Today wasn't too bad. The company I work for is privately owned and has been for decades. Vermont, already small, has a comforting mountain vibe that I really appreciate. I think I'd enjoy being a conductor. I just need to get through the next couple of months. The chain gang is coming up soon, and they'll need me. I'm still not very good at spiking; I hit the rail every time. Every muscle in my body aches. Part of it was lugging all those plates around, swinging the hammer, and chauffeuring tools up and down hills. Coming from a tech background, this is quite different.
Physical labor can be a life changer. Back when I was in my mid 20s, coming out of a world of drugs and booze and all the rest, I got a job with a brother who had a tree-trimming business. I was a wasteoid at the time but dear Hollis showed me the ropes, literally, showed me how to use the ropes and tie knots and all, and I started climbing. It was like BootCamp at first. Some days after being up in a tree all day I would come home and collapse on the floor with my boots on. But I stuck with it and actually got strong and healthy. I became a very skilled tree monkey. One of the best things that ever happened to me. I came to love hard physical work. I still love it. It is a gift from God.
It's definitely a provision from Jehovah. Of that I am certain. It's more money than I ever made before. Technically I make a little less per hour than Amazon, but I get a LOT of overtime. So I'll never have a problem paying bills again. But it's more than that. My job with amazon got me to give up smoking cigarettes. Now this job forced me to give up weed. It's like Jah put things in place to slowly wean me off all my vices. While it sounds weird to me, I feel great, despite being exhausted and sore everywhere. It kind of reminds me of military school. I guess I'm still in the hell weeks phase. Jehovah must have known this was what I needed right now.
I smiled when you talked about every muscle sore and hurting. I started out on a tie-gang. The gang replaced 3-5 miles of track per day, we worked 10 hour days in ALL weather. My job was to follow the tie puller machine. When the tie was removed, 8 spikes and 2 tie plates dropped in the hole where the tie had been. I had to reach down and pick up the spikes and plates and throw them in a dumpy cart that was behind the machine. I estimated I did about 10,000 squats a day. At the end of the day (we stayed in motels and traveled with the gang) I was so tired that I simply got to the room and went to bed. We had a saying.... Too hungry to sleep, too tired to eat. There were long days that we just did not eat. Like you said, the paycheck was the reward. Our boss told us that we would be "married" to the railroad! All we had to do was our job and open our pockets and the railroad would fill them up! Transportation was much less physical but a lot more stressful. Most track work is done during the day. Transportation is 24/7. Most freight, grain, stackers, coal, runs all day every day, especially at night and weekends. Work days can be 2 hours up to 12 hours long. I have worked 12 hours and then waited on the train another 6 hours for a relief crew or ride to come get us off the train. Each day is a new experience!
I guess you don't need a gym when you work for the railroad.
That's strange isn't it? I'm the same way. The older I get the more I enjoy hard work and exercise. I was such a lazy cuss when I was younger. Now if there's a job to do that involves lifting and moving heavy stuff, I volunteer. As I deteriorate with age, I seek stuff that could hurt me.
Is there not an American saying “Hurry up and wait”? I have suffered from being early my entire life. My father was always late or there at the skin of his teeth and it affected my whole life. My motto has been “If you cannot be prompt, be early.” I have never been late in my life for anything and so most of my life has been wasted. Now I wait for things to happen. You can’t win!!
I hear that. They were only 30 minutes late. 😂
It amazing that even folks from another planet are able to find Robert’s site. You must come and sit by my fireside post tribulation and we will explore the alternative universe together. It will be a delight.
Me pasa lo mismo. Después cuando llegan te preguntan, anda! Si estás aquí! Se que quieren que pierda los papeles, pero respiro y al trabajo.🤷🏻
Stay safe & stay sane!
Auuuu, eso duele más tarde. Recuerdo cuando me corté toda la yema del dedo corazon. No sabía que podía sangrar tanto una parte tan pequeña de mi cuerpo. Por suerte me salió la uña. Apenas duele si, lo peor fueron las curas y el vendaje en el dedo corazon acompañado de las bromas por tener el dedo de la palabrota, como dice mi hija, vendado con gran tamaño. Que te sea leve.🫰
I don't believe either of those words exist in the railroad vocabulary.