After filling out more forms online and going to the job for pre-employment testing (computer tests of math skills, etc.) all systems are "go" to begin the job on Monday night... (At least I think they are). Going out to get my steel toe work boots after hosting duties later this morning and then I am ready to rock on Monday night. I took a ride around the work "hood" to familiarize myself with my new surroundings. It's in the middle of an industrialized section of southwest Phoenix, with many businesses and industrial parks around. The parking lot is fenced in with a security guard at the gates... (I'm still hoping they let me in on Monday). The traffic scene should be no problem... I will be driving into Phoenix in the afternoon (while most people will be leaving Phoenix) and driving home in the wee morning hours when everything is closed up.
Hosted "Exotic Eats" at a Brazilian restaurant here in Chandler last night... Skewers of meat coming at you from all angles non-stop until you wave the white flag. Good food and some good conversation... 16 different kinds of meats and the warm pineapple was great between skewers to cleanse the palate... We will definitely recommend a return engagement because everyone raved about the food as they struggled to their cars, stuffed to the ears. As an after dinner treat, a thunderstorm/dust storm greeted us on the way out...(massive lightning strikes, high winds, the whole nine yards). Got blown all over the highway on the way home, avoiding tumbleweeds and full grown trees (just kidding), but the light show was amazing out over the desert. Slept like a rock and now I'm up to host again at noon...
We are going to learn how to use circus apparatus today... (I feel some sore muscles coming on). Circus of Arizona is going to teach us how to use them...(and hopefully not kill me in the process). I just hope they don't pick me for "human cannonball"... Then it's home to lick my wounds and catch the Cardinals in their home preseason debut... (and not in the parking lot)...
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
What a week it was... Part II
When we last left our intrepid author (that's me), he had filled out an online application and had an interview set with the staffing company to see if they would set up another interview with the company actually hiring... (so it was a pre-interview interview???). I met with the woman and she asked a bunch of questions and told me flat out that she thought I was way over-qualified for the position, but that she would set me up with an interview anyway...(she seemed more worried that they would think SHE was crazy for sending me, then if I had a chance to get the job). She told me that I would have to "sell" myself if I really wanted this job. I appreciated her honesty and told her that I wouldn't apply for a job if I didn't want it...(I'm not doing this to pass the time). So she set me up Thursday night at 10:30pm for an interview at the company... (about a half hour commute from my present address).
I arrived early (always make a good impression) and waited in the break room for the man to finish his previous interview. I shook his hand and we sat down and talked the talk...(warehouse experience, job knowledge, what is expected, etc.) After about a half an hour we shook hands again and I told him he wouldn't be making a mistake hiring me, just check my references and previous job performance. I left there feeling good...(I felt I represented myself well and "sold" myself fairly well). Obviously, that was the case, because I got a call the next day offering the position. And I accepted... ("will work for greens fees" has taken it up a notch). I start at 5:30pm and work until all the orders are picked for the night - 8-12 hours per shift. In the words of Bob Seeger, I'll be "working on the night moves" (Sorry, Bob). I'll be dusting off the old steel toed work boots (the ones that aren't hanging in memorium at my last job--don't like the fact that they're hanging in R.I.P. section remembering employees and customers who died!). The Arizona Kid is joining the work force again...
I celebrated by going to the Dbacks vs. Dodgers on Friday night and watching the Dbacks kick some Dodger ass! This is a very heated rivalry (lots of Dodger fans in attendance) but let's face it, it ain't nothing like Red Sox-Yankees (pardon my East Coast bias). But the game was exciting and the crowd was into it and there were fireworks after the game...(after they determined the wind wouldn't be a problem--fireworks and wind and desert --don't make a mistake with THAT combination). A good time was had by all. Saturday, my E&A friends and I invaded Moto (Japanese restaurant) for all-you-can-eat sushi and let me tell you, those sushi chefs earned their money with our crowd... a definite return trip if they don't go out of business doing all-you-can-eat...(I had to promise not to come in every week).
Sunday was early golf and then watching the final round of the PGA Championship. Kudos to Mr. Y.E. Yang of South Korea for being the first man to beat Tiger in a major when he had the lead after three rounds...(although 14-1 is still mighty impressive). Anytime Tiger is in the last group, you just wait for him to strike or for his opponent to crumble (nice job last week, Padraig. Way to pull a triple bogey out of your ass with three holes to play!). But, Tiger couldn't drop the putts and Mr. Yang remained calm and cool through it all.
The best news of all is that the human "cheeto" is retiring... (hanging up the 55 gallon drum of sun block). I will continue to work security (better chances to be inside or in the shade), but the parking lot days are done. Gone are the 11 hour shifts standing in one place while I became a puddle that instantly dried up--gone are the shifts where I drank 4 or more gallons of water and didn't "pee" until the next day--gone are the massive body cramps and leg soreness that accompanied the "cheeto" patrol... Ronnie (parking) Lott has hung up his melted sneakers. I do not regret being a member of the "cheeto" patrol for it supplied me with entertaining stories (for you) and some interesting information about myself... my ability to do what was necessary to live this new adventure I'm on.
I arrived early (always make a good impression) and waited in the break room for the man to finish his previous interview. I shook his hand and we sat down and talked the talk...(warehouse experience, job knowledge, what is expected, etc.) After about a half an hour we shook hands again and I told him he wouldn't be making a mistake hiring me, just check my references and previous job performance. I left there feeling good...(I felt I represented myself well and "sold" myself fairly well). Obviously, that was the case, because I got a call the next day offering the position. And I accepted... ("will work for greens fees" has taken it up a notch). I start at 5:30pm and work until all the orders are picked for the night - 8-12 hours per shift. In the words of Bob Seeger, I'll be "working on the night moves" (Sorry, Bob). I'll be dusting off the old steel toed work boots (the ones that aren't hanging in memorium at my last job--don't like the fact that they're hanging in R.I.P. section remembering employees and customers who died!). The Arizona Kid is joining the work force again...
I celebrated by going to the Dbacks vs. Dodgers on Friday night and watching the Dbacks kick some Dodger ass! This is a very heated rivalry (lots of Dodger fans in attendance) but let's face it, it ain't nothing like Red Sox-Yankees (pardon my East Coast bias). But the game was exciting and the crowd was into it and there were fireworks after the game...(after they determined the wind wouldn't be a problem--fireworks and wind and desert --don't make a mistake with THAT combination). A good time was had by all. Saturday, my E&A friends and I invaded Moto (Japanese restaurant) for all-you-can-eat sushi and let me tell you, those sushi chefs earned their money with our crowd... a definite return trip if they don't go out of business doing all-you-can-eat...(I had to promise not to come in every week).
Sunday was early golf and then watching the final round of the PGA Championship. Kudos to Mr. Y.E. Yang of South Korea for being the first man to beat Tiger in a major when he had the lead after three rounds...(although 14-1 is still mighty impressive). Anytime Tiger is in the last group, you just wait for him to strike or for his opponent to crumble (nice job last week, Padraig. Way to pull a triple bogey out of your ass with three holes to play!). But, Tiger couldn't drop the putts and Mr. Yang remained calm and cool through it all.
The best news of all is that the human "cheeto" is retiring... (hanging up the 55 gallon drum of sun block). I will continue to work security (better chances to be inside or in the shade), but the parking lot days are done. Gone are the 11 hour shifts standing in one place while I became a puddle that instantly dried up--gone are the shifts where I drank 4 or more gallons of water and didn't "pee" until the next day--gone are the massive body cramps and leg soreness that accompanied the "cheeto" patrol... Ronnie (parking) Lott has hung up his melted sneakers. I do not regret being a member of the "cheeto" patrol for it supplied me with entertaining stories (for you) and some interesting information about myself... my ability to do what was necessary to live this new adventure I'm on.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
What a week it was... Part I
Much to report in this blog... (which is a different way of saying that I'm long-winded and will share virtually everything with the blogger community). This is so different from my "previous" life...(the one with the drinking and the drugging). In that life, the only thing I shared was a bunch of lies (and even I couldn't keep them straight or remember which one I told to whom). This is so much easier because it's the truth and I can remember it.
Virtual golf last Sunday was a complete blast... My group played St. Andrew's in Scotland (the birthplace of golf) and it was as realistic as you can imagine without being outside...(which was good, because it was 107 degrees outside at the time). We had a crapload of fun and it was an enjoyable "round" of golf...(anytime you can play 18 holes and only have to walk 4 feet to retrieve to your ball after each shot has got to be a good round). To the six of us that showed up, it was a blast. To the others who didn't show...your loss.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I had tickets for the Mets and Diamondbacks series at Chase Field...(I had purchased them on opening day in April when my hopes were high for the Metropolitans to finally put the two year collapse behind them). But, as fate would have it...(which is part of the "joy" of being a Mets fan), the team lost its key players to injury and the team flat out sucked (not official baseball terminology). So I sold my Monday seats to a fellow "cheeto" out in the parking lot and went to the Tuesday and Wednesday games...(each very entertaining and the Mets actually won one of them) Chase Field is a great place to watch a game, especially with the roof closed. Easy to get to, lots of parking and plenty of places to hang out before and after the game. Because there were no "gigs" for the "cheeto" or security man I signed up for the Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks on Friday night (fireworks night -- bonus).
Which brings me to the end of Part I with the backstory (only its in the front) for Part II. Because of the lack of "quality" security opportunities (being a "cheeto" was frying not only my skin, but also my brain) I began searching for alternative employment... (aka a JOB). You already know about the substitute teaching license I am applying for (my fingerprint card came in the mail, so now I have to send another application--and another fee--to get my license)... I went on jobing.com (the employment website) and typed in "night shift" to see what was out there...(if I was going back to work (yuk!), it was going to be on my terms--I hoped). I figured if I could find something at night, my days would still be free to pursue something teaching or golf related...(which was one of the main ideas behind the great Western migration of 2008). I applied for a night security guard at a golf resort in Chandler (but haven't heard anything yet). Then I said to myself, "Self, working from 11pm-7am doing practically nothing is going to fry your brain even more". So I looked a little deeper into the night shift category and found a warehouse position available with a food service company from 5:30 pm til whenever (guaranteed 8 hours, possibly more) being an "order selector". It was offered by a "staffing" company that was accepting applications by email and then pre-interviews to see if you "fit" the company's criteria. So, I filled out the online application and set up an interview with the staffing company.
So here is where I will end Part I and I promise that Part II will be coming shortly. The "job" thing has been deemed (by your favorite author--ME) a necessary evil to continue what many of my readers (myself included) call "living the dream". Having a constant source of income will allow me to continue the adventure I embarked upon back in October of 2008. I am not seeking a new "career", I am doing what is necessary to remain here in Arizona... (if this is where I decide to stay, that is---and it is!). Cost of living and the economic times have "changed the rules" of this adventure and the man who doesn't adapt is forced to abandon the "dream" and return to a place where I refuse to go... My life now is something I will not give up, no matter what is thrown my way. So, there are some adjustments or "tweaking" that must be implemented to keep the adventure going...
Virtual golf last Sunday was a complete blast... My group played St. Andrew's in Scotland (the birthplace of golf) and it was as realistic as you can imagine without being outside...(which was good, because it was 107 degrees outside at the time). We had a crapload of fun and it was an enjoyable "round" of golf...(anytime you can play 18 holes and only have to walk 4 feet to retrieve to your ball after each shot has got to be a good round). To the six of us that showed up, it was a blast. To the others who didn't show...your loss.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I had tickets for the Mets and Diamondbacks series at Chase Field...(I had purchased them on opening day in April when my hopes were high for the Metropolitans to finally put the two year collapse behind them). But, as fate would have it...(which is part of the "joy" of being a Mets fan), the team lost its key players to injury and the team flat out sucked (not official baseball terminology). So I sold my Monday seats to a fellow "cheeto" out in the parking lot and went to the Tuesday and Wednesday games...(each very entertaining and the Mets actually won one of them) Chase Field is a great place to watch a game, especially with the roof closed. Easy to get to, lots of parking and plenty of places to hang out before and after the game. Because there were no "gigs" for the "cheeto" or security man I signed up for the Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks on Friday night (fireworks night -- bonus).
Which brings me to the end of Part I with the backstory (only its in the front) for Part II. Because of the lack of "quality" security opportunities (being a "cheeto" was frying not only my skin, but also my brain) I began searching for alternative employment... (aka a JOB). You already know about the substitute teaching license I am applying for (my fingerprint card came in the mail, so now I have to send another application--and another fee--to get my license)... I went on jobing.com (the employment website) and typed in "night shift" to see what was out there...(if I was going back to work (yuk!), it was going to be on my terms--I hoped). I figured if I could find something at night, my days would still be free to pursue something teaching or golf related...(which was one of the main ideas behind the great Western migration of 2008). I applied for a night security guard at a golf resort in Chandler (but haven't heard anything yet). Then I said to myself, "Self, working from 11pm-7am doing practically nothing is going to fry your brain even more". So I looked a little deeper into the night shift category and found a warehouse position available with a food service company from 5:30 pm til whenever (guaranteed 8 hours, possibly more) being an "order selector". It was offered by a "staffing" company that was accepting applications by email and then pre-interviews to see if you "fit" the company's criteria. So, I filled out the online application and set up an interview with the staffing company.
So here is where I will end Part I and I promise that Part II will be coming shortly. The "job" thing has been deemed (by your favorite author--ME) a necessary evil to continue what many of my readers (myself included) call "living the dream". Having a constant source of income will allow me to continue the adventure I embarked upon back in October of 2008. I am not seeking a new "career", I am doing what is necessary to remain here in Arizona... (if this is where I decide to stay, that is---and it is!). Cost of living and the economic times have "changed the rules" of this adventure and the man who doesn't adapt is forced to abandon the "dream" and return to a place where I refuse to go... My life now is something I will not give up, no matter what is thrown my way. So, there are some adjustments or "tweaking" that must be implemented to keep the adventure going...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The box of crap
Many of you will not understand what I am writing about, but to my friends at my former employer in New Jersey, this will make sense... (or not. Who can truly understand the ramblings of a man who spends most his time outside in 110 degree heat?). This is an ode to the "box of crap".
I came home Friday afternoon from running around doing some errands and the UPS driver had left a message on my door that a package was waiting for me at the apartment manager's office. I thought "I haven't ordered anything, who is sending me packages?" as I signed for it in the office. I took a look at the label, saw it was from NJ and my former employer and started to laugh. No way! They sent me the box of crap! I went inside and popped it open and sure enough, it was filled with crap... But first, a little history... (you know how I love my history). The tradition is that when an employee leaves the location or leaves the company... (and it's someone you like) you fill a box with useless junk that has meaning to that person and reminds them of the people still there... and send it to them. And I must say that my friends did an excellent job with the "crap" they sent me. I still laugh when I think of some of the contents which only have significance because we worked together... the empty box of Godiva chocolates (thanks for finishing off those stale candies, Al), the box of plastic spoons (congratulations on your promotion, Tina, to supply procurer), the LL Bean catalogs and Outside Magazines (I left them there for a reason, you know), the Pain Away pills (don't let Dave know I have some of his stash).
Some of the items brought back some memories I thought I had successfully "blocked" out...the adjustment form pad (God, how I hated doing adjustments!! How about another 60 scrap tires from Traction--how about some steel belt cuts and stagnant water), the empty UPS label rolls...(which always ran out when we were busy. And the fact that our location did more UPS shipments than the all the other locations combined!). "Wonder" gloves...(Hey Alan, loosen up the purse strings and let us buy some freakin' gloves). I will do my best to rebury these memories...(although those memories have a positive motivational effect in that I will do everything necessary to NOT have to do those things again...LOL).
But the rest of the "crap" is proof that my friends back East will be my friends no matter where we all end up. The Jets ticket...(many years of fun watching the games together, when it was affordable anyway), the Pierre's menu... (still the only place to get a decent lunch around there), the hot dog truck... (Thanks for taking the ride, Pat!), the cigar catalog...(going back to Aruba in December, RD), Pure Trim...(breakfast and lunch of champions...I'm doing it old school now--exercise and eating right), the "used" lottery tickets...(dollar and a dream--living the dream but could always use a few extra dollars--Powerball in Pa, Vun Suong). These "momentos" were a welcome surprise last week and I can't thank you guys enough for all the laughs and smiles that came with them. Show them you care by sending the very worst. Thanks again to you all...
I came home Friday afternoon from running around doing some errands and the UPS driver had left a message on my door that a package was waiting for me at the apartment manager's office. I thought "I haven't ordered anything, who is sending me packages?" as I signed for it in the office. I took a look at the label, saw it was from NJ and my former employer and started to laugh. No way! They sent me the box of crap! I went inside and popped it open and sure enough, it was filled with crap... But first, a little history... (you know how I love my history). The tradition is that when an employee leaves the location or leaves the company... (and it's someone you like) you fill a box with useless junk that has meaning to that person and reminds them of the people still there... and send it to them. And I must say that my friends did an excellent job with the "crap" they sent me. I still laugh when I think of some of the contents which only have significance because we worked together... the empty box of Godiva chocolates (thanks for finishing off those stale candies, Al), the box of plastic spoons (congratulations on your promotion, Tina, to supply procurer), the LL Bean catalogs and Outside Magazines (I left them there for a reason, you know), the Pain Away pills (don't let Dave know I have some of his stash).
Some of the items brought back some memories I thought I had successfully "blocked" out...the adjustment form pad (God, how I hated doing adjustments!! How about another 60 scrap tires from Traction--how about some steel belt cuts and stagnant water), the empty UPS label rolls...(which always ran out when we were busy. And the fact that our location did more UPS shipments than the all the other locations combined!). "Wonder" gloves...(Hey Alan, loosen up the purse strings and let us buy some freakin' gloves). I will do my best to rebury these memories...(although those memories have a positive motivational effect in that I will do everything necessary to NOT have to do those things again...LOL).
But the rest of the "crap" is proof that my friends back East will be my friends no matter where we all end up. The Jets ticket...(many years of fun watching the games together, when it was affordable anyway), the Pierre's menu... (still the only place to get a decent lunch around there), the hot dog truck... (Thanks for taking the ride, Pat!), the cigar catalog...(going back to Aruba in December, RD), Pure Trim...(breakfast and lunch of champions...I'm doing it old school now--exercise and eating right), the "used" lottery tickets...(dollar and a dream--living the dream but could always use a few extra dollars--Powerball in Pa, Vun Suong). These "momentos" were a welcome surprise last week and I can't thank you guys enough for all the laughs and smiles that came with them. Show them you care by sending the very worst. Thanks again to you all...
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Where's Jimbo???
Jimbo has been sighted at a number of places this week... Las Vegas, Bagdad (yes, Bagdad) Kingman, Wikieup and the "middle of nowhere", Surprise, and of course Glendale... (which is becoming a second home, although its a parking lot).
Thursday morning I arose and got in the Jeep and set Paris (my GPS) for Las Vegas, Nevada and the hotel I had booked for one night... (I got it for free from my priority club with Holiday Inn). She (Paris) took me north and west above Glendale and through Surprise, Az. (no real surprise here, just a whistle stop on the way west). Lots of cactus and desert and the feel of the "Old West" especially in Wickenburg, Az. where the old town and hitching posts and liveries reminded me that Arizona was wild until the 1900's... (and still is I'm sure in some places). Cruising along "the" 60 to 93 north I encountered the "middle of nowhere"... (no towns, no cell service, no nothing but desert) and I decided that it was time to find a fuel stop and stretch the legs because my ass was going numb...(this trip reminded me of the cross country trek, especially across Texas). So I punched "fuel" into Paris and all the arrows pointed behind me but one... (and it was 38 miles away) so I headed for the S&D "convenience" store. Convenient to whom was what I was wondering as I meandered off the main road and wound through even more desolate desert scenery. I came to a T intersecton where a sign said Prescott to the right and Bagdad to the left. Paris told me to go towards Bagdad... (Hmmm, a desert town called Bagdad... where have I heard that one before?). After a few more miles I was in the heart of Bagdad, Arizona... (safely, too with no roadside bombs or ambushes). I filled up at the convenience store and grabbed a snack and toured Bagdad (Main Street--how original) before heading back to 93 (I had to return the same way because there aren't many roads in "nowhere"). I travelled on 93 through the Joshua Tree Forest... (not a forest like I'm used to) and now I know what they look like. I then arrived and passed through Kingman which is a sprawling city between the Cerbat and Hualapai mountains (useless factoid of the day). It is nicknamed the "heart of the historic Route 66" which runs from Chicago to Los Angeles (bonus factoid). The road then took me to the Hoover Dam, which is truly spectacular... (complete with security checkpoints and massive traffic) Winding along the road and going over the dam was very cool and the pictures I took while driving came out pretty well (will be posted on Facebook).
Twenty miles further down the road and I saw the "strip" come into view. I checked into the hotel (not bad for nothing), and called Bill and Cathy and we made plans to go out for dinner. At this point I must discontinue the story (what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas). Just kidding, nothing but a great dinner and walking around revisiting some places I haven't seen since the last time I was here...(I'm such a party guy, NOT). It was good to see my New York peeps. A great night's sleep and then back on the road back through the desert and home to Chandler...(And I don't mind saying that Vegas got none of my hard earned "greens fees". The "cheeto" didn't stand in those parking lots to give up his cash to no fancy blinking lights).
Saturday was spent in the parking lot again, working the handicap lot for the Home and Garden Show at Phoenix Stadium. Most of the time was spent pointing people away from coming in without a handicap placard and finding a sliver of shade to hide in... (no matter how well you prepare, the Arizona sun and heat beat you like a rented mule). So you can see why I didn't gamble in Vegas. Only nine and a half hours this shift... (a walk in the park--ing lot). So today I'm up early, nursing my sore muscles, because I'm off to play "virtual" golf at 1pm with E&A... (indoor air-conditioned golf). What a concept. I have never actually played, but it sounds cool so I'll let you know how it turns out. It's golf, so how bad could it be...
Thursday morning I arose and got in the Jeep and set Paris (my GPS) for Las Vegas, Nevada and the hotel I had booked for one night... (I got it for free from my priority club with Holiday Inn). She (Paris) took me north and west above Glendale and through Surprise, Az. (no real surprise here, just a whistle stop on the way west). Lots of cactus and desert and the feel of the "Old West" especially in Wickenburg, Az. where the old town and hitching posts and liveries reminded me that Arizona was wild until the 1900's... (and still is I'm sure in some places). Cruising along "the" 60 to 93 north I encountered the "middle of nowhere"... (no towns, no cell service, no nothing but desert) and I decided that it was time to find a fuel stop and stretch the legs because my ass was going numb...(this trip reminded me of the cross country trek, especially across Texas). So I punched "fuel" into Paris and all the arrows pointed behind me but one... (and it was 38 miles away) so I headed for the S&D "convenience" store. Convenient to whom was what I was wondering as I meandered off the main road and wound through even more desolate desert scenery. I came to a T intersecton where a sign said Prescott to the right and Bagdad to the left. Paris told me to go towards Bagdad... (Hmmm, a desert town called Bagdad... where have I heard that one before?). After a few more miles I was in the heart of Bagdad, Arizona... (safely, too with no roadside bombs or ambushes). I filled up at the convenience store and grabbed a snack and toured Bagdad (Main Street--how original) before heading back to 93 (I had to return the same way because there aren't many roads in "nowhere"). I travelled on 93 through the Joshua Tree Forest... (not a forest like I'm used to) and now I know what they look like. I then arrived and passed through Kingman which is a sprawling city between the Cerbat and Hualapai mountains (useless factoid of the day). It is nicknamed the "heart of the historic Route 66" which runs from Chicago to Los Angeles (bonus factoid). The road then took me to the Hoover Dam, which is truly spectacular... (complete with security checkpoints and massive traffic) Winding along the road and going over the dam was very cool and the pictures I took while driving came out pretty well (will be posted on Facebook).
Twenty miles further down the road and I saw the "strip" come into view. I checked into the hotel (not bad for nothing), and called Bill and Cathy and we made plans to go out for dinner. At this point I must discontinue the story (what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas). Just kidding, nothing but a great dinner and walking around revisiting some places I haven't seen since the last time I was here...(I'm such a party guy, NOT). It was good to see my New York peeps. A great night's sleep and then back on the road back through the desert and home to Chandler...(And I don't mind saying that Vegas got none of my hard earned "greens fees". The "cheeto" didn't stand in those parking lots to give up his cash to no fancy blinking lights).
Saturday was spent in the parking lot again, working the handicap lot for the Home and Garden Show at Phoenix Stadium. Most of the time was spent pointing people away from coming in without a handicap placard and finding a sliver of shade to hide in... (no matter how well you prepare, the Arizona sun and heat beat you like a rented mule). So you can see why I didn't gamble in Vegas. Only nine and a half hours this shift... (a walk in the park--ing lot). So today I'm up early, nursing my sore muscles, because I'm off to play "virtual" golf at 1pm with E&A... (indoor air-conditioned golf). What a concept. I have never actually played, but it sounds cool so I'll let you know how it turns out. It's golf, so how bad could it be...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Dueling in the desert...
I survived man vs. nature...(but barely). What started out as an eleven hour marathon on Saturday quickly (poor choice of words) became a thirteen and a half hour march. I was scheduled to work from 10am to 9 pm but the "lead" in my parking lot asked me to stay to handle egress (that's parking lot for getting the cars out of the lot). So I stayed until 11:30pm. What a freaking day. We were assigned to the west side...(which meant we got the sunshine the longest) and it was an "overflow" lot so cars weren't sent in it until all the other lots were full. So I basically was standing around searching for shade...(there were a couple trees that provided some relief) until around 6pm when they opened the lot. I didn't realize there were so many "monster truck" fans in Arizona, but the stadium was packed. It was organized chaos for 2-3 hours and the egress went as good as you can imagine with the cars generally paying attention to me as I tried to get them out. By the time I finished in the lot and drove home, it was after 1am and I was toasted. The human "cheeto" had completed another "greens fees" gig.
Sunday was spent laying around, trying to walk (very difficult) and stretching as much as possible. Hot asphalt and being on your feet all day and all night (Maryann) takes its toll on your legs. But on Monday I was back on the golf course, sore legs and all. The rest of the week is going to be fun. I have outdoor volleyball Wednesday night in Glendale, then I'm driving up to Vegas to meet Bill & Cathy for a day... (I have a free night's stay at a hotel so we'll meet for dinner Thursday night and breakfast on Friday, maybe, before they fly back) and maybe throw a few games of chance in between. Then it's home Friday to prepare for my next parking lot gig (security jobs are slow) on Saturday...(back to Phoenix Stadium 8:30am-7:30pm). Weather is "cooling off" this week. After a high of 113 today, it drops to an average of about 104 for the rest of the week. But the nay sayers say just wait... the worst is yet to come. August is supposedly the worst month of summer, so here we go on this adventure...
Not much else going on. Football season will begin at the end of this month and I will be working college and pro games here. I played golf with Danny Sullivan on Monday. He is ASU's starting quarterback this season and a good golfer. I was told by my company that I will be getting "lead" training for the ASU games (movin' on up!) to handle security. I also put in an application for an overnight (11pm-7am) position as a security guard in a resort golf hotel not far from where I live at the moment. So things are moving along. Rental prices are also coming down so I believe another address change may be in the future for the Arizona Kid. I am looking to move closer to the area between Tempe (ASU) and Glendale (Cardinals) for football season. I am checking out places online and investigating the neighborhoods... (checking out shopping and amenities). Oh yeah, and I am hosting "virtual" golf on Sunday for E&A. Indoor golf complete with air conditioning and a choice of world famous golf courses...(maybe I'll play Pebble Beach again or Beth Paige Black). That should be a hoot.
And before I go, I would like to wish Grace (Cousin Beck's daughter) good luck tomorrow as she undergoes a surgical procedure to correct a vision problem. Prayers and good karma are flowing to you from Arizona, Grace.
Sunday was spent laying around, trying to walk (very difficult) and stretching as much as possible. Hot asphalt and being on your feet all day and all night (Maryann) takes its toll on your legs. But on Monday I was back on the golf course, sore legs and all. The rest of the week is going to be fun. I have outdoor volleyball Wednesday night in Glendale, then I'm driving up to Vegas to meet Bill & Cathy for a day... (I have a free night's stay at a hotel so we'll meet for dinner Thursday night and breakfast on Friday, maybe, before they fly back) and maybe throw a few games of chance in between. Then it's home Friday to prepare for my next parking lot gig (security jobs are slow) on Saturday...(back to Phoenix Stadium 8:30am-7:30pm). Weather is "cooling off" this week. After a high of 113 today, it drops to an average of about 104 for the rest of the week. But the nay sayers say just wait... the worst is yet to come. August is supposedly the worst month of summer, so here we go on this adventure...
Not much else going on. Football season will begin at the end of this month and I will be working college and pro games here. I played golf with Danny Sullivan on Monday. He is ASU's starting quarterback this season and a good golfer. I was told by my company that I will be getting "lead" training for the ASU games (movin' on up!) to handle security. I also put in an application for an overnight (11pm-7am) position as a security guard in a resort golf hotel not far from where I live at the moment. So things are moving along. Rental prices are also coming down so I believe another address change may be in the future for the Arizona Kid. I am looking to move closer to the area between Tempe (ASU) and Glendale (Cardinals) for football season. I am checking out places online and investigating the neighborhoods... (checking out shopping and amenities). Oh yeah, and I am hosting "virtual" golf on Sunday for E&A. Indoor golf complete with air conditioning and a choice of world famous golf courses...(maybe I'll play Pebble Beach again or Beth Paige Black). That should be a hoot.
And before I go, I would like to wish Grace (Cousin Beck's daughter) good luck tomorrow as she undergoes a surgical procedure to correct a vision problem. Prayers and good karma are flowing to you from Arizona, Grace.
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