| Neither SharePoint 2010 or MOSS will not fix back problems… This is a post about my own experiences with a gift I received not to long ago. I have a compressed nerve and herniated disk in my lower back, it’s been there for years and stops me from doing so much. The problem with a herniated disk is it has to have time to heal and it’s hard with the type’s of lives we have.
I hope this doesn’t sound like an infomercial, this is a true and genuine post about a pair of shoes.
 Back in 2009 at the SharePoint Conference you might have seen me walking with a cane… I was in some bad pain then and the surgery in January corrected most of my issues by removing points of compression and stress on the spine. After surgery I’ve had Physical Therapy several times a week to work on my core and lower back.
PT has helped me more than I can say but it’s been a slower progress than I want. Some of “slow progress” has been because I put on weight, I put on a lot of weight…I smoked 2 packs a day and quit cold turkey back in January, not to mention I was inactive because of condition before and after surgery (while recovering). All of this contributed to the weight gain.
Someone recently gave me a pair of Skechers “Shape-Ups” to see what I thought of them…  She knew I had surgery and also knew that I had back problems.
Within hours of putting them on I noticed pain start to go away. If you have lower back problems you know that when you engage your core the pain will go away while engaged. This is the experience I had. I’d like to also point out that numbness in my legs (associated with the condition) has started going away as well. I own the Skechers Men’s Shape-Ups Kinetix S R T and will have more soon. They do cost about a buck twenty five a pop so I don’t have more right now but will soon. There are several variations of the shoes made by several companies, I don’t know if Skechers was the first to the game or if they are the best. What I know is after having back problems and pain for so long the pain and numbness is going away since I’ve been using them. I also dropped 8 lbs in the past month and I wasn’t doing anything special nor did I change my habits in anyway. You do the math and check out the reviews from other people.
Thanks Kris Wagner – SPK Twitter - @SharePointKris @SkechersUSA
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor and can’t prescribe or give medical advise… Check with your doctor before using these shoes, starting an exercise program, or using other shoes to fix health problems. |
| Since my last post the SPS Chicago team has had to postpone and move the SPS Chicago event to a new date and venue. The venue originally chosen couldn’t accommodate the large number of speakers, sponsors and attendees the SPS event demands. We’re currently talking to local universities in the downtown area and hope to set the new date soon. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but look forward to seeing you in late August or early September. Make sure to follow us on Twitter @SPSChicago for more information. The Chicago SPS Team,
Kris Wagner, George Durzi, & Chris Geier |
| It's that time again… "SharePoint Saturday – Chicago" will be held in July 2010 in downtown Chicago. This years Chicago event will focus on SharePoint 2010 with tracks including IT Pro, Development, Business, Solical Networking and more. Follow @SPSChicago on Twitter for event updates and more information.
 In the next few weeks you'll see the following released.
- Event Date & Location
- Call for Sponsors
- Call for Speakers
George Durzi and Chris Geier will be running the event with myself this year. I'm greatful for your support and enthusiasm; you're both proven leaders in the Microsoft technical community and I'm looking foraward to working with you.
Thanks – Kris Wagner SPK @SharePointKris (PS: I'm glad to be back)
Twitter: @SPSChiacgo
Hash: #SPSChicago
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| I'm checking in and I know it’s been a while since I last wrote.
I try to always have a smile on my face with the SharePoint community, public and friends but I’m going to honest here. This was a hard journey for my family and myself. In the 2nd and 3rd weeks after the surgery I thought I was supper man but that was just the medication. At the 4th and 5th week the “real” healing stared, the Cerebrospinal Fluid System doesn’t magically turn normal but it can take time (uo to a year) for the brain juices (Cerebrospinal Fluid) to readjust. Is this part painful? no not for me but I didn’t understand that prior to the surgery.
 Now how’s it’s all done – The very simple explanation… The surgeon removed more than half of C1 and a quarter of C2, he put two small holes in the back of my skull and used the Dura to make sure cerebellum could expand, and lifted the cerebellum tonsils into place (sewing them up) where they would not enter the spinal column again.
This has been very hard experience I would wish on no one (physically, financially and mentally) but I want to turn this into a learning and educational experience. Most doctors have (ER, Internal MD’s/OD’s, Neurologists and RN’s) little to know experience, I’m not making this up! Based on my own personal experience I can’t even imagine what someone in a small town could going thru trying to get help for crazy symptoms caused by Chiari Malformation. I’m lucky to live within miles of so many excellent Universities and hospitals. In the end and 6 weeks later… I feel amazing compared to last year, the chocking episodes breathing issues, headaches, short term memory loss and more symptoms are gone. I had a CT yesterday and every looks good, this was great news. Oh last thing, it’s funny… I don’t remember much of anything in the hospital besides getting there and coming to reality when they took me off morphine four days later. I have bits and pieces of small memories while in recovery but I can’t put those together to make any sense of them. While I was over medicated I either tried to buy or sell something invisible to the chief of neurosurgery when he was on rounds. I’m glad to be back to the geek world, I hear there is this new SharePoint 2010 thing out. I’m just kidding I was in the technical awareness program and already working on a 2010 cert book for a while now. I off disability this coming Monday (3/1) and I am looking forward to being back at work. Thanks to all who prayed and followed me throughout this experience and for those of you who emailed me “off the record” I hope and pray you’re doing as well and I am after your surgeries.
Thanks to Mark with EndUserSharePoint.com and Heather Waterman (a very close friend). Watch out for a new article at EndUserSharePoint.com, I am behind but I promise I’ve had a good excuse. A huge thank you to my partner Stacy and Mother in Law Nene…! Cheers -- “SPK” @SharePointKris -- Kris Wagner, Chicago IL |
| Just updating everyone, I’m doing ok at two weeks… I’m not at the PC long enough to write something up huge because my neck is hurting a bit still. Every day I get stronger, every morning it hurts a less. I will tell you I the surgery was a massive success, 99% of my symptoms are gone. It’s truly amazing…!
I quit smoking (14 days now) and stopped energy drinks. The smoking thing is hard but I figure cold turkey is the only want to do it. Any who…. Happy Birthday to me today this past Monday (36)… Thanks for the happy messages I didn’t reply to…
|Thank to Mark Miller and Heather Waterman for updating the “CoverItLive” application on my blog while I was in surgery… I just went back and read all the tweets for the 1st time… It’s kind of funny..It’s 3:01am and Kris is pee’ing ;) Honestly thanks so much, you took ton of stress off Stacy. I was a bit out of it from Thursday morning until Saturday night. I’m out of work until the 25th of Feb just healing, I have a ton of PT to go thru and lots of resting…
Cheers SPK Kris Wagner |
| 
New Fun Laws in Illinois in 2010, the only one I care about is in bold…
Grrrrrrrrr, ok I know I shouldn’t do it but but we all do.... I think there will be more accidents?! People will be looking down.
Happy New Year -- From NBC5.com http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/New-Year-New-Laws-80418027.html 
-- Elementary and High Schools are now required to study Mexican-American History. -- The department of transportation can post signs that prohibit truckers from using loud brakes known as “jake brakes.” -- “How’s my driving” stickers, complete with area code and phone numbers, will be required for school buses. -- September becomes Brain Aneurysm Month. -- 17-year-olds will be tried in juvenile court for misdemeanors. -- Toy makers must place intricate warning labels for children’s toys that contain between 40 and 300 parts per million of lead.
-- Sending, receiving or reading electronic transmissions on your cell phone while driving is illegal. -- Sex offenders are barred from accessing social networking sites while on parole, probation, court supervision or supervised release. -- Sex offenders are also prohibited from using computer software to delete info from a computer they’ve used. -- All flags flown outside of government buildings must have been made in the USA. -- Retailers that sell alcoholic beverages must post a sign advising customers: "If you need assistance for substance abuse, please call the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse at 1-800-43-6154." |
|  Stacy and I both bought Second Edition Kindle’s about a year ago. I read a ton more and we have more room in the condo :) As you can see in the picture here I have a few SharePoint books. This is just a fraction of what I actually own or have in storage, on my desk or under the night stand. The device has excellent battery life and whatever you buy can be removed
from the device or moved to another supported device like an iPhone or Blackberry (coming soon). My favorite feature? You can email pdf, doc, and docx files to the device.
I took this picture on Earth Day 2009 to show some of my books and how I planned to consolidate future book purchases to my Kindle. I never had the time to get that post out so lets just call this a 2010 New Years Resolution to “Go Green”.
Most books, magazines, and blogs are available on the Kindle today. There’s a blog called "Not Always Right", if you have a Kindle or plan on getting on one subscribe to this blog, it’s hilarious and ensures you’ll get in a laugh or two a day.
 I looked at Amazon today and noticed my book “MCTS: WSS 3.0 Configuration Study Guide: Exam 70-631” is now available for the Kindle… Pretty nifty huh! Surf to MeasureUp.com and use the coupon code “1209-W” at check-out for an additional 30% off until 12/31.
Think about how much technology has advanced over the past 10 years. Our children and grandchildren will grown up without the books we hauled to and home and school. I’m sure they will use some 3D Avatar Kindle device that they will just step into like the hollow deck on the Enterprise.
Technology is Amazing… Cheers SPK – Kris Wagner |
|  Here is to a wonderful year and too so many new friends in and our of the SharePoint community. The years come and go but friendships last a life time… I’m truly thankful for everyone I've met, helped, learned from and worked with in this year.
Thank you to everyone for your posts on EndUserSharePoint.com and emails from around the world regarding my upcoming surgery on January 14th.
Stacy and I appreciate your support, every note makes all the difference in the world. More details will be coming on how to check on me.
Happy Holidays – SPK Kris Wagner
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by MIMI JUNG / KING 5 News / Posted on December 16, 2009 at 7:06 PM / Updated yesterday at 10:52 PM
Ping Back - http://www.king5.com/news/business/Seattle-company-ranks-No-3-in-best-places-to-work-in-US--79465832.html
SEATTLE - Slalom Consulting ranks number three in the nation for best places to work. It made the list behind Southwest Airlines and General Mills.
Glass Door surveyed more than 100,000 employees in 2009 and determined Slalom Consulting, a business and technology consulting firm headquartered in Seattle, is among the best companies in the country. Employees at Slalom say the secret to a happy workplace includes challenging projects, opportunity for growth and camaraderie among co-workers.
"I'm excited to go to work because of the people and the autonomy that we have to work with our clients," said Brian Jacobsen, who's been with the company for six years.
Most employees have clients who are local, which means they aren't required to travel for work. That means more time spent at home and happier employees who have a more balanced work and personal life. "I'm amazed at how many people are on boards of non-profits, involved in children's' schools, participate in family events more and because they have those other activities... they live a much richer, happier life," said Tony Rojas, president of Slalom.
Slalom was founded 15 years ago by Brad Jackson, who credits the success of the company to putting others first, instead of just thinking about the bottom line.
"If you do the right thing for your clients and employees, the revenue, the income, those things will take care of themselves," said Jackson.
Slalom has nearly 1,000 employees nationwide. It has been recognized locally as being one of the top companies to work for in the Northwest.
--- As I get ready to embark on a serious brain surgery and will be out for several months on disability I can tell you the support coming Slalom has been great… I thought this warranted a post, congrats to Tony, John, Brad, Dave, Tom and everyone at Slalom….Race to Win..!
Cheers – SPK Kris Wagner |
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