Take this job and...love it?

Karlifornia · 09-30-2008, 05:18 AM

About 6 or so years ago, I was working at a discount grocery store. It wasn't a bad first job, all things considered, but the 9 hour shifts in a rather soulless environment wore me down. I was driving around town one day when I saw a decrepit sandwich-board style sign sitting in front of a monolithic tourist attraction. It said "Looking for a fun job? Apply at the Winchester Mystery House!"

So, I did. I applied, had a little interview, and got hired. I quit the grocery store (shamefully eschewing the courtesy of a two week notice), and went to work as a tour guide at San Jose's only real national beacon of tourism.

The job paid shit. Somehow, though, I managed to work this not even full time job and split rent with my girlfriend as an 18 year old with just wisps of sprouting facial hair.

Giving the same guided tour of a dusty old mansion would seem boring. I suppose it would have been god-awful if I had stayed there much longer than I did....but, while I was there, I had an awesome time. The rest of the tour guides were girls around my age, who were always flirty. The place, overrated as it may have been, still carried mystique about it, and was always a great icebreaker at that time.

I've never believed in ghosts, but the stories about the supernatural in that house are legendary. With only natural-lighting, the place would get dark very fast at dusk, when the last tours ended. Then we each had our cleaning tasks...dusting, windows...vacuuming..all of that. With the house being so big, you were never within shouting distance of someone else who was cleaning. So, you better believe the darkness and isolation made me whip my head around every time I heard a floor creak. Spooky shit!

Anyways....what are the jobs you've loved so far?

EDIT: I'm sloppy

sachmo71 · 09-30-2008, 07:03 AM

that's a pretty cool job. that lady was batshit crazy.

Eaglesfan27 · 09-30-2008, 07:48 AM

That house was my wife's favorite spot we visited when we vacationed in California.

jeheinz72 · 09-30-2008, 09:28 AM

So sad, I live in the Bay Area and I've never actually been to the Winchester Mystery House. The field trip for that during school was when I was in 7th grade but I was out of town as we all went to Miami for the 20th Anniversary of 17-0.

johnnyshaka · 09-30-2008, 09:58 AM

WTF?? I was in San Jose a couple of years ago and I never heard of the place...pfffft...figures.

DeToxRox · 09-30-2008, 10:21 AM

Working at an Ice Arena in High School. Drive the Zamboni, make everyone else do shit, and then when at 1 AM, call up my buddies and play hockey till 3 or 4 AM.

So bad ass.

JeeberD · 09-30-2008, 10:24 AM

I'm actually really loving my job right now, but of course I really don't have any responsibilities except to keep up with my training materials. But I'm loving my GM, the other managers are all very cool and I feel have accepted me and value my opinion, and the team members have been respectful.

I hope to god when I'm done with my training that I'm put somewhere that I like as much...

MacroGuru · 09-30-2008, 10:39 AM

I loved working at Macromedia, I was there from 99 - 01, at the heyday of the internet, we had no Per Diem and traveled like rock stars. We were the face of the company and I racked up over 400K air miles in 2 years and the same in hotel points which I kept. Getting stock at a great price was a solid thing as well.

Access to the software, companies I worked with it was great as my opinion was respected in a lot of places.

After that, even though I was gone from the family 8 weeks at a time, R3 was a pretty great gig as well. Weekly xbox 360 tournaments, down time was 360 time. Weekends off and able to visit some of the fun stuff in the cities we were at or wake up in your bathroom at 6 am wondering how the hell you got there.

Marc Vaughan · 09-30-2008, 11:27 AM

I've always loved my present job (game designer/coder/teaboy) - its what I'd be doing as a hobby if I wasn't lucky enough to do it full time.

johnnyshaka · 09-30-2008, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Working at an Ice Arena in High School. Drive the Zamboni, make everyone else do shit, and then when at 1 AM, call up my buddies and play hockey till 3 or 4 AM.

So bad ass.

Every Canadian kid's dream...drive the zamboni at your local arena...awesome!!!

MikeVic · 09-30-2008, 11:42 AM

I won't list jobs in my career, but while I was in University, I worked for a thrift store for half a year or so. During that time I was never trained on cash (was supposed to be trained around the time I left). So for six months I was walking around picking up clothes and random stuff. It fulfilled my slacker needs really well. With the discount, and kinda first dibs on stuff coming in, I bought old video game stuff too. Win-win.

JediKooter · 09-30-2008, 11:53 AM

Installing DSL for PacBell - People! Clean your homes!!!

And my current one at Apple, even though I am separated from my family and go back home about once a month.

Dr. Sak · 09-30-2008, 12:04 PM

In high school I worked the grounds crew for a local golf course. I found thousands of golf balls and golfed for free (with a cart) anytime I wanted.

Pyser · 09-30-2008, 12:19 PM

in hs and early college summers i was a manager of a ben and jerrys on the boardwalk of the jersey shore. i was the only guy that worked there, served girls in bikinis all day long, was invited to all the beach parties after work, and when it got too hot during the shift, we could always take a quick swim in the ocean

when i have my inevitable midlife crisis, i will desperately try to recreate that job.

Fidatelo · 09-30-2008, 01:45 PM

I spent a few summers working at the gas station out by my parents cabin. My first year, my brother and I both worked the same shifts (usually mon-fri mornings) because I wasn't old enough to drive myself to work. Things would get busy around by 10:30am, but for the first 2-3 hours each morning we'd spend most of our time sitting on a couple of chairs out front cracking jokes and hanging out. Definitely a great time to think back on.

Lathum · 09-30-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyser

in hs and early college summers i was a manager of a ben and jerrys on the boardwalk of the jersey shore. i was the only guy that worked there, served girls in bikinis all day long, was invited to all the beach parties after work, and when it got too hot during the shift, we could always take a quick swim in the ocean

when i have my inevitable midlife crisis, i will desperately try to recreate that job.

which boardwalk?

MikeVic · 09-30-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum

which boardwalk?

down by the sea.

jeff061 · 09-30-2008, 02:49 PM

Hopefully I'll love the new one I'm starting Monday. Been a long time since I was excited for a gig. This was the first one I was able to more or less hand pick.

GrantDawg · 09-30-2008, 02:56 PM

Never had a job I loved. Sad, really.

MikeVic · 09-30-2008, 02:59 PM

You don't love being World Champion Mis-speller?

GrantDawg · 09-30-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic

You don't love being World Champion Mis-speller?

No, the pay sucks and I never get time off.

Pyser · 09-30-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum

which boardwalk?

first year was point pleasant, then we moved to manasquan...til it got turned into condos.

MrDNA · 09-30-2008, 09:33 PM

I worked at a haunted prison (Eastern State Pennitentiary for those near Philly). Got to scare the crap out of people and met my girlfriend who I've been with for 7 years now. Good deal.

Also, I love being a teacher. But that sounds lame.

Karlifornia · 10-01-2008, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDNA

Also, I love being a teacher. But that sounds lame.

Doesn't sound lame to me...I would love to go back to school and get my degree in education if my other option doesn't work out.

tarcone · 10-01-2008, 09:17 PM

I loved delivering pizzas in the college town I grew up in. A bunch of my buddies worked there. We had a great time.

I also love being a 6th grade P.E. teacher. I get to play all day long and get paid for it.

st.cronin · 10-01-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Doesn't sound lame to me...I would love to go back to school and get my degree in education if my other option doesn't work out.

I only know you from your posts on here, but my guess is you'd make a really good teacher.

I don't think I've ever had a job I loved, either. The job I hated least was, I think, being in the Army.

09-30-2008, 07:48 AM	#3
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	That house was my wife's favorite spot we visited when we vacationed in California. __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

09-30-2008, 10:24 AM	#7
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	I'm actually really loving my job right now, but of course I really don't have any responsibilities except to keep up with my training materials. But I'm loving my GM, the other managers are all very cool and I feel have accepted me and value my opinion, and the team members have been respectful. I hope to god when I'm done with my training that I'm put somewhere that I like as much... __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

09-30-2008, 10:39 AM	#8
MacroGuru Coordinator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Utah	I loved working at Macromedia, I was there from 99 - 01, at the heyday of the internet, we had no Per Diem and traveled like rock stars. We were the face of the company and I racked up over 400K air miles in 2 years and the same in hotel points which I kept. Getting stock at a great price was a solid thing as well. Access to the software, companies I worked with it was great as my opinion was respected in a lot of places. After that, even though I was gone from the family 8 weeks at a time, R3 was a pretty great gig as well. Weekly xbox 360 tournaments, down time was 360 time. Weekends off and able to visit some of the fun stuff in the cities we were at or wake up in your bathroom at 6 am wondering how the hell you got there. __________________ "forgetting what is in the past, I strive for the future"

09-30-2008, 11:53 AM	#12
JediKooter Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego via Sausalito via San Jose via San Diego	Installing DSL for PacBell - People! Clean your homes!!! And my current one at Apple, even though I am separated from my family and go back home about once a month. __________________ I'm no longer a Chargers fan, they are dead to me Coming this summer to a movie theater near you: The Adventures of Jedikooter: Part 4 Last edited by JediKooter : 09-30-2008 at 11:54 AM.

09-30-2008, 12:19 PM	#14
Pyser Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Los Angeles	in hs and early college summers i was a manager of a ben and jerrys on the boardwalk of the jersey shore. i was the only guy that worked there, served girls in bikinis all day long, was invited to all the beach parties after work, and when it got too hot during the shift, we could always take a quick swim in the ocean when i have my inevitable midlife crisis, i will desperately try to recreate that job. Last edited by Pyser : 09-30-2008 at 12:19 PM.

09-30-2008, 07:03 AM	#2
sachmo71 The boy who cried Trout Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: TX	that's a pretty cool job. that lady was batshit crazy.

09-30-2008, 09:58 AM	#5
johnnyshaka College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton, AB	WTF?? I was in San Jose a couple of years ago and I never heard of the place...pfffft...figures.

09-30-2008, 10:21 AM	#6
DeToxRox Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Michigan	Working at an Ice Arena in High School. Drive the Zamboni, make everyone else do shit, and then when at 1 AM, call up my buddies and play hockey till 3 or 4 AM. So bad ass.

09-30-2008, 11:27 AM	#9
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	I've always loved my present job (game designer/coder/teaboy) - its what I'd be doing as a hobby if I wasn't lucky enough to do it full time.

09-30-2008, 11:42 AM	#11
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	I won't list jobs in my career, but while I was in University, I worked for a thrift store for half a year or so. During that time I was never trained on cash (was supposed to be trained around the time I left). So for six months I was walking around picking up clothes and random stuff. It fulfilled my slacker needs really well. With the discount, and kinda first dibs on stuff coming in, I bought old video game stuff too. Win-win.

09-30-2008, 12:04 PM	#13
Dr. Sak Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA	In high school I worked the grounds crew for a local golf course. I found thousands of golf balls and golfed for free (with a cart) anytime I wanted.

09-30-2008, 01:45 PM	#15
Fidatelo Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, MB	I spent a few summers working at the gas station out by my parents cabin. My first year, my brother and I both worked the same shifts (usually mon-fri mornings) because I wasn't old enough to drive myself to work. Things would get busy around by 10:30am, but for the first 2-3 hours each morning we'd spend most of our time sitting on a couple of chairs out front cracking jokes and hanging out. Definitely a great time to think back on. __________________ "Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime."

09-30-2008, 02:49 PM	#18
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Hopefully I'll love the new one I'm starting Monday. Been a long time since I was excited for a gig. This was the first one I was able to more or less hand pick. __________________

09-30-2008, 02:56 PM	#19
GrantDawg World Champion Mis-speller Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Covington, Ga.	Never had a job I loved. Sad, really.

09-30-2008, 02:59 PM	#20
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	You don't love being World Champion Mis-speller?

09-30-2008, 09:33 PM	#23
MrDNA High School Varsity Join Date: Jan 2007	I worked at a haunted prison (Eastern State Pennitentiary for those near Philly). Got to scare the crap out of people and met my girlfriend who I've been with for 7 years now. Good deal. Also, I love being a teacher. But that sounds lame. __________________ Norfolk Flame (Shiba) Jacksonville Bulls (UFL) R.I.P. *Ayr Bravehearts (FOFL)*

10-01-2008, 09:17 PM	#25
tarcone Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pacific	I loved delivering pizzas in the college town I grew up in. A bunch of my buddies worked there. We had a great time. I also love being a 6th grade P.E. teacher. I get to play all day long and get paid for it.

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