Saturday, March 11, 2006

Secrets revealed

I wrote this a while back and I was torn about whether or not to post it. Seeing as how I like to read frequent posts on blogs that I enjoy, I'll post it. Some of this is redundant information from the last post. The big secret is I got a new job. I interviewed at this place for two different jobs and they liked me for the first one, but they hired a guy with way more experience. I went back and interviewed for the other job and they called me back in. Friday morning I put in my two-weeks notice. The new gig is a machine shop (duh) and I've wanted to work there since high school. I'll be back running machines again. I've taken the physical and peed in the cup and all that. It's a done deal. And now, on with the show......

Phase one of “My Evil Plan”-Back to the Future
As responsible adults, we need to be cautious of what we say. Certain things should not be said out of context, in the wrong situation, or arguably to specific people. You don’t tell your Grandma to do something about the flappy skin below her arms. You don’t discuss the new Carcass album at the funeral of a car-crash victim, and you don’t talk about the new job you are trying to get on your blog that your boss is aware of, but you aren’t quite sure if he reads or not. I’m writing this to be used in a future blog entry because while I’m not a genius, I do know better than posting this where when it may incriminate me.
For the some background on the job, let’s go back a few jobs, shall we? I used to work at a place as a machinist that made silicone rubber medical products. I worked there for eight years, roughly. About year six or so I became surly. About six months later, I became Surly. I know you’re not supposed to give yourself a nickname but everyone was calling me “that fucking asshole in the shop” and that just won’t fit on a name patch. I needed to move on. After another year or so went by, a job opening sort of fell into my lap. I interviewed for the job and they offered it to me. I declined. The job is in the steel industry and the steel business can be rough. Having been down that road before, I had previously sworn “never again”. They asked me to come back in. We talked about it and they persuaded me to take the job as a draftsman (engineering tech). This turned out to be a good thing, as I probably would have gotten fired from the other gig anyway (I really was surly). Three years later, I still work there. Not a bad gig but it was never where I saw myself working for the rest of my days as an employee. I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground for interesting things and lo and behold a new opportunity has arisen. I interviewed twice, and they offered it to me contingent upon blah, blah…you get the picture. I will be a machinist again. I think this warrants another post altogether.
This brings me around to “My Evil Plan”. My Evil Plan is not evil at all. It just sounds cooler than “the things I need to do to get my adult life in shape and improve the quality of life for my family”, so “My Evil Plan” it is. The plan is not some brilliant masterwork devised over countless ruminations in some dark study or library. The plan is this: 1) My job is a job, not a career. Fix that. 2) My house is the size of a Ford Excursion, while that is too big for a vehicle it sucks for two adults and a toddler. Fix that. 3) If I move out of the little house, how far will I be from work and where will Potato Man go to school? See numbers one and two. This is the over-simplified version and there are many things that go along with all that. Phase one is in the works.

6 comments:

Der_General said...

Congrats on the new job! One question: if you move, does the garagemobile come with?

WooleyBugger said...

Good luck on the new job.

I know that I actually enjoy, for the first time, going to work now.
Guess you could say I'm an apprentice machinist.
I smile and laugh at work now which is something I've never done on an everyday basis at work before.
Took me 29 years to finally find something enjoyable to earn a living at. Still trying to get used to having an owner/boss who is jovial. He loves what he does and it shows.
My last long term situation was more akin to working for the Tuttles.

Surly said...

Thanks guys, no I will not be moving THAT garage again. Hopefully having the garagemobile there will help the proporty value though.
Wooley, Im glad your enjoying your job. This will be a bit of a new experience for me too. I've never run a high tech 4 axis pallet changer machine before.

red said...

Surly said...
Check out the vintage brake website for really good tips on setting up your brakes.
What do you need for a headlight bucket? I've got some crap laying around. BTW, did you get the email I sent you on setting up the 450?


Nope, didn't get your email. Try to send to both: tim AT redrevolt DOT org and red450 AT gmail DOT com

I need a headlight bucket but I can't seem to find the right size. I'll measure up the lens and see how big it needs to be.

Good luck with new job! I'm still strongly considering the machinist program.

Gymi said...

Congrats on the new gig man, it's funny how a change of scenery has a domino effect on everything else in your life. Good luck at the new place, hope you enjoy it.

Grumpyunk said...

It's good to hear your Evil Plan is working! Hell, it's good to have a plan.

You'll do fine. Good move. Cue the music "Well we're movin' on up ..."