August 24, 2025

My Silver Forkliftaversary

This week was my 25th anniversary at the forklift factory. If longevity has meaning, I’ve done something. Mainly I feel such gratitude for having a job that I still love after all of these years. And gratitude that I get to do it with an amazing team of people who I like to spend time with. And for so many nice people who I get to work with less often but I admire. And even for the people who make my life more difficult, because those little effers teach me patience. Because of Hammerslag I have:


-- Visited 11 countries, and worked in museums in Europe and Asia

-- Seen (and smelled!) the the original Blob in the conservation lab at the Academy museum

-- Had the opportunity to do a hundred hours of oral history with fascinating people

-- Had great days in our booth at the forklift show, interacting with fans of forklifts and experiencing the joy that the company gives to people who like forklifts

-- Bought a house — Before the Slag we were so broke. Our entire household income in 2000 was 19,000 (including the three months I worked at the Slag)

-- Received the great gift of my cat boy, Kirby, who came to me through a Slag connection

-- Had great health insurance, which has given me at least a year and a half of extra time with my husband

-- Enjoyed the many fruits of the free table. I give, I receive, I learn, I judge.

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