Well, I really want to make this blog about the trailer and camping experiences, so while "Tony" is snuggly put away for the winter there won't be many posts.
I'm keeping busy and my restlessness is under control as we head into the holiday season.
All the best until the spring!
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Procrastination....
I've been putting off writing a blog post. Partly because I've been too tired. But also partly because I don't want to get into complaining about customers at my new job.
I used to read a flight attendant's blog. He proclaimed to love his job, but continually complained about passengers. I confronted him on it in a comment and he gave me quite a bitchy reply. My conclusion is that he loves the flying and the glamour of the job, but not actually working with people.....
Me? My job's hardly glamorous! Mostly I love the people who come in the store, drunk, stoned or straight. At no point have I ever felt unsafe. But here comes the whining: It's the shoplifters that concern me. Being a perfectionist, I tend to take it personally when I think someone's walked out without paying for merchandise. But, I'm getting to know the behavioural signs now, and who the "regulars" are. Of course, like many people, I hate confrontation. But I must steel myself to deny them entry to the store. A strategy I plan to implement on my shift tonight.
Anyway, I've been working steadily three graveyard shifts a week and will continue to do so until the owner returns from holidays on December 5th. I'm wearing out, so after that I need to cut back significantly. If that's not suitable for the owner then it's goodbye job--which would be a great shame because, after all, this work suits my restless nature!
Today's gratitude:
I'm grateful for our pensions, which mean that we'll never be destitute.
I used to read a flight attendant's blog. He proclaimed to love his job, but continually complained about passengers. I confronted him on it in a comment and he gave me quite a bitchy reply. My conclusion is that he loves the flying and the glamour of the job, but not actually working with people.....
Me? My job's hardly glamorous! Mostly I love the people who come in the store, drunk, stoned or straight. At no point have I ever felt unsafe. But here comes the whining: It's the shoplifters that concern me. Being a perfectionist, I tend to take it personally when I think someone's walked out without paying for merchandise. But, I'm getting to know the behavioural signs now, and who the "regulars" are. Of course, like many people, I hate confrontation. But I must steel myself to deny them entry to the store. A strategy I plan to implement on my shift tonight.
Anyway, I've been working steadily three graveyard shifts a week and will continue to do so until the owner returns from holidays on December 5th. I'm wearing out, so after that I need to cut back significantly. If that's not suitable for the owner then it's goodbye job--which would be a great shame because, after all, this work suits my restless nature!
Today's gratitude:
I'm grateful for our pensions, which mean that we'll never be destitute.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
I feel so relaxed!
My work schedule seems to have settled into Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. From 10pm to 7 or 8am. Luckily I am able to sleep fairly well when I get home. I'm still getting that "relaxed" feeling after working. The little motor in my head drops it's RPM's and I zone out into a worry-free state. I'm so glad that this effect seems to be ongoing!
Today was one of those gorgeous Autumn days. Sunny and a little cool. In the afternoon MPW and I walked down by the water and and enjoyed the sun reflecting off a blue/grey sea. There's always something to watch there. Boats, planes, birds, people, dogs. Such a great way to get a dose of Vitamin D.
Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. I expect a quiet shift tonight. Many of my morning regulars won't be heading to work and dropping in for their coffee and newspaper.
Todays gratitude:
I'm grateful for all the men and women who have served and sacrificed in various wars and conflicts to keep the rest of us free and safe. Thanks so much guys!
Today was one of those gorgeous Autumn days. Sunny and a little cool. In the afternoon MPW and I walked down by the water and and enjoyed the sun reflecting off a blue/grey sea. There's always something to watch there. Boats, planes, birds, people, dogs. Such a great way to get a dose of Vitamin D.
Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. I expect a quiet shift tonight. Many of my morning regulars won't be heading to work and dropping in for their coffee and newspaper.
Todays gratitude:
I'm grateful for all the men and women who have served and sacrificed in various wars and conflicts to keep the rest of us free and safe. Thanks so much guys!
Saturday, 5 November 2011
The work paradox
Why is it that my enjoyment of a job is inversely proportional to the amount I get paid? I love my unpaid volunteer "job," and I really enjoy my new career as a convenience store clerk, for which I am paid a pittance. On the other hand, jobs that I have had that pay over $100K per year I've hated. I think it's because I enjoy an ongoing, superficial, interaction with the public in my workplace. I would have made a wonderful flight attendant (wouldn't that be a perfect job for someone with a restless nature?). Unfortunately, I became an accountant. Possibly the world's most boring job. Even at management level, working with the movers and shakers, how many budgets with cutbacks can one guy produce?
Winterizing the trailer
It's that time of year. I've got to buy antifreeze for the plumbing lines today. I'll drain the water out of all the pipes in the next couple of days. Bye bye camping.
Today's gratitude:
I'm grateful to live in one of the most beautiful cities in Canada!
Winterizing the trailer
It's that time of year. I've got to buy antifreeze for the plumbing lines today. I'll drain the water out of all the pipes in the next couple of days. Bye bye camping.
Today's gratitude:
I'm grateful to live in one of the most beautiful cities in Canada!
Saturday, 29 October 2011
The job is perfect for a restless nature!
I enjoy working with all the "night" people. Everyone from cops to hookers seem to come through the door. I get along pretty well with them all. One women even gave me a tip!
When I get home I'm dead tired and find myself more relaxed than I've been in a long time. I've discovered I need a high energy (high risk?) activity to keep me centered. Before my knee gave out I used to exhaust myself running. Now I have a great substitute for running. MWP agrees.
We had to pack up the trailer in the pouring rain the other day to come home. Well, we got it done, but we were both pretty soaked by the end of it. It was fairly cold, so that may be the end of trailering for a couple of months. Very sad.
I have a couple of days off before my airport volunteer shift and then another night shift at the store. This afternoon we are going to a local recreation center to swim a few laps and soak in the hot tub.
Today's gratitude
I'm grateful for the good health that MWP and I have. We're doing pretty good for a couple of old guys in their early 60's!
When I get home I'm dead tired and find myself more relaxed than I've been in a long time. I've discovered I need a high energy (high risk?) activity to keep me centered. Before my knee gave out I used to exhaust myself running. Now I have a great substitute for running. MWP agrees.
We had to pack up the trailer in the pouring rain the other day to come home. Well, we got it done, but we were both pretty soaked by the end of it. It was fairly cold, so that may be the end of trailering for a couple of months. Very sad.
I have a couple of days off before my airport volunteer shift and then another night shift at the store. This afternoon we are going to a local recreation center to swim a few laps and soak in the hot tub.
Today's gratitude
I'm grateful for the good health that MWP and I have. We're doing pretty good for a couple of old guys in their early 60's!
Monday, 24 October 2011
I survived!
The life of a professional convenience store clerk
I somehow managed to make it through my first solo night shift without any major incidents. I'm getting to know where things are now, although it's a pretty crowded little store, with a lot of merchandise, so it will take time to learn it all. Several down-and-out type people came in, but for the most part they were well behaved. I tried to keep an eye out for shoplifters, but who knows? Most of the customers were very pleasant. Overall it was a very positive experience, just the sort of activity a restless guy needs.
Taking a break
Tomorrow we go camping in the trailer again. Yeah! Today we made a list of all the things we need to take. It's quite complicated. I hope over time we can simplify that a bit.
Today's gratitude
Having a lovely daughter, who's support I truly cherish.
I somehow managed to make it through my first solo night shift without any major incidents. I'm getting to know where things are now, although it's a pretty crowded little store, with a lot of merchandise, so it will take time to learn it all. Several down-and-out type people came in, but for the most part they were well behaved. I tried to keep an eye out for shoplifters, but who knows? Most of the customers were very pleasant. Overall it was a very positive experience, just the sort of activity a restless guy needs.
Taking a break
Tomorrow we go camping in the trailer again. Yeah! Today we made a list of all the things we need to take. It's quite complicated. I hope over time we can simplify that a bit.
Today's gratitude
Having a lovely daughter, who's support I truly cherish.
Saturday, 22 October 2011
No camping this week
Although it's been a busy week what with work and errands, my thoughts run to camping in our little trailer. After 2 weeks of camping activity it seems like "withdrawal" not to be out there! That will be remedied next week. We plan to be out for 3 nights (assuming my work schedule for next week is what I had discussed with the boss).
Yesterday I spend memorizing the placement of cigarettes at the store. Now when a customer asks for some obscure brand I know which cupboard to go to! They say learning a new skill keeps your brain healthy. Let's hope.
I know expressing gratitude is the latest fad, but nonetheless I'd like to add a little postscript to my blog entries. Each post I will add a short gratitude statement.
Today's Gratitude
Having MWP in my life. He's a huge source of support and love.
Yesterday I spend memorizing the placement of cigarettes at the store. Now when a customer asks for some obscure brand I know which cupboard to go to! They say learning a new skill keeps your brain healthy. Let's hope.
I know expressing gratitude is the latest fad, but nonetheless I'd like to add a little postscript to my blog entries. Each post I will add a short gratitude statement.
Today's Gratitude
Having MWP in my life. He's a huge source of support and love.
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