RyanH

Pick a service they will require 99% of the time and specialize in that if you are going to do it. Or find someone else who can assist you. I did this very service for some commercial clients...primarily was a janitorial service and I took care of other cleaning services "as required." I had a commercial carpet extractor, floor buffers, pressure washer, etc. I typically sold them premium services on janitorial and did the extras "as needed" without additional charge, the fee was just amortized over the contract term. They really liked this and never felt the need to request the service as it was done before things got out of hand. Larger complexes are perfect for this as they have breakrooms that need waxing and outside smoking areas to be cleaned and typically large windows that can use a good cleaning every once in awhile, but these things are typically outside of the scope of the average janitorial service which makes you a good candidate for those interested.

Michael... You missed my point. I aim to tear down this concept of "entitlement." Nobody is entitled to anything but the opportunity to start from zero and go wherever their dedication takes them. Some do it, and some complain about it being too difficult. The day I realized that I needed more than $3 per hour doing lawn work around the neighborhood, I moved up to washing cars at $10 per pop. When I learned that doing this 2 or 3 times per week didn't give me the income I desired, I got a job for minimum wage but had more hours to work. When I realized I couldn't get by on $5 per hour, I found a place that paid $7 and proved myself. Then on to $12 per hour doing lab crap then to $40 cleaning bathrooms and kitchens and then to $90 by pressure washing. Then I moved to something else making less but enjoyed more. Everytime I required more money or opportunity, I found new and different ways to make it. But there were times when I needed more income than any of those would provide and I worked 3 jobs at any given time until I was 26. Nowhere is it stated that you 66% of your day should be free to do whatever and 2 out of 7 days in teh week should be free. The only truth in our lives is that we do with it what we will. When our desires outweigh our abilities to pay for them, then we should either rethink our goals or our methods of getting there. We are not entitled to niceties or wealth or anything else. Don't defend those who aren't making more than $10 per hour; we are all in positions in our lives because of the sum of choices we've made. I've tried to help others and offer advice on how to better themselves. So far, nobody wants to make the difficult choices it takes to resituate themselves in life, and they continue to despair and complain. Now I need to re-evaluate my path for getting my porch complete and quit wasting time on the internet. Pics to come soon!

...because our federal government is failing us so poorly... Brother, you said a mouthful. If more people would put the focus of their efforts back on the local effort, we could eliminate so many of our problems as they stand now.

Not to sound like a mean spirited conservative or anything, but when did we develop the idea that we should make enough in 40 man hours to support a family and have a nice home / car / etc? It's a simple equation: if you can't make enough money at $8 - $10 per hour, you may just have to work more hours. Or get a roomate. Or husband / wife / gay lover both work. Implement the FairTax and obliterate the magnanimous waste that is our IRS and it's HUGE cost to our federal deficit and return that money back to the tax payers who pay for it. Eh all that aside.... As for why it's profitable to hire illegals...it's all about supply and demand. In my phone book there are dozens and dozens of landscaping companies. For most white-collar workers, it is more effective for them to hire someone else to do work like this than to invest the time and money to learn and do it themselves. But, one reason they became wealthy is by not throwing money away. Thus, they will go with the best valued service, which in a market where all service is comparable in quality, is the cheapest service. If someone offers me the same service for 20% less cost and I don't ask why it's so cheap, I'm just promised the same service, then that's where I'll go (well, not me PERSONALLY, but folks in general). America has become a disposable society and we want everything to be easy and cheap. We've becomed accustomed to the $0.99 menu at Wendy's and would balk if it ever rose to $1.10, even 5 years after it was implemented. I can't remember the last time a fast food menu has changed in price (except for maybe Taco Bell). Yet other costs have increased...fuel, raw food material costs, taxes (local property definitely), etc. Businesses are either taking a hit on their profits or are just selling more product, either way they haven't kept up with market conditions of inflation. It's because Americans will storm out at the slightest hint of a price increase and go to a competitor. And if businesses don't raise costs, they can't raise wages. Look at how many people will shop at Rooms to Go or some similar for cheap furniture that is made in China (or Handcrafted in Asia as some stores are now craftily selling it). We have a store nearby that sells handmade sofas made locally by craftsmen...these things retail for around $1500 and carry a lifetime warranty. A similar unit sans warranty would go for about $499 at a Rooms2Go location. Again, Americans shun the more expensive place with a "how dare you charge me that much" attitude and go for the cheap furnitre, figuring they'll get a new one once the financing period has run out anyway. Remember: disposable. We can blame American consumers as a large reason American business is as it is. Businesses as a core have one goal: large profits. EVERY business owner here does it. Even if you tout your higher wages for employees as a humanitarian display of virtue, you are really doing it because you recognize that you can retain that talent and in the long run it will make you more money. There is no conspiracy to pull anything over our eyes or to change our country. It is our drive for cheap commercial goods and services that push businesses to find new and innovative ideas to meet our demands. Manufactured goods are 2/3 labor cost and 1/3 material cost (roughly). So the next time some fat blooded American says "they took my jorb" you can say "quit being so damned cheap and start supporting American commerce!" because until we stop demanding cheap goods, we won't stop getting imported goods / labor.

Damned Whitey's marched my ancestors halfway across the country on the Trail of Tears many years ago. I guess my ancestors adapted and learned their language. When conquerors move in to conquer, the conquered must learn to speak the new language. I believe there is a thought and concerted effort for Mexicans to move into and become a dominant force in our country. They demonstrated this a few months back with the work "outage" in which they protested and didn't work (they should have all be fired same as anyone else). I for one hate that our culture is "bowing down" to this invasion and making it easier, but I also recognize that in a market economy, they are doing the "right thing." If there is a huge economic force out there with disposable income (regardless of the source), then as a business you want to be the first one on the block to offer a service to accomodate that market. Personally, I've stopped supporting certain stores that have gone this route (ala Walmart). In the (2nd) new Walmart being built in my town, the entrances and contractors signs are all in spanish (with some english sprinkled in at the bottom of the signs for good measure). If I didn't have the experience of being a foreigner working in foreign countries over the past 2 years, I might get "offended" by this, but I've been in countries where they've accomodated Americans who don't know foreign languages. I got by in central and south america with the spanish I know, and I got around germany okay. But when I go to china I won't have a friggin clue! Then I'll be glad for the co-english signs. And I've driven in those countries too, so you don't need to speak the language to have a driving permit.

When I hear of actions such as this, I get the mental image of one of those 1800's cartoons with the charicatures....a shady guy standing at the border beside a sign saying "American Border" and waving folks across, while looking over his shoulder at the American business owners saying "now don't ya'll hire these folks....<wink wink nudge nudge>" The ONLY thing that would satisfy me about this fining businesses is if the US government takes that $50k per illegal immigrant and puts 100% of it towards building a wall to prevent future illegal immigration. Otherwise, I just see this as another income source for our government with no real aim at stopping it.

In case anyone is interested in alternate technologies as well....although not comparable to dial-up, my wireless internet has been working rather well. I can stream 128 bit music with it no problem and can zip through pages and get decent downloads. If you are in an EVDO area, or want internet at home and on the road it's the way to go. Through verizon wireless I pay around $45 per month...my cable cost at home costs that much by itself. With this I could dump the cable at home and take the internet with me. If it wasn't for that whole wife thing......

http://thegrimescene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2880

If uploading files and downloading from Ipod makes you talk like THIS, count me OUT !

You pull up to a bustop in your brand new sportster. At the stop, you see your best friend who just got off work, an old woman who is on her way to her dialysis treatment, and the most gorgeous--and for whatever reason, obviously available--woman you've ever seen. You also notice that the bottom is about to fall out of the sky and terrible lightning is looming, yet you saw the bus broken down 2 blocks back and don't think it will be up and running anytime soon. What do you do? Give your best bud a ride and keep him dry, take the lady to the hospital on your way home, give a ride to your potential future honey.........

With ipods, are you limited to just music you download from the ipod site or can you put WMA / MP3 files on them? I have around 5,000 songs I've ripped from my CDs over the years and it would suck if none of them would work on a $350 music player.

Sounds like you live in Germany, not USA! The county I'm in has a "code enforcement" office in the government building downtown. I'm sure that'd be the one to check with everything in the county. You can start with the Cobb County (Marietta, right?) office to see if they have similar and go from there. They may have recommendations on whom to contact at the city level as well. Many historic or preservation districts have strict codes involving maintenance and upkeep of this typ.

Cool...I may have to pull it back out and give the online gaming a shot.

Is that PS or XBOX? I've been considering going with one of them and doing the online gaming. My brother's big into Ghost Recon and Halo...looks like fun.

Your initial concentration is 0.125 (12.5 / 100) If that's on a "part" basis (ppm, as opposed to mass), that's basically 3 quarts solution x 0.125 quart pure SH / 1 quart solution = 0.375 quarts pure SH going into your final solution. When you mix 3 quarts solution + 40 quarts water, you have a final solution of 43 quarts. Of that, 0.375 quarts is your SH, so your concentration is: 0.375 / 43 = 0.0087 = 0.87% which is probably what Ken meant by 0.9%. That's the solution concentration leaving the hose, regardless of your units. Either way, that's a pretty weak mix. If you want to bump up your final concentration, you can use these numbers: 1% : use a ratio of 11.5 quarts water per quart 12.5% solution 2% : use a ratio of 5.25 quarts water per quart 12.5% solution 3% : use a ratio of 3.2 quarts water per quart 12.5% solution 4% : use a ratio of 2 quarts water per quart 12.5% solution 5% : use a ratio of 1.5 quarts water per quart 12.5% solution 6% : use a ratio of 1 quarts water per quart 12.5% solution And you can extrapolate anywhere in between for fine-tuned mixtures. If you play around with your valve settings, you can calibrate different settings to pre-determine the settings that correspond to each concentration. Or, use an inline orifice (like you mentioned). The viscosity of the SH will affect the valve settings, though, so if you want to get an accurate test, you'll have to perform the test using real SH (not approximating with two buckets of water).

Washaway's advice to pick your focus up front is an excellent starting point. If you are going to specialize in roof cleaning and don't want to invest huge sums up front, you could start off small with a Shurflo and 100' of hose. You could use a smaller pressure washer just to rinse. I know it's like nails on a chalkboard to many contractors to suggest buying inferior equipment at first, but if it's to "test the waters," there's no point in bringing an M16 to a laser tag match. You could use a pickup bed for this. If you only want to do house washing, you'll be fine with a 4 gpm portable machine and 200' of hose. Bypass on the reels up front if initial capital is limited. Put your money into quality chemicals for each job. And an Xjet. It's cheaper than a ladder and much faster. I used a 4' x 8' open trailer for this and it worked very well. I was at this level for about a year before I made enough to buy a bigger machine and surface cleaner. If you want to eventually move to doing flat surfaces (driveways, etc.) definitely go with a higher gpm machine and a surface cleaner. Or buy the bigger machine at first, do some houses, then buy the surface cleaner with the earnings. Then focus on the hose reels and other gadgets. These will all help to decrease your time spent at the same task. I'd go with a 6' x 10' or bigger for this arrangement since this will be a skid mount unit and the surface cleaners take up some valuable real estate in your trailer. I got to this level and "quit," but retained the equipment. It's still fun to go out every now and then to do a small job and pretend to be a pro :)

There is a reason economics is called the dismal science. You can't harvest a field on desire alone, at some point you need tangible action to acheive a goal. Similarly, just because people "need" things, doesn't necessarily mean that they will be readily available. I said I have nothing against temporary help and assistance...I've paid enough into the system that I sure as hell would want to get some of it back (and I can say BACK because I've actually paid it already!!). But if something happened that required a lifestyle change, I would change my lifestyle so I can accomodate my family's needs. I can sell my house, downgrade, sell one of the cars, drop cable, cell if necessary, etc. There are many things in my life that I don't "need." My point is that government / insurance should not be in the business of continued sustenance, because the funds come from some other source...namely other taxpayers or plan members. What you say is cold is reality. You can't ask the majority to live on the efforts of the minority. For that I reference this little "inconvenient truth:" Top 50% of Wage Earners Pay 96.03% of Income Taxes. Check out this graph: http://www.allegromedia.com/sugi/taxes/#Head-1.htm Notice the area below the 40% income margin? Notice that the tax paid is NEGATIVE? In reality, that means this bracket is receiving money FROM the government...rather, FROM those ABOVE the 40% bracket. Okay, so maybe not technically a majority as far as population goes, but the point is the same: we have become a culture that recognizes that they can be cared for by our government, and they never make the connection that the government needs to take the money from others to pay it. If you go to what I said a few days back, money is a symbol of one's acheivement and time spent at a task, and what really irks me is these SOBs believe they are ENTITLED to my time and my life and my dedication to their preservation. I can give voluntarily and gladly do, for my own reasons, but I sure as silk don't believe I should be forced to. But alas, sorry for contributing to your sickness and continuing this thread. I need to go and be productive instead of eating up bandwith here. Time to follow my signature and contribute something to this site....

Let 'em put my words in the media. I can defend everything I've said and have nothing to hide :lgbounces

Too young. Besides, I wouldn't tolerate much crap from the beaurocrats and wouldn't be very popular in either party. I told my wife I'd probably end up like Kennedy (the former President, not the drunk, the bad pilot, the killer, nor the drunk). If I didn't enjoy my job so much, I'd consider running for something. If only deciding how to spend everyone else's money on things they didn't want didn't require a full-time dedication....

Excellent point. Here is the problem I see with healthcare...for too long recipients have been using and abusing it. I know many folks who visit the doctor everytime their nose runs. Doctors charge for this, insurance companies pay it, realize the next year that they lost money, and bump up the coverage fees. This happens year after year and that's why we are where we are now. Every year my company needs to re-evaluate the insurance, and the cost is a significant portion of our benefits. If the government DID step in, here is what I propose... Allow people to "pick and choose" their coverage. I would LOVE to have the option of buying into an insurance plan that covered EMERGENCIES for me. If I were to break my leg, get in a wreck and become injured, etc., then give me treatment. If I have an aneurism or require stitches, give me treatment. But don't give me coverage for regular doctors visits, unless actuarialist studies show that statistically it is beneficial for me (prevention vs. cure idea). When my wife and I "have fun," we know there is a risk for pregnancy. If we choose to start a family, we should provide for the cost of childbirth just like we would have to prepare to pay for adoption. Insurance shouldn't cover that, unless there are onforseen consequences. Basically, encourage hospitals to establish "base costs" for various operations. Then, individuals can shop around based upon cost and treatment options (just like we do with our services now). If I develop some condition that will require a lifelong prescription for medication, then I should adjust my lifestyle to adjust...insurance should not cover that for the rest of my life. In this case, your idea of negotiating for drug prices makes sense. My medical plan used to require me to first visit a primary care physician, then have him refer me to a specialist. I called up the company and argued with them for awhile about this...I had an ingrown toenail, knew a podiatrist would be required to both remove it and kill the root so it would never return. It'd be a one-stop shop, never needed again. I FINALLY made them understand that it would be cheaper to just go to one doctor and get it done rather than two. Later I moved to a PPO and was able to pick and choose, but it now costs me more out of pocket to do this. Glasses, contacts, etc. shouldn't be covered by insurance. If I get a metal shard in my eye while grinding down some steel, THEN I'd expect it. But only if it penetrated my OSHA-approved safety shields :D But what I don't want is a government that tells people "Don't worry...whatever happens to you, your government will be there for you. We will protect you." I want adults to act like adults, to be responsible, and to take care of themselves. I wasn't comparing NO and northerners in magnitude of destruction, I was comparing the mentality. Here's a better example: 9/11. When hell hit downtown that day, I didn't see a bunch of people sitting around and wondering when the gubment was going to step in and take care of them. I saw people helping people, I saw LOCAL authorities jumping up to do what they do best, I saw individual citizens taking charge and getting things accomplished. The people in NY had tremendous courage and integrity that day...the people in NO succumbed totally to a victimized mentality. A hurricane hit them, and they wanted to blame the government for not having everything in place to take care of them. For the ones who did take charge and try to help out, my condolences for any loss you may have experienced and appreciation for your actions...you acted like true Americans. What party would carry the mantra "Americans for a stronger America?" That's the party I want to support.

Actually...that dinner analogy is rather poor. Imagine if the HOMELESS SHELTER across the street from your project complex, after seeing the work you've done and assuming the money you made, forced you to fund a thanksgiving dinner for the shelter patrons...and not just any dinner, but one nicer than you would provide for your own family. And then didn't thank you for it, but further betrated you for the amount of money you were "allowed" to keep even after funding the dinner. Yeah, that analogy fits better.

Patriot Act...the only place people are completely safe is in solitary confinement. Give me freedom over security anyday. I firmly believe that it is the oppression forced upon citizens by governments / ruling bodies that encourage terrorism and fear. Terrorist governments have been enjoying their free run of oppressing their populations for years...that America (so far) doesn't exhibit those qualities is a bane to them and a symbol for them to despise. As for "right winger"...sheesh. Let me just say this: I hate Robin Hood. I hate the character and all he stands for. I've always despised the story and even in school I never understood why teachers were forcing it upon us. Now I know. Jeff...why do you take it personally when I use the word "dumb?" I never attacked you personally. When I say dumb, I meant the people I DID attack...those who think there are such things as "free lunches," those who think that you can actually tax a corporation, those who think that the poor are victims of the rich. Nobody has yet to defend those positions, yet I can think of numerous ways to destroy all of them. So my use of "dumb," while you may think it is egotistical, is accurate. I didn't say that only "smart" people should vote, I just said that if we were to consider 100% of people's inputs and opinions, we would become a mob state. As for president 2008...I wish we could get past the normal crap. I'm tired of hearing "health plan" and such. You know what...I don't have a problem affording health care. I have a job that pays for it...the value I provide to my company is high enough that they feel it is worth their while to make sure I am healthy, and they offer it as a benefit to keep me. I don't think it is the governments responsibility (err...taxpayers' responsibilities) to fund full-time health care for those who choose not to get it. Instead of giving citizens things to just fix their needs, how about building them up to be self-sufficient? Government is quick to take care of people's needs, but never to improve sufficiency. Welfare? I'm all for it on a limited-time basis. But don't make it a lifestyle. Government can't take care of all of our problems...just look at NO after Katrina. Those folks have been led to believe that the US Government is fully capable of taking care of them and will be there...the lapsed into a state of dependency and apathy, and look at what happened. Had the culture been not been told all their lives that someone else will take care of them, they wouldn't have stood around saying "When is someone going to help US out??" They would have stood up and done it themselves like the folks in FL do so often. I don't see northerners whining about being snowed in. Insurance too high? Stop making it a law to cover every possible need. Our society abuses insurance and the medical system. My colleagues here from europe constanly compliment the quality and abundance of medical care in the states...their socialist system is slowly failing them year by year. Drug war...we've lost it. Put the money into rehab hospitals and stop using 4 officers to tackle some teenager with a little pot in his pocket. Treat drugs like alcohol. Abortion...face it, California and GA will NEVER agree eye to eye. So stop fretting about abortion and let each state worry about it. Gay marriage...call it a union if you'd like. Give them the same tax advantages as hetero couples. Let the "marriage" be performed in a church and recognize it as that...let the "legal union" be performed in a court house and similarly recognized. Taxes... no more "progressive" taxes. No more graduated taxes. Fair Tax. No more "from each according to his ability to each according to his need." Foreign policy...stop feeding half the continent of Africa while ignoring issues at home. Work to make our country more self-sufficient. We are slowly becoming a world-dependent country. If I were to name items I use every day, I can't compile a complete list of things I use everyday that can be made entirely in America. Eventually China will control the purse strings of the oil companies, and we'll be sitting around going "what happened." Bush promised ONE thing when he came into office...no more inheritance taxes. They still exist. Not as high as they were, but they are still there. Clinton did ONE good thing in office...Line Item Veto. Wonderful (seriously, not sarcastic). Think before you label anyone "right" or "left" or believe that I am intending these descriptions to be applied to you specifically. Jeff, I know you are a smart person...the success of your business is evidence of that. But if the people in the apartments you clean wanted to host a thanksgiving dinner, and told the apartment manager that you should fund it because of all the money they have paid you for your services, do you think that would be right? You may "want" to do it, but is it okay for the manager to reserve a portion of the pre-agreed upon funds for you to pay for the meal without your consent? I doubt you'd agree to that.

Why do liberals always compare economic conservatives to Hitler? Seriously? Can you offer even one coherent, logical correlation between the two? I know it must sound good to say (it must because so many do), but I honestly can't see the correlation. I read Mein Kampf...I'm familiar with the reasons Hitler did what he did. They were wrong and dispicable. But why oh why are conservatives compared to him? Because I don't love everyone simply because they are human? Is it because I judge people upon their merits and contributions? Personally, I favor freedom, and there are too many people in our society--and in the world--who don't favor freedom. I believe in the right to make my own path in life and acheive or fail as I please, not to do something and blame the outcome--success nor failure--on the fault of others. I love liberty. I love freedom. That makes me Hitler-like? Obviously you haven't done your research. Hitler did, however, have one quote that the democrats seem to be applying in their unscripted plan for America: "What luck for rulers that men don't think." Given the condition of our schools, the impact by teachers' unions, the ever-growing political correctness, and generally dumbing down of our society as it pertains to economics, this quote is pretty damming. Another quote I'm reminded of...."Liberty is the soul's right to breathe; without liberty, Man is a syncope." And our country is quickly losing it's desire to have liberty. We are shaming the generations that built this country into what it is.

Pure democracy (everyone's input counts everytime) is a crock and can never work. Personally, I wouldn't want the majority input to happen everytime. There are WAY too many people out there dumb enough to think things like "free lunches" exist. There are too many dumb people out there who think that all laws should be made at a federal level (min. wage, for example...that should be at the state level). There are too many dumb people out there who think rich people are evil and the police power of government (mob mentality) should be used to redistribute it. No thanks...I'll take our broken system over mob rule anyday. But I DO agree on the immigration thing, and that's a prime example of "majority ruling." No politician wants to do anything about it because the immigrant..aw hell, let me call it what it is...the hispanic population of this culture is overwhelmingly opposed to limiting any type of border-crossing, either legally or illegally. Politicians recognize the large voting pool they have with the hispanics, and recognize the power of "group voting" and don't want to disrupt that. As Americans, only 30 or 40% of us may show up to vote, but if there are bills on the table that will spefically target particular groups, you can bet that huge majorities of that group will show up and act (don't know if any of you remember that work "strike" the immigrants posed a few months back). Now, alluding to what I said before, if each individual were allowed to vote, with the number of "dumb" people in this country, I surely don't want an unemployed or government-dependent population to be able to swarm the polls in favor of taking more of my money to support their load. We already have democrats loading up buses with the government free-loaders around here to go and vote for democrat candidates...I couldn't imagine how bad it would be if individuals could vote on particular issues.

Think he's ever heard the song 25 Minutes to Go? I'll DJ it for him.