Vicissitudes

Todd M. Paterek – To view my resume please click here.
E-mail: todd@paterek.net

Networking Profile

Information Technology Manager with 15 years of successful experience building, supporting and improving multisite networks, telecommunications, and office systems. Results-orientated project manager that aligns technology to strategic objectives.  Using concepts in the ITIL and Poka Yoke models I have consistently improved processes & implemented targeted technology that increased user productivity while keeping costs down.

Technical Expertise

• IT Infrastructure Planning & Development
• Network Security Best Practices
• Virtualization: Xen, Windows, VMWare
• Microsoft, Linux & Mac Server & Desktop OS
• TCP/IP / LAN / WAN / VPN / DHCP / DNS
• Multi-site Configuration/Administration
• Microsoft IIS, ISA, and WSUS
• Microsoft SQL & Exchange Server
• Risk/Disaster Avoidance & Recovery
• Windows Mobile / Blackberry / iPhone
• Microsoft Active Directory
• VoIP/PBX Phone Systems and Wiring

Management Expertise

• Team Builder & Effective Leader
• Information Technology Infrastructure Library
• Risk/Disaster Analysis & Avoidance
• Strategic Planning of critical systems
• Flexible to Work in Any Industry
• Continual Improvement & Change Management
• Budgeting, ROI & TOC
• Network Security Best Practices
• Innovative, Analytical, & Problem Solving
• Creates Technology Vision

Career Highlights

• Working as the Project Lead for the Wilson Farms divestiture with a team of 10 professionals I successfully united all resources for a zero fault go-live date.  Performed extensive research, and planning to successfully align technology to “hand off” all business functions from Tops headquarters to the new Wilson Farms headquarters.  Developed business relationships with several technology vendors ensuring the right services and hardware were implemented.
• As the Lead Technology Consultant for the Wilson Farms divestiture I successfully built a Microsoft Windows AD Network supporting 200 + Stores and over 3000 employees.  Implemented all necessary services through internal support and external vendor integration.
• Serving as the IT Manager at TVGA Consultants I planned, coordinated, directed and designed all IT related tasks, projects, and daily IT activities. Installed, monitored, maintained, supported, and optimized all network hardware, software, and communication for HQ and branch locations. Maintained a technology budget, ensuring spending supported the business goals of the company.

Targeted Positions

• Director of Information Technology
• Information Technology Manager
• Project Manager
• IT / Technical Business Analyst

Popularity: 5% [?]

Today I was working away in my relatively sterile office (yes I alcohol regularly) and someone comes walking in. I can feel the germs fleeing his body and jumping onto my shoulders, neck and head as he stands above me.

I cringe deep into my seat assessing my options of the door or the window to escape.

He starts to talk about the issue he is having pronounced with a cough here and there.  I can hardly focus on what he is asking with the thought of this mass of germs and viral bacteria building on my skin.

Deeper I sink, trying to ignore the virus now spreading through my sanctuary.

Then! The worst happens! I feel a small, cold spot gently moisten my right ear which can only be the teaming Germ & Virus soup splash from his mouth. Without hesitation I reach for my beloved Purell and rub down the dripping and infected area. Then from deep within the hell’s keep of his lungs he trumpeted a resounding, unobstructed cough summoning the armies of germs and viruses to attack.

Popularity: 9% [?]

At 1:00pm EST Apple and AT&T released the carrier software necessary for all AT&T iPhones to finally send and receive MMS messages.  I just updated my iPhone, rebooted and sent my first iPhone MMS photo.  It was a photo of me to my brother.  Rather uneventful but It looks like it worked!

To update make sure your iPhone is plugged into your computer then go to:

iTunes / your iPhone.
Click the ‘Check for Update’ button.
Let it download for about two second and sync to your phone.
Be sure to power off your iPhone by holding down the top button.  Then turn it back on the same way.

When you go into Messages and either create a new message or click on an existing conversation you will see a camera on the bottom left.  Click that and enjoy!  I am sure many will be upgrading their text messaging plans to unlimited soon.

Let’s see how long it will take to stress AT&T’s network.

Popularity: 10% [?]

I added a few new photos from the summer over at paterek.us.  Not too many.  They are the last ones under Summer Fun 09.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Putting information into the right hands is critical.  Those entrusted with special information are accountable for how they handle and what they do with that information.  When information is not handled properly, bad things happen or a situation occurs which is less than acceptable.  I am once again forced into addressing an issue which should not need addressing, especially by me.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Today we went to the surgical clinic to have Riley’s catheter removed after his hypospadias surgery. After a very long wait the doctor finally came in the room. His first reaction was amazement that Riley busted a stabilization stitch. He said he never saw that stitch broken. Leave it to Riley to bust that stitch like the one they told me he could never bust from his pull through surgery. He then ripped the tape and pulled the catheter in one quick motion, Riley was already crying but managed to take it up a few decibels. The doctor then was obviously surprised to see that the catheter came out of a hole that was below the tip and to the right. Panic set in for me, here we go again! Just once I would like some good news! The doctor was calm, but confused. He asked us if we re-inserted the catheter. I would be at the ER so fast if that thing fell out, there would be NO way I would ever attempt anything like that! He told us it will be okay and he wants to see him in two weeks after the swelling goes down to get a better look. Keep any eye on him and everything will be okay. I had many more questions after that but he eased my mind for each. He is the best urologist around.

We took him home and started pushing fluids to him in hopes he would urinate soon. Finally, he said he had to go! On the potty he sat and carefully let it out, my face was right there with a flashlight. Riley started to cry because it burned (expected) but my heart dropped because he was going from the tip AND from a hole to the side. I would have felt better with one hole but two!? immediately I called the doctor’s answering service. When he called back he said he was not worried as long as he was going. He told me to call anytime day or night for any reason. I love his doctor!  That links to his profile at Woman and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo webpage, I believe he has at least 32 years of experience today.  As the evening went on he went more and more and the burning went away. It “looks” like there is only one stream but it could be the two merging.

Riley is sleeping now. From his birth I alway have a little panic while he sleeps (actually when any of them sleep). I will probably check on him in an hour or so just to make sure. Now we wait again…

Popularity: 11% [?]

I mentioned before about the WordPress Mobile Pack Plugin by assembla, since then I found a new mobile plug-in that for my use is better.  Since I have an iPhone and the growing popularity of the iPhone I decided to install the WPtouch Mobile Plug-in by Brave New Code instead.  Fast and clean this mobile plug-in makes your WordPress Blog look like an iPhone App.  The mobile theme is viewable by any mobile device so those who do not have an iPhone can still enjoy the view.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Saturday’s Golf memorial was great!  Everyone had loads of fun despite the rain, only one team chickened out after lunch and went home.  If only they would have stayed because the sun came out shortly after.  However, due to the rain I did not get many photos and the ones I took just were not the best.  Jerry, in the photo to the left, is my great friend who put the benefit together.  Our thanks go to him, his family and everyone involved.

Because of Jerry’s efforts, selflessness and caring we now have the makings of a great yearly Golf Memorial.  I have already begun preparations for next years golf day and will be setting up a web page.  Going forward we will donate all proceeds to a children’s charity.  Please email me or comment if you would like to help or donate or join the fun and golf with us!  It is about nine or ten months away so information will come soon.

Popularity: 13% [?]

After 26 years PBS is closing the book on Reading Rainbow.  From the article on PBS.org, it seems that the television should teach phonics and fundamentals of reading.  Reading Rainbow’s focus was more on why children should read.  Personally, I this will be a big loss for PBS and children who enjoyed the show.  I am not a big PBS fan but they usually do understand how to help foster a love of learning.  Television really should not teach our children, this is the job of parents and teachers.  Television should deliver information, entertainment, and give a taste of what is available in books or the world.

Every morning before school the boys, Isabella and I would watch Reading Rainbow while eating breakfast.  We were all sucked into the stories and lessons learned.  Sometimes one of my children would realize we have a book and later demand we read it.  I even remember and still have recorded the episode that played the day Cole left us.  I cannot watch it but it is there.

Popularity: 12% [?]

I found a very interesting plug-in for WordPress today called WordPress Mobile Pack by assembla.  It automatically adjusts your WordPress site to look great on any web enabled smart phone.  I have an iPhone and even though the normal site looks great, this is far more efficient, quicker, and streamlined when viewing.  You can see from the screenshot I took how nice it really is.  The sidebar to the right is moved to the bottom and some widget are eliminated for space and speed (allowed up to 5 widget – I suggest keeping it basic).  I noticed that when viewing a post with many NextGen Gallery by Alex Rabe, photos it sorts them vertically.  I need to modify my posts to not have so many photos.  Other than that small adjustment (which I wanted to do anyway) I see no issues.

You can also login to the admin area and make a new post, edit posts, comments, and adjust setting of your blog.  By far one of the most useful plug-ins I am using.

<edit> I found one major issue.  When using Yet Another PhotoBlog plugin the layout is rearranged where the photo goes after all of the text.  I have not yet dug into the code so I am not sure where the issue lies.  So for now I deactivated YAPB and inserted the photos the old way.

<edit again> Funny thing is; my other blogs with the same plugins do not have this issue.  Maybe I should try a fresh install of Wordpress and start over, some other funny things are happening.

<final edit> It was something with the install of WordPress.  I created a new folder on the server, uploaded all the files.  Connected / replaced the new wp-conf.php with the old one and everything worked.  I then uploaded all the plug-ins again and activated them (checking the site after each activation).  I then activated the mobile pack, tested perfectly on both iPhone and computer.

Popularity: 10% [?]