Weekend Update.

I made it through the week relatively unscathed. It was harder handle the second day of classroom work (Wednesday) than it was on the first day. I had to score an 80% or higher in order to pass. I was really nervous about it because I kept falling asleep literally every five minutes. Luckily I had some good people around me to protect (read: poke) me so that I'd make it. I never really was completely out of it, sort of that mental haze you get before you drift off for good. I managed to get an 82% on the test, but should've had 90%. One question I circled the wrong answer instead of the correct one, and just managed to realize it. On two other questions I was pretty sure I had the correct answer but confused myself and read more into the questions than was necessary. I dont' sweat it though, I passed and that's all that mattered in the end.

I never did see the shrink this week. Me and a couple of other guys still need to do that for various reasons. My reason revolved around credit issues. I think I mentioned before on this blog that I was unemployed for a year when I moved to Texas. Every bill I had piled up and went unpaid for the longest time. After my divorce I worked jobs that barely paid the rent and put food in my stomach, so some of continued to be unpaid. In the end it's my fault, but I always feel compelled to explain it further. I want people to know that I'm only half a deadbeat.

I've been chipping away at this pile of debt, slowly but surely. Some bills are so old the bill collectors stopped sending notices or phone calls. Anyway, this doesn't sit well with the people doing the background checks and was a concern I had going into this process. With a few phone calls and a few arrangements it appears that it's all sorted out and I'll be called on Monday with a date/time to see the shrink. If this hurdle can be cleared, then I'll be back on the plant around March 2nd for respirator training and fitting, and then I'd be fully cleared and starting OJT on March 20th.

In my last post I said that I'd talk about the 3-D hand scan. Probably more fascinating in person, but basically one of the many entry control procedures is for all employees to have their hand read prior to entering certain areas. Somewhere around 80 points are mapped and recorded, and its verified by placing your hand inside a reader each time you go to certain parts of the plant.

I'm creating a new section on my blog for unupdated blogs. Most people would just delete them, but I'm keeping them around because I either hope they return, or the content was too good to forget about. Some have run their course (81 Vaginas, Darthside, IRR, etc.) others are just MIA (Immoderation, No Time for Later, etc.)

I'm also looking for a new blog to highlight. If you have any suggestions please leave it in the comments section. Thanks.