You name it and I've probably done it if it doesn't take a degree. (Except my cosmetology and electrology licenses), back when times would be slow and you'd get laid off I worked for temporary employment agencies where I did everything from packing cards in a box for Precious Moments to varied assembly line work. One of the most beloved jobs I ever held though was as a die setter, it was the most rewarding and fast paced job I ever had. Before I could work in factories my first job as a teenager was working at a Mexican food place. I also worked at one of what many always have considered one of the most prestigious hotels in town for awhile. I quit because it was an emotional roller coaster ride as when the place wasn't busy with conventions we often had the downtrodden coming in then we were told to kick them out when it got busy with convention folks who were actually worse to deal with then the downtrodden. Their snootiness was unbearable but ironically it was often them whom you find someone among their party who'd stuff their check down into the seat of the booth and walk out without paying. The place would get so packed during conventions you really couldn't keep your eye on everybody to make sure they were all taking their checks up to the cashier. The witch manager I swear I'll go to my grave never forgetting that woman's name...lol. Winnie, and it fit her to a "t" as people often sarcastically refer to people as being real winners she surely qualified.

After my stint in factories ended I decided to work the beauty arena. That was a trip also. At first I opened as a full service salon. Trying to manage a bunch of woman was a trip. You talk about a bunch of thieves. They worked as self contractors so they had to supply their own stuff outside of things like perm rods and it seemed like there wasn't nothing they didn't feel comfortable taking from someone else who wasn't there at the time. I could see if someone walked in and asked for something you didn't have or ran out of and replaced it but often times no one would admit they took it. After one day coming in and finding that one of the girls had quit and stole every last perm rod out of the cupboards you pretty much had to stay clued to the place whenever it was open. Boy I could tell some stories when I opted to do like a few others and take in a guy who could speak Spanish to service an increasing population of them in the neighborhood. Come to find out he never did have a license but I always took the word of this lady from the school I attended that he did....technically she was the only one licensed in her shop...she was an instructor at my school but she ran a hair salon in a place that had what they called a Mexican market. She'd often offer us to come and watch her stylist to learn more about what it was going to be like once we went graduated. He couldn't get a license because he was here illegally but that didn't stop her from taking him as an apprentice. Despite their age difference (lol) she didn't have any qualms about enjoying some side "benefits"....if you get my drift. She was also a lesbian or I guess you could say bi-sexual, she lived with another lady who use to work for the same company I did when I was a die setter. I never met the lady while working for her or there as the place had seven factories. Anyway, after her beauty shop closed in the Mexican mall she went to work teaching at a new cos school that opened, when her girlfriend was ready to retire she stole thousands of dollars from the owner and her and her girlfriend went to Mexico where she was from. She came here after spending ten years in prison for killing her husband. Truly one of those "the things we don't know" situations. lol. That's just the half of it, like I said he was her apprentice, I didn't lose thousands from him but he was quite the con trying to get out of his share of paying. He was super talented, he had woman coming some distance just to get him to do their hair. He'd keep my other chairs filled but he often figured that as his share or contribution towards paying his share. Can't say it was boring, I, as a landlord, having always been pretty good at reading people, part of my success of being a profitable one, try applying that to those whom you don't understand a word they are saying! Interesting times to say the least.

I am contemplating something quite different right now. Not that I will be selected but I got selected among what they termed a limited number of people in my state with a inclination towards politics to submit an application to be considered for a lottery of what will be a final chosen two hundred of whom eight will be randomly chosen to fill seats on a new commission to draw out new districts lines after the census. The voters approved a proposal last election to create a commission that consist of eight individuals from at large and four others from the political parties. The job would entail having to be available to travel to meetings throughout the state but they compensate you as the job will pay forty thousand for a year. I think it would be a honor to serve on the commission but I also considerate a honor to have been chosen for consideration as I don't know of anyone else who has. lol. Now I have bragging rights to my kids that all my political inclination has finally been appreciated by somebodies...lol. To which I got the usual reply of "is this going to take you a hour to explain to us"....now you see why I feel honored. lol.