Time Management for a System Administrator

Since that actually is my title, I couldn't pass up a read for this book, Time Management for Systems Administrators by Thomas Limoncelli. So far it is really interesting in that it mixes Getting Things Done (GTD) concepts with the real world of constant demands and interruptions of being a Sys Admin.

Interestingly enough it appears I already have all the pieces; one calendar, help request system, log every request, and more, already in place. I just haven't connected the dots and run "The Cycle" that is used in the book. I've ready many time management books and see the common theme rise up again... the trick still is just DOING THEM.

Stupid Stuff Continues

Been burning some coding time at my old StupidSigns.com site lately. They site has been falling off visitor wise over the past year due to lack of attention. Tried CafePress for some calendars and the content was deemed 'inappropriate' soooo I made my own, popped a donate option up and linked to my own PDF versions. People can still get them for free but we'll see how many Stupid $Buck$ fly my way.... likely zero but we'll see. Was good to do some coding on my own sites for a change.
-Stephen

Where's there's Progress there's Pain

I guess that stands true with me. Although I DID get the floor pans installed in the 69 Mustang including fitted, welded and seam sealed, I have paid for that it with a literal pain the back.

Last week I wasn't sure if that was the problem after getting most of the driver side done and having to get straightened up last week. But after spending a couple days finishing up the drivers, installing the passengers side and fitting and installing the seat pans I was unable to hardly stand or walk on Tuesday morning. Ended up losing a day of work over it (not good - just more to do when I get back) and stuck in a chair and in bed with loads of pain meds to make it through. The Chiro once again fixed me up but it's still not very comfortable.

Maybe that is why I have been putting that off for so long??

Oh well.. hopefully time will heal. I did get to sit in the car with an old seat in it.. first time that has occurred in a very long time.

Something done...

Well after griping in the last post about where did the time go, I actually got something done the next day. I ended up getting the driver's side floor pan fitted in my 69 Mustang and started welding it up (ran out of CO2 gas) and did some fitting on the passenger side. The project has loomed over me for several months as I thought it was going to be very hard. It hasn't been easy but not that bad.

I also got the GoMo going with adjustments to the governor and throttle linkage and popped some mufflers on it for my (and the neighbors) ear's sake. Still not fast at about 18mph but working. The guys over at ATLMA thinks it has a coil problem which might explain why it doesn't run like it calculates out on paper.

Here's a link to the short video of it running.

2008?? - Where did '07 Go?

Wow.. new year.. same old stuff. Lots of finance type of work at work instead of working on critical IT problems. Not much motivation at home to get the Stang moving along. Same junky house and no motivation to clean it up right at least. So will 2008 be any different? Not unless I get things together. I do have some goals that I hope (need?) to get done this year so all it not hopeless.. there's just so many of them it seems overwhelming sometimes. For example just on a personal level:

2008 Goals...

• Mustang floor pan installed, sealed and interior installed
• Mustang trunk and rear valance fixed
• Mustang engine balanced, built, engine bay painted and engine and trans installed
• Rear disc brakes completed, springs replaced, and brakes working
• Wheels and tires on the car and get it back on the ground
• ... and the 192,432 other detail items that have to occur to get the car running again.

Other home front items?

• Tile the kitchen, bathroom, and utility area... never tiled before, should be interesting.
• Replace the roof.. think I'll pay someone to do this one.
• Completely clean and organize the house including the computer room, garage, and all closets (that should take all year)
• Paint the house.. well at least it is only trim
• Replace the garage doors (more painting... ugh)
• New vertical window blinds... mostly money
• Replace faucets and drains (hard water is a killer)
• Fix the various little things messed up around the house (porch light, patio lights, etc)
• .... there are plenty more

Yeah.. I know, these should be in my Getting Things Done (GTD) system right. Many are, seems that has made it seem even more overwhelming sometimes. I'm still searching for the best system(s) that work for me.

Oh yeah.. 2008 goal:

• Take down the Christmas decorations - I better get that one done before the next Christmas but no telling... :-)

- Stephen

Rat Rod Bikes?

Like I need another hobby or project but I'm somewhat fascinated by a bike site I recently ran across. The Rat Rod Bikes site is an interesting take on fun with bicycles and building. I've built bike choppers and have tried trials and still have a chopper to finish, but the rat idea looks like fun. In fact I've stooped low enough to purchase a few oldies off ebay to play with. These all at least appear to be in very nice completion state so it may be hard to rat one out or make too many changes. Time will tell.

The first one on the left is the most interesting one as it is supposed to be a Pre-WWII Schwinn with a baby carrier. I think it would be a fun resto project.










The next one is an 'English Bike' supposedly from the 40's or 50's with very tall seat stays and a two speed hub. Kind of interesting as is.











The next one is a 60's Ladies Ross with a three speed hub and all original as well. Seems kind of cool with everything still there.












The last one is a classic 1972 10 speed. I remember being 13 years old and wishing I had one of those fancy "10 speed" bikes back then. I did finally buy one but I have no idea what brand it was.

Progress... and work...

Short weekend and lots of work. A relative has been in the hospital and needed some work done on his van and truck so my cousin's husband and I put his van back together and changed the water pump on his pickup. Was kind of nice getting greasy again... it's been a while.

We have a Finance Director at work now so I really expect to get back to the Information Systems duties and out of finance which should equate to more energy at home and more Mustang work.

The patio cover is done and all the concrete poured so I just need to some guttering and that project is done.

I did get two post holes dug for another cover I am building between some storage sheds to keep the weather off some things. For some reason that was something I REALLY didn't want to do but it only took about 30 minutes... .

Off to another week.. this one much longer than last...
-Stephen

Who wants more work!!

Apparently I do, I do!

With the resignation of my boss Becky Cragin, (I can't blame her at all) I have been asked to step into part of the duties of the position as an interim. I will be filling in for the Finance Director portion of the City Treasurer/Finance Director position while existing Deputy Treasurer Rhonda Masquat will fill the Treasurer position of this blended job.

Becky Cragin was a wonderful boss to work for having both the resolve and patience to work through many issues in her tenure. I always felt listened too even if the final decision was not exactly as I had proposed. I have plenty of experience in some areas of the Finance Director position having worked through Municipal budgets in the 90's and close with previous Finance Directors at my current position building most of the numbers through online code I've developed. There will be many new things to learn however, and more accounting than I might care for but so it will be. I hopefully will be a learning experience that will be used in some future endeavor I will encounter.

Go work!... lol

Sucky sucks more...

Well it has been a sucky couple weeks for sure and it just got "suckier"... at work at least. After losing a close friend at work due to a horrible car accident, I find out today that my excellent boss is calling it quits against the 'funny farm' people on our City Commission. She started in late 2004 just after my Father passed away and has been an ardant supporter of me and my department from the beginning.

I do not blame her as all since there are a couple commission members that have been out to get her since the beginning, one that doesn't know what is going on, and one that appears to be in the same Anti-City-Staff crowd. It might be different if there were actually staff that didn't know what they were doing but it is the other way around. A building maintenance/janitor trying to tell a City Manager and Finance Director how to run the City... get real.

It is going to be much harder to do things the right way without the support I had in the past. Time will tell where this all goes...

Another Day another BDay

Just another birthday.. not exactly the nicest one of late nor one I want to remember.

Having to attend a friend/co-workers funeral (see previous post) is not the best way I can think of spending one's birthday but such is life sometimes I guess. My wife Karen attended with me and she had to attend a 7 year old student of her's funeral in the morning. Not a nice day. It WAS nice getting cards, hugs, and help from Karen and our son Austin today though.

I'm ready for the day to be over.