Back at it...

It has been a while since I have been on here...maybe too busy with the changes I have made in my career, maybe writing has just been out of mind. I like to just ramble about nothing. the words that come to mind do not tell a tale. They just lie on the paper.

New Horizon (maybe)

Well it has been a while since I have posted anything to this blog, been a little busy. The latest news in this inspectors life is the prospect of quiting the firm I work for to go somewhere else that pays more. At first I was all for leaving. However, my project manager called me yesterday and said they don't want to lose me. I suspect another offer to be coming soon, this will be their attempt to keep me working for them. I hope they know it is more than just money that will keep me. The next day will be very interesting....

Getting Out...

OK, so I made it home safely. But what an experience, the people however impoverished are hospitable to say the least. They want to help you. Is it because they are doing there job or would they just as soon cut off your hands if they met you in a dark alley, I hope not to find out.

Even the ride to the airport was an adventure, we are almost to the airport when I start to notice a lot of policia along the road we were on, then next thing I saw was about 300 cops dressed in there full riot gear. The driver I had did not speak any English, so I could not ask him what was going on, all I was thinking was please drive a little faster I don't want to be caught in the crossfire if the shit hits the fan. I did make to the airport obviously, I got there 3 hours early.
I went through security right away. I did not want like the French fellow that was shot in the head in the lobby just a week ago.

There are a lot things that are wrong with our government, after that trip I appreciate what ours does do for us...

Culture Shock

"WOW" that is all I can say, this place is amazing. The things I've seen on the Amazing Race tv show do not even come close to preparing me for the culture shock. The city is a buzz with activity everywhere I look there are people doing something, moving about, trying to sell you stuff from the side of the road, I even saw two older fellows and a young kid doing an impromptu circus show in the middle of the road between traffic lanes. I expect to see more interesting things in the upcoming days......

On the ready

OK I am all ready to go, bags are packed, passport is in hand, all of the required paperwork has been filed, but most important I have registered with the State Department. If I don't come home at least the government can hopefully come get me...I may post some photos while I am there, See you then..........

Mexico City

My company asked me to travel to Mexico City to do some inspection work at a Ford Motor Company assembly plant. I have had other opportunities in the past to travel for work, none of which panned out, at the time I thought it would be exiting. However, now that I actually have the chance, I am scared as hell.

Maybe its the wow factor or perhaps it is all the crazy stories you hear about contractors being kidnapped, I have not yet figured out were the fear comes from.
I have traveled in the past, Germany, Paris, The Azores, Montreal, and multiple trips around our states. I think I have enough time logged on Google that I could be a share holder, I guess that is just my way to mitigate the fear of the unknown. I will try to collect as much info as I can before I depart and hopefully 10 years from now they can't make a movie based on my kidnapping....Wish Me Luck

More about Inspection life

Performing visual review of welded and bolted connections on a bridge was what I did on this exciting day. Kind of boring in the grand scheme of things, but it is what I do. In a funny way that is the good thing about my job, I get to see many different things on any given day. OK, back to what I do, afterall that is what this blog is supposed to be about, visual review of welds is pretty basic. Making sure the welds were placed where they should be, size, and overall quality. Checking bolts is a pain in the rump, especially if they are fully pre-tensioned. This involves a torque wrench that is about 4' long and weighs about 15-20 lbs and some ass to pull it.
Some of the larger size bolted connections require up to 56 kips per bolt.