And for all the people who helped make it possible, thanks.

Frinstance: for my boss, who dragged many of the components from Nebraska to Illinois on his dad’s boat trailer in the middle of the night because there was no way the freight service could get them here in time. Thanks, boss.

For the folks at Fanuc who scrambled to get me my robots in time. Thanks. You guys are the best.

For the people at the conveyor company who scrambled to get me the stuff I needed, and then scrambled again to replace some parts that weren’t quite right the first time, thanks, you did a GREAT job, it made the whole thing possible.

For the people at the fencing company who managed to hose up the order royally, ship it via some crappy freight company who proceeded to trash the fence, and then busted your asses at the last minute to get it right? Thanks.

For the guys who helped with the programming at the last minute because my brain was so fried I forgot I needed separate ack signals in the comm code? Thanks.

For the people who moved the booth into place, got everything on spot and in location? You guys, as Jackson Brown says, are the best. For all the bitching about union labor I (and many others) do, you guys busted ass, did your jobs, did them well, on time, and under budget. Thanks.

Finally, for the Japanese techs I worked with: It took a long time for me to get used to the idea that you CHANGED THE ENTIRE PROCESS I WAS AUTOMATING AT LEAST ONCE A DAY, but once I took you by the neck hands and said “please, no more changes” you understood and helped me finish just in time. Thanks.

None of this stuff happens by accident, folks. None of it works without the help of LOTS of people. None of it comes together without a whole team of people pushing, another team pulling, and someone directing. I had an awesome team. Thanks to you all. I went in to this thinking about finding another gig. I’m coming out of it feeling as good as I ever have.