PMP

Posted on September 21, 2016 by admin

Although, I bought all of the PMP books for the Project Management Professional Certification | PMP – Project Management Institute (PMI) As the PMP® is recognized the world over as the gold standard in project management. The Project Management Professional (PMP). And I attended and participated in several IBM PMP Study Groups, I decided in 2019 to change my focus to Agile.

Currently, I am also working on various stretch projects for the MSC. While studying for my PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® certification.

In 2019, I have joined an IBM PMI-ACP Study Group, to take an exam for my certification. Th MSC awarded me a prize to study towards a Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) Scrum Alliance certification.

But someday, just someday, you never know:

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I am an IBMer!

Posted on August 23, 2016 by admin

I am now officially an IBMer!

On August 9, I accepted an offer of full-time employment with IBM, as a Project Manager. I have been working as a contractor with Titan Solutions for almost 12 and a half years or rather since April 23, 2004, but who’s counting…

On August 23, I attended an onboarding class at the building of the IBM owned The Weather Company in Atlanta, Georgia. The class, people, and other IBMers were amazing! It was a truly a great experience. I look forward to my time with IBM to help better the company with the skills that I bring to the table, while also developing myself and skills to restlessly reinvent – our company and ourselves. Part of my development plan for the next year is to finally get the accreditation that I have started but not completed, for PMP – Project Management Professional Certification.

I want to thank my manager, he has been my greatest advocate. He has helped me to achieve this goal and for giving me this great opportunity to provide and do well for myself and my family. He has always looked after IBM’s best interests and my best interests as well, for this I am truly humbled and with extreme gratitude, I thank him for all that he has done for me.

I have had the great pleasure to have worked with many great IBMers and many wonderful managers in my time as an IBM Contractor. And I have been involved with many different groups and teams, and under many different and changing strategic names. Four years ago, I joined the Digital Services Group, which is a billable cost recovery group, from GTS Channel Enablement. I continue my role as the primary contact for GTS PartnerWorld and Sales Essentials Content Services.

I would also like to acknowledge Collabera for being an IBM uploader during my time as a Contractor. And for those at Titan Solutions, my Employer as an IBM Contractor, I have the following to say:

It has been over 12 years that I have had the pleasure to work at Titan Solutions!
Everybody at Titan has been so great to me all of these years. Really making me feel like family.
From Rod, Red, Austin, and the many lovely ladies in the office, it has been a great part of my life and work experience to be a Titan employee.

When I was contacted in the Spring of 2004 with the opportunity to work on a contract with IBM, as a Web Developer, I was hesitant to leave my steady State employment to work on a 12 month contract. But Rod was persuasive and gave me confidence in taking this position. I thought that it could be my foot in the door for full-time employment with IBM. However, after several years I realized that this would not be. I came to terms with my life as a permanent Contractor and resolved to perform my duties as well as I could for as long as possible. The remote working was an ideal situation for my young family, providing me with flexibility and time with my children. And the last couple years of provided Healthcare by Titan, has been a great extra perk!

However, you can now remove me from this costly benefit!
I have accepted a full-time position with IBM and will start 2 weeks from today on Tuesday, August 23rd. I am happy to have had this opportunity for all of these years and now must secure this new opportunity that will provide my family with additional benefits, vacation time, sick time, etc.

I thank you and others at Titan for all that you have done for me, with extreme gratitude, I will never forget the people and time that we have had together at Titan.

I am proud to achieve this honor of working directly for IBM as a full-time Regular employee. I feel that this will be a great fit for me and I am at home here at IBM.

Sincerely,

Matthew Comer

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I’m Drinking Through It

Posted on August 2, 2016 by admin

On the morning of July 24, 2015, I heard local and nationally celebrated country musician, Jack Ingram, on KOKE and COLE In the Morning on KOKE FM inviting listeners to join him at a local South Austin dive bar, Sam’s Town Point, for a video shoot for an upcoming soon to be released single from a new future album.

I got to the shady little bar in an unincorporated part of Austin a little bit after work, hardly a car in the parking lot. Walked up to the bar, signed a waiver, waited for the next pause in shooting, then entered and seated myself at the bar and ordered a $2 PBR. Only about 20 or so folks in the little haunt. Told all of my friends, but only one ever showed, Weaver. Together, along with the other bar patrons, we enjoyed the show and special intimate evening.

We had both recently seen Mack, Jack & McConaughey – MJ&M 2015 benefit and fundraiser, and pet project of Coach Mack Brown, Jack Ingram, and Matthew McConaughey for their annual Gala/Headlining Concert at ACL Live – The Moody Theater for the Headlining Concert, featuring about everybody you could think of that night. Anyhow, we ended up backstage and then to the after party and met Mack, Jack, & McConaughey, as well as most of the UT football team and Heisman Trophy winners and other celebrities. But it was Jack’s performance that really hit home for me, it was the first time I have heard him tell the story of and sing the song of “Blaine’s Ferris Wheel”, my new favorite!

Anyhow, we both jumped at our chance to see Jack at a dive bar. Take after take of Jack’s new “I’m Drinking Through It” song was played and shot. We were definitely fans of the new song by the time it was over. Between takes he would play a cover or two, mostly by his idol, Kris Kristofferson. Jack played lot’s of his own songs as well. Even Charlie Sexton (Bob Dylan, Arc Angels) played guitar in his band. When the video shoot ended, he played a little mini-concert by playing some of his more well known songs and hits. And even obliged my shout out request, which he ended the show on, my personal favorite, “Biloxi”.

Today I saw the video posted on the Rolling Stone. If you don’t blink, you may catch Weaver and myself doing a metal fist pump at the 03:06 mark.

Jack also took the record’s concept even further, as he made a short film to help promote the Midnight Motel album release. Where you will also find me at the 08:36 mark, and in the credits as an Extra.

UPDATE: After posting this article and signing up for a contest, Rita Ballou emailed me because I won 2 tickets to the Nutty Brown Cafe & Amphitheatre Labor Day Celebration Bob Schneider’s Labor Day Concert!

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Hays County Ducks Unlimited Banquet 2016

Posted on June 22, 2016 by admin

Join us for a night of conservation with the Hays County Ducks Unlimited Chapter. Come and enjoy the fun and fellowship with friends and family at this year’s banquet. There will be plenty of raffles, live and silent auctions, and games, to win limited edition DU merchandise, the latest outdoor gear, and GUNS!

11th Annual
Hays County
Ducks Unlimited
Banquet

August 5th 2016
Painted Horse Pavilion
1750 S FM 1626, Buda, TX 78610

Doors open at 6:00 pm
Dinner at 7:30 pm
Live Auction starts at 8:30 pm
Steak and Shrimp Dinner!
Live Auction, Raffles, Silent Auction, and Games!!!

Advance Pricing (Contact a Committee Member for advance tickets, if advance pricing is still available.)
$50.00 per person
$80.00 Couple
$750 per Mallard Corporate Table (Seats 10)
$450 per Widgeon Corporate Table (Seats 8)
$450 per Pintail Corporate Table (Seats 2)
$150 per Auction Corporate Table (Seats 1)
$50 per Donor Value of Item(s) Donated
$25 per Greenwing (16 and under) (Call us about options.)

Ticket Prices include Food, Drinks, and one year Membership
Last year’s event sold out, get your tickets now and don’t miss out on an action-packed evening with friends!

Online ticket sales

11th Annual Ducks Unlimited Hays County Buda, Texas Chapter Banquet & Drawing Thursday August 5, 2016 again at the Painted Horse Pavilion

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Ducks Unlimited is a non-profit organization dedicated to waterfowl and wetlands conservation. Funds generated in the United States through voluntary, tax-deductible contributions are used to enhance, acquire and restore habitat in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Raffle

Items will be drawn in order listed.
Need not be present to win!!!
Must be 21 years old to enter

Raffle tickets are being sold for $5 or $20 for 15 tickets with a chance to win a:

  • Winchester SX3 12 Gauge Semi-Auto Shotgun
  • Apple Ipod Touch
  • Marlin 60 Semi-Auto .22 Long Rifle
  • Visio 37″ LCD HDTV
  • Springfield Armory XD .40 Semi-Auto Pistol

What: Hays County Ducks Unlimited 11th Annual Banquet & Auction

When: Thursday August 5, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Painted Horse Pavilion – 1750 S. FM 1626

Why: To raise money for Ducks Unlimited and support the conservation of waterfowl and wetlands

Food: Steak and Shrimp

Tickets: Banquet tickets are currently on sale
$45 individual/ $70 couple/ $25 Greenwing/ ticket price includes DU membership
$500 for a table of 10 which includes dinner & beverages for the evening, recognition at the banquet, t-shirts, hats, etc.

Contact: Matthew Comer for more details

Sponsor Table – $500

  • Reserved seating for 10 people
  • Company name in brochure and on table
  • Can hang company banner before the event
  • 10- 1year DU memberships & 10-1 year DU magazine subscriptions
  • 10 DU T-shirts
  • 10 DU coozies & glasses
  • Drinks & Dinner for 10 people
  • Other extras: hats, pins, & car decals

Sponsor Table – $300

  • Reserved seating for 8 people
  • Company name in brochure and on table
  • Can hang company banner before the event
  • 8- 1year DU memberships & 8-1 year DU magazine subscriptions
  • 8 DU coozies & glasses
  • Drinks & Dinner for 8 people

You can donate to the event
if you are unable to attend.

More Info

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Dripping Springs Ducks Unlimited Banquet 2016

Posted on April 4, 2016 by admin

15th Annual
Dripping Springs
Ducks Unlimited
Banquet

May 21st 2016
Hog Heaven
491 Hog Hollow Road Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Doors open at 6:00 pm
Dinner at 7:30 pm
Live Auction starts at 8:30 pm
Dinner
Live Auction, Raffles, Silent Auction, and Games!!!

Come out and support the Dripping Springs 15th Annual Dinner banquet and enjoy good food, drinks and fellowship. There will be raffles, live/silent auctions, and games to win great prizes!

Call and bring a friend, as this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Advance Pricing (Contact a Committee Member for advance tickets, if advance pricing is still available.)
$75.00 per person
$125.00 Couple
Admission for two, with dinner, drinks, and includes a one year membership to Ducks Unlimited for both guest.
$1000 per Mallard Corporate Table (Seats 10)
$25 per Greenwing (16 and under) (Call us about options.)

Ticket Prices include Food, Drinks, and one year Membership
Last year’s event sold out, get your tickets now and don’t miss out on an action-packed evening with friends!

Online ticket sales

15th Annual Ducks Unlimited Dripping Springs Dripping Springs, Texas Chapter Banquet & Drawing Saturday May 21, 2016 at Hog Heaven in Dripping Springs.

Ducks Unlimited is a non-profit organization dedicated to waterfowl and wetlands conservation. Funds generated in the United States through voluntary, tax-deductible contributions are used to enhance, acquire and restore habitat in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Raffle

Items will be drawn in order listed.
Need not be present to win!!!
Must be 21 years old to enter

Raffle tickets are being sold for $5 or $20 for 5 tickets with a chance to win:

  • Taurus Public Defender .45lc/.410

Contact: Matthew Comer for more details or Chae Tracy (512) 496-8333

Sponsorships

Mallard corporate Table – $1000 (Seats 10)

  • Reserved Seating for 10 people
  • Sponsor Signage Recognition at Event
  • Recognition in Program

Sponsorships and Donated Items May Be Tax Deductible. Please consult with your accountant/tax preparer to determine eligibility of tax deductions. Dripping Springs Ducks Unlimited Federal ID Number is 20-xxxxxxx.

You can donate to the event
if you are unable to attend.

More Info

Buy Tickets

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Freda Comer Memorial

Posted on March 23, 2016 by admin

In Memory of
Freda Comer
October 22, 1928 – March 20, 2016

Obituary

Freda W. Comer passed March 20, 2016 with her family, spending the last days and hours with her.

Born Freda Waldean Freeman to Oscar Waldon Feeman and Willie (Bill) Blakely on October 22, 1928 near Pearl, Texas. Her mother Willie died tragically in a fire when Freda was 3 years old. She was raised with the help of her Grandmother Sally Freeman and Step-Mother Violet “Priss” Freeman. Growing up, mainly in and around Coryell county with some time being spent in West Texas, Freda graduated from high school in Peal, Texas in 1946 where she often rode to school over the “mountain” on horseback.

She married C.B. Comer August, 17, 1946 and later moved to Austin in 1948, where they had 2 children.

Freda was an active member of the Capitol Rod Club since 1956 where she is known for saying on many occasions “Let’s have a party.” She loved fishing, dancing, camping, yard work and many other activities. Freda was renowned for her skills with a Weed Eater.

Freda is survived by Sister: Shauna Melde (Oscar). Children: Mikeal Comer (Peggy), Barbara Koenning (Roger). Grandchildren: Brittney Yarosh (Cary), Shay Koenning (Julie), Matthew Comer (Jenny) and Thomas Koenning. Great Grandchildren: Dylan Wink, Dax Koenning, Garrett Comer, Cade Yarosh, Grace Freda Comer and Addison Yarosh. Sister-in-law Bobbie Jean Wright (Dale). Plus many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers: David Melde, Matthew Comer, Cary Yarosh, Shay Koenning, Thomas Koenning, Weymen Koenning

Special Thanks to New Century Hospice of Austin for their care and comfort the last 2 years.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 3:30 P.M., Thursday, March 24, 2016 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

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Strange Brew and Lounge Side Austin Music Awards Winners 2015

Posted on March 8, 2016 by admin

Strange Brew and Lounge Side just triple-swept the 2014/2015/2016 SXSW & Austin Chronicle Music Awards for Best Live Music Venue, Best Club Sound, and Best Music Venue to Play!!! This is a testament to the hard working Staff and their dedication and enthusiasm and, of course, the Sound Engineers and Booking Team with Shane Widner, Scott Ward, and Kacy Crowley! I could not be more proud of our team than I am this year! Cheers to them and a job well done! List of Winners
TWC News Spotlight

A Word from the Founder – Scott Ward

THANK YOU! 4 More Music Awards for us all!

Strange Brew wins BEST CLUB SOUND, BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE, BEST VENUE TO PLAY and BEST BOOKER for Kacy Crowley, bringing the total to 12 awards in 4 years!

When we started the music venue, the thought of being an award winning venue, (not to mention an award winning venue that would rack up that many awards in just 4 years), never crossed our minds and although it is wonderful to be acknowledged for hard work and dedication, it isn’t what drive us. The music drives us, the musicians and the fans drive us, the fact that we have been given the privilege to serve our customers and musical guest with a great experience is what drives us and we thank you for giving us that opportunity day in and day out. We will continue to improve in any way we can.
THANK YOU AUSTIN!





photo by Todd V. Wolfson

2015-16 AUSTIN MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS

LIVE MUSIC VENUE

1) Strange Brew

2) Mohawk

3) Continental Club

4) Saxon Pub

5) The Roost

6) ACL Live at the Moody Theater

7) Empire Control Room

8) Vulcan Gas Company

9) Stubb’s

10) White Horse

LIVE MUSIC BOOKER

1) David Cotton, The Roost

2) Kacy Crowley, Strange Brew

3) Transmission Events

4) Graham Williams, Transmission Events

5) Marcus Lawyer, Transmission Events

6) Mike Boudreau, Red Eyed Fly

7) Anthony Stevenson, Come and Take It Productions

8) James Taylor, Holy Mountain

9) Travis Newman, Parish

10) Howdy Darrell, White Horse

CLUB LIGHTING

1) Vulcan Gas Company

2) Empire Control Room

3) The Parish

4) The Roost

5) ACL Live at the Moody Theater

6) Ilios

7) Strange Brew

8) Cheer Up Charlies

9) The Highball

10) Emo’s

CLUB SOUND

1) Strange Brew

2) Vulcan Gas Company

3) The Roost

4) Parish

5) Saxon Pub

6) Mohawk

7) Cactus Cafe

8) ACL Live at the Moody Theater

9) Continental Club

10) Emo’s

BEST MUSIC VENUE

1) Strange Brew

2) Mohawk

3) ACL Live at the Moody Theater

4) Continental Club

5) Saxon Pub

6) Empire Control Room

7) Vulcan Gas Company

8) ABGB

9) Cheer Up Charlies

10) Stubb’s

ONGOING MUSIC RESIDENCY

1) Church On Monday, Continental Club Gallery

2) Motown Monday, the Highball

3) Durawa, Strange Brew

4) James McMurtry, Continental Club

5) Bob Schneider, Saxon Pub

6) Toni Price, Continental Club

7) David Grissom, Saxon Pub

8) Tameca Jones, Continental Club Gallery

9) Jon Dee Graham, Continental Club

10) The Resentments, Saxon Pub

2013 AUSTIN MUSIC AWARD WINNERS

Best Acoustic Venue: Strange Brew



Todd V. Wolfson

2. Cactus Cafe
3. Saxon Pub
4. Flipnotics
5. Parish
6. Elephant Room
7. One-2-One Bar
8. Evangeline Cafe
9. The Blackheart
10. Listening Room at Winflo

more info ›

Best All-Ages Venue: Strange Brew



Todd V. Wolfson

2. Mohawk
3. Antone’s
4. Stubbs
5. ACL Live at the Moody Theater
6. Emo’s
7. Red 7
8. Broken Spoke
9. Cactus Cafe
10. Central Market

more info ›

Best Live Music Venue: Strange Brew



Todd V. Wolfson

2. Mohawk
3. Continental Club
4. ACL Live at the Moody Theater
5. Saxon Pub
6. Parish
7. Holy Mountain
8. Hotel Vegas
9. White Horse
10. Broken Spoke

complete list

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Matthew Comer – Enlightening Arts Website Launch

Posted on February 17, 2016 by admin

The Enlightening Arts website was designed, developed, and launched.

The site has the following features:

  • Search Engine Optimized for good SEO
  • Responsive Web Design for Mobile browsers
  • Enable connect to and publish and pull to and from Facebook and Twitter and other social media
  • Favicon, Search function on site, customized down to page level right navigation and footer items. Interactive Slider with banner images. Interactive Carousel with manufacturer images.(Email addresses as images to discourage spam bot scrapping.)

If you would like a site like this set up for you, please Contact us.

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Professional Art Installation Website Launch

Posted on October 14, 2015 by admin

The Professional Art Installation website was designed, developed, and launched.

The site has the following features:

  • Search Engine Optimized for good SEO
  • Responsive Web Design for Mobile browsers
  • Enable connect to and publish and pull to and from Facebook and Twitter and other social media
  • Favicon, Search function on site, customized down to page level right navigation and footer items. Interactive Slider with banner images. Interactive Carousel with manufacturer images.(Email addresses as images to discourage spam bot scrapping.)

If you would like a site like this set up for you, please Contact us.

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Thank You to Randy Lawrence Homes

Posted on October 2, 2015 by admin

Thank You to Randy Lawrence Homes – Dripping Springs Home Builder.

Randy Lawrence Homes built and completed a custom home for our family in October of 2015. Randy and his team made our dream a reality. He patiently worked with us for almost 3 years to decide the type of house that was best for our family, to help us work with lenders, start the permitting process, and really just gave us the push to take the leap of faith and commit to such a project and sign the contract to build. We are so pleased that he did! As for RLH, for us there was never another choice after we saw the quality of work in his previous projects and we have had no regrets.

  • 10709 Valley Vista Road Austin, TX 78737

Randy and his wife, Patty, worked with us through every step of the process. They held our hands and showed us the way. They always championed our wants and desires. They never let us feel like we were not connected or heard. Patty is a wonderful designer and has an eye for beauty, interesting design, and richness. She took her time and met us at every consultation for the finish out of the house. She empowered us to make our own decisions and feel good about them. And she inspired us to make choices that were a bit out of our comfort zone, but have made all the difference in the world on the aesthetic of our home. Not only are you hiring an accomplished homebuilder, you are also getting an amazing designer!

  • 10709 Valley Vista Road Austin, TX 78737

I really do believe that if Randy had not built our home for us we never would have made the first step. If you feel hesitant to start such an endeavor, due to worries of the nature of such a sizable project, put your trust in Randy Lawrence Homes. When your home is complete, it will be Randy’s integrity and leadership that will ensure that your home is perfect and exactly what you’ve dreamed.

My wife and I are very proud of our home that was built for us and welcome anybody to come see it! We were grateful to Randy (and the homeowners) for allowing us to walk through a previous project and would love to extend the same courtesy should you need it, please contact us.

Sincerely,
Matthew, Jenny, Garrett and Grace Comer
10709 Valley Vista Road
Austin, TX 78737
Freeman Properties
freemanproperties.com

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