Sheila and I were up in Portland, returning late two evenings ago. The trip, aside from the air travel, went well. Our early morning flight out of Tucson was delayed, but there was enough buffer in the layover that meant we weren't going to miss our connection in San Jose. However, the flight from San Jose to PDX was also late, and Alaska Airlines for some reason had us exit at some slipshod gate where we had to walk a quarter mile or more to get into the terminal, and then another quarter mile to get our checked bag. Budget Rental Car didn't get on our good side either but that was likely not of their own doing as that Portland was having their Rose Parade later on in the week, and demand was high.
There is more that I would like to write about, as far as Portland and Oregon goes. Before getting into the topic at hand, I want to mention that this was Sheila's first time getting to meet Ken and Gillian, who hosted us after we were done spending time in the Columbia River Gorge.
While I was in Portland, I was reminded of something I saw on TV several years ago. It was some years back; long before I had to suffer exile in Trashcan (excuse me, Las Vegas). I'd guess that this was something that I saw one Sunday afternoon in 2012. I was channel surfing, dwelling into territory that I rarely visit. I was looking at what the religious channels were running, wondering what kind of crooks would be asking for money so that the Lord would in turn make me into a millionaire.
I stopped when I landed on the start of a church service from one of the charismatic churches. I can't recall the name of the church or the name of the small town in Georgia that the church was based in. The congregation was all black, and a rather fiery lady preacher who was the surviving spouse of the previous senior pastor was leading the worship.
It was, shall we say, Pentecostal in nature. Now I don't personally believe in the present-day speaking in tongues, I don't believe in getting carried away and overcome with outward emotion in a service, I like order and a reserved audience. That is just me and the personality type that I suffer from, and my statement of preference here should be taken as just that and not as a statement that my way is the better way. To each their own.
As I'm watching this, and as the camera panned over the audience, they really got going. This one black gentleman who had to be around 75 years of age or so got up and started dancing! I found that fascinating.....I mean, he was really moved, and he got up and danced! No, he wasn't trying to pull one over on Michael Jackson. He was overcome with joy and felt no self-constraint in letting those around him know about it. And I'm thinking, more power to you! It was his way of thanking the Good Lord for his blessing, and I think that in the eyes of the Lord that his form of worship is just as much accepted as mine is.
I had occasion to think about this while I was on my trip. I won't pass along any detail of what reminded me. Maybe I saw someone dance on a street corner. Maybe it was in that movie that we watched with Ken and Gillian. Maybe I woke up from a dream.
As I was reminded of that black gentleman, I also thought of what some other people might have thought of that guy getting up to dance. There might a lot of people out there that would make fun of him. There might be some others who would criticize that form of worship; thinking that dancing is "improper" for one reason or other. There might even be a lot of people out there who think that the dancing septuagenarian is a fool.
There's one thing in common that these detractors would all likely possess: not one of them will be explain why they are a better person than the guy who danced in church.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Friday, May 25, 2018
A Vacation of Sorts...or Two of Them?
A week and a half ago Sheila and I flew to San Jose to visit my parents. It was a long overdue visit and while there we had some time to play tourist. We visited San Juan Batista, which I hadn't been to since March 1991, and then it was over to Monterey and their Fisherman's Wharf, which I hadn't been to since the day I bought my truck which was in November 1995.
We also got to visit with family and friends. Sheila has now finally met Franz and his wife. Circumstances did not allow for a visit with Chip and Gabriela but we plan on being up there again in a few months so hopefully we can get that done.
Upon returning home and returning to work, some news came my way. Our client's customer has delayed a design review by a few weeks. This affects me in the sense that my services are restricted to that specific program, so I'm on hiatus. I think what will happen is that I will be on furlough until things pick up in about a month. Maybe sooner, or maybe later. So I've got another "vacation" on my hands.
I don't really feel like I need any more time off, but I may as well enjoy it. I plan on getting my Morse Code proficiency up greater than or equal to 15 words per minute. I may build an antenna or two and experiment with them. I've recently gotten involved with one of the public service aspects of amateur radio.
As for work, it's likely I'll return to what I was doing within one month. That's plan A. It's always prudent to have a plan B, which I do, and no one will hold it against me if I execute that plan in the even that the first doesn't materialize.
I really enjoyed that gig; it was my first exposure to commercial aircraft systems. It's a different set of challenges to satellites, circuit cards, and missile payloads.
The only downside here is that with the lull in sunspot activity, radio conditions on the higher frequency bands aren't what they could be, but I'll still manage to have fun.
We also got to visit with family and friends. Sheila has now finally met Franz and his wife. Circumstances did not allow for a visit with Chip and Gabriela but we plan on being up there again in a few months so hopefully we can get that done.
Upon returning home and returning to work, some news came my way. Our client's customer has delayed a design review by a few weeks. This affects me in the sense that my services are restricted to that specific program, so I'm on hiatus. I think what will happen is that I will be on furlough until things pick up in about a month. Maybe sooner, or maybe later. So I've got another "vacation" on my hands.
I don't really feel like I need any more time off, but I may as well enjoy it. I plan on getting my Morse Code proficiency up greater than or equal to 15 words per minute. I may build an antenna or two and experiment with them. I've recently gotten involved with one of the public service aspects of amateur radio.
As for work, it's likely I'll return to what I was doing within one month. That's plan A. It's always prudent to have a plan B, which I do, and no one will hold it against me if I execute that plan in the even that the first doesn't materialize.
I really enjoyed that gig; it was my first exposure to commercial aircraft systems. It's a different set of challenges to satellites, circuit cards, and missile payloads.
The only downside here is that with the lull in sunspot activity, radio conditions on the higher frequency bands aren't what they could be, but I'll still manage to have fun.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Sunday, 4/22/18
It seems that as of late I haven't had the time or the motivation to be checking in here. Sometimes it's both. Like a lot of people out there I'm scratching my head over the Fresno State professor who is screaming for attention in a most horrible way, and I'm wondering if former FBI director James Comey played football without a helmet when he was in college. I could comment on that, and even thought about it doing just that, but it's not that there's very much I can add to these two grotesque little plays going on on the world's stage. It's no bother to me if both of these continue acting the way that they are, but if they get too much attention then the Hildebeest is going to inject herself back into the news.
That said, all is pretty much well with me. I am continuing in the assignment for that company on the other side of town. I'm having a blast developing test procedures to verify performance of specialized aerospace equipment when subjected to shock, vibration, magnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation. A job that makes you think is a good job as far as I'm concerned.
The client has let go two contractors, which I think is their way of getting the skill mix that they want. A lot of us are concerned about the impending departure of a well-liked and well-respected senior manager. From what I'm able to tell the replacement will be a hand-picked successor and I don't see things changing very much. Change is inevitable and can be scary, but it must also be realized that it can be good.
On the personal front, I am still busy with amateur radio, but have slowed things down quite a bit. One reason was a desire to vary what I like doing in my spare time. Another reason is that conditions haven't been the greatest, though with today's solar numbers it's possible I will disturb the ether later on this afternoon to see if I can get through to Japan. Nebraska, Michigan and Ontario all had "QSO parties" this weekend so I made contacts with all three. I'd love it if some more the Canadian provinces would have QSO parties, as that it's an opportunity to bag those that are more difficult to work.
Anyway, that's pretty much it. I'm hoping for a quiet pleasant Sunday afternoon, where I can catch up on some yardwork and some laundry. And some reading as well.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Javelina, the IRS, and More
This past Sunday afternoon I was in my garage, programming a new ham radio that I purchased (I'll get to that shortly). I was testing out repeater frequencies and subaudible tones when I heard some animal footsteps nearby. I'm thinking OK, the neighbor's dog got loose again. I've met the dog, she's a real sweetie but shy, and can wander whenever she feels the urge.
Well it wasn't.....(dang it, what is her name? Lola? Lulu? I think Lola). I looked up in time to see two javelina, one of them halfway inside the garage and the other just about ready to enter too. We ended up spooking each other, though one of them stopped to turn his head to get one more look at me.
It was captured on video. Sheila installed a security camera last November. We've captured videos of these interesting denizens of the Sonoran Desert, and this one is the best. Enjoy!
VIDEO
The Internal Revenue Service is after me. Well, someone out there wants me to think that. I've once again gotten the robo-call from the robotic female, informing me that four serious charges are against me, and that "local cops" will take me into custody if I fail to return the phone call within 24 hours.
I've gotten two, maybe three of these calls before.
So far failure to return their phone calls has not resulted in me being granted long-term accommodations at Leavenworth.
As you've just read, I'm still busy in ham radio. Last week I purchased a mobile 2 meter rig, though I'm using it as a base station. Ham Radio Outlet had a special on this make and model, and 30% off of a newly introduced radio will capture my attention. No, I'm not in the market for another rice box for HF (high frequency) work, but I have been wanting a 2 meter base station for some time as that my handheld on some nights won't hit the local repeaters well.
I'm pleased as punch with the purchase, even though 2 meter operation can make you feel like a CB operator at times. Yes, some of us hams look down on CBers, and I've been one of those hams more times than I can remember. That said, when the CB craze of the mid 70s got going, some of the more technically inclined CBers went on to get ham radio licenses and swelled our ranks.....which is a good thing.
Anyway, there were some GREAT conditions on the 20 meter band a few weekends ago. In one session, I worked 19 different countries, or more accurately, DX entities which are counted as "countries" for awards purposes. Hawaii counts as a "country" due to its distance from the mainland, as does Alaska. I worked Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, but I also got Asiatic Russia, Japan, Ecuador, French Guiana, Suriname, and some others. This past weekend I was again able to work Russia, Japan, and Ecuador.
One local ham told me there was a sporadic E opening on 10 meters to South America, which I think helped out on 20. The openings to the Far East though was good old fashioned daylight propagation. I think maybe the equinoctial period we're in right now had something to do with it too.
That said, that's a wrap, and time now for a cold one.
Well it wasn't.....(dang it, what is her name? Lola? Lulu? I think Lola). I looked up in time to see two javelina, one of them halfway inside the garage and the other just about ready to enter too. We ended up spooking each other, though one of them stopped to turn his head to get one more look at me.
It was captured on video. Sheila installed a security camera last November. We've captured videos of these interesting denizens of the Sonoran Desert, and this one is the best. Enjoy!
VIDEO
* * * * * *
The Internal Revenue Service is after me. Well, someone out there wants me to think that. I've once again gotten the robo-call from the robotic female, informing me that four serious charges are against me, and that "local cops" will take me into custody if I fail to return the phone call within 24 hours.
I've gotten two, maybe three of these calls before.
So far failure to return their phone calls has not resulted in me being granted long-term accommodations at Leavenworth.
* * * * * * *
As you've just read, I'm still busy in ham radio. Last week I purchased a mobile 2 meter rig, though I'm using it as a base station. Ham Radio Outlet had a special on this make and model, and 30% off of a newly introduced radio will capture my attention. No, I'm not in the market for another rice box for HF (high frequency) work, but I have been wanting a 2 meter base station for some time as that my handheld on some nights won't hit the local repeaters well.
I'm pleased as punch with the purchase, even though 2 meter operation can make you feel like a CB operator at times. Yes, some of us hams look down on CBers, and I've been one of those hams more times than I can remember. That said, when the CB craze of the mid 70s got going, some of the more technically inclined CBers went on to get ham radio licenses and swelled our ranks.....which is a good thing.
Anyway, there were some GREAT conditions on the 20 meter band a few weekends ago. In one session, I worked 19 different countries, or more accurately, DX entities which are counted as "countries" for awards purposes. Hawaii counts as a "country" due to its distance from the mainland, as does Alaska. I worked Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, but I also got Asiatic Russia, Japan, Ecuador, French Guiana, Suriname, and some others. This past weekend I was again able to work Russia, Japan, and Ecuador.
One local ham told me there was a sporadic E opening on 10 meters to South America, which I think helped out on 20. The openings to the Far East though was good old fashioned daylight propagation. I think maybe the equinoctial period we're in right now had something to do with it too.
That said, that's a wrap, and time now for a cold one.
Sunday, February 18, 2018
SITREP for Sunday, 2/18/18
Lately I have been overwhelmed. Overwhelmed in a good way. Overwhelmed with the amount of blessings that I am currently on the receiving end of. There seems to be a break from the "buzzard luck" that I've had off and on over the past six months. Well, that was more blessing than buzzard luck, as that the surgery worked well, I'm working locally, and I get to sleep in my own bed with my own lady.
The job itself is intense. I am constantly busy from the moment I arrive to the moment it's time to close up shop and go home. I get going, and I look at my watch, and I think, has two hours gone by already? There is some pressure at the client company. In the past they've suffered from turnover as engineers have left to find something less frantic so that they can have their nights and their weekends off. I have noticed that everyone is going home at 5:00ish. They also have a new policy. If the managers ask for their people to come in over the weekend, then they have to come in too.
In my case they have to pay me overtime if I come in, as that I'm on a contract with the client company. I could use some extra shillings to catch up on some bills, but I'm not going to volunteer for it. My projects are being done on time and yes, I have to be innovative to keep them on time. I'm allowed pretty much to do things the way that I feel they should be done, but I also have to adapt to changing priorities as the design of the equipment gets under way and matures. Working on hardware intended for commercial aviation is new to me and interesting. Yes, it would be great to go back to satellite engineering, I'll admit that, but I would have to relocate to do that and if I have my way I'm staying in Tucson.
Aside from work, I have been active in ham radio and having a lot of fun in spite of the low sunspot numbers affecting propagation on the higher frequency bands. Most of the other hams I talk to are stateside or in Canada, but I get the occasional "DX", which means Caribbean, Oceania, Asia, Europe, or South America. I was able to talk to France a few weeks back. Yesterday I QSO'd Curacao. QSL cards from foreign countries have also arrived. I got a really neat card from Costa Rica last week. I'm saving the envelopes for these. I'm not a stamp collector, but these foreign stamps can be and are, artwork.
I think at this point I'm going to sign now. I have a long intense week ahead of me that starts tomorrow. But the best part of that is being home with Sheila seven nights a week.
The job itself is intense. I am constantly busy from the moment I arrive to the moment it's time to close up shop and go home. I get going, and I look at my watch, and I think, has two hours gone by already? There is some pressure at the client company. In the past they've suffered from turnover as engineers have left to find something less frantic so that they can have their nights and their weekends off. I have noticed that everyone is going home at 5:00ish. They also have a new policy. If the managers ask for their people to come in over the weekend, then they have to come in too.
In my case they have to pay me overtime if I come in, as that I'm on a contract with the client company. I could use some extra shillings to catch up on some bills, but I'm not going to volunteer for it. My projects are being done on time and yes, I have to be innovative to keep them on time. I'm allowed pretty much to do things the way that I feel they should be done, but I also have to adapt to changing priorities as the design of the equipment gets under way and matures. Working on hardware intended for commercial aviation is new to me and interesting. Yes, it would be great to go back to satellite engineering, I'll admit that, but I would have to relocate to do that and if I have my way I'm staying in Tucson.
Aside from work, I have been active in ham radio and having a lot of fun in spite of the low sunspot numbers affecting propagation on the higher frequency bands. Most of the other hams I talk to are stateside or in Canada, but I get the occasional "DX", which means Caribbean, Oceania, Asia, Europe, or South America. I was able to talk to France a few weeks back. Yesterday I QSO'd Curacao. QSL cards from foreign countries have also arrived. I got a really neat card from Costa Rica last week. I'm saving the envelopes for these. I'm not a stamp collector, but these foreign stamps can be and are, artwork.
I think at this point I'm going to sign now. I have a long intense week ahead of me that starts tomorrow. But the best part of that is being home with Sheila seven nights a week.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Back in the Workforce!
After being out of the workforce for 27 days, not that anyone is counting here, I am now officially back in the workforce. The job that got away from me came back, due to a red tape issue with the client company. The arrangement is that I'm owned by one company and assigned to another. I know the client company very well. Without going into details, I will be in a systems and test engineering role, and gaining experience within the commercial aerospace industry. After this assignment is done, it will either be extended or I'll get some other work if that becomes available, and from what I know of the industry, odds are that it will.
This will not have me on the road as much as my last gig did. I may have to go up to Phoenix a few times, which is OK. I don't mind company travel every now and then. I have been in situations where I have been away from home more than I have been at home, and that can take its toll.
The new company is treating me very well! If I heard them correctly, I will be working on some tasks from their business office. I was delighted to hear that. I mean, I can do the commute every day if I have to (the medical device firm that I worked for is up the road from the client) and if I can set my hours for a 7:00 AM start then the commute isn't that bad. Coming home might be a bear at times, especially if there are wrecks, and I have taken alternate routes more times than I can remember.
It's nice being back in the saddle again. It took some patience on my part to deal with the delay (I had honestly thought that it was going to fall through).
What's also nice is that I am gaining experience on a product line that I haven't worked on before, and that in itself will help my marketability. If I have my way, retirement is still some years off, and as long as engineering is fun I'll stay in the workforce.
This will not have me on the road as much as my last gig did. I may have to go up to Phoenix a few times, which is OK. I don't mind company travel every now and then. I have been in situations where I have been away from home more than I have been at home, and that can take its toll.
The new company is treating me very well! If I heard them correctly, I will be working on some tasks from their business office. I was delighted to hear that. I mean, I can do the commute every day if I have to (the medical device firm that I worked for is up the road from the client) and if I can set my hours for a 7:00 AM start then the commute isn't that bad. Coming home might be a bear at times, especially if there are wrecks, and I have taken alternate routes more times than I can remember.
It's nice being back in the saddle again. It took some patience on my part to deal with the delay (I had honestly thought that it was going to fall through).
What's also nice is that I am gaining experience on a product line that I haven't worked on before, and that in itself will help my marketability. If I have my way, retirement is still some years off, and as long as engineering is fun I'll stay in the workforce.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
The Situation Report as it is on Saturday, 1/20/18
It is coming up on three weeks on being out of work. During that time an interview has taken place, and a job offer that soon followed, but I am not back to work. I was to have started last Monday, being contracted out to one of the local aerospace firms, but that is now on hold. So I'm out pounding the pavement so to speak, and trying to deal with that situation as best as I can.
I could write a few pages on it. I mean, it was a letdown. It was a great offer with better benefits. And the start date has been "postponed". I haven't heard anything since I got that news, and to be on the safe side the search is continuing.
As for the old job, I was told by the customer that when the new company takes over that contract, that they hope I'll be back. I am open to returning to that position, but I can't wait the six months or however long it's going to take until the work is transitioned over to the incoming company. I have already applied there but there are legal issues that have to be worked out between the winning contractor, and the losing contractor (not my former employer). My best information is that this won't be settled until mid-February at the earliest, and even then that doesn't mean that the task will be funded right away.
That said, I went ahead and applied to that new company. Their reputation is good.
What this is teaching me is that I am not ready for retirement. Yes, a sabbatical every now and then is nice, and there are things I need to do around the house. I'm already doing some of them and catching up on some things. I enjoy my ham radio activities. I enjoy writing and I'm re-reading some science fiction novels from Isaac Asimov. I did one book review several years ago and I should do another while I'm on hiatus from work.
As you might well now if you've been a regular reader of this blog, radio has been a passion of mine for several years. As in over forty years. As since high school. And I've been enjoying ham radio again, even though conditions aren't the greatest.
Conditions haven't exactly been the greatest. The bands don't seem to be as crowded.
That said, I've been having a great deal of fun.
I am overdue for a Pat DiNizio tribute post. It's something I want to do.
In the meantime, here is one of the best songs ever recorded:
Drown in My Own Tears
I could write a few pages on it. I mean, it was a letdown. It was a great offer with better benefits. And the start date has been "postponed". I haven't heard anything since I got that news, and to be on the safe side the search is continuing.
* * * * * * *
As for the old job, I was told by the customer that when the new company takes over that contract, that they hope I'll be back. I am open to returning to that position, but I can't wait the six months or however long it's going to take until the work is transitioned over to the incoming company. I have already applied there but there are legal issues that have to be worked out between the winning contractor, and the losing contractor (not my former employer). My best information is that this won't be settled until mid-February at the earliest, and even then that doesn't mean that the task will be funded right away.
That said, I went ahead and applied to that new company. Their reputation is good.
* * * * * * *
What this is teaching me is that I am not ready for retirement. Yes, a sabbatical every now and then is nice, and there are things I need to do around the house. I'm already doing some of them and catching up on some things. I enjoy my ham radio activities. I enjoy writing and I'm re-reading some science fiction novels from Isaac Asimov. I did one book review several years ago and I should do another while I'm on hiatus from work.
* * * * * * *
As you might well now if you've been a regular reader of this blog, radio has been a passion of mine for several years. As in over forty years. As since high school. And I've been enjoying ham radio again, even though conditions aren't the greatest.
Conditions haven't exactly been the greatest. The bands don't seem to be as crowded.
That said, I've been having a great deal of fun.
* * * * * * *
I am overdue for a Pat DiNizio tribute post. It's something I want to do.
In the meantime, here is one of the best songs ever recorded:
Drown in My Own Tears
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