Monday, 03 January 2011
Chief Maintenance Engineer for Bernard’s Furniture. OK OK. So I was the furniture duster. I was 13 and I thought I was way cool. I believe I started at $1.90 an hour! Hey, it helped pay for the $1.75 movies and $12 Levis. I’m not sure how good I was but I did work there until my junior year in high school. Eventually did some light sales and was able to open and close. Wow. That was cool. I know sometimes if I was bored I would play house in some of the living room arrangements. I know. Gay. Or I would sit in the front window display like a mannequin. Trying not to move. Again. Gay. Got it!
One time we had this large display of dozens and dozens of glass hurricane lamps that were all plugged in and turned on. Well. I marched over there with my bottle of Windex and started randomly spraying when POP POP POP POP POP!!! Yep. Them light bulbs sure were hot! I must have shattered 3 or 4 lamps. Easily.
I have to say I credit this job with providing me with a work ethic I have carried with me my entire life. Make your own money. Take care of yourself. Earn your own money! Work hard and work honestly. I made great friends and give a cyber shout out to Jack Zouber and Dave Petersen for mentoring me. And for letting me win at cribbage sometimes and buying me burgers at Herr Schmidt!
