drumrunner Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 (edited) Hi y'all. Back for awhile after an extended absence. Last winter I had the most interesting bout of pneumonia, very annoying, but all better now. Guess that is the price one sometimes pays for being old. So, rather than going into a long-winded explanation of what has happened during the last year, here are the highlights: 1. The aforementioned pneumonia, and the nasty pills I took to get it under control 2. Survived three rounds of layoffs and still have a job 3. Celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary 4. Went camping with my wife last month, a good time was had by all 5. Contacted my local VFW to try to get some returning vets some employment opportunities 6. Broke my glasses (no big loss, needed new ones anyway) 7. Found out that replacing a fuel pump on a '90 GMC requires a degree in engineering 8. Since I don't have a degree in engineering, asked my buddy do it for me who is a mechanic 9. Discovered that trimming a tree in a brisk wind is really a bad idea 10. Also discovered that due to point 9, my neighbor is a really nice guy and didn't complain overmuch about the new "gate" which appeared in our common fence Edited June 17, 2012 by drumrunner Quote Link to comment
Annarchy Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 (((Drumrunner))) Good to see you again. back! Quote Link to comment
drumrunner Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 (edited) (((Drumrunner))) Good to see you again. back! Thanks! Glad to be here again. Refer to Point 5 about helping vets get jobs.....a couple of articles someone might find interesting: http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2011/10/03/10-jobs-americans-cant-live-without/ http://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2009/05/essential-employment Going to need some "new blood" in my profession.....and soon! Edited June 17, 2012 by drumrunner Quote Link to comment
sassenach Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Good to see you checking in, Drumrunner. Hope you are now on the road to recovery from that pneumonia, for sure. Quote Link to comment
Mother Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Welcome back Drumrunner. I'm really glad to see you checking in. Boy, the hassles you had this last year seems to put the rule of woes come in three to the test. But at least you had some good times in there too. Stay WELL even if you are getting older :wink (2): . Quote Link to comment
Amishway Homesteaders Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Drumrunner is sorta back well then.............................. sorta WELCOME! nice list! Quote Link to comment
drumrunner Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 Thanks, y'all for the welcome. Good to be among "virtual" friends again and doing ok here Quote Link to comment
MomM Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Welcome back! What an "interesting" year you've had. Quote Link to comment
Andrea Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 drumrunner - BIG WAVE!!! Do you know how many times I refer people to your links?!? I am so glad to see you back to posting! Quote Link to comment
Ambergris Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 My exFiL has spent much of the past two years working on housing, medical care, and especially jobs for vets. It's a challenge in this economy. Welcome back! Quote Link to comment
drumrunner Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 My exFiL has spent much of the past two years working on housing, medical care, and especially jobs for vets. It's a challenge in this economy. Welcome back! Ambergris, I know of many young veterans still looking for jobs, and have decided to do what I can to help. There are more than a few websites I have seen with job lead. Here is one of the better ones: http://www.vetjobs.com/ That being said, I am going to post an article from the http://www.nwitimes.com (hope I do this right) May 10, 2012 12:00 am • By Phil Wieland phil.wieland@nwi.com, (219) 548-4352 Editor's note: This is the fifth in a weeklong series of articles for National Drinking Water Week on the importance of preserving and conserving water. VALPARAISO | Anyone thinking about a career or a career move might want to consider diving into the water business. A large number of water and wastewater professionals is nearing retirement, and water utilities, including Valparaiso's, will be looking for people to fill the ranks. A person could do a lot worse than celebrating National Drinking Water Week by checking out the flood of career possibilities in water. According to the American Water Works Association, workforce shortages are projected for treatment plant operators, distribution system mechanics, engineers, scientists and other positions in the public and the private sectors. To meet the growing need, the AWWA and the Water Environment Federation created the Work for Water website showcasing job opportunities. The site links to job postings and provides information in the necessary skills, training programs and resources for water professionals and even offers testimonials from people now in the water workforce. Valparaiso Utility Director John Hardwick said more than a quarter of the 65 people employed in the city's water and wastewater divisions are 55 or older, including four in the top positions. Hardwick is one of those who already has announced his intent to retire next year. The city's Utilities Board adopted a succession plan for replacing potential retirees in a timely manner so new hires can get experience and comfort in the new position before taking over duties full time. It all means opportunities for new people to enter the business. Hardwick said water utility employees tend to remain with one employer longer than most, but they also retire at a younger age. Because people don't leave, the workforce ages faster without new, younger people being hired to fill vacancies. Valparaiso is nearing a kind of critical mass in that category. "The pay is decent, and there is a retirement plan," Hardwick said. "The other opportunity is that we hire from within. So, a person who does a good job can advance to a better pay. We generally train our people and help them get their license." Water Distribution Manager Chuck McIntire is 66 and plans to retire in 2014. He recently was honored for 35 years in the business after working in retail when he got out of the Navy. By an odd coincidence, he was in the water business in the Navy, working in the evaporation room turning sea water into fresh water aboard a destroyer escort ship. "I started as a grunt in the ditch," McIntire said of his hiring by the city. "It's been a good decision for me. It's never, ever boring. You learn something new almost every day. I would recommend it to any young person looking to work in the service industry. It's rewarding to be able to provide people with a commodity that's a necessity of life." This career field needs new younger people to enter and learn the trade soon. One can get training manuals here http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/catalog.php to begin self-study, The manuals run around $50 for each volume or $100 if one wished to take a course for credit. All 50 states have licensing boards where applications can be submitted to test for the state water or wastewater licenses. If you know of a vet looking for a stable (and quite good paying job) after a little work this is one good place to start. I would be happy to answer any questions a vet may have about this, I can be contacted at drumrunner59@yahoo.com Quote Link to comment
themartianchick Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Welcome back, Drumrunner! I love your links...and the CliffNotes version of recent events! I hope that you plan to stick around... Quote Link to comment
Mt_Rider Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 MtRider finally wanders up to the Porch Swing ......and hey, there's Drumrunner! And he's got his tardy slip all written out. Wow, you've been having a time of it, huh? Liked point #10. Welcome back! Quote Link to comment
drumrunner Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 MtRider finally wanders up to the Porch Swing ......and hey, there's Drumrunner! And he's got his tardy slip all written out. Wow, you've been having a time of it, huh? Liked point #10. Welcome back! Thanks Mt. I have been keeping a very close eye on all of the Mega-fires in Colorado (I live there), Boulder, Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins and more. It is tinder dry all over the state and just waiting for a spark. That being said, it may be a good idea to watch this You Tube video (had my Mrs. watch it too). And an attached file that you all my want to review Fire - Fire Safety.pdf Quote Link to comment
Mt_Rider Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Watching it now..... I knew water on grease made it splatter but whoa.... that was impressive - in a bad way. From Drumrunner's review: Dry Chemical ExtinguishersDry chemical extinguishers are filled with either foam or powder, usually sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or potassium bicarbonate, and pressurized with nitrogen. Baking soda is effective because it decomposes at 158 degrees Fahrenheit and releases carbon dioxide (which smothers oxygen) once it decomposes. Dry chemical extinguishers interrupt the chemical reaction of the fire by coating the fuel with a thin layer of powder or foam, separating the fuel from the surrounding oxygen. I never knew that. Esp. about baking soda. Maybe we should start a fire safety thread in RURR??? Include this? Cuz if Hooey hits fan, we are going to be woefully short of firefighters, firetrucks, slurry planes, etc. Mebbe I don't want to be living in this 'crispy forest' state when that happens. Thinking twice about it this summer.... MtRider Quote Link to comment
drumrunner Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Watching it now..... I knew water on grease made it splatter but whoa.... that was impressive - in a bad way. From Drumrunner's review: Dry Chemical ExtinguishersDry chemical extinguishers are filled with either foam or powder, usually sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or potassium bicarbonate, and pressurized with nitrogen. Baking soda is effective because it decomposes at 158 degrees Fahrenheit and releases carbon dioxide (which smothers oxygen) once it decomposes. Dry chemical extinguishers interrupt the chemical reaction of the fire by coating the fuel with a thin layer of powder or foam, separating the fuel from the surrounding oxygen. I never knew that. Esp. about baking soda. Maybe we should start a fire safety thread in RURR??? Include this? Cuz if Hooey hits fan, we are going to be woefully short of firefighters, firetrucks, slurry planes, etc. Mebbe I don't want to be living in this 'crispy forest' state when that happens. Thinking twice about it this summer.... MtRider more goodies to make your day (attached file) 02 - Hazardous_Household_Products_1996.pdf Quote Link to comment
TurtleMama Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Drumrunner!!!! It's awesome to see you back here! I'm so glad that you're all better...pneumonia is AWFUL. Oh, and I'm glad that your neighbor was nice about the new "gate!" hehehe Quote Link to comment
drumrunner Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Drumrunner!!!! It's awesome to see you back here! I'm so glad that you're all better...pneumonia is AWFUL. Oh, and I'm glad that your neighbor was nice about the new "gate!" hehehe Glad to be back, having pneumonia is not my favorite hobby anymore, tried it and don't care for it! Rather collect postcards (or get a tooth pulled). Quote Link to comment
Vic303 Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 #11. When playing lumberjack, do NOT drop a 6-8" dia. 8' long oak log on your leg... Quote Link to comment
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