how can anyone get any work done?

[lund0682]

It's a book on design of machinery for mechanical engineers. it's very mathy

I work from home most of the time too - AND I'm a mechanical engineer (so you can all feel free to pity me). Just kidding. Engineering isn't such a bad gig, even with all the math. But I do agree with your other comment about working from home being lonely.

I won't actually admit to missing my old cubicle, but it was nice having other people around. But now I'm able to surround myself with plants instead, so maybe my situation is improved. I must consider...

[fishmommy]

yeah, I'm a mechanical engineer too. 20 years on the job and never bored!

[lund0682]

No, not 'bored', although there are definitely times when I'm 'frustrated'. But I suppose that occurs with any job - except of course for my all-time dream job: Rock Star Astronaut and Tour de France Champion for the Missouri Botanical Gardens (it's a multidisciplinary role). I don't think they're hiring right now though, since they've ignored all the resumes I've sent them.

Working from home sometimes (usually) requires more focus than I possess, and this Board is a very tempting distraction! I try to limit myself to early morning browsing, and maybe a little over lunch. That way I'm still able to get my work done. Anyway, I haven't been fired yet.

Are you writing a text book? Or more of a specialist-handbook kind of thing for your particular field?

[fishmommy]

specialist-handbook thing
it's the worlds biggest engineering cheat sheet!
600 pages of pure gold, or so says me.

I hate writing problem sets, so I opted not to write a textbook though that is apparently where the money is at.

[lund0682]

I know what you mean about problem sets. I taught for a couple of semesters and I hated writing test problems. Even after checking my work, I would sometimes miss things. Like finding a typo in a problem statement AFTER I had printed 50 copies of the test. There would always seem to be some little thing like that. The worst was if I was in a hurry (or just careless) and didn't double check my math. There's nothing more embarrassing than making a simple math mistake and getting caught by your students . But I tried to keep a good sense of humor about that kind of thing, and the students were pretty understanding.

Your book sounds like quite an undertaking! I do love a good reference book. Right now my big book of engineering goodies is the 'ME Reference Manual' (one of those all-encompassing study books for the PE licensure test). And then I have a small collection of other books for when I need to get more specific.

[fishmommy]

I have the reference manual also and use it regularly
(I am a PE)
It's a little too brief on many subjects, but I like the format a lot.
one of the things I'm doing with mine is tabulating all the formulas so you don't have to go all over the book looking for stuff.

anyway, look for it out this fall!

[Hedge]

I must admit I discipline myself to not putting the lap top on until all other things are in order - as a stay at home person, although not working for money, self discipline is definitely one thing I have learned in my adult life, something I never had when I was young. I used to be a real "need a deadline" person but now I've learnt to plan and apportion work so that I can allow myself on this board without getting bogged down