it is stupid cold out

That's right, stupid cold. Actually this morning seems to be a bit warmer than the past couple. It's a whole 6deg out! We actually worked a little bit this week, which was somewhat unexpected. Just two days though. I am working on a way to compile the data for the month from my weather station. It is a lot of numbers, and to really get something useful will be a task. I'll keep playing around with it though. It is nice to finally be settled into my home. Mostly settled anyway. There is still some furniture that I'm hoping to get, finding the right pieces is proving to be a task though. Turns out if I'm going to spend a couple hundred dollars on an end table I want something I'm confident will last. Strange, I know.

2017

I should pick up where I left off I suppose. I made it back from Haiti alive. It was an excellent experience, and, well, quite profound. That was almost a year ago now however. So I shall start a new as I have several times before. New approach. We'll see how it all works out. 

I'm thinking a more data driven type blog. I'm super excited about the personal weather station I have put up. I hope to find a way to include it on the site. It is linked into the Weather Underground set of stations. A really excellent source for current weather conditions and forecasts. I also hope to include travel and work type data. That is where I've been and hours I've worked etc. Nothing too fancy. I'll try to include some posts with more qualitative observations about my life as well.

That's all for now folks. We'll see how well I keep up in the next year then.

Mikey

Airport

And we're off!

Well the bags are packed and sitting in the limo with us. We are on our way to the airport. First to O'Hare then Miami then port au Prince. Super exciting fun times. Hope I've managed to get enough books on my kindle, we'll find out I suppose.

Going to miss everyone while I am gone!

Mikey

What will we do?

"Michael, Haiti?!? What on earth is drawing you out that way?" So happy you asked! Actually there are several tasks I believe I will be asked to assist with. In all likelihood there will be more tasks than there is time to accomplish them. See Haiti isn't all that different of a country. My mother has wanted to get my father and myself down there for some time now. Priority one as I understand it will be our assistance in digging then pouring the foundation for at least one new building. Those of you that know my profession and educational background should be able to see why such a task may be asked of me. I will share now that my father has the same education and many more years of practical experience using it. I have very happy to have him coming along.

"Ok you're going there to help with a foundation is that all?"  Nope.

....oh you want to know what else then. There are some erosion issues with a roadway, some issues inside some existing buildings, and who knows what else. One thing I am looking forward to though is performing a topographic survey of the property. It has been some time since I've used a total station to do such a thing and I miss it. There is an art to it all that makes it so much fun. 

Surveying:

The science and art of locating points on, above, and below the surface of the earth.

That is approximately what my professor taught us the definition was back in college. I may in fact still have the notes somewhere...

alright well this is the third time I've written this post. The blogger app needs some work yet I believe. Each time it has been written its had a different flavor to it. Anyway, time to continue packing.

Mikey

Packing

Well I've offically begun the packing process. Been getting a few things together here and there but now I've officially set things out. The finally list of things that need to be purchased and found has been drawn up. Exciting times indeed.

Mikey

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