Construction Observation at ATI

Hello everyone! I've been so incredibly busy the past few weeks. I've really gone head first into this whole new job thing. I've been up to York, PA about 5 times now to a place called Architectural Testing (something). They build full scale mock ups of buildings and test them for performance. I got to go up there several times to watch the construction of a full scale mock up of a building I'll be working on here in VA. It's pretty sweet. I'm not supposed to show pictures of what we're working on; it's supposed to be on the DL and I'm not supposed to show pictures of other jobs up there. However, there was a sweet test going on up there when I was there one day and since I know nothing about the project, here's a few photos of a dynamic rain test. I'll explain after the photos and video.









So what they do is spray a bunch of water at the mock up and start up an airplane propeller which blows about 70mph or so at the mock up. It was pretty awesome for the first 2-3 minutes and then it lost its coolness pretty quick.

I'm in my third week of the job and I love it! There's been a few issues with stuff around the apartment, but I've managed ways around most of them until they can be fixed. Living out in VA is a lot of fun too! I'm totally pumped for the 4th of July; I'm heading down the mall with a few people and hanging out all day and picnicking.

Also, as many of you probably heard, there was a horrible metro train crash earlier this week on the North East end of the red line. I live and work pretty much on the complete opposite side of the metro system from where the accident took place and I was actually up in York, PA all day that day. So, I'm totally fine and the few people I know here in town weren't anywhere close to it.

So, things are good and everyday seems to have some new adventure for me. Take it easy!

Site Seeing for the first time since moving

Today I went out for some site seeing since virtually the entire last week has been nothing but rain! I walked to the metro from the apartment which wasn't terrible and rode to Arlington National Cemetery. I spent a lot more time there than I expected to. It was so powerful to be there. I saw JFK's eternal flame, the tomb of the unknown soldier, and too many white markers to even count. The most moving part of my walk around Arlington was when I saw a uniformed US soldier bend down and touch the grave marker in the section of marker for the fallen from Iraq.


The number of markers was overwhelming.



In the distance is the Air Force Memorial (I think)









This was taken in front of the Arlington House with the Washington Monument and Capitol in the distance.



This is looking from the fountain below the tomb of the unknown soldier.









This was of the Sergeant that introduced the changing of the guard.



This is a video of the changing of the guard. It's not that great a quality since I took it with my still camera.



After the cemetery, I then got back on the metro and headed to The Mall. I wasn't sure what I was going to do when I got there, but I figured I'd just walk around and see what was there to see. I wound up going into the Smithsonian Museum of American History. I didn't spend a ton of time there mainly because I was getting tired of walking around. I spent about 4 hours walking around Arlington, so I was ready to be done with walking. While I was at the Smithsonian, I did see a few things that reminded me of home in Nebraska. Outside they had every state's flag and I also saw a Werner Trucking truck inside.






That's all for now. Till next time...

The apartment

Well, I moved into my new place! Things are getting settled in and it's starting to feel more and more like my home and not just a place to stay. It's pretty small and cramped but it'll be just fine for what I need.


Here's my front door which opens out onto a breezeway.


Door to the balcony.


Looking from the front door into my bedroom.


From the front door into the kitchen/laundry room.


From the front door into the kitchen.


My bathroom.


My closet which is pretty full right now, but it'll be better once Sarah gets her boxes out of the apartment in August. It'll be okay for now.



My bed.


My entertainment center/office.


That's about it for now. Take it easy.

Sightseeing and getting settled

So after I got all my stuff up to my fourth floor apartment, I spent quite a while getting stuff moved in where I want it. There's still a few boxes here and there (mostly stuff for the office). I will be taking pictures soon and posting them. Stay tuned...

I got to do a little touristy stuff with Mom and Dad the other day. We went to Mount Vernon which is where George Washington lived. We spent most of the day there looking at the house and all the other buildings that were on site. We also went through the museum which had Washington's actual dentures. The entire place was amazing and the weather was absolutely beautiful!

We also met up with my cousin Keith and went into Old Town Alexandria (not far from where I live). He showed us around and we had a bite and a few beers at an pub. We then walked down to the river and saw quite a bit of street performers.


Here are a few pictures:

Here's the front of Mount Vernon.


Mom and Dad behind Mount Vernon.



Here, Dad and I sit with our backs to the Potomac behind Mount Vernon.



Mom and I in front of Mount Vernon



This was on the bank of the river in Old Town Alexandria. This guy was playing incredible songs on glasses. It was amazing!


Here's mom and I at a pub in Old Town.


Dad and Keith on the other side of the booth.