13
Dec

Alpha Inventions

Not sure how Alpha Inventions works, but at first glance it appears interesting.

The developer of Alpha Inventions explains it, but it’s a little over my head. Hopefully someone smarter than me can explain how it works, and if I have to do anything to be a part of it.

10
Jun

I am such a dedicated employee

Thoughts, Work

So much so, I actually went to work this morning, despite the fact my co-workers told me I didn’t need to, and in addition to the fact I have to come in tomorrow for an expected, but forgotten about customer visit. I was thinking I would tie up some loose ends, and then be able to devote all my attentions to the customer tomorrow.

I didn’t plan on riding this morning (opting instead to race this evening), so I wouldn’t miss out on anything by going to work.

Of course, I should have listened to my co-workers, as there was barely enough work to keep me busy for 30 minutes, and not bothered making that commute. I could have easily waited until tomorrow, and completed everything while the customer was on a tour of the plant.

Fortunately traffic was unusually light, even though I left a half hour later than usual (5:30 AM instead of 5 AM), plus I managed to get a few necessary things accomplished, which I had been putting off for quite a while, and I was still able to leave around 9:45 AM to go home.

Anyways, as I was driving home, I was thinking how lucky I am to be employed where I am. There are very few other companies, and co-workers, that would treat any employee as well as I have been treated, since my diagnosis.

So in a bout of emotion, I thought I would take this opportunity to give a special thanks to Becky, Wayne, and even Bud, just to name 3.

5
Jan

The art of forging

Work

The boiler operator, where I work, took this picture depicting one of the manufacturing units, and it’s crew there, and won 1^st place in a recent photo journalism contest in Ventura, CA for it, and I thought I would share.To be clear, I’m not one of those guys you see there (back in Pittsburgh, we used to call them mill hunky’s) doing the back breaking, dangerous work. (As I’ve described it many times to others, I’m an educated mill hunky!

I’m the one, standing in the [distant] background (who you can’t see), that tells manufacturing what temperatures the parts need to be heated to for forging, among other things.

The unit the crew is working on is a 50,000 pound hammer. Just picture an old time blacksmith making horse shoes using a hammer, then multiply that by 50,000 times, and you’ll get the picture.

I think it’s amazing, when you consider all the rapid advancements in technology being made today, there are still technologies around, that haven’t changed much since the 19th century.

The blast furnace is another such technology. If you ever get a chance to see one in operation, I suggest you take it. You’ll literally think you’ve been transported into the past.

13
Feb

It’s another one of those days

Anxietys, Thoughts, Work

At about 3 AM this morning, I awoke to go to the bathroom. As I was stumbling in the dark, my foot accidently kicked something that felt warm and soft. I didn’t think much of it at the time, thinking it was one of Morris’s toys. So I finished my business and went back to bed.

Somehow, I should have known better, but it was early. What I initially thought was one of Morris’s toys was actually a dead mouse.

You just can’t imagine how pleased I was to discover that Morris hasn’t lost his touch, and is still bringing us gifts in the middle of the night. NOT!!

Anywaze, I grabbed the mouse by his tail, and carried him outside to the garbage.

And that was only the start of the day.

When I got to work, I discovered someone had shut off the heater (which is set on a thermostat), and the office was an uncomfortable 60^oF.

Then in the middle of doing some work, my computer froze on me, and I had to shut it down, and start over.

All this has happened in the first 3 hours of getting up.

Fortunately, things have calmed down for now, the computer seems to be working fine, and the sun is shining, warming things up nicely.

Still, with all the stress of the morning, I think I have a good excuse for leaving work early today.

8
Feb

Should have stayed in bed

Anxietys, Work

The first thing I managed to do this AM was to break a wine glass. It was unexpectedly sitting in front of the toaster oven, so when I opened the door to the oven, I knocked over the glass.

I spent about 20 minutes finding every little piece of glass there was to be found, and I’m still not sure I got every piece.

Then on my way to work, the on ramp to the west bound I10, from the 405, was closed. This forced me to take the National Street exit, which after narrowly missing two other confused drivers, I finally made it back on course.

And now I have finally got an opportunity to take a break, after an all day meeting withÂ Vought Aircraft and Boeing personnel, to discuss the problem we have been having at work.

My only hope now is the meeting will be over in time for me to make it home at a reasonable hour.