I resent lazy co-workers.
I worked for a small company and one of my co-workers was the sister of the owner. She was a nice lady and we worked together very well. She always worked hard and made sure things were done in time.
Then she decided to leave. The physical work became too much for her and she wanted to do something different. An ad was put in the paper (no Internet yet), and we received quite a few responses.
Hank seemed to be the best candidate He was in the right age group, has a positive demeanor and he had a degree in art history. A most welcome qualification for someone who works at an auction house.
I led the job interview and I put emphasis on the fact that, especially right before and during the auctions, there was a lot of physical labor to be done. “No problem,” he said. “I like being busy physically, it’s good for the body.”
Soon after he was hired I noticed however that he was more talk than substance. He willingly slacked on certain things and was in the habit of asking others to do it for him. Many times, one of us jumped in and as soon as we did he went off the gas even more.
Sometimes I needed a hand, but it was pointless asking him. Hank always had an excuse, or he flat out refused saying that he was too busy. His favorite thing to bring up was that he had back problems and he couldn’t lift anything. However, he only seemed to have a sore back on weekdays, on the weekends he played soccer without a problem.
I had it with him when he eased off completely and we had to call in two freelance workers to do the work that he could easily have done himself. And as soon as those workers showed up, Hank went into the office, sat at the desk, and only pretended to do be busy.
Fast food & annoying people
A burger restaurant was the only place in the area where I could get a meal. I hadn’t eaten that day yet and the supplies in the truck were long gone.
I was somewhat in a hurry and was hoping it would a quick in and out. No such luck, a single line was backed up to the door and for a few seconds I contemplated skipping a meal. A rumble in my stomach made me decide otherwise. The line was moving slowly, and while the person at the register was working as fast as she could the orders left the kitchen at a snail’s pace.
Just ahead of me was a family of five, mom, dad and three kids between 5 and 10 years old, to my best estimate. Dressed in colorful outfits, which convinced me they were tourists, and chattering non-stop they made their way to the counter.
“What can I get you today,” asked the friendly employee with a smile. And then it started. Before mom or dad could say anything the kids started yelling at the same time and within moments the three youngsters turned into a screaming wild bunch.
All that commotion made it impossible for mom to figure out what they actually wanted. She tried to calm them down while dad stood at the sideline with a helpless look on his face. “If you don’t settle down we will leave and you won’t get anything.”
That statement made some impression and finally they controlled themselves well enough to turn in their order. But that was not the end of it. Mom decided they couldn’t have what they wanted, either it was not healthy enough or the portions were too big. And right away the mayhem started again.
Collectibles may not be worth much
A few years ago, I went to an estate sale that was dominated by the presence of about twelve display cases filled with figurines.
According to the salesperson there were at least 2,000 little statues that the owner had collected over the years.
I don’t recall what the asking prices were but I’m sure that it was minimal. And when I came back the next day I really didn’t notice that any of them had been sold.
“How are you going to get rid of them?” I asked the man in charge. He shrugged his shoulders and answered: “I don’t know.”
It seemed to me that he would have sell the whole lot to someone who could part them out at a swap meet. And that person would probably not pay more than fifty cents each which proves that, with a few exceptions, all those Precious Moments, Hummel, Lladro, and other figurines are worth very little.
There are many people who bought them went they were issued, sometimes with the expectation that over the years they would increase in value. Especially the ‘limited edition’ ones were considered to be a good investment.
Then comes the point when, for one reason or another, they want to sell them. I can imagine the disappointment when they find out that the value is only a fraction of what they paid for it.
Lack of appreciation or just being cheapskates?
Just now I watched a YouTube video of a woodworker who creates small products and sells those locally.
Honestly, I’m a bit jealous now. Not because of his skills or the nice tools he uses, I’m jealous because he can sell his products for a reasonable price, and I can’t.
I live in an area where most people do not appreciate quality and craftmanship.
Some years ago, I managed to buy a load of solid pine shelves and I turned those into step stools and pet steps in an attempt to generate some extra income. True, I was able to sell them but only because I kept the price very low, too low actually.
Considering the cost of the materials, wear and tear on the tools and my labor I was working for a few dollars an hour.
And despite the low prices some people were asking for upgrades to the standard product and not wanting to pay extra.
I offered them unfinished, light stains or dark stains. And some wanted to have them painted in a specific color. They were surprised when I told them that it would double the price. After all, I would have to go to the store and get a quart of paint and depending on the color, put 2 or 3 coats on. Just for my trip to the store, paint not included, I would have to charge $20 for my time.
Then I suggested they could paint it themselves, but nobody wanted to do so.
Someone gave me a piece of carpet, so I offered the steps carpeted as well. And sure enough, some wanted a different color than the standard beige.
No appreciation from the church
About twenty five years ago I started going to one of the local churches. Not because I’m a deeply religious person but the true reason was that I needed some supportive people in my life.
My marriage was not a success, to put it mildly, and I was living under pressure with no one to talk to.
I met some very friendly people who made me feel welcome and the services provided the warmth and inspiration that I was looking for.
After a while I felt that I should contribute to this community, and I went to see one of the pastors. I offered to make a web site that could be not only a source of information for members but also could help spread the word and attract people who were unfamiliar with the church.
The pastor agreed that it was a great idea and he promised to help me get all the necessary information.
I went to work and got the domain name and the hosting, for which I paid out of my own pocket. Then came the time where the actual content had to be added.
Every Friday a bulletin was printed regarding the services and activities for the coming week. I asked to have the bulletin faxed to me so I could add it to the site. The first week I received it on time, the second week I had to call and remind them to send it to me. The third week I had to call a few times, etc.
I also asked for biographies and photos of the pastors. Despite repeated promises I never got them.
The church also failed to promote the site. I was hoping it would be mentioned in the services, and at least it should have been give some attention in the printed weekly bulletins. It didn’t happen, there was no co-operation whatsoever.
At some point I told the pastor that if I could not get obtain the material that I needed I would have to take the site down. His answer was disappointing, to say the least: “Just take it down.”
The site was removed that same day and apparently no one ever noticed. I was not upset about the time I had spent on it; I did feel that I hadn’t been taken seriously. And my attempt to make a worthwhile contribution had failed, and not of my own doing.