My New Job

[longboard_ric]

Late last year I was fortunate enough to pick a casual job, and as luck would have it, have been reasonably busy since. I work alone at any of three waste disposal sites in the Shire: it’s interesting work particularly when you deal face to face with Joe Public. At times, though, I have to say the money I’m paid is not enough compensation for the abuse received.

Anyway, two of the sites are quite busy. I have lunch on the run, and I often don’t get the chance to even sit down for up to six hours. The third site, however is a different story. Not a lot of customers, around 120 on an average day, so there can be a bit of spare time. We have a TV, but there is only so much daytime rubbish I can cope with. So, what can you do to fill in the time?

Take a guitar and practice for the day. Time passes by quickly, and with all this practice, one day I just might be a reasonable player!

I never thought I would have a job when, leaving home, I have to ask myself, “Which guitar will I take today?”

[ozover50]

Pleased to hear that you're still rockin' along, Shane. Haven't heard from you for a while on the forum.... was beginning to wonder whether you'd dumped us!!!

[longboard_ric]

Thanks Aitch.

In between the job, trying to catch the occasional wave and a few other things, time has passed by rather quickly.

We must catch up again soon.

[ozover50]

That would be great! I'm heading off to the UK for a month from June 23rd and I'm hoping that we might be able to have a 'Mel-Rick' get-together before then.

[winston]

Sounds like a job made in Heaven Shane. It's good to hear from you. I lost your email address so drop me a line when you get a chance I have a song or two to send you.

[brammy]

You should write "The Waste Disposal Blues"

[longboard_ric]

Thanks Brian, will do.

You should write "The Waste Disposal Blues"

Hi Kent,

It's been a dream of mine to write a woldwide No 1 hit, and probably for many others as well !! But unfortunately, the words don't come easy. But yes, the abuse can really wear you down.

When I started work there, I asked the guys at all three sites, if any old surfboards came in, to put them aside for me. Nothing has happened yet, so the other day I gave the guys a reminder. I also mentioned if they could hold any old guitars that came in before putting it in the shop.(the site has a recycling centre for household goods sporting equipment etc). To my surprise one of the guys said they had a Gibson acoustic come in a week earlier. Its gone. I didn't dare ask what it sold for.

[cassius987]

If you need to get an even better sense of the blues, work as a competent pharmacy tech at Walgreens (drug store). Then you can get yelled at by hillbillies addicted to narcotics. And it's YOUR FAULT that Medicaid won't pay for their "extra" refills.

[jingle_jangle]

You ain't seen nuthin' like the Walgreens on Polk and California in SF, Joshua...drug-addled hillbillies are present, but they are only the sediment in the bottom of the human stew-pot at this location.

First you must run the gamut of the human zoo before you can get to the door. The panhandlers at this location are the most aggressive in the city (although there's a city ordinance against aggressive panhandling, it's only enforced at Pier 39 and along the Embarcadero). There are skateboarders trying out their spins and jumps, and fashionistas who must keep an "Aqualung" album jacket tacked up next to their mirrors in their palatial mansions in Pac Heights in order to replicate the frisson of the fingerless gloves.

Then there's the 6'4" transvestite in the platinum blonde wig, platform heels, and spangled mini-dress, who hides in the refrigerator box out front and pops out like a jack-in-the-box when the body heat of another human is detected within three feet. Scared the tar out of me the first time. Now, after five years, my loins are girded.

Entering the door, you must learn to dance quickly so as not to mow down the group of coupon-clutching dwarf senior women wearing Nike trainers, who mill about trying to remember whether they came in for medicated ointment or Russell Stover chocolates. (I dunno--similar packaging? Certainly not similar uses...)

The aisles are exactly 16" wide, and though each is clearly labeled, the shelves themselves often feature items that are not within the legal definition of new goods. These include (but are no means limited to--use your imagination here...) soiled pantyhose, used ice-cream bar sticks, and dead mosquito hawks. I carry disposable latex gloves which allow me to rummage through the top layer in order to find the Band-Aids I came in for.

A bit of advice: Never buy condoms at this location. The toothless night clerk runs a straight pin through the center of each pack before hanging it on the rack. It's his idea of humor. A word to the wise should suffice.

The check-out clerks speak a Chinese dialect that confuses even the off-base Chinatown residents who may drift in, whose Chinese is mostly Mandarin. As far as English, good luck. They are very entertained when I answer them in halting Portuguese, though. No matter: their financial calculations are spot on. Money is a universal language.

For harmless fun, I usually "break in" a new shop technician by giving him a couple of twenties and sending him into battle here with instructions to buy a box of disposable gloves and as many large jars of Vaseline the budget will allow. He will usually come back with his eyes very wide, if he comes back.

If there's a pharmacy here, though, I've never been far enough back in the store to locate it...

[johnallg]

The human race can be fascinatingly entertaining - I like to sit and watch when in a new mall Irene needs to explore.

[woodyng]

shane-- good to hear from ya again. as a customer service agent myself,i'm no stranger to abuse,although it's not something that happens very often,ya just have to let it roll (over) ya and smile away! (wow macca wisdom here) being able to strum a guitar at your jobsite sounds good to me!

[longboard_ric]

Hi Joshua,

thanks for the tip, but you will understand if I pass on that one !!! I have had the misfortune to see first hand what happens when these types of people are in desperate need of their "medication".

Hi Paul,

I can't stop laughing. That is an interesting part of the world you live in. I must say though, I had never knowingly met a Tranny ( not that I lead a sheltered life, you just don't see them at the beach slipping on a wetsuit), until a few weeks after I started. When a larger framed "female" with bad make up and an ill fitted wig spoke with a voice deeper than Paul Robeson I just didn't know where to look. Then a week later another one turned up !!!!!

Hi John,

I know what you mean. For the first time ever, I visited Melbourne's Crown Casino last Sunday. I had always refused to set foot in the place as a matter of principal. Anyway I was "convinced" to go there for a meal, as we were taking our daughter to the airport for another lengthy overseas jaunt, and it was not out of our way.

You have every social class represented, and it was interesting viewing.

And I didn't go near any of the gambling, sorry, gaming rooms.

Hi Woody,

I rapidly found out that Customer Service is a whole new world. What annoys me is that I try to make it as cheap as possible for these people, and they are still not happy. I have to assess the volume of each load and apply the appropriate rate and I am always conservatve in my assessment. Still there are many kind and understanding people out there !! That makes up for a lot of it.

I can't say all this practice has improved my level of musicianship. Still I keep trying. I practice at home and I tell my wife that I suffer for my music, but she replies that she should not have to suffer as well !!!

You renovation is looking good. When do you move in ??

[johnallg]

I can't say all this practice has improved my level of musicianship. Still I keep trying. I practice at home and I tell my wife that I suffer for my music, but she replies that she should not have to suffer as well !!!

Sounds familiar!

[woodyng]

shane said "You(r) renovation is looking good. When do you move in ??

thanks! the answer is when either my partner finds a job,or if i can get a virtual job transfer with my company. for now,i am still "stuck inside of memphis with the brookings blues again".....going out to "visit" this weekend!