Tag Archives: Life

‘Numb’ers and Dates or: Growing That Biz

16 Thursday Jan 2020

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Salutations™!!

In the last two days, I have done some “grown-up” things with my business, Such-N-Such Limited, Inc. I’ve gotten a lot busier and honestly, my calendar is filling up and when clients call or email or text and want to get a time, I have to look at the Google Calendar I have and wonder, did I put everything in that I needed to?

Well, I will usually put them down for when we agree on and hope that no one calls or shows up at that time. It doesn’t happen a lot but it has happened in the past. I started looking at online appointment booking tools and realized that I had a brand new tool right under my nose. I am a Square customer for payments, online and in-person. They have a service/tool called Square Appointments and it allows me to put a button on the Such-N-Such Media (the production wing of my business) website and Facebook page as well as The Less Desirables Facebook page.

Square

©Square

Now, customers and clients can click on that button, they can click to find when I have availability and then schedule their appointment. It then syncs to my Google Calendars (and vice versa). I can still make my own appointments in-person and, again, it syncs up. Then I can bill the client or take payment from there. I dig it. I feel all “grown” now.  At least on the scheduling side.

Then, I’ve been using my cell phone number for all my business stuff. Which is fine, really. I try to direct folks to send me an email over a phone call. I don’t like talking on the phone, to be honest. So, I got a Google Voice number to apply to all my business needs. This number allows me to get texts and voice mails via my email and I can reply there.

As much as I hate talking on the phone, I hate typing on my phone just as much. I don’t mind using it for all kinds of “smartphone” things, but I really don’t like typing on it for IMs, texts or emails. I would much rather use a computer for that. This allows me to do that. I can still do it on my phone if I need to, but also able to do it on the computer. Also, I can download voicemails and keep them. That also means that if listeners of any of the podcasts call and leave a voicemail, then I can play it on that podcast. It’s another way for interaction with those listeners.

Or… if you’re reading this blog, I’m going to give out my number so readers can contact me. I may use it here (if I can figure out how as this is a little different than the other blogs I post) if you send me something. If nothing else, I can use the transcript, right? Right. So, I had a few to choose from and I picked the one I did because I could use a word to talk about it. You know how places say “call 1-800-PICK-ONE” or something like that? Yeah, I found one that kind of fits me. After all, I am “less desirable.” So, here’s the number: 336-422-6862. I call it 422-NUMB. I like it. I go with it. Send me a text or leave me a voicemail on that number, I would like that.

Don’t worry, I’m not afraid of people blowing up my phone, I can ignore you fairly easily. It’s my “business” number and I don’t mind giving that out. Well, that’s it, I grew up, I guess. Finally, says The BCPF.

Until tomorrow, keep the digits and schedule an appointment…
Scorp out!

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“A Voice number works on smartphones and the web so you can place and receive calls from anywhere.” – Google Voice

Dang Cats or: The Difference Is…

14 Tuesday Jan 2020

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Salutations™!!

It is a long train of thought that got me to this, so bear with me for a bit.

In watching the awesome Disney+ service, I’m watching the “True Life Adventures” from the 1950s and 1960s. I’m watching Jungle Cat (1960) right now and it’s focusing on the part where they are featuring the jaguar. I noticed at the same time that the announcement of Luke Kuechly’s retirement from the Carolina Panthers.

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©Brad van Dorp

That got me thinking. The Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars started playing in the NFL the same year, 1995. Both “big cats.”

So, I got to thinking, who would win in a real fight, the panther or the jaguar? So, I did a little research. I don’t know who much of this is actually factual, but what I did find, was interesting.

Both cats are of the Animalia kingdom. Both are of the Felidae family. Both are of the Panthera genus. Both are of the Carnivora order. The average head and body length of both cats are 43″ to 75″. The average weight of both is 79 to 350 lbs. They both exert the same force, have the same technique, stamina and intelligence. The average life span of the panther is 13-15 years and the average life span of the jaguar is 14 years.

So, basically, they are the same exact animal. A few of the sites I looked at say that pathers are basically just melanistic jaguars. Panther is also kind of generic for leopards and jaguars, but with black coloring. So, again, they’re the same animal.

The natural area for the panther is Asia, Africa (leopard) and America (jaguar), and I suppose that’s North and South. The area for jaguars is Central and South America. So, the color of the skin/coat and area seem to really be the only differences.

So, does that mean that both teams are the same? Nah, but I do find it interesting. So, that meant nothing but I thought why not share it?

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“As written and directed by James Algar, this is one of Mr. Disney’s best—intimate, tasteful, strong and matter-of-fact.” – Howard Thompson of the New York Times about Disney’s Jungle Cat.

Let There Be Light or: Thanks, Pop!

13 Monday Jan 2020

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Salutations™!!

I mentioned my dad helping me (or just doing it) put up a new light fixture in place of a crappy ceiling fan in the kitchen, in addition to putting up a new light fixture over the stove. That ceiling fan light was crap with lumens, meaning I can’t see anything when I’m cooking. So the addition of that halogen fixture makes all the difference in the world.

Here’s the ceiling fan being removed.

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Here’s the finished product (halogens, too).

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Thanks so much to my dad, he’s so great!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“It can’t win if we don’t let it, son.” – My Pops

An Old Favorite or: Bringing the Magic Back

02 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by in Blogging, Life as We Know It, Podcasting, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

I know I talked about this on Monday, but this is the official announcement.

One of the best things that we have ever done on The Less Desirables is a segment called As Ardmore Turns. What it was was a skit/sketch where we took Facebook’s Ardmore Neighborhood’s ramblings, arguments and so on and we just read them straight through. Then added some old-timey organ “soap opera” music, a few pop culture drops (like songs or movie clips or something) and made it into a thing.ardmoreturns

It took me a long time to do them, upwards of four hours, and it got tedious. Plus, the page settled down some and I was forcing content. I have talked before about how I hate that. So, I stopped doing them.

People have been asking about them for a while now, like the old episodes or even new ones. I did one this past week and it was a grueling, five-hour process. Not that I minded that, but the episode went on for almost 40 minutes, too. I don’t like doing that.

The Less Desirables is long enough now without adding another 10-40 minutes to it. So, I’ve decided that I am going to let AAT be a stand-alone beast and it is a beast. I have a lot of old episodes to post and I will do new ones when it is feasible. I even started a whole new website just for the skit. I haven’t decided whether it will or will not be on the TLD Network, as of yet.

There’s only one episode, so far and you can find that HERE.

I’ve submitted them to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and Google Play. They’re in review right now. But, here’s hoping that you all dig them. Let me know!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

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“…for our almost-true-to-life soap opera that practically writes itself… As Ardmore Turns.” – AAT Narrator

The Aftermath or: Perfect 2020

01 Wednesday Jan 2020

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Salutations™!!

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No caption needed

The BCPF and I hosted our first New Year’s Eve event at our house last night. It was just a small gathering. The BCPF made a French onion pot roast and brie and fig jam pastries and I made my “breakfast deviled eggs.” It was potluck from there, so Beer Dad Jon and his Pilot brought salad stuff and pie and wine. Beer Dad Paul and his Pilot brought wine, potatoes au gratin, and a corn & green bean casserole. Our Jim Young brought a “hot corn” dish made with jalapenos and spices. It had a kick but was delish. 3B and Nephew CRAJ hung out with us long enough to eat. I even put 3B to work in the kitchen for a few minutes.

I played DJ with an “all request line.” Each guest had their own time to make a request and I told them all, “if I don’t have it, I have something comparable.” The only thing I didn’t have was BD Paul’s initial request for Louis Prima. He was satisfied with a little Dean Martin, though. We talked about music, life, fun, beer, food, it was just good.

Then we pulled out the playing cards. We play a little game we call “shitboots.” Yeah, I don’t usually use curse words on this blog but this is the name of it, so there. It’s a game that my brother-in-law had a hand in making up in his college days. I won’t get into the game right now, but it is a load of fun and Celeste, BD Jon’s Pilot, won both games!

We had the ABC feed on the tele when the ball dropped. But, we all agreed, instead of listening to the trainwreck that is always an NYE program (I am looking at you CNN), we continued with music and the sound “off” on the TV. We had a bubbly that was recommended by our pal Frank at Publix and he was spot on. It wasn’t too sweet and it hit the spot. Good stuff.

Hugs, kisses, smiles, promises of a great year. It was a great way to start.

So, my wish to all my readers and all my listeners of the podcasts that I host/produce, the happiest of new years and let’s have a productive, safe and prosperous year in life, work and everything else. Also, in the words of Bill & Ted, “be excellent to each other!”

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness.” – William Shakespeare

A Little Birdie Told Me or: Sweet!

19 Thursday Dec 2019

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Salutations™!!

Who has cool landlords? Well, I do. Today when I got to the studio, that’s the Lab at Industry Hill, had left a large box from Dewey’s Bakery in the lobby for my “Lab Partners” and me. A big box of sweet delicious treats. Pastries, eclairs, cream horns, tarts, turnovers, cake squares. I mean, dang!! Many thanks to Bonnie, Mary Beth, Drew and Hank and all the folks at East Coast Capital and Industry Hill for that.

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The Sweet Gift from The Lab at Industry Hill

Also, today, when I was recording a podcast for a client, a bird somehow got into the building and was flying, jumping and swooping around in my studio trying to find a way out. This bird finally got out of the studio and we closed the door until we finished the episode. I went into my office and it flew out of there and into the hall. I followed it into the hall and to the other side of the building. It jumped toward the door and I went to the door and it went back down the hall into an “empty” office space and when I got there the bird went back down the hall. I got under the bird and opened the door to the outside and stood out of the way. After about 20 seconds or so, the bird came flying out. I was relieved and I know the bird was.

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The Bird in the Studio

I don’t know if it’s good luck, bad luck, no luck or whatever luck for a bird being in my studio, but it was there. I’m still trying to figure out how it got in the building. It all ended well. Well, good sweet treats and a visitor, it was a good day.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch, who watches over you? Make a little birdhouse in your soul. Not to put too fine a point on it, say I’m the only bee in your bonnet. Make a little birdhouse in your soul.” – “Birdhouse In Your Soul” (Flansburgh/Linnell)

Reaching the End? or: She’s Good

09 Monday Dec 2019

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Salutations™!!

I am hopefully on my last day or two of all this feeling like poop. I felt better today but I’m still coughing up some stuff and now my throat is “dry” and kind of weird. I’m still using that Zarbee’s stuff and taking the HBP-safe cough suppressant that I’m allowed to take with my high blood pressure. I’m still taking Tylenol. I slept for about five to six hours so that definitely helped. IMG_20191123_092424_087

But, through it all, I had my baby. I had The BCPF to take care of me. I feel extra bad about taking two weekends away from her, three days off burned that she/we could have had a good time, but she trudged through and took care of me, fixed me food, made sure I had all my meds, made sure I was comfortable, set up the cool-mist humidifier, kept up with my non-sleeping spells and so on. She also had to deal with me being snappy as I’m wont to do when I’m not feeling well. She just smiles and makes sure that I know that it’s not meant to hurt her and takes my apologies and is just an angel. My angel.

I love that woman. I love how she loves me. I love how she takes such good care of me. I don’t know that I deserve her, but I’m glad I have her. Thank you, baby. I’ll be better soon.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“

I’m So Tired or: It Continues

05 Thursday Dec 2019

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Salutations™!!

Last night, after recording The Less Desirables, I came home and was feeling really crappy, still. My head was congested, my chest was congested, I was achy. I’ve mentioned many times that I have sleep apnea and I can’t sleep without my CPAP. The mask I used with my CPAP is the kind that only fits under my nose; nasal pillows. Well, again, along with my head being congested, my nose, too was and I couldn’t use my CPAP. Which means I am up, blowing my nose, coughing up phlegm, pacing the floor, basically everything other than sleep.20191205_235715-01

I was cleared enough to finally go to sleep around 715a this morning, dead-eyed and exhausted. I slept until 1130a and felt a little better. I feel better now, other than slightly sick to my stomach and coughing a lot, so much that my head hurts and my throat hurts. I’m eating these honey cough soothers plus mucus “clearing” lozenges. It’s supposed to help me get rid of more mucus when I cough. I can’t tell if it is or isn’t helping.

So, here’s hoping that tonight, I can go to bed a reasonable time and use my CPAP properly and get real sleep. Talk to you tomorrow…

Until then, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Laugh a lot. It clears the lungs.” – David Hockney

What to Do? or: The Five Days Plus

26 Tuesday Nov 2019

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Salutations™!!staycation

Yesterday, today, tomorrow, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those are the days that I’m “off” on vacation. I am and I’m not. I’m never on vacation. I’m always working. I will be going in tomorrow morning and will be recording The Less Desirables but the rest of the week? I’m doing as little as possible.

And, for this blog post, I’ll also cut it short. Talk to you tomorrow…

Until then, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“If some people didn’t tell you, you’d never know they’d been away on a vacation.” – Kin Hubbard

Boys of Summer or: Those Fond Memories

19 Tuesday Nov 2019

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 35th anniversary of Don Henley’s Building the Perfect Beast album. This song is one of two or three that make me think of my childhood and just a really good time in my life. I don’t have many bad times but this was me being 14 years old and life was simple. The music at that time was amazing. My friends were amazing. It was all so good. The funny thing, oddly enough, is that this song is about the exact opposite of holding on or longing for those days. It’s about the end of childhood, letting it go if you will. At least that’s what I get out of it. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to go back. I love my life. I just loved that time and miss how I felt back then. This guy’s voice is really good. I enjoy this cover. I hope you do, too!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I never will forget those nights. I wonder if it was a dream. Remember how you made me crazy? Remember how I made you scream? Now I don’t understand what happened to our love. But, babe I’m gonna get you back. I’m going to show you what I’m made of.” – “Boys of Summer” (Campbell/Henley)