Ramblin' Man


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Scarab Sages

Mrgh.

Scarab Sages

YEAAAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!

Gonna be a busy next few months. On top of work and family, I've begun my studying for the PE Exam, which is scheduled for the end of October.

Ironically, my application to take the test has not yet been approved. It's still going through the process. Hopefully, that'll happen before September 4th, which is the last day to register for the exam.

Scarab Sages

Otherwise, f%++ you Thursday.

Scarab Sages

I'm actually considering taking off the last week of August, just to get in some uninterrupted study time. The wife is scheduled to be in Brazil that week, so if I drop the kids off at daycare, I'd have plenty of quiet time to get my study on.

Scarab Sages

Did I mention I was lucky enough to get a touch of pinkeye yesterday, and was able to stay home and study?

Scarab Sages

I'll also be eating my lunch in my office more these next several dozen weeks, just to get some extra study time in.

Scarab Sages

But last night I had to take a break....before my mind shattered into a tiny, crazy(er) little pieces. So I watched The Terminator.

Scarab Sages

Awesome movie. One of my all time favorites. And...true story....one of the reasons I originally went into engineering. I thought I'd delve into robotics.....

Scarab Sages

That was before I understood the complexities of robotics.

Scarab Sages

Hell...engineering is all about complexities...in the most simple way imaginable.

Scarab Sages

In other words...we deal with complex systems, but try to keep things as simple as possible.

KIS - Keep It Simple

Sometimes also referred to as...

KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Scarab Sages

I'd say, in fact, the two cardinal rules of engineering are:

1. Keep it Simple.
2. The first answer to any question is "it depends".

Scarab Sages

Sometimes, it pains me to see how the mighty have fallen.

Scarab Sages

Also, methinks it's time to clean up the upstairs play area a bit. Oh, yes. There shall be a cleansing!

Scarab Sages

The boy broke out his Thomas train tracks this morning. I may soon have to help build something.

Scarab Sages

Happy Sunday? So far, yes. The day is young, however.

Scarab Sages

I shall call him.....David.

Scarab Sages

Or maybe just Dave.

Scarab Sages

Just as I thought.

Scarab Sages

Because, sometimes, too much attention can lead to unwelcome questions or observances. Right, Dave?

Scarab Sages

Both kids slept past my wake-up time this morning! Huzzah!

Scarab Sages

Anyway, short and sweet. Plenty to do this AM.

Scarab Sages

Yesterday was.....not bad. Work wasn't too problematic. I got in more studying than I thought I would. And I made it to bed at a reasonable time.

Scarab Sages

On the other hand....

Words that terrified me were spoken yesterday. The wife said "Baby Girl, did you throw up?"

It's not the throw-up itself, but what it represents: an often ruthlessly virulent illness which has a tendency to sweep through a household like a Horseman of the Apocalypse.

Thankfully, it seems to have been a one off. It might have been a coughing fit (which she's had lately). I know that sometimes happens to me.


I remember this one time when I was 12...I was at this party with George Lucas. He wanted me to help him with this problem with a script. I had to turn him down, though, because I had already promised Donald Trump I'd help him develop a new stage show for his casino.

Scarab Sages

Memories!
Light the corners of my mind!
Misty, water-colored Memories!
Of the way we were.

Scarab Sages

So - f$$%ing bureaucracy! I've been working on my application for a PE license with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. First you get your application approved, then you have to pass the PE exam.

The application approval is in two parts - administrative and technical. Administrative is just making sure you have all the paperwork in order. Technical is making sure you have the work experience outside of college (i.e. that you've been applying what you learned).

So, the first bit of insanity: I get my paperwork in on time, and receive an email confirming administrative review has begun. Out of politeness, I email the reviewer to introduce myself and offer any help. After 3 or 4 more emails, she finally got back to me ONE MONTH LATER. ONE F##+ING MONTH to respond to a f*+@ing email. Seriously.

The latest bit of insanity - At 5:00 am this morning, I receive an email that my application has been approved and I can register for the exam. At 6:00 am this morning, a full hour later, I receive an email saying they have the last of the requested information and that everything was still under review.

I called the board office, the people I needed to talk to were in a meeting. So I emailed them a copy of both emails from this morning, and asked if they could confirm which one is correct.

Bureaucracy - There's nothing it can't f!*$ up!

Scarab Sages

Incidentally, and I apologize for the brief political rant, this is why I despise people who advocate for bigger government. You're basically advocating for more bureaucracy. Bureaucracy's only purpose is to perpetuate itself. It doesn't help anyone but itself.

Scarab Sages

This is why we need a Bureau of Sabotage.

Scarab Sages

Just kidding. I actually think we already have one.

Scarab Sages

On the radio this morning, I found a station discussing James Harrison (Steelers Linebacker) and his comments against what have come to be called "participation trophies". The DJ was doing a terrible job of pretending she was neutral on the subject, when it was pretty clear to me she disagreed with Harrison. She kept referring to him as "intense", and even stated out right that when her kids got trophies like that she thought it was good. They took some callers, and after the first two both supported Harrison's position, they station went back to music.

For the record, I agree with Harrison as well. If my kids are going to get trophies or rewards, I want them to earn them. I want them to learn the value of hard work and how to strive to better themselves.

Scarab Sages

Parenting rant over.

Scarab Sages

I've been reminded lately of a poster I think is long gone. It's hard to tell, since this poster was known for pretending to be other people. I've been getting that <redacted> vibe again lately.

Scarab Sages

The situation with my PE application has been resolved. It was as the first email said - I was approved. I am now registered for the test at the end of October.

Go me!

Scarab Sages

I have already dropped over $2000 in preparation for this test. Mostly in a review course, the rest in prep material and the rigmarole of actually getting the application done.

Scarab Sages

It's something I should have done years ago. Hindsight 20/20.


I remember when I was 24 and running for my life through East Berlin, fleeing the Commies. They were after me because I'd managed to slip some acid to Gorbachev and he had this really bad trip.

Scarab Sages

On the other hand, I look forward to the weekend. Next week has the potential to suck balls, however. The wife is probably going to be out of town.

Scarab Sages

Or, she could be out of a job. Her immediate supervisor was let go yesterday.

Scarab Sages

Apparently, however, she hates her job and would welcome being let go. I should probably ask her why she doesn't just quit if she hates the job so much.....

Scarab Sages

Barely even had time to finish my toast this morning before the vendor document control chick was bugging me to sign-off on some NDE procedures and a PMI test procedure. It's all good, though. She's cool and I like her.

Scarab Sages

At least I've got my second cup of coffee to keep me company.

Scarab Sages

Normally, I might say TGIF. I suppose on some level that's still the case. But there won't be much rest for me. Not until after this damnable PE test is behind me.

Scarab Sages

Not to mention, my wife is (at present) still scheduled to travel down to Brazil again on Saturday evening, for week of work in Rio. So it'll just be me and the kidlets.

I shouldn't have too much trouble with them, but it'll just mean I'm slightly more busy than usual. These days, the "usual" is pretty f*$@ing busy.

Scarab Sages

My new computer at work has Window's 10. Not too shabby. Edge, the new browser, is...meh. I haven't seen anything yet making it better than IE. I also haven't seen anything making it worse.

Scarab Sages

The boy has become a real pain in the ass about going potty at night. He'll come all the way downstairs, through a darkened house, because he's afraid to go potty by himself.

Scarab Sages

Needless to say, he's courting daddy's wrath. He's also courting mommy's wrath, but that's just a lot of yelling.

Scarab Sages

I think I've got a solution, however.

Scarab Sages

Busy week ahead. On top of the usual (work, kids, house stuff), there's daily studying for the PE, and tonight my wife leaves for a week of work in Brazil.

Scarab Sages

Ah well, at least I've got coffee.

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