Movie Time

I decided to go see that new documentary about the whole Enron scandal. I was really interested in seeing how it all happened since I was away from California when it all went down, plus being part of the energy industry I kind of have the inside scoop! I would recommend seeing this movie ONLY if you can tolerate a seemingly DULL subject matter and won't mind a little politics thrown into the mix. One of the biggest issues I had with it was how they seem to implicate that Arnold (our new governor) played a role in this, I found this to be a little odd since I was actually living here in the state when he (Arnold) was voted in, and the whole Enron thing happened when I was out of state. So sure enough I checked some dates and Arnold become governor about two years after Enron went bankrupt! Why they try to implicate him in this "documentary" beats me, the dates just don't add up. So politics aside I thought this movie was somewhat informative, and hopefully it comes out to all theatres soon.

My New Favorite Place

I needed two last parts for my bicycle, and to be honest I actually felt kind of embarrassed about getting them. A sidestand (a.k.a. kickstand) and a clamp for the rear brake canti-lever, I don't think I have ridden a bike with either of those two things in over fifteen years! I was impressed at how good the low end product selection was, maybe ancient is a better description for that. But yeah this place was cool. For now it is my new favorite place to hang out at, the bicycle store. As I was browsing through some of their nicer products I noticed that a guy had just come in to get a flat fixed on his bike, and it wasn't like a nice bike or anything that would require tools to replace an innertube, it was just a regular old bike. Are people really this lazy or dumb to not figure out how to change an innertube on their own a bicycles?

I got a new battery in the mail for my portable air compressor today, the old battery in it had far exceeded maximum useful cycles and was acting more like a heater than a battery. I got to use some of my old soldering skills when swapping them out. I was glad to see that I can still solder like a mofo, even though this skill is pretty much worthless nowadays, but it still felt kind of good. Anyhow the Dodger games were great, almost got to see a fight, got some free dodger blankets, and had some fun!

Planning Things Out!

Alright so I think I have my schedule figured out for the next couple of months. I was never really one to plan things out but I finally got tired of not knowing what future events I could or could not attend due to my odd shift routine. The tricky part will be having my planner with me when I have to make those kinds of decisions. I got tickets for this Wednesday's Dodger game, I went for the $$$ seats right next to the third base dugout!!! I am also attending tomorrow's game! I am really looking forward to keeping tabs on the home team this entire '05 season. Last time I kept up with them I was just a kid. Something about the sport though just brings out the kid in me, I think that's probably why I enjoy the sport so much.

Tonight was my last night shift for a bit so I am looking forward at a couple of days off! Speaking of work, I witnessed the funniest thing tonight....you see there are these pigeons, big fat ones I might add that thrive in our power plant. They make nests and poop all over the place, darn pigeons! Well one of the unfortunate ones got sucked up by a ventilation fan and instead of getting shredded to bits like I expected, the poor sucker got wedged in between the fan blading and the shroud. It stopped the fan pretty good, caused the fan belt to slip and wore it out. As far as the bird was concerned, it was quite quick and painless one would have to assume. It's neck just happened to be what jammed up the fan and kept it from turning! Should I feel bad about finding this a little comical?

Business As Usual, Finally!

I did not really want to go to work tonight, it was really sunny and warm which made for a very relaxing afternoon. Although something with the pollen count in the air or something was messing me up bad. Having allergies can really blow sometimes, I waited too long to take some drugs so my allergies ended up bugging me all day, but enough about that. The weather was awesome today, I got a lot accomplished including getting some goodies for work. This means I should be snacking healthy at work from now on! Speaking of work when I showed up this evening there were only two cars at the plant, nothing but operators here tonight!

Fire Proof!

Just another day I guess. We started out the night shift just fine, all the stuff that was being a pain yesterday was now working as it should! So a couple of hours into the shift when we got a little break in the action we decided on getting some take out. We chose a local Ruby's diner, it was really good. While I was waiting I noticed that there is one in Woodinville, WA over by Flint, and another one in Colorado Springs, CO by Tom. I thought that was kind of cool in a way. So If I ever visit you guys I might take you guys out for dinner, my treat! Anyhow we got lucky that we had dinner early because as you can tell by the title of this post I had my first actual casualty at the plant today! It was a relatively small fire, on the casing of a Fan which then spread to some insulation/lagging. One of the other operators caught it and I ran over for assistance with some fire extinguishers and faked out a hose. I guess you could say I was the plugman for a couple of hoses and soon enough the fire went out thanks in part to some fleet footed operators, no harm no foul! We had to then turn 69 valves after the unit came online, fun stuff! Glad I had some food in me or else I would be beat.

Steam Proof!

I am on the night shift tonight, came in a little late and forgot to bring in some goodies. We are starting up one of our units and testing all the stuff that was fixed, unfortunately not everything is working quite right. One of the vents on our flash tank was left open, Oops! The valve was not returned to normal as was noticed by this huge high pressure steam leak (3600 psi and 1000F) superheated steam nonetheless. I had to go shut this valve by climbing on this really hot tank, and shut this really hot valve. I guess it is a good thing I carry around my leather gloves and a valve wrench. Unfortunately with all the stuff going on we don't have time to go on a food run tonight, so I will have to rough it all night. Oh well, such is life!

Some Things are Worth the Wait

I finally got back my bicycle frame today. It had taken a while to get painted but I finally have it back. Apparently black is not the most popular color used so I had to wait a while before they ran a batch of the black powdercoat. I am very impressed at the results, I had to restrain myself to wait on the reassembly. I was somewhat afraid that if reassembled now all of the rusty hardware might ruin the look, so I will let of all the hardware sit in some coca cola overnight and hopefully all the little nuts and bolts will come out rust free in the morning. If I remember correctly pH of the coke I measured was like 2.7 so hopefully I won't have to buy anything industrial to restore some old metal, remembering that I want to spend as little as possible on this endeavor. Once clean I should be able to paint all these nuts and bolts, I don't know if silver or black would do? I have both colors, with the frame of the bike black and the fenders gray I just don't know how I should paint the hardware. I am kind of leaning toward the silver though?

In other news I rode my motorcycle today, the temp outside was nice and the sun was out making great riding weather. I do regret not using some sun block though!!! Also an old buddy of mine who I used to go riding with before called me up today. I used to work with him at the motorcycle shop, I felt kind of bad for not keeping in touch with him but he sold his bike so it isn't my fault right? Yeah, go get a bike man and then we'll talk!!!!

Relaxation

Having time off during the week can be really beneficial sometimes, businesses being open and all. I figured today would be an opportune day to take care of some loose ends, but as procrastination would have it I put it off till tomorrow. I came up with some unplanned time off, start up on one of our units at work got delayed a few days, in addition the running unit was shutdown. So with my assistance not needed I don't need to go in until my regular shift comes in this Friday night. In preparation for a nighttime schedule I had planned on staying awake all night Monday, which I accomplished easily. Sticking to this new routine failed though since I just ended up getting more sleep somehow. I am not sure how that worked out but today I found myself back on a regular schedule.

I watched some movies at the theatre today. The first one "Fever Pitch" was good, the whole baseball thing kind of works for me anyway. I also ended up watching "Sahara" but I did not get to finish it, but from what I could tell it was pretty good too. Other than that things were pretty laid back for me today!!!

Day off!

After working 12 hour shifts for 8 days straight...I finally got a day off!! Can I hear DAY OFF!! I finally got to catch up on my sleep, eat some good food, and watch another Dodger game. Ohhh...which by the way, they WON!! The guys in blue are on a roll...If they keep up this streak I'll have to learn how to play those Dodger blues, I think it might be in the key of A.

Stuff!

So I have been doing some cool things at work, but mostly just forcing myself to stay awake. I did seven twelve hour shifts in a row, In a Row!!! They went fairly quick with the startup and all of the running equipment that I had never before seen running till now. We are actually going to have both plants running soon. I really should have gone in to work today for some more training $$$, but I could not go since I have to pick up my dad at the airport later on today. "Whatever means necessary" has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I found myself buying a pack of smokes to help myself stay alert! It is really draining to work that long for so long on a labor intensive job and sometimes you just need that chemical edge, but I swear I wont do it again! I felt a little relieved when I read Biff's post on buying a pack too, misery loves company I guess (in reference to smoking)!!! The coolest thing that I have done at work thus far was regenerated some resin, resin is actually reusable and can be "regenerated" fairly easily. All you need is a little bit of sulfuric acid, and some sodium hydroxide, + tons of water and biggity bam you are good as new!

My taxes were accepted today, I was glad to hear that since I had really just rushed through them not paying much attention to the info I was sending uncle sam.

Busiest Day in the History of the Lou!

Hands down by far this was the busiest day I think I have ever had! I got called in for work on a day off, which I already expected. Our plant is running for the first time in almost six months making power for Southern California!!!! This is sort of why I did not blog yesterday, with the startup and having to stay late yesterday to help the night shift guys a bit I was pretty much beat. Today was similar, I got called in to help a little with the daily stuff, after that I was pretty much there for training. Not hard work at all for some double time wages $$$$. I go in tomorrow as well, for some more training $$$. After my 12 hour shift I hurried home just in time to change and get over to the Dodger game, it was amazing. I really enjoy being home now, Southern Cali rocks! I had a blast at the game, got some dodger dogs and watched a winning game. The newly remodeled stadium kicks butt, it finally looks like it caught up with modern technology. I can't wait to try out those new uber expensive seats they have by the dugouts! Did I mention I almost caught a foul ball, I let a little 5 year old catch it instead, he was so happy. Last but not least, when I got home I had to do my taxes. Not bad for a days work. It is now time to catch some Zzzz's!!!

Recycled Story...

This entry is actually a couple of days old, happened sometime in the middle of the previous week. That day it so happened that I woke up a little late pushing my morning routine a little to the right. I had planned on fueling up in the morning but was unable to accomplish this simple task. I opted on getting to work on time so I was forced to skip gassing up. With that, I ended up running one of my tanks dry a few short miles from home and had to switch over to my second hoping I would make it to work. I got lucky and made it to work alright, but I knew I needed to fuel up as soon/close to work as possible, so when lunch time came around and I had to get lunch for the guys I explained my fuel situation and warned them that I might run out of the petro. I stopped at the nearest gas station where they had no diesel, I started to panic and the search was now on to find some diesel. I was up for the challenge but I was literally walking in the dark on this one. I only shop at one gas station near home and was not familiar with the places around the plant. It took like half an hour or so to finally find a station with the precious diesel, but I found one and that was all I cared about at the time! Finally with that whole mess settled It was now time to get the food, original reason for leaving work. I ordered, got the food, went back to work bearing food....or so I thought. I was short changed on the fries, I was soooo pissed. Oh, did I mention I had a headache all day! I was really hungry, and yeah I was uber pissed.

Always something missing!

I am not a morning person, or at least I have not been able to be one. I go into work somewhat early, I have to be in by six in the morning. I am always either running a few minutes late, forget my phone at home, leave my pocket protector (with all my pens and screwdrivers) at home, something is always left behind. Today I left my brain bucket in the truck, and my pocket protector at home. So I find myself with no writing capability, I can always borrow I guess!

Moving Ahead

Project Work Bike is moving along quite nicely! I got my bike tool in the mail yesterday, finished disassembly today. I got all of the metal painted today, all of the previoulsly shiny metal which was rusted is now painted machinery gray. It will actually come out pretty industrial looking when done, even though I did not plan it that way, I swear! My neighbor has in his possession the frame, chain guard, front fork, and the handlebars for powdercoating tomorrow. He seems to think a glossy black will work and I think that might be a good match for the whole industrial look. The only thing not industrial looking will be the handlebar clamp painted a glossy dark blue. Don't know why I did it that way, we will just have to see how it turns out. I do apologize for not taking any "before" pictures but I think the "after" pictures will speak for themselves. I still need to finish refurbishing the seat and the crank assembly, no worries gimme like five minutes on the sandblaster and they will be good as new. So that was pretty much my weekend in a nutshell, I had tons of things going on and managed to get a lot accomplished. I seem to be neglecting my motorcycle though, the weather is perfect and have not been out riding in weeks. I need to go on a ride soon or else.....

Oh yeah, I am going into shiftwork tomorrow which means more $$$ and more opportunity for overtime. I need to celebrate!

Inspiration!

I was somewhat flattered at the fact that I inspired someone else at work today at attempting to restore another one of those shop bikes. The bicycle this guy is taking up is in way better shape than mine, so the work should be less intense. So yeah, that was kind of nice.

Bee Real Estate!

So I have been meaning to write about this for so long now but for one reason or another I just kept neglecting to write about it. So this is for you Goff...

After one of the longest rainy seasons in the history of Southern California the weather has finally taken a turn for the better. Spring time has really changed out the usual arid terrain, it is looking more and more like the Northwest. With all the new vegetation being spring time and all, insects seem to be doing it like they do on the discovery channel.....this is readily apparent on my windshield. Anyways back to the subject at hand, so with all these flowers in and around town the power plant has become quite the desirable location to these little critters, more specifically, Bees. I don't know if its the chemicals, the magnetic fields given off, or what, but man colonies keep on popping up in the weirdest places. Talk about a safety hazard, they aren't playing around either these bees mean beesness, I mean business. So whenever we find a bee hive we call in the pro's, I think they even come with a big honeybee on top of their truck! I have an idea though, we got one of these to rack in and out our 4kv breakers (technical term for taking in out big switches for maintenance and stuff). My plan is to suit up, spray them down with soapy water, bee homes disintegrate, bees live, and they move away. I really think this would work, save a lot of money, and no bees would get injured in the process!!!!

Project Bike #1

When I went in on to work Saturday and accomplished absolutely nothing, I felt kind of guilty...so guilty that a poor old shop bike that had been sitting abandoned since I got to the company has now become my new project. My plan was to spend as little as possible to get it looking sharp once again and running of course. I have the bike stripped down, except for the crank assembly, I need one of these or similar to take it apart. All of the fenders, wheels, and saddlebags I finished sandblasting today, they are ready for a coat of paint. Much to my chagrin the frame was cracked but I am having it welded by some mechanics at work. After that it is getting powdercoated thanks to a friendly neighbor of mine, colors are limited but heck a powdercoat job for free, I cant beat that! I have new pedals, wheels, grips, so this thing should look pretty sharp when I am done! Plan is to get it done and assembled by this weekend.

The Weirdest Thing...

I think I have mentioned before how I work near one of the largest retirement communities in the country. This is really noticeable the closer you get to them, just on the other side of the river actually. Well a couple of months ago during our rainy season an old lady got disoriented and drove through the neighboring power plant into the river and drowned, made the news! On a lunch run a few weeks ago I went to a Baja Fresh where the shopping center had a charging station for those motorized scooter things for older people. I was amazed to see like 60 of those things taking up a couple parking spots! Yesterday I was able to go to my favorite beach, and it just so happens that my favorite beach is right next to where I work. So this weekend while I was getting some take out for a day at the beach, an older couple in a minivan got confused and hit the gas instead of the brake. Right next to where we were going to park! Somehow I lucked out and parked a few cars away, lucky me! All of this went on while we were inside waiting for our food when some of the people inside starting pointing and rustling about. The only thing that kept them from killing/injuring all of the patrons inside were the railings for a handicap ramp. Somehow all of this is oddly familiar to a South Park episode poking fun at senior drivers!

Putting in some O/T

I will start out by saying that "Sin City" the movie was pretty darn good. I can't wait to go see it again as I think the plot might make some more sense second time around. So yes, I too would recommend this movie, as long as a little bit of nudity and a little bit of violence does not bother you.

I came in to work this morning. I am supposed to help restore a system to normal, since this kind of thing does not happen often they figured it would be valuable training for me. I am pretty much just sitting around though and waiting! Something I am pretty much used to as an operator, but hey I am not complaining. If I stay here as long as I plan on staying I will make just as much money as I would make at the motorcycle shop in a whole week. Heck I don't have to put up with customers here and make more money! I miss it sometimes though, I see a bike going down the road and more often than not I know who the rider is and what kind of bike he's got. Oh well, I think that is it for now! Oh yeah, have I talked about the bees yet? More on the bees later!