Closet Extremist

Elevator Man (tm)

Over the last few months, I've been a little bitchy at work. I've been in the job for pushing nine months now, and all accounts are that I'm doing a great job. However, I've not been remunerated for the job that I'm doing. Still working for the wage that I got starting out, and it's been way long enough for me to see a little something. At the three-month mark, I looked for a little courtesy raise. Something like a quarter or fifty-cents on the hour. Just a little something to keep my attention. Nothing. I expected to see something like that at the six-month mark as well, and got not even an "Attaboy". I stuck with it because I like the job, but I must admit that my "Give a Shit" was getting a little worn around the edges.

On the Fifth, I had a sit down with the boss, and he informed me that I was to be a "Lead Mechanic" on the second shift of a remodel job if I wanted it. He also let me know that some more cash was forthcoming. Well duh, of course I want it. I'm ready to start making a few mistakes of my own, and learning ever more about my trade. The best way to learn is to teach, so this is a golden opportunity for me.

The downside is that Ford loses "The best helper he's ever had". Hell, I'll miss working with him, but it's time for me to spread my wings a little. I like the way this is set up as well. Once I start on the second shift, I'll be leading the work, but I'm not the lead man on the job. There's a much more experienced man that I can lean on, on first shift, and the shifts will overlap by an hour or so, so everything can be lined out. I'm working on my own, but with a net. It's win-win.

My mood has improved quite a bit since this revelation, but I got something today that made it even better. The company mails its check stubs out every friday, and I get it on Saturday. When the mail came today, I was bouncing like a puppy after a treat, to open up my paystub. I checked the number next to "Rate:", and found that it had risen by over three dollars an hour! Patience and being just a little bitchy around people who I knew would talk to the boss, has paid off. My boss really took care of me, so now I'll keep taking care of him.

I'm so tickled right now I could bust. I think a celebration at the bar tonight is in order. I'll raise one for all of you as well.