Knowledge driven by mistakes

I didn't think it was possible, but it seems that I have learned more this week than the other four weeks combined. I'm sure it's because all of the loose ends are being tied together and I'm starting to see the big picture. It's amazing (after thinking I was being thrown to the wolves) how much I've learned. Now that I've actually gotten in there and become hands on without someone standing over my shoulder, I feel more confident and in control. Now when an alarm goes off and the line shuts down I'm not constantly looking around for someone to help me. I tried that move on Tuesday morning and Mike Gordon looked at me and said "oh no big boy, this is your horse and pony show" (whatever that means). So I walked up to the computer screen and tried to restart the line, it wouldn't reset or restart, so I had to figure out where the problem was and attempt to go fix it. The only thing wrong was a blocked eye that detects when a mould is out of place. It then triggers an alarm because it thinks a mould is off track and the line is preventing a build up catastrophe. I had to walk down to the end of the line and scrape a piece of chocolate off of a mould that was blocking the eye and preventing the trays from moving up the lift. After it was cleared I pushed the now famous phrase "blue, black, green ya idiot" which is just the order you push the buttons to reset, clear, and restart the line. This is just one of the many times this week in which I have attempted a quick fix, failed, and had to think a little bit in order to rectify the situation. By doing things on my own and learning from my mistakes, I have become more vigilant and can at times correct a problem before it starts. Hopefully by Sunday night/Monday morning, I will be armed and ready for the week ahead without the main kitchen operator as he goes on vacation.