Stratus Automation

So now that everyone has had long enough to fully take in all that the last blog entry had to offer (long, I know) I wanted to let everyone know the big news! I have a new JOB!!!!!!!

http://stratusauto.com/

Stratus Automation is a premier provider of custom automation and equipment integration services catering to high-technology industries that require cleanliness, sub-micron accuracy and extremely high reliability.

So I am working as a mechanical engineer, research engineer, computer drafter, metal carpenter, custom fabricator, vendor purchasing and what ever else they need me to do. The company consists of about 9 people. Stratus makes automated conveyor systems, two story storage machines, robotics controls and most recently solar cell etching. Ever since I started 3 weeks ago I have been challenged in everything I do. Everything is a step or two above my experience so it is extremely challenging. There is something new everyday. Although it is kind of crazy to do, I am learning A LOT and the reward of completion is worth so much. To get an idea

I get to use all of the equipment on a daily basis that you would see in a machine shop and always wanted to use but never got a chance. This includes a GIANT CNC machine that is programmable. Currently we use it to cut 75lb aluminum turntable disks that are 840mm (~2.8ft) in diameter. They are rotatable disks that hold and spin solar cells through the four stage etching process. These disks have to be uniformly level, with the solar cell holders level to an accuracy of +- 20 microns (a micron is 1/1000 of a millimeter or 0.000001 meters or 0.0000394 inches). It's pretty dang small.

I love my job!

It's true, I do. It's something I feel passionate about and I am learning so much. Plus I have weekly discussions with the owner of the company about Particle Physics and the origins of the universe. Everyone there is extremely intelligent so I have a lot to learn from. I also feel like I am a real man doing real man work ;) I get to use giant power tool, get dirty and even get small cuts on my hands to show off my real man's work. So I will keep you guys and girls updated on my adventures at Stratus. Until next time!

Also, go Farve!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hello Everyone! So I know it's been over a month since the last update and I apologize, but hopefully this blog will make up for it. So Judy, you no longer have see the Thanksgiving pictures ;)

Over the holidays we came home to the midwest to see family. Flying into Milwaukee we arrived to a plethora of snow and a cold, but tolerable, 25 degrees. We meet my mom and dad at Applebee's on our way back to Madison. While back we wanted to enjoy the snow so we got suited and booted and fired up the sled (snowmobile). It was one of the winter activities that I missed doing after moving out to Seattle.

We were able to see many of my friends while we were back. It was nice to see them! We then had christmas with my cousin, aunt and her boyfriend. Every year there is at least one packers or badgers gift received. This year there was 2 packers jersey's, 2 badger shirts and a badgers afghan blanket. Needless to say we love our Wisconsin Teams.

Although all of us made out pretty well, my mom made out the best. Her christmas present from my Dad (of course a present to himself as well) was a brand new car! After opening a gift box with a key inside my mom was stunned, shocked, amazed and ecstatic. My dad then opened the garage door where a Land Rover Range Rover Sport lay awaiting it's new owner. My mom's reaction was priceless (see video below).

Christmas day we then headed out to St. Paul for christmas part 2 with the Meier family. Luckily we had missed out on the traditional christmas eve dinner which included pickled herring and oysters. Hopefully the one oyster I had 2 years ago for christmas dinner will clear me from ever eating another one again. Gross.

Chrissy's sister and brother-in-law, Amy and Aaron (the double A's), we able to make it up to visit from Salt Lake City, Utah. They brought they're 4 & 1/2 month year old baby daughter Alexis Kay with them. She is such a beautiful, adorable and giggly baby. She is so well mannered and hardly ever cried unless she was really tired. She was definitely the star of the show and loving every minute of it.

Amy and Aaron and Alexis are now officially the triple A's, or AAA. Although speaking of new born babies, Chrissy's brother and sister-in-law Brad and Heidi had their fourth child. Clara Lilian was born January 3rd as a healthy baby girl. Unfortunately we had already left to go back to Wisconsin, but we hear she is just as adorable as the rest of her brothers and sister. We did however get to see Heidi with her full belly for christmas. It was nice to have the entire Meier family together. Even though I am not a Meier, they make me feel like one.

A special thanks go out to my friend William Thomas Mansfield the Fourth (aka Uncle Tom) for his connection to the American Girl dolls. You made one girl especially happy for christmas. Throughout the rest of the week we meet up with most of chrissy's friends to chat and catch up on things. We played a lot of Scrabble Upwards, and although many times we came close, no of us could ever quite catch Aaron's score. One day Aaron, one day...

New Year's Eve another tradition of fondue. It consisted of bread, broccoli, meat, shrimp and califlower to be dipped in either Cheese, Oil or Broth. Delicious, delicious, delicious! (Much better than the oyster's in my opinion).

We had also gone to La Crosse, WI to check out our wedding reception hall, church and look at tuxes. Both the reception hall and church are absolutely wonderful and I think they will work perfectly. I had also found the style and color of my tuxido and the groomsman suits. We had even found someone to make our cake. He goes by the name of Baker Bob and he and his wife are lovely people. We look forward to seeing the final product! Not only did we find everything we were looking for but Chrissy had even found her wedding dress! It was the first one she had tried on none the less! I would tell you all about it but I have no idea what-so-ever. And it will stay that was until the day of our wedding.

We came back to Madison New Years Eve Day. Saturday was the Wisdom Family Christmas (my mom's side of the family). Since she has 5 brothers and sisters there are many cousins and second cousins. So needless to say there was a full house. It was nice to see everyone! The kids are growing up so quickly and developing hilarious little personalities.

Taking advantage of all the snow we had, some dawned their winter apparel and headed out to go sledding. Those who braved the 5 degree weather were rewarded with some great runs down the hill. If you notice in the 9th picture down, my dad is showing off his highly fashionable one piece snow suit with matching Northern Hat. Very Nice!

All in all it was a great trip! It was so nice to see everyone once again. Missing family is the hardest part of moving away, but it's always great to be back home with loved ones.

I will try to keep this blog updated a little more, but it might be tough with my up coming schedule. "What may that be?" you might ask. Well check back to see why later this week. Until then enjoy some video I took of the trip.