Have You Tried Turning It Off And On Again?

How about we reboot this little blog thing and while we are at it, talk about self-care.  I used to write regularly, granted it could probably be classified as horrible teen angst, but I used to do it.  Recently numerous things have been hinting to me, or so I think, that maybe I should do it more, again.  Albeit with a differnt subject matter.  What could possibly make me feel this way?

• I have got too many hands in too many things  (so, yes one more thing will help that...)
• I want to present something at a meetup  (last presentation was when? Jul 2017, Jul 2010, early 2007...)
• I have never submitted a CFP  (yet I have coordinated a BSidesDFW for 5 years...)
• I recently stepped out of the spotlight and into the wings with coordinating DC214  (see, now you have plenty of time...)
• I moved a box in the office and found the stash of aformentioned agnst  (and I actually read some of it...)
• I recently changed jobs and woe, the lack of KB articles  (ehh, technically can't talk about all that, but... where did I put that home lab?)
• I hear "everyone" talking about how kickass journaling is  (yeah... nothing to see here)
• I started three Twitter hashtags last year  (and almost made it most of the year with weekly tweets on one of those.)
• I looked at this site and realized the last post was 6 years ago  (maybe that is all the hint a wiser me needs. quietly walk away man)

And the list goes on.

So to that end, the plan is to keep the #ToolTuesday hastag going and highlight a utility each week on Twitter.  Likewise, get the home lab rebuilt and take a slightly deeper dive into software I am personally attempting to use here on this blog.  Everything else will just be a surprise, to all of us.

Self-Care, yeah I know nothing about that, but I hear writing is supposed to be cathartic.  As I reboot the blog I hope that other bits and pieces of life with get rebooted with it. Otherwise grab a beer and a seat cause this rage quit is going to be epic.

Here's to a better 2020 and beyond.

New Year, New Agenda

I have decided to smash my two worlds together as in actuality they are not that far apart.
Both are:
Time consuming and will sap you for all you let them
Wildly misunderstood by the bulk of modern society
Rife with legal concerns and seemingly endless court proceedings
Best handled with creative solutions, though don't let the word creative fool you as sometimes the creative solution is the damned easiest one
A circus of seriously passionate individuals
A way to give back to something greater than yourself
A means to shape and build a better future


Many Animal Rescuers are Hackers and they are not even aware of the fact.
Many Hacker cherish their companion animals and will fiercely defend the animal and it's rights without considering themselves an Animal Rescuer.

To this end I have duplicated my previous posts related to animal rescue on this blog and have removed the former from the hosting service.

Prepare for complete confusion when discussing things like viruses and beagle bone.  **note to self, must make concise use of labels on posts.

Thank You, Thank You Very Much

** Originally posted - 19 Feb 2012 on catalyticrescue.blogspot(deleted)

Thank You, Thank You Very Much.

It is said a thousand times and probably none of those are genuine. I'm not much for pomp and stance, thrills and extravaganza, but i believe in sincerity, i believe that when one says they will do something that they will follow that task through to the end.

I have selfishly taken several months "off". This is not simply selfish, due to the timing it is virtually deplorable. During a time of re-construction i take time off, to sit back, to breathe easy, to just not do anything. [While] This lack of activity [o]n one hand is completely deplorable it is [i]n effect necessary.

To all those that are engaged in animal welfare efforts please take a step back, take a moment away from it all. You are only as good as you are effective. To that end most of us are over extended.

Live my friend and maybe one day this will be yours.

Time Management

** Originally posted - 05 Feb 2011 on catalyticrescue.blogspot(deleted)

Today I find myself staring at the ever elusive skill of properly balancing efforts and time management.

Animal Welfare, It Is About The People

** Originally posted - 24 Oct 2010 on catalyticrescue.blogspot(deleted)

Funny how when I accidentally started down the animal welfare path, I thought it was just about the animals.  It is however very much about the people too.  The people that create the laws, the people that enforce those laws, the people that you work with, the people that you trust to care for the animals, the people that adopt the animals, the people that are responsible pet owners, the people that may need some guidance regarding responsible pet ownership, the people that don't like small animals ("rodents"), the people that have difficulty co-existing with wildlife, and the list goes continues to grow.


Each year that goes by I find myself being more involved with people than directly with the animals and that is okay.  If I fail in my customer service or my ability to illustrate the subtleties of a given conflict, I lose the connection to the people that I rely on to take these animals into their home.  If I cannot interpret the the frustration a person is having with a pet behavior I will not be able to effectively help them solve the issue, possibly resulting in yet another animal being taken to a shelter or simply tossed outside to care for itself.  I may be a superior ferret behaviorist, but if I cannot manage the volunteers within my organization the collective goals will not be reached.  The animal experts in the field most be able to clearly articulate the benefits and possible ramifications or a proposed law, or an existing law, to prevent and/or correct the establishment of less than well formed regulation


What resources do other animal welfare practitioners use to improve their people skills?


Does your animal welfare organization provide effective training?

Are you a volunteer with a day job?  Does your employer offer HR training?  A lot of these classes may benefit not only your employer but your engagement with other people.

Do any organizations offer free or discounted training to the public in your area?


We don't need a psychology degree, but we do need to educate ourselves on basic to intermediate people skills.

To help the animals, do not forget to get to know the people.

Middle Ground

** Originally posted -  05 Oct 2010 on catalyticrescue.blogspot(deleted)

The middle ground is non-existent in rescue and animal welfare.  When it is easy, it is delightfully uncomplicated however when it is difficult, it is a full-on test of your fortitude.

It is at this crossroads that I find myself.  I have only been in the game for five years, can I possibly be burnt out this soon?  I sure hope not but as they say, only time will tell.

What is it that we as leaders of animal welfare organizations can do so as to minimize this middle ground void?

Rescue, where are we going?

** Originally posted - 16 May 2010 on catalyticrescue.blogspot(deleted)

I have been involved in "animal rescue" since 2005. While this is a relatively short time compared to many of my compatriots, I feel I promptly descended to a depth of involvement untouched by most. It is here, on this blog, that I intend to invite discussion regarding what it is we do and how we succeed in reaching our goals.