How a Modem Reconnected Me With a Friend

Of all the Life stories I could tell, this is one for the books (or at least these pages).

I was living in CA and needed to purchase a modem so that my XT computer could connect to a BBS (the Internet was not around in those days).  This was about 1988 or ‘89.  I don’t remember the speed of my computer but am guessing it was somewhere between 8MHz-20MHz with 64 (or did I have 256)Mb of RAM.  I am typing this on a laptop that is 2.54 GHz with 4Gb of RAM.

As I said, I needed a modem that I was hoping would be 300 to 1200 baud.  Any faster was expensive, but desirable  Since I was buying it myself (the law firm I worked at gave me a PC to use which I eventually bought) I felt I needed a good deal.  From all the ones I saw I got a Cardinal Digital modem.  I had only worked with analog ones before but this one was supposed to work with Windows (which I hated at the time and didn’t care for the mouse so I didn’t have it installed).

Well, the modem worked great and even worked with Windows when I did finally break down.  I moved to IN in 1993 and several doors from me was a unit with a built-in fireplace.  Well, one day (I don’t remember if I had the computer on but don’t think so), we had the usual (1995?) thunder/lightening storms and I even had a short cord to disconnect my modem (I thought I was prepared) if need be. 

Well, lightening struck the chimney, traveled into my house and fried my modem.  I say that because when I tried it again after the storm I got no DT.  As you can imagine I was not too happy.  I guess I should’ve unplugged it right away.  How did I know about the chimney?  The bricks on the ground and the damage to the building gave it away immediately.

When I next went to work, I called the vendor (Cardinal) to see if I could get it repaired or replaced.  I was on hold waiting for their tech guy, named Charles Brecht (and I remember thinking couldn’t be…) and I didn’t have to wait long.  He had my name too and after a few words I asked “You ever heard of a school called Patton?”  Bells and whistles went off for both of us.  He was indeed one of my graduating classmates who I hadn’t seen since June 6, 1971 when we graduated.  He put me on hold for a minute and when he came back he told me that since this was a Digital modem, the company would replace it at no charge, including shipping!  I guess they wanted the modem back to do some kind of testing.  I was thrilled!  Not only was I going to get my modem replaced, Free of Charge, but I had reconnected with an old friend.  It took another 10 years to meet face-to-face, but he did visit me when his work brought him to town.  I was happy to learn that he had married Debbie Schroll whose mother ran the local soda shop where we would all hang out when we went to town on the weekends.

As far as I knew, we all had a crush on her. 

Some Programs I’d Like To Recommend

Always get the latest version, unless you know otherwise.  If you try a Beta, well, you’re on your own.

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Entertainment

EMDB – Need to keep track of a DVD or Blu-Ray movie collection?  - http://www.emdbonlinehelp.tk/

For Your Computer

Info

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/

Tools

CCleaner	take out the trash	http://www.piriform.com/
Lightshot	don’t have snippet?	http://lightshot.skillbrains.com/
PhraseExpress	types common phrases	http://www.phraseexpress.com/
Key Rocket	recommends kybd shortcuts	http://www.veodin.com/keyrocket/
ArsClip	uses the windows clipboard	http://www.joejoesoft.com/
Bat2EXE	convert any BAT file to EXE	http://www.bdargo.com/

Spyware Preventers/Detectors/Removers

HiJackThis	help with log file available  online	http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/
Spyware Blaster	install and update manually	http://www.brightfort.com/spywareblaster.html
Windows Maven	Virus and spyware info	http://www.windowsmaven.com/
Malwarebytes	install and update manually – scan regularly	http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/
SUPERAntiSpyware	install and update manually – scan regularly	http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html
Spybot Search & Destroy	install and update manually – scan regularly	http://www.safer-networking.org/mirrors16/
TSF	Got malware?  It’s free.	http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/

File Scanners

Check here for them bugs	https://www.virustotal.com/
before you install	http://www.virscan.org/

I Was So So …

I wouldn’t say I was great at any sport but I certainly wasn’t bad in some areas.  I was wiry (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0191397/) and could run well.  My ability to climb trees and buildings may have helped in some way too.

Bowling – My first recollection of going to a bowling alley was when I was four.  I probably started out as every kid did rolling the lightest ball down the lane with both hands between my legs.  I’m sure the score meant something but I just enjoyed being out with my Dad.  We had a special bond that meant more to me in later years.  I was born on his birthday, October 14, and we shared the same middle name, Calvert.  It does have an association in Maryland (I was born in Havre de Grace and I believe he was raised in Maryland) but I can’t say that’s why either of us wound up with it or not.  I eventually joined a few leagues and at the age of twelve, I had reached an average of 192.  I would never bowl a 300 where it counted (I did it in practice once), so I never got a ring or trophy (my Dad had a 3 foot tall one for when he did it!).  My oldest brother did in league (about 30?) but he did the same with his ring that I did with my class ring.  Took it off to wash my hands in a public restroom and walked off and left it on the sink.  It were gone when we returned!

Baseball – My first love after bowling, was probably my best sport as a youngster.  I don’t remember at what age I got my first glove or joined the local hardball team (Go Tigers!) but when I did it was a very fun time for me, as I’m sure it was for any youngster.  I didn’t have parents (or brothers and sister) that cheered me on from the stands.  They did come to a game once in a while but it was usually just me.  I liked it that I was excelling at something when up until then I felt awkward. 

These days you might say nerdy.  I wore glasses (first got them when I was 4 or 5), was thin enough for you to count my  ribs I didn’t reach 100 pounds until I was 13 and 130 when I was almost 21), watched as much TV as I was allowed (Lawrence Welk, Ed Sullivan, almost anything Western like Bonanza, The Rifleman or Gunsmoke and favorites like The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits), read books voraciously (read all the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes several times and as much science fiction as I could get my hands on (Asimov, Clarke, Verne to name a few and as a teenager King), comic books (there was a tomboy up the street named Loretta Sax (not sure if she spelled it with an “e” or not) who could satisfy me whenever I needed a fix for that or anything horror) and I probably spent more than my share of time alone, just wanting to be alone or lost in thought.

But on the subject of baseball (ahem, sorry for the digression) I had good hand-eye coordination (which I feel got sharper in later years) and I think it helped that I would play games like pepper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_(baseball)) to enhance those skills.  Fundamentals are always important right?  Our team got a few trophies for winning (as did I – pitching, fielding, home runs) and it sure was a great feeling being able to share that with my teammates, friends and family.  During those happy times I didn’t feel like such a loser or outcast.

Basketball – I probably only excelled at shooting because I never seemed to get dribbling down.  I wasn’t bad if I kept my eyes on the ball but that only works well if you’re playing by yourself.  I even amazed myself when I would make some shots, especially a long 3-pointer (or a few times full court) to win a game.  It seemed to me that at those few times I would think it just felt right.

Football – Except for touch or flag, I didn’t really get into playing this until high school.  I always seemed to have good hands and excelled at punting and once in a while kicked off or did a field goals.  Punting though is where I had a large impact.  My hang time was excellent and observers probably thought the ball had been thrown as the spiral sure looked pretty.  I would play TE at times but I think the coach didn’t put me in more because he needed a punter and believed I might get hurt getting tackled.  I sure didn’t look like much.

Ping Pong – I probably played this a few times before but didn’t excel at it until I reached Patton.  I was 1^st or 2^nd for a few years and went back and forth between my good friends and fellow classmates, Charles and Greg.  They were both probably better than me but once in a while I would play a good game.  I think I could safely say we three were the best in the school.

Pool – I played this a few times at my father’s bowling alley (City Line http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/profile/11494993/philadelphia_pa/center_bowling_lanes.html (if not this, it’s probably close)) where he was the Asst. Mgr., when business was slow.  (I got free bowling too as well as some of the best lessons.  Did I mention my Dad was real smart about a lot of things?)  I got so good at Patton I could make a shot the length of the table with the object ball anywhere on the cushion and the cue ball almost anywhere (even almost straight on) and have that ball ride the rail right into the corner!  I was good at bank shots and generally putting a ball from anywhere to anywhere.  I had no fear!

Tennis – I don’t remember playing this until my Patton days but I got to be ok.  Competitive among friends – yes; trophies on the mantle – probably not.  No Wimbledon in my future but I think I showed I had some raw natural talent.

The Loves Of My Life

Well, at least those I had some kind of relationship with along the way.   I had a few girlfriends since I was 21, and even thought a few times about marriage.

My first real girlfriend was Jean Geyer who I met at Laney while I was taking some prerequisites for preparing me to attend UC Davis veterinary school.  She worked at a department store and I was trying to live off the income from the G.I. Bill,; after all that’s what I had gone into the USAF in the first place.  It was about $320 (gross), and my rent was $125 so there was not much left over.  I didn’t want to get a job as I wanted to devote all my time towards my studies and I didn’t have much time as I was taking 15 credits.  After about 18 months I realized I couldn’t realistically do that since my girlfriend moved out (she had some issues she still needed to work out concerning her dad (Scary Smart engineer who worked for Bechtel and had a hand in building B.A.R.T., http://www.bechtel.com/bay_area_rapid_transit_system.html a feat to be sure).

The second would be Barbara, who I met in 1978. We lived in a small, two-story duplex; I was on the top floor. She already lived there but not sure if I ever knew for how long. My mother didn’t like her but never said why. Maybe it was because she was a year or so older; had a child (Africa Patrice) that was about 4; was from Arkansas; or that she was black. Now I will say that she probably seduced me. Not because I was some wealthy, good-looking example of the male of the species. Far from that. I was a gangly, buck-toothed student (going through the CETA program – explained here http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/19/ceta-a-70s-federal-jobs-program-that-didn-t-work/ or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_Employment_and_Training_Act) making enough to pay the food and rent (I think it was about $150) and buy gas for my bike. I think it was just because I was white. Not much of a reason because I’m pretty sure I had nothing to do with that. It wasn’t for who I was but what (or as she perceived it) I was. That didn’t cross my mind until several months later.

I was out of school and working for Crocker National Bank in the word processing area of their Training & Development department. I worked with about 12 others, I being the only male. The dynamics were about the same in school – 2 males and about 25 women. I also about doubled my income (about $750 gross) – a bonus during those lean days. Well, I had made a few friends in class and they got jobs in S.F. too. I lived at one end of the Bay Bridge and worked at the other. I brought Patricia Noles home one day. I always thought she could have been a model; she was tall and beautiful. I introduced her to Barbara, she stayed a few minutes and then went home.

It was either later that day or a few days later. We were both on the bed (clothed!!), me on my back with my eyes closed and she sitting on the bed at my side. We were talking and the conversation went to Pat’s visit. I don’t remember what she asked but basically I told her that Pat didn’t like her. Slap! My face stung for a bit and it was out of the blue but considering what I just said, I can sort of see why it happened. It sure woke me up in more ways than one. For the first time I looked at why I was even in this relationship. When I couldn’t figure it out (well, the sex was good), I started distancing myself. Three years later, I was able to move out and lived with my mom and step-dad until I was able to save up enough money (maybe 5-6 months) and moved to El Cerrito (http://www.bart.gov/stations/plza/map.aspx) on Richmond Street, where I lived for almost 9 years.

The next few girlfriends (2 + a former one) are kind of a blur because I couldn’t decide who I was with and why so I would just, well, rotate.  I guess you could call this my dog days; enjoyable for me on one level but not my proudest moments.  I did this for a few years and along the way I was stabbed (I caught one girlfriend’s son stealing money from my wallet), lost all my keys (another found a picture of another girlfriend – it was actually innocent but “blood” was in her eyes – so she threw my house keys, and I never found them) and even got crabs (from my ex) (Rid helped) (twice!!). 

When I met my next girlfriend, Elnora Oristil, I had shaken off all the old habits and was ready for something new.  I would say she certainly was the most gorgeous and generous of everyone.  She had twins who inherited all the best of her attributes.  She was originally from South America and worked at a major bank.  I was at T&T and I met her one day on BART.  I thought she was very attractive, especially in her leather pants, and since I had my teeth fixed and had gained weight in all the right places (i.e., my confidence level was much higher than it had been) our relationship blossomed from there.  What went wrong was a combination of things, all on my side.  I had a conversation with my oldest brother and he had less than flattering things to say about her accent.  I can only imagine that may have had something to do with his Korean wife he met while stationed there.  She took him for a ride and not really sure what he gave up financially let alone personally.

All I Ever Wanted Was An Explanation

It isn’t that hard to imagine my confusion is it, that after uprooting my life in CA and moving over 2200 miles to start (or in this case be part of) a family after waiting so long (I was 39 after all), I’m told that our marriage may have been a lie.  We were sitting in our living room.  Maybe watching TV.  This was six months after I started using a wheelchair (I got tired of falling down just going to the bathroom and the last time I did, I bent half of my big toenail back, which took almost two years to grow out.)  Stephanie says, “I’m not going to give in to you anymore.  I’ve been doing it since Beech Hollow.!”  Well, we had moved from there 12 years ago in 1996 when I spent my GI Bill and bought a house in Westfield, about the middle of where we both worked (I at CBSI in Sheridan and her at Cutler-Hammer in Castleton). 

When I asked her what she meant by that, she got up and went into our “office”, where we both had computers, filing cabinets and the like set up.  My first thought was “Is she talking Sleeping With The Enemy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102945/) here or something else?  I sure don’t ever remember being that anal with her or anyone else.

I waited (I’m probably guilty of being too patient sometimes) a few weeks and asked her again what she meant by what she said.  She did the same thing.

At this point, what would you do?

Our Cat Friends

Mistletoe (Missy), Buddy, and Snickers

When I started this journey we had 3 cats too -  Winston (Winnie – a tabby), Raven (a small black cat that Alexis brought home in her coat) and I brought Turbo (a good sized and very white cat smart enough to come when called and to sit)

My Good Friends

Something I sent to a few friends/family on 6/13/09.  I am including it here for posterity sake.

Hello all,

I’m not really sure how much longer I will be here so it’s probably better to say a few things while I still can.  This is not meant to make anyone further worry about my situation but hopefully will provide you closure that only this technological day and age can provide. 

I sent a link around from Patients Like Me (I can send it again if you thought it was SPAM) but in a nutshell I have MSA (multiple system atrophy).  From what I can figure from the literature (and of course my own experience) my brain is disappearing or shrinking.  Since I need those brain cells (and they are slowly doing this by the way) to do even the simplest task, I will someday not have control of even my involuntary muscles.  Right now, after about 30 seconds to a minute, I lose control of my arms and legs (they move on their own), my ability to chew and just about anything you just tell your body to do.  I used to type 100-125 wpm.  Now I hunt and peck about 5-10 and stop often.  I haven’t driven in 2 years.  I don’t leave the house except to go to doctor appointments.  I don’t have health insurance any longer as my wife lost her job and I make too much (>$12K/yr) to get help from VA (thank you George!  Let’s save money, not help people).

I spend my days surfing the web (now that I have a laptop), watching TV and updating IMDB, napping and taking bathroom breaks, drinking something when I can (Hawaiian Punch or water but nothing carbonated) and eating (usually crackers).  I don’t cook or prepare anything as that is too difficult but I have nuked a TV dinner if I feel I will last.  I dream as though I’m fine so it’s a bit disconcerting waking each day to my nightmare.  I can get really depressed when I watch a sad movie but generally just feel fair to midlin’.  I don’t remember the last time I laughed or smiled.

I haven’t bathed in almost a year but we don’t have a bathtub any longer either.  It was replaced last Fall with a walk-in shower minus the handles I asked for which wouldn’t help me much now anyway.  My wife complains that I stink or my stench is ruining the couch but isn’t willing to help me use the sink to give me what I need.  Scraping my skin with my nails is the best I can do although I did my best last week in the sink and that felt better for a few days.

I’ve tried to get to a home in Elizabethtown, PA (where I went to school) (also the original homeplace of Jon & Kate + 8) but either the doctor or the home isn’t cooperating.  Not sure now how I would get there anyway.  Last year when I started this process I figured I would cross that bridge when I came to it.

I will do my best to keep the PLM site updated when I can.  You can of course send me an email and I will reply as long as I’m able. 

For those who knew my family, here’s an update:  My mother passed 11/9/04, 10 days after my brothers and I visited her and after a very serious operation.  My sister Dara was the executor of her estate and except for one phone call in December of ’04 to try to clear up some confusion regarding her will, this was the last time we spoke.  I’ve tried to look her up since then with no luck.  My brother David and I have not spoken since last summer.  I still don’t know why.  I haven’t heard from my oldest brother Dane in almost two months.  In ’05 my brother Dave and I kept Dane in his apartment for 4 months after he lost his job.  The first time he tried to give me money, I told him to not worry about paying me back until after he was on his feet.  Over the past year he has slowly stopped dropping by after assuring me that he was going to visit his disabled brother every day he could.  Why both of them moved to Indiana is a mystery to them as well as me.  David never had a girlfriend here that I knew of and except for last year, Dane hadn’t either until he met this girl who is several years his junior.  Before that he was married a few years to a Korean girl who said she just used his Navy connection to move to US and become a citizen.  It’s like that sometimes I guess.

For those of you who have kept in touch using Facebook, I don’t use that any longer.  The simple reason is that I feel this site is more for family stuff and upbeat banter.  That just isn’t me anymore.

I haven’t spoken much about my religious leanings since I don’t attend a regular service anywhere.  I don’t feel this makes me a good or bad Christian.  It doesn’t mean I don’t believe in Jesus or God because I do.  I just didn’t feel the need to reaffirm that belief each Sunday.  I just didn’t seem to get out of each service what others seemed to.  As I didn’t feel what they did I figured I would be hypocritical to attend and not share what they were sharing.  I’ve actually attended quite a few services from a lot of faiths: Christian (Baptist, Methodist, Protestant, etc), Jewish, never tried Muslim, Buddhism, Hinduism or other European/ME types, although I met quite a few people who were good who did. 

If I brought some joy or relief to your lives, this should be my legacy.  I hope I haven’t been a burden or disappointment to anyone during our journey as this is definitely not the impact I wanted to have on anyone. 

Gee!  This was meant to be a short message but I guess given the chance I’ll blather on.  I may send another communiqué god permitting. 

Feel free to use this address to communicate or text me on my cell (max 160 characters). 

Take care!

Drew (DCal/DrDOS)

Bowling – What Should Have Been a Second Career

I started bowling when I was about 4 (I’m told) and had a pretty good league average (>190) too.  I never bowled a 300 in a league game but my father had a 3 foot (or so) trophy when he did.  I remember my oldest brother even had a 300 ring.  I did bowl one in practice (and got a printout to prove it) but I was alone at the time.  I have bowled 299 once or twice and maybe a 298.  I remember it had been a few years since I bowled (I was about 25).  I remembering getting a printout too.  It would have been fun if I could’ve somehow channeled my raw talent and made something of myself on the PBA tour.  But no equipment, not practicing and no hope of a sponsor kind of put that on the back burner.  It may not have even been on the stove or in the kitchen.

When I worked at Crocker Bank (CNB) I was invited to an event that involved a lot of CNB employees.  Since they were all over the state, it was quite a turnout.  Not sure the numbers but there were trophies and a dinner afterwards.  One bright spot that did occur is that I won a trophy and for me it was more of a fluke than anything else.  I don’t recall what my 2nd and 3rd games were but my 1st game was with a house ball (probably a 14 or 15 pound ball that I just rolled straight down the middle), house shoes, and a laugh every time I got a strike.  My total was what I got the trophy for but I got nine strikes in a row, 9 spare, and the last one was a strike.  All totaled I got a 279.  I think that may have been my highest game in quite a few years too.  It sure was a lot of fun.

  

Memories of Cardington-Stonehurst 1958-1965

I started going to C-S in kindergarten.  I don’t know if it was at the beginning of the year or not as we had just moved to 292 Kent Road from East Lansdowne.  I don’t remember much about where we lived there except we had to squeeze somewhat between houses to get to the next street, or maybe this was the preferred way for a little boy.

I remember my first day walking to school (I lived at one end of a long street and it was at the top of the other end).  I had my mother’s left hand and I was swinging my other one.  When I neared the street to cross to the school, my left hand brushed against the thorn of some lovely rose bushes growing at the edge of one of the yards.  It was my first experience with a rose bush and maybe it was so memorable.  I never did look into who lived at that house but I never held a grudge against them or the bushes and even grew some years later when I purchased a home in Indiana.

I don’t remember much about the first few grades.  I do remember having a lot of fun at recess, finger painting and eating lots of that white paste you’re not supposed to eat (but doesn’t really hurt you, right).  I just remember what happened in the third (but my brother swears it was the second).

I don’t remember the boy’s name (or even his face) but for some reason we were fighting outside during recess.  When recess was over we decided to continue this fight in the classroom.  I don’t remember either of us landing any blows either.  The next thing I do remember is someone put out their foot in front of me and someone else pushed me from behind.  What happened next is my mouth came into contact with the floor.  I don’t remember the initial impact but I wasn’t in immediate pain even though I know I had lost a few teeth.  I went to the principal’s office and the rest was sort of a blur.  I did eventually go to the dentists when one of my parents showed up but don’t remember what happened to the other kid or if either of us were in trouble.

My next memory was in 4th grade and my teacher was Mrs. Needley (I think we called her Needle Nose).  She was a smart and from what I could tell a good teacher.  How she earned her nickname was never shared.

The next year was the 5th and I had the good fortune to get the only male teacher (Ok.  Except for the crush I had on Miss Lowery (3rd grade) they were all good in their own way except for Mrs. Mast who seemed more concerned with stealing a chip from your lunch or a nip from a bottle (Bourbon or Sherry?) she “hid” in a desk drawer) who was Mr. Kushner.  All I really remember about him was he was very smart, knew how to reach his students and one of his hands (left?) was deformed (I heard it had never matured from an infant’s hand) so he kept his hand in his pant or jacket pocket.  And the other thing I remember that happened to all of us that year was JFK was assassinated. I just remember being in his class when we got the word.

I don’t remember the name of my 6th grade teacher but I do remember her being the most “mature” of all my teachers (age and wisdom) and she made a good impression on me.

If You Could Be A Fly On My Wall

Just going to put some examples of what I see most every day. 

Weekly Shower Stool and Clothes

This is the stool I use each week when I take my shower.  Usually these towels are all folded.  After almost two years, I think this may be the first week they were not.  I will try to post what this usually looks like.

An Almost Daily Surprise

Since Bert and Alexis have moved in, an almost daily deposit is left to be cleaned up.  Once in a while one of the cats will do so also but I figure that what was once done 2-3 times daily is now done about every other day.  Even for one cat I would pay attention to their litter.  For 3 it is a real need.  This particular surprise was left there for about 12 hours even though everyone else had walked past it including my caregiver who was there to take care of me at not this.  I even rolled in some once and I did get help from my current caregiver to clean the wheels off.  Fortunately for me she was willing to do that.

Things seem usually to be put in a place with little consideration as to whether they might be blocking my way.  I have to either move it or figure out how I am going to get around it.  I don’t get around too much.  Bathroom, kitchen and back to the couch is the extent of my travels.  Dirty clothes hamper, soda cases, dining room chairs not pushed in, trash bags and other miscellaneous stuff are all challenges I have to circumnavigate.

How the bathroom door was and is usually left

 I also have to swing open the bathroom door further since I need to get my wheelchair by the door and if it isn’t open I just scrap the door as well as the jam.  The pile of pads are a new thing but the door not open is the norm.  Here’s what I did with those pads.  Seemed like a simple solution.

Just by moving those pads, now I could open the door further.

I take Rolaids when my stomach is upset and it’s been happening more frequently.   I keep them on the small table I use for eating.  Molly accidentally knocked them off onto the floor in front of Stephanie.

The Way We Were … or so I Thought

It sure seemed like a fairy tale come true. Not too good to be true, but the way I thought a relationship between a man and woman would be if they truly loved each other.  I always worked under the assumption we were on the same page.  It didn’t seem made up and was reinforced each day.  Something like you’ll see here:

http://www.suzanne.tv/show.aspx?sid=697 (video might play automatically, but work with it if you need to)

Was I naive? It seems so. I guess I wanted to believe too much in what I thought we had.  After all, we were friends right?

When we moved to Westfield, she said she didn’t want to have sex. She felt fat and not attractive. Well, I didn’t marry her just because of sex so I said I understood.  On several occasions she said to me that she wanted to be a “Carmel housewife” but that never happened. (Probably something like a Stepford wife.)

I had always preached to others not to be gullible. I guess I didn’t follow my own advice.

The Moments In Our Lives

I think we all can commiserate with others about where we were when certain events happened that either affected our families, our country or even the world.  Here are some that I remember:

• When John F Kennedy (JFK) was assassinated.  I was in my fifth grade class listening to a lesson from a very well-liked teacher.  He was pretty smart and got along with I think everyone.  He also had a handicap which I never saw but only heard about.  He had a deformed hand (I heard it never grew from when he was a baby) but I never saw it because he kept his hand in his pocket all the time.  Anyway, I was shocked like everyone when I heard that JFK was shot and killed in Dallas even though I can’t say I knew much about him.  Only that he was considered a great man by our country if not the world.
• When 9/11 was happening.  I had just arrived to work at Indiana Gas (IGC).  There was a lot of muffled talk so I went to the nearest TV in one of the conference rooms.  I was not very prepared for what I was seeing (a plane had accidentally hit one of the twin towers in NY).  I couldn’t believe how that had happened (trained pilots and ATC).  It made no sense.  Then while I watched the 2nd plane hit the other tower and I was speechless for a while.  Then we found about the Pentagon and Flight 93.  I don’t remember being worth much the rest of the day even though I worked zombie-like as best I could.
• When Osama Bin-Laden was captured and executed at sea.  The world may have heard about it on May 2, 2011 but I believe it was a night time raid starting April 30th and going into the next morning, their time.  I heard about it from the President at a televised press conference, when it was first confirmed by him that the rumors we had been hearing were true.  It was kind of a bittersweet moment because we were celebrating someone’s death, we had done it and this was the most hated man in this country and much of the free world.  Many had criticized the US for burying him at sea but I think saner heads finally came to realize that was the best place as now there was no shrine for friends and foes alike to visit.

My Handle(s) Origins

I never did think about the origins of these that much as I’ve been using them a while (>20 years).  Here’s where they came from.  

• DCal – My name is Drew Calvert Dawson – I was trying to come up with a name I could put on a personalized license plate for a motorcycle I bought in 1988 (650 Yamaha Turbo http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1983-yamaha-xj-650-seca-turbo.htm painted Red) in CA.  I had to settle on DCal1 as what I wanted was already taken.
• DrDOS – I worked with computers and people at a law firm before it became as commonplace as it is today where it seems that everyone under the age of 30 can work on them, right?  (All orientals can speak either Japanese or Chinese and know martial arts!)  Since DOS stands for Disk Operating System and my last name sounded like that, folks at work gave me that name whenever I would make a house call to work on theirs.

Now you know why my emails are signed that way. 

The Best Macaroni & Cheese In The World

Feel free to experiment with this recipe but as is will be AWESOME!

What you’ll need:

Sauce Pan (SP)

Wesson Oil (or whatever you like)

Elbow Macaroni

Large wooden (or metal) spoon with holes

Cheese Whiz (small-medium jar) (CW)

(only need if going to bake)

Baking Dish (I try to use a glass one) (BD)

Extra Sharp (I think best) Cheddar Cheese block – how many blocks you need depends on how much you are going to prepare.

Milk (your preference here) – use what you need but about ¼ to ½ glass

Bread Crumbs (BC)

Preparation (about 10 minutes):

Fill SP with water to cover macaroni. About 3 to 1 ratio. Size of SP depends on how much you want to prepare or bake.

Add about 1 tsp (or so, don’t need much) of oil to water in SP. Keeps macaroni from sticking to SP and itself.

Bring to boil.

Add macaroni to SP but don’t splash. Continually stir. Taste test macaroni periodically (with spoon) to check if it is done. I don’t care for Al Dente but prefer my noodles soft. Cook to taste. Drain water when done. Some folks like noodles rinsed (use hot water to remove extra starch if you like it that way). When done, noodles should be put back in SP.

Stir in CW to taste but cover noodles. Stop here and enjoy or continue with baking. You don’t need a lot of CW if you plan to bake.

Bake (about 20-30 minutes):

Pour a layer of noodles from SP into BD

Slice block of cheese, as needed, and place slices on top. I usually use about 4-6 slices per layer but depends on size of BD. I try to mostly cover noodles.

Add layer of noodles and then cheese slices, etc till done. You should end with cheese on top.

Pour in milk (at corner of BD) until almost to top but not covering last layer of cheese.

Add BC on top (not too thick). Feel free to omit if you don’t like them.

Put in oven @ 200-225°.  Watch out for boil over so put BD on cookie sheet or aluminum foil. Check after 15 minutes. When cheese melted on top, it’s ready.

Enjoy!

Movies Reflective Of My State of Mind/Situation

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050539/ – My futility in slowing down or halting what is happening to me and no known cure.  Figures I would have that one.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0594063/ – No matter how much I need some, nobody wants to or can help

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0594437/ – Your fate awaits, no matter how much you’ve tried to help others

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109890/ – The frustration that Harold feels tied up in the hotel bathroom.  I guess so far I’ve been unable to resolve my pain the way he did

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068762/ – The role of the bald man (Robidoux), buried up to his neck in sand.  I am like that because I can see/hear the world going by but can’t interact much.  Like Stephen Hawkins I am trapped in my own body.

Regrets

Yes.  We all have them.  It would be nice if in the game of life there were do-overs but that ain’t usually the case.  These are things I did or tried and the result didn’t exactly come out as expected.  Not all but some of these involved how I disciplined those I was responsible for.  It didn’t always work out the same way it did on The Rifleman (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051308/episodes) did it.

• Told on my brother to our mom that he was getting a five finger discount at a local department store.  He mostly had small radios (AM/FM?) or walkie talkies.  Yeah, these things were cool but my biggest concern was that he would be arrested, go to jail and screw up his life.  I guess my asking him to stop wasn’t going to work.  So I did the only thing that seemed left.  I told our mother.  And NO!  Going to the cops wasn’t an option.  I have no idea what the store said to her but I guess that was what steered her towards a private school.  Since Dane was about to go to college (Ursinus http://www.ursinus.edu/netcommunity/) and David was at Patton, I guess it was natural for me to follow.  Dane’s first year was also mine.  What I should have done is keep urging David of the error of his ways.  I hopefully would have broken through eventually.
• Within the first year of being in IN, money was taken off my dresser.  I don’t know how much or by whom.  Getting to the truth seemed like it should’ve been easy right?  As it involved more than one person, I used a similar method my father did except I didn’t make Liz or Lex stand at attention.  I just had the girls sit on the couch until I found out.  All I remember adding to the mix is that lying was not a good idea, especially when it concerned your mother, authority figures (relatives, teachers, police, etc.) and someone like me who has taken responsibility for them.  I finally found out it was Liz.  I never did find out what she needed the money for and even though we both had low-paying jobs, we did give her a weekly allowance.  (I went from almost $50K in CA to <$25K in IN.)  What I should have done (20/20 vision here) was ask and be ready to deal with not knowing and get an allowance going because obviously someone needed money.  Just do what we could no matter how meager.
• I found out that Liz would yell a lot.  I’m not talking tourette syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourette_syndrome) but I think it was some how part of her acting out.  She was after all 11, going on 12 (and 40!), a genius (we’re talking Mensa material (http://www.mensa.org/) and I’m not sure who had more smarts, her or Alexis) and I found out later, ADHD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder) for which she took Ritalin and later on just birth control pills.  Then I found out both she and Alexis had photographic memories.  What a complex person she was!  What I did, not knowing all this but thinking it might help, is I talked to her in a very loud voice.  (Not yelling at her, just talking LOUDLY.)  I was hoping to show her what she sounded like to others 'cause I was hoping I sounded pretty ridiculous.  I only tried that once and not sure if it was as effective as I’d hoped.  What I should have done was let Liz vent in whatever way she felt she needed to and hope that eventually she would stop on her own.  Your realization is much more effective than if I force mine on you.
• When we moved to Zionsville in ‘05, we were having a family cookout.  Liz was there with her boyfriend from Chicago, David Shawl.  I first met him at our Westfield home (he came down 3 or 4 times), but for some reason, no matter how friendly I was to him, he seemed unappreciative.  When I would say hello or goodbye to him, he barely acknowledged me, if at all.  I was real concerned if Liz hadn’t found a lemon.  But I digress.  Earlier in the day I showed him how to use the DVR and the DVD.  I think I may have mentioned that you should be careful not to get your fingerprints on the shiny surface.  Liz might have even been there.  Later on I was outside, using the grill to cook up hot dogs and burgers.  After all, it was the 4th of July weekend!  I remember having difficulty standing for long periods (something I had never experienced before) and when I felt this way, my mind felt like it was in a fog.  The only comparison I can think of is when you are drunk, no matter how much you try to not be, you are still drunk.  Your mind stays fuzzy regardless of your best efforts.  Now that I’ve set the stage on how I was feeling, I went inside to see how everyone was doing.  They were enjoying my limited collection of DVDs and for some reason, after a few minutes, I got mad at Liz for not asking me if it was ok to watch them (which I actually didn’t care about).  I don’t remember what was said by anyone but I stormed out into the backyard.  I don’t remember if I had asked them to leave but I decided to drive to my in-laws to get away.  I remember as I was leaving I passed David in the front yard and told him he didn’t have to leave as I was.  I don’t think he acknowledged me but I was outta there so it didn’t matter.  They both went and spent the night at Michelle’s (a school chum of Alexis’) and returned the next day.  When I tried to apologize to David, he just blew me off by letting me know by his posture he wasn’t interested.  Then he said he wanted to get his wife (Liz went inside to say goodbye to her mom).  That really confused me and although my behavior was a lot less than stellar, I was really concerned what the relationship was between those two.  Certainly what he thought it was.  I found out later they weren’t married (so why did he say that?).  What I should have done is let things go on as they have than ruining the pleasant day for everyone as I probably did.
• During our first year in Zionsville, we had a lot of family visitors.  That was good ‘cause that was one reason we moved here.  How I felt (mentally) started to really change.  I was becoming easily irritated and had less and less self control.  Kandy came over one night to cry on her sister’s shoulder because her time with Brad was becoming difficult.  I don’t pretend to know all the ins and outs but I remember when she came to Westfield, Stephanie would comment to me afterwards how much she hated to hear all this.  I figure she just wanted it to end (the current relationship with Brad, I mean) rather than her getting comforted by sis when it was wanted or needed by Kandy.  Well, this night my wife had one of her usual migraines where she had to take a pill and go lie down, this time for a couple of hours.  Not twenty minutes after rising, Kandy showed up crying and they both went out back to talk about it.  I don’t know why it should’ve but it upset me.  My wife just got up from a bad headache, Kandy just showed up and she wanted to discuss a topic my wife was already past hearing about.  I percolated over all that for a while and then blew up at Kandy on the back porch, probably asking her to leave but I don’t remember what I said.  I don’t know why I interfered since it wasn’t any of my business to begin with.  Overprotective?  What I should have done is let them visit but I will say that my interaction seemed out of my control anyway.  I seemed to be watching it all from above (almost an out of body experience) and couldn’t believe how I was behaving.  Like I was watching a bad movie.  I went inside after my rant and sat on the couch.  I don’t think Kandy could see me but I sat there in disbelief over what just happened.

Blessed In Aging–A Prayer

A sweet lady is asked to say Grace at a gathering of "Home Instead" care givers, and she brought down the house about 90 seconds into her prayer. Enjoy!  http://www.caregiverstress.com/2010/07/a-reminder-that-laughter-is-the-best-medicine/

Blessed In Aging

~Esther Mary Walker

Blessed are they who understand

My faltering step and shaking hand

Blessed, who know my ears today

Must strain to hear the things they say.

Blessed are those who seem to know

My eyes are dim and my mind is slow

Blessed are those who look away

When I spilled tea that weary day.

Blessed are they who, with cheery smile

Stopped to chat for a little while

Blessed are they who know the way

To bring back memories of yesterday.

Blessed are those who never say

“You’ve told that story twice today”

Blessed are they who make it known

That I am loved, respected and not alone.

And blessed are they who will ease the days

Of my journey home, in loving ways.

I’m also going to try to see if they can provide any care for me.

It Didn’t Help But I Wish It Had Been Different

When I was a kid, watching our first color TV, I would usually sit closest so when the color would pop out, I was the one who would hit the side of the TV to bring it back.  Now I didn’t always know when it would pop out so David would get my attention (I’ll let you use your imagination as to how my one-year older brother did that).  I thought the color was funny too.  It looked fake and when it was just B&W, it looked normal to me.  I said so but I was usually laughed at.  I found out when I joined the AF, that I was considered color blind.  Actually I am color deficient.  I found out I didn’t have as many rods or cones as most folks.  This site shows how the test works http://www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.asp.  Now I can see the 25 but I don’t see any of the others.  When I was in line waiting for the test, I had no idea what I was being tested for.  I tried to see what everyone ahead of me was doing but standing around in your underwear doesn’t really lend to a lot of conversation.  When it was my turn the tester said “what’s that say?”  When I wasn’t sure what he was talking about, he flipped the card and asked again.  Now I at least knew what to look at but all I saw were a bunch of colored circles.  He flipped again and now I saw a number.  When he flipped again, no number.  He then told me that I was color blind and because of that didn’t qualify for certain jobs.  Even pumping gas!  (They color it you know.) 

Now I can see color, but certain colors under certain lighting conditions, are either light or dark, meaning they all look the same.  I guess that’s why my dark blue, black and green socks would get mixed up if I matched them and not my mom.  Now if I hold them under a lamp I would be ok but I didn’t know that for a lot of years.

I Got Skills Baby!

I always had an aptitude and thirst for learning.  I think, like most, if I was interested in the subject the faster I would learn and the more I would want to know more. 

Typist – I taught myself how one year during high school when I was bored (finally had some training 10 years later but at that time just typed the page from top to bottom) but it sure came in handy when I was looking for a job when I really needed something.

Driver – I drove about 200,000 (or more) the first few years I had a license. I think I got good driving and could drive just about anything up to a semi.  There were even times when I would steer with one knee.  I would always keep my eye on the road tho.  Well, one time I broke that rule eyeing a pretty girl but I was going fairly slow (15mph?) and the cadillac several car lengths in front of me shouldn’t have a need to stop as there’s no left turn.  Was I wrong!  I think he was checking out the same pretty girl!

Security Guard – Although this was my main job in the USAF, I never really wanted to do it again. I was watchful anywhere I went but I never wanted to be paid solely for this again.

Exterminator – Only doing this for six months showed me I didn’t want to do it any longer. I didn’t want to smell those chemicals again or work for any company that thought ripping off their customers was funny.

Handy Man – When it was my job in Oakland, I hated it. When I started doing it for myself and others, I loved it. Kind of like raking leaves at Patton. I never built a home from scratch but felt I could repair anything. If I didn’t know it already, I would learn it.

Locksmith – I took a mail order course (this was the late 70’s) that opened my eyes to how locks worked that even I could understand.  This know how helped me out more than once when a key wasn’t available.  What we had been shown on TV all these years became a joke.

Computer Repairman – Eventually I could build one or troubleshoot any issue.  Some job opportunities I had in IN sure helped me pull it all together.

I always wanted a work space/bench and work with wood and maybe metals.  Furniture, bird/dog houses and whatever was needed along the way.  I not only envisioned myself doing this around the house but , if I actually turned out a good piece, would maybe sell something from time to time.

The Death Of Caylee Marie Anthony - The Trial of Casey

I may not be right about all this but I think it’s close.  The only way to know the whole truth is if it’s revealed by someone from or all of the Anthony family, but here’s what I believe right now as the facts have been presented the past few weeks:

Casey Marie, saw her good life fading away day-by-day as she discovered she had a growing child on her hands.  Caylee was no longer the little bundle of joy she brought home from the hospital.  She was growing into a young person capable of telling others what her mother is up to.  Her ability to just pawn her off to relatives was not as easy as it used to be.  Don’t get me wrong.  Everyone still loved Caylee as much as ever but Casey may have been asked by others “Why don’t you take her tonight?  Don’t you think she would rather be with her mother instead?”  Or words to that effect.  She was also seeing her young, single, unencumbered friends and yearned for what she thought they had.  It became clear to Casey what a burden she had.  Where she first got Xanax or the idea to even try it may never be known.  At some point she saw that she could still party and her baby, unconscious out in her car, would be no trouble.  When the Xanax ran out, what could she use?  She’d heard of or read that chloroform can be used to render a person unconscious.  She even found out how to make it from the internet.

How long she used this method is not known.  But at some point she used too much and/or Caylee’s breathing was halted because of maybe how she was laying (like new mothers who want to sleep with their newborns and roll over on them, suffocating them).  She probably died in the trunk.  She was either left in there for a period of time until she started to smell or was transported in this car while she was, for a time, kept elsewhere (backyard?).

At some point, George found out what Casey was doing (or had done depending on when he found out).  After Caylee was dead, George, with his policeman’s background, decided to cover up this accident (maybe because he wasn’t sure if a jury  would believe them, again based on his real life experiences) and used tape to cover her mouth which goes along with the abduction theory (not an accident made to look like murder but to make it look like an abduction) – making it look like the abductors were keeping her quiet.  (It was applied after she died.)  Was a heart found on the duct tape?  Who knows (hopefully the FBI has changed their policies and take pictures of any development when they are viewing evidence) and who cares as this is not germane to the case.

Why was her body put in the swamp and not just a dumpster or somewhere else and who put the body there?  Maybe George as it keeps Caylee close to home and hopefully her body won’t be found for some time, at least long enough for another story to develop that points away from Casey.

Why would George be part of this cover up?  He had already lost his granddaughter and didn’t want to now lose his daughter.  Like with the suicide attempt, possibly having an extramarital affair and helping with this cover up, his state of mind which was pretty fragile.

Cindy didn’t find out what had really happened to Caylee until later, possibly not until George’s attempted suicide.

Did George have an intimate relationship?  Maybe but this has nothing to do with Casey’s case and has more to do with the mindset of Skye Benhaida and George.  Seems like this is a personal matter between George, Skye Benhaida and Cindy.

What Verdict Should Be: 

Guilty - Involuntary Manslaughter of a child and failure to report/cover up same; Child Neglect/Endangerment; Lying to and misleading officers of the court

Other Charges Yet to be Levied:

Cindy – Perjury – lied on stand to doing internet search instead of Casey

George – Co-conspirator to cover up of Caylee’s death

José Biaz – disbarred/fined/censured - said in opening he was going to introduce evidence, which he didn’t, about sexual abuse by George and Lee

Work History

well, the best I can recollect.  Here goes …

1. Paperboy (Upper Darby, PA) – did as a kid and it taught me how to handle money, keep to a schedule (had to rise at 4AM), keep track of who paid and who didn’t and be my own boss (at least when I was on my route).
2. Mowed lawns (Upper Darby, PA) – no sissy gas mower used here
3. Dishwasher (Arlington, VA) – not sure the company name but some restaurant.  A summer job.
4. USAF (Tucson, AZ) – Did 3 years and 1 day thanks to Nixon.  Joe College halted things for me and I don’t know if I was even there.  I guess proof is not needed in the military.
5. Janitor (Tucson, AZ) (4 months) – Not sure the company name but responsible for cleaning up two post offices before they opened.  I think I got up at 3 AM and worked 6 days a week.
6. Sweeper in pottery factory (Washington, PA) (1 week) – had to travel to get this one.   One week breathing in that dust was enough.  Memorable sandwiches for dinner though.
7. Shipping/Receiving clerk Hilton Inn (Washington, PA) (2½ months) – chef who hired me acted like a stereotypical mobster (Italian, tough talking, said he worked the room at weddings he catered for known mobsters) and hired me because I was in security in the AF and said he needed someone he could trust.  Was there about two months and he let me drive his caddy sometimes.
8. Exterminator (Tucson, AZ) (6 months) – this was 6 days a week, 10-12 hours a day and I probably took home between $125-$150/week.  Bought my first motorcycle from my boss (Honda CL350) and found out this business can be a real racket.  Especially when there are those willing to make a box to trap scorpions for less than $5 worth of materials but charge the client $150 and it probably won’t do much more than provide them with peace of mind.  After six months got a job offer from CA working with my brother; was I happy to leave!
9. Maintenance Man (Oakland, CA) (about 1 year) – well, the assistant manager position originally offered wasn’t really there and this was all that was available.  Seems the manager was my brother’s girlfriend and he worked as her assistant.  I was able to do this job even though I never had before in their 98-unit building across the street from the main office of BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).  I did a lot of OJT in my life.  I have always been a fast learner and this job helped me a lot.  I tried to do it justice.  I did learn a lot though:  painting just about anything; plastering; carpeting; windows/glass; and whatever else came along.  I did this for about a year before I moved onto my next.
10. Student Laney College (Oakland, CA) (about 1½ years – dropped out) – here’s where I cashed in my GI Bill and started my dream of becoming a veterinarian.  The classes were pretty basic (English, Trigonometry, Physics, Chemistry) and were just the requirements I would need to transfer to Davis.  Everything was going ok even though I was walking a tightrope.  I had a girlfriend who had a low paying job at a department store so that helped a lot with the bills because the reality is the GI Bill doesn’t go very far.  I didn’t want to work and be a student.  I was taking about 15 credits and there was still just 24 hours in a day.  When my relationship ended with Jean Geyer, I had to figure out what I was going to do next as a large part of my financial support was now gone.  What I did next was a suggestion from my mother as I had never heard of CETA.
11. Student CETA (Oakland, CA) (about 4 months) – while being paid I could learn a trade.  I wanted to get into welding because I’m not afraid of heights, Jean’s father (he was an engineer for Bechtel and was part of the construction/planning of BART) showed me a little bit as he had one, therefore I figured I could do it, and it was supposed to start at $19/hour.  As I needed a paycheck as soon as possible, I found out that there was a year’s waiting list for this class.  My next question was Well. what do you have?  They said We have word processing.  I said What is that?  They said Not sure but it’s something to do with typing and computers.  Well, I had never worked with computers (remember, 1978) but I taught myself to type when I was about 13 but hadn’t typed in about 7 years.  As the CETA office was a block away from my apartment, I tested myself to find out where I was.  I typed 12/wpm.  I still remembered the keyboard and I needed to do 30/wpm to pass.  With a week’s practice, I did exactly 30/wpm!  Sweet!!  I waited a month for class to start and finished a 9-month course in 2 ½ months.  Now I know this sounds impressive but CETA had a 98% placement rate and they needed to make sure the slowest student passed too.  By the end I was able to use four word processing machines, how to type on a page properly (I never took into account margins or what pica or elite were) and was now typing up to 55/wpm.  I procrastinated for a month not getting because I found you had to interview for a job with a resume, something I had never done before.  I had always just filled out a job app and asked when do I start?  The first (and only) place I interviewed wanted to hire me.  I made almost 3 times ($750/month) what I made at CETA.   Here’s info on some requirements.  http://www.michigan.gov/careers/0,1607,7-170-46398-64721--,00.html
12. Crocker National Bank (CNB) (San Francisco, CA) (5½ years) – started work in their Training & Development department typing up the manuals for CNB for all of CA.  Started with 12 people; when I left I was all that was left.  I found that not only had my speed increased (about 100/wpm) but I would read (and sometimes understand) all that I typed.  I learned a lot.
13. Townsend & Townsend (San Francisco, CA) (6½ years) – was able to both work with my sister, who I and my mother had just moved here with her daughter from IL, but also being paid much more for what I did.  I didn’t think I would ever make much in the public sector and was glad for this opportunity.  I think this brought me, my sister and niece closer together.  Went from WP department to taking care of all computers.  No network.  When a Novell network was discussed, thought I would transition into managing it.  Instead the salesman who was selling us our computers was hired and given that job.  It took about two years but figured those I thought had my back, didn’t so I went elsewhere when an opportunity arose.  There may have been other considerations to this decision besides what could be perceived on the surface.  I felt that my boss, Joan and I, were friends.  After all, I went motorcycle riding with her husband, Reggie.
14. Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe (HEWM) (Palo Alto, CA) (3½ years) – with the recommendation of Julie Mar-Spinola came to this firm.  My duties were to include:  Training instructor to this office on the use of a computer or specific applications as needed; Word Processing supervisor (13 employees of various shift); Supervisor of the individual responsible for the Ameritech phone system (worked with ROLM before but not this one); MIS Manager of Banyan network – responsibilities shared with Office Manager, my boss.  The person who hired me left and the one who replaced her, Geri Rice, was a micromanager to the enth degree.  I finally got tired of it and what seemed like a dream come true in Indiana, I went for it.
15. Pythia Consulting (Indianapolis, IN) (14 months) – I got this job after being recommended by my sister-in-law to her former boyfriend, who owned the company.  His biggest client was the Statehouse where I spent 99% of my time.  I learned a lot about how government worked behind the scenes.  Shocking!  I even had my first and last brush with the KKK who demonstrated on the steps about three weeks after I started.  As weird a group of folks in person as they were on TV.
16. Computer Based Services, Inc. (CBSI) (Sheridan, IN) (19 months) – phone support for about 32 applications that clients (center owners) used to run a business.  The average startup cost was about $6-$8K, depending on which ones they chose.  Some would spend $15K.  Worked with people all over the country (and sometimes world) whose expectations of running a business was not always in touch with reality.  Cash from the floppy drive seemed to be the thought at times.  I would at times help with marketing ideas and would bring their equipment back to CBSI at our expense if need be.  This could either send them through the roof or bring great elation.
17. Entex (Indianapolis, IN) (5 years, 2 months) – started out configuring and repairing laptops to a Windows 95 environment for an insurance company.  Found out why they called a ThinkPad a stinkpad.   LOT’S of screws.  First time I took one apart it was 3 hours before it was back together.  I could do the same thing in about a half hour 3 months later.  I think I did about 25 of them in all and configured about 100.  I went from there to be part of the onsite help desk at Indiana Gas.  It became part of Vectren when it merged with an Evansville company (SIGICO) and DPL.  I went from the HD to be the tech in the northern part of Indiana.  At first I used my car but when I started working on their wireless laptops in their trucks, they gave me a truck.  I was also involved in the Vectren merger by going to Dayton and identifying and upgrading their equipment and then going to SIGICO and deploying some software to their existing infrastructure using SMS.  I learned a lot while at this company and had a chance to grow.
18. S&R Resources, Inc. (onsite at FHLBI)  (Indianapolis, IN) (8 months) – Hired as a consultant to migrate all their computers to Windows 2000 and their applications as directed.  Fun creating an image that fit on a CD and all one had to do is insert it and walk away.  30-45 minutes later it be done!
19. K-Force (onsite at Lilly) (Indianapolis, IN) (6 months) – I had a chance to hone skills I didn’t know I had.  I also walked about 5 miles each day!  My boss, John Peters, knew the ins and outs of all the equipment and willingly shared his knowledge.  I wasn’t there long enough but picking his brain made me better tech.  He was a good manager too.  No micro!
20. DCL (just shy of 4 years) – I really enjoyed working again with Sean (met him at CBSI and he also worked at Entex, but just at Cinergy).  He recommended me but I hope I convinced Bryan I was worth the money.  Unfortunately this is where my illness got worse and it became more and more difficult to keep my standards high.  I’m not sure everyone understood what I was going through cause I sure didn’t.
21. Disabled since March, 2007