rlfj: Blog

I had a complaint that the blog postings sometimes contain spoilers. Sorry about that. I promise that Chapter 20 does not involve the Grim Reaper being hired by NASA to create a SWAT team on the International Space Station in order to protect America's space secrets from ISIS. That won't happen for at least another two chapters. I will endeavor to be better about this.

Lots of people were happy to see Grim turn down the job at M&M. Most thought it wouldn't be a good fit. I think that's right. Several thought that M&M would try harder to get him on board, but one thing to consider is that M&M runs a system. If a candidate isn't going to fit the system, they won't let him create his own system. It will be the employee being changed, not the system.

Several years ago, we sold our housing company to a national chain. They were (and are) a very successful company, but they had a system. We were wined and dined, treated wonderfully, and paid a fair price, but when the dust settled and the papers were signed, we needed to fit into their system, or else. We were a family company, but a bunch of us were let go, another bunch got a pay cut, and the rest found themselves under a corporate microscope. Like I said, the employee changes, not the system. There was a reason I retired at 63.

Anyway, Grim doesn't seem destined for a sales position, but will stay a consultant and expert. Probably for the best.

Chapter 19 is a bit shorter than most, and basically wraps up the M&M storyline. Come on - did you really expect the Grim Reaper to become a corporate shill? Also, we're halfway through the story, so I am turning on voting. Enjoy!

For those interested in the Calibre program, go here:

https://calibre-ebook.com/

Download and install and you can convert any format to another. It is excellent.

The results are in, and I was surprised. Epub - 38, Mobi - 22, Pdf - 5. While most people prefer an epub reader, way more than I expected wanted mobi. Very few preferred pdf, citing issues with larger files and a lack of decent cataloging and indexing. I've added mobi and pdf version to the bookapy copy of this story. I will probably spend some time going through my other files and convert them to mobi and add them to the bookapy catalog, but that's a lot longer project. Thanks for the answers. FYI, I generally had the autocorrect screwups figured out. Some were pretty funny. You know who you are.

All that being said, just as many people commented that I or others could use the Calibre ebook management system. I've used it to create files for years, and it is excellent. It converts from my original Word doc and docx files to an ebook, but it also can convert from one ebook format to another, and it has more formats than I've ever heard of. Since I can't put a web address in a home page blog post, I will put it in the personal blog. Just go to my blog and you will find it.

'Be there with bells on' has several possible sources. One is that medieval court jesters wore bells on their costumes. Most included the idea that it comes from the practice of putting bells on horse harnesses and straps, sometimes for parades and circuses, sometimes to pay off rescuers if your carriage or wagon went off the road. The expression itself dates back to at least the early 18th Century.

What I described in the M&M approach to Grim is pretty standard. I've worked with consultants and sold a business to another outfit, and this pretty much describes what happens. The same is true in chapter 18. I've been to corporate meetings and sales banquets like I wrote, and I've seen mouthy drunks at those meetings, too! Welcome to big business!

One of my police editors described a situation where his department in the Galveston area hired a consulting company. As he described it: "In the end, they gave us several really stupid recommendations that didn't fit what we did, and left us with a book of rules and regulations…it was printed front and back of each page and was about 2 inches thick…I managed not to run afoul of the injunction against wearing a sword on my uniform…and that is the story about how the Board of Trustees blew almost $100,000" There was a LOT more silly stuff he described. It's like I've told my wife more than once about writing this story, I can't make this shit up!

A couple of small typo/errors in Chapter 17. Fixed. Thanks.

Now we get to see a totally different sort of police consulting. Do companies like this exist? You bet! Other than Miles & Madigan, the other companies are real. While researching this I went through their websites. Fascinating stuff.

The expensive dinner reminds me of a dinner I 'hosted' a dozen years ago or so. My son was stationed in Norfolk at the time and we all went down to visit. It was my wife and eldest daughter and me, my youngest girl and her fiancé (now husband), and my son, his wife, and their baby daughter. Anyway, we decided to go to dinner in Virginia Beach, where I had never been before, and we parked near a place called Ruth's Chris Steak House. I'd never really heard of it, just the name, and since Dumb Grandpa was paying, we went inside. I gulped when I saw the menu, but by then we were committed. At least we didn't have to pay for the baby. For the seven adults the price was well over $500. At least we didn't get the expensive stuff!

Here's a question I need some help with. For those of you who read ebooks, whether purchased through bookapy or other retailers, what format do you prefer? Epub, mobi, or pdf? What format does your device use? There have been occasional requests to change the format from the standard epub or offer alternative formats. Thanks.