It is almost a separate blessing to be living in Arizona because my football and baseball teams (NY Jets and NY Mets) are with each passing day, becoming a total joke. The Mets, who had to pay off debts in the Bernie Madoff scam, are losing players left and right to injury. Their center fielder right now is a 24 year old kid who has never played above the Double AA level. David Wright, the one bonafide superstar is nursing a torn rib cage muscle, their ace pitcher is coming back from major shoulder surgery, and every team in their division has gotten stronger and better. What is left is a group of young unknowns who are going to take it on the chin day in and day out in a very competitive division (except for the Mets, that is). So what do we have to look forward to this summer? The trade deadline and how many prospects Johan Santana, Jason Bay and David Wright are going to bring back. I'm going to need a program because I won't know who the heck is on the field come August. The question isn't whether they lose 100+ games, it's will they do it by the All-Star break?
Then there are the Jets...I was genuinely excited by the chance that Peyton Manning might come to the Jets and get us over the hump that is the New England Patriots (and their "hump" of a coach). It would have been a good thing to see which Manning in New York commanded more back pages of the Daily News with the off chance that they could possibly pull off an All-Manning Super Bowl...(although it could happen with the Giants and Broncos). Then the Jets sign Mark Sanchez to a five year deal. Okay, positive reinforcement that he is the franchise quarterback and maybe give him the motivation to take the reins of the team and put them on his back and become the player everyone (except me) thought he would be. Peyton signs with the Broncos and then the Jets pull the ultimate bonehead move and trade for the biggest distraction in sports...Tim Tebow. They give a five year deal to one of the lowest rated qbs in the league and then trade for THE lowest rated qb in the league. WTF? (Sorry, the fan in me slipped out). What are they thinking? A special wildcat package will be added for Tebow. So Sanchez drives them down the field and then goes off the field in the red zone? Tebow takes over and scores the touchdowns? And what happens if Sanchez continues his not so stellar play? Will the fans...(and I hope New York fans are smarter then the yahoos in Denver) start calling for Tebow to take over? What does that do to Sanchez's confidence if that happens? And another thing...Drew Stanton at least had the backbone to demand a trade or release after the Tebow trade. He knew his situation was going to be bench quarterback. He wanted no part of it and he got his wish. Sanchez says nothing... You just signed a five year deal. The team said you were the man and then they go out and trade for Timmy. No comment? This is going to be a circus situation for the Jets and the media frenzy is going to be non-stop. Just what the doctor ordered... more nonsense.
In closing I would just like to say that the Arizona Diamondbacks are looking more and more appealing with every report I hear coming out of Metland... I may have to go back East and slap some sense into those teams...
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
I am so behind in keeping up...
That title sounds like my road racing career... Here it is, officially spring everywhere and I will "spring clean" my activities for a fresh new season. When last I left you, I was in a black mood, complete with a god awful funk that I couldn't shake. Well, leave it to beautiful weather, a freak knee injury and a large dose of guilt...(at least I hope its guilt) to snap me out of a "poor me" phase and into a "leave the pity party because no one's coming". The black mood was brought on by sheer exhaustion from working ridiculous hours for too long. Let's face it, none of us is getting any younger, and working like I did will age you fast. The large dose of guilt was my bosses finally realizing that Jim is not a machine and needs his rest. As of right now I have 3 days off (and sometimes 4) per week and it couldn't have come at a better time. I still work every weekend, but having those days off really rejuvenated the spirit. The beautiful weather is here and glorious. Remember when I said I couldn't remember the last time it rained? Well, it was last Sunday. March 18 roared like a lion...so much so that Flagstaff received 29 inches of snow, Anthem, which is in the valley, got snow and I got hailed on walking across the street in downtown Phoenix. It was cold and overcast and nasty. Then Monday came and by Wednesday it was 80 with abundant sunshine and cloudless skies...
The freak knee injury was so freakish that I can't remember how it happened. For those who don't know, my left knee is running on empty (of cartilage, that is) from arthroscopic and micro-fracture surgery. It has already developed some arthritis in the joint and has been a mild pain in the butt for many years. Last week, I awoke with swelling and intense pain everywhere. It was probably a combination of too many hours on my feet and golf and neglect all rolled into one. The pain was excruciating and nothing I tried seemed to work. One boss was in Napa Valley for 4 days and the other was in Italy... (nice having me around, isn't it?) so I hobbled around and iced and elevated when I could. Sleep was a problem also, because any movement caused me to wake up. So when three days off in a row came up, I shut down completely and iced and re-iced and elevated and rested and knee braced the whole time. After a week, it started feeling better and I played a round of golf today without the knee brace and I am happy to report that no new pain has developed. It is still achy and sore but very manageable and I have an ice pack on it while I write this. Needless to say (never understood this expression) it scared the bejeebers out of me. It also made me realize that you can't take anything for granted. It kick started my rise from the depths of despair and made me a man of action, not reaction. That is why I have updated my resume and have applied to jobs in the valley (and some NOT in the valley) that have medical benefits attached to them. While I enjoy being "Security Man" (most of the time), if a medical situation arises, I am up the proverbial creek...
So, I have decided to remain in my current job and continue to seek a better employment opportunity. If and when a new career path comes into view, I will evaluate it and proceed accordingly. As always, I will keep you informed.
The freak knee injury was so freakish that I can't remember how it happened. For those who don't know, my left knee is running on empty (of cartilage, that is) from arthroscopic and micro-fracture surgery. It has already developed some arthritis in the joint and has been a mild pain in the butt for many years. Last week, I awoke with swelling and intense pain everywhere. It was probably a combination of too many hours on my feet and golf and neglect all rolled into one. The pain was excruciating and nothing I tried seemed to work. One boss was in Napa Valley for 4 days and the other was in Italy... (nice having me around, isn't it?) so I hobbled around and iced and elevated when I could. Sleep was a problem also, because any movement caused me to wake up. So when three days off in a row came up, I shut down completely and iced and re-iced and elevated and rested and knee braced the whole time. After a week, it started feeling better and I played a round of golf today without the knee brace and I am happy to report that no new pain has developed. It is still achy and sore but very manageable and I have an ice pack on it while I write this. Needless to say (never understood this expression) it scared the bejeebers out of me. It also made me realize that you can't take anything for granted. It kick started my rise from the depths of despair and made me a man of action, not reaction. That is why I have updated my resume and have applied to jobs in the valley (and some NOT in the valley) that have medical benefits attached to them. While I enjoy being "Security Man" (most of the time), if a medical situation arises, I am up the proverbial creek...
So, I have decided to remain in my current job and continue to seek a better employment opportunity. If and when a new career path comes into view, I will evaluate it and proceed accordingly. As always, I will keep you informed.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
A-hunting we will go...
A-hunting we will go... job hunting that is. Updating the resume and filling out applications is how I am spending these days off before returning to work tomorrow. I will not make a rash decision, this is something I want to be careful about, but a change is coming. If Uncle Sam doesn't take all my money in taxes...(and He can be an ornery cuss), then one decision could be to just leave and take some time off and reclaim the life and lifestyle that I have grown accustomed to, before the "career monster" swallowed me up...but enough about work.
Spring is in the air...(which is redundant in Arizona). This is the time of year when the beautiful weather becomes spectacular and the days and nights are truly magnificent. We have reached another stretch of "I can't remember the last time it rained" (it was sometime in late January or early February). April showers may bring May flowers, but not in the desert. But the spirit of spring lives on in different ways out here...(but some are the same everywhere). The boys of summer have returned for Cactus League Spring Training and there are games everyday and all over the Valley. I went to the new home of the Dbacks and Rockies and enjoyed a two inning nap on grass in the outfield...(grass! that didn't have thorns or burrs or anything to bite or scrape me...it was fantastic). Great time to come out and visit and see your favorite teams play. (hint, hint). The average ticket to sit on the outfield grass and sunbathe is 8 bucks so you can enjoy a bunch of games and tour the valley at the same time. Another sign of spring (Loretta will like this) is the return of the snowbirds to the great white north. All my golf buddies from Canada (good shot, eh) and Minnesota and the Midwest will be heading back to the frozen tundras to miss the heat of summer down here. That means more tee times and less fees for yours truly.
Another sign of spring is the football news...although it only ended a month ago, free agency,aka the Peyton Manning Sweepstakes, is in full bloom and Arizona is one of the teams in the hunt. I'm not a big fan of his, but he needs to go somewhere else. Our quarterbacks last year took a pounding and Peyton needs to go to a team with a good offensive line and strong running game, my prediction is the Titans. Good running game and strong offensive line and Jake Locker is a young kid who could learn much from Manning. Plus there is the Tennessee connection. Peyton has a home in Chattanooga and went to Tennessee for college. And I think he should stay in the AFC and set up the possibility of an all Manning Super Bowl...(let's face it, Elite Eli is not done yet and the Giants are going to be around the playoffs for a long time).
My Mets are in an injury induced shambles...(like they were going anywhere this year) and are going young to rebuild (again). Look for Jason Bay, David Wright and Johan Santana to be in the news around the trade deadline as the Mets season fizzles around the All-Star break. Bobby V will provide some great rivalry fodder for the Yanks vs. Red Sox this year. Jose Reyes will have an all world season (as leaving the Mets seems to bring out the best in players) and I'm interested to see how Prince Albert (Pujols) does in the American League. My prediction is that the Tigers will roar in the AL this year and Phillies will reign supreme in the NL (God, I hate the Phillies). So for my cousin George I say, GO TIGERS!! Have a great day...
Spring is in the air...(which is redundant in Arizona). This is the time of year when the beautiful weather becomes spectacular and the days and nights are truly magnificent. We have reached another stretch of "I can't remember the last time it rained" (it was sometime in late January or early February). April showers may bring May flowers, but not in the desert. But the spirit of spring lives on in different ways out here...(but some are the same everywhere). The boys of summer have returned for Cactus League Spring Training and there are games everyday and all over the Valley. I went to the new home of the Dbacks and Rockies and enjoyed a two inning nap on grass in the outfield...(grass! that didn't have thorns or burrs or anything to bite or scrape me...it was fantastic). Great time to come out and visit and see your favorite teams play. (hint, hint). The average ticket to sit on the outfield grass and sunbathe is 8 bucks so you can enjoy a bunch of games and tour the valley at the same time. Another sign of spring (Loretta will like this) is the return of the snowbirds to the great white north. All my golf buddies from Canada (good shot, eh) and Minnesota and the Midwest will be heading back to the frozen tundras to miss the heat of summer down here. That means more tee times and less fees for yours truly.
Another sign of spring is the football news...although it only ended a month ago, free agency,aka the Peyton Manning Sweepstakes, is in full bloom and Arizona is one of the teams in the hunt. I'm not a big fan of his, but he needs to go somewhere else. Our quarterbacks last year took a pounding and Peyton needs to go to a team with a good offensive line and strong running game, my prediction is the Titans. Good running game and strong offensive line and Jake Locker is a young kid who could learn much from Manning. Plus there is the Tennessee connection. Peyton has a home in Chattanooga and went to Tennessee for college. And I think he should stay in the AFC and set up the possibility of an all Manning Super Bowl...(let's face it, Elite Eli is not done yet and the Giants are going to be around the playoffs for a long time).
My Mets are in an injury induced shambles...(like they were going anywhere this year) and are going young to rebuild (again). Look for Jason Bay, David Wright and Johan Santana to be in the news around the trade deadline as the Mets season fizzles around the All-Star break. Bobby V will provide some great rivalry fodder for the Yanks vs. Red Sox this year. Jose Reyes will have an all world season (as leaving the Mets seems to bring out the best in players) and I'm interested to see how Prince Albert (Pujols) does in the American League. My prediction is that the Tigers will roar in the AL this year and Phillies will reign supreme in the NL (God, I hate the Phillies). So for my cousin George I say, GO TIGERS!! Have a great day...
Friday, March 9, 2012
Change is in the air...
Spring is just around the corner, the boys of summer have returned to the desert for spring training, "March Madness" is upon us once again...(Hey, Geek, are we having a pool this year or has Get Back Loretta hung up her hoop shoes), and the Arizona Kid is itching for a change...(the last time I got this itch I moved across the country). The bad place I was in when we last visited has been replaced by a quest for new adventures. While I appreciate the confidence that my bosses have shown in me to promote me and move me into the office, I find that it has taken away the reason I got into this business in the first place...to meet people and work the events themselves. Several returning clients who met me originally as a guard at their events were glad to see me but unhappy that I wasn't actually "working" the event. I miss the meet and greets at the entrance, getting to know the vendors, and interacting more personally with the guards. I actually miss being outside patrolling the Ostrich Festival or the Salsa Challenge and long for another go at Country Thunder.
My "hobby" has come full circle into a job, and I didn't move 2500 miles to get another job. I need to work, but I need to do something that I enjoy and I want to do it on my schedule. When I was a starving guard, I had the ability to set my own schedule and work when I wanted to. Now, my schedule is set and my days off are few and with spring just 2 weeks away, I want to travel and play golf and resume the life I planned when I came out here in the first place. You guys don't want to read about my job...(you all have one of those already), you want to read about my adventures, my travels, my romantic trysts...(okay, maybe not those), but you know what I mean. And I, don't want to fill my blogs with job stories, either. I want to regale you with stories of fulfilling my golf bucket list, of places I visited and the people I met, of reconnecting with family all over this country, of crazy odd jobs I grab for "greens fees". That was plan from the beginning and I apologize for "falling off the wagon" and repeating past mistakes. I have relapsed into the addiction that fed all my other addictions. Letting myself get into a bad situation at work caused me to become angry. Rather than dealing with that anger and changing the situation, I drank and drugged myself to dull the pain. Finally woke up (in jail) and started to embrace change and with each new change...(after the ULTIMATE change of getting sober), I became stronger and better. But old habits die hard (or not at all) and here I am in that bad situation and angry at myself. But have no fear...no drinking or drugging will happen here (hey, I rhymed!).
There are many ways to change and many degrees of change. I am blessed (cursed?) in the fact that I only need to worry about myself at this time (although that is a full time job in itself) and my possibilities are limitless (although joining a circus is NOT one of them...clowns make me uncomfortable). But I truly believe my tenure with my present job has run its course. I am researching many potential avenues by which to continue travelling through life and of course you will be second (I will be the first) to know when and what will become of me. The possibilities are endless... "Tis a far, far better thing I do, then I have ever done before" (A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens)
My "hobby" has come full circle into a job, and I didn't move 2500 miles to get another job. I need to work, but I need to do something that I enjoy and I want to do it on my schedule. When I was a starving guard, I had the ability to set my own schedule and work when I wanted to. Now, my schedule is set and my days off are few and with spring just 2 weeks away, I want to travel and play golf and resume the life I planned when I came out here in the first place. You guys don't want to read about my job...(you all have one of those already), you want to read about my adventures, my travels, my romantic trysts...(okay, maybe not those), but you know what I mean. And I, don't want to fill my blogs with job stories, either. I want to regale you with stories of fulfilling my golf bucket list, of places I visited and the people I met, of reconnecting with family all over this country, of crazy odd jobs I grab for "greens fees". That was plan from the beginning and I apologize for "falling off the wagon" and repeating past mistakes. I have relapsed into the addiction that fed all my other addictions. Letting myself get into a bad situation at work caused me to become angry. Rather than dealing with that anger and changing the situation, I drank and drugged myself to dull the pain. Finally woke up (in jail) and started to embrace change and with each new change...(after the ULTIMATE change of getting sober), I became stronger and better. But old habits die hard (or not at all) and here I am in that bad situation and angry at myself. But have no fear...no drinking or drugging will happen here (hey, I rhymed!).
There are many ways to change and many degrees of change. I am blessed (cursed?) in the fact that I only need to worry about myself at this time (although that is a full time job in itself) and my possibilities are limitless (although joining a circus is NOT one of them...clowns make me uncomfortable). But I truly believe my tenure with my present job has run its course. I am researching many potential avenues by which to continue travelling through life and of course you will be second (I will be the first) to know when and what will become of me. The possibilities are endless... "Tis a far, far better thing I do, then I have ever done before" (A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens)
Friday, March 2, 2012
The BAD place...
This is not going to be a pleasant romp for those of you who are living vicariously through me or those of you who are following me through this blog... I have descended into a funk brought on by my job and need to get a few things off my chest. There will be a happy ending... I just haven't written it yet.
As all of you know, I stumbled upon this line of work (event security) in 2009 answering an ad to work at a golf tournament. It became apparent to me right away that I was good at this...interacting with people at events while making sure they followed the rules of the events. I moved quickly up to a supervisory position and expanded into a second company in the same capacity. I really enjoyed the work and the opportunities it provided to see and experience events I couldn't afford to go to. Which brings me to my current situation. The past two months have worn me out both physically and mentally and there appears to be no end in sight. In the eight weeks of 2012, I have been on the job over 480 hours...(the 40 hour a week employee would have worked 320, not counting the holidays they have off). It hurts just writing down the numbers and most of it is my own doing... (the inability to say no) but it has exacted a toll that has clouded my head and made me lose sight of my goals for moving here in the first place.
I write this blog after 14 straight days of 12+ hours working down at the golf tournament in Tucson and the convention center. This is the first day off I have had since I returned from Virginia and the madness has to stop. I am broken...I didn't enjoy being on the golf course at all during the tournament; I disliked having to cow-tow to self-important windbags who treated us like something stuck to the bottom of their shoe; I hated the sleep deprivation caused by sheer exhaustion and I find myself uncharacteristically angry at the most meaningless things. I am most angry at myself for allowing this to happen but I am equally angry at my employers for the empty promises and the further promises that "things will slow down eventually". In the meantime, I am in the process of rethinking this whole "career" that has happened despite my efforts to keep it as a hobby to keep me in greens fees. I have played one round of golf since Virginia and my game was horrible. I am tired all the time. Something must be done and I will do it. But, I won't do it in the emotional condition I am now. Right now, I would like to throw my hands in the air and yell "I quit" and just walk out, but that wouldn't solve anything. I need to come up with a plan in the next few weeks and if leaving the job is what I decide, then it will be on MY terms and MY timetable. They may have broken my spirit (and my body), but they don't fully realize who they are messing with...(sorry, there's that anger again).
There is no need for phone calls or urgent emails. I will be fine in a week or two. It gives me great peace to know that you are out there and allowing me to vent this way. The Arizona Kid will work his way out of this dilemma like he has done countless times before...one day at a time. Thanks for listening.
As all of you know, I stumbled upon this line of work (event security) in 2009 answering an ad to work at a golf tournament. It became apparent to me right away that I was good at this...interacting with people at events while making sure they followed the rules of the events. I moved quickly up to a supervisory position and expanded into a second company in the same capacity. I really enjoyed the work and the opportunities it provided to see and experience events I couldn't afford to go to. Which brings me to my current situation. The past two months have worn me out both physically and mentally and there appears to be no end in sight. In the eight weeks of 2012, I have been on the job over 480 hours...(the 40 hour a week employee would have worked 320, not counting the holidays they have off). It hurts just writing down the numbers and most of it is my own doing... (the inability to say no) but it has exacted a toll that has clouded my head and made me lose sight of my goals for moving here in the first place.
I write this blog after 14 straight days of 12+ hours working down at the golf tournament in Tucson and the convention center. This is the first day off I have had since I returned from Virginia and the madness has to stop. I am broken...I didn't enjoy being on the golf course at all during the tournament; I disliked having to cow-tow to self-important windbags who treated us like something stuck to the bottom of their shoe; I hated the sleep deprivation caused by sheer exhaustion and I find myself uncharacteristically angry at the most meaningless things. I am most angry at myself for allowing this to happen but I am equally angry at my employers for the empty promises and the further promises that "things will slow down eventually". In the meantime, I am in the process of rethinking this whole "career" that has happened despite my efforts to keep it as a hobby to keep me in greens fees. I have played one round of golf since Virginia and my game was horrible. I am tired all the time. Something must be done and I will do it. But, I won't do it in the emotional condition I am now. Right now, I would like to throw my hands in the air and yell "I quit" and just walk out, but that wouldn't solve anything. I need to come up with a plan in the next few weeks and if leaving the job is what I decide, then it will be on MY terms and MY timetable. They may have broken my spirit (and my body), but they don't fully realize who they are messing with...(sorry, there's that anger again).
There is no need for phone calls or urgent emails. I will be fine in a week or two. It gives me great peace to know that you are out there and allowing me to vent this way. The Arizona Kid will work his way out of this dilemma like he has done countless times before...one day at a time. Thanks for listening.
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