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My birthday is March 19th, 1948. When I stand straight I'm 6'4" tall. I weigh in
around 240 pounds, maybe a little more.
I started playing with web page design by
coding in simple HTML. Then I moved up to some simple and free editors
including Netscape Navigator Gold. Then I bought a package from Sausage
Software called Hotdog. Now I'm up to using Microsoft FrontPage.
I've designed websites for a couple volunteer agencies in the community.
I've found that when you do things for free they are not appreciated and all
that work has since disappeared. I maintain a couple of commercial sites
for some friends of mine doing minor changes and updates. Nothing for
profit, just fun.
In any event, I like to be active. Gadgets intrigue me. I've been accused of not
being very diplomatic. I tell it like I see it and don't mince words. This gets
me in trouble. I spend a lot of time on the computer doing stuff like this and
learning new things. I just can't say "NO" to anyone who needs
help. Therefore, I spend time helping others with computer related problems and
making their systems do what they want.
My Work -
I have one full time and one part time job that pay me money. Then I have
another job I do for free. Let's take them in order.
AT&T -
This is where I make most of my money. I am a manager responsible for the AT&T
synchronization network. I share this job with a gentleman from Denver, CO. He
and I work very well together and are the last of about 30 people that used to
do the same work. Needless to say, it's not all getting done these days. My
official title is Senior Technical Specialist. I'm not sure if the 'senior' part
refers to my age or my talents. We work 24/7 which means I carry a pager and can
be called at any time of the day or night to resolve issues. My partner and I
split the responsibilities such that one of us is always available. We cover
everything from the United States to Europe, South America and Southeast Asia.
It's fun work and presents some interesting challenges. The technical aspects
are too numerous to cover here. Maybe that will be another page on the site in
the future.
12/06 Update - Things are changing rapidly. SBC has bought out AT&T but is
keeping the AT&T name and changing the logo. Lots of changes you'd expect moving
from one company to another. Insurance, processes, and most important we are
getting new people in our group. It is no longer just two of us. We have three
new people. One that's sort of a money manager type that deals with budgets and
two other gentleman that Ron and I are working on bringing up to speed on the
equipment.
10/08 Update - And the changes continue.
My partners and I are now part of a very large group call ATS (Advanced
Technical Support). I would guess there are about 20 or 30 of us.
The "New Company" is aggressively trying to standardize everything across the
system. I'm not sure this is the correct thing to do but I follow
directions well. I am very vocal about the things I disagree with to the
appropriate people. I will keep you posted on where this all goes.
Command Security Corporation -
In the spring of 2002 I decided it was time to establish some contingencies in
the event AT&T decided they could do without me. After reading much material
and looking at the world situation I decided to get into the security field. I
have a very good friend that supervises a site where this company has a contract
so I decided to get my security license and go to work for him. The site is a
town in itself. It has a very large elderly population so one of the
requirements to work there is to be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Since
I already had that certification I was in like flint. I have a regular shift
on Sunday from 4PM to Midnight. I also
fill in when others are on vacation or the boss is running short of manpower.
This is a very rewarding and interesting job.
Carmel Volunteer Ambulance Corp. -
To maintain my certification as an EMT I must be actively
involved with a service provider. So, I volunteer with this agency. I am a life
member and usually ride four 6 hour shifts a month. I was just asked to be a
line officer so I am officially a Lieutenant and help with training and radios.
Again, this is a fun and rewarding thing to do. If your interested in this kind
of fun, check out the links page and go to their website to complete an
application.
12/06 Update - My term as Lt./Training Officer is coming to a close. As of
1/1/07 I will be an active riding member with no more responsibilities than
anyone else. It is also interesting that I have been so overwhelmed this last
year that I failed to sign up for my EMT refresher this fall. Thus, my EMT
certification will expire the end of March 07 and I will not be an EMT until I
take a refresher course and the State Exams. It is still up in the air as to my
doing that. I will keep you posted.
2/07 Update - My term as LT. is over and
I'm free. I still want to help out and will probably continue
administering the Pilot Recertification program if the agency likes. Think
I'm going to cut back to 2 six hour shifts of roster duty and then try and pull
some calls during the week. I will let you know how this progresses.
10/08 Update - Haven't done updates here in a
long time and missed telling folks about my stint as Vice President. I
really wish I had more friends that would step up to the plate and kick the
stuffing out of me before I volunteer for this kind of thing again. I was
elected last December and have served since January 1st. My commitment is
over the end of this year. I am very much looking forward to that.
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