Building a Data Infrastructure is Not Easy

I was asked today at work how long it would take for me to "get this data fixed"?

I replied as such:

With all due respect the words “getting this data fixed” makes me cringe (though I understand what you mean.)

The reality is - the system took my nice Rolex watch [working data infrastructure], took it apart, placed it in a bucket, took a bunch of other watches apart, placed them in the bucket also, blind-folded me, tied one hand behind my back [Org changes, IT restrictions, lack of hardware/space/access/software control, programmers in India coming/going] and then yelled,

“How are we supposed to know what time it is if you don’t have a watch!"

"Well, you’ve got the ingredients there… can’t you just make one?"

"We’ll need an ETA also… and don’t forget to finish up that other important thing you were doing.”

Then she asked me repeatedly for a NAME of the person in the department that wasn't helping me properly to solve this problem - so she could ESCALATE the matter higher.

So I tried to explain in more non-metaphorical terms the exact systemic problem and how it evolved to where it is today.

She insisted again that I give her a NAME so she could "escalate the issue" [read: hollar, scream, complain through a bunch of emails]

Some people just don't get it.

I gave her the name of the CIO.

Managing Expectations

I've found myself here at the "Rocky Edge Ranch" (aka my little cabin home on the Blanco river) turning into a "wanna getaway place" for everybody I know.

Unfortunately, I am not a B & B and have to work full time so I've found myself having to "set expectations" (a customer handling tactic I learned at work.)

Here's my reply to a friend. I figured I could just post and reference this to everybody planning to visit...... kinda funny I thought.

************************************************

Let’s talk about some specifics and maybe “manage some expectations”…..
Factors to consider:

• You don’t need to rent a car… I can pick you up and take you back – Austin airport works on workdays (me driving back and forth), is an hour’s drive from house otherwise. San Antonio airport is just a bit longer drive but much more pleasant, but I DO NOT drive near it on weekdays like I do the Austin airport.
• I work 5 days a week still and won’t be able to take off extra for entertainment purposes.
• I work 2 days a week from home on Monday and Tuesday so, those are good days where we can visit and be around the house. (while I work, assuming my duties will be light.)
• It’s nice just to sit around the cabin, with the dogs, looking at the river, sitting around a fire, drinking beer/margaritas….. that what we do best.
• Neighborhood fun doesn’t PLAN out too well - is more spontaneous and never guaranteed. But we can always go visit and see what kind of trouble can be stirred up.
• I have another friend (Christian free-thinker – a bit eccentric but intelligent and funny – plays guitar) named Pat who wants to come visit also…. I think you two together would be fun. Let me coordinate a visit from him the same time.
• I am pretty much worse than broke ($$) and everything (food, gas, etc.) costs just the bit more now a days and puts me into debit spending – not asking for money, just telling you my limitations.
• Adena naturally enjoys company but has tendencies to need to entertain everyone and drains herself of all energies to the point of illness. This is a repeated pattern for her. My desire is to subtract not add to her stressful life habits.

Don't Get Flustered. Get Even.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to avoid getting flustered when people walk up to me with emotionally charged demands. I'm getting some tips from the Jay Morrissey "Practical advice for living" blog. Thanks Jay.

And if these don't work I can always Google for nasty ideas ... :)

Cave Braving

...went caving with my "little brother" (Adena's brother).... he was expecting some kind of walk-in cave... you should've heard him whine when he seen what we were going through... most of these cracks and holes we crawled through were small small and black black...

Mike was braggin' all the way there about his bravery and skills.

Once we got about 40 yards down he was begging to go back. Towards the end he started saying things like, "don't be fooling with me now Mitch, how much further? I'm starting to freak out here."

Then I told him my little 14 year old niece and her brother went through this with me last summer right after she recovered from her cancer and all her treatments. I also told him that my son, Brandon, did this with me when he was about 6 or 7 years old.

I don't think he believed me.

FEAR AND THE TEMPTATION TO LIFE

FEAR AND THE TEMPTATION TO LIFE

i felt a little bit rebellious
i didn't put my seatbelt on
i drove a long ways ... i was a little bit nervous... careful... i watched the cars and stayed in my lane


drving on a dark curvey road, i didn't want to be too risky.
I put my seltbelt on. Ahhh, that feel's better. More comfortable. In tact.


most cars go around me
i stay in my middle lane... move to the right... speed up a little
too many cars passing me


my dad didn't wear his seatbelt once
...got in a wreck
...broke his neck
...ruined his life
...can't hardly walk still
...constant pain... can't hardly turn his neck...


(can't hardly talk either - but he never really could)


it hurts to see him... he gave me a watch recently...
called and said he had about 10 and wanted to know if i wanted one
i said "sure"
i'm wearing it now


"X Alert!" ..."KA Band!" - my radar dectector speaks to me... i hit the brakes - don't see any cops
cars are passing me still - i've got my seatbelt on
i move to the right lane


i got pulled over once
one freaking day when i didn't have my radar detector
a friendly cop pulled me over


- he told me to turn around and put my hands behind my back
he snapped metal handcuffs onto my wrists
he put me in his car
we left my car on the side of the road - highway 290
he took me to jail -


he left - i haven't seen him since.


he said, "too bad... you seem like a nice guy"
(my license was expired or something - i totally didn't know it...
some glitch in the mailing system...
my fault.
my problem.)


they frisked me
they signed me in and took my stuff in my pockets
they took away my shoes
they put me in a cold concrete holding room
with other guys - who were bad too
they gave me a blanket. there was a small plastic window
you could see the cops doing stuff
they couldn't hear you
everybody was depressed


i drive slow
i watch for cops
i wear my watch


i started to not wear my seatbelt driving to work today
i wanted to be risky - and a bit defiant
i snapped it on after a few miles
i kind of enjoyed it though - i was awake a little bit


i went back to sleep - finished my drive to work
i was awake for a little bit though
anxious - but awake
careful - but living


i think a seatbelt is a false security
- it probably shouldn't be a law
- you can get pulled over for not wearing one


i am a pussy
i'm wearing my watch though


...in case i ever need to know what time it is


.

TOYS ruin your brain !!!

I knew it was good for me to talk to myself! YES!

Science now discovers that talking to yourself is not only good.... it is essential for a sound and disciplined mind and life.

Read or listen to the NPR report - "Old-Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills".

"Permitting and encouraging children to be verbally active — to speak to themselves while engaged in challenging tasks — fosters concentration, effort, problem-solving, and task success." — Alix Spiegel

Damn.... no wonder all these adults I work with can't stay concentrated in a dialogue for more than a minute.... TOYS actually ruins your brain!

Damn that consumeristic Mickey Mouse pig!

Like my 4 year old nephew said so succinctly to me once when I pointed out to him the cute giant cartoonish moosehead hanging on the wall (for whatever the hell reason) while I was walking him to his "Sunday School" class in church ----- "I hate him".

(good call Joe)

Devil and Daniel

Daniel Johnston is sort of an Austin icon that is still around making music and art and such. Someone did a documentary on him in 2005 that is interesting and worth watching, especially if you are interested in Austin culture. I think it was Nirvana's Kurt Cobain that sort of launched his art popularity wearing one of his famous "Hi, How Are You?" t-shirts that incidentally is sort of a landmark of graffitti at 21st and Guadalupe. Here's a little filmish thing he did that I liked.

Disclaimer on previous blog entries [for future character assassins, employers, lawyers, etc.] That stuff about Adena getting mad at me for driving off to go to Big Bend.... I was just kidding... that's all extremely exaggerated stuff. I pretty much lie about everything, so don't believe me.