Today I started full time at my new job as an Auto Tech. This is the first job where I'm nervous. I think It's the feeling that you get when you get something that you want and you're afraid you're going to fuck it up. You got it and now it's up to you to lose. Seeing as this is my first job in this field I had no idea what to expect. It's funny coming from school where I was studying all of this crap I thought I new a lot and that I was ahead of the curve. Then reality sinks in when you start working with the pros. And it turns out I don't know shit.
My boss sort of laughed when I told him. He understood what I was feeling, but he told me not to worry. He told me they were going to pull me down and throw me on the ground then step on me a little. He also told me that this is what it takes to make myself a better person there, that I would get up stronger, tougher and smarter. It kind of made me feel better. I know they'll be doing whatever they do because that's the way I'm going to learn, but man it is a little intimidating. Good times.
Yesterday I had two finals, one for my brake class which was fairly easy and the other was my automotive electronics class which I thought I was going to bomb the hands on portion. Turns out I passed! Not only did I pass but I was one of the few to pass. That's a load off my chest. Seeing as I don't go to school now at least not for the winter (I'll start up again in spring), I was wondering how I was going to keep myself busy. So I decided to keep my job at Starbucks. Starting today I will work every single day, that is until I can't take it. My buddy Marco and my brother give it a month, they tell me it's because at that point I would have worked 30 days non stop and I'll hate it. We'll see. I think it will keep me out of trouble. That and tools for my new job are expensive as hell!!!
To put the tools into perspective I have a set of Craftsman tools that I bought over a year ago. I think the set was about 150 bucks. Now I'm buying a new set of tools from Snap-On and for less tools than I already own It's costing me over 2 thousand dollars. Damn that stung. The thing is after working a full day at the shop today I realized I'm no where near done buying tools. Damn. It's cool though I love them, it's like new toys for me to play with, all of the shiny chrome brings a smile to my face.
So that was a short update of what's going on with me. Every day I see something that makes me want to write about it but I don't. I think I've been lazy lately. I'll try to write more, there are a lot of things that inspire me lately. Take care my peeps.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Tis The Season
Let me start this with a short story. Once upon a time, not terribly long ago there lived a boy who didn't have much in the world. He had his family (sort of), his brothers, but most importantly there were people in the world who apparently cared about people like him. By "people like him", I mean poor, unable to have the "normal" things in life people.
This boy would stand in line every week with his mother waiting for food to be handed out. A few grocery bags were a godsend for them. He would run to the park every day during the summer for a free lunch and games to play with other kids just as poor. The park was a highlight of his day. Finding a huge cardboard box from some recently bought appliance was a delight for him and his friends, it provided hours of entertainment. His imagination ran rampant with all of the possibilities this new found "fortress" provided. He missed his dad. He wished that his dad didn't have to work so far away to try and provide for his family. All he really wanted was to have him home for the holidays. He didn't really care for the presents, all he wanted was his family.
Presents. When it means your family has to be away for you to have them you don't want them. This boy would rather do without, but knowing that his father would be away and the money that he sent would only be enough for some food and rent, he did secretly wish for some new toy. Just like the other "normal" families. But he never asked, he was ashamed to ask for something so trivial when they barely had enough.
Some of the memories that will always stay with him is going with his mother and brother to church a few days before Christmas. There he would receive a free meal with his family and at the end of it he would be given a toy, him and his younger brother. It was great. He had his Christmas gift, the one he was ashamed to ask for. The memory of that toy is faint, but the memory of the joy that he felt will live with him forever.
Now that he has grown he understands that the toy and gifts that he received all those Christmas' ago, were from people who gave of themselves the little extra that they could to help "people like him".
I know this story well and I can tell it a few different ways. I can do this because all of those Christmas' ago I was so happy when I received my gift along with my brother. I was thankful for the food my family received every week. I was overjoyed when I was able to see my dad for a few hours every few months at a time. I know this story well because it's mine.
This story is why every year I try to give whatever extra that I have to Charity. A toy costs me a few bucks, but the joy that it brings a child is priceless. Believe me I know this first hand. This year I am trying to give what little extra that I can, it is very little this year. But I will not fail to give. Every latte you buy, every beer, every movie you rent, everything you treat yourself to, think, what can these few bucks provide someone who has close to nothing. Ask yourself, can I live without a beer tonight or a movie rental this week and buy a complete stranger something just because?
This year I started a collection at my job for toys to donate to an organization "Toys For Tots", they in turn distribute all of the toys to local shelters and churches. I ask all of you that still read this blog of mine to please give this year. I know most of you personally and if you buy something to donate I'd be more than happy to pick it up from you. If you read this and we can't keep in touch like that, then please remember there is someone out there who would really appreciate your kindness. Please donate somewhere, it does make a difference in someones life. It made a difference in mine, it was a part of what makes me the man that I am today.
Tis the season, to bring happiness to someone, to shape a life, to feel good about yourself, to . . . . . . .
This boy would stand in line every week with his mother waiting for food to be handed out. A few grocery bags were a godsend for them. He would run to the park every day during the summer for a free lunch and games to play with other kids just as poor. The park was a highlight of his day. Finding a huge cardboard box from some recently bought appliance was a delight for him and his friends, it provided hours of entertainment. His imagination ran rampant with all of the possibilities this new found "fortress" provided. He missed his dad. He wished that his dad didn't have to work so far away to try and provide for his family. All he really wanted was to have him home for the holidays. He didn't really care for the presents, all he wanted was his family.
Presents. When it means your family has to be away for you to have them you don't want them. This boy would rather do without, but knowing that his father would be away and the money that he sent would only be enough for some food and rent, he did secretly wish for some new toy. Just like the other "normal" families. But he never asked, he was ashamed to ask for something so trivial when they barely had enough.
Some of the memories that will always stay with him is going with his mother and brother to church a few days before Christmas. There he would receive a free meal with his family and at the end of it he would be given a toy, him and his younger brother. It was great. He had his Christmas gift, the one he was ashamed to ask for. The memory of that toy is faint, but the memory of the joy that he felt will live with him forever.
Now that he has grown he understands that the toy and gifts that he received all those Christmas' ago, were from people who gave of themselves the little extra that they could to help "people like him".
I know this story well and I can tell it a few different ways. I can do this because all of those Christmas' ago I was so happy when I received my gift along with my brother. I was thankful for the food my family received every week. I was overjoyed when I was able to see my dad for a few hours every few months at a time. I know this story well because it's mine.
This story is why every year I try to give whatever extra that I have to Charity. A toy costs me a few bucks, but the joy that it brings a child is priceless. Believe me I know this first hand. This year I am trying to give what little extra that I can, it is very little this year. But I will not fail to give. Every latte you buy, every beer, every movie you rent, everything you treat yourself to, think, what can these few bucks provide someone who has close to nothing. Ask yourself, can I live without a beer tonight or a movie rental this week and buy a complete stranger something just because?
This year I started a collection at my job for toys to donate to an organization "Toys For Tots", they in turn distribute all of the toys to local shelters and churches. I ask all of you that still read this blog of mine to please give this year. I know most of you personally and if you buy something to donate I'd be more than happy to pick it up from you. If you read this and we can't keep in touch like that, then please remember there is someone out there who would really appreciate your kindness. Please donate somewhere, it does make a difference in someones life. It made a difference in mine, it was a part of what makes me the man that I am today.
Tis the season, to bring happiness to someone, to shape a life, to feel good about yourself, to . . . . . . .
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