So I went to the gig today. Not a bad gig all in all, only six hours but at a slightly higher rate than normal. I was able to arrive home early and take care of some business before taking a walk along the river.
I'm hoping to complete this move. I hate leaving the family back in New Mexico while I do this, but right now don't have much of a choice. Even a modest amount of money still helps right now. We're not out of money yet; we have about 6 weeks' reserve, and we still have a lot of things to sell. With Amy back to work and me working as well, we can start building that back.
I have an interview scheduled tomorrow, looking forward to getting things figured out here in OKC. I loved our time in New Mexico, but there is nothing there for us. This move has very few downsides.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
A Tough Choice to Make
In Tulsa town,
We chanced to stray,
We thought we'd try
To work one day,
The boss said he
Had room for one,
Said my old pal,
We'd rather bum
--Tom Paxton, "Ramblin' Boy"
So, I headed back to Oklahoma City last night, had to make the rush back to set my garbage out. I had called day labor to make sure that I didn't need anything to get registered here. They said they just needed to update the profile, so I planned to head over.
Driving all night and waking up early is not a good combination, but I made it. After much procrastination, I headed out. I couldn't find my coat, so I jetted over to WalMart to pick up a light jacket, figuring I had left the coat behind in New Mexico.
I made it to the day labor office to find another guy waiting outside. The sign said the office opened at 5:30, but they didn't crack the doors until 6. I waited, and spoke with the fellow outside. He had no transportation and couldn't get jobs because of it.
I changed my profile, and received a ticket to head over to Yukon to work, but they only had a single opening. I offered to take the other fellow out if he needed it, but she didn't seem too interested in sending him out. I didn't know, didn't ask, figured I would just observe on this one, but I badly wished to reject the ticket until they found one we could both roll out on. Unfortunately, on this day, my need for money outweighed my desire to be a crusader. I don't know if I'll ever feel right with that decision.
I really see an opening here to do something important. That fellow went back out in the cold with nobody there to speak for him, and I couldn't help thinking maybe that's where I need to be.
We chanced to stray,
We thought we'd try
To work one day,
The boss said he
Had room for one,
Said my old pal,
We'd rather bum
--Tom Paxton, "Ramblin' Boy"
So, I headed back to Oklahoma City last night, had to make the rush back to set my garbage out. I had called day labor to make sure that I didn't need anything to get registered here. They said they just needed to update the profile, so I planned to head over.
Driving all night and waking up early is not a good combination, but I made it. After much procrastination, I headed out. I couldn't find my coat, so I jetted over to WalMart to pick up a light jacket, figuring I had left the coat behind in New Mexico.
I made it to the day labor office to find another guy waiting outside. The sign said the office opened at 5:30, but they didn't crack the doors until 6. I waited, and spoke with the fellow outside. He had no transportation and couldn't get jobs because of it.
I changed my profile, and received a ticket to head over to Yukon to work, but they only had a single opening. I offered to take the other fellow out if he needed it, but she didn't seem too interested in sending him out. I didn't know, didn't ask, figured I would just observe on this one, but I badly wished to reject the ticket until they found one we could both roll out on. Unfortunately, on this day, my need for money outweighed my desire to be a crusader. I don't know if I'll ever feel right with that decision.
I really see an opening here to do something important. That fellow went back out in the cold with nobody there to speak for him, and I couldn't help thinking maybe that's where I need to be.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Feeling Like a Whole Lot of Nothing
I received a call this morning. Not the call I was hoping for, and not even sure how it is going to pan out.
Over the past couple of days, I have spent my time updating online resumes and submitting applications throughout the Oklahoma City area. My Monster.com recipes are a template for mediocrity; the most views I have ever had with any of them was 17.
So I was somewhat surprised to receive a call from a recruiter for a hospital IT position. It's in a completely different direction from OKC, and it's still early (calls from headhunters, in my experience, rarely pan out), but IT is a position where you're wise to evaluate all of your options.
It has caused me to think, though, about our recent experience. And about why I am so eager to leave this community. I came here as a professional, and when I chose to stay after that job ceased to be a viable option, it meant staying in a town where I was able to listen to the people who feel I am nothing for too long. To people who don't value the hard work that went into reaching the point I was when we first drove in to Clayton. To people who make a livelihood out of putting others down.
You listen to that sort of talk long enough, you start to believe it.
I watched idea after idea of mine appropriated, with no credit given, and certainly no employment opportunities. I watched as I stepped in and saved the school district thousands of dollars by chasing down a warranty and patching security holes, only to be overlooked for the permanent position because of a superintendent who would rather believe rumor rather than fact. I watched as certain locals tore me down and told me to "get out of our town".
After awhile, that stuff wears on you, even if you have skin as thick as a rhino's.
Whether or not I take a hard look at this option, it was good to speak to someone who feels I have something to offer. And good to remember the people of this community do not represent the views of this world.
I'd love to fly out of here one day with both middle fingers extended, but I won't. Not because I'm better than that (I certainly am not), but because I've come to pity this community rather than hate it. They tried to pitch this community to a movie production company, and were horribly offended comment asking "why would anyone want to live HERE?", and they wracked their brains trying to figure out how to change that perception.
But they don't want to know, really. Or my phone, and the phones of others who have chosen to leave, would be ringing more than it has been.
Over the past couple of days, I have spent my time updating online resumes and submitting applications throughout the Oklahoma City area. My Monster.com recipes are a template for mediocrity; the most views I have ever had with any of them was 17.
So I was somewhat surprised to receive a call from a recruiter for a hospital IT position. It's in a completely different direction from OKC, and it's still early (calls from headhunters, in my experience, rarely pan out), but IT is a position where you're wise to evaluate all of your options.
It has caused me to think, though, about our recent experience. And about why I am so eager to leave this community. I came here as a professional, and when I chose to stay after that job ceased to be a viable option, it meant staying in a town where I was able to listen to the people who feel I am nothing for too long. To people who don't value the hard work that went into reaching the point I was when we first drove in to Clayton. To people who make a livelihood out of putting others down.
You listen to that sort of talk long enough, you start to believe it.
I watched idea after idea of mine appropriated, with no credit given, and certainly no employment opportunities. I watched as I stepped in and saved the school district thousands of dollars by chasing down a warranty and patching security holes, only to be overlooked for the permanent position because of a superintendent who would rather believe rumor rather than fact. I watched as certain locals tore me down and told me to "get out of our town".
After awhile, that stuff wears on you, even if you have skin as thick as a rhino's.
Whether or not I take a hard look at this option, it was good to speak to someone who feels I have something to offer. And good to remember the people of this community do not represent the views of this world.
I'd love to fly out of here one day with both middle fingers extended, but I won't. Not because I'm better than that (I certainly am not), but because I've come to pity this community rather than hate it. They tried to pitch this community to a movie production company, and were horribly offended comment asking "why would anyone want to live HERE?", and they wracked their brains trying to figure out how to change that perception.
But they don't want to know, really. Or my phone, and the phones of others who have chosen to leave, would be ringing more than it has been.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
It Doesn't Matter
When you say
That your vote
doesn't matter --
You're right!
It doesn't matter to the homeless man who will die tonight in the New York City streets, nameless and unloved, with a long dying look at a statue that once promised hope
For the tired,
For the poor,
For the huddled masses
It doesn't matter to the transgendered teen who sits alone at home with 8 inches of cold sharpened steel pressed against her wrist because she can no longer live in her own skin and has been betrayed
By her family,
By her teachers,
By her church,
And by her community
It doesn't matter for the pregnant teen who carries in her womb the offspring of an unfathomably, unimaginably evil act and must now run the gauntlet
Of jeers,
Of stares,
Of violent thoughts
From those who claim to march
Under the banner
Of a God of love
It doesn't matter for the factory worker who will return home to see his worldly belongings on the front lawn accompanied by the self righteous sneer of the banker who foreclosed and the firm but silent acquiescence of the sheriff,
Who should
Be arresting
The banker
It doesn't matter for the prisoner who will never see his child because he gave in to his youthful exuberance to smoke a plant.
No, it does not matter for them
BECAUSE CHANGE
WILL COME TOO LATE
FOR THEM ! ! !
It matters for those
Who should not inherit
The legacy
That we have made
Their birthright
That your vote
doesn't matter --
You're right!
It doesn't matter to the homeless man who will die tonight in the New York City streets, nameless and unloved, with a long dying look at a statue that once promised hope
For the tired,
For the poor,
For the huddled masses
It doesn't matter to the transgendered teen who sits alone at home with 8 inches of cold sharpened steel pressed against her wrist because she can no longer live in her own skin and has been betrayed
By her family,
By her teachers,
By her church,
And by her community
It doesn't matter for the pregnant teen who carries in her womb the offspring of an unfathomably, unimaginably evil act and must now run the gauntlet
Of jeers,
Of stares,
Of violent thoughts
From those who claim to march
Under the banner
Of a God of love
It doesn't matter for the factory worker who will return home to see his worldly belongings on the front lawn accompanied by the self righteous sneer of the banker who foreclosed and the firm but silent acquiescence of the sheriff,
Who should
Be arresting
The banker
It doesn't matter for the prisoner who will never see his child because he gave in to his youthful exuberance to smoke a plant.
No, it does not matter for them
BECAUSE CHANGE
WILL COME TOO LATE
FOR THEM ! ! !
It matters for those
Who should not inherit
The legacy
That we have made
Their birthright
Thank the Lord for the Night Time
I'm writing this during a mid day break from sleep. I went to the second day labor place in Amarillo, the one where they only process new registrations on Wednesday, and after going back for the delayed 1 PM interview, I was processed in. They asked me if I could take a 9:30 PM job unloading trucks. I agreed.
I got to the site at 9:30, the trucks had been there the night before, they were doing the fixture installs that night. Not a big problem, but I did come a bit overdressed, as I had worn sleeves to protect myself from the cold during the night. A not so great idea, as I was quickly very warm.
Because I was the day laborer and the other guys were on the project team, I was largely the gofer at first. I've done store mods before, though, so building the fixtures was old hat, basically, and we had those knocked out pretty early. As we headed on into the night, though, the less fun work was what was left.
They had me scrubbing tiles to prepare for grouting. I did not bring knee pads, was already getting tired at this point, and my knees became very sore, very quickly. I was able to borrow a pair, but the remaining hours were a reminder that I am not as young as I had used to be. One of the project team was slightly sadistic, and when I got up to work out my knees, asked if I was quitting. He seemed to enjoy watching me, as severely unaccustomed to the job as I was, struggling.
At the end of the night, 8 hours in and a $53 check. I'm still running barely even with expenses on the week, and the idea of having my hours average out to minimum wage was abandoned long ago. I filed my paperwork, and returned to the hotel, very sore and earnestly hoping for this chapter to be over.
I got to the site at 9:30, the trucks had been there the night before, they were doing the fixture installs that night. Not a big problem, but I did come a bit overdressed, as I had worn sleeves to protect myself from the cold during the night. A not so great idea, as I was quickly very warm.
Because I was the day laborer and the other guys were on the project team, I was largely the gofer at first. I've done store mods before, though, so building the fixtures was old hat, basically, and we had those knocked out pretty early. As we headed on into the night, though, the less fun work was what was left.
They had me scrubbing tiles to prepare for grouting. I did not bring knee pads, was already getting tired at this point, and my knees became very sore, very quickly. I was able to borrow a pair, but the remaining hours were a reminder that I am not as young as I had used to be. One of the project team was slightly sadistic, and when I got up to work out my knees, asked if I was quitting. He seemed to enjoy watching me, as severely unaccustomed to the job as I was, struggling.
At the end of the night, 8 hours in and a $53 check. I'm still running barely even with expenses on the week, and the idea of having my hours average out to minimum wage was abandoned long ago. I filed my paperwork, and returned to the hotel, very sore and earnestly hoping for this chapter to be over.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
You Had ONE Job!
This week has been a crash course in privilege. If you've been reading along, you will know the situation: I am staying at a cheap motel in Amarillo, working day labor work when I don't have contract work, and relearning a lot of what I have forgotten about privilege. If you haven't been reading along, I encourage you to read older articles. It's good stuff.
So, there are two day labor places in Amarillo. I registered at one and had work Tuesday, but this second one only interviews on Wednesdays. The morning time frame is 10:00AM. So I arrived in a bit early, and the lady said she had a medical appointment, and asked very nicely if I could come back.
Basically, I took a day off of work rather than head over to the other site and see if they had something, to be told that I need to come back later. On the ONE DAY they do interviews.
Fortunately that wasn't a problem for me. But it very well could be a problem for others who may have limited transportation, or need to spend that afternoon time looking for other work, or actually out making money. My take for yesterday just covered the cost of my motel room; if it was everything I had to depend on, I would be running in the negative and filling my pockets with the cheap pastries from the motel's breakfast.
So I'm at the McDonald's cribbing the free wifi again (It's a staple for me on the road these days) and eating a $3.00 breakfast. Not bad, I suppose, but it's hardly the cush life that Republicans accuse folks like me of living. I'm already looking forward to returning home and sleeping in my own bed; to be honest, I was looking forward to that by the end of the day Monday.
What I have determined this week, though, is that there is a vast disconnect from where I am and where many of these people are. The only way I can bridge that is to actually BE where they are, and I have pretty much decided to launch into full time activism and ministry. This isn't a whim; this is something I have long considered and have finally figured out a way to make happen.
Hopefully I'll get registered at the other day labor place so that I don't have to go back and do this again. If so, I may work there tomorrow. If not, I can head back to the first one.
So, there are two day labor places in Amarillo. I registered at one and had work Tuesday, but this second one only interviews on Wednesdays. The morning time frame is 10:00AM. So I arrived in a bit early, and the lady said she had a medical appointment, and asked very nicely if I could come back.
Basically, I took a day off of work rather than head over to the other site and see if they had something, to be told that I need to come back later. On the ONE DAY they do interviews.
Fortunately that wasn't a problem for me. But it very well could be a problem for others who may have limited transportation, or need to spend that afternoon time looking for other work, or actually out making money. My take for yesterday just covered the cost of my motel room; if it was everything I had to depend on, I would be running in the negative and filling my pockets with the cheap pastries from the motel's breakfast.
So I'm at the McDonald's cribbing the free wifi again (It's a staple for me on the road these days) and eating a $3.00 breakfast. Not bad, I suppose, but it's hardly the cush life that Republicans accuse folks like me of living. I'm already looking forward to returning home and sleeping in my own bed; to be honest, I was looking forward to that by the end of the day Monday.
What I have determined this week, though, is that there is a vast disconnect from where I am and where many of these people are. The only way I can bridge that is to actually BE where they are, and I have pretty much decided to launch into full time activism and ministry. This isn't a whim; this is something I have long considered and have finally figured out a way to make happen.
Hopefully I'll get registered at the other day labor place so that I don't have to go back and do this again. If so, I may work there tomorrow. If not, I can head back to the first one.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
When It Gets Real
(Closed Captioned for the Privilege Perception Impaired)
NOTE: I was going to title this with a word in place of "it" that rhymes with it, and is generally considered a vulgarity, but I decided to spare the obscenity on my friends' stream. Although what we are doing to the poor is FAR more obscene, and in sparing your sensitivities I have shown far more consideration for you than public policy shows to the needy.
Also, I have highlighted parts of this tale that outline my privileged point of view because I feel it is important for us to understand privilege. Also, because I'm kind of an ass!
I started off this morning heading to the day labor joint. I arrived at 6AM (Privilege point: having a car is a privilege not everyone enjoys. Had I had to walk to the day labor place, this easily could have added an hour or more to my day). I sat in the waiting room holding for an assignment for 2 hours, then decided to run for a burrito. I spent $4.33 on two burritos, a point that will be important later in this tale.
I took another laborer to the job site. In my case, the hotel's paid for for the week because of work done yesterday in IT. We had six guys onsite, all with varying backgrounds. There was another IT guy there, two truckers, a welder, and a young man who assisted his brother in roofing.
When we arrived onsite, after asking around, we discovered it was about a 4 hour assignment. This was not a big deal for me, but a huge deal for the others who were depending on this as their primary source of income.
The assignment was to place a 50,000 square foot tarp on the floor of an event center. The total weight of the tarp was about a ton, it was split into 4 sections. After hearing that it would be a half day assignment, I decided it would be a good social experiment (Privilege point: I came into this well fed and not having to worry about a roof over my head). The idea, as I saw it, was to try to make enough for the day off of this day's earning's alone.
I had a comic relief moment about noon when my fitness app alerted me to the fact my step quota for the day had been filled, without even trying (If I even have to discuss the fingerprints of privilege all over this one, I honestly can't help you!)
We finished the day with 5 hours instead of 4, so that was a win. I didn't have a pair of gloves with me and so had to buy a pair (if this was truly life or death, I would have lied). At the end of the day, I had a check for $34.23.
That was just under what I needed to pay for the hotel room $34.50), so I decided to hunt for cans. I walked for 3/4 mile; that was enough for me for the day. I gathered 1 pound of cans, a total so low the guy at the recycling center half sneered at me. A grand total of forty cents.
So my take for the day was $34.63. Not enough after the room for even a packet of ramen noodles. (Privilege point: had I not had a bank account, I would have lost a percentage of the check to check cashing fees in many places. I also didn't count the gas in the total).
Now, had I been genuinely without means, I could have hit the guy I gave the ride to up for gas money. I also noticed a pretty good street corner open for evening rush, so if there was genuinely a need, flying a sign wouldn't have been out of the question.
But honestly, does it speak well of us as a society when the best we can do is tell people to fly a sign? Can't we do better? Further, don't we have the MORAL authority to do so?
Technically, I lost $4.20 on the day, plus gas (the cost of the burritoes). That's not even counting supper. (Privilege point: the poor don't have a surplus to use when they come up short. They merely go without! So in the real world, I'd have had to keep walking till I acquired the cans)
I'm going to keep hammering this point home because, honestly, it's a point that needs pounding. Don't come to me with the pretense of being a Christian nation if you want to continue to destroy the working class.
NOTE: I was going to title this with a word in place of "it" that rhymes with it, and is generally considered a vulgarity, but I decided to spare the obscenity on my friends' stream. Although what we are doing to the poor is FAR more obscene, and in sparing your sensitivities I have shown far more consideration for you than public policy shows to the needy.
Also, I have highlighted parts of this tale that outline my privileged point of view because I feel it is important for us to understand privilege. Also, because I'm kind of an ass!
I started off this morning heading to the day labor joint. I arrived at 6AM (Privilege point: having a car is a privilege not everyone enjoys. Had I had to walk to the day labor place, this easily could have added an hour or more to my day). I sat in the waiting room holding for an assignment for 2 hours, then decided to run for a burrito. I spent $4.33 on two burritos, a point that will be important later in this tale.
I took another laborer to the job site. In my case, the hotel's paid for for the week because of work done yesterday in IT. We had six guys onsite, all with varying backgrounds. There was another IT guy there, two truckers, a welder, and a young man who assisted his brother in roofing.
When we arrived onsite, after asking around, we discovered it was about a 4 hour assignment. This was not a big deal for me, but a huge deal for the others who were depending on this as their primary source of income.
The assignment was to place a 50,000 square foot tarp on the floor of an event center. The total weight of the tarp was about a ton, it was split into 4 sections. After hearing that it would be a half day assignment, I decided it would be a good social experiment (Privilege point: I came into this well fed and not having to worry about a roof over my head). The idea, as I saw it, was to try to make enough for the day off of this day's earning's alone.
I had a comic relief moment about noon when my fitness app alerted me to the fact my step quota for the day had been filled, without even trying (If I even have to discuss the fingerprints of privilege all over this one, I honestly can't help you!)
We finished the day with 5 hours instead of 4, so that was a win. I didn't have a pair of gloves with me and so had to buy a pair (if this was truly life or death, I would have lied). At the end of the day, I had a check for $34.23.
That was just under what I needed to pay for the hotel room $34.50), so I decided to hunt for cans. I walked for 3/4 mile; that was enough for me for the day. I gathered 1 pound of cans, a total so low the guy at the recycling center half sneered at me. A grand total of forty cents.
So my take for the day was $34.63. Not enough after the room for even a packet of ramen noodles. (Privilege point: had I not had a bank account, I would have lost a percentage of the check to check cashing fees in many places. I also didn't count the gas in the total).
Now, had I been genuinely without means, I could have hit the guy I gave the ride to up for gas money. I also noticed a pretty good street corner open for evening rush, so if there was genuinely a need, flying a sign wouldn't have been out of the question.
But honestly, does it speak well of us as a society when the best we can do is tell people to fly a sign? Can't we do better? Further, don't we have the MORAL authority to do so?
Technically, I lost $4.20 on the day, plus gas (the cost of the burritoes). That's not even counting supper. (Privilege point: the poor don't have a surplus to use when they come up short. They merely go without! So in the real world, I'd have had to keep walking till I acquired the cans)
I'm going to keep hammering this point home because, honestly, it's a point that needs pounding. Don't come to me with the pretense of being a Christian nation if you want to continue to destroy the working class.
Monday, February 8, 2016
The Amarillo Gambit
This morning didn't start out well. After the drive to Amarillo and freezing in the van the entire way, I was becoming concerned if I was doing the right thing. I certainly regretted rising at 2 AM to get to one day labor locale in time for their opening; I won't be able to be processed there until Wednesday at the earliest.
But to be honest, staying in Clayton means zero bucks. Amy will be off work another two weeks, and our funds are dwindling. So I headed to Amarillo resolving to stay in the van if necessary. The second day labor place I went to was able to process me at 9 AM, so I figured the week wouldn't be a total loss. The fallback is to collect aluminum cans; petty income, but income nonetheless.
About 8 AM, I received a call asking me to head to Tucumcari. I was feeling my gambit somewhat lost, as if I had known work would come up in Tucumcari, I could have headed that direction instead of Amarillo. But I needed to get processed with day labor, and heading to Tucumcari when they initially wanted would not allow me to do that. So I asked them to delay the start time until 11:30, and was able to squeeze both in (Tucumcari is back across the NM line, so there was an extra hour to get there). In addition, I needed to stop by FedEx to print up the paperwork.
I was able to secure mileage reimbursement, and headed on my way. I figured with every hour I work, I would be able to cover another night's hotel stay. I wound up working five, so I'm good on hotel stays this week.
Now to set about making more money. A not so good week is suddenly looking decent.
But to be honest, staying in Clayton means zero bucks. Amy will be off work another two weeks, and our funds are dwindling. So I headed to Amarillo resolving to stay in the van if necessary. The second day labor place I went to was able to process me at 9 AM, so I figured the week wouldn't be a total loss. The fallback is to collect aluminum cans; petty income, but income nonetheless.
About 8 AM, I received a call asking me to head to Tucumcari. I was feeling my gambit somewhat lost, as if I had known work would come up in Tucumcari, I could have headed that direction instead of Amarillo. But I needed to get processed with day labor, and heading to Tucumcari when they initially wanted would not allow me to do that. So I asked them to delay the start time until 11:30, and was able to squeeze both in (Tucumcari is back across the NM line, so there was an extra hour to get there). In addition, I needed to stop by FedEx to print up the paperwork.
I was able to secure mileage reimbursement, and headed on my way. I figured with every hour I work, I would be able to cover another night's hotel stay. I wound up working five, so I'm good on hotel stays this week.
Now to set about making more money. A not so good week is suddenly looking decent.
The Day Labor Journey Begins
It's been a dozen years since I've done day labor, and things have apparently changed a bit.
I rose up at 2 AM, having to cross a time zone and drive 2 hours to get to the day labor site at 5:30 AM. My van has no heater, an adventure I wasn't as ready for as I figured today, as my hands were thoroughly frozen by the time I arrived in Amarillo.
There are two day labor agencies I can find here, and I had tried to register at one the night before. When I finally arrived, though, there were things they didn't tell me. You can't get hired through them now until you have an interview, and there are no interviews until Wednesday.
Kind of sucks, but until I have work, I always assume I don't. Something can still come up on the platforms, it's all wait and see.
I went to the other agency and received slightly better news. I can fill out an application at 9 and interview with them then. So now I'm hanging around cribbing McDonald's WiFi and waiting for closer to 9 AM, and filling out an integrity test for the first agency. It's been over a week now since Amy or I have had any income, and although I do have some receivables out, that money's spoken for.
And so, if I don't head out today, heading on to the backup plan of picking up cans for recycling. Any port in a storm, I suppose.
I rose up at 2 AM, having to cross a time zone and drive 2 hours to get to the day labor site at 5:30 AM. My van has no heater, an adventure I wasn't as ready for as I figured today, as my hands were thoroughly frozen by the time I arrived in Amarillo.
There are two day labor agencies I can find here, and I had tried to register at one the night before. When I finally arrived, though, there were things they didn't tell me. You can't get hired through them now until you have an interview, and there are no interviews until Wednesday.
Kind of sucks, but until I have work, I always assume I don't. Something can still come up on the platforms, it's all wait and see.
I went to the other agency and received slightly better news. I can fill out an application at 9 and interview with them then. So now I'm hanging around cribbing McDonald's WiFi and waiting for closer to 9 AM, and filling out an integrity test for the first agency. It's been over a week now since Amy or I have had any income, and although I do have some receivables out, that money's spoken for.
And so, if I don't head out today, heading on to the backup plan of picking up cans for recycling. Any port in a storm, I suppose.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Preparing to Take the Day Labor Plunge -- Again
The first time I worked day labor, I was in my 20's, looking to make a few bucks to get through. It didn't last more than a few shifts.
The next time I worked day labor, I was in my 30's, finding no employment, with no skills to speak of. I worked it for a few weeks until we moved out of the area.
This time I am 45, with a college degree and a professional level resume. I can't get local work, so I will take what comes along. And I'm considering the possibility of doing this for a longer tenure, as it is a great adventure and opportunity to bring awareness to a group of workers most people don't consider.
So I went looking at the places available in Amarillo. There are 2 day labor places; I am going to try my luck with one and see how that pans out before I head on to the other. If it's anything like the old day labor jobs I used to do, there are 2 rules: 1, bring steel toed shoes; 2, get there early, preferably when they open.
The thing that's interesting about the current system is that you can sign up online, and check in online. I'm planning on going in person tomorrow, though, but will try the online sign in later. It's important to note, though, that this is an option a lot of workers can't consider, as a smart phone is a luxury many don't have.
I'm hoping to find contract jobs this week, but will take what I can get. I am not sure how consistent my updates will be, though, as that will depend on my access to electricity and wifi. And THAT will depend on how much money I can scrape together.
I am looking forward to this latest round and the lessons I can learn from it!
The next time I worked day labor, I was in my 30's, finding no employment, with no skills to speak of. I worked it for a few weeks until we moved out of the area.
This time I am 45, with a college degree and a professional level resume. I can't get local work, so I will take what comes along. And I'm considering the possibility of doing this for a longer tenure, as it is a great adventure and opportunity to bring awareness to a group of workers most people don't consider.
So I went looking at the places available in Amarillo. There are 2 day labor places; I am going to try my luck with one and see how that pans out before I head on to the other. If it's anything like the old day labor jobs I used to do, there are 2 rules: 1, bring steel toed shoes; 2, get there early, preferably when they open.
The thing that's interesting about the current system is that you can sign up online, and check in online. I'm planning on going in person tomorrow, though, but will try the online sign in later. It's important to note, though, that this is an option a lot of workers can't consider, as a smart phone is a luxury many don't have.
I'm hoping to find contract jobs this week, but will take what I can get. I am not sure how consistent my updates will be, though, as that will depend on my access to electricity and wifi. And THAT will depend on how much money I can scrape together.
I am looking forward to this latest round and the lessons I can learn from it!
Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
I've spent over a week off the road due to my wife's health concerns, and as a result, nothing is coming in. I have a few receivables, but that money is spoken for, as is my wife's partial remaining check from work. She will be out at least 3 weeks, so the time has come to get back on the road.
The biggest problem with this method is it requires that I commit. There is work out there this week, but at the moment, none of it is close. That will undoubtedly change (it usually does) as the week progresses, but I can't take too much of a gamble in waiting. I have to get out there.
Right now, everything I am looking at is between 350-400 miles out, meaning I'm not coming back without another gig to bring me home. That's a little frightening, but it's kind of what I signed up for. I'm not sure of the potential to gig in any of these places either, may have to ultimately take my chances.
Tough call this week. But something will come together. It always does.
The biggest problem with this method is it requires that I commit. There is work out there this week, but at the moment, none of it is close. That will undoubtedly change (it usually does) as the week progresses, but I can't take too much of a gamble in waiting. I have to get out there.
Right now, everything I am looking at is between 350-400 miles out, meaning I'm not coming back without another gig to bring me home. That's a little frightening, but it's kind of what I signed up for. I'm not sure of the potential to gig in any of these places either, may have to ultimately take my chances.
Tough call this week. But something will come together. It always does.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Well, That Was Decidedly Unfun
I went to Hereford today. When the job came up, I believed that it was possibly because they had a tech back out; when I got to the site, I found it was even worse.
After awhile on certain jobs, you develop a sort of sixth sense, and I decided it would be prudent to stop in when I got into town, about an hour before I was set to begin. Nobody knew where any of the equipment was, so I needed to get ahold of the company, verify the equipment and find out who signed for it to hunt it down.
A little sleuthing found that the tech that had been hired as an underbidder (I bid the job out, but it went to someone else when it was first offered) had looked inside the box of the first hard drives they sent and designated the box as trash. He had apparently never seen a solid state drive before, because he never moved the paper packing to look for it and told receiving the box wasn't big enough for it.
Then, despite very specific, to the letter instructions (to a tech, this project is pretty easy. To a non tech, it is not), he decided one of the computers wasn't configured properly, and left it undone. So basically, he installed one computer and made me play Blue's Clues to find the other equipment to be installed.
This is my frustration, in a nutshell. I am no longer competing with techs, I am competing with day labor! These people are being lured onto the site off of places like Craigslist because they will, say, install video game displays, and once they're on the site, they are being recruited to do major network project installs because when these guys offer $20 an hour for 6 hours it looks pretty danged good to a guy whose regular job is the night shift at Five Guys!
And part of the reason for the excessively long hold times on this project has been the support on the other end dealing with the providers asking them what a Mac address is!
It wasn't always this way; at one time, there was a labor bubble on these jobs. You could ask for, and receive, a good price for your work. Now you're competing with buyers who figure that knowhow can be circumvented with a good technical writer, and providers who, in trying to make a living, will take any job that's offered at any rate, and then tout that experience to get IT jobs in place of qualified personnel at a fraction of the price.
I'd give it up, but I love the work. I just hate being disrespected in a field where I've worked so hard.
But there were a few upsides: I salvaged a pretty decent week that didn't look too promising early on, and I did have the best Kung Pao chicken I've had in years at the Hunan Chinese Restaurant on 25 mile road. Stop in sometime and tell 'em the High Tech Hobo sent you. They won't have a clue who I am, but they'll probably be happy you came by!
After awhile on certain jobs, you develop a sort of sixth sense, and I decided it would be prudent to stop in when I got into town, about an hour before I was set to begin. Nobody knew where any of the equipment was, so I needed to get ahold of the company, verify the equipment and find out who signed for it to hunt it down.
A little sleuthing found that the tech that had been hired as an underbidder (I bid the job out, but it went to someone else when it was first offered) had looked inside the box of the first hard drives they sent and designated the box as trash. He had apparently never seen a solid state drive before, because he never moved the paper packing to look for it and told receiving the box wasn't big enough for it.
Then, despite very specific, to the letter instructions (to a tech, this project is pretty easy. To a non tech, it is not), he decided one of the computers wasn't configured properly, and left it undone. So basically, he installed one computer and made me play Blue's Clues to find the other equipment to be installed.
This is my frustration, in a nutshell. I am no longer competing with techs, I am competing with day labor! These people are being lured onto the site off of places like Craigslist because they will, say, install video game displays, and once they're on the site, they are being recruited to do major network project installs because when these guys offer $20 an hour for 6 hours it looks pretty danged good to a guy whose regular job is the night shift at Five Guys!
And part of the reason for the excessively long hold times on this project has been the support on the other end dealing with the providers asking them what a Mac address is!
It wasn't always this way; at one time, there was a labor bubble on these jobs. You could ask for, and receive, a good price for your work. Now you're competing with buyers who figure that knowhow can be circumvented with a good technical writer, and providers who, in trying to make a living, will take any job that's offered at any rate, and then tout that experience to get IT jobs in place of qualified personnel at a fraction of the price.
I'd give it up, but I love the work. I just hate being disrespected in a field where I've worked so hard.
But there were a few upsides: I salvaged a pretty decent week that didn't look too promising early on, and I did have the best Kung Pao chicken I've had in years at the Hunan Chinese Restaurant on 25 mile road. Stop in sometime and tell 'em the High Tech Hobo sent you. They won't have a clue who I am, but they'll probably be happy you came by!
Thursday, January 28, 2016
All Revved Up and Somewhere To Go
Well, it didn't look like it was going to be much of a week. That's not unusual, though, for this time of year, so I was happy to receive the work that I've had, especially since it didn't involve driving (which IS a rarity!)
But I guess they had a backout on part of a project in Hereford, so I'm in. Not too bad of a drive, and I've worked with this project a few times before, so it should be relatively painless. It does kind of fail on one level, though, because I have to change up some plans in town a bit.
At one point today, there was work in Odessa on Saturday, but I wasn't going to book that unless I got the Hereford job. I'm strongly debating detouring into Amarillo on Saturday and working with a local group to feed the homeless. Depends on what time I wrap up in Hereford, as I may just want to get back to the brown, brown grass of home.
Taxes are filed, so the move is officially imminent. Meanwhile, I am thinking of a crowdfunding campaign to purchase some equipment that will help me gain extra work, and trying to drum up some perks to go with. I may be launching some High Tech Hobo merch, so if anyone has any ideas, please send them my way; either here, on the Facebook page or via email at handofjustice42@hotmail.com
I am really trying to drum up followers on the page so that I can begin building the business side of it more, so if you happen to read this and support what I am doing, I would appreciate the shares.
But I guess they had a backout on part of a project in Hereford, so I'm in. Not too bad of a drive, and I've worked with this project a few times before, so it should be relatively painless. It does kind of fail on one level, though, because I have to change up some plans in town a bit.
At one point today, there was work in Odessa on Saturday, but I wasn't going to book that unless I got the Hereford job. I'm strongly debating detouring into Amarillo on Saturday and working with a local group to feed the homeless. Depends on what time I wrap up in Hereford, as I may just want to get back to the brown, brown grass of home.
Taxes are filed, so the move is officially imminent. Meanwhile, I am thinking of a crowdfunding campaign to purchase some equipment that will help me gain extra work, and trying to drum up some perks to go with. I may be launching some High Tech Hobo merch, so if anyone has any ideas, please send them my way; either here, on the Facebook page or via email at handofjustice42@hotmail.com
I am really trying to drum up followers on the page so that I can begin building the business side of it more, so if you happen to read this and support what I am doing, I would appreciate the shares.
Stuck in Neutral for the Week
This week was ok, but not too great. No travel unfortunately.
Winter can be that way, especially January, and it's sort of a mixed blessing. The good part of it is, I don't have to deal with winter storms when I'm not on the road, and as it's too cold to use the vehicle for shelter, it keeps me from being at the mercy of the local hotel industries for lodging.
The bad is, no jobs = no pay. I did get a small local job this week. I had to go in last Sunday and run diagnostics, then they wanted a solution to a problem that was there, but not the problem for which the customer had called. I told them the fix they were requesting would not solve the problem, they relayed to the customer that dispatched me that I was stubborn and they weren't happy with me.
Well, here's the deal: you're working off of a flowchart that offers possible solutions. First, you are not in front of the computer, second, you don't have the years of experience in the field that I do. If you want a monkey to turn wrenches, I suppose I can be that monkey, but it's my experience that customers want fixes, not a runaround until you find the right solution on a spreadsheet.
I went back to the site knowing this, figuring I would simply do what they told me. In their troubleshooting, they changed the configuration of the machine entirely, so it couldn't be compared to other sites where the problem didn't exist. Flowchart problem solving.
I made the repairs they requested, and held my tongue when it didn't solve the problem. I asked my dispatch if it was to be kept open, he replied that no, we had done as they asked, time to close it. I think he was getting a little perturbed as well.
The perception of some of these folks seems to be that if we had any knowledge at all, we would not be dispatch techs. What they fail to understand is that ageism is rampant in the tech industry, and some of us live in tech deserts where these sorts of jobs are our only option. They used to want my expertise; now they only want my Phillips screwdriver.
Whatever, I suppose. As long as the check clears.
Winter can be that way, especially January, and it's sort of a mixed blessing. The good part of it is, I don't have to deal with winter storms when I'm not on the road, and as it's too cold to use the vehicle for shelter, it keeps me from being at the mercy of the local hotel industries for lodging.
The bad is, no jobs = no pay. I did get a small local job this week. I had to go in last Sunday and run diagnostics, then they wanted a solution to a problem that was there, but not the problem for which the customer had called. I told them the fix they were requesting would not solve the problem, they relayed to the customer that dispatched me that I was stubborn and they weren't happy with me.
Well, here's the deal: you're working off of a flowchart that offers possible solutions. First, you are not in front of the computer, second, you don't have the years of experience in the field that I do. If you want a monkey to turn wrenches, I suppose I can be that monkey, but it's my experience that customers want fixes, not a runaround until you find the right solution on a spreadsheet.
I went back to the site knowing this, figuring I would simply do what they told me. In their troubleshooting, they changed the configuration of the machine entirely, so it couldn't be compared to other sites where the problem didn't exist. Flowchart problem solving.
I made the repairs they requested, and held my tongue when it didn't solve the problem. I asked my dispatch if it was to be kept open, he replied that no, we had done as they asked, time to close it. I think he was getting a little perturbed as well.
The perception of some of these folks seems to be that if we had any knowledge at all, we would not be dispatch techs. What they fail to understand is that ageism is rampant in the tech industry, and some of us live in tech deserts where these sorts of jobs are our only option. They used to want my expertise; now they only want my Phillips screwdriver.
Whatever, I suppose. As long as the check clears.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Home Again
It was a long week, but a productive one. I am home now, trying to rest up for whatever next week brings. Right now, I have nothing; my best hope for the week just closed up.
As I was speaking with support on one of the calls, they lamented that most of the techs they had worked with didn't know anything, and expressed appreciation for the fact that I did. Unfortunately, I've lost most of the bids on this project because they are initially offering them at rates that are about 20% of what they should be. I don't know why they expect qualified techs at near minimum wage rates.
As I was driving home today, I calculated up the totals for the week. If you don't count my travel time, I made a little above minimum wage. If you do...well, let's just say I am seriously considering looking at day labor options in Amarillo this week. Still, it was enough to keep us going through the week, inching us ever closer to tax time, which right now is waiting on the delivery of some W-2s.
Next week the Toyota's going in the shop to get a new timing belt. That will mean I will pay a bunch more in gas, but the prices are low right now, and if the weather holds, I may be able to skate without a hotel. It's not comfortable digs, but it's cheap digs, and that's all that matters at the moment.
I am thinking about branching into art, but need to keep working at it. I am also trying to work my way towards busking regularly, but I have difficulty being brave enough to venture out there. If this goes on much longer, though, I don't think embarrassment will be a concern anymore.
And so I wait. I have laundry to catch up this weekend, and a few household projects, so I will try to knock those out. I did put in for a job on Feb 1 over in eastern Arizona; if I get that, I may just look for work over towards Flagstaff and see if I can make a Grand Canyon stop and put my concerns into true persspective.
As I was speaking with support on one of the calls, they lamented that most of the techs they had worked with didn't know anything, and expressed appreciation for the fact that I did. Unfortunately, I've lost most of the bids on this project because they are initially offering them at rates that are about 20% of what they should be. I don't know why they expect qualified techs at near minimum wage rates.
As I was driving home today, I calculated up the totals for the week. If you don't count my travel time, I made a little above minimum wage. If you do...well, let's just say I am seriously considering looking at day labor options in Amarillo this week. Still, it was enough to keep us going through the week, inching us ever closer to tax time, which right now is waiting on the delivery of some W-2s.
Next week the Toyota's going in the shop to get a new timing belt. That will mean I will pay a bunch more in gas, but the prices are low right now, and if the weather holds, I may be able to skate without a hotel. It's not comfortable digs, but it's cheap digs, and that's all that matters at the moment.
I am thinking about branching into art, but need to keep working at it. I am also trying to work my way towards busking regularly, but I have difficulty being brave enough to venture out there. If this goes on much longer, though, I don't think embarrassment will be a concern anymore.
And so I wait. I have laundry to catch up this weekend, and a few household projects, so I will try to knock those out. I did put in for a job on Feb 1 over in eastern Arizona; if I get that, I may just look for work over towards Flagstaff and see if I can make a Grand Canyon stop and put my concerns into true persspective.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
The Dark Side of Camelot
It is no secret that I am fond of cheap motels. Not because they are pleasant, but because of what the walls could tell, if they would. Stories of drunken travellers and sordid affairs that still linger in the musty hallways. Sordid stories of love found, and broken, of a worn out roughneck falling asleep in the arms of a middle aged barmaid while the test pattern blasts a beacon of light across the room.
Cheap hotels are the keepers of secrets and the nurturers of dreams, as road warriors put in for the night for a room that can be had with a couple of green slips of paper with pictures of Andrew Jackson on them and a not-so-subtle surrender of data into the data mines of the NSA.
One of my favorite cheap motels, in Amarillo, is the Camelot Motel. It's a broken down shadow of what it once was, a remnant of the mother road, one that surely must have played host to families with the means to afford a room overnight. I can say with fair certainty that in its heyday, the eyes of every kid under the age of 12 must have lit up when Mom and Dad pulled that old Nash Rambler into its parking lot.
We've stayed there our share of times; most recently on the pre-Christmas shopping trip when the rain was coming down hard and we knew we couldn't take the Acura home because it was after dark and the headlights long since ceased to work. It's a serviceable motel for what it is, and it always seems to attract its share of patrons.
Tonight I saw the dark side of Camelot. The wings of the hotel fold around into a "U" making a modern sort of keep for derelicts and drunkards, and as I was travelling alone, I got my ticket punched to the dark side of the hotel. It looks like a place that's seen not a few police visits, and the hoods of at least two cars were open as their owners cussed over a 40 and tried to restore them to running condition under the glow of the parking lot lights.
But seeing the dark side of this shell of a hotel (the second floor is no longer open) won't deter me from returning. It is what it is, warts and all, and I'm happy to lend to the walls the story of an IT guy on a stayover working the scraps of jobs that he can get in order to make a go of things.
Cheap hotels are the keepers of secrets and the nurturers of dreams, as road warriors put in for the night for a room that can be had with a couple of green slips of paper with pictures of Andrew Jackson on them and a not-so-subtle surrender of data into the data mines of the NSA.
One of my favorite cheap motels, in Amarillo, is the Camelot Motel. It's a broken down shadow of what it once was, a remnant of the mother road, one that surely must have played host to families with the means to afford a room overnight. I can say with fair certainty that in its heyday, the eyes of every kid under the age of 12 must have lit up when Mom and Dad pulled that old Nash Rambler into its parking lot.
We've stayed there our share of times; most recently on the pre-Christmas shopping trip when the rain was coming down hard and we knew we couldn't take the Acura home because it was after dark and the headlights long since ceased to work. It's a serviceable motel for what it is, and it always seems to attract its share of patrons.
Tonight I saw the dark side of Camelot. The wings of the hotel fold around into a "U" making a modern sort of keep for derelicts and drunkards, and as I was travelling alone, I got my ticket punched to the dark side of the hotel. It looks like a place that's seen not a few police visits, and the hoods of at least two cars were open as their owners cussed over a 40 and tried to restore them to running condition under the glow of the parking lot lights.
But seeing the dark side of this shell of a hotel (the second floor is no longer open) won't deter me from returning. It is what it is, warts and all, and I'm happy to lend to the walls the story of an IT guy on a stayover working the scraps of jobs that he can get in order to make a go of things.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
do These Glasses Make Me Look Like Buddy Holly?
I blame Mac Davis.
Everytime I get a dispatch to Lubbock, I feel a shudder. A strange disturbance in the Force, if you will, and it's all Mac's fault. I'm referring, of course, to his well known ditty about happiness being Lubbock Texas in the rear view mirror.
My sojourn home was brief enough, and in preparing for Thursday and Friday's work, I had to decide if I wanted to drive 4 hours out tonight, or in the morning. There's not enough caffeine in the world to make me make that trek, and still have a smile on my face when I reach the jobsite, so I rolled out, literally counting every milepost after I left Amarillo.
Whoever designed Lubbock's highway system must have been a road engineer who defected from Microsoft. It twists and turns, and, of course, I know better, but once I saw an exit for the road the job site was on, I followed it.
Big mistake. Being tired, after dark, and in a strange city is a nightmare combination. After ending up completely off track, I finally found my way back to the road I had come over on and decided to seek out a hotel room. A stop by America's Best Value Inn netted no rooms, and so I decided to look for the next cheap place. Terraced balconies seemed to greet me everywhere I went, and usually terraced balconies don't mean cheap.
I finally found a Super 8, and pulled in. I rang the night bell, and as the proprietor greeted me, a smell of curry wafted through the open door. It looked clean enough, and any port in a storm, I figure.
I surveyed the surroundings: a WalMart across the street, a Denny's down the road, a Taco Bell on one corner and a convenience store lobby on the other corner. Given that I had just driven 250 miles, I really wasn't keen on getting back in my car for the Taco Bell drive through, and I just wasn't feeling Denny's late at night, so I settled for the "Taco Express" at the cstore.
I have a feeling I will know what "Express" means by tomorrow morning. Grease is the word!
So I'm sitting here typing up my day's journal at the desk of my motel room. Hoping tomorrow goes smoothly, and looking forward to being back in more familiar turf.
Everytime I get a dispatch to Lubbock, I feel a shudder. A strange disturbance in the Force, if you will, and it's all Mac's fault. I'm referring, of course, to his well known ditty about happiness being Lubbock Texas in the rear view mirror.
My sojourn home was brief enough, and in preparing for Thursday and Friday's work, I had to decide if I wanted to drive 4 hours out tonight, or in the morning. There's not enough caffeine in the world to make me make that trek, and still have a smile on my face when I reach the jobsite, so I rolled out, literally counting every milepost after I left Amarillo.
Whoever designed Lubbock's highway system must have been a road engineer who defected from Microsoft. It twists and turns, and, of course, I know better, but once I saw an exit for the road the job site was on, I followed it.
Big mistake. Being tired, after dark, and in a strange city is a nightmare combination. After ending up completely off track, I finally found my way back to the road I had come over on and decided to seek out a hotel room. A stop by America's Best Value Inn netted no rooms, and so I decided to look for the next cheap place. Terraced balconies seemed to greet me everywhere I went, and usually terraced balconies don't mean cheap.
I finally found a Super 8, and pulled in. I rang the night bell, and as the proprietor greeted me, a smell of curry wafted through the open door. It looked clean enough, and any port in a storm, I figure.
I surveyed the surroundings: a WalMart across the street, a Denny's down the road, a Taco Bell on one corner and a convenience store lobby on the other corner. Given that I had just driven 250 miles, I really wasn't keen on getting back in my car for the Taco Bell drive through, and I just wasn't feeling Denny's late at night, so I settled for the "Taco Express" at the cstore.
I have a feeling I will know what "Express" means by tomorrow morning. Grease is the word!
So I'm sitting here typing up my day's journal at the desk of my motel room. Hoping tomorrow goes smoothly, and looking forward to being back in more familiar turf.
No Rest for the Weary
Well, I headed home last night for a day's rest, some grocery shopping and a quick consultation with the mechanic regarding the Toyota. I'm going to have some work done next week, nothing too major, but something to keep the car on the road. The gas mileage is incredible, and it should pay for the work in two months' time.
Fortunately, payment has come in on a couple of jobs, so I've got a little more than a wing and a prayer to work with out there. I also picked up a second job in Amarillo for Friday (or Thursday if I finish up early enough in Lubbock to shoot up 27). It doesn't pay much, but will help fill in a little extra cash on a route I am already travelling.
I had my hoped high for next week when I saw several jobs in the Texas Panhandle, but those went out to someone else. I still have another bid out, then may be travelling down to Odessa. If I get out there, I may amble back up home a little slower than normal, taking in some sites along the way.
The weather has cooperated enough that I'm tempted to sleep out of the car, but I have to remind myself that although it is very moderate, it could turn at any time. And my being equipped to handle staying out in such weather is still a stretch down the road.
All in all, things look promising at this point for my first time out in awhile. And we're holding our own at home; winter's about 1/3 of the way over, and we still have a lot of the woodpile left.
Fortunately, payment has come in on a couple of jobs, so I've got a little more than a wing and a prayer to work with out there. I also picked up a second job in Amarillo for Friday (or Thursday if I finish up early enough in Lubbock to shoot up 27). It doesn't pay much, but will help fill in a little extra cash on a route I am already travelling.
I had my hoped high for next week when I saw several jobs in the Texas Panhandle, but those went out to someone else. I still have another bid out, then may be travelling down to Odessa. If I get out there, I may amble back up home a little slower than normal, taking in some sites along the way.
The weather has cooperated enough that I'm tempted to sleep out of the car, but I have to remind myself that although it is very moderate, it could turn at any time. And my being equipped to handle staying out in such weather is still a stretch down the road.
All in all, things look promising at this point for my first time out in awhile. And we're holding our own at home; winter's about 1/3 of the way over, and we still have a lot of the woodpile left.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
We're Not in Kansas Anymore, Toto
After I checked in at the hotel in Garden City, I decided to pick up some woodcarving tools. They had to be hand tools; for a project I am planning for the near future. I picked up the tools and went to look for some found wood for the project. Specifically, I was looking for a broken pallet, but found some plywood pieces in a vacant part of the lot. Score! A little big for what I was planning, but a pretty good test piece.
When I unpacked my guitar to settle into the room, one of the other guests asked if I was going to play. If I weren't horribly out of practice, I might have suggested a little jam in the lobby, but I've been in a funk recently, and really wasn't ready to play in front of anyone. I spent the evening carving wood, watching the Peter Jackson version of King Kong, and playing guitar. I fortunately grabbed the AmericInn hotel, right next to my job site.
It was shortly after I settled in that I got the news of Glenn Frey's passing. Seems like a lot of good ones recently. The Eagles have been part of my life since, well, I had a life, and were important enough to make the road trip stop in Winslow. First Lemmy, then Bowie, then Glenn. This is starting to suck on a greater magnitude.
So I got to the job site at 11 today, to find that nobody knew anything. I called to check in, sat on hold for 15 minutes, called the company that actually did the dispatch, they said the queue was much longer than 15 minutes.
So I sat on hold. For over an hour. Then a vague part of the documentation had me having to call in again. Another hour on hold. Onsite for 6 hours; spent about half of that on hold. I can't say I'm disappointed that today's was an hourly job. Since this is a project, though, always have to do the first one to really figure out the actual onsite time. I'm heading to Lubbock and Amarillo later this week on the same project.
I'm trying to secure a couple of piggyback jobs at the end of this week. So far, though, so good. We're still not dancing in the streets, but the money's looking better than it has for awhile. I'm back home now, trying to relax for a bit.
When I unpacked my guitar to settle into the room, one of the other guests asked if I was going to play. If I weren't horribly out of practice, I might have suggested a little jam in the lobby, but I've been in a funk recently, and really wasn't ready to play in front of anyone. I spent the evening carving wood, watching the Peter Jackson version of King Kong, and playing guitar. I fortunately grabbed the AmericInn hotel, right next to my job site.
It was shortly after I settled in that I got the news of Glenn Frey's passing. Seems like a lot of good ones recently. The Eagles have been part of my life since, well, I had a life, and were important enough to make the road trip stop in Winslow. First Lemmy, then Bowie, then Glenn. This is starting to suck on a greater magnitude.
So I got to the job site at 11 today, to find that nobody knew anything. I called to check in, sat on hold for 15 minutes, called the company that actually did the dispatch, they said the queue was much longer than 15 minutes.
So I sat on hold. For over an hour. Then a vague part of the documentation had me having to call in again. Another hour on hold. Onsite for 6 hours; spent about half of that on hold. I can't say I'm disappointed that today's was an hourly job. Since this is a project, though, always have to do the first one to really figure out the actual onsite time. I'm heading to Lubbock and Amarillo later this week on the same project.
I'm trying to secure a couple of piggyback jobs at the end of this week. So far, though, so good. We're still not dancing in the streets, but the money's looking better than it has for awhile. I'm back home now, trying to relax for a bit.
Monday, January 18, 2016
THAT didn't go quite as planned
I went out on my first road trip in awhile today. I learned a couple of things from the last go around, so I had my trunk packed and was ready to roll on this one. I hit the road nice and early, and as I drove on out towards Dalhart, the sun gave way to a dense fog that followed me most of the day. As I passed Sunray, I drove along on roads familiar, but not quite familiar, having trouble trusting my memory at each junction, as I wasn't travelling the main roads, and these backroads, once familiar, haven't been under my wheels in several years.
Today's job was pretty easy, so I was on and offsite in about an hour and headed on to Kansas. The game plan was that I would stop along the way and print out my documents for tomorrow. What I didn't count on was that it was Martin Luther King Day. I thought about it fleetingly at the job site when the customer was commenting about the current economic realities with the tag, "maybe WE ought to be the ones marching". I have to admit, I wanted to ask her what "we" she was talking about, but all I had to do was get the job done and the paperwork signed, not start a holy war.
So as I drove by the library in Liberal, I saw an empty parking lot. Nothing major, but it did mean I should probably put up in Garden City rather than an hour away, and preferably find a hotel with a business center. That rules out the cheapies (although in Garden City these days, there ARE no cheapies).
The roads of southwest Kansas are mile upon mile of monotony. I know there are people that wouldn't trade it for the world, and God bless 'em, because someone's gotta live here. But to me, it's part of the route, and I could drive it at night and not end up feeling like I'd missed anything.
Pickings for a hotel room in Garden City are pretty slim on Mondays, as I discovered. There's a ton of growth here, and the business folk head in on Mondays through Wednesdays, and head home for the weekend. I missed out on a couple of hotels, and settled on one right next to the job site. I had someone take a look at my guitar and ask if I was going to play, making me wonder if down the road I might be able to make a buck or two sitting in the lobby.
The guest computer was broken, thwarting my plans for using the business center, but fortunately there's a library here that opens an hour before I have to be onsite.
Tomorrow, it's just a matter of knocking out the job and rolling homeward. Then out to Amarillo and Lubbock near the end of the week. I overspent on the hotel room, but that will even out in the summer when I'll be able to put in at a roadside stop instead.
Today's job was pretty easy, so I was on and offsite in about an hour and headed on to Kansas. The game plan was that I would stop along the way and print out my documents for tomorrow. What I didn't count on was that it was Martin Luther King Day. I thought about it fleetingly at the job site when the customer was commenting about the current economic realities with the tag, "maybe WE ought to be the ones marching". I have to admit, I wanted to ask her what "we" she was talking about, but all I had to do was get the job done and the paperwork signed, not start a holy war.
So as I drove by the library in Liberal, I saw an empty parking lot. Nothing major, but it did mean I should probably put up in Garden City rather than an hour away, and preferably find a hotel with a business center. That rules out the cheapies (although in Garden City these days, there ARE no cheapies).
The roads of southwest Kansas are mile upon mile of monotony. I know there are people that wouldn't trade it for the world, and God bless 'em, because someone's gotta live here. But to me, it's part of the route, and I could drive it at night and not end up feeling like I'd missed anything.
Pickings for a hotel room in Garden City are pretty slim on Mondays, as I discovered. There's a ton of growth here, and the business folk head in on Mondays through Wednesdays, and head home for the weekend. I missed out on a couple of hotels, and settled on one right next to the job site. I had someone take a look at my guitar and ask if I was going to play, making me wonder if down the road I might be able to make a buck or two sitting in the lobby.
The guest computer was broken, thwarting my plans for using the business center, but fortunately there's a library here that opens an hour before I have to be onsite.
Tomorrow, it's just a matter of knocking out the job and rolling homeward. Then out to Amarillo and Lubbock near the end of the week. I overspent on the hotel room, but that will even out in the summer when I'll be able to put in at a roadside stop instead.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Applying Lessons Learned to the Road Ahead
So, I've been evaluating things as I prepare for the return to the road. I did a few things right the first go around, but missed a lot of opportunity. And the one good thing about the year and a half off of it is that it has given me a chance to evaluate what to keep, what to throwaway.
The first thing I am ditching, until I am established, is refusing hotels. Yes, I will camp before I lodge, but when whether doesn't permit (as Santa Fe taught me), or when it means spending days away from the shower and washing my hair under the bleachers, I might be better off finding a motel of the fleabag variety. Eventually I am hoping to remake Townes as a mini RV; if I do so, I will rig up a small shower enclosure in the back. I will probably also use that space for a kitchen area.
My hope is to find an adequate way to heat Townes by next winter; I am debating pulling one of the windows and replacing it with materials suitable for me to run stovepipe through, and getting a tiny woodstove for that purpose. I am hoping for one that could be used for cooking.
Speaking of which, that's my second ditch item. Too many meals on the road. Yes, I occasionally need to sneak over to McDonald's or IHOP for the wifi, but I need to try to explore truly free wifi at libraries or other facilities first. I'm going to try to get creative with it, and share what I know. My eventual goal is to use this experience to help others coming through behind me.
The other mistake I made is not focusing on other sources of revenue. I'm not ever going to be called a great musician, but if I give myself the chance, I can make a little bit of money there. I am learning that the phrase "every dollar counts" is especially true when living out on the road. Piling up those dollars doesn't hurt. I may even hit the highway to scrap for cans.
I also spent too much money driving in town. Not only will walking more aid my overall health, but my financial health as well. With the rates folks are paying, I need every dime.
Also, I didn't write/blog nearly enough. There's a lot of gold in what I'm doing, and hoping to hone it and work on being a better writer. I have always beat myself up over my poor attention to details; while a truly great writer would see a weathered house with wood siding cracking from years of deterioration, offset by a lilac bush that's barely holding on against the dry and hot that's covered this area for years, I see a house with shrubbery. I need to fix that. I mean, I see these things, I really do; I'm just not weaving them correctly to give them depth, to give them meaning and paint a truly memorable word picture.
I kind of get frustrated against the literary decay I've allowed myself. More frustrated at that, honestly, than the physical.
I also intend to surround myself with reading material. Cheap motel forays have taught me there are only so many episodes of "Storage Wars" and "Pawn Stars" that you can watch before your brain begins to disintegrate. That probably has more to do with the writing decline than I would like to admit, unless I am being utterly and completely honest.
Not only CAN I do this, but I must! The honest truth is, unless I want to manage a Taco Bell or dumb down my resume, my options are limited. But if I do this right, they are limitless!
Onward and upward!
The first thing I am ditching, until I am established, is refusing hotels. Yes, I will camp before I lodge, but when whether doesn't permit (as Santa Fe taught me), or when it means spending days away from the shower and washing my hair under the bleachers, I might be better off finding a motel of the fleabag variety. Eventually I am hoping to remake Townes as a mini RV; if I do so, I will rig up a small shower enclosure in the back. I will probably also use that space for a kitchen area.
My hope is to find an adequate way to heat Townes by next winter; I am debating pulling one of the windows and replacing it with materials suitable for me to run stovepipe through, and getting a tiny woodstove for that purpose. I am hoping for one that could be used for cooking.
Speaking of which, that's my second ditch item. Too many meals on the road. Yes, I occasionally need to sneak over to McDonald's or IHOP for the wifi, but I need to try to explore truly free wifi at libraries or other facilities first. I'm going to try to get creative with it, and share what I know. My eventual goal is to use this experience to help others coming through behind me.
The other mistake I made is not focusing on other sources of revenue. I'm not ever going to be called a great musician, but if I give myself the chance, I can make a little bit of money there. I am learning that the phrase "every dollar counts" is especially true when living out on the road. Piling up those dollars doesn't hurt. I may even hit the highway to scrap for cans.
I also spent too much money driving in town. Not only will walking more aid my overall health, but my financial health as well. With the rates folks are paying, I need every dime.
Also, I didn't write/blog nearly enough. There's a lot of gold in what I'm doing, and hoping to hone it and work on being a better writer. I have always beat myself up over my poor attention to details; while a truly great writer would see a weathered house with wood siding cracking from years of deterioration, offset by a lilac bush that's barely holding on against the dry and hot that's covered this area for years, I see a house with shrubbery. I need to fix that. I mean, I see these things, I really do; I'm just not weaving them correctly to give them depth, to give them meaning and paint a truly memorable word picture.
I kind of get frustrated against the literary decay I've allowed myself. More frustrated at that, honestly, than the physical.
I also intend to surround myself with reading material. Cheap motel forays have taught me there are only so many episodes of "Storage Wars" and "Pawn Stars" that you can watch before your brain begins to disintegrate. That probably has more to do with the writing decline than I would like to admit, unless I am being utterly and completely honest.
Not only CAN I do this, but I must! The honest truth is, unless I want to manage a Taco Bell or dumb down my resume, my options are limited. But if I do this right, they are limitless!
Onward and upward!
On the Road Again
So, tomorrow, it starts, again. In my little red 1993 Toyota Corolla, I will be rolling out to Spearman, Texas, then to Garden City on Tuesday. Back home on Wednesday, then back out to Amarillo and Lubbock Thursday and Friday. Because we're mired in the middle of winter, I'll not try to sleep in the car or anything stupid like that, but I'm still looking for cheap digs, as I bid low on travel and lodging expenses.
This is becoming increasingly competitive as I struggle to win bids against people with less skill and lower expectations for compensation. "Cheap" is the new "quality" these days, or so it seems.
I ultimately need to figure out a way to make some dollars in between on these jobs. I'll make enough on these trips, but need to figure out a way to bring in more revenue. There aren't a lot of cheap motels on the Texas to Kansas stretch (and, truthfully, not a lot of cheap campsites, although the Garden City WalMart is a serviceable place to overnight). I may hit the highway for some cans if that looks promising enough.
Unfortunately, our cash reserves are low, so it will be peanut butter and bread most of the way. Still, one could do worse, I suppose.
Still, this week will net me a decent wage. That will be useful for the move.
This is becoming increasingly competitive as I struggle to win bids against people with less skill and lower expectations for compensation. "Cheap" is the new "quality" these days, or so it seems.
I ultimately need to figure out a way to make some dollars in between on these jobs. I'll make enough on these trips, but need to figure out a way to bring in more revenue. There aren't a lot of cheap motels on the Texas to Kansas stretch (and, truthfully, not a lot of cheap campsites, although the Garden City WalMart is a serviceable place to overnight). I may hit the highway for some cans if that looks promising enough.
Unfortunately, our cash reserves are low, so it will be peanut butter and bread most of the way. Still, one could do worse, I suppose.
Still, this week will net me a decent wage. That will be useful for the move.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Getting Back Out There
Well, it's been a long time between posts. There's good reason for that, as my "day job" kept me from pursuing a lot of options, and then began to have the constraints of a full time job, without the hours, or the pay. I loved it, but had to give it up because the people who collect their share of your income do not care one whit about job satisfaction or doing what you love. What they care about is pictures of dead leaders, and lots of them.
So, I'm starting back, which is slower than I would like because in the interim, I couldn't defend my turf. It's a very competitive field right now, and techs are driving further and further for less and less compensation. So I need to rebuild my client list by getting some of these jobs done. That has proved to be easier said than done as I've been passed over for many of the jobs I bid in the meantime.
I'm in the final week at the radio station and needing to pull down some jobs, so I was delighted when a job came up on Tuesday afternoon. There was an earlier job as well, but unfortunately, I still have to work out the station job, so I had to pass on that.
I have a second vehicle for road trips, one that won't take nearly as much gasoline, but doesn't give the luxury of space. The plan at this point is to outfit Townes for the more extensive road trip, and save this one (to be named later) for the 1-2 night jaunts and shorter hauls, with the eventual eye on replacing both.
So, it's onward and upwards to a better 2016! See you on the road, maybe?
So, I'm starting back, which is slower than I would like because in the interim, I couldn't defend my turf. It's a very competitive field right now, and techs are driving further and further for less and less compensation. So I need to rebuild my client list by getting some of these jobs done. That has proved to be easier said than done as I've been passed over for many of the jobs I bid in the meantime.
I'm in the final week at the radio station and needing to pull down some jobs, so I was delighted when a job came up on Tuesday afternoon. There was an earlier job as well, but unfortunately, I still have to work out the station job, so I had to pass on that.
I have a second vehicle for road trips, one that won't take nearly as much gasoline, but doesn't give the luxury of space. The plan at this point is to outfit Townes for the more extensive road trip, and save this one (to be named later) for the 1-2 night jaunts and shorter hauls, with the eventual eye on replacing both.
So, it's onward and upwards to a better 2016! See you on the road, maybe?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)