Michael James Schmidt

Sunday.

2010-02-22T16:40:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday, Feb. 21st, I came home to visit Kateri, and meet Rich, who seems to be a really great guy.

During the day, Kateri and Rich went to visit with the Glavins. I had invited Cassie over... So Cassie, Monica, Maria and I went to the tubing hill on Czech Ave, South on Highway Z.

Here's a video clip Monica volunteered to capture of us coming down the hill.

2010-02-17T18:22:00.000-08:00

Desk/Bed

2010-02-17T18:15:00.001-08:00

Last week I drew up a plan for a Desk-Bed which I intend to build in order to save on space in the new apartment. I had fun making this 3D model. With it I will be able to combine my Bed, Desk, and two book shelves into one unit. I found that the materials will cost about $100, which isn't much if you go and look at the price of any furniture... even the cheap stuff.

Optimum Value Engineering

2010-02-17T17:52:00.000-08:00

I had to give a power point presentation today on Advanced Framing Techniques... aka... Optimum Value Engineering. It's actually an interesting topic. If everyone would build this way it would actually save material cost's on houses. And, it would provide more room for insulation in houses as well. It is basic stuff. The main point covered is that we shouldn't just build something one way, because that's the way we've always done it, when there is a more efficient way available.

The picture here displays one technique, where rather than using 2) 2x12's for a header directly above the window, only 1 additional 2x12 was needed to be placed along side the rim joist in floor system above. This not only cut on the material used, but also allows for the header to be insulated as shown in the floor cavity, in addition to that, the open space above the window can now be insulated which allows for a higher R-Value.

I wont bore you all with this stuff. Dad is the only one who knows what I'm talking about anyway.

Be Jealous!

2010-02-17T17:42:00.000-08:00

This has got to be the coolest church in Wisconsin. Everyone shows traditional reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. There are confessions before every mass. The choir is amazing too. On Sunday they sang "Queen of the Holy Rosary."

Today is Ash Wednesday. Yesterday I told my teacher I was going to be late for class because I was going to church. The distribution of ashes and the mass added up to about an hour and a half. It's a really nice place to be.

New Apartment

2010-02-12T10:39:00.001-08:00

I've been very busy lately. On top of school work I've been looking for a cheaper apartment, as well as a company for future employment. If you don't already know, I was planning to work for a year or two outside of Woodcraft so as to gain more experience.

Well yesterday I found what I believe to be the best deal on an apartment around here. I talked it over with Mom and Dad last night, and I filled out the application today. I have yet to sign the leas. The new apartment is allot smaller than the one I currently have, but it has much more storage space. The deciding factor was that it's only going to cost $325 a month plus natural gas heat. That's going to save allot of money. My current rent is $430 a month plus electric heat, which is the least efficient heat source there is. Besides that the landlord and her husband are very nice people. Their motto is that they wouldn't rent anything that they would not live in themselves. They repainted the apartment since the last person left, and relayed new vinyl flooring in the bathroom. The bathroom has a full tub/shower module which is also an upgrade from the current apartment. The whole thing is an upper unit studio, which means that the living/bed room are the same area. It has a large kitchen area, and the walls are painted eggshell so it's bright inside. It also comes with a metal shed, which is like our old family bike shed used to be, which adds more storage space to the deal.

So as of March 30th I will be living at the new apartment. So, just about the time when all the bugs start moving back into this apartment, I will be moving out. I'm very happy with it.

As far as my job hunt goes, I have a list of local companies of which I plan to apply at. Before I can start that I need to complete my resume. So the resume is currently being designed, constructed and inspected.

Wausau Update

2010-01-28T19:10:00.000-08:00

Typical Day at NTC
First there is Lt Commercial Design, which is going to be the most challenging class of all. Second to that is Construction Management; closely followed by Estimating II. Then there are the "filler classes," which is what I call any class that has nothing to do with your area of expertise, but teaches mostly sex and communism. The filler classes are there just in case you don't have anything better to do with your life. It takes just as much time and attention to pass as any other class would.

Besides classes at NTC. I've been reading "The Cure of Ars," which is one of the few books I've read that can actually hold the readers attention. I'm also reading Jason Everts "Pure Manhood."

I've managed to successfully watch the first 13 training videos on Chief Architects training website, but like anything else it's going to take a lot of practice time.

Whenever I can't stand learning anymore, I try to play the guitar, but that is starting to drive me crazy too. I can't seem to spend enough time on each individual song to perfect it. But I've accepted that. I didn't go to college for an associates degree in guitar playing. If you ask me a question about the residential code pertaining to a kitchen... that's a different story.

Out of all the classes so far, Light Commercial is the most interesting. I spent the last week studying code ratings for different buildings.

Dad and I looking for a hunting spot.

2009-11-09T11:07:00.001-08:00

Mom on Holloween

2009-11-09T11:05:00.001-08:00

"A prayer for my spouse"

2009-11-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

I just remembered that I have a blog. I thought I'd write about the latest thing that happened. I was in Adoration this morning... I have the 1:00-2:00am shift on Wednesdays... and I was prying for Cassie, the Mercy of God chaplet, because she likes that prayer. When I had finished I looked at the chair in front of me and saw three books. I decided to pick one up, and read it. Turns out it was a prayer book, and it had a bookmark in it. I flipped it open to the very page that contained "A prayer for my spouse." I thought it was really cool, because dad always tells the story of himself finding the "sweethearts prayer" while he was at a holy hour.

What are the odds that I would sit in that spot, choose that book out of the three there were, open it to that page, and then realize the same thing happened to my dad.

Pretty Cool.

*Note, this monstrance is the exact same as the one at my holy hour. It popped up right away when I typed it in online. ( I thought that was cool too)

What happens at NTC?

2009-09-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to take a picture of the 3D foam core modle I made in RD3. It's a modle of the lot our group surveyed in a local subdivision. Also, a picture of a previous students presentation board, which is what I'm working on, then a picture of my workspace. Then one of my apartment building.

What's new?

2009-09-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about donating some money to a needy organization. I decided to look at different organizations... I've decided to donate about $175.30 to the Marathon County Municipal Courthouse. They really need the money, obviously more than me. They've even gone so far as to ask me for it.
I was driving like every other law abiding citizen... you know how it is... set the cruse at 69 mph and go. I was passed by a shinny silver car. He must have been going 75 mph. Whatever all was well, Iv'e driven this route 100 times... every weekend I do it. There's always construction going on too.
Well this week they moved the construction farther south. I was moving along thinking wow the state must have a ton of money to be able to do all of this. As I drove into the work zone I noticed the big radar speed signs they tip up on the side of the road... and there was a red sports car in front of it. And I thought to myself, I'm in the wrong business. These workers are driving red mustangs to work everyday, and all they do is hold a stop sign in one hand and a walkie-talkie in the other.
Then I noticed I was catching up to that silver car in front of me really fast. Crap, I'm speeding, so I hit the brakes. And Behold, a State Trooper in an unmarked red mustang behind me.
The rest is unaffordable.

What can I say?

2009-09-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

My anniversary gift to mom and dad.

2009-09-03T19:09:00.000-07:00

Shortly after Mom and Dads Anniversary, I was removing the shower door frame from the shower. Dad was telling me how he intends to sand the paint off the shower so I decided to start the project for him. :)

September 1st 2009

2009-09-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

Today was pretty good... (today was great:)

I woke up early for classes, lived through Statics, and then through my three hours of RD3, in which I completed my 3D model lot. I also replotted the auto cad plans of the lot after fixing them up... again. Then I came home and tried to work on my Economics... (crazy!)... I almost lost it. It doesn't make any sense, I'll talk to the teacher tomorrow about it. I then moved onto more understandable subjects... like back to Statics.

The work day was pretty intense. That's why I decided to go to Jerry's Music and play a $600 guitar :) That was pretty cool, and then I played a bass guitar, and then a $550 guitar. The last guitar I played on was the $550 one. It's the orange one in the picture. So that was really cool, now I'm back doing homework... actually I'm updating my blog. So the day's just been getting better since then.

I'll try to update more often now... well see how interesting things are though. :)

Back to NTC

2009-08-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

Monday the 24th was the first day of 3rd semester classes. It's going to be harder this semester than the last one, but things will be fine I'm sure. I thought I'd take a picture of the NTC main entrance.

6-24-09

2009-06-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

On the 24th of June I took Cassie to Wisconsin Rapids for dinner. We ate at Applebee's and then went to the Adoration chaple. It was our 2 year and 11 month anniversary. Wait until next month <3

Kittens :)

2009-06-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

Cassies cat had kittens again. Four of them. There really tiny. I tried to take a picture of her brothers pet rat, but it moves so fast it blurs and doesn't turn out. Anyway, here's a picture of a kitten.

In the last several weeks...

2009-06-29T19:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, the computers were running so slow for so long I gave up on updating my blog. Today they seem to be running much smoother.

I'm going to try to fill in what happened in the last few weeks.

Okay, I was eating lunch on the job site, and a turtle ran out from under my truck.

On another day I when to Pauls house and saw his dog. I spent a lot of time working on the job (a garage.) And I when to devils lake twice, Noah's Ark once, and ... a whole lot more that I don't remember. :)

Monday [holiday]

2009-05-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

We worked in the morning. Then in the afternoon Dad surprised us all and took us to Tommy Bartlet in the dells. I invited Cassie, and Monica invited Philomena.

When we got home that evening, around dinner time, we somehow got onto a topic of how to balance 12 nails on top of a single nail... so I showed them how to do it. Monica already knew it.

This Last Sunday

2009-05-26T19:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday was pretty cool. I went fishing with Mr. Ard, Cassie, and their dog. I was pretending to be this great fisherman and all... hoping to catch something at the same time. Naturally Mr. Ard caught a fish, Cassie caught 2 fish, and I caught 0 fish. So... then I looked stupid. But I made a big joke out of it all. It was fun.

We stopped at the Dirty Turtle to buy gas for their boat. While we were there I showed them the house we are building right across the street.

Then we all walked around the beach, and being a holiday weekend there were tons of people there. Some little boy from the city comes running up to us and showed us the algae he caught on the end of a stick. He was all excited. [needs to get out more]

Last Week

2009-05-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a little trouble with my pictures last week, but today I was able to work with them. Last week I spent most of my time in the office, a large percentage also at a roof set, and a small portion at a house where I waited 2.25 hours for a delivery truck to arrive.

I also took our lawn mower to True Value to get it fixed, and in the mean time we rented a huge z-turn mower that drove like a tank. I was able to cut the whole yard in 3.75 hours. It usually takes well over 8.

Out of all of this excitement, I have one picture to share with you. A frog. I found him when I was loading up the trailer to pick up the lawn mower.

2009-05-18T20:06:00.000-07:00

Today I help do cement work on a garage slab. It was actually really fun. I liked it better than framing. In the picture we were half way done, waiting for the next truck.

Sunday

2009-05-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, the 17Th, I took Monica, Maria, and Cassie fishing on the Wisconsin River. We paddled south east of the dam. We didn't catch anything, but there were allot of carp jumping out of the water all around us. That was exciting.

Oh yes, and we got really close to a huge bird.

2009-05-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

It would seem that I've been out-done this week. Cassie made it to Mass Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week. I only made it on Sunday and Monday.

A Really Nice Day

2009-05-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

I don't know what the temperature was today, but I thought I'd share the picture with you I took this morning on the way to school. It stormed for about an hour this afternoon, but I like this kind of weather. I have all windows open.

Always Double Check!

2009-05-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up as usual. Got ready for class. Walked outside... It was a great day, sun shine, warm, with a slight breeze. I looked at my watch as I walked down the sidewalk... And realized that it wasn't 7:45 ... It was 8:45. I was missing my Surveying Lab! Great!

I was able to make it up the next hour, but I was really confused about how I could have missed a whole hour somewhere. I checked my alarm clock, and for some odd reason it was set 1 hour behind. I never did that... I don't get it. I must have done it somehow... But I don't think so.

So now I fixed it.

Silverfish

2009-04-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

So I was getting really tiered of all the bugs in my apartment yesterday, and I sprayed a little of that stuff around in the corners. I found 5 bugs yesterday. I don't count those Japanese Beatles either. I'm talking about those sick looking creepy... what I just learned to be "silverfish." I found their picture online. They have different looks, but i found the one that is in my place.

What really threw me over the limit is when I found what I think is the male silverfish. It is the sickest looking thing ever. I would rather pour gas down the drain and light it than see one come crawling up. I usually don't mind the littler ones that are about 1/2" long, but these ones are about 1 1/2 or more long. I smash them so hard when I find them. Man, it's bad.

I shall provide you with two delicious pictures, one o each type of bug. And the reason i say delicious is because I find them usually when I'm eating... and then I have to wonder if they crawled into my sandwich or not. I'm going to buy a shotgun and blow the next one I see!

how do they get in anyway? ... The answer is simple... You don't want to know.

NTC Visit to the RSB House

2009-04-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

If you didn't already know... RSB is the class here at NTC that builds a house every year. It is a one year program that teaches you all the basics.

This week our Estimating class went to visit the house. It was nice to get off the chair for 1 hour. However, I was a little concerned with the way it was turning out. You have no idea how much the code is stressed, pushed, and reinforced on us here in RD. You don't dare design something with an error in it.

In the 1 hour I spent at the house with 30 other people, I personally noticed... the riser heights are about 1" off by the landing, the bedroom windows do not meet egress, I almost smacked my forehead on the ceiling above while going down the basement steps, and outside there is a very large puddle of rain water against the house because of negative grade, And I have no idea how they are going to fix it without running water onto the neighbors lot. In the picture above, the scaffold is half on the neighbors lot.

I talked to a guy in that program a week or so ago. Did you know the kids who are building the house don't know what the codes are? They don't have time to cover the code book. They may find it takes less time to cover it than to re due everything.

Fishing on Sunday

2009-04-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday Brian, Cassie, and I painted Flower boxes at their house. After we finished Mr. Ard asked us if we wanted to go fishing. We ended up at the Petenwell Dam in their boat, launched it, and trolled around. I never got up really close to the dam before, never close enough to touch the retaining walls on the side.

We didn't catch anything, well, I got two snags, and it did rain on us. I never knew that there are spots in front of the dam that are 60 feet deep.

Over all it was really fun. We'll have to go try it again when the sun is shining.

When we arrived back at the Ard's house, we ate, and then I helped Cassie study for her History test.

The Cookie Mystery

2009-04-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

Sometime around Spring Break... Aunt Jean sent me a box of cookies. In my mail box I received a ticket stating that I could either go pick them up, or fill out a time when I'll be home and they can drop them off. I had no idea where the Post Office was so I chose for them to drop the cookies off. About a week later I got the same tag back in the mail again, and I did the same thing. [I didn't have time to go hunting around for the Post Office]

About a month later I received an email from Aunt Jean. She had the cookies returned to her a month old. So I explained what happened, and she told me she was going to sent me another batch.

Well, as you can imagine there was no way on earth I was going to let the second batch slip through my fingers. I received a slip in the mail again. This time it had a key on top of it. I pulled it out, and the slip read; "you have a package in the locker in front of 1816." [?] I decided I better go get that right away. So I drove to a store, and ask some person where the Post Office was, then tried to find it. Then I drove down to the Schofield Post Office and asked the same question.

This guy who tried to give me the directions was crazy. He says go to Wausau, look for Scott Street, you wanna take a left. [as he says left... he motions to the right] Then look for First Street, you wanna take a left. [and he motions to the right again!] It's right across from JC Penny and Yonkers. [I couldn't help but question his competence, but I did find the Post Office.]

Then i get inside, go up to locker 1816, and the key doesn't fit, but I notice the tag on the key has faded marker on it which I barely made out to read 236. I went to box 236 and it didn't open that either. So I go up to the front desk and explain the situation, and the lady says; "Um Sir, I've never seen a key like that before... Maybe it belongs to your landlord."

So I go back home and as I'm walking inside I look at the side of the apartment which reads 1810. Looking over to the next apartment I see 1814. Looking to the next I see 1816. Where on earth is the locker! So I walk over to the mail boxes, and discover that what I had always thought to be several mail box units, was actually a large single unit locker. I put the key in the lock, opened the door, and pulled out the cookies.

Dropping Oral Communication

2009-04-14T12:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went through all of my classes like normal. I planned on doing more than I could handle. I sat down in the library immediately after all other classes. I sat down to write my informative speech for Oral Com. I was flying all over the internet trying to find facts, and information on my topic. Then I realized that no matter how fast I went, I wasn't going to be done on time.

Oral Com. classes take place every Monday from 5:30 to 9:00 pm. This would be the third week late for my speech, not to mention the informative interview that is also two weeks late for that class. Every week late drops your final grade down one letter. So next week it could be a "D" if I get 100% on it. I also have four other over-due assignments to get done.

I got up from the computer, walked across campus to the Student Services office, and I dropped the class. It killed me to have to do that. I mean, there are only five weeks of school left, but there is no way I'm going to have a failing grade on my college record.

So now I am turning all the hours which would have been spent on Oral Com. over to my other classes. I'm pretty confident that I'm going to catch up quickly. It may take a few weeks.

My Busy Schedule at NTC

2009-04-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Where do I start. NTC is keeping me busy. I have a presentation to do for Oral Communication, a presentationn to do for Residential Design, an interview to schedule for Oral Communication, an Estimating test tomorrow, all the section views of my house to do on Autocad, three more projects to do for Estimating, and a back Physics lab to make up tomorrow. (picture of cafeteria)

The Best Picture off the Wildlife Camera

2009-04-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

We have a fairly new wildlife camera in the woods behind our house. I'm usually assigned to that sort of thing because it involves a computer. [being a digital camera and all] This is one of the best pictures that came off of it in the last year. I havn't been there to keep fresh batteries in it lately, otherwise i might have a better picture by now. :)

Drawings

2009-04-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is the latest drawing I did for Cassie,

Cassie and Myself

2009-04-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

Cassie and I are best friends. I treat her with the best of my heart. I really like her alot. However by calling eachother "best friends," we help ourselfs to remain true, and that streangthens us so much more.

I enjoy spending time with Cassie on Sundays. We've been hanging out every weekend for the last two years. I don't know what I would do on Sundays if I couldn't go over there. (I would play with my two younger sisters, their fun too)

I like to make things for her, and get her really cool stuff. It makes me feel happy. I've made her alot of drawings, with pens, that take a long time, but that's what I like to do for her. It let's her know that I put hours into her presents, and I didn't have to spend much money on it. She doesn't like it when I spend money on her.

This picture was taken on the metro in DC after the March for Life. [2007]