Transportation

Ok, so I thought I would take the holiday to get caught up on some work. Little did I know how fast I would finish what I needed when there was no one else at work to bother me. I finished up my day in 6 hours and had nothing else to do until after new years when my co-workers return. So, I took the rest of the days off as well, if you can't beat em, join em.

So one of the things I managed to do this extended holiday weekend is to install my replacement transmission cooler. I had the transmission rebuilt, and they told me the electric fan on the transmission cooler, which was only two months old, had failed. I contacted the company and they got me a new one the day after Christmas. Anyway, I got that done, then decided to take some action on the rusty crusty rocker panels under the doors of my 1977 Bronco. They do nothing other than collect dirt and get in the way of rocks, don't ask me how I know, so I cut them off.

I hate java!

Ok so I have come to a realization, I hate programming in Java. Well, really I hate programming web applications in java. The biggest problem is our implementation I think. We are using Sun Java Application Server 8.2 as the server, and Sun Studio Creator as the IDE. First off the IDE is slow and loves to eat memory. Second, in order to get anything done you build the gui in a jsp file, then the backing code in a java file which gets compiled into a classfile, and for better functionality you have to use javascript as well.

Job well done?

Hmm, well maybe. Yeah, so I wrapped up my week at noon today with over 45 hours in for the week. Ok, maybe that's not a lot to some people, but hey I don't get any benefit from working long hours. The software company I work for does offer an engineering bonus, but first off its only available to employees that have been with the company for over six months. Next the project is being sponsored by my company, which makes it an internal project, so not externally billable. The bonus program is only applicable on billable hours. So I get screwed all the way around. Anyway, my boss did a demo of the application to our first users today, and I got word that it went really well. So I got a thanks for the hard work. Umm yeah that makes the time away from my wife worth it. NOT!

What does it mean?

Ok, so on my project we have weekly meetings. Because of Thanksgiving we didn't have one last week. Anyway, it for some reason is not only my job to be sole developer on the project, but also to keep notes of the meetings and email all those in attendance my notes of that meeting. Ok, no biggie, but I don't need to be reminded not only during each meeting, but after it as well!!! In the meeting maybe asking me to shoot an email with my notes to make sure everyone is on the same page is ok, but then to email all that attended to "remind me" that I need to send this email is a little over the line in my opinion. Oh, and then when I mention that a certain change has been made, the boss says "why did you do that? I don't remember talking about that." Ok, fine if you don't remember it, but what does it accomplish in arguing with me about it? I simply do as I am told dammit. Ok, enough rambling!

Questions about existing code.

I think I have had it with the questions about the existing code for the application I am working on. I mean really, I was asked to wrap the project up three months after I started on it. Ok I had the new additions to the code done. Then I was asked why the old code does this or that? Umm gee I don't know because for one I did not write it, and two because I haven't had time to look at the existing code while trying to meet this ridiculous deadline. In case anyone wonders, I am still working on the project now on November 27th, when we wanted to release around October 1st. The problem is that every time we have a meeting to discuss the project additional items, or major changes are requested. Yeah, anyone listening, IF YOU KEEP REQUESTING CHANGES IT WILL NEVER BE DONE! Ok, glad I got that off my chest. Well back to correcting issues introduced from the last round of chances that were requested, to both my code and the existing!

Checking for Bugs

Ok, so the project I am working on has now started the testing phase. I must tell you, I absolutely hate taking over a project. I am sitting here being asked why such and such was done this way. Umm, how the hell should I know, I didn't have anything to do with that! So anyway, there are only a few issues with my portion of it, and they are due to issues with adding functionality to the existing code.

Anyway, it has been a hard day, not a hard day of work, but I hard day of staying awake! After leaving early last Tuesday and taking the rest of the week off I feel like I need another vacation!

Can't we all just get along?!?

Ok, It is a full year before the next presidential election and I am already sick and tired of the mud slinging ads. Why can't the damn politicians understand that I don't give a flying flip why they think the opposition is bad!?! It doesn't really make it hard to select whom I will vote for, but it does kind of make me not want to vote. I have traditionally voted republican because in the past, while I was in the military the republicans were the most "pro-military." I must say however that I am not tired of it. IF ANY POLITICIANS READ THIS, MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS AND TELL ME WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO, NOT WHAT YOUR OPPONENTS HAVE DONE!!!!!

Ok, I guess I can get off my soap box now, but if I have to listen to one more Clinton commercial talking about Obama, or Obama complaining about Clinton, or Edwards complaining about ANYTHING, or Romney bad mouthing either Clinton or Obama, I think I may throw the television out the freaking window and become Amish. :-D

Projects

So I am just about to finish up a project at work, and I have to get into another one. I started this one several months ago, but I had to devote all my time to another. It is a big change moving from a java web application, to a C++ MFC application. Right now I am fixing minor issues in the JAVA app, and trying to implement changes in the C++ app, at the same time. Anyway, I have projects at work, then I have projects at home. Two nights ago, my wife and I took the soft top off of my 1977 Ford Bronco, last night we set the hard top in place, and secured it with a few bolts. Tonight all I did was put all the bolts along the front lip, install the wiper motor, and prep to install the wiper motor cover. I can't wait to get the transmission fixed so that I can drive the damn thing everywhere and all the time. As it is right now I have to be very careful because it seems like if I push too hard then the transmission simply lets go. I then have to put it in neutral, pull over, put it in park, then I can put it back in drive and take off. I wish I could put a manual transmission in it, but that is more work than I am willing to do right now, so I am considering going with a reverse manual valve body. This makes the C4 automatic act as a 3 speed manual with out a clutch.

Back in the Bronco!!

Well I finally drove my bronco to work again! OK, it may not sound exciting to most, but to me it's big, as I love my 1977 Ford Bronco!

The story. I think it was Sunday, September 9th 2007, my wife and I were coming back from Menard's in the bronco. I take off a little quick from a stop and she says "well get on it why don't you." Of course I tell her I didn't and at the next stop, yeah I know, I said "this is getting on it." I step hard on the gas and the transmission starts to slip, then grabs hard and pushes everything forward enough to push the fan through the radiator! We were only about 3/4 of a mile from home so I drove on back, parked it, and watched all the fluid gushing onto the driveway.

Yeah that was eight and a half weeks ago that I did that, and today, was the first day I got to drive it to work. I didn't just replace the radiator and fan though. I chose this opportunity to replace the stock truck fuel injection parts for those from a Lightning. The engine was already pretty healthy, but man I tell you changing from 19lb fuel injectors and stock 70mm mass air flow sensor to 24lb fuel injectors and a 90mm sensor, then a 65mm throttle body, and the much much better air flow path of the GT-40 intake setup really, really woke up the motor. It went from sounding kind of plain, about like a truck, to sounding like a monster! I also can tell you that it now doesn't have a problem spinning the 35" tires on pavement!

OK, ignore that last part, as its probably the reason the transmission is crap and needs replaced.

Anyway, I ended up putting new 24lb fuel injectors, GT40 upper and lower intakes, 65mm throttle body, 90mm mass air flow sensor, 4 core aluminum Howe Racing radiator with out transmission cooler, Flex-a-lite transmission fluid cooler with build in electric fan, and a two speed electric fan out of a Ford Taurus.

All of this would have been easy, but as any early Bronco owner knows, big electric fans do not fit without modification.

What I ended up doing was first removing the hood latch parts as they were going to be in the way, and since I already had hood pins it was a non-issue. I then decided the only way it was going to happen was to either move the radiator forward, or move it back. Since moving it forward would have forced me to also move it down or cut the upper brace on the core support, I decided to move it back. Then test fitting the fan proved to me that the lower support was going to be in the way. I decided to cut it out and move it about an inch and a half further into the engine compartment. That gave me enough room to mount the fan, and the radiator, and I have about 2 inches between the water pump and the radiator.

I did see that I have a very small coolant leak somewhere, but after a 15 minute drive then parking it for a few hours and there is about a baseball sized wet spot under the passenger side of the radiator, no biggie, I will get to it soon enough.

I still have not gotten a thermostat for the electric fan(s), but for right now I have low speed on the two speed fan wired through a relay that comes on with the key, along with the transmission cooler fan, which is also wired through a relay that comes on with the key. I plan on getting two thermostats, one for the transmission cooler, and one for the radiator fan. Might thinking about getting two for the radiator fan, one set around 160 degrees to kick low speed on, and one about 200 that kicks the high speed on. Then maybe a 3 way switch to either force the fan off, force it on, or leave it up to the thermostats.

OK, enough rambling, but I am sure my wife will be happy I didn't bore her with all this.

But she will need to give me the OK to buy the thermostats for the transmission cooler and the radiator if she ever does read this!

Alright, that's it for now.

been away

Ok, so I haven't really been away physically, but mentally yeah, I have been away for a while now. I am about to wrap up the project I have been working on at work, and yeah I am tired of it. The biggest issue is that I am the only developer on the project. Ok, well I am tired and its time for bed, but I will try to post updates more often than in the past.

Whats the point?

Ok, so I am pretty sure the only person reading my posts is my wife. If I am mistaken at that I am sure someone will point it out to me, but if I am typing messages to my wife whats the point? I can just as easily send her an email, instant message, or talk to her because she is sitting next to me. Sigh, anyway, I need a less expensive hobby!

Matthew

One month down

Ok, well I have been gainfully employed for a full month now, and let me tell ya, I don't miss school one little bit! I have been busy for, well maybe I have only been busy for a few days, but the time that I have not been really busy I have been learning something new. I have been learning about MFC programming for windows and network communications. I have three projects, well two right now, but I get to take over the project that our intern is working on when he goes back to school. Oh and one other thing, I have a retirement fund now, I am 27 and just graduated from college, I have been working full time since Feb of 1998, I have had no vacation, and I have never had a retirement plan. Eh, I don't need to retire anytime soon, so hopefully when the time comes we will be ok.

same old thing

Well I started my new job this week, and its pretty cool. I snagged a job as a software engineer, which is after all what I went to school for. Anyway, I expected to start out basically doing the work that no one else wants to do, documentation and commenting, but so far thats not the case. I have been given one project that I get to maintain as my own, and I will be part of another project where we get to fix a program that is now broken due to vista. Anyway, this will be my first time working with a windows MFC application. Anyway, that is an update so far, I will post more as time passes.

Matthew

And so it begins

Ok, so its been a while since my last message, so here goes. Not only did I graduate a couple of weeks ago, I finished off on the Deans list with straight As. A couple days before graduation I found out I was accepted to grad school. The day before graduation I had an on site interview with a company in Iowa. The week after that I had another onsite interview with a company here in Illinois. They both wanted to hire me. It didn't end up being much of a decision really, the job in Iowa had a lot more to offer. The downside, moving. The last time we moved it didn't go so well, and while a lot of our "stuff" is in storage and will not be making the trek with us this time, there are still many things that can, and probably will go wrong. I start my new job next Monday, June 4th. No vacation, or time for rest, just work, move, work. I know that life is full of adventures, and I know this is just another one of many, but as said before, moving sucks.

I need sleep

Ok, so it's 2247 CST and I am exhausted. After several hours in the truck we have finally gotten to our destination. I run in to get the key for our hotel, that was SUPPOSED to be reserved for us, and nothing. So I hand over my trusty credit card. I hope to be reimbursed, but hey it was only 70 bucks for the room, and will be slightly more with taxes. The big bill is going to come tomorrow when I fill the truck up. Lets see, probably 23 gallons of gas at about 3.10 a gallon equals time to call the bank for a loan. Math makes my head hurt. I am going to bed.

Torn....

Ok, so I know no one but my wife reads this, but here we go anyway. I need to get something off my chest. I will be graduating from college this coming Saturday, May 12th. But before that happens I have a second job interview with a company a few hours away. The issue comes in that I have also been accepted to graduate school here at western. So what's a guy to do? I am really excited about the prospect of getting to work, but I understand the need to further my education. My wife and I are now going through the process of recalculating our budget to see what we need in terms of pay to be able to afford a house and such, so with much luck we will get what we want/need. Then there is the added problem that we are unsure what everything will cost us in this new location. So many questions, so little time...

Will work for food!

I am always looking for a real job, and since I have not heard anything about grad school as of yet I am thinking its just about time to start applying for real jobs. If anyone happens to read this, and knows of some sort of software development job please let me know! Graduation is just like five weeks away now, on May 12th, and if I am not going to grad school then I NEED A JOB!

what a day.....

Ok, so for a certain software engineering class of mine we are working on a group project. Our class is broken up into various parts of a software development company. I happen to be a developer along with two others on my team. Last week our instructor tells us we will not have class the following Tuesday(today), no big deal, had class the following Thursday and the other members of my team were talking to themselves about meeting outside of class, and they ask when works for me, so I tell them after 6pm. Apparently either they do not know how to tell time, don't care, or are just idiots, because I got an email from one of these team members today at 12:20 CST telling me that he wanted to REMIND me that we were meeting in the lab during our normal class time, which is 12:30 CST. Umm, hello?? Anyone home? You can't remind someone of something they know nothing about, and you sure shouldn't wait till the day of, ten minutes before the fact to tell someone either! Man people get on my nerves. I think I will stick to working on cars and computers. At least I can kick or punch them without too much worry, I know I could fix that damage.

school sucks!

Ok, for those of you who may not know, school sucks! Plain and simple. It could be the 7 years I spent working either in the military or in the IT field, but now I am 7 weeks away from graduation and I couldn't be happier. I however, am for some strange reason waiting to find out if my application to grad school was approved. I know I know, if I think school sucks so bad why grad school you might ask? Well, I really think my education here at WIU is not what I wanted. I really wanted to get a degree in Computer Engineering, but I settled for Computer Science. Again you might ask why, well this was for my wife. I wanted her to feel more comfortable, and since she graduated from WIU I knew she would here. Anyway, just the ramblings of a mad man... I will keep applying for positions as I see them. If anyone has any information about software development positions please pass them along, I plan on trying to focus on embedded systems, but a job is a job. Later!

yawn

ok, so for the last few days I have been sitting at work trying so hard to find things to do to keep myself busy. Now normally I can occupy myself staring at a wall and be happy, but at work its completely different. I am supposed to be working on a big project, but when the powers that be don't release the next stage of development to me how can I move forward? I can't.. so I sit here trying to find things to do.. I have in the last two days reformatted my personal laptop and put SUSE Linux version 10.2 on it, got my Atheros wireless card working, and installed gobs of software. I have been taking my laptop to work with me because my computer at work is a 500Mhz machine with 384Mb of ram that is lets just say less than adequate. So I have moved my monitor, keyboard, and mouse over to my laptop, and just use a vnc connection back to the work pc for email. Hey it works, and the vnc connection isn't any slower than the work pc itself so whatever. I have no idea what I will do with the next two days of the week however, maybe I will put windows back on my laptop, or maybe I will get some work to do, or maybe.....................

there is still hope...

So I got a phone call the other day from an individual at Boeing in St Louis the other day and had not gotten around to calling back till today and when I did he tells me that he wanted to make sure I was still interested in an internship. I said I absolutely am and he tells me that he is going to proceed with offering me a position and that he will enter it into the system in the next day or so. I am excited, very excited, but I want to double check what the position is exactly since I have applied for several positions in St Louis. Anyway, I just wanted to blah blah for a little.

just another day? or not?

Well today is not an overly eventful day for me, but it is my older sisters birthday, I hope to rememeber to call her later, I do have to present a diagram for my software engineering class this afternoon, and I finally have my phone interview for the Boeing internship in California. Ok, well I guess I should go about my business.

I sooo miss real work.

Ok, so for my software engineering class we are doing a group project. This is good because I have not had much of a chance to be part of a software development group, but there are three of us that are software developers, then there are some QA people, some requirements engineers, and of course a manager. The problem is that the three of us software developers have like probably 90% of the work to do. I don't really mind the work, but come on, it's still just homework. I like my project I am doing for work a bit more. There are three of us at work developing a new E-commerce site for a customer and it looks like I am doing a large amount of the coding on it. The best part though is that when I go home, I leave my work at work. Anyway, I can't really procrastinate on my work, but homework is a different story, I am just finishing up my work for tomorrow right now. Good night yall!

I hate tech support!

Ok, so I have been trying to write a program in C# to interface with iTunes. It was going pretty well, I got my program to open iTunes, play songs, skip forward and back, and then even close iTunes when I click exit. What I can not do is get iTunes to pass its events back to my program. I register the event handler, but never get the messages. Anyway, I sent an email to Apple Developer Center about it, and my reply back was that I should check the documentation on the website. I did check the website though, and downloaded the SDK, and still nothing. The documentation for the Windows SDK sucks! Apple Developer Center support sucks!

another day another blogger

So another day has come and (for the most part) gone. What have I learned? If a pasture gets burned off, it's automatically my fault. If you sit on the floor the dogs WILL lick your face. The final thing, is that you can keep 4 adults happy and busy with a propane torch, a pair of vice grips, a small cast iron pot, and small bits of lead.

On another note, I doubt anyone by myself and my wife will read this ever, but she now has her own blog we set up yesterday. The address is http://lil-mousehouse.blogspot.com if anyone wants to check it out do so and say hi to her.

hmmmm

OK, so the last message I posted was at the end of 2004, so quite a lot has happened I would guess. I honestly don't remember much of what has happened as it's flown by. What I do remember is that I am about to graduate from Western Illinois University with my Bachelors of Science in Computer Science. I have my application in for Graduate school here at WIU also, and I should hear something soon. I also had a summer internship last summer(2006) with Boeing out in Seattle Washington which went well, and have two Boeing departments interested in giving me internships for this summer(2007). One of those just outside of LA, and one in St. Louis. The one in St. Louis is more what I want to do, but either one would be a great experience for me. Either way I think Boeing IDS would be a great place to work. Anyway, I should know more, both about internships and graduate school in a few weeks so I will try to keep this updated this time.