My about me page mysteriously disappeared and my wife noticed very quickly when the delete button was “accidentally” hit. Ever since then she will occasionally ask if another about page has been posted, my reply is always, “Nope have other things I am working on.”
Well, here it is babe, hope you are happy.
First and foremost, hyperactivity has always forced me to write anything that needs to be accomplished down, or it most likely will not get done. While performing a task, a forced focus is required or the squirrels fly out of the woodwork and nothing is accomplished. Of course, most of my life was an attempt of being a master multitasker which did not work out so well. You have been warned, really not sure how this writing will go for just hitting the keys.
Relationships
Keeping in touch is a skill that evades me. By the time the thought of reaching out hits me, there is a strong feeling of embarrassment that communication did not happen sooner. Then, I justify not calling with “the phone works both ways” freeing me from an uncomfortable communication. This right here has to be the dumbest character flaw I have. Not the only one, but definitely the dumbest.
No matter what words come out of my mouth, I do like people. It is probably pretty evident since when time permits and I have the ability, help from me is available to nearly everyone. As a direct contradiction, there are very few people, outside my family, that an emotional bond is developed. In sixty three years, I have more fingers than I have had a strong connection with someone.
As a young man my attitude on relationships was pretty messed up, luckily there was emotional growth and what really matters became evident.
My Greatest Joy
My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are all my pride and joy. With ten grandchildren in my life, there are many times I tell people I have too many. Reality is, my best days are when both of my children and all their children spend the day at my home. Obviously exhausting, but such a blissful exhaustion.
My greatest joy is being married to someone that I truly enjoy spending my day with. My appreciation goes out to every person that makes her smile (KLAM).
Education
My Junior and Senior High experiences were nearly entirely hated, they seemed a huge waste of time since seventh through High School graduation felt like a repeat of elementary school. Band, Cross Country Running, and a few other sports were tried in hopes of some enjoyment, but just left me blah.
It did not help that I was always the new kid in class. In California, living in areas that were not the worst, yet not the Mayberry feel I was accustomed to up until the fifth grade. Minnesota small towns, very clique-y and never felt I fit in until I finally graduated and only had to deal with work.
Preferred my time at the various jobs performed before and after school. Besides, the odd jobs gave me much needed spending money.
College level? Sales and Management courses in Faribault, MN. Took Culinary education in St. Paul, off and on when I was in the State. Couple of classes at UC Irvine, Consumnes River College, and almost completed Computer Science through an Online University that shut down six weeks before completion. I definitely preferred the Online over in person, due to the students asking the same questions repeatably drove me nuts.
Courses were taken either for hobby interests or because I felt it would help in whatever job held at the time. Programming was a hobby with a lot of hours spent, fell in love with computers the first time I touched one (1976, IBM Mainframe in Hale Junior High)
Work Life
As a teen I helped at a cattle ranch in southern California before and after school. Nothing much, just move hay, feed the hogs and cows. I really enjoyed that type of stuff and pursued part time work both in California and Minnesota as a child. Also did light work at nurseries in both States.
Restaurants were my primary income from the age of sixteen until twenty-one. Most of my time was at a restaurant in Faribault MN. But the industry kept me working even when I would suddenly move elsewhere. Worked restaurants in Palm Springs, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Rancho Mirage. Rancho Mirage was interesting, since it was rumored to be owned by the mafia. Probably due to the stereotypical Italians that worked and hung out there.
Up until I was twenty-four owning a restaurant was a goal of mine. Drove truck over the road off and on in those years, never fired just get bored and move on. Even did that with towns until marriage finally settled me down.
Worked in manufacturing, slaughter houses, retail, maintenance, and even as a car salesman for a couple of dealerships. Nothing really stuck, until fate pulled me into the Septic business.
Nearly thirty years in the Septic Business
That career was a love-hate relationship. Ninety-nine point nine percent of the customers were people I enjoyed working for. Really, I can only think of two (maybe three) customers in thirty years that were not so pleasant. The work was demanding, nasty at times, but I enjoyed most of the days. Always something new, various tasks and skills, just perfect for me.
Retirement
Left a job to work with my son, who started working at an outfit I worked at for over twenty years. The company had changed hands and the new owner knew nothing about the industry (he would claim otherwise). Made it almost two years and for the first time in my life I was fired from a job. Just going to call it personality conflicts.
Retirement sucks. Had to take Social Security at 62, needed to keep some money coming in since no one would hire me. Been working since I was thirteen years old, other than my wife and children work was my focus. For a few years work was the focus ahead of my family, my only regret. I always used, “I am doing what I need to do to feed my family” as justification. Though, if I am honest with myself it was more than that.
My wonderful wife was worried about me for a while, for my opinion of myself was very low for nearly a year. Did not help when I blurted out “I am just a worthless piece of Blank”.
Today
I stopped any type of programming in 2019 and here I am back at it. Only doing Web Stuff, which has changed quite a bit over the last couple of decades. Actually easier because the code is just plugging in premade material.
So I play with the website while my wife works. Do some maintenance around the house, and cooking again. My attitude is much better and definitely find enough to keep busy, otherwise my wife will find me more Honey Dos.
WordPress is the core program, no use in building what has already been built. Most of the additions to WordPress is of my doing. Recipe section, Theme, and other parts, that way I can adjust to my tastes.
Blessed life and I guess now the secret is out that I do enjoy my time with the kids and grand-brats.
OK Baby, got the about page back up.