We love challenges.  We take pride in completing jobs that others won't or can't do.  Our favorite phone call begins, "I don't know if you can do this but.."  This signifies that we are about to complete a unique and interesting job, or one that our customer has not been able to discover a solution to on their own.

I sensed some anxiety in his voice.   On the surface it was a simple job, yet there appeared to be something more just below the surface.   The extent of the job was always in flux.   It took about a month of on and off communication.   Finally, I invited myself to the home to help evaluate the situation, make some suggestions, and hopefully leave with a job and a check.

Arriving, I met Andy ...

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Riding through Noblesville, I spotted a handwritten sign lamenting the demise of their small business. The sign succinctly said, “Another Small Business Bites The Dust!”  Obviously the business fell prey to a less than robust economy.

The next morning I received a phone call to clean out a vacant home in a fairly new Noblesville subdivision.  The home appeared to be the result of a foreclosure.

The house was a typical 2 story home; it was however the“STUFF” that was left behind that caught my attention.  My imagination was piqued by what I discovered and where.

The first floor was a cluster of mattress, futons, mats, and bedding.  They were in every room except the kitchen.  The “beds” were surrounded by full ash trays, empty beer bottles, and an occasional empty bottle of tequila.  There was an odor of smoke,alcohol, and urine throughout the first floor, all being retained by the filthy carpet.

The kitchen still had dirty dishes on the counters, dishes in the dishwasher, pots and pans in cabinets, and food in the refrigerator.  As I started to clean out the cabinets, there was a repetition of items behind the cabinet doors.  Each set of doors had rice, beans,condiments, spices, a few dishes, and a blender.  I counted three blenders and three coffeepots stored in the different cabinets. When I moved into the pantry, I found another coffee pot and blender.Why would one household have 3 sets of blenders and such duplication of food products?

I moved to the second floor to find in amazingly clean by comparison.  There were very few things left behind. The carpets were relatively clean. There were no beds, very few articles of clothing, and a few toiletries left behind.

My client had given me written instructions about cleaning of the garage.  There were the typical tools and junk one would expect to find. There was also a sense of order about other things, as if someone was planning on returning to pick up some remaining items.  Sorting through the unwanted items, I unearthed several bolts of fabric, boxes of miscellaneous sewing supplies, and a large box of the torsos of baby dolls. Digging deeper, I uncovered three commercial/industrial grade sewing machines.

Like an archaeologist, I began to assemble to puzzle pieces and tried to recreate the culture of the house. I surmised that the first floor functioned as a dormitory for several Latino families.  This accounts for the rice, beans, and other condiments.  It also clarifies the need for the duplication of dishes, blenders, and coffeepots.  While sharing living space, they maintained their own personal property.

I concluded that the second floor functioned as a factory or sweatshop for the manufacture of baby doll clothes.  This accounted for the cleanliness, the lack of beds and mattresses, and its orderliness.

Ultimately I concluded that the sign I saw in downtown Noblesville could be placed on the front lawn of this house; “Another Small Business Bites The Dust”.

We may never know the truth about this house and its inhabitants.  We do know that the status of our economy has affected many people including what was potentially a cottage industry, a sweat shop operating in a nondescript home in suburbia.  

The once simple telephone has morphed into a multi-media electronic appendage to many who use it.  Once used as a tool for verbal communication, it is now a clock, calendar, web browser, GPS, calculator, camera, TV, message center, and more. 

Take the multiple uses of the “phone” and mix in a sizable portion of “Social Media” and we have gone from two stationary people communicating verbally to mass communication on the run.  This has rapidly changed our perceptions of how to communicate personally and professionally.  It has altered the face of marketing.  It is a force that we must embrace.

I see the benefit and value of professional sites such as LinkedIn, yet also see some its underbelly, in the form of a mutual admiration society. Recommend me, and I will recommend you. How many connections can I make, yet never fully know who I am connected to?  I turn on facebook and see the ramblings of Farmville and Mafia Wars.  I see a stream of consciousness dialog of someone’s rather mundane day, unimportant details that border on TMI.  Sometimes resistant to change, I recently had a major epiphany about the power, the speed, and the outreach of social media. 

I embraced the world of Facebook, personally and professionally.  I could no longer ignore its potential.  Over a period of several days, I started to acknowledge satisfied customers on my business page, AC Trash Hauling.  My efforts were on going as I methodically mentioned individuals and businesses that used our services.  Suddenly my computer screen flashed with an incoming message, “Don’t forget about me!” 

It wasn’t just the message that caught my attention, it was the fact that it was sent via a mobile electronic multi-media communication center, a “telephone”.  My memory flashed back to my youth and a phrase coined by Marshall McLuhan, “the medium is the message” in his book Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man.  In the book he explains that a medium affects the society in which it plays a role not only by the content delivered over the medium, but also by the characteristics of the medium itself. 

The medium caught my attention.  People on the run have the ability to deliver messages to individuals and groups no matter where they are.  Look around you; fingers are flying across keyboards at basketball games, at the gym, in the car, at a restaurant, in a supermarket, where ever you look.  While our methods and style of communication have been altered, we are communicating.

I have succumbed, I am an adherent to the adage “if you can’t beat them, join them”.  Telephones, email, faxes, and instant messages are no longer sufficient. I believe in the power and importance of social media. I believe in Facebook and Twitter.  I imagine that you are reading this somewhere other than at your desk and probably on some hi-tech portable multi-media communication device formally known as a “phone”.

                                                                                              

This entry is a departure from stories about trash hauling and people that I have met.  This is a story about our government and a day at the State House.  I open by thanking Kathy Richardson for the opportunity to spend a day at the State House to see our government at work.

This week I took advantage of an opportunity to be an “Adult Page” at the Indiana State House, a program sponsored by Kathy Richardson.  In a nutshell, the day was fun and educational, rating two thumbs up.

The morning started at our rendezvous point, under the stunning stained glass at the rotunda, surrounded by finely crafted Indiana limestone, impressive marble statues, and well crafted woodwork.  The building is majestic, stately, elegant and a true statement of its purpose.

Not being a native Hoosier, I lacked the basic 4^th grade knowledge of Indiana history, however via a tour through the building, our guide deftly filled din the voids of my east coast education.

I experienced a sense of déjà vu throughout the day, remembering a similar event in 1969 as an eighth grade student participating in a similar event in the Massachusetts State House.  Similar but different, this time I had a greater working knowledge of our government in action.  I have a better grasp of the issues and concerns facing Hoosiers, and a greater appreciation of the political process necessitated to make the wheels of progress turn in the most appropriate direction.

With both houses in session, the State House was abuzz with activity.  Dignitaries, local and foreign, moved in and out of offices.  Dan Burton was in town meeting with different people.  There were numerous tour groups, TV stations, lobbyists, politicians and their handlers, concerned citizens, visitors and guests making their way through the facility.  Regardless of where we went there was a constant hum of activity coming from all corners of the building.

We were able to attend a session of the House of Representatives.  I did get a chuckle to learn that the session would start “promptly” between 1 and 2PM.  As I think back, I don’t recall seeing any clocks in the building.  What are a few minutes among well meaning politicians and lobbyists?  With two or more weeks left in the session, there was no apparent sense of urgency that will come later.

It didn’t take long to learn that the early part of session for Tuesday is filled with resolutions, introductions.  All appeared to be opportunities for representatives to pay patronage to their districts.  It took a while, but session did attend to the business of the day, mostly bills of lesser consequence, yet deemed important enough to reach the floor.  The process does work in spite of partisanship, egos, personal agendas, pork, and whatever else creeps into the agenda.

I walk away knowing how simple it is to sit back and complain about our government and its inaction.  In truth, there is much action taking place on the floor, in committee hearings, in caucus, behind closed doors and in front of the public.  The building abounds with students and interns, actively participating in the process providing support to our Senators, Representatives, and other elected officials.  There is much going on with our government in action.

We may not always agree with the result of the actions taken in the State House.  We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity, the privilege to have the form of government that we enjoy.  There is much truth to the platitude that says. ‘If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.’   Take it to heart, participate, vote, volunteer, write to you r Senator and Congressmen, State and Federal.

 A few months ago I met an interesting individual.  This morning I saw an article in the Noblesville Daily Times and the Noblesville Star about this man.

Our introduction came via the internet, followed by a phone call, and ultimately in person.  Ken has hired me to remove a large yet defunct television from his basement.

As I entered the basement, I found myself in a large multi-purpose room that was a combination of TV room, home office, library, and art studio/gallery.  Paintings were hanging on the walls and leaning up against the walls in no particular fashion or order.

As I commented on some of the artwork, I was given a brief tour of some of the work.  Soon the computer was switched on and with a few clicks of the mouse I was given a private showing of his computer generated art.  I saw a variety of colors and shapes was even given a demonstration on how the works were created.  A few clicks later and I was being shown a collection of illustrations for a soon to be released children's book, "Three Sister Dragons".

After a few minutes the mouse was put into action to reveal another set of drawings.  This time I was looking at the progress drawings for what ultimately became the seal for the Environmental Protection Agency.  I was also treated to the story of symbolism of the seal and how the artist was commissioned to create the seal.  The tale included meetings with William Ruckelshaus and Richard Nixon. 

I thought I was going to Ken's house to haul away a TV.  Instead I got a private tour of an eclectic art collection, a lesson in computer graphics, a history lesson, and an afternoon with former advertising executive, artist, illustrator, philanthropist, and a self proclaimed bon vivant.  Thanks for the afternoon Ken.

For anyone interested, visit the Hamilton County Artist Association, Art Building, 195 South Fifth St, Noblesville, IN to see some fantastic art and some of the philanthropy of my new friend Ken.

It sounded like a simple request, remove a trampoline.  After asking a few of the typical who/when/where questions, the deal was made, the price was set, and the job scheduled for that afternoon.

A few hours later the customer called with an increased sense of urgency,"You are coming today, aren't you?"  I reassured the customer that I would be there later that afternoon.

Closer to my stated arrival time there was yet another call.  This one with a greater sense of urgency,"Are you on you way?  This must be done today!"  I assured him that I was only minutes away.

I began to wonder,how can a trampoline cause such consternation?  Replaying the conversation in my mind, a few phrases caught my attention, particularly,'The trampoline is in my backyard, on the deck.  You will recognize it.'  Now I wondered, what is a trampoline doing on a deck?  Was this seemingly simple project more difficult than anticipated?

I was greeted by an anxious homeowner upon my arrival.  I was immediately shown the way to the deck and I suddenly appreciated the urgency of the phone calls.  The previous night we had experienced some strong winds which caused trees and limbs to fall as well as other wind related damages. 

The trampoline had suffered "wind related damages" to say the least.  The wind was strong enough to have picked up the trampoline off the ground, move it about 15 feet across the yard and raise it about 15 feet into the air.  It was now resting on top of the deck off of the first floor kitchen.  The deck however was above the walkout basement.  Suddenly I understood the urgency of the phone calls.

We were able to remove the trampoline without any difficulty.  Our customer was pleased.  On the home the phone rang and the voice on the other end said," I don't know if you can do this but, I need my metal storage shed removed.  It suffered wind damage last night."  Being a bit more cautious, I asked for more details.  The wind blew the shed over and it was now in the owner's garage.  It was the only place he knew where to put it so it wouldn't blow away.  We solved that problem as well.

We take pride in our ability to solve problems

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My career in trash hauling started by accident.  Perhaps it started out of necessity.  The unemployment line was long, the benefits were running out and employment prospects were few in Construction Management.  It is however an honest endeavor, one that exposes you to a wide variety of people; people that I probably would never have encountered in a different walk of life.  What follows is a series of tales, stories of people and events that I encountered hauling trash.  I have had the pleasure of meeting artists and authors, politicians and their families, doctors and lawyers, salesmen and engineers, people of different ethnicities and folks that have never left Indiana.  What binds them together is thefact that they all have stories to tell.  I took time to listen to some stories and I want to share them with you.

It was Christmas 2008, a tradition at our church is to “adopt” several families and supply them with the bounty of Christmas that they could not provide for themselves.

As the details emerged about one family, I was informed that they were in the need of furniture, especially beds for their two children.   Amazingly within days of the request, I had located a dresser, a bed and some living room furniture.

Standing at the door I introduced myself to Tiara, the woman of the house.  Explaining to her who I was and what I had to offer, she let me in.  She was excited to take the bedroom furniture, but politely passed on the living room furniture.  Within eyesight was a lovely sofa and chair.  I understood.  As we chatted, Tiara slowly shared details of their situation. 

In order to keep the home they were living in, they sold the majority of their furniture.  She valued the roof over her head, a home more than furniture.  She then told me the story about the living room furniture.

In order to pay the monthly mortgage, she and her husband sold the living room furniture three weeks earlier.  The buyer, a woman, showed up at the house late one evening with cash in hand.  She paid for the furniture and said she would be by later to pick it up.  Tiara continued, explaining that that was three weeks ago, just in time to pay the mortgage.  The woman has never returned, and has never returned phone calls. 

Trying to clearly understand the situation, Tiara began to question what had transpired.  Who would give you cash late at night?  Where did this person go?  Where did this person come from?  Finding no concrete answers, Tiara a woman of faith concluded that the buyer was an angel, arriving just in time to pay the mortgage.

Who am I to question Tiara and her encounter with an angel?

I ran into Tiara 8 months later.  She and her family are still living in the same house.  Life is looking up.  I didn’t ask her about the angel.

On a midsummer night in 2008 the seed was planted for the start of AC Trash Hauling.  At the completion of an evening walk, my neighbor Jeff said “You ought to put that pickup to work and start hauling trash.”  Before I could respond, he had turned and walked into his house.  The following night on a similar walk he said, “I don’t see any signs on your truck.  What’s the matter?”  This time I was able to extend the conversation with the promise of a cold beer.

Generalities were discussed enough to pique my interest.  Over the next few days, I did my research checking the newspaper, yellow pages, and internet to see how many people in the area were hauling trash.  This led to more questions and more answers.

Research completed, I decided that on Monday morning I was going into the trash hauling business. Armed with $100.00, I ordered magnetic signs for the truck and had business cards printed.  I was officially in business.  Now what?

As I returned home from ordering my supplies, I noticed that the neighbor’s house was for sale and there were about thirty trash bags lining the driveway.  This looked like an opportunity to me.  Calling the number on the sign and going through the preliminaries, the Owner asked “Are you with the Home Owners’ Association?”  “No”, I responded.  “I am here to protect you from them.”  Filling in the blanks, I explained who I was and what I had to offer.  In the end I was granted my first job for $100.00.  I had just recouped my initial investment.  I was in the black at the close of day one.

It’s been about 18 months and business has grown.  We gone from hoping someone would see my magnetic signs to being on Facebook, Angie’s List, Craig’s’ List, Google, bing, yahoo, Merchantcircle, and www.ACTrashHauling.com.  We are a Super Service award winner on Angie’s List and selected the Best Trash Hauling Company by Noblesville Daily Times.  We are members of the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce, The Noblesville Marketing Group, and ITEX.

We have grown from hauling 30 bags of trash for our first customer to hauling ALMOST everything.  We’ve removed carpet, trashed out foreclosed properties, winterized houses, removed hot tubs, demolished mini-barns and swing sets, delivered furniture, hauled away tree limbs and bushes, removed landscape timbers, and hauled away old concrete and masonry. We love new challenges and want you to be our next customer.