Allan's journal to the world. (Sounds dramatic, eh?)
I found some interesting videos. Then again, there are probably thousands of videos out there that fit that description. Nonetheless, enjoy.
What If the Earth Does Not Exist?
Banned TED Talk: The Science Delusion – Rupert Sheldrake at TEDx Whitechapel
The Simulation Theory
A couple of days ago a few things happened – I bought a new toaster, I found a printer on sale and bought it, and I got an offer for a job and accepted.
First things first – I am now a Drafting Technologist for ISP. I applied last week, had the first interview earlier this week, a phone call to come in for a second interview on Thursday, and was offered a position during that interview. I start Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 and will be reviewed after 3 months.
I also got an email from ASET congratulating me on being a Technologist in Training. Now I must work for two out of the next three and a half years go obtain my C. Tech / C.E.T. designation.
I bought a toaster. Thanks to Walmart’s Rollback price, I got a Black & Decker toaster for $18.88. Pretty cheap. It even has a bagel button.
And, finally, a printer. I thought I’d drop by the printer / scanner area to try to replace my dead machine. I was looking at a printer, and a Walmart guy came around and asked, “You’re looking for the one on sale?” “Uh … yah, I am.” Eh? I found a pile of Canon PIXMA MX492 boxes. I wasn’t expecting to pay $34 though. I’d be an idiot to not buy it.
Upon inspection, I see some pitting on one of the lengths of iron for this Freedom Utility Trailer.
See the difference in finishes? Is this poor machining? A result of welding of the end bracket? “What a heck?” I’m hoping this won’t be a concern later on, as in rust. This is not Galvanized or aluminium – it’s powder coated steel.
Actually, it used to be red.
What is that? Undercoating? Rustproofing? Proof of being a used trailer? My imagination?
My trailer arrived! Its label says, FREEDOM UTILITY TRAILER. It came in three boxes on top of the tiniest pallet I have ever seen. So now I’m getting busy with Revit with its Structural Template (as opposed to Construction, Architectural, or Mechanical) to piece together a more accurate trailer in my model. I am guessing it is very similar to the Harbor Freight ones sold in the States, but there may be some variance for the Canadian market. I stuffed it all into a corner of the garage. I’ll pull one piece out at a time to take measurements.
I thought garden hoses could be recycled. They’re made of plastic, no? What is in them that makes them a contaminant in the recycling world? What does Best-Buy do with my dead electronics? Should I be separating different types of plastic bags? Does it all even matter?
An acquaintance down south is trying to get this ball rolling. Software engineers, in AI for example, create algorithms for every application needed. Yet, who knows what these algorithms are doing – how they’re gathering, using data?
Here’s an interesting article that says a lot on the subject. We Need an FDA for Algorithms
I watch a show or movie to relax, have fun, be happy. I don’t want more violence. While watching New Girl S1E12 (comedy on Netflix), a guy in a parking lot pulls a gun and threatens people with violence. Funny? Sorry, crossed the line. Too much s*** like that. If that’s comedy, then I don’t want it. Not in my house. American culture, perhaps. Not mine. Last weekend a guy in the States killed 11 people at a synagogue. Think family members would think this episode is funny? I cancelled my Netflix account.
Well this is embarrassing!
But these tiny spare tires are supposed to do up to 80km/h. Wow.
Even last winter when A&C were visiting, two tires went flat. Cheap iron rims. They rusted and continually lost their bead. Matt B., a tire guy I know at Elrich, told me these would probably last 3 or 4 years, especially if only used in winter. He knows his stuff, Not using them during hot weather loosens the bead, moisture gets in, and the metal begins to rust.
So I went to Kia to order rims.
What do you think? I know, I know, they’re a lot of money for just a set of rims. The point is a) I hated those winter beater car iron rims, b) I wanted something nicer to match the summer rims, and c) I hated pumping up my tires every few days.
D.F. is my Mentor, set up by ASET. We emailed a few times and spoke today by phone. What an interesting conversation! He’s in the architectural world, and I’m his 4th mentee. The first 3 were all young people. I’m his first old guy.
We talked about marketing one’s self, the industry(s), expectations of employers, personal backgrounds … lots of things. I’ll sit and think about what he said for a while before embarking on any more comments.
He did give me homework though. Yes, homework again! Not easy homework, either. I am to create an “elevator speech” for our next conversation in a few weeks from now. … I had this ages ago in the ESL world, although I didn’t know it was a thing, per se.
I had my 2nd interview. It was more a psych evaluation type of interview. They are looking to see if I am a good fit for their company, how I think, what things drive me, what difficulties I would have. Some questions: