After I left the power plant and went to work for Dell on August 20, 2001, I wrote letters back to my friends at the plant letting them know how things were going. This is the one hundred and thirteenth letter I wrote.
1/20/05 – A Visit from a Friendly Dell Programmer
Dear friends at Sooner Plant and beyond,
I hope everyone had a good holiday. I was reminded yesterday by a friend that I haven’t written a letter in quite a while so I thought I would take the time to do that now. Actually, I started one yesterday, but then I became involved in helping someone out with a problem that by the time I was done doing that it was time to go home.
Anyway. It sure was good going by the plant and seeing everyone that I was able to see. I had a very good visit, and I’m glad that I was able to wish Jim Arnold a “happy retirement” before he left. I’m sure that even though Jim Arnold may not enjoy his retirement very much, that others will be enjoying it for him (if you know what I mean).
I was very happy that I was able to visit everyone unhindered (that is, I didn’t get thrown out on my ear). I have missed all of you guys since I have left and even though I am glad that I don’t have to work in all of those extreme weather conditions and dusty environment, I wish I was able to see all of you more often. I have replayed my visit over and over again in my mind, and here are some highlights of my trip out to the plant:
First of all. I had run into Jimmie Moore at Joseppi’s the night or two before and he was the first person I met as I walked in the Electric Shop. My thought was that I would go to the Electric Shop to see if I could find a Hard Hat and visit any electricians that may be hanging around the shop.
Then I went to the Control Room because I thought that would be the safest route early in the morning. There I visited with Jeff Meyers, Pat Quiring and Alan Moore. While I was there Theresa Acedansky came in and I talked with her for a while. — I didn’t even know that she was back at Sooner plant (and that she was married).
Then I went over to the Office area and I talked with James Doyle and Alan Kramer and Not Doug Black (because he wasn’t there). Then I went down the elevator with Alan Kramer and he went in the foreman’s office to run interference for me while I went through the maintenance shop and saw a whole bunch of you guys there.
I remember talking with Johnnie Keys and Bill Gibson and Andy Tubbs, Byron Hoetzel (I think was there – yeah. I think he was, because I was thinking about the time when I misspelled his name — Oops. I did it again. It is spelled “Byron Hoeltzel” – there I think I got it right now), Floyd Coburn, Eddie Shiever, and Joe Alley.
Then I talked to — Was Noe there (no way! I’m not sure), but I’m pretty sure that Walter Negelein was there. I went in the tool room, but Darlene Mitchell wasn’t there. Then Andy told me that Diana Brien was working on the logic room air handler, so I headed in that direction. And I found her when the elevator stopped on the second floor.
We went to the electric shop and talked for a few minutes and Larry Riley (my first Foster father — Before Charles Foster) came in. It was good seeing him again. It had been a long time.
Then I took some of my old programs that I had left in the electric shop (that only work on a very old computer — which I have because I’m kinda collecting that sort of thing), and brought them out to my car and went in the front entrance and back up the elevator. There I talked with Linda Shiever, Annette Schmunk, Denise Anson and Stephanie Erwin. Then I went back by the X-File room and talked for a while with Ray Eberle some more.
Then I went back downstairs to visit Jim Arnold. So I talked with Jim for about 10 minutes and like I said, I wished him a happy retirement. He started asking me computer related questions. He wondered if I felt comfortable using my credit card online. It told him I did. Then he wanted to know if I do my banking online, and I told him I don’t.
On the way out of the office I stopped by Charles Patten’s office (if that still is his office), and said “Hi” to Curtis Kinsey. Then I left because I needed to meet my family at IHOP in Stillwater — You know “Never-ending Pancakes” and that sort of stuff.
So, I missed seeing Charles Foster and Scott Hubbard because they were gone. I didn’t see Ben Davis, but I’m not sure if he was there or not I just didn’t see him. I didn’t see Tony Mena either. — Well. After all. It was Christmas Holiday. What could I expect.
Well. The reason I haven’t written earlier is that I have been very busy writing programs that I haven’t had a moment to stop and write. I should actually be writing something right now, but I thought I could spare a few minutes. I think I have written 8 different programs since the first of the year. So you see. It’s a New Year at Dell and we’re still plugging away.
It was nice seeing the plant again.
Your friendly Dell Programmer,
Kevin James Anthony Breazile
______________________
Kevin J. Breazile
Global Financial Services I/T
Dell Inc.
(512) 728-1527
Power Plant Men 