The Grind

This is a high quality, no frills post sure to please all my avid fans and readers. Since the 4th of July, I started working through a temp agency at Andersen Windows. I work to test windows for structural integrity, water leakage, and new components. Its not a dream job, but hey, its $15/hr cash in the pocket (minus those fucking taxes). Unfortunately the house building market just turned south spurring a series of company wide cutbacks. All contract employees (thats me), summer help, and even some new hires were let go. I'll take it in stride like a pro - now I've got some new experience testing windows, guarenteed time off for a back country trip in a few weeks, and more time to look for my dream job of renewable energy. Curiously enough, two people at Andersen in the group I work with were physics majors that are now essentially meche's.

The job search is slow. Working 40 hours a week puts a dent into the amount of effort one can put into job searching. I think grad school is on the horizon. Any thoughts on what degree I should aim to get (and from where) to get involved in renewable energy (collection, storage, or transport)? It was reassuring to watch the film, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" and see many people interviewed working for companies to which I have applied and to get some new ideas.

Other news - I got a used fly rod and reel from Wade's dad. Last weekend, we went fishing friday afternoon/night, saturday and sunday. Though we didn't catch much, it was tons of fun.

4th of July

Once again, my fourth of July returns to Wade's cabin. Its been a few years since I've been there for the 4th - I spent the last few in Traverse City, Michigan, Washington DC and Houston. It was damn good to be back! Erik, you were missed immensely.

A few months ago, at the annual Twin Cities boat show, Bruce (Wade's dad) bought the best toy ever, the Wego Kite Tube. One of Bruce's favorite activities other than hunting and fishing is to drive Wade and I (or anyone else) around the lake on water skis, wakeboards, tubes, or any other towable object. This is by far the stupidest and most entertaining of devices. We tried it out last weekend a little, but with little success. This weekend, with a little help from some good wind, we got flying!

It is both fun and scary. As a rider, you have slight control over weather or not you take off, maintain balance, and land. You are truly at the mercy of the driver and the wind. The skull and crossbone logo of the kite tube sum it up well. We had some pretty rad flights and crashes. The video is exemplory, but we had higher and longer flights as well as bigger crashes. I took a good tumble from ~15ft or so, the result is a plan to install a nut cup into my board shorts.

Aside from kite tubing until exhaustion, we got some good redneck fun in. On Monday, we did some clay pigeon shooting. I was really craving a good shooting session. I shot pretty well considering I haven't shot in years. We also got some good fireworks, some sunflower/plane style spinnters as well as the morter shell style. Its always more fun to shoot them yourself than see a show. In addition to all that, I read a few hundred pages of "You Shall Know Our Velocity," by Dave Eggars. I really like the book so far (thanks Robin).

The weekend was pretty sweet all around. Good fishing, good food, good company, good entertainment. Its hard work playing that hard!