I have been in the electronics/information technology industry since about 1988 in various positions and functions, but primarily as a generalist support engineer. Have settled out as an IT manager and now just sit around drinking coffee and bossing other people around all day.

More recently and in all other waking hours, my espresso machine startup, "The Coffee Philter" seems be dominating.

it figures, the 2 other mechE's here are Greg and Eric. fortunately, im only one by title- minimal design experience.

most of my work is actually helping people like julioale run their facilities. im a consultant in the facilities management industry, so, that means i get to ask lots of questions, and test stuff (commissioning) to see if i can break it. other stuff too, but nothing as detailed as eric or greg.. id love experience like that. b/c of technology, i tend to be involved in data center stuff instead of power plant stuff, though i do get to play with big boilers and chillers on occasion.

I am a special education teacher. I have been working with emotionally disturbed kids since 1967. All of my friends and co-workers have retired, but I continue to enjoy what I do, and as long as I remain successful I will continue. For the computer people out there I am also the Educational Technologist for my building. I maintain and repair the 300+ computer in the building, as well as, train teachers how to use them. The kids already know.
I am a mod and write movie reviews on http://www.alteredegos.net

CPA - Tax accountant

Newbie here

San Jose Sharks Hockey Fan

Fascinating backgrounds here! Not your average forum membership.

I'm an educational consultant specializing in college admission. I mainly work with school districts, corporations, and non-profit agencies; I do occasionally work with individual families but this is not the thrust of my business. Used to be a college admissions director, authored multiple college guides and worked in online development and publishing for several years at the Princeton Review (yes, I was the party school guy), and was a client consultant with Monster at their (now defunct) Enrollment Solutions Group, which provided marketing and image consulting to colleges and universities.

Currently seeking the next growth opportunity--preferably back in a traditional work setting as opposed to self-employment. Anyone have any ideas? It's easy helping others figure out what to do with their lives--not so when it comes to self-advising! In the meantime, I think I'll pull a shot....

Ed Custard

Many past careers: barista (for a chain, awful coffee and they were okay with that), information architect (contract internet work for big companies like Delta and Benjamin Moore). Now, back in school (couldn't take the cubes). In two years (if everything goes right) I will be starting a new career, in a new city, as a lawyer. For now, I am enjoying law school as much as I can and trying to keep my wife and I in good coffee.

Self-employed residential carpenter:
People actually trust me in their homes with power tools while they're at work

I'm a music education student at the University of Houston....and then I work in a local coffee shop at night...so I guess that's my 'night job'

I'm a barista-trainer for the espresso brand "Caffe Kimbo" for the netherlands. That means that I train my customers (bars, restaurants etc.) to make a perfect cup of coffee!

Some people even think i'm an espresso expert...

(check "http://www.rtl.nl/service/gemist/home/ -> EditieNL -> Trends -> Koude koffie stoomt op" for you dutch speaking guys!)

I write. The ongoing project is a multi-generational murder mystery/fantasy series of five books. Things have been busy lately with volunteer obligations to Platte Canyon Rescue Service, Inc here in the mountains, but I've been back in the chair again (+15 hour days at the keyboard). In a surprising number of ways, I've been a few places and worn a variety of hats.

I also teach self-defense (conventional and improvised weapons) on an individual basis.

A slower pace to life is a necessity these days, and being a bit off the beaten path helps immeasurably ("Sleep late on the weekends, watch the seasons pass;" sums it up nicely).

Incurable romantic.

Trisha

Trisha wrote:I also teach self-defense (conventional and improvised weapons) on an individual basis.

"improvised weapons"... how would a portafilter do? Actually, I'm guessing that a well-thrown Reg Barber may do the trick!

Firm grip, steady hand and large caliber, does the trick every time.

Boy I miss the Rockies, use to live in Aurora years ago.

Handloading is most rewarding!



I had the fun of playing "espresso sniper" yesterday - one ristretto from the Elektra MCaL and another shocked, astonished look of wonder and pleasure as the cup was set gently down.

"Dear god - I had no idea! Rich, spicy and a dark chocolaty - smooth, too!"

I just smiled.

Trisha

Materials Engineer/Scientist

I work in the development of high-temperature corrosion/oxidation resistant and thermal insulating coatings. Can't apply much of what I do to espresso, but I have a pretty good background in various characterization techniques and building lab equipment (furnaces, vacuum systems, etc.)

I'm currently an E-6 in the Air Force, soon to be E-7. My job used to be working on airplanes. Now I tell people to work on airplanes.

Since forming my own company in 2002 I am a "scrappy", i.e. I scour the planet looking for scrap metal (scrap steel, really) which I then sell to steel plants or other consumers.

Here is some demolished bridges in east central PA - this needs to be cut to smaller sections before it is of use to the steel mills.


Here is some high grade 304 stainless steel scrap (>8.5% Ni) coming directly from the plant where the stampings are made near Pittsburgh. My buyer for this is in Rotterdam. (Yeah, that's me in front.)


Here is heavy melting scrap being loaded into a 20' shipping container at a small yard in Newark on route to India.


Here is some crappy "pit" scrap from a yard in Niles, Ohio.


Here is some re-roll rail from a yard in Ontario for a rolling mill in Chicago.

Here is some heavy melting scrap form a yard in Belgium used a some buyers in Bangladesh.


Here is shredded scrap (the pile on the left) from a big European yard.


Previously, I worked for the same company from 1975 through 2002 in the steel industry where I was International Sales Director from ~1989 through 2002; prior to that contract administration, project manager, purchasing and engineering.

Recently (since April) I also sell cars (!) for a local Ford dealer.

During the 1970's I worked as a cook in some local Pittsburgh restaurants until my business travels mandated that I be away too much for the kitchen. Restaurant work is kind of "ideal" as a second job as most places need you in the evenings and on weekends and this does not interfere with a typical office job.

Len

Almost 24 years as an aircraft mechanic (Crew Chief) in the USAF. Presently an E-9, I tell people to work on airplanes also. I started with helicopters, then B-1s, various C-130s, a stint in test, F-22, C-17, V-22 etc. and finally back to helicopters. I picked up a BS in Finance and a MS in Aeronautical Science along the way.

Right now I have the best job in the world as the Maintenance Chief at an HH-60 Rescue unit on a beautiful sub-tropical island in the Pacific. "That Others May Live"





DP (Rotorhead)

Rapid Coffee: It's a small world. My wife and I took several math/science/language classes at SDSM&T circa 1988-1992.

I was in the E-3 squadron in Okinawa. We loved the island. We miss the food, people, and surf. Have any good typhoons yet?

The coffee shop in the ferris wheel building in Mihama is pretty decent. They have great food also. The Starbucks across the street is alright too. They still had a La Marzocco when we left in 2003. Great for people watching.

Worldman wrote:Since forming my own company in 2002 I am a "scrappy", i.e. I scour the planet looking for scrap metal (scrap steel, really) which I then sell to steel plants or other consumers.

Grab this if it's not too late; it will make a behemoth spring lever

IB:
Starbucks scares me. In the states they have some sort of super auto vending machine thing. Truly the worst shots ever. My wife drinks their super sugar, caramel, chocolate, cherry berry, mint, pumpkin, cinnamon, whipped cream milkshake, latte, cappuccino drinks. I'll stroll into the Mihama outlet and see if they still have the LM. I like the sushi-go-round next door so next time I'm in the hood.....There's a Starbucks in the Rocker and in the North side Airpower cafe now. They're like the Borg, "You will assimilate, resistance is futile." When APO fails me I am forced to buy the year old Starbucks beans at the commissary. Only happened once so far in seven months on the island. I've tried coffee at Jusco and the like, it sucks. A lot of people drink that coffee in a can here. It scares me too, haven't tried it. With the Japanese fondness of coffee you would think there would be a roaster or two around. I can't find one.

We had a Cat 4 typhoon a month or so ago. It was a direct hit, wiped out a hell of a lot of trees. It is amazing how these monster storms hit here and cause little real damage with winds at 150mph. One hits the Gulf Coast with it's trailer parks and stick houses and the death and destruction are devastating. Cement is the answer.

I'm diggin the surf too. I just scored a house on the beach in Onna-Son just south of Maeda Point......amazing!

You must know Jim Cornell? He was in the E-3 Sq around that time also. He was in my class at the SNCO Academy.
DP