Guess Who Has Two Thumbs And A Job?
If you guessed me, you were correct!
After months of applying and interviewing, I finally got a job! One that isn't too far, and pays the highest hourly rate I've ever received. $16 an hour and mandatory overtime, with roughly 43 hours a week. That overtime comes from the 4 hour weekend shift, which I can tolerate cause it's so short, and I'm not usually doing anything of import at those hours. Aside from writing and goofing off at my desk. Don't get me wrong, I'd still prefer to have a clear weekend, but I can handle four hours.
The job itself is very similar to previous stocking and logistics jobs. So mundanely simple...you unload any trucks that come in (my least favorite part, honestly), sort and line the shelves, and hand over items for customers. It's a warehouse gig for online auctions and liquidations. As someone who grew up browsing yard sales, I'm excited to see what interesting finds I come across.
The weekday shift is easiest on me; it doesn't start super early, but after 10, when I'm well awake and starting to feel restless. The damn time change has me thinking the days are actually longer, despite them actually being an hour short. I'm usually up by 5 to feed the cats and medicate our senior, Lily, and spend the next few hours writing after a brief workout.
So now I'll be using that time to focus on writing and edits, and worry less about making money from survey sites. Oh, and speaking of...I actually got access to my Prolific account a week ago. After they couldn't verify my identity?? Might be because I didn't use my full hyphenated name on the site but eh...I suppose I can try to fix that now, as I won't be needing the site as much with this job. Joined this site 10 years ago and never had an issue until now.
But back to the matter at hand...
The thing that worries me most about this job are the floors. I wear orthopedics to correct my flat feet, and haven't been standing as much as I used to. Can't imagine we get those fancy fatigue mats, either. Or maybe we do and I just didn't have time to see them? I'll find out Monday, when I start. I'm assuming and hoping that first day will just be paperwork and training, and not an immediate thrust onto the floor. You gotta ease people into these kinda things. I'm really hoping they have a break room too, though that's a standard...
I'm just worried because I didn't get to see the BOH stuff; my interview was a quick standing one further down the main building. I don't have a car, so that's a major concern of mine. And there's not many businesses nearby that allow randoms to come in and chill; they're all very specific businesses with very few restaurants or shops. I will bring a little lunch just in case my stay lasts longer than. Made that mistake too many times with previous jobs, where they stuck me at a computer to watch videos for hours with only snacks available.
Pants are another concern. I have several pair of pants, but only recently found a good size (in mens') and need extra pairs to get me through the week. We're planning on going out today, as my girlfriend wanted to update their wardrobe. I just want two extra pairs that fit right and I can be comfortable in. My cargo pants unfortunately are a little tight around the thighs now, and make an audible swish when I walk.
It's a little embarrassing for me. My girlfriend commenting on it didn't help, either...I am sensitive about my weight, have always been since a kid, and it was hard not to be with family members making little jabs about it. I've gained some of it back in the last two years, around the time my treadmill stopped working. It's a sore spot, and having pants that fit right help with my body issues.
Whew, took a sad turn there...but yeah. I got a better paying job, doing something I've been doing for awhile now. Not my desired field, as all that heavy lifting is bad for the back, but it's been hard getting my foot in the healthcare field. And the current state of my country makes it harder to really settle in something permanent right now. This stocking job is perfect until something better comes along or if I want to move elsewhere. I don't know. I have less existential dread right now, but I'm still worried about what may come in the future.
The president has dementia and is actively starving people for sport. But at least we had some major wins in recent elections! That alone gives me hope, along with the bipartisan support to release those Epstein Files. But I'm going to focus more on my job and writing in these upcoming weeks—I really need to ask if we get holidays off...I mean, I just assumed, along with the offered benefits. Or at least give us holiday pay if we have to be there. I'll ask about all that Monday and go from there.