jfields

I think it would straighten itself out fairly quickly if you would just start driving on the correct side of the road.

Some things just can't be allowed to die.

Ivan, The problems with that plan are knowledge and money. Where I work, most users don't know what version of Windows they use, much less how to reinstall an OS, configure a server, or anything else someone in my role would do. Not to mention, downtime costs them thousands of dollars per hour, so they can't afford to take the time to mess with it. I have a 600 page emergency manual, but it only helps another geek capable of doing general IT stuff. I'm not going to write how to do a basic install of Win2k server. I'm just say, "Once you have Win2k server installed, do this..." and the document is still hundreds of pages of code snippets, diagrams, explanations and charts. Instead of cloning drives or systems, I need to clone ME, so one of me can be here while the other one goes skydiving.

Kevin, Yeah, I'm working on that. Your advice is good. It is just a frustrating situation. So far, we've needed help of that type once in four years. The company we had the arrangement with sent us an information packet after the incident. It basically said, "By the way, we've been bought out". I'd had e-mail contact with them about a week before I left. They seemed to pass the tests, but all of a sudden, they got bought/went to shit right as we needed them. Back to the yellow pages.

Here is the scenario: I am the lone IT guy for a small company. But I occasionally want to have a vacation too. So I arranged with a small local company to handle our IT needs on an emergency basis should something happen while I'm gone. We don't need someone onsite the whole time I'm out, just someone to come in and pick up the pieces if things go awry. So... I went to Perris and the networked printer repair guy hoses our network. He leaves and the damage isn't known immediately. Things begin falling apart, so my boss calls the company I had listed in our emergency planner on a Saturday. And he calls, and calls, and calls. They don't respond at all. So of course I start getting calls on my cell in California. Eventually, my boss gets in someone from the Yellow Pages to come in on a Sunday evening and again on Tuesday. Things were not so pleasant when I got back. So I'm looking for suggestions about how to arrange contingency help that will be prompt and available should we have a problem in my absence. My boss (a lawyer) wants someone under a contract that specifies staffing levels and response times. While I understand that and think it is a good idea, I have a couple issues. First, the cost is likely to be astronomical. Second, despite the legal perspective, the contract still doesn't mean that the company will have someone here within the appropriate time. All it does is say we get such-and-such refund or discount if they don't. Thoughts? Suggestions? Clearly, I need to have this issue resolved before Rantoul. Thanks.

Really big, just before turning gangenous and falling off. Not like anybody would miss anything in Texas anyway.

Texas?

I hope the quality is better than with Britain's free dental care.

In the first picture, Lucy watched me board Shark Air, then take off. In the second picture, Lucy said "Dada up." That's right, Lucy.

Thanks for the clarification!

Evidently so. They were pretty consistent about it. I dunno. Maybe one of the Perris locals would explain. Most of our east-coast DZs fly to 14-15000 on a regular basis. That wasn't it. It just seems to be their standard jump altitude. The low jumps I made were hop-n-pops where the plane continued on to altitude.

Chris, Profile is NOW updated. Perris jumps listed here: http://www.jennandjustin.com/skydive-jumplog-selectedlocation.asp?location=Perris+Valley%2C+CA&B1=Submit

It is definitely among my favorites as well. There are also some adorable ones of her running around the house without clothes on, but they aren't getting posted publicly. It is sad that things are such that I can't/won't share them.

How about... now? PS Sunshine, the cute little girl went on the trip as well.

I tried, but Canadian customs wouldn't let me in. Something about exceeding the allowable IQ...

One of the people I won't be thanking.

I'm back from my San Diego/Perris trip. I had a great time! Thanks to all the folks who helped out along the way: Keith, for the ride and conversation. (Sorry about not helping your conversion quota.) Bill Von, Lisa (Mouth) and Foggy for the jumps. It was wonderful finally getting to put faces to the people out there. Bytch, Viking, LTDiver, Amy, Chivo, etc. Next time I'll try to stay for longer. I got in 28 jumps, including the canopy control class. An enthusiastic thumbs-up for Perris, including my stay at the IHOP. Thanks, and I'll see you all again sometime soon!

Thanks! I was looking at the night jump schedule at some DZs, only to see that night jumps were scheduled for the full moon, which fell during the convention. And that will be the last chance before the license switch. Now I just have to get 58 jumps in the next two months. That isn't a lot for many people, but I've only gotten 142 total in the last 4 years.

Anyone know of any plan to have night jumps on the last weekend of the WFFC? Some of us are trying to knock out the final requirements for the D license at Rantoul, before the license changeover in Sept. If anyone related to the convention sees this, could you pass along the suggestion? There would probably be enough people interested to put up at least a couple night loads. Thanks!

Nope. Googled your wife's Personals Ad. Just kidding, Remster!

Remster, You need to work on your internet searching skills. Instead of "Body Modification", this is what you were trying to find.

Most of the "process management fads" actually work if the company is willing to invest enough time, effort and money into them. Doing them halfway is worse than doing nothing at all. Taking them seriously with major participation can work. It just seems like that never happens. So the system gets a bad rap, when it was actually a good system with a bad implementation. But what do I know? I've never actually had to suffer through any of them.

Okay, Bill von Fermat.

Just draw crazy doodles all over your exam paper. At the very bottom of the page, leave a neatly lettered explanation of how the circuit diagram above is an inverse-quark flux capacitor design from the 24th century.

Woohooo! Bill and Wendy, did you hear that? We have good points from time to time! [/humorous sarcasm]