Thursday, August 31, 2006

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Leadership Essentials 101 August 22-24

Don't get me wrong, the instructor rocked, with true enthusiasm. I had a hard time understanding her perspective, but it was enlightening. To my surprise, I was already implementing a lot of the skills the class was teaching, but I did learn some ways to be more effective as a leader and coach, which will help me a great deal in managing folks. I think what I learned will be helpful for me at any job I may have in the future, and to enhance my ability to interact and manage effectively. I was disappointed to be ignored, but I did get to see my good buddy from Springfield, and we had some very frank exchange about my future. I am very happy that he was completely supportive of my choice. In addition, I also could see that I need to practice my public speaking skills, as this is one area where I lack the confidence that I will need to be a truly effective leader.

After my shift work next week, I will have a long weekend. I should have a double day off, but that won't happen. I will be seeing friends in P-town, driving to L-town to check things out, and hopefully, sleeping a lot. The following picture shows my feeling about having to deal with unpleasant people.


Saturday, August 19, 2006

Believe it or NOT!

I am HOT.

Horace: Don't stop Praying!

A Korean-American speaking Chinese in a Texan accent is funny.

Boiring Fish, it's not your fault, it was an abnormal shut down. Don't beat yourself down. You made it man, you saw the real deal.

Tech Dept. celebrated 11 years without an recordable injury on Willamette Queen. Hurray!

Give me the money, JY! Double the JY!

Horace is 63! Horace is retiring. BoringFish is becoming the ONE.

BoringFish is helping the head count at Millersburg, welcome to the elite group of defectors. Keep Counting.

Eric started the life of a work slave.

It's official, they even made the formal announcement at 2:30 meeting. I have joined the convent. I started to tell some hourly people too. They were shocked, no really. Now it all made sense.

BoringFish is going to be a FULL foreman.

SP is on going, next round please. Secret Project that is.

BoringFish sent her notice to TO, what a wuss & a quitter!

Congratulations are rolling in!

These are what I heard all night along, quite a contrast.

Congratulations!

Keep it running, man you were hammered last night. Don't wreck it now.

Work update : I am a fool, FOOL!

That's my latest self description as the life of a relief foreman. This update concluded that I continue to improve myself technically but that did not excuse the fact that I am the FOOL. In the latest rotation, I committed costly mistakes during duties, and I excelled in wrecking the machine. Last night, I had my first HAMMERED night and we lost 6 hours of production and have made cull tonnage of 65 since start up. The upside from that, no one gets hurt when we tried to put the sheet on the reel and I finally stopped my good streak of great runs, and start learning from my shortcomings. After all, I am not special. I wanted to stress that the crews were supportive and were at their best to make things work, however, when you are the GREEN foreman with a green crew. It's impossible not to feel that you were set up to dance with the tigers in the cage. AL said "They can't expect you to know how to fix things when you never seen it before." Thanks Al, Mark, Vanessa and Cindy, but I am still bummed.

The inserts summarized some of my mistakes in recent tours.
This was from last night comment 8/17:
#2 PM went down last night when a power bump took out a fuse for the primary BB drive fan. This is a small fan that cools the drive itself in the MCC not the drive motor. The fan went down, the drive heated up and shut down when it got to the high temperature interlock. There are no alarms or indications for this system or any of the other drives. With the PBB went the rest of the wet end.

The biggest problem from last night was the lack of flushouts. When the machine went down, there were no flushouts performed on the stock lines or the headboxes. We got VERY lucky that the headboxes did not plug up but it caught up with us on the bottom ply. The entire line from the MC pump to the consistency transmitter/meter in the basement above the filler screen was plugged like a brick. The line had to be opened in several different spots, the refiner had to be opened, and it all had to be flushed out multiple times. It took approximately 6 hours worth of work to get the line unplugged. During the work, the machine was transitioned to 33# and a duplex sheet.

It cannot be stressed enough just how important and fundamental line flushing is during any shutdown but particularly crashes. Even if you have to overflow tanks or stuffboxes or blow headboxes out on the floor, you need to do it. Make sure that you do it safely and take precautions to ensure that (like spotters or caution tape, etc) but it has to be done.


And the night before last, 8/16:
The machine was shut down this morning to replace the ENP blanket. The blanket was found to be delaminated about 6-12" in from the back edge. The area of delamination was very large and we were extremely lucky that it did not come apart on the fly. A spot on the reel was discovered last night and was traced back to the spot on the blanket but the seriousness of the situation was not recognized. It is very important to understand that if there is a problem discovered with the blanket (abnormal spots anywhere, oil/water spraying in a fixed spot, etc), its critical that you shut down in an orderly fashion and inspect the area. Particularly if there is a spot on the reel - that usually means that something "different" is going on in the nip and if its tied at all to the blanket, its not a good situation. Those situations are your opportunity to avert a press wreck and eliminate a lot of downtime. Even if it turns out to be a non issue after shutting down at least you've looked and ruled out the possibility.

The previous tour note, 7/28-7/31:
GRAVEYARD SHIFT
The draw in the machine was reduced some more this morning. The wire to press draw was reduced by about 10 fpm and this has the machine back to around 72 fpm of total draw. Try to keep it there. The draw was increased again on graveyard tonight and was too high. Anything over about 78 fpm is probably too much.

Dayshift was doing a very good job of keeping the waste left on the reel spool to a minimum. Make sure that we are always working together between the reel and winder to minimize how much we throw away. This really adds up to a lot of paper at the end of the month.

The screen rejects were found going to the couch pit today. Make sure these are going to the screening system whenever possible.

Friday, August 18, 2006

測驗你的脾氣

測驗你的脾氣

START-你喜歡什麼季節吃火鍋?
A 冬天 TO 2
B 夏天 TO 5
C 不分季節 TO 1

1-你喜歡沾醬料吃嗎?
A喜歡 TO 2
B不喜歡 TO 5

2-你的醬料裡面會加雞蛋嗎?
A會 TO 3
B不會 TO 6

3-如果你吃到一半,發現裡面有一小截的煙蒂,你會怎麼辦?
A跟老闆吵架,要求換一鍋新的 TO 13
B不吃了,直接付錢走人 TO 10

4-你選擇火鍋店的標準是什麼?
A很有名氣 TO 7
B價格便宜 TO 8

5-火鍋店推出一種你完全沒看過的新式火鍋,你會勇於嚐試嗎?
A會 TO 6
B不會 TO 8

6-你喜歡幾個人一起吃火鍋?
A兩三個知心好友 TO 9
B一大群朋友 TO 3

7-店裡已經坐滿了人,你會一直在那邊等、還是不想等,馬上換一家?
A等 TO 11
B換一家 TO 12

8-你喜歡加什麼樣的配料?
A加麵條 TO 9
B加冬粉 TO 7

9-你會先喝湯、還是先吃完所有的料再喝湯?
A先喝湯 TO 10
B先吃料 TO 12

10-如果老闆告訴你火鍋裡必須加某種奇怪的配料才會變得很可口,你願意試試看嗎?
A願意 TO 17
B不願意 TO 13

11-你會不會在吃完熱騰騰的火鍋之後,來一碗清涼的剉冰?
A會 TO 15
B不會 TO 14

12-吃火鍋的時候,你喜歡一開始就放肉、還是最後再放?
A一開始就放 TO 15
B最後才放 TO 11

13-你喜歡把配料通通丟進鍋子裡面煮,還是一樣一樣慢慢煮?
A一起煮 TO 17
B一樣一樣煮 TO 16

14-你喜歡配什麼飲料?
A烏龍茶 TO 16
B烏梅汁 TO A

15-你喜歡在家吃火鍋、還是喜歡在外面吃火鍋?
A家裡 TO 16
B外面 TO 14

16-你快吃飽時,如果有下一個客人在後面等位子,你會在意嗎?
A會 TO B
B不會 TO C

17-你已經吃的很飽了,這時老闆突然說要再免費送你一鍋,你還會吃嗎?
A會 TO D
B不會 TO 16

診斷:從火鍋類型分析你的性格
A 涮涮鍋:你的個性內向、有點自閉~
你的性格比較孤僻一點,喜歡一個人安安靜靜地待在家裡,對你來說,跟不認識的人交談是很困難的事,所以朋友並不多,不過還是會有一些知心朋友,你要好好珍惜這些>關心你的人,不能因為是好朋友就疏於付出。你對自己的事情比較有興趣,一旦立定目標,就會一步步完成,即使再苦也沒關係。不過別把自己關在象牙塔裡,有些事情就算自己再有實力,沒有周圍的幫助,仍然無法完成,要學著打開心罪,跟不同的人交往,如果能認識人脈很廣的朋友,也可以增加與人接觸的機會喔!與人交往,不要覺得厭煩,應該主動示好,一般人都會欣然接受你,透過這些往來,說不定你會發現一個全新的自己正破殼而出呢!

B 麻辣鍋:個性有點偏激,喜惡分明~ BoringFish
你的性格比較火爆一點,好惡分明。遇到你喜歡的事情會馬上採取行動,一旦覺得討厭,就想馬上脫身。由於你先入為主的歡念,因此交友類型往往偏向某種人,不過一旦成為朋友,就會跟對方深入地往來。你很豪爽,當朋友遇到困難時,會馬上伸出援手,朋友都非常依賴你。因為你的個性陰晴不定,有時可能會因為一點麻小事而跟朋友鬧得不愉快,或在五分鐘熱度後改變初衷,這些情形都會讓你失去朋友的信賴,最好學習有條不紊地處理事情,堅持到最後。在與人相處的時候,不妨試著跟原本覺得合不來的人交往看看,而不定會因此發現對方的優點,這樣的嘗試可以慢慢增加你的朋友類型,讓你自己變得更有魅力、更受歡迎。

日式火鍋:個性溫和,是隻溫馴的綿羊~
你的性情溫和要適應力強,容易跟大家打成一片,在社團或班級中非常活躍,幾乎沒人會說你的壞話。你討厭跟別人發生衝突,所以養成八面玲瓏的態度,對不同的人採取不同的說法,說好聽是適應力強,說難聽就是缺乏個性,雖是個老好人,卻缺乏個人魅力,表面上看來朋友雖然很多,一旦遇到困難,卻缺少真正交心的朋友,有時會感到孤獨。在團體之中你必須學會適時表達自己的意見,若因害怕衝突而一味配合對方,並不能讓對方更加瞭解自己。你協調能力很強,只要能勇夌表達心中的想法,不以中傷為目的,相信別人一定會接納你的意見。你就是你,凡事不需對別人唯唯諾諾、一味忍耐,要表現出自己的風格。

D 鴛鴦鍋:你的個性頑固、喜歡鑽牛角尖~
你的個性頑固,一旦快定的事、就算周圍的人反對到底,佚也絕不改變心意,往好處想,這種個性可以讓你發揮強韌意志,在團體中擔任有力的領導者,當家人或朋友遇到困難時,你會義不容辭地出面幫大家解決,因此深受朋友們的信賴。但是由於你非常堅持自己的想法,完全無視於周圍的建議,因此經常樹立敵人,跟周圍發生許多摩擦。保持自己的風格固然不是一件壞事、但是過於頑固,完全不理會別人想法的人,會讓大家感到傷腦筋,因而漸漸失去朋友,最後說不定還會被孤立。你必須學會傾聽與自己相反的意見,尊重不同的價值觀跟思考方式,這樣或許就能增加彼此進一步瞭解的機會,人際關係也因此變得更廣闊。

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

North

I am petitioning a seperation from MR ALBANY and I will be getting a trialed marriage with MR. W!.. yeah, I am, isn't it sweet? I am signing my life away, ok at least for the next 3 years. Then, I may ask for another seperation.

Shout out to my homies.

I talked to my friends on a regular basis. We usually chat about work, family, music, love life etc.

It was nice to re-connect to a few of those long lost friends.Some of the highlights are: Mosquito, best friend for life- gosh it was liked more than 1 year ago that we were hanging out in HK. The 4 golden flowers are doing good, coping with life, chucking along.

Ted was another lost pal that I haven't seen or talked to over a year, we re-connected recently via email and he is doing great with his new job, joining the elite mileage club.

Richard gotta send me a job description from IA? IL? OH? One of those. Remember the slogan at Ross "Friend don't let friend move to Toledo"

and Tod, he was liked "gotta go to bed ,can we talk tomorrow night?" NO

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Jackal

That's my new name from Adam. Sounds cool, huh?

Watch out.....

Monday, August 14, 2006

Monday

Cuz E is trying to get a job at the heart of the valley. Wish him luck!
Farmer A is getting his exam today. Wish him luck!
I am meeting with Tommy today, wish me luck!
Horace is off today, good for me, better for him!

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Cuddle Fish

Boringfish is cuddling tonight, enjoying soft skin and smooth scales in contact. Funny to feel the hair between the scales, brushing againt warm flesh. The hair of the dog is here, too. Kissing and slobbering all over everything - dogs are great that way, always giving regardless of how we treat them. "A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than himself." Read that at the Rogue. Those Rogues must be on to something. Good bye to Brewer, too. You will be missed, but please say hello to Coffee when you see him. You two will get along great. Take care of my chicken boy! He needs you to help him.

Too late now.. gotta go.. thanks for being patient with the scaly one.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Stoop on a Pick

I have been emotionally troubled for the past few weeks, and very stressed at times. I have been contemplating whether my decisions in life, and their consequences, will be poor decisions. I have become good at making decisions that cause a lot of pain, and it turns out that even decisions I think are good end up coming back to haunt me. I guess not making any decisions at all would probably be worse, but sometimes I wonder if that is possible.

I think a change of environment will be on the horizon. I don't know how I will sustain my lifestyle as I continue to spread myself more and more thin. I prefer to avoid confrontation and turmoil, but right now it seems that all my relationships are in this state. It is hard to convince myself I am headed in the right direction. I do have a job, a home and a supportive family, on the surface, as well as adult responsibilities. But underneath I am feeling a lot of conflict and concern for where this ship is headed.

I think nobody is happy around me, it seems that everyone is pissed at me. Not just me being crazy either - I think they really are mad at me. Probably a side-effect of me being a bit selfish, and focusing on my needs to exclusion of others. This may be short-sightedness on my part, as the big picture is not looking as good, even though my day-to-day decisions are focused on my own satisfaction.

I guess it is time to take a good long look at how I want to proceed, and then commit to my decision. Operating on a short-term basis seems to be getting me nowhere fast.