YOU SOLD YOUR BUSINESS?
Yup. The truth is, there were many factors why– and if you own your own company, these factors will sound familiar. They can be broken down into two categories: Factors that drove me to sell, and factors that pulled me away…

DRIVEN TO SELL
The things that pushed me away from running my own company generally fall into the category of negative factors – a.k.a., The Bullshit. There is an immense amount of bovine-related excrement that is associated with owning and operating your own business. It takes many forms, but it usually boils down to the same thing – not getting paid.

After more than seven years of running a tech company, it simply staggers my mind how fabulously stupid some people can be. I hate to sound elitist, but fuck it – this is my website. If you find it offensive, go to disneyland.com.

Anyway, I’m not just talking about clients who simply don’t get technology – people like that are surprisingly few and far between. To clarify, the majority of clients that I have serviced over the years have been a group of intelligent, understanding, patient individuals, who, despite their driving interest in simply seeing technology work for them, have maintained the wherewithal to understand and accept the occasional fault and misgivings of today’s technology.

To this group, I salute you. I’d like to stay generic, but again – fuck it – it’s my website and I’m naming names… so this is for Joe, John, Docy, Rich & Diane (&Jill), Earl, Mel, The Steves, Kim, Tim, Rick, Dave, and a host of others that it has been my pleasure to serve. I’d also like to thank the Academy for – oops, sorry; wrong speech… (but what I really want to do is Direct!)

These people, and many others, have been the reasons I’ve stuck with Ripcord for so long. Nonetheless, the individuals that have comprised the small group of pathetic losers in business have, over time, simply turned me off to the business aspects of technology. People who simply don’t bother to pay their bills. I’m not really talking about anyone that has a problem with their bill and call up with questions about the service; rather I’m referring to the complete idiots who neither pay their bill (for whatever reason), nor respond to multiple phone calls and collection letters. If you’re one of these people, take note: there’s a job waiting for you in the Navy as a floating mine detector. I hope you find one.

PULLED AWAY
There were some things that I wanted to do with my life. They weren’t getting done.

What things are those? Well, see below. I’m sure that there are people out there that would say that if I exercised better time-management skills, I would be able to accomplish all that I wanted. Those people can bite my shiny, metal ass. I’m talking to you, Tony Robbins! Oh, excuse me – Anthony Robbins.

The thought of doing some of these things and still running Ripcord simply did not appeal to me, so if I were to move forward, I would need to leave Ripcord behind. After more than seven years, it was time.

WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW?
Another good question. The answer is the same as when I still had Ripcord: Whatever my wife tells me to do. I’m going to start practicing my two-word domestic catch-phrases, like “yes, dear”, “my fault”, and my personal favorite, “you’re right”.

Seriously, the immediate goals will be a vacation with The Boss this summer, get an attitude adjustment, then hard work to drop 30 pounds by Christmas. I will then need to look more deeply into the ideas I’ve come up with. Hopefully, they will have NOTHING to do with computers! Here's what I came up with so far:

Serve My Country
I also made a short list of things I want to do with my life. At the top was “Serve My Country”. I had an idea of what form this should take, but after three phone calls to a recruiter, I learned that the Air Force is simply not interested in fat, old bald guys. This was disappointing and surprising, since I thought that someone with a degree in bio-chemistry and experience running his own business for seven years would be of some value. I guess not.

So I’m not sure what form this goal will take. Politics is unlikely, given my general disposition towards politicians (not you, Arnie). That, and the fact that there’s only so high I could go before my questionable past becomes an media-worthy issue! (I *did* inhale).

Perhaps more local, community-based service will be a direction I can take. Any thoughts on this issue? Please drop me a note.

Teach
This is another idea I had along the lines of serving the community. I’ve never really taught before, but I’ve attended a few Career Days at local high schools, and given a multitude of presentations, of course. I found the experience rewarding, although I’m sure doing it full-time is another matter.

Chop Wood
Hey, at least it’s got nothing to do with computers, right?

If you've made it this far, I'd like to say thanks for taking the time to read these rants & ravings.

.max

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