Wes Fantastic's Journal

Update and an OId Friend Returns

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 04:02:04 GMT

So Denny is back in town...for good it seems. I've missed that guy! He's one of the few of the group that will play cool games like Torg and Rifts. He's also just a great guy and has one hell of a sense of humor. I'm still trying to decide whether to unleash him on the Spoony Forums! ;P

A few new developments in the non-work field:

1) Just won a cool contest. Nothing huge, but its cool!

2) Just sent the last art pieces to John for inclusion in the new Footprints for Dragonsfoot.org. I can't wait to see it come out.

3) I've been approached for another art project. Its actually a really neat idea, but I'm treating it like I have a NDA for now. More later - hopefully.

4) Going back to School! And you though I was toooo cool? Nope. Classes start in a few weeks. I'll be pursuing a bachelors (Business Related). I'll have just two classes to start with, but I was able to transfer over 30 credits.

Victory!

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 05:11:48 GMT

So we made it. Victory at last. Past due sustained at a less-than-one-day level for two months in a row. May was the big win, but nailing it in June was even sweeter. They told us it couldn't be done, but we pulled it off. And whats more - we did it with a fairly green staff. Myself and maybe one or two others were the only members experienced in our roles. Time for an exit strategy...

PEACE!

Origins

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 21:34:33 GMT

Holy crap! I think I'm going to Origins. Looks like Cristy is not going. That's a real shame, I'd like for her to be able to go. She's a lot of fun.

I need to Ping the Bro and see if he's in...

Groovin'

Wed, 17 May 2006 03:35:30 GMT

So this whole 'leaving at a reasonable hour' thing RAWKS! I'm cruising for the first time in 6 years. Going back to college seems a very likely possibility.

PEACE!

Changes

Wed, 10 May 2006 18:32:21 GMT

So now Dave is gone. First Kirk, now Dave. Both suddenly as well. This effectively kills "The Deal". Is that a bad thing? I guess I'll see...

Friday!

Sat, 06 May 2006 02:05:22 GMT

Work: Another great week. Work actually starting to ease up a little. Past due down to just over $160k. Lowest ever!

Friends: Kicked buttocks on Todd's deck. He's recovering nicely. Almost wrapped it up.

Family: Taco night! The girls are cute, the wife is cool. Looking forward to a smooth weekend.

One thing that is bothering me...Jennifers going away event. I got notice too late to attend. Only a few folks showed up. I'm going to try and get someting together nect week. I hope she's available.

Music: Me and Todd had a cool jam today, and he bought lunch. I'm addicted to Chinese Buffet.

PEACE!

Another Good Week on the Move

Thu, 04 May 2006 02:11:38 GMT

Work: Just wrapped up another event. This was a good one, got some great results. I was team lead this time. Thank goodness for those lean tools!

Yard: Almost finished mowing tonight but it got too late. Spend 15 min working on my new lawnmower - must be bad karma.

Girls: Cute as ever!

Cristy_Fantastic: good looking as ever and cooked stuffed peppers. yum!

Friends: Saw Todd today. He had a bad accident two weeks ago but seems to have bounced back. I'll be over there tomorrow to help complete his deck. That thing is a MONSTER!

Boogs: Missing the EB, man that cat is cooooool! lol, internets...indeed! ;)

April results...

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 23:23:56 GMT

On time Delivery: up ~30% (to somewhere in the 70's)
Past Due $$: Down ~$150k (to about $200k)
Revenue: Goal Exceeded by ~$100k (We're over $2.3M!)
Stockouts: down about half from March - this is HUGE!

This team rawks! Not only are we driving awesome, sustainable improvements but everyone is getting along great. I can feel the love, can you? ;)

I'm out of Vodka. Time to replenish.

PEACE!

Finally...

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 03:43:43 GMT

...I've found my "Brand": Burnett's Vodka. Cheaper than Smirnov and Absolute, but not as bad as Aristocrat. Good stuff! And with a splash of Whiskey Sour and a third of Ginger Ail (diet) it is SCRUMTRULESCENT.

Maybe I'll stay in the Brushless product line after all...its been 'fun' lately.

Putting My Foot Down! Dammit!

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 03:29:08 GMT

So I'm putting my foot down and setting the internal expectation that I will spend less time working and more time doing the things I enjoy, like spending time with the girls (all three ;)), reading, watching crappy TV and illustrating.

Spending Time With the Girls: We played on the swing set yesterday for an hour and a half, at least! Kinsey is getting so big - almost don't have any 'babies' anymore :(. Cristy fixed a delicious meal Sunday that has sated my only vice left - food.

Reading: Browsing my 1E collection again. I swear I'm going to start a campaign. Grognard's Tavern has me pumped to get back behind the Screen. Woootness!

Watching Crapped TV: Deal or no Deal, Jerry Springer, American Idol...I'm not gonna apologize!

Illustrating: I'm working with some great folks on a 1E module project. No $ in it, that's the way I like it. Total creative freedom.

People Annoy Me

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 04:15:27 GMT

The older I get the more I become my 14 year-old poodle. He seems annoyed at almost every attempt by any being to interact with him. Maybe I'm just tired...

Busy Busy Busy

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 05:37:57 GMT

Almost to damn busy to update this thing but here goes....

Job: The new team is in place and we're kicking ass! Over half of the Past Due $ is gone and we're implementing sustainable processes that are built to improve. I'm stoked to spend a few more months here and then more on to my next assignment...which RAWKS!!! May even get to take my show on the road.

House: Almost done with the Bathroom remodel. This is HUGE!

Online: K&C duties consuming some time but I'm really enjoying myself. Noit posting like I'd like, but helping out there is my escape from the daily grind.

Family: The girls are growing up too fast! Kensey is almost at full-toddler level. I'm going to miss having a baby around, but I'm too damn old for another one.

School: Going back this fall if everything falls into place. Cristy may continue as well. I hope she does. I think she's much smarter than she gives herself credit for and deserves to glean some higher education.

CIA:

Transitions

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 23:09:45 GMT

So now I have to decide whether or not to leave my smoothed out product line and take on a challening (yet high-profile) product line and 'fix it'.

Damn, I'm tired!

Old Movies

Sun, 04 Dec 2005 18:44:25 GMT

Guess what old movie I just watched?

hiiiiiii-YA!

Nothing better than a half-native american Vietman vet throwing down hardcore kung fu on some redneck yokels! The creators of Rambo saw this movie and the rest is history...

Sat, 03 Dec 2005 02:10:50 GMT

Meme of Lies
Bogarted from upononcehappend

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, (even if we don't speak often) please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL memory of you and me. It can be anything you want - good or bad - BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE.

When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people DON'T ACTUALLY remember about you.

Sat, 03 Dec 2005 01:51:27 GMT

Natural Light and stir fried shrimp! mmmmm

Are you with me?

I didn't get to go....

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 03:08:09 GMT

So it was like 20 after 5pm and the OPs Manager IMs me asking me to go out to BTS (a local bar) after work for drinks. I couldn't go because I a big LOSER!11ONE! I probably missed out on some kick-ass gossip or maybe even an opportunity to spread my wisdom throughout the higher levels of the corporation. Not only that but I really like the guy. He's cool, for a capricorn anyway...;0

On the up-side: Sal's Pizza!!! mmmmmm - Had to wade through the local Xmas parade to get to it, but it was worth it!

Why am I listening to Fleetwood Mac?

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 02:09:04 GMT

Its like I'm addicted to this stuff. I mean no disrespect to any fans out there but its strange that I've been listening to the Greatet Hits and The Dance-Live for WEEKS now during my 20 min trips to and from work. Damn wierd....but true!

Changes

Tue, 29 Nov 2005 00:13:33 GMT

I found out today that my boss has changed...again. I wish they would make up their freakin' minds. Well, I've worked for this lady before and consider her a friend, so its not that I'm being negative about who it is, just that it is. I mean, this is like the third manager in 4 months for me.

You dig?

On a totally unrelated topic: I've started eating sardines for the first time in years. I am also craving cigarettes more than I have since I quit over three years ago.

Opportunities

Sun, 27 Nov 2005 22:15:55 GMT

So, Cristy has gone shopping with her mother and I'm babysitting today. I don't mind one bit, me and the girls always have a good time. I've spent the day downloading files from Dragonsfoot (thanks lurkerwithout ) and listening to Dora. Its a cozy, rainy Sunday.

Why do I work myself into a bad mood when I start thinking about my current job? Its not that I hate my it. I guess I'm getting burned out. I've been at it for over 4 years, that seems to be my limit. I'm still waiting to hear about my bid for a new position, Business Analyst III. A very interesting position where I play consultant to other companies within our corporation. The pay is handsome but I would be traveling constantly - everywhere from Sweden to Chicago to Tianjin. Bah, I'm rambling now...