Just rolled back into Ann Arbor after a plant tour at Merrilat. Merrilat makes cabinets - the kind you'd get if you bought a spec built home - and it was pretty interesting to see what mass production of massively standardized products looks like. Anyway, they have the whole 'lean' thing down pretty well and are definitely in a continuous improvement mode, as you might guess given the market condition of their customers. For whatever reason this tour felt a little ungratifying... I acknowledge I may be reaching the point with field trips where it takes a steel mill to excite me, but this should have been more exciting to somebody who could probably get an IOE degree without taking any more classes.
Back at home I have been madhouse cleaning ahead of a visit by the movers. The fact that someone is coming to estimate our move is a sure sign that in four months we're moving house(s) to Pennsylvania. This appointment involves a drive to Jenelle's, too, so that they get the whole picture, and once the door closes at Jenelle's the weekend will be on like Donkey Kong.
Jenelle and I hit the town last night to use a free dessert coupon at bw3s and then to browse Borders' selection. It's starting to feel very much like summer Ann Arbor: streets slammed at 9:30, Stucchi's door left open to handle the crowds, campus full of lounging people at all hours. We love it here but feel like, after our experience in Santa Monica, both Main Street and South U should be turned into pedestrian zones. Traffic (or at least drivers in the know) already navigates around these choke points, and how much cooler would two distinct, tree-lined brick walking streets make the town? I'm in favor. Opposed?
Friday, March 30, 2007