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?

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.

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!

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Now, where to find the time...

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.


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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!

Life is good.

That is all.