Facebook Conspiracy

Since when did everyone get on Facebook? After being specifically asked to join by our dear friend Lydia (who incidentally is now both engaged and expecting), I decided to try Facebook too. And suddenly out of nowhere, all of these people I have not seen or talked to in years are on there and we are now Facebook Friends. It's pretty cool. Although at the same time, I now feel immense pressure to have more Friends or risk of losing credibility in the facebook world. So far I have about 19 friends and I felt pretty good about myself until I see that Mike Hollander has NINETY-SEVEN. This seems rigged to me, but I haven't begun my official investigation yet so I will not comment.

My Legacy at Work

I am lucky enough to already know what my legacy at work will be: Meeting Czar. Apparently I am the only individual willing to cut off extraneous conversation to hold to a time schedule. Just today I respectfully declined to facilitate a meeting that was not mine and I heard a distressed voice say "Amanda's not facilitating? We're doomed!"

Could be worse. Most engineers get a piece of equipment they have installed named after them, and usually only if it is something that does not work. "Oh yeah that's the Jessica line" or "Jan's valve." I've managed to avoid this so far, but if anyone ever says "Amanda's distillation column" you know I'm in trouble.

P.S. Last minute update, there is a NEW MEMBER of the blogging group. Marie M M. Check out her link to the right.

Zion National Park

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to visit relatives who live outside Zion National Park (Utah) with my dear sister Mary Jean.

Some interesting things:
- They actually have a beer called Polygamy Porter with the catch slogan "why have just one?"
- Mary Jean took the slogan literally (ok maybe this part is not true)
- Zion National Park will not allow cars during peak season - all traffic is via a propane shuttle which makes the park cleaner and feel less crowded
- We hiked a 2.5-mile trail called Angel's Landing where for about 200 feet we were on a rock ledge with a straight drop down on both sides and only a single chain to hold
- As everyone on the shuttle ooh-ed and ah-ed over some wild turkeys in the park, all I could think was how much my coworkers would wish it was hunting season.

In all seriousness, Zion was one of the most beautiful places I have been.

Initiating a Blog

Having been recently inspired after a blogging discussion at Outer Banks (the 2007 version), I figure it is time for me to enter the technological age. This is my start. I don't expect to make it anywhere higher than "Disappointing" on Pennoch's list for at least the next 5 months but hey at least I hope to make it on the list!

Amanda