Pardon Me, I'm Almost Finished

This happens more than you would think:
(hypothetical person denoted 'Bob')
Bob is washing his hands at the faucet in the kitchen of the state room. I need to wash my hands as well. I go stand next to Bob so that I can use the sink after he is finished. This makes Bob anxious.

Bob thinks:
Why is she just standing there!?

Me:
I wonder if he knows I'm in 'line'. Does he not know that a 'line' does not have to be several people in length but can in fact be used as a slang term implying 'waiting for the use of the designated "tool"'?

Bob turns around to look at me, a motion resulting in him stepping away from the sink, as if to indicate that he welcomes my shared use of it. But his hands are still scrubbing away under the spout, an obvious sign that it is not yet my turn.

"Sorry" he says.

Me:
Please don't ever apologize for proper personal hygiene. I'll accept apologies only for your failure to uphold my sanitation standards.

"It's fine" I say

He continues his washing, but does not return back to his initial stance in front of the sink. Instead he remains distanced from it, as if to prematurely depart from the cleaning station. After finishing up, he turns off the faucet and dries his hands.

He glances once more at me and quickly apologizes again. "Sorry," Bob says as he turns the faucet back on before I have a chance to step up to the sink. I like to think of this random act of kindness as a way of saying, "Don't worry, I didn't forget about you. I am not a selfish person."

However, once an official line forms (two or more people), Bob no longer feels rushed. His handwashing routine returns to normal.

Dishwashers

It was crazy at work today--banquets and the State Room were both packed. You can imagine the dish washing station! Piles of plates stacked to the ceiling...Coffee cups thrown every which way...it was a mess to say the least. I think I would have had a panic attack if I was a dishwasher. Then I wondered...how do they do it? how do they clear that sticky mushy clutter so quickly?

I decided to watch them to find out.

One of the dishwashers, say, 'Val', lifted the tallest pile he could handle. He looked both ways...and then dropped the pile into the giant trash can where it disappeared into the muck.

Boomf!

Clean a stack, toss a stack, clean a stack, toss a stack

Clearly human dishwashers were worth the splurge.

I am totally getting cancer

March 6, 2009



MEMORANDUM

TO: WELLS HALL – BUILDING CONTACTS

FROM: Shawn Kelly - Physical Plant Maintenance

SUBJECT: ASBESTOS ABATEMENT – WELLS HALL

Abatement of asbestos-containing materials has been scheduled to take place in WELLS HALL – ROOMS D327 & D300, under Work Order W09016002. Asbestos as pipe fitting insulation will be removed during this project. This abatement is scheduled to begin Monday, March 16, 2009 and will be completed on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. The abatement contractors will be working between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The requestor of this project is responsible for the removal of any furniture or other items which may inhibit the ability of the contractor to perform this abatement.

Michigan State University retains only State of Michigan licensed asbestos abatement contractors with trained and certified workers to conduct asbestos projects. Asbestos abatement personnel are required by law to take appropriate measures to contain asbestos fibers within the work area. Asbestos work areas are strictly off limits to persons who are not trained or directly involved with the project. Please respect all warning signs and danger tape. When the abatement has been completed, the area will be cleared for unrestricted use by an independent third party who conducts a visual inspection followed by an air clearance test.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for any chemicals that may be used during this project are available from the Physical Plant Project Representative or the Office of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Safety (ORCBS).

If you have any questions, please contact Mark Lutkenhoff, Planner/Inspector/Analyst, at 432-0537, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m., contact Gordon Clark, Acting Skilled Trades Supervisor at 432-0508, from 4:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Please notify all personnel in your building. Your cooperation during this interruption is appreciated.

To change your list of building contacts please e-mail physplantbldgcontact@pplant.msu.edu, or call Ruth Mair at 432-0243.

SK\ML\dh
S:\Wd\buildings\wellshall\asbestosabatement\asb03.16.09

cc: Utility Shutdown Contacts

***************
Since the 1960s, asbestos has been recognized as a potent carcinogen and serious health hazard. Inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers has been established as the cause of asbestosis (thickening and scarring of lung tissue) and as a cause of mesothelioma (a highly lethal tumor of the pleura) as well as of cancers of the lung, intestines, and liver. In 1972, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration began regulating asbestos and strengthening work safety standards. Large class action lawsuits were filed and won against asbestos companies, which had probable prior knowledge of the dangers involved. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency imposed a ban on 94% of U.S. asbestos production and imports, to be phased in over a seven year period. Most current asbestos exposure comes from asbestos in older buildings and products such as automobile brakes.

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cool

Jon Tears Cramer Apart!

Steffi and ____ not in Barcelona

Spring Break wasn't fun in the sun for me this year (or last year)(or the year before), but there have been perks:

watching the former athletes arise from hibernation and try to start running again now that the sun has been peeking out. I really thought this one girl was going to make it, she was huffin' and puffin' but she had a strong face. Unfortunately, she pooped out about 30 seconds later. Come May, the runners will be better. And less interesting to watch.

and...

huh. i guess that's it.

my new picture...

is the photo of my notes from WRA 110. Yes, that was the assignment. To write about robot love. Then Wall-E came out and showed us up.

i don't really smoke but i liked the picture

"when i was seventeen i ate cookies and meringue

stayed 100 pounds and spoke entirely in slang"

-me

Inspired by a Scene from the Movie Control

she asks you a question
and looks in your eye
she knows what she thinks
and she wants you to lie

say what she wants
but dont mean what you say
because you both know
she doesn't care either way

you don't need to lure her
because she wants it too
just come up with an answer
thats right enough to do