The Daily Grind

Well Just for giggles I thought I'd add a page and since I have the "spare time"..... 

6/22/2024 Look, just shy of a year. not bad.
Yeah, I have no excuse! But, ya notice the date?
I decided to scroll on down and see what I wrote, and it was a good decision. It's always good to refresh the mind.
Cad Faculty, not just CAD faculty but Department Chair. Impressed? Don't be. What Department Chair means that you work your ass off and never get caught up. Fall term started the last week of September. My job didn't officially start until the middle of September. With me so far? Yeah, 2 weeks to figure everything out. I cheated a little, I started working on the rebuild of the entire program the first week of September and clearly it was not enough time. Definitely not enough time!

To get the program reinstated there was a lot of fancy dancing to get all the proposed programs approved with the state agencies and it got right down to the wire. That was before I was hired so I had to accept what I was given to work with. With best intentions the person that made it all happen was more an administrative type, far removed from the actual teaching of CAD so there was a lot of questions, "this outcome isn't close to what is being taught", or "this outcome is a lot like the other classes' outcome." And when I'd ask for clarification on intent I get a "You'll figure it out, that's why we hired you." Translated, that means, "We washed our hands of this and have moved on," (visual: a figure like the Joker, rubbing his hands together laughing).

But I am a smart guy and through all the ups and downs I made it through the entire year. Best of all I fooled everyone so well, I will be back in the Fall for another round of fun!

And now you have an idea as to what my summer break will be like.

What prompted me to write this today? Good question! It's hot outside. I had a good workout this morning and I'm tired, don't want to work in the yard. My brain is still mush from teaching.

Well, it could be all of these reasons but honestly, I was going through my emails and saw a message about Google moving my domain to Squarespace, one of those messages that lingers until I have the time and mental capacity to figure out WHAT they are saying, and WHAT I am to do as a result. Google was free and I don't intend to pay a monthly fee for a website that I rarely update, and few actually view. Hmmmm, I think those two issues are somewhat related. Why visit a site the is never updated? Good question!

So, in essence I am test out the waters, seeing that has changed and what hasn't. And so far from what I can tell, nothing has changed. THAT is good news. I honestly WANT to keep this site up and going, I've just had my hands full over the years.

So, for now I am going to log off and see what happens now that I have added to this page. I have to admit, there has been a lot of work done to develop my courses at the College and there is a really good possibility that I might want to share some "how-to" videos and text.

8/6/2023 What a year????
Admittingly I have been bad, I have failed once again to keep this up to date. I could state, or promise, that I will do better but in this case actions speak louder that words... (8/7/2023 - 7:50 AM, just finished up the entry and am publishing it. See, it takes a lot of time for this...)
Maybe I have been waiting for something amazing to write about? And, there HAS BEEN a lot to write about since the last time I wrote anything on this page, just too busy to take the time. 
So I will start at the beginning of the year, briefly of course.

Transitioned to a new computer, that takes time, lots of time! And then I decide to migrate from Windows 10 to 11. The same yet not the same. I spend a lot of time searching for things which really haven't moved, just a different icon in some cases.

Winter - Winter term part time teaching at the college - another term filled with back to back classes. Nothing like teaching a years worth of credits in one term. But I made it through with awesome reviews from the students and that alone makes it all worth while! And because I was so busy there wasn't much time for anything else.
The Winter weather was cold, a little colder than the last few years but weathered it will. Our cement patio was the greatest addition ever! We no longer have to walk in the water puddles and mud when we go out to the back yard.

Springtime! -  It all started with Spring Break, and no teaching. I finally broke down and bought a standing desk for my home office, we got the floors filled in, sanded and stained. They look awesome. And the best part is the final scars from the remodel are starting to disappear. Things are starting to get green and the days are starting for get longer! Whoohoo!

Summer - see, all caught up!
Progress was made  on both the office and the "workout room."  Erin and I fixed the cracks  on the wall around the window that have been there since we moved in 14 years ago. Why rush into things, right? She wanted the closet that was once a repository for books and junk to become a Pinterest dream closet. I used my CAD software to make a model of what it would look like when completed and then went to work making it a reality. I used AutoCAD for the 2D floor plan of the existing room and then made a 3D model of the room and added in all the new features such as the shelving and dividers for storage. Of course I don't have the tools to make the cuts to the shelving so I had to make a few trips to Marty's house for those. A FEW TRIPS!!!

As a CAD instructor I instill the need for accuracy and with the modeling software I use, in this case Autodesk Inventor, I made all the individual parts and then assembled them. While I was assembling all of the parts I broke one of my rules, I didn't look at the model in "wireframe" mode so I failed to see that the shelves on the right side were too long by 1-1/8". Shame on me!!!! That is what happens when a designer gets in too big of a hurry, lesson instilled!!!

Now both the office and the workout rooms are complete, painted, baseboards, and occupied. And I am dreaming! Is anything ever really done? Not as long as Pinterest, u-Tube, and Tik-Tok exist.

Camping trip on the coast - We headed to Florence, met up with friends and camped for a few days. A couple of weeks before we had gone to the site and checked it out. Nice place but windy and cold, no surprise for coastal camping. And that is the way it was the whole time we were there. There was the fog on the ocean but the hill between us and the ocean kept the fog from creeping in and actually kept the temperature a comfortable 67°. We bought a utility trailer before we went and used it to load the bicycles and Kayaks. NO MORE LOADING KAYAKS ONTO THE TOP OF THR CAR!!!! It was a good time. It has been a couple of years since we last camped. I think next year we might return to the same place It was July 4th and we heard the Fireworks show in town that evening. It kept going, and going, and .......

Hired! - I applied for the CAD faculty position, interviewed, and was offered the position, of which I accepted. I finally got the faculty position after all these years. It's going to be awesome as well as a lot of work. It will be a new program, beyond just fixed. Although the job doesn't start until the second week of September I am already busy planning. It's still summer though and I have things to do, still want to play!!!! At least with this position I get Winter Break, Spring Break, and Summer Break. Much better than working for the "other place," too old for that Wall Street Corporate stuff.

Family Camping Trip - More like a family reunion, minus Kendra and Erin due to work schedules. It was a great time and clearly showed that we need to meet up more often than we have. We are all getting older! I would like to add more to this but for now I need to publish what I have and then embellish when I have more time.  

1/4/2023 Happy New Year!!!!
Hey Guess what? It's Raining....
Well Christmas is done, New Years is done, and the new year is off and running! There's a meeting to attend tomorrow and then the next week will be the official start of the Winter Term at the College, on a Part Time basis of course. I kind of like this new retirement feeling. Still getting used to it though ,and I know it will take time, and so far so good.

Pounding Away
The daily trip to the gym continues and I am still working the Noom program. I am not one for signing up for stuff, figure I can do things on my own, but if there is a "trial" time period, well maybe. So far so good though and the daily online coaching and education is a real help when it comes to instilling the good habits that are taught along the way. There are those days where I just don't feel like going in and working out but once there I am glad I made the effort. A daily "Weigh-in," first thing in the morning, is part of the program and there are those morning where I am not happy with the results, (aka, no loss), but when I compare it with the meals and the content, of those meals, the gains and the losses make sense. For instance I was dropping pounds like crazy and then stopped, actually gained back a few. The culprit, Ham, well part of the problem at least. Ham is salty, along with the gravy and the canned green beans. Salt causes water retention. And when I increased the amount of water I was drinking, and retaining, up went the weight. And how about those beers.... Ok, let's just not go there.

The CAT! (see below)
I still haven't caught it! You might say I have given up, put the process on hold. The reason? Well those that know me know that I don't give up easily but something a little different has come along that might be a better solution, while at the same time keep me from getting into big trouble.
Erin found this "thing" online that is solar powered, has strobe lights, and emits a high frequency that cat's don't like. I thought, yea right, this I gotta see. Believe it or not it works!!! To prove it I placed it a couple of feet out from the house.  The result, NO more mounded cat shit burial sites! Behind the unit, between the unit and the house, new mounds. They go behind the unit and crap! So, as a path forward we are ordering more of these things for strategic placement.
As a side discovery, Erin can hear the frequency that it emits and Kendra and I (old people) can't hear it. It's kind of funny when people walk by the house and quickly cringe from the noise. One neighbor actually complained about the sound. Erin explained that it was to keep her cat from shitting in our yard. She gave a cat lovers sneer and walked on.


Enough For Now
I have things to do so I'd better scurry along for now. I just wanted to prove that I am still following through with keeping this site up. I promise, I will return!!!


12/15/2022 @ 7:56 It's cold out there!
Cold out there is morning. 26° and foggy!

If anyone is looking, I just added another page, "The Personal Side of Life," with the intent to keep viewers informed about things I have been reading, working on, deeper views... It's another work in progress. Since I have the time to do more of the things that interest me, the website being one of those "things," why not play a little, learn more, be better than I was yesterday. So, keep watching for changes. Formatting and the, "what if's" are the goal.

That Damn Cat!
I set out the game camera to see what cat is shitting in our yard. We spend money on bark dust, (aka Mulch), to keep the weeds down and beautify the yard. Every morning we see mounds and inside these mounds is a cat turd! It looks like we have a mine field in our yard. We rake them flat again, put the cat turd in the yard debris bin and the next few days we do it all over again. Why is it the person that dislikes cats is the one that gets to deal with the cat shit? After reviewing the game camera photos, lo and behold it's the cat from across the street. This is the neighbor that I had to threaten legal action to get her to do something about her barking dog. As soon as she drove away her dog would bark, endlessly, throughout the entire day and stop as soon at the car returned to the driveway in the evening.

At that time I was making tutorials and videos for my online classes and the sound of a barking dog in the background had gotten to a level of unacceptable. I left notes on her door, physically spoke with her about the issue, and her reply would be, "What do you want me to do?" Really? Are you THAT stupid! I finally went to the city and filed a complaint that would lead to a court appearance and the barking stopped. Solution, every day she takes the dog when she leaves for work. When we had a dog, of the same breed by the way, we trained her to not bark unless it was a threat. Why can't a person teach or train their pet as they would their kids? Considering how her kids have turned out, well I guess that answers my question. And now I have to deal with her cat!

The baited trap still sets empty. I went as far as buying cat food as a bait and still the mounds continue and the trap remains empty. Erin bought a unit that supposedly scares a cat away as soon as it enters the yard. This I have to see! It will arrive in another day. I still have the opinion of, "GONE is GOOD!", especially if it's the neighbor's cat!

This coming summer I will be replacing the fence across the back yard and then I will be putting electrified livestock fencing along the top. Hearing the buzz will be thrilling! If dogs are required to be restrained why are cats any different? 

OUCH! Yes, it's back to the gym.
It is true, I am in pain! My arms are sore, WAY SORE! I had Erin show me how to use the leg machines yesterday and luckily a couple of them are down for repair. I didn't fully work out on them, just went through the motions. Arms however are a different story, I know about the arm machines, enough too cause pain! Today is arms day again and I am looking forward to loosening them up, and the next level of pain, NOT! Can't complain much though, I did it to myself. Covid didn't cause me to gain the extra 15 pounds over the last 2 years. Sitting around and Eating, that's what did it. And now pain is the price I pay. Of course the other option would be death, but I still have a lot more on my todo list, so pain is the better choice.

I started an online accountability plan and I am hoping I reach the goal that I have set. No, I am not telling you what the goal is! But, thanks for asking. I WILL say that I am interested in hiking a lot over the next summer break and NOT being winded in the first 1/2 mile would be great!

And speaking of the gym, it's time to go.....

12/11/2022 @ 11:00 AM Hey, how about an update or two
It's a nice cloudy day out there and it's almost noon, well 11:00 AM to be more precise.

Retired? - Well kind of. I left what I might claim to be the last 40 hour job, it wasn't even close to a 40 hour job but they claimed it was. I claim it to be total bull! I'm still teaching at the college on a part time basis and that is good enough for me. I got my Summer break, Winter break, and Spring break back. Who knows, I might have time to enjoy life a little more!
Although I am grateful for past students and graduates trying to find me work I think I am thinking part time or no time. The full time gig is no linger of interest to me. The last full time gig it seemed all I was doing was working for health insurance. Health insurance is always nice to have but as late it seems by the time the deductibles are met it's time to start a new year. Nickels and dimes.


Updates? - Yeah, I'll give it my best try. As a reminder to keep it fresh I added it to my default opening tabs. What more of a reminder do I need?

At the moment I am sitting here cleaning up the desktops, both computer and physical. I am so glad I have the time to take care of things instead of grabbing short moment here and there. All the programs I use, both for illustration and CAD work are updated and ready. So what am I waiting for? NOTHING!
In a minute I will publish this and close, as the day is beginning and I have a list of to-do's a mile long, it's the season. But rest assured, I WILL be back. There is a lot of catching up to do!

8/12/2021

It's HOT out there today. Add 54% humidity to a nice 98° degree day and miserable comes to mind!

On the home front (AKA Construction Project), things are moving right along. Yeah, I'm Kidding. I have been calling the HVAC guy for a month now and one of his guys showed up a little after lunch time. I guess it is a little bit of a personal insult when the person that does the installation has to come back and fix his mistakes (shortcuts). Of all the new registers (floor outlets) only one worked. It makes it really hard to cool a house down with only half of the system working!

Cabinets, they are scattered around the house and stacked up in the garage and waiting for the magic moment of installation. It was supposed to be done by the end of the week. Being that it is Thursday, I don't think that is going to happen. Out of fairness to Marty (cabinet guy and brother-in-law) he was on his way here last Saturday when someone decided that he would pull out in front of Marty. Needless to say, the truck is in the shop.

In an effort to capture the cool air from the air conditioner I took the cardboard panels that were wrapped around the cabinets for shipping protection, and covered the opening between the garage and the kitchen. The positive is the house is cooler. The downside is now we have to walk around either through the front door to the garage door, or through the sliding glass door to the rear garage door. So what ever it is we need you can bet that it is on the other side.

Honestly, I will be really glad when this project is complete! And, if you ask me to go camping, more than likely I will politely refuse. 

I just went out and took a few more shots. IT'S HOT.

And Furthermore...

I finally took the hit and got the Covid shot. Watching the increasing vaccination requirements to work in the public sector (schools) I decided that it was in my best interest to go for it. Yeah, there are plenty of reasons NOT to get it but for an old dude like me I figured that the long term effects of growing a third eye or having a nervous twitch was not worth worrying about. It seems that the new variant is putting people in the hospital and the vaccinated are at less of a risk of hospitalization so what the heck. It's all temporary anyway. I'm sure China will have another scheme of taking over the planet soon enough.

And a lighter note...

The tomatoes are finally turning red! And the squashie stuff (pumpkins squash, cucumbers, etc. ) is growing like crazy as well. If only we had a kitchen :(

We still have plenty of yard work to do but with the heat I am just laying low, no rush!

First Crop