all in a days work

There's a reason that I love my job.  That reason is because it rocks.

There has been a summit planed where kids would come and see each of the engineering groups do presentations about their field and how it "changes the quality of life."  And as a naturally born awesome person, of course they came to me (and my group) to present on behalf of the computer science department.  We were thrilled because we really haven't had much to do since school got out, so we quickly got to work coming up with some ideas to show how computer science helps for a better life.

First stop, the SCI institute.  Now SCI does some pretty cool things.  They have movies about doctors who are doing surgery on patients just by looking at monitors doing images and representations of what they are working on, they have models of chemical explosions with timelines to see how everything looks at a given time in 3D space, and countless other cool stuff.  So we thought, "Hey, let's do a tour!"

Next, we recycled the module they did from last year.  It's based on a simple green screen and the program would take in the first photo, and a second photo to overlay on only the green parts.  This is a thing they do in basic movie making to make the characters look like they are somewhere else because the second image (of Mt. Everest or cemetery) is overlaid.  This makes actors happy, because they don't have to climb Mt. Everest nor do they have to deal with rotting corpses climbing out of the ground hunting bbrrrraaaaaaaiiiiiiinnnnnnnsssss.

For two weeks setup and stress, the group coming was a tad smaller than I had expected.  There were only eight.  Now, don't get me wrong, this worked out pretty well for us because we could do some more one-on-one helping with our presentation (which rocked.  Hard core) but I hope to get the word out a little earlier next time so we can have TONS of kids.

It was fun and I think the group had fun too.  They were quiet, but they seemed interested in the stuff they were doing with our groups today.  We go again Friday so they can show us their finale.  (A letter/ powerpoint going to the governor).  Awesome.

big things come in small names

Have you ever thought it funny that such a large company has a name that starts with "Micro?"

I got my resume all typed up and sent it off.  I hope to hear back soon.  An internship over the summer would be fantastic.  I know I'm getting into the game a little late, but it's always worth a shot.  

It's been a fun spring break.  I was a little shocked that it was Thursday today.  Honestly, I went through the entire day thinking that it was Wednesday.  Weird.  I've been quite productive and I hope to get everything done this week that I need so I can focus on school.  I'm cutting it down pretty close to the wire, but I'm sure I can work it out.

I've been working with my new job and I have quite a few new leads.  It really helps that my mother worked for the school district and seems to know everyone that I would need to talk to.  In fact, she got me talking with the people whose job is to find people like me.  Nice.  I'll be making a few more calls tomorrow before everyone goes home for the weekend to see if I can get some more headway on this project.  I'm pretty excited about it.

I did get to visit Slagle while I was down at the highschool the other day.  She's great.  It was the morning before a concert so it seemed that she was pretty busy getting everything done.  She made a huge impact on my highschool days.  It was fun to see her and I hope that when we get up and running at that school, that I'll be able to say hello more frequently.  

Why does spring break go so quickly?

it is time part ii

That's it folks.  As of today, I no longer work at the bank.  (I feel like I can say that now that I don't work there)

I have learned a lot from that job and it was actually pretty hard to leave.  The people at that branch are awesome and I loved working with them.  I did have frustrating days, as everyone does sometimes, but I came out of that a better person with a skill set that can be applicable to a whole lot of areas.

So here's the thing.  I think I need to celebrate.  A new job, a lot fewer hours (which is going to help me with school), and the fact that this week has been so busy that I could throw up.

So readers and buzzers, here's the plan.

BREAKFAST!

Woot woot!

This Saturday morning I want to get whoever wants to come with me and get some breakfast (I already know what I'm going to order) at a little place called Chick's Cafe in Heber.  It's a bit of a drive, but it will be fun with friends, trust me!

So if you are interested, meet me at my house at 9:30 so we can drive up there, get some breakfast!  It'll be fun. 

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=374653598742

it is time

At least it will be in 3:12:58:10 (3 days, 12 hours, 58 minutes and 10 seconds)

But who's counting, right?

onward and upward

Okay readers (and Google Buzzers), it official.  I put in my two weeks.

I went in and spoke with my boss and made it unofficially official.  The unofficial comes from the fact that we're going to count the two weeks as of tomorrow.  So that makes tomorrow officially official.  

Leaving is bittersweet.  I have learned a lot from my job and I adore the people that I work with.  They are pretty awesome so I'm sad to say goodbye.

But don't worry.  (I know you were worrying.)  I have something else lined up.  In fact, I was offered the position today. (Which is why I put in the two weeks.  Both jobs would be too much for me)  I am going to have an amazing new job that I am very excited about.  Want to know what it is?  Well, I'll tell you.  Just keep reading.  It's just after this... Wait for it... wait for it...

duh ba duh ba duh ba duh ba duh ba duh ba duh ba  (That's a drum roll)

KA-TCSHHHHHHH!  (That's the symbols that usually follow drum rolls)

I'll be working for the University.  Ah yeah baby!  I'm going to be designing curriculum to promote Engineering (with an emphasis on the Computer Science Department of course) in highschools around here.  I'm going to be picking a topic that interests me, make some module (lesson) that I can share and then go and share it.  I know.  Can you imagine me teaching some aspect of why CS is so awesome?  'Cuz I can.  And I will.  

Ideally, I'll be writing it so that others can take my module and teach it themselves in the future.  I'm EXTREMELY excited about it.  

So if you have any ideas on something that I can do (and I'm sure I'm going to get 30 buzzes from my friends about making a remote fart noise maker or something similar) comment/buzz and let me know.  

Yay for an awesome new job!

life update

So I thought that I might need to take a little time to update you on what's been going on in my life. Here it goes...

Kate and Tom are in trouble.


It seems that the scientology and weirdness of being controlling has really been taking a toll on Kate. She's been taking care of their little girl Suri (who seems to be dressing like a 30 year old at the age of 3) but Tom has been very controlling about the whole thing. Even down to the little stuff like what the family eats for breakfast.

The whole thing seems odd to Kate's friends too. She seems much more distant in the past little while. It's like she's a whole other person. In some of her new movies, she doesn't seem to socialize with her coworkers as well as she did in the past.

So in other words, someone left US Weekly at work...

going places

Here is Mojo's daily attire (due to work dress codes):


Here's Mojo's mode of transportation across campus:


Yes, it's quite the sight to see. Although what is more interesting are the looks from people watching me streak past them in a blur of solid colored shirt and striped tie. There are mainly three different looks that I tend to see. All of which, I saw today. To make the explanation of easier to understand, I refer to NBCs The Office:

Firstly, there is the Jim Halpert. This normally comes from non-longboarders:


Secondly, the Dwight Schrute. This comes from those who walk in the bike lane:


Lastly, my personal favorite. The Michael Scott. This look comes from longboarders, especially the longboarders that I know personally:


Not too long ago, I was leaving my art class and someone in the class came up to me and asked, "Hey, do you longboard." My class is at night and the materials are to cumbersome to carry while longboarding so it doesn't come with me to class. I responded with a resounding yes. She then told me that she had seen me longboarding across campus that day and thought to herself that it was so funny to see someone dressed like a businessman riding a longboard across campus... twice.

I somewhat like being that type of spectacle on campus. I'm hoping that I get some sort of nickname like, "Longboarding Business Guy," or "Necktie Boarder." Something like that. Readers, see what you can do about that.

rip van winkle

Class, day 3: I found that the reading that I did for class today wasn't as vital as I had thought it was prior. I'll still continue to do it of course, but it does make it hard to really want to read when you go over the entire thing in class. I didn't get the books for my other classes until later this afternoon in the mail, so I came home and putzed around until work.

My life is pretty boring right now. I feel like I should at least write something, but as Francis posted today,

...the world of blogging is sort of a mixed bag. there is pressure to be funny, interesting and to take at least some photos without a double chin. there is worry about whether anyone is reading anyway, and if they even care that i lost the office belching contest...

Well, today was NOT the office belching contest, be we did compete. I emptied the quarters from the soda machine in the basement so I can go out and buy some more soda. Before counting it, we placed it in a cup and everyone guessed the amount. Most guessed in the 30s, but ranged up to $100. My guess, which didn't count sadly because of a conflict of interest and experience counting the coin, was $60. Actual, $66.75

Truth be told, it wasn't that boring of a day. I got in and took down the nondenominational holiday plant (Christmas tree) and in the process, seemed to create an air conditioning breezeway for my pants (a hole in the crotch about 5 inches wide). I proceeded to work today without realizing it. Yep. 2-6:15 with a HUGE hole in my pants.

Awesome.

i beat the smart kids

I've decided, I am little Ralphie. I'm the character that most people enjoy and love to hear from, but yet am lost in obscurity. I'm remembered, but not sought after.

I've felt out of place recently, as though I belong, but not right at this moment. Or at least not for an extended amount of time.

School is fine this week. My classes haven't yet "started," but I think that I'll be busy this whole semester. Work is the same. I'll be working every day this week, right after school. I've had to map out how I'll be spending my time to the point that I have even scheduled time that I can spend on each specific class at a specific time. It's looking good.

The thing about my major is that I'm not one of the smart kids. I often feel like I know the least about anything that we are studying. I constantly have to look up what things are or what people are talking about, but I know that I love the material. Where does that leave me?

musak

Another night another room another phone call
One more day
Another road another sign by my window
Counting miles away

I'd come back I would
I would come right back to your arms
If I only could

So long hard roads
Wake me up when we're home
Wake me up when we're home

Yesterday is today is tomorrow the next day Is the same
As I wander these miles I wonder
Should I have stayed

I would turn around
I would come right back your way
Just not today

So long hard roads
I'm coming back home
So long hard roads
Wake me up when we're home

I might turn around
I'll come back some day
I might turn around
I'll be home some day

So long hard roads
I'm coming back home
I'm coming back home

I have a friend Sabe who is quite poetic. She often will quote songs or write poetry on her blog. En lieu of that, I thought I might do the same. I'm pretty sure she doesn't read my blog anymore, so I think I'm safe copying her. This song has been in my car for a while, but I haven't put the CD in my player for a while. But it was in there tonight on my drive home from work, and I thought that it really did describe my feelings.

The first day of school went well. I've only been to one of my classes, but I like it. I have it with a friend of mine (whom I know because I know her older brother, who got married, so I started hanging out with his younger brother, and thus I met her). My teacher took roll, and I heard a few people I know, but there was one that stuck out...

I heard the name, and I could only think to myself, "I know her somehow." I took a look at her face when she turned around, but I still didn't know her. Well, when I was at work, it hit me. She comes to my work at least once a week. We all know who she is, in fact, the first thing that my coworkers said when I said her name was, "Oh yeah. Red Jeep." Funny.

I'm feeling better than I did yesterday. I'm still working on myself, and I DO need a lot of work, but things are better. "So long hard roads." I done with the pain of them, and now I rest, so, "Wake me up when we're home."

festivus for the rest of us

My new favorite conversation overheard of today... almost of all time....

M(whom I work with): Hi T. How are you?
T(customer): Good thanks.
M: How was your Christmas?
T: I don't celebrate Christmas. I celebrate the birth of Jesus. He was there.
M (as if she expected that answer): That's great. Did you celebrate with anyone?
T. Yes. Jesus Christ.

Okay... That was so awesome.

I really like my work. I work with good people and I enjoy getting to know them. They've become my friends. Even the customers.

cold

Okay, I wasn't too happy that I had to work all day Friday (with only a 15-minute break for lunch) and Saturday, but I guess it was okay. I mean, with a view like this behind me all day, how can anyone complain.

It's been a good break. Although I'm not looking forward to getting back to real life... Oh well. I'm just thankful for the time I've had to relax... without relaxing of course, but that's a whole other topic...


I have a very comfortable life.

work christmas party

Tonight was spent at the work Christmas party...








I think that my favorite part is the girl in black was the server. I didn't even know that she jumped into the picture until I uploaded the pictures to the computer. How cool is that.

Shelby from Iggy's, if you see this, I've decided that you rock, and if I ever see you again, we should be friends. Plus, I think your name is really cool. I know two other Shelby's. You should make a facebook group.

I'm so glad to have such awesome people in my life. Although I don't really socialize with most of them out of work (...I don't even socialize...), it's great to be able to get together, eat so much you want to ralph, and laugh. How amazing is that? I'm very blessed to have good people around me.

uneventful day

Yeah, well, I know. A shocker. I have such awesome, amazing life that it may come to shock you that I do have uneventful days. I mean, no cars on fire, no red-nosed-reindeer quotes, nothing.

Q:What's the best part about an uneventful and a slow day at work?




A: The view from inside work is breathe-taking.

A gorgeous blizzard comes into town and last until afternoon. Oh white pillowy beauty. I love the snow. I think that's why I like Utah. Although the snow only lasts a short while, I truly it beautiful.

fire!

-although I wrote this on the 16th, I'm posting it for the 15th because everything happened that day-

Hello. What a wonderful 15th of December. Today, the 15th, I had an interesting day. Now that I have established the date... I went into work at 8, to find out that I didn't work until 1. I know. Great job Mojo. Wow.

Well, I couldn't park in my normal parking space today, because as I drove past it, I noticed that it was occupied. I would have continued on to find another spot, but decided that I needed to make a phone call about this intrusive car. I mean, how dare they!?!

So I got my cell phone out and dialed 9-1-1. The conversation went as follows:

Calm man: "9-1-1 Emergency. What's the emergency?"
Mojo: "um... Hi. I'm at the corner of ___ and ___. There is a car erupting in flames."
Calm man, oddly calmer than before: "Oh, the fire department knows about it."
Mojo: "Oh... okay... thank you..."
Calm man:

Yes. Mojo had a first. He called 911. The car that had taken his spot was on fire from the driver door all the way to the front license plate. It was quite the sight to see. No one was out there, not even a fire truck (I thought the fire deptartment knew about it...).

Thank goodness for 9-1-1. I know I wasn't the first to call, but still, it's great that we can have help so redily. It's just awesome.

no thanks, i don't drink

I had a *delightful day at work today. *There was a sarcastic emphasis on the word delightful...

There are only three of us on the line on Saturdays because normally they tend to be a little slow. Today was no exception. It's Saturday, and it was snowing like crazy (and customers don't come in when it snows... my guess, abominable snow-monster. See below:

I wouldn't come in either.)

So here is the story of my day (Mojo, that's me, and two girls on the teller line)...

"F!" ~Roy Corsi (former math teacher at my high school who would say that when you asked a question):
Girl one finds out she might fail a class because she didn't do well on the final. Let's just say that tears were flowing and sobs could be heard, even after she went into a private area. Girl two, having been best friends with girl one for many-a-year consoles her for about 10 minutes. A gesture of love and consideration that I'm not angry about, but it does leave one person to take care of everyone.

"Do you have any idea what the street value of this mountain is?" ~Better of Dead:
Since the snow started to blizzard AFTER we opened, the plowing people didn't come that morning. After we had been open about 3 hours, customers who travailed the gruesome trail and evaded the bumble (see above -- oh come on! I have to quote Rudolf. It's Christmas) told us that our walks were ridiculously slippery. Well, it's not really my job, but I went out and shoveled anyway. It was fun. I didn't have a coat, but it felt nice. I like the cold.

I wasn't really mad about that, but it was a pain. We didn't have any salt (we have a company that comes and does this for us regularly) so I got the little I had in my car for emergencies and spread it out. Though still, not my job.

{
Rex Banner: (Grabbing Ned Flanders) Are you the Beer Baron?
Ned Flanders: Well, if you're talking about root beer, then I'm guilt-diddily-ilty as char-diddily-arged.
Rex Banner: (to other cops) He's not the Beer Baron, but he sounds drunk; take him in
}:
The night prior, girl two did some drinking... and by some, I mean a lot. She said that she nearly blacked out... yeah... *awesome. (again, sarcasm) Well today at work, as we were all standing next to each other, she stops, starts to look pale, and proceeds to "hork her beans." (Number 131 on a list of 339 synonyms for throwing up) After taking a small break to clean herself up, work went on as usual. Although when she fainted in the vault, we thought that maybe this hang over was little too much for her.

I carried her down into the basement and put her on the couch, got her some water and gave her my cell and told her to call upstairs if she needed anything. Girl one consoles... Mojo left alone on the line again.

So all in all, a great day. I was the only one there today who was not a drinker or at one point in their lives was a drinker. The only perspective on alcohol that I have is from my time in Russia (you'll have to ask me about it. Guys passed out in their own vomit, urine and blood from falling down cement stairs. *So cool -- are you getting a better grasp on my sarcasm?)

It just makes me so glad that I have a structure in my life that gives me standards that keep me from having such problems. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't go on killing rampages (except zombies)... I'm just glad that because I made that choice a long time ago, I don't have to worry about it. It feels good.