8-8-05 Trying to be timely!

A view of Downtown Grants pass.


Hello everyone,
I have started my second week with my new employer. Today was good. I began my first actual production drill job. I began the dentist's ceiling panels, they will be shooting stars, constellations, and twinkling stars. I was a bit tense as I started the drilling. I use a button operated pneumatic plunging drill, and have to hit dots on the artwork that is attached to the face of the display, the drill bit is very thin ( 30 thousands of an inch, a little thicker than a sewing needle) so naturally I'm taking it slow and careful. After about a half hour of drilling, the boss comes over and tells me to relax. He takes the drill and starts working on the piece. Moving along at 3 times the speed I was. He says, " get a rhythm going, and let it flow". He put me at ease, and I "let it flow". The people I work for, and with, are very supportive. Definitely the kind of place I want to be working at. I will be doing more than just drilling. I'll be shipping products, receiving incoming supplies, assembling the light sources for the optics, learning to make the cabinets the assemblies go into, and over time will probably be trained in everything to do with this business. It will not be a boring job. I like to learn, and I enjoy being good at doing what ever I do. Just keep me out of "management"!
You Remember I mentioned the irrigation dam in my last post? Well, let me tell you a little more about it. Back in the 30's, when this area was being settled by "homesteaders", (the government granted 40 acres to people who would live on, and work the land). People needed water to irrigate the fields and crops in this wet in the winter, but dry in the summer valley. An irrigation dam was proposed, and patrons were signed up to fund and support the project. A dam was built on the Rogue river that flows through the town to the ocean. This dam supplied water in the summer months to the ranchers and farmers. This dam, and the patrons, have lost the dam to environmental activists. The activist's concerns are that natural fish passage up the river have been compromised. Even though this has never been proven to be fact, the Federal government mandated that the dam be removed. It is to be removed, and be replaced by electric pumps in 2006. I'll be sad to see it go.
A view of the irrigation dam, a couple of miles east of town. Remember, click on the picture for a larger view, click on the "back" button to return to the "blog".


This is the "fish ladder". During the migration season, salmon return to their birth place. The ladders aid their upstream migration. Much easier than the natural barriers they have to pass on their journey "home". Where of course, they spawn,(lay their eggs) and die.



All in all, things are good with me, I feel like I'm back home. I know I'm going to have to deal with the winter blues. But from the forwarded e-mail I've received, banana's may be my salvation! If they don't work, I'll try WD-40! If that doesn't work, I'll start forwarding the messages to at least 10 people so that I'll have good luck in the next ten minutes!
Thanks for tuning in. My love, Bob.

08-03-05 Happy Birthday Ray!

Hey, today my son Ray, got a year older. He's 34 going on 25. That's correct, isn't it Ray? But all kidding aside, you can't know him and not love him. I remember the day he came into the world. What a wild day that was. I was a mature 23 year old at the time (yeah, right!) I'll forgo the details, don't want to embarrass any of the participants of the fortutious occasion. But it was quite a day to remember! Trust me.
Second day at the new job was a piece of cake, more learning, and felt like I got some production accomplished. So far the experience is going well. No attitude except good from the other employee's. Interacted a lot more today with the "boss", all good. Did a little with shipping, and some receiving. Practiced the drilling that is supposed to be my main function, and am feeling confident that I can do what is required in that area. The product is not really that complicated, but inattention to detail could lead to an unhappy customer, and then lack of repeat business, or lack of referral. One of my first drilling jobs is for a local dentist, he specializes in childrens dentistry. He had purchased some panels for his ceiling. The patient is leaning back in the chair, looking at the ceiling. He decided to put some fiberoptic lighting up there to distract the patient (child). And it was a hit with his patient's. So he is ordering more. The new one's will be stars, and constellations. With shooting stars, and twinkling lights. These will be my first project as a PHD. (Proffesional Hole Driller). My work will be viewed by hundreds of kids in the next few years. Ok, Ok, hold the applause. (I bow demurely).
Anyway, the weather has been hot (106 today), But I'm pretty happy to be back up here. It's not quite as "Mayberry" as it was when I first moved here in '94, but it still feels "down home". I know my biggest challenge will be the dreary winter months. But having a job I enjoy, should make the winter months more tollerable. So at this point in my life,(today anyway) I'm feeling up beat.
Someone (won't say who), told me they thought my "blog" seemed less personal, than e-mailing everyone I'm close to, as to what's happening in my life. I'm just not sure, I know I could do an e-mail with the same info that I'm sharing here. But unless you want to keep that email message on your computer for ever, you couldn't go back an read it later, and follow the flow of the commentary. I don't know, let me know what you think. Is the blog too impersonal? Would e-mails be better? You can leave comments here, or just e-mail me how you feel about it. Either way let me know. In the mean time here are a few pictures of where I am.
Our irrigation Dam, unfortunately soon to be removed.
A car show at the park

And my new dog, I think he will learn fast, he looks intellegent!

OK, The dog picture is just a joke. Something I got off the web. Click on the pictures, they get bigger! Then use the back button to get back to the blog.
Till later, My love, Bob.

08-02-05 No longer an out of work bum!

Well happily, the results of my test on Monday with this company I was sent to were favorable! The boss asked me when I wanted to start, I said "tomorrow", he said great!
So today was my first day at the new job, so naturally there was a lot of information coming into my head. Company procedures, explanation's of future duties, how to do this and that. Where to find this, what to do if I find myself with out something to do (doubt if that will happen), who is in charge of what, how to record what I was doing, and for how long, etc., etc. But for a first day it was pretty good. The boss, at the end of the day told me that Wade, the young man I will be learning the most from, told him (the boss) that he thought I will be good for the company, and that he felt very comfortable working with me. That gave my self esteem a real boost, and made me feel that I'm getting into a work situation that will be good. For both myself, and the company.
I was also told today, that the person I was to replace, wouldn't be coming back. And that I will be responsible sooner than expected, to take over the upcoming projects. So my learning curve will have to be a bit sharper than I (and they) expected. I can handle it, at least I think I can. But all in all, I have a good feeling about my current situation. I hope I'll still be saying that in the weeks, and months ahead.
I'll keep you posted.
Bob.