So Friday, my schedule for the coming weeks was shuffled a multiple times.
So as it turns out, I'll be going down to Fresno County tomorrow and Tuesday, and then be drilling in Fremont for the rest of the week and all of the following week.
Then the week of Christmas, we've got training on that Monday.
We'll see how the rest of that week goes.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Thursday, December 02, 2010
It. Has. ARRIVED!
I haven't had much time to play with it yet because of my work schedule (up at 5:00 and home after 7:00) this week, but it's pretty amazing.
I'm still learning the keyboard which is a little different as far as page navigation, but the best part (and the thing that didn't photograph) is the backlit keyboard.
I look at the keyboard too much because I use what I call an accelerated Columbus typing method. I've learned to type pretty quickly, and can type without looking if I don't think about it. But with the backlit keyboard I can type without having to have the desktop spotlight of my desk on.
I've installed most of the programs I need onto it, and right now I'm restoring the files that are stored on my backup storage.
And because I got on John's case for announcing a new monitor without specs, here's the laptop's specs:
HP ENVY 17 customizable Notebook PC
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bitI'm very excited about it all. The most I can say is: Insurance is a wonderful thing, and so are new release specials.
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-740QM Quad Core
processor (1.73GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz
1GB ATI
Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5850 Graphics [HDMI]
8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
1TB 7200RPM Dual Hard Drive (500GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive
Protection
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard) - Up to 2.25 hours of
battery life +++
17.3" diagonal HD+ HP BrightView Infinity LED Display (1600
x 900)
Blu-ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
(Slot Load)
HP TrueVision HD Webcam
Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
Backlit Keyboard
Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 8 & Adobe
Premiere(R) Elements 8
Monday, November 29, 2010
Quickly
Drilling for the next three days in Sacramento. Then drilling in Fremont next week. And drilling in Santa Clara the week after that, and possibly into the week of Christmas.
The good news is that my new laptop is finally in transit from the factory in China. It should arrive Thursday.
Then the final hopes will be that the sergeant has made his case successfully enough that we'll get our jewelry back very soon.
The good news is that my new laptop is finally in transit from the factory in China. It should arrive Thursday.
Then the final hopes will be that the sergeant has made his case successfully enough that we'll get our jewelry back very soon.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Difficulties
So my replacement computer is delayed.
It was supposed to ship the Friday after Veteran's Day, and I found out last Monday that it's delayed. HP won't say exactly why it's delayed, but from some of the things they've said over my many calls, some of the parts are mot making people happy, and they're having to wait for replacements.
So hopefully, it will ship next Monday, and I'll get it by the end of that week. At least they'll be refunding my expedited shipping cost, and an additional $50 once it ships.
I also got a 15% off coupon for a further purchase from HP. I'm leaning towards a new printer. Something that will network, which is the only problem with our little HP 4 LaserJet.
It was supposed to ship the Friday after Veteran's Day, and I found out last Monday that it's delayed. HP won't say exactly why it's delayed, but from some of the things they've said over my many calls, some of the parts are mot making people happy, and they're having to wait for replacements.
So hopefully, it will ship next Monday, and I'll get it by the end of that week. At least they'll be refunding my expedited shipping cost, and an additional $50 once it ships.
I also got a 15% off coupon for a further purchase from HP. I'm leaning towards a new printer. Something that will network, which is the only problem with our little HP 4 LaserJet.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Well Now...
And so the week ends.
I've spent that past three days in Oakland, on block off of Sn Pablo Avenue supervising direct push boring's and grabbing groundwater samples.
Today we played in the rain a little, but managed to finish our work before the significant precipitation began.
It was sure nice to get a hot shower afterwards.
I've spent that past three days in Oakland, on block off of Sn Pablo Avenue supervising direct push boring's and grabbing groundwater samples.
Today we played in the rain a little, but managed to finish our work before the significant precipitation began.
It was sure nice to get a hot shower afterwards.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Some Pretty Amazing News
Jennifer and I went in today to identify some further items at the Martinez Police Department that had been collected on a second search warrant at the home of the fence.
Or so we thought.
When we arrived, the sergeant walked us through to a (to us) new area, and into the evidence room. He then had us start identifying real items and matching them up with the pictures we had already looked at. In the middle of this, he comes in and says, "Now a lot of stuff was just dumped into a backpack. Some of it we took pictures of, but some was all tangled up so I'll have you look at it now."
As he came back into the room, I said,. "Well, that's my backpack," and we all kind of chuckled over them using that. We hadn't even noticed it missing. We went through the envelopes that were in the backpack, most of which we had already identified, and then we dumped out the unphotographed envelope. And there was most of the rest of our jewelry.
So as far as we have been able to identify, all of the jewelry will be coming back except for Jennifer's birthday butterfly necklace, a moonstone necklace that her grandmother gave her, and my diamond earring that my parent's gave me from dad's cuff link.
Also while we were talking, the sergeant asked us again when the robbery had happened. He mentioned that when they went in, most of the items were in the backpack or in a woman's purse. Some were one the suspects, and some were spread out on the table being appraised by the fence. I told him again that the burglary was the morning of Thursday, October 28. He then said that their raid was that evening.
We pieced it together that while I was walking through my home with the county sheriff, the sergeant and his people were already recovering most of my stolen property. If the raid had happened on any other day, we likely would never have seen this stuff again.
We didn't end up looking at pictures as the only things they found in the second search of the premises were watches.
As we were finishing up, we asked how long until we would be able to get our property back. He said they are making the case, and are hoping for four convictions: the fence and the three suspects who are believed to have performed the break-in themselves. He thinks it will be another two weeks before he presents the case to the district attorney. At that point, he can ask if the photographs of the evidence will be sufficient, or if the actual items will need to be present for a possible trial. So I'm holding out hope for a return by Christmas.
I also asked if we might be subpoenaed for the trial, and he said that he could testify for us at any hearing having been present at the raid. In the event of a trial, then there would be the possibility of a subpoena.
So, almost everything is nice and safe in Martinez, and locked up. But soon, we'll have almost all of it back.
Or so we thought.
When we arrived, the sergeant walked us through to a (to us) new area, and into the evidence room. He then had us start identifying real items and matching them up with the pictures we had already looked at. In the middle of this, he comes in and says, "Now a lot of stuff was just dumped into a backpack. Some of it we took pictures of, but some was all tangled up so I'll have you look at it now."
As he came back into the room, I said,. "Well, that's my backpack," and we all kind of chuckled over them using that. We hadn't even noticed it missing. We went through the envelopes that were in the backpack, most of which we had already identified, and then we dumped out the unphotographed envelope. And there was most of the rest of our jewelry.
So as far as we have been able to identify, all of the jewelry will be coming back except for Jennifer's birthday butterfly necklace, a moonstone necklace that her grandmother gave her, and my diamond earring that my parent's gave me from dad's cuff link.
Also while we were talking, the sergeant asked us again when the robbery had happened. He mentioned that when they went in, most of the items were in the backpack or in a woman's purse. Some were one the suspects, and some were spread out on the table being appraised by the fence. I told him again that the burglary was the morning of Thursday, October 28. He then said that their raid was that evening.
We pieced it together that while I was walking through my home with the county sheriff, the sergeant and his people were already recovering most of my stolen property. If the raid had happened on any other day, we likely would never have seen this stuff again.
We didn't end up looking at pictures as the only things they found in the second search of the premises were watches.
As we were finishing up, we asked how long until we would be able to get our property back. He said they are making the case, and are hoping for four convictions: the fence and the three suspects who are believed to have performed the break-in themselves. He thinks it will be another two weeks before he presents the case to the district attorney. At that point, he can ask if the photographs of the evidence will be sufficient, or if the actual items will need to be present for a possible trial. So I'm holding out hope for a return by Christmas.
I also asked if we might be subpoenaed for the trial, and he said that he could testify for us at any hearing having been present at the raid. In the event of a trial, then there would be the possibility of a subpoena.
So, almost everything is nice and safe in Martinez, and locked up. But soon, we'll have almost all of it back.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Duck and Cover
Last night while I was driving home from work I saw some menacing plumes of black smoke coming from the refinery area of Martinez. I switched to the news station, and heard about a shelter in place because of excessive flaring at the Tesoro refinery.
When I got home, Jennifer was turning off the heater, and we made sure that the cat was in.
Here is an article on what happened.
And here is another with some amazing pictures.
When I got home, Jennifer was turning off the heater, and we made sure that the cat was in.
Here is an article on what happened.
And here is another with some amazing pictures.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Striding Uphill
Yesterday I spoke with the sergeant at Martinez PD again. He asked for a description of items that had not been recovered. He said they were compiling a list to get an additional search warrant.
When they had gone into the fence's house originally, they had picked up only things that looked out of place. This time they would go in and do a more thorough search, especially looking for locations where things might be hidden.
Today, I got an email saying they had gone in and found some more jewelry. So next Monday, Jennifer and I will be going back in for more looking at pictures.
It's pretty exciting to see things like this work out. Jennifer and I are trying to determine a way to thank the Martinez PD. We can't even say it's our tax dollars since we don't live in that city. I'm planning on asking if we can bring food to them or something.
That said, a burglary seems to be good for dieting, especially with appetite suppression. I'm down more than 5 pounds since 10/28.
When they had gone into the fence's house originally, they had picked up only things that looked out of place. This time they would go in and do a more thorough search, especially looking for locations where things might be hidden.
Today, I got an email saying they had gone in and found some more jewelry. So next Monday, Jennifer and I will be going back in for more looking at pictures.
It's pretty exciting to see things like this work out. Jennifer and I are trying to determine a way to thank the Martinez PD. We can't even say it's our tax dollars since we don't live in that city. I'm planning on asking if we can bring food to them or something.
That said, a burglary seems to be good for dieting, especially with appetite suppression. I'm down more than 5 pounds since 10/28.
Monday, November 08, 2010
So Much Good News
We just got out of the police department from looking at pictures of stolen property.
As the detective was pulling up the first picture Jennifer broke into tears seeing a silver bracelet with a large piece of amber set in it. Probably half of the items that were photographed were ours.
Her diamond ring. My ruby ring. My wedding ring. My TeNo. My Bico. My great grandfather's pocket watch. Her Valentine's Day jewelry. Her diamond earrings.
Not everything was there, but the officer said only what had looked put of place was collected.
The diamond earring. My Superman earrings. My ankhs.
Still hope remains.
As the detective was pulling up the first picture Jennifer broke into tears seeing a silver bracelet with a large piece of amber set in it. Probably half of the items that were photographed were ours.
Her diamond ring. My ruby ring. My wedding ring. My TeNo. My Bico. My great grandfather's pocket watch. Her Valentine's Day jewelry. Her diamond earrings.
Not everything was there, but the officer said only what had looked put of place was collected.
The diamond earring. My Superman earrings. My ankhs.
Still hope remains.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
High Anxiety
All I can think about today us going to the Martinez PD tomorrow and looking at photos of recovered property, and hoping they have found more than just Jennifer's class ring.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Hope Grows
Yesterday I got a call from the Martinez Police Department. He was returning my call, and while confirming what had been stolen and getting the Contra Costa County Sheriff's case number, he asked if I knew Jennifer.
I said that yes, she's my wife.
He said that they had found her high school class ring. It of course had the year she graduated, but also had her initials on it. He had then gone to Ygnacio and looked at the yearbook for our senior year, and he said there were only two people with those initials in our graduating class.
I am so excited. I know it's no guarantee of anything, but it is at least one item that has been recovered. Plus it will be a piece of evidence towards conviction of the fence and maybe a lead toward apprehending the thieves.
I said that yes, she's my wife.
He said that they had found her high school class ring. It of course had the year she graduated, but also had her initials on it. He had then gone to Ygnacio and looked at the yearbook for our senior year, and he said there were only two people with those initials in our graduating class.
I am so excited. I know it's no guarantee of anything, but it is at least one item that has been recovered. Plus it will be a piece of evidence towards conviction of the fence and maybe a lead toward apprehending the thieves.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Binders of Photos
Asa further follow-up, I got an e-mail yesterday that said there will be photographs of the stolen items recovered from the fence that will be available for viewing next week.
Jennifer and I continue to hope.
Jennifer and I continue to hope.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
A Glimmer of Hope
Yesterday on my way back to work from eating lunch at home, my neightbor flagged me down.
She asked if I got the newspaper. I said, no, and she said there had been bust in Martinez of a believed fence's clearinghouse.
Here's the article.
And now, it wasn't my laptop with the GPS chip. But I did call the number inthe article, and also sent an e-mail.
My evening did go better last night, but I still didn't sleep very well.
She asked if I got the newspaper. I said, no, and she said there had been bust in Martinez of a believed fence's clearinghouse.
Here's the article.
And now, it wasn't my laptop with the GPS chip. But I did call the number inthe article, and also sent an e-mail.
My evening did go better last night, but I still didn't sleep very well.
Monday, November 01, 2010
Let's Be Blunt
Last week was shitty.
I worked 60 hours last week. It was a good project, but each night I was pretty tired.
Thursday evening was absolutely fucking horrible.
Jennifer was working late, and I got home about 6:45. I loved on Pom and saw the little stray we've been feeding waiting outside on the patio. When I put his food out, I heard some scrabbling on the redwood outside and saw two raccoons watching me. I thought it'd be cool to get some pictures of them, so I went out to the car, got my camera, and went to the front door.
Where I saw: broken wood, candles askew on the foyer table, and Jennifer's dream sign on its face.
I walked kind of stunned to the door and saw that it had been kicked in breaking the frame.
I ran to the office and saw that my laptop was missing. Then with a sinking feeling I went to the bedroom, and saw a nightmare. Our jewelry boxes were empty with the drawers on the floors, and all of the top drawers of our dressers were open.
All of our jewelry is gone except fro what we were wearing that day.
My wedding ring is gone. My ruby and diamond ring my parents gave me for my 21st birthday and modified for graduating college is gone. The diamond earring made from a cuff link of my Dad's is gone. All the special jewelry I've accumulated over 40 years is gone.
Fortunately Jennifer was wearing her white sapphire engagement ring, and her gold wedding band. But the jewelry I'd bought her for Valentine's Day this years is gone. Her gold cat charm necklace is gone. Her new diamond ring we bought from the Sorrells is gone.
Now we're stuck in the grieving process. Lights stay on all the time; all through the night. Jennifer wakes up every hour even with ear plugs. I stay up reading until I'm exhausted and can do nothing but sleep.
Going off of the five stages of grief, we both got through Denial pretty quickly. Anger washed over me for a while, and I still hold on to that if I were to ever find the people who did this. I've thought about Bargaining, but that seemed pretty futile. Now Jennifer and I are stuck in Depression with a healthy dose of fear. We've bounced into acceptance once and a while, but it doesn't last.
Last night was my turn to break down. I just feel powerless.
I worked 60 hours last week. It was a good project, but each night I was pretty tired.
Thursday evening was absolutely fucking horrible.
Jennifer was working late, and I got home about 6:45. I loved on Pom and saw the little stray we've been feeding waiting outside on the patio. When I put his food out, I heard some scrabbling on the redwood outside and saw two raccoons watching me. I thought it'd be cool to get some pictures of them, so I went out to the car, got my camera, and went to the front door.
Where I saw: broken wood, candles askew on the foyer table, and Jennifer's dream sign on its face.
I walked kind of stunned to the door and saw that it had been kicked in breaking the frame.
I ran to the office and saw that my laptop was missing. Then with a sinking feeling I went to the bedroom, and saw a nightmare. Our jewelry boxes were empty with the drawers on the floors, and all of the top drawers of our dressers were open.
All of our jewelry is gone except fro what we were wearing that day.
My wedding ring is gone. My ruby and diamond ring my parents gave me for my 21st birthday and modified for graduating college is gone. The diamond earring made from a cuff link of my Dad's is gone. All the special jewelry I've accumulated over 40 years is gone.
Fortunately Jennifer was wearing her white sapphire engagement ring, and her gold wedding band. But the jewelry I'd bought her for Valentine's Day this years is gone. Her gold cat charm necklace is gone. Her new diamond ring we bought from the Sorrells is gone.
Now we're stuck in the grieving process. Lights stay on all the time; all through the night. Jennifer wakes up every hour even with ear plugs. I stay up reading until I'm exhausted and can do nothing but sleep.
Going off of the five stages of grief, we both got through Denial pretty quickly. Anger washed over me for a while, and I still hold on to that if I were to ever find the people who did this. I've thought about Bargaining, but that seemed pretty futile. Now Jennifer and I are stuck in Depression with a healthy dose of fear. We've bounced into acceptance once and a while, but it doesn't last.
Last night was my turn to break down. I just feel powerless.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Oakland Drilling
This week I'm drilling in Oakland. We're doing 90 holes in five days.
We're working with two teams of geologists, so each group is needing to make about 9 holes a day.
Right now, we're a little behind the pace, but we've had some refusals (places where we could not reach depth), and so that may help us.
We made some good time today after lunch with a new procedure, and so we think we'll be back on track by the end of the day tomorrow.
We're working with two teams of geologists, so each group is needing to make about 9 holes a day.
Right now, we're a little behind the pace, but we've had some refusals (places where we could not reach depth), and so that may help us.
We made some good time today after lunch with a new procedure, and so we think we'll be back on track by the end of the day tomorrow.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Trying Again
All right, I'm going to try to get back in the habit of blogging. I've fallen off recently from working to finish a 1,000-page book.
The book was The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, and I have to admit that I was a bit reluctant to start a new epic fantasy series with the first volume just crossing 4 digits.
Jennifer said that I should give it a chance, and so I did. The Prologue was interesting, and then the Introduction was truly intriguing with a tease at the new magic system Sanderson has created. And from then on I was hooked. Aside from the humans and one small region, the world is almost like evolution moved on with crustaceans and corals. The magic system is based on gems that catch the power of storm that travel east to west.
Sanderson has obviously been influenced from his writing of the Wheel of Time conclusion, but mostly in the magic-technology lost to antiquity and the epic feel of things. The story is all his own. I look forward to his future volumes in this world of the Stormlight Archives.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
To Sum Up
Jennifer and I had a full weekend with her dad visiting.
We ate at Cafe Gratitude on Thursday, saw "Red" and ate in North Beach on Friday, hit the Pleasant Hill farmers' market Saturday morning, and then ate at Fellini Sunday morning before he flew home.
Then last night we got the last pieces for our costumes, and carved Jack o'Lanterns.
Pictures are up on Facebook, but I'll put up some here when I get home.
We ate at Cafe Gratitude on Thursday, saw "Red" and ate in North Beach on Friday, hit the Pleasant Hill farmers' market Saturday morning, and then ate at Fellini Sunday morning before he flew home.
Then last night we got the last pieces for our costumes, and carved Jack o'Lanterns.
Pictures are up on Facebook, but I'll put up some here when I get home.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
I'm Not the Only One
A couple weeks ago I mentioned that one night on the road I was seeing Lanterns everywhere.
Today, from a strip called Loldwell I learned I'm not the only one who has ever seen things like that.
Today, from a strip called Loldwell I learned I'm not the only one who has ever seen things like that.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Hemoglobin! Hemoglobin! We Want Blood!
This morning I had blood taken for work for the first time at since I've been at this company. It also the first blood I've had taken since I started getting tattoos.
Since we're going to be doing sampling for heavy metals for one of our clients, I've been asking that we be medically monitored for metals in our annual physicals. I've been asking for this for over a year. And since I'll be going in the field at the end of the month for this sampling, I began to ask a little more often and a little more strongly.
This was finally granted Monday, and so I went in today.
The woman that did the work was very nice, and I didn't jump when she put the needle in.
I can however still feel the pain from the needle in my arm and the occasional tingle all the way down to my fingers while I type.
Since we're going to be doing sampling for heavy metals for one of our clients, I've been asking that we be medically monitored for metals in our annual physicals. I've been asking for this for over a year. And since I'll be going in the field at the end of the month for this sampling, I began to ask a little more often and a little more strongly.
This was finally granted Monday, and so I went in today.
The woman that did the work was very nice, and I didn't jump when she put the needle in.
I can however still feel the pain from the needle in my arm and the occasional tingle all the way down to my fingers while I type.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Finally Mounted
I have, over the past few months, discovered the usefulness of magnets for sword hanging. Some of the swords I have are in their sheathes, and so I can use a large tool-hanging magnet from the hardware store. But for a few, I either have no sheath, or the sheaths are lame, so I'm hanging them with naked blades.
Now I used to have one sword hanging up on the wall by itself, but I got a companion blade for it, and so I needed to move it over. It took a few tries, and some patching and re-painting, but the swords are hung as you can see below.
I'm very happy with the look.
Now I used to have one sword hanging up on the wall by itself, but I got a companion blade for it, and so I needed to move it over. It took a few tries, and some patching and re-painting, but the swords are hung as you can see below.
I'm very happy with the look.
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