Three Hundred Twentieth Entry
Is it bad that I am completely fascinated by the bridge collapse in Minneapolis?
It's sad, but the only time my profession makes the news is when there is a disaster like this. Hence my fascination. They even had a professor from SF State CE department speaking on MSNBC. She gave the typical gloom and doom speech given when any engineer talks about our nations infrastructure. And she gave it with a very interesting accent. Indian, southern Indian, I believe.
I was drifting off to sleep at 11:30 when I get a call on my cell from my mom (from her room downstairs...we are a lazy family). She informed me of the collapse and I immediately turned on the TV. Unbelievably cool. She expressed her concern that this may happen here with our 8 Bay Area bridges, but I assured her that the bridges here are built differently. In Minnesota, they do not have earthquakes. Here we do. Our designs are inherently stronger because of the different factors used in calculating strength due to our proximity to various fault lines. There is no doubt in my mind that nothing like this will happen to any of the bridges in the Bay Area. They are designed to resist earthquake movement as well as wind forces on top of being designed to resist the traffic weight and the weight of the structure itself. I told my mom all of this. She still seems skeptical. She'll probably find a way to blame the Taliban for this.
I'm sure in the coming weeks, we will find out for sure what caused the bridge to collapse. I doubt terrorism. I don't think Osama cares much about Minnesohtah. The MNDOT (pronounced Minn-dot(I thought that was hilarious when I heard it 4 or 5 years ago)) officials have been repeating that there was nothing structurally wrong with the bridge and that the construction crew on the bridge was performing routine repairs: resurfacing the bridge, streetlight and guardrail replacement. My guess is just steel fatigue. But I didn't specialize in bridges or anything. Just a guess.
I know none of you share my excitement for this horrible catastrophe. I can see you all eye-rolling as you are scrolling through mindlessly just so you can say you read this. What can I say. I'm a big nerd. Geek too.
It's somewhat fitting that this happen now as I reach a major point in my professional career. I made a decision this week that will affect my life for the next few years. I've decided to go to Grad School at San Jose State. Since I have my PE license, I can skip all of that GRE and reference letter bullshit. Woohoo!! Who's with me!!!???
Three more years of school in a field that I am so very interested in (Transportation Engineering) is a little daunting, but I hate to say it, I've reached a learning plateau at work. There is more that I can learn about the particular engineering that we do, but it is a very narrow field, and rather boring. I believe that the only thing that keeps my coworkers going is that there is so much work right now and there isn't any time to be bored.
By the way...I asked one of the Owners about the rumored quarterly bonuses that half of the company receives. He flatly denied it. Told me in no uncertain terms that there are no quarterly bonuses. I expected there to be some sort of discussion and maybe a private meeting with me and the more important owners to assure me there are no bonuses. Nothing was said. The next day everyone was just the way they were before. No change. The weird thing is, the owner I talked to about it is the biggest mouth in the company and would have certainly told the other owners, which would have resulted in the discussions and meetings with me or with my department. So I'm left still believing in the bonuses and left with less trust for management. This also probably helped my Grad School decision.
One of the drafters got fired today. She was only there for like a month, but today she brought in the absolute best banana-nut-choco chip muffins ever. How can they let someone with these cooking skills go!!??? I guess I'll have to pick up the cooking slack.
Yea engineering!
8.02.2007
7.21.2007
Three Hundred Nineteenth Entry
It's been a long time. Not a record, but still a long time.
I've just finished reading everyones blogs. Sounds like everyone is chugging along in life. Sounds about right.
I had a weird dream about work last night. I haven't dreamt about work since the last time I was really busy at work. I woke up about half an hour ago, and don't remember the particulars. But I do remember thinking this: A lot of people think of their workplaces as something that could be made into a movie, perhaps a TV show if the story lines are a-plenty. My work wouldn't be either. It would be a porno. It would probably win several porn Oscars. "Oh no! The copiers broken! - Don't worry, I've got something that'll fix you right up." Bom chicka wah wah!! "Oh no! Half the company is gone having a 4 hour lunch(Bom chicka wah wah)! - Don't worry baby, I've got something that'll help you pass the time." Bom chicka wah wah! I could go on, but unfortunately the star of this porno is somewhat of an ugly beast and I don't want to think about her.
Major Event Since Last Blog #1: Lisa and Greg got married! I was the minister. ULC baby. It was a beautiful day. I was nervous, but I made it. It was really nice out there. Baker Beach is a beautiful location. I'd never been! In my own back yard too. Everyone who's anyone was there. Robin Williams was watching. Sharon Stone, in spirit. The banquet later that night was really cool too. I'd never been to a Chinese wedding banquet. Very delish. The M&M favors were awesome. Miraculously, I haven't killed my bamboo. It's suffering a little, but I'll keep it well watered until I can make a pot for it in my pottery class next semester. Congratulations to both!!! Next is babies!!!!!
Lisa and Greg: I just finished writing your wedding card(s). I shall send them today. Jen: I have your birthday present, 2 months too late. I bought it last X-mas and found it last weekend. Are you still working in Fremont? Or moved yet?
MESLB #2: 4th of July! I spent the 4th and 5th of July in Tulare exploding fireworks. It was a lot of fun. It always is. The food was awesome. It was my first time trying boiled red potatoes, with a wedge cut out filled with Portuguese Hot Sauce. I shall call it boiled red potatoes with Portuguese hot sauce. Very delicious. Maybe I'll try to make some today. Probably not. On the 5th of July we all went to watch Transformers. Hella good! A wonderful movie. (food break, corn flakes with banana. simple goodness. I'm back) Awesome movie. I got to see Hernani too since he lives in Fresno now. There's a rumor that he cleans his fridge out with a garden hose. Interesting.
Did anyone hear the rumor that Giada De Laurentiis used to be a porn star? I wonder if there is any truth to the rumor. She would be one of the pretty porn stars. Maybe some lesbian action but mostly guy on girl action. She might say, "The cream sauce is especially delightful." Bom chicka wah wah!
MESLB #3: Lots of work drama. There always is no matter where you work. A couple of weeks ago I found out that half of my company is rewarded quarterly with very generous bonuses as well as a X-mas bonus. My half of the company just gets the annual X-mas bonus. Needless to say, working the last couple of weeks has been tough. Every hour of work becomes a chore when you know that you are one of the hardest working people at the office and rewarded with just a barely average wage while over 50% of the company are not working half as hard and making more than you yearly. I should be looking at it like there are so few companies that offer quarterly bonuses, but it still isn't fair. I haven't talked with my boss about it. None of the managers are exactly trustworthy I've found out. But that's a whole other discussion.
I was pretty sick last weekend. Fever, headache and dizziness. No nausea or loss of appetite though. Very weird. Amy took good care of me. Jello, soup. Mmmm... I think there are still some popsicles in the fridge. I should go check that out.
It's been a long time. Not a record, but still a long time.
I've just finished reading everyones blogs. Sounds like everyone is chugging along in life. Sounds about right.
I had a weird dream about work last night. I haven't dreamt about work since the last time I was really busy at work. I woke up about half an hour ago, and don't remember the particulars. But I do remember thinking this: A lot of people think of their workplaces as something that could be made into a movie, perhaps a TV show if the story lines are a-plenty. My work wouldn't be either. It would be a porno. It would probably win several porn Oscars. "Oh no! The copiers broken! - Don't worry, I've got something that'll fix you right up." Bom chicka wah wah!! "Oh no! Half the company is gone having a 4 hour lunch(Bom chicka wah wah)! - Don't worry baby, I've got something that'll help you pass the time." Bom chicka wah wah! I could go on, but unfortunately the star of this porno is somewhat of an ugly beast and I don't want to think about her.
Major Event Since Last Blog #1: Lisa and Greg got married! I was the minister. ULC baby. It was a beautiful day. I was nervous, but I made it. It was really nice out there. Baker Beach is a beautiful location. I'd never been! In my own back yard too. Everyone who's anyone was there. Robin Williams was watching. Sharon Stone, in spirit. The banquet later that night was really cool too. I'd never been to a Chinese wedding banquet. Very delish. The M&M favors were awesome. Miraculously, I haven't killed my bamboo. It's suffering a little, but I'll keep it well watered until I can make a pot for it in my pottery class next semester. Congratulations to both!!! Next is babies!!!!!
Lisa and Greg: I just finished writing your wedding card(s). I shall send them today. Jen: I have your birthday present, 2 months too late. I bought it last X-mas and found it last weekend. Are you still working in Fremont? Or moved yet?
MESLB #2: 4th of July! I spent the 4th and 5th of July in Tulare exploding fireworks. It was a lot of fun. It always is. The food was awesome. It was my first time trying boiled red potatoes, with a wedge cut out filled with Portuguese Hot Sauce. I shall call it boiled red potatoes with Portuguese hot sauce. Very delicious. Maybe I'll try to make some today. Probably not. On the 5th of July we all went to watch Transformers. Hella good! A wonderful movie. (food break, corn flakes with banana. simple goodness. I'm back) Awesome movie. I got to see Hernani too since he lives in Fresno now. There's a rumor that he cleans his fridge out with a garden hose. Interesting.
Did anyone hear the rumor that Giada De Laurentiis used to be a porn star? I wonder if there is any truth to the rumor. She would be one of the pretty porn stars. Maybe some lesbian action but mostly guy on girl action. She might say, "The cream sauce is especially delightful." Bom chicka wah wah!
MESLB #3: Lots of work drama. There always is no matter where you work. A couple of weeks ago I found out that half of my company is rewarded quarterly with very generous bonuses as well as a X-mas bonus. My half of the company just gets the annual X-mas bonus. Needless to say, working the last couple of weeks has been tough. Every hour of work becomes a chore when you know that you are one of the hardest working people at the office and rewarded with just a barely average wage while over 50% of the company are not working half as hard and making more than you yearly. I should be looking at it like there are so few companies that offer quarterly bonuses, but it still isn't fair. I haven't talked with my boss about it. None of the managers are exactly trustworthy I've found out. But that's a whole other discussion.
I was pretty sick last weekend. Fever, headache and dizziness. No nausea or loss of appetite though. Very weird. Amy took good care of me. Jello, soup. Mmmm... I think there are still some popsicles in the fridge. I should go check that out.
3.22.2007
Three Hundred Seventeenth Entry
It has been nearly 6 months since my last blog entry. This is probably the first time I've logged onto blogger in that time. Did google buy blogger.com? I think they are slowly taking over the world.
To all of you that have wondered what happened to me (all 2 of you know who you are), nothing has happened to me. I've been living life and doing stuff that wasn't blogging. I'm sick right now, so I find myself with the time to blog. Blog is a funny word. Is it even a word?
A lot of stuff has happened. A lot of stuff that reassures me that I am alive and reminds me that I am not watching a reality show with me as a character. It has been an emotionally taxing and tiring 6 months and I'm definitely ready for a vacation. Dead people have it so easy.
Instead of a laundry list of things that have happened in the last six months, how about I don't write about any of it? It doesn't really matter. All that matters is that it happened, the particulars are of no consequence. From this point on, I'll write about what happens. I just don't want to have to search the abyss of my brain for the events of my recent history.
It may come as a surprise to most of you that I've kept two other blogs. One a public one, Quest, which most people know about, and the other one a private one, Truth, that noone knows about. I haven't been a faithful writer in those blogs either. I read Truth tonight for the first time in over a year. It pained me to read it. The rantings of a hopeless romantic, at least in print. I deleted both of them. They outlasted their usefulness. It was a little sad to erase Truth. Dredged up and brought to surface feelings that I thought were buried, but realized never really went away. They were just ignored for the sake of all involved. Gone. It's OK, I guess. I'll never forget the three loves of my life. I can just forget the details surrounding them.
So before I start to squirt tears like a chick, I'd like to propose a virtual toast! To my one and only blog. You have been here always, ready for my attention. May my writings in you be fast and true! Salute!
**VirtUal**HicCup**
It has been nearly 6 months since my last blog entry. This is probably the first time I've logged onto blogger in that time. Did google buy blogger.com? I think they are slowly taking over the world.
To all of you that have wondered what happened to me (all 2 of you know who you are), nothing has happened to me. I've been living life and doing stuff that wasn't blogging. I'm sick right now, so I find myself with the time to blog. Blog is a funny word. Is it even a word?
A lot of stuff has happened. A lot of stuff that reassures me that I am alive and reminds me that I am not watching a reality show with me as a character. It has been an emotionally taxing and tiring 6 months and I'm definitely ready for a vacation. Dead people have it so easy.
Instead of a laundry list of things that have happened in the last six months, how about I don't write about any of it? It doesn't really matter. All that matters is that it happened, the particulars are of no consequence. From this point on, I'll write about what happens. I just don't want to have to search the abyss of my brain for the events of my recent history.
It may come as a surprise to most of you that I've kept two other blogs. One a public one, Quest, which most people know about, and the other one a private one, Truth, that noone knows about. I haven't been a faithful writer in those blogs either. I read Truth tonight for the first time in over a year. It pained me to read it. The rantings of a hopeless romantic, at least in print. I deleted both of them. They outlasted their usefulness. It was a little sad to erase Truth. Dredged up and brought to surface feelings that I thought were buried, but realized never really went away. They were just ignored for the sake of all involved. Gone. It's OK, I guess. I'll never forget the three loves of my life. I can just forget the details surrounding them.
So before I start to squirt tears like a chick, I'd like to propose a virtual toast! To my one and only blog. You have been here always, ready for my attention. May my writings in you be fast and true! Salute!
**VirtUal**HicCup**
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