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So the past two weeks have been very good. As some may know, I took my newest position in GE Range last Monday...so I am working as a Systems Engineer, to scope and plan out an upcoming program. It launches in 2009 which seems really far away, but when you have brand new models to create that time passes very quickly. So I've been easing into the roles and responsibilities of the job and just today we got our marketing test units back into the park. Basically...the System Managers went out and bought 10 competitive electric ranges from our competitors...and they have been touring the country (First LA...then Dallas and a few other places) and they get panels to judge looks, function, usability...stuff like that. And then we take that data as a baseline for our current production and upcoming changes. I don't think I'm really giving away any secrets here because everyone does it...it's how you know what you want to do with your product lines. And its general information. I could go out tomorrow with $25,000 and buy 10 units and tear them down...but I won't. My wife would kill me.
So today I took down model numbers of our 10 units...we have some lower end stuff, Kenmore (which GE used to provide them), whirlpool, as well as Kitchen Aid, Frigidaire, and the ultra high end stuff like JennAir and Bosch. Bosch makes some of the quietest dishwashers on the market. And they are all models you could go to Home Depot or Best Buy or wherever and buy. And looking at them today...some looked crappy in comparison to our models and some looked really nice. None compare to our 2009 look. I can't share it now, but in about 8 months you can come to our house and have a look at it. It will be pimp.
So yeah, one of my new tasks is to compare these units and options and see what they have available. So I may make a trip or two to Best Buy to look at some other units, and I'll be scouring websites looking for info. Neat huh? It's fun to be an engineer.
There are also other perks of the job. In our building, range is on the second floor and Microwaves and sourced projects are on the first floor. So a new Profile Microwave program is nearing completion and they are testing some units that they built up. So, to help their testing, they set up 6 microwaves (3 on each floor) in one of the little kitchenettes we have everywhere, and they loaded the freezers with frozen entrees, breakfast food and such. So both yesterday and today I had microwaved frozen meals. Yesterday I had a Digiorno frozen single supreme pizza. It was much better than i thought it would be. I always thought it would be gross and not crispy but it was surprisingly good. And then today I had 2 spicy frozen burritos and we heated up some Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls. Mmm Mmm Mmm good. And they are restocking tomorrow, so I will probably go for some lean cuisine or maybe some pizza rolls or bagel bites. Of course...I can't tell you how I graded them cuz that is TOP SECRET, and I wouldn't want to have to kill you.
So today Katherine will be leaving for Chicago in about 2 hours. I'm dropping her off at the airport and then going to Rob's for a going away movie night with the boys from 08 team. ScRusso is going back to RoseHulman so tomorrow is his last day. He's good people. I hope he gets invited back to the Edison program and I hope he accepts. He is good for our environment, able to mix fun and work very positively. So yeah, that is about it for now. Today is full...and tomorrow might end up being full too. Our new cat, Mabel, passed some less than attractive poo last night, and without giving you the full gory details (I could post a pic if anyone wants) we think she passed some roundworms. At first we thought it was floss or some string, but I think it's worms. So I am taking her to the vet tomorrow to get checked up, and we may start her on some deworming stuff. And then the big plans for this weekend....TILING OUR BATHROOM. We bought tile last night, and I have it all spaced out, so I can start marking tiles that need to be cut, and then Saturday I hope to be laying them in the afternoon. Things left to do
-Cut the door jams to accept higher floor
-Remove vinyl/crappy shims under vinyl
-Mark all tiles to be cut, and lay out guidelines on floor
-Cut all the border tiles, under counter tiles and floor cuts
-And finally lay them...which I believe my dad is gonna help with.
Oh yeah, I gotta remove the toilet too...might do that tonight so i can get the vinyl up tomorrow. I am still going back and forth on what to buy as far as tools. I'll obviously have to get a cutting tool...above and beyond a tile nip thingy. Most all the cuts are perfectly straight so I was thinking of getting a tile scorer, which cuts perfectly straight cuts. But I could also get a wet saw..I just fear that my cuts wouldn't be as straight, unless I took the time to make a guide with it. Any one have suggestions? I'm cheap, but I am willing to get the right tools for the job, so either one is still a possibility. Till next time
So today I took down model numbers of our 10 units...we have some lower end stuff, Kenmore (which GE used to provide them), whirlpool, as well as Kitchen Aid, Frigidaire, and the ultra high end stuff like JennAir and Bosch. Bosch makes some of the quietest dishwashers on the market. And they are all models you could go to Home Depot or Best Buy or wherever and buy. And looking at them today...some looked crappy in comparison to our models and some looked really nice. None compare to our 2009 look. I can't share it now, but in about 8 months you can come to our house and have a look at it. It will be pimp.
So yeah, one of my new tasks is to compare these units and options and see what they have available. So I may make a trip or two to Best Buy to look at some other units, and I'll be scouring websites looking for info. Neat huh? It's fun to be an engineer.
There are also other perks of the job. In our building, range is on the second floor and Microwaves and sourced projects are on the first floor. So a new Profile Microwave program is nearing completion and they are testing some units that they built up. So, to help their testing, they set up 6 microwaves (3 on each floor) in one of the little kitchenettes we have everywhere, and they loaded the freezers with frozen entrees, breakfast food and such. So both yesterday and today I had microwaved frozen meals. Yesterday I had a Digiorno frozen single supreme pizza. It was much better than i thought it would be. I always thought it would be gross and not crispy but it was surprisingly good. And then today I had 2 spicy frozen burritos and we heated up some Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls. Mmm Mmm Mmm good. And they are restocking tomorrow, so I will probably go for some lean cuisine or maybe some pizza rolls or bagel bites. Of course...I can't tell you how I graded them cuz that is TOP SECRET, and I wouldn't want to have to kill you.
So today Katherine will be leaving for Chicago in about 2 hours. I'm dropping her off at the airport and then going to Rob's for a going away movie night with the boys from 08 team. ScRusso is going back to RoseHulman so tomorrow is his last day. He's good people. I hope he gets invited back to the Edison program and I hope he accepts. He is good for our environment, able to mix fun and work very positively. So yeah, that is about it for now. Today is full...and tomorrow might end up being full too. Our new cat, Mabel, passed some less than attractive poo last night, and without giving you the full gory details (I could post a pic if anyone wants) we think she passed some roundworms. At first we thought it was floss or some string, but I think it's worms. So I am taking her to the vet tomorrow to get checked up, and we may start her on some deworming stuff. And then the big plans for this weekend....TILING OUR BATHROOM. We bought tile last night, and I have it all spaced out, so I can start marking tiles that need to be cut, and then Saturday I hope to be laying them in the afternoon. Things left to do
-Cut the door jams to accept higher floor
-Remove vinyl/crappy shims under vinyl
-Mark all tiles to be cut, and lay out guidelines on floor
-Cut all the border tiles, under counter tiles and floor cuts
-And finally lay them...which I believe my dad is gonna help with.
Oh yeah, I gotta remove the toilet too...might do that tonight so i can get the vinyl up tomorrow. I am still going back and forth on what to buy as far as tools. I'll obviously have to get a cutting tool...above and beyond a tile nip thingy. Most all the cuts are perfectly straight so I was thinking of getting a tile scorer, which cuts perfectly straight cuts. But I could also get a wet saw..I just fear that my cuts wouldn't be as straight, unless I took the time to make a guide with it. Any one have suggestions? I'm cheap, but I am willing to get the right tools for the job, so either one is still a possibility. Till next time
2 Observations or Opinions:
Jeremy has installed ceramic tile with his dad before. He said if it's all straight cuts, a score cutter would be fine. If you have to make multiple cuts on a tile so it will fit around a corner or drain, you'll need a wet saw.
Great post! I wish some of the day to day details of my job were interesting or had things with which people could identify (like appliances).
Wow, removing the toilet...I've never done that. I'm not terribly handy, really, although I try sometimes. I always turns out to be a big fat hassle...hehe. I blame this all on my dad.
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