So, I’ve been unemployed since August of 2010. I had to quit/get fired from my job because of wrist pain. They sent me to a doctor who did test and said that it wasn’t carpal tunnel, but tendonitis. The old company wanted me to go back to work, but I didn’t want to damage my wrists any more, so I chose not to go back.

I was never really happy there. The problem with working for a big corporation is they want you to be loyal to them, but rarely are they loyal back. There are so many people looking for jobs that they know they can replace you at any time. I worked with some good people, but I was in what amounts to a sales department. They said they wanted us to do what was best for the customer, which I am all for, but it was a lie. They wanted us to sell to the customer, whether or not the customer really wanted or need to buy something new. I knew I was on the way out, because I’m not going to tell someone that they need to buy the newest widget, when, for what they use it for, what they have is fine.

Now, I have always wanted to work for myself. Ever since my first job, back when I was 15, I’ve known this. I don’t mind working hard. I kinda like it. But I witness early, even if you work hard there is going to be someone else who doesn’t work quite as hard, and within certain limits they usually get paid the same and get the same benefits by the boss. If I work hard *I* want to get the benefits of my hard work. I’ve seen too many times bosses that blame the employees when things aren’t going well, but take the credit when things are going well.

I’ve looked at a number of different business ideas in the past. I’ve done web design for a number of years, but there just isn’t enough work to make it a full time job. I’ve thought about other jobs, but none have worked out. I’ve either been flakey about it myself, or relied on flakey people to help me out, but since I was starting out, I couldn’t afford to pay them. I looked into doing a home based food business, but there are just too many regulations, etc.

I’ve been doing some research on another idea. I can start small, then scale up, To start with I won’t really have to rely on anyone but myself. Later on it would require help, but at that point I’ll be able to pay someone for their time, which seems to be a good motivator. The idea is I want to start my own T-Shirt business. Now I’m not talking about a simple Cafe Press store, or the like. I want to silk screen shirts.

I’ve got a bunch of ideas for shirts. I have my own collection of T-Shirts, and most people like T-Shirts. I’ve got a number of different markets that I would like to target, and each would have it’s own collection of designs. I can combine my artistic/craft abilities with a business, which I think will help me not flake on my own idea.

I’ve come up with three stages for the business:

1. Sell on the internet - I need to come up with a good name and a URL
1A - Simple press, with one color designs
1B - More advance, with a press that allows 4 color designs

2. Travel to conventions, first starting in the local area, then expanding as business gets bigger. Science Fiction, Anime, Ren Faires, SCA events,                Gun shows
Would need to get a trailer, or even better a “Toy Hauler”, which would allow to save on hotel rooms.
Ideally I’d be able to take the press on the road with me, so the operation would become mobile. At this point I would need to pay at least one        employee to help me man a booth.

3. Get a warehouse/shop space, and increase business. This would happen if the business grows enough to need multiple employees for                      production, etc.

The primary goal is to produce my own line of shirts, but I would also take on side jobs to print shirts for other people, for the extra income.Right now I’m mostly doing research on costs. Seeing how much shirts, etc, cost retail, locally, After I get going then I would start buying wholesale, but buying in smaller batches, or even singularly allows for less capital to get started.

I’ve come up with some ideas for some shirts, and you’ll see a album on my profile with some that I’ve done the graphics for already. Take a look, let me know what you think. I don’t want to steal ideas from people already making shirts, but if you have any ideas of something you would like to see on a shirt let me know.

Just an FYI, I am working on a business plan for all of this. I’m hoping to get it together, then have someone who knows more about business take a look at it and hopefully help me along with the running/financial/legal side of things. Either someone I know, or go through the SBA and see what sort of help I can get through them.

WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH? (not original, but still good reading)

‘My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed.

Since Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.

This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq . This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning.

Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short . The United Kingdom , Spain , Bulgaria , Australia , and Poland are some of the countries listed there.

The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world’s nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.

Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. THEN EVERY YEAR

THERE AFTER It’ll GO TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SO IT WONT GO BROKE IN 20 YEARS.

The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.

Need help with a famine ? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France ..

In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.

Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France or maybe China .

I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France , and Russia . Thanks for all your help, comrades.. We are retiring from NATO as well..

I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don’t care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.

A special note to our neighbors: Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.

Mexico is also on List 2. Its president and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple thousand extra tanks and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put ‘em? Yep, border security.

Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now.

We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we’ll be drilling for oil in Alaska -which will take care of this country’s oil needs for decades to come. If you’re an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there.

It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, ‘darn tootin.’

Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America . It is time to eliminate homelessness in America . To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thank you guys. We owe you and we won’t forget.

To the nations on List 2, a final thought : You might want to learn to speak Arabic.

God bless America .. Thank you and good night.’

If you can read this in English, thank a soldier.

It’s important to me, as it should be to all Americans, so I created this graphic:

Going on a trip soon, so I thought I’d add this:

So, on the way back from picking up Winter in Moesto I let her free in the car. The first part of the trip she stayed in the front seat with me, on the from seat of my SUV, which was covered in a towel. I had brought a crate, but she did fine without it. On the way back she decided she wanted to climb into the back seat, so away she went. At some point she got car sick on a hoodie I had back there, but no big deal. It could always be washed.

We swung by my kids house, just before bedtime, so they could meet Winter. None of them knew I was getting a dog yet, so it was a big surprise. They, of course, immediate fell in love with Winter. Who wouldn’t?

My cat, Bella. She is about two years old. A feral car that my kids rescued from the backyard as a baby. She is not sure what to make of the dog. I did, at one point, managed to get the dog to fall asleep in my lap, then lured the cat over and scratched the heck out of her. She took that pretty well, but every time she see the dog her tail puffs up. It’s only been a few days. I am sure they will eventually get use to each other.

Jealousy

On the way home I picked up some puppy food, and a leash and a collar. Turns out the collar was way too big, but I’ll be able to use it later on. The next morning I bought a much smaller one for her. She slept on my bed, but was a bit whiny, since it was a new environment for her. It’s to be expected.

I’ve been thinking about a dog for a while. Back in April and May of 2011 I was real sick, and ended up in the hospital, in a coma for a while. When I was recuperating my ex wife suggested getting a companion dog. I never did, but it got me thinking. I’ve never had a dog of my own, which surprises a lot of people. My family has been cat people. It’s not like I disliked dogs, but I just didn’t have much experience with them. My stepsister had a German Sheppard years ago, named Blue. It wasn’t the smartest dog in the world, but it was nice. Later she had a Pitbull name Crystal, which is the nice dog I have ever been around. A friend, Aowyn, had a really smart dog, though I’m not exactly sure what kind it was. I’ve had roommates for short periods of time. I did have a bad experience with a bassethound that was way too loud, and chewed through a pair of jeans for no reason.

All tired out from being a puppy

One of the things I haven’t liked about a lot of dogs is, frankly, from my point of view they haven’t been that smart. Nice, but dumb. So I did a bunch of research. I wanted a smart dog. While sources vary, it seemed like Australian Cattle Dogs are pretty much the smartest dogs out there. I had settled on a breed. I wanted a young dog, so we could get used to each other, and a female, just because.

I started looking. I didn’t want to buy a dog. I had to plans to breed an animal, so I didn’t need papers, or anything along those lines. Now I’ll let you know something about me. I’m a big softie when it comes to animals. People will lie, cheat, get themselves into bad situations, then get pissed off when someone else won’t get them out of it. Animals are honest. There are too many animals out there that are unwanted. I wanted one of those. I was looking for a rescue dog. I looked at various online sources, trying to find the right dog for me.

I finally found one at Petfinder.com - her name was Mia, and she was being Fostered by a group called Pupz N Palz, out of Modesto, about an hour and a half from where I live. I contacted them, but there was a possible adoption already in process for Mia, but another dog from her little, Dori, was available, was also female, and was more social than Mia was. I was still interested in Mia, but Dori would make a good backup choice. The next day it turns out Mia was picked up, so Dori went to the head of my list. I was excited, and made arrangements to travel down to Modesto. The whole day I couldn’t wait to meet her. I ended up leaving plenty early to meet with the rescue work, and even got to the meeting place early enough that I went and got some dinner to pass the time. I went into the Petco we had agreed to meet at, looked around at leashes and collars, crates, and puppy food. I went up to the front, and there was the rescue worker with Dori.

I was taken, immediately. Dori was very well behaved, curious, and friendly. There were a number of cat kennels that she kept wanting to look at, under an upset cat took a swipe at her nose. Then she was smart enough to stay away. I filled out the paperwork, and then Dori was mine, or more accurately I was her’s. The name Dori didn’t seem to fit her, so I renamed her Winter.

This is Winter’s Story.

Ingredients

* 1 (10.75 ounce) loaf day-old bread, torn into small pieces
* 4 cups milk
* 2 cups brown sugar
* 1/2 cup butter, melted
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 cup butterscotch chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine bread, milk, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and butterscotch chips; mixture should be the consistency of oatmeal. Pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven 1 hour, until nearly set. (It should have a “thigh wiggle” or wiggle as much as a well endowed thigh.) Serve warm or cold.

8 Servings

3/4 C cornmeal
1 1/2 C milk
1 egg, beaten
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1 envelope dry chili seasoning mix
16 oz can diced tomatoes
16 oz can corn, drained
1 C shredded cheddar cheese

Combine cornmeal, milk, and egg.
Stir in meat, chili mix, tomatoes, and corn until well blended. Pour into slow cooker.
Cover. Cook on High 1 hour, then on low 3 hours.
Sprinkle with cheese. Cook another 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup white sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/3 cup vegetable oil
* 1 egg
* 1/3 cup milk
* 1 cup fresh blueberries
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup butter, cubed
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
3. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.
Makes 8 muffins.
Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 383 | Total Fat: 16.1g | Cholesterol: 43mg

Back in December I placed a order for some rope through Rainbow Rope. They have a good quality product, in a wide range of colors. I was buying two different colors of bondage rope for use in a photo shoot. The order was placed on 11/11/10. the FAQ on the site says that orders can sometimes tape 7 to 10 business days to ship, due to their travel schedule. I was ok with this. I wasn’t going out of state until after Thanksgiving, so it should easily be able to get here in time, especially with paying over $20 for Priority Shipping for the order.

I placed the order, it went into their system as a “Pending” order. And is still sitting there.

I emailed them on 11/23/10 to check on the status of the order. No response. I found a posting on The House of Void on 11/25/10 with others posting about their problems with Rainbow Rope. A rep from RR post and was offering to send some free rope to people who’s orders had been delayed and saying that things would be better. Unfortunately it looks like she was wrong.

It’s now the new year, and my order is still sitting as it was. pending. I sent another email to RR to try to see what the hold up is, but I doubt if there is going to be much of a response to this email, almost two full months after the original order was place.

I have heard good things about Rainbow Ropes product. and would love to review them, and use them in the shoot I have plan (even had another model ready to the shoot, but it kinda depends on specific color rope.  Looks like I am going to have to find another source, probably at a higher price. Too bad, but with the complete lack of customer service there is no way at this time I can recommend buying through Rainbow Rope.

Update: I just received email from Liz at Rainbow Rope. Not only is my order now being processed, but she offered a discount for my hassle. That goes a long way toward smoothing things over, though I will hold final judgment until I actually receive the product.

Finally: The rope got here today (1/31/2011) via USPS Priority Mail. The two color look great, and I can’t wait to try them out.  Almost two months to get the stuff still makes me a bit leery, but it did finally get here, and Liz did give me a 15% discount on the purchase. I may place another order with them, eventually, but nothing that is remotely time sensitive. The amusing thing is that my order is still showing as “Processing” on their site.