Okay, there goes another three days of work...
When we last posted, the electrolysis unit was messed up and management wanted it shut down and fixed in three days. Ha! Crew A drained the mercury, Crew C filled it back up, and Crew D drained it again! They found out what was broken: the copper cathode broke off down in the bottom of the tank. Soooo... six days down and counting...
The Very Serious People came in on Monday and looked into this. They searched for a part number for this cathode, seriously believing it was bought off of the shelf from McMaster-Carr or something. No such luck - this was custom built. So, it's been decided that Maintenance will purchase some copper bar, turn it round, and mill the end flat for bolting it to the power supply terminals.
Around 3:00 PM they had a meeting to decide what we were going to manufacture next and everyone just started to loose their minds. I am glad it was close to the end of the work day because I don't think we could have handled it all day.
The weather here has been unseasonably mild. The chickens are getting outside everyday. I am enjoying the dry roads to and from Cody to work.
Today we drove to Powell and did our laundry. We brought a load of water back with us. In the afternoon we sealed the very last grout that needed to be sealed - in our bedroom.
Tomorrow we are going to Billings to look at bookcases and laundry machines.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Deserved Day Off
Twelve hour shifts, three days in a row. When I finally get home, I am wiped. I eat dinner, and then it is off to bed. As a result, I don't get as much time to post here.
Our three days started on Sunday. Cindy returned to work and her face was cleared up. We relieved Crew C, Tim Hadaway's new crew. We worked in Room 005 making Morphine Base. The 350 process is our most labor intensive process. Around 5:30 we went outside to pump our four barrels of waste, then we took the trash out.
On Monday we continued with the same process. By 6:30 PM we finished and the finished product was in the buchner funnel drying.
On Tuesday morning we returned and found Room 002 cleaned and Room 004 cleaned. Our first job was to move the three big 36-inch funnels of morphine base from Room 005 into Room 004. Then we could start cleaning Room 005 so it would be ready for another batch.
We got interrupted from cleaning because we had to get Room 006a ready to drain the electrolysis reactor of all the mercury and sodium hydroxide so that maintenance could discover what the agitator is striking as it turns. Senior management has given us three days to do this, but of course, it is going to take longer.
It lightly snowed during the night. Just a dusting.
Today we went to Belfry and mailed a package to Mom, then we had breakfast at The Blue Rooster in Belfry, MT.
After that we took our old metal and glass-topped coffee table and end tables to the Powell Habitat for Humanity. We had to take the water tank out of the bed of the truck to do this. After that we went to the Sew-N-Vac store where Bob picked out some buttons to sew on to the knit cap he just finished.
Finally we picked up some stuff at the grocery store and returned home. It was a little hard to get the tank back into the truck.
Our girls got to enjoy their yard today. Bob tossed some old lettuce leaves out for them to peck at and explore. They laid five eggs today.
Tomorrow we intend to start sealing the grout in the living room floor tile. We have to get this done before February gets here because the new sofa will be delivered then.
Our three days started on Sunday. Cindy returned to work and her face was cleared up. We relieved Crew C, Tim Hadaway's new crew. We worked in Room 005 making Morphine Base. The 350 process is our most labor intensive process. Around 5:30 we went outside to pump our four barrels of waste, then we took the trash out.
On Monday we continued with the same process. By 6:30 PM we finished and the finished product was in the buchner funnel drying.
On Tuesday morning we returned and found Room 002 cleaned and Room 004 cleaned. Our first job was to move the three big 36-inch funnels of morphine base from Room 005 into Room 004. Then we could start cleaning Room 005 so it would be ready for another batch.
We got interrupted from cleaning because we had to get Room 006a ready to drain the electrolysis reactor of all the mercury and sodium hydroxide so that maintenance could discover what the agitator is striking as it turns. Senior management has given us three days to do this, but of course, it is going to take longer.
It lightly snowed during the night. Just a dusting.
Today we went to Belfry and mailed a package to Mom, then we had breakfast at The Blue Rooster in Belfry, MT.
After that we took our old metal and glass-topped coffee table and end tables to the Powell Habitat for Humanity. We had to take the water tank out of the bed of the truck to do this. After that we went to the Sew-N-Vac store where Bob picked out some buttons to sew on to the knit cap he just finished.
Finally we picked up some stuff at the grocery store and returned home. It was a little hard to get the tank back into the truck.
Our girls got to enjoy their yard today. Bob tossed some old lettuce leaves out for them to peck at and explore. They laid five eggs today.
Tomorrow we intend to start sealing the grout in the living room floor tile. We have to get this done before February gets here because the new sofa will be delivered then.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Warm Up
Temps climbed into the high 30's yesterday.
We drove down to Cody and got breakfast at Granny's. We saw our neighbors, Fred and Cheryl there. After breakfast we went to Tractor Supply to get a couple of bags of chicken feed, then over to Albertson's to get some fruit and drinks.
Next we went to the Grand Loop store where Bob got some advice on his knit cap project.
After that we went over to the Cody Water Dock and filled our water tank. We topped off the gas tank in the truck and headed back to Clark.
Once all of the water was safely in the cistern, I got the chainsaw out and we spent an hour sawing logs into pieces small enough to fit into the stove.
We had hamburgers for dinner at the Edelweiss Saloon.
This morning we walked the dog and then took the truck to Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Billings. We got the first oil change and four-tire rotation. The oil change was only $59.95. Mileage at the first oil change - 9550 miles. Yes, we are putting a lot of miles on the truck.
While the truck was being taken care of, we walked over to Perkins and got breakfast. Then we browsed the Furnitureland store before heading back to the dealership.
Next we shopped Mary's Health Foods where Bob got potato flour, harrissa sauce, GMO-free corn starch, tapioca flour, rice shells and cheese, figs, coconut aminos, sardines, and shredded coconut.
Then across the street to Lowe's where we looked at rugs, washers, dryers, barbecue grills, entry doors, blinds, and paint. We only got two rolls of packing tape and a bottle with roller for sealing tile grout.
After a quick stop at Natural Grocery to get biodegradable compost bags, we went to Wild Purls Yarns, a knitting store. Here Bob got some needles and two balls of small diameter yarn for socks.
Temps were in the upper 40's today in Billings and the roads were very wet and slushy.
We visited Harbor Freight tools and the One Book More store before heading back home. We stopped in Laurel and got burgers at Hardee's for dinner, and we stopped at Bridger, MT to fill the gas tank before returning home.
Today was a three-egg-day. Tomorrow we will let the girls out to enjoy their yard because the weather is supposed to be nice.
We drove down to Cody and got breakfast at Granny's. We saw our neighbors, Fred and Cheryl there. After breakfast we went to Tractor Supply to get a couple of bags of chicken feed, then over to Albertson's to get some fruit and drinks.
Next we went to the Grand Loop store where Bob got some advice on his knit cap project.
After that we went over to the Cody Water Dock and filled our water tank. We topped off the gas tank in the truck and headed back to Clark.
Once all of the water was safely in the cistern, I got the chainsaw out and we spent an hour sawing logs into pieces small enough to fit into the stove.
We had hamburgers for dinner at the Edelweiss Saloon.
This morning we walked the dog and then took the truck to Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Billings. We got the first oil change and four-tire rotation. The oil change was only $59.95. Mileage at the first oil change - 9550 miles. Yes, we are putting a lot of miles on the truck.
While the truck was being taken care of, we walked over to Perkins and got breakfast. Then we browsed the Furnitureland store before heading back to the dealership.
Next we shopped Mary's Health Foods where Bob got potato flour, harrissa sauce, GMO-free corn starch, tapioca flour, rice shells and cheese, figs, coconut aminos, sardines, and shredded coconut.
Then across the street to Lowe's where we looked at rugs, washers, dryers, barbecue grills, entry doors, blinds, and paint. We only got two rolls of packing tape and a bottle with roller for sealing tile grout.
After a quick stop at Natural Grocery to get biodegradable compost bags, we went to Wild Purls Yarns, a knitting store. Here Bob got some needles and two balls of small diameter yarn for socks.
Temps were in the upper 40's today in Billings and the roads were very wet and slushy.
We visited Harbor Freight tools and the One Book More store before heading back home. We stopped in Laurel and got burgers at Hardee's for dinner, and we stopped at Bridger, MT to fill the gas tank before returning home.
Today was a three-egg-day. Tomorrow we will let the girls out to enjoy their yard because the weather is supposed to be nice.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Rough Week
For two weeks now it has just been Chris Schuler and me on Crew B. Last week Cindy was on vacation and Arnie was sick. Now, Tim is gone to Crew C, and Arnie is our supervisor. This week, Cindy worked for about six hours on Monday, then it was just Chris and me since then.
What happened to Cindy on Monday, you say? Oh boy.
Cindy was working with me in Room 005 making a batch of morphine base. We had just finished filtering the solution, and I was clearing the line by blowing all of the liquid out of the pump, hoses, and filter with nitrogen gas.
I turned my back to take a bucket to the sink and while I was doing this, the liquid had finished running out of the hose. Now the hose was "burping" or "spurting" liquid and gas intermittently. Cindy climbed up a small step ladder to look into the hose "to make sure it was finished". When she did this the hose blew a bunch of morphine, activated charcoal, acetic acid, and ascorbic acid mixture all over her face and into her mouth.
She said, "Oh my God, Vince, I've just been exposed to product! I have it all over my face and some of it got in my mouth!" I directed her to the sink to wash it off of her face and spit the solution out of her mouth. After I got the nitrogen line secured, she asked me what we were going to do, and I told her we were going to tell Arnie.
Arnie called Safety, and Cindy was taken to the hospital emergency room for treatment and evaluation. They put some ointment on her face and neck and took her vital signs for two hours. She returned to work before the end of the day.
However, by the end of the day, a nasty rash was erupting on her neck and face with big blisters (we suspect that she is allergic to morphine). She took some Benedryl and went home.
She called off yesterday and today. She told Arnie that she had big blisters that were oozing liquid on her face. Of course she can't wear a respirator now. The rash hurts now. It probably didn't in the beginning due to the morphine, but I am sure she feels it now.
If management finds out that she is allergic to the product, they will lay her off.
So, the rest of the week was very busy for Chris and me. Today we had the new Lannett president, Mike Bogda, visit the plant. Everytime we have an important person visit, Management loses their heads. This time was no exception. Dog and Pony Show.
I attended a CPR, AED, and First Aid class today. That was actually kind of fun. The EHS guy from Lannett, Pennsylvania has been here all week giving the training.
Now I am off for a couple of days. I am tired. Very tired. We are trying to do too much with too few people.
What happened to Cindy on Monday, you say? Oh boy.
Cindy was working with me in Room 005 making a batch of morphine base. We had just finished filtering the solution, and I was clearing the line by blowing all of the liquid out of the pump, hoses, and filter with nitrogen gas.
I turned my back to take a bucket to the sink and while I was doing this, the liquid had finished running out of the hose. Now the hose was "burping" or "spurting" liquid and gas intermittently. Cindy climbed up a small step ladder to look into the hose "to make sure it was finished". When she did this the hose blew a bunch of morphine, activated charcoal, acetic acid, and ascorbic acid mixture all over her face and into her mouth.
She said, "Oh my God, Vince, I've just been exposed to product! I have it all over my face and some of it got in my mouth!" I directed her to the sink to wash it off of her face and spit the solution out of her mouth. After I got the nitrogen line secured, she asked me what we were going to do, and I told her we were going to tell Arnie.
Arnie called Safety, and Cindy was taken to the hospital emergency room for treatment and evaluation. They put some ointment on her face and neck and took her vital signs for two hours. She returned to work before the end of the day.
However, by the end of the day, a nasty rash was erupting on her neck and face with big blisters (we suspect that she is allergic to morphine). She took some Benedryl and went home.
She called off yesterday and today. She told Arnie that she had big blisters that were oozing liquid on her face. Of course she can't wear a respirator now. The rash hurts now. It probably didn't in the beginning due to the morphine, but I am sure she feels it now.
If management finds out that she is allergic to the product, they will lay her off.
So, the rest of the week was very busy for Chris and me. Today we had the new Lannett president, Mike Bogda, visit the plant. Everytime we have an important person visit, Management loses their heads. This time was no exception. Dog and Pony Show.
I attended a CPR, AED, and First Aid class today. That was actually kind of fun. The EHS guy from Lannett, Pennsylvania has been here all week giving the training.
Now I am off for a couple of days. I am tired. Very tired. We are trying to do too much with too few people.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Clark, Wyoming
Well, this past work week was a little busy for me. Chris Schuler and me were the only ones there! Cindy took vacation and Arnie was sick with pnuemonia.
We made cocaine base and hydromorphone hydrochloride. We learned that we will be losing Tim Hadaway as our supervisor. He's going to supervise Crew C, and Arnie is going to be the temporary supervisor for our crew.
Two guys were fired last week. One knew he was going to fail his drug test, so he asked another to pee for him. They got away with it, but their talking and bragging about it made its way up the chain. The next day Vlad was complaining about something he felt strongly about and they let him go too! Just incredible.
Temps were in the 20's yesterday with calm air, so we let the chickens out into their yard and we drove to Cody. We ate breakfast at Grannies, picked up a couple of things at Albertson's, Bob paid a visit to the knitting lady at Grand Loop, and then we got a tank of water to bring home.
Today we drove over to Red Lodge to eat breakfast, mail a letter, and get some stuff at IGA. It was really snowing over there and I was glad to get back here.
Starting day shift tomorrow. Ironically, when I am on days, I drive in to work in the dark, and I drive home in the dark. The only way I see daylight in the winter is when I am on nights!
We made cocaine base and hydromorphone hydrochloride. We learned that we will be losing Tim Hadaway as our supervisor. He's going to supervise Crew C, and Arnie is going to be the temporary supervisor for our crew.
Two guys were fired last week. One knew he was going to fail his drug test, so he asked another to pee for him. They got away with it, but their talking and bragging about it made its way up the chain. The next day Vlad was complaining about something he felt strongly about and they let him go too! Just incredible.
Temps were in the 20's yesterday with calm air, so we let the chickens out into their yard and we drove to Cody. We ate breakfast at Grannies, picked up a couple of things at Albertson's, Bob paid a visit to the knitting lady at Grand Loop, and then we got a tank of water to bring home.
Today we drove over to Red Lodge to eat breakfast, mail a letter, and get some stuff at IGA. It was really snowing over there and I was glad to get back here.
Starting day shift tomorrow. Ironically, when I am on days, I drive in to work in the dark, and I drive home in the dark. The only way I see daylight in the winter is when I am on nights!
Monday, January 05, 2015
Clark, Wyoming
This weekend was cold and there was a chance of snow. We missed getting snowed, but it snowed a lot in Billings and there is an inch of ice on the roads up there.
Yesterday we drove to Powell, had breakfast at Pepe's, and did our laundry. Temps were too cold to return home with a load of water - it would freeze in the valve before we could get back with it.
Today it was different.
We heard the winds blowing hard last night. I guess there were some gusts up to 110 MPH. When the wind blows like that it usually means the weather is changing. When I got up it was already 41°F!
We made two trips to Powell today for water. When we got to Powell, we were surprised to find the temperature at 14°. We had breakfast at Pepe's again, then drove to the water dock to load up the tank and take the water to Clark.
When we drove down Mormon Hill, the thermometer in the truck showed the temperature climbing. It hit a high of 43°F on the way back to the house. We dropped 160 gallons in to the cistern, measured it with the sounding stick, and decided that we needed another load.
We drove back to Powell, filled the gas tank on the truck, and then filled the water tank again. We brought this water back and put it into the cistern. There is room for more water and, if the roads are in good shape, on Wednesday morning, after work, I will bring another load from Cody.
This week I work Tuesday night, Wednesday night, and Thursday night. I get paid on Friday. I am off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Then I start day shift on Monday morning.
Yesterday we drove to Powell, had breakfast at Pepe's, and did our laundry. Temps were too cold to return home with a load of water - it would freeze in the valve before we could get back with it.
Today it was different.
We heard the winds blowing hard last night. I guess there were some gusts up to 110 MPH. When the wind blows like that it usually means the weather is changing. When I got up it was already 41°F!
We made two trips to Powell today for water. When we got to Powell, we were surprised to find the temperature at 14°. We had breakfast at Pepe's again, then drove to the water dock to load up the tank and take the water to Clark.
When we drove down Mormon Hill, the thermometer in the truck showed the temperature climbing. It hit a high of 43°F on the way back to the house. We dropped 160 gallons in to the cistern, measured it with the sounding stick, and decided that we needed another load.
We drove back to Powell, filled the gas tank on the truck, and then filled the water tank again. We brought this water back and put it into the cistern. There is room for more water and, if the roads are in good shape, on Wednesday morning, after work, I will bring another load from Cody.
This week I work Tuesday night, Wednesday night, and Thursday night. I get paid on Friday. I am off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Then I start day shift on Monday morning.
Thursday, January 01, 2015
Happy New Year
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| The Barracuda II sectional sofa. |
After the inventory was over we escorted contractors working in the plant on various projects. There really wasn't a lot of work for us and Tim said that anybody who wanted to, could leave early, but he could not pay them. So most everyone else left at 5:30. I agreed to stay and help until 7:00 PM.
As it turned out, they had the power out and the computers disabled at 7:00 and I could not leave. The card readers that unlock the doors were not working. I ended up staying until 9:00 PM. Hey, I can always use some overtime!
We were in bed by 10:00 PM. We did not stay up and wait for the new year to come in at midnight. I figured it would be 2015 when I woke up in the morning, and sure enough, it is.
Today we drove to Billings to shop for furniture. We ate a late breakfast/early lunch at Golden Corral and shopped books at Barnes & Noble. Then we shopped sectional sofas at Sofa Mart, Slumberland, and Time Square. We saw a brown leather sectional with contrasting white double stitching that we liked at Sofa Mart called Barracuda II, and after browsing the other stores, we came back at the end of the day and ordered it. The sofa, chaise, and storage ottoman will be delivered on the first week of February.
Now I am looking for a nice 8x10 area rug for the living room.
I might return to Furniture Row in a couple of months and get a nice oak double bookcase. Then we can begin bringing some of our books inside and putting them on display and within easy reach again.
Tomorrow is the last day of the plant shutdown. When I go back to work on Tuesday night, we will hopefully be making a batch of cocaine.