Stick to the Knitting

Well how are you? I am sorry i haven’t been communicating much lately.
My life is again changing. Or should i say i am returning. Going back. Starting back to the front. I recall when i worked at ‘the corporation’ one time they said they were going to do what they knew and did best – they were going to “stick to the knitting”. This is from the book “in search of excellence” and it is what i am doing with this move.
Let’s just say i agree with myself in my last post. I started a new job gig. Another company has hired me. I get to go back to my natural teching occupation. I have been very fortunate to find a spot that i think may be really nice.
It’s a new dairy plant. Just built, or actually still being added onto. My job will be maintenance. 10 Air handlers, 2 boilers, 5 chillers, misc pumps, HXs, vavs, vfds, etc etc. A Siemens control system to learn. And loads of PLC based controls for all the dairy process equipment.
Worst downside – 1 hour commute. I know, gross. Especially with the price of gas touching $4.00. But time wise there is good news. I get to work 12 hour days.
How in the world is that good, you ask? Well that means I work only 7 12s in a two week stretch. I also have 7 off. It is concentrated work – whenever i go in i work the equivalent of a day and a half. It goes like this: 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off – repeat. In other words, i work tues, wed, off thurs, fri, work sat, sun, mon, off tues, wed, work thurs, fri, off sat, sun, mon. Repeat.
Bottom line, my old job i had to be there 9 hrs (8+ unpaid lunch)+ (2×25min) commute. Roughly 10 hour days.
New job, 12 hr day (paid lunch brk!) + (2×1hr) commute. 14 hr days
in a 2 wk block: old job 10×10 = 100 hrs new job 14×7 = 98 hrs.
Oh yeah, night shift, 6pm-6am. Some of you may have just barfed. But look at it this way – i get EVERY day off. True i have to sleep sometime but so do you. I just have more options. Also more $$. new pay/ old pay = 1.73 yes over 70% more! And doing what i was born to – tech heaven!
Anyway i should have time to blog more, i hope.