Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
August already? I'm ready for a Vacation!
Is it August already? What happened to July? With the traveling I did and the yukky weather keeping me inside on the weekends, I guess I didn't notice that summer is supposed to be here. I've not been avery good correspondent, that's for sure.
I spent a week in Atlanta again, and my time there is going by very quickly these days. I am working with a guy we just hired, Jeff, and he and I have lots to do to get the mobile chipper product line going. I've been trying to put out the 'fires" in the field before I hand it over to Jeff, and one of the fires just doesn't seem to want to go out. It is difficult when you need the support of the BRUKS office in Sweden, and EVERYONE in Sweden is on HOLIDAY all of the month of July, and most of August. It sure crushes motivation on this side of the Atlantic, I can tell you, and customers are not understanding when you tell them you will have an answer in 3-4 weeks! I hate this part of the year for that reason.
Last week I shot through Oregon with Jeff, showing him some of our installations and visiting a mobile chipper down near Roseburg. We had a very nice visit, and the weather was good for most of the trip. We capped it off with a golf outing on Thursday afternoon, and we discovered that we are about even in golf scores (although I believe that he is actually much better and is just rusty).
This week I am working from home, chasing down a couple of projects that are about to become orders. Both are in Oregon, and both are biomass for energy projects. Good work fo rus, but things are hopping all over and the demands on engineering and project management in other corners of this company are mounting. We don't turn away work, but the lead times are beginning to stretch out for drawings. It looks good for me, however, as my commission check is not dependent on the engineering department doing their thing in a timely manner. The customer can get pissed and I have to deal with that, but the check cashes just the same...
Next week we are off to our summer vacation, and we are going to Kellogg, ID for a week of bicycling and fun in the sun. We stayed in this little white house last year, and loved it. Shannon and Clint will be with Judy and I for the week, and my cousin and her family will be with us on Sunday night. The weahter there is always sunny, and the temps are in the 90's. We can't wait to get sun burned and sweaty. There is a rails-to-trails ride along the Couer d'Alene River and Lake C d'A where we will ride. On the southern end of the lake there is a town called Harrison where they have great ice cream stores, and riding to Harrison for a triple scoop cone sounds like a great idea. Or maybe a milkshake. Or both! If you ride there on a bicycle you can eat ice cream guilt free and not gain weight, right?
My heart is breaking for my friends in Spokane. They are dealing with a triple scoop of bad luck! Mark broke his leg in March, and is only now healing past the cast stage. Anne broke her arm this past weekend. And now they have to move to Olympia for Mark's work! Cripes! at least they will be closer to us in Olympia (90 miles away) than in Spokane (260 miles away). Maybe our healing powers will help Anne get better, and I know of some pretty good golf courses down that way that will help Mark find his swing groove again. I can hope, anyway.
If you have given up checking this blog due to inactivity I certainly understand. I had intended to make this a more frequent stop for me as I hit airport after airport, or in recent times, hotel after hotel along I-5, but I have been remiss. Kick my butt, metaphorically, by sending a courteously worded response to this blog and let me know how you feel abandoned. It will help motivate me in the future...
I spent a week in Atlanta again, and my time there is going by very quickly these days. I am working with a guy we just hired, Jeff, and he and I have lots to do to get the mobile chipper product line going. I've been trying to put out the 'fires" in the field before I hand it over to Jeff, and one of the fires just doesn't seem to want to go out. It is difficult when you need the support of the BRUKS office in Sweden, and EVERYONE in Sweden is on HOLIDAY all of the month of July, and most of August. It sure crushes motivation on this side of the Atlantic, I can tell you, and customers are not understanding when you tell them you will have an answer in 3-4 weeks! I hate this part of the year for that reason.
Last week I shot through Oregon with Jeff, showing him some of our installations and visiting a mobile chipper down near Roseburg. We had a very nice visit, and the weather was good for most of the trip. We capped it off with a golf outing on Thursday afternoon, and we discovered that we are about even in golf scores (although I believe that he is actually much better and is just rusty).
This week I am working from home, chasing down a couple of projects that are about to become orders. Both are in Oregon, and both are biomass for energy projects. Good work fo rus, but things are hopping all over and the demands on engineering and project management in other corners of this company are mounting. We don't turn away work, but the lead times are beginning to stretch out for drawings. It looks good for me, however, as my commission check is not dependent on the engineering department doing their thing in a timely manner. The customer can get pissed and I have to deal with that, but the check cashes just the same...
Next week we are off to our summer vacation, and we are going to Kellogg, ID for a week of bicycling and fun in the sun. We stayed in this little white house last year, and loved it. Shannon and Clint will be with Judy and I for the week, and my cousin and her family will be with us on Sunday night. The weahter there is always sunny, and the temps are in the 90's. We can't wait to get sun burned and sweaty. There is a rails-to-trails ride along the Couer d'Alene River and Lake C d'A where we will ride. On the southern end of the lake there is a town called Harrison where they have great ice cream stores, and riding to Harrison for a triple scoop cone sounds like a great idea. Or maybe a milkshake. Or both! If you ride there on a bicycle you can eat ice cream guilt free and not gain weight, right?
My heart is breaking for my friends in Spokane. They are dealing with a triple scoop of bad luck! Mark broke his leg in March, and is only now healing past the cast stage. Anne broke her arm this past weekend. And now they have to move to Olympia for Mark's work! Cripes! at least they will be closer to us in Olympia (90 miles away) than in Spokane (260 miles away). Maybe our healing powers will help Anne get better, and I know of some pretty good golf courses down that way that will help Mark find his swing groove again. I can hope, anyway.
If you have given up checking this blog due to inactivity I certainly understand. I had intended to make this a more frequent stop for me as I hit airport after airport, or in recent times, hotel after hotel along I-5, but I have been remiss. Kick my butt, metaphorically, by sending a courteously worded response to this blog and let me know how you feel abandoned. It will help motivate me in the future...
Friday, July 8, 2011
Tour de France Update
I have to comment on the Tour de France this year. I watch this race every July, and I have loved to watch the play between the many teams, the interplay between the riders, and the strategies that are played out in all the 22+ stages played out over the entire month. Lance made a huge difference to me, and watching him was always a highlight.
This year things are different. Lance is gone and retired. Team Radio Shack is very different. I'm rooting for riders from Belgium and Norway. It is just different.
Today was quite terrible. It was a sunny day, and things seemed to be going well. Then, all of a sudden, a huge crash knocked out 80+ riders. Some were able to get back on their bikes and try and get back into the race, One in particular was knocked out, managed to get back up on his bike, and eventually finished 12.5 minutes after the rest (which is a long time in the TdF, I can tell you). This rider is Chris Horner, and he is a neat and special guy. At the finish line he didn't know where he was, was asking what happened, when did he crash, and questions like that. Very scary. He was taken to the hospital for tests, and I'm waiting to hear the results. I don't expect to see him in the race tomorrow.
Levi Leipheimer is another of my favorites, and while he was involved in the crash he seems to have survived in OK physical condition, although he lost time. He is a team mate of Chris', and they often rode together.
Team Radio Shack is not doing well this year. Each team is allowed 9 riders at the start, and they can't add replacements if people are not able to finish. Radio Shack is down to maybe 6 riders at this point, and they need 5 to be a viable team in the race. Fewer than 5 and they are disqualified. Of the 4 contenders they had at the start, 3 have been knocked out by crashes. This is not good.
This year things are different. Lance is gone and retired. Team Radio Shack is very different. I'm rooting for riders from Belgium and Norway. It is just different.
Today was quite terrible. It was a sunny day, and things seemed to be going well. Then, all of a sudden, a huge crash knocked out 80+ riders. Some were able to get back on their bikes and try and get back into the race, One in particular was knocked out, managed to get back up on his bike, and eventually finished 12.5 minutes after the rest (which is a long time in the TdF, I can tell you). This rider is Chris Horner, and he is a neat and special guy. At the finish line he didn't know where he was, was asking what happened, when did he crash, and questions like that. Very scary. He was taken to the hospital for tests, and I'm waiting to hear the results. I don't expect to see him in the race tomorrow.
Levi Leipheimer is another of my favorites, and while he was involved in the crash he seems to have survived in OK physical condition, although he lost time. He is a team mate of Chris', and they often rode together.
Team Radio Shack is not doing well this year. Each team is allowed 9 riders at the start, and they can't add replacements if people are not able to finish. Radio Shack is down to maybe 6 riders at this point, and they need 5 to be a viable team in the race. Fewer than 5 and they are disqualified. Of the 4 contenders they had at the start, 3 have been knocked out by crashes. This is not good.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
July 7 - Situation normal
People check my blog! Who knew? I'm getting feedback from my postings, and I love it. Thanks!
This week is an in-house week. I am working on a series of proposals and follow-up documents that relate to my work on biomass energy projects. The email has been brisk, and the phone calls are numerous. People are on vacation, but not everyone. I am getting in contact with folks, and they are calling me about this and that. Good times for a sales suy.
Next week will be an out-house week (literally!). I will be in south central Oregon Monday and Tuesday, Vancouver BC on Wednesday, and who knows on Thursday and Friday? The week is still young! Maybe Idaho and Spokane. I have a need to visit there, and with a couple of days to plan, maybe I can make something happen. Actually, I have a project in Powell River, BC, which is a short ferry ride from Vancouver, so if I have to be in Van on Wednesday it may make sense to travel to Powell River and visit there.... We'll see.
Beek and Will arrive on Thursday evening, so if I can I should be here then. They are attending and participating in a wedding over the weekend, and will not be around much for us, but Thursday night they will be here, and a bit on Saturday morning. Kids... They grow up just like their parents...
This week is an in-house week. I am working on a series of proposals and follow-up documents that relate to my work on biomass energy projects. The email has been brisk, and the phone calls are numerous. People are on vacation, but not everyone. I am getting in contact with folks, and they are calling me about this and that. Good times for a sales suy.
Next week will be an out-house week (literally!). I will be in south central Oregon Monday and Tuesday, Vancouver BC on Wednesday, and who knows on Thursday and Friday? The week is still young! Maybe Idaho and Spokane. I have a need to visit there, and with a couple of days to plan, maybe I can make something happen. Actually, I have a project in Powell River, BC, which is a short ferry ride from Vancouver, so if I have to be in Van on Wednesday it may make sense to travel to Powell River and visit there.... We'll see.
Beek and Will arrive on Thursday evening, so if I can I should be here then. They are attending and participating in a wedding over the weekend, and will not be around much for us, but Thursday night they will be here, and a bit on Saturday morning. Kids... They grow up just like their parents...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Summer! It found us!
Man, I've got to blog more. I am so behind on things that are going on. You all deserve better!
We made a pact in our house - no more complaining about the weather. Rain is a way of life. so, once we made this pact the clouds dispersed and the sun came out. It is WONDERFUL and we are all loving it. Warm. Sunny. Summer. yippee.
Saturday we visited John and Ginny in Moses Lake. I borrowed his bicycle last fall and I felt guilty still having it my garage when it could just as easily have been in his garage. Judy, Marilyn, and I all drove over, and we brought our friend David Oldham from Kentucky. He hadn't really seen the dry side of Washington, so we gave him a proper tour. Moses Lake was quite nice when we were there, and our visit back through Dry Falls was educational and very interesting. It seemed like a long day to me, but Marilyn was very interested in the history of my state, and the distribution of my relatives. We drive through Douglas, and Farmer, and Waterville. If you don't know, Waterville is named for the one thing that there is none of. Really.
The 4th was quiet around here. Did I say quiet? There were explosions all over, with the neighbors clearly enjoying the freedom to be crazy on the 4th! Judy was in her element - she loves fireworks and explosions. She was out on the deck watching them all. I went to bed early, and she enjoyed the display.
This week is so beautiful aroung here it is hard to stay working. The sun is out, and I feel like golfing/bicycling/kayaking. What to do? It is a hard decision.
I'm thinking about Idaho in August, and how much fun we will have just kicking back and enjoying the space there. Fro the 6th to the 14th or so, we will be in Kellogg, bicycling, visiting, golfing, and being. I can't wait.
We made a pact in our house - no more complaining about the weather. Rain is a way of life. so, once we made this pact the clouds dispersed and the sun came out. It is WONDERFUL and we are all loving it. Warm. Sunny. Summer. yippee.
Saturday we visited John and Ginny in Moses Lake. I borrowed his bicycle last fall and I felt guilty still having it my garage when it could just as easily have been in his garage. Judy, Marilyn, and I all drove over, and we brought our friend David Oldham from Kentucky. He hadn't really seen the dry side of Washington, so we gave him a proper tour. Moses Lake was quite nice when we were there, and our visit back through Dry Falls was educational and very interesting. It seemed like a long day to me, but Marilyn was very interested in the history of my state, and the distribution of my relatives. We drive through Douglas, and Farmer, and Waterville. If you don't know, Waterville is named for the one thing that there is none of. Really.
The 4th was quiet around here. Did I say quiet? There were explosions all over, with the neighbors clearly enjoying the freedom to be crazy on the 4th! Judy was in her element - she loves fireworks and explosions. She was out on the deck watching them all. I went to bed early, and she enjoyed the display.
This week is so beautiful aroung here it is hard to stay working. The sun is out, and I feel like golfing/bicycling/kayaking. What to do? It is a hard decision.
I'm thinking about Idaho in August, and how much fun we will have just kicking back and enjoying the space there. Fro the 6th to the 14th or so, we will be in Kellogg, bicycling, visiting, golfing, and being. I can't wait.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
2 or not to 2? That is the Question!
I've walked into the Apple Store several times with the express purpose of walking out with an iPad 2, only to leave empty handed. as I have vowed to manage this blog only with an iPad I could possibly justify the purchase by being more efficient, or perhaps by having room for more cool apps, or some such fuzzy thinking reasoning. However, I am using here the same iPad I first purchased and I can't bring myself to pull the trigger dor the new one. It just doesn't do enough more than this one to justify the cost. End of story.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
GA, TN, KS, and Home
I find it ironic that the more I travel, the less I blog. It seems that the process of pulling out my iPad and jotting some thoughts as I fly from here to there just doesn't seem to happen. Clint may be to blame. He introduced me to a new game called Plants vs. Zombies, and I can report that I have achieved Level 5-5, but my overall productivity may be somewhat off.
Let me catch you up with where I have been. Memorial Day found me at the Crystal Falls Golf Club, in Ball Ground GA. I played a round of 18 holes with 3 others from BRUKS and had a great time. I flew overnight, hit the ground running, and we tee'd off at 10:50 at a temperature of about 88F, and it quickly went to the mid-90's. I did OK, for me, but I was the worst of the 4 of us. The heat, the beer, and my tiredness combined to fell this oak, and when I got back to the room I literally fell asleep immediately. I napped for 2 hours, and then went out for a simple dinner.
Tuesday I spent in the office interviewing applicants for a position we had open. Wednesday I drove from Atlanta to western Alabama, and I had lunch in Tuscaloosa, AL, in the area of recent devastation. Thursday was half in the office, which including extending an offer of employment to one of the candidates, and then off to the airport to pick up Judy, Shannon, and Clint for our Tremper vacation in the Smoky Mountains! Actually they took the Marta to save me some time!
Anyway, on the way to the vacation my rental car was rear-ended. I had a sort f premonition about this, so when it happened I was mentally prepared. Interestingly the offending driver contacted Progressive Insurance, and they called me with the incident number and the necessary contact info, so when I turned the car in it was no problem and I was not required to pay anything. How many rental cars do I rent in a year, and this is my second incident. Pretty good record, I think.
We stayed Thursday through Sunday at Gatlinburg, TN. What a great time to spend with all the Trempers! We were 15 at the zenith, and we all had a great time. Hiking in the mountains. White water rafting on the Pigeon River. Beer drinking. Eating. Visiting with close and distant relatives. Bears walking through the parking area. Corn hole! Playing pool in the basement. Hot tub sitting with 8 people at once! Sitting on the porch playing games. Just hanging out. It was wonderful.
No sooner did I get home but I headed out to Kansas City on Monday, and spent the day there on Tuesday. It was in the high 90's and clear, but it didn't seem all that hot. I had a very good meeting with my customer, and that project looks like it will proceed with my company supplying the equipment, so things are going well.
Today I played basketball at the Y at noon. Having not played in 2 weeks my game was a bit off, but at least I got sweaty running around. I need the exercise.
More trips are planned, but I will let the next posting cover those. Keep traveling! Keep your eyes open! Have fun!
Let me catch you up with where I have been. Memorial Day found me at the Crystal Falls Golf Club, in Ball Ground GA. I played a round of 18 holes with 3 others from BRUKS and had a great time. I flew overnight, hit the ground running, and we tee'd off at 10:50 at a temperature of about 88F, and it quickly went to the mid-90's. I did OK, for me, but I was the worst of the 4 of us. The heat, the beer, and my tiredness combined to fell this oak, and when I got back to the room I literally fell asleep immediately. I napped for 2 hours, and then went out for a simple dinner.
Tuesday I spent in the office interviewing applicants for a position we had open. Wednesday I drove from Atlanta to western Alabama, and I had lunch in Tuscaloosa, AL, in the area of recent devastation. Thursday was half in the office, which including extending an offer of employment to one of the candidates, and then off to the airport to pick up Judy, Shannon, and Clint for our Tremper vacation in the Smoky Mountains! Actually they took the Marta to save me some time!
Anyway, on the way to the vacation my rental car was rear-ended. I had a sort f premonition about this, so when it happened I was mentally prepared. Interestingly the offending driver contacted Progressive Insurance, and they called me with the incident number and the necessary contact info, so when I turned the car in it was no problem and I was not required to pay anything. How many rental cars do I rent in a year, and this is my second incident. Pretty good record, I think.
We stayed Thursday through Sunday at Gatlinburg, TN. What a great time to spend with all the Trempers! We were 15 at the zenith, and we all had a great time. Hiking in the mountains. White water rafting on the Pigeon River. Beer drinking. Eating. Visiting with close and distant relatives. Bears walking through the parking area. Corn hole! Playing pool in the basement. Hot tub sitting with 8 people at once! Sitting on the porch playing games. Just hanging out. It was wonderful.
No sooner did I get home but I headed out to Kansas City on Monday, and spent the day there on Tuesday. It was in the high 90's and clear, but it didn't seem all that hot. I had a very good meeting with my customer, and that project looks like it will proceed with my company supplying the equipment, so things are going well.
Today I played basketball at the Y at noon. Having not played in 2 weeks my game was a bit off, but at least I got sweaty running around. I need the exercise.
More trips are planned, but I will let the next posting cover those. Keep traveling! Keep your eyes open! Have fun!
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