Hot Day Today

Today was a scorcher. I loved it. High was in the 90s, humidity probably around 60 to 70 percent. My kind of weather. Too bad I was working outside and sweating in it. I would rather have been playing outside in it, like baseball or basketball. People just don't understand how I can like hot weather. I love hot weather. It means a lot of things to me. Summer is coming which was good when I was a kid (school was out). It means baseball season and baseball is my all time favorite sport. You can spend all day outside without freezing. I hate winter (I think I've mentioned that many times before). Oh yeah, my birthday is in the summer time, though I don't know if I'll celebrate it this year. I'm turning 32 and that age really doesn't mean much. It's a Sunday this year and I have to work the next day. And I'm working on my birthday, too. I haven't told anyone it's my birthday and I don't plan on telling anyone, either. But yeah, it's summer time and I love it. :-)

I hate mornings!

I hope I get used to waking up early in the morning sometime soon. Right now, I am getting up at 6 am to get to work at 7. I know, I know, it's not early to you all, but when you are used to waking at 8 or 8:30, that is early. I think by the time I get used to it, the summer will be over and I won't need to be up that early. At least I'll be used to it for my 8:30 am classes this fall.

In other news, my first crush contacted me this week. What a surprise! My lovely brother Tom ran into her parents and told them about me last year, and I guess, they have been updating her about me. Even then, I didn't think she'd take time out to e-mail me. I haven't seen her in 17 years. She e-mailed me and wants to chat, I guess about what's going on with our lives. I'm still in shock. I haven't yet gotten to talk to her, so it will be interesting to say the least. I'll guess I'll keep you updated. Hey, this may be the first exciting thing to happen me in a while. It might make an interesting story sometime.

The Love Affair has Ended

I knew it was bound to happen. I finally did something at my new job that I absolutely hated. I was on a job site measuring the thickness of fireproofing on I-bars. It is so tedious and boring. I really prefer the lab work, but since I am only a summer employee, I go where I am told to go. At least, I keep doing different things which will be really good on my resume. I hope I get to go back in the lab soon.

Ahhh...the Weekend!

I'm so glad the weekend is here. It means I can sleep in on Saturday (Yay!). Of course, now that means 8:30 or 9 AM, but that's an extra two hours or so of sleep for me. I'll take it.

Right now, I have two weeks under my belt at the summer employment, and so far, I'm still loving it. I'm working mostly in the lab doing lab work (which I love), and once in a while, I get to go out in the field, doing some field testing of concrete. The point of this job (besides money, which is always good as it pays the bills...literally), is for the experience. This will look so good on my resume. And it does help that I am having fun. I still feel like a slacker when I come home as I don't really have anything to do when I'm here, but that will end next week. I start my summer class on Tuesday evening, Steel Structures. Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Hey, it is an important thing for me to learn. Heck, even though I'll have a degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis on structures, I might not even end up working in that field. I really do like this geotechnical stuff I'm doing. I'm not switching because I do not want to take another year or so to finish. I'm getting older and I don't want to be in my mid-thirties by the time I'm finished. At this point, I'll be 32 next spring when I finish all the work for the BS, and I think that is too old to be going to school full time, especially when I'm ready to get married and have children. And no, this does not mean I've met someone that I am ready to marry, but you never know what will happen.

Hopefully, I have a date tonight, so I'm going to relax a bit and watch a little television. Have a good one, y'all.

First Day on the Job

Well, today was my first day on my summer job. It's blue collar work, for now, but stuff that will definitely come in handy when I actually have a career. Not only that, I even got a raise. On my first day. Only because I have experience, well, at least taking classes. Time for a nap. Just wanted to share.

Help!

I do not know how to relax! I had my last final yesterday, so I'm done for the semester, don't have a class again for two weeks, yet here I sit feeling anxious because I feel I should be doing something, anything. I have been in school way too long so that any downtime I have I feel I must be doing something. I could read, which I probably will, but even then, I feel like I am neglecting work that must be done. I wonder if my sister ever had this problem after her semesters were over. It will be very weird once I am done with school forever. I think because of that, I may take at least one college class every semester for the rest of my life. I can't stand not having anything to do. I'll be a fun guy when I retire.

One more to go...

Four finals down, and one to go. I should be studying for it, but for some reason, I'm not really worried about it. Actually, I just got out of one final. Easy exam. Right now, it's looking like I'll get 3 A's and 2 B's this semester. I can live with those grades. I need a nap, but I'm hungry and my next final is at two. My coffee is cold and I want to go home. I know, I should stop complaining and buckle down and study, but this is more fun. Four more hours till my last final, and I'm just so ready for it. Okay, I'll study for a little bit, get lunch in about an hour or so, then study some more. Yeehaw.

I got a job!

Well, a summer job, but it's a job where I can actually use my education (other than teaching). I'll be working in a construction firm doing some testing of materials, which I did in a class this past semester, and may get to go out in the field once in a while. It'll be great to have real world experience before I get my degree. It will look great on a resume and it means a lot once I search for my first real job after graduation. I'm excited and can't wait. I start Monday. Wish me luck.

New Blog

I started a new blog this weekend. It's on the Royals. Click here to view it. It's nothing special, just something I wanted to put up.

I must really like school....

Okay, first things first. I'm thinking about not getting a BS in Civil Engineering. I may just go ahead and get an MS instead. That will only happen if it won't take me longer. If I could get it by next spring, I'm definitely going to do that. I went down to the Pirates game today with one of my professors (he decided not to have class today - didn't really have to convince me), and he was asking about what I've done and why the heck I'm only getting a BS. The more I think about it, I'm wondering the same thing. If I can get some classes retroactively changed to grad level classes since they are the same classes, just the course numbers are different, I could be done with an MS by the spring. Won't that be nifty? So instead of having two BS's and one MS, I'll have one BS and two MS's....much more impressive, you think? Now, if it is going to take me longer, I am not going to do it. I so want to get out of school. I think I've been educated too much so far (if that is at all possible). I'm so tired of being in class and relearning stuff I learned years ago. I just want to get a job and get out of academia. We'll see and I'll keep you updated.

Happy Easter!

Just want to wish you and yours a Happy Easter!

Actually

I went to visit some married friends of mine yesterday. They just had their second son two weeks ago. The older one, Connor, is such a cute kid. He's a year and a half old and adorable. I hadn't seen him since August, so he's gotten a bit bigger than I last saw him, plus he's walking and talking. And he remembered who I was. I played with him for a little bit, juggled for him (which he loved and wanted me to continue doing), and just hung out with him and my friends. Spending time with them made me really want kids again. I think that if I'm around them when they are that young, I'll love it and get used to it by the time they are older. The more that I do think about it, the more I believe I am ready to start a family. Problem is, I still have to find that someone. I would love to be engaged by this time next year and getting ready to be married next summer. We'll see.

It's only baseball,

But still. It is so hard to be a Royals fan. They looked like they were going to win on Tuesday. And the bullpen gives up 5 runs in the bottom of the eighth to lose 9-7 (to the hated Yankees, no less). And yesterday (Thursday), they pull within 4-3 in the eighth (again!) to give up yet again 5 runs. I love the Royals, but it is just so frustrating to see them running in place like this. I wish I could go back to the days when I was younger and the Royals were actually good. I can at least remember when they won the World Series in 1985, but they haven't really done much since. I also know it's early in the season, but still.

In other news...oh wait, there is no other news. The semester is almost over. I can't wait. I need the break, again. It will be so nice to do things for myself yet again.

I'm sorry you had to be subjected to my boring life. Again, as soon as something exciting happens to me, I'll be sure to share it.

Inappropriate for some people

This is a just a little something I wrote in my down time. Something I had been meaning to write for years, just finally got around to doing it.

NOTE: The title is fitting. If you don't like rough language or certain themes, I would suggest not reading it. If it doesn't bother you, go ahead and enjoy. And if you read it anyway and don't like that kind of stuff, don't say I didn't warn you.



After seven years of marriage,
I could tell she was cheating on me.
I confronted her and told her,
"How could you let this be?"
What she said next still haunts me.
"I didn't mean to be unkind.
My love doesn't have your equipment.
She has a body like mine."

My wife, she left me for a woman.
Oh, how hard can this be?
I never saw this comin'.
How could she do this to me?
I'm not mad that she left,
But this kinda screwed up my life.
Someone commited a spousal theft,
When a woman stole my wife.

This shouldn't be such an amazement.
It really shouldn't rock my world.
She used to listen to Etheridge,
k.d. lang and the Indigo Girls.
She wore a lot of flannel.
She was the stereotypical dyke.
Her name was Michelle,
but she preferred to be called Mike.

It hurt me that the woman I loved,
Didn't want me anymore.
Wouldn't stand for a man to touch her,
Only the feel of a woman was yearned for.

Another Long Boring Day

I sometimes wonder why I decided to go back to school. Well, not really back since I've never really left, but you know what I mean. I forgot how stressful it was between tests and papers and homework due, plus the fact I have to work with others. Just ask my Mom, I'm sure I had many report cards from school that had written or marked on them somewhere "Does not play well with others." I'm still that way. When it comes to doing work, I want to be in charge and don't want to explain it. How I ever was able to teach college astronomy, I'll never know.

On a good note, however, I was able to visit Mimi and her family this past weekend. The older one wanted to play a board game with me on Friday, and I was gracious enough to accept her offer. The younger one wanted to play, too, so we all did. The younger child decided to cheat and then didn't do it very well. The older one was kicking our rear-ends (which I decided I let her do...but in reality, I'm sure she was not having a problem winning anyway. I have to be the good uncle, now don't I?) Halfway through the game, the younger one decided she no longer wanted to play...and this went on for a while. Don't get me wrong, I love them to death, but I am so not used to being around kids, and I just had enough. I now know that I am not jealous of everyone because I don't have any children. I am just not ready for them. I know, I know, no one ever is, but I'm really not. I really enjoy having my freedom right now. Now, if I could find the right woman to be my warden, I'll get over having that sort of freedom.

And shocks of shocks, I have yet to find her. Of course, I'm not really looking at the moment. I have too much on my plate at the moment even to attempt any sort of relationship. I say that now, and then next thing you know, there will be another thing to juggle.

I was bored.

Sometimes I think being single isn't so bad,
When you don't know what you've never had.
No wife, no kids, no cats, no dogs.
Just living life high on the hog.
Work all day, party all night.
But again, something's not right.
Come home to a dark and empty place,
Never to wake to a familiar face.
No one to tell how was your day,
No one saying it will all be okay.
I thought the single life would be the life for me,
But I'm not happy as you can plainly see.
Tired of hearing there's someone for you.
It's just hard to believe that can be true.
Never been hugged, never been kissed.
I want to know what it is I have missed.
Someday soon, I hope this life I lead
Will change for the better, I do plead.
I want a family, I want a wife.
I really don't like this single life.

I Love Spring Break!

I really needed this week. I cannot wait till summer is here so I can work and take one class. Don't get me wrong, I love going to school, but taking as many classes as I am, plus working, does not give me a lot of free time. And it seems that the free time I do have is spent doing homework. I just have to remember: one more year. That is, if I decide not to get another degree. Which at this point, I don't see happening anytime soon, unless it's an online degree.

So what have I been doing this week? Well, I finished all the homework that is due the week after spring break on Friday. I worked a little. I am preparing to write a paper that is due in April. I have all my notes taken and the outline written, so it looks like it won't take that long to write now. I think I'll write it tomorrow. Right now, I'm watching baseball on TV, the WBC. I have missed this sport so much. Doesn't help that the WBC is up against the Big East tournament, but Pitt doesn't play till 9 tonight, so the USA/Canada game will not interfere with the Pitt/Louisville game so I can watch them both. Speaking of sports, I was seriously thinking of sending my two nephews in Kentucky some Steelers's Super Bowl Championship gear, but thought better of it. I'm sure my brother-in-law appreciates that. I did send some to Mom and Dad, as I didn't think anyone else cares as much as I do. I am the only one who is a Steelers' fan, but only after the Kansas City Chiefs.

I was planning on going to visit Mimi's family this week, but things came up. I think, though, that I'll make plans to visit the weekend of the 24th. That gives me enough time to ask for the weekend off from work. Plus, I want to stay here for St. Patrick's Day. I'm going to a party. WOOHOO!

I love being able to sit around and do nothing all day. I woke up this morning at 10:30 (hahaha all you with kids) and am still sitting here on my couch at 3:40. And I want to change this by getting a real job and having kids? What am I thinking? Oh well.

I promise, though, as soon as something exciting happens in my life, I'll share it. Just don't hold your breath.

The Job I Want

I don't know if any of you know what Scaled Composites does, but they are the designers and builders for the Virgin Galactic spacecraft. Last week, I saw online that they are looking to hire people. Unfortunately, I'm not done with school, yet, but I did submit my application into them. I would love to work for them. I've always wanted to do something involving outer space, and for the longest time, I was, working on my Ph.D. in Astronomy. But now, I'm working on a degree in civil engineering with an emphasis on structures. I was thinking of working for NASA, designing and building space stations, but with this possible opportunity, I'll be in on the ground floor of something that will be big someday. And I can look at those spacecraft someday and say to myself, "Hey, I built that. That is so cool."

The only downside I see for maybe working there is that I'll have to move to California. But it would be an opportunity that I could not deny myself. I love Pittsburgh and will miss my friends, but this is something that I feel I was meant to do. I can always come back to visit Pittsburgh, just like I always can go visit my family. Wish me luck.

Reading

I am amazed at how much I can read while I'm riding the bus to school. I used to hate taking the bus, but that was before I started reading on it. In the past two months, I've read three or four books. That may not sound like a lot, but you have to remember that I'm also going to school for an engineering degree full time, and the only time I read right now is while I'm on the bus. I read a book Mom said she could not get into, 1776, but I loved it. If you haven't read it, it's about 1776 during the American Revolution and written based on letters and correspondences of the major (and some minor) players during that year. Right now, I'm reading Ireland by Frank Delaney. It's a pretty good book, too. I have some more books to read before I head back to the book store, so I'm being good and not browsing...yet. I have this tendency to buy books when I have plenty at home that I haven't read yet. I'm down to six that I haven't read yet, but two of them are sequels to books I haven't read yet. I'll probably have to hit the book store when the summer starts. I'll have more time to read then.

Alright, I've taken enough time off from doing homework. Time to tackle Environmental Engineering and drinking a Dunkel. After Tuesday, I won't be able to drink any more beer. I am giving up both caffeine and alcohol for Lent, which I'm not sure is such a good idea. First of all, I work in a bar. Secondly, Saint Patrick's Day is during Lent and I typically like to party on that day. But I'm going to be good. Wish me luck.

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