What are you working on?

[Waus]

I'm peripherally aware of what kind of jobs some people here have, but I'm always curious what other people are spending their time on. What are you doing for work or for fun?

I'd go first, but I think then it would seem like I was just making a thread to brag or talk about the things I want to talk about.

[cosmo105]

I'm not allowed to talk about it. Really!

But as for school, I haven't picked my research topic for this semester. Previously I've done independent study on modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of irradiated produce, just a literature review to help inform the actual experiments that our thesis students do. I need to pick something for this class though. Thinking of something to do with plant proteins but I kind of want to branch out from what my focus has been in my actual job and learn something new and totally different.

[Waus]

Originally Posted by cosmo105

I'm not allowed to talk about it. Really!

But as for school, I haven't picked my research topic for this semester. Previously I've done independent study on modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of irradiated produce...

Cool. I didn't even realize that was a thing. I'm going to look for that radiated food logo on packaging now.

[cosmo105]

Oh, you won't find it easily. Irradiation has yet to catch on in the US. It's very common in other countries and the quality of irradiated produce, especially tropical stuff that can't be grown here, is usually pretty high - but American consumers just won't accept it yet. It's a shame, because it's so promising and could prevent so much waste. The symbol is called the Radura, btw (I'm the captain of our school's college bowl team, my brain is filled with trivia)

[Dorothy Wood]

For work I manage a storefront boutique/gallery. It's too stressful, Ive been having panic attacks and feel like im constantly fixing other peoples mistakes...so I'm trying to learn more things on my own while doing my current job well. Honestly I think I just want to be an artist and a designer of things that are helpful and that people need. I'm tired of selling things.

Anyway I would also like to be in a metal band.

[Lyman Zerga]

your mum!

[ms.peachy]

^^ ha ha

For money, I work for a company that does indoor air and water quality testing, and then helps people find solutions to any outstanding issues. You may have heard, we have some pollution problems here in China... It's ok. It's a decent job, my boss is great and I have a lot of autonomy. It's not as cool as when I used to be able to tell people I worked at the Science Museum, but c'est la vie.

For love, I am also on the steering committee for an expat parent community called ShanghaiMamas, helping to develop content for our website and to organize social events, that sort of thing. The group has grown from about 800 members four years ago to more than 4000 today, so that's pretty exciting. We are recognized now as a 'force' in this town, which is kind of interesting - a lot of companies want to get in good with us to promote themselves to our members, etc etc. But we're really really cautious about maintaining a real sense of trust within our community and not becoming some place where marketers can bombard our (very desirable) demographic. It's interesting times.

Beyond that, it's just the usual being a mom, being a wife, being a friend kind of stuff. Which is nice too

[checkyourprez]

Originally Posted by cosmo105

Oh, you won't find it easily. Irradiation has yet to catch on in the US. It's very common in other countries and the quality of irradiated produce, especially tropical stuff that can't be grown here, is usually pretty high - but American consumers just won't accept it yet. It's a shame, because it's so promising and could prevent so much waste. The symbol is called the Radura, btw (I'm the captain of our school's college bowl team, my brain is filled with trivia)

i cop that irradiated beef sometimes when its on reduced price. bout that discount meat baby.

[Waus]

Originally Posted by ms.peachy

indoor air and water quality testing,

Whoa - air and water testing in Shanghai? You must get some crazy cases.

Kudos on the parenthood group - we're just getting acquainted with the ones here in Denver.

[abbott]

yea I got my Stipulated Confidentiality Order signed by a judge delivered yesterday. Technically I can talk about how I cant talk and I can talk about the confidentiality agreement but nothing else.

[russhie]

Work wise, I just started a program support role at a new higher ed facility. I have to travel four hours a day to get there/back but after being unemployed for 6 months I don't have the luxury of requesting something closer.
Fun wise, I am learning to make cheese (can make fetta quite well and mastering mozzerella now - haloumi is next!). I'm also learning to ride a motorbike and horse ride western style.

Outside of work, I volunteer for a for a statewide horse rescue group which is equal parts rewarding, frustrating and devastating so it's not really something I do for 'fun'.

[Kid Presentable]

Planning the mental health services required over the next ten years in this state. Identifying the gaps in current service delivery and mapping the meeting of the deficit over the coming decade. My role isn't super technical, though. I solve problems, refine concepts and bring disparate groups of stakeholders together to a shared sense of purpose. And write a lot.

Not what I dreamed if doing, but it's nice.

[Waus]

Originally Posted by Kid Presentable

Planning the mental health services required over the next ten years in this state. Identifying the gaps in current service delivery and mapping the meeting of the deficit over the coming decade. My role isn't super technical, though. I solve problems, refine concepts and bring disparate groups of stakeholders together to a shared sense of purpose. And write a lot.

That sounds like a good job. Mental health services actually comes up in conversation around Denver a lot - apparently our city does a pretty crappy job of providing it for the homeless compared to other major cities.

[funk63]

comic book map thing. sup erryone

[Guy Incognito]

^ Hey!

[Waus]

Originally Posted by russhie

Outside of work, I volunteer for a for a statewide horse rescue group which is equal parts rewarding, frustrating and devastating so it's not really something I do for 'fun'.

I had to study horse rescue groups to help my wife write a paper last year. I don't remember the specifics, but I remember coming away from it thinking there were a lot of nutjobs mixed in with the sane people trying to take care of wild horses.

[russhie]

Originally Posted by Waus

I had to study horse rescue groups to help my wife write a paper last year. I don't remember the specifics, but I remember coming away from it thinking there were a lot of nutjobs mixed in with the sane people trying to take care of wild horses.

Yeah, horse enthusiasts on the whole are a pretty interesting group - they tend to be pretty opinionated about horse care.

Our group takes on abused and neglected horses that have been surrendered or seized, rehabs them and places them into long term care. The horses aren't sold, so they are surrendered back to us if the new carer can longer look after them. We do our best to weed out the crazies but as long as they have the capacity to keep horses safe, fed, and mentally well we can't really deny them.

The absolute most awful part of volunteering is the vitriol we face from the general public at times. We are a small band of volunteers, taking on damaged and sick animals (who will often require specialist care for the remainder of their lives) and we often have to make the call to put especially unwell horses down. Instead of directing anger towards the people giving these horses a more 'pleasant' end to their suffering, they should be more active in helping with large animal welfare education efforts and neglect prevention. But it's so much easier to be critical from your couch, unfortch.

[ms.peachy]

Originally Posted by Waus

I had to study horse rescue groups to help my wife write a paper last year. I don't remember the specifics, but I remember coming away from it thinking there were a lot of nutjobs mixed in with the sane people trying to take care of wild horses.

From my observation, in any type of 'animal rescue' type groups whatever kind of animal it is, there is the set of people who are really committed and do really important, thankless work - and then there is set of people who are teetering along the whacka whacka line and do it so they get to feel like they are important.

[DandyFop]

At my day job I photoshop sales mocks, so basically the sales team uses them to show brands what it would look like if their ads were on our site. It's pretty fun and easy and I've been here long enough that I've gotten pretty good at it!

At night I do as much standup comedy as humanly possible, and I write scripts with friends, and see lots of insane and fun things and, generally, really enjoy all of it.

[ericlee]

Originally Posted by funk63

comic book map thing. sup erryone

Don't even know what that means but my buddy is trying to sell these spiderman comics of his.

http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=251454525229

[Waus]

Just finished our monthly discussion group where we try to read difficult literature and then explain it to each other until we're too drunk to articulate the ideas. I found "A Nietzsche Reader" at some used bookstore for $6.50, spent a few weeks of commutes listening to library audio lectures on the subject and attempted to communicate it.

Presented to some grad students about the Sandinista revolution and the role of the Catholic church in it.

Wrapping up an excruciatingly boring series of animations of information about government aid for highway construction projects, after that doing some fake newscast videos for emergency exercises.

Finishing a baby journal for our soon-to-be-here newborn.

[abbott]

currently I am lobbying to flood Death Valley.

why not flood Death Valley?

The Mojave River flows inland and is just miles away. Large hose and fill Death Valley.

Lower sea level +/-4 inches

Decrease temperature to surrounding area and add moister.

Anyway, thought it was a good idea and I would do it if I could.

[TurdBerglar]

and why we're at it we can blast the hawaiian islands into space...

[YoungRemy]

I'm working on updating my rez.









add moister.

[Vic Colfari]

Originally Posted by abbott

Decrease temperature to surrounding area and add moister.

For a moister cupcake I recommend the following:

The type of flour you use is key. I use liquid fat, and I add an extra egg YOLK to whatever eggs are called for in the recipe with nice results. But, flour gets old, can be the culprit of dry cupcakes. I use cake flour or add some almond or coconut flour to the AP flour. I bake small cupcakes and I bake on demand. Cupcakes even with the best guidance are not designed to sit for days uneaten.

[abbott]

surely you can talk better shit than my spelling

Did you know the water level in death valley is less than 10 feet, just in case you need water you can dig.

[abbott]

oh yea and my idea only needs a big hose to work.

Not sure how you get an island in space.

[ericg]

i'm working on a car rental program that promotes and regulates electric and innovative vehicles.. soon to become commuter fleets across the country with each city having infrastructure, charging/ parking cells. I've sent a proposal to many universities and would like to start by working with and renting to students for $5 an hour initially.. I'm hoping to participate at one spark this year, a crowd funding venue in jax, but ish is tight..

Anyway,there ya go.

[Kid Presentable]

Originally Posted by ericg

i'm working on a car rental program that promotes and regulates electric and innovative vehicles.. soon to become commuter fleets across the country with each city having infrastructure, charging/ parking cells. I've sent a proposal to many universities and would like to start by working with and renting to students for $5 an hour initially.. I'm hoping to participate at one spark this year, a crowd funding venue in jax, but ish is tight..

Anyway,there ya go.

Didn't the oil companies shut down the last commercial efforts to do this? How are you going to compete? Honest question.

[ericg]

yeah.. but the tiger can't be caged forever...
venues are now choosing creators/ entrepreneurs for One Spark based on a presentation etc.. where in april, in dt jax, several blocks will be reserved for this fundraiser and there will be many presentation booths/ stands.. i fucked the youtube presentation up good and proper but i'll know soon if I'll be representing... even if nothing comes of it, i will still start.. just smaller than i'd like.. i'd like to make it a franchise by putting together a booklet on how to start this up in any and every city.. in case i'm assassinated. i joke..
not