That darn posting thing

[alicebentley]

I've said so many times that I'm going to try posting here more often, and then months pass.

But there's nothing like trying again!

In home-body news, At end of January I took a new position at work, moving from the manufacturing side to a Planners position, specifically for the Assembly group. This will mean a lot more computer time (my beloved spreadsheets!) and a lot more interacting with people. All upsides for me.
As of this week, I feel I've gotten on top of about 2/3 of the job, leaving a complex, critical meaty-center still to achieve. But I'm on the right road and think it will work out very well.

Comments

[pameladean]

Oh, it's nice to see you here! I don't think I ever said how much I enjoyed the couple of conversations we had when you were living in Minneapolis recently, but I did.

Congratulations on getting MOAR SPREADSHEETS and MOAR PEOPLE.

P.

[alicebentley]

I also greatly enjoyed our chats!

[minnehaha]

We who have little insight don't know what you do now. The last I was sure of the answer, you worked for USPS.

K.

[alicebentley]

The Post Office gig still feels recent to me - but that was back in 2007. Since then I've worked for Studio Foglio, Then The Country Store here on Vashon. Then two years in Minneapolis working at DreamHaven. Then Back to Vashon and three years as the Production Manager at the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie.

Oct 2020 I took a Production job at Sawbones, a Vashon factory that makes medical training models. It is really fascinating work and while I certainly enjoy the making-stuff parts of it, I think I'm going to enjoy the planning-things aspect of it even more.

[quility]

Yay! I’m Happy that you have figured out so much of your job in such a short time and that you are positive about the future.
Yes please remind me what you are doing now?
It is very nice to hear from you.
Maybe I should pay an update too… thanks for being inspirational. :)

[alicebentley]

Sawbones, or more officially Pacific Research Labs, manufactures medical training models.
My first couple of years here I helped build ultrasound tech models - they use a special plastic that has a texture and (more importantly) an ultrasound echo very similar to flesh. We mold the parts with spaces for fluids to run, representing arteries and veins. This way new technicians get to practice doing blood draws and drug injections with models that closely resemble reality - without having to put actual people through their learning curve.

Most of the company makes injection foam bones and forms models from that. Part of the challenge of my new planner position is that it deals with the roughly 10,000 SKUs the company makes, not just the 100 or so I was already familiar with from my one section. I'm confident that I'll get on top of it all soon - but I'm not there yet!

[quility]

OOoo! That sounds fascinating! And like a lot to learn. Thanks for the added info! :)