Declaring a college major at 18 or 19, and essentially influencing the direction of potentially the rest of your life is a pretty scary prospect. Looking back, I didn't declare my major during B term of freshman year at WPI, I declared it in fifth grade.
My school project (since teachers wanted to encourage exploration and research in areas that were not limited to science, it became a school project) in fifth grade was on roller coasters. I can't even fathom how I picked that topic. At the time, I was a ten year old scared of just about everything. We'd taken family day trips with my grandfather to local amusement parks and there wasn't a single non-wooden or -kiddie coaster that I was willing to ride. So there I was in the kid section riding a roller coaster with my six year old brother while my 8 year old sister and mom were off finding the craziest coasters and rides they could.
Researching the history of roller coasters and the modern design, to a level a fifth grader could understand, I picked my college major and future career right there and then. Who was responsible for bringing roller coasters to life? Engineers.
So, there it is. The cheap and dirty way back history of the beginning of my foray into civil engineering. I am sure more will follow on this development.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Kate Toomey knows what is important in Worcester
Kate Toomey, candidate for Mayor and re-election to the City Council in Worcester, Massachusetts, has five priorities to define the campaign as well as her history and furture on the City Council and your next Mayor.
The five priorities are important to the success and growth of Worcester. How Kate Toomey plans to attain to what these priorities set out to do builds on past accomplishments and the ingenuity and community Worcester is so well known for. It also sets her apart as the preeminent candidate for Mayor and City Council on the November 3, 2009 elections. The priorities are as follows, in no particular order:
The five priorities are important to the success and growth of Worcester. How Kate Toomey plans to attain to what these priorities set out to do builds on past accomplishments and the ingenuity and community Worcester is so well known for. It also sets her apart as the preeminent candidate for Mayor and City Council on the November 3, 2009 elections. The priorities are as follows, in no particular order:
- Economic Development
- Education
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Public Safety
- Infrastructure (Streets and Sidewalks)
Friday, September 25, 2009
Kate Toomey for Mayor and City Council
My mother is Kate Toomey, a Worcester, Massachusetts City Councilor running for re-election and for Mayor of this great city.
One of the things that has stuck out about our family and the campaign is that our family IS so involved in the campaign. In the beginning, it was because we were without a foundation, and the five of us were what we had to make it work. It also was easier than leaving a 12, 10, and 8 year old trio at home to fend for themselves. Ten years later, after serving three two-year terms on the School Committee, including one as a Vice Chair, and two two-year terms on the City Council, I find myself working hard on my Mom's campaign because I want to and need to - I feel the passion for her candidacy not because of familiarity and mother-daughter love, but because I believe, I think, I KNOW that Kate Toomey is the best candidate for Mayor and to be back on the council.
I've had the fortunate upbringing to watch Kate Toomey in action first hand. Not only is she responsive to the constituency and successful in resolving their concerns, but Mom (and Dad!) gave us invaluable insight into the civic process. I now know that municipal elections and government have a greater effect on my life than do state and national. I now know the importance of making a phone call to have your opinion heard. I now know how the political process works, and how cruel it can be to those with the best of intentions and efforts as others are like peacocks: only in politics for ego, show, and power. I now know how invaluable the faith and actions of volunteers can be to getting the message out. I now know that nothing matters in a campaign except what names are chosen on the ballot on that first Tuesday in November.
Leading up to the election I will be posting why I know that Kate Toomey, with her focus on the future and ten years of full time public service, is the right choice for Worcester Mayor and City Councilor.
One of the things that has stuck out about our family and the campaign is that our family IS so involved in the campaign. In the beginning, it was because we were without a foundation, and the five of us were what we had to make it work. It also was easier than leaving a 12, 10, and 8 year old trio at home to fend for themselves. Ten years later, after serving three two-year terms on the School Committee, including one as a Vice Chair, and two two-year terms on the City Council, I find myself working hard on my Mom's campaign because I want to and need to - I feel the passion for her candidacy not because of familiarity and mother-daughter love, but because I believe, I think, I KNOW that Kate Toomey is the best candidate for Mayor and to be back on the council.
I've had the fortunate upbringing to watch Kate Toomey in action first hand. Not only is she responsive to the constituency and successful in resolving their concerns, but Mom (and Dad!) gave us invaluable insight into the civic process. I now know that municipal elections and government have a greater effect on my life than do state and national. I now know the importance of making a phone call to have your opinion heard. I now know how the political process works, and how cruel it can be to those with the best of intentions and efforts as others are like peacocks: only in politics for ego, show, and power. I now know how invaluable the faith and actions of volunteers can be to getting the message out. I now know that nothing matters in a campaign except what names are chosen on the ballot on that first Tuesday in November.
Leading up to the election I will be posting why I know that Kate Toomey, with her focus on the future and ten years of full time public service, is the right choice for Worcester Mayor and City Councilor.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Put one foot in front of the other, or, self discovery road trip
I'm trying to determine what I really love in life and what is actually important. The self discovery road is exciting in that I am revealing me to myself, yet terrifying that who I am is not who I was hoping I would be or that others might expect me to be.
Where will my career go? Will I ever get back to being a practicing Catholic, instead of just a believing one? Can I manage to keep in touch with the friends I love and miss? Will my gmail account ever be conquered? What am I good at? What do I like to do? When will I get myself in gear and start volunteering and reading intelligent books?
This is admittedly a pretty selfish point in my life. But if I'm not taking the time to find out what makes me tick, laugh, cry, and get it done, I don't know if I will enjoy the richness in life that is sharing relationships. There is nothing that is getting dropped; more time is being made in my day. I'm multitasking where I can: doing the dishwasher while grilling dinner, folding laundry while watching The West Wing with my roommate, phone calls while on the road (perhaps not the safest idea, but so far I've been fortunate - waiting for a stop light/sign certainly helps!). Certain things cannot be multitasked, and that is where the limited hours in a day competes with a growing and sometimes mis-prioritized to do list. It is also competing against sleep.
One step at a time. I walked the Boston Marathon route for the Jimmy Fund this weekend, and that's the only way to complete it. There is no distance or measurement for life, but I've got to take it, and my search for me, all in stride. I'm looking forward to what I find out about myself along the way.
Where will my career go? Will I ever get back to being a practicing Catholic, instead of just a believing one? Can I manage to keep in touch with the friends I love and miss? Will my gmail account ever be conquered? What am I good at? What do I like to do? When will I get myself in gear and start volunteering and reading intelligent books?
This is admittedly a pretty selfish point in my life. But if I'm not taking the time to find out what makes me tick, laugh, cry, and get it done, I don't know if I will enjoy the richness in life that is sharing relationships. There is nothing that is getting dropped; more time is being made in my day. I'm multitasking where I can: doing the dishwasher while grilling dinner, folding laundry while watching The West Wing with my roommate, phone calls while on the road (perhaps not the safest idea, but so far I've been fortunate - waiting for a stop light/sign certainly helps!). Certain things cannot be multitasked, and that is where the limited hours in a day competes with a growing and sometimes mis-prioritized to do list. It is also competing against sleep.
One step at a time. I walked the Boston Marathon route for the Jimmy Fund this weekend, and that's the only way to complete it. There is no distance or measurement for life, but I've got to take it, and my search for me, all in stride. I'm looking forward to what I find out about myself along the way.
Monday, June 29, 2009
What happens to a dream deferred?
My mother always encouraged my siblings and I to have an entrepreneurial spirit. She always suggested physical labor jobs that no one liked to do like clean their gutters, mow the lawn, or shovel the driveway. It was a great idea that sadly none of us took advantage of. I think it is in us to be our own boss in some way. Both of my parents owned their own businesses or were otherwise self employed for a number of years.
I did set out on my own company, maybe late in elementary school. It was called "The Summer Shoppe" and I sat out on my front lawn for hours with the lawn furniture covered in used books, buckets of stickers, unused pencils from the and all sorts of little things no one really wants to buy. Of course, being the American child that I was, I also sold lemonade.
My best customer was my grandfather, who lived next door. He bought me out of my entire sticker collection, which I had valued at about $5 in inventory (I had very competitive pricing). Pops must have really loved the stickers, because he paid $20 and all of a sudden they appeared all over his front door and on random place mats from Building19. My second best customer was the neighbor across the street I babysat for. She would occasionally bring the kids over for a glass of lemonade or buy a little book or two. And that ended the short list of customers.
My "dream business" as a youngin' was to own several vending machines. I would place them in areas near my home and check on them at least once a week to make sure there was a fresh product. I saved my money for the machines I lusted over at Sam's Club. I researched every vending machine I walked by to make sure my pricing would be competitive. I even did the numbers out to prove to my dad that it could make money. But alas, it never happened. It was decided it was probably not good for a 13 year old to own a $600-800 vending machine.
To answer the post title, it may have been as dried as a raisin in the sun, but it did not end up inside the yellow raisinet package in my vending machine.
I did set out on my own company, maybe late in elementary school. It was called "The Summer Shoppe" and I sat out on my front lawn for hours with the lawn furniture covered in used books, buckets of stickers, unused pencils from the and all sorts of little things no one really wants to buy. Of course, being the American child that I was, I also sold lemonade.
My best customer was my grandfather, who lived next door. He bought me out of my entire sticker collection, which I had valued at about $5 in inventory (I had very competitive pricing). Pops must have really loved the stickers, because he paid $20 and all of a sudden they appeared all over his front door and on random place mats from Building19. My second best customer was the neighbor across the street I babysat for. She would occasionally bring the kids over for a glass of lemonade or buy a little book or two. And that ended the short list of customers.
My "dream business" as a youngin' was to own several vending machines. I would place them in areas near my home and check on them at least once a week to make sure there was a fresh product. I saved my money for the machines I lusted over at Sam's Club. I researched every vending machine I walked by to make sure my pricing would be competitive. I even did the numbers out to prove to my dad that it could make money. But alas, it never happened. It was decided it was probably not good for a 13 year old to own a $600-800 vending machine.
To answer the post title, it may have been as dried as a raisin in the sun, but it did not end up inside the yellow raisinet package in my vending machine.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I've discovered my new favorite author - too bad she isn't planning another novel for a while
I am in love.
Yes, with an amazing man, but that's not what I was thinking here. My love is more along the lines of an adoration for a new favorite author. This week I finally finished reading Curtis Sittenfeld's American Wife. I had read Prep my freshman year in college, thanks to a former roommate's suggestion. More recently, I finished Man of my Dreams while on my way to San Antonio and found myself in need of a book on the flight back to Boston. As a result, I bought my first book since January - the library is wonderful and saves money assuming books are returned on time. And well worth the $16 plus tax (8.25%! Can you believe it?!), too.
I'm really not one to get caught up and gush over a book. What I love is the development of Sittenfeld's characters: In American Wife's case, Alice. Unlike many other story line stars I've read Alice and the others have a raw realness to them. They are far from perfect but the flaws are believable. I feel like I know them - they are either my friends, or friends of my parents, depending on the age. And often I feel kindred with them. Bad things come, good things come, and life just happens. But when the events happen - they have a reason. It isn't some mindless adventure of some 20-something journalist or lawyer fashionista trying to find love in the big city. They come back later to play a role in the formation of the characters and to show exactly how they have grown. I love that. I appreciate that about an author - the foresight and foreshadowing is not lost on me; or at least I hope not.
While the books haven't changed my life, and they don't claim to, I am certainly saddened at the end of each. Satisfied because all of the ends are tied neatly, but saddened because I wish the writing can continue. Guess I will just have to follow Sittenfeld's columns when they come out. It's going to be a while before the next book appears.
In the mean time, if you're reading this Ms. Sittenfeld, please write another novel!
Yes, with an amazing man, but that's not what I was thinking here. My love is more along the lines of an adoration for a new favorite author. This week I finally finished reading Curtis Sittenfeld's American Wife. I had read Prep my freshman year in college, thanks to a former roommate's suggestion. More recently, I finished Man of my Dreams while on my way to San Antonio and found myself in need of a book on the flight back to Boston. As a result, I bought my first book since January - the library is wonderful and saves money assuming books are returned on time. And well worth the $16 plus tax (8.25%! Can you believe it?!), too.
I'm really not one to get caught up and gush over a book. What I love is the development of Sittenfeld's characters: In American Wife's case, Alice. Unlike many other story line stars I've read Alice and the others have a raw realness to them. They are far from perfect but the flaws are believable. I feel like I know them - they are either my friends, or friends of my parents, depending on the age. And often I feel kindred with them. Bad things come, good things come, and life just happens. But when the events happen - they have a reason. It isn't some mindless adventure of some 20-something journalist or lawyer fashionista trying to find love in the big city. They come back later to play a role in the formation of the characters and to show exactly how they have grown. I love that. I appreciate that about an author - the foresight and foreshadowing is not lost on me; or at least I hope not.
While the books haven't changed my life, and they don't claim to, I am certainly saddened at the end of each. Satisfied because all of the ends are tied neatly, but saddened because I wish the writing can continue. Guess I will just have to follow Sittenfeld's columns when they come out. It's going to be a while before the next book appears.
In the mean time, if you're reading this Ms. Sittenfeld, please write another novel!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Dress for who you wish to be, what you want to accomplish
I have a sorority sister I graduated with who is well known for how she dressed. Unlike the rest of us loving jeans, flip flops, and a sweatshirt, or sweatpants, flip flops, and a tee shirt, she was ready to take on the world in dresses, skirts, pretty blouses with skinny jeans, heels, and the works. Make up perfect and jewelry always complimented the outfit. I wouldn't wear the same outfits, but you had to admit that rarely a day went by that she didn't look great.
My favorite thing that she shared about style and fashion was more about self image. When she had a test or wasn't feeling completely confident about the upcoming day for whatever reason, there was a point made to dress it up. Because even if you weren't feeling great to begin with, you at least looked great. And in looking great, you felt better about yourself. It eliminated the vicious cycle. Sure, it would have been comforting to put on those favorite sweats and walk up the hill to class, but then you felt groggy and tired and a little gross (despite clean laundry) and it certainly didn't help your cause any.
My job is a professional one, but it isn't one that always requires professional attire. Jeans are accepted and sometimes encouraged. I make it my point to dress up Mondays, and I think I will look to extend that to the rest of my week(s). When I dress well, I work well. And when I work well, I am happy and confident in my product.
My favorite thing that she shared about style and fashion was more about self image. When she had a test or wasn't feeling completely confident about the upcoming day for whatever reason, there was a point made to dress it up. Because even if you weren't feeling great to begin with, you at least looked great. And in looking great, you felt better about yourself. It eliminated the vicious cycle. Sure, it would have been comforting to put on those favorite sweats and walk up the hill to class, but then you felt groggy and tired and a little gross (despite clean laundry) and it certainly didn't help your cause any.
My job is a professional one, but it isn't one that always requires professional attire. Jeans are accepted and sometimes encouraged. I make it my point to dress up Mondays, and I think I will look to extend that to the rest of my week(s). When I dress well, I work well. And when I work well, I am happy and confident in my product.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
I Feel Strangely Like I am Losing a Friend. Brought to You by the Color Green.
I used to love the color green. People thought I loved it because of my high school colors (green and white) or because I am Irish (actually, I am 100% American). I just plain, flat out loved nearly every shade green. The freshness of the mowed lawn in the summer. The color of my favorite childhood vegetable. I was always envious that my mother had green eyes and unfortunately lost out to the dominance of brown eyes. Money. As a pastel, it was springy, comforting, and hopeful, like at Easter. I had always wanted one of my wedding colors to be a light green paired with some other color like blue or pink or, really, any other color.
But the ubiquity for which I fell in love with the color is now suffocating. "Go Green!" "Green Roof!" "Green your building!" "Green cars!" "Green energy!" "Green grown vegetables!" "Green fuel!" "Green fashion!" "Green running and races!"
Part of this frustration comes from people not actually understanding what exactly "green" is. Sustainability in environmental and economic terms will change the way we do business and live our everyday lives, without a doubt. But right not it seems the to be and develop and promote "green" is such a fad. And I am SO over that.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Home projects are a never ending list
I've suddenly had an epiphany that I should get things going on the house. I couldn't pinpoint my urgency until this morning, when I realized that 10 months in I have little accomplished. Two rooms are painted, and my mom has been kind enough to provide the labor on some window coverings. There is a long to-do list coming. I'm attacking the little things as we go along, like weeding and purchasing a grill. Emergency purchases, like a hot water heater and refrigerator, kind of happen on their own. Important projects like replacing gutters and downspouts, adding electricity and heat to the upstairs, repairing the back stairs, and getting a new toilet aren't getting done. The house also badly needs to be power washed. Dad told me 8 to 10 hours a week would be needed to care for the house. I forgot how much time that actually is!
The upstairs project is delaying itself because I can't make up my mind on what I want to do. Should I reinsulate before doing electrical and plumbing work? What kind of flooring do I want? Is the payback existant to rough-in plumbing for a second bathroom? I know I don't have the extra $10,000 for a 3/4 or full bath, but I am curious if there is at least some added selling benefit to existing plumbing.
I know I will accomplish the kitchen painting in the next week or so. I plan on finishing taping tonight and doing a trial priming and painting. I'll call the electrician and let him know I'm still interested in having him do the work.
The upstairs project is delaying itself because I can't make up my mind on what I want to do. Should I reinsulate before doing electrical and plumbing work? What kind of flooring do I want? Is the payback existant to rough-in plumbing for a second bathroom? I know I don't have the extra $10,000 for a 3/4 or full bath, but I am curious if there is at least some added selling benefit to existing plumbing.
I know I will accomplish the kitchen painting in the next week or so. I plan on finishing taping tonight and doing a trial priming and painting. I'll call the electrician and let him know I'm still interested in having him do the work.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Electric Cars
There is a push to build electric cars. Cars currently consume 30% of energy. Won't the batteries recharge from home, where buildings use 40% of all energy? Where is it all coming from?
Watching The West Wing is an interesting look on current events, even though I am on the 2001-2002 season. In the most recent episode I watched, President Bartlett is revealing his new energy policy - less dependence on foreign oil, electric and hybrid cars, no exploring/drilling in the Artic, innovation in energy discovery... Aren't we just fighting the same battles year after year after year? It's as if nothing is new. The show IS fiction, but based on "current" (current to the airing of the episodes at least) events and issues. History really does repeat itself.
Watching The West Wing is an interesting look on current events, even though I am on the 2001-2002 season. In the most recent episode I watched, President Bartlett is revealing his new energy policy - less dependence on foreign oil, electric and hybrid cars, no exploring/drilling in the Artic, innovation in energy discovery... Aren't we just fighting the same battles year after year after year? It's as if nothing is new. The show IS fiction, but based on "current" (current to the airing of the episodes at least) events and issues. History really does repeat itself.
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