The idea of my company when I first started there in the mid 1990s was to help organizations distribute information to its clients across the country about products, pricing, promotions, and displays. They would send us the information and we would print it, make it how they wanted it to look, and ship the correct information in a professional style manner to the correct people. Today, that information is usually sent via email and people whose jobs were focused solely on this part were laid off years ago.
As their customers' needs changed, my company changed its focus this decade on design as well as on printing products that are visible mostly at gas stations, stores, and bars and after our computer system was upgraded a few years ago, much of what happens in the plant runs through me and after I was gone for a few months working at the other facility, my importance was realized and my wage finally was at the point where I felt that it reflected the work I do.
With the extra made from working a significant number of hours/days last year as well as extra per hour this year, things were in recovery mode though there is a significant amount of recovery needed after many years where income fell below expenses. Things changed at the end of May when it was announced that one of our customers due to a lowball offer joined a former customer into having their work done by a competitor. The person whose last name is on my badge announced that they will examine the situation and by the end of August announce the future plan as far as the shop is concerned.
Hearing that information changed my summer. The only tournaments I played between the US Masters in early May through the first half of August were ones I had registered before the announcement and there were a couple that I could not justify registering due to the uncertainty at my work. It was also difficult to not give money to people who needed it not knowing if I would become a needy one in 2019. The only reason I played in an event in late August and have plans to play in September and October (as the injured arm is good enough to play) was due to the extra money I have been making delivering food and I registered for them before the upcoming August 30th announcement.
Those who work in the plant just finished a meeting with the person whose last name is on all our badges and he stated that the plant will be closing and my final day is currently slated to be Oct 2. However, much of the work here will be done by a different facility and they will be hiring people at similar equivalent pay and honoring vacation status. The interview process starts next week and I have already signed up to do so.
The announcement was not a surprise as the question of the plant closing in most minds changed from if to when a while ago but finding out about the time frame of this was shocking. If I don't get hired at the other company with severance and deliveries I should be ok financially for at least 4-6 months following my last day and I already planned on renewing my health club membership to avoid going bad physically if that becomes the case. The hardest part will be trying to start over somewhere else after 23 years here.
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Friday, August 17, 2018
Now what
Though I had my third career ace on Sunday on a shot shorter than a field goal I kicked in a game at McKinley Park in 1987, my overall game was not good as putting was an issue. (I still count the ace) Last Wednesday, between deliveries, I stopped at a park to practice putting taking 5 putters out of my trunk and throw them all at a basket in groups of 5 from varying positions and distances.
On the 5th round, I felt a pop in my right arm similar to what happened 3 other times in the past two years. I threw a couple more putts and left. When I checked my arm strength the next morning, it was not just a little sore like it was those three times but similar to what happened to my arm in 2015 when my season ended in June and I had to go through physical therapy the following March to finally end up playing in June 2016.
The following evening, I tried to see if there was a way I could putt let alone play and confirmed there really isn't. I am wanting to play in an event in 5 days but that is highly doubtful. The only good thing about this is that is happened the day before I was going to register for three events in September.
Today at work, I have been more pissed off than normal even for me. I am hoping when the depression hits that I am not in a place where I could do something permanent.
Had I injured my arm trying to get an extra 20 feet on a shot, by throwing a forehand, or even after playing too much over a short time, I could understand. This happened on a shot that was thrown only 20 fucking feet on a day after being off for two. I do admit that trying to conserve medication so I could make it last longer if my company makes a decision which would be understandable was a factor as well. Before that my 32 oz cup of soda felt "heavy". I wonder if that was a sign I ignored.
So what do I do next? I have already been doing rehab exercises like I did a while ago and I figure that I could be tournament ready again by the end of the year or even Thanksgiving for the event in Silver Lake but all my plans for September are gone. Others have suggested other things to do. I popped a tendon in my elbow. No joint manipulation or other type therapy is going to help. If I was a professional athlete, I might even have surgery but since I can still do my job, that won't happen.
When the thing that gives reason to get up at 5:15 is not there, it gets tough.
I see stage 4 is making its way through me now.
On the 5th round, I felt a pop in my right arm similar to what happened 3 other times in the past two years. I threw a couple more putts and left. When I checked my arm strength the next morning, it was not just a little sore like it was those three times but similar to what happened to my arm in 2015 when my season ended in June and I had to go through physical therapy the following March to finally end up playing in June 2016.
The following evening, I tried to see if there was a way I could putt let alone play and confirmed there really isn't. I am wanting to play in an event in 5 days but that is highly doubtful. The only good thing about this is that is happened the day before I was going to register for three events in September.
Today at work, I have been more pissed off than normal even for me. I am hoping when the depression hits that I am not in a place where I could do something permanent.
Had I injured my arm trying to get an extra 20 feet on a shot, by throwing a forehand, or even after playing too much over a short time, I could understand. This happened on a shot that was thrown only 20 fucking feet on a day after being off for two. I do admit that trying to conserve medication so I could make it last longer if my company makes a decision which would be understandable was a factor as well. Before that my 32 oz cup of soda felt "heavy". I wonder if that was a sign I ignored.
So what do I do next? I have already been doing rehab exercises like I did a while ago and I figure that I could be tournament ready again by the end of the year or even Thanksgiving for the event in Silver Lake but all my plans for September are gone. Others have suggested other things to do. I popped a tendon in my elbow. No joint manipulation or other type therapy is going to help. If I was a professional athlete, I might even have surgery but since I can still do my job, that won't happen.
When the thing that gives reason to get up at 5:15 is not there, it gets tough.
I see stage 4 is making its way through me now.
Monday, July 23, 2018
Dashing for dollars
After a couple weeks wait, I was accepted as a driver for Door Dash which is a service to deliver food from multiple restaurants. From what I could tell, the pay per delivery is solely determined by the total expected distance a driver is expected to drive to make the delivery plus additional dollars for busier times. Customers are also allowed through their ordering app to tip drivers as well. The money made is decent but not great.
My only issue is that due to their map/setup, I can't start working for them until I drive a couple miles from either my work or home even though I was assigned an order from the parking lot at where I live.
Over the past weekend (Thu-Sun) I had 23 calls:
8: For a fast food franchise
5: For an American based restaurant
2: For a Mexican based restaurant
2: For an European based restaurant
3: For a far Eastern based restaurant
1: For an Asian fusion restaurant
1: Did not get to me due to a bad signal and was reassigned to a different driver
1: For a McDonald's location that was permanently closed and the order was cancelled.
Been to the same Wing Stop and same Red Robin twice and two different Taco Bell and two different Portillo's locations.
Of the 21 I delivered, 11 were from places that I would not consider eating
12 were to a house
4 to an apartment including one to the 4th floor where I had to take the stairs to deliver to two guys who were playing a game on their tv
4 to someone working at a retail business
1 to a commercial business
One of the businesses was my pharmacist a half mile from where I live and another was a block from my house where I almost fell while carrying a large chocolate malt with my bag. I also delivered two high end Italian dinners at 10 PM and the man who answered the door was wearing boxers and covered in sweat.
I am mostly surprised by the amount of people who use this service instead of going themselves or making their own food. Granted last weekend was rainy so that could be a factor as well.
I have also realized that one of the best things about this is that while delivering, I am not alone in an apartment.
My only issue is that due to their map/setup, I can't start working for them until I drive a couple miles from either my work or home even though I was assigned an order from the parking lot at where I live.
Over the past weekend (Thu-Sun) I had 23 calls:
8: For a fast food franchise
5: For an American based restaurant
2: For a Mexican based restaurant
2: For an European based restaurant
3: For a far Eastern based restaurant
1: For an Asian fusion restaurant
1: Did not get to me due to a bad signal and was reassigned to a different driver
1: For a McDonald's location that was permanently closed and the order was cancelled.
Been to the same Wing Stop and same Red Robin twice and two different Taco Bell and two different Portillo's locations.
Of the 21 I delivered, 11 were from places that I would not consider eating
12 were to a house
4 to an apartment including one to the 4th floor where I had to take the stairs to deliver to two guys who were playing a game on their tv
4 to someone working at a retail business
1 to a commercial business
One of the businesses was my pharmacist a half mile from where I live and another was a block from my house where I almost fell while carrying a large chocolate malt with my bag. I also delivered two high end Italian dinners at 10 PM and the man who answered the door was wearing boxers and covered in sweat.
I am mostly surprised by the amount of people who use this service instead of going themselves or making their own food. Granted last weekend was rainy so that could be a factor as well.
I have also realized that one of the best things about this is that while delivering, I am not alone in an apartment.
Monday, July 9, 2018
"mad"man vs "Mc"Beast
Over last weekend, Paul McBeth played what many called the "greatest round ever played" at a tournament in Milford, Michigan. I played two rounds in an event on Sunday and decided to compare.
Note: the pics in the chart are the ones on the PDGA website player page.
Yes, I know that the last comparison is the one that should matter most.
Note: the pics in the chart are the ones on the PDGA website player page.
Yes, I know that the last comparison is the one that should matter most.
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Things never change
From my day:
Miles driven to get to cousin's house having to pick up two people: 70
Time taken to get there: 2 1/2 hours.
Extra time driven since a rogue priest decided today is the day to block a major Chicago expressway I only take a handful of days in a year: 45 minutes.
Times I said "not plausible" to a person or display either in the same car or within 15 feet of a nun: 4
Cousins there: 8
People who touched me from behind on purpose: 3
Sandwiches eaten: 3
Deserts eaten: 2
Time sitting in my large lawn chair set up facing downhill so I can get up without being laughed at: 45 minutes
Questions asked about me or my daughter about anything over the last 2 years: 0
Questions asked about something I used to do before: 1
Questions asked about the same person whose constant inquiries prompted me to get drunk at a company outing last December: 0
Questions to my sister's family about sports that I heard: 5
Time someone else used my lawn chair after I got up to pee causing me to eat standing up and be alone and miserable: 3 hours
I have to admit that this situation put me out of my comfort zone and I had zero idea how to properly react so I just brooded until I had to let those know why I was no longer sitting with them as I asked for it back while leaving.
Miles driven to get to cousin's house having to pick up two people: 70
Time taken to get there: 2 1/2 hours.
Extra time driven since a rogue priest decided today is the day to block a major Chicago expressway I only take a handful of days in a year: 45 minutes.
Times I said "not plausible" to a person or display either in the same car or within 15 feet of a nun: 4
Cousins there: 8
People who touched me from behind on purpose: 3
Sandwiches eaten: 3
Deserts eaten: 2
Time sitting in my large lawn chair set up facing downhill so I can get up without being laughed at: 45 minutes
Questions asked about me or my daughter about anything over the last 2 years: 0
Questions asked about something I used to do before: 1
Questions asked about the same person whose constant inquiries prompted me to get drunk at a company outing last December: 0
Questions to my sister's family about sports that I heard: 5
Time someone else used my lawn chair after I got up to pee causing me to eat standing up and be alone and miserable: 3 hours
I have to admit that this situation put me out of my comfort zone and I had zero idea how to properly react so I just brooded until I had to let those know why I was no longer sitting with them as I asked for it back while leaving.
Monday, July 2, 2018
The waterdrop way of driving
A few years ago, I discovered that in large cities roads generally go into or out of a central point. I imagine the city being a pond and a drip in the central point. When going either with or against the wave, you are fine but crossing them is not.
My aunt lives on the north side of Chicago near the lakefront while many cousins on my mom's side of the family live in the far south suburbs and my sister and I reside just west of O'Hare Airport. Those who live south think it is easy for us to get her compared to what they would have to do.
If you imagine a drop of water at State and Madison (0 N/S & E/W), I have to cross the waves to get there while those who live where a party is being held on Saturday don't.
Though the ride is 18 miles shorter, it is only 11 minutes shorter and far more aggravating due to multiple stop lights and traffic.
I have to pick up my mom anyway on Saturday as well so it makes sense for me to go and the drive to 159th and Cicero will need to be a different route as well since a south side priest is planning on blocking the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94) on Saturday.
My aunt lives on the north side of Chicago near the lakefront while many cousins on my mom's side of the family live in the far south suburbs and my sister and I reside just west of O'Hare Airport. Those who live south think it is easy for us to get her compared to what they would have to do.
If you imagine a drop of water at State and Madison (0 N/S & E/W), I have to cross the waves to get there while those who live where a party is being held on Saturday don't.
Though the ride is 18 miles shorter, it is only 11 minutes shorter and far more aggravating due to multiple stop lights and traffic.
I have to pick up my mom anyway on Saturday as well so it makes sense for me to go and the drive to 159th and Cicero will need to be a different route as well since a south side priest is planning on blocking the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94) on Saturday.
Friday, June 29, 2018
multi-discing
Similar to my other week long vacation this year, disc golf is the agenda. There were 6 events in the 9 days off that I would play and there are five different formats within them:
For handicap singles, players get from +4 to -6 adjusted from their regular score based on how well they have shot this year. In the 5 events I have played with the club, I totaled 16 over par (with a max of 6 over per round) so I get 3 shots taken off my score to figure out prizes.
Doubles seems self explanatory.
When there are an odd number of players in a doubles event, one of them plays what is called California style to compensate for the lack of a partner as they can rethrow one shot per hole.
In most sanctioned events, there are 4 divisions of regular amateur play plus female and or age based groups. I play in the 50+ group. For one of the events, the top and bottom divisions are expanded to create six divisions so technically a 15 year old boy, a 70 year old man, and a 35 year old woman with similar ratings can be in the same division.
Since my right arm went "no" at work, I am not sure what events I will be able to play. *sigh*
For handicap singles, players get from +4 to -6 adjusted from their regular score based on how well they have shot this year. In the 5 events I have played with the club, I totaled 16 over par (with a max of 6 over per round) so I get 3 shots taken off my score to figure out prizes.
Doubles seems self explanatory.
When there are an odd number of players in a doubles event, one of them plays what is called California style to compensate for the lack of a partner as they can rethrow one shot per hole.
In most sanctioned events, there are 4 divisions of regular amateur play plus female and or age based groups. I play in the 50+ group. For one of the events, the top and bottom divisions are expanded to create six divisions so technically a 15 year old boy, a 70 year old man, and a 35 year old woman with similar ratings can be in the same division.
Since my right arm went "no" at work, I am not sure what events I will be able to play. *sigh*
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