Saturday for Engineers

Okay, I realize a lot of engineers have a real life.  Some of your probably spent today at the lake, or playing softball or going to a movie.  Here's what I did.

First, I went to work to try to catch up on all the things that didn't get done during the week.  My Inbox is sacred.  I'm not one of those people that can delete emails without reading them.  And if it is in my Inbox after I've read it, then I've got something that must be done....Yeah, I'm a little sick, but I'm working on it.
Luckily the normal "to do's" were interrupted by a request to come look at some parts in the shop.  So I looked at a couple of large composite parts.  One was up for a part in "Cutter's Gone Wild" (trim problem) and the other had "resin starvation" issues.  I'm not a Liaison Engineer, but I manage a few (does that sound like a Holiday Inn commercial?)  And I'm not a composite expert yet either, although I did start my career on the B-2 Stealth Bomber, so I do have some experience.  I should blog about the B-2 some time; secret programs are always good for a lot of laughs.

So after work (and a bit of River Running for exercise) I had the afternoon in front of me.  My options were to watch "Paul Blart, Mall Cop" on NetFlix with the family, or do something that would not cause my brain to melt out through my ears.  So, I threw on my best weekend T-shirt (the Avengers leaping right out of my chest), grabbed my laptop and headed for the library.  Not to check out books of course; I just needed a quite place to work.

I've reached the point in my Java class that I really had to find a way to get some programs running.  The Stanford iTunes class is great for learning the principles, but doesn't get into the nuts and bolts of using the development environment that they recommend for the class.  Luckily, I found another set of videos that focus on the nuts and bolts.  So I made some progress this afternoon.  I'm going to master this Java thing; it's just a matter of time.

After I got tired of Java I moved on to a Strength of Materials class I've started, also on iTunes.  This one is through Michigan Tech.  So far it looks like it is going to cover my interests and be pretty challenging.

Now it's about time to pack up the computer and head back home.  If Paul Blart is done entertaining my family, it's time to make some progress on the hovercraft.  Ten year-olds don't forget things like that...