Wow,
Blogger sure has created a new dimension in my after work "ketchup". While AOL e-mails are down, the GoogleReader updates are sure up. It is great to have our little community migrate, and I am pleased that a few more J-Landers made the leap today :o)
Day two of the Dynamic Learning environment was interesting. My second evaluatee was a two month employee who had not worked at a nuclear power plant previously. His initial training provided a good foundation in the fundamentals, but not the details. So I had to "fail" him [sorry Indigo, that is the phrase on the forms we need to complete] for the first attempt. But I spent a lot of time coaching and training him. The rules require that one of the other evaluators perform his remediation, and I am pleased to say that he passed attempt two :o) He was a great person, Midwest born and raised, and we spent a lot of time visiting while we did the evaluation. He shook my and and gave me a big smile at the end, and said, nice to meet you! What a great disposition to have that attitude. He knew he was new, and appreciated the support and coaching more than the stigma of having to go through the evaluation again.
Getting ready for the debate, and I am looking forward to discussion of the economy based on the two day 875 day redux in the market. Always looking for the silver lining, I bought some stock of one of the companies that I am trying to recoup some recent losses from. Will be interesting to see how the next week or two plays out.
Good Night Spotters :o)
Oct 7, 2008
Oct 6, 2008
Dynamic Learning :o)
Today was a different day. I had the "opportunity" (used very loosely) to be an evaluator for a Radiological Protection Dynamic Learning Activity (RP-DLA).Lots of words for a simple activity, we have procedures to ensure we to not spread contamination at our nuclear power plant, and our workers need to practice good behaviors to ensure this is met. We have a similar activity for industrial safety.
The DLA is basically a series of tasks that need to be performed, and if they are not performed to requirements, you loose points. There are "circuit breakers" that if you get the activity wrong, you fail.
Being an evaluator is just a step above having to fire someone. As an evaluator, if they do not perform the circuit breaker activities properly, then you must fail them, and they need to re-perform the entire activity. If they fail again, then they need to go to their management for determination of the next steps (i.e., this is a performance issue).
Today, someone that I used to work with, missed a critical step. It was a terrible feeling, having to tell him that he "failed" the evaluation. He took it well, stayed around, and he re-mediated successfully.
There are four evaluators per week, with three classes per day (12 students per day). Today, we failed five on the first attempt, but luckily they all passed the remediation. Only four more days, I hope our success rate increases, because I do not like having to "fail" folks.
It makes for a long day, multiple sessions of watching people perform these activities. It is physically, and sometimes, emotionally taxing. Sounds a lot like every day life!
Oct 5, 2008
Early NFL Results
Early Games result in Da Bears winning, the Colts winning (in an ugly manner, but a W is a W), and - for Joyce, the Titans remain undefeated.
Hope you are all having a great Sunday :o)
Oct 4, 2008
Saturday Football - A good day
The fighting Illini (my Alma Mater) did some as* kicking against Michigan today. This is the biggest game for me, even bigger than the national championship, because I dislike Michigan due to Illinois and Notre Dame. So, Go ILLINI :o)
On a separate note, the Fighting Irish had an okay victory over Stanford today. They should have put it away, but let it be close. Bottom line, they are now 4-1. Go IRISH.
Science Scene - Birds' Sixth Sense
Today's entry comes courtesy of PopSci.
The key to a bird's navigational prowess.
Scientists have known for years that map sense stems from the magnetite in birds' beaks, which measures the strength of the Earth's magnetic fields so they recognize home when they get there. But how do they know which direction home is? Researchers at the University of Oxford have pinpointed a mechanism, in the lab at least, that may act as a bird's compass. The compound, called a CPF triad, was used for the experiment because it's similar to proteins found in migratory birds' retinas. When illuminated with a blue light typical of dusk, which is when birds orient themselves, CPF formed two unpaired electrons that spin in opposite directions.
A magnetic field forced the electrons to align, providing a fixed location for the birds to call north. Avian specialists think it's like having a fighter pilot's eyes, like a head-up display, birds can activate a layer of vision to see Earth's magnetic field lines.
Now, I do not believe that birds have a head-up display, or special vision, but I do believe that there is interesting information regarding magnetic fields, and the magnetite in their beaks. The whole migration phenomena is amazing.
The key to a bird's navigational prowess.
Scientists have known for years that map sense stems from the magnetite in birds' beaks, which measures the strength of the Earth's magnetic fields so they recognize home when they get there. But how do they know which direction home is? Researchers at the University of Oxford have pinpointed a mechanism, in the lab at least, that may act as a bird's compass. The compound, called a CPF triad, was used for the experiment because it's similar to proteins found in migratory birds' retinas. When illuminated with a blue light typical of dusk, which is when birds orient themselves, CPF formed two unpaired electrons that spin in opposite directions.
A magnetic field forced the electrons to align, providing a fixed location for the birds to call north. Avian specialists think it's like having a fighter pilot's eyes, like a head-up display, birds can activate a layer of vision to see Earth's magnetic field lines.
Now, I do not believe that birds have a head-up display, or special vision, but I do believe that there is interesting information regarding magnetic fields, and the magnetite in their beaks. The whole migration phenomena is amazing.
Oct 3, 2008
Oct 2, 2008
Habitat Part Deux
Today, I had the opportunity to spend the entire day at our Habitat build. It was great. The home-owner-to-be was there again today (Habitat requires sweat equity, and she is only 12 hours away from meeting her commitment). I discussed briefly tonight with Beth, and we are going to go to the dedication on October 11th.
Today, I had the chance to learn how to install faux tile floors (not ceramic tile, but the 1/8" sticky type, but we also put down the same paste that is used for ceramic tiles), to do door trim, and installation of counter-tops and a new sink. We also connected the water and electric for the dishwasher, and installed the range hood and connected the electric. I also installed the trim around the attic access hole to make it blend in (it was very rough before I started).
It has been such a fun and educational experience to really get involved this year with Habitat. As each year goes by, I will ensure that I can devote more and more time. It is a great cause for a great charity, and a deserving home-owner-to-be :o)
Today, I had the chance to learn how to install faux tile floors (not ceramic tile, but the 1/8" sticky type, but we also put down the same paste that is used for ceramic tiles), to do door trim, and installation of counter-tops and a new sink. We also connected the water and electric for the dishwasher, and installed the range hood and connected the electric. I also installed the trim around the attic access hole to make it blend in (it was very rough before I started).
It has been such a fun and educational experience to really get involved this year with Habitat. As each year goes by, I will ensure that I can devote more and more time. It is a great cause for a great charity, and a deserving home-owner-to-be :o)
Oct 1, 2008
Habitat
Today was an awesome day. Fairly quiet morning. Based on some safety incidents and injuries over the last several months, we have implemented a new Dynamic Learning Activity (DLA). You get some classroom training (five hours, OMG :o) on safety, that includes how to coach others that are not practicing expectations, and then a 1-2 hour practical. I had my practical this morning, and passed (phew :o)
After that, and a little of this, I headed out to our Habitat for Humanity house. Today, I had the opportunity to hang kitchen cabinets. I learned some great tid-bits to use for the future. I am heading up tomorrow for a full day, and expect to learn how to install kitchen counters and such. It is a great experience, and the future owner was there today (she is only 12 hours shy of meeting her 150 hours of sweat equity). I am a firm and solid believer in Habitat, and plan on making this part of my annual activity profile :o)
Hope your week is going well...
After that, and a little of this, I headed out to our Habitat for Humanity house. Today, I had the opportunity to hang kitchen cabinets. I learned some great tid-bits to use for the future. I am heading up tomorrow for a full day, and expect to learn how to install kitchen counters and such. It is a great experience, and the future owner was there today (she is only 12 hours shy of meeting her 150 hours of sweat equity). I am a firm and solid believer in Habitat, and plan on making this part of my annual activity profile :o)
Hope your week is going well...
J-Land No More???
So, here we are (at least some of us).
As a person who works in an environment where change is non-stop, this has been a learning experience. I actually find some aspects of this new home, that frankly, are not too bad :o)
In order to make a clean break from AOL Journals, I think we need a different name than J-Land. I acknowledge that there are a lot of fond memories in J-Land, but we need to create new memories here, both with old friends and some new friends. I notice that I have some new "followers" that were not part of AOL, so again, I say, lets make a new start.
So, I recommend we retire the J-Land moniker, and come up with a new one.
I got the following idea from an entry at Coastal Comfort II. I say, lets call ourself "Spotters" in honor of our new home at BlogSpot. Let me know what you think, or leave a comment with an different suggestion.
As a person who works in an environment where change is non-stop, this has been a learning experience. I actually find some aspects of this new home, that frankly, are not too bad :o)
In order to make a clean break from AOL Journals, I think we need a different name than J-Land. I acknowledge that there are a lot of fond memories in J-Land, but we need to create new memories here, both with old friends and some new friends. I notice that I have some new "followers" that were not part of AOL, so again, I say, lets make a new start.
So, I recommend we retire the J-Land moniker, and come up with a new one.
I got the following idea from an entry at Coastal Comfort II. I say, lets call ourself "Spotters" in honor of our new home at BlogSpot. Let me know what you think, or leave a comment with an different suggestion.
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