Well its been a while since i wrote one of these. I only came in here trying to snoop on a relative lol. Looking back at my posts i can tell that a lot has changed and still some stay the same.
I will recap some of the things that have changed. Mostly for my own good, later on.
Starting in the Fall of 2010 i took classes at nights at the UMN. I took Engineering Physics 1 and 2. These classes were interesting but it seemed that i was spending a lot of time and money on getting down to school after work and finding parking. I have recently started taking classes at UND towards a BS in Mechanical Engineering. I can take most of the classes online, and take the tests at a local library. So far this has been good and the courses have been better than i thought they would be. They must have a lot of students doing the same, they seems to cater, or they have experience with the class recordings and communication with online students. So I have been taking Statics and Electrical Circuits along with Calc 3 at the UMN.
In the spring of 11' I transferred into the Automation Group at my company. It is something that I found an interest in and it gives me a more stable work environment. Except now, lately, I have been out of town a lot. usually weeks at a time. I hope to move into more of a Engineering role, but I feel that i have been categorized as a tech type person, and that the only way that I will break that label is to move to a different company and be hired as a Engineer. But i cant do anything till I am done with school or at least have some more school under my belt that someone would hire me in an beginning Engineering role.
I have just started to be able to program and play with some of the Cell PLC logic and Programming. It is more difficult than a guy would think. Its actually rather tedious and boring, but the final product seems like its never finished, something can be always tweaked or adjusted to just perfect.
I ran two half marathons with Rachel, and i managed to beat her in the Lindstrom Lopet this year.....she must of been hurt or something. First half was the minneapolis one and i had trained a little for that, but the second was a spur of the moment, the seattle marathon which was just 2 weeks after my first. I bought a guys bib, like a drug deal or something. lol.
Well i'm sure there is more, but i have assignments due tomorrow and i should really do them instead of this.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Another Day.
Well I haven't wrote anything for a couple weeks. I have been busy studying for a Calc2 midterm and really haven't done much of anything else. I have been able to rack up 60 miles on my bike since i install the computer on it. We have been training Duke to run with us, he's doing great i think. Today he was barking up tree's and climbing wood piles looking for the mysterious animal that no one else saw. I think he did this for hours, circling and looking high and low.
I have been helping my dad get ready with the tractors and the occasional car repair. I think I am the only one that he knows will help him no questions asked. Maybe its because I'm not married to anyone, or what the deal is. I kinda like it, being able to spend time with my dad a lot. It's something that you can't replace, and something that my older brothers are really missing out on. I don't think my brothers wives are completely fair about how they guilt my brothers anytime they are away from them, or their kids. Really, what is the harm for them to be gone for a whole day without being called or asked when are you going to be done. Is my dad an inconvenience for everyone? What makes your opinion so much better. I know for a fact that it isn't the same way when they go to their parents homes, or spend time with them. But this is all looking from the outside in.
Lately I been trying to hold my tongue and not complain about stuff, unless it is something that needs to be addressed. Pick and choose my battles. I have been pretty good about not expressing my feeling to people at work and so on.
Work is getting slow again and they are talking about changing how we record our work time. This all stems for a few of my co-workers complaining to HR about being forced to trade our overtime for comp time. In the end of this we are going to get screwed over. Some things are better left alone. The only way to fairly record our time is to have everyone drive into the shop and clock in and leave from there and return to there at the end of the day. This will give most people more paid hours. The company will loose the amount of work that can be done, and the savings of travel time from people's homes. They take this all for granted, and assume that they are giving us this great benefit and that they don't get anything out of it, they even charge some of us to use the car. Hopefully this all sorts out ok in the long run.
I have been helping my dad get ready with the tractors and the occasional car repair. I think I am the only one that he knows will help him no questions asked. Maybe its because I'm not married to anyone, or what the deal is. I kinda like it, being able to spend time with my dad a lot. It's something that you can't replace, and something that my older brothers are really missing out on. I don't think my brothers wives are completely fair about how they guilt my brothers anytime they are away from them, or their kids. Really, what is the harm for them to be gone for a whole day without being called or asked when are you going to be done. Is my dad an inconvenience for everyone? What makes your opinion so much better. I know for a fact that it isn't the same way when they go to their parents homes, or spend time with them. But this is all looking from the outside in.
Lately I been trying to hold my tongue and not complain about stuff, unless it is something that needs to be addressed. Pick and choose my battles. I have been pretty good about not expressing my feeling to people at work and so on.
Work is getting slow again and they are talking about changing how we record our work time. This all stems for a few of my co-workers complaining to HR about being forced to trade our overtime for comp time. In the end of this we are going to get screwed over. Some things are better left alone. The only way to fairly record our time is to have everyone drive into the shop and clock in and leave from there and return to there at the end of the day. This will give most people more paid hours. The company will loose the amount of work that can be done, and the savings of travel time from people's homes. They take this all for granted, and assume that they are giving us this great benefit and that they don't get anything out of it, they even charge some of us to use the car. Hopefully this all sorts out ok in the long run.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
On your left!
It was a really nice day today, the first of the spring. Everyone seemed to be outside doing something. It was great. Me and Rachel went for a couple bike rides. One with Duke it was 4 miles and hopefully wore him out. You never know with him because he seems to save his energy for a passing dog or squirrel. We dropped Duke off and loaded the bikes into my car. I had to take the front wheels off both bikes but it seemed to fit alright in the trunk of my car. We drove down to Rachel's old apartment, and there they have a nice bike/walking path. We rode that about 16 miles round trip. It took me to some areas that i have never been, including Lake Calhoun. There was tons of people out walking along with the wind "surfers" on the thin ice on the lake. There was several people in the bike lanes, not noticing or caring that they are in the wrong, most of the offenders didn't speak english or it seemed that way. We also had several run-ins with the serious bikers, when you hear someone yelling from behind you "ON YOUR LEFT", it always seems that your instinct always pulls you to the left of the path, and the biker behind you must feel as though you are trying to block them, but they always pass and most say thank you. Rachel and I haven't gotten to that stage yet, but I was temped to use my massive fog horn of a tinker bell to put the fear into unsuspecting walkers and runners, lol. Overall a fun experience, good to get some miles on my bike. I recently ordered a trip computer and a helmet, and bike lock. Installed the trip computer and wore my new helmet today. Fits nice and i forget that i have it on my head, perfect! I want to make a better mount for the lock so it will actually stay on the bike frame. There were several complaints on amazon about peoples bike locks falling off in the middle of the street and so on. I hope to make one or have one made at work.
Well on Thursday I was called into the office. I was thinking that it wouldn't go to well and that they would figure that i was quitting. But they sat me down and wanted to know my thoughts and so on. I told them that I was going to go back to school and what my thoughts were that would work best for me.
They let me know what would work out for them, and of course it was anything that wouldn't affect them. But I understand that, and we agreed that me going to school at night and possibly one class during the day would work out ok. Also I reopened the idea of them paying for some of the tuition, they kinda balked at it, but i told them that i would turn in all the paperwork for every class that i would take and they would have to deny all of it, but at least i tried and that is all that i can do. This talk was a great relief since a few of my other options were entry level minimum wage type work. I still have a slight chance to get into another company but I won't know about that till later, and I don't know if its the type of job i want while i go to school. I feel some what comfortable at my company and it pays decently. Especially when I am getting quarterly bonuses and such. I hope to only leave for something truly better than what I have now. The only way to fly.
I have been slowly working on my homework and studying for a my up coming math midterm. Like I have said before. I need to do well and finish this class with a decent grade. B would be great, but a C would suffice. I really want a B and I still think that it is attainable.
Well on Thursday I was called into the office. I was thinking that it wouldn't go to well and that they would figure that i was quitting. But they sat me down and wanted to know my thoughts and so on. I told them that I was going to go back to school and what my thoughts were that would work best for me.
They let me know what would work out for them, and of course it was anything that wouldn't affect them. But I understand that, and we agreed that me going to school at night and possibly one class during the day would work out ok. Also I reopened the idea of them paying for some of the tuition, they kinda balked at it, but i told them that i would turn in all the paperwork for every class that i would take and they would have to deny all of it, but at least i tried and that is all that i can do. This talk was a great relief since a few of my other options were entry level minimum wage type work. I still have a slight chance to get into another company but I won't know about that till later, and I don't know if its the type of job i want while i go to school. I feel some what comfortable at my company and it pays decently. Especially when I am getting quarterly bonuses and such. I hope to only leave for something truly better than what I have now. The only way to fly.
I have been slowly working on my homework and studying for a my up coming math midterm. Like I have said before. I need to do well and finish this class with a decent grade. B would be great, but a C would suffice. I really want a B and I still think that it is attainable.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Up in the Air
Well I've done it. I have let my employer know that I may not be with them this fall if they are not willing to be flexible with my hours. It is bitter sweet. I know that they don't want to, and I usually don't want anyone to make a fuss out of anything, especially about me. I don't have any idea how they react, all I know is the mood of my supervisor changed dramatically during the time that i sent the email to when I saw him last.
I've had a couple jobs come up that are interesting, probably don't pay much but they are worth investigating and that's what I have been doing. One is very close to home, and may be able to work odd hours. Another is a customer that is fairly well off and they might have a 2nd shift position. All of these options will have their pluses and minuses. If it gets down to the final decision, I'll have to break out the chart and rate the pro-cons.
I have ran through all the assignments in my math and biology classes. I am currently studying for my 2nd math midterm. I need to do well on this test and the following test (final). My biology course is almost finished, I have to do a lab with some milkweed bugs. I have to observe them for about a month. I don't think Rachel wants bugs in my house but I guess that they are specially bread to only live off of sunflower seeds. I don't know how or why just sunflower seeds.
I have rode my new bike around some more and I really do like it. Duke has been getting a better workout then I would give him if I was to take him for a walk. He also got a new e-collar so he doesn't torment us outside at night. One beep and he comes a running. He still gets confused of why, and lately he doesn't want to be outside much. I think that he'll get over it in the summer.
I recently bought some toys for my bike. A trip computer, helmet, and a U-lock. All these items are fairly cheap and hopefully will only add to the enjoyment of biking. I have looked up some trails around my house.
I shouldn't say trails because they assume that if a road has a wider shoulder that it is an bike friendly road. I would like to avoid as many roads as possible but you can't always. I want to ride the full length of the Luce-line trail about 70 miles this year. I would bike from my house to Matt's farm in Cokato. It's an hour car drive from my house so I bet its a day ride, but it would cool. I don't think that anyone would want to join me for that marathon of a ride. Only those that want to do it and not want to quit half way.
I've been reading the bible more lately, it was something that I started to do right after Matt died. I stopped for a while, but I am reading more consistently now. I am almost <25% through the book. It seems to calm me and "enlighten" or put life into focus.
I also read "The New Frugality," it was basically a 225 page book about not spending to much money and how the "great recession" evolved. I always find it funny to read some of these financial books and find out that some people just don't get it. You have to save some money, and don't put yourself into a bad spot by buying a new car or clothes and putting it on a card/or loan with no intention of paying it off at the end of the month/soon. At some point it makes me sick to think that we can't wait to buy something. I think that people that don't have money are trying to keep up with their friends that do have money, and then they get into trouble. No body cares about your money like you should. And yes I know that I too "splurge" on stuff, but I don't do it all the time, and I have been saving some money for "fun stuff" so its payed for.
I've had a couple jobs come up that are interesting, probably don't pay much but they are worth investigating and that's what I have been doing. One is very close to home, and may be able to work odd hours. Another is a customer that is fairly well off and they might have a 2nd shift position. All of these options will have their pluses and minuses. If it gets down to the final decision, I'll have to break out the chart and rate the pro-cons.
I have ran through all the assignments in my math and biology classes. I am currently studying for my 2nd math midterm. I need to do well on this test and the following test (final). My biology course is almost finished, I have to do a lab with some milkweed bugs. I have to observe them for about a month. I don't think Rachel wants bugs in my house but I guess that they are specially bread to only live off of sunflower seeds. I don't know how or why just sunflower seeds.
I have rode my new bike around some more and I really do like it. Duke has been getting a better workout then I would give him if I was to take him for a walk. He also got a new e-collar so he doesn't torment us outside at night. One beep and he comes a running. He still gets confused of why, and lately he doesn't want to be outside much. I think that he'll get over it in the summer.
I recently bought some toys for my bike. A trip computer, helmet, and a U-lock. All these items are fairly cheap and hopefully will only add to the enjoyment of biking. I have looked up some trails around my house.
I shouldn't say trails because they assume that if a road has a wider shoulder that it is an bike friendly road. I would like to avoid as many roads as possible but you can't always. I want to ride the full length of the Luce-line trail about 70 miles this year. I would bike from my house to Matt's farm in Cokato. It's an hour car drive from my house so I bet its a day ride, but it would cool. I don't think that anyone would want to join me for that marathon of a ride. Only those that want to do it and not want to quit half way.
I've been reading the bible more lately, it was something that I started to do right after Matt died. I stopped for a while, but I am reading more consistently now. I am almost <25% through the book. It seems to calm me and "enlighten" or put life into focus.
I also read "The New Frugality," it was basically a 225 page book about not spending to much money and how the "great recession" evolved. I always find it funny to read some of these financial books and find out that some people just don't get it. You have to save some money, and don't put yourself into a bad spot by buying a new car or clothes and putting it on a card/or loan with no intention of paying it off at the end of the month/soon. At some point it makes me sick to think that we can't wait to buy something. I think that people that don't have money are trying to keep up with their friends that do have money, and then they get into trouble. No body cares about your money like you should. And yes I know that I too "splurge" on stuff, but I don't do it all the time, and I have been saving some money for "fun stuff" so its payed for.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Bike
I finally purchased a hybrid bike after months of looking, i was ready to spend 500 buck on a bike. Then my reality set in, do i really want to spend that much on a bike? Do i need that much of a bike? and so on. So i researched some more and found a bike that i want with a better price tag to boot. I ended up getting a 09' Trek 7.2fx blue. It was all that i really need, and wanted. The 10' model has a better frame and wheels but i don't think that i would know the difference anyways. I rode it, like 20ft, to the work van. I can say it was awesome lol. jk. I can't wait to ride it. For some reason i think that i'm going to put like 1000 miles on this bike fairly quickly. I have heard of people putting 4-5k miles on a bike a summer, but i think they commute to work with it and so on. I don't get that choice with my current job.
A sales guy at work must of heard my complaining about the Swiss people and he bought me a case of beer. Nice, although it is a really dark beer and is like drinking cough syrup.
I have managed to get a math homework exercise done and i am over halfway on another one. I don't know if I am learning anything, and i hope that the teacher doesn't catch on that i am using a tutor. I don't know if that would be bad though, either. I have been motoring through my biology class too, and i hope to finish that up soon as well. But i have to wait at least a month to finish a couple labs, so that will push that to the end as well. I'm kinda starting to freak out about not finishing the math class, or finishing it with a decent grade. It scares me to think about it sometimes. yikes.
A sales guy at work must of heard my complaining about the Swiss people and he bought me a case of beer. Nice, although it is a really dark beer and is like drinking cough syrup.
I have managed to get a math homework exercise done and i am over halfway on another one. I don't know if I am learning anything, and i hope that the teacher doesn't catch on that i am using a tutor. I don't know if that would be bad though, either. I have been motoring through my biology class too, and i hope to finish that up soon as well. But i have to wait at least a month to finish a couple labs, so that will push that to the end as well. I'm kinda starting to freak out about not finishing the math class, or finishing it with a decent grade. It scares me to think about it sometimes. yikes.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Hand Holding
Lately at work I have been working with a few people that are not from this country mainly Europe. I have had to pick them up at their hotel, take them for lunch, bring them back to there hotel, and sometimes i take them out for dinner, rarely. Not only do i do this for them but i have to translate for them, i don;t speak there language, but i have a knack for transmitting what they want into movements that everyone can understand. The other frustrating thing is that the machine that the customer has paid 500,000 dollars for isn't finished and untested. I have been given projects to do, that i am told are easy only to find out that they are not, and require hours and hours of work just to mount, let alone work properly. All of this is fine and dandy for i have done this in the past, but i remember how much a didn't like doing it in front of the customers. They are talking about sending me all over the country to work on these machines. I don't want to do this if I am put in this situation with these ass clowns. They are all good nature'd but do not understand that things need to be assembled and tested as a whole project and then verified in every way possible the everything is correct, then ship the machine. This way you are confident that the machinery is correct and only if some odd ball thing happens, damaged in shipping ect, you have a ready machine. A guy already has plenty to do with training and questions that the customer has but to add the fact that the product you sold, and had nothing to do with building, might not even work is only adding problems and blow ups. It really pops the customers excitement balloons, they feel stupid and really get buyers remorse quickly.
Also i have been asking for training on these machines for years. It would require me to go overseas for a couple weeks. They won't let me go, but everyone else that is involved in this company has been there at least once, but they only sell and i have to do the rest. Fair?
More fun, my dog ate my sony camera, nice.
I sold my GPS unit for more than the one i am replacing it with. I think it is a good idea, updated software and maps, and i end up with money in the bank? It is only what i need a gps only but thats is all i need. There is other MP3 players that play better than a gps would ever be.
Also i have been asking for training on these machines for years. It would require me to go overseas for a couple weeks. They won't let me go, but everyone else that is involved in this company has been there at least once, but they only sell and i have to do the rest. Fair?
More fun, my dog ate my sony camera, nice.
I sold my GPS unit for more than the one i am replacing it with. I think it is a good idea, updated software and maps, and i end up with money in the bank? It is only what i need a gps only but thats is all i need. There is other MP3 players that play better than a gps would ever be.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesdays
I haven't been on here for a bit. I have been busy, yeah right. Well work has been extremely slow this last couple weeks. I just got a yearly review where i was told that i was great but they aren't giving money to anyone this year, but i deserve one. OK, so you'll forget how great i am when you have money......i know how that works, i let them know how i felt, although i know it wouldn't get me anywhere. I mentioned that i would need some sort of carrot to persuade me to want to take on more responsibility. Its always a tricky slope to bring that up, it can be taken the wrong way very easily.
I have many thoughts on my job, one day i may hate it and the next i find it interesting and enjoyable. So as I work on my homework for school, i wonder if i will be able to quit my job and go on to pursue a degree of some sort in mechanical or electrical engineering. I'm not in a position now that i would like to stay in, but i have laid the ground work for a possibly better position in the company in a few years, do i just give that up. For the most part, i believe that i am just a number, a minion in their empire. Heck, the owner doesn't even know my name half the time, hey Aaron or Jason. My name isn't Jason, you ass! I want to correct him but he doesn't stop to talk, just as he passes by in the hallway. I guess what keeps me there is the fact that i have learned so much about the industry that i am, so quickly that i know that i have only touched to tip of the iceburg. And that i can learn about different things that i haven't thought about. But its not like they let me choose what i will get to work with, and there is no training what so ever, if you saw a machine once you are now the expert. They actually think its funny or "that's how it was when i was out in the field." But its not right, but no one wants to make it better, just a endless circle of crap.
i got a talking too for having a misc charge of $0.99 on my cell phone, she wanted an explaination right now. i wanted to just give her the phone and say i no longer need it, and if they want me to have it, then dont let me have any extra crap so i can't "rack" up the bill.
So when I quit I will have to start over with some other company making sheet metal brackets, having some uneducated moron tell me that my bracket isn't made right, although i didn't make it and the print is correct. I can only imagine the stress i would be under, a new world i would be in, will i like it even. All these thoughts have made it hard to do all my homework that i need to do. I haven't touched my math or bio books for 1.5 weeks. I don't have time to slack off. and this only adds to the stress, now i hear a clock ticking....tick...tick.
It has been snowing pretty good up here lately. I got stuck in my driveway a couple times, and rachel got stuck this morning. I got stuck at work in front of everyone, on a slight incline, nice tires company x! Safety is our priority, yeah right.
I have many thoughts on my job, one day i may hate it and the next i find it interesting and enjoyable. So as I work on my homework for school, i wonder if i will be able to quit my job and go on to pursue a degree of some sort in mechanical or electrical engineering. I'm not in a position now that i would like to stay in, but i have laid the ground work for a possibly better position in the company in a few years, do i just give that up. For the most part, i believe that i am just a number, a minion in their empire. Heck, the owner doesn't even know my name half the time, hey Aaron or Jason. My name isn't Jason, you ass! I want to correct him but he doesn't stop to talk, just as he passes by in the hallway. I guess what keeps me there is the fact that i have learned so much about the industry that i am, so quickly that i know that i have only touched to tip of the iceburg. And that i can learn about different things that i haven't thought about. But its not like they let me choose what i will get to work with, and there is no training what so ever, if you saw a machine once you are now the expert. They actually think its funny or "that's how it was when i was out in the field." But its not right, but no one wants to make it better, just a endless circle of crap.
i got a talking too for having a misc charge of $0.99 on my cell phone, she wanted an explaination right now. i wanted to just give her the phone and say i no longer need it, and if they want me to have it, then dont let me have any extra crap so i can't "rack" up the bill.
So when I quit I will have to start over with some other company making sheet metal brackets, having some uneducated moron tell me that my bracket isn't made right, although i didn't make it and the print is correct. I can only imagine the stress i would be under, a new world i would be in, will i like it even. All these thoughts have made it hard to do all my homework that i need to do. I haven't touched my math or bio books for 1.5 weeks. I don't have time to slack off. and this only adds to the stress, now i hear a clock ticking....tick...tick.
It has been snowing pretty good up here lately. I got stuck in my driveway a couple times, and rachel got stuck this morning. I got stuck at work in front of everyone, on a slight incline, nice tires company x! Safety is our priority, yeah right.
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