Living the Dream... Part 2

    Hello...This is a little more like it.  I have found my voice (my writing voice, I guess) and with renewed energy (see below), begin the blogging on a more frequent basis.  Things have gotten a little out out of hand lately... (actually since I got back from New York in September) and some drastic measures needed to be implemented.  The dream (part 1) was turning into a nightmare and more than I bargained for... (mostly my own fault) but still more than I was willing to continue.  My health and mental well-being (truly an oxymoron in my case) was being jeopardized and changes needed to be made.

     After nineteen straight 12 hour days of work in NYC at the US Open, I came home exhausted and looking for a break.  Unfortunately, it was busy at the Convention Center so the DAY off after the trip was not enough to say the least.  My schedule was oppressive and my inability to say no didn't help. That and the fact that the branch manager's wife had just given birth meant more of my time was being asked for.  I was working every weekend and really had no input into my work schedule so that any plans I made were last minute when I could make them at all.  I really wasn't allowed to be a "guard" anymore... (as a manager I had to schmooze with the client and post guards and handle breaks).  Being a guard and dealing with the public was why I became a security guard in the first place and now I wasn't able to be one.  Damn me for being so freaking good at my job...(obviously my humility was not affected by my schedule).  Then the weekend from hell happened... I was scheduled to work 6am to 6pm and then 6pm until midnight on a Saturday.  I had Friday off so it wasn't too bad, right? WRONG! The second part of the shift was a concert (gangsta rapper named Tyga) and we had a problem with the promoter after the show and I was called into a post event meeting that lasted until 1230am.  Then I found out that everyone had left and no guard was scheduled to stay for the move-out.  So I had to stay and the move-out continued until 330am.  But wait, it gets better.  I was scheduled to be in on Sunday from 6am-6pm also.  I couldn't call anyone at 4 in the morning to cover my shift, so I went home, showered and changed and came back to work.  Several gallons of coffee and constant motion kept me alive until the end.  All in all it was 36 hours straight... (counting getting up and commuting back and forth).  I wouldn't wish that shift on anyone.

     So, I decided to test the waters for another employment opportunity.  I applied to another security company in Phoenix that offered full time hours (I know...not the original plan).  The big incentive was that the pay was almost the same, my schedule would be flex (some days, night and swing shifts) and they offered a complete benefit package (medical, dental, eyes, paid vacations, personal days, etc.) and I would be working at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport which is very close to home. They wanted to hire me on the spot.  The kicker was that I couldn't work for any other security companies.  I mulled it over and then, following my sister's lead, I gave notice to the company taking advantage of me and joined the new company!  I go to orientation tomorrow and will learn more about the job and report to you when I get home.  So, for the past week and a half, Sheba and I having been bonding, my golf clubs and I have been bonding, and I have eliminated "soup" and "doors" in my life... (that last was for Sheryl and Mrs. Daddy).  I am a single father of a hilarious, crazy little cat and I'm am well rested (first time in a long time) and loving life again.  I am excited to begin this new adventure and excited to share it with you.  Wish me luck!