Fixing the Queen's Windmill

It's been a while, so I'm just gonna dump some pictures and say some stuff.

So, this guy totally came over.

Yup, that's a bacon weave on my patio. 

That was a wild weekend and yes my roommates were a little perturbed by everyone staying over. We probably should've planned a little better, but it all worked out in the end. Ship it. 

I went to see Bare Naked Ladies, Guster and Ben Folds Five (which consists of 3 people). It was pretty awesome, the Havus were there (Sup James? I know you're probably reading this you creepy fuck) which was cool and Danny Friedman too. We were able to finagle our way up to some much better seats than what we paid for which was quite awesome.

Bare Naked Ladies

I wish the show was a little more Guster focused but Bare Naked Ladies were awesome and also hilarious. Definitely a good time. The only problem was the timing, it was on a Sunday night in Bangor... Let's just say I was dragging a little bit Monday morning.

I also bought a grill and a suburban fire pit/holder/enormoussaladbowl thing. Still need a gas bottle though, apparently a new one is like $45, which is kinda lame.

Gravity defying grill!

Visited the guy who is doing my bus motor, they should be finishing the heads in the next two weeks (sureee.....), I hope. In the meantime, we sorted out all of the tin and identified a few pieces I still needed to sand blast. So, I got a little bit of that done while I was home.

At work we've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off, which is standard operating procedure for any real startup. One of the cooler and more challenging tasks I've been involved with has been keeping one of our Alpha installations up and running. The cool part about this installation is the land owners also happen to own a certain high performance electric car... In other news, I actually saw TWO Teslas today.... I mean that might be all of the ones in Maine to be real. On my way back to work from the site we passed one on the road, my Tesla radar went off hardcore and I caught it turning the corner. WANT.

Hate it when I run into shit in my Model S... that'll buff out right?

Of course I've been making the rounds in and about Portland. Went to trivia this week and got some indian food. Also been keeping this damn kitten from tearing down the house. Oh, and my motorcycle is kinda sorta almost fixed.... After cleaning the carbs and finding sand in them, we put them back together only to find that we did something wrong. Took them apart again seeing nothing really wrong and then put them back together. Essentially we did the mechanical equivalent of turning it on and then off again and they kind of work now. So, I'll be adjusting that shit and riding to work when it doesn't threaten rain. 

Our software engineer has his last day tomorrow at Pika, kind of a bummer that he's leaving because he's an ultra cool guy (MSSM alum actually) and he's also very good at what he does. It will be interesting to see how the engineering team (me and this other guy) pick up the slack.

Ian's Back

Since returning to the US of A I have been doing a lot of work.  Upon my return I had the pleasure of being "the tentpole" holding up a very important document release, so I got to work 4 workdays in two actual days.  That was fun!

This video features Adam Savage using the same mini screwdrivers I stole from Tony.  Dang things are handy!

I have also started taking a series of pictures with Astronaut Roommate, who was gifted to me in Australia.  He's the best.  Not too good at paying rent though.

Furthermore, I hope you have all been watching the Newsroom and getting your Aaron Sorkin fill.  I also went hiking.  That was fun.

Gotta Get Dat

Good Evening Bitches,

This weekend was pretty fuckin' busy. I'm pretty sure I did more in any given hour than I have all summer. Which isn't saying much...

The mission was to convince Wolfgang to move to Portland with me and get an apartment. Part two of the mission was to rock the party for the Ton Ton Nuzzles. Elliot and Josh also came up because, party.

That's right, I saved the Snapchat.
What're you going to do about it?

Here is a list of things I learned this weekend:

• The Hot Suppa is the only thing you need to fix your mechanical problems.
• Do not get into fights with art made from shards of broken glass.
• Fireworks can't hurt you if you have had enough beers.
• 2/$3 Monster's at the Westbrook liquor shop.
• #yoloswag is an acceptable Wi-Fi name.
• I don't think we made a very good impression on Tony's roommates.
• Try and deny it and I will show you 43 mental images of dirty looks.
• I don't blame them, even slightly. We dropped full fledged college on your house.
• I should party with George Cooper more often.
• Tents on a hot summer's day are like hangover intensification chambers.
• Elliot likes rocky coastlines, like more than a friend. I'm telling his girlfriend.
• When giving someone a birthday ass beating with a large foam hammer, do not let Sean Lynch step in.
• Sorry about your butthole Tony.
• Vegetables can be put on pizza. (This bit may be a bit more of an epiphany than you realize)

As far as it being a mission to get Wolfgang to move to Maine, I'm dubious on the effects. That being said I think we accidentally sold Elliot hook, line and sinker. His inner caucasian was losing its shit at the LL Bean store. 

When it comes to me moving down to Portland, I literally got offered a job at Nature's Classroom while on the highway driving back home. They provide me with housing and food so I'm just going to go do that. Actually can't wait, should be a good time. Get to teach the sixth grade types about the science. Good stuff.

In the meantime I'm applying for a job cleaning the county fairgrounds on Monday. So that'll be work for a week or so. Good, I need the gas to get to Nature's Classroom. Don't know which of the 13 locations I'll be assigned to yet. 

Also, I found this picture on my computer and it needs to happen again soon. It was labeled beer.png

I'll have to go get some beer I guess.

See you guys soon.

Nickel-Free Belt Buckle

So, I've been meaning to hit up Portland Greendrinks ever since I heard about it last summer. It happens once a month and is held at a different non-profit location each time, $5 and your own cup gets you two glasses of good beer and as much as you want after they announce an open bar. This time it was at the Maine Yacht Center, I went with a couple of friends. It's supposed to be a "networking" thing but from what I hear it is more of a young person meet up.
There was some lady who spoke about cleaning up the ocean and there is this boat they used with a tiny ROV that goes around the ocean. They find unclaimed lobster traps (usually because their buoys got cut) and other ocean debris. Kind of cool actually the boat they use was originally built specifically for Dodge Morgan to be the first man to sail across the world with no stops, which he did. More on the boat here. They let us climb into the boat and check it out too. I will definitely be going to another greendrinks when it comes up, it was full of people in our age range who are either doing cool things or like good beer so it seems like the place to be.

All my yachts

Don't worry I know the confused looking girl, it's cool. 

In other news, weeks go by fast when you work full-time. Yikes.... 

Also possibly Tyler soon?

Bluff-Day!

Well today is/was my birthday which was pretty cool. Went to Litchfield for a bit and ate some grilled goodies with the family. Also worked on my motorcycle for a bit, hoping to nail that down very soon maybe more on this later.

Anyways, had a pretty busy week last week. Including a trip to Bethel at the site of one of our alpha installations. It was a beautiful scenic spot and an alright wind site for Maine. We went up to upgrade the electronics and show me the place too. 

There is a beautiful view of this mountain/bluff from where the tower is installed.

Life in Bethel

Saw the fireworks show in Portland, watched it from this sweet lighthouse rock peninsula which was pretty cool. The place is apparently called Budlight Park, no joke. A friend of mine from the internship program I was in last year went with me and her friend who... as luck would have it was a recent (class of 2012) MSSM alum, it turned out to be a fun adventure. Glad that place is still producing high quality folks. Also apparently senior parade is a thing now... Guess we're trendsetters?...

Also because my sister is such a high quality sibling she had pizza and cupcakes delivered to work on Friday because she is just the cool. 

Damn good cupcakes

Went to the beach and a potluck the other day at Andrea's house. My sister (god she is such a fucking pro) suggested this vegan recipe which I made because it mostly consisted of chopping things and putting them in a bowl. It actually turned out awesomely, much better than I expected and I am highly considering making myself another batch and just bringing it for lunch for a week or something. Honestly, try this stuff it's delicious. Disclaimer: I am not a vegan, I am just a fan of delicious food. 

I've got some plans brewing for this week, we'll see what comes of it.