A Better Bailout

If a financial asset has gone bad, then why is it still an “asset”?

Howell E. Jackson, a professor of law at Harvard Law School presents an alternative bailout plan in the Christian Science Monitor.   This plan helps homeowners more directly, and pays the investors something closer to fair market value for their bad investments.  

If I had my way, I’d let the people who can’t pay their debts and the bankers and investors who made the crisis possible all suffer the consequences of their acts.  Unfortunately, something does need to be done to keep the whole mess from dragging the economy down even further.  But why should the investors be bailed out without helping the people who are being pushed out of their homes?  Write your congresscritter and let him/her know what you think.

And vote for people who realize that the economy needs to be properly regulated!

Maybe some other time

Today was my first paying acting gig!  And it was the best kind, the kind where I got paid without having to do a thing.

I was scheduled to play an insane ex-secret agent for Urban Interactive.  Unfortunately the client, Fidelity Investments, cancelled because they’re a bit busy right now, what with the economy falling apart and all that.  So I showed up, collected my check, and left.

Actually, while the money is nice, I was really looking forward to toying with the minds of a group on a corporate outing.  All in good fun, of course.

Last Sunday, I got my first (unpaid) writer/director/actor credits.  I put together a short skit that was presented in the slots between sets at the Sgt. Culpepper show at ImprovBoston.  Thanks to the random audience member who was handcuffed for 45 minutes without really knowing what was going on!

It’s not age, it’s creativity

“Creativity is highly correlated to poor memory.

For me, ideas stream through my head at a frantic pace. I feel like a bear trying to grab a salmon. If my paw misses its target, that salmon is gone for good. I don’t dwell on it. I just lunge for the next salmon. I think people who have fewer thoughts per hour have time to let them settle in and form memories. It’s just a theory.”

-Scott Adams Blog, Sept. 19

It had _better_ be soon

From the Sept. 17, 2008 Arlington Advocate personals:

“LTR”.  Now that’s optimism!

A mixed message

Irony

Here’s the close-up:

Resume

download Ray’s resume (Word doc)

Raymond A. Charbonneau
55 Beacon St, Arlington, MA 02474
Email: ray@y42k.com
Phone: 978-269-4985

PROFILE: Hands-on IT administrator with proven ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments.  Superior track record in managing complex projects coordinating a broad range of individual abilities. Quick thinking, highly analytical and decisive.  Outstanding user support and training skills.

 

Lead Information Systems Engineer Senior Information Systems EngineerInformation Systems Engineer

November 1997 – September 2008

The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA

Manage critical IT infrastructure desktop security services for a world-wide 6500 user corporation.  Anticipate corporate needs and evaluate new systems to address those needs. Work with vendors to ensure applications meet corporate needs.  Manage implementation and ongoing support, provide training and documentation for users and support staff. Resolve technical issues beyond capabilities of 1^st and 2^nd level support. 

•          Served as manager for desktop asset management and security application team
•          Served as Remote Access service  manager, coordinating access to corporate online services for teleworkers, travelers, and co-located staff
•          Managed release, training and support of numerous desktop applications, including antivirus (Symantec), firewall/configuration management (Checkpoint), VPN (Cisco)
•          Lead migration of over 3TB of legacy mail from Netscape to Exchange, retaining all data including timestamps and access to S/MIME messages
•          Lead migration of desktop systems to Windows 2000 domain infrastructure
•          Lead migration of co-located staff at Hanscom AFB to the Air Force consolidated domain
•          Lead team that rapidly and safely rolled out a desktop encryption product to the entire corporation
•          Represented client requirements for product selection and evaluation process for a number of services, including corporate messaging and scheduling

Systems Administrator

August, 1996 – November, 1997

InStream Corporation, Burlington, MA

Provide complete IT support for all phases of healthcare software development and electronic commerce start-up.  Analyze systems needs and specification of solutions for all departments.  Manage LAN, web servers, desktop support, and associated budget and purchasing.

•          Planned and implemented migration of PC LAN from Netware to NT/Win95 environment with full Internet integration.
•          Installed and administered Lotus Domino 4.5 as groupware/Internet mail platform.
•          Coordinated move of systems to new corporate facility.
•          Led selection process, managed installation, and administered new telephone system.

PC and LAN Coordinator

1989 – 1996

Library Systems Office, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Maintain Libraries’ inventory of over 300 IBM-compatible and Macintosh personal computers.  Configure and administer Libraries’ Netware, Windows NT, and Lantastic Local Area Networks.  Serve as liaison with other groups in the Libraries and at MIT for initiatives involving the Libraries’ microcomputer and LAN systems. Perform needs analysis and help identify solutions.  Supervise support staff.  Coordinate Internet infrastructure and UNIX services with MIT Information Services.  Select sources for new microcomputer systems and replacement parts.  Maintain and operate minicomputer library automation system.

•          Migrated PCs to Windows 95 and trained library staff
•          Managed connection of entire PC inventory to Internet, LAN
•          Installed CD-ROM based library catalog
•          Participated in planning acquisition and implementation of new library automation system.
•         Implemented internal support intranet service

REFERENCES are available on request.

Will Brad Delp be there?

Johnny D’s marquee | September 10, 2008

Boston Globe obituary  |  March 10, 2007

“Brad Delp, whose soaring tenor on songs such as “More Than Feeling” gave voice to the best-selling rock band Boston, died yesterday at the age of 55.
…
In recent years, Mr. Delp found new fans while fronting Beatlejuice, his popular Beatles cover band, which was scheduled to play Johnny D’s in Somerville this weekend.”

Wikipedia

“On March 9, 2007, Delp was found dead in his home in Atkinson, New Hampshire. Delp, who was only 55, died from the smoke of two charcoal grills he lit inside his sealed bathroom. He was found by his girlfriend Pamela Sullivan lying on a pillow on his bathroom floor with a suicide note pinned to his shirt stating that he was a “lonely soul”. ”

(Playin’ Dead is a Grateful Dead tribute band)

He also picked up the laundry

Oh, Tech support guy!

Oh, tech support guy
If it were up to me
I’d call you every single day
I use Windows, luckily

I love the way you roll your eyes
When I can’t find my mail
The way you make me feel small
When my Google searches fail

Oh, tech support guy
If it were up to me
I’d call you every single day
You have encrypted me

If I need some time with you
I’ll corrupt an Excel file
You lecture me with snotty tones
And all I can do is smile

Oh, tech support guy
If it were up to me
I’d call you every single day
And press your “any” key

You laugh when I try to print
Your condescending is so cute
Do you notice how I lean into you
While we watch my PC boot?

Oh, tech support guy
If it were up to me
I’d call you every single day
Please don’t delete my plea

Please plug into my open slot
The hard drive I’ve detected
I know that if we interfaced
Against viruses I’d be protected

Oh, tech support guy
If it were up to me
I’d call you every single day
Why don’t you notice me?