So Wassup With Eddie???
aka "the Eddie Tapes"
Updated Last on 05/24/2010
People want to know what's up with me. A frequently asked question at the party. Since I probably can't talk much, here's a quick attempt to let you know...
Eddie's Portable Pig Out:
I had an unusual few cancellations in May, which delayed the start of my season. But I've done two smallish BBQ's for the work crowd and some online friends. So I'm already warmed up. Looks like June 12th, I hit it hard with 3 big jobs that weekend, and then it's "Off To The Races" after that, with a pretty full schedule till end of October. (and some openings still). I would expect it to be business as usual, with roughly 30 events this season. Some heavy weekends, some light, and maybe if I pray hard enough, a few weekends off. I just ran an ad in Craiglsist for some new talent. I have about 10 regular staffers now, and need more. Generally it's going OK. But it's always hard transition over from being a "normal person" in my offseason to "Busy Caterer" in the summer. Sometimes, I detest what this gig is doing to my life. Yet other times, I'm thankful for it.
Is it profitable? Well, depends on how you look at it. At the end of the summer, the money I make doesn't really jive with the sheer amount of effort expended. I honestly think if money was my primary interest, I'd be better off doing something else. If I just focused on home improvement and flipping houses... I think I'd be much wealthier in general. That said, between this and my primary income, and no ex-wife to siphon half of everything I own, I'm very fortunate and blessed to be doing just fine.
Real Estate
I remain in a search for the next Eddie's Portable Pig Out World Headquarters. I have a residential realtor and a commercial realtor both trying to find the right place for me. So far, the perfect place has eluded me, but I keep looking. On the residential side, my primary goal: a large level property with 2-4 acres, a nice house, and either existing outbuildings, or the potential for me to build the building of my dreams.. Need to find the place that won't bust my balls over zoning too. I've also considered going with commercial property, but have yet to find the right place that's affordable and supports what I need to do. Commercial rentals are available, but I'm reluctant to go that route. Looking for 2500sq ft minimum with outdoor storage/parking. The business only rocks out for 4-5 months, then there's no income. Carrying a rental for the offseason would eliminate all profits. At least if I bought a place, I'd be building equity... Anyway, the search is on.
House:
I'm having a new garage door installed in a few weeks. The old one rotted. It'll be open for ZP, so you won't notice... but the old door is shot. I have a tough time pulling the trigger on the home improvements I'd like to do, mainly because my money may be better spent on the Real estate transaction, than on fixing up the old place. But whether I stay or go, I'm pretty much convinced I want to redo the kitchen. Step one is to replace the back door and screen door. Then I can refinish the kitchen floor properly to the new door. Then I can yank everything else. What will follow is new paint throughout the house, and new rugs upstairs. I'm also contemplating a major relandscaping effort in the rear of the house. Could include removal of the deck, and some significant dirt moving. Reclamations of more of my yard. I'd like to see a really intricate paver stone patio, with some firepit features, and built in benches, and masonry back steps. And of course, a very well developed, covered cooking center. All of the above is a $70K nut if I had it done. Less if I do it myself (as if I had any time to do this shit anymore), but still costly. Is $70K better spent on the new place?
Personal
Allan is doing well. He lives in Bradenton, FL now. And has started up several small business of his own. One is Beach Breeze Weddings, a casual wedding coordinator. The other is a Sarasota Home and Pet care Services. It's slow going developing his clientele, but my hat is off to him for forging ahead after being unemployed for a while.
Mom's doing fine down in Delray Beach..I visit her annually, and she visits me annually. She's got a new Boyfriend who lives up in the FL panhandle...they visit each other frequently.
Yes, I'm still single... Kinda like it that way.
Work:
I no longer work at the Packaging Division at Picatinny Arsenal. I changed jobs about 3 years ago. I still work at Picatinny,, but in a new position. I work in a huge metal shop. Basically it's a pilot manufacturing facility, that has state of the art metal fabrication capabilities. I specifically work with a team that develops add-on armor kits that attach to existing military vehicles, to protect the gunners from IED blasts and sniper shots. Follow this link for an example. Also read this link (I'm one of the patent holders for the armored cover in that picture). The gist of it is that we design stuff, rapidly make prototypes...which allows for user evaluation. If changes are required, we make 'em rapidly, build a new set of prototypes, and eventually develop the technical data necessary for the design to be mass-produced by large production houses. We handle limited productions, but mainly pass things off to people who are better at production. The advantage is we can move quickly on projects because of the close contact the designers have with the machinists.. I love the job... very rewarding to directly help the soldier.
I have only 8 more years till retirement. Can't come soon enough. The minute I can sign the papers, I'm the fuck out of there. EPPO will be my retirement gig.