A gold star

Its good to know that in a conservatory program, you learn skills that are directly applicable to the "real" world. After how many years (3+, I think) of estimating materials for scenery in school, I have successfully done the first pass at it for a real, commercial shop. And KZ did not throw it back in my face. I suspect that it was a little slow for his tastes, but we had the sheets to the dept. heads by lunch, tagged and everything. That's another thing that I like about this project management gig... I don't have to estimate the labor as standard procedure. Labor estimation was never my strong suit in school, and now I just have to estimate the non-construction depts. That is still tricky stuff, but I personally am not the one to do it right now.

You know, I'm probably not as smart as I feel sometimes, I've just had good luck. If you go to college-prep high school, you should be able to do well in college. If in college, the models upon which your education is based are YRT/YSD and CSSI, then when you go to those places, you should be able to do well. Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

Keep Smiling! =)

killing time

in a CompUSA training center. Today, my second day as an employee of CSSI, I am going to a Level 1 MSProject class. Tomorrow, Level 2. There are no more levels. Not knowing how traffic would be in the 8 o'clock hour as compared to the 6 or 7 o'clock hours on Lake Shore Drive, I left my home much earlier than I needed to. Then, instead of comparison shopping on parking, I just went to the first one I found (which it turns out is going to be really expensive, we'll see if the reimbursement is approved) and got back to the training center. Thusly, I am very early for my class.

In my internet-surfing-time-killing, I discovered that this store has a filter on the internet that prevents access to livejournal. Probably because their employees were playing on lj instead of working, but it has no problem so far with blogger or meetup.com

Time to work.

Neighborhood Info Guide

Neighborhood Info Guide: "Conservative
budgets suggest allocating between 25% - 35%
of income for housing expenses. The following
table illustrates how much you can spend on
rent based on your annual income."

So, it looks like I should be looking for something between $600 and $875/month max to be within reasonable affordable housing limits... that sounds like a lot for an apartment. I don't want to stretch it too thin, what if I suck at managing my money? But then again, being cheap I always seem to end up with a horrible apartment or a crazy roommate, so maybe spending a little to get a little isn't such a bad idea?

"You like me!"

I got a job offer! Now I just need to figure things out. Does anyone know how to find an apartment that doesn't suck with roommate(s) who aren't insane? I am not known for great skill in this department and I'd like some pointers.

Time for Alias, blog more later

RSL Employment

RSL Employment

Does anyone know who these people are? I imagine that I could do the job of Assistant Technical Director, so I think that I will contact them tomorrow. Yup, I really think that I will. And take a look on Mapquest to see where they are located.

Goodtheatre.org: Who the heck are you?

Goodtheatre.org: Who the heck are you?

I haven't mentioned this site on any of the blogs yet, but I thought that this was as good a time as any to give a shoutout to Ben and his crazy ideas. I have 43 connections and a rating of 64. If you can't see my page, want in on the project that is gt.o and are involved in the industry, leave a comment and I'll invite you.

On the cusp of two generations

I've been a lazy bum recently on the job search front. Which makes the reports from behind the masking flat really unexciting. However, "things are moving forward" in Chicago. I don't know what that actually means, but it wasn't a "life sucks, we have no money to hire you, go away." So maybe its good. A load-in for the auto show is keeping them busy, so we are scheduled to talk monday afternoon.

Today I worked for dad because Bob was sick with the same stuff Andrea has, and so I had to do an install. Normally installs take around 2 hours. I was there for about 6 today. This was the most high maintenance man EVER, and that's saying a lot for a sign customer.

***Request for information***We now interrupt your reading to ask the public a favor. Go to this site (http://www.generations.com) and leave a comment if you can figure out what BridgeWorks does, or what the "Generational Puzzle" is or why it needs to be solved.***End Request***

Nothing was right, he thought that he knew what he wanted but then when he got whatever that was, it was still not right and he didn't know what to do. I was one of 3 installers there today; me, the security system installer and the IKEA FURNITURE ASSEMBLERS!

Who hires people to put together their desk and shelves from IKEA?? If you aren't going to realize the cost savings of ready-to-assemble, particle board, flat-packed, self-serve furniture by taking it home in your car and putting Bolt 34 into Hole A on Panel C4, then get some real furniture from a regular furniture store. Don't get IKEA furniture and have it delivered and assembled by people that you have to pay.

End Rant. Its been a long day. The install was a lesson in smile and nod, undermining, and insanity. I'm going to go read now.