I was all lazy yesterday, but I deserved it. I had a long week. What I normally do when it's time for me to relax, is head for the lake to do some fishing and spend quality time with my parents, so that's what I did. After I woke up at 9:00AM. (!!) In my defense, I took my roommate out to the bar for a few cocktails and conversation, and I managed to get myself pretty damn innebriated. Anyhow, I got some well-needed rest, so I was is no mood to do chores. Off to the lake with me.
I caught a few fish, and generally enjoyed myself. (Except for dropping my Zippo into the lake, but a magnet was used, and my lighter was restored to me. It dried out just fine, and is back in fine working order. Zippo Lighters. I highly recommend them.)
during the course of the day, my Sister came down to go to get her hair cut with my Mom. The Brother-In-Law couldn't make it, as he has been installing a residential elevator for the past few weekends. (He works "Service" through the regular week, but we are behind on a few of these jobs, so he is working overtime to help us get caught up.) I guess it was about 2:00 or 2:30 in the afternoon when my Sis' mentioned the fact that the guy who was helping Dean out with the installation had called off sick. I said something to the effect of "It's a shame he's all the way out in Newport (roughly 70 miles up the road), or I would go out and help him."
Needless to say, I wound up helping him out today. Left the house at 6:30 this morning, and arrived back here at quarter 'til eight this evening. That's a good work day. We got that elevator about 95% complete today. All it will take is for another guy to come out and install the door "interlocks", set the magnets (that tell the elevator where to stop on the floor in question), and adjust the valve that controls how the jack reacts. That's about a half-day's work (for one man) left to do. Not bad progress at all, and it was fun.
"But why in hell did you go out and install an levator on your day off?" I hear you asking. Well, the reasons are three-fold:
Firstly, I couldn't stand the fact that my "Bro-I-L" was out there working by himself. A job-site on a weekend can get to be an awful lonely place, and there are times when you just need an extra pair of hands to help get that piece in place. I wsan't going to leave him hanging when I knew I could be of service to him, so I went.
"B", By going out on my day off, I can show that I'm a "Company Man" to the boss. I really want him to know that I'm serious about this job. I really, really like what I'm doing, and I don't plan on doing anything else anytime soon. I'd like him to see that. (When we stopped by the shop on friday, he asked me how I was doing. I replied that I was "great", and then started telling him the story of me working on buying a boat. I hope he "read between the lines" and got the fact that I'm not going anywhere.)
Last, The Thanksgiving Holiday is coming up next week. I'll have the day off, but because I'm still in my 90 day "trial period", I don't get paid for the time off. I have to balance this out in some fashion, and this opportunity presented itself. I am able to ofset the hours lost from the Holiday by working a little extra. Nothing wrong with that.
(The above were listed in their order of importance.)
I'm currently listening to my "The Very Best of Shreyl Crow" CD, and it just rocks! I was telling my Dad about it the other day, and he proclaimed that he wanted me to copy it for him. I gave it some thought, and realized that it was more trouble than it was worth, so the last time I was at the "store", I just up and bought him a copy for himself. As I understand it, he's really enjoying the CD on his way to and from work every day. This gives me no end of pleasure. I really enjoy putting a smile on the face of the people I Love.
I believe I'll turn around and play along with "Picture" one more time, and then call it a day. Four AM comes up pretty soon, and I've still got to fold my laundry, and pack for the drive to Chattanooga in the morning. I'll join you all as soon as I can.
Posted by Johnny - Oh at November 21, 2004 10:59 PMProbably totally off tpoic, but have you discovered anything gross whilst doing this job? Like at the bottom of the shafts?
Posted by: Alex at November 22, 2004 03:50 AMSo far, I've noticed nothing that I would consider "out of the ordinary" for a construction site. No "bodily excretions" or anything like that in my pit (thank goodness). You haven't been throwing any Munchkins down elevator shafts, have you? ;^)
Posted by: Johnny - Oh at November 22, 2004 04:25 AMJust wanted to chime in on Zippo lighters. Work great, last forever, and the lifetime warranty is no joke. I had the top of mine come off (the hinge weld broke). Sent it in, they re-welded the top to the hinge, and sent it back with some free flints.
Zippos ROCK! :-)
Posted by: Harvey at November 22, 2004 10:13 AM*Sitting up dazed and bruised at the bottom of elevator shaft*
I KNEW I shouldn't have downloaded that file. I wonder if he's fixed the computer yet...
Zippos are EVIL. The number of times I had my bangs singed by some drunken guy trying to be suave...although I can see how they'd be useful in extreme weather conditions. Caught in a hurricane? Need a light? No problem.
Posted by: Sally at November 22, 2004 01:15 PMFrom Johnny-Oh's b-in law. "Now a word from our sponsor. Zippo lighters!"
This is Johnny-Oh's sister and I just had to comment about what may be getting in your shaft. It's a sad but very true and horrific story. You look and the shaft is full of, on no what could it be it's it's LADY BUGS!! These seeming to be harmless little bugs can and have shut elevators down. Now my baby brother can get a glimpse of what he could find in an elevator shaft. And I had some funny telling it. Won't he be proud?
For all that read this he really does have some serious blog deprivation going on. I hope he will be able to fix it soon. I've been surprised to even see him on the weekends. you all are a great support system for him. Thank you.
Posted by: ME at November 22, 2004 08:55 PMNow, are we talking about cute, harmless little authentic lady bugs, or those nasty, biting little imitation lady bugs?
Posted by: Harvey at November 23, 2004 01:44 PMWe are talking about the seemingless harmless ones. Unless of course you are an elevator. Kind of hard to believe but it is very true. The very ones that are supposed to eat the aphids of off rose bushes. I found it pretty amazing but I know of 2 elevators that the little bugs have shut the elevators down. My poor husband and brother are gluttens. I am the dispatcher (service coordinator) for the elevators they install and later are turned over to me. We are a family with our ups and downs but we never get the shaft lol. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Just a note for all that are reading. I am still anxiously awaiting to hear about my baby brothers houseboat endeavors. Seems if all goes as we hope and suspect he'll be a neigbhor to my hubby and I's house on water. (We only get weekend visitation though:( ahhh! gotta love kids! )
Posted by: ME at November 23, 2004 11:33 PM