Derek's Journal

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Finally Friday
Gym, then grabbed a burrito on the way to work.

Several people were gone today (including Miranda - YEAH!!!) Made some good progress on some things, but of course, there were some emergencies too. Nothing special though.

As I was about to head out to grab lunch, some came back from a team meeting with a couple of left over pizzas. So, I grabbed some of what they offered instead. However, that meant no real break either - just extra time working. That helped me get a bit more done.

I didn't get a male model to commit for tonight, so canceled the couple's shoot. I still went to the Desert Botanical Garden and scouted out a few things - and got a few shots.

Tire - its been a long week.

Current Mood: tired

Almost weekend :)
Woke up and saw that it was late - almost 6 AM. I'd slept through the alarm. I hit the gym, but didn't get much of a workout today.

Some progress at work, but want more.

During lunch I hit Goodwill for their $1 clothing sale. Since I'm taking pictures of models now, that can sometimes be a good way to get some cool things at a good price. Sometimes they have really good things for the $1 price.

Miranda came by asking for help, so that was a problem. She wants help, but doesn't explain what she wants - then gets upset when people (same with all the people - not just me) ask her what she means. She bounces around and doesn't answer questions. I spent over half an hour trying to understand, then she said, OK it could wait until later or she'd ask someone else. I asked her to send a couple of screen captures so I could work on things (and so she would at least give me some information). She said she would. I worked on it a bit - then looked for the email - NOTHING. It turns out that she left early (again) and will be gone tomorrow. About that time, another person she'd asked about it came by and mentioned things - basically contradicting most of what Miranda had said for me to work from. Frustrating, but normal when dealing with her... So, a couple of hours looking into things - working Crystal Reports and not a lot to show for it. No wonder people don't like working with her... :(

After Miranda, I decided to stop for some Mongolian Barbeque (YC's Mongolian Barbeque). Eating and reading helped me relax from ...

Worked more on the shoots this weekend.

It is warming up a bit - may need the AC on soon... :)

Current Mood: mellow

Hump Day
Fair workout, but again, the things I wanted to use were "busy" - people doing sets and leaving their towels, water bottles and things on them while they went to the next things. By the time I was sure what was going on, I had finished with the machines again.

I made progress on several things at work today. It is nice not rushing to prepare for an audit. Of course, I'm staying busy as I get the things from the last ones finished and prepare for the one at the end of the month.

LOTS of left-over food from yesterday's Cinco de Mayo lunch. Cheap day - didn't spend anything :)

As things are heating up, people are using more and more ice from the refrigerator. I'm basically the only one the fills the ice trays - at least with the RO water. If I don't empty the frozen ice when I get there, at lunch and just before I leave, others will just use it and when I want some in the morning, it will be empty. When I headed over mid-afternoon, I noticed it was already almost empty and the ice wasn't frozen. So, I cleaned and filled two more ice trays that I'd gotten at the 99 cent store. We may need an ice bin in both refrigerators to keep it going too. Anyway, I still get my ice this way. :)

Got some groceries on the way home (corn, 5 for $1.00).

Watered the tomatoes (and ate some while doing it) along with some other things that needed it. I'm making some progress on things, but still a lot to do.

Just before 10 PM, the alarm system started beeping. The telephone was out (cable and internet too). It just came back on so I'm doing this - six days in a row... :)

Time Goes on...
People were "using" the stuff I wanted to use at the gym this morning, so I did the machines instead. NOt the workout I wanted, but at least I did something.

I got strawberries at Fry's on the way to work. They were on sale and seemed like they would fit in with the "Cinco de Mayo" lunch we were having. Actually, the BIG bowl of them was all eaten and people seemed to love them. There was a lot of most things left over, which was great.

Usual stuff at work, but some progress.

Did a logo for Ed (friend at work) for his plant nursery. Actually, I did it with some interesting changes as a joke, but the parts can be arranged to make a real one for him. Got to love GIMP - photoshop-like, but free software.

Got some more things set up for the photo shoot this weekend, but need more guys to be interested and balance it out.

Back at Work...
Up at 5:30 and off to the gym. I didn't get a great workout, but at least did some. I got gas (it had come down to $2.709/gallon) at Costco across from the gym.

With the audits over (for a few weeks) and being gone on Friday, I was able to get through most of the EMAIL since then and actually make some progress on a few things. Nothing Earth shaking, but progress is good.

Lunch at the Chinese Restaurant (yep, that's the real name they have in the window).

Warmer now. I was going to ask Ike if he would like the AC turned on, but as soon as he noticed I was also here, he shut the door to his room. Sad... It is hard to work things out and see what a person likes when he hides in his room and becomes more upset that things are not going his way...

I put some of the pictures from the Glass Blowing evening together to send to a friend, Bri.

I put up a post to see if people are interested in some pictures at the Desert Botanical Garden this weekend. There aren't many more days left until the Chihuly exhibit leaves. Of course, it will be around 100 F when we'd start shooting, but that doesn't really bother me. It will also be a full moon this weekend, so there could be some great shots.

Sunday
I woke up around 2:30 AM and saw it was finally below 70 outside, but still 78 inside. I put some fans in the windows to help the nice cool air come in and the hot air go out. I woke up around 5:30 and checked - it had helped. Then again at 7:00 Am and it was almost as warm outside as in. I cut some fresh pineapple, ate a little, then checked and it was 72 outside, so I closed the windows... and went back to bed for a while.

I got a few things caught up, but not all I wanted to do. Of course, that is always the case.

I called a few people and went to YC's to eat.

I'd missed my brother (either they were on the phone or gone, but it didn't ask for a message), but then he called me around 8:30. It is raining there. They are OK. I did get the information I needed to get the trip planned (flight, then the rest) for Memorial Day.

Did washing.

Roomie Ike finally made it back from his work trip around 11:00 PM tonight. I'd been wondering if he would ever make it back - not that I was complaining - lol. They probably hosted him and took him around places before he headed back. While I'm happy for him, I wouldn't mind having that chance when I travel too. Oh well, life...

Finally got the reservations done. Then the Quicken money recording and now here. Next is bed... much later than planned (actually 1 AM Monday...).

Current Mood: sleepy

I Like Weekends...
Slept in to 7 AM, then checked some computer things before going to PhotoMark for a free class on studio photograph. It lasted longer that planned, but I learned a few things. I also ordered a white filter to get the true white setting for any shoot. I should get another light meter too.

Stopped at the Tempe Arts Council and Greek Festival at the Tempe Town Lake on the way home. It was mostly food and stuff to buy, but some dance demonstrations too. It was cool overall.

Got home and fell asleep in front of the computer. (I really do need to get more sleep during the week.) Woke up by a call from an old college roomie (Dave Jones) that now drives truck. He had just arrived at a truck stop and wanted me to go over (10 minutes away) to grab something to eat and talk for a bit. We went to Sweet Tomatoes (salad/soup buffet) and talked about various things.

I didn't get things done as planned, but I did make get some things done today - got some good pictures and learned some things, so it was a good day.

Also, it is cooling off now and the other roomie (Ike) hasn't come back from his work trip yet. It is nice when he is gone, I can keep the door open and let the breeze blow without upsetting him. (He gets upset over many things...)

Current Mood: mellow

New Month - New Start
OK, I need to start getting things going again - writing here - keeping track of money, etc.

Today was a "use it of loose it" vacation day. While there is a lot to do at work, I'm starting to let others do their parts too. If things others should do don't get done on time, well, that is their problem. I'm also not doing all the extras for some the didn't do their own things. So, taking a day off now is good for all of us.

I slept in till after 6 then did some computer things.

I'd gone to the Desert Botanical Garden last night as the photographer for someone planning to be a model. The Chihuly glass exhibit is there until the end of May, so I'm getting several shoots in there. (I should write more about the shoot - if I go back and do an entry for yesterday, but... Basically, the model called 45 minutes late saying "they" had lost track of time. "They" showed up 30-45 minutes later. She came with a MUA - Make Up Artist - and who I think was the MUA's girlfriend, but I didn't ask. So, around 1.5 hours after I planned to shoot 1 person, the three ladies showed up and I spent another $24 to get their extra tickets. The MUA smoothed the clothes a few times and gave the model tips "stand this way, put your hands..." but didn't adjust makeup any more. Oh well, I still got some good shots and we stayed until after 9 PM.) So, anyway, I finished converting the .nef files to .jpg and GIMPED/edited one to remove the "extra" stuff and make it look better. Then burnt them on a couple of CDs and got them ready to mail to her.

I took a book to the postoffice and read while I was in line to mail the CDs. I could do most of it myself, but don't have the "Fragile" and "Do Not Bend" stamps. Also, I'm not comfortable dropping it in a mailbox and seeing how many other heavy things get put on top later.

I grabbed something to eat then headed off to the Light Rail. This was my first time to get on it. I'd checked the map and found the "Park and Ride" location where I could start. Unfortunately, the one I'd picked was somewhere in the middle of a construction area and I couldn't find it. So, I went to the next one I'd seen. $2.50 for an all day all ride pass - not bad. I thought it could be cool to check it out when it wouldn't be too crowded and also get some pictures of things along the way as well as scope out possible locations for future photo shoots.

I fell asleep, but woke up at most stops. When it got the the far end (Montebello/19th Ave. in NW Phoenix) I got off and looked around - then got on to start back. This time I did better staying awake (maybe facing forward instead of backward helped) and got off each time something looked interesting.

The first interesting (at least to me) stop was Camelback and Central. They had some interesting artwork. One was like the Star Gate (on the show Star Gate) and almost large enough for the trains to go through. I think that would have been better.

Since I'd walked down Central not long ago, I didn't get off at some spots, but did verify the cool things there.

The next cool spot was Central and Roosevelt near where the Japanese Friendship Garden is located. It turned out that it closes at 3 PM so I didn't have much time to look. However, being the first Friday in the month, it would open at 4 PM to participate in that. Hmmm come back and have time to not be rushed and also FREE - or pay and rush then. I went to check out other things and came back.

I got a few other stops and possible shoot locations. I'll put them on my photography website "soon." Interestingly, I stayed awake all the time until I needed to turn around and head back. (I'm not saying that standing all that time may have helped some too, but... it didn't hurt.) On the way back, I sat down... and slept between stops. I'm really good about getting to sleep quickly and then waking up quickly too. :)

It was not yet 4 PM and I'd been out walking and looking for a number of hours without anything to drink (or a bathroom). So, I stopped at the "Fair Trade Cafe" to get a mango smoothie (after using the bathroom). It was good and refreshing.

The garden was cool. Both a lower temperature with the plans and water things, but also had a lot of cool things. They also had some free lemonade and stuff (I only had the lemondade and skipped the food) as part of the "First Friday" event. I think I got a number of good shots in the Garden. I'll upload them... soon - possibly on the photography site.

Back on the light rail (got to love the all day pass) and heading back to my car. This time I didn't wake up for all the stops and made it to the end of the line (Sycamore/Main in Mesa). My car was just one stop back up the line, so I got there quickly and headed off.

I was pretty thirsty, so stopped for food and drink. I had 3 full glasses of lemonaide as well as Mongolian Barbeque at YC's. When I got home around 8:30 PM, it was still warmer outside than inside. I also drank two sports bottle full of icewater (not all at once) - probably over a quart each. Good to be rehydrated.

I caught up on more computer stuff (including this) and saw how fast the time went. A while after 10 PM it got cooler outside than inside, so I opened some windows and the front door (but kept the security door there locked). Hopefully we are not into the "hot" time of year yet. :)

Well, about time to held off for work in China for a week. I stayed up late (till around 4 AM Saturday morning and plan to stand up late tonight (Sunday Morning) too so that I adjust more to the time over there. It will also help me sleep better and longer on the plane. It looks like the seats may only have the overhead movies instead of the personal ones that can be adjusted to what people want when they want them. At least I'm not in the middle seat now.

I slept in until 9 AM (midnight in China) then did a few things around home. Around noon, I headed out on my Quest for Native American Pottery to take for gifts. The swap meet at the Greyhound Race track didn't have any this time. There was a lot of jewelry, but that didn't seem best to take to people I didn't know. I was able to get some pewter figurines of Western things. They were made locally, so that works somewhat.

I went to the Mesa Swap meet next. They had a fair selection, but they are more expensive than when the actually artists show up at the other swamp meet. Also, most of the ones the established vendors have were the more modern look - with bright colors and carvings into them. I did find a few that were small enough to take easily and also avoided the new look. After all, if I' getting things to take as gifts, they should fit traditional style instead of something that one vendor agree would need to be replaced when people redecorate.

I grabbed something to eat there, then headed home. I did my laundry as I called a few friends (and my brother) to let them know I'll be out of town for a week (or so).

Taking it easy and packing. OK - I admit a did fall asleep in front of the computer for a bit, but well, that just means I'll be properly sleep deprived when I get on the plane... zzzzzzz.

Cardio at the gym this morning. Surprisingly, after a FULL parking lot Monday and not a lot of new people around Tuesday through Thursday, the parking lot was completely full again. Still, it didn't seem all that full inside. I'm glad I go in the mornings instead of after work when it could REALLY be crowded.

Not a lot of people at work - we are still somewhat on the four day a week schedule. The tickets for the China trip showed up and ... They have us on an almost full flight and I was in the middle seat almost all the way. I called and got that taken care of (aisle seats all but one fight and I'm next to the window now instead of the middle). I also got things set up for other guy going. Ironically, we had originally requested that if it would be like this, that they sent up on EVA Airlines Deluxe class to Taipei or Hong Kong then the rest of the way however. The other guy was very unhappy. Life.

With the trip coming and getting ready for it, a most of the people that were at work came bye and talked a while. Not the most productive day, but I am basically ready to go - at least I have the things I need ot take. I need to do a bit more for of "regular things" before I head out.

I ran out and got a few things for the trip: REI (across the street and East a bit) had their super sale today, so I got locks, name tags and things. I got some pasta to take a bit father east. Then back towards work, I stopped at the bank, deposited checks and got more cash for the trip - better to have too much than run out.

I'd been pushing it a bit, so was pretty tired when I got home. I took a nap (partially so I can stay up later to adjust more towards the Chinese time. I also need to get some Native American things to take with me.

With all the things going on, I missed lunch, so grabbed something on the way home. This happens too often - and then I eat a bit more than I should. I'll get things going better after I get back.

Current Mood: contemplative

I did the full set of exercises today, but still only a medium weight. When I get back from China, I'll do that for the first part of a week, then change back to the Upper Body M + Th, Lower Body Tues & Friday and Cardio on Wed and longer on Saturday.

I grabbed a breakfast burrito on the way to work. Salazar Brothers does a good job with them. The extra protein from the eggs and cheese and the carbs from the potatoes and tortilla shell helped me get going better. Once I'm back, I'll shift back to the normal oatmeal with fruit and protein powder.

The passports and visas are not yet back, but should arrive tomorrow. Since we don't fly out until Sunday morning, I'm not stressing about it. Ironically, a few started to panic for us, but we calmed them down too. Still, it would be nice to have longer to plan things instead of the RUSH travel that is what usually happens to me at work. On the bright side, I've know about this for most of a week. That is MUCH BETTER than the time I found out around 7 PM that I needed to go the next day, if possible, and then was pulled out of a meeting at 10:45 to be told they had finished the arrangements and I needed to hurry to catch my 11:30 flight. (I missed it, but did get another one so caught up with the international flight in California and it all worked well.) Life is not boring, but it would also be nice to have some more time over there to look around (maybe when it is warmer - lol).

At lunch, I headed to Phoenix to the "Cactus Candy Company" to get some candy made from cactus. It is hard to get things that are not found there, so that is something unique. I got the boxes with smaller individual pieces and then some smaller ones with the separate flavors. That way, they can try it and not waste as much when they decide they don't like it - lol.

I didn't lock up tonight, partially since I was rushing out to get more things for the trip. I looked at a few more camera things, but they didn't have the things that I wanted. (I'll check ebay later.)

I got some Riesens chocolate carmel (individually wrapped) candy too. Many of the people in Taiwan like that, so it should go over well in China too. I may get a couple boxes of See's candy for the ones that will be driving us around.

Saturday, I will hit the swap meets to (hopefully) get some not too expensive Native American Pottery and things. It is nicer when I have more time to get things instead of rushing and not always finding what I want.

I received an email from one of the models from Saturday's photo shoot. She was asking if I had any good pictures. I shrunk some down small enough to email and sent them to her. I spent a few minutes to remove the canvas background on one and add in some other backgrounds - forest - meadow - bushes. I should send them to the others too, but timing. It was good to take a break.

Current Mood: mellow

Progress
Cardio day at the gym and it all went well. The regular girl at the front was back, but recovering from a cold. I didn't get too close, since I don't want to be sick on my trip. If she survives and is still there when I get back, I'll find out her name. Turnover for the morning person is pretty fast. Several of us have agreed that until the person makes it over a month and a half, it isn't worth getting to know them. We are polite and pleasant, but don't ask the names of move to the level where we tell them when we will be gone or ask how they are doing. We've only had 2 people make it to the stage where we know the names and really talk in the last three years. Often, the new people come late, don't have towels ready and seem upset if we ask them anything. This one seems cool and has things under control. I hope that she survives.

I got more things for the China trip. Wal-Mart is on the NE corner from the gym (SW corner). I got the drink mixes (individually packed to go into a bottle of water) which one person there that I know from Taiwan likes. I got some postcards of Arizona (some like and collect them). I looked for the Riesen candy (another favorite) too, but they were out.

The culture of Asia often involves giving gifts. We need to be polite and give the right things. Since many things now are "Made in China," it can be more difficult. I've tried to take things that they like and/or Native American made things.

Often, they may also ask for specific things. Last "shipment" to Taiwan was Mentodent Toothpaste. When I went in October, I took vitamins and herbal supplements. Initially, we thought it was strange that they would have us take things over from the US, but as we got to know them better, they said it was because US made things were better and safer. While they might get cheaper things in Taiwan, often made in China, they didn't know if the quality would be safe. When the melamine added to milk power in China made the news (and resulted in deaths and long hospitalizations), we agreed with them that US things could be better.

Usual things at work, but then I got an allergy shot at lunch. I got them when I lived in Albuquerque so that I wouldn't sneeze as much or have problems. On specific reason was being able to stay in my brother's place when I went up to Idaho. (His wife is not the best housekeeper. They live on a ranch and usually have cats in the house. I grew up there too and has some problems, but not to the extent I do when I visit them. Of course, we didn't have indoor cats - and if we would have, we would have cleaned up after them. I would be wheezing and sneezing as soon as I went inside and barely able to breath after half and hour to an hour. Of course, sometimes that may have been a good things - it gave me a chance to get away - lol.) Well, I still get the shots, usually once a month and have very few problems now.

Not a lot of excitement during the rest of the work day either. I'm almost caught up on the new email, but have several things from the email that I need to do. That and getting ready for China are keeping me busy.

I stopped at REI to get a down coat on the way home. They were on sale :) There will be a better sale of "Clearance items" starting Friday, but they may not have the things I need then. Also, I don't want to wait until the last minute to get things that I NEED and then not have time to get them.

I've been pushing things a bit too late, but want to write here and make some progress little by little. Because of that, I fell asleep in front of the computer again. Of course, being sleep deprived will help me adjust to the time change better. I'll fall asleep on the plane when it leaves Phoenix and then again after we leave California. Then when I wake up, I'll be somewhat more adjusted to the time there. The time there is 15 hours ahead of us. I just remember to add three hours and change AM to PM or PM to AM (the next day).

Current Mood: thoughtful

Progress
Not a bad workout, but an easy one. Somehow I hurt my back before Christmas, so I feel it when I do some things. I did one set of both the upper body and lower body exercises today with medium weights. I only felt my back when I tried the knee lifts from vertical position (arms supporting me). I ended up with a bit of heat in the steam room and whirlpool to relax the back.

Work was nothing special. Staff meeting (also known as story time) started with burritos, potato things and orange juice from Wendy's. We have food in the staff meetings - they start at 8 AM and with some of them, having something to eat is the only way to stay awake. One good think that came up was the General Manager said his visit to Taiwan confirmed we will be here for at least another two years - more if we can get enough business to keep the manufacturing area busy.

The EMAIL Spam filter is working again. Not a lot of exciting things today, more of the same.

I got my United Airlines frequent flier card updated. Sadly, it wouldn't take the password I was trying even though it fit the criteria the site provided. I called to ask two more questions about password criteria: 1 - is there a maximum length? 2 - Are there forbidden characters?
The first three people I talked two ignored my question and "helped" me get things set up. One even set the password for me: 1 2 3 4 5 6 - and then seemed upset that I wanted to change it. He actually said "If you are having problems changing it, why don't you just leave it like that?" I think they may have been "providing technical support from outside the US" and missing some things, so I didn't even point out that when the password must be at least six characters long, putting in the first six numbers in usually not a good idea.
After about an hour on the phone and finally talking to a supervisor, I found out that ONLY numbers and letters could be used - something that the website didn't mention and that many places suggest be used. After calling two different phone numbers, making four different calls and talking to five different people, I got the help I needed. I understand that customer service people need to go through certain things, but when I kept mentioning that I was calling just to find out the password criteria, it can be frustrating. One set up my profile (which I already had on the computer, but not accepted since the password was not fitting the criteria). The next redid the profile and set the 1 2 3 4 5 6 password - and told me incorrectly that "@" was OK to use. The reset the account and set up a different password, then hung up on me instead of listening to my question. The next was nice, but I started by requesting the supervisor so I could report my experience and get information. The supervisor listened and then answered my question.
The first three were great reasons to avoid United whenever possible. The last two were reasons to consider using United when needed.

I fell asleep in front of the computer, so am typing this later than planned. It will take a while to get everything back on track.

I also chatted online with a couple of people that wanted to chat and needed some help.

Not a bad day, but I didn't get as much done as I wanted to do - always the case.

Current Mood: mellow

Back to Work
I started out a bit late, so only got a fair workout. Since I thought I'd have this week, then have a week off for the China trip, then back at it, I wasn't as motivated as I could have been. Also, I hit every possible light red getting to the gym this morning so was later than ever. The place was also pretty full, but as one person noted last year, "It is good to have all these people come and pay for a membership as part of their New years Resolutions - when they stop coming in a few weeks, it will be back to normal, but the gym will have more money to fix things." The workout will be better tomorrow.

I got about half of the real email taken care of at work today. (For some reason, we also had a LOT of spam.)

The lady that works for me is doing more and expanding into her responsibilities better all the time. That is great - also, hopefully more fulfilling for her. Still she does have questions on "new" things and quickly asks instead of working for a solution on her own. I was at her desk - with her and other people's questions - about half the day.
For Example:
J: "This isn't working"
Me: "What isn't working?"
J: "This isn't showing changes"
(I'd been walking over, since I know I can't help unless I understand the problem more)
Me: "I'm not sure I understand, can you show me what you mean."
J: "R. made changes, but they don't show up on my screen."
Me: "Can you show me the problem?"
(She then goes through a few screens, but doesn't say anything.)
Me: "I'm not sure what you should have seen, can you show me a change that doesn't show up?"
J: "R changed this part, but it doesn't show up red."
(OK, we are making progress.)
J: "What's wrong?"
Me: "So, R made some changes - they are on the page you showed me, but they look like the rest of the text. We can look at a few things that might have caused it."
(She bounces a few more screens then stops and waits.)
Me: "Can you look at.."
(She bounced a few more screens, but then stops.)
Me: "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you what's wrong without looking at a few possible causes. Please go to the Tools menu and..."
(She goes to that menu, then closes it and goes to someplace else.)
Me: "There are a few reasons, why it could be this way, but we need to look at them one at a time to see what's not working right. Let's go back to the Tools menu and..."
(This time she listens and checks things as I ask her to look places. We find the problem in the second area we look. Everything is OK now.)
Me: "OK, does everything look OK and work right now."
J: "It's OK now"
(I head back to my desk, but before I can sit down...)
J: "Oh, the numbers don't match..."
(I head back and help with that too...)

One of the nice things though is that checking the numbers is something she hadn't been doing in the past. Now she is doing a sample of them and after I explained things to her, she is going to work with R. (who made the changes) to fix the the numbers. OK, it does take time to solve these problems, but she is learning and finding some of the problems before sending them on to me to find on my own. So, things are improving as we go along. Still, it can take a bit of time some days. A few others came by with their questions too, but the more we share and help each other, the more we can all do things better and faster. Unfortunately, I only got through half of MY email...

The outside telephone lines at work were out today, so that made some things quieter (no calls), but harder to do some things too. I was busy enough without getting the calls, so I'll call it a positive thing overall. :)

It is official now. Mike C. and I are heading to Xuzhou China next week. We leave Sunday morning and return Saturday night. Leaving around 8 AM Sunday gets us to Shanghai a little after 5 PM (18+ hours after we leave here) where we will spend the night and fly the rest of the way around 8 AM Tuesday morning. They have the hotels reserved, which seem to be nice ones with heat (got to love the internet and google). That was nice to know, since when another person went to a different factory in China, they put him in the dorms and the only heat in his room was from an electric heater that they brought in for him. He also used the group showers and only had a small (0.5 m X 0.5 m square) towel.

Still, the factory may not be heated. (The other one has marble floors and a lobby that is over 10 meters deep and 25 meters across - looking more like a museum since it had art work positioned throughout it. Luckily, I went there in the Fall when the temperatures were nice. However, it does not have heating in it.) So, I checked sports stores at lunch for thermal underwear. Since it MAY be heated - or we may be moving a lot - or may be in parts of the production area where it could be warm, I needed something that would be good for a wide range of temperatures. After a few checks (and over $60/pair total), I am now the owner of silk long johns and a silk long sleeved t-shirt. I could have gotten cheaper things, but not to cover the range I may need. Also, some stores here didn't have the right sizes (small, children and lady sizes didn't really seem to be what I wanted to squeeze into).

It will be a rushed trip, but there is a chance I can get some pictures (night only due to the travel schedule) of Shanghai with me new camera. It would be nice to go back another time (when the weather is better - lol) and spend a weekend or more looking around too. This time we need to rush back since the head guy in the company will be at our site the Monday after we get back. Life is not boring. :)

I locked up and set the alarm at work when I left, checked another store and started here. Time goes too fast.

Current Mood: mellow

Rainy day
Last day before back to work tomorrow.

Relaxed and just did some catching up here, finances, talked with the roomies and goofed off. It is amazing how easily I can get distracted with things when I'm just taking it easy and don't have any "must do" things.

I'd like to have had more time off, but it will be good to be back at work - especially if I'm heading off to China to work at the end of the week. I'll know more about that tomorrow.

I spent part of the day organizing things in my bedroom. Life has been busy, so I got a bit disorganized. I prefer things to be neat and easy to find. Sometimes, when I need something and can't find it (usually due to disorganization, but sometimes due to "help" from roomies in the public areas), I'll just buy a new one. It is the balance of time vs. money benefits. So, during the organizing, I found a few duplicates. I'm making progress, but have more to do.

I also like having more things computerized. That takes up less work and I do a pretty good job of putting things into the right folders.

I mentioned the new camera before. I found a place that has some models come in and lets people come and take pictures of them. I decided to try it out since I didn't have any big plans and it wasn't that expensive. So, I was about to sign up online and called to do the final checking before hitting return. They were on, but not doing the shoot at the gym they had mentioned, but at a backup location in a specialty auto repair shop. It still would be a new experience so I decided to go ahead and do it.

I got there and found out that some of the ones that usually run it were either sick or out of town. So, there was only one guy setting things up. I helped with the lights, but he only had two and they weren't the more powerful ones that he had planned (oops). They had forgotten the backdrops, so had used some canvas instead. It worked out OK, but wasn't really all that artistic.

There were going to be 12 photographers there, but most were running late and it turned out to actually only be 6 of us (one of whom had actually showed up to be a model in the future and wanted to see how it would go). There were three models - two girls and one guy. We started late so did some shots outside on the guys corvette, but still had the two planned sessions with a break between them. We didn't get to really pose the people much, but went with what the guy doing three people's jobs came up with. Still, I got a chance to vary exposures, settings, conditions and such, so that was good and I got a number of good pictures. With a digital camera, I'm doing the "take a lot of pictures and learn from even the bad ones" school of photography now. Everyone was taking hundreds of pictures since the models were moving to different positions all the time. I ended up with a few over 800 myself. I'll take some time looking at them and decide what to do with better.

Unfortunately, with the weaker lights, we had to use flash assist to get good pictures. Without it, the movement blurred parts of the models. Sometimes, more than one flash would go off at the same time and overexpose the shots, but not too often. Lots to learn ... I may go again...

Day off
Kinda of an easy day, but didn't get as much done as planned.

Nothing really significant today, but at least I'm writing here and keeping up with Quicken entries (which were easy to do when I didn't spend anything). I need to have more planning for more significant things, but it can be nice to just relax and do nothing at times too.

New Years - Time off from Work
OK, I have the permanent membership now. So I really should keep posting regularly.

With work and things being so "interesting" last year, some "optional" thing got dropped. A few things (I should go back and add, but... I'll see if I do) to summarize it.

WORK: Every six months, we have an system audit at work. We have 30 days (calendar days) to get a plan to the auditor to correct things. We have 90 days to complete everything. Of course, we need to get the things in a few days early to avoid the problem of our missing something and still have time to do it before it is too late. Here is how it works at work.
1 - The auditor comes for a day and a half and finds things.
2 - Work has me organize the list of issues and help get them to the people over those areas.
3 - Everyone says when they will have a plan.
4 - As the deadline gets closer, I remind people we are almost out of time.
5 - After their self-imposed deadlines, the General Manager asks me how it is going.
6 - I tell him that only one or two did what they said they would do.
7 - He asks me to follow up and get the things in by the (now rapidly approaching) deadline.
8 - People complain that it is not fair and that they were busy so why do they really need to do anything.
9 - I work with them (and often do it for them) and we barely get things in before the deadline for the plans.
10 - Since the plans have dates on them, I mention them now and then when it comes up.
11 - A while before the final deadline, I remind people we are almost out of time.
12 - The General Manager asks me how it is going.
13 - I tell him that only one or two did what they said they would do.
14 - He asks me to follow up and get the things in by the (now rapidly approaching) deadline.
15 - People complain that it is not fair and that they were busy so why do they really need to do anything.
16 - I work with them (and often do it for them) and we barely get things in before the final deadline.
(Hmm - the pattern looks a lot like the one as we approached the deadline for plans.)
Sadly, where I work now, we don't see ramifications of not doing what we commit to do. Since I'm the responsible one that does my work, I get the opportunity to help others too. But, to be fair, things average out. I come in early and leave late while others come in late and early, so it averages out. I do what is needed while some others do a great job of keeping up on their other things. One that teaches outside work does his grading and lesson planning at work at times. Some of us have a agreement when we see one person start to talk to a person, we will call that person in a few minutes - otherwise, it can take an hour to get away (sports and politics are important to discuss instead of work).

Options:
A - I could not do the audit things, but then if we miss the deadline: 1 - We loose our certification. 2 - The auditor would need to come back for a full week for a complete inspection instead of less than two days, likely finding more things to fix. 3 - Either it would take more of my time (like it did when we first got certified) or we wouldn't be re-certified - meaning customers would not buy from us and we would go out of business. I don't what to happen to my friends there (most of whom are not responsible for the areas with problems).
B - I could update the General Manager more often and ask him to get the people to do their work. Yeah, Right. He is the one that doesn't follow up with anything other than money. He allowed the work environment to change more completely to a do what you like and don't worry about the consequences.

Also, to make things more interesting. A few weeks before the deadline last time, the General Manager had a request for me to be send to another plant to help them with some problems. I explained that the timing was not the best (deadline coming the day after I would be back - the 90th day), but no problem, I had to go and it would work out OK. So, a "quick two weeks" in Taiwan where I found out the auditor had an issue and needed things completed 1 working day earlier which meant not Monday, but the Friday I would still be in Taiwan. Of course, still no problem - the people here just said it was not fair they shouldn't have problems or issues. Interestingly, instead of doing anything to get them done by the Friday, when we would have sent them in anyway if we were to have ANY time to correct issues if what we submitted was not right, they just did other things (busy people). So, after working - and going out to eat (and, yes, some did drink too) - I finished the required things JBIT (Just BARELY In Time), but didn't tell the people here. They didn't even ask about it when I got back. They didn't ask if anything was needed, but just ignored it. After the 90th day, I reminded the General Manager who asked what I'd done about it. Ah, the joy of being responsible. (At times I really do think it may be time to change, but am also concerned about my friends there... Still... this can not keep up.)

OK, I mentioned the trip to Taiwan. That was follow up less than two weeks later with another trip to Taiwan for another two weeks. It is a bit difficult to get things caught up here when I'm there 25% of the time. There were some cool things to see and I got some good pictures, but it gets tiring after a bit. (Yeah, I should add more details here too.)

At least they decided I didn't need to go back in December. (Our auditor came back after Thanksgiving, so we needed to submit our plan before Christmas, but that wasn't the issue, it was saving money. Not that I'm complaining about not going.) Now I won't be heading back for the two weeks in Taiwan until February. Even though they want me back again in January, it turns out (surprise call back into work this week during our "shutdown") that they want me in China in January instead.

On the bright side, I did get a raise at the first of 2008. Also, I've surprised some by telling them I would help them learn how to do their work, but not do it for them - that was for issues that were not part of the time-critical / waited until the last minute / too late for them to do audit stuff. Instead of the LONG days, I'm actually leaving more on time now - I admit I often am the last one out and lock up, but... not as late as before.

OK, enough about work for now.

FAMILY (Brother, his wife and the nephew)
Nephew - I get a Christmas card, but that is the only contact.
Brother's wife - only talks to be through my brother. When they wanted me to sign some things about part of the ranch that we inherited, she even had him invite me to come out and spend time with them. Ironically, that was a couple weeks after I'd been out there and she had been too busy and not feeling well enough to come the 10 miles to see me or let me go to where they live and see her. Also, after the things had been taken care of and signed, she never mentioned the offer again.
Brother - He calls me regularly - every time he needs something. The needs and stories change. I've gotten now to the point of asking if they have done anything about the things they asked me to help with in the past. Since they have been too busy, I tell them I can help when they have time, but until they do something too, I can't do more. (I may expand on this later.)

ROOMIES:
The one that has been here for two years now is cool. We can talk together and even go grab something to eat or see a movie now and then.
The other one has been behind in paying his share of rent and utilities. He has money enough to buy things at yard sales (and pile them up here), but the rest slipped by. OK, as the responsible one, I covered - it is NOT GOOD to have the electricity turned off because they didn't get the full payment. Instead of talking, he used to rush off to his room and close the door whenever I came home. I finally got a chance to talk to him and he paid half of what he owed - and promised to pay the rest in Jan. (He had also promised to clean up his stuff in the commonly used rooms, but only did a bit, then added more. I will need to keep reminding him. However, then it seems like he hides more and avoids me, so it is harder to remind him. I only remind him of things like that when we are the only two around and then not every time either. I want to have some positive interaction with him so it is not just nagging.) Definitely time for a change, but... we work the same place (part of the problem) and he owes a bit. If he or I moved, it would be harder to get the money back. However, possibly later... either he does what he needs to do, or he moves. (After all, the good roomie and I shouldn't have to move just because of him and the place is in my name.) The joy of living with some friends...

I have also been involved with the computer community/game "Second Life." I seemed to pick up the things well and was able to build and script things well. I made friends there too. Anyone surprised that after a bit, the friends asked me for help and how to do things? So I was teaching classes after a bit. It is good to help and to share, but also nice to have time to just relax and enjoy.

Looking at the main things taking my time last year, it seems a bit hectic and gloomy. There have been good things too.

These last couple of weeks, I have been taking it easier than usual. I got a new Nikon D60 camera from Christmas. (I wonder how I know that I would like it as I gave it to myself as a Christmas present?) I got some accessories for it on ebay. I've kind of bummed around and taken pictures of things and for people with it. (The pictures of people were also for me - a chance to learn more about it and to practice.)

I took around 200 pictures of Christmas lights and such at the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple last night. I started as it was still light and continued until after full dark. I used different setting and filters to get different effects. Today, I looked at some of them again and evaluated. Lots of options and possibilities.

Regular Filter

Using an 8 point star filter - stars, but there are so many lights, they blur together.

OK, I did a post, not what I expected as I started out tonight (and it WAS Jan. 1st when I started), but a post.

Current Mood: Reflective

Timing
It has been a while since I've posted. I remember when I was posting regularly (a WHILE back), it would be nice to have a permanent account. Well, I checked at the right time, so decided to do it - partially to motivate myself to post more.

Life has been hectic. Work is very busy, but since the things from customers are slowing down, they cut the work weeks and are laying some people off. However, for some of us that don't have any backup and don't work on the order, but more of the infrastructure, that doesn't mean any less work. At least I'll be using some vacation time to fill out the time on the "everyone is now cut back to 32 hours a week" plan. That means I don't loose the vacation by max'ing out the cap. It also means that I'll let more things slide since I have a hard time working even later (salary, so no extra money for extra time) to make up for working one less day a week. Sometimes the decisions don't make a lot of sense. Oh well, this too shall pass.

Kinda late, so I'll just do this intro post, then work on longer ones from here out. I need more time...

Irony
Ironic that the last entry - in March - noted I'd been inconsistant in being here. In hindsight, inconsistent was better than nothing for months. Time to get back into this!!!