Starting to rewrite way too late, but fortunately I have a slight reprieve until Tuesday to get the first 50 pages done. This past week the voices had been bugging me that I was sloughing off. I should be looking at this layoff as an opportunity to write.
For anybody who has been laid-off, we know that finding a job is in and of itself a full-time pursuit. And I've been over obsessing that search as well. I've been having a hard time dealing with not having a day thing.
But yesterday morning my brain clicked over and I've been pouring through all my notes from Viable Paradise. And really wishing I had three more hours with Teresa. Most of the other critiques I'm going through and will be recycling their notes. I'm keeping what she did. It's like watching magic. And I think I need to study her notes a few more times to glean all the info I can.
So, a little bit of a stuttering start, but Chapter One is down. Now, the first fifty is also the segment I've already rewritten a few times, so I don't expect the counters to move that much, but we've still added to he word count. We're up to 73311. Now it's back to the coal mines.
Raas Xaafuun is a full story. I'll let it molder a bit before going back for another turn through it. Probably after I've gone through most of this rewrite.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Cost of Tea in China
There are two ways to price a service or product. The first way is the way most people believe products may be priced, and that's by cost. However, most product are priced the second way, on value. Pricing by cost is fairly simple, you take how much it costs to produce a certain product, market it, ship it, shelve it, etc., ad on a profit margin and blammo, you've got your MSRP. However most products are priced by value, also know as "what the market will bear." You can think of this pricing as based on, in the case of books, "how much enjoyment you get out of the book compared to how much money you've got to spend." There's a little but more to it, like how much other products in the market place for the same sector cost, the experience, quality, all those other things compared to what you want to sell.
Price by value will typically (but not always) be more than price by cost. And there is usually more cost in a product than people really give a thought about. Like that blue color used on your blue jeans, not only does that need to be specified (and if you don't think there isn't big money in spec'ing color, you have no idea), it needs to be formulated, blended to change the denim used in your jeans. And you'll notice that each make of blue jeans have a slightly different shade or tint of blue to them.
Now, the value side of the equation works more on this equation, "How much value (there's where this formulation gets its name) does this product/service provide? We think it's worth this much." I first saw how this works in management consulting, specifically in tax consulting. The argument typically went like this, "Our audit and tax practices can save you an extra $X on your tax bill, we think it's worth at least $1/3X (you still save 2/3X)." With an effective practice this increased billing by nearly 10x over straight cost+ models.
You can also think of these models as commodity versus service (although, it's a little misleading as some services are priced on the cost+ model and many commodities are priced on "what the market will bear"). Maybe "value-added" is a better word than service.
You can look at this as how much you pay for your commodities. Say, clothing. Most clothing sold in the US about 30 years ago were produced in the US. Now, most are produced elsewhere (including growing cotton here in the US, shipping it abroad, manufacturing the cloth, cutting and stitching it into the final product and then shipped back to the US). The overall cost to produce has been reduced (not that much as you've introduced costs of shipping, high costs in long distance management, spoilage, and higher manufacturing errors - ie. quality). Notice they didn't really pass the savings on to the end consumer. So what happened is the pricing on the wholesale side went to commoditization and on the consumer side it went to value (this is why brand name and identity are so important, even through they've lost cache in the past twenty years). This is why Wal-Mart (and great mover in the commoditization of production) can "roll back" prices. Really, they aren't loosing money (for the most part), they're only reducing their gross profits (and is a whole different post on how you can sell some product for less than cost but still make an overall profit - both as loss leader and shipment cost structures).
Over the past forty years the cost to physically produce a product has dropped dramatically because of modernization, miniaturization, and automation. However, the incidental costs, the parts most people don't see or recognize as part of the product, have increased.
And here is where we come to a current discussion, the price of books. Back in the 70s the cost of the book was mostly in the product itself (the paper, ink, and binding). The actual production costs of the printed book is less today (even before adjusting for inflation) than it was forty years ago. However, the other costs of the book (the part hidden from the consumer) have increased to offset the reduction in production. Editors, marketers, packagers, illustration, layout/typsetting, etc have all increased until they are the largest part of the cost of the books. These are all upfront costs. That is, before you see the actual product, someone needs to pay for all that. Once paid for, though, they don't all need to be done again (or at least they shouldn't need to be done again). However, their cost needs to be amortized throughout the expected sales cycle.
This is part of why, as print runs keep being reduced, the one-time costs become greater parts of the final price per piece. Again, forty years ago it wasn't uncommon to print 20,000 books as an initial run (and expect to sell 80%). These days 10,000 books is a sizable run (and you're doing good to sell 70%). So instead of costing out your production for 16,000 pieces, you now need to make the same (well, more because it's adjusted for inflation) on only 7,000 pieces. So you see how the cost of the physical production of the book can be reduced by over 60%, but why books now cost more?
This is also why when the discussion comes up about ebooks most people miss that the actual cost of the pulp, ink, and glue of the thing they hold in their hands isn't what they're really paying for. So they don't understand why ebooks aren't heavily discounted. It's pretty simple, the costs that were bourn by the 7,000 physical pieces are now being reduced to 2-3,000 physical pieces and 6,000 electronically delivered pieces (and, just so we're clear, that delivery of the electronic products is not $0: server storage, bandwidth, virus protection, quality control, storefont software, etc all cost money). edit And actually it'll be more like 5,000 hard copy and 1,000 ebooks (another post is how even in these days, two-thirds of music unit sales are still CDs).
Now, the good news, once all those precosts are amortized out, the price of the ebook version of a text should drop dramatically. And this whole argument about how the big publishers are against ebooks is a bunch of crap. Ever listen to one of those big publishers talk about the cost of returns? Yeah, the big publishers love the prospect of ebooks and their elimination of the need for returns. They just want to make sure they're able to stay in business to continue providing their readers with a quality entertainment experience and their authors (and themselves) with a livelihood.
Price by value will typically (but not always) be more than price by cost. And there is usually more cost in a product than people really give a thought about. Like that blue color used on your blue jeans, not only does that need to be specified (and if you don't think there isn't big money in spec'ing color, you have no idea), it needs to be formulated, blended to change the denim used in your jeans. And you'll notice that each make of blue jeans have a slightly different shade or tint of blue to them.
Now, the value side of the equation works more on this equation, "How much value (there's where this formulation gets its name) does this product/service provide? We think it's worth this much." I first saw how this works in management consulting, specifically in tax consulting. The argument typically went like this, "Our audit and tax practices can save you an extra $X on your tax bill, we think it's worth at least $1/3X (you still save 2/3X)." With an effective practice this increased billing by nearly 10x over straight cost+ models.
You can also think of these models as commodity versus service (although, it's a little misleading as some services are priced on the cost+ model and many commodities are priced on "what the market will bear"). Maybe "value-added" is a better word than service.
You can look at this as how much you pay for your commodities. Say, clothing. Most clothing sold in the US about 30 years ago were produced in the US. Now, most are produced elsewhere (including growing cotton here in the US, shipping it abroad, manufacturing the cloth, cutting and stitching it into the final product and then shipped back to the US). The overall cost to produce has been reduced (not that much as you've introduced costs of shipping, high costs in long distance management, spoilage, and higher manufacturing errors - ie. quality). Notice they didn't really pass the savings on to the end consumer. So what happened is the pricing on the wholesale side went to commoditization and on the consumer side it went to value (this is why brand name and identity are so important, even through they've lost cache in the past twenty years). This is why Wal-Mart (and great mover in the commoditization of production) can "roll back" prices. Really, they aren't loosing money (for the most part), they're only reducing their gross profits (and is a whole different post on how you can sell some product for less than cost but still make an overall profit - both as loss leader and shipment cost structures).
Over the past forty years the cost to physically produce a product has dropped dramatically because of modernization, miniaturization, and automation. However, the incidental costs, the parts most people don't see or recognize as part of the product, have increased.
And here is where we come to a current discussion, the price of books. Back in the 70s the cost of the book was mostly in the product itself (the paper, ink, and binding). The actual production costs of the printed book is less today (even before adjusting for inflation) than it was forty years ago. However, the other costs of the book (the part hidden from the consumer) have increased to offset the reduction in production. Editors, marketers, packagers, illustration, layout/typsetting, etc have all increased until they are the largest part of the cost of the books. These are all upfront costs. That is, before you see the actual product, someone needs to pay for all that. Once paid for, though, they don't all need to be done again (or at least they shouldn't need to be done again). However, their cost needs to be amortized throughout the expected sales cycle.
This is part of why, as print runs keep being reduced, the one-time costs become greater parts of the final price per piece. Again, forty years ago it wasn't uncommon to print 20,000 books as an initial run (and expect to sell 80%). These days 10,000 books is a sizable run (and you're doing good to sell 70%). So instead of costing out your production for 16,000 pieces, you now need to make the same (well, more because it's adjusted for inflation) on only 7,000 pieces. So you see how the cost of the physical production of the book can be reduced by over 60%, but why books now cost more?
This is also why when the discussion comes up about ebooks most people miss that the actual cost of the pulp, ink, and glue of the thing they hold in their hands isn't what they're really paying for. So they don't understand why ebooks aren't heavily discounted. It's pretty simple, the costs that were bourn by the 7,000 physical pieces are now being reduced to 2-3,000 physical pieces and 6,000 electronically delivered pieces (and, just so we're clear, that delivery of the electronic products is not $0: server storage, bandwidth, virus protection, quality control, storefont software, etc all cost money). edit And actually it'll be more like 5,000 hard copy and 1,000 ebooks (another post is how even in these days, two-thirds of music unit sales are still CDs).
Now, the good news, once all those precosts are amortized out, the price of the ebook version of a text should drop dramatically. And this whole argument about how the big publishers are against ebooks is a bunch of crap. Ever listen to one of those big publishers talk about the cost of returns? Yeah, the big publishers love the prospect of ebooks and their elimination of the need for returns. They just want to make sure they're able to stay in business to continue providing their readers with a quality entertainment experience and their authors (and themselves) with a livelihood.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Disconnection Friday
Nonsequitur comic. Yeah. So feel like that guy. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
Most of the jobs the past three days are reposts of older jobs. So this time I've done various levels of research and sent of direct emails to the decision makers. Not sure if it will help, but hopefully. There's a few positions not in my profession that I'll also need to apply to. Right now I'm in the middle of rewriting the resume to make myself appear more appetizing for those. I haven't done front office work since college, but I think I still could drive a desk pretty well.
Went online to look at the summer schedule for Lakeland. Yet another example of "gee, everything online is so much better," thinking. Really, tables are just fabulous when looking through large amounts of data and comparing multiple criteria. They're very easy. Unlike, say, formated paragraphs which tell me everything I've already preselected for.
Watching the Health Care Summit yesterday, my blood pressure went up appreciably. Today's argument, of course, was all about reconciliation and how it actually has been used, as compared to the rhetoric surrounding it (COBRA, Welfare Reform, Bush Tax Cuts I and II). Just small things to hear the minority tell it.
Snow has come again. Another snowmageddon record breaking storm. Spring will be here soon enough. And if past years are any gauge, by June we'll be wondering when the heat will break.
Sent poems off to a local contest run by the Akron Art Museum. Finished a full draft of Raas Xaafuun. I'll still need to run through it a few more times. Part of the disconnected feeling comes from this. I like it well enough, but it doesn't sparkle in my head either.
Yes, today is just a grand feeling of discombobulation. How's your day?
Most of the jobs the past three days are reposts of older jobs. So this time I've done various levels of research and sent of direct emails to the decision makers. Not sure if it will help, but hopefully. There's a few positions not in my profession that I'll also need to apply to. Right now I'm in the middle of rewriting the resume to make myself appear more appetizing for those. I haven't done front office work since college, but I think I still could drive a desk pretty well.
Went online to look at the summer schedule for Lakeland. Yet another example of "gee, everything online is so much better," thinking. Really, tables are just fabulous when looking through large amounts of data and comparing multiple criteria. They're very easy. Unlike, say, formated paragraphs which tell me everything I've already preselected for.
Watching the Health Care Summit yesterday, my blood pressure went up appreciably. Today's argument, of course, was all about reconciliation and how it actually has been used, as compared to the rhetoric surrounding it (COBRA, Welfare Reform, Bush Tax Cuts I and II). Just small things to hear the minority tell it.
Snow has come again. Another snowmageddon record breaking storm. Spring will be here soon enough. And if past years are any gauge, by June we'll be wondering when the heat will break.
Sent poems off to a local contest run by the Akron Art Museum. Finished a full draft of Raas Xaafuun. I'll still need to run through it a few more times. Part of the disconnected feeling comes from this. I like it well enough, but it doesn't sparkle in my head either.
Yes, today is just a grand feeling of discombobulation. How's your day?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Karma is going to be a busy person come the recovery
Several "Ten Rules for Writing" lists from the Guardian. (grokked from Jay Lake).
One job listing for a designer using Flash; less than 10 hours a week, on an as needed basis, there's 13 candidates, and the average posting wage is $10.71 an hour. Okay, I get just a little less than that on unemployment for applying to two jobs a week. Seriously, WTF kind of jobs market is this? Oh yes, karma is going to be working overtime come the next uptick. Don't believe me? Here's a screen capture.
I guess I didn't do a post on pricing schemes (value versus cost), which I'll need to do soon. See, $11 an hour for Flash programming is ridiculously low. Any design work for that amount is ridiculously low. Seriously. My first design job back in 1990 was for $13 an hour, and that was slave wages back then (but at least I got medical). Eleven is "just graduated high school student living in their parent's basement" wages.
(As an aside, I guess I also haven't done a post on terrorism, which I'll also need to do soon. I went to look for it the other day to make a point with someone and realized it wasn't there).
And then there was this on elance: "8 pages product catalog with text and photos. About 50 photos not provided, must be included in bid price." It's also a food supply company. Shooting food is a speciality (and requires a deep knowledge base to get it right). The budget listing is less than $500. In fact, most of the jobs have a budget less than $500.
Okay, if design is going toward a cost pricing model, it's time to get out. Cost is the Wal-Mart pricing model, only it's the common perception of the Wal-Mart model, not the reality. Or, it's the pricing model Wal-Mart enforces on their suppliers. Once that happens, it's a dive to the bottom. Industries crash this way. So, yeah, I'm thinking transitioning out of this isn't such a bad idea at the moment.
And, if I can say it, the "data entry at home" jobs and their postings (which have clogged up my searches the past few days) need to roll over and die. They're the spam of job postings.
One job listing for a designer using Flash; less than 10 hours a week, on an as needed basis, there's 13 candidates, and the average posting wage is $10.71 an hour. Okay, I get just a little less than that on unemployment for applying to two jobs a week. Seriously, WTF kind of jobs market is this? Oh yes, karma is going to be working overtime come the next uptick. Don't believe me? Here's a screen capture.
I guess I didn't do a post on pricing schemes (value versus cost), which I'll need to do soon. See, $11 an hour for Flash programming is ridiculously low. Any design work for that amount is ridiculously low. Seriously. My first design job back in 1990 was for $13 an hour, and that was slave wages back then (but at least I got medical). Eleven is "just graduated high school student living in their parent's basement" wages.
(As an aside, I guess I also haven't done a post on terrorism, which I'll also need to do soon. I went to look for it the other day to make a point with someone and realized it wasn't there).
And then there was this on elance: "8 pages product catalog with text and photos. About 50 photos not provided, must be included in bid price." It's also a food supply company. Shooting food is a speciality (and requires a deep knowledge base to get it right). The budget listing is less than $500. In fact, most of the jobs have a budget less than $500.
Okay, if design is going toward a cost pricing model, it's time to get out. Cost is the Wal-Mart pricing model, only it's the common perception of the Wal-Mart model, not the reality. Or, it's the pricing model Wal-Mart enforces on their suppliers. Once that happens, it's a dive to the bottom. Industries crash this way. So, yeah, I'm thinking transitioning out of this isn't such a bad idea at the moment.
And, if I can say it, the "data entry at home" jobs and their postings (which have clogged up my searches the past few days) need to roll over and die. They're the spam of job postings.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday muddled through
When I was but a wee lad and playing baseball, I remember the coaches telling us that even if we were thrown out at first, we needed to "dig, dig, dig" and make it there anyway. I think some of the olympians needed to have heard that before. It's not over until you cross the finish or they carry you off.
So, today, we started applying for positions outside of the design field. I might not get as good of pay, but sometimes a job with benefits is better than no job. I'm also finding it interesting what people are asking for, especially for my profession. Essentially, you have to do everything. Print, web, consulting, and maybe specialization in some office productivity software. Oh, and it's an entry level position. Heck, I've even seen "unpaid intern" positions that offer "a learning opportunity." Since many of my friends are in writing, this is the equivalent of "exposure" publication. Now, an internship in a studio, that's one thing. Being an intern in what's called "in-house" just is looking for slave labor. Especially if you report to someone other than a Sr. Designer or Art Director (the two I've seen report to someone in sales or the management team - ie. not the design management team).
Learned about "ultrasound tech." Wow. (do a salary search for your locality - holy frijoles) Unfortunately I can't find any place local that trains for it. Sigh.
Started cleaning up the Raas Xaafuun story. Really should be working or rewriting the novel. Beating myself up for not doing that. I'm hoping this is my brain saying, "Okay, enough time off, get back to work." Maybe I should hit the Village Hall to get broadband and start submitting some things that I let drop off the radar. Also should query some submissions that are over a year old.
So, today, we started applying for positions outside of the design field. I might not get as good of pay, but sometimes a job with benefits is better than no job. I'm also finding it interesting what people are asking for, especially for my profession. Essentially, you have to do everything. Print, web, consulting, and maybe specialization in some office productivity software. Oh, and it's an entry level position. Heck, I've even seen "unpaid intern" positions that offer "a learning opportunity." Since many of my friends are in writing, this is the equivalent of "exposure" publication. Now, an internship in a studio, that's one thing. Being an intern in what's called "in-house" just is looking for slave labor. Especially if you report to someone other than a Sr. Designer or Art Director (the two I've seen report to someone in sales or the management team - ie. not the design management team).
Learned about "ultrasound tech." Wow. (do a salary search for your locality - holy frijoles) Unfortunately I can't find any place local that trains for it. Sigh.
Started cleaning up the Raas Xaafuun story. Really should be working or rewriting the novel. Beating myself up for not doing that. I'm hoping this is my brain saying, "Okay, enough time off, get back to work." Maybe I should hit the Village Hall to get broadband and start submitting some things that I let drop off the radar. Also should query some submissions that are over a year old.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Random late Mondays
Spent the day running around. I think I need to start into a definite routine. I'm thinking up early, Wii Fit, shower, walk (if weather permits), search for jobs, work on edits, chores, lunch, the wip, fix dinner, etc. Okay, maybe not all in that order. Especially if freelance comes in (two quotes didn't get work, only one very short project in the works).
I'm also going through tutorials for CSS. Pretty much what I remembered (and not exactly exciting). Soon we'll get into positioning and floating and that fun stuff. Then I'll need to redo my website incorporating all the new buzzy stuff to show that yes, I can do this stuff. Now won't you hire me. It's a problem when the people you work for don't sell the cutting edge things. And I've always learned better by doing and solving problems than reading a book.
Tonight there was a mandatory information session for health care technology program candidates. We went over a ton of crap, and frankly, it's a wonder anybody goes through this. Waiting list for Radiological Tech is 2-3 years. Which means I take the none clinical and radiologic specific classes waiting for a turn (and work on the immunizations, I have to get my CPR card, again, get medical insurance, do a background check, take the HOBET test). I have a question into the dean of the program concerning my court marshal and if that would disqualify me (for both the program, certification, and employment you need to pass a criminal background check). I don't think it would (not felony, not drug related, no violence, etc). But you never know and it's better to ask now than be surprised after spending a bunch of money and time. Also, for entrance, fees, GPA, tests (except for NET/HOBET test), and waiting time, the Radiological Tech program is the most rigorous. For the majority of it, I'm not worried. My concern is Anatomy and Physiology I and II. Those will be the make it or bust classes. If the classes are structured in their presentation, I think I'll do fine. If not, the memorization will be an issue with me. And I have to keep a 2.8 GPA while doing it. Then again, I might just be psyching myself out.
Oh, and Jay Lake has another point on why I support health care overhaul (and why I am, specifically, a "pro-public option because we'll never get single payor" kind of guy).
And for the writing, I have most of the Raas Xaafuun story down. Just need to plug some holes in it, and then rewrite to make it darker, moodier, and more horrorish. Today's new writing concerned getting out some stuff that was a rewrite of an older story (never finished). I still don't know if it is a story or what the conflict is (main thrust is accepting what we are, no matter how much it hurts).
I'm also going through tutorials for CSS. Pretty much what I remembered (and not exactly exciting). Soon we'll get into positioning and floating and that fun stuff. Then I'll need to redo my website incorporating all the new buzzy stuff to show that yes, I can do this stuff. Now won't you hire me. It's a problem when the people you work for don't sell the cutting edge things. And I've always learned better by doing and solving problems than reading a book.
Tonight there was a mandatory information session for health care technology program candidates. We went over a ton of crap, and frankly, it's a wonder anybody goes through this. Waiting list for Radiological Tech is 2-3 years. Which means I take the none clinical and radiologic specific classes waiting for a turn (and work on the immunizations, I have to get my CPR card, again, get medical insurance, do a background check, take the HOBET test). I have a question into the dean of the program concerning my court marshal and if that would disqualify me (for both the program, certification, and employment you need to pass a criminal background check). I don't think it would (not felony, not drug related, no violence, etc). But you never know and it's better to ask now than be surprised after spending a bunch of money and time. Also, for entrance, fees, GPA, tests (except for NET/HOBET test), and waiting time, the Radiological Tech program is the most rigorous. For the majority of it, I'm not worried. My concern is Anatomy and Physiology I and II. Those will be the make it or bust classes. If the classes are structured in their presentation, I think I'll do fine. If not, the memorization will be an issue with me. And I have to keep a 2.8 GPA while doing it. Then again, I might just be psyching myself out.
Oh, and Jay Lake has another point on why I support health care overhaul (and why I am, specifically, a "pro-public option because we'll never get single payor" kind of guy).
And for the writing, I have most of the Raas Xaafuun story down. Just need to plug some holes in it, and then rewrite to make it darker, moodier, and more horrorish. Today's new writing concerned getting out some stuff that was a rewrite of an older story (never finished). I still don't know if it is a story or what the conflict is (main thrust is accepting what we are, no matter how much it hurts).
"Are the feathers your gandfather's?"
"They're my own," Jackson said. He kid looked quizzical and he quickly added, "When I was a boy, a little older than you are now, I climbed the tallest pine tree I knew and had a talk with old-man eagle." He put the knapsack on and started walking up the trail. The kid followed. "'Give me you tail feathers,' I said to the old bird. 'You'll molt soon and won't need them.' And then he said, 'An eagle does not give his feathers away.' And then he jumped me." Jackson slammed a fist into his other palm. "Knocked us both out of the tree."
Jackson stopped and waited for the kid to catch up. "On the way down I wrestled with him and pulled four feathers out before he got away. Then I put two feathers in each hand and started flapping for all I was worth. By the time I got to the ground I had learned to fly." He paused to catch his breath. "That's why eagles cry when they see me," he thumped his chest. "They know I know their secret."
"That's baloney," the kid said.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Be careful for what you wish for
The other day I was in the Village Hall when our local Tea Party organizer came in with pamphlets. She asked the clerks if they new about the big meeting up at the KSU Ashtabula Branch to talk about the increases in the electrical distribution charges, the removal of the all electric discount, generation charge increases, and what they could do. I'm very glad they didn't try to engage me. I understand how upset they are.
And slightly disappointed. So, the organization that really would like to have less government involvement in their lives, are upset there's less government involvement in their lives. Yes, PUCO (our state regulator) screwed up (not the first time with First Energy, see the CFL's at 1000% plan and the mercury release plan). PUCO has long been taken over by corporate interests because of several conservative administrations just not giving a damn about it (and arguing against any regulation at all). In fact, they pushed to deregulate the state's energy production, all in the name of "competition" and "lower prices." Well, lower prices haven't come about. And for First Energy's area we've only had two other companies offering competition. The first, Green Mountain Energy pulled out when First Energy held back the collected fees for more than six months (which was illegal, but nothing was done about it). The second, Gexxa, just pulled out (no explanation has been forth coming). So First Energy has no competition and is very lightly regulated.
And most of these people were very happy to abandon NOPEC when it looked like First Energy was going to give them a discount.
So, want to lower costs? Well, you can re-regulate the market, introducing a stronger PUCO, one that answers to the people, instead of being run second hand by the industries. But that means more government interference in your daily lives, something you've argued against (and let slip away because you felt that an unregulated market would work best for you). Or rejoining NOPEC and making it stronger. But that's a collective, something very much like socialism, which again you've argued against (by conflating things that really weren't equal).
And now having got exactly what you argued for, less government involvement and an open/free market, you're not happy about it. Really hate to tell you we said so. Yep. We really didn't want to be in this circumstance.
Oh, hey, how's you're health care insurance going? What's your increase this year? Also, notice how Medicare Advantage and Part D (you know, those parts the conservatives made sure were privatized, and mandated overpayments to) are also increasing their premiums by double digit percentages? Also just saw a Fox News report about how doctors' offices are now requiring you leave a credit card on file in case your insurance doesn't pay, or pays slowly. They'll just charge the card now. Yep, seems doctors, who most have a billing department, have grown tired of fighting your insurance companies on your behalf. Good thing we stopped that horrible reform.
I believe this is what's known as being hoisted on one's own petard. The good thing for us is that businesses are not long term thinkers. For them, having defeated the problems last quarter, they are far beyond it. And they don't expect you to see the connections.
And slightly disappointed. So, the organization that really would like to have less government involvement in their lives, are upset there's less government involvement in their lives. Yes, PUCO (our state regulator) screwed up (not the first time with First Energy, see the CFL's at 1000% plan and the mercury release plan). PUCO has long been taken over by corporate interests because of several conservative administrations just not giving a damn about it (and arguing against any regulation at all). In fact, they pushed to deregulate the state's energy production, all in the name of "competition" and "lower prices." Well, lower prices haven't come about. And for First Energy's area we've only had two other companies offering competition. The first, Green Mountain Energy pulled out when First Energy held back the collected fees for more than six months (which was illegal, but nothing was done about it). The second, Gexxa, just pulled out (no explanation has been forth coming). So First Energy has no competition and is very lightly regulated.
And most of these people were very happy to abandon NOPEC when it looked like First Energy was going to give them a discount.
So, want to lower costs? Well, you can re-regulate the market, introducing a stronger PUCO, one that answers to the people, instead of being run second hand by the industries. But that means more government interference in your daily lives, something you've argued against (and let slip away because you felt that an unregulated market would work best for you). Or rejoining NOPEC and making it stronger. But that's a collective, something very much like socialism, which again you've argued against (by conflating things that really weren't equal).
And now having got exactly what you argued for, less government involvement and an open/free market, you're not happy about it. Really hate to tell you we said so. Yep. We really didn't want to be in this circumstance.
Oh, hey, how's you're health care insurance going? What's your increase this year? Also, notice how Medicare Advantage and Part D (you know, those parts the conservatives made sure were privatized, and mandated overpayments to) are also increasing their premiums by double digit percentages? Also just saw a Fox News report about how doctors' offices are now requiring you leave a credit card on file in case your insurance doesn't pay, or pays slowly. They'll just charge the card now. Yep, seems doctors, who most have a billing department, have grown tired of fighting your insurance companies on your behalf. Good thing we stopped that horrible reform.
I believe this is what's known as being hoisted on one's own petard. The good thing for us is that businesses are not long term thinkers. For them, having defeated the problems last quarter, they are far beyond it. And they don't expect you to see the connections.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Groundhog Day All Over Again
The spammers have left their burrows and haven't been frightened by their shadows. Just a few trial comment postings. Sigh. Here's a hint, if you're replying to a blog post I did three years ago, yeah, I'm thinking you might just be spam. Sure, there's a chance that someone is doing searches for things and lands on a page. But then to leave such a non-comment comment, I don't think so.
Today is the test. We'll see how we do. Had some slight test panic this morning. Don't know where the heck that came from. I'm normally good with these things. I think it may have to do with really wanting to hit it out of the park so they don't even think about putting me in an enumerator position. And I think that "wanting to score the best" emotion is what might be doing it. I've never really felt the need to do better than others, just do the best I can.
Also, looking at the materials for Radiologic Tech, there's also a test I need for that. Strangely enough, there's a science part of the test, but that result of that section isn't a determinant to get into the health technologies programs. The rest of the test is a general skills (math, writing, reading, cognitive), a little more rigorous than the census, but not by much (multiplying compound fractions? Really, it's a digital age, we do it with decimals now). The program itself is fast paced (most semesters you have 15-18 credit hours). Since some of those are not major specific (English, Math, Speaking), I'm hoping I can either have my BFA stand in for it, or test out of them. There's a few classes I'll need to take (as my high school experience is way too long ago). Basically three classes; Bio for Majors, Medical Terminology, and Anatomy and Physiology I. The first two I've got no issues with (heck, if I can test out of Bio for Majors I might try that, Terminology I think there's enough holes in my knowledge base there I should take it). Anatomy, though, is going to be my weeder course. It's not so much the gross anatomy things, or the functions, it's the memorization of the latin names. I've never been really good with that. Hopefully if it's presented in a logical format it'll make more sense to me. And supposedly you can complete all the coursework at night and on weekends (according to the program director Bette talked with). So that would be good.
One of the things that came up my research of it is those who have more than one methodology skill set have a better chance of being hired, increased salary, and of being promoted. The certificate programs for CT and MRI are basically the same except for four hours of clinical work. So, if I continue this, oh yeah are we going for both.
Today is the test. We'll see how we do. Had some slight test panic this morning. Don't know where the heck that came from. I'm normally good with these things. I think it may have to do with really wanting to hit it out of the park so they don't even think about putting me in an enumerator position. And I think that "wanting to score the best" emotion is what might be doing it. I've never really felt the need to do better than others, just do the best I can.
Also, looking at the materials for Radiologic Tech, there's also a test I need for that. Strangely enough, there's a science part of the test, but that result of that section isn't a determinant to get into the health technologies programs. The rest of the test is a general skills (math, writing, reading, cognitive), a little more rigorous than the census, but not by much (multiplying compound fractions? Really, it's a digital age, we do it with decimals now). The program itself is fast paced (most semesters you have 15-18 credit hours). Since some of those are not major specific (English, Math, Speaking), I'm hoping I can either have my BFA stand in for it, or test out of them. There's a few classes I'll need to take (as my high school experience is way too long ago). Basically three classes; Bio for Majors, Medical Terminology, and Anatomy and Physiology I. The first two I've got no issues with (heck, if I can test out of Bio for Majors I might try that, Terminology I think there's enough holes in my knowledge base there I should take it). Anatomy, though, is going to be my weeder course. It's not so much the gross anatomy things, or the functions, it's the memorization of the latin names. I've never been really good with that. Hopefully if it's presented in a logical format it'll make more sense to me. And supposedly you can complete all the coursework at night and on weekends (according to the program director Bette talked with). So that would be good.
One of the things that came up my research of it is those who have more than one methodology skill set have a better chance of being hired, increased salary, and of being promoted. The certificate programs for CT and MRI are basically the same except for four hours of clinical work. So, if I continue this, oh yeah are we going for both.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A station break for these important whatevers
The US Census is hiring, and there's a local temporary office in Painesville (Regional Office is Detroit). At one of the colleges Bette works at they'll be having a test tomorrow. So I called up and asked if they had any office jobs left open (the flyer implies that they do). Hemming and hawing proceeded. Of course, any position I would receive would be based on the results of the test they administer. Sure, fine, but I really don't want to be an enumerator (those are the people on the streets, knocking on doors). I did a canvasing job in college and I only lasted a few weeks. It's not something I wish to re-experience. But I'm good and numbers and statistics, and I do really well in an office setting. At the end of the call the person answering the phone (who had to ask if I, as a non-student, could take the test at Lakeland. Yes, I can, BTW) said I should make sure to take the sample exam so I'd be prepared.
Sample exam and actual test both have 28 questions. Both only allow 30 minutes to answer the questions. They suggest you set a timer for the sample test. Okay, so I set the stove timer for 30 minutes and dug into the sample test.
Am I bragging if I say it took me only 20 minutes, including the time to walk from the kitchen and get all the papers and a pencil ready, reshuffle the papers, get up and turn the timer off. What if I say I got 100%? Now would that be bragging?
Sample exam and actual test both have 28 questions. Both only allow 30 minutes to answer the questions. They suggest you set a timer for the sample test. Okay, so I set the stove timer for 30 minutes and dug into the sample test.
Am I bragging if I say it took me only 20 minutes, including the time to walk from the kitchen and get all the papers and a pencil ready, reshuffle the papers, get up and turn the timer off. What if I say I got 100%? Now would that be bragging?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
There has to be an invisible sun.
Nuclear is one of the most expensive generation technologies out there. Don't believe me? Well, I don't blame you. Most of the arguments center around the cost if you don't include the development price. And then, sure, it's one of the cheapest. However, the cost of developing the plant is astronomical compared to other forms of generation. Again, don't believe me?
Okay, Perry Nuclear Power Plant was constructed by the company that became First Energy here in NE Ohio nearly 33 years ago. And they're still arguing with our PUCO (our state regulator) on increasing rates and fees to help pay off the initial costs of building the plant. Operating costs are wrapped into your generation costs on your bill. This is still paying off actually building the place. And while they don't have to replace the fuel often, when they do it is very expensive.
And did I forget to mention the numerous safety violations. Although Perry is First Energy's safest plant, they've still had their issues of being shut down for months to correct safety issues. Davis-Bessy is worse. You may remember they were shut down for nearly a year to fix a problem were acid had eaten a significant hole in the reactor lid. You know, that six inch thick lead dome that holds the radioactive emissions within the reactor chamber that is supposed to be visually inspected every month.
And then there's the waste. Forget the spent fuel (although there's been problems with that), I'm mostly thinking about thedeuterium tritium and waste heat water. The waste hot water can be mitigated (although it does cause local environmental damage), the deuterium tritium, however, is a long term concern. It's low-level radioactivity, but there's a lot of it. Most people don't know it's held in large (hopefully) lined ponds and tanks. This is what most of Yucca Mountain will store. The actual fuel is only a small part. edits Dr. Phil reminds/schools me that it's actually tritium that's the radioactive byproduct of fission.
Oh, and Yucca Mountain still isn't online. Once it is, it'll take fifteen years to ship and prepare the waste we already have (that's not counting the extra waste we produce in those years).
Is nuclear power better for the environment? Yes and no. It's a trade off. Right now we're mostly concerned with decreasing our green house gas emissions and nuclear power (in it's generation) produces very little. However, producing the fuel rods, construction of the plants, and operations off the plant site do produce those gases. Not as much as a coal fired plant. And the waste nuclear produces, volumetrically wise, is much reduced. that waste, however, is a centuries long issue.
So, why do the French have so many of them? Because they don't have much local coal or natural gas and their Africancolonies holdings are rich in uranium. Germany has a larger installed base of solar power (yes, Germany, more northernly and more cloudy than most of the US). China is becoming the world leader in wind technology. Iceland gets all of it's power from geothermal. But you don't hear about emulating them, do you? (Again, my approach is 1) location specific, and 2) has a larger component of point source generation)
Okay, Perry Nuclear Power Plant was constructed by the company that became First Energy here in NE Ohio nearly 33 years ago. And they're still arguing with our PUCO (our state regulator) on increasing rates and fees to help pay off the initial costs of building the plant. Operating costs are wrapped into your generation costs on your bill. This is still paying off actually building the place. And while they don't have to replace the fuel often, when they do it is very expensive.
And did I forget to mention the numerous safety violations. Although Perry is First Energy's safest plant, they've still had their issues of being shut down for months to correct safety issues. Davis-Bessy is worse. You may remember they were shut down for nearly a year to fix a problem were acid had eaten a significant hole in the reactor lid. You know, that six inch thick lead dome that holds the radioactive emissions within the reactor chamber that is supposed to be visually inspected every month.
And then there's the waste. Forget the spent fuel (although there's been problems with that), I'm mostly thinking about the
Oh, and Yucca Mountain still isn't online. Once it is, it'll take fifteen years to ship and prepare the waste we already have (that's not counting the extra waste we produce in those years).
Is nuclear power better for the environment? Yes and no. It's a trade off. Right now we're mostly concerned with decreasing our green house gas emissions and nuclear power (in it's generation) produces very little. However, producing the fuel rods, construction of the plants, and operations off the plant site do produce those gases. Not as much as a coal fired plant. And the waste nuclear produces, volumetrically wise, is much reduced. that waste, however, is a centuries long issue.
So, why do the French have so many of them? Because they don't have much local coal or natural gas and their African
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
He can tell me what to do, but he can't tell me what to feel
Doing some big thinking lately. I love graphic design. When the juices flow and everything starts working together and coming in and you can maintain the grids and proportions and arrive at a design that kicks butt (and the client actually lets you keep it that way), it's a high I can't describe. Ecstasy I'm sure is very close to it. When a client tells me that a design we did for them is bringing them in new customers or making their sales easier, that's also a big jolt. Heck, I had one client who's criticism is that I made them look too professional and their customers thought they had been bought out by a big corporate interest (but still increased their customer list, just lost some older customers)... well, bad designer, I made them look too good. That's fixable (and it was the direction they wanted to go - with a more professional image).
However, graphic design is a young person's game. When I got the job at a printer I was pretty happy. That's an old designer's job, and my boss was younger than me (which meant, I thought, I could have a job until retirement). I did well in the job, and I got to do some good design stuff. But I look out and I see at least half the graduates in my class are no longer working in the industry. I'm at that point in my career of dying my hair to appear youthful (although the Wii Fit say's I'm in my early 30s - Wii Fit Age), and I never wanted to be that guy.
If I can stay in design, I would love it. I'm looking at expanding my skills. At the moment I have a bunch of PDFs about how to program XML to drive InDesign (not cutting edge anymore, but I doubt the kids know it). I already know how to script Xpress. XML, though, is the near future and I've been remiss by not looking into it. I can automate most repetitive things in most programs, but not InDesign. So I need to fill that gap. And just in case you're wondering and don't know what I'm talking about, I am a power user of design software. I like knowing how to make them dance and sing and get files that are easy on the production end (hint, stop using transparency, most RIPs don't handle it well and you're costing yourself a half hour of expensive production time by saving yourself 5 minutes). But we're back to being 43 in a field that likes to eat youth. People see my 20 years of experience and think, "his ideas are old" instead of "he knows how to get things done." That's a handicap.
So I'm starting to look at alternatives. If Bette was able to get health insurance, it would be easier. I probably would focus on writing novels in that case. Today, shoveling the driveway, I was thinking about healthcare. See, about seven or eight years ago I shattered my left fibula by slipping on ice in my driveway. If I had done that today, or a kidney stone like I did last summer, I'd be screwed. I don't believe I would qualify for Medicaid yet, and I have some money put away that I probably wouldn't qualify for charity care. Instead, it would bankrupt me. That's not a fun thought as your clearing away snow and breaking up the plowed drift at the end of the driveway that threatened to close off the end (it's where the street plow would throw snow - so deep, heavy, compacted icy snow).
For those of you who don't know, my first major in college was computer programming, math option (yeah, XML, and HTML in it's day, doesn't scare me at all). I didn't leave programming because I couldn't do it (actually, I was quite good). I had already passed the weeder courses and was admitted to the honors program with computer programing as my degree. However it felt empty. Sure, it's a kick when you do your first recursive sub-routine successfully. But you can't walk into Home Depot store and point to a computer program and say, "I did that." Although you can with a Hunter Fan box or a Delta Woodworking tool (yes, I've designed both, unfortunately it's been long enough ago that those designs have cycled out now). And the first thing I'd learn with a new programming language was the output routines so mine would be nicely formatted (instead of a blank array of numbers which were the outputs) and labeled. Information architecture is in my blood and design offered more of an outlet.
Health care jobs are the growth industry (and still will be even with healthcare reform). It's too late to do doctor (I would probably go for anesthesiologist) or pharmacy. Also, I don't have that kind of drive for those that it requires. However, I can do (and would like, I think) radiological technician (Bureau of Labor Statistics outlook page). Having a bachelors degree already would help (somewhat). And the schools Bette teaches at offer classes (mostly associate degrees), so there's some financial help there. It pays well (from what little research I've done). It's a nice balance of healthcare and technology usage. It's experiencing a evolution of tech. They work for hospitals, federal hospitals and military hospitals, private offices, and specialty centers, so there's plenty of places to work.
It's too late to register for classes this spring. Summer would be the first classes I could take. I have until then to land a new job, have a successful freelance practice, be working somewhere, or line up financial aid (I don't know if I'd qualify for retraining funds or not), work through admissions, line up classes and a schedule and explore the profession. Of course, nothing is stopping me from doing all of the above. I love design, but I'm not sure it's loving me back at this point.
However, graphic design is a young person's game. When I got the job at a printer I was pretty happy. That's an old designer's job, and my boss was younger than me (which meant, I thought, I could have a job until retirement). I did well in the job, and I got to do some good design stuff. But I look out and I see at least half the graduates in my class are no longer working in the industry. I'm at that point in my career of dying my hair to appear youthful (although the Wii Fit say's I'm in my early 30s - Wii Fit Age), and I never wanted to be that guy.
If I can stay in design, I would love it. I'm looking at expanding my skills. At the moment I have a bunch of PDFs about how to program XML to drive InDesign (not cutting edge anymore, but I doubt the kids know it). I already know how to script Xpress. XML, though, is the near future and I've been remiss by not looking into it. I can automate most repetitive things in most programs, but not InDesign. So I need to fill that gap. And just in case you're wondering and don't know what I'm talking about, I am a power user of design software. I like knowing how to make them dance and sing and get files that are easy on the production end (hint, stop using transparency, most RIPs don't handle it well and you're costing yourself a half hour of expensive production time by saving yourself 5 minutes). But we're back to being 43 in a field that likes to eat youth. People see my 20 years of experience and think, "his ideas are old" instead of "he knows how to get things done." That's a handicap.
So I'm starting to look at alternatives. If Bette was able to get health insurance, it would be easier. I probably would focus on writing novels in that case. Today, shoveling the driveway, I was thinking about healthcare. See, about seven or eight years ago I shattered my left fibula by slipping on ice in my driveway. If I had done that today, or a kidney stone like I did last summer, I'd be screwed. I don't believe I would qualify for Medicaid yet, and I have some money put away that I probably wouldn't qualify for charity care. Instead, it would bankrupt me. That's not a fun thought as your clearing away snow and breaking up the plowed drift at the end of the driveway that threatened to close off the end (it's where the street plow would throw snow - so deep, heavy, compacted icy snow).
For those of you who don't know, my first major in college was computer programming, math option (yeah, XML, and HTML in it's day, doesn't scare me at all). I didn't leave programming because I couldn't do it (actually, I was quite good). I had already passed the weeder courses and was admitted to the honors program with computer programing as my degree. However it felt empty. Sure, it's a kick when you do your first recursive sub-routine successfully. But you can't walk into Home Depot store and point to a computer program and say, "I did that." Although you can with a Hunter Fan box or a Delta Woodworking tool (yes, I've designed both, unfortunately it's been long enough ago that those designs have cycled out now). And the first thing I'd learn with a new programming language was the output routines so mine would be nicely formatted (instead of a blank array of numbers which were the outputs) and labeled. Information architecture is in my blood and design offered more of an outlet.
Health care jobs are the growth industry (and still will be even with healthcare reform). It's too late to do doctor (I would probably go for anesthesiologist) or pharmacy. Also, I don't have that kind of drive for those that it requires. However, I can do (and would like, I think) radiological technician (Bureau of Labor Statistics outlook page). Having a bachelors degree already would help (somewhat). And the schools Bette teaches at offer classes (mostly associate degrees), so there's some financial help there. It pays well (from what little research I've done). It's a nice balance of healthcare and technology usage. It's experiencing a evolution of tech. They work for hospitals, federal hospitals and military hospitals, private offices, and specialty centers, so there's plenty of places to work.
It's too late to register for classes this spring. Summer would be the first classes I could take. I have until then to land a new job, have a successful freelance practice, be working somewhere, or line up financial aid (I don't know if I'd qualify for retraining funds or not), work through admissions, line up classes and a schedule and explore the profession. Of course, nothing is stopping me from doing all of the above. I love design, but I'm not sure it's loving me back at this point.
Do you breathe what I breathe
Gov. Rich Perry (TX) says that greenhouse gases aren't harmful to humans. Okay, Gov. Perry, I'll accept your argument if you can survive in a chamber filled with 98% CO2 for ten minutes. Do that, and I'll say you have a point. Hey, you should be able to hold your breath for at least three of those minutes. And, yeah, I'd like independent verification. I'll bet the Guinness people would be willing to observe and time it for you. It would be a record worthy of their record book.
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