After being retired for four years, an old friend called and asked if I wanted a job. He has a small manufacturing business making devices and kits for science teachers. I told him I would give it a try. I can always use some extra money. Anyway, after twenty years as a mainframe computer jock, I'm now doing manual labor and learning how to set up and use machine tool and I have to admit I'm enjoying it a lot. Metaphorically, I've changed from white collar to blue, although I wear T-shirts and jeans, just as I did on my old job. It's satisfying in a different way to have actual, physical proof of the care and workmanship I put into these things. Before, few people even understood what I did; now I can show exactly what I do and you can see how well I do it.
I also find that I have a different attitude about work. I'm going out of my way to make sure I'm giving value for the money I get. Part of that is because my boss is also my friend, but part of it also is that my value and productivity is a lot more visible. When you sit at a desk staring at a computer terminal, nobody can tell for sure if you're working hard or not. When I'm cutting cylinders out of copper tubing stock, you can see just how many I made in two hours and if I did a good job of it.
The best thing about the job is that I can work as much or as little as I want. As long as I let the boss know if and when to expect me, it's cool. I don't have to lie and call in sick. I can call and say, "Hey. It's too nice a day to work. I'm going skiing. I'll see you tomorrow morning"
After a few days, I decided that, if I was going to work with him day after day, I wanted him to know I was gay During a break I said something like, "Jim, I hope this doesn't make you uncomfortable, but I just wanted to tell you I'm gay. The only reason to tell you is that now I don't have to waste time wondering if I should tell you or not." His response was, " Well, I'm uncomfortable talking about sex, period. So that's that." And that was that. No discussion; nothing changed.
Surprisingly, that's how it has been everytime I've told somebody. Of course, I'm careful who I tell, and I'm pretty sure of their reaction before I do. I think I've got a good set of friends.
I also find that I have a different attitude about work. I'm going out of my way to make sure I'm giving value for the money I get. Part of that is because my boss is also my friend, but part of it also is that my value and productivity is a lot more visible. When you sit at a desk staring at a computer terminal, nobody can tell for sure if you're working hard or not. When I'm cutting cylinders out of copper tubing stock, you can see just how many I made in two hours and if I did a good job of it.
The best thing about the job is that I can work as much or as little as I want. As long as I let the boss know if and when to expect me, it's cool. I don't have to lie and call in sick. I can call and say, "Hey. It's too nice a day to work. I'm going skiing. I'll see you tomorrow morning"
After a few days, I decided that, if I was going to work with him day after day, I wanted him to know I was gay During a break I said something like, "Jim, I hope this doesn't make you uncomfortable, but I just wanted to tell you I'm gay. The only reason to tell you is that now I don't have to waste time wondering if I should tell you or not." His response was, " Well, I'm uncomfortable talking about sex, period. So that's that." And that was that. No discussion; nothing changed.
Surprisingly, that's how it has been everytime I've told somebody. Of course, I'm careful who I tell, and I'm pretty sure of their reaction before I do. I think I've got a good set of friends.