work

sore sinuses

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I’ve breathed in too much dust while renovating a rental house – plaster dust, airborne debris from scraping up flooring, and general dirt-dust that had seeped in through the walls over the past 113 years.  I had to leave before sundown as my sinuses were so sore.

In the shower this evening, I used NeilMed, a nasal wash, to clean things out.  It certainly helped.  But still, at 8:00pm, my sinuses are sore and I’m coughing.

work bench work

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While Floyd is in Saskatchewan, I’m here.  I delivered him there but found I had nothing to do, so I drove back again and started this project.

Whenever I try to do something heavy, like using the vice, the bench hops around and prevents any serious work being done.  It wasn’t fastened to the walls – it was just sitting directly on the plastic shelving (see pics).

So I pulled it all apart.

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work

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I recently started a new position at a company that makes cabinets as a drafting technologist.  For the past two weeks, I’ve been getting to know the software they use and trying to create an AWMAC compliant room-by-room materials list for a house.  I think they are a good group of people who seriously work hard.  The position, as with most positions out there, comes with a three month probationary period.  I hope I make the cut.  I’ll keep you posted.

In the mean time, there’s still TD.  They also keep me busy.  I’m not sure if I can take on any more clients with them as time is now limited.

seeking new employment

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I’ve been seeking new employment the past few weeks.  ISP did not work out.  They need someone with more experience who can work without an Engineer, and I need a place with more than just one guy (me), with engineering guidance and mentorship.  I think professional development cannot happen on my own, without an Engineer present.  The Engineer stamping ISP‘s work left for another company; ISP emailed him my drawings, and he emailed them back; but there was no two-way communication, nobody for me to ask questions.  I didn’t meet their learning curve expectations.  Yes, a new Engineer was hired, but a) he didn’t have experience in this type of work, and b) he had no authorization to stamp at ISP.

I’ve been seeking other Engineering Technologist / drafting / designing work.  There are a few places hiring.  I’ve had two offers.  Unsure what I will do.  Aizlynn believes I should branch out on my own and follow my dreams of simple living architecture (i.e. “tiny homes”, to use a blanket description).  This is intriguing, but I still feel I need the mentoring and expertise of professionals.

Once a teacher, always a teacher.  I continue to do sideline work in that.  Not a lot of money in it though.  More just a time-user while I seek other employment.  However, all my students show greatness, so I will not give them up.

More as it comes.

spiders in the keyboard

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It was apparently cleaning day at work today.  T moved some desks and debris out of the office as it was a slow work flow day.  I got into the kick of it later as well and finally tackled my computer keyboard, which was covered in … whatever the stuff is that collects on keyboards and the bottoms of computer mice.  I tipped it up-side-down and gave it a few good whacks.  What came out was surprising – not just the volume of grot but something else – a spider!  I nudged it with my finger, and, sure enough, it was alive!  All this time I’ve been using a keyboard with spiders in it.

ISC drafting

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Wow.  Long time since I’ve updated anything here.

I’ve been at ISP as a drafter for a few weeks now.  The first week I was there, there were no new orders.  Well, maybe a couple.  But not enough to get my feet wet with my trainer, P.  P was quitting at the end of the week; drafting was not for him.  But, with no new orders coming in to cut my teeth on, I didn’t get a lot of practise in.  I did calculations, practise drafting of previously done orders, and getting used to AutoCAD again.

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