To good to be true?

I better write this down quick, otherwise it will become past history (as opposed to future history) and I really don't like writing about the past.

My great day started Tuesday night. I got to school about five minutes of six, got a seat, (we have 26 in our class, so you have to come early to get a good seat) responded to roll call, and sat there expecting a normal night. Ten minutes later, I was walking out the door and getting into my car to drive home! The class before we had taken a math test; very basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, subtraction, and just a little bit of algebra andgeometry. Probably nothing harder than seventh grade level stuff. Before the teacher passed the test results back, he wrote on the board how many people got what grade. Four A's, Four B's, Two C's, Three D's, and THIRTEEN F's! Because of this, he decided that Tuesday night's class would be math review, but anyone who had gotten an A could leave for the night and still get credit for the class. Normally we get out about 8:45, that night I and three other left at 6:15! Needless to say it made my night.


The next morning (wednesday) when I got to work I was told not to get to involved with anything as I would be riding to another job later that morning. The foreman wouldn't tell me anything more than that though. About 7:30 (I start work at 6:30) the foreman pulled me aside and informed me that I would be driving his truck (a company vehicle) to a tire warehouse up north so that new tires could be put on it. Apparently the tires had been discontinued and the only place that had any in stock was over an hour away. He, being the foreman, couldn't really leave the job, so I was chosen to go instead. It was almost as good as a paid vacation! I listened to the radio, read some Bible, and paged through the National Electric Code book. I couldn't believe my luck! I was paid for three and a half hours of relaxing and sitting on my rear end. And to make it even better, it was an absolutely gorgeous day, which simply added to the pleasure of not working. I finished up the day putting up lights, and then went home and played X'box for several hours. It was one of the best work related days I had had in a very long time.

Of course now I'm a little nervous because I can't help but expect a horrible day to come along and balance things out. One of those 'To good to be true' things. So far so good though.

I am Who I am

I just found the reason why the last post was so dry! I'm just a regular normal average Joe. What a load off my mind :)




Joe Normal
34 % Nerd, 21% Geek, 34% Dork

For The Record:

A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored less than half in all three, earning you the title of: Joe Normal.

This is not to say that you don't have some Nerd, Geek or Dork inside of you--we all do, and you can see the percentages you have right above. This is just to say that none of those qualities stand out so much as to define you. Sure, you enjoy an episode of Star Trek now and again, and yeah, you kinda enjoyed a few classes back in the day. And, once in a while, you stumble while walking down the street even though there was nothing there to cause you to trip. But, for the most part, you look and act fairly typically, and aren't much of an outcast.

I'd say there's a fair chance someone asked you to take this test. In any event, fairly normal.

Congratulations! THE NERD? GEEK? OR DORK? TEST

Just Another Student

Uneventful weeks do not make for good writing, at least for lazy writers. I suppose I could make something up to entertain you all, but this is the closest thing I've ever kept to a journal so I like trying to keep it real. Beware though, one of these days, I might just throw something totally bogus in, just to mess with you.:)

About the only thing blog worthy is that along with millions of other people I have once again started school. However, I am lucky enough not to have to attend all day classes, like most. To enlighten some and remind others I am an electrician in training. Here in New Hampshire that training comes in two parts. Part one is on the job training usually forty hours a week. Lucky for me that training is called work, so not only do I learn but I also get paid for doing it. The second part, is classroon training. Twice a week, I pack up my bookbag and head off to school. Thankfully I don't have to bring a lunch. Since I work during the day, I (and everyone one else there) attend night classes, two evenings a week; this year that happens to be Tuesday and Thursday nights. They usually run from six to nine but often we get out by eight-thirty or so.

Last year we were taught about the residential aspects of electricity and this year we are going to be learning all about the commercial parts. I'm kind of nervous because I don't deal with anything commercial so I'm not seeing during the day what I'm hearing about during class. However the teacher I have is a great one. For those who would know, he reminds me very much of Steve Demme both in physical appearance as well as personality. He is a big guy, moves around a lot and is very personable and approachable. He has been doing commercial work for the last nine or ten years and teaching for the last four, so he is very competent and knows what he is doing both at the job and in the classroom, which is a huge deal. (Last year we had an industrial electrician try to teach us residential, not the best fit). I have a feeling he is going to make the mysterious understandable.

This first week has been introduction and refreshment. We went over the rules and expectations on Tuesday and got out at seven-thirty; Thursday we went over basic math, some algebraic formulas needed in elec. theory and then reviewed how to solve for unknowns in different circuits, getting out about eight-thirty. Next week we get our first test, on solving combination circuits. Yeah, I know this was really dry and boring but if you wanted exciting and entertaining you'de be watching tv, wouldn't you?

Lazy Me

Back in Grade school I wrote a poem called, Lazy W. I tried to find it but can't, so here is how I remember it going.

Lazy,
lazy,
lazy,
W. is thirsty.
So he
waits,
and waits,
and waits,
for it to rain.

Why am I writing this? Because it is totally true. There have been at least four interesting, entertaining, and exciting things have happened in this past week and I have written about none of them. Because I've been to busy? No. Kidnapped and unable to get to a working internet connection? No. Struck down by sickness and have been unable to get out of bed? Thankfully, No. Simple laziness is the culprit. So to my loyal friends, fans, and readers I apologize. Yes it's true this is my blog and I can do what I want with it, but I know it is public and usually write with the knowledge that people are going to read what I say. I also look at this blog as practise for having personal relationships with other people. Relationships obviously take work and if I can't put effort into something personal like a blog, how am I supposed to put effort into something or someone outside of myself. So please bear with me as I work at it. And hopefully you'll even enjoy it :)

And now for something update-ish and newsy. I HAVE A NEW SOUND SYSTEM!!! The best part about having a job is that you get paid for doing it, and if you handle these payments wisely you end up with some money left over after necessary expenses. And if you wait and save this extra money you can spend it on things! For the last year or so all I have had for music was my computer and a little clock radio. The computer has been fine but the clock was my only link to the radio waves. I finally got sick of it and started looking through electronic magazines. After much agonizing I finally decided on a reciever and a pair of speakers. Now my room is filled to overflowing with wonderfully rich and beautiful sound. Not only can I finally get static free radio but movies are truly a multi-sensory experience. I was showing it off the other day to my brother, and after seeing a clip from the movie, 'The Matrix' (the lobby shooting scene) he described it as 'an assault on the senses'. I really have to point to God's blessing as the enabling factor and ultimate provider. Who says Christians can't have fun?

Testing, Testing, 1,2,3...

A quick warning to the faint of heart, this post is about blood. No, nothing torturous or violent simply my adventures in trying to donate it.

Several weeks ago when I went to donate blood I picked up a brochere about donating platelets. I became interested mostly because the picture on the front really reminded me of my sister when she had leukemia. When I called the local Red Cross Center I was told that I would have to come in and get tested to see if I was eligible. I made an appointment and after work did my best to get there on time. Normally it would have been a fifteen minute drive but I had forgotten my map and wasn't completely sure of the way so it ended up taking almost half an hour. Thankfully I made it in time.

Since I was already a whole blood donor they already had all my info that they needed so the only thing I filled out was a release form stating that I knew the risks and I was willing to take them. Things like soreness, dizzyness, and the like. I was surprised that I had to do this as they were only taking a tablespoon for testing purposes. I assumed that they were competent though so I wasn't to worried. As the nurse was prepping me she was telling me all about the process. Interestingly enough the procedure of straining the platelets has its own name, pheresis. Also the Manchester branch has one of the most advanced pheresis centers in the nation, not only in equipment but also in nurses training. She assured me that I was in able hands.

As she was prepping me she was telling me that unlike a persons iron count the platelet count doesn't normally vary. Whatever your count at birth pretty much stays the same until your death. The only thing that really makes it vary is ibuprofen. So I can't take any 48-72 hours before I go in and donate. After she found my vein, the nurse took the tablespoon needed.

Quick aside here, I've found that I have a very coveted body:) I always, literaly, get compliments when I go in to either give blood, (great veins), or get my hair cut, (fine and blonde). It is amazing how much my attitude has changed because of it. I almost like getting my haircut now :)

No, she didn't use an actual spoon, just a small vial. And that was it. This happened Tuesday and yesterday I got a call saying that I had the neccesarry count. They need at least a count of 150 and I had 185. However I was told that men are often deceptive (NO SMART COMMENTS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!) so even though I apparently qualify I might not later on. I'm scheduled to go in Tuesday for my first donating session. It apparently takes about ninety minutes to take the blood out, strain the platelets out and then put it back in. Sounds gross I know, but I'm actually looking forward to it. Here's hoping for many years of donating ahead of me!