Encountered some asbestos singles yesterday while looking at a new job.  I wasn’t sure until I called my Uncle who after I described them said “asbestos”.  Even though the state allows contractors and homeowners to remove the shingles, provided they are in good condition I just want to stay away from them.  The regulations for handling and disposing are fairly strict.  Couple that with the homeowner’s new born child its just too risky.

I wrote to the owner that I didn’t want to get involved with the shingles unless they test them and find there to be no asbestos.  I hope I’m not being too cautious.  As thrilling as mesothelioma and asbestosis sound I think I’ll avoid the possibility.
Its amazing how many products they used to put asbestos in.  Everything from microwaves and ovens, to curtains and insulation.  I believe it is still used in brake pads but I’m not sure.

Wrote this just prior to leaving the corporate world:

Now that the word of my departure is getting out there seems to be a flood of people coming to me saying they’re thinking about leaving too. I’m so confident in my decision to leave, I just get a little thinking that there might be a stampede towards the door come January 1st. People are feeling abused, not respected and poorly paid.

Nothing of the sort happened but when I get together with the old gang they still complain a lot about work.

Since last I posted, October 2007, much of my life has completely changed. One of the original purposes of this blog was to track the progression from the cube to my new life. I’ve been remiss in the trackage but I can happily report, from the other side, that life beyond the cube is good.

I’m now running a small contracting company with 1 employee. My angle and inspiration is to use “green” products and techniques whenever possible. I’ve had good luck using bamboo flooring, low VOC paint and have enjoyed recycling old cabinets and doors. I’ve also endeavored to plan with extra vigilance on the front end which helps reduce waste on the cutting floor.

By some ridiculous stroke of good fortune I’ve been busy from day one back in January. Thus far I completed the following:

• Bathroom face-lift
• Full kitchen remodel
• Another bathroom face-lift
• Tile back-splash
• Painting the odd room here and there
• Banister
• Cedar screen inserts for a porch

In the pipeline I have decks, kitchens, siding galore, and possibly an addition. I’m hoping that the work continues to come in and am more confident every day that leaving my desk job was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Gets an RBI.  I’m pumped up doood!

Despite being a 10 out of 10 fall week I’ve been inside pouring over manuals, codes, text books, notes and problem sets preparing, once again, to take the Structural Profession Engineering exam.

This is 8 hour exam is much like the boards or bar. If passed, it bestows the title of PE on the engineer. This title/responsibility allows the engineer to “stamp” plans. Every bridge and building must have the structural plans stamped which certifies that it has been properly designed and checked and meets code. The plans consist of the neccessary information required by the contractor to build the structure.

From wikipedia.com

The earmark that distinguishes a licensed/registered Professional Engineer is the authority to sign and seal or “stamp” engineering documents (reports, drawings, and calculations) for a study, estimate, design or analysis, thus taking legal responsibility for it.

I attempted this test back in April but Bushed it due to poor time management skills and nerves. The diagnostic indicated that I was proficient in 6 out of 10 of the subjects. 2 of the 4 that I did not do well in were in subjects that I am confident in so I’m not sure what happened there.

Next Friday I will take the test again only this time I will pass.

Its been a while and in that time I slipped and spilled the beans on my planned departure from Engineering. The End of December is the end of engineering. Luckly though, my boss said that there is enough work for me and any new hire if they can find one so don’t worry about being asked to leave prematurely. Fingers Crossed.

I sent a resume out to Essex Restoration but have yet to hear back from them. Similarly, I sent some email “feelers” out to several other local residential construction companies and have not heard back. I find this odd given that one of the biggest complaints these guys have is finding good help.

“Hey! Buddy! Good Help was just knocking on your door but he got sick of waiting and decided to leave to start his own company.”

I had a nice little boost of confidence this weekend having framed out a small patio at my brothers house. My Dad was a great help. We didn’t run into any major stumbling blocks and were never stopped for more than a minute or two thinking about problems.

Given that this was my first dance with carpentry after a long spell apart I knew there would be at least one mistake. I wasn’t sure when or where it would come but I was fully prepared. While cleaning up at the end of the day I notice it. As a result of existing conditions the west wall was built about an inch and a half shorter than the north wall. I cut the cripples for the west wall the same length as the north and as a result, the rough opening for the window was an inch and a half to short. An easy fix though and I was happy the mistake wasn’t bigger.

A former co-worker of mine who left the company sent this email this morning:

Here is an excerpt from a calss I am taking in quality management in construction. Check all that apply:

Barriers to quality workmanship
Lack of direction
Goals without the tools to achieve them, time, resources
Arbitrary decisions by supervisors
Lack of clear goals and objectives
Lack of clarity as to how contribution is valued
Lack of expectations setting up criteria
Insufficient information available
Different organizational goals within the company
Too much group management
Deadline anxiety
Lack of product definition: purpose and product arbitrarily changed by consumer and/or customer within company
Hierarchy tries to run a technology that it does not understand
Lack of communication
You work with a retard named Jeffy
Conflicting and unclear objectives
Lack of advance information
Inadequate information flow
Inadequate feedback
Lack of authority to do what needs to be done
Lack of resources, time, and proper tools and equipment
Short-term objectives conflict with long-term ones
Nonuniform application of policy
Poor training
Specifications constrain creativity and procurement and manufacturing
Red tape/bureaucracy
Unrealistic goals and objectivesIs it still ok for me to hate “The Man” if I don’t work there anymore? I just thought that a few of these were apllicable, I am still one of you.

I’d check most of those.

In light of their current theocracy and our current theocracy I thought this link would be of interest.

http://www.nopantsday.com/wp/

I will start here on my trip.