New Job
So, I've started my new job here in awesome Somerset, PA. Working in the Laurel Highlands... my STOMPING grounds. Who would've thunk it?? This is awesome. I moved out here last Sunday and had my first day on Monday. There was a little confusion with housing last Sunday and I ended up in a house different than the one I was told I'd be in, but it worked out since I moved into a larger (and nicer) house. The first house had two bedrooms and a loft and it looked like I was going to end up in the loft since the other bedrooms were already taken, but it turned out that one of the other houses had an open bedroom so I moved into it. This house (1560 Snowfield Dr.) is pretty big with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. I have my own room with a HUUUUUGE kingsize bed that none of my sheets fit. We also have a nice living room and loft (with an air hockey machine!) with a huge deck overlooking the #12 tee on the golf course. This is the awesomest field housing I've ever had. I'm living with two other dudes; one from Maryland and one from Johnstown. They are both really nice; the dude from Johnstown especially is very cool, and it seems like we'll get along great.
The job itself seems like it will be pretty cool. I've put in one week of work so far but we spent it mostly setting up the plots, so it's not a real good indication of how the work itself will be as we will start that next week. So far we've set up about 6 huge 22m tall microphone towers near the turbines that record bat sounds; as well as flagging a few plots and other random tasks. It's actually pretty good work, the time passes fast and we all work together so it's not too bad. My coworkers are all very cool; I work with 4 dudes and 4 girls, plus my boss. With the exception of my roommate and one girl from Lancaster, all of the others are from around the nation: California, New Mexico, Texas... all over the place.
Speaking of that, I know that I've mentioned many times how great it would be to have a wildlife job here in Western PA and it is fully living up to its expectations. Considering the fact that my coworkers come from all over, it is a lot of fun to sort of play "tour guide" and show/tell everyone about all the places and things they should check out. I love driving in the work truck (A Chevy SILVERADO!!!) and taking the backroads to the worksite, working in the field while having WDVE blasting from the truck speakers and introducing new people to Yeungling, the Clarks and other such Western PA awesomeness. I'm going to take a group of interested folks out to the Blue Hole at some point this summer; will probably end up showing them a few other places as well... it's just awesome. It's cool to be able to point out places here and there while driving around town and having little stories based on times spent with the good ole boys (well, at this state park we made the HUGEST burgers known to man... and we went mountain biking here... etc). I just love being in Western PA!
Anyways, with the first week just about over, I should be on my normal schedule starting Sunday. My normal schedule will be work Wed-Saturday with Sun-Tue off. They are flexible about days though, so if I want to take Saturday or something off, I can as long as I find someone willing to sub for me for the day. It looks like my days will run from around 6 am (or whatever sunrise is) to about 12 or 1 or so. Four 6-hour days per week... not bad at all. Especially considering I am salaried and not waged so my hours don't matter; I'll still make the same amount. My boss is absolutely awesome, by the way. He's young; probably in his late 20s, and he's just a blast to work with and for. He's laid back and funny and not against BS'ing and stuff while we're getting things done. It's just fun all around.
Anyways, I think that is all for now. I went out tonight and got a case of Yuengling pints ($20!!!!) and rode my bike down to the girls' (AWESOME) house for a BBQ. It rained on the ride down but then quit. We grilled some meat and drank some brewskis and hung out; it was a good time. I think after I get off from work tomorrow I'm going to drive home to pick up a few things and then come back; we're all hanging out for a beer pong tournament tomorrow night, then I have Friday off (I'm going to go insulator hunting in Rockwood, PA on this very promising line!). It should be a good coupla days!
That's all for now, will update when more awesomeness occurs!
The job itself seems like it will be pretty cool. I've put in one week of work so far but we spent it mostly setting up the plots, so it's not a real good indication of how the work itself will be as we will start that next week. So far we've set up about 6 huge 22m tall microphone towers near the turbines that record bat sounds; as well as flagging a few plots and other random tasks. It's actually pretty good work, the time passes fast and we all work together so it's not too bad. My coworkers are all very cool; I work with 4 dudes and 4 girls, plus my boss. With the exception of my roommate and one girl from Lancaster, all of the others are from around the nation: California, New Mexico, Texas... all over the place.
Speaking of that, I know that I've mentioned many times how great it would be to have a wildlife job here in Western PA and it is fully living up to its expectations. Considering the fact that my coworkers come from all over, it is a lot of fun to sort of play "tour guide" and show/tell everyone about all the places and things they should check out. I love driving in the work truck (A Chevy SILVERADO!!!) and taking the backroads to the worksite, working in the field while having WDVE blasting from the truck speakers and introducing new people to Yeungling, the Clarks and other such Western PA awesomeness. I'm going to take a group of interested folks out to the Blue Hole at some point this summer; will probably end up showing them a few other places as well... it's just awesome. It's cool to be able to point out places here and there while driving around town and having little stories based on times spent with the good ole boys (well, at this state park we made the HUGEST burgers known to man... and we went mountain biking here... etc). I just love being in Western PA!
Anyways, with the first week just about over, I should be on my normal schedule starting Sunday. My normal schedule will be work Wed-Saturday with Sun-Tue off. They are flexible about days though, so if I want to take Saturday or something off, I can as long as I find someone willing to sub for me for the day. It looks like my days will run from around 6 am (or whatever sunrise is) to about 12 or 1 or so. Four 6-hour days per week... not bad at all. Especially considering I am salaried and not waged so my hours don't matter; I'll still make the same amount. My boss is absolutely awesome, by the way. He's young; probably in his late 20s, and he's just a blast to work with and for. He's laid back and funny and not against BS'ing and stuff while we're getting things done. It's just fun all around.
Anyways, I think that is all for now. I went out tonight and got a case of Yuengling pints ($20!!!!) and rode my bike down to the girls' (AWESOME) house for a BBQ. It rained on the ride down but then quit. We grilled some meat and drank some brewskis and hung out; it was a good time. I think after I get off from work tomorrow I'm going to drive home to pick up a few things and then come back; we're all hanging out for a beer pong tournament tomorrow night, then I have Friday off (I'm going to go insulator hunting in Rockwood, PA on this very promising line!). It should be a good coupla days!
That's all for now, will update when more awesomeness occurs!