Today we had our annual xmas lunch. We order BBQ from a nearby place, and workers from maintenance and construction bring their own dishes. Last year we had 2.5 tables full of dessert, mostly brownies. This year people toned it down and we didn't have nearly as much as last year, which is good. Because of the snow, not all of maintenance was present. Half are on night shift, and the day shift people came in waves. This lunch is the one thing that construction and maintenance does together. I think I only know the name of one person in maintenance. They do tend to have a high turnover rate so I saw a lot of new people.
We had a raffle for presents. There were presents stacked and I chose one, which felt like an empty box, and it was mostly empty except for $15 in cash. I'll use it to pitch in for the group gift that we're getting for our boss. She was nice enough to get everyone in construction a tin of popcorn. My tin will be saved until our semi-annual lan party.
The big boss didn't make it to lunch, which I was hoping he would. Either last year or the year before he came and filled up, and was in such a good mood that he gave us the rest of the day off. It made sense too, everyone else was full and sluggish. No work would have been done, even if there had been work to do. The office was mostly empty anyways since people either didn't come in, had to plow snow, or just simply left early.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
asphalt conference
Last week I went to a Asphalt Conference held at KU. It was rather boring. I feel asleep in almost every talk I sat through, and gained very little knowledge. After the introduction, the first talk was given by the Deputy Secretary of Transportation about future funding. It was somewhat depressing. This speech is usually given by the Secretary, but she had other obligations. He mentioned that it's basically the same speech as hers but at half the speed. That's the one thing I really like about the Secretary's speeches was how fast she talked. I didn't even stay for the whole conference. The point of these conferences is to get continuing education credits. They gave us our certificates at the beginning, so the only thing keeping you there was actual interest. I left about 2 hours before the end since I wasn't getting anything out of it, and went back to the hotel to nap, which is what I would have done at the conference anyways. The conference was Thursday afternoon, but there was a social hour at the hotel on Wednesday and Thursday nights so they paid for us to stay both nights. I skipped both nights to hang out with friends in Lawrence
Since it on a Thursday, I decided to take Friday off and spend the whole spend in KC. I basically just hung out with various friends and played Rock Band 2 that weekend. I felt like 2nd vacation.
Tomorrow I have to go to Nuke gauge safety training. We're require to go every two years. I never got a nuke badge from my first training which is used to measure how much radiation you've been exposed to on the job. We use a nuke gauge to determine the density of the dirt and pavements. The training is in Salina, but I'll have to be ready to leave here at 7am even though the class isn't until 9am. It's the 5 of us that was too busy working on the same project to go to an earlier class. I will probably sleep through this one and still ace the test. It's tempting to drive on my own so I won't have to spend 3 hours in a suburban with those guys, but we're supposed to be trying to conserve gas. Well I'm trying to, the project manager almost never shut his truck off.
Since it on a Thursday, I decided to take Friday off and spend the whole spend in KC. I basically just hung out with various friends and played Rock Band 2 that weekend. I felt like 2nd vacation.
Tomorrow I have to go to Nuke gauge safety training. We're require to go every two years. I never got a nuke badge from my first training which is used to measure how much radiation you've been exposed to on the job. We use a nuke gauge to determine the density of the dirt and pavements. The training is in Salina, but I'll have to be ready to leave here at 7am even though the class isn't until 9am. It's the 5 of us that was too busy working on the same project to go to an earlier class. I will probably sleep through this one and still ace the test. It's tempting to drive on my own so I won't have to spend 3 hours in a suburban with those guys, but we're supposed to be trying to conserve gas. Well I'm trying to, the project manager almost never shut his truck off.
Monday, November 24, 2008
flex time
The project is still going on, but they're done with concrete so they don't need me. I get to resume my flex time hours of 8:30-5:00 and get that extra 1-1.5 hours of sleep. I'd really like to have 9-5:30 just so I can avoid the evening traffic, but that's outside our normal hours. People are able to come in at 7am, so maybe if would be ok if I stayed late. Though I would be the only person left, so no one could verify my hours.
I'm back to my old routine of surfing the web and tagging all my mp3s. I'm almost done with the j-pop, so it's a good chance I can finish everything by the end of year, just in time for my annual music backup. Maybe once I finish that I'll read some more. I read all of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, because they had watching stripers for a few in-between concrete pours. Striping is extraordinarily boring and I would take a nap after reading a chapter.
I'm happy to be back in the office, but I am going to miss practicing my Spanish. Like on most project you spend a lot of time with the labors, and when I spoke to one in Spanish, they all knew almost immediately. Many would try to have conversations with me. Most of the conversation were similiar, since they're were a lot of labors. I really should look into taking some advance Spanish classes at WSU, if the state is willing to pay for it.
I'm back to my old routine of surfing the web and tagging all my mp3s. I'm almost done with the j-pop, so it's a good chance I can finish everything by the end of year, just in time for my annual music backup. Maybe once I finish that I'll read some more. I read all of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, because they had watching stripers for a few in-between concrete pours. Striping is extraordinarily boring and I would take a nap after reading a chapter.
I'm happy to be back in the office, but I am going to miss practicing my Spanish. Like on most project you spend a lot of time with the labors, and when I spoke to one in Spanish, they all knew almost immediately. Many would try to have conversations with me. Most of the conversation were similiar, since they're were a lot of labors. I really should look into taking some advance Spanish classes at WSU, if the state is willing to pay for it.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Paving
I'll have couple days of little until we start concrete paving the south frontage road. We'll have 3000 ft of pavement, 22 ft wide going from 135th St W to the bridge. There's another 2000 ft east of the bridge but that section is no where near ready. As long as the weather cooperates, I should be busy for a while. Though the temperature lately will cut our pouring time down, since we can't pour when it's under 40 degrees F. And if approaches freezing, the contractor will have to use insulated blankets and heaters for the new pavement.
Tomorrow I'll go meet with the builders to finalize the plans for my house. Once I do that, they can start building the house. I still have yet to decide on the color of paint or brick. I think I'll pick some boring safe colors. I'll have to take some time off of work to do it this, so I figure I'll go vote while I'm out. We're actually given up to 2 hours leave to go vote. Depending on how long it takes me, I might not even bother claiming any of that time. This will be my first time voting. I wasn't even registered to vote until I went to a Roots concert, and they were Obama supporters signing people up.
Halloween is coming up and I originally wasn't planning on doing anything, but then a friend invited me to a costume party. Which meant that I'd have to dress up, which is something that I haven't done since elementary school.I was somewhat stressing since it's getting close to Halloween and all the good costumes would be sold out. Plus I didn't want to buy something I'd only wear once. Then it donned on me that I can go as a Shinsengumi member. I already had most of the outfit in my closet. I impulsively bought a Shinsengumi haori when I was Tokyo this summer, and was somewhat regretting it, since I didn't think I'd ever wear it. I have two nice happi that I could wear instead and not look like a fanboy. The only thing I'll need is a tasuki, a white cord that crosses in front and ties in the back, and a long headband. Sadly my hair is slightly too short to all be put into a top knot, so I'll have to make use of some styling gel. I hope I won't have to spend the whole night trying to explain my costume.
Tomorrow I'll go meet with the builders to finalize the plans for my house. Once I do that, they can start building the house. I still have yet to decide on the color of paint or brick. I think I'll pick some boring safe colors. I'll have to take some time off of work to do it this, so I figure I'll go vote while I'm out. We're actually given up to 2 hours leave to go vote. Depending on how long it takes me, I might not even bother claiming any of that time. This will be my first time voting. I wasn't even registered to vote until I went to a Roots concert, and they were Obama supporters signing people up.
Halloween is coming up and I originally wasn't planning on doing anything, but then a friend invited me to a costume party. Which meant that I'd have to dress up, which is something that I haven't done since elementary school.I was somewhat stressing since it's getting close to Halloween and all the good costumes would be sold out. Plus I didn't want to buy something I'd only wear once. Then it donned on me that I can go as a Shinsengumi member. I already had most of the outfit in my closet. I impulsively bought a Shinsengumi haori when I was Tokyo this summer, and was somewhat regretting it, since I didn't think I'd ever wear it. I have two nice happi that I could wear instead and not look like a fanboy. The only thing I'll need is a tasuki, a white cord that crosses in front and ties in the back, and a long headband. Sadly my hair is slightly too short to all be put into a top knot, so I'll have to make use of some styling gel. I hope I won't have to spend the whole night trying to explain my costume.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Rainy
It's been raining for the past couple days which has given me a chance to catch up. I've actually been enjoying the project more since I actually have a dedicated task. I'm in charge of the concrete tests and entering the data into the system. It's always been my job, but we've been doing more concrete lately, so it's been keeping me busy. I come in early and the pours usually take 5-6 hours, so it's all I have to do. I get to spend some in the office afterwards and I get to go home after my 8 hours. This current rain is delaying 4 straight days of concrete pours, which isn't good since the contractor was supposed to have the road opened by now.
On these rainy days, the only work that can be done is to watch how well the storms drains that we just installed are working, and if the creek is flooding. I personally never go to check, though I should. I recently started having my house built just 1 mile directly south of the project. I don't think flooding is a problem in that neighborhood, but it'd be nice to check it out beforehand.
Boss's day is on the 16th, so everyone in the office chipped in to buy a gift certificate for the baking supply store that our boss frequents. Today she made some delicious fudge with walnuts, I have no idea what the occasion was. A couple weeks ago she made a cafe mocha cheesecake and some cappuccino brownies for my birthday. They were very delicious. Though the cheesecake wasn't as good as last years. It was also super heavy. I had one piece and it kept me full past lunch, which is unusual for me.
On these rainy days, the only work that can be done is to watch how well the storms drains that we just installed are working, and if the creek is flooding. I personally never go to check, though I should. I recently started having my house built just 1 mile directly south of the project. I don't think flooding is a problem in that neighborhood, but it'd be nice to check it out beforehand.
Boss's day is on the 16th, so everyone in the office chipped in to buy a gift certificate for the baking supply store that our boss frequents. Today she made some delicious fudge with walnuts, I have no idea what the occasion was. A couple weeks ago she made a cafe mocha cheesecake and some cappuccino brownies for my birthday. They were very delicious. Though the cheesecake wasn't as good as last years. It was also super heavy. I had one piece and it kept me full past lunch, which is unusual for me.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Stars
Last week I went to a Jenny Lewis concert in the middle of the work week to see if it's plausible for me to do such things in the future. The ride back sucked because it was cold and I didn't bring warmer clothing since I didn't want to be saddled with it during the concert. I no longer have friends in Lawrence to drop my stuff off at. Tonganoxie is the closest which is 15 miles away. I got home at 1:30am, but couldn't fall asleep for another 40 minutes because my body needed to warm up. I'd consider going to another concert during the work, but it'll have to be someone I really really like. Jenny was good, but her second album just was as good as the first one. I also didn't care for your two openers that much, but it did make me appreciate Jenny Lewis that much more.
The project has been keeping my fairly busy. No more sitting in the office until 3pm. Today was the first time that the project was slow enough that I got to stay in the office in a while. To think that I still have another 3 months of this.
Tonight I'm off to Lawrence again to see Stars. They're the 2nd Broken Social Scene group that I'll see in concert, Feist being the first. I'd really like to see my favorite, Metric, but they seem to be avoiding the midwest. This is my last planned concert for the year, though I am considering going to the Hotel Cafe Tour in November, it's on a Sunday and the following Monday is Veteran's day.
I'll spend the night in Tonganoxie then head to Kansas City for the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival to perform Yosakoi. I've only gone to one practice for the semester, but I think I'm still good enough to perform. This will probably be my only performance for the semester, since I don't want to take too much more time off from the project than I already have. I'm losing out on some useful overtime hours.
The project has been keeping my fairly busy. No more sitting in the office until 3pm. Today was the first time that the project was slow enough that I got to stay in the office in a while. To think that I still have another 3 months of this.
Tonight I'm off to Lawrence again to see Stars. They're the 2nd Broken Social Scene group that I'll see in concert, Feist being the first. I'd really like to see my favorite, Metric, but they seem to be avoiding the midwest. This is my last planned concert for the year, though I am considering going to the Hotel Cafe Tour in November, it's on a Sunday and the following Monday is Veteran's day.
I'll spend the night in Tonganoxie then head to Kansas City for the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival to perform Yosakoi. I've only gone to one practice for the semester, but I think I'm still good enough to perform. This will probably be my only performance for the semester, since I don't want to take too much more time off from the project than I already have. I'm losing out on some useful overtime hours.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Meh
I didn’t get the Construction Engineer position, which kind of sucks because I dislike field work. But I guess it’s ok. It’s a lot more responsibility but it does come with a 10% pay raise. In that position, I don’t think I could take off for two weeks to go Japan, which is something I very much want to do again. And Theoretically I can make more money in my current position because of overtime. I actually made more than the old EAII last year, though I don’t think it’ll happen this year. I also like my current office and boss better.
It makes some sense on why I wasn’t picked. He had some natural advantages. He’s from the North office, so there’ll be no transferring and he has worked with all the techs in that office. Though I’ve worked with all the techs in his office too. He and I start about the same time, so if I were to get the position, I’d be his boss which could be awkward. Not sure if this made a difference, but he’s a Missouri-Rolla graduate, and one of the three interviewers is also from Missouri-Rolla, while the other two were KU.
But now since I know I’m not going anywhere I can focus more on this project. I actually probably wouldn’t hate it as much if I actually felt my presence was necessary. A lot of the time I’m out there with another Tech, and he’s the one that the contractor talks to. I don’t actually do much if I out there during the day, which is why when the opportunity to go work in the asphalt lab came up, I asked to help out. The guy assigned to the lab is taking college classes and has to leave early two days a week. The boss assigned someone who hates the lab to fill in. After he complained to me about I asked the boss if I could go, since I personally prefer lab work to field work. I also want to learn how to do ever part of project, even though it’s very unusual for an engineer to do those things. I talked to my boss and she said she didn’t want to assign me to the lab, because she thought I was going to the EAIII position in the north office. She agreed to let go in the lab one of the days, because she still wants the other Tech to suffer which is fine by me.
It makes some sense on why I wasn’t picked. He had some natural advantages. He’s from the North office, so there’ll be no transferring and he has worked with all the techs in that office. Though I’ve worked with all the techs in his office too. He and I start about the same time, so if I were to get the position, I’d be his boss which could be awkward. Not sure if this made a difference, but he’s a Missouri-Rolla graduate, and one of the three interviewers is also from Missouri-Rolla, while the other two were KU.
But now since I know I’m not going anywhere I can focus more on this project. I actually probably wouldn’t hate it as much if I actually felt my presence was necessary. A lot of the time I’m out there with another Tech, and he’s the one that the contractor talks to. I don’t actually do much if I out there during the day, which is why when the opportunity to go work in the asphalt lab came up, I asked to help out. The guy assigned to the lab is taking college classes and has to leave early two days a week. The boss assigned someone who hates the lab to fill in. After he complained to me about I asked the boss if I could go, since I personally prefer lab work to field work. I also want to learn how to do ever part of project, even though it’s very unusual for an engineer to do those things. I talked to my boss and she said she didn’t want to assign me to the lab, because she thought I was going to the EAIII position in the north office. She agreed to let go in the lab one of the days, because she still wants the other Tech to suffer which is fine by me.
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