One of the things I have come to enjoy most about my new job is the chance to talk to people on a daily basis. Not the people who complain about fees and how the bank should be a "non for proffit" and let everyone overdraft their accounts and never be held responsible for spending money they didn't have. Not those people.
More specifically, I have come to enjoy conversations with those society deems as elderly. In the past it has frustrated trying to convey things to those who are 50 years my senior. However, through people that I have met at the bank I am starting to enjoy talking with these old people.
Most of them have a pretty intersting story. One lady recently told me about living overseas for the majority of her life and becoming bilingual. Today I was informed that in the 1940s you could see a double feature "picture show" for 30 cents.
The great thing about the elderly is they have time to stop their day and tell you some stories. And for the most part I have the time to sit and listen to them. Because every time I hear one of these stories I realize that one day I'll probably be the old man that goes to the bank and rambles on about "back when I worked at the bank..."
So next time you meet someone older, listen to what they have to say, you might just be entertained.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Been a while
I realize that it has been awhile since I have made an update to my blog. I apologize for neglecting those of you who actually read this thing. In an attempt to catch everyone up with the past few weeks, I will give a brief update of the events that have happened. I promise not to go so long without blogging again.
The Olympics - I think it's pretty crazy that Michael Phelps won his 8th gold medal of this games last night. The guy is basically the closest thing to aquaman we've ever seen. And his diet? The guy eats 8000-10000 calories a day. He eats more calories in one day than I eat in 5. I'm pretty excited about track and field getting started as well. Last night I watched a racer known as "lightning" destroy the field in the 100 meter dash. I just wish I could be in Bejing watching all this live instead of tape delayed on NBC.
One Year anniversary - Jen and I celebrated one year of marriage last weekend in Nashville. We stayed at the Opryland hotel and had an amazing weekend. We went to the Grand Ol Opry and saw carrie underwood, visited the country music hall of fame and the Ryman auditorium, and stopped by wildhorse saloon. Every time I visit Nashvill I think of how neat of a city it really is. Jen and I had a wonderful time, and we have had an even better first year of marriage.
Random Happenings - The Knoxville Duck Race took place yesterday. They dropped 47,000 ducks off the South Knoxville Bridge which proceeded to float a mile down the river. It was a big event as always and my dad has had a good time organizing and planning everything. I think he likes the duck race as much as I like Christmas.
We got see our friends Ryan and Sam the other night. Their baby, Kenzli, just keeps getting bigger and bigger. We had a good time with the three of them, getting to catch up and spend some time with there little girl.
I also swung by the UT bookstore the other day. The bookstore is located in the University center and I happened to be there on move in day. So naturally I was reminded of my college days and felt like it only happened yesterday. At least until I saw this kid in line to buy lunch that was in college and he looked about 12 years old to me. In fact he was 18, and once again I was reminded that college freshman are 7 years younger than me.
So that is the past few weeks in a nutshell. I have more stories about everthing that I will try to update in here. I also have pictures to share.
The Olympics - I think it's pretty crazy that Michael Phelps won his 8th gold medal of this games last night. The guy is basically the closest thing to aquaman we've ever seen. And his diet? The guy eats 8000-10000 calories a day. He eats more calories in one day than I eat in 5. I'm pretty excited about track and field getting started as well. Last night I watched a racer known as "lightning" destroy the field in the 100 meter dash. I just wish I could be in Bejing watching all this live instead of tape delayed on NBC.
One Year anniversary - Jen and I celebrated one year of marriage last weekend in Nashville. We stayed at the Opryland hotel and had an amazing weekend. We went to the Grand Ol Opry and saw carrie underwood, visited the country music hall of fame and the Ryman auditorium, and stopped by wildhorse saloon. Every time I visit Nashvill I think of how neat of a city it really is. Jen and I had a wonderful time, and we have had an even better first year of marriage.
Random Happenings - The Knoxville Duck Race took place yesterday. They dropped 47,000 ducks off the South Knoxville Bridge which proceeded to float a mile down the river. It was a big event as always and my dad has had a good time organizing and planning everything. I think he likes the duck race as much as I like Christmas.
We got see our friends Ryan and Sam the other night. Their baby, Kenzli, just keeps getting bigger and bigger. We had a good time with the three of them, getting to catch up and spend some time with there little girl.
I also swung by the UT bookstore the other day. The bookstore is located in the University center and I happened to be there on move in day. So naturally I was reminded of my college days and felt like it only happened yesterday. At least until I saw this kid in line to buy lunch that was in college and he looked about 12 years old to me. In fact he was 18, and once again I was reminded that college freshman are 7 years younger than me.
So that is the past few weeks in a nutshell. I have more stories about everthing that I will try to update in here. I also have pictures to share.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Quack Quack Dash
Every year in Knoxville there is an event that almost everyone in the city has heard of. It is called the Great Knoxville Rubber Duck Race. Each year they drop 40 to 50 THOUSAND ducks of the Gay street bridge in Knoxville.
To say the least it is a really fun experience to watch those ducks drop and race a mile down the river. These are small rubber ducks. You can compete to win a slew of prizes. This event is special to me because I have been going since it began. My dad plays a large part in planning and arranging this event.
I saw all of that to share a link to the race website. If you have time please click on the commercial with Bruce Pearl at the bottom. I promise you will laugh...
http://www.knoxvilleduckrace.com/
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Sick again
Wednesday afternoon at work I noticed that the bank felt exceptionally cold. It is generally cool in our branch but for some reason I was cold, and that never happens. By the time I got home from work I was shivering. It was 98 degrees outside and I had our air kicked up to 80, and was under blankets on the couch shivering. That is when I first realized I was sick.
It turned out I had a 103 degree temperature. I later talked to my mom and we determined the last time I had run a temperature was 7 years ago, my freshman year in college when I had the flu. I thought that maybe I would be able to sleep of this little illness. So I went to bed and woke up Thursday morning feeling even worse and still with the temperature. Unfortunately I had to call in to work again and head to the doctor.
The doctor first thought I had the flu. Yes, the flu in July based on all my symptoms. It turns out it was a bacteria that caused all the same symptoms of the flu. So he gave me some medicine and told me I would feel better in a couple days.
So I went home and started taking the medicine. I noticed no change until Thursday night. That was at the point when my stomach became effected. I wore a trail out to our bathroom. I won't go in to any further detail. So Friday, I still feel bad and now I have this additional problem. The doctor prescribed me some additional medicine to help with the stomach issues.
So Friday afternoon I started feeling a little better and then my stomach started to cramp. Because now I have the exact opposite problem. However, at least I'm getting my strength back. My boss was nice enough to tell me that Saturday at work was covered which I was supposed to work. Nobody really wanted to risk contracting what I have. And I would feel pretty to give it to anyone.
So I've been at home bonding with the dog and the cat for a few days now. They have been really good to keep me company while Jen was at work. Jen has taken good care of me too. I worked at my last job for 2 years and never took a sick day. I've been at the bank three months and I've had to take 3 sick days. I hope they don't start to think I'm illness prone. At least I have the doctors note to prove my legitimacy.
It turned out I had a 103 degree temperature. I later talked to my mom and we determined the last time I had run a temperature was 7 years ago, my freshman year in college when I had the flu. I thought that maybe I would be able to sleep of this little illness. So I went to bed and woke up Thursday morning feeling even worse and still with the temperature. Unfortunately I had to call in to work again and head to the doctor.
The doctor first thought I had the flu. Yes, the flu in July based on all my symptoms. It turns out it was a bacteria that caused all the same symptoms of the flu. So he gave me some medicine and told me I would feel better in a couple days.
So I went home and started taking the medicine. I noticed no change until Thursday night. That was at the point when my stomach became effected. I wore a trail out to our bathroom. I won't go in to any further detail. So Friday, I still feel bad and now I have this additional problem. The doctor prescribed me some additional medicine to help with the stomach issues.
So Friday afternoon I started feeling a little better and then my stomach started to cramp. Because now I have the exact opposite problem. However, at least I'm getting my strength back. My boss was nice enough to tell me that Saturday at work was covered which I was supposed to work. Nobody really wanted to risk contracting what I have. And I would feel pretty to give it to anyone.
So I've been at home bonding with the dog and the cat for a few days now. They have been really good to keep me company while Jen was at work. Jen has taken good care of me too. I worked at my last job for 2 years and never took a sick day. I've been at the bank three months and I've had to take 3 sick days. I hope they don't start to think I'm illness prone. At least I have the doctors note to prove my legitimacy.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
3.75 College Graduates vs. The Kitten
As many of you know, after college your weekend typically is not what it used to be. You may go out to dinner or even catch a movie, but late nights are a thing of the past. Well, Jen and I had a late night on Friday....
Friday evening Jen and I heard a strange noise coming from the bushes below our apartment. We didn't think much of it until our neighbor came over and told us it was a stray kitten. At this point Jen and our neighbor (also named Jen) decided that they had to save it. This of course involved me and Matt (other Jen's boyfriend.)
Armed with a broom, two flashlights, a bowl of milk, and some dry cat food the four of us set out to get the kitten. The Jen's wanted to rescue it, take it to the vet, and find it a good home. All this began around 10pm.
An hour and a half later we decided the kitten had outsmarted us. Three college graduates and one almost graduate (Matt) could not outsmart a 9 week old kitten. We tried to coax it out the bushes, we cornered it under a car, we even touched it but no one could get ahold of it. This went on for about two hours.
Distressed and discouraged we thought we would try again in the morning. Saturday morning I took Jen's cousins, ages 6 and 8, to look for the kitten. We heard it under an SUV in the parking lot. Our other neighbor came up and told us how she had left it food and tried to capture it the other night as well. She has a law degree and couldn't outsmart the cat.
Later that afternoon our neighbor along with a few others were able to apprehend the kitten. He has since been to the vet, had his first round of shots, been flee dipped and bathed. He is 9 weeks old and needs a good home. If anyone is interested please let me know. He is very affectionate and is litter trained.
He is also apparently pretty smart. We all realize we are not cut out for animal control. We could not catch this little kitten, but now that we have we want to make sure he has a good home. So apparently it takes a kitten search party to keep me and Jen out on a Friday these days.
Friday evening Jen and I heard a strange noise coming from the bushes below our apartment. We didn't think much of it until our neighbor came over and told us it was a stray kitten. At this point Jen and our neighbor (also named Jen) decided that they had to save it. This of course involved me and Matt (other Jen's boyfriend.)
Armed with a broom, two flashlights, a bowl of milk, and some dry cat food the four of us set out to get the kitten. The Jen's wanted to rescue it, take it to the vet, and find it a good home. All this began around 10pm.
An hour and a half later we decided the kitten had outsmarted us. Three college graduates and one almost graduate (Matt) could not outsmart a 9 week old kitten. We tried to coax it out the bushes, we cornered it under a car, we even touched it but no one could get ahold of it. This went on for about two hours.
Distressed and discouraged we thought we would try again in the morning. Saturday morning I took Jen's cousins, ages 6 and 8, to look for the kitten. We heard it under an SUV in the parking lot. Our other neighbor came up and told us how she had left it food and tried to capture it the other night as well. She has a law degree and couldn't outsmart the cat.
Later that afternoon our neighbor along with a few others were able to apprehend the kitten. He has since been to the vet, had his first round of shots, been flee dipped and bathed. He is 9 weeks old and needs a good home. If anyone is interested please let me know. He is very affectionate and is litter trained.
He is also apparently pretty smart. We all realize we are not cut out for animal control. We could not catch this little kitten, but now that we have we want to make sure he has a good home. So apparently it takes a kitten search party to keep me and Jen out on a Friday these days.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
That's Profilin and that's wrong
There have been a few times in my life when I have been moderately discriminated against. Typically they have happened in jewelry stores or car lots where people don't think I have the money to buy things. However, last night I think I uncovered a group of patrons that were being profiled and discriminated.
Jen's family is in town for the weekend. By family I mean her grandmother, aunt and two younger cousins that are ages 6 and 8. Last night we decided we would have dinner at a large chain Italian Restaurant. I won't name any names but it rhymes with the golive arden. We were told the wait for six would be 30 minutes which is average on a Saturday night.
Once we were seated in the restaurant I began to look around and notice one common factor around all the tables in our section. They all had multiple children under the age of 10. Some of the kids around us were loud and some were even screaming. Our family was one of the quietest in the area.
I think that the restaurant had purposely sat all the children in one area as not to disturb the other patrons. So, yes we were profiled at dinner. Since I grew up an only child and so did Jen we have never witnessed this injustice before. Even if you have quiet kids you are thrown in to a chuck e cheese like atmosphere for reproducing multiples. Coincidence? I think not.
Jen's family is in town for the weekend. By family I mean her grandmother, aunt and two younger cousins that are ages 6 and 8. Last night we decided we would have dinner at a large chain Italian Restaurant. I won't name any names but it rhymes with the golive arden. We were told the wait for six would be 30 minutes which is average on a Saturday night.
Once we were seated in the restaurant I began to look around and notice one common factor around all the tables in our section. They all had multiple children under the age of 10. Some of the kids around us were loud and some were even screaming. Our family was one of the quietest in the area.
I think that the restaurant had purposely sat all the children in one area as not to disturb the other patrons. So, yes we were profiled at dinner. Since I grew up an only child and so did Jen we have never witnessed this injustice before. Even if you have quiet kids you are thrown in to a chuck e cheese like atmosphere for reproducing multiples. Coincidence? I think not.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Played a Fool
As most of you know a few months ago I changed jobs from the transportation industry to banking. After three solid months in the bank I can say that I am happy for the change. I like the hours, the type of work I do, talking with people every day and working in a more professional environment.
One of the main reasons I took the bank job was based on the amount of time I would have off. I would have more time in the afternoon/evening and I would be on a Saturday rotation to where I would only have to work one Saturday every 4-5 weeks.
I worked at my previous job for two years: first in Knoxville then in Birmingham. In Knoxville I worked several different schedules, but for the most part I worked 6-4 M-thursday and usually 6-12 on Fridays. It was one of the perks of being the senior guy in my position. So needless to say I loved having the afternoon and a three and a half day weekend. However, when I moved to Birmingham I was told that everyone in this district works one day out of the weekend. I was not thrilled about that, but being newly married and having a wife that was accustomed to eating hand having heating and air, I tolerated the change and gave up my Sundays for 5 months. Then it switched to me giving up my Saturdays and ultimately I gave up the Mondays I was told I would have off to work at a satellite location.
I made the best of the situation and went to worked and earned my paycheck. When I got the chance to change jobs I jumped at it. Before I left our district manager asked me point blank what it would take to keep me. I said the main thing I would want is time. Weekends off in particular. He said I can't guarantee you that because we are a retail establishment.
I say all of the above to tell you of an eye story I heard yesterday. A lady I works with has a son that works at the exact location I used to. The one where I worked six days a week and every Saturday until 3pm. I asked her what schedule her son was on. She tells me he works Monday through Thursday. I said excuse me, what is the fifth day? "He works monday through thursday for ten hours a day and they give him Friday, Saturday and Sunday off." WHAT? I put in a grueling year of weekends and holidays and leave only to find out the brand new guy is pulling three day weekends.
Do I think it will last? Not at all. The turnover is way too high for anyone to actually get to keep a good schedule. But still, how does that work. If anyone knows please tell me. I told the lady I work with that I was impressed and amazed he pulled off that schedule.
One of the main reasons I took the bank job was based on the amount of time I would have off. I would have more time in the afternoon/evening and I would be on a Saturday rotation to where I would only have to work one Saturday every 4-5 weeks.
I worked at my previous job for two years: first in Knoxville then in Birmingham. In Knoxville I worked several different schedules, but for the most part I worked 6-4 M-thursday and usually 6-12 on Fridays. It was one of the perks of being the senior guy in my position. So needless to say I loved having the afternoon and a three and a half day weekend. However, when I moved to Birmingham I was told that everyone in this district works one day out of the weekend. I was not thrilled about that, but being newly married and having a wife that was accustomed to eating hand having heating and air, I tolerated the change and gave up my Sundays for 5 months. Then it switched to me giving up my Saturdays and ultimately I gave up the Mondays I was told I would have off to work at a satellite location.
I made the best of the situation and went to worked and earned my paycheck. When I got the chance to change jobs I jumped at it. Before I left our district manager asked me point blank what it would take to keep me. I said the main thing I would want is time. Weekends off in particular. He said I can't guarantee you that because we are a retail establishment.
I say all of the above to tell you of an eye story I heard yesterday. A lady I works with has a son that works at the exact location I used to. The one where I worked six days a week and every Saturday until 3pm. I asked her what schedule her son was on. She tells me he works Monday through Thursday. I said excuse me, what is the fifth day? "He works monday through thursday for ten hours a day and they give him Friday, Saturday and Sunday off." WHAT? I put in a grueling year of weekends and holidays and leave only to find out the brand new guy is pulling three day weekends.
Do I think it will last? Not at all. The turnover is way too high for anyone to actually get to keep a good schedule. But still, how does that work. If anyone knows please tell me. I told the lady I work with that I was impressed and amazed he pulled off that schedule.
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