This month's Popular Science feature was green energy. Here are some cool technologies to keep an eye on:
Jellyfish Wind ($400) - 3 foot tall, non-intrusive, personal wind tower that plugs into a wall socket. It generates up to 40 Kilowatts per month. That would be 10% of my monthly power. If I conserve, it could be more. http://www.clariantechnologies.com/main/page_plugin_wind_power.html
Solar-Panel Windows - Huh, translucent solar panels, that can be frosted or turned into a light panel electronically. Neat. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20081210006113&newsLang=en
Campsite Solar Generator ($400) - We must have one. http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3151823&bhcd2=1239384772
Friday, April 10, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Clearing the Cobwebs
Since my IRL BFFs are taking a family vacation, I've had the time to do real physical labor. Biking, Grilling, Movies, Parties and Road-Trips turn out to be my KRYPTONITE. I've discovered something about work. Doing work that is not enjoyable and is physical is very therapeutic. Sure, I work, and although it's labor, I am a knowledge worker which very, very rarely requires any physical exertion. Sure, I bike, and that is physical labor that requires exertion, but it is enjoyable. There is a guilty pleasure associated with it. When you complete physical labor that is not enjoyable, there is a sweet pleasure at completion that has you looking for more.
As this post does have a theme, I've footnoted all the interesting things that happened that don't play into the theme.
It started with easy work on Friday cutting my lawn.
Saturday, I had to take my truck in for it's 30k service(1). Before-hand, I stopped by Advanced Auto and AutoZone to order the rebuild kit for my Honda del Sol(2,3). While waiting on the truck, I test drove a Pontiac Solstice(4).
I had to go to Mom's house next to cut her lawn, but found that someone she hired to cut limbs off a willow tree 3 weeks ago hadn't return to clean up the mess. I had to go buy an axe to finish the job and haul the limbs. It took me about 20 minutes of work before I finally learned how to swing an axe safely and effectively. Six hacked willow branches and two landfill trips later, I was finally able to start cutting her lawn.
Sunday I woke up energized from all the physical labor! I trimmed my bushes first thing and sawed three lower limbs off of my front yard Charlie-Brown tree(5). Then I purchased a bristol brush, telescoping pole and some house wash. I considered buying a pressure washer, but that turned out to really be overkill for a house my size. It was the right decision as it took very little effort to brush the mildew from the siding. I started measuring for a planting bed, but then the clouds moved in.
I'm still energized, which is a good thing because my garage has to be cleared to start work on my little red sports car.
Clearing my to-do list has really focused and cleared my mind. So literally and figuratively, I've found that I'm clearning the cobwebs from both my surroundings and my mind.
(1) - I got a quote from Nissan 3 weeks ago at $479 so I was shocked when the bill came to $592! I questioned it and they said, "Whoops! We made a mistake.". Now let's think about this. If I hadn't known that the service would cost me $479 beforehand, I wouldn't have questioned the $592 cost. Which made me wonder...how often does this happen? I'm going to submit a BBB report on this.
(2) - While emailing a friend, I challenged myself to rebuild the engine and clutch before the start of Jazz on the Lawn on May 9th.
(3) - While waiting for my truck, I scanned the Honda Certified Service Manual. It's amazing! 2,000 pages of complete blow-outs of each engine component, specs (torque, tolerances) and step-by-step instructions on disassembly.
(4) - It has a heavier feel than my del Sol. It also has a 3 feet by 10 inch trunk... I prefer having my nimble two-seater over a roadster. To be sure, I stopped by Saturn to look at the Saturn Sky. It's the exact same body style, but when I mentioned this to the salesman, he said "No, they are completely different.". As this pissed me off, I started pointing all the details on the car of how he was wrong. And then I asked about the trunk size where he confessed they were the same.
(5) - Cutting the bushes into ornamental umbrellas, while anesthetically pleasing, has turned the rest of the plant into a MONSTER. I guess all of the water, nutrients and energy that was going to the lower branches is now redirected to the top. I'm hoping to replicate the effect on my Charlie-Brown tree.
As this post does have a theme, I've footnoted all the interesting things that happened that don't play into the theme.
It started with easy work on Friday cutting my lawn.
Saturday, I had to take my truck in for it's 30k service(1). Before-hand, I stopped by Advanced Auto and AutoZone to order the rebuild kit for my Honda del Sol(2,3). While waiting on the truck, I test drove a Pontiac Solstice(4).
I had to go to Mom's house next to cut her lawn, but found that someone she hired to cut limbs off a willow tree 3 weeks ago hadn't return to clean up the mess. I had to go buy an axe to finish the job and haul the limbs. It took me about 20 minutes of work before I finally learned how to swing an axe safely and effectively. Six hacked willow branches and two landfill trips later, I was finally able to start cutting her lawn.
Sunday I woke up energized from all the physical labor! I trimmed my bushes first thing and sawed three lower limbs off of my front yard Charlie-Brown tree(5). Then I purchased a bristol brush, telescoping pole and some house wash. I considered buying a pressure washer, but that turned out to really be overkill for a house my size. It was the right decision as it took very little effort to brush the mildew from the siding. I started measuring for a planting bed, but then the clouds moved in.
I'm still energized, which is a good thing because my garage has to be cleared to start work on my little red sports car.
Clearing my to-do list has really focused and cleared my mind. So literally and figuratively, I've found that I'm clearning the cobwebs from both my surroundings and my mind.
(1) - I got a quote from Nissan 3 weeks ago at $479 so I was shocked when the bill came to $592! I questioned it and they said, "Whoops! We made a mistake.". Now let's think about this. If I hadn't known that the service would cost me $479 beforehand, I wouldn't have questioned the $592 cost. Which made me wonder...how often does this happen? I'm going to submit a BBB report on this.
(2) - While emailing a friend, I challenged myself to rebuild the engine and clutch before the start of Jazz on the Lawn on May 9th.
(3) - While waiting for my truck, I scanned the Honda Certified Service Manual. It's amazing! 2,000 pages of complete blow-outs of each engine component, specs (torque, tolerances) and step-by-step instructions on disassembly.
(4) - It has a heavier feel than my del Sol. It also has a 3 feet by 10 inch trunk... I prefer having my nimble two-seater over a roadster. To be sure, I stopped by Saturn to look at the Saturn Sky. It's the exact same body style, but when I mentioned this to the salesman, he said "No, they are completely different.". As this pissed me off, I started pointing all the details on the car of how he was wrong. And then I asked about the trunk size where he confessed they were the same.
(5) - Cutting the bushes into ornamental umbrellas, while anesthetically pleasing, has turned the rest of the plant into a MONSTER. I guess all of the water, nutrients and energy that was going to the lower branches is now redirected to the top. I'm hoping to replicate the effect on my Charlie-Brown tree.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Life Lesson #2
Never gchat with Larry when you want to level something. You will purchase and subscribe to many more games that you can play.
Yep folks, I am once again a SOE Station Access member. Any other takers? We are starting low level and will work our way up through the dungeons of the Shattered Lands.
(and with that I have broken my monthly posting record)
Yep folks, I am once again a SOE Station Access member. Any other takers? We are starting low level and will work our way up through the dungeons of the Shattered Lands.
(and with that I have broken my monthly posting record)
Hold on America! It's time!
The Dow was up 7.73% this month. That is the largest increase for a 1 month period over the last 6 years. Your rewards for investing during the low period shall be reaped. Hold on or you may get whiplash from watching your 401k's!
I should be a-okie-dokie
I like budgeting. In as much that I usually keep a minimum 6 month projected budget. In reviewing it due to recent events, I found that I would be alright if I lost my job. I currently have 6 months of cash-on-hand reserves and another 6 months of investment assets. That's if I pay the minimum of everything on-time. Even after the year, I still have 90 days to get my stuff in order before banks get possessive. How did I get here?
Like dieting, no single budget is going to work for everyone (which is why there is such a market for all those books and seminars), but I have found a way to become a millionaire over time. The cornerstone principle is realizing that the experts have it bass-ackwards. Stay with me now; they tell you that you must pay off your debt before saving for your retirement. But how many people have the discipline to actually do this? How many of us sprint towards having zero debt for 1 or 2 months before falling back for another year? It is extremely difficult to escape the draw of debt. Debt is sold to us on TV and on billboards. Debt has become a solid pillar in our economy. So now, we are always chasing zero balance AND since we never get there we never start saving for retirement. Or maybe you do get to zero for a few months and then decide to buy a shiny, new, 2007 Nissan Frontier truck with your newfound cash.
So the plan that has worked for me for years is to accept that I have debt and to start saving to be a millionaire at retirement...RIGHT NOW. First thing. Open an online-only savings account and get $1,000 in it. This is your cushion and does wonders for your finanical peace of mind. Just having $1,000 in savings makes a huge psychological difference. Why an online account? If your savings is at the same brick & mortar bank as your checking account, transfers between the two are immediate, as quick as a mouse click, instantaneous. See that new iPhone...Hmm, I do have $1,000 in savings...WHERE'S THE INTERNETZ?!? Transfers between online and brick & morter banks can take days and gives you time to evalute whether you want to have your money in bank limbo.
Next, work your way up to $400+ per month (start at $100/month and work up) in investments and make it AUTOMATIC so that you don't see or think about it. It is also important that you build your savings account. Get enough for 1 month, then 2 months and on to 3 months as soon as possible. What's left, take care of your shelter/food needs and then spend what's left on your debts.
One side-effect of this is that I stopped using debt because I knew those balances were not dwindling quickly anymore.
EDIT: A second side-effect of this is you can plan to take out large portions (but less than 50%) of your savings at regular intervals to pay off & close huge chunks of debt while still being protected by your left-over savings.
Like dieting, no single budget is going to work for everyone (which is why there is such a market for all those books and seminars), but I have found a way to become a millionaire over time. The cornerstone principle is realizing that the experts have it bass-ackwards. Stay with me now; they tell you that you must pay off your debt before saving for your retirement. But how many people have the discipline to actually do this? How many of us sprint towards having zero debt for 1 or 2 months before falling back for another year? It is extremely difficult to escape the draw of debt. Debt is sold to us on TV and on billboards. Debt has become a solid pillar in our economy. So now, we are always chasing zero balance AND since we never get there we never start saving for retirement. Or maybe you do get to zero for a few months and then decide to buy a shiny, new, 2007 Nissan Frontier truck with your newfound cash.
So the plan that has worked for me for years is to accept that I have debt and to start saving to be a millionaire at retirement...RIGHT NOW. First thing. Open an online-only savings account and get $1,000 in it. This is your cushion and does wonders for your finanical peace of mind. Just having $1,000 in savings makes a huge psychological difference. Why an online account? If your savings is at the same brick & mortar bank as your checking account, transfers between the two are immediate, as quick as a mouse click, instantaneous. See that new iPhone...Hmm, I do have $1,000 in savings...WHERE'S THE INTERNETZ?!? Transfers between online and brick & morter banks can take days and gives you time to evalute whether you want to have your money in bank limbo.
Next, work your way up to $400+ per month (start at $100/month and work up) in investments and make it AUTOMATIC so that you don't see or think about it. It is also important that you build your savings account. Get enough for 1 month, then 2 months and on to 3 months as soon as possible. What's left, take care of your shelter/food needs and then spend what's left on your debts.
One side-effect of this is that I stopped using debt because I knew those balances were not dwindling quickly anymore.
EDIT: A second side-effect of this is you can plan to take out large portions (but less than 50%) of your savings at regular intervals to pay off & close huge chunks of debt while still being protected by your left-over savings.
The Layoffs Begin
I got up at 7:59 am to discover we had an 8 am emergency conference call. I made it in just under the wire to hear that one of our team was being lay'ed off. An Engineer in Florida, in addition to 800 other employees across the organization, were cut today. All morning, familiar names have been coming across email with "Today is my last day. It's been fun. I will miss you all.".
How I still have a job as the new guy is beyond me. A vastly experienced Specialist (the counterpart to an Engineer) was cut from TN and I suspect an entire level of Implementation Management. I talked with my boss and he tells me that my job is not in danger. He even encouraged me to take my vacation. My fear is that this is a company PR line. Regardless, the financially responsible thing for me to do now is to keep all of the cash I have saved for flight training in the bank. It was a fortunate confluence of events (discovery of and aggressive savings for my Sport Pilot License, scheduling conflicts and delays, tax refund and vehicle overpayment) that got me into a good financial position if I am next to be let go.
And if I am kept on through the tough times, then it all works out. Next year, I'll have enough money to train locally for a full pilot license with the ability to take more than 1 passenger and to fly at night time...maybe even with dual engine and instrument ratings...why stop there! Let's go Commercial!
You know what I'm doing tonight..I'm relaxing for the first time in 4 months and leveling something..anything..in some MMO!
How I still have a job as the new guy is beyond me. A vastly experienced Specialist (the counterpart to an Engineer) was cut from TN and I suspect an entire level of Implementation Management. I talked with my boss and he tells me that my job is not in danger. He even encouraged me to take my vacation. My fear is that this is a company PR line. Regardless, the financially responsible thing for me to do now is to keep all of the cash I have saved for flight training in the bank. It was a fortunate confluence of events (discovery of and aggressive savings for my Sport Pilot License, scheduling conflicts and delays, tax refund and vehicle overpayment) that got me into a good financial position if I am next to be let go.
And if I am kept on through the tough times, then it all works out. Next year, I'll have enough money to train locally for a full pilot license with the ability to take more than 1 passenger and to fly at night time...maybe even with dual engine and instrument ratings...why stop there! Let's go Commercial!
You know what I'm doing tonight..I'm relaxing for the first time in 4 months and leveling something..anything..in some MMO!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Ugh, My Eyes are Bleeding.
Ugh. 692 questions completed.
I just finished studying for my Pilot's Knowledge Test. Out of 692 questions, I got 85% right. I need a 70% to pass. It all depends on the luck of the draw since the real test is 40 random questions.
Although my brain was mush, I was brave enough to take a practice test (of 40 random questions) without reviewing and I got a 72%. I was surprised it was that high.
I've got to work my butt off for the next 3 days to get a consistently higher score. I guess I'll review the books tonight and then take test after test after test until the answers make sense.
I just finished studying for my Pilot's Knowledge Test. Out of 692 questions, I got 85% right. I need a 70% to pass. It all depends on the luck of the draw since the real test is 40 random questions.
Although my brain was mush, I was brave enough to take a practice test (of 40 random questions) without reviewing and I got a 72%. I was surprised it was that high.
I've got to work my butt off for the next 3 days to get a consistently higher score. I guess I'll review the books tonight and then take test after test after test until the answers make sense.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Red Letter Day
Since I first saw that title in Half Life 2, it has been fun to use it to describe various personal events. Today, was a red letter day. Jen, Steve and I cycled more than 20 miles today! My final tally was 21.18. So tired now. Tonight will be a well deserved, blue Z night.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Of Staple guns and mop water
WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND! Steve and Jen deserve a golden globe for opening their home to host yet another successful, "all-weekend" party.
Friday - What do you mean it's too cold for a bike ride?
It started innocently enough. A Friday night bike ride, a spaghetti dinner and the movie Lakeview Terrace. I had an early morning Saturday taking my sister to the airport at 4 am, so I was in bed by 1 am...and up 2 hours later. (Fun Factor: 100%)
Saturday - Staplegate and Turning Spilled Mopwater to Lemonade
Just as I got home and had settled into my plush, oversized chair to reply to a friend's email, I get a "Jen says it's breakfast time" text message from Steve. Over the last week, Steve had found many (...many) local bicycle shops and we were going to start our visits with Bikes and Moore in Hopkinsville. But first, we need an Ihop...or a Waffle House, you know what, we'll settle for a Shoney's. (Fun Factor: 120%)
Jenn, a different Jen, was coming up from Murphresboro Saturday night so that she (Jenn) and Jen could visit an Irish bar. Not to be outdone, Steve and I decided we would have a dude's night in that would consist totally of talking trash about playing Monopoly. Before they knew it, Jenn, Jen and Steve's party of three became 7 as Colton and Melinda joined us. A cookout ensued, mopwater was spilled and the alcohol flowed.
(Fun Factor: 140% )
Sunday - Is that..Yes, it is another BICYCLE STICKER!
As I was in no shape to drive fromoutdoing one another reminiscing over youtube Michael Jackson videos and Filipino Prisoners Thriller (don't youtube it, I implore you, do. not. youtube. it.), I crashed on a futon in their spare bedroom. Comatosed from all the drinks, food and laughter, I had the best night's sleep that I've had in quite a while. The next morning, Jenn, Jen, Steve and I had a great time talking over a home cooked breakfast and Mmmm...coffee. We next took a 8 mile rails-to-trails mountain bike ride in Ashland City, picked up Jen's brother nephew from Wil's tattoo shop in Nashville, visited bike shops at Loveless Cafe and another called Halycon Bikes. (Fun Factor: ∞)
There are so many other fun things that happened this weekend, but I just can't get my head around them all!
Friday - What do you mean it's too cold for a bike ride?
It started innocently enough. A Friday night bike ride, a spaghetti dinner and the movie Lakeview Terrace. I had an early morning Saturday taking my sister to the airport at 4 am, so I was in bed by 1 am...and up 2 hours later. (Fun Factor: 100%)
Saturday - Staplegate and Turning Spilled Mopwater to Lemonade
Just as I got home and had settled into my plush, oversized chair to reply to a friend's email, I get a "Jen says it's breakfast time" text message from Steve. Over the last week, Steve had found many (...many) local bicycle shops and we were going to start our visits with Bikes and Moore in Hopkinsville. But first, we need an Ihop...or a Waffle House, you know what, we'll settle for a Shoney's. (Fun Factor: 120%)
Jenn, a different Jen, was coming up from Murphresboro Saturday night so that she (Jenn) and Jen could visit an Irish bar. Not to be outdone, Steve and I decided we would have a dude's night in that would consist totally of talking trash about playing Monopoly. Before they knew it, Jenn, Jen and Steve's party of three became 7 as Colton and Melinda joined us. A cookout ensued, mopwater was spilled and the alcohol flowed.
(Fun Factor: 140% )
Sunday - Is that..Yes, it is another BICYCLE STICKER!
As I was in no shape to drive from
There are so many other fun things that happened this weekend, but I just can't get my head around them all!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Quality of Life
This working hourly at salary pay is brilliant. I've discovered that workloads can be heavy at the start of the week since everybody is re-energized due to the weekend and lighter as it approaches the end of the week. Which, i'll say it again, is brilliant.
Take this week as an example. On Monday and Tuesday, I had two 9.5 hour days. After talking with my boss, we decided that I should take Wednesday afternoon off. I had enough time to visit my colleagues at APSU, visit my mom and sister, shop the local bicycle center, build a bicycle caddy for my truck and get 3 miles in before the sun set. Thursday I worked 9 hours and so today I again have to make up some down-time. Hence the 10 am post. I get to take a long break from 10 am until 1:30 pm today. What a great time to clean house! I'm not exhausted from a days work, my mind is still fresh from a night's sleep and, with it being Friday, my email should be light.
Life is good.
Bonus: It struck me while I was out running personal, Friday afternoon errands that I am saving the company money by not working. I deserve a raise.
Take this week as an example. On Monday and Tuesday, I had two 9.5 hour days. After talking with my boss, we decided that I should take Wednesday afternoon off. I had enough time to visit my colleagues at APSU, visit my mom and sister, shop the local bicycle center, build a bicycle caddy for my truck and get 3 miles in before the sun set. Thursday I worked 9 hours and so today I again have to make up some down-time. Hence the 10 am post. I get to take a long break from 10 am until 1:30 pm today. What a great time to clean house! I'm not exhausted from a days work, my mind is still fresh from a night's sleep and, with it being Friday, my email should be light.
Life is good.
Bonus: It struck me while I was out running personal, Friday afternoon errands that I am saving the company money by not working. I deserve a raise.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Cutting Cookies
No matter how many times it happens, I still find it jarring as more and more often I come to the realization that big studio music and movies are complete and total shite. They are made to take my money and leave in its place a sick feeling of being robbed. There is very rarely such a thing as a mass appeal, original idea (Spiderman and LOTR being the exceptions that come to mind). Music stations all play the same top 20 songs on infinite repeat. Movie studios create sequel after sequel which in all likely hood are floor edits from the original. Dramas warn you that "any likeness, real or implied is completely incidental" and then proceed to "rip storylines straight from the headlines" because they can't make up stuff any better than real life.
I'm tired of being a sheep. Independent labels have earned my support.
I'm tired of being a sheep. Independent labels have earned my support.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Your game is not hardcore...
I'm considering playing Darkfall for this one reason...
.
.
Darkfall Mounts and links to various other articles
Hilarious. Well the first time it happens...to someone else...that I don't know...
Besides that the game features PVP with full looting, a game map at least 20 times larger than WoW, ship and mounted combat, skill-use based advancement (including skill based stealth), player built cities and no zoning or invisible walls.
Mounts in Darkfall are much more a privilege than a right unlike what we have seen in a lot of the MMOs in the last few years..
.
.
[When summoned, your] mount will appear wherever your crosshair is pointing. This caused a great deal of confusion at first because if you are looking across town, that's where the mount will appear. This means that if your sights are not pointed at the ground very close by, you could accidentally summon your mount 50 yards away. The issue with this is that once your mount is summoned, anyone can jump on top of it and ride off.
Darkfall Mounts and links to various other articles
Hilarious. Well the first time it happens...to someone else...that I don't know...
Besides that the game features PVP with full looting, a game map at least 20 times larger than WoW, ship and mounted combat, skill-use based advancement (including skill based stealth), player built cities and no zoning or invisible walls.
Monday, March 9, 2009
CERTIFIED-ABLE!!!
I am now job certified as a Cardinal Health Engineer! I got a 99% on the second half of my engineering training. Procrastination paid dividends much better than I deserved since, as you'll see from Steve's blog, I spent all of my weekend riding my bicycle instead of working on my exam.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Amok Time
We spring our clocks forward this weekend. In the past, I despised Daylight Savings Time. Mainly because I was forced to get up an hour earlier to leave for work. I hated driving, bleary eyed, at 0-dark-30 in the morning. Well, that's no longer an issue, so, over time, my hate morphed into tolerance and then further into indifference. And today, I officially love Springing Forward! The extended afternoon has special meaning this year. It marks the unofficial start of bicycling season!! WooHoo! I can finally do some riding after work! /happydance
... and really that's a commentary on advancing our society. Hate turns to tolerance, tolerance to indifference and indifference to respect. Peace and Love.
... and really that's a commentary on advancing our society. Hate turns to tolerance, tolerance to indifference and indifference to respect. Peace and Love.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
I think I'll keep him
You have a good boss when he equates what you do for a career as going to war and that we are his special forces team. I think I got a compliment (or is that commendation) this week when he said that I "dropped bombs on a site and had hospital IT quakeing in fear of my awesome skills". Yeah. He's a good boss.
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Things we do
I liked the title Steve-O and am not above thievery.
I've officially moved my Sport plane flight training back by one month. There are now 3 hospital projects scheduled for March and I figured that I shouldn't miss out on the learning experiences.
Airlines are such robbing, stealing, POS (except Southwest. I <3 Southwest). My round trip ticket was $230. Delta charged me a $150 penalty for cancelling. POS. They gave me airline credit, but I have since come to my senses and have decided to drive the 12 hours from Clarksville to Sarasota Fl. I'll save money and the hassle of leaving 3 hours before my flights and renting a vehicle. Anybodies interested in spliting the driving and hotel from April 11th until April 25th?
I've officially moved my Sport plane flight training back by one month. There are now 3 hospital projects scheduled for March and I figured that I shouldn't miss out on the learning experiences.
Airlines are such robbing, stealing, POS (except Southwest. I <3 Southwest). My round trip ticket was $230. Delta charged me a $150 penalty for cancelling. POS. They gave me airline credit, but I have since come to my senses and have decided to drive the 12 hours from Clarksville to Sarasota Fl. I'll save money and the hassle of leaving 3 hours before my flights and renting a vehicle. Anybodies interested in spliting the driving and hotel from April 11th until April 25th?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Change is a-comin'
Over the weekend, the divisional manager scheduled a conference call with all Engineers nation-wide for today. I wasn't at all nervous until I talked with my backup engineer this morning. I asked if this was an annual call and he responded that no, this is something new and probably not good.
Actually, the more I think about the change, the awesomer it seems... Which really defies the logic of the situation.
My backup told me that the rumors were either an entire area of management was being cut or field employees were going hourly. He says that field service technicians had already gone hourly and they love it. Some FSTs make 100k a year with overtime. Still, I was expecting to hear the big "L" for freshman engineers.
It turned out to be that engineers are going non-exempt, hourly. At first, I was just happy to still be employed. After the national call, we split into our local teams to talk amongst ourselves...UPGRADE!
The facts so far:
Our salary is divided by 40 hours per week. As long as we work 40 hours, which we are required to under policy, our salary doesn't change. If we work more than 40, it's time and a half. This tempers the fact that I am 24/7/365. Working at home I always felt I should always be doing something related to my job. Even if it was 8 pm or a weekend. Now my hours have a soft limit of 40 hours, but adds the ability to recoup time over 40 hours.
Our benefits (vacation, health care, expenses, mileage) don't change.
Travel time is considered on-the-clock time. Taking online training is considered on-the-clock. Traveling to the post office to mail in timesheets is considered on-the-clock.
If I'm paged on a holiday..double-time!
Know what else. When I reach 40 hours, I'm obligated to stop work for the week without overtime approval. Sooo, if I work 7 am until 5 pm each day...I take a 1/2 day on Fridays! WooHoo! Some on the team are already planning for 4 day / 10 hour work weeks.
Actually, the more I think about the change, the awesomer it seems... Which really defies the logic of the situation.
My backup told me that the rumors were either an entire area of management was being cut or field employees were going hourly. He says that field service technicians had already gone hourly and they love it. Some FSTs make 100k a year with overtime. Still, I was expecting to hear the big "L" for freshman engineers.
It turned out to be that engineers are going non-exempt, hourly. At first, I was just happy to still be employed. After the national call, we split into our local teams to talk amongst ourselves...UPGRADE!
The facts so far:
Our salary is divided by 40 hours per week. As long as we work 40 hours, which we are required to under policy, our salary doesn't change. If we work more than 40, it's time and a half. This tempers the fact that I am 24/7/365. Working at home I always felt I should always be doing something related to my job. Even if it was 8 pm or a weekend. Now my hours have a soft limit of 40 hours, but adds the ability to recoup time over 40 hours.
Our benefits (vacation, health care, expenses, mileage) don't change.
Travel time is considered on-the-clock time. Taking online training is considered on-the-clock. Traveling to the post office to mail in timesheets is considered on-the-clock.
If I'm paged on a holiday..double-time!
Know what else. When I reach 40 hours, I'm obligated to stop work for the week without overtime approval. Sooo, if I work 7 am until 5 pm each day...I take a 1/2 day on Fridays! WooHoo! Some on the team are already planning for 4 day / 10 hour work weeks.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
1 day, 115 Mile Okeechobee route
One of my co-workers rides a recumbent bike. He's been coaching me on technique and equipment. He has done several cross-country rides and his next is to circumvent Lake Okeechobee in mid-April. He says that he has done the circuit 3 times with his fastest run at 9 hours and his longest at 12. He says that 80 miles of it is on the river bank dike at 13 to 18 mph. He also said that the winds fight you the entire way around. I have been invited, and at first I didn't think the logistics would work out. I'd have to take off work on Friday for a 13 hour drive to South Florida, ride all day on Saturday and drive back all day on Sunday. Ugh. The reward was tempting, but the cost too great.
Then I thought...I should have a pilot's license by April.. Hmm, that still may not work out since I can only fly during the day... I'll have to think about it. And follow his training regimen just in case.
Feb 9-15: Wednesday 10 miles, Friday 15 miles, Sunday 46 miles
Feb 16-22: Monday 12 miles, Wednesday 15 miles, Friday 18 miles, Sunday 45 miles
Feb 23-Mar 1: Tuesday 10 miles, Wednesday 8 miles, Friday 15 miles, Sunday 63 miles
Mar 2-8: Tuesday 12 miles, Wednesday 10 miles, Friday 8 miles, Sunday 81 miles
Mar 9-15: Tuesday 14 miles, Wednesday 12 miles, Friday 10 miles, Sunday 86 miles
Mar 16-22: Tuesday 16 miles, Wednesday 15 miles, Friday 12 miles, Sunday 92 miles
Mar 23-29: Wednesday 16 miles, Friday 14 miles, Sunday 86 miles
Mar 30-Apr 5: Wednesday 10 miles, Thursday 15 miles, Sunday 90 miles
Apr 6-12: Wednesday 10 miles, Thursday 7 miles, Sunday 115 miles
Apr 18/19: Lake Okeechobee!
View Larger Map
Now, where to find the time...
Then I thought...I should have a pilot's license by April.. Hmm, that still may not work out since I can only fly during the day... I'll have to think about it. And follow his training regimen just in case.
Feb 9-15: Wednesday 10 miles, Friday 15 miles, Sunday 46 miles
Feb 16-22: Monday 12 miles, Wednesday 15 miles, Friday 18 miles, Sunday 45 miles
Feb 23-Mar 1: Tuesday 10 miles, Wednesday 8 miles, Friday 15 miles, Sunday 63 miles
Mar 2-8: Tuesday 12 miles, Wednesday 10 miles, Friday 8 miles, Sunday 81 miles
Mar 9-15: Tuesday 14 miles, Wednesday 12 miles, Friday 10 miles, Sunday 86 miles
Mar 16-22: Tuesday 16 miles, Wednesday 15 miles, Friday 12 miles, Sunday 92 miles
Mar 23-29: Wednesday 16 miles, Friday 14 miles, Sunday 86 miles
Mar 30-Apr 5: Wednesday 10 miles, Thursday 15 miles, Sunday 90 miles
Apr 6-12: Wednesday 10 miles, Thursday 7 miles, Sunday 115 miles
Apr 18/19: Lake Okeechobee!
View Larger Map
Now, where to find the time...
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Clarksville to Dover by Bicycle, Attempt #1
Steve, Jen and I started out on a quick bike ride Saturday morning. We only attempted 4 miles out and 4 miles back. At the end of the 4 mile out leg, Jen and I decided to continue on for 5 more miles to visit an Outfitter's store on Dover road. It turned out it was NOT the type of Outfitter we thought it was...
We then thought, you know, it's only 6 more miles to the halfway point and if we make the halfway point, there's no reason to turn around and go 15 miles back to Clarksville when we were only 15 miles from Dover. Particular when the last 10 miles to Dover is down-hill! So we take a picture as our first milestone and off we go!
We did well for our first attempt; making it over 17 miles! We stopped because the road shoulder suddenly disappeared, the traffic picked up and we were not sure where the shoulder would reappear again. Luckily, our support staff (Go-Team-Steve!) had keys to my truck and came to pick us up.
View Larger Map
We loaded up the bikes and drove the rest of the way. The shoulder picks back up after a few miles and construction is on-going. I have no doubt we will easily make the rest of the route on the next nice and low traffic day!
We then thought, you know, it's only 6 more miles to the halfway point and if we make the halfway point, there's no reason to turn around and go 15 miles back to Clarksville when we were only 15 miles from Dover. Particular when the last 10 miles to Dover is down-hill! So we take a picture as our first milestone and off we go!
We did well for our first attempt; making it over 17 miles! We stopped because the road shoulder suddenly disappeared, the traffic picked up and we were not sure where the shoulder would reappear again. Luckily, our support staff (Go-Team-Steve!) had keys to my truck and came to pick us up.
View Larger Map
We loaded up the bikes and drove the rest of the way. The shoulder picks back up after a few miles and construction is on-going. I have no doubt we will easily make the rest of the route on the next nice and low traffic day!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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