Friday, March 31, 2006

Happy B-Day Jessa!




Here are some pics from her par-tay last Saturday (3/25/06). Much fun was had by all!

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Job Posting: Metalurgist in Consulting [Oakland]

The Consulting Division is looking for a full time Metallurgical Technician.

SUMMARY: [Hourly position] Under the supervision of the Senior Engineer, this person will be responsible for day-to-day performance of testing programs, organization of the laboratory and maintenance of equipment. Participation in field projects will be part of the job as needed.
The Technician will work closely with the Senior Engineer or other supervisory personnel regarding project requirements, the testing schedule and quality control. Primary activities include scheduling, coordination of materials used in testing programs, conduct of testing, data collection and submission of test results to a senior engineer. The person will typically work on an assigned project basis in writing with an overall schedule and intermediate milestones.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.
Technical
1. Complete and pass CEL Training modules for testing procedures (Met Lab)
2. Develop a basic working knowledge of the test equipment and electronic data acquisition systems
3. Comply with requirements of CEL quality program
4. Read test criteria and related technical standards (e.g., ICC-ES, ASTM) as assigned and deemed necessary for test preparation
5. Prepare test area, equipment and fixtures for testing
6. Prepare specimens to be tested according to requirements
7. Perform testing according to requirements

Administrative
1. Report status of daily lab testing programs and activities to Senior Engineer verbally or in writing as directed
2. Submit test results at the end of each day to Senior Engineer for review
3. Keep lab area neat and organized
4. Maintain inventory and storage of sampled and tested product

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, this individual must be able to perform each essential duty [above] satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with legally protected disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or equivalent; five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, memos, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedures. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

WORK SCHEDULE: Regular work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a 40 hour, Monday-Friday work week.

If you know of anyone who might be qualified have them get in touch with Jay Dorst in Oakland.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Quite the Predicament!

I'm not even totally sure it is a predicament... but I do feel at a loss as to what I should do (or even what I really want to do!). So maybe someone could give me some enlightening words of advise?
Last week I went on a tour of our Oakland Lab. Yeah, yeah, I know I've been working here for a pretty long time and it's a wee sad that I hadn't toured the lab until last week, but at least I finally had the opportunity to do so! Gary, the president of CEL, offered the tour to those of us who had not had the chance to do so yet. Our Oakland lab consists of the following departments: CEL Consulting (Metals Lab, Forensics Lab, Structural Lab, Temp-Screw, and Consulting Services), Soils Lab, Concrete Lab, and X-Ray. I found the tour pretty interesting... mostly because I love labs (I love lamp). Jay Dorst runs the metals lab/temp-screw department and very much so appreciated my enthusiasm. So much so, in fact, that since my return to the ever-lovable A/P department, he has been calling all of the big-wigs to express interest in my transfer to his department in the Oakland lab.
So then the VP of the company says that he spoke with Jay and that we could always work something out if I wanted to go over there. I said it was in the back of my mind, but I really wasn't looking to move around until Grad School started up and I have to go part time anyways. But then Gary (the Pres) brings it up to me also, saying that he spoke with Jay as well. I guess Jay could really use the help or something! So Gary gave me a similar story, saying that he would be willing to work something out with me if I wanted to go the lab. He said that I could always have a trial period where I could go visit the lab for awhile to get a feel for things without losing my position here.
So, I dunno what to do. I talked to my parents who really want me to try this thing out. I know how much I love working in a lab, I just don't know that this, persay, is what I want to be doing in the lab... whatever this is, exactly. Maybe I should do the trial thing?
See, here's the thing. I'm really excited about going back to school and getting my phD and all that good stuff, and I am afraid that it will be easier for me to not go back to finish if I have a job that I like! So would it not be better to stay in this semi-crappy position that pays fairly decently in order to motivate me to "stay in school"?
And therein lies the predicament.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Is Narcolepsy Contagious?

Music I've Recently Purchased:
Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor
Sublime - Gold

Clothes I've Recently Purchased:
Lost Numbers T-Shirt
Red Cords

Listening to Right Now:
Live 105 Online

Did at Lunch:
Drove down Bollinger Canyon to see if the zebra was out... it wasn't, but I did see an ostrich! Talked to some people who live next door to zebra-man and discovered that zebra-owner-man is a zoo psychologist (I think that's what he said...) and there are actually more than one!

Did Last Night:
Sushi with Mom
Spent time with Katy MacMillan who is 7 months prego and called to invite me to the baby shower in April... instead of calling her back, I showed up at her door! I miss her so very much, I forget until I see her again. Note to self: Self, keep in touch with Katy! She's living in Hayward again (and right down the hill from the SJSJ crew!), you no longer have excuses! Baby = girl... Name = Molly (tentatively)

Doing Right Now:
Eating Sunflower Seeds (ie, SALT)

End Transmission

Sunday, March 12, 2006

I Know Where You Live Now

Once upon a time I knew What I wanted from this life.
And then
There was you... waltzing in and out of my life
Until butting into my dance.
Not that I truly minded -
Playing your games was the only prerequisite.
Maybe I didn't play them long enough...
Every facet of your being
Was all I wanted to see.
Yet the more I played along,
The further you drifted from me...
Hiding behind a plethora of vocabulary words
And metaphors of song.
Now I wonder who you really are
And what you really wanted from me.
Boys smell nice.
It stains my clothes.
So night sweats masquerade as you,
So quiet and still next to me.
Did you discover sleep, I wonder -
Is that what's taken you from me?
I wonder if you even see
What you're doing and what it truly does to me.
This pipe I smoke to make it stop.
To make the pain you gave me turn to thoughts.
I want to sleep, but in your dreams
You've lost all hopes and faiths in me.
So when I'm gone you'll think no less,
Since life goes on in happiness.
But where will I end up in this,
When everything returns to bliss?
I know where you live now,
I've tasted it.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Finally Free!

Do you wanna know what I hate? People who don't even have the decency to say goodbye.
It took three months, but at least I can honestly say that I am finally free.