A Big Chill!

 The weather has gone south...   Literally!   It has fallen so far below the mark that it was -10 F this evening!   And my Silver Eagle Subie struggled to start and warm up for the first time  since I have owned him!   With the Wind Chill,  that is -27!    I have not felt this cold in a long time.  

We even got a new dusting of snow mid week!   A bit of a surprise when you come out of the Haribo only to find your car buried and the sidewalks not shoveled.    Mostly the blowing wind was causing all that drifting, so the maintenance guys  chose to do nothing before everyone left.  

But I managed to get home safely.

Because I drive a Subaru!

One thing about the cold is that the heating bill for this house grows exponentially!  I can actually hear the dollars draining from my bank account as the wind whistles through the windows and through my protective plastic shielding.   All I can do is turn the temp down to a "survivable" level and cuddle up with the cat and a hot beverage.   

And if that fails...   I can always start a fire in the fireplace. 

I have to say, I have never been a guy that was romantically attached to fireplaces.   We never had one in our home growing up and if there was a fire that was used for heat  at a relative's cabin, it was in a wood burning stove of some type.   We never actually watched the flames.

But,  I have been finding it a relaxing way to spend the evening with the cat on these cold days.  The mesmerizing dance of the flames help me settle in for the night.    Along with the cat.  

Tomorrow is Saturday!  And I volunteered to work.   What else is there to do on a bone chilling day anyway?   Aside from the cat, I'm alone and would probably just sit at home or go out to the Clubhouse for dinner.   I may as well make some money if I'm just going to do nothing at home anyway.  

No time is ever wasted!  I actually believe that.  ( For ME, anyway.)   Even time I spend in the chair watching a fire die down while cuddling a cat,   is not a waste.   Every moment is precious!   And who is to say that you could be spending that time better?   

Someone who is not you!   

So let them live their lives the way they want.... And not have that bother you because  you choose something different.   It is YOUR life, after all.    And who  is better than you to judge how you make every second count. 

A Fine Week In Kenosha.

 Another week down.   January is half way over and the time seems to fly!    And I have to admit that my blogging bug has suffered.   Sometimes I'm a little too tired or simply have nothing to blog about.   But, if I'm honest with myself... I'm most likely just being lazy.   

It is true.   For whatever reason, I seem to lack any extra energy for Anything outside of working at Haribo.   I seem to have plenty of energy when I'm there... but before and after work, I hit some sort of invisible wall.    Go figure.  

One person suggested it is just the time of year.   And that may be true.   It has been cold and snowy these last few days.   With minor temp swings.... only to drop back down.   The variability is perhaps symbiotic with my mood swings.   The Depression of shortened days and cabin fever as the winter weather rages and the cold wind howls and bites any exposed skin.   It is man vs nature at its most primal!

And yet I fight on!  Using the tools and knowledge gained from years of Arctic Army training....   

And a cat.   

First,  there is nothing more therapeutic than the warm glow of a gentle fire on a cold night.  The word "Cozy" comes to mind.   I believe the Swedish or Finnish word is "Hygge:"   A Mental state of coziness.  And drinking a warm beverage while watching a fire while wrapped up in a wood blanket certainly helps combat that winter fatigue.  

It also helps to have a cat.  

Cats are a "Comfort Multiplier"  when it comes to the "cozy equation."  The cat has been quite the little sidekick lately.   She rarely leaves me alone.   And that is a comforting little bit of annoyance.   She likes to play with the fishing pole and cuddle up under my chin or around my neck.  

It can kind of look like we belong on a Wizard Magazine or some sort of cosplay event.   Being a black cat also helps her hide in the dark...  making for some cool pictures!

Other than that,  I have tomorrow off from the Haribo.   A three day weekend in celebration of MLK day.  I'll take it!   I certainly could use the extra day to recover and fold some clothes.  And, having known about the bonus day off,  I put off several errands for tomorrow.  

As for today,  I got to judge the "Crock Pot Cook Off" at the KLA campus for Church.   I helped pick the top three winners..  (They were all in my top 4 picks)  And got to enjoy several creative dishes in the process.   All of the offerings were delicious,  so that made it a bit of a challenge on some level.     But the top three were fairly obvious. ( my opinion.)  

I also drove by Dave's house today, as it has been a while since I have last seen it.   Last time I saw it, it was still just a hole in the ground.   But now the walls are up and the weather tyvek is wrapped up around it.  It probably won't be long before they have the outside completed and can begin work on the interior.  Maybe they will actually get it done before May!  ( The one year mark)  

As for Dave.  He invited me over to help him catalog and pack up the few items he has planned for shipping to Canada.   Next weekend will be his last here in Wisconsin.     

The Church has a farewell dinner planned for him on Sunday and he will be taking off mid week for Canada....  And I guess his stuff can't be shipped until he crosses the border and gets a work permit....   And then it will be allowed to cross the border.  Kind of a "Catch 22" scenario...  So he wants to get there as quickly as possible to get the process going.  

So that is all.   Not a huge report from the wintry waste land of Kenosha ( at the moment.) But then again,  not much happens during the winter months in the midwest.   Unless you enjoy the cold of Ice fishing... or are in a place where you they have a ski hill,   being outdoors is simply an exercise in misery.   Especially this week...  where the cold has hit us hard.  

As for me...   I have the hot cocoa brewing and the log  crackling in the fireplace.  I'm sure the cat will join me soon enough when I finally finish this post and can relax with a movie.    Tomorrow is another day!   Provided God grants me another morning.   And I will do my best to make every second count.

A Farewell To Phil.... Again!

 Friday was Phil's Final Farewell.  (I love alliteration.)   Phil walked out in protest over the changes Haribo was planning on implementing over this upcoming year.   Changes in the way Material Handlers handle Material....  Not the product or policy of the overall company.   It was a change that was directly aimed at us:  The Material Handlers. 

First of all, I would like to say that the idea of change is not always a bad thing.   This production facility is only three years old!  So pretty much everything has been changed a bit as the building continues to grow and new hires and practices evolve.   And that is one of the many challenges of every Start-up.   To remain fluid and adaptable....   And be prepared to try new ideas and  embrace uncertainty as ideas fail or succeed.     Yadda yadda yadda...     I sound like a scripted Ted Talk.  

But if it is not broke.   Don't fix it!   That is an Army Motto.  And I have heard it in many other areas of my work life and my life in general.   It does tend to lead to stagnation sometimes.   But instead of trying to change the item that is currently working....  Perhaps it would be better to focus on the stuff that is not working properly....   Seems logical and pragmatic to me.  

So here's the skinny:   The Material handlers currently work in a "Zone Defense" around the production floor.   The two zones are:  Gummies, (Front side Drivers)   and Materials (Back side Drivers)   Currently,  there are five material handlers.   Two in front,   Three in back.   Each zone focuses on their area and each driver helps each other out when they have time or need assistance within that zone.   And all of the drivers can help out the other zone if they have time and the "desire" to aid if one of them is getting overwhelmed.   

I like this way.  Because it splits the Fork Truck drivers into two teams that can focus on their special areas.   And the areas are large enough to keep everyone busy and help each other out when one part is getting hammered while another part is not very busy. 

But the higher-ups want to change to a "Man-for-Man" defense....  Meaning:  Each driver is 100% responsible for their own line.   That means both Gummies AND materials.    That means... No team work.   You are responsible for ONLY your area... And nothing else.. ( Otherwise, you would theoretically jeopardize your line....)   

There are MANY problems with this... Other than the hinted "Lack of Team work"...    All of the Materials come from the passerella.   Someone has to grab and load up the hand over point with boxes and film.   And if your line needs materials,  you are now fighting with 4 other drivers in a small cramped area.  

Another problem is that the Gummies come out of random areas from time to time.   And if your  line is running gummies, but you have to grab them from another area,   you will be bumping into other drivers and getting in their way.   Also,  If you have a surplus of gummies but no place to put them, you will have to shuttle them to another area.   And crowding up another drivers space.     It will end up causing more friction than an atmosphere of cooperation.  

I think this idea was thought up to combat  several drivers on first shift who were Militantly clinging to their area of expertise.   And Thus would often display the age old "That is not my Job" mentality.   If you have people who want to be individualistic,   then this "Man-for-Man defence" is for them.    But that leaves  a huge problem whenever someone needs help.  The "Every Man For Themself" strategy only works if all of the lines are running equally.... Which they rarely do. 

And thus,   Many of us,  voiced our concerns.   But Phil, from what I heard... was rather passionate about it.  I heard the meeting on first shift lasted nearly an hour!    After which time...  Phil  quit it protest.  

I'm sure there was probably other factors that influenced this decision...  And I know I have "Rage Quit" at least one job in my past.  ( possibly two... if I count Allied Van lines.) But now, Phil has officially burned the bridge to the job he used to love.     I guess that is one of the perks of being old and having a strong belief system.   I also guess that is one of the liabilities of being old and "stuck in your ways."

I'm going to miss Phil... Again.   I have known him for three years now and together,  we had experienced the GXO to Zebra transfer, and now the Haribo experience.   He reminds me of an older brother...  Mostly because he is older than me.   But also because he tends to do things that are decisive... And   possibly a little rash.  And I, as a younger, more attractive, sibling,  can look upon his life decisions and decide if I want to follow  his example or do the opposite.    Much like I do with my Actual Brother.  (He never reads my blog, so I can give him a hard time without too much fall out.)  

I guess that is why having a guy like Phil in your life is important. A man who stands on Principle!   Phil fulfills a roll of "Trail Blazer" to show the younger generation what not to do.   (Or  what To Do!)   His wisdom is most likely gained by years of trial and error.. ( mostly error)  And figuring out what works!  (But mostly what Doesn't work...)  And I want to stress the YEARS...  Because Phil is Old.   And that is why Phil feels so strongly about the things that will fail.  A Failed Phil would Fail to Fulfill the Future!  ( I love alliteration!)  

So another Fond Farewell To Phil!   May he Find fulfillment in his next adventure.   Or on Facebook.  Where I messaged him to find out the full Factuality.   (I had to look that one up...  Everyone has a limit to their vocabulary.)  I heard he already has several prospects on the horizon, so it sounds like he will land on his feet once again.   But it is sad that I will be losing a friend from a job I actually enjoy.  I'm not sure if this new process will work out for the material handlers.   My guess is that it will be an utter failure and they will have to go back to the old way.   OR,  it will work, as long as the drivers are fully trained... (Which is difficult to do since they have not been sticking around lately.)  Many of them are Temps now.   And the Temps tend to come and go or are limited in their desire to learn and understand or care.  It took me several months to learn all of the things that Material handlers have to do.   And I continue to discover new things to learn and process.  

The drivers will have to learn both gummies AND materials in a very short amount of time.   That means many mistakes, lots of frustrations, and the ever present risk of them storming out and leaving a vacancy. I have been working on the two temps on second shift to get them up to speed as quickly as possible.   But even after a month, they have yet to do the gummies fully.   ( It is a process, that I may blog about later.... )  It's fun when you get the steps down.   But it can be overwhelming if you are struggling to learn,  AND being forced to keep up while your line is getting pounded with problems.  

"You are only One Man."     Words of wisdom that were  given to me by an older, wiser, and less attractive friend.  Words of wisdom I try to tell the New Guys whenever things begin to spiral out of control. We have to work together because we can't be everywhere at once.  We stand on the shoulders of Giants!   Even if Phil was slightly shorter than most,  his shadow will stand tall among the Haribo Material Handlers.   (Hopefully.)  I'll see what I can do. 

 Perhaps a bronze statue is a little much.  

Happy New year! The First Post For 2026.

 A little later than expected... because I have been "Busy" doing things... 

Like Sleeping...   AND Working.   I have been working.  

But it was a restful five day vacation from the Haribo.   I finally got to catch up on all of that sleep I had been missing. 

And then it was back to work.  

Ah well,   nothing stays the same forever.  right?  

So what has this week consisted of?  A few things.   A few "resolutions" or goals for the new year.  And I'm sure it will take the entire year to accomplish them.  As with all resolutions, I hesitate to write about them too quickly, for fear they will evaporate the moment I put them down in writing.  But if you read the blog with any consistency, you may pick up on a few things as they progress.   We shall see how things pan out.  

As for this week... (because I can barely remember the Holidays now...) I guess now that the spirit cat has been made real,  I find that she has become a distraction.  

Both good and bad.    She gives me something to do when I get home and provides me a reason to come home each night, instead of wasting time elsewhere.  

That being said,  she also keeps me from blogging or doing any "practical" things like research, blogging, or writing.  Even my origami has suffered!   I now have to go out to fold something, because she will either meow obsessively or climb on the paper!  

I set up the old computer to loop cat videos around the clock.  And although that does help her a little,   she usually gets bored after a while and turns back to harassing me.  

Not the worst problem, I guess.   I do enjoy playing with the cat on the paper tower and blanket floor I have set up for her.   ( she loves slide tackles!) And it is nice to have something warm to cuddle up with when I take an afternoon nap.  

Which reminds me of yesterday's surprise!   While I was napping in the comfy chair,   I heard what I originally thought was a small dog yipping.   But it did not go away,   so I thought it might be a car's bearing squeaking.  Again... it remained just outside the window... and sounded vaguely familiar.   Eventually,  I pieced it together that it sounded like  Turkey Call. 

What are Turkeys doing outside my window?   Sure enough!   A dozen or so were walking through the neighborhood like a cluster of Asian Tourists.   Snapping pictures of the sites as they walked through the area.  

  I ran to get dressed and grabbed my camera for a photo,  but by then,  they had moved down the street and were working their way through the neighbors yard.   They must have been in my front yard a while, because a few people had gathered to watch them. 

I thought this was unusual, however,  this happened last year very close to this place!   A turkey was walking and came up to eat some peanuts out of my hand.  I don't know where these guys call home, but it must be fairly close to this place.   

the local park does not really offer much habitat for them, so I'm thinking there must be another place that is slightly more wild.   Either way,  it is cool to have wildlife stop in for a visit now and then. 

One final note for this week.   Friday Phil Hall quit the Haribo.  I will have to blog separately about that, as the dust has not fully settled on the matter.  It was a shock to everyone,  especially ME! 

 ( Since he "helped" get me this job, by talking it up and telling me how awesome it was.)   And now he is gone... forever!   And the fall out is that everyone keeps asking me about it.   Like we were friends or something.   Well,  that will require an entire blog post for an explanation.  ( Both real and imaginary... on my part.)  So I am looking forward to that.  

In the mean time, Phil will me missed..    By some  most people at Haribo.  And me.   Because now Elsa and I will have to fight over the green gun because Phil will not give it to Elsa Directly.  

And I don't like violence.            

So now... as I watch the fire logs glow, I will end this blog post and prepare for tomorrow.  Time has, once again, became a rare commodity that I find I have very little of.  So I will try to make every second count.