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.