This Stuff Is Sexy

Infrastructure.  There.  It doesn't get sexier than that this side of Chris Hemsworth. Seriously.

Yeah, ok, most people don't think of infrastructure as sexy.  Most people don't think of it AT ALL.  Heck, a lot of people probably don't know what infrastructure is.  Don't feel bad if that's you.  You're in good company.

So here's the thing.  Whether or not you think it's sexy (but haven't you ever seen a bridge backlit by a glorious sunset?) infrastructure is the backbone of your daily life and things would be radically 
different without it.

Clean water is something we take for granted as a first-world country.  Most of us have never experienced a time when we didn't have safe, clean water at the turn of a tap.  So, how does it get there?  Source development, conveyance, treatment, storage and more conveyance, that's how.  Pipelines and reservoirs and wells and treatment plants and pump stations.  Then there's recycled, reclaimed and wastewater.  More pipelines, treatment, etc.

How about roads?  We like to complain about potholes (potholes are NOT sexy) and everyone hates traffic.  Why can't they just build more lanes so we don't have to rot on long, skinny parking lots every day?  Because it takes time and money.  The time can be dealt with.  It's the money.  There is no sustainable source of transportation funding at the Federal level and in many states, including California.  So the roads continue to deteriorate, traffic gets worse, and nothing gets done, except by the local transportation agencies.

Over 60%  of the bridges in the United States are in a critical state of disrepair.  The California State Water Project, which brings water to the thirsty Southern California region from the northern part of the state, is nearly 60 years old.  The Aqueduct leaks millions of gallons of water a year.  The American Society of Civil Engineering issues an annual report card of the state of infrastructure in the country.  In 2013 the national grade was D+.

The problem is this: infrastructure isn't politically sexy.  Heck, an alarming number of state and local elected officials don't have a good understanding of what it is and what happens if we continue to ignore it.  Sure, it's been bandied about at the federal level but there is no real conviction behind the words.  Too often aging infrastructure is used as a scare tactic.

Politicians aren't likely to take our crumbling infrastructure seriously until their constituents do.  Constituents won't make an issue of it until the dams start leaking, bridges start falling and we can't get water from the tap.
  
by Beth George

The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service.

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com

6 Tips To Earn Respect At Work

You're the new guy in the office, or the woman promoted to a management position. You've got to make your way; make your mark. You have to be a team player; approachable, helpful and friendly, without getting walked on. How, you might ask, how in world can I do this?

I'm glad you asked. Here are 6 Ways to Earn Respect at Work.

 

1. Don't Be A Know-It-All. No one likes the guy who has all the answers, especially when some of them are wrong. Even if you DO know all the answers keep them to yourself unless it's appropriate.

2. Be Honest. No one respects a liar. Tell the truth, always. Be kind, but truthful. This should go without saying but, unfortunately, some people have trouble with honesty.

3. Listen. Really listen. When someone is talking, don't think about what you're going to say next. Pay attention to what the speaker is saying. Ask questions when she's done. If you listen to people they feel valued and, in return, will value you.

4. Carry Your Own Weight. Be someone people can count on to do his part. Slacking rarely engenders respect.

5. Don't Get Involved In Office Politics. Sometimes it's impossible to avoid the internal machinations in the office but stay out of the posturing and positioning. Be your own woman and stand on your merits, not the favor of others.

 

6. Stay Clear Of Drama. No exceptions. No matter how juicy that gossip is, no matter how annoying John in accounting may be, stay away from drama. Stay above the fray. Some might think you're not 'part of the gang' but they will respect you.

 

These six tips might not guarantee a corner office and a seat on the Board of Directors but they do ensure you will maintain your dignity and self-respect and gain the respect of others.

Was this helpful? 

Do you have additional tips?

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service.

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com

Converse In History - Anaheim Stadium

In 1960 Gene Autry founded the Los Angeles Angels. The team played their first year at Los Angeles’ Wrigley Field in 1961. The old park lacked major league capacity so the Angels shared Chavez Ravine (Dodger Stadium) on it’s completion in 1962 and played there until 1965.

The new American League expansion team quickly chafed at being in the shadow of the well loved Dodgers, and it was announced on April 9, 1964, that a new ballpark would be built in for the start of the 1966 season. It was to be called Anaheim Stadium.



Anaheim Stadium under construction

Three different sites were considered for the new stadium and the present location was chosen for cost and quick availability of the land and because the junction of State Routes 22 and 57 and Interstate 5 were anticipated to be adjacent to the stadium. Four farms were on the site, and a road had to be cleared through a corn field for the groundbreaking ceremony on August 31, 1964.



The project was on a very fast track with less than two years to design and build a Major League stadium. Four construction bids were submitted to the city, but only one could guarantee that Anaheim Stadium would be completed on time. The $ 24 million contract was awarded to Del Webb's construction company, a firm which had worked on the Convention Center. Del Webb carried part of the Convention Center team, including Converse Consultant, to this new venture.

The stadium site is located in the Santa Ana River floodplain, presenting several challenges for the design and construction. The active river channel had to be diverted to prevent flooding of the new ballpark. The sandy soils of the floodplain wouldn’t support the structure so the Converse staff designed a pile foundation system and was involved in designing the stadium as five separate structures built side by side for structural and seismic stability.

Since the project was on such a fast track it was necessary to use some creative scheduling during construction. After the first deck was framed and poured the contractor was still waiting for steel to arrive from Japan. In order to keep to the schedule the playing field itself was finished and the infield turf was laid. After the steel arrived and the second and third decks were under construction the crews were able to look down on a pristine Major League diamond, which was quite unusual in stadium construction.



Anaheim Stadium from the Press Box

In order to ensure an adequate supply of infield and outfield grass to replace sections worn and damaged by play the city used an additional ten acres of land across the street from the stadium complex as it’s own turf farm.

Opening Day came on April 19, 1966. The three tier stadium had 43,204 seats that stretched from the right field foul pole to homeplate and around to the left field foul pole. The original dimensions at Anaheim Stadium were 333 ft. (left), 404 ft. (center), and 333 ft. (right). It was known as a power hitter’s park because the ball carried so well.

Anaheim Stadium instantly became known as the "Big A", because of the A-frame scoreboard that was behind the outfield wall. It was 230 feet tall and a $1 million giant halo topped the scoreboard. This has since been moved to the parking lot, and is still visible from the freeways.

Converse Consultants is proud to have been a part of this project and we extend a very special thank you to Mr. Tom Liegler, the original manager of the stadium. Mr. Liegler was involved in the original siting, design and construction of the stadium and was kind enough to provide a great deal of information for this article.

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service.

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com