TRAFFIC

I wanted to go the the fly fishing shop for some gear. Simple enough. I left work and hit the freeway. Then it stopped. The traffic slowed to a crawl. I crawled along in the heat which reminded me to fix my air conditioner in my stupid truck.

I must have been in the rural midwest for too long because this California city traffic sucks! I miss the days of a tractor on my way to school. I would have to wait a few minutes to pass when the farmer noticed me behind him. Sometimes a hail storm or a tumble weed would slow me, but no traffic jams in southern Missouri.

I have been working hard. My days are from 7 am to 3:30 pm. I spend the entire day working! Can you imagine, me working for 8 hours? Me either. I am happy to see that our cat, Zoe, is doing well at her summer home in Houston. Her Grandpa Bill and Grandma Helen are treating her well.

See about Zoe here:
http://thecatnamedzoe.blogspot.com/

I just got my new place and when it is cleaned and ready I am moving in. I should start after the weekend, because I am going camping up near Fordyce Lakein the Sierra Nevadas.

I love and miss you all!

3 Weeks and still truckin'

When I left work today a crazy Norwegian woman pulled out in front of me at the Thunder Valley Casino intersection. I was thinking of ramming into her when I noticed a bumper sticker that said, "Caution: Crazy Norwegian Driver!" Oh, well that explains it!

So I have been here three weeks, still have a job, and all is well. I move into an apartment on July first. I have begun to get used to the laboratory and the daily activities. Daily, I collect samples, perform chemical tests, and data analysis. Lots of wet chemistry and paperwork.

It got to about 105 degrees today. I am avoiding the outdoors in the midday. I did get out fishing this morning at some local ponds for bass. Justin's dad and I had a good time.

First week is gone

I survived my first week!

I run lots of chemical tests every day and have a lot of paper work to complete.

This business is all about quality assurance and compliance with state and federal regulations.
So everything I do has a log to enter the data and calculations, and duplicates of many are done.

It has been a good week. I really am learning a lot about the waste water system and the amount of testing that goes into running a plant. I have a lab and office to myself, except when other people help me (which is very welcome since I don't know what I am doing yet).

I like the atmosphere here because I can step outside and get some fresh air when I need it. If I need exercise, I can take a walk or ride my bike I keep there. I move around a lot in the lab experiments and tests on samples and standards.

I am looking for an apartment here. I have found some nice ones, but they are $900 a month for rent! So, I have decided to look in a different area where they are cheaper. I am going to look at one tomorrow in Lincoln, which is near my work. They want $725 for a 2 bed room.

Wish me luck on finding a place.

I miss my Sarah who is leaving for Washington D.C. tomorrow. She will be on the opposite side of the country for the summer. I know she will have a good time and hopefully, get a great job offer from it.

First Day of Work

I started today as a laboratory analyst for Eco Logic Engineering. My first real professional job!

I am just learning all the "ropes" and will be busy learning it all.

Aside from that, I have a lot to learn. I have great bosses and a team of people willing to teach/train me to do my job.

California

I am here in warm Loomis, CA.

The trip went well and it took me three days to get here.

I am great and I have settled in here at my friend Justin's house. It is warm here and I am a little tired from the travels.

I start work tomorrow so wish me luck on the new job.

I already miss my family back in MO and all my friends there. I of course miss my baby in Texas and Sarah too.

500 miles to go!

1300 miles down in two days!

From Missouri to Kansas to Wyoming to Utah.

I am currently in Wendover, Utah. I am on the quiet side of town where I can see the loud casinos up the street.

I just had dinner a a great mexican food place called "TACO", and went for a swim in the Best Western hotel pool.

The casino up the street says "Come eat at our 600 foot buffet!"

It is nice here. Maybe I'll stay.

Between the the food and dancing girls...

Houston

I am in Houston, TX. I have been here for a few days and have aew more. I am staying with my girlfriend's family. They are one interesting family. Several things are happening, some are the reasons I am here.

I came here because we needed to bring Zoe the cat to her summer castle. So Zoe will be watched by Sarah's parents. Her dad, Bill, will be keeping track of her and letting us know what she is up to with short stories on Zoe's blog site: http://thecatnamedzoe.blogspot.com/ .

I also came here to see Sarah's brother, Chris, graduate from high school. My University graduation was in a hot, muggy gymnasium with bad sound and a speaker that I only wanted to stop talking. He was unknown to the students, and likely unknown to most watching before they fell over from heat exhaustion.

In contrast to my graduation, this high school graduation will probably put my University ceremony to shame. It is in the year-round air conditioned Toyota center, home of the Houston Rockets basketball team. It has a serious sound system and box seats. It already sounds more inviting then my own. We go tonight.

Regardless where it is, the graduates don't care. They just want to get it over with, get the fake diploma, and leave to the after party. It is here you really feel like you accomplished something.

I still am not quite sure what it means, but I get to move on. In my case, to a new environment, the professional environment.

I Graduated!

I Just Graduated!!! May 19th, 2006.

I had some great parties over the weekend. I had many of my friends and family attend a BBQ in my honor yesterday, Saturday. This post-graduation party was so great. I had my friends, sisters, girlfriend, parents, nieces and nephews all there to wish me luck. People came from San Diego, CA and Houston too see me. I could not have better friends and family that support me. I had a great time and the gifts they gave me were more than generous. Thanks everyone for coming!

I have accepted a job in Rocklin, CA. It is a laboratory analyst position. My job will be to run daily tests in a waste water treatment facility. Below is good summary of what I will do:

My Job Description: Conducts a variety of physical, chemical, biochemical, and bacteriological tests and analyses associated with water and/or wastewater systems; performs field sampling and analyses; prepares and monitors flow-through bioassay; operates and maintains a variety of laboratory equipment, instruments and probes; prepares bacteriological media, chemical reagents and standards; cleans laboratory glassware; keeps laboratory records and prepares laboratory reports.

I have a lot a hard work ahead to learn about all of this. I have started my own pre-training for this job. I have been reading everything I can get about the treatment process. I want to learn the overall processes so I am not so overwhelmed when I start. I was real lucky to get this position and I can't wait to start. I will leave from here in Missouri on about June 1st or 2nd. I plan to start on June 5th or 6th. Since I have never driven 1850 miles, I don't know exactly how long it will take.

California or Bust!

JOIN OUR SALES TEAM! (or don't)

I get emails almost everyday now from companies wanting to hire me after seeing my resume on some site like Monster.com or Careerbuilder. However, These are NOT companies I want to work at. They are sales jobs in financial or insurance services.

I get a laugh out of the way they try to snare me in to their web of the Sales-Zone. Here are some of the funny things they say in the emails:


"I think you have many of the qualities we look for..."

"...we hire only the best agent candidates"

"50/50 advertising assistance " WHAT? Only half the time??

This is the BEST one...
" ...we require no upfront investment and actually pay you to get your career started!" Now that is amazing! You pay me to work, WOW!

" First year earnings can range as high as $100,000" YEAH RIGHT

I love these people. They are what make the world go 'round, kind of like centrifugal force.

Old People !?

She says to me, "I have to go to the bathroom so the dog will eat her cookie."

WHAT?!

"Well she is used to me going to the bathroom after I give her a dog biscuit."

So, do you pretend to "go" even when you don't?

"Well, it's her routine..."

Do you sit on the pot?

"Yes, she likes to eat her cookie in there."

Do you drop your pants?

"No, you make it sound like I am crazy!"

[ I can't tell you who this is but you may find out in a MOMent.]

Homeless + Jobless = Graduation Party!

Hello Everyone!

As you know I am graduating. I am still waiting for that one solid, quality job. I have been offered one chemist position. I didn't quite like it, but I haven't said "No" yet. I have many leads and may end up anywhere in the lower 48. That reminds me, I need to look into chemist positions in Hawaii. My "send resume" finger is tired.

Sorry, back to the point here.

I would like to invite you to a day-after graduation party on May 20th.
It will begin at 4pm and end when you leave.

It will take place at my parents house.
You can park in my drive way at or on the neighbors lawn (no donuts please).

Please RSVP and let me know if you are bringing anything and what it may be.
If you want to bring a side dish or dessert that would be great, but it is optional!

If you are family, you don't have to RSVP 'cause I know you're coming.

Any questions email me.

See you all soon,
Tom

Job Search

I am graduating with a B.S. in Chemistry in May and here is a funny email trying to lure me into an interesting sales position...

Hello Tom,

Your resume was found on the Internet by our innovative candidate search engine and we thought you may be interested in an exciting Sales opportunity with Service Corporation International (SCI). SCI is the largest provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services in North America. Through our branded Dignity Memorial network of funeral services locations, cemeteries, and crematoria, we represent a best-in-class workforce that carries out our values of integrity, respect, service excellence and enduring relationships. As the industry leader, SCI continues to blaze new trails through corporate innovations and revolutionary services in quality, value and care.

I have found my calling!

Rain Fraud

I think I am under investigation for rain gauge fraud. You see, I received an email today from a climatologist in Missouri. He was "concerned" about my 6.91 inch rain gauge observation I reported to the National Weather Service in Springfield on April 24th.

I seems my data was an anomaly. Some other gauges in town only got about 5 inches, so I am "rain gauging" outside the box. Crap! At least I am not saying there will be a 40 percent chance of 5 percent of the area getting 80 percent of the rain...then they get none! I am giving a precise measurement with a gauge approved by them. Jeez.

How am I a suspect if the world record rainfall occurred at Holt, Missouri on June 22, 1947 when it rained 12 inches in just 42 minutes? I AM IN MISSOURI...home of the world record.

So maybe tomorrow without a cloud in the sky, I will report 12.5 inches in 41 minutes just to break the world record! I will be famous!

I will probably receive a summons to appear in court charged with rain gauge fraud. Have you ever been to weather prison? I hear it's bad or at least there is a 20% it will be.

My Tornado Alley

After three thunderstorms with the tornado warnings in town, we are definitely in tornado alley. To some we are on the edge of tornado alley, but we are definitely in it. I enjoy the severe and strong storms that come through the Midwest. Being from Northern California, I didn't see these interesting "in-your-face" type storms. So, one of my hobbies is to storm watch. I have bad luck chasing storms. I once missed a tornado by a minute because I drove too far. But, I go out nonetheless and pursue that great picture or view of an interesting storm.




Last night we got 6.91 inches of rain in only 6 hours. More storms around tonight such as the lightning picture taken above.





If you call me and I don't answer, I might be under the house in my storm bunker riding another tornado out.

"Stumpy" the Rocket

Stumpy Dies on Vimeo

Spring-a-Ding Ding

Well, the warm season is here. The long cold winter has slid away and now things are growing with a fervor. I have had thoughts of spraying weed killer, yet, it all just started. I planted a couple of new roses in my rose bed, two tomato plants, four Bleeding Hearts (Japanese ferns), and in the round cast-iron planter in my front yard, I threw in a packet of Zinnia seeds I received in the mail as a "guilt bribe" to donate to the College of the Ozarks.

The Zinnias have sprouted up nicely and the squirrels in the Ash tree are feeding their new little ones just born into the world of deadly car tires and dogs. I lend them a hand by filling the squirrel feeder. I have a cat that lives in my greenhouse and I feed the birds that feed the cat. I ruined the Spring for a pair of Starlings because I removed their nest to repair a section of the overhanging roof that sagged a bit.

The main sign of Spring is when the neighbors all start mowing their lawns and finally, I have to give in and do it also. Here in the Midwest, we LOVE to mow grass. in California it was a chore, but here every man woman and child grows up mowing grass. If fact, I never saw many women mowing grass until I moved out here to Missouri. I see Grandmas with straw hats riding John Deer tractors and bikini clad women weed-eating around fences.

The fish are biting so I better go...

Graduation Day approaches

May 19th is Graduation day! Wow, what the heck is this feeling I have? Euphoria or fear...I certainly feel some mental stress on myself as it nears.

I have been busy lately. I have been having some fun, but doing a lot of homework. I did get to go to a KLOUDBUSTER rocket launch with Sarah and her schools rocket club. It was fun and I got some sun.



I made some Bombay Curry tonight. I picked up an Asian recipe book with recipes from all over Asia. This was very good over rice.

Going to play racquetball tonight then study till the late hours.

Link to pictures

A link to pictures of my Spring Break in San Francisco and other places California is below. There is a lot of pictures. You can click on slideshow in the upper left side to view them all. Select "fast" to improve the speed. You can also just click on a thumbnail to avoid looking at them all.

Click Here --> PICTURES

Post-Spring Break Report

First, I have to say that Enterprise Rent-A-Car was awesome. They treated us great, gave us a nice car, and required no effort on our part to do so. Also, of course, as always, Southwest Airlines gets us there and back.

Sarah and I returned Friday night from Oakland, California. We had a great time with our friends in Walnut Creek, Nicki and Steve. They treated us like royalty while inviting us into their home.

Nicki and Steve took us to San Francisco and showed us all the great tourist sights there. We walked across the Golden Gate bridge and took a ferry across the bay. We walked around Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, and sampled Ghirardelli chocolate. We went to Chinatown, ate in Little Italy, and rode a cable car up the steep hills of S.F. I drove down the "the crookedest" [most winding] street in the United States, Lombard Street. We loved our time on the city! Thanks Steve and Nicki!

We also visited my Grandmother in Visalia, CA. It was great to see her. We had a good time there. Poor Sarah did get sick from something. She recovered quickly and we headed to the coast to see my Uncle in Morro Bay.

He welcomed us in his home . We had a great time there. We saw Sea Otters playing in the surf. Then, my Uncle, took us to and Elephant Seal colony north of San Simeon, CA. They were neat to see. We said goodbye to my Uncle and headed north back to the city.

We took crooked and slow highway 1 north toward Monterey. It took us a couple of hours to drive the coastal road. We went through some interesting places, like Big Sur, where ex-hippies move to be away from the big city and sell gas for $3.80 a gallon.

A few hours later we settled into a hotel near the airport to relax before the return flight home.

I will post a link or something to pictures soon.

Spring Break Approaches!!!

It is a little bit difficult to concentrate for 50 minutes straight when the professor drones on about the history of the US Supreme Court. You see, Spring Break starts after classes Friday. Sarah and I have plans to see my Grandmother in Visalia, California. (More about this later)

I spent the last weekend in Lawrence, Kansas, home of the KU Jayhawks. On Sunday morning, March 12, the weather was very active in Eastern Kansas. I awoke at 7:30 am to the sounds of an approaching storm. It is unusual for a strong storm in the morning. The storm started to get more intense. I turned on the TV and it showed a strong storm approaching with warnings that it was growing stronger. The NWS issued a tornado warning at 8 am. The tornado sirens screamed and woke up Sarah and Zoe the cat, who then decided to see about a tornado. We looked out a window to see a lot of swirling clouds and hail. The power went out. Without a computer or TV I got bored, so, I went back to sleep.

Later, we went out and looked at the damage. A lot of the KU campus had damage and school was canceled the next day for clean-up. The National Weather Service says that the damage in Lawrence was not a tornado, it was just wind (a microburst). For more info and pictures go to NWS Topeka, KS.

That evening Zoe the cat and I went home to Nevada, Missouri. I drove through several thunderstorms. At about 9 pm, the tornado sirens went off in Nevada. The storm was 10 miles south of us and not heading into town, but the police drove around town with sirens blaring for 20 minutes. That storm did not cause any problems for my town, but a friend that lives 20 miles east of me did have his house damaged by a tornado.

There were at least 18 tornado touchdowns that were observed in western Missouri on Sunday.
Also, two days before, a tornado in San Diego, CA was reported.

The sky is falling, the sky is falling! - Chicken Little

Anyways, back to my Spring Break plans...

We are going to fly to Oakland, California and visit some friends in Walnut Creek. We are going to go to San Francisco on Saturday and Sunday. We then are going south to visit my Grandmother in Visalia. When we leave her place, we are going to Morro Bay to visit my Uncle Dan. After that, we will go north, look for elephant seals, go to Carmel to Clint Eastwood's restaurant/pub, the Boar's Nest, and onto Monterey. When we have seen enough of the central California coast, we will head back up to Oakland, jump a plane home, and return to our everyday lives.