Visitors since 10/1/2010
Tonight's event - the annual work holiday party, complete with Magician.
He even visited the tables before dinner and ran through some cool tricks:
Changing two silver coins into five:
Then working with doves during the official show:
And picking on the HR Manager:
A fun and entertaining night.
Yup, this morning, completely out of the blue.
Because it was 75 degF on Monday, I think we were caught off guard.
After all, I ran outside in shorts on Monday. Today, I'm bundled up in my winter coat with a hood and I was still cold.
Fortunately, the temperatures have warmed up since this morning and the sheeting of ice that covered the cars at work. But it's still cold and rainy out there, so please slow down on the roads when traveling tonight!
We are gearing up for a major system conversion this month. The conversion will take three weeks, and during that time, old electrical equipment will be removed, new equipment set in place and everything re-wired.
The team has been busy pre-wiring the new equipment.
Scott and I returned home on Sunday, August 1, arriving into the hot and sticky O'Hare airport. When we pulled into the driveway, we could tell it had been hot and dry while we were away - the lack of green grass was the giveaway. Hey, at least there's less to mow.
Erica and Brian were glad to see us. Really!
We unpacked, distributed gifts and started laundry. We had only one "fatality" in our luggage - the cute divided dish I purchased in Montepulciano. I'm planning to glue it back together. Everything else - the 3 bottles of wine, the bottle of balsamic vinegar, the cheese - all survived the trip (and customs!).
Scott and I collapsed into bed around 8pm, only to be wide awake at 5am [really, not too bad, considering I get up at 5am at least twice a week].
August 2 -
At work, my newly carpeted office, with newly arranged furniture was waiting for me:
Previously, the desk was close to the door, now it is next to the window. I moved out the week before we left for Italy in order for the carpet to be installed and as a result, purged several binders and files from the desk. Let's see how long I can keep it this clean!
August 3 -
Did I mention how hot and humid the weather has been? So humid that the windows were covered with condensation this morning. Yuck.
August 4 -
Oops, no picture, but I registered the kids for school today. In the sweltering heat and humidity with no air conditioning. Still, I am thankful that Brian was assigned to the same 5th grade teacher Erica had, Ms. J, who I love.
August 5 -
Brian's last day of Sports Camp. We've been very happy with this camp - they use the beautiful facilities at the University and many of Brian's friends also attended. Brian swims every day, and started to fashion his swim gear into "swim dude":
August 6 -
Another road trip! This weekend, to St. Louis, and Six Flags Amusement park, where our company picnic was held. We drove up late Friday night, passing through St. Louis. Fortunately, the traffic slowed down enough for me to snap this photo from the car on the highway.
August 7 -
I don't take my big camera into the park anymore. Heck, I don't take anything I can't fit into a pocket. The park policies with loose articles have become so restrictive that I don't bother. I did take some pictures with my iPhone: The kids strapped in to ride "Mr. Freeze"
And even after a full, hot day of waiting in lines and rides, the kids were playing in the pool at 10pm:
We drove back home on Sunday, starting the unpacking and laundry cycle all over again.
Not only do I love my job, I get to leave at 3pm every day, which allows me to spend more time with my kids and help keep things organized at home.
In light of the devastation in Haiti, I thought I would express my gratitude to the engineering standards that keep our factories, roads and civil structures safe.
Please check out Weekly Gratitude with Karen and Lori. It's never too late to express gratitude.
I was introduced to the Weekly Gratitude Project by my friend, Lee, who always finds the most inspirational and thought provoking content on the web. Today marks my first Gratitude Post, using January's theme of "work". I may not adhere to the monthly theme every week, but this week, it was a natural fit.
I am using a PSE template, based on Karen's format. I really like the template idea - and hopefully at the end of the year, I'll simply have each week's jpg file printed and into a nice book.
It's not too late to join in with Lori and Karen at Weekly Gratitude and to start your own Gratitude Project.
I'm now officially vaccinated against H1N1. The public health department in Douglas County arranged a vaccination clinic at our workplace this morning, and since I am afflicted with mild asthma, decided I should get the vaccine.
Yes, actual sharps with the vaccine, but not the one used on me. I took the picture after I had my shot. The nurse running the clinic remembers me from the time I nearly passed out after receiving three shots back in 2006 (read here for the details on that experience, LOL), so she made sure I relaxed before and after my shot.
Sara's coffee cup, right before our 10:30 meeting to release product produced over the weekend. You can't see the steam rising off the mug, but it was there and it was the reason I took the picture.
Taken with my iPhone 3G
I regretted leaving my DSLR in the car this morning, as I'm sure it would have captured the rising steam, a welcome bit of warmth in today's continued cold. Note to self - just lug the camera into the office - then there won't be any regrets, and the camera's battery won't be shot after 7 hours in a 10degF car!
I attended a four hour workplace meeting today that was held in our product warehouse. We've held these long, participatory-type meetings here before, the last one in February. When our facilitator queried the crowd about what they remembered from the February meeting, the main response was "Candy Bars" [they gave them away during the meeting].
Today's meeting will be remembered for how cold it was in the warehouse. Seriously, it was that cold. It took me the rest of the day to warm up from sitting in that concrete floored, metal building.
I was asked to take pictures of the presenters and the breakout sessions, so I had my camera during the meeting. It and the coffee did not keep me warm while the managers took turns talking.
Gloves, jackets, even hats were worn by the employees trying to stay warm.
See, I wasn't the only one who was cold.
We may attend a follow up meeting in February, hopefully during a warm spell. Otherwise, I'm going to wear long underwear, and bring hand and feet warmers! Maybe even a Snuggie!
Fridays at work tend to be pretty low key, especially around the holidays.
I came across this cute little Christmas tree in the Project Engineers' office. I liked how the afternoon sun hit the ornaments, so I did what any other person at work does - I grabbed my camera and took a picture.
Just like the song goes, today was an ordinary day:
Just a Day,
Just an Ordinary Day,
Just Trying to get by
Ordinary Day by Vanessa Carlton
A quick shot of the Raw Materials area at work. I don't have direct responsibility in this area, but the area is pretty cool with all the spheres and the rail cars coming and going. Yeah, I'm a geek.
Not something you see everyday - a snow white goose amongst a gaggle of Canada geese.
Yet they all get along. This big group of geese have been hanging out at my workplace for the past week or so. But I didn't notice the white one until Monday. And believe me, he really sticks out - completely white except for some of his tail feathers.
Note - I originally wrote this as part of my January 2008 trip to the UK, but after I finished it, I thought it sounded pretentious, and I never published it.
Now, 18 months later, I went back into my MSWord Blog archives in search of the restaurant's name, as one of our neighbors will be in London next week and asked for suggestions on where to eat.
After re-reading it, I decided that recounting my experience of enjoying an expensive meal does not make me pretentious. So I am publishing it today, along with a picture of the elegant dining room I found online. And if you are ever in London and want to spend a good 3 hours at a fabulous meal, be sure to check out Rhodes W1 - The Restaurant
Friday, January 28, 2008 - London, UK
Let’s face it – one of the perks of traveling on business trips is the opportunity to experience dining without the normal constraints of everyday life - ie, eating well on someone else’s dime. My general philosophy – NEVER eat dinner at a restaurant you can dine at while at home. And traveling to large, cosmopolitan destinations provides better access to fine (and pretentious) dining. Now, not everyone shares my love of being a food snob, but I am traveling with Anthony who definitely has that food snob tendencies.
For our last work related dinner on Thursday, Anthony picked out the restaurant, Rhodes W1. It was an excellent choice – I later on learned that the restaurant received a Michelin star Thursday afternoon. The only error made perhaps was the timing of our reservation – 7:30 was a wee bit early, and as we were brought into the elegant dining room, I felt somewhat under-dressed (the only other party was this very well dressed couple, obviously there for some romantic dinner) and conspicuous. Eventually, for me, that feeling evaporated as we were presented with the best fancy setting meal I have had in years. So, Rhodes W1 comes highly recommended – just bring your wallet!
It was a nice way to wrap up my travels and work with Anthony and Mark and really commenced Anthony’s role in the PCS program we have been involved with over the past five years.
Cheers!
In a week, I'll change the Post to date it properly. Yeah, I'm anal like that.
Image from google images, www.pet-breeds.com
Every now and then, you experience a series of events that make you realize things work themselves out, even under bad circumstances. No, I am not talking about the economy, the recession, my family or my pitiful boring life. I am talking about the stray dog that appeared at our workplace last Wednesday, shivering cold, scared and hurt in his back legs.
As I work for a chemical company, our manufacturing facility sits amidst the vast acres of cornfields, about 5 miles outside of town. To have a visibly traumatized dog show up at the front door is unusual. The first employee to arrive Wednesday morning found the shivering beagle in the bushes and brought him in, giving him refuge in the warm office area. He simply lay on a blanket fashioned out of a work uniform, shaking when others appeared to take a look-see. News of this gentle dog spread quickly, prompting a trip to the grocery store to purchase dog food, and an official naming of the beagle – “PD”, the initials for “Plant Dog”.
There were concerns that PD had been injured by a car or had been “dropped off” in the country, and several employees were reluctant to take him to the local county animal shelter, fearful that he might be destroyed. We determined PD to be at least 10 years old, but well taken care of, baring the issues with his hind legs.
One employee was coerced in transporting PD to a neighboring county’s animal shelter, where he would not be euthanized. Jeff reluctantly agreed, but in leaving late that evening, did not make it to the shelter in time. Jeff brought PD home, where his youngest son, seven year old Jack, immediately bonded with PD. PD spent the night in Jack’s room, and the next day, Jack spent hours reading books to PD.
At work we all became immersed with what might be PD’s fate – would Jeff’s family take him in? Another employee’s wife wanted to adopt PD – would Jim allow it? So much of the hallway conversation Thursday centered around the cute stray beagle instead of routine work topics (like slow orders, slow production rates, you know, the really depressing stuff during a recession).
Jeff was adamant about getting PD to the animal shelter Thursday night. He even left work at 3pm in order to ensure he had enough time. Imagine our surprise Friday when we learned PD was back at the office. Jim’s wife had arranged to take PD to the local vet school. Earlier that morning, Jack had to say goodbye to PD – they took their picture together – then Jack ran back upstairs to his room.
In calling around to arrange for PD’s care, the local animal shelter learned of PD and sent a worker over. Reports of a missing male beagle had reached the shelter, and they suspected PD was that missing beagle. PD left the site around noon on Friday, having earned the compassion of so many of us at work.
We learned today that PD reunited with his owner – a young boy, who, during PD’s time away, kept a nightly watch and vigil for his missing beagle. Jeff has decided to get Jack a beagle puppy for his 8th birthday in June.
And we were all grateful that things worked out for PD, who seemed to have many odds against him last Wednesday. Something we should remember during these tough times.
This morning's sunrise at the plant, around 6:45am
This is what we'll miss starting Sunday morning - with the time change back to Daylight Savings Time, it will be dark at 7:00am, with the sun starting to rise a little around 7:20. The one benefit - I'll get to watch the sun rise as I drive the kids to school / work. I also know the morning darkness is only temporary, and we get that extra daylight in the evening.
I'll have to remember that on Monday when I'm stumbling out of bed, half asleep.
complete with Webcam!
Mary, our IT Specialist was showing Scott how the Webcam worked and he snapped a photo. Of course, he was so pleased with himself, he had to email it to me!
I won't receive my new computer for another month or so (I passed on receiving one this month because there were others with greater need), but I can tell these will be fun features to play with. And for the record, we didn't specify the Webcams - they just happen to come standard now with the model we have been using. If you choose to have them removed, the laptop costs more!
Maybe this weekend we'll play with the Webcam to shoot a little video!
Yes, that is a little minus sign next to the 12. Minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Really cold.
Somewhere along my drive to work this morning, it registered as low as minus 15 degrees. School was canceled today (kids waiting outside for the buses was the concern) and is also canceled for tomorrow.
At the plant, this frigid weather causes all sorts of problems. The hydrogen production plant next door tripped out and was venting steam. In the bitter cold, the plumes of steam are highly visible:
No worries, it will warm up in a couple of days, but for now, we'll bundle up and try to stay warm!
I "just" received a call from my friend and co-worker, Sara (who happens to be the mom of Erica's BFF, Kathleen), informing me of an issue with a File Server at work.
This is the File Server that only had 4 gigs of disk space left on it this afternoon.
E-mails were sent and steps taken to free up disk space in order to prevent an issue.
When I received the phone call, I envisioned the worst (crashed server) and called my support team (all two of them).
Fortunately, one of them lives 2 minutes from the plant, and he was able to get there quickly. For whatever reason, the server had powered itself down. Phil pushed the power button, and it booted right up. A quick resolution. But I know that if he had to, he would stay all night to get things going again. One of my engineers did just that last Friday night.
So tonight's crisis was averted.
I work with a great team - and I am grateful for it.
© Free Blogger Templates Spain by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008
Back to TOP
