I think everyone should know their strengths and faults.
My faults are too numerous to mention but I'll try. I'm arrogant, sarcastic, judgmental, gripey, grouchy, biased and worst of all, I think I'm smarter than most folks. I can be mean, unapologetic, unforgiving and intolerable. I won't go into details but I've been a jackass, sometimes purposely.
As far as strengths go, I can only name a few. I'm genuine, caring and steadfast. I've been full of shit but now I won't tolerate it around me. I want to make other lives better around me, sometimes sacrificing my own comfort for someone else to gain. Learned that from my Dad...I try to be more like him everyday. I'm opinionated but they are not set in stone. I listen well because I know that I don't know it all. I learn from others all the time because my opinion derives only from what I've experienced.
Am I a good guy? I hope so. Am I fair? I try to be. Am I a jerk? Most definitely. Do I make you smile? Maybe. Am I a good friend? Definitely. Do I have all the answers? Not at all!
I sincerely hope that even casual friends know how much they mean to me. Framily?? Let's just understand right now that I won't tolerate being around anyone that is running you down. Yes, I'm an angry little SOB but you couldn't ask for anyone to defend you more fervently. Even in disagreement, I think friends and family matter more than any quarrel.
Overall, I hope that I'm a person that you enjoy being around, if not, I'm not changing anyway. So deal with it or go away!
5/19/14
5/6/14
Framily
My father has been passed away for more than a year. He was a generous guy who felt the need to take care of family. He made me feel the same way by example. I looked up to him and thought he was always right. If I knew anyone that deserved to be a saint, he was that guy.
He shared his disability check with my mother even though they had been divorced. Basically, he shared it with anyone that he loved. When I couldn't find work, his disabled veteran benefits kept him afloat. Near the end of his life, when I cared for him, it was our major source of income.
While I was in the military, I sent most of my money to him and his mother so they could live comfortably. When I joined the Navy, I gave him everything I owned, knowing that he would keep looking out for all of us. He bought this house and the land and even purchased a couple of boats. Together over the years we bought lots of tools also. We had been partners in business and shared responsibilities. We trusted each other and knew that neither one would take advantage of the other.
Before he passed away, he asked me to take care of Mom and my sister. I agreed and fully intend to stick to my word. He left us with some assets, the house and land, boats, guns, and tools that I helped buy. Since his death, I fell and broke a bunch of bones which hinders my ability to work. That hasn't changed my obligation to care for Mom and Becky.
I think it's time to liquidate some of these assets. I've held on to them for too long for sentimental reasons. We've got to have income. We each deserve to move on with our lives.
He shared his disability check with my mother even though they had been divorced. Basically, he shared it with anyone that he loved. When I couldn't find work, his disabled veteran benefits kept him afloat. Near the end of his life, when I cared for him, it was our major source of income.
While I was in the military, I sent most of my money to him and his mother so they could live comfortably. When I joined the Navy, I gave him everything I owned, knowing that he would keep looking out for all of us. He bought this house and the land and even purchased a couple of boats. Together over the years we bought lots of tools also. We had been partners in business and shared responsibilities. We trusted each other and knew that neither one would take advantage of the other.
Before he passed away, he asked me to take care of Mom and my sister. I agreed and fully intend to stick to my word. He left us with some assets, the house and land, boats, guns, and tools that I helped buy. Since his death, I fell and broke a bunch of bones which hinders my ability to work. That hasn't changed my obligation to care for Mom and Becky.
I think it's time to liquidate some of these assets. I've held on to them for too long for sentimental reasons. We've got to have income. We each deserve to move on with our lives.
4/30/14
Worm Ranching 101
Why would anyone want to raise worms? They're just creepy crawlers right? Anyone who's been fishing has handled worms. They aren't as gross as they sound. They are amazing little critters in fact. Worms can turn scraps into fertile, rich garden soil. Raising worms is not difficult. Keep them happy and they will continue to reproduce more worms. Feed them and keep their bedding moist, protect them from freezing and you will have happy worms. Happy worms work all the time. They eat, poop and reproduce. I know what you're thinking, "Ewwwww, Poo!" Well they're poop is what you're plants need, it's natural organic fertilizer.
Getting started only requires a few stackable plastic bins. Leave one bin intact to catch excess moisture. Drill lots of holes bid enough for the worms to go through in the other bins for air circulation and migration. Start with the bin with no holes and stack another bin on top. Prepare the bedding, place dirt, shredded paper, grass clippings, weeds, small pieces of cardboard, tea bags torn open, coffee grounds and filters, crushed egg shells, avoid plastic except tape....they love the adhesive on tape. Moisten it all until you cannot squeeze water from a handful. Then put your worms inside and put the lid on the top bin. That's it! Just keep the bedding moist as described for a few weeks. Repeat the process by adding another bin (with holes in the bottom) with new bedding on top when they have turned the previous bedding into rich soil. They will migrate into the new bedding above looking for more food. After they are in the upper bin, remove the one with rich soil and use it in your garden. Repeat the process again and again.
In your kitchen, keep a container with a lid for scraps to feed your worms. Meat or fat is NOT suitable for your worms...they will only make your bin smell and draw fly's. Discard them or feed them to a dog. Scraps for the worm bin include trimmings from veggies like onion skins, potato peels, carrot and celery tops...mostly things that would go into a garbage disposal. Worms don't have teeth so they can't quickly break down big pieces or chunks. They use crushed eggshells to help break down some bigger things but your aim should be to make everything small so they can do their work faster. Chop everything as fine as you can, they love it and you get results much faster.
They compost almost everything except plastic, meat and fat. One lb. of worms composts 5 gallons of stuff into great soil in a few weeks. They turn garbage into the best fertilizer you can get. In another post, I'll tell you how you can profit from them and make a bigger setup.
Getting started only requires a few stackable plastic bins. Leave one bin intact to catch excess moisture. Drill lots of holes bid enough for the worms to go through in the other bins for air circulation and migration. Start with the bin with no holes and stack another bin on top. Prepare the bedding, place dirt, shredded paper, grass clippings, weeds, small pieces of cardboard, tea bags torn open, coffee grounds and filters, crushed egg shells, avoid plastic except tape....they love the adhesive on tape. Moisten it all until you cannot squeeze water from a handful. Then put your worms inside and put the lid on the top bin. That's it! Just keep the bedding moist as described for a few weeks. Repeat the process by adding another bin (with holes in the bottom) with new bedding on top when they have turned the previous bedding into rich soil. They will migrate into the new bedding above looking for more food. After they are in the upper bin, remove the one with rich soil and use it in your garden. Repeat the process again and again.
In your kitchen, keep a container with a lid for scraps to feed your worms. Meat or fat is NOT suitable for your worms...they will only make your bin smell and draw fly's. Discard them or feed them to a dog. Scraps for the worm bin include trimmings from veggies like onion skins, potato peels, carrot and celery tops...mostly things that would go into a garbage disposal. Worms don't have teeth so they can't quickly break down big pieces or chunks. They use crushed eggshells to help break down some bigger things but your aim should be to make everything small so they can do their work faster. Chop everything as fine as you can, they love it and you get results much faster.
They compost almost everything except plastic, meat and fat. One lb. of worms composts 5 gallons of stuff into great soil in a few weeks. They turn garbage into the best fertilizer you can get. In another post, I'll tell you how you can profit from them and make a bigger setup.
12/19/13
Why Dump Facebook?
I'm catching some blowback about my decision to leave Facebook behind. I've been asked to explain. My reasons are numerous so I decided to post it to my blog.
Facebook makes changes to user settings without notice. Privacy settings need constant monitoring. Simply posting something doesn't always appear to the people intended. Facebook has become a marketing tool rather than a place to socialize with friends. It has become a distribution channel for misinformation.
I enjoy communicating with friends. I try to post thoughts and jokes to amuse and encourage people to think. I avoid political rants and disagreements because I've learned that it's the easiest way to lose friends. I also avoid religious posts because everyone seems to believe or disbelieve differently. Approximately 20% of the posts that appear in my newsfeed don't mention those two subjects. Some of my friends only post about those subjects which makes it difficult to talk about anything else with them. I'm guilty of doing it too.
Seeing the every day lives and challenges of friends has been very cool. Sharing their pictures and ideas makes me happy. Facebook has been a wonderful tool to reunite with friends that weren't forgotten. It has definitely brought joy to me and hopefully most of my friends. I don't want to totally abandon my friends so I'm not closing my Facebook account. While I won't be seeing all posts, I'll check in once in awhile to see how everyone is doing. Best wishes to you and your families, it's been my pleasure to reacquaint myself with some of the best people I've known!
Facebook makes changes to user settings without notice. Privacy settings need constant monitoring. Simply posting something doesn't always appear to the people intended. Facebook has become a marketing tool rather than a place to socialize with friends. It has become a distribution channel for misinformation.
I enjoy communicating with friends. I try to post thoughts and jokes to amuse and encourage people to think. I avoid political rants and disagreements because I've learned that it's the easiest way to lose friends. I also avoid religious posts because everyone seems to believe or disbelieve differently. Approximately 20% of the posts that appear in my newsfeed don't mention those two subjects. Some of my friends only post about those subjects which makes it difficult to talk about anything else with them. I'm guilty of doing it too.
Seeing the every day lives and challenges of friends has been very cool. Sharing their pictures and ideas makes me happy. Facebook has been a wonderful tool to reunite with friends that weren't forgotten. It has definitely brought joy to me and hopefully most of my friends. I don't want to totally abandon my friends so I'm not closing my Facebook account. While I won't be seeing all posts, I'll check in once in awhile to see how everyone is doing. Best wishes to you and your families, it's been my pleasure to reacquaint myself with some of the best people I've known!
10/28/13
I Blame Myself!
I worked on Rob's lake house because I wanted it to be very nice. I'm a good craftsman and wanted to do the best job I could. I did a great job on the tile and tried my best to make his stone patio and walls outstanding.
After completion, I went and partied with Rob and his wife Tina. I got drunk all day and went to sleep on the upper floor of their lake house. During the night, I got up and fell from the second floor of their home, I presume to go to the bathroom, but I fell. I was drunk and don't recall. My fault...not theirs! They didn't force me to drink, or make me walk off the second floor. I did it, it's my fault.
Rob Johnson has been my best friend since I was twelve. He got me medical attention immediately and genuinely cares for me! He wouldn't want anything bad to happen to me. I appreciate Rob and Tina and I'm lucky to be their friend. I'm sorry to cause them grief. I didn't mean to do that.
After completion, I went and partied with Rob and his wife Tina. I got drunk all day and went to sleep on the upper floor of their lake house. During the night, I got up and fell from the second floor of their home, I presume to go to the bathroom, but I fell. I was drunk and don't recall. My fault...not theirs! They didn't force me to drink, or make me walk off the second floor. I did it, it's my fault.
Rob Johnson has been my best friend since I was twelve. He got me medical attention immediately and genuinely cares for me! He wouldn't want anything bad to happen to me. I appreciate Rob and Tina and I'm lucky to be their friend. I'm sorry to cause them grief. I didn't mean to do that.
10/14/13
Exhalation!
It's the middle of October of 2013. This year sucks!
It all started in January when my Dad died. I spent a few months afterward installing stone at my best friend Rob's lake house. It was a huge job for one person and it seemed to take forever. Upon completion, Mom, Becky and I decided to buy a trailer park in Illinois. We went up there to make some improvements, fix broken pipes and make it a nicer place to live. When that was complete, I returned to Texas to be at another high school reunion. I saw some very good friends and spent some time seeing my cousin Donna. At that point, it was close to mid July. My 49th birthday was July 14th.
Mid July, uggghhhh! I started getting past due property tax notices. Taxes suddenly jumped six times from previous amounts! I got past due medical bills about Dad...past due maintenance fees from the HOA. Without a job, I'm getting hammered with debt. Meanwhile, the bills for just living are still racking up monthly.
August rolls around and Rob invited me to spend a weekend with him and his wife at their lake house. I got drunk and wandered off the second story and fell to the first floor. I broke my femur, elbow and wrist. I was unresponsive for nearly a week, when I woke up..I had no idea what had happened. Classmates from my reunion showed up in support while I was hospitalized.
Recovery is not going well. Doctors informed me that it may take up to a year to be functional again. My hip seems to be improving but my wrist is in tons of pain. My arm will not extend straight from the pins they placed in my elbow. I still have no feeling in my left quadricep and around my left elbow. I started Rehabilitation in September. It's painful but tolerable, I can do this!
During September, I started getting medical bills from my accident. My money is tapped out now. I haven't quite figured out how I'm going to keep getting by. My Dad left a few things that I can liquidate. A boat, some guns and a few tools that can keep us afloat for a short time. I'm unable to work like normal and now getting very depressed. Most of the skills I've acquired require physical labor and my body just can't do it right now. My electronic skills are not certified and my only experience is from the Navy. Many things that need done around the house are not being done because I can't physically do them. No income, I'm screwed!
It all started in January when my Dad died. I spent a few months afterward installing stone at my best friend Rob's lake house. It was a huge job for one person and it seemed to take forever. Upon completion, Mom, Becky and I decided to buy a trailer park in Illinois. We went up there to make some improvements, fix broken pipes and make it a nicer place to live. When that was complete, I returned to Texas to be at another high school reunion. I saw some very good friends and spent some time seeing my cousin Donna. At that point, it was close to mid July. My 49th birthday was July 14th.
Mid July, uggghhhh! I started getting past due property tax notices. Taxes suddenly jumped six times from previous amounts! I got past due medical bills about Dad...past due maintenance fees from the HOA. Without a job, I'm getting hammered with debt. Meanwhile, the bills for just living are still racking up monthly.
August rolls around and Rob invited me to spend a weekend with him and his wife at their lake house. I got drunk and wandered off the second story and fell to the first floor. I broke my femur, elbow and wrist. I was unresponsive for nearly a week, when I woke up..I had no idea what had happened. Classmates from my reunion showed up in support while I was hospitalized.
Recovery is not going well. Doctors informed me that it may take up to a year to be functional again. My hip seems to be improving but my wrist is in tons of pain. My arm will not extend straight from the pins they placed in my elbow. I still have no feeling in my left quadricep and around my left elbow. I started Rehabilitation in September. It's painful but tolerable, I can do this!
During September, I started getting medical bills from my accident. My money is tapped out now. I haven't quite figured out how I'm going to keep getting by. My Dad left a few things that I can liquidate. A boat, some guns and a few tools that can keep us afloat for a short time. I'm unable to work like normal and now getting very depressed. Most of the skills I've acquired require physical labor and my body just can't do it right now. My electronic skills are not certified and my only experience is from the Navy. Many things that need done around the house are not being done because I can't physically do them. No income, I'm screwed!
9/12/13
A New Challenge
It's been a month since I broke my wrist, hip and elbow in a fall. As with most people, my bills didn't stop, in fact they increased. Now I'm struggling to figure out how to make income since I'm no longer able to physically do the work I've done most of my life. (Stone, tile and general contracting) Now, I find myself in a predicament.
The doctor told me that my recovery could take up to a year. I'll strive to prove him wrong, but in the meantime...I need to do SOMETHING! Praying about it and relying on other people seems like wishful thinking to me.
I heard a few options mentioned today that sound promising. LinkedIn referrals, Craig's List "Gigs" may also turn up some computer work. Hopefully, I'll get noticed for my knowledge in computer networking or troubleshooting rather than flooring. Luckily, I'm well rounded and should be able to find suitable work.
Until now, finding work has been fairly easy, see something wrong and go talk to the homeowner about fixing it. Works like a charm when you are able to do it, not so much from a wheelchair. I need to start keeping an eye open for the same type of problems...except on websites. If you see something that needs attention, keep me in mind or mention it to me..maybe I can get some freelance work. Thanks!
The doctor told me that my recovery could take up to a year. I'll strive to prove him wrong, but in the meantime...I need to do SOMETHING! Praying about it and relying on other people seems like wishful thinking to me.
I heard a few options mentioned today that sound promising. LinkedIn referrals, Craig's List "Gigs" may also turn up some computer work. Hopefully, I'll get noticed for my knowledge in computer networking or troubleshooting rather than flooring. Luckily, I'm well rounded and should be able to find suitable work.
Until now, finding work has been fairly easy, see something wrong and go talk to the homeowner about fixing it. Works like a charm when you are able to do it, not so much from a wheelchair. I need to start keeping an eye open for the same type of problems...except on websites. If you see something that needs attention, keep me in mind or mention it to me..maybe I can get some freelance work. Thanks!
9/11/13
Jerry's Website Hosting from Home
Example setup:
- Cable modem - gets everything from cable provider, supplies an outside IP address to one device, should be plugged into the WAN side of a router.
- Router - gets an outside IP address from modem plugged into the WAN port. Serves up DHCP to other computers or devices via Cat 5 cable or wirelessly. LAN ports should be connected to wired devices.
- Main Computer - connected to LAN port of router. This computer should have access to anything on the internet and local intranet too.
- Server - spare computer serving up website (via WAMP) on port 80. Also connected to LAN port of router, it should be accessible from local intranet until router is configured to port forward.
- Cable modem should require no configuration. Sample IP (176.215.64.115) passes this IP to the Router WAN.
- Server example IP address (192.168.1.101)
- Router requires "port forwarding" to pass traffic to the Server. Forward WAN (176.215.64.115) port 80 to LAN (192.168.1.101) port 80. Save configuration and reboot.
- At this time, Main Computer (192.168.1.100) should be able to access the website by typing 192.168.1.101 into a browser. Additionally, it should be accessible by typing 176.215.64.115:80 in a browser as well as long as the router is forwarding the port. If all goes well, the user can share the outside IP address and it should work from anywhere on the internet. ***
9/6/13
Remembering Tom
This weekend marks the anniversary of my Dad's favorite weekend each year. We always attended "The Kirkland Family Reunion" and my father would call everyone to remind them to be there. He thought he could urge most people to be there...and it worked!
This evening as I'm watching the evening news about local robberies, school stabbings and seeing the national news covering calls for war in Syria. I'm disgusted. I can still hear Dad asking, "What the hell is wrong with people now?" Dad was an optimist and he thought all people had good in them.
These things have me thinking of the old man. When he would call relatives to remind them about the reunion he would also include the phrase, "You know this might be my last year to be there!" But I always thought he would be here for it. His health usually improved right before the reunion, probably from his excitement to see everyone. 2012 turned out to be his last.
Dad's smirk, smile and laughter are some of the things I miss most about him. His attitude is impossible to replace, it was contagious. He had the gift of spreading smiles to those around him. He earned my respect and admiration, I wish I were more like him.
I hope others remember him fondly too. This weekend will keep him in my mind. I wish I still had him to hug and tell him how much I loved and appreciated him.
This evening as I'm watching the evening news about local robberies, school stabbings and seeing the national news covering calls for war in Syria. I'm disgusted. I can still hear Dad asking, "What the hell is wrong with people now?" Dad was an optimist and he thought all people had good in them.
These things have me thinking of the old man. When he would call relatives to remind them about the reunion he would also include the phrase, "You know this might be my last year to be there!" But I always thought he would be here for it. His health usually improved right before the reunion, probably from his excitement to see everyone. 2012 turned out to be his last.
Dad's smirk, smile and laughter are some of the things I miss most about him. His attitude is impossible to replace, it was contagious. He had the gift of spreading smiles to those around him. He earned my respect and admiration, I wish I were more like him.
I hope others remember him fondly too. This weekend will keep him in my mind. I wish I still had him to hug and tell him how much I loved and appreciated him.
9/4/13
BANG!
In a few more days, it's been a month (Aug 11th) since I fell 14 feet off a second story onto the bottom floor of a house. I broke my left hip, left elbow, left wrist and cracked my skull open pretty good as well. No longer sporting a neck-brace, I'm literally disabled right now, unable to do some things for myself.
Rather than sniveling about it, I'm able to get some things done, just nothing physical. It's going to be alright! I've got to figure out ways to make income using my useable skills, not my back.
I've got a few ideas for applications but I need more thought about them to create a winning combo. If you have an idea, submit it and I'll consider making it happen. I'll probably utilize basic4android but I'm considering others as well. My motto...simplify!!
Rather than sniveling about it, I'm able to get some things done, just nothing physical. It's going to be alright! I've got to figure out ways to make income using my useable skills, not my back.
I've got a few ideas for applications but I need more thought about them to create a winning combo. If you have an idea, submit it and I'll consider making it happen. I'll probably utilize basic4android but I'm considering others as well. My motto...simplify!!
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