Friday, June 17, 2011

She's always buzzin just like NEON

The title of this post symbolizes some significant things, and not the thing it looks like it means.  Firstly - buzzing.  Vegas is always alive.  With LOTS AND LOTS of neon signs.  Secondly, my poor Neon is also buzzing because I need work done on it.  Thirdly, I just felt like quoting John Mayer with really no reason.

So did anyone else read Stephen's blogs (that's right - TWO) the other day?  Apparently the kid stepped up his blogging game.  This time when you visit his site, you won't see any history lessons or facts on trains.  My friends, http://stephenpearsall.com is trying to compete with my blog using his witticisms and pleasant writing style.  That's right - it's a COMPETITION OF THE BLOGS.  (Hey Honey... we're competing btw).  Alright, totally kidding, but you should totally check it out.  

This past weekend, Stephen and I visited the HOOVER DAM!  Not only was the company I currently work for one of the first contracted companies on the job, but Stephen CRIED during the information video! (Probably from all the beautiful civil engineering.)  Feel free to give him a hard time about that.  But for real, the dam was really cool, and the terrain is like something I’ve never seen.  Very neat.

 (this one is for you, Dad)...



We GAMBLED!  Stephen was a gamblin’ FOOL!  Don’t worry – combined, we didn’t lose more than $100. (Haha – we only lost $6.)



And, we of course visited the strip... 


these were the TERRIBLE shoes I wore (but at least I looked hot?)


We saw a show where people were hypnotized.   It was HYSTERICAL.  This time I was the one crying, but it was from laughter, so it was legit.

And because I can read your thoughts, let's have a blog-versation (read: conversation made possible through blog).  

I am in my new apartment!
That’s great! You must be excited!
Yep! I have never been so excited to do LAUNDRY in my life.  I’m also within 5 minutes from a Target, a Panera Bread, Bank of America, Lowe’s, grocery stores, Subway, Mexican food, and a microbrewery.
Wait – you haven’t done laundry since you’ve been there??
No.  I have not.
That’s a lot of underwear… have you started wearing them inside out yet?
You, my friend, are disgusting.  I might skip a shower here and there, or re-wear a shirt a day or two, but I am honestly offended by your question.  But I have gone shopping a few times to supply more clothing.
Do you like your job?
YES. Except this week we have started at 5am, so I wake up at THREE.  That means I’m probably up earlier than many of you East Coast-erners.  But I’ve been very blessed with a really great boss and coworkers.  The atmosphere on this job site is very unlike any of my previous jobs, in a good way, but I was unprepared.
Have you found a church?
Funny story!  This past Sunday afternoon we went to a church that met in a room in a Student Union of UNLV… it reminded me of RUF in Talley.  We were 2 of the 15ish people in attendance, and I really liked it.  And this probably says something about God’s sense of humor – in what could be the smallest church in Vegas, we met not one, but TWO fellow Wolfpack!  (Well… one graduate and one former Navigators intern.)
Can I come visit you?
Absolutely! No invitation needed.  Can’t wait to see you!  


Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Putting the GPS away

Hello!

I suppose I haven't given you many details about life here.  I don't know if you care, but here are some det's anyway!

My daily view:
Kinda pretty, right?  And that view is all around me, when the view isn't obstructed by buildings!  This is all I see (minus the clouds) on my 40 mile ride (each way) to and from work (in the middle of NOWHERE) everyday.  I've actually started to enjoy the ride - it's so different and beautiful! (In it's own way... not like NC or anything.)

Speaking of work... it's SO cool.  I'm learning a lot and it's just incredible the amount of planning and work that goes into this thing!  I'm slowly picking up electrical engineering terms like "ductbank" and "3-phase power" and making them part of my everyday conversations.  (Still interested in my job? haha).  A daily part of my job is watching out for the desert tortoise and rattlesnakes!  Still no sightings :(

A basic intro to the project:  This is a solar thermal plant with 3 units.  Each identical unit has almost 60,000 "mirrors" that reflect light to the top of a tower, which boils water to make steam, which drives a turbine and produces power.  When all 3 units are running, we'll have ~330MW (net).  Simple enough, right?.... HA. HA.  Moving on.

The job has also completely flipped my formerly negative views on unions. I am already understanding some drawbacks, but for the most part, it's going great.

Anyways.  This (boring) blog yet again brought to you from McDonald's and their free wifi... Or perhaps I just go hang out in the parking lot to use their free internet.  I'm not above that.

Friday, June 3, 2011

First week DOWN

Me on my first day...

They don't look so new anymore, do they??


And in case you're wondering how my curls are holding up in this VERY DRY air...
Still awesome! :)

Work is going well - I work 4 10hr days/week, so I get Fridays off (hurray!). However, my daily schedule is like this:
4am - awake
5am - leave for work
6am - 4:30pm - work
5:30pm - back at hotel
8pm - in bed

My style has been royally CRAMPED.  It's making it hard to explore and meet people, but that's what this weekend is for! And by the way... I slept in til 7am today!