JOB!!! The care & feeding of same and how handy they are to have around.

I have had an interesting collection of work experiences since I left Romac in the Spring.
On a whim, I went to work for the YWCA maintaining their homeless women's shelters. The job was a good one, but the staff wasn't particularly thrilled to have another man on board. Especially one who was not completely sympathetic and a flag waver for the 'alternate lifestyle' way of thinking. I guess 'live & let live' is no longer acceptable in the land of PC.

The pay was not really up to par, but it was enough to expect from a public service Org. Being able to help was worth the extra $$$. 98% of the clients were real jewels. The other 2% were real unpleasant crones who had the 'hand' out at all times and couldn't see past the tip of their own middle finger.

My boss "M" (who shall remain nameless) was / is a really great woman whom I miss. I miss also the office manager "D" who sort of 'baby-sat' me and helped me through the labyrinth of 'No-No's' that are scattered about like land mines. I also miss my compadre, whom I will call..."J". He was awarded the job of Super for Maintenance. I honestly didn't feel he was up to the task. Well, I must now eat those words. He is doing well as I hear and I wish him all the best.
I had the foolish notion that the 'golden "BOY" ' in the HR Dept was a real HR person and would take care of matters. After a multitude of phone calls and e-mails went unanswered, I faxed him (without instructions from him) some info on my Rx Ins he wanted. Seems I was NOT allowed to be irritated. Next day I had an attorney and a letter from Golden Boy outlining the 'you're fired' part. (must have caught him on a bad day or something… perhaps he broke a nail?? Or possibly a heel???) Oh well... been fired by far better people than him and the person? They sent to carry the axe...

I tried to retreat and lick my wounds from this experience, but couldn’t really find anything that hurt badly enough to require attention. Oh well, back to the grind. :(

I next hooked up with a guy who is a general contractor and has leases on several commercial buildings locally. He needed someone to keep a an eye on two of these. Best he could do was about 20 hrs. a week. He had equipment to work on, but the building was not suitable…. Too bad as he is a good guy and I could have been happy there…

Good ‘ol Volt called and had a job at Hostess Bakeries. Wasn’t too bad, but it was about 3 hrs a day on the bus. Oh also, there was a Super whose sole ability was to shout into other people’s faces and belittle them. Choice was, go to jail on assault charges…. Or leave. I suppose I could have sued, but why bother?

Next was a possible promising spot in a marine repair business working on ‘yachts’ and pleasure vessels.
Now, I don’t know about you, but the words ‘yacht’ and ‘vessel’ conjure up visions of seaworthy blue water boats. His idea was 20 ft plastic boats about 8 feet wide with a one lunger diesel shoehorned behind the ladder. This fat old man just wasn’t up to the challenge. Add to this, an owner who chews Oxycontin like candy for pain….. The day I was there, he complained continuously about all of his previous employees and the guy who was working then. I could hardly wait to hear what he would have to say about me. The next morning I was so sore, I was almost unable to get out of bed and could not tie my shoes… Damn… should have not let my membership with 24 hr fitness lapse. LOL :-)

Well, this coming week starting on Tuesday (Monday is Vets Day Observed) I have interviews. Note to self… wish self luck.