For many years, this forklift was my “office”:
I worked in the shipping department of the Campbell's Soup factory in Sacramento. Unfortunately, this factory was shut down last year, putting me and about seven hundred other people out of work. The above pictures, and a few to follow, were taken recently, when what is left of the factory was open to the public so that people could inspect various equipment that was up for auction. My wife felt a need to firmly tell me that no, I may not bid on my forklift. Alas, she is right. I wouldn't have anywhere to keep it, nor the means to properly maintain it. I hope someone bought it who will put it to good, productive use. As attached as I had emotionally become to it, in my possession, it surely would have just fallen into disuse and disrepair. Better that it go where it can continue to fulfill the measure of its existence as a serious working machine, than as a neglected heirloom.
Here it is again, lined up with most of its siblings, awaiting inspection by prospective buyers…
My “turf”, at this factory, consisted of nine large warehouse sections. On my recent visit to the remains of this factory, some of the sections had equipment arranged in them for inspection (above, the “H” section where all the forklifts were line up), and others were eerily empty. Below, the “F” section. When I left my job there last June, there was still a fair amount of product in all the warehouse sections. They were rather bare compared to how I was used to seeing them over all the past years, but nothing like this. It was very strange seeing huge warehouse sections like this, that I had been accustomed to seeing full of product, and busy with the activity of myself and my colleagues moving that product around; so empty and lifeless.
This is a 360° panoramic view.
Now, for the time being, my “office” is this classroom at a trade school, where I and several other guys (including two of my fellow Campbell's Soup refugees) are being trained for a new career as electricians.