Hey, campers. I finally wrangled a day off from the salt mines and decided to play catch up... (which is always the case these days). Ok, my salt mines are usually cooler than most since they change with every gig, but working is working... (who am I trying to kid---I love this s%$#! um, stuff). But the real reason for the title reared it's ugly head last Saturday... (not two days ago but the 15th--damn! time flies). As you know, I work for two security companies and I balance my schedules fairly nicely between the two. I was scheduled to work the Barrett-Jackson car auction from the 15th to the 23rd from 4pm to midnight every day... (great, can get my new tires on the truck and play some golf). MLK day was a three day weekend and Company 1 called and asked if I would do my James Bond undercover gig Saturday and Sunday night. I told them I needed to start at 12:30am so I could leave Scottsdale at midnight and drive to Tempe and ASU. Ok no problem. So I would work 4pm til midnight and 1230 to 7am two days...(15 hour shifts--been there done that. Piece of cake). Now comes the kicker. Company 2 calls and tells me they need me to change to 8am to 4pm shift for the week starting Sunday morning. That's right! 4pm-midnight, followed by 1230am to 7am, followed by 8am to 4pm. 24 hour work gig! The "triple lindy" of security work...(see Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School). Mere mortals would have refused or cancelled, but "Security Man" (dope that I am) said why not? and then realized Sunday night would be 1230am to 7am followed by 8am to 4pm again, a 15 and a half hour shift. Still I was determined to try. I don't call off a gig after I accept the terms.
I didn't have to work Friday or Saturday morning so I rested and napped for all it was worth. I had coffee and 5hour energy bottles (the stuff works great) lined up and ready to go. I had uniform changes and toiletries and lunches and water. I was confident I could pull this off... (confident here is spelled S-T-U-P-I-D). So off I went to Westworld and the auction. Saturday was a move in day for exhibitors and set up people and was a really easy gig... (after around 8pm there was no one around). Shift change came and I raced to the car, hopped in and got to Tempe around 1220am and snuck into ASU (while the theme song of "Mission Impossible" played in my head). No problem staying awake so far. Quiet night until around 5am. I heard voices on the floor I was on! No one was supposed to be in the building. I remained in my hiding place and called ASU PD. Whispering my name I gave them my location and they dispatched two officers to investigate... They came and found me and I went with them to check for break ins or vandalism on the floor... nothing. Then they told me that event staff were in the building because the PF Changs Marathon was being held that morning and ASU was a host. Then, my boss calls and asks why the police are there and I tell him and he tells me that he forgot to mention this fact, but I did exactly what I was supposed to do... (I didn't realize crapping my pants, figuratively, was part of the procedure). The head honcho called and apologized for the oversight and I returned to the car, changed back into company 2 togs and raced to Scottsdale for another shift. Luckily, the mornings were chilly and the cold kept me awake. I made it through and struggled home to watch the end of the Jets big win over the hated Pats... (take that Tom Brady!).
Unfortunately, that meant I didn't go to bed until around 630pm and I was up again at 11pm to shower and pack and go again. Luckily, there was no disturbances at ASU, but it was awful quiet and very hard to stay awake... (my face has never been so clean with all the cold water I was splashing on it) and I struggled through, hit two coffee places and made it to Scottsdale again for the day shift. I almost fell asleep in the bathroom stall (that would have been a classy move) and the spring in my step was gone, but I made it through and made it home at 530pm. In a 56 hour span (2 days plus 8 on Saturday night) I worked and commuted around 43 hours... Do not try this at home...(or anywhere else for that matter!)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Just a quick note...
As my first two blogs were fairly lengthy, I just wanted to write a quick note wishing everyone in my readership and their families a happy and healthy and prosperous New Year. In light of the recent tragedy in Tucson (which is 2 hours southeast of where I live) you get harsh reminders that life is precious and you need to live it, not just go through the motions... I have been blessed with circumstances that allow me to live here (much of the credit belongs to other people) and allow me to pursue the lifestyle of a crazed (I prefer "unique perspective") middle-aged man in the desert with an unfathomable (to some) addiction to the game of golf... (and as most or all of you know, this addiction pales in seriousness to my past addictions). Thanks to Mom and Dad for raising me to respect my elders (although I am fast becoming an "elder" myself) to respect other people and their property and to treat people the right way. Thanks to Dad for my sense of humor (off the wall as it is most times) which allows me to handle my security work and make it more fun. Thanks to my relatives and friends growing up, who rounded me into the individual that I am today (although maybe I should blame some people for the same reason...lol).
I watched the memorial service the other night in which President Obama spoke and the secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General of the United States also spoke and I was thrilled that two of them read scripture verses and all mentioned God in their speeches. In these crazy times where political correctness has gotten completely out of hand and God is removed from our schools and Christmas and most everything else, it was a great thing to hear the Word of God mentioned. It should not only be used to comfort in times of sorrow, it should be used in everyday life and spoken freely in our schools. I thank God for allowing me to live through my past, for giving me the strength to remain clean and sober all these years, for putting the right people in my path on this journey to the desert, for giving me the wisdom to do the right things, for making me able to work and excel at my job and especially for allowing me to live the life I choose. I thank him for accepting me even though I am flawed and sinful. I don't give him enough credit (too many times I accept credit for these things) and remaining humble is the most important thing to learn. Keep God in your thoughts and actions this New Year and the road will be a lot smoother.
I watched the memorial service the other night in which President Obama spoke and the secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General of the United States also spoke and I was thrilled that two of them read scripture verses and all mentioned God in their speeches. In these crazy times where political correctness has gotten completely out of hand and God is removed from our schools and Christmas and most everything else, it was a great thing to hear the Word of God mentioned. It should not only be used to comfort in times of sorrow, it should be used in everyday life and spoken freely in our schools. I thank God for allowing me to live through my past, for giving me the strength to remain clean and sober all these years, for putting the right people in my path on this journey to the desert, for giving me the wisdom to do the right things, for making me able to work and excel at my job and especially for allowing me to live the life I choose. I thank him for accepting me even though I am flawed and sinful. I don't give him enough credit (too many times I accept credit for these things) and remaining humble is the most important thing to learn. Keep God in your thoughts and actions this New Year and the road will be a lot smoother.
Hi Ho, Hi Ho...
It's off to work I go... This is the busy season for "Security Man" and busier I couldn't be. From now until March I will be securing my butt off working three major events and a host of smaller ones in the hopes of replenishing the travel coffers for later this year... (you know I'm not going to visit back East until there is absolutely no chance of that white stuff falling from the sky... (word is it's called snow). So here's an update on what I have been doing.
Christmas came... (this year I actually decorated and put up my 4 ft. Martha Stewart tree) and went and I worked the Insight Bowl football game in Tempe... (even got spotted on tv by a couple of you). Then I decided to work some overnight gigs in the coldest weather I have experienced since moving here. Luckily, since it was overnights and outside, I was able to sit in the car and run the heater for most of the night and didn't have a problem staying awake... (just walked outside for a few minutes and I was wide awake). The nights went without incident and it was cold (accent on COLD) hard cash for a minimum of effort... (my kind of gig). Then it was on to the Bridal Show at the convention center where I worked the docks for the move-in and the lobby for the show on Sunday... (I was posted near the flute and harp booth and the string quartet). If I hear "Here comes the bride" one more time, I will lop off my ears and run screaming through downtown Phoenix. Many of you know that I am not into the whole wedding thing (to put it mildly), so this was a true test of will. I survived, but I must present what I feel is a valid argument for my side of the debate. The number 1 reason for marital problems is money. If you spend thousands of dollars on invitations, hall rentals, dresses, tuxedos, ministers, photographers, videographers, food, music, ad nauseum, what do you have to start your new life together? Here is a different (and more fiscally responsible alternative) way to approach marriage (shudder!). Close friends and family gather at city hall or a justice of the peace for a civil ceremony. Go out to dinner and toast the happy couple. Start your new life and use the wedding fund to pay off debt or invest in a house or whatever. Save up for a year or two and when you can afford it, have a party for the rest of the people you would have invited to the wedding. Prepare a list of gifts that you need and publish it so you don't get 12 toasters or whatever people give at weddings (cash to defer the coast of the party would be nice). This way your not starting your life in the "hole" with misery to come. I can't believe I put this much thought into a subject I avoid (must be all those versions of THAT song!). It weakened my resolve.
So, after an afternoon with the future "Bridezillas" (and the place was packed; economic woes be damned), I worked the following day at the tailgate party for the BCS Championship football game in Glendale. What a complete 360 in a day... (from crazed future brides and family to crazed football fans). The only real difference was that the brides-to-be were dressed nicer. I have worked many events, but the sheer number of fans coming to the pre-game party was intense. Gates opened at 12:15 and the party went until 5:30 ad that's when the fans stopped coming. I worked the gate tearing tickets and checking bags and then headed to the wristband area... (ID check and wristband were needed to purchase alcohol). I was going to help until the line shortened. I got there at 1:30. The line slowed down at 4:45. I was a one man assembly line. Most of the south was well represented (Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, Texas and Florida) with the overwhelming bulk of all going to the "great state of Alabama". Oregon ran second and there were even a few from Arizona. But considering that the fans had to wait in line to get in, then wait in line to get wristbanded and then wait in line to get a beer, everyone (except one token a-hole) was smiling and friendly. The most amazing thing was that most of the people who showed up didn't even have tickets. Across the street from the stadium is Jobing.com Arena (where the Coyotes hockey team plays) and an outdoor restaurant shopping area called Westgate. Above the arena are two huge big screen monitors and they showed the game on them. When I left and was walking acroos the lots to my car a roar went up that was louder than the ones from the stadium. The outside area was packed with fans. I talked to a parking attendant I knew and she said all parking spaces around the stadium were filled at 9am that morning! I was just glad to get out and home before halftime. I fell asleep at the end but saw a plethora of highlights on Sportscenter... congratulation to the Auburn Tigers on winning at the last minute... (just like the J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets).
So after a 12 hour shift on Sunday at the Bridal Show, a 13 hour shift at the BCS Championship game on Monday, I worked a 15 hour gig at the convention center on Tuesday moving in vendors... (told you I was busy). But then I had off Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Got a round of golf in and relaxed because a nine day stretch is coming where I'm working everyday. But that will come in the next blog... Stay tuned.
Christmas came... (this year I actually decorated and put up my 4 ft. Martha Stewart tree) and went and I worked the Insight Bowl football game in Tempe... (even got spotted on tv by a couple of you). Then I decided to work some overnight gigs in the coldest weather I have experienced since moving here. Luckily, since it was overnights and outside, I was able to sit in the car and run the heater for most of the night and didn't have a problem staying awake... (just walked outside for a few minutes and I was wide awake). The nights went without incident and it was cold (accent on COLD) hard cash for a minimum of effort... (my kind of gig). Then it was on to the Bridal Show at the convention center where I worked the docks for the move-in and the lobby for the show on Sunday... (I was posted near the flute and harp booth and the string quartet). If I hear "Here comes the bride" one more time, I will lop off my ears and run screaming through downtown Phoenix. Many of you know that I am not into the whole wedding thing (to put it mildly), so this was a true test of will. I survived, but I must present what I feel is a valid argument for my side of the debate. The number 1 reason for marital problems is money. If you spend thousands of dollars on invitations, hall rentals, dresses, tuxedos, ministers, photographers, videographers, food, music, ad nauseum, what do you have to start your new life together? Here is a different (and more fiscally responsible alternative) way to approach marriage (shudder!). Close friends and family gather at city hall or a justice of the peace for a civil ceremony. Go out to dinner and toast the happy couple. Start your new life and use the wedding fund to pay off debt or invest in a house or whatever. Save up for a year or two and when you can afford it, have a party for the rest of the people you would have invited to the wedding. Prepare a list of gifts that you need and publish it so you don't get 12 toasters or whatever people give at weddings (cash to defer the coast of the party would be nice). This way your not starting your life in the "hole" with misery to come. I can't believe I put this much thought into a subject I avoid (must be all those versions of THAT song!). It weakened my resolve.
So, after an afternoon with the future "Bridezillas" (and the place was packed; economic woes be damned), I worked the following day at the tailgate party for the BCS Championship football game in Glendale. What a complete 360 in a day... (from crazed future brides and family to crazed football fans). The only real difference was that the brides-to-be were dressed nicer. I have worked many events, but the sheer number of fans coming to the pre-game party was intense. Gates opened at 12:15 and the party went until 5:30 ad that's when the fans stopped coming. I worked the gate tearing tickets and checking bags and then headed to the wristband area... (ID check and wristband were needed to purchase alcohol). I was going to help until the line shortened. I got there at 1:30. The line slowed down at 4:45. I was a one man assembly line. Most of the south was well represented (Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, Texas and Florida) with the overwhelming bulk of all going to the "great state of Alabama". Oregon ran second and there were even a few from Arizona. But considering that the fans had to wait in line to get in, then wait in line to get wristbanded and then wait in line to get a beer, everyone (except one token a-hole) was smiling and friendly. The most amazing thing was that most of the people who showed up didn't even have tickets. Across the street from the stadium is Jobing.com Arena (where the Coyotes hockey team plays) and an outdoor restaurant shopping area called Westgate. Above the arena are two huge big screen monitors and they showed the game on them. When I left and was walking acroos the lots to my car a roar went up that was louder than the ones from the stadium. The outside area was packed with fans. I talked to a parking attendant I knew and she said all parking spaces around the stadium were filled at 9am that morning! I was just glad to get out and home before halftime. I fell asleep at the end but saw a plethora of highlights on Sportscenter... congratulation to the Auburn Tigers on winning at the last minute... (just like the J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets).
So after a 12 hour shift on Sunday at the Bridal Show, a 13 hour shift at the BCS Championship game on Monday, I worked a 15 hour gig at the convention center on Tuesday moving in vendors... (told you I was busy). But then I had off Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Got a round of golf in and relaxed because a nine day stretch is coming where I'm working everyday. But that will come in the next blog... Stay tuned.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Where the heck have I been...
That's a pretty good question considering 2011 is almost two weeks old and this is my first blog of the New Year... but I have been dealing with a "funk" brought on by terrible news and a terrible tragedy. I have finally snapped out of it in the only way that never fails to lift my spirits and provide the healing for the pain that bad news brings... by playing golf. Being on the golf course gives me time to reflect, organize my thoughts, and communicate with God about what's troubling me... (except when I am cursing a poor shot and I ask Him not to listen).
My sister called me one day last week and gave me the news that I dreaded to hear... Uncle Ray had passed away after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. He was my father's brother and looked almost exactly as my Dad looked before he passed away. When Dad passed 10 years ago, I lost touch with his side of the family... (totally my own fault) but kept up on news through my sister's efforts to remain in contact with our cousins and their children. I developed an email relationship with my cousin George and when I moved to Arizona, he was the only one I really had any contact with. When I planned my first visit back East in June 2009, Sheryl gave me my cousin Lynn's phone number and we arranged a round of golf and visit on the New York leg of the journey. We had a great visit... (even though it rained almost every day I was back East) and she gave my phone number to her Dad (Uncle Ray) and he called me and we talked. I was headed down to New Jersey to play golf with Victor and we changed plans and played with Uncle Ray. It was a special day (the rain held off) and he was able to play all 18 holes with us (he was in the middle of treatment) and I am not afraid to admit that the tears flowed on several occassions as his mannerisms and jokes reminded me so much of Dad (like the tears falling now as I write this). After golf we went back to the house and I visited with Aunt Dot and we hugged and kissed and promised to keep in touch. We sent emails back and forth and pictures... (which I lost when my computer crashed last Christmas) but I never thought it would be the last time I saw him.
Uncle Ray was the original "golf fanatic" in our family, playing at the country club and playing in tournaments and betting and hating to lose. He was the Uncle who lived next to the golf course and lived and breathed the game. Dad bought me my clubs and took me golfing and taught me the beauty and fun side of the game and Uncle Ray kindled the competitive side and lit the passion for the game that burns even brighter to this day. We would spend every visit locked in conversation about golf. We would taunt each other about who was the best and how we would go about "kicking each other's ass" on the course. When the news came in that he was gone it did not diminish the game for me. On the contrary, it has fueled my passion even more...(even I didn't think THAT was possible). I was unable to attend the services... (thanks again to Sheryl for representing) but on Saturday the 8th I played the first annual round in honor of Uncle Ray and will do my best to repeat it every year until I can't play anymore. I never knew I could play so well through the tears... (I shot 73) and it was celebration of his life and the game we loved so much.
Which brings me to a very important point... (at least to me). I want you all to know how much you mean to me... (and not just because you read my blogs---you BETTER be reading my blogs). I know that I am terrible at keeping in touch and even worse about visiting... (hence, the written word which invades your respective "in" boxes) but I want you to know that I love each and every one of you. You are my family and close friends and are always available when I need you and I appreciate that. Life has a way of getting too fast and unwieldy and we lose sight of those that matter most. I will be here and will continue to try to entertain you with the adventures and goings on out West of a man with a "unique perspective"... (read that borderline crazy). Love and peace to all of you... God bless all of you and may he guide Uncle Ray into the loving protection of eternal life.
My sister called me one day last week and gave me the news that I dreaded to hear... Uncle Ray had passed away after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. He was my father's brother and looked almost exactly as my Dad looked before he passed away. When Dad passed 10 years ago, I lost touch with his side of the family... (totally my own fault) but kept up on news through my sister's efforts to remain in contact with our cousins and their children. I developed an email relationship with my cousin George and when I moved to Arizona, he was the only one I really had any contact with. When I planned my first visit back East in June 2009, Sheryl gave me my cousin Lynn's phone number and we arranged a round of golf and visit on the New York leg of the journey. We had a great visit... (even though it rained almost every day I was back East) and she gave my phone number to her Dad (Uncle Ray) and he called me and we talked. I was headed down to New Jersey to play golf with Victor and we changed plans and played with Uncle Ray. It was a special day (the rain held off) and he was able to play all 18 holes with us (he was in the middle of treatment) and I am not afraid to admit that the tears flowed on several occassions as his mannerisms and jokes reminded me so much of Dad (like the tears falling now as I write this). After golf we went back to the house and I visited with Aunt Dot and we hugged and kissed and promised to keep in touch. We sent emails back and forth and pictures... (which I lost when my computer crashed last Christmas) but I never thought it would be the last time I saw him.
Uncle Ray was the original "golf fanatic" in our family, playing at the country club and playing in tournaments and betting and hating to lose. He was the Uncle who lived next to the golf course and lived and breathed the game. Dad bought me my clubs and took me golfing and taught me the beauty and fun side of the game and Uncle Ray kindled the competitive side and lit the passion for the game that burns even brighter to this day. We would spend every visit locked in conversation about golf. We would taunt each other about who was the best and how we would go about "kicking each other's ass" on the course. When the news came in that he was gone it did not diminish the game for me. On the contrary, it has fueled my passion even more...(even I didn't think THAT was possible). I was unable to attend the services... (thanks again to Sheryl for representing) but on Saturday the 8th I played the first annual round in honor of Uncle Ray and will do my best to repeat it every year until I can't play anymore. I never knew I could play so well through the tears... (I shot 73) and it was celebration of his life and the game we loved so much.
Which brings me to a very important point... (at least to me). I want you all to know how much you mean to me... (and not just because you read my blogs---you BETTER be reading my blogs). I know that I am terrible at keeping in touch and even worse about visiting... (hence, the written word which invades your respective "in" boxes) but I want you to know that I love each and every one of you. You are my family and close friends and are always available when I need you and I appreciate that. Life has a way of getting too fast and unwieldy and we lose sight of those that matter most. I will be here and will continue to try to entertain you with the adventures and goings on out West of a man with a "unique perspective"... (read that borderline crazy). Love and peace to all of you... God bless all of you and may he guide Uncle Ray into the loving protection of eternal life.
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