I forgot how important time is to myself. Having had so much of it available over the past few years of not working, now that I have a job again, I need to prioritize my time. I noticed this yesterday, as I was sitting at the pub, waiting for a couple of my buddies to meet up with me. I had brought my Kindle, and was reading, when one buddy, who had just shown up, commented that I don't have as much time to read as I did before. And it is true. It is taking longer to get through a book, as I don't have the time I had before to read. It's a bit depressing. Especially when I add in that I need to still set time aside for family, etc, before my reading time. I know it is just part of dealing with life, but I am a bit out of practice.
This past weekend has been the first one I have not worked in quite awhile. The security job I was doing at the pub, well, I told the owner I could no longer do it. Fridays because I would be working until late, and Saturdays, I wanted off to be able to have some family time. Plus, spending Sunday trying to play softball on 2 hours of sleep would be impossible for me. Plus having to spend the whole day Sunday, catching up on sleep, just to start work again on Monday. Yeah. Not happening. I offered to work an occasional Saturday, when they need extra guys for like the UFC fight nights, but he hasn't given me an answer.
Saturday night we had gone out to eat to Wingstreet (Pizza Hut basically) and I have to admit, it has been quite some time since we have ordered Pizza Hut. We used to have it delivered back in the day when I was working, and could afford the cost of their pizza. Either way, we all love the stuffed crust, and so I decided we would go there that night. I think it will be our last time. The waitress was ... I can only describe it as vacant. I couldn't tell if she took our order, and would even write it down. Getting refills was terrible. I actually had to bring our glasses from the table to the main counter and ask for them. Getting the tab took some time, though she did say it was due to having issues with the gift card we were using (a Pizza Hut card at that). So, crummy service. But to go with it, we ordered two large meat-lover's, stuffed crust pizzas - the same as we used to order back in the day. It's what we got, but the bottom crust, was paper-thin, and greasy ... dripping greasy. Now I don't mind me some greasy pizza, but this just made eating it by hand near impossible. Of course, we had no forks. Bottom line is that we decided to not eat there anymore, and give our pizza business back to Little Caesar's.
Today, it is rainy in Phoenix, and per the radio weather report this morning, it is to be raining off and on all day. Great. Just what I want to do - get in and out of the rain while doing my route today, and dealing with drivers that do not know how to drive in rain. And deal with possible street closures due to flooding and accidents. Sigh. But we do need the precipitation.
PeacE
Monday, September 9
Thursday, September 5
Still Settling In
The new job is going well. I am still trying to settle into a regular routine, as much as I can anyways. Seems like each day the time it takes to do my route varies quite a bit. Trying to get it to where I make the time I need to get 40 hours per week. Right now I think I am short about an hour for this pay period. I was done almost an hour earlier than I needed last night.
Obviously the new job is taking up more of my time these days, and thus giving me less time to post here. I'll have to figure something out.
PeacE
Obviously the new job is taking up more of my time these days, and thus giving me less time to post here. I'll have to figure something out.
PeacE
Monday, September 2
Making A List, and Checking It Twice
No! This is not a post about the Christmas holiday, well, unless you want to know what to buy me for Christmas.
By my computer, I keep a medium-sized, spiral notebook. One of the ones that opens like a book, not like a steno pad and flips over the top. Plus it is divided into four sections, with that beige colored page that is like a file folder material. Yes, that difference is important to me. Anyways, in this book is my lists. Books I would like to find to read, books and their (hopefully soon) release dates, for additional books in series I have read, or even have not yet read (as I like to have the whole series if I start reading it and decide I like it). I dedicate a page to each month for the year, so there are only about six pages left (I still have August in there). Following those pages, is one dedicated to books that are expected out in 2014, listed with the release date, if one was found/available. At the end of this section, I have another list, of the books that have been released and I have not been able to purchase, or find. As each month ends, what I have not gotten, I add to this list.
Another section is my list of television shows I like to watch. Why do I list them? Because some of them are on cable networks, and I don't have cable, so I need to check each week if they have aired a new episode. I usually watch most of them via computer. I also list next to them, what day they usually air, so I can try to follow up each week, the day after air time. Included in this list are a few shows coming out this fall I would like to see, to decide if I like them.
The back page of the notebook, is the list I sort of do backwards, page by page. It is a list of movies. I have a couple websites I use to see upcoming movies, or ones in process, etc. If the trailer looks good, or there is talk about a particular book being made into a movie, I add it to this list. About once a month, I go through the list on Netflix.com, where I enter each title, to see if it is able to be added to my 'Movies To See' queue.
The third section is my miscellaneous notes area. Usually it is short notes to myself about things to look at, little reminders that get scratched out once done, or, like at current date, a list of things for my World of Warcraft gaming. This particular list is of certain mounts that can be obtained from repetitious running through dungeons/raids to obtain. Yeah, most of you have no clue about that, unless you play, have played, or played similar type games.
So, why am I sharing this with you? I don't know. Just seemed something different to write about today.
And if you really want to know, you could ask me what books are on my list so you can send me one for Christmas.
PeacE
By my computer, I keep a medium-sized, spiral notebook. One of the ones that opens like a book, not like a steno pad and flips over the top. Plus it is divided into four sections, with that beige colored page that is like a file folder material. Yes, that difference is important to me. Anyways, in this book is my lists. Books I would like to find to read, books and their (hopefully soon) release dates, for additional books in series I have read, or even have not yet read (as I like to have the whole series if I start reading it and decide I like it). I dedicate a page to each month for the year, so there are only about six pages left (I still have August in there). Following those pages, is one dedicated to books that are expected out in 2014, listed with the release date, if one was found/available. At the end of this section, I have another list, of the books that have been released and I have not been able to purchase, or find. As each month ends, what I have not gotten, I add to this list.
Another section is my list of television shows I like to watch. Why do I list them? Because some of them are on cable networks, and I don't have cable, so I need to check each week if they have aired a new episode. I usually watch most of them via computer. I also list next to them, what day they usually air, so I can try to follow up each week, the day after air time. Included in this list are a few shows coming out this fall I would like to see, to decide if I like them.
The back page of the notebook, is the list I sort of do backwards, page by page. It is a list of movies. I have a couple websites I use to see upcoming movies, or ones in process, etc. If the trailer looks good, or there is talk about a particular book being made into a movie, I add it to this list. About once a month, I go through the list on Netflix.com, where I enter each title, to see if it is able to be added to my 'Movies To See' queue.
The third section is my miscellaneous notes area. Usually it is short notes to myself about things to look at, little reminders that get scratched out once done, or, like at current date, a list of things for my World of Warcraft gaming. This particular list is of certain mounts that can be obtained from repetitious running through dungeons/raids to obtain. Yeah, most of you have no clue about that, unless you play, have played, or played similar type games.
So, why am I sharing this with you? I don't know. Just seemed something different to write about today.
And if you really want to know, you could ask me what books are on my list so you can send me one for Christmas.
PeacE
Saturday, August 31
So *That's* How It Works
WooHoo! It's the weekend! I wish I didn't feel like crap. All week I have been dealing with a bit of a sinus infection. Now it feels like it has moved partway into the chest. Woke up hacking and blowing the nose this morning. It must be all the in/out of A/C & heat, and being all sweaty... probably caught a cold.
So, yesterday was the end of my first week at the job. I really like it, and feel I am bringing much to the position, though it may be somewhat menial, but making it better ... more efficient. I even got my first paycheck (I know, right?) for the first couple days of the week. Getting paid weekly will be nice. Though, there is a discrepancy on it - they didn't pay me enough. No, seriously, they charged me a uniform fee, though I don't wear a uniform, and was not provided one. I'll get it corrected next week when I go back.
Tonight I am still working at the pub. It is the big pay-per-view UFC fight, and the extra help is good. The extra money is nice, too.
The Daughter is in town this weekend. She is getting ready to start her last rotation, this one with pediatrics, for her respitory therapist training. We are planning to go out Monday evening for dinner with her, the fiance, and the MIL. I am thinking Texas Roadhouse, a steak place near home. I have not tried it, and heard good things about the place.
I'm off to the store to deposit my check, and get some drugs to help ease my symptoms.
PeacE
So, yesterday was the end of my first week at the job. I really like it, and feel I am bringing much to the position, though it may be somewhat menial, but making it better ... more efficient. I even got my first paycheck (I know, right?) for the first couple days of the week. Getting paid weekly will be nice. Though, there is a discrepancy on it - they didn't pay me enough. No, seriously, they charged me a uniform fee, though I don't wear a uniform, and was not provided one. I'll get it corrected next week when I go back.
Tonight I am still working at the pub. It is the big pay-per-view UFC fight, and the extra help is good. The extra money is nice, too.
The Daughter is in town this weekend. She is getting ready to start her last rotation, this one with pediatrics, for her respitory therapist training. We are planning to go out Monday evening for dinner with her, the fiance, and the MIL. I am thinking Texas Roadhouse, a steak place near home. I have not tried it, and heard good things about the place.
I'm off to the store to deposit my check, and get some drugs to help ease my symptoms.
PeacE
Friday, August 30
Going Solo
Last night was my first solo run on the route I drive. I was comfortable not using the GPS. I was comfortable that I knew the correct directions to the addresses I needed to go. I was comfortable driving the large box truck. So when I got into work yesterday, and found out the guy I had been training with was being sent out on some other business, I was a bit ...huh? Instead of him doing his job, and pulling the parts, doing the transfer of inventory stuff on the computer, etc., he left, leaving me to do it all on my own. Most of which I was trained to do, but is not my job. If I am to not rack up major overtime, I need to leave by a certain time, and doing all that, as slow as I am being newly trained to it, was not looking good.
Somehow, I managed to do all that, get the truck loaded and out the door around the time I should. I started to relax a bit, knowing I was 'on time' and things were going smoothly. Too smoothly. There were a couple accidents along the streets I generally take. Okay, make some adjustments and alternate routes. Then I hear on the radio that there was some flooding (from the huge rain we had the night before) and about half the route between two particular stops was flooded out or closed to traffic. With other miscellaneous construction going on, alternate routes were difficult to find. But I did it. What's better? I even shaved a half hour off the time it should have taken me to do the whole route. I am getting good at this.
Today being Friday, it is the last day of the work week. The deliveries I make tonight will probably be larger as some techs work Saturdays, plus I will be bringing Tuesdays orders as well. Monday we are off! So, more orders may take longer at each stop. Afterwards, I think I am going to go have a couple beers.
Hopefully, today will be better, as far as getting stuff done. With it being Labor Day weekend, I know our family is getting together at Sis' house on Monday. She texted me last night to see if we were attending, but the Wife and I decided not to this time. There are just some other things we would like to get done/do. After I had texted back that we weren't not going to be there, Sis called and tried to guilt trip me saying that this is the first Labor Day I have never gone there, and that I have been avoiding her. I had to tell her that is not the case. Just the last time we all got together, I had to work (it was a Friday night). She just thinks the world revolves around her sometimes I think. Either way it pissed me off that she should act that way just because I want to do something different than normal, with my own family. RM, I know you will be reading this this morning, and will know what I mean.
Well, enough of my self-praise and bitching this morning. I know I am going to relax this weekend.
PeacE
Somehow, I managed to do all that, get the truck loaded and out the door around the time I should. I started to relax a bit, knowing I was 'on time' and things were going smoothly. Too smoothly. There were a couple accidents along the streets I generally take. Okay, make some adjustments and alternate routes. Then I hear on the radio that there was some flooding (from the huge rain we had the night before) and about half the route between two particular stops was flooded out or closed to traffic. With other miscellaneous construction going on, alternate routes were difficult to find. But I did it. What's better? I even shaved a half hour off the time it should have taken me to do the whole route. I am getting good at this.
Today being Friday, it is the last day of the work week. The deliveries I make tonight will probably be larger as some techs work Saturdays, plus I will be bringing Tuesdays orders as well. Monday we are off! So, more orders may take longer at each stop. Afterwards, I think I am going to go have a couple beers.
Hopefully, today will be better, as far as getting stuff done. With it being Labor Day weekend, I know our family is getting together at Sis' house on Monday. She texted me last night to see if we were attending, but the Wife and I decided not to this time. There are just some other things we would like to get done/do. After I had texted back that we weren't not going to be there, Sis called and tried to guilt trip me saying that this is the first Labor Day I have never gone there, and that I have been avoiding her. I had to tell her that is not the case. Just the last time we all got together, I had to work (it was a Friday night). She just thinks the world revolves around her sometimes I think. Either way it pissed me off that she should act that way just because I want to do something different than normal, with my own family. RM, I know you will be reading this this morning, and will know what I mean.
Well, enough of my self-praise and bitching this morning. I know I am going to relax this weekend.
PeacE
Thursday, August 29
Getting Tired
Tonight is my first "solo" night driving the route. I am not worried about it. I did it last night without needing to use the GPS for directions, and it will be nice to get the guy who has been training me, out of the truck. I was starting to get tired of his babbling about crap. I might miss the company later, but not for a few days at least.
I am dragging a bit this morning. It must be the combination of the bouncing along in the truck, and the lifting, etc I do, that is making my body sore. Between that and the allergies, which I am beginning to wonder, if it hasn't turned into a cold. Still stuffed up bad, with a sore throat, add in some coughing now, with phlegm.
I found a couple different short-cuts last night on the route. Probably shaved about 30 minutes off the drive time for me. I swear, everyone seems to bitch about this guy that had the position before me, and I just can't grasp that someone could do this job so badly, but they say it is true. I even started implementing a double check prior to the parts going out to my truck, which pleased the 'boss' quite a bit. Taking initiative and all that.
Well, I suppose I should start getting ready for work today.
PeacE
I am dragging a bit this morning. It must be the combination of the bouncing along in the truck, and the lifting, etc I do, that is making my body sore. Between that and the allergies, which I am beginning to wonder, if it hasn't turned into a cold. Still stuffed up bad, with a sore throat, add in some coughing now, with phlegm.
I found a couple different short-cuts last night on the route. Probably shaved about 30 minutes off the drive time for me. I swear, everyone seems to bitch about this guy that had the position before me, and I just can't grasp that someone could do this job so badly, but they say it is true. I even started implementing a double check prior to the parts going out to my truck, which pleased the 'boss' quite a bit. Taking initiative and all that.
Well, I suppose I should start getting ready for work today.
PeacE
Wednesday, August 28
Starting to Feel It
Monday morning I woke up to a bit of a sore throat and clogged up sinuses. I thought, great. First day at a new job and I will sound like I am sick with a cold. I know it isn't a cold, but just my allergies acting up. Friday and Saturday nights had been pretty windy, thus kicking up dust, pollen and other allergens. It usually takes a day or so to show up with these symptoms. I thought I would just pop a Sudafed, and deal with it, except we have none at the house. I didn't have the time to get some that morning on the way to work (needed to watch the time) and so I suffered through the day. Tuesday, pretty much same stuff. Today, again. It makes my mornings pretty miserable, sniffling, coughing, etc until I clear up enough. I still sound like I am stuffed up and have a cold though. I think I shall ask the Wife to get some Sudafed tonight.
So Monday, I didn't drive at all, and we had used a panel van to do the route. Yesterday, they gave me my truck. A 16-foot box truck. I wasn't worried about driving it, as I had driven longer ones before. Just in Phoenix and surrounding area, the legal width of a lane on the road seems to change from street to street. Some I felt I could barely fit in the lane, others I had seemingly several feet on each side. Symantecs I guess. Either way, we finished up the route with me driving last night at a good time. Tonight will be the last night I have a rider along. Tomorrow I start solo, and I am actually looking forward to it. There are only a couple stops that confuse me a bit on the directions - several left & right turns in a housing area. I have a mobile GPS, and am expecting a smartphone soon that will have one as well, but still. I prefer to know the stops without it.
I was hoping to sleep in a bit this morning, but no. Though the oldest son usually does not have band on Wednesdays, they called it this morning, so I still had to get up by 7 to get him there. No since in going back to sleep after that. Due to the physical part of the job, I think that is why I am feeling a bit more tired than usual (maybe combined with the allergies is not helping). I know I can feel several muscle groups in my back that are like, 'Hey, we are getting a little workout!' They aren't hurting per se, just can feel that they have been being used. At this rate, I should be down another 5 pounds this week I figure.
Well, that's all I got today.
PeacE
So Monday, I didn't drive at all, and we had used a panel van to do the route. Yesterday, they gave me my truck. A 16-foot box truck. I wasn't worried about driving it, as I had driven longer ones before. Just in Phoenix and surrounding area, the legal width of a lane on the road seems to change from street to street. Some I felt I could barely fit in the lane, others I had seemingly several feet on each side. Symantecs I guess. Either way, we finished up the route with me driving last night at a good time. Tonight will be the last night I have a rider along. Tomorrow I start solo, and I am actually looking forward to it. There are only a couple stops that confuse me a bit on the directions - several left & right turns in a housing area. I have a mobile GPS, and am expecting a smartphone soon that will have one as well, but still. I prefer to know the stops without it.
I was hoping to sleep in a bit this morning, but no. Though the oldest son usually does not have band on Wednesdays, they called it this morning, so I still had to get up by 7 to get him there. No since in going back to sleep after that. Due to the physical part of the job, I think that is why I am feeling a bit more tired than usual (maybe combined with the allergies is not helping). I know I can feel several muscle groups in my back that are like, 'Hey, we are getting a little workout!' They aren't hurting per se, just can feel that they have been being used. At this rate, I should be down another 5 pounds this week I figure.
Well, that's all I got today.
PeacE
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