Saturday, January 30, 2010

Working at the Smithsonian

It's not everyday you get to say that you're doing electrical work in a rainforest. But for the past 2 months or so, I've been able to say just that! In the deep freeze of winter, I'm wearing my thinnest work pants and t-shirts to go work inside the Amazonia -- one of the many habitat/exhibits found at the National Zoo.

My current employer, Tex/Am Construction, happens to work closely with the Smithsonian Institutes on a number of projects. I've had the opportunity thus far to work on two different generator jobs, dealing with switchgear, big pipes, fire alarm and all the controls necessary to maintain emergency power at the Museum of Natural History, and at a Montgomery County Public School. I've also seen some time in a muddy ditch, getting pipes ready for a concrete pour. And the most interesting work environment thus far -- the Amazon Rainforest habitat. It's 80+ degrees and humid everyday, you're surrounded by over 300 species of tropical flora and best of all, you have to watch out closely for the two monkeys that roam free. They're curious creatures, and one is especially courageous and will sneak up on you to steal what he can from your tool bag. In fact, one day as I was preparing to put liquidtite conduit along on the the "living" herbaceous walls, the sneaky critter came up to my staging area and proceeded an attempt to take my foreman's keys. Not exactly your "normal" obstacles and challenges you'd find on a construction site. So far, it's been an interesting ride and I'm exposed to a variety of work with this company.

Enjoy the following pics!






Here's a small sampling of the vegetation you'll find at the Amazonia.








My ladder is actually set up inside one of the fish-holding tanks. This is the first time I've ever worn waders.












This little guy really wants me to give him some goodies.
















This shot was taken moments before the monkey's attempt at key-theivery.