Business plans, executive summaries and other nuances of business start up can be daunting, yet somehow I have found a bit of a thrill in pulling together the information, placing the puzzle pieces into their respective spots. In some of my grad school classes we would do a mock version, and for some, a real to life version. Since then, I have assisted others in whatever way I can, if only as a cheerleader- but more often, much more than that. In my own pursuits, and there are often a few being juggled at the same time, I sometimes forget to have fun. And so it is through once again providing some pointers to someone in need of direction, that I get all anticipatory in my endeavors, and carry on. But this post isn't exactly about me.

A friend has a sewing project. It will get bigger than what a person or a few people can likely carry out themselves, well, at least, I am thinking big like that, for them. It is important to factor in "growth" and how you plan to handle it when/if it occurs. Funny how often people forget that growth is an issue to be addressed ahead of time. Anyway, I thought about sewing contractors. It is vital to their plan to have a production option ready to them in the event they need or want to outsource. I wondered what might be available in the WNY area and NYS in general. Anything that came up in a Google search provided abstract names without websites or any information that might solidify that the company is indeed a sewing contractor. A nationwide search brought up several with appropriate descriptions of what can be done and so on. However, my general bent on business, is keep it local when possible.

One in NYC looked interesting, but they also have a site in China, which made me think they outsource their projects across seas. Lets keep it on this side of the ditch, please.

Besides making several phone calls, which I am apt to do (or provide the numbers to my friend to make), I wonder if anyone has heard, had experience with or any sort of direction, food for thought regarding outsourcing projects that required simple sewing?

Going to be very chilly tonight, stay warm, snuggle close..

The Asiago cheese bagel at Panera Bread is insanely good.

more like a dense croissant.

go have one. I'd post a pic, but its about gone. yum.

that is all.

I re read for the dozenth time, A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'engle. It is a short quick read, one that I loved as a kid and still enjoy reading today. It was published in 1962. According to a Wiki article, it was written between 1959-1960. It was rejected numerous times because it was considered too 'different' but eventually won several awards. Tesseracts are just too fun.




I've read but once a few of her other books. I wonder if they would still hold the same appeal. Perhaps one day soon I will wander over to the library and see of they are available to borrow.

The reading of this book came from a need to read something quick moving and light. I've been reading though my old business books, some health information books and then the usual assortment of science, particularly physics/quantum physics books and magazines. I go a bit slower on the latter, because I find my mind wandering thinking about the subject matter and its implications. Whenever a friend is curious about the subject but does not know where to starts, I often recommend anything by Robert Gilmore, particularly, "Alice in Quantumland: an allegory of quantum physics". It provides the concepts through use of characters in a loose story line. I enjoy the visualizations of the story. Other books I have by him include, "The Wizard of Quarks: A Fantasy of Particle Physics", "Scrooge's Cryptic Carol: Visions of Time, Energy and Quantum Nature" and Once Upon a Universe: Not-So-Grimm Tales of Cosmology". Good stuff. Other recommendations are passed over with a glazed look on their face. oh well. haha


I've never gotten very far in the math arena, so I generally stay away from the mechanics. Although I have a feeling I would 'get it' if I tried. There is something appealing in numbers and formulas. I find myself often needing to reacquaint myself with classical physics. I often forget what something means, or it feels just out of reach in recollection. Not often am I in conversations that allow for the practice of concretely accommodating the information. But it is perpetually fascinating to me nonetheless.

I'm working through the book "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan, after watching the Cosmos series on DVD recently (13 hour long episodes, done well and still relative despite it being produced back in 1980 and updates in 1990). The book follows along the old PBS series fairly closely, each chapter reading like an essay. I have the smaller paperback version, so there aren't as many pictures as the large book. One day that will be added to my collection- both the bigger book and the series. A recommended read (and viewing) for anyone curious about the cosmos.

Little known medical fact: Chuck Norris invented the Cesarean section when he roundhouse-kicked his way out of his mother's womb.

Love the Norrisisms

Oh and a post on office supplies.

yeh, office supplies.

sorry.


Office supplies are fun for some reason. I like the way certain pens and pencils feel. I love a fresh pad of yellow cambridge paper. I regularly carry a steno pad and either a binder or padfolio. I use post-its of all sizes in everything I do. If I still wrote in a paper journal, I would add that to my list. I used to love picking out a book to write in. Its been years and I still haven't finished the one I last bought. Occasionally it is written in, but not often and certainly not with any eloquence like in previous journal book writings. Also, I like my surroundings to be organized and some office supplies offer a fun, attractive way to do just that.

I have been in need of a planner. Well, a calender. But not a wall hanging one. Something that has the days of the month in blocks so I can write appointments, deadlines etc down. Yet not a big desk calender either. Nor the tiny month by month travel style- that is just too small. Yet something I can carry around with me. I know what I want and maybe only once before have I found what I really want which would be something the size of a notebook. I've been looking and had contemplated making my own (but don't really trust my skills in making it look decent). In the past, I have only found planners that have a smaller than I want full page calender followed by either a slew of pages for daily or weekly 'at a glance' with more than sufficient space to write along with a bunch of extra pages and sections for things I never use such as a special notebook section, address book, contacts, international money conversion tables and so on. I've yanked out the sections I didn't want to use and always found myself with an emaciated version of what I had originally purchased. Many of the planner options are very attractive looking, especially the cases some of them come in, but much of it is simply wasteful to me. So my search continued.
My idea of a planner is something that can't really be made for me, so I modify them to my needs, and have found that a calender style works best. My needs are simple, I write very small, and I need to view the whole month before me. Any extra notes are jotted down on a steno pad. Or a sticky note. That's how I roll.

I was quite surprised to find a planner, well, "monthly calender" that was exactly what I want. Notebook size, open it up and there is the whole month with each day displaying adequate size boxes, and a small section that shows the previous and following month, and a little "note" section. Very simple, thin and very much what I like. It even has hole punches so I can add it to my binder (used for active projects, relevant magazine articles, a notebook, pens, post its etc). Or it is thin enough to slip it into my Padfolio (carried over from back in the school days, also love this for meetings, workshops, taking notes on books, or for anytime I want to carry a specific days work project as the binder is rather big and heavy) or it can be shoved into my daily bag/purse if I wish, depending on the days itinerary. I don't really care what it looks like. This one is quite colorful, and that is fine with me. No unicorns, haha

As I have a 'thing' for office supplies (almost as much as computer stuff), I found a new padfolio for a reasonable price. My old one is just that, old. I love it, but it is beat up; more so on the inside than the outside. The leather simply holds up really well. I have another that I have used, but the front has a plate on it engraved with the name of a prior company I had worked for.Might be silly, but some parts of my past I like to keep there. My padfolio is reserved for current going-ons. So when I saw this one, I bought it. It is something new and actually much different than any of the traditional folder style I have used. This pad is slender, but it has an additional section (opposite where the paper pad lives) that allows for me to tuck away a folder (or my calander!), and a small zipper part and a place for business cards or whatever. Also, the whole contraption zips up, which I find appealing since i have been concerned in the past that the stuff in my padfolio would fall out or get torn up from all the jostling through my travels.

yup, that is my story. To make it a little more interesting, I offer pictures of my finds.







And to back up the title of this post and opening line, a couple of clearance folders, yes, folders that I had to purchase:


chuck norris had his tonsils removed with a chain saw


chuck norris beat the sun in a staring contest

that is all.



just keeping it light...

Awesome weekend weather-wise, hmmm? I recall this time last year we had some 80's perfect weather and in taking advantage of the gorgeous day, I took a slew of pictures, but I don't think I eve posted them here. I recall seeing people at the parks engaging in picnics, stone-skipping along the lake, people sitting individually reading in little grassy spots, boaters and so on. Even though the temps can get summer like warm, it still has that aire of autumn. The sun is lower, the earth smells are more pungent and of course, the organic scenery; leaves are turning color, pumpkins are ubiquitous, flowers are dwindling, and mums are blooming. This week we may see a day like that. Hope the wind and rain holds off, and that if you can work it, make a day of hooky happen.

So I want to get some good long walks and/or hiking in soon. I haven't really gotten out much it seems, not in comparison to other times in my life. Anyway, my boyfriend, his son (who is 3) and I went to the erie canal (in lockport) and fed the birds some old bread. We were marveling in the day, of "indian summer" and I was telling him of last years warm days as mentioned above. I said, 'if I blogged about it, then the temperature would have been documented as well.Not so much because I typed it out, but because (e:paul) has the temps included as part of each post-header information.' Just tickled me how relevant that bit of info was/is.

And as we remember, and as (e:jim,46056) posted pictures of recently, that two years before, it was much much different sort of weather than what we are enjoying right now. It is weird to see those pictures. I was just looking at a few that I took while sitting on the 290 for a couple of hours that crazy night. I was posting from my car, as well. I remember once i got close to Youngstown, not a flake of snow was to be seen.

Well, anyhow, enjoy the rest of the weekend. Get outside and play!!

I saw a picture of a super fluffy exotic looking cat that I hadn't seen before. Needing to find out more information, I was introduced to the Pallas Cat (felis manul). I want to hug it despite it looking like it could and would rip my face off. I love their pissy little faces. I guess they hiss a lot, even as babies. But I think they are rather cute at the same time. Kittens, of course are head exploding cute. I looked at a slew of pictures and a video of a Pallas kitten playing with a domestic kitten. It was insanely precious. I'm a dork and just spent a solid half hour looking at these cats. Oh, I found a few informative videos as well. Figured this was as good of place as any to ramble about the kitties and to post pictures for future ogling.

(WIKIPEDIA - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallas%27s_cat)















ok, this is the picture I saw that sent me off trying to figure out what sort of cat it is

so I'm looking into small business stuff. Such as what steps need to be done to make it "real". I have thought about it on and off (and off and off) again for too long now. Being the master procrastinator that I can be (procrastinate now, don't put it off, I say!), it is time that I carve out some self imposed deadlines and go to it. When outside forces dictate a deadline, I work magic in the wee moments leading up to it. I thrive on it actually. However, left to my own, I get easily side tracked into an ADD-like train of thought. I end up starting millions of projects, start a few more while doing them, branch off into a forest of other distractions and then find myself at Starbucks (or some other coffee joint). Really, I am pretty organized and focus when I want, but when I'm not compelled, it can be chaos.

But all in all its not such a bad thing. I just am feeling the need to have more structure and results in my going-ons, and to be 'legit'. Building my little empire, gradually take over the world. The usual.

I'm gathering that the local small business association might be a good place to start? what are your thoughts my business minded friends?

and probably a few tax courses or something might be a good idea?

other directives?

classes in general are good for me. I tend to follow through when in a class environment. Not that I want to go back to school, i just mean, a few seminars or something might be beneficial.

I'll expand more later.. I need to get back to work.
(e:strip) related procrastinations are genuinely permissible.

update: I just found a few upcoming seminars being held at NCCC Summit Extension located at 6929 Williams Rd, Niagara Falls. (Near or at Summit Park Mall, I think?)

They are free:

1. Thursday October 23 1:30-3:30
"Financing Sources and Business Plan Development"

2. Thursday October 30th 1:30-3:30
"Developing a Marketing Plan"

3. Thursday November 6th 1:30-3:30
"Business Organizational Forms: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporations and LLC's"

4. Thursday November 13th 1:30-3:30
"Record Keeping for Small Business"

to register: call 434-3815 or email: sbdc@niagaracc.suny.edu

If I keep looking, maybe I will find other stuff going on.

I'm looking for a new dentist. My all time favorite dentist has left the association he was with and ventured off to open his own. He is very talented and I was wondering when that time would come, so good for him. He is super amazing awesome and I will eventually follow him to his new place (depending on what insurance he takes) but for a few related reasons, I am not ready to do that. So in the mean time, I will find another, simply for cleanings, and "just in case" I need someone suddenly. I could continue to go to where I am (Aesthetic Associate Center in Buffalo), but I never cared for anyone but the dentist I just mentioned, anyone else, as incredibly qualified and innovative as they are, just no longer sits well with me; and since a recent severe allergic reaction occurred under their watch (ok, not their fault, neither one of us knew I am terribly allergic to penicillin-- blog to come w/ pics soon), I feel somehow displaced. Dr. Ben YOU LEFT AND DIDNT TELL MEEEEEEE!

So before I choose someone at random, my question that I am throwing out there is: Is there anyone I should stay away from??

(or definitely go to?)

Location isn't a factor, really. Anywhere from the city of Buffalo and North. I'm rarely ever in the Southtowns.

Thanks :)

Did anyone read about this since Friday? I read a blurb on it Saturday, but had been curious if there were any updates available. I haven't found any, or likely I haven't looked in the right places.

A seven (7!) year old child went on a 'killing spree' in a zoo. He is under ten years old so he can not be held liable, therefor his parents are.




A variety of sources say the exact same thing, so I'm linking to msnbc, as it includes a video. unreal.

He went at it for thirty minutes. I have so many questions and curiosities. When was the first time he displayed aggression, annihilation of living things? It was observed that he was acting like it was a game, I wonder what his thoughts and actions were before and after, and so on..

This itty bitty monster has been harassing me for about a year, maybe longer now. Maybe it's the grown version of this one: (itsy bitsy monster part 1) (e:theecarey,35925)

I hold back all intelligence and assert my belief that it it the same hairy, googly-eyed, fang-baring, snickering beast that has been lurking in my basement, creeping out of dark places purposely within my view (and within my reach) on several occasions this year. It makes an appearance and disappears all within the short time frame that includes, "gasp", "panic", "full-body sense of terror", "disgust" idling down to "why don't I have something in reach to kill it with", to "it likely has something within ITS reach to clobber me over the head with".. to "run Carey run, don't stop, don't turn around just get the hell out of the basement" and about an hours worth of "shivers" ewwww!

And so that whole line of action/inaction/psychological break-down works for the interim, until hygiene etiquette reminds me that I must go and do more laundry. No wonders that over time I have accumulated what seems like 397 pairs of socks, and about an equal amount of underwear and bras. Why subject myself to the beasts lair any more than absolutely necessary, right? eekkkk!

I don't like to kill spiders/bugs etc in general, and yes, I am rather apprehensive to scoop (shovel, forklift?) this one up into a bucket, or try to suck its massive body through a vacuum hose. I can just envision its fat yet muscular body getting jammed followed by getting pissed, followed retaliation, followed by my (fat but muscular, ha) body being jammed into the same said vacuum hose.Although this recent encounter led to the same pathetic reaction from me, this time, after my breathing returned, I ran and grabbed my camera. I needed proof. (proof of sanity, insanity?)






notice how the pholcidae, "daddy long-legs" dangling immediately in the background is dwarfed by comparison!



As I write, it continues to live, breath and eat small mammals while waiting my return...


my boyfriend claims it is a wolf spider. What is your guess?