Gaining sponsorship sux!

As I have mentioned (I think) previously, I am joining up with the Amputees Across America (AAA) riders in OKC on 03 July. We will be biking to Ardmore that day and then on to Dallas on the 4th. (The next three days we will be conducting visitations at 5 area hospitals).

I have already received sponsorship for my financial expenses for those five days (food, lodging, share of fuel for chase vehicles, etc) from the Barr Foundation. I have also received product sponsorship from 3rd Eye Mirrors. However, I have hit a few brick walls in regards to the big sponsorship ticket: a better bike! My current bike is a full mountain bike, instead of a hybrid or street bike. It is extremely heavy and has lower gears for power, instead of higher gears for speed. My sponsorship thru the Barr Foundation will allow for sponsors to donate to them and the the BF will transfer the donation to me for the furtherance of their mission. Since they are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the donations would act as a tax-deductible action.

Regarding the bike- I first contacted a local bike shop and provided the following scenario: If they donate a bike, they would get the tax-deduction, I would build them a new website (market value: approx $300-$400. Their current one is plain vanilla, to say the least) & I would share about them being my sponsor as often as possible. After two weeks of discussions, the last phone call consisted of: "we don't think we will get get enough publicity to justify donating a bike" click!

Next thought was the OSU Foundation. They are also a 501(c)3 organization, and federal regulations require 501(c)3s to donate some to each other. I called a friend at OSUF and ran the idea past him:
-501(c)3 donation credit
-OSU angle of sponsorship (staff member for over 16 years)
-Ride will begin at OU Health Sciences with my surgeon also riding. We expect a good amount of media coverage since there is an OU&OSU angle. (An additional reason for media coverage is the fact my surgeon's name is Ertl, the same as the name of the amputation method (Ertl Procedure) of the majority of the riders. It was named after the surgeon who developed the procedure, my surgeon's grandfather.)

My buddy initially indicated this sponsorship would be a no-brainer since there was to be plenty of media coverage as well as the 501(c)3 bonus. A few hours later I got a phone call indicating that my activity didn't fall under the 'normal' OSU type of function and as such, they would not sponsor me. However, they did recognize the potential of the event, so they will assist me with locating an alumni member that could assist. If I do get an OSU related sponsor, I would get this jersey to wear during the ride and visitations.

Why would I seek sponsorship like this for two days of riding? This event is (hopefully) the first of several in the coming years. My amputee 'mentor' Dan is looking to organize an all amputee race across the US next spring. We won't be breaking any records, but would attempt to complete it in 30-35 days (averaging 100-125 miles per day). There is also the chance to join the AAA ride for the complete route in 2007. So, the initial sponsorship I receive now will go a long ways.
share on: facebook

Quick Post

• Extremely busy at work ... even being given additional 'extra' little items to resolve
  
• Quick trip to Colorado Springs for Renee's "Mother's Day" went great (Sunday thru Wednesday)
  - will post more items on that later
  
• Attempting to dig out from under the email and vmail piles in my office

share on: facebook

My below knee has a first name...

A buddy of mine received this from a mailing list he is subscribed to:

************************************************************************
FROM THE "LOOK WHAT I HAVE TO PUT UP WITH" FILES
Several years ago, I was employed as a surgical technician in the operating room of a local hospital. A new secretary was assigned to our department whose job was to listen to the dictation done by the surgeons, type it up and place it on the patients' chart.
 
One day she asked me: "Bob, what's a Baloney amputation?" We had just done the procedure and when I finally caught my breath from laughing, I explained to her that the surgeon was saying "Below-Knee" amputation!!
************************************************************************

Everyone sing with me:

My below knee had a first name, it's O S C A R

My below knee has a second name it M A Y E R

Oh I love to wear it every day

And if you ask me why I'll say

Cause Oscar Mayer has a way of helping me get around all day

Original Oscar Mayer jingle

share on: facebook

A fun Saturday Morning

As some of you may be aware, I turned in my radio, sidearm & commission card to switch professions and become a computer geek some 12 years ago. I have always remained close to my old PD buddies, offering to provide assistance and support as needed. On Saturday, I had the privilege of working the 'eyes' of the Command Post (CP) involved with the protection of President Bush during his visit to Oklahoma State University (16 years ago I worked along side Secret Service agents at a metal detector when Bush Sr was here for Commencement 1990). My assignment was to work all surveillance cameras in and around the stadium where the commencement was being held. This included observing the graduates, stage, attendees inside, protestors (er, observers ... more politically correct term) outside, club house and suites, as well as the LZ (landing zone) for Marine One and the support choppers. In all my previous assignments, I had always been a field officer, never allowed into the inner sanctuary of the CP. After Saturday, I am rather thankful for that. Having to be the eyes for the command staff of two police departments (OSU & Stillwater), the Ok State Bureau of Investigation, Ok Highway Patrol and the Secret Service can get a little busy! Since I had to be at the PD at 3:00am and didn’t get released until almost noon, I wouldn't want to do this everyday, it will be something I remember for several years.

No, I didn't get to meet Dubya, nor did I get to meet his daddy, but that doesn't really matter.

Everything went smoothly, including the numerous protestors who where holding up signs ranging from:

• Who would Jesus bomb? (hmm, Sodom & Gomorah come to mind)
  
• No one died when Clinton lied (well, nothing but the death of honor, trust, dignity, need I go on?)
  
• No more blood for oil (that must be the reason for the high price at the pumps, we are squeezing the Exxon, Mobile, etc executives to death)
  
• and others too numerous to mention.

For the record, Bush didn't come here to create a political debate hotspot, but to honor the graduates who have been working their butts off to graduate. However, the protestors would rather attempt to turn this day into one of protest. I hate to say this, but Bush has heard, seen, read it all. I doubt one more sign in the buckle of the bible belt is going to make him do an about-face and change everything that has been decided up to this point!

But realize this ... if Bush comes to your area and you want to protest, have at it. Just remember these things (in no particular order):

1. Stay in your designated area! You aren't being shunned to the north 40, but will (most likely) be in an area without direct line of sight of the president. This is for the safety of the President. While this may be a 'free country', it ain't totally free!
   
2. If you leave the designated area and continue to act as a protestor, obey the law enforcement officers when instructed to return to area. (I don't care what they say, the handcuffs aren't new and they won't stretch a little to become more comfortable in a few minutes)
   
3. Don't try to pass yourself off as a Secret Service agent to a uniformed officer, especially if you have been drinking a few minutes/hours before (see above reference about handcuffs)
   
4. Common sense, while a diminishing commodity in many today, is your best friend!
   share on: facebook

Silence

It is amazing how loud silence can actually be at times. In my office, I have (had) an external 60GB drive on my desk primarily for backup purposes. Over the past few months it started to generate a very low volume but high-pitched whine. It was always more noticeable when the drive was being accessed, but the noise was always there. A couple of weeks back, it got to the point where visitors to my office would inquire what was making that 'annoying noise'. Being that it started slowly, I became accustomed to it.

As I was more concerned with the fact the drive was giving signs of a future failure (something was obviously wrong with it to sound as it did), I requested a replacement drive. It arrived today and I took a few minutes to swap out the drives. I had already made a copy of the data on the external drive to my primary computer since I knew I was going to have a replacement within a few days. I am currently copying the data back over to the new drive and if it weren't for the "Copying..." dialog box on my screen (with the flying paper animation) or the "Access" light flickering on the front of the drive, I would have no way of knowing the device is in use!

Silence can be a golden thing ... now if I could just get some replacement co-workers!
share on: facebook