The Office: La Porte
(If the links to the pictures give you a 403: Forbidden error, click on the address and hit enter)
Another day, another dollar. This is where I've been spending about 50% of my time. This is my office. I inherited it from a woman whose name is unpronounceable. The office was left untouched from her move-out. I've had to sift through her stuff (keep in mind she has lots of
female "stuff" in the desk) to dig myself a place to work. It's starting to feel more homey. With a poster or two, it'll be just like the
family room at Hoover.
Today was the nicest day I've had so far. It was only 91F and the humidity was a mere 31%. Things at work are great. I've been spending a lot of time trying to figure out how things run, who does what, and how I fit in. Monday I was greeted at 7:30AM to an e-mail telling me "...the
K-Tron precoat feeder is down. Will you fix it?" First and foremost, I knew just as much as you about what the Hell they wanted me to do. Secondly, after tackling this problem now for three days, it remains unsolved. I've done a lot of work and now am able to help the 30+ year veterans fix the problem and there's a work order in for some final work to be done Friday morning. This will mark the first profitable contribution I've made.
Today I also stole some time to enroll in Koch's benefit program. Starting September 1st, I will be covered with health and dental insurance. This might now seem like a big deal... it's not. It just seems weird that a couple of weeks ago,
I was worried about this.
I also set up a
401(k) account with JPMorgan and will start, with my first paycheck, to invest 3% of my salary in to a retirement fund. I'm 23. I'm investing in my retirement.
I'm headed back to Michigan this friday to attend a wedding for a high school friend,
Nick Smith. I'll spend Friday in Ann Arbor, stick around for a bit of the tailgate Saturday, and then make my way to Rochester Hills for a wedding. Not only am I investing in my future, my friends are getting married. On a similar note,
Zach Warlick just turned 24. My friends are a quarter of a century old.
What do you think about New Years 2k6 --> 2k7: Houston?
Note: I just counted and I have 26
Brown Jug pens that will soon occupy the mug on my desk.
A Memory
Can't wait to see this again.
Gonna' miss this
40 Hours: A Shock to the System
So after a rough 40 hour work week, I find myself needing this weekend more than ever. After a week on the job, I've got some good impressions about what I've done and what I'll be doing. Invista - La Porte is a chemical facility that produces two chemicals -
THF and
PTMEG. Both chemicals are sold to make polymers used in Stainmaster carpet, Lycra, nylon, and a
variety of other applications. The site I'm working on, while being one of Invista's smallest facilities, is the industry leader of both aforementioned chemicals.
The plant has about 100 employees. The operators work around the clock monitoring the process while the engineers and management works M-F 8-5ish ensuring things are running correctly. Everyone I've met is approachable and eager and willing to help. That's a bonus when you're going in to a field you know nothing about. Invista is one of the fastest growing companies in the nation.
Check out all the job openings.
My official title is an "
Electrical and Instrumentation Reliability Engineer." Sound confusing? That makes two of us. I get the impression the engineering staff is broken down in to two group - one working to keep the plant up and running and another developing new methods to save money and increase productivity. I get the impression I'll be the former. Eventually I'll be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the electrical systems in the plant. As of now, the only other E&I engineering is my boss. He's in his mid-fiftys and is a nice guy. He's working as a contractor now and appears to be near the end of his career. Outside of he and I working as E&I engineers, there is an E&I maintenance staff that works around the clock monitoring, repairing, and working on preventive maintenance. I'll be working closely with the E&I maintenance staff to conduct preventive maintenance, install new systems, and repair systems that fail.
Allready I've spent a good amount of time outside working hands-on learning about the different systems and facilities. It's good for me because it break up the monotony of sitting behind a desk. I've quickly figured out that everything I've learned in school is junk. I've got an entire new curriculum to learn to figure out how things work, the new theory with the devices I'll be working with, and the chemical process. It's a great deal of information, all fairly interesting. For every hill I make it over, I reveal a mountain behind it. I get the feeling it will be many moons before I fully understand what's going on.
Life in the working world is a shock. I've been getting up around 6:45AM and working until about 4:45 or 5. With the job comes a new computer, (Dell Latitude D620 with Duo Core Processors and 1GB of RAM) my own office, (door and all) and all the safety equipment one could ever wish for. I justify every day with how much I make while I'm there and when things lull, I count on that to get me through the day. Money is a motivator.
I'll work on smuggling a camera in to see if I can get some pictures of the plant, my office, and the area. La Porte
is a chemical area home to companies like Shell, Exxon, Goodyear, and a plethora of other major industrial players. Driving from downtown Houston 20 minutes east in to the most concentrated industrial site I've ever seen is shocking. Every morning I drive east in to the sun but about the time I get to La Porte, the exhaust from the plants block the sun and I can take off my sunglasses.
It's a different, new world but I'm enjoying it so far. I'm looking forward to my first paycheck. I've got a bit of debt to dig myself out of. Come and visit sometime and I'll work that debt like you can't imagine.
A Few Rambling Observations
So this post won't contain any pertinent information about Houston, my job, or anything else. I just had a few observations about maintaining friendships, long-distance communication, and other random stuff.
First, Instant Messanger is a blessing. How did people communicate before computers? At any given time, I can hope online and find out what my friends are doing. On top of that, I can talk to friends a country away and stay in touch and in tune with the goings-on at any of their locales.
Second, e-mail works even better. A quick message to keep in touch or keep friends informed is invaluable. To be able to, at any time, send someone at message they can read and respond to at their convenience is awesome. Without e-mail, all we would have is the United States Postal Service. While they are a reliable service with a 200 year service record, there is no debate as to the relative ease of e-mail. No postage, no delivery time, and no reception problems.
Third, any big city in America contains everything someone would want: Speciality stores, sports, travel options, and dining to name a few examples. However, not all big cities posses options for mass transit. Not unlike Detroit, Houston is a city driven by an industry. In Detroit, it's cars. In Houston, it's oil. Both cities understandably have lobbies deterring mass transit to further their product. It's a shame because that monopoly limits the development and growth of any city. Both current and potential residents have to be turned off by the limiting easy of transportation. To get to the outskirts of the city, one must drive. While this proves not to be a challenge for those fortunate enough to have a reliable car and the means to fund its operation. I believe this to be a major developmental problem for any city looking to grow and flourish.
Houston needs a subway, rail system, or reliable bus system. You can see here that the bus system in place lacks the hours, routes, and staff to move people to the places they need to go on a daily (business day and weekend day)basis.
Summary: Friends are important and it's easy to stay in touch no matter where you are in the world. Also, the US should take a page out of the worlds book and implement mass transportation everywhere. That's all.
Beyond Chinatown
This afternoon I beat the heat and drove south of downtown to
Rice Univeristy. I briefly stopped to check out their campus and athletic facilities. My experience with colleges is that they are normally integrated in to a city environment. However, Rice, unlike most of the universities I've visited, is situation in a metropolitan part of town containing tall buildings, crowded streets, and non-university businesses.
On the trip I also found a store that supplied parts and consumables for the Narguila. This was a major find and will work for future purchases in the aforementioned field.
From Rice University, there was a great view of downtown. Through the haze of the heat, you can see the skyline of downtown behind the looming skyscrapers of the university.
Once one finds "Main Street," the major thoroughfare through Rice's campus, you can deviate from that road more often traveled and find streets familiar to any college student: student slums. It goes to show college is college no matter where you go or what city you're in. While I miss the easy-living lifestyle of Ann Arbor, I can't help but be excited for what awaits in America's fourth largest city.
It appears, from my short exposure to the city, that Houston was once a major player in international and national business. However, during the oil lulls of the late 80's and 90's, it delved in to a small depression. Now, with oil prices on the rise and oil companies thriving, the development and reurbanization of Houston is evident. I have hope that Houston will grow in to the hotspot for young professionals it once was.
18 Innings? Don't Mind If I Do
Last night I had the chance to watch my first Astros game at
Minute Maid Park. I watched
Roger Clemens pitch against the Chicago Cubs. I bought tickets around noon and got a ticket down the first base line in the highest row of the stadium. Even after taking a tour earlier in the afternoon, I was still pretty amazed with the stadium.
Allthough the Astros lost, it was a game for the record books. If you're familiar with the stadium, you know they have the deepest straight away center of any ballpark, 346 feet from home plate. As you approach the wall in center field, you'll notice a 30-degree, uphill slope - "Tal's Hill" - for a center field warning track, and a flag pole in the field of play create unique actions for any ball that gets past an outfielder. Before last night, only one player had conquered center field in game play. Last night, Chicago Cub's
Jacque Jones also conquered this wall becoming the second player in
Minute Maid history to clear center field.
Outside from the long-ball, the game also went in to a Minute Maid record 18 innings. Lasting until midnight, the game eventually turned to a loss for the Astros but proved to be worth the $10 ticket. The Astros lost 6-8 and played a game that equated to two normal MLB games. It was a great game to make my first (of many) at Minute Maid Park.
To those who might visit during baseball season: Make sure to let me know early so we can catch a convenient game at Minute Maid Park.
Apartment
So I took a couple shots of my loft, currently inhabated by me. Hopefully this will provide a glimpse in to where I'll be wallowing for the next few years.
Minute Maid Park
I spent the afternoon today on a guided tour of Minute Maid Park. The park, opened in 2000, is fantastic. It is a major engineering feat with a retractable roof, astonishing HVAC system, and manicured field. The tour was informative and we got to see some places I surely won't be able to go tonight like the dugout, bullpen, media broadcasting room, suites, managers offices, and the diamond club.
It was an awesome experience and at the beginning of the tour, the tour guide had the group go around and have people say where they were from. Going around the group, there were lots of Chicagoans, some people from California, and when prompted, I was, "...from two blocks down the street." It's a neat feeling to be able to call myself a Houstonian.
As we were moving from level to level, I also was able to get a great view of my apartment. It really is two blocks away.
A Little Bit of Houston
So I took the opportunity to walk around Houston on this beautiful Monday afternoon (that's the last time I'll ever call a Monday beautiful) I saw some great sights and got some good shots of some scenic views.
This is a shot of the outside of my lofts. The complex consists of three buildings: A main building housing the offices, pool, theatre, internet cafe, pool table, and lofts. (mine included) One other building consists of exclusively lofts and the third is a parking structure. The shot on the left is of the main office entrance (click on any image for full size)
The next thing you see when you left the lofts is Minute Maid Park. The Park is brand new and the area around it is heavily under development. It appears as though the area used to thrive, became run down, and now is starting to flourish again.
As one walks downtown, it transitions from the BallPark feeling (Toyota Center, home to The Rockets, is also in the area) to the metropolis feel. The Skyline District is the most impressive. Building are named after the major oil investors like Shell and Exxon. The Skyline District provides some scenic views and some great shade to stay cool (even though this is impossible)
As you can see, the skyline is impressive. The streets are well marked, it's easy to get around, and there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and shopping centers.
As you continue downtown, you'll come across the Theatre District, the Shopping District, and the entertainment district.
Even the architecture in Houston is great. The old buildings, reminiscent of the golden oil era, dot the skyline with elegance. The newer skyscrapers, built with money from the recent resurge of oil, gives the area a feeling of pristine, clean, nouveau downtown.
And as one continues through downtown, you arrive at an impressive theatre district, the third largest in the country. A combination of musical theatre, ballet, orchestral, and dance rounds Houston as a up-and-coming city.
The Aquarium also provides a nice backdrop. I had a chance to visit with my parents. The exhibits weren't great but the building is cool.
The theatre buildings are all impressively large and new. I can't wait to see a show at either of these venues.
And finally, on the return trip, to get to my loft, you walk through the main entrance and see this, the place I'll be spending the next week until I start work:
Note: On my walk, I lost 1.5 cubic liters of sweat. It's hot here.
On My Own
I just took my parents to Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) It was a short 15 minute drive out of the city, similar to the one I'll be making to work (with another 10 minutes or so tacked on at the end) and the traffic wasn't bad. However, the traffic coming in to the city is terrible. I guess it makes sense that people want to live outside the city and drive in instead of the opposite.
The short story is I'm officially on my own now. I've got $60 in my wallet, a stressed credit card/bank account, and nothing to do until I start work Monday, August 21st. I'll take today and spend some time walking around the city and the area I live. Maybe I'll even take some pictures to add to this blog. Who knows. I can do whatever I want.
Maybe I'll just stay in and watch TV.
Man It's Hot
I’m in awe. After 17 grueling hours on the road Thursday and another 5 today, I’ve finally arrived in my new home: Houston, Texas. My dad, driving the 10-foot U-Haul, arrived about an hour before my mom and me. Upon our arrival, we proceeded in to the leasing office to take care of the paper work, check out the facilities, and do some stretching after spending the night in Texarkana, TX.
When we walked in, we were both stunned. Not to blow my own horn, but I pick well. Even on our drive in to the leasing office, we were greeted by a fantastic, new Minute Maid Park. When we walked in the office, there were plush sofas, amazing décor, and friendly staff. After sitting down and signing some papers (about 30) I was given a key to my room, a keyless fob that opened all the doors in the complex, and a garage door opener for the parking structure.
I took a few minutes to look at the fabulous pool at the center of the complex – complete with multiple grills, coolers, and pop machines- which permits booze, the huge fitness facility, the “business center” with capabilities to fax, print, and surf the internet, and the theatre room. Now let it be known – moving the big screen up the 3 stairs we had to proved to be a small challenge. Maybe it was unnecessary. The theatre room has stadium seating, a high definition projection system, and an unreal sound setup. I can only image Halo 2.
So after leaving the main facility in awe, my mom and I went up to my room, loft #1221, which was on the second floor. My dad had been moving in things from the U-Haul for about an hour and a half. The only items left were the big-ticket things like the dresser, bed, sofa, and television. I was greeted by a sight so beautiful I nearly shit myself. (my go-to move when I’m elated) The loft was huge, brand new, spacious, gigantic, massive, mammoth, colossal, and awesome. The bathroom has both a shower (with 2 heads, one on either wall) and a high-powered bath tub. The loft has two huge walk-in closets for storage and a great closet for clothes. Sitting here with things left sitting in boxes seems like a crime. I want to unpack, clean, organize, and show off my new place to anyone who would look.
As we finished unloading, my parents decided there were going to check in to their hotel and clean up so we could meet for dinner. I drove them to their hotel downtown, about 5 blocks away, and saw on my return trip the crowds headed to the stadium for an Astros game. What a fabulous sight. Imagine Comerica Park surrounded by great residential areas minutes from a bustling downtown. Well, so it kind of is... but image now you aren’t scared for your life. That’s the difference.
I haven’t been here long, I haven’t seem much (or any) of the city, but I know this is going to be fantastic. It’s a drag my parents are still writing checks for me but soon enough I’ll be able to repay them. Why? I’ve got a job. I’m a yuppie now (young urban professional) and I live with a bunch of other yuppies. I spent many long hours searching for the right place to live. I think I did a good job.
(If the links to the pictures give you a 403: Forbidden error, click on the address and hit enter)
Note: I just counted and I have 26 Brown Jug pens that will soon occupy the mug on my desk.
