The elusive blogger
I feel as though I have been avoiding blogging for the past month or so. I have been busy, but there have also been moments when I have had time to post something interesting or not, yet I just was not inspired to do so. In reality, a lot has occurred since the last post. For example, we have managed to pretty much complete the core projects at the house, minus a few minor details. The landscaping project ended a week before July, just in time for the hot dry season. Actually, I think the weather that we have been experiencing has actually helped more than hurt it. In fact, I swear that the new sod grows inches overnight, and that by the time I mow it, it fills the mower bag 6 times, even with the mower on its highest settings. To put it in perspective, I used to be able to mow both the front and back yards in one and a half bags, thanks to a 16X35 pool area. My biggest pet peeve about the landscaper is the quality of the actual job. I personally think that when finding a contractor for landscaping, you should ask them how many illegal Mexicans are on the crew. If the guy says none, don’t hire him. The crew that did my yard consisted of a bunch of lazy college kids and drunks who figured that they did not need to remove the grass in the areas that became the flower beds as they were putting mulch over it. Also, 1” of mulch seemed to be the limit for them. It took me multiple calls to the owner to get him to come back out and add the additional mulch to the beds so that it would not look like total crap. When I see work done by illegals, it is gorgeous and done with care. So, my final rant on this is Do Not hire John’s landscaping.
My “boy am I glad I did this” project, which was unplanned this year was the replacement of the central air conditioning. Typically, I may run the unit maybe 60 hours total in the summer, but with the heat this year, it has been on for probably 20 days or more. Of course, I initially said that I was going to try to use the original unit that was 30 years old for one more summer, but it was dead on the first hot day of the summer. Fortunately for me, one of my friends buddies works for a major heating and cooling manufacturer as an installer and was able to hook me up with a really awesome deal. He saved me more than a grand. I love the new unit too, as it is not only energy star compliant, but also a lot quieter than the old unit.
My last big project that is 99% complete is the basement. This was the project from hell that started in February with a sewer backup and took me almost 5 months to complete. Looking back on it, I can see why it took so long. First, I had to replace half the raised floor, then I replaced the plumbing which required that the drywall ceiling (never do this please) had to be torn down. I then tore down one wall and insulated it prior to putting up new drywall and mudding it (Which I had to learn and did a decent job on). After all that was complete, I put up new lighting, a Ceilingmax drop ceiling, painted, and the glorious end was the installation of carpet (World of floors was awesome to install it on a Sunday). Now I just need to finish some minor trim work, and I think I am going to put in a cold air return to help circulate the air better. I have to say, it has been nice to actually come home and not have a major project to think about (knock on wood). Then again, it is a home and something always comes up.
In other news, I am going back to college. I applied for and got accepted to U of M- Dearborn’s MS in Information Systems and Technology graduate program. The reason that I selected this was that it is a mix of both an MBA style program and a technical program. I feel that this will add to my strengths as a technical leader in my field. My only reservation about all of this is that I have been out of school for so long that I am not sure that I can remember are the prerequisite material that is required. To counter this, and to show that I am somewhat motivated to do this, I have contacted my professors and requested information from them on how to prepare for the class. Both professors responded, with one actually giving me the syllabus to start working ahead on the course work (I think that is really cool of him). So, I try top study Probability and Statistics for Engineers a few days a week so that I will not flunk out like I almost did 14 years ago.
The other thing that has been taking time out of my life has been a book that I have been writing a chapter for. IBM publishes lots of books for not only their products, but for certain technologies also (http://www.redbooks.ibm.com). The type of book that I am working on is meant for managerial staff who need understand the advantages of implementing a storage area network, including TCO and ROI. The chapter I am writing gives the customer perspective and experience as well as what I would have done differently. As of today it is around 25+ pages with diagrams, but I am sure it will be longer once the editing is complete.
The last thing that I am going to write about is the fact that my best friend of many, many years is moving to Austin. I wish him the best, although it will suck not having him here. He has always been the perfect friend, supporting me, even when I may have been in the wrong. I only hope that I have been as good of a friend to him as he has to me. I guess that when you find the “one” you will do just about anything, especially when the local situation is not very good. I like his new lady, and wish them the best.
Till I am found again………
My “boy am I glad I did this” project, which was unplanned this year was the replacement of the central air conditioning. Typically, I may run the unit maybe 60 hours total in the summer, but with the heat this year, it has been on for probably 20 days or more. Of course, I initially said that I was going to try to use the original unit that was 30 years old for one more summer, but it was dead on the first hot day of the summer. Fortunately for me, one of my friends buddies works for a major heating and cooling manufacturer as an installer and was able to hook me up with a really awesome deal. He saved me more than a grand. I love the new unit too, as it is not only energy star compliant, but also a lot quieter than the old unit.
My last big project that is 99% complete is the basement. This was the project from hell that started in February with a sewer backup and took me almost 5 months to complete. Looking back on it, I can see why it took so long. First, I had to replace half the raised floor, then I replaced the plumbing which required that the drywall ceiling (never do this please) had to be torn down. I then tore down one wall and insulated it prior to putting up new drywall and mudding it (Which I had to learn and did a decent job on). After all that was complete, I put up new lighting, a Ceilingmax drop ceiling, painted, and the glorious end was the installation of carpet (World of floors was awesome to install it on a Sunday). Now I just need to finish some minor trim work, and I think I am going to put in a cold air return to help circulate the air better. I have to say, it has been nice to actually come home and not have a major project to think about (knock on wood). Then again, it is a home and something always comes up.
In other news, I am going back to college. I applied for and got accepted to U of M- Dearborn’s MS in Information Systems and Technology graduate program. The reason that I selected this was that it is a mix of both an MBA style program and a technical program. I feel that this will add to my strengths as a technical leader in my field. My only reservation about all of this is that I have been out of school for so long that I am not sure that I can remember are the prerequisite material that is required. To counter this, and to show that I am somewhat motivated to do this, I have contacted my professors and requested information from them on how to prepare for the class. Both professors responded, with one actually giving me the syllabus to start working ahead on the course work (I think that is really cool of him). So, I try top study Probability and Statistics for Engineers a few days a week so that I will not flunk out like I almost did 14 years ago.
The other thing that has been taking time out of my life has been a book that I have been writing a chapter for. IBM publishes lots of books for not only their products, but for certain technologies also (http://www.redbooks.ibm.com). The type of book that I am working on is meant for managerial staff who need understand the advantages of implementing a storage area network, including TCO and ROI. The chapter I am writing gives the customer perspective and experience as well as what I would have done differently. As of today it is around 25+ pages with diagrams, but I am sure it will be longer once the editing is complete.
The last thing that I am going to write about is the fact that my best friend of many, many years is moving to Austin. I wish him the best, although it will suck not having him here. He has always been the perfect friend, supporting me, even when I may have been in the wrong. I only hope that I have been as good of a friend to him as he has to me. I guess that when you find the “one” you will do just about anything, especially when the local situation is not very good. I like his new lady, and wish them the best.
Till I am found again………
posted by Brian at 8:10 PM
2 comments
