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Post by jasoninsd on May 4, 2023 23:57:51 GMT -5
I suppose EVERY day we're above ground and breathing is the "first day" of the rest of our lives! LOL For the last month, I haven't been bombarding the forum with a ton of posts like I usually do...probably to the elation of some of the members! Heck, I didn't enter a cab in the cab contest and I didn't do a wire-wrap for the April challenge! I was busy with pulling my hair out. For the last three years, I have been blessed to have been able to take some time off from "real life" and I enjoyed pretty much every moment of vacation from that dreaded four-letter word...WORK! However, like the saying goes, "This too shall pass!" Last Friday I accepted a job offer, and started back to work on Monday! I spent most of April going through the internet job boards, applying for some of the jobs that caught my eye...or should I say the jobs for which I was willing to exchange a good portion of my life. I interviewed for several positions, most of which I convinced myself I could somehow be "happy" doing. There were a couple sales positions, some collections positions, and some managerial positions...all of which I do have experience in doing. Quite a bit of my adult life (don't laugh! LOL), I have had jobs doing collections. Yeah...I was "that" guy! Deep down I knew I wouldn't be happy doing it, but I'm good at it, so I could have made good money doing it. Thankfully, I was able to turn down the position as something better came along. There were SO many different signs that the job I took was the right one. I took a position selling flooring with a large furniture store in town. They have been around for a very long time...and the owners are VERY religious! So, when I was talking to the big guy upstairs...no...not the owner...the REALLY big guy, I was asking for direction. So, when I saw sign after sign, I truly believe this was the right thing to do! When I had interviewed for other positions, they weren't open to a couple commitments I already had in place. One of those was the visit of Rob (jugglerguy) coming up here in about a week. No, I didn't make the decision based on his visit...in fact I contacted him and told him everything was up in the air as I didn't know if it was going to work out. However, the company I'm working for said it was absolutely no problem at all. Okay...there was a sign. The day I had my second interview with the company, I had a ZOOM interview scheduled with another company first thing in the morning. The ZOOM meeting was set for 9am and my second interview with the owner and two managers with the company I work for now was set for 11am. I figured the ZOOM meeting would last an hour at most, so it shouldn't be a problem! Wrong! The ZOOM meeting kept going and going and didn't get done until 10:45! I raced to get out of the house, but knew I wasn't going to make it. I figured I'd get there and they'd say thanks but no thanks! I tried to call on the way, but reception was bad, and the lady couldn't hear me. I drove on...and tried again. Finally, I got through to her and she said she'd let the General Manager know I was "stuck in traffic" and would be a few minutes late. It ended up being 15 minutes late! Well, I got there and the owner (who I hadn't met yet), the Flooring Manager, and the General Manager asked me to wait while they chatted. I figured that was the end of it. They had me come in, we sat in the office and talked for a while. They asked me to step out again while the went over things. They called me back in and offered me the job! I was shocked they didn't hold me being late (I can't tell you the last time I was late for something!) against me!! Okay...there was another sign!! I said I'd like to talk things over with my wife that afternoon when she got home, and I'd call them back with an answer. They said absolutely. I called my wife at lunch and talked things over with her. I told her the dollar amount they had offered me, which was more than either of us was expecting...and she had no objections. LOL - My work schedule is a little wonky...every Sunday off...and I'll get Wednesdays off after awhile...right now it'll be Thursdays so I have the same day off as the flooring manager. When my wife and I talked at lunch, she was in her vehicle and she had turned off the radio while we were talking. When she was on her way home that afternoon, she got halfway home before she turned on the radio. The instant she turned on the radio, there was a commercial for the company I am now working for playing!! Coincidence...or sign? I say that's another sign!! My wife has a thing with the number 22. She always sees it...or the total for groceries or fast food has a 22 in the amount...that's just HER number. Yesterday, I realized what the address of the store I work at is...that's right, the street address is 2222! LOL - Another "sign"! LOL I have been "dreading" going back to work for awhile now. However, just these first three days have put me at ease. My "boss" has an amazing personality...very patient...and very kind. Remember I said the owners were very religious? Yesterday at work, a gentleman came in (the others seemed to know him) and he walked right up to me. He introduced himself and knew I had just started. He is a minister. The owner has arranged for him to come through the stores (there's the flooring store I work at, an appliance store, and three furniture stores) to speak with the staff. Not necessarily as a religious figure (although it is clear he's a minister), but rather to be a counselor if needed, pray if needed, about anything the staff has going on. To me, that's an amazing "benefit"! I just wanted to let y'all know how things have changed for me...and the reason why I won't be posting cabs or wraps to the massive degree I have been doing! I've got to figure out how to continue doing what I love with regards to this "hobby"...because I am not walking away from it...but I will be slowing down!
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Post by rockpickerforever on May 5, 2023 0:03:24 GMT -5
I suppose EVERY day we're above ground and breathing is the "first day" of the rest of our lives! LOL For the last month, I haven't been bombarding the forum with a ton of posts like I usually do...probably to the elation of some of the members! Heck, I didn't enter a cab in the cab contest and I didn't do a wire-wrap for the April challenge! I was busy with pulling my hair out. For the last three years, I have been blessed to have been able to take some time off from "real life" and I enjoyed pretty much every moment of vacation from that dreaded four-letter word...WORK! However, like the saying goes, "This too shall pass!" Last Friday I accepted a job offer, and started back to work on Monday! I spent most of April going through the internet job boards, applying for some of the jobs that caught my eye...or should I say the jobs for which I was willing to exchange a good portion of my life. I interviewed for several positions, most of which I convinced myself I could somehow be "happy" doing. There were a couple sales positions, some collections positions, and some managerial positions...all of which I do have experience in doing. Quite a bit of my adult life (don't laugh! LOL), I have had jobs doing collections. Yeah...I was "that" guy! Deep down I knew I wouldn't be happy doing it, but I'm good at it, so I could have made good money doing it. Thankfully, I was able to turn down the position as something better came along. There were SO many different signs that the job I took was the right one. I took a position selling flooring with a large furniture store in town. They have been around for a very long time...and the owners are VERY religious! So, when I was talking to the big guy upstairs...no...not the owner...the REALLY big guy, I was asking for direction. So, when I saw sign after sign, I truly believe this was the right thing to do! When I had interviewed for other positions, they weren't open to a couple commitments I already had in place. One of those was the visit of Rob (jugglerguy) coming up here in about a week. No, I didn't make the decision based on his visit...in fact I contacted him and told him everything was up in the air as I didn't know if it was going to work out. However, the company I'm working for said it was absolutely no problem at all. Okay...there was a sign. The day I had my second interview with the company, I had a ZOOM interview scheduled with another company first thing in the morning. The ZOOM meeting was set for 9am and my second interview with the owner and two managers with the company I work for now was set for 11am. I figured the ZOOM meeting would last an hour at most, so it shouldn't be a problem! Wrong! The ZOOM meeting kept going and going and didn't get done until 10:45! I raced to get out of the house, but knew I wasn't going to make it. I figured I'd get there and they'd say thanks but no thanks! I tried to call on the way, but reception was bad, and the lady couldn't hear me. I drove on...and tried again. Finally, I got through to her and she said she'd let the General Manager know I was "stuck in traffic" and would be a few minutes late. It ended up being 15 minutes late! Well, I got there and the owner (who I hadn't met yet), the Flooring Manager, and the General Manager asked me to wait while they chatted. I figured that was the end of it. They had me come in, we sat in the office and talked for a while. They asked me to step out again while the went over things. They called me back in and offered me the job! I was shocked they didn't hold me being late (I can't tell you the last time I was late for something!) against me!! Okay...there was another sign!! I said I'd like to talk things over with my wife that afternoon when she got home, and I'd call them back with an answer. They said absolutely. I called my wife at lunch and talked things over with her. I told her the dollar amount they had offered me, which was more than either of us was expecting...and she had no objections. LOL - My work schedule is a little wonky...every Sunday off...and I'll get Wednesdays off after awhile...right now it'll be Thursdays so I have the same day off as the flooring manager. When my wife and I talked at lunch, she was in her vehicle and she had turned off the radio while we were talking. When she was on her way home that afternoon, she got halfway home before she turned on the radio. The instant she turned on the radio, there was a commercial for the company I am now working for playing!! Coincidence...or sign? I say that's another sign!! My wife has a thing with the number 22. She always sees it...or the total for groceries or fast food has a 22 in the amount...that's just HER number. Yesterday, I realized what the address of the store I work at is...that's right, the street address is 2222! LOL - Another "sign"! LOL I have been "dreading" going back to work for awhile now. However, just these first three days have put me at ease. My "boss" has an amazing personality...very patient...and very kind. Remember I said the owners were very religious? Yesterday at work, a gentleman came in (the others seemed to know him) and he walked right up to me. He introduced himself and knew I had just started. He is a minister. The owner has arranged for him to come through the stores (there's the flooring store I work at, an appliance store, and three furniture stores) to speak with the staff. Not necessarily as a religious figure (although it is clear he's a minister), but rather to be a counselor if needed, pray if needed, about anything the staff has going on. To me, that's an amazing "benefit"! I just wanted to let y'all know how things have changed for me...and the reason why I won't be posting cabs or wraps to the massive degree I have been doing! I've got to figure out how to continue doing what I love with regards to this "hobby"...because I am not walking away from it...but I will be slowing down! Yay! I think... That's a good thing, right? ETA, I better clarify that. I meant going back to work. It sounds like a great place to work, and you did keep getting signs. Congratulations!
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Post by Pat on May 5, 2023 0:09:28 GMT -5
Congratulations!! Enjoy!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 5, 2023 0:14:23 GMT -5
Congrats on the new job, Jason! It will cut into your fun time, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Sounds like you landed at a great company. Working with good people makes it a whole lot more pleasant. I wish you great success in your new position!
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Post by jasoninsd on May 5, 2023 0:24:53 GMT -5
rockpickerforever - Thank you Jean! It's a "necessary" thing...and I truly believe I found the "right" company for me! (Of course, we're still in the honeymoon phase...so time will tell! LOL) Pat - Thank you Pat! The amazing thing about this company is they want their salespeople to make friends with the people who walk in the door...not necessarily to "sell" them something. Obviously they want their people to sell...but making friends is paramount. That makes me extremely happy! hummingbirdstones - Thank you Robin! There are other things I didn't mention which further strengthen my belief this was the right decision...with the right company! I know NOTHING about flooring...well...I know three day's worth of "knowing"! LOL - But I know me...and I believe I'll cram the knowledge into my brain and should be up and going in no time!
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Post by Starguy on May 5, 2023 1:05:08 GMT -5
Sounds like a great step Jason. You’ll get to interact with lots of people. I think you’ll really enjoy that. You’ll be good at it too. Of that, I have no doubt.
We all know rocks are in your blood. We’ll understand if you can’t post as much.
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Post by jasoninsd on May 5, 2023 1:14:25 GMT -5
Sounds like a great step Jason. You’ll get to interact with lots of people. I think you’ll really enjoy that. You’ll be good at it too. Of that, I have no doubt. We all know rocks are in your blood. We’ll understand if you can’t post as much. Thank you my friend! I've already been handing out tumbled rocks to the other coworkers! I'm planning on having a dish of them at my desk and handing them out to the customers who come into the store. I'm going to post in the "wanted" thread to see if I can do a trade for some tumbled rocks, since I don't tumble that much, I don't have enough! LOL I've been posting SO much on the forum...day and night...but it'll get knocked back to a couple times a day, rather than ALL day long! LOL
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pebblesky
fully equipped rock polisher
Placed another order in rockshed. Happy 2024 everyone!
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,391
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Post by pebblesky on May 5, 2023 1:31:22 GMT -5
Congratulations on the new job! Seems to be a good fit for you. Love the street number!
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Post by rockjunquie on May 5, 2023 5:36:17 GMT -5
Jason, I'm so happy for you that you are working somewhere where you fit in (signs) and where people care about each other!! As I was reading, I was like- I'd work there, too. In this day and age, I think it's super amazingly cool that the preacher is available to employees in the capacity of a counselor (as well as religious), if needed. That just wouldn't fly in the vast majority of places. Maybe Chick-fil-a or however you spell it. I think it's really cool.
All those signs can't be wrong. I hope you have a long, happy time there. All the best and congratulations!
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,583
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Post by dillonf on May 5, 2023 6:16:15 GMT -5
Congratulations!!
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chris1956
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2022
Posts: 1,204
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Post by chris1956 on May 5, 2023 7:50:29 GMT -5
Congratulations. Although I, for one, will miss the almost continuous humorous comments and stories. I guess I will have to survive with one or two a day. Thank goodness the Rob trip is still on! I have been looking forward to the video every since you started mentioning it.
Chris
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Post by mohs on May 5, 2023 8:03:24 GMT -5
Congrats on gainful employment
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,506
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Post by Brian on May 5, 2023 9:05:29 GMT -5
Congratulations, Jason! It sounds like a great fit for you and I’m sure your contributions will be well-appreciated. Just the fact that they could make a quick decision and offer you the job while you waited sounds great to me. Nothing worse than management that can’t make a decision.
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Post by Rockoonz on May 5, 2023 11:07:21 GMT -5
Very cool Jason, sounds like you're a blessed man in many areas of life. If this job is indeed as it appears, you deserve it my friend.
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,714
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Post by khara on May 5, 2023 12:32:45 GMT -5
Jason, this sounds awesome. Sounds like great people to work with and a great company to work for. Hopefully you find that you also really enjoy becoming an expert in flooring so that you feel knowledgeable and productive as well. Your idea of handing out polished rocks is really cool and sounds like you have already brought something positive and unique to this business in less than a week. People will be happily surprised by your gifts and remember it fondly. (Be careful with babies/toddlers, make sure the kids are old enough.) I have wondered how you had so much time to become an expert in cabbing, wondered if you were retired already. It says a lot that you spent so much of your time off learning and mastering a skill. I've seen so many retired people become bored. I can't imagine. But, my thoughts on it are that we all need to feel necessary, need to have a purpose. You spent your time off learning rather than sitting and watching tv. And, now you can bring that skill to this new venture and share it there. I do most of my cabbing late at night after work. Maybe you'll end up being a tumbler too!?
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Post by aDave on May 5, 2023 12:59:44 GMT -5
I was waiting for the signs to be no cell phone reception and a mounted badger on the wall. But, I'll go with what you got. Congratulations. I hope it works as well on the back end as it sounds on the front end.
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 914
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Post by ashley on May 5, 2023 13:40:25 GMT -5
Thats awesome Jason! Praying it all goes well for you!
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Post by Son Of Beach on May 5, 2023 13:54:11 GMT -5
Congrats J, hope it plays out as well as it sounds. I still feel like we'll be seeing plenty of posts from you
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,652
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Post by Tommy on May 5, 2023 15:03:07 GMT -5
Congratulations Jason and yes your bombardment (your word) of posting is and will be sorely missed After a long career in the label/plastics printing industry I finally detached myself from the rat race in 2016 and didn't do actual work-work again until 2019 when we moved to Napa. Those were the best years of my adult life - constant rock hounding and pulling our little trailer around and getting to meet a bunch of folks from the forum was amazing, and every time we would come home already looking forward to the next trip out. All good things come to an end and after completely striking out with any kind of management job with every (wine) label printing company in the Napa/Sonoma area I'm now doing something I never saw coming, and loving it most of the time. Enjoy the activity (and regular paycheck) but don't forget about us
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Post by jasoninsd on May 5, 2023 21:33:17 GMT -5
Congratulations on the new job! Seems to be a good fit for you. Love the street number! Thanks PS! I couldn't believe what I was seeing at first when I saw the BIG 2222 over the door! LOL Jason, I'm so happy for you that you are working somewhere where you fit in (signs) and where people care about each other!! As I was reading, I was like- I'd work there, too. In this day and age, I think it's super amazingly cool that the preacher is available to employees in the capacity of a counselor (as well as religious), if needed. That just wouldn't fly in the vast majority of places. Maybe Chick-fil-a or however you spell it. I think it's really cool.
All those signs can't be wrong. I hope you have a long, happy time there. All the best and congratulations! Thanks Tela! Today was a great example of "who" I'm working for. There were five of us inside talking about some things when a couple of us noticed there was a guy with a walker making his way down the street. The street we're on is a VERY busy street in town. The gentleman got right in front of our store where the retaining wall lowers just enough to make it the right height for a bench, which is where he sat down to take a break. Our store has water, sodas, and snacks available (at no charge) to customers. I looked at the other guys (managers and salespeople) and said I thought I should take him out a water as it was a really warm day today - and he looked worn out. The 2nd in charge asked if I was really ok doing that. I told him of course I was. So, I walked a water bottle out to him, sat down with him and talked with him for about 10 minutes. In those ten minutes, I learned a LOT about the man. I went back inside and the manager asked what I learned about him. So...I gave him the rundown of what I had learned from that 10 minute conversation. The thing which was amazing to me...everyone in our store knew this man wasn't a customer...and likely wouldn't be. However, it was the right thing to do for me to take those 10 minutes and be a person that would listen to what that gentleman needed to talk about...and that's what made it "ok" with my bosses! Thanks Dillon!! Congratulations. Although I, for one, will miss the almost continuous humorous comments and stories. I guess I will have to survive with one or two a day. Thank goodness the Rob trip is still on! I have been looking forward to the video every since you started mentioning it. Chris Thanks Chris! I have an idea I might come up with some really cool stories to tell with this job! LOL Oh...and Rob's video might be the first video he's done which starts out with a "Parental Advisory" stamp on it! LOL Congrats on gainful employment Thanks Ed!! I'm hoping it's going to be super gainful! LOL Congratulations, Jason! It sounds like a great fit for you and I’m sure your contributions will be well-appreciated. Just the fact that they could make a quick decision and offer you the job while you waited sounds great to me. Nothing worse than management that can’t make a decision. Thanks Brian! I was NOT expecting the job offer on the spot like that! In the last three days I've had three other employers call me for interviews...and it's been a real pleasure to tell them I was no longer interested! Very cool Jason, sounds like you're a blessed man in many areas of life. If this job is indeed as it appears, you deserve it my friend. Thank you so much Lee! I've learned when I don't trust my gut, I pay a heavy price. I'm listening to my gut on this one...and I truly believe every day is showing me more and more it was the right decision. Jason, this sounds awesome. Sounds like great people to work with and a great company to work for. Hopefully you find that you also really enjoy becoming an expert in flooring so that you feel knowledgeable and productive as well. Your idea of handing out polished rocks is really cool and sounds like you have already brought something positive and unique to this business in less than a week. People will be happily surprised by your gifts and remember it fondly. (Be careful with babies/toddlers, make sure the kids are old enough.) I have wondered how you had so much time to become an expert in cabbing, wondered if you were retired already. It says a lot that you spent so much of your time off learning and mastering a skill. I've seen so many retired people become bored. I can't imagine. But, my thoughts on it are that we all need to feel necessary, need to have a purpose. You spent your time off learning rather than sitting and watching tv. And, now you can bring that skill to this new venture and share it there. I do most of my cabbing late at night after work. Maybe you'll end up being a tumbler too!? Thank you so much! That is a GREAT reminder about toddlers! Thank you! I wasn't retired...I just chose to put work on "pause"...because I could for a couple years! LOL I was waiting for the signs to be no cell phone reception and a mounted badger on the wall. But, I'll go with what you got. Congratulations. I hope it works as well on the back end as it sounds on the front end. Thanks Dave! I'm hoping maybe they'll agree to get a badger mascot before too long! LOL Thats awesome Jason! Praying it all goes well for you! Thanks Ashley! I think the Big Guy was looking out for me on this one. Come to think of it...I'm pretty sure he's been watching out for me for awhile now! (See above badger reference! LOL) Congrats J, hope it plays out as well as it sounds. I still feel like we'll be seeing plenty of posts from you Thanks Chad! Apparently 'tis the season for changes! Congratulations Jason and yes your bombardment (your word) of posting is and will be sorely missed After a long career in the label/plastics printing industry I finally detached myself from the rat race in 2016 and didn't do actual work-work again until 2019 when we moved to Napa. Those were the best years of my adult life - constant rock hounding and pulling our little trailer around and getting to meet a bunch of folks from the forum was amazing, and every time we would come home already looking forward to the next trip out. All good things come to an end and after completely striking out with any kind of management job with every (wine) label printing company in the Napa/Sonoma area I'm now doing something I never saw coming, and loving it most of the time. Enjoy the activity (and regular paycheck) but don't forget about us Thanks Tommy! I'm definitely not going anywhere...unless you show me the door! LOL - I just know a couple people had said something about my lack of posting...so I thought I'd share with the family what was going on. I was truly blessed to have been able to take the time off of "real life" like I did for the last couple years. And now I feel blessed (at least it's looking like it!) that where I've chosen to invest my time is at a place where I can be...well...happy!
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