispatch Planner role, which was alot of fun. This allowed me to be responsible for almost 200 drivers, and dispatch them no matter where they were in the country. This was my most challenging role. This also allowed me to work on a project known as Weekly Time At Home (WTAH). This was started at 7 different operating centers, but over time, the only one continuing the program was myself (with my counterparts at the Chicago OC). I asked permission to develop it and work with the drivers more directly, which they allowed me to do. The WTAH model I developed is now being done by alot of different people at Schneider all over the country. Then, Schneider decided to eliminate my position due to the economy, which I took in stride. At the end of my severance time, I chose to return to driving with Schneider, a move that ALOT of people questioned, and a move that at least one manager tried to block. Even my family was taken aback by the decision. I looked at it this way. I know the ins and outs of that company better that almost anyone...why not keep doing what I already know...so I did. I eventually was given the opportunity to become a training engineer (train drivers who have recently graduated from driving schools for trucking) and I have enjoyed that.

But now, I have an opportunity to grow not only as a person, but also grow others as well. It is with great sadness that I say that I am leaving Schneider National. But it is with great joy and jubilation that I announce that I am now the Transportation Supervisor for a small company here in Green Bay. It is a great move for me, filled with its own new unique challenges. I am eternally grateful for my manager the last 1½ years Wanda, for she kept me grounded, she believed in me, even when those higher up didnt, and almost pushed me to be the best I can be. She nominated me for the Training Engineer program (the only Green Bay driver). I had to fight to keep her as my manager, but it was well worth the fight. She always looked after me on the road, and did her best to always get me home ontime. I always did the best I could, and even did the work that nobody else would do, and got the job done.

Now I get to enjoy being home every night and every weekend again. I get to do all the things with my kids that I have been missing -- like my daughter's dance lessons, my son's swimming lessons, and my daughter's and son's soccer practices and games. I am looking forward to having a routine again. I am looking forward to making a life again. And .... I am looking forward to 16 days from now when Annie will be landing in Green Bay! :) She is coming up for a 2-plus week visit!

So as I say goodbye to a part of my life, and hello to a new chapter, I am reminded of the quote from Jim Coleman ... "I like to think that my finest hour is still ahead of me, so I can look forward rather than look backward." I am looking forward to the new challenges I face :)

J-Dawg

The Exposing of a Crook

Its not often that you will hear me come out against a particular person, or a particular company but this time I think once you read this, you will understand why.

Just before Christmas, Annie bought herself what was supposed to be a brand new laptop. When the owner (Freyner Gonzalez) of the company (A-1 Support) delivered the laptop, for the first couple of days it seemed to work just fine. Then the monitor started having some issues (black lines streaking down the screen). So I told her to contact him and have him replace the monitor since it was defective. For the next two months, he could not be reached, either by email, or by phone! For the next two months, the monitor got so bad that is have become all but unusable. There is a 4-5" patch right down the middle of the screen that is now while, with streaks down the right half of the monitor from the top. When I saw the computer for the first time, I asked her what she had purchased. She said it was a new laptop. This was **NOT** a new laptop! Being in business for myself, and having an IT degree, I can tell you that this may have had a new memory chip, or a new outer shell (which even that was an offbrand!) but if this was a new laptop, I would like for him to show me where!

This is my problem. You (not me mind you) are in business to sell services to the public. You should stand behind what you sell. No less than 20 phone calls over a 2 month period, and at least a dozen emails go unanswered. All the sudden, you miraculously appear out of nowhere when the last email stated we would take legal action against you if you didnt rectify the situation within 2 weeks. You state you would rectify it with a new computer (we asked for a refund!) within a couple of days. Now, you have disappeared again. Rip-off artists such as yourself sicken me, and make me wish there was something more I could do about this. So I have taken this opportunity to do one of the two things I have set out to do:

(1) I have filed an official complaint with the Better Business Bureau in Austin about this whole situation, to have a case started about this person, and his business.

(2) I have decided to blog about it, to bring attention to this person and his business, negatively, the type of person that he is, and the type of business (and shams) he is running.

Freyner Gonzalez
A-1 Support
PO Box 170113
Austin TX 78717
(512) 617-0045
(254) 813-5338
http://www.a-1support.com

Like I said, its not often I jump on something like this. My issue since I first got involved in it was not to bring negative light to someone's livelyhood. But there comes a place and a time where you have done the right thing, tried to resolve the issue directly with the person involved, and they have chosen to "hide" and "avoid" the situation in hopes that we will just go away. Sorry BuckShot - I dont just walk away! You have messed with the bull. Now you will deal with the horns!

I urge you, and ask that, if you know anyone in the Austin / San Antonio / Killeen areas, to make sure they avoid this guy at all costs. He does not stand up for the products that he sells, and he will not resolve any issues. His choice and course of action - run and hid!

As an IT person myself, I am ashamed of you, and you should be ashamed for what you are doing to your customers! There is no way I would EVER do to my customers, what you have done to Annie.

J-Dawg

Photos from Texas 3/13/10

Here are some pictures from when I was in Texas -- took a couple shots, however they didnt turn out the way I thought they would. What I had in my mind, and how the pictures turned out, werent the same. I will keep trying until I get it to work out the way I have it in my mind.

J-Dawg

Photos From Texas 3/11/10

Just thought I would post something since its been awhile. These are photos from March when I was in Fort Worth. Notice the progressing of the vividness (is that even a word??) of the rainbow as it progresses. This was over a 10 minute timeframe....then there are a couple pictures of the storm clouds that remained after the storm passed. I wish I had more time to go shoot these kinds of photos!

J-Dawg

Battle of the Peaks and Valleys

I think the first thing I thought of when I started to write this was "oh no - here we go again" like it is a recurring theme. I hate the fact that right now, inside I feel like a theme ride at an amusement park. The peaks and valleys of the emotional roller coaster I have been on for what seems like months is not coming to an end. My friend Dawn the other day said something to me that has stuck with me for the last couple of days ... "You cannot control the circumstances. You cannot control the things that happen around you or to you. You cannot control how others treat you or how they act or what they do or what decisions they make. These are all external variables over which we have no say. But you CAN choose how you react and how you let these things affect you. You can choose that part." I have tried to figure out how to react to something that has an emotional tie to it that when it doesnt go your way, brings you down. Maybe its the fact that I never dealt with my feelings before, that I never had a problem in the past. Maybe in the past, the problems were minor compared to now. Maybe my problems now arent as large as they appear to be.

Jan 1st 2010 -- this is a day that I want to remember a year from now and look back and say "I DID IT!" I want this year to be filled with the positives. I want this year to be the year that I can say I put everything into everything I am doing. I have a wonderful person in my life that makes me happy. I have kids that are so wonderful, and I love every moment I get to spend with them. I am blessed to have the love and support of my family. I am blessed to have the love and support of my close friends (you know who you are). I am blessed to have Jesus Christ back in my life where He should have been all along. I am thankful for all the riches I have in my life. There is no way I could be where I am without all of this being in my life.

FOCUSES for 2010

1. New Job - I am actively looking for new work. I want to put my 14 years in transportation and logistics to better use, or be able to put my IT degree to use more than it is being used right now
2. My weight - it continues to be an issue. With my current job, it is so difficult to lose weight, but I know i have to find a way to do it.
3. My kids - I want to have more time with them, and continue to nurture and grow them into the wonderful kids they are today. I just want to make sure they continue to grow in all the right ways.
4. My family and friends - to make sure that the positives I need in my life they also get to enjoy in their lives as well.

This is just a part of what I want to do this year. I hope that you all can enjoy this year with me and be positive not only for me, but also for yourself as well. I know I slip (damn BANANA PEELS!) from time to time, and will find a way to turn that slip into a positive. Here's to 2010 and all that is holds in store for us!

J-Dawg

Friday afternoon

It really sucks when you pour your heart and soul into something, only to find out it was all for naught. It doesnt matter if it is for a new job, a relationship, or whatever. It still hurts you where it counts the most - in your heart. I know I did everything I could and yet it still wasnt enough. I dont know what else I could do.

There are days where I wonder where I would be without my family. They support me no matter what is going on. They call me all the time to make sure I am OK. They call to find out where I am going and when I will be home next. They constantly keep tabs on me.

Why is it that I cant have just SOMETHING - JUST ONE THING - go my way. WHY is that so hard to understand? Why is that so much to ask?

There is a song by Switchfoot that really exemplifies how I am feeling tonight:

And it all seems so helpless
And I have no plans
I'm a plane in the sunset
With nowhere to land

Like I said the other day in my Facebook status - why do I put all of my eggs in one basket? I guess it is because when I want something bad enough, its the only thing I concentrate on. Maybe when I am 83 I will finally learn. Why everyone I know seems to have life by the horns, living it every day, I sit on the sideline hoping coach will finally let me play. Like Rudy. They say life is what you make of it, how do you make a life when you have no life at all...

J-Dawg

A Reason for The Season

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington , D.C. 20307-5001.

Think of how many cards these wonderful folks who have sacrificed so much would get. Our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who can't be home with their families will really love this!! PLEASE RE-POST!!

J-Dawg

Thanksgiving Challenge - Part 15

Today, I am thankful for the nice warm shower I just took - nothing like standing under a nice hot spray of water for 20 minutes and breathing in the warm air -- and just relaxing...done for the day and will enjoy the Saints game on XM!

J-Dawg

Sunday Morning

Ever get a totally unexpected phonecall and it catches you by surprise -- but in a good way? Welcome to my morning :)