that sorta day
FamIlia departed to SC today,,, Da of course is still firmly planted in his house “hot enough here, humid enough here, why go there???” change of scenery Da, change of scenery,,,
Not good enough of course, quite happy with where he is at this moment in time and there ain’ta no budgin’ the ol’ mule when he gets his head on a certain way.
I know, because I had to get it from somewhere,,,, and he was my mentor far more often than not.
J.O.B.: krew half showed up today. The one half that did show was read the riot act “you don’t come to work, you’re fuckin’ ME!!! You boys cost me over a hundred bucks yesterday in lost wages, and the job we were supposed to be on is now XXXX’s, and his zombies!!!” I did work him into the dirt today,,, totally sodden by 2 pm and we were back at the shop making gates for the job we started today. Had him clean my shop up with Son of’s blessing, mostly so I could get the full day in to make up some for what I had lost yesterday.
The other half of crew,,,, no idea, don’t really frillin’ care either,,, If he shows, he can go out with the other crews, I picked up another guy today, totally untested and he worked great, so I am back to full staff, SO LONG AS THEY ALL COME IN,,,, and I think this new guy knows I mean it. Little things said/overheard that I picked up on. May not be socially acceptable (face tats, etc) and obviously a former state pen resident, but he busted his ass, didn’t need told twice and jumped in when what was needed was mildly obvious (he is new, but he’ll learn the ropes quick if today was any indication.)(note, these convicts aren’t all the same,,, some are smart and looking for an easy ride, others are also smart but honestly trying to make an effort to ‘fit back in’, and this new guy strikes me as the second form I don’t deal with the other forms very well, and usually do my best to run them off. Sadly, around here, they are a dime a dozen,,,,, )
Anywhoooosits,,, Long day, payday, not as ‘nice’ as I would like, but then, above a document WHY it wasn’t and while I don’t hold a grudge, I do hold people accountable, and right now. that crew member is on strike two,,, I try to help, advise, etc, mostly “If you know you are going to be late/absent/have doc appt/whatever CALL US AND LET US KNOW, so we can adjust the game plan.” And Bossman and Son started telling them “If you show up after 8, we’re sending you home” because there has been a growing trend of showing up 10, 20, 30 minutes late and it really F’s up the gameplans, because we don’t know if they are going to show AT ALL. Thats what happened yesterday, we waited till the half past, and then Son of made the call “go home, we’ll try again tomorrow’ to me. (I was there, and I DO charge an hour ‘just to show up” because gas ain’t free, nor is my time.)
I dunno what happened to the STRONG work ethic around these parts, but there ain’t much of it showing on the surface these days. At least no from where I stand,,, Maybe other areas of ‘job’ have it better, but not here.
Tired, a little burnt around the edges still, but I’ll get over it. Or not, depending on what happens in the AM. Gotta weekend coming on fast, and Church Day is going to be a welcome respite.
More later-ers
Dio's Workshop 
That right there is why I got out of “the trades”… Driving 27 miles one way, only to be told “sorry, got nothing for you today, go on home”. Happened way too many times to count. I thought then I was doing the “smart thing” rolling my skills and experience into facilities management… Yes, the pay checks are more consistent, but the headaches are 10x what they used to be, with 100x the BS to deal with on the daily. Most days I feel like I sold my soul to the devil for a bit of “comfort”. I’ve been “on call” 24/7 for the last 20 years and it has taken its toll on me I tell ya. If I were single I would GTFO. Alas, the Mrs. wouldn’t be too keen on me going back to poverty wages. And that’s a whole different kind of stress. Easier to deal with in your 20’s than in middle age.
Maybe I zigged when I shoulda zagged, now I just try to deal with the cards I’ve been dealt and find solace where I can – in the waves, behind the drum kit, in the written word… Better than drinking myself into oblivion I suppose.
Keep yer chin up Dio, this too shall pass.
And yes, “work ethic” is something rare as hen’s teeth nowadays! Be grateful you’re not out in Cali. When I get stuck with a bad hire it’s damn near impossible to rid yourself of them until they do something so egregious the Company will jettison them over liability fears…I’ve had more than my share of those kind of shit-heels the last couple decades!
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August 17, 2023 at 9:03 pm
been eyeballing a ‘nine to five’ lately, but certain conveniences keep me put for now.
Same thing there, better the devil you know, even though the one I am eyeballing has benies I don’t have currently and there would be the ‘predictablitiy’ of a set pay/hours.
BUT,,,,
caution when torching bridges eh?
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August 17, 2023 at 9:21 pm
Torching bridges, aye?! Yer correct, and it’s necessary at times, but something better to be approached with clear head, preferably. Done it meself, more’n once – mostly on the spur o the moment (without benefit of said ‘clear’ gourd) when I just had a bellyfull of the BS – or the ignorant asshole I was working for that was convinced he was God’s gift to the pipefitting trade – likely I’d already forgotten more about it than he STILL knows! Sorry – didn’t mean to rant about assholes, but there it is.
Didn’t matter if’n I was at home, or clear across the country. Done it either/both ways. Was it the best move when I was 2000 miles away? Likely not. But yaknow, when yer belly is full, don’t really matter. Assholes be assholes any way or anywhere ya finds ’em! Bottom line – ya gotta do whatcha think is right. Might be, might not be, time will tell ya – and don’t overthink it. Sure way to a fug up. In the end, ya gots to live with yerself. As Popeye said – I yam whut I yam, and that’s all whut I yam! Put’n up with assholes ain’t in my DNA. Too mucha my Dad etc. in me, I guess. Come from a long line of purty intolerant MF’ers regarding assholes and wannabe’s, dontchaknow!
Y’all take care,
Mike in FLA.
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August 18, 2023 at 4:14 pm