New Gig at Work

I've started a new gig at work. It's a pretty exciting time for me. For the next month or so, I'll be the crude and gas oil scheduler. I'm responsible for working with our crude traders and schedulers in Houston to ensure the refinery has all the crude it needs. I'm also responsible for making sure all the intermediate imports and some product exports. Its a pretty fast paced job and a great learning experience. The only bummer about this new gig is that I have to be at the morning refinery coordination meeting at 6:40 AM, Monday thru Friday. I have to be coherent and prepared so that means getting to work between 5 & 6 AM, yuck! Its been pretty funny the past week when I talk during the meeting my voice is all scratchy and horse. So I've started talking to myself/sing along with the music in the car on the way in to get my voice back each morning before the meeting, LOL!

After that I'll transition to the Area Operating Planner. I'll be responsible to making the monthly business plan for the refinery. It's going to be a really incredible experience. I'll be working with the entire supply chain to optimize raw materials and products. This is exactly the kind of job I've been working for over the past few years. I'm really excited, wish me luck!

Maui Bound!

We're headed to Maui in April!!! Keep a look out for pictures and the scoop.

Crawfish Boil!

For over 5 years I've wanted to have a crawfish boil out here in California. After the 400 lb crawfish boil last spring at Klaire's graduation party I felt prepared to try one myself. For Christmas I got all the necessary equipment to do a crawfish boil. With all the equipment in hand I found several crawfish shippers on the Internet. I decided to go with the Louisiana Crawfish Company. We ordered 15 lbs. which were shipped overnight right to our front door. The crawfish arrived alive and very clean. We were really excited about the ease of the entire process. We had Matt & Tifanie over to enjoy the experience. We boiled crawfish, potatoes, and corn. Matt & Tifanie got a major kick out of the entire process. They blogged about it on their website. Their from Boston/Arizona so this crawfish thing was new to them. For me the crawfish needed a little more seasoning, but for a rookie boil I think everything turned out really well. Taking a step back, its really amazing to get live crawfish shipped straight to your door all the way in California from Louisiana.

Poor Aggie

Aggie has finally recuperated from a rather rough patch he went through recently. It all started out when he wasn't eating and was very lethargic. After $600 worth of tests we found out Ag had an enlarged heart, slipped disk in his back, and about 20 bladder stones. The vet suggested not treating the heart and back issue. However, the bladder stones were a major problem requiring surgery. $2000 Surgery! We decided take Ag to another vet for a second opinion. We were very happy with the second vet, Dr. Johnson. He's Ag's new vet. His estimate wasn't much better by the way, $1200. Still way too much.

So we talked with a third vet (well in training) Kayla. We're both very impressed with Kayla. She was very helpful and professional. She suggested talking with the Southwest Louisiana Vet Clinic in Sulphur to get an estimate. This turned out to be a really good idea. They were very helpful and accommodating. Their estimate was only $600. Winner, winner! The next thing we knew Kristen and Ag where boarding a plane headed for Sulphur! (Aggie wishes to thank his Maw Maw for courtesy airline miles to help make this all possible!)

Ag's fully recovered now and full of energy! He's now on a special diet to prevent bladder stones from coming back. He's also on a special shot regime to help rebuild cartilage in his hip.

One more episode in the Poor Aggie Saga!

Jess's Visit

Here are some pictures from when Jess came out to visit. We had a great time! We braved torrential down pours in San Francisco to visit the Museum of Modern Art and Legion of Honor. We went to the Punchline to see Joel McHale from The Soup. The next day we did Napa. We had a great time visiting the wineries. After that Jess and I spent the day checking out Stanford and Berkeley. It was a great weekend! Visitors are always welcome!