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.
Friday, March 20, 2009
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...
.
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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
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Approaching a major life milestone
I was thinking this morning about a hospital system upgrade that is being pushed by said hospital and how it could disrupt my plans. They want to go-live on March 10th. That's the week that I have scheduled flight training. Even though I'm still technically a padawan (the jedi academy corporate office doesn't know about and would frown upon the work that I am already doing without official force corporate training), and the project's jedi master has said that I should not reschedule my flight training, I think I will anyhow. This is a critical time for me to learn new skills and I need to take every opportunity presented. And with the economy in its current state, I have to make sure that I am visible and valuable.
So, I'll probably delay my flight training/vacation one week. Don't worry, I've put down a large deposit; there is no danger of me procrastinating this to its death!
While considering all of this, it occured to me that this is one of those major life milestones. I feel about flight training the way others feel about marriage, graduation or tasting their first deep-fried twinkie (two out of three ain't bad!). You know what happens after these events right? PAR-TAY!!! Assuming I pass, I'm going to host a flight-themed reception after I return from flight training. Anyone have ideas for flight-themed activities? I know I want to have my home simulator available for games/demonstrations. Top Gun will be on infinite repeat in the DVD player. Ooo, I wonder if I can rent out a conference room at Outlaw field. Ooo! I wonder if I can find a cheap Afterburner arcade console!
So, I'll probably delay my flight training/vacation one week. Don't worry, I've put down a large deposit; there is no danger of me procrastinating this to its death!
While considering all of this, it occured to me that this is one of those major life milestones. I feel about flight training the way others feel about marriage, graduation or tasting their first deep-fried twinkie (two out of three ain't bad!). You know what happens after these events right? PAR-TAY!!! Assuming I pass, I'm going to host a flight-themed reception after I return from flight training. Anyone have ideas for flight-themed activities? I know I want to have my home simulator available for games/demonstrations. Top Gun will be on infinite repeat in the DVD player. Ooo, I wonder if I can rent out a conference room at Outlaw field. Ooo! I wonder if I can find a cheap Afterburner arcade console!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Fatal Flaw in the Master Plan
NOOOOO!!!! *sigh*
There's a fatal flaw to working at home. Ice and Snow days mean nothing. Unless you forgot to remove your phone from your last jobs automated alert system and receive a 6 am alert that your work is closed. Then it means someone needs a /junkpunch. For about 2 seconds I was real happy...
Hmm, wait, it's not just snowdays...do I get sick days? Cable-man-is-scheduled-for-1/2-day days? Bomb threat days? Chuck Norris is waiting with round-house kick under my desk days? Crap.
There's a fatal flaw to working at home. Ice and Snow days mean nothing. Unless you forgot to remove your phone from your last jobs automated alert system and receive a 6 am alert that your work is closed. Then it means someone needs a /junkpunch. For about 2 seconds I was real happy...
Hmm, wait, it's not just snowdays...do I get sick days? Cable-man-is-scheduled-for-1/2-day days? Bomb threat days? Chuck Norris is waiting with round-house kick under my desk days? Crap.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
WTF
Surprisingly, I got this wrong (it wasn't an x). What is that? Pi? How do you type "happy dancing stick figure" as a key-stroke?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Sport Pilot in a Week blog
Fascinating! Well, to me anyhow. This Popular Mechanics researcher blogged each day about his experience earning a Sport Pilot License in 1 week. My plan is to earn one in 2 weeks of vacation time.
Sport Pilot in a Week?
Sport Pilot in a Week?
Plans are becoming clear
March 2009, complete sport pilot training. 2012, pay off truck and other debts as quick as possible. 2013, sell current house, buy lake front property in or around Davidson County. 2015, finance seawolf (IconAircraft). Six years and I can have a plane and a lake to launch trips from.
I'm really looking into purchasing a plane. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) finances aircraft through Bank of America. Their terms are 3 to 20 years.
I'm really looking into purchasing a plane. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) finances aircraft through Bank of America. Their terms are 3 to 20 years.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
*giggle*
Above the flight yoke in picture #2 is a bank of switches for L-R magnetos, main/alt power, avionics power, fuel pump, de-ice, pitot heat, engine cowl, panel/beacon/navigation/strobe/taxi/landing lights and the big knob is for landing gear... I must have two flanking monitors now...
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Big Day, Big News
Making good progress on my resolutions.
#1 - I haven't purchased any "additional" meats during my grocery store trips! "Additional" because I have some left over stuff in the freezer that I eat once a week. It hasn't been difficult at all to not eat meat. And there is an added benefit of getting to savor lots of fruit. I thought it would be difficult to maintain on a trip to O'Charley's with my mom and sisters. Turned out to be an easy test...although EVERY SINGLE ITEM ON THE MENU HAD MEAT. No kidding, every one of them. I had to special order spaghetti.
#2 - I got my job certification score and I passed the practical with a 96%! I sent feedback that it should have been a 99% due to missing a few vague questions, but am happy that I passed the first engineer certification. Next trip is back to San Diego from February 1st through February 6th. If I pass that, I go to Baltimore from February 22nd through February 27th for my final training class.
And most exciting...I'm going to flight school in March 2009!! I found a place that immerses you in training for 2-3 weeks. It costs $4,500 for hotel, plane rental, instructor, materials, your FAA checkride and written test fees. I will only earn a Sport Pilot license, but that allows me to do most of the flying I'm interested in. I can only fly during the day, in 3 mile visibility, no adverse weather and with only 1 passenger. The Sport Pilot license can later be upgraded to the Private Pilot license through bridge training. Sport Planes Florida
#1 - I haven't purchased any "additional" meats during my grocery store trips! "Additional" because I have some left over stuff in the freezer that I eat once a week. It hasn't been difficult at all to not eat meat. And there is an added benefit of getting to savor lots of fruit. I thought it would be difficult to maintain on a trip to O'Charley's with my mom and sisters. Turned out to be an easy test...although EVERY SINGLE ITEM ON THE MENU HAD MEAT. No kidding, every one of them. I had to special order spaghetti.
#2 - I got my job certification score and I passed the practical with a 96%! I sent feedback that it should have been a 99% due to missing a few vague questions, but am happy that I passed the first engineer certification. Next trip is back to San Diego from February 1st through February 6th. If I pass that, I go to Baltimore from February 22nd through February 27th for my final training class.
And most exciting...I'm going to flight school in March 2009!! I found a place that immerses you in training for 2-3 weeks. It costs $4,500 for hotel, plane rental, instructor, materials, your FAA checkride and written test fees. I will only earn a Sport Pilot license, but that allows me to do most of the flying I'm interested in. I can only fly during the day, in 3 mile visibility, no adverse weather and with only 1 passenger. The Sport Pilot license can later be upgraded to the Private Pilot license through bridge training. Sport Planes Florida
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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