Sunday, May 20, 2007

Progress and Relaunch of Iratefans

The house is really coming along nicely. The roof is finished and electrical wiring begins. Windows are to arrive within a week and then they will drywall the place. After that, it's smooth sailing and I am ready to leave apartment life for good.

Here is a picture of my kitchen and garage. The door opens into the garage.


I've already met a neighbor who will let Biskit out for me while I'm working and that is huge. I have a great view of a wooded area in my backyard and I look out into some beautiful old trees from my master bedroom.

The tentative closing date remains end of June/early July which is perfect as my lease is up end of July.


We're revving up Iratefans.com again as the shitful Pirates are back at it again.

It's really a damn shame how bad this team is year after year and the entire organization is run extremely poorly. There is no accountability whatsoever.

For those looking for a forum to vent, I offer the fastest-growing Bucs site on the net, MaximumGrilledPirates.com.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Same Old Cleveland Brownies



I liked this image so much I had to blog it for everyone to see. It's nice to see some things just don't change.

Tough to chide an ND guy, but now that he's a Brown, screw him.

Monday, May 14, 2007

So I Got Promoted...



Please excuse the mug shot but you get the point. I've been elevated to Senior Manager following a stint as Project Manager. Here is the news release for your reading enjoyment. Please e-mail me if you would like a new business card. The first 50 requests will receive a signed and numbered card. These will be worth big money.

XOS Network Enhances Customer Support with Internal Structure Changes

Additional technicians combine with current leadership to offer the most comprehensive XOS support services to date

ORLANDO, Fla. – May 14, 2007 – XOS Technologies, Inc., the leading technology provider for maximizing the value of content, commerce and services for sports organizations and fans, today announced a series of structural changes to its Network Operations and Support Center as the XOS Network of more than 150 partners continues to expand.

Jeff Young, XOS Network vice president of Operations, today announced new leadership appointments for XOS employees John Henry, Kraig Koelsch and Jeffrey White. Young designated the new leadership positions to accommodate the company’s rapidly growing support center staff. XOS Technologies continues to demonstrate “strong organic growth” which places a heavy emphasis on support services, according to Young.

“We’ve continued to make some big investments to ensure that the superior level of service that our Network partners are accustomed to continues to exceed their expectations even as we grow,” Young said. “The XOS Network Support Center has expanded its well-rounded team of experts to include an even greater variety of skill sets. In addition, with a new management team in order, our partners will continue to receive the same prompt responses to help them answer their questions immediately.”

As part of its continued investment to enhance its support center, XOS promoted Henry from project manager to senior manager of Partner Support. In addition, Koelsch was promoted from project manager to senior manager of Fan Support and White was promoted from partner support representative to project manager.

In his new position, Henry will oversee a team of partner support representatives and ensure that the evolution of the team progresses smoothly, adequately and with no interruption to Network partners. Henry’s professional background includes more than six years of sports-specific Web experience – four of which were spent at CSTV Online and its precursors, and two with AOL.

Koelsch’s new role entails daily oversight for the fans of the XOS Network partner teams to ensure complete satisfaction with premium site offerings. Koelsch served as programming manager for two years at AOL and Netscape before joining XOS. Prior to that, he spent nearly three years as the online content manager for Cox Television's wsoctv.com, the No. 1 Charlotte ABC affiliate, where he achieved record page view, page weight and ad revenue figures within first year.

White began his XOS career working in the trenches of the XOS Support Center, where he formed solid relationships with many of the Network’s partner teams. In his new position, he will lead a designated support team in assisting select Network partners.

The XOS Network Support Center focuses on assisting its professional and collegiate sports partners with troubleshooting regarding:

*Web production and development
*Web publishing (non-digital media assets)
*Web content implementation
*Digital media
*Information technology
*Streaming video across broadband networks

The XOS Network Support Center offers partner and fan support 24/7 through a variety of options including e-mail, phone and live instant messaging based on customer preference.

“Our Network support team needs to be as dynamic as the content that our partners are delivering to fans via the Web, “Young said. “To this end, we’re always examining ways to ensure the best possible support for our many and varied partners. Today’s announcement goes to the heart of our belief that no matter how superior our technology offerings, people make the difference”

XOS Network President Nada Usina also added, “The XOS difference can be summed up by one word – integrity. When we say 24/7 service we mean it. Nothing proves this more than our partners’ trust in that XOS promise. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Just ask any of our partners who have switched to the XOS Network from other providers whose integrity couldn’t match what is demonstrated by XOS every day.”

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Happy Mother's Day! Roof Roof, Woof Woof!


First off, Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, Kathie Koelsch. Also, Happy Mother's Day to all the rest of the mothers out there as well.

Had a good weekend thus far with Fat Bradley. The slob currently is asleep after eating 10 mini doughnuts, a bag of Gardettos, half a can of peanuts and half a bottle of wine.

We're having tacos tonight and Lonely John Henry will be attending. I was pissed that the race was rained out last night, but it is always great on a Sunday.

We went to the dog beach yesterday (Smyrna Dunes) and were horrified to see the damage caused by the latest storm last week. I'd say more than half of the beach is now ocean.

Biskit loves it there and it so so peaceful. So that's what makes it so sad.

In other news, the house is going awesome. The guys are working sunrise to sunset 7 days a week.

Here's to hoping Dale Jr. end up driving the no. 3 car (with GM Goodwrench) for Richard Childress Racing next year. That would be awesome.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Happy Birthday Biskit, House in 50 Days!


Biskit turned 1 today and my friend Fat Bradley and I celebrated by buying her some Doggie ice cream, which she loved. She is all better from her colitis and happier than a pig in shit.

Also, I found out today that my new townhome will be ready ahead of schedule. The builders are targeting end of June. I am so excited as I finalized my options today and toured the site with the head foreman.

I look forward to entertaining my family and friends. My parents will be here in two weekends along with my friend Julie.

In other news, Alan Faneca told the Steelers to screw off in a manner I've not seen in some time. It's really ugly. I hope they get Polamalu squared away.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

The Walls, Come.....Tumblin' Up!



So the picture sucks but don't blame the photographer. I got as close as I could as there were 10 Mexicans running around.

I'm so excited and every day brings more progress. I got promoted today at work so congrats to me. I'm now a SENIOR Project Manager.

Bow down to my presence.

Don't ask what it all means as it's as confusing as a Pirates personnel decision.

But, we press on and count down until home ownership.

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Look Closely: Second Floor Appears


Biskit is under the weather with a form of colitis so says the best Veterinarian, Dr. Ginger Bryant Hutchinson from the Glencoe Veterinary Hospital in New Smyrna Beach.

But regardless, Biskit and I are so happy with the progress of our new house. On a side note, Biskit turns 1 this Friday May 11.

Send gifts to:

Biskit
C/O Kraig Koelsch
13104 Lymestone Court
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168

p.s.s Thanks again to the best parents in the world for helping make this dream come true. Biskit and I love you very much!

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Damn: Maybe It Was a Good Pick

A punter in the fourth round? Take a look and judge for yourself. That's one hell of a shot laid out by new Steelers' punter Daniel Sepulveda.