Just wanted to check in and say I am still alive. School projects are taking up a lot of my time my an update is coming along at some point.
Our SME Disc Golf Tournament went well, we raised $130 and profited $50.
OK, lets begin the time machine…
Spring break I sent out my MacBook on Monday to have the palmrest repaired. The next couple days I read a decent amount of “the Watchmen” as I had no computer. Tuesday I drove to Bay City for the day. Went to William’s Cheese and The Turkey Roost with my Mom, then installed RAM for my Dad and Grandma. Meanwhile, my brother was driving to Bitely, just a few miles from me.
Thursday my computer returned, but my initial excitement was quickly squashed when I started it up and found they had formatted my HD. Thankfully I had backed up to my new flash drive I picked up Sunday at Staples (for really cheap too). Still, I only had my files, not a full backup. Reinstalling all my Mac apps, plus Windows and those apps is a pain. Why they needed to erase my HD to do a case repair I have no idea.
Saturday, my Dad and Grandma came here to visit. We took them downtown, to Schuberg’s, pet store, shoe store, Old Pioneer Store. Following that, we played some Wii here (Grandma is really good at bowling, who knew?) and they headed home.
Then, it was one more day off and back to school for this week. School was hum drum. We talked about the disc golf tournament at the SME meeting Tuesday, most of my friends spent Tuesday in various bars while I tried to enjoy the weather. We got a couple games of disc in over the week. Thursday I got my Lean test back and pulled off a 102/105, which he counts as a 100%.
Still no job yet. I would be happy with a few more decline letters so I at least know they are getting through. All I can do is keep trying.
Edited a few pages on the site today, and got a pair of new themes. The About and Project pages just weren’t real organized. Haven’t tried the themes yet.
Jenn and I were going to head to Bay City today for the St. Patty’s Day Parade. We woke up and didn’t feel it though, and weather looked rather blah. I may head in next weekend though, as Scott will be in town on leave.
Watched a few movies. ”Alvin and the Chipmunks” was meh, “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” was really good. Saw a few other but can’t remember them right now. Guess they probably weren’t that great.
I think that wraps it up for now. Will try and get another post up over the week, maybe this weekend.
nick
So, last weekend was Sno*Drift, the rally race in Atlanta, MI. Was decent, but very cold.
Jon, Jenn, and I went up Friday night and met Jon’s friend Amber there. The Holiday Inn Express in Gaylord was awesome. We had dinner at La Seniorita and then did some shopping around town, including Jay’s of course. We got a late start Saturday morning, so went straight for the 12:00 repair stop at Atlanta High School. The next scheduled event was a race at the gravel pit, or a race in the woods. We went to the gravel pit, which ended up a poor choice, as we were rather far from the cars. Was still cool, but after that one race we were pretty much done, so didn’t stay for any of the three more that night. Jon and Amber went there separate way, and Jenn and I went to Big Buck Brewery for dinner, then headed home.
This past week was mostly just school home, repeat. Thursday was the winter job fair. That was a complete joke. There were barely any employers there, and nobody really looking for MfgEng. Still, I keep applying online, at least 5 a week average.
Yesterday was the Grand Rapids Auto Show. Unlike Detroit of Chicago where the automakers bring cars, this was more the dealers showing off what’s new. You get a lot more freedom to inspect the vehicles here though, can get right in, pop the hood, whatever you want. Was pretty good.
This week we are supposed to be working on a snow sculpture for SME, but the weather doesn’t seem to want that to happen. Supposed to be 40s most of the week, and get some rain, not ideal conditions. SHould drop back under freezing Thursday, so if there is any snow left then, we will try sculpting it.
So, thats about it for now. Hopefully I find a job, will keep you updated.
Well, I guess I should update. I haven’t since November 16th, as the Christmas post was actually Jenn.
This past weekend we went to Bay City for Christmas. We were going to leave Saturday, but was really foggy so we left Sunday afternoon and stayed through the evening.
Weekend before we went up to Alpena for christmas with Jenn’s family. Drive home was really crappy as it was snowing faster than the plows were cleaning up.
Other than that, have done nothing for the last week and a half, and enjoyed the hell out of it. It’s my last christmas break after all, I intend to enjoy it.
Exams were not bad, grades came out a 2 A’s, 2 A-’s, and a B-. GPA is at 3.72, would like to get it up to a 3.75 for Magna Cum Laude. Just need 3 out of 4 A’s over winter, with no less than A- in the fourth.
During late November, I made a site for my SME group. I also helped organize our Christmas Parade float, which their are pictures of on the SME site. We were competing for $100 prizes for most festive, most participants, and most lights. We had a good chance at most lights, but haven’t heard yet (which presumably means we lost).
Also have not heard from UniSolar. I interviewed with them mid November and was told I would hear by the holiday. I emailed them 2 weeks ago and was told they would get back to me. I’m not giving up on them though, with this economy (especially in MI) I’m sure they are looking long and hard before making any decisions.
You would think I would have more after 6 weeks, huh?
I have been watching DiggNation rather regularly now. I downloaded it to watch on my iPod and got into it. I had watched a few about a year ago but stopped after 2 or 3 episodes. I used to watch all of Kevin Rose’s “the Broken” episodes, but with the death of TechTV I lost trach of his whereabouts for a while, and didn’t even realize he was the guy that started Digg.com until about 2 years ago.
Next week is MacWorld Expo, and Steve Jobs is not doing the keynote. Further, it is to be the last expo attended by Apple. In the past, Apple’s priority was to keep their user base from migrating away, so attended user expos. Now, Apple has a large enough base that they can just use their TV spots and stores to build a bigger base. So, its sad news for lovers of the keynotes, but understandable. Many of Apple’s major announcements over the last few years have been at special events outside the expo anyway, and there is still Apple’s own WWDC in May-ish.
Only 16 hours left in 2008 right now. That is a little scary. Amazing how the year can seem so short and so long at the same time.
My beer came out decent. Guys liked it, Jenn and I rather enjoyed it, Jenn’s Dad and his friend didn’t, lol. Its not for people who are set on drinking one beer, and especially if that is a lighter beer. My “Creative Juices #1″ is rather heavy, and a bit bitter.
Fish are doing well. We had a second Jack Dempsey (Buster), but he passed a few weeks ago. Our unknown cichlid (Tiger) is doing well though. Will need to get some pics. I still really wat a bigger aquarium, and saw an awesome 65 gallon at PetSmart in Saginaw, but need to wait at least until after the move.
Finding a job is looking like it will be a royal pain. most companies are laying off far more than hiring. Still, I know they are out there. Most of the layoffs are production workers while Manufacturing Engineers are exactly what they need to help trim inefficiency and reduce costs.
Went to Birch Run shopping with Jenn and her Mom and Sister a few weeks ago. Was the first time I had been there in probably 5 years. A lot of stores that have been there for as long as I can remember, and a few new ones. I was excited to see a Merrill store, but Nordstrom’s Rack is still a better deal.
Other site work, other than SME listed above, is our wedding site. Jenn made one up a few weeks ago, and I did a redo a few days ago. I should have a final composite up within a couple weeks, as well as possibly its own domain.
I think, that is it. I know there is more, especially after 6 weeks, but can’t think of it right now. Will try and make my next most a little sooner.
nick
You can always tell when mid semester has come. Reports are due, projects are due, you have tests in every class over a 2 week period, and it sometimes seems like none of you professors realize of care that you have 3 other classes. And, you stop updating your blog after being decent for a while. The good news is, it should die down in a week or so, at least a little bit.
So, 2.5 weeks ago…
Jenn and I went up to her Aunt’s wedding, was fairly good. Wedding in East Jordan, went to Gaylord to check into hotel and found a nail in Jenn’s tire, so watched that rest of weekend. Reception in Elmira just outside Gaylord, then hotel for night. Sunday morning we shopped around Gaylord with Jenn’s sister and had lunch at Gobbler’s. Place is similar to Turkey Roost, but more expensive and not as good, I was disappointed. Next, we headed to Lewiston for our “free” night at Garland. We got a room upgrade, and had to pay tax on the would-be value, but was still less than much crappier Baymont the night before. Pics of room are on Picassa. Monday we headed home through Greyling, we we tried to get tire fixed. They quoted up to an hour wait so we risked it and made it back in time for me to get to class with an hour to spare. Jenn took car in following day, and nail was broken off, just stuck in tread, no actual puncture.
Weekend of 11th was stay at home weekend. Did laundry which was a major project. Worked on quite a bit of homework as well. That Sunday we did our SME barbeque, but turnout was not what we expected. No juniors, no sophomores, no freshman, just a few of the seniors. Week was busy, report due and work on project.
This weekend went to Bay City Saturday, saw Mom and Dad and Grandma, nothing real exciting. Actually, there was, I took apart my Mom’s old swing which was rotten and falling apart using a sledgehammer. Was a little excessive force, but oh well. A wrench would have took less energy, but much more time. Sunday night we had an SME BBQ redux. Decided it should be a regular thing. Jenn was up in Alpena Saturday and Sunday, got back around 7pm. They threw a surprise party for her Dad’s birthday.
Last night, I was up till after 3 working on statistics project. Finally got it done, sleep for 4 hours, in to class. Everyone starts complaining about how they couldn’t finish and didn’t figure out this or that, so he moved it back to Thursday. Grrrr! On one hand, I worked ass off to finish, I should get credit for that. On the other hand, things were brought up that I can change in my report to make it a little better. Oh well.
Played some disc golf here and there, but not a lot. Between school and people going hunting on weekends, just hasn’t been the time. We did get to see part of a Pro Ace Race here on Sunday, but was kind of pathetic. We actually could have been contenders.
This Saturday is our SME skeet shoot. I am not shooting, but Jenn will be. I think I am photographer, but not sure. We are, unfortunately, unorganized. Sunday, I am hosting the weekly dinner, making a big pot of stew.
Over the coming weeks, when I have time, I plan on making Jenn and I’s wedding site, and making a site for our SME group. Will be a very part time thing.
Also, looking ahead, we will be heading up to Atlanta, MI for SnoDrift the last weekend of January, and possibly to Detroit for NAIAS around the same time.
In addition to the Garland pics I mentioned, I finally added the pics from the Ren Fair to picasa also.
I think, that wraps it up. As I said, should die down some and updates will come more regular again soon.
Nick
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