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.