My First Day Back To Work!
After an extended time off, I’m finally back to work. And it’s good to be back! Now the money for new trains and other Barkyard related items will come pouring in! Just in time for USA Trains to start producing their F7A-B units again! And I threw a couple of GP38s in the order for good measure… Pent up demand I suppose.
It’s nice to not have to worry about spending the money again. I was laid off back in May of 2021, so the “reserves” were running low, so to speak. This opportunity just fell in my lap! And the timing was right. Providence and all that I suppose.
I was hoping to have the Barkyard self sufficient and operational by now. Life’s what happens while you’re busy making other plans I suppose.
Just when we got comfortable with Rocket and his special needs, just when we thought it was safe, Brigel is diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia. His right atrium is three times normal size, and his heart will eventually fail. And to top that off, his digestion is hit and miss as well lately. Some days he has no appetite. Other days he’s fine. Could be worse I suppose.
Thankfully this is a one hundred percent remote position, although I did have to travel to Lakeland PD for a Go Live after my short one day stint on Jury Duty here in Lake County the day before. Everyday is a winding road… And I took them home from Lakeland. All two lane and back roads. It didn’t take much longer than taking the super slabs and toll roads would have either. Less stress I suppose.
They sent a docking station and a 24″ monitor along with the laptop. I had another 24″ monitor dedicated to the surveillance system, but decided to double it up with the one they sent. I’ve been using my son’s spare 27″ monitor as a third with the server, but reallocated it to the security cameras. I ordered a new tactile keyboard and trackball dedicated to the work system. The only drawback is sharing my project bench space. It’s not so much shared as reallocated since I have to stash the projects out of the way. But it keeps me focused on work I suppose.
Data Central
I’ve renamed my office “Data Central”. What else would you call six computer screens staring at you 24/7? I exaggerate of course. Come close of business Friday, the work laptop gets stashed until start of business Monday morning, freeing up the project workbench for the weekend. I’ve already splashed the liquid cement I use to bond the 3D printed PLA pieces on the track ball, leaving discolorations on the right button. Now I stash it too. Learned my lesson I suppose.
