{Bike Work Parents/Truck} Things
Aug. 25th, 2003 11:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
skreidleBike things:
Ah yes, forgot to mention: The asphalt patches to I-64 (between Richmond anv Va Beach, VA), which is otherwise concrete, really suck. Mile after mile of what amount to low speedbumps, at 60+ mph. I had to pay extra-close attention to the road surface ahead so I could stand up a bit on the pegs for these bumps, or I would a) accordion my spine, and/or b) unwillingly catch air off the seat, which are respectively a) uncomfortable and b) bad for control.
Also, I think my fuel reserve valve isn't working properly, as I think it's pulling from the "reserve" (i.e., the whole three-gallon tank instead of the top two gallons) all the time. Fortunately, my fuel economy is fairly consistent--over 50mpg lately--so I'm never unaware of how much gas I have left.
Tomorrow, I take![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jude for a ride on my bike, before she gets crazy packing for her return to school.
Work things:
As I expected, the five other Techs iN Training (TNT!) arrived after lunch today, so after they got through their paperwork phase, I joined them for a tour of the place--including the Op Center, which I hadn't seen before, which is where they track all employees in the field, and electronic devices aren't allowed--and then the introductory class stuff. (Class actually starts tomorrow, and continues for eight weeks.) All five are 20 (I think) and were students together at some technical institute in Pittsburgh, all attaining their Associates in something Electrical. We have Matt, the tall thin gawky guy; Rob, the tall big boisterous one (who scored no points with Ray, the trainer, for his high opinion of Fords, non-bow hunting, and the Steelers); Chris, the tall frat-boy-esque guy; Corey, the black guy who's about my height; and Angie, the one girl, who's shorter than I am. Damn tall class. ;P
Skimming through the large binder o' training, we found that in addition to technical stuff--electronics, welding, product-specific stuff--we'll also be learning CPR, plus information on what to eat and not eat, and what illnesses to keep in mind. Lots of international travel, some to underdeveloped countries, makes that necessary. (The descriptions and pictures, not so pretty--but getting them, even less pretty.)
Parents/Truck things:
After work and some LJ/email catchup, I headed to Manassas to help dad work on my truck. First I had dinner, which was a tasty chicken/cashew/mandarin orange/apple/rice dish, then out we went. Off came the transfer case, gearshift, and starter motor, before it got too dark and insect-bite-y to stay out longer. Next comes dropping the transmission and replacing the clutch slave cylinder, which is the desired task that necessitates all this part-removal. :P (He may do this tomorrow; either way, I'll go back Wednesday to help more.) Then we watched Still Standing, Everybody Loves Raymond, and King of Queens, before we adjourned to bed or Lorton. :)
Ah yes, forgot to mention: The asphalt patches to I-64 (between Richmond anv Va Beach, VA), which is otherwise concrete, really suck. Mile after mile of what amount to low speedbumps, at 60+ mph. I had to pay extra-close attention to the road surface ahead so I could stand up a bit on the pegs for these bumps, or I would a) accordion my spine, and/or b) unwillingly catch air off the seat, which are respectively a) uncomfortable and b) bad for control.
Also, I think my fuel reserve valve isn't working properly, as I think it's pulling from the "reserve" (i.e., the whole three-gallon tank instead of the top two gallons) all the time. Fortunately, my fuel economy is fairly consistent--over 50mpg lately--so I'm never unaware of how much gas I have left.
Tomorrow, I take
jude for a ride on my bike, before she gets crazy packing for her return to school.Work things:
As I expected, the five other Techs iN Training (TNT!) arrived after lunch today, so after they got through their paperwork phase, I joined them for a tour of the place--including the Op Center, which I hadn't seen before, which is where they track all employees in the field, and electronic devices aren't allowed--and then the introductory class stuff. (Class actually starts tomorrow, and continues for eight weeks.) All five are 20 (I think) and were students together at some technical institute in Pittsburgh, all attaining their Associates in something Electrical. We have Matt, the tall thin gawky guy; Rob, the tall big boisterous one (who scored no points with Ray, the trainer, for his high opinion of Fords, non-bow hunting, and the Steelers); Chris, the tall frat-boy-esque guy; Corey, the black guy who's about my height; and Angie, the one girl, who's shorter than I am. Damn tall class. ;P
Skimming through the large binder o' training, we found that in addition to technical stuff--electronics, welding, product-specific stuff--we'll also be learning CPR, plus information on what to eat and not eat, and what illnesses to keep in mind. Lots of international travel, some to underdeveloped countries, makes that necessary. (The descriptions and pictures, not so pretty--but getting them, even less pretty.)
Parents/Truck things:
After work and some LJ/email catchup, I headed to Manassas to help dad work on my truck. First I had dinner, which was a tasty chicken/cashew/mandarin orange/apple/rice dish, then out we went. Off came the transfer case, gearshift, and starter motor, before it got too dark and insect-bite-y to stay out longer. Next comes dropping the transmission and replacing the clutch slave cylinder, which is the desired task that necessitates all this part-removal. :P (He may do this tomorrow; either way, I'll go back Wednesday to help more.) Then we watched Still Standing, Everybody Loves Raymond, and King of Queens, before we adjourned to bed or Lorton. :)
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Date: 2003-08-25 08:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-08-25 09:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-08-25 09:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-08-25 10:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-08-26 11:20 am (UTC)whee, motorcycles!
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Date: 2003-08-26 02:30 pm (UTC)Damn weather. :P