The time for carrots has passed

Democrats must be willing to go to the mat for health care reform with a robust public option. The public option is the center piece of health care reform. Without it the whole thing is just a veichle to hand large piles of cash to private insurance companies while they continue the same criminal practices they currently do. The public option is what keeps them honest. It sets enforces the standards the private insurance companies will need to emulate if wish to stay in business.

It has become obvious to me President Obama has no interest in supporting the public option. In fact he is going to try and force the congressional progressive caucus to give up on public option. If the president is not going to willingly fight for us, we who worked, donated, and supported him in the 2008 election. Then we are going to have to MAKE HIM work for us. It is time to apply pressure. The time for carrots has past. Now is the time for sticks.

What we need to do for the public option:

A rally in national mall of citizens for the public option
Size: 1 million plus at minimum. Large crowds of people in front of government buildings cannot be ignored.

Post card (something else?) campaign to WH, house, senate
Email and twitter are great however they are easily filtered out and ignored. A physical piece of mail or a delivery of some kind is something they have to use people to process and get it to its destination. It takes time away from other things they would could be doing. It cannot be ignored as easily.

An alliance of netroots websites
We have a great democratic online presence with lots of great websites for content. Most of us visit many of them daily. If they could all pledge to work together to spread consistent news and messages to as many Democrats as possible on the issue of the public option we can get the word out and apply pressure much more effectively.
Media interviews explaining why public option is so important to health care reform
We frequently get drowned out by stories of GOP craziness or whiny Blue Dogs about how the Public option is [insert reason for FAIL]. It is time to speak out loud and proud for the public option and not lets its opponents silence us.

Take a pledge
Sign a petition to primary President Obama in 2012 and any senator or representative who does not vote for the public option and deliver it to them so they know it. This is the key to it all. The elected officials in office stab us in the back figuring we are going to have to vote for them anyway in the next election cycle. It is time to let them know, they work for us. ATTENTION: IF YOU DO NOT DO WHAT WE ECECTED YOU FOR, YOU ARE FIRED! No more: votes, donations, or support from us. Ever. No exceptions. We can choose another candidate.

Keep up current activities
Twitters, e-mails, letters, articles, blogs, etc…. Every bit of attention we can get on the merits of the public option is a good thing.

If you agree with this please pass it on!

Election 2008 Results

Keith Oberman Special Comment

Obama 08!

Vote Tuesday NJ Primary / Super Tuesday Elections

Please vote for the candidate of your choice on Tuesday.
Have a hand in deciding the course for our country. This year is more important that ever.

Research the candidates decide who you like best.

I am voting for Barack Obama. I think he the the best candidate out there by far. Most visionsary ideas, and practical policys. Someone who can challenge us as a country to be all that we can be.

We have a chance here to change the divisive, degrading, and damaging politics that we have lived with all our lives. We need to take it.

Go vote, do not be afriad to make a difference.

The best movie PSA ever!

Fun Web Games

Here are some fun web games I like to play.

Urban Dead

WW1 Subervison

Nation States

LagoonB

Energyville

Climate challenge

Electrocity

Karma Tycoon

TV BigShot

Ayiti: The Cost of Life

Mission Planet: Planet Earth

Stop Disasters!

The Redistricting Game

Wow

Yes quite a long period between posts. Sorry been busy.

Well the new job is nothing special. It is just a job to me. The dream faded fast. But it is still an opportunity:

1. I will get get my security clearance.

2. I will take the money.

3. I will use the time to cert up and increase me knowledge.

4. I will come out of this ahead I will become stronger.

I am in night school currently working on getting my A+ cert. Working full time of course also. It sucks but in the end it will be worth it.

I still miss Loews a lot. I mourn its loss. Nothing I can do about it though was not in my control. I miss the LCHD staff and the Freehold crew along with Loews. I hope everyone is doing will. I think of everyone frequently.

A visit might be too painful.....

A job!

Happy 4th of July all.

Well in good news for once. I have a new Job!

I will be starting with Ilex Systems (www.ilex.com) in Eatontown on Monday July 10th. I am quite excited and honored to have this opportunity. I will certainly get to lean a lot of new things. The money is good too. I am jumpiung for 50k a year at Loews to 63k a year at Ilex. Life will be somewhat easier hopefully. This is the dream job I thought I would never get.

Unemployment was pretty uneventful for the most part. I am not going to lie it was tough on the psyche. I am looking forward to working again.

Another part of me is sad. This really is closing the book on my Loews days for me. Moving on and all. It is a company I will always love and always miss at liest little bit. Pains of a phantom limb if you will.

BURN IN HELL AMC!!!!

I need a Job

I putting you all my faithful readers to work.

Here is a copy of my resume (minus contact info) If you need a real one I'll get it to you.

SUMMARY

Help Desk supervisor experience in 24/7/365 environment. Knowledge of back office, point-of-sale, and payroll systems. Experienced keeping and restoring systems running under adverse conditions. Supervisory experience as well as coordination of field technicians and 3rd party vendors.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

OS’s: Windows XP, 2000, NT, 9x/ME, 3.11, DOS
Network elements: Hubs, switches, routers, wireless, DSL, LAN / WAN, and DNS
Remote management: Dameware, pcAnywhere, Close-up, Unicenter Remote Control
Case management software: Support Magic, Heat, DW Help Desk, Vantive
Hardware: Point-of-sale systems, back office systems, payroll systems
Software packages: Radiant Entertainment Software Suite, Labor Pro, Lotus Notes, F-prot antivirus, Big Brother Network Monitor, Microsoft Office

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
LOEWS CINEPLEX ENTERTAINMENT, New York, NY 1992-2006
Support Supervisor, Theatre Help Desk, Freehold NJ (2003-2006)
Responsible for daily help desk operation, supporting and assisting help desk personnel and end users. Provided support for over 2,500 systems nationwide. Other responsibilities included keeping help desk systems operational, keeping management up to date on critical issues, and dispatching field support and 3rd party vendors.
• Supervised and supported a staff of 5, plus 7 remote field technicians.
• Dispatched field technicians or 3rd party support, and maintained vendor relations.
• Coordinated and managed hardware and software deployment.
• Evaluated and recommend hardware and software for purchase.

Senior Support Technician (1998-2003)
Supported and Monitored systems at over 300 locations. Identified potential problems and took corrective action while minimizing downtime.
• Identified potential problems and implemented solutions.
• Developed strategies to avoid or reduce downtime.
• Supplied progress reports to management on various projects.

CHRIS COLLINS
Page Two

LOEWS CINEPLEX ENTERTAINMENT, (Continued)
Support Technician (1996-1998)
Provided hardware and software support to end users across the country in an always-on-duty environment.
• Supported hardware, software, LAN and WAN for back office, point of sale computer, and payroll systems in over 300 locations.
• Worked in a 24 hour, 7 day a week environment.
• Researched and mastered systems to effectively provide excellent end user support.

Field Technician (1995-1996)
Repaired, replaced, and upgraded company equipment. Provided on site support to end users.
• Repaired, maintained and replaced equipment.
• Supported end users.
• Provided hardware and software upgrades.

Floor Staff Supervisor (1993-1995)
• Trained and managed floor staff.

Floor Staff (1992-1993)
• Provided front line customer service.

14 years...

The year was 1992 Folks....I was a 20 year old. Life was much different.

I was going Ocean County College. Graduating in the spring.

Still living at home with the folks.

Dating a woman named Kristina Thompson. The 1st woman I ever really felt something signifigant for. Also the 1st woman to ever really shatter my soul in the end. (another story for another day...)

I was angry at life for being dealt the Geek card. Uncomfortable in my own skin. I knew everything, and nothing was my fault.

Had no idea where I was going and no real ambition. some vage plan about going to a 4 year college and graduating with a degree in something.

Even though I had a licence was still leaning to drive properly.

was still a virgin.

had no money

generally made poor decisions.

also the year I took a job after many, many, months of unemployment. A job with a company called Loews Theatres. Opening a new theatre call the Freehold Metroplex. It wasnt the biggest theatre, only 8 screens. But the manager Jacob Salama told me it was going to be a great place.

I was taking the job against my parents wishes. They thought it was crazy to commute to Freehold for minimim wage and free movies.

Its funny how the smallest decisions can change your life.

Here I am 14 years later. Married with a lovely wife, severaly great friends, a great house, and generally having turned my life around.

Now the road here had more than enough of its share of disasters. But no matter what happened I always had my job with Loews Theatres. It was my rock. When all else failed and it did often. I always could count on the job to get me through. It was my rock, my anchor in a crazy world of my own making.

Alas that is about to end. My rock is all but dust and gravel and will be gone at 5pm on March 30 2006. Not by any fault of mine. Destoryed by sheer corperate greed.

I dont know how else to say it. I feel like I'm losing a limb, or an internal organ. I never lived for the job or the company. But I loved it. After 14 years I realize how much a part of me it has become. That part is being ripped out, amputated if you will.

I'm left in some bathtub full of ice with a note to go see a doctor. Some hack surgeon selling my removed parts on the black market, not caring if I live or die.

I've heard it all at this point:

How Smart I am, How talented I am, How I'll find another job, How I need to get over it, How I'll be ok, How everying will be fine. How I shouldnt take it personally, etc...and so forth. You name it. I cant take it anymore. I'm at a break point here. I dont blame anyone. What else can they say? None of it gives me one iota of comfort.

I feel: Sad, Angry, Hurt, Betrayed, Frightened, Nostalgic, and Depressed. Just to name a few

I'll find another job at least I'll try, if Im lucky the money, hours, and location will be good. It wont be the same. It wont be what I know; what I love. It wont be what I shared so many experiences with. It wont have my memories, my past, my friends, or my soul in it.

Maybe I will feel differently about it in 14 years.....

RIP My Friend

Loews Theatres was delivered the death blow today by AMC Entertainment Inc.
Loews has been assimilated.

Its a Very Sad Day for me. The company I knew and loved is dead. :(

Loews Theatres 1904-2006 RIP.

New Challenges

I'm sure you all thought this blog dead in the water. Surprise!

Well, 1 day till my wedding. Needless to say I'm very excited and agitated about this. Not about getting married. Pulling the event off is the trick.

Marcia and I really want our 40 guests to have a good time at this event.

While not expensive by most wedding standards. By the standard of how much we have in the bank lets just say its considerable. Over $150 a person when all prices are included. I also remind you gentle readers we just bought a house not too long ago and that comes with all the associated startup costs.

It's also a major challenge to try and coordinate 40+ people to come to an event and you would be surprised how mad they get at you for planning an event without their prior consent.

Its been a good experience over all with friends and family both going to great lengths to help us out.

I am looking forward to spending 8 days and 7 nights at the resort hotel Paradisus in the Mayan Riviera (just outside Cancun) with my lovely new wife.

Perhaps I will post some wedding and honeymoon pics when I get back.

My 1st Entry

Welcome all to my blog!

Even though I have no readers. I will follow the philosophy "If you build it they will come."

Now what will I be discussing probably just my random stream of consciousness type stuff and events in my life. I don't really have a plan here.

Currently the the most time consuming event in my life, besides work (I'm sure we will discuss work later.) is house hunting. Let me tell you this is a time and thought consuming process. I cant stand it. I want it to be over. Most of the houses you see if the 1st few weeks suck ass! Because you are looking in a bad price range. Then you increase the range and you find several houses that fit the bill. Now you have to try to choose the best one. Which is a choice that has about 10,000 different factors that all have to add up to perfect, or damn close to perfect. Weeding out a final choice, not being impulsive, and getting the most bang for your buck.

I'm going through this ordeal with my fiancee, without her I don't know If I would ever complete this process.

Why not just rent you say? Well I am currently renting. Its a waste. You pay $1100 a month for what? In the end nothing! Buying a house/condo/townhome at least your building equity. 5 years ago when I got the apt., I should have bought a town house. I would be much better off now if I had.

Alas 5 years ago I was in a very bad spot and it probably wasn't possible. That's a story for another day. "I'm feeling much better now!"

Other that that I'd say X-box and computer games rank high on the list of time consuming things in my life.

Well that's enough for now.