virtualjack

As part of a consulting contract, I've developed a white-paper on best practices for sending bulk E-mail messages. If you are interested in getting a draft, please let me know.

I'll post a link to the final copy once a few people have had a chance to review it.

---Jack

I used to think the witching hour for grocery shopping was that time just before dinner, when everyone was in a mad rush to get something before coming home.

Then I discovered that family shopping time with little ones occurs Saturday & Sunday afternoon.

Yesterday beat both. It was old folks shopping time. In that time after lunch and before working people get home, all of the retired people are getting their groceries. They've completed bridge or their morning senior center activity and now, fully energized, proceed to the grocery store in order to walk at a top speed of 1/4 MPH. They are nice enough - no screaming kids - but it is slow. Confusion abounds as one shopping cart is trying to go one direction while the other card is trying to go the other direction. Or, a cart will park itself as the person goes to get an item from the same shelf that you need to get an item from. They are ahead of you and it is like watching slow motion replay. What once would take seconds, now takes minutes.

Sigh.

When I get to that age and become that slow, I'm just going to send someone else out to do the shopping.

Got checked out by the Dr. yesterday. I have official lost weight (about 1 stone) and my blood pressure dropped since leaving Synacor.

Also, I've had a nice conversation with a professional recruiter for WNY. I'm optimistic about this one.

Yesterday was my annual physical. Since leaving Synacor I've lost enough weight to be considered within a healthy range. Other things that checked out were heart, blood pressure, blood work, reflexes, and the finger exam.

Whoever comes up with a practical alternative to the finger exam could become wealthy.

On the job front:

• one call with a regional professional recruiter who was nervous. It was a bit of a roll reversal and uncomfortable.
  
• one call with the NY professional recruiter who was more social than business - it seemed to be managing my expectations down
  
• one application to Yahoo for an SRE based in Lockport. This may get stuck in the hopper
  
• one LA professional recruiter who flaked on a call time. I've rescheduled for today
  
• followup call with CIO for First Niagara. Went to voicemail - I doubt he will return my call
  
• followup call with CIO for Independent Health - She is going on a trip and probably won't get back to me until the end of the week
  
• voicemail to an inside contact as First Niagara. It is the 2nd voicemail. I don't want her to think that I'm stalking her so I'll probably back off.
  
• Finally, the tailor called to say that the interview suit wouldn't be ready. That is O.K. because I was getting the suit ready for the local professional recruiter, who doesn't seem to want to meet face to face yet

Progress, but no interview with a firm yet.

Definitely a health bonus to leaving Synacor